August 31

Saturday morning: Jenny and I had our usual lunch date at her place, in the afternoon I got a message from a friend within the football program at McCaskey. Apparently the young man who injured his leg on Friday suffered an torn ACL and MCL. That would be terrible news under any circumstances, the fact that this is his senior year makes it that much more unfortunate. In the evening Marty and I were at the ballpark as the Barnstormers hosted the Bridgeport Bluefish. This was the second game of the weekend series, the Stormers took the opener on Friday 4-0. On this night the home team took a quick lead on a first-inning home run by Jerry Owens, the Bluefish tied it in the second and took a 2-1 lead in the fourth. The Barnstormers knotted matters in their half of the fourth on a Ryan Harvey RBI double, in the seventh they took the lead for good. Anthony Contreras singled with one out, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Gustavo Molina. That 3-2 lead would stand up as Dwayne Pollok picked up the win, Yoslan Herrera finished it for the save. The victory was Pollok's eighteenth of the season which establishes a new club record and ties the league mark in that category. There was some light precipitation during the middle innings but it never threatened play. The series wraps up on Sunday evening, Jenny and her mother will be along for that one. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 30

Had a haircut appointment after lunch, later in the day Dick Myers and I met up at his place in Neffsville. The destination was Shirk Stadium at Albright College in Reading as the 2013 high school football season kicked off literally and figuratively. When we arrived my first stop was the press box to say hello to an old friend. Paul "Cooter" Jones does the PA there, he and I worked together during my baseball days in Berks County. He coached at Reading High for many years, I hadn't seen him since September of 2012 when he was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall Of Fame. Sometimes professional associations may end but friendships endure. On this night the McCaskey Red Tornado met Reading High in a matchup of teams that went 4-6 in 2012. In high school sports every year is a new year, for JPM it's very much a new start due to heavier than usual graduation losses. JPM scored first in the second quarter on a seven-yard run by Erder Mocombe, Connor Zahm added the PAT for a 7-0 lead. Mocombe was assisted to the sideline after his TD with an apparent injury to his right leg, he was later transferred to a local facility for further attention. Football is a game of attrition, as the game wore on several players were in need of sideline medical attention. The 7-0 lead stayed in place until the third quarter, the wheels came off as RHS scored twenty-six unanswered points to blow the game open. JPM mounted a small comeback on a TD pass from quarterback Brandon Allen to wideout Felix Trevino and a two-point conversion pass from Allen to Kamall Gantz but a late RHS TD put the punctuation mark on a 33-15 McCaskey loss. JPM plays its next three at home as York, Exeter and Wilson visit (in that order). Take care, thanks for reading.

August 26-29

The early part of the week had little on the schedule, on Monday evening we had a street hockey league meeting at the rink. We had nine or ten teams represented but there are always those who never bother to attend (but they are always quick to complain when they don't know what happened at the meeting). Right now the plan is to start the fall season on September 9, hopefully that will not be delayed since weather can be a factor later on. On Tuesday Jenny was in town on business, we were able to see each other briefly at lunch break. On Wednesday we did our usual weekday lunch date a day early. As Labor Day weekend approaches it marks the start of another fall sports season at the high school level, on Friday evening McCaskey opens its football schedule with a game at Reading High. JPM's first home game is on September 6, that will be the first of three straight at home. Lancaster Catholic is on the road for their opener as well, as it stands I have three of their five home dates on my calendar. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 24-25

Saturday afternoon: Jenny and her mother were in town, we ran some errands and relaxed at my place before heading over to the ballpark. As a rule I like to bring them to Sunday evening home games because they start an hour earlier and the crowd is usually smaller, with the Sunday game this weekend being a day game that option was unavailable. An excellent fireworks night crowd was on hand as the Revolution evened the series. Each team scored in the first inning on a run-scoring double, Wilson Batista for York and Ryan Harvey replying in kind for the Barnstormers. The Revs took a two-run lead in the second on RBI hits by Ruddy Yan and Ofilio Castro, they upped the lead to 4-1 in the fourth on a solo homer by Michael Hernandez. The Stormers got back in it in the fifth, an Olmo Rosario RBI double and a run-scoring single by newcomer Joe Thurston made it 4-3 (Thurston is a former big-leaguer, he played in the Mexican League in 2013). In the Revs' seventh Batista's solo homer capped the scoring as York took it 5-3. The starting pitchers were of record, Zach Segovia for the Revs and Derrick Loop for the Stormers (both were at one time in the Phillies' minor league system). Sunday was a good day to stay in and relax and watch the major leagues on TV, later in the day I saw where the Barnstormers won the afternoon game 1-0. That wraps up the season series, the Revs won twelve of the twenty played to claim the Community Cup. York last won it in 2010, the Barnstormers won it in 2011 and retained possession when the 2012 season series ended in a tie. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 22-23

Thursday morning in Quarryville with Jenny for our usual lunch visit, in the evening I was at the ballpark not as a spectator but at work on the mic. This was a special softball game featuring representatives of the School District of Lancaster and Fidevia LLC, a construction management company that has partnered with the SDL on various projects. One of the district's middle school principals called me about working it, he had received my contact information from the athletic office at McCaskey. This was your classic impromptu type of game, the only purpose was to have fun. They played seven innings and used ten-man batting orders, each team's entire lineup batted in every inning regardless of runs scored or outs made. The game started shortly after 6:00 and lasted literally until darkness set in, for the record the SDL won 28-27. On Friday the ballpark was the setting for more conventional activity as the Barnstormers hosted the York Revolution. Each year the winner of the season series wins the Community Cup, with an 11-6 head-to-head record thus far the Revs have already clinched the trophy for 2013. On this night the Stormers took the early lead on a Ryan Harvey RBI hit but the Revs tied it on a solo home run by Chad Tracy. A three-run Barnstormer uprising in the fifth proved to be the difference, a two-run single by Jerry Owens and another RBI single by Harvey provided the winning margin as the Stormers took it 4-1. The respective starting pitchers were involved in the decision, Brian Grening on the plus side and Corey Thurman on the minus side. Thurman is to York what Ross Peeples is to Lancaster, he's been with the Revs since 2008. It was a fireworks night but as is my wont I was out of there before they ever started. The series continues on Saturday, Jenny and Helen will be along for that game since Sunday's is in the afternoon. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 20-21

Tuesday night at the ballpark as the series with Bridgeport continued, the Barnstormers rebounded from the Monday loss with a workmanlike 3-1 win. The ballclub scored all its runs in the third inning on a two-run double by Olmo Rosario and a Blake Gailen RBI groundout. Starting pitcher Dwayne Pollok worked seven innings for the victory, Brodie Downs and Yoslan Herrera finished it in relief. The Stormers recently lost Jason Urquidez to the Los Angeles Angels organization, it looks like Herrera may inherit the closer's role at least for now. The series wrapped up on Wednesday with a game eerily similar to Monday's. On this night the Bluefish rolled out to an early five-run advantage, a Kyle Russell home run made it 5-1 in the second inning. In the fourth the Stormers rallied on a Gustavo Molina RBI groundout, a run-scoring double from Jerry Owens and an RBI triple by new infielder Anthony Contreras (free-agent signee from the San Diego organization) to make it 5-4. The comeback would go no further as the Bluefish added an insurance marker in the sixth and won it 6-4. Rich Rundles started and took the loss, he was followed by returnee Jeff Bennett (a 2012 Stormer back from a stint in the Mexican League), Ross Peeples, Justin Dowdy and Brodie Downs. The ballclub has a much-needed off-day on Thursday before the Atlantic League's War Of The Roses picks up again on Friday. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 19

Monday morning lunch at the mall, in the evening we were back on North Prince Street. On this night the Barnstormers fell behind early and never recovered as the Bluefish evened the Lancaster portion of the series with a 10-6 win. It was 6-0 Bridgeport before the Stormers got on the board in the third on a RBI single by Jerry Owens. In the fifth a run-scoring hit by Blake Gailen and a two-run double by Travis Denker made it 6-4 but the comeback was short-circuited as the Bluefish replied with one in the sixth and three in the eighth, a two-run homer by Denker in the ninth rounded out the scoring. Nate Reed (the Reading-area native) made the spot start out of the bullpen and took the loss. It was a bittersweet night for the ballclub as pitcher Lenny DiNardo announced his retirement before the game. It was actually his turn in the starting rotation but manager Butch Hobson elected to have DiNardo make his final professional appearance in relief. He worked one inning and as he left the game PA announcer John Witwer explained the circumstances to the crowd, the fans and players (both teams) responded with a appreciative ovation. DiNardo pitched in the big leagues for Boston, Oakland and Kansas City, in May of 2013 he became the first pitcher in Barnstormers history to throw a no-hitter. His retirement creates an opportunity within the rotation, rumor has that some new faces are joining the club in the coming days (roster movement is a way of life in the Atlantic League). Take care, thanks for reading.

August 12-18

Not a lot going on over the last seven days, the usual lunch visits with Jenny were easily the highlight. This week they were on Wednesday and Friday, the Friday visit was particularly special because August 16 is Jenny's birthday. Jenny is a person of very modest tastes (much like me), she never asks for anything huge where gifts are concerned. She is an aficionado of country music, recently one of her favorite performers released his debut CD. It's only been out since the 6th, I found it at the mall on Monday and it was on sale so things could not have worked any better. Drove by McCaskey High School on Wednesday and saw the field hockey team practicing, a reminder that it's almost that time (the first football game is on August 30). On Sunday the Barnstormers returned home for the start of a seven-day homestand as the Bridgeport Bluefish visited. Over the last twenty days the Stormers have been at home for just three games, from here forward sixteen of the last twenty-six are on home turf. This game was actually the fourth of seven straight against Bridgeport, the clubs played three in Connecticut on Thursday through Saturday with the Barnstormers taking two of them. On this night on North Prince Street the trend continued as the Stormers took the early lead and won it going away 5-0. In the second inning Ryan Harvey and Travis Denker reached on base hits and scored on Gustavo Molina's two-run double. In the fourth Denker picked up his second safety of the game, Molina doubled his pleasure literally with another two-base hit to score Denker to make it 3-0. It stayed that way until the eighth when the ballclub added two insurance runs, one on an error and the other on a Kyle Russell sacrifice fly. Derrick Loop got the start and went six innings for the win, relief support came from Brian Grening, Ross Peeples, Brodie Downs and newcomer Justin Dowdy. The series continues through Wednesday, after an off-day on Thursday the York Revs come to town for the weekend. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 10-11

Took my car to the service center on Saturday afternoon, they'll be inspecting it on Monday. Marty and Dick met me there for the drive to Delaware and the evening's game in Wilmington. The Blue Rocks hosted the Lynchburg Hillcats in a 6:05 start at Frawley Stadium. Some friends from the Reading area were there as well, many were wearing Royals Kelly Cup championship gear. The game was scoreless into the seventh inning before the Rocks broke through with three runs, in the eighth the Hillcats struck for a three-spot to tie it. Lynchburg scored twice more in the ninth and that was the difference as the Cats took it 5-3. On this weekend we had originally planned to visit Mazi in North East but earlier in the week the plans changed since she was under the weather. We may find a good weekend in September or October to make it up. On Sunday Jenny and Helen were along as we met Marty at his place, from there we headed west across the mighty Susquehanna River for the ballgame in York. This was the ladies' first visit there in 2013 but the third for Marty and me, on each occasion the Barnstormers were the opponent (not by design, it just happened that way). This was the final game of a four-game series, the Revolution won on Friday and in the opener of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday afternoon before the Stormers rebounded with a victory in the Saturday nightcap. Sunday games in York generally begin at 5:05, on this day the Barnstormers broke on top in the third on a Ryan Harvey RBI single. The Revs went ahead in the bottom half on a Wilson Batista two-run double and an RBI hit by Mark Teahen. Harvey went yard with two men on in the fifth to give the Stormers a 4-3 advantage, in the sixth York took the lead back for good. Ex-Stormer Kody Kirkland had an RBI hit for the Revs to get it started, another run scored on a fielders choice and a third on a wild pitch to make it 6-4. From there the York bullpen shut it down as Edward Paredes won it in relief for the Revs, Rich Rundles took the loss for the Stormers. There were dark clouds to the north on the way home but a few drops on the windshield was the extent of the precipitation. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 7-9

It was still windy and cooler on Wednesday but as the day went on the humidity rose noticeably. Had lunch with Jenny in the morning as we ran some errands around her neighborhood, in the evening we were back at the ballpark. The Barnstormers atoned for the bad loss on Tuesday with a lopsided win of their own as they took the measure of Long Island 13-1. Olmo Rosario led the way by hitting for the cycle (he is the first player in franchise history to achieve this), scoring three runs and recording three RBI. Ryan Harvey hit two home runs and knocked in four runs, Kyle Haines had two hits and three ribbies, Jason Taylor had a two-run double and Blake Gailen had an RBI single. Will Savage worked five innings and picked up the win, Nate Reed and Yoslan Herrera finished it in relief. It began to rain late in the game, in the bottom of the eighth Rosario completed his cycle with a triple to the gap in right-centerfield. At that point the rain picked up, the game was halted and called shortly thereafter. On Thursday it was much warmer, a brief storm passed through in the afternoon. It proved to be a precursor for the evening's activities at the ballpark. It was cloudy at game time, a light rain began to fall in the second inning. The game was delayed for a half-hour to allow the worst of it to pass through, from there on the game was played in a light mist. Long Island won it 3-1, the lone Stormers run scored on a Travis Denker hit in the fourth inning. Derrick Loop worked the first seven innings and did not figure in the decision, Jason Richardson took the loss in relief. The Stormers head back out onto the road (first stop is in York for the weekend), they return home on Sunday the 18th. On Friday Jenny and I had our Saturday lunch a day early, it was my idea since Saturday will be busy. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 5-6

Monday morning at the mall for lunch which was more or less the extent of the day's activities. On Tuesday it was overcast with a threat of rain, a sharp wind from the south made it feel uncommonly cool. In the evening we were back at the ballpark on North Prince Street, the Barnstormers returned home from a 7-0 road trip to face the Long Island Duck in the opener of a three-game series. On this night the momentum from the road success ended with a thud as the Stormers lost 11-5. It was 1-1 after two innings before the Ducks scored nine unanswered runs, the Stormers made a late comeback bid but the obstacle was too high to hurdle. Ryan Harvey had two hits and three RBI, Travis Denker plated a run on a fielders choice groundout and Blake Gailen picked up a ribbie on a bases-loaded walk. Rich Rundles started and took the loss, Ross Peeples and Brian Grening worked out of the bullpen. By the time I got home I was glad to be there, the prevailing wind made it feel more like April than August. Take care, thanks for reading.

August 1-4

Thursday morning in Quarryville for lunch with Jenny and her mother, in the evening we were back on North Prince Street. Whenever Marty has a few nights off from work he likes to get out of the house (can't say I blame him), it was his idea to attend the Wednesday semifinals and Thursday's championship and since admission was only one dollar you couldn't really go wrong. There was a threat of rain throughout the day but when 7:00 arrived things were good to go. The game was an excellent example of what a championship game should be, both Lititz and Hempfield had their chances but couldn't get the big hit when it mattered. In the sixth inning Lititz had a runner on third base with two out, a dropped infield popup which would have ended the inning allowed the run to score. That would prove to be the only run as Lititz took the championship 1-0. Not much going on Friday or Saturday save for our usual weekend lunch visit in Quarryville. On Sunday Dick Myers called, he was going to the ballgame in Aberdeen. Games on Sundays at Ripken Stadium start at 5:30, with comfortable temperatures and a sunset behind home plate it was a great night for baseball. The Ironbirds hosted the Tri-City ValleyCats (Houston Astros affiliate from Troy, New York) and came out on the wrong end of a 9-3 score. Take care, thanks for reading.