"A" Division Playoffs:
First Round (Best of 3):
(1) Stadium Sports/Mel's Pub defeated (6) Little Brown Jug (2 games to 0)
(2) Cannon Roofing defeated (5) CVCK (2 games to 0)
(4) Hooters KOP/Worth defeated (3) Berry Mowing (2 games to 0)
Semi-Finals (Best of 3):
Cannon Roofing defeated Hooters KOP/Worth (2 games to 1)

Cannon Roofing won the best of three semi-final series with Hooters 2 games to 1. After being victorious in game-1 by a 16-13 score, the Roofers led the second game 19-10 going into the sixth inning before the roof fell in as Hooters erupted for nine runs in the next two innings to send the game into extra innings. Cannon took a temporary lead in the 8th that was erased by Dave Heckman's walk off dinger to win the game 21-20. Mike Kauffman had a good game going 3-3 with a HR, 3B and a couple of walks and Jeff Brennan went 3-4 with a 3B. Leading the Cannon offense that game were Pete Luzi, 5-5 with HR,5 RBI; Greg Wenning 3-4, HR; Keg McCauley 3-3, Buck Mathias 3-4 3 RBI and last but not least, Jerry Cannon HR, 3 RBI. Losing the first game in this manner did not sit well with the Roofers and they showed it in the second game by scoring 17 runs in the first inning after Hooters posted a 4 spot to begin the contest. In the 1st inning alone, Keg McCauley hit 2 HR and knocked in 5, Jerry Cannon doubled and hit another homer to count a total of four and the Hammer (Greg Wenning) homered to chase two more in. The Hooters team kept on scratching for runs with Roger Kummerer hitting a HR and Andy Gelet going 3-3 but could not surmount the Cannon lead as they won the game and advanced to the final series against Mel's Pub.  For the series, Greg Wenning was 10-13 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs.  Tom "Kegger" McCauley was 9 for 10, Pete Luzi was 8 for 10 and Ken Shemonski was 7 for 10 with 3 HRs. Leading the way for Hooters was Tom McLaughlin and Ty Jones, both went 8 for 12.

Championship Finals (Best of 5):
Cannon Roofing defeated Stadium Sports/Mel's Pub (3 games to 2)

The 2001 A-Division title came down to the top two teams in the league as defending champion Cannon Roofing and regular season Mel’s Pub squared off in the best of five championship series for all the marbles. Game-1 started out with the two heavyweights slugging it out with Cannon finally pulling away scoring 20 runs in the last 3 innings as the Roofers exploded to a 38-23 victory. The second game was more of the same with Cannon managing to 10-run Mel's as the raindrops began to fall fast and furious. Clarke Farrell's inside the park HR clinched the game via the ten-run rule as Cannon triumphed 28-18. The Roofers hit a total of 15 Hrs in the two contests: John Ounsworth 3, Greg Wenning 3, Pete Luzi and Karl “Kat” Janetka 2, Jerry Cannon, Ken Shemonski,  Tom “Kegger” McCauley, Joe DiCicco and Clarke Farrell one apiece. For Mel's Joe Povenski  hit 3 homers while Jim Lelii, John Brooks and Ivo Salvi banged out one apiece. There were several outstanding defensive plays in the OF  by Clarke Farrell, Pete Luzi and Joe DiCicco of Cannon and Jimmy Lelii of Mel’s. The gem of the night was a full extension diving grab of a line shot by Kat Janetka of Cannon that saved two runs.  Games three and four were played he next night and with their backs up against the wall facing elimination, Mel's Pub responded by taking 2 games from Cannon Roofing 25-19 and 23-17. Game three started out with Cannon taking an early lead and building on it until they had a 8-run lead going into the bottom of the fifth. At this point, the roof caved in as Mel's counted 18 runs in the last two innings to take the contest. The fourth game featured Mel's taking control early as Cannon struggled to find their power strokes and also were thwarted by some excellent defensive plays by Ivo Salvi in the OF. Mel's hit a total of 9 HR's in the two games played that night. Jim Lelii hit 3, followed by Joe Povenski, Jamie Ritter and Dan Helm each hitting 2 apiece. Cannon dingers were hit by Ken Shemonski and Greg Wenning (2 apiece), and one each for Buck Mathias, Jerry Cannon, John Ounsworth and Joe DiCicco. The fifth and final game of this epic series started slowly with Mel's jumping out to a 3 run lead in the first inning behind Joe Povenski's RBI single and Jim Lelii's 2 run HR. Cannon went down quietly in the first two frames. The Roofers bats came to life in the third inning with a 17 run onslaught fueled by sending 21 men to the plate. There were 4 round trippers struck by the Roofers in the inning off the bats of John Ounsworth, Ken Shemonski, Buck Mathias and Tony "Dirt" Gianonne. Determined not to go down without a fight, Mel's came right back with a tenspot in the bottom of the inning behind the HRs of John Brooks and Danny Helm. At this point, Manager of the Year Jerry Cannon took himself of the pitcher position and inserted Lou 'the Closer' Ercolani who successfully tamed the mighty Mel's bats for the next three innings while Cannon went on to pad their lead by another 10 runs. The Closer's tank was running dry in the 7th when Mel's attempted their final comeback of the season prompting Jerry Cannon to return to the mound to get the final three outs after Mel's scored their last 6 runs. There were a total of 12 dingers slugged in Game 5, two apiece by Ken Shemonski of Cannon; Dan Helm and John Brooks of Mel's. Other homers were hit by Mel's Jim Lelii and Jamie Ritter. Also connecting were Tony “Dirt” Gianonne, Tom "Kegger" McCauley (who went 4 for 5), Buck Mathias and John Ounsworth of Cannon. Other hot Cannon hitters were Greg "Hammer" Wenning (5-5),  Lou Ercolani (4-4), Jerry Cannon, Clarke Farrell, Kenny Shemonski and Johnny Ounsworth (all went 3-5). Karl "Kat" Janetka was named series MVP, going 3-4 and playing outstanding defense throughout the series. Hot hitters for Mel's in game-5 were Keith Berry and Jim Lelii (both 4-4), Jamie Ritter and Dave "Killer" Kwitakowski, both went 3-4. This was truly an epic series, the likes of which kept the avid fans entertained right down to the final out of the 7th inning. Here are the final stats for the five-game series for both teams as compiled by Cannon coach and statistician Andy Drobek:

"B" Division Playoffs:
First Round (Best of 3):
(1) Franchise defeated (6) TNT Sports Club (2 games to 0)
(2) Swedeland F.C. defeated (5) N&O (2 games to 1)
(3) Hitmen defeated (4) Toto's/Brown Jug (2 games to 0)
Semi-Finals (Best of 3):
Hitmen defeated Swedeland Fire Company (2 games to 0)
Championship Finals (Best of 5):
Hitmen defeated Franchise (3 games to 0)

Manager Chris "Opie" Hendricks led the Hitmen to a three game sweep over regular season champion Franchise. The Hitmen won game-1; 13-12 and game-2; 17-7 and put any doubt to rest in game-3 with a rousing victory as playoff MVP Robbie Himes led the way with one of his many playoff homeruns. Himes was unstoppable in the playoffs and he became the only player to win the playoff MVP award more than once. He also won in 1999 for the Brown Jug team as they won the B1 title. Commissioner Sully Gelet has been giving out the award since 1993. Also providing a key contribution for the Hitmen was Ken Priest who incidentally won his first Norristown championship after 23 years in the league and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. The legendary Sammy Rosen was also instrumental in leading the Hitmen throughout the year with his rare combination of intensity and patience with his younger teammates. The term legend is thrown around loosely in this league, but Sam Rosen is the definition of what that word should mean. The way the guys on this team look up to him is unbelievable and he is more than worthy of such adulation. The way he carries himself on and off the field is un paralleled in the history of this league. Another reason for the Hitmen's success is Big Matt Strzminski who hit 9 homers in the 7 playoff games and will be a force in the years to come. Brian Kaufman, Matty Michaels, John Cresswell, Woody Smith, Joe Garoake, Harry Reese, Gus Baldasano, Brian Dunlap and Lou Fiorentino all played key roles in the Hitmen's success. Sponsor Mark Melice of Montgomery County Home Pro also had a big part in the success with his financial backing. The Hitmen also won the Bridgeport League Playoff Championship thus becoming only one of a handful of teams to accomplish this feat. 

"C" Division Playoffs:
First Round (Best of 3):
(1) Kinsey Landscaping defeated (6) Main Street Pizza  (2 games to 0)
(5) Charlie's Pizzeria defeated (2) Steppy's Sports Bar  (2 games to 0)
(3) Montgomery Fitness defeated (4) Trappe Tavern (2 games to 1)
Semi-Finals (Best of 3):
Charlie's Pizzeria defeated Montgomery Fitness  (2 games to 0)
Championship Finals (Best of 5):
Kinsey Landscaping defeated Charlie's Pizzeria  (3 games to 1)

The Rec-Division championship series was played between between regular season champ Kinsey Landscaping and defending league champ Charlie's Pizzeria. Kinsey’s won the first game 11-5 on the strength of an 8-run first inning. In a doubleheader featuring the next two games, Kinsey's and Charlie's split the games. Charlie's romped to a win in the first game and were coasting to a second game victory leading 12-5 after 4 innings when the Landscapers came alive with 4 runs in the fifth and sixth to win the game 13-12. The Kinsey Brothers (Mike and Wayne) both went 4 for 4 with Wayne hitting 2 inside the park homers. Ageless wonder Joe Buono relieved starting pitcher Doug Perry in the 5th inning and shut down the hard-hitting Pizzamen the final 3 innings and also keyed the 4-run rally in the 5th with a hit to start the inning. In the fourth and deciding game, there was no stopping Kinsey Landscaping from claiming the crown as they dominated the game by a 19-9 score to win the game and clinch the best of five series three games to one. Second Basemen Kevin Singleton was named the series MVP for Kinsey Landscaping for his great defensive play and timely hitting. Also contributing for Kinsey’s were shortstop Brian van Buskirk and first basemen Jimmy DiNolfi.

Norristown Men's League Awards

Norristown "A" Division Chiccino Memorial MVP award:

In a special award given out by Commissioner Sully Gelet, The A-Division Manager of the Year Award was won by Jerry Cannon of Cannon Roofing. He led the team to the Norristown "A" Division Championship for the second straight year and for the 4th time in the last 6 years. Cannon also has won the Quakertown League title 3 times in the last 5 years under the leadership of Cannon.

Inaugural Norristown "B" Division MVP award:

Each manager in the "B" division cast a vote along with league commissioner "Heels" Gelet and the tallies were tabulated to come up with the 2001 B-Division League MVP Award. Congratulations to the winner; Chris "Sully" Sullivan, the fine leadoff hitter and shortstop of the first place Franchise Softball Club.  Accepting the award with him will be Franchise manager Jake Corropolese and team captain Mickey Marsilio. Shortstop John Cresswell who had a brilliant year leading the Hitmen to a 15-9 record was second and Steve Moloney of Natale & Onufer, the rocket-armed outfielder who banged out 12 homers on the season was third. Here are the final vote tallies:

In a special award given out by Commissioner Sully Gelet, The B-Division Manager of the Year Award was won by Chris "Opie" Hendricks of the Hitmen. He led the team to the unprecedented feat of winning both the Norristown and Bridgeport League Playoff Championships.

Inaugural Norristown "C" Division MVP award:

Each manager in the "Rec" division cast a vote along with league commissioner "Heels" Gelet and the tallies were tabulated to come up with the 2001 Rec-Division League MVP Award. Congratulations to the winner; Sean McNamara, the power-hitting outfielder of Trappe Tavern.  Sean banged out 16 homers on the season for Trappe to tie for the home run lead. Accepting the award with him will be Trappe Tavern manager Bob "Wolfie" Wolfinger. Chris Shaw of Charlie's Pizzeria who tied for the league home run title with McNamara with 16 was second. Slick fielding outfielder Tony Boffa of Main Street Pizza, Second Basemen Kevin Singleton of Kinsey's, Shortstop Brian van Bus Kirk also of Kinsey's, Pitcher Wayne Stem of Montgomery Fitness and outfielder Chip Fennell of Steppy's all tied for third. Also receiving recognition was right-fielder Jimmy Alff of Main Street Pizza. Here are the final vote tallies:

In a special award given out by Commissioner Sully Gelet, The C-Division Sportsman of the Year Award was won by Bob "Wolfie" Wolfinger of Trappe Tavern. This isn't the first time he's won such an award which only goes to show what kind of person he is. The class and respect he show toward others does not go unrecognized and I'm proud to say he's my friend.