18-Grip Shield Glory Days

One of the difficulties in an All Star game is that pitchers and catchers who don't normally work together during the season wind up having to do so. Such was the case on Tuesday, December 16 when Justin Libecap (Boynton Red Sox) threw a fast ball that Luis Santana (Metric) couldn't handle and the resultant passed ball scored Craig Spatara (Hurricanes) with the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning as the American All Stars, dominated by Hurricanes' players edged Nationals, dominated by Boynton Red Sox players at the Lantana Sports Complex 8 to 7. Earlier in the inning, Libecap had unleashed a bases loaded wild pitch to score the Seminoles' Jose Corea with the tying run. Corea led off the winning rally with a single to right, his second hit of the game. Spatara followed with a base hit, his second. After Jose Miranda (Expos) drilled a bullet off the chest of Libecap, who recovered to throw him out at first, both runners moved into scoring position. The Nationals opted to issue an intentional walk to Arnie Torres (Hurricanes), loading the baes with one out. The strategy backfired, however, when Libecap unleashed a wild pitch to score Corea. Danny Moya (Expos) was also issued an intentional pass, again loading the bases for the Hurricanes' John Dobson. With the count at two and oh, Libecap's tailing fastball outside the strike zone kicked off Santana's glove and Diego Lezcano (Hurricanes) trotted home with the game winning run as a courtesy runner for Craig Spatara (Hurricanes). The Nationals held the lead in this game twice. They scored an unearned run off Jose Pena (Hurricanes) in the first inning on a pair of infield errors and a wild pitch on a strikeout of the Red Sox' Matt Gray that allowed him to reach first and brought Kevin McCord, his Red Sox' teammate in to score. That was the only run (unearned) off Pena, who gave up no hits in his three innings. The Americans came back with two in the bottom of the first. Lezcano doubled to deep right center and scored on a base hit by Corea. Corea took second on the throw to the plate and moved to third when the relay sailed past the plate. Spatara plated Corea with a sharply hit ground out to shortstop. The Americans made it 3-1 in the fourth when Spatara doubled and Corea (courtesy runner) scored on an RBI single by Miranda. The Nationals rallied for six runs off Torres in the sixth inning to take a 7-3 lead. Scott Cobb (Marlins), John Mora (Red Sox). The runners moved to second and third on a passed ball. Jesus Ferrer singled home courtesy runner Chris Barulic (Red Sox) and moved Mora to third. Jason Alice (Red Sox) singled home Mora. Torres walked Fernando Miranda (Marlins) to load the bases, and McCord drew a walk for the fourth run of the frame to give the Nationals the lead at 4-3. Chuck Tooch (Hurricanes) relieved Torres and fired a wild pitch that scored David. Santana singled sharply to right, scoring both Miranda and McCord to make it a 7-3 lead for the Nationals. Tooch finished up his 1 2/3 inning stint with no runs allowed and three strikeouts. The AL squad chipped away with single runs in the sixth, seventh and eight innings before launching their winning rally in the ninth. Brett Siew (Atlantic Sails) walked, stole second, went to third on Lezcano's singled and scored when Corea hit into a forceout at second base in the sixth. In the seventh, Miranda singled, Torres drew a walk, a wild pitch advaned the runners and Dobson plated a run on an infield grounder. They pulled to within a run with a singleton in the eighth. Tooch singled,and eventually scored on a double steal. Jeff Schector (Expos) stole second and Tooch stole home to cut the deficit to 7-6. After Dobson turned away the Nationals with no runs and only one hit in two innings, he got credit for the pitching win when the American Division launched its winning rally. Corea, with two hits, four runs scored, and two RBIs sparked the winning rally and was chosen as the Game's Most Valuable Player and was awarded an NABA All Star Game MVP plaque. All participants and managers were awarded an NABA All Star Game Commemorative Shirt. 18AA All Star Game Box Score Nationals (7) Fernado Miranda (Marlins) 3-1-0, BB, 2K; Kevin McCord (Boynton Red Sox) 3-2-0; BB; Luis Santana (Metric)4-0-2, 2 RBI; Matt Gray (Red Sox) 3-0-0; BB, 3K; Lee Doloff (Marlins) 2-0-0, BB; Justin Libecap (Red Sox) 3-0-0, K; Ramon Serpa (Metric) 3-0-1, K; Chris Barulic 3-1-0; Scott Cobb 3-0-1, K; John Mora (Red Sox) 3-1-1; Jesus Ferrer 3-1-1, RBI, BB; Pete David (Marlins) 3-0-0, BB; Jason Alice (Red Sox) 3-1-2, RBI National Totals-AB-37 Runs-7 Hits-8 RBI-5 Barulic scored a run as courtesy runner for Cobb in 6th inning Americans (8) Diego Lezcano (Hurricanes) 4-2-2; 2B, K; Jose Corea (Seminoles) 4-4-2, 2 RBI; Craig Spatara (Hurricanes) 4-0-2, 2B, RBI; Jose Miranda (Expos) 4-0-2, RBI, K; Arnie Torres (Hurricanes) 2-0-0, 2BB, K; Danny Moya (Expos) 3-0-1, BB; John Dobson (Hurricanes) 2-0-0, RBI, BB, K; Mike Saturno (Atlantic Sails) 2-0-0, BB, K; Chuck Tooch (Hurricanes) 3-1-1, 2K; Robert Romero (Expos) 1-0-0, BB, 2K; Jose Pena 2-0-0, K; Jeff Schector (Expos) 3-0-0, SB, K; Brett Siew (Atlantic Sails) 2-1-0, BB, SB American Totals AB-36 R-8 H-10 Corea scored as courtesy runner for Spatara in fifth inning Corea scored as courtesy runner for Miranda in 7th inning Lezcano scored as courtesy runner for Spatara in 9th inning Nationals Pitching Barulic 2IP, 2H, 2R, 1ER, 1BB, 5K; Doloff 2IP, 2H, R, 1ER, 2K; Gray 2 1/3IP, 3H, 2R, 2ER hits, 2 runs (two earned), 3BB, 2K, WP; Libecap (L) 2 IP, 3H, 3R, 2ER, 3BB, 2IBB, WP Americans Pitching Pena 3IP, 0H, 1R, 0ER, 2K; Torres 2 1/3IP, 7H, 6R, 6ER, 3BB, 1K Tooch 1 2/3IP, 1H, no runs, 1BB, 3K; Dobson 2IP, 1H, no runs, 2K Score by innings R H E LOB Nationals 100-006-000-7 8 2 9 Americans 200-101-112-8 10 4 11 Winning Pitcher-John Dobson (Hurricanes) Losing Pitcher-Libecap (Boynton Red Sox) Time of Game-3:06 Umpires-Jim Wilson (P), Mike Hotchkiss (B) Managers-Nat-Alan Beveridge (Boyn Red Sox) Amer-John Dobson (Hurricanes) Most Valuable Player-Jose Corea (Seminoles)

LOS TIGRES BEATEN IN HEARTBREAKER 3-2 IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS IN PHOENIX. Another heartbreaking loss for Los Tigres in a national tournament. So close, yet so far. Los Tigres dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker to the Colorado Reds on Sunday, October 5, in the semifinals of the NABA's World Championship Series in Tempe, Arizona in the Greater Phoenix area's Valley of the Sun. The Tigres trailed 2-0 early, then fell behind 3-1 before staging a furious, two out rally in the bottom of the ninth inning. They pushed across a run with three consecutive singles, but the tying run was cut down at third base when the Los Tigres' runner lost his footing. The slip cost him as he was thrown out at third base and the dream ended for Los Tigres. They had a terrific tournament, though, winning all five of their pool games to garner a pool championship. Their fifth win was an 18-1 blitzing of the New York Iron Horse, most of whose players were on the 2003 Hall of Fame Tournament championship team. They bombed the New York All Stars 14-4 in the quarterfinals on Saturday before dropping the 3-2 thriller to the Reds. Colorado then lost to the Santa Ana (CA) Cerveseros 5-3 in the 18AA title game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Despite the disappointing loss, Los Tigres can be proud of their achievements (83 runs in 7 games) and this league is very proud of this comment made by members of the national tournament staff: "This team has really grown up and we look for them to win a title very soon, perhaps as soon as next year".

The Rockhounds added a pair of pitchers, the Yankees picked up two potentially good hitters, the Rockets got a former Caribbean Stars outfielder, the Seminoles added a young and promising shortstop and the Rockies (formerly Angels) drafted almost an entire team Sunday at the NABA Palm Beach fall league tryouts at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana. The Rockhounds, who are moving back to 18AAA after having a 16-2 record in 18AA this spring, chose 18-year old pitcher Kletus Stubblefield and 24-year hurler Michael Pichardo in the draft. In drafting Stubblefield, the Hounds may also have added a shortstop with pro experience. Stubblefield's stepdad, Thomas Coates, played minor league baseball and was with the two time league champion Pirates in the mid 1990's. Coates has indicated he would play with the Rockhounds to keep an eye on his stepson and to bring experience to the Hounds' roster. Pichardo pitched both in the Caribbean and a strong Adult League in the Miami area. The Yankees chose a pair of players who looked good in hitting drills on Sunday. Jason Davis, 27, first baseman-outfielder, demonstrated power by drilling several balls to the outfield, including one which left the yard. The Yankees also selected 31-year old infielder Herid Betancourt who played this spring with the Cardinals of the Men's Baseball Association. Betancourt, who can also pitch, had arrived at the complex because he thought his first place Cardinals'team was scheduled to play. When advised that the MBA had abruptly ended its season last week, he signed up for the NABA tryouts. The Rockets, now managed by Billy Brescia, picked up a veteran outfielder--30-year old Dennis Martinez, who played for several seasons with the Caribbean Stars (now Los Tigres). The Seminoles, represented by player Lino Batista in the absence of vacationing manager Joe Stone, made the only 18AA selection when they tabbed 19-year old shortstop John Laurino. Laurino played his high school ball at Pope John Paul HS in Boca Raton and is now enrolled at Palm Beach Community College. John Corporal's Rockies selected eleven players in the hope of creating a more financially solvent organization for the fall. The Rockies took 42-year old outfielder Harris Levitt, who played for the 18AA Cubs this spring; 26-year old outfielder John Aquino of Lantana and 19-year old infielder-outfielder Eric Wynn of Boca Raton, a former Pope John Paul HS player. In addition, the Rockies selected 21-year old infielder-pitcher Rolando Valdes; 40-year old shortstop Steve Tonoff; 25-year old outfielder Steve Grove, who was with the Seminoles this spring and has other Palm Beach league experience; 23-year old outfielder Don Hennessy who played with the Greenspace Royals in the spring; 35-year old outfielder-second baseman Marc Lichtenfeld of Boynton Beach; 37-year old shortstop-outfielder David Jackson, also of Boynton; 40+ third baseman Chris Lambert of Wellington who can also catch and do some pitching and 33-year old pitcher-outfielder Jason Markewitz. Markewitz, from Delray Beach, may turn out to be a steal since he pitched four years of Division I college ball. Corporal reported that several of his players had sponsor connections that could bring more financial stability to the team for the coming season, which begins on October 19.

NATIONALS SCORE EARLY TO BEAT AMERICANS IN 18AAA ALL STAR GAME The National Division scored all of their runs in the second and third innings, and their pitching made them stand up for an 8-3 victory in the 18AAA All Star game June 24 at the Lantana Sports Complex. After spotting the Americans a first inning run, the Nationals exploded for six runs and seven hits in the second inning, followed by two more in the third inning on a prodigious two-run homer by the Rockets’ Brian Fitzsimmons. The American Division tallied single runs in the seventh and ninth innings. Fitzsimmons made a great diving catch of a sharp liner by the Orioles’ Aaron Hancock to lead off the ball game, and after getting a second out, National starter Mike Draper (Rockets) issued back to back walks to Stefan Clark (Orioles) and Chris Murphy (Indians). Brad Barbaccia (Orioles), who led his team with three hits, including a solo homer, then smashed an RBI single to left, giving the Americans the early lead. The Nationals, though, roared back in the bottom of the second inning, scoring six runs to take charge of the game. Eddie Burdick (Cardinals) and Draper both singled, and Willie Martinez (Rockets) drove in the first run with a double to left. Nick Adames (Los Tigres) followed with a two run single to left. Milt Muller singled, and Emilio Vargas (Cardinals) beat out an infield single to lead the bases. Courtesy runner Justin Lloyd (Giants), running for Adames, scored on a wild pitch by American starter Casey Furman of the Orioles, with Muller and Vargas both moving up. Muller scored on another wild pitch, and after Keith Buck walked, Glen Landy (Glory Days) ripped a single to right to bring in the final run of the inning. In the fourth, Fitzsimmons blasted a two-run shot to deep right center field off Adam Lynch (A’s), scoring Dave Machado of the Rockets, who had walked, in front of him to give the Nationals a commanding 8-1 lead. The pitching staffs took over for both sides after that. Craig Eaton pitched two scoreless innings, giving up only one hit on a wicked liner by Hancock that struck Eaton in the arm in the third inning, but the former Kansas City Royal stayed in the game and retired the next five batters. A double play ended the fourth inning after Murphy reached on an error in right field, and Eaton got Barbaccia to pop up to first base. Eaton was credited with the pitching victory. Justin Lloyd (Giants) followed with two more scoreless innings until the Americans broke through off Landy in the seventh. Barbaccia singled over third, moved to third on a double by the Indians’ Jared Green and scored on a scratch single by the A’s Gabriel Lezama. Landy struck out four in his two inning stint, but surrendered the one run and four hits. Barbaccia accounted for the final run when he crushed a pitch by the Rockets’ Billy Brescia over the fence in left center in the ninth. Pete Fuster (2IP) and Melvin Bruno (1IP), both of the Twins, and Green (1IP) shut out the Nationals over their last four at bats, but by then the damage had been done. The game, which was rescheduled after being washed out on June 19, was played in a zippy two hours and 14 minutes.

SIX RUN FIRST LAUNCHES VICTORY The first place Rockhounds teamed up with the Atlantic Sails, Marlins and Royals as the American All Stars and outscored the Nationals, made up of players from the Hurricanes, Cubs, Astros and Seminoles, 19-12 in the Spring league’s 18AA All Star game at the Lantana Sports Complex Wednesday June 19. It was not the type of game you would want to place in a time capsule for future generations to study, since the two teams combined for fifteen errors, fourteen walks, three hit batsmen, four wild pitches and two passed balls. The two teams also combined to leave twenty two runners on base. However, All Star games are all about having fun and it’s doubtful anybody who played in this one didn’t have fun. All eight league managers were present either as participants or as spectators, which may be the first time it’s ever happened. The Americans put together six hits and a walk, and took advantage of two errors to score six in the top of the first inning. After that, it was strictly “catch up” for the Nationals the rest of the way. Four Rockhounds had hits in that inning. Tim Klein, Bill Golson, Shawn Bufford and Jason Teresi all singled, Bufford getting the first RBI. After Carl Wight (Sails) drew a bases loaded walk, Matt Searles (Sails) singled in a run with a single and Mike Searles (Sails) added a hit, but Matt was cut down at the plate. The Nationals made it 6-4 in the bottom of the first on two long home runs by Hurricanes’ players. Craig Spatara ripped a two run shot on to Lantana Road, and teammate Arnie Torres hit a solo bomb to left center. After Jason Levy (Astros) drew a two out walk, he scored on a long double by team manager John Dobson (Hurricanes). That was as close as the National squad could get, however, as the Americans kept adding on to their lead, making it 17-6 after blasting five hits to score five times in the sixth. The Nationals wound up with four runs in the eighth and final inning, when the game was called due to the time factor. Rockhounds’ skipper Mike Soulen, who did not play, used Alex Thomas (Rockhounds), Jake Ballinger (Royals), Teresi and Bufford for two innings apiece for the Americans, with Ballinger getting credit for the win. The Nationals pitched Joe Hager (Hurricanes), Rob Neigebauer (Cubs), Matt Zeller (Cubs) and Dave Spall (Seminoles), with Hager taking the loss. Klein reached in all five of his appearances, driving in three runs and scoring three times and was chosen as the game’s Most Valuable Player, receiving an NABA All Star MVP plaque. One of his two hits was a double. Fernando Miranda (Marlins) was three-for-three with an RBI and three runs scored. Golson, Teresi and Matt Searles had two hits apiece, Ballinger ripped a triple to drive in a run. Spatara led the Nationals with the two-run homer and a run scoring single. Torres also had two, getting a single in addition to his home run. Diego Lezcano (Hurricanes) drove in three runs with a double and single.