Delco Baseball - Opening Day

Radnor - It was just like old times for Keith Hughes yesterday. The 39-year-old former big leaguer had three hits, two RBIs and one run scored as Wayne beat Springfield, 6-2, in the 2003 Delco Baseball League opener at Radnor High School. Not bad for a guy who had not picked up a bat in eight years. "The last time was with (Class AAA) Omaha in 1995 when I was with the Royals," Hughes said. The ex-Conestoga star wasted no time getting back into the swing of things. In the bottom of the second inning, Hughes drilled Brian Stumpf’s first pitch over the head of right fielder Randy Milia for a double. Two batters later he scored on Brett Vankoski’s single to center field. One inning later, Hughes slapped a two-run single to give the three-time Delco League champions a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Hughes blasted a single off the first base bag before grounding out in the sixth inning. "I just wanted to be aggressive," Hughes said. That’s why he swung at Stumpf’s first pitch. "He’s a good pitcher," said Hughes, who had short stints with the Yankees, Phillies, Orioles, Mets and Reds during a 14-year professional career. "A couple of guys on the team told me he (Stumpf) likes to throw fastballs until you can prove you can hit it. I didn’t want to get behind in the count. I’m a low ball hitter and he threw a one in my joy spot." Hughes was just one of many standouts for Wayne. Jim Fatz also drove in two runs. Pitchers Rocky Walker and Chris Pilato three three scoreless innings each. But it was Hughes who had the biggest day of all. "He’s amazing, isn’t he," Wayne manager Dan McShane said of Hughes.

"It’s one of those things where we’ve known each other since probably junior high," Hughes said. "His best friend is my best friend. I was a little reluctant to do it because I’ve been involved in baseball for 21 years. My wife was a baseball widow."After much thought, Hughes agreed to a second stint in the Delco League. He played one game for Marple Newtown in 1994. "I was between organizations," Hughes said. "I played one game then went to the Mexican League." The Havertown resident plans to play in more than one game this time. "I’ll probably play in half the games," Hughes said. "I’m out here to have some fun." Just like old times.




			Radnor - It was just like old times for Keith Hughes yesterday. The 39-year-old former big leaguer had three hits, two RBIs and one run scored as Wayne beat Springfield, 6-2, in the 2003 Delco Baseball League opener at Radnor High School. Not bad for a guy who had not picked up a bat in eight years. "The last time was with (Class AAA) Omaha in 1995 when I was with the Royals," Hughes said. The ex-Conestoga star wasted no time getting back into the swing of things. In the bottom of the second inning, Hughes drilled Brian Stumpf’s first pitch over the head of right fielder Randy Milia for a double. Two batters later he scored on Brett Vankoski’s single to center field. One inning later, Hughes slapped a two-run single to give the three-time Delco League champions a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Hughes blasted a single off the first base bag before grounding out in the sixth inning. "I just wanted to be aggressive," Hughes said. That’s why he swung at Stumpf’s first pitch. "He’s a good pitcher," said Hughes, who had short stints with the Yankees, Phillies, Orioles, Mets and Reds during a 14-year professional career. "A couple of guys on the team told me he (Stumpf) likes to throw fastballs until you can prove you can hit it. I didn’t want to get behind in the count. I’m a low ball hitter and he threw a one in my joy spot." Hughes was just one of many standouts for Wayne. Jim Fatz also drove in two runs. Pitchers Rocky Walker and Chris Pilato three three scoreless innings each. But it was Hughes who had the biggest day of all. "He’s amazing, isn’t he," Wayne manager Dan McShane said of Hughes. "It’s one of those things where we’ve known each other since probably junior high," Hughes said. "His best friend is my best friend. I was a little reluctant to do it because I’ve been involved in baseball for 21 years. My wife was a baseball widow."After much thought, Hughes agreed to a second stint in the Delco League. He played one game for Marple Newtown in 1994. "I was between organizations," Hughes said. "I played one game then went to the Mexican League." The Havertown resident plans to play in more than one game this time. "I’ll probably play in half the games," Hughes said. "I’m out here to have some fun." Just like old times.
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