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August 16, 2023: Tournament Semifinals Recap

On yet another picture perfect Wednesday night, two of the best games of the year took place on Fields 2 and 4. Could team Brafman knock off the Wolf Red Machine? Who would win the pitcher’s battle of “the Living Legend” Howie vs. Fink. Let’s get to the recaps to find out who is playing for the Youk trophy next week.

On Field 2 we had Team Brafman vs. Team Wolf

In a tight, well-played game from start to finish, Team Wolf came through in the end to continue their amazing run 7-6 in 8 innings. “Three times this year Team Brafman has tested us and each time we do just enough to win,” Wes said post game. Tonight was no exception. We had to battle back all game. Team Brafman jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with a couple of bunt singles, some good base running and a two out single by Ryan “the Hebrew Hammer” Baum. Eppy kept Wolf off the boards for the first couple of innings as Team Brafman led 3-1 into the 4th. The middle of the Wolf order finally got a couple of runs when Pete “The Straw that Stirs the Drink” Soltesz drove in a run with a single. Team Brafman pushed across another run to make it 4-2 going to the 5th. Wolf added another run on a sac fly to pull within one. Both teams played great defense all night. For Team Wolf, Wes as usual made every play at SS, Matt “The Bobcat” Brodof was a rock at 3rd and Mike Gray fielded his pitcher’s spot like he has all season. 

For team Brafman, Baum in LF made a couple of great catches, Griff, AKA Kelly Leak, in LF caught everything and Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley was fantastic at SS. 

Going to the bottom of the 6th, Wolf trailed by 1 before getting two runs to take a 6-5 lead going to the top of the 7th. Griff led off with a JCC double and was driven home by Jamey “The Rookie” Drennan. Then the fun started. A bang-bang play at first went against Team Brafman followed by a missed call at the plate (on a very good play by Brodof and “The other” Brian Goldberg) kept the score tied at 6. Neither team scored in the bottom of the 7th or the top of the 8th.

Wes led off with a double and got to third when the ball got past Team Brafman’s RF (Who will remain nameless) which forced Eppy to walk Tyler and Brodof to bring up Soltesz. Pete lifted a fly ball to RF deep enough to score Wes with the winning run and get Wolf into the title game. 

“We gave it our all a dejected Brafman said post game. This game will stick with me all off season.” Tip of the cap to Wolf they found a way to win. “I’m so proud of our guys Scott “Dire” Wolf said post game. We had to fight once again all game, but in the end we did just enough to win. 

Team Wolf improves to an amazing 18-0 and tries to run the table for what most believe will be the first time ever. Who will they play to try to be the ’72 Dolphins? Let’s find out.

On Field 4 it was Team Wagner vs. Team Kamrass

There aren’t words to fully encapsulate the craziness of the Team Kamrass walk-off win against Team Wagner. The game was tight all game because Fink and Howie were both lights out. Great pitching, great defense, and very little hitting best describe the first six innings. Team Kamrass came to the plate in the bottom of the 7th down one run. Team Kamrass was able to plate the tying run quickly, and had bases loaded with one out and a chance to walk off the game. Instead, Team Wagner turned a double play to send it to extras.

In the top of the 8th, Team Wagner scored 3, highlighted by super sub, Jeremy Fogel, putting a ball over the fence (Congrats to Jeremy, although it should have been caught).

After a huge single from David Solomon, Team Kamrass found itself with one on and two outs and Michael “Cramps” Margolis at the plate with the season on the line. Adam Heldman boldly predicted, “When Margolis gets this hit, we are going to win this game!”

What ensued was magical. First, Margolis came through with a single to left to make it two on with no out. James Swan had the hit of the season, with a triple over the head of both Fogels. He scored to tie the game on a single from Adam Heldman. With the game tied and Heldman on first, Zach Mayer came to the plate and ripped the ball over the head of the right fielder to score Heldman and end the game.

It was the best game I’ve ever been a part of in the league. This team keeps finding ways to win. We’re ready to conclude the season by scoring more runs than Team Wolf to claim the title.

The title game date is TBD at the moment as Team Kamrass is going to the FC vs Messi game next week. Stand by for the update on the championship game.

I encourage all of us to come out and cheer both teams on for the Youk. 

League Notes

The ASG is Wed. Aug. 30. please come out and support your teammates. We can all go out after the game for the final time. 

Since we got rained out last week, a sad start to league notes as Oren Shmoel’s mom (Also Ryan’s Mother-in-Law) passed away. While I didn’t know her, I read about her and she sure sounds like about 90% of the Jewish moms in the league. Oren and Ryan, we are sorry for your loss.

We’ve had a number of birthdays and I’m sure I missed a couple but Griff and Ryan Baum both celebrated birthdays over the last couple of weeks. 

Former Softball player and all round dad pun guy Drew “King Fu” Brown met Bruce Springstein last week in Chicago. Not sure how that came about, but pretty cool.

A big shout out to Mr. Mike and Anne Goldstein (wife of Eric “Jeter” Goldstein) who led the youth of Cincy to Florida for the Maccabi games last week. As usual the Cincy team brought home a lot of medals. Once again, please support the Blue Jay’s program, which brings me to your favorite note of the week.

The Oy Vey 5k is back again this year. Please mark Sunday, November 5th down to come and support the JCC and the all the programs. I/(we) will be sending out more info on this coming up. 

It’s Jewish Heritage night at FCC on October 4. For those that go to the Reds game this is always a fun night. I encourage you to sign up. To purchase tickets for this promotion, use this link: https://fevogm.com/event/JCN23.

You know you are old when, while at a party, the conversation turns to when you are scheduled to get a colonoscopy.

Sad news from the music world as on the same day Robbie Robertson of The Band and Rodriguez of Searching for Sugar Man fame died last week. I encourage all of you to listen to Music From Big Pink, The Band, Rock of Ages from the Band and the soundtrack to Searching for Sugar Man to get introduced to him  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bK5dx5RVuc

Good luck to all the guys going back to school (and their parents). It’s fun seeing all of the pictures.

Bryce last week went to both games of the Reds/Pirates Doubleheader. That is a lot of baseball for anyone, but his son loved it.

Finally, the Reds…It’s amazing how poorly you can play when your front office lets you down. Nick Krall had one job. Get anyone better than Weaver. He couldn’t or won’t pull the trigger. Meanwhile, Michael Lorenzen tosses a no hitter, Weaver loses all 3 of his starts since the ASG and, to make it worse, was asked twice to be the stopper of losing streaks. He didn’t and the Reds lost more ground. What I don’t understand and will never understand is why keeping prospects for 3 years down the road is more important than winning now. For every Matt McClain and Andrew Abbott there is a Nick Senzel and Taylor Trammell (Remember him? Yeah, neither do I). My point is I really don’t care how a Reds minor league AA player will be in 3 years for another team if the guy they trade for him can help the Reds now. When the history of this season is written and if the Reds don’t make the playoffs the total lack of any moves by the front office will be the headline. And the most sobering thought of all is what if Elly is “The Punisher III”? 

Hope to see everyone at the ASG on Aug. 30 and the finals when it is announced. 

Marc

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August 2, 2023: Tournament First Round Recap

Yet another picture perfect night at Triple Creek last night. A great first night of the post season. Let’s get to the action

On Field 1, we had Team Wagner vs. Team Fogel:

Brad for the winners:

Team Wagner Took down team Fogel and a great opening around tournament contest by the score of 8-7. Team Wagner led the entire way for a wire-to-wire win. Key hits came from Captain “the Human Rain Delay” Wagner, Camden “the Bearcat” Kirzner, Matt Grindle and Jerry “Doc” Kirzner. Special shout out to Josh Rosen for an amazing catch in RC in the first inning off the bat of Jeremy Fogel. Howie pitched a great game and Chris Kunkel played a wonderful second base. Team Wagner takes on Team Kamrass next week on ESPN8 with Sir Oliver Humperdink and Women on the play-by-play and Color. 

On Field 2 it was the Wolf Red Machine vs. Team Stu

Scott for the winners:

In a well played game Team Wolf won again in come from behind fashion with a 7-4 win. Team Stu took an early lead but Team Wolf tied it with a couple of timely hits by Pete “the Straw that stirs the drink”  Soltesz.  In the top of the sixth Harry “Hood” Meisner hit a homer over the fence to put Solomon up 4-2. Team Wolf came alive alive with six hits to score 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th to hold on for the win. A special shout out to Mike Gray who pitched another great game. Team Wolf tries to remain undefeated vs. Team Brafman next week on the CW. David Crocket and Gordon Solie will be on the call

On Field 3 it was Team Brafman vs. Team Lefton

Marc For the winners

Team Brafman started early and never looked back beating Team Lefton 15-3 (or something like that) Big hits came from all over the lineup but special shout outs go to Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley, Dee and Griff Harris, “The Mayor” Todd Wasserman Eric “The Mouth of the Midwest” Gruen and Mark “Bruiser” Wolfe. On defense, Alex Kraus and Gruen made nice plays in RF, Tait “Richie” Cunningham and Jamey Drennan also played well in the field and the battery of Eppy and super sub Steve “Curley” Z also played great. “This was our most complete win of the year,” Brafman said post game. “I’m glad I finally got my second all time win in the postseason. Couldn’t have asked for a better team and a group of guys to do it with. We look forward to the challenge of playing Team Wolf next week.”

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

Micah for the winners

In a game that featured the smallest strike zone in JCC softball history, Team Kamrass vanquished Team Grefer 19-11. Everyone contributed with the bats, with huge hits from Goldstein, Anslinger, and Michael Margolis. 

Fink overcame a challenging strike zone to pitch well and was aided by a big 4-6-3 double play to get out of a jam.

Tip of the camp to Jack Cohen with one of the best catches I’ve ever seen in the outfield, robbing Anslinger of a likely home run. 

We’re ready for Team Wagner. Our plan is to score more runs than they do next week.

To recap

Team Wolf vs. Team Brafman

Team Kamrass vs. Team Wagner

We will know field later this week

League notes:

Happy birthday to Joel “The Wrath of” Kahn, Dan Gilbert, Ben Sandor and Jacob Zeidenstein. Happy birthday, guys.

Last night Former Commish Rick Tenenholtz ordered a set of wings at the Spring House not realizing that Eppy orders enough wings to feed a small army. Rookie move there, Rick.

Kudos to the Fogels who drove in from their vacation in Michigan to play last night only to turn around and drive back post game. That is 10 hours in the car. That is dedication.

Roger has been pretty quiet this past week since the Nasty Nati team came into Cintas and beat the XU alumni squad called Zip Them Up in the millon dollar tournament. Now you might be asking what does Zip Them Up mean? Well only the nice Jesuit boys from Norwood would call themselves that after the famous fight with UC years ago where they said they would “Zip them up” as in dead bodies from UC post game. Keep it classy as always Roger and XU. (Actually, in Roger’s defense he has mentioned he doesn’t like the name but he still roots for them so he is complicit).

Leave it to the Rally House to put a display of Reds City Connect jerseys for sale online. What I found funny is instead of a Joey or India, Elly, McClain or even Diaz jersey front and center they instead have an Ian Gibaut jersey in the front. Who the hell is buying that other than his family? 

If you want to waste a lot of time at work I can’t stress enough that you should play the game called Immaculate grid. https://www.immaculategrid.com/

It’s a lot of fun and very hard.

On sad note, long-time fan of the league, Marc Kuhr, passed away on Wednesday. Marc never met a stranger, and was one of the kindest people you could ever meet. He will be missed.

A special shout out to Alan “The Salsa King” Lessure who is retiring from the league after 50 years! Congrats Alan, we hope you come out and cheer on the teams next year. 

This week with the Reds. Ugh, where to start? 36 runs in two games, a Reds position player finishing a game two games in a row for the first time since 1937? The chance to bury the Cubbies, but instead get rocked twice. Ben Lively becoming the first Reds started to give up 13 runs in like 100 years? None of that is even close to the train wreck that once again our front office left the team and the fans. There is no excuse NONE for not getting another starting pitcher who is better than Luke Weaver. I don’t know why you draft or trade for prospects which is code for haven’t done jack and not then parlay that into big league talent to help the current team. Ask the Mets, Cards, Yanks and Pads how much they thought they were going to win this year. Just because the Reds are playing well (minus the last two nights) doesn’t mean that they will continue this in years to come. Sure we THINK that will happen but the total lack of moves is another slap in the face of David Bell, the players in the clubhouse and us. I love this team…we all LOVE this team and the fact they are a year ahead is great. Why not go for it? And the narrative that the Braves are going to run away with it? Ask the M’s who won 116 games and lost the White Sox or the Big Red Machine in 1973 who lost to the almost .500 Mets. You only have so many chances to win and go for it. The fact that they stood pat and we are counting on hope that Hunter Green and Nick Lodolo, Tejay Antone and Vlad Gutierrez come back healthy is a crock. I will now hop off my soap box.

Hope to see everyone out at the fields next week.

Marc

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July 30, 2023: Tournament Play-In Game Recap

What a game between Zawatsky and Solomon. A true back and forth affair that will echo in the halls of JCC lore for years to come. 

Tyler Stansbury, Harry Meisner and Stuart Solomon started the bottom of the first with three straight hits followed by a sac fly by Ryan Silverman. This tied the game at 2 a piece. Team Z put 4 on the board in the top of 2 due to some sloppy defense and timely hitting. Team Solomon responded with 4 of their own in the bottom of 2. Tyler plated three with a double to RCF. He scored on a FC on a great play by Ryan Marcus at the HOT corner. From there, it was a back and forth affair. After going down 1 in the top of the fourth, team Solomon had a two-out rally with back-to-back triples from Stuart and Ryan Silverman. Stuart’s triple scored Dr. Landon Krantz from first. 

Finally going into the bottom of 6, Tyler hit an absolute missile over the fence in RCF. Stuart got on by a “single” and advanced on a passed ball. Ryan Silverman laced a ball to LF, scoring Stuart to take a 2- run lead going into the 7th. 

Top of the 7th, runners on 1st and 2nd with 1 out. Zach Michelson hits a single, scoring Eli Zawatsky. Tyler got the relay and faked a throw to home. Will Coleman got greedy and tried going to third. Tyler chased him back towards second, diving to make the tag for the second and VERY important out. 

Team Solomon looks to continue their winning ways on Wednesday against the Wolfless Team Wolf. Evan (Logan) Weisser was quoted after the game, “We had a hard fought win today and we look forward to the challenge next week. We know the Wolfs will not be there but they have a great team and we can’t get too confident. We need to continue to play our game and grind out the win.”

Sources have confirmed seeing Ryan Marcus already starting his off-season training at the JCC this morning. 

So the first-round matchups for the Tournament are set. This Wednesday it will be (home team listed first):

  • On Field 1, Wagner vs Fogel
  • On Field 2, Wolf vs Solomon
  • On Field 3, Lefton vs Brafman
  • On Field 4, Kamrass vs Grefer

Good luck to everyone. See you at the fields!

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July 19, 2023: Games Recap

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

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July 16, 2023: Games Recap

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.