A windy (and sunny) start to the season on Wed. night caused some interesting fielding plays. But it sure was nice being out on the fields again.
On Field one we had Team Brafman Vs. Team Wolf.
Weston for the victors:
Team Wolf starts the season off on the right foot with a 12-5 “closer-than-the-final-score” style game with Team Brafman. It was a back and forth battle as a 5-5 tie game heading into the top of the seventh, when Tyler Wolf (batting last due to the first implementation of his namesake “Late Arrival” rule) led off by beating out a grounder to short, Super-sub Catcher AJ Goldhoff reached on a fly ball to center, then Wes Wolf broke the tie with a 2-run triple to center field. Team Wolf went on to score 7 total runs that inning with big hits from Eli & Steve Z, Ian Conwell and many more. Eddie Gallop kept the offense afloat early in the game with hits in his first two at-bats and Mike Gray picked up right where he left off last year with a strong outing despite a tough first game from his defense.
Team Brafman battled despite missing some of their top players, playing great defense with gale force winds coming in from left field. (Capt Brafman would like to add that rookie Steven “Shap” Shapiro had his first hit in the league.) And playing slightly out of position Jamey Drennan made two very good catches in RC
On Field two it was Team Harris vs. Team Grefer
Roger reports in for Team Harris:
TEAM HARRIS 12
TEAM GREFER 2………six innings…..
After a horrible weather day a week ago, it was worth the wait for TEAM HARRIS……..
After falling behind 2-0 in the early innings, TEAM HARRIS, under the leadership of first year captain GRIFF HARRIS, plated eight runs in the bottom of the third inning and never looked back in winning in a ten run rule after six innings,
12-2….
The offensive explosion was a pleasant sight, but veteran pitcher, MARK WEISSER, pitched a gem with son, EVAN WEISSER, calling the pitches in only a way a father would love.
The defense was sparkling led by DAVID “DEE” HARRIS, the captain’s “old” man, who after a couple of misplays early in the game, was as solid as solid could be.
“I was told by my son that I’d be playing shortstop this week to help better our defense with who we had available and I didn’t want to let him down. I went back a long time ago when I was a camper at the JCC and my counselor, ROGER ROSENTHAL, yes that ROGER ROSENTHAL taught me everything I needed to know at shortstop,” HARRIS said after the game.
HItting stars included, ANDY GOLLIN, the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN graduate, EVAN WEISSER, JZ ZEIDENSTEIN delivered key hits, but at the end of the day, it was a total team effort from everyone.
Captain GRIFF after the game…..
“I was pleased with my first official game as a captain. I couldn’t sleep last night at all and was up trying to make out that perfect line-up card and defensive assignments. I ended up finally getting to sleep only to get up up in the early morning hours and saying to myself, ‘this is game day'”
Rookie DAN BERNSTEIN after the game…..
“I loved it! I was really looking forward to last week, but the wait was worth it. I had a great time and the guys on the team seem really nice, but does Roger ever shut-up?
Finally,
DEE HARRIS after the game……
“I’m super proud of my son on how he handled himself in his first game as a captain. He’s learned a lot about the league coming to games for years. I think he’s only going to get better and better as time goes. He’s an old chip off the block just like his father.”
TEAM HARRIS gets two weeks off due to a holiday and a bye, but don’t think for a minute they’ll have a break. “We’re going to hold practice (who needs practice?) a few times during the break and not rest on our laurels from this victory. I want to get better and better each week.”
TIDBITS…….
The rumors are true…..ROGER ROSENTHAL and his lovely wife, Carol, were in New Jersey this past weekend attending the DAYS OF OUR LIVES fan event…..that’s right!
Roger was amongst the stars chatting it up and trying to get as many Facebook friends as possible.
Rookie BROCK FOWLER, an Ohio University graduate, was the only rookie to attend the after-game meal at a popular restaurant. Once again, STEVE “EPPY” EPPSTEIN showed his generosity by treating those that showed up, chicken wings and everything else…..
And finally, MARC BRAFMAN drove ROSENTHAL to the after-game meal with son, JACOB, in the back seat. ROSENTHAL asked who won the Xavier/UC game that day and when JACOB said that Xavier had one, there was a loud YES from a certain individual…..guess who?
On Field three it was the sun vs. Team Fogel and Team Kamrass
Jeremy for the winners:
Team Fogel took on Team Kamrass in an affair that was largely impacted by swirling winds pushing hits deep into the outfield and a glare from the sun that impaired vision more than staring at the eclipse. In a back-and-forth effort, Team Fogel prevailed over Team Kamrass by a score of 14-13. Lots of defensive plays all around that set the tone, but notable diving stops by Joel Buckley at shortstop and snags by Pete Soltesz in left field stopped rallies from ever starting or from continuing on. On the offensive side, big contributions all throughout the order kept consistent threats alive. A couple of key two-out RBIs by rookie Sam Klinkowitz were the difference in this one. Team Fogel anxiously awaits their next instant classic in the second half with Team Kamrass. No shortage of drama in any of the matchups between these two teams.
And last but not least in the game of the night on field 4 Team Wagner took on Team Tenenholtz
Brad for the victors
Team Wagner defeated Team Tenenholtz 23-16 at the friendly confines of Field 4. The victors took an early lead, but Team Tenenholtz battled back multiple times to tie the score. Team Wagner had a 15-14 lead going into the 6th and added some much-needed Geico Insurance runs in the top half of each of the 6th and 7th to prevail.
Michael Askin, Bob Pelberg, Anton Loon, and the three Hiudteers (Zac, Daniel, and Joey) had key hits: Corey Norris, Brad Wagner, Landon Hawkins, Matt Leader, and Mark Levine all brought in important runs.
Rookie Landon Hawkins had the web gem of the day with a great catch at SS to end a rally.
After a break next week to dip our fingers in the wine while describing the awful ten plagues, Team Wagner takes on Team Wolf on Field 2; that game will be aired on PBS with Jose and Ozzie Canseco on the call. Team Tenenholtz takes on Team Brafman; Lord Alfred Hayes and Gorilla Monsoon will be on the mic for that battle.
A reminder that we are off this week due to Passover. See everyone once again on May 1.
League Notes:
Speaking of Passover if you need baked goods for your seder, look no further than Sweet Butter Bakery Sweet Butter Bakery (sweetbuttercincy.com)
The J Classic is coming up. It’s an amazing event that was started years ago in honor of Shorty Adams’ dad. J Classic – Mayerson JCC I believe Ryan and Anton are the defending pickleball champs. Please consider signing up and supporting the JCC.
A couple of college announcements this week. Congrats to Corey Norris’s daughter for choosing Michigan St. much to the chagrin of her mom who wanted her to go to Maryland. And congrats to Jerry Kirzner’s granddaughter who is going to Tulane next fall.
Happy birthday to Josh Rosen
While the Reds can’t hit at the moment due to the flu and the fact they have to play Jonathan India every day I do love watching them run the bases. It’s ironic that former Cards and Royals manager Whitey Herzog died this week because he would love how much the Reds steal. Hopefully this will continue to pay off for them if/when they ever get on base.
Todd “The Mayor” Wasserman and I were texting last Sunday during the Billy Joel CBS Special until they for some reason cut Piano Man off at the end. Is this the Heidi game part two (if you don’t know what I’m talking about look it up)? Not sure how you can start a program late due to the Masters, and then when the guy is singing his most popular , if not best, song you cut it off to go to the local news. You couldn’t have waited 2 more minutes. By the way Todd claims his favorite Billy song is Tell her About it and his favorite album is The Bridge.. The Doctor of Style David Weil did tell me he once saw Billy Joel open for Deep Purple and Foghat and when he started to play Piano Man the fans at the Cincy Gardens who were not there to see him booed. He (Joel) then told all of the fans to F-off. It would have been fun to see acts in the 70’s.
My office at UC overlooks the back of Fifth Third Arena where some of the basketball players park (illegally). I have turned our own Matt “No I am not related to Wes” Miller into a traffic cop. I text him when the parking po-po is outside and sometimes the players hurry up and move their cars. Or as was the case this week they got a boot to which Matt replied, “I tell those dopes not to park there it’s on them now.”
And one final note on college basketball. I find it amusing that people are all up in arms about Caitlin Clark’s starting salary in the WNBA. All these people claiming to be upset by the WNBA must be asked to name 5 current WNBA players and who won the last title. If you can answer those two questions you have a right to complain about their salary. If you can’t shut your yap, go to a game and support the ladies starting this season.
RIP to Dickey Betts from the ABB. Next week I will report on a story that Eddie Gallop has about seeing them that he promised is entertaining.
And last but not least while Roger mentioned it in his recap it does bear repeating that he and his wife went to a Days of our Lives convention. I believe it went something like this for Roger and all of their fans: SNL’s Greatest Moment #71 (youtube.com)
Have a nice Passover everyone keep Israel in your thoughts.
Marc