Category: 2026 Season

On a great, but windy, night for softball, it was nice to finally get back out there. 

On Field 1 it was Team Groh vs. Team Brafman

Roger for Team Groh

TEAM GROH 12

TEAM BRAFMAN 2

TEAM GROH continued their winning ways with a six inning 12-2 victory over TEAM BRAFMAN.

“The key to the victory was our defense was solid once again and we got some timely hitting. I’m happy with the way our team is playing, but we have a long way to go, but I’m very confident we have a contending team, ” captain KEN GROH said afterwards. 

GROH pitched to five over the minimum and never was in real trouble as the defense shined behind him.

“That was one of my best games in the JCC league. I remember I pitched a no-hitter back in the third grade. I guess that was better,” GROH added.

The victors started off the bottom of the first inning with a five spot and never looked back.

The entire team contributed offensively including last rounder ROGER ROSENTHAL, making his season debut due to injury…..he laid down a sucessful bunt “hit” to load the bases…..

NICK O’BRIEN had the night of nights with four hits and after a tough game last game as a fill-in at shortstop, played a solid outfield….

“I don’t want to see SS again. I’m happy in the outfield,” he said after the game with family surrounding him.

STU WEINSTEIN was on base three times and played a flawless 1B…..DAN MCGRATH played well in LCF….ADAM CRONSTIEN was on base three times…BRYCE ANSLINGER scored twice….CHRIS KUNKEL was on base three times……DAVID SNYDER scored twice and turned a double play….SAM KLINKOWITZ was solid behind the plate.

NEXT GAME…..5/20  VS. TEAM SILVERMAN……gates open early as it’s ANTON LOON BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT…..the first 10,000 fans receive one.

UNTIL NEXT WEEK…..ta ta

NOTES…….DID ANYONE KNOW THE NHL PLAYOFFS ARE GOING ON?……everybody talks baseball, soccer and a little NBA, but what about the best sport on the continent?

FINALS PREDICITON…..COLORADO OVER CAROLINA……don’t bet too much on this as I’ve been wrong before……lol

On Field 2 we had Team Simons vs. Team Silverman

Marc for the winners:

It turned out to be a beautiful day for softball. Despite the late arrival, it was a quick game. Team Simons scored runs in every inning, putting pressure on team Silverman.  Jamey Kurtzer spun a masterful 3 hit 1 run game, highly deserving of the game ball. 3 double plays were turned by team Simons, showcasing some very nifty defense. Final score 13-1 Team Simons in 5 innings.

On Field 3 we had Team Fogel vs. Team AJ

Jeremy for the winners

The drama started 90 minutes before first pitch when El Capitán received a text from Ricky Lefton saying his basement was underwater, and he wouldn’t make it to Triple Creek. Officials are looking into the prime suspect, Matt Miller, an employee at The Job Center, to see if he knowingly assigned an unqualified plumber to go “work on the water heater” at Ricky’s house leading to the flood. More to follow.

Already short-handed, and after a quick conversation with upper management, the decision was made to play with 9. As it turned out, there may have been time to find a sub after all. Two umpires (who shall remain nameless) lost track of time at the local watering hole and showed up 20 minutes late.

Playing from behind most of the game, we’ll skip ahead to the sixth inning, where things got interesting. With Team Goldhoff ahead 7-3 and looking for more, David Wetherhammerstein, playing a true center field, gunned down a runner trying to score on a single up the middle. A perfect throw and a clean tag at the plate by Ian Conwell swung the momentum back to Team Fogel.

In the bottom of the sixth, a rally began to brew. Bob Pelberg and Eli Gould both reached base in their typically clutch fashion, setting the table for Mark Franklin. After battling all game without much to show for it, Mark ripped a line drive to the left side to load the bases. With Team Fogel still down 4 and the bases loaded, a fielder’s choice groundout by Sparky brought one home, and then Wetherhammerstein stepped to the plate in the biggest moment of the young season. Falling behind in the count, David lined a two-out, game-tying inside-the-park home run to the right field fence. The inning wasn’t over. El Capitán singled to the gap, Wags came up clutch with an RBI triple, and then Jimmy Lefton drove Wags home with a two-out RBI single. Just like that, Team Fogel led by two heading into the seventh.

True to form, the top of Team Goldhoff’s order scored twice in the final frame to tie it up. But Team Fogel wasn’t finished. Bob Pelberg singled for his fourth on-base of the game, Eli Gould followed with an aggressive opposite-field double, and the stage was set for Mark Franklin. After an ambitious first-pitch swing that nearly launched him out of his shoes, Mark lifted a fly ball to the outfield that dropped for a walk-off single. A heroic moment.

Through five weeks and two games, Team Fogel sits at 2-0 with a run differential of +2. Anyone who watched the Reds this year knows that may mean the winnings ways are not sustainable, but this team plays together and does not give in. 

Finally on Field 4 Team Stu vs. Team Wolf

Stu for the winners:

“Motor” Kade Carlyle collected three hits in three at bats, as Team Solomon defeated Team Wolf 10-6 on Wednesday on Field 4. Carlyle singled in the sixth inning, doubled in the first inning, and singled in the fifth inning.

Team Solomon opened the scoring in the first after Stuart “Little” Solomon singled, scoring one run.

Team Wolf jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Scott “Come On Man!” Wolf doubled to center field, and Mark “None the” Weisser walked, each scoring one run.

An inside the park home run by John “Toxic” Spears gave Team Solomon the lead, 3-2, in the top of the fourth.

Mike “Josh” Rothstein singled down the left field line, which helped Team Wolf tie the game at three in the bottom of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Team Solomon broke up the tie when Carlyle singled, scoring one run. Then a double by Seth “Meyers” Berland followed to extend the lead to 6-3.

Team Wolf tied the game in the bottom of the fifth thanks to a fielder’s choice by Matthew “Mark, Luke, and John” Kraus, a single by Wes “tern” Wolf, and a single by Landon “Krantz” Hawkins.

Team Solomon captured the lead, 10-6, in the top of the sixth when Jamey “Lynn Spears” Drennen singled, scoring one run, Logan “Ondrusek” Denby drew a walk, scoring one run, and Carlyle singled, scoring two runs.

Solomon earned the win for Team Solomon. The righty allowed 13 hits and six runs over seven innings, striking out none and walking four. Weisser took the loss for Team Wolf. The pitcher went seven innings, surrendering 10 runs on 18 hits, striking out one and walking three.

Defensively, Team Solomon played a solid game. Captain and Pitcher Stuart Solomon had a great sliding grab in foul ground. Zach ” Councilman” Michelson played a great first with some critical stretches to get the runs by a half step. Brandon Lindsey ‘Graham” had a critical catch in RF to limit more runs. 

Remember everyone we play on Sunday at 9:30 and again at 11:30 (weather permitting) 

League Notes 
Sad news to report. It’s a couple of weeks old but JCC softball alumni Bob Cohen passed away unexpectedly . Bob played in the league for a number of years as did his son, Jeff. I saw Bob the week before he died, and the first thing he asked me was how was softball and who was on my team. (It’s crazy that all of us think that way when we talk about the league). Jeff is convinced that his dad was looking down on him as he recorded his first hole-in-one yesterday! Please keep Jeff and his family in mind this month. 

Happy birthday wishes to Mark Wolf (not the current player but the brother of Scott and Duffy). Also Jeremy Cantor celebrated his birthday a couple of weeks ago.
Congrats go out to some kids who graduated over the last couple of weeks (sorry if I missed your kid please e-mail me and I’ll put it in the next one). Grace Lefton, Ricky’s daughter graduated from UC Law School. Gabby Goldstein, daughter of Anne (who helps put the league together) and Eric, who played in the league for a number of years, graduated from UC. Sophia Rothstein, daughter of “The Special One,” Mike) graduated from OU.

This is an amazing story: 

King Mike Casiano attends 10,000 baseball games. Can you imagine going to 10,000 games? 

I know it’s a couple of weeks back, but count me on board with liking the Bengals draft and trade. Seems like they got some good players and filled some holes. Yes, they have a lot of holes left but I like them being proactive. 

As for the Reds along with David “The Dr of Style” Weil, we are at a loss. They seem to find new and inventive ways to lose each game. Last night it was asking a guy who hasn’t bunted since he was in AA to bunt over  a runner in the 9th. Then a fan caught what might have been a homer in the 10th to take away what might have been a game tying homer for the Reds. You simply can’t make it up.

Remember Jewish night Jewish Community Night at the Reds – Mayerson JCC is coming up at the Reds game. Make sure you sign up it’s a fun night each year.

See you guys out there on Sunday

Marc

On a picture perfect spring night we had some exciting action on the fields. 

First on Field 1 it was Team Ken vs. Team Landon

Team Groh was victorious against Team Krantz 7-4 on Wednesday at Field 1 .

Team Krantz got on the board in the top of the first inning after Grif Harris doubled, scoring one run, and Ryan Marcus singled, scoring two runs.

Team Groh captured the lead, 5-4, in the bottom of the fourth after Ryan Baum singled down the left field line, Bryce Anslinger singled down the left field line, Stu Weinstein grounded out, and David Snyder singled to the right side of the infield, each scoring one run.

Ken started the game for Team Groh. The righty gave up 14 hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out none and walking none. Schwartz stepped in the circle first for Team Krantz. The hurler surrendered 11 hits and seven runs over six innings, striking out two and walking none.

Number nine hitter, Snyder, showed the depth of Team Groh’s lineup, by leading them with three hits in three at bats. Team Groh ran wild on the base paths, tallying three stolen bases for the game. Team Groh were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Groh made the most plays with six.

Team Krantz collected 14 hits in the game. Marcus provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Team Krantz with two runs batted in. The third baseman went 1-for-3 on the day. Frankel and Harris each collected three hits for Team Krantz. Harris and Drennan each collected multiple hits for Team Krantz. Team Krantz were sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Harris made the most plays with six.

On Field two it was Team Stu vs. Team Ryan

Stu for the winners:

Stuart “MVP” Solomon drove in five runs on four hits to lead Team Solomon past Team Silverman 17-7 on Wednesday. Solomon hit an inside the park home run in the fifth inning, scoring three runs, and tripled in the third inning, scoring two.

Team Silverman opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two singles. Team Silverman first got on the board when Scott “Oh You’re My Best” Friend  singled, scoring one run.

Team Solomon tied the game up in the bottom of the first thanks to two singles. Team Solomon tied the game at two on a single by James “This Bed is On Fire with Passion and Love” Swan.

A single by Danny “Kris” Cross gave Team Silverman the lead, 4-2, in the top of the third.

Team Solomon flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third, scoring five runs on seven hits to take the lead, 7-4. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Solomon that drove in two.

Team Solomon scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Logan ‘Paul” Denby singled, scoring one run, “Black” Swan singled, scoring one run, and Joey Hiudt hit an inside the park home run, scoring three runs.

Team Solomon scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Solomon hit an inside the park home run, scoring three runs, “White” Swan singled, scoring one run, and Alex “The Mouse” Kraus singled, scoring one run.

Solomon earned the win for Team Solomon. The hurler gave up eight hits and five runs over four innings, striking out one and walking none. Corey Norris “Hopper” started in the circle for Team Silverman. 

Team Solomon accumulated 24 hits in the game. Kraus, Swan, Kade “Here in My Carlyle, I Feel Safest of All” Carlyle , and Solomon each collected four hits for Team Solomon. Denby and Seth “Green” Berland each collected multiple hits for Team Solomon. 

Great defensive plays all around. Most notably, Alex “Trebek (RIP)” Kraus fielding a ball in front of the plate throwing the runner out at first aided by a great scoop by Zach ‘Morris aka Preppy” Michelson.

Team Solomon is on a bye next week and look to continue their winning ways against a formidable opponent in Team Groh. 

On field three it was Team AJ vs. Team Marc Simons

AJ for the winners:

Another great Team Win for The Orange Crush as we beat Team Simons 10-6.

A single by Jack Cohen put Team Simons on the board in the top of the first.

We took the lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the first thanks to singles by Tyler Stansbury, and Matt Miller.

We then scored five runs on six hits in the bottom of the second inning. Ian Segall singled, scoring one run, Stansbury doubled, scoring one run, and Harry Meisner homered to center field, scoring three runs.

Stansbury latered homered to left field, scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth for us to give us some insurance.

I would also be remiss not to mention another great outing from our horse, Mike Gray.

Were excited about the 2-0 start but look forward to playing Team Silverman next week.

Finally on field 4 it was Team Wes vs. Team Jeremy 

Jeremy for the winners

In a shorthanded showdown between Team Wolf and Team Fogel, it took extra innings to decide a winner in a back-and-forth game packed with fireworks. Team Fogel struck first with a run in the top of the first, but found themselves playing catch-up for much of the contest as momentum swung repeatedly between the two sides.

The team was led by shortstop (shortstop, not center fielder) David Wertheim, who reached base in all five of his plate appearances and anchored a stellar defensive effort. Eli Gould was equally impressive at second base, consistently in the right place at the right time while adding a pair of timely hits to spark the offense. Mark Franklin proved to be a catalyst as well, going 4-5 with two runs scored and a key RBI.

Trailing by two with two outs and two on in the top of the seventh, El Capitán delivered in the biggest moment, launching a classic JCC home run to give Team Fogel the lead. Team Wolf answered in the bottom half to tie it, sending the game to extras.

In the eighth, the team came through when it mattered most, stringing together three two-out hits from Ricky Lefton, Bob Pelberg, and Eli Gould to plate two runs which was ultimately the difference in a thrilling, seesaw battle. Can’t win ‘em all if you don’t win the first one!

League notes:As Adam mentioned earlier in the week let’s all wish a speedy recovery to “Mr.” Mike Creamer who had shoulder surgery this week. Pitching BP to thousands of Blue Jays has caught up to him. Get better soon Mike!
A happy birthday to Rick Lefton this week.
I’m not sure what has gotten into the Reds but for the most part I love what I’m seeing. Should the hitting be better? Of course, but besides Kyle Nicolas, who somehow walked 5 guys with a ten run lead, I really like the bullpen. Can they keep winning close games when they can’t score? Beats me but it sure beats being a Mets fan these days. Plus we get to watch Sal and Elly play every day. That is enough for me for now. 

The Bengals trade: I don’t understand Cincy Sports fans across all sports. The Bengals broke the mold and actually went all in or at least mostly in on winning this year. So what about a draft pick that might be good this year and great in 3 years. I want to try and win with Burrow and Chase in their prime. If the Giants get Caleb Downs and he turns into the next Ronnie Lott, so be it. If Sexy Dexy can help the Bengals win and maybe get to the AFC Title game or Super Bowl in the next couple of years then this is a great trade. And if he turns out to be the second coming of Sheldon Rankins while it will suck at least the Bengals went for it. I for one say good for them. And come August, if the Reds are in the thick of it and they trade away a “prospect” for some guys that can help them win today I am even more in favor of that.
Speaking of the Reds I have no idea why they subject us to Chris “The Creeper” Welsh on the radio. Why in the world does Tommy Thrall need a break in the 3rd and 7th inning? Yesterday, Steer hit a fly ball and you’d have thought it was a homer. It was a fly ball to center. He is a very good color guy and a TERRIBLE play-by-play guy. 

RIP Dave Mason who helped found the group Traffic, played with George Harrison and Delaney and Bonnie (if you don’t know them look them up), he also wrote Feelin Alright and Only You Know and I Know. If you are a classic rock fan go see these guys as soon as you can. They are all getting older by the day.

See everyone next week

On a picture perfect Wednesday night, the latest season of JCC kicked off at Triple Creek Park. Let’s get right to the action.

On Field one we had the “Battle of the New Baby Captains,” Team Wes vs. Team AJ

AJ for the winners:

A great start to the season for Team Orange as we beat Team Wolf 16-8 on Field 1. The
game started out very shaky with errors all over the field on both sides. That resulted in
a Team Wolf 7-3 lead after two innings. Once the rust got shaken off, we slowly chipped
away, capped with a Harry Meisner JCC inside the park home run, and hits from every
single person on the team.
Then in the sixth inning we scored seven runs on hits from Eric Zied, Todd Wasserman,
Michael Heldman, me, Ian Segall, Tyler Stansbury, and Mike Gray. After the big inning
we were able to close out the win on defense, again with contributions from every single
person on the team.

On Field two it was Team Ken vs. Team Marc Simons

Roger for the winners:

TEAM GROH…… 10

TEAM SIMONS…. 5

reported by ROGER ROSENTHAL

TEAM GROH fell behind 3-0 in the top of the first inning, but rebounded in a BIG way, by plating six runs in the bottom of the frame and never looked back.

“I knew we were OK at the beginning of the game, I have a lot of confidence in our hitting and defense and we settled down,” team captain KEN GROH stated in the winner’s clubhouse after the game.

Everyone got involved in the offense except for DAVID SNYDER, who knew what he was talking about when he said, “I’m hitting like ROGER (ROSENTHAL).”

STAT CORNER…..

Super-sub DAVID WERTHEIM, on loan from TEAM FOGEL, led the offense with two hits including a homerun. Interesting that he hit a home run as he was talking about it before the game……ADAM “COMMISH” CRONSTEIN  had three hits , two runs scored and two rbi’s…..RYAN “ADAM” BAUM had two rbi’s….NICK OBRIEN had a run scored and one rbi…..GROH had a run scored and one rbi and a walk…..BRYCE ANSLINGER had two hits and one run scored and one rbi….CHRIS KUNKEL (NO RELATION TO FORMER XAVIER BASKETBALL STAR, ADAM) had one rbi and one run scored….SAM KLINKOWITZ had one hit…..and finally, after boasting how great a hitter he is, had one run scored and one rbi…..

It should be pointed out that GROH was at his best on the mound and was in control the whole game……

QUOTE OF THE SEASON (so far)……..

“You walk as slow as you run,” JACK COHEN said of ROGER ROSENTHAL……

It should be noted that STU WEINSTEIN (suspended) and ROGER ROSENTHAL (injury), both were in attendance and should be back to playing next week…..

DEFENSIVE PLAY OF THE GAME……CAM KIRZNER made two sparkling plays at shortstop in the same inning, the second turned into a double play when he fielded the ball behind the second base bag, stepped on the base and threw to first base to complete the double play…….it was a good enough play that even ROSENTHAL, a BIG Xavier fan applauded the University of Cincinnati super fan KIRZNER……HOW ABOUT THAT?

QUOTES AND MORE QUOTES……

“It’s only one game, but I like the makeup of this team,” GROH said. “We’ve got hitting and defense and of course pitching plus experience (WEINSTEIN and ROSENTHAL) have played a combined 411 years!

Next week….TEAM GROH plalys TEAM KRANTZ with the game being aired on TNT with CHARLES BARKLEY and STEVE ZAWATSKY doing the game and TEAM SIMONS clashes with TEAM GOLDHOFF with the game airing on TBS with BOB COSTAS and GARY ASKIN doing the game…..

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN…….

On Field 3 it was Team Ryan in his return as a captain vs. Team Krantz

Ryan for the winners:

Team Silverman beat Team Krantz 14-4 in 5 innings on Field 3.  The victory for the home team was a complete team effort with every single player contributing with their bat and/or their glove.  Behind the strong pitching of Corey Norris and clean defense all the way around, the team consistently had runners on base with most of the team having at least two base hits.  A special thanks to subs Jeremy Fogel and Scott Friend who both had great games at the plate.  Congratulations to rookie Brian Sugerman on the birth of his first child 10 days ago, who celebrated in grand style by launching a triple to left field.    

Finally on Field 4 it was Team Marc Brafman vs. Team Stu

Stu for the winners:

Kade “Drivin in my” Carlyle drove in five runs on three hits to lead Team Solomon past Team Brafman 15-5 on Wednesday at field 4. Carlyle hit a grand slam in the fifth inning, scoring four runs, and singled in the second inning, scoring one.

Team Solomon got on the board in the top of the first inning after Stuart “Little” Solomon doubled, scoring two runs, and Jimmy “Neutron” Lefton singled, scoring one run.

Team Solomon extended their early lead with three runs in the top of the second thanks to RBI singles by Carlyle and James “Quit Looking at Me” Swan.

Team Solomon added two more runs in the top of the third inning on three hits. Alex “Sauer” Kraus hit a solo home run, and Zach ‘Albert” Michelson (Albert Michelson was an astrophysicist who helped us measure the speed of light)  doubled, scoring one run.

Team Solomon added five more runs in the top of the fifth inning on six hits. Carlyle hit a grand slam into the trees, and Scott ” #1 medical Professional on our Team” Raskin doubled, scoring one run.

Team Solomon accumulated 20 hits in the game. Carlyle, Solomon, and Michelson each collected three hits for Team Solomon. Kraus, Adam “Mr. Ale 8” Heldman, Raskin, and Lefton each collected multiple hits for Team Solomon

Capt. Brafman would like to congratulate rookies Spencer “Flat and” Scruggs and Ethan Zinn on their first hits in the JCC league. Lots more to come..

League notes

I’ve been pretty hard on the Reds drafts over the years since for about 20 years they mostly stunk. But you have to give them credit for Elly, Sal Stewart, Chase Burns and Lowder. Of course constantly picking in the top 10 has a lot to do with that but at least none of them seem to be like Mr. Tin Nick Senzel..

I will mention it again but is there anything dumber than NFL draft talk? 

It was great to get out and play last night wasnt it? Watching Jacob play so many games I was itching to get out there. 

If Howie has played every year since he was 16 his first year in the league would have been 1964. Think about that for a second..Amazing that he is still out here playing we can all be so lucky.

While keeping my scorebook last night Joel Buckley mentioned that he likes to keep steals as a stat. I informed him that he is many steals away from Scott “Hungry Like a” Wolf the self proclaimed JCC steals leader. And who are we to dispute that fact?

I walked past a recent UC basketball recruit who is 7-3. I’m pretty sure I came up to his hip (maybe).

I know grass is hard to come by in Clifton but it amuses me to know end that UC students bring blankets and towels to Nippert and sun tan on the field. If this is a tradition I am just finding it out but nothing compares to the great first snow of the year tradition of drawing a giant penis on the field in snow each year. I laugh every year like I’m Jacob’s age. 

I read today that the new Spaceballs movie is coming out next year. I hope it’s as good as the first one. More amazing is that Mel Brooks who is 100 wrote it and is going to be in it. 

Finally in “What is Roger Selling this Week.” He has a lot of Travis Steele XU gear for sale. For 4 years he couldn’t give it away…now it’s his best seller.. He’s hoping that all the Miami fans buy it up. And if anyone wants some Butch Jones game programs autographed I found a bunch of them.

I’ll do better next week.

Marc