DAD, YOU WERE ALWAYS MORE THAN A FATHER, YOU WERE AN INSPIRATION, A LOVING EAR, A CRITICAL VOICE, A FRIEND, A MENTOR, AND A HERO.  REST IN PEACE POPS; BECAUSE LIKE IN THE MOVIE; FIELD OF DREAMS, YOUR HEAVEN IS A BASEBALL DIAMOND.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF BOB MEYER; A BROTHER, A FATHER, A FRIEND.  YOU ARE MISSED TODAY AND EVERYDAY AS OUR PHYSICAL WORLD IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOU.

WE LOST A PART OF OUR FAMILY TONIGHT, AS SATCH'S MOM LOST HER BATTLE WITH CANCER.  SHE IS IN ALL OF OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. ARLENE WILL REMAIN WITH US IN OUR MINDS AND HEARTS. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE; A SAINT FOREVER. 

 PRACTICE FOR EVERYONE WEDNESDAY, MAY 8TH AT AVONWORTH @ 6.

SEASON BEGINS AGAINST THE BLACK SOX ON THE 15TH OF MAY.

THE SAINTS WILL OPEN THE 2013 SEASON AGAINST THE BLACK SOX @ AVONWORTH.  16 OF THE 24 GAMES WILL BE PLAYED ON EITHER SUNDAY OR WEDNESDAY, WITH 15 OF THOSE AT AVONWORTH HS. 

THE 2013 SCHEDULE IS NOW POSTED ON THE SCHEDULE PAGE.

CONGRATULATIONS.......

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER TO RICH SATCHO, BRIAN WARHEIT, AND JIMMY PASQUINE WHO WERE NAMED FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICANS BY THE NATIONAL AMERICAN SEMI-PRO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION (NASPBA).

PROUD AND HONORED.....

TODAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT I HAVE BEEN SELECTED TO THE 2013 CLASS OF INDUCTEES TO THE NATIONAL AMATEUR SEMI-PRO BASEBALL ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME.  I'D LIKE TO THANK TIM TURPIN AND THE NASPBA; BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THOSE PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED FOR ME AT ST. JOHNS AND THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENABLED THE GREATER PITTSBURGH FEDERATION LEAGUE TO FUNCTION FOR ALL THESE YEARS.  A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CORE PLAYERS; ESPECIALLY RICKY WHO REALLY HELPS TO MAKE ALL OF THIS POSSIBLE. 

WRAP-UP.....

AS ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE; I'D LIKE TO TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT TO THANK EVERY PLAYER, FAMILY MEMBER, AND FAN OF ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S FOR THEIR SUPPORT THIS SEASON.  ALTHOUGH WE FELL ONE GAME SHORT OF FULFILLING OUR ULTIMATE GOAL; IT WAS NOT FOR LACK OF EFFORT ON ANYONE'S PART.

THIS SEASON WAS ONE OF CONSTANT CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT.  WE HAD NUMEROUS PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER AT VARIOUS TIMES; AND YET IN THE END; WE RELIED MOSTLY ON OUR USUAL CORE AND OUR NEWER DEVELOPING CORE TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS.  A SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRIS GRADY WHO SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE THERE TO HELP US OUT AND GET US OVER THE TOP.  THANKS TO OUR DEVELOPING FUTURE SAINT; CHANCE SATCHO, WHO IS THE BEST BAT BOY A TEAM COULD HAVE.  PROPS TO MATT FUNK; WHO PUTS UP WITH A LOT FROM ME AND THE GUYS, AND DOES A GREAT JOB WITH KEEPING OUR BOOK.  SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE NEWER SAINTS WHO ARE COMING AROUND TO KNOWING AND TRUELY REALIZING WHAT IT IS TO BE A PART OF ALL THIS. TO THE WIVES AND YOUNG ONES; WHO ARE SUCH A KEY PART OF THE OPERATION.  I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW THEY ARE ALL GROWING SO FAST.  FINALLY, TO SATCH, RICKY, HERM, JAZ, GREG, A.B., AND NATE; WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER SO VERY LONG AND HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH.  I THANK YOU FOR JUST BEING THERE. I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE OUR RUN.  RICKY AND JAZ; THANKS FOR FIELDING THE MANY CALLS.  OUR NEW GOAL FOR THIS WINTER IS TO GET SATCH TO ANSWER HIS DAMN PHONE!

CONGRATULATIONS.......

WE WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE AND ACKNOWLEDGE RICH SATCHO, DERRIK ZEROSKI, JIM PASQUINE, AND BRIAN WARHEIT WHO WERE SELECTED TO THE 2012 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES AT THE BUFFALO WORLD SERIES TOURNAMENT.  ALSO, WE'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE CORRY RYAN AND ANDREW RAFALSKI WHO WERE GIVEN STRONG CONSIDERATION FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PITCHING PERFORMANCES.

AS IT WAS IN '07; THE SAINTS FALL ONE STEP SHORT.

IN 2007 THE SAINTS FELL TO DETRIOT BY A 5-1 SCORE.  FOLLOWING A SIMILAR SCRIPT; THE SAINTS DROPPED A 8-2 DECISION TO THE CHICAGO CLOUT AND FINISHED 2ND IN THE NABF.

GAME 1----SAINTS 6        FEDELL'S MECHANICS 2

THE SAINTS USED THE SOLID RIGHT ARM OF CORRY RYAN TO DEFEAT THE TRADITIONAL WEST HAVEN LEAGUE POWER.  CORRY STRUCK OUT 9 AND YIELDED 5 HITS.  THE SAINTS PLATED 3 RUNS IN THE TOP OF THE 9TH TO BREAK OPEN THE 3-1 GAME.

GAME 2----SAINTS  10    MILFORD HUNTERS  1

THE MILF HUNTERS WERE NEVER IN THE GAME AS ANDREW RAFALSKI SPUN A 3 HITTER AGAINST THE OTHER CONNECTICUT CLUB.  NATE THIMONS ANS ERIC MORRISON CLUBBED HOMERS AS THE SAINTS FINISHED DAY 1 2-0 IN POOL PLAY.

GAME 3----SAINTS  5       ORLANDO STORM  2

THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S PLATED 3 RUNS IN THE 1ST, WHICH PROVED TO BE ALL BRIAN WARHEIT NEEDED.  B-HEIT THREW A 5 HIT COMPLETE GAME; WHILE FANNING 7 OF THE FLORIDA BOYS.  AT 3-0, THE SAINTS WERE ALL BUT ASSURED OF A TRIP TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND.

GAME 4----CHICAGO CLOUT  8     SAINTS  6

ASSURED OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND, THE SAINTS ATTEMPTED TO CONSERVE PITCHING AND ACHING BONES.  AFTER JUMPING TO A 6-0 LEAD, THE SAINTS PERMITTED THE CLOUT TO RALLY AND SECURE THE 8-6 VICTORY.  DESPITE THE LOSS, THE SAINTS CLINCHED THE SECOND SEED AND ADVANCED.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND........

ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S  14       MURRAY'S DIESEL  8

OUR PITCHING WASN'T AT ITS BEST; BUT IT DIDN'T NEED TO BE AS THE SAINTS POUNDED OUT 21 HITS AND DEFEATED THE HOST CLUB.  JOHNS SANSONE AND RICH SATCHO EACH WERE 4 FOR 6; AS THE SAINTS BROKE AN 8-8 TIE AND SCORED THE LAST 6 RUNS OF THE GAME.  THE BIG BLOW WAS RICK KRIST'S 7TH INNING TRIPLE WITH THE BASES LOADED.  THE SAINTS ADVANCED TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST CHICAGO.

CHICAGO CLOUT   8             ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S  2

THE TEAM FROM THE WINDY CITY HIT THE SAINTS WITH A 5 SPOT IN THE TOP OF THE 1ST AND THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S NEVER RECOVERED.  DESPITE A MAXIMUM EFFORT; INCLUDING BRIAN WARHEIT THROWING 3 RELIEF INNINGS ON 1 DAYS REST, OUR JOURNEY CAME TO A DISAPPOINTING END. 

SAINTS CAPTURE YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL WITH 9-4 VICTORY OVER PIGNATARO'S OF BUFFALO.

THE SAINTS USED EXCELLENT PITCHING AND SOME TIMELY HITTING TO CAPTURE THEIR SECOND TRIP TO THE NABF WORLD SERIES.  STARTERS CORRY RYAN, ANDREW RAFALSKI, BRIAN WARHEIT, LUKE KATICH, AND GREG FREDERICK; WITH RELIEF HELP FROM BEN HAMM AND JIM PASQUINE; WERE ALL EXCELLENT AND PROVED TO BE THE MAIN REASON WHY THE SAINTS WERE OFF TO THE WORLD SERIES.

GAME SCORES AND WRAP-UPS........

GAME 1----SAINTS  4        AKRON LASIKS   2

BEN HAMM STEPPED IN WHEN CORRY RYAN GOT LOST AND HELD THE FORT INTO THE 2ND INNING.  THE SAINTS USED A 3-RUN 3RD TO HOLD OFF THE AKRON BUNCH.

GAME 2----PIGNATARO'S  5            ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S  4

AFTER THURSDAY NIGHT'S AND FRIDAY'S RAIN; THE TOURNEY RESUMED SATURDAY AT NOON.  THE TAXMEN OF BUFFALO USED A LATE 3-RUN HOMER TO HOLD OFF THE SAINTS BY A 5 TO 4 SCORE.

GAME 3----SAINTS  2      ORCHARD PARK (BUFFALO)  0    ORCHARD PARK HAD DEFEATED THE SAINTS IN LAST YEAR'S BUFFALO REGIONAL IN EXTRA INNINGS; TODAY THE TABLE TURNED.  BRIAN WARHEIT FIRED A 4 HITTER AND RECEIVED SOLID INFIELD DEFENSE TO SHUT OUT THE SOX.

GAME 4----SAINTS  3                       STEEL CITY  1

LAST YEAR, THE BLACK SOX TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE SAINTS DECISION TO GO TO THE BUFFALO REGIONAL AND WON THE YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL ENROUTE TO THEIR 2ND PLACE NATIONAL FINISH.  TODAY, THEY WERE LESS FORTUNATE AS THE SAINTS CONTINUED THEIR 2012 DOMINANCE OF THE FORMER RIVERBANDITS WITH A 3-1 VICTORY.  THE BLACK SOX DID NOT DEFEAT THE SAINTS ALL SEASON; CONTINUING A STREAK THAT GOES ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE 1ST GAME OF LAST SEASON'S LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.  VETERAN PICK-UP, LUKE KATICH WAS MASTERFUL AS THE SAINTS CAPITALIZED ON STEEL CITY MENTAL ERRORS.

GAME 5----SAINTS  9                   PIGNATARO'S  4

REVENGE HAS NEVER BEEN A FACTOR IN OUR SUCCESS; WE JUST GO OUT TO BEAT OUR OPPOSITION.  THE SAINTS RODE A 5-RUN 3RD INNING AND COASTED TO THE 9-4 VICTORY.  NEXT STOP.......BUFFALO. 

YOUNGSTOWN AGAIN.

THE SAINTS WILL CONTINUE THEIR ANNUAL QUEST TO RETURN TO THE NABF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINNING IN YOUNGSTOWN.  THE TOURNAMENT IS SLATED TO BE PLAYED ON TWO FIELDS.....PEMBERTON PARK AND BOARDMAN HIGH.

PEMBERTON PARK IS LOCATED AT 2301 SHADY RUN ROAD

BOARDMAN HIGH SCHOOL AT 7777 GLENWOOD AVE BOARDMAN, OHIO.

SAINTS WIN 7TH STRAIGHT DUAL TITLES.

FOR THE SEVENTH STRAIGHT YEAR, YOUR ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S SAINTS HAVE WON BOTH THE REGULAR SEASON AND PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP.  THIS YEAR THEY DEFEATED BELLEVUE IN THE BEST OF FIVE SERIES 3 GAME TO 2.  THE ANGELS FIELDED A VERY SCRAPPY TEAM AND HAD THREE OF THE BEST STARTING PITCHERS IN THE LEAGUE WITH MATT BARNES, JOHN HAY, AND LUKE KATICH. CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH TEAMS ON A VERY COMPETITIVE SERIES.

RUNDOWN: GAME 1....SAINTS-3     BELLEVUE-0

THE SERIES BEGAN WITH GREG FREDERICK ON THE BUMP VS JOHN HAY. IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST, JIM PASQUINE HIT A TWO RUN HOMER. THE SAINTS WOULD ADD ANOTHER RUN IN THE THIRD ON AN ERIC MORRISON DOUBLE.  BUT, FREDERICK WAS THE STORY OF THE NIGHT AS HE 2-HIT THE ANGELS. ASSISTANT COACH RICK KRIST PACED THE SAINT ATTACK WITH 3 HITS; WHILE PASQUINE AND TARRAN SENAY EACH HAD A PAIR.

GAME 2.......SAINTS-8      ANGELS-3

AGAIN, THE SAINT PITCHING ROSE TO THE OCCASION AS CORRY RYAN THREW 7 MASTERFUL INNINGS. THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S TOOK ADVANTAGE OF 2 BELLEVUE ERRORS TO PLATE 4 IN THE FOURTH AND HELD A 6-0 LEAD BEFORE THE ANGELS COULD SCORE. THE SAINTS POUNDED OUT 11 HITS INCLUDING 2 EACH BY DERRIK ZEROSKI, NATE THIMONS, TARRAN SENAY, AND ERIC MORRISON.

GAME 3....BELLEVUE-6      SAINTS-4

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SERIES, THE SAINTS FELL BEHIND AND TRAILED 3-0 BEFORE THEY CAME TO BAT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SECOND. HOWEVER, THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S RALLIED AND TOOK A 4-3 LEAD INTO THE SIXTH, WHEN BELLEVUE SCRATCHED IN A 2-OUT RUN.  JIM PASQUINE OPENED THE BOTTOM OF THE 8TH WITH A SINGLE, AND AN OUTFIELD ERROR MOVED HIM TO SECOND. HOWEVER, THE SAINTS COULD NOT GET HIM IN. THEN, THE TIME READ 8:27 AND DARKNESS WAS SETTING IN. FOR SOME REASON, THE PLATE UMPIRE UNILATERALLY DECIDED WE SHOULD KEEP PLAYING. HIS MOTHER MUST NOT HAVE BEEN LIKE MINE; BECAUSE OUR RULE WAS WHEN THE STREET LIGHTS COME ON, YOU SHOULD BE HOME. ANYWAY, THE ANGELS SCRATCH IN 2 RUNS, I GET TOSSED OVER A COMMENT TO A FAN; AND THE SAINTS COME TO BAT AT 8:40.  AT 8:49, THE SAINTS STRAND THE TYING RUNS ON SECOND AND THIRD.

GAME 4.......BELLEVUE-11      SAINTS-9

DESPITE THE PRESENCE OF FREDERICK ON THE MOUND; THE SAINTS FAILED TO PROTECT AN EARLY 3 RUN LEAD.  MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ERRORS OPENED THE DOOR AND THE ANGELS SCORED 3 IN THE 4TH, 4 IN THE 5TH, AND 4 MORE IN THE 6TH. DESPITE THE DEFICIT; THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S ESTABLISHED THE GOAL OF PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON AND BURNING UP THE ANGEL PITCHING. WHILE THE SAINTS USED 2 PITCHERS; THE ANGELS WERE FORCED TO USE 4 DIFFERENT ARMS TO GAIN THE WIN. THE SAINTS WERE ABLE TO GET THE TYING RUNS ON BASE IN THE TOP OF THE 9TH BEFORE THE ANGELS GOT THE FINAL 2 OUTS. THE SAINTS HAD A SERIES HIGH 12 HITS; INCLUDING A 4 FOR 4 NIGHT FOR CENTERFIELDER ERIC MORRISON.

GAME 5.........SAINTS-14         BELLEVUE-4

THE STREAK WAS ON THE LINE; AND THE SAINTS PLAYED WITH THIRD BASEMAN JIM PASQUINE BEHIND THE PLATE. TARRAN SENAY CAME BACK FROM RALEIGH, NC AND RETURNED TO THE LINE-UP AFTER MISSING GAMES 3 & 4. HOWEVER, THE OUTCOME WAS NEVER IN DOUBT; AS NATE THIMONS SMACKED A 3-RUN JACK IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST AND THE SAINTS BLEW OUT TO A 6-0 LEAD. BELLEVUE WOULD SLICE THE LEAD IN HALF IN THE 3RD' ONLY TO SEE THE SAINTS ADD ON ANOTHER IN THEIR THIRD. A SIXTH INNING THREE RUN SHOT BY SENAY HIGHLIGHTED THAT 4 RUN INNING. DESPITE A ROBBIE TAMBURRO HR IN THE TOP OF THE 7TH; THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S WOULD WRAP IT UP WITH 3 IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 7TH TO COMPLETE THE MERCY-RULE VICTORY. CORRY RYAN TOOK THE PILL ON 2 DAYS REST AND THREW THE FIRST 3+ INNINGS. THEN ANDREW RAFALSKI RELIEVED ON A SINGLE DAY'S REST AND WAS MASTERFUL OVER THE REMAINING 4 INNINGS. JIM JASKOWSKI, CHRIS GRADY, AND ERIC MORRISON HAD MULTI-HIT GAMES. THIMONS KNOCK IN 4 RUNS AND SENAY 3.

THE FINALS......SAINTS VS BELLEVUE

ALL SEASON LONG THE QUESTION BECAME WHO WOULD RECEIVE THE SECOND BERTH IN THE NABF REGIONAL.  WHEN STEEL CITY DEFEATED BELLEVUE IN THE LAST WEEK OF THE SEASON; THEY SECURED THE SECOND BID.  HOWEVER, BELLEVUE GOT THEIR REVENGE IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAY-OFFS BY DEFEATING THE BLACK SOX, 2 GAMES TO 1.  NOW, THE ANGELS MOVE ON TO FACE YOUR SAINTS IN THE FINALS.  GAME 1 IS SCHEDULED TO BE PLAYED AT AVONWORTH ON THURSDAY AT 6. GAME 2 IS TENATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY AT 6 AGAIN AT AVONWORTH.  THE SERIES WILL SHIFT TO BURKETT FIELD FOR THE REMAINING GAMES OF THE SERIES.

DESPITE DEFENSIVE LAPSES, THE SAINTS SWEEP THEIR WAY TO THE FINALS.

NEVER ONES TO TAKE THE EASY ROAD; THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S GAVE UP 4 UNEARNED RUNS IN THE SERIES; BUT HELD ON TO SWEEP SOUTH HILLS BY THE SCORES OF 6-5 AND 10-3.

GAME 1 SAW THE SAINTS FALL BEHIND 3-0 IN THE TOP OF THE 1ST.  A SINGLE, A POP-UP HOMER, AND AN UNEARNED RUN PUT SOUTH HILLS ON TOP. THE SAINTS RALLIED TO TIE THE SCORE AT 4'S BY THE BOTTOM OF THE 8TH. SH PLATED ANOTHER RUN IN THE TOP OF THE 9TH.  HOWEVER, SOUTH HILLS COULD NOT RECORD AN OUT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME AS TARRAN SENAY WALKED, GREG FREDERICK WAS HIT BY A PITCH WHILE SQUARING TO BUNT, NATE THIMONS BLOPPED A SINGLE TO LEFT AND MIKE HERMANN CRACKED THE WINNING TWO-RUN SINGLE TO LEFT.  JIM PASQUINE WAS THE WINNING PITCHER IN RELIEF OF CORRY RYAN.

GAME 2 SAW THE SAINTS JUMP OFF TO A 2-0 LEAD IN THE FIRST.  SOUTH HILLS GOT 2 UNEARNED RUNS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST TO TIE.  BUT, THIS NIGHT BELONGED TO THE SAINTS AS THEY PUT THE GAME AWAY WITH A SINGLE RUN IN THE SECOND AND 4 MORE IN THE THIRD.  ALL IN ALL THE SAINTS HAD 18 HITS ENROUTE TO THE 10-3 VICTORY.  CHRIS GRADY AND NATE THIMONS EACH HAD 3 HITS; WHILE, DERRICK ZEROSKI, GREG STOKES, JIM JASKOWSKI, MIKE HERMANN, AND RICK KRIST HAD MULTIPLE HITS.  ANDREW RAFALSKI THREW THE FIRST 6 INNINGS TO RECORD ANOTHER VICTORY.

THE SAINTS TO PLAY BUFFALO'S MURRAY'S DIESAL IN AN EXHIBITION.

THE SAINTS HAVE AGREED TO TRAVEL TO ERIE TO PLAY BUFFALO POWERHOUSE MURRAY'S DIESAL ON SATURDAY AUGUST 4, PROVIDING THE FEDERATION LEAGUE PLAY-OFFS ARE COMPLETED.  DIESAL IS THE TOP RANKED TEAM IN BUFFALO AND HAVE SECURED THE MUNY LEAGUE'S HOST BERTH FOR THE NATIONAL WORLD SERIES.  BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF THE FEDERATION PLAY-0FFS; IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE SAINTS WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED DH AGAINST CANTON ON JULY 29TH.

THE PLAY-OFFS.

THE SAINTS BEGIN THE KEY PART OF THEIR SCHEDULE ON SUNDAY, JULY 22 WHEN SOUTH HILLS TRAVELS TO AVONWORTH FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE FIRST ROUND.  STEEL CITY AND BELLEVUE WILL SQUARE OFF IN THE OTHER SERIES.  ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S AND STEEL CITY; BY FINISHING THE REGULAR SEASON IN 1ST. AND 2ND. PLACE RESPECTIVELY; HAVE GAINED THE 2 NABF SPOTS IN YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL.  THE NABF TOURNAMENT WILL BEGIN AUGUST 8, WITH THAT WINNER MOVING ON TO THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD IN BUFFALO BEGINNING AUGUST 15TH.

THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S END REGULAR SEASON WITH A 12-2 WIN.

THE SAINTS CONCLUDED THE REGULAR SEASON WITH A MERCY RULE SHORTENED 12-2 VICTORY OVER EAST END.  CORRY RYAN PITCHED A COMPLETE GAME FOR THE VICTORY, STRIKING OUT 8 AND WALKING 3.  OFFENSIVELY; RICH SATCHO PICKED UP 3 HITS AND PLATED 2 RBI.  DERRIK ZEROSKI, GREG STOKES, AND TARRAN SENAY HAD MULTI-HIT GAMES. ZEROSKI, STOKES, SENAY, AND SATCHO EACH HAD 2 RBI.

SAINTS REBOUND TO DEFEAT SOUTH HILLS.

THE SAINTS ANSWERED A FIRST INNING SOUTH HILLS RUN WITH ONE OF THEIR OWN AND TACKED ON 3 3RD INNING RUNS WHILE COASTING TO A 9-3 VICTORY.  JIM PASQUINE HAD 3 MORE HITS; WHITE GREG STOKES, TARRAN SENAY, RICH SATCHO, AND RICK KRIST EACH CONTRIBUTED MULTI-HIT GAMES.  BRANDAN FEDERICI PITCHED 5 INNINGS, FOLLOWED BY BRIAN WARHEIT AND JIM PASQUINE; EACH THROWING JUST TO GET SOME PRE-PLAYOFF WORK.

UNDEFEATED FED SEASON GOES BY THE WAYSIDE AS SAINTS SPLIT WITH ALLEGHENY VALLEY.

THE SAINTS SAW THEIR UNDEFEATED REGULAR FED LEAGUE SEASON FADE AWAY WITH A 3-2 LOSS IN THE SECOND GAME OF A DOUBLEHEADER AGAINST ALLEGHENY VALLEY.  THE SAINTS HAD SECURED A 13-3 VICTORY IN GAME 1.  RICK KRIST WENT 4 FOR 4; WITH A "MAMMOTH" 258 FOOT HOME RUN.  TARRAN SENAY PICKED UP 3 HITS TO HELP PACE LOU KAMMERMEIER'S VICTORY.  IN GAME 2, THE SAINTS QUICKLY JUMPED OUT TO A 2-0 LEAD, ONLY TO SEE ALLEGHENY VALLEY TIE IT IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FIRST.  AV SCORED THE EVENTUAL WINNING RUN IN THE 4TH; TAKING ADVANTAGE OF 3 WALKS AND A HIT BATSMAN TO SECURE THE CURFEW SHORTENED GAME.

NOT THE WAY YOU PLAN IT, SAINTS WRAP UP ANOTHER REGULAR SEASON CROWN.

THE CALL CAME AROUND 12:30 FROM THE UMPIRE ASSIGNER; EAST END DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS AND WAS FORFEITING OUR 6 O'CLOCK GAME.  WITH THAT UNEXPECTED VICTORY, THE SAINTS HAD SECURED ENOUGH POINTS; WITH OWNING ALL TIE BREAKERS; TO WRAP UP YET ANOTHER REGULAR SEASON FIRST PLACE FINISH; HOME FIELD IN THE PLAY-OFFS AND TRIP TO THE NABF REGIONALS IN YOUNGSTOWN.

BELLEVUE MAKE UP GAME RESCHEDULED FOR JULY 18 @ MEYER-MIDDLETON. 

BELLEVUE COMES TO BURKETT, LEAVES WITH POST-SEASON PLANS IN JEOPARDY.

THE SECOND PLACE ANGELS VISITED BURKETT ON JULY 10TH.  THEY ARE A VERY GOOD TEAM AND HAD PLAYED US A GREAT GAME EARLIER IN THE YEAR; WHEN NATE THIMONS HOMERED IN THE 9TH FOR A 4-3 VICTORY.  SO, EVEN THOUGH THE SAINTS HAD AN ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE 4 GAME LEAD IN THE STANDINGS, THIS REMATCH MEANT ALOT.

THE GAME LIVED UP TO IT'S BILLING. ACES ON THE BUMP; MATT BARNES FOR THE ANGELS AND GREG FREDERICK FOR THE SAINTS.  BELLEVUE TAKES A 1-0 4TH INNING LEAD; WHICH WAS ANSWERED BY 2 SAINTS RUNS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME.  THE ANGELS TIE IT IN THE 6TH.  FREDDY POPS A 5-HOUR ENERGY, AND SLAMS THE DOOR THE REST OF THE WAY.  IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 9TH, MIKE HERMANN BLOPS A SINGLE TO LEFT.  RICK KRIST SACRAFICES HIM TO SECOND AND GETS ON FIRST WHEN THE THROW IS DROPPED.  JARED HECK RUNS FOR HERM AND ANDY BLACKWELL DROPS A PERFECT BUNT TO LOAD THEM UP WITH NO OUTS.  AFTER A POP UP TO LEFT AND A FIELDER'S CHOICE FORCE PLAY AT HOME; FROM WHICH A BRIEF SCUFFLE OCCURRED, JIM PASQUINE CAME TO THE PLATE.  PAS RIPPED A TWO STRIKE SINGLE TO LEFT TO WIN IT FOR THE SAINTS.

SAINTS BOUNCE BACK FROM EXHIBITION LOSSES.

THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S FACED A SHORT TURN AROUND FROM THE DROPPING OF THEIR FIRST GAMES OF THE YEAR,  AS ALLEGHENY VALLEY CAME TO AVONWORTH 2 DAYS LATER.  THE SAINT PITCHING STAFF HAD BEEN USED UP IN THE CANTON LOSSES AND CHRISTIAN WOLOSIK TOOK THE BALL ON A SINGLE DAYS REST AFTER THROWING 3 INNINGS ON FRIDAY.  STILL NOT SURE IF THE SAINTS RESPONDED BECAUSE WE KNEW WE HAD TO SUPPORT CHRISTIAN OR BECAUSE WE WERE SMARTING FROM THE LOSSES; BUT THE SAINTS PRODUCED THE MOST RUNS IN ANY ONE GAME THIS YEAR AND DELIEVERED A 5-INNING 19-2 VICTORY OVER ALLEGHENY VALLEY.  AS HAS BEEN THE CASE ALL SEASON, JIM PASQUINE LED THE WAY.  PAS SMACKED 2 3-RUN HOMERS AND A DOUBLE ENROUTE TO A 7 RBI DAY.  UNUSUALLY, THOSE 3 EXTRA BASE HITS WERE THE ONLY ONES PRODUCED BY THE SAINTS AS THE 13 OTHER HITS WERE ALL SINGLES.  CHRISTIAN STRUCK OUT 7 IN HIS 3 INNINGS OF WORK AND PASQUINE STRUCK OUT 5 IN HIS 2 INNINGS.

CANTON COMES AND TURNS THE TABLES.

THIS WOULD BE THE THIRD YEAR THAT THE NATIONAL AABC POWERHOUSE, CANTON STALLIONS WOULD TRAVEL EAST TO PLAY THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S.  DESPITE THEIR BACK TO BACK AABC TITLES, THE SAINTS WERE NEVER BEATEN BY THE STALLIONS; OWNING A 5-0-1 MARK IN THE SERIES. JULY 6 WOULD BE DIFFERENT.  THE STALLIONS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF AN UNDERMANNED SAINTS TEAM AND LEFT BURKETT FIELD AFTER HANDING YOUR SAINTS THEIR INITIAL 2 LOSSES OF THE SEASON BY THE SCORES OF 10-8 AND 5-1.  JIM PASQUINE WAS THE MOST CONSISTENT SAINT BATTER GOING 5 FOR 8 ON THE NIGHT.  THE SAINTS COULD NOT OVERCOME STRONG 5TH INNING ATTACKS BY CANTON; AS THE STALLIONS PLATED 5 IN THE FIFTH IN GAME 1 AND 3 IN THE FIFTH IN GAME 2.

A SHORT BENCH MAKES IT HAPPEN.

WE USE TO HAVE A LITTLE 4TH OF JULY BREAK, BUT NOT THIS YEAR.  SO THE SAINTS TRAVELED TO SOUTH FAYETTE TO TAKE ON SOUTH HILLS A LITTLE UNDERMANNED: DZ WAS SICK, JAZ INJURIED, SATCH DOING THE LITTLE LEAGUE THING, AND AB GOT LOST.  STILL, THE SAINTS PUT TOGETHER A COUPLE GOOD INNINGS AND HELD ONTO AN 8 TO 5 VICTORY OVER THE FORMER CIT CLUB.  JIM PASQUINE, TARRAN SENAY, AND MIKE LEVISEUR EACH HAD MULTI-HIT GAMES.  FOREVER YOUNG, CHRIS GRADY SMACKED A KEY 2-RUN TRIPLE.  CORRY RYAN GOT THE WIN AND PASQUINE RECORDED ANOTHER SAVE FOR THE SAINTS WHO ENDED THE GAME WITH OUTFIELDERS AND PITCHERS PLAYING THE INFIELD.

SAINTS RESPOND.

FOLLOWING THE UNEXPECTED TIE WITH STEEL CITY AND A RAINOUT WITH BELLEVUE, THE SAINTS OPENED JULY WITH BACK TO BACK WINS OVER MT. LEBANON AND OHIO VALLEY BY SCORES OF 8 TO 4 AND 9 TO 4.  ANDY BLACKWELL AND NATE THIMONS EACH CONTRIBUTED 3 HITS IN THE WIN OVER LEBO; WITH ERIC MORRISON AND RICK KRIST DUPLICATING THAT FEAT THE NEXT NIGHT OVER OHIO VALLEY.

DIRECTIONS TO FAIRVIEW FIELD FOR THURSDAY.

SAINTS GIVE TIE AWAY.

LAST SEASON, THE SAINTS HAD A BAD HABIT OF HANDING GAMES TO STEEL CITY.  DESPITE THE THREE WINS THIS SEASON; THE SAINTS PLAYED GIVE AWAY AND HANDED THE BLACK SOX 7 UNEARNED RUNS IN A GAME THAT ENDED 8-8.  THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S POUNDED OUT 18 HITS INCLUDING HOME RUNS BY GREG STOKES, JIM PASQUINE, AND RICK SATCHO.  DESPITE THE TIE, THE SAINTS MAINTAINED THEIR 4 GAME LEAD OVER 2ND PLACE BELLEVUE AND 6 GAME LEAD OVER 3RD PLACE STEEL CITY.

SAINTS OPEN SECOND HALF WITH A ROUT OF OHIO VALLEY.

THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S CAME BACK FROM JAZ'S WEDDING AND THE WEEK OFF WITH A VENGENCE.  AFTER A SLOW START, YOUR SAINTS SCORE 18 RUNS IN 3 INNINGS AND THE RESULT WAS AN RUN-RULE SHORTENED 18-1 VICTORY OVER OHIO VALLEY.  ANDREW RAFALSKI, THE STARTER AND FIRST OF THREE PITCHERS, SECURED THE VICTORY.  COLLECTIVELY, THE SAINTS HAD 13 HITS; RECEIVED 10 WALKS AND HAD A HIT BATSMAN.

SAINTS BEGIN THE SECOND HALF SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 3 @ MEYER-MIDDLETON AGAINST OHIO VALLEY.

ANOTHER SAINT GETS A SHOT AT PROFESSIONAL BALL.

RIGHT HANDED PITCHER BRAD DUFFY SIGNED WITH THE LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS OF THE FRONTIER LEAGUE.  HE JOINS ANDREW HECK AND RICK DEVEREAUX; BOTH OF WHOM SIGNED WITH THE WASHINGTON WILD THINGS, IN THE FRONTIER LEAGUE.  BEST OF LUCK TO BRAD.

SAINTS REST; AS JIMMY FINALLY TIES THE KNOT.

THE FINAL OF THE BACHELOR CREW HAS BIT THE DUST.  FIRST RICK, THEN NATE, THEN GREG, AND NOW FINALLY; UNCLE JIMMY.  THE SAINTS BUILT INTO THE SCHEDULE THE CRUISE AND BAHAMAS WEDDING FOR JAZ AND NATALIE ON JUNE 20TH.  GOOD LUCK JIMMY AND NATALIE; AND AS IS THE CASE WITH ALL THE WIVES AND KIDS......WELCOME NATALIE TO THE EXTENDING SAINTS FAMILY.

SAINTS RACE OUT TO 11-0 FEDERATION LEAGUE START.

THE SAINTS CONTINUED THEIR WINNING WAYS BY ADDING SEVEN ADDITIONAL VICTORIES TO THEIR 4-0 START.  IN THAT STRETCH, THE SAINTS DEFEATED MT. LEBANON TWICE BY SCORES OF 15-4 AND 13-1; STEEL CITY TWICE BY SCORES OF 13-2 AND 9-3; EAST END BY A 11-4 SCORE; ALLEGHENY VALLEY 7-1, AND MOST RECENTLY SECOND PLACE BELLEVUE BY A 4-3 SCORE.  (I WROTE OUT SUMMARIES OF ALL THE GAMES; BUT THE SITE TIMED OUT AND THEY WERE LOST AND I REFUSE TO DO IT AGAIN...SORRY....SUFFICE IT TO SAY WE WON; WITH LOTS OF HITS AND GOOD PITCHING.)

ALTERNATE FROM PARKWAY WEST:
This has a few more turns, but the roads are in much better condition for navigation!!)
From Pittsburgh, take Green Tree exit, stay to left of offramp, turn left on Mansfield. At light, turn right on Poplar to bottom of hill (at McDonald's).
From Airport heading toward Pittsburgh, take Green Tree exit, stay to left. At light at top of ramp, turn left, crossover Parkway to next light. Turn left down Mansfield. At light, turn right on Poplar to bottom of hill (at McDonald's).
Now . . . From McDonald's/BP light, turn left on Noblestown Road. Pass Noble Manor Lanes on your right. Continue straight and wind along until road begins to descend. Watch on your right for Morange Road with a sign for St. Paul's Seminary and/or Bishop Canevin High School. Turn right onto Morange Road, continue down hill to stop sign at underpass of West Busway. Turn left on Chartiers; then turn right on Fountain Street. Continue through two stop signs. At Promenade Street, Fountain will become Ewing Road. Continue until your left turn onto Jerry James Way, at the Meyer & Middleton Park

EX-PITT STAR SIGNS WITH WILD THINGS; SAINTS CAREER ON HOLD.

RICK DEVEREAUX LATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, WAS SIGNED FRIDAY BY THE WASHINGTON WILD THINGS.  RICK HAD PLAYED IN 3 GAMES FOR THE SAINTS SINCE THE PITT SEASON CONCLUDED.  ALL THE BEST TO RICK.

EX-SAINTS CHOSEN IN THE 21ST. AND 26TH. ROUND BY THE PIRATES

Penn State graduate and former Saint, Jordan Steranka was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 21st. round of the baseball draft, while Kent State shortstop and former Saint, Jimmy Rider was picked in the 26th. round.  

Jordo had been drafted last year in the 30th round by Houston, but chose to return for his final season as a Nittany Lion.   Jordan had another monster year at PSU, hitting .363, with 11 HRs and 40 RBI.

Jimmy,who is the All-Time MAC conference hit leader, is playing in the super regional against Oregon this weekend.  He is the son of former Bethel Park head coach, Jim Rider. 

Both Jordan and Jimmy played for the Saints while in the final year of playing for the Western Pennsylvania Elite League's powerhouse, the Steel City Wildcats coached by Mark Saghy.  Congratulations to both Jordan and Jimmy and their families.  (Another ex-Wildcat; Jordan Jankowski would be drafted in the 36th round by Houston.)

In addition, congrats to Steel City's Cory McGinnis who was selected in the 22nd round by the Chicago White Sox.

SAINTS BEGIN SEASON 4-0

THE SAINTS FIND THEMSELVES UNDEFEATED FOUR GAMES INTO THE 2012 SEASON.  WITH A COLLECTION OF RETURNING VETS AND SOME KEY NEWCOMERS; THE BOYS OF LEFTY'S HAVE 39 RUNS IN THOSE FIRST 4 GAMES.

GAME 1--SAINTS 11     OHIO VALLEY 7

THE OPENING NIGHT SAW OHIO VALLEY PLATE 7 RUNNERS IN THE TOP OF THE 3RD INNING, TO JUMP TO A 7-0 LEAD.  A JIM PASQUINE HOME RUN GOT THE SAINTS ON THE BOARD.  TRAILING 7-2, THE ALARM WENT OFF IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 5TH.  KEYED BY AN ANDREW HECK GRAND SLAM, THE BOYS PLATED 8 OF THEIR OWN TO GRAB A 10-7 LEAD.  JIM JASKOWSKI HAD 3 HITS, FOLLOWED BY 2 EACH FOR PASQUINE, HECK, AND DERRIK ZEROSKI.  ANDREW RAFALSKI GOT THE WIN IN RELIEF.

GAME 2--SAINTS 5       STEEL CITY  4

IN THE FIRST OF WHAT SHOULD BE A CLOSE SEASON SERIES, THE SAINTS DREW FIRST BLOOD WITH THE 5-4 VICTORY.  THE SAINTS STRUCK FIRST WITH 4 IN THE 3RD; HIGHLIGHTED BY ANDREW HECK'S BASES CLEARING DOUBLE.  HOWEVER, STEEL CITY WOULD PUT UP 4 OF THEIR OWN IN THE BOTTOM OF THE INNING.  IN THE 5TH, HECK DOUBLED AND SCORED ON A 2 BASE THROWING ERROR AFTER JIMMY PASQUINE POPPED OUT.  THE COMBINATION OF GREG FREDERICK AND JIMMY PASQUINE HELD THE BLACK SOX AT BAY.  HECK WAS THE HITTING STAR, GOING 3 FOR 3; WHILE RICK SATCHO AND JIM JASKOWSKI EACH WENT 2 FOR 4.

GAME 3--SAINTS 10            SOUTH HILLS  7

SUNDAY AFTERNOON'S GAME WAS KIND OF A LETDOWN FOLLOWING THE BIG WIN LATE SATURDAY NIGHT.  THE GAME WENT BACK AND FORTH UNTIL THE SAINTS SCORED 3 RUNS IN EACH OF THE 6TH AND 7TH INNINGS; TO GO UP 10 TO 5.  SOUTH HILLS WOULD ADD 2 MORE IN THE 8TH, BUT BRANDON FEDERICI SHUT THE DOOR IN THE 9TH.  ERIC MORRISON HAD 4 HITS FOR THE SAINTS; WHILE JIMMY PASQUINE ADDED 3 AND ANDREW HECK HAD 2 AND 4 RBI.  FEDERICI WAS THE WINNER, HIS FIRST WIN IN 2 YEARS AFTER SITTING OUT MOST OF THOSE SEASONS WITH SHOULDER PROBLEMS.

GAME 4--SAINTS 13        OHIO VALLEY 2

THE SAINTS ADDED THE LEFTHANDED BATS OF RICK DEVEREAUX AND MIKE LEVISEUR TO THE LINE-UP AFTER BOTH PITT AND SETON HILL FINISHED THEIR SEASONS.  THE TWO CONTRIBUTED WITH 5 HITS; AS THE SAINTS POUNDED OUT 16 HITS AFTER RALLYING FROM BEING DOWN 2-0. DEV AND GREG STOKES EACH HAD 3 HITS; WHILE LEV WAS JOINED BY ANDREW HECK, JIM PASQUINE, AND THE RETURN OF NATE THIMONS WITH 2 HITS APIECE.  THIMONS, WHO HAD BEEN NURSING A BACK INJURY, LAUNCHED HIS FIRST HOME RUN OF THE SEASON TO GET THE SAINTS ON THE BOARD IN THE 5TH.  PASQUINE HAD 3 RBI; WHILE NATE AND STOKES ADDED 2 PIECE.  ANDREW RAFALSKI PICKED UP HIS 2ND WIN BY THROWING A COMPLETE GAME 5 HITTER; WHILE FANNING 7.

OPENING DAY OF THE 2012                               

THE SAINTS WILL OPEN THE SEASON ON MAY 22ND HOSTING OHIO VALLEY @ 6 PM.  AS WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSION ABOUT BURKETT FIELD; WE ARE NOT SURE OF THE SITE.

2012 SEASON

AS WE APPROACH THE NEW SEASON, SEVERAL CHANGES ARE ANTICIPATED.  SOME GUYS ARE NOT RETURNING AND SEVERAL NEW SAINTS WILL BE WITH US THIS SEASON.  ALL NEW PLAYERS SHOULD CONTACT ME AND LET ME KNOW THEIR HAT SIZES.  WE ANTICIPATE THAT THIS SEASON WILL BE A CHALLENGING ONE; AS OUR OPPONENTS CONTINUE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO KNOCK US OFF THE TOP RUNG OF THE LADDER.  THIS SEASON THE NABF FINALS HAVE BEEN MOVED FROM LOUISVILLE TO BUFFALO.  WE HOPE THAT YOU ARE FOCUSING ON A MORE POSITIVE RETURN TO BUFFALO THIS SEASON.

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEARS

AS WE HIT THE HOLIDAY SEASON, WE WISH ALL OF OUR PLAYERS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND OPPONENTS; THE BEST FOR THIS SEASON AND FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR.  WE SEE 2012 AS A NEW YEAR FULL OF COMING CHANGES AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.  AS OUR EVOLUTION CONTINUES; OUR GOALS AND ULTIMATE FOCUS REMAIN THE SAME.  WE WELCOME ALL WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US ON OUR CONTINUING JOURNEY. 

THANKSGIVING

WE AS MEMBERS OF THE ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S FAMILY HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO BE THANKFUL FOR. THE ADDITION ON SEPTEMBER 9TH OF NOEL THIMONS AND THEN THE EARLY NOVEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE FINAL AMIGO, JIM JASKOWSKI, WILL MARRY NATALIE ON JUNE 18. THEY ARE PLANNING A WEDDING CRUISE WITH, AS JIMMY SAID "A BOAT FULL OF IDIOTS". (GOOD THING ABOUT A CRUISE IS THERE IS NO LAST CALL!). CONGRATULATIONS JEN AND NATE AND NATALIE AND UNCLE JIMMY. (BETTER DROP THE UNCLE. NO LONGER THE PERPETUAL UNCLE.) 

FOR ME, IN ADDITION TO THESE MONUMENTOUS EVENTS; I'M THANKFUL FOR MY TRUE FAMILY AND MY SAINT'S FAMILY...ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF ST. JOHNS FOR SO MANY YEARS.  IT IS FUNNY THAT A LOT OF TEAMS THINK OF THEIR CLUBS IN TERMS OF SEASONS.  WE, HOWEVER, ALWAYS THINK OF OURSELVES IN TERMS OF YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE A TIGHT GROUP OF GUYS WHO LIVE THEIR SUMMER FRIENDSHIPS OUT YEAR ROUND.  FRIENDSHIPS HAVE BEEN FORMED THAT WILL LAST BEYOND THE YEARS IN BLACK AND RED.  I AM THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU THAT HAVE SHOWN UP TO WEAR THE BLACK AND RED. CHANGES ARE GOING TO HAPPEN IN 2012,THAT IS SOMETHING I AM SURE OF, CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF ALL WILL COME AT THE EXPENSE OF A FEW, BUT IN THE END, WHO WE ARE AND WHY WE PLAY WILL ENDURE.....WE ARE THE SAINTS, & FOR LOVE OF THE GAME!

CONGRATULATIONS.

OUR GOOD FRIENDS THE CANTON STALLIONS HAVE WON BACK TO BACK AABC CHAMPIONSHIPS.  SAINT ANDREW HECK PLAYED SS AND LED THE STALLIONS WITH 4 RBI IN THE TOURNAMENT AND TOURNAMENT SAINT, LUKE KATICH THREW THE FOURTH GAME FOR THE STALLIONS.

IN ADDITION, WE WOULD LIKE TO CONTRATULATE THE RIVERBANDITS WHO PLAYED THEIR WAY INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OF THE NABF IN LOUISVILLE.  HOWEVER, THEY LOST TO BUFFALO WEST HERR IN 12 INNINGS; 7 TO 4.  IT WAS A GREAT RUN.

EX-SAINT PASSES AWAY.

GARY BOGATAY, WHO PITCHED IN THE FED LEAGUE FOR 20 YEARS, PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 73. AFTER PITCHING IN THE GIANTS ORGANIZATION, GARY ENTERED THE FEDERATION LEAGUE PITCHING FOR THE MOUNT WASHINGTON INDIANS; WHO WERE MANAGED BY MY FATHER; TOM "PIDGE" McCARTHY.  WHEN I ENTERED THE FED LEAGUE AT AGE 19; IN 1973; GARY WAS A TEAMMATE ON ST. JOHNS.  GARY WAS A RESPECTED PITCHER THROUGHOUT THE LEAGUE; BUT MORE SIGNIFICANTLY, HE BECAME A GOOD FRIEND.  HE CERTAINLY FALLS WITHIN OUR CREADO; ONCE A SAINT, ALWAYS A SAINT!  GAR, YOU WILL BE MISSED.

POP!

FOR MOST TEAMS, REGULAR SEASON AND LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS, A 31-6-2 SEASON WOULD BE A SEASON TO CELEBRATE AND ACHIEVE A SENSE OF SELF-GRATIFICATION, HOWEVER, WE DO NOT OPERATE LIKE MOST TEAMS, THE STANDARDS ARE HIGHER! 

THE WHEELS CAME OFF IN BUFFALO, AS SAINT BATS WENT SILENT AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR NABF HISTORY THE SAINTS WENT 2 AND OUT OF A TOURNAMENT, DROPPING 2-1 AND 4-3 DECISIONS TO ORCHARD PARK AND THE CLEVELAND BLACKWOLVES.  WE WON'T DWELL ON THE DETAILS OF THE TWO VERY WINABLE GAMES IF WE HAD PLAYED ANYTHING AT ALL LIKE OURSELVES.  WE DIDN'T.  THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE.  NO EXCUSES, NO FINGER POINTING; WE WIN AS ONE AND WE LOSE AS ONE.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO PUT ON A SAINTS JERSEY THIS SEASON AND ALL OF OUR FANS.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR ALL THE WIVES, GIRLFRIENDS, AND CHILDREN; WHO PUT UP WITH ENDLESS CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES.  A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LITTLE SPARTAN, CHANCE, THE BEST BATBOY EVER.  YOU'RE THE BEST I'VE HAD SINCE MY OWN SONS DID IT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO. 

AS WE ALL GET ON WITH OUR REGULAR LIVES, WE KNOW THE STRENGTH OF OUR TEAM IS THE BOND FORMED BEYOND THE DIAMOND. NEXT UP IS THE ANNUAL LEFTY'S GOLF OUTING. THE SAINTS WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR.  THERE WILL BE ADDITIONS AND SOME SUBTRACTIONS, AS WE LOOK TO DEFEND OUR TURF AND TO COMPLETE THE FINAL TWO STEPS OF OUR ANNUAL JOURNEY.

FOR NOW, WE NEED TO SUPPORT ANDREW AND THE HAYS LARKS IN THE NBC TOURNAMENT.  IN ADDITION, WE OFFER BEST WISHES FOR THE RIVERBANDITS AS THEY WILL REPRESENT THE YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL AND THE FEDERATION LEAGUE IN LOUISVILLE.  FINALLY, GOOD LUCK TO OUR GOOD FRIENDS THE CANTON STALLIONS IN THEIR QUEST TO BECOME BACK TO BACK AABC CHAMPIONS IN HOUSTON.

THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT IT USUALLY CREATES A GREATER RESOLVE, OR YOU QUIT AND WE MAY LOSE, BUT WE NEVER QUIT!  BECAUSE WE ARE THE SAINTS.

SHUFFLING OFF

THE SAINTS WILL BEGIN OUR QUEST TO RETURN TO LOUISVILLE ON AUGUST 4 IN THE BUFFALO REGIONAL.  THE SAINTS MADE THE DECISION LAST YEAR TO GO TO BUFFALO WHEN THE SCHEDULE CAME OUT AND YOUNGSTOWN WAS A WEEK EARLIER.  THIS ALSO ENABLED THE LEAGUE TO SEND THE SECOND-PLACE RIVERBANDITS TO YOUNGSTOWN.  WE CONGRATULATE THE BANDITOS AS THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR INITIAL EFFORTS TO REACH LOUISVILLE.

DETAILS FOR THE BUFFALO REGIONAL WILL BE LOCATED ON THE MY SITE NEWS PAGE.

TUNE-UP

BACK IN APRIL AS WE PLANNED OUR EXHIBITION SCHEDULE, WE AND OUR GOOD FRIENDS, THE CANTON STALLIONS; SCHEDULED A DOUBLEHEADER FOR THE LAST WEEKEND IN JULY TO HELP EACH OF US PREP FOR OUR UPCOMING TOURNAMENTS.  SO THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S; MINUS A FEW AND WITH SOME TOURNAMENT ADDITIONS, LOADED UP THE CARS AND TRAVELED TO BELIOT, OHIO.  THE DH PROVED TO BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE FOR THE SAINTS AS GAME 1 ENDED IN A 9-INNING 1-1 DRAW AND THE SAINTS POUNDED OUT A 13-3 VICTORY IN THE SECOND GAME.  AS WE EACH HEAD OUR SEPARATE WAYS; WE WISH THE STALLIONS WELL AS THEY VENTURE IN SEARCH OF BACK TO BACK NATIONAL AABC TITLES.  IF THIS TRUELY IS THEIR SWAN SONG, WE HAVE GREATLY ENJOYED THE 6 GAMES AGAINST THE BLUE AND WHITE.

SAINTS WIN 6TH STRAIGHT!

FOR THE 10TH TIME IN THE LAST 12 SEASONS, AND FOR THE 6TH YEAR IN A ROW; ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S HAVE WON THE GREATER PITTSBURGH FEDERATION LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP.  AS WAS THE CASE IN SO MANY OF THOSE YEARS, THE FORMULA REMAINS THE SAME; DOMINATE PITCHING AND TIMELY HITTING.

AFTER DROPPING THE 1ST GAME OF THE SERIES, THE SAINTS RODE THE RIGHT ARMS OF ACE JOHN BACHMAN, BRIAN WARHEIT, AND CLOSER JIM PASQUINE, AND THE LEFT ARM OF BRIAN HOLLIDAY.  HOLLIDAY WAS THE WINNER IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP CLINCHER.  HE TOSSED 7 INNINGS YIELDING 3 HARMLESS SINGLES, AND AN UNEARNED RUN.  BRIAN FANNED 7 BANDITOS.  HE WAS RELIEVED BY CLOSER PASQUINE, WHO STRUCK OUT 4 OF THE 6 BATTERS HE FACED.

AFTER 3 SCORELESS INNINGS, THE SAINTS TOOK ADVANTAGE OF A 3-BASE THROWING ERROR AND ANDY BLACKWELL'S SINGLE TO SCORE THE GAME'S FIRST RUN.  THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S ADDED 2 MORE IN THE 5TH, WITHOUT THE AID OF A HIT.  2 WALKS, A SAC BUNT, A WILD PITCH, ANOTHER WALK, AND A THROWING ERROR; ENABLED THE SAINTS TO BUILD WHAT WOULD BE AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEAD.  IN THE 6TH, THE SAINTS ADDED THEIR FINAL 2 RUNS ON 3 SINGLES AND A WALK.  THE RIVERBANDITS SCORED THEIR ONLY RUN ON A DROPPED POP-UP IN THE 7TH INNING.

BOTH TEAMS NOW ADVANCE INTO NABF PLAY.  THE RIVERBANDITS WILL PLAY IN THE YOUNGSTOWN REGIONAL; WHILE THE SAINTS TRAVEL NEXT WEEK TO BUFFALO.  HOWEVER, BEFORE GOING TO NEW YORK, THE SAINTS WILL TRAVEL TO OHIO FOR AN EXHIBITION/TUNE-UP DOUBLEHEADER SUNDAY WITH OUR FRIENDS THE CANTON STALLIONS, WHO ARE PREPARING FOR THEIR AABC REGIONAL.

ST. JOHNS-LEFTY'S SWEEP TWINBILL, 15-2 AND 9-6. 

YOUR SAINTS STEPPED UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF REBOUNDING FROM THE GAME 1 DEBAUCHEL, BY SWEEPING THE RIVERBANDITS; 15-2 AND 9-6 IN GAMES 2 & 3.  THE VICTORIES MOVE THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S ONE VICTORY AWAY FROM THEIR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP, AND TENTH IN TWELVE YEARS.

GAME 1 SAW THE SAINTS STRIKE EARLY AND OFTEN, AFTER 1 OUT THE SAINTS SENT 13 MORE MEN TO THE PLATE AND SCORED 8 RUNS, ON 6 HITS, AND 4 WALKS.  THE SAINTS PROCEDED TO ADD 7 MORE RUNS OVER THE NEXT 3 INNINGS, BUILDING A 15-0 LEAD.  THE BANDITOS SCORE 2 IN THE 5TH, BUT COULD NOT PREVENT THE MERCY RULE FROM TAKING EFFECT.

RICK KRIST HAD 3 HITS; WHILE WES WHITE, BEN LOWMASTER, MIKE HERMANN, AND ANDY BLACKWELL HAD 2 EACH. WHITE HAD 3 RBI, KRIST, JASKOWSKI, LOWMASTER, AND HERMANN KNOCK IN 2 EACH.

JOHN BACHMAN THREW THE COMPLETE GAME AND ALSO SINGLED AND SCORED A RUN AS HE REPLACED JAZ WHO PULLED HIS HAMSTRING.

IN GAME 2, A LONG DELAY COOLED THE SAINTS OFF AS THEY WAITED FOR NEW UMPIRES TO ARRIVE.  BRIAN WARHEIT TOOK THE PILL AND THREW 3 SCORELESS INNINGS.  DURING THAT TIME, THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S WENT TO WORK.  CAPITALIZING ON 8 WALKS AND A HIT BATSMAN, THE SAINTS SCORED 5 RUNS.  AFTER THE RIVERBANDITS SCORED A RUN IN 4TH, THE SAINTS PLATED 3 MORE, THANKS IN A LARGE PART TO A 2-RUN HOMER BY GREG STOKES.

THE BANDITOS WERE NOT FINISHED AS THEY CAPITALIZED ON THEIR SEASON LONG FRIEND AGAINST THE SAINTS; AN ERROR.  A DROPPED THROW AT FIRST OPENED THE DOOR FOR 4 RUNS IN THE 5TH AND CLOSED THE SCORE TO 8 TO 5.  HOWEVER, A MIKE HERMANN SOLO HOMER AND THE RELIEF PITCHING OF CLOSER JIM PASQUINE CLOSED THE DOOR ON THE VICTORY.

NATE THIMONS LED THE WAY OFFENSIVELY WITH 2 HITS AND 2 RBI; STOKES AND KRIST ALSO KNOCKED IN 2.  PASQUINE THREW THE FINAL 2 AND 1/3 INNINGS FOR HIS SAVE, STRIKING OUT 5 BATTERS AND PRESERVING WARHEIT'S VICTORY.  THE SAINTS NEED TO AVOID MAKING CRUCIAL ERRORS; AS 1 ERROR MADE A 9-2 VICTORY LOOK A LOT CLOSER.

THE SAINTS WILL ATTEMPT TO WRAP UP THE SERIES WITH BRIAN HOLLIDAY ON THE MOUND MONDAY NIGHT.

LIGHTNING AND RAIN DELAY SERIES.

OVERCAST SKIES, LIGHTNING, AND RAIN CAUSED GAME TWO OF THE SERIES TO BE POSTPONED.  THE FINALS WILL RESUME SUNDAY AT NOON AT NORTH HILLS HIGH SCHOOL FOR A DOUBLEHEADER.

SAINTS BLOWN OUT IN SERIES OPENER.

AS THE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AGAINST THE RIVERBANDITS BEGAN, THE BOYS FROM LEFTY'S WERE LOOKING TO AVOID THE DEFENSIVE PROBLEMS WHICH HAD HANDED THE BANDITOS THEIR TWO REGULAR SEASON VICTORIES OVER THE DEFENDING CHAMPS.  HOWEVER, ON THIS NIGHT THE TREND CONTINUED AS THE SAINTS COMMITTED FIVE ERRORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO A 15-5 PASTING.

NOT MUCH WENT RIGHT FOR THE SAINTS, AS THE DEFENSE, PITCHING, AND OFFENSE ALL STRUGGLED.  KUDOS TO ERIC DROBOTIJ, WHO HELPED TO SAVE SOME NEEDED PITCHING ARMS BY THROWING THE FINAL FIVE INNINGS.

THE SERIES IS SET TO RESUME FRIDAY NIGHT AT NORTH HILLS HIGH SCHOOL @ 6 PM.

FEDERATION LEAGUE FINALS SET.