That's a wrap on Season One for Post 155, Team goes 1-2 in Sectionals

A long, bizarre night in Muncie that lasted until 3 am, started off with a marathon baseball game - and that was the short part. 

After 4 innings Friday night, Carmel Post 155 was down 8-7 to Jay County, who had beaten them 14-9 just two weeks ago.   Carmel had 7 hits in the game, but had made 6 errors through the 4th.  With the game getting more out of hand each inning, Carmel pitcher Austin Jackson stepped in and restored order to everything.   Jackson was at the top of his game as he threw six dominant innings, striking out 7, giving up just 2 singles and one unearned run through the 10th.  In the bottom of the 10th, Ben Backes drilled a single through a drawn-in Jay County infield, and Carmel had their first post-season program win, 9-8.

Carmel dropped both their games on Saturday to conclude the 2009 season.  Carmel Post 155, likely the youngest Senior Legion team in Indiana, had a sucessful season with several wins against teams rostered not only with many  2009 high school grads, but also with players with one year of college ball under their belts.  12 of the 13 Post 155 players return for their senior year of HS baseball in the spring of 2010.
   
    

 

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Brian Bolin - Carmel 2010

 

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Doug Campbell - Carmel 2010

 

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Austin Jackson - Carmel 2009

Bolin, Post 155, top Anderson 10-6 in home finale at Hartman Field

It was gut-check time at Hartman Field on Tuesday night in the top of the third inning, and Post 155 pitcher Brian Bolin was up to the task.  Anderson Post 127, who had beaten Post 155 16-5 two weeks ago, was leading 3-2, and had loaded the bases with no outs on a walk, an infield single, and an outfield error.  Bolin dug down deep and struck out the next two batters swinging, then coaxed a grounder to second to end the inning and swing the game momentum back to his Carmel team.   

Doug Campbell, Jimmy Midence, and Cole Martin each had 3 hits, and Evan Butz had a 2-RBI double in the 5th.  Bolin threw seven strong innings, striking out seven, and scattering just 4 hits.  He retired 16 of the last 18 batters that he faced, giving his team a chance to come  back for the win.  With Anderson chipping away at the Carmel bullpen in the 8th, left fielder Austin Jackson fielded a single and threw a strike to Carmel catcher Drew Brown that nailed the baserunner at home and ended the inning.
Robby Shea pitched the ninth inning, striking out the side, and Post 155 had a 10-6 win.
   
 

 

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Drew Brown - Carmel 2010

 

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Connor Ewing - Carmel 2010

Post 155 Tops Mustangs Tuesday night 15-10

In a "defensive struggle", Post 155 was able to deliver 12 hits to outlast the Indiana Mustangs Tuesday night at Hartman Field.   Drew Brown, Jim Midence, and Conner Ewing each had 2 hits for the Post.  This weekend the team returns to Muncie to play Vincennes, Anderson, and Muncie.


 

 

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Chris Hoopingarner - Lawrence Central 2010

Hoopingarner, Post 155, edge Kokomo Post 6 on Tuesday night

Pitchers Michael Moreno from Kokomo and Chris Hoopingarner from Post 155 became mirror images of each other over two hours and seven innings of well-pitched baseball from both sides on Tuesday night at Hartman Field.  Both pitchers scattered only a handful of hits and walks - Moreno allowed only 4 baserunners past 1st base - Hoopingarner gave up only 5 hits and had excellent defensive help.  With the score knotted 1-1 in the top of the seventh, Robby Shea (3-0), came in for Hoopingarner, struck out 2 batters, and then Jimmy Midence rushed in from right field to grab a sinking liner to end the inning.  Carmel then strung together two hits in the bottom of the 7th with Drew Brown delivering the game winning hit. 

Carmel Legion Ball back after 20 years - and Mo brings the heat

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Baseball fans from Post 155 helped the team kick off the season at Post 155's home opener on June 21 at Hartman Field.   Sam Haskett, Don Hudson, Mo Harrelson, and Harry Meyer all took turns throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Carmel catchers Doug Campbell and Drew Brown.  

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Post splits 2 on Sunday at IU Tourney in Bloomington -
Shea throws complete game win against Lafayette

Chris Hoopingarner went 3 for 3 with a walk and Bryan Larson busted out with a 4 for 4 game to give Carmel the offense that they needed to notch a 6-5 win over the Lafayette White Sox Saturday morning in Bloomington.  Jimmy Midence and Conner Ewing also had two hits for Post 155.   Robby Shea (above pic) scattered six hits and went all seven innings to move his record to 2-0 on the season.

In the nightcap game in Bloomington, Bryan Larson threw a strong 5 innings against the Indiana Renegades, striking out five.  Carmel fell behind early but continued to come back and chip away at the lead.  The game was called due to time limit after six innings with Carmel down 5-4.   

Team again reaches 3.5 GPA for High School Spring Semester

Continuing their hard work with an eye on college, the Post 155 team posted a team average Grade Point Average of 3.5 for the spring high school semester.  Team Academic Advisor Leslie Brown said, "the team actually exceeded the GPA they had in the Fall Semester by a little bit.  Just more good work by a great group of kids.  Their cummulative GPA also went up.  The guys are really working hard and positioning themselves well for when it comes time to make their college choices."

Post 155 - final season team leaders - all games  

Batting Average:  Doug Campbell - .380,  Jimmy Midence - .358,  Chris Hoopingarner - .340  

On-Base Average:  Robby Shea - .500,  Doug Campbell - .447,  Jimmy Midence - .419

Runs Scored:  Doug Campbell - 15,  Nick Logan - 13,  Jimmy Midence - 13

Extra Base Hits:  Chris Hoopingarner - 10,  Nick Logan - 7 

Pitching ERA:  Robby Shea - 3.17 (29 IP),  Chris Hoopingarner - 3.94 (27 IP)

Pitching Strikeouts:  Chris Hoopingarner - 24,  Robby Shea - 21,  Brian Bolin - 21

Home Runs:  Connor Ewing, Doug Campbell, Jimmy Midence

 

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Evan Butz - Carmel 2010

 

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Ben Backes - Carmel 2010

 

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Bryan Larson - Carmel 2010

Comeback Saturday in Vincennes

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Post 155 comes from way back twice at Legion Tournament 

Saturday Game 1

When Carmel pitcher Bryan Larson entered Saturday morning's game in the third inning, his job was simple - to give his team a chance.  Carmel was down 5-1 to Evansville Funkhouser, and looking at a long day still ahead on top of a 300 mile one-day down and back drive from Post 155 to Vincennes.  Larson did his job, and gave his team a lift that would last all day.  While he gave up only one run on three hits over the last five innings, his teammates went to work.   Nick Logan, Doug Campbell, Conner Ewing, and Robby Shea each had two hits in the game; but Post 155 was still down 6-4 and had the bases empty with 1 out in the 7th.   

Ewing then singled and was replaced by pinch runner Chris Hoopingarner.  Shea then doubled deep to left center scoring Hoopingarner to make it 6-5.  Larson drove Shea in with a single to make it 6-6, worked his way to second, and up to the plate came Evan Butz.  "I was seeing the ball well, and having good at bats that day, but had nothing to show for it through the seventh," said Butz.  "I was pretty happy to get one more chance.  I just wanted to hit it hard and come through for the team."  Butz ripped a hit to left center, Larson (fittingly) raced home, and Post 155 had a 7-6 win.

Saturday Game 2

The nightcap vs Princeton at Vincennes University had a deja-vu feel as Carmel was again down 5-1 after four innings.  Cole Martin came in to pitch after four, and held Princeton scoreless the last three innings of the game.  In the sixth, Carmel strung together hits by Nick Logan, Butz, and Campbell; and walks to Shea, Ben Backes and Drew Brown to pull within  5-3.   Princeton got two quick outs on Carmel in the seventh and was one out away from the win with the bases empty.  Backes, who was not ready to go home, singled.  Butz drew a walk and the runners advanced to second and third when a ball skipped away from the catcher.  Drew Brown then drilled a single to right field to score both runners and tie the game.  Brown worked his way to second and then Nick Logan delivered his third hit of the game, scoring Brown and putting Carmel up 6-5.   Martin then held Princeton scoreless in the 7th, and Post 155 had their second victory of the day.

 

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Nick Logan - Carmel 2010

 

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Robby Shea - Carmel 2010

Sling'in in the Rain - Post 155 gets first win vs defending State 
Legion Champs Muncie Chiefs on Tuesday - Shea and Martin go the distance 

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"I don't think the heavy stuff is gonna come down for quite a while"
   On a rainy night at Lafferty Field in Muncie on Monday, Carmel Post 155 earned their first victory of 2009 by an 8-3 score over the Muncie Chiefs.   Nick Logan set the tone for the night with a first-pitch lead off double and Carmel scored 4 runs in the first inning.   Doug Campbell, Jimmy Midence, and Ben Backes each had two hits for Carmel.  Robby Shea pitched six strong innings for the win, scattering 6 hits and holding Muncie to one run.  Cole Martin pitched innings 7-8-9 to close out the game.   The first-year Post 155 team was appreciative of the opportunity to play at, and learn about the history of Lafferty Field.   The team will play at Muncie several more times this summer in tournament format.



Thank You, John Miles

We at Post 155, would likely not be going out this summer as a first year American Legion team, without the mentoring and help we were fortunate enough to get from John Miles over the past several months.  We had been looking forward to seeing him in the sunshine and on the field this year. 

He was a new friend of ours and a longtime leader in American Legion Baseball.

Click on each of these links to read about Coach Miles:  

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_143235952.html?start:int=0

http://www.theheraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_144232537.html 


American Legion Post 155 / 2009 Baseball Team

Carmel High School - Ben Backes, Robby Shea, Conner Ewing, Brian Bolin, Evan Butz, Nick Logan, Bryan Larson, Doug Campbell, Drew Brown, Austin Jackson

Lawrence Central High School - Chris Hoopingarner, Cole Martin, Jimmy Midence

Four Post 155 Players receive 2008-2009 Scholar-Athlete awards at CHS

On May 14, at Carmel High School, 2009 Post 155 players Conner Ewing, Ben Backes, Robby Shea, and Drew Brown received 2008-2009 Scholar-Athlete Awards.  This is awarded to Carmel students that are part of an athletic team during the school year who also achieve a 3.6 GPA or better during the first semester of the year.

Robby Shea also received The Athletic Director's Honor Roll Award, for having the highest GPA in the baseball program during their "in season" grading period.   Shea also received Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Academic All-Conference Honors. 

Kyle McLaughlin Named Post 155 Baseball Coach

March 29, 2009

Carmel American Legion Post 155 announced today that Kyle McLaughlin will be the head coach of the 2009 baseball team.

“We are very pleased that Kyle has chosen to work with our team this year”, said Carmel Post 155 Baseball Chairman Sam Haskett, “this is an excellent group of young men on the Post team and we are all looking forward to American Legion baseball getting back on the field in Indianapolis in 2009.”

Kyle is a graduate of Lawrence Central High School, where he was the starting catcher on the 2004 State Championship Baseball Team. 
Following high school, Kyle attended  Butler University, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education and Exercise Science.  Kyle was a four year letterman for the Butler baseball team.

Butler University head baseball coach Steve Farley said, “Kyle came from an outstanding high school program at Lawrence Central and he was a very hard working player for us. He will be a good teacher and coach and I know he will be excited to be working with some top-notch players this summer.”


Three Post 155 players inducted into Carmel High School National Honor Society

Carmel juniors Brian Bolin,  Robby Shea, and Bryan Larson at the CHS National Honor Society induction on Sunday, March 29.           The NHS accepts members based on the high school student's performance in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.


Team Posts 3.5 GPA for Fall '08 Semester

All 11 members of the Post 155 team saw their classroom and study work pay off and contribute to a team Grade Point Average of 3.5 for the Fall Semester.  The team's cumulative High School GPA rose to 3.4 as the players continue to academically achieve during their important junior year in High School.

Post 155 Team Academic Advisor Leslie Brown said, "The team is made up of a very good group of students.   A 3.5 GPA is a very good semester for any high school junior, To do this as an entire team is very impressive and a great indicator of how serious the players take their scholastic responsiblilities."

"The big majority of the players are stepping up and taking at least one Advanced Placement class," added Mrs. Brown, "They are doing very well in those classes also, which is a good indicator of how they will do with college classwork."

The players are busy planning their class schedules for the 2009-2010 year, along with the preparation and taking of their ACT and SAT tests between now and June.

A Hot Stove Baseball Night at Post 155

In an uplifting evening in Carmel on February 11, American Legion Indiana State Baseball Director Owen Wells (left), welcomed the Post 155 Baseball team back to the State Legion Baseball scene.   Mr. Wells, who drove up from Evansville to be at Post 155 that night, spoke of the heritage of Legion Baseball and the sportsmanship that it encourages.

He gave an entertaining review of Indiana Legion baseball during his generation, then focused on the Post 155 players, welcoming them to the Legion Baseball world and then speaking to the importance of scholarship, college prep work, and how important their last two years of high school will be.

Before the dinner, each of the players stood before the Post leadership, introduced himself, and recognized and spoke about a family member or friend that has served our country in the military.  Among many family members on hand at the Post was Bob Shue, who served as Legion District 6 Commander in 1976 and 1977.   He was introduced and recognized by his grandson, Doug Campbell, a Carmel junior on the 2009 Post 155 team. 

Team Academic Advisor Leslie Brown then spoke and reported on the team's excellent academic record so far this year, and how the players continue to work on their grades and also to get ready for their ACT and SAT exams.

The team also announced their summer schedule which includes several home game in Carmel.  It was good food, good fellowship, and a sneak peak at the Legion Ball Team that will on the field here in late June.


Favorite Stories from the Internet Archives

 All is Finally Forgiven - Jim Bouton returns from exile to be at Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium

 


The Maracaibo team arrived in Williamsport with one bat and left with all the hardware

Still the Bird - SI tracks down Fidrych 25 years after he was the most popular American in the Bicentennial Summer 

John Updike's 1960 New Yorker article - Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu 

2008 NY Times Article on travel sports and college athletic scholarships - gonna call this a must-read if you have a high-school athlete

"Ninety percent of this game is half-mental"  (and others)

People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball.  I'll tell you what I do.  I stare out the window and wait for spring.  ~Rogers Hornsby

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.  ~Humphrey Bogart

Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up.  ~Bob Lemon

That's baseball, and it's my game.  Y' know, you take your worries to the game, and you leave 'em there.  You yell like crazy for your guys.  It's good for your lungs, gives you a lift, and nobody calls the cops.  Pretty girls, lots of 'em.  ~Humphrey Bogart


Baseball is the only sport I know that when you're on offense, the other team controls the ball.  ~Ken Harrelson, Sports Illustrated,
6 September 1976

Good pitching will beat good hitting any time, and vice versa.  ~Bob Veale, 1966

Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream.  But you don't like it when someone's stuffing it into you by the gallon.  That's what it feels like when Nolan Ryan's throwin balls by you.  ~Reggie Jackson

It breaks your heart.  It is designed to break your heart.  The game begins in spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.  ~A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind," Yale Alumni Magazine, November 1977

The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.  ~Rick Wise, 1974

A ball player's got to be kept hungry to become a big-leaguer.  That's why no boy from a rich family ever made the big leagues.  ~Joe DiMaggio, quoted in New York Times,
30 April 1961

I have discovered in twenty years of moving around a ball park, that the knowledge of the game is usually in inverse proportion to the price of the seats.  ~Bill Veeck

I became a good pitcher when I stopped trying to make them miss the ball and started trying to make them hit it.  ~Sandy Koufax

Well, boys, it's a round ball and a round bat and you've got to hit it square.  ~Joe Schultz, 1969

The best way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until the ball stops rolling and then pick it up.  ~Bob Uecker

It never ceases to amaze me how many of baseball's wounds are self-inflicted.  ~Bill Veeck, The Hustler's Handbook

Rooting for the Yankees is like rooting for the house in blackjack.  ~Adam Morrow, "Letters from the Nation"