Crouching tiger, broken zipper May 21, 2012
Burlington 5, Mount Laurel 2
Jeff Vitale was 3-for-3, leading the support for winning pitcher Sean McNeill (eight strikeouts). Josh Limon had two RBIs and Dan Torres scored two runs as the Mets improved to 5-0.
Courtesy of Burlington County Times, www.phillyburbs.com
OVERHEARD ON THE BENCH:
Matt Fischer, after failing to show for a single game during entire 2011 season without a valid excuse:
"No one wants to talk to me. Chiefy's lonely. Where's Ric?"
Shaun Babula to McNeil, whose pants zipper broke delivering a pitch in the second inning, after he gave up 2 runs in the fifth inning:
SB: "You can't finish this game. You don't have the balls."
John Harvey pitched a complete game, allowing no earned runs. Dan Graham, Paul Guerrieri and Scott Hauber each had two hits for the winners. Losing pitcher Brett Knazek had two RBIs and brother Joe Knazek was 2-for-4.
Courtesy of Burlington County Times
OVERHEARD ON THE BENCH:
-Graham on why he will miss the next two games: "I'm going to Canadia [pronounced ca-NAY-dee-A] to visit Emily's family."
-As Hauber put on a batting helmet:
"His head is the same shape as the helmet."
"We used to call him Mayor McCheese in college."
"Who do you think would win a headbutt contest between him and Pedro?"
-Zach Skidmore, after scoring from third on a wild pitch with Hauber on deck, to Sean McNeil who was keeping score:
ZS: "He definately gets an RBI for that."
SM: "I banged a Wendy's chick on a roadtrip once."
Stellar Chambers paces Mets in win May 18, 2012
Burlington 5, Riverside 0
James Chambers and Sean McNeil combined on a four-hit shutout. Pedro Perez had three hits and Paul Guerrieri added two. Brendan Griffin and Justin Ely led Riverside with two hits.
Burlington County Times, www.phillyburbs.com
OVERHEARD ON THE BENCH:
Brandon Elliott, sporting a straggly, unkempt mustache instead of his trademark chin hair:
"This is my Browns Millionaire look."
As Jeff Vitale wandered about the shrubbery in deep right field at Bob Kenney Field located on Hooker Street in Riverside:
"Check out Vi. He thinks there's a reason they call it Hooker Street and he's lookin' for it."
After the short and stout Ray Zirilli drew a pinch hit walk and stood on first base which was manned by Riverside's long and lanky Justin Ely:
"They look like the two guys stranded on the desert island in Bugs Bunny."
Mets withstand late Boro rally May 17, 2012
Burlington 5, Willingboro 4
Shaun Babula recorded a strikeout with two Willingboro runners on base to nail down the win. Babula went the distance and struck out 10. Pedro Perez hit a home run and Garrett Mull had two RBIs for Burlington. Matt Moceri batted in two runs for Willingboro.
Courtesy of Burlington County Times, www.phillyburbs.com
OVERHEARD ON THE BENCH:
"Look at the size of [Scott] Hauber's head. He looks like a friggin' blowpop."
Burls outslug Boro for opening day win May 14, 2012
Zach Skidmore hit a walk-off two-run homerun deep over the fence in right-center field, as the Mets stole the win from Willingboro in the bottom of the sixth of the darkness shortened contest. Trailing 6 to 4 with two outs in the sixth, Pedro Perez started the rally with a pinch hit homerun. Shaun Babula then reached on a bunt single and stole second before Skidmore’s game winning blast. It was Skidmore’s second homerun of the night as the Midwest rube finished with a game high 4 RBIs.
Mets starter John Harvey took a 3 to 1 lead into the fifth inning but surrendered 4 runs, 3 earned on homeruns by Jon Wetzel and Matt Moceri. James Chambers, making his first appearance for the Mets since 2007, picked up the win in relief. NOTES: Josh Limon, who was caught skipping a game last season to attend the Burlington County Farm Fair, was 2-3 with a double and an RBI for the Mets…Vinny James led the Mets in stolen bases for about an inning and a half…Jeff Vitale, who made his 22nd consecutive opening day start for the Mets, almost had to be scratched from the lineup after he was drilled in the head with an errant throw from one of the Torres twins during pregame warm-ups.
OVERHEARD ON THE BENCH
As the Boro squad warmed up prior to the game:
“Are you sure that’s a baseball team? They look more like a bunch of lumberjacks with a few cavemen mixed in.”
After Vitale headed to the dugout with blood oozing from the Torres caused laceration on the top of his skull:
“Steel cage match day at Delilah’s Vi?”
“Band-Aid? I’m a man, I don’t have any (bleeping) Band-Aids babe.”
“Vi, I’m pretty sure I don’t want any of your blood near me.”
The Mets will face Willingboro again on Thursday at 6:15pm at JFK Recreation Center.
Expanded baseball league kicks off Monday May 14, 2012
RVL NOTEBOOK
By Bruce Johnson, Burlington County Times
The 115th consecutive summer of semipro baseball in Burlington County kicks off Monday evening with two games: Willingboro taking on the Burlington Mets in a 6:15 start at Life Center Academy, and league newcomer Burlington Township visits Vincentown for an 8 p.m. start. The B.T. Pirates have been added as the ninth team in the league, meaning each team will play a 32-game schedule, facing each opponent twice at home and twice on the road.
Rounding out the teams are defending league champion Cinnaminson, Vincentown, defending regular-season champion Delran, Riverside, Mount Laurel and the Pine Barren Phantoms (formerly Pemberton).
The regular season is scheduled to end July 31, with the playoffs to follow. The eighth- and ninth-place teams will meet in a one-game playoff on Aug. 1, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals that start Aug. 4.
This is the 66th year of the Rancocas Valley League, which started in 1947. Burlington County’s first organized league was in 1898 — around the time of the Spanish-American War — lasted through the 1951 season, after which it merged with the RVL in 1952.
Burlington Mets
Last year: 22-11-1; lost in semifinals of playoffs to Cinnaminson Home: Life Center Academy, Burlington What’s new?: The Mets have installed a new backstop at Life Center Academy.
Cinnaminson Reds
Last year: 25-10; won the playoff championship Home: Memorial Field, Cinnaminson What’s new?: In addition to their new name, honoring former manager Red Herron, they’ve added Cameron Bahr and Kevin Boswick, while dropping Casey Donahue and Bobby Diepold.
Delran
Last year: 27-8; lost in semifinals of playoffs to Vincentown Home: Notre Dame Field, Delran What’s new?: Delran is looking for its first RVL title since winning back-to-back crowns in 2007 and 2008.
Vincentown Merchants
Last year: 20-9-1; lost in playoff finals to Cinnaminison Home: Southampton Memorial Park What’s new?: Recently renovated Southampton Memorial Park will be getting a new name on May 28 when it becomes Harry Thompson Field.
Willingboro
Last year: 13-21-1; lost in first round of playoffs to Vincentown Home: J.F. Kennedy Recreation Center, Willingboro What’s new?: Willingboro hasn’t finished above fifth place since 2002, when it tied for first with Delran but lost in the playoffs.
Riverside Patriots
Last year: 12-20-3; lost in first round of playoffs to Burlington Home: Bob Kenney Field, Riverside What’s new?: The third-year team has added a new nickname — the Patriots.
Mount Laurel
Last year: 7-21-2; lost in first round of playoffs to Cinnaminson Home: Hainesport Recreation Center What’s new?: The Laurels are just 42-69-3 since falling to Delran in the 2007 playoff final.
Pine Barrens Phantoms
Last year: 4-30; lost in first round of playoffs to Delran Home: Patty Bowker Field, Tabernacle What’s new?: Will the new name produce more victories? Some new names on the roster may help more.
Burlington Twp. Pirates
Last year: first year in the league Home: Burlington Township High School Field; Pinewald Field What’s new?: Just about everything is new.
Making it official
For years teams have half-considered Southampton Memorial Field was really Harry Thompson Field. After all, the 82-year-old Thompson has been part of the Vincentown Merchants since 1947, the year the RVL opened. But on May 28, the change will become official. If that wasn’t enough reason for a big crowd to head to the league’s mecca, that night’s game will be against the Burlington Mets.
The name game
The Burlington Mets and Vincentown Merchants were the only RVL teams with nicknames last year. This year that has changed, with Cinnaminson (Reds, named after former coach Red Herron), Riverside (Patriots), Pemberton (now the Pine Barren Phantoms, named after the planes coach Gerry Lamola used to fly) and the B.T. Pirates.
Hopefully, Delran, Mount Laurel and Willingboro will join the nickname club.
Look who’s back
Ryan Mingin will be playing for the Cinnaminson Reds until early-mid June, when he will leave to coach a team in the Myrtle Beach Summer League. Mingin was one of the league’s top catchers before taking a coaching position in Oklahoma last year.
This and that
The Cinnaminson entry in the RVL will hold a season-opening Beef ‘n’ Beer fundraiser Saturday, 7-11 p.m., at the Jug Handle Inn’s outside bar. For information, contact Brett Miller at 609-238-3430.
Willingboro will hold its fourth Alvin Townsend Memorial Beef and Beer Scholarship Fundraiser on June 2, 6-9 p.m., at the Cool Cricket in Fieldsboro. The cost is $25. The team is also selling Alvin (No.3) Townsend T-shirts for $20. For information, contact Mike Stumpf at 609-560-0143.
Bruce Johnson: 609-871-8076; email: brjohnson@phillyBurbs.com
More fungos, more fun April 14, 2012
Burlington Mets separated at birth March 11, 2012
January 27, 2012
COMING SOON....TwocMZ January 5, 2012
Insights, commentary and observations from Burlington's favorite hemorrhoid Brandon Elliott. Twoc is always watching.
Photos courtesy of Mark Fletcher at Tri-County Sports Online
All photos available for purchase at www.tricountysportsonline.com
DISCLAIMER
All commentary appearing on the Burlington Mets website is made in jest and is intended only in jest, and therefore should be construed ONLY in jest and SHOULD NOT be construed ANY OTHER WAY. The Mets DO NOT practice, facilitate, or condone harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or any similarly related act or action, whether legal or illegal, based on age; gender; nationality; race; sexual orientation; height; weight; amount of tattoos; mullets; blood-alchohol level; volume of voice (or lack thereof); saliva produced when talking; size, shape and/or color of heads, jaws, noses, chins, and necks (or lack thereof); size, shape, color and color coordination (or lack thereof) of eyes; amount of hair (including, but not limited to hair on heads, legs, arms, and faces); hair color; amount of missing internal organs, amount of intact internal organs; amount of intact but barely functioning internal organs; mental stability (or lack thereof); physical resemblance to birds/fowl, goats, hairy yellow dogs, venison, albino venison, cartoon indians, abominal snowmen, Ric Flair, Thundercat characters, Flintstone characters, large hairy mythological forest dwellers, mythological pot o' gold hoarders, and/or wood chewing rodents; or any other personal attribute not specifically mentioned herein.
.jpg)
