[Eugene Church]

The Islandian Times

Friday, June 22, 2001

Around the IPA

Tycobbian Union - West Division

The best team in the Islandian Pro Alliance just might be the Fairfax Frogs (43-20) of the Tycobbian Union West Division. Or they could be just the best team in a weak division. We will find out the answer to that when the playoffs get here.

Currently it is a runaway in the division as it looks like the Frogs might clinched it by the All-Star game. Not true, of course, but Fairfax is ten games up on the runner-up Bayview Vikings, 10.5 over the La Claire Lynx, 13.5 games ahead of Arlon, 15 in front of Blue Lake and 20 games better than last place Bay St. Clair.

Harry Buckley, a fine second baseman in his playing days, is the man in charge of the Frogs and he has them playing extremely well. They were 21-11 in May and ever better in June with 15-6. Fairfax can do it all - hit, pitch and catch. They are the top hitting club with a sky-high .290 team batting average and are rated high in pitching with a 3.70 ERA (2nd) and fielding with a .978 percentage (3rd-tied).

The Frogs have a great 1-2-3 punch in the lineup. Right fielder Gregg Vincent is having a monster first season in the IPA with 24 HR (1st-tied), 67 RBIs (2nd), 51 runs (2nd) with a .324 batting average. He has plenty of help, too. Third baseman Stan Cobb is hitting .349 (4th) with 21 doubles (1st), 8 homers, 51 runs (2nd-tied) and 45 RBIs (9th). Left fielder Gator Davis has 14 roundtrippers (6th-tied), 46 RBIs (8th), 36 runs scored and and has a .299 average. But it really doesn't stop there. First baseman Ernie Hutchinson is batting .287 with 19 doubles (2nd-tied), 7 triples (1st), 4 HR, 41 runs and 31 runs batted in, catcher Marv McCoy's average is .351 in 38 starts with 15 runs and 15 RBIs, shortstop Warren Lee with a .320 average, 40 runs and 24 RBIs. Even the 8th man in the order, second baseman Greg Inman is a threat, hitting .277 with 31 RBIs. Only center fielder and lead-off man Billy Echevarria has struggled with the bat. He is hitting only .237, but has scored 32 times, stolen 10 bases and played great defense. Riding the bench is utility outfielder Louie Ward with a .333 batting average, spelling the starting trio. Ward would play for just about any other team in the league. Skipper Harris has several utility infielders, who would be playing on many teams, Kris Pappas (375), Scoop Estes (.273) and Vince Cooper (.280). Fairfax has plenty of trade lure on the bench that could be used to get another starter or two. Pity the other division teams, if this happens.

With that kind of hitting, you could get by with average pitching, but Harris has two terrific starters and a sensational closer. Robbie Meredith (9-1 2.59) is second in wins and fourth in ERA and lefty Jackie Leslie (10-2 3.13) has the most wins and eight complete games. In the bullpen, none is better than southpaw Takehide Takehashi (6-1 1.45) with 8 saves (2nd) and 23 appearances.

After that Fairfax is only fair with starters Jimmy Dalton (6-5 4.61), a righthander, and a lefthander Johnny Schluessler (3-7 4.86). Middle reliever Gerry Fisher (3-1 3.38) had done a good job, but the remainder of the corps has been shaky at times: Mel Murray (5-3 4.74), southpaw Scotty Marshall (1-0 5.06) and Nicky D'Artois (0-0 6.08).

The GM and field manager for the Bayview Vikings (34-31) is Walter Johanssen, the famed flamethrower of the company leagues. He has the offense and defense, but pitiful pitching. And he works for the toughest owner to boot - Brent Steiner of Steiner Shipbuilding.

Steiner's words say it all, "Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."

So far, Johanssen has managed to keep his job. He is in second place, but 10 games behind the powerful Fairfax Frogs. The Vikings had a very good May, running up a 20-14 record, but have skidded to 10-11 in June.

Bayview batters bring smiles to Johanssen's face. Especially first baseman Dwayne Coleman, who is having a colossal year with 24 homers (1st-tied), 69 RBIs (1st), 51 runs (2nd), while hitting for a .308 average. Also having fine seasons are second sacker Alan Hansen, batting .352 (2nd), 15 doubles, 54 runs (1st), 24 RBIs and 22 stolen bases (2nd) from the lead-off spot, center fielder Phil Kanaan with a .329 batting average, 15 doubles, 6 homers, 43 runs, 30 RBIs and 7 stolen bases and left fielder Glenn Burns with a .319 average, 17 doubles (7th), 5 HR, 32 runs and 44 RBIs.

Shortstop Scooter Richards is a big contributor to the Viks success with his glove and bat. He leads the league in assists and has 17 doubles (7th), 3 triples, 6 homers, scored 41 times, stolen 14 bases (8th) and driven in 30 runs, although he is hitting only .249. Since taking over right field in late May, Dean Howell has been a welcomed addition, giving the team a very solid defender, speed on the bases and a reliable hitter. Howell is batting .299 with 17 runs scored, 13 RBIs and 9 stolen bases in his 32 starts. The other two regulars have also chipped in and helped the offense. Catcher Tommy Harrell only carries a .250 batting average, but has 25 RBIs and has played excellent defense. Third baseman Bob Klostermann is hitting .251 with 21 RBIs.

Mention pitching and Johanssen shakes his head and loses the smile. But it does brighten up when he talks about lefthander Paul Hood (3-2 2.76), who recently move to the starting rotation and has had quality outings in all three of this starts. Johanssen really beams when speaking of his bullpen specialist, Buzzy Lewis (3-3 2.92), who has recorded 10 saves (1st) and has made 26 relief appearances.

The other staff members leave a lot to be desired. Charlie Andrews (5-4 4.74) has only been adequate as a starter and middle reliever. Pretty much the same for Denny Copeland (0-2 4.35). And the last two pitchers, Fred Snow (2-2 5.02) and Mike Jardoin (3-4 6.34) have had a rocky time and will probably be released in the very near future.

Overall the long haul, Bayview may not be able to hold off La Claire and Arlon, who have better pitching than the Vikings. Fourth place may be the best Bayview can hope for. There's a good chance Brent Steiner will not be happy with his first season in the IPA.