Happy Valley Hardball with a sabermetrics twist

Cory is now playing ball with the Florence (KY) Freedom and the team did a story on his family and their baseball connection for Father’s Day. FLORENCE, KY – Baseball has long been synonymous with the bond between father and son. The difference between coach and spectator mirrors the tightrope all fathers walk as both [...]

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Former Penn State catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) continues to rack up the postseason honors as he was named a Pro-Line Athletic National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Third Team All-American on Wednesday. It marks Heath’s third All-America honor after being named to both the Louisville Slugger and PING!Baseball second teams. The [...]

From Johnstown’s Our Town Online Just four days after graduating from Richland high school, Austin Urban found himself the most noted young baseball player in Johnstown. Urban, a seventeen year old Ram pitcher was selected in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball first year player draft by the Baltimore Orioles on June 8. [...]

From MLB.com Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said that right-hander David Aardsma will be his closer moving forward despite a blown save Friday night that saw him drop to 0-4 with a 5.95 ERA this season. But Wakamatsu said he might use Aardsma in more non-save situations to stay sharp. “You’d like to be able to [...]

The Houston Astros announced Sunday the signing of Penn State power-hitting catcher Ben Heath, the team’s fifth-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Heath, 21, led the Nittany Lions in most offensive categories this season, hitting .369 with a school-record 19 homers, 57 RBI, 53 runs scored, 16 doubles, 148 total bases and a [...]

Heath named to second All-America team with numerous postseason honors still to be announced. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The awards and accolades continue to roll in for Penn State junior catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.), who was named a PING!Baseball Second Team All-American on Friday. It already marks Heath’s second All-America honor, along with Louisville [...]

From the Tribune-Democrat Orioles pick Richland graduate in draft Mike Mastovich mmastovich@tribdem.com JOHNSTOWN — Richland High School’s Austin Urban had heard he might be picked anywhere from the fourth to the eighth round of Tuesday’s Major League Baseball first-year player draft. The 17-year-old Penn State recruit also knew he might go later. There’s no exact [...]

Nittany Lions see two current players drafted and two incoming freshmen as the draft comes to a close. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior Heath Johnson (Alamogordo, N.M.) was selected by the New York Yankees in the 45th round (#1375 overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player on Wednesday afternoon, bringing the Nittany [...]

Ben Heath Selected by Houston Astros in the Fifth Round of the MLB Draft; Two Incoming Freshmen Also Drafted UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) was selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round (#153 overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon. The [...]

Penn State junior catcher Ben Heath was selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round (#153 overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday afternoon. Heath becomes the Nittany Lions’ highest position player chosen since Greg Vogel in 1976. via State College, PA – Penn State Baseball: Ben Heath Selected by [...]

by the Houston Astros.

By John Wagner He has spent time in the Major Leagues, winning a World Series ring with the Marlins in 2003. He’s a former first-round Draft pick after an All-American career at Penn State. But this season, Nate Bump has a more modest goal in mind: He wants to prove he’s worthy of another chance [...]

By ERIC F. EPLER, The Patriot-News Not long ago, all catcher Ben Heath worried about was driving in runs, stopping would be thieves and helping Penn State climb the Big Ten Conference baseball ladder. “I’m kind of a guy who’s pretty laid back. Most people know me as easy going,” said the 6-2, 220-pound catcher affectionately [...]

Junior catcher has turned himself into one of the most sought after catchers in the draft. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Following one of the best seasons in school history, Penn State junior catcher Ben Heath (Huntersville, N.C.) continues to receive serious attention heading into the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft which begins with the first [...]