Coach Steve Kreamer was a great dude who sure loved his baseball. The long time stalwart of Hepburn Lycoming Little League was at every single game and then some. He started our two-week minor league showcase back in the early 90s. And when he unexpectedly passed a few years back, it was a no brainer to honor Uncle Steve by renaming his tournament the ‘Steve Kreamer Memorial’, to be played every June.

Steve was “Hepburn Lycoming Little League” for many years. If he wasn’t on the field coaching, you would find him in the pressbox playing music and announcing. Steve had a passion for baseball, and he was a permanent fixture at every Hepburn event. He had a true passion for baseball, and our friend continues to smile from up above.

“People will come Ray. They’ll come to the 17728 for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll show up in groves not knowing why. They’ll arrive at this field as innocent as children, longing for the past. And they’ll pass over money without even thinking. For it is money they have, and peace they lack. People will most definitely come.” Terrance Mann.

The area’s finest minor leaguers aged 7-10 recently gathered at our magnificent cornfield off of State Route 973. Massive crowds travelled some fifty miles to Cogan Station just to witness many spectacular performances and outstanding plays. A few fans pitched a tent and spent a great deal of time at our little complex. Several even came back for our world famous funnel cakes after their teams were eliminated.

I did my very best my to attend most of the games. I only skipped a few nights to go fishing. I decided to take a back seat this year, and chose not to hang in the luxurious press box. I’m a nervous wreck when my son is playing, and I respectfully declined to hold the mic. Special thanks to my man Curt Wolfhope and others for filling the void. They pronounced 95% of the names correctly.

On behalf of Hepburn Lycoming, I would like to thank all of the players and fans for another fantastic tournament in the 17728. Of course, I sometimes complain about baseball, and those overpriced USABats, but I absolutely love watching these minor league games. Special props to our boys from Hepburn-Lycoming who took home the 2018 championship. Their very first title in the 26-year history of the tournament. They outlasted a scrappy Montoursville Blue team in the best of three.

Congratulations the Hepburn Lycoming Cougar coaches and players. Props to Connor Hoffstrom, Waylon Edler, Jensen Spencer, Nolan Brelsford, Lager Waldman, DJ Harris, Leo Kinley, Jaxson March, Jay Rook, LJ Hill, Callen Ulmer, and Mason Hess. You not only won the tournament, but each one of you just made your favorite paper. Maybe my lovely editor will add a picture to boot.

I’d also like to acknowledge the Montoursville team. They played an outstanding tournament and showed great sportsmanship. Well done, James Williams, Elijah Eck, Noah Kirby, CJ Lucas, Colby Ulmer, Austin Davidson, Jay Houseknecht, Cyrus Heddings, Brody Bower, Cole Weaver, Aiden Sheleman and Jonah Heddings. I am also very proud to know all 10 of your coaches.

It takes several helping hands to pull off something like this and thankfully there were many other residents to pitch in. We made lots of money, and we don’t have to tell you how we’re going to spend it either. #impactfees. Special thanks to all of my great friends for picking up the slack. Because of them this year’s Steve Kreamer Memorial Minor Tournament was another home run. Cheers.