AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Huntingdon Valley's Yannessa named Lower Montco MVP

Huntingdon Valley’s season ended in disappointment, a 9-5 home loss to Roslyn in the Lower Montco American Legion semifinal round. But along the way, during and even after the 24-game season, Valley had plenty of which to be proud.

Valley finished with an overall record of 16-7-1, easily good for its best record in team history. It also came within one win of having the opportunity to challenge Fort Washington for the league title on the final day of the season. And Valley, coached by Evan Horn, did all of this after losing a few of its key players from the past two seasons.

A lot of that success was made possible by Jake Yannessa, Valley’s starting shortstop, who was responsible for the final piece of good news that Valley would receive this weekend.

Last week, Yannessa, who is also a pitcher, earned the Lower Montco American Legion league MVP Award.

In his first and only year in the league, Yannessa, a Springfield High School product, led Valley to its first postseason appearance in 10 years.

He finished with an incredible batting average of .422 to go along with 29 hits, 27 runs, 20 walks and 17 stolen bases, while being named as a Second Team All-League shortstop. On the mound, he compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.69 ERA and 42 strikeouts, while earning First Team All-League pitching honors.

His season, which almost didn’t even happen, was remarkable to say the least.

“He called me and asked if I had an opening on my team,” Horn said. “He came out, made the team and was our best player. I knew he was the best player in the league before he started and we just had to see what we could get out of him. He came in with what I was told was a bunch of ‘baggage’ and I saw nothing of what was told to me about him.”

Yannessa was passed up by Fort Washington and was unable to play for Cedarbrook and Roslyn due to their rosters already being full. He had played non-legion ball, AAU ball and had previously played at Springfield two seasons earlier, when he was also selected to the Carpenter Cup team, but was left without a team until Horn gave him the chance.

“I didn’t expect to even be playing on a team this year to be honest,” Yannessa said. “Lou Lombardo (general manager) was good enough to sign me over to Valley and I ended up with a great group of guys. I wouldn’t say I expected any of this, but I was and am happy about all of it for sure.”

Yannessa was ruled ineligible to play in his senior year at Springfield, as he attended Chestnut Hill Academy for one year and lost his athletic eligibility following his junior year of high school.

And after having trouble finding a new home for himself on the diamond, Horn pointed out that he couldn’t have asked for anymore from the 19-year-old ballplayer.

“Jake always gives 100 percent,” Horn said. “He doesn’t take a pitch off. I compare him to a Pete Rose, ‘Charlie Hustle’ type of player. I was blessed to have him on my team for one year and I was not surprised by his numbers. His leadership was there on the field and I didn’t see a better player in the league than him. We had a very deep pitching staff and team, but he was a huge reason for our success.”

Yannessa played in every single inning of every game this past year for Valley, sans the final three innings of the final regular season game, one which had no significance to the standings or playoff bracket.

“He wants to be the best,” Horn said. “He tries to be the best and he strives to be the best.”

Yannessa has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember. When asked, he spoke of photo albums which contain pictures of him playing baseball with his dad as early as 15 years ago, when he was only four-years-old.

Along with catcher Jake Madnick, first baseman Chris Ruhl, outfielder Matt Meyers and designated hitter Robert Hoffman, Yannessa was one of four First Team All-League players on the Valley roster.

“I was ecstatic and extremely pleased when I found out that I won MVP and when I saw that Jake (Madnick) came in third, too,” Yannessa said. “We had a great showing at Valley this year. I’m happy for the organization and my team. Coach Horn helped me a lot and the success was a big combination between him and everybody. We hit it off from the very start.”

After this summer, Yannessa, who has played for travel teams and in showcases that took place all the way down to Virginia and Georgia, will move on to DeSales University, where he will be brought in to play shortstop for the foreseeable future.

If he can repeat his performance from this summer, there is no reason to believe that Yannessa will see much time on the bench while with his new team.

HV Legion Team Retires Jake Madnick's Number

The resurgence of baseball in Huntingdon Valley has been an exciting time for the community, coaches and players.

This year the American Legion team made the playoffs for the first time in over a decade and had eight players make the All-League team in Lower Montco.

But all of the accolades and team success wouldn’t have been possible without its leader Jake Madnick. The starting catcher helped guide HV to a 15-5-1 regular season and was an instrumental voice on and off the field for his teammates.

Madnick enters his sophomore season at Philly U. in the fall and will no longer be able to play baseball in Huntingdon Valley. Since his voice won’t be heard, coach Evan Horn made sure legacy will live on forever by retiring his number at the recent end-of-the-season team banquet.
It’s the first time a number has been retired by the American Legion team, and now no player will ever wear Madnick’s No. 8 again.

“I was shocked, I was real honored,” Madnick said. “I didn't really know what to say. Words can't describe how happy I am … It was just really a special moment. I had my grandmother, my grandfather, all my family.”

Jake’s on-field play makes him an easy choice for his teammates to look up to him. He plays like every game; every inning like it’s his last, and that kind of attitude is easily noticeable by everyone.

“Behind closed doors he was the best player I’ve ever played with and I played three high school sports for four years”
- teammate Chris Ruhl

“Definitely the best teammate I ever had. When we stepped on the field he was the one telling us we need to stay focus. He was easily the best teammate, best leader I’ve ever played with.”
- teammate Ross Goodman

Horn said it was an easy decision to retire his number. “His leadership, the way he plays the game, the person he is, and the dedication he puts in,” Horn explained. Horn also said he was almost like a secondary coach to him, going over lineups, strategies, game plans etc. before each game.

“The reason I made a difference was because I play with passion and heart – and I credit that all to my dad,” Madnick said. “Growing up my dad used to tell me stories of how he was the captain of the LM football team. I wanted to be like my dad and want to play with all my heart. He always instilled in my brain to play like Pete Rose and give your heart and hustle. I want people to remember that about me.”

Fans will be reminded of Madnick and his Charlie Hustle approach whenever they see his No. 8 hanging at the baseball field at Lower Moreland High School.

“It was a special way to end my career,” Madnick said. “This was kind of my last mark on the town before I left.”