The 7th annual Alumni Weekend was held recently on the 17th. You can read about the games in more detail at Gantdaily.com. Photos from the game are available here.

Past Bison teams honored for their achievements were the 1991, 1986, and 1981 squads.

Serving as the official scorekeeper was Sam Timchak.

Special guests in attendance were Jeff Potter and his wife Sheryl. Jeff is founder of the Potter Baseball Tour and author of “Whatever Happened to Baseball“.

UPDATE:  New photos added to the gallery on 10/07/10

Read more at Gant Daily

September 18th has been set as the date for the 2010 Alumni Game.  More details to follow.  Be sure to subscribe to either RSS or email updates so that you don’t miss further announcements.

Click the image above to view the 2009 Alumni Game Photos.  Or, click here to read the game summary.

Article courtesy of GantDaily.com

CLEARFIELD – Two competitive, and entertaining, contests in near-perfect weather at the Lawrence Township Rec Park diamond Saturday and two nights of storytelling socials at the former Adventure Park added up to a great weekend for more than 50 former Clearfield Area High School players who participated in the fifth annual Bison Baseball Alumni Weekend.

Both of the six-inning games that featured 44 ex-Bisons were knotted going into the late frames.

A two-run home run in the top of the sixth by Gary Rowles lifted the Black Team to a 4-3 victory in the Oldtimers Game, while a five-run outburst in the top of the fifth boosted the Red Team to an 8-4 win in the Youngsters Game.

Dennis Bowman’s third consecutive single preceded Rowles’ blast to right off Todd Vanderburgh that made Bob Marsh a winner, with Donnie Shimmel coming out of the bullpen to strike out the side for his second save in as many years.

Marsh went to the mound after Bowman blanked the Red on two hits through three innings and departed with a 2-0 lead.

Donnie Beauseigneur doubled and scored the first run on Bowman’s second hit off Red starter Dave Dunlap. After Rowles singled, Marsh plated Bowman with a sacrifice fly.

Scott Dunlap’s double and Vanderburgh’s single got the Red on the board in the fourth, and Chris Dixon launched a home run to left in the fifth to tie the score.

Before Shimmel snuffed out the Red’s comeback bid in the lower sixth, he made it interesting by giving up a run with two outs when Dave Dunlap doubled home brother Scott, who had walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. However, Shimmel froze Vanderburgh on the third strike for the final out.

Dave Pennington joined Bowman and Rowles in the multi-hit column for the Black.  Dave Dunlap and Vanderburgh had two hits apiece for the Red.

Special Oldtimers awards went to Most Valuable Players Rowles and Dixon, Golden Glovers Marsh and Scott Dunlap and Rookies of the Year Doug Danver for the Black and Dave Dunlap. Dixon was named an MVP for the second year in a row.

In the Youngsters Game, the teams matched pairs of runs in the first inning.

A walk and RBI-doubles by Adam Jury and Steve Terry gave the Red a 2-0 start against Mike Davidson, but the Black quickly countered. Brandon Billotte provided the spark with an opposite-field inside-the-park homer to right off Trey Wallace, and the second resulted from a Scott Hugney single and Davidson double to left center.

Both starters settled down, though a walk and singles by Joe Rumsky and Billotte put the Black ahead 3-2 in the second.

With two outs in the fourth, the Red drew even on Aaron Rowles’ two-bagger that plated Wallace. Todd Fedder tried to score from first on the hit but was cut down at the plate on a relay from right fielder Tim Oswalt to Davidson to catcher Thomas Yeager.

Hugney wasn’t as fortunate in the fifth, as the Red erupted for the five-spot.

Jury snapped the tie with his second double after Brent Lykens walked and Kevin Billotte singled. Chris Peacock followed with a double for what proved to be the game-winning hit, Rob Billotte tacked on a run with a sacrifice fly and Wallace capped the rally with a two-run single.

Fedder was rewarded with the win after working two hitless innings. He walked two but faced only seven batters because Yeager picked off a runner in the lower fifth.

Terry pitched the lower sixth and yielded one run on two walks and Davidson’s double.

Jury, Wallace and Davidson were the only Youngsters with more than one hit.

Fedder and Davidson picked up the MVP trophies, Lykens and Yeager were the Golden Glove recipients and Kurt McGovern and Jury claimed Rookie of the Year honors. Davidson is a three-time MVP.

Scott Dunlap won the Oldtimers Home Run Derby, and Hugney edged out Kevin Billotte by two points in the Youngsters Home Run Derby.

EXTRA INNINGS – Brian Barr, Brent Lykens, Jeff Aveni, Frank Hipps Jr. and Joe Rumsky teamed up to win the second annual Bison Baseball Alumni Golf Scramble at the Clearfield-Curwensville Country Club Friday morning. Thomas Yeager belted the longest drive, and Aveni holed the longest putt… Former Bisons and 38-year CAHS coach Sid Lansberry, who heads the Bison Baseball Alumni Committee, doled out special thanks to Ben Timko and 765-Deck for sponsoring the game shirts and to the following volunteers who helped make the 2009 Bison Baseball Alumni Weekend another rousing success: Bill Bacharach, Al Fricke and Dan Winters, umpires; Pat Pallo and Ed Yeager, announcers; Rick Ogden, statistician; Doug Michaels, scoreboard operator; Bear Stewart, home run derby statistician; Brandon Billotte and Peacock, home run derby pitching; Ron Lizotte, photographer; Megan and Sara Liptak, National Anthem singers; Jeff Kavelak, food catering and concessions; Pam Danver, photography and concessions; Rayanna Kavelak, Cary Lundberg and Leah Lundberg, concessions; Shimmel, programs; Dan Malloy, hat and shirt design; Gregg Rich, music, and Barr, golf tournament;

OLDTIMERS GAME
Black      020 002 – 4 10 0
Red         000 111 – 3   8 0
(B) Dennis Bowman, Bob Marsh (4), Donnie Shimmel (6) and Tom Danver; (R) Dave Dunlap, Todd Vanderburgh (4) and Andy Lingle.
W – Marsh. L – Vanderburgh. Save – Shimmel.
3H – (B) Bowman. 2H – (B) Gary Rowles, Dave Pennington; (R) D. Dunlap; Vanderburgh.
2B – (R) Scott Dunlap, D. Dunlap. HR – (B) Rowles; (R) Chris Dixon.

* * * * *

YOUNGSTERS GAME
Red       200 150 – 8 10 0
Black    210 001 – 4   6 4
(R) Trey Wallace, Todd Fedder (4), Steve Terry (6) and Thomas Yeager, Kurt McGovern (6); (B) Mike Davidson, Scott Hugney (4), Brandon Billotte (6) and Brent Lykens.
W – Fedder. L – Hugney.
2H – (B) Brandon Billotte, Mike Davidson; (R) Adam Jury, Trey Wallace.
2B – (B) Davidson; (R) Jury 2, Aaron Rowles.

Article provided by: GantDaily.com

- By Fred Kavelak

Clearfield Bison Baseball Alumni gathered to play the 2nd Annual Bison Baseball game at Lawrence Township Recreation Park on Saturday.

CLEARFIELD — Some of the best players to wear Clearfield Area High School uniforms the last 50 years showcased their talent in the Second Annual Bison Baseball Alumni Game Saturday afternoon at the Lawrence Township Rec Park Field, and the four hours of action was highlighted by good pitching, solid hitting and several defensive gems.

Because of the large turnout, 52 players in all, the format again was changed to games for “Oldtimers” and “Youngsters,” the latter for graduates from 1987 through 2002, and the Red teams were able to gloat after winning both contests in a repeat of last year’s competition.

Following player introductions by official scorekeeper Ed Yeager (’75), Bison Baseball Alumni Committee chairman and assistant coach Donnie Shimmel (’84) presented a commemorative baseball to Sid Lansberry (’64) for his 500th win as Clearfield Area High School head coach. Lansberry reached the milestone when his 35th Bison team defeated host St. Marys 16-3 in the District 9 Class AAA semifinal May 22.

The Danver brothers got the Black Team off to a 2-0 start in the first inning of the Oldtimers Game, Ken “Buck” (’71) with a single for a run batted in and Tom “Bump” (’82) with a sacrifice fly off Gary Rowles (’82).

A pair of family acts were involved in a second-inning double play. Red Team shortstop Scott Dunlap (’81) grabbed a hard grounder hit by Todd Vanderburgh (’84), tagged Chuck Robison (’64) and flipped the ball to father Merrill Dunlap (’57) to force Robison’s son Clint (’97).

In the bottom of the inning, the Red Team got a run off Dennis Bowman (’86) when Logan Cramer III (’81) whacked a double to deep left and scored easily on Scott Dunlap’s single to left. Dunlap was cut down trying to stretch the hit into a double on a dandy relay from Tom Danver to shortstop Vanderburgh to Scott Casteel (’81).

Buck Danver came through with another RBI-single for the Black Team in the top of the third, but the Red Team countered with four runs on two walks, and two errors around a key hit by Jeff Norris (’76). Jack Morris (’64) got a hustle award for scoring from first, though he stumbled and tumbled across the plate. The Black Team wanted him sent back to third because their relay hit the pitcher’s screen. Their protest fell on deaf ears.

The Red Team put the game on ice in the fourth when Huntingdon Area High School Coach Anthony Biviano (’67) singled, Chris Dixon (’87) cranked a home run to left off former teammate Bowman and Scott Dunlap tacked on an RBI-double.

In the fifth, Bowman singled in a run off Tom Kirsch (’70), who fed the Black Team his “gravity” sinker for three innings to notch the save for Rowles in the 8-4 victory.

Catcher Don Beauseigneur (’80) was named Most Valuable Player for the Red Team, while Norris was the choice for the Gold Glove Award for his play in center field and Dixon was selected Rookie of the Year, a new award.

Black Team award winners were the rubber-armed Bowman, MVP for pitching all six innings and also contributing a pair of hits; Vanderburgh, Gold Glove for a busy day at short, and Buck Danver, who probably will rank as the oldest Rookie for a long time.

Larry Peacock (’65) and Clint Robison also had two hits apiece for the Black Team.

Managers were Scott Dunlap for the winners and Ward Fink, with a little help from Lansberry, for the losers.

The Youngsters Game was a tad more serious and featured excellent pitching by the Red Team. MVP Mike Davidson (’02), a late recruit by Manager Ben Timko (’92), racked up eight strikeouts in four innings and surrendered only one hit. Jason “Buzz” Moore (’99) allowed two hits in two scoreless frames to pick up the win. Gary Welker (’94) faced only three batters in closing out the Black Team in the seventh.

The lone hit off Davidson was a long home run to left center by Black Team MVP Steve Terry (’89) after two infield miscues in the first inning.

Rookie of the Year Brian Robison (’87) protected the lead in his three innings, yielding three hits and one run, that coming in the third on singles by Frank Hipps Jr. (’90) and Timko (’92) and a wild pitch.

Todd Fedder (’91) relieved Robison and breezed through the fourth inning, but Rookie of the Year Andy Bloom (’97) greeted him the fifth with a home run to deep left field. After a single by Dave Davis (’92) and a walk, Fedder departed because of a sore shoulder. Black Team manager Brian Barr summoned Terry from third base to relieve, and before he got out of the inning, the Red Team had grabbed a 5-3 lead on RBI-groundouts by Aaron Elensky (’94) and Ryan Briskar (’99) and an RBI-double by Moore.

Chris Rogerson (’92) iced it for the Red Team in the sixth with a three-run homer to deep left that set the final at 8-3.

The Gold Glove Awards went to the first basemen, Robison for the Red Team and Chris Peacock (’91) for the Black Team.

EXTRA INNINGS — The umpires were Bill Bacharach (’70) behind the plate for both games, Al Fricke (’73) on the bases for the Oldtimers Game and Garry “Boats” Shirey (’76) on the bases for the Youngsters Game… With statistics and notes provided mostly by Lansberry, announcer Pat “Planet P” Pallo (’86) kept everybody informed about the hitters and any defensive changes, never passing up an opportunity to interject humorous anecdotes… A great banner crafted by Ron Rea was hung on the fence behind home plate… Scott Dunlap created an well-informative, well-designed and attractive program for the participants and fans… Megan Liptak, a junior at Clearfield Area High School, sang a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Jack Morris is her grandfather… A dinner prepared by Jeff Kavelak was served to participants and guests at the post-game party at Adventure Park… All proceeds go to the Clearfield Baseball Association, and the alumni game committee — Shimmel, Lansberry, Kavelak, Barr, Cramer — extend thanks to all players, contributors and sponsors…

“The older I get the better I was!”

The Bison Baseball Alumni game turned out to be a great success! Registration for the event began at 12:30 with alumni committee Chairman Donnie Shimmel (’84) distributing shirts and hats for the players. Before the first game began all participants gathered in front of home plate for a group photo taken by Logan Cramer (81). After welcoming remarks by announcer Pat Pallo (’86), everyone was treated to an excellent rendition of the National Anthem by Megan Liptak, granddaughter of Jack Morris.

The Old-timers game began with Merrill Dunlap (’57) throwing out the first pitch.(he also played second base the entire game!). With Butch Martell(’64) on the mound, the Black Team started out strong. However, due to some shoddy defensive play, the Red Team exploded for 5 runs in the second inning and never looked back. Final score: Red 21 – Black 6. Firepower for the Reds was provided by several different players. MVP Scott Dunlap(’81) blasted a homerun and single, while Andy Lingle(’85) added a double and two singles. Bob Marsh(’81) launched a long homer and Logan Cramer(’81) ripped a double. Other Red Teamers with multiple hits were Tom Flanagan(’78), Dave Falvo(’82), Dennis Bowman(’86), Dave Learish(’88), and Tom Danver(’82). ’67 grad. Anthony Biviano caught the whole game and received the Gold Glove Award.

The Black Team had its moments also. Twin Brothers Keith and Ken Billotte(’64) each had a double, as did Todd Vanderburgh(’84). Jeff Norris(’76) scored two runs and roamed centerfield. Catcher Jim Moyer(’78) was awarded the MVP while outfielder, Matt Thomas got the Gold Glove for the Black team.

The “Youngsters” game proved to be more competitive. The Black Team, coached by Brian Barr(’91) took an early lead with Gary Welker(’94) on the mound. However the Red Team, under the leadership of Todd Stiner(’90) made a furious comeback with a five run rally in the last inning to win 8-6. Buzz Moore(’99) was 4 for 4 and named MVP, while Coach Stiner had a double and single scoring two runs. Brandon Billotte(’98) smacked a homerun and single. Other Red Teamers with multiple hits were Adam Welker(’95), Frank Hipps,Jr.(’90), and Dr. Jasen Rowles(’92). Catcher Damion Reinke did a great job behind the dish and was awarded the Gold Glove. For the Black Team Kevin Billotte(’94) blasted a long double, Coach Barr added two singles and Gary Welker and Steve Terry(’89) each sent one way out of the park. Welker was given the Black MVP while Terry got the Gold Glove for his work at third base.

As the teams engaged in the traditional hand shake at home plate, announcer Pallo wrapped up his final remarks and official scorekeeper Ed Yeager(‘75) closed the book on the very first Bison Baseball Alumni Game. All players then headed for the post game dinner at Adventure Park, hosted by Kevin Billotte. The meal prepared by Jeff Kavelak(’87) was fantastic and so were the stories that were shared long into the night. All in all, it was a great day for Bison Baseball and next year’s celebration promises to be bigger and better. The date has already been set: Saturday, September 23rd at Lawrence Township Recreation Park. See you there!!!