OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHTS THE THEME THROUGH 3 GAMES

Doubleheader weekend is notorious for some high-scoring affairs, as teams are often  tested by thin pitching staffs and tired bodies. But this weekend – and the first three games of the season for that matter – indicates that the YCOBL could be in for its biggest offensive season in its history. Through 24 games played thus far ALL 24 GAMES have seen double digit runs scored. At the current pace, season records for runs, hits, and walks are in serious jeopardy. Where are the days of the 3-2 white knuckler? Sadly they might be as rare as an adult at one of Diddy’s parties.

Freddy doesn’t like (to give) Blaze Ruth (much credit), but he must give kudos to his nemesis on his post-draft prediction of a season of offensive fireworks. So what’s the story? Is it due to the dearth of quality arms? The bounce in some of those youth league bats half of the geezers are using? China hacking the YCOBL statistics software? Freddy doesn’t know

Freddy has also observed a number of YCOBL games being decided by the game-one time limit. Why we still have a time limit is a long story, but why games are taking longer than 2:15 is another. Yes, the amount of walks and runs are playing a role but so are pitchers that do yoga poses between pitches, batters that swing as infrequently as Freddy’s ex-girlfriends, and umpires that think they are auditioning for America’s Got Talent. Let Freddy offer some free advice: get those bats out, throw it down the middle, and call ‘em strikes!

Finally, Blaze had a perfect Saturday and is now 20-3-1 overall. Freddy is a game and a half behind at 16-7-1. Freddy never was very good at math.

Marlins     10   Pirates     10

The Marlins stormed back from an 8-0 hole to earn an 8-inning tie, the first since the 2020 season. Both teams scored 10 runs and both teams issued 10 bases on balls. Brad Markle’s 3 hits and 3 RBIs paced both squads.

Cardinals     14   Rockies     1

How did the Rockies score just 1 run on 14 hits? 5 Cardinals double-plays helped. The Cards offense saw 7 players rap multiple hits, led by Kris Phagan’s 3-for-4 day. Lou DeSanto had 3 hits for the Rockies.

Braves     14    Giants     0

A 13-run outburst in the third inning was the difference in the Braves 5-inning win.. Keith Garrigan’s 3 hits led the Braves 15-hit attack. The Giants were limited to 2 hits.

Angels     10     Royals     9

The Royals led 9-5 entering the 7th, but Jack Snyder’s 2-out single forced extras, and Larry Smith’s single in the 8th capped the walk-off win for the Angels. Chris Grothe had 4 hits for the Halos, while Scott Trager had 3 hits including a homer for the Royals.

Phillies     14    Cubs     1

A 10-run 6th helped the Phillies pull away from the short-handed Cubbies. Greg Pomraning (3 hits) was one of 8 multiple hitters for the Phils. Chris Kiehl fanned 8 in a losing effort for the Cubs.

Blue Jays     15   Tigers     0

In another deceptive blowout, the Jays scored 11 in the 6th in their shutout of the Tigers. The Jays had 5 hits through 5 frames, then racked up 11 hits in the 6th. Andy Mumma had 3 hits, drove in 4, and fanned 7 in 4 shutout innings.

Red Sox     10   Orioles     4

Rob Streib and Dean Wolf combined to drive in 7 runs as the Red Sox downed the Birds. Streib had a pair of hits for the Sox, with Dave Coates, Jody Walter, and Doug Bacon banging out 2 each for the O’s.

Mariners    9   Twins     5

Tommy Hartlaub had a mediocre day, driving in 5 on 3 hits, including a pair of home runs, and tossing 4 shutout frames in the Mariners win. The Twins were held to 1 hit through 6, then scored 5 runs in the 7th.

Mariners     7   Red Sox     6

The M’s trailed 6-3 heading into their final at bat and scored 4 in the 7th for the comeback win. Doug Jones’ bases-loaded walk was the game-winner. The Red Sox left 13 on base, including 8 in the final 3 innings.

Twins     16      Royals     3

The Twins erupted for 16 runs on 17 hits at McWilliams. Cale Wentland, Dave Warfel, and Chuck Nunn all drove in 3 runs each, while Warfel and Steve Burk had 3 hits for the Twins.

Phillies     9      Rockies     8

The Phillies trailed 7-2 at one point but rallied for 3 in the 7th for the walk-off. Dave Hisey’s base hit delivered Bret Smith with the deciding run. Ed and Jason Miller each drove in 3 for their respective sides.

Orioles     12    Tigers     11

In another walk-off victory, Rick Thompson singled home the winner with no outs in the 7th. Thompson and Mike Grady both had 3 hits for the Orioles. Rick Goebeler and Chad Farmer drove in 2 each for the Tigers.

Pirates     11    Cubs     8

The Buccos took advantage of 10 walks to outlast the Cubs. Brett Herman had 3 hits and he and Chris Archambault had 3 RBIs apiece. Mike Miller drove in 3 for the Cubs.

Blue Jays    21 Angels     2

All but one player in the Blue Jays’ attack had at least 2 hits in the Jays’ 3rd straight double-digit win. Chris Shape and Andy Mumma had 4 hits each, and Topper Noel and Tim Caskey had 3 each in the win.

Cardinals    11 Braves     2

The Cardinals scored 11 unanswered runs, including a 7-run 6th, to down the Braves. Gary Blaylock and Scott Trageser each drove in 3 for the Red Birds. Dave Snell tossed 3 shutout innings to register the win.

Marlins     11   Giants     10

The Giants rallied for 4 runs in the final inning but left the tying run on second as the Fish hung on. Curt Zimmerman had 3 hits and Mark Lomenzo delivered 3 runs for the Marlins

THE TRUTH:

BY BLAZE RUTH

Well old timers, another Sunday is fast approaching, and most of you are probably still sore from last weekend's shenanigans, it's time to look ahead to the games on the slate. Well let’s get to the picks, last week my arch nemesis Freddy went 10-5-1 while yours truly went 14-1-1*insert Ric Flair intro here*, so let’s see who we got this week...

ROCKIES vs GIANTS:

Someone's got to win this game, right?? Both teams have been close to wins, but close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades, and this reporter thinks the Rockies are going to throw a big hand grenade, Rockies win.

PIRATES vs CARDINALS:

Lots of firepower in this one, especially for Codorus. The big question here is who will pitch for the Pirates? Can Chris Archambault go again this week or was that a mirage? Will the Cards get caught looking ahead to the undefeated Phillies? This reporter thinks this one could light the scoreboard up, just more times for the Cards, Cards in a slugfest.

BRAVES vs PHILLIES:

Braves took one on the chin last week, will they bounce back? Phillies are making it work with the Law office of Anderson and Anderson. This should be the  game of the week, and a good one at that, Braves knock off the Phils in a close one.

CUBS vs MARLINS:

Cubs lost both games last weekend, and if they have any chance to make the WS, they need to win out. The fish have played tough all season so far, but this game smells fishy to me, cause we all know Commissioners cheat, Cubs win.

BLUE JAYS vs TWINS:

The main question here is "Are the Blue Jays going to keep up this hit parade or are they just playing bad teams?" Will the Blue Jays be looking ahead or will they come to play? These Twins can play spoiler and could sneak up on them. No spoiler here Blue Jays win.

MARINERS vs ORIOLES:

The Mariners squeaked out a tough one last week, will they be in for a letdown? The Orioles also came back for a win, can they knock off an undefeated team? Both have some good hitting, but pitching is the key here and this reporter thinks the Mariners might have a little more, Mariners win.

ROYALS vs TIGERS:

The Tigers finally get a breather after the brutal early season schedule. This reporter thinks Goebeler is mad and he will carry them to a win, wait has Goebeler ever been mad, has he never not smiled, well I think he is smiling right here against a team with not much pitching, Tigers win

RED SOX vs ANGELS:

Every manager should be afraid, be very afraid of that crime boss Meckley, how can we pick against him ever again if what he did to the Mariners manager is true? Hell, I'm scared he might take the batteries out of my Hov-a-Round at McWilliams and I'd be stranded! Schaale be careful and watch your back if you win, but the Red Sox take this one.

FREDDY’S WEEK 4 PICKS: Tigers, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Pirates, Rockies, Braves, Mariners, Cubs

Players and Pitchers of the Week for Game 1

Game 1 (September 8, 2024)

AL Offense - Jared Bourgeois, Blue Jays:  2 for 3, 4 RBI, 3 Runs, with a triple, a homer, and a walk vs. Royals

Honorable Mention: Rob Streib (Red Sox), Tommy Hartlaub (Mariners), Derek Sunbury (Mariners)

AL Pitcher - Doug Bacon, Orioles:  4 Inns, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Walks, 3 Ks, and a Win vs. Angels

Honorable Mention: Phil Polakoff (Blue Jays), Tommy Hartlaub (Mariners), Zach Nahass (Angels)

NL Offense - Bob Eichelberger, Giants: 3 for 3, 2 Runs, and a double vs. Cubs

Honorable Mention: Adam Pattisall (Cubs), Tim Steinhauer (Cardinals), Chris Kiehl (Cubs)

NL Pitcher - Chris Kiehl, Cubs:  4 Inns, 0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Walks, 7 Ks, and a Win vs. Giants

Honorable Mention: Ian Hartman (Braves), Anthony Simonetta (Rockies), Bill Anderson (Phillies)

WHEN ONE GAME’S PAIN ISN’T ENOUGH…LET’S PLAY TWO!!

Crisp mid-October temps greeted the YCOBL on the first Sunday morning of the 34th season, and now the late August heat is back just in time for the grueling doubleheader weekend. Don’t worry though weather watchers, it’s just a matter of time until that next hurricane or blizzard hits York County.

Freddy Jr and Blaze both went a respectable 6-2 in their opening-week prognostications. 6-2, incidentally, is also a pretty close estimate to Freddy’s height and Blaze’s IQ.

Lots of game summaries and weekend previews ahead, so off we go.

Orioles     7      Angels     3

The O’s never trailed in this one, but it took a 3-spot in the 7th, featuring Rick Thompson’s 2-run double and a Cory Goshorn sac fly, to secure the win. Dave Coates and Matt Smith joined Thompson with 2 hits, while Zach Nahass and Andy Wertz were both 2-for-2 for the Halos. Neither team walked a batter.

Cubs     15     Giants     4  

The top 5 in the Cubs order combined to go 11-for-18 with 9 RBIs and 9 runs in the Cubbies rout. Chris Kiehl fanned 7 and allowed just 2 hits over 4 shutout frames. Bob Eichelberger had 3 hits for the G-men.

Cardinals    10     Marlins     9

In a back-and-forth affair, the Cards took a 3 run lead on Tim Steinhauer’s 2-run triple in the 7th, then withstood a Marlins rally in the bottom of the frame. Down by two with two outs, the Fish’s Eric Gladhill singled, but the tying run was thrown out at the dish to end the game. Kris Phagen drove in 4 for the Cards.

Mariners    11     Tigers     3

Seven Mariners had multi-hit games and made short work of the Tigers. Tommy Hartlaub and rookie Derek Sunbury had 3 hits each, while Hartlaub and battery mate Doug Jones both doubled twice and drove in 3. Charlie Bubb drove in 2 runs for the Tigers, and Bernie Linn and Randy Shover both had 2 base knocks.

Red Sox    15     Twins     5

The Sox scored 7 in the 7th to make a close game appear not. Rob Streib had 3 hits and drove in 4 for the winners, while Scott Meckley drove in 3 and Doug Arnold scored 3 times. Dave Warfel drove in 2 for the Twins

Braves     7     Rockies     6

The Rockies led 6-0 after two innings, but the Braves used a 7-run 5th to gain the comeback win. Todd Hyson’s 2-run single and a Keith Garrigan bases clearing double were the big blows in the Braves uprising. Steve Mikulcik was 3-for-3 for the Braves, while Ian Hartman struck out 7 over 3 innings of relief.

Blue Jays    17     Royals    5

The Jays trailed 5-2 after 3 innings, then scored 15 runs over the 4th and 5th innings to blind side the Royals Jared Bourgeois homered, tripled, and drove in 4 for the Jays, who took advantage of 10 Royals walks. Phil Polakoff tossed 3 scoreless innings of relief to notch the win. Scott Trager drove in 3 of the 4 Royals runs on a pair of hits.

Phillies     9     Pirates     7

The Pirates stormed for 4 in the 7th but it wasn’t enough to offset the Phillies quick start. Ed Miller had two hits, drove in 2 and scored thrice for the Phils. Brett Herman led the Buccos with 3 hits.

FREDDY JR’s FORECAST 

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Marlins at Pirates

Both of these teams dropped close ones on opening day, and word is that it left both losing managers burning with the heat of 1,000 suns. Could be a fireworks display on offense. Take the Pirates and the over.

Rockies at Cardinals

The purple people eaters suffered a heartbreaker in week one after blowing a big lead. Can they bounce back against a well-rounded Cardinals outfit? A Rocks win just isn’t in the Cards. Red Birds.

Giants at Braves

In 9 seasons of YCOBL baseball, teams named the Braves have had winning records 8 times, the best ratio of any franchise. History isn’t on the Giants side. Neither is Freddy. Bravos.

Royals at Angels

Saturday is National Sober Day, which sounds like an awful joke to Freddy. Whichever team falls to 0-2 after Saturday probably won’t be abiding. Bottoms up, Royals. Angels take it.

Phillies at Cubs

Having reliable pitching on both the front and rear end of a rotation is a luxury in this league, especially this year. And when it comes to rear ends, Freddy’s first thought is always Mercado. Cubs, no butts about it.

Tigers at Blue Jays

Tigers manager Hoke was so excited to draw the number one pill at the draft, he decided he didn’t need his little blue ones anymore. Goebeler is usually a cure-all, but to get this team up you need more than just his limp noodle. This pick ain’t hard. Jays.

Orioles at Red Sox

When these two skippers show up at a game, only their mamas can tell them apart. Bald might be beautiful, but just one question for both of ya: when you wash your face, how far up do you go until you stop? Orioles by a hair.

Twins at Mariners

Quick fact: Mariners manager Hughes has never been defeated in his entire YCOBL managerial career. Is today the day history is made? Twins are a pesky bunch, but Hughes and the Mariners stay perfect.

BLAZE’S SATURDAY PICKS: Marlins, Cardinals, Braves, Angels, Phillies, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Mariners

THE TRUTH:

BY BLAZE RUTH 

SUNDAY’S GAMES 

Hello old timers, the second day of the feared double header week looks like a good one, with a few early season doozies on the slate. Here are my  picks:

Rockies vs Phillies: Phillies might be a sleeper, and the Rockies looked good in week 1, tough call but the Law office of Anderson and Anderson should carry the Phils, Phils win.

Cubs vs Pirates: Big offense in week one vs big veteran top of the order. Cubs in a close one.

Braves vs Cardinals: NL game of the week, both pulled out close wins, can we pick a tie? Cards win in a slug fest.

Giants vs Marlins: Giants pitching doesn't look deep enough for double header weekend, Marlins played tough last week. Marlins win

Mariners vs Red Sox: AL game of the week. You know my feelings on the commissioners, old or new, but can Meckley cheat his way to a win, Mariners look like a team that can hit. Mariners in a close one.

Royals vs Twins: You can't win without pitching, the Royals don't have much, the Twins have some, Twins win.

Tigers vs O's: Tigers schedule to start has been brutal, O's look like a sleeper. Tigers can't start 0-3 can they? O's win

Blue Jays vs Angels: Blue Jays are deep with pitchers, Angels aren't. Blue Jays win big.

There you have it old guys, be safe and use that Ben Gay!

FREDDY’S SUNDAY PICKS: Rockies, Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Mariners, Royals, Orioles, Blue Jays

SOME CHANGES IN STORE FOR THE YCOBL’S 34^TH SEASON

As the York County Oldtimers Baseball League begins its 34th season, many things have changed, yet some things remain the same. The most obvious change is the passing of the leadership torch, as Steve Mercado takes over as league commissioner, replacing the outgoing Scott Meckley. During his 6-year sentence, I mean tenure, Meckley did some great things for the league, but it was time for a new voice. Meckley will be staying on in a lesser role to assist with the transition, but he will now have more free time for his favorite hobby – mocking small children. Mercado, meanwhile, has already learned the secret of successful commishing by taking a week’s vacation to go to Brazil during the busiest week of the oldtimers season. So, for your first ever NFL game you decide to fly to another continent? Freddy Junior understands. His old man kayaked to Japan to see his first ever York Revs game.

Speaking of Freddy Junior, he is back for another year of writing about this league. For the 32 rookies who might not know who Freddy is, he is a YCOBL superfan who can usually be found each weekend watching oldtimers action from the outfield in his aluminum framed lawn chair or listening to games on his transistor radio. He will provide weekly recaps and predictions, but he will also be joined this year by his arch rival, Blaze Ruth. Blaze just finished up his final VHS tape of Hooked on Phonics, so he should be able to take some of the workload off Freddy’s plate. 

Along with the first-time players, we also welcome three new managers, as Bob Eichelberger, Robbie Hughes, and Jay Fleischer will lead teams this season. Freddy Jr had a spy at the draft, and reports were that all three of these guys did a great job of eating, drinking and staying awake. Whether they drafted good teams, we’ll have to wait and see.

Good luck to everyone this season and remember our league motto: have fun and don’t get hurt!

THE TRUTH: FROM BLAZE RUTH 

Hello old timers, Blaze Ruth here with another season of old guys baseball upon us, it's time to make some predictions. Looking at these rosters all I can say is this, are we in for the YEAR OF THE HIT? Pitching looks thin in this reporters' eyes. Well, I'm fresh out of the Ron Hostler school for picking winners and ready to challenge that Freddy dude for season pick-um supremacy!  With the old Commish ousted, that nim wit Freddy doesn't have the insider information to make all those correct picks and I think I can take him, well at least I know I can at an all you can eat buffet! Alright Freddy, get out of your momma's basement and accept this challenge, maybe a wager is needed.  With that said here are my picks for week 1:

Cards vs Marlins: This game looks scary on paper, this Cards team can hit, and hit and hit some more, but who pitches? They are going to need to out slug everyone to have a chance, while this Marlins teams looks old on paper to me, can these old guys get enough Ben Gay on the body to make it 7 innings running for baseballs against this Cards team? This reporter thinks this game is a laugher Cards in a blow out.

Rockies vs Braves: Is this another typical Miller draft of good defense to carry you to the pennant, or is this not enough pitching after his former ROY pitcher? I don't see the hitting that some teams have. This Braves team has a bunch of unknowns to this reporter, who are some of these guys? Will Garrigan's arm fall off this year from having to pitch too much, cause again not a lot of pitching to this reporter. Braves win in a close game.

Pirates vs Phillies: In year 2 of who is the manager, Lyter or Hostler, I think this team should be called the Ron's so many on the roster, how do we know whose who? More pitching uncertainty here, can Arch pitch? Who follows him? Is Herman healed up? Will Markle and Hoss get ejected? Will Markel and Hoss get ejected at the same time? Very hard to predict this team. The Fightin Phils on the other hand have the Law office of Anderson and Anderson, a few crafty vets to toe the hill, but do they have the hitting?  Pirates have to much firepower at the top, Pirates win.

Cubs vs Giants: Rookie manager against new Commissioner. Cubs have a workhorse on the bump for sure and a few other pitchers here, but do they have the sticks? Rumor has it the new Comish is off frolicking in Rio, will he be worn out like an old piece of pine tar? This Giants team is an unknown to this reporter. Do they have enough pitching? Can anyone else hit besides Eich and Fuller? If this league has taught me anything, is you never pick against the Comish, old or new, they cheat. Cubs win

Red Sox vs Twins: I just said it in the last line old or new Comish, they cheat Red Sox win, but how they get there... Once again Meckley found 65 players no one heard of to draft oh wait, maybe not this year. But this Red Sox team has some pitching and some good sticks. This twins team on the other hand doesn't have a lot of pitching that this reporter sees. Maybe manager Wentland is waiting for the other 10 Wentland's in his family to get pitching? This line up is top heavy but they can hit. But like my prediction said how do you pick against the old Comish, well as a famous college football announcer said, " Not so fast my friends", Twins win on an Ormond inside the park homerun NOT.

Royals vs Blue Jays: Who is this Royals manager? Does anyone know him? Where did he come from? Maybe someone should get Hoss with him, because I don't see much pitching on this team, can Collette pitch? This reporter thinks they can hit but will it be enough? When I look at this Blue Jays team, I thought Meckley drafted it! Bruce, did you have someone sending you secret information? Do we need to demand a redraft?  But this team has a lot of pitching, really good sticks and should score some runs. Blue Jays win in blow out fashion.

Angels vs Orioles: I had to rub my eyes twice, to make sure I was seeing this correctly, but didn't Schaale draft this same team last year? This team has some pitching which could help them, but can anyone not named Wertz and Nahass hit, guess we will see.  This Orioles team could surprise some folks, if they can pitch. They have some good sticks up and down the line up, but can they pitch? O's win

Mariners vs Tigers: Another team with who the hell is this manager? How many rookie managers are there? Well, this game probably has the best starting pitcher match ups of week 1, Goebeler vs Hartlaub shouldn't disappoint. I'm not sure about some of these guys on the Mariners, could they be the 2024 MLB White Sox or the 2023 Blaylock Guardians? Looks like this team has some pitching and a few good sticks. The Tigers on the other hand look like a typical Hoke team, but can they get hits out of that group? Will anyone be able to help Goebeler out on the mound? I'm going Mariners.

There you have it old guys, best of luck and may the Ben Gay gods be on your side for a safe and healthy season!

FREDDY JR’S PICKS: Cards, Braves, Pirates, Cubs, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Angels, Mariners