Known mainly for the place in which the Little League World Series is held, Williamsport, Pennsylvania is also home to the Phillies Short Season 'A' affiliate.
Located just under three and a half hours north west of Citizens Bank Park inside the confines of Historic Bowman Field are the Williamsport Crosscutters, Short Season 'A' Affiliate of the Phillies. While we normally hear about the Blueclaws in Lakewood, NJ, the Clearwater Threshers in Florida, the Reading Fightin' Phils in Reading and the Ironpigs in Lehigh Valley, Williamsport is lower in the system then each. The Cutters are five games into their 76-game campaign and some players have already gotten off to some quick starts. But first, for those of you who aren't familiar with this affiliate, here is a quick background.
The Crosscutters play at Historic Bowman Field and the ballpark lives up to its name. The third oldest minor league ballpark in the United States, Bowman Field was completed in 1926 to host the city's entry as an original team in the New-York Pennsylvania League called the Williamsport Grays, named after Thomas Gray, one of the integral people in the ballpark's funding. The Grays hosted their first game at Bowman Field on April 22nd, 1926 against Bucknell University. The stadium has a seating capacity of 4,200.
Now an affiliate of the Phillies, the Crosscutters were also a Pirates affiliate from 1999-2005. In '05, the Cutters became an affiliate of the Phils and have been ever since. The name "Crosscutters" reflects the logging heritage of Williamsport, once known as the Lumber Capital of the World. The Cutters have sent over 560 players to the majors, including current Phillies Cody Asche, Cesar Hernandez, Justin De Fratus and Jake Diekman.
This past weekend, the Cutters began their 2015 campaign. Currently, only one of MLB.com's top 30 Phillies prospects are on the team. He pitched on Sunday. Here's a quick recap of their sweep of the State College Spikes, the Short Season 'A' affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Friday, June 19th at State College (W, 3-2) - Getting the start for Williamsport was 21-year-old right-hander out of Venezuela, Alejandro Arteaga. Having seen levels as high as Advanced 'A' Clearwater, his struggles have landed him back in Williamsport. State College took a 2-0 lead over Williamsport in the first inning. Catcher Brian O'Keefe hit a sacrifice fly and first baseman Casey Grayson knocked an RBI single to right. Cutters first baseman Jesus Posso led off the top of the second with a ground-rule double and he got to third on a balk. A wild pitch allowed him to score, cutting the lead in half. Williamsport added on the winning runs in the fourth inning. Third baseman Jan Hernandez singled to right to drive in a run before left fielder Venn Biter ripped a ground-rule double to right, making it a 3-2 Cutters lead. Arteaga tossed five innings of two run ball and Jason Zgardowski got the save. First baseman Jesus Posso led the Cutters offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Saturday, June 20th vs. State College (W, 7-6): Once again, State College got on the board first, taking a 1-0 lead on a home run by Ronnierd Garcia. The Cutters got the run back in the fifth thanks to a solo home run off the bat of Jan Hernandez. A fielding error in the eight by the Cutters allowed the Spikes to score and take a 2-1 lead. State College added on four more runs in the top of the ninth, putting Williamsport in a 6-1 hole to start the ninth. With one out and the bases loaded, Venn Biter hit a grand slam to left, making it a whole new ballgame at 6-5. Andrew Amaro and Willian Cuicas drew walks for Williamsport and Grenny Cumana completed the rally with a two-run single with two down to win it 7-6. Right fielder Jose Pujols went 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple and a run scored. Venn Biter got the big knock with his grand slam while Jan Hernandez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a homer and an RBI. Franklyn Kilome, ranked as the Phillies #9 prospect by MLB.com, started for Williamsport and tossed 5 2/3 innings, scattering three hits and allowing one run. He walked two and struck out four.
Sunday, June 22nd at State College (W, 8-1): The Cutters scored two runs in the first and third, three in the fourth and one more in the ninth to complete the sweep of the Spikes with an 8-1 win. Leading the Williamsport offense was Brendon Hayden, a 16th round pick by the Phillies this season. Hayden went 4-for-5 at the dish with a homer, two runs scored and two RBI's. Venn Biter, after hitting a grand slam on Saturday, followed it up with a two-hit game, scoring a run and driving in two. Biter, 20, was the Phillies 30th round pick in 2013. Jose Pujols went 2-for-5 with a run scored, two RBI's and a steal. Dominican right-hander Jose Taveras started for the Cutters, throwing five shutout innings, scattering four hits while striking out five and walking one.
Hot hitters during series vs. State College
- Jose Pujols (RF): 8-13, 4 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI's, SB
- Venn Biter (CF): 5-12, 2B, HR, 2 R, 7 RBI's
- Brendon Hayden (1B): 4-5, HR, 2 RBI's
Monday through Wednesday of this week, the Crosscutters host the West Virginia Power, Short Season 'A' affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
