JCC Softball Cincinnati

I’m not sure what is more amazing. the fact that the Wolf ran the table or we didn’t have a single rain out. Both are impressive in their own right. 

As we move into the post season, a big tip of the hat to the Wolf team who went a remarkable 16-0. League historians don’t ever remember that happening so we will go with that. Now just like Kentucky or Bama or the Pats the pressure is on to win 3 more games. Can they do it? We will all find out.

Onto the games:

On Field 1 we had Team Grefer vs. Team Zawatsky 

Kyle for the winners:

We beat team Zawatsky 14-12 in a game that was close throughout, but we made just enough plays to get the win and avoid the play-in game. Offensively there were big hits from David Wertheim, Jack Cohen, Dan Grefer, Rick Tenenholtz, and Landon Krantz.

Looking forward to a big tournament matchup with #2 seed, Team Kamrass. They have a very good team, but I’m confident our team can hang with anybody.

On Field 2 we had team Lefton vs. Team Fogel

Roger for Team Fogel:

TEAM FOGEL   18

TEAM LEFTON 16

In a game that looked like it would be a blowout for TEAM FOGEL after busting out with 13 runs in the middle of the game, including a shot over the right field fence by captain JEREMY “THE COMET” FOGEL, TEAM LEFTON came back to get within two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning only to lose on a SPORTS CENTER TOP TEN play by ANDY “THE BADGER” GOLLIN who made an unbelievable catch in right field.

The victory broke a four-game losing streak and they head into the tournament on an upbeat note.

“I knew the team needed a lift and I was happy to provide it with that catch. It was nice to play hero on that play, but really it was a team effort,” GOLLIN said afterwards.

Team captain, JEREMY “THE COMET” FOGEL, said , “That was a huge win. We’ve been losing some close games lately and it was nice to withstand that charge at the end to hold onto the victory.” He added, “It was a total team effort as everyone chipped in for the win.”

Kudos go out to the following……GOLLIN who asked to pitch just minutes before the game, knowing the team could be better with him on the mound just throwing strikes with the defense behind him. He gave way late in the game with FOGEL picking up a save….his first as far we know.

Kudos also go out to ZACH MICHELSON, who played a solid second base and BRANDON WRONKER, who was solid at shortstop along with both SCOTT “PLEASE BE MY” FRIEND and FOGEL, who both made a couple of terrific plays once again in the outfield.

It should be noted that JOEL “SPARKY” FOGEL, father of JEREMY, sat out the game due to a minor injury, but did double duty as the third base coach and the pitching coach.

Finally, no record of this, but it’s believed that ROGER ROSENTHAL’s three sacrifice bunts could have been the most ever in a JCC softball game. Each time, DAN “DANNY” GREEN followed up with hits.

On Field 3 it was Team Wolf Machine vs. Team Wagner

Team Wolf completed the first undefeated regular season in JCC Softball (known) history with a 6-5 win over Team Wagner. According to league historian, Scott Wolf, the only other team close was his first year as a captain, when they went 15-1, capped off by a tournament championship. Sometime during that season, he ran full speed into the centerfield shack at the old JCC and still lived to tell the tale. 

For the last few weeks, teams have used the “We have nothing to lose, and they have everything to lose!” mantra only to be outlasted by Team Wolf. We’ve gotten here through the fundamentals: Great pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting. This one wasn’t as flashy as last week’s walk off homer, but we got the win. 

Enough with the celebrating, because the job isn’t done – Team Wolf is focused on the ultimate goal of winning the tournament championship. In the wise words of Evan Weisser, “No one remembers the ’07 Patriots”.

This week’s 6-5 victory was an encapsulation of the entire season. Another incredible pitching performance by Mike Gray, clutch hitting from Matt Brodof (2 doubles, 3 RBI), and strong defense all around including a back flip catch in LCF from Michael Askin. 

As the top seed in the tournament, Team Wolf awaits the winner of the Team Z / Team Solomon play in game. 

Finally on Field 4 it was Team Stu vs. Team Kamrass in the annual steel cage match.

Micah for the winners:

Team Kamrass completed a season sweep of Team Solomon with a 5-3 win. Fink was unhittable, coming up with key strikeouts throughout the night, and the defense behind him was outstanding. The bats were relatively quiet, but it was enough to get the job done.  12-4 is an incredible season in this league. Team Kamrass is fired up for the tournament.

So the tournament is set:

Team Stu vs. Team Z in the play-in game with the winners taking on the Wolf Machine.

The rest of the post season: 

#2 Kamrass vs. #7 Grefer

#3 Lefton vs. #6 Brafman

#4 Wagner vs. #5 Fogel

This year, after each round we will re-seed the teams meaning that the higher seed will always play the lower seed moving forward. So, for example, if Grefer upsets Kamrass and Wolf wins, Wolf would play Grefer instead of the higher seed left. Does that make sense to everybody? 

League Notes

Happy birthday this week to Eddie Gallop, Eric “Are the Yankee’s really in last place” Goldstein and Adam Cronstein.

If you are in your 20’s or 30’s, the JCC is hosting a young Jewish night at Rhinegeist to watch a Reds/Dodgers game on Sunday, July 30.

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a Reds player who can influence a game even if he’s not hitting like Elly can. Wednesday night, Jacob and I went to the game and he made an over the shoulder catch at SS (that Benson should have caught in LF), then threw a ball about 100 MPH to complete a DP. Yesterday, he of course threw one 99 MPH to get a runner at the plate. It was the fastest throw EVER for an infielder. As long as the Reds front office doesn’t screw this up, this group of Reds players is going to be good for a while. When was the last time we said that? Plus with FCC, the Bengals, XU hoops (maybe) and UC in the Big 12, has there ever been a better time to be a sports fan in Cincy?

I’ll have a tournament preview ready after the play-in game. Good luck to both teams!

Marc

With apologies for the late posting, here is the short version from Sunday’s games.

On Field 1 we had Team Fogel vs. Team Wolf Machine

Scott with the update for the winners:

Without team Captain, Wes Wolf, the team turned to Matt “The Bobcat” Brodof to get them through another win. He did just that as we won 6-4. Team Wolf used the outstanding pitching of Mike Gray combined with the tremendous outfield play of Pete “the Straw that Stirs the Drink” Soltesz, Mike Askin and Rabbi Yitz to hold off Fogel for the win. Team Wolf goes for the perfect season this Wed. vs. Team Wagner.

And Roger for Team Fogel

In what turned out to be a pitcher’s duel, TEAM WOLF, with captain WES WOLF, vacationing in the Alps?…..isn’t that the saying?………prevailed over TEAM FOGEL, 6-4.

JEREMY FOGEL, who played a solid LCF again, came in for relief duty on the mound and shut the door, however the offense just couldn’t sustain anything.

“I’m ordering extra batting practice this week heading into the final week of the season and the playoffs. We, me included, just can’t seem to buy a hit,” FOGEL said afterwards. “We’ve got to break out of it soon or it’ll be 1-2-3 you’re out of the tournament.”

Rookie shortstop BRANDON WRONKER, a graduate of the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, suggested that DAWN STALEY, coach of women’s basketball team, give the team a pep talk before the next game. That would rattle you!

Kudos go out to FOGEL for his great play in the outfield and his relief pitching…..who knows, he might be in the pitchers round next season?

TID BITS……

*ANDY GOLLIN is back from being off two games…..the reason?…..He was in Madison, Wisconsin checking out his alma mater, the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN football summer program……ON WISCONSIN!!!!!!!

On Field 2 we had Team Lefton vs. Team Stu

Team Lefton won 13-11.

On Field 3 it was Team Wagner vs. Team Zawatsky

Brad for the winners

Team Wagner beat Team Zawatsky 24-14 in a 6-inning affair on Sunday morning.  Big shout out to Benji Kotzin, who was subbing in place of Josh Rosen. He took a pitch in his second at bat over the fence in center field.  Other offensive contributions came from Ian Conwell, Cam Kirzner, AJ Goldhoff, Matt Grindle, Norm Frankel, and Jerry Kirzner.  Team Zawatsky wouldn’t go away and had some big hits from Mike Rothstein, Eli Zawatsky, and Joey Mattis. 

Team Wagner looks to take down Team Wolf on Wednesday.  That game airs on Star 64 with Don Muraco and Hercules Hernandez on the call.

Team Z faces Team Grefer on channel 6.  Otis Nixon and Willie McGee are on the call for that battle.

Finally on Field 4 it was Team Brafman vs. Team Grefer

Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley for the winning Team Brafman side

Despite some incredible defense from Team Grefer, Team Brafman was able to win 11-3 due to some timely hitting. After Team Brafman got a leadoff inside-the-park homerun from Joel Buckley, Super-sub David Solomon hit a bases clearing double while also scoring 3 times. Defensively, Alex Krause led the way with 5 catches leading to a bunch of stranded runners. Also notable for Team Brafman was Griffin Harris, who would have had an additional 3 RBIs and been one step closer to the cycle if not for the amazing catch of Jack Cohen who jumped up and took a home run away from over the fence, the first time I think anyone has seen that happen during a game.  Capt. Brafman would like to thank his team for going 3-0 in games he wasn’t at this year, proving once and for all that he is the Vern Rapp of this year’s captain group.

Another hot one out on the fields (but nothing like the action on field 2) more on that below. We are two games away from a perfect weather season and I’m going to keep bringing it up as a reverse jinx. 

Let’s head to the fields

On Field 1, we had Team Brafman vs. Team Kamrass

Micah for the winners:

Playing without ace pitcher Jeff Finkelstein, Team Kamrass was still able to cobble together a 13-11 win against Team Brafman by utilizing three pitchers. Michael Margolis served as the opener in the first inning. Dave Solomon was the long man pitching 5 innings of 2 run ball. Zach “Ricky Karcher” Mayer closed it out in the 7th.

Scott Raskin hit a three run homer and also made two great plays in the field. There were lots of stolen bases tonight, including an Elly-like heist of home by Zach Mayer.

Captain Kamrass was pleased with the performance. “This one was a lot of fun,” he said. With the bye on Sunday, Team Kamrass is glad to have Fink back on the hill for the season finale against bitter rival Team Solomon.

For Team Brafman Jamey “The Rookie” Drennan continued his ROY season with a homer. And as usual Griff hit a bases clearing triple. Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley would personally like to thank the ump for inventing rules on the fly last night. “That was a nice treat for us,” Buckley said post game.

On Field 2 we had the game of the season Team Wolf Machine vs. Team Z

Team Wolf prevailed 13-12 today in an instant classic against Team Z. Great play all around, complete with incredible defensive plays on both sides, a bunch of timely hitting, questionable fan interaction, and drama to end the game. 

We’ll pick up in the bottom of the seventh after Team Z took an 8-6 lead following a close back-and-forth game. Ty “cut-it-close” Wolf led off the inning with a double to right field and was quickly knocked in by Pete Soltesz. After an out, Bryan Goldberg hit a game-tying triple down the left-field line to tie the game. A couple batters later, Team Z turned a bang-bang double play to send the game to extra innings. 

Team Z rallied for 4 two-out runs to take a commanding lead going into the bottom of the eighth. Dan “The Stache” LaCerva led off with a huge infield single, followed by Michael Askin’s third hit of the game. Wes Wolf then hit a liner down the right field line that made it to the wall, resulting in a home run that reduced the deficit to 1. Matt Brodof was finally rewarded with a hit after smashing the ball all game. Before walking to the plate as the winning run, Pete Soltesz said to his teammates “I’m going to pull it, and I’m going to pull it hard”, and he did just that, crushing a home run over the fence in left-center field to walk off the game. 

Credit goes to both teams in one of the best games of the season. A huge thank you to Mark Weisser for a gutsy pitching performance – the Wolf boys always love playing behind you!  (League notes ads this was a fun game to watch with cheering family members, good coaching and general good play from both teams)

On Field 3 it was team Fogel vs. Team Wagner

Brad for the winners:

Team Wagner took down Team Fogel 18-4 on Wednesday.  Wagner scored three in the first and held Fogel to a single tally, then scored five in the second inning before closing it out with nine runs over the last two innings.  Howie Schwartz was dominant on the hill, with a couple of strikeouts and strong defensive plays.  Cam Kirzner made a great catch going into centerfield to grab a pop-out in the fifth inning.  Chris Kunkel, Matt Grindle, and John Spears made solid plays defensively, while Wagner, Super Sub JZ, and Norm Frankel brought out the big sticks at the plate.  Wagner takes on Zawatsky on Sunday.  Fogel takes on Wolf.

And Roger for Team Fogel

Another game….another loss……

After two tough losses, TEAM FOGEL was never in the game as TEAM WAGNER jumped out early and breezed to the victory……

Kudos go out to BRANDON WRONKER, who went 3 for 3, but hits were far and few for the rest of the team……

Team captain, JEREMY FOGEL, one of the best defensive outfielders in the league had to pitch as both pitchers on the team were out….COREY NORRIS, with an injury and DAN 

“DANNY” GREEN missed for personal reasons……he was back home in Philadelphia participating in a cheesesteak eating contest.

Kudos go out to TEAM WAGNER shortstop, CAM KIRZNER, a huge UC men’s basketball fan, who after striking out earlier in the game and getting razzed by ROGER ROSENTHAL, a huge XAVIER UNIVERSITY men’s basketball fan, made a Top Ten Play Of The Year play at shortstop when he made an almost impossible catch in shallow left center field.

ROSENTHAL said after the play, “I can’t believe I’m complementing a UC fan, but that was one hell of a catch. Elly de la Cruz would have been impressed!”

TEAM FOGEL’s locker room was closed off to the media once again, but there was a lot of yelling going on in there. It is believed that there were some words said to certain players and that a near fight broke out, but JOEL “SPARKY” FOGEL, father of JEREMY, calmed things down and said, “NO desserts for you guys for a week!”

TEAM FOGEL will try to break a three game losing streak this coming Sunday when they take on undefeated TEAM WOLF.

Finally on Field 4 a real pitchers duel between Team Grefer and Team Lefton 

Jimmy for the winners:

From the “you never know” episode of JCC softball. Team Lefton came back from six runs down in the bottom of the 7th to win against Grefer 22-21.

There were many offensive stars for Team Lefton but none as big as the three “Loony tune clan” Anton, Matt and Peter each went yard. “Not since the Alou brothers have three family members on one team done so well,” Jimmy said post game. Jamie Kurtzer was the game ball winner for perserving through an offensive explosion from Grefer. Jamie also drove in the winning runs with two outs in the bottom of the 7th with a line drive over the CF head.

League notes:

Happy birthday goes out Brandon “gray” Wolf, former player  and league sponsor Billy “Wrath of” Kahn and current player Oren Shmoel.

I forgot to mention this last week but a HUGE congrats to Matt Miller for being promoted to chief of staff of UC basketball. 

Former JCC all star and now one of the most buff jewish guys you’ll ever meet Jeff Cohen a happy anniversary 

Kevin Youkilis has a new coffee to go with Loma beer. Congrats Youk.

Jason Esterkamp became the next liar in our league saying how much he misses his kids while they are away at camp. How come all of the pictures of you empty nesters for the summer say we miss our kids while also on vacation on the beach somewhere?

Last night during the exciting Team Z vs. Team Wolf game Brad Wagner and I were discussing Ryan “the One Man Gang” Marcus and whether he should adopt Akame the African Dream persona moving forward. If any of you know what we are talking about I feel sorry for you.

David Wertheim was on TV yesterday promoting some sort of Irish festival coming to town. Now I know there were river dance type of dancers on the show with him. I hope there is video of him dancing like that

Not to be Debbie Downer on the Reds but let’s remember they could have signed Luis Castillo to a team friendly deal and that none of the players they got for him are currently on the team. So when they trade Arroyo or Marte to some team for a pitcher nowhere close to Castillo’s skill level remember that our ownership team is still awful (Nick Krall is not) and that we could have had a rotation of the 3 young guys, Abbott and Castillo. 

Roger informed me that he can price out EDLC baseball cards for any number he wants. $5 bucks 10, 25 he said it doesn’t matter. 

See everyone on Sunday