Instructional Division
Pirates vs. Tigers. On a Saturday afternoon just perfect for playing baseball, the Pirates took the field against the hard-hitting Tigers. This game was no pitchers duel. The Pirates’ bats were on fire once again.
The team was led by the fearsome foursome of Andrew “The Dude” Santora, “Buddy” Orlando, Matt Buete and Jordan Santiago, who all went 4-for-4. Picking up the rest of the offense were Mickey Cassillo, Chris Zervos, Nicky Ammirati, Kimberly Samoleski, Andrew Hart and Collin Buete.
The game could not have been played without the great sportsmanship of Michael LaMarca and Louis Medina, who helped the Tigers when they were two men short. The stars of the game were Thomas Morreale and Christian Medina, who went 7-for-7 and each received a game ball. Thanks for a job well done. Let’s go, Pirates!
Rookie Division
Ranshaw Oil 11, Marlite 8. On a rainy, cool Mother's Day at Seither Stadium, Marlite Construction and Ranshaw Oil took to the field shorthanded for a rookie division game. For the second week in a row, the Marlite players dug themselves a hole early in the game, falling behind 7-3 after the first two innings before a late rally, falling short to a tough Ranshaw team by a final score of 11-8.
The “Cardiac Kids” of Marlite kept battling back and had the tying run at the plate in the last inning. Brett Buser continued stay hot at the plate with a 3-for-3 day. Chris Hardardt was 1-for-2 with a run scored and made two excellent stops behind the plate.
Ryan Hardardt and Nick Manfre pitched well over the last two innings to hold off a tough Ranshaw offense. Anthony Parisi earned the game ball for his clutch hit and RBI in the last inning.
Metro Star Café 24, Cutrone’s Lawmen 0. On a dreary rainy Mother’s Day afternoon, the Metro Stars took to the field for some RGMVM Rookie League action. The Metro Stars sent young hurler Robbie “R-Train” Hofmann to the mound for the first two innings, and he cruised through, striking out six along the way. The Metro Stars would supply plenty of offensive power to support the train.
Going batty for the Metro Stars’ offense were Stephanie Abruzzo (HR) Mike Guglielmi (2-2, HR), Chris Piteo (3-3, 2 doubles ) Ryan Schulz (2-2, 2 doubles) Dave Fitzgerald (2-2, triple), Tobias Neto (1-2) and Angelo Maniscalco (1-2).
The Stars handed the pitching duty over to Ryan Schulz, who was making his first appearance on the mound. Ryan finished off a solid two innings striking out six batters along the way. With the win, the café kids go 6-0 for the season.
Major Division
Michael's Funeral Home 18, Ridgewood Savings 2. Michael's victory was the result of two big innings. An eight-run inning highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Robert Hines and a nine-run inning highlighted by a grand slam from Sal Aglialoro.
A key hit in the eight-run innings was a triple by a hustling Dennis Murray. The key hit of the nine-run frame was a long double by Eugene Coizza. Michael's got a well-pitched game with four strong innings from Vito Arena.
Juniper Elbow 14, Kiwanis 4. The old adage in baseball is that pitching and defense win ball games, and Juniper Elbow proved the saying rings true, adding in a whole lot of offense in a 14-4 victory over Kiwanis.
Juniper’s record improved to 6-1 behind the complete game pitching of Justin Tableman. The story of this game was defense, including an over-the-shoulder diving grab of a high pop in short-left field by shortstop Steve Varela, turning a would-be Texas Leaguer into a double play.
Other standout plays included the John Rooney, Chris Hain and Steve Varela relay, nailing a runner at second, and a neat catch in short-right field by second baseman Andrew Zeni.
Igniting the offense was TJ Fox’s booming triple and double, Andrew Blanke’s two hits and two walks and Patrick Coyne’s two hits. The star of the game, and game-ball winner, was Alfred “Adam” Acosta, who not only made a nice catch in left field, but also contributed three key hits. Alfred's first-inning hit was the key blow of the game.
Girls’ Softball Senior Division
Myrtle Bagels 15, Lil Diamonds Rochdale 14. In a real nail-biter, Myrtle Bagels pulled it out in the seventh for the win with a game-winning RBI by Sierra Hunt (3-for-5). Tash Birgnoni, starting pitcher, did an excellent job on the mound and then went 4-for-5.
Brittany Mascia, who went 3-for-5, came on the mound for the save. Vanessa Melendez went 4-for-4 with a huge triple. Cristina Auriemmo went 3-for-3, Nicole Follenius did a stand-up job at second, Catherine Illuzzi had a hot glove at first, Cynthia Torres went 2-for-4 and Jaclyn Weber went 2-for-4 and did good work behind the plate. Special thanks to Nicole Croquez from the majors for your help going 2-for-2 and scoring two runs.
Travel Teams
RGMVM Bulldogs 5, Our Lady of Grace 4.
On a dreary night the travel dogs from RGMVM hitched a ride (more like a crawl) on the Belt walkway to Brooklyn just in time to play the Grace All-Stars. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead behind a hard single from Chris Piteo in the first to plate Rick Fleri with the first run of the game.
The Bulldogs handed the ball over to young fireballer Piteo, who pitched a solid three innings, striking out eight while allowing one hit along the way. The game was played tight over the first five innings (with the score 1-0 RGMVM) behind solid pitching and great defense on both sides.
Making several fine defensive plays was young third basemen Brandon Acosta. In the top of the sixth with two out, the “R-Train” Hofmann smacked a single into left field to drive in three runs to give the Dogs a 4-0 cushion. In the bottom of the sixth a tired Matt Fox took to the mound, having pitched an overpowering fourth and fifth, striking out six.
The Bulldogs’ defense was not sharp and the Grace All-Stars tied the game and forced extra innings. In the extra frame, Brandon Acosta sparked a two-out rally by beating out an infield single and then stealing both second and third with a great slide. That brought up “the Bomber” Jonathon Murphy, who smacked a single into shallow right field for a single and drive in the go-ahead run for the Dog pound.
In the bottom of the inning, the dogs handed it over to the “R-Train” Hofmann, who surrendered a leadoff single and then went express in striking out the side. This was a real gutsy team effort by the young RGMVM Bulldogs. The win put the team at 4-0 early in the season.
RGMVM Bulldogs 20, Bergen Beach Youth All-Stars 0.
The young Bulldogs were unleashed to take on the Bergen Beach boys in Brooklyn Pony action. The Bulldogs handed the ball to young flame-thrower “Big Dog” Piteo. The Doggie was right on target, striking out seven along the way and not giving up a hit.
The Bulldogs got an early offensive boost in the first inning from leadoff man Matt “Moose” Hofmann, who banged out two singles in the inning. Getting it done on the offensive end for the Dog pound were “Big Dog” Piteo (2-3), Mike “Wheels” Guglielmi (1-1), “R-Train” Hofmann (1-1), Brett “Speedy” Buser (1-2), Ricky Fleri, (1-2), Acosta (1-1) and Chris Flaim (1-2).
The Bulldogs handed over the ball to “Rocket Arm” Nick Lante in the fourth and fifth innings. He finished the game in impressive fashion, striking out six batters along the way to the Bulldogs’ victory.
League news and reminders
The All-Star team ballots must be handed in ASAP to your division head. Failure to comply will result in your team not having the names of the participants listed in the game day program. The rainout dates will be posted and listed on the bulletin board at the field as soon as possible.
It is the manager’s responsibility to check the make-up dates. Don’t wait for a phone call. These dates cannot be changed or moved. Also, it is the manager’s responsibility to check at the field on game day in case any game is canceled due to inclement weather. Managers, please do not wait for a telephone call.
Sign-ups for the Memorial Day Moser Tournament is going on. See the concession stand or your manager for more details. Don’t miss this exciting weekend to help Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund while playing baseball.
All mangers are responsible for putting back the bases on the rack in the trailer at the end of the day’s last game. The dugouts must be cleaned of all garbage, and the mound covers must be put back on the mounds. The mounds must be filled in and put back the way they were found prior to the start of the game.
Any managers failing to do so will be charged a $25 fee. The board staff has been spending at least an extra hour each night cleaning the dugouts, putting the mound covers on, filling the mounds and putting the bases away. These jobs are part of the manager’s responsibilities. No team can take batting cage on a game day. Also only one sign-up per week per team.
The Instructional equipment bags must be picked up at the concession stand and be brought back and checked in. Managers will be charged for any missing equipment. Managers, please do not assume that any equipment you find lying around is yours for the taking. Ask first.
All Instructional Division games must end on time, even if your game starts late. This is especially true for the last game of the day on the weekends. Remember, guys, there is no score and no standings in these games.
All managers are required to attend a majority of general meetings. Failure to do so can result in that manager being asked to step down. Please make every effort to attend the general meetings. This is your league, so please participate.
Please see the bulletin board for the update on the two-hour rule in all divisions. All players must be in uniform, and that includes the gray pants. All of the Cyclone tickets for the RGMVM League Night event that will be held on July 2 have been sold out. The league players who attend this game will be invited on the field at the national anthem and stand at the position of their choice with the players.
Please continue to sign up for the mandatory three-hour work detail. Any parent not performing the mandatory work detail will be charged a $50 assessment on registration. That child will also not be allowed to participate in any All-Star game to which they may be elected. Three hours is not a lot to ask for your child to play in the finest baseball and softball facility in Queens.
All returned equipment bags at the end of the season with missing equipment will be assessed a $50 fee.
The schedules for all divisions as well as the manager contact list are posted and can be downloaded on the league’s Web site at www.rgmvm.com.
Limited lessons are available in girls’ fast-pitch softball and baseball pitching and hitting for both baseball and softball. Please call Hedda Hofmann for more information at 718-847-4406.
Any manager looking to start travel teams should contact his or her player agent. These travel teams will help develop the ballplayers in the league to compete at the next level of play and will encourage the serious ballplayers in the league to play and practice year-round.
These new programs show the league’s commitment to helping our players continue to practice and train for the upcoming season and are part of the league’s new “Practice, Train And Play Ball Year-Round” campaign.
The Ladies Auxiliary is looking for a few good women. Get involved. Help the league and our kids! Call Hedda Hofmann at 718 847-4406 for more information.
