Photos: Batavia Downs horse show
This weekend, horses and riders from throughout Western New York again converged on Batavia Downs for a horse show and riding competition.
The show continues today and tomorrow.
More photos after the jump:
Sports
En garde! Fencing club to open on Harvester Avenue
Here's a news release from a brand-new enterprise:
Local residents interested in expanding their fitness options will have a new choice to consider when En Garde: Batavia, a new fencing club, opens on July 1 in the Artisan Center on Harvester Avenue.
Several classes will be available for adults and children. No prior athletic experience is necessary.
Colin Dentino, a Batavia resident and lifelong fencing enthusiast, is the owner/lead instructor of En Garde: Batavia and believes that the benefits of the sport are far-reaching.
“Fencing is great because it allows anyone to be successful," he said. "Each fencer has his/her own style and technique so everyone you fence is a different puzzle to be solved."
Dentino first started fencing at the age of 4 under the guidance of Sir John Halasz, from the esteemed Hungarian fencing program.
“I’ve been trained more as a fencing coach than a fencer,” he notes.
Sport fencing is an interval-based sport with ties to martial arts and yoga. Interval-based physical activities burn 30 percent more calories than steady-state exercise. But beyond that, fencing is a sport that can be enjoyed by the entire family, for a lifetime.
“It can be great fun to come in as a family and get everyone involved,” Dentino said. “Because people with various fitness levels can be successful fencers, it can build confidence for those new to exercise.”
The benefits of fencing do not stop there; fencing is a game of analytical decision making and as such, can improve things like creative problem solving and long-term goal planning.
“Fencing is referred to as ‘physical chess’,” Dentino says, “It’s not always the case that the stronger, faster fencer wins.”
Hourly afternoon and evening classes meet twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays and also on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning July 1. Hours are 4 to 5, 5 to 6, 6 to 7, and 7 to 8.
Children and adults aged “5 to 95" who are interested in "health and mental wellness” are encouraged to attend. Monthly cost is a flat $50 per person, and includes all equipment. There are no long-term contracts, it's a month-to-month deal.
Weekly summer camp sessions for children aged 9 to 16 and up run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. starting in mid-July and continuing until late August. Cost is $125 a week and includes all equipment. The schedule is as follows:
• July 12 – 16
• July 19 – 23
• July 26 – 30
• August 2 – 6
• August 9 – 13
• August 16 – 20
• August 23 - 27
For more information about En Garde: Batavia, contact Colin Dentino at 585-409-3993, email at engardebatavia@me.com, or visit www.engardebatavia.com.
Photos: Pink limo ride for Pavilion girl soccer players
Pavilion girl soccer players -- "the future JV and varsity players" -- got a limo ride to their game today courtesy Mancuso Limousine of Batavia.
The girls were quite thrilled to get to ride in a pink limo.
Photos: Kicking off the 2010 Batavia Muckdogs season
Jason Molino can hit. He's no Mickey Hyde, who easily won the "home run" hitting contest at Dwyer Stadium tonight, but he looked good at the plate and hit some shots.
It was the "Pep Dog Rally" in preparation of the season opener on Saturday. The turn out was good, and the evening was a heck of a lot of fun.
After the contest, the players of the 2010 Muckdogs introduced themselves and then fans were invited onto the field to collect autographs.
The player in the center of this picture is Nick Longmire. He's a 5th-round draft pick of the Cardinals, which means he's a legitimate prospect. He's a center fielder who has some power. That's cool. But what's really cool: He's a graduate of my alma mater, Grossmont High School, La Mesa, Calif. His mother also graduated from GHS, in 1978, two years ahead of me. So guess who will be my favorite Muckdog this season? Go Foothillers!
More pictures after the jump:
Ten GCC athletes named to All-Regional team of national association
Ten Genesee Community College student-athletes were named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Academic All-Region team. Genesee Community College is part of the NJCAA Region III.
In order to be nominated to the team, a student athlete must have completed 45 credit hours and have a grade-point average of at least 3.5.
The following Genesee Community College student athletes were named to the NJCAA All-Region Academic team. They are listed by name, hometown, sport and GPA.
- Colleen McKay Woodstock (Ontario, Calif.), Softball -- 4.00
- Joe Smith (Brockport), Men's Soccer -- 3.88
- Roberta Terbuska (Batavia), Golf -- 3.75
- Kayla Palmer (Oneida), Volleyball -- 3.74
- Andrew Follman (Lyndonville), Men's Soccer -- 3.71
- Jenni Cassidy (Oakfield), Softball -- 3.69
- Lisa Vogt (Pavilion), Softball/Volleyball -- 3.67
- Jessie Jaszko (Batavia), Women's Soccer -- 3.63
- Sam Pierce (Bliss), Softball -- 3.50
- Melissa Feldmann (Attica) Volleyball -- 3.50
For further information please contact Margaret Sisson at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6239.
The time for regular visits with friends at Dwyer is quickly approaching
When you attend a Batavia Muckdogs game at Dwyer Stadium, if you think you're there to watch a baseball game, you've missed at least 65 percent of the reason to be there on a warm summer night.
The main reason to be at Dwyer is the people the stands -- your neighbors, friends and family -- and if you don't know anybody, just start talking, you'll soon make a new friend.
Bill Kauffman writes a lovely tribute to his friend Dennis Bowler for the Front Porch Republic, St. Dennis of the Bleachers.
The home opener for the Muckdogs is Saturday. I hope to see you there.
Dennis Meyers Posts 5th 300 game at 400 Towers' Sunday Night Wii Bowling
Dennis Meyers posted his 5th 300 game in Wii Bowling at 400 Towers, Sunday night. Dennis also has two hole in one shots in Wii Golf.
Senior citizens, at the Towers, appreciate the low impact excercise when playing the Wii.
Seven local middle-schoolers earn sports and wellness camp scholarships
Genesee Community College recently awarded seven local youths with a full scholarship to attend the Genesee Sport and Wellness Experience July 12 to 23.
The camp is geared toward middle-school-aged students and takes place at the Batavia Campus. The scholarship winners were nominated based on character, initiative and a demonstrated interest in, and appreciation of, wellness and sports. Effort, academic standing in health and physical education classes, and/or participation on an athletic team were taken into consideration.
The following Genesee County middle-school students were nominated by a faculty, staff member or coach from their school and have been awarded a $100 scholarship covering the entire cost of the Wellness Experience:
- Mason Muoio -- Byron-Bergen
- Stephen Durham -- Batavia
- Justice Leisten-Schwable -- Oakfield-Alabama
- Erik Moscicki -- Holy Family
- Jensen Kimmel -- Pembroke
- Joseph Schroth -- Pavilion
- John Hochmuth -- Elba
This newly developed summer program includes instruction and skill development in the areas of golf, tennis, soccer and volleyball. Education on a variety of wellness topics such as nutrition, fitness, stress management, peer pressure, and drug and substance abuse issues will also be presented and discussed.
All students in grades 6, 7 and 8 are invited to attend this program, which is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost is $100 and includes lunch every day and a T-shirt.
"We are very excited to present the Sport and Wellness Experience this summer," Rebecca Dziekan, director of Health and Physical Education at Genesee said. "These two weeks serve as an excellent way for local middle-school students to have some fun, play sports and have hands-on learning all at the same time."
It is not too late to register for the Genesee Sport and Wellness Experience. For further details or to register for the camp visit <http://www.genesee.edu/GCC/Wellness> and download the registration form.
For more information, please contact Dziekan at 343-0055, ext. 6424 or <http://rldziekan@genesee.edu>.
Golf equipment flea market at country club
This Saturday, June 12, there will be a golf equipment flea market at the Batavia Country Club in the picnic pavilion.
This free event will run, rain or shine, from noon to 5 p.m. and is open to the public.
Sellers simply show up with your equipment between 11:30 and 11:55 a.m. See Tom Tucker, BCC teaching pro, to get table display space as available. First come first served.
Bring junior, adult or miscellaneous golf equipment or training aids.
Private individuals only, no retail organizations or businesses.
The country club is located at 7909 Batavia-Byron Road.
Photos: Batavia Minor League Baseball, Astros vs. Athletics
My new 70-300 mm zoom lens arrived today, and since I bought it primarily to improve my sports photography, I thought I'd head over to MacArthur Park for some Batavia Minor League baseball action. I caught the Astros and the Athletics in a game of 8-10 year olds.
Mor pictures after the jump:
Notre Dame boys modified baseball team goes undefeated
The Holy Family School and St. Joseph's School seventh- and eighth-grade Notre Dame boys modified baseball team won their last game last night to finish off their undefeated 2010 season.
The team, coached by Holy Family School and Notre Dame graduate, Rick Rapone, played 10 games like a well-oiled machine. The team worked hard during each practice and it certainly paid off.
They played and looked like a professional, high school baseball team.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Give a Muckdog a home this season
Here's a media release from the Muckdogs:
How would you like to live with the next Ryan Howard or Chase Utley this summer?
The Muckdogs are in need of your help in locating host families. The team comes to Batavia the weekend of June 12th and 13th. There are host families signed up for the season, but there is still a need to house at least 15 more players.
This is where you can help. Being a host family to a player has benefits:
- You have a future St. Louis Cardinal staying in your home.
- You become acquainted with young men from all around the country who love “America’s Favorite Pastime,” baseball.
- You also get paid by the player for an amount you both agree upon.
So why wait? If you are interested or know someone in the Batavia area (within just a few miles of Dwyer Stadium) who might be interested in hosting a player or coach, please contact the Muckdogs office at 343-5454.
Thank you for your support!
A Bad Call, A Great Life Lesson.
Hey BP, Pay attention!
By Phil Ricci, The World: by Phil
A couple nights back, Armando Galarraga was standing on the mound, literally one out away from history. Not only was he so close to a perfect game, but he would have been the second pitcher to throw one in a week; and the third of the year. Amazing. He had just watched his teammate make an amazing Willie Mays style grab in the outfield; and had a grin on his face like a school boy getting a piece of chocolate after class. It was his night. It kind of had to be. Guys were making killer plays, his location was flawless and he was only around his 80th pitch so his tank was still pretty full. He just had one batter left.
Everyone knows what happend next, right?
Jim Joyce was positioned on the first base line as he had been all night; and other nights during his twenty two year Major League career. He watched as Galarraga went through each batter in succession, making his calls when needed. It seemed like it was going to be a special night. It was, but not in the way I’m sure he thought. When that fateful hit was made, Joyce dug in and watched as runner and pitcher charged the bag. The ball was fielded clean and over to Galarraga himself, it was close but he was totally…
“Safe!”
What!? What did he say? Did he say safe? I couldn’t believe it, Galarraga couldn’t believe it; and pretty much the baseball watching world couldn’t believe it. A perfect game gone in an instant; off a bad call. No off “the most egregious blown call in baseball over the last 25 years” as Tyler Kepner from the New York Times put it.
As a matter of fact, you pretty much can’t go anywhere without hearing about this play. Every sports channel, station, writer and blogger have been pouring the hearts over just how bad it was. Many calling for Selig to reverse it, but all screaming about expanding instant replay, for Joyce to be fired; anything! I understand the frustration. My heart sank in that moment. I get that people feel that it wasn’t just Galarraga who was robbed, but them in a way as well. I understand that it just wasn’t suppose to end that way.
But it did.
What I haven’t heard is about the good side of the story. The side that actually teaches us something more than just about outs or replays. It’s the side that isn’t sexy or controversial, but it is the side that is needed and important. The Human Side.
After the call was made, the world exploded. People came out of the woodwork to attack Joyce. They screamed in his face, they called him some choice phrases that even the most beginner lip reader could get; and they beat him down with waving arms of frustration. Joyce took it all. He didn’t yell, didn’t respond, just accepted it. Keep in mind at this point he had no idea if he was wrong or right. He made a call that he felt was correct, but unlike the rest of us, he did not have the luxury of the repeated frame by frame replay that we saw. After the game was over the only thing he wanted to do was see for himself if he was right. Once he realized that he wasn’t, he broke down.
In business and in life we make mistakes. We will get the call wrong. BP has done nothing but get the call wrong since the explosion in the Gulf first took place. They spent the first four weeks blaming everyone except themselves for what is ultimately, their responsibility. The explosion and spill killed innocent people, destroyed thousands of sea life and has ended communitues of business. Jim Joyce missed a call in a baseball game. Yet he went out, found Armando Galarraga and with tears in his eyes, apologized.
“I just cost the kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw until I saw the replay. It was the biggest call of my career.”
For Galarraga’s part, the term “grace under fire” has nothing on this guy. Nolan Ryan, arguably one of the best pitchers in history who threw like a hundred No Hitters, never pitched a perfect game. Galarraga was one four letter word away from that fame, but when the call came down, he didn’t scream or jump up and down. What he did was go back on the mound and get the next batter out.
“I’m a calm person. At that moment, [I did] not get angry, I was more sad about it,” Galarraga said.
Sad, yes, but not rude. When Joyce came to him after the game to apologize, he accepted it, told him ”it was OK” and embraced him in a hug. In every interview since, he has been a class act. Constantly reassuring everyone that he is not going after Joyce or the call. He even appeared on the CBS “Early Show” Friday and said “nobody’s perfect,” that simple.At the end of the day Joyce didn’t hide from his error, he owned it. He displayed the kind of courage and ethics that only a true professional can have. It’s not easy being wrong, but it’s even harder admittingit, especially when it affects other people in such a negative way. Yet in every bad situation, there is always something that can be learned. What I learned was that we could all use a little of what Galarraga and Joyce has displayed. Couldn’t we BP?
Until Next Time….
Today's Poll: Do you think Armando Galarraga should be awarded a perfect game?
Do you think Armando Galarraga should be awarded a perfect game?
For those of you who might have missed the play:
Nominees wanted for inaugural class of college's new Sports Hall of Fame
The Genesee Community College Office of Alumni Affairs along with the Athletics Department are seeking nominations for the first class of inductees to the newly established Sports Hall of Fame.
The first class of honorees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a reception at the inaugural Homecoming celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2. The deadline for nominations is June 30.
The Selection Committee seeks to identify outstanding alumni athletes, teams or people involved in Genesee athletic service for induction into the new Sports Hall of Fame.
Inclusion in the Hall of Fame is the highest athletic honor that the college bestows on its alumni and supporters, and will recognize the outstanding athletic achievements of individuals and teams of every era who have fostered athletic achievement and sportsmanship at the college.
The criteria for nominating an individual or team to the Sports Hall of Fame are based on:
- Intercollegiate Athlete -- 30 credit hours earned while at GCC; at least five years of time must have lapsed outside GCC; and academic excellence and community service.
- Team -- Distinguished in a significant way either through school, regional or national championship or service.
- Athletic Service -- Any individual who has made a noteworthy contribution to the growth, development and success of GCC athletics. Consideration may include sustained leadership, service and/or support.
Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by friends, family, past team mates or other colleagues who are familiar with the nominee.
All nominations received by June 30 will be considered by the Selection Committee for the 2010 Sports Hall of Fame.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from Genesee Community College's athletics website (http://www.genesee.edu/_content/depts/athletics/Sports_Hall_of_Fame.pdf) and e-mailed or sent to Genesee Community College.
Please send all nominations to: Sports Information Director- Kristen Schuth, Genesee Community College, One College Road, Batavia, NY 14020 or email:<http://KESchuth@genesee.edu>.
Muckdogs announce 2010 promo schedule
The Batavia Muckdogs, Genesee County’s only professional sports franchise, has released its 2010 promotional schedule featuring fireworks, giveaways, special events, theme nights and daily promotions.
The fun will kick off three days prior to Opening Day with the very first pre-season “Pep Dog Rally” starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday June 16. This free event will be fans’ first chance to meet this year’s team.
It will feature games for the kids, local mascots, and prizes and raffles throughout the night. One highlight will be a homerun derby featuring local celebrities, including City Manager Jason Molino and Elba Town Supervisor Lucine Kauffman.
The Muckdogs will again offer fans a daily menu of money-saving promotions available throughout the season.
The Batavia Daily News will continue to sponsor Muckdog Mondays. Every Monday home game, fans can receive $1 discount off a general admission ticket when they redeem a coupon that runs in the Saturday edition of the newspaper.
On Tuesday nights, KRAFT Singles presents KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Fans can bring a KRAFT Singles wrapper to the Muckdogs box office for a buy one -- get one free ticket from KRAFT Singles. Visit kraftsingles.com for more details.
The Family Four Pack will take place on every Wednesday and is presented by Drug Free Communities. Fans can purchase four general admission tickets, four hot dogs, four 12 oz. sodas and a 2010 program for only $30, a savings of $12. Every Family Four Pack purchased will also receive a free prize pack courtesy of Drug Free Communities.
Fireworks will again light up the sky after every Friday night game at Dwyer Stadium, as well as on the annual Independence Day celebration on July 3.
Every Saturday will feature a pre-game concert in the concourse. These “Rock the Ballpark” events are presented by Tim Horton’s of Batavia and will feature New Buffalo Impact with Papa and Mama Root, an oldies rock 'n' roll tribute band, and original music recording artists. All performances begin at 6 p.m., weather permitting.
The Muckdogs will also play host to multiple unique events at Dwyer Stadium this summer.
On Saturday July 10, the Muckdogs will host the first “Festival of Muck," paying tribute to the mucklands in Elba. The night will feature muck wrestling, an onion giveaway, muck slip 'n' slide and a bobbing-for-onions contest. More details will be revealed at a later date.
The Muckdogs will have two Community Sleepovers on Saturday, July 10 and Saturday, July 17. Participants who buy their tickets in advance will be given a discount. Only 400 vouchers for sleeping on site will be given out for each night. For more details, fans can call the office at 343-5454.
Other games of note this season include:
Opening Day/Magnet Schedule Giveaway Saturday, June 19
Star Wars Night Saturday, June 26
Anti-Bullying Night Monday June 28
Museum Night at the Muckdogs – fans will learn about Friday, July 2
history of Genesee County
Free Buzz Cuts Friday July 16
Sun Visor Giveaway (1st 500 fans) Saturday, July 17
Renew Your Vows with Reverend Sick Sunday, July 18
Muckdogs Fans Fan Giveaway (1st 1000 fans) Friday July 30
Frisbee Giveaway (1st 500 fans) Saturday July 31
“Muckdog Gazette” Giveaway Monday, Aug. 2
Team Photo Giveaway I Saturday, Aug. 14
Belly Buster Night Monday, Aug. 30
Fireworks Nights will be: July 2 & 3, July 9, 16 and 30; Aug. 13; Sept. 3.
The Muckdogs open their 2010 home schedule at 7:05 p.m. on Saturday, June 19 vs. the Auburn Doubledays. For a complete 2010 promotional schedule, go to www.muckdogs.com or call the Muckdogs office at 343-5454.
Photos: Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament
For the past two days, young ball players from all over Western New York converged on the ball fields at MacArthur Park for the annual Michael Napoleone Memorial Baseball Tournament.
The tournament is named after a Batavia boy who succumbed to a form of leukemia and raises funds for a foundation in his name that assists families of children with cancer.
Ten teams in the 9-10 year old range and 10 teams in the 11-12 year old range competed. There was also a tournament for T-ball-age players.
More pictures after the jump:
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Photos: Horse show at Batavia Downs
There's a horse show going on at Batavia Downs. Riders from all over the northeast are in Batavia to test their skills and display their handsome mounts. If you've missed it, the show continues Sunday at 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
More photos after the jump:
A Sunny Day, a Fishing Rod, and Hungry Fish!
I have only fished a couple of times this year, so I took the opportunity to go out today and see what I could catch. I went to Godfrey's Pond and rented a rowboat for 2 hours, and then fished from shore for about another hour.
After 10 largemouth bass... I told myself that once I reached an even dozen, that I'd go home. And let me tell you... they were still biting when I left.
You say LEAVE??? When the fish are biting?? Are you nuts?!
Well... I had to work this afternoon. I had just enough time to post some pictures online, take a shower and eat lunch before I had to go to work.
Up until last year, I fished a lot! But in January 2009, I was dealing with a herniated disk in my neck and I could not fish. I had surgery for it that April, but my fishing was limited. This was the first time that I have rowed a boat since 2008. I am paying for it a little tonight. But it was worth it!
These are pictures of my first three catches. ( I stopped taking pictures after three!) The first two were very respectable fish! And well, actually, most of them that I caught today were good!
Here was my first one! Very nice Bass! They look to be healthy!
This is the second one. I took 2 pictures of it. The other picture is of it in the water.
And the third one. It may not be a monster, but I love this picture!
Former Muckdog says amphetamine suspension stems from misunderstanding
In an article about set backs to his career, Alan Ahmady, one of the Batavia Muckdog's most impressive young players last year, says that his current suspension for amphetamine stems from him taking some old prescription pills.
Ahmady was still in Fresno in mid-May because of yet another mistake. This one, though, he says, was a "misunderstanding of the rules." At the end of last season in Batavia, he was drug tested in mid-August and then notified in October that he had taken a performance-enhancing drug and was suspended 50 games.
"They said it was amphetamine," he says. "I was like, 'What's an amphetamine?' "
He says the test result was caused by Adderall, a drug he was once prescribed for attention-deficit disorder. While at Batavia, he'd started taking it again to help him focus on learning a new position: catcher. He contacted Bud Selig's office to appeal the decision, but because the pills were left over from an old prescription, he had no case.
In 67 games for Batavia in 2009, Ahmady hit .297 with a .407 OBP, 3 HR, 46 runs scored, and 32 RBI.
He's expected to join the Quad City RIver Bandits on May 31.
