The region's most dedicated basketball players are in the midst of a six-week basketball camp conducted by Batavia's Head Coach Buddy Brasky and his staff. Today, varsity level players were working at Batavia Middle School and the JV players were at Batavia High School.
There are players participating from every high school in Genesee County, as well as players from Wyoming County and Buffalo.
Batavia Downs opened its 71st season Wednesday night with a big crowd and record purses for drivers.
Todd Haight, director of living racing, said the Downs has been able to boost the purses because increased revenue from the gaming floor and the concert series this summer helped bring more people to Batavia Downs, and also generated revenue that could add to the purse pool.
The bigger purses mean more big name drivers. This season, Ake Svanstedt, from Sweden, and Jason Bartlett joined the field.
The track also moved up start times this season. Haight said the new start time is closer to the final race time for the thoroughbreds at other tracks, so OTB betters around the state are more likely to stick around for harness racing. That means bigger prize pools for wagers, Haight said.
This is also the first full season the Batavia Downs Hotel has been open, and on opening night for the race season, all the rooms were booked, Haight said.
He also highlighted the food service at the gaming facility and the special promotions that will be taking place throughout the year.
“We really think it’s going to be another good year,” Haight said.
Ake Svanstedt won the fourth race driving Natalie Hanover.
Batavia High School's Tee Sean Ayala, one of the Blue Devils' stars on the court, posted some big games in the national AAU D1 championships in Florida this week.
Playing in the senior division, though he's coming into his junior year, Ayala scored in double digits in four of the six games he played in as his team, the Rap Stars, went 4-3, made the Elight Eight, and finished sixth in the tournament.
(Ayala, back row, far right, in uniform.)
Photo submitted by Jason Ball. Article by Jason Ball.
Champions!!!! Is the new title for a group of Pembroke baseball players who won the annual 10U Nunda baseball tournament this Sunday in Nunda.
The tournament was composed of seven teams Pembroke, Arkport, Campbell, Nunda, Letchworth, Perry and Wayland.
The tournament started on Tuesday night with Pembroke facing off against Nunda.
Nunda took the first game 16-10.
"It was a good tough fought game, our team grinded back but we came up short," said Jason Ball, head coach of the Dragons. "My assistants Jason Hootman, Jeff Abbatiello and I made a few changes stayed positive with our players and kept at it. Our team is resilient, and we believe we work harder than anyone out there and it shows on days like this."
The Dragons went on to beat Letchworth 8-4 in the next round and tied with them for first place in their pool.
Nunda, Letchworth, and Pembroke were all tied 1-1.
Nunda had 26 runs against Letchworth and Pembroke each had 20 runs against; a coin flip would decide the #1 seed and Pembroke won.
Ready to battle into the semifinals, Pembroke would take on #2 seed Campbell and come out victorious in a 6-3 final.
The Championship game would be decided Sunday between Pembroke and Perry.
"It was a fantastic game," Ball said. "Our boys came right out in the first inning and put two runs on the board and never looked back."
The Dragons won the matchup 10-4 to take the trophy back to their hometown.
"As a tournament coach, you have to ask yourself 'what is our goal?' Ours originally was to just get experience, then we were competitive, then we won. What more can you ask for from 9- and 10-year-old kids? These are a fantastic group of kids and the great thing about this team is there is only three 10-year-olds so our team is young and hungry for the game. Two of our 10-year-olds were the ace pitchers of the tournament."
Owen Hootman and Evan Schwerthoffer each pitched 12 innings in the tournament and combined for an impressive total of 55 strikeouts.
"These two boys have been our pitchers for the last two years and have worked very hard at their craft to be this successful," Bell said.
Kylan Ball led the way at the plate with eight hits .667 average, five RBIs, seven stolen bases, eight runs scored and four doubles.
"Our boys brought out the bats," Ball said.
Trey Newton had three extra base hits and hit .600. Anthony Abbatiello had seven hits, for a .467 average. Aiden Baldulf, Owen Hootman, and Evan Schwerthoffer all hit over .400.
The Pembroke team: Head Coach Jason Ball, assistant coaches Jason Hootman and Jeff Abbatiello, Players: Trey Newton, Kylan Ball, Owen Hootman, Evan Schwerthoffer, Anthony Abbatiello, Nolan Ball, Owen Shultz, Aiden Balduf, Brien Tyoe, Jayden Bridge, Landen Santini and Dylan Vaughn.
By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs
The 71st season of live harness racing at America’s oldest lighted track opens on Wednesday (July 26) and runs through Saturday (Dec. 16). This year’s schedule features 71 race dates including seven matinee cards.
The live schedule this year has new post times. Racing will be presented on Sunday afternoons at 1:15 p.m., opening Wednesday at 6 p.m. (then switches to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays for the remainder of the meet) and Friday and Saturday evenings at 6 p.m. to begin the season. Monday will replace Sunday in September and go at 5 p.m.
The finest standardbreds in the Empire State will be on hand as the New York Sire Stakes will be making eight stops at the Downs this year, each worth an estimated $100,000 for the contestants. Mark your calendars for Wednesday (July 26), Sunday (July 30), Sunday (Aug. 6), Sunday (Aug. 27), Friday (Sept. 1), Wednesday (Sept. 6), Friday (Sept. 8) and Wednesday (Sept. 13) to see some of the best racing all year.
Once again the local action will be highlighted by the very popular claiming series that the track introduced last year. Mid-level claimers who accumulate points throughout the year will vie for championship final purses of between $15,000 and $20,000 for each respective division in November.
Many familiar faces will be returning to drive this year including last year’s dash title winner Drew Monti, runner-up Jim Morrill Jr., Ray Fisher Jr. and Larry Stalbaum.
Monti accumulated 117 wins at the Downs last year before moving to the Meadowlands to drive when this meet concluded. Morrill was right behind him in second with 112 tallies and Fisher was third with 98. Stalbaum never showed up at the Downs until Saturday (Nov. 5) but made the most of his cameo appearance by winning 32 races in only 18 nights.
This year all four are sporting equally impressive numbers and the competition on the track looks to be fierce from start to finish. To date, Stalbaum has won 206 races, earned $1.08 million and has a UDR of .372, Monti has won 155 races, earned $964,900 and has a UDR of .304, Morrill has won 132 races, earned $1.01 million and has a UDR of .333 and Fisher has won 109 races, earned $705,458 and has a UDR of .319.
“The start of a new meet is always busy and exciting and I am really looking forward to getting the horses back on the track” said Todd Haight, director/GM of Live Racing. “We have some great stake action on tap, a good overnight program in place and a very tough driver colony that competes very hard every race. This is definitely a meet that will offer value for our bettors.”
For the fans, another lengthy slate of 20 promotions dots the live schedule and offers something for everyone that comes to Batavia Downs all year long.
Starting at 4:30 p.m. on opening night, fans will receive a free racing programs and magnetic racing schedules while supplies last. Programs will be available at the program stands and the magnets can be obtained by swiping your Player’s Club card at member services.
Sunday (July 30) is Old Fashion Day when hot dogs and soft drinks are only 50 cents and draft beer is $1. Items are available from noon to 4 p.m. on the track apron and at the Homestretch Grill. Batavia Downs is the only harness track that still offers concession items at this price during the Old Fashion Day promotion.
Every Sunday in August is Dollar Sunday. Draft beer, hot dogs and soft drinks will all be $1 from noon until the final race of the afternoon.
On Saturday (Aug. 12) there is a great promotion to highlight the newest addition to the track, The Hotel at Batavia Downs. Starting after the fifth race and for four consecutive races after that, 12 names will be randomly drawn to win a free night’s stay at the beautiful new facility. Any Player’s Club member who swipes their card before 7 p.m. will be automatically entered to win. Patrons do not have to be present to win and can only win once.
There will be a gold rush at the Downs on Saturday (Aug. 19) when five sealed boxes will be given away to randomly drawn contestants. Four will contain a one ounce silver bar but one will contain a one ounce pure gold bar valued at $1,500. The promotion is sponsored by TAG Jewelers of Cheektowaga (www.tagjewelers.com ). Any Player’s Club member who swipes their card before 7 p.m. will be automatically entered to win.
Sunday (Aug. 27) is the very popular Family Fun Day and Wiener Dog races. There is a full slate of free fun for kids of all ages including pony rides sponsored by Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (www.castilonechryslerdodgejeep.net ), Pringles the Clown, Jason the Juggler, Mr. Scribbles and booths set up on the apron including face painting, sand art and sno-cones.
Then following the live harness racing action, the Wiener dogs hit the track for the “Dachshund Dash” sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia. Up to 10 heats with eight dogs per heat will line up before the championship field is decided. There, the top three dogs will earn their owners Clubhouse buffets and gaming Free Play packages valued up to $200. And all dogs entered will be rewarded with a “doggy bag” full of gifts.
Labor Day (Sept. 4) brings back the annual drivers' bike race and chicken bar-b-que. A tradition since 1975 the drivers' bike race pits eight of the Downs' top reinsmen against each other on a different kind of bike; a 10-speed. The contest is held after the seventh live harness race and the bikes are randomly given away after the race to eight lucky patrons who correctly put their name in the box of the winning driver. Entry slips will be distributed between noon and 2:30 p.m. and must be deposited before the seventh race. Winners must be present to win.
The bike race is sponsored by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield (www.crazycheapcars.com ) and the chicken bar-b-que is sponsored by the Center Street Smoke House of Batavia (www.centerstreetsmokehouse.com ).
“With the new hotel added to the property last year, many groups have been here for different functions. We have aggressively promoted live racing to them and are looking forward to many new fans attending starting this Wednesday night,” Haight said. “Our concert series has brought in tens of thousands of people this summer, many of which were new to the track. We hope our promotions keep them coming back to watch the races all season long.”
For more information and updates as they happen, log onto the track's website at www.bataviadownsgaming.com and click on “Live Racing.” Follow us on Facebook as well (www.facebook.com/bataviadownsracetrack )!
The Batavia Jr. Blue Devil Summer Basketball Camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 14-18 at the John Kennedy School gymnasium.
The camp is open to boys and girls entering grades 3 through 8 in the fall. Cost is $65 and includes a camp T-shirt.
Campers are asked to bring their own basketball and put their name on it.
The camp will feature Coach Jim Fazio, the Batavia Jr. Blue Devil youth director, and youth coaches and current and former Blue Devil players.
The focus will be on the offensive fundamentals of the game, including shooting, passing, dribbling, and ball handling, with a major emphasis on shooting. There will be daily contests with full court and half court games.
Please note that Batavia City School District is not responsbile for any injury that may happen during camp.
Checks should be made payable to: Batavia Boys Basketball Boosters; mail to Jim Fazio, 5190 Ellicott Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020.
To contact Coach Fazio, call 356-0901 or email jfazio@gvboces.org
With payment, please provide the following information and include a parent's or guardian's signature:
John Kennedy School is located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.
Fathers and sons met in a baseball game at Williams Park today.
The Dads were down 7-5 going into their last at bat and they ended up winning 8-7.
The game was organized by Eddie Betances.
Participating were: Anthony Beckman, Dylan Beckman, Jason Harasimowicz, Michael Harasimowicz, Mark Harasimowicz, Quinten Betances, Eddie Betances, Andy Laforce, Matt Beach, Bubba Beach, Lazavier Beach, Cory and Zach McDonald, Dan and Peyton Armison, Ian and Landon Schultz, Joe Gufell Jr. and Sr., and Ryan Aimee.
Photos and info submitted by Daniel Armison.
It was standing room only, with as many as 70 cars entered, for the 2017 Demolition Derby at the Genesee County Fair on Friday night.
Press release:
For the second year, UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute (WCI) will host Survivors Night on Friday, July 28 at Dwyer Stadium with the Batavia Muckdogs. Anyone who has been impacted by cancer is invited, including patients, survivors and caregivers.
The game starts at 7:05 p.m. and fireworks will follow.
More than 15.5 million cancer survivors are living in the United States today and that number is expected to exceed 20 million by 2026. In Genesee County alone, approximately 400 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. The purpose of Survivors Night is to unite those impacted by cancer to celebrate cancer survivorship.
“Cancer is something that touches almost everyone at some point in life and Survivors Night is a way for us all to come together for a fun family night to celebrate life beyond cancer,” says Tiffany Paine-Cirrincione, associate director, Advancement and Community Events for Wilmot Cancer Institute.
“We encourage anyone in the community who is a cancer survivor or patient, or who has loved or cared for someone with cancer, to join us.”
Tickets for the game cost $4 each, and participants receive a Wilmot Warrior Walk T-shirt for each ticket purchased. They can be purchased at WCI Batavia, 262 Bank St., Batavia. Questions can be directed to Karen Soria at (585) 344-3050.
Press release:
Do you have a speedy Dachshund? That’s what Batavia Downs officials are wondering as they have announced that registration is opening for the 2017 Genesee Feeds Dachshund (“Wiener Dog”) races that will be held on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 27).
All entered dogs will receive a doggie bag of gifts courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia. The owners of all heat winners will receive $25 in gaming Free Play and the top three finishers in the championship race will receive Clubhouse buffet certificates and $100, $75 and $50 (first through third) in Free Play for the gaming floor. The winner’s total prize package including the gaming Free Play is valued at $200.
Dachshund owners wishing to participate should call Batavia Downs Wiener Dog race coordinator Arna Tygart at (585) 343-3750, ext. 6437, or Sara Tenney, ext. 6430, and leave a message. Staff will call back to confirm. The races are limited to the first 80 dogs that register.
The Wiener Dog races will begin at approximately 4:15 p.m. and are the final event on the annual Family Fun Day at the Races at America’s oldest lighted harness racetrack. Admission and parking are free.
T.F. Brown's Blind Squirrels beat Wii Not Fit 12-11 last night to take the Co-Ed Softball Championship at Kibbe Park.
Mike Jamil provided the game summary:
Eddie Davis' big game was not enough as Wii Not Fit loses in the bottom of the seventh inning by one, as Lee hits walk-off opposite field single.
Everybody contributed for the T.F. Brown's Blind Squirrels, that's for certain.
Fava gets his first ever title in any league anywhere, breaking his mush curse.
Jamil finally breaks his coed curse.
Wii Not Fit, though they always look like they're overmatched and the underdogs, keep that grit, which got them to a #2 seed regular season although preseason picked to be no higher than the #5 seed.
An evenly matched game throughout with a muckyish outfield -- left by the flood at Kibbe Park not even a week prior -- wasn't keeping these two teams filled with non-prima donnas off the field.
Davis burned Jamil badly in the first, which led to his immediate benching, costing the team with pathetic fielding. Safe to say he redeemed himself at the plate, returning the favor by not being dead weight, thank God. (Corny third-person talk since I'm the one writing this.)
Over 10 hours of HAND rolling and almost 72 hours of sun made this night possible.
Couldn't believe the number of spectators tonight even.
Members of the winning team are Ronnie Sumeriski, Mike Jamil, Pat Fava, Jackie Janes, Jarad Lee, Heidi Dempsey, Mike Badami, Chester Harrington, Ariel Ford, Chelsey Ruzewski, Lacy Leto, as well as Kirsten Rowland and Jerry Dykstra, who were unable to participate in the title game but were vital cogs all season long for the T.F. Brown's Blind Squirrels.
For more pics go to: Visit Steve Ognibene's photography site.
Press release:
Assistant Golf Professional Mike Eichner urged golfers to use common sense when negotiating the Stafford Country Club course during the 41st Annual Arc of Genesee Orleans Lullo Memorial Tournament. Although the weather was picture perfect Monday, recent heavy rains resulted in areas along the 96-year-old course that was a little challenging.
“In the end, it was a great day of golf for the Arc,” Eichner said.
The tournament also features tennis and bocce divisions.
In golf play, Jonathan Tretter and Marc Ramos came out on top, both shooting a 77. Low gross honors for women went to Tina Lambert with an 84.
In the low net category, Bryan Countryman and Paul Marchese tied at 64, and Ed Shultz was close behind with 65. Francesca Fuller had a low net score of 73 for women.
In the blind bogey competition, Alan Saskowski matched the blind bogey number drawn of 74.
The hole-in-one contest on 8 was sponsored by Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Unfortunately, no one shot an ace to drive away with a 2017 Ram Pickup Express.
In other contests on the course, Zach Fuller won the longest drive on 15 and honors for longest putt on 11went to Dan Burnham who sank a 60’ 5” putt! In the closest to the pin contests, John Curtiss won a golf bag, courtesy of C.H. Wright on 8 (20’2”); Marc Ramos earned top prize on 12, a Red Osier Gift Certificate; Paul Barton won a Schwinn bicycle, donated by Adam Miller Toy and Bicycle in the top prize on 14(15’6”). The contests on #11 and #12 this year honored the memory of Ralph Houseknecht, a disability advocate and Arc supporter who passed away in 2016. Three generations of the Houseknecht family were represented at the tournament on Monday, the same day an engraved stone was installed on the course in his memory between the 12th tee box and a walking bridge that also bears his name.
In bocce, the first-place team representing ESL Federal Credit Union was Jim Miller, Jenna Holota, Mary Blevins and Dan Basch.
In tennis, first-place team honors went to Steve Clemm and Paul Hiscutt. Second-place team went to Diane Bonarigo and Jerry Reinhart. Bonarigo also earned top score in the tennis division.
Gold sponsors of the event were Turnbull Heating & Air-Conditioning, Graham Corporation, MTE Turf Equipment Solutions/Tom & Lynn Houseknecht, Crickler Vending, One Group, Relph Benefit Advisors and Tompkins Bank of Castile /Insurance Agencies/ Financial Advisors. Silver sponsors were: Batavia Turf, The Daily News, The Bonadio Group, Oakfield Family Medical Care, Alpina Foods, Erie and Niagara Insurance Association, In Memory of Ralph Houseknecht, Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Tops Friendly Markets, Bessey Tools, Parkview Health Services, Genesee Valley PennySaver and Manning Napier, One Group and The Insurance Center.
Also supporting the event were 12 golf sponsors, three tennis sponsors, seven bocce sponsors and seven Friend of Arc Tournament sponsors. Door prizes, silent, and Chinese auction items were donated by dozens of area businesses. The 2017 cart sponsors were Philadelphia Insurance and Pinnacle Manufacturing.
A total of 124 golfers, eight tennis players, and 36 bocce players participated in the annual event that raises money to benefit programs and service for people with disabilities served by Arc of Genesee Orleans.
The winner of the $1,000 cash drawing was Ron Brueckner with ticket number 15341. The ticket seller was Deb Hinze, of Batavia.
The Arc of Genesee Orleans Lullo Memorial Tournament is named in memory of Danny Lullo, a local businessman who came up with the idea to hold a tournament to benefit Genesee ARC programs and services for people with disabilities in our community. The Tournament is the longest-running charity event at the local private country club.
Ed Carney is the event chairman. Peggy Lamb chairs tennis and Deb Fischer chairs bocce.
Blue Devils Head Coach Brennan Briggs has been leading a two-day summer football camp for young players in grades one through eight at Batavia High School. The camp features various offensive and defensive drills to help the kids learn football fundamentals.
Today winds up with a flag football game, pizza and a T-shirt for each participant.
UPDATE: Submitted group photo from the end of the camp
Photo by Tim Motyka, head coach of the Batavia Minor League Red Sox, which was the youth baseball team last night to take the field with the Batavia Muckdogs.
Press release:
Today’s game between the Batavia Muckdogs and Lowell Spinners has been canceled due to wet and unsafe field conditions.
As the two teams do not meet again this season, this game will not be made up at any time during the season. Any person with tickets to today’s game can exchange their tickets for any other regular season game, subject to availability.
It's the middle of summer, but it's not too soon to start thinking about high school football -- the players are getting ready.
Batavia Head Coach Brennan Briggs sent in this picture of some of his team who participated yesterday in 7-on-7 drills yesterday as they get ready to defend three straight Section V championships this season.
Also participating in the drills were Elba/Oakfield-Alabama, Gates, Churchville, Alden and Albion.
The 7-on-7s take place every Tuesday.
There are 11 versus 11 drills on Thursday at Cal-Mum.
Alex Canty, who excelled in baseball at Batavia High School, through his senior season in 2016, announced on Twitter yesterday that he has committed to Southeast Missouri State.
That gives the infielder a shot at playing Division I baseball.
Canty played his 2017 season at Monroe Community College, where he hit .357, with eight home runs, 53 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and 18 walks. His on-base percentage was .418.
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