Welcome to BHAA
Last updated 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2008
An intense Ian Cherkes of the Cubs slide safely under the tag during a Mayor's Cup game on July 19.
A Truly Grand Finale
A really good thing happened in Brighton Heights tonight (July 22). It involved no umpires, no visiting teams, no perfect baselines. Just a bunch of boys celebrating their time in little league. When Peters Township forfeited out of BHAA's tournament, it left an opening on the Senior All-Stars' social calendar. Instead of playing against another team in a consolation game, they had pure fun just playing together.
After collectively receiving their third place team trophy and hearing an inspiring season-ending speech from their coaching staff, the boys grabbed their gloves and just played. The 13-man squad split into two and welcomed participation from moms, dads, coaches, little brothers, cousins, and even one grandma for a fun-filled, smack-talking scrimmage. Shawn Tunstall and Mike Albright squared off in a pitching duel, while all-stars Tommy Barnabi, Jeremy Davis, Marcus Dean, Mark Lodge, Ryan Kirby, Nick Tunstall, Thorin Knupsky, Brody Miller, Jake Matschner, Andrew Kocay, Sean McGrath, Devonte Stackhouse, and Ian Cherkes anchored the opposing squads.
Joining in the fun were Roy, Julian, Ray, and Jayson Dean; Shawn, Missy, and Nathan Tunstall; Jordan and Drew Albright; Dave and Patrick O'Malley; Dodie Smith; Nicole and Aidan Knupsky; Randy Davis; and Trinity O'Dell. Grandma Dodie went 2-for-2; Roy Dean strapped on the catchers equipment even though it fit more snuggly than in his playing days; Nick Tunstall batted wearing a hockey style catchers helmet; and Sean McGrath ran the bases in shin guards. Randy Davis went yard on his own son, and Mike Albright waved to the girls as he rounded the bases after his two-run homer. The strike zone was wide, the score didn't matter, no umpires were needed, and they lost track of innings.
The evening was testament to the joy of baseball that the little league class of 2008 has shared since it began its ascent through the ranks from teeball. There were no Yankees, Cubs, or Padres. Just teammates and friends enjoying the game that brought them together.
Welcome to the web home of Brighton Heights Athletic Association. Please bookmark this site as your resource for baseball, softball, and teeball for the families of Pittsburgh's Brighton Heights neighborhood and surrounding communities. Our "house" is the John Merry field complex, located adjacent to Jack Stack Pool.
An intense Ian Cherkes of the Cubs slide safely under the tag during a Mayor's Cup game on July 19.
A Truly Grand Finale
A really good thing happened in Brighton Heights tonight (July 22). It involved no umpires, no visiting teams, no perfect baselines. Just a bunch of boys celebrating their time in little league. When Peters Township forfeited out of BHAA's tournament, it left an opening on the Senior All-Stars' social calendar. Instead of playing against another team in a consolation game, they had pure fun just playing together.
After collectively receiving their third place team trophy and hearing an inspiring season-ending speech from their coaching staff, the boys grabbed their gloves and just played. The 13-man squad split into two and welcomed participation from moms, dads, coaches, little brothers, cousins, and even one grandma for a fun-filled, smack-talking scrimmage. Shawn Tunstall and Mike Albright squared off in a pitching duel, while all-stars Tommy Barnabi, Jeremy Davis, Marcus Dean, Mark Lodge, Ryan Kirby, Nick Tunstall, Thorin Knupsky, Brody Miller, Jake Matschner, Andrew Kocay, Sean McGrath, Devonte Stackhouse, and Ian Cherkes anchored the opposing squads.
Joining in the fun were Roy, Julian, Ray, and Jayson Dean; Shawn, Missy, and Nathan Tunstall; Jordan and Drew Albright; Dave and Patrick O'Malley; Dodie Smith; Nicole and Aidan Knupsky; Randy Davis; and Trinity O'Dell. Grandma Dodie went 2-for-2; Roy Dean strapped on the catchers equipment even though it fit more snuggly than in his playing days; Nick Tunstall batted wearing a hockey style catchers helmet; and Sean McGrath ran the bases in shin guards. Randy Davis went yard on his own son, and Mike Albright waved to the girls as he rounded the bases after his two-run homer. The strike zone was wide, the score didn't matter, no umpires were needed, and they lost track of innings.
The evening was testament to the joy of baseball that the little league class of 2008 has shared since it began its ascent through the ranks from teeball. There were no Yankees, Cubs, or Padres. Just teammates and friends enjoying the game that brought them together.
What's Happening
Coaches Classic Promises
Lots of Laughs
Lots of Laughs
BHAA's 2008 Coaches Classic Softball Game & Homerun Derby is set for Sunday, August 3, on Field 4. The game will begin at 2 p.m., followed immediately by the highly-anticipated homerun derby at about 4 p.m. The $10 player play-in fee includes an official 2008 Coaches Classic T-shirt. This is a day for the adults to play and for the kids to heckle their coaches' and parents' on-field antics. The event is open to coaches, assistant coaches, field crew, concessions crew, and anyone who did more than their share to make the league run this season.
Spectators need only pay $1 to watch .. um ... some really good action. Proceeds from admission and concessions will go to a yet-to-be-determined charity. To throw your glove into the ring, simply e-mail bhaabaseball@comcast.net or call Nicole Knupsky at 412-513-7087.
Committed Players
Mike Albright
Jack Baron
Mike Bierce
Bob Baumbach
Todd Duncan
Carol Gerner
Joe and Nicole Knupsky
Matt Koval
Curt Leicher
Sandy and Gene Mastele
Brian Miller
Courtney Nagy
Frank Renner
Franklin Rouse
John Salamacha
Pete Schell
Jack Shannon
Tim Sharkey
Bill and Crystal Sinagra
Dodie Smith
Jim Toomey
Shawn and Missy Tunstall
Homerun Derby Contestants
Mike Albright
Joe Knupsky
Brian Miller
Frank Renner
Franklin Rouse
Pete Schell
Shawn Tunstall
Umpires
Joe Kocay
Rick Rutkowski
Mike Albright
Jack Baron
Mike Bierce
Bob Baumbach
Todd Duncan
Carol Gerner
Joe and Nicole Knupsky
Matt Koval
Curt Leicher
Sandy and Gene Mastele
Brian Miller
Courtney Nagy
Frank Renner
Franklin Rouse
John Salamacha
Pete Schell
Jack Shannon
Tim Sharkey
Bill and Crystal Sinagra
Dodie Smith
Jim Toomey
Shawn and Missy Tunstall
Homerun Derby Contestants
Mike Albright
Joe Knupsky
Brian Miller
Frank Renner
Franklin Rouse
Pete Schell
Shawn Tunstall
Umpires
Joe Kocay
Rick Rutkowski
Spectators need only pay $1 to watch .. um ... some really good action. Proceeds from admission and concessions will go to a yet-to-be-determined charity. To throw your glove into the ring, simply e-mail bhaabaseball@comcast.net or call Nicole Knupsky at 412-513-7087.
Upcoming Events
Season Winding Down
Only a few days remain in the 2008 baseball season. The City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Cup Tournament continues Wednesday and Friday with second-round action, as the remaining six teams in the Brighton Heights Bracket battle for a chance to play at PNC Park on July 31. Banksville, Beechview, the Elliott Blue Jays, BHAA Yankees, and BHAA Cubs have been eliminated from competition.
The next few evenings promise good baseball and good food at the BHAA concession stand. Come on out and enjoy what's left of the season. For tournament schedules and results, click here.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Only a few days remain in the 2008 baseball season. The City of Pittsburgh Mayor's Cup Tournament continues Wednesday and Friday with second-round action, as the remaining six teams in the Brighton Heights Bracket battle for a chance to play at PNC Park on July 31. Banksville, Beechview, the Elliott Blue Jays, BHAA Yankees, and BHAA Cubs have been eliminated from competition.
The next few evenings promise good baseball and good food at the BHAA concession stand. Come on out and enjoy what's left of the season. For tournament schedules and results, click here.
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
- Brightwood vs. Sheraden, 6 p.m. on Field 4 (Mayor's Cup)
- Perry vs. Elliott Brewers, 6 p.m. on Field 6 (Mayor's Cup)
- Mayor's Cup Semi-Final, 6 p.m on Field 4 (opponents to be determined)
Recent Results
TUESDAY, JULY 22
CIT tops Mt. Lebanon for tourney crown, 4-2 - The squad from Crafton Ingram Thornburgh topped Mt. Lebanon in a quiet game to take the 12u championship and close out BHAA's 2008 baseball tournament. Both teams expressed interest in returning next year.
Peters Township forfeits to Senior All-Stars - The Peters Township squad was stretched too thin to field a full team tonight and opted to forfeit out of BHAA's 12u tournament. Consequently, BHAA was awarded the third place trophy.
Junior All-Stars fall to Greentree, 21-2 (Dormont Tournament)
MONDAY, JULY 21
Cubs endure disheartening Mayor's Cup loss to Sheraden - Fresh off a first-round victory over Washington Heights on Saturday, the Cubs entered tonight's contest hopeful that their Mayor's Cup hopes would continue. But it was not to be, as the squad took the field without several starters. Sheraden leaped out to a five-run lead in the first. The Cubs battled back, putting four on the board in their half of the inning, thanks to a three-RBI double by Jacob DeWalt. Marcus Dean turned in a strong defensive performance in centerfield, and Austin Biondo left his heart on the pitcher's mound. But the Cubs' highlight reel was short throughout, offering only a third-inning double by Thorin Knupsky the rest of the way. Sheraden prevailed 17-4.
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Senior All-Stars squander leads to Mt. Lebanon 12u, fall 12-11 (BHAA Tournament) - Despite leading 9-6 and then 11-9, BHAA could not hold onto its leads at late-game and must settle for third place at best in the tournament. They meet Peters Township on Tuesday in the consolation game, while Mt. Lebanon advances to the championship vs. Crafton Ingram Thornburgh, also on Tuesday.
CIT 12u tops Peters Township 12u, 9-8 (BHAA Tournament)
Junior All-Stars fall to Bethel Church, 7-4 (Dormont Tournament)
SATURDAY, JULY 19
Cubs pull off come-from-behind win over Washington Heights, 10-8 (Mayor's Cup) - BHAA's Cubs got off to a terribly rocky start, surrendering eight runs in the first inning. It looked like it would be a long afternoon when the bottom of order started an eight-run rally in the bottom of the second, capped by a three-run triple by Brendan Blair. Austin Biondo, Ian Cherkes, and Mark Lodge got their gloves dirty in the Cubs' infield. The Cubs advance to play Sheraden on Monday night.
Yankees lose heartbreaker to Brightwood, 6-5 (Mayor's Cup) - Behind solid pitching by Devonte Stackhouse, the Yankees battled and held onto a 4-3 lead most of the game, before Brightwood score two in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. With their veritable baseball lives on the line in the sixth, the Yankees tied the game on a solo homer by Stackhouse. When Brightwood made it 6-5 in the seventh, the Yankees could not pull off another miracle and saw their season end.
Farm All-Stars fall to Zelienople, 15-6 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament)
Farm All-Stars fall to Middle Road, 19-3 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament)
Junior All-Stars top Dormont, 6-5 (Dormont Tournament) - PJ Winters received MVP honors as BHAA's Junior All-Stars spoiled the home team's start at the Dormont Tournament. They return to face Bethel Church at 4 p.m. today.
Perry tops Elliott Blue Jays, 7-0 (Mayor's Cup)
Elliott Brewers tops Beechview, 21-4 (Mayor's Cup)
Mt. Lebanon 12u tops Ninth Ward 12u, 10-9 (BHAA Tournament)
Peters Township 12u tops CIT 12u, 12-9 (BHAA Tournament)
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Junior All-Stars top Mt. Lebanon, 10-3 (BHAA Tournament) - BHAA clinched third place in its tournament tonight by finishing off Mt. Lebanon. Nick Nyman received the MVP trophy for strong play throughout the tournament.
Sto Rox tops Braun Jeffery, 9-7 (BHAA Tournament) - Two high-octane squads clashed for the 10u title in BHAA's tournament. Sto Rox prevailed to take home the championship, while BJ settled for second-place trophies.
Farm All-Stars top Riverview, 15-6 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament) - BHAA fired up its offensive machine tonight, bursting to life after two sluggish innings to put up five runs in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings and clinch an opening-round victory in this weekend tournament. Malcolm Bowman grabbed the game ball for strong defensive play, helped along in his efforts by Jordan Albright and Luke Calderaro.
CIT tops Mt. Lebanon for tourney crown, 4-2 - The squad from Crafton Ingram Thornburgh topped Mt. Lebanon in a quiet game to take the 12u championship and close out BHAA's 2008 baseball tournament. Both teams expressed interest in returning next year.
Peters Township forfeits to Senior All-Stars - The Peters Township squad was stretched too thin to field a full team tonight and opted to forfeit out of BHAA's 12u tournament. Consequently, BHAA was awarded the third place trophy.
Junior All-Stars fall to Greentree, 21-2 (Dormont Tournament)
MONDAY, JULY 21
Cubs endure disheartening Mayor's Cup loss to Sheraden - Fresh off a first-round victory over Washington Heights on Saturday, the Cubs entered tonight's contest hopeful that their Mayor's Cup hopes would continue. But it was not to be, as the squad took the field without several starters. Sheraden leaped out to a five-run lead in the first. The Cubs battled back, putting four on the board in their half of the inning, thanks to a three-RBI double by Jacob DeWalt. Marcus Dean turned in a strong defensive performance in centerfield, and Austin Biondo left his heart on the pitcher's mound. But the Cubs' highlight reel was short throughout, offering only a third-inning double by Thorin Knupsky the rest of the way. Sheraden prevailed 17-4.
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Senior All-Stars squander leads to Mt. Lebanon 12u, fall 12-11 (BHAA Tournament) - Despite leading 9-6 and then 11-9, BHAA could not hold onto its leads at late-game and must settle for third place at best in the tournament. They meet Peters Township on Tuesday in the consolation game, while Mt. Lebanon advances to the championship vs. Crafton Ingram Thornburgh, also on Tuesday.
CIT 12u tops Peters Township 12u, 9-8 (BHAA Tournament)
Junior All-Stars fall to Bethel Church, 7-4 (Dormont Tournament)
SATURDAY, JULY 19
Cubs pull off come-from-behind win over Washington Heights, 10-8 (Mayor's Cup) - BHAA's Cubs got off to a terribly rocky start, surrendering eight runs in the first inning. It looked like it would be a long afternoon when the bottom of order started an eight-run rally in the bottom of the second, capped by a three-run triple by Brendan Blair. Austin Biondo, Ian Cherkes, and Mark Lodge got their gloves dirty in the Cubs' infield. The Cubs advance to play Sheraden on Monday night.
Yankees lose heartbreaker to Brightwood, 6-5 (Mayor's Cup) - Behind solid pitching by Devonte Stackhouse, the Yankees battled and held onto a 4-3 lead most of the game, before Brightwood score two in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead. With their veritable baseball lives on the line in the sixth, the Yankees tied the game on a solo homer by Stackhouse. When Brightwood made it 6-5 in the seventh, the Yankees could not pull off another miracle and saw their season end.
Farm All-Stars fall to Zelienople, 15-6 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament)
Farm All-Stars fall to Middle Road, 19-3 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament)
Junior All-Stars top Dormont, 6-5 (Dormont Tournament) - PJ Winters received MVP honors as BHAA's Junior All-Stars spoiled the home team's start at the Dormont Tournament. They return to face Bethel Church at 4 p.m. today.
Perry tops Elliott Blue Jays, 7-0 (Mayor's Cup)
Elliott Brewers tops Beechview, 21-4 (Mayor's Cup)
Mt. Lebanon 12u tops Ninth Ward 12u, 10-9 (BHAA Tournament)
Peters Township 12u tops CIT 12u, 12-9 (BHAA Tournament)
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Junior All-Stars top Mt. Lebanon, 10-3 (BHAA Tournament) - BHAA clinched third place in its tournament tonight by finishing off Mt. Lebanon. Nick Nyman received the MVP trophy for strong play throughout the tournament.
Sto Rox tops Braun Jeffery, 9-7 (BHAA Tournament) - Two high-octane squads clashed for the 10u title in BHAA's tournament. Sto Rox prevailed to take home the championship, while BJ settled for second-place trophies.
Farm All-Stars top Riverview, 15-6 (Zelienople Harmony Tournament) - BHAA fired up its offensive machine tonight, bursting to life after two sluggish innings to put up five runs in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings and clinch an opening-round victory in this weekend tournament. Malcolm Bowman grabbed the game ball for strong defensive play, helped along in his efforts by Jordan Albright and Luke Calderaro.