Front Row (L to R):	Sean Reed, Aaron Holleman, Andre Burton, Stephen Roposh, Randy Eisenhard
Middle Row (L to R):	Dan Fallon, Steve Geisel, Dan Cocca, Ryan Wehr, Ryan Seidel
Back Row (L to R):	Head Coach Dave Cope, Jason Frack, Jimmy Hersh, Phil Searfoss, Coach Carl Eisenhard,
	Nick Keppel, Marc Szilezy, Coach Chip Searfoss.
	Missing from the photo: Coach Ron Kave

    The North Parkland Buffaloes Knee-Hi Baseball Team completed a very successful 1999 baseball season with an overall record of 20-4.  The knee-hi team posted a regular season record of 15-3 which placed them in a three way tie with Lower Macungie and Coplay for second place in the league.  Northwestern finished the regular season in first place with a record of 17-1.  Entering the post season playoffs, the Buffaloes were seeded third by virtue of a coin toss between the three second place teams.  In the first game, the team triumphed over rival South Parkland 5-2.  This win avenged an earlier regular season loss.  The next game was an impressive 6-0 win over the number two seeded Lower Macungie team.  This was perhaps the best overall performance our team had throughout the season.  The next game was a heart breaking 2-1 loss to Coplay.  That loss dropped the Buffaloes into the losers bracket, forcing them to win three straight games in order to win the playoff championship.  The next game sent the Buffaloes to Northwestern, the number one seeded team, who had already suffered a loss at the hands to Coplay.  The team responded like the champions they are by beating Northwestern 13-2 and eliminating them from the tournament.  The team was now in the position of having to beat Coplay twice since they had no losses and the Buffaloes had one loss determined by the double elimination format.  The next game sent the team to Coplay to play a game that won't soon be forgotten.  The Buffaloes managed a 7-7 tie in a wild, bizarre game that featured a little bit of everything.  The game was suspended because of darkness and resumed the following day at Coplay, starting play in the top of the eighth inning.  The team responded by scoring five runs in the top of the ninth inning to post a 12-7 victory.  This forced a final championship game the following day at North Parkland.  In the bottom of the first inning, the Buffaloes exploded for eleven runs and went on to win the playoff championship game by a 14-6 tally.

    During the regular season, North Parkland was represented at the Lehigh Valley Little Baseball League All-Star game by Jason Frack and Phil Searfoss.  These players were voted on by their peers and both made significant contributions to the game.  Jason played center field and Phil threw two strong innings and played third base while both collected a couple of hits.

    The North Parkland Team was made up of five 13 year old players and ten 14 year old players.  The team posted some impressive statistics during the season .  Ryan Wehr led the team with 30 runs scored and a .500 batting average.  Nick Keppel was the team leader in RBI's with 22, Phil Searfoss with 4 doubles, Dan Cocca with six triples, and Andre Burton with 2 home runs.  Wehr and Keppel were both tied for the team lead in hits with 28 each.

    The pitching staff did a great job this season.  Phil Searfoss posted a 5-3 record while accomplishing an impressive 1.65 ERA.  Nick Keppel had a record of 7-1 while leading the team with 81 strikeouts and posting a 2.64 ERA.  Steve Geisel was 7-0 with a 3.41 ERA.  Other pitchers contributing to the staff were Aaron Holleman, Andre Burton, and Ryan Wehr.

    The coaching staff would not only like to congratulate, but thank this great group of young men.  These are the kind of players North Parkland can be proud  to have in their athletic association.  They are hard working, enjoyable to work with, and 100% dedicated to the North Parkland baseball program.  And in the end, they were CHAMPIONS!  Congratulations to the Knee-Hi Baseball program.

Click here for the entire roster of the 1999 North Parkland Knee-Hi Baseball Team.