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Methacton has voted
for 50/70 baseball!!!!!
This
year Methacton has voted to change their format to 50/70 baseball for
the Major division only.
In
2007 Cal Ripken Baseball decided to increase the base and pitching
distances for their Majors division which on the recreation level is
primarily made up of 11 and 12 year olds. They also did this with the
12 year old District level. The idea was to offer a interim step for
kids moving up to the “big field”.
Over
the past few seasons, many of you may have heard this familiar phrase
and were totally confused by it. Don't feel bad, "50/70" is a often
used catch phrase that may leave some people dazed and confused. So
here's the deal, "What's 50/70?" and why is it on the tip of every
youth baseball player and parents tongue? "50/70" is a short catch
phrase to decribe the "new" length of youth
baseball field dimensions. It describes the length of the pitchers
mound (50 feet) to home plate and the length of the base paths (70
feet).
Still confused??? Don't worry, we can explain, clarify and ultimately
tell you why it is on fire and has kids all over the country talking!
Youth baseball or "Little League" Baseball as we all grew up knowing
has always played with a 46 foot pitchers mound (from the mound to the
plate) and 60 foot long basepaths. As we all know, as kids have gotten
bigger, stronger, faster and most importantly older (remember two years
ago they changed the age limit in youth baseball and now some 13 year
olds are still playing in little leagues), the old dimensions of
"46/60" have become outdated!!!! Combine that with the fact that Little
League baseball has never
allowed such things as leads before the ball crosses home plate, and no
pitcher needing to hold runners on base or pitch from the stretch, and
what you have is a very watered down version of real baseball. What Cal
Ripken, Jr. noticed a few years ago was what we have always
known since we were little kids: When you have to make that transition
from little field, no leads, no holding runners on, etc. to the big
Major League size field at 13 years old, well, many kids got extremely
discouraged and quit the game because of such a drastic transition. So
what did Cal do with his Cal Ripken 11-12 year old age division???? He
incorporated "50/70", a new dimension to youth baseball fields, an
intermediate length field that would soften the transition to the "Big
Field" when these youngsters moved up!!! What a great idea!!! Combine
this with the fact that by moving the pitchers mound back 4 feet from
46 feet to 50 feet (see where I'm going with this) and moving the bases
from 60 feet apart to 70 feet apart (starting to get the 50/70
feeling?),
kids can now become more comfortable hitting, without a pitcher
breathing down their necks from 46 feet. Kids can now make more plays
because the bases are further apart, and most importantly now kids can
take real leads and pitchers can try to pick them off while pitching
from the stretch. But most importantly, now our coaches can teach the
game the right way, the way kids will have to know it when they become
13 years old. Our kids get a two year head start learning the game the
correct way, which leads to better fundamental teaching.
So we thank Cal Ripken, Jr. and the whole Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth Baseball
organization for their forward thinking position on youth baseball and
welcome ALL Methacton boys to come out and experience the
thrill of 50/70 baseball!!!!!! Once you've tried it, you're hooked!
GOT 50/70 BASEBALL??????? WE DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to
2010 Methacton Board Members
President: John Pelusi
VP Ops:
Brendan Kilcoyne
VP Fields
Operations:John Larcinese
Treasurer:
Jeff Eberly
Secretary:
Tim Carfrey
Commissioner of
Instructional: Jason Sorgini
Commissioner
of Rookie Girls: Jason Vavra
Commissioner
of Major Girls: - John Nienius
Commissioner
of SR. Girls: Todd Dale
Commissioner
of Rookie Boys: - Tony Meyer
Commissioner
of Minor Boys: - Doug Kenwood
Appointed by
President:
Player Agent - Rick Zapfel
Director of
Softball - Natalie Shytle
Director of
Baseball - Joe Morello
Commissioner
of Majors: - to be voted in next meeting.
Commissioner
of Minor Girls: to be voted in next
meeting.
Congratulations to
Methacton Girls 14's All Star team
The Methacton 14’s girls finished
second in the Babe Ruth State Softball Tournament, losing only two
games both to the ultimate state champs Luzerne County . Manager
Bob Pellechio and Coached Dave Civitello, Terri Lewis and Gary
Murphy. They also won the 16U Gary Beal Tournament at ARA and
Spring Ford Tournament (again 16U). Way to go girls. A big congrads to
you!!!!
Congratulations to
Methacton Boys 11's All Star team

Here is a recap of the State Tournment.
We are all proud of the fine effort that they gave.
Opening Night:
Opening night for the skills competition saw Jake Cardarelli and Sean
Kenwood run away with the "Outfield Throwing Competition". Jake took
first place with Sean taking a strong second place finish. Let's not
forget Cameron Marks hauling in these throw from the outfield to help
his two team mates win. Great effort by those 3 young men
1st Game vs Forest City: (Won 10 to 2)
Offense: Sean Kenwood's single with two strikes put Methacton on the
board in the second inning, only to be followed by Cameron Marks (3 for
4 on the day) two out double to drive in 2 more runs. Dylan Feaster's
leadoff home run in the fourth inning ignited our offense. Cameron
Marks singled, stole second, and then scored on Joey Morello's ground
rule double to left center. Pat Pennypacker then followed a batter
later to single to left center field to score Morello. In the
bottom of the fifth pinch hitter Joey Zarkoski doubles to right,
followed by a scorching double off the left center field fence by
another pinch hitter Kyle Gaul, scoring Zarkoski. Dylan Feaster just
missed his second home run of the day hitting the top of the fence in
dead center field scoring Gaul. Gary McCabe drove in Feaster wth a
single to left to knock in our tenth run.
Pitching: Speaking of Gary McCabe. McCabe pitched 4 innings, scattering
2 hits and striking out 10 batters. Pat Pennypacker closed out the last
2 innings effortlessly, and Gary McCabe turned an unassisted
double play that ended any comeback from Forest City.
2nd Game vs New Oxford: ( Loss 8 to 10)
Offense: This was a tough loss for our team. A win here and we win our
division and move on right to the semi-finals. Two great efforts are
very much notable in this loss. Zach Feaster (3 for 3 in the game) hit
2 monstrous home runs while driving in 3 runs. Andrew Glovach (3 for 4
in the game) also drove in 3 runs, while showing a real nice piece of
hitting with two strikes on both at bats that he drove in the 3 runs.
3rd Game vs Upper Merion: (Won 6 to 0)
Offense: Dylan Feaster lead's off the game with a home run to dead
center field to give us 1 - 0 lead. In the second inning with the bases
loaded Joey Morello draws a walk to score Jake Cardarelli who had
singled to start the inning. Zach Feaster then follows with a single to
left scoring Dylan Feaster and Gary McCabe to put us up 4 -0. In the
the fourth inning Gary McCabe doubles to left center, then score's on
Joey Morello's single to left. Morello gets to second on a passed ball,
then scores on Pat Pennypackers shot to right center field.
Pitching: Gary McCabe pitched 4 innings of no hit baseball, while
banging out 7 strikeouts against Upper Merion. The only batter to reach
base was a hit batter. Pat Pennypacker came in and preserved the
shutout. With this win it guaranteed us a spot in the semifinals.
4th Game vs Phoenixville: (Loss 3 to 6)
Offense: Another tough loss for our gang, as we were looking to make it
3-0 (beat them twice in Districts) vs Phoenixville. Two great efforts
to mention in this loss. Joey Morello 3 for 4 with an rbi in the game.
Pat Pennypacker 2 for 3 with a double.
Defense: Gary McCabe had another unassisted double play
5th Game Semi-Finals vs Kimberton: (Loss 8 to 0)
Great season kids, looking forward to next year!!!!
Congratulations to
Methacton Boys 12's All Star team who
place 3rd at the PA State Tournament on July 18th in Waynesboro, PA.
Good job!

Not pictured Santino Giovanni
Pelusi
Congratulations to
Methacton Girls 12U All_Star team who
won the District championship.
Good Luck at the
State Tournament.
GO METHACTON!
MBA Boundaries
MBA is a Babe Ruth affiliate
serving Lower Providence, Audubon, West Norriton, Jefferesonville,
North Wales, Gwynedd Square, Skippack, Creamery, Worcester,
Oaks, and Lansdale
Townships in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Click here to see a Google map of our
organizations boundaries.
Click on this to download MBA League
Boundaries in PDF format.
Manager Certification Information
Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth strongly recommends that all coaches be certified for 2008. The MBA board requires all team managers this season, and recommended for all assistant coaches to complete the certification for regular season and pst season. This is a life-long certification for $19.00 that will significantly increase your managing skills and expertise. The class is online and take between 1 - 2 hours to complete. For more information, go to Babe Ruth Coaching Certification
2009 MBA Calendar of Events
2009 MBA Calendar of Events
Click the link or go to the Handouts & Forms section for the MBA 2009 Calendar of Events.
Board Election for 2009
The following candidates have been elected to the 2009 MBA Board of Directors.
President: John Pelusi
Vice President: Bill Muscara
VP Ops: John Larcinese Jr.
Treasurer: Tom Collis
Secretary/Webmaster: Tim Carfrey
Director Baseball: Joe Morello (appointed)
Director Softball: Natalie Shytle (appointed)
Third Director: to be appointed
Commissioner – Instructional: Brendon Kilcoyne
Commissioner – Rookie Girls: Jason Vavra
Co-Commissioners – Minor Girls: Barbi Griffith, Lee Terry
Commissioner – Major Girls: Todd Dale.
Commissioner – Senior Girls: Bob Gannon
Commissioner – Rookie Boys: Jeff Eberly
Commissioner – Minor Boys: Doug Kenwood
Commissioner – Major Boys: Gary McCabe
A brief description of board positions is posted to the handouts section, see MBA Board Positions - Job Descriptions.
MBA League Boundaries
Click on the link for a description of the MBA League Boundaries
Methacton Athletic Association (MAA)
If you child would like to join a Youth Baseball Program for 13 To 19
Year Olds, see the Methacton Athletic Association website at http://eteamz.active.com/MAABASEBALL
Your
Feedback is Appreciated!
MBA is always open to suggestions to change the way things are done.
Please feel free to write them out and give them to any board member or
email your ideas to . MBAfor2010@aol.com.
Mailing
Address/E-Mail/Website: Methacton Baseball Association - PO Box 203 –
Eagleville, PA 19408 / MBAfor2010@aol.com / www.methactonbaseball.com
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