Frankford shortstop Israel Diaz and Neumann-Goretti's Albert Baur.

Frankford and Neumann-Goretti were just two of several schools in both the Public and Catholic Leagues which faced off  earlier this week as part of the 25th Annual Carpenter Cup Classic held in South Philadelphia’s FDR Park. The Catholic League won and advances.

A Somerton Spartans player pitches a fastball during an NEPL game. Photo by Laura D'Alfonso.

Kids who play baseball and softball in the Northeast Peanut League were forced to stop for one week–not just because some of them were acting out of line–but their parents and coaches were as well. The league’s president, Frank Connelly, gave the executive order to quell the disorderly behavior.

“Prior to the beginning of May is our first half of the season. During that time, we were averaging about three ejections a night from both softball and baseball side,” said Connelly, who enforced the shut down in late May.

The reasons for ejection included the children spewing foul language toward umpires and each other, throwing equipment and arguing calls by parents and coaches to the point where it became inappropriate. continue reading »

UPDATED — The St. Hubert Bambies won the District 12 Championship Thursday.

Congratulations to St. Hubert’s softball team! The girls defeated Lansdale Catholic to win the PIAA District 12 Catholic League Girls Softball Title.

They’ll face the District 12 Public League Champions at La Salle University, June 3, at 3 p.m.

Standing (l to r): Estela Cajina, Kim Neubauer, Linda Lvea, Ashley Holzman-O’Brien, Arionna Hart, Tiffany Kapusta, Cassie Carrasco, Ashley Lanetti, Chelsie Gault. Kneeling (l to r): Brooke Schmanek, Veronica Zgura, Shani Chen, Katie Hagan, Laura Danila, Amanda Norton. Sitting: Maggie Sees

It has been one first after another for the students of the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush.  The school, described as a “small, special admittance, comprehensive high school that focuses on the arts,” opened in September 2008.

This year, the school — under leadership from Principal Jessica Brown and Athletic Director Kevin Katz — was granted its first sports by the School District’s Office of Athletics: JV basketball (teams for boys and girls), co-ed JV track and Varsity Soccer.   The Varsity team was granted because Public League girls soccer does not have a JV program; the players could have been forced to play “an exhibition year” with all of the games counting only as scrimmages.  However, Director Jack Creighton allowed the team to play in the lowest division as a full-fledged Varsity team

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The Philly Flash girls 12 & under team brought home the championship title from the Midway Pony Qualifier Tournament.

The Philly Flash is a girls fastpitch softball organization located at the intersection of Thornton and Comly roads.

The girls 12 & under team traveled to Wilmington, Del. for the 2010 Midway Pony Qualifier Tournament this past weekend. After winning one game and losing two on Saturday and getting the 8th seed, The team went undefeated on Sunday’s single elimination games by wining four games against the 9th, 1st, 4th and 3rd seeds, and took home the championship. continue reading »

Manor College men’s soccer team has promoted longtime assistant coach John Dempster (Manor class of ‘96) to the lead role.

Dempster, a 10-year veteran of the sidelines at 700 Fox Chase Road, has seen the soccer program in its highs and lows, but will take the clipboard for the first time as the Blue Jays’ coach. continue reading »

Father Judge's soccer team, 2009 state champions. Photo submitted by Coach John Dunlop.

Father Judge’s varsity soccer team earned the title of co-state champs back in November, sharing the honor with Central Dauphin High School. Coach John Dunlop submitted a recap and photo.

The Father Judge Soccer Team made history on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2009, as it became the first school from the city of Philadelphia to win a state soccer championship. continue reading »

Photo by Jennifer Reardon

The Heavy Hitta’s Boxing Club, located at 6000 Rising Sun Ave. in Lawncrest, had a boxing exhibition and gospel performance Tuesday night.

The newly formed boxing club was hoping to showcase its boxers and advertise its new club to the Lawncrest locals — all while supporting a good cause.

Chief Executive Officer Rick Terrell, 35, and his right-hand man, Chief Operating Officer Lonnie Haile, 42, met and started the club back in July 2009.   continue reading »

Joey Dawejko doubles over his opponent Ricardo Johnson with solid body shots.

Joey Dawejko remains undefeated as a pro, with two wins, including his most recent win Friday, Feb. 5, at The Blue Horizon in North Philadelphia. (More photos below.) continue reading »

The game gets underway as Washington's freshman kicker (and perhaps future QB) Jake Wright puts his foot to the ball while fellow teammate, Bryant Blair starts downfield on return coverage.

In the first rematch of the Public League vs. the Catholic since 1979, George Washington High School Eagles, with an impressive record of 10-1, defeated the heavily favored La Salle College High School Explorers, 23-14, to claim the AAAA City Championship Title. The big cameras and film crews were noticeably present.

Lest you think you’ve fallen into a time warp I’ll be quick to point out that that was last year. This year it was a role reversal with a different score, and La Salle lay claim to the City Title, defeating Washington, 31-20. continue reading »