Fourteen games have been played by Covenant, and fourteen games have been won by Covenant. Six games remain (two each against Grace Chapel Blue, New Life and Lebanon C).
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Covenant will likely have one of the five first round byes in the winners' bracket of the double elimination league tournament on July 16 at the COG Softball Complex in West Middlesex.
On the pitching front, the three pitcher staff expanded to four in game two against Grace Chapel Burgundy when Julie Norris took the mound for the first time this season. It was revealed by Julie in postgame on June 9 that she had played pitcher in fast pitch softball. She pitched two perfect innings while striking out two batters.
Eric Bombeck, David Dalessandro and Bob Mariotti are close to each other in terms of earned run average. Dalessandro leads with a 3.11 average, with Mariotti right behind him with a 3.13 average. Bombeck has a 3.60 average. Combined, Bombeck, Dalessandro, Mariotti and Norris have pitched a combined 93 innings, allowing a total of 105 hits and 46 runs (44 of them earned) for a 3.31 average, issuing 29 free passes and striking out 33 batters.
On offense, Matt Durisko, Tay Robinson, Jeff Newell, Ryan Zippie, Sean Zippie and Dan Vanderslice lead the team in runs batted in. Durisko has 27, while Robinson is right behind him with 26. In terms of batting average (minimum 10 at bats), Durisko, Ethan Davis, Gray MacKenzie, Jim Bombeck and Robinson lead the team.
The following players are as of the end of last night's doubleheader against Bethany, eligible for the July 16 tournament:
Sean Zippie
Ryan Zippie
Eric Bombeck
Pat DeGeralamo
David Dalessandro
Matt Durisko
Brett McBride
Bob Mariotti
Jeff Newell
Jim Bombeck
Julie Norris
Gray MacKenzie
Jacob Albright
Robert Mort
Tay Robinson
Dan Vanderslice
The following players need to show up tomorrow at Jefferson Township Field to be eligible for the tournament:
Craig Osmon
Randel Veccia (one game)
The following player needs to show up at Jefferson tomorrow and at White Chapel Field next Tuesday to be eligible:
Ethan Davis
The following player needs to show up for all six remaining games at Jefferson (tomorrow), White Chapel (next Tuesday) and at Wheatland Field (June 30) to be eligible for the tournament:
Elija Bombeck
The following players are not eligible for the tournament:
Jordan Davis
Jeremy McNeill
These are my insights on Covenant Sharon softball after 14 games. Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Team Insights after six games
A brand new season of church softball has begun, and that means that I'm back at work calling Covenant softball games for my first full season! Covenant began the season on May 17 in dominating fashion by getting two mercy rule wins at the expense of Neshannock Alliance, with Eric Bombeck pitching a no-hitter in game one.
On May 19, Covenant got its first major test of the young campaign, as First Assembly touted their new claims from Grace Chapel Black in the dispersal draft, among them pitcher Geri Truog, the best female pitcher the league has to offer. But Covenant passed the test with flying colors, coming from behind in game one to win 11-9 with Jeff Newell's 3-run home run being the turning point of the game. Covenant then went on to win game two by the score of 14-6.
With First Assembly behind them, all attention turned to the showdown from yesterday between Covenant and reigning league champion Lebanon B, who put a 30-game win streak dating back to the beginning of last season on the line. The game was moved from First Assembly Field to Wheatland Field due to a conflict with First Assembly practice. In game one, Covenant only trailed once, but that came before they even came to bat. Thankfully, Lebanon B scored only one measly run. Covenant would end Lebanon B's winning streak by winning game one by the score of 10-7. Game two was a slugfest, with Covenant winning by the score of 12-9, holding off a late rally by Lebanon B, who now has a two-game losing streak.
The above photo is yours truly in action during the opening doubleheader against Neshannock Alliance at First Assembly Field. Now, all game podcasts can be found on Soundcloud! Just log onto www.soundcloud.com and query Covenant Sharon softball and you can access all the podcasts as the season goes along!
Now that I have given team insights on the young campaign (Covenant is now 6-0 to start the season), I shall give some individual insights after six games. Jordan "Puppy" Davis has played in one game as a catcher, but he has not yet had an at-bat. Regular catcher Julie Norris is mired in an early season slump and she is still pressing on. If the rules had been changed before the season began to allow girls in the league to use a girls' bat, then her numbers would not be what they are. Keep in mind during last season's tournament that Norris had a .333 batting average with two RBIs. There is no question that the stars of this squad are Jeff Newell, Tay Robinson, Matt Durisko, Dan Vanderslice, and Gray MacKenzie. Key contributions have come from Ryan Zippie, Randel Veccia and Sean Zippie. Eric Bombeck, David Dalessandro and Bob Mariotti have been the trio of workhorses on the mound for Covenant, sparking the squad to its six wins while along the way, showing no signs of stopping their momentum. This team has bought into their head coach Jim Bombeck's system emphasizing speed. This is one reason why this team is dubbed "TS4" because it's the fourth consecutive year that the team has been dubbed "Team Speed".
The next doubleheader on June 2 will see Covenant take to the road for the first time in the young campaign as they travel to White Chapel Field to take on a New Wilmington team that finished sixth in the league standings last year and lost to New Life in the losers bracket quarterfinals in the 2015 tournament. If the weather permits, then before the week is out, I will take a drive to White Chapel Field to scout out the field for myself. This is the first of a stretch of six out of the next seven matchups will be on the road. They will square off against rival St. John's at C.O.G. on June 7 before returning to First Assembly Field on June 9 to play last season's league doormats, Grace Chapel Burgundy. They return to White Chapel Field on June 14 to play New Life (this is the doubleheader that I am slated to miss due to a volunteer commitment at historic Oakmont Country Club for the U.S. Open golf tournament). I will return for a June 21 doubleheader at Lackawannock Park against Bethany. On June 23, Covenant travels to Jefferson Township Field to play Grace Chapel Blue. Wheatland Field will be the site for the June 30 doubleheader against Lebanon C.
Those are the Covenant Sharon softball team insights after six games. Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
On May 19, Covenant got its first major test of the young campaign, as First Assembly touted their new claims from Grace Chapel Black in the dispersal draft, among them pitcher Geri Truog, the best female pitcher the league has to offer. But Covenant passed the test with flying colors, coming from behind in game one to win 11-9 with Jeff Newell's 3-run home run being the turning point of the game. Covenant then went on to win game two by the score of 14-6.
With First Assembly behind them, all attention turned to the showdown from yesterday between Covenant and reigning league champion Lebanon B, who put a 30-game win streak dating back to the beginning of last season on the line. The game was moved from First Assembly Field to Wheatland Field due to a conflict with First Assembly practice. In game one, Covenant only trailed once, but that came before they even came to bat. Thankfully, Lebanon B scored only one measly run. Covenant would end Lebanon B's winning streak by winning game one by the score of 10-7. Game two was a slugfest, with Covenant winning by the score of 12-9, holding off a late rally by Lebanon B, who now has a two-game losing streak.
The above photo is yours truly in action during the opening doubleheader against Neshannock Alliance at First Assembly Field. Now, all game podcasts can be found on Soundcloud! Just log onto www.soundcloud.com and query Covenant Sharon softball and you can access all the podcasts as the season goes along!
Now that I have given team insights on the young campaign (Covenant is now 6-0 to start the season), I shall give some individual insights after six games. Jordan "Puppy" Davis has played in one game as a catcher, but he has not yet had an at-bat. Regular catcher Julie Norris is mired in an early season slump and she is still pressing on. If the rules had been changed before the season began to allow girls in the league to use a girls' bat, then her numbers would not be what they are. Keep in mind during last season's tournament that Norris had a .333 batting average with two RBIs. There is no question that the stars of this squad are Jeff Newell, Tay Robinson, Matt Durisko, Dan Vanderslice, and Gray MacKenzie. Key contributions have come from Ryan Zippie, Randel Veccia and Sean Zippie. Eric Bombeck, David Dalessandro and Bob Mariotti have been the trio of workhorses on the mound for Covenant, sparking the squad to its six wins while along the way, showing no signs of stopping their momentum. This team has bought into their head coach Jim Bombeck's system emphasizing speed. This is one reason why this team is dubbed "TS4" because it's the fourth consecutive year that the team has been dubbed "Team Speed".
The next doubleheader on June 2 will see Covenant take to the road for the first time in the young campaign as they travel to White Chapel Field to take on a New Wilmington team that finished sixth in the league standings last year and lost to New Life in the losers bracket quarterfinals in the 2015 tournament. If the weather permits, then before the week is out, I will take a drive to White Chapel Field to scout out the field for myself. This is the first of a stretch of six out of the next seven matchups will be on the road. They will square off against rival St. John's at C.O.G. on June 7 before returning to First Assembly Field on June 9 to play last season's league doormats, Grace Chapel Burgundy. They return to White Chapel Field on June 14 to play New Life (this is the doubleheader that I am slated to miss due to a volunteer commitment at historic Oakmont Country Club for the U.S. Open golf tournament). I will return for a June 21 doubleheader at Lackawannock Park against Bethany. On June 23, Covenant travels to Jefferson Township Field to play Grace Chapel Blue. Wheatland Field will be the site for the June 30 doubleheader against Lebanon C.
Those are the Covenant Sharon softball team insights after six games. Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
Saturday, May 7, 2016
How I became a better podcaster thanks to Lanny Frattare
Last June, when I got banned for two games due to using choice language in a podcast, I sought the advice of Lanny Frattare (yes, the former Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster; yes, the host of the Mercer County Hall of Fame; yes, the professor at Waynesburg University) on how I can become a better podcaster. Lanny, who is pictured below, gave me these eight tips:
- Baseball and softball are the most difficult sports to broadcast for. You need to prepare for at least four hours prior to the games. 85% of a broadcast's success is determined before the broadcast even begins.
- Cursing has no place in any broadcast.
- During the games, call the plays that are occurring on the field.
- Keep track of the score and the inning.
- Keep your audience updated with how the game got to certain points during the games. Lanny recommends recaps during the third and sixth innings.
- Involve the audience of the storyline during the games. If it is the first games for both teams, recap what happened to the teams last season. If it's a midseason or a late season game, are there first place implications? Are the two teams cellar dwellers? If it's the tournament, remind the audience what is at stake for both teams (advancement in the tournament, a spot in the finals, e.g.)
- Keep score during the games.
- And finally, try to weave stories into your broadcasts, but do not let them get away from the action taking place on the field. You are not Bob Prince, never have been and never will be. Don't try to emulate Prince or Frattare or Greg Brown. Do it your way. (Don't forget that Frank Sinatra put it to music!)
I keep a page with these tips in my media guide.
Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
State of the Team
Before practices even began, Jason Minter, who had a .944 OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) in the 2015 tournament, was called by our Lord and Savior to lead His people in McDonough, Georgia. It was also announced that Gina Riel would not be returning as team manager for 2016 following her graduation from Grove City College.
Recently, I found out that elder statesman Tom Phillips, who was part of the pitching rotation last season, would not be returning to the team. This is a move that infuses more of a youth movement into the team. Although we lost Minter, Riel and Phillips, we did gain four new players in Jacob Albright, Jeremy McNeill, Robert Mort and Ethan Davis (no relation to Jordan Davis, pictured below in action against New Wilmington last July).
Recently, I found out that elder statesman Tom Phillips, who was part of the pitching rotation last season, would not be returning to the team. This is a move that infuses more of a youth movement into the team. Although we lost Minter, Riel and Phillips, we did gain four new players in Jacob Albright, Jeremy McNeill, Robert Mort and Ethan Davis (no relation to Jordan Davis, pictured below in action against New Wilmington last July).
I was at Panera for lunch on Wednesday before work and while I was waiting to enjoy a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup, I caught sight of Jordan Davis, but I don't know if he recognized me or not.
I have not seen a game schedule yet, but as soon as I see the schedule posted, I will input that information into my media guide which will go into a three-ring binder that I purchased recently for that purpose.
For those of you who are seeing these posts for the first time, you may be asking yourselves: "You are giving great insight to this church softball team; but who are you and why are you doing this?"
Good question!
My name is Michael T. Mondak. Although I am a member of Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, I am the "Voice of Covenant Softball". I always live for the period between mid-May and mid-July because that's when I take on my role as a church softball podcaster. In the coming weeks and months, I will give insight to this team, post game audio footage, and even give some statistics on a periodic basis! Everyone has or has had a mentor, and I have been blessed to have many of them. When it comes to my role as the "Voice of Covenant Softball", my mentor is the former Pittsburgh Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare, who is a professor at Waynesburg University. I will post in the future what Lanny tells his students in each of his classes.
Until next time, farewell and fair balls.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Observations from CPC Softball practice (27 April 2016)
After returning home from Erie after an interview and getting blue and yellow balloons for my neighbor Kristina David at Party City, I drove in my Jeep back to Holy Trinity Field near Speedways for tonight's CPC Softball practice. During tonight's practice, I observed the following things from my view from behind the plate:
As I mentioned in my previous post, Jacob Albright tends to swing ahead of pitches, which hearkens back to his baseball playing days. Taylor Robinson reminds me of Pedro Alvarez. Like Pedro, Taylor is a power hitter.
Now I shall take a look at some of the players who joined us for the first time this season:
Julie Norris, our catcher, is working her way back from an offseason injury to her throwing arm which she has completely recovered from. When she is at bat, she almost reminds me of former Pirates catcher Jason Kendall. Like Kendall, Julie is more of a singles-hitting catcher and not much of a power hitter. When she is behind the plate, she can be a quick study. During games, she should signal orders to the pitchers to call for their pitches by slapping her throwing hand on the palm of her glove. One slap calls for the pitcher's bread-and-butter pitch. Two slaps call for the pitcher's secondary pitch. Three slaps means she is calling for the pitcher's third option pitch. And finally, four slaps means she is ordering her pitcher to throw their fourth option pitch. She should mix them up during every at bat by opposing batters because the most number of pitches that every batter will face is four (each batter begins with a count of one ball and one strike).
Matt Durisko, one of our three power hitters along with Robinson and Jeff Newell, has a tendency to either pull his hits or send them towards the opposite field. He can sometimes get away with those things as long as he hits them where opposing fielders are not. These tendencies are a reason why he had an OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.025 during last season's tournament.
Sean Zippie tends to pull his line drives. His .688 OPS during the tournament last season will need to be better as the 2016 season goes on. He is not much of a power hitter, however, what he lacks in power he more than makes up for with speed.
Ryan Zippie has a tendency to hit a lot of ground balls which leads to him being thrown out on a frequent basis. His .473 OPS from last season's tournament means that he needs to be more aggressive when up to bat, which is something that our head coach Jim Bombeck is trying to instill into the team this season.
These are the insights from tonight's practice. The next practice is Monday evening, however, I will miss practice on May 2 because I have a Knights of Columbus council meeting at the city building that evening. I will give more insights on the 2016 squad at next Wednesday's practice.
And that is the end of this blog post.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Jacob Albright tends to swing ahead of pitches, which hearkens back to his baseball playing days. Taylor Robinson reminds me of Pedro Alvarez. Like Pedro, Taylor is a power hitter.
Now I shall take a look at some of the players who joined us for the first time this season:
Julie Norris, our catcher, is working her way back from an offseason injury to her throwing arm which she has completely recovered from. When she is at bat, she almost reminds me of former Pirates catcher Jason Kendall. Like Kendall, Julie is more of a singles-hitting catcher and not much of a power hitter. When she is behind the plate, she can be a quick study. During games, she should signal orders to the pitchers to call for their pitches by slapping her throwing hand on the palm of her glove. One slap calls for the pitcher's bread-and-butter pitch. Two slaps call for the pitcher's secondary pitch. Three slaps means she is calling for the pitcher's third option pitch. And finally, four slaps means she is ordering her pitcher to throw their fourth option pitch. She should mix them up during every at bat by opposing batters because the most number of pitches that every batter will face is four (each batter begins with a count of one ball and one strike).
Matt Durisko, one of our three power hitters along with Robinson and Jeff Newell, has a tendency to either pull his hits or send them towards the opposite field. He can sometimes get away with those things as long as he hits them where opposing fielders are not. These tendencies are a reason why he had an OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.025 during last season's tournament.
Sean Zippie tends to pull his line drives. His .688 OPS during the tournament last season will need to be better as the 2016 season goes on. He is not much of a power hitter, however, what he lacks in power he more than makes up for with speed.
Ryan Zippie has a tendency to hit a lot of ground balls which leads to him being thrown out on a frequent basis. His .473 OPS from last season's tournament means that he needs to be more aggressive when up to bat, which is something that our head coach Jim Bombeck is trying to instill into the team this season.
These are the insights from tonight's practice. The next practice is Monday evening, however, I will miss practice on May 2 because I have a Knights of Columbus council meeting at the city building that evening. I will give more insights on the 2016 squad at next Wednesday's practice.
And that is the end of this blog post.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Observations from Covenant Sharon Softball practice (25 April 2016)
Church softball fans:
Tonight I drove in my Jeep to Holy Trinity Field next to Speedways for Covenant Sharon softball practice and I came away with the following observations of the few players that showed up tonight from my view behind the plate:
Jacob Albright, our rookie from Single-A according to coach Jim Bombeck, has a tendency to swing ahead of pitches, which hearkens back to his baseball-playing days when he could get away with such actions. However, in slow pitch softball, he needs to have patience when he is in the batter's box and wait for his pitches before he can swing.
Which brings me to switch hitter Jeff Newell. He tends to swing at bad pitches out of impatience, which was something he was able to get away with during last season's tournament when he led the squad in OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) with a 1.31, which was more than our 2015 team MVP Gray MacKenzie's 1.176 OPS.
Taylor Robinson, our cleanup hitter, is more of a power hitter, which is what is needed in a cleanup hitter. He's like a slow pitch equivalent of Pedro Alvarez, a power hitter who is capable of whacking a long ball.
Jim Bombeck, who also is an extra hitter for the squad (batting left handed), is more of our comic relief in the batter's box, yukking it up with opposing fielders.
Eric Bombeck, Jim's brother, is our ace pitcher. He throws a variety of pitches that can sometimes confuse opposing batters. When he is on the mound, he is capable of going the distance.
Bob Mariotti, who is a part of the starting rotation, is trying to work his way back from an injury he sustained in the losers' bracket finals of last season's tournament against Grace Chapel Black. With some extra practice before the regular season begins, he is capable of coming back from the injury that ended his 2015 season.
I'll give more insight to the remaining players at Wednesday's practice. But first, you're probably saying to yourself: "That's great insight to the players on the 2016 squad, but who are you giving these insights from behind the plate?"
Good question!
My name is Michael T. Mondak, and although I am a member of Church of Notre Dame in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, I am the "Voice of Covenant Sharon softball" from mid-May through mid-July. I started calling games last year which led to me being discovered by none other than Eric Bombeck, who hosts a Wednesday evening radio show on News talk 790 WPIC. He put in a good word for me with his station manager Bob Greenburg, and it led to me being hired as a board operator during local high school sports coverage (Friday night football in the fall, and boys and girls basketball in the winter). The radio station is my second home away from home (my primary home away from home is at a sporting goods store). But I always look forward to spring because soon it will be time for a new season of church softball coverage.
In the coming weeks and months, I will routinely post insights on the 2016 Covenant Sharon softball squad. I will also post game audio footage after each doubleheader. If that's not enough, I will post some statistics on this blog also, so that you, the followers of this blog, will know how the squad's players are doing to contribute to the success of the squad.
And that is the end of this inaugural blog post. Until Wednesday, farewell and fair balls.
Tonight I drove in my Jeep to Holy Trinity Field next to Speedways for Covenant Sharon softball practice and I came away with the following observations of the few players that showed up tonight from my view behind the plate:
Jacob Albright, our rookie from Single-A according to coach Jim Bombeck, has a tendency to swing ahead of pitches, which hearkens back to his baseball-playing days when he could get away with such actions. However, in slow pitch softball, he needs to have patience when he is in the batter's box and wait for his pitches before he can swing.
Which brings me to switch hitter Jeff Newell. He tends to swing at bad pitches out of impatience, which was something he was able to get away with during last season's tournament when he led the squad in OPS (on base percentage plus slugging percentage) with a 1.31, which was more than our 2015 team MVP Gray MacKenzie's 1.176 OPS.
Taylor Robinson, our cleanup hitter, is more of a power hitter, which is what is needed in a cleanup hitter. He's like a slow pitch equivalent of Pedro Alvarez, a power hitter who is capable of whacking a long ball.
Jim Bombeck, who also is an extra hitter for the squad (batting left handed), is more of our comic relief in the batter's box, yukking it up with opposing fielders.
Eric Bombeck, Jim's brother, is our ace pitcher. He throws a variety of pitches that can sometimes confuse opposing batters. When he is on the mound, he is capable of going the distance.
Bob Mariotti, who is a part of the starting rotation, is trying to work his way back from an injury he sustained in the losers' bracket finals of last season's tournament against Grace Chapel Black. With some extra practice before the regular season begins, he is capable of coming back from the injury that ended his 2015 season.
I'll give more insight to the remaining players at Wednesday's practice. But first, you're probably saying to yourself: "That's great insight to the players on the 2016 squad, but who are you giving these insights from behind the plate?"
Good question!
In the coming weeks and months, I will routinely post insights on the 2016 Covenant Sharon softball squad. I will also post game audio footage after each doubleheader. If that's not enough, I will post some statistics on this blog also, so that you, the followers of this blog, will know how the squad's players are doing to contribute to the success of the squad.
And that is the end of this inaugural blog post. Until Wednesday, farewell and fair balls.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)