Linda B. Schulz Memorial APBA Baseball Tournament ready to roll July 7

Darren and Ken Schulz (shown right) sent in an update for the upcoming Linda B. Schulz Memorial APBA Baseball Tournament.  It’s hard to believe that it’s the fourth tournament in Slippery Rock, PA! Forty participants will gather for fun and APBA on July 7, 2018.

As APBA tournaments near their day of rolling, it is always fun to see how tourney organizers inject a local theme.  Looking at the divisions below, I see that Darren and Ken have paid homage to Slippery Rock University baseball and some of those who have a connection there. As a fan of college baseball myself, I love the idea! How many remember New York Yankee Bob Shawkey from their 1927 card set?

The year’s theme for LBS4 was any eligible team from 1950-present. Hall of Famer Steve Skoff is the defending champion.  Steve will be at Slippery Rock on July 7th to defend that title but he’ll have competition.  Here are those participants who will try to take title from him:

Jeff Messer Division (Current SRU Head Baseball Coach – 2019 will be his 34th season at the helm)

• Rodney Woodward – 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Brian Murphy – 2015 New York Mets
• Tucker McBride – 2015 Toronto Blue Jays
• Ron Emch – 1961 Detroit Tigers
• Jeff Scalzo – 2016 Boston Red Sox
• Steve Skoff (LBS 3 Champ) – 1995 Cleveland Indians

Lou Trivino Division (MLB drafted from SRU – Current Oakland A’s relief pitcher)

• Matt Boucher – 1989 New York Giants
• Jerry Shinsky – 1998 New York Yankees
• Rob Wyks – 1975 Cincinnati Reds
• John Schoeb – 1959 Milwaukee Braves
• Gilles Thibault – 1994 Montreal Expos
• Joel Pike – 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Adams Division (MLB drafted from SRU – Current Washington Nationals’ 1B/OF)

• Jason Scalzo – 1950 Boston Red Sox
• Doug Schuyler – 1970 Baltimore Orioles
• Joel Medvidovich – 1969 Baltimore Orioles
• Kurt Bergland – 2008 Chicago White Sox
• Phillip Thompson – 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates
• Mel Maricic – 1993 Toronto Blue Jays

Bob Shawkey Division (Attended Slippery Rock State Normal School – Former Starting Pitcher for Athletics/Yankees)

• John Scalzo – 2004 Boston Red Sox
• Matthew Pike – 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Tim Rounds – 1971 Baltimore Orioles
• Hank Boucher – 1961 New York Yankees
• Ken Schulz – 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
• Brian Silvis – 1989 Kansas City Royals

Jack Critchfield Division (Played baseball at SRU – Huge donation led to the Critchfield Park in Slippery Rock)

• Tyler Wyks – 1993 San Francisco Giants
• Jeff Heagy – 1975 Boston Red Sox
• Mark McDonel – 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates
• Kate Silvis – 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates
• John Cress – 1987 Toronto Blue Jays
• John Mikulas – 2016 Cleveland Indians

Greg Jelks Division (Former manager of the former Slippery Rock Sliders of the Frontier League – Brief MLB career with Phillies)

• Mark Boucher – 1998 Atlanta Braves
• Richard Golden – 2014 Baltimore Orioles
• Randy Kromer – 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers
• Greg Wells (LBS 1&2 Champ) – 2001 Seattle Mariners
• Gregg Wiseburn – 2009 New York Yankees
• Dave Figner – 1967 St. Louis Cardinals

Mike Bencic Division (Owner/GM of the former Slippery Rock Sliders team of the Prospect League)

• Darren Schulz – 1957 Chicago White Sox
• Phillip Silvis – 2017 Washington Nationals
• Kyle Ritenour – 2016 Chicago Cubs
• Aaren & Logan Schulz – 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates

Good luck to all at LBS4!  Have fun everybody!  Good luck to the Schulz Bros. for a smooth tourney!