A full and fantastic report on TCABT-IV by organizer Jim Fraasch

Jim Fraasch sent me this detailed report on the Neil Ess Memorial Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament IV that happened this past weekend.  It’s chock full of facts, figures, photos and most importantly, memories.  -Tom

(Left) Eric Berg (1906 Cubs) of Jacksonville, IL, (Right) Rogers Parsons (’64 Cardinals) of Duluth, MN and Craig Christian in Braun jersey (‘11 Athletics) of Eau Claire, WI.

With 23 entrants, an all-time TCABT participation record, there was no doubt this first Saturday of October would be special. The group of APBA enthusiasts began to arrive around 7:45am, and the rest with plenty of time to spare.

Some cordial greetings, many 1^st-timers being introduced, some casual conversation and laughs, gave way to a quick questions and answer period about the tournament rules, etc. The group photo, which was a forgotten task the previous 2 tournaments, was hastily assembled, but captured the fact that 23 APBA nuts were able to assemble by 8:30am on any given Saturday in Minnesota. The anxious group then broke off into their respective areas, grouped by their division participants. 4 separate areas for the 4 divisions, 3 with 6 teams and 1 with 5 teams.

The rolling began, as each entrant would be responsible for completing their 8 or 9 division games, by mid-afternoon. With food piled up in the kitchen, players were able to grab a bite to eat in between series, when they could steal a few moments while waiting for their next opponent. In the division with 5 teams, each player had a series bye, which gave them up to an hour to meander throughout the event site, checking up on game action, and making sure they had a chance to say hello to other participants they would not be meeting in division play.

The following “review” contains pictures of everyone who participated, along with division results and bracket results. Missing is a picture after Leroy Arnoldi claimed his 2^nd TCABT title vs runner-up Jeff Boeding. I guess the excitement of the moment caused me to forget I am the one who should have been taking a photo (doh!) We really need a “dedicated” photographer at these events, as there are definitely several great moments going un-documented. Also, the “Official” APBA Newsletter from APBA Game Co., was emailed out today and contains our group photo as well as mention of Leroy Arnoldi winning his 2^nd TCABT Championship.

(Left) Model Ballpark builder, George Adams (’77 Dodgers) of Kansas City, MO, takes on early round opponent, (right) Gary Borthwick (’61 Yankees) of Crystal, MN, originally from NY area.

(Top middle) Jeff Boeding (1905 Giants) of Platte City, MO and his recently reconstructed knee looking for a positive result while battling TCABT newcomer, Ben Lofgren (’89 Cubs) of Hawley, MN. Newcomers, Bill Lilley (’68 Tigers) of Akron, OH, makes entry on his scoresheet while playing vs Beau Lofgren (’89 Athletics) of Hawley, MN.

(Left) Eric Berg (1906 Cubs) of Jacksonville, IL vs Rob Skogen (’89 Giants) and (foreground left) Joe Pavlicek (’71 Orioles) of Bloomington, MN vs Roger Parsons (’64 Cardinals) of Duluth, MN.

(Left) Chris Shores of Minneapolis (originally from Massachusetts) guides his 2013 Red Sox in an opening series match-up vs (right) Gregg Nelson (’80 Yankees) of Maple Grove, MN.

(top) Kevin Cluff (2011 Rangers) of Apple Valley, MN has his original tiny APBA dice and cardboard shaker performing miracles vs (bottom) Bruce Tyler (’99 Diamondbacks) of Elk River, MN, whose over-sized dice were colder than a Minnesota January most of the day.

(left) Newcomer Scott Ellingworth (2013 Twins) of Brooklyn Park, MN vs another newcomer, (right) Phil Geraffo (1986 Mets) of Minnetonka, MN (originally from New York area). A low scoring opening series between the 2 clubs, as I witnessed a Twins no-hitter being broken up in the 7^th inning by Phil’s Mets. The Twins prevailed 1-0.

(left) Newcomer Paul Van Beek (1976 Reds) of Winona, MN and his Big Red Machine laid out with 2 big opening wins vs (right) Fred Johnson (1969 Orioles) of Cottage Grove, MN. Fred has made our last 2 TCABT tournaments after having not played APBA Baseball since 1959. His passion and career as a local Historian, Teacher and Author have trumped rolling the dice, that is, until now ;)

(left) Our 4-time host, Darrell Skogen (2004 Cardinals) of Maple Grove, MN in an opening series draw vs the eventual TCABT-IV champ, (right) Leroy Arnoldi (1937 Yankees) of Prior Lake, MN. Leroy is modeling his new dual-lid, coming and/or going, NY Yankees cap. Not sure it will catch on. And Leroy, I only live about 10 minutes from you, so I am still waiting for an invite for a few cold ones to celebrate this latest championship…

View of tournament “headquarters” as (standing) Kevin Cluff enjoys his “bye” after a 2-0 start, watching (sitting, Twins cap) Jim Fraasch (’63 Twins) of Savage, MN opens with a series vs the 1-1, 2004 Cardinals managed by host Darrell Skogen. In the background is (sitting, left) Bruce Tyler and his 1999 Diamondbacks vs (right) Leroy Arnoldi’s 1937 Yankees.

Another look at (bottom, left) Bill Lilley of Akron, OH as his ’68 Tigers split 2 in an opening series with (bottom, right) Beau Lofgren of Hawley, MN and his ’89 A’s. Beau is also head-coach of the varsity Hawley High School team. Sitting to the right of Beau, is his brother Ben Lofgren, whose ’89 Cubs lose 2 tough opening games to eventual runner-up, Jeff Boeding’s 1905 Giants.

(sitting, center, left) Cleon Pavlicek (2011 Yankees) of Bloomington, MN reads a result as (opposite) Eric Berg (1906 Cubs) scores another Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance DP. It was 2, 1-run victories over Cleon’s 2011 Yankees in the opening series which help propel Eric’s 1906 Cubs to a division title. To the left of Cleon, is Joe Pavlicek, Cleon’s father. For the 2nd time, there was a father/son participating in a TCABT tournament. Curt and Andy Bartel attended TCABT-III, and they hope to return for TCABT-V next April. The tournament has now had an uncle/nephew, Darrell and Rob Skogen at each of the 4 TCABT tourneys. The Lofgren brothers at TCABT-IV. Father/son, Curt and Andy Bartel at TCABT-III, and now father/son Joe and Cleon Pavlicek at TCABT-IV.

The ballpark sitting to the right of ballpark builder, George Adams (wearing cap), happens to be one of his “generic” parks which works well when rolling games using any teams. Gary Borthwick and his ’61 Yankees found magic using the park in game 1 of their 2-game opening series vs George and his ’77 Dodgers, winning 5-0. The ’77 Dodgers would return the favor, winning game 2 by a 6-0 score.

This is the beautiful new Metropolitan Stadium, built by George Adams, brought plenty of “peace” but not enough “joy” as Jim Fraasch and his ’63 Twins found themselves at 2-6 on the day, after a 2-1 start. The low-light of the day for Fraasch was seeing his ’63 Twins blow a 7^th inning 4-0 lead vs Kevin Cluff and his over-powering 2011 Rangers, as the Twins lost 6-5 in 10 innings, with ace Camilo Pascual (AXZ) on the mound. Kevin Cluff, found himself as the first TCABT team to go undefeated in division play, going a perfect 8-0 in winning the Killebrew division. Another highlight for Kevin Cluff was turning a triple-play vs the ’63 Twins.

Thanks to the 23 guys making TCABT-IV the best yet!!!

From top left: Cleon Pavlicek, Gregg Nelson, Leroy “Mr. October” Arnoldi, Joe Pavlicek, Bill Lilley, Paul Van Beek, Roger Parsons, Kevin Cluff, Rob Skogen, Jeff Boeding, George Adams, Darrell Skogen

Standing on lawn, from bottom left: Chris Shores, Scott Ellingworth, Phil Geraffo, Eric Berg, Beau Lofgren, Ben Lofgren, Gary Borthwick, Bruce Tyler, Fred Johnson, Craig Christian

(not pictured: Jim Fraasch)

TCABT-IV DIVISION STANDINGS:

TCABT-IV BRACKET RESULTS:

TCABT-IV DIVISION BY DIVISION GAME RESULTS:

SCORES:

GAMES 1-2

1963MIN – BYE

1937NYY – 7, 2004STL – 6

2004STL – 8, 1937NYY – 6

2011TEX – 15, 1999ARI – 3

2011TEX – 6, 1999ARI – 2

GAMES 3-4 (1-2)

2011TEX – BYE

2004STL – 3, 1963MIN – 0

1963MIN – 3, 2004STL – 2

1937NYY – 5, 1999ARI – 0

1937NYY – 3, 1999ARI – 2

GAMES 5-6 (3-4)

2004STL – BYE

1963MIN – 5, 1999ARI – 3

1999ARI – 2, 1963MIN – 0

2011TEX – 2, 1937NYY – 1

2011TEX – 7, 1937NYY – 2

GAMES 7-8 (5-6)

1937NYY – BYE

2011TEX – 6, 1963MIN – 5

2011TEX – 10, 1963MIN – 3

2004STL – 6, 1999ARI – 1

2004STL – 9, 1999ARI – 0

GAMES 7-8

1999ARI – BYE

1937NYY – 13, 1963MIN – 4

1937NYY – 8, 1963MIN – 1

2011TEX – 10, 2004STL – 6

2011TEX – 7, 2004STL – 3

TCABT-IV DIVISION BY DIVISION GAME RESULTS:

SCORES:

GAMES 1-2

1905NYG – 3, 1989CHC – 2

1905NYG – 5, 1989CHC – 1

1961NYY – 5, 1977LA – 0

1977LA – 6, 1961NYY – 0

1968DET – 3, 1989OAK – 2

1989OAK – 4, 1968DET – 3

GAMES 3-4

1989CHC – 6, 1961NYY – 5

1989CHC – 11, 1961NYY – 8

1905NYG – 8, 1968DET – 2

1968DET – 7, 1905NYG – 4

1989OAK – 5, 1977LA – 3

1977LA – 5, 1989OAK – 0

GAMES 5-6

1905NYG – 5, 1989OAK – 0

1905NYG – 6, 1989OAK – 5

1968DET – 9, 1961NYY – 1

1968DET – 4, 1961NYY – 0

1989CHC – 2, 1977LA – 1

1989CHC – 4, 1977LA – 1

GAMES 7-8

1968DET – 6, 1989CHC – 5

1989CHC – 6, 1968DET – 2

1989OAK – 16, 1961NYY – 5

1989OAK – 7, 1961NYY – 6

1905NYG – 8, 1977LA – 4

1905NYG – 1, 1977LA – 0

GAME 9

1905NYG – 5, 1961NYY – 4

1977LA – 6, 1968DET – 4

1989OAK – 10, 1989CHC – 2

TCABT-IV DIVISION BY DIVISION GAME RESULTS:

SCORES:

GAMES 1-2

1911PHA – 7, 1964STL – 0

1911PHA – 2, 1964STL – 1

1906CHC – 3, 2011NYY – 2

1906CHC – 2, 2011NYY – 1

1971BAL – 8, 1989SF – 2

1971BAL – 7, 1989SF – 1

GAMES 3-4

1989SF – 3, 1906CHC – 1

1906CHC – 3, 1989SF – 2

1911PHA – 10, 2011NYY – 2

2011NYY – 10, 1911PHA – 1

1971BAL – 8, 1964STL – 3

1964STL – 1, 1971BAL – 0

GAMES 5-6

1906CHC – 4, 1971BAL – 0

1906CHC – 4, 1971BAL – 1

1911PHA – 5, 1989SF – 2

1911PHA – 4, 1989SF – 1

2011NYY – 3, 1964STL – 2

1964STL – 2, 2011NYY – 0

GAMES 7-8

2011NYY – 3, 1989SF – 2

2011NYY – 6, 1989SF – 4

1911PHA – 7, 1971BAL – 6

1971BAL – 4, 1911PHA – 3

1906CHC – 5, 1964STL – 1

1906CHC – 8, 1964STL – 3

GAME 9

1906CHC – 4, 1911PHA – 1

1989SF – 4, 1964STL – 1

1971BAL – 2, 2011NYY – 1

TCABT-IV DIVISION BY DIVISION GAME RESULTS:

SCORES:

GAMES 1-2

1976CIN – 3, 1969BAL – 0

1976CIN – 4, 1969BAL – 2

2006MIN – 1, 1986NYM – 0

1986NYM – 3, 2006MIN – 2

2013BOS – 4, 1980NYY – 1

2013BOS – 9, 1980NYY – 6

GAMES 3-4

1980NYY – 9, 1986NYM – 6

1986NYM – 5, 1980NYY – 4

1976CIN – 1, 2013BOS – 0

2013BOS – 8, 1976CIN – 7

1969BAL – 4, 2006MIN – 2

2006MIN – 4, 1969BAL – 2

GAMES 5-6

1976CIN – 10, 2006MIN – 0

1976CIN – 5, 2006MIN – 1

1980NYY – 10, 1969BAL – 1

1969BAL – 5, 1980NYY – 3

2013BOS – 5, 1986NYM – 3

1986NYM – 7, 2013BOS – 3

GAMES 7-8

2013BOS – 5, 1969BAL – 4

2013BOS – 4, 1969BAL – 3

2006MIN – 4, 1980NYY – 3

2006MIN – 3, 1980NYY – 0

1976CIN – 2, 1986NYM – 0

1986NYM – 5, 1976CIN – 4

GAME 9

1980NYY – 7, 1976CIN – 6

1986NYM – 5, 1969BAL – 2

2006MIN – 10, 2013BOS – 0