Steve Brandenburg takes a cut early in the game.  His pitching was key for the South squad, holding the North to no runs in 3 solid innings of work.

Stu Stauffer from the COD Saints went 2-3 with a run and an RBI for the North squad.

SOUTH TOO MUCH FOR NORTH SQUAD 17-11

Fort Washington, PA (AP) -  The 2nd SFCSL all-star game was another success, as the South squad never trailed in handing the North a 17-11 loss at Mondauk Park.  Two sacrifice flies lifted the South squad to a 2-0 lead early, and they added another unearned run in the third to take a 3-0 lead.  Meanwhile, Steve Brandenburg was great for the South on the mound, allowing no runs and four hits in three innings of work.  In the fourth, the South would break open the game with four runs.  After Morgan Funsten doubled, Al Chapman hit an RBI single.  That was followed by a Pete Lytel RBI double, which was followed by a Dan Vogel RBI triple.  Finally, with two outs, Dave Gullotti hit an RBI double, putting the South ahead 7-0.  Ed Borzelleca's triple set up another run in the fifth inning, as the South pulled further in front at 8-0.  The North finally got on the board to a mock applause from their team in the fifth, as a thrown away double play led to the first run.  Then Brad Gregg hit an RBI single, as the lead was cut to 8-2.  In the sixth inning, after Dan Lynch and Josh Tyson started off with singles, and a run had scored on a groundout, Pete Lytel doubled and then Dan Vogel double home a run, pushing the lead to 11-2.  This time the North responded.  Eric Molt led off with a double, and scored on Matt Ricci's RBI single.  After an error, Jim Kelly would hit an RBI single, and eventually the North closed to within 11-5.   In the South 7th, after Dave Gullotti and Stephen Staedtler led off with singles, Dale Croy knocked in a run with an infield hit, and Andy Hertzog added an RBI double, pushing the lead to 13-5.  Hope looked to have gone south for the North team, but in the eighth, things got interesting.  After the first batter got out, Bud Brodhag, Brad Gregg, and Stu Stauffer would single, followed by a Chaz Kullman double and a single from Eric Molt that knocked in two runs.  When all was said and done, the North pulled to within 13-10 and there still was only one out.  The last two batters flew out, however, as the South escaped further damage.    In the ninth inning, Al Chapman and Pete Lytel led off with singles.  After a sac fly, Dale Croy knocked in another run on an infield single.   Dan Tyson then blooped a double to right field, that after bouncing around for a bit, ended up scoring two runs and pushed the lead to an insurmountable 17-10 margin.  The first two hitters singled to start the bottom of the 7th, but then Rob Schiable, the pitcher, was able to shut the door, ending the game on a double play by Josh Tyson as the South won 17-11.

There were some notable performances by both squads.  Dave Gullotti led the South by going 4-4 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBI, while Pete Lytel went 3-3 with two doubles, a sac fly, 3 runs, and 2 RBI.  Dan Vogel also went 2-4 with a triple, double, 1 run, and 3 RBI.  For the North, Jim Kelly was 3-3 with an RBI while Eric Molt went 2-3 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.  Rich Lapat also went 3-3 with a double and a run and Chaz Kullman went 2-3 with two doubles, a run, and an RBI.

Kudos must go to StatGeek, who nearly predicted this playoff game to a tee on the forum, predicting an 18-12 South victory.  Here is his prediction below:

2B - Lytel (2), D. Vogel, Gullotti, D. Tyson, Hertzog

3B - D. Vogel, Borzelleca

2B - Kullman (2), Molt, LaPat

CONGRATULATIONS RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY - 2007 SFCSL CHAMPIONS!

VIDEO:  Riverside takes lead on Steve Schafer single in sixth

Video: Riverside turns 1 of 2 key double plays

GAME THREE

RIVERSIDE RALLIES IN SIXTH TO WIN SFCSL TITLE 7-5

Fort Washington, PA (AP) - Riverside Community completed a dream inaugural season by defeating Davisville Church 7-5 at Mondauk Park to win the 2007 SFCSL Championship.  The game was a tense, back and forth affair, with Riverside eventually scoring three runs in the sixth inning to take a 7-5 lead, which they would ultimately hold on to.  Dan Vogel hit an RBI single with two outs in the first inning, giving Davisville a 1-0 lead.  With first and second one out for Riverside, Davisville got a force at second base, and then had a runner held up between third and home.  The throw, however, sailed into left field, and Riverside scored two runs, taking a 2-1 lead.  In the third, Ed Waterfall hit a 3 run homer for Davisville, giving the visitors a 4-2 lead.  Hans Muller doubled and Rich Lapat singled in the third, as Riverside would cut the lead to 4-3.   Davisville scored one more in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead on a Steve Grant single, but Riverside's Steve Schafer doubled home a run for Riverside, cutting the lead to 5-4 after four innings.  Riverside also turned double plays in the 1st and 4th innings which helped get them out of trouble.  In the fifth, Caleb Miller robbed Riverside's second batter of a possible solo homer by making a great catch in right center field up near the hill.  Davisville would once again leave 2 runners on in the sixth, and that set the stage for Riverside's comeback. Dave Watson led off the inning with a single that he stretched into a double, barely beating the throw to second base.  After an out, Von Muller doubled and Steve Schafer singled, giving Riverside the 6-5 lead.  With two outs, John Troy came up with a clutch single to give Riverside a 7-5 lead.  With one out in the top of the seventh, Glenn Dolton doubled and Dan Vogel was intentionally walked.   Riverside pitcher Corey Lippert would retire the last two hitters on two fly balls, however, as Riverside prevailed 7-5.  For Riverside, Steve Schafer was 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI, while Von Muller was 2-3 with a double, two runs, and 1 RBI.  John Troy also was 2-3 with a key RBI, while Dave Watson went 2-3 with a run and a double.  Corey Lippert was steady pitching, calmly getting out of trouble as Davisville stranded 11 runners for the game.  Riverside also played great team defense, as in the 3 game series as a whole, they only made four errors.   For Davisville, Jim Vogel, who was playing with a torn hamstring (which prevented him from playing game 2), not only pitched a gutsy game, but went 2-2 with a walk.  Glenn Dolton went 2-3 with a walk, double, and a run, while Dan Vogel went 2-3 with a walk and an RBI.  Congratulations to Riverside on a great season!

Riverside celebrates after the final out of their 7-5 title victory Monday night.

Steve Schafer (left) had two key RBI hits for Riverside, while Dave Gullotti (right) takes a cut for Davisville.

Davisville huddled and tried to rally, but fell short on Monday night.  Von Muller dusts himself off after a slide.

Even the young Riverside fans were out in full force.

VIDEO: (COURTESY Drew Watson Productions) Tim Kern's 2 run single

VIDEO: Riverside Turns Double Play on Davisville

GAME TWO

DAVISVILLE EDGES RIVERSIDE IN THRILLER 8-7

Southampton, PA (AP) - Tim Kern's one out bases loaded single in the bottom of the 7th scored two runs and lifted Davisville to an 8-7 victory at Schafer Field.  Dave Watson snared a line drive and doubled up a runner in the first to keep Riverside out of trouble.   Then in the 2nd inning, Nate Greer singled and John Troy singled two batters later, giving Riverside a 2-0 lead.   Davisville came back with three runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead.  Stefan Muller's two out double tied the game at 3-3 for Riverside in the third, and it stayed that way until the bottom of the fourth.  After a sacrifice fly, Dan Vogel lined a shot to right field that could not be handled, resulting in a 2 run homer and giving Davisville a 6-3 lead.  Riverside came right back in their half of the fifth, scoring 3 runs on a Dave Watson double and Von Muller single to tie the game at 6-6.  In the top of the sixth, Steve Schafer homered to start the inning, giving Riverside the lead at 7-6.   Tim Kern would strike out the next two batters, and actually would not allow a baserunner the rest of the game.  Riverside was able to get the first out in the bottom of the seventh while nursing a one run lead.  Ed Waterfall then hit a long single for Davisville, which was followed by walks to Glenn Dolton and Tim Narr.  With the bases loaded and still one out, Tim Kern then lined a single over the shortstop's head to score 2 runs and lead Davisville to an 8-7 win, forcing a game 3 in the SFCSL Championship series.  For Davisville, Tim Kern was 3-4 with a double, 2 runs, and 2 RBI.  Glenn Dolton not only scored the winning run but went 3-3 with a walk, while Caleb Miller and Dave Gullotti had two hits each.  Riverside was held to only 9 hits, but both Von Muller and John Troy had two hits apiece.

Rich LaPat gets ready to take a swing for Riverside Community early on in game 2.

Dan Vogel heads for home plate after hitting a two run homer.

Tim Kern (left) and Cory Lippert (right) squared off Thursday night and both helped keep the opposing offenses at bay.

GAME ONE

RIVERSIDE PULLS AWAY LATE TO DOWN DAVISVILLE 17-9

Southampton, PA (AP) - A six run fifth inning helped Riverside Community break open a tight game, as all three Muller brothers hit home runs in a 17-9 win over Davisville Church in game one of the SFCSL Championship.  Dan Vogel gave Davisville the early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but an RBI double by Dave Watson and RBI single by Von Muller tied the score at 2-2 after one.  It stayed that way until the third inning, when Dan Vogel's double set up two more Davisville runs, making it 4-2.  In the bottom of the third, Hans Muller hit a solo homer and Stefan Muller hit a two out, two run homer to give Riverside a 5-4 lead.  Brian Cortright's two out double in the top of the fourth tied the game for Davisville at 5-5.  Riverside would come right back, as Steve Rodgers doubled and scored on a throwing error to make the score 6-5 and Cory Lippert hit an RBI single to make it 7-5 after four.  Davisvile loaded the bases with none out in the fifth, but only managed two runs on an infield single by Dave Gullotti and a sacrifice fly by Ed Waterfall.  The score was 7-7 going into the bottom of the fifth.  It was in the bottom of the fifth that Riverside would take control of the contest.  Riverside started the inning with six straight hits, including a Steve Rodgers 3 run homer.  By the time the dust had cleared, it was 13-7 Riverside.  Davisville would load the bases again with no out in the sixth, but only managed two runs to cut the lead to 13-9.  An RBI double by Dave Watson and a 2 run homer by Von Muller put the game out of reach at 17-9.  Davisville had scored two in the seventh with two outs when the lights went out at 10:30PM, reverting the score to 17-9.

For Riverside, Rich Lapat was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three runs scored while Dave Watson was 3-4 with three doubles, 3 runs, and 4 RBI.  Von Muller was 3 for 4 with a homer, double, 2 runs, and 2 RBI, while Steve Rodgers was 2-4 with a homer, triple, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's.  Finally, Stefan Muller was 1-2 with a homer, walk, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's.  For Davisville in the loss,  Dave Gullotti was 3-4 with a run and an RBI while Stephen Staedtler was 3-4 with 3 runs and an RBI.  Dan Vogel was 2-3 with a homer, double, walk, 3 runs, and 2 RBI.  Please pray for one of Riverside's players who was hit in the head with a throw while running to second base, and was not totally there later in the game and had to go to the hospital later on, I believe.  UPDATE:  Dan Marks had a concussion and was still a little fuzzy this morning, but he still has all his teeth and is in good spirits.  Sounds like he will be OK, but please keep him in your prayers.

SFCSL FINALS

(16-3) RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY VS. (14-7) DAVISVILLE CHURCH

A salute goes out to Riverside Community (#2) and Davisville Church (#4) for making the SFCSL Finals.  Riverside amazingly went an unheard of 12-3 in their inaugural year, and outscored opponents 89-39 during a dominating four game playoff stretch against Calvary Presbyterian and the COD Saints.  Their regular season included wins against both Faith Community and New Life Kings Presbyterian.  Though Davisville Church actually beat Riverside during the regular season, they finished 10-5 and needed to make it past two game threes against Oreland Presbyterian and New Life Kings Presbyterian to make it to the finals, their first since 2000.  Davisville outscored playoff opponents 64-47 in a 6 game stretch and did knock out the two time defending champions.

TALE OF THE TAPE 

SFCSL Finals Schedule

LEAGUE MEETING

Fort Washington, PA - Managers and captains, along with umpire coordinator Marvin Ostroff, discussed various rules and regulations for over an hour and a half Monday night at Church of the Open Door. For the first time in years, teams had perfect attendance.  Among the changes...

1.  In cases where a game is rained out, both the home team and away team have a responsibility to notify the umpire.  It used to be 100% the home team, but now failure to notify him results in a $17 penalty for both teams, not $34 for the home team.

2.  The playoffs were basically left up to the scheduling committee, and if a team plays on Friday, and does have a playoff home game, teams agreed they would play on Friday, if necessary.  (We have never had playoff games on a Friday before)  8 teams will make the playoffs like last year, and the playoffs will start July 9th, Monday.

3.  Bats that ASA has grandfathered and will not allow in 2008, the managers decided to disallow now.   These include the following bats:  Easton Synergy 2, Miken Freak, Louisville Slugger SB304, Louisville Slugger SB404, Worth XGOLD-Fastpitch, Worth XRED-Fastpitch, Worth XPST4, Worth WWSCA, and Worth SBWKA.  These bats will not be allowed in 2007, in addition to the bats on the ASA list.

Diamond Notes: At the fall meeting, teams decided that fences at fields should be at or near the 265 foot minimum ASA standard.  New fields must be approved by the commissioners for this reason.

- Chelten Baptist has moved to Mondauk #2 on Wednesday nights.

- The COD Saints have moved to Mondauk #1 Field on Tuesday nights.

- The COD Angels have moved to SPS Technologies on Thursday nights.

- New Life Kings Presby. has moved to SPS Technologies on Wednesday nights.

REVIEW:  MANAGERS' MEETING

Fort Washington, PA - As managers gathered in Fort Washington on Monday night for just over an hour and a half, there were a few changes:

-The number of free agents was increased from four to five.  Any of the following combinations are now allowed:  5 unrestricted free agents, 4 unrestricted free agents with 1 restricted FA or 1 free agent, 3 unrestricted free agents with 2 restricted FA or 1 restricted FA and 1 free agent, or 2 unrestricted FA with 2 restricted FA and 1 free agent.

-A player may only re-enter the game once.  So if a player goes in for another player in right field, the original player can come back into right field, after having been taken out, only once.  This prevents confusion in scorekeeping.

-As was expected, umpire fees have been raised per team to $17/game.

-Pending ability to get umpires, playoffs will remain at 8 teams as the league did last year.

What Bats Are Legal?

As soon as people get a good thing, they tend to overindulge.  Softball bats are no exception.  In the effort to make good bats, bat companies have gone overboard. ASA has identified some bats that are actually dangerous to fielders and the pitcher because of the speed with which the ball flies at.  Here are the non-approved bats on the link below.

Non-approved bats (As of June 8, 2006)

Non-approved bats with pictures (As of June 8, 2006)

Generally, you want a slow-pitch softball bat.  If you are looking for more power, you probably want an end-loaded bat.  If you are more of a line drive singles guy, a balanced bat might be your preference.  Wood bats are legal.  Aluminum bats weigh less, for better bat control and speed.  Very durable.  Graphite and/or titanium tend to increase the sweet spot and durability, while reducing vibration when you don't hit the sweet spot.

I will continue to update you on any news the ASA puts out about banned bats.  Until further notice, please do not use illegal bats and do not buy new ones that may be illegal.  ASA rules state:  If a batter uses an illegal (or altered) bat and receives a base hit, and the next batter plans to use the same bat, the following penalty is now enforced.  If noticed before a pitch is thrown to the 2nd batter, the umpire will rule the batter who used the bat and is now on base out (if an altered bat, the player is now ejected from the game), the bat removed from the game, and return all runners who advanced as a result of this hit.  There is no penalty for the current batter unless a pitch is thrown to this batter, then he is the one called out (and ejected), and the first player using an illegal bat has no penalty.

We will be adopting this policy.  Wood bats are legal, and bats that generally are so old that they cannot be read, are generally legal.  Bats must be official softball bats, as baseball bats are obviously not legal.  Altered bats can result in an ejection and suspension, with altering being painting, adding a fake symbol, corking a bat, etc.....

POSTSEASON LEAGUE MEETING RESULTS

Fort Washington, PA - Managers huddled in Fort Washington at COD to review the season and to clarify some areas where SFCSL rules were vague or incomplete.  As a result of the meeting, the following was decided:

1.  Players hit by a pitched ball will NEVER receive a walk.

2.  Games not completed due to rain or darkness, that didn't go 5 innings or were not an official game, have to be replayed in their entirety.  There is no 20 run rule or 10 run rule in the playoffs for weather or darkness.  Still, it was decided that it was too complicated to start where you left off.

3.  8:30PM playoff games were ruled to be fine, including in the championship round.

Other things discussed included the number of teams in the playoffs, which still seemed to remain at 6.  However, teams wanted to play playoff games on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, regardless of field, to get the playoffs over with sooner, perhaps July 22nd instead of August 2nd.  This would put the scheduling committee in charge and somewhat do away with home field.  It was all contingent, of course, on fields and umpires.  Chelten and Covenant did not attend the meeting, but all the other managers were there.

A couple of rule updates:

To prevent any possible confusion, just wanted to be clear on a few rules.

#1  If a pitch is thrown over the backstop or out of play, the runners DO NOT ADVANCE one base.  That is an ASA rule that we do not follow.  If an umpire calls this, please have both teams instruct him that the extra base is not given in our league.

#2  If in a late game, the lights go out automatically during an inning, the score reverts to the previous inning. (assuming five innings have already been played)

ALSO:  RULE CHANGE UPDATE:  If a player is removed from a game and there is no replacement available, whether for ejection or injury, the team will have to take an out at that batter's spot in the lineup.  If 2 players were lost, that would result in two outs being taken at those spots.  Losing a player when you are already down to the minimum of 8 players, however, will result in a forfeit.  The rule has been generally called this way in the past, but never stated.  

RULE CHANGES 2004

Before next season, there will be new procedures in regards to rule changes.  Ultimately, the three commissioners put the time and effort into running the league, therefore, they should and will have ultimate say on what rules need to be changed.  Last year, the commissioners felt there was a lack of control where everyone felt everything needed to be voted on.  Before March 15th, rule change proposals must be emailed to sfcsl@comcast.net..  A description must be given of the rule change desired and especially why you think this rule change is necessary.  Also, if there is cost involved in the rule change, please state the financial cost.  At that point, the three commissioners will review the rule change.  If two vote against it, the rule will immediately be discarded, end of discussion.  If two believe that it should be discussed at the league meeting and/or we should vote on it, then the rule will be brought up and discussed at the league meeting and possibly voted on.  This system prevents us from having to vote on every rule that comes down the pike, some which will never pass so they are not worth our time or effort to discuss.

Please remember:  STEEL SPIKES were outlawed in 2002.  All managers are responsible to make sure that none of their players wear steel spikes in the upcoming season.

2007 SFCSL SCHEDULE

(Note:  This schedule is not official or mistake-proof.  Ask your manager for the correct schedule)

Week one

Davisville Church 7, COD Saints 5

Week two

Oreland Presbyterian 18, Grace Community 9 (six innings)

Davisville Church 20, Calvary AOG 11

COD Saints 17, Calvary Presbyterian 14

Faith Community 12, Jarrettown Methodist 3 (5 innings)

Grace Community 8, COD Angels 7 (5 innings)

New Life Kings Presby. 11, Oreland Presby. 7 (5 innings)

Riverside at Chelten, postponed rain (remake June 27th)

Calvary Presby. 16, Jarrettown Methodist 10

COD Saints at