Huntingdon Valley American Legion Players Make All-League Teams

The Huntingdon Valley American Legion team had nine players named to the All-American Legion Team earlier this week.

Leading the way with First-Team honors of the Lower Montco League was captain Jake Madnick, the LM catcher who is bound for Philadelphia University in the Fall. Fellow LM senior DH Lou Palmer (Penn State Abington), freshman Jesse Goldstein (OF) and Germantown Friends School senior Rick Rittler (OF) also qualified for the First-Team.

"Any time you have four First-Team All-League players on one team, it makes you think that you might have had a better record then you ended up with. But in this case it isn't the fact," HV coach Evan Horn said. "Jake played with 100-percent fire and heart this season and deserved any award that could be given to any player. Jake wears his heart on his sleeve and I just love the way he became a leader this season. Lou started off slow but really kicked it in to gear the second half of the season. Lou started to believe in his ability and the results came after. Jess was one of our team MVP's. He really improved over the season and the best part about his season was the incredible defense he played every game. Nick was a huge surprise for me. He didnt start the season as a starter but when given a chance took complete control of his chance and ran with it all the way to 1st team honors."

Joining teammates with All-League honors were Penn State Abington Sophomore Brian Camp ℗ and Penn State Altona Freshman Jared Licht (SS) on the Second-Team.

"Our two Second-Team players could have easily been First-Team players, but they where up against some really good players" Horn said. "Jared was another one of them players who just always is looking to learn the game and get better. Jared is a truly a great player and yet a better person, he will be impossible to replace next season. Brian was our team MVP and came in third for league's MVP as well. Brian was a bull dog on the mound and gave me everything you could on the field. Brian grew as the season went on and developed the pitching mind that makes pitchers become really good pitchers."

Lower Moreland Senior Ross "Chips" Goodman (P), Lower Moreland Senior Cal Palmer (2B) and Abington High School Senior Chris Ruhl (1B).

"Chips (Ross) was all I thought he would be," Horn said. "He pitched every 3rd game and was really cheated out of about four wins. He never really got any run support. Cal made just about every play in the field and its nice to say before a ball is hit that you hope it goes to him because you know the play is over. His hitting was consistent all season. Chris was a great team leader that seemed to excel at the coaching style of mine. Chris a always on the top of his game and never let anything bother him. He is going to be a huge part of next seasons team."

Huntingdon Valley's season isn't over quite yet. The team will travel to Rehoboth Beach for a tournament Aug 5-7.