Friday night at New Scotland, the Silver Marlins defeated the Pirates behind the solid pitching of starter Chuck Sohl and reliever Phil Gadomski. The deciding inning was the 5th when the Marlins batted through the order, plating 5 runs, led by the back-to-back homers by Dave Mitchell and Chuck Sohl. There was a play in the second inning that defies description, but I am going to try. The Pirates had a runner on second with two outs and the score tied 2-2. A screaming line drive was sent over Skip Treece's head in center field. He turned his back and ran as hard as he could right at the center field wall. All anyone could see was the number 24 on his back. At the last second, he reached directly out in front of him and snared the drive to complete the most amazing catch I have ever seen in my 37 years of playing ball. I told Skip that it was amazingly similar Willie Mays' famous catch of Vic Wertz's drive in the seventh game of the World Series at the Polo Grounds. He put it into proper perspective for me when he responded, " My man Willie was in his twenties when he made that catch. I am 56!!!" That really makes it the most amazing catch I have ever seen!!! Way to go Skip!
Can't keep a BURGH man down!! I wish I could have seen it Skip, I"m sure it was a most fascinating site. Add to Skips talent on the diamond, off the field, he's one of the GREAT guys in both the 37's and 46 leagues. Little did we both realize when we were talking about our HS days last summer we competed against one another in HS (Coloial Council), Skip from Lansingburgh and myself from Draper (Rotterdam). You 56 year old warhorse you, great job!!
As you know, I was there and saw it as I was on my way to 3rd. Your description is completely accurate. Just an incredible catch with an unbelievable amount of ground covered by Skip, hauling it in on the dead run directly over his head! Great instincts from a great player.
