2005 Softball

Final 2005 Season Stats Announced

Batting Title Winner
Pat Dixon

2005 Softball Stats

Hogs Complete 18th
Consecutive Losing Season
New Manager, Same Results
Finish 7-11 - Miss Playoffs

Another Loser

State of the Hogs Address

GM Areno

Hogs,

With the trade deadline fast approaching, there's been an outcry from the media for the Hogs' front office, and the General Manager in particular, to do something to help this softball team. A major move to shake things up and acquire new talent is being demanded. Amid a whirlwind of rumors, pressure is mounting for action as the play-offs start to look out of reach. Is the GM too cozy with the owner? Does the owner really care as long as the Hogs frequent his establishment win or lose year after year?

Owner Doesn't Care?

Does the GM just show up at the games just so he has an excuse to stop for a cold beer? New generation of players, New League, New playing fields, No Fans, Revolving door of ringers, No free pitchers of beer... Waa! Waa! Waa!

In the team's defense, we did lose the nucleus of the lineup this year with the departure of the Hog Squad's 'Booger' Greenaway and 'Refrigerator' DeOrzio. Losing those two to retirement hurt the team both on the playing field with their power, and in the locker room, now reeling without leadership.

Hog Squad Gone

Elmer's and Stan's departure has left the pitching staff in shambles. There's no middle relief and no closer and no double switches available.

Departed Pitching Staff

And taking Areno's stats off the table for virtually the entire year took it's toll. "You just can't take those stats off the scorecard without devastating results in the win and loss columns" remarked Coop, an astute scholar of the game (when he's not making sexual innuendoes).

"We're not happy wallowing in mediocrity or settling for the status quo" said a defensive Areno unable to come up with any more clichés. There's many good things happening. Andy, the manager, the on-field General, our Director of Player Personnel and social chairman, drafted a Left-handed power hitter with speed during the off season. ('Big Head' is left-handed, 'Heff' has power and 'Jut' has the speed). We also have to work around all these no-trade clauses in everyone's contract, you know... Once a Hog always a Hog!

"I'm not at liberty to discuss ongoing negotiations but we are trying to dangle some bait, if you will, hoping other teams might make an offer for one of our marquee players (rhymes with plumber)."

Trade Bait?

In the course of our 26 year history there has been 3 players that took that option. This office is always looking for ways to improve our team, whether it's this year's philosophy of Addition by Subtraction or, for example, getting batting tips from Macos for Heff at the Hogs Open.

Batting Tips from Macos

Granted, results have been mixed, but we are striving for improvement. Perhaps a Taco party and team party after the next game at Mike's will put things back into proper perspective.

Areno #14

Legend Areno Fails to Spark Hogs
Doubleheader Loss Marred by Rhubarb

Legend is Back

Areno's heroic performance failed to spark the Hogs Softball team in their quest for nailing down a slot in the play-offs. Facing a vastly improved Falcons team, Areno was called out of the front office to fill in a lineup riddled with holes. His 4 hits set a good example and impressed the rookies and veterans alike, but not the opposition. The Falcons literally ran over the Hogs (and Areno specifically) in route to sweeping the double-header. In what some are referring to as "The Rhubarb Game' Areno was viciously and illegally interfered with on a collision play at first base. He was in the process of catching a pill from rookie sensation 'Big Head' playing the hot corner. Areno valiantly brushed himself off and stayed in the game (continuing his unrivaled production in this his 26th consecutive season). Meanwhile, this incident also produced a bench clearing melee which ended in the ejection of the perpetrator.

6-Time Hot Head
Award Winner

Areno naively thought that the altercation was a result of the hit, but it had more to do with Noel who wrapped up another Hot Head Award his 6th in 7 years. Under a cloud of criticism, a message from the General Manager will be issued shortly before the trade deadline and prior to the play-offs addressing the apparent breakdowns and current problems facing the Hogs. Specifically why no trades have been made, why we have so many long-term contracts with no trade clauses, why there's no farm system, why fan attendance is at an all time low, etc., etc. We want answers!

Areno #14 GM

Hogs Sweep Another Doubleheader
Reach .500!

Hogs sweep VFW to move to .500! More impressively, they did it with 7.5 guys.

Mike Houghnon collected six hits, including two doubles, while having to catch most of the evening due to a pulled hamstring.

Gimp Delivers

Centrella got two hits and two RBIs while sifting to the shortstop position.

New Shortstop

Noel McNew had eight hits and five runs, while barely letting VFW get passed second base all evening.

8 Hits, 2 Wins!

Charlie (MVH???) Bloemer had six hits, five RBIs and the GWRBI in the first game.

MVH?

Postal Pat Dixon had six hits and yet another brilliant fielding day.

Postal Pat

Manager of the Year, Andy DeOrzio, only managed two hits but got the GWRBI in the second game. He had a diving snag at second base with bases loaded, to all but insure victory.

Manager of the Year?

Matt "Head" McGloin, continued his tear with six more hits and three runs.

Brian "Heff" Heffernan, who missed last week, should have stayed there since he was one for ten. However he worked his ass off all day chasing fly balls, including at least three sliding catches.

Andy

#14

Scheduling Change: The double header against the Falcons on July 12, is now postponed until July 19. This game will be on the new field.

The Hogs next game is Tuesday July 5. The game is at the new field, directions below:

Directions to Friendship Field

From Downingtown & points West:

· Pa Turnpike exit # 23 (Downingtown exit) to Rte 100 South

· Take Route 100 South to the 2nd light off

· Turn left onto Rte 113 North into Phoenixville

· Follow Rte 113 North signs to Gay Street

· Make a left onto Gay Street

· Go over the bridge and the road will turn into Franklin Ave

· Follow this road to Grant street

· Make a right on Grant Street

· Then a left at the next road which is Ann St

· Park in the lot on your right

· The field is up the hill on your right

From Malvern:

· Follow Route 29 North to Phoenixville

· Turn left onto (Nutt Rd)/ 23 West

· Turn right after you pass the hospital on your left onto Gay Street

· Gay Street will turn into Franklin Ave

· Make a right onto Grant Street

· Make a left at the next road which is Ann St

· Park in the parking lot on your right

· Field is up the hill on your right

From King of Prussia:

· Take Rte. 202 South to Rte. 422 West

· Follow Rte. 422 West to Rte 23 West

· Follow Rte. 23 West through Valley Forge National Park into Phoenixville

· Turn right on Gay Street at first light after you pass the hospital on your left

· Follow Gay St through town this will turn into Franklin Ave

· Make a right onto Grant Street

· Make a left at the next road which is Ann Street

· Park in the parking lot on your right

· Field is up the hill on your right

From Pottstown

Take 422 East

Take the Pa - 724 exit towards PHOENIXVILLE - go 0.1 mi

Turn Left on E SCHUYLKILL RD - go 0.2 mi

Continue on SCHUYLKILL RD - go 0.1 mi

SCHUYLKILL RD becomes NEW SCHUYLKILL RD - go 2.9 mi

Continue on SCHUYLKILL RD - go 4.7 mi

Bear Left on MOWERE RD - go 0.9 mi

MOWERE RD becomes W HIGH ST - go 0.6 mi

Turn Left on FRANKLIN AVE - go 0.4 mi

Make a right onto Grant Street

Make a left at the next road which is Ann Street

Park in the parking lot on your right

Field is up the hill on your right

Editors Note: Areno is out, Andy is in. After 10 years at the helm, Areno has passed the torch to Andy. We thank Areno for his excellent commentaries which were often better than the Hogs games.

Legend Retires

The Hogs Softball game summaries will now be provided by new Hogs Manager and GM, Andy.

New Hogs Manager and Hog Rock Columnist
Andy

Hogs Sweep Doubleheader

In the first games back after the Hogs Open, the Hogs sweep Collins Painting in a double header Tuesday night. The Hogs found inspiration in a pre-Open speech from Zip, entitled "The Hogs Still Suck".

Hogs Inspiration

Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Hogs - born in the 70's and 80's, not the 40's and 50's - tempered by tradition, disciplined by Hoglore and late nights at the Stables, and proud of the Hogs' Heritage, and unwilling to permit the slow undoing of these legends, that this team and reputation has been formed and continues to thrive.