|
Much Thanks goes to Ben Enters, President of the
Perkiomen Valley Twi-Light league and also to Dave Kurtz and the Times Herald
for much of this information. Scott "Scooter" Myers and Vince Elsier also helped
to add some of the missing information. I want to thank them sincerely for their
help.
Perkiomen Valley Twilight League History
The league was called the Perkiomen Valley League
from 1921-1937 or so (there is no information available from 1938-1944.
Also, some say the league started in 1915, but there is no information
available to document this from 1915 to 1920 either. The games were played
on Saturdays and sometimes on Sundays. The league slowly dissolved after the
1937 season or became so small, it was not covered by any of the local
newspapers. The teams played in the other area leagues such as the East Penn
(Harleysville, Lansdale), North Penn (Souderton, North Wales) and Montco (Evansburg,
Norristown) Leagues during this time. The league was “reborn” in 1946 as the
Perkiomen Valley “Twilight” League were games were played during the week at
night or after work. In the early days, the team finishing in first place in
the regular season was awarded the league championship. If teams were tied,
then a playoff was held. Some seasons (1929-30, 32-37) also played split
seasons and awarded first half and second half champions. The two champs
would meet for the overall league title, unless the same team won both
halves, then that team was awarded the championship and no playoff were
held. Some Franchises in existence back then included Gratersford,
Worcester, Oaks, Schwenksville, Fairview, Skippack, Port Providence (Lower &
Upper Providence), Trooper, Norristown, Royersford, Limerack, West Point,
Collegeville, Pottstown and The Legionaires (from Perkiomen, Red Hill,
Pennsburg and East Greenville). Royersford was frequently called the Needle
Point Company (from Royersford) and Pottstown was also called the Spicer
Corporation (from Pottstown). The older Norristown club was the Norristown
High School Baseball Club (ex-Norristown High Players). Melvin Meixel was the league President from 1921-37. Warren Zeigler was the VP,
Wilmer Cressmen, Sr. was the Secretary and Carl Marberger was the Treasurer.
The league statistician was Ezra Markley of Zeiglerville who kept track of
the standings and sometimes as best he could, the league batting leaders,
etc.
Perkiomen Valley League Championships
|
Year |
Champion |
Result |
Runner-up |
Comment |
|
1921 |
Oaks |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1922 |
Worcester
|
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1923 |
Trooper |
1-0 |
Collegeville |
(Regular season ended in a tie) |
|
1924 |
Oaks |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1925 |
Trooper |
1-0 |
Schwenksville |
(Regular season ended in a tie) |
|
1926 |
Schwenksville |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1927 |
Trooper |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1928 |
Schwenksville |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1929 |
Graterford |
2-0 |
Trooper |
(Championship series) |
|
|
Trooper |
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Graterford |
1-0 |
Collegeville |
(Second half ended in a tie) |
|
1930 |
Legionnaires |
3-0 |
Schwenksville |
(Championship series) |
|
|
Schwenksville |
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Legionnaires |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1931 |
Oaks |
|
|
(Regular Season Champ) |
|
1932 |
Port Providence |
|
|
(Champions - won both halves) |
|
|
Port Providence |
1-0 |
Royersford |
(First half ended in a tie) |
|
|
Port Providence |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1933 |
Port Providence |
2-1 |
Collegeville |
(Championship series) |
|
|
Port Providence |
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Collegeville |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1934 |
Royersford |
|
|
(Champions - won both halves) |
|
|
Royersford |
2-0 |
Port Providence |
(First half ended in a tie) |
|
|
Royersford |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1935 |
Limerack |
3-1 |
Harleysville |
(Championship series) |
|
|
Limerack |
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Harleysville |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1936 |
Port Providence |
3-0 |
Pottstown
|
(Championship series) |
|
|
Pottstown
|
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Port Providence |
|
|
(Second half champ) |
|
1937 |
Pottstown
|
3-1 |
Port Providence |
(Championship series) |
|
|
Port Providence |
|
|
(First half champ) |
|
|
Pottstown
|
|
|
(Second half champ) |
NOTE: From (1915-20) and (1938-45), no info was available, either the league
was not in operation or the local newspapers did not cover it.
NOTE: When there was a Regular Season champ or a First and/or Second half
Champion without any ties or a team won both halves of the season, there was no
playoffs.
====================
Statistical Leaders
|
Year |
Batting Leader |
Avg |
Other Comments |
|
1922 |
Bill Dannenhower, Collegeville |
0.452 |
no info on HR Leader |
|
1923 |
Sam Werkiser, Trooper |
0.439 |
Bill Dannenhower, Collegeville (2 HRs) |
|
1924 |
Mike Soppick, Trooper |
0.438 |
11 players tied with 1 HR |
|
|
Hennie Detwiler, Oaks |
11-2 |
Pitching Leader |
NOTE: From (1915-21) and (1925-45), no info was available
League Presidents:
1915-20 - ?
1921-37 - Mervin Meixel
1938-59 - ?
1960-66 - Judge Harold Knight
1967 - Ernie Gaugler
1978 - Fran Harris
1985-94 - John King
1995-96 - Bob Strimmel
1997-98 - John Cunningham
1999- 2008 ? - Ben Enters
2009 - ?
The League was re-organized in 1946 from the
Perkiomen Valley League to the Perkiomen Valley Twi-Light League with the
help of Charlie Romanowski. Instead of the old format of just playing in
weekends, this league will now operate during the weeknights.
Perkiomen Valley Twi-Light League Championships
|
Year |
Champion |
Series |
Runner-up |
Finals MVP (if named, italics means
not sure) |
|
1946 |
Skippack |
1-0 |
Souderton |
|
|
1947 |
Souderton |
2-0 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1948 |
Collegeville |
3-0 |
Franconia
|
|
|
1949 |
Franconia |
2-1 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1950 |
Franconia
|
2-1 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1951 |
Franconia
|
3-1 |
Souderton |
|
|
1952 |
Skippack |
? |
* see note |
|
|
1953 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Souderton |
|
|
1954 |
Harleysville |
3-2 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1955 |
Tylersport |
3-0 |
Souderton |
|
|
1956 |
Lansdale
|
3-2 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1957 |
Harleysville |
3-1 |
Lansdale
|
|
|
1958 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1959 |
Harleysville |
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1960 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1961 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Sourdeton |
|
|
1962 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1963 |
Norristown
|
3-2 |
Souderton |
|
|
1964 |
Norristown
|
3-2 |
Lansdale
|
|
|
1965 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Harleysville |
|
|
1966 |
Skippack |
3-2 |
Harleysville |
|
|
1967 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Souderton |
|
|
1968 |
Lansdale
|
3-0 |
Souderton |
|
|
1969 |
Lansdale
|
3-1 |
Harleysville |
|
|
1970 |
Souderton |
3-1 |
Skippack |
|
|
1971 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Souderton |
|
|
1972 |
Souderton |
3-0 |
Skippack |
|
|
1973 |
North Wales |
3-2 |
Skippack |
|
|
1974 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
North Wales
|
|
|
1975 |
Harleysville |
3-1 |
North Wales
|
|
|
1976 |
Souderton |
3-1 |
North Wales
|
|
|
1977 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Harleysville |
|
|
1978 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Skippack |
|
|
1979 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Skippack |
|
|
1980 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Skippack |
|
|
1981 |
Collegeville |
3-0 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1982 |
Skippack |
3-0 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1983 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Norristown |
Dave Kurtz, Collegeville ? |
|
1984 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1985 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1986 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Skippack |
Bob Warren, Collegeville ? |
|
1987 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1988 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1989 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Trooper |
John Ludy, Collegeville ? |
|
1990 |
Nor-Gwyn |
3-2 |
Norristown
|
|
|
1991 |
Norristown
|
3-2 |
Lansdale
|
|
|
1992 |
Collegeville |
3-0 |
Upper Merion
|
Moyer, Szilli, Warren, Collegeville ? |
|
1993 |
Collegeville |
3-0 |
Upper Merion
|
Fred Faison, Collegeville |
|
1994 |
Collegeville |
3-1 |
Nor-Gwyn |
Paul Lepre, Collegeville |
|
1995 |
Collegeville |
3-0 |
Lansdale
|
Dave Kurtz, Collegeville ? |
|
1996 |
Norristown
|
3-2 |
Skippack |
Eric Fisher, Norristown ? |
|
1997 |
Norristown
|
3-0 |
Collegeville |
|
|
1998 |
Norristown
|
3-0 |
Jenkintown |
Bob Pellchio, Norristown ? |
|
1999 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Souderton |
|
|
2000 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Skippack |
Eric Fisher, Norristown |
|
2001 |
Norristown
|
3-0 |
Skippack |
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
|
2002 |
Norristown
|
4-1 |
Skippack |
Eric Fisher, Norristown |
|
2003 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Norristown
|
Jared Lenko, Collegeville |
|
2004 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Collegeville |
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
|
2005 |
Norristown
|
3-1 |
Plymouth |
Eric Fisher, Norristown |
|
2006 |
Collegeville |
3-2 |
Plymouth |
Derek Major, Collegeville |
|
2007 |
Norristown
|
3-0 |
Lansdale
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
|
2008 |
Plymouth |
3-2 |
Lansdale |
Harry Ley, Plymouth |
*Note – 1952 (Top-4), Playoffs used the Shaughnessy Playoffs system (1vs3,
2vs4)
1- Franconia
2- Skippack
3- Collegeville
4- Lansdale
Playoff results from the Souderton Independent:
Skippack defeated Lansdale
Franconia vs. Lansdale (Franconia was covered by the Souderton Paper as well and
I’m sure if they had won, there would have been a nice write-up about them going
for 4 straight titles, but there was nothing in the paper at all, which leads me
to believe that Franconia lost to Collegeville and then got beat by Skippack
(who was the documented champion) in the finals. The only thing is the series
results are unknown. Skippack and Collegeville was not covered by the Souderton
paper, that’s why no result of the finals was mentioned.
Notes- Dave Kurtz won 4 Playoff MVPs (1983? and 1995? and the other two ??) with
Collegeville.
Statistical Leaders - Batting
|
Year |
Batting Leaders: |
Avg |
(HR’s and RBI’s if listed) |
|
1946 |
Laverne Zeigler, Souderton |
0.493 |
|
|
1947 |
Nute Weidenbaugh, Skippack |
0.492 |
|
|
1948 |
? |
? |
|
|
1949 |
? |
? |
|
|
1950 |
? |
? |
|
|
1951 |
Gauglen, Schwenksville |
0.386 |
|
|
1952 |
Haberie, Franconia |
0.391 |
|
|
1953 |
Ed McKissic, Graterford |
0.408 |
|
|
1954 |
Kulp, Graterford |
0.446 |
|
|
1955 |
Ruffo, Lansdale |
0.426 |
|
|
1956 |
Miller, Lansdale |
0.461 |
|
|
1957 |
Teets, Tylersport |
0.415 |
|
|
1958 |
Hughes, Lansdale |
0.386 |
|
|
|
F. Bergey, Harleysville |
0.386 |
|
|
1959 |
Williams, Perky Township |
0.458 |
|
|
1960 |
Cuthbert, Lansdale |
0.462 |
|
|
1961 |
Bob Famous, Harleysville |
0.473 |
|
|
1962 |
Hughes, North Wales |
0.389 |
|
|
|
Wils Kulp, Collegeville |
0.389 |
|
|
1963 |
Dick Kratz, Norristown |
0.455 |
Bobby Mitchell, Norristown (7 HRs,
.339) , Wils Kulp, Collegeville- (RBI leader,
430) |
|
1964 |
Bobby Mitchell, Norristown |
0.481 |
Wils Kulp, Collegeville (8 HRs, 24 RBIs,
.398) |
|
1965 |
Greg Stagliano, Norristown |
0.416 |
Wils Kulp, Collegeville (4 HRs, 20 RBIs,
.333) ,Stan
Johnson, Norristown (4 HRs) |
|
1966 |
Wils Kulp, Collegeville |
0.493 |
Wils Kulp, Collegeville (9 HRs, 33 RBIs) - Won
Triple Crown |
|
1967 |
Robison, Lansdale |
0.484 |
Wils Kulp, Collegeville (RBI Leader,
2 HRs-tied with many) |
|
1968 |
Corky Cuthbert, Lansdale |
0.392 |
|
|
1969 |
? |
? |
|
|
1970 |
Corky Cuthbert, Lansdale |
0.439 |
Corky Cuthbert, Lansdale (7 HRs),
Kevin Fidler, Skippack (26 RBIs) |
|
1971 |
Alan Frick, Souderton |
0.418 |
|
|
1972 |
? |
? |
|
|
1973 |
? |
0.509 |
|
|
1974 |
Ron Erb, Souderton or Lansdale? |
? |
Ron Erb (7 HRs, 28 RBIs,
14 Stolen bases) - Won Triple Crown |
|
1975 |
? |
? |
|
|
1976 |
? |
? |
|
|
1977 |
? |
? |
|
|
1978 |
? |
? |
|
|
1979 |
Dave Kurtz, Collegeville |
0.475 |
Dave Kurtz, Collegeville (9 HRs,
27 RBIs), Sonny Seibert, Skippack (31 RBIs) |
|
1980 |
Dave Kurtz, Collegeville |
0.446 |
|
|
1981 |
Greg Vermeesch, Collegeville |
0.492 |
|
|
1982 |
Gary Shunk, Collegeville |
0.488 |
Greg Vermeesch, Coll. (9 HRs, 35 RBIs),
John King, Skippack (9 HRs,
30 RBIs, .407) |
|
1983 |
Phil Leggieri, Norristown |
0.556 |
Phil Leggieri, Norristown (8 HRs, 44 RBIs),
John King, Skippack & Scott Seiz, Lansdale (12
HRs) |
|
1984 |
Pat “Todd” Tronoski, Lower-Gwy. |
0.514 |
John King, Skippack and Glenn Webb, Skippack (tied for HR lead) - ? |
|
1985 |
Randy Kurtz, Collegeville |
0.509 |
Greg Vermeesch, Collegeville (13 HRs) |
|
1986 |
Barry Sayers, Harleysville |
0.486 |
Jesse Hodges, L-G (13 HRs,
39 RBIs, .375), Butch Denczi, Norr. (11 HRs,
56 RBIs, .439) |
|
|
|
|
Tony Carfagno, Norristown (lost batting title by less than 001
percentage point) |
|
1987 |
Butch Denczi, Norristown |
0.475 |
Butch Denczi, Norr.
(11
HRs, 36 RBIs) -
Won Triple Crown, Jesse Hodges, L-G (8 HRs, 2nd) |
|
1988 |
Ed Lowry, Norristown |
0.478 |
Ed Lowry, Norr. (10 HRs, 32 RBIs)
- Andy Melillo, N-G (11 HRs),
Andy Beyer, Norr (32 RBIs) |
|
1989 |
Todd Moyer, Collegeville |
0.459 |
Todd Moyer, Collegeville (12 HRs, 41 RBIs,
4-1 Pitching) -
Won Triple Crown |
|
1990 |
Todd Moyer, Collegeville |
0.476 |
Todd Moyer, Collegeville (6 HRs, 31 RBIs) - Butch Denczi, Norr. (11
HRs, 40 RBIs, .409) |
|
1991 |
Frank Monastero, Upper Merion |
0.489 |
Frank Monastero, U-M (5 HRs, 38 Rs) , Alan Warner, N-G (7
HRs), Bob Warren, Coll., (41
RBIs) |
|
1992 |
Dave Leggieri, Norristown |
0.467 |
Bob Cassell, Upper Merion (8 HRs, 45 RBIs,
.410), Dave Kurtz, Coll ((8 HRs,
35 RBIs, .417) |
|
|
|
|
Alex DiNolfi, Norristown (.473, missed
required number of at bats to qualify) |
|
1993 |
Bob
Wineburg, Lansdale |
0.424 |
Bob Wineburg,
Lansdale (6 HRs), Bob Cassell, Upper Merion (15 HRs, 45 RBIs) |
|
1994 |
Marc Brody, Ambler |
? |
|
|
1995 |
Bob
Altieri, Lansdale |
0.529 |
Bob Altieri,
Lans.
(4 HRs, 25 RBIs), Rick Martinez, Amb. (6 HRs), Bob Wineburg, Lans.
(26 RBIs) |
|
|
|
|
Sean Kenney, Trooper
(.538, missed required number of at bats to qualify) |
|
1996 |
Jim
Wineburg, Norristown |
0.465 |
Matt Ecker,
Skippack (8 HRs, 32 RBIs), Jim Wineburg, Norr. (5 HRs, 20 RBIs,
29’s) |
|
|
|
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown (.483, missed
required number of at bats to qualify) |
|
1997 |
Phil
Bertoletti, Skippack |
0.505 |
Phil
Bertoletti, Skippack (12 HRs, 44 RBIs) - Won Triple Crown |
|
1998 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown |
0.515 |
Mark
Brockell, Norr. (11 HRs, 41 RBIs) - Won Triple Crown , Joe
O’Brien, Jenk. (11 HRs) |
|
1999 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown |
0.610 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown
(15 HRs, 51 RBIs,
41 R’s, 10
2Bs) - Won Triple Crown |
|
2000 |
Dan
Chieffalo, Norristown |
0.541 |
Dan
Chieffalo, Norr. (8 HRs, 36 RBIs, 31 Rs), Tom Szilli, Collegeville (17
HRs, 42 RBIs) |
|
2001 |
Dan Hogan,
Collegeville |
0.541 |
Dan Hogan,
Collegeville (15 HRs, 47 RBIs) - Won Triple Crown |
|
|
|
|
Dave Kurtz,
Norristown (.643, missed required number of at bats to qualify) |
|
2002 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown |
0.516 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown (6 HRs, 42 RBIs, 31 R’s) - Brian Oakes,
Nor-Gwyn (10 HRs) |
|
2003 |
Tony
DeLude, Souderton |
0.554 |
Tony DeLude, Sod. (7 HRs,
35 RBIs), Brad Smith, U-M (8 HRs), Joe D’Orazio, Norr. (.416, 36
RBIs) |
|
2004 |
Kevin
McCarthy, Trooper |
0.538 |
Kevin McCarthy,
Troop. (7 HRs) - Gene Kozuch, Lans. (9 HRs), Mark Brockell, Norr. (37
RBIs) |
|
2005 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown |
0.488 |
Mark
Brockell, Norr. (2 HRs, 36 RBIs) Dennis Burge, Ply. (4 Hrs), Matt
Sperling, Norr. (38 RBIs) |
|
2006 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown |
0.447 |
Mark
Brockell, Norristown (4 HRs, 35 RBIs) -Won Triple Crown |
|
|
|
|
Will
Eagles, Lansdale (4 HRs, 23 RBIs) & Dan Overcash, Trooper (4
HRs, 15 RBIs) |
|
2007 |
Harry Ley,
Plymouth |
0.422 |
Harry Ley,
Plymouth
(1 HR, 26 RBIs, 23 Runs), Mark Roth, Norristown (15 RBIs, 15 Runs) |
|
|
Mark Roth,
Norristown |
0.422 |
Ian Hauze,
Collegeville (5 HRs, .337, 15 RBIs), Joe D’Orazio, Norr. (26
RBIs, 4 HRs, .326 ) |
|
2008 |
Matt Altieri, Plymouth |
0.459 |
Matt Altieri, Plymouth (1 HR, 13 RBIs, 12 SBs), Brian Hartsell, Trooper (5 HRs,
3 3Bs, 18 RBIs) |
|
|
|
|
Tom Mahoney, Harleysville (.313, 19 RBIs) |
NOTE: 2005 mandated the use of wooden bats
Other Notes-
- Greg Vermeesch (won in 1982 & 1985, the other 4 in ?) and Wils Kulp (won in
1964-67, the other 2 in ?) of Collegeville were said to have won 6 HR titles
each
- Randy Kurtz won 2 batting titles. (one in 1985 and the other - ?)
- Glenn Webb of Skippack is said to have won some RBI titles
- Frank Monastero won 2 batting titles (One in 1991, the other in ?) and also 2 MVP Awards
(one in 1995, the other in ?)
- All stats with ? are just quotes from people in various articles, so I don’t
know if they are true or accurate
Statistical Leaders - Pitching
|
Year |
Pitching Leader |
Record |
Pct. |
(Runner-up or Runner-ups if
listed) |
|
1946- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1947- |
E. Christy, Lansdale |
2-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
|
Werst, Souderton |
2-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1948- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1949- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1950- |
Bob Bergey, Franconia |
5-1 |
0.833 |
|
|
1951- |
Roy Teets, Franconia |
4-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1952- |
Art Landis, Franconia |
8-1 |
0.889 |
|
|
1953- |
Bean, Lansdale |
8-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1954- |
Kulp, Lansdale |
8-1 |
0.889 |
|
|
1955- |
Art Landis, Harleysville |
8-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1956- |
Slotter, Tylersport |
6-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1957- |
Art Landis, Harleysville |
9-3 |
0.750 |
|
|
1958- |
John Kudoba, Collegeville |
7-1 |
0.875 |
|
|
1959- |
Welch, Lansdale |
7-2 |
0.778 |
|
|
1960- |
Hallman, Perky Township |
10-2 |
0.833 |
|
|
|
Stan BoBo Burat, ,Norristown |
5-1 |
0.833 |
|
|
1961- |
Art Landis, Harleysville |
14-2 |
0.875 |
|
|
1962- |
D. Livezey, Lansdale |
9-1 |
0.900 |
|
|
1963- |
Moyer, Souderton |
7-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1964- |
D. Livezey, Lansdale |
6-1 |
0.857 |
(Ralph Skag Cottman, Norristown - 10-2) |
|
1965- |
Bob Gaines, Norristown |
12-1 |
0.857 |
(Art Landis, Harleysville - 13-2) |
|
1966- |
Art Landis, Harleysville |
8-1 |
0.889 |
|
|
1967- |
Tom Barrow, Souderton |
10-1 |
0.909 |
|
|
1968- |
Art Landis, Harleysville |
6-1 |
0.857 |
|
|
1969- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1970- |
Tom Barrow, Souderton |
9-0 |
1.000 |
(Paul Dewey Goetter, Lansdale - 9-3) |
|
1971- |
Paul Dewey Goetter, Lansdale |
8-1 |
0.889 |
|
|
1972- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1973- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1974- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1975- |
Bob Arner, Souderton |
? |
? |
|
|
1976- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1977- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1978- |
Brian Lunden, Skippack |
8-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1979- |
Brian Lunden, Skippack |
7-2 |
0.778 |
(Tommy Williams, Collegeville, 5-0-1) |
|
1980- |
Frank Speilman, Collegeville |
9-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1981- |
Tommy Williams, Collegeville |
10-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1982- |
Ron
D’Annunzio, Skippack |
7-3 |
0.700 |
|
|
1983- |
Jack McGuigan, Norristown |
7-2 |
0.778 |
|
|
1984- |
Craig Antush, Collegeville |
9-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1985- |
Scott Johnson, Norristown |
10-0 |
1.000 |
(Scott Johnson, 15-0 including playoffs) |
|
1986- |
Bill Pilgemayer, Skippack |
10-2 |
0.833 |
|
|
1987- |
Eric Minemeirer, Nor-Gwyn |
9-1 |
0.900 |
|
|
1988- |
Phil Kuntz, Norristown |
7-1 |
0.875 |
(Rick Bickhardt, Norristown 7-1) |
|
1989- |
Joe Morello, Norristown |
9-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1990- |
Larry Kingsbury, Upper Merion |
7-3 |
0.700 |
|
|
1991- |
Todd Lackenmayer, Norristown |
9-1 |
0.900 |
|
|
1992- |
Rick Detweiler, Collegeville |
6-0 |
1.000 |
(Bob Anderson, Collegeville 5-0) |
|
1993- |
Bob Anderson, Collegeville |
7-3 |
0.700 |
|
|
1994- |
? |
? |
? |
|
|
1995- |
Tom Christy, Nor-Gwyn |
8-1 |
0.889 |
(Nate Yeagle, Lansdale 6-0) |
|
1996- |
George Riley, Norristown |
9-0 |
1.000 |
|
|
1997- |
Jamus Peterson, Collegeville |
9-1 |
0.900 |
|
|
1998- |
Jason Stackhouse, Norristown |
10-1 |
0.909 |
(Tom Christy, Norristown 8-0) |
|
1999- |
Tom Christy, Norristown |
8-0 |
1.000 |
(Tom Billek (Skippack 7-1, John Duffy, Trooper 6-0) |
|
2000- |
Jared Lenko, Collegeville |
? |
? |
(Mike Dougherty, Skippack 7-1) |
|
2001- |
Chris Geis, Norristown |
6-1 |
0.857 |
(Brandon Bruno, Lansdale 6-1, Gary Yeager, Norristown 6-1, Jared Lenko,
Collegeville 7-1) |
|
2002- |
Brandon Bruno, Lansdale |
6-2 |
0.750 |
(Mark Fisher, Norristown 6-0, Matt Sperling, Skippack 5-1, Tom Christy,
Norristown 6-3) |
|
2003- |
Derek Major, Collegeville |
9-1 |
0.900 |
(Joe Raniszewski, Collegeville 7-1, Nate Yeagle, Plymouth 4-2, Ryan
Hoagey, Souderton 6-2-1) |
|
2004- |
Bill Zalewski, Norristown |
6-0 |
1.000 |
(Jared Lenko, Collegeville 6-0, Derek
Major, Collegeville 6-3) |
|
2005- |
Brandon Bruno, Plymouth |
8-0 |
1.000 |
(Brandon Bruno, 2 no-hitters) |
|
|
Mike Zwanch, Norristown |
5-0 (4 svs) |
1.000 |
(Brian Stump, Norristown 6-0, Bill Zalewski, Norristown 6-0) |
|
2006- |
Derek Major, Collegeville |
6-2 (2 svs) |
0.750 |
(Aaron Markowitz, Lansdale 5-2, Mike Zwanch, Norristown 6-1, Zeb Engle,
Trooper 6-2) |
|
2007- |
Brandon Bruno, Plymouth |
7-0 |
1.000 |
(Dan Waters, Plymouth 6-0, Sean Kroszner,
Plymouth 6-0, Zeb Engle, Trooper 3-3) |
|
2008 |
Matt Kelly, Lansdale |
8-1 |
0.889 |
(Pete Buck, Plymouth 6-0, Brandon Bruno, Plymouth 4-3, Zeb Engle,
Trooper 6-3) |
Note- In the earlier days, the Pitching Award went to the pitcher with the
highest winning percentage and then it changed over to the pitcher with the most
wins (I think), so I could not find no documentation on the actual awards after
1968, so I listed the pitchers with the best percentage and most wins. Also, Tom
Christy led the league in strikeouts several times.
Perkiomen Valley Twilight League
MVP Winners
Runner-ups listed if available
|
Year |
MVP and Runner-ups |
Statistical Information |
|
1970 |
Paul Dewey Goetter, Lansdale |
9-3 pitching record |
|
1971 |
Alan Frick, Souderton |
.418 Average |
|
1972 |
no info available |
? |
|
1973 |
no info available |
? |
|
1974 |
no info available |
? |
|
1975 |
no info available |
? |
|
1976 |
no info available |
? |
|
1977 |
no info available |
? |
|
1978 |
no info available |
? |
|
1979 |
no info available |
? |
|
1980 |
Ron Moorehead, Skippack |
no info available on stats |
|
1981 |
no info available |
? |
|
1982 |
no info available |
? |
|
1983 |
no info available |
? |
|
1984 |
no info available |
? |
|
1985 |
no info available |
? |
|
1986 |
no info available |
? |
|
1987 |
Butch Denczi, Norristown |
.475 Avg., 11 HRs, 36 RBIs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
1988 |
Ed Lowry, Norristown |
.478 Avg., 10 HRs, 32 RBIs |
|
1989 |
Todd Moyer, Collegeville |
.459 Avg., 12 HRs, 14 RBIs, Triple Crown Winner, 4-1 pitch-record |
|
1990 |
no info available |
? |
|
1991 |
no info available |
? |
|
1992 |
Bob Cassell, Upper Merion |
.410 Avg, 8 HRs, 45 RBIs |
|
1993 |
no info available |
? |
|
1994 |
no info available |
? |
|
1995 |
Frank Monastero, Lansdale |
.494 Avg, 16 RBIs |
|
|
Bob Altieri, Lansdale |
.529 Avg., 3 HRs, 25 RBIs |
|
|
Bob Weinburg, Lansdale |
.468 Avg., 4 HRs, 26 RBIs |
|
1996 |
Matt Ecker, Skippack |
.465 Avg., 8 HRs, 32 RBIs |
|
1997 |
Phil
Bertoletti, Skippack |
.505,
12 HRs, 44
RBIs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
1998 |
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
.515 Avg., 11 HRs, 41 RBIs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
1999 |
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
.610 Avg,. 15 HRs, 51 RBIs, 41 Runs, 10 2Bs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
|
Frank Monastero, Norristown |
.548 Avg., 11 HRs, 38 RBIs, 53 Runs, 11 2Bs, 12 SBs |
|
|
Carl Motts, Souderton |
.506 Avg., 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, 15 2Bs, |
|
2000 |
Tom Szilli, Collegeville |
.494 Avg, 17 HRs, 42 RBIs |
|
2001 |
Dan Hogan, Collegeville |
.541 Avg., 15 HRs, 47 RBIs, 10 SBs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
|
Frank Monastero, Norristown |
.426 Avg., 6 HRs, 29 RBIs, 43 Runs, 10 2Bs |
|
|
Matt Pusey, Trooper |
.483 Avg., 12 HRs, 35 RBIs |
|
2002 |
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.516 Avg., 3 HRs, 21 RBIs, 31 Runs |
|
|
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
.516 Avg., 6 HRs, 42 RBIs, 31 Runs |
|
|
Eric Fisher, Norristown |
.493 Avg., 2 HRs, 17 RBIs, 30 Runs, 13 2Bs |
|
2003 |
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.500 Avg,. 3 HRs, 21 RBIs, 38 Runs, 12 2Bs, 17 SBs |
|
|
Frank Monastero, Norristown |
.448 Avg., 3 HRs, 24 RBIs, 32 Runs, 11 2Bs |
|
|
Tony DeLude, Souderton |
.554 Avg., 7 HRs, 35 RBIs |
|
2004 |
Matt Sperling, Plymouth |
.506 Avg., 5 HRs, 24 RBIs, 29 Runs, 11 2Bs |
|
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.370 Avg., 1 HR, 32 RBIs, 29 Runs, 18 SBs |
|
2005 |
Matt Sperling, Norristown |
.432 Avg., 2 HRs, 38 RBIs, 33 Runs, 10 2Bs |
|
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.453 Avg., 1 HR, 26 RBIs, 37 Runs |
|
|
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
.488 Avg., 2 HRs, 36 RBIs |
|
2006 |
Mark Brockell, Norristown |
.447 Avg., 4 HRs, 35 RBIs, Triple Crown Winner |
|
|
John McGlone. Lansdale |
.370 Avg., 0 HRs, 7 RBIs, 20 Runs, 8 2Bs, 17 SBs |
|
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.362 Avg., 1 HR, 19 RBIs |
|
|
Will Eagles, Lansdale |
.317 Avg., 4 HRs, 23 RBIs |
|
2007 |
Harry Ley, Plymouth |
.422 Avg., 1 HR, 26 RBIs, 23 Runs |
|
|
Matt Altieri, Norristown |
.384 Avg., 1 HR, 16 RBIs, 26 Runs, 15 SBs, 18 BBs |
|
|
John McGlone, Lansdale |
.400 Avg., 0 HRs, 16 RBIs, 21 Runs, 13 SB |
|
2008 |
Matt Altieri, Plymouth |
.459 Avg., 1 HR, 13 RBIs, 20 Runs, 12 SBs |
|
|
Ryan Griffin, Trooper |
.340 Avg., 1 HR, 11 RBIs, 26 Runs |
|
|
Phil Cavalcante, Lansdale |
.400 Avg., 1 HR, 18 RBIs, 15 Runs |
Perkiomen Valley Twilight League Hall
of Fame
2002-
Art Bustard - Entered the league as an
outfielder for Skippack in 1946 and played until 1952 when an eye injury ended
his paying days. He went on to be a pioneer in the reorganization of the
Perkiomen Valley League into the current Perkiomen Valley Twilight League.
Bustard owned and managed the Skippack franchise from 1953-75. He was the
overseer of the franchise, frequently using his own funds to keep things afloat.
He also was the driving force behind eliminating the five-mile rule for players
to compete for a team and the forming of a franchise in Norristown.
George Hoffman – Played for Lansdale &
Floyd Cash in the 1960’s. He then took ove the Ambler Franchise and moved it to
North Wales. He was the long time overseer and also managed and owned the North
Wales (now Nor-Gwyn) franchise from 1967-1990. After being out of action for
years‚ at the age of 53‚ Hoffman pinch hit in a playoff game against
Collegeville and delivered the game-winning hit. He died shortly after his North
Wales defeated Norristown in the finals in 1990.
Vic Alderfer - Owned and operated
Harleysville for 39 years‚ until 1993. He also worked behind the scenes as the
league vice president and is currently the league treasurer and a former league
VP. He is synonymous with the Harleysville franchise. After Franconia became
Harleysville, Alderfer became overseer, owner and GM of the Hornets and guided
their fortunes from 1955-1993, even managing the club from 1955-60. A devoted
Perky man, Alderfer has seen Harleysville win league titles in 1957, 1959 and
1975.
Carl Wismer – he was a fabulous athlete at
Souderon High School and had two try-outs with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Was a
fixture in the league for 40 years. Affectionately known as “Wiz‚” Carl played
for Souderton, Lansdale and Harleysville from 1960-1972 and managed Harleysville
from 1968-1972. He was always known as the nicest guy in the league. After his
playing days‚ he umpired in the Perky League for almost 30 years until his death
in 2001.
Bob Arner - Played for Souderton from
1962-80. He won the pitching title in 1975 and led Souderton to three league
championships. He started umpiring in 1982 and retired in 2006. Arner also
pitched in the College World Series for Penn State University. He also coached
Pennridge High School Baseball from 1965-80.
Floyd Cash - Is known as “Mr. Baseball” in
Lansdale. Cash managed the Lansdale Tigers from 1947 until his death in 1975.
During that time‚ the Tigers won seven Perky playoff championships. He started
out as a player in the 1920’s as a left-handed catcher. He took over the
Lansdale franchise from his brother Tom. He was considered by many to be the
greatest manager in Perky history.
Charlie Romanoski – Founded the Souderton
Warriors shortly after WWII (1946) and played for the team from 1946-1957. He
also managed the team from 1946-1980‚ winning three Perky League playoff
championships. Romanoski continues to be involved in with the franchise today.
Their home field is named after him – Romanowski Field.
Bob Strimel - Owned and managed Lower
Gwynedd (now Ambler) for 20 years. He served as a volunteer in Lower Gwynedd
baseball‚ including the youth leagues‚ and was Perky League president from
1995-1997. He was a table tennis champ and president of the Philadelphia Tennis
Association even though he was born without a right hand.
2003-
Wils Kulp - Player (1948-73) and manager
(1974-75) for 27 years with Collegeville. Was widely considered the greatest
hitter to ever play in this league. He won four batting titles, several HR
titles and in 1966, he captured the triple crown batting .494 with 9 HRs and 33
RBIs. He also was the MVP of the All-Star game that year. He took over the
managerial reigns in 1974 and led Collegeville to the championship as they
defeated North Wales in the finals in four games. Kulp
retired suddenly and unceremoniously the following season. He finished out the
year as manager. Kulp turned in his uniform that season, but his baseball career
didn't end. He was the Collegeville team owner, head groundskeeper, financier
and general manager well into the decade of the 80s. Talk about a guy who did it
all, Wils would come to the park early, drag and line the field and then leave
checks for the umpires. Everything was taken care of. He was always around to
pick up the tab when we celebrated what became an annual rite of August -
another championship party. He died in 2006 at the age of of 73. he had seasons
with these incredible stats during his hey day in the 1960’s. 1962- .389 (1st);
1963- .430 (2nd); 1964- .398, 8 HRs (1st), 24 RBIs (1st); 1965- .333, 4 HRs
(1st), 20 RBIs (1st); 1966- .494 (1st), 9 HRs (1st), 33 RBIs (1st); 1967- 2
HRs (1st); 1970 – .369 (2nd), 4 HRs (2nd)
Art Landis – Played for Franconia in 1948
and 1949 before they moved to Harleysville and then stayed with the Hornets
pitching until 1978 (at the age of 48). He stayed with the team for three more
pitching batting practice before finally retiring in 1981. During his stint in
the Perky League, he won six pitching of the year trophies, turning in an 8-1
record in 1952, an 8-0 record in 1955, a 9-3 mark in 1957, a 14-2 record in
1961, an 8-1 season in 1966 and a 6-1 mark in 1968. He also finished second one
year with a 13-2 record. He threw four no-hitters and accumulated 143 wins. He
managed Harleysville to the Perky League Championship in 1975 as they defeated
North Wales in the finals. He only took over managing because no one else would
do it.
Tony Cianciulli - Owner of the Norristown
A’s franchise (1980-2007) that has won seven straight titles. He brought back
Norristown as a league franchise in 1981 after many years of not having a team.
He was a great GM and he went out and got the best players to help his team win.
This was evident in the fact that in the 29 years has been the owner, the A’s
have been to the finals 22 of those years winning 15, including a league record
7 in a row from 1996-2002 in which the team had a 215-36-5 record including
playoffs.
Jesse Hodges – Was one of the most imposing
physical specimens and feared slugger for Lower Gwynded (now Ambler) in the
1970s and 1980s. He spent two tours of duty in Viet-Nam and was Green Beret. He
led the league in home runs in 1986 for Lower-Gywnded belting out 13 homers
along with 31 RBIs and also had a .375 average.
2004-
Dave Kurtz – Was called the “Babe Ruth” of
the Perky League. He played in the Perky League from 1972-99 with Collegeville
and then came out of retirement to lead the Norristown A’s to two straight
titles in 2001-02 before retiring for good. He racked up 18 championships and
two batting titles in his career. Playing for both the Collegeville and
Norristown (’01-’02) organizations‚ Kurtz was a four-time playoff MVP and a
13-time All-Star.
Randy Kurtz - Began his prosperous Perky
League career with Dave in 1972‚ will now enter the Hall of Fame alongside his
younger brother. After spending his opening year (1972) with the old Perkiomen
Township‚ Randy moved on to Collegeville in 1973‚ where he won 12 championships
– nine of which were as a player/manager. Randy collected two batting titles and
was an 11-time All-Star. He batted .509 in 1985.
Ed Seiple - Was a teammate of the Kurtzes‚
playing for Collegeville from 1975-1989. The team went to the finals 14 of the
15 years that Seiple played. Seiple’s continual production and exceptional
defense at the short stop position landed him in several All-Star games. He was
a lifetime .346 hitter with an on base percentage of .426.
Ron Moorehead - Entered the league as a
member of the Collegeville team‚ but switched over to Skippack during that
season to get more playing time. It proved to be a great move for Moorehead‚ who
became a five-time all star and the 1980 league MVP during his tenure. With
Moorehead as their leadoff hitter and centerfielder‚ Skippack went to the finals
four times‚ and won the championship in 1982. he was named to the all-league
team 5 times.
2005-
Alex DiNolfi - Played his entire 17 year
career with the Norristown A's from 1981-1997. Known for his excellent speed and
defensive instincts as the premier centerfielder in the league; he was a natural
Doubles Hitter and recurrent number two hitter. He never won a batting title.
But was always on the top-10, coming in second in 1990 (.462). He batted over
.400 four times and led Norristown to 10 league championship series, winning 4
of them.
Vince Elsier – He started out as a crafty
pitcher for Skippack before heading over to be a player/manager for Harleysville
up until 1988. He was named to replace Bill Leggieri as Manager of the
Norristown A's in 1989, a position he held from 1989-2005. When he retired
as Manager of the A's after the 2005 championship win, he was the winningest
coach in Perky League History with 579 wins. Led A's to record seven (7) straight
Perky League Championships. The team won 9 Championships in a ten year stretch
(1996-2005). He led them to ten (10) championships overall and also captured 11
regular season first place finishes. He
appeared in two other finals and lost, which means that the powerful A's only
missed out of playing in the finals five (5) times in 17 years under the reigns
of Elsier.
Gregg Vermeesch - Played 14 seasons and won
11 championships from 1977-1990 with the Collegeville Colonels (Collegians). A
consummate number three hitter who combined high batting averages with
run-producing power. He led the league in home runs half a dozen times, was
named an All-Star more times than he can remember and won the league batting
title in 1981 (.492). He also set the league HR record in in 1985 with 13 that
stood well into the 1990’s. In 1978, had 11 RBIs in a single game (3 HRs, 2 of
them grand Slams).
2006-
Alan Frick – Played for Charlie Romaonwski
at Souderton from 1971 to 1988, His rookie year (1971) with the Warriors
was his finest, hitting .418 at the plate, leading the league in batting in
addition to being named as the Perky League MVP. He never hit below .300 at the
plate, winning playoff championships with the Warriors in 1972 and 1976. he
became a player/coach towards the end of his career. He is now an umpire for
both the Suburban One and Pioneer Athletic Conference leagues. Al is also a
member of the Tri-County Baseball Hall of Fame where he won two batting titles
and had a .405 career average playing for Perkasie (1991 inductee).
Paul Dewey Goetter – He was a
player/manager for Lansdale for 19 years. Was an outstanding defensive
third-basemen and also a great pitcher. Lansdale won six titles (1960, 62, 65,
67, 68, 69) during his playing days. He was third in the league in batting in
1967 (.375) and then went on to win the league MVP award in 1970 going 9-3 as a
pitcher and then won the Pitcher of the year award the following year in 1971
with an 8-1 record. He took over the managerial reigns in 1976 after Floyd Cash
died and managed up to and including the 1978 season before retiring.
2007-
Ed Butch Denczi – Was one of the original
Norristown A's that played in their first season (1980). Started out as the
shortstop and then moved to catcher. He played for the A’s from 1980-84, then
signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates right before the Perky season and
played minor league ball in 1984-85. He re-joined the A’s in 1986 becoming one
of the premier power hitters in the league. He won the league’s triple crown in
1987 (.475, 11 HRs, 41 RBIs). After sitting out the 1989 season with severe back
problems, he came back in 1990 to lead the league in home runs with 11 (he also
batted .409 and drove in 40 runs). He stayed with the A’s and finished up his
career in 1996 as a first basemen.
Charlie Prediger – Pitched for the
Lansdale Tigers right out of North High School in 1965 (4-0 record) and 1966
(5-0 record). Then signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox and played in their
farm system up until 1972. He came back to the Perky League and played with
Harleysville up until 1983 and then joined the Collegeville franchise and became
part of their 1980’s championship dynasty pitching up until his early 40’s.
2008-
None selected
Perkiomen Valley Twilight League All-Star Games
1954- West 7, East 2
1955- East 5, West 3
1956- South 5, North 1
1957- North 7, South 6
1958- North 2, South 1
1959- North 8, South 0
1960- South 9, North 3
1961- North 5, South 4
1962- North 15, South 9
1963- South 4, North 3
1964- North 7, South 3
1965- South 6, North 2
1966- South 4, North 4 (tie)
1967- South 8, North 4 - MVP: Ken Fidler
1968- South 3, North 0 - MVP: Ken Fidler
1969- North 14, South 2 - MVP: Rich Wolfinger
1970- Perky All-Stars were supposed to play the Penn-Del All-Stars (Game
Cancelled)
1971- ?
Norristown
Softball Home Page
©1998 Steve Dimitry, all rights reserved.
Email:
sdimitry@verizon.net
|