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Muckdogs start week atop division with 5-2 record

By Howard B. Owens

Matt Carpenter and Ryde Rodriguez  each collected three hits while Xavier Scruggs homered to lead the Muckdogs to a 9-2 victory over Jamestown Saturday.

Sunday's game against Williamsport was rained out.

At 5-2, the Muckdog's are in first place in the Pinckney division, a half game ahead of Mahoning Valley.

Carpenter is leading the league with a .483 batting average. Rodriquez is the early RBI leader with nine.

The Muckdogs play a double header in Williamsport today (making up Sunday's rain out), and face Williamsport again tomorrow. The team returns home Wednesday and Friday to host Jamestown (with fireworks following Friday's game, of course).

Batavia Community Soccer Fields Host 1st Game Tonight

By Chad Flint

The Batavia Community Soccer Fields open tonight and host their first game which is a Rochester District Soccer League 2nd Division Men's game between Central Western United and the Rochester Rockets.  Central Western United is a team based out of Genesee County that is run by Alex Taille and Chad Flint and features many players from Genesee and Livingston Counties as well as some players from in and around the Monroe County area.

The game is at 6:30 and I would like to welcome anyone interested in seeing some great amateur soccer to stop out and see the game.  Central Western United won the 3rd division last year and was promoted to the 2nd division where we have continued our strong play remaining near the top of the table.  CWU also knocked off Red Stripe of the 1st division in the league cup before falling to Bristol Valley in the 2nd round.

CWU features many local college players on its roster.  I am on my way out to get ready for the game and will post more information about the team later on including a full roster.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the Batavia Community Fields for providing us with a great place to play our home games, especially Ted Hawley who has worked with me to assure that we have a place for our Men's and Women's team to play our home games.

If you come out to the game stop and say hi, I wear number 3 and usually play at either left or right back (defense for you non-soccer people).

When is youth football signup?

By Tina Palone

I have been looking, every week in the drummer, to find out whenyouth football signups are, does anyone know?

Williamsport Pitching Hands Batavia First Loss

By Mollie Radzinski

The offense wasn’t there for the Muckdogs (4-1) tonight, as they were handed their first loss of the season by Williamsport (3-3) ona slim 1-0 margin.

Crosscutter starter Siulman LeBron (2-0) had a brilliant start, going seven strong innings with only two hits and one walk while striking out ten for the win.

The one decisive run of the game came in the top of the 3rd for Williamsport.  Jiwan James had a two-out double and came home during the next at-bat on a base hit by Evan Porter.

Batavia pitching remained sharp despite the lack of run support.  Starter Tyler Leach (0-1) threw four innings with three hits, one run and one strikeout.  Relievers Christopher Corrigan and Josh Squatrito combined for only three hits, two walks and one strikeout.

Matt Carpenter made up most of the Muckdog offense, having 2 of the team’s 4 hits.

Batavia is on the road tomorrow to start a three game series with Jamestown.  They return home on Friday night at 7:05.

Rochester Erin's Isle vs Buffalo Fenians

By Peter O'Brien

Come on out on Sunday at 2pm to Center Park West in Perinton and watch me and the rest of the Rochester Erin's Isle battle it out in Midwest GAA action against the Buffalo Fenians

Gaelic Football is one of the most popular sports in Ireland.

For information about how the game is played visit this web site.

After the game join us in Fairport for the after party at Mulconry's Pub!


View Perinton Center Park West (CW3) in a larger map

BHS grad Gugel already moving up

By Brian Hillabush

Ryan Gugel, the Gulf Coast League barely got to know you.

The Batavia high grad who signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Phillies organization after the Major League Baseball Draft didn't get to play in the GCL Phillies opener because he's been promoted from the short-season rookie league to long-season A ball.

The catcher will make his professional debut with the Lakewood BlueClaws of the South Atlantic League.

The club is 42-26 and leading the Northern Division.

Fellow BHS grad Chris Page was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds organization, but has yet to sign a contract. The Reds drafted four first baseman and is waiting to offer him a contract until a position opens up.

Muckdogs Remain Perfect in Dramatic Fashion

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia (3-0) was down the entire game until it counted in the bottom of the 9th as they capitalized on Williamsport’s (2-1) mistakes to win 6-5.

The inning started with Santo Maertz (1-0) coming in to put the Crosscutter batters down on a lineout, strikeout and groundout while only allowing one hit.

Matt Carpenter started off the bottom of the inning with a single before Xavier Scruggs was hit by a pitch.  Ryde Rodriguez then reached on a fielder’s choice that moved Carpenter to third.  With Niko Vasquez batting next, catcher David Doss let a ball by him in the dirt that let Carpenter come home to end the game.

Williamsport took a 4-0 lead in the third, but Batavia answered with two of their own.  Jairo Martinez doubled deep to center and came home on a Jack Cawley single.  Cawley then came in to score later on a ground ball by Ryan Jackson.

However, the Crosscutters expanded their lead once more adding one more run in on a RBI triple by Jiwan James to make it 5-2.

Once again, though, the Muckdogs answered with another two of their own.  Scruggs singled and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch by Reginal Simon.  Martinez got a RBI in the next at bat off a base hit.

But Batavia wasn’t finished.  They tied things up at 5-5 in the 8th starting with another single by Martinez.  Beau Riportella then came in to pinch run, stealing second and coming home on a single by Cawley.

Eric Fornataro threw 4 innings in the start, allowing five runs on six hits with just one walk and one strikeout.

Martinez went a perfect 3-for-3 on the night with a double, walk, one RBI and one run scored.  Cawley went 2-for3 with a walk, a RBI and a run scored.

The two teams face each other again Tuesday night at Dwyer at 7:05 p.m.

Batavia Pitchers Hold Auburn to One Hit in 5-1 Win

By Mollie Radzinski

Starter Michael Blazek and relievers Dan Calhoun and LaCurtis Mayes held the Doubledays to one run and one hit while the Muckdog offense broke open the game in the first with four runs to keep Batavia perfect at 2-0.

Beau Riportella sparked the rally with a lead off single.  Matt Carpenter followed with a single.  Xavier Scruggs reached on an error by the third baseman while Riportella came around to score the first run.  Havana, Cuba-born Ryde Rodriguez then smacked a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to make it 4-1.

Blazek (1-0) went five innings in the start, letting up one run and one hit with two walks and four strikeouts for the win.  Calhoun threw the next three innings with no hits, one walk and two strikeouts.  Mayes kept things perfect in the 9th as all three batters were retired on two groundouts and a strikeout to end the game.

The only run and hit for the Doubledays came in the 1st inning when Eric Eiland reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and came home on another fielder’s choice.

Batavia increased their lead by one in the 6th on a single by Rodriguez and a RBI single by Luis De La Cruz.

Rodriguez finished the day 2-for-4 with a homerun and 3 RBIs.  Jairo Martinez also went 2-for-4 and Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

The win puts Batavia at 2-0 and drops Auburn to 0-2.  The Williamsport Crosscutters come into town tomorrow for a three game series.

*For some reason I am still having trouble uploading videos, but will have them to you as soon as I figure it out!

Winning Ways Continue in Season Opener

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia came alive on Auburn’s inefficiency in the bottom of the 7th to break a 1-1 tie to start the season with a 6-1 win.

After David Miller loaded the bases on three consecutive walks, lead off hitter D’Marcus Ingram was hit by a pitch to break the tie.  Ryan Jackson followed with a sacrifice fly to score one.  Randy Schwartz then had a costly error that plated another and put runners on second and third.  Familiar Muckdog Xavier Scruggs then emptied the bases on a 2-run double to make the score 6-1 after 7 innings.

Justin Edwards (1-0) got the win, pitching three innings in relief with one hit and three strikeouts.  Starter Kevin Siegrist looked sharp through the first four innings, only allowing one run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

The Doubledays were first to score at Dwyer this season on a solo homerun by Schwartz in the 3rd.  But that would be all the Auburn offense on the night.

The Muckdogs answered right back in the bottom of the 3rd when Jackson walked and reached home after back-to-back singles by Niko Vazquez and Scruggs.

Dan Richardson shut the Doubledays down in the 9th to secure the win.

Offensively, Scruggs had the only multi-hit night for Batavia, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

The two teams face each other again tomorrow night in Auburn and close out the series Sunday back in Batavia.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:30.

Batavia Muckdogs poised to open 2009 season

By Howard B. Owens

Fans and media were invited out to Dwyer Stadium this evening to meet the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs.  I spoke with manager Mark DeJohn briefly about his new team and snapped a couple of pictures of the work out, including one of DeJohn giving one of his players some instruction on glove work.

Back at Dwyer...

By Mollie Radzinski

 Hey everyone!

As some of you already know, I'm back interning with the Muckdogs again this year.  My jobs have changed some, though.  I am primarily doing media work.  I'll have game stories after every game, feature stories throughout the season and I'll post a new player interview every Monday.

Feedback from fans is key!  Let me know if there's anything you want to know about, any players you want to hear from, any story ideas, etc.  I will try my best to do it all!

I have one pre-season feature story done, but my video is taking really long to upload, but I'll have that to you as soon as I can.

And don't forget: Open House tonight from 6-8 and of course the Home Opener Friday at 7! Hope to see you all there! :)

Youth Cheer Camps Scheduled For This Summer

By Patricia Hawley

Cheerleading Camps for children ages 5 through 18 are being scheduled for this summer, beginning June 29 and continuing through August 12. Various age levels can participate in the cheerleading camps, which will be held at the Community Park located on Bank Street Road (at the E. Saile Dr. intersection) in Batavia. Camps include:

· Youth Cheer: Three levels for ages 5 – 7, 8 – 10, and 11 – 13. Participants will learn the fundamentals of cheerleading, sideline cheers, dance, and basic stunting and tumbling. One-week camps runs Monday through Wednesday from

9:00 a.m.- Noon. Cost: $100.
5-7 year old Cheer Academy Camp: June 30 – July 1 OR July 20 – 22
8-10 year old Cheer Academy Camp: July 6 – 8 OR July 27 – 29
11-13 year old Cheer Academy Camp: July 13 – 15 OR August 3 - 5 
 

· Cheerleading Boot Camp: For ages 13 – 18. This camp is designed for the cheerleader who wishes to prepare for high-school try-outs this fall. The camp includes intense stretching and conditioning, jump & sequence, tumbling and basic stunting. (Note: this camp runs twice a week – on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1 – 3 p.m. from July 6 - 29.) Cost: $200; Two-week option (July 20 – 29) $125 

All camps are organized by GeneseExcel Sports and will be run by Krista Shamp, former Batavia High School Cheerleading coach. Shamp led two teams to championship titles; the first-ever win in Section V history for Batavia Cheerleading. She also is a five-time Section V Coach of the Year. “My staff and I are devoted to inspiring young athletes to understand and enjoy the sport of cheerleading. We have many years of experience collectively ranging from high school cheerleading to college national teams, All-Star performances to professional cheerleading. My hope is that we can bring a new level of expertise and spirit to local cheerleading.”

GeneseExcel is a privately owned company dedicated to providing Genesee County with recreational opportunities. Ted Hawley, owner of GeneseExcel, has been involved with youth soccer for over 15 years. He also has 30 years of experience with rugby – as a player and a referee. “I think there’s a need for athletic camps and clinics in this area, especially during the summer months, when many kids are training for school sports. GeneseExcel is committed to providing building blocks to not only develop skills, but to enhance the skills they may already have.

Applications will be accepted until July1. For additional information about cheerleading camps, or GeneseExcel soccer camps, please contact Ted or Patty Hawley at 585.343.3329 or email info@geneseexcelsports.com.

Summer Soccer Camps Planned for Area Youth

By Patricia Hawley

 YOUTH SOCCER ADACEMY PROVIDE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

 GeneseExcel Sports is pleased to offer soccer camps for children ages 8 – 18 this summer. Four separate sessions begin Thursday, July 16 and continue through Saturday, August 8. All camps are held from 9:00 a.m. – Noon and include a free t-shirt for participants.
 
“Our youth camps will focus on the building blocks of soccer, particularly the habit-forming fundamentals of the game,” according to Ted Hawley, GeneseExcel owner and camp coach-coordinator. Practices will cover dribbling & first touch; passing techniques; shooting & finishing; understanding & movement off the ball; and more. In addition, teamwork and sportsmanship will be emphasized daily.
 
Camps include:
  • First Session: Ages 8 & 9 boys and girls July 16 - 18. Cost: $100
  • Second Session: Ages 10 & 11 boys and girls July 23 - 25. Cost: $100
  • Third Session: Ages 12 & 13 boys and girls August 6 - 8. Cost: $100
  • GeneseExcel’s 2009 Premier Soccer Camp featuring former Lady Rhino’s Captain and current Elmira College Varsity Women’s soccer coach Liz Masterson. Ages 9-17, July 30 – Aug. 1. This camp is designed for the advanced player who wishes to strengthen his/her skills while improving their technical and tactical awareness in a competitive environment. They will learn the work ethic that will take them to the next level. Cost: $130
 Masterson was a four year member of the Women’s Soccer program at St. Lawrence University. Throughout her time with the Saints, Masterson garnered a variety of honors both on and off the field. She was a four-time First Team All-Liberty League award winner, a First Team East Regional honoree in 2002, and a First Team NSCAA All-American selection in 2003. In the summer of 2005, Masterson made the jump to the professional level playing for the Massachusetts Stingers of the Women’s Professional Soccer League. After one season with the Stingers, she then joined the Rochester Rhinos in April of 2006 where she captained the Semi-Professional team through its first two seasons of existence.  
 
GeneseExcel is a privately owned company dedicated to providing Genesee County with recreational opportunities. Hawley has been involved with youth soccer for over 15 years and is past Coaching Director and President of Genesee Lancer’s – the area’s elite travel club. He presently serves as assistant coach for the Lancers’ U-15 league as well. He coached in the Genesee Amateur Soccer Association for seven years and served as assistant for the Batavia High School Girls Varsity soccer team. A long-time devotee of local rugby, Hawley has over 30 years of experience as both a player and a referee and currently serves as treasurer for the NYS Rugby Referee’s Society.  
 
Applications will be accepted until July 10. Free T-shirt for participants who register by July 1. For more information call: 585-343-3329 or info@geneseexcelsports.com

Muckdogs catcher from last season cut to make room for draftees

By Howard B. Owens

Christian Rosa was signed last June by the St. Louis Cardinals out of an independent league and assigned to the Batavia Muckdogs.

It was a dream come true for the undrafted Puerto Rican native, and he was a contributor to the 2009 championship season.

In 32 games, Rosa batted .286 with four doubles, two homers, 12 RBI and four stolen bases.

As the June draft approached this year, Rosa was cut by the Cardinals to make room for new players.  He said he was surprised to be let go.

"I never thought I was going to get released,” Rosa said. “Everybody was telling me that I was doing great."

Batavia manager Mark DeJohn says Rosa indeed did everything right. But the lack of a strong throwing arm resulted in his release.

 

“I absolutely loved having Christian on my team. We won a championship that honestly means more to me than any World Series or other league championship rings I have, and Christian was a big part of that,” DeJohn said. “To be a kid who was undrafted and coming out of an independent league, he was just outstanding in a lot of areas.

 

“He received the ball well, blocked it well, called a good game, did a good job with the bat and ran well for a catcher. It’s just that his arm is well below average, and that’s heartbreaking because Christian is the type of kid you really get attached to.”

 

Tenative roster for 2009 Batavia Muckdogs published

By Howard B. Owens

The Cardinals Nation blog has posted a tentative roster for the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs, and fans will recognize a few names from last year, including one of my favorites - Beau Riportella.

Other returning Muckdogs include: pitchers LaCurtis Mayes and Dan Richardson, catcher Luis De La Cruz, infielders Jairo Martinez and Xavier Scruggs with outfielder Edwin Gomez.

The roster also includes some top draft picks: fifth-rounder Ryan Jackson, eighth-round pick Jason Stidham and ninth-round selection Nick McCully.

Ryde Rodriquez, signed as a free-agent out of Havana, Cuba, is also on the roster. In 2008 in rookie ball, Rodriquez hit .324 but otherwise failed to impress at either Johnson City last season or Quad Cities so far this year.

Besides the returning Muckdogs, 11 of the other players have previous professional experience.

And, I'm telling you, if Riportella develops plate discipline (not just "some discipline" but any discipline), he'll be a hell of a hitter.  Last year he struck out 32 times against only 3 walks.

You can come out to Dwyer Stadium tomorrow night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and meet members of the team.  The season opens Friday at 7 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium.

UPDATE: Here's a post about a Muckdog from last year who won't be back in 2009 with the Muckdogs or any other Cardinals team.

Ryan Gugel reports to Florida to begin professional baseball career

By Howard B. Owens

Local baseball fans will be disappointed to learn that newly-minted professional ballplayer, and Batavia High grad, Ryan Gugel likely won't be playing any of his games in Batavia this summer.

The slugging catcher who signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies last week has reported to Clearwater, Fla., in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, according to the D&C..

The Phillies also have an affiliate in the New York-Penn League, the Williamsport Crosscutters, and it's possible Gugal could make his way to that Batavia Muckdog rival at some point this season or next. Though his next step could just as easily be the Lakewood BlueClaws or the Clearwater Thrashers.

Meanwhile, fellow Batavia High grad Chris Page, taken in the 50th round of the June Draft by the Cincinnati Reds, has yet to sign a contract.  The Reds have rookie-level and Class A affiliates in Sarasota, Fla., Billings, Mont. and Dayton, Ohio.

Batavia Muckdogs Season Opener with Fireworks!

By Russ Salway

The Batavia Muckdogs open their 2009 season at Dwyer  Stadium June 19th at 7:05! Cheer on our hometown 2008 NY-Penn league champs as they return for another great season!  The Muckdogs are facing their thruway rivals the Auburn Doubledays with post-game fireworks! Let's Go Muckdogs!!!  

Event Date and Time
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Meet the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs Thursday at Dwyer Stadium

By Russ Salway

Hey MUCKDOGNATION!!! You and your friends and family are all invited to an open house this Thursday June 18th at Dwyer Stadium from 6pm-8pm. Meet the players, watch practice, get autographs or shop at the team store! Gates open at 6pm and its free and open to everyone! Bring your camera and get some pictures of the new St. Louis Cardinals 2009 draft picks!!! Also don't forget the season opener is this Friday the 19th at 7:05pm with fireworks!!!  Let's fill the stands and make this a record breaking season attendance this year!  LET'S GO MUCKDOGS!

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