Story by Jon Dinan
NARROWSBURG—The Delaware Valley Little Fellows League (DVLFL) played their 53rd annual All-Star game on Saturday. The standout players from the league’s 1st, and 3rd place (Team A) finishers battled the best players from 2nd, 4th, and 5th place teams (Team B).
Down only by one with two outs in the top of the third, Team B threatened to answer back as they had runners on the corners.
In the pressure spot, Trevor Knappenberge stepped up and hit the longest drive of the game. Unfortunately for Team B, Team A centerfielder Erek Crocitto chased the ball down and made a spectacular grab to rob Knappenberge, and save at least one run from scoring.
“The wind was changing direction constantly, it was hard to stay with it, but I tracked it down,” Crocitto said.
Brandon Dailey, Harold Wilson, Alex Schwalb, and Erek Crocitto combined to throw five shutout innings for Team A which also scored 14 runs in 6 innings.
Team B scored a run in the sixth, but their bats wouldn’t come to life until they had two outs in the final inning. (the All-Star game plays seven innings, an inning longer than regular season games.
Three singles in a row and a two-RBI double off the bat of Saywer Halter made the game a bit closer, but it was too late to make up a 13-run deficit. The final score was 14-4 in favor of Team A.
Halter was also Team B’s MVP. (voted on by coaches) Brandon Daily was named the MVP for Team A.
“It feels really good to win this award,” Halter said. “We had a good season. We finished second and [Team B] did OK in the last inning today.”
He plans to play at the modified level next season for Eldred Middle School.
Despite the one-sided final score, there was no shortage of smiles on the faces of Team B players, as all DVLFL participants were awarded trophies and free hot dogs after the game.
“It was a fun season,” league president and Team A/first place Giants coach, Rob Taylor said. “It was very competitive. Three teams (Giants, Braves, and Dodgers) were tied for first going into the last week of the season so it made for an exciting finish.”
2012 DVLFL ALL-STARS
Cochecton Oil Giants
Brandon Dailey, Jordan Zimmer, Cody Yerkes, Keith Brundage, Erek Crocitto, Reilly Gries, Dylan Jungblut-Mercado
Sonny’s Service Center Braves
Owen Sager, Collin Hauschild, Jordan Andrews, Bryce Reimer, Sawyer Halter, Chad Mercado
GS Plumbing & Heating Dodgers
Alex Schwalb, Harold Wilson, Cole Rankin, Tank McGrath, Gavin Kelly, Jake Lesczynski
Field of Dreams Driving Range Cardinals
Logan Muller, Trevor Knappenberge, Will Gilbert, Jason Hunter
Freda Realty Phillies
Jonathan Kabonick, Jacob Kabonick, Jackie Kenyon