There is a different kind of feeling you get being around a baseball team as they prepare for the season. There is just something about the sound of the ball cracking the leather of the gloves, the ping that the metal bats make as they connect with the ball, and the chatter generated by an off-season's worth of stories.
For the majority of the Spring-Ford Rams, those recollections will include their journey to the first American Legion Pennsylvania State championship in Spring-Ford's history, as the Spring City Red Sox defeated three-time defending champ Boyertown and Nor-Gwyn back-to back on the final day to claim the title.
Following a solid PAC-10 campaign and the Red Sox's triumphant march to a Mid-Atlantic Regional American Legion tournament berth, the Rams are ready to hit the ground running, hoping to get back the PIAA state tourney championship game for the second time in three seasons.
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Led by a quartet of starting pitchers that could rival some college staffs, Spring-Ford has to be one of the favorites when predicting a PAC-10 champion.
The looming specter of facing Mike Oczypok, Sean Larkin or Pat Medley will no doubt give opposing managers nightmares, as each is capable of shutting down an opposing lineup on any given day.
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“We are so fortunate to have such an amazing starting group,” said senior catcher James Hoff. “We have all played together for so long. It gives us such an advantage, but we also expect a lot from each other.”
Each pitcher has his own personality and quirks. As the general on the field, Hoff has become adept at tapping into the pitchers' strengths and minimizing their weaknesses.
Hoff, who will be playing baseball next year at Ursinus College, will also be called upon to lead with his bat. The Rams' offensive potential is formidable, combining the power of Medley, Hoff, and Cody Clarke with the speed and clutch hitting of Ricky Gorrell and Tom Grablewski.
“We have to take each game one at a time,” said manager Bruce Brobst, beginning his eighth season. “But yes, I think we have the ability to go far into the state bracket. It’s a long season and a lot can happen in baseball. We have to prepare for every team and play our game. The PAC-10 is a great league for baseball and we have bring it every game.”
Defensively, the Rams' have all of the pieces in place to wreak havoc on any lineup with Clarke at third, all-league shortstop Gorrell, and one of the most underrated players in the league in Grablewski at second base.
Grablewski not only fields his position well, he is one of the best clutch hitters in the lineup, delivering numerous two-out hits in last summer's American Legion run.
“It’s fun when pressure is on,” said Grablewski. “Somehow, I was able to get some big hits for us. That’s what makes this team so tough to play against. Everyone is capable of coming up big at any time.”
“I think we have the team to win a championship,” said senior Sean Larkin. “We have a lot of players that can make huge plays and the way James (Hoff) handles our pitchers is awesome. He knows what to call and how to handle each one of us, which is probably tough since we are all so different.”
“I can’t wait for this season,” said James Hoff. “Last summer was awesome, but now it’s time for us to win it all for the high school. It’s going to be tough at the end of the year when we all head in different directions, since most of us have been together since Little League.”
“I am looking forward to this year,” said senior Pat Medley. “There is no telling how far we can go. I want to get back to the state championship game. We have to do the work to get there, but I know we are capable of it.”
