Sports

Press release:

The Batavia City School District winter guard will host its 20th annual Fantastic Vision winter guard competition on Saturday, Feb. 15, in the Batavia High School gymnasium. Performances begin at 5:15 p.m.

Winter guard performances consist of choreographed dance moves that typically incorporate flags or prop rifles.

This competition will include 18 guards from Western New York and Canada, ranging in skill and age level. It will include two senior guards, four guards in the cadet class that includes Batavia’s junior varsity guard, and three in the Scholastic-A level, to which Batavia’s varsity winter guard was recently elevated. Other guards from this region include two from Medina and two from Gates Chili.

In addition, the Batavia Winter Guards and Boosters in conjunction with the District’s music department,will open the competition with a brief ceremony to honor Batavia’s athletic director, Michael Bromley, for his continued support throughout the 20 years. During his tenure, the Batavia guards grew from one team in the Regional A class to two teams – one junior varsity cadet guard, and one varsity guard that won the Northeast color guard circuit last year and moved up from the A1 class to the Scholastic A class.

Admission for adults is $7, for seniors 65 and older is $6, and for children under 5 is free.

Camden White checked off a big life goal yesterday when he signed a letter of intent to attend Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa., on a football scholarship.

"Just growing up, I fell in love with football," White said. "The main dream was being able to go to college for free. I always wanted to get a scholarship and Mercyhurst gave me a pretty good offer. I'm almost going to college for free so the dream came true."

White will study sports medicine, strength, and conditioning.

Mercyhurst is a Division II program.

It's no surprise to Batavia's head football coach, Brennan Briggs, that White landed a football scholarship.

"He's a product of hard work," Briggs said. "He came and played football with us when he was younger and he was a little smaller and he just dedicated himself to the weight room. He decided he was going to put his mind toward playing college football. His worth ethic and effort paid off and I just know he's going to have a great career at Mercyhurst."

His father, Al White, said he's glad Cam picked a school close to home.

"It was a good option," he said. "He could have gone further away but academically and athletically, it was the right choice for him."

Top photo: Front row, Caeden White, Al White, Camden White, Tina White, and Gavin White. Back row: Ted Stevens, Buddy Brasky, Brennan Briggs, Chris Harloff, and Javaughn Johnson.

Press release:

The Genesee Amateur Hockey Association invites children to the Falleti Ice Rink on Evans Street in Batavia on Saturday, Feb. 22, for a Try Hockey For Free clinic as part of "Hockey Week Across America."

Starting at 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. local youth, ages 4 to 9, are encouraged to experience ice hockey for the first time and learn the basic skills in a fun, safe environment.

“We look forward to welcoming families to Falleti Ice Rink to try our great sport of ice hockey” said Dale Hutchins, president of GAHA. “Our goal is for these families to enjoy watching their kids learn new skills with big smiles on their faces.”

USA Hockey’s Try Hockey program, with the support of the National Hockey League and NHL member clubs, among others, is designed to provide youth hockey associations with a national platform for introducing children to the sport, free of charge.  

All your youngster needs is a helmet (bike or sports) and winter gloves. Skates are available at the Rink. The GAHA organization does have some used hockey helmets available for the event as well as a few hockey sticks.

Players in attendance will be given a free hockey jersey to take home.

To register for this Try Hockey For Free event, please visit:   www.TryHockeyForFree.com

For more information, please contact Sharon, the coordinator for Try Hockey For Free, at:   svgray@rochester.rr.com or 585-344-2248.

Pembroke's young team, sparked by freshman Cayden Pfalzer, put up a good fight against Oakfield-Alabama at home Tuesday night, forcing the game to overtime before falling to the Hornets 66-57.

Pfalzer hit four three-point shots on his way to 16 points for the game.

For O-A, Gaige Armbrewster scored 17 points, Kaden Cusmano, 16, Travis Wiedrich, 15, and Joey Burdick, 11.

Pembroke's Garrett Totten scored 11 points, Adam Dulski, 11, and Noah Godzala, nine.

The Hornets are 14-4 on the season, Pembroke 7-10.

Also in boys basketball on Wednesday:

• Alexander beat Attica, 59-50;
• Notre Dame racked up 110 points to beat C.G. Finney, which scored 77 points;
• Bergen beat Holley 71-42;
• Le Roy beat Bath 67-47. For Le Roy, Cody Lytle scored 12 points and had 10 rebounds. Andrew Loftus 13 points, and Ethan Beswick, 12 points;
• Elba beat Lyndonville 81-75;
• Batavia beat Newark 48-47.

Photos from Le Roy's game by Caitlin Napper (This is a correction)

In Monday's lone boys' basketball game, Le Roy lost to Hornell 50-43.

Cody Lytle scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds. Ethan Beswick scored nine and Andrew Loftus scored eight. 

The Knights are 9-8 heading into the team's final regular-season home game tonight. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

Girls basketball:

• Hornell beat Le Roy, 82-52
• Batavia beat Odyssey, 53-44

Photos by Tim McArdle.

Mike Rapone is retiring this spring as the varsity baseball coach at Notre Dame High School in Batavia after a 12-year stint as head coach.

Rapone will remain in his other roles at Notre Dame: as assistant principal; as athletic director; and the varsity basketball coach. Rapone is also Genesee Region Boys Basketball chairman.

While head coach of varsity baseball, Notre Dame teams posted a record of 163-92 winning Sectional titles in 2008 and 2014. Both of those years, they also advanced to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Final Four.

His teams won six Genesee Region titles and lost in the Sectional Finals four times.

Notre Dame is accepting applications to replace him through Saturday, Feb. 29 -- the deadline.

Applicants must have or be willing to secure NYS Coaching Certification.

Please send cover letter and resume to michael.rapone@ndhsbatavia.com

Or mail them to:

Notre Dame High School, Attn. Mike Rapone, Athletic Director, 73 Union St., Batavia, NY 14020. 

(File photo by Jim Burns of Coach Mike Rapone, January 2017.)

In boys basketball on Saturday:

• Oakfield-Alabama beat Pavilion 67-45
• Batavia lost to Odyssey 66-58

In girls' basketball, O-A beat Pavilion 53-40. MaKena Reding scored 16 points. Brianna Smith scored 13 and had six rebounds. Brooke Reding scored 12 and Kelsey Schlagenhauf scored nine and had 10 rebounds.

The Oakfield-Alabama cheerleaders also won the Genesee Region Division II championship.

Photos by Kristin Smith.

For more Oakfield-Alabama photos click the links below:

• Girls JV
• Girls Varsity
• Sixth Grade Girls
• Boys Varsity
• Boys JV

Le Roy's varsity track and field teams swept the LCAA Championships. It was the eighth straight championship for the boys and first-ever for the girls.

Photo and information submitted by Tim McArdle.

Andrew Englerth, Le Roy, is the Section V Class B2 wrestling champion at 160 pounds. He also won the most outstanding wrestler. His season record is 43-0 as he heads to the state quarterfinals.

The Oatkan Knights were fifth overall in the Section V championships.

Sec V Class B2 Wrestling Championships Team -- fifth overall Top Knights:

• First, Joey Brennan, 126 pounds
• First, Andrew Englerth, 160 pounds
• Second, Nate Andrews, 152 pounds
• Second, Cole Rauscher, 145 pounds
• First, Phil Hahn, 195 pounds

The state qualifiers are Friday at SUNY Brockport.

Information and photos submitted by Tim McArdle.

Write-up and photos submitted by Matt Holman.

It was a cold and clear night for the Batavia High School Ski Team as they wrapped up their regular season on Wednesday, with a two-run slalom race on Wheels Run at Swain Resort.

Junior Zach Wagner was the team's top skier with a combined time of 1:45.39, which put him in 14th place for the boys.

After a spectacular first run, putting her in sixth place, Aubrey Towner fell at the top of the course, but got up, hiked and finished her season and career at Swain with a two-run finish in 21st. Eighth-grader Lily Wagner was 23rd and Junior Lily Whiting missed a gate on the first run, but her second was good enough for 14th.

The season ends with the girls with a fourth-place team finish in the Southern Tier Race League.

Aubrey Towner finished in ninth, earning a spot on the league's all-star team. The first time in many years that Batavia has had a girl in the top 10. Lily Whiting also had a very successful season finishing in 14th, Lily Wagner finished 24th and Zach Wagner finished in 13th on the boy's side.

The Alpine Ski Team will next compete at the sectionals on Feb. 11th and 12th at Bristol Mountain.

Top photo: Zach Wagner

Lily Whiting

Aubrey Towner

A Meat Raffle to support Batavia High School varsity baseball and softball teams will be held starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6 at Ascension Parish's Slomba Hall, 17 Sumner St., Batavia.

There will be many raffles and prizes, too.

Tickets are $10 and the price includes a food buffet and beverage. Presale tickets. If any remain, they will be sold at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For groups of eight or more, contact Lori at (585) 409-0452 or email Sue Ryan at:   spryan3412@gmail.com

Any BHS player will have tickets available to sell.

Come out for a great time and support our local teams!

Write up and photos submitted by Matt Holman.

The Batavia Ski Team competed in a double race (two runs of Giant Slalom, one run of slalom) on a chilly overcast day at Swain. Saturday was also Senior Day, honoring the skiers of the Class of 2020. 

After a week of missing members due to illness and limited because of injury, the girls' team had a bounce-back day finishing fourth in GS and third in SL. Senior Aubrey Towner (top photo) was the team's top slalom skier, finishing in seventh place with a time of 50.70, 13th in GS. Lily Whiting was the team's top GS finisher at 12th with a combined time of 1:57.13 just ahead of Towner's 1:57.67.

Junior Zach Wagner finished in 12th in GS with a combined time of 1:40.67 and 15th in slalom with a time of 45.13.

Varsity racers will compete on Wednesday at Swain in the last race of the regular season.

The modified team wrapped up their season and the team's top finishers were: Ethan Bradley in 15th in GS and 12th in SL; Elijah Abdella was 13th in SL; Abby Bestine 19th in GS; and Brody Swinehart in 22nd in SL and 21st in GS.

Lily Whiting 

Zach Wagner

The Towner family with Coach Matt Holman.

In girls' basketball on Saturday afternoon, the Batavia Blue Devils beat South Seneca 51-27.

Brynn Wormley scored 23 points for Batavia, hitting five three-pointers. Emma Krolczyk scored 12. Mackenzie Riegle scored 10.

Major League Baseball officials are apparently spreading false information about the Batavia Muckdogs as part of a negotiating tactic to destroy professional baseball in 42 communities, including Batavia.

Daniel Halem, MLB's deputy commissioner, said in a letter to a Minor League Baseball official that the Muckdogs have been sold and are being relocated to another city.

That is not true, City Manager Marty Moore said. Moore has spoken both with the Muckdogs general manager and Ben Hayes, president of the New York Penn League. The league owns the team.

Moore said city officials and club officials are excited about the upcoming 2020 season after the team's most successful season in many, many years in 2019 when attendance averaged 1,165 per game, up from 785 the previous season.

In Halem's letter to MiLB's Pat O’Conner, he wrote:

The recent information we learned about the Batavia affiliate not only proves this point but, frankly, calls into questions whether MiLB is truly pursuing a strategy in the “best interests of our 160 community partners.” Batavia is a failing affiliate, with both facility and economic issues, that was put into receivership by the NY Penn League (which essentially owns and operates the team). New York State officials requested that MLB officials meet with Batavia community officials to discuss how to preserve baseball in Batavia. After we set up the meeting, we learned for the first time from multiple sources (but not MiLB) that the NY Penn League sold Batavia — presumably for millions of dollars — to an owner who intends to move the team to another city. While this transaction certainly benefits the NY Penn League owners who may split millions in proceeds by selling an asset with no intrinsic value, we fail to see how it is in the “best interests” of the citizens of Batavia or MLB owners, whose minor league players endure unreasonable travel burdens because MiLB permits its affiliates to hopscotch around the country for purely economic reasons.

Moore said at no point have MLB officials contacted him or anybody else in the City of Batavia.  

Contrary to Halem's letter, if the team is ever sold, its "intrinsic value" would be split between the NYPL, the Rochester Red Wings (who operated the team for 10 years in exchange for equity in the club), and the Genesee Community Baseball Club, a community organization that would return its share of the proceeds to the community.

The Attica/Batavia Varsity Wrestling Team defeated Canandaigua last evening 43-36 on Senior Night at Batavia High School.

Attica/Batavia jumped ahead 29-0 to start the evening. Canandaigua battled back later to take the lead by one point 36-35. Batavia closed the gap on a win at the end by Gabe Yonkin (pictured above). The team lost a point in the 99-point class by a strap down on the mat.

Individual wins were, pins by Wyatt and Travis Kauffman, Zeshan Armstrong, Josh Barber and Gabe Yonkin. 

Casper Stewart received a forfeit at 113 pounds. Owen Strzelec won by decision. Overall it was a very tough match. 

To view or purchase photos click here.

Even though Pittsford-Sutherland had a size advantage down low, the Blue Devils kept their home game Wednesday night close until the third quarter.

Then Pittsford-Sutherland's guards started dropping threes like gumdrops in a five-and-dime. 

Drew Kull, Jalyn Moorehead and Owen Flisnik combined for seven makes beyond the arc and sealed the deal of a 58-42 win for the Knights.

For Batavia, the only player in double digits scoring was Alex Hale with 11 points. Zach Gilebarto scored nine, Caeden White, eight, and Camden White scored seven.

The Blue Devils are now 7-6 on the season.

Support Local News. Support The Batavian. Every contribution helps.

Press release:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today (Jan. 27) representatives Lori Trahan (D-MA), David McKinley (R-WV), Max Rose (D-NY), and Mike Simpson (R-NY), co-chairs of the "Save Minor League Baseball Task Force" -- introduced a bipartisan resolution expressing the sense of Congress that Major League Baseball (MLB) should maintain the current Minor League structure rather than proceed with its plan to eliminate 42 Minor League clubs, including the Batavia-based Muckdogs.

Congresswoman Lori Trahan said: “We launched the Save Minor League Baseball Task Force for a simple purpose -- to help ensure a level playing field in the negotiations between MLB and Minor League Baseball so that they yield a fair resolution and protect Minor League Baseball in communities across the country. Congress has long been a partner to the league in protecting and expanding America’s favorite pastime. We deserve to have our voices heard in any conversation with such potentially devastating consequences. This resolution makes our position clear, and I am grateful to my fellow co-chairs and colleagues for their continued support of this effort."

Congressman David McKinley said: “Minor League Baseball teams have had a major impact on small communities. These teams provide an enormous cultural and economic benefit to the communities they call home. The goal of our involvement in this fight is to ensure a level playing field in the negotiations between Major League Baseball (MLB) and MiLB. Doing away with 42 teams is not a reasonable solution. We are hopeful that MiLB and MLB can find acompromise that will preserve the 42 MiLB teams and address MLB’s concerns.”

Congressman Max Rose said: “The value that Minor League Baseball adds to our communities goes so far beyond entertainment. Teams like the Staten Island Yankees offer youth clinics for our kids, donate to local schools and charities, and volunteer countless hours to help those in need. This resolution sends a clear message that we recognize those contributions, and that I’m going to do everything in my power to protect the Staten Island Yankees."

Congressman Mike Simpson said: “Minor League Baseball is at the heart of small towns all across rural America. The proposal to cut 42 teams will leave communities like Idaho Falls without affordable and accessible options for families to experience America’s pastime. I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution which expresses more than 60 members of Congress opposition towards eliminating the Chukars and other Minor League organizations. I hope Major League Baseball takes the concerns of fans in small-town America seriously when considering the current proposal.”

Congressman Joe Courtney said: “The proposal to eliminate our Norwich Sea Unicorns and 41 other Minor League teams across the country is a profound mistake. Countless baseball fans ofall ages attend MiLB games each season, and for many, It’s their only chance to see our nation’s pastime in a family-friendly, affordable atmosphere. There have been well over half a million statistical errors committed in the MLB since its founding in 1896, but this plan to do away with a quarter of all our Minor League teams ranks among the worst of them – it will cost American communities jobs, and more importantly it will cost us in quality of life. The House is leading the charge to protect our Minor League Baseball teams, and I’m proud to be part of this bipartisan effort. MLB Commissioner Manfred and his team need to take a hard second look at their proposal, and consider what it could mean for the long-term support that Congress hasalways afforded to the MLB on a variety of issues.”

Congressman Tim Ryan said: “The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a pillar of our community and provide an affordable and fun way for families to spend time together. These Minor League teams are an integral part of American baseball. Not only do they offer a pipeline to the MLB, they stand as a cultural cornerstone in communities like mine. I’m 100 percent with the Scrappers because I know that in the Mahoning Valley, the best days for America’s pastime are yet to come.”

Congressman Andy Barr said: “Minor League Baseball provides so much to our local communities, bringing family friendly entertainment, job opportunities and a significant economic impact to every city a team calls home. The impact of the Lexington Legends is no exception. The 2019 South Atlantic League Champion Legends bring an average economic impact of $47.2 million per year to my community and, in addition, donate an average of $1 million locally. I am committed to doing what I can to support the Legends and ensure that they stay in Lexington for years to come.”

Congressman Phil Roe said: “With five teams in our region, perhaps no area in America would be more affected by the proposed restructuring of Minor League Baseball than East Tennessee. Baseball is an integral part of so many communities, and a significant source of community pride and entertainment. I will do everything I can to ensure America’s pastime is preserved for generations to come across East Tennessee. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution to help preserve Minor League Baseball in 160 communities across the nation."

Congressman John Moolenaar said: "Michigan families love spending their summers outside watching baseball and our minor leagueteams have fans throughout the state. It is my hope that Major League Baseball and its Minor League affiliates reach an agreement that is good for teams in Michigan and across the nation."

Congressman Anthony Brindisi said: "The proposal by Major League Baseball to eliminate Minor League teams, like New York’s Binghamton Rumble Ponies, is a big swing and a miss. Minor League Baseball and the communities that support it are part of the fabric of America and its favorite pastime. I joined my colleagues, from both parties, to call on Major League Baseball to work with Minor League Baseball and preserve affordable, family friendly fun. As a lifelong baseball fan and New Yorker, I am not going to sit on the bench in this fight. We need to keep the Rumble Ponies inBinghamton and help save Minor League Baseball."

Congressman Mike Kelly said: “Minor League Baseball teams are a crucial part of America’s pastime, and they provide affordable entertainment options for working families across our country. Major League Baseball’s plan to cut ties with 42 Minor League teams, including Erie’s beloved SeaWolves, would be devastating to millions of baseball loving Americans. I am a proud co-sponsor of this resolution that urges MLB to reconsider. It would be tragic to lose these teams."

Pat O’Conner, president, MiLB said: “Minor League Baseball is most appreciative of the bipartisan support we have received from so many members of Congress. The resolution introduced today shows the widespread support for Minor League Baseball and we thank representatives McKinley, Rose, Simpson and Trahan for leading the charge in support of Minor League Baseball.”

Congress: "Unified Opposition to MLB plan"

On Nov. 19, more than 100 members of Congress joined together on a letter to MLB expressing our unified opposition to the MLB plan. This resolution is a further demonstration that Minor League clubs – and the communities for which they play – are not without support in Congress.

Furthermore, it reflects Congress’s legitimate interest in ensuring fair negotiations between MLB and MiLB.

MLB’s plan was offered in spite of the fact that Minor League Baseball (MiLB) just completed its 15th consecutive season with an attendance above 40 million; and it was the ninth-largest single season total in MiLB’s 100-plus year history.

Many of the Minor League clubs would fail without a PDC—leaving as many as 1,200 players out of work. The plan is a betrayal of the fans, players, municipalities, stadium vendors and employees who have supported these clubs for decades.

Text of the resolution is below:

RESOLUTION
Supporting Minor League Baseball, and for other purposes.
Whereas 40 million plus fans have attended Minor League Baseball games each season for 15 consecutive years;
Whereas Minor League Baseball provides wholesome affordable entertainment in 160 communities throughout the country;
Whereas, in 2018, Minor League Baseball clubs donated over $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts to their local communities and completed over 15,000 volunteer hours;
Whereas the economic stimulus and development provided by Minor League Baseball clubs extends beyond the cities and towns where it is played, to wide and diverse geographic
areas comprising 80 percent of the population in the Nation;
Whereas Minor League Baseball is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion through its Copa de la Diversión, MiLB Pride, FIELD Program, and Women in Baseball Leadership initiatives;
Whereas Minor League Baseball is the first touchpoint of the national pastime for millions of youth and the only touchpoint for those located in communities far from Major League cities;

Whereas Congress has enacted numerous statutory exemptions and immunities to preserve and sustain a system for Minor League Baseball and its relationship with Major League Baseball;
Whereas abandonment of 42 Minor League Baseball clubs by Major League Baseball would devastate communities, bond purchasers, and other stakeholders that rely on the economic stimulus these clubs provide;

Whereas Minor League Baseball clubs enrich the lives of millions of Americans each year through special economic, social, cultural, and charitable contributions; and
Whereas preservation of Minor League Baseball in 160 communities is in the public interest, as it will continue to provide affordable, family friendly entertainment to those communities:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved,

That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the preservation of Minor League Baseball in 160 American communities; (2) recognizes the unique social, economic, and historic contributions that Minor League Baseball has made to American life and culture; and
(3) encourages continuation of the 117-year foundation of the Minor Leagues in 160 communities through continued affiliations with Major League Baseball.

Original co-sponsors (co-leads bolded): Representatives Axne, Banks, Barr, Bishop, Blunt Rochester, Bonamici, Brindisi, Brown, Budd, Burchett, Cisneros, Cline, Comer, Courtney,Cunningham, DeFazio, Escobar, Finkenauer, Fitzpatrick, Fleischmann, Fudge, Gianforte, Griffith, Guthrie, Haaland, Higgins, Horsford, Joyce (OH), Kaptur, Katko, Keating, Keller, Kelly, Kennedy, Lamborn, Larsen, Loebsack, Lynch, Matsui, McCollum, McKinley, Miller, Moolenaar, Morelle, Moulton, Newhouse, Pocan, Price, Raskin, Riggleman, Roe, Rogers, Rose, Ryan, Schrader, Serrano, Simpson, Slotkin, Thompson, Tipton, Trahan, Trone, Turner, Underwood, Wasserman Schultz, and Welch.

In an overtime game Saturday night, Oakfield-Alabama beat Warsaw 74-70.

Kaden Cusmano scored 18 points for the Hornets. Gaige Armbrewster scored 12, and Kam Cusmano scored 10.

Photos by Kristen Smith. For more photos, click here.