Linglestown baseball coverage might expand

It won't be long until Koons Park in Linglestown will be abuzz with baseball teams prepping for the 2009 season. Opening day for midget baseball – April 18 – will be here in a blink of an eye.

Last year, I had a great time serving up in-depth coverage of the Linglestown Twilight team that won the East Shore Twilight League championship for the second year in a row. And, toward the end of the season there were occasional updates on pony, teener and Legion teams thanks to Karen Cattabiani, Mike Shaffer and Fran Roman.

This season I'd like to expand coverage to include timely game summaries for as many divisions as possible, a statistics package, and photos and videos. I think players and their families would really get a kick out of following players and teams.

But, to provide this service, I'm going to need help from several people – most likely parents, grandparents and students who are interested in sports – to gather scores and game highlights.

Also, I would need two or three sponsors to offset costs for banners, perks for volunteers and possibly a professional-grade video camera.

If you would like to see expanded coverage of Linglestown Baseball Association teams this season, here’s how you can help out:

* Sign up to be a volunteer reporter – no experience is needed. All you would do is fill out game report forms.

* Ask businesses or community groups to consider being a baseball coverage sponsor. At a minimum, sponsors would be mentioned in all baseball reports posted on Linglestown Gazette.

For more details, e-mail B² or call (717) 512-0722.
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2008 Linglestown Twilight coverage

2008 Linglestown Legion coverage

2008 Linglestown youth baseball coverage

3-time Olympic champ headlines softball clinic

The Central Dauphin Rams Softball Clinic on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17-18, will feature Lisa Fernandez (pictured), a three-time Olympic gold medalist. She will conduct pitching, coaching and all-skills clinics. CLICK HERE for more info and a link to download a registration form.

Also, the deadline is fast approaching for the Central Dauphin Rams Fast-Pitch Clinic that is run by Ken Williams, a longtime coach in the area. Starting on Sunday, Jan. 25, this four-week clinic focuses on the fundamentals of fast-pitch pitching. Coach Williams provides each participant with a videotaped analysis of their pitching motion. This the 16th year for the clinic at Central Dauphin High School, and the fee for the entire four-week clinic is only $50. Registration deadline is this Saturday, Jan. 10. CLICK HERE for a registration form.

2008 Look-Back: Exclusive sports coverage

Linglestown Gazette offered expanded coverage of the Linglestown sports scene this year.

The main focus last summer was on the Twilight baseball team that won a second straight league championship. Several game reports included video post-game interviews with players and coaches, including one that featured catcher Bryan Stovall get a pie in the face.

Occasional reports were published about midget, pony, teener and Legion baseball action.

A Gazette thank you goes out to Steve Econ, Mike Shaffer, Fran Roman and Karen Cattabiani for filing game reports this season.


This year marked the second season for exclusive coverage of Linglestown Colts youth football. Eileen Arnold submitted game scores. Thanks Eileen!



Please e-mail B² to set up coverage for amateur sports teams based in Lower Paxton Twp.

Backyard news, 12.18.08

CD, CD East doubleheader … Central Dauphin Rams topped Central Dauphin East Panthers in a backyard match-up of highly ranked girls’ basketball teams Wednesday night at a jam-packed East High gym.

The contest was close through the first half (Rams led 27–24 at the break), but the second half was a different story. The Panthers went stone cold midway through the third period, and the Rams, led by junior guard/forward Alyssa Thomas, easily pulled away to a convincing 62–43 victory to go 5–0 for the season. More from The Patriot-News.

In the nightcap, CD East’s boy’s team topped the Rams 73–52. For details, check out the game report from The Patriot-News.
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Pictured: CD Ram Sarah Dowhower (right) is shown defending against a CD East guard in last night's game. (Click on the photo to view a larger version.) Photo by B².

School opens eatery … Dauphin County Technical School located on Locust Lane in Lower Paxton Twp. recently opened a newly expanded, state-of-the-art restaurant called The Carcjou Corner. CLICK HERE for a feature article from The Patriot-News.

Question of the day … Has anyone made a move to do personal banking at the First National Bank of Marysville branch located on N. Mountain Road in Linglestown? If so, please post a comment on what prompted you to make the move.

By the way, the bank recently merged with Halifax National Bank.

Question of the day #2 … Does Verizon’s cable TV system include the public-access channel that is on Comcast system's 20, the channel that broadcasts Lower Paxton Twp. meetings? Please post a comment if you’re in the know.

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Early Monday quickies, 12.15.08

* A big Gazette welcome goes out this morning to this blog’s newest sponsor, First Impressions' Boutique, Gifts and Day Spa. Stop by and get some "retail therapy" today!

* Justin Shirk, quarterback and linebacker for the Central Dauphin Rams football squad, snagged both the defensive and offensive player MVP honors in the Mid-Penn Conference’s Commonwealth Division.

Other Rams named as to the division’s all-star team: Jack Lippert (defensive and offensive end); Paul Coleman (defensive back); Kyle Jackson (receiver); Marcus Simpson (receiver); Dan Fisher (punter and placekicker)



* Colonial Park resident Just Dave (pictured) performed Saturday evening at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown. I found his art to be a good listen. He’ll be back on Saturday, January 31.




* State Rep. Ron Marsico was back in the news again Friday. This time he joined other state lawmakers who are objecting to a felon who’s helping build a slots casino in western Pennsylvania.

* B² update #1 … My family traveled last Saturday, Dec. 6, on a Lower Paxton Twp.-sponsored bus trip to the Big Apple. We walked the streets of Manhattan and weaved our way through a massive crowd that gathered at the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center (pictured).

The township’s Park and Recreation Department will be sponsoring another New York “Day On Your Own” on Saturday, April 18.

* B² update #2 … The B² family tramped over hill and dale Sunday to cut down a Christmas tree (pictured). We went to a cut-your-own-tree place in Fishing Creek Valley that is charging $30 a tree no matter what the size. To find the place, take Blue Mountain Parkway over the mountain to Fishing Creek Valley Road, turn left and go 1.6 miles – a sign marking the tree farm is on the right.

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This post is sponsored by …

Rec basketball sign-up dates

Attention youth basketball players ...

Registration sessions for the 2008 Linglestown Rec Basketball season will be held on three consecutive Monday evenings, October 13, 20 and 27, from 6–8 pm at the Linglestown Baseball Clubhouse located behind home plate at the midget baseball field in Koons Park – Instructional league for Boys and Girls ages 6 and 7; Pony, Midget and High School leagues for boys ages 8–18 (as of 12/31/08). Proof of age required for first-year players.

Questions regarding sign-ups, please contact sffcoach@verizon.net.

Twilight baseball finale ...

Twilight playoff championship notes ... Winning pitcher Steve Booker had a 132-pitch outing in Wednesday's game, struck out nine and only walked three. His record for the season was 3-0 with a 1.33 earned run average, and he had an outstanding 37 Ks in the 27 innings he pitched. … Nolan Shaffer, Valley View’s pitcher, was a tough cookie for Linglestown batters to crack in the final series. He only gave up one run in winning game #2 at Valley View last Friday, and made Twilight work extremely hard to scratch out three runs last night. … A.J. Granito, who retired after last season, got the itch to play again after finishing some classes this summer and accepted coach Econ’s invitation to play halfway through the season. The decision turned out to be a good one – Granito got the call to pinch hit in the eighth inning and delivered the winning hit! … Linglestown Gazette’s playoff MVP goes to first baseman Sean Frailey, who stroked a double in the seventh inning that led to the tying run being scored. In the five official games of the final series (one game was thrown out due to a tie), Frailey went 8-for-14 (.571 avg.) with three singles, two doubles, three knocks that went back, back, back, outta here and five runs batted in. He also was rock solid in the field at first base. Awsome job, Sean! … Where’s Rhys? Secret weapon Rhys Wolford came up big in the season finale. He scored the tying run as a pinch runner for first baseman Sean Frailey in the seventh inning when Jason Kelly singled up the middle, and then made a clutch diving catch while playing first base in the eighth on an attempted bunt. Way to go, Rhys! ... Coach Steve Econ said Valley View not only was a good ball team, but they also showed a lot of class when some of their players came over after the game to personally congratulate a number of Twilight team members. … The game was one of the few in team history that was covered by a local TV news crew – WHP TV-21 sent a cameraman who filed a great video report. (A bootleg copy of the report is posted below.) ...According to former Twilight coach and longtime fan Bob Kemmler, the last time Twilight won both the regular season and playoff championships was way back in 1969. … The team’s season record was 35 wins, 11 losses and 4 ties. … Bill Di-space-Santo (Di Santo) had a dream come true – he showed up in a photo published in today’s Patriot-News, and his name was spelled correctly. BB made sure the photographer knew about the all-important space. … BB had a wanna-get-away moment while making the rounds high-fiving and hugging players after the big win. When I congratulated catcher Bryan Stovall, who is soon headed back to classes at Millersville University, he got one of those hurt-puppy-dog looks on his face. It turned out that I had mindlessly called him Frailey. Oops!

Source:WHP TV-21

Twilight wins playoff title in dramatic fashion

Linglestown Twilight needed an extra inning and clutch hits Wednesday by Brian Zellers and A.J. Granito to defeat Valley View 3-2 and win their second straight East Shore Twilight League playoff championship.

For game details, jump over to a story by Bob Black of The Patriot News, and check out the paper's The Sports Blog for a great photo by Patriot-News photographer John Whitehead.

A monster-sized set of Twilight notes is located in the post above this one.

2008 East Shore Twilight League champs

Back row, left to right: Sean Frailey, Bryan Stovall, Josh Muscalus, A.J. Granito, Jason Kelly, Sam Phillips, Sean Kelly, Bill Di Santo, Brad Sanders, Pete Hayden, Steve Booker, Nick Barbera, Brian Zellers

Front row, left to right: Jim Miller, Scott Montgomery, Rhys Wolford, Jack Muscalus, Ken Connor, Shawn Berwager, Coach Steve Econ

Missing from photo: Aaron Confer

Joys of victory

Twilight one win away from championship

In a replay of Monday's tied game, Linglestown Twilight soundly defeated Valley View 9-4 Tuesday at Valley View Gun Club in Schuylkill County. The win gives Twilight a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven East Shore Twilight League final series. For a game summary, jump over to a report published published in today's Patriot-News.

Twilight can wrap up their second straight championship this evening at Koons Park, 5:45 pm game time, FREE admission.

Twilight notes … Brad Sanders got the mound assignment and came through with a clutch complete-game win. (9 hits allowed, 3 strikeouts, 1 walk allowed). … Middle infielders Sam Phillips (shortstop) and Nick Barbera (second baseman) turned a beautiful double play in the seventh inning to defuse a potentially big Valley View rally. … First baseman Sean Frailey’s torrid streak at the plate continued with a two hit, one RBI game that included a two-bagger. … Also heating up this week has been Jason Kelly who matched Frailey with two hits and a run batted in. In Monday’s game, Kelly swatted a triple in the final inning that plated two runners in Twilight’s stunning four-run final inning that tied the score and forced a replay Tuesday. … Hopefully Steve Booker, who operates a FedEx route, will deliver a win tonight as the scheduled hurler. To get to the game on time, he plans to drive to the game in his truck. … Where’s Rhys? All-world hurler and utility player Rhys Wolford was preparing to begin fall classes at Shippensburg University and missed last night’s game. Bummer! … BB snagged a line drive and caught an infield pop-up during batting practice Tuesday at Valley View. This was the first time that I did this since playing teener ball in 1971. Gotta tell ya, that liner was a stinger. OUCH!
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Photo: Linglestown Twilight players celebrate after winning the league championship last August in Middletown. Come out this afternoon, game time 5:45 pm, to see Twilight try to make it two in a row.

Twilight game ends in 5-5 tie; game to be replayed

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (Aug. 18) – Linglestown Twilight scored four runs in the last inning of regulation play to tie Valley View at five runs apiece in the seventh inning Monday evening at Valley View Gun Club. Twilight reliever Josh Muscalus retired the hosts in order in the bottom half of the seventh inning, and then play was suspended due to darkness.

The game will be replayed from scratch Tuesday at Valley View. Linglestown has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series to determine the East Shore Twilight League championship.

Action is tentatively scheduled to return to Koons Park on Wednesday, 5:45 pm game time.

Long ball puts Twilight back on top in finals

Talk about no-questions-asked exciting baseball.

The situation: Game #3 of the East Shore Twilight League title series, game tied at two and lightning hot Linglestown first baseman Sean Frailey (pictured), who homered in the second inning, stepped into the batter’s box in the home half of the first extra inning with two outs and no one on base.

On the one ball, one strike offering from Valley View pitcher Mike Toomey, whaaaaack! Frailey sent a towering shot to the power alley in right field. Valley View right fielder Randy Dengler gave chase and appeared to have a shot at making the play, but no ... the darn thing stayed in the air and landed on the Koons Park basketball courts for a walk-off roundtripper, and just like that Linglestown grabbed a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series for all the marbles. Holy cow!

“[Toomey] threw a slider up and down the middle, the same pitch I hit earlier,” said Frailey. “It just came right into my wheelhouse.”

Frailey, a staff accountant at Members 1st Federal Credit Union, has been on a big-time roll in the championship series, going an eye-popping five-for-seven with three homers and two singles. He attributed his hot streak to making a change to his stance to avoid stepping too wide into the ball. Others say his recent engagement to be married has sharpened his reflexes to a razor's edge. Whatever it is, here's hoping it continues for a few more days.

Lost in the hoopla of Frailey’s offensive fireworks was an outstanding 122-pitch effort by lefty Rhys Wolford, who was making his first start since rehabbing an injured shoulder. Brad Sanders relieved Wolford and picked up the win by pitching out of a jam in the seventh inning, and then retiring Valley View in order in the eighth and final inning.

Patriot-News sports writer Jeremy Elliott has more details on Linglestown's hard-fought victory.

Twilight notes ... Twilight coach Steve Econ made it into the scorebook by going in as a courtesy runner in the sixth inning. He made a head-first slide trying to avoid being forced out at second base. … Second baseman Nick Barbera displayed amazing speed and quickness by covering first base and just beating the runner to the bag on a grounder fielded by first baseman Frailey. … No need to do a “Where’s Rhys?” segment this time around. … Action returns to Koons Park on Tuesday for game #5 of the series, 5:45 pm first pitch. If you haven’t attended a game this season, what the heck are you waiting for? Come out Tuesday night to see two talented teams do battle for the league crown, FREE admission.

Valley View draws even with Twilight in finals

Valley View topped Linglestown Twilight 2-1 Friday evening at Valley View Gun Club to knot the best-of-seven East Shore Twilight League championship series at a game apiece.

Twilight played a solid game, actually a great game considering they were on hostile soil – shotgun blasts rang out throughout the contest and the umpires seemed to give the hosts the benefit of the doubt on a regular basis.

The game was in large part decided by a couple key plays and Twilight:

– With the gamed tied at one apiece, Twilight loaded the bases to start the third inning, but a potential big rally was short-circuited when a rocket down the third base line off the bat of right fielder Shawn Berwager was snagged by Valley View’s third baseman and he then doubled up Brad Sanders who was at third base.

– The second key play was a two-base error given up by Twilight on a pickoff play at first in the third inning that led to Valley View’s game-winning second run.

Our friends at The Patriot-News have a game summary in today's sports page. The news article misidentifies Linglestown shortstop Sam Phillips as Shawn Phillps.

Twilight notes … Jim Miller pitched a solid game for Twilight, allowing two runs on nine hits and an error. … Giving credit where credit’s due, Valley View pitcher Nolan Shaffer, the team’s top hurler, was tough down the stretch, giving up no hits and striking out three during Twilight’s last two at-bats. … Catcher Bryan Stovall gunned down Valley View catcher Randy Dengler when he attempted to steal second base in the third. … Where’s Rhys? Rhys Wolford (played left field; 0-3 at bat) and BB (I was on the bench filling in as the team’s scorebook guy) went with the rally-hat look during the team’s last at-bat, but the move had no magic this time around. ... Game #3 will be played today at Koons Park, first pitch at 3 pm, free admission. As always, I'll be operating the electronic scoreboard. Please stop by and say hello between innings or after the game.

Twilight takes 1-up lead in title chase

Linglestown Twilight spotted visiting Valley View two runs early on before kicking into gear to snag a convincing 7-2 win in the first game of the East Shore Twilight best-of-seven finals.

Valley View got off to a fast start on a soggy night at Koons Park against Twilight’s ace Jack Muscalus (pictured), scoring a run in both the first and second innings, including a home run by Frank D'Agostino on the game’s third pitch.

Musclaus found his form as the game progressed and only allowed one hit the rest of the game to pick up the win.

Twilight’s big sticks were Sean Frailey with a solo homer in the third inning, and Sam Phillips who doubled to jumpstart the team’s two-run second inning.

For in-depth coverage that includes numerous quotes from Twilight players, check out an article entitled "Linglestown starts strong" by Jeremy Elliott of The Patriot-News.

Twilight notes ... The game was shortened by an inning due to darkness. ... The win was a gift of sorts for Steve Booker who celebrated his 29th birthday with cake and ice cream after the contest. ... Based on chatter after the game, Twilight's biggest challenge with game #2 of the series today could be getting to Valley View's field located in the wilds of Schuylkill County – traffic jams on I-81 due to highway construction could make the trip a slow-go. Coach Steve Econ better fire up his GPS unit and renew his OnStar subscription. ... Where's Rhys? Super-sub Rhys Wolford sported a dry uniform and scored a run in one of his two pitch-running assignments for catcher Bryan Stovall. ... Sean Frailey ended his season-long media blackout by giving an interview to a newspaper reporter. If the team wins the series, Linglestown TV's BB has vowed to find a way to get the first baseman on YouTube. ... The series returns to Koons Park on Saturday for a 3 pm game.

Twilight to face Valley View for league crown

On Tuesday, Valley View eliminated Middletown, earning a chance to take on East Shore Twilight League defending champions Linglestown Twilight in the finals. First game of the best-of-seven series is set for Koons Park tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 14, 5:45 pm.

I'll be operating the electronic scoreboard. Hope to see you there!
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Series schedule:

Game #2, Friday @ Valley View, 5:45 pm
Game #3, Saturday @ Koons Park, 3 pm
Game #4, Monday, Aug. 18 @ Valley View, 5:45 pm
Game #5 (if necessary), Tuesday, Aug. 19 @ Koons Park, 5:45 pm
Game #6 (if necessary), Wednesday, Aug. 20 @ Valley View, 5:45 pm
Game #7 (if necessary), Thursday, Aug. 21 @ Koons Park, 5:45 pm

Twilight prepping for championship series

Linglestown Twilight took batting practice tonight to stay sharp for the East Shore Twilight championship series that most likely will start this Thursday or Friday at Koons Park.

The team is awaiting the winner of the Middletown-Valley View series. Game #4 of the series was rained out tonight. Valley View leads 2-1 in the best-of-five semifinal.
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Pictured: Brad Sanders takes a swing at a ball delivered by Sean Kelly.

High-fives all around

Linglestown Twilight completed a three-game sweep of Lawnton with a 12-0 win Friday, sending the team to the East Shore Twilight League championship series for the second straight year. They will face either Middletown or Valley View in the next series that will begin at Koons Park next week (day and time to be announced).

In Friday’s game at Koons, Lawnton got off to a miserable defensive start for the third straight game, giving up seven runs on two hits and an error in the opening inning. Linglestown pitcher Jason Kelly added to Lawnton’s woes by hurling one of his best games of the season, giving up only six hits and striking out six. Brian Zellers and Shawn Berwager each had three hits for Linglestown.

In the three-game series, Twilight pummeled Lawnton by banging out 41 hits and scoring 41 runs.

Twilight notes … Scott Montgomery helped Twilight get off to a good start by lining a double into the left field corner that scored a pair of runs in the seven-run first inning. … A pair of Twilight players got key hits coming off the bench – Aaron Confer got playing time behind the plate and recorded an RBI single in the fifth inning, and Jim Miller ripped an RBI single in the sixth inning. … During mop-up time, pitcher Josh Muscalus made a rare plate appearance and drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch. Plus, he caught a fly ball on the run in right field after expertly calling off other fielders. … On the “Where’s Rhys?” front, despite sporting a damp jersey that would have distracted most players (a family mix-up caused his uniform to be washed very late in the day), Rhys Wolford showed his versatility by coming off the bench to play first base. He had a hand in the game's final out, a 5-3 play that ended the seventh inning. (Regulation sandlot baseball games are seven-inning contests.) … Finally, veteran pitcher Pete Hayden showed all who asked his sizable chest bruise that came as a result of getting nailed with a line drive in game #2 of the series. The incident has added another tidbit to Hayden's seemingly never-ending collection of sandlot baseball war stories.

Twilight pounds Lawnton to take 2-up lead

By Steve Econ
For Linglestown Gazette

LAWNTON (Aug. 7) – Linglestown continued to do well at the plate Thursday at Lawnton, banging out 14 hits in a 13-6 victory. In two games, Linglestown has scored 29 runs and ripped 30 hits to take a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five East Shore Twilight League semifinal.

Jason Kelly and Nick Barbera each went four-for-five at the plate. Barbera had and an RBI and three runs scored, while Kelly scored twice and ripped three doubles to record five RBIs. Other top bats were Steve Booker with two hits and Scott Montgomery with three RBIs.

Pete Hayden had the start of the mound. He gave way to Jim Miller in the fourth inning. The duo combined to allow only six runs even though Lawnton had some hot bats, banging out 14 hits.

Twilight will be looking to close out the series tonight at Koons Park, 5:45 pm first pitch.

Twilight notes … Starting pitcher Pete Hayden left the game in the fourth inning after being hit directly in the chest with a line drive. He amazingly tried to make a play on the ball before hitting the turf. Thankfully Hayden was able to walk off the field on his own power. … Fan favorite Rhys Wolford made a start as designated hitter. He walked and had two strikeouts. … Twilight's youthful middle infield of shortstop Sam Phillips and second baseman Barbera, along with veteran third baseman Scott Montgomery, made some nice defensive plays, including two double plays. … Pitcher/infielder Jim Miller’s wife, Carla, delivered a baby girl, Julianne, on Monday. The proud new father felt good enough to pitch a few innings in relief on limited sleep this week.

Twilight powers into playoff lead

KOONS PARK (Aug. 6) – Linglestown Twilight's bats were blazing Wednesday evening at Koons Park, pumping out 15 hits in a 16-1 win over Lawnton in the first game of a best-of-five semifinal series.

Twilight scored four runs in the first inning, added one in the second and then put the game out of reach by plating seven in the fourth.

Jack Muscalus had another stellar outing on the mound, pitching five innings and allowing only one run on two hits.

The second game of the series will be played Thursday, Aug. 7, at Lawnton. Game three will be at Koons Park on Friday, Aug. 8. Both games will start at 5:45 pm.

Twilight notes … Brian Zellers, Sean Frailey and Sam Phillips each had three-RBI games, and Zellers hit a towering solo homer in the fourth inning. … Third baseman Scott Montgomery, who was making his first start since recovering from a broken arm, made a spectacular play by gunning down a runner at first after fielding a grounder barehanded after it hit third base and took an unusually high bounce. … Rhys Wolford once again qualified for a mention by recording an RBI single when he made a pitch-hit appearance in the DH spot. Rhys, you the man! … Lawnton’s lone run came off a roundtripper hit by Kris Kullman in the fifth inning. ... Lawnton is unlikely to be a pushover following the blowout loss – they won a first-round series against Palmyra after getting pummeled in game #1. ... A big crowd showed up at Koons Park to watch the game. Come on – grab a lawn chair and come out to Friday night's game.
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Game summary from The Patriot-News

Twilight set to defend league championship

Linglestown TV host Bill Bostic takes a few hacks and talks playoff baseball with Linglestown Twilight coach Steve Econ. The team will play Lawnton at Koons Park today, 5:45 pm in the first game of the East Shore Twilight League best-of-five semifinal series.