H.O.P.E. Mixed Doubles League

Here are the FINAL RESULTS of H.O.P.E.’s 2001-2002 Winter League:

Season Champions – 1^st Half

6 & 0: Bob Pfeifer (Captain), Gene Zary, Pat Barth

Season Champions – 2^nd Half

Hi HOPE: Cindy Hoffman (Captain), Dutch Kimberling, Bill Coon

Playoff Champions

Hi HOPE

Here are the FINAL RESULTS of H.O.P.E.’s 2000-2001 Winter League:

Season Champions

Sixty-Six: Bob Horton (Captain), Al Giovanazzi, Bill Doman

Playoff Champions

4 Dead: Gene Swogger (Captain), Mike Musko, Reggie Tucker

Here are the FINAL RESULTS of H.O.P.E.’s 1999-2000 Winter League:

1^st Place – The 3 Ringers (Cindy McCullough – Captain, Al Giovanazzi, and Bill Doman). They won the league by 2 games over the second place team – The Flingers (Bob Pfeifer – Captain, bob Horton, and Thelma Halliday). The Dead Eyes (John Brosky – Captain, John Marsen, and John Rapp) came in 3^rd. 4^th place went to the Top Dogs (John Kraves – Captain, Rich Heinrich, and Terry McCuley). The other 4 teams did not qualify for the playoffs.

These top 4 teams will now pitch for the PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP.

We played 3 person teams – walking doubles – 20 shoe count all – 80% handicap – mixed teams – for 21 weeks. This league is sanctioned by the NHPA. A banquet will be held on March 24^th – to honor the winners and hand out the NHPA awards.

Winter League Playoffs (the top 4 teams made the playoffs)

FIRST PLACE à “Flingers” – Bob Pfeifer (captain); Bob Horton; Thelma Halliday

SECOND PLACE à “3 Ringers” – Cindy McCullough (captain); Al Giovanazzi; Bill Doman

THIRD PLACE à “Dead Eyes” – John Brosky (captain); John Marsen; John Rapp

FOURTH PLACE à “Top Dogs” – John Kraves (captain); Rich Heinrich; Terry McCauley

The regular season champions (3 ringers) were defeated by the 2^nd place team (Flingers) in a 6 game playoff. The Flingers won 4 of the 6 games. Pfeifer, Horton, and Halliday were out for revenge and stuck it to McCullough, Giovanazzi, and Doman. It came down to the 6^th and final game to decide the championship – but Bob Pfeifer’s 50% game was too much for the 3 Ringers to overcome.

The playoff for 3^rd and 4^th place went to the Dead Eyes with 3.5 wins and 2.5 losses (one of the games ended in a tie). John Rapp averaged 36.25% for the winning Dead Eyes while John Kraves had a 46.25% average for the losing Top Dogs. Again, it came down to the 6^th and final game to decide the 3^rd and 4^th place. Pressure, Pressure, Pressure!!!

Congratulations to all 12 pitchers. They did a fantastic job – both during the 126 games, regular season, and the 11 playoff games.

The above pitchers along with the other 12 participants will be honored with our awards banquet on March 24^th at HOPE horseshoe club. We will grill steaks and distribute our NHPA awards.

What a terrific time we had during the past 6 months – competing and jagging each other for 21 super weeks. The friendships we have made will last forever! HORSESHOE PITCHERS ARE THE BEST!

THE BANQUET

HOPE’s 1999-2000 winter league concluded with a banquet held at our horseshoe club on 3-24-00. After the charcoal grilled steaks were eaten and refreshments served the following received their NHPA awards:

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS Cindy McCullough, Al Giovanazzi, Bill Doman

PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS Bob Pfeifer, Bob Horton, Thelma Halliday

HI AVERAGE % Cindy McCullough – 56.2%

HIGH GAME Cindy McCullough, John Kraves (16/20 – 80%)

HI GAME OVER AVG Mike Musko (22.9% to 70% avg + 47.1%)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR Terry McCauley (19.9% - new pitcher)

SPORTSMANSHIP AWD Terry McCauley – voted on by league members

MOST IMPROVED John Rapp – Improved by 13.2%

NHPA PATCHES 40% patch – Terry McCauley

50% patch – John Rapp and Gene Zary

70% patch – Mike Musko

5 pitchers had perfect attendance during the 21 weeks of competition. They are Harry Engle, Al Giovanazzi, Mickey McGuire, Bob Pfeifer, and Ron Weiss.

All 24 pitchers were present for the banquet (which is a rarity). 8 different pitchers won $20 apiece for making a ringer – to distibute the jackpot that no one won during the regular season (nice job ‘foo!!!)

A special thank you goes to Terry McCauley for printing our final stats in booklet form. They are beautiful and very colorful. What a super new member we have in Terry!!! Other members helped cook the steaks, make the salad, bake potatoes, cake, and other goodies, and beverages. Thanks to all who helped set up the tables and clean up. With all this cooperation the banquet was a super success!! As Mike Musko said “I love this place!” HOPE we all do!

Monetary rewards were given to all league members - $ was based on the # of wins each team had during the regular season. All 24 members received anywhere from $40 to $70 apiece. Thanks to Ron Weiss for handling the treasurers duties and distributing the money to each team member.

Thus concludes HOPE’s 5^th winter league

Gene Swogger

League Director

PS. Our summer league begins May 2^nd – 7PM. Join us – you do not have to be a member of HOPE to pitch on our 8 new outdoor courts. All are welcome – male and female!!! Call 412-279-7319.