Local TV crews will cover the action at Penn State

FROM THE MORNING CALL

It's the final day of the 2010-11 Pennsylvania high school sports year, and several local teams will be in action at Penn State where both the softball and baseball state championship games are being held.

Brandywine will try for the fourth time to win the PIAA 2A softball title in the morning, while a few hours later and a short distance away, Salisbury will be competing for the PIAA 2A baseball gold. It would be the school's first team state title of any kind since it opened its doors in the fall of 1963.

Both the Bullets and Falcons are not the only local units in action.

As they have done for several years, the Lehigh Valley's most prominent cable companies — Service Electric and RCN — will produce the championship broadcasts to be televised statewide on PCN.

Service Electric will have the four softball championship games and RCN will handle the four baseball broadcasts.

Both consider it a honor to be contracted for the final state championships to be decided in the school year.

The baseball games will be shown live throughout the day today, beginning at 10:30.

The softball contests will be shown on Saturday with the Brandywine-Philipsburg Osceola game set for a 2 p.m. airing.

PCN also has the Big 33 Classic, featuring Central Catholic's Shane McNeely, on Saturday night.

Service Electric's softball broadcast team will feature Steve Degler, Mike Krause, Al DiCarlo and Jim Wills.

"It's always a great opportunity to do the state championships, no matter what the sport," Wills said. "For the past five years, I've been able to work on the basketball and football broadcasts, and now softball. I can't wait to see some great softball. That stage is the best. You're seeing the best in Pennsylvania."

Penn State has hosted the basketball state title games at the Bryce Jordan Center for several years, but this is the first time that Happy Valley is the host for the culmination of the spring sports seasons.

Since the Big Ten Network has done games at both Nittany Lion Softball Park and Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, both venues should be TV-ready.

"These are going to be top-notch facilities," Wills said. "I watched a Penn State softball game on the Big Ten Network and the place looks tremendous. We checked it out when we were out there for basketball. Penn State does everything first-class and we expect this to be the same. I'm just fortunate to be involved."

Considering it figures to be a long day at both venues, the depth of the production staff and broadcasters will be tested.

RCN's announcing crew will feature Gary Laubach, Scott Barr and Chris Michael.

Besides following the local teams, area sports fans can also check out some local umpiring crews.

The 3A softball title game between Manheim Central and Valley, set for a 5 p.m. start, will feature District 11's George Krell behind the plate, John DeLucia at first base, Jim Klass at second and Dennis Brong at third.

The 1 p.m. Class A baseball championship game featuring Reading Central Catholic (the last sporting event in that school's history before it merges with Reading Holy Name) and Serra Catholic will have Mark Brown working behind the plate, Bill Pensyl at first base, Rick Mondschein at second and Mike Litzenberger at third.

DID YOU KNOW?

Boston's win over Vancouver in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals was watched by 8.54 million, making it the most-watched NHL game in 38 years, according to The Nielsen Company.

T-MAC REMEMBERS LARRY O

Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, as classy as they come, took time out of Thursday afternoon's Phils-Marlins coverage to pay tribute to our Morning Call colleague Larry O'Rourke, who lost his battle against ALS on Wednesday night.

McCarthy and O'Rourke were longtime friends dating back to the days when McCarthy worked for the Trenton Thunder and O'Rourke covered the team for The Trentonian.

In an e-mail sent to me, McCarthy said: "I am heartbroken."

O'Rourke's picture was put up on the screen and McCarthy talked eloquently about his dear friend, remembering the good times as well as saluting him for his immense courage and grace in his fight against ALS.

Also, during the Phillies' "Postgame Live" coverage on Comcast SportsNet on Wednesday night, host Michael Barkann mentioned O'Rourke's passing and said everyone in the press box was saddened when they heard the news.

It's clear that Larry's impact on the sports world spread far and wide and left an indelible impression. And one can only imagine him doing his spot-on Skip Caray impersonation for God in his new home.