September 24-26

High school football season reached its midpoint (already?) on Friday evening, I was at McCaskey as the Red Tornado hosted Conestoga Valley in a league-mandated crossover game. The LL League is scheduled to undergo a massive reorganization in 2022, the schools in Berks County are joining as associate members for football only and the divisional crossover games will be abolished. This will grow the league to 37 (!!!) teams in five divisions, for McCaskey it means Reading High will be on the schedule as a sixth divisional opponent. JPM entered on this night at 2-2 and exited it at 2-3 as a result of a 35-7 loss, the only score coming on a Shymere Covington kickoff return (85 yards) in the second quarter. The clubs plays its next two on the road, the next home date is October 15. On Saturday Jenny and her mother were in town at a relative's house, the family was celebrating Helen's birthday albeit ten days late. In the evening I was at the ballpark, the Barnstormers were hosting Southern Maryland (fresh from their midweek series in York). The Stormers won the Friday opener 8-0 behind seven shutout innings from Dominic DiSabatino, on this night Brent Teller got the start and repeated the feat. He allowed one hit and struck out six in his seven innings of work but didn't factor in the decision as the Stormers lost in frustrating fashion. Blake Gailen's home run over the picnic pavilion in the second inning gave the Stormers a 1-0 lead which held up until the eighth when the Crabs tied it, in the tenth SM put together a three-run inning against losing pitcher Garret Granitz and took it 4-1. On Sunday the Blue Crabs took the rubber game but as usual I was in Rothsville for week #3 at Lions Park. Township defeated Warwick via shootout and Hillside beat Ephrata in regulation time, we're back on October 3 with the rematches from week #1. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 20-23

The new week began with a Monday morning visit to my broker, it was one of those periodic meetings we have to discuss my portfolio and the best course of action. In the evening we were at Reservoir Park for the start of week #2, winners on this night included the Misfits over Risky Business, LWG over HSC and the Hustle over the Hammerheads. On Tuesday Jenny and Helen had morning appointments in Willow Street, we stopped at the local sub shop on the way to their place and had lunch a day early. In late afternoon I made my way west for probably the final time in 2021, in York the Revolution hosted the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the opener of a three-game series. The early innings of this game were all Revs and it resembled an old-fashioned Home Run Derby, it started in the first on Jack Kenley's two-run shot giving the home team a 2-0 lead. In the second James Harris and Nellie Rodriguez each went yard with a man on base to make it 6-0, Carlos Castro's solo home run in the third extended the lead to seven. The visiting Crabs put a run in the board in the seventh, after the stretch the Revs salted the game away with a five-spot. Three straight singles loaded the bases for Osmy Gregorio, his RBI groundout made the score 8-1. J.C. Encarnacion followed with a two-run single, he advanced to third on a double by Harris and scored on Kenley's sac fly. Carlos Franco's RBI double scored Harris with the inning's fifth run and the last of the night, the final was 12-1. The offensive output was only half the story for the Revolution, on the mound Eduardo Rivera got the start and went all the way for a (in this day in age) rare complete game victory allowing four hits and striking out eight. Wednesday was one of those iffy "it may, it may not" days, there was weather moving up from the south but most of the day was relatively dry until late afternoon. Don and I talked it over and we decided to err on the side of caution, the evening's games at the rink were postponed until Thursday the 30th. The rain picked up overnight into Thursday, by the time I went out for the morning errand run it was just about all over and by the time I was home my day was just about all over. Take care, thanks for reading. 

September 17-19

Friday night: sat in on the PA at the football game in Landisville, Hempfield AD and old friend Steve Polonus had contacted me about this back in August. He told me he considers me his #1 backup option if I'm available which on the surface would seem unusual since my main association is with a rival school. Whenever I'm at Hempfield I always get a few "Frenchy, what are you doing here?" reactions but at the same time nobody seems to object to my presence. Exeter (from suburban Reading) was the opponent, before the game I was approached by a member of their support staff who asked me if I announcing the game. He said he remembered and respected me from my days at the ballpark on Centre Avenue (a time in my life I rarely speak of anymore) and he offered assistance with their club's pronunciations which was a huge help. When we were done he addressed me as Mr. Bauman out of respect and I told him it was OK to call me by my nickname as 98% of those who know me already do. It's always nice to have what you do be appreciated, it's just a pity it doesn't happen everywhere. The game itself was a barnburner all the way, Hempfield won 17-14 when a game-tying Exeter field-goal attempt was blocked in the closing seconds. On Saturday I was on the road northeast in the morning, kickoff at Kutztown University was at 12-noon. This was KU's second home game and my second on the mic, I'm available for two of their last four home dates and right now it looks like I'll be working those as well. On this day the Golden Bears hosted Seton Hill (from the suburban Pittsburgh area, not to be confused with Seton HALL) and won 14-3, the next home date is on October 2. On Sunday morning we were in Rothsville for week #2 of the Sunday hockey league. Nine new players made their season debuts, six who played in the summer season and three brand-new to the league. Hillside beat Township and Warwick defeated Ephrata, we started at 11:00 and were done shortly before 1:00. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 14-16

Many years ago a popular TV western series did an episode called "West Of The River", I own it on DVD and I'm always reminded of it whenever I go to York. On Tuesday night I was there as the Barnstormers started a road trip with a series against the Revolution marking the last meetings between the clubs in 2021. The Stormers took a 2-0 lead in the second on RBI hits from Cleuluis Rondon and Trayvon Robinson, in the home fourth an RBI double by Osmy Gregorio and James Harris' three-run home run gave the Revs a 4-2 advantage. The Barnstormers pulled even in the fifth on an run-scoring single from Alejandro De Aza and a Blake Gailen RBI groundout, in the bottom half Nellie Rodriguez walked and scored on J.C. Encarnacion's RBI fielders choice putting the Revs back up 5-4. That would prove to be the final score, Jim Fuller saved the win for Rev starter Austin Nicely with Nile Ball taking the loss for the Stormers. On Wednesday Jenny's mother Helen turned 84 years of age, we had lunch together as usual at their place. In the evening we were at the rink for night #2 of dek hockey. There were thunderstorms in the mid-state that were expected to hit our area later in the evening, we were hoping to get in and out before they arrived but it didn't happen. It began to rain during the third period of the second game, before the third game we huddled with the captains and it was mutually agreed to postpone it to another time. HSC beat Risky Business via shootout and the Hustle defeated the Misfits, we're back for week #2 on Monday the 20th. Over in York they had a doubleheader going, the Revs won the opener which was delayed by lightning and eventually shortened by rain, the second game was postponed to Thursday. For me that day's errand run was the only event of note, I spent the evening at home relaxing and prepping for a busy weekend. In York the Barnstormers swept the doubleheader but the Revs won the season series 13-12 allowing York to retain possession of the Community Cup. In fourteen seasons the Revs have won it seven times to the Barnstormers' six with one tie. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 13

The thirteenth day of September 2021 was a momentous day for the players and followers of Lancaster Dek Hockey, for the first time in 658 days (or 94 weeks if you prefer) there were games played under the lights at Reservoir Park. Don and I had been at the rink on Sunday after we were finished in Rothsville, we were back on Monday afternoon to get some more major work done. We have enough trouble keeping the place up during the good times thanks to where the rink is located, over the time we were down it was damn near impossible. The player benches and the penalty box are very popular among the city's homeless and the fact that the doors are locked makes no difference to them whatsoever, if they want in they'll get in and they DO get in. We were there for about three hours getting things cleaned up so the games could go on as scheduled, by the time we were finished it was as good as could be expected. We have six teams playing a fifteen-game schedule ending on November 1, games are on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 6:30. On opening night Lancaster Water Group (LWG) beat Risky Business, the Misfits defeated the Hammerheads and the Hustle outlasted Hambones Social Club (HSC). Sixty-two players participated and for the record twelve of them also played in Rothsville on Sunday. Don refereed as usual, he said that during the course of the evening it was obvious that everyone was glad to be back. It's been a long time coming and no question about it, Take care, thanks for reading. 

September 10-12

Friday was football night at JPM, the Red Tornado hosted Lebanon. Sometimes it's hard to figure out sports especially at the high school level. In week #1 the club ended a horrendous 26-game losing streak, the next week they played at home with a wave of momentum and lost 54-7 to a team that had lost by fifty points the week before. Lebanon had lost to JPM's week #1 victim during week #2 so if Team A beats Team B and Team B beats Team C what happens when A meets C? The question on this occasion was answered quickly and resoundingly, the Red Tornado scored two touchdowns in the first two minutes and rolled to a surprisingly one-sided 60-6 victory. The club scored nine TDs, five on the ground, three through the air and one defensively. Shymere Covington ran for two touchdowns, single scores came on carries by Basir Epps, Marquise Washington and Kasir Taylor. Zayden Desanctis, Issac Burks and Will Almeyda caught scoring passes from Matthew Remash and the defensive TD came when Taylor picked up a fumble and (as the expression goes) "took it to the house". Dale Sallee was 6-9 in the PAT department as the club improves to 2-1. The clubs plays on the road in week #4, the next home game is on the 24th against Conestoga Valley. Had Saturday lunch with Jenny and her mother, in the evening we were at the ballpark. The Barnstormers were hosting the Long Island Ducks, the visitors had won the Friday opener and made it two straight on this night with a 6-2 win. The lone scores for the Stormers came on a Blake Gailen two-run home run in the fourth inning, Augie Sylk started and took the loss. The Ducks finished the series sweep with a Sunday victory but I was of course not there, this day marked the start of the new season for the Sunday hockey league at Lions Park in Rothsville. We have the same basic format as the Spring/Summer season, there are four teams playing an eight-game schedule through October 31. The games were at 11:00 and 11:45, all the better for everyone to get home in time for the early pro football kickoffs on TV. Winners included Hillside over Warwick and Ephrata over Township, a total of thirty-three players participated. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 8-9

The continuing story of the Atlantic League in 2021 (also known as Can You Top This?) added a new wrinkle on Wednesday night at the ballpark on North Prince Street. There was rain in the forecast but it was not expected until much later in the evening, the game began as scheduled shortly after 6:30. The Barnstormers took the lead in the third on an error allowing two runs to score, in the fourth Jake Hoover tripled and scored on Nick Shumpert's RBI double to make it 3-0. In the visiting fifth the Revolution tied it on RBI hits from Melky Mesa and Nellie Rodriguez plus a Stormer error, in the bottom half the Stormers regained the lead with Blake Gailen scoring on a LeDarious Clark groundout. In the sixth the Revs responded on another RBI hit from Mesa to even the score at 4-4, it stayed that way until the eighth. Rodriguez went yard for the Revs giving them a one-run lead but in the bottom half Caleb Gindl's sac fly scored Trayvon Robinson to tie it at 5-5. The game moved into extra innings with each club scoring once in the tenth, in the eleventh the Revs put three on the board on base hits from Josue Herrera (two ribbies) and Osmy Gregorio (one) to go up 9-6. In their half the Barnstormers closed to within one run on a two-run home run from Alejandro De Aza, they had the tying run on first with one out when the rain finally arrived Hard And Fast. Time was called, the field was covered and after the required wait time the game was called shortly after 11:00. On Thursday the clubs reconvened at 6:00 for the completion of the suspended game and it required all of four minutes to accomplish as the Revs held on for the 9-8 win. Victor Capellan (who was on the mound when time was called on Wednesday) came back to finish it for the save, Alberto Rodriguez was the winner with Blake Gailen (pitching the eleventh inning on an emergency basis) taking the loss. The regularly-scheduled game was shortened to seven innings by mutual agreement, back-to-back home runs by Jack Kenly and Melky Mesa gave the Revs a 2-0 lead in the third. In the fourth Carlos Franco walked and scored on J.C. Encarnacion's RBI groundout, in the Stormer fifth LeDarious Clark doubled and scored on Jake Hoover's RBI hit to make it 3-1. In the sixth Blake Gailen doubled, back-to-back RBI hits from Kelly Dugan and Devon Torrance drew the Stormers even at 3-3. Naturally OF COURSE the game went into extra innings, the Revs scored twice in the eighth on an sac fly by Osmy Gregorio and a Lenin Rodriguez RBI double. In the Stormer half Blake Allemand's RBI double made it a one-run game but the rally went no further as the Revolution swept the series with a 5-4 verdict. Issac Sanchez was the winner with Jim Fuller picking up the save (both formerly with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization), Gabriel Moya took the loss. The Revs lead the season series for possession of the Community Cup 11-10 with four games remaining in York (including a doubleheader) from the 14th to the 16th. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 6-7

Monday was the unofficial Last Day Of Summer (as I have always called Labor Day), in the evening Don and I finalized plans for the long-awaited return of Lancaster Dek Hockey. November of 2019 was a long time ago, in many ways it feels like we're starting over from scratch. We have six teams (which is enough to make having the league worthwhile), if all goes as planned we'll start on Monday the 13th. On Tuesday the Barnstormers returned home as Our Friends From West Of The River visited for the final time in 2021. On this night the Revolution jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the first out was recorded. The first three men reached base for Nellie Rodriguez, his RBI walk was followed by Carlos Franco's grand-slam home run. Caleb Gindl went yard in the Stormer half to make it 5-1, the Revs added two in the third on a Josue Herrera round-tripper and a Lenin Rodriguez RBI hit to go ahead by six. The Barnstormers pulled to within 7-4 in their half of the third on Blake Gailen's two-run single and a Kelly Dugan RBI groundout, in the fourth Gindl's two-run home run (his second longball of the night) brought the score to 7-6. The Revolution broke it open with a four-run sixth inning, Melky Mesa had an RBI hit, a second run scored on a groundball double play and relief pitcher Alberto Rodriguez (no relation to Nellie or Lenin) got into the act with a two-run double. Two more Revs runs in the eighth on a Franco RBI hit and a Wellington Dotel groundout brought the final score to 13-6. Alberto Rodriguez was the winner in relief of starter Joey Lara, Dominic DiSabatino took the loss for the Barnstormers. The series continues on Wednesday and Thursday. Take care, thanks for reading.

September 3-5

Friday night was a football night at McCaskey, the start of my thirty-fourth season on the mic as the Red Tornado hosted York (not the Revs, the high school). JPM opened its season the week before with a road victory over Reading High which ended a horrendous losing streak dating back almost three years, the irony is that the last win before this was also against RHS. The program has a new head coach, former assistant Ben Thompson has taken over for the departed Sam London who has returned to college coaching. Whatever momentum the club may have had from their opening win was completely absent on this night, the game result was unfortunately and very depressingly familiar. York scored sixteen points in the first quarter and tripled that total before halftime, the entire second half was played under the mercy rule. The final was 54-7, the lone score for JPM came in the fourth quarter when Kasir Taylor hit paydirt on a quarterback keeper and Dale Sallie kicked the extra point. Starting the year by erasing that zero in the win column was a good way to begin but the fact is the program still has a long way to go. On the bright side we had Real Live People in attendance for the first time since 2019, I'd say the home side was about 70-75% capacity and the visiting crowd was respectable as well. There were a few suggestion announcements made in regard to fan safety but for the most part it was Business As Usual and it's certainly about time. The boys play at home on the 10th against Lebanon. On Saturday morning I was at it early, the destination was northeastern Berks County for the season-opener college game in Kutztown. The SID there is a Berks County guy who knows me largely by reputation, I'm on his "as needed" list and this was one of those occasions. The host Golden Bears defeated Assumption University (from Worcester, Massachusetts) 19-0 before an enthusiastic crowd that also appeared to be very unrestricted (the fact that the program didn't play at all the previous year probably added to the enthusiasm). This may have been one of the most rapidly-played college football games ever, it kicked off at 12-noon and was over right around 2:30. As it stands right now I'll be there again on October 30 but there are two other games I could do if needed, we'll see what happens. On Sunday I had lunch with Jenny and her mother since we missed out on Saturday because I was out of town (anybody who tries to take that away from us will have the damnedest fight they've ever seen). Take care, thanks for reading.

August 30-September 2

The new week started with an ominous weather forecast, a tropical storm had reeked havoc in Louisiana over the weekend and its remnants were expected in our region by Wednesday. I had planned to attend the ballgame in York on Wednesday but given the forecast I decided to go on Tuesday instead. Late on Monday night the Revolution management announced they were postponing the Wednesday game ahead of time and playing a doubleheader on Tuesday (they say great minds tend to think alike), after the morning errand run on Tuesday I had an early supper and headed west across the Susquehanna. The first game started at 4:00, I figured the crowd would be light at that hour especially with the late notice and I was right. I arrived a few minutes before game time, parking was no issue and I walked into the ballpark just in time for "and the home of the brave". The Revs were hosting the Long Island Ducks, in the early going there was a light mist falling which caused some initial concern but it amounted to nothing. The Ducks scored a single run in the first and added three in the second, in the home second Wellington Dotel went yard to put the Revs on the board. In the third former Oriole property Lenin Rodriguez singled and scored on Melky Mesa's RBI single, Osmy Gregorio's solo home run in the fourth brought the Revolution to within 4-3. Long Island went up by two in the fifth, a home run by Mesa in the bottom half made it a one-run game once again. In the seventh (the last inning of regulation) the Ducks went ahead 6-4, in the home half James Harris hit the Revs' fourth solo home run of the game to make it 6-5 but the rally ended there. Jhoendri Herrera (who ironically pitched briefly for the Ducks earlier in the season) started for the Revolution and took the loss. I didn't stay around for very much of game #2, the Revs won 7-6 to earn a doubleheader split. The expected weather arrived overnight into Wednesday morning, there was some rain around in the morning when I went for lunch with Jenny and her mother. On the way back into town the rain picked up, by the time I got home it was coming straight down and steady. In the evening there were reports of flooded roads all over the place, all things considered I didn't mind being at home. The system moved northeast and out of the area overnight, Thursday was a mild and sunny day. Had a haircut appointment in the afternoon but little else on the schedule which was just fine because the weekend will be busy. High school football season started the previous weekend, on Friday McCaskey plays its home opener and on Saturday I'll be making a special-guest-starring appearance on the mic at Kutztown University. Take care, thanks for reading.