September 27-30

Jenny was in town on Tuesday morning for an appointment, the access van brought her in from Quarryville. Afterward she and I went to the mall to walk around before lunch, I took her home from there. On Thursday I was at her place for a visit and our usual lunch date at the pizza parlor. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings we played street hockey at the rink, we had no more suspensions although a few guys were bucking for one. Two weeks are in the books, we'll be playing games on Sunday the 2nd to get week #3 underway. On Friday evening it was another high school football night at McCaskey, the losing streak continued as the Red Tornado lost to Hempfield 38-12. On this night the defensive woes were only half the story as the offense had little success as well. The two JPM touchdowns were on pass receptions, Kelvin Cunningham from Jonathan Hulyo and Diante Cherry from reserve quarterback Collins Gantz (both extra point attempts failed). The loss drops the club to 0-5, certainly a disappointment from what was expected. After an 0-10 mark in 2008 and 1-9 in '09 the program experienced a renaissance in 2010 as the club went 7-4 and qualified for the district playoffs. The boys will play on the road the next two weeks, the next home game is October 21 when Cedar Crest comes to Lancaster. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 26

The usual Monday morning errand run got the day started, in the evening we were at the rink for street hockey as the league's second week got underway. The East Division played on this night, we had our first suspensions of the season as one guy went over the penalty limit and two others got nailed for fighting. We were done by 9:00, when I got into my car I put the ballgame on the radio and heard it was tied in the eighth inning. I decided to drive over and see the rest of it in person. I only saw the last two-and-a-half innings but that was a game in itself, in this "win or go home" contest the Revs and the Barnstormers went into extra innings tied at 1-1. In the top of the tenth York broke it open with four runs to take a 5-1 lead, in the bottom half the BSers replied with three of their own but the Revs held on to win it 5-4. The victory gives the Revolution the series three games to two, as the 2010 Atlantic League champions they now get the opportunity to defend that title. The series starts on Wednesday with the first two games on Long Island, game #3 would be in York on Friday. For the Barnstormers the season is over but they had a fine year of their own as they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2006. All told it was quite a night, I had left for the rink at 5:00 and didn't get home until 10:30. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 24-25

Saturday morning with Jenny in Quarryville for lunch, several of the back roads in the southern part of the county were flooded from the Friday rains. In the afternoon Marty came into town, he and I went over to North Prince street for Atlantic League playoff baseball. The Barnstormers and the York Revolution both qualified for the postseason, this best-of-five series is their first-ever playoff meeting. The series began on Wednesday in York, the Revs won the first two games at home. After a postponement on Friday the third game was played on this night, the BSers staved off elimination with a 5-1 win. On Sunday evening I was back at the ballpark for game #4, the BSers held serve on their home field with a 6-1 victory to even the series. The deciding game is on Monday in Lancaster, I almost certainly will not be there since we'll be running street hockey at the rink. The winner will advance to the championship series versus Long Island, the first two games would be on the Island with the last three in either York or Lancaster. We'll see how it all plays out through the week ahead. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 21-23

Not much going on Wednesday until the evening, the East Division played at the rink. There was rain in the area, we got a shower around 5:00 or so but the night itself went untouched. On Thursday morning I was with Jenny for our usual lunch date, in the evening we finished the week at the rink with the West Division in action. Friday began with steady rain in the forecast, it was coming down as I was at lunch and continued through the afternoon.. By 5:00 there was no word of postponement of the game at McCaskey so I headed over to the stadium to get organized. From then until around halftime it rained steadily, the second half was played with virtually no precipitation but the damage was done as the field was a quagmire. The Red Tornado dropped to 0-4 on the season with a 34-13 loss to Wilson (from suburban Reading) as the defensive issues continue. Aaron Swinton was out with a knee injury suffered against LCHS, by all accounts he is done for the season and may miss time from basketball as well. JPM's two touchdowns on this night came courtesy of Quashaun Davis, one on a punt return and the other on a pass reception from Jonathan Hulyo. The Red Tornado is at home on September 30 against Hempfield. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 20

It rained overnight into the early morning, I took a drive northwest to Hershey to get our hockey tickets for the AHL season. Jenny and I will be doing our usual ten-game package mostly on Saturdays when the Royals are not at home. We'll see nine different visiting clubs in Hershey, the only one we'll see a second time is the Adirondack Phantoms (the Flyers' AHL affiliate, they visit in January and March). Our first game is October 30 versus Binghamton. In the evening we were back at Reservoir Park, the West Division made its season debut. The format for the West is exactly the same as the East Division, with six teams we play three games every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:15. Don and Derek refereed on this night, Wally was running the clock. More rain is forecast over the next several days, we'll just have to take it as it comes. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 17-19

Quiet weekend save for a visit and lunch with Jenny on Saturday and a brief clean-up visit at the street hockey rink on Sunday. Monday was somewhat busier, in the morning I had a dental appointment (trust me, there are better ways to start a week), in late afternoon I had a reservation at the health campus (nothing serious, just something a guy my age should have checked periodically). All things went well, by 5:45 I was at the rink for the opening night of the Fall season. The East Division played on this night, they will play on Wednesdays as well. There are six teams in the division, each night features three games starting at 6:15. Don and Ron officiated, Wally ran the clock and with it all we were done by 9:00. The West Division makes its debut on Tuesday weather-permitting, there is talk of rain during the daylight hours. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 15-16

It was raining on Thursday morning as I headed south to Quarryville for lunch with Jenny and Helen. This day was Helen's birthday, she is 74 years young. After lunch we went to the fairgrounds and walked around for a bit, the annual Solanco Fair started on Wednesday. The rains returned in the afternoon and the temperatures dropped sharply, I decided to forgo the ballgame and stay home. On Friday it was clear and dry, in the evening I was at Rossmere Stadium as the Lancaster Catholic Crusaders played their first home game. LCHS came in at 2-0 on the season, on this night they hosted McCaskey for the first time since 1988. Back then the schools were division-mates, in '89 Catholic came to JPM one final time before the series was discontinued. It lay dormant until 2010 when LCHS came to McCaskey and won 17-7. On this night JPM's defensive woes were on full display as the Crusaders won 56-28. It was 14-7 LCHS at the half, all hell broke loose in the third quarter as the teams combined to score seven touchdowns. All told the Crusaders scored five rushing TDs, three by Roman Clay and one each by Brandon Hollister and Carmelo Cruz. Sean Titus caught two TD passes from quarterback Andrew Dzurik, Charles Sweigert added a touchdown on an interception return. Josh Ransing and Jonathan Hulyo scored on the ground for JPM, Hulyo also threw for two TDs, both to Quashaun Davis. With the win the Crusaders move to 3-0 as they move into division play in Section III of the L-L League, in 2012 they'll move to Section I and once again become a divisional opponent for JPM. The Red Tornado drops to 0-3 and it's not difficult to pinpoint the problem. The club has scored an average of 29 points per game thus far, they have surrendered an average of 48 points. That's not good no matter where you play. JPM plays at home each of the next two weeks, my next game at LCHS is October 7th. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 12-14

In my last post I mentioned the Opening Day doubleheader in Reading next April, although it's unusual there is logic behind it. Opening weekend in 2012 is Easter weekend, since we won't play on Easter it was decided to reschedule that game as part of a double-dip on Opening Day. We'll start that day at 4:00 so it will be a combination Opening Day/Night. Not much going on Monday or Tuesday, on Tuesday evening Don and I firmed up the Fall street hockey league. We'll have two divisions of six teams each, we'll play three games each Monday through Thursday beginning at 6:15. We'll also play two Sundays (October 2 and 16) to make up for starting a week later than planned, the first games are on Monday the 19th. On Wednesday evening Dick Myers came into town, he and I went to the Barnstormers game as they hosted the Camden Riversharks. It began to rain lightly in the fourth inning, by the end of the fifth it was coming hard. The game was stopped and never resumed, the BSers picking up the abbreviated 3-2 win. I may be there again on Thursday if the weather holds up, they are talking about more rain during the day. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 11

On the road in the afternoon for the ballpark on Centre Avenue in Reading for what would prove to be the final game of the season. The New Hampshire Fisher Cats won 4-2 to take the series and advance to the EL Finals. Tuffy Gosewisch gave the R-Phils a 1-0 lead with a second-inning home run, NH scored twice before Michael Spidale's RBI double tied it 2-2 in the seventh. In the ninth inning the 'Cats scored twice more to take the lead they would never lose, the R-Phils were retired in order in the bottom of the inning to end it. Mike Cisco took the hard-luck loss in relief of Tyson Brummett. The 'Cats will meet the Richmond Flying Squirrels in the championship series starting on Tuesday in Manchester, NH. The forty-fifth year of Reading Phillies baseball is now in the books and it was noteworthy in many ways. The ballclub finished with a winning record and qualified for the playoffs for the second time in three years. The franchise led the EL in attendance at 456,957 for 68 home dates, an average of 6719 per date. Matt Rizzotti won the Big Stick Award as the team's leader in home runs (24), Tuffy Gosewisch won the Gold Glove Award for fielding prowess, Austin Hyatt was the team's Pitcher of the Year (a league-leading twelve wins), Derrick Mitchell won the Unsung Hero Award, Tyler Cloyd won the Player Of The Game Award, Chris Kissock and B.J. Rosenberg were co-winners of the Community Service Award and Michael Spidale was voted team MVP. The 2012 season begins at home on April 5 when the Portland Sea Dogs visit for a doubleheader (on Opening Day-yes, you read that correctly). Take care, thanks for reading.

September 10

With Jenny in Quarryville for lunch, she and Helen were along in the afternoon for the drive to Reading. After eight games on the road to finish the season and two more in the playoffs the R-Phils were at home for game #3 of the series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. We had better than 5600 in attendance but they had little to cheer about as the R-Phils lost 1-0. The 'Cats scored the game's lone run in the fifth inning and made it stand up to take a 2-1 edge in the best-of-five series. In three games thus far the R-Phils have outscored the 'Cats 11-5, the problem is all of the runs came in one game (New Hampshire's other victory was by a 2-0 score). It sets up a win-or-else game #4 for the R-Phils on Sunday in Reading, if they can force a fifth and deciding game that would be on Monday back in Manchester. We'll all know in about twenty-four hours. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 9

Out and about in the morning, I noticed an unusual object in the sky overhead. It was bright, shiny and looked familiar, then I realized what it was: THE SUN (well, it has been several days since we've seen it). In the evening I was at McCaskey for football as the Red Tornado hosted York. This was the high school version of the War Of The Roses much as the Barnstormers and the Revolution play it in pro baseball. For the second straight week the JPM offense put on a show but the defense was again the downfall in a 41-33 loss. Jon Hulyo threw three TD passes, two to Diante Cherry and one to Aaron Swinton. Swinton scored three touchdowns in three different ways, he also ran for a score and returned a kickoff for a touchdown as well. The loss drops the club to 0-2 and the road does not get any easier, on the 16th they meet Lancaster Catholic at Rossmere Stadium. It will be the Crusaders' home opener and for me the start of my fifteenth year doing the PA there when I'm available. JPM and LCHS met in 2010 for the first time since 1989, that game was at McCaskey and it was a strange feeling for me. I can imagine the game at Rossmere will be even stranger. The Eastern League playoffs are finally underway, after dropping the first game in New Hampshire the R-Phils rebounded with a win on Friday so the two games scheduled for Reading are all systems go. Game three is on Saturday with game four on Sunday, the R-Phils holding home-field advantage in what has become a 2-of-3 series. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 6-8

This week thus far has been a mess with a capital M both literally and figuratively. They were predicting rainy conditions as the remnants of a tropical storm moved up the coast, that system stalled over the Eastern seaboard and made the last weekend of August look tame by comparison. From Monday evening through Thursday morning the precipitation continued at various levels of severity, by Thursday afternoon rising waterways and severe flooding were the topics of every television news broadcast. With it all the start of R-Phils' playoff series in New Hampshire was delayed until Thursday, the games in Baseballtown are now on for Saturday and Sunday (if needed). In the meantime Jon Mitchell had arranged a substitute for me at McCaskey for the football game on Friday. With the baseball postponement I informed him that I would be available to work Friday but I preferred to let him and my substitute decide whether or not I should. It's a similar case to the Royals playoff game I attended but didn't work back in April. Jon told me that my sub was willing to defer to me but I would have understood had he wanted to work it, that's why I wanted them to decide. So as it stands JPM will host York on Friday night, Saturday I'll be in Reading and on Sunday we'll be back there if need be. The forecast for the weekend is not completely favorable, there is the chance of a stray shower or thunderstorm but it appears that the worst of the week is over. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 3-5

Saturday morning in Quarryville with Jenny, we had lunch at the shopping plaza. In the evening I was over on North Prince Street as the Barnstormers hosted the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. I parked in a satellite parking lot a block away and walked over from there, since it was a fireworks night that was the prudent thing to do. The BSers won 9-0 in a game that took only two hours and fifteen minutes to play, that's almost unheard of these days especially in the Atlantic League. When the game ended I was out the front gate pronto, as I always say "you watch the fireworks, I'll beat the traffic". On Sunday Jenny and Helen were with me for the BSers game, it was a 6:00 Sunday night start. The Blue Crabs turned the tables on the Barnstormers on this night, the final score was 9-1. Monday was Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. When I was a kid we always returned to school on the day after so I've always viewed it in that light. It was also the end of the Eastern League's regular season, in late afternoon the R-Phils clinched a playoff spot with a victory in Binghamton. The ballclub went 6-2 on the season-ending road trip so they certainly earned it, with a final mark of 74-68 they will meet the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in a best-of-five semifinal series starting Wednesday in Manchester. The first game in Reading would be game #3 of the series which is on Friday the 9th weather permitting (they are calling for iffy weather all this week). I called Jon Mitchell (athletic director at JPM) immediately so he can work on finding a substitute for me that night, I hate to be absent but the professional obligations must come first. It started raining later in the evening, it was expected to continue overnight. Take care, thanks for reading

September 2

Had a haircut on Friday afternoon, the last one I had was before we went to Elmira. After almost six weeks it was getting shaggy especially around the ears so it was more than overdue. Later in the day Dick and I met another friend for the twenty-five mile drive east to Coatesville. McCaskey and Coatesville have met on the gridiron many times over the years, it's all part of playing a strong non-league schedule. The night did not go well for the Red Tornado as Coatesville won going away 47-27. On the offensive side there's a lot to like about JPM, the team has some strong talent that will put points on the board. On the other side of the line there is work to be done, too many missed tackles and big plays against will spell "l-o-s-s" just about every time. Quarterback Jonathan Hulyo was involved in all four touchdowns for JPM on this night, he rushed for one score and passed for three. Diante Cherry caught two balls for TDs, Quashaun Davis had the other TD catch. It won't get any easier for McCaskey in week #2 as York will come east to Lancaster on the 9th. I may be absent from that game if the R-Phils qualify for playoffs, they are still in the running but nothing has been settled. We shall see what we shall see. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 31-September 1

Made the usual errand run on Wednesday morning, in the evening we were at the street hockey rink at Reservoir Park. This was the organizational meeting for the Fall league season, if all goes well we'll get started on Monday the 12th. We had about ten teams represented but there are always those who never attend the meetings. On Thursday I was with Jenny in the morning, after lunch I brought her back into Lancaster to a friend's house. She visited during the afternoon and took the access van home before supper. Thursday evening was slow and relaxing with two meaningless pro football exhibition games on TV. It's hard to believe it's September already, the high school football season starts this weekend. Both McCaskey and Lancaster Catholic are on the road, LCHS will be in Harrisburg for a game against Trinity while JPM travels to Coatesville. Dick Myers is going to that game, I'll be riding along with him (a rare opportunity to see a road game). McCaskey plays at home on the 9th against York, LCHS opens at home on the 16th (against JPM). Friday Night Lights are back. Take care, thanks for reading.