JOHNSTOWN — Gregg Bandzuh joined the AAABA League three years ago, a sometimes wide-eyed 18-year-old from Portage High School.
His solid statistics in 2007 might suggest otherwise, but competing against veteran players who had been around the league was intimidating to Bandzuh back then.
Now, Principle Development’s Bandzuh is one of those seasoned standouts setting an example for the young prospects and earning the respect of players and managers throughout the six-team league.
“When I started, the guys were really good. Now I’d like to think I’m right there were they were three years ago,” said Bandzuh, who was 5-0 through last week’s games. “It was intimidating. When I came down to Johnstown, I was the little guy. A lot of the guys looked big to me. There were a lot of big, powerful hitters. But I held my own.”
No argument there.
Bandzuh was named the 2007 AAABA League Bill Jenkins Award winner as top rookie pitcher. He was 3-0 with four saves and a 1.25 ERA as a first-year player.
Last season, the right-hander had a league-high seven wins with 36 strikeouts and a
1.38 ERA during the regular season. He further established himself with an effective outing against Baltimore as a pick-up player for Delweld in the AAABA Tournament last summer. Bandzuh and Johnstown gave the Maryland Orioles a scare before Baltimore eventually won on the way to its sixth straight title.
This summer, he’s been especially effective as Principle’s go-to guy.
“It’s unbelievable. You can’t understand how confident we are as a team when he’s on the mound,” said Principle center fielder Andy Rubal. “Even when he does bad, you’re going to get the win. He’s a real good spotter. He spots it low and it’s tough to hit him.”
Bandzuh showed his resolve in a 6-4 comeback win over second-place Delweld on June 25.
Principle took a 3-0 lead on the strength of a two-run blast by Rubal, but Delweld put together a four-run fourth to lead 4-3. Bandzuh kept his team in it until a late rally led to an upset win.
“He won (Thursday) without his best stuff. He just gutted it out,” said veteran Principle manager Tony Joseph, himself a former Junior League and AAABA Tournament star pitcher in the 1950s. “When he has his best stuff he keeps it low, he has great control and everything he throws moves. That’s his success, good control and good movement on his ball. And, he’s got guts.”
Bandzuh typically throws his fastball in the 85 miles an hour range. His movement and control usually result in plenty of ground-ball outs.
“No walks,” said Bandzuh, who also plays at Clarion University, of the key to his success. “I’ve kept my control. Everything they hit, luckily, is right at my guys. My fielders are there for me.”
q q q
New Pioneers: After 14 years, the Zanesville Junior Pioneers will have a different look.
An anonymous contribution enabled the Muskingum Valley Oldtimers Association to upgrade the Junior Pioneers uniforms with navy blue jerseys and new stirrups.
“It’s a good boost and something that’s long needed,” AAABA official Bob Wolfe told the Zanesville Times Recorder. “Kids were wearing uniforms that were too small, had buttons that didn’t work or patches falling off. They will feel more like ball players.”
Wolfe’s statements should make Johnstown AAABA League players more appreciative of their sponsors. Most of the local AAABA League squads sport multiple uniforms throughout the season and often hold postgame discussions to determine which set to wear for the next game. Johnstown teams certainly don’t wait 14 years for new threads.
q q q
Warm-up event: One more note out of Zanesville, the Junior Pioneers, Altoona, Toledo and Cleveland all are AAABA franchises that participated in last weekend’s Adornetto’s Pizzeria Bash Tournament at Gant Stadium. The Pioneers, Toledo and Cleveland each will play in the Zanesville Regional. Altoona will host its own regional and earn an automatic berth to Johnstown.
Mike Mastovich is a sports writer for The Tribune-Democrat.
Local Sports
MIKE MASTOVICH | Principle’s Bandzuh earns respect
- Local Sports
-
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. - More Local Sports Headlines
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
