The 2017 season has concluded with Covenant being crowned the new champions of the Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League.
Here are five things we learned from the memorable 2017 season:
1. The home run limit rule saved Covenant. Before the season began, a new rule was put in place limiting teams to hitting three home runs per game (inside the park ones did not count against that restriction). Every home run hit by one team after three until their opponent hit three of their own was scored as an intentional walk. Once both teams hit their three home runs, it was one home run at a time per team. I jokingly referred to the rule as the "New Life Blue rule", because it was meant to provide parity throughout the entire league. This is one reason why Covenant was crowned the new champions.
2. Tyler Allen is money when the game is on the line. In the finals, when New Life Blue went up 10-9 in the top of the fifth inning with one out, Covenant called on Tyler Allen to save the team. He only allowed two runs the rest of the way in his two and two-thirds innings of relief as Covenant went on to win the championship. Allen also helped his cause with a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs.
3. You will be hearing a lot about Corey Sternthal in the future. Remember when I said that Corey Sternthal was legit? Well, Corey Sternthal's first at bat against First Assembly in May was a home run, and it was fitting that his last hit of his rookie campaign was a home run to win the championship. Corey Sternthal is primed to have many seasons in the Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League.
4. Robert Mort's exploits in his rookie season were no fluke. Robert Mort had an impressive rookie season in 2016, and in 2017, he proved that his exploits were no fluke, as he improved by leaps and bounds in his sophomore campaign. There is no doubt he will be a key contributor for more championships in the future.
5. This championship victory was satisfying. After two near misses in 2015 and 2016, Covenant finally tasted victory in the championship finals in 2017. My call of Corey Sternthal's walkoff home run to win the championship is one that will never get old. The walkoff home run itself will also never get old.
These are the five things we learned from the memorable 2017 season for the new champions from Covenant Sharon.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Monday, June 19, 2017
CPC Softball team stats as of 19 June 2017
Fourteen games have been played, and these are the stats for Covenant Softball as of 19 June 2017:
Ryan Matta: 1 game played, 2 runs scored.
Sean Zippie: 5 games played, 13 at bats, 8 hits (2 doubles), 4 runs scored, .615 batting average, .571 on base percentage, .769 slugging percentage, 1.341 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Bobby Marzano: 7 games played, 12 at bats, 5 hits (2 doubles), 2 runs scored, .417 batting average, .417 on base percentage, .583 slugging percentage, 1.000 on base plus slugging.
Ryan Zippie: 13 games played, 40 at bats, 24 hits (7 doubles, 1 triple), 15 runs scored, .600 batting average, .595 on base percentage, .825 slugging percentage, 1.42 on base plus slugging, 15 runs batted in.
Eric Bombeck (batting): 13 games played, 32 at bats, 17 hits (1 double), 1 run scored, .531 batting average, .595 on base percentage, .562 slugging percentage, 1.157 on base plus slugging, 11 runs batted in.
Eric Bombeck (pitching): 11 games played, 11 games started, 59 innings pitched, 9 wins, 1 loss, 99 hits allowed, 38 runs allowed (35 earned), 5.34 earned run average, 15 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Pat DeGeralamo: 2 games played, 4 at bats, 4 hits, 1 run scored, 1.000 batting average, 1.000 on base percentage, 1.000 slugging percentage, 2.000 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Tay Robinson: 12 games played, 39 at bats, 32 hits (4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run), 29 runs scored, .821 batting average, .837 on base percentage, 1.154 slugging percentage, 1.991 on base plus slugging, 18 runs batted in.
Matt Durisko (batting): 12 games played, 35 at bats, 24 hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs), 16 runs scored, .686 batting average, .684 on base percentage, 1.314 slugging percentage, 1.998 on base plus slugging, 18 runs batted in.
Matt Durisko (pitching): 2 games played, 2 innings pitched, 3 hits allowed.
Jacob Albright: 4 games played, 4 at bats.
Robert Mort: 10 games played, 31 at bats, 20 hits (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs), 15 runs scored, .645 batting average, .647 on base percentage, .968 slugging percentage, 1.615 on base plus slugging, 13 runs batted in.
Gray MacKenzie: 10 games played, 33 at bats, 18 hits (3 triples), 15 runs scored, .545 batting average, .571 on base percentage, .727 slugging percentage, 1.299 on base plus slugging, 12 runs batted in.
Bob Mariotti: 2 games played, 4 at bats, 1 hit, 2 runs scored, .250 batting average, .250 on base percentage, .250 slugging percentage, .500 on base plus slugging.
Jeff Newell: 14 games played, 47 at bats, 31 hits (9 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs), 25 runs scored, .660 batting average, .673 on base percentage, 1.255 slugging percentage, 1.929 on base plus slugging, 20 runs batted in.
Jim Bombeck: 10 games played, 22 at bats, 13 hits (2 doubles), 2 runs scored, .591 batting average, .609 on base percentage, .682 slugging percentage, 1.291 on base plus slugging, 10 runs batted in.
Elija Bombeck: 8 games played, 19 at bats, 12 hits (2 doubles), 4 runs scored, .632 batting average, .632 on base percentage, .737 slugging percentage, 1.368 on base plus slugging, 2 runs batted in.
Dan Vanderslice: 12 games played, 32 at bats, 18 hits (3 doubles, 1 home run), 10 runs scored, .562 batting average, .568 on base percentage, .750 slugging percentage, 1.318 on base plus slugging, 11 runs batted in.
Tyler Allen (batting): 12 games played, 41 at bats, 24 hits (6 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs), 25 runs scored, .585 batting average, .581 on base percentage, 1.366 slugging percentage, 1.947 on base plus slugging, 24 runs batted in.
Tyler Allen (pitching): 4 games played, 3 games started, 21 innings pitched, 4 wins, 0 losses, 28 hits allowed, 7 runs allowed (7 earned), 3.00 earned run average, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Greg Osmon: 13 games played, 21 at bats, 10 hits, 9 runs scored, .476 batting average, .500 on base percentage, .476 slugging percentage, .976 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Corey Sternthal: 10 games played, 29 at bats, 17 hits (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs), 15 runs scored, .586 batting average, .576 on base percentage, 1.172 slugging percentage, 1.748 on base plus slugging, 19 runs batted in.
Julie Norris: 10 games played, 19 at bats, 8 hits, 2 runs scored, .421 batting average, .450 on base percentage, .421 slugging percentage, .871 on base plus slugging, 5 runs batted in.
Justin Reed: 4 games played, 3 runs scored.
Paul Fink: 13 games played, 18 at bats, 6 hits (1 double), 6 runs scored, .333 batting average, .400 on base percentage, .389 slugging percentage, .789 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Total team numbers (batting): 14 games played, 495 at bats, 292 hits (53 doubles, 17 triples, 22 home runs), 200 runs scored, .590 batting average, .602 on base percentage, .899 slugging percentage, 1.501 on base plus slugging, 193 runs batted in.
Total team numbers (pitching): 14 games played, 82 innings pitched, 13 wins, 1 loss, 130 hits allowed, 45 runs allowed (42 earned), 4.61 earned run average, 19 walks, 12 strikeouts.
Ryan Matta: 1 game played, 2 runs scored.
Sean Zippie: 5 games played, 13 at bats, 8 hits (2 doubles), 4 runs scored, .615 batting average, .571 on base percentage, .769 slugging percentage, 1.341 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Bobby Marzano: 7 games played, 12 at bats, 5 hits (2 doubles), 2 runs scored, .417 batting average, .417 on base percentage, .583 slugging percentage, 1.000 on base plus slugging.
Ryan Zippie: 13 games played, 40 at bats, 24 hits (7 doubles, 1 triple), 15 runs scored, .600 batting average, .595 on base percentage, .825 slugging percentage, 1.42 on base plus slugging, 15 runs batted in.
Eric Bombeck (batting): 13 games played, 32 at bats, 17 hits (1 double), 1 run scored, .531 batting average, .595 on base percentage, .562 slugging percentage, 1.157 on base plus slugging, 11 runs batted in.
Eric Bombeck (pitching): 11 games played, 11 games started, 59 innings pitched, 9 wins, 1 loss, 99 hits allowed, 38 runs allowed (35 earned), 5.34 earned run average, 15 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Pat DeGeralamo: 2 games played, 4 at bats, 4 hits, 1 run scored, 1.000 batting average, 1.000 on base percentage, 1.000 slugging percentage, 2.000 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Tay Robinson: 12 games played, 39 at bats, 32 hits (4 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run), 29 runs scored, .821 batting average, .837 on base percentage, 1.154 slugging percentage, 1.991 on base plus slugging, 18 runs batted in.
Matt Durisko (batting): 12 games played, 35 at bats, 24 hits (6 doubles, 2 triples, 4 home runs), 16 runs scored, .686 batting average, .684 on base percentage, 1.314 slugging percentage, 1.998 on base plus slugging, 18 runs batted in.
Matt Durisko (pitching): 2 games played, 2 innings pitched, 3 hits allowed.
Jacob Albright: 4 games played, 4 at bats.
Robert Mort: 10 games played, 31 at bats, 20 hits (2 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs), 15 runs scored, .645 batting average, .647 on base percentage, .968 slugging percentage, 1.615 on base plus slugging, 13 runs batted in.
Gray MacKenzie: 10 games played, 33 at bats, 18 hits (3 triples), 15 runs scored, .545 batting average, .571 on base percentage, .727 slugging percentage, 1.299 on base plus slugging, 12 runs batted in.
Bob Mariotti: 2 games played, 4 at bats, 1 hit, 2 runs scored, .250 batting average, .250 on base percentage, .250 slugging percentage, .500 on base plus slugging.
Jeff Newell: 14 games played, 47 at bats, 31 hits (9 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs), 25 runs scored, .660 batting average, .673 on base percentage, 1.255 slugging percentage, 1.929 on base plus slugging, 20 runs batted in.
Jim Bombeck: 10 games played, 22 at bats, 13 hits (2 doubles), 2 runs scored, .591 batting average, .609 on base percentage, .682 slugging percentage, 1.291 on base plus slugging, 10 runs batted in.
Elija Bombeck: 8 games played, 19 at bats, 12 hits (2 doubles), 4 runs scored, .632 batting average, .632 on base percentage, .737 slugging percentage, 1.368 on base plus slugging, 2 runs batted in.
Dan Vanderslice: 12 games played, 32 at bats, 18 hits (3 doubles, 1 home run), 10 runs scored, .562 batting average, .568 on base percentage, .750 slugging percentage, 1.318 on base plus slugging, 11 runs batted in.
Tyler Allen (batting): 12 games played, 41 at bats, 24 hits (6 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs), 25 runs scored, .585 batting average, .581 on base percentage, 1.366 slugging percentage, 1.947 on base plus slugging, 24 runs batted in.
Tyler Allen (pitching): 4 games played, 3 games started, 21 innings pitched, 4 wins, 0 losses, 28 hits allowed, 7 runs allowed (7 earned), 3.00 earned run average, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Greg Osmon: 13 games played, 21 at bats, 10 hits, 9 runs scored, .476 batting average, .500 on base percentage, .476 slugging percentage, .976 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Corey Sternthal: 10 games played, 29 at bats, 17 hits (6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs), 15 runs scored, .586 batting average, .576 on base percentage, 1.172 slugging percentage, 1.748 on base plus slugging, 19 runs batted in.
Julie Norris: 10 games played, 19 at bats, 8 hits, 2 runs scored, .421 batting average, .450 on base percentage, .421 slugging percentage, .871 on base plus slugging, 5 runs batted in.
Justin Reed: 4 games played, 3 runs scored.
Paul Fink: 13 games played, 18 at bats, 6 hits (1 double), 6 runs scored, .333 batting average, .400 on base percentage, .389 slugging percentage, .789 on base plus slugging, 3 runs batted in.
Total team numbers (batting): 14 games played, 495 at bats, 292 hits (53 doubles, 17 triples, 22 home runs), 200 runs scored, .590 batting average, .602 on base percentage, .899 slugging percentage, 1.501 on base plus slugging, 193 runs batted in.
Total team numbers (pitching): 14 games played, 82 innings pitched, 13 wins, 1 loss, 130 hits allowed, 45 runs allowed (42 earned), 4.61 earned run average, 19 walks, 12 strikeouts.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Five things we have learned from the first half of the 2017 season
Thirteen games into the season, Covenant stands at 12-1 with their recent split of their doubleheader against New Life Blue.
These are the five things we have learned from the first half of the 2017 season:
1. Covenant is a team full of speed and power. This is the fifth year that the Covenant team is referred to as Team Speed because they have speed on the base paths. This year, they have also emphasized power with the addition of Tyler Allen and Corey Sternthal. They have combined for 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in through 13 games.
2. Tyler Allen can be counted on when needed on the mound. Tyler Allen has pitched three games (starting two of them), and being the winning pitcher in all three of them. He has a 4.20 earned run average over 15 innings pitched.
3. Corey Sternthal is legit. Corey Sternthal is one of the rookies on the Covenant team, and he has a .611 batting average with 3 home runs and 19 runs batted in. Ten of his sixteen hits have been for extra bases. He is making a case for rookie of the year.
4. Jacob Albright is going through the dreaded sophomore jinx. Jacob Albright has only played three of the thirteen games this season and has not hit safely in his three at bats. He had a strong rookie campaign in 2016, but his sophomore season has started very slowly.
5. Bobby Mort is proving that his rookie campaign last year was no fluke. Bobby Mort was the rookie of the year last season, and midway through the 2017 season, he is proving that his exploits last year were no fluke, as he has been batting .643 with 2 home runs and 12 runs batted in.
What will the second half teach us? We shall find out as the games play out.
These are the five things we have learned from the first half of the 2017 season:
1. Covenant is a team full of speed and power. This is the fifth year that the Covenant team is referred to as Team Speed because they have speed on the base paths. This year, they have also emphasized power with the addition of Tyler Allen and Corey Sternthal. They have combined for 11 home runs and 43 runs batted in through 13 games.
2. Tyler Allen can be counted on when needed on the mound. Tyler Allen has pitched three games (starting two of them), and being the winning pitcher in all three of them. He has a 4.20 earned run average over 15 innings pitched.
3. Corey Sternthal is legit. Corey Sternthal is one of the rookies on the Covenant team, and he has a .611 batting average with 3 home runs and 19 runs batted in. Ten of his sixteen hits have been for extra bases. He is making a case for rookie of the year.
4. Jacob Albright is going through the dreaded sophomore jinx. Jacob Albright has only played three of the thirteen games this season and has not hit safely in his three at bats. He had a strong rookie campaign in 2016, but his sophomore season has started very slowly.
5. Bobby Mort is proving that his rookie campaign last year was no fluke. Bobby Mort was the rookie of the year last season, and midway through the 2017 season, he is proving that his exploits last year were no fluke, as he has been batting .643 with 2 home runs and 12 runs batted in.
What will the second half teach us? We shall find out as the games play out.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
State of the Lawrence Mercer County Church Softball League
When I was eating lunch at Panera today, Ryan Zippie gave me the state of the league heading into the 2017 season.
Lebanon B and Lebanon C have merged to form one single team at Lebanon Presbyterian in Lackawannock Township. This move was made to cut rising costs from fielding two or three teams over the duration of this current decade. With this news, it got me thinking that their coaching staff would have to weed out a bunch of players who played on the Lebanon B and C teams last season. That is just one reason why we claimed Tyler Allen off waivers from Lebanon because I might be speculating that Lebanon, to put it biblically, had no room for him in the inn.
Also, defending champion New Life has decided to field a second team consisting of all new players. This news got me thinking that New Life will follow Grace Chapel's lead and distinguish their two teams by the color of their uniforms just like Grace Chapel does. You will recall last year that Grace Chapel cut down from three teams to two to cut costs of fielding three teams. Grace Chapel Black disbanded, and Geri Truog, the best female pitcher that the league has to offer, was claimed by First Assembly in the dispersal draft, while Tom Dobos and Mike Wilson were claimed by New Life. Some of the other players went to Grace Chapel Blue.
Prior to practice tonight, we discussed some of the rules with the rookies and also talked about changing our uniforms. A black jersey was discussed, but Tay Robinson was concerned that they might fade in the hot sun. I was concerned that they would clash with the black jerseys worn by First Assembly. I feel that we should continue to wear red jerseys.
There is one minor change in the list of sponsors for this season. Vector Security will no longer sponsor the top of the second inning, because we have not been living up to their expectations. Thus, the top of the second inning will now be sponsored by ADT Security.
Our weather forecasts will be sponsored by State College-based Accuweather.
Also, the date of the league tournament will be on July 15 at the C.O.G. Softball Complex in West Middlesex, with a rain make up date of July 22.
I might consider calling my mentor Lanny Frattare before the week is out to let him know that spring training has started for the 2017 campaign. If you do not know who he is, allow me to tell you about him.
Lanny Frattare is the former voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started out with the team as the number three to the legendary Bob Prince and Nellie King. When both Prince and King were terminated, Frattare became the number two to Milo Hamilton. When Hamilton left, Frattare was ready to take over the play-by-play duties. He gave his voice to the 1979 "We Are Family" Pirates team that eventually won the World Series at the expense of the Baltimore Orioles. He was also the man who lent his voice to the 1997 "Freak Show" Pirates team that hovered around first place in a mediocre National League Central Division for much of the season. Frattare called more than 5000 Pirates games over a career that spanned more than 30 years before he retired at the end of the 2008 season. Today, he is the public relations director as well as a lecturer in broadcasting at Waynesburg University. In 2014, he wrote the foreward to the book of the 100 things that Pittsburgh Pirates fans should know and do before they die (a list in which he is a part of). Every January, he makes an annual pilgrimage up here to Mercer County where he serves as the master of ceremonies for the annual Mercer County Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Park Inn by Radisson. I am hoping that in January 2018, I will be able to attend the ceremony so that I can actually meet him in person for the first time.
Lebanon B and Lebanon C have merged to form one single team at Lebanon Presbyterian in Lackawannock Township. This move was made to cut rising costs from fielding two or three teams over the duration of this current decade. With this news, it got me thinking that their coaching staff would have to weed out a bunch of players who played on the Lebanon B and C teams last season. That is just one reason why we claimed Tyler Allen off waivers from Lebanon because I might be speculating that Lebanon, to put it biblically, had no room for him in the inn.
Also, defending champion New Life has decided to field a second team consisting of all new players. This news got me thinking that New Life will follow Grace Chapel's lead and distinguish their two teams by the color of their uniforms just like Grace Chapel does. You will recall last year that Grace Chapel cut down from three teams to two to cut costs of fielding three teams. Grace Chapel Black disbanded, and Geri Truog, the best female pitcher that the league has to offer, was claimed by First Assembly in the dispersal draft, while Tom Dobos and Mike Wilson were claimed by New Life. Some of the other players went to Grace Chapel Blue.
Prior to practice tonight, we discussed some of the rules with the rookies and also talked about changing our uniforms. A black jersey was discussed, but Tay Robinson was concerned that they might fade in the hot sun. I was concerned that they would clash with the black jerseys worn by First Assembly. I feel that we should continue to wear red jerseys.
There is one minor change in the list of sponsors for this season. Vector Security will no longer sponsor the top of the second inning, because we have not been living up to their expectations. Thus, the top of the second inning will now be sponsored by ADT Security.
Our weather forecasts will be sponsored by State College-based Accuweather.
Also, the date of the league tournament will be on July 15 at the C.O.G. Softball Complex in West Middlesex, with a rain make up date of July 22.
I might consider calling my mentor Lanny Frattare before the week is out to let him know that spring training has started for the 2017 campaign. If you do not know who he is, allow me to tell you about him.
Lanny Frattare is the former voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. He started out with the team as the number three to the legendary Bob Prince and Nellie King. When both Prince and King were terminated, Frattare became the number two to Milo Hamilton. When Hamilton left, Frattare was ready to take over the play-by-play duties. He gave his voice to the 1979 "We Are Family" Pirates team that eventually won the World Series at the expense of the Baltimore Orioles. He was also the man who lent his voice to the 1997 "Freak Show" Pirates team that hovered around first place in a mediocre National League Central Division for much of the season. Frattare called more than 5000 Pirates games over a career that spanned more than 30 years before he retired at the end of the 2008 season. Today, he is the public relations director as well as a lecturer in broadcasting at Waynesburg University. In 2014, he wrote the foreward to the book of the 100 things that Pittsburgh Pirates fans should know and do before they die (a list in which he is a part of). Every January, he makes an annual pilgrimage up here to Mercer County where he serves as the master of ceremonies for the annual Mercer County Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Park Inn by Radisson. I am hoping that in January 2018, I will be able to attend the ceremony so that I can actually meet him in person for the first time.
Friday, April 21, 2017
Observations from yesterday's spring training session
A tumultuous offseason for Covenant softball has ended with the first of several spring training sessions held yesterday.
I met the three new players who will be joining the team this coming season: Bobby Marzano (who is the younger brother of my high school classmate Angie Marzano), Paul Fink (who is originally from Pittsburgh's northern suburbs), and Tyler Allen (who was claimed off waivers from Lebanon B). Marzano and Fink are rookies, while Allen brings championship-caliber offense to a team that it was lacking in championship round losses to Lebanon B and New Life in the last two seasons.
This is the second consecutive year that a team in the Lawrence Mercer County Church Softball League has claimed a player off waivers from another team. Last year, Bethany of Mercer claimed Shawn Bresnahan off waivers from First Assembly. Also, you will recall that New Life claimed Mike Wilson and Tom Dobos from Grace Chapel Black in the dispersal draft, while First Assembly claimed Geri Truog, the best female pitcher that the league has to offer.
Tyler Allen will join the team's star contingent that currently consists of Jeff Newell, Tay Robinson, Matt Durisko and Dan Vanderslice.
With the addition of Allen to the team's star contingent, I believe that Covenant has the last piece that they need to complete the championship puzzle. By the middle of July, the team will win its first league championship, and will not only have to give coach Jim Bombeck a Gatorade shower, they will also have to give me a Gatorade shower.
The start of spring training is the right tonic that this team needed after a tumultuous offseason. Whether this will lead to Covenant softball taking its fans for the ride of a lifetime to its first championship remains to be seen.
I met the three new players who will be joining the team this coming season: Bobby Marzano (who is the younger brother of my high school classmate Angie Marzano), Paul Fink (who is originally from Pittsburgh's northern suburbs), and Tyler Allen (who was claimed off waivers from Lebanon B). Marzano and Fink are rookies, while Allen brings championship-caliber offense to a team that it was lacking in championship round losses to Lebanon B and New Life in the last two seasons.
This is the second consecutive year that a team in the Lawrence Mercer County Church Softball League has claimed a player off waivers from another team. Last year, Bethany of Mercer claimed Shawn Bresnahan off waivers from First Assembly. Also, you will recall that New Life claimed Mike Wilson and Tom Dobos from Grace Chapel Black in the dispersal draft, while First Assembly claimed Geri Truog, the best female pitcher that the league has to offer.
Tyler Allen will join the team's star contingent that currently consists of Jeff Newell, Tay Robinson, Matt Durisko and Dan Vanderslice.
With the addition of Allen to the team's star contingent, I believe that Covenant has the last piece that they need to complete the championship puzzle. By the middle of July, the team will win its first league championship, and will not only have to give coach Jim Bombeck a Gatorade shower, they will also have to give me a Gatorade shower.
The start of spring training is the right tonic that this team needed after a tumultuous offseason. Whether this will lead to Covenant softball taking its fans for the ride of a lifetime to its first championship remains to be seen.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
A very difficult offseason for CPC Softball will soon end
Last July, Covenant Sharon softball fell one win short of winning a championship in its second trip to the tournament finals.
Early on in the offseason, I was hinting at not returning to podcast games in 2017 because I had not been a part of a championship-winning team since 1997. But a member of a rival team (who shall remain nameless) coaxed me to return to the CPC softball broadcast booth for 2017 because of how they enjoyed my work calling the games.
Little did I realize that it was part one of a difficult offseason for CPC Softball that will soon be ending as spring training begins.
In August, I found out from Dan Vanderslice that Bob Mariotti and Pat Degeralamo would not be returning in 2017. (I'm trying to get Pat Degeralamo to be my number two podcaster.) In March I found out that Randel Veccia might not be returning.
In February, I posted that Tim Brando of Fox Sports was reporting that Sean Zippie was contemplating stepping away from the game after the 2017 season. He was approached walking out of Giant Eagle and was quoted as saying that the 2017 season would define the legacy of the CPC softball coaching staff. To put it another way, it means that Sean Zippie was saying that head coach Jim Bombeck would be on the hot seat in the 2017 season because of the lack of championships in the first five years of the squad's existence (which puts it at a combined record of 71 wins and 55 losses over those five seasons).
This past Easter weekend saw two things happen to members of the squad. First, I was T-boned by another driver near the mall while I was about to make a turn into the mall. I was unhurt, but I am still shaken up over it. I may need a new vehicle to stow my necessary equipment that I need for my podcasts, preferably one that I can go off road with.
The offseason will end on a sour note as Ryan and Sean Zippie have endured the death of their grandfather.
To say that the team has had to endure so much adversity in the offseason is an understatement. I believe that the right tonic for the tumultuous offseason is the start of spring training for the 2017 Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League campaign. As the voice of Covenant Softball, I am predicting that the team will use the offseason adversity as motivation to win their first league championship on July 15 at the COG Softball Complex in West Middlesex. When it happens, they'll not only have to give coach Bombeck a Gatorade shower, they'll also have to give me a Gatorade shower!
Now you're thinking to yourselves as you read this post, "Wow. The team must have had a difficult offseason. But who are you to post this?"
GOOD QUESTION!
My name is Michael T. Mondak. I have been the voice of Covenant Softball since the early portion of the 2015 campaign. My play-by-play of the games has been constantly praised by players and coaches throughout the entire Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League. I podcast the games via SoundCloud. My podcasting has improved over the last two seasons thanks to advice I received from former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Lanny Frattare. I still seek his advice every year.
Starting this season, I will no longer use paper and pencil to keep score of the games. I will now be using the Gamechanger Softball app on my iPad. Although I will still keep a media guide, I will now get up to date statistics and game recap stories that only the Gamechanger Softball app can provide.
This season's podcast sponsors will include the following:
priceline.com (Countdown to First Pitch)
Lock Stock and Barrel (Know the Enemy)
Giant Eagle (Starting Lineups)
Reyers Shoe Store (Monthly Trivia Question)
Shop 'n Save (Top of First Inning)
Sheetz (Bottom of First Inning)
Vector Security (Top of Second Inning)
Med-Fast Pharmacy (Bottom of Second Inning)
Kraynak's (Top of Third Inning)
Thelma's Sports Nook (Bottom of Third Inning)
Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Hermitage (Top of Fourth Inning)
O'Neill Coffee (Bottom of Fourth Inning)
JCPenney (Top of Fifth Inning)
First National Bank of Pennsylvania (Bottom of Fifth Inning)
Stone Church Pizza and Brew Pub (Top of Sixth Inning)
Penn State Shenango (Bottom of Sixth Inning)
Sharon Regional Sports Medicine (Top of Seventh Inning)
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (Bottom of Seventh Inning)
Turner Dairy Farms & Turner's Premium Iced Tea (Extra Innings)
Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home (Eighth Inning Post Game Wrap Up)
Tim Horton's (Final statistics)
Allstate agent Gary Ceremuga powered by Involta Data Centers (Player of the Game)
I shall return to blogging throughout the season.
Early on in the offseason, I was hinting at not returning to podcast games in 2017 because I had not been a part of a championship-winning team since 1997. But a member of a rival team (who shall remain nameless) coaxed me to return to the CPC softball broadcast booth for 2017 because of how they enjoyed my work calling the games.
Little did I realize that it was part one of a difficult offseason for CPC Softball that will soon be ending as spring training begins.
In August, I found out from Dan Vanderslice that Bob Mariotti and Pat Degeralamo would not be returning in 2017. (I'm trying to get Pat Degeralamo to be my number two podcaster.) In March I found out that Randel Veccia might not be returning.
In February, I posted that Tim Brando of Fox Sports was reporting that Sean Zippie was contemplating stepping away from the game after the 2017 season. He was approached walking out of Giant Eagle and was quoted as saying that the 2017 season would define the legacy of the CPC softball coaching staff. To put it another way, it means that Sean Zippie was saying that head coach Jim Bombeck would be on the hot seat in the 2017 season because of the lack of championships in the first five years of the squad's existence (which puts it at a combined record of 71 wins and 55 losses over those five seasons).
This past Easter weekend saw two things happen to members of the squad. First, I was T-boned by another driver near the mall while I was about to make a turn into the mall. I was unhurt, but I am still shaken up over it. I may need a new vehicle to stow my necessary equipment that I need for my podcasts, preferably one that I can go off road with.
The offseason will end on a sour note as Ryan and Sean Zippie have endured the death of their grandfather.
To say that the team has had to endure so much adversity in the offseason is an understatement. I believe that the right tonic for the tumultuous offseason is the start of spring training for the 2017 Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League campaign. As the voice of Covenant Softball, I am predicting that the team will use the offseason adversity as motivation to win their first league championship on July 15 at the COG Softball Complex in West Middlesex. When it happens, they'll not only have to give coach Bombeck a Gatorade shower, they'll also have to give me a Gatorade shower!
Now you're thinking to yourselves as you read this post, "Wow. The team must have had a difficult offseason. But who are you to post this?"
GOOD QUESTION!
My name is Michael T. Mondak. I have been the voice of Covenant Softball since the early portion of the 2015 campaign. My play-by-play of the games has been constantly praised by players and coaches throughout the entire Lawrence-Mercer County Church Softball League. I podcast the games via SoundCloud. My podcasting has improved over the last two seasons thanks to advice I received from former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer Lanny Frattare. I still seek his advice every year.
Starting this season, I will no longer use paper and pencil to keep score of the games. I will now be using the Gamechanger Softball app on my iPad. Although I will still keep a media guide, I will now get up to date statistics and game recap stories that only the Gamechanger Softball app can provide.
This season's podcast sponsors will include the following:
priceline.com (Countdown to First Pitch)
Lock Stock and Barrel (Know the Enemy)
Giant Eagle (Starting Lineups)
Reyers Shoe Store (Monthly Trivia Question)
Shop 'n Save (Top of First Inning)
Sheetz (Bottom of First Inning)
Vector Security (Top of Second Inning)
Med-Fast Pharmacy (Bottom of Second Inning)
Kraynak's (Top of Third Inning)
Thelma's Sports Nook (Bottom of Third Inning)
Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Hermitage (Top of Fourth Inning)
O'Neill Coffee (Bottom of Fourth Inning)
JCPenney (Top of Fifth Inning)
First National Bank of Pennsylvania (Bottom of Fifth Inning)
Stone Church Pizza and Brew Pub (Top of Sixth Inning)
Penn State Shenango (Bottom of Sixth Inning)
Sharon Regional Sports Medicine (Top of Seventh Inning)
Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley (Bottom of Seventh Inning)
Turner Dairy Farms & Turner's Premium Iced Tea (Extra Innings)
Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home (Eighth Inning Post Game Wrap Up)
Tim Horton's (Final statistics)
Allstate agent Gary Ceremuga powered by Involta Data Centers (Player of the Game)
I shall return to blogging throughout the season.
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