ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Ruthandian Union Golden Bat Second and Third Place



Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Second and Third Place

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, October 27, 2085

IPA FINEST FIREBALLERS AND FLINGERS NAB GOLDEN ARM TROPHIES
The game is called baseball, but many times the name of the game is pitching. The best moundsmen were named by the Islandian Pro Alliance today and the 2085 Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm went to Waleska's little right-hander Barney Brayton and the 2085 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm was presented to another little right-hander Allie Tuthill of the High Mesa Buckaroos. This year's winners may be short of stature, only 5' 10", but they stand high on the hill.

BRAYTON KING OF THE HILL IN RUTHLANDIAN UNION
The Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm this year was Barney Brayton. Just 25 years old, he compiled a 13-9 record in 32 starts for the Westerners, tallied 162 strikeouts in 237 innings and recorded a 2.50 ERA. Other clubs managed only a .215 batting average against him. Waleska wound up fourth in the RU South and came in 13 games back of division winner Belair Beach at 77-77. This is his 5th year with the Westerners. This is his first Golden Arm. So far in his career, Brayton is a modest 54-48 with a 3.42 ERA.

Number two in the Islandian Times RU Golden Arm poll was Kerby Mars of Forest City. Just 24 years of age and in his third season, he was second in the RU in victories. The Firebird righty starred with an 18-9 record and a 2.69 ERA. Mars made 33 starts, worked 247 innings and fanned 172 batters. Teams could only hit .218 against him. He kept Forest City in the pennant chase against Colfax in the RU West. The Firebirds ended up in second place, 5 games behind the pennant-winning Black Sox.

Third in the RU Golden Arm balloting was another Waleska Westerner, closer Andre Deschamps. Just 25 years old, he stood out with a 12-5 mark and 11 saves in 57 games. Deschamps chalked up 2.09 ERA and led the Ruthlandian Union in that category. Opposing clubs hit a weak .220 against him. He tossed 177 innings and struck out 124 batters.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award

DREAM YEAR FOR TU GOLDEN ARM TUTHILL OF HIGH MESA
It was a dream season for Allie Tuthill of High Mesa Buckaroos. He pitched his way to a 21-5 record and carted off the 2085 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award. For the first time in 24 years, his Buckaroos copped the TU East Division title. The last postseason appearance was in 2062.

This was first time Tuthill has been honored as the best pitcher in the league. Working 255 innings this year, Tuthill, a right-hander, made 32 starts, struck out 157 and crafted a splendid 1.84 ERA, the best in the entire IPA. He only permitted 50 walks and limited other teams to a very puny .204 average. Tuthill is 28 and in his 7th season with the Buckaroos. Overall he is 85-76 with a 3.45 ERA in his career.

Eddy Bohannon is an oldie, but a goodie. He is 32 and a 13-year veteran. He finished second to Tuthill for the TU Golden Arm honor. Bohannon had a super season with a 17-6 record and 2.14 ERA. In 31 starting assignments he tossed 236 innings, fanned 154 batters. Bohannon limited other teams to a paltry .205 BA. He was an important part of Ginza's run for the Tycobbian South pennant. The Ninjas ran a great race losing out in the final week of the season to San Alejo, winding up in third place, just 3 games behind. Lifetime in the IPA with 4 clubs, Bohannon is 125-114 with a 3.61 ERA. This was his first season with Ginza.

Bay St. Clair fireballer Chuck Chelkowski came in third in the TU Golden Arm voting, posting a 15-10 mark with a strong 2.21 ERA in his 32 starts. Teams only hit a measly Mendozian .190 against him. Chelkowski whiffed 188 batters in his 265 innings pitched. In his 11th year, his velocity is still sky-high and near 100 mph at age 31. However, it was not a great season for the Buccaneers. They finished in 7th place in the TU West, but they were only 9 and a half games behind division champion Chicopee.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 28, 2085

VIZCARRA AND GRANHAM IPA BEST RECRUITS IN 2085
"Beginner, greenhorn, tenderfoot"... none of those words really fit the bill when it comes to the best new players in the Islandian Pro Alliance. The best word is "rookie". In the class of 2085 the top recruits were catcher Paz Vizcarra of the Beechwood Blues and pitcher Dookie Garnham of the Hartsdale Hellcats. Those two stood head-and-shoulders above the average newcomer. Vizcarra was selected the 2085 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year, while Garnham was picked the 2085 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year. They were honored as the best freshmen in the IPA this season.

2085 was a sparse season for rookies in the IPA. In both the Ruthlandian Union and the Tycobbian Union only 14 position players and 4 pitchers won regular spots in the batting order and starting rotations.

BLUES' VIZCARRA TOP RU ROOKIE
In the Ruthlandian Union Beechwood backstop Paz Vizcara (.277 BA/15 HR/63 RBI) beat out Rocky Rapids center fielder Henri Talleyrand (.317 BA/6 HR/67 RBI) and Glasco second sacker Florian du Pont (.295 BA/10 HR/65 RBI) for the top rookie trophy, given out by The Islandian Times. None of them played for contenders. Beechwood (64-90) finished last, Rocky Rapids (78-76) came in 6th and Glasco (64-90) wound up in the cellar.

HELLCATS' GARNHAM BEST TU FRESHMAN
One rookie certainly made his presence known this season in the Tycobbian Union. Pitcher Dookie Garnham (16-5/2.50 ERA/30 starts) really earned his keep with the pennant-winning Hartsdale Hellcats. He easily was acclaimed the 2085 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year over La Claire shortstop Lyn Holman (.284 BA/0 HR/51 RBI/94 R) and Mahaska left fielder Devern O'Donnell (.262 BA/13 HR/48 RBI/91 R). All three of them made positive contributions to their clubs. Hartsdale (91-63) won the TU North, La Claire (81-73) ended up a close 3rd in the TU West, losing out to Chicopee by just one and a half games and Mahaska (86-68) ran a fine race in the TU North, falling 2nd to the champion Hellcats by 5 games.

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Monday, October 29, 2085

IPA HONOR GOLD GLOVE DEFENSIVE DAZZLERS AND WHIZZES
IPA Golden Glovers dazzle, sparkle and everything in-between on the defensive side of baseball. They are the mostly unsung and unheralded part of the game. The sluggers and mound stars get the glitter, headlines and the money, but it's the defenders that win pennants and Pro Cup titles.

The Ruthlandian Union was paced by 5-time Golden Glovers Liam McWhiter of Valmara and Evan Murdoch of Belair Beach, along with 3-time recipients Dwight Hogan of Fort Benton and Harland Schiffman of Taranto.

Leading the way for the Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team were three players who have been named on two occasions: Beau Doane of South Fork, Vinny Hathaway of High Mesa and James Lundin of White River. Only one rookie was chosen. That was Devern O'Donnell of the Mahaska Haymakers.

2085 Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team


2085 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team

[Eugene Church]

Ruthlandian Union

[Eugene Church]

Tycobbian Union

[Eugene Church]

Monday, November 5, 2085

IPA BEST MANAGERS AWARDS GO TO TANSBURY AND TEMPLET
It's honeymoon time in the Islandian Pro Alliance for the best managers of 2058. It's a time of glory and praise for them, their moment of fame. As they all know, managers are "hired to be fired". The honeymoon period of first hiring and the award acclaim are short-lived. Currently basking in the sunshine are Eastshore skipper Malcolm Tansbury and High Mesa manager Tee Bo Templet, who were voted the best managers in the IPA this season by The Islandian Times poll.

TANSBURY TOP SKIPPER OF THE YEAR IN RUTHLANDIAN UNION
Malcolm Tansbury guided the Eastshore Cotton Kings to the Ruthlandian East title, improving them from third place and an 82-72 record to 90-64. This was the first-ever top manager award for him. Tansbury was the IPA Rookie of the Year in 2043. Overall in his career he was 193-215 in 17 seasons with a mediocre ballclub. He wound up with a solid 3.26 ERA. Tansbury has been with the Cotton Kings since 2068 and has won the RU East crown on three occasions.

Second in the Ruthlandian Best Manager poll was Colfax's Garry August, who boosted his club from second place with an 87-67 mark to the RU West division title with a 91-63 record, which tied Hartsdale for the top record in the IPA this season.

Third in the balloting was Randy Snow of Forest City. His Firebirds jumped from seventh place and 67-87 to an impressive 88-66 and a second-place spot to pennant-winning Colfax.

TEMPLET PICKED BEST MANAGER IN THE TYCOBBIAN UNION
Tee Bo Templet took over the High Mesa Buckaroos in 2062. Success has come hard over the years. After winning the Tycobbian East pennant in his first season, it took him over two decades to get back into the playoffs. His success has been up-and-down. His Buckaroos moved up from 5th place last year (71-83) to the division flag (88-67). In his playing days Tee Bo Templet was a fairly good pitcher for the team from '39 to '56, posting a 140-99 mark with a decent 4.10 ERA in a hitter's ballpark. During his managerial reign it has been mostly good, but with only two pennants. He won the TU East his first season in '62 and also in '85.


Runner-up in the top manager balloting was San Alejo's Matt Bell. His Montaneros climbed up from sixth place and 79-75 to 86-68 and copped the Tycobbian South pennant. Bell was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2057. The former superstar hurler is second all-time in wins with 391. Only James Long of Middlefield has more with 442 victories.

Winding up in third place in the 2085 Manager of the Year competition was Ryan Ledbetter of the Chicopee Braves. He led his club from third place and 78-76 to first place and 83-72 in the Tycobbian West.

[Eugene Church]

Glory Hallelujah!

Another IPA season completed... the Good Lord willing and those two creeks don't rise in my hometown, EC has only 15 more to reach the 100th-season mark.

I'll get busy getting the rosters ready for the 2086 season... I have to add some talent in the free agents to get a better grade of rookie. Rookie talent is not very good by the AI.

Also I have to fix all of the weird names that show up each year among the free agents and rookies. Also have to make sure the ethnic towns have a few ethnic names sprinkled in on the rosters.

Thanks to all of you who follow the Islandian Pro Alliance.
Viewership is pretty darn good.... running between 175 and 350 a day... averaging about 225.

Hopefully in the next 2 years I can reach the 1,000,000 views mark.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, January 2, 2085

3 IPA SUPERSTARS INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
Make room for three more Islandian Pro Alliance superstars into the Hall of Fame. White River's Shorty Meaux, Bayview's Zak Smalley and La Claire's Charles Larson picked up enough support to be inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in Marston. The trio of IPA icons garnered admission to the revered institution in their very first year of eligibility. They join with 140 other IPA immortals in the Hall of Fame. There are 53 pitchers and 90 position players.

The full voting results are included here. Players require 75% of ballots cast to be elected to the Hall, may stay on the ballot for up to 10 years if they receive at least 5% of the votes. Players must be retired for 3 years before they are eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame.

SP Shorty Meaux 99.4 (1st year) Inducted HOF
3B Zak Smalley 90.5 (1st year) Inducted HOF
LF Charles Larson 85.4 (1st year) Inducted HOF
2B Andre Lemoine 66.7 (1st year)
C Ozzy Crenshaw 50.2 (10th year) Dropped
CF Maxie Mullinax 46.7 (10th year) Dropped
RF Ernie Friedricks 40.0 (1st year)
SS Junior Evans 35.6 (4th year)
SS Yazzy Ricks 33.7 (5th year)
SP William Pike 33.3 (3rd year)
RP Henry Youngman 28.9 (1st year)
2B Nat Kenner 21.6 (1st year)
SS Andy Zahn 19.4 (1st year)
SS Ollie Daggs 19.4 (1st year)
SP Mick Flanders 17.5 (1st year)
LF Dolph Gordon 13.7 (1st year)
2B Luke Hazlett 13.3 (10th year) Dropped
SP Billy Lake 13.0 (2nd year)
3B Misha Makowski 12.7 (1st year)
SP Russell Krohn 10.5 (4th year)
CF Eliott Carleton 10.5 (1st year)

[Eugene Church]

I am making good progress on updating the team rosters and fixing the aberrant names the AI sometimes chooses.

Have done 32 of trhe 64 teams.

I'm gonna watch the Mets and Brewers this evening.

[Eugene Church]

I updated all 64 teams for the 2085 IPA season.

Will post preseason predictions next.

Gonna watch the MLB playoffs tonight.

Not sure who I will be pulling for.... hope one of the small market teams wins it all... glad Houston is gone... I will never forgive them for cheating to win the World Series... I don't pull for Alex Cora because he was with the Astros then... was glad the Bosox didn't make it... the World Series title should have been taken away from Astros... Hope the Yanks will bite the dust, too.

I like Shohei a lot... just personally... don't like the Padres... Tatis is too much of a hot dog. I will pull for the teams with the players and managers that are most likeable... have mixed emotion about the Tigers... Hinch was the skipper at Houston when the Astros cheated... but I like the Detroit players.

[Eugene Church]

OOPS!

No games tonight... they all start tomorrow.

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, April 4, 2086

HELLCATS, RACERS TOPS IN TYCOBBIA; COTTON KINGS, SUNBIRDS BEST IN RUTHLANDIA
Spring Training has come and gone in the Islands. It's time for the Islandian Pro Alliance games to count for real. It's opening day 2086 all across Islandia. And here is what all of the pundits and prophets are predicting. Hartsdale will capture the Tycobbian Union crown, beating out the Rolling Hills Racers. It will be the Eastshore Cotton Kings reigning in the Ruthlandian Union. The Fort Benton Cannons will give the Cotton Kings the most competition. The current IPA Pro Cup titleholder Colfax and the 2084 Pro Cup champion Belair Beach are also expected to contend again for the overall IPA crown. Should it come down to Hartsdale and Eastshore, the Hellcats will be favored to win it all.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES 2086 RUTHLANDIAN UNION PRESEASON PREVIEW

VIPERS, CATS, GATORS AND BULLS BATTLE IN RU NORTH
Top to bottom there will be no closer pennant race than the Ruthlandian North Division. When the dust settles the Valmara Vipers (83-71) will edge out the Kilkenny Cats (82-72) by a whisker, followed by last year's champ LaGrange (79-75) and Ranford (78-76). But don't be surprised if some of the bottom four are in the running, too. There is no dominant team in the RU North.

SUNBIRDS PICKED TO WIN RU SOUTH FOR 4TH YEAR IN A ROW
Belair Beach (84-70) got a slight nod from the baseball experts in the Ruthlandian South, but not by much. The Sunbirds will be severely tested by five other clubs: Claxton (83-71), Grand City (81-73), San Dimas (79-75) , St. John (77-77) and Valka (77-77). Parity is everywhere.

COTTON KINGS WILL WIN VERY CLOSE RACE WITH MACS, BLUES AND MUSKIES IN RU EAST
No one has reigned supreme and dominant in the Ruthlandian East in recent years. Wynnamac won the division flag in 2083, gave way to Belle Plaine in 2084 and Eastshore last year. All of them will be back in the hunt this season, along with the Beechwood Blues. Eastshore (90-64) will win a squeaker from Wynnamac (89-65). Beechwood (87-67) and Belle Plaine (84-70) won't be very far behind.

CANNONS WILL WIN SHOOTOUT WITH SNAPPERS; COLFAX, STONER AND VOLUSIA WILL BE FACTORS, TOO.
They have been trading places and playing musical chairs in the Ruthlandian West, too. Only Fort Benton has won twice in recent seasons, taking the title in 2081 and 2084. Colfax is the defending RU West titleholder as well as being the Pro Cup champion. Sligo won it in 2080, Forest City in 2082 and Volusia in 2083.

This season will be a battle royal down-to-the-wire finish between the Cannons (87-67) and Rocky Rapids Snappers (85-69) with Fort Benton winning by a narrow margin. Colfax (81-73) will wind up in third place, followed by Stoner (80-74) and Volusia (80-74), tied for the fourth spot in the standings.

[Eugene Church]

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES 2086 TYCOBBIAN UNION PRESEASON PREVIEW

HELLCATS, RACERS, NINJAS, STALLIONS ONLY POWERS IN TU
Based on the preseason predictions only a few teams will be in the hunt for playoff spots in the Tycobbian Union this year. The powers-to-be in 2086 are the Hartsdale Hellcats, Rolling Hills Racers, Ginza Ninjas and South Fork Stallions. All of the clubs are forecast to win nearly 100 games apiece and not be challenged by more than one team in their division. Ginza is favored to easily win the Tycobbian South with little opposition. It appears that only 7 teams will seriously challenge for postseason playoff positions this season.

HELLCATS HANDILY HAUL IN 5TH STRAIGHT TU NORTH CROWN
For the fifth year in a row the Hartsdale Hellcats (100-54) will be riding high in the Tycobbian North. The hard-hitting Hellcats seem to have it all - - good hitting, scoring, power, pitching and defense. No shortcomings or weaknesses. No one will contend except the Fairfax Frogs (94-60). The Frogs have better pitching, but lack longball power. That's the key factor in the race.

HIKITE!
(READY -- Karate Term in Japanese)
NINJAS PRIMED AND READY TO WREAK HAVOC IN TU SOUTH
Beware, the Ginza Ninjas are on the prowl in the Tycobbian South this year. They are primed and ready to kicks some butts in the TU South. Ginza is hungry for its first pennant since 2060 and the first Pro Cup Trophy since the Golden Year of 2059. The Ninjas (98-59) have what it takes to dominate this season. No one but the Summerland Sunsets (86-68) will offer any opposition and that won't be much. Ginza looks to have the division all to itself this year. Defending champion San Alejo (73-81) is forecast to end up a dismal fifth this season over 20 games behind. Perennial contender and power Turon (70-84) has fallen on very hard times and will tumble near the bottom of the division.

SF STALLIONS CHOMPING AT THE BIT IN THE TU EAST
For the last five seasons the South Fork Stallions have run good, but futile races in the Tycobbian East. This year South Fork just might have the hosses to ride away with the pennant. The Stallions (94-60) seem to have the right stuff needed to prevail like they did in 2077, the Pro Cup title season. They also won the pennant in 2078. The only club standing in their way is the Tuckanarra Blue Jays (89-65). No other challengers are in sight. Last year's winner and Pro Cup Finalist, High Mesa, is picked to wind up a distant fourth this season (18 GB).

RH RACERS ON THE RAMPAGE IN TU WEST, FAVORED TO EDGE OUT CHICOPEE IN CLOSE RACE
2085 was a disappointing season for the perpetual powerhouse Rolling Hills Racers last year. The Racers came very, very close to winning their 30th TU West flag. They heartbreakingly came in fourth, but just one and a half games back of the pennant-winning Chicopee Braves. Six times in the last 11 years the Racers have rolled to the TU title, three times they rode off with the Pro Cup Trophies. This year only the Braves (95-59) are expected to put up much of a fight. Two contenders for the division flag last season, Bayview and La Claire, are looking at a down year. The Bayview Vikings lost by one single game last year in a sudden-death playoff with the Braves. The Lynx fell short by just one and one-half games. The baseball experts are predicting that the Racers will be the best in the TU West and stop the Braves from repeating as champion.

[Eugene Church]

Special thanks to my favorite editor, CD.
He pointed out that I had posted the wrong screenshot.

[Eugene Church]

Monday, July 1, 2086

IPA RACES ARE TIGHTER IN RUTHLANDIA AT MIDYEAR
There are at least 16 serious challengers in the Ruthlandian Union at midyear. Not so in the Tycobbian Union where only 8 clubs seem to have any legitimate pennant hopes. Tycobbian teams South Fork and Mahaska have played extremely well so far and both have healthy leads. The Stallions are well ahead in the TU East with a very comfortable 10-game edge on Red Bluff and East Point. The Haymakers also have a solid 7-game margin over runner-up Fairfax in the TU North.

The biggest surprises are the Arcona Jumbos and the Colchester Elites. The Jumbos are the top team in the Ruthlandian North halfway through the year, while the Elites are a close third in the Tycobbian South and contending with first place Arroyo Grande and second-ranked Ginza.

Thus far, the biggest flops have been the current IPA Pro Cup champion Colfax Black Sox and the highly-heralded Hartsdale Hellcats. Colfax is in last place in the RU West and already 20 games out of first place. Hartsdale is running 5th and trails by a whopping 15 games at midseason. Both clubs were forecast to be in the thick of the pennant races this season.

WHOLESALE CHAOS IN RU NORTH
6 teams are fighting it out in the Ruthlandian North. Ancona, Ranford, Far Mountain, Kilkenny, preseason favorite Valmara and last year's winner LaGrange are all within 7 games of each other. The Jumbos have been terrific at the end of the first three months of play. This year Ancona was fated to end up in 7th place.

DIAMONDS, WESTERNERS, CYBERCATS AND CURRENT CHAMP SUNBIRDS IN TENSE RACE IN RU SOUTH
It's a 4-team affair in the Ruthlandian South between Claxton, Waleska, Grand City and preseason pick and defending division champion Belair Beach. It only 3 games from first to fourth place.

MUSKIES, NINE AND COTTON KINGS CONTEND IN RU EAST
In the Ruthlandian East, it's a three-team free-for-all between Belle Plaine, Marston and preseason choice and reigning division champion Eastshore. The Nine have been a mild surprise. The pundits ranked them the fifth-best team in the early season poll. Two highly-thought of teams, Wynnamac and Beechwood have slumbered so far. They were forecast to give the Cotton Kings a run for their money, along with Belle Plaine.

SNAPPERS, CANNONS AND FIREBIRDS MAKING LIFE MISERABLE FOR PRO CUP CHAMP COLFAX IN RU WEST
Coming off a glorious Pro Cup season, Colfax has had a miserable season so far and has sunk down to dead last in the Ruthlandian West. Lousy pitching is the reason. The Black Sox can forget about repeating as Pro Cup champion. At midseason they are already 20 games behind. The RU West race is shaping up as a three-team tango among preseason favorite Fort Benton, the up-and-coming Rocky Rapids Snappers and Forest City.

2086 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings

[jg2977]

I assume that for Colfax, a lot of players probably had career years last season, and they came back to Earth this year.

LaGrange has the best run-differential in the RU North despite being in 6th place. Perhaps they can make things interesting in the 2nd half.

[Eugene Church]

Monday, July 1, 2086

HAYMAKERS, SUNS, STALLIONS AND RACERS ON TOP AT HALFWAY MARK IN TU
At the season's halfway mark the baseball crystal ballers are pretty much on target and in the ballpark with their Tycobbian Union preseason predictions, except for two serious aberrations -- the Hartsdale Hellcats and the Ginza Ninjas.

MAHASKA HUMBLES HARTSDALE IN TU NORTH
It has been a very dismal season for the Hellcats. They are sub .500 and slumping along in the fifth spot in the TU North standings, 15 games behind first place Mahaska. Hartsdale was favored to win the division crown for the fifth consecutive year. Mahaska has been very impressive in the first half of the year. The Haymakers are going to make some noise this year. They could be trouble for South Fork, Rolling Hills and Ginza in the playoffs. Mahaska has a 7-game bulge over runner-up Fairfax at midyear. The Frogs could test the Haymakers in the second half of the season.

SUNS, ELITES AND SUN SOX CHALLENGE FAVORED NINJA IN TU SOUTH
Ginza was forecast to win the TU South handily. Not so, so far. A good four-team race is shaping up. Arroyo Grande is the leader at midseason with a one-game edge on preseason favorite Ginza, 5 up on third place Colchester and 5 and a half games better than fourth place Southport. Last year's division champion San Alejo was not expected to repeat. The Montaneros are currently wallowing in sixth place and trails by 14 and a half games. After all is said and done, look for Ginza to prevail. The Ninjas are solid with strong pitching and good home-run power. They are the class of the TU South.

STALLIONS STOMPING ALL COMERS IN TU EAST
Absolutely no contest in the Tycobbian East where South Fork is ruling the roost at midyear with an enormous 10-game margin over Red Bluff and East Point. The Stallions really have the hosses at the plate and on the hill. South Fork looks like one of the prime Pro Cup teams. Defending TU East flagholder and Pro Cup Finalist High Mesa was the fourth choice this season in the preseason poll. The Buckroos are currently fourth in the standings and 11 and one-half games off the pace.

RACERS ROLLING AGAIN IN TU WEST
In the Tycobbian West Division, the perpetual pennant winner and Pro Cup champion, the Rolling Hills Racers are at it once again with a 3 and a half-game lead over second place La Claire halfway through the season. Only the Lynx seem to be any challenge to the Racers. All of the other six clubs are watching from afar so far and not likely to be in the pennant chase. La Claire might be playing over its head. Many baseball analysts think it is just a matter of them before the Lynx comes down to earth and drop out of the race.

2086 Tycobbian Union Midseason Standings