Congratulations to Windber's Steve Slatcoff
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THE CHOPS
- Official BleacherCoach
- Posts: 1900
- Joined: October 24th, 2003, 10:42 am
- Location: SCOTTDALE, PA.
Congratulations to Windber's Steve Slatcoff
Slatcoff's big game !!!
Windber's Steve Slatcoff is a big-game player, whether the sport is baseball, basketball or football.
But even with all his poise and championship-game experience, Slatcoff probably won't soon forget his first appearance in the A.A.A.B.A. Tournament.
The big right-hander started the Johnstown Grays' fourth game of the 60th annual tournament on Aug. 13 at Point Stadium.
Slatcoff felt as if he barely spent any time on the mound that night against the Livonia (Mich.) Rams.
That's because the pick-up player from Delweld threw strikes and methodically retired one batter after another in the undefeated Grays' 3-0 victory in front of 2,716 fans.
Slatcoff tossed a two-hit gem and retired Livonia in order in eight of nine innings. He threw 70 strikes on 110 pitches.
That stellar performance earned Slatcoff the 2004 Point Stadium Award and scholarship.
"That was definitely the biggest game I've pitched in that league," said Slatcoff during a telephone interview at Shippensburg University, where he plays baseball. "In amateur baseball, you don't get to play in front of crowds like that every night. Just playing in the AAABA League and getting a chance to pitch on such a big stage, the largest stage in the City of Johnstown, was quite a thrill for me."
Slatcoff joined Delweld shortstop Jimmy Mayer (July) and Grays pitcher Alex Gett (June) as the monthly Point Stadium Award winners eligible for the annual award. Because of renovations, no football was played at the Point last fall, which eliminated at least two, perhaps, three potential monthly winners.
The Point Stadium Award banquet, traditionally held this week each January, also was put on a one- or possibly two-year hiatus, award sponsor Paul Helsel of Pittsburgh said.
"The award is alive and it's going to continue," Helsel said in a telephone interview. "We hope to resume the formal luncheons in 2007."
Slatcoff joins an elite list of athletes who won the award after excelling on the city field. Former American League Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich won in 1971 and '72, and former major leaguer Gene Pentz won in 1970.
In 2003, Greater Johnstown tailback LaRod Stephens won, and in 2002 Trojans' linebacker Jeff Schellhammer took the award. Slatcoff is the first baseball winner since Galliker Dairy pitcher Anthony Zambotti won in 2001 and 2000.
"Being on that list with so many of those great names, I just feel honored to even be mentioned in the same breath," said Slatcoff, whose name will be added to the large plaque at the Point Stadium main entrance.
"THE CHOPS".
8)
Windber's Steve Slatcoff is a big-game player, whether the sport is baseball, basketball or football.
But even with all his poise and championship-game experience, Slatcoff probably won't soon forget his first appearance in the A.A.A.B.A. Tournament.
The big right-hander started the Johnstown Grays' fourth game of the 60th annual tournament on Aug. 13 at Point Stadium.
Slatcoff felt as if he barely spent any time on the mound that night against the Livonia (Mich.) Rams.
That's because the pick-up player from Delweld threw strikes and methodically retired one batter after another in the undefeated Grays' 3-0 victory in front of 2,716 fans.
Slatcoff tossed a two-hit gem and retired Livonia in order in eight of nine innings. He threw 70 strikes on 110 pitches.
That stellar performance earned Slatcoff the 2004 Point Stadium Award and scholarship.
"That was definitely the biggest game I've pitched in that league," said Slatcoff during a telephone interview at Shippensburg University, where he plays baseball. "In amateur baseball, you don't get to play in front of crowds like that every night. Just playing in the AAABA League and getting a chance to pitch on such a big stage, the largest stage in the City of Johnstown, was quite a thrill for me."
Slatcoff joined Delweld shortstop Jimmy Mayer (July) and Grays pitcher Alex Gett (June) as the monthly Point Stadium Award winners eligible for the annual award. Because of renovations, no football was played at the Point last fall, which eliminated at least two, perhaps, three potential monthly winners.
The Point Stadium Award banquet, traditionally held this week each January, also was put on a one- or possibly two-year hiatus, award sponsor Paul Helsel of Pittsburgh said.
"The award is alive and it's going to continue," Helsel said in a telephone interview. "We hope to resume the formal luncheons in 2007."
Slatcoff joins an elite list of athletes who won the award after excelling on the city field. Former American League Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich won in 1971 and '72, and former major leaguer Gene Pentz won in 1970.
In 2003, Greater Johnstown tailback LaRod Stephens won, and in 2002 Trojans' linebacker Jeff Schellhammer took the award. Slatcoff is the first baseball winner since Galliker Dairy pitcher Anthony Zambotti won in 2001 and 2000.
"Being on that list with so many of those great names, I just feel honored to even be mentioned in the same breath," said Slatcoff, whose name will be added to the large plaque at the Point Stadium main entrance.
"THE CHOPS".
8)