(12)-METS

Back to back doubles by Matt Ballinger and Carlos Castaneda in the top of the ninth inning gave the Americans a 9-8 victory in the 18AA All Star Game at the Lantana Sports Complex June 19. Ballinger cranked his second two bagger of the game off the center field fence and Castaneda followed by driving a shot to the gap in right center scoring Ballinger with the winning run. Earlier, Ballinger had driven in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Americans took a 1-0 lead in the first on back to back doubles by Yoendry (Yo) Perez and Dave Duritsa, then widened the lead with three more in the third. Perez singled in one with the bases loaded, and Duritsa followed with a two-run double to left. The Nationals cut the deficit to 4-3 with a three run third inning. Two walks, an error and a passed ball accounted for one run. Pete David and Les Husted had RBI singles to cut the Americans’ lead to one. The Nationals took their only lead of the game with two runs in the fourth. Three walks, two steals by Jason Levy, an RBI hit by John Guadagnino and a throwing error made it 5-4. The Americans tied it at 5-5 in the fifth. Mike Castelluccio scored on a bases loaded wild pitch. Both teams scored twice in the sixth. Hits by Scott Stimzer and Nick Castelluccio, a walk, two passed balls and a sacrifice fly by Matt Ballinger made it 7-5 in favor of the Americans, but the National squad tied it with two in their half. Patrick Mullin beat out an infield hit and Husted reached base on catcher’s interference. Chris Laforge singled to left to drive in one run with Husted scoring on a throwing error on the same play. John Pacifico’s run scoring single in the seventh put the Nationals ahead 8-7, but the Americans again tied it in the eighth on Joe Stone’s sacrifice fly, scoring Bruce White who had singled and moved to third on two wild pitches. Ballinger, who commutes from Orlando for league games, was selected as the game’s MVP and was presented with an NABA All Star MVP plaque. Yo Perez led all hitters with three hits, and Duritsa knocked in three runs for his team with a pair of doubles. Husted had two hits to lead the Nationals. All players received NABA All Star Selection commemorative shirts. The outstanding defensive plays of the game were a diving catch by the Nationals’ center fielder Brett Siew that led to a double play on a ball hit by Golson, and shorstop Laforge’s diving stop of a ball hit by Mike Castelluccio, turning it into a 6-4-3 twin killing. The 18AAA All Star game was scheduled for Friday, June 21 at 7PM at the Lantana Sports Complex.

Back to back doubles by Matt Ballinger and Carlos Castaneda in the top of the ninth inning gave the Americans a 9-8 victory in the 18AA All Star Game at the Lantana Sports Complex June 19. Ballinger cranked his second two bagger of the game off the center field fence and Castaneda followed by driving a shot to the gap in right center scoring Ballinger with the winning run. Earlier, Ballinger had driven in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Americans took a 1-0 lead in the first on back to back doubles by Yoendry (Yo) Perez and Dave Duritsa, then widened the lead with three more in the third. Perez singled in one with the bases loaded, and Duritsa followed with a two-run double to left. The Nationals cut the deficit to 4-3 with a three run third inning. Two walks, an error and a passed ball accounted for one run. Pete David and Les Husted had RBI singles to cut the Americans’ lead to one. The Nationals took their only lead of the game with two runs in the fourth. Three walks, two steals by Jason Levy, an RBI hit by John Guadagnino and a throwing error made it 5-4. The Americans tied it at 5-5 in the fifth. Mike Castelluccio scored on a bases loaded wild pitch. Both teams scored twice in the sixth. Hits by Scott Stimzer and Nick Castelluccio, a walk, two passed balls and a sacrifice fly by Matt Ballinger made it 7-5 in favor of the Americans, but the National squad tied it with two in their half. Patrick Mullin beat out an infield hit and Husted reached base on catcher’s interference. Chris Laforge singled to left to drive in one run with Husted scoring on a throwing error on the same play. John Pacifico’s run scoring single in the seventh put the Nationals ahead 8-7, but the Americans again tied it in the eighth on Joe Stone’s sacrifice fly, scoring Bruce White who had singled and moved to third on two wild pitches. Ballinger, who commutes from Orlando for league games, was selected as the game’s MVP and was presented with an NABA All Star MVP plaque. Yo Perez led all hitters with three hits, and Duritsa knocked in three runs for his team with a pair of doubles. Husted had two hits to lead the Nationals. All players received NABA All Star Selection commemorative shirts. The outstanding defensive plays of the game were a diving catch by the Nationals’ center fielder Brett Siew that led to a double play on a ball hit by Golson, and shorstop Laforge’s diving stop of a ball hit by Mike Castelluccio, turning it into a 6-4-3 twin killing. The 18AAA All Star game was scheduled for Friday, June 21 at 7PM at the Lantana Sports Complex.

Glenn Kelly has retired after 50 years of calling games. Glenn has turned over the reins of his Amateur Umpire Development (AUD) program to Jeff Roth, a graduate of the Wendelstedt School of Umpiring. Jeff will be working with Bernie Ginsburg to provide umpires for our league for the remainder of the season. Glenn has not only been a great umpire, but a terrific umpire trainer and organizer. Most of all, a good friend. Congratulations, thanks, and best wishes to GLENN KELLY, our UMPIRE EMERITUS!!!!!

Glenn Kelly has retired after 50 years of calling games. Glenn has turned over the reins of his Amateur Umpire Development (AUD) program to Jeff Roth, a graduate of the Wendelstedt School of Umpiring. Jeff will be working with Bernie Ginsburg to provide umpires for our league for the remainder of the season. Glenn has not only been a great umpire, but a terrific umpire trainer and organizer. Most of all, a good friend. Congratulations, thanks, and best wishes to GLENN KELLY, our UMPIRE EMERITUS!!!!!

ROCKETS CHANGE TEAM NAME TO---GUESS WHAT? ROCKETS. OTHER NAME CHANGES---CARIBBEAN STARS NOW LOS TIGRES. EXPOS NOW RENZO YANKEES. THREE 18AA TEAMS CHANGE NAMES---DOZEN ROOKIES ADDED THROUGH TRYOUTS The defending league champion Rockets now have TWO NEW sponsors for the 2002 season. Sports Attic at Lantana Road, just west of Jog Road is the second major sponsor of the Rockets. El Mariachi restaurants, a chain of four dining spots featuring Spanish/Mexican cuisine in Broward County, is also on board. The two will replace Sports Page as the team sponsor. So as not to slight either sponsor, the team will be known simply as the ROCKETS. The Rockets won both the 2001 Spring and Fall Leagues, as well as the NABA's Hall of Fame Wood Bat National Tournament at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY last July. The Caribbean Stars have changed their team name to Caribbean Tigres (TEE-grays). The team name was inspired by a legendary team from the Dominican Republic. Disappointed by the Stars' somewhat lacklustre performance in both the spring and fall 2001 leagues, club spokesman and coach Nick Adames said "It's time for a change", adding that the club will be seeking "fun and enjoyment first, the wins will come later". As the Stars, the Caribbean team managed by Nick's father Santos Adames, won three league 18AAA titles in the past and have finished runnerup two years running in the NABA's Las Vegas Tournament. The Expos have also been busy and the 18AA Fall League champs will take on the team name of Renzo Yankees in honor of the pizzeria restaurant that has entered into a major sponsorship with the team. Welcome the Patriots to the 18AAA league. The team played under the banner Body Perfect Pulse, but decided to name the team Patriots. Good decision since the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl and because millions of true patriots have emerged since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Three 18AA teams have changed names as well. The latest are the Rangers, who now become the Marlins. Earlier, the Braves changed their team name to Team USA and the WPB Yankees switched to the Atlantic Sails. A dozen rookies have joined Palm Beach League teams through the Open Tryouts and league draft held on Sunday, March 3. Third baseman Tim Scharf of Pembroke Pines revealed a strong bat from the left side and was the first overall pick. He was selected by the 18AA champion Expos who will be entering the 18AAA league this spring. Centerfielder Mark Wynder, 19, of Lake Worth was chosen by the Body Perfect Pulse with the second pick. The Pulse has yet to announce their new team name for the spring season. The Mariners took middle infielder Kevan Allen, 18, of West Palm, with the third pick. The remaining nine draftees were selected by 18AA teams. They are: veteran Palm Beach league player James Sansenbach (C-IF, Atlantic Sails, formerly WPB Yankees); Mitch Block (OF, Palm Beach Rockhounds); Chaz Freshaur (IF-OF, Green Space Royals); Matt McKeown (C-IF, Team USA (formerly Braves)); Herb Robb (IF, Yankees); Jordan Chuster (IF-OF, Atlantic Sails); Jesse Josephson (IF-P-OF, Palm Beach Rockhounds); Lou Medved (CF-P, Green Space Royals); and Jim Kamm (P-3B, Yankees).