Coaches and managers

I thought this would be a good place for me to mention Boyertown assistant wrestling coach John Cooley. He announced his retirement from coaching wrestling after the PIAA state tournament earlier in the month. Cooley has been part of the coaching staff of the wrestling team for 18 years. As an assistant coach, Cooley doesn't get a lot of press, but don't underestimate the contribution he has made the the rise of the Boyertown wrestling coach in the time he has been there. He is dedicated to the sport and to the Boyertown team and deserves at the very least a Thank-You for the job he has done for the Boyertown wrestling program. Heis a one of a kind coach.
Speaking of coaches, I believe this is somewhere around the 37th season that Boyertown softball coach Sue Benfield has been guiding the softball team. So far, she hasn't announced any retirement plans, but that doesn't mean we can't give her props (can a 48-year-old use that work) for her dedication to her sport and her players for nearly four decades.
I believe Joe Miller is in his 36th season as the coach of the Boyertown girls' track team. In a time when coaches seem to get "burned out', coaching for that amount of time is amazing. It's not an easy job and there are a huge amount of hassles a coach has to put up with during a season. To do that for four decades is a notable accomplishment.
Staying on the coaches theme, I advise you to check out Matthew Teague's first (of nine) article on Charlie Manual on phillymag.com. It gives a good insight on a manager who has the reputation of being a dim bulb. I've always given Charlie more credit than most. He took a team that had questionable starting pitching (and less than stellar bullpen) and took them to the top of the N.L. East last year. His teams have always been near the top of the standings (even with Cleveland) and his players love him. He may make a few strategy decisions we all scratch our heads about, but he seems to get the most out of his players. I don't believe that is a coincidence. Keep it going Charlie. This time take us to a world championship. We certainly need one in Philly.

spring is here

It's been pretty dead as far as high school sports are concerned in the area. But now the spring sports are getting underway and around here that means Boyertown baseball. Of course there are several good local teams that are getting started, including the Exeter High School boys' volleyball team that will try to defend its state championship. Mark Dennin of Boyertown will continue his record-setting season as he gets started in outdoor track. Expect him to compete for the state 3,200 meter event.
But I still can't get my mind off my Flyers. After watching them blow a three-goal lead last week, then allow a last minute goal to Boston that resulted in another loss, it's been a tough week. Even their victory over the Thrashers got a little hairy at the end. They came oh-so-close to blowing a two-goal lead in the last 40 seconds. That's tough to do. They just get a little rattled when they're trying to preserve a lead late in the game.
And although I'm not a big Sixers fan, I did enjoy watching Alan Iverson come back to Philly last night. I was impressed with the way he handled the press before and after the game. He really seems to have matured a lot in the last two years. The guy that said "Practice, you talkin' about practice," is not the same guy who was talking last night. As controversial as he had been from time to time, I still think he was one of the most exciting players the Sixers have ever had on their team. Only Wilt and Dr. J. surpass him in my book.
But enough of basketball and hockey. It's spring time and that means baseball. The start of the Phillies season is about a week and a half away. Unless a rash of major injuries occur, the Phillies will be an exciting team to watch this summer - win or lose. With Hammels and Myers at the front end of the pitching staff, they should be in the race all the way. Now all we need is for Chris Benson to come off the disabled list in May or June and pitch well enough to send Adam Eaton back to the Cape Cod League where he might be able to lower his ERA under 4.00. That is, if he stays healthy.

Tough night

As a Flyer fan, I'm very depressed today. How can they blow a three-goal lead in the third period? What a frustrating game to watch last night. I could have ripped a hole in the wall when Toronto tied the game late in the third period. The overtime goal wasn't as frustrating because I couldn't see any way the Flyers would win that game once regulation play ended. Their best chance was when the Leafs pulled their goalie in the last two minutes of regulation with the game already tied. Unfortunately, the Flyers couldn't take advantage of the opportunity. Again, what a frustrating game to watch. They better come back and beat the Leafs tongiht.
Congrats to the Boyertown High ice hockey team. Last night they won their first Flyers Cup game in team history. THanks in part to a hat trick from Tim Moyer, the Bears easily handled Parkland, 9-3. Next up for the Bears is Haverford on Thursday night (8:45 p.m.) a the Skatium. Good luck Bears!
Also congrats to Boyertown High's Alex Pellicciotti who earned a seventh place medal at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships. The Boyertown wrestlers have really been raking in the state medals over the past decade. I remember when the program first started and wins were hard to come by. But when the Boyertown youth wrestling program (the Demons) started up the high school wrestling program soon started to take off. A lot of good people who were willing to put the time in to coach these kids at the elementary school level has really paid off in a big way for the program. At one time any wrestler that made it to the states was a huge accomplishment for the Boyertown program. Now Boyertown usually comes home with at least one state medal.
It's great to have baseball back again. The Phillies are back and I can't wait for the new season.
The bad news is that the Phillies' starting pitchers have an ERA over 9.00 this spring. I know it's just spring training, but it does give me cause for concern. But it's not in my make-up to panic in spring training. I usually wait until a week into the season. By that time, the Phillies are somewhere around 1-6 and digging an early hole for themselves in the standings. They usually don't get going until May. Why this is I do not know. All I know is you can count on a slow start from them. Let's see where they are in June before we panic too much.

state competition

How about those boys from the Daniel Boone basketball team. Down 14 points in the fourth quarter (five in the last 30 seconds) then fought back to win their second round state playoff game by two points on a last second shot. The program has never won a state playoff game in its history. Now they have won twice. Their back at it again on Friday in their semifinal round game. Good luck Blazers!!!
Daniel Boone's Tyler Swartz will be at this week's PIAA state wrestling tournament in Hershey, as will Boyertowb's Alex Pellicciotti and Tim Feroe. That's three chances for a local state gold medal.
There will also be medal opportunities for the Boyertown swim teams (both boys and girls) as several will be at the state swimming meet at Bucknell University.
Now if only the Flyers could be just as successful in the rink. That loss to Buffalo was a tough one. They're just killing me.