I have seen many baseball venues — larger-than-life professional ball fields to stunning Little League complexes. I once waved a Homer Hankie in the Metrodome. A left-handed friend of ours pitched at Memorial. I almost caught a fly ball at Dodgers Stadium. I used to hang out on the bank to catch the games at Bowman. Jensen got the save at Valley West in the State Tourney. That place was awesome. I also head over to Lamade and Volunteer for the World Series every summer.
Millionaire Mountain is my new favorite. She is nestled in the woods behind Lycoming Valley Intermediate. Completely hidden. You cannot see it from any roadway. It is the new home for the Williamsport Area Baseball and Softball squads.
Teach and I stopped over for the very first time this past weekend. We were there to watch the Backyard Brawl. A yearly showcase that features some of the area’s best. Rain caused some changes. The Brawl is normally played at Historic Bowman. MLB said no. No worries. I still love the Cutters. Tournament officials moved the games to the artificial turf at Millionaire Mountain. One busy day.
It was a gorgeous day in North Central PA. We pulled in and said hello to my guys. Security was extra busy directing traffic that afternoon. I haven’t seen them since the hoops season. Yes. The first of many handshakes. We walked the long trek to find the new stadium. We immediately recognized many folks who were in attendance. We both had major ties to all four squads. Loyalsock. South Side. Montoursville and Williamsport.
Oh. My lovely bride accused me of campaigning. She got mad and headed for the bleachers.
Seriously. It was so much fun. I got to see so many chums. Old traveling ball parents were there nervously watching. Coaching buddies like Wurster. My former AD, Johnny Mazz. Austin Davidson said, “Hey what’s up?” The Schneider bros and I talked about fishing. Several of my former PORT classmates and I laughed. I made one lap around the yard. Yes. I tried to stop and say hello to everyone. I also hugged a County Commissioner. And I got a chest bump from the son of another.
Williamsport won the overall crown. They defeated Montoursville 5-3 in a very exciting championship. The Millionaires secured the local bragging rights for the second year in a row.
Sophomore Deshaun White was outstanding. My man hit for the cycle in his two games Saturday. Deshaun went 5 for 6 with a home run, two triples, a double, and six RBIs. He also scored four runs and played some stellar defense.
Both Williamsport and Montoursville looked good. It went back and forth.
Props to Jimmy Mussina. The crafty left-hander kept the Warriors in it. He only allowed one earned run in six innings.
Port’s Jaxson March had a big hit in the sixth inning. Trey Damschroder threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief to earn the win. Both Jax and Trey are sophomores. I am cool with their parents.
Both squads will be just fine as they head to the postseason. I have a lot of respect for Montoursville’s Jeremy Eck. He has been there. Jeremy is another local coach who played hoops for me many moons ago. His team will be ready.
Williamsport’s first-year Coach, Tyler Alberts, is doing well. The Millionaires have battled the entire year. They have overcome season-ending injuries of standouts Kellen Jackson and Lucas Naughton. Both guys are studs. Ouch. Port is hanging in there with solid pitching from Juniors Cole Deitrick and Wyatt Bair. Senior Ryan Shurer is the man.
Fun afternoon out. The first of many ventures to Millionaire Mountain.
Best luck to all of our area’s teams in playoffs. Cheers.
