Category: League Champions

Redwood Empire Baseball League, 65+ Division

Jazz 8, Dragons 7 (11 innings)

‘Jazz Fight Back in Late Innings to Secure Title’

Submitted by Ralph Leef

Led by the hot bat of center fielder Matt Dockstader, the Jazz defeated the Dragons to capture a third consecutive 65+ Redwood Empire Baseball League title. Dockstader, the championship series MVP, batted .773 in the playoffs — tops among all Legends League playoff hitters. Don Johannsen (.727) and Dale Skinner (.636) led the Dragons’ offense in five playoff games.

Third baseman Bill Delaney (.522) singled home Mike Farris with the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning for the Jazz in the deciding game of the best-of-three championship series. The Jazz were held in check by hard-throwing Larry Hendrickson, but scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the game into extra innings.

The Dragons, 17-2 in their inaugural Legends League season, defeated the Jazz, 13-9, in the championship series opener behind the complete-game pitching of Rich Mangini. The Jazz came back with a 26-8 victory behind the pitching of 73-year-old pitcher David “Doc” Charp in the first game on Sunday and then rode the arms of Charp (6.1 innings) and 72-year-old Frank Milian (4.2 innings) in the championship game that same day.

Milian, who pitched all nine innings in Saturday’s game one loss, picked up the title game win. Dockstader was 17×22 with five doubles, 14 RBI and 10 runs scored. Teammate Ralph Leef batted .556 and Robert McGregor .520 with two doubles and two triples. Dragon player/manager Allan Green backed Johannsen and Skinner with a .550 playoff average for the Dragons.

The Jazz have a 57-4 record in the first three years of the REBL’s Legend League.

 NE Wisconsin MSBL 

Brookside Baseball Club 4, Cubs 3 

‘Late Inning Heroics Clinch Title’

By Joe Viau, NE Wisconsin League President

The Brookside Baseball Club finished the regular season with a 12-2 overall record and the #2 seed for the playoffs.  In the first round of the playoffs they faced the #3 seed Appleton Foxes, who held them scoreless through eight innings.  However, in the bottom of the ninth down 3-0 the BBC started their comeback.  Singles from Jared Henne and Justin Sutrick started the inning followed by an RBI single from Mike Hillberg, making it 3-1.  Chad Ljunggren then had a bunt single to load the bases.  With one out clean-up hitter Michael Maedke hit a walk-off grand slam to left center field to win the game 5-3 and advance to the championship series.  Mark Radke tossed all nine innings for the win.

In game one of the championship series against the Cubs first round hero Michael Maedke went eight strong innings on the mound and Nate Sutrick picked up the save pitching the ninth for a 6-3 win.  BBC was powered by a 5-run fifth inning highlighted by a home run by Adam Enwiya.  In game two of the series Mark Radke went eight strong innings on the mound and Nate Sutrick again had the save.  The game was tied in the bottom of the eighth inning when Adam Enwiya lead off with a hit by pitch, stole second base, and scored on the game winning double by Chris Rhode.

Chicago Midwest Suburban MABL, Central League

Chicago River Bandits 9, Lake Zurich Knights 7

’20 Win Season Best in Team History’

Submitted by Tristan Hunt

The Chicago River Bandits finished its 2018 Chicago Midwest Suburban League Central League regular season with a 20-2 season record, which is the best record recorded in their franchise history dating back since 1996. The River Bandits entered the MSL playoffs as a #1 Seed. The Bandits got a first round bye and faced the 16-6 Elgin Dirtbags in the semi-finials. That series ended with the Bandits winning two games to one, which ended in a dramatic ninth inning come from behind victory by scoring seven runs to win the series. The River Bandits then faced the 20-2 Lake Zurich Knights in the MSL central league finals.

In game one, MSL Central league Cy Young Winner Brannan Baker pitched all nine innings, striking out 12 batters, allowing only six hits and giving up only two earned runs in the River Bandit’s victory over the Knights. Tristan Hunt, Matt Enright and Eric Solis all each had two hits, which help win game one 7 to 3.

In game two, the River Bandits took an early four run lead, but the Knights came back to tie it up in fourth inning. Matt Bronstein and Jerome Merritt both had three hits apiece but the Bandits left 14 base runners on base and could only tac on one more run, ending the game 7-5 in favor of the Knights.

The final game in the best of three series became an epic pitching showdown once again between River Bandits CY Young winner Brannan Baker and Knights ace starter Chris Barth, who hasn’t lost a game all season. Brannan Baker notched a complete game victory, striking out eight and allowing only five earned runs over the Knights. Rookie Mike Kallay had three hits and Matt Enright tagged three hits as well, as Matt’s RBI double in the bottom of the eighth gave the Bandits the lead and victory over the Knights 9 to 7.  That victory marks the sixth league Championship in Bandits history.

Sacramento Men’s Baseball League, 35+ Night League National

Capital Yankees 8, Golden State Pirates 5

‘Yankees Cop Title in First Year’

Submitted by Alex Castro, Yankees manager

We were a first year team in the Sacramento Men’s Baseball League and my first time simultaneously both managing and playing and we were very fortunate to have taken the title.

It was an unprecedented championship, as we lost the first game of the best of three championship series, 11-2 to the Golden State Pirates, an established team that has won several times in the league and also in tournaments on the west coast.  Things weren’t looking too good for us. Then in the second game we were down 9-2 in the second inning and we rallied back to win 10-9 on a walk off sac fly by Sterling Odom. What a game!

In game three we faced Lou Fisher, former AA pitcher for the Cubs.  We got ahead early with four runs in the top of the first with singles from Chris Murphy and Warren Alston, followed by a double by Chris Jones.  We combined some good hitting and great heads up base running by Micheal Huddleston and after that we never looked back, winning the game 8-5.

I enjoyed my time on the mound as I ended up pitching 25 out of the 27 Innings in the postseason, including an 11-2 complete game win in the semis versus the 51’s, another well-established team.  My complete game championship victory against the Pirates on two days rest was very special.  Talk about luck being on your side when it mattered! Overall it was a great season with a great bunch of guys that were out there enjoying the game we love.

Inland Northwest MSBL, 48+ Division

Cheney Tigers 17, Spokane Mariners 8‘Tigers Claim Three Peat in 48+ Division’

By Kerry Pease, Tigers manager

The Cheney Tigers had not lost a league or playoff game in the past two seasons. However, the Spokane Mariners quickly dispatched with that streak early in league play with a stunning come from behind victory. So when the two teams squared off in the championship game for the third year in a row, the Tigers had a rather hefty chip on their shoulder.

Through the first five innings the contest was a nail biting pitchers dual between Mariner ace, Dave Siemsen and Tiger veteran, Kerry Pease, as the Tigers held onto a slim three to one lead after five. By league rule a starting pitchers can only throw five before sharing the wealth. Enter the beginning of fireworks!

In the bottom of the sixth Rich De’Andre followed up singles by Paul Sorensen and Hugh Stine by delivering his second two-RBI hit of the night. Tiger reliever Shawn Mackin held the sailors at bay for the first two innings of relief and at the end of seven the score was 13 -2, Tigers. BUT, the ship the Mariners were on would not go quietly into the night… too much talent and a good dose of pride was the combination for a strong comeback.

Led by the Mariner’s Mike Smith’s three hit night, who was returning to league action after a six year hiatus, young sensation Brett Fink added two hits as the Mariners scored six in the eighth inning to close the gap.

Just when the Shadle Park Stadium crowd thought it might get interesting again, the Tigers responded with four in the bottom half of the eighth to send a final tsunami wave over the bow of the Mariners. In the ninth, southpaw closer Mike Lee, son of Bill ‘Spaceman’  Lee, which I think Mike dislikes, repeatedly flipped 12/6 curveballs into the zone to quickly stifle any hope for a different outcome.

The inspirational story behind the game stats is that two legendary Tigers are boldly battling cancer. Powerful slugger Jim Straw was frankly on his death bed about two years ago. He is making a slow painstaking recovery, but we are all so happy to see his menacing look once again at the plate. Although still far from a complete recovery, he is diligently rehabilitating and it was very exciting to see Jim contribute a base knock in the Championship game.

Then there is long time battery mate John Lehman. If you have watched the movie Rudy, then you have a sense of the character of John. We lovingly call him ‘Scrap Iron’ because of the durability this man has as an undersized catcher at 5’7 and a buck 50 (and that is being generous). John is also the winningest player in the history of our league, including all age divisions.  He also has accumulated more championships and more victories than any competitor. That is because he is tenacious, and he knows how to call a game and frame pitches with the best of them. John is also fighting a dreadful cancer. Your thoughts and prayers for both these men is appreciated… because we are all brothers in baseball!

Red River Adult Baseball League, 45+ Division

‘Hawks Post Successful Season In Red River’

Submitted by Larry Goswick, Elysian Fields Hawks

The Hawks had a great season but came in a just little short in the championship game against the Dawgs, 8-2.

We were lead on the mound this year by Kirk Martinson while our offensive was led by Lance Webb, Larry Goswick, Wayne Brunt, Matt Bellner, Clay Alexander, Jen Courtney, Kirk Martinson and Darren Furlow.

The 2018 catching duties belonged to Jen Courtney and Lance Webb.

 

Connecticut MSBL, 25+

Newtown Outlaws 5, Stamford Pirates 0

‘Arconti Complete Game Shutout Seals Deal’

Submitted by Patrick Egan, Outlaws manager

The Outlaws won their second straight Connecticut National MSBL championship by defeating the Stamford Pirates two games to one.  The series could have easily gone either way.  In game one the Outlaws jumped out to an early 5-0 lead.  Stamford rallied to tie it up and extra innings were needed.  In the ninth inning the Outlaws got out of a base loaded jam with an inning ending double-play and in the tenth Tony Patane hit a homerun to give the Outlaws a 6-5 win.  In the second game Stamford won 3-2.  The game ended in dramatic fashion when the Pirates threw out the tying run at home plate to force a deciding game three.

In game three veteran Outlaw pitcher Chris Arconti, who has won over 400 games since he left college many years ago, pitched a complete game shutout to give the Outlaws the Championship.  Arconti, who also won the clinching game in the divisional round, was brilliant and kept the Pirates off balance all game.

Throughout the series the seven, eight and nine hitters for the Outlaws kept the lineup going.  Jon Chik went 3-8 with a walk, Mike Henry was 5-9 with a couple of RBI and Patrick Egan was 4-8 with a walk and two RBI.  These three hitters kept extending the innings and helped turn the lineup over. This win was special for the Outlaws because they lost Dan Murdoch, Billy Armstrong, Adam Nancurtis and Matt Corcocan to season ending injuries during the year.

Jersey Shore MSBL, 35+ Division

Pigs Heaven 3, Somer’s Point Devils 0‘Rivera Throws Shutout to Secure Title’

Submitted by Gregg Balin, Jersey Shore president

In game one Frank Levin of the Devils got caught up in a pitching duel with Steve Rivera of Pigs Heaven with neither one giving up any runs until the fourth inning, when each team plated a run.  In the fifth inning the Devil’s Dan Peters walked while Jeff Thomas doubled him home for the go ahead and eventual winning run.  Skipper Joe Liguori singled home Thomas for an insurance run while Levin struck out 12 for the complete game win.

In game two the Devil’s defense struggled while Devils pitcher Paul DeBlasio scattered just seven hits. Pig’s pitchers Gregorio Ortega and Angel Rivera held the Devil’s offense in check scattering just five hits. The Pigs led 4-2 after six innings and then blew it open, led by Steve Morris’ 3-run bomb. The game ended 12-3.

The final game in the best of three series became an epic pitching showdown once again between Levin and Rivera. Neither team had a hit until the fifth inning when Santo Pagan homered on a 3-2 pitch to right field.  In the sixth the Devil’s battled back reaching on an error and a walk and sacrifice bunt, moving runners to second and third with one out.  Steve Rivera struck out the next two hitters to end the threat.  The final score was 3-0 and the title went to the Pigs.

Columbus MSBL, 35+ National Division

Rangers 7, Lugnuts 6 (10 innings)

Front Row L-R: Eric French, Joe Rosales, Kevin Paris, Shawn Frisky, Kevin Gesacion. Back Row L-R: Aaron Kanagy, JR Frye, Mike Hyde, James Seymour, Andy Crabtree, Russ Moseley. Not Pictured: Derrick Grays, Todd Abens, Ashley Ross, Mike Wert

‘Rangers Win First Championship with Eight Players’

Submitted by James Seymour, Ranger’s Trustee

The Columbus Rangers battled an up and down regular season to propel themselves to a 3-0 post season, including two consecutive wins against the rival Lugnuts, to claim the Columbus MSBL playoff crown. Playing with only eight men in the championship game, the Rangers battled to ground out a come from behind, walk off win in extra innings to put the exclamation point on the season.

The team rallied behind the right arm of Mike Wert, who pitched a complete, extra innings game like a man possessed. Down two runs in the bottom of the 10^th the Rangers never gave up and rallied for three to cap the improbable 7-6 walk off win.

Chinook Twilight Baseball League, 30+ Division

Airdrie Gamecocks 4, Balzac Usetas 0

Submitted by Cory Hall, League President

Though we have had to occasionally deal with up to two feet of snow we finally got a warm, sunny day and were able to finish our season.

The Airdrie Gamecocks beat the defending Champion Balzac Usetas 4-0 to go undefeated through the season and playoffs and take home the Chinook Twilight Baseball League Championship in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.