Will the AAABA return to its glory?

[thesaviormattlawton]

Will the expansion of the AAABA leagues this upcoming season, do you think it can regain it's luster? Did the Grays long stay in the tournament garnish a false sense of hope for the city of Johnstown? Who is the favorite for the next year? Why wasn't the scuffle between Delweld coaches and management more talked about? Will Butch Odenthal make his return to coaching this year? Will the Point Stadium's wall be ready?




Ghost Riders in the Sky.......

[Opinionguy]

Will the AAABA return to glory? Well, that depends on who you are talking to. If you are talking to the "day" fella's who are all about 13 teams in the league and all teams fielded 15 players--all from the Johnstown area. No, the AAABA will never find that "glory" again. But, remember, these where the same J-town reps, who went 2 and out just about every year in the tournament.

The AAABA is a more competitive league and talented league then it ever was before. A fan is hard pressed to find a high school players doing well in this league these days. The AAABA league has turned into a college dominated league, which is a good thing. The Johnstown AAABA offers oppurtunity for college freshman and sophomores to play in a competitive league with other players of their same caliber. A lot of players from the AAABA now move on to play summer baseball in the Great Lakes League, Shanendoah League, and other top notch summer leagues right out of the AAABA, where as a few years ago, most players were done with baseball after their 20-year old year.

Where did all of these players come from? Well, all over. Currently, you only need 5-159zip code's on your team. Which means managers from the league can fill their roster with the best players available from the 6 county drawing area. Don't be suprised if the 159 rule ceases to exist in a few years all together.

I think the city of Johnstown will be well represented for years to come in the tournament. It has come to the point even, where Johnstown could be moved up to the bigger bracket and compete. Contrary to what what every "old-timer" tells you, the Johnstown AAABA league is stronger now then it ever has been before.

The favorite for this upcoming season has to be Delweld. They return a boat load of pitching. They also have experience, with a ton of 20-year olds on their roster. It's no secret however that Delweld experienced some team turmoil last season. It will be interesting how they respond this year.

Why wasn't the Delweld altercations talked about more last year? Because they covered it up, and the city let them get away with it, which really is fine. Delweld is ruining it's own image, the word I have got is that most parents of the upper level talented players won't be allowing their sons to play for the Welders. Again, this will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Butch Odenthal is indeed making his return to the leauge, which makes things a lot more interesting. For everyone who doesn't know, Butch is 2-2 in years managing and years representing Johnstown in the tournament. I don't see that happened this year however, as Principle Development (Butch's team) is starting from scratch, the Galikers teams he fielded years ago he took a lot of players prevoiusly signed from other teams. There are new sanctions forbidding that, although I am sure players would of been jumping to get on his roster. Although they will be a playoff team no doubt, I can't see them seriously challenging for the tournament bid. With that being said, Butch Odenthal knows how to win, and you can never count him out.

Will the wall be done? The city will have the point playable to opening night of the AAABA. All of the renovations to the stadium will surely not be completed, but the game will be played at the point. I would bet on that.

[Sports999]

Butch Odenthal won't be coaching in the league this year due to his attempt to get players to change teams. Each time he's been in the leauge he has taken part in illegal activity and his most recent stunt has earned him a lifetime ban I believe.

And I don't believe that any image has been hurt with respect to the Delweld situation. They still brought in some of the better area talent for the upcoming year including D-1 George Mason bound Ryan Uphouse from Somerset.

[Opinionguy]

Sports9999, you are mistaken about Butch, will be coaching the Principle Development franchise this upcoming year. He did serve a rule suspension a number of years ago, but it was not involving the illegal recruitment of players. The rules have changed over the last few years in the AAABA, and the changing of teams now for any player is nearly impossible.

Delweld will of course be bringing in good players, they are one of the top names in the league, and DEE DEE is a great recruiter. They have to be the favorites to win the league this year...although it will be very competitive.

[Sports999]

I was told by a coach within the league that he will not be coaching the team for attempting to get a pitcher from P/H to change teams. I'm not 100% sure and you may know more than me but this is just what I've been told.

Does anyone know if Derek Mechling and Doug McNulty will be coming back for their final season this year? I've also been told different things about them aswell.

[Opinionguy]

Ok Sports...I know the story now. Yes, there were reports of this happening with the PH pitcher. It turned out that there wasn't as much behind the story as it was first thought. The pitcher was dating a member of the Chuck Brasil (sponser of Principle Development) family. Something was said at one of the family gatherings that he should play for Principle. However, whomever spoke those words was not Butch or Chuck so no suspensions were handed out.

I spoke with Chris Pfeil a few weeks ago and yes Mechling and McNulty will be returning. Bad news for all AAABA pitchers....

[thesaviormattlawton]

The duo of Mechling and McNulty will return to the AAABA league this summer, Mechling was rumored to be headed to the Jayhawk league but after an infection caused him to miss most of the season at Duquesne he will be returning to the Grays. McNulty is currently hitting .282 in 78 at bats with 6 doubles, 1 homerun, and 10 rbi's for the Akron Zips.

[Sports999]

Mechling and McNiilty did not carry the Grays to the tourney alone last year. If you remember they had 3 guys with awesome left arms last year who are now gone in Shrift, Ogrodnik, and Tatarko. It also didn't hurt having Miscic at the top of the order and Goss in the middle.


I wouldn't quite hand the Grays the title just yet this year.

[Opinionguy]

Whose handing them the title...I said Delweld was the favorite to win it, but there is no gimme in the league this year. This may be the most balenced top 4 teams in recent years....

[duece2]

is eric gibbons still playing for delweld?

i haven't paid any attention to them since 2003 so any help would be cool!


duece2