ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 53

Eugene Church · 06-22-2009, 08:18 PM

The Islandian Times

March 9, 2004

Ranford Bullish On 2004 RU North Race
The Ranford Bulls, skippered by pitching legend Page Satcher, are a complete team with everything needed to win and they do - except for the postseason. Playing in the powerful Ruthlandian Union North with Valmara, Far Mountain and Glasco, the Bulls have compiled splendid 90-64 and 92-62 records in its first two years in the IPA, winding up fourth and second in the standings, only to fall to Glasco and Far Mountain in the opening round of the playoffs.

The baseball writers asked Satcher why does he do such a great job in the regular season, but such a poor job in the playoffs. The wise old twirler wryly replied, "Great job... poor job... You guys know I ain't ever had a job... I always played or managed baseball." Then he seriously added, "The playoffs are a different creature. Number one, it's a very short series... a lower-seeded team can often whip a higher seed two-out-of-three... and number two, the talent level is a notch or two above the regular season. Just take San Alejo for example... most people rate them the best team in the IPA... but they haven't won the Pro Cup yet. You know, you guys haven't been picking very well, either. The favored team in your polls have never won the Pro Cup. What do you have to say about the job you guys are doing. I think you are falling down on the prognosticating part of your job."

Satcher and his Ranford Bulls are picked to be in the thick of the race again in 2004. In fact, the preseason BNN baseball poll has them ranked first in the RU North and favored to win the pennant. Of all the contenders, the Bulls have the best pitching staff with three solid starters and a strong closer. They also hit very well. Plus, Satcher has signed an outstanding 19-year-old outfielder, Jose Castillo, a home run threat and solid defender. Castillo will take over in left field, hit second in the line-up and give Ranford one of the best outfield trios in the IPA.

Best Pitchers: All-Star LHP Chris Bernhoffer (22-10 2.54), LHP Bud Enright (18-9 2.66), Jamie Phillips (10-3 3.05) and closer LHP Tim DeKosky (3-4 1.83) with 8 saves in 33 games.

Best Batters: 1B Jordy John (.290 BA/26 HR/97 RBI/108 R), SS Rick Fargnoli (.305 BA/21 HR/91 RBI/92 R), C Walt Horvath (.302 BA/13 HR/72 RBI), RF Warren Gravois (.295 BA/11 HR/79 RBI/78 R/19 SB), 3B Colin Fairclough (.302 BA/10 HR/72 RBI/74 R/28 SB), All-Star 2B Johnny Fenroy (.268 BA/7 HR/67 RBI) and CF Bobby Keegan (.300 BA/8 HR/53 RBI/52 R/14 SB) in 97 games

Eugene Church · 06-22-2009, 10:38 PM

The Islandian Times

March 9, 2004

Red Sox Ranked Runner-Up in Preseason Poll in TU East
The Red Bluff Red Sox with 80-year-old Mack Connery at the helm surged from seventh place in 2002 to the top spot in the Tycobbian Union East last season, but they were bumped from the Pro Cup playoffs by the Oxford Red Caps in the Elite 8 round. The Red Sox have good hitting, good power and good pitching and have been voted to take the number two position in the division behind high-scoring High Mesa.

The Red Bluff skipper Mack Connery is celebrating his 62th year in baseball as a player, manager, GM and owner. Connery has signed three rookies for the upcoming season, but none are rated by experts to be impact players. Ray Schiller and A. J. Acuff, both righthanders, will work out of the bullpen in middle relief initially. Darius Castonis will be the third string catcher.

Best Pitchers: LHP Frank Beaudoin (17-8 3.28), LHP Mila Miholski (19-12 3.48), Leonard Urban (11-6 2.99) and All-Star closer LHP John Dougherty (5-4 1.65) with 25 saves in 68 games

Best Hitters: LF Tony Blundell (.318 BA/24 HR/99 RBI/109 R/27 SB), 1B Bucky Frizzell (.293 BA/26 HR/113 RBI/95 R), 2B Tony Borcellino (.237 BA/30 HR/107 RBI/94 R), CF Kris Grabowski (.299 BA/13 HR/46 RBI/45 R) in 103 games, 3B Vern Gable (.279 BA/7 HR/52 RBI/92 R/19 SB)

Eugene Church · 06-23-2009, 03:42 PM

The Islandian Times

March 10, 2004

Rocky Rapids Has Rocky Road In RU West
The Rocky Rapids Snappers tumbled from fifth place in 2002 down to seventh place in 2003. Looks like more of the same in 2004 according to the baseball experts. Manager Ryan Noland has just about the same ballclub with none of the new arrivals expected to kickstart them to a first division team. The Snappers will fight Fort Benton for seventh place with the loser getting the cellar spot. Neither club seems to have improved this season.

Noland, the all-time strikeout king in the industrial league, will try to develop three rookie hurlers, Righthanders Ernie Watkins and Glen Quarles, along with a lefty Herbie Drahm. None of them throw nearly as hard as Noland in his heyday. Rocky Rapids will use them as spot starters and long relief.

As far as position players, the Snappers have signed outfielder Marvin Loomis, who is projected to be a utility outfielder.

Best Pitchers: Kirk Beckmann (18-10 3.17), Clay Milwaine (13-10 3.59)

Best Hitters: 1B Stan Haddix (.293 BA/26 HR/113 RBI/95 R), LF Scott Camden (.290 BA/17 HR/86 RBI/95 R/25 SB), CF Terry Hecht (.268 BA/16 HR/68 RI/101 R/31 SB), 2B Timmy Peters (.250 BA/15 HR/72 RBI/102 R), 3B Phil Cates (.301 BA/5 HR/60 RBI/66 R)

Eugene Church · 06-23-2009, 05:19 PM

The Islandian Times

March 10, 2004

Reds Still Chasing Vikings, TU West Runner-up Again
The Rolling Hills Reds always seem to be a bridesmaid. They are managed and nurtured by Matty Christianson, who many say was the greatest pitcher ever in Islands. Red Bluff's Mack Connery, who saw Christianson in his glory days says, "It was wonderful to watch him pitch when he wasn’t pitching against you."

Christianson's crew tied for second in 2002, 7 games behind winning Bay St. Clair, then coming in second last season, 5 games back of Bayview. This year in the BNN preseason poll, the Reds are slated to be the runner-up again to the Vikings. Rolling Hills has the pitching to compete with anybody, but comes up short in the batting department. It's doubly difficult to win in the Pro Cup playoffs without good firepower. The Reds were eliminated by San Alejo in the Elite 8 round in 2002 and last year by Denton City in the opening round.

Christianson will sport the same roster as last year with only one newcomer, rookie outfielder Ken Mumphrey, a swift outfielder and good glove, but short on power. Murphrey is a good contact hitter, but will probably spend the season as a back-up. Home run power is a premium in Rolling Hills, where they need all the runs they can get. Playing in one of the largest ballparks is great for the mound corps, but tough on the hitters. Midtown Base Ball Grounds has a 425-foot center field fence and 401 and 407 in the alleys. It takes quite a wallop to put one out of the park in Rolling Hills.

Top Pitchers: Roger Davidson (19-15 2.58), Keith Greenwood (18-10 2.80), Peter Brenneman (12-11 3.38), Hondo Anoki (13-9 3.59), Hoyt Peterson (14-13 3.81) and LHP Closer Stephen Faccaro (3-7 3.17) with 16 saves and 65 appearances.

Top Hitters: CF Willie Mays Nixon (.239 BA/27 HR/93 RBI/91 R/24 SB), RF Theron Latigo (.246 BA/21 HR/88 RBI), LF Big Boy Charisa (.281 BA/15 HR/80 RBI), 1B Eddy Dowler (.314 BA/9 HR/55 RBI/48 R) in 126 games and SS Jamie Meade (.292 BA/9 HR/74 RBI/74 R)

Eugene Church · 06-23-2009, 07:52 PM

The Islandian Times

March 10, 2004

Montaneros Will Win 3rd Straight TU South Crown
For two years Lando Peceda's San Alejo Montaneros have dominated the regular season in the Tycobbian Union, averaging 100 wins a year. "Ditto" say the baseball experts in this year's preseason BNN poll. There is no real challenger yet in the division, even though Turon took the Pro Cup title last season, knocking off San Alejo in the Sweet 16. Two years ago San Alejo lost to the eventual Island champion, the High Mesa Cowboys, in the Final 4.

"Give us best-of-five series in the playoffs and I'll show you who the best team in Islandia is," said Lando Peceda, who is campaigning for longer playoff series. Peceda recently told BNN, "The better team often loses to a lesser team in a short series. It is not a rare occurrence." Quite a few teams have said they are in favor of expanding the playoff series and have contacted the IPA Commissioner, John Banford, and asked him to consider it for the coming season. To do it, Banford told BNN that the number of playoff teams would have to be cut in half to do it. "If the owners are willing to do that, then I would support such a plan."

San Alejo is a well-balanced club with excellent pitching, good hitting and good power. The only new addition to the roster is OF Bruce Boatman, who swings a good bat and will come in handy as a pinchhitter. It's not likely he will replace All-Star LF Bernie Valente. Peceda said, "We got a good bunch of ballplayers, who know their roles and get along well with each other. And they win. Why change it?"

Top Pitchers: LHP Alberto Herrera (22-13 3.01), Ernie Arredondo (19-14 3.26), Juliano Nuevo (8-1 2.06), LHP Victorio Valarte (12-11 2.98) and closer Dominico Belizon (4-1 2.93) with 15 saves in 48 game appearances

Top Hitters: All-Star 3B Paolo Huerta (.297 BA/30 HR/103 RBI/109 R), All-Star LF Bernie Valente (.314 BA/30 HR/105 RBI/112 R/28 SB), CF Vidal Munos (.285 BA/19 HR/99 RBI/92 R), 1B Rodger Wooten (.291 BA/25 HR/87 RBI), C Bobby Lafferty (.275 BA/21 HR/90 RBI) and RF Marcelino Zuniga (.269 BA/10 HR/96 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-23-2009, 09:41 PM

The Islandian Times

March 10, 2004

BNN Forecasts 6th Place Finish For San Dimas in RU South
According to the BNN pollsters the San Dimas Rancheros are headed for another sixth place finish in the Ruthlandian Union South race. The Rancheros have been sixth in the standings for their first two seasons with not much of a chance of getting higher or lower. With pathetic teams like the Grand City Cybercats and the Crystal Lake Crushers in the division, manager Paco Banderos probably won't have to worry about ending any worse.

San Dimas will welcome many new faces to the clubhouse this season. 7 rookies have made the roster with pitchers Bobby Prince, a lefty, and Shane Rymer in the rotation at closer and #5 starter respectively. Banderos will have a new highly-touted center fielder in Dennis Jones. who is fast on the base paths, swings a good contact bat and ranges far and wide in the field, but doesn't hit for power.

Top Pitchers: Zippy Hodge (10-9 3.34), Wayne Mallard (14-15 3.97) and Lowell Wall (9-13 3.66)

Top Hitters: Gold Glove 2B Cyclone Cobb (.272 BA/2 HR/39 RBI/82 R/95 SB), 3B Domingo Rios (.291 BA/24 HR/74 RBI/91 R), LF-RF Fernando Baldera (.295 BA/18 HR/68 RBI), C John Wesley Ewing (.303 BA/9 HR/65 RBI) and SS Russ Russell (.274 BA/18 HR/88 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-23-2009, 11:30 PM

The Islandian Times

March 10, 2004

Sligo Makes Move For Playoffs In RU West
Eddie Keys and his Sligo Rovers made great progress last season going from sixth to fifth in the RU West standings and the club is primed for an even better season talent-wise. They are improved, but have no place to go because of the strength of the teams above them. The West may have more good ballclubs than any of the other three divisions with Volusia, Middlefield, Colfax and Forest City. That's the reason the BNN pollsters slotted the Rovers to come in fifth.

Keys can call on four fine starters for his rotation and an excellent closer. He also has to work in an outstanding rookie lefthander Paul Waskins, who has been labeled "can't miss" by the scouting services. Sligo will use Waskins as its spot starter. All total Keys has six newcomers on the club, three of them pitchers, a catcher and two outfielders. Dylan Donovan and Waylon Moses will split time in center field. Both can hit for average, are fleet of foot and can cover the wide expanse of Silver Mountain Park, one of the bigger stadiums in the IPA.

Sligo is a solid team and hits very well for average, tied for first in the RU with Marston with a .279 mark, but Keys could use some long ball power. It would not only make the Rovers a playoff team, but they would contend for the pennant, too.

Best Pitchers: Vern Vidmar (13-8 3.03), Al Bukowski (18-14 3.32), Colin McGrath (19-13 3.76), Jake Beneke (7-3 2.10) and closer Razzy Raziano (3-3 2.49) with 26 saves and 60 game appearances.

Top Batters: 1B Shane Redford (.341 BA/10 HR/88 RBI), 3B Rusty Ellis (.319 BA/5 HR/54 RBI/86 R/41 SB), 2B Jeff Richey (.316 BA/5 HR/56 RBI/86 R/35 SB) and LF Lefty Roberts (.288 BA/22 HR/79 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-24-2009, 03:27 PM

The Islandian Times

March 11, 2004

"Lips" Unhappy in South Fork, Shakes Up Pitching Staff
After free-falling from first to fifth place last year, Duroche "Lips" Leon really shook up his South Fork ballclub. "I got rid of all the nice guys," Lips told BNN reporters, "because as you know they always finish last." The Stallions are not accustomed to not making the playoffs. Leon won the TU East Division crown in 2001 and was co-champion in 2002 with High Mesa. South Fork was edged out on the last day of the season by Ozarka for the last playoff position. The Stallions finished 8 games off the pace of the flag-winning Hartsdale Hellcats.

"Don't you worry, the Stallions are going to be back on top... and soon," reiterated the hard-shelled and demanding Leon. "I still got my hitters and I think I have some pitchers who will knock people down if necessary. That was missing last year. We gave up entirely too many homers. They dug in on us last year, but not this year. They better be light in the shoes at plate this season."

South Fork had a fire sale in the pitching department. The Stallions have four rookie hurlers. And all four of them will be in the starting rotation. They will be the key to turning the franchise around in 2004. Leon shook up the infield, too. He'll have newcomers Ron Berthelot and Marty Bolt at third and short.

Top Pitchers: Flint Battle (19-14 3.45), Bobby Petrov (7-3 3.58) and outstanding closer Ken Marsh (9-4 1.77) led the TU with 28 saves in 69 games.

Top Hitters: Gold Glove LF Art Atkins (.325 BA/15 HR/83 RBI/87 R/20 SB), Gold Glove C Darryl Burnett (.289 BA/7 HR/67 RBI), 1B Keith Burke (.290 BA/17 HR/95 RBI/91 R/16 SB), RF Sam Shirley (.317 BA/10 HR/68 RBI/78 R)

Eugene Church · 06-24-2009, 05:49 PM

The Islandian Times

March 11, 2004

Sun Sox Will Not Shine in 2004, Forecast Is Cloudy
Manager Charley Oscar says his Southport Sun Sox are going to have to go through the throes of a rebuilding stage. During the expansion season in 2002 the Sun Sox surprised with a third place finish, going 78-76. Last year the pitching went into a tailspin and Southport plummeted to seventh with a 70-84 mark. If the BNN baseball gurus are right, then it will be more of the same in 2004. The Sun Sox were picked to end up seventh again in the TU South.

Oscar has added four rookies to his roster. Two of them, southpaw Nero Scolari and knuckleballer Tommy McQuilkin, will get regular duty in the starting rotation. RF Duane Hilburn will be the Sun Sox rightfielder, adding defense, speed and a little pop to the line-up.

Best Pitchers: LHP John Colasanti (10-5 3.18) and Paul Grange (6-6 3.30)

Top Bats: 1B Pat Mystryk (.298 BA/30 HR/91 RBI/101 R), 3B James Bagwell (.305 BA/24 HR/96 RBI), CF Rich Crowley (.316 BA/17 HR/92 RBI/84 R/16 SB) and LF Angelo Lombardi (.297 BA/16 HR/84 RBI/79 R)

Eugene Church · 06-24-2009, 11:27 PM

The Islandian Times

March 11, 2004

Crusaders Slight Favorite Over Belair Beach and Waleska In RU South
There were two teams in the IPA that had colossal seasons by going from worst to first in one year. Hartsdale of the TU North accomplished it - the other team was the St. John Crusaders, guided to the RU South pennant by the former all-industrial league catcher Dickie Billings, who played with the famous Marston "Murderers Row" team, one of the best company teams of all-time. The Crusaders won by four games over the Belair Beach Sunbirds and by six games over the revitalized Waleska Westerners. For that achievement Billings garnered the TU Manager of the Year Award.

The BNN preseason poll has made St. John the favorite over Belair Beach and Waleska in the Ruthlandian Union South pennant chase. Billings has a four strong starters and a solid closer, coupled with a good hitting and well-balanced team. Everybody on the team contributes in one way or another. Billings worked wonders as he had only three regulars that played more than 136 games. But he pieced it together and took the division crown and went as far as the Elite 8, where St. John ran into a torrid Middlefield Rooster team and were eliminated.

Last year Billings had to constantly rework his line-up until he found the best combination. Billings said he shouldn't have to do that this season except at center field and second base, where Billings has two players of equal talent, so he platoons them against lefties and righties. Last year he played three center fielders.

Billings will go with very few roster changes, picking up one lefthanded pitcher and a back-up catcher. Terry Garson is a 19-year-old and a work-in-progress. Garson will do duty in middle relief and mop-up roles.

St. John moved last year's shortstop Cal Kanellis to third base this season and moved his back-up Wayne Slaughter to short. This will keep Kanellis' bat in the line-up and strengthen the defense. The Crusaders play in the roomiest stadium in the IPA and Billings believes in having a strong defense.

Top Hurlers: Sterling Eccles (12-6 2.63), LHP Zach Simon (19-17 3.14), Eric Mayes (19-12 3.46), LHP George Wilson (17-9 3.88) and closer Eddie Thorsen (6-7 3.18) with an IPA high 30 saves in 72 games.

RF Kenny Hatcher (.283 BA/21 HR/107 RBI/92 R/41 SB), LF Don Kolstad (.294 BA/15 HR/78 RBI/77 R) and 1B Frankie Faber (.269 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/50 R/10 SB) in 80 games

Eugene Church · 06-25-2009, 05:36 PM

The Islandian Times

March 12, 2004

Stoner Stars Outlook Dim In RU West
The Stoner Stars did surprisingly well in 2002, compiling a 79-75 record, which was good for fourth place in the RU West, 10 games behind the regular season champion, the Forest City Lumberjacks. But skipper Willie Dickens' pitching went bad and so did the Stars fortunes as they dipped to a 74-80 mark and sixth place in the standings, 14 games away from first place Volusia.

Stoner suffers from a severe lack of talent with pitcher Dwight Ruckman and catcher Benny Stern its only bonafide stars. Dickens' team doesn't do much of anything well. The Stars are picked for the bottom of the barrel in the division by the BNN baseball poll. Rocky Rapids and Fort Benton are in the same boat as Stoner and will only compete for the sixth spot in the standings. The division "have nots" have no chance even for fifth place as the other five clubs are much superior to them.

Dickens has populated his roster with some new acquisitions, two pitchers and two infielders. 27-year-old rookie righthander Norman Canfield has made the best impression on Dickens and will be in the starting rotation. 34-year-old 2B Tom Preston will be a regular and improve the defense over last season, but he doesn't offer much offensively, which is a dire need of the Stars. Stoner needs an influx of quality ballplayers to compete in the IPA, but it won't be this year.

Best Pitchers: Dwight Ruckman (14-17 3.63) and Georgie West (13-11 4.06)

Best Batters: C Benny Stern (.286 BA/20 HR/86 RBI), LF Jalen Nolte (.275 BA/25 HR/75 RBI) and CF Rob Preiss (.264 BA/21 HR/79 RBI/80 R/23 SB)

Eugene Church · 06-25-2009, 07:49 PM

The Islandian Times

March 12, 2004

Rattlers Ready To Strike In RU East Race
One of the better IPA franchises is primed and ready to go into the new Ruthlandian Union East season. The Sugar Valley Rattlers have come in third, first and second in its three years in the league. This season manager Gibson Bobkins says everything is in place to get back on top again after finishing three games back of the top team, the Elnora All-Stars, last year.

Bobkins was an intense competitor as a marvelous pitcher in his industrial league days, known for intimidation and for throwing at batters. Once asked by a reporter why he hit a batter, he replied simply, "I heard he could hit." And Bobkins is just as intense as a manager. The Rattler manager is still smarting from being swept by Elnora in the Sweet 16 last year. "I hate to lose," he recently told the press, "I've played a couple of hundred games of tic-tac-toe with my little daughter and she hasn't beaten me yet. I've always had to win. I've got to win."

Sugar Valley should win often this year. However, the baseball experts still rank Elnora the best team in the RU East with the Rattlers slated to be the number two team. Both clubs are excellent teams and have improved during the winter. Bobkins has improved his defense with a new rookie 2B Casey Leeburn. Bobkins accessed Leeburn this way, "Not only does he have a good glove, he can hit the ball, too." Scouts have labeled Leeburn as a possible candidate for Rookie of the Year.

The Rattlers have an impressive starting rotation with four quality starters, backed up by one of the best closers in the league, combined with some fine hitters. They have pitching, hitting, power and speed. Sugar Valley will give Elnora more than a handful of trouble this season.

Best Pitchers: Gregg Neal (18-12 3.68), Anthony Glaser (7-3 2.66), Bernie Halsey (12-7 3.32), Frankie Jardine (12-4 3.85) and closer Val Watford (4-0 1.29) with 9 saves in 41 games

Best Batters/Players: All-Star SS/Gold Glover Flipper Bird (.306 BA/21 HR/80 RBI/129 R/38 SB), LF Bruno DiPirro (.301 BA/14 HR/103 RBI/91 R/40 SB), 1B Ron Armstrong (.294 BA/21 HR/106 RBI), CF Freddie Vaux (.304 BA/12 HR/59 RBI/94 R/33 SB) and All-Star C/Gold Glover Slingshot McFalls (.267 BA/9 HR/70 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-25-2009, 09:01 PM

The Islandian Times

March 12, 2004

Playoffs Possible For Sunsets In TU South
The Summerland Sunsets made progress last season in the TU South. They improved from 70-84 in 2002 to 79-75, rising up from sixth place to fifth place in the standings. The Sunsets were 32 games off the pace of pennant-winning San Alejo in their first year and only 17 in back of the Montaneros in 2003.

Skipper Will Hackett has made strides improving the ballclub again in 2004 with two players with good potential in pitcher Freddie Hayes and outfielder Schuyler ten Haken. Hayes, a 33-year-old righty will get his chance as a spot starter and long reliever, while ten Haken will first have to prove himself in a platoon role in right and left field. ten Haken is an outstanding contact hitter, but slow of foot defensively with poor range. Summerland has a ton of good-hitting outfielders. It will be tough to play them all.

Hackett has two very capable starters and a quality closer, but he needs at least one more solid starter to challenge Turon and Cape Coral, the number two and three teams in the division. It is not likely that the Sunsets can contend with the powerful San Alejo Montaneros. Summerland is forecast to finish fourth or fifth in the TU South, pressured by Ginza and Colchester for the last playoff spot.

Best Pitchers: LHP Duncan Cade (16-10 3.35), LHP Katsuyuki Nakashima (12-10 3.48) and closer Bobby Winwood (8-4 2.97) with 26 saves in 63 appearances

Best Batters: CF Stacey Zacker (.282 BA/21 HR/93 RBI/98 R/21 SB), 1B Karl Van Kooten (.314 BA/18 HR/77 RBI/78 R) and LF Derek Visser (.287 BA/15 Hr/88 RI/83 R)

Eugene Church · 06-25-2009, 11:22 PM

The Islandian Times

March 12, 2004

Taranto Tars Depend On Rookies For Playoff Berth In RU North
Manager Tommaso Lazzorda has a tall order - win a playoff berth in the toughest division in the IPA - the RU North. To get to the IPA Pro Cup playoffs, Lazzorda has to beat out four top-notch teams that almost always make the playoffs: defending division champs, Valmara Vipers, Ranford Bulls, Far Mountain Redhawks and Glasco Athletics. Taranto has the firepower to topple these powerhouses, but not the pitching. The Tars walloped 184 homers last year and scored an average of 5 runs a game.

So once again Lazzorda is hauling out hurlers by the dozens in hopes of getting nine pitchers that can do the job. This season Taranto has five rookies on the mound. Lazzorda told reporters his new pitching philosophy at today's news conference, "This year I'm gonna have to use pitchers like a six-shooter... just keep firing until it's empty and then takes the gun and throws it at the other team."

Taranto also has added three new position players, only one of which will be a starter. Because of so many new players, Lazzorda said he is thinking of issuing name tags at the first day of practice. Yet after all of these roster changes, the Tars still came out fifth in the BNN preseason poll. The analysts said there were just too many variables and unknowns about the team to place them any higher. The only thing that is really known about the Taranto Tars is that they can knock the tar out of the ball and score runs. All they need to make the playoffs is someone to stop a few runs.

Best Pitchers: All-Star Anthony Nardone (22-10 2.31), who led the TU in ERA, despite pitching in one of the smaller league parks, and Sal Pascioni (12-8 3.67)

Best Hitters: All-Star LF Dominic Zaccaro (.330 BA/42 HR/127 RBI/107 R), RF Tony Blaser (.311 BA/38 HR/100 RBI/108 R), CF Teddy Giacone (.222 BA/42 HR/105 RBI/90 R), C Jules Carmouche (.287 BA/15 HR/63 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 03:10 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Tuckanarra Again Top Contender In TU East
The Tuckanarra Blue Jays have been a playoff team in each of its two seasons in the Tycobbian Union East and this year it will be no different. Manager Carlton Stevens just hopes they can get deeper into the Pro Cup Playoffs. His Blue Jays were knocked out by the 2002 Pro Cup champs High Mesa in the opening round and fell to Red Bluff in the Sweet 16 last year. Tuckanarra finished fourth in 2002 and climbed to third in 2003. Because of excellent pitching the Blue Jays will challenge again. However the prognosticators have picked them a close third behind High Mesa and Red Bluff.

Stevens feels his club has improved with the acquisition of pitcher Mook Epperson, a 23-year-old righthanded rookie. He will use him as a spot starter and in long relief. One other change will be at catcher where defensive whiz Maka Bardinda will split time with Clint Hardesty, who is an outstanding hitter, but weak with the glove. Hardesty hit .320 and drove in 87 runs, but committed 24 errors.

Best Pitchers: Titus Bristow (17-10 2.88), Niles Applewhite (15-11 3.70), LHP Will Crowe (5-3 2.34), Gold Glover LHP Coorain Janama (16-15 4.03) and closer Anthony Montgomerie (5-1 2.25) with 20 saves in 55 games

Best Hitters: All-Star RF Monty Draycott (.275 BA/28 HR/104 RBI/97 R/25 SB), All-Star 2B Owen MacArthur (.326 BA/7 HR/50 RBI/100 R/21 SB), 1B Charley Scofield (.299 BA/29 HR/83 RBI/98 R)

Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 04:45 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Typhoons Blew Everyone Away In 2003, Ready To Repeat
It was an unbelievable 2003 season for the Turon Typhoons, who went into the playoffs unheralded after a third place finish in the TU South, 13 games off the pace of the mighty San Alejo Montaneros. Turon caught fire and went 9-2 in the Pro Cup Series and won the IPA overall championship defeating Valmara of the Ruthlandian Union in a three-game sweep.

Turon's skipper, Ashton "Whitey" Richburn said, "It was indeed a magical season. Great pitching and timely hitting made it all happen. I hope we have some of that same magic left over and use it this year."

The Typhoons are pretty much the same club with only one rookie on the roster, a 32-year-old rookie righthanded reliever named Robby Lee Mason. Strong pitching is the name of the game in Turon. Richburn sure could use a couple of good hitters. Despite being the defending IPA Pro Cup champion, Turon will have to contend with four other teams for the three available playoff spots. It is a given that no one will wrest the division title from powerful San Alejo. Cape Coral, Colchester, Ginza and Summerland will all be improved and in the playoff hunt.

Best Pitchers: Jeb Pickett (17-7 2.64), James Longstreet (5-4 2.95), Ian Knox (8-4 3.24), Keir McNamara (16-14 3.71), Scotty Boswell (15-16 3.47) and closer Mac Yokum (4-7 2.67) with 27 saves in 72 appearances.

Top Hitters: Glove Glove 1B Boots Dubois (.317 BA/15 HR/86 RBI/94 R/21 SB), C Trent Crittenden (.261 BA/25 HR/92 RBI) and 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.276 BA/16 HR/82 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 04:48 PM

Almost finished revamping rosters, pitching rotations, line-ups and depth charts.

Just six more teams to go.

Should be able to sim season number four up to the All-Star Game on Monday.

Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 06:19 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Valka Vies For Playoff Spot In RU South
Manager Jaan Kurus has guided the Valka Blackhawks to the IPA playoffs for the last two seasons and it is likely they will make the postseason again because of its solid mound corps. Valka took the RU South crown in 2002 and its good pitching took the Blackhawks to the Final 4 before falling to the Pro Cup runner-up, the Elnora All-Stars. Last year Valka dropped to fourth in the standings and lost to the regular season division winner, the St. John Crusaders in the First Round. Mediocre hitting plagues Valka and will have to drastically improve before the Blackhawks can challenge St. John and Belair Beach, the best teams in the division.

The best Valka can do is fourth place. That's where most of the preseason baseball analysts place them. Waleska and Claxton will also be in the playoff chase, but both suffer from a lack of offense, too. Waleska came in third in 2003 and is forecast to finish there again, while Claxton is pegged for the fifth spot.

The Blackhawks have not added any strong bats. Rookies Drew Ennis at first base, Johnny Vainik at catcher and Roy Lorton in left field don't seem to be the answer to their offensive woes. All of them will be platooned by Kurus this season. On the hill Valka will sport two newcomers, Bill Sunday and Artie Sarv. As of now they are scheduled to see duty only in middle relief. None of the first-year players are expected to make an impact this season. None of them impressed the baseball experts and forecasters.

Top Pitchers: Andrei Kokk (17-12 2.89), LHP Bobby Karu (15-13 3.21), Arvo Krimm (15-14 3.39), Daryl Vannoy (10-6 3.38) and closer Tommy Ruffin (2-4 1.60) with 10 saves and 35 relief appearances.

Top Batters: C Kristjan Kasik (.300 BA/15 HR/75 RBI), 3B Buddy Petrisko (.300 BAk/11 HR/64 RBI), RF Jimmy Tremayne (.298 BA/16 HR/64 RBI) and 2B Brian McGinnis (.287 BA/11 HR/58 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-26-2009, 10:25 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Valmara Runs Second To Ranford In RU North Preseason Poll
Under manager J. Jackson Samuel the Valmara Vipers have been third, third and first in the first three seasons of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The inaugural year they didn't qualify for the Pro Cup playoffs, but they have the last two seasons. The Vipers lost in the First Round to Far Mountain in 2002, which won the division. Last year Valmara won the division flag and almost won the Pro Cup, but came up short in the finals against the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union.

Samuel has a potent ballclub, strong in hitting and pitching. In the BNN preseason poll the Vipers were voted the number two team in the RU North with the nod given to the Ranford Bulls, last year's close runner-up. The general consensus was that the Bulls improved over the off-season, while Valmara remained static. None of the Viper newcomers are slated to be impact players and will just play secondary roles. The baseball scribes still think that Valmara will finish ahead of Glasco, Far Mountain and Taranto, the other clubs in serious contention for playoff consideration. Samuel has more firepower and better pitching than the other contenders. Valmara has a solid nucleus of players led by pitchers Danny Blauser and Yanni Wlodarczyk and position players Jet Kazmarek, Jan Szymanski, Steve Androwski, Floyd Vinson, Yoshi Motsuzuki and Masaichi Okawa.

Valmara has five sound starters and a fine closer and can score runs with the best of them. The Vipers only weakness may be on the defensive side. Shoddy defense hampers them at times. Samuel favors hitters over defense and is not likely to go with lightweight batters with good gloves over the run producers. The trend with most teams in the IPA is to go with the offense.

Top Pitchers: LHP Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93), Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16), Vanya Vasylenko (13-12 3.50), Ted Farentino (9-4 3.40) and closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) with 8 saves and 49 relief appearances.

Top Batters: LF Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA/14 HR/91 RBI/117 R/102 SB), CF Jan Szymanski (.262 BA/28 HR/80 RBI/93 R/13 SB), SS Steve Androwski (.271 BA/20 HR/68 RBI/95 R/15 SB), 1B Masaichi Okawa (.248 BA/20 HR/88 RBI), C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.282 BA/16 HR/72 RBI/94 R/37 SB) and 2B Floyd Vinson (.299 BA/7 HR/99 RBI)

Eugene Church · 06-27-2009, 03:51 PM

The Islandian Times

March 13, 2004

Jailhouse Gang Still In Control In RU Wild Wild West
One of the more successful franchises in the Island Pro Alliance is the Volusia Vigilantes, known as "The Jailhouse Gang" because just over the right field fence at their ballpark is the town jail. Inmates can actually watch games from their cell windows.

The V's won the first pro championship ever in the Islands in the inaugural 2001 season, besting the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union. Manager Alfonso Feliz' team has finished second, second and first in its first three seasons in the RU West Division. Except for the championship season, the Vigilantes have been playoff flops, losing to Middlefield and Forest City the last two years in the opening round.

The basebase pollsters think Volusia will remain on top this year and again win the division title, although they will get some strong arguments from Forest City, Colfax and upstart Sligo. Last year's runner-up Middlefield is expected to slip way down in the standings due to the retirement of their ace pitcher and 20-game winner Jackie Lee Bevis. His retirement brought huge smiles to IPA batters and managers, who won't have to face him anymore. It really shakes up the balance of the West race. The Roosters could drop as far as fifth in the standings.

Much of Volusia's success is due to its talented pitching staff, which has led the Ruthlandian Union in ERA the last two seasons. Feliz has a formidable foursome in his rotation led by Carl Schmitz, Raul Sandoval, Ricky Moreno and Mike Amato. In the bullpen the V's have an outstanding closer, Hernando Espederos.

The Vigilantes still suffer from a lack of hitting. It is one of the reasons they have trouble winning in the playoffs - they are playing more teams that hit with power and hit much better than them. Last year Volusia was near the bottom in batting and absolutely last in home runs, hitting only 69 homers the entire season.

But nothing has changed this year. Feliz made only one roster change, adding a pitcher. Otherwise, the V's are the same team. Rookie Todd Wolfe is the newcomer, a flame-throwing righthander. Feliz says 23-year-old Wolfe is "a work-in-progress" and will be brought along slowly. Only one change in his line-up, Feliz is going to split time at first base between the veteran Francisco Abreu and second-year man, Ruben De Andres. Abreu slumped badly last season, hitting only .225. Feliz said Abreu will have to pick it up this year quickly or he will have to make a change.

Best Pitchers: LHP Raul Sandoval (12-5 2.49), Carl Schmitz (18-15 3.34), Ricky Moreno (18-12 3.43), Mike Amato (12-12 3.43) and closer Hernando Esparderos (4-1 2.13) with 29 saves and 66 games appearances.

Best Batters: CF Ryan Raines (.293 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/90 R/38 SB), 3B Alejandro Salazar (.259 BA/11 HR/83 RBI), SS Scooter Perez (.274 BA/7 HR/58 RBI/84 R/52 SB), RF Lonnie Howard (.294 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/79 R/58 SB) and LF Briscoe Crowder (.319 BA/4 HR/42 RBI/53 R/19 SB) in 77 games.

06-22-2009, 08:18 PM	#1041
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 9, 2004 Ranford Bullish On 2004 RU North Race The Ranford Bulls, skippered by pitching legend Page Satcher, are a complete team with everything needed to win and they do - except for the postseason. Playing in the powerful Ruthlandian Union North with Valmara, Far Mountain and Glasco, the Bulls have compiled splendid 90-64 and 92-62 records in its first two years in the IPA, winding up fourth and second in the standings, only to fall to Glasco and Far Mountain in the opening round of the playoffs. The baseball writers asked Satcher why does he do such a great job in the regular season, but such a poor job in the playoffs. The wise old twirler wryly replied, "Great job... poor job... You guys know I ain't ever had a job... I always played or managed baseball." Then he seriously added, "The playoffs are a different creature. Number one, it's a very short series... a lower-seeded team can often whip a higher seed two-out-of-three... and number two, the talent level is a notch or two above the regular season. Just take San Alejo for example... most people rate them the best team in the IPA... but they haven't won the Pro Cup yet. You know, you guys haven't been picking very well, either. The favored team in your polls have never won the Pro Cup. What do you have to say about the job you guys are doing. I think you are falling down on the prognosticating part of your job." Satcher and his Ranford Bulls are picked to be in the thick of the race again in 2004. In fact, the preseason BNN baseball poll has them ranked first in the RU North and favored to win the pennant. Of all the contenders, the Bulls have the best pitching staff with three solid starters and a strong closer. They also hit very well. Plus, Satcher has signed an outstanding 19-year-old outfielder, Jose Castillo, a home run threat and solid defender. Castillo will take over in left field, hit second in the line-up and give Ranford one of the best outfield trios in the IPA. Best Pitchers: All-Star LHP Chris Bernhoffer (22-10 2.54), LHP Bud Enright (18-9 2.66), Jamie Phillips (10-3 3.05) and closer LHP Tim DeKosky (3-4 1.83) with 8 saves in 33 games. Best Batters: 1B Jordy John (.290 BA/26 HR/97 RBI/108 R), SS Rick Fargnoli (.305 BA/21 HR/91 RBI/92 R), C Walt Horvath (.302 BA/13 HR/72 RBI), RF Warren Gravois (.295 BA/11 HR/79 RBI/78 R/19 SB), 3B Colin Fairclough (.302 BA/10 HR/72 RBI/74 R/28 SB), All-Star 2B Johnny Fenroy (.268 BA/7 HR/67 RBI) and CF Bobby Keegan (.300 BA/8 HR/53 RBI/52 R/14 SB) in 97 games Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-26-2009 at 09:29 PM.

06-22-2009, 10:38 PM	#1042
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 9, 2004 Red Sox Ranked Runner-Up in Preseason Poll in TU East The Red Bluff Red Sox with 80-year-old Mack Connery at the helm surged from seventh place in 2002 to the top spot in the Tycobbian Union East last season, but they were bumped from the Pro Cup playoffs by the Oxford Red Caps in the Elite 8 round. The Red Sox have good hitting, good power and good pitching and have been voted to take the number two position in the division behind high-scoring High Mesa. The Red Bluff skipper Mack Connery is celebrating his 62th year in baseball as a player, manager, GM and owner. Connery has signed three rookies for the upcoming season, but none are rated by experts to be impact players. Ray Schiller and A. J. Acuff, both righthanders, will work out of the bullpen in middle relief initially. Darius Castonis will be the third string catcher. Best Pitchers: LHP Frank Beaudoin (17-8 3.28), LHP Mila Miholski (19-12 3.48), Leonard Urban (11-6 2.99) and All-Star closer LHP John Dougherty (5-4 1.65) with 25 saves in 68 games Best Hitters: LF Tony Blundell (.318 BA/24 HR/99 RBI/109 R/27 SB), 1B Bucky Frizzell (.293 BA/26 HR/113 RBI/95 R), 2B Tony Borcellino (.237 BA/30 HR/107 RBI/94 R), CF Kris Grabowski (.299 BA/13 HR/46 RBI/45 R) in 103 games, 3B Vern Gable (.279 BA/7 HR/52 RBI/92 R/19 SB) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-22-2009 at 10:44 PM.

06-23-2009, 05:19 PM	#1044
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 10, 2004 Reds Still Chasing Vikings, TU West Runner-up Again The Rolling Hills Reds always seem to be a bridesmaid. They are managed and nurtured by Matty Christianson, who many say was the greatest pitcher ever in Islands. Red Bluff's Mack Connery, who saw Christianson in his glory days says, "It was wonderful to watch him pitch when he wasn’t pitching against you." Christianson's crew tied for second in 2002, 7 games behind winning Bay St. Clair, then coming in second last season, 5 games back of Bayview. This year in the BNN preseason poll, the Reds are slated to be the runner-up again to the Vikings. Rolling Hills has the pitching to compete with anybody, but comes up short in the batting department. It's doubly difficult to win in the Pro Cup playoffs without good firepower. The Reds were eliminated by San Alejo in the Elite 8 round in 2002 and last year by Denton City in the opening round. Christianson will sport the same roster as last year with only one newcomer, rookie outfielder Ken Mumphrey, a swift outfielder and good glove, but short on power. Murphrey is a good contact hitter, but will probably spend the season as a back-up. Home run power is a premium in Rolling Hills, where they need all the runs they can get. Playing in one of the largest ballparks is great for the mound corps, but tough on the hitters. Midtown Base Ball Grounds has a 425-foot center field fence and 401 and 407 in the alleys. It takes quite a wallop to put one out of the park in Rolling Hills. Top Pitchers: Roger Davidson (19-15 2.58), Keith Greenwood (18-10 2.80), Peter Brenneman (12-11 3.38), Hondo Anoki (13-9 3.59), Hoyt Peterson (14-13 3.81) and LHP Closer Stephen Faccaro (3-7 3.17) with 16 saves and 65 appearances. Top Hitters: CF Willie Mays Nixon (.239 BA/27 HR/93 RBI/91 R/24 SB), RF Theron Latigo (.246 BA/21 HR/88 RBI), LF Big Boy Charisa (.281 BA/15 HR/80 RBI), 1B Eddy Dowler (.314 BA/9 HR/55 RBI/48 R) in 126 games and SS Jamie Meade (.292 BA/9 HR/74 RBI/74 R) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-23-2009 at 05:27 PM.

06-25-2009, 07:49 PM	#1052
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 12, 2004 Rattlers Ready To Strike In RU East Race One of the better IPA franchises is primed and ready to go into the new Ruthlandian Union East season. The Sugar Valley Rattlers have come in third, first and second in its three years in the league. This season manager Gibson Bobkins says everything is in place to get back on top again after finishing three games back of the top team, the Elnora All-Stars, last year. Bobkins was an intense competitor as a marvelous pitcher in his industrial league days, known for intimidation and for throwing at batters. Once asked by a reporter why he hit a batter, he replied simply, "I heard he could hit." And Bobkins is just as intense as a manager. The Rattler manager is still smarting from being swept by Elnora in the Sweet 16 last year. "I hate to lose," he recently told the press, "I've played a couple of hundred games of tic-tac-toe with my little daughter and she hasn't beaten me yet. I've always had to win. I've got to win." Sugar Valley should win often this year. However, the baseball experts still rank Elnora the best team in the RU East with the Rattlers slated to be the number two team. Both clubs are excellent teams and have improved during the winter. Bobkins has improved his defense with a new rookie 2B Casey Leeburn. Bobkins accessed Leeburn this way, "Not only does he have a good glove, he can hit the ball, too." Scouts have labeled Leeburn as a possible candidate for Rookie of the Year. The Rattlers have an impressive starting rotation with four quality starters, backed up by one of the best closers in the league, combined with some fine hitters. They have pitching, hitting, power and speed. Sugar Valley will give Elnora more than a handful of trouble this season. Best Pitchers: Gregg Neal (18-12 3.68), Anthony Glaser (7-3 2.66), Bernie Halsey (12-7 3.32), Frankie Jardine (12-4 3.85) and closer Val Watford (4-0 1.29) with 9 saves in 41 games Best Batters/Players: All-Star SS/Gold Glover Flipper Bird (.306 BA/21 HR/80 RBI/129 R/38 SB), LF Bruno DiPirro (.301 BA/14 HR/103 RBI/91 R/40 SB), 1B Ron Armstrong (.294 BA/21 HR/106 RBI), CF Freddie Vaux (.304 BA/12 HR/59 RBI/94 R/33 SB) and All-Star C/Gold Glover Slingshot McFalls (.267 BA/9 HR/70 RBI) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-25-2009 at 07:52 PM.

06-25-2009, 11:22 PM	#1054
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 12, 2004 Taranto Tars Depend On Rookies For Playoff Berth In RU North Manager Tommaso Lazzorda has a tall order - win a playoff berth in the toughest division in the IPA - the RU North. To get to the IPA Pro Cup playoffs, Lazzorda has to beat out four top-notch teams that almost always make the playoffs: defending division champs, Valmara Vipers, Ranford Bulls, Far Mountain Redhawks and Glasco Athletics. Taranto has the firepower to topple these powerhouses, but not the pitching. The Tars walloped 184 homers last year and scored an average of 5 runs a game. So once again Lazzorda is hauling out hurlers by the dozens in hopes of getting nine pitchers that can do the job. This season Taranto has five rookies on the mound. Lazzorda told reporters his new pitching philosophy at today's news conference, "This year I'm gonna have to use pitchers like a six-shooter... just keep firing until it's empty and then takes the gun and throws it at the other team." Taranto also has added three new position players, only one of which will be a starter. Because of so many new players, Lazzorda said he is thinking of issuing name tags at the first day of practice. Yet after all of these roster changes, the Tars still came out fifth in the BNN preseason poll. The analysts said there were just too many variables and unknowns about the team to place them any higher. The only thing that is really known about the Taranto Tars is that they can knock the tar out of the ball and score runs. All they need to make the playoffs is someone to stop a few runs. Best Pitchers: All-Star Anthony Nardone (22-10 2.31), who led the TU in ERA, despite pitching in one of the smaller league parks, and Sal Pascioni (12-8 3.67) Best Hitters: All-Star LF Dominic Zaccaro (.330 BA/42 HR/127 RBI/107 R), RF Tony Blaser (.311 BA/38 HR/100 RBI/108 R), CF Teddy Giacone (.222 BA/42 HR/105 RBI/90 R), C Jules Carmouche (.287 BA/15 HR/63 RBI) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-26-2009 at 12:47 PM.

06-23-2009, 03:42 PM	#1043
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 10, 2004 Rocky Rapids Has Rocky Road In RU West The Rocky Rapids Snappers tumbled from fifth place in 2002 down to seventh place in 2003. Looks like more of the same in 2004 according to the baseball experts. Manager Ryan Noland has just about the same ballclub with none of the new arrivals expected to kickstart them to a first division team. The Snappers will fight Fort Benton for seventh place with the loser getting the cellar spot. Neither club seems to have improved this season. Noland, the all-time strikeout king in the industrial league, will try to develop three rookie hurlers, Righthanders Ernie Watkins and Glen Quarles, along with a lefty Herbie Drahm. None of them throw nearly as hard as Noland in his heyday. Rocky Rapids will use them as spot starters and long relief. As far as position players, the Snappers have signed outfielder Marvin Loomis, who is projected to be a utility outfielder. Best Pitchers: Kirk Beckmann (18-10 3.17), Clay Milwaine (13-10 3.59) Best Hitters: 1B Stan Haddix (.293 BA/26 HR/113 RBI/95 R), LF Scott Camden (.290 BA/17 HR/86 RBI/95 R/25 SB), CF Terry Hecht (.268 BA/16 HR/68 RI/101 R/31 SB), 2B Timmy Peters (.250 BA/15 HR/72 RBI/102 R), 3B Phil Cates (.301 BA/5 HR/60 RBI/66 R)

06-23-2009, 07:52 PM	#1045
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 10, 2004 Montaneros Will Win 3rd Straight TU South Crown For two years Lando Peceda's San Alejo Montaneros have dominated the regular season in the Tycobbian Union, averaging 100 wins a year. "Ditto" say the baseball experts in this year's preseason BNN poll. There is no real challenger yet in the division, even though Turon took the Pro Cup title last season, knocking off San Alejo in the Sweet 16. Two years ago San Alejo lost to the eventual Island champion, the High Mesa Cowboys, in the Final 4. "Give us best-of-five series in the playoffs and I'll show you who the best team in Islandia is," said Lando Peceda, who is campaigning for longer playoff series. Peceda recently told BNN, "The better team often loses to a lesser team in a short series. It is not a rare occurrence." Quite a few teams have said they are in favor of expanding the playoff series and have contacted the IPA Commissioner, John Banford, and asked him to consider it for the coming season. To do it, Banford told BNN that the number of playoff teams would have to be cut in half to do it. "If the owners are willing to do that, then I would support such a plan." San Alejo is a well-balanced club with excellent pitching, good hitting and good power. The only new addition to the roster is OF Bruce Boatman, who swings a good bat and will come in handy as a pinchhitter. It's not likely he will replace All-Star LF Bernie Valente. Peceda said, "We got a good bunch of ballplayers, who know their roles and get along well with each other. And they win. Why change it?" Top Pitchers: LHP Alberto Herrera (22-13 3.01), Ernie Arredondo (19-14 3.26), Juliano Nuevo (8-1 2.06), LHP Victorio Valarte (12-11 2.98) and closer Dominico Belizon (4-1 2.93) with 15 saves in 48 game appearances Top Hitters: All-Star 3B Paolo Huerta (.297 BA/30 HR/103 RBI/109 R), All-Star LF Bernie Valente (.314 BA/30 HR/105 RBI/112 R/28 SB), CF Vidal Munos (.285 BA/19 HR/99 RBI/92 R), 1B Rodger Wooten (.291 BA/25 HR/87 RBI), C Bobby Lafferty (.275 BA/21 HR/90 RBI) and RF Marcelino Zuniga (.269 BA/10 HR/96 RBI)

06-23-2009, 09:41 PM	#1046
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 10, 2004 BNN Forecasts 6th Place Finish For San Dimas in RU South According to the BNN pollsters the San Dimas Rancheros are headed for another sixth place finish in the Ruthlandian Union South race. The Rancheros have been sixth in the standings for their first two seasons with not much of a chance of getting higher or lower. With pathetic teams like the Grand City Cybercats and the Crystal Lake Crushers in the division, manager Paco Banderos probably won't have to worry about ending any worse. San Dimas will welcome many new faces to the clubhouse this season. 7 rookies have made the roster with pitchers Bobby Prince, a lefty, and Shane Rymer in the rotation at closer and #5 starter respectively. Banderos will have a new highly-touted center fielder in Dennis Jones. who is fast on the base paths, swings a good contact bat and ranges far and wide in the field, but doesn't hit for power. Top Pitchers: Zippy Hodge (10-9 3.34), Wayne Mallard (14-15 3.97) and Lowell Wall (9-13 3.66) Top Hitters: Gold Glove 2B Cyclone Cobb (.272 BA/2 HR/39 RBI/82 R/95 SB), 3B Domingo Rios (.291 BA/24 HR/74 RBI/91 R), LF-RF Fernando Baldera (.295 BA/18 HR/68 RBI), C John Wesley Ewing (.303 BA/9 HR/65 RBI) and SS Russ Russell (.274 BA/18 HR/88 RBI)

06-23-2009, 11:30 PM	#1047
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 10, 2004 Sligo Makes Move For Playoffs In RU West Eddie Keys and his Sligo Rovers made great progress last season going from sixth to fifth in the RU West standings and the club is primed for an even better season talent-wise. They are improved, but have no place to go because of the strength of the teams above them. The West may have more good ballclubs than any of the other three divisions with Volusia, Middlefield, Colfax and Forest City. That's the reason the BNN pollsters slotted the Rovers to come in fifth. Keys can call on four fine starters for his rotation and an excellent closer. He also has to work in an outstanding rookie lefthander Paul Waskins, who has been labeled "can't miss" by the scouting services. Sligo will use Waskins as its spot starter. All total Keys has six newcomers on the club, three of them pitchers, a catcher and two outfielders. Dylan Donovan and Waylon Moses will split time in center field. Both can hit for average, are fleet of foot and can cover the wide expanse of Silver Mountain Park, one of the bigger stadiums in the IPA. Sligo is a solid team and hits very well for average, tied for first in the RU with Marston with a .279 mark, but Keys could use some long ball power. It would not only make the Rovers a playoff team, but they would contend for the pennant, too. Best Pitchers: Vern Vidmar (13-8 3.03), Al Bukowski (18-14 3.32), Colin McGrath (19-13 3.76), Jake Beneke (7-3 2.10) and closer Razzy Raziano (3-3 2.49) with 26 saves and 60 game appearances. Top Batters: 1B Shane Redford (.341 BA/10 HR/88 RBI), 3B Rusty Ellis (.319 BA/5 HR/54 RBI/86 R/41 SB), 2B Jeff Richey (.316 BA/5 HR/56 RBI/86 R/35 SB) and LF Lefty Roberts (.288 BA/22 HR/79 RBI)

06-24-2009, 03:27 PM	#1048
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 11, 2004 "Lips" Unhappy in South Fork, Shakes Up Pitching Staff After free-falling from first to fifth place last year, Duroche "Lips" Leon really shook up his South Fork ballclub. "I got rid of all the nice guys," Lips told BNN reporters, "because as you know they always finish last." The Stallions are not accustomed to not making the playoffs. Leon won the TU East Division crown in 2001 and was co-champion in 2002 with High Mesa. South Fork was edged out on the last day of the season by Ozarka for the last playoff position. The Stallions finished 8 games off the pace of the flag-winning Hartsdale Hellcats. "Don't you worry, the Stallions are going to be back on top... and soon," reiterated the hard-shelled and demanding Leon. "I still got my hitters and I think I have some pitchers who will knock people down if necessary. That was missing last year. We gave up entirely too many homers. They dug in on us last year, but not this year. They better be light in the shoes at plate this season." South Fork had a fire sale in the pitching department. The Stallions have four rookie hurlers. And all four of them will be in the starting rotation. They will be the key to turning the franchise around in 2004. Leon shook up the infield, too. He'll have newcomers Ron Berthelot and Marty Bolt at third and short. Top Pitchers: Flint Battle (19-14 3.45), Bobby Petrov (7-3 3.58) and outstanding closer Ken Marsh (9-4 1.77) led the TU with 28 saves in 69 games. Top Hitters: Gold Glove LF Art Atkins (.325 BA/15 HR/83 RBI/87 R/20 SB), Gold Glove C Darryl Burnett (.289 BA/7 HR/67 RBI), 1B Keith Burke (.290 BA/17 HR/95 RBI/91 R/16 SB), RF Sam Shirley (.317 BA/10 HR/68 RBI/78 R)

06-24-2009, 05:49 PM	#1049
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 11, 2004 Sun Sox Will Not Shine in 2004, Forecast Is Cloudy Manager Charley Oscar says his Southport Sun Sox are going to have to go through the throes of a rebuilding stage. During the expansion season in 2002 the Sun Sox surprised with a third place finish, going 78-76. Last year the pitching went into a tailspin and Southport plummeted to seventh with a 70-84 mark. If the BNN baseball gurus are right, then it will be more of the same in 2004. The Sun Sox were picked to end up seventh again in the TU South. Oscar has added four rookies to his roster. Two of them, southpaw Nero Scolari and knuckleballer Tommy McQuilkin, will get regular duty in the starting rotation. RF Duane Hilburn will be the Sun Sox rightfielder, adding defense, speed and a little pop to the line-up. Best Pitchers: LHP John Colasanti (10-5 3.18) and Paul Grange (6-6 3.30) Top Bats: 1B Pat Mystryk (.298 BA/30 HR/91 RBI/101 R), 3B James Bagwell (.305 BA/24 HR/96 RBI), CF Rich Crowley (.316 BA/17 HR/92 RBI/84 R/16 SB) and LF Angelo Lombardi (.297 BA/16 HR/84 RBI/79 R)

06-24-2009, 11:27 PM	#1050
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 11, 2004 Crusaders Slight Favorite Over Belair Beach and Waleska In RU South There were two teams in the IPA that had colossal seasons by going from worst to first in one year. Hartsdale of the TU North accomplished it - the other team was the St. John Crusaders, guided to the RU South pennant by the former all-industrial league catcher Dickie Billings, who played with the famous Marston "Murderers Row" team, one of the best company teams of all-time. The Crusaders won by four games over the Belair Beach Sunbirds and by six games over the revitalized Waleska Westerners. For that achievement Billings garnered the TU Manager of the Year Award. The BNN preseason poll has made St. John the favorite over Belair Beach and Waleska in the Ruthlandian Union South pennant chase. Billings has a four strong starters and a solid closer, coupled with a good hitting and well-balanced team. Everybody on the team contributes in one way or another. Billings worked wonders as he had only three regulars that played more than 136 games. But he pieced it together and took the division crown and went as far as the Elite 8, where St. John ran into a torrid Middlefield Rooster team and were eliminated. Last year Billings had to constantly rework his line-up until he found the best combination. Billings said he shouldn't have to do that this season except at center field and second base, where Billings has two players of equal talent, so he platoons them against lefties and righties. Last year he played three center fielders. Billings will go with very few roster changes, picking up one lefthanded pitcher and a back-up catcher. Terry Garson is a 19-year-old and a work-in-progress. Garson will do duty in middle relief and mop-up roles. St. John moved last year's shortstop Cal Kanellis to third base this season and moved his back-up Wayne Slaughter to short. This will keep Kanellis' bat in the line-up and strengthen the defense. The Crusaders play in the roomiest stadium in the IPA and Billings believes in having a strong defense. Top Hurlers: Sterling Eccles (12-6 2.63), LHP Zach Simon (19-17 3.14), Eric Mayes (19-12 3.46), LHP George Wilson (17-9 3.88) and closer Eddie Thorsen (6-7 3.18) with an IPA high 30 saves in 72 games. RF Kenny Hatcher (.283 BA/21 HR/107 RBI/92 R/41 SB), LF Don Kolstad (.294 BA/15 HR/78 RBI/77 R) and 1B Frankie Faber (.269 BA/14 HR/51 RBI/50 R/10 SB) in 80 games

06-25-2009, 05:36 PM	#1051
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 12, 2004 Stoner Stars Outlook Dim In RU West The Stoner Stars did surprisingly well in 2002, compiling a 79-75 record, which was good for fourth place in the RU West, 10 games behind the regular season champion, the Forest City Lumberjacks. But skipper Willie Dickens' pitching went bad and so did the Stars fortunes as they dipped to a 74-80 mark and sixth place in the standings, 14 games away from first place Volusia. Stoner suffers from a severe lack of talent with pitcher Dwight Ruckman and catcher Benny Stern its only bonafide stars. Dickens' team doesn't do much of anything well. The Stars are picked for the bottom of the barrel in the division by the BNN baseball poll. Rocky Rapids and Fort Benton are in the same boat as Stoner and will only compete for the sixth spot in the standings. The division "have nots" have no chance even for fifth place as the other five clubs are much superior to them. Dickens has populated his roster with some new acquisitions, two pitchers and two infielders. 27-year-old rookie righthander Norman Canfield has made the best impression on Dickens and will be in the starting rotation. 34-year-old 2B Tom Preston will be a regular and improve the defense over last season, but he doesn't offer much offensively, which is a dire need of the Stars. Stoner needs an influx of quality ballplayers to compete in the IPA, but it won't be this year. Best Pitchers: Dwight Ruckman (14-17 3.63) and Georgie West (13-11 4.06) Best Batters: C Benny Stern (.286 BA/20 HR/86 RBI), LF Jalen Nolte (.275 BA/25 HR/75 RBI) and CF Rob Preiss (.264 BA/21 HR/79 RBI/80 R/23 SB)

06-25-2009, 09:01 PM	#1053
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 12, 2004 Playoffs Possible For Sunsets In TU South The Summerland Sunsets made progress last season in the TU South. They improved from 70-84 in 2002 to 79-75, rising up from sixth place to fifth place in the standings. The Sunsets were 32 games off the pace of pennant-winning San Alejo in their first year and only 17 in back of the Montaneros in 2003. Skipper Will Hackett has made strides improving the ballclub again in 2004 with two players with good potential in pitcher Freddie Hayes and outfielder Schuyler ten Haken. Hayes, a 33-year-old righty will get his chance as a spot starter and long reliever, while ten Haken will first have to prove himself in a platoon role in right and left field. ten Haken is an outstanding contact hitter, but slow of foot defensively with poor range. Summerland has a ton of good-hitting outfielders. It will be tough to play them all. Hackett has two very capable starters and a quality closer, but he needs at least one more solid starter to challenge Turon and Cape Coral, the number two and three teams in the division. It is not likely that the Sunsets can contend with the powerful San Alejo Montaneros. Summerland is forecast to finish fourth or fifth in the TU South, pressured by Ginza and Colchester for the last playoff spot. Best Pitchers: LHP Duncan Cade (16-10 3.35), LHP Katsuyuki Nakashima (12-10 3.48) and closer Bobby Winwood (8-4 2.97) with 26 saves in 63 appearances Best Batters: CF Stacey Zacker (.282 BA/21 HR/93 RBI/98 R/21 SB), 1B Karl Van Kooten (.314 BA/18 HR/77 RBI/78 R) and LF Derek Visser (.287 BA/15 Hr/88 RI/83 R)

06-26-2009, 03:10 PM	#1055
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Tuckanarra Again Top Contender In TU East The Tuckanarra Blue Jays have been a playoff team in each of its two seasons in the Tycobbian Union East and this year it will be no different. Manager Carlton Stevens just hopes they can get deeper into the Pro Cup Playoffs. His Blue Jays were knocked out by the 2002 Pro Cup champs High Mesa in the opening round and fell to Red Bluff in the Sweet 16 last year. Tuckanarra finished fourth in 2002 and climbed to third in 2003. Because of excellent pitching the Blue Jays will challenge again. However the prognosticators have picked them a close third behind High Mesa and Red Bluff. Stevens feels his club has improved with the acquisition of pitcher Mook Epperson, a 23-year-old righthanded rookie. He will use him as a spot starter and in long relief. One other change will be at catcher where defensive whiz Maka Bardinda will split time with Clint Hardesty, who is an outstanding hitter, but weak with the glove. Hardesty hit .320 and drove in 87 runs, but committed 24 errors. Best Pitchers: Titus Bristow (17-10 2.88), Niles Applewhite (15-11 3.70), LHP Will Crowe (5-3 2.34), Gold Glover LHP Coorain Janama (16-15 4.03) and closer Anthony Montgomerie (5-1 2.25) with 20 saves in 55 games Best Hitters: All-Star RF Monty Draycott (.275 BA/28 HR/104 RBI/97 R/25 SB), All-Star 2B Owen MacArthur (.326 BA/7 HR/50 RBI/100 R/21 SB), 1B Charley Scofield (.299 BA/29 HR/83 RBI/98 R) Last edited by Eugene Church; 06-26-2009 at 04:45 PM.

06-26-2009, 04:45 PM	#1056
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Typhoons Blew Everyone Away In 2003, Ready To Repeat It was an unbelievable 2003 season for the Turon Typhoons, who went into the playoffs unheralded after a third place finish in the TU South, 13 games off the pace of the mighty San Alejo Montaneros. Turon caught fire and went 9-2 in the Pro Cup Series and won the IPA overall championship defeating Valmara of the Ruthlandian Union in a three-game sweep. Turon's skipper, Ashton "Whitey" Richburn said, "It was indeed a magical season. Great pitching and timely hitting made it all happen. I hope we have some of that same magic left over and use it this year." The Typhoons are pretty much the same club with only one rookie on the roster, a 32-year-old rookie righthanded reliever named Robby Lee Mason. Strong pitching is the name of the game in Turon. Richburn sure could use a couple of good hitters. Despite being the defending IPA Pro Cup champion, Turon will have to contend with four other teams for the three available playoff spots. It is a given that no one will wrest the division title from powerful San Alejo. Cape Coral, Colchester, Ginza and Summerland will all be improved and in the playoff hunt. Best Pitchers: Jeb Pickett (17-7 2.64), James Longstreet (5-4 2.95), Ian Knox (8-4 3.24), Keir McNamara (16-14 3.71), Scotty Boswell (15-16 3.47) and closer Mac Yokum (4-7 2.67) with 27 saves in 72 appearances. Top Hitters: Glove Glove 1B Boots Dubois (.317 BA/15 HR/86 RBI/94 R/21 SB), C Trent Crittenden (.261 BA/25 HR/92 RBI) and 2B Ronnie Mikkelsen (.276 BA/16 HR/82 RBI)

06-26-2009, 04:48 PM	#1057
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	Almost finished revamping rosters, pitching rotations, line-ups and depth charts. Just six more teams to go. Should be able to sim season number four up to the All-Star Game on Monday.

06-26-2009, 06:19 PM	#1058
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Valka Vies For Playoff Spot In RU South Manager Jaan Kurus has guided the Valka Blackhawks to the IPA playoffs for the last two seasons and it is likely they will make the postseason again because of its solid mound corps. Valka took the RU South crown in 2002 and its good pitching took the Blackhawks to the Final 4 before falling to the Pro Cup runner-up, the Elnora All-Stars. Last year Valka dropped to fourth in the standings and lost to the regular season division winner, the St. John Crusaders in the First Round. Mediocre hitting plagues Valka and will have to drastically improve before the Blackhawks can challenge St. John and Belair Beach, the best teams in the division. The best Valka can do is fourth place. That's where most of the preseason baseball analysts place them. Waleska and Claxton will also be in the playoff chase, but both suffer from a lack of offense, too. Waleska came in third in 2003 and is forecast to finish there again, while Claxton is pegged for the fifth spot. The Blackhawks have not added any strong bats. Rookies Drew Ennis at first base, Johnny Vainik at catcher and Roy Lorton in left field don't seem to be the answer to their offensive woes. All of them will be platooned by Kurus this season. On the hill Valka will sport two newcomers, Bill Sunday and Artie Sarv. As of now they are scheduled to see duty only in middle relief. None of the first-year players are expected to make an impact this season. None of them impressed the baseball experts and forecasters. Top Pitchers: Andrei Kokk (17-12 2.89), LHP Bobby Karu (15-13 3.21), Arvo Krimm (15-14 3.39), Daryl Vannoy (10-6 3.38) and closer Tommy Ruffin (2-4 1.60) with 10 saves and 35 relief appearances. Top Batters: C Kristjan Kasik (.300 BA/15 HR/75 RBI), 3B Buddy Petrisko (.300 BAk/11 HR/64 RBI), RF Jimmy Tremayne (.298 BA/16 HR/64 RBI) and 2B Brian McGinnis (.287 BA/11 HR/58 RBI)

06-26-2009, 10:25 PM	#1059
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Valmara Runs Second To Ranford In RU North Preseason Poll Under manager J. Jackson Samuel the Valmara Vipers have been third, third and first in the first three seasons of the Islandian Pro Alliance. The inaugural year they didn't qualify for the Pro Cup playoffs, but they have the last two seasons. The Vipers lost in the First Round to Far Mountain in 2002, which won the division. Last year Valmara won the division flag and almost won the Pro Cup, but came up short in the finals against the Turon Typhoons of the Tycobbian Union. Samuel has a potent ballclub, strong in hitting and pitching. In the BNN preseason poll the Vipers were voted the number two team in the RU North with the nod given to the Ranford Bulls, last year's close runner-up. The general consensus was that the Bulls improved over the off-season, while Valmara remained static. None of the Viper newcomers are slated to be impact players and will just play secondary roles. The baseball scribes still think that Valmara will finish ahead of Glasco, Far Mountain and Taranto, the other clubs in serious contention for playoff consideration. Samuel has more firepower and better pitching than the other contenders. Valmara has a solid nucleus of players led by pitchers Danny Blauser and Yanni Wlodarczyk and position players Jet Kazmarek, Jan Szymanski, Steve Androwski, Floyd Vinson, Yoshi Motsuzuki and Masaichi Okawa. Valmara has five sound starters and a fine closer and can score runs with the best of them. The Vipers only weakness may be on the defensive side. Shoddy defense hampers them at times. Samuel favors hitters over defense and is not likely to go with lightweight batters with good gloves over the run producers. The trend with most teams in the IPA is to go with the offense. Top Pitchers: LHP Danny Blauser (23-11 2.93), Andre Trepanier (16-13 3.16), Vanya Vasylenko (13-12 3.50), Ted Farentino (9-4 3.40) and closer Yanni Wlodarczyk (9-3 2.90) with 8 saves and 49 relief appearances. Top Batters: LF Jet Kazmarek (.358 BA/14 HR/91 RBI/117 R/102 SB), CF Jan Szymanski (.262 BA/28 HR/80 RBI/93 R/13 SB), SS Steve Androwski (.271 BA/20 HR/68 RBI/95 R/15 SB), 1B Masaichi Okawa (.248 BA/20 HR/88 RBI), C Yoshi Motsuzuki (.282 BA/16 HR/72 RBI/94 R/37 SB) and 2B Floyd Vinson (.299 BA/7 HR/99 RBI)

06-27-2009, 03:51 PM	#1060
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,695 Blog Entries: 1	The Islandian Times March 13, 2004 Jailhouse Gang Still In Control In RU Wild Wild West One of the more successful franchises in the Island Pro Alliance is the Volusia Vigilantes, known as "The Jailhouse Gang" because just over the right field fence at their ballpark is the town jail. Inmates can actually watch games from their cell windows. The V's won the first pro championship ever in the Islands in the inaugural 2001 season, besting the Ginza Ninjas of the Tycobbian Union. Manager Alfonso Feliz' team has finished second, second and first in its first three seasons in the RU West Division. Except for the championship season, the Vigilantes have been playoff flops, losing to Middlefield and Forest City the last two years in the opening round. The basebase pollsters think Volusia will remain on top this year and again win the division title, although they will get some strong arguments from Forest City, Colfax and upstart Sligo. Last year's runner-up Middlefield is expected to slip way down in the standings due to the retirement of their ace pitcher and 20-game winner Jackie Lee Bevis. His retirement brought huge smiles to IPA batters and managers, who won't have to face him anymore. It really shakes up the balance of the West race. The Roosters could drop as far as fifth in the standings. Much of Volusia's success is due to its talented pitching staff, which has led the Ruthlandian Union in ERA the last two seasons. Feliz has a formidable foursome in his rotation led by Carl Schmitz, Raul Sandoval, Ricky Moreno and Mike Amato. In the bullpen the V's have an outstanding closer, Hernando Espederos. The Vigilantes still suffer from a lack of hitting. It is one of the reasons they have trouble winning in the playoffs - they are playing more teams that hit with power and hit much better than them. Last year Volusia was near the bottom in batting and absolutely last in home runs, hitting only 69 homers the entire season. But nothing has changed this year. Feliz made only one roster change, adding a pitcher. Otherwise, the V's are the same team. Rookie Todd Wolfe is the newcomer, a flame-throwing righthander. Feliz says 23-year-old Wolfe is "a work-in-progress" and will be brought along slowly. Only one change in his line-up, Feliz is going to split time at first base between the veteran Francisco Abreu and second-year man, Ruben De Andres. Abreu slumped badly last season, hitting only .225. Feliz said Abreu will have to pick it up this year quickly or he will have to make a change. Best Pitchers: LHP Raul Sandoval (12-5 2.49), Carl Schmitz (18-15 3.34), Ricky Moreno (18-12 3.43), Mike Amato (12-12 3.43) and closer Hernando Esparderos (4-1 2.13) with 29 saves and 66 games appearances. Best Batters: CF Ryan Raines (.293 BA/14 HR/74 RBI/90 R/38 SB), 3B Alejandro Salazar (.259 BA/11 HR/83 RBI), SS Scooter Perez (.274 BA/7 HR/58 RBI/84 R/52 SB), RF Lonnie Howard (.294 BA/3 HR/53 RBI/79 R/58 SB) and LF Briscoe Crowder (.319 BA/4 HR/42 RBI/53 R/19 SB) in 77 games.