The Norchester Bulldogs finished the 2011 season with a record of 25-9. The Bulldogs regular season record of 14-4 was good for second place in the league and qualified them for the Chester County play-offs.

Highlights from the regular season include: traveling to State College for the Pennsylvania Wood Bat Showdown. The Bulldogs finished 2-2 but knocked off undefeated Bellefonte Bandits and a very strong showcase team from Canada, the Ottawa Nepean’s. The Bulldogs finished second place in their division behind Spring City in the regular season and took the second seed in the 8 team play-off tournament.

                In the first round, The Bulldogs 10-runned Avon Grove to set up a second round showdown with Phoenixville. Because of a rain out Friday, they played Phoenixville the same day as Avon Grove and beat them by 2 runs in a tight game. Game 3 saw the Bulldogs go up against regular season champion Spring City. The Bulldogs 10-runned the Red Sox and put themselves in the championship game. Before the championship, the bulldogs had to play Caln to determine who they would face in the finals. Norchester held a 7 run lead in the 9^th inning before Caln mounted a comeback and tied the game. The Bulldogs scored a walk off run in the 9^th to set up a rematch with Spring City in the finals. Norchester scored over 20 runs in the final to 10-run Spring City and win the Chester County League title.

                The Bulldogs hosted the Region 3 tournament. The first 2 rounds saw the Bulldogs cruise to 10 run wins. In the 3^rd round, the Bulldogs ran into a hot Bristol team and lost to the eventual state champion for the second season in a row. Norchester’s season ended against Spring City who advanced to the finals and lost to Bristol.

                The Bulldogs graduated 4 players last season, all of whom are attending college. One Bulldog was drafted in the 39^th round by the Philadelphia Phillies as well.  Many players from last season’s team are playing baseball in college including: St. Joe’s University, East Stroudsburg University, Gwynedd  Mercy College and Centenary  in NJ. The Norchester Legion program continues to send players to the next level and with multiple returning players already signed to go to college next year, the trend will continue.

                Third year coach, Rick Harrison, assistant Brad Kirby and new assistant and former Phoenixville Junior Legion Head Coach, AJ Gray are looking forward to this upcoming season. The players have already begun working out in January and will look to improve upon last season.

       2012 NORCHESTER TRYOUTS!  Saturday, April 14^th13 yr. olds:  1:00-3:00*14 & 15 yr. olds:  3:00-5:00*                                                                                     Sunday, April 15^th13 -15 yr. olds: 1:00-3:00*16-19 yr. olds: 1:00-3:00                                                                                            Sunday, April 22^nd 16-19 yr. olds: 1:00-3:00   

    ALL PLAYERS MUST ATTEND AT LEAST ONE TRYOUT IN ORDER TO MAKE A TEAM(The Sr. Legion Manager reserves the right to make exceptions for college players)     

 All tryouts are tentatively being held at the Owen J. Roberts High School and/or Middle School field(s).  Please check our website or the “Notices” column in the Pottstown Mercury sports section to verify dates, times and location.  We also ask that each player arrive at least 15 minutes early in order to stretch and throw prior to tryouts.  If you have any questions regarding tryouts, please contact Dave Lerch at 610-505-1662.  

                 *Some players may be called back for a second tryout. 

   Before Norchester's first game of the Region 3 Tournament last month, we were honored to have Sgt. First Class Harry Heater agree to throw out the "First Pitch"!

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I direct your attention to the pitcher's mound. Norchester Baseball is proud and honored to have tonight's first pitch thrown by Sergeant First Class Harry Heater, US Army (Ret.)!

Sergeant Heater has served in the United States Army in three conflicts...World War II, the Korean War, and two tours in Viet Nam.  While on active duty, Sergeant Heater served as a Combat Medic and after returning stateside worked in Medical Holding at the Valley Forge Army Hospital. He also worked for 22 years for the United States Postal Service.

Harry has been playing and involved in baseball his entire life, including his time in the Army. He is a welcome addition to our tradition here at Owen J. Roberts and Norchester and we look forward to seeing him at the railing each day! His sons Jim and Keith and OJR Softball Champion daughter Sherry all played for Owen J. Roberts as well as grandsons Mark, Brett, Jim and Kevin, all of whom played for OJR and Norchester.

We are blessed to have you as part of our family, Harry, and we are humbled that you would throw out the first pitch for us. Thank you, Harry. We Love You. God Bless You!"

Not to be outdone by the Bulldogs, the NORCHESTER JUNIOR LEGION BIG DAWGS have qualified for the PA Junior Legion Eastern Regional Tournament to begin this Saturday July 23 at Radnor High School, 130 King of Prussia Road, Radnor,PA 19087!

Game 1   7-23-11   9:30AM  NORCHESTER BIG DAWGS  2 vs Newtown  6  Field 1

Game 2   7-23-11 11:00AM Berks #1 vs Chester #2  Field 2

Game 3   7-23-11 12:30PM  Susquehanna #1 vs York #2  Field 1

Game 4   7-23-11  3:30PM  MontCo#2 vs Wayne (Host)  Field 1

Game 5   7-24-11 10:00AM NORCHESTER BIG DAWGS  7 vs Berwick 2 Field 1

Game 6   7-24-11 11:00AM Loser Game 2 vs Loser Game 4  Field 2

Game 7   7-24-11  1:00PM  Winner Game 1 vs Winner Game 3  Field 1

Game 8   7-24-11  4:00PM Winner Game 2 vs Winner Game 4  Field 1

Game 9   7-25-11 10:00AM Winner Game 6 vs Loser Game 7  Field 1

Game 10 7-25-11 1:00PM NORCHESTER BIG DAWGS  7vs Wissahickon 0  Field 1

Game 11 7-25-11 4:00PM  Winner Game 7 vs Winner Game 8  Field 1

Game 12 7-26-11 11:00AM Winner Game 9 vs Loser Game 11  Field 1

Game 13 7-26-11  2:00PM   NORCHESTER BIG DAWGS 6 vs cONCORD 7  Field 1

Game 14 7-27-11  11:00AM  Winner Game 12 vs Winner Game 13  Field 1

Game 15 (if necessary) 7-27-11  Winner Game 14 vs Loser Game 14 (if first loss)

The Norchester Youth Athletic Assocoation and the Norchester Bulldogs are proud and honored to once again host the PA Region 3 Senior Legion Baseball Tournament! Games will be played at OJR Wildcat field from Saturday July 16 through Wednesday July 20. Volunteers are needed for a wide range of responsibilities and time slots. If you can help please email us at gkochu@comcast.net and note your availability.

Also, as Tournament time approaches, check in to this website which will be used as the Official Tournament Website for updates and participants, game results and much, much more!

LOCATION OF TOURNAMENT

Owen J. Roberts High School   981 Ridge Road   Pottstown, PA  19465

SEATING/ACCOMODATIONS

Lawn and bleacher seating, shade trees, bring lawn chairs for best view of field. Porta-potties on site. "Ballpark" food and soft drinks for sale. Ticket required for admission...will be sold at entrance to the field on game day-Tournament passes available.

GAME PHOTOS

 Paul Brady Photography will be on location during the entire Regional Tournament capturing all the action of every game.  Photos will be available online to view and  purchase at the following website: http://www.paulbradyphoto.com/2011_american_legion_region3_playoffs

...that our website displays upcoming events at the bottom of this page? It's true! Any upcoming event scheduled on the calendar for the next 4 weeks will display in blue text. What an easy way to keep up-to-date !!

   I have a few links to the various leagues that some of our teams play for. (If anyone has the Babe Ruth link, please forward it to me and I will add that as well.) This is a terrific way to keep up with what the rest of the league is doing as far as wins and losses, and where our Norchester teams are in the standings!

Senior Legion...Chester County American Legion Baseball...www scorebook.com/ccalb

Junior Legion...Twin County Junior Legion...www.scorebook.com/TwinCountyJrLegion

Junior Legion Prep...MBC Prep...www.scorebook.com/MBCPrep

City-County Junior Baseball League...www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=citycounty