Martella's Pharmacy to Host National Tournament
August 3, 2011 - After several seasons of trying, Johnstown's Martella's Pharmacy team was finally able to knock off Delweld in the Johnstown City League playoffs. As a result, Martella's will represent the host Johnstown franchise in next week's AAABA National Tournament.
After ending their regular season 1-4 in their final 5 games, the Pharmacists swept both playoff rounds. They first defeated the Berkley Hills Renegades (10-4, 10-7, 7-6) and then knocked off four-time defending champions Delweld (6-4, 8-2, 10-6). It was the franchise's first league championship since 2005 when they were called the Johnstown Grays. That year saw the Grays compete in their 3rd national tournament in four years. They placed 3rd with a 4-2 record after allowing 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth to New Orleans in the semi-finals. In their three tournaments, the Grays were 11-6.
As Martella's Pharmacy, the franchise has played in the past two tournaments as the Johnstown runner-up franchise. They were 2-2 in 2009 as a last-minute replacement for the Washington franchise, and were eliminated by Delweld. Last year, they finished 1-2 with another elimination at the hands of New Orleans.
Delweld has represented Johnstown the past four tournaments and six times overall. They will represent the Johnstown runner-up franchise (called Flood City on this website) because they were the regular season champions of the Johnstown City League. In these past four years, Delweld is 12-8 in the national tournament and 20-12 in 6 tournaments with 2 runner-up efforts.
Johnstown City League rules allows the teams to select up to four pick-up players from other league teams. Both teams used their four spots to add pitchers. Martella's selected Nate Kohuth from Roxberry Creamery, and Ben Weimer, Nate Spohn, and Max Henry from the Berkley Hills Renegades. Delweld has taken Alex Martin from Roxberry and Ryan Loutsenhizer, Nate Campbell, and John Fees from the Renegades.
As host, Martella's Pharmacy will play in the evening games at the Point Stadium. Opening night is Monday, with pre-game festivities to begin at 6:30pm and the first pitch at 7:30pm. The games on Tuesday through Friday will be at 6:30pm. Delweld will play afternoon games at the Point Stadium. If Martella's is eliminated, Delweld will begin playing the evening games until they are eliminated.
Tickets for all games at the Point Stadium are $4, but you can also purchase a $15 week-long pass that is good for admission to all games at the Point. Admission to games played at other fields is free. The schedule of games, including fields, times, and teams will be announced the evening prior to the games, beginning with the first round drawing at the player's banquet on Sunday night.
New this year is post-game entertainment. There will be a concert following the games on Tuesday (Soul Searchers), Wednesday (Ole 97), and Thursday (The Clarks) and fireworks after the Friday night game. Admission to the post-game activities is included with admission to the ball game.
There will be a free youth clinic on Saturday morning and a pep rally at Central Park for both Johnstown teams later that afternoon. The clinic lasts from 9:00am to 11:00am and is hosted by New Orleans' Joe Scheuerman. The pep rally begins at 11:30am and lasts until 1:00pm. The Martella's team is also encouraging fans to wear orange on opening night. Orange championship tee shirts are on sale at Martella's Pharmacy on Franklin Street.
Click here to visit the Johnstown City League page on this site for scores and standings.