It all started with an email to me with the subject line “APBA in general”.
A month ago, a new APBA Blog reader Phil Vento was reaching out to see if there was any APBA action in his area of Pittsburgh. I did mention the Linda B Schulz Memorial Tournament which is based in the Pittsburgh area but as it turned out, Pastor Rich’s Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament was around the corner and Rich was still accepting participants.
It was a go.
Fast forward a few weeks and I was keeping in contact with Phil. I told him I would be rooting for him since I directed him to GMABT. I could tell Phil was pumped for the tourney!
Well, Phil did better than probably either of us expected. His 1967 Phillies were the runner-up in the final against Jeremy Smith’s 1930 Pirates!
I asked Phil if he wanted to do a recap and he readily agreed.
Phil writes of his experiences at the 2022 GMABT:
Thanks! So you heard that I made the finals and then lost to the 1930 “small ball” Pirates, 9-3, they beat me with my A pitcher Jim Bunning. Can’t complain about being runner-up, but I’d like to, lol, I’m way too competitive sometimes but in a good way.
6-2 divisional for #3 seed, with lots of great highlights. On to round 1 as I beat the 2000 Diamondbacks 2-0 with a top of the 10th 2-run HR by Don Lock, then my closer Turk Ferrell struck out the side for the save. It was goose eggs for 9 innings great pitching performances by both hurlers! My starter Larry Jackson pitched 7 strong innings only allowing 1 hit, combined with setup performer Dick Hall to complete regulation.
Round 2 I beat the 2014 Cleveland Indians 4-1 as Chris Short scattered 4 hits with 9 KO’s and my Phil’s produced 10 timely hits with 2 doubles, and 2 HRs (both solo shots one by Richie “Crash” Allen and the other Bill White).
Pastor Rich is awesome, witty, articulate, and goes above and beyond to make sure the participants enjoy themselves. He organized an awesome tourney so thank you for the referral! I made new friends and already making plans for next year. Clean facility with plenty of space, amenities, drinks donuts, snacks a very nice lunch with a sandwich ring, homemade soups, and dessert!! Pastor Rich’s wife laid out an amazing spread! Now I see why it’s 8 years running and 50ish participants.
I had a blast thanks again, Tom! Keep in touch!
Great recap, Phil! That’s him on the left in the photo up top.
I certainly can relate to your enthusiasm AND the fact that you have made new friends. All your compliments about Pastor Rich are nothing new to me and probably anyone else who has met him. Rich is an awesome guy and runs a smooth tourney.
Congrats on your strong finish at GMABT. I hope to run into you at tournament at some point, Phil!
