Philly Sports Chatter

Philadelphia Phillies' Performance Pathetic

The Philadelphia Phillies usually get off to a bad start in April. And they are once again this year.

They say you can't win the season in April. But you could certainly lose it. And after the first month of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies are letting April showers drown them. They stand at 9-14 going into Friday night's game against the New York Mets. Five games under .500 and their worst start since 2006. Basically there's one word to sum up their performance so far this season: pathetic. The starting pitching has been inconsistent. The bullpen has gotten rocked. The offensive bats aren't just cold; they're pretty much icy. The defense stinks. The fundamentals are lacking. Pathetic. Case in point was Roy Halladay's performance Wednesday night. The pitcher has turned things around since a shaky start and question marks about his …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)

ride the lightning

6:59 am on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Nationals are new 2006 phils, just waiting to get to the next level. Hopefully this will still be on patch come october then the phils are well below 90 wins.   more ›

Upper Milford Spring Sports Signups Saturday

Upper Milford Youth Association will hold signups for baseball, softball and soccer at the Upper Milford Township Building on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

The Upper Milford Youth Association invites families interested in playing a spring sport to head over to the Upper Milford Township building from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Right now, registration is open for softball, baseball and spring soccer. Each sport is organized by gender and age and fees determined accordingly. For those families who can’t make it to the township building on Saturday, information and online registration can be found at www.umya.org

• Photos (1)

Emmaus Youth Association Baseball, Softball Signups Under Way

Register online for spring baseball and softball through EYA website, www.eyanews.org.

The Emmaus Youth Association is now accepting online registrations for spring baseball and softball through the EYA website, www.eyanews.org. EYA offers baseball and softball for youngsters ages 5 through 18, in both intramural and travel programs. Signups for all programs, except travel baseball, are open until March 3. Volunteer coaches are needed for all ages, according to the EYA website. For more information on EYA spring sports, or coaching opportunities, email register@eyanews.org.

• Photos (1)

UMYA Spring Sports Registration Now Open

Players can register online for baseball, softball, t-ball and soccer through the Upper Milford Youth Association for the spring 2013 season.

As you look out your window this morning, it may be hard to believe, but spring really is lurking right around the corner. And, along with spring, comes spring sports. Whether your spring sport of choice is baseball, softball, t-ball or soccer, if your child plays through the Upper Milford Youth Association, now’s the time to register, according to the UMYA web site. And, registration couldn’t be easier – the whole process can completed online through www.umya.org.

• Photos (1)

Philly Sports Chatter

Should the Philadelphia Phillies Hold a Fire Sale?

We've gotten used to the Fightins' fighting for first place every year for a while now. But as the All-Star break approaches, they're in dead last.

Editor's Note: This is the debut of a weekly sports column that will focus on professional sports and the four main Philadelphia teams. If you're Ruben Amaro, July is a great month. Usually, the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies is sitting pretty, his team in first place and the time nearing when Amaro gets to play "Let's Make A Deal" to bolster the roster for the annual playoff run. This season, though, Amaro should be humming The Clash song, "Should (They) Stay or Should (They) Go." The Phils are in dead last in the NL East. And with the trading deadline coming up at the end of the month, Amaro needs to determine if the Phillies are buyers or sellers this year. He needs to decide if this team's deep playoff run of the past few…

•  20 Comments
• Photos (1)

Spring Signups Underway at Upper Milford Youth Association

Kids can register for baseball, softball, T-ball and spring soccer through the UMYA Web site.

Editor’s Note: Harry Marangos, coordinator of the summer kickball program for the Upper Milford Youth Association, is married to the Emmaus Patch editor. It may only be February, but spring is definitely in the air -- in spite of yesterday’s snowfall. In fact, believe it or not, it’s already time to sign up for spring sports through the Upper Milford Youth Association (UMYA). Online registration is going on now for baseball, softball, T-ball and spring soccer. Details on ages and fees can be found on the UMYA Web site. UMYA President Matt Skekel said in an email about UMYA that he wants parents to know that first and foremost UMYA is a recreational youth sports association. “Our intention is that kids are able to come out, learn a sport …

• Photos (1)

Winter EYA Baseball Workouts Underway

Emmaus Travel and Intramural Baseball holding winter workouts.

The Emmaus Youth Association is holding winter workouts for all boys ages 8 through 12 who live in the Emmaus, Upper Milford, Alburtis and Macungie areas and plan to participate in spring Travel or Intramural baseball.   These workouts, which will cover hitting, fielding and throwing, cost $20.00 per two-hour session. Workouts will be held at Elite Sports Academy, 6330 Hedgewood Dr., Suite 310, Allentown, from 5 to 7 p.m. The remaining workout dates are: Jan. 23, Feb. 6 and 20 March 5 and 19  and April 2. For more information, contact Brian Onushco at emmausbaseball06@rcn.com or 610-966-1636

• Photos (1)

People in Our Neighborhood

Meet Emmaus' Biggest Fan, Patty Lambert

Perhaps you've seen her at a football game, next to the baseball field, or at the gym for a basketball game. Where ever you see her, Patty is cheering for Emmaus with a bigger smile and more community spirit than most.

Name: Patty Lambert Where do you live? Patty, who attended Bethlehem Business College, is originally from Bethlehem, but now lives in Emmaus. What did you do for a living? “I worked for the transit center in Allentown doing general office work. Then I worked at Muhlenburg Hospital in the accounting office for 26 years."  What has inspired you to attend local sporting events so religiously? “When I was five, my dad started taking me to all of the games in Bethlehem. He took me when I was younger, but as I got older I just went by myself. We didn’t have a car so I walked or took the bus.” Do you have any pets? “I have two cats, but I used to have eight. Their names are EP and PC for “Emmaus and Parkland” and “Parkland and Coplay.” I got them…

• Photos (9)

People in Our Neighborhood

Meet Marshall Rau, Community Volunteer

In the 50-plus years Marshall Rau has lived in the area, he has volunteered more than his share of time for the betterment of our town.

Name: Marshall Rau Town in which you live: East Texas for the past seven years, but before that lived in Emmaus for 50 years. Tell us about your involvement in the community. Rau is an active member of the Emmaus Moravian Church; he's been Sacristan for 12 years and a church trustee for 12 years. He also takes care of the church cemetery. Plus, Rau is a former volunteer fireman in Emmaus. Rau is currently on the Board of Trustees of Citizens Fire Co. #2. He has been in charge of baseball/softball programs for the club for more than 30 years. Explain your involvement with the EYA (Emmaus Youth Association). Why are you so passionate about it? "I was on the EYA board for over 15 years -- when the EYA traveling teams, Biddie, Midget, Knee-Hi…

• Photos (5)

Whiz Kid

Ball Player Named Student of the Month at LMMS

Bradley Weber is an all-around team player.

Name:  Bradley Weber School:  Seventh-grader at Lower Macungie Middle School Accomplishment:  March Student of the Month Key to Awesomeness:  Bradley was elected as the March Student of the Month because of his good grades and good work ethic. He also puts forth a good team effort when working with others, his teachers said. His favorite subject is social studies because his teacher makes the class fun and interesting to learn. Bradley enjoys playing the position of center on his basketball team. In addition, he plays the positions of pitcher, catcher and third baseman on the baseball team, whichever is needed at the time. He plays both sports with the Emmaus Junior Legion Team and the Lehigh Valley Colts Team. When he moves up to Emmaus …

• Photos (1)