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Solid Team Effort Key to Victory Over Rival Garrett

On Friday night, the Dekalb Barons went into their high school football game with their cross-county rival, the Garrett Railroaders, carrying the weight of a 22 game losing streak on their shoulders. Three hours after the contest started, they were walking on air, as Dekalb won the game by the score of 26-13.

As when these 2 teams hook up in any sport, there was a great crowd on hand, and it couldn’t have been a better atmosphere for a football game. (other than the fact that it was about 90 degrees at game time)

Dekalb TV Player of the Game, Evan Cochran

The Barons got solid performances from a number of players. Senior quarterback Evan Cochran led the offense in a cool, calm, & efficient manner as he spearheaded a number of time consuming drives just when Dekalb needed them the most. His short touchdown run with just over a minute to go clinched the win for the Barons.

Before that touchdown scamper, there was certainly a bit of consternation on Dekalb’s sideline, as the feisty Railroaders had cut a 19 point deficit down to 6 at 19-13 with just over 8 minutes to play. An electrifying 96 yard touchdown pass from Noah Follett to Drake Landes is the play that had the Barons squirming, and had wrested momentum over to the Garrett side of the field.

To Dekalb’s credit, they took the ensuing kickoff, and were able to regroup, and Cochran led them down the field to that clinching score.

With that 10 ton weight off their backs, the Barons will be going into conference play this Friday against New Haven with a new found sense of confidence & pride.

Congratulations Dekalb!

Major League Baseball Races Going Right Down to the Wire

As the calendar is close to turning to the month of September, it is obvious that if you follow major league baseball, most of the division races, as well as the wild card spots, are still highly up for grabs.

It has been a great Summer for baseball, and as we now head into the final 35-40 games, it looks like just about anything can happen.

Bernie at the Ballpark in Arlington Earlier this Season

As I was reviewing things this morning, the thing that really stands out to me is that for the second year in a row, the Tampa Bay Rays are making the late hard push for a playoff berth by playing their best ball of the year. Their pitching is great, and the return of Evan Longoria hasn’t hurt. Looking at the standings, Tampa is only 3 games behind the NY Yankees.

For all of you “southsiders” from Chicago, the White Sox just swept the Yankees in Chicago for the first time since 1991. The Sox are trying (and succeeding) of keeping the Detroit Tigers at bay in the American League Central.

Out West in the AL, my beloved Texas Rangers have been able to hold onto first place almost the entire season. They are 5 up on the very surprising Oakland “moneyball” Athletics. The disappointing LA Angels are 8 1/2 back. The manager’s chair in LA can’t be real comfortable right about now.

Besides the teams in first place, teams with a realistic chance of garnering those 2 wild card slots could still be the aforementioned Tampa, Detroit, Oakland, as well as the Baltimore Orioles.

In the National League, the Cincinnati Reds are playing wonderful baseball, and with the return of Joey Votto, they look to be the team to beat in the NL.

The Washington Nationals are solid in the East. But with the status of Stephen Strasburg up in the air as to when he will be shut down, they are still a question mark as to how far they may advance.

In the West, as has happened numerous times throughout baseball history, the Dodgers & Giants are battling it out for West coast supremacy. Right now, the Giants with the better pitching, seem to be in control. With Tim Lincecum pitching better as of late, this only solidifies the Giants standing.

Wild card possibilities would be Atlanta, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, or LA.

If you get the opportunity, try to get out to see some games. I realize football is right around the corner. But in my mind, baseball is still “America’s Pasttime,” and we are in for another wild ride to the finish line.

Dekalb-Garrett Will Be a Fun Night for Local High School Football

One of the best things that has happened concerning local sports in the past few years was when the administrations of Dekalb & Garrett high schools decided to renew their football rivalry.

Until last year, it had been 15 years since these teams had hooked up on the gridiron.

If you attended the game last season, you would be hard pressed to say that it wasn’t one of the best atmosphere’s for a high school football game in quite some time. Everyone involved at Garrett High School should be commended for insuring that everything was perfect come game time.

We were blessed with a beautiful late August evening, and the fans seemed to be streaming in from everywhere to enjoy the night’s festivities.

When the game did get underway, both teams were up to the task in putting on a show that had most of the spectators hooting and hollering for their favorite maroon and blue team, or their favorite black red & white team.

It was very close at halftime, with plenty of fireworks on the offensive side of the ball. Then in the second half, senior running back Todd Frickey took over, and the Railroaders ended up winning by 3 touchdowns.

This past Friday, when these 2 teams opened the 2012 season, Garrett won a wild one over Eastside, 32-27. Over in Mishawaka, the Barons lost to Mishawaka Marian, 48-17.

It is truly the case that when these rivals meet up, you can throw the records out the window.

Come on out to Dekalb High School this Friday night for a football game & an atmosphere as to how a rivalry game should be played. I’m confident that the festivities will be equal to what we saw last year in G-town. Get there early, get a good seat, and cheer on your team. It will be a lot of fun!

Caribbean Dunn’s River Falls More Than Expected

A few years back, we decided to go on a Western Caribbean cruise with a group of friends. We had never been on a cruise, so we thought it was about time to see what this was all about.

Bernie (with camera of course), Ethan, & Maureen

We sailed out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida in mid July. Even though it was a bit warm that time of year, once you get out on the water, it’s not as hot as you might think for that part of the world.

You have the opportunity to experience a number of excursions that are available at your “port-of-calls.” Just about anything water or island related you can take part in.

After we spent a day in Key West on our first stop, we set sail for the open sea, and were heading towards Jamaica, and our excursion there was something we were all looking forward to.

Once docking in Jamaica, we headed for an attraction known as “Dunn’s River Falls.” Our whole group were all going to traverse up the Falls. Naively, we thought it would be something where you would walk up around the side of the Falls, maybe get a little wet, and then be done with it.

That was not the case. Now this wasn’t Niagara Falls, but there was plenty of water, and you got plenty wet. You literally walked up the rocks with the Falls drenching you with water for almost the entire time. Sometimes it was a bit slippery and dangerous, and you would have to help each other out, but eventually, you would make it up the Falls if you were careful.

I had my video camera with me, and I got off the trail up the Falls at about the 3/4 mark, and was able to take video of Ethan & Maureen getting to the top.

It was truly a great experience that we still talk about. The rest of the cruise was certainly a lot of fun, especially all of the wonderful food. But the true highlight was “Dunn’s River Falls.”

Fans – Short for Fanatics

Why do you attend a sporting contest? Whether it is high school, college, or the pro’s, part of the reason that anyone goes is to enjoy the “fan experience.”

Being a fan and rooting or cheering for your favorite team is a persons way to be a part of what is going on either on the field, or on the court. Yes, even booing the opposing team, if done in a way that is not derogatory, can be fun, and make for an even livelier contest.

Over the years, I have seen some great ways of positively adding to the festivities from the fans, and on occasion, have seen some things that are not so positive.

Homestead has one of the best student sections for cheering. A couple of years back, they had a student who was dressed as the Pope, and he was leading some very good natured cheers. It was hilarious. They also had a fan slip down out of the stands during that same game dressed as a referee, and go up to the scorers table and was emulating one of the “men in stripes.”

Also a few years back, there was a student who during a girls basketball game went down to the opposing teams pep band area (the pep band was taking a break) and just started wailing away on the drums. I thought it was pretty funny.

Then there was the time that 2 streakers dashed across the floor at DHS right in front of the home teams bench, and made their way out the side doors. it wasn’t planned very well, as they were caught a short distance away. I should mention that they weren’t completely naked.

A lot of schools do “theme nights” for the students. I’ve seen western nights, Hawaiian nights, hippie nights, 50’s nights, disco nights, and a whole lot more over the years

Whether it is pep bands, loud student sections, or just great fans of all ages who follow their teams, the people who get behind their teams in a positive way make going to sporting contests enjoyable for everybody!

The Knightstown Gym – A Wonderful Place to Visit

In the state of Indiana, there are numerous places to see and visit with a sports related theme, that don’t cost an arm and a leg,and are just a whole lot of fun.

The Team poses in Front of the Knightstown Gym

I had the opportunity to visit just such a place a few years back with my Summer league baseball team.

If you grew up in Indiana, what is one of the biggest things that we are known for? Well, besides corn, it is the game of basketball. Even though it was invented on the East coast, it was here that high school and college basketball was nurtured and grew into what it is today.

Saying that, what is one of the first things that comes to mind when thinking about Indiana high school basketball? For me, it is the movie “Hoosiers.” Released in 1986, it starred Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, and Barbara Hershey.

The scenes in the movie that take place in the “Hickory Husker” gym, were filmed in a small gym in Knightstown, Indiana, which is about 20 miles or so East of Indianapoolis, a little ways off of I-70.

Many great scenes from the movie take place there. One of my favorites is when Coach Norman Dale (Hackman), refuses to let one of his players back in the game for not following instructions. He then has to play with only 4 players. According to that player, who is named Rade Butcher in the movie, and is played by Steve Hollar, it took 4 days to shoot that game & that sequence.

Our Baseball Team in the Very Locker Room Where Coach Dale Talked With the Team

Another of my favorite scenes is when the coach “talks from the heart” to his team in the lockerroom after that first game.

When you get to the Knightstown gym, which is now used as a community center, you would never know that this is the famous gym. It seems so small. But once you get inside, it is still almost identical to how it was in the movie.

You are allowed to play hoops, go into the lockerroom, recreate some of the famous scenes from the movie, and all in all, just have a lot of fun.

If you are ever in the area, don’t miss out on a golden opportunity to visit a true “mecca” for basketball fans, the Knightstown gym.

As a sidenote, our family visited the Knightstown gym about a year or so after our baseball team did, and my 3 sons and I played a seven game series of two-on-two. We had the whole gym to ourselves for over 2 hours.

Was It the Greatest Baseball Game Ever Played at Dekalb High School?

A week or so ago, my son Ethan’s Summer league baseball team was sitting around in the dugout before a game, when I heard the subject change to talk about a tremendous high school baseball game that took place at DHS in May of 2010.

It was a game between Dekalb & Carroll with a share of the NHC conference championship on the line.

Ethan Prebynski’s Solo Home Run in the 5th was the Baron’s only Run for 12 innings.

This years Summer league team has a number of players who participated in that game. Jeremy Shelmedine, Steve Remesnik, Gavin Downs, and Zach Vanlandingham from Carroll. While ex-Baron players are Ethan Prebynski, Zach Pfafman, Casey Weaver, & Logan Sparkman.

The thing about that game that people don’t realize is, Dekalb played Prairie Hts. in a seven inning makeup game before the Carroll game on a Wednesday evening “school night.”

Skyler Rottger started on the hill for the Barons, while Remesnik toed the bump for the Chargers.

Both pitchers would be on their games from the get-go. Rottger had his only trouble of the night in the second inning when Carroll sent 6 men to the plate, and scored a lone tally. You didn’t know it at the time, but that would be the only run the Chargers would score in the game.

Skyler would end up throwing 10 innings on the night, would not walk a batter, gave up only 4 hits, and amazingly, only faced 35 batters in those 10 innings of work.

Remesnik was almost as sharp. The only run he gave in his 6 plus innings of work was when junior second basemen Ethan Prebynski blasted a home run deep over the wall in left leading off the fifth inning. Besides that HR, Ethan also had 10 assists from his second base position.

Senior Curtis Wise came on in relief for Carroll in the seventh inning, and he would go the rest of the way, which was into the 13th inning.

After those 10 innings of work, junior Zach Vance came in for Dekalb, and he would go the final 3 innings. he also did not walk a batter. 13 innings of work by Baron hurlers, and NO free passes!

You could honestly feel the tension in the air as that fateful 13th inning rolled around. In the top of the inning, with 2 outs and a runner on second, a Carroll batter drove a pitch to deep left field. Junior outfielder Chris Harpenau made a fantastic running catch to end the inning, and keep the game tied.

In the bottom of the frame, Casey Weaver led off with his second hit, a single to left. Catcher Shea Parrish laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt that got Casey to second. Then, in a way you would never expect, junior Jarrod Forrest hit a soft “tweener” that eluded the first baseman, the second baseman, and even the right fielder who was frantically charging on the play. Weaver raced home from second, and the Barons won 2-1, and shared the NHC regular season crown.

It was certainly a game for the ages, but the epilog is this. It would be Carroll’s last defeat of the season. They would go on to win back to back state championships. Unfortunately for Dekalb, as good as they were during those few seasons, Carroll was always standing in the way come tournament time.

Great Individual Seasons in Dekalb High School Baseball History

In the history of Dekalb Baron baseball, who had the greatest individual season at the plate, according to their respective statistics?

Nick Phillips, Todd Cobbs, & Bob Squires Were All Part of 1980 Team

If you are are a student of the game of baseball, you know that baseball is based on statistics, and the bottom line is, stats don’t lie.

I was going through the DHS baseball record book, and I decided that I would list what I considered the best overall years ever by an individual player according to the numbers.

I’ll start by saying that special kudos must go out to the only 2 players who hit at least .500 with a minimum of 50 at bats. In 2003, Troy Krider hit .544 to set the all-time Dekalb record. In 2001, Travis Coleman compiled a .517 average.

These accomplishments were quite noteworthy, but I wanted to recognize special seasons where DHS players dominated every facet of the stat sheet.

If you go back to what some people consider the “glory days” of Baron baseball, Dekalb had players in the years of 1979, 1980, & 1981 who would all qualify. In 1979, Ty Cobbs put up a .463 BA while collecting 38 hits, 17 doubles, 6 HR, 41 RBI, and scoring 31 runs.

In 1980, the year Dekalb won the state championship, Nick Phillips posted a .442 BA, had a Baron record 57 hits, had 11 doubles, 9 HR, 27 RBI, and scored 46 runs.

The following year, in 1981, Todd Cobbs batted .495, had 49 hits, 11 doubles, 7 HR, 36 RBI, and scored 30 runs.

In 1983, Bob Squires, who as a freshman, had the winning hit in the 1980 state championship game, compiled a .471 average, had 49 hits, 12 doubles, 14 HR, 49 RBI, and scored 37 runs.

In 1993, Todd Likens hit .490, had 49 hits, 7 doubles, 4 triples, 6 HR, 48 RBI, and scored 28 runs.

Conference Champs — Zach Pfafman Helped Lead DHS to a Conference Title

In what was probably the best “back to back” seasons by a Baron player happened in 1994 & 1995. Brad Weber, who would be named “Mr. Baseball” after the 1995 season, accomplished the following. In 1994, he hit .485, had 48 hits, 14 doubles, 6 home runs, 35 RBI, and scored 30 runs. He followed that up in 1995 with a .486 average, 51 hits, 16 doubles, 11 HR, 44 RBI, and scored 45 runs.

In 1996, Jeremy Sassanella put up the following numbers. A .462 BA, 48 hits, 10 doubles, 9 HR, 34 RBI, and 33 runs scored.

Jimmy Long had a tremendous season in 1998 leading Dekalb to the semi-state championship game. He hit .475, had 56 hits, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 11 HR, 43 RBI, and 51 runs scored.

Most recently, in 2009, Zach Pfafman put a season for the ages. Zach hit .490, had 48 hits, 14 doubles, 7 HR, scored 30 runs, and had a whopping 51 RBI, a record that will not soon be broken.

Who’s season was the greatest? I’ll leave that for you to decide!

Dincoff & Rinehart Moving on to College Careers

This past Monday, we had the pleasure of welcoming Bri Rinehart and Rachel Dincoff to the Dekalb TV studio. We were conducting an interview for the Ben Davis Sportstalk Show.

Both just graduated from Dekalb High School this past June. Now that the calendar will shortly be turning to August, we wanted to have the chance to talk with both of them before they left for college to continue their sports careers.

Bri will be attending St. Francis University in Fort Wayne, while Rachel will be going to IPFW, also in Fort Wayne. Rinehart will be playing basketball, while Dincoff will be continuing her track and field career.

The thing that stood out for me while doing the interview was simply the fact that these two fine young women are such good friends. When scheduling the interview, I just wanted to have them both on the same show, not realizing how tremendously well that they get along.

As is typical with young people I’ve had the chance to do the show with, they were both nervous initially. but as the show went on, they got comfortable, and were laughing and telling some great stories.

Bri and Rachel both played four years of varsity basketball at Dekalb. Rachel also was a four year track participant, that culminated with her winning the state championship in the discus this past Spring.

Both certainly seemed to enjoy their careers at DHS. They told some good stories about their experiences, especially stories about playing for Dekalb girls basketball coach, Nick David.

From watching them play over the years, both Bri & Rachel were treemndous competitors who hated to lose. They worked hard throughout their playing days at Dekalb, and the results speak for themselves.

We talked about senior night this past season, when Bri & Rachel played for the final time on the home hardwood. It was a festive and fun filled evening, with senior player and parent introductions that started the evening, and then the game against Heritage.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the fun stopped. With four minutes to go in the game, Bri went hard to the floor while making a cut out on the left wing, and before she hit the floor, she was writhing in pain. A torn ligament in the knee, high school career over.

That’s all behind her now, as she is well on the way to recovery. She expects to play in the Fall.

The day after we did the interview, Rachel was heading to Baltimore to participate in a National track and field event.

As I told Bri & Rachel, it seemed like they had been around forever at DHS. Now that they have left, it is a void that will not be easily filled. Great luck to both of them, as their careers have been unique and enjoyable. They are forever, Dekalb Barons.

47 Years Ago Today, My First Big League Game

I mentioned in a story a while back about experiencing my first Major League baseball game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium back in 1965 when I was 10 years old.

Well, today is the anniversary of attending that game 47 years ago. Over the course of time, details become blurred as to what happened, and what might have happened.

Box Score From My First Major League Game Back in 1965

If you love baseball, check out the web site baseball-reference.com, and you will be hooked on spending inordinate amounts of time reading about just about anything that concerns professional baseball. This is the web site that I referenced when looking up details about that first game that I attended. It is where you can find the box scores from any game, which was my modus operandi.

I do know that I attended the game with my Dad and two brothers. I do remember that it was part of a promotion called “Grandstand Managers Night.” This was a promotion where a few weeks before the game, you could answer some baseball questions in the local newspaper, and it would enable you to get discounted seats. If I recall, we ended up with great seats in the area behind home plate, just up a little ways.

The anticipation was killing us as we counted down the days before the game. Finally, July 24th arrived, it was a Saturday evening game, and we were on our way.

Our team, the Cleveland Indians, were having a good year. They were 54-39 at the time, and in third place. They were playing the defending American League champion New York Yankees. The Yankees were beginning their 12 year decline, as they stood at 47-50, and in 6th place.

Here are some facts from that game. There were 48,777 people in attendance, which was huge for Cleveland at that time. The Indians starting lineup featured Larry Brown at short, Max Alvis at third, Leon Wagner in left, Rocky Colavito in right, Fred Whitfield at first, Chuck Hinton in center, Joe Azcue behind the plate, Pedro Gonzalez at second, and my hero, “Sudden” Sam Mcdowell on the hill. Not all household names, but they were our heroes none the less.

The Yankees featured the great Mickey Mantle. As well as Tommy Tresh, Bobby Richardson, Elston Howard, Joe Pepitone, and Clete Boyer.

The Indians won 3-0, behind McDowells 5 hit shutout. He notched 10 strikeouts, including Mantle 3 times. Cleveland had RBI’s from Brown, Alvis, and Wagner. “Daddywags” RBI was a long home run over the center field fence in the third inning.

The game lasted 2 hours and 33 minutes, and it was 90 degrees at game time.

Funny thing is, I never noticed the time that elapsed, or how hot it was. It was that much of a magical time with my Dad & brothers.