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SCOREBOARD
6/21
Team Weinbaum ----8
Team Jared- 6
Game Notes: W-Weinbaum(3-2)
L-B. Davis (5-3)
Two newcomers, Manoj and Aronchik had great impacts. Manoj's for the better. He was the difference-maker.
Aronchik, however, shouldn't feel discouraged. He played with a lot of heart and never quit.
5/29
Team Wachtel-23
Team Weinbaum-22
Game Notes:
GW single by Wachtel to win the game in bottom of 9th
Weibaum Waterfronts IS Coors Field
W-Wachtel (1-0)
L-Weinbaum (0-2)
5/31
Team Jared--11
Team Slater-- 5
Game Notes:
W- J. Davis (3-1)
L- Baron (0-1)
Though the grounds crew had to get the tarp out at the beginning of the game, the
game was only delayed for a short period of time. It was a wet game to say the least.
6/4
Team Weinbaum--11
Team Halperin -- 2
Game Notes:
W-Weinbaum
(2-2)
L-Struening (0-1)
6/8
Team Jared-- 8
Team Wachtel--7
Game Notes:
W-Davis (4-1)
L-Wachtel
(1-1)
Friday's Game A 1-0 Pitchers Duel
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Friday, May 28th was an historical day in the BBL.
For the first time in league history, each team had 7
players.
Never before have 14 players arrived at
Slater Stadium with hopes and aspirations of being the
next backyard baseball
star. Newcomers included Jos
Gesualdi, Mike Kofksy, John Klimscak, Kevin Kirby and
Eric Struening.
The regulars, of course, were there
and in uniform. Captaining the two teams were
pitchers Jared and Brandon Davis.
Arguably the most
dominating pitcher in the league, Brandon Davis was
granted first pick. He selected outfielder
Matt
Slater. Matt was coming off a great week and seemed
to be the obvious choice. Captain Jared Davis then
selected
1B Justin Cener, who was later asked to
change roles and play SS. A surprising pick to some,
Cener's lifetime
average vs Brandon Davis in previous
exhibition games was barely over .100. The next pick
was Eric Halerpin, which
left Jared with a dilemma.
He was stuck between Joe Gesualdi and Eric Struening,
both newcomers. Jared took Joe,
while scout Justin
Cener hoped Eric would be available in the next round.
Unfortunately, he was not, and Brandon Davis
took him
with some scouting help of his 1st overall pick. The
teams filled up and the players took the field.
Jared
breezed through the top of the 1st, and then
things got interesting. After B. Davis got lucky
after a crush by
Justin Cener bounced off a tree and
into his glove, Joe Gesualdi stepped into the box for
his first ever at bat.
Immediately, he showed
dividends and proved to be worth the 4th overall
selection. He crushed a fastball deep
into the gap
and would have easily had a triple if not for a
slippery patch next to 1st Base. The shot proved
to
be harmless as the side was later retired. In the top
of the 2nd, Captain/Pitcher Jared Davis faced rookie
Eric
Struening for the first time. Undoubtedly, this
will be a matchup that will be remembered for years to
come.
Eric Struening belted the ball deep into the
trees and was robbed of a Home Run, but did receive a
double for his efforts.
Again, the side was retired
and the amazing hitting of these rookies proved
fruitless.
This game had some amazing
fielding plays including a
game saving effort by John Klimscak and Joe Gesualdi.
John picked up a single and fired
it home to Joe who
made the tag for the final out of the inning,
preserving the scoreless tie through two. It
was a
perfect throw and tag for this new fielding
combination. It was also the first ever play at the
plate
to result in an out. A truly great moment for
this league. There were also fine plays made in the
field
by Jared Davis, Dave Baron, Charlie Wachtel, and
Justin Cener. To top this fine day of fielding off,
Lee Falber
had a perfect read on a well hit ball off
of Halperin's bat to record the 1st Rob of a Home Run
this season.
The
game continued on and it seemed to be a day
dominated by the pitchers. Although Jared and Brandon
Davis were making
great outings, it seemed as though
only Joe and Eric were able to pick them apart. They
went 6 scoreless innings
until Team Jared played small
ball which led to a Lee Falber RBI groundout. Fine
hitting days by Joe Gesualdi,
Eric Struening, Mike
Kofksy, and Jared Davis were overshadowed by defense
and pitching as the game reached the top of
the 9th,
with the home team (Team Jared) ahead 1-0. After
Kevin Kirby led off with an out, it was truly crunch
time.
Jared Davis vs Eric Struening with the game on
the line. Anti-climactically, Eric was walked and
Jared struck
out Matt Slater to end the game.
A 1-0 game is not often seen at Slater Stadium and
was the first shutout of the season.
Great job Jared
Davis. After this pitching and defensive duel
concluded, talks started about the lack of offense.
Some suggested having three outs an inning or even
limiting the number of players in the field.
Personally, I think
it is the lack of steroids being
used by both teams, besides 1B David Rabinowitz of
course. All hitters need the
juice if they want to
compete in this high level league. I talked to Barry
Bonds about this issue and he responded,
"What are
they thinking? Do they think they can possibly hit
off Brandon Davis without the juice? I had
to use THG
to hit pitchers at a much lower level than Brandon.
If you want to do good, you gotta talk to BALCO."
Some
great words spoken by a great man.
--Cener Himself of the Queens Herald
J. Davis Leads Team to Vicotry in 1-0 Shutout
After a brief rain delay, the third game of the 2004 Backyard Baseball season, the
game was under way. With muddy dirt and wet grass, the conditions during the game were less than desirable, but never will
stop a true Backyard Baseball player from competing. The two Davis brothers were captains for this afternoons game,
and to me, honestly there were some suprising decisions made. Quite shockingly, Justin Cener was first pick for J. Davis.
Most would have thought it was an easy decision with a "Eric Halperin" or maybe an "Eric Struening". Well after all
was said and done both teams were ready for action. As Jared Davis took the mound today, he confidently stated, "Whenver
I take the mound...I'm always on my game". Well nothing sums his performance today better than this statment. J. Davis was
absolutely phoenominal. From the start, he threw with zeal and crispness, making way for some spectacular defensive plays.
The team was greatly appreciative of an outstanding play where J. Klimsack threw from second to J. Gesualdi, nailing Eric
Struening out at the plate. Davis was extremely relieved as his shutout remained in tact. The team as a whole proved effective
for sportsmanship and team spirit was abundant. As a result, the team came away with a "W", which was a well earned victory.
It'll be interesting to see how the players will react to todays performance in next game, but until then so long.
- Sir. David Baron IV of the London Times
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