batavia

History. Community. Baseball. Three things Naomi Silver knows something about.

In 1956, 57 years after the Rochester baseball franchise was formed, the St. Louis Cardinals, which had owned and operated the Red Wings for the previous 27 seasons, decided to abandon the city. Naomi's father, Morrie Silver, made it his one-man mission to save baseball for Rochester.

Silver formed Rochester Community Baseball, Inc. In 72 days, Morrie sold enough stock in the team -- 8,882 shares to local investors -- to buy the team from the Cardinals, keeping it from being either shuttered or moved.

Today, Rochester is home to the only minor league baseball team that has operated in the same city since the 1800s.

Batavia is also a historic baseball city. The New York-Penn League was formed in Batavia and Batavia is one of only two cities -- along with Jamestown -- that still has teams connected to those original six franchises.

The Muckdogs trace their lineage to 1939.

It's that history, and the importance of baseball to the community, that attracted Naomi Silver and Red Wings General Manager Dan Mason, to the Muckdogs.

Prior to the 2008 season, the Muckdogs were on the ropes. 

The team lost $150,000 in 2007. It seemed nearly certain the NY-Penn League would force the team to move to a larger market. Silver and Mason heard about the dire straits of baseball in Batavia and decided to do something about it.

Rochester Community Baseball stepped in and paid off all of those debts and agreed to operate the team and see if the franchise could once again become a profitable operation.

Fewer than 200 cities in North America have professional baseball teams.

In cities such as Ithica, Elmira and Watertown, baseball fans are bereft each summer of the opportunity to see future stars swat homers the way Ryan Howard did a few years ago at Dwyer Stadium. They miss the joys of showing up at the ballpark and visiting with friends or mentoring grandchildren while watching young pros hone their skills in one of the most storied and historic leagues of professional sports.

"For Batavia to have a team is a great asset," Mason said. "It’s something that a lot of other cities would love to have. The pride that it generates, and the memories it generates for the fans in any minor league community, is something that is a great asset to the quality of life in that town."

Credit Rochester Community Baseball with saving the sport in Batavia, for now. It's the reason the Red Wings will accept a special recognition award Saturday from the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce. But it doesn't guarantee baseball in Batavia in 2011.

Even after winning a championship in 2008, the first year the club fell under Red Wings' management, the team still lost $100,000 in 2009.

This year's campaign is critical, Silver said, in determining the future of baseball in Batavia.

"I would have thought that last year we could have broken even," Silver said. "This year, we most definitely must break even. We should be better than that."

Fan support is important, but minor league teams survive on business sponsorships. At one time, local businesses were very supportive of the Muckdogs, but the sponsorships fell off in recent years. Muckdogs General Manager Travis Sick is working hard -- with help from superfan Russ Salway -- selling corporate sponsorships. The level of local business support, Silver said, will be key to determining the future of the Muckdogs.

"We’ll know in a relatively short time what the outcome will be,” Silver said. "We’ll be able to tell very soon what our sponsorships are going to be like. We won’t know if we’re going to draw more people until the baseball season starts."

It's clear that Silver and Mason care a good deal about baseball, history and community. It's woven into the mission and culture of Red Wings baseball, and it's why there's a Batavia Muckdogs team this year.

Now is the time, according to Silver, for the community to step up the effort to support baseball in Batavia.

"We definitely want to get people involved in this," Silver said. "Everyone has a stake in this in Batavia. Whether you’re a fan that should be making a decision to come out to the ballpark or whether you’re a business and would hate to see baseball leave Batavia, we hope they'll all get out there.

"There’s hardly a community I can imagine," Silver added, "that would want to lose an asset like this."

Ian Cromwell and his girlfriend drove around Batavia today and saw quite a few snowmen, so they got inspired to build their own.

The weather Web sites say it's 36 degrees in Batavia. My thermometer reads 42. The sun is out with a smattering of puffy clouds in the sky to add a little artistic flourish over the snow-draped houses of the Southside. Pachuco and I were returning from the longest walk we've taken in weeks and I spotted this snow family on Ganson, so I went back with my camera.

The forecast for tonight and tomorrow is snow/flurries (depending on which Web site you believe), and snow is forecast for Tuesday. 

Winter ain't over yet.

The Batavia Blue Devils will advance to the next round of the Section V playoffs after a convincing 70-46 win over Midlakes tonight in Batavia.

Andrew Hoy (pictured above) led Batavia (16-3) with 22 points. Josh Budlong added 15 and Justin Washington scored 18 points.

The Blue Devils will play at Roberts Weslyean College at 8:15 p.m., Tuesday.

More pictures after the jump:

Covered by a giant tarp because business signs cannot appear on the outside of buildings that are for sale, according to city code, the neon-lit Pontillo's Pizzeria sign once again hangs proudly from the building at 500 E. Main St., Batavia.

Could it be a sign that Sam Pontillo is getting close to reopening the legendary restaurant? We still haven't heard from Sam or building owner Thomas Masachi about what's going on there, but crews continue to work inside the building.

The publication of a security camera photo on The Batavian led to a Batavia man admitting to petit larceny during his arraignment today in City Court.

Robert Douglas, 29, of 48 Buell St., was arrested today by Det. Kevin Czora, after several readers of The Batavian reportedly called police to identify Douglas.

Czora e-mailed us this message:

I arrested Robert Douglas, age 29, from Batavia, today for the theft at Alberty’s. In a bit of a surprise, Douglas pled guilty to the charge of petit larceny at arraignment. Douglas had cooperated once confronted with the fact that he was identified by numerous people after the photos were published. Please thank your viewers for their assistance.

Reginald Wilson may have a long criminal history, he may even have been caught driving an allegedly stolen vehicle, but that doesn't mean he did the crime this time.

Two of the other men who are accused of breaking into a State Street home in Batavia in early September have made sworn statements, according to Judge Robert Noonan, admitting to their participation in the burglary, but they say Wilson wasn't part of the crew.

One other suspect in the burglary has said the 37-year-old Wilson helped in the break-in.

Today, Wilson, who faces a possible life sentence because of multiple prior felony convictions, had to answer to a deadline on whether he would accept a plea offer or take his case to trial.

The offer: A felony count of possession of stolen property with no sentencing agreement.

Wilson turned down the offer.

His attorney, Public Defender Gary Horton, countered with a misdemeanor charge of possession, but that proposal, like District Attorney Lawrence Friedman's offer, faces a legal technicality. Because Wilson is charged with a Class C felony, he can't be offered a plea on a greatly reduced charge unless Friedman asks to have the original count dismissed. Friedman hasn't done that yet.

"I’m not interested in entertaining an illegal plea from either one of you, so thanks for turning it down, Mr. Wilson," Noonan said.

The two attorneys and Noonan agreed to extend the deadline for Wilson to accept a plea to 9 a.m., Monday.

Wilson, who was shackled and dressed in Genesee County Jail orange, was fairly animated during the proceeding, especially when conferring with his attorney. While Friedman and Horton were talking privately with Noonan, Wilson leaned over and tried to get First Asst. D.A. David Gann's attention to say, "hello, Mr. Gann."

After Noonan granted an extension on the plea deadline, Wilson said emphatically, "Thank you, Your Honor," before leaving the courtroom.

Prior to Wilson's hearing, Joseph D. Dash, 24, who was also arrested in connection with the State Street burglary, admitted to a prior attempted burglary in exchange for a dismissal of charges in the State Street crime as well as another burglary, which Dash hadn't been charged with yet, on Pringle Avenue.

Dash has a prior felony conviction -- attempted robbery, 2nd -- from March 2003. With that prior felony, Dash faces a 5- to 7-year sentence on the attempted burglary conviction.

The other two suspects in the State Street burglary are Quentin L. Gibson, 25, and Dillon M. Brito, 19. We don't have any information at this time on the status of their cases.

Photos: Top, Wilson; bottom, Dash.

Above, Bryce Hobson shovels snow off his family's home front sidewalk. This morning, a lot of Batavians were digging out from the overnight snowfall.

The winter storm warning that had been in effect until 1 p.m. was cancelled this morning. The forecast still includes snow for the rest of the day, but only a little accumulation.

Camdon King, 5, is building a snow fort in front of his grandfather's house.

Chance King, 2, plays in the snow in front of his grandfather's house.

Grandfather Larry Hale shovels his driveway.

This young man Jesse Schrider, found a way to stay warm on this Winter storm warning here in Batavia. He came out and volunteered with Care-A-Van Ministries . Part of the team was out tonight helping a widow bring wood into her home and was kept busy stacking the pile outside.  The other part of team , PJ and Bridget headed over to Columbia Avenue wtih Cooperative Extension on board of the bus with hot soup for all

You could even find local Detective Rich Schauff out volunteering on this project.

The finished project!  A special thanks to Rich, Dave, Clint and Jesse for coming out  tonight to help! See you all at the Home Show this week-end!

 

O'Lacy's Irish Pub on School Street in Batavia celebrated its "Perfect Pour" award from Guinness this evening. Guinness representatives were on hand to add to the merriment, which include a free draught for Guinness fans as well as door prizes. The place was packed, even with the slightly bad weather.

More pictures after the jump:

Even though the property has been listed for sale, ownership of the Batavia Elks Lodge building is apparently in dispute.

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks listed the property at 213 E. Main St., Batavia, with Charles Mancuso and Son, according to agent Mike Sisson.

The deed, however, lists "Batavia Lodge #950, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Batavia" as the owner. It is dated Nov. 16, 1918, according to County Clerk Don Read. The property was conveyed by Louis and Sarah Waird to the local Elks for $6,000.

Former Lodge #950 Exalted Ruler Paul Weiss left a comment on The Batavian disputing the Grand Lodge's claim to ownership.

"The Elks Lodge building is not owned by the Grand Lodge. It is owned by a local Batavia Elks corporation," Weiss wrote.

Lodge Exalted Ruler Timothy Garlock agreed that the ownership is in dispute, but he's still hoping the disagreement that led to the Grand Lodge revoking the local charter on Feb. 12 can be resolved.

The charter was apparently pulled purely for administrative reasons.

"If the Grand Lodge wants to pull our charter and make us go away, that's their call," Garlock said. "If they want to give us another crack at the bat, well, we've got some members working on that."

Kenneth Perry, one of the trustees appointed by the Grand Lodge, and who has previously commented on this matter, could not be reached.

UPDATE: News of an other New York lodge being closed, this time in Norwich.

According to an executive order issued by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Grand Lodge, Elk’s Lodge #1222 has failed to make reports required by the laws of the order, and has not complied with the auditing and accounting manual.

Sound familiar.  And there's this:

Officers and members of the Norwich lodge, however, strongly disagree with the decision, and have called upon the higher courts of the order for an opportunity to refute the executive ruling.

“This has been a problem for nearly a decade,” said local Exalted Ruler Jeff Cola. “We’re now in the process of appealing the Grand Lodge’s decision, and we believe it was based on past issues.”

Jeffery M.  Rider, 31, of 8130 Route 5, Le Roy, is charged with resisting arrest. At 10:50 p.m., Tuesday, Deputy Bradley D. Mazur reportedly tried to execute an arrest warrant for Rider for alleged violation of probation. At the time of the attempted arrest, Rider allegedly resisted arrest. Rider was jailed on $1,000 bail.

Robert L. Vanburen, 48, of 370 W. Main St., lower, Batavia, is charged with throwing an injurious substance on the highway (littering), DWI and aggravated DWI with a BAC of .08 or greater. Vanburen was stopped by Officer Dan Coffey at 11:53 p.m., Wednesday, on West Main Street.

Robert F. Williams, 49, of 114 State St., Apt. #3, Batavia, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Williams is accused of grabbing a woman and throwing her. She was not injured.

A 17-year-old from Bergen is charged with criminal contempt. The youth is accused of shoving another person. There was an order of protection barring such conduct.

Kimmie A. Welsh, 43, of Corfu, is charged with DWI and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Welsh was stopped by State Police at 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 77 in the Village of Corfu. No further details available.

Clarence L. Blackmon, 39, of Oakfield, is charged with grand larceny, 3rd. Blackmon was arrested by State Police at noon, Tuesday. He is accused of stealing an item valued at less than $3,000. No further details are available.

Tanya L .Thyret, 31, of Rochester, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or greater and an equipment violation. Thyret was stopped by State Police at 8:45 p.m., Tuesday, on Culver Road, Town of Bativia. No further details are available.

Accidents from the state police blotter:

4:59 p.m., Feb. 22, Thruway, Mile Marker 399 west, Pembroke, two vehicles; Driver 1: William Burton Lewis, 22, of East Amherst; Driver 2: Leonard E. Neal, 58, of Gravehurst, Ontario, Canada. One injury reported. No further details available.

Two Batavia men were arrested last night after the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force executed a search warrant at 13 Ross Street, lower, looking for a suspected meth lab.

What officers reportedly found was a dismantled lab and some quantity of methamphetamine in various stages of production.

The two suspects in the case were apparently not at the residence at the time of the raid and were located elsewhere in the county.

Taken into custody were Warren T. Cotton, 33, and Eric D. Johnston, 31.

Cotton is charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Johnston is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Cotton was arrested following a traffic stop at Walkers Corners Road in Byron. Johnston was located on Evans Street.

While Johnston was released on an appearance ticket, Cotton was jailed without bail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Assisting in the case were Wyoming County Drug Task Force, the Genesee County District Attorney's Office, the Office of Emergency Management and Mercy EMS.

Photos: Warren T. Cotton, upper right; Eric Johnston, lower left.

Witnesses reported seeing several law enforcement units, SWAT, a Hazmat unit and the County Command Post vehicle either heading to or on Ross Street next to the Richmond Memorial Library tonight.

Batavia Police referred questions to Sgt. Steve Mullen of the Local Drug Enforcement Task Force.

Another county official said he wasn't at liberty to discuss the activity and referred questions to either the Police or Sheriff's Office.

Sgt. Mullen responded to an e-mail with, "more to follow."

The activity occurred roughly between 7 and 7:30 p.m. By the time we arrived on Ross Street at 7:40 p.m., all law enforcement and emergency personnel had cleared the scene.

What's up with Pontillo's? I get asked that question nearly every day. We've all seen the work crews there.

What a couple other people have seen is Sam Pontillo at the 500 E. Main St., Batavia, location.

Over the past two weeks I've called Sam Pontillo several times. I've left a few messages. I have not heard back from him.

I've also called the property owner, Thomas Masaschi, and left messages. No return call.

Admittedly, third hand, I've heard that another restaurant owner tried to buy the old Pontillo's sign and was told it wasn't for sale -- that there were plans for it.

So at this point, we only have rumors and speculation, but for all the people who keep asking me what's going on, that's the only answer I can give at this point.

For Sale: Older building with plenty of space, grand old wooden bar, working dumbwaiters, hardwood floors and plenty of local history. It once housed one of Batavia's great civic clubs.

The Batavia Elks Lodge building, at 213 E. Main St., home until recently of Lodge #950, is for sale, listed at $249,900.

The property is assessed for $179,000.

The reason its for sale? It's still unclear.

As The Batavian first reported Feb. 13, the Grand Lodge revoked the local charter for apparently administrative reasons. Lodge leader Timothy Garlock was hopeful the charter could be re-established, but the building being up for sale may not be a hopeful sign.

Neither Garlock nor the trustee we previously spoke with, Kenneth Perry, could be reached for comment this evening.

An Elk in the San Francisco area who has been following an increasing number of Elks Lodge closings on his blog said the posted sale doesn't necessarily mean the end of the local lodge.

However, if the sale is made, the proceeds will be placed in a sort of internal escrow account by the New York State leadership and held for 10 years, giving the local lodge a chance to reconstitute itself. If the money isn't returned to the local lodge after 10 years, it is either donated to a charity or used to start a new lodge elsewhere in the state.

The Grand Lodge doesn't appear to benefit financially from shutting down lodges, which it seems to have done frequently of late, according to Bob Merjano. He's a past president of Lodge #3 (the third lodge started in the nation, in San Francisco, 135 years ago).

Some lodges close for financial reasons, Merjano said, but "some of them are being forced to close even though they seem sound financially, like yours."

The frustrating thing Merjano said, is that the Grand Lodge never comments on closings. They never point out that there are still more than one million Elks and the organization still does a lot of good work for veterans and children.

As for Lodge #3, Merjano said his lodge is doing especially well.  They've been fortunate, he said, to recruit a lot of new, younger members.

A 28-year-old Batavia man, who admitted to selling drugs last fall, is going to prison.

Timothy Lee, who also goes by the name “Cricket,” was sentenced in Genesee County Court this afternoon to four-and-a-half years behind bars.

Lee had pled guilty to selling crack cocaine to a member of the Genesee County Local Drug Task Force.

Judge Robert Noonan told Lee this afternoon he was an “opportunist” and only very belatedly did he show an inclination to enter treatment.

“You don’t need treatment,” the Judge told Lee, “you need jail time, and that’s what you are going to get."

Lee’s fiancé, who is four-months pregnant, wept in court as the sentence was pronounced.

(Story by Dan Fischer, of The Batavian's news partner, WBTA.)

Batavia Police have issued wanted notices for two men sought for unrelated crimes.

Jeremiah Williams, 18, is a Level 3 sex offender who has allegedly failed to comply with his restrictions. There is an active felony arrest warrant for Williams. His last known address was 9 Raymond Ave. in Batavia. He is also known to frequent the Albion area. Williams is described as 5'10" and 135 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes.

Dajuandrick Gardner, 33, is an alleged parole violator. His last known address is 6863 Byron Holley Road, Byron. Gardner is 5'10" and 210 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. He wears glasses. Gardner is also known as "Juan" and "Omega."

Anyone with information is asked to call 345-6370.