By Scott Huff
Quiz –Which Cheltenham graduate – Class of 1964 - was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993?
Answer – Reggie Jackson.
Cheltenham High School and Reggie Jackson had an unscheduled reunion on March 30 at the Atlanta Brave Sports Complex in Orlando Florida.
“We were being honored at the Braves-Yankees game and were lined near the Yankee bullpen,” said Cheltenham head coach Frank Decembrino. “Reggie Jackson was walking in from the bullpen right before the game along with C.C. Sabathia and Jorge Posada.
“One of our players yelled out that we were from Cheltenham High School,” added Decembrino. “And he came over and started talking to all of our players.
“He said things like ‘I lived on Greenwood Avenue, where are you from?’ and asking the kids what playgrounds they played on,” continued Decembrino. “He actually took off his glasses and seemed to be a little emotional. I’ve heard that it was one of the first times that he actually went out of his way to make a connection with the school. Maybe that will change now.”
Cheltenham split its pair of games played at the Disney Complex. The Panthers beat the Chicago city champions – Whitney Young – by a 12-11 score. Cheltenham lost to Bellbrook – 13-7.
A third game was rained out.
“This trip has been a great thing for our baseball program,” said Decembrino. “Our numbers coming out for baseball have really increased.”
A new face on the Panther baseball team is an old face on the Cheltenham basketball team – Robert Mansell.
Mansell – a gifted 6-foot, 5-inch hoopster – has not played competitive baseball since middle school. But his potential as a baseball player is obvious.
“Robert is such a natural on the field,” said Decembrino. “He looks great in a uniform, and we are very glad that he decided to come out this year.
“Right now he is the number four hitter in our lineup,” added Decembrino. “He looked great in Florida – he hit some monster shots.”
Mansell might have been somewhat of a surprise – but not senior pitcher Anthony Caringi.
Caringi – who will play collegiate baseball at Niagara University next year – threw well and also homered in the first inning of the Whitney Young game.
“We have some solid pitchers, but we are going to have to score runs and play good defense,” said Decembrino. “We are very young at some key positions, but I think that this trip will go a long way in building confidence.”
One player that ‘took one for the team’ in the Florida sunshine was Joel Salem. Salem had a bunt bounce up and hit him in the mouth – losing a tooth and damaging two others.
“We had to fly him back for some emergency surgery,” said Decembrino. “He had a hockey player’s smile, but he is a tough kid and was back at practice when we got home.”
Home – to Cheltenham.
Home for Mr. October.
SOL Season Opener
Lefty Barack Obama wasn’t there to throw out the first pitch, but Plymouth Whitemarsh (1-0) opened the Suburban One League American Conference season with a thrilling 10-8 victory over host Wissahickon (0-1) in eight innings.
“It was a very interesting game,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Bob Slagle. “I can’t remember the last time a PW team had 20 hits, and I can’t remember a time a pitcher saved a game by striking out four guys in the last inning.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh scored in every inning, but the second, and led 8-4 going into the last of the seventh inning. However, Wissahickon rallied to knot the score with a four run seventh inning to send the game into extra innings.
“Wissahickon didn’t give up,” said Slagle. “We thought we had them in a good spot going into the last inning, but they didn’t quit.”
The Colonials didn’t either as they scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth that proved to be the game winners.
PW lefty Steve Wallace – who earned the win with a 3 2/3 inning stint – walked with the bases loaded to give the Colonials the lead. Matt Minetola singled in the insurance run.
The save went to Jason Chow. Chow struck out the side – plus one – as he threw a ball into the dirt on a swinging third strike.
“When you get 20 hits, everyone contributes,” said Slagle. “We are right back at it tomorrow.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh will host Upper Merion in its home opener.
Barack Obama won’t be there either.
SOL Spring Training Ends
The final ‘spring training’ game for a pair of Suburban One League teams was played Monday as Council Rock South (National Conference) rallied for a 3-2 win over visiting Souderton (Continental Conference).
Both the Golden Hawks and Indians will open conference play on Wednesday. CR South will host Truman, while the Big Red will travel to Hatboro-Horsham.
“This was the first day that we played on our varsity field all season,” said Council Rock head coach Greg Young. “With all the wet weather, we have had to practice on our junior varsity field.
“Today was a tough day for hitters,” added Young. “Both teams struggled to hit the ball today.”
Non-league games don’t always bring out the ‘A’ game in teams, but Golden Hawk junior Ryan Downs earned his ‘A’ by driving home the tying run and earning the win with two scoreless innings of relief.
“We always play to win the game, but at the same time we want to look at players in game situations,” said Young. “We threw four pitchers – and Souderton threw three pitchers. Both of us wanted to set up our pitching for the (conference) games.
“We graduated 15 seniors, but we have a good nucleus coming back,” added Young. “Any time you have Greg Welsh at the top of your rotation – that is a good thing.”
Welsh – a dominating lefthander – will attend Penn State University on a baseball scholarship.
“We have a lot of growing up to do,” said Young. “But we should have more than enough talent to compete for a league championship.”
Opening Day Action
On Tuesday, the SOL American Conference will feature Plymouth Whitemarsh as the Colonials will host Upper Merion.
On Wednesday, the remainder of the league teams will begin action.
SOL National Conference
Pennsbury @ Council Rock North
Truman @ Council Rock South
William Tennent @ Bensalem
Neshaminy @ Abington
SOL Continental Conference
Quakertown @ Central Bucks South
Pennridge @ Central Bucks West
North Penn @ Central Bucks East
Souderton @ Hatboro-Horsham
SOL American Conference
Upper Dublin @ Cheltenham
Upper Moreland @ Norristown
Wissahickon @ Springfield
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