Sports Beat column - July 21, 2006

Sports Beat
July 21, 2006

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Come on you Sports Fans! Saturday evening there's a big football game right here in Prince George's County at the Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex. It's the DC Divas battling the Columbus Comets for the right to advance to the Super Bowl of Women's Pro football.

All-League quarterback Allyson Hamlin leads the DC Divas in their quest to become World Champions. This is good football with a lot of action and precise plays, the women play at a very high level of play. Its NOT powder-puff football, its REAL football, hard hitting football and exciting for the entire family. Get there early and enjoy the tailgating parties and all the pre-game excitement.

DC DIVAS REPORT

D.C. Divas Host Northern Conference Championship Game
Saturday July 22nd @ 7:00pm
Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex (Directions)

Your North Atlantic Division Champions, the D.C. Divas, are one game away from a trip to the Superbowl of women's pro football on August the 5th in Pittsburgh. The Divas will host the Columbus Comets as the climax to a memorable season of football fun this Saturday night. You can't miss the best women's pro football team in the world in their final appearance locally this year!!

3 EASY REASONS TO SUPPORT THE D.C. DIVAS ON JULY 22ND
1. Exciting. The 9-0 Divas are a high-powered offensive and defensive machine. See running back Rachelle Pecovsky add to her 1000yd-plus season or all-league quarterback Allyson Hamlin hit another receiver for a TD.
2. Something for everyone. A great game against a tough and experienced opponent. Chances to win great prizes, clowns, and more for the kid in all of us, and great food options plus beer for adults.
3. Affordable. Parking and tickets for kids 6 and under are FREE. The first one hundred kids get a Divas face sticker.

There are endless reasons... it's a great chance to tailgate and have space, live music, meet the Divas players after the game, support women, support a winner, something to make you feel good, smiles for the whole group, a chance to be part of an undefeated season. It all happens this Saturday, July 22nd.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.dcdivas.com. Regular tickets $10 or $15. VIP tickets are a great value at only $25 with 50-yard-line seating, limited waiter service, and a FREE seat cushion/keychain at the gate.

Keep up to date on the latest Divas news at www.dcdivas.com And start planning that championship tailgating pre-game party today!

Lots open at 4:00pm
Gates open at 5:30pm
Kickoff at 7:00pm

Buy game tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=10235
Directions & parking info: http://www.dcdivas.com/html/homefield.html
Divas website: http://www.dcdivas.com/

"These are the moments ladies. The moments that great athletes crave. The moments that Coaches long for, the times when legends are born, or careers are ended. Where athletes transcend their sport and become (s)heroes, or they fracture split and wallow in mediocrity. Each of you has the ability and skill to get to this moment. Each of you has put the work in to deserve to be in this moment. However, in order to achieve success we must impose our collective will. We can only take this next step...TOGETHER."
-- Coach Ezra Cooper, to the D.C. Divas

We're one win from a trip to the Superbowl!

The D.C. Divas are proud to host the Northern conference championship game on Saturday July 22nd at 7:00pm. This is OUR moment and we ask all of you to help support these hard-working ladies by bringing at least one friend to the season finale on Saturday. The attached coupon will help introduce that friend to our amazing team. This is the last chance to see the Divas locally this season. But with this win we'll have a Superbowl team to call our own!

Once you arrive and park for FREE you will be treated to an exciting, affordable experience with live music, entertainment for the kids and award-winning beer , wine and food selections for the whole family. Come on out and enjoy a tailgating day of fun. Parking lots open at 4:00pm, gates at 5:30pm. Directions can be found at www.dcdivas.com

We thank you for your continued support.

D.C. Divas Players, Coaches & Staff

BUY TICKETS: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/event/EventListings?orgId=10235 DIRECTIONS: http://www.dcdivas.com/html/homefield.html DIVAS WEBSITE: http://www.dcdivas.com/index.html

Maryland's Toliver Looks Forward to Down Time After Busy Season, Summer
Terps will be featured on ESPY's on Sunday.

It's been more than three months since the Terps toppled Duke, 78-75, in overtime in the NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship game, and Kristi Toliver is ready to finally get some well-deserved rest - or at least it feel that way.

"This will be the first time in a long time that I've just been able to relax" said Toliver, who recently completed courses in the first of two summer sessions at the University of Maryland.

Indeed, it's been a whirlwind ride for Toliver and the Terps since winning the program's first national championship in April. They were celebrated locally at the State House and on campus, as well as at Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics games. They were recognized nationally at the White House, along with fellow Terrapin champions in field hockey and men's soccer. Finally, they were honored internationally during a two-week tour of Europe that saw them go up against some of that continent's top talent. And as soon as she came home, it was time for Toliver to hit the books.

"As soon as we got back from Europe, I started classes," said the point guard who is just finishing her freshman year. "I just had to try to catch up on my sleep and get ready for classes with the six hour time difference. I knew it was going to be a six-week grind." In addition to everything else, Toliver has worked at the basketball camps hosted by the team at Comcast Center.

"We usually coach one of the teams and go through drills with them," Toliver explained. "We're around during camp all the time. Knowing that they're some of our biggest fans just makes it good to give back to them."

The hectic pace has been nothing new for Toliver.

"During high school, I played AAU ball all summer long, so I can't remember the last time I really had a summer off." She'll be getting a little breather now, with plans to visit family and the beach before returning to campus next month.

Of course, there really is no rest for a defending national champion.

"The expectation, obviously, is to repeat," Toliver said. "All last year, we were trying to earn respect, and we did that by winning it all. You earn respect by winning games so we just have to continue to do that. We want to win the ACC and the national championship this year - that's greedy, but that's where the bar has been set for us."

Despite the packed summer schedule, the point guard has found time to focus on improving herself for next season.

"I've been lifting and working on my shot while I've been here," she explained, "but when I go home and don't have to worry about school, I'm going to focus on conditioning and fundamental things."

While Toliver is already looking forward to another season, it's been hard for her to avoid one topic in particular - "The Shot." Her high-arching shot over the lunging Duke center, Alison Bales, with just six seconds remaining, sending the championship game into overtime, catapulted Toliver to instant celebrity status.

"That's come up every day of my life since then," Toliver said with a smile. "People come up and congratulate me or ask to play some one-on-one. But my biggest thrill is just being able to come to Comcast Center and play against teams like Tennessee and North Carolina, and all the teams in the ACC. Making a shot like that was just icing on the cake."

One last honor awaits for the Terps, as they appeared on the ESPY Awards Show on ESPN as a nominee for "Best Team of the Year." Although she didn't cast any votes herself, Toliver remarked that her roommate took care of that. "Just being nominated is a great thing for the program and the school, something I never even thought about happening," she said.

Just a quarter of the way through her Maryland career, Toliver took one last look back and couldn't help but smile as she reviewed her freshman year.

"It's been everything I expected and more," she said with a grin. "It's been full of excitement and challenges, both basketball and otherwise. I need to soak all this up because I'll need that experience next year."

BIG TRAIN REPORT

619 lucky fans saw what might be the best played game of the season on Friday night at Povich Field. Spectacular fielding... Three home runs... A 5-4 come-from-behind victory to move the Big Train back in first place, one-half game ahead of the Orioles.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY BUT "WOW!"

Folks, this was summer college wooden bat baseball at its very best. The two top teams in the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League paired-up Friday night in front of 619 fans at Shirley Povich Field with first place on the line, and both teams brought their A-game. The first place Youse's Orioles got on the board first in the top of the second. The first two batters singled off Big Train starter Matt Wickswat (Santa Clara). With the count three-and-two, Vincent Difazio (Alabama) fouled-off three straight pitches and then deposited the next one over the right field fence. Advantage Orioles, 3-0. The gritty Wickswat got through that inning and pitched three scoreless innings to keep the Big Train in the game. Meanwhile, the Virginia bound Neal Davis held the Big Train scoreless through three innings before hitting Preston Pehrson (Texas) and giving up a home run to Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) in the fourth. Matt Long (Santa Clara) would have tied the score at 3 in the bottom of the fifth but for a spectacular catch by Orioles shortstop Allan Smaltz, his second robbery in just three innings. In the top of the sixth, Ryan Rhoden (Alabama) hit a solo home run.

Advantage Orioles, 4-2. In the bottom of the seventh, Adkins reached on a fielder's choice and was doubled home by Steven Leach (Jacksonville State). A lead-off single in the top of the eighth failed to produce an insurance run for the Orioles as the Big Train turned a double play and rightfielder Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) made one of his trademark running catches in foul territory just before crashing into the bullpen fence. In the bottom of the eight, the Big Train converted on Long's leadoff single. Clean-up hitter Pehrson sacrificed Long to second, and Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) singled him home. Leach doubled again, scoring Dietz with the go-ahead run. Advantage Bethesda, 5-4. Difazio singled to lead-off the top of the ninth against Big Train reliever Austin Hinkle (Coastal Carolina). But Hinkle struck out the next batter and first baseman Dietz stabbed a line-shot that could have tied the game but in fact ended the game as Dietz stepped on first to double-up Difazio. Wow!

Youse's Orioles (18-10) 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 -- 4 8 0
Bethesda Big Train (18-9) 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 2 x -- 5 9 0

WP: Hinkle (2-1)
LP: Squatrito
HR: Difazio (YO), Adkins (BBT), Rhoden (YO)
2B: Fay (BBT), Leach (two) (BBT)
Attendance: 619

Big Train Notes: This instant classic was webcast and is already available as part of our webcast archives at www.bigtrain.org... There were more stars on the scorekeeper's card than I have ever seen in a single game. In addition to the ESPN-worthy web gems by Smaltz, Cleckler, and Dietz mentioned in the game story above, the Big Train turned a nifty but unconventional 4-6-3. No, it wasn't a double play. In the third inning, second baseman Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte) ranged far to his right to pick up a ground ball. Having no chance to turn and throw the runner out a first, he tossed a lateral pass to the shortstop Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi) who was moving in the right direction and threw the runner out at first... 100 young Big Train fans went home with a Big Train Mini-Bat courtesy of D-Bat. Check them out on the web: http://www.dbatinc.com/ ... Our Season Sponsor Chevy Chase Bank brought Ben Franklin (whose comment about lightning could have shut us down for the night had the umpires not had a sense of humor) to throw out a first pitch and a mascot that looked like an ATM machine... Chick-fil-A was in the house Friday as well.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- WEDNESDAY JULY 12
Results of Wednesday July 12
Bethesda Big Train defeated Maryland Redbirds 4-3 at Povich Field College Park Bombers defeated Rockville Express 4-0 at Knights Field Youse's Orioles defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 2-1 and 4-0 at Bachman Park

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 17-9 .654 --
Youse's Orioles 17-9 .654 --
Rockville Express 13-12 .520 3.5
College Park Bombers 12-15 .444 5.5
SS-T Thunderbolts 9-14 .391 6.5
Maryland Redbirds 8-17 .320 8.5

The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (7-3), Rockville (4-4), Silver Spring-Takoma (2-6).

Log onto http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/ for up-to-date boxscores and standings.
Sign-up for CRSL email alerts: http://ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/maillist/program/action.cgi?actionfiltered=adduser

Cleckler: The little engine that drives the Big Train

There was one out in the top of the first inning Monday afternoon at Knights Field in Rockville when Cleckler, batting second for the Bethesda Big Train, took a pitch off his pinky finger while feigning a bunt. The host Rockville Express contested the call, but Cleckler was awarded first base and eventually came around to score, kicking off a 21-run marathon in the teamsâ¤ Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League clash.

Cleckler went 2 for 4 in the game and reached base five times, scoring three runs and driving in two in Bethesdaâ¤s 16-5 victory. He was the spark for the Big Train (16-9), which moved 2.5 games clear of third-place Rockville (13-11) and remained a half-game up on the Maryland Orioles (15-9), who also won Monday. â¤—â¤—Nick Cleckler could hit a buck-fifty and heâ¤d play for me every day,â¤? Big Train manager Sal Colangelo said. â¤—â¤—He does the little things. In the outfield, the push bunt â¤² he does the little things to win.â¤?

By the numbers, Cleckler may not look like much. Heâ¤s batting .222 this summer, and he picked up just his second extra-base hit Monday. On top of that, the Jacksonville (Ala.) State outfielder is all of 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, which may help explain why he wasn't selected in Major League Baseballâ¤s June draft. Yet this is the third season in a row that Cleckler has been invited to Bethesda, and true to his word, Colangelo has penciled him into the starting lineup in 22 of the team's 25 games.

Watching him, itâ¤s easy to see why. He's a menace on the basepaths (5 of 9 on steal attempts this season) and at the plate. One of his two hits Monday was a brilliant, run-scoring push bunt that rolled to a stop perfectly between first base, second base and the pitcherâ¤s mound. Heâ¤s quick to track down balls in right field, and the league's third base coaches have learned not to test Clecklerâ¤s arm. â¤—â¤—Iâ¤m looking [to get drafted next year],â¤? he said. â¤—â¤—My game is speed, getting on the basepaths, playing good defense, putting the ball in play and giving myself a chance.â¤?

Also, Clecklerâ¤s numbers this summer donâ¤t reflect the kind of player he can be. At Jacksonville State this spring, he led the Gamecocks with a .369 average and 62 runs scored. He also stole 20 bases in 29 attempts and had a team-high six triples. Clecklerâ¤s hit-by-pitch Monday sparked a three-run Big Train first inning. Rockville answered with four in the bottom of the first, courtesy of a three-run home run by designated hitter Derek Mechling (Duquesne). But Clecklerâ¤s double drove in the tying run in the top of the second, and Bethesda went on to score three more in the inning, making it 7-4. Rockville was still within striking distance, trailing 9-5, until a seven-run Big Train ninth.

All told, the first five hitters in the Bethesda order â¤² Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte), Cleckler, Matt Long (Santa Clara), Preston Pehrson (Texas) and Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) â¤² went 12 for 26 (.462), scored a combined 11 runs and drove in 10. â¤—â¤—This was a big game for me, especially, to build some confidence on,â¤? Cleckler said. â¤—â¤—And it was a big game for our team, because we came out and put up runs in just about every inning, kept adding on. Thatâ¤s good, thatâ¤s what you want out of a ball team.â¤? The win was the Big Trainâ¤s fifth in four days, during which they played six games. They broke out of a team-wide slump Saturday in a 15-5 win over the Orioles.

On the flip side, Rockville had won back-to-back games before Mondayâ¤s debacle. The Express used seven pitchers in the game, none going more than 2 1â?“3 innings, and allowed twice as many runs as they have in any other game this season. The defense didnâ¤t help, committing five errors and allowing 10 unearned runs to cross the plate. â¤—â¤—A couple of balls dropped in the outfield,â¤? Express manager Tom Shaffer said. â¤—â¤—We talked about that yesterday, so I donâ¤t know how that happened. We made some errors and bonehead plays. It adds up. ... It was just a bad day. You try not to have that against the team youâ¤re battling for first place.â¤?

Notes: Jimmy Saris (Georgetown) picked up the win for Bethesda, recovering from a rough first inning to allow five runs over six innings and improve to 3-1 on the season. ... Mechling finished 3 for 4 with a walk for the Express, and Rockville native Mike Murphy (Maryland) went 2 for 4 to raise his team-leading average to .354. ... Long (3 for 6 Monday) leads Bethesda with a .386 average and a .504 on-base percentage. ... Both teams return to action Wednesday. The Big Train hosts the Maryland Redbirds at 7 p.m., and the Express hosts the College Park Bombers at 5 p.m.

Bethesda Big Train Baseball honors community heroes

Bethesda Big Train Baseball will honor some community heroes before the game on Saturday's Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.

Ambulances and rescue trucks will be at the field for people to explore, there will be free giveaways for children and squad Chief Ned Sherburne will throw out the first pitch.

Squad personnel will be on hand to meet with community members starting around 7 p.m. with the game starting at 7:30 p.m.

The game costs $3-$7 and kids under 5 are free. It takes place at Shirley Povich Field, in Cabin John Regional Park, 10600 Westlake Drive. Big Train recently honored another Bethesda community hero, Denise Gorham, founder of BCC Baseball, a youth baseball league.

Gorham worked to start the league in the early 1990s after her two sons wanted to play baseball but there was no organized league in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase area.

During the first season, 600 kids played in the league. It has grown to 4,500 players. In addition to developing kids' skills, the league also invested in improving the quality of ball fields in the down county.

ADKINS NAMED CRSL HITTER OF THE WEEK
Outfielder Luke Adkins (University of Southern Mississippi) of the Bethesda Big Train has been named the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Hitter of the Week for the week of July 3 to July 9. Adkins hit in all six games for Bethesda during the week, including three multi-hit efforts. He also knocked in runs in each of the last five games during the week. Adkins finished the week with a .450 batting average on nine hits with three runs scored and seven RBI. He had three doubles, including two in one game against the Orioles on July 8. Honorable Mentions for Hitter of the Week include: Derek Mechling (Express/Duquesne), Steven Leach (Big Train/Jacksonville State), Nick Popp (T'Bolts/Belmont Abbey), and Matt Long (Big Train/Santa Clara).

DAVID KLOSER'S STEPPING UP
Author David Kloser picked the wrong day to visit Povich Field as a pre-game shower kept the crowd down to a season low. But despite his bad luck, Kloser graciously donated a half-dozen signed books to the Big Train. You'll find one at the November 19 Big Train Base Ball & Auction and the rest in upcoming raffles. For information about the book and to buy a signed copy of Stepping Up: Inspiring Interviews with Major Leaguers, log onto: http://www.steppinguptotheplate.com/sp/HOME/index.cfm

LANE HUSTLES HOME FOR 4-3 VICTORY WEDNESDAY
Put this win in the hustle column, Cory Lane-style. A walk, a double by Ian Christie (Johns Hopkins), a hit batsman, some hard hit balls in the infield, and the visiting Redbirds took a 3-0 lead over the hometown Big Train in the top of the first inning. Outstanding base running by Lane (UNC-Charlotte) was the key as the Big Train battled back Wednesday night for a 4-3 Bethesda victory at Povich Field. In the bottom of the first, leadoff batter Lane reached on an error, moved to second on a balk, and to third on a single. His great speed allowed him to score on a shallow sacrifice fly by Preston Pehrson (Texas). Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) hit a home run in the second inning, his third in the last three home dates at Povich Field, to narrow the gap to 3-2. Big Train reliever Chris Cullen (Michigan State) kept the Bethesda in the game with four innings of scoreless relief.

The Big Train tied the score at three in the bottom of the seventh when Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) led off with a single up the middle, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and a Lane single, and scored on a single by Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State). Things looked bleak in the top of the ninth when Big Train reliever Brian Anderson (San Francisco) walked the leadoff batter and allowed him to advance to second on a wild pitch. But Anderson escaped unscathed as he got the next batter to popup an attempted sacrifice bunt and retired the last two Redbird batters. With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Lane, the night's superhero, singled. Cleckler walked. As the Redbirds unsuccessfully attempted to turn an inning ending double play, Lane dazzled the crowd as he scampered home with the winning run.

Maryland Redbirds (8-17) 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 3 4 3
Bethesda Big Train (17-9) 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 -- 4 9 0

WP: Anderson (2-1)
LP: Howell (1-2)
HR: Dietz (BBT)
2B: Christie (MR)
Attendance: 406

Time: 2 hours and 15 minutes (20 delayed start because of rain)

Big Train Notes: Talk about hard-core fans! Despite a pre-game shower, 406 Big Train fans showed up on Wednesday night. Here's how hard core: for the first time in Big Train history that we can remember, the Big Train raffle took in more dollars than we had fans at the ballpark -- $420 to 406 fans. The long-arms were selling briskly... We had a group of six children from the Chernobyl area in the Ukraine hosted by the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church... Big Train founder John Ourisman was in the house, having given a pre-game talk to members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce about the community leadership lessons learned in our enterprise... The absolutely amazing Lemonade Shaking Guy from Camden Yards and RFK entertained the fans and sold a lot of lemonade... Kids received packs of baseball cards coutesy of Hall of Fame Cards... The game was sponsored by Bethesda Partners.

ON DECK AT POVICH FIELD: vs. Express Thursday July 20

ON THE ROAD TO ROCKVILLE TUESDAY JULY 18 @ 5 pm vs. Express
Knights Field at Montgomery College-Rockville 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD (7 miles from Povich Field) Take I-270 North towards Frederick. Exit on 6A, Route 28, W. Montgomery Ave./Rockville (1/4 mile north of Montrose Road exit). Follow Montgomery College sign through traffic light (road becomes Nelson Street). Go to first traffic light at Mannakee Street; turn left. The campus is 11/2 blocks on the left.

NANN AND MCCLANAHAN GO BACK-TO-BACK IN THE HOME RUN DERBY, AND THEN IN THE GAME;
ALL-STARS TIE 4-4 AT POVICH
Two hours before the first pitch of the 2006 Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game the Povich Field scoreboard thermometer read 101 degrees. By gameâ¤s end, the temperature had dropped to a â¤¦chillyâ¤? 81. The All-Stars stayed hot, however, with the Montgomery and Maryland squads playing to a 4-4 draw in front of 611 fans.

After Montgomery pitchers Chris Cullen (Big Train/Michigan State), Matt Montgomery (Thunderbolts/Undecided), and Billy Gross (Express/West Virginia) shut down the Maryland offense through the first three innings, Maryland opened up the fourth inning with four straight hits. Brian Conley (Orioles/Towson) led off the inning with a single to rightfield. Youseâ¤s Maryland Orioles teammate Justin McClanahan (Orioles/Louisville) then ripped a home run over the leftfield fence to put Maryland on the board.

Before the game, McClanahan put on a show for the crowd during the 2006 Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Home Run Derby, hitting five home runs in the opening round before finishing as the runner-up in the championship round. The man who beat McClanahan in the Home Run Derby was Chris Nann (Bombers/Northern Kentucky), who belted eight long-balls in the championship round to win the title.

So, in the fourth inning the stage was set for Nann, who followed McClanahan in the Maryland line-up. And Nann did not disappoint, knocking a fastball over the right-centerfield fence to go back-to-back with McClanahan and put Maryland up, 3-0. Maryland manufactured another run in the fourth to take a four-run lead.

Montgomery responded in the bottom half. Cody Dee (Express/UC-Santa Barbara) singled and Charlie Lenhard (Thunderbolts/Akron) reached on an error. A single by Luke Adkins (Big Train/Southern Miss) scored Dee and moved Lenhard to third, who then scored on a double-play ball.

In the fifth, Brian Dozier (Big Train/Southern Miss) walked and scored on a Matt Long (Big Train/Santa Clara) triple. And in the seventh, Eric Oliver (Express/Orange Coast) was hit by a pitch and eventually came around to score on an error to tie the game.

Both teams made a last-ditch effort to win the ballgame in the ninth inning, but Maryland could not plate a run after loading the bases with one out, and Montgomery left Dozier on second base after a two-out double.

Mike Schurz (Redbirds/Iowa) started for the Maryland squad and did not allow a run in his one inning of work. Tom Dolan (Bombers/Temple) came in for Maryland with a runner on third and two outs in the fifth inning and got the last batter swinging. He then struck out the first two hitters in the sixth inning and got the last out through the air to complete his night. Cullen started for Montgomery, allowing no runs on one hit, and his bullpen retired the side in order five times the rest of the night.

McClanahan earned All-Star Most Valuable Player honors for his two run home run in the fourth inning. He also singled in the first inning.

Maryland All-Stars 000 400 000 â¤³ 4 7 3
Montgomery All-Stars 000 210 100 â¤³ 4 8 1

HR â¤³ McClanahan, Nann
3B â¤³ Long
2B â¤³ Dozier

Notes: The Maryland All-Stars were managed by Dean Albany of the Orioles. The Montgomery All-Stars were managed by Sal Colangelo of the Big Trainâ¤† Six players (one from each team) competed in the first-ever Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League Home Run Derby. In the first round, each player got ten outs to hit as many home runs as they could, with anything but a home run or a taken pitch counting as an out. McClanahan hit five home runs in the first round. Nann, Lenhard, and Josh Dietz each hit two home runs in the first round to force a five-out tiebreaker round. Derek Mechling hit one home run in the first round, and Jimmy Dishmey-Perez failed to hit a home run. In the tiebreaker round, Nann advanced after hitting four home runs. Lenhard hit two and Dietz hit one. Nann hit first in the championship round and belted eight to McClanahanâ¤s two.

The Home Run Derby Champion and MVP Awards were presented by D-Bat, official sponsor of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball Leagueâ¤† Each All-Star Game participant was presented with a commemorative mini-bat from D-Batâ¤† Cartwright the Duck of Mascot Marketing Concepts was on hand for the Home Run Derbyâ¤† The All-Star Game was sponsored by the Maryland Sports Medicine Center in Olney. Special thanks to the MSMC and Dr. David Higgins for their outstanding service to the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League in 2006. Dr. Higgins has generously donated his time and expertise to treat CRSCBL athletes free of charge, whenever they are in need of physical therapy. The game was announced by Washington-area sports legend Phil Hochberg. Longtime announcer for the Redskins, Senators and Orioles, Mr. Hochberg is featured on the Ring of Stars at FedEx field, and sits on the Board of Directors for the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- SATURDAY JULY 15
Results of Sunday July 16
SS-T Thunderbolts and Bethesda Big Train split a doubleheader at Blair Stadium with the T'Bolts winning the first 12-5 and the Big Train winning the second 5-4. Rockville Express defeated Maryland Redbirds 8-2 & 3-0 at Knights Field. Youse's Orioles and College Park Bombers split a doubleheader at Sixth Street Field with the Orioles winning the first 7-1 and the Bombers winning the second 5-4.

Late Results of Saturday July 15
College Park Bombers and Maryland Redbirds split a doubleheader at Shipley Field with Bombers winning the first game 4-3 and Redbirds winning the second 8-6.

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train
20-10 .667 --
Youse's Orioles
19-12 .613 1.5
Rockville Express
17-12 .586 2.5
College Park Bombers
15-17 .469 6
SS-T Thunderbolts
10-18 .357 9
Maryland Redbirds
9-21 .300 11

The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (8-4), Rockville (6-4), Silver Spring-Takoma (3-9).

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE BIG TRAIN
For more information, please log onto www.bigtrain.org or call 301/983-1006. Or email us at faninfo@bigtrain.org.

ON DECK AT POVICH FIELD: THURSDAY JULY 20
Bethesda Big Train v. Rockville Express at 7:30 p.m. Washington Baseball Night with Screech of the Nationals and former Senator Fred Valentine. Book signings by Hank Thomas, Phil Wood, and Jim Hartley. Baseball Sluggers Commemorative Stamp Ceremony led by DeeDee Willard-Ruffin, Postmaster of Bethesda, featuring a special Big Train Station cancellation of stamps of Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Mantle, and Mel Ott. Thursday night's game is sponsored by Friedman Billings Ramsey. Gates open at 6 p.m.

We have a special Big Train Station cancellation stamp for use Thursday so these will be collectors items. Envelope with all four sluggers and special cancellation for $2.50. Envelope with any one slugger for $1. In addition to the Big Train envelopes, the Postal Service will sell sheets of these brand new stamps and other baseball items.

Evan Frederickson (Virginia Tech) will pitch for the Big Train.

WEATHER HOT, BIG TRAIN NOT; FALL TO EXPRESS, 5-1
It was a hot, steamy, 100 degree Tuesday afternoon at Knight's Field in Rockville. You began to feel it might not be Bethesda's day in the bottom of the second when the Express took a 3-0 lead on one bloop single (walk, fielder's choice (and safe at second), sacrifice bunt, hit-by-pitch, E-6, sacrifice fly, bloop single = 3-0 Express). The Express extended its lead in the fourth with a bunt single, stolen base, walk, and another bloop single. In the fifth, there was nothing bloop about lead-off hitter Eric Oliver (Orange Coast)'s home run. The Big Train had its chances, out-hitting the Express 9 to 6 but leaving a dozen runners stranded, including men on second and third in the third, sixth, and ninth innings. The lone Bethesda tally came in the ninth when Adam Plummer (Pitt-Johnstown) led-off with a double and scored on a single by Adam Redd (Virginia Tech).

WP: Schnitzer (2-0)
LP: Pease (2-4)
HR: Oliver (RE)
2B: Pehrson (BBT), Plummer (BBT).
Attendance: 40.
Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- TUESDAY JULY 18
Results of Tuesday July 18
Rockville Express defeated Bethesda Big Train 5-1 at Knights Field.

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 20-11 .645 --
Youse's Orioles 19-12 .613 1
Rockville Express 18-12 .600 1.5
College Park Bombers 15-17 .469 5.5
SS-T Thunderbolts 10-18 .357 8.5
Maryland Redbirds 9-21 .300 10.5
BRUCE

WASHINGTON BOXING HALL OF FAME
The Washington DC Boxing Hall of Fame is the oldest DC based organization recognizing the efforts of individual boxers, coaches, and supporters based on their contribution to the sport of boxing. I am proud to say that I am a member of WBHOF.

The WBHOF general membership meeting will be held July 20th at the Cheverly American League Post #108. The WBHOFâ¤s annual crab feast wil be held on Saturday, August 19th at the Cheverly American Legion Post #108. For information on the Crab Feast call 301-598-3583, 301-423-9664, or 410-741-0240.

The President is Allan Nader. Vice President is Buzzy Young, Treasurer is Jack Golumb, Member ship Secretary is Curtis Rawlings, Recording Secretary is Brent Bovel, and Founder is James Balukevich.

They are all on the Board of Directors along with Walter Allen, Tom Brownes, Kenny Chevalier, Billy Dave, Floyd Favors, Bobby Magruder, Vardell McCann, Truman Tuttle, and Bee Bee Washington.

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, The column is what we all look forward to every week you know. God bless you friend for your hard work in keeping so many folks, especially those of us who are in far away places now, up to date with what is happening. You really do cover the sports arena in every way, both nationally and locally. WNBA All Star game was awesome tonight, and the Eastern team finally came up with a win they can be really proud of. My daughter, Rhonda, who starts her classes at Yale next month in their medical program and looking very forward to hopefully working alongside Dr. Ben Carson, Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins in the near future, was thrilled to see a WNBA Connecticut Suns-Phoenix Mercury game this month right there in Connecticut which she just loves. I am promised to see the Suns play up there at some future date. Incidentally, Johns Hopkins was recently voted US top hospital by U.S. News and World Report. Congratulations to that fine hospital, and deservedly so. Great fun to share yours and some of the other guys memories of those wonderful, fun times in DC in the 50s, especially all those baseball memories and unique youthful experiences of the times. You selling newspapers at 14th and Webster, having fun trying to picture that, ha, John L of Eastern and all his incredible memories of the baseball heroes of the day and cruising the neighborhoods with Charlie Sokol. Thanks to everyone for your prayers for my cousin Brenda Land Bennett and please keep them coming. In addition to lifelong heart problems she is now faced with battling lung cancer. Brenda now lives in Waldorf, Maryland. God bless you and yours, Dale

Dear Dale, Thank you. Bill

Hi Bill, Hope you are okay. Thought you might like to know what a powerhouse Bobby Gonzalez is assembling at SHU. He also has enticed some good recruits including a 6â¤?8â¤? forward transfer from Auburn. Cheers, Jerry Todd

Jerry, Seton Hall is headed for a return to the days of Walter Dukes and Ritchie Began. Bill

Bill, How do you think the Washington Wiizards will do this season? Don p.

Don P., A decent team but do not expect them to be a contender because they do not have a championship team. They should finish a little above the .500 mark and make the playoffs and they could make the second round but thatâ¤s about all. Bill

Bill, You mentioned Dean Ashbaugh in â¤¦Sportnotesâ¤? the last I heard of her she was in Silver Spring. I know Jim Simpson was a big fan of hers. Doc Duncan

Dear DD, Yours is the first reply that mentioned her. Bill

From: "LORIN J ALDOUS" aldousx4@msn.com
To: mccaffreysworld@yahoo.com
Subject: questions about Anacostia HS, DC
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2006 15:45:14 -0600
Mr. McCaffrey, I came across your website while researching some info on the Class of 56 at Anacostia High. Did you attend this school at that time? My Dad did and graduated in 56, his name is Wayne Freese. He married Patricia Faircloth (Class of 58) in 1959. If you went there, did you know either of them? They both lived on Mellon Street in Southeast (I believe that's where Mellon St is, haven't been there in years, not so safe now.) , DC. My real question is: Do you know of any way to get yearbook copies from these years or any in between? Theirs were ruined in one of the many moves with the Air Force and are now completely gone. I have tried MANY avenues to replace them for them and have not been successful at all. They are trying to plan to come to the reunion and I would truly like to find the books for them. We still have a few family members living in VA and MD and my parents would probably be out there for a while. They could go to where ever needed and pick up these books, if available. Thank you for your time in reading my email and answering my questions. Su

Dear Su, I graduated from Anacostia in 1954. Barbara Williams knows your dad and lived near Mellon Street. Hopefully you will hear from someone who can help you. I will be at their reunion and I hope to meet them. Bill

Bill, Tell John (write-in for your column) that my father graduated from Eastern in 1926. June C.S.

Dear June, My father, uncle and aunt were all Eastern High School grads. Bill

SPORTS NOTES

Had a great lunch and conversation with Da King (Eddie Hill) of the COBRAS at Mama Stella Restaurant in Clinton and what a lunch. Later the same day I ran into Jim Panor who now lives in Annapolis. He is still a Republican and Mike Miller fan. Jim ran for House of Delegates in 1974.

Tim Norris (former Baltimore organization) pitched batting practice in the All-Star Cal Ripkin Collegiate game and still looks like he could pitch as well.

Recently Jim Wexler challenged me to name my All-Time major league baseball team, so here goes:
1B        Lou Gehrig
2B        Rogers Hornsby
SS        Ozzie Smith
3B        George Kell
OF        Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb C          Johnny Bench
RHP     Walter Johnson
LHP      Steve Carlton
Relief Pitcher Bruce Sutter
And I am tossing in my All-Time Washington team of Washington players I saw play:
C          Rick Ferrell
1B        Mickey Vernon
2B        Pete Runnels
SS        Eddie Brinkman
3B        Eddie Yost
OF        Jackie Henson, Irv Noren, George Case
RHP     Early Wynn Relief Pitcher Tom Ferrick
LHP      Mickey Haefner
UTL      Roy Sievers, Frank Howard, Stan Spence, Buddy Lewis, Chuck Hinton

I was sorry to hear of the passing of Mickey Spillane at age 88. He wrote one of the two books I gave in English class at Roosevelt high school. His was "I the Jury" and the other book report I gave was "Antboy Dukes", they were not the typical books you gave reports on. Congratulations to Nichole Johnson of Lynchburg College for making the second team Lacrosse All-State team. She anchored the Hornet defense.

Adrian and Brenda Davis are now running the Round 1 Youth Boxing and Fitness Center at 3512 Bladensburg Road in Brentwood.

Trey Cole, son of Hal Cole and grandson of Ed Cole, will play baseball for Lew Jenkins St. Maryâ¤s College baseball team.

I wonder where Shirley Lash is she graduated from St. Peters and Eastern high school. The â¤¦DaKingâ¤? showed me his graduation picture of St. Peters 1948 class. DaKing and Shirley Lash were members of that class.

BAYSOX REPORT

BAYSOX WIN BEHIND DAIGLE AND ALVAREZ BOMBS, 7-0

Baysox Blank SeaWolves 7-0 Behind Olson LHP Garrett Olson pitched eight innings of shutout baseball and combined with reliever Richard Stahl to produce a 7-0 shutout of the Erie SeaWolves on Tuesday evening.

Leo Daigle broke out of his 1-42 slump, dropping three runs on Erie starter Jon Connolly with a multi-RBI blast to right field plating RaÃºl Chavez and Noah Hall. It was Daigle's team leading 13th home run of the season.

Rayner Bautista captialized off a SeaWolves' error and scored the Baysox fourth run of the game in the 5th inning to give Olson a comfortable 4-0 cushion to work with.

Bowie got their final three runs of the night in the seventh inning as Gera Alvarez led off the frame with a solo shot to left field for his third home run of the season. Alvarez was immediately followed by a Rayner Bautista double into the center field gap and eventually scored on a Bryan Bass RBI ground out. With Jeff Fiorentino standing on third base, Chavez drove a fly ball into the gap scoring Fiorentino with the seventh run for the visiting Baysox.

Olson had an extremely strong outing, striking out seven through eight shutout innings while walking just two batters.

BAYSOX SPLIT SERIES OPENING TWINBILL WITH ERIE

Brian Finch pitched his first complete game of the season and Noah Hall homered as Bowie beat host Erie, 4-2, in the opener of Monday's doubleheader. Finch (4-9) snapped a personal four-game losing streak by yielding two runs on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk over seven innings. The 24-year-old right-hander posted his first victory since June 11 against Binghamton. Hall, who went 2-for-4, opened the scoring with a two-run shot, his seventh, in the second inning. He scored on a single in the sixth by Ryan Hubele as the Baysox (41-49) won their second straight following a four-game slide. Danilo Sanchez and Brent Clevlen hit solo homers for the SeaWolves (39-53), who dropped their third in a row. Clevlen has three homers in his last five games.

Erie starter Bobby Jones (2-4) surrendered two runs on five hits while fanning six and walking one over 4 2/3 frames. The Second half of the twinbill was going the same route for the Baysox until Vincent Blue's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted Erie to a 5-4 victory over Bowie and earned them a split of Monday's doubleheader. After Adam Haley scored the tying run on a wild pitch by reliever Marino Salas (2-6), Blue sent a fly ball to center field to plate Juan Francia from third base. Ian Ostlund (5-3) picked up the win in relief after giving up a hit and a walk over two scoreless innings. An RBI groundout by Kurt Airoso and a run-scoring single by Don Kelly gave the SeaWolves (40-53) a 2-1 lead in the first.

The Baysox (41-50) scored twice in the second, but an RBI single by Blue in the bottom of the frame forged a 3-3 tie. Jeff Fiorentino went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Baysox. Cory Keylor and Rayner Bautista each drove in a run, and Noah Hall scored on an error by Haley in the fifth. James Johnson entered the 8th inning with a 1-1 tie but would not survive, suffering his fifth loss of the season as the SeaWolves scored three runs to take the final game of the five game series 4-1. Johnson gave up a fifth inning solo shot to Kelly Hunt but the Baysox got even in their half of the 8th as Todd Donovan, who was activated prior to today's game, singled in Gera Alvarez, who had doubled, with the tying run. However, the tie would be short lived as Johnson found himself in trouble in the Erie 8th.

After giving up three straight singles, including a bunt single to Nick McIntyre, Johnson then walked in the go-ahead run. After Nick McCurdy replaced Johnson Don Kelly roped a single into right field, scoring two but Cory Keylor made an excellent play on the ball and threw former Baysox outfielder Kurt Airoso out at the plate. In the 9th Jeff Fiorentino and Dustin Yount kept the Baysox comeback hopes alive with hits but Ryan Hubele lined out to shortstop to end the threat. Notes: To make room for Donovan on the roster RHP Marino Salas was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 18. The Baysox open a four-game homestand tomorrow vs. Altoona at 7:05 pm.

BAYSOX RHP RADHAMES LIZ SELECTED AS E.L. PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Radhames Liz, a right-handed starting pitcher for the Bowie Baysox, was selected as the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week for the week ending July 16th. The 6'2", 170 lb. hurler made one start for the Baysox last week and was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. Liz, a native of El Seybo, Dominican Republic, made his Double-A debut for the Baysox on Sunday at Binghamton and combined with Baysox relievers, Carlos Jan and Richard Stahl on a five-hit shutout in a 4-0 win at NYSEG Stadium. The 23-year old gave up only four hits and two walks, while fanning five batters in six innings of work to earn the victory for the Baysox.

Liz, who was ranked by Baseball America as the 12th best prospect in the Baltimore organization entering this season, was 6-5 with 95 strikeouts and a 2.82 ERA in 16 starts for the Class-A Frederick Keys this season before receiving his promotion to Double-A Bowie. The Baltimore Orioles signed Liz as a non-drafted free agent on February 15, 2003. Liz's next scheduled start will be at Prince George's Stadium Friday vs. Altoona, Class "AA" Affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Baysox open up a four-game homestand against Altoona this Thursday at 7:05 pm.

Comcast-Spectacor (comcast-spectacor.com) is the Philadelphia-based sports and entertainment company which owns the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), the Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), the two arenas in which their teams play, the Wachovia Center and Wachovia Spectrum, four Flyers Skate Zone community ice skating and hockey rinks and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

In addition, Comcast-Spectacor is also the principal owner of Global Spectrum, the fastest growing firm in the public assembly management field with more than 50 facilities throughout the United States and Canada; Ovations Food Services, a food and beverage service provider; New Era Tickets, a ticketing and marketing company for public assembly facilities; Front Row Marketing Services, a commercial rights sales company; and 3601 Creative Group, a full-service in-house advertising agency. Comcast-Spectacor also owns the Bowie Baysox, the Delmarva Shorebirds, the Frederick Keys baseball teams, all affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles. In a partnership with Disson Skating, Comcast-Spectacor annually produces 10 nationally televised figure skating spectaculars on NBC.

BAYSOX DROP FOURTH STRAIGHT, 5-4

Baysox Beaten 5-4 In 2 Run Binghamton 9th
The Baysox were two outs away from beating the Binghamton Mets for just the second time this season when a passed ball and a three hits, including a triple and a game winning RBI double allowed the Mets to pull one out from underneath the Baysox hopes.

Eric DuBose pitched seven quality innings but it was the Baysox bullpen that faltered, giving up three runs in just 1.1 innings pitched. Marino Salas was saddled with his fourth blown save and fifth loss of the season.

After Jay Caligiuri homered for the Mets first run, Rayner Bautista tied tied the game with a solo home run in the 3rd frame. Binghamton scored again in the 5th but Bowie came back strong with three runs in the top of the 8th inning to take a 4-2 lead.

In the 8th both Gera Alvarez and Jeff Fiorentino drew walks and after Mets reliever Ryan Cullen replaced starter Miguel Perez, Cory Keylor lifted his seventh home run over the wall in right for the two run lead. However, Binghamton added another run in their half of the 8th to inch closer to the Baysox lead.

Heading into the bottom of the 9th inning Salas was eying his 21st save of the season but things got grim rreal quick as Caligirui led off the inning with a triple to right field and scored the tying run as Ambiorix Concepcion singled to Keylor in right field. A passed ball allowed Concepcion to advance into scoring position and Kevin Rios delivered with a one out game winning double to right field to squash the Baysox hopes of a victory and take the game in dramatic fashion.

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