2008 Pikesville Men's Softball League Tournament Champions
Havana Club Cannons

The Havana Club Cannons 2008 season and title defenses were dealt a blow this past off-season as 3 key players from the last few title runs retired. Mike Steller, Lou Falcon, and Steve Henneman all called it a career and the Cannons were forced to add a few players, but more importantly shift some positions from within.

Losing the entire infield except for first base turned out to be the real challenge for manager Neal Charkatz and his ast. managers Jeff Kurland and Johnny Edelman to figure out. After much movement in the first two months of the season, Tim Grap settled in at 3rd base after mostly playing the outfield in 2007, and Jeff Kurland, the human highlight reel in LCF for the Cannons over the past decade found a spot at shortstop which he filled exceptionally well. Danny Kassell returned to the team full time in 2008 after playing only part time in 2007, and plugged the hole at second base as only a veteran knows how. First base was manned by both Neal Charkatz and Chuck Easter. It was a rare week during the regular season when the Cannons full team was in place, and many weeks Charkatz had to fill in at second base or catcher, even with a torn rotator cuff hampering his ability to throw.

Most of the duties behind the plate were handled by Steve Hayes, maturing into a great backstop for the pitchers. Kenny Enslin also filled an important role behind the plate, helping the Cannons move players around on weeks when the team was not at full strength. Hayes even saw some time in the outfield and at first base in an emergency role.

The outfield on this version of the Cannons was governed Johnny Edelman. Johnny moved from RCF to LCF with Kurland’s move to the infield. And as expected Edelman was fantastic anchoring the outfield. Evan Kreitzer enjoyed a defensive resurgence this year playing all over the outfield from week to week. Shawn Warner and newcomer Drew McLean were solid at the corner outfield spots showing great versatility.

Pitching has always been the backbone of the Havana Club Cannons, and this year Mark Yokel and Tommy Paulshock each had their ups and downs. In the regular season the Cannons lost 8 games, equal to the amount they had lost in the previous 3 years combined. This was mostly because of a dip in the hitting, and the movement of the defensive positions until everyone settled into their new roles. Yokel and Tommy had their struggles as the Cannons made many more errors in years past, but as is always the case, in the playoffs pitching is what won the championship for the Cannons.

In the pivotal playoff week 2 match-up of undefeated teams, Tommy was able to hold the explosive Kings offense to seven hits and only 3 runs while winning in 8 innings and securing the Cannons a birth in the championship series.

In the sudden death game 2 of the Championship series vs. the Kings, Yokel was fantastic, limiting the Kings to 4 hits in the first 5 innings allowing the Cannons to get out to a 9-0 lead, and eventually securing the 2008 Playoff Tournament Championship with a 9-4 victory.

The 2008 Tournament Championship marked the 4th in 5 years for the Havana Club Cannons under manager Neal Charkatz. The Cannons have also won 4 out of the last 5 Regular Season Championships, making a historic run from 2005 to 2008 in the Pikesville Men’s Softball league by winning 8 out of the last 10 possible Championships. This feat has never before been accomplished in the PMSL, one upping the great dynasty of Attman’s Deli and their 7 out of 10 championship run from 1990 to 1994.