SPORTS DIGEST

SPORTS DIGEST, 6-24-09

JOE Y0UNG MEMORIAL LOOKING FOR SUPPORT

April 19, 2003 is a date that brought tragedy to Hughesville and especially to the family of Joe Young. It was on that date that Joe, at 17 years of age, was killed in an automobile accident. He was a senior and just shy of being a graduate of his high school.

Since that life changing event, the Young family's goal has been to help someone with a scholarship and to keep Joe's memory alive in the giving of a scholarship in Joe Young's name. 

If there is an excitement to this happening it is shown by the success of the Joe Young Memorial Scholarship.

Starting in 2004 with $400.00 being offered to Karissa Beechy that scholarship has grown strongly. In those beginning years the scholarship was issued to just one graduating senior. The money factor rose from $400.00 to $500.00 and that figure has become the standard for the scholarship.

But, the success I am looking at makes this scholarship a grand gesture by the Young family and their supporters. Over the years the scholarship has been issued there has been enough in the fund to present the $500.00 to more than one graduate in the same year. That happened in 2006 then again in 2008  and was repeated this spring (2009) when three Hughesville seniors each received a $500.00 Joe Young Memorial Scholarship! 

The students interested in applying for one of these scholarships do so by filling out the form in the guidance counselor's office. They need to write a paragraph about themselves and their dreams. Teacher and staff recommendations give aid to the selection. Those to be considered will have their names discussed with the Young Family in a meeting which will determine those selected.

The criteria calls for students who show a moral character, a generosity of spirit and follow a struggle to achieve. Students showing interest in sports medicine, occupational therapy and sciences such as meteorology and photography, all things Joe Young was interested in during his scholastic years, can help with final decisions.

On June 28th there will be a major fundraiser toward building the funds for future scholarships. Starting at noon three baseball teams, Senior Legion, Junior Legion and Travelers, will play games at Bodine Field in Hughesville. The concession stand will be open with raffle tickets, baked goods, crafts and 50/50 chances. There will also be T-shirts available for sale. 

It is very important that this project gets heavy support. Bill Young, at 458-4013, is available to answer any questions about the fundraiser. 

IT GOT TO BE FUN SEARCHING THE NET

Made a recent decision to find some of our people from our past. Where they are and what is happening with them. 

BUCKNELL

Bobby Donato/ Freshman/ Williamsport High/ Bison Outfielder/Played in 35 games (31 starts)/ batted .276/ 19 runs/ 11 RBIs.

Alex Cillo/ Freshman/ Loyalsock Twp/ Bison pitcher/ 0-4/11.90 ERA

19.2 innings pitched in 15 games/1 start/ 2 saves/ batting/ 1 for 2 /.500.

Eric Jarret/ sophomore/ Jersey Shore/Bison pitcher/ 1-4/ 7.47 ERA

11 games (9 starts)/ 47 innings/54 hits/47 runs (39 earned)/ 42 strikeouts/39 walks.

MARYLAND

Matt Fuller/ Williamsport/came off Tommy John surgery/ freshman / 5-4 (6.03 ERA)/ Best record on the Maryland staff/ 14 games (11 starts) /Maryland in ACC play 10-20/ 27-27 overall/ 21-9 at home/ 

LASALLE

Montoursville's Marc Schloch /Freshman/ catcher/outfield/ played in 43 games/ started 43 game/ batted .277/43 hits in 155 at bats/ 22 runs-25 rbis/14 doubles/ 32 k's/ 21 walks,. 

PENN STATE

Janelle Lukens/Sophomore/ Williamsport/ Softball/ Preferred walk on/ catcher/ 2 games/ 0-2.

Jake Fagnano/ freshman/ Williamsport/ football/ preferred walk on/ No. 27/ 6-0/ 198/ played well in Blue-White game/ safety/ defensive back.

Jaime Van Fleet/ freshman/ Loyalsock Twp./ football/ preferred walk on/ No 54/ 6-0/ 217/ played well in Blue-White game/ linebacker.

LEBANON VALLEY-

Kerrie Datras/ freshman/ Loyalsock Twp. /softball/ shortstop/2nd base/ 27 games/14 starts /21 of 85/.247/18 runs-15 RBI/6 doubles/walked 14/ struck out 11.

Shayna Heintzelman/sophomore/Montgomery/ tennis/won the MAC No. 5 singles -defending her spot she won as a freshman/ 20-5 singles/ 14-8  doubles/ played with No 1 Sarah Grodzinski/ First ever Lebanon Valley Women's Tennis championship in the MAC.

PENN COLLEGE-

Adam Thomke, junior/ South Williamsport, pitcher/3rd base, baseball

9-0 in 2009/ very important player in Wildcats season which saw a PSUAC  championship won, advanced to USCAA/ Adam won his start at the national championship tourney

Jersey Shore native Allison Tagliaferri carried Chelsey Holmes and Casey from Hushesville plus Jersey Shore's April Gallagher and Montoursville's Erica Logan on her Wildcat basketball team.

I know there are many others we could report. Point them out to billbyham@gmail.com for later Digests. 

THE BUCK PITCHES AT BOWMAN - 

Gotta tell you this story. Gabe Sinicroppi, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for the Williamsport Crosscutters, honored me by asking the lefthander to toss the first pitch of the Cutter's 2009 home season.

I really wanted to do that but explained to Gabe that I had an injury to the historical left arm that left me with a "dead wing". 

"Hey!. That's OK but you can do it somehow."

"But, Gabe. I simply can not throw.' 

"I would really like you to give it a try."

"Ok, I will give it a try."

That was Thursday and the game was Saturday. What to do. I go home, look in my shed to find a couple of those "can't hurt" baseballs that belong to my grandson. Get my visiting daughter, Kathi, and we try to throw.

It was bad. Best toss was around 10-12 feet but they went anywhere.

Saturday comes. I go out with a real ball. Cutter catcher squats. I throw. Never made it to "my catcher."

Thank you Gabe and Cutters. 

THAT'S 30

 

,  

SPORTS DIGEST, 6-17-09

SPORTS DIGEST, 6-17-09

HOLY SMOKE! CAN'T STAND THIS QUIET!!!!

It's over! We are in that period when there are no big games. No big crowds gathered to support anybody. No news to fill the spaces and it has created this sports silence from wall to wall, from community to community and from sport to sport. We know now the champions, we know now the most important coaches, the most important players. We know now the seasons are in the books. 

What you might not know is that many of the 2009-2010 teams, now with their seniors graduated, are already working toward the new season  in some fashion. Basketball teams can fin d summer leagues all over, baseball players are being picked up to play for community teams or traveling teams, footballers can get involved in 7 on 7 contests or weight room work that can  make or break a team come fall. Tennis players can play their sport in a dozen places. There are camps of all kinds being advertised and promoted as a place to learn the sport fundamentals.

Before we put all of that "to bed" here I think we must all agree that it was a heck of season. Lots of good stuff!. 

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT LIONS FOOTBALL 

This quiet will be broken a wee bit in South Williamsport when two teams of District 4 football seniors come out to play a summer game for charitable purposes. The South Williamsport Lions, under Max Dell's leadership, will stage this game and they will be looking for you on June 26th at Rodney K. Morgans stadium to see these young men play for a final time as high school players. Tickets will be on hand at the stadium gates. 

PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL HITS HOME THIS WEEK

If you are not aware yet, the 2009 Williamsport Crosscutters (Phillies) are coming into the Valley this week and will open their season  Friday night in State College versus the Spikes (Pirates).  The Cutters will come home that night so they can be ready to open the doors to historic Bowman Field Saturday for a 7:05 start in the second game of the season opening Sawbuck series as the Spikes come in. 

I am one of those baseballers who measures my team's success by how they play a series of games. ThE NYPEN League plays three games in a series. The Cutters will play the Spikes in this opening series. Success for the Cutters would be to take at least 2 of the 3 games. Even better if they would sweep and win 3 games. 

Now let's take the Cutters opening schedule. Three with the Spikes with the third game at State College. Take that Spike series and here is where I think the Chris Truby managed Cutters can make an early season statement. They leave State College for Batavia and three games there before coming back to Bowman on Thursday, the 25th, for a series with Mahoning Valley. Then the Cutters stay home as Batavia comes here for a series. It would be just great with me if, when that part of the schedule was over, they would have won all four of those series.  What a great way to get out of the gate! Go Cutters!

Truby will be the main man and will get help from Bobby Meachum as hitting coach and Tom Filer is in charge of the pitching. The early roster has some familiar names -pitcher Freddy Ballestas and Sean Grieves , catchers Joe Blackburn and Scott Thomas, infielders Tim Binkoski, Bryan Frew and Dave Hargraves plus outfielder Brandon Haislet.

For the record, the Short  A league will have the same members as a year ago. The Cutters will be part of the 6-team Pickney Division which includes Auburn, Batavia, Jamestown, Mahoning Valley and State College. The McNamara  Division features Aberdeen, Brooklyn, Hudson Valley and Staten Island. The Stedler Division will showcase Lowell, Oneonta, Tri City and Vermont.

First things first. The annual Meet the Cutters event will be at the West 4th Street stadium again this year. The ball club will be there on Thursday from 5 to 7 P.M. and those of us getting there can expect those hot dogs, the popcorn and maybe some other snacks while saying Hello to the players. 

The next night the opener on the road and then home for the first of 38 home games at the historic Bowman Field which remains as the second oldest minor league ball park in America.

Maybe you ought to be there.

GOTTA DROP SOME NAMES

We had the Bob Smith story here last week. I want to let it be known he had his major surgery on June 4th. Several "bad" parts of Bob were repaired and he is up and walking (slow). A major goal is to get well enough to fly home to Mom and Dad on the 24th. If that goes well he wants to try Cutter Ball on the 25th.

We hope it is a short DL  (disabled list) stay for Duboistown's Chris Allen. The big righthander is pitching in the Cam-Am League and was winning his last start when he had a recurrence of a back ailment. Chris has had arm and back issues almost way back to his South Williamsport High days. Last season he pitched injury free (6-2) and left for Quebec feeling like this was a break through season. 

Right now he is 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA. In 12.2 innings he has allowed 7 runs (5 earned) with 2 of those home runs but all of that is on the shelf right now as he is working with the trainers in trying to get back to his spot on the Les Capital rotation.

THAT'S 30

  

SPORTS DIGEST

SPORTS DIGEST, 6-10-09

Bill Byham

SMITH HANGS IT UP?

Those of us who occupy a seat in the historic Bowman Field Family Section can always count on having Williamsporter Bob Smith sitting in for a couple of weeks of Crosscutter baseball. 

Smith grew up in the city long before the Millionaires had a high school program so his baseball was of the Little League and American Legion  stock. He even served Little League as part of their ground crew during a world series.

For whatever the reason he ended up in New Jersey as a high school coach for a period of six years. He left there in 1979  for Collier County Florida and after 27 years coaching he has compiled a record of 395-223 and is one of just four coaches in Collier or Lee County to have ever won a state championship. Over that span of coaching in three schools (New Jersey, Barron Collier High School and Golden Gate High School) his coaching style has labeled Bob Smith as "a great high school baseball coach."

The reason Smith is newsworthy at this time is because" he has told his school that he is retiring - with a question mark", writes Adam Fisher of the Naples (Fla) Daily News.

Fisher writes, "This is a question of health as it was 12 years ago when  he was forced off the ball fields when he was led to believe he had a potential career ending eye issue named ptergium - a growth in the membrane of the eyeball." 

Doctors ordered Smith out of the sun and out of the dugout just a week after his Barron Collier team won the Class 5A state championship. 

He underwent three painful surgeries in three years in removing the growths from his eyes.  He was then cleared by his doctors to return to the ball field with a warning of "not to over do it."

His teaching position was still there but his head coaching spot had been taken over by his assistant coach. Smith wanted back in high school baseball so he took over the junior varsity team at Barron Collier.

In Florida, new schools show up in large numbers almost every year.  One such school was Golden Gate and  Bob Spano, principal of the new school, went after Smith to start his brand new baseball program. Spano had been at Barron Collier at the same time Smith was there so they knew each other and had coached together.

In the first year of Golden Gate baseball, Smith directed them to a 20 win season and a post season spot in the Class 3A regional playoffs.  He has been there for five seasons and has announced his retirement after Golden Gate has won 79 ball games under his coaching style. The job has been posted by the Golden Gate people who told Fisher they wish Bob was 25 again and could be there to coach again. 

The health issues keep cropping up. The eyes came first and were scary. Then an internal hernia and now an external hernia. He is facing a surgery this month that can repair the hernia but will call for a long recovery period. 

Fisher asked Smith if this retirement was going to hold.  "Never say never", was reply from the 58-year old Smith. "I would not be retiring if I did not have the health issues.  When you do something this long it becomes part of your life. Baseball is part of my routine."

The Cutters will be in season around the time Bob Smith has that surgery but we Family Section fans will keep an eye out for him. If he doesn't show we will definitely miss him as will the high school baseball players and fans of Collier County in Florida who know him and his work so very well. 

THE COACH 

I have been having a problem of what or who to watch while the Loyalsock Twp. Lancers play their game of baseball.

The young men who are in uniform and are out on the field or in the dugout are exceptional players but the man in charge is well worth the price of admission. 

It is a fact that Casey Waller knows baseball. It is a fact that his kids have bought the Waller book on how to play winning baseball and it is a fact that, during seven innings of baseball, Waller Ball will show itself to those of us in the stands at some point. 

The first sign comes when  his player hits a routine ground ball to an opposing infielder. Try not watching that infielder. Instead, watch the Lancer batter as he leaves the batter's box. That runner will be running as hard as he can, all the way through first base, to see if he can possibly out run the baseball he knows is on the way. 

Let's say there is a runner on first. Watch Waller in the third base coaching box. Here comes the signs or he might even call a time out so he can run  over to first and talk face to face to the runner -and his first base coach. Once those signs are issued swing your eyes to the runner. Because he hates to slow the game pace down to nothing you can bet there is something on with that runner. Was one of those signs the steal sign or was it directed at the batter and maybe calling a sacrifice bunt.

Watch Waller with a key runner on third. The batter is walking into the batting box while looking down to third. Hit away? Squeeze bunt? Something.

And when? Let's say the bases are Lancer loaded. There is one out, maybe even two are out. Would he call the squeeze? "Naw! Not good baseball".

Here comes the pitch and, Holy Smokes, here comes the runner!

His people know how to lay down the bunt.

Waller Ball is fun to watch. 

THAT'S 30

WOLnews.com

SPORTS DIGEST, 6-03-09

Bill Byham

FINAL CHAPTER FOR 2009

Must conclude the Penn College sport season because it is one they don't want to forget.        The program of 15 intercollegiate sports posted a 2008-09 record of 215-84-3 (.719). That record includes 3 national championships, six PSUAC conference titles, six teams qualified for play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Conference and the College receiving the PSUAC Chancellor's   Cup from the PSUAC for the first time. 

Baseball's Chris Howard was the PSUAC's Coach of The Year. So was  Deb Vincenzes a conference Coach of the Year with her bowling team. Mike Paulhamus coaches both cross country teams. His teams were conference champions and both finished third in the nationals. Chet Schuman finished his collegiate golf coaching career with a six year run of 166-1-1 and his team had won 155 in a row before a tie and a loss this past season. Enrique Castillo saw his men's soccer team post a record of 11-0 in conference and 13-2 overall with those two losses breaking a 27 game win streak in the national tournament. The PSUAC title made it six in a row. . Roger Harris saw his women's soccer team go 15-13 for a second place PSUAC finish. Included in the wins saw Harris gain his 100th coaching victory. The tennis team was under Aimee Plastow as a first year coach. They finished 17-2 and brought home the PSUAC title. 

It marked the final full year at the college for Mike Stanzione as athletic director. He has to be as proud as he can be with what has been built over his tenure in that office. 

OK - I HAVE THE LAST CHAIR ON THE DAIS - NEXT TO G

Last night Nellie and I were invited to sit in on this event called the Night of Champions which is put together by Todd Bartley, General Manager of ESPN/ WLYC radio in Williamsport. 

The odd thing for us was to place Nellie at a floor table and placed me at the big table up front. I had the last chair and what was nice, I drew the seat next to long time friend, Frank Girardi. This was fortunate for several reasons but , maybe most important, we are both lefthanded so we could  eat without bumping. But wait. Look to the other side of G and there sits the retired major league star Mike Mussina. On the other side of the podium is the popular VP Marketing and PR director of the Cutters, Gabe Sinicropi, media relations chief of Little League Baseball, Chris Downs and Don Friday, currently head coach of the St. Francis University basketball program who spent five years as basketball leader at Lycoming College.

Out in the audience was a full house of Lycoming County high school athletes who, by the end of the night, were to be honored. There had been promos running that set the number at 150 who would be brought up in front of parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, coaches and all the rest. 

Friday was the keynote speaker and lauded Girardi in his post as athletic director for helping Friday into his first head coaching job. With his emotions showing he told the athletes to "take care of the little things" and "don't be afraid to ask for help." He was also strong in telling his audience to " use your own principles. Don't b e guided by someone else's direction." 

Downs and Sinicroppi both used their times to bring attention to those vital baseball operations they are involved with. Downs talked on the up coming Little League  World series while praising ESPN Williamsport for their active coverage of the recent Urban Initiative. Sinicroppi is primed for the Crosscutter season opening on June 19th at State College  with Game 2 opening historic Bowman Field versus those same Spikes. 

Last year a stunned Girardi, legendary football coach at Lycoming prior to his retirement, was honored at this function with a Lifetime Achievement Award which will bear his name during future  Night of Champion dinners. He presented the Frank Girardi 1050/ESPN 104.1 Lifetime Achievement Award to Mussina who was making his first major public appearance since retiring from baseball after 18 seasons in the major leagues. The  Montoursville native made sure the attendees knew he was thankful for the  award and that he was thankful for all of the local support he received during his major league life. 

In his remarks to the young athletes he said "if a door opens, step through it."  He is seeing baseball from a different perspective this summer with his two sons playing in the Montoursville Little League.

On the program was an award named the Spirit of Sports Award. As Bartley made his presentation it soon became obvious it would be my turn to be stunned and humbled as the award was placed in my hand.

But, what made it so very good was to learn that the first ever Bill Byham Spirit of Sports Award was to honor long time Lock Haven University baseball coach, Paul "Smokey" Stover. Stover has just passed through a very emotional season at The Haven when it was announced that the baseball program was to be dropped for economic reasons. 

That decision was nullified because Stover, his team and hundreds of alumni let the University officials know just how  important baseball was to the current players, past players and current student followers .

In accepting the award, Stover gave a short but impactful explanation of how his program was saved for at least one year but "we have a lot of work to be done if baseball is to survive for future years."

In closing this I want to do a presentation of my own. As I watched and looked on as so many great young people came forward to be honored I made a decision to give name to my choice for Athlete Of The Year.

Drum Roll please - Lefty's Choice - Lori Incitti of the Class A District 4 champion Muncy softball program. 

It is not important to review her story. Sports fans in the Valley know what happened to this talented young lady. Basically a cast off in one place she has revitalized a program in another place. It is, to me, a great story.

THAT'S 30

 

SPORTS DIGEST, 5-27-09

SPORTS DIGEST, 5-27-09

Bill Byham

THE PENN COLLEGE SPORTS EXPLOSION

Talk about being "hot"!  Over this 2008-09 year  the Pennsylvania College of Technology has completed a sports year that will have to be accepted as one of, if not, their very best.

Last week, word came from the Penn State University Athletic Conference that the College up on West Third Street was to receive the coveted PSUAC Chancellor's Cup for sports excellence. 

Almost at the same time, Chad Karstetter's Wildcat archery team was proudly announcing they had backed up a great season by winning three of four key competitions in the 42nd annual U.S. Intercollegiate Archery Championships being held at Long Beach, California and featuring some 30 colleges and over 200 archers.

The Cup came home to the Wildcats off  having five teams winning  conference championships. Golf, Men's soccer, Men's cross country, Tennis and Baseball produced the points needed to claim the Cup. 

The Cup is awarded to the PSUAC member that has the highest number of points throughout the year. Points are awarded for the finish of each team. Putting points on each of the five champion teams allowed Penn College 75.5 points, which was far ahead of PSU Beaver's 62 points  as they finished second. 

It has to be noted that, besides those five first place teams, Penn College finished second in softball and women's cross country. In addition the men and women's basketball teams, the women's volleyball team and the women's cross country team finished in the final four of conference play.

That leaves Penn College showing a 150 wins-32 losses and one tie  for the year. That, folks, is an impressive .820 winning percentage. 

The archery team competes at a different level. Maybe equal to an NCAA D-1 class of sports competition. The program has  brought national interest to Penn College as far back as the 1990's and it began in 1997 when Chad Karstetter captured second place in the the male compound competition.  That led him to being named an All American in collegiate archery. Before he finished he added  two more All American citations. 

Today, senior Dan Wido of Shickshinny has joined Shawn Naylor (1999) and Ryan Romberger (2004) in winning individual national championships in the male compound contest. They are all two time All Americans.

Wido, Zachary Plannick, Brock Smith and Lindsey Fackler were named All Americans in 2008. Those same people were on the list this year and were joined by Brad Ferguson, Aaron Lapinski and Glen Thomas to give Penn College seven All Americans from this year's team. 

The Wildcats set three school records by winning three  team championships, having Wido winning his individual crown, having those seven All Americans, finishing third overall and qualifying two team members, Zachary Plannick and Glen Thomas, to compete in the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia  starting on July 2nd. 

The three winning teams were the male recurve, the women's compound and the mixed compound. The male compound team entered the nationals undefeated over the season but ended up losing their event by just one point to the team from the Atlantic Cape (NJ) Community College. 

"That loss was surprising." ,said Karstetter. "We felt we  had a good chanced of winning so it was a disappointing loss."

If that was a disappointment to the whole team, the win in the female compound was the biggest surprise as Lindsey Fackler, Cheryl Brooks and Julie Cain became first time national champions with their win. 

"It was exciting to all of us.," said Karstetter "Our people were there, backing up the girls. Everyone was yelling and cheering for one team  or the other. We have to remember that Lindsey was a four year veteran for us but Cheryl and Julie are first year shooters. They are meeting Stanford in the finals and it comes down to the last two arrows.  The teams are tied at 12-12. It was an amazing finish! I wish everyone could have seen this ending! The pressure falls on Julie and she responded by dropping two scoring arrows in on the target for a 14-12 final score!" 

"It was all so wonderful over the full season," said the proud coach in our phone interview last week.  He then pointed out that, besides the wins and all of the accolades, he was just as proud to see Lindsey Fackler, a senior, become an Academic All American and receiving two $500 dollar scholarships. From his male teams Glen Thomas, Martin Smith, Brock Smith, Dan Wido, Brad Fergusun, Zach Plannick, Aaron Lapinsky and Tyler Gale were also named to the Collegiate Athletic Archery Program All Academic Team.

"Lindsey and the two Smiths, Martin and Brock, are my seniors and we are certainly going to miss those three people come next season. They are fine young people.", said Karstetter.

CHUCK 

Allow me just a few lines in explaining  the loss of Chuck Daly to pancreatic cancer at age 78.

Several people have taken the edge off of the loss of a lifetime friend and I need to Thank them. 

Like Greg Keller, former Williamsport and Shippensburg football great, who sent me the Detroit Free Press through his parents, where several sports writers wrote some great memories of Chuck as the Piston coach.

Like Rob Curry, former associate athletic director at Lycoming, who sent me a letter about Chuck being at the Bill Foster basketball camps. 

Like Dick Coleman, former publisher of the Kane (Pa.) Daily Republican who sent me articles about Chuck in high school. Those pieces were filled with former players and friends like Chuck's brother Bud,  Don Magnuson, Norm Thompson.

Like Ed Kriner who brought me the Bloomsburg papers which reported of Chuck's great years at Bloomsburg. 

The man was somebody to know and admire. I feel, from what these people have sent me, that I know him even better. 

 THAT'S 30

SPORTS DIGEST, 5-20-09

SPORTS DIGEST, 5-20-09

BILL BYHAM 

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY BALL TIME AS TEAMS PLAYED OUT THEIR SEASONS - 

Take the Giles Tourney in Montoursville, add in the Backyard Brawl  in historic Bowman. Then add in the single games being played all over the Valley as baseball and softball teams, especially those on the playoff bubble, scrambled to get all of their games in before the post season games began earlier this week. Busy! Busy! Busy!.

As of last Friday there were eight 3A teams qualified for post season. 2A is just as crowded with nine teams. One of those being the Lancers of Loyalsock Twp. who are good enough to compete for another run for a state championship. There are  six teams qualified for 1A play. 

Same type of report goes with softball. There are but three teams qualified for the 3A play but in 2A the field is long and crowded. Twelve teams will battle that bracket which includes the Loyalsock Twp. Lady Lancers who are the defending state champions. Five 1A teams have made it to post season.

I was really entertained by the play in the Backyard Brawl. Williamsport, South, Montoursville and Loyalsock Twp going head to head with all four now qualified for post season. It was just a great day of play for me to watch. I know many others who felt the same.

Pitching is my fun and it was there in all of the games. Some really good talent on the mound. I decided that Montoursville's Vince Molesky had the best day of all the others. The Mt. Saint Marys bound senior struck out 11 and over a big part of the game put down 15 opponents in a row. Nick Keener of Williamsport was right there with his full game win over Montoursville in the Trophy game. Keener is a control guy and walked one in his win while allowing  only one run. 

LET ME SAY THIS

There are a lot of players who spend a lot of time trying to get to the varsity level. Dave Cipriani has two of them on his current Williamsport roster - one who plays and one who is a teamer while waiting his chance. 

If you see the Millionaires play you will see Number 15 playing first base. His name is Brandon Bartley and he is a senior on the varsity team after spending all of his other years in  a Williamsport uniform playing JV baseball. 

Talking with Williamsport fans they will point out that Bartley carried the reputation of being  a "strong glove-weak bat" when he showed up for the pre-season indoor practices. He was now in his senior season  so, if he was to stay on the roster, he would suit up varsity and take what ever came his way.

It turns out the scouting report was correct. Bartley became the starting first baseman but he bats deep in the order. But here is the unsung part. As a first baseman, Bartley is getting credit for winning games because of some outstanding defensive plays he has made with his glove. With a bat he has been limited to just a few base hits but one of them was a home run. 

The same story can be written about junior Kevin Horn. He has arrived on the varsity roster as a back up  with his strongest position at first base. 

With Bartley playing as he has, Horn has seen very little action but when you see him at a game he is, if possible, standing the entire ball game. He encourages others, he is a moderate holler guy and he practices every day as hard as he can just in case he is asked to step in. In a simple statement Horn is, as noted, a teamer and is happy to be a Millionaire.

SOME NOTES ON SPORTS - 

The Penn College Wildcat baseball team finished their season with a 1-2 record in the national playoff tourney. Coach Chris Howard noted his team never did get their offense untracked in their three games. Senior Devon Liquori had the best bat as he was 5 for 9 which included two 2 run homers. He had four runs batted in and scored four times. Adam Thompke ( South Williamsport) won his pitching start in Game two as PCT won 7-4. Thompke, a junior, finished the year at 8-0. The most glaring defensive weakness was to end up with eight errors.

ALLEN GOES NORTH - 

Duboistown's  Chris Allen is on his way to play a season of professional baseball in the independent Cam-Am League. He was signed on April 21 to the Quebec Les Capitals and is aiming to move up in the Caps starting pitching rotation. Heading north late last week he was penciled in as the Number 5 starter.

The league, formally the Canadian-American Association of Professional Baseball, will officially open play on the 28th with a season that will run for 94   league currently carries six team with Les Capitals as the only Canadian team.  USA teams include Brockton and Worcestor in Maine. Nashua and Sussex in New Jersey and Nashua, New Hampshire.

Allen, who pitched for Southern Illinois last season, will play for Manager Michel Laplante this summer. In 2008 the big righthander posted a record of 6-2.

Quebec has been in professional baseball for a long time and once was part of the Double A Eastern League.

INNER CITY JAMBOREE AT LLB At least ten inner city Little Leagues will be on their way into South Williamsport starting tomorrow for the annual Inner City Initiative. 

The teams will be from as far away as Seattle and as close as Lancaster, Pa. 

These teams will, after getting a chance to rest up a little, will get on the ball fields to play some baseball. These games can be seen on Lamade Stadium, Volunteer Stadium and Stotz Stadium, the original World Series field on West 4th Street.

Fans are welcomed at all three venues.

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SPORTS DIGEST- 2, 5-13-09

SPORTS DIGEST 2, 5-13-09

MORE PENN COLLEGE NATIONAL EXCITEMENT

Chad Karsteller is the second Pennsylvania College of Technology coach who has left the Valley for a shot at some national recognition.

The PCT archery team has flown to California State University in Long Beach, California to participate in the USA Archery Nationals. They will step to the shooting line Thursday morning in the multi college challenge.

"We have a fine team of people at Penn College this year. They have been very competitive in all of our other meets," is the way Karsteller talked about his team three weeks ago when the Wildcats hosted the Eastern Regionals in Williamsport.

Shooting against the likes of the University of Connecticut, James Madison University, Brandeis College and the Ocean City Community College, the Cats came home with three firsts out four competitions. They also closed that two day event with eight shooters being named to the All East selections for 2008-09.

Penn College took first in the Male Recurve with a team of Glen Thomas, Martin Smith and James Fanelli. The Male Compound team placed  first with a team of Brad Ferguson, Dan Wido and Zach Plannick.  The Female Compound team of Linsey Flacker, Cheryl Brooks and Julie Cain  won their event.

Glen Thomas and Martin Smith earned, for the entire season, All East spots in Recurve competition. Ferguson, Wido and Plannick saw  their names chosen for All East honors for Male Compound. Flacker, Brooks and Cain gained their All East selection for their Female Compound marks. 

In an earlier conversation with Karsteller about local interest about the sport of archery, he said,"There seems to be a growing interest around the area and we (his program) will encourage it as we feel it is a good sport to work on for young people." 

Before their trip to California, he and Wildcat team members Lindsey Flacker, Cheryl Brooks, Zach Plannick and Glen Thomas took time to go to the Lycoming Valley Middle School in the Williamsport Area school district where they spent some hours with the members of the school's budding archery club.

Karsteller came to Penn College from Mill Hall and Bald Eagle Nittany High school with a high interest in archery. He closed his collegiate career after being named to three All American teams. 

THAT'S 30-2