I truly appreciate all the love. It was great to hear from several former players and old friends. I apologize for all the missed calls, texts, and tweets. My phone literally blew up last week, but I plan on responding at some point. I am extremely thankful for this incredible opportunity. Coaching basketball is a
READ MOREDecision time is fast approaching (if it hasn’t already hit prior to this Webb Weekly publication date). Major League Baseball is scheduled to ‘open’ their 2020 season this week, the NBA hopes to conclude their 2019-20 season under a bubble in Florida, the NFL is nervously approaching the opening of its training camps and the
READ MORENow that the traffic signal flickering above Lycoming County is operating under Governor Wolf’s green light much of the population will be out & about much more enjoying both the ‘new normal’ and the most welcomed warmer weather. Should you decide to hop in the car and take a drive; here’s is a destination you
READ MOREWhen I graduated from high school in approximately 1872, South Williamsport High School was doing construction on the football field, so instead of graduating at Rodney K. Morgans Stadium, we graduated in right field at Lamade Stadium. I imagine that it took a lot of finagling for SWASD to get that done, and up until
READ MOREIf you attended a high school basketball game during the recently completed season, you most likely would have heard student cheering sections erupt with the phrase ‘you can’t do that’ when an opposing player violated the playing rules. Nothing malicious, it was just a fun-loving jab letting an opponent know he/she messed up. Sports, whether
READ MOREIt wasn’t a big deal, and at the time, and its action didn’t receive much national attention in the baseball world. Yet, that December 1, 2017 decision by the Houston Astros to non-tendered pitcher Mike Fiers, making him a free agent, may long live as a significant footnote in baseball history as the beginning of
READ MOREIt is great to see Spring Training in full swing in both Florida and Arizona. The first exhibition games from both the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues can be viewed on TV. The Boys of Summer can mean just one thing — spring is just around the corner. This time of year always gets me thinking
READ MOREDerek Slaughter might win the prize for being one of the most unique young mayors in the United States. Most people his age who find themselves mayor of a well-known third-class city would have been immersed in politics since their early years. They would have come from a ‘name’ family that had long been in
READ MOREWith the high school basketball season rapidly winding down, South Williamsport’s players sat despondently in a quiet locker room as their hopes for a playoff berth took another hit. Standing before them that Friday evening, the Mountaineers coach, Rob Houseknecht, stood stoically — momentarily silent. When he began to address his team, he spoke in
READ MOREOnce upon a time in the West Branch Valley of the Susquehanna River region, there existed a somewhat utopian atmosphere among the populous. While the village inhabitants of each individual area were fervently pleased and protective of their own, they shared a competitive bond with an overriding uniqueness that made their athletic encounters something they
READ MOREAmong the plethora of sayings uttered by sportscaster Dick Vitale is one about players who would make the ‘all airport team.’ The reference is about players who look good while walking thru airports but never contribute much on the court. Truth be known, South Williamsport point guard Ethan Laudenslager would never draw attention for an
READ MORECongratulations to Summer McNulty on scoring her 1,000th point for the Loyalsock Lady Lancers. Summer’s brother Chase and my son Hunter are good friends and graduated in the same class. They played a lot of baseball together, both for the school and travel teams. Summer was the little sister that had to tag along to
READ MOREI genuinely believe there are two sides to every story. Rumors and speculations are everywhere, and I usually refrain from commenting online. There are several buzzes within our local community. I have no comment with regards to Myrtle. What a mess. But I would like to chime in on a situation that I am close
READ MOREIt is hard to fathom that I made it to another decade. This is my sixth sports fans. I don’t know about you, but I personally struggle with bringing in the new year. My resolutions usually get tossed by January 11th. I have every intention of eating healthy or getting buff. I also try to
READ MOREAs a tribute to George C. Lyter and in order to permit the faculty members to attend, Montoursville schools will dismiss at noon today. Mr. Lyter served as supervising principal of Montoursville schools from 1918 to 1950, when he retired and moved to Florida. He died in the Harrisburg Polyclinic Hospital Sunday. Thirty-six of the
READ MOREMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the fine readers of Webb Weekly. Special thanks to those who are fans of this page. I am truly humbled by all of your feedback and praise. Before I begin this week’s recollection, I want to give some love to some friends. Thanks to the
READ MOREThe Yuletide of 75 years ago, 1944, was a mixture of dread, joy, and anticipation. There was joy and anticipation because the Allies in both the European and Pacific Theaters were making great gains against the Nazis and the Japanese, and there seemed to be real hope that the war might soon be winding down
READ MOREI am back on the sidelines after a two-year hiatus. My attempt to become a better husband didn’t go as planned. I am now coaching some basketball at St. John Neumann Regional. My love and appreciation for the game had never left. I only needed a break. I came out of retirement to help an
READ MOREHappy Birthday to my good friend Pedie McDonald. It’s hard to believe he’s going to be 60 years young! It seems like only yesterday I shared his 50th birthday with him. I have had a special relationship with Pedie and his parents, Peyton and Peachy, over the years. It began when I was a young
READ MOREAt every Loyalsock High School athletic and even Loyalsock Little League game, there is always one unmistakable and enthusiastic person present at all of them — that is Pedie McDonald. No Loyalsock game would be complete without him being there. Pedie is a very special part of such contests. Pedie is the son of the
READ MOREAs the calendar flips to December this week marks the start of the high school basketball season. The action switches from the outside environs of football stadiums to the smaller indoor gymnasiums. The National Anthem and school fight songs will still be played but perhaps it might be a good idea if a recording of
READ MOREThe sound was unmistakable. If you heard it once, you’ve never forgotten it. Indeed, I had heard it many, many times. The sound of a baseball coming off a bat in the acoustically challenged, antiquated gymnasium of South Williamsport’s Rommelt Building is like no other. As I approached the gym doors, an accompanying sound was
READ MOREI had every intention of running in the general election, but my family accused me of not taking my medications. I also couldn’t afford the costs that were associated with a campaign. Perhaps one day. I entertained the idea of a write-in, and maybe I could even speak at one of the forums or debates
READ MOREI’ve been spending a great deal of time at my beloved Alma Mater of late. Yes. I find myself taking a stroll down memory lane every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday AM. A lot has changed in the past twenty-five years, but I still get goosebumps whenever I head to the Taj Mahal. I really don’t
READ MORERusty Sechler’s kitchen table was littered with photographs, newspaper clippings and various other artifacts from the 1969 Newberry Little League’ All-Stars World Series team and its run to that Series. But at that same time, there was the laughter, stories, and memories of the players from that team that gathered at Rusty’s house on the
READ MOREThere were occasions during my professional career when I was involved in conducting job interviews. Everyone-once-in-awhile I would ask the applicant a totally hypothetical question – “If the job fairy could grant you any job you’d want; what would it be?” It was an off-the-wall question with some surprising answers. One applicant once answered, “I
READ MOREAn article on the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s website describes Montoursville’s Mike Mussina in a Yogi Berra-esque manner as “Consistently Consistent.” I can think of no better way to describe Mussina and his baseball career even going back to his Montoursville Little League and high school days. There is another sports expression
READ MOREThe Major League Baseball Home Run Hitting Contest was just about to begin as my son, Doug, and I boarded the plane at the Newark Airport. Although the trip had nothing to do with sports, it was a shared interest in sports that created the impetus for this extraordinary adventure. A few years ago, while
READ MOREMotorists headed south on Route 15 may be unaware of the change as they begin their ascent up the Bald Eagle Mountain. While a new sign adorns the entrance, the familiar building looks the same as it always has, but inside its doors, a whole new vibe is underway. Previously known as the West Branch
READ MOREAlize Johnson continues to amaze. I’m pretty sure you already know his incredible story. You see, last spring Alize became the very first from our area to get drafted in the NBA. The second round pick of the Indiana Pacers had a solid rookie campaign. He spent most of his season recording ridiculous numbers with
READ MOREThe sights and sounds of exciting minor league baseball will ring out again as the Williamsport Crosscutters begin a new season of competition in the New York-Penn League with their home opener at 7 p.m. this Friday, June 14 at BB&T Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field. Officials of the Crosscutters are excited at all they
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