Reporters Notebook: 050209 - "Bike Week 2k9: Raising Money for Charity"

As most of you know, last year I had the privilege of riding with Battlefield Harley Davidson owner Jennifer LeVan during the Parade of Chrome in Bike Week 2008.
It was an awesome time, and an unforgettable experience.
For most of the ride, I waved to my vocal fan-base, like Mr. and Mrs. Mike Wertz along Steinwehr Avenue, “Scottie’s Hotties” on the steps of the County Courthouse, or Borough Council Vice President Holliday Giles on Lincoln Square.
And from what I hear, not too many cats puked during the event.
But to do it again this year, I need your help.
Apparently, the back of Jen’s bike is popular — so popular that there’s a competition to sit there during this year’s parade.
I’m one of two contestants competing in a fundraiser.
Whoever raises the most money gets to ride with Jen in Bike Week 2009.
Every single cent that’s raised is being donated to charity: the Adams County Arts Council.
It’s going to take a lot of money to win, though. According to unconfirmed reports, my competition has already generated $500.
I’m pleased to announce that I have the endorsement of Gettysburg Signs Express.
I also have the support of Whitzer Gas — “We’ve Got Gas. Do You?”
And from what I hear, Mummasburg Borough Council and the Guernsey Borough Board of Supervisors are close to finalizing favorable resolutions.
So things are looking good.
If you’re interested in donating money to help me win, and more importantly to benefit charity, write a check payable to Adams County Arts Council, and mail to Gettysburg Signs, 100-B Buford Ave., Gettysburg, PA 17325. Or just send a donation to the newsroom.
I’ll even accept donations from Bermudian fans.
~ Scot A. Pitzer, Times Staff Reporter.

On the O's Week 3

The O's went 3-4 on the week. Highlights of the week were Brad Bergeson's victory over the White Sox in his Major League debut, Adam Eaton's victory over same and the continued bashing at the top of the order.

Bergesen went 5 2/3 IP allowing 1 Earned Run in a 10-3 victory and Eaton pitched 7 1/3 IP allowing 2 Earned Runs in a 6-2 win. Koji Uehara also had an excellent start (6 2/3 IP, 2 Earned Runs) this week but the bullpen was unable to make it stand up.

Brian Roberts, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis are hitting .372, .348 and .389 respectively at the top of the order. The rest of the batting order cooled this week.

Through 3 weeks, Orioles pitching has walked fewer batters than all but 3 AL teams.

Lowlights were the blown save by George Sherrill on Saturday and the defense.

Accept the blown save and move on, as no closer can be expected to succeed in every opportunity. It remains disappointing because Uehara had such a good start and the blown save turned out to be the difference between a winning and losing Week 3.

The defense continued its' sloppy play. In the AL, only Seattle has committed more errors than Baltimore.

Reporters Notebook: 042509 - "Gano's Award is No Surprise"

After leading the Biglerville Canner wrestling team to a league title and one-loss season this year, Bob Gano was recently named the Gettysburg Times coach of the year.
It’s no surprise to me. I mean, in his 12 years at Biglerville, he’s never had a losing season.
Ever. That’s remarkable.
Every year when the BHS Booster Club gives out its Coach of the Year award, I wonder: why bother? Bob Gano’s the best, in my humble opinion. Show me another coach that’s never had a losing season.
When he came to Apple Town in 1997-98, he resuscitated a program that was mired in a deep slump. Coach Gano somehow managed to convince a team that had won four matches the previous year that we were good enough to compete with the best. And for some reason, we listened.
He inherited a roster of just 14 wrestlers at a time when there were 13 weight classes. We forfeited up to three bouts on any given night, yet were somehow one of the top dual meet teams in the district.
Fans came back to the Canner Dome, and rocked the walls like the days of old.
The new coach instilled a new attitude in Canner Country. We wore camouflage, because our undermanned squad was “going to war” for the new coach.
A new era was born in the town where wrestling is everything. And even 12 years later, the “Camo Kids” are still going to war for Coach Gano.
Congratulations on a well-deserved honor.
~ Scot A. Pitzer, Times Staff Reporter.

On Senator Charles Grassley

Who would've thought someone was listening?

It still stings

King of Jordan Visits Gettysburg

POSTED DATE: 04/21/09

BY SCOT ANDREW PITZER

Times Staff Writer

The King of Jordan rides a Harley.

King Abdullah II of Jordan was an unexpected guest Saturday at Battlefield Harley Davidson and The Dobbin House Restaurant in Gettysburg.

He was joined by about 20 other foreign diplomats and bodyguards during his unannounced visit.

“It was cool,” says Battlefield Harley Davidson owner Jennifer LeVan. “He loves to ride his motorcycle.”

King Abdullah rode a Harley Davidson to the Gettysburg motorcycle dealership, and bought several tee-shirts.

"With all the pressure that he's under being the leader of a country in the Middle East, it's neat that he can go out and ride a Harley, relax and be a normal person,” says LeVan.

King Abdullah is meeting with President Barack Obama today to discuss peace. According to published reports, he participated in a motorcycle trip over the weekend through West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

The monarch’s visit was kept a secret, even from high ranking Gettysburg officials.“

I hope he had a good time,” says Mayor William E. Troxell, “and I hope he comes again.”

He made an unscheduled shopping stop at Battlefield Harley Davidson, at the intersection of Routes 15 and 30 near Gettysburg, after seeing a billboard advertising the business along U.S 15.

A group of Secret Service agents entered the building and took strategic positions, prompting LeVan to introduce herself.

“I just asked them if there was anything I could do to help, and they said the King of Jordan was here,” says LeVan. “I said, oh my goodness, wow.”

The King’s command of the English language, according to LeVan, is “pretty good.”

He shopped at the dealership for about 15 minutes, and left with Battlefield Harley Davidson merchandise.

That same day, the entourage of royal visitors dined at the Dobbin House tavern along Steinwehr Avenue. Employees reported that King Abdullah ate with about 20 other people. According to a spokesperson at the Dobbin House, “we knew that someone was coming, but didn’t know it would be the King.” The lunch was set up by the Embassy.

Earlier on Saturday, the King had breakfast at the Country Cafe in Harper’s Ferry.

The King is meeting with President Obama in Washington D.C. today to discuss Middle East peace talks. He is accompanied by Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Prime Minister Nader Dahabi, Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Suhair Al Ali.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Charles Schulz was an O's fan

On the O's Week 2

The O's went 2-4 in Week 2 taking 2 of 3 from Texas and losing 3 straight to Boston, all on the road.

The offense continued to bash while in Texas but immediately cooled once reaching Boston. No big surprise there, however, Adam Jones left Sunday's game in the 2nd inning with right (ugh) hamstring soreness. Melvin Mora is on the DL already with a hamstring problem.

The starters were awful in Week 2, completing only 25 2/3 innings of the 51 pitched and logging a 9.81 ERA. Alfredo Simon went on the DL after completing 1 1/3 innings in his start at Texas. Brad Bergesen (1-1, 2.45 ERA at Norfolk) is expected to take Simons' start on Tuesday. At least there is that to look forward to.

The bullpen showed signs of rounding into form while posting a 5.68 ERA in 25 1/3 innings. 10 runs in 4 1/3 innings in Game 3 against Texas was the only sore spot for the week.

The defense was shabby and currently ranks 10th in the AL.

So, game 4 in Boston today and then back home to face the White Sox and Rangers.

A weakened batting order, poor starting pitching and a shaky defense does not bode well for Week 3.

Cael Sanderson...

... is Penn State's new head wrestling coach! Woah!

Reporters Notebook: 041809 - "Call Me Mr. Pitzer"

One of my cousins brought her new boyfriend to Grandma Mentzer’s house for Easter dinner last weekend.
It’s a tradition that dates back to the Uncle Jeff era, when he brought over the smoking young lass that he was dating at the time.
From what I was told (I was not born at the time), Aunt Sharon underwent questioning. After all, she is from Bermudian Springs, so she was subject to heavy scrutiny.
Sharon made it through alive, and I’m happy to report that she has been happily married to Uncle Jeff for about 15 years.
So here we are last weekend, around the kitchen table, and Pappy Mentzer introduced my cousin’s new boyfriend.
Pappy named all of us aloud, before Uncle Stan walked into the room with an outstretched hand.
“I’m Uncle Stan,” he said to the young lad.
Laughter ensued.
“Are you going to make him call you that?” I asked.
Stan replied: “No, he can call me Mr. Mentzer.”
I think he was joking.
But I’m not sure.
~ Mr. Scot A. Pitzer

On History

A gripping recount.

Drunk History vol. 3 - Featuring Danny McBride from Danny McBride

On Appearances

Not seen since 1973, the O's unveil the new (old) road uniforms last night in Texas.

On the O's Week One

The O's bashed their way thru Week 1 taking 2 of 3 from both the Yankees and the Rays to complete the opening homestand at 4-2.

The O's hit .289 and scored 6.5 runs/game. Kudos to hitting coach Terry Crowley for having the lumber ready for Opening Day.

O's pitching had a 5.67 ERA for the week. The starting pitching performed surprisingly well, posting a 3.73 ERA. The bullpen was alternately great and awful in posting an 8.34 ERA. Danys Baez and Jamie Walker were untouched. George Sherril, Dennis Sarfate, Matt Albers and Jim Johnson pitched so-so. Chris Ray struggled and Brian Bass was outright awful.

To the pitching staff's credit, only the Kansas City Royals issued fewer walks in Week 1 than O's pitching.

It's off to Texas and then Boston in Week 2. Hopefully, the bullpen rounds into form and it remains too early for hitters to expose the O's starting pitching weakness. That and continued hot bats will make for another fun week to be an O's fan.

On Commercials

My favorite.

Reporters Notebook: 041109 - "Easter Memories"

Every year at Easter, I reflect upon my favorite memories from past holidays.
Like the time Pappy Pitzer nailed the plastic egg to a backyard tree, fooling everyone during the annual hunt.
Or when Mike and Jamie and I were growing up, we’d set a bowl of Trix cereal out for the Easter Bunny at night.
There was the year when Jamie was running in a track tournament on Saturday, and I caught some sort of allergic ailment. The next morning, on Easter Sunday in Church, my eyes were so swollen that everyone thought I had been out partying all night long. Dad took me to the emergency room at Gettysburg Hospital.
And who could forget the year when Grandma Mentzer promised her older grandchildren that there were four large plastic eggs, all containing money, hidden in the backward. We hunted for 60 minutes, but to no avail. When we went indoors, Uncle Stan informed us that they never actually hid our eggs — it was all just a big trick. We didn’t think it was funny. Meanwhile, our aunts and uncles laughed all afternoon.
What will this year bring? It’s tough to say.
I just hope there aren’t any rabbit pellets in my Easter Basket this year.
~ Scot A. Pitzer

President Obama Hosts Seder Dinner

"By hosting the first presidential seder in America's history, President Barack Obama shows the personal and deep relationship he has with the Jewish community," said Alexis C. Rice, the group's deputy executive director.

WHAAAAT? I wonder what the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has to say about the Jews?

Opening Day

The Oriole Bird visits Section 6 along the right field foul poul.

Donklephant » Blog Archive » Quote Of The Day - Pitchforks

Now this will be remembered and quoted as long as any of us are alive:
"“Be careful how you make those statements, gentlemen. The public isn’t buying that. My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks.”
- Obama cautioning bank executives on justifying high salaries in a recent private meeting"

Study: Touching merchandise...

...increases chances you'll buy it!

Perhaps I need to "accidentally" bump into a few more attractive women each day...

Scroll the whole way down...

... well, I suppose not the whole way!

On the NIT

50% of Free Advice respondents correctly predicted that Penn State would win the NIT championship.

Reporters Notebook: Gettysburg Times - 040409

Last weekend when I was out with a group of friends, I was introduced to a young lass.
She recognized my name.
“Scot Pitzer?” she said. “The reporter in Gettysburg, right?”
Yes, that’s me.
She paused.
“I always thought you’d be fat,” she added.
Another disappointed fan.
~ Scot A. Pitzer

On the Good Shephard

On the O's Rotation

Although not officially stated by Manager Dave Trembley, all indications are that the O's rotation is set to go with Jeremy Guthrie, Koji Uehara, Adam Eaton, Alfredo Simon and Mark Hendrickson.

This is not official either, but this rotation will almost certainly be awful. Nevertheless, there is a reasonable possibility that it will be better than the 2008 version (which was officially awful) of Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera, Adam Loewen, Brian Burress and Steve Trachsel.

Jeremy Guthrie (10-12, 3.63 era in '08) is at the top of both rotations. Despite a horrible spring, I remain hopeful that he'll be as effective as he was in 2008. I'd like to see Trembley juggle the rotation such that Guthrie faces more 3 & 4 opposing pitchers and fewer 1's and 2's. Guthrie is a legitimate ML starter, but not a legitimate #1 starter. Whaddya say, Skip? Back him up a day here and there because of a "twinge" in his elbow.

Koji Uehara (6-5, 3.81 era in Japan in '08) is slated for the #2 spot. He's 102-55 with a 2.91 era in his career in Japan. He had a good enough spring to expect that he'll be an improvement over Daniel Cabrera (8-10, 5.25 era in '08).

Adam Eaton (4-8, 5.80 era in '08) might reasonably be expected to perform no worse than the '08 #3 slot in the rotation of Adam Loewen (0-2, 8.02 era) and his replacement - Garrett Olsen (9-10, 6.65 era). If Eaton regains his top form, he could even improve on those numbers.

Alfredo Simon was 5-10, 6.43 era in '07 in AAA with Texas. He only pitched 17 2/3 innings in 2008. The 2008 #4 slot - Brian Burress - was 7-10 with a 6.04 era. Simon has pitched "lights out" this spring, allowing 2 Runs in 16 innings. I have no idea how he did this, but it's won him a spot in the rotation and we'll get to see if can really pitch in the AL.

Mark Hendrickson (7-8, 5.45 era in '08) my have the most difficult challenge when it comes to improving the #5 slot in the rotation. Steve Trachsel (2-5, 8.39 era), Rhadames Liz (6-6, 6.72 era) and Chris Waters (3-5, 5.01) combined for 11 wins from the #5 slot in 2008 despite giving up boatloads of runs. I doubt that any O's starter will have 11 wins in 2009.

The strength of the '09 Orioles (if they have one) will be the bullpen and offense. If the O's bash (which they might) and the starters can go deep enough, regularly enough to keep the bullpen healthy and in their roles, the O's may just improve on their 68 wins in 2008.