Ah, the 2007 season. The final chapter in Crusher Baseball, and what a season it was. A season that just never really seemed to get on track. It started with a rainout in Glendora and ended with a double header against Glendora. What happened in between at times just wasn’t pretty.

Yes, game one was a rainout with Glendora. Not just your ordinary rainout but a drive all the way up to Glendora in the pouring rain to have their coach call the game after we get there. Next was Millville. Cancelled the scheduled game on Saturday and moved it to Sunday. Then forfeited on Sunday. Then came Buena. Crushers lose 7-0, Buena no hits us. Next was Cramer Hill and the bats came to life. Crushers score 11 runs but it wasn’t enough and lost 14-11. Over the bridge to the RBI Phillies-Red and White. Beat the Red team for the first time in Crusher history 6-4 and lose to the less talented White team 10-3. The pitchers allowed just 5 hits in the game, but the 13 walks and 2 hit batsman done us in. Next a forfeit to Pennsauken, who, until then hadn’t won a game. Then another forfeit, this time to Cinnaminson. We played Shawnee with just eight players and lost a close one, 8-5. A forfeit to Warminster and the month of June was over. How do ya like it so far?

July, things will get better, they have to, right? Well, we beat Moorestown 15-12, but then lost to Lower Bucks, probably the best team in the league, 7-6. By the way it was the only game of the season we had all our players at the game. Then we played Glendora on our field, we’re beating them 3-0 and our lights don’t come on. Suspended game. Maple Shade gets rained out the next night and we lose the field to the Legion team for the make up with Glendora the night after that. The SJ A’s double header on our field is moved to their field, probably the worst field we’ve ever seen, because of an All-Star game and we end up with a forfeit. Finally we finish the suspended game with Glendora and win 3-0. With that win we knocked Glendora out of the state tournament. Finally a good thing. The second game, which was the rainout make up game, we lose 7-1 with the worst umpires I have ever seen. I always tell the players umpires don’t win or lose games coaches and players do. Those umpires tested that theory to the highest degree. I guess that was a fitting ending to one crazy season. Little did we know that would be our last game. With vacations and work schedules we just couldn’t get enough players and had to end the season early. But enough of this, let’s take a look at the players of the 2007 Crushers, a team, that unfortunately we will never know just how good they could have been.

Leading off, John Santilli. If I had to pick an MVP for the Crushers this season it would be Santilli. John played shortstop and pitched. From the lead off position John hit .400 with an on base percentage of .455 and had 16 hits. John led the team with runs scored (17) and doubles (5). On the mound he was first in games pitched (5), innings pitched (19.2), and strikeouts (16).

Josh Cooper played third, short, and caught. Coop had a fine season at the plate. Batting .368 with a .467 on base percentage. Josh scored 10 runs and had 14 hits with 4 doubles and a triple. In the field Coop played strong defense at each of the positions he played.

The Crushers carried all the Sullivan brothers in 2007. Timmy pitched, played first and the outfield. Although Timmy struggled at the plate, he brought that blistering fastball of his to the mound and kept us in the games he pitched. Timmy pitched 5 1/3 shut out innings in relief before allowing a run. Matt was a first time Crusher and played the outfield. In just 5 games played, Matt hit .375 and had a .400 on base percentage and with a big double against the RBI Phillies. The youngest of the Sullivan brothers was officially the batboy but could have been our fourth coach. He talked a lot of baseball in the dug out.

The Regalbutas were our second set of brothers on the Crushers. Antonio played third, pitched and we even slipped him in the outfield for a game. Antonio hit .357 on the season with a .514 on base percentage. Led the team in triples (2) and hit by pitch (5), three in one game, but we don’t want to go there. On the mound Antonio was 1-0 in four games pitched, combining with Deleo for the only shut out of the season. Austin played the outfield hitting .367 scoring 7 runs and had 11 hits. With a .444 on base percentage Austin had a very productive season at the plate.

Brian Usher was back with the Crushers for a second time. Brian played third, outfield, and pitched. In just eight games played, Brian had 7 hits, a double, hit .304 and had an on base percentage of .360. It was great to have him back.

Anthony Deleo caught and pitched for the Crushers. Anthony in just 5 games had an on base percentage of .400 and a double. He pitched in just one game but it was the first 3 innings of the only shut out of the season. Going 3 innings allowing one hit and striking out two.

Brandon Sharp was our pitcher-first baseman. Brandon had a .536 on base percentage, leading the team in base on balls (10). Brandon (1-3) pitched in 4 games going 12 1/3 innings and striking out 12 on the season.

Dominic Romeo was our center fielder and pitcher. Dominic played great defense in center and holds the distinction of being the only Crusher pitcher to ever beat the RBI Phillies. He pitched the only complete game of the season against them, going 7 innings and striking out 5 finishing the season with a 1-0 record.

Anthony Marella played just three games before he was lost for the season because of an injury. When we didn’t have a catcher, Anthony stepped up and caught, even though that wasn’t his best position. I appreciated his effort for the team.

Nick Petalino was a late addition to the roster. Nick caught and played the outfield. Nick hit .308 and had an on base percentage of .400. On defense Nick could cover some ground in the outfield. It would have been nice to have him for the entire season.

Filling out the roster with late additions were Joe Espada, Chris Allabach, and Anthony Dimitri.

Chris Wilhem? Nuff said.

Finally its time to get to our second baseman, Stephen "Scoops" Cristella. Scoops had a career season in 2007. From the number two spot in the line up Scoops led the team with a .475 average, .571 on base percentage, and had 19 hits. Scoops scored 14 runs and had 3 doubles on the season. Crushers-second base-Scoops all mean the same thing to me. First, Crushers. Scoops is the only player to play for the Crushers every year the Crushers existed (2002-2007). As for second base, except for Kyle Maxwell, who was born to play second, Scoops has been the Crusher’s only second baseman and the only one we’ve ever needed. Scoops has always been a special player to me, hell, I named him when he was just a pup. His consistency at the plate and his defense in the field has made my job as a coach over the years a pleasure. So, for the final time, batting second, #7, playing second base, Scoooooops.

Hey," Two hands seven!"

And now, number 20 in your program and #1 in our hearts its Coach Kates. Kates in his second season with the Crushers as a coach did a fine job coaching first base for the Crushers and keeping the players in line. Jeff’s quick wit and some fine singing made our road trips the best. I’m thinkin maybe just getting together about once a month, load up the SUV, and take a road trip to Maple Shade. Just remember, what happens in the car stays in the car.

Looking back over the last six seasons of Crushers Baseball, it has been one fun ride. We got to meet and coach some fine ball players and some real characters. The Crushers made the playoffs five of six seasons, getting to two championship appearances, and winning the championship in 2005. To all the players, coaches, and parents, over the years, thanks for the memories.

Coach Slade, Cristella, and Kates