JCC Softball Cincinnati

Man, what a first night Commish Ryan dialed up for us on Wednesday as the 2023 JCC softball season got off to a great start. “Maybe all of my prayers to Mother Nature were answered after last season,” Ryan said. “She owes us one after all the rain.” After dusting off the rust from a long offseason let’s get down to the action.

On field one we had Team Solomon vs. Team Wolf 

First Wes for the winners: (Congrats on your first team win, Wes) 

The inaugural game for Team Wolf was a 14-8 win against Team Solomon! Starting with an inside-the-park home run from captain, Wes Wolf, in the 1st, a few more timely hits brought 4 runs in through 2. Mike Gray came out firing with only two runs allowed through 4, backed by a great stand-in catching performance from Duffy Wolf and Keith Kombrinck.

Tyler Wolf led the way at the plate going 4-4 with 4 RBI and Brian Goldberg followed with a bases-clearing double leading to 3 RBI in a 6-run fifth inning. Overall, a great showing from Team Wolf who will be even more potent when Matt Brodof makes his debut next week. 

And Coach Stu for the losing team:

It was great being back on the diamond. While Team Solomon took the L last night, we had a great time together and I am optimistic for the season.

Some Highlights:

Harry “Hercules” Meisner only needed one pitch to hit an absolute BOMB to LCF. Then, he hit a ball to the wall and used that Black Sheep speed for an inside-the-park homer.

Stuart “Everyone’s Favorite Captain” Solomon went 3-4 and played a wonderful 3B. He had a diving catch to rob a sharp single, a nice barehanded play to throw out the runner, and another nice play on a slowly hit grounder to third.

Adam “Robert California” Teitlebaum had a great first game. One the first batter he saw, he made a sliding play in RF. Additionally, he was all over the basepaths. Additionally, he has a glorious mustache.

Oren “The Best Basketball Player in the League” Shmoel had several very nice defensive plays capped off by an unassisted DP at 2nd. 

Lastly, Alan “The Salsa King of the Midwest” Lessure went 1-3 with an RBI to rub it in the face of all the captains. He is Him of the last round.

On field two we had Team Z taking on Team Fogel

Roger ghost writing for the winning Team Fogel:

TEAM FOGEL 19

TEAM ZAWATZKY 5

The season opener for TEAM FOGEL was a smashing success! They defeated TEAM ZAWATZKY, 19-5, in a shortened five inning game…..

The only mistake on the night was the fact that team captain and former MASON HIGH SCHOOL baseball star, JEREMY FOGEL, thought his team was the visiting team…..

After some dazzling defensive plays in the top of the opening frame, the victors exploded for a four spot and never looked back.

“It was a total team effort, and it was exactly what I had hoped for in the season opener,” Fogel said afterwards. “Everyone contributed at the plate and/or in the field. We played a great game.”

It started with pitching veteran, COREY NORRIS, who breezed through four innings before giving up a five spot in the top of the fifth inning.  He didn’t walk a batter.

The hitting stars were numerous, with highly paid stars like former WYOMING HIGH SCHOOL great, JASON ESTERKAMP….SCOTT “Why Can’t we Be” FRIEND….rookie BRANDON “the gamecock” WRONKER…..and FOGEL doing their fair share…..but it was the others, ZACH MICHELSON…..SCOTT ADAMS…..NORRIS….and rookie MATT MILLER (NO RELATION TO WES OR SEAN).

Minus from this list is ROGER ROSENTHAL, the elder statesman, who fell down twice, once running to first base after a sacrifice bunt and the other time fielding a ball at second base. He made the play each time and didn’t collect a hit, but did produce a sacrifice bunt to help plate a run and played a stellar defense.

Speaking of defense, the winners had ZERO errors……

Other comments after the game……

ROSENTHAL…….”Hey I thought if we won the first game, the captain was going to buy us each a bobblehead of our choice.”

NORRIS……………”Can anyone shut Roger up. I’ll buy them a beer if they do.”

MILLER…………….”I work for the University of Cincinnati, but I have to give credit where credit is due. XAVIER has the better men’s basketball program in town.”

and finally, FRIEND…….”All I know is THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA has the best football program in the country.”

A special thanks goes out to RYAN “the Hebrew Hammer” BAUM who subbed and played a solid game…….

On Field 3 it was Team Wagner vs. Team Brafman

Brad for the winners:

Team Wagner took down Team Brafman 16-12 on Opening Night. Team Wagner took the lead in the top of the 1st with four tally marks, including a big hit by Cam Kirzner. Brafman chipped away throughout the game and eventually took the lead 7-5 on some solid hits by their entire line up.  Captain Wagner tied the game with a 2-run single and held off a huge rally by Brafman with an amazing play by Kirzner at SS, by doubling off Steve Eppstein at 2nd base off a line shot by Griff Harris.  The victors plated eight in the top of the 7th and were able to hold off a 7th inning Brafman rally.

Captain Wagner was interviewed by John London after the game and was asked how it felt to get his first win on opening night after taking a few years off from captaining. Wagner stated, “Coming out of the draft I knew we would be very competitive with a solid mix of young guys and seasoned veterans.  I pulled three all-nighters prepping for this draft.”

Howie Schwartz pitched a solid game and Norm Frankel played well at 1B, including a nice catch in foul territory. Big hits came a plenty including off the bats of Ian Conwell, AJ Goldhoff, and Chris Kunkel.

At one time tonight, Jerry Kirzner, Norm Frankel, and Howie Schwartz were all on base together. That’s an approximate combined age of 220.

Next week Team Wagner takes on Team Zawatsky, which will be aired on bankrupt Bally Sports instead of showing the Reds.

And Captain Brafman for the losers:

It was a good first showing for Team Brafman. We just couldn’t quite get over the hump. Kudos to the Living Legend Howie Schwartz who continues to do his thing. Big hits for Team Brafman came from super Sub JZ with a homer, Eric “The Mouth of the Midwest” Gruen who went 3-4, Dee Harris and Alex Kraus.

On defense a big shout out to rookie Jamey Drennan, who was fantastic at third most of the game, and Joel Hallelujah Buckley at SS. Finally, Eppy pitched a great first 4 innings and kept Team Wagner in check. “I expect a lot of wins from my team,” Brafman said post game. We will rebound and attack next week.

And last but not least on field 4 we had Team Kamrass vs. Team Grefer

Micah for the winners:

On a beautiful night for softball, Team Kamrass out-dueled Team Grefer 18-13. Fink pitched a great game, and every player on the team delivered key hits. Dave Solomon connected with Scott Raskin to throw out a runner stealing at second. Bryce Anslinger had a few timely catches in right field. New guy Jordan Skinner had a great league debut at third base.

“There was definitely some rust on both sides, but our team fought hard and was in control the entire way,” said Captain Micah Kamrass.

Tip of the cap to new guys Krantz and Ruben on Team Grefer, who will both be great additions for the league.

And Kyle for the losing team:

We lost a tough game to team Kamrass 18-13. After going down early we did a good job of fighting back to keep it close, but it wasn’t enough. Our defense was struggling early shaking off the offseason rust but got better as the game continued and we only allowed one run in the final 4 innings. Jon Ruben’s debut at pitcher started with a strikeout to the first batter he faced (that ended up being a passed ball and the guy reaching first, but it still counts). Joey Huidt and Adam Cronstein had great games at the plate, with Mark Levine and Howard Goldwasser also coming up with some big hits. Rookie Landon Krantz had a nice game at third base making some great plays, and David Wertheim made all the plays at shortstop.

League notes

Please mark June 21 down on your calendar as that is wing night at the Silver Spring house sponsored by Big Gig Franklin (our corp sponsor) come out after the game

Also mark down Jewish Night at the Reds game on May 23. It’s a fun night for all even if the Reds will lose to the Cards. 

Speaking of the Reds, a tip of the softball cap to our own Albert Weisbrot who sang the national anthem on Monday night. Of course, once the word got out, the Reds had their lowest attended game in the history of GABP.

Speaking of the Reds part 2. While I give them credit for signing Hunter Green and hopefully a couple more of the young guys that does nothing to change my mind that this will be the worst Reds team of all time. They will blow past 100 losses. (I do like Spencer Steer, though)

Last week I mentioned that Gary Grefer plays in an over-55 league in Florida AKA the Mexican league in the offseason. Big congrats to Gary’s team for winning it this year. He said while the average age guys are in their 50’s there are guys over 70 playing. As someone who was sore from playing LF on Wed. that is pretty amazing. Nice job, Gary.

I know what most of you younger guys were doing the past 9-12 months and it wasn’t taking batting practice. There were more babies and young kids at the game on Wednesday than I can ever remember. Congrats to Alex Kraus, AJ and Jamey (the rookie) for having their kids out. And Rabbi Yitz for bringing his own team.

I can’t wait to talk to Ricky Lefton after he comes back from his trip during the March of the Living. While not a fun trip by any stretch it’s so important that Rick and Ann (Eric Goldstein’s wife) are leading the Cincy youth on this important trip.

And finally in our new segment we are calling “This week in the world of Roger Rosenthal.”

Roger informed me last night that he likes to go out and sing Karaoke in his down time. To me the worst singers in the history of music is a tie between Yoko Ono and Bjork. I somehow believe Roger singing Tiptoe Through the Tulips (one of his go to songs) might be worse. (but if you like music I encourage all of you to watch the doc on Jason Isbell currently showing on HBO. Very interesting)

See everyone Wednesday 

Marc

After a long dark offseason, it’s finally time for softball. Of course, the weather gods are smiling on us this Wednesday (A day we can’t play), so be prepared to bring your wet suit next Saturday since I’m sure it will rain.

It’s that time of year when hope springs eternal for all nine teams and we are ready to get back onto the field and play some ball. With the draft over, here are some news and notes from the off-season. 

Congrats go out to David “D-Sol” Solomon for his new job at the Holocaust Center.

Congrats to Scott “Dire” Wolf on the wedding of his son, Freddie.

Keeping it in the Wolf Family, a big shout out to Duffy Wolf on his amazing pictures that were on display at HUC this winter. Keep up the great work, Duff.

When we all see Fink this year, remember to give him a pat on the back as his dad (a former pitcher in the league) died this offseason. 

Did you know that Reds farm hand Evan Kravetz pitched for team Israel in the WBC, and our own, Kevin Youkilis, was the teams hitting coach? 

At each UC basketball game, we pick a lucky student who gets to shoot for loot and at one game our own, Cam Kirzner, was picked. Needless to say, Cam is a much better shortstop than a three-point shooter. (But he is still the best Skyline Chili man at games).

And finally, if you are ever fortunate enough to get a phone message from our own Roger Rosenthal, be prepared to sit and sit and sit and sit to listen to it. This offseason he has left me messages up to two minutes long! Who has time to talk to Roger for that long, let alone sit and listen to a two-minute message? How about, “Mr. Brafman, it’s Roger, call me back.”

And now, onto the draft and the pre-season preview. 

The draft, as usual, was a fun evening of laughter, arguing and of course good-hearted ribbing as the 9 captains got together for their annual soiree. 

You can tell which captains prepared for the draft by what they brought with them. Marc Brafman and Stu Solomon had notebooks, Wes Wolf had a laptop computer (and Scott Wolf), Brad “The Human Rain Delay” Wagner had 15 mock drafts, a big board like Mel Kiper and three cell phones to keep tabs on all the players and the Lefton’s had a player ranking for all 100+ guys. The Grefer brothers brought beer.

It was good to see former captain, Mark Weisser, still at the draft this time as sergeant-at-arms. He oversaw moving the draft along while also quelling any in-fighting about what color shirt each team got this season.

You know it’s softball season when Mike “The Special One” Rothstein is complaining about the umps before the season even starts. 

A big shout out to Mike Creemer for coming through. Unlike recent seasons, scorebooks and concessions cards were handed out before the season. Well done, Mike.

And now onto the team previews:

Team Brafman:

Team Brafman picked the tag team of Griff and Dee Harris. “The call was simple,” Brafman said post draft. “I’ve never played with them and one of my favorite things about this league is playing with new guys every year (except me picking Eric Gruen… that happens every year).” Team Brafman’s top of the order seems to be built for speed with Griff, Joel Buckley and Gruen. Newcomer and Cincy native, Jamey Drennan, rounds out that speed as Brafman expects big things from his rookie infielder. With cagey vets like Jeff Weisbrot, Steve Eppstein and Todd Wasserman filling out the rest of the lineup, Team Brafman looks to make life tough on the rest of the league. 

Micah Kamrass went against his normal “Team Bachelor Party” mode with guys like Zach “Mr. Mellow” Mayer, Jeff Finkelstein, Adam Heldman and the Margolis package (Michael and Ben) on his team. “I wanted a wide net of guys for this season, and I think I got that. What should be a good middle of our order with David Solomon, Bryce Anslinger, and the newcomer, Jordan Skinner, I am confident that we can win this year. I know I’ve got one of the best pitcher/catcher tandems in the league and I’m excited to get out on the field and prove it.”

Defending league champ, Stu Solomon, already complaining about the makeup of his team before the draft, started hopes to pick up where he left off last night. With some serious lumber in the order (Tyler Stansbury, Harry Meisner, Stu and Ryan Silverman), this team follows the pattern Stu started last season. “I plan on beating teams by hitting and hitting and hitting. Plus I’m playing with my bro who I hope is more Brett to my Aaron Boone than Mike to my Barry Larkin.  And since I picked the Commish he gets to hear me whine about my team all season which really is a double win for me.”

Team Lefton drafted well. The Loon package, with Anton and his nephews, Peter Brownell and Matt Leader, give Lefton youth and huge upsides. “We love to draft families,” Jimmy said post draft. “When Anton and his crew were on the board, I had to take a shot with them. ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ Ryan Baum, Handsome Sam Castellini and Dr. Bob Pelberg give us some leadership and pop at the bottom of the order. Plus, we get the ‘Dr. of Style’ David Weil, who will add some levity to the team.” 

Team Grefer drafted some of the best value picks of the draft. A very fast top of the order with David “Slim Shady” Wertheim and Adam “Never met a shirt with sleeves that I liked” Cronstein at the top of the order will set the table for the big bats of the Grefer’s and some big rookies like Landon Krantz and Jon Ruben. “It’s not often we get a rookie pitcher in this league and Danny and I are excited for the chance to showcase Jon Ruben as he comes in with a lot of experience in the Frontier league. Of course, having the cagey vet, Rick Tenenholtz, behind the plate will help us this season.”

Team Zawatsky lived up to his name of Team Z by drafting every player whose last name starts with or has a Z in it. “Just because we were always last in line at school doesn’t mean we are going to be last in line this year in softball. With guys like Pat ‘Sunshine’ Feldman, Ryan ‘the half man gang’ Marcus (he’s lost weight) and great pitching by Ken Groh I know we are going to be there at the end of the season. Gregg Harris will keep us all loose and it’s not often I get to play with three other guys whose last name is Z (son Eli, Eric Zied and Zach Zakem), we will be ready to take on the rest of the alphabet this year.”

The Wolf family was back this year with captain Wes taking over. If nothing else this will be an interesting bench with guys such as Pete “The Straw that Stirs the drink” Soltesz, Mr. Talkative, Mike Askin, and Mike Gray all on the same team. “We plan on being combative both on the bench and on the field,” Wes said. “Hopefully, the 20 Creeger kids on the bench will make our guys behave themselves. Not to mention, we have the best moustache in the league in rookie, Dan LaCerva. That has to count for something, right?”

Brad Wagner comes back as a captain after a few years off. “I liked running the draft instead of being on this side of things,” Wagner said during the draft. But you won’t know it by his team. From Josh Rosen and Cam Kirzner, he has speed and very good defense. Taking the living legend, Howie Schwartz, as his pitcher will only add to this powerful team. Rookies John Spears and Ian Conwell round out this team that will be a tough out all up and down the order. “I’m pleased with my team Brad said afterwards. While I might get 3-4 strikes called on me in MLB, I’m glad that there is no pitch clock in JCC softball. I need all the strikes I can get,” Wagner said.

Finally, Team Fogel took rookie, Brandon Wronker and then took some power with Scott “Why can’t we be” Friend, and Jason Esterkamp. Then they went with the “we are family” approach with the picks of rookie, Matt Miller, and Shorty Adams, who aren’t related but in the Jewish world are uncle and nephew. “Why not draft my roommate and his uncle? We can talk UC basketball while we play each week. What’s wrong with that? If nothing else, it will drive Roger crazy.”

See everyone next week. Let’s hope for nice weather.