 |
Randy's Ramblings
'12 Randy Seidman has long
been a follower of
Washington games, and Pub games in general. We appreciate his hustle. Randy
graduated from Washington, which his two sons also attended. Randy is an
award-winning producer of televised sporting events, in addition to
doing free-lance work for major networks. His career highlight --
producing games, on back-to-back days, when Julius Erving
scored his 30,000th point and Mike Schmidt slammed his 500th homer. He
may be reached at rseidman9@aol.com. |
RANDY'S RAMBLINGS RETURNS
The reports of the
death of Randy's Ramblings are greatly exaggerated!! One of
the mainstays of the venerable tedsilary.com,
it is now the dawn of the eleventh season of reporting the
mundane, and sometimes even the ordinary, happenings of
Public League baseball. I am happy to re-join Ted
Silary back on the trail. After all, there must
always be a public forum to debate the merits of Joe
Lieberman!
--------------------------------
MAY 29
PUBLIC LEAGUE RECAP
MAY 23
PUBLIC LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
MAY 31
CLASS AAA
CITY TITLE
Neumann-Goretti 13, Phila. Electrical 0 (6 inn.)
Neumann-Goretti 13, Phila. Electrical 0 (6 inn.)
At Richie
Ashburn Field
DN story is here.
With Neumann-Goretti holding just a 1-0 lead at the start of the third inning, could it be possible I was at the wrong game? I mean, isn't this the Public League that had been outscored 80-2 over the last six seasons at the AAA level? Was it possible the mighty Chargers from Public League Division B (5-6 reg. season) could pull off the huge upset against a Neumann-Goretti team that had won two of the previous three City AAA Championship games? ... Uh ... no! ... Maybe the Saints were still giddy from their thrilling 8-inning, 5-4 win against La Salle for the Catholic League Championship two days earlier. Maybe they were still thinking about their 14-inning win against Bonner in the CL Semifinals last week. Maybe it was none of those! Neumann-Goretti posted three runs in the third, to take a 4-0 lead, and the rest was, as they say, history. And it would become a history lesson for Philadelphia Electrical. PET had played at this level once before (2008), losing to Blue Mountain, 14-0. So, you could say that this year's game represents some progress ...
DN story is here.
With Neumann-Goretti holding just a 1-0 lead at the start of the third inning, could it be possible I was at the wrong game? I mean, isn't this the Public League that had been outscored 80-2 over the last six seasons at the AAA level? Was it possible the mighty Chargers from Public League Division B (5-6 reg. season) could pull off the huge upset against a Neumann-Goretti team that had won two of the previous three City AAA Championship games? ... Uh ... no! ... Maybe the Saints were still giddy from their thrilling 8-inning, 5-4 win against La Salle for the Catholic League Championship two days earlier. Maybe they were still thinking about their 14-inning win against Bonner in the CL Semifinals last week. Maybe it was none of those! Neumann-Goretti posted three runs in the third, to take a 4-0 lead, and the rest was, as they say, history. And it would become a history lesson for Philadelphia Electrical. PET had played at this level once before (2008), losing to Blue Mountain, 14-0. So, you could say that this year's game represents some progress ...
THE LITTLE STUFF
*
Winning pitcher was sr RHP Joe Jaep,
who also won last season's District XII championship
game (6-1 win against Franklin Towne Charter)
*
In the eight seasons The Pub has played in the state AAA
Tourney, they are 0-8, and have been outscored 107-6.
*
The fact that this game went six innings (although a
shock to many in attendance!), was noteworthy, even for
a 13-0 loss ... it was the second longest game, by
innings (6), for a AAA Public League team over the last
eight seasons
*
Since the Catholic League joined the PIAA, they are 4-0
in City AAA Title games, outscoring the Flub
36-2. Neumann-Goretti claimed crowns in 2009, 2011 and
2012. Archbishop Wood won in 2010.
"
Good luck to Saints Head Coach Mike Zolk,
as he follows his son, Mike "Zoom" Zolk,
who will be participating in his first NCAA Tournament
games. Zoom is a freshman second baseman at North
Carolina, and has had 6-game and 7-game hit streaks this
season. The Tar Heels are hosting this weekend's Chapel
Hill Regional and will play Cornell on Friday, June 1 (4
pm) and either St. John's or East Carolina on Saturday,
June 2.
MAY 29
PUBLIC LEAGUE RECAP
Congratulations to Frankford High School for winning the 2012 Public League Baseball Championship. The Pioneers can now be called the "two-time defending champions" for at least the next twelve months. Head Coach Juan Namnun guided his club to a 13-1 regular-season record, and then won all four of their playoff games. The margin of victory for those four playoff games: 15, 10, 10, 5.
..SINCE
2000..........Semifinals.......Titles
Won...Runner-Up....Last
Title..
..FRANKFORD
...........13....................8....................3.................2012....................
..CENTRAL.................12....................4....................3.................2010....................
..WASHINGTON..........9.....................0....................0.................1995 ............... ...
..NORTHEAST.............8.....................0....................3.................1999
...............
...
..GAMP........................7.....................1....................2.................2002....................
..LINCOLN..................1.....................0....................1.................1965
...............
...
..EDISON.....................1.....................0....................1........................
...............
...
..BARTRAM................1.....................0....................0.................1963
...............
...
"These guys have been together for three or four years now so as a group, they are incredibly important to me," said Juan Namnun. "When you think about it, they are my first true class that all started at Frankford. Guys like Brandon Gonzalez, Hector Cerda, Omar Cruz, Ricky Alvarez, and Augusto Ortega have practically become men in front of my eyes. And then when you add a Kevin Montero and a Ramon Martinez.....well......you saw the finished product." Juan lit up at the mention of Frankford grad Esteban "Shortie" Meletiche, a three-time CSAC Player of the Year at Keystone College. "We could not be prouder of a kid who is likely going to get drafted but even more importantly, earned a college degree this past week!!
CENTRAL LANCERS UPDATE
Rich Weiss was disappointed that his Central team gave up a big lead in their semifinal loss to GAMP, but is very proud of his team. In my last post, I noted that sr C Julien Blancon was a four-year starter. He actually played JV as a freshman, then started the following three seasons for the Lancers. Julien will be going away to college, and when I say away, I mean like really far away. He will matriculate in the fall at Azusa Pacific. Located in Azusa, CA, it is just a short ride from Philly, and when I say short, I mean 2,687 miles. Destinations for other Central seniors: Ryan Dydak (Kutztown), Wesley Doe (Penn State), Mike Cavallaro (University of the Sciences), Gabe Buchanan (Ursinus).
Rich Weiss was disappointed that his Central team gave up a big lead in their semifinal loss to GAMP, but is very proud of his team. In my last post, I noted that sr C Julien Blancon was a four-year starter. He actually played JV as a freshman, then started the following three seasons for the Lancers. Julien will be going away to college, and when I say away, I mean like really far away. He will matriculate in the fall at Azusa Pacific. Located in Azusa, CA, it is just a short ride from Philly, and when I say short, I mean 2,687 miles. Destinations for other Central seniors: Ryan Dydak (Kutztown), Wesley Doe (Penn State), Mike Cavallaro (University of the Sciences), Gabe Buchanan (Ursinus).
STILL TO COME
The City Title games are this week and The Pub will once again be heavy underdogs against the Catholic League teams. I will be reporting on the AAA District 12 blowout, er championship game, between Neumann-Goretti and Philadelphia Electrical. All games will be this Thursday. Be sure to follow tedsilary.com for recaps, reports and more.
The City Title games are this week and The Pub will once again be heavy underdogs against the Catholic League teams. I will be reporting on the AAA District 12 blowout, er championship game, between Neumann-Goretti and Philadelphia Electrical. All games will be this Thursday. Be sure to follow tedsilary.com for recaps, reports and more.
MAY 23
PUBLIC LEAGUE SEMIFINAL
GAMP 9, Central 7
(At Ashburn Field)
(At Ashburn Field)
The GAMP Pioneers captured
lightning in a bottle in the
sixth inning of their semifinal
game against Central. Trailing
5-2 after two innings, and 7-2
after four innings, the very
happy GAMPers scored five runs
in the sixth to take an 8-7
lead. They tacked on an
insurance run, then had to fend
off a bases-loaded bottom of the
seventh. Appropriately enough,
the final out was a groundout
to soph RHP Jake Kurtz,
who calmly threw home for the
force-out, and start the GAMP
celebration, as a quiet and
stunned Central Lancers team
gazed on.
It really has been a
remarkable run up to this point
for the Pioneers. At the start
of this current season, GAMP
Head Coach Art Kratchman
knew he had some good
players, but was fearful of
falling into the division
cellar. Rest easy, Coach! GAMP
sported a 6-7 regular season
record, good enough for the
fourth overall seed in the
playoffs, and certainly nowhere
near last place. Because Edison
finished eighth in an eight-team
division, they will be relegated
to Division B for the 2013
Public League baseball season.
This was the not the way Central
wanted to finish their season.
Let's face it though, Central is
a classy team, and head coach
Rich Weiss will
get back to the semifinals, and
beyond. But I really feel for
guys like sr C Julien
Blancon, who as the
four-year starting catcher,
backboned the Lancers. I do have
one thought for Julien and his
fellow seniors. The fact that
they were members of
championship teams (2009 &
2010), is an achievement that
goes unrealized for many, many
student-athletes.
Back to the game - Jacob Kurtz
pitched all seven innings, and
threw a lot (I mean a lot) of
pitches. I won't give you the
exact numbers, but let's just
say it was just under 20 pitches
per inning. Amazingly, Jacob
notched his first and only
strikeout of the game against
the leadoff batter in the final
frame. Other GAMP heroes
included Nick Carine
(2-run double in 5-run sixth &
diving catch saving two runs),
Desmond Drummond
(3-3, HBP, 2 R) and
Tyler Criniti (for
being Tyler Criniti).
Recognition for the Lancers goes
to starting RHP Anthony
DeVito, who pitched
well into the sixth before
running out of gas, Gabe
Buchanan (4-5, 3 R) and
Tom Benek (3-4,
2 doubles).
GAMP has now reached the finals
for the third time. In 2000,
they lost to Frankford. In the
other time GAMP captured
lightning in a bottle, it was
their win against Frankford in
the 2002 semifinals. That
victory catapulted a 5-9
regular-season record team into
the finals, and the rest was
history ... GAMP - 2002 PUBLIC
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
SEMIFINAL STUFF
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23 - 12:15 PM -
ASHBURN FIELD (FDR PARK)
GAME 1
- #6 WASHINGTON vs #1 FRANKFORD
GAME 2 - #4 GAMP vs #2
CENTRAL
*********************************
#1 Frankford (15-1) is the
only team to qualify for the Public League
semifinals in each of the last 13 seasons.
They have appeared in eight of the last nine
championship games. Central and Frankford
have played in five of the last seven title
contests.
#2 Central (13-2)
outscored its PL opponents by 97 runs
(149-52) in 15 games, including the
playoffs. That equates to 9.9
runs scored per game compared to
3.5 runs allowed per game. The
Lancers have "ten-run ruled" their
opponents in seven of their 13 total
wins, including four of the last five
games.
#4 GAMP (9-7) has
advanced past the semifinals twice
in the tedsilary.com
era (2000-2012). They lost to
Frankford in the 2000 title game.
Two years later they beat Frankford
in the semifinals, then defeated
Northeast for the 2002 Public League
Championship.
#6 Washington
(7-8) is making its ninth
semifinal appearance in the last
13 seasons. However, the Eagles
have not made it past this round
during that span. GW last played
in the title game in 1999 (lost
to Northeast), and last won it
all in 1995 (beat Northeast).
..SINCE
2000..........Semifinals.......Titles
Won...Runner-Up....Last
Appearance......
..FRANKFORD
...........13....................7....................3.....................2011....................
..CENTRAL.................12....................4....................3.....................2011....................
..WASHINGTON..........9.....................0....................0.....................2011
...............
...
..NORTHEAST.............8.....................0....................3.....................2009
............... ...
..GAMP........................7.....................1....................1.....................2010....................
..LINCOLN..................1.....................0....................1.....................2001
...............
...
..EDISON.....................1.....................0....................1.....................2011
...............
...
..BARTRAM................1.....................0....................0.....................2000
...............
...
*********************************
GAME 1 - #6 WASHINGTON vs #1
FRANKFORD: Frankford swept season
series, 7-1 and 11-6
* Only playoff meetings since 2000:
Frankford defeated Washington in 2004
and 2010 semifinals
GAME 2 - #4 GAMP vs #2 CENTRAL:
Central swept season series 18-2 and
9-6
* Only playoff meetings since
2000: Central defeated GAMP in
2010 semifinals, GAMP defeated
Central, 2002 quarterfinals
----
----
HOME RUN DERBY RECAP -
May 19, 2012
What a gorgeous Philadelphia morning it was for the Andrew
Farrell Spirit of Courage Home Run Derby.
Once again participants came from not only
Washington, but many other area schools, and
special thanks go out to Florian Eisert, who
hails from Germany. Truly an international
event! The most important part of this day
really is the money raised for Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia. Fund co-founders
Craig Mullen and Jason
Welte were on hand, along with State
Representative Brendan Boyle,
to present the traditional oversized check to
CHOP for $5,000. Nice going!
Recognition also goes out to Corey Sharp, this year's
winner of the Andrew Farrell Scholarship Award.
Corey is a doubles machine, and is constantly
improving his game.
As far as the Home Run Derby is concerned, this year's winner is
Ryan Adcock, a long-time supporter of
the foundation. Ryan, a graduate of Abington
High School and Pepperdine University, was the
runner-up in 2009, but this year his name will
be etched on the trophy. Special shout out to
runner-up and fan favorite Chris Kelly,
who definitely enlivened the already
festive atmosphere.
As always, thanks to Coach Joe O'Hara for not only
throwing an estimated 612 pitches (603 strikes),
but for being the teacher, mentor and friend
that he is. Thanks also go out to the many
volunteers who have helped make this such a
family friendly event.
For more info on the Andrew Farrell Spirit of
Courage Fund, go to
http://www.andrewfarrell.org/
PUBLIC LEAGUE QUARTERFINALS PREVIEW
Wow! A couple of teams have definitely crashed the party this year.
Newcomers to the Pub quarters are
Fels and Philadelphia Electrical.
Returning after a brief absence
is Lincoln High School, which held
on to defeat Northeast. All of
the quarterfinals will be on Monday,
May 21, hosted by the higher seed.
The four winners advance to the
semifinals on Wednesday, May 23 at
Ashburn Field in South Philly. The
finals will also be at Ashburn
Field, on Friday, May 25.
z#8
Philadelphia Electrical at #1
Frankfordd
PET knocked off Swenson to win the Public AAA title. Frankford went 13-1
this season, but still might not
have played their best game of the
season yet. Juan Namnun's
team is a nice mixture of juniors
and seniors, and are hungry to
defend their title.
z#5
Washington at #4 Esperanzaa
GWHS is another team that might not have played their best game of the
season yet. The Eagles are led by jr
Jake Wright and sr
C Dean Grande. The
two teams split their season series,
each winning at home. This is a
rematch of last year's quarterfinal,
won by Washington at home.
This season's game will be at
Esperanza (Front & Erie).
z#6
Lincoln at #3 GAMPp
Lincoln head coach John Larsen is gratified that his
team has reached the quarters.
Consider that this team had to play
every game away from home for years,
due to the reconstruction at
Lincoln. It didn't always work in
the Railsplitters favor, for sure.
Dylan Burke will
lead his team to the GAMP Grounds in
South Philly. In that crazy,
intricate Public League playoff
format, two of the better teams in
The Pub (Masterman and GAMP) have to
square off prior to the
quarterfinals. Masterman handled
Lamberton, but GAMP had to survive
against District 1's MaST Charter.
The Pioneers won on a walk-off hit
batter with the bases loaded in the
bottom of the tenth. What is that
famous line ... "Only in The Pub!"
z#7
Fels vs #2 Centrall
Fels defeated Edison, 6-2, in the Opening Round of 16 thanks in large
part to Michael Moya's
seventh inning grand slam. Central,
once again had a great season and
head coach Rich Weiss
has his squad ready. The
Lancers gained valuable experience
by playing a very challenging
non-league schedule this season.
OTHER
PUBLIC LEAGUE RESULTS
Kudos to the gals at Central for winning their ninth overall championship
in Public League
Badminton. The Lancers
defeated Frankford, 4-1, to
capture their third crown in the
last five seasons. The staff at
Randy's Ramblings always
encourages student-athletes to
achieve their goals, and that
includes having the opportunity
to do so. When I had written
that the School District of
Philadelphia abolish badminton,
what I really had was a sinking
feeling that it will be hard for
the district to retain
extracurricular
activities, INCLUDING sports, in
the long-run, due to the dire
financial outlook. Other than
that, have a nice day!
MAY 7
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Frankford 7, Washington 1
How is it possible to have eight
combined runs on 19 hits, and have a
game played in a crisp one hour and
32 minutes? And we're talking Public
League Baseball here. Frankford sr
RHP Rafael "Omar" Cruz
and Washington jr RHP Aaron
Keen both pitched complete
games. Through the first three
innings, the hurlers averaged just
13.5 pitches per half-inning. They
also combined to throw first-pitch
strikes to 14 of 20 batters. Like so
many of the previous games in this
series, GW held Frankford close in
the early going, but the Pioneers
would build momentum, and take
advantages of game situations. And,
as in prior meetings, there would
always be an opportunity for a big
GW scoring chance, only to be
countered by a well-timed timeout by
Pioneers coach Juan Namnun.
Washington opened the scoring with
their lone run of this game: singles
by CF Jake Wright
and soph 2B Mike Honick,
Ian Dougherty
grounder to advance the runners, sac
fly by soph 1B Scott Siley.
There would be no shutdown inning
for Ken Geiser's Eagles on this overcast day. An
opposite-field, two-run double by sr
LF Ramon Rosario
gave Frankford a lead they would not
say bye-bye to. The Pioneers tacked
another pair as Cruz tripled home sr
CF Augusto Ortega,
and jr 1B Kevin Montero
made solid contact to score Cruz on
a sac fly. By the sixth inning,
every one of Frankford's starters
had at least one hit, except for
their #2 hitter, Ricky
Alvarez. The versatile
junior shortstop had struck out and
grounded out twice earlier in the
game, but stroked an RBI infield
single in the sixth inning.
Omar Cruz earned the win, pitching
seven innings, allowing four hits
and one run with five strikeouts.
All of the Ks came in the fifth,
sixth and seventh innings.
RANDOM RAMBLINGS
* Leadoff hitter and PL Player
of the Year candidate Augusto
Ortega picked up another three
hits and two stolen bases, but
was picked off second by Aaron
Keen.
* Frankford jr C Eduardo
Sanchez must have
really impressed the coach
during Florida spring training.
Coach Namnun experimented with
letting the junior call the
pitches down south, and then
into the regular season. So far,
no complaints, as Frankford
sports a league-best 12-1
record.
* Helping keep GW in the game
was sr C Dean Grande.
On two occasions with a runner
on third, he nailed would-be
base stealers attempting
to steal second.
* Washington jr LF Corey
Sharp has had an
eventful season in the field
(three diving catches, and a
Hunter Pence
misplay or two), and he is
batting second and seeing the
baseball real well. Although his
third inning fly out to deep
right advanced a pair of GW
runners, it might have been a
3-run HR at other fields. Credit
goes to Frankford jr RF Kiddany Cumba
who made
that fly ball down the right
field line just a long out. Good
defense!
* Temple Sports Medicine
Athletic Trainer Marcus
Owens was a busy man
tending to minor injuries on
both teams. Busy, that is, for a
baseball game, but nothing
compared to working a football
game, where he is constantly in
demand.
FEELING TALL ABOUT SHORTIE
Frankford coach Juan Namnun
was all smiles when the name
of Esteban "Shortie"
Meletiche came up.
The former Pioneers star is
finishing out his career at
Keystone College, and just
became the first player in
Colonial States Athletic
Conference history to be
selected as Player of the
Year for the third
consecutive season. Shortie
is among Keystone's all-time
leader in several offensive
categories, and will lead
his team into the D-III
Regionals beginning May 16.
Last season, the Keystone
Giants went all the way to
the D-III World Series,
finishing just short of
competing in the
championship round.
NAM - NUMBERS
Here are some numbers for Pioneers coach Juan Namnun. After winning championships as an assistant to the great Bob Peffle, Juan has gone out and continued the success, also bringing it to a new level. In five seasons as the head coach, Juan has guided Frankford to an excellent 58-12 (.829) record in the regular season. The Pioneers won the Public League crown in Juan's first and fourth seasons (2008, 2011).
Here are some numbers for Pioneers coach Juan Namnun. After winning championships as an assistant to the great Bob Peffle, Juan has gone out and continued the success, also bringing it to a new level. In five seasons as the head coach, Juan has guided Frankford to an excellent 58-12 (.829) record in the regular season. The Pioneers won the Public League crown in Juan's first and fourth seasons (2008, 2011).
MEMO
TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF
PHILADELPHIA
Here's hoping that Thomas Knudsen reads Randy's Ramblings. The acting superintendent and Chief Recovery Officer is responsible for finding revenue and saving costs for the beleaguered school district. Here are a pair of cost-cutting measures that could make Knudsen a hero at 440 North Broad Street, headquarters for the district.
Here's hoping that Thomas Knudsen reads Randy's Ramblings. The acting superintendent and Chief Recovery Officer is responsible for finding revenue and saving costs for the beleaguered school district. Here are a pair of cost-cutting measures that could make Knudsen a hero at 440 North Broad Street, headquarters for the district.
1) Scrap all of the Public
League Baseball playoff
games leading up to the
championship. Frankford and
Central will undoubtedly
play for the title, so why
waste time and money playing
the other 28 games. Unless
Masterman's Nate
Vahedi can will his
team to the finals, it looks
like it will be the Pioneers
and the Lancers once again.
Take the 28 canceled
games multiplied by four
umpires per game, add in the
bus costs, including
gasoline, and voila -
instant savings ... and
2) Does there really need to
be Public League badminton?
I mean, really ...
badminton. Think of all the
savings in shuttlecocks
alone!
(To all of the athletic
supporters of badminton ...
I apologize)
APRIL 30
PUBLIC LEAGUE
Washington 6, Masterman 5
This game
was an instant classic in what is developing into a
very competitive rivalry in Public League Division
A. There were four lead changes, three ties, and
complete-game performances by each starting
pitcher. Washington would get the win on
Gilad Metro's bases loaded, two-out single
in the bottom of the seventh. Metro's walkoff game-winner
was just out of the reach of shortstop
Harry
Taggart, and set off a mini-explosion on
the Eagles' sideline. With first base open and jr RF
Jake Wright approaching the plate,
Masterman Head Coach Vic Otarola issued
the intentional walk which led to Gilad's heroics,
including his gleeful father doing cartwheels ...
well, almost. Too bad that Masterman sr RH Nate Vahedi had to suffer the loss. In
another in a series of over-powering starts, Vahedi
did all he could to lead the Blue Dragons to
victory. His three-run, bases-clearing double gave
Masterman its first lead in the second inning. On
the mound, he finished with 13 strikeouts in 6.2
innings, but was deserted by his fielders at key
times. A frustrating feeling for Nate, but what an
attitude! The Seton Hall-bound senior realizes
baseball is a team game, and said after the game, "I
love this team." Hopefully Nate, Harry Taggart,
Jack Christmas, Joey Powell &
company learned some lessons from this defeat, as
they close out the regular season, and head into the
'A' classification playoffs.
OTHER GAME STUFF
Jake Wright hit his third home run of
the season in his first at bat, over the
fence in left-center field. The two-run
blast was made possible when sr C Dean Grande hit a two-out sharp
grounder to second that might have ended a
1-2-3 inning. Instead, the ball took
a typical Washington Field bad-bounce and
went through the five-hole of Masterman 2B
Ilya Bryzgalov. Wright's
next at bat was an RBI double to
left-center. Looks like Jake is just getting
warmed up for the annual Andrew Farrell HR
Hitting Contest (May 19).
Nate Vahedi was
not the only pitcher to go complete. G-Dub
so RHP Roger Hanson went
the full seven innings, throwing well in
excess of 452 pitches (well, almost). The
kid hung tough in this game, but Masterman
helped out stranding at least one runner in
every inning, and nine runners left on base
overall. Although Hanson could not match
Vahedi in talent, he went toe-to-toe with
him in the "guts" department.
THE SERIES
Since Masterman just joined the division in 2011, these teams have met only four times in the regular season. Masterman had won the first three games before the Eagles' big win. A victory against a quality opponent has been rare for GW in recent times, so this had to feel good for head coach Ken Geiser, in his first season guiding the Eagles.
Since Masterman just joined the division in 2011, these teams have met only four times in the regular season. Masterman had won the first three games before the Eagles' big win. A victory against a quality opponent has been rare for GW in recent times, so this had to feel good for head coach Ken Geiser, in his first season guiding the Eagles.
LUKE RULES
Every year, one player usually stands out on the Washington sideline, and becomes a team and fan favorite. Well, this year, it was a no-brainer for me who filled that role, and he's not even a player! Ninth-grader Luke Wright is the team manager, and he taught himself how to score a baseball game, and has been awesome this season. It's getting to the point that when slugging RF Jake Wright comes to the plate, I am thinking, oh yeah, that's Luke's brother!
Every year, one player usually stands out on the Washington sideline, and becomes a team and fan favorite. Well, this year, it was a no-brainer for me who filled that role, and he's not even a player! Ninth-grader Luke Wright is the team manager, and he taught himself how to score a baseball game, and has been awesome this season. It's getting to the point that when slugging RF Jake Wright comes to the plate, I am thinking, oh yeah, that's Luke's brother!
APRIL 29
CATCHING UP . . .
So flashing
forward, or in ESPN voice-over lingo, "due to time
constraints, we now move ahead in the action," ... yeah,
so I missed the first ten games of the 2012 season. Like any
canceled soap opera, I didn't miss much - at the top of the
division it has been Frankford and Central, but mostly
Frankford, then a little Central, then more Frankford (with
Shortie), then Farbman and Central, but mostly
Frankford, mix in a little GAMP and a Masterman, but once
again it is the Pioneers from Frankford who are still the
team to beat. I wouldn't predict a Frankford-Central title
game, but would it really be a surprise? Who would win?
Well, let's just use that vague, useless sports
anchor/reporter cliche pet-peeve of mine "We'll see what
happens!" Gee, no kidding, of course we'll see what happens
you idiot, hey you, Mr. Reporter, you just told me nothing
... or "Well, only time will tell!" Yeah, that's another
great one.
Frankford Head
coach Juan Namnun continues to add to his
already impressive resume, and hopes to guide his defending
champions to another title. If Frankford could be considered
to be the top-seed, let's call Central the 1-A, or even the
#2-seed. Masterman continues to amaze. The Blue Dragons took
the division by storm last season. Nate Vahedi, Jack
Christmas and Harry Taggart
provide the leadership as Masterman hopes to advance in the
postseason, a year after almost getting jobbed by having a
great regular season (12-2, two wins vs Frankford), only to
draw a very tough first round opponent (GAMP). Masterman did
win, 2-0, as GAMP was gone in a poof. Yeah, I know 'A'
classification, double-A, double-D, I don't care, should
have been a way to reward both GAMP and Masterman, but we'll
see what happens!
As far as the rest
of the division is concerned, you could put the proverbial
blanket over them. Esperanza has had impressive wins, GAMP
and Washington have been up-and-down. Franklin Towne Charter
always seems to be on the verge of breaking through.
Interestingly, Edison almost holds the key to next season's
re-alignment. The Owls only have one win this season
(come-from-behind 11-10 at GW). If they could sneak
another 'W' or two, then you could potentially have any
school not named Frankford, Central or Masterman, in
jeopardy of being Northeast-ed, er, I meant to say,
relegated to Division B.