LEHNER MASONRY SURFIN' BIRDS

2010 GLORY DAYS CHAMPIONS

Left to Right:  Mark Brinkel, John Hulslander, Ron Missel, John Roedel, Jerry Krawczyk, Ed Engels, Coach John Grabon, Kevin Palmer, Craig Zielin, Tom Tighe, Ken Mamon & John Wichman  (Missing - Larry Allen)

IN MEMORIAM

 Eugene Rogacki, Lehner Masonry Surfin Birds, 2010

SURFIN’ BIRDS SOAR TO TITLE

The Lehner Masonry Surfin’ Birds defeated the Blue Chill of Reed’s Liquors 4-3 to win the Glory Days Men’s Wood Bat Softball League Championship at J.P. Nicely Park in West Falls.  The gritty Birds won 3 games in the double-elimination play-offs and each victory was by just one run. The game was a classic match-up between two great defensive teams as they went into extra innings to determine the inaugural league champion.  Coach John Grabon and the Lehner Masonry team were presented the Eugene Rogacki Memorial Championship Cup by League President John Stegner.  Eugene Rogacki from Marilla was a member of the Surfin’ Birds team and passed away suddenly just two weeks before the final Championship game.  He loved softball, his Surfin’ Birds teammates and will long be remembered by the League.

 The Blue Chill wiggled out of trouble early in the game as the Birds loaded the bases in the 1^st inning and had two men on with no outs in the 2^nd but failed to dent the scoreboard.  As usual the steady infield play of Boris Kuvshinoff, Ken Struck and Tony Rusinek helped stop the Birds.  In the 3^rd inning Lehner Masonry came out swinging and scored 3 runs on 4 clean hits.  John Grabon drove in the 1^st run while Tom Tighe singled and was driven in when Jerry Krawczyk smacked a base hit. Ken Mamon stroked a key single with 2 outs to drive in Grabon to make the score 3-0 Birds. 

In the 4^th Reed’s Liquors stormed back to tie the game as pitcher Mike Hallinan tripled in 2 runs and then scored on another triple by Al Malke.  The turning point in the game happened 3 hitters later as the Surfin’ Birds turned a 5-4-3 double-play to end the inning with Malke stranded at 3^rd base and the game still tied.   Innings 5-8 flew by as great defense prevailed. John Wichman at shortstop, John Hulslander at 1^st base, Ron Missel and Kevin Palmer were all strong in the Bird infield.  Ed Engels, John Roedel all made nice running catches in the outfield while Mark Brinkel caught a line drive on the run and doubled a Chill runner off 2^nd base for a huge defense play.  Winning pitcher Craig Zielin scattered 8 hits, walked just one batter and made 5 put-outs on the hill.   

In the top of the 9^th Roedel led off with a double to centerfield and one out later game MVP John Grabon stroked a solid single scoring Roedel for the 4-3 lead.  The Blue Chill of Reed’s Liquors wouldn’t go down easy and had 2 runners on base when a deep fly to centerfield caught by Tighe ended the great game.   The Lehner Masonry Surfin’ Birds are the 2010 League Champions.

Anyone interested in entering a team or playing in the 2011 season please visit our website at www.woodbatsoftball.com     Another great season will begin in April!

Final Handshakes of the 2010 Season

A tribute to Eugene Rogacki

 Boris at the plate for the Blue Chill

 Young Lehner's - William & Livia - celebrate the Championship with their Grand Dad

 Pete Rich Coaching ???

youtube videos of the game and trophy presentation !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lW-OE2VoWk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pXpCNh--eU

Mike Hallinan scores on a triple by Al Malke

Zee drinks from the silver Championship cup! 

A disappointed Blue Chill bench after a great, great season

Jeff Gianiodis pokes a  3rd inning single for the Chill

 The Final Out.  Birds 4  Blue Chill 3  September 2, 2010