2008 Baseball International Metal Bat Spring Training Tournament

Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Complex

Sarasota, Florida

We returned to beautiful Sarasota and the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training Site in 2008. Each of our six metal bat teams played seven 9 inning games over the four day weekend. Teams had the option to play full rules. 

Nor'Easters Captain Al Harchik lead his motley crew to the tournament championship. Echoing their "We Blow" battle cry made Tom Hamre, Jay Sdowski, Michael Mahan, James Dusenberry, Mike Mike Mercier, Robert Englehardt, Ken Sloat, John Malikowski, Pres Pieraccini, Richard Fleurent, Scott Raney, Joe Militello and Aaron Gluckler very popular in some parts of Sarasota.

The Sharks treated their opponents like chum as David Montgomery rallied  Alan Bernstein, Dave Fantin, Donald Brooks, Vinny Piroso, Sam Lynch, David Kelpin, Robert Siciliano, John Geraffo, Canon Sobay, Jason Kratoville and Al Cy Young Hurley to a victory at sea.

After winning the Wood Bat Tournament, Red Sox manager Phil Manooshian reworked his roster for the Metal Bat Tournament.  Featuring  Ryan Pellecchia, Rick Hall, Mark Smith, Vincient Pellecchia, Harvey Krupnik, Dan Taylor, Ethan Bloomberg, Glendon Geikie, Brian Paul and the infamous Ron C, Phil provide that Theo Epstein he ain't.

Brewer manager Bo Wemm lead his team's balanced attack, but the exploits of Dave Bell, Ralph Frasca, Chuck Koehler, Bill Crocoll, Steve Jaekle, Peter Bessa, Martin Cybulski, Rich Hammler, Kevin Scheid, and black sheep Pete Zachariw lead the Brewers to victory.

Recruiting heavily from the Virginia prison system, Harvey Sherman's Harvey Wallbangers chain gang rolled over the opposition until the parlole of Greg Semuskie, William Wolfe, Lynn Voight, Bob Brown, Robert Perrone, James Brown, Bill Lear, Marc Kokosky, Bob Duff and Chip Myers was revoked.  Something about 11 naked guys in a hot tub with no women being against local ordinance.

Carlos Borges Thunder over came numerous pre-tournament injuries by orchestrating the eclectic attack of Bob Graham, Brian Johnson, Sammy Santiago, Ed Sabelawski, Wally Lailer, John Means, Ron Adamczyk, Aaron Gray, and Check Lease.

With their players hanging on every pitch, the Nor'Easters  rally to drive in the man on 3rd with two outs in a close game.

Another beautiful day for baseball in sunny Florida.  How can you beat playing baseball in January at a major league spring training tournament?

This one looks like it's going to be a hell of a curveball!

The Brewers Bo Wemm starts the action in game 1 by lashing a double and paying me $100 to feature his hit on the website.

The Shark's David Montgomery bats during a morning game.  David was one of 12 players who played in both the Wood Bat and Metal Bat Tournament.

The Thunder versus the Red Sox as the batter starts his swing on a slider darting across the plate.

The Brewers brain trust analyzing every angle of the field to figure out which umpire was cutest.  Yes, we run a don't ask, don't tell tournament.

Tommy John Manooshian displays the form that earn him his famous nickname.

The Thunder's defense set, a 95 MPH fastball explodes towards home.  With digital imagery, anything is possible.

As seen in the background, Bob Duff not only plays but also brings in his own personal green headed mascot named Bogger to cheer him on in each and every game.

Now that's called throwing over the top. With the stadium in the background, the Sharks hold the runner and play for two.

You have to admire Robert Siciliano's dedication.  While the rest of us are at lunch, Robert works on staring down an imaginary batter.

With the runner leading off first, Canon Sobay delivers his 36 MPH fastball. We actually saw the ball still rolling when we are at St Armand's Circle for dinner later that evening.

Dave Kelpin plays behind the runner. A true Baseball International veteran, Kelpin has played in almost a dozen countries and hit a grand slam in Buenos Aires during our game being broadcast on Argentina Fox Sports TV.  And he has the DVD to prove it!

Note the point of release and the location of the ball.  Projecting the trajectory provides evidence that this has to have been the greatest wild pitch in the history of baseball.

The view from the 1st base coaches box as the runner leads off and the 1st baseman attempts to sneak in behind him.

Runner on 2nd, one down, the pitch is delivered, and only history knows what happened next.

Stadium action as the Wallbanger's batter rips one to deep short only to be gunned down by a step.

The Ultimate Baseball Road Trip Experience!