The 2012–13 Harrisburg Heat season was the first season of the new Harrisburg Heat indoor soccer club. The Heat, an Eastern Division team in the Professional Arena Soccer League, played their home games in the Farm Show Arena at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The team, owned by Harrisburg Heat Sports Group, LLC, was led by general manager David Grimaldi, head coach Richard Chinapoo, and assistant coach Gino DiFlorio.
2012–13 PASL season | |
---|---|
General Manager | David Grimaldi |
Head Coach | Richard Chinapoo |
Arena | Farm Show Arena Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
PASL | 3rd, Eastern |
US Open Cup | Quarter-finals |
Highest home attendance | 2,517[1] (January 26, 2013) vs Illinois Piasa |
Lowest home attendance | 1,250 (January 25, 2013) vs San Diego Sockers |
Average home league attendance | 1,781 (8 regular season games)[2] |
Season summary
editThe team struggled in the regular season, finishing 6–10, and failed to advance to the postseason. Four of Harrisburg's six wins came against the Ohio Vortex who they swept for the season. Their other wins came against the struggling Illinois Piasa and in an upset of the Eastern Division-leading Detroit Waza. The team fared better at the box office with the third-highest average attendance at home games, behind only the Dallas Sidekicks and San Diego Sockers.[2]
The Heat participated in the 2012–13 United States Open Cup for Arena Soccer. They received a bye in the Wild Card round then defeated Real Harrisburg in the Round of 16 before losing to the Detroit Waza on the road in the Quarter-Finals.
History
editThe new Heat claim the heritage of the original Harrisburg Heat professional indoor soccer team which played 12 seasons in the National Professional Soccer League, which later became the Major Indoor Soccer League, from 1991 through 2003.[3][4][5] When the Heat played host to the Cincinnati Kings on November 17, 2012, it was the first professional indoor soccer game held at the Farm Show Arena since the original Heat franchise folded in 2003.[6][7] The arena was upgraded with a new scoreboard in November 2012, just before the team's home debut.[8]
Off-field moves
editGeneral manager David Grimaldi is a former commissioner of the National Indoor Soccer League and former deputy commissioner of the current Major Indoor Soccer League.[9] Heat head coach Richard Chinapoo and assistant coach Gino DiFlorio both played for the original Harrisburg Heat.[7][10] Chinapoo also served as that team's head coach from 1998 through 2002.[5] DiFlorio's playing career included the Cleveland Force, Dallas Sidekicks, Dayton Dynamo, Canton Invaders, Cleveland Crunch, Toronto Rockets, Buffalo Blizzard, Cincinnati Silverbacks, Baltimore Blast, and the original Harrisburg Heat.[11]
Broadcasts of Heat games for the 2012–13 season are carried on radio station WMSS (91.1 FM, "Super 91") as well as webcast on wmssfm.com and pennlive.com.[7] Original Heat radio voice John Wilsbach handles play-by-play for the broadcasts.[12]
Chuck Mummert, the "Singing Mayor" of nearby Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a December 2012 home game for the Heat.[13]
The team wore pink soccer jerseys for their January 25, 2013, game against the San Diego Sockers. After the game, the sweaters were auctioned to raise money for a breast cancer awareness charity.[14][15] On January 26, 2013, the team wore camouflage jerseys which were then auctioned to benefit Operation Comfort Warriors, an initiative by the American Legion.[16] Operation Comfort Warriors provides wounded military personnel with comfort items such as DVDs, puzzles, books, ping pong tables, entertainment centers, and computers.[17]
Roster moves
editThe Heat's opening night roster included 10 players with experience playing for Harrisburg's professional outdoor soccer team, the Harrisburg City Islanders, a team in the National Division of the USL Pro soccer league.[18][19] Along with his professional experience playing for the Islanders, goalkeeper Sam Bishop had been a standout college soccer player as a member of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks men's team, having recorded the best goals against average in the team's history.[20]
Of all the players on the opening night roster, only goalkeeper Dave Kern and defender Jason Hotchkin had experience playing professional indoor soccer.[7][21]
Rookie forward Tyler Witmer missed the team's open tryout but persuaded head coach Richard Chinapoo to allow him to work out with the team and earned an invitation to training camp. He went on to become one of the team's leading scorers.[22]
In late January 2013, player Kent Ramirez left the team for a career in law enforcement.[15]
On February 10, 2013, top player Chris Williams left the Heat to sign with the Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League.[23]
Head coach Richard Chinapoo, age 56, donned a number 22 jersey and put himself in as a defender for the final three minutes of the team's season finale against the Ohio Vortex on February 16, 2013.[24][25]
Awards and honors
editThe Heat honored head coach Richard Chinapoo during a halftime ceremony during the team's inaugural home game on November 17, 2012.[26] Chinapoo retired as a player in 2000 and was inducted into the Harrisburg Heat Hall of Fame in 2001.[24] The team honored original Harrisburg Heat player and former team captain Bill Becher during a halftime ceremony during the November 24, 2012, game.[27]
The team retired the #9 jersey of Danny Kelly, a top player and first-ever draft pick for the original Harrisburg Heat franchise in the 1990s, in a halftime ceremony during the December 8, 2012, game.[28] After retiring as a player, Kelly became the head coach of the Baltimore Blast in May 2006.[29]
The Heat retired the #30 jersey of Gino DiFlorio, now the team's assistant coach, in a halftime ceremony during the December 15, 2012, game.[30] DiFlorio is one of professional indoor soccer's all-time leading scorers and was a member of the original Harrisburg Heat from 1998 to 2002.[31]
The team retired the #40 jersey of David Bascome, the all-time leading scorer for the original Harrisburg Heat franchise, in a halftime ceremony during the December 29, 2012, game.[26][32][33] Bascome played with the original Harrisburg Heat in 1991 and from 1993 through 2000.[34][35]
On January 19, 2013, the team had original Harrisburg Heat owner Rex Herbert kick out the ceremonial first ball. Also, the team recognized Jim Pollihan, the coach of the original Heat from their launch in 1991 through 1999, in a halftime ceremony.[36][37]
The team retired the #5 jersey of Bob Lilley, a standout player for six seasons with the original Heat franchise in the mid-1990s, in a halftime ceremony during the January 25, 2013, game against the San Diego Sockers.[15][38]
Schedule
editWin Tie Loss
Regular season
editGame | Day | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location[39] | Attendance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final Score | Record | |||||||
1 | Saturday | November 3 | 7:00pm (8:00pm Eastern) |
at Dallas Sidekicks | L 2–6[40] | 0–1 | Allen Event Center[41] | 5,909[21] |
2 | Saturday | November 17 | 7:05pm | Cincinnati Kings | L 4–7[42] | 0–2 | Farm Show Arena[43] | 1,819[44] |
3 | Saturday | November 24 | 7:05pm | Ohio Vortex | W 13–1[45] | 1–2 | Farm Show Arena[27] | 1,864[46] |
4 | Saturday | December 8 | 7:05pm | Cincinnati Kings | L 8–9 (OT)[28] | 1–3 | Farm Show Arena[29] | 1,627[47] |
5 | Saturday | December 15 | 7:05pm | Detroit Waza | L 3–6[30] | 1–4 | Farm Show Arena[48] | 1,735[49] |
6 | Friday | December 21 | 7:35pm | at Cincinnati Kings | L 4–7[50] | 1–5 | GameTime Training Center | 216[51] |
7 | Saturday | December 22 | 7:35pm | at Ohio Vortex | W 9–2[52] | 2–5 | Pinnacle Sports Complex | 112[53] |
8 | Saturday | December 29 | 7:05pm | Ohio Vortex | W 9–2[32] | 3–5 | Farm Show Arena[34] | 1,705[54] |
9 | Saturday | January 12 | 7:35pm | at Detroit Waza† | L 4–8[55] | 3–6 | Taylor Sportsplex | 417[56] |
10 | Sunday | January 13 | 2:05pm | at Detroit Waza | L 8–15[57] | 3–7 | Taylor Sportsplex | 351[58] |
11 | Saturday | January 19 | 7:05pm | Detroit Waza | W 10–6[37] | 4–7 | Farm Show Arena[36][59] | 1,735[60] |
12 | Friday | January 25 | 7:05pm | San Diego Sockers | L 3–10[15] | 4–8 | Farm Show Arena[14][22][61] | 1,250[62] |
13 | Saturday | January 26 | 7:05pm | Illinois Piasa | W 10–5[1] | 5–8 | Farm Show Arena[16] | 2,517[63] |
14 | Friday | February 1 | 7:00pm (8:00pm Eastern) |
at Chicago Mustangs | L 8–10[64] | 5–9 | Grand Sports Arena | 299[65] |
15 | Saturday | February 2 | 7:05pm (8:05pm Eastern) |
at Rockford Rampage | L 3–5[66] | 5–10 | Victory Sports Complex | 200[67] |
16 | Saturday | February 16[64] | 7:35pm | at Ohio Vortex | W 8–3[24][25] | 6–10 | Pinnacle Sports Complex[23] | 259[68] |
† Game also counts for US Open Cup, as listed in chart below.
Game | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Results | Location | Attendance | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Final Score | Record | ||||||
Wild Card | BYE | ||||||
Round of 16 | January 4 | 7:30pm | Real Harrisburg[69][70] | W 11–8[71] | 1–0 | Sports City Harrisburg[72] | ? |
Quarter-finals | January 12 | 7:35pm | at Detroit Waza | L 4–8[55] | 1–1 | Taylor Sportsplex[69] | 417[56] |
References
edit- ^ a b Sandrick, Andy (January 26, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat end home schedule with resounding win over Illinois Piasa". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ^ a b "League Attendance". Professional Arena Soccer League. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
- ^ Bullock, Michael (November 14, 2012). "Heat's new scoreboard ready for Saturday night's home opener". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ Bristol, Jason (May 1, 2012). "Heat indoor soccer team returning to Harrisburg". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (November 16, 2012). "Memorable dates in Harrisburg Heat history". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ Bullock, Michael (May 2, 2012). "Indoor soccer making return to Farm Show as Harrisburg Heat is reborn". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Bullock, Michael (November 3, 2012). "New Harrisburg Heat to make PASL debut Saturday night in Dallas". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
- ^ Sedor, Michael (November 14, 2012). "Harrisburg Heat Saturday home opener to feature new Farm Show scoreboard". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
- ^ Bristol, Jason (May 9, 2012). "Former Harrisburg Heat players, coaches excited about team's return". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ Bristol, Jason (August 22, 2012). "Chinapoo to coach newly-formed Harrisburg Heat soccer team". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ Ngo, Toan (November 16, 2012). "DiFlorio Named Assistant Coach". Harrisburg Heat. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ Bullock, Michael (November 16, 2012). "Whether describing the game or performing another role, John Wilsbach glad to be part of "new" Harrisburg Heat". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ Bristol, Jason (December 25, 2012). "He serves and sings: 'The Singing Mayor' of Elizabethtown". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 25, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat to host three-time PASL champion San Diego on Friday night". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Bullock, Michael (January 25, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat fall 10–3, become San Diego's 48th consecutive victim". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 26, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat to entertain Illinois on Saturday night". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ^ "Operation Comfort Warriors". American Legion. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
- ^ Meluzio, Derek (November 1, 2012). "Numerous current and former City Islanders ready for 2012–13 indoor season". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
- ^ Bullock, Michael (November 16, 2012). "Yann Ekra, Tom Mellor and Brian Ombiji, fresh from the outdoor Harrisburg City Islanders, trying indoor game". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Bishop signs professional contract with Harrisburg Heat". Bethlehem, PA: Lehigh University. November 9, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ a b "Box Score: Allen Event Center – Sat, Nov 03, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 23, 2013). "Tyler Witmer thriving with the Harrisburg Heat while learning the indoor game". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (February 10, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat's Chris Williams has signed with MISL's Baltimore Blast". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved February 15, 2013.
- ^ a b c Bristol, Jason (February 19, 2013). "Chinapoo, 56, plays in final Heat game". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (February 17, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat close out inaugural PASL season with 8–3 win at Ohio". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Ngo, Toan (December 17, 2012). "Bascome Jersey Retirement Night" (Press release). Harrisburg Heat. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
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- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (December 8, 2012). "Harrisburg Heat tumble to visiting Cincinnati for the second time in as many tries". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (December 8, 2012). "Harrisburg Heat to host Cincinnati Kings Saturday night at the State Farm Show Complex". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (December 15, 2012). "PASL: Harrisburg Heat can't make early lead stand up in 6–3 loss to visiting Detroit". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved December 15, 2012.
- ^ "DiFlorio Jersey Retirement Night Saturday, December 15th". Our Sports Central. December 12, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (December 29, 2012). "Chris Williams unloads on Ohio for second straight week as Heat wins second in a row". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
- ^ "David Bascome's Jersey To Be Retired Today". Bermuda: Bernews. December 29, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
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- ^ Burgess, Don (January 4, 2013). "Thanks for the memories, David! Bus fire, pranks and character building were all part of playing for the Heat". Bermuda Sun. Hamilton, Bermuda. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 19, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat at home Saturday night against Detroit". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 19, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat defeat Detroit 10–6 at Equine Arena". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
- ^ "Bob Lilley Returns Home To The Harrisburg Heat". Our Sports Central. January 22, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
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- ^ Bullock, Michael (November 17, 2012). "Heat drop home opener to Cincinnati, fall to 0–2 in PASL play". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ Bullock, Michael (November 17, 2012). "Heat to entertain Cincinnati Saturday night at Farm Show". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved November 18, 2012.
- ^ "Box Score: Farm Show Complex – Sat, Nov 17, 2012". Professional Arena Soccer League. November 17, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2012.
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- ^ "Box Score: Grand Sports Arena – Fri, Feb 01, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 1, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
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- ^ "Box Score: Victory Sports Complex – Sat, Feb 02, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 2, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Box Score: Pinnacle Sports – Sat, Feb 16, 2013". Professional Arena Soccer League. February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Bullock, Michael (January 4, 2013). "Harrisburg Heat to meet Real Harrisburg in Open Cup play Friday night at Sports City". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, PA: Advance Publications. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ Bristol, Jason (January 5, 2013). "Heat tops Real Harrisburg 11–8 in PASL Open Cup match". Harrisburg, PA: WHP-TV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
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- ^ "Heat Game Added To Schedule" (Press release). Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Heat. December 28, 2012. Retrieved December 29, 2012.