The Sanatoga Post

REGISTRATION NOW COMPUTERIZED – This Tuesday (Jan. 19, 2010) and Thursday (Jan. 21) are the last nights scheduled for those interested in registering for the 2010 season of Pottsgrove Baseball and Little League team play. Registration will be held both nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the second-floor lobby of Pottsgrove Middle School, 1351 N. Hanover St., Pottstown PA. Signing up is fast and easy, thanks to laptop computer programs now in use. Demonstrating the registration process Saturday (Jan. 16) at noon to a parent, center, were volunteers Chrissy Brown, left, and Dave O’Brien.

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At Little League practice last April.

POTTSTOWN PA – Registration starts tonight (Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010) for boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19 interested in playing baseball during the coming spring season on teams associated with the Pottsgrove Little League and the Pottsgrove Baseball Organization, Little League President Tim Brown reports.

This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Sign-ups for both Little League (ages 5-12) and Pottsgrove Baseball (ages 13-19) will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the second-floor lobby of Pottsgrove Middle School, 1351 N. Hanover St., Pottstown PA. Registration continues at the same times and location on Thursday (Jan. 14), next Tuesday (Jan. 19), and Jan. 21, as well as on Saturday (Jan. 16) from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., also at the middle school.

Both organizations also are in need of adult volunteers to handle a variety of tasks. Those who have time and interest should talk to organizers during registration.

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Hard-fought games, happy smiles. There were lessons here.

NORRISTOWN PA – How does a successful year of youth baseball end? For Don Villanova, who coached the Pottsgrove Instructional League Baseball 8-year-olds to a second-place finish Wednesday (July 1, 2009) among 18 teams in the Neal S. Cohen Memorial Baseball Tournament held in Norristown, it is completed with acknowledgements and thanks.

• A Post gallery of photos from both the tournament semi-final and championship final games is available here.
• Additional photos taken during the championship final by Richard Favinger of Favinger Photography in Pottstown, including the one above, will soon be available in a gallery on its website.

Here are slightly edited excerpts from the conclusion of an e-mail Villanova distributed Wednesday night to league members and parents:

“Folks, we gave it a heck of a ride! It was great fun, and we came close. Thank you for all who came out to support us. It spoke well for our organization. And just think of the friendships made! We … wrap up a very successful Instructional baseball year.

“From a coaching standpoint … we had a good staff: Todd, Chad, Ray, Greg, and myself. I count it a privilege to have had the chance to coach with Greg Biagini. We put our minds together and talked baseball, baseball, baseball for three weeks to bring this team to this level of play. We must have had (a) million e-mails working the line-up and other things.

“Greg took me to school in coaching. I have greatly benefited from the experience, and have learned many good things; I would not hesitate to do it again with him. Our gifts differ … but our goal is the same: teach team fundamental baseball skills to boys and girls, and build them into competitive ball players.

“And thank you, Joshua, for being our bat boy.

“The best fans in the tournament, and the players, were just a privilege to work with.”

Related (to Pottsgrove Little League Baseball):

• Learning From, And With, 8-Year-Olds
• Pottsgrove “8s” Finish 2nd of 18 In Cohen Tourney
• Pottsgrove “8s” Headed Into Tourney Final
• Pottsgrove “8s” Tourney Play Tonight
• Anticipation Builds At The Ball Fields
• Caps Were All The Rage
• Pottsgrove Little League At Practice

Photo by Richard Favinger, Favinger Photography

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Pottsgrove's boys in burgundy made a good effort, far better than others thought possible, during the Neal S. Cohen Memorial.

Looking for a running opportunity.

NORRISTOWN PA – Coach Don Villanova calls his boys “the gritty, gutsy, scrappy team from Pottsgrove that nobody took seriously.” And although the 8-year-old members of Pottsgrove Instructional League Baseball did not win the Neal S. Cohen Memorial Tournament trophy Wednesday (July 1, 2009) in a final contest against Oreland-Wyndmoor, it can be said that “nobody” now knows a whole lot better.

The hot-hitting Oreland team won 8-2 over Pottsgrove during the championship game last night at Cole Manor Elementary School in Norristown.

As of 1:29 p.m. EST Friday (July 2, 2009) photos from both the semi-final and final games of the tournament were available in a single Post gallery. See them here.

Here are slightly edited excerpts from Villanova’s personal recap of the action:

“Our baseball team took the field to play … confident that we had a good enough team to win. We were well prepared, we were hungry, we were aggressive.

“We took the field again having, for the sixth consecutive time, won the coin toss to elect to be the home team. 6 for 6 on the coin toss is amazing in and of itself.

“We began the game giving up a quick run in the first inning. No cause for alarm for this team; we faced that just about every game we played in this tournament. We soon pulled it together to retire the side only one run down. However, with some fantastic defensive plays by (the) very talented team from Oreland-Wyndmoor, we were held off the board for the first two innings.

“Having fallen behind 2-0 in the top of the third, we battled back to within a run in the bottom of the third to make the score 2-1. The fourth inning provided another run for the (Oreland) team as they moved ahead again by a 3-1 score. Again, this resilient team that does not quit battled back to make it a 3-2 game. There it stayed until the fourth inning, when (Oreland) added a run to go ahead 4-2.

Disappointed? Sure they were. But team members were gracious in defeat.

“Still very much in this game, we battled into the top of the sixth inning (still) with a 4-2 score. But (Oreland) bats came alive again, and proved to be just too much. They scored a 4-spot to open up the game to 8-2, which became the final score in the end. (They) clinched a well-deserved championship.

“The game’s final score was no indication for the level of competitiveness of the game. It was a dog fight from the beginning. We had one inning where things opened up on us a bit and that was the difference in the game.

“Our boys accepted defeat with tremendous respect for their opponent, and we as coaches were very proud of the class these boys showed in their disappointment. It is a testament to the wonderful parents that make this organization a top-notch program. We accepted our trophies in honor, and tipped our hats to the champions. Congratulations to our boys who stood tall in victory, as well as defeat. They have set the bar high for little leaguers all over Pottsgove, and even our baseball area. We finish the tournament with a 5-1 record, (and) second overall … of an 18-team field.

“Not too bad!”

Related (to Pottsgrove Little League Baseball):

• Pottsgrove “8s” Finish 2nd of 18 In Cohen Tourney
• Pottsgrove “8s” Headed Into Tourney Final
• Pottsgrove “8s” Tourney Play Tonight
• Anticipation Builds At The Ball Fields
• Caps Were All The Rage
• Pottsgrove Little League At Practice

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"The bats came alive with the crowd!," Coach Don Villanova wrote last night, as the 8-year-old Pottsgrove Instructional League Baseball team won 8-7 over East Norriton in a seven-inning contest.

NORRISTOWN PA – They’ve done it again.

The 8-year-olds of Pottsgrove Instructional League Baseball “pulled another miracle win out of the hat,” according to Coach Don Villanova, Tuesday night (June 30, 2009) on the field of Cole Manor Elementary School in Norristown, beating East Norriton 8-7 in a seven-inning semi-final game of the 2009 Neal S. Cohen Memorial Baseball Tournament.

An aggresive East Norriton squad kept a close eye on Pottsgrove baserunners throughout the evening.

Pottsgrove advances to the finals, and its chance at the Cohen championship, against Oreland-Wyndmoor tonight (Wednesday, July 1, 2009) at 6:30 at the school, 2350 Springview Rd. “These boys will be ready to play,” coaches Villanova and Greg Biagini promised of the team in an e-mail distributed late Tuesday evening, and added they hoped “to see another big crowd.”

• Find Google Maps’ directions to the school from Sanatoga village center (East High Street at North Pleasant View Road) here.

The size of the Pottsgrove crowd surprised East Norriton parents.

Both the players’ efforts, and the strength of their support, surprised their East Norriton opponents. Several parents on the host team commented favorably on the dozens of Pottsgove fans who made the 22-mile trek to Norristown to cheer on the team.

Here are slightly edited excerpts from Villanova’s personal recap of the action:

Arms got a good workout too.

“We started the game off by winning the coin toss for the fifth straight time, and took the home field advantage away … by electing to be the home team. We fell behind early in the game, 1-0, on some good hitting and poor defensive play by our outfield, which struggled all game long. But these resilient boys never get rattled. (They) came right back in the bottom half of the first inning, and scored two runs … to take a 2-1 lead.

“We increased that lead to 5-1 in the second inning with more good hitting and base running. Defensive problems just haunted us … and we found ourselves in a 5-3 game with good hitting from those boys from (East Norriton). Credit should be given to those boys in orange: they played well, hitting the ball very hard and running the bases very aggressively.

“We picked up a run in the fifth inning to make it a 6-3 game, but again defensive issues allowed the EN team to tie the game in the sixth … and push us into extra innings.

Villanova strongly praised the opponents. "They played well," he said, "hitting the ball very hard."

“In the bottom of the sixth inning we were held off … the score board. EN, having all the momentum, came in and took the lead and threatened to score more, but our infield held its ground. … We retired the side, trailing by only one run.

“Going into the bottom of the seventh, our lead-off hitter hit a slow grounder to the pitcher, who promptly retired the runner at first base. Our next batter reached base on a single; we had one on, and one out. Our next batter struck out, and we were again down to our last batter. But, as this team (earlier) did against Whitpain, so we did against East Norriton.

Ready for action, and another hit.

“(Pottsgrove) bats came alive with the crowd! We loaded the bases with two singles when our power hitter, Andy Blum, came to the plate and hit one deep over the center fielder’s extended glove. The bases emptied (in) another walk-off victory for this team of boys who just keep finding ways to win games.”

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Related (to Pottsgrove Little League Baseball):

• Pottsgrove “8s” Finish 2nd of 18 In Cohen Tourney
• Pottsgrove “8s” Headed Into Tourney Final
• Pottsgrove “8s” Tourney Play Tonight
• Anticipation Builds At The Ball Fields
• Caps Were All The Rage
• Pottsgrove Little League At Practice

The happy victors celebrate after the game, in this photo by League President Tim Brown. Next up: the championship finals tonight

NORRISTOWN PA – The Pottsgrove Little League‘s 8-year-olds team, which so far has won four games and lost none during a current series against tough opponents, plays the home team tonight (Tuesday, June 30, 2009) at 6:30 in the East Norriton Little League 2009 Neal S. Cohen Baseball Tournament at Cole Manor Elementary School, 2350 Springview Rd.

• Find Google Maps’ directions to the school from Sanatoga village center (East High Street at North Pleasant View Road) here.

If Pottsgrove wins, it moves on to the tournament championship, league President Tim Brown wrote in an e-mail distributed this afternoon. He’d like nothing better than to have a big crowd on hand to watch that happen.

“Please come out and support our team tonight,” Brown wrote. “We are asking for some hometown support for these boys. Please come out and cheer them on.”

Related (to Pottsgrove Little League Baseball):

• Pottsgrove “8s” Finish 2nd of 18 In Cohen Tourney
• Pottsgrove “8s” Headed Into Tourney Final
• Pottsgrove “8s” Tourney Play Tonight
• Anticipation Builds At The Ball Fields
• Caps Were All The Rage
• Pottsgrove Little League At Practice

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Got news for us? E-mail The Post.

Teammates line up behind a fence, hoping for their turn at bat.

Running with all his might; base hit, by the way.

Ready to make that next play.

SANATOGA PA – The sounds from the baseball fields early Wednesday evening (May 27, 2009) at Gerald Richards Park, Buchert Road, were not much different than those of other Wednesdays in recent weeks: kids hollering, parents cheering, the chug-chug-chug of motorized pitching machines and, to some coaches’ agony, only an occasional crack of the bat.

But there was anticipation, too.

The Pottsgrove Little League, which annually sponsors and hosts baseball training, games and activities for hundreds of boys and girls in Lower, Upper and West Pottsgrove PA townships, is looking ahead to June 13 (2009; Saturday), when it has scheduled its Celebration Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park.

• See a Post gallery of 24 photos Wednesday from a Little League game and Pottsgrove girls’ soccer practice, both at Richards’ fields.

League President Tim Brown, who took a break from keeping box scores to talk about the event, said he hopes the planned day of food, fun, and several games will draw local residents who might not otherwise venture out to watch the youngsters play. “Our kids are sure looking forward to it,” he said, “and we’d love to have lots of spectators.”

"Throw it here. Throw it here!"

Introductory ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. All-star games for Tee-Ball participants will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; for Instructional Ball players from noon to 2 p.m.; for Minors team members from 3-5 p.m.; and for Majors players from 6-8 p.m.

Throughout the day a variety of sports-related games are scheduled for all to enjoy, with a wristband fee of $5, and the Reading Phillies’ mascot will make an appearance from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All children must be accompanied by an adult during the day’s events and festivities.

The volunteer organization needs some extra hands, Brown noted, to help set up for Celebration Day activities. Those who can spare a couple of hours offering assistance should send an e-mail regarding their availability.

Little League President Tim Brown keeps scores, schedules, and more.

This one's an ear-bender, for sure.

SANATOGA PA – Players in the Pottsgrove Little League Tee-Ball and Instructional teams gathered Saturday morning at Gerald Richards Park, Buchert Road, for opening ceremonies to launch the league’s 2009 games. All were dressed in bright white pants and T-shits of their team’s color, but a few distinguished themselves by using their caps to make a fashion statement.

Deep over the eyes, to screen out the sun; or reversed, to let it in.

Finding just the right fit's important, you know.

Players and parents alike started the season right, with pageantry, sportsmanship, and lots of fun.

SANATOGA PA – There were more swings than hits Thursday (April 9, 2009) out on the practice fields at Gerald Richards Park, Buchert Road, and more misses than catches, too. But it was, after all, just practice.

During early evening the coaches and budding stars of three different Pottsgrove Little League teams were busy teaching and learning, respectively, the basics of a game that takes most adults a lifetime to master.

• See a Post gallery of 38 photos from the practice fields. Click here.

The league’s official opening day is April 18 (2009; Saturday). Teams will proudly parade onto three different fields: at 8:45 a.m. at Richards; at 8:30 a.m. at Kulp Field, adjacent to the Hillside Aquatic Club on West Moyer Road, Upper Pottsgrove (PA) Township; and at 8:30 a.m. at Major Field at the West Pottsgrove (PA) Township municipal building, Grosstown Road. A brief ceremony will be held at each, and then it’ll be time to play ball.