Cumming Motors Builds Momentum for AAABA and Rust Belt Play

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Cumming Motors delivered a statement performance this week, sweeping Imler’s Poultry in a doubleheader as the team fine-tunes its lineup ahead of the Rust Belt League playoffs and the upcoming All-American Amateur Baseball Association (AAABA) national tournament. With solid pitching and a deep bench, Cumming enters the final stretch of summer baseball with confidence and cohesion.

The Altoona-based club won both games decisively at Vets Field, 7-2 in the opener and 12-1 in six innings in the second, providing valuable reps for players and arms alike. “Our goal tonight was to get everyone in and get everyone some reps,” said Cumming Motors coach Chris Sanders. “We wanted to see some of our arms throw, because we’ll need them at Johnstown. I was impressed with how they threw.”

The original playoff bracket was altered when Imler’s, whose roster is primarily made up of Altoona Babe Ruth 18-and-Under players, withdrew from the Altoona AAABA postseason after qualifying for the Babe Ruth World Series in Florida. As a result, Cumming Motors automatically advances to the AAABA national tournament, along with Brent Cogan Electrical, due to the absence of a Philadelphia franchise this year.

Without the need for a local title series, the AAABA slot was determined by regular-season tiebreakers, with Cumming claiming the No. 1 seed. The team has opted to play from the lower bracket at nationals, a decision that reflects strategic positioning and preparation. Sanders also noted the difficulty in finalising the roster: “There were a lot of tough decisions to make this year. There were a lot of players who played above expectations, and that made it very hard for us as coaches.”

Cumming Motors will host a Rust Belt League quarterfinal this Tuesday at Claysburg-Kimmel. Sanders emphasised the value of the Rust Belt League in developing players against elite pitching: “The pitching we see in the Rust Belt is the pitching we see in Johnstown. We gauge that as one of our goals at the beginning of the year.”

Players echoed the importance of that experience. Aidan Steinbugl, who notched a three-run double in the 12-1 win, pointed to the competitive advantage the league provides: “It has been great for us heading into the tournament. We have had a lot more experience and seen much better pitching.” That sentiment was shared by teammates who have come through local programs, including standout performances from Central High graduate Devon Boyles and Tyrone’s Zac LeGars, both of whom homered in the series.

Imler’s, despite the defeats, left with key takeaways. Coach Brian Bell explained that their participation in the AAABA was always meant to sharpen the team ahead of national-level competition. “That’s the reason we are playing here, to play teams like Cumming Motors,” Bell said.

With a combination of homegrown talent, battle-tested arms, and a deep summer schedule, Cumming Motors appears well-positioned to make a serious run in both the Rust Belt playoffs and the AAABA national stage. As Steinbugl summed it up, “With it being my last year, I want to go on a run for the city. I represent Altoona with pride.”