Batavia Muckdogs

I'm excited to announce this this morning: Join The Batavian Club and receive two free tickets to a Batavia Muckdogs home game in 2013.

That's right, each member of the club will receive a voucher redeemable for two general admission tickets to any home game (July 3, excluded).

Also, we're up to $270 in gift certificate value for members redeemable at 26 different local businesses.

Join The Batavian Club and SAVE: Currently, members will receive $270 in gift certificates to local businesses -- far more value than the cost of the membership! (more info below).

TO JOIN: Use PayPal buttons below, or to pay by check (annual only) or credit card, click here to download form. Or call (585) 250-4118 to pay by credit card.

Annual membership, one payment of $60
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual household membership, one payment of $120
Includes two membership cards, bumper sticker, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Monthly Single Membership - $5 per month
Includes membership card and bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Monthly Household Membership - $10 per month
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual Single Membership - $50 per year
Includes membership card, bumper sticker, package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Annual Household Membership - $100 per year
Includes two membership cards and two bumper stickers, one package of gift certificates to local businesses.

Press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs, Class A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, have announced their schedule for the 2013 season. Batavia will open the 2013 season Monday, June 17, when the Auburn Doubledays host the Muckdogs at Falcon Park. Batavia opens its home schedule Tuesday, June 18, when they entertain Auburn at 7:05 p.m.

The Muckdogs will host their annual Independence Day celebration on July 3rd this year, as they are not home on July 4th. In addition to their Pinckney Division rivals, the Muckdogs will welcome the Tampa Bay Rays (Hudson Valley), Baltimore Orioles (Aberdeen), Houston Astros (TriCity) and the Oakland A’s (Vermont) farm teams to Dwyer Stadium in 2013.

Ticket packages, coupon books and season tickets for the 2013 season are all currently on sale. Holiday Packs are also on sale. For just $25, fans can purchase four undated general admission tickets, a T-shirt and a voucher for a 2013 program. They can be purchased by calling 585-343-5454, or in person at Dwyer Stadium Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

U.S. Attorney for Western New York Bill Hochul was in Batavia tonight to throw out the first pitch at the Muckdogs game.

The 2,266 people who packed into Dwyer Stadium on July 4 were treated to more than just fireworks. They got to see the kind of nail-biter game that makes baseball America's pastime.

Down 2-1 going into the bottom of the ninth, the hometown heros strung together a single, double and single, to plate two runs and walk off with a victory.

The winning run scored on a close play at the plate (see above, and the slide show for more pictures of the score) when Anthony Melchionda scored on a single by Jacob Wilson.

It was the first lead the Muckdogs enjoyed all night.

The low-scoring game meant that nine innings passed quickly.

Muckdogs management entertained fans with a game of musical chairs before the sun faded enough to allow the fireworks show to begin.

If you can't view the slide show of photos, click here.

Mondays are usually low attendance nights at Dwyer Stadium, and only 1,055 fans turned out last night for the Batavia Muckdogs season opener.

The Muckdogs lost to Auburn 6-5, but it was exciting baseball and at least two of the current crop of MLB hopefuls showed some flashes of why they'll be fun to watch in 2012.

David Washington, a first baseman from San Diego, is in his fourth professional season. The 6' 6", 200-pound former basketball dunking champion demonstrated some athleticism on the first play of the game with a backwards dive to grab a flare in foul territory (top photo). Washington also slammed a pitch over the right field wall in the power play in the eighth inning. The left-hander had three hits and also recorded the longest out of the game with a fly ball to the warning track in dead center field.

Patrick Wisdom is a first-round draft pick whom scouts say can become a rare commodity: a power-hitting third baseman. He tends to swing amiss too much, but he does have power and projects, with experience, as a good fielding third baseman. Monday he showed some range, quickness and a strong arm. He didn't get a hit, but was hit by a pitch and drew a walk, scoring both times he reached base.

Monday's pitcher, Ben Freeman, gave up three runs on six hits over six and a third innings. Adam Bileckyj took the loss, giving up two hits and two runs (one earned).

Catcher Jesus Montero had three hits but was lifted in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch that glanced off his helmet and hit his forehead. 

The Muckdogs are home again Wednesday against Auburn and there will be fireworks at the park Friday when the Muckdogs take on the Jamestown Jammers. Both games are at 7:05 p.m.

The Batavia Muckdogs Booster Club held its annual Hot Stove Dinner and auction at Terry Hills on Friday night.

Above Todd Jantzi, of Bontrager's, auctions off a painting being held by Joe Gerace. Below, Gerace receives a donation for Genesee Cancer Assistance from Brian Paris, president of Genesee County Baseball Club, Inc. And in the bottom photo, the Board of Directors of the Genesee County Baseball Club.

Press release:

The Genesee County Baseball Club will hold its annual Batavia Muckdogs Hot Stove dinner and auction on Friday, March 2 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Terry Hills at 5122 Clinton Street Road in Batavia. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour followed immediately by dinner.  The Hot Stove Dinner is a time for good food, friendship, baseball talk, and silent and live auctions of baseball-related memorabilia (including signed bats and balls), work by local artists, and gift certificates from a variety of local businesses.

Tickets may be purchased in Batavia at Dwyer Stadium, Gerace’s Hair Care, the Williams Law Firm, and the offices of Dr. Ross Fanara and Dr. Alan Barcomb.

The Batavia Muckdogs will open their 2012 season at Dwyer Stadium on June 18 versus the Auburn Doubledays.

For fireworks fans, the Muckdogs will be home on July 4.

Popular teams visiting this year are farm clubs for the Yankees (Staten Island), New York Mets (Brooklyn) and the Red Sox (Lowell).

The team will play 38 home games in 2012. Six will be on a Friday.

In addition to the 38 home games the Muckdogs will play at Dwyer Stadium next season, they will also host seven Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankee games in 2012. Those dates and times are as follows:

Friday, April 20, vs. Norfolk (Baltimore Orioles Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 21, vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, April 22, vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.
Monday, April 23, vs. Norfolk at 12:05 p.m.
Saturday, May 5, vs. Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, May 6, vs. Pawtucket at 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, June 12, vs. Louisville (Cincinnati Reds Affiliate) at 11:05 a.m.

Ticket packages for the Muckdogs and Yankees games, coupon books and season tickets for the 2012 season are all currently on sale. Holiday Packs are also on sale. For just $25, fans can purchase four undated general admission tickets, a T-shirt and a voucher for a 2012 program. They can be purchased by calling 343-5454, or in person at Dwyer Stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Press release:

Batavia, NY – The Batavia Muckdogs, Class A affiliate of the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals, today announced ticket prices, packages and game times for the seven Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees games that will be played at Dwyer Stadium in 2012.

The Yankees will play at Dwyer Stadium on the following dates and game times:

• Friday, April 20 vs. Norfolk (Baltimore Orioles Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.
• Saturday, April 2 vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.
• Sunday, April 22 vs. Norfolk at 1:05 p.m.
• Monday, April 23 vs. Norfolk at 12:05 p.m.
• Saturday, May 5 vs. Pawtucket (Boston Red Sox Affiliate) at 7:05 p.m.
• Sunday, May 6 vs. Pawtucket at 1:05 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 12 vs. Louisville (Cincinnati Reds Affiliate) at 11:05 a.m.

Individual game ticket prices for those games will be as follows:

Box Seats                                           $9

General Admission (Adult)                  $8

General Admission (JR/SR)                 $7

The Muckdogs will also be offering a ticket package that will allow fans to see all seven Yankees games at Dwyer Stadium next season. Those prices are as follows:

Yankees Ticket Package

Box Seats                   $50

General Admission     $43

Current Muckdogs season seat holders will have the opportunity to reserve their seats for the Yankees games at $50 for box seats and $43 for General Admission. Seat holders will have until Jan. 1 to reserve their seats for the Yankees games before they will be released to the general public. Individual seats for Yankees games will go on sale March 5.

Season tickets, coupon books, ticket packages and individual game ticket prices for Muckdogs games will remain unchanged for 2012. Muckdogs coupon books will not be redeemable for the seven Yankees games at Dwyer Stadium.

All packages are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling 585-343-5454, or in person at Dwyer Stadium from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the top of the ninth inning, the Dwyer Stadium PA announcer played a song by The Doors.

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again

For the Auburn Doubledays, it could have been a sign that the Muckdog's 4-1 lead could withstand any offensive assault. It could have been a reference to the final game of the season.

Or, perhaps, a dirge for the final game of the Batavia Muckdogs. Ever.

It's too soon to say, and nobody really knows, whether there will be a 2012 campaign of professional baseball in Batavia, but at least the Muckdogs gave the faithful something to cheer about on a cloudy Sunday in September.

The Muckdogs close out 2011 with a record 37-38, good enough for fourth place in the Pickney Division of the NYPL (a storied baseball league founded in Batavia), but leaving them eight games out of first place.

Vance Albitz, scrappy shortstop who played his college ball in San Diego but went undrafted despite twice being named defensive player of the year, helped lead the Muckdogs to victory with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

DH Jeremy Lee Patton, another first-year player, finished out the season with a .293 average after banging out two hits.

The win went to Javier Enrique Avendano (1-2) and Danny Miranda picked up his 15th save even though he surrendered two hits and run.

Miranda was helped out by two crucial Doubleday base running blunders.

Bryce Ortega, who should have been out at second except for a throwing error by second baseman Garrett Wittels, tried to advance to third. Ortega's decision to race for third was questionable with his team down by three runs. But with third baseman Daniel Stienstra busy retrieving Wittels' errant throw, maybe worth the gamble.

Stienstra grabbed the ball and was able to flip it to Miranda, charging toward the bag, and Miranda applied a tag with Ortega still two feet from the base (though some fans on the third-base side said the tag was never made).

When Russell Moldenhauer doubled to center, Matthew Skole scored and Moldenhauer, perhaps feeling greedy, tried to stretch his double into a triple. He was, as the say, out by a mile.

And that, my friend, was the end.

If you have trouble viewing the slide show below, click here.

Bob Matthews, who has always hated the idea of pro baseball in Batavia (I have no idea why), has a column in the D&C today lamenting the new rankings by Street & Smith of minor league cities.

Rochester has fallen to #20.  

But also bad in Matthews' mind is that Batavia came in fairly high among 241 cities ranked.

Batavia was No. 36. I have no idea why.

The baseball Muckdogs are the only pro team, they're operated by the Red Wings and they could be on shaky ground. Batavia ranked 42nd in tenure (for how long?), 81st in attendance (no way) and 98th in economy.

The full rankings can be viewed here.

Unfortunately, Street & Smith doesn't explain its attendance ranking, but it's probably based on a percentage of the host city's population, and with less than 16,000 people in the City of Batavia, the percentage for the Muckdogs is pretty good.

There are a handful of cities ranked above Batavia with only one sports franchise.

Press release:

 BATAVIA, NY – Today’s game between the Batavia Muckdogs and Vermont Lake Monsters has been canceled due to rain. This game will not be made up. Anyone with a ticket to today’s game can exchange it for a ticket of equal or lesser value to any remaining home game.

The Muckdogs return home on Saturday, Aug. 20, to take on the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at 7:05 p.m.

Press release: 

BATAVIA, NY – Tonight’s game between the Batavia Muckdogs and Brooklyn Cyclones has been postponed due to rain and wet field conditions. This game will be made up as part of a double-header on Wednesday, Aug. 10. We will play two seven-inning games, with the first game starting at 5:05 p.m. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Any person with tickets to tonight’s game can exchange their tickets for any other regular season game, subject to availability.

The Rob Ray autograph appearance will be rescheduled for Saturday, Aug. 27. 

Press release:

Batavia, NY – The 2011 New York-Penn League All-Star roster will include a league high of six players from Batavia. They will send catcher Juan Castillo, infielders Joey Bergman and David Medina, and pitchers Jonathan Cornelius, Seth Maness and Todd McInnis to the game to be held Tuesday, Aug. 16 at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass.

Perez was an undrafted free agent signing in 2006 and has started 27 games as catcher for the Muckdogs this season. He is currently batting .327 with eight doubles and 15 RBI’s. Castillo has also been solid behind the plate this year and has helped guide the pitching staff to a team ERA of 3.85.

Bergman, a 33rd round pick in the 2010 draft, will be making his second consecutive all-star appearance and has been among the league leaders in hitting all season. Bergman currently ranks fifth in the league in hitting, with a .320 batting average, to go along with eight doubles and 17 RBIs.

David Medina was signed by the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and is enjoying a stellar first season with the Muckdogs. His seven home runs are tied for fourth in the league and his 33 runs scored are third in the league. Medina who plays a mixture of first base and outfield, was selected as a first baseman for this year’s squad.

A 24th round pick out of Florida Tech, Cornelius is 1-2 with 37 strikeouts in 11 outings for the Muckdogs. The left-hander’s ERA of 2.85 ranks him ninth in the league and hitters are only hitting .194 against him, good for second in the league.

St. Louis drafted Maness out of Eastern Carolina in the 11th round of the 2011 draft. He has appeared in nine games and has a 0-0 record with a 0.52 ERA. In 34.2 innings of work, he has struck out 27 batters and only allowed 20 hits.

McInnis, a 25th round pick out of Southern Mississippi, is third in the league with 2.12 ERA and a record of 3-2. His WHIP of just 0.92 leads the league and batters are hitting just .208 against him.

Batavia holds the fourth-place spot in the Pinckney Division with a record of 24-26. This marks the third time in four years that the Muckdogs have sent at least five players to the All-Star game. The Muckdogs sent five players to the 2008 All-Star game, three in 2009 and five in 2010.

Photo: Joey Bergman from earlier this season. By Howard Owens

Get ready to rock and roll at Dwyer Stadium Friday night with Batavia's own "In Plain View."

Pictured above in the band's poster are lead guitarist Joe Lambert (top left), drummer Mark Assenato (top right), bass player Mike Burns (bottom left) and singer Pete Cecere.

"In Plain View" has roots in the players' high school days, but officially got its name last year -- during 4th of July weekend, to be exact.

Burns, a graduate of Batavia High School, said his class celebrated its 26-year reunion -- that's right, 26-year reunion -- at that time, and the band got back together to play for the occasion. They were asked to play again the following night at a private party, which was held at Haul 4 Less.

"(And we thought,) 'Here's four guys who haven't played in 26 years,'" Cecere said, "'and what people see is what they get, in plain view.'"

Included in the group's repertoire are rock songs from almost every era, from the '60s to the present. They play songs that multiple generations will know and appreciate, as evidenced by the fact that Cecere has received positive comments from his daugthers and from some of his aunts and uncles.

"(We'll play) anything from The Kinks to Jimmy Eat World," he said. "We like to pick songs that are interesting and out of the ordinary, but still popular."

"Our goal is not to be the typical bar band," Burns said.

Dedication is a key ingredient in the work that "In Plain View" does. Lambert, who lives in New York City, flies into Batavia for every gig, which is followed by a good five, six or seven hours of rehearsal.

Cecere and Burns, for their parts, have been able to manage this while working full-time jobs. Cecere works in sales at Diamond Packaging. Burns is a manager of client services at the Rochester Institute of Technology -- and coaches a girls soccer team through a season of near total victory.

When asked how they found the time for rehearsals, Cecere replied: "Very carefully."

If you're going to be part of this band, he added, "You've got to do your homework."

"In Plain View's" pre-game concert will start at 5:30 p.m. and last about 45 minutes.

Anyone who purchases tickets to the Muckdogs game will get to see Friday's show at no extra cost.

The band's expenses are being covered by the Juliano Allstate Agency, but they themselves are not getting paid for the concert. As huge Muckdogs fans, all four members are more than happy to donate their time.

"We are extremely blessed to have the Muckdogs," Cecere said. "It's cheap (price-wise) family fun."

"We went by (Dwyer Stadium)," Burns said, "and Joe said, 'This is where we've got to play.'"

For more information on "In Plain View" and their upcoming concerts, visit www.inplainviewband.com.

Bottom two photos taken by Stephen Ognibene.

Note: A few days ago Drew was moved up to Quad Cities.

With more than 2,200 fans in Dwyer Stadium for baseball and fireworks, the Batavia Muckdogs mounted a three-run, eighth-inning rally to snatch a 3-2 victory over Mahoning Valley.

Starter Jonathan Cornelius went four innings without giving up a run, and only one hit, but did not figure in the decision. Relief pitcher Eric Binder picked up his second win of the year.

Danny Miranda completed his fourth save.

The Muckdogs are now 8-10 on the year and will taken on Mahoning Valley (10-7 and tied with Jamestown for first place in the Pinckney Division) again at 7 tonight at Dwyer Stadium.

Second-season Muckdog Mike O'Neill started the rally in the eighth frame with a walk, advancing to second on a fielder's choice when Joey Bergman, also a returning Muckdog, grounded out. 

O'Neill scored when Juan Castillo singled sharply to left field and Aaron Sillga misplayed the ball.

Two more errors added two more runs for Batavia when Jeremy Patton hit a grounder to right that right fielder Kevin Fontanez overran, allowing Castillo to score and Patton to take a charge at third base. He scored on a throwing error by second baseman Todd Hankins.

First baseman Romulo Ruiz had two hits, raising his season average to .308.

More pictures after the jump:

The Muckdogs put on a great fireworks display for July 4th. Here are a few pictures taken from inside Dwyer.

Later, I'll post pictures from the game and Picnic in the Park.

More pictures after the jump: