ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Yeah buddy!

EC was really touched by reds1 Braeland Dynasty!

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

WOW!

Can you believe it?

I just passed the 1,000,000 mark in views.

Thank all of you for being such faithful followers of the Islandian Pro Alliance over the last 18 years.
The first post was December 16, 2007.

From the bottom of my heart a huge thank you.
You are the reason I still do this. Without your faithful viewership I would have stopped long ago.
I was worried I wouldn't live long enough to reach a million.

Our Creator must have a good reason for keeping EC around. He still has me doing this Dynasty Report and 23 years after retiring from radio, He has me on 9 Country and Southern Gospel radio stations.

They had to expand the views column just for you! Congrats on 1,000,000 and thanks from all us readers for all the effort you put into making such a beautiful baseball world!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

They had to expand the views column just for you! Congrats on 1,000,000 and thanks from all us readers for all the effort you put into making such a beautiful baseball world!

Thanks for your gracious comments, ayaghmour.
Really appreciate you following the Islandian Pro Alliance.

AND AWAY WE GO!... WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING ON OUR SECOND MILLION!

What do you think about that, CD?

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 24, 2091

CAN LA CLAIRE REPEAT AS PRO CUP CHAMP? ONLY LAGRANGE STANDS IN THE WAY
The reigning kings of the Islandian Pro Alliance, the La Claire Lynx are on the verge of hitting the jackpot again and could ring up back-to-back Pro Cup championships. However, there is a very good team standing in their way --- the Ruthlandian Union champion --- the rock-solid LaGrange Gators. #3 La Claire swept past the #5 Hartsdale Hellcats in 5 games to garner their second straight Tycobbian Union title, while the #6 Gators were upsetting the #2 Forest City Firebirds in a thrilling 7-game series. LaGrange did it the hard way, rallying from a huge 3-1 deficit to advance to the Pro Cup Series. Oddsmakers are calling it a tossup series --- either team could win it all.

2091 Tycobbian Union Title Series Recap

LYNX HURLERS TOTALLY SHUT DOWN HELLCATS HITTERS
La Claire eliminated the Hartsdale Hellcats in 5 quick games. They made the hard-hitting Hellcats look like helpless pussycats at the plate, holding them to just 11 runs overall. Hartsdale took the opener 2-1, but it was Katy bar the door the rest of the way. La Claire rattled off four in a row behind some standout starting pitching. The Lynx wrapped it up with victories 2-1, 4-2, 9-3 and 5-3. Strong pitching and home-run power did it. La Claire slammed 7 out of the park in the series. Hartsdale only managed to swat one roundtripper.

Game One in La Claire: Hellcat winning hurler Dandy Debusshere (2-0/1.69 ERA) bested losing Lynx pitcher Don Bartels (1-2/2.40 ERA) 2-1 with the help of 3 innings of relief from Kurt Schnell. The Lynx only got 8 hits, while the Hellcats were limited to 6. Second basema Scottie Deutsch singled in a run in the 1st frame and pinch hitter Richie Penniman drove in the second Hellcats run on a base hit in the 8th, while shortstop Lyn Holman doubled in the Lynx only score in the last of the 8th inning.

Game Two in La Claire: In game two Hartsdale had lots of chances to go up 2-0 in the best-of-seven series. They lost 2-1 in spite of 10 hits, stranding 12 runners on base. La Claire evened the series at one game apiece. Clayton Benedix (0-1/1.29 ERA) and relievers Erich Richthofen (1-1/5.59 ERA/2 saves) and winner Paul Unruh (1-0/0.00 ERA/3 games) combined for the victory, edging out Bennie Frey (0-0/0.84 ERA), Mitch Womack (0-1/3.55 ERA) and loser Kurt Schnell (1-1/8.40 ERA/1 save). There wasn't a lot of offense. La Claire took the lead in the 2nd inning when catcher Gino Manda doubled in second baseman Rick Wall from first. He led off the inning with a single. Hartsdale knotted the score 1-1 in the sixth. Left fielder Delton Gunn and first baseman Jorah Hladki singled to open the inning, putting runners on the corners. right fielder Calvin Mannon flew out to right field and plated Gunn. The score remained deadlock until the bottom of the 9th when shortstop Lyn Holman played the hero and won it with a soaring home run.

Game Three in Hartsdale: La Claire won its second straight game on the road for a 2-1 edge in the series. This time the score was 4-2. The Lynx got standout pitching once again from Shuggie Garsett (1-0/2.66 ERA) and two relievers, winner Paul Unruh (2-0/0.00 ERA) and Erich Richthofen (1-1/5.59 ERA/2 saves). The Hellcat bullpen blew it in the 9th when La Claire lashed 3 homers by David Glascock, Howie Ellenberger and Bill Gallagher and put 4 scores on the scoreboard. Starter Javon Harbin (0-1/2.77 ERA) blanked the Lynx for the first 8 innings. Mitch Womack (1-1/3.60 ERA) lost it, slammed for 3 of the runs and 2 roundtrippers. Jorah Hladki and David Fraisse drove in runs for the Hellcats.

Game Four in Hartsdale: No contest. Third win in a row for the Lynx. La Claire hammered the Hellcats 9-3 with 3 homers and 12 hits. Roger Arenado (3-0/1.85 ERA/3 starts/24 IP) went all the way for the win. David Glascock, Howie Ellenberger and Rick Wall all went deep. Ellenberger drove in 4 runs, Glascock 3 and Wall and Bill Gallagher one each in the victory. La Claire is up 3 games to one. Darren Peabody (1-1/4.82 ERA) was pinned with the defeat, lasted only 4 innings and gave up 5 runs.

Game Five in Hartsdale: La Claire wrapped up the series in 5 games with a big 9th-inning rally. The Hartsdale bullpen blew another one. La Claire trailed 3-2 going into their last at bat, but won it 5-3 on Bill Gallagher's 3-run blast off losing pitcher Kurt Schnell. Both starters, Don Bartels (1 run) for the Lynx and Dandy DeBusshere (2 runs) for the Hellcats were excellent. Neither bullpen did well, but Erich Richthofen (1-1/5.59 ERA) picked up an unexpected victory and Kurt Schnell (1-2/8.49 ERA) sustained a sudden loss. Calvin Mannon smacked a 3-run roundtripper for the losing Hellcats.

Center fielder Bill Gallagher (.389 BA/6 RBI), David Glascock (.350 BA/4 RBI) and Howie Ellenberger (.263 BA/5 RBI) all had 2 homers in the series to spark the La Claire attack. All four starters, Shuggie Garsett (1.29 ERA), Clayton Benedix (1.50 ERA), Don Bartels (1.80 ERA) and Roger Arenado (3.00 ERA) pitched well for the Lynx. So did reliever Paul Unruh (2-0/0.00 ERA).

Hartsdale starters Dandy Debusshere (1-0/0.69 ERA), Javon Harvin (1.12 ERA) and Bennie Frye (1.80 ERA) held their own and kept them in the series. However, the bats were totally impotent. They just didn't hit with runners in scoring position.

2091 Ruthlandian Union Title Series Recap

STRONG STAFF AND HR POWER PACE GATORS PAST FIREBIRDS FOR RU TITLE
The LaGrange Gators used the same formula used by La Claire to upset the high-powered Forest City Firebirds in a stirring 7-game comeback series. The Gators did the almost impossible, coming back after being down three games to one. Overall, LaGrange survived the series with strong pitching and longball power. They outhomered the potent Firebirds 10 to 5 to take the Ruthlandian Union Title Series four games to three.

Game One at Forest City: On the Firebirds home diamond, the visiting Gators got past Forest City 4-1 in the first game of the best-of-seven series. It was the stellar pitching of starter Jules Le Royer, James Forest (1-0/0.00 ERA) and Julius Hauer that got the job done in the opener. A miscue in the 6th frame gave La Claire the lead 2-1. Robert Zamora put the finishing touches on the win with a 2-run clout in the 8th. Charley Gray provided the other score in the first inning with a solo shot. FC starter Matty O'Mara (0-1/2.79 ERA) lost the opening game, but spun 7 solid innings, yielding just one earned run on 4 hits.

Game Two at Forest City: The Firebirds evened up the series with a clutch 10-inning triumph over the Gators 7-6 on center fielder Clete Ward's game-winning homer. Milt Moncriffe also provided a 3-run blast. LaGrange led 6-5 midway through the game, but the Forest City bullpen shut them out the final 5 frames. Relievers Andre Durbin, closer Curt Leininger and winning pitcher Shannon Slate (1-0/4.50 ERA) came to starter Robbie Matthews' rescue. LaGrange first sacker Evon Layton and right fielder Robert Zamora led the offense with homers and 3 ribbies apiece. Otis Marshall (0-1/2.70 ERA), the last of four hurlers for the Gators, lost it when he surrendered Ward's wallop in the 10th.

Game Three at LaGrange: The series switched venues to the Swamp. On the road Forest City got excellent pitching from Thomas Tate and Curt Leininger (2-0/0.69 ERA), who stopped the Gators 4-2 in the third game of the series, giving the Firebirds a 2-1 edge. Tate tossed 7 innings, allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits, but Leininger chalked up the win with 2 scoreless frames. The Firebirds snapped a 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th on third baseman Jim Raver's two-run base hit. Andre Dujardin started on the hill for the Gators. He worked into the 7th, gave up 2 runs on 7 hits, then was relieved by Otis Marshall (0-2/5.06 ERA), who suffered the defeat. Marshall also lost game two.

Game Four at LaGrange: The Forest City bats picked up some steam and won their third in a row for a three games to one edge. The Firebirds bested the Gators 6-4 in another 10th-inning thriller decided on left fielder Willie Collingham's 2-run dinger. Shannon Slate (2-0/3.38 ERA) won again in relief with 2 scoreless innings. Julius Hauer (0-2/2.13 ERA) took the loss, giving up Collingham's clout. Forest City was sparked at the plate by Collingham with 2 hits, 3 runs and 3 RBIs, Milt Moncrief with 2 hits and 2 ribbies and Jim Raver with 3 for 5 and an a run batted in. Robert Zamora and Charley Gray were best for the Gators with 2 hits each, including solo swats.

Game Five at LaGrange: Trailing 3-1 in the series, the fifth game began great for LaGrange when they jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first frame. Then it turned bad for the Gators when they lost starting pitcher Jules Dufour to injury in the second frame. But lo and behold, reliever James Forest (2-0/0.00 ERA) protected the LaGrange 3-1 lead for the next 5 and one-third glorious innings and his relief Maurice Crandall did even better by retiring all 6 men he faced the last 2 innings to nail down the victory and stave off elimination. They were still trailing 3-2, but the Gators were back in business. Evon Layton put LaGrange up 2-0 in the opening inning with a 2-run single and Lanny Lang made it 3-0 with an RBI base hit. Forest and Crandall made those runs stand up and kept the Gators alive in the best-of-seven series.

Game Six in Forest City: Returning to the friendly confines of Riverside Stadium, the Firebirds went to town early determined to wrap up the RU Title and head to the IPA Pro Cup Finals. Ahead 5-2 at the end of 6 innings, the Forest City defense gave way and let LaGrange tie it up 5-5. Then it became a bullpen game and the Gators won it 6-5 behind the marvelous relief work of Julius Hauer (1-2/1.72 ERA). He sat down six straight batters and struck out 4 of them. Evon Layton's went deep off closer Curt Leininger (2-1/2.08 ERA) in the top of the 8th to decide the game, tie the series at 3-3 and force a dramatic 7th-game finale for the Ruthlandian Union title and a spot in the Pro Cup Series. Heading up the Gators' attack was pinch hitter Dmitri Tsoukalas with a pair of ribbies. Layton, Lenny Lang and Charley Gray drove in the other scores. Sparking the Firecats at the plate were Brodie Northern with a 3-run home run and Jim Raver with a 2-run two-bagger.

Game 7 at Forest City: It was a rousing finish to the RU Title Series. Forest City's Thomas Tate and LaGrange's Andre Dujardin went toe-to-toe for 7 innings with Tate holding a 2-1 edge. Just six more outs and Forest City will finally once and for all get rid of the pesky LaGrange Gators and finally advance to the IPA Pro Cup Series. That's when the big boomin' bats of the Gators really came alive and feasted on the Firebird bullpen. LaGrange lashed out with 5 unearned runs and won the Ruthlandian Union title with a 6-2 win in the seventh-game finale. Poor Shannon Slate (2-1/4.32 ERA) gave up the two death blows. The Gators came back from a 3-1 deficit and beat the proud and favored Firebirds at home, copping the series four games to three. Yeah buddy, baseball don't get any better than this! LaGrange fifth starter, Otis Marshall, working in the bullpen in the postseason, pitched splendidly and retired all 6 Firebirds he faced in the last 2 frames and gave the win to Dujardin (3-0/1.91 ERA). He earned it with 7 strong innings, permitting 2 runs on 8 hits.

Home-run power and powerful pitching propelled LaGrange to the Ruthlandian Union crown, led by shortstop Charley Gray (.367 BA/3 HR/4 RBI), right fielder Ricardo Zamora (.292 BA/3 HR/6 RBI), first baseman Evon Layton (.286 BA/2 HR/6 RBI) and second baseman Lenny Lang (.300 BA/1 HR/4 RBI). Standing out for the mound corps were the bullpen James Forest (2-0/0.00/3 games/8 IP), Julius Hauer (1-1/2.08 ERA/1 save/4 games/6 IP) and Maurice Crandall (0-0/3.86 ERA/1 save/4 games/7 IP), along with 2 starters Andre Dujardin (1-0/2.70 ERA/2 starts/13 IP) and Jules Le Royer (0-0/2.70 ERA/2 starts/10 IP). Postseason bullpenner Otis Marshall (0-2/3.24 ERA/one save/5 games) was hit-and-miss in the playoffs so far, but his superlative performance in game seven was critical in the series.

Forest City played a great series and easily could be headed to the Pro Cup Series against the La Claire Lynx of the Tycobbian Union. They had some star performers, too, like third baseman Jim Raver (.433 BA/13 hits/5 RBI) and left fielder Willie Collingham (.280 BA/2 HR/7 RBI). Mound standouts include Thomas Tate (0-0/1.93 ERA/2 starts/14 innings) and Matty O'Mara (0-2/2.57 ERA/2 starts).

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 24, 2091

STAGE IS SET FOR A SUPER SHOWDOWN FOR THE IPA PRO CUP TROPHY: LAGRANGE VS LA CLAIRE -- 7-GAME SERIES STARTS FRIDAY
Yeah, buddy! We have reached the final -- and biggest -- stage of the Islandian Pro Alliance calendar. The stakes are at their highest, the lights at their brightest -- autumn baseball at its best is in the air -- Islandia is getting ready for the Pro Cup Series. It begins this Friday afternoon at Capitol Park Stadium in La Claire. Last year's Pro Cup champion is back again, trying for to be the first back-to-back winner since Southport in 2065 and 2066. The Lynx will be challenged by the LaGrange Gators, who will be trying to win the first Pro Cup in the team's 90-year IPA history. This will be the Gators 15th attempt. Most years they were beaten in the First Round. LaGrange has never come close to winning the coveted IPA Pro Cup. La Claire had only appeared in the Pro Cup playoffs 10 times, winning the crown in 2087 and 2090. This is the team's fifth consecutive postseason appearance. They have been a solid Pro Cup contender in recent seasons.

Jonny Bacon is at the helm of La Claire. He has been skipper since 2083 and has already rung up 2 Pro Cups and 5 pennants. He starred for the Lynx from '61 to '69, batting .292 lifetime with 197 homers and 733 RBIs. Bacon was solid defender in right field, too.

LaGrange is guided by Antoine Robicheaux. He is in his 15th season as manager. Robicheaux has taken the Gators to 5 postseasons, all in the last decade. He had a good 5-year career with LaGrange from '67 to '72 posting a 37-23 mark on the mound with a 3.89 ERA.

Two right-handers will get the starting nods in the first game of the series. Visiting LaGrange will send Bucky Erdmann (14-10/3.61 ERA) to the hill, while it will be Don Bartels (18-6/2.88 ERA) getting the call for La Claire. Manager Antoine Robicheaux has to go with his #3 starter Bucky Erdmann, the best-rested starter he has because of the 7-game series with Forest City. Erdmann is 1-0 in 3 playoff starts with an impressivie 1.83 ERA. Bartels in four postseason starts is 1-2 with a 2.40 ERA.

The 2091st edition of the Pro Cup Series is tough to call. La Claire is the defending champion with two Pro Cup titles in the last four seasons. This club knows how to win. They are favored by most of the press and media. But it will be close. LaGrange is no pushover. Overall, they may be the best team. The Gators have a better offense than the Lynx and a better defense than the Lynx, but La Claire has the best starting pitchers and bullpen. La Claire may have just enough offense to get the job done. The superior pitching corps give the Lynx the advantage. La Claire will win in 7 games.

Both managers, Jonny Bacon and Antoine Robicheaux have indicated they will go with a three-man rotation in the Pro Cup Series. La Claire starters All-Star Don Bartels (18-6/2.88 ERA), All-Star Shuggie Garsett (18-8/3.17 ERA) and Roger Arenado (15-6/2.82 ERA) look on paper to be superior to LaGrange's Jules Le Royer (13-4/1.91 ERA), Andre Dujardin (15-8/3.30 ERA) and Bucky Erdmann (14-10/3.61 ERA). During the regular season La Claire's bullpen outperformed the LaGrange relievers. Overall the Lynx starting rotation chalked up a fine 3.08 ERA, while the bullpen posted a 3.20 ERA. The Gators' starters put up a 3.44 ERA and the relievers compiled a 3.55 ERA. La Claire ranked 5th out of the 64 IPA staffs with a 3.10 ERA. LaGrange finished 13th with a 3.47 ERA.

Offensively, the Gators look scary. Charley Gray (.289 BA/20 HR/99 RBI), All-Star Evon Layton (.344 BA/24 HR/85 RBI), All-Star Lenny Lang (.308 BA/19 HR/87 RBI) Ricardo Zamora (.266 BA/29 HR/93 RBI), Lou Buckram (.280 BA/19 HR/58 RBI) and Remy Martin (.266 BA/25 HR/72 RBI) can put some runs on the scoreboard. The other regulars are no slouches either. LaGrange has a bunch of good contact hitters throughout the batting order. The Gators hit .279 BA, the top average in the IPA, with 765 runs and 174 roundtrippers. They were 3rd in scoring runs and 6th in homers.

Statistically, La Claire was not as strong. The Lynx batted .260 (10th) with 156 home runs (14th) and 709 runs (15th). However, they do have a solid bat at every spot, one through eight in the lineup. Top producers are All-Star David Glascock (.288 BA/39 HR/115 RBI), Howie Ellenberger (.248 BA/37 HR/119 RBI), Dennis Culpepper (.279 BA/8 HR/67 RBI) and All-Star catcher Gino Manda (.289 BA/15 HR/57 RBI). Lyn Holman (.263 BA/83 R/38 SB/.399 OBP) is a good stick with a great OBP and good speed. Offensively, La Claire is sneaky good.

[Eugene Church]

2091 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - Game One in La Claire

LYNX TOP GATORS ON PICKENS' HIT IN THE 11TH INNING
The opening game of the 2091 Pro Cup Series was quite a game with plenty of drama for 11 innings. Defending Pro Cup champion La Claire played like a champ and came back and won it 3-2 on Judah Pickens' 11th-inning walk-off single that scored Gino Manda with the winning run. It was a tense thriller -- LaGrange took the lead in the top half of the 11th, forcing La Claire to have to rally with 2 runs in their final at bat.

For 8 innings it was quite a pitcher's duel. La Claire's Don Bartels started and was in complete command for 8 innings, but he only had a 1-0 lead on David Glascock's solo diner in the first frame. Bucky Erdmann and Julius Hauer almost matched Bartels. Erdmann worked the first six frames, Hauer chunked 2 scoreless innings. Gator Lenny Lang slammed a clutch homer in the top of the 9th off closer Erich Richthofen to deadlock the game and send it to extra innings. The Gators roughed up Paul Unruh to start the 11th. Lou Buckram doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice and scored on pinch hitter Florian du Pont's base hit, giving the Gators a 2-1 lead. Sadly, James Forest couldn't hold it. He gave up a double to pinch hitter Donny Gant, single to Gino Manda and walked Bill Gallagher to load the bases with one out. Forest forced in the tying run when he walked Artur Ransome. Forest fanned Lyn Holman, but surrendered the game-winning hit to Judah Pickens. That cost Forest (2-1/2.08 ERA) the game.

There were a lot of hits for a low-scoring game. LaGrange cracked 15 and left 14 men on, while La Claire socked 11 and stranded 11. Jeff Redford (1-0/0.00 ERA) notched the win by retiring the dangerous Evon Layton on an infield fly with the bases loaded.

La Claire was led by Lyn Holman (.220 BA), David Glascock (.308 BA), Rick Wall (.327 BA) and Gino Manda (.381 BA) with 2 hits apiece. Lou Buckram (.283 BA) lashed 4 hits for LaGrange, Julien Pascal (.197 BA) collected 3 and Lenny Lang (.328 BA) socked a pair.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 28, 2091

IPA Pro Cup Series - Game 2 in La Claire at Capitol Park Stadium

GATORS OUTCLAW LYNX IN 11TH INNING IN GAME TWO --- SERIES TIED 1-1
Game 2 of the IPA Pro Cup Series was just as intense, just as torrid and just as long as the opener. The LaGrange Gators outmaneuvered and outclawed the La Claire Lynx in 11 innings 4-3, scoring the game-winning run on a passed ball by Gino Manda. Evon Layton walked to lead off the frame, moved to second on a base hit by Ricardo Zamora. Lenny Lang advanced Layton to third on a fielder's choice and he scored on Manda's misplay. This evens up the best-of-seven Pro Cup Series at one game apiece. Game three is slated for The Swamp in LaGrange on Monday afternoon.

It was a classic chess game on the diamond between LaGrange skipper Antoine Robicheaux and La Claire manager Jonny Bacon. They both strategically used 5 pitchers in the second extra-inning extravaganza in a row. Both starters, Jules Le Royer for the Gators and Shuggie Garrett for the Lynx stood out. Le Royer tossed 7 and two-thirds innings, allowed 5 hits and 2 runs, both on solo shots Rick Wall and Judah Pickens. Garsett was touched for 2 runs --- only one earned --- a 2-run shot by Charley Gray in the opening frame.

Le Royer blanked La Claire for 6 innings. The Lynx narrowed the score to 2-1 in the bottom of the 7th on Pickens' blast. Evon Layton gave the Gators a little bit of breathing room when his single scored Remy Martin from second base. Martin led off the inning with a base hit. Solo swats in the 7th and 8th tied the score 3-all.

Both teams collected 8 hits each. La Grange left 7 runners aboard, while La Claire stranded 9. Layton (.333 BA/3 HR/10 RBI) led the Gators with a pair of hits. Gray (.328 BA/9 RBI) hit his 4th roundtripper in the playoffs. Lyn Holman (.255 BA) paced the Lynx with 3 for 5, a run batted in and 2 stolen bases. Wall (.333 BA/2 HR/6 RBI) and Manda (.383 BA/1 HR/5 RBI) rapped 2 hits apiece in defeat. It was Pickens (.196 BA/4 RBI) first postseason blast this season. Julius Hauer (2-2/1.37 ERA/3 saves/10 game) picked up the victory with 2 scoreless innings. Maurice Crandall 90-0/1.42 ERA/2 saves/4 games) got the save by striking out the last batter with the tying run on second base. Rick Gautreau (0-1/1.59 ERA/3 games) was the unfortunate loser on an unearned run.

[Eugene Church]

Tuesday, October 30, 2091

2091 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game 3 at The Swamp in La Claire

LAGRANGE LASHES LA CLAIRE IN 3RD GAME FOR 2-1 EDGE
The LaGrange Gators lashed out with a fury with 6 runs in the first inning of game three of the Pro Cup Series to smack the La Claire Lynx 8-4 for a two-games-to-one lead in the best-of-seven series. They added 2 more scores in the 3rd for insurance and were never really threatened. LaGrange rapped 11 hits and 2 homers and lived up to their reputation as one of the best attacks in the IPA. They got just enough pitching to hold off La Claire the last half of the game at The Swamp.

Sparking the Gators' offensive feast were Evon Layton (.333 BA/12 RBI), Lou Buckram (.278 BA/3 HR/9 RBI) and Andre Dujardin (.250 BA/2 RBI) with 2 ribbies apiece. Buckram and Lenny Lang (.313 BA/2 HR/8 RBI) slammed solo roundtrippers and Remy Martin (.141 BA), Charley Gray (.343 BA/10 RI), Lang and Dujardin socked 2 hits each.

Southpaw Andre Dujardin (4-0/2.31 ERA) did well enough to win, but had a tough time, ringing up his 4th straight win in the playoffs. He was spanked for 3 runs and 7 hits in his 6 and 2-thirds innings. Maurice Crandall finished up, but did allow one run on a solo homer in 2 and one-thirds frames of relief.

La Claire banged out 10 hits. Judah Pickens (.233 BA) cracked 3 hits to top the Lynx at the plate. Rick Wall (.339 BA) and Bill Gallagher (.245 BA) added 2 hits each in the loss. Howie Ellenberger (.214 BA/12 RBI) chimed in with his 4th postseason homer.

LaGrange totally destroyed La Claire starter Roger Arenado (3-1/4.07 ERA) for all 6 scores in the first frame. It was his first defeat of the postseason and greatly inflated his ERA.

The Gators now have the homefield advantage heading into game four at The Swamp in LaGrange.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 31, 2091

2091 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game 4 at The Swamp in LaGrange

LC'S GAUTREAU BLANKS GATORS ON 3-HITTER TO EVEN SERIES
Strong pitching and home-run power won the pennant for La Claire and got them to the Pro Cup Finals. The current Pro Cup champ got them both in game four and evened up the best-of-seven series at two games apiece. Slender southpaw Rick Gautreau fired a masterful gem, shutting out the hard-hitting and high-scoring LaGrange Gators 6-0 on their homefield, The Swamp. The Gators were held to just 3 hits. Gautreau (1-1/0.61 ERA) tossed a complete game, fanned 5 batters and walked just one. Number three and cleanup hitters David Glascock (.273 BA) and Howie Ellenberger (.213 BA) provided the power with their 6th and 5th home runs respectively. Ellenberger has 15 RBIs in the playoffs so far and Glascock has driven in 12. Ellenberger clouted a 3-run roundtripper in the 5th and Glascock pitched in with a 2-run shot in the 7th.

Right-hander Otis Marshall (0-3/4.50 ERA) got the start for LaGrange, but only lasted 5 struggling frames. He was torched for 4 runs and 4 hits. In addition, he was wild with 5 free passes, but he did whiff 6 Lynx. La Grange could only muster 3 solitary singles off Gautreau.

Pivotal game five is on the immediate horizon, slated for Wednesday afternoon, once again at The Swamp. Likely starters are Don Bartels (18-6/2.88 ERA) for La Claire and Bucky Erdmann (14-10/3.61 ERA) for LaGrange. Bartels has been effective in the playoffs, but has lost games. Bartels is 1-2, yet has a fine 1.89 ERA in 5 starts, while Erdmann has been impressive with a 1-0 mark and a 1.75 ERA in his 4 starting assignmens. Bartels and Erdmann both started game one and did well. It went 11 innings and was won by La Claire 3-2..

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, November 1, 2091

2091 IPA Pro Cup Series - Game 5 at The Swamp in LaGrange

LC TAKES PIVOTAL 5TH GAME FROM LAGRANGE BEHIND BARTELS
Don Bartels is a money pitcher. The 22-year-old righty hurled La Claire past LaGrange 4-1 in the fifth game of the Pro Cup Series for a three-games-to-two edge. One more win and the Lynx repeat as IPA Pro Cup champion. Bartels rose to the occasion on the road at The Swamp in LaGrange, going the distance, tossing 5-hit ball, striking out 3 batters and walking 2 to even his postseason mark at 2-2 and lowering his ERA to an impressive 1.72. It was a tough loss for Bucky Erdmann (1-1/1.87 ERA), who worked 8 strong innings and held the Lynx to 2 runs on 4 hits with 4 Ks and 2 bases on balls. Third baseman Howie Ellenberger hammered a home run in the top of the 4th for the decisive go-ahead run. La Claire now has two chances at home at Capitol Park Stadium to wrap up its second straight Pro Cup Trophy and third in five seasons. The Lynx also captured the IPA crown in 2087.

La Claire went in front in the 1st inning. Lyn Holman (.222 BA) singled and went to third on a base hit by David Glascock (.271 BA/6 HR/12 RBI) and was driven in by Howie Ellenbergr's grounder to second base. LaGrange did not tarry long before knotting the score at 1-1 in the last of the 2nd. Evon Layton (.329 BA/3 HR/12 RBI) doubled, advanced to third on a hit by Ricardo Zamora (.258 BA/3 HR/8 RBI) and scored on Lenny Lang's (.306 BA/2 HR/9 RBI) sac fly. There was no more scoring until the top of the 9th when Dennis Culpepper boomed a 2-run homer off reliever Julius Hauer.

Both clubs could only manage 5 hits apiece. Culpepper (.270 BA/2 HR/7 RBI) and Ellenberger (.234 BA/6 HR/17 RBI) paced the Lynx with 2 hits each.

Game six in La Claire will pit Shuggie Garsett (18-8/3.17 ERA) against Jules Le Royer (13-4/1.91 ERA). Garsett is 1-0 for the Lynx in 4 playoff starts with a strong 2.30 ERA. The Gators' Le Royer has been a standout with a superlative 1.56 ERA in 5 starts, but is 1-1 record-wise.

[Eugene Church]

Friday, November 2, 2091

2091 IPA PRO CUP SERIES - GAME 6 AT CAPITOL PARK STADIUM IN LA CLAIRE

LA CLAIRE TAMES LAGRANGE IN 6 GAMES -- WINS 3RD IPA PRO CUP IN 5 YEARS
The mighty La Claire Lynx are a budding baseball dynasty. For the second season in a row and the third time in 5 years the Lynx are Pro Cup champion in the Islandian Pro Alliance. La Claire lambasted the LaGrange Gators 10-3 in the sixth game of the series and prevailed four games to two. The La Claire attack gave Shuggie Garsett (2-0/2.55 ERA) an 8-0 cushion in the first frame and he breezed to victory, going 8 innings and holding the Gators to 3 runs, despite being tapped for 12 hits. LaGrange outhit La Claire 13 to 10, but left 12 baserunners on. Losing pitcher Jules Le Royer (1-2/3.09 ERA) was battered for 6 runs in the first frame by Lynx's lineup.

Sparking the Pro Cup champion offense was Judah Pickens (.239 BA/2 HR/7 RBI) with 2 hits and 3 RBIs, including a 2-run roundtripper. Gino Manda (.339 BA/1 HR/8 RBI) and Lyn Holman (.230 BA/5 RBI) both added 2 hits and 2 runs batted in. No doubt about it --- La Claire was favored over LaGrange and they proved it on the diamond, dominating at the plate and on the mound.

Top to bottom in the batting order La Claire manager Jonny Bacon's underrated bats did the job and on the hill his vaunted hurlers did, too. LaGrange skipper Antoine Robicheaux just didn't have the talent to match the Lynx. La Claire outscored LaGrange 30-18, outhomered them 9-3 and outpitched them, too. The Gators won 2 of the first 3 games, then went to pieces and dropped the final 3 games in convincing fashion. La Claire was clearly the best team.

Bacon bragged on his team, saying, "We don't have a bunch of stars and superstar hitters, but they sure do know how to win. We didn't have a single .300 hitter in the regular season. However, we do have some pretty good pitchers."

Robicheaux said one of the key elements in the series was "the ability to hit with runners in scoring position. La Claire pitchers were really tough with men on base. I can't believe we left so many men on base."

In spite of being the reigning Pro Cup holder, La Claire was rated the third-best team in the Pro Cup playoffs behind #1 South Fork and #2 Forest City.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, November 3, 2091

PRO CUP MVP AWARDED TO LA CLAIRE'S ELLENBERGER IN SUPER TIGHT POLL
This year's Pro-Cup winning skipper Jonny Bacon of the La Claire Lynx told the press and media, "It truly was a team effort... all 21 players on the roster contributed to our great playoff run, making it possible for us to repeat as IPA champion." That made selecting this year's IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player a difficult task for the writers and broadcasters. No one had a great postseason on the La Claire Lynx. However, there were several impact players that made an indelible impression on the outcomes of the postseason games and the Pro Cup Series.

It was hard to choose between position players Howie Ellenberger (.235 BA/16 for 68/6 HR/17 RBI/14 R), David Glascock (.253 BA/19 for 75/6 HR/12 RBI/13 R) and hurlers Don Bartels (2-2/1.72 ERA/6 starts/47 IP) and Shuggie Garsett (2-0/2.55 ERA/5 starts/35 IP).

The 2091 IPA Pro Cup Postseason Player of the Year was third basemen Howie Ellenberger. He was voted the standout player, but just barely. Ellenberger received 34 votes, Bartels 32 and Garsett and Glascock polled 31 apiece. The general consensus was that position players have an effect in all of the postseason games, while pitchers effect fewer games on an individual basis.

Postseason MVP Ellenberger thanked the press for honoring him, but stated, "All of the nominees deserved the award. I wish you had put all of our names on it."

Howie Ellenberger is only in his first full season at age 22. He came into the league last year. He is a lifetime .260 hitter with 43 home runs and 119 RBIs so far.

Don Bartels is a 29-year-old veteran right-hander with 4 super seasons so far in his 4-year career. He is a 2-time All-Star and the 2088 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year. Last year Bartels was named the IPA Pro Cup MVP. Overall he has been brilliant with 78 wins and only 27 defeats and a superb 2.74 ERA.

David Glascock is a left fielder in his 8th season at 29. He played his first 6 years with the Chicopee Braves, the last two with La Claire. Glascock has been voted to the TU All-Star Team twice in '86 and '91. His overall batting average is a solid .277 with 225 roundtrippers and 695 RBIs.

Shuggie Garsett is 27 and has played with La Claire for 6 seasons, posting a standout 101-40 mark with an impressive 2.80 ERA. He won the TU Most Valuable Player Award and the TU Golden Arm Award in 2087. Garsett has made the TU All-Stars on three occasions. Garsett was brilliant in the 2087 Pro Cup playoffs, sparking the Lynx to the Pro Cup title with a marvelous 6-0 record and a microscopic 0.81 ERA. For his spectacular performance Garsett was chosen the Pro Cup Postseason MVP.

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2091 Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Playoffs

[Eugene Church]

I will wrap up the 2091 IPA season with the award winners.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, November 17, 2091

IPA ANNOUNCES 2091 AWARDS
The Islandian Pro Alliance wrapped up the 2091 season with the announcement of all awards winners. Byron Bennigan, first baseman for Mahaska won his 4th Tycobbian Union Golden Bat Award and Zeke Bednard, shortstop for Crystal Lake was chosen the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat for the second time in his career. The only other repeat winners were Golden Glove first baseman Edgaro Altuve of San Dimas and center fielder Ben Acheson of Marston, both were named for the second time.

2091 Ruthlandian Union Awards

Golden Bat: Zeke Bednard (Crystal Lake) (2-time winner)
Golden Arm: Jules Le Royer (LaGrange)
Rookie Of The Year: Evon Layton (LaGrange)
Most Valuable Player: Zeke Bednard (Crystal Lake)
Manager Of The Year: Antoine Robicheaux (LaGrange) (2-time winner)

[Eugene Church]

2091 Tycobbian Union Awards

Golden Bat: Byron Bennigan (Mahaska) (4-time winner)
Golden Arm: Mike Stanford (White River)
Rookie of the Year: Nuno Bettencourt (San Alejo)
Most Valuable Player: David Glascock (La Claire)
Manager of the Year: Jay Murphy (South Fork) (2-time winner)

[Eugene Church]

2091 Ruthlandian Union Awards



2091 Tycobbian Union Awards

[Eugene Church]

LAGRANGE ROBICHEAUX AND SOUTH FORK MURPHY HONORED AS IPA TOP SKIPPERS FOR SECOND TIME
The Islandian Pro Alliance honored Antoine Robicheaux of LaGrange and Jay Murphy of South Fork as Manager of the Year for the second time in their careers. Robicheaux was acclaimed the Ruthlandian Union skipper of the year and Murphy was named Tycobbian Union manager of the year.

The 51-year-old Robicheaux has guided his Gators to 6 RU North pennants in his 15 seasons. This year LaGrange improved from third place (84-70) and 11 games behind in the divisional race to the top spot (94-60). They won the RU North by 9 games over second place Valmara. He was a unanimous choice for the 2091 Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year Award. Robicheaux also was picked in 2088. He only had a modest IPA career, spending 6 seasons with the Gators from 2067 to 2072 with a fine record of 37-23 and a 3.77 ERA. Robicheaux was mainly used as spot starter and middle reliever.

Murphy, this year's TU Manager of the Year, closed out his strong career in high style at age 76, nabbing the Tycobbian East flag for the 10th time in his 34 seasons. He also captured 2 Pro Cups in 2073 and 2077. This season was his best and he was also chosen top skipper in a unanimous vote. South Fork piled up 106 victories, third-best in IPA history, and won the TU East by a landslide 21 games. This year was the first time the club has ever soared over 100 wins in its 92 seasons. Last year the Stallions prevailed by just 5 games with a 94-60 mark. Murphy was also selected best manager in 2089. He chose this year to retire. His replacement is Jojo Bond, who played catcher for South Fork for 14 seasons from 2075 to 2088, all during Murphy's tenure.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, January 2, 2092

COLD CREEK 1ST SACKER GURLEY INDUCTED INTO IPA HALL OF FAME ON FIRST TRY
Only one player made it into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame this year and one came close. First baseman Dude Gurley made it on his first try, while Far Mountain right fielder Ernie Friedricks just barely missed out on the honor in his 7th year on the list. Gurley spent all of his 16 seasons with the Cold Creek Raccoons, playing in 2240 games with a .310 career batting average and 2463 hits. He also scored 1331 runs and drove in 1399 runs with 389 home runs. Gurley was a 5-time All-Star, 2073 RU Rookie of the Year and a Golden Glover.

Gurley retired from baseball when he was 38.

Friedricks batted .311 in his 13 years, scored 1286 runs and stole 786 bases, leading the league 6 times.

"Gurley simply produced -- game after game after game. That's what I loved about him."
Those sentiments were expressed by one of Dude Gurley's managers from his Cold Creek Raccoons days at the gifted first baseman's Hall of Fame induction ceremony yesterday. On a cloudy, but comfortable afternoon, he took his rightful place among the best Islandian Pro Alliance players of all-time.

The newest Hall of Famer assessed his career in these words: "I did my best to contribute to the team -- in the field, at the plate, in the dugout. I didn't care about personal numbers. I just went out there to win."

The ballots are counted and the results are in. One player was enshrined this year: Dude Gurley will now see his plaque mounted beside the other greats from the game.

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.

1B Dude Gurley 87.9 (1st year) Inducted HOF
RF Ernie Friedricks 70.5 (7th year)
SS Carroll Ezzell 62.8 (4th year)
SP William Pike 58.1 (9th year)
1B Matt Hazelton 50.7 (1st year)
SS Junior Evans 50.7 (10th year) Dropped
CF Robert Hazle 42.3 (1st year)
3B Ronald Bayless 37.2 (2nd year)
C Jaron Shufford 30.9 (1st year)
SP Skeets Kazlauskas 23.5 (2nd year)
SP Hawk Templeton 19.1 (3rd year)
C Raul Bernardo 17.4 (3rd year)
SP Davis Hickerson 17.1 (2nd year)
2B Stosh Dusek 17.1 (2nd year)
SS Emmett Spangler 15.8 (1st year)
CF Donald Wilhelm 14.4 (1st year)
RP Chip Irby 12.1 (2nd year)
SP Andre LaFrance 11.7 (2nd year)
SP Noel Arboneaux 11.4 (2nd year)
SP Mick Flanders 10.4 (7th year)
C Michel Colbert 10.1 (1st year)
SP Jim Singer 9.1 (2nd year)
LF Sid Barton 9.1 (1st year)
LF Tom Colson 9.1 (2nd year)
SP Greg Hammerstein 8.7 (1st year)
2B Ethan Youngman 8.4 (1st year)
RP Timmy Penfield 8.1 (1st year)
SP Jim Brockington 7.7 (1st year)
RP Angelo Marinello 7.7 (3rd year)
SP Jalen Abercrombie 6.4 (4th year)
SP Tuffy Hatfield 6.4 (3rd year)
2B Nat Kenner 6.0 (7th year)
RP Henry Youngman 6.0 (7th year)
SP Asmund Bjornstad 6.0 (1st year)
CF Miguel Serrano 5.7 (1st year)
RP Marcello Rossi 5.7 (1st year)
SP Tomaso Ortega 5.4 (2nd year)
CF Conrad Clark 5.4 (2nd year)
C Mike Mantle 5.0 (1st year)
3B Misha Makowski 5.0 (7th year)
C Stan Paszkowski 4.7 (1st year) Dropped
C Fritz Adenauer 4.7 (3rd year) Dropped
SP Ivan Malek 4.7 (3rd year) Dropped
1B Andre Langdon 4.4 (1st year) Dropped
LF Dolph Gordon 4.4 (7th year) Dropped
SP Clancy Mahaffey 4.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Slinger Sowers 3.7 (2nd year) Dropped
SP Pat Buckland 3.4 (1st year) Dropped
SS Andy Zahn 3.4 (7th year) Dropped
2B Jimmy Czarnecki 3.4 (7th year) Dropped
SS Ollie Daggs 3.4 (7th year) Dropped
SP Ed Franz 3.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Kent Burleigh 3.0 (3rd year) Dropped
CF Eliott Carleton 3.0 (7th year) Dropped
RP Clancy Planchard 2.7 (1st year) Dropped
SP Cris Samuels 2.7 (1st year) Dropped
CF Tim Robbins 2.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Russell Krohn 2.3 (10th year) Dropped
SP Odin Carlson 2.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Nelson Sinquefield 2.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Linus Wright 1.7 (1st year) Dropped
SP Matt Simon 1.7 (1st year) Dropped
SP Riley Kincaid 1.7 (1st year) Dropped
RF Jeff Thigpen 1.3 (1st year) Dropped
RP Jon Farnsworth 1.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Bobby West 1.3 (1st year) Dropped
C Cloyce Brubaker 1.3 (1st year) Dropped
RF Bruno Hindman 1.3 (1st year) Dropped
C Manny Russo 1.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Bret Lynch 1.0 (1st year) Dropped
SS Buzz Mauldin 0.7 (1st year) Dropped
1B Rolf Alderhof 0.7 (1st year) Dropped
SP Duncan Shilling 0.7 (1st year) Dropped
SP Domingo Domenguez 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
3B Alex Durham 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Luis Rosario 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
RP Brayden Peters 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Roy Murrell 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Javier Santos 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
SP Noah Fairclough 0.3 (1st year) Dropped
No other players received a vote, and have been dropped from the ballot.