Bogenpohl proves he's got plenty left

~ The Capahas veteran pitcher uses his changeup to get outs.

Chad Bogenpohl said he almost decided to hang up his baseball glove for good after last summer, but decided to delay his retirement for a year.

With the way Bogenpohl continues to pitch, Plaza Tire Capahas manager Jess Bolen figures the right-hander could have considerable success for years to come.

"He's amazing," Bolen said. "He maybe has the best changeup of anybody that's ever pitched for me."

Considering that Bolen is in his 41st season managing the Capahas, that is quite a statement.

But Bogenpohl remains among the Capahas' top hurlers, despite having completed his collegiate eligibility at Southeast Missouri State in 1999.

Less than a week shy of his 30th birthday, Bogenpohl was at it again Saturday as the Capahas swept a doubleheader from visiting Valmeyer (Ill.) to improve to 3-0 on the young season.

Pitching Saturday's opener, Bogenpohl went all five innings in the 11-1, run-rule contest. He allowed three hits, struck out five and walked one.

"It took me a little while to get going, but I felt pretty good," said Bogenpohl, who gave up two hits and the lone run in the first inning before working four shutout frames.

Bogenpohl, an Oak Ridge High School graduate who still lives in the small community, will turn 30 on Friday.

Age, however, is not really the reason he's leaning toward giving up playing for the Capahas after this summer.

"I enjoy getting out here with the guys. It's a lot of fun," said Bogenpohl, the oldest member of the Capahas' pitching staff. "But my wife and I have our first child on the way."

Added the soft-spoken, friendly Bogenpohl with a smile: "Of course, last year it was also going to be my last year. But Tom talked me out of it."

Bogenpohl was referring to Tom Bolen, the son of the Capahas' manager who also plays for the team.

Considering the form Bogenpohl has displayed the past several years, Jess Bolen might have to get his son to convince Bogenpohl to keep playing with the Capahas for at least a few more seasons.

Bogenpohl finished 2006 with a bang by taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning and finishing with a two-hitter during a Plaza Tire victory at the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan.

"He had one of the better games I've had pitched for me last year in Wichita against the North Carolina state champions," Bolen said. "He was tremendous."

Bogenpohl said he began throwing about a month before this season, usually twice per week, with Plaza Tire teammate John Amschler, a catcher who works to maintain Capaha Field.

"I've been meeting John, and sometimes Tom [Bolen], to throw," Bogenpohl said. "I think my arm is in pretty good shape. I felt pretty good today."

Amschler's comeback

Amschler had not played any type of organized baseball for eight years -- since he completed his eligibility at Maryville University in St. Louis.

But since the Perryville native is in his first year in charge of maintaining Capaha Field, he figured this would be a good opportunity to get back on the diamond as a player instead of a worker.

And with Jess Bolen looking to carry three catchers, the opportunity was there for Amschler.

"I'm having fun," Amschler said.

Bolen hasn't hesitated to get Amschler on the field. He started Saturday's opener behind the plate and the nightcap as the Capahas' designated hitter.

That came after Amschler took over for normal starting catcher Levi Olson in the sixth inning of Friday's season opener against Valmeyer.

After going hitless in two plate appearances Friday, Amschler had a hit in each game Saturday, including an RBI double.

"I didn't look too good Friday," said a laughing Amschler, who is 29. "But it was a little better today."

Said Bolen: "For not playing in eight years, I think he looks pretty good. He hit the ball pretty good today, and he handles himself well behind the plate.

"In summer ball, with the kind of heat you see, it's nice to have three catchers. I'm glad he's with us."