As a result of the latest US Census and new guidelines regarding population limits, Warrington has agreed to cede New Britain Township and New Britain Borough to the (Lansdale) Cannoneers club.  This move – approved unanimously by the eleven member clubs at the League's December 4 special inter-season meeting – will (a) bring Warrington within the 50,000 limit and (b) bolster the struggling Cannoneers club.  Warrington will retain New Britain players rostered in 2011.  No other territorial changes were needed or proposed.

In other news and announcements coming out of the 12/4 meeting:

•  Strict adherence to the National rule set will be enforced in 2012 ... that is, the League will not be permitted to use the re-entry and NFHS DH rules (but the American League's DH rule may be used).  Games may still be seven innings.  To what extent League players may wear jewlery will be decided upon at the next League meeting.

•  It was revealed that Kevin Manero will be inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion Hall of Fame in August.  Kevin was recently named head coach of the North Penn H.S. team, and has relinquished his Nor-Gwyn field manager's duties to former assistant Kevin Harris.

•  Beginning with the 2013 season, only wood bats will permitted in Pennsylvania.  For 2012, metal bats labeled "BBCOR" (as well as wood) may be used.

•  Henceforth, club-to-club player waivers will be valid for ony one season

•  Our League will send two teams to the 2012 Region 2 Tournament at West Lawn.  The state tourney will be at Boyertown.

League representatives, officers, and commissioners are called to a special meeting at the Souderton American Legion Post on Sunday, December 4, at 7:00 PM.  This very important meeting is necessary to make certain decisions and plans prior to the January 2012 kick-off meeting.  Many issues need to be resolved, including (but not limited to):

-  Reinstatement of Cannoneers (Lansdale) club 

–  Redistricting of the Warrington and Lansdale franchises 

-  Playing rule changes for 2012

-  New waiver rules

-  New bat regulations

-  Playoff structure

With a convincing 10-3 win over Fullerton Monday afternoon, Pennridge remained alive, albeit in the losers' bracket, at the 2011 Region 2 Tournament at Nor-Gwyn.  Later on, Nor-Gwyn's season came an end with a 9-0 loss to Bath.

Pennridge will next play either Nazareth or Bath at either 4:00 PM or 7:30 PM Tuesday.

Pennridge, BuxMont's tournament champion, defeated newcomer Northern Valley, in a 16-12 slugfest, in Game #1 of the Region 2 tournament at the Nor-Gwyn complex.  Next, host team Nor-Gwyn took on Schuylkill/Berks champion Southern Area, at 7:30 PM Saturday (well, more like 9:00 PM) and emerged victorious in another shootout by a score of 15-11.

In other Region 2 action, Boyertown beat Northampton's Bath, 15-5, in eight innings.  Northampton's other entry, Nazareth, defeated Lehigh Valley's Fullerton, 16-5.

All this sets up the following for Sunday:

9:45 AM ... Northern Valley vs. Bath

1:00 PM ... Fullerton vs. Southern Area

4:00 PM ... Pennridge vs. Boyertown

7:30 PM ... Nor-Gwyn vs. Nazareth

Both #1 Hatfield and #2 Doylestown fell in the second round of the BuxMont League playoff tournament, and were eliminated.  Results from Saturday's action:

  Game #5 ... Perkiomen defeated Hatfield, 9-6

  Game #6 ... Quakertown defeated Doylestown, 6-4

  Game #7 ... Nor-Gwyn defeated Pottstown, 8-3

  Game #8 ... Pennridge defeated Warrington, 1-0

 Play moves to Quakertown Stadium for Games #9-15, beginning at 11:00 AM Sunday.

All Friday second-round games of the BuxMont League's playoff tounrey are postponed until tomorrow (Saturday, the 9th) by severe thunderstorms.  The entire tournament, then will be pushed back one day.  Here's the tentative schedule for Saturday:

  1:00 ... Pennridge at Warrington (time approximate)

  4:00 ... Doylestown at Quakertown (Doylestown is home team)

  5:00 ... Perkiomen at Hatfield

  7:00 ... Nor-Gwyn at Pottstown (time approximate)

Saturday's schedule now becomes Sunday's.

In an "anyone-can-win-this-tourney" first round, top-seeded Hatfield, second-seeded Doylestown, asnd fourth-seeded Perkiomen all lost.  Third-seeded Warrington did manage to knock off Quakertown.

Results from Thursday:  Nor-Gwyn 8, Hatfield 7; Pennridge 6, Doylestown 5, Warrington 7, Quakertown 3; and Pottstown 3, Perkiomen 0.

Friday's line-up looks like this:

  5:30 ... Quakertown at Doylestown (loser eliminated)

  7:00 ... Perkiomen at Hatfield (loser eliminated)

  7:00 ... Nor-Gwyn at Pottstown

  7:00 ...  Pennridge at Warrington

The BuxMont League's 2011 playoff tournament gets underway tonight (July 7).  Here are the first round match-ups:

  5:30 PM ... #7 Pennridge at #2 Doylestown

  7:00 PM ... #5 Pottstown at #4 Perkiomen

  7:00 PM ... #8 Nor-Gwyn at #1 Hatfield

  7:00 PM ... #6 Quakertown at #3 Warrington

The tournament continues on Friday ... Doylestown and Hatfield are assured of home games (5:30 PM and 7:00 PM,  respectively); the #3 through #6 could host Friday games (all at 7:00 PM); Pennridge and Nor-Gwyn cannot.  Weather permitting, the tournament contunues with nine-inning games on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday

This year's tourney is a winner-take -all affair, with the BuxMont tournament winner going forward to the Region 2 Tournament at Nor-Gwyn.  Since Nor-Gwyn hosts that event, the Hawks get an automatic slot there; should Nor-Gwyn win OUR tourney, the runner-up would advance.

Just prior to the start of the 2011 Bux Mont season, the American Legion National Office notified the states (which passed the word along to each league) that certain composite bats will be declared illegal for the season.  Specifically, composite bats not bearing the stamp BBCOR, are illegal ... they almost always bear the word "Composite" or "Comp" on their barrels.

To be even more specific, it has been decided that "non-BBCOR" DeMarini bats are illegal, despite the fact that they do not actually bear the word "Composite".

Umpires are instructed to inspect bats and other safety equipment prior to each game; however, this does not relieve teams from their responsibility to use legal equipment, especially bats and helmets.

Silver Creek A.A., a member of the Bux Mont League for over fifty years, has announced that it will be unable to field a senior American Legion team for two or more years into the future.

Accordingly, by majority vote of the League's members, the territory formerly included in Silver Creek's franchise will now be assumed in its entirety by the Plumstead club.  Therefore, Plumstead's territory will now encompass the following ten municipalities:  New Hope and Riegelsville Boroughs, and the Townships of Plumstead, Solebury, Bridgeton, Durham, Nockamixon, Solebury, Springfield, and Tinicum.

Each team will now play a twenty-game regular season schedule.  All else remains the same, including playoffs.

Ernie Quatrani has announced his retirement as head coach of both the Perkiomen American Legion team and the Upper Perkiomen H.S. varsity squad.  A teacher and coach at U.P.H.S. since 1979, Ernie took over the Perkiomen Legion team in 1987 and led it to numerous Bux Mont League tournament appearances and titles in his 24-year stint.

Unbeknownst to many, Ernie also coached the Ardmore Manor Legion team (Main Line/Delaware County League) in the 1970s while still a college student.

Quatrani, who leaves the League as its longest-tenured manager, will continue on as a teacher and Chairman of the English Department at the high school, as well as devoting more time to another passion, writing.

Pennridge, behind the four-hit, nine-strike out pitching of Lou Trivino, eliminated host Mattoon (IL) to advance to Game 9 vs. Terre Haute (IN).  The game begins at 2 PM EDT.

In other Great Lakes Regional action, Midland (MI) remained undefeated with a 3-2 win over Tuscarawas (OH), while Moline (IL) did likewise against Terre Haute (6-4).  Eagan (MN) eliminated LaCrosse (WI), 12-5.

Pennridge, fresh off its runner-up finish in the Pennsylvania tournament, takes on Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in Game 2 of the Great Lakes (Region 5) National Regional Tournament, beginning on Thursday, August 5.  Games will be played in Mattoon, Illinois.  For match-ups and results, see "Calendar", at the left.  (Times listed are EDT.)

You can also follow all the games at www.legion.org/baseball/tournaments/greatlakes.  Pitch-by-pitch accounts are supposed to be available through GameTracker, which is used by many collegiate sports conferences.

Word has also reached us that you can hear the games live at www.weiuhitmix.net ... listeners need to use Internet Explorer – click on "Odyssey Listen Live" on the right-hand part of the page to access the streaming broadcast.

For an interesting newsaper article about the tournament in Illinois, go to:  http://jg-tc.com/sports/article_acf80ac0-9ea6-11df-b29b-001cc4c002e0.html.

After a 7-6 elimination win over the Boyertown Bears in Game 14, Region 3's Spring City Red Sox defeated Pennridge, 10-8, for the Pennsylvania title and a trip to West Lawn next week for the Region 2 (Mid Atlantic) national regional tournament.

Pennridge's season is far from over, though ... they now move on to Mattoon, IL, to participate in the Region 5 (Great Lakes) tournament.

Pennridge continued on a roll, knocking the Boyertown Bears into the Losers' Bracket with a 6-4 win in Game 11 on the Bears' home turf.  That means Pennridge (a) is guaranteed to play for the Pennsylvania championship on Saturday and (b) already qualifies for either the Region 2 (Mid Atlantic ... West Lawn, PA) or Region 5 (Great Lakes ... Mattoon, IL) tournament.  These tourneys begin on August 5.

Pennridge next plays on Friday in Game 13 vs. Spring City.

In Thursday Losers' Bracket action, Millcreek eliminated Upper Dauphin , 5-0 in Game 9, while Region 3 entry Spring City KO'd Hopewell, 12-3.

Pennridge continued to roll, defeating Millcreek, 16-3, to advance to Game 11 vs. host team Boyertown (Thursday, 7:30 PM).  In the other Winners' Bracket game, Boyertown beat Hopewell, 7-0.

In Losers' Bracket action, Upper Dauphin eliminated perennial powerhouse State College, 9-3, in Game 6, while Spring City knocked out Danville in Game 5, 11-2.

Pennridge defeated Region 5's Danville, 5-4, in Game 1 of the State Tournament in Boyertown.  Pennridge now moves on to play Millcreek, a 7-6 winner over Spring City, at 4 PM Wednesday (Game 7), while Danville drops to the Losers' Bracket to meet Spring City in Game 5. 

In Tuesday's Game 2, Hopewell defeated Upper Dauphin, 4-2.  Hopewell next takes Boyertown, 2-1 winner of Game 4 over State College.

Kutztown exploded against Pennridge pitching to take Game 14, 22-12, and force Game 15 for all the marbles (i.e., a trip to Boyertown for the State Tournament next week).

By virtue of an 11-0 win over North Parkland in Game 10, the Nor-Gwyn Hawks advance to Game 13, where their opponent will be Bux Mont League rival Pennridge, a 11-6 winner over Kutztown in Game 11.

In other Tuesday action, Nazareth eliminated host West Lawn, 10-1, in Game 9.  West Lawn's season is not over yet, though ... they will be playing in three weeks as the host team (again), this time in the Mid Atlantic National Regional.  Nazareth will next face Kutztown in Game 13.

In Game 6, the Nor-Gwyn Hawks staved off elimination with a come-from-behind, 5-4, victory over Lehigh County's South Parkland.  Meanwhile, Pennridge hammered North Parkland, 19-3, to remain undefeated and advance to Game 11 vs. Kutztown on Monday.  Nor-Gwyn next takes on North Parkland in elimination Game 9 at 12:30 PM Monday.

In other Day Two action, Nazareth eliminated Berks County's champ Twin Valley, 4-1, in Game 5.  Host team West Lawn dropped Game 8 to Schuylkill/Berks' Kutztown, 15-14.

... Ray Puskar of Pennridge!

Ray will soon be receiving the prestigious Jerry "Ben" Hostelley Award, compliments of the Nor-Gwyn club.

In first-round action at the Region 2 tourney at West Lawn, Nor-Gwyn's bats went cold in a twelve-inning, 3-2 loss to Schuylkill-Berks champ Kutztown.  The Hawks next take on Lehigh County's South Parkland in Game #6 at 1 PM Sunday – the loser is eliminated.

Meanwhile, Pennridge fought off Nazareth, 11-10, to advance to winners' bracket Game #7 against North Parkland at 4 PM Sunday.

In other Saturday games, North Parkland (Lehigh County) defeated Twin Valley (Berks County), 9-7.  Host team West Lawn beat South Parkland, 8-1, in the late game.

At a recent meeting of Bux Mont League managers, 2010's standout players were recognized as follows:

First Team:  Pitchers Pat Carbone (Nor-Gwyn Hawks) and R.J. Grant (Doylestown Tigers); Catcher Jim Smith (Hatfield); First Baseman Mike Paul (Perkiomen); Second Baseman Dan Seitzinger (Doylestown); Third Baseman Jeff Gyza (Doylestown); Shortstop Dylan Tice (Pennridge); Outfielders Rory Clemens (Hatfield), Ron Levan (Pottstown Steelers), and Ray Puskar (Pennridge); and Utility Player A.J. Rodriguez (Nor-Gwyn).

Second Team:  Pitchers Kyle Myers (Pennridge) and Kurt Roberts (Quakertown); Catcher Craig Lepre (Nor-Gwyn); First Baseman Ian Whelan (Hatfield); Second Baseman Gary Kleinschmidt (Warrington As); Third Baseman Matt Roberts (Quakertown); Shortstop Ben Eckroth (Pottstown); Outfielders Justin Davey (Nor-Gwyn), Tim Mayza (Perkiomen), and Ryan Pater (Doylestown); and Utility Player Ray Puskar (Pennridge).

Honorable Mention:  Pitchers Tim Mayza (Perkiomen) and Ryan Trauger (Pennridge); Catcher Joe Mullin (Doylestown); First Baseman Lou Trevino (Pennridge); Second Baseman Matt Cohen (Pottstown); Third Baseman Joe Forcellini (Hatfield); Shortstop Sean Ehlo (Plumstead); Outfielders Phil Bain (Quakertown), Brandon Lewandowski (Lansdale Cannoneers) and Tim Wessel (Plumstead); and Utility Player John Romano (Hatfield).

Bux Mont League Tournament Game #15 once again has to be postponed due to rain and poor field conditions at Quakertown Stadium.  We'll give it another "go" at 4:00 PM Thursday, the 15th.

Due to the yoeman work of Quakertown's grounds crew, Games 9, 10, and 11 were able to be completed (albeit a little late – Game 11 ended at 1:30 AM) to keep the tournament on schedule, despite a torrential rainstorm that hit our area Saturday morning.

In Game 9, Hatfield eliminated Pottstown, 8-7.  In Game 10, Pennridge knocked out Doylestown, 10-9.  Game 11 saw Perkiomen handle Quakertown, 14-4, in the wee hours of the morning.

So ... for Sunday, all this means that Pennridge will take on Quakertown in Game 12, (3 PM) followed by Game 13 (7 PM), featuring Perkiomen vs. Hatfield.

Friday night's results:

#8 seeded Perkiomen outlasted the #4 Doylestown Tigers, 11-8, in 8 innings.  Perkiomen moves on to play #7 Quakertown in Game 11 at 7 PM Saturday.

#7 seeded Quakertown edged #6 Hatfield, 4-3, to advance to Game 11.  Hatfield stays alive to take on the Pottstown Steelers in Game 9 at 11 AM Saturday.

#5 seeded Pottstown eliminated #1 Nor-Gwyn, 5-4, to move on to Game 9 against Quakertown.  Nor-Gwyn's season, however, is not over ... the Hawks, our regular-season champion, will play in the Region 2 Tournament as "Bux Mont #1" at West Lawn next weekend. (Our League tournament winner will be designated "Bux Mont #2".)

#2 seeded Pennridge took care of business, hanging on to defeat Warrington, 9-8, to eliminate the As.  Pennridge takes on Doylestown in Game 10 at 3 PM Saturday.

Games 1, 2, 3, and 4 saw three upsets:

Game 1 ... 8th-seeded Perkiomen defeated top-seeded Nor-Gwyn, 2-1; Game 2 ... 4th-seeded Doylestown edged 5th-seeded Pottstown, 2-0; Game 3 ... 7th-seeded Quakertown beat 2nd-seeded Pennridge, 7-3; and Game 4 ... 6th-seeded Hatfield bested 3rd-seeded Warrington, 6-4.

Round Two action on Friday, July 9:  Game 5 ... Pottstown at Nor-Gwyn (7:00 PM); Game 6 ... Warrington at Pennridge (5:30 PM); Game 7 ... Perkiomen at Doylestown (5:30 PM); and Game 8 ... Quakertown at Hatfield (7:00 PM).

Through July 5's action, the eight playoff teams are decided.  #1 Nor-Gwyn, #2 Pennridge, #3 Warrington, #4 Doylestown, #5 Pottstown, #6 Hatfield, #7 Quakertown, and #8 Perkiomen will all begin play Thursday, July 8.  See "Calendar" at the left for the match-ups and exact times.

The Bux Mont League's double-elimination playoff tournament with feature Nor-Gwyn, Pennridge, Warrington, and Doylestown hosting Thursday match-ups.  Friday, there'll be four more games:  Nor-Gwyn, Pennridge, and two more sites to be determined.

Then, assuming Mother Nature cooperates, we'll move to Quakertown Stadium on Saturday morning for Games 9 through 15.

Seven outstanding Bux Mont League athletes have advanced to the second round of the state All Star Showcase series:

Rory Clemens, Peter Edgar, and Joe Forcellini from Hatfield; Dylan Tice from Pennridge; Ryan Pater from Doylestown; and Ryan King and Craig Lepre from Nor-Gwyn.

The next workout and game will be held at Mountain Top, PA (southwest of Wilkes Barre) on Monday, June 28, beginning at 11:00 AM ... players are to report at 10:30 AM.

The Bux Mont League's first round of the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball All Star Showcase selections were voted on last night by the League's managers:  Pitchers Alston Tarpay (Lansdale Cannoneers) and Ryan Thompson (Plumstead); catchers Craig Lepre (Nor-Gwyn Hawks) and Jake Poeske (Doylestown Tigers); first baseman Michael Paul (Perkiomen); second baseman Peter Edgar (Hatfield); shortstop Dylan Tice (Pennridge); and outfielders Rory Clemens (Hatfield), Ryan King (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), and Ryan Pater (Doylestown Tigers).

These eleven athletes will compete against other Region 2 all stars at Sam Balliet Stadium in Coplay on Sunday, June 20, beginning at 11:00 AM (players report by 10:30 AM).  The best of this group will advance to the next round, on Monday, June 28, at Mountain Top (near Hazleton).

The pairings for the Region 5 (Great Lakes) national tournament's first round (Thursday, August 6) have been published:

Game 1 ... 11 AM EDT ... Midland, MI, vs. Sandusky, OH

Game 2 ... 2 PM EDT ... NOR-GWYN vs. Rochester, MN

Game 3 ... 6 PM EDT ... Wassau, WI, vs. Hammond, IN

Game 4 ... 9 PM EDT ... Palatine, IL, vs. Appleton, WI (host team)

Follow the games pitch-by-pitch at http://www.baseball.legion.org.  (You may click on the heading, above.)

Because of of steady, heavy rain, Game 15 of the Region 2 tournament between the Nor-Gwyn Hawks and the Boyertown Bears was called after six innings with the score tied, 2-2.  It will not be continued or replayed, since both teams qualify for next week's state tournament anyway.  Therefore, Nor-Gwyn and  Boyertown were declared co-champions.

Stay tuned for news about the state tourney at Boyertown.  It begins on Tuesday, July 28.

Here are the brackets for the upcoming Region 2 Tournament, beginning Saturday, July 18, at the Nor-Gwyn complex:

Saturday:

9:30 AM ... Game 1 ... HATFIELD (Bux Mont tournament champion) vs. Boyertown (Berks tournament champion))

12:45 PM ... Game 2 ... Kemp Post (Northampton #2) vs. Tamaqua (Schuylkill)

3:45 PM ... Game 3 ... Nazareth (Northampton #1) vs. South Parkland (Lehigh)

7:00 PM ... Game 4 ... Twin Valley (Berks regular-season champion) vs. NOR-GWYN (host team)

See Calendar for subsequent pairings as they're announced.

... Scott Christy of the Hatfield club !!

Congratulations to Scott, who will be receiving a certificate from the League, as well as the coveted Jerry "Ben" Hostelly Trophy.

Two outstanding Bux Mont League athletes have advanced to the final round of the State All-Star Showcase:

Lou Trivino ... Pennridge

Tim Mayza ... Perkiomen

Although both are advancing as pitchers , they are both well known around the League as versatile players who each played several different positions during the 2009 season.

Lou and Tim will show their stuff in front of numerous MLB scouts and college coaches at Riverside Stadium in Harrisburg on July 25 and 26.

The 2009 Bux Mont All-League Teams were selected by vote of the League's managers on July 12:

First Team:  Pitchers Eric Ruth (Hatfield) and Lou Trivino (Pennridge); Catcher Matt Albaugh (Hatfield); First Baseman Scott Christy (Hatfield); Second Baseman Dylan Tice (Pennridge); Third Baseman Tyler Russ (Pottstown Steelers); Shortstop Rob Zinsmeister (Hatfield); Outfielders Justin Davey (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), Chris Edgar (Hatfield), and Mat Frei (Quakertown); and Utility Player Ray Puskar (Pennridge).

Second Team: Pitchers Mike Bradstreet (Nor-Gwyn Hawks) and Tim Mayza (Perkiomen); Catcher Dan Wolfe (Pennridge); First Baseman Lou Trivino (Pennridge); Second Baseman Jordan Force (Perkiomen); Third Basemen Jon Gyles (Doylestown) and Kurtis Roberts (Quakertown); Shortstop Eric Kammler (Pennridge); Outfielders Jake Dunn (Hatfield), Alex Latchum (Warrington A's), Ron Levan (Pottstown Steelers), and Tim Mayza (Perkiomen); and Utility Player Kevin Fink (Hatfield).

Honorable Mention:  Pitchers Bill Keyte (Hatfield) and Kyle Regensburg (Pottstown Steelers); Catcher Joe Mullin (Doylestown); First Baseman Robert Teufel (Perkiomen); Second Baseman Luke Helm (Quakertown); Shortstop Ben Eckroth (Pottstown); Outfielders Eric Blood (Pennridge), Christian Radick (Hatfield), and Colin Weiss (Perkiomen); and Utility Player Tim Mayza (Perkiomen).

The 2009 Bux Mont Player of the Year will be announced tomorrow.

Hatfield completed a perfect Bux Mont League playoff tournament by defeating Doylestown, 10-0, in Game #14.  The game was halted in the bottom of the seventh inning by the ten-rule "mercy" rule.  Hatfield now goes on to compete in the 2009 Region 2 Tournament, starting off with Berks Team #1 (TBD) at 9:30 AM on Saturday, July 18, at Jerry "Ben" Hostelley Field at the Nor-Gwyn complex.

See Calendar for more details on the Region 2 event.

The 2009 Bux Mont League's double-elimination playoff tournament is set to begin on Thursday, July 9, at four locations.  The tournament will continue Friday, July 10, at four locations, and conclude at Quakertown Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, July 11-13.

Top-seeded Hatfield will host #8 Quakertown, while #2 Pennridge hosts #7 Souderton, #3 Pottstown hosts #6 Perkiomen, and #4 Nor-Gwyn hosts #5 Doylestown.

The tournament champion will go on to compete in the Region 2 tournament at Nor-Gwyn's Hostelley Field, to begin on Saturday, July 18.  Our Nor-Gwyn will host the event, and is therefore guaranteed a berth.  Should Nor-Gwyn win the Bux Mont tourney, our runner-up would go to the Region 2 event.

With a record of 18-2 through July 6, Hatfield has sewn up the 2009 regular-season Bux Mont League championship and the top seed in our upcoming tournament.

Hatfield has one game remaining (July 8), and then will host #8 seed Quakertown in playoff Game 1 Thursday evening.

Three outstanding Bux Mont League athletes have been named to compete in the All-East game of the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball All-Star Showcase series.  They will show off their talents at Harrisburg's Commerce Bank Park on Wednesday, July 15.

Selected were:  Timothy Mayza (Perkiomen), Joseph Mullin (Doylestown), and Louis Trivino (Pennridge).

At Saturday night's Bux Mont League All-Star Game, G.M. "Rocky" Wright, son of the late Mel Wright, long-time Bux Mont League coach, President, and Commissioner, announced and awarded the eighth annual Mel Wright Awards.  Recipients were as follows:

Sean Toland (Lansdale Cannoneers), Andrew Wetmore (Doylestown), Carl Motts (Hatfield), Brian Palm (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), Adam Kammler (Pennridge), Robert Teufel (Perkiomen), Mike Damm (Plumstead), Tyler Russ (Pottstown Steelers), Cody Whitehead (Quakertown), Wade Slotter (Silver Creek Orioles), Brett Moyer (Souderton), and Dan Bergvall (Warrington A's).

This year's Bux Mont League All-Star Game was held on a beautiful night at Hatfield's School Road Park, with the Bucks sqaud defeating their counterparts from Montgomery County, 6-2.  The game was well attended by a hundred or so parents and fans, as well as several college coaches.

Rosters for the 2009 Bux Mont League All-Star Game were as follows:

For the Bucks squad:  Pitchers Phil Bain (Quakertown), Rich Delgado and Rob Spragis (Warrington A's), Kyle Myers and Lou Trivino (Pennridge), Wade Slotter (Silver Creek Orioles), and Tim Wessel (Plumstead); Catchers Adam Kammler and Dan Wolfe (Pennridge); First Basemen Tyler Farrell (Plumstead) and Lou Trivino (Pennridge); Second Basemen Gary Kleinschmidt (Warrington A's), Ryan Sparks (Plumstead), and Dylan Tice (Pennridge); Third Basemen Bryce Frankenfield and Ray Puskar (Pennridge) and Kurtis Roberts (Quakertown); Shortstops Luke Helm (Quakertown) and Eric Kammler (Pennridge); Utility Player Alex Hager (Pennridge); and Outfielders Eric Blood (Pennridge), and Mike Damm, Keith Reis (Plumstead), Mat Frei and Don Kornitski (Quakertown), and Alex Latchem and Kyle McLaughlin (Warrington A's).

For the Montgomery squad:  Pitchers Christian Berry (Lansdale Cannoneers), Mike Bradstreet and Pat Carbone (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), Bill Keyte and Carl Motts (Hatfield), and Kyle Regensberg and Jimmy Schaaf (Pottstown Steelers); Catchers Matt Albaugh (Hatfield), Craig Lepre (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), and Tim Maloney (Souderton); First Basemen Scott Christy (Hatfield) and Robert Teufel (Perkiomen); Second Basemen Matt Cohen (Pottstown) and Jordan Force (Perkiomen); Third Baseman Kevin Fink (Hatfield) and Tyler Russ (Pottstown Steelers); Shortstops Ben Eckroth (Pottstown Steelers), Andrew Farris (Perkiomen), and Rob Zinsmeister (Hatfield); and Outfielders Eric Broney (Souderton), Steve Dale and Justin Davey (Nor-Gwyn Hawks), Jake Dunn and Chris Edgar (Hatfield), Ronnie Levan (Pottstown Steelers), Tim Mayza (Perkiomen), and Jurell Smalls (Lansdale Cannoneers).

This year's game was hosted by the Hatfield club, which provided a fully-stocked snack stand and programs, and had commemorative T-shirts for sale.

At the first round of the State All-Star Showcase series held at the Nor-Gwyn complex on June 21, five outstanding Bux Mont League All-Stars were selected by a panel of Major League Baseball scouts and college coaches to advance to the next round at Salisbury on July 1:

Pitchers Tim Mayza (Perkiomen) and Louis Trivino (Pennridge); Catcher Joe Mullin (Doylestown); First Baseman Ian Whelan (Hatfield); and Colin Weiss (Perkiomen).

The Bux Mont League's selections for the first round of the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball All-Star Showcase, as selected by the League's managers, are as follows:

Pitchers Tim Mayza (Perkiomen) and Louis Trivino (Pennridge); Catchers Craig Lepre (Nor-Gwyn Hawks) and Joe Mullin (Doylestown); First Baseman Ian Whelan (Hatfield); Second Baseman Dylan Tice (Pennridge); Shortstop Daniel Happ (Warrington A's); Third Baseman Kurtis Roberts (Quakertown); and Outfielders William Erskine (Hatfield), Peter Leatherman (Pennridge), and Colin Weiss (Perkiomen).

The first round will be conducted rain or shine at the Nor-Gwyn complex beginning at 11 AM on Sunday, June 21.  Players selected to advance to the second round will be headed up to Salisbury on July 1.

Boyertown defeated Hatfield, 16-0, to close out the Region 2 tournament at Coplay Wednesday afternoon.  The win does not, however, end Hatfield's season, as both Hatfield and Boyertown head to the Pennsylvania tournament, beginning August 5 at Boyertown's Bears Stadium.

Bradford, northwestern Pennsylvania's entry in the state tournament, defeated Hatfield, 4-2, on Thursday, to bring to an end Hatfield's season.  Bradford now moves on to either Game #12 or #13, depending upon the outcomes of Game #10 and #11.

Two Bux Mont League rivals faced off Monday night in Coplay, with Hatfield coming out on top for the third time in four meetings this season, by a score of 10-0 over Nor-Gwyn.  The win eliminated Nor-Gwyn; then Hatfield had to hang on until 10:30 PM to see Boyertown defeat Freemansburg, 10-8, to be assured of a berth in the state tournament, to begin August 5 at Boyertown.  (Boyertown is the Host Team, and so is assured the "Host" spot.)

Hatfield still has much unfinished business, with a game (possibly two) against Boyertown on Tuesday, plus the state tourney next Tuesday.  Hatfield will open up against the Region 3 champ at 4:00 PM on the 5th.

Hatfield's star outfielder, Chris Edgar, has been named the Player of the Year in voting conducted by the managers of the League's twelve clubs.

Chris will receive the Gerry "Ben" Hostelley Memorial Award, donated by the Nor-Gwyn club, in a ceremony to be set later.

With a 9-5 win over Nor-Gwyn, Hatfield copped the Mel Wright Trophy, emblematic of the Bux Mont League's tournament championship.  Hatfield had already taken the regular-season title with an 18-4 record.

Both Nor-Gwyn and Hatfield now advance to the Region 2 tournament at Sam Balliet Stadium in Coplay, just north of Allentown.  (For directions, click on to "Locations" at the left and then "Coplay".)  See "Calendar" for more Region 2 news.

The upcoming Region 2 tournament, which leads to the Pennsylvania state tournament, begins Saturday, July 26.  All games are scheduled to be played at Sam Balliet Field in Coplay, PA.

Bux Mont League tournament runner-up Nor-Gwyn meets Northampton League champion Freemansburg at 9:45 AM Saturday, while Bux Mont regular-season and tournament champion Hatfield takes on Berks League runner-up Shillington at 1:00 PM.  In the other first-round games, Berks League champion and perennial powerhouse Boyertown faces Lehigh League champion South Parkland at 4:00 PM, and Schuylkill League champ Southern Area plays host team Coplay at 7:30 PM.

With a come-from-behind, extra-inning 9-8 win over Souderton on July 13, Hatfield clinched the 2008 regular season championship and the #1 seed in the upcoming Bux Mont League playoff tournament.  The Charlie Romanoski Trophy will be presented to Hatfield at Quakertown next week.

With that title comes an automatic bid to the 2008 Region 2 tournament in Coplay, beginning July 26.  Joining Hatfield will be the winner of our tournament; should Hatfield also take the tournament title, the runner-up would advance to the Region 2 event.

The twelve recipients of the 2008 Mel Wright Memorial Awards were announced – and commemorative certificates and beautifully engraved baseball bats presented – at the 2008 All-Star Game last Saturday evening at Nor-Gwyn's Ben Hostelley Field.  Honorees were:

Tim Shanahan (Cannoneers), Jon Gyles (Doylestown), Kevin Fink (Hatfield), Ryan Ignas (Nor-Gwyn), Cory Landes (Pennridge), Chris Walker (Perkiomen), Harry Davis (Plumstead), Josh Martin (Pottstown), Erik Stralo (Quakertown), Kevin Keebler (Silver Creek), Jim Klingerman (Souderton), and Kevin Hanes (Warrington).

Selections are made by each team's coaching staff on criteria such as reliability, sportsmanship, team spirit, leadership, and other intangibles.  The awards were created to commemorate G. Melvin Wright, who passed away several years ago after a long and illustrious career with the League as a coach, League President, League Commissioner, and umpire.  His son, Rocky, coaches the Pennridge team, and sponsors the awards.

Seven Bux Mont players were selected to advance to the second round of the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball All-Star Showcase, to be held on July 1 at Connell Park in Scranton.  They are:

Eric Ruth (P) and Robert Zinsmeister (SS) of Hatfield, Kyle McLaughlin (OF) and Ryan Clark (OF) of Warrington,  Nick Manai (3B) of Cannoneers, Mike Damm (2B) of Plumstead, and Justin Darey (OF) of Nor-Gwyn.

For directions to Connell Park, (a) go to "Locations" and click on the underlined heading entitled "Connell Park (Univ. of Scranton)" or (b) click on the underlined heading of this article.

The best of the Bux Mont League will begin the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball All-Star Showcase series at Coplay on Friday, June 20 ... players' reporting time is 10:30 AM.

Selected were:  Eric Ruth (P), Scott Christy (1B), Robert Zinsmeister (SS), and Christian Radick (OF) of Hatfield; Joe Mullin (C) of Doylestown; Gary Kleinschmidt (2B), Kyle McLaughlin (OF), and Ryan Clark (OF) of Warrington; Nick Manai (3B) of Lansdale; Tim Mayza (OF) of Perkiomen; Mike Damm (2B) of Plumstead, and Justin Darey (OF) of Nor-Gwyn.

Unfortunately, Gary Kleinschmidt was injured last week and will not be able to attend.

Athletes chosen to advance at Coplay will advance to the next round in Scranton on July 1.