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Jason Scobie 3-4, 7.67 ERA |
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Kyle Kobernus 1-1, 4.91 ERA |
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As the Barnstormers reach the official midpoint of the season, let’s take a look back at their first half history.
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2005: 27-43
2006: 38-25
2007: 29-34
2008: 30-40
2009: 33-37
Although the team showed improvement in manager Von Hayes’ second season at the helm, it wasn’t enough to get over .500 or be a legitimate contender in the Freedom Division. In fact, the Barnstormers haven’t had a winning record in any half since the end of the 2006 season. Their best record since then was 34-36 in the second half of 2008.
Will that trend change over the next 10 weeks? The recent trends are encouraging. The Barnstormers are 3-1 on this road trip, including two come-from-behind victories when they trailed by five runs or more. Those are the kinds of wins the team didn’t earn before this trip started.
The next seven days, crazy as it may sound, could be pivotal in determining the team’s second-half chances. The Barnstormers play seven road games against Newark and Long Island and they need to avoid falling into an immediate hole like they have in the recent past. The rest of this trip marks 10 percent of the second half schedule. If the Barnstormers can get through this stretch with a winning record, they will greatly enhance their chances because they have 36 of their final 63 games at home.
The Freedom Division looks wide open. Much was made of York’s improvement toward the end of the first half, but that may be a bit overstated. Yes, the Revs took three of four from the Barnstormers at the Clip last weekend, but they ended the half with three consecutive losses and are 8-7 over their last 15 games. They’re better but they’re not exactly setting the world on fire. They were 24-46 in the first half, which was the worst one-half record by a non-Road Warriors team since 2006.
Newark, meanwhile, created a lot of buzz with all its big league signings and its 14-5 record out of the gate. The Bears have fizzled since then. They are 21-30 over their last 51 games and their roster isn’t nearly as imposing as it was when they played in Lancaster on opening day.
A playoff spot is there for the taking. Neither Lancaster, York nor Newark has established itself as a real favorite, but one of them is likely headed to the postseason. We’ll spend the next 70 games figuring out which one.
Because they have such a solid team and coaching staff, I believe Somerset will win the second half. This will throw teams into the “who has a better record” catagory and a first half losing record is going to be difficult to overcome.
I agree that the next 7-games will play a huge part in Lancaster’s playoff chances and a 5-2 or 4-3 winning record this road trip could lead to good things.
*** MAGIC NUMBER = 71 ***
OK this is what we have been waiting for. A chance to prove we have what it takes. I have been encouraged by the two come-from-behind victories when they were trailing big. Let’s get things started tonight!
*** MAGIC NUMBER = 71 ***
Who is pitching tonight?
If Somerset wins both halves like we did in 06..then it comes down to the best other record in the divison. We’re 2 games behind Newark for that. It’d really help if we win in Newark right now.So let’s get to it stormers !!
I think Somerset will try to win the 2nd half because only 1 team ever won both halves and the Championship…the 06 Barnstormers. The reason Somerset wins so much I think isn’t just player procurement but Pride and somehow they get mostly the same guys back year after year and then you can develope an awful lot of Pride if you win like they do.
Somerset usually tanks the 2nd half after winning the 1st half.
Crapshoot between Newark, Stormers and York.
Minnie Mouse 4 HOF
Too early for me to say anything… I need to see how things settle over the next two or three series.
Booby… (The Ward) Pershing Ave. We lived in the 700 block of South Lime just before the sharp curve. Brick sidewalks, Ken’s Corner… great place to be a kid. We most likely are about the same age… The Albright family lived next door to “The Club” Camp Snyder Bogey… yea, yea, yea! Later, our family moved near the now gone Osteopathic Hospital (LT) and attended Burrowes Elem.
We’re talking old school Lancaster from the 1950’s through the 70’s, folks. I know Tom Arnold was around and played good ball around the same time my oldest brother did (late 60’s). You all gathered in honor of PR last year… “Arnold, you couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a bass fiddle!” Sound familiar, Tom? LOL
Some good baseball around then… Played for Glen Brooks in the IBEW League at Davey Arnold Field (Washington Elem.), 3 yrs. of Legion Ball at SS and had Mel Newcomer (he was in college at the time) coaching us… fall ball at MU and we had Jim Todd assisting Coach Gene Wise. Even filled in a few times with my brother for the Strasburg Falcons at third base at the age of 16… Never saw pitching like that during high school, for sure!
We played bball and basketball every moment we could. Nothing handed to us, no scholarships at Pa state college, 25 yr. old Vietnam veterans playing bball in college on the same field with us 17 yr old (We attended kindergarten at the age of 4 back then) snotty nose kids. We loved it!
Come on Stormers!
dadTB
Either way we definitely need to win about 40 games this half…maybe more. That will be asking for a huge improvement but attainable if they concentrate which has been lacking.
Dadtb..I’m your age also…I used to go to the Boys Club and Ymca when the Y was on Orange St. Graduated from LCHS in 1962. Hehe at the Y when I went there you swam naked with no problems.
I also lived on E. Strawberry St.
Way to play like Pete Rose Haran hehe.
Greetings from the St. Lawrence River.. The Thousand Islands region of NNY. Nice to turn the computer on and see this score. Great job Scobie!!!!
Great win tonight. Let’s hope this second half goes our way.
Welcome to fannomatterwhat! Nice to have some new bloggers around here.
dadTB….yeah went to Hand and Washington. Kilgore’s grocery store at the corner of Pershing & Green had the best Subs in the world! Tom’s big brother Bill was one heckofa hitter.
Wow. Looks like we’re all about the same age. I grew up a half block from Reservoir Park. Summers were spent at Wickersham playing softball in the morning, then walking to (take note that I said, WALKING) to Pleasure Road to play in the St. Anthony organization. Legion ball was with the Boy’s Club, with Dave Stumpf, Dave Ellenberger, and Jim Rice as coaches. Those three knew baseball, and how to coach. Those, my friends, were the good old days.
Crap! I almost forgot:
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Manny Trillo: HOF
My uncle was Phil Stumpf. Married my Aunt Gerry. Phil’s dad and uncle own and ran Stumpf Field on Fruitville Pike. Uncle Phil cut the grass and worked around the stadium… Peanut was the bat boy.
I spoke to Peanut that first season when the Red Roses were honored and he had great stories about the two of them. Too bad the ‘Stumpf Family’ wasn’t included… sad.
Unbelievable players came through Lancaster and played ball at Stumpf Field.
My Uncle Phil didn’t live long enough to see the Clipper Magazine Stadium built. I’m sure he would have been pleased.
Good game last night, guys! We were able to hold on for the win and the first of the second half. If we can set a precedence within the next couple of weeks, teams will know you’re a club that won’t roll over and die.
dadTB
thank you ultimate. Look forward to some nice baseball talk.
Dad;
Yeah, lots of nights at Davey Arnold field.
Lots of good softball here as well, at Conlin.
For a tournament we’d get as many fans as York does.
It was fun.
Stop by the booth again sometime we can reminise,
Go Stormers…….