The Harrisburg Senators Fan Club gathers this Tuesday at the New Cumberland American Legion on Market Street. Please join us for this All*Star event featuring some very special guests.
Our meeting begins at 6:30. All are welcome to join our organization. Please enter through the banquet room doors.
We promise you'll be home in plenty of time to enjoy the Major League All*Star Game festivities.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Congratulations, 2014 MOSELF Champions!
We tip our caps to this year's squad, who recently brought home that third ring. Congratulations to these young men as 2014 M.O.S.E.L.F. Champs!
We also wish to recognize Aaron Johnson and his colleagues for continuing to teach these young men teamwork, hard work and the finer points of the game. We've been treated to many examples of how they retain these values well past their playing years. We celebrate your dedication, Aaron!
We hope the team and coaches can join us at an upcoming Fan Club meeting. Revel in your success!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Happy Father's Day & Two Fan Club Updates
*** Introduction ***
Our June meeting will be held one week later than usual to accommodate this week’s Senators home game. The Senators have been on quite a roll, haven’t they? We want to be able to support them on their weeklong home stand.
Brian Williams
President
First, a personal note: in memory
of Mindy’s father, who joined us in Section 5 for many Senators games, our
daughter Abby, her fiancé Matt, and Adam and Brittany (our nephew and his wife)
planned a miniature golf marathon for yesterday. Ten of us (including Adam’s
parents and two of Mindy’s other sisters) played three courses. Another niece
and her boyfriend joined us for the first leg at Adventure Sports; Mindy’s
younger sister and her husband met us for the last one at Water’s Edge in Bird
in Hand.
In between, I won a free game at
Boulders Miniature Golf in Mountville. However, Adam and his mother tied for
best overall score during this first annual event. They will share the new traveling
trophy until next year.
Beforehand, all of us were
presented with tourney t-shirts, which garnered attention from others much like
on my annual baseball trips. We completed our day with a late lunch at Bird in
Hand Family Restaurant.
Happy Father’s Day, Pop! We
think you may have had a hand in convincing the Creator to provide yesterday’s
fantastic weather so your family could enjoy so much fun together.
*** Update #1 ***
Our June meeting will be held one week later than usual to accommodate this week’s Senators home game. The Senators have been on quite a roll, haven’t they? We want to be able to support them on their weeklong home stand.
Set your calendar for Tuesday,
June 24th for that next meeting, when we can celebrate the Senators’ current
win streak and hot June play. Our guest speaker will be Ray Klein, who will
share “Tales of a Major League Vendor”.
Join us at the New Cumberland
American Legion on Market Street. We come to order at 6:30 PM.
*** Update #2 ***
Vice-President Jeanne Jacobs has
finalized details for a weekend bus trip to see the Senators play in New
Britain, CT. We’ll leave from the Radisson Hotel parking lot on Saturday
morning, August 16th, enjoy that evening’s game, stay at the Holiday Inn
Express, take in Sunday afternoon’s game, and return home Sunday evening.
$175 per person includes your
transportation, tickets to both games and your hotel stay. Please call Jeanne
at 717-774-2730 if you have any questions.
*** Epilog ***
After church today, Abby and I plan
to spend time together; and then, I plan to call my dad. All of us look forward
to celebrating his 80th birthday early next month.
He’s taught me so much over the
years. I’m thankful for his experience. I’m also grateful to have such a
terrific role model. (Did you ever wonder where I get my sense of humor?)
Here’s hoping your Father’s Day
will enrich you today, either by spending time with a special male in your life
or by recalling special memories. As PA announcer Chris Andree states before
every game, “Or both!”
President
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Lots to Celebrate
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Let's begin by looking backward. This week marks the one-year anniversary of our Ultimate "Ultimate" Baseball Trip. Mitch Mansfield and I trek 2,500 miles to witness nine baseball games (all in different parks) in eight days. If you have a few minutes and care to read about our adventure, start here.
Secondly, we welcomed my friend, fellow baseball aficionado and former umpire, John Ingiosi to Metro Bank Park to last night's Senators game. John worked in this area for many years and is now enjoying retirement with his wife near Hustontown, PA.
I look forward to next time John visits for a game. So should the Senators.
Last night's game began like so many recent games: a 1st inning rally puts our team in an early hole. However, Omar Poveda settles in and holds the Fightins. The Senators battle against the Phils' pen, finally pushing across the eventual game winner on an 8th inning wild pitch with two outs. The Sens relief corps closes the door in the 9th by pounding the strike zone following a couple of bloop singles and an intentional pass.
5-4 final in a steady, light drizzle. It's a crisply played game, too, as the special Wednesday evening fireworks start to light up the cloudy sky before 10 PM.
Rewinding a bit, the evening at the ballpark begins with another celebration. The Fan Club recognized AJ Cole for winning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week a few weeks ago. Long-time Fan Club member Mitch Grafton presented AJ with his award.
Let's begin by looking backward. This week marks the one-year anniversary of our Ultimate "Ultimate" Baseball Trip. Mitch Mansfield and I trek 2,500 miles to witness nine baseball games (all in different parks) in eight days. If you have a few minutes and care to read about our adventure, start here.
Secondly, we welcomed my friend, fellow baseball aficionado and former umpire, John Ingiosi to Metro Bank Park to last night's Senators game. John worked in this area for many years and is now enjoying retirement with his wife near Hustontown, PA.
I look forward to next time John visits for a game. So should the Senators.
Last night's game began like so many recent games: a 1st inning rally puts our team in an early hole. However, Omar Poveda settles in and holds the Fightins. The Senators battle against the Phils' pen, finally pushing across the eventual game winner on an 8th inning wild pitch with two outs. The Sens relief corps closes the door in the 9th by pounding the strike zone following a couple of bloop singles and an intentional pass.5-4 final in a steady, light drizzle. It's a crisply played game, too, as the special Wednesday evening fireworks start to light up the cloudy sky before 10 PM.
Rewinding a bit, the evening at the ballpark begins with another celebration. The Fan Club recognized AJ Cole for winning Eastern League Pitcher of the Week a few weeks ago. Long-time Fan Club member Mitch Grafton presented AJ with his award.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Managerial Loss
I usually give managers a pass when it comes to in-game strategy. Most field generals go by the book, but I appreciate those who play on-field chess by gut feeling.
Today, I'm still steamed over last night's 14-inning debacle at Citizens Bank Park. Not because the Phillies are going anywhere this season, but because of a managerial decision that can only be described as nonsensical.
In the bottom of the 13th inning, the Phillies have the winning run at 3rd base with two outs. Granted, they'd already stranded that winning runner at 3rd numerous times during the game.
This time, facing an exhausted pen (from the previous night/morning's extra inning affair), the Phils' manager decides to stick with his only fresh arm -- at least it was fresh before tossing an incredible four innings of 3-up 3-down baseball. (When's the last time we could say that about any Phillies reliever?)
Instead of allowing Jeff Manship to take a seat and bask in the glory of a potential win as a reward for his perfect outing, John Mayberry, Jr. is called back from the on-deck circle. Manship is summoned to take a few cuts. He'd already struck out earlier in the game during a typical Phillies rally: 1-2-3, out-out-out.
This time, he battles. Manship fouls a couple of pitches straight back before grounding a ball up the middle. In his quest for a walk-off infield single, Manship comes up lame as Ruben Tejada rifles a throw to beat him and continue to the 14th inning.
Except Manship can't pitch any longer. In fact, his reward for four perfect innings and a better at-bat than we see from many Phillies who are overpaid to hit, most likely will include a stint on the DL.
With Antonio Bastardo warming in the pen, the rest is purely predictable. A leadoff four-pitch walk to a .200 hitter (Tejada) who never walks. A two-out RBI single from David Wright one pitch after Tom McCarthy mentions how poor he's been in those situations.
Then the Phils leave the tying run in scoring position in the bottom half. Another L. Another reliever asked to go above and beyond, succeed, and then suffer the consequences. Another hitter thinking, "My manager has that little confidence in my abilities?"
A confidence builder? Pfffft.
On a positive note, MLB finally welcomes young Oscar Taveras and he delivers a game-winning homer in his second AB for the Cardinals. Oscar's barely old enough to order a drink and he's already making an impact on a Major League field.
Remember when the Phillies had prospects?
Today, I'm still steamed over last night's 14-inning debacle at Citizens Bank Park. Not because the Phillies are going anywhere this season, but because of a managerial decision that can only be described as nonsensical.
In the bottom of the 13th inning, the Phillies have the winning run at 3rd base with two outs. Granted, they'd already stranded that winning runner at 3rd numerous times during the game.
This time, facing an exhausted pen (from the previous night/morning's extra inning affair), the Phils' manager decides to stick with his only fresh arm -- at least it was fresh before tossing an incredible four innings of 3-up 3-down baseball. (When's the last time we could say that about any Phillies reliever?)
Instead of allowing Jeff Manship to take a seat and bask in the glory of a potential win as a reward for his perfect outing, John Mayberry, Jr. is called back from the on-deck circle. Manship is summoned to take a few cuts. He'd already struck out earlier in the game during a typical Phillies rally: 1-2-3, out-out-out.
This time, he battles. Manship fouls a couple of pitches straight back before grounding a ball up the middle. In his quest for a walk-off infield single, Manship comes up lame as Ruben Tejada rifles a throw to beat him and continue to the 14th inning.
Except Manship can't pitch any longer. In fact, his reward for four perfect innings and a better at-bat than we see from many Phillies who are overpaid to hit, most likely will include a stint on the DL.
With Antonio Bastardo warming in the pen, the rest is purely predictable. A leadoff four-pitch walk to a .200 hitter (Tejada) who never walks. A two-out RBI single from David Wright one pitch after Tom McCarthy mentions how poor he's been in those situations.
Then the Phils leave the tying run in scoring position in the bottom half. Another L. Another reliever asked to go above and beyond, succeed, and then suffer the consequences. Another hitter thinking, "My manager has that little confidence in my abilities?"
A confidence builder? Pfffft.
On a positive note, MLB finally welcomes young Oscar Taveras and he delivers a game-winning homer in his second AB for the Cardinals. Oscar's barely old enough to order a drink and he's already making an impact on a Major League field.
Remember when the Phillies had prospects?
Thursday, May 8, 2014
May Fan Club Meeting
Our next Harrisburg Senators Fan
Club meeting is fast approaching. After we spend this weekend honoring Mom, and
next weekend at Metro Bank Park, we’ll gather on Tuesday, May 20th at the New
Cumberland American Legion on Market Street.
We have a little business to
conduct starting at 6:30 PM, and then we’ll turn the floor over to guest
speaker, Billy Caldese. You may think of Billy’s name as synonymous with Spot
Dogs, but there’s much more to Billy than those legendary treats. Come to the
meeting to find out why Billy received the latest Art Mattingly award during
January’s Hot Stove banquet.
We hope you can join us. Feel
free to bring a friend or co-worker who may enjoy joining our ranks for the
rest of 2014. We have a whole season of baseball fun ahead of us!
Brian Williams
PresidentFriday, April 11, 2014
Happy Opening (Yester)Day
I had to change the subject of
this message, because I’d run out of time to deliver it on Thursday. Sorry, but
the combination of gorgeous spring weather and the return of baseball to Metro
Bank Park proved too much for me. As soon as I’d shut down my work laptop,
Mindy and I were on our way to City Island and I was downing a pair of Spot Dogs.
We’ve finally reached our
destination on the long, long road from last September. Opening Day has become
more like a reunion with those we don’t see at off-season Fan Club meetings and
events. We enjoyed seeing so many of you last evening!
Four notes of Fan Club business
for you to keep in mind:
* 2014 membership is now
overdue. Please contact Membership Secretary, Ruth Patrick (anzpearl@aol.com) or see Ruth in Section 112
this home stand to keep your account up-to-date.
* Thank you for your assistance
in advancing our May fundraiser. If you can help by taking more tickets, please
call Vice-President, Jeanne Jacobs (717-774-2730).
* Our Fan Club picnic with the
Senators and staff is scheduled for after the game on Sunday, April 27th. This
will be combined with the Senators traditional season ticket holder picnic.
More details to come, but be sure to mark the date now.
* Our next meeting will be held
Tuesday, May 20th at the New Cumberland American Legion on Market Street. We’ll
come to order at 6:30 PM.
See you at the ballpark this
weekend!
Brian Williams
President
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