We’ve survived the hot days of the year; the biggest games are played during the Fall. This last season to another fine year of competitive stickball includes some old faces coming back from their long absences. With the mix we have this Fall, there’s no telling how the year will end:
(0 – 0) Frozen Ropes at (1 – 1) GasHouse Gang
The defending champions don’t take a break after winning their fourth title in the last five seasons. The Ropes finished their recent championship run on a high and now will enter Pulaski Park off the Bruckner in the Bronx Saturday morning to stand against the retooled GasHouse Gang. Last weekend, the boys from Mamaroneck showed their newly acquired asset off in their split decision. Gabriel Viteri threw 5 innings for his new squad and struck out 9 in the opener while Ross Fomerand hit a homerun. Scott Almazan threw 9 innings, including 7 in the second game to help launch his squad to their first win of the season, striking out 13 in the effort. These two sides have gone against one another often in recent history. Who knows how these two games will end up?
(0 – 0) Whitestone Aces at (2 – 0) Raging Bulls
A name that has not been heard in years, the Whitestone Aces get back together to see if they can recapture their previous hopes of glory. Daragh Quinn, Carmine DeStefano, and Greg Leonardo have returned with their eyes on a long coveted prize. Pooling their troops and skills together, they hope they have enough to stand against their old nemeses, the Raging Bulls. As usual, the Bulls won their double header in impressive fashion. Jim Wendling proved his record-breaking Summer was no mirage as he hit another 7 homeruns – 3 in the opener and 4 in the second game – to get off to a ludicrous start. Dave Luongo hit 3 in that double header, 2 in the second game, and threw 7 innings for the victory. Artie Von Wiegand and Joe Annoscia both went deep once each side of the double dip and Joe Annoscia was 1 batter away from perfection, striking out 17 in the process. These two squads have had battles before. It will be interesting to see if the old Aces can match with the Raging Bulls or if the Bulls will continue their stampede over the next group of victims in their path.
(1 – 1) Shut’Em Down at (0 – 0) Clippers
Though the name has returned to the original, the Stick’Em Up still boast the hefty squad they’ve had in the past. Last weekend, they were able to win their opener off the arm of Mike Walsh, who lasted 7 innings giving up only 3 runs and fanning 13. Pedro Maldonado made a strong return himself as he was a triple short of a cycle in the second game where a bases loaded walk did the team in. Now they head up to Mohansic Middle School in Carmel to face the long absent Clippers. Steve Chodan got his squad back, which usually includes ageless Bill Chodan, Keith Chodan, and Sammy Caccamise. Though they are just returning, with the strong shoulders of the Chodans, they are immediately a contender. They will open their new season in their old home looking to get off on the right track.
(0 – 0) Shadyville Sluggers at (0 – 0) Pelham Village Wine
After two straight appearances in the finals, the Sluggers took a season off to regroup and return to their championship form. With the connections Miguel Cabezas has, you never know who he is going to be able to pull out and start owning the league right away. He will take his group to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday Morning to see if they can stand against the revamped Wine. After a tough championship loss, the Wine are back at it with a new face to replace a departed one. Greg MacKoul has joined forces with Joe Battaglia, AJ Romano, and Randy Belfiore to maintain strength in their stellar pitching. With the arms Miguel can boast, this match up can be one of the more intense pairings this week has scheduled.
(0 – 0) Frozen Ropes at (1 – 1) GasHouse Gang
The defending champions don’t take a break after winning their fourth title in the last five seasons. The Ropes finished their recent championship run on a high and now will enter Pulaski Park off the Bruckner in the Bronx Saturday morning to stand against the retooled GasHouse Gang. Last weekend, the boys from Mamaroneck showed their newly acquired asset off in their split decision. Gabriel Viteri threw 5 innings for his new squad and struck out 9 in the opener while Ross Fomerand hit a homerun. Scott Almazan threw 9 innings, including 7 in the second game to help launch his squad to their first win of the season, striking out 13 in the effort. These two sides have gone against one another often in recent history. Who knows how these two games will end up?
(0 – 0) Whitestone Aces at (2 – 0) Raging Bulls
A name that has not been heard in years, the Whitestone Aces get back together to see if they can recapture their previous hopes of glory. Daragh Quinn, Carmine DeStefano, and Greg Leonardo have returned with their eyes on a long coveted prize. Pooling their troops and skills together, they hope they have enough to stand against their old nemeses, the Raging Bulls. As usual, the Bulls won their double header in impressive fashion. Jim Wendling proved his record-breaking Summer was no mirage as he hit another 7 homeruns – 3 in the opener and 4 in the second game – to get off to a ludicrous start. Dave Luongo hit 3 in that double header, 2 in the second game, and threw 7 innings for the victory. Artie Von Wiegand and Joe Annoscia both went deep once each side of the double dip and Joe Annoscia was 1 batter away from perfection, striking out 17 in the process. These two squads have had battles before. It will be interesting to see if the old Aces can match with the Raging Bulls or if the Bulls will continue their stampede over the next group of victims in their path.
(1 – 1) Shut’Em Down at (0 – 0) Clippers
Though the name has returned to the original, the Stick’Em Up still boast the hefty squad they’ve had in the past. Last weekend, they were able to win their opener off the arm of Mike Walsh, who lasted 7 innings giving up only 3 runs and fanning 13. Pedro Maldonado made a strong return himself as he was a triple short of a cycle in the second game where a bases loaded walk did the team in. Now they head up to Mohansic Middle School in Carmel to face the long absent Clippers. Steve Chodan got his squad back, which usually includes ageless Bill Chodan, Keith Chodan, and Sammy Caccamise. Though they are just returning, with the strong shoulders of the Chodans, they are immediately a contender. They will open their new season in their old home looking to get off on the right track.
(0 – 0) Shadyville Sluggers at (0 – 0) Pelham Village Wine
After two straight appearances in the finals, the Sluggers took a season off to regroup and return to their championship form. With the connections Miguel Cabezas has, you never know who he is going to be able to pull out and start owning the league right away. He will take his group to Albert Leonard Middle School Saturday Morning to see if they can stand against the revamped Wine. After a tough championship loss, the Wine are back at it with a new face to replace a departed one. Greg MacKoul has joined forces with Joe Battaglia, AJ Romano, and Randy Belfiore to maintain strength in their stellar pitching. With the arms Miguel can boast, this match up can be one of the more intense pairings this week has scheduled.
