Angels vs. Dodgers for the L.V. amateur crown

By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call


An Angels-Dodgers series for a baseball championship sounds like something that would get southern California very excited.

But when Stahley's Angels meet the Limeport Dodgers in a best-of- three series starting at 7:30 tonight in Limeport, the excitement figures to build among baseball fans in the Lehigh Valley.

For the first time ever, the Tri-County League champions (the Angels) are taking on the Blue Mountain League champs (the Dodgers) in a special series to crown a Lehigh Valley amateur baseball champ.

The series resumes at 7:30 tomorrow and a third game, if necessary, would be played Friday night. All of the games will be played at Limeport Stadium, which was selected as the series site long before the Dodgers completed their successful run through the BML playoffs.

Limeport Stadium, also home of the annual Tri-Co/BML All-Star Game, is the only facility used by both leagues. It also has lights, meaning all games can be played in prime time without a concern for darkness halting games prematurely.

The series is the result of the combined efforts of the two league presidents -- BML's Bob Schuster and Tri-Co's Jack Evans. The two felt that a series between the league champs would be an exciting way to wrap up a summer of action and give area baseball fans one last treat before the bats, gloves and balls are packed away until next spring.

The participating teams don't exactly know what to expect, but are hoping for the best.

"I think it'll be a lot of fun, win or lose," said the Angels' hard-hitting first baseman, Dave Lutte. "There'll be some pride at stake. I'm sure we'll be going to win and I'm sure they'll be going to win as well. Mostly, though, we want to have fun."

Certainly, both the Angels (27-12) and Dodgers (31-14) have had their share of fun already this month.

Stahley's has won three consecutive three-game series. The Angels defeated Gilbertsville for the Tri-Co's regular season crown and then won the deciding game in postseason tourney series against Silver Creek and Limeport A.A.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, had to win an extra playoff game over Martins Creek just to qualify for the BML playoffs. Since then, they have gone a remarkable 6-1 against the BML's best regular season teams -- Bicentennial and Banko's. Limeport claimed its second BML crown in three years Saturday when it completed a three-game sweep over Banko's.

After being an underdog through the BML playoffs, the Dodgers are - - at least in most people's eyes -- the favorite against Stahley's. But player-manager Jim Schaffer, who also played on the Limeport A.A. Tri-County team that Stahley's defeated for the Tri-Co playoff crown, knows it won't be easy.

"I don't know if I would say we're the favorite because Stahley's is a good hitting team and has enough pitching to match up very well with us," Schaffer said. "What might work in our favor is that all three games are at Limeport where we're used to playing and should have good crowd support."

Another possible edge for the Dodgers is that the Angels haven't played since winning the Tri-Co playoff title Aug. 12. Also, Stahley's may be missing several of its key players -- Joe Aleszczyk, Tony Galucy and Keith Brader -- who are all headed back to college. Catcher Greg Wotring also may not be available because of vacation plans.

The Angels will undoubtedly count on the pitching of player- manager Ray Ganser, Ed Jones, Matt Hlay (who also plays in the BML) and Tim Brader. Offensive sparkplugs include Lutte, Mookie Smith, Dale Weiss, Rick Wittman and Jeff Snyder. Veterans Herb Hemerly and Mike Witkowski give the club added depth.

Limeport's stunning playoff performance has been keyed by the outstanding pitching of Tom Cichocki, Dave Norwood, Bruce Blank and Mike Norwood.

Offensively, Dan Eckert (two home runs and six RBI Saturday against Banko's), Jeff Haag, Andy Cichocki, Terry Sandercock and Schaffer have all come through in the clutch.

As an added feature, a Most Valuable Player trophy will be given to the series' top star. Most importantly, though, the series figures to be a glittering showcase for local amateur baseball.

"There's a lot of pride involved between the two leagues and we're proud to be representing the whole BML in this thing," Schaffer said. "This is just a great opportunity for the fans to come out and see us one more time. There should be a lot of good baseball played. I expect some great crowds and a real great series."



keith.groller@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- August 21, 1991

Copyright © 1991, The Morning Call