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Subscribe to our NewsletterAugust 15, 2009
Bottom Row: Joe Weidman, Timmy Crough, Todd Perry, Craig Miller, Josh Barron, Chad Gerben
Not Pictured: Mike Pickeral, Tommy Bloom, Brad Brainer, Ricky Lester, and Kevin Barron
Sponsors Announced for 2014 Season
March 8, 2014
Magerk's Pub & Grill in Federal Hill, and GL Shacks Grill in Catonsville will all return to provide sponsorship for the 2014 season. Please click on the "Sponsors" tab for direct links to our sponsors. We appreciate the support that all have given us and we encourage you to visit their websites for more information.
Magerk's Pub: MaGerks Pub & Grill is located in the heart of historic Federal Hill in Baltimore, Maryland just blocks away from Ravens' Stadium and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Enjoy their delicious Philadelphia style cheese steaks in a fun and friendly atmosphere. And be sure to watch all the Philadelphia Eagles games on one of their 14 HD Plasma TV's.
GL Shacks Grill Catonsville: The area’s finest community tavern...featuring fine food in a casual atmosphere with an adjoining sports bar. Located on 583 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228.
Spring Grove Captures 2009 BBL Championship - Buddy Breidenbaugh connects for walk-off 2-run HR
August 16, 2009
Bryan Brainer pitched 6 strong innings in a seesaw affair before yielding to Buddy Breidenbaugh in the 7th after a 3-run HR by Cancun's Scott McKee. Breidenbaugh came on to strike out 2 batters to end the top of the 7th with the Bulls leading 5-3.
In the bottom of the 7th, Foster led off with a walk and advanced to 3rd base on 2 wild pitches. Gerben then walked. With no one out, Shawn Retz lifted a fly ball to deep right field that scored Foster. Crough pinch ran for Gerben and with one out, Breidenbaugh hit a 2-run, walk-off HR to deep left centerfield to give the Grovers a 6-5 win in dramatic fashion. He would also be credited with the win for his work in relief.
Shawn Retz went 3-3 with a 2-run HR in the 5th inning that gave Spring Grove a 3-1 lead. He was also named Playoff MVP after the game.
Cancun Cantina battled back to take a 5-3 lead with runs in the 5th, 6th, and 3 in the 7th, before the dramatic ending.
Also worth noting was the brilliant defense played by Spring Grove throughout the playoffs, with Foster, Crough, Weidman, Perry, and Retz adding spectacular glove work during the Championship Series.
The title was especially sweet for Joe Nitsch, Mike Rose, and Scott Gleiman, the longest tenured vets on the Spring Grove roster.
Spring Grove won game 1 on the heels of a strong pitching performance by Adam Kalafos, who was able to overcome a Cancun rally in the first inning and record a complete game in convincing fashion, 9-3. Retz added 3RBI in a 2-4 performance that added to his playoff hot streak.
Retz named MVP
August 16, 2009
Shawn Retz was named Playoff MVP after hitting .636 (14-22) with 2 HR, 4 2B, and 15 of the team's 45 RBI. It is safe to say that Retz carried the team throughout the playoffs.
A close second would have to go to the pitching staff (Kalafos, Brainer, Baumler, and Breidenbaugh) who stayed relatively consistent and gave the team a chance to win every game.
A close second would have to go to the pitching staff (Kalafos, Brainer, Baumler, and Breidenbaugh) who stayed relatively consistent and gave the team a chance to win every game.
Spring Grove season to continue
August 16, 2009
Spring Grove will take part in the 6 team MD State Baseball Championship on Saturday, August 29 at Harford Community College. Pairings will be announced shortly. MD SemiPro Baseball
On September 5th, Spring Grove will again participate in the York Colonial Labor Day Tournament. For more info: 2009 York Colonial
On September 5th, Spring Grove will again participate in the York Colonial Labor Day Tournament. For more info: 2009 York Colonial
New Sponsor Added
July 6, 2009
We are proud to announce that Catonsville Voices has been kind enough to join GL Shacks as a sponsor for the 2009 season. I invite you to visit their website (www.catonsvillevoices.org) to learn more about the organization.
They are working hard for the benefit of Spring Grove and the Catonsville Community and we are thrilled that they are supporting us.
Here is a little bit of info about the organization:
"We are a non-partisan, non profit, volunteer grass-roots group of Catonsville citizens working together to protect our residential and village community, through education and advocacy. In other words, we are just every-day citizens that want the best for our community. Our efforts are strictly on a volunteer basis.
Our mission is to obtain and share information that concerns the quality of life in Catonsville, to study potential influences on our community, to work with Catonsville citizenry towards viable alternatives to potentially negative influences, and to advocate for well-supported solutions."
Mission Statement
Education
To obtain and share information that concerns the quality of life in Catonsville.
Generating Alternatives
To study potential influences on our community; to work with Catonsville citizenry towards viable alternatives to sources of negative influences; and to promote positive change (as applicable) in our support of the Catonsville community.
Advocacy
To present well-supported solutions to public officials.
They are working hard for the benefit of Spring Grove and the Catonsville Community and we are thrilled that they are supporting us.
Here is a little bit of info about the organization:
"We are a non-partisan, non profit, volunteer grass-roots group of Catonsville citizens working together to protect our residential and village community, through education and advocacy. In other words, we are just every-day citizens that want the best for our community. Our efforts are strictly on a volunteer basis.
Our mission is to obtain and share information that concerns the quality of life in Catonsville, to study potential influences on our community, to work with Catonsville citizenry towards viable alternatives to potentially negative influences, and to advocate for well-supported solutions."
Mission Statement
Education
To obtain and share information that concerns the quality of life in Catonsville.
Generating Alternatives
To study potential influences on our community; to work with Catonsville citizenry towards viable alternatives to sources of negative influences; and to promote positive change (as applicable) in our support of the Catonsville community.
Advocacy
To present well-supported solutions to public officials.
2008 Season Recap
November 25, 2008
2008 Composite Stats
Spring Grove finished the 2008 BBL season in 3rd place with a record of 25 and 11. There were numerous injuries which made 2008 a trying campaign for the club. The team also lost 1B Matt Boulanger in midseason as he moved out of the area. Due to injuries and the loss of Boulanger, Spring Grove was forced to bolster the roster with the additions of C Matt Milburn (CCBC), OF Jeremy Fisher (St. Andrews College), INF Johnny Jackson (Stevenson U), and P Adam Kalafos (Youngstown State). In addition, the team made several key pickups in the preseason, including 1B-P Buddy Breidenbaugh from Stevenson U, P Mike Pickeral (Coastal Carolina/Frostburg), a transfer from the Southern MD area, and P Jeff Starcher (McDaniel). The team also welcomed INF Joe Weidman back to the area after a 3 year hiatus while studying in NC.
In the first round of the playoffs, Spring Grove rode complete game wins from Mike Overstreet and Jeff Starcher to defeat the 6th seed Susquehanna Braves in 3 games. Mike Pickeral was the hard luck loser in game 2, giving up only 2 ERs, and getting only 3 hits in support. Craig Miller and Scott Gleiman each drove in 4 runs in the 3 game series.
Spring Grove next moved on to face eventual champion Redwood Panthers. The Grovers' bats were silenced by the dynamic duo of Dan Ruef and Jason Reinhart, who held Spring Grove to just 9 hits and 3 runs over 2 games. Mike Pickeral and Mike Overstreet took the losses for Spring Grove.
The 2008 season ended largely as a disappointment for Spring Grove, who seemed poised to take it's rightful spot atop the BBL. That wasn't to be. After saying goodbye to Matt Boulanger in midseason, the team also bid farewell to the winningest pitcher in Spring Grove history, Mike Overstreet. Overstreet left after 2008 to join his wife in Rochester, NY and will be sorely missed.
Spring Grove finished the 2008 BBL season in 3rd place with a record of 25 and 11. There were numerous injuries which made 2008 a trying campaign for the club. The team also lost 1B Matt Boulanger in midseason as he moved out of the area. Due to injuries and the loss of Boulanger, Spring Grove was forced to bolster the roster with the additions of C Matt Milburn (CCBC), OF Jeremy Fisher (St. Andrews College), INF Johnny Jackson (Stevenson U), and P Adam Kalafos (Youngstown State). In addition, the team made several key pickups in the preseason, including 1B-P Buddy Breidenbaugh from Stevenson U, P Mike Pickeral (Coastal Carolina/Frostburg), a transfer from the Southern MD area, and P Jeff Starcher (McDaniel). The team also welcomed INF Joe Weidman back to the area after a 3 year hiatus while studying in NC.
In the first round of the playoffs, Spring Grove rode complete game wins from Mike Overstreet and Jeff Starcher to defeat the 6th seed Susquehanna Braves in 3 games. Mike Pickeral was the hard luck loser in game 2, giving up only 2 ERs, and getting only 3 hits in support. Craig Miller and Scott Gleiman each drove in 4 runs in the 3 game series.
Spring Grove next moved on to face eventual champion Redwood Panthers. The Grovers' bats were silenced by the dynamic duo of Dan Ruef and Jason Reinhart, who held Spring Grove to just 9 hits and 3 runs over 2 games. Mike Pickeral and Mike Overstreet took the losses for Spring Grove.
The 2008 season ended largely as a disappointment for Spring Grove, who seemed poised to take it's rightful spot atop the BBL. That wasn't to be. After saying goodbye to Matt Boulanger in midseason, the team also bid farewell to the winningest pitcher in Spring Grove history, Mike Overstreet. Overstreet left after 2008 to join his wife in Rochester, NY and will be sorely missed.
2007 York Colonial Tournament Recap
September 4, 2007
Spring Grove improved on it's 2005 (1 and 2) and 2006 (2 and 2) finishes by going 3 and 2 in the 2007 York Colonial Tournament. The team completed it's run by tying Norristown for 5th place in the illustrious Labor Day tournament. The team consisted of Spring Grove's core position players, starters Mike Overstreet and Derrick Nason, and various pickups from other teams. The pickups who helped Spring Grove included Brad Fitz (Brunswick Orioles), Dan Ruef & Jason Reinhart (Redwood Panthers), Luke Thomas & Rich Ropp (Dundalk Brewers), Earl Williams (Chesapeake Braves), and former/future Grover Joe Weidman.
Spring Grove stormed to a 3-0 record with wins over the Hallam Express (Susquehanna PA regular season champs), Bumpy Oak of MD, and Delran of NJ. A drubbing by Mount Wolf in front of their home crowd knocked SG into the loser's bracket before the Long Island Storm ended the run with a heartbreaking come-from-behind win.
Of note: Spring Grove got 4 masterful pitching performances...Overstreet started 2 consecutive games...LF Tom Foster went down in game 1 with a hamstring injury and was limited to just 2ABs all tournament...clutch hitting by a different player every game...Josh Barron hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 9th in game 1...solid defense was played by all.
For individual game recaps, see the "Game Results" tab.
Spring Grove stormed to a 3-0 record with wins over the Hallam Express (Susquehanna PA regular season champs), Bumpy Oak of MD, and Delran of NJ. A drubbing by Mount Wolf in front of their home crowd knocked SG into the loser's bracket before the Long Island Storm ended the run with a heartbreaking come-from-behind win.
Of note: Spring Grove got 4 masterful pitching performances...Overstreet started 2 consecutive games...LF Tom Foster went down in game 1 with a hamstring injury and was limited to just 2ABs all tournament...clutch hitting by a different player every game...Josh Barron hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 9th in game 1...solid defense was played by all.
For individual game recaps, see the "Game Results" tab.
2007 Season Recap
September 4, 2007
2007 Composite Stats
Spring Grove finished the regular season 20 and 10, in 3rd place by virtue of holding the tie-breaker over Midtown. This was no small feat, as the team battled injuries to key players and vacations all season. However, the team's core remained intact and battled through the 30 game schedule.
In the first round of the playoffs, SG defeated the Susky Braves 2 games to 0. Overstreet and Nason earned wins and the offense out-scored the Braves 24-8 in the two games.
SG swept Midtown in round 2, beating the same team who knocked SG out of last year's playoffs. Overstreet and Bloom won the two games and the offense was again explosive, putting up 18 runs in the 2 games.
The run ended in the Championship Series as the 8th seed Loch Raven Cubs swept Spring Grove. The Cubs completed a story-book run through the playoffs by defeating the Dundalk Brewers (1 seed), Cancun Cantina (2 seed), and finally Spring Grove (3 seed). Spring Grove's powerful offense was silenced all day by Cubs pitchers Ira Carlson and Bryan Couts.
2008 will be here soon enough and Spring Grove will hope to again make a run at the BBL Postseason Championship. The team has already received commitments from a few new position players, but will have to replace staff ace/workhorse Mike Overstreet who is moving out of town. It will be a daunting task as Mike has been an integral part of Spring Grove Baseball for so many years.
Spring Grove finished the regular season 20 and 10, in 3rd place by virtue of holding the tie-breaker over Midtown. This was no small feat, as the team battled injuries to key players and vacations all season. However, the team's core remained intact and battled through the 30 game schedule.
In the first round of the playoffs, SG defeated the Susky Braves 2 games to 0. Overstreet and Nason earned wins and the offense out-scored the Braves 24-8 in the two games.
SG swept Midtown in round 2, beating the same team who knocked SG out of last year's playoffs. Overstreet and Bloom won the two games and the offense was again explosive, putting up 18 runs in the 2 games.
The run ended in the Championship Series as the 8th seed Loch Raven Cubs swept Spring Grove. The Cubs completed a story-book run through the playoffs by defeating the Dundalk Brewers (1 seed), Cancun Cantina (2 seed), and finally Spring Grove (3 seed). Spring Grove's powerful offense was silenced all day by Cubs pitchers Ira Carlson and Bryan Couts.
2008 will be here soon enough and Spring Grove will hope to again make a run at the BBL Postseason Championship. The team has already received commitments from a few new position players, but will have to replace staff ace/workhorse Mike Overstreet who is moving out of town. It will be a daunting task as Mike has been an integral part of Spring Grove Baseball for so many years.
2006 Season Recap
November 21, 2006
2006 Composite Stats
Spring Grove ended the 2006 regular season with a 20-7 record, in sole possession of 2nd place in the BBL.
In the 1st round of the playoffs, Spring Grove knocked off the Loch Raven Cubs behind solid pitching performances from Tom Bloom, Nick Stook, and Tom Schlein. Just about everyone in the SG lineup contributed offensively, but most notably Matt Boulanger and Dave Sinclair.
In the semifinals, the pitching of the Midtown Panthers proved too tough for the vaunted SG offensive attack. SG was swept 2 games to 0. The pitching staff was superb, with Overstreet, Molnar, Schlein, and Boucher all turning in great performances. However, numerous fielding mishaps allowed Midtown to capitalize on what few opportunities they had. Chad Gerben was the lone bright spot in the offense.
After being eliminated, Spring Grove went to the York Colonial Tournament during the Labor Day weekend. The team was able to improve on last year's 1-2 performance by playing to a 2-2 record in 2006.
In 2006, Spring Grove was able to continue it's solid play in the BBL with contributions from its core group of veterans, while also adding some key players along the way. Hopefully 2007 will end with that long-awaited championship.
Spring Grove ended the 2006 regular season with a 20-7 record, in sole possession of 2nd place in the BBL.
In the 1st round of the playoffs, Spring Grove knocked off the Loch Raven Cubs behind solid pitching performances from Tom Bloom, Nick Stook, and Tom Schlein. Just about everyone in the SG lineup contributed offensively, but most notably Matt Boulanger and Dave Sinclair.
In the semifinals, the pitching of the Midtown Panthers proved too tough for the vaunted SG offensive attack. SG was swept 2 games to 0. The pitching staff was superb, with Overstreet, Molnar, Schlein, and Boucher all turning in great performances. However, numerous fielding mishaps allowed Midtown to capitalize on what few opportunities they had. Chad Gerben was the lone bright spot in the offense.
After being eliminated, Spring Grove went to the York Colonial Tournament during the Labor Day weekend. The team was able to improve on last year's 1-2 performance by playing to a 2-2 record in 2006.
In 2006, Spring Grove was able to continue it's solid play in the BBL with contributions from its core group of veterans, while also adding some key players along the way. Hopefully 2007 will end with that long-awaited championship.
2005 Season Recap
August 22, 2005
2005 Final Stats
Spring Grove fell to Medtek on Sunday, 8/21/05, in the Championship Series of the BBL. In Game 1 on Saturday, Medtek built an insurmountable lead in the first inning and ran away with the game 22-4. Andy Hudak took the win for Medtek while pitching a complete game. Dan Fielder made his first pitching appearance of the year for SG.
In game 2, Spring Grove fought back from an early deficit to win 10-9. Pat Boucher pitched a complete game for the win and also belted a game-winning, 2-run homerun, capping a 2-for-3, 3 rbi performance at the plate. Chad Gerben had an outstanding day, going 4-for-4, with 4 runs scored, 2 rbi and a homerun.
Game 3 followed on Saturday as Nick Stook pitched 4 strong innings, followed by strong relief performances by Mike Overstreet and Pat Boucher. Chad Gerben had 2 hits and Matt Boulanger added a solo shot in the 4th inning. However, Phil Kojack proved to be too tough as Medtek won 5-1.
Overall, it was a very good season for Spring Grove, who finished the regular season in 3rd place in the 12-team BBL, and 2nd in the BBL Playoffs. A special thank you goes out to the entire team for enduring a season in which managers Miller/Gleiman/Miller took over after 15 stellar years of leadership under Scott Sheppard. We'll be back in 2006, reloaded and ready for another season in the BBL.
Spring Grove fell to Medtek on Sunday, 8/21/05, in the Championship Series of the BBL. In Game 1 on Saturday, Medtek built an insurmountable lead in the first inning and ran away with the game 22-4. Andy Hudak took the win for Medtek while pitching a complete game. Dan Fielder made his first pitching appearance of the year for SG.
In game 2, Spring Grove fought back from an early deficit to win 10-9. Pat Boucher pitched a complete game for the win and also belted a game-winning, 2-run homerun, capping a 2-for-3, 3 rbi performance at the plate. Chad Gerben had an outstanding day, going 4-for-4, with 4 runs scored, 2 rbi and a homerun.
Game 3 followed on Saturday as Nick Stook pitched 4 strong innings, followed by strong relief performances by Mike Overstreet and Pat Boucher. Chad Gerben had 2 hits and Matt Boulanger added a solo shot in the 4th inning. However, Phil Kojack proved to be too tough as Medtek won 5-1.
Overall, it was a very good season for Spring Grove, who finished the regular season in 3rd place in the 12-team BBL, and 2nd in the BBL Playoffs. A special thank you goes out to the entire team for enduring a season in which managers Miller/Gleiman/Miller took over after 15 stellar years of leadership under Scott Sheppard. We'll be back in 2006, reloaded and ready for another season in the BBL.
Scott Sheppard Steps Down
Scott Sheppard, who was the man in charge of Spring Grove for the last 15 years, announced at the end of the 2004 season that he would no longer be running the team. All of us who have had the honor of playing for Shep owe him a debt of gratitude for the countless hours he spent organizing the team, preparing the field, and administering to the other thankless chores that came with the job. Shep has stated a desire to spend more time with his family, but we are hopeful that he will continue in some capacity as a player. At the very least, we expect him to be present for a few beers after games. Thanks again Shep!
2005 All-Star Game/Home Run Derby
August 23, 2005 – 11:00 AM
Home Run Derby to be held at 5pm, Sat, August 27 @ HCC. Our entry is Matt Boulanger.
All-Star game to immediately follow. Participants include:
Matt Boulanger
Tom Foster
Craig Miller
Joe Nitsch
Mike Overstreet
Nick Stook
Joe Weidman
Unable to attend: Pat Boucher
Congratulations to all the Spring Grove representatives for a great season!
All-Star game to immediately follow. Participants include:
Matt Boulanger
Tom Foster
Craig Miller
Joe Nitsch
Mike Overstreet
Nick Stook
Joe Weidman
Unable to attend: Pat Boucher
Congratulations to all the Spring Grove representatives for a great season!
2004 Recap
***Stats certified by Elias Sports Bureau and/or Scott Sheppard***
2003 Recap
Spring Grove ended the 2003 regular season at 15-8, tied for 4th in the league. Spring Grove lost in the semi-final round of the playoffs in a close best-of-three series to the Medtek Assualt (Bel Air, MD, ranked #2 in the state), 2 games to 1. 2003 saw the welcomed player additions of Josh Molnar (Bethany College), Chris Becraft (UMBC), Paul Long (JHU), Perry Sartain (Catonsville CC), and Dave Feltman (UMBC). These players blended in well with existing core players on the club.
Spring Grove 2002
