Hypothetical Question: If you were coaching a varsity high school team (for this example, let's just say it's baseball), and your team is good enough to contend for a title, and you know this fact before the season, would you schedule an out of town trip the day BEFORE the scheduled league semi-final game? If so, it would definitely make you go "hmmmm".
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Quarter-final Playoff Game - Neumann-Goretti 4 - Northeast Catholic 0
Driving to South Philly for the North Catholic/Neumann-Goretti quarterfinal playoff game wasn’t so bad, especially since I was coming up from Chester. I arrived during the final warmups for the Falcons. After finding that there was only one open gate in this huge rec center, I headed directly for the “will call” window, as Tim Murphy left a couple of tickets for me. You see, during the season, Murph can’t give away his tickets, but come playoff time, everybody wants to be there. After finding Murph in a second level suite overlooking shallow right field, we settled in to watch the game. Most of the North fans were along the first base line, with the Neumann fans along third base.
Game Summary
There’s not much to say here. If you take away the home 1st, it was a great game, featuring two real good pitchers. But, that first inning was hard to watch. In the top of the inning, we had one runner on first base with two out, and I had just finished telling Murph and his lovely daughter, Erin, that this field was huge and it would be tough to hit one out. On the very next pitch, Ryan Etsell hit one a mile into left field, but it was caught by the Neumann left fielder about 10 feet from the fence. It had to travel about 330 ft (give or take a few feet). Definitely major league distance. In the bottom of the first frame, a mixture of walks (2), errors (2) and hits (3) gave the Saints a 4-0 lead. Neumann pitcher Mark Donato helped himself with a 2 run triple. After that first inning, there were only one or two runners who made it to second base. I didn’t keep a book, but I didn’t count more than 3 hits for the Falcons this entire game. The score after the first was the score at the end, a 4-0 loss and the end of the season.
Did you notice…..
....that just prior to the game, Umpire Pete, who was handling duties at first, suggested to some parents that sitting behind first base may not be a good idea (safety reasons). So, the fans moved up the line a bit, and Umpire Pete even helped one fan, who was using crutches, by carrying that fans chair to a more safe position. Gotta love that.
…..In the middle of the game, a CSX locomotive bounded up the track that runs up the 26th Street viaduct. The engineer decided to stop just above the cage and watch for about an inning. Someone in the Murph section mentioned that it might be LaSalle scouts, as the train was Blue and Gold. Thought that was kind of funny.
…..That’s the field at 26th and Moore was in excellent condition, with fresh sod and a well groomed field. The last time I was at that location, I was filming a football scrimmage between Neumann and Furness and the field wasn’t what you’d call a well groomed field.
…..that as I mentioned above, there was only one open gate into this field. I’m guessing they don’t like to open too many gates, so they only have one to lock up at night to keep the natives out who may chew up the nice turf.
…..the fly ball in about the third inning that drifted toward the goal post up the line, which is about 20 feet in foul territory. There was a guy with a camera on a tripod, who moved just in time not to get hit, but not quick enough for the Neumann left fielder who had a shot at catching it, but didn’t want to get tangled up with the cameraman.
…..that after the game, some Neumann-Goretti players stopped by a pizza shop on Packer Ave. Just as Murph, Erin and I were finishing up dinner, three players, along with a coach, were just showing up for some victory pizza. Thanks for dinner, Murph.
Faces in the Crowd…
...Of course, Superfan, Tim Murphy ’71, along with his lovely daughter, Erin, were in the regular Murph section up the right field line. Murph has a job where his contract states that he gets off, with pay, whenever North plays. What a job!
…..Able to secure some seats in the same section were Ed Glackin, who had the night off due to the Phillies being in Cinncinati. It’s always a pleasure sitting with one of my favorite football parents. By the way, you can usually find Ed at North sporting events throughout the year. He’s a real fan of NC.
.....Stopping by to chat with Murph was former multi-sport All Catholic, Mike Morrin ’75, who talked baseball with Murph and football with me.
….First spotted in the left field bleachers and then behind first base was NC hall of famer, Larry Conti.
….Showing up during the game and having trouble finding a gate to get into the game was NC Athletic Director and Director of Institutional Advance, Tom Kaiser. Tom wears out a lot of tires and shoe leather by beating the path to promote the school. Glad to see him.
….Chatting it up with one of our staffers before (and after) the game was Tom Schweizer (I have no idea how to spell Tom’s name). Tom didn’t graduate from North, but spent a couple of years there and loves the Falcons as much as any graduate. He’s a good man.
….NC JV manager, and father of right fielder, Freddy DiMascia, Al DiMascia, former All Catholic NC quarterback was in the house. He could be heard asking how someone can get tickets in the Murph section. Hey Al, those tickets are free. It’s not how much money you have, it’s who you know. But, Murph has so many friends and there are only so many tickets to go around. Maybe next year.
Final baseball thoughts
I know I’ve been a little critical about the uniforms this year. I just want to make it clear that it has all been in fun. Next season, I won’t mention it one time…..well, that’s if we actually look like North Catholic while on the field. And, please, lose the white hats.
Seriously though, I probably attended more games in one season this year than I have in a lot of years. This was mainly due to my co-operating work schedule. I have to say that I was entertained all season long. The varsity players on the field represented the school well while at game, they played hard, and the came together as a team. There were high points, there were low points and there were times when I scratched my head and said, “Huh?” But, in the end, I saw another season of my Falcons make it into the post season, and they did so with only two seniors in the starting lineup. I will wait in optimistic anticipation for the 2010 season. But, in the meantime, the end of baseball season means only one thing……..It’s now football season. Can you feel it?
Have a great summer and check back from time to time for some random updates over the summer. Thank you and have a great summer and we’ll see you in the fall.
Epilogue
Falcons Beat Judge 7-4 in first round playoff game
A funny thing happened on the way to the playoff baseball game today. I drove from Chester, PA to Juniata to see North battle Judge in the first round of the Catholic League Red Division playoffs. What I saw when I got there was Judge and what appeared to be Archbishop Ryan. You see, with the red, white and black uniforms, I thought for a minute that I was somehow in the twilight zone. My senses got the better of me and I realized that the team in red, white and non-school color black was indeed my Falcons. I guess it’s a good thing that our manager isn’t a Judge grad; otherwise we’d be wearing pink and powder blue, just like his alma mater. Just to make sure it wasn’t just me, I gathered the entire staff of TheFalconNest.com together; everyone from the big boss down to the copy boy and we voted on whether the Falcons indeed looked like Falcons. It was unanimous, with the entire staff voting that we looked more like the Raiders than we do the Falcons. (Have I mentioned that we’re not a big fan of the white hats?) Well, we’re not a fan of the black socks either, nor are we a fan of the black stripe up the side of the pants and shirt. Last time I checked, our colors were Cardinal Red and White. There’s a lot of history and meaning to those colors, and we think that whoever picks out the uniforms should respect those traditions. Sorry for the rant, but some things bother me more than others.
Game Summary
We don’t keep a book, so I won’t rattle off any stats. We will tell you that Ryan Etsell pitched a decent game and even made some nifty plays in the field, including one play, which he caught a sharp shot up the middle and began a double play to end an inning. With the Falcons down 1-0 in the second, the team scored a run in each of the next three innings, while giving up 1 in the fourth. But, it was in the fifth inning that the Falcons exploded for four runs, mostly on good hitting, but we were also helped along by some fielding mishaps on the part of Judge. The Crusaders started a comeback of their own, only to be shut down by Etsell’s pitching and the fielders behind him, mostly notably the middle infielders, Bob Hopkins (SS) and Mike Zolk (2B) and the right fielder Freddy DiMascia, who made a couple good grabs in the outfield. Jim Ditro also played well at the catcher position.
Did You Notice……
….how many people were at the game? There may have been more people at today’s game than there has been all season combined. Let’s go folks; you have to support the team even when it’s not a playoff game.
…..the ground rule double by the Judge player? When was the last time you saw a ball hit to deep center at Piccoli and then bounce over the fence onto “O” St?
…..how much North’s uniforms look like Archbishop Ryan’s uniforms? Oh, did I already mention that? My bad.
…..that Freddy DiMascia played right field like an All Catholic player today? I’m sorry, but Freddy not being recognized as even a 2nd team AC player really sticks in my craw. (By the way, what’s a craw? I don’t know, but it sure sounds good here.)
Faces in the crowd…..
….The Murphy Suite was filled to capacity today. In addition to box owner, Tim Murphy, the game began with Murph and school counselor, Dee D’Aulerio watching the game from the first row of the luxury box. I showed up in the second inning and then, about an inning or two later, Murph welcomed some Father Judge friends, school president Father Joe Campelone and head football coach, Tom Coyle. Murph was holding those cherished seats for North’s president and head football coach, but neither was spotted at the game. All in all, it was THE place to be at this game. We even had an official Phillies usher in the box, Ed Glackin, who was on loan from the Phillies for the game. That Murph really has some pull. I'm glad he's my friend.
…..Father Kilty was offered a seat in the Murphy suite, but he chose to sit in the Oblate box along the right field line. We believe he was saying some prayers for the Falcons. If so, they really helped.
….In deep right field, several current and former students were cheering on the Falcons, including former football player Den Logue, who made a mid-game cameo appearance, and former football player, wrestler and All Catholic baseball player, Chris James, fresh off his first year at Del Val, where he plays football and baseball.
….Stopping by near the end of the game was my favorite alum, Joe Glackin (Ed’s brother), who stopped by the field to catch the last couple of innings. It’s always a pleasure to see Joe. Joe and I had a nice chat after the game.
Next Game
The Falcons take their Archbishop Ryan looking uniforms down to South Philly on Tuesday to take on a very good Neumann-Goretti Saints team at 26th and Moore Sts at 3:30ish. Come out and support the Falcons as they make another run at a PCL championship. We'll save you a seat.
Game Summary
We don’t keep a book, so I won’t rattle off any stats. We will tell you that Ryan Etsell pitched a decent game and even made some nifty plays in the field, including one play, which he caught a sharp shot up the middle and began a double play to end an inning. With the Falcons down 1-0 in the second, the team scored a run in each of the next three innings, while giving up 1 in the fourth. But, it was in the fifth inning that the Falcons exploded for four runs, mostly on good hitting, but we were also helped along by some fielding mishaps on the part of Judge. The Crusaders started a comeback of their own, only to be shut down by Etsell’s pitching and the fielders behind him, mostly notably the middle infielders, Bob Hopkins (SS) and Mike Zolk (2B) and the right fielder Freddy DiMascia, who made a couple good grabs in the outfield. Jim Ditro also played well at the catcher position.
Did You Notice……
….how many people were at the game? There may have been more people at today’s game than there has been all season combined. Let’s go folks; you have to support the team even when it’s not a playoff game.
…..the ground rule double by the Judge player? When was the last time you saw a ball hit to deep center at Piccoli and then bounce over the fence onto “O” St?
…..how much North’s uniforms look like Archbishop Ryan’s uniforms? Oh, did I already mention that? My bad.
…..that Freddy DiMascia played right field like an All Catholic player today? I’m sorry, but Freddy not being recognized as even a 2nd team AC player really sticks in my craw. (By the way, what’s a craw? I don’t know, but it sure sounds good here.)
Faces in the crowd…..
….The Murphy Suite was filled to capacity today. In addition to box owner, Tim Murphy, the game began with Murph and school counselor, Dee D’Aulerio watching the game from the first row of the luxury box. I showed up in the second inning and then, about an inning or two later, Murph welcomed some Father Judge friends, school president Father Joe Campelone and head football coach, Tom Coyle. Murph was holding those cherished seats for North’s president and head football coach, but neither was spotted at the game. All in all, it was THE place to be at this game. We even had an official Phillies usher in the box, Ed Glackin, who was on loan from the Phillies for the game. That Murph really has some pull. I'm glad he's my friend.
…..Father Kilty was offered a seat in the Murphy suite, but he chose to sit in the Oblate box along the right field line. We believe he was saying some prayers for the Falcons. If so, they really helped.
….In deep right field, several current and former students were cheering on the Falcons, including former football player Den Logue, who made a mid-game cameo appearance, and former football player, wrestler and All Catholic baseball player, Chris James, fresh off his first year at Del Val, where he plays football and baseball.
….Stopping by near the end of the game was my favorite alum, Joe Glackin (Ed’s brother), who stopped by the field to catch the last couple of innings. It’s always a pleasure to see Joe. Joe and I had a nice chat after the game.
Next Game
The Falcons take their Archbishop Ryan looking uniforms down to South Philly on Tuesday to take on a very good Neumann-Goretti Saints team at 26th and Moore Sts at 3:30ish. Come out and support the Falcons as they make another run at a PCL championship. We'll save you a seat.
Playoff Game and All Catholic Honors
Playoff Game
North vs Judge at Piccoli, Monday, May 18, 2009 3:45PM
Come out and support the team. Since there is a break before this game, both teams will be throwing out their best pitcher and North seems to finally have most of their players ready and in their normal positions for this playoff and rivalry game.
Coaches' All Catholic Team
Coach of the Year: Nick Chichilitti
First Team Players: Bob Hopkins (inf), Ryan Etsell (P), Ryan Hires (DH)
Second Team Players: Ryan Etsell (inf), Mike "Zoom" Zolk (C), Bob Hopkins (P)
Random commentary
The entire staff at TheFalconNest.com would like to congratulate Coach Chichilitti and the players from North who were selected to the All Catholic teams. It's a good thing that coach of the year wasn't voted on based on fashion sense. Have we mentioned that we're not a big fan of the white hats? Also, maybe someday the team will go back to the traditional white with red pinstripe uniforms instead of the plain white pants with the thin black stripe up the leg.
After attending many games this season, we had to scratch our collective heads when we see a couple of players who are on the list at the positions they are listed. We'll keep the specifics to ourselves, as it serves no purpose to write about it here. But, it definitely made me go "hmmmm".
We know that the selection of All Catholic teams is pretty much a back room thing, where coaches get together to push their own players and make deals such as "you vote for my kid and I'll vote for yours". It's pretty much that way in every sport in the PCL. My only question is why wasn't Freddy DiMascia on this list. I think I've seen enough games to know that Freddy has been a major contributor to this team's success this season. Even playing, in our opinion, out of his normal position (CF), Freddy was a sure glove, a clutch hitter and someone who could run the bases as good, if not bettter than anyone on the team. But, this is just our opinion. What do we know?
If you can get to the game on Monday, come out and support the team, but get there early as there are only "standing room only" seats available. Stop by the Murphy Suite in the second level, right above the right field bull pen, to say "hello". There's always a party going on in that club box.
North vs Judge at Piccoli, Monday, May 18, 2009 3:45PM
Come out and support the team. Since there is a break before this game, both teams will be throwing out their best pitcher and North seems to finally have most of their players ready and in their normal positions for this playoff and rivalry game.
Coaches' All Catholic Team
Coach of the Year: Nick Chichilitti
First Team Players: Bob Hopkins (inf), Ryan Etsell (P), Ryan Hires (DH)
Second Team Players: Ryan Etsell (inf), Mike "Zoom" Zolk (C), Bob Hopkins (P)
Random commentary
The entire staff at TheFalconNest.com would like to congratulate Coach Chichilitti and the players from North who were selected to the All Catholic teams. It's a good thing that coach of the year wasn't voted on based on fashion sense. Have we mentioned that we're not a big fan of the white hats? Also, maybe someday the team will go back to the traditional white with red pinstripe uniforms instead of the plain white pants with the thin black stripe up the leg.
After attending many games this season, we had to scratch our collective heads when we see a couple of players who are on the list at the positions they are listed. We'll keep the specifics to ourselves, as it serves no purpose to write about it here. But, it definitely made me go "hmmmm".
We know that the selection of All Catholic teams is pretty much a back room thing, where coaches get together to push their own players and make deals such as "you vote for my kid and I'll vote for yours". It's pretty much that way in every sport in the PCL. My only question is why wasn't Freddy DiMascia on this list. I think I've seen enough games to know that Freddy has been a major contributor to this team's success this season. Even playing, in our opinion, out of his normal position (CF), Freddy was a sure glove, a clutch hitter and someone who could run the bases as good, if not bettter than anyone on the team. But, this is just our opinion. What do we know?
If you can get to the game on Monday, come out and support the team, but get there early as there are only "standing room only" seats available. Stop by the Murphy Suite in the second level, right above the right field bull pen, to say "hello". There's always a party going on in that club box.
Falcons end regular season on down note
What happens when you are faced with making up 3 rained out games, and you need to do so in a week where you already have 2 games scheduled? On top of that, all 5 games need to be played in a four day period? Add to that the fact that PIAA pitching limitations, and a 2 man rotation, and what you have is a great start and a horrible finish. After beating Judge (10-2) and O’Hara (8-6) on Sunday, and they winning a real good game at Bonner (3-1), the Falcons just completely fell apart in their last two games, falling to Bonner (10-0) and then to Judge (11-1) on consecutive days. Neither game was pretty. But, let’s not put these last two losses on the backs of the pitchers. And, I also don’t want to take anything away from Bonner and Judge, because in both of those losses, those teams stepped up and did what was necessary to win. In both of these games, the Falcons just couldn’t seem to get their bats on the ball, and when they did get runners on base, they couldn’t move them around. Finally, the Falcons just seemed very flat, almost unenthused while on the field. There was no excitement by the players, at least none that I could see.
The Falcons have generally gone with a two-man rotation, which is generally good enough for the PCL. But, when those two guys are required to rest for three days, and you end up seeing your third, fourth and fifth pitcher of the week, nothing good can come from it. The last two games were prime examples of just that disaster. With an outside chance at winning the division and a better chance of securing second place and a first round playoff bye, bunching these games together have done nothing but set the Falcons up for a third or fourth place finish, depending on the outcome of the Prep/Bonner game. You see, if Bonner can beat Prep, they will have an identical 8-6 record as the Falcons. At this time, I’m not quite sure how the tie-breakers work.
The Good NewsThe good news is that not only have the Falcons secured a playoff spot, but their first round game will be a home game. If we finish in third place, we’ll play the #6 seed. As of today, that slot has not been filled. If Roman beats O’Hara, they will tie Judge for the fifth spot, and depending on how the tie breakers work, one of those teams will be North’s opponent. If Roman loses, they will tie Ryan for sixth place. Roman has split with both Judge and Ryan during the regular season, so you guess is as good as mine. But, I do believe that if Roman loses and ties Ryan for sixth place, those two teams will participate in a pre-playoff qualifying game. Or, at least rumor has it that it will work that way.
Faces in the Crowd…
...At the Judge, O’Hara and first Bonner game, it looked like it was strictly parents in the crowd.
...During the second Bonner game, I shared a right field club box at Piccoli Park, with former NC coach, Tim Murphy, Tim’s lovely daughter, Erin, and Erin’s nephew, Aidan. Murph had to chase Aidan around the ballpark, so I ate the food and drank all the beer that the organization provides for those club boxes.
...On Wednesday, we played on what may be the only field in the PCL that is worse than Piccoli; that would be the field behind the Pollack school. At this game, Murph and I, along with Erin, Aidan and a few of Erin’s friends, sat against the fence in right field. Further down the fence, and only making a cameo appearance, was Bob Murphy. Tommy Oakes, the regular bus driver for North teams, stopped by to say hello. One of our young staffers kidded with me that Oakes only stopped by so we’d mention him in the Nest. Since we’re running a little long here, I’ll only mention one more spectator, and he was rooting for Judge. That would be Father Judge head football coach, Tommy Coyle, who caught the game from in front of the right field foul pole.
What's Next?
Once we know about the playoff schedule, we’ll let you all know. But, you have to do your part and actually show up for a game and root the Falcons on to the second round.
Blog Disclaimer: One Ritchie was harmed during the writing of this blog, but we promise that it was an accident and reparations were paid.
The Falcons have generally gone with a two-man rotation, which is generally good enough for the PCL. But, when those two guys are required to rest for three days, and you end up seeing your third, fourth and fifth pitcher of the week, nothing good can come from it. The last two games were prime examples of just that disaster. With an outside chance at winning the division and a better chance of securing second place and a first round playoff bye, bunching these games together have done nothing but set the Falcons up for a third or fourth place finish, depending on the outcome of the Prep/Bonner game. You see, if Bonner can beat Prep, they will have an identical 8-6 record as the Falcons. At this time, I’m not quite sure how the tie-breakers work.
The Good NewsThe good news is that not only have the Falcons secured a playoff spot, but their first round game will be a home game. If we finish in third place, we’ll play the #6 seed. As of today, that slot has not been filled. If Roman beats O’Hara, they will tie Judge for the fifth spot, and depending on how the tie breakers work, one of those teams will be North’s opponent. If Roman loses, they will tie Ryan for sixth place. Roman has split with both Judge and Ryan during the regular season, so you guess is as good as mine. But, I do believe that if Roman loses and ties Ryan for sixth place, those two teams will participate in a pre-playoff qualifying game. Or, at least rumor has it that it will work that way.
Faces in the Crowd…
...At the Judge, O’Hara and first Bonner game, it looked like it was strictly parents in the crowd.
...During the second Bonner game, I shared a right field club box at Piccoli Park, with former NC coach, Tim Murphy, Tim’s lovely daughter, Erin, and Erin’s nephew, Aidan. Murph had to chase Aidan around the ballpark, so I ate the food and drank all the beer that the organization provides for those club boxes.
...On Wednesday, we played on what may be the only field in the PCL that is worse than Piccoli; that would be the field behind the Pollack school. At this game, Murph and I, along with Erin, Aidan and a few of Erin’s friends, sat against the fence in right field. Further down the fence, and only making a cameo appearance, was Bob Murphy. Tommy Oakes, the regular bus driver for North teams, stopped by to say hello. One of our young staffers kidded with me that Oakes only stopped by so we’d mention him in the Nest. Since we’re running a little long here, I’ll only mention one more spectator, and he was rooting for Judge. That would be Father Judge head football coach, Tommy Coyle, who caught the game from in front of the right field foul pole.
What's Next?
Once we know about the playoff schedule, we’ll let you all know. But, you have to do your part and actually show up for a game and root the Falcons on to the second round.
Blog Disclaimer: One Ritchie was harmed during the writing of this blog, but we promise that it was an accident and reparations were paid.