RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

NINTH INNING RALLY CARRIES NATIONALS TO WIN IN 18AAA ALL STAR GAME Jose Espino of Los Tigres smashed a double to score Billy Brescia (Rockets) with the winning run in the 9th inning as the National Division nipped the Americans 4-3 in the 18AAA midseason clash at Lantana Sports Complex Wednesday, December 11. Espino’s game winner, off the Twins’ Geraldo Vasquez, came with two outs and decided an exciting game dominated by pitching and solid defense. Steve Ausdenmoore (Cardinals) drew a leadoff walk to start the rally, but was forced at second on Brescia’s grounder. Brescia raced home from first on Espino’s smash high off the fence in left center field. It was only the third hit of the game for the winners off five American division pitchers. The Americans had eight hits off a quintet of Nationals’ pitchers. The Americans took an early lead in the first when Aaron Hancock (Orioles) singled, stole second and scored on Orioles’ teammate Stefan Clarke’s sharp single up the middle off Nationals’ starter Mike Draper (Rockets). Clarke stole second and advanced to third on a one out single by Matt Bautz (Indians), but Draper got out of the jam by coaxing Jim Romano (Orioles) into an inning ending double play started by Espino at third base. The Nationals took a 3-1 lead in the third. Diego Lezcano (Pirates), singled, Antonio Herrera (Rockets) walked, Max Johnson hit into a fielder’s choice, putting runners at the corners. Emilio Vargas (Cardinals) reached on an infield error, Lezcano scoring to make it 2-0 and moving Johnson to third. Vargas stole second. Nick Adames (Los Tigres) singled down the third base line, scoring Johnson. Vargas also scored when the relay to the plate was wide. They American squad cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the third. Dan DiStefano (A’s) singled and went to second on a wild pitch by Carlos Mercedes (Los Tigres). Mercedes struck out Brandon Grishaber (Orioles) but Grishaber reached first and DiStefano took third on the wild pitch third strike. Di Stefano scored on a tapper to the mound by Ricky Dominguez (Twins). Hancock ignited a rally that tied it at 3-3 in the fifth. He doubled to left, stole third and scored on a long single by Chris Murphy (Indians), who got caught and was retired on a rundown between first and second. The teams battled through three scoreless innings until Espino’s game winning blow in the ninth. Espino then retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, chalking up a save for winning pitcher Brian Fitzsimmons (Rockets). Espino was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player. Hancock was outstanding in a losing cause for the American division squad with a double, single, two stolen bases and two runs scored. Mike Crum (A’s) made the defensive play of the game, a diving catch in right to rob Draper of extra bases.

AMERICAN DIVISION PULLS AWAY LATE IN 18AA ALL STAR GAME For those who did show up, the 18AA All Star game Tuesday, December 10 at the Lantana Sports Complex was a close one for least seven innings. In a game that started with only eight players on each side and finished with nine players on each squad, the American Division (Yankees, Atlantic Sails) scored five runs in a sloppy 8th inning to beat the Nationals (Giants, Marlins, Braves) 10-3. Apparently the result of some mixup, three members of the Angels and one member of the Sails failed to show up. The Nationals also were missing two Giants players and two members of the now defunct Braves. The eight man start probably contributed to the first run of the game. Jason Patton (Sails) ripped a triple to right field to score Nick Castelluccio (Yankees), who led off the walk, in the top of the first. While it may have been a hit anyway, with such space to cover in the outfield, Patton’s shot hit the wide open spaces. The Nationals tied it in the bottom of the second. Keith Buck (Giants) beat out an infield hit and two consecutive errors by the Americans allowed him to score. The Americans went ahead 2-1 when Patton was credited with an RBI on a grounder to deep short and the throw to the plate was too late. The Nationals posted two runs off Patton in the fifth inning to take a 3-2 lead. Joe Stone Braves) was hit by a pitch, Todd Roman (Marlins) singled up the middle and Scott Cobb (Marlins) singled to left, scoring Stone. Carlo Dominguez (Giants) then singled up the middle, scoring Roman for the Nationals’ only lead of the contest. The Americans went ahead with a pair in the 7th inning. Rico Perez (Yankees) drew a walk and advanced to second when pitcher Mike Trotman (Marlins) threw wildly in an attempt to pick him off. Perez scored on an infield error on Nick Castelluccio’s grounder. Nick scored on a sacrifice fly to Tony Rodriguez (Yankees), but ran themselves out of an inning when Yo Perez (Yankees) was cut down at third. The American Division put it away with a five run eighth inning, feaaturing hits by Mike Saturno (Sails) and Rodriguez, two walks, two fielder’s choice, a stolen base, two errors and two wild pitches. They added one more in the 9th. Gabe Rodriguez (Yankees) doubled to right, moving Saturno to third, where he scored on Mike Casteluccio’s sacrifice. Mike (Yankees) closed the game out with two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, but striking out four. Patton was chosen as the game’s Most Valuable Player. In addition to getting two hits, he fanned five in three innings

Due to the Braves dropping out of the 18AA league, and the Cardinals unavailability, some changes have been made to the schedule for this Sunday, Dec. 15. ----The Giants will host the Yankees at 9AM at Santaluces Field #2, replacing the previously scheduled Giants-Braves game at 9AM on Field #4. ----The Marlins at Yankees game, originally scheduled for 9AM on Field #1, will be moved to Field #2 at 1PM. ----The Los Tigres at Orioles game, originally scheduled for 9AM on Field #2, will be moved to Field #1 at 9AM. ----The Cardinals at Expos game, originally scheduled for 2PM at Halpatiokee Park in Stuart has been postponed until January 12. The time and location will be announced this week.

To all Managers, Team Representatives: The game this Sunday, December 8, between Glory Days and the Pirates, originally scheduled for 10:30AM at Halpatiokee Park in Stuart will be moved to CORRECTION, CORRECTION, CORRECTION---The game is moved to 2PM AT LANTANA SPORTS COMPLEX, INSTEAD OF 1PM AT Santaluces Field #4 (there is already a game there) In addition: The 2PM game at Lantana Sports Complex between the Palm Beach Twins and Post Time Rockets is being postponed. This game, originally scheduled for November 17 and rained out, was relocated to Dec. 29. This was a bad date for the Twins and so the league rearranged the game to December 8 (this Sunday). It now turns out that playing a second game on December 8 is inconvenient for the Rockets. Therefore, the game is being rescheduled again for January 12, 2003 at 9AM at Santaluces Field #4. In order for this rescheduling to occur, there will also be the following schedule changes on January 12. 1) Giants at Angels, (16 at 14) originally scheduled for 9AM at Santaluces #4, will be moved to 1PM at Dyer Park. 2) Expos at Rockets, (10 at 8) originally scheduled for 1PM at Dyer Park, will be moved to 1PM at Santaluces #4. 3) Glory Days at Twins (5 at 4) originally scheduled for 10:30AM at Halpatiokee Park, will be moved to 1PM at Santaluces #1. 4) Twins at Rockets (4 at 8) originally scheduled for December 8 (correction of original posting that had August 8 at 2PM at Lantana Sports Complex will be moved to 9AM at Santaluces #4. The revised schedule for Sunday, December 8 (correction of original posting that said August 8) now reads: 9AM-Dyer Park, Giants vs. Braves (doubleheader, 9 innings, 7 innings) (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #1, Expos at Cardinals (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #2, Marlins at Angels (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #4, A's at Los Tigres (no change) 10:30AM-Halpatiokee Park, Pirates at Glory Days (no change) 10:30AM-Lantana Sports Complex, Orioles at Rockets (no change) 1PM-Santaluces #1, Rockhounds at Expos (no change) 1PM-Santaluces #2, , Indians at Cardinals (no change) 1PM-Santaluces #4, Yankees at Atlantic Sails (no change) 2PM-Lantana Sports Complex, Twins at Rockets (postponed to January 12, 2002) The revised schedule for January 12, 2003 now reads: 9AM-Dyer Park, Marlins at Atlantic Sails (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #1, A's at Indians (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #2, Orioles at Rockhounds (no change) 9AM-Santaluces #4, Twins at Rockets (moved from 2PM, Dec 8 at Lantana SC) 10:30AM-Halpatiokee Park-NO GAME (originally Glory Days at Twins) 1PM-Dyer Park, Giants at Angels (moved from 9AM at Santaluces #4) 1PM-Santaluces #1, Glory Days at Twins (originally 10:30AM at Halpatiokee Park) 1PM-Santaluces #2, Pirates at Cardinals (no change) 1PM-Santaluces #4, Expos at Rockets (originally 1PM at Dyer Park)

Twelve of the eighteen NABA Palm Beach fall league teams participated in the league draft and added thirty players to their rosters. Only the defending 18AA champion Team USA made no selections. The Expos, who played as the Renzo Yankees in the spring league, had the number one pick and selected a 19-year old righthanded pitcher. Eric Calis of Boynton Beach was a member of the Netherlands national team and made a couple of NABA appearances in the past. The Patriots nabbed former West Palm Beach Indians’ pitcher/shortstop Chad Mainville, 22, of Palm Beach Gardens in hopes of adding depth to their mound staff. The Rockhounds, who will move back to the 18AAA division after a season in 18AA, picked up first baseman/pitcher Robert Thomas, 25. Timothy Hall, a 33-year old pitcher from New Jersey, who can play second base and the outfield was chosen by the Rockets. He may get a long look as a pitcher, but most likely will play infield and outfield positions with them. The A’s signed 21-year old pitcher Jordan Stabinsky of Lake Worth. Stabinsky also plays infield and outfield positions when he doesn’t pitch. Nineteen year old pitcher Edgar Pass of Hobe Sound, also an outfielder, was the Cardinals’ only pick of the day, while the soon to be renamed Mariners made 19 year old middle infielder Sean Bucsak of Loxahatchee their number one choice. In the 18AA league, the Marlins opened a very successful draft by picking up 19-year old outfielder/first baseman Steve Best of Port St. Lucie, who received a strong hitting rating. The Atlantic Sails picked 22 year old middle infielder Andy Caballero of Royal Palm Beach, who can double as an outfielder. The new Marz Angels selected a familiar name in 36-year old left handed first baseman Harry (Jim) Smith, who has seen action with more than one Palm Beach league team in the past. The Yankees rounded out the first round by drafting 30-year old infielder Erin DeMara. The other picks were: 18AAA EXPOS 2. Ryan Slattery, 20, middle infielder, Lake Worth 3. Frank Lennane, 37, infielder-outfielder, Delray Beach PATRIOTS 2. Dana (Alex) Thomas, 20, 3B-P ROCKHOUNDS 2. Jim Oberdier, 29, infielder-played with the Rockets in spring league 3. Mark Lanier Jr., 22, outfielder, Royal Palm Beach MARINERS 2. Chaz Freshour, 20, C-3B-1B, Royal Palm Beach-played with Green Space Royals in 18AA league this spring 18AA MARLINS 2. Johan Martinez, 25, 2B, played with Rockets 3. Lino Batista, 24, OF, played NABA baseball in Monroe County, PA ATLANTIC SAILS 2. James Hadzopulos, 33, IF, Delray Beach MARZ ANGELS 2. Jeff Roth, 28, 1B. Also NABA umpire assigner 3. Mike Sheets, 38, OF-2B-C- Formerly player-manager of Renegades; Patrick Luce, 25, OF; Jesus Perez, P, 27, Lake Worth; Robert Strout, 1B-OF, 20, Lake Worth; Steve Lebrun, 2B-1B-OF-Played with Green Space Royals 18AA in spring; Jose Soto, 21, P, Royal Palm Beach; Domingo Rodriguez, 26, OF; Mike Young, 36, OF; Jose Rodriguez, 21, 2B, Palm Springs