Steve's Sports Bar's Ty Rollins making his 'nth consecutive Opening Day start

Opening Day 2010 featured matchups between storied rivals, and rivalries beginning to tell their stories.  The defending champion Hornets took the field against the expansion Los Anchorage Angels who are headed up by former Hornets star Jesse McCarty.  McCarty was a key component to both of the Hornets tournament triumphs last season, but decided to try his hand at management - assembling a largely rookie squad that was outstanding in the Dick Taylor Preseason Classic. 

While the enmity between the two natural rivals was less palpable then one might have suspected, the final score suggested the Hornets were more keyed up for this opener than they might otherwise have been.  The champs scored a single run in both the 1st and 3rd innings before opening it up to plate four in the 4th and six more in the 5th and 6th.  Timely hitting and lots of it was the key for the classically slow-starting Hornets squad in their 12-0 squashing of the Angels. 

The former defending champion Alaska Cubs matched up with the team that quite literally came within inches of the title last season, the SouthCentral Titans.  The Titans, more determined than ever after what backstop Willie Paul described as “a long, cold offseason”, brought their best stuff to the bump in MVP Charlton Ferreira.  C4 was dominant again, punching out eight and allowing just one hit in seven innings of work.  The SouthCentral offensive onslaught was led by shortstop David Breck and third baseman Kyle Madden who each went 3-4 and combined to drive in seven runs in a 12-2 victory. 

Perhaps the real prize on any Opening Day in The Last Frontier over the past two (or three) decades is the chance to see The Greatest ply his craft on the hill.  The legendary Ty Rollins was in form, going the distance in a 6-2 win for Steve’s Sports Bar.  Rollins was dominant when his club needed it most, quelling early surges by the Fairview Pirates and allowing just five hits over the final seven frames.  Hondo Big Sky Train is now 2-1 against the archrival Pirates over the last three season openers.

_____________________________________

Fairview’s Pirates managed the first walk-off win of the season on Tuesday night, squeaking by the Elmendorf Eagles 4-3.  The black flag was carried by names familiar and un; Fairview’s two-time all-star Bronc Breager tossed a complete game at the formidable Elmendorf lineup, while his battery-mate, rookie Dylan Beach looked every bit the seasoned veteran behind the dish and at it.  Recently transplanted from his native Montana, Beach has looked right at home in Fairview, and right away.  The rookie of the year frontrunner has blasted hits in 9 of his first 17 trips to the plate and has more than solidified Fairview’s backstop position.  “He could catch on a cliff,” noted one observer.  In their first five contests, the traditionally swipe-permissive Fairview defense has had just one stolen base attempted (a first and third job) against, and catching every inning of ’10 Beach has guided his staff to an ERA of just over 3.50.  Fairview’s familiar stalwart, Bronc Breager was fantastic off the bump for his second consecutive start.  Bronc allowed just three hits over the final six frames and used an efficient 111 pitches to complete nine innings of gritty work (walking just one with the Leon zone).  Breager then lead off the bottom of the 9th with a searing single that set the stage for Beach’s walk-off hit with one out in the 9th.  With the dramatic victory Fairview moves into a second place tie with the Los Anchorage Angels, a tie that will be broken when the two meet on Saturday night. 

MatSu’s Carl Brent was another high-impact rookie on Tuesday evening.  Brent went the distance, striking out four and allowing just a single run in the Marauders 10-1 victory over Steve’s Sports Bar.  SouthCentral’s Charlton Ferreira is no rookie, but he did welcome the mostly-rookie Spenard club to the league in classic C4 fashion.  Ferreira was dominant at the plate and on the hill, leading his Titans to a 4-2 mark following the 17-2 pounding of the expansion Spenard United, off to a quite respectable 2-4 start nevertheless.

_____________________________________

The Bats Get Hot

6/24/10

Hornets backstops Jake Plansich and gold glover Angel Gonzalez (above) have kept the league largely off the bases when challenging the champs

The final week of play before the All-Star break featured star performances from some of the local game’s most celebrated sluggers.  Jesse McCarty led his Los Anchorage Angels on a 17-7 rampage over the BGES Bobcats.  McCarty (3-3) was feelin’ hitterish as were lineup mates J.J. Iverson (4-4) and heartless speed-demon Matt Deluca (3-3, 6SB).  Los Anchorage got loco, swiping 14 bags in the 10-run win but even that put no quit in them ‘Cats.  Elmendorf’s Josh Simmons, who has gotten a bit of type for his pitching, launched an opposite field bomb to put the Eagles back in the big picture with a 10-1 win over the Bobcats, who were pounded on consecutive nights, but not defeated.  The BGES Bobcats would bounce back, even when down early to Spenard the following evening.  Bob’s Cats were again led by workhorse Shane Cassezza, who battled for eight plus innings, and the Senior Statesman himself, Bob Braunstein, who went 3-4 with a walk, driving in four and leading the charge in a 12-run 8th.  BGES trailed Spenard United by a run entering the bottom of the 8th, but ended up winning by a field goal and a touchdown (with the two) in the year’s biggest batting bonanza to date: 22-11. 

Steve’s Sports Bar likewise had difficulties getting out of innings with their archrival Fairview Pirates.  Fairview crossed 19 times led by Dean Walker (3-3, 2BB, 3R, 3RBI), Tristan Varela (3-4, HBP, 3R) and Louie Nance (3-4, 3R) while Grant Breager helped himself to his league-leading third win to go along with his league lead in saves.

Bucs take game 1 with All-City Team 5-1

6/27/10

Your AABL All-City Team took to the field versus the Anchorage Bucs on Saturday evening, and as promised the two clubs delivered one gem of a baseball show.  Just hours before game time the All-City starters shuffled arms, entrusting the pitching duties to Los Anchorage Angels manager and ace Jesse McCarty, hoping to keep the mighty Bucs within striking distance.  No stranger to big performances in big games, McCarty did just that - earning the quality start, and holding the Bucs largely at bay through the early going.  The hump on McCarty’s signature hook was ridiculous, and the 25 year-old who has already established himself as one of the top arms in the last decade of local play, corkscrewed multiple Bucs batters into the turf with savvy location and a 15-20mph differential in pitch speeds.  One of the major players in the Hornets championship run last season, McCarty was backed defensively and at the plate by another hero-hornet who has likewise made his name in the clutch.  

The hair-raising excitement factory, Trevor Harrison, was true to form - at his best when it counted the most.  Big Game Trevor lashed a pair of doubles down the third base line, the first on an arching parabola of a drive to the corner, the second on a screamer down the line with no hope of being gloved.  The offensive outburst came on his 23rd birthday; and while the most friendly of stars looked as if he had been on a road trip with the Hornets before and even after the game, Harrison was Mantle-esque when put in play.  SouthCentral’s David Breck accompanied Harrison in his multi-hit effort.  The Titans shortstop had a pair of hits including an 8th inning double that drove in Charlton Ferreira (following a single, stolen bag [easily]) for the All-City Team’s only run of the game.  Breck also made the defensive gem of the evening look easy, spearing a hisser to his backhand side and whirling to fire a strike to end the 8th before the exuberant and good-looking AABL crowd on the first base side of Mulcahy Stadium. 

While the stars played a clean game defensively, and were able to make some noise offensively, the punches just didn’t come in bunches.  Again the Anchorage Bucs were able to suppress a toothy lineup that was exceedingly difficult to punch-out with refined defense and satanic pitching.   The AABL stars will give ‘er again on Tuesday night, 7:00 at Mulcahy.  Ferreira, the top vote-recipient, will get the start on the hill and be followed by teammate Mike Smith, Hornets hurler Jordan Farkas, and a possible appearance by The Greatest himself, Steve’s Sports Bar’s Hondo Big Sky Train - Ty Rollins.  Will the stars align on Tuesday night?  The guys looked great but they’ll have to be better to beat the Bucs.  In any circumstance, it’ll most assuredly be another fun game to watch, and even get some autographs after.

Certified Mashers

7/1/10

In what is likely to become an All-City Break tradition, your All-City team invited the local game's premier sluggers to take part in an aluminum bat home run derby.  Gale-force winds and a field of more than 15 participants could not stop the Alaska Cubs' Steve White (pictured above) from putting the bomb on more often than anyone else.  White, the regular season home run leader, edged SouthCentral slugger Kyle Madden (below) in the final round 4-3 to become the first All-City Home Run Derby Champion.

_____________________________

_______________________

Spits Hot Fire

8/6/10

Don't get too close man: Dylan Barry blows absolute fuel but have the Alaska Cubs emptied the tank too soon?

The Alaska Cubs got behind the battery of Dylan Barry/Pat Moran and got another one over on the Hornets - whom have all of the sudden embarked upon a new streak.  Barry went all nine for the Cubs off the bump; number 92 racked up 9K’s and allowed just two hits in the masterful shutout effort.  Hornets co-manager and mid-lineup staple Taylor Reed was unflappable as always:“[we] come out flat... that’s about all I got.”  When pressed for details, Reed added:“[Hornets starter Colin] Cloud pitched well enough to win but our bats didn’t wake up and errors killed us.”  Nevertheless, the gold glove shortstop’s confidence in his team’s ability to get back to winning a week from now, when consecutive losses are fatal, is still as high as it is evident: “Oh yeah we will; no worries.” 

Reed’s managerial nemesis and fellow grizzled vet of Alaska baseball Chris Cole was willing to guff with rivals just a bit following his Cubs’ 5-0 drubbing:” They went from Studs to Wolfpack pretty quick.”  Cole did well to get his licks in while the wounds inflicted by Barry and his Cubs were fresh.  The slight righty produces fantastic torque that places atypical stress on his wing every time out.  Questioned about the likelihood that the Cubs resident flamethrower would be able to recover in time to make a Championship Tournament start, Cole’s response was somewhat veiled: “It doesn’t really matter if he throws one inning or nine, Dylan could be done for a month or bounce right back, we’ll have to wait and see.”  

The time to wait and see is all but over for the other teams in action on the final Thursday of the regular season.  The Matsu Marauders clinched the 6th seed in the Tournament by locking the Los Anchorage Angels into the 5 spot.  Paxton Chatfield handed out K’s like candy while handing in another quality start for the Marauders.  MatSu then turned to the man, Gunner Bahn, whose unyielding focus on the mount delivereth a crucial 7-6 triumph over the Angels. 

The Pirates now control their own destiny in delivering the 3seed to Fairview.  The Crew sailed past the BGES Bobcats 13-1 in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate.  50something stallion Bob Braunstein followed Russell Hepner’s 3rd inning dub with a base of his own to knock in the ‘Cats only run of the evening, drawing the Bobcats within three runs before the Pirates finally got away in the 5th.  Braunstein has put together another outstanding season, and much of it has come at Fairview’s expense.  “He’s easily the oldest guy in the league and we don’t even pull for him anymore;” quipped Pirates skipper Phil Stephens: “Bob is flat clutch.  He merks us every chance we give him.”  Stephens had a chance of his own to clutch up against former battery mate turned Bobcats starter Josh James, debuting with his second club this season.  The first pitch the pirate captain saw from his former ace turned into a K1-job that was incidentally the first 9-hole bomb of the wood bat era.  Fairview’s Pirates continued to put the plank to their former shipmate while current scurvy swab Bronc Breager went out and won his league-leading 8th game of the season.  Breager (8-1, 1.70) has faced 239 hitters this season and walked just eight of them while punching out 55.  It’s such an obscene number that it bears even more emphasis - that’s a 1:1 walks to wins ratio for you Sabermetricians out there. 

Ken Wooster unleashed the famed "Cobra" on Steve’s Sports Bar Thursday night. The Hall of Famer fanned six batsmen as he led the Titans to a 13-3 victory in the Big House.  The consummate craftsman, Wooster was expectedly in control of the bump throughout.  But it was Woo’s bases clearing double, two-hopping the left field wall that raised even more eyebrows with #17 on the business end of a pitch.  Fortunately for the green and white, it was just the beginning of a night in which the all-time great hurler would show another dimension of his game, finishing 2-4 with a whopping 5RBI. 

________________

BOOM!

Hornets remind league who's wearing the belt

8/12/10Big-fly Ty: Hornets first baseman Ty Clapper dropping a two-run bomb on the Bobcats

It was out of the frying pan and into the fire for the BGES Bobcats on Thursday night.  The Bobcats were 48hours removed from a thrilling win to open play in the 2010 Championship, but for their amazing efforts they were rewarded with the unenviable task of facing the top-seeded Hornets.  With the K-fields unplayable due to the unending rain, and the Cubs/Marauders postponed (K3 tomorrow night - knock wood), the defending champs first foray into the 2010 Championship was appropriately the only show in town. Them 'Cats were game, scoring the red-hot Kelly Williams from second on a hit by Bob Braunstein (hot for three decades, give or take) to knot the score at 1-1 in the 1st.  But from there the Hornets dropped the hammer on the 8-seed's glimmer of hope behind yet another high-quality start off the hill from Jason Hart.  Trevor Harrison ripped a pair of dubs over the pair of left fielders a radical Bobcats shift employed against him; and industrial-strength Ty Clapper provided even more pop for the Hornets with a fistful of steaks and the first circuit-blast of the postseason.  Their 11-1 victory served as a not so gentle reminder, if one was even needed, that the Hornets thrive on high-stakes scenarios - and the time is now. 

             Man On Fire
                                           5/27/10

Since last you visited the standard for coverage of the local pastime, MatSu’s Paxton Chatfield punched out 16 in a complete game one-hitter (leadoff single), Fairview’s Dean Walker pitched his Pirates to their first-ever (regular, post, preseason) victory over the Cubs, and Ty Clapper’s 400+ foot bomb (landed mid-A Street; by way of center field) punctuated the Hornets 4-0 start.  But certain teams (and players) have a way of making other highlights fade into the background.  Wednesday night at Mulcahy Stadium was a contest between two such teams. 

The Elmendorf Eagles (1-1) dug in against the SouthCentral Titans (2-1) and only the club representing our beloved Armed Forces could have been expected to be ready for the epic struggle that lay ahead.  It was a 12-inning, 4+ hour marathon that left everyone gasping and featured many of the finest players the local game has to offer. 

The Titans were braced for the best, trotting out a who’s who of regional greats behind Mike Smith, the Bigfoot of local baseball.  If you see the gasseriffic righty, it means trouble - Smith only appears at the yard to get his work on the bump; leaving most AABL hitters to hear lore of a 90’s scraping heater with a nasty slide-piece, something we’ll call a changeup, and a hook that is just a fastball deflecting off an invisible object.  While it seems implausible to some that this mutant could remain unseen by the many - the radar gun guy can vouch for his existence - he practically skipped to the Titans dugout after Smith hit 87mph on his new gun.  With a pitch count as disciplined as his lifestyle, it would be on one of the final pitches he threw in his four innings of work. Smith punched out three while allowing just three hits and a single earned run before discretely exiting the stadium, yielding to reigning MVP Charlton Ferreira.

Elmendorf starter Josh Simmons creates an interesting contrast by comparison.  You’ll see the hard-nosed manager of the Elmendorf squad at the yard every night and on the mound most of them.  When the cop-moustache sporting ace of the Eagles is on the bump, he isn’t coming off come hell or high water.  Nothing less would do for the Eagles, who dressed nine for the Gilgameshian conflict; and who would have to overcome Smith, Ferreira, a loaded Titans offense, and eventually the Alaskan sunset to come away with the longest win ever.  

The Titans team-approach to Simmons was clear from the get-go: make him throw pitches, and don’t be afeard to crowd the plate.  SouthCentral steadfastly declined first pitch strikes, opting instead to make the other reigning MVP go deep into counts.  The Titans further demonstrated their commitment to team hitting by wearing three pitches in the first three innings, and finishing with six HBP for the night.  Co-manager Willie Paul looked good in white thrice, with his record fourth plunking being called back for leaning into it. The SouthCentral backstop also drew a pair of walks out of the 31 pitches he extorted in seven trips to the plate. 

With dueling MVP’s now on the hill, the hits were relatively scarce and the middle innings melted away quickly.  Ferreira plowed through the Elmendorf lineup, fanning eight in just four innings, but the second time through ran into a bit of trouble.  With a 4-2 lead heading into the 8th, Ferreira momentarily scuffled with the zone, walking a pair around big singles by right fielder Robert Poole (who reached base 4-7) first baseman Chris Langley (5-7) and Simmons (4-7) who’s two-run single capped the four-run outburst that put Elmendorf up 6-4 with just three outs to get. 

With Sergeant Strikeout already over 150 pitches deep, and a Titans lineup that seemingly has no end, three outs can take a little time.  Kyle Madden started the 9th with a hissing single, one of four hits collected by the madman.  Paul followed by getting plunked for the third time and Doug Olsen ripped another single to put the winning run on with nobody out.  After a sac fly by Ben Hand plated the speedy Paul, Simmons reached back for a big K before intentionally passing Ferreira to load the bases, and then fighting his way out of eminent peril yet again. 

Into and through a scoreless 10th, the umpiring crew of Al Smith and Bill Leavell had become heroes of the game in their own right - with the game now well past their contracted time commitment, the men in black labored on without even considering ending the classic conflict.  Their dedication to the game was seemingly paid off in the 11th as the Eagles plated a pair on a bases loaded walk to Simmons and another big poke by Langley.  But in the bottom of the 11th a clutch two-out gapper off the bat of David Breck scored his brother Chris Breck from second and with a 2-2 count Danny Mascelli cracked a game-tying single that electrified even the Hornets now nested over the center field wall. 

In full dusk, having gone through a month’s worth of baseballs, and with 11:00pm well in the rearview some were beginning to understand why lesser games allow the compromise of a tie.  But you’ll get no compromise from Elmendorf, not when it comes to retrieving foul balls, and certainly not when it comes to a dogfight. Dustin Legatt, the less lauded leadoff centerfielder who finished 3-6 with four steaks, got the biggest rib eyes when the Eagles needed them most, a two-run single in the 12th that put the game out of reach.  Although, is anything really out of reach for a SouthCentral offense that pushed across more runs than any other team in 09?  Clearly not, as the Titans would actually get the tying run aboard on the bottom of the 12th before mercifully running out of outs. 

For their time and heroic efforts the Titans and remaining fans at the stadium were witness to one of the rarest events in the game - having gone 11+ quality innings, having punched out 11 of the insanely difficult to strikeout Titans, and having thrown an inhuman 212 pitches (that’s right), Simmons yielded in the 12th to Dale Kennington for the save.  Sergeant Strikeout’s signature victory would come in the most uncommon of ways for the sadistic workhorse, playing the last three outs at shortstop as Kennington extinguished the final flames in a 12-9 Elmendorf (2-1) triumph.  It was a classic, a masterpiece, a game that makes others blend into the ether.   But for those of you tuning in just to see Ty Clapper put the bomb on - enjoy. 

Meister (right) was magnificent and Breager (left) was brilliant in a 6-3 Fairview victory

Father’s Day in the AABL is generally a day of rest, but the men of the local game put in a weekend’s worth of work beforehand, led by some of the paterfamilias of the AABL.  Fairview’s fathers prepared for their big day by showing the kids how it is done - Jon Meister went 8.2 solid innings before yielding to Bronc Breager for the one-out save.  Meister was a bulldog, pitching around trouble and pounding the Elmendorf Eagles with strikes; Meister walked just a single batter while allowing three runs in a high-quality start.  Known daddies Breager (Save, 2RBI) and Dean Walker (2-3, 2RBI) had Meister’s back in a 6-3 Pirates win.  It was not all smooth sailing for the Fairview crew, the black and white plated six in the first two innings before another papa, Elmendorf’s Joshua Simmons entered the game in relief and did what he does - suffocating the Pirates offensive onslaught.  The Sarge was dominant on three days of rest, allowing just a handful of hits and punching out five in five innings of brilliant relief that allowed his Eagles to climb right back in it.  Simmons also added a pair of hits at the dish and stole three bags before his Eagles simply ran out of outs against the ferocious Fairview staff. 

The Hornets, who likely have kids all over town, remained unbeaten and largely unchallenged behind another stellar outing by ace Jordan Farkas.  Fark took a perfect game into the 7th inning against The Greatest of All Time, Ty Rollins, and only lost his no-hit bid to a dribbler through the infield in the 9th of a 9-0 shutout win over Steve’s Sports Bar.  Hondo Big Sky Train went the distance for Steve’s Sports Bar, per the usual, but suspect defense and the big bats of Nick Nading (pair of dubs), Jimmy Owens (2 2B), and Ty Clapper (2 2B), proved to be Rollins undoing as the defending champion Hornets rolled to 10-0 on the '10 season. 

_________________________________

Weapon Of Choice

Phitin' Titans: C4 (center) was the leading vote recipient for position players, and again for pitchers

The All-City Team, once an afterthought to the grind of the regular season, has become one of the premier events on the AABL schedule.  This season, the first of league-wide player voting, did not trim the roster size down any as evidenced by the largest All-City team to date, but did produce one of the finest collections of local talent ever assembled.  While many notable stars missed by the thinnest of margins, the voting did produce the first player-generated starting lineup and a referendum on all-stardom; stats are nice - but the big performances in big games over the past year were real deciders.  Players know the numbers are relative, but in a game that humbles everyone - some guys just look bad less often.  So here it is, the best looking squad the local game has yet produced. 

The Hornets and SouthCentral Titans dueled to a virtual stalemate for the title last season, and the voters rewarded both squads that dominated the ’09 landscape with a record number of All-City berths in ’10.  Eight players were selected from the Titans, and seven Hornets, accounting for about half of the total squad.  While reigning MVP Charlton Ferreira might have been expected to garner a lot of votes in the outfield and as a pitcher, it was so far beyond precedent the it was hard to imagine that he’d earn the most votes - at both.  That’s right, the explosive C4 was the leading vote getter among position players and received the most votes for pitcher as well.  The league gave a collective tip of the cap to Ferreira and his Titan teammates, C4 was joined on the invite list by P-Mike Smith, SS-David Breck, OF-Taylor Nerland, 1B-Kyle Madden, 2B-Danny Mascelli, 3B-Doug Olson, and C-Willie Paul.  That’s the whole damn SouthCentral infield for those that are counting. 

Other teams were not so flush with big-ticket ballplayers, but nevertheless represented very well in the voting.  Another reigning MVP, Elmendorf’s Josh Simmons was an easy pick at pitcher, joining fellow ace/manager Jesse McCarty of the Los Anchorage Angels as their team’s lone representative.  The BGES Bobcats have proven resilient and perhaps nobody captures their upbeat and tenacious style of play more than 3B-Justin Smole who was the only Bobcat honored as an All-City player.  While many veterans would have trouble picking Spenard United’s Rory Prunella out of a lineup, his numbers certainly stood out in the Spenard lineup, so much so that the sweet-swinging southpaw was elected out of the most pronounced ‘death position’ (crowded with obscene numbers) on the ballot, first base.  Steve’s Sports Bar doesn’t need to do anything to remind everyone that Ty Rollins is the Greatest, and for the third year in a row the voters put Rollins on the wall as the only Steve’s player to make All-City honors. 

In their second year the MatSu Marauders upped their output to a pair of All-City stallions.  The Franchise, Gunner Bahn was among the most popular picks in the outfield even though he torments the opposition at almost every position on the diamond.  He is joined by chaps-wearing gunslinger Paxton Chatfield.  K-Pax has otherworldly stuff on the bump and will bolster an already loaded bullpen.  The Alaska Cubs lent fellow strikeout artist Dylan Barry to the cause, along with gold glove backstop Pat Moran and sluggers 1B-Steve White and OF-Brady Lonergan.  The twice-champion Cubs, a team loaded with certain Hall of Famers sent a relatively small sampling for their tastes this year, but on a team loaded with greats these four stars shined brightest in the voters eyes.  The electorate also smiled upon the Fairview Pirates, sending four of the crew and the manager to the All-City Team.  3B-Bronc Breager has long been the tip of the spear in the Pirates assault and was recognized as a starter this year along with C-Dylan Beach, the youngest player (19) and only rookie to be selected to the 2010 squad.  Fairview regulars SS-Tristan Varela and OF-Ob Cabrera were also big vote getters for the team that received more collective All-City votes than any other.   

The defending champion Hornets have hoarded more than their share of wins this season, and have predictably taken more than their share of roster spots on the All-City Team.  With SS-Taylor Reed (injured-broken finger), fellow manager and middle infielder 2B-Jeremy Wylie, P-Jordan Farkas, and OF-Trevor Harrison all selected to start, the yellow and black will be a constant presence in the All-Star shows with OF-Nick Nading, 1B-Ty Clapper, and P-Jason Hart also elected to represent the finest the local game has to offer.  As overwhelming as the swarm’s presence may seem, the scary part is they probably warranted more. 

Yes, they might all have deserved more.  For every lucky player selected there were three others right behind in an admittedly unbalanced system.  Still, it’s hard to argue with the results: The 2010 All-City Team is as follows.

Starters (leading vote recipients at their respective positions):

C-Dylan Beach-Fairview Pirates

1B-Kyle Madden-SouthCentral Titans

2B-Jeremy Wylie-Hornets

SS-Taylor Reed (INJ); David Breck-SouthCentral Titans

3B-Grant Breager-Fairview Pirates

OF-Charlton Ferreira-SouthCentral Titans

OF-Trevor Harrison-Hornets

OF-Brady Lonergan-Alaska Cubs

P-Charlton Ferreira-SouthCentral Titans

P-Joshua Simmons-Elemendorf Eagles

P-Jordan Farkas-Hornets

P-Mike Smith-SouthCentral Titans

MGR-Phil Stephens-Fairview Pirates

The Special Reserve: P-Ty Rollins-Steve’s Sports Bar; P-Jesse McCarty-LosAnchorage Angels; P-Jason Hart-Hornets; P-Paxton Chatfield-MatSu Marauders; P-Dylan Barry-Alaska Cubs; C-Pat Moran-Alaska Cubs; C-Willie Paul-SouthCentral Titans; 3B-Doug Olson-SouthCentral Titans; 3B-Justin Smole-BGES Bobcats; SS-Tristan Varela-Fairview Pirates; 2B-Danny Mascelli-SouthCentral Titans; 1B-Steve White-Alaska Cubs; 1B-Rory Prunella-Spenard United; 1B- Ty Clapper-Hornets; OF-Gunner Bahn-MatSu Marauders; OF-Nick Nading-Hornets; OF-Taylor Nerland-SouthCentral Titans; OF Ob Cabrera-Fairview Pirates.  Coach-Chris Cole-Alaska Cubs; Coach-Taylor Reed-Hornets. 

TiVo Show: Fairview's Tristan Varela employed signature Varela fundamentals in the field, where he was again spectacular - and at the plate, ripping a third of his team's total hits, including this leadoff three-bagger in the Pirates 4-1 loss. 

Fairbanks teams won as many State Tournament games on Friday night as they had in the two State Tourneys previous.  Always well represented everywhere it counts - on the field, in the dugout, and even in the bleachers - Fairbanks ballclubs have never been short of anything it takes to win against Anchorage area ballclubs, except runs.  Punches landed in bunches for the Fairbanks Cubs and Fairbanks Pirates on opening night of the 2010 State Tournament.  On the strength of big innings from both clubs, Fairbanks cracked the winners bracket for the first time since aught eight. 

The Fairbanks Pirates brought a grip of fans and a hungry lineup to K3 for their date with the BGES Bobcats.  Eight of the nine starters the Pirates ran out there came home with a run in the 9-2 victory.  The Fairbanks Cubs had the standard trouble with Gunner Bahn, who was 3-4; but outstanding pitching held the rest of the MatSu Marauders 3-25.  The Marauders did plate three runs with their six hits, but a 6-run 5th had already sealed their fate as Fairbanks escorted MatSu to the bottom bracket 9-3. 

Perhaps the most significant moment of the game, if not the entire tourney, happened before the first pitch had even been thrown on K4.  When Lillian Bullock trotted over to the first baseline to start the game she became the first woman in (at least) the recorded history of the local game to umpire an official game.  Bullock played softball from the time she was about knee-high, and right through college - but she looked right at home on the big field, umpiring with the savvy of a veteran.  In fact, and perhaps predictably, the only question the league’s smallest umpire may have raised was where we might find more like her. 

Brady Lonergan’s Technicolor Dream Bat was a nightmare for Fairview’s Pirates.  The Alaska Cubs clubber, who has a sideline in custom bat crafting, unveiled his newest piece with smashing results.  While the idea of facing the Cubs right fileder with K1’s short porch breathing down their necks might have kept the Pirates up at night, the long-balling lefty used the opposite field for each of his three doubles.  Lonergan went 3-3, scoring two and batting in another in the 4-1 win.  Fairview’s guest-starter, a little-known righty named Joshua Simmons allowed just three hits to the rest of the Cubs lineup, but for the second game in a row Fairview was unable to plate that elusive second run.  Cubs guest-starter Chad Isaacs was in command of everything, and throwing gas, allowing just a pair of hits and a run over four innings in his debut. 

The first win is always a big one, but that goes doubly so for the Alaska Cubs - just two hours before the tourney started the Eielson Ice Men were forced to drop out of the field.  So with duty calling the Ice Men, the Cubs automatically advance to G13.  Naturally, that also means that the loser of the SouthCentral/Spenard game (G3: 10am) advances automatically, but to G15.  The win without having to burn an arm essentially evens it up for the Cubbies who lost the two-seed by virtue of one less win, but having played one less game.  And it might even work for the loser of G3 since having to play a familiar team in the first round is a very tough draw.  With 19+ games to play over the next day and a half, every draw is about to get very tough. 

They play when there’s time;  we play when we can

Half-second to history: Bobcats shortstop Ian Wheeles on the verge of illustrating just how far apart emotions can be stretched on a single swing of the bat

The Alaskan has a special relationship with the game of baseball.  The season of mere possibility for the game is so finite in the northernmost of the Americas that it quite literally happens at almost every available moment.  In other parts of the country a player might enjoy his entire season with some time left over for golf or fishing or any number of outdoor pursuits, even another baseball league.  But in The Great Land there is only the season, and the chilled, rainy, short postseason, and then the cold.  Baseball never really hibernates in Alaska - it is pressed into caves like the great Lefty Van Brunt’s old warehouse wonderland, or even the newish giant dome that lacks in intimacy as much as it makes towards modernity.  But baseball’s final throws in the fleeting moments of summer have traditionally been held as her most glorious; and although you could clearly see everyone’s breath on Tuesday night, the action was oh so hot to open the 2010 Championship Tournament. 

Consider the BGES Bobcats, a team seeded 8th for their second consecutive Championship Tournament.  BGES has had their moments over the past two regular seasons despite the 9-33 mark, but over the past two Tournaments they are now 2-2 following their 7-6 thriller over Spenard United. With the mound and the zone perhaps unavoidably sloppy in the early going - the league leader in walks, Justin Smole got things going for the Bobcats drawing a leadoff walk and later scoring on a sac fly off the bat of Russell Hepner, but the lead was short-lived as Spenard’s bats heated up and starter Anthony Cox settled in. 

Following a three run 3rd, Spenard led off the 4th with consecutive hits and looked to be applying the dagger when Cox helped himself out, going gap to clear the bases.  But what looked at first glance to be a 5-1 lead with a man on second and nobody out, turned quickly and terribly on Spenard.  How does Bobcats manager Brian Braunstein coax a win when they matter most seemingly every season?  A new statistical category for your consideration: DO (Dugout Outs).   After the base runner was inexplicably caught trying to get three with nobody out, the Bobcats dugout quickly notified the field to appeal to third for an apparent missed base by the previous runner, the plate umpire agreed; and in just a few fateful moments a two-run, no-out, two-bagger had been transformed into a run scoring double play, and just a few moments later they were out of the inning.  DO. 

Matt Schreckenghost entered the game in relief and entered the lineup with equal force.  The stylistic southpaw held the United largely in check throughout the middle innings, and reached base in all three of his appearances while his Bobcats clawed their way back into the game.  Still, every Bobcats uprising would seemingly start with two outs and with Spenard reliever Jose Mota’s stuff looking downright Dominican, runs were at a deadly premium.  So with the score at 5-4 United, and Schreckenghost battling, but having given up consecutive hits to start the top 8th, what would Braunstein do?  If you guessed - Bob with the hidden ball trick - you win.  That’s correct; hidden ball trick, Tournament, the Senior Statesman did it again. 

Having another runner eliminated audaciously, Spenard still was able to push a run and their lead to 6-4 entering the bottom of the 8th.  With Mota winging it in there at all sorts of chaotic angles, the question was not if he would get hit, but if his control would hold.  Spenard backstop Alex Elliot played out of his mind all evening long, blocking in bunches, dealing with mid-screen pitches, and even hosing a pair of would be thieves (at second base too) but there was seemingly no signal he could drop that would have forestalled the fate of his finest efforts. 

With one out, Bob Braunstein pounded the first offering he saw into left for a base knock.  McCoy Bradley and Schreckenghost walked on the next eight pitches to load the bases.  Mota showed toughness though, fanning the next hitter on a 3-2 heater to put Spenard just one out away from taking a two run lead into the 9th inning of their first Tournament game.  And then, with the bases loaded and two away, Bobcats shortstop Ian Wheeles got big on a 2-0 fastball and put it way up into the flat-white, overcast, and now stadium light-illuminated, sky.  What happened to that ball way up there?  One might speculate, and to the nature of it’s landing one might even make judgments, pointlessly conjecture about what should have been; but if there is one element of the American game that Alaskan players are totally unversed in, it is probably playing under artificial light.  Spenard regrouped quickly enough to somehow get Wheeles at second, but only after he had cleared the bags.  The United had gone from leading a 3+hour game by two heading into the 9th, to down a run with three outs to live in something like 15 anarchic seconds.  And in another flurry of moments and men shouting it was over, 7-6. 

                        5/22/10

Third baseman Chris Ragis stands out in the outstanding Hornets mid-lineup 
       

The first official game for the expansion Spenard United club was of course, a game of firsts. Spenard was bolstered by the outstanding relief efforts of Matt McEwen who punched out six in 4 2/3 excellent innings.  Rory Prunella provided much of the punch for Spenard going 3-5 at the dish, and Leo Sanchez added a double down the line for the first extra base trip in Spenard history. Center fielder Dustin Murr scored the first run for his club in a “furious 9th inning infield ground ball-rally.” Meanwhile, Elmendorf starter Josh Simmons kept his story pretty much the same as told before - there is no bullpen when the Sarge is on the bump.  Simmons was tenacious in nine masterful innings, and his Eagles needed every one of them to squeeze out the 4-2 victory. 

The Hornets remained unscored upon in 2010 behind rookie southpaw Chris Sheirhorn.  Sheirhorn tossed eight scoreless at the SouthCentral Titans, and former Titan Zac Beltz came in to slam the door in the 9th inning of an 8-0 win.  The defending champions defense was again impeccable and their bats came alive in the late innings of a low-scoring game to blow it open. 

The BGES Bobcats and the Matsu Marauders hooked up in a great one Thursday night.  The Bobcats built up a 10-1 lead over the first 6 innings, chasing MatSu starter Gunner Bahn after 4+ innings.  In the top of the seventh the bats came alive for the Marauders.   Corey Cucullu started the inning with an infield single, and the Marauders went on to total 10 runs on 8 hits to come all the way back; taking the lead 11-10.  In the bottom of the inning, the Bobcats clawed right back, scoring 2 to reassume command 12-11.  After the 8th inning, the game was called on account of early summer’s dwindling (well after 10pm) sunlight.  Bahn finished the evening 5-5 with a double and 2 RBI. 

Sunday is always a fun day in the local game.  Even the Hornets who have secured a stranglehold on the standings despite a week of inactivity were represented in full.  The bleachers were well populated for every contest, and every contest was well populated with great performers.  2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Rob Morris continued his resurgence by moving his Alaska Cubs (4-3) and his own record (2-1) above .500 for the first time this season.  Morris went seven strong, allowing just three earned to a BGES Bobcats team that has added some pop.   Cubs closer Dylan Barry looked dirty again, punching out four in two frames of work and adding a 3-4 day at the plate in a 16-7 win.  The Cubs emerged from hibernation groggy and seemingly a touch long in the tooth, but since their 0-3 start the ursine sluggers have simply put it on their opponents offensively, with largely the same cast of star veterans that led them to consecutive titles.  Lat-thumping classic Cub Steve White ripped a pair of jacks on Thursday to take the league lead; and if you haven’t gotten out in front of the baby bears already you might’ve missed your best chance - despite their lean spring dugout, they have a league-high number of players on roster now, and are adding arms. 

While the Cubs began to roll on Kosinski4, and the Hornets began one of the many esoteric rituals that for them constitute practice, the MatSu Marauders ambushed the Fairview Pirates up on K1 behind the methodically tactical mind of Gunner Bahn.  The Marauder manager and leadoff man went 3-4 with a pair of walks, and had clearly decided he would be the man to run on Fairview, swiping a pair of bases on first-pitch opportunities.  His Marauders were unyieldingly disciplined at the plate, working a pillbox zone into as many walks as Fairview had issued in their previous three contests (6).  Bahn worked his staff masterfully, getting a quality start out of Codie Farrington before turning it over to the bullpen tandem of Russell James and Paxton Chatfield for three innings of hitless work and a 7-3 victory over the Pirates.

The night game on Sunday packed the stands and featured the BGES Bobcats in their second game of the day, against a Steve’s Sports Bar team that hasn’t used the same lineup twice this season.  A constant for both teams that have seen many inconsistencies over the past couple seasons were the starters, Ty Rollins for Steve’s, and Shane Cassezza of the BGES Bobcats.  Both pitchers were gritty, each going the distance for his club, but with The Greatest emerging from yet another tight contest victorious, 7-6.  Cassezza pounded the zone all day, and was typically unflappable under duress along with catcher Chris Hamel who heroically caught both ends of the double-dip, but the Bobcats battery was ultimately undone in the 8th by a kid who’d be hard to see coming from the side. 

To the casual observer who had spent the majority of the great contest lounging near a Hornets nest in the parking lot, it would have been easy to overlook the skinny shortstop from the distance.  Since Steve’s is the longest-running franchise in the modern game, with respect to their contribution, their players are not required to wear the uniform - in fact only their greats (Ty Rollins [#40], Steve Fibranz [#49], Tim Davis [getting married in Cape Cod this weekend]) don the teal and black for games, leaving only a pair of easily identifiable names on the field without the honeymooning Davis.  And if one wandered closer to the fields around the 7th inning and saw the kid at shortstop, with white t-shirt and warm-up pants hanging off his 135-pound frame, wind into his ready position at short behind The Greatest of All-Time, one might’ve sworn he was just 16 years old, a babe in the man’s game.  And watching the young pup (the 5th SS SSB has fielded this season) snap up a ball to his left and then take two steps before delivering a nice little throw to first base a step too late, one might have even guessed this kid had a lot to learn before his game translated.  But when the lightweight gently twisted his back foot into the left-handed batter’s box in the bottom of the 8th, it was clear he had something that translates to all leagues at all times. 

With quiet hands tucked near his nimble frame, his head movement was imperceptible as he strode towards Cassezza’s biting slider, down in the zone, a solid pitch.  Then, with what seemed to be a flick, more of a release than a push, the kid hammered the ball down the right field line.  His bat whirled through the zone with a speed and precision around such an undeveloped frame that it could not help but remind one of The Splendid Splinter himself.  With only a top-hand release separating the kid’s swing from spooky resemblance to The Kid’s timeless stroke, the lines he created in the box and in his subsequent trip around the bases were beautiful, and fun to watch.  After steaming into second with a double, the kid (who is unnamed at time of publication) ran the bases as if ablaze, flying across the plate without a hit following him, and manufacturing the one-run lead that Steve’s would keep for their second victory of the year.  Whether the kid maintains his fire long enough to earn a uniform is always the big question.  But there is no doubt that we saw a special kind of swing, and a glimpse into several phases of great careers in the greatest game on this sunny Sunday.

____________________________________

The BGES Bobcats, one of the game's classic franchises renamed (from BGES Fuze) again before the start of the 2010 season, have changed their look - sporting new uniforms.  More importantly, they have kept the same determined attitude, fighting just as hard and showing dramatic signs of development this season - led by their veterans, new talent, and the Senior Statesman, Bob Braunstein (pictured above).  Braunstein, who has been leading teams to victory since his birth (during the Eisenhower administration), has been a fixture in the local game since 1994.  The alpha cat has long been the face of his franchise and his role is far more than symbolic - the league’s most experienced player is still among it’s most productive.  On Thursday night, as his Bobcats were being rolled by the champion Hornets, down nine early, the Senior Statesman refused to take a knee; instead he hurled his entire body into the outfield grass, securing a spectacular diving-rolling catch that let everybody know how hard the ‘Cats were willing to fight no matter the score.  BGES held the deficit at nine to finish out the game, but chipped in a few runs on a Hornets staff that is averaging just under a run allowed per game.  Braunstein was, per the usual, a contributor at the dish as well, going 3-4 with a double and an RBI.  Taylor Reed, Trevor Harrison, and Ty Clapper each knocked in a trio of runs for the white-hot Hornets who remain undefeated. 

Los Anchorage Angels lefty Chris Jones was again outstanding, holding the Alaska Cubs in check for most of his nine innings on Thursday; just four days of rest after tossing nine solid at Fairview.  But down a run in the top of nine, the grizzled Cubs lineup found an opening, with key hits by Pat Moran and Will Lauterbach (pictured above) in a four-run rally that could have killed the fight in the Angels dugout.  Los Anchorage would not be faded either, and they rallied to put the winning run aboard in the bottom of the ninth before Cubs reliever Chris Wagg wiggled out of it with the 9-8 win.  After an uncharacteristic 0-3 start, the Alaska Cubs have stormed back into the conversation with five resonating wins. 

_____________________________________

All-City Team takes manly hacks; Bucs win 4-1

Most definitely there were many stories: multi-hit effort by Taylor Nerland, Mike Smith blows hot-fire, AABL outhits Bucs, Jordan Farkas' 3-minute inning; but even in brief appearances, The Greatest has a way of taking over the show. Ty Rollins was at his awe-inspiring finest in his appearance against a gas-guzzling closer from the Bucs, insisting on taking hacks that others wouldn’t dare - he swung with his soul.  So with respect to the 28 other stars whose togetherness and tenacity gave the moment it's inherent drama, and to Ernest Thayer who penned the greatest baseball poem ever in 1888, an homage:

              Hondo at the Bat

6/30/10

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the All-City 29 that day;
The score stood four to one, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Smole died at first, and Cabrera did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Hondo Big Sky Train could get a whack at that —
We'd put up even money now, with Hondo at the bat."

But Dylan Barry preceded Hondo, as did also Gunner Bahn,
And the former was a cubbie, while the latter was the man;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Hondo getting to the bat.

But Barry worked a full-count walk, to the wonderment of all,
And Bahn the manliest of men, tore cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
The speedy Barry safe at second, first - Bahn flies like a bird.

Then from five dozen throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Hondo, mighty Hondo, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Hondo's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Hondo's bearing, a smile lit The Greatest’s face.
And when, responding to the crowd, he lightly doffed his cap,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Hondo at the bat.

Eyes fixed their gaze while Hondo rubbed his hands with the pine tar,

Bronc Breager in the dugout had explained what it was for.

Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Hondo's eye, a sneer curled Hondo’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Hondo stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
"Aarrgh!" said Hondo -- hacking viciously around his head.

With a smile of Christian charity great Hondo's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He grinned out at the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
And Hondo barely missed it, with a cut the sky in two.

The sneer has fled from Hondo's lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Hondo's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
And there is more joy in Mulcahy — even though Hondo struck out.

They've Seen Hot Fire; They've Seen Rain

7/3/1

Rained Out in the Valley: The Miners were game, and the MatSu Miners Family still wanted to cookout - even handing out Miners shirts to all who made the trip; but alas the final All-City game of 2010 was washed out by early July showers.

Gun Show

7/7/10

 Backdrop?: Fairview's Robby Rounsey (box) went 2-3 and eventually scored the game's only run; but not off Paxton Chatfield (bump) who did his part in a game that saw 24 total strikeouts.

Tuesday night’s island of games between the All-City break and State Tournament was a welcomed respite in the sea of days without local matchups.  So long has the break been, even the Hornets and Cubs deigned to get some practice time in - tuning their systems to defend their beloved borough in this weekend’s AK Championships.  It has been the better part of a month since the SouthCentral Titans saw trigger time, but they picked up right where they left - offing the BGES Bobcats 12-0.  The Titans relay shutout was anchored by Chris Breck and Ben Hand who were both excellent and efficient; despite plating 12 the Titans disposed of the Bobcats in just under two hours.  Two of the more notoriously unhurried teams in the league spent about an hour more coming to nearly identical results. 

The Los Anchorage Angels moved back into second place by beating Spenard United 12-1.  Los Anchorage treated themselves to the luxury of stretching out the staff for State - tossing Jesse McCarty, Chris Jones, Jamison Morrison, and Zack Durst at a Spenard lineup that had been averaging over nine runs per game over their last five contests.  Catcher Kyle Phillips was a monster from both batter’s boxes, going 3-3 with four steaks, and was joined in average-lifting efforts by J.J. Iverson (2-2) and John Lumpkin (3-3).  The vibe wasn’t all bad on the Spenard side of the diamond.  Reliever Jose Mota was a revelation - blowing smoke over a scoreless inning of work and closing out the 7th on a high note for the United.

What projected to be the matchup of the evening did not disappoint, and did not take long.  Bronc Breager and Paxton Chatfield got dirty on K3 in the most compelling ace-off since Ferreira/McCarty nearly a month ago.  The Bronc and K-Pax treated hitters poorly, but the fans well - administering them a 1hr58min, 1-0 pitching clinic.  MatSu’s big ticket was again well hard; Chatfield induced double plays in each of the first three innings and still found time to fan six in just 6IP of shutout work. 

Breager, Fairview’s perennial MVP contender, simply manhandled the Marauders lineup - facing the minimum over his final four innings and punching out 12 over 7IP, again walking none.  Bronc has put the bad touch on a growing assortment of lineups, and has arguably been the most valuable player over the first leg of the 2010 season.  While Cubs slugger Steve White leads in all of the hitting triple crown categories - Breager is at the top of the heap amongst pitchers in wins, innings, strikeouts, saves, and has only walked four men in ’10. 

________________________________________

Under The Lights: SouthCentral's David Breck squares off against Hornets starter Jordan Farkas