Limeport is stocked for another bull run

The revamped league -- now with 14 teams -- lost three teams but has gained one.


By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call

 

There's another Bulls team going for a third straight championship this year, and unlike their namesakes in Chicago, these Bulls don't have a superstar threatening to retire and constant turmoil surrounding them.

The Limeport Bulls are going for the hat trick this summer in the Tri-County Baseball League and should be even stronger than the 1996 and '97 title squads, thanks to some key additions.

But several other clubs have also made some moves in an attempt to stop Limeport from "bullying" their way to another crown.

The Tri-Co is reduced to 14 teams this season -- down two from a year ago. Easton, Center Valley and Silver Creek have disbanded operations, but the Lehigh Township Brewers join the league.

Also, the Allentown Senators will now be called the Valley Athletics after a new sponsor --Valley Athletic Supply of Lansford -- came aboard. And the team formerly known as Castle Hill will now be called Jordan Creek.

The 14 clubs are divided into two, seven-team divisions -- the North and South.

Each team will play each division foe three times and the teams in the opposite division twice. At the end of the 32-game regular season, seven teams will go to the playoffs -- the two division winners and five wild-card teams.

The team with the season's best record gets a first-round bye while the other six clubs meet in a best-of-3 opening-round series. The semifinals and finals will be best-of-5 matchups.

The league's returning stars include MVP Mike Merkle of Cetronia, who led the league in homers (13) and RBIs (52) last summer. He was third in batting average (.480), behind only Brian Ware (.563) of the Northern Yankees and Jeff Snyder of Stahley's (.500).

Old faces in new places include Rob Castimore, who went from Center Valley to Limport; Dan Roth, who moved from Stahley's to Lehigh Township; Shawn Cadden, who went from Castle Hill to Stahley's; Tim Gluck, who shifted from Silver Creek to ICC, and Eric Schmitt, a former Easton player now with the Northern Yankees.

Long-time Upper Perkiomen star Bob Graber begins his 20th season and hopes to become the first Tri-Co player to reach 400 RBIs, while Stahley's Dale Weiss begins his 19th Tri-Co campaign with a good shot at the 600-hit milestone.

With a big assist from Tri-Co Publicity Director Bob Ornosky, here's a team-by-team outlook:
 

NORTH DIVISION

ICC -- New manager Mike Brosious is hoping the even years stay good to the Pirates, who were a playoff team in 1994 and '96. Josh Mohlmann (.469, 53 hits) and Rich Gaugler (.409, 30 RBIs) should spark the offense. Eric Baran (6-2, 45 K's) figures to be the ace on the hill.

JORDAN CREEK -- After a 10-24 mark in '97, the JCs hope to change more than just their name. The key offensive returnees include Fabian Acevedo (.293), Tony Toth (.409) and Chris Schrampf (.308).

LEHIGH TOWNSHIP -- The Brewers are the Tri-Co's new team, but feature a lot of old faces. Player/manager Shawn Andrews and Todd Greb (.366) come over from the old Allentown Senators. Steve and Matt Smull, keys behind Silver Creek's success, provide stability as does pitcher Tom Laury (5-3, 41 K's).

NORTHERN YANKEES -- Despite posting the league's third-best batting average in '97, the Yanks managed just a 13-21 mark. They hope to improve behind an offense sparked by Gabe Santilli, Bob Breitfeller and Jason Strunk, who all are coming off 30-hit seasons. Nate Davidson is one of the team's top pitchers.

SPORTS PAGE RED SOX -- Formerly called the Bethlehem Red Sox, the Pfeifle Field tenants hope to take the next step and make the playoffs after just missing the postseason with a 17-17 mark in '97, their first season in the Tri-Co. Greg Wotring (.404), Jim Brezack (.375, 5 HRs) and Jay Wotring (.404) key the offense, while Chris Frey (1.30 ERA), Shane Noble (5-1) and Joe Aleszczyk -- back after spending last year in the Allentown Ambassadors' front office --provide mound stability.

STAHLEY'S MARINERS -- The perennial title contenders, 21-12 last year, figure to make a run behind veterans Jeff Snyder (.500), Dave Lutte, Joe Teresavage and Mookie Smith. Josh Gunkle (74 K's) and Matt Hlay (5-1) anchor the pitching staff.

VALLEY ATHLETICS -- These A's hope to be like the A's of the early '70s and join the ranks of the Tri-Co elite. Joe and Pat Sedler, Greg Kosciolek (5 homers in 38 at-bats), George Gillespie (7 homers, 31 RBIs) and veteran Julio Lebron hope to boost a club that won 14 games last year when it was known as the Allentown Senators.
 

SOUTH DIVISION

CETRONIA LONGHORNS -- After advancing to the semifinals last year before losing to Gabelsville, the 'Horns hope to take the next step this summer behind Merkle and all-around star Jeremy Warmkessel, who was 6-0 on the mound and batted .385.

GABELSVILLE OWLS -- The Owls are still looking for their fifth title this decade. Their 30-4 mark last year meant nothing in the playoffs. The team is stocked with familiar faces, including Bob Drumbore (1.44 ERA), Greg Gilbert (.425, 40 RBIs) and Jeff Evans (.395, 8 HRs). Rookie pitchers Bill Smith and Rodney Mill, from Wilkes and Bloomsburg, respectively, should give the team some fresh arm strength.

LIMEPORT -- The Bulls should better their 23-11 mark of last year, thanks to the addition of Castimore (8-1, 62 K's) and Jason Sigley (50 K's in 49 innings). Player-manager Bill Fatzinger is back after hitting .372. Kevin Kershner (.393), Glenn Kushma (.409) and Josh Williams (.448) key the offense. Newcomers Pete Remaly and Mike Geiger add more punch to an already potent attack.

MILFORD PIONEERS -- It wasn't exactly heaven in '97, but ever the optimist, skipper Don Rosenberger believes his team will be great in '98. The good news is that 14 guys return from last year's team. The bad news is last year's team was 5-29. Returnees include Ron Hack (.291), Justin Kunkle (.367) and Steve Smuggeresky (.304). Newcomers include Josh Balliet and Ryan Kempinski.

QUAKERTOWN -- The Orioles have nowhere to go but up this year after a dreadful 3-31 summer of '97. Jon Ference (.354) gets help in the lineup with the additions of Dave Ardnt, Todd Balliet and Brian Spadt, who played for Center Valley last season. Spadt was one of the league's top hitters, while Balliet batted .322.

SOUTH WHITEHALL -- The Serpents reached the semis last season before losing to Limeport. They hope to build on a 23-11 season with more solid play from the Erie boys (Bill, Chad and Jeff) and Chuck Mondschein. Randy Baer and Jud Frank, both 5-2 last year, anchor the pitching staff.

UPPER PERK -- The Chiefs have a new chief in veteran player Joe Ricapito, who takes over as manager. He hopes to get some help from Ursinus standouts Andy Hawkins and Dave Pierce, who were a combined 10-3 on the mound last year and both batted above .300. Upper Perk was 20-14 and reached the playoffs a year ago.



keith.groller@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- May 9, 1998

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