1970, Brunswick loses in District title game

Brunswick scored 7 runs on 7 hits behind lefthander Keith Hill's 3-hit pitching to win 7-0 over Sykesville in the 1970 District opener. Doug Sowers hit a towering first inning home run over the centerfield barrier, and ended the game with 4 RBI's. The game was played in Sykesville.

Butch Pearrell and Doug Sowers combined to hold East frederick to two base hits and Sowers swatted his second homer in as many games, but it took a fielding error on a Mickey Moulton slow grounder to get the winning run across the plate in the seventh inning as the locals nipped the tough Easterns 2-1. Billy Roelkey, who led off the Brunswick seventh with a base hit, scored the winning run. East Frederick pitcher Bill Crone held the local team to just 4 base hits and struck out 9.

A 7 run second inning, climaxed by two home runs, lifted Frederick National to a 10-2 win over Brunswick in the District title game. All told, the Nationals had 3 homers. The Nationals continued their steller play, winning the State title.

This was the game where Brunswick pulled off a triple play. Chip Hess led off the Frederick fourth with a base hit and went to second on a wild pitch. Bob Daily was then walked to put runners at first and second, none were out. Bob Shantz followed with a wicked line drive which shortstop Sowers caught and then threw to second sacker Roelkey for a quick two outs. Brunswick started running off the field and Frederick's runner from first, Daily, began running to the National's dugout on the third base side, the game was being played in Brunswick. Railroader third baseman Drew Hawes realized it was only two outs and picked up the ball near the mound as Daily realized the mistake and was trying to get back to first base. Hawes caught Daily just before he reached first and tagged him out for the triple play. Drew Hawes was the son of Brunswick coach Red Hawes. Poppy Lewis was the 1970 team manager.    

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Ocean City (District 6)

Tournament Results:

Quarterfinal Round:
Carroll Park 2, Rising Sun 0
Fruitland 3, Harundale 2

Semifinal Round:
Frederick National 9, Carroll Park 1
Fruitland 5, Hagerstown West End 0

Championship Game:
Frederick National 7, Fruitland 3 (TITLE)

1971 All-Star Team

Front row from left:  Tim Gladhill, Steve Dinterman, Rusty Brewer, Tim Jackson, Bernie Lipscomb, Richard Mullen, Mark Lewis, Howard Taulton and Greg Barnhart

Back row from left: Coach Clyde "Red" Hawes, Kevin Nuse, Alan Gilbert, Ronnie Gilbert, Jimmy Ayers, Randy Derflinger, and Manager Kenneth "Poppy" Lewis

1971, Brunswick gets another District title and returns to States

A 13-0 rout of Emmitsburg on a Ronnie Gilbert six-hitter which featured a Howard Taulton two run homer got the local league off on the right foot in the Districts in '71.

The locals were handed ten bases on balls as they blanked East Frederick 10-0 in second round action. Tin Gladhill had a solo home run and was the winning pitcher.

In the District championship game the Railroaders used 5 home runs and the 3-hit pitching of Ronnie Gilbert to roll past Thurmont 11-3. Randy Derflinger slammed a three-run homer in the first. Jimmy Ayers, Bernie Lipscomb, Howard Taulton and Gilbert had the other four-baggers.

Playing Hamilton in the State opener at Havre de Grace, Brunswick could manage but 5 base hits in losing 2-1. Ken 'Poppy' Lewis was the manager and Clyde 'Red' Hawes was the coach.  

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Havre de Grace (District 5)

Tournament Results:

Quarterfinal Round:
Hamilton American 2, Brunswick Railroaders 1
Rising Sun 7, West Salisbury 3

Semifinal Round:
Hagerstown National 6, Hamilton American 0
Oxon Hill 4, Rising Sun 0

Championship Game:
Oxon Hill 2, Hagerstown National 0 (TITLE)

1972, BRLL wins fourth District title in five years to advance to States again 

After receiving a first round bye, Brunswick defeated Thurmont 10-3 in the second round of the Districts as Keith Sparrow hurled 4 innings of scoreless relief ball. Timmy Jackson and Jim Wigfield tagged three-run home runs for the local nine.

The District championship game was a familiar story. Brunswick, behind the three-hit pitching og Allen Gilbert defeated Frederick National 6-1 to earn a trip to the State playoffs for the ninth time since 1960. Gilbert contributed 2 of the Brunswick 7 hits in the contest and he and Bernie Lipscomb blasted round-trippers. Gilbert getting a two-run shot in the first, and Lipscomb getting a solo blast in the third.

Playing the Washingto D.C. Police Club in State first-round action at Halfway near Hagerstown, Allen Gilbert turned in a masterful no-hit performance as Brunswick garnered a tough 2-1 win.

Gilbert fanned 12 and walked but 1 in his State no-hitter, but it was not an easy victory. Tied 1-1 going into the home sixth, Lipscomb singled and advanced around to third on two passed-balls. Gilbert bounced the ball back to the Washington pitcher, and on the throw to first, Lipscomb hustled in to score and end the game. Lipscomb scored both the Brunswick runs in the game. The hard luck losing pitcher, Rick Nesbitt, gave Brunswick but 4 hits, those came from Lipscomb, Jim Wigfield, Mark Lewis, and Freddie Calhoun.

Playing Harundale in the State semi-final game, Harundale broke open a 3-3 tie with 5 sixth-inning runs to oust the Railroaders 8-3. Rusty Brewer went 3 for 4 to account for half of Brunswick's six hits. Tim Jackson, Lipscomb and Keith Sparrow were the local pitchers. Hagerstown National went on to down Harundale for the 1972 State crown. Bernie Orndorff was the manager and Red Hawes was the coach.   

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Halfway (District 1)
At Burger Park

Tournament Results:

Quarterfinal Round:
Hagerstown National 4, Cambridge 1
Harundale 3, Edmundson Village 2
Brunswick Railroaders 2, Metropolitan Police Boys Club #14 1

Semifinal Round:
Hagerstown National 5, Elkton Community 2
Harundale 8, Brunswick Railroaders 3

Championship Game:
Hagerstown National 5, Harundale 3 (TITLE)

1973 All-Star Team

1973, Railroaders eliminated in first round 

Brunswick had won four out of the last 5 District championships, but that meant little to a Frederick American team which scored five times in the fourth inning in beating the locals 7-2 in opening round '73 District action. Poppy Lewis was the manager and Red Hawes was the coach.

This was the year for East Frederick and a young pitcher named Don Boyd. The East Frederick league had joined the Districts in 1963, but had never won a District title. All that changed in 1973.

Boyd had been so over-powering during regular season play that he had pitched seven no-hitters. And in the Easterners opening All-Star game, he made it eight no-hitters on the season as he struck out 18 in an 18-1 routing of Thurmont. Boyd also smacked a home run.

East Frederick next defeated Frederick American 21-0 on a Danny Baugher one-hitter. In the District title contest Boyd pitched the youngest City league to its first flag, a 6-4 decision over Sylesville. He allowed 2 hits and fanned 15.

Boyd was then beaten in the State opener by West Salisbury by a 4-1 score. Walks hurt the flame thrower as he gave up 5 bases on balls and four of them scored.      

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Prince Frederick (District 4)

Tournament Results:

Quarterfinal Round:
West Salisbury 4, East Frederick 1
Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 14 4, Rising Sun 3
Marley Area d. District 3 Champions

Semifinal Round:
Hagerstown National 8, West Salisbury 2
Marley Area d. Metropolitan Police Boys Club No. 14

Championship Game:
Hagerstown National 3, Marley Area 1 (TITLE)

1974, Brunswick wins tenth District tile since 1960 to advance to State championships   

Mark Ridgeway hit a first inning two-run homer and a sixth inning three-run shot in leading Brunswick past Emmitsburg 15-1 in the District opener in '74. Ridgeway's offense overshadowed a strong pitching performance by Dan "Duck" McLane. Dave Potts and Keith Riland each drove in 3 runs. Kenny Foltz and Kenny Orndorff had 3 hits apiece.

Keith Riland went 3 for 3 and Joey Gabbert tossed a five-hitter in a 5-2 Brunswick win over Frederick American. Gabbert was tough with a fastball and curveball that whiffed 11. 

The Railroaders left little doubt in a 13-7 victory over Frederick National for the District crown. Kenny Foltz had 3 hits for the locals and hurled 1 2/3 innings of no-hit ball in relief of Duck McLane. McLane and Keith Riland had homers.

With the State tournament being played at Thurmont, Brunswick opened with an 8-7 decision over tough Forest Park.

Forest Park led by as much as 6-2 early on, but Foltz came on to pitch for Brunswick, relieving Gabbert in the third, following a bases loaded home run by Kevin Wilkins. Foltz held the Baltimore area team to one run and three hits the rest of the way while Brunswick battled back. 

The score was tied in the top of the seventh when the locals Johnny Cooper threw out a Forest Park runner at the plate with an excellent peg from right field for the final out of the inning. Brunswick then plated the winning run in the bottom of the seventh off a Joey Gabbert sacrifice fly. 

In State second round play Brunswick was beaten by Elkton 3-2. The game ended with Todd Smith trying to score from first base on a Johnny Cooper double. Clyde 'Red' Hawes was the manager in 1974, Johnny Sigafoose was the coach.   

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Thurmont (District 2)

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Elkton Community 1, Cambridge 0 (TITLE)

1974 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results:

1975, Brunswick edged out in first round 

 The 1975 11 & 12 BRLL All-Star team was managed by Paul Orrison and coached by Rick Campbell. The Brunswick All-Star players are:  Alfred Cooper, Luke Daugherty, Donald Dawson Jr, Paul Dixon, Lawrence Gladstone, George Hahn, Chris Orrison, Mark Roelkey, Jeff Shores, Darrel Sigler, Todd Smith, Larry Tucker, Richard Weber, Ronald Wenner and alternate Jody Pearrell.

Frederick American edged Brunswick 4-3 in the '75 District opening game. Todd Smith was the Railroader pitcher in the game.   

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Maryland City (District 4)

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Harundale 6, Hagerstown West End 3 (TITLE)

1975 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results:

  

Sunday, May 16

1976, Brunswick gets defeated in first round again 

The 1976 Railroader All-Star team was managed by Clyde 'Red' Hawes and was coached by Sam Brown. The players were Mike Barnett, Jimmy Bowden, Tommy Cooper, Donnie Dawson, Roger Dawson, Paul Dixon, Donnie Gletner, Ricky McClain, Jody Pearrell, Phillip Peters, Mike Price, Mark Roelke, Timmy Roelke and Keith Tucker.     

Despite a grand slam home run by Phillip Peters. Brunswick was ousted by East Frederick 15-13 in a slugfest of a game. Peters' bases loaded blast came in the second inning and put the local team up 10-6 at the time. A Skip Wastler two-run homer in the seventh inning won it for the City team.

Timmy Roelkey also hammered a home run for Brunswick. A tremendous defensive play was turned in by Railroader second sacker Mike Price who made a diving catch of a ball that looked to be into right field for a base hit. Price’s catch came with two out and the bases loaded.

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Cambridge (District 6)

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Hagerstown West End 7, Harundale 5 (TITLE)

1976 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results:

1977, Brunswick knocked out in opener for third straight year

For the third year in a row Brunswick was eliminated in the District opening round under the single elimination format.

East Frederick had a highly touted pitcher named Mike Everly, and he did the job as East Frederick edged the local team 4-2. The ’77 Brunswick All-Star team was managed by Ernie Bitler and coached by Kenneth ‘Poppy’ Lewis. 

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Southern Charles County (La Plata) (District 7)

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Harundale 9, Hagerstown National 5 (TITLE)

1977 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results:

1978, Brunswick loses in return to District title game

Brunswick opened by defeating Emmitsburg 9-3 behind the four-hit pitching of Dave Lambert. Chris Krivos slammed a two-run home run and Johnny Frye went 3 for 4 out of the batter’s box. 

In District second round play the locals upended Frederick American by a 10-2 count. Mike Jackson hit two homers in successive time at the plate, one a grand slam, then was robbed of a third consecutive four-bagger when the American centerfielder leaned back the snow fence and reached high to catch the ball. Jackson drove in six runs in the contest. Jeff Payne was the Brunswick pitcher. He held an explosive American team to just four hits while striking out 9. Troy Wilson, who would go on to star in the Notre Dame defensive backfield and be drafted into pro football, was the City team’s shortstop. Wilson had two of the Frederick hits off Payne, one a solo home run. 

Besides the Jackson round-trippers, Dave Lambert hit the ball out of the American park leading off the fourth inning. Ronnie Humbel was 2 for 2 with the bat for Brunswick while Johnny Frye was going 3 for 4.  

This was the where Payne threw an American batter out at first base while lying flat on his backside between the pitcher’s mound and third base. The twelve year old slipped and fell on the wet grass while going after a slow roller, and while lying on his back somehow threw a perfect strike to Frye at first base just nipping the American player at the bag. 

The District title game was a pitcher’s duel between Brunswick’s Dave Lambert and Frederick National’s Wayne Finley. 

Brunswick lost the game 5-4 when the Nationals put three runs across the plate in the fifth inning, the winning tally being forced across on a hit batter with the bases loaded and two out. In fact, all three National runs crossed the plate in the fifth while two were out. 

Mike Jackson hit a homer leading off the Brunswick second inning to give him three home runs in four official trips to the plate, dating back to the previous game against Frederick American. Jeff Payne, Ricky Pearl, and Johnny Frye, with two hits apiece, accounted for six of the locals’ eight hits in the game. Frederick did not have an extra base knock in their seven safeties but were helped with two unearned runs on a Brunswick first inning infield error.  

Garel Hauver managed the ’78 Brunswick All-Star team. Clyde 'Red' Hawes was the Railroader coach. 

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - East Frederick (District 2)
At Max Kehne Park

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Elkton Community 9, Lake Shore 0 (TITLE)

1978 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results:

1978 All Star Team

Front row from left:  Greg Snoots, Jeff Payne, Mike Dixon, Johnny Frye, Rickey Pearl, Charlie George, and Rickey Tarleton

Back row from left: Coach Clyde "Red" Hawes, Jesse Garrott, Dave Lambert, Terry Smallwood, League President Shelly Dawson, Jeff Holder, Mike Jackson, Chris Krivos, Manager Garel Hauver (Ron Humbel was not present when this picture was taken)  

1979, Brunswick wins District title, returns to State championships

Middletown entered the Districts in 1978 and stayed for only a few years. Brunswick opened the ’79 District tournament by beating Middletown 5-1 on a Georgie Hawes five-hitter. Hawes also slammed a two run second inning homer in the game.

Brunswick only managed six hits off Middletown’s Mike Hargreaves and two of those were Mike Jackson singles. Mike Main had three of the five hits off Hawes, including a third inning solo home run.

Eleven year old Billy Walden then pitched a two hitter as Brunswick roared past Frederick National 12-1, an eight run third inning doing most of the damage against the defending District champs. Mike Jackson hit a two run homer in the third while he and Georgie Hawes had two hits for Brunswick in the game.

Playing Westminster in the District title game Mike Jackson pitched a three hitter and struck out 11 as Brunswick won 13-2. Jackson hit a grand slam home run in the fourth.Georgie Hawes had a three shot and Woody Connor a solo blast. Ronnie Humbel, Darrell Hauver, Jackson, Hawes and Conner each had two hits for Brunswick.

This was the game where the Westminster manager, in total frustration, threw his hat up into the air and it got stuck on the roof framing in the third base side grandstands at the Brunswick field. The large crowd on hand for the game enjoyed this feat almost as much as Brunswick winning its first District flag since 1974. 

West End of Hagerstown was hosting the State tournament in 1979 and Brunswick and West End met at the Hagerstown site on August 1. 

Brunswick led early as Mike Jackson swatted a solo first inning homer and Brad Gladstone and Bobby Phillips scored second inning runs off a Billy Walden double and a Ronnie Humbel single. But West End came storming back with home runs by Greg Tabbert (grand slam) and Greg Oyler to eliminate Brunswick by a 9-3 score. Garel Hauver piloted the ’79 Brunswick All-Stars and Red Hawes coached the team. It was the final year of single elimination play both at the District and State levels. 

Clyde "Red" Hawes ends 25 year run

No one new at the time, but this was the last season that Red Hawes was in the dugout for the Brunswick Little League. The 70 year old long time manager and coach would retire before the start of the 1980 season, ending a very successful run that began in 1955. His beloved Cubs won 14 team championships, and as manager or coach of the All-Stars won seven District titles.

Maryland State Tournament 
Host - Hagerstown (District 1)
At Miller Field

Tournament Results:

State Championship Game:
Hagerstown West End 6, Calvert County American 0 (TITLE)

1979 Maryland District Champions and Sectional Tournament Results: