Sports Beat column - July 28, 2006

Sports Beat
July 28, 2006

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Well, I hit the big 72 on the 28th of July, and I thought I would never make it. I received some neat things including a stainless steel money clip, great blue golf shirt, box of chocolates, and some other fine gifts from some very fine people.

One gift was given to me by the President of the Maryland State Senate, Mike Miller, he gave me a book on Mickey Vernon who was one of my all-time Washington Senators favorites, a two time American League batting champion (he bested Ted Williams in 1946 and Al Rosen in 1953). A great fielding first baseman he belongs in the baseball Hall of Fame.

Here's another tid bit, I found in the book that he hit an inside the park home run against Cleveland on July 28, 1946 (60 years ago) off of the "Big Chief" Allie Reynolds.

Also here's a question, in 1946 Vernon won the American League batting championship, who won the National League batting title in that 1946 season? The book was written by Rich Westcott and for any Washington Senators or Nationals fan it's a must get and read book.

ELIZABETH MCCOY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations and birthday greetings go to Elizabeth McCoy who celebrated her 88th birthday on July 19th. She is from St. Gabriels Manor in Scotland, Maryland. Her second son, John McCoy is sending along his greetings too.

Also, congratulations to Philip McCaffrey (my grandson) on graduating from Vacaville (CA) high school on June 10th.

BOXING REPORT

A big Pro-Am card is scheduled for August 12th at the Ocean City Convention Centre this event is Jake Smithâ¤s Pro Am affair. Hereâ¤s the scheduled bouts (subject to change) Willie Williams takes on Ryan Madigan, Tony Cygan vs. David Estrada; Mike Recasa vs. James Sedrick; Mike Paschall vs. Ron Boddie, plus three amateur bouts.

Here's the boxing and wrestling schedule:
Boxing
August 12th â¤³ Ocean City Convention Center
September 14th â¤³ Smith Baltimore Pro Boxing at Martinâ¤s West
September 28th â¤³ Ballroom Boxing at Michaelsâ¤ 8th Avenue
Pro Wrestling
WWE
August 14th â¤³ Salisbury Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
August 26th â¤³ Ocean City Convention Centre

BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND FOR SILVERHAWK ENTERTAINMENT!

The eyes of the boxing and business worlds will be on Silverhawk Entertainment Group, formerly Silverhawk Boxing Promotions as it celebrates its restructuring, reorganization and coming-out party as a publicly traded corporation in grand fashion by having two of its fighters headlining major nationally and internationally televised fights in two cities on Saturday night. This is a one-two combination that few, if any, boxing promotion companies have achieved.

Silverhawk's IBO world and NABC light welterweight champion Steve Johnston (38-3-1, 17 KOs), a former two-time WBC lightweight title-holder, will headline one card and fight former WBA super lightweight champion Vivian Harris. This main event will be shown on HBO's "Boxing After Dark" at 10:30 p.m. ET from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Also Saturday night from Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho, Silverhawk's four-time champion and current WBO and NABO light heavyweight title-holder Prince Badi Ajamu defends his NABO belt against future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. in the "Hold Nothing Back!" pay-per-view event, Jones (49-4, 38 KOs) is a five-time world champion in four different weight classes and remains one of the most recognized names in the ring.

Prince Badi (25-2-1, 14 KOs) comes from the rugged gyms of Philadelphia. He won the NABO title Jan 27 and also holds the WBC Continental Americas, WBC CABOFE, IBC Intercontinental and Pennsylvania State light heavyweight belts. Also, Silverhawk's former IBF world light heavyweight champion William "The KO King" Guthrie fights Luke Munsen in the Boise PPV co-feature for the IBF International cruiserweight title in Guthrie's bid to become world champion again.

DC DIVAS WIN NORTHERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP 32-7

Hello Diva Nation!

A few quick announcements for those of you wishing to meet up with the Divas this weekend or attend the NWFA Championship game in Pittsburgh next weekend!

Upcoming events:

Friday July 28, 2006 from 6pm - 10pm & Saturday July 29, 2006 from 2pm - 7pm:
Gallery Exhibit at Light Street Gallery in Baltimore, MD. Join us for a glorious display of emotion, sacrifice, spirit, beauty and action of the D.C. Divas as captured by the camera's eye and depicted in penetrating drawings and paintings of and by the D.C. Divas. Exhibit continues through October 17, 2006.

Saturday July 29, 2006, 7-9pm EST:
Diva Time Live broadcast from Glory Days Grill in Burke, Va. Get autographs from and listen to interviews with your DC Divas players, coaches & staff. Listen live online through US Sports Radio.

Saturday August 5 through Sunday August 6, 2006:
Take the fan bus to Pittsburgh to watch the D.C. Divas take on the OKC Lightening in the 2006 NWFA Championship game! Join us for an overnight trip to Pittsburgh to see the D.C. Divas battle the OKC Lightning in the 2006 NWFA championship game! Bus Information
When: Bus will leave DC area on Saturday, August 5th at approximately 10am Bus returns to DC on Sunday, August 6th at approximately 11am This is an overnight trip! You will need to book a hotel room in addition to booking your bus ticket!
Cost: $78.00 per person plus $4.00 driver tip for a total of $82.00 per person This cost is for the bus trip only! Game tickets and Hotel charges are additional!
Booking info: To book your tickets for the bus ride please contact Up and Away Travel at 703-691-9234 or by email at marfull@uandatravel.com.

Important information!
Time is shortâ¤† we must have 40 people to make this work.
All reservations must be made by 3pm on Friday July 28.
The $78.00 is non-refundable and must be paid at time of booking.

Hotel Information Hotel reservations must be made independently and are not included in the price of the bus.
Comfort Inn 724-772-2700 (D.C. Divas Hotel)
The team is staying at the Comfort Inn â¤³ Cranberry where limited rooms are available for $85.00/double. Up and Away Travel will be happy to confirm your hotel reservation when you make your bus reservation. Fairfield Inn 724-772-0600 (OKC Lightning Hotel) Residence Inn 724-779-1000 (Mention the weekend rate) Sheraton Inn 888-627-8175 (Mention the NWFA to get Fan Friendly rates) Game Information
Tickets: Game tickets will be available at the gate for $10 per person.
Location: North Allegheny High School 10375 Perry Highway Wexford, PA 15090
Kickoff: 7:00pm

Maryland's Paula Infante Named ACC's Female Athlete of the Year
Infante selected the year's top female athlete

Maryland field hockey player Paula Infante is the recipient of the Mary Garber award, given to the Atlantic Coast Conference's Female Athlete of the Year. Infante is the first female honoree since women's lacrosse standout, Jen Adams won the award in 2000 and 2001.

Among the many honors Infante has received, she has been voted first team All-American three times by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA), becoming only the fifth player in school history to accomplish such a feat. This season, she was selected the country's premier field hockey player, winning the Honda Sports Award, only the second Terrapin field hockey player to earn the honor. She was also selected the National Player of the Year by www.womensfieldhockey.com.

In 2005, Infante sparked the Terps to both the NCAA and ACC titles, a 23-2 overall record and a No. 1 national ranking in the final NFHCA Top 20 poll. She was selected ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while earning all-conference nods for the third-consecutive year. At the NCAA Tournament, she became the first player in school history to be named to the NCAA All-Tournament team three times.

The Mary Garber Award, named for the former Winston-Salem Journal reporter and a pioneer for women in the field of sports journalism. That award was established in 1990 to honor the league's top female athlete. Duke basketball player J.J. Redick was the Male Athlete of the Year, winning the Anthony J. McKevlin Award.

Both honorees were selected in voting by 73 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Infante earned 22 votes to win the honor, while Lacy Janson, Florida State's NCAA champion and record-setting pole-vaulter, was runner-up with 15 votes, while another national champion, North Carolina shot putter Laura Gerraughty, was third with 14 votes.

On the men's side, Maryland soccer player and Hermann Trophy winner Jason Garey finished third in the balloting for the McKevlin Award.

Entering her senior year in the fall, Infante is a native of Santiago, Chile, and is currently playing for her country's national team in Italy. She is also the mother of four-year son, Agustin.

"This is a great honor for Paula," Maryland field hockey head coach Missy Meharg said. "She's an extraordinary athlete, an outstanding student and an amazing mother. I speak for her teammates, the staff and the administration when I say we're very proud of her. What she has given to Maryland and the wonderful mother she is -- it is amazing."

Bonner Joins National Championship Women's Basketball Staff
Bonner played four seasons of Division I basketball at Stanford and Boston Univ.

Maryland women's basketball head coach Brenda Frese has announced that Becky Bonner joins the national championship staff for the 2006-07 campaign. Bonner will serve as the team's Assistant Director of Basketball Operations.

"We are happy to welcome Becky as part of our women's basketball family," said Frese. "Becky had a very successful Division I playing career beginning at Stanford and finishing up at Boston University. She also brings with her knowledge and experience from playing overseas. Her energy and enthusiasm will fit right in with the rest of the staff."

Bonner began her collegiate playing career at Stanford University, helping the Cardinal win the 2002 Pac-10 Championship. She transferred to Boston University after her sophomore year and started all 30 games of the 2003-04 campaign. That season, she earned third team All-American East Conference honors, after averaging 14.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She set the single-season school record with 72 three pointers, while shooting 42.9 percent from behind the arc.

In her two seasons with the Terriers, she made 113 treys, which ranks fourth in the career annals and is second all-time with a 37.3 career three-point shooting percentage.

After graduation from BU in 2005, Bonner spent the summer working for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats minor league baseball team before being contracted to play with Sweden's Norrkoping.

Bonner is a native of Concord, N.H. She was a third team Parade All-American at Concord High School and was selected her home state's Gatorade Player of the Year. In her junior year, she averaged a triple-double with 28.4 points, 16.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game, garnering All-American nods from Street & Smith's that season.

Bonner earned a degree in advertising from Boston University. She is the younger sister of Matt Bonner who was recently traded to the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. Her younger brother, Luke, will be a sophomore at UMass and is a member of the basketball team.

BIG TRAIN REPORT

BECOME A PART OF POVICH FIELD FOREVER:
BUY A COMMEMORATIVE BRICK IN THE NEW BRICK GARDEN
You have until August 1 to ensure that your family will be forever linked to Povich Field. We are doing a new brick garden at the entrance to Povich Field. More than 150 bricks have been sold. If you have already bought a brick, you will get a confirmation letter in July. If you haven't, go to our webpage where you will find the form to order your brick. Proceeds will go to our Kids Deserve Better Fields Fund to help us improve baseball and softball fields for kids. Honor your parents, your favorite team or coach, your children, or even yourself! Here's the link to the form: http://www.bigtrain.org/published/dat/brick_garden.pdf

BIG TRAIN DEFEATS REDBIRDS 7-1 FRIDAY NIGHT
Corey Lane (UNC-Charlotte) got it started in the top of the first inning with a lead-off home run over the rightfield fence. Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) singled to lead-off the second, stole second, and scored on a single by Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State). In the bottom of the third, the Redbirds scored on a walk, groundout, and single to pull to within one run. The Big Train got it back in the top of the fourth on a single by Matt Long (Santa Clara), a stolen base, a passed ball, and an RBI single by Adam Plummer (Pitt-Johnstown). The Big Train added two more in the fifth to stretch its lead to 5-1 on a leadoff double by Taylor, an RBI single by Lane, and two throwing errors that allowed Lane to race home from first on a Cleckler single. In the top of the seventh, the game got interesting.

Big Train starting pitcher Matt Wickswat (Santa Clara) had allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six over the first six innings. But in the seventh, he gave up a one-out single, a walk, and he made an error on an attempted sacrifice bunt to load the bases. Reliever Austin Hinkle (Coastal Carolina) came in and got the next batter to bounce to the third baseman who threw home for a force out. Hinkle then faced Jimmy Dishmey-Perez (Morris CC), the Redbirds' best hitter, who represented the game's tying run. Dishmey-Perez hit a ball that looked like a single in the hole between the first and second basemen, but Lane, displaying amazing range, gobbled it up and threw the runner out at first. In the top of the eighth, Long and Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) hit back-to-back triples to add two runs. Hinkle pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth, striking out four, to preserve the victory.

Bethesda Big Train (22-11) 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 -- 7 14 3
Maryland Redbirds (10-24) 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 1 4 5

Big Train 12, Redbirds 4; Express defeated Orioles 4-3 to set up a Thursday afternoon showdown at 5 p.m. at Knights Field in Rockville. A Big Train win would clinch the regular season championship for Bethesda. An Express win would pull Rockville within one-half game of first place. The Orioles have been eliminated from the regular season championship but could still tie the Express for second place. The top two seeds get a bye in the first round of league playoffs Monday afternoon July 31. The Big Train has clinched a first round bye and will likely open the playoffs with a Monday July 31 contest at Povich Field at 7:30 p.m.

ON DECK AT POVICH: FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ POVICH
Friday July 28. Game v. Youse's Orioles at 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Text Design. Saturday July 29. Game v. Silver-Spring Takoma at 7:30 p.m. Sponsor: Chick-fil-A.

WEDNESDAY WIN OVER REDBIRDS SETS STAGE FOR BIG GAME THURSDAY WITH ROCKVILLE EXPRESS

The Maryland Redbirds took advantage of the Big Train pitcher's inability to throw strikes to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning and to stay within range through 7 innings on Wednesday night at Povich Field. A seven-run eighth inning put the game away for the Big Train and set up a Thursday afternoon contest against the Rockville Express with the Cal Ripken, Sr. League's regular season championship on the line. The Big Train's starting pitcher issued walks to four of the first five Redbird batters. Reliever Brian Anderson (San Francisco) came in with the bases loaded and retired the side on a strikeout and a flyout. In the bottom of the frame, Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte) was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Preston Pehrson (Texas). In the second, Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) and Steven Leach (Jacksonville State) singled and were singled home by Steve Fay (Mount St. Mary's). In the top of the fourth, EJ Folli (Buffalo) doubled and scored on a single by Ian Christie (Johns Hopkins). Bethesda responded in the bottom of the fourth when Leach reached on a two out error and scored on a double by Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) to give Bethesda a 4-2 lead.

Anderson pitched a scoreless fifth. Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) singled to leadoff the bottom of the fifth, stole second, and scored on a Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) single. In the sixth, the Big Train reliever loaded the bases on walks and a hit batsman. Reliever Hugh Adams (St. John's CHS) hit the first batter he faced to force in a run and close the gap to 5-3 before inducing an inning ending double play. Adams struck out two in the seventh, but an error led to an unearned run and a 5-4 Big Train lead. Adam Redd (Virginia Tech) set down the Redbirds in order in the top of the eighth. The Big Train broke it open in the bottom of the eighth. Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi) doubled, Taylor walked, Lane was hit by a pitch again, Matt Long (Santa Clara) tripled home two, Pehrson walked, Adkins walked, and Dietz hit a towering grand slam home run high into the trees above the Ourisman Automotive banner in left-centerfield. Redd pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.

Maryland Redbirds (10-27) 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 -- 4 9 1
Bethesda Big Train (25-12) 1 2 0 1 1 0 0 7 x -- 12 14 1

WP: Anderson (3-1)
LP: Oleynik (4-3)
Save: Redd (2)
HR: Dietz (BBT)
3B: Long (BBT)
2B: Folli (MR), Taylor (BBT), Dozier (BBT)
Attendance: 617
Time: 3 hours, 5 minutes

Big Train Notes: The Big Train has won 10 of our last 13 games, and we have lost ground to the Rockville Express, winners of 11 of their last 13... With Wednesday night's victory, the Big Train matched the 2005 Cal Senior championship team's 25 victories (25-15). It looks like this year it will take 26 or 27 wins to capture the regular season title... First place Bethesda lost its first three games with the last place Redbirds, but won the last three to split the season series at four apiece... Wednesday night's game was sponsored by Next Door News... Fans were given a copy of the 2006 souvenir program and were allowed on the field before the game to get autographs... Wednesday's game was filmed by the Discovery Channel for use in an educational video about math... When 16-year-old Hugh Adams took the mound in the sixth inning of Wednesday's game he became the first player born in the 1990s to play in the Cal Ripken, Sr. League. The rising junior at St. John's College High School served as the bat boy for the 1999 inaugural season Big Train team.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- WEDNESDAY JULY 26
Results of Wednesday July 26
Bethesda Big Train defeated Maryland Redbirds 12-4 at Povich Field. Rockville Express defeated Youse's Orioles 4-3 at Bachman Park.

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train
25-12 .676 -- 3 games to play
Rockville Express
24-14 .632 1.5 2 games to play
Youse's Orioles
22-16 .579 3.5 2 games to play
College Park Bombers
19-19 .500 6 2 games to play
SS-T Thunderbolts
12-24 .333 12 4 games to play
Maryland Redbirds
10-27 .270 15 3 games to play

The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Rockville (10-5), Bethesda (9-5), Silver Spring-Takoma (3-12).

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

REGISTER NOW FOR TOM HOUSE PITCHING CLINIC
The nation's best pitching coach will be making a return visit to Povich Field August 8, 9, and 10. Reserve your place now as last year's clinic was sold out. House has developed a complete package of fitness, nutrition, mechanics, and mental and emotional conditioning to prepare young athletes to pitch. A Tom House clinic reinforces within young players the importance of focus, hard work, and conditioning. http://www.bigtrain.org/published/kids/camp.html#house $300 August 8 Tom House Lecture from 7 to 9 p.m. August 9 & 10: 9 a.m. to noon ages 13 & under; 1-4 p.m. ages 14 & over

HOME RUN DERBY VIDEO CLIPS ON DCSPORTSFAN.COM
Video clips from the Home Run Derby at last week's Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Game at Povich Field are now up on the dcsportsfan.com site. Check out the Big Train's Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) hitting two bombs. And don't miss the ShagKids! http://www.dcsportsfan.com/default.aspx?ArticleID=806

METS WIN 1-0 IN TENTH; JOHN MAINE (BT 2000) SENSATIONAL
From mlb.com: As stifling as Prior was, New York's John Maine was arguably even better. After throwing a shutout in his last start on Friday against the Houston Astros, the 25-year-old Maine kept the zeroes coming with seven scoreless innings Wednesday against the Cubs, further announcing his presence at the Major League level. Though overshadowed by Prior's hitless performance, the rookie right-hander limited Chicago to just three hits, walking three and striking out seven. Maine has not allowed a run since his July 8 start against the Florida Marlins, a span of 17 innings.

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.

CAL RIPKEN, SR. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE
006 is the second season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The Maryland-based collegiate wooden bat league is comprised of six teams: Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse's Maryland Orioles. The teams play a 40-game regular season that starts on Friday, June 9 with the Maryland Orioles visiting the Big Train at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.

BIG TRAIN 2006 SEASON SPONSORS
Thanks to these organizations for their generous support of Big Train baseball for the 2006 season: Chevy Chase Bank, Grossberg CPAs, Ledo Pizza, Miller & Long Co., Ourisman Automotive, and Sandy Spring Builders.

BECOME A PART OF POVICH FIELD FOREVER: BUY A COMMEMORATIVE BRICK IN THE NEW BRICK GARDEN
You have until August 1 to ensure that your family will be forever linked to Povich Field. We are doing a new brick garden at the entrance to Povich Field. More than 150 bricks have been sold. If you have already bought a brick, you will get a confirmation letter in July. If you haven't, go to our webpage where you will find the form to order your brick. Proceeds will go to our Kids Deserve Better Fields Fund to help us improve baseball and softball fields for kids. Honor your parents, your favorite team or coach, your children, or even yourself! Here's the link to the form: http://www.bigtrain.org/published/dat/brick_garden.pdf

RED HOT ROCKVILLE EXPRESS STALL IN BIG TRAIN STATION
The red hot Rockville Express pulled into Big Train Station Thursday night with a chance to gain a tie for first place as the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League moves into the next-to-last weekend of the 2006 regular season. The Express had won six straight, including a convincing 5-1 win over Bethesda Tuesday night at Knights Field, to pull with in a single run of Bethesda. For a good while, it looked like the Express might just win number seven in a row and move to the top of the Cal Senior standings. But it was not to be as a gritty Big Train team pulled out a 4-3 win in ten innings.

Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte) got the Big Train on the board in the bottom of the first by hitting a single, advancing on a bunt single by Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State), stealing third, and scoring on an RBI groundout by Matt Long (Santa Clara). Quentin Cate (Cal Poly) responded for the Express in the top of the second with a lead-off home run to tie the game at one. Brian Dozier (Southern Mississippi) doubled to lead-off the third and scored on a two-out single by Long. The Express tied the score again in the top of the fifth on back-to-back doubles by Mike Murphy (Maryland) and Cate. Murphy led off the seventh with a single, stole second, and scored on a throwing error on a dropped third strike.

Chris Cullen (Michigan State) relieved in the eighth inning and retired eight straight batters. Long led off the eighth for Bethesda and drew a walk. An error, a sacrifice, a single, and an RBI groundout by Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) scored Long. Express reliever Daniel Kennedy (Georgetown) loaded the bases in the ninth with two outs before stranding them all with a strikeout. With two outs in the top of the tenth, Cullen allowed a walk and a single before punching out the last batter. Express reliever Michael Kauffman (Spartanburg Methodist) walked the first two batters in the bottom of the tenth before giving up a walk-off single to Dozier for the Big Train victory.

Rockville Express (19-13) 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 -- 3 9 1
Bethesda Big Train (21-11) 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 -- 4 9 4
WP: Cullen (3-0)
LP: Kauffman (0-1)
HR: Cate (RE)
2B: Dozier (BBT), Murphy (RE), Cate (RE)
Attendance: 568
Time: 3 hours, 11 minutes.

Big Train Notes: With victories over the Big Train Tuesday and the Thunderbolts Wednesday, the Express had taken the lead in the competition for the Gazette-sponsored Montgomery Cup. The Big Train's extra inning win on Thursday night put Bethesda back on top. With wins against Rockville July 27 and Silver Spring-Takoma July 29, the Big Train can clinch the Cup... It was Washington Baseball Night featuring Screech of the Nationals and 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 was sponsored by Friedman Billings Ramsey.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- THURSDAY JULY 20
Results of Wednesday July 19
Maryland Redbirds defeated College Park Bombers 3-2 at Shipley Field
Rockville Express defeated SS-T Thunderbolts 6-3 at Knights Field.

Results of Thursday July 20
Bethesda Big Train defeated Rockville Express 4-3 in 10 innings.
SS-T Thunderbolts swept a DH from the Maryland Redbirds 7-3 and 10-7 at Blair Stadium.

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 21-11 .656 -- Youse's Orioles 19-12 .613 1.5 Rockville Express 19-13 .594 2 College Park Bombers 15-18 .455 6.5 SS-T Thunderbolts 12-19 .387 8.5 Maryland Redbirds 10-23 .303 11.5 The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Bethesda (9-5), Rockville (8-5), Silver Spring-Takoma (3-10). 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

Tuesday July 25: Big Train 6, Bombers 3
FREDERICKSON'S 14 Ks + DIETZ'S TWO DOUBLES = VICTORY
The thing about baseball that you gotta love is that you can stink the joint out one night and know that tomorrow is a new day with a fresh start. Monday night in College Park everything that could go wrong did go wrong for the Big Train. Tuesday night at Povich Field against the same team things were better, much better. Even the weather cooperated. As game time approached, radar indicated a storm heading straight for Povich Field. It split-off at the last minute and just missed us. Evan Frederickson (Virginia Tech) had his 90+ MPH fastball working. He breezed through five scoreless innings with twelve strikeouts. Only five of the first 18 Bomber batters hit the ball in play -- a flyout, two groundouts, an error, and a single. Meanwhile, the Big Train bats were working as well. In the second inning, Luke Adkins (Southern Mississippi) and Chris Taylor (UNC-Charlotte) singled and Josh Dietz (Bowling Green) doubled them home.

We received two gift runs in the third without benefit of a hit on four walks and a hit batsman. Two more walks in the fourth, a single by Preston Pehrson (Texas), and an amazing sprint home from second by Nick Cleckler (Jacksonville State) barely before the tag resulted in a 5-0 lead. In the sixth inning, it turned ugly for awhile as Frederickson gave up hits to the first two batters, let loose with a few wild pitches, and fell victim to a throwing error to allow the Bombers back in the game at 5-3 before reliever Chris Cullen (Michigan State) put out the fire. Frederickson did strike out two more batters before he exited for a total of 14 Ks out of the 17 outs he recorded. Cullen pitched two more scoreless innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Bethesda added an insurance run on a lead-off double by Dietz and an RBI single by Cory Lane (UNC-Charlotte). Austin Hinkle (Coastal Carolina) blanked the Bombers in the ninth for the save.

College Park Bombers (19-19) 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 -- 3 7 0
Bethesda Big Train (24-12)
0 2 2 1 0 0 0 1 x -- 6 8 4

WP: Frederickson (3-1)
LP: Leblow (2-5)
Save: Hinkle
2B: Dietz (two) (BBT), Jowers (CPB)
Attendance: 177

Big Train Notes: With the win Tuesday night, the Big Train extended our lead to one-and-one-half games over the Rockville Express with four regular season games to play. The Orioles crushed the Thunderbolts to keep pace with Bethesda and gain ground on the idle Express. The Express travel to Bachman Park on Wednesday to face the Orioles. An Orioles win will tie them with the Express. An Express win would set-up a showdown with the Big Train Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. at Knights Field with the regular season championship and The Montgomery Cup at stake. The top two teams avoid having to play first round playoff games next Monday afternoon. The top two seeds get to wait to face the winners of the afternoon games on Monday night. The red hot Express have won 8 of their last 10 games and 10 of their last 12. The Big Train have won 7 of our last ten games, 9 of our last 12. The Orioles are 4-6 in their last ten games. The Express swept the Orioles in a Saturday doubleheader.

CRSL ACTION & STANDINGS -- TUESDAY JULY 25
Results of Tuesday July 25
Bethesda Big Train defeated College Park Bombers 6-3 at Povich Field. Youse's Orioles defeated SS-T T'Bolts 14-5 at Blair Stadium.

Regular Season Standings
Bethesda Big Train 24-12 .667 -- 4 games to play Rockville Express 23-14 .622 1.5 3 games to play Youse's Orioles 22-15 .595 2.5 3 games to play College Park Bombers 19-19 .500 6 2 games to play SS-T Thunderbolts 12-24 .333 12 4 games to play Maryland Redbirds 10-26 .278 14 4 games to play The Montgomery Cup sponsored by The Gazette: Rockville (10-5), Bethesda (9-5), Silver Spring-Takoma (3-12). 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

FREE PASSES FOR CAL RIPKEN WORLD SERIES
Baltimore, MD - Ripken Baseball Inc., the host organization that has contracted with Babe Ruth League, Inc. to make Aberdeen, MD the permanent location of the Cal Ripken World Series presented by Chevrolet, today announced that the World Series tournament passes for the international event in August will be FREE to the public if the passes are reserved in advance. Passes can now be reserved at http://worldseries.ripkenbaseball.com or by calling 877-RIPKEN1.

The 2006 Cal Ripken World Series will take place August 12th through August 20th at the Ripken Youth Academy in Aberdeen. The 15 teams competing in the World Series are comprised of 11 and 12 year olds from all over the world. Eight teams from regions across the United States, the Maryland State Champion, a Harford County representative and five international teams including Canada, Australia, Mexico, the Republic of Korea and the Dominican Republic will come together in Aberdeen.

Bill Ripken, Executive Vice-President of Ripken Baseball commented, "Each year as our complex grows we are able to watch it develop into a true community destination. Since the community helps make the Cal Ripken World Series a success each year, we decided to provide free passes to the event as a way to encourage all families and fans to stop by and enjoy our week-long baseball celebration."

All proceeds from the Cal Ripken World Series will benefit the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. The Foundation will be accepting donations during the event.

In 2005 Cal, Sr's Yard, a youth-sized replica of Camden Yards, became the permanent location of the Cal Ripken World Series. Owned and operated by the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, the stadium is being funded solely from corporate and individual donations and is in its final stages of construction. New to the Yard for the 2006 event will be the famous warehouse building beyond right field.

The relationship between Cal Ripken and Babe Ruth League, Inc. was solidified in July of 1999, when Babe Ruth League, Inc. announced the renaming of its youth baseball division, children 12 & under, from the Bambino Division to the Cal Ripken Baseball Division. Ripken Baseball and Babe Ruth League share a common vision to provide every youngster the opportunity to play baseball and to have fun which correlates with both organizationsâ¤ mission.

BAYSOX REPORT

HALE LEADS THE WAY, BAYSOX WIN RAIN DELAYED GAME, 4-0

Despite Delay, Baysox Win Wet One, 4-0 Brian Finch and Beau Hale combined to toss a two hit shutout of the Altoona Curve Saturday night in Bowie as the Baysox won a wet one 4-0 in front of 7,521.

In the bottom of the 3rd, Pete Shier slapped a single through the hole into right field and advanced to second on Todd Donovan's perfectly placed bunt single between the right side of the mound and the first baseman. With speed on the bags, Bryan Bass laid down a beautiful bunt to third base but third baseman Brandon Chaves threw the ball in the dirt allowing Shier to score from second and putting both Donovan and Bass in scoring position with no outs. Cory Keylor followed with a sacrifice fly to deep center field to knock in Donovan with the second run of the inning.

After an 1:44 rain delay and an interim fireworks show, the two teams reconvened to resume the game with Hale throwing for the Baysox and Ron Chiavacci for Altoona. Three poorly played plays by the Curve defense led to another Baysox run but Chiavacci was able to settle down and strike out the side with the bases loaded to quell the Baysox threat.

The bad defense continued for the Curve in the 6th as both Gera Alvarez and Donovan reached safely on balls that skirted beneath the Altoona defense. Donovan's grounder scooted beneath thrid baseman Chaves' glove and into left field allowing Alvarez to score from third base with the Baysox fourth run of the evening.

Hale returned in the top of the ninth for his sixth inning of work and retired the side to pick up his second win of the season after working six strong innings. Baysox manager Don Werner said after the game, "It's huge to win this game for us, because we suffered through three straight losses. We didn't hit the ball extremely well, but we took advantage of their errors and created some runs."

ON DECK: The Baysox host Altoona in the final game of their four game series Sunday at 6:05 pm. Sunday is also the Baysox 4th annual "Football Frenzy" night. The first 1,000 fans through the gate will recieve a Baysox mini-football courtesy of Remax Progressive and Comcast SportsNet. Their will also be a special appearance by the DC Divas. The Baysox will also be hosting a post game Fireworks extravaganza, courtesy of Allstate.

HOME RUNS HELP BAYSOX DESTROY DEFENDERS, 10-1

A Noah Hall three run shot in the first inning helped James Johnson pick up his ninth win of the season as the Baysox pounded Chris Begg and the Defenders 10-1 in Norwich on Monday night. It was the second time Begg has pitched against the Baysox. The last time the Baysox scored 10 or more runs in a game, they faced Begg on June 15 as the Baysox prevailed in a 10-0 contest. The Baysox have had Begg's number this season. In his two outings against the Baysox Begg is now 0-2 with a 8.74 ERA.

In tonight's matchup the Baysox stroked the ball all over the field, compiling 16 hits while scoring all 10 of their runs before the end of the 5th. Cory Keylor started the scoring for the Baysox, driving in Todd Donovan with a single and Hall delivered a one out home run to straight away left to up the score at 4-0. The Baysox never looked back. Leading 4-0, the 'Sox put up another run in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth. Connecticut was only able to score one in their half of the 4th as Johnson pitched a nearly flawless game. Keylor led off the third with a double and scored on a Leo Daigle line drive single, his 48th RBI of the season.

Todd Donovan doubled in the fourth, moving Pete Shier, who had singled, to third. With two on and two out Keylor delivered with a line drive single to center field as Donovan and Shier crossed the plate with the Baysox sixth and seventh runs of the ball game. Connecticut got on the board in the fourth as three singles led to Nate Schierholtz crossing with the Defenders lone run of the night. Hall brought his hot bat back to the plate in the fifth and hit a triple off Begg and scored on Daigle's RBI single. Dustin Yount moved Daigle to third with a single to center but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Immediately after Begg was replaced by reliever Jeff Petersen, Rayner Bautista drove in Daigle and himself with his sixth home run of the season to make the score 10-1. Johnson walked none and struck out four but gave up seven hits and the lone run to Schierholtz en route to his team leading ninth victory of the season. Nick McCurdy relieved Johnson in the ninth and got Tyler Von Schell to ground into a game-ending double play. Both Donovan and Keylor were 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Keylor also drove in three RBI to bring his season total to 44. With his grand slam, Hall was 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. Bautista ended the night 2-for-4 with a run scored and two of his own RBI.

ON DECK: Bowie remains in Norwich for two more games with the Defenders before returning to Bowie for a nine game homestand. Tomorrow night Eric DuBose will take the mound to face Garrett Broshius. DuBose is 1-0 against the Defenders this season. He takes the spot of Beau Hale since Hale pitched the second half of Saturday's rain delayed game.

BASS, OLSON LEAD BAYSOX TO 5-1 WIN, SERIES SPLIT OVER CURVE

The Bowie Baysox took the final game of their four-game series with Altoona, defeating the Curve, 5-1, Sunday night in front of 4,691 fans on "Football Fever" Night at Prince George's Stadium. Bryan Bass (pictured) put the Baysox on the board first with a solo shot over the right field wall in the third inning. It was his second home run of the season and first since June 28. Bowie had base runners in each of the next three innings, but Altoona Curve starter Wardell Starling was able to keep them from scoring. In the seventh, Bowie extended its lead to 5-0. Ryan Hubele led off the inning with a single to center and then advanced on a sacrifice by Rayner Bautista.

After Gera Alvarez walked, Todd Donovan reached on an error to load the bases. Bass singled to left and then advanced to second on the throw as both Hubele and Alvarez scored. Donovan and Bass then scored on Jeff Fiorentino's single to left. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons, who was making a rehabilitation start, was held hitless, giving him a career 1-for-19 (.053) showing in his four rehab appearances with the Baysox. Altoona attempted a comeback in the ninth as Brandon Chaves and Javier Guzman led off the inning with back-to-back singles.

Tim Byrdak, also on a rehab assignment with the Baysox, struck out Taber Lee. Milver Reyes singled to left to load the bases for the Curve. Chaves broke up the Baysox' shutout, scoring on a fielder's choice. Byrdak preserved the win as he struck out Brian Bixler to end the game. Garrett Olson improved to 3-2 on the season, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing four hits. Wardell Starling (2-2) took the loss for the Altoona Curve.

LIZ LOSES HOME DEBUT, ALTOONA ROLLS 9-2

Baysox Buried By Curve 9-2
The weather was great for baseball Friday night in Bowie but the Baysox defense was not as Radhames Liz was victimized by a first inning throwing error which lead to three runs and poor defense, putting the Baysox in a tight bind. It was all Altoona needed as the visitors took game two from the Baysox 9-2 in front of 5,190 Friday evening in Bowie. After loading the bases in the top of the 1st, Altoona jumped out quickly to a 3-0 lead on a ground ball to second baseman Pete Shier who tried to save the run at the plate but made a poor throw, allowing two runs to score. David Parrish followed with an RBI single into center field that scored Simon Pond from second with the third run of the game.

Altoona added a fourth run in the 5th inning on a Javier Guzman solo home run to right-center before Ryan Hubele (pictured) finally put the Baysox on the board in the fifth with his fifth home run of the season, a straight shot down the the left field line off Landon Jacobsen. Altoona tacked on four more in the 7th inning while Hubele could only gain one back with an RBI double to left-center. After loading the bases, Richard Stahl walked in a run in the Altoona 9th as the Baysox dropped their 53rd game this season.

CHAVES, CURVE STEAL PITCHERS DUEL, 1-0

Altoona's Brandon Chaves hit a solo home run in the 2nd inning and Shane Youman struck out nine Baysox batters as the Curve stole game one 1-0 in front of 5,143 fans Thursday evening. Youman, who has the Eastern League's best 1.43 ERA took the hill against LHP Eric DuBose, who is second among EL current starters with a 1.79 ERA in a classic pitchers' duel. The two southpaws combined for fifteen strikeouts and just four walks as both hurlers went seven complete. After Chaves' solo shot in the 2nd, the Baysox had runners at third base in both the 5th and the 7th but Youman held his ground and ended both threats unscathed. Brandon Knight retired three straight Baysox in the bottom of the 9th to pick up his 19th save of the season.

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.

WE GET LETTERS

Bill, About the Washington Senator's All-Time team: Doesn't Joe Hardy deserve a mention? You must have read, "The Year The Yankees Lost The Pennant," which became "Damn Yankees." You list George Kell as your all-time 3rd baseman--a good selection. However, in 1958, Kell himself considered Pie Traynor the greatest. I was Producer of Kell's Pre Game Show on the CBS Baseball Game of the Week. Early in the season, George scoffed at comparisons of Brooks Robinson to himself, Traynor and others. Later that summer, Kell came to me and said, "I've been watching Brooks. If he doesn't get hurt, he will be the greatest 3rd baseman in baseball history." I think Kell's prediction came true. Best, Joe Gallagher Louisville, TN

Joe, Joe Hardy deserves to be there, he is still after Lola. Great comments on Kell and Brooks who was my second choice. I also considered Pie Traynor. Thanks for your always good comments. Bill

Bill, I am available to shag! Norris Walker

Norris, You can't even shag fly balls much less do the Shag on a dance floor. I might be able to get you a gig in pro wrestling, now that Andre the Giant and Haystacks Calhoun are gone. Bill

Hey there William, I saw the death notice in the Independent for Patricia Lou Slavich (Nicks). She passed on the 3rd of July. She graduated in 1954. On a lighter note, when are we going to have that lunch? John

John, Maybe next week for lunch. Thanks for the information on Patriciaâ¤s death. Bill

Yo Bill, Are you attending the â¤¦quarterbackâ¤? luncheon in DC this month as they honor Cowher and the cowboy quarterback of motorcycle fame? Fred

Fred, No, how are you feeling? Who are your picks for Governor, US Senate and Comptroller? Fred you are a leader. Bill

Bill Why am I not surprised that I, The Jury and the Amboy Dukes were at the top of your reading list? I'll bet you threw away your collection of Andy Hardy books after you discovered Spillane! Jim W.

Jim, At least you know the correct spelling of Amboy. No problem on Andy Hardy, I watched the movies. You know that Western folks had a problem reading therefore you had to rely on the pulp magazines in the drug stores. Bill

Hey Bill, We have had some fun doing our waterfront deck tour (Fagerâ¤s, MR Ducks, Dock of the Bay) over the past month and look forward to continuing it into August. Please note that the Looneyâ¤s Happy Hour gig, previously scheduled for Friday July 28, has been cancelled. Looneyâ¤s has discontinued all of their Happy Hour bands during the Summer but will start back up in the Fall. Now that you know where we wonâ¤t be, here is where we will be in July/August:
Saturday, July 29 10AM-2PM â¤³ Brits by the Bay Car Show at Downs Park, Pasadena, MD http://www.tracltd.org/BBTB/BBTB06/BBTB06.html Evening â¤³ Private Crab Feast
Friday, August 4, 8:30 - Midnight - The Back Room @ Woodfire Restaurant in Severna Park, 410-315-8100 http://www.woodfirebackroom.com/backroom.html
Saturday, August 5 â¤³ Private party in Wash., D.C.
Friday, August 11, 6-10PM, On the Deck at Fagerâ¤s Island in Ocean City, 60th St. on the Bay, (888) 371-5400 http://www.fagers.com/restaurant
Saturday, August 12 â¤³ Private party for Chris Guckert and friends
Friday, August 18 â¤³ 4:30 to 8:30 â¤³ Crab Feast for the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Conference @ Ocean City Convention Center
Friday, Sept. 1 - 4:30-8:30, MR Ducks, Ocean City, MD - 800-659-7703. http://www.talbotstreetpier.com/mrducks
Saturday, Sept. 2 â¤³ Private party, Ocean Pines, Berlin, MD
Sunday, Sept 3 â¤³ Private party, Ocean City, MD
Hope to see you; Steve Ports, David Bell, Don Wimbrough and Bill Fritz

Steve, Keep up the good work. Bill

Ed's letter to "Baltimore Scum"
John, The Ravens were 2-5 without Boller last year. When will you writers at the Sun ever acknowledge that?? He was NOT the problem on the Ravens yet it always comes back to Kyle with you guys. Football is won and lost on the line of scrimmage. Just ask Payton Manning about that Pittsburgh game last year when he had no time to throw, he looked terrible in that game! It is day one and you guys at the Sun are being negative already. I can't stand Jamison Hensley, I wish he would be fired. If I go to training camp one day and see him he will get an earful, you can count on that. I'm already at the point of giving you guys just one more chance otherwise I'll be done reading you the Sun again and I'll get my info exclusively from the Ravens web-site and WNST. I'm sick of the anti-Ravens theme in the Sun. Go beat up the Orioles and that scum bucket Mayor O'Malley, both definitely deserve it, for gods sake. Ed

Ed, Strong letter! Bill

SPORTS NOTES

IronBirds outfielder Corey Schafer and radio broadcaster Steve Melewski are among the confirmed speakers at the Bob Davids Chapter event on Saturday, August 5. Other speakers have been contacted, but have not yet confirmed. Unfortunately for those on the waiting list, all 30 attendees have now paid and secured their spots. Of course, this does not preclude the possibility of an eBay-type exchange, but in that case, the priority of the waiting list would be honored. The Washington Redskins will host the Baltimore Ravens on August 31st.

The Annapolis Irish Cultural Society & Washington D.C. Gaels present:
A day of gaelic games
AT YMCA Camp letts Edgewater, MD

29 July 2006
Featuring the first annual Commodore John Barry
Hurling Cup
D.C. Gaels vs. Philly Shamrocks @ 4pm
Admission: Free
Games: 1pm-5pm

For more information, visit: www.campletts.org + www.wdcgaels.com
Seating is limited, please provide your own for events.

Mystics - are they still in business?

Orioles - who knows what that chump change operation is doing.

Nats - on the upward path.

SUPPORT LOCAL SPORTS!