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New Western Pa. wood bat summer league sprints out of batter's box | TribLIVE.com
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New Western Pa. wood bat summer league sprints out of batter's box

Bill Beckner
Bill Beckner
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
LV Lumber Bats’ Braeden O’Shaughnessy (right) celebrates after a three-run homer during an All American Baseball Collegiate League game Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Green Tree Park.
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Shoff Construction Chuckers starting pitcher Anthony Haltrup the ball against LV Lumber Bats during an All American Baseball Collegiate League game Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Green Tree Park.
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Shoff Construction Chuckers pitcher Tom Colcombe throws against LV Lumber Bats during an All American Baseball Collegiate League game Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Green Tree Park.
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Shoff Construction Chuckers third baseman Dylan Perry fields the ball against LV Lumber Bats during an All American Baseball Collegiate League game Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Green Tree Park.
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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review
Shoff Construction Chuckers third baseman Dylan Perry can’t get the tag on LV Lumber Bats’ Jordon Zilka during an All American Baseball Collegiate League game Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Green Tree Park.

The average fastball thrown by pitchers in the opening wave of games in the All-American Baseball Collegiate League popped at 91 mph.

That’s about how fast league commissioner Connor Perry has been moving lately to get the newly formed league off the ground.

A former Norwin and Pitt standout, Perry and league president Dan Ninemire have put together a four-team summer league with some the area’s top college players.

The plan went from inception to reality in a flash as organizers have worked at a breakneck pace to iron out details.

“I was hitting live with Josh Bell, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen and Derek Law, and we always talk about how it (stinks) that college guys don’t have anywhere to play around here,” Perry said. “Dan and I talked about starting up a league. It was like a joke at first, but then it absolutely blew up in like a week.”

Four local companies came on as sponsors, and 114 players signed up for the league, which will consist of 28 regular-season games, playoffs and an invitation-only pro showcase in August.

A draft was held to disseminate the player pool.

Teams play four games a week at Green Tree Park and use umpires from the Big Ten Conference.

“We went ballistic calling people,” Perry said. “The guys all wanted somewhere to play, against good competition. We have 15 to 20 future pro prospects.”

Among the top players in the league are Pitt’s Nico Popa (Seton LaSalle), Vanderbilt’s Troy Laneve (Pine-Richland), Mercyhurst’s Nick McRandal (Fox Chapel), Seton Hill’s Tommy Pellis (Greensburg Central Catholic), as well as incoming college players such as Norwin’s Alex Gabauer (Penn), Penn-Trafford’s Bobby Lane (Cincinnati) and Anthony Sherwin (Bucknell), and Serra Catholic’s Mark Black (Chipola College).

Players who have college eligibility left and high school seniors are eligible to play.

Teams play nine-inning games and use wooden bats.

Coaches are paid for their work with the teams: the LV Lumber Bats, Ark Basement Jackhammers, DynaSport and Shoff Construction Chuckers.

Perry coaches the Lumber Bats.

“It’s very impressive how they were able to put the league together as quickly as they did,” said Pellis, who plays for the Chuckers. “It’s going to be very competitive. Also it’s great to have the chance to be playing again.”

Tyler Garbee, a former Mercyhurst star pitcher who is now a minor leaguer with the Cincinnati Reds, coaches the Chuckers.

“I’m excited to see the guys get out there and see some live pitching,” Garbee said. “Give it their best effort, and we’ll work from there. It’s tough to predict anything … I think I drafted a good team.”

Derek Law, another Seton LaSalle alum who pitches in the Texas Rangers organization, is helping the league as part of a “developmental/mentor staff.”

Perry said the AABCL has followed health and safety guidelines with the coronavirus still a concern amid the restart of sports.

“We want to do things the right way, a safe way,” Perry said. “We want to make sure all the guys feel safe out there.”

Perry said the league will broadcast games via Mixlr.com with Jack Hillgrove handling the play-by-play duties.

“We had 2,000 listeners for the first game,” Perry said. “And we had nice crowds as well.

“It’s great to have baseball again. When the lights come on … it doesn’t get any better.”

Games were canceled Wednesday because some other people needed to use the field. The AABCL was glad to oblige. Several Pittsburgh Pirates held a workout in Green Tree.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

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