I’ve been waiting for Darren Schulz’ recap since I heard Greg Wells had won yet another tourney. Does anyone know how many APBA tourneys Greg has won? He must be an absolute APBA genius.
Here is Darren’s recap:
Linda B. Schulz Memorial APBA Baseball Tournament IX – Slippery Rock PA – October 28, 2023
Many still recall Maz’s 1960 walk-off at Forbes Field! Others envision Fisk waving the ball fair to force game 7 in 1975! Chicago still raves about the curse ending in that marathon game 6 in 2016! Well, LBS IX left the dozen or so Apba enthusiasts left in attendance at the Slippery Rock Township Building in awe as two APBA Hall-of-Famers put on a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat show in the finale!
After 44 managers slugged it out in eight games of divisional play managing their “loveable losers” team selections, the lone wild card entry Mark Gilbert (1972 Royals) joined these seven divisional winners: Norman Zavela (2001 Rockies), John Cress (1987 Mariners), John Kalous (1971 White Sox), Greg Wells (1963 Pirates), Mark McDonel (1968 Pirates), Jeff Powell (1928 Senators), and Greg Tews (1979 Cubs). However, it all came down to Greg Wells and his 63 Buccos taking on his friend John Kalous and the 71 Pale Hose.
During the quarterfinals, Norman Zavela, fresh off of the fantastic work he and his son Zach did filling in for Ron Emch in running the 2023 Glass City tournament in Maumee, Ohio, took his top seeded 2001 Rockies with a +51 run differential against Mark Gilbert and the 1972 Royals. Down 2-0 in the 9th, the Rockies found some late offense to force extra innings, but the magic ended there as the Royals pulled the early upset 3-2 in 13 innings. Led by a long ball from Jerry Lynch, Greg Wells began his march to the championship with his 1963 Buccos taking down Mark McDonel’s 1968 Bucs with a 5-2 victory. On the other side of the bracket, John Kalous and the 1971 White Sox put up eight on the scoreboard in an 8-5 triumph over Jeff Powell’s 1928 Senators. To close round one, Greg Tews’ 1979 Cubs upended John Cress and his second seeded 1987 Mariners by a final count of 6-3.
In the semifinals, pitching was the difference maker as Wells shut down Gilbert’s Royals in a 4-0 shutout. Additionally, Kalous’s four runs were enough for him to make his first LBS finals with a 4-2 win over Tews’ beloved Cubbies.
Game 1
Other than a late 8th inning solo bomb from Willie Stargell, Wilbur Wood (Ayz) threw a 3 hit complete game masterpiece for the White Sox. Offensive stars for Manager Kalous were Jay Johnston (3-4 with 2 doubles and 2 runs scored), Rick Reichardt (2 RBIs), and Mike Andrews (game winning RBI single).
Game 2
In the must win game, the Bucs struck early with a first inning Roberto Clemente RBI single scoring Bill Virdon who had opened the game with a two bagger. The White Sox answered in the top half of the third with Pat Kelly’s two out double followed by another RBI single from Mike Andrews. The Bucs immediately responded as Virdon opened the bottom half of the third frame with a single; two outs later Jerry Lynch found a gap for a clutch triple to give the Bucs the 2-1 advantage. After three straight scoreless frames, the Bucs plated another crucial insurance run with Bill Mazeroski singling home Don Clendenon. After an eighth inning Andrews solo shot reduced the lead to 3-2, Pirate closer Roy Face left the game tying run stranded on second base for the big save.
Game 3
With the series tied at 1-1, the deciding game three went back and forth for an indescribable 16 innings! Down to the game 3 starters, the Bucs named Joe Gibbon (Cy) while the Sox countered with Bart Johnson (Bxw). In what ultimately proved to be an ominous start for the Chicago South Siders, the home crowd noise sparked the Sox to three straight walks, but with the bases loaded and no outs, Gibbon fanned Johnston, and a Walt Williams’ lasered line drive found the outstretched glove of SS Dick Schofield for a miraculous inning-ending double play line out. The away team got the scoring started in the top of the 4th with a Jerry Lynch two run tater; however, the Sox answered in the bottom half with Williams scampering home after Reichardt was caught stealing at second base. After Tom Egan reached on a fielder’s choice, back to back safeties from Rich Morales and Kelly knotted the game at 2. The home crowd roared in the bottom of the 5th when Johnston went deep to plate himself and Bill Melton for their first lead since game 1 of the series.
With the bullpens for both teams in full effect at this point, the lead for the Sox was short lived as Smoky Burgess cleared the fence off of game 2 SP Tom Bradley, and then Maz struck again with a two out run-producing double to score Clendenon. Tied at 4 and with an enthusiastic roar from Manager Kalous, Bill Melton launched one out of the ballpark to provide the Sox their final lead of the contest with two outs in the 6th off of Harvey Haddix. Of course, the Buccos answered right back in the 7th with a Lynch sac fly scoring Schofield who had led off with a walk and was subsequently singled to third by Clemente.
Both managers were masterfully using their bullpens, and the next eight and a third innings were scoreless. With scoresheets running out of space in the 16th, it was backup 3B Ron Brand’s two out single off of Tommy John that scored Don Clendenon giving the Bucs the 6-5 lead. Don Schwall, the Bucs’ ninth pitcher of the game, managed to retire Carlos May with runners on first and second to clinch a record third LBS championship for Mr. Wells. Greg received a 50 dollar gift certificate to use at the Apba store and, of course, his third title plaque. As runner up, John Kalous earned a 25 dollar gift certificate.
Congrats to both of these HOFers for their tremendous run and entertaining show. That finale will not soon be forgotten!
Most importantly, Ken and I want to give a special, heart-warming thanks to all of our attendees for donating items and/or participating in the charity raffle which raised an amazing 1000 dollars for the American Diabetes Association in our mother Linda’s memory! Also, some contributed to that total with direct or sales donations. Others joined us for a wonderful Friday night dinner, helped me set up the venue, and brought donuts and snacks to share. The entire Schulz family is truly grateful, for this community never ceases to amaze!
LBS X!
LBS X set for October 26, 2024 at the Slippery Rock Township Building with the theme including non-retired teams from 1940-1999 that had a .550 winning percentage or less.
If interested, contact Ken Schulz at or Darren Schulz at with your contact information and team selection.
Congratulations to Greg Wells on another tourney win! Greg, you have established a legacy among the APBA community that will not be matched. When I followed up with Darren on this piece, he told me Greg “is a great competitor who loves to teach others about all of the games APBA has”.
From all I have heard, the Schulz brothers run a great tournament. If you are interested in participating in LBS X, I definitely encourage you to contact Ken at the email above.
Great article and recap, as usual, Tom.