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The Abington Journal♦Clarks Summit, PA
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011
Former Freedom Ride honors Mathewson, veterans Giant makes pro debut BY ROB TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage@theabingtonjournal.com
Bryan Henry waited through five games to get his first chance as a professional baseball player. One of three catchers on the Missoula Osprey, the former Keystone College player finally made his debut June 25, in a Pioneer League game against the Great Falls Voyagers Henry made the wait worthwhile with a home run in his first at-bat. Serving as designated hitter and leading off the third inning, Henry launched a shot to left-field to begin the scoring in a 10-2 win by Missoula, a rookie league team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 22-year-old from Columbus, N.J., finished 1-for-4. He struck out in his remaining three at-bats before being replaced late in the game.
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league 10 days into his career. Batting third, Spangenberg came to the plate with two men on in the top of the first inning and homered for a quick 3-0 lead. After the AquaSox closed within 4-2 in the bottom of the first inning, the Emeralds started over with the top of the order in the second inning. Spangenberg, who has played every inning of the season at second base, again came to the plate with two men on base. This time, he doubled in two runs for a 6-2 advantage. When he went hitless the rest of the way, Spangenberg finished 2-for-6 and actually had his batting average drop to .394, which is tied for fifth in the league. Spangenberg leads the Northwest League in onbase percentage, is tied for first in RBI, is second with 12 walks, tied for second with four doubles, third with a 1.169 combined on-base percentage and slugging percentage and fifth with a .606 slugging percentage.
LA PLUME- Keystone College and Bucknell University share more than team colors . They both serve as alma maters for Christy Mathewson, a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. They teamed up to serve as the start and finish points for the inaugural Freedom Bike Ride. About 15 riders departed Keystone’s campus in La Plume just after 8 a.m. June 23 and are expected to arrive in Lewisburg July 25 in time for the Union County Veterans’ Fourth of July parade. “We wanted to do an event that would honor Christy Mathewson as well as all the veterans,” said event coordinator Kevin Bittenbender. “We thought, ‘What better way to do something like that than to come to his hometown and by using the mode of transportation that gives you the most freedom—a bicycle.’” Bittenbender, a U.S. Paralympic coach, reached out to veterans to be a part of the event. He is involved with the Wounded Warrior project through the Challenged Athletes Foundation for disabled athletes. Three- hand cyclists from the U.S. Paralympic team and the other coach Rob Rossi participated in the race “We’re gonna ride to the Veterans Hospital (in WilkesBarre) to thank the veterans,” Bittenbender said. “From there we will continue west to Milton and Lewisburg for the parade. Bittenbender was thankful for Keystone’s cooperation in organizing the ride. “I can’t say enough good things about the outreach that Keystone College has given us
as far as support,” he said. “They have been awesome and generous in aiding us to do something like this.” He also thinks that many of the values that Mathewson showed during his life were instilled in him during his time at Keystone Academy. “Christy Mathewson was not only a great athlete by his own merits, but he was also a veteran and people don’t really realize that,” Bittenbender said. “He gave up everything, his career to go and fight in World War I and later succumbed to injuries that he received during that conflict. He could have easily just continued playing baseball, but he decided to go and fight and support the war. I think his example is very prevalent to what we’re facing now. There are a lot of people out there that are making those sacrifices that could be easily making hundreds of thousands of dollars, but decided to be in the military and make a lot less. It’s the value that we place on freedom. I think that Keystone College represents that epitome of being free.” Keystone College president Dr. Edward G. Boehm Jr. was proud to have his institution serve as the starting point for the race. “We think it’s wonderful because this is where Christy Mathewson began his life,” he said. “He left here in 1898 and went to Bucknell, so they’re going to actually ride on probably one of the ways he went there when we left this town. He was our local hero at Keystone Academy, Factoryville’s local hero, and then he had wonderful years at Bucknell. .” Boehm hopes that people
will see the riding leaving town this year and want to be a part of the event themselves in years to come. “By them using this as the take-off point, we hope everybody will see the bikes, and next year a lot more will want to ride with them, and it will be part of a life that you can transfer along life’s highways, and it starts right here,” he said. Bittenbender thinks the rainy weather contributed to the low turnout, but he and his riders were not fazed by the wet conditions. “A lot of it is due to the weather,” he said. We’re gonna go with what we have. Weather is not gonna hold us back, we’re gonna be riding no matter what. Being that it’s an inaugural event we didn’t expect a lot of participants, but the ride is open to anyone who wants to participate along the route. They can join us on any of the three days. They can come out and ride with us for five minutes, five miles or the entire length. You don’t have to be a veteran. We have a 14year-old kid who is gonna ride with his dad, who is a veteran. It’s think it’s awesome that we have the youth support.” Joey King of Green Bay, Wisc., a member of the U.S. Paralympic team, was honored to take part in the inaugural ride. “It’s the freedom ride so that means a lot to me,” King said. “I went and fought for my country. It means a lot to me to try and give back. It feels good, especially to be with other guys that I train with for biathlon, so it’s nice to get back out with them and meet new people.”
Jim Lyons of South Williamsport, who served in the Army from 1985 to 1989 , was proud to take part in the ride with his son Zach, 14. The father and son wanted to take part in the race to honor people they know who are currently serving their country. “I know quite a few guys who have sons in the military and are deployed,” Jim Lyons said. “Some guys I work with are reservists and get deployed at different times. So we know quite a few people that have been or are deployed. All that together makes it a good cause for us to come out and ride.” Zach Lyons was excited to be able to share a ride with men who he looks up to. “It means a lot because I love being around military stuff. I think it’s really cool,” Zach Lyons said. “It feels really cool riding with all these guys.” Factoryville major Gary Evans was happy to be able to join up with the town of Lewisburg to make the ride possible. “It’s a nice connection. It
Keystone College president Dr. Edward G. Boehm Jr., left, and Abigail Showalter, daughter of Graham Showalter, chairman of the Union County Veterans Fourth of July Committee.
basically stemmed from Lewisburg making Christy Mathewson the grand marshal of their 17th annual veterans’ parade,” Evans said. “That is our connection, which is really nice. I love the community, and with Keystone being part of it, it’s just a whole different community. It’s not just 1,200 people, it’s bigger than that. It’s because of Christy Mathewson, and Keystone College that the borough gets to be recognized a little bit more for the right reasons.”
Baptist Bible College to host summer camps
ABINGTON JOURNAL /ALEX SEELEY
Ireland Backus and Brett Backus, shown above from left, show off their catfish.
Fish and more
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a Miner.’… He was at practice this week. Let me tell you—he runs like a cheetah.” The Miners said that Scott will be a great asset to the team, raising the bar for practice and games. The Miners hope that this recruitment will translate into many wins in 2011. The Miners’ home opener is July 16 at Scranton Memorial Stadium versus the Leigh Valley Storm, a team who was also recruiting Scott. Miners football will be featured this season in three televised football games on My Network TV/FOX 56 at Scranton Memorial Stadium. For information about the Miners’ schedule or to purchase tickets, visit www.nepaminers.com.
ABINGTON JOURNAL PHOTOS/ ROB TOMKAVAGE
Keystone College was the starting point for the inaugural Freedom Bike Ride.
Justin Zerblas, 6, Ransom, shown above, practices his archery.
The 10th Annual Fishing Derby sponsored by Countryside Community Church, was hosted June 25 at the Abington Heights Middle School Pond, Newton Ransom Blvd.The free event featured prizes for all children, pony rides andface painting. Laine Murphy caught the largest fish of the day, a channel cat 19 and 5/8 inches. For details about the church, visit www.countryside-church.org.
Louis and Nicolas DiMichele of Clarks Summit, shown above from left, take a hot dog break.
Tess Parchinski, 5, of Moosic, is shown above riding Laddie. Colombo’s Corrall donated their time for the children. Gray Caffall and Andrew Tritchler, of South Abington, shown right, from left, with their catch.
The Summer Sports Camps at Baptist Bible College is offering an opportunity for soccer and basketball players to sharpen their skills in the off-season. Lady Defender Basketball Camp takes off July 3 and ends July 8. It is an overnight camp for girls in grades 8-12. Each day Coach Amber Jacobs will provide enthusiastic instruction to go along with 3 on 3 and 5 on 5 competitions. There will be a daily “Time Out” session where everyone will take a break from basketball and spend time learning how basketball and godly living intertwine. Defender Soccer Camp is for both boys and girls in grades 9-12. The camp will be held July 31 to Aug. 5 and will be directed by Coach Chris Davis. Coach Davis will bring daily morning instruction in the fundamentals of the game of soccer with plenty of competition in the afternoon and evening. Former Head Coach Roger Jacobs and Current Men’s Soccer Head Coach Sean MacPherson will be helping teach and instruct. Coach John Diven will also provide specific teaching to all goalkeepers. The camp also emphasizes spiritual growth through the teaching and sharing of God’s Word. Big Blue Soccer Camp will be held Aug. 8 to 12 and will be for boys and girls in grades K to 8. Each morning from 9 to 11:45 a.m. the campers in
grades K through three will be taught fundamental drills and be led in games by Coach Chris Davis, Coach Roger Jacobs, and current Baptist Bible College soccer players. From 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. campers in grades four to eight will receive instruction in specific skills and will be able to participate in soccer games. The cost of Big Blue camp is $85 per child with a discount for multiple family members attending the same camp. There is a $35 nonrefundable deposit per person. The total cost per Defender or Lady Defender camp per camper is $285. There is a $75 non-refundable deposit per person with the balance due upon arrival. Coaches are free for every eight campers. For every 12 campers a coach brings each camper will receive $10.00 off their total cost. For every 20 campers a coach brings each camper will receive $20 off their total cost and a second coach can come for free. All coaches need to register, but do not need to send a deposit. Checks should be made payable to BBC. To register for any of the camps, visit http:// www.bbc.edu/bigblue/ (Big Blue) or http:// www.bbc.edu/sportscamps/ (Defender Camps) For more information, call 570.585.9322 or email athletics@bbc.edu with any questions.