Countless quote-worthy moments from Legion state tournament
Nineteen quotable moments from the American Legion State Tournament that, while not having a good result for the home team, certainly featured its share of memorable moments and people:
“I do it for the boys.” – Boyertown’s own Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Garland Fisher after the State Tournament Banquet. Doc joins the long list of Boyertown Hall of Famers with this honor.
“It was a great game for us. For a couple of years before that, Boyertown, they were just our Achilles heel … Everything just seemed to line up that day … It was memorable for us, it was great to finally get past that hurdle, and not just prove to ourselves but to everyone in our league that we belong here.” – Northampton’s Hall of Fame inductee Eric Spadt, recalling his team’s epic win over Boyertown in the final game of the 1995 Region 2 Tournament. The loss marked the first time in over 20 years that the Bears did not advance past the State Regional level.
“Yeah, it gets mispronounced all of the time.” – Albion’s Alex Andrzejzewski, after the Tournament opening game, on how often his surname is pronounced. For the record, it is pronounced “An-druh-ZES-kee.”
“Stayed focus, workin’ pitches, stick to your game plan, keep ‘em off balance, keep ‘em thinking.” – Beech Creek’s Kenny Heverly, after limiting the Region 3 champion Downingtown squad to 2 hits in a near-complete game effort in Beech Creek’s 3-2 win in Game 2.
“We just didn’t do what we needed to do offensively…The bats were dead today, so we gotta come out tomorrow and do a better job.” – Downingtown’s Scott Rambo, after his team’s 3-2 loss to Beech Creek in Game 2. Downingtown’s bats would rebound the next day in big fashion, eliminating the home Bears with a 13-2 romp in Game 6.
“It was a well-rounded game on our part.” – Jake Reed, shortstop and leadoff hitter for Quakertown, after his team’s 10-3 win over Carlisle in Game 3. Reed scored three times on a pair of hits and a walk to jump-start the offense for the Region 2 champions.
“I think it was more nerves than rust.” – Carlisle’s Travis Smink, after his Region 4 champions committed 8 errors in a 10-3 loss to Region 2 champion Quakertown in Game 3.
“We’ve been unable to drive in runs with runners in scoring position all season. Tonight was just more of the same.” – Boyertown head coach Rick Moatz, after the Bears left another 13 men on base in a 4-1 loss to Blackhawk in Game 4.
“Do it for your country. That’s what you do it for.” (Veteran John Bell, before administering the American Legion Code of Sportsmanship before Game 6.)
“I didn’t know if I was gonna play today ‘cause I hurt my hand yesterday … there’s nothing I wanted more than this ‘W.’” – Swoyersville’s Zach Sott after collecting 3 hits including 2 doubles out of the 9-spot in Swoyersville’s 10-7 win over Blackhawk in the all-important Game 11.
“So proud of these guys. There’s so much fight in these guys, and they came out and played hard for 9 innings. It’s great to get back to a national regional and especially play for a state title, so I’m really excited.” – Swoyersville head coach Sean Toole after his team clinched a spot in the Mid-Atlantics with the win in Game 11. Swoyersville would go on to win the tournament with a perfect, 5-0 record.
“I feel very fortunate with the fact that we were able to get them in with the rain.” – Pennsylvania’s new Tournament Director Jon Wiest, near the end of Game 11, as it became apparent that, despite some heavy rain and a long rain delay in Game 10, the slate of games for Day 3 would be completed.
“We’re enjoying every minute of this trip. It’s been wonderful.” – Pat “Grandma-T” Turconi, grandmother of Blackhawk outfielder Michael Turconi, on her enjoyment of the experience of a Pennsylvania Legion Baseball tournament. It is families such as the Turconi family and the Piccione family that makes volunteering so rewarding. “I love baseball. I love the game, the attitude of the kids, and you can take life-learning experiences from the game of baseball.” – Umpire Jim Jenkins, in the parking lot before Game 14. Jim earned universal praise for his energetic – and high-quality – umpiring skills. Jim was part of a group of umpires that I thought was outstanding. In particular, I also commend the work and friendliness of Ron Hutson.
“There comes a time in life when you have to make a decision. I don’t like it – I’m gonna miss it – but my eyesight going the way it is it is not fair to Bruce.” – Boyertown’s Bob Ellis, shortly after scoring his last State Tournament game. I could hear the emotion in Bob’s voice as he chatted with me about over 30 years of scorekeeping. We will miss you, Bob!
“It’s unbelievable. To repeat as MVP of the state championship, it’s unreal, you can’t even describe the feeling, it’s incredible.” – Swoyersville’s Ryan Hogan, after being named MVP of the Tournament as his team won the 2016 PA State Title.
“Yeah. Yeah. Ryan’s home run.” – Swoyersville’s darling, 5-year-old batboy Blandon James, when asked if helping as batboy for the tournament was fun, if he enjoyed it, and what his favorite moment was. Blandon stole the hearts of the crowd with his energetic efforts.
“This was a well-operated machine, well-oiled machine, we couldn’t have done it without these volunteers. It was a great time, even for the field crew.” – Matt Melcher, representing the Grounds Crew, shortly after the tournament and the post-tournament awards ceremony ended. If ever there was a case of the MVP’s going to the Grounds Crew, it was it here in 2016.
“Thank you, Mother Nature.” – The author, after the end of the tournament, realizing how fortunate it was to have gotten in all of the games among the various spells of much-needed rain.
Swoyersville opens their participation in the Mid-Atlantics with a game versus New Jersey state champion Flemington (who ended Brooklawn’s season in the NJ Tournament), while Blackhawk opens their participation with a game versus Virginia State Champion Danville … Regrettably, Boyertown’s Tyler Kreitz was incorrectly identified as Travis Kreitz in last week’s … Boyertown finished the season with a record of 20-11.