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Game Day Opener - Pembroke Dragons host Batavia Bulldawgs

By Rick Franclemont

Saturday marked the opening of the 2012-2013 Football season for many area youth football leagues. 

We visited Pembroke to see the Dragons host the Bulldawgs.

Below is the scoring for the Bulldawgs, we are still waiting for the official names for the Dragons and will update it as it is supplied.

 

For the Bulldagws beginner squad- JaVon McFollins had 2 touchdowns & Mekhi Fortes added another.

 

For the Bulldawgs Mini Squad Zach Gilebarto scored the lone touchdown.

 

And for the Bulldawgs JV Squad Colton Dillon had 4 touchdowns & Ethan Biscaro added 2 touchdowns

 

 

 

More pictures from all four games can be found at Francletography.com

 

 

BHS runner sets new course record in Elba 5K

By Howard B. Owens

Ty Demmer of Batavia High School ran a new course record of 17:32 in the 3rd Annual Elba 5K this morning.

Jackie Moyer of Aquinas High School was the female winner with a time of 22:58.

Full results available by click here.

Photos provided by Dave Bateman.

East Pembroke makes major upgrade to pit for 2012 ATV mud races

By Howard B. Owens

It's going to be a whole new ball game at the East Pembroke Mud Races this year.

After a nearly $10,000 renovation to the mud pit, organizers expect the races to be more fair, more competitive and safer.

The event, sponsored by the East Pembroke Volunteer Fire Department, has attracted a huge fan base over the years, but last year the old pit was showing some of its flaws, with racers in the left lane usually losing races because of sink holes in that lane.

"This is our biggest event and biggest fundraiser of the year and we want to make it as good as we can so we can keep going with it and keep building on it," said Dale Lewter, who has been helping supervise the changes.

The mud pit is all new for 2012, having been dug out, bedded with large stones, filled with smaller stones, paved with a layer of asphalt and then covered with sifted clay (removing all stones as a safety measure).

"We’re trying to make both lanes as even as can be and right now it looks like it will be that way," Lewter said.

A new water filling and drainage system will also allow officials to keep the mud more consistently mud and less like a pond filled with water.

The race is Saturday, with registration from 10 a.m. to noon. As always, there will be the Mud Queen scramble through the pit and the Outlaw Class race. Spectator admission is $11 or $15 for the pit, and racing registration is $15. Raffle prizes include a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 CC, a 2012 Polaris Outlaw 50cc and $3,500 cash.

Lewter asked that we be sure to include the East Pembroke Fire Department's thanks to its sponsors.

Top photo: Dale Lewter with youngest son Jarrett Lewter, and next to him son Mitchell Lewter, along with Julie Waldron and Destin Danser.

Photos: ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship at Batavia Motor Speedway

By Howard B. Owens

Yesterday, Batavia played host to the 2012 ATV Extreme Dirt Track National Championship Series at the Batavia Motor Speedway on Harloff Road.

Hundreds of racers, including some of the top pros in the country, from all over the nation to participate in the event. (For more about the series, click here.)

(I don't have an ID on #16, but #708 is Harold Goodman, who came into the event in second place in pro point standings (no results posted yet for yesterday's event)).

If you're unable to view the slide show, click here. To purchase prints of these photos, click here.

Batavia Downs is going "Crazy Cheap" for Old Fashioned Night

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY – Old Fashioned Night returns to Batavia Downs Casino and Racetrack this Saturday night (August 11) for the first time during the 2012 racing season, but with a twist.

Historically, Old Fashion night prices include 50-cent Sahlen’s hot dogs, sodas and racing programs, however this year the nation’s oldest lighted half-mile harness racetrack is going "Crazy Cheap."

Thanks to sponsorship of the evening by Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield, Sahlen’s hot dogs will be just 3 for $1 in the paddock room beginning at 5pm. First race post time is 6:25 p.m.  Guests wanting to take advantage of the reduced price simply need to ask for the “Crazy Cheap Price.”

“We’re proud to be working with the folks at Batavia Downs on the Crazy Cheap night promotion,” Mike Ognibene, owner of Crazy Cheap Cars of Oakfield said. “We’re looking forward to a great evening at the track.”

“The first Old Fashioned night of the season is usually our biggest night of the year,” said Batavia Downs General Manager Todd Haight.  “Not only does it bring out a great crowd which enhances the on-track excitement but it creates larger betting pools for our racing customers. We want to thank Mike for partnering with us on this promotion.”

One day later another top promotion takes place at the Genesee County oval, Super Seniors Day.  Beginning at 12-noon in the clubhouse and running until 2:30 p.m., all seniors 55 or older that purchase the Sunday lunch buffet at the regular price of $8.95 will receive a racing program and $10 in casino free play. It's like dining for free. Sunday reservations are strongly recommended. To make a clubhouse reservations, please call 585-343-3750.

“It’s a great way to thank all our seniors for their many years of supporting Batavia Downs,” Haight added.

A complete list of all the 2012 racing promotions can be found at www.bataviadownscasino.com 
 

Five Muckdogs named to NY-Penn League All-Star Team

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The 2012 New York-Penn League All-Star roster will include five players from Batavia. They will send infielders Breyvic Valera and Patrick Wisdom, catcher Jesus Montero and pitchers Tyler Melling and Lee Stoppelman to the game to be held Tuesday, Aug. 14 at Eastwood Field, home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

Valera, an undrafted free agent signing in 2010, has played in 45 games for the Muckdogs this year and has been among the league leaders in hitting all season. Valera currently ranks third in the league in hitting, with a .332 batting average, and his 62 hits currently leads the league.

Patrick Wisdom was drafted by the Cardinals in the supplemental first round of this year’s draft and is enjoying a stellar first professional season. He is currently batting .278 with 27 runs scored, 10 doubles and 16 RBI’s in 41 games. Wisdom has also played great defense at third base this season and ranks first in the league for defense at that position with a .963 fielding percentage with only four errors.

Montero was an undrafted free agent signing in 2007 and has started 33 games at catcher for the Muckdogs this season. He is currently batting .308 with six doubles, four home runs and 21 RBIs. Montero has also been solid behind the plate this year and has helped guide the pitching staff to a team ERA of 2.98, which ranks third in the league. Montero will be unable to attend the game due to injury. 

A 39th round pick out of Miami (OH) University in the 2011 draft, Melling is 2-1 with 31 strikeouts in eight games started for the Muckdogs. The left-hander’s ERA of 2.27 ranks him eighth in the league and his WHIP of 1.06 ranks 11th in the league.

St. Louis drafted Stoppelman out of Central Missouri State in the 24th round of the 2012 draft. He has appeared in 14 games and has a 2-1 record with a 1.16 ERA. In 23.1 innings of work, he has struck out 26 batters and only allowed 15 hits. Opposing batters are hitting just .174 against him on the year. 

Batavia holds the third-place spot in the Pinckney Division with a record of 24-24. This marks the fourth time in five years that the Muckdogs have sent at least five players to the All-Star game. The Muckdogs sent five players to the 2008 All-Star game, three in 2009, five in 2010, and six in 2011.

Batavia Junior Blue Devils win Babe Ruth 15U championship

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted:

The Batavia Junior Blue Devils defeated the Livonia Devil Dogs 3-1 to win the Monroe County Babe Ruth 15U Western League Championship.  

The Junior Blue Devils went undefeated in the double elimination playoff, defeating the Greece Bombers, Rush Henrietta Comets, Gates Spartans, and the Livonia Devil Dogs in the Championship.  

In the championship game, the  Junior Blue Devils played solid defense behind a pitching gem by Tyler Prospero.  Batavia turned two timely double plays in the second and fifth innings to help thwart Livonia’s rally attempts.  

Prospero did not allow a hit until the seventh inning when the Devil Dogs touched him for a home run, Livonia’s only run, and a double.  Prospero struck out six as he kept the Devil Dogs off balance the entire game.  Batavia scored all three of their runs in the fifth inning as Patrick Wrobel led off the inning with a double to right center.  

After a pop out, Tom Demmer plated the first run of the game with a line drive down the left field line.  Then after a strikeout, Dominick Mogavero's infield single scored Demmer.  Greg Mruczek's second single of the game scored Mogavero, giving Batavia a 3-0 lead.  

Other hits in the game for the Junior Blue Devils were by Quinten Weis and Noah Dobbertin.

In the first round, Batavia defeated Greece 10-7 led with two hits each by Nick Bauer, Dakota Swimline, Dwayne Fonda, and Quinten Weis and singles by Nate Goodwin Demmer, Wrobel, and Mogavero.

Batavia’s 5-4 second round win over Rush Henrietta was led by hits from Trevor Sherwood, Adam Taylor, Wrobel, Weis, Bauer, Dobbertin, Fonda, Mruczek, and Prospero. Mogavero had a solid pitching effort to get the win over the previously undefeated Comets.

And in the third round 10-9 win over Gates, the Junior Blue Devils offense was helped by nine walks.  Hits for Batavia were a double and a single by Wrobel, two singles by Prospero, and singles each by Robert Zickl, Mogavero, Mruczek, Sherwood, and Weis.

Crossroads House hosts successful 5K run in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

Amy Swanson, assistant director for Crossroads House, sent along a couple of pictures from yesterday's Run the Roads for Crossroads House 5K. She said it was a "wonderful day" for a run. A total of 211 people turned out for the event. Collin Mulcahy finished first to win the Overall Male with a time of 17:19; Liz Valento was the Overall Female winner with a time of 20:35.

The complete results can be found at www.crossroadshouse5k.com.

Swanson wrote:

All proceeds raised today help support the mission of Crossroads House in providing comfort care to the dying. Individuals with three months or less to live can stay at Crossroads House completely for free where our volunteers and nurses take care of physical, emotional and medical needs.

We accept residents from not only Genesee County, but also Wyoming county as well. All of our funding comes from in-kind donations, memorials and community support like we experienced today! Along with the runners and walkers who turned out today, more than 50 area business sponsored this event!

Photos: Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills

By Howard B. Owens

Joe Maiorano (top) and Charlie Hamilton (bottom) tie off during the annual Ricky Palermo Foundation charity tournament at Terry Hills today. Maiorano came from Danbury, Conn., and Hamilton from Tampa, Fla., for the tournament.

Sunday afternoon racing returns to Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Beginning Aug. 5, racing at the nation’s oldest lighted harness track moves to a schedule of Sunday afternoons, and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Sunday's program features 13 exciting races, including the $9,000 featured Open Trot and $7,600 Open II Trot. Sundays with Ashley Parade Marshal and outrider Ashley Holliday will be available for pictures every Sunday trackside in Downs Winner Circle from 12 to 12:45 p.m. Don’t forget to bring your camera for family photos with Ashley and her horse “Jake.”

The matinee post time is 1:15 p.m. Sunday food and drink specials include $1 Sahlen's hot dogs, sodas and draft beer served from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Paddock Room.

On Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights, post time is 6:25.

In addition simulcast wagering will be available from some of North America’s top tracks including Saratoga racecourse. Admission and parking is always free. For more information please visit http://www.bataviadownscasino.com

Freshman pacers in NYSS action on Wednesday at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Possible stars of the future -- 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers -- converge on Batavia Downs Casino when New York Sire Stakes action continues on Wednesday night (Aug. 1).

Wednesday's 13-race program, which gets under way at 6:25 p.m., features three NYSS legs worth more than $36,000 each and five divisions of the Excelsior series worth more than $12,000 each.

Flipper J’s freshman 1:54.4 track record set in 2010 and tied by Forever Just in 2011, both with Jason Bartlett in the bike, could be in jeopardy. Cowgirl Hall lowered the benchmark for 3-year-old trotting fillies (1:57.2) when the New York Sire Stakes made its first local start of the season here this past Saturday night.

The NYSS kicks off in race two when a short but select field of New York breds square off for purse money of $36,900. Drawing post five is the Artiscape-Lo Gophobia colt, Framed Art. He comes off a 1:53.4 track record performance at Saratoga Raceway with Mark MacDonald at the controls. Trainer Andrew Stafford gives MacDonald the return call.

Installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite is the Art Major-Classical Yankee colt, Doctor Butch. He comes in off a 1:54 score at Saratoga with Tim Tetrick in the sulky. Doctor Butch briefly held the record at Saratoga until it was broken later on the program by Framed Art. Trainer Linda Toscano hands over the lines to Jim Morrill Jr.

Goshen track record holder (1:56.3), Thirty Two Red, was a prohibitive favorite in his Saratoga leg but he made a costly break at the start and was eliminated. That was the son of Bettor’s Delight-Sakura Hanover’s first defeat after NYSS wins at Monticello and Buffalo. Ray Schnittker is the trainer/driver.

The field also includes Dealmaker, second to Framed Art at Saratoga, and the Ron Burke trainee Royce Blue Chip.

NYSS action continues in race five, when a field of six will line-up for $37,600 in purse money. The Bettor’s Delight-Flibbertigibbet colt, Swift As A Shadow, who drew the rail, starts out as the 5-2 favorite. Once again trainer Linda Toscano will call on the services of Jim Morrill Jr. Swift As A Shadow’s lone career win came at Monticello when he paced his back half in :56.1, to score in 1:56.4, in his first New York Sire Stakes engagement.

Three colts and three geldings do battle in the third and final $37,600 NYSS division, carded as race seven. This could be a race handicappers may be shopping for some value. I’m Banksy (Art Major-Delightfully Yours) begins as the 2-1 favorite. He ships in off a 1:53.4 score at Pocono but has never raced on a half-mile racetrack. Jim Morrill Jr. drives for trainer Fred Grant. Trainer/driver Patrick Lachance sends out a very dangerous colt in Sir Cary’s Z Tam.

The son of Bettor’s Delight -Yankee Celebration had the misfortune of coming first over against the talented Doctor Butch at Saratoga and before that, finished behind the same rival and another top colt, Thirty Two Red, at Monticello.

The five Excelsior races go off as races one, three, eight, 10 and 12. Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch all the action from Batavia Downs via streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/> . Simply click on the “Live Racing” section and then on the “Video” link.

'Current Ca Ching' won the Open Trot at Batavia Downs on Friday

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Current Ca Ching went gate-to-wire and held off the challenges of Go Jesse Go and the favored Kash N Credit to win the $9,000 Open Trot at Batavia Downs Friday night.

Leaving off the two-hole, Current Ca Ching ($7.40) went the mile in 1:59.1 after posting fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:28 for winning driver Keith Kash Jr.

It was a blanket finish as Current Ca Ching was able to hold off the late charge of pocket sitting Go Jesse Go, who was beaten by quarter of a length at the wire. Kash N Credit, who was parked the entire mile, lost by just a length and a quarter.

It was the seventh win of the season of Current Ca Ching and second in his last three starts. Current Ca Ching is owned by Rocco Stebbins, of Rochester, and trained by Ron Stebbins.

Shawn Gray notched a three-bagger on the night while four drivers all scored doubles, Kevin Cummings, Ray Fisher Jr., Jim McNeight and Keith Kash Jr.

Darrin Monti and Bob Gruber III each had a double on the training side.

Tonight's the kick-off of the 2012 Batavia Downs stakes season when three-year-old trotting fillies taking center stage in three divisions of the New York Sires Stakes. Post is 6:25 p.m. for the 14-race program.

Also carded this evening are five divisions of th Excelsior Series, with each worth more than $12,000.

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch the all the action from Batavia Downs via streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com. Simply click on the “Live Racing” section and then on the “Video” link.

New York Sire Stakes kick off Saturday night at Batavia Downs

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Three-year-old trotting fillies will square off in three divisions to open the local New York Sire Stake season on Saturday night, July 28 at Batavia Downs Casino. Post time will be at 6:25 p.m.

The first Saturday night of the annual summer-fall meet will also feature five Excelsior Series divisions, with each division worth more than $12,000.

The New York Sire Stakes will begins in race two, in which $43,980 will be up for grabs. The Credit Winner--Pacific Legacy filly Lima Playmate will start at 5-2 on the morning line for the connections of Ray Schnittker and Lima Playmate Stables.

Lima Playmate ($225,891) will get the services of Steve Smith. Regular driver Ray Schnittker will be at bit tied up, he’s will be at The Meadowlands preparing his world champion filly Check Me Out for the Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations.

New York Sire Stakes action will then move to race four, in which $44,780 will be on the line. The much-improved Kristens Victory (Cash Hall--Treasured Victory), who overcame post seven at Tioga Downs to score at odds of 29-1 in a division of the Tompkins-Geers, might be the filly to beat in this one.

The Karen Garland trainee has really picked up her game since going on Lasix. Owner Steve Smith, who drove her to second place finishes in New York Sire Stakes races at Monticello Raceway and Yonkers Raceway will be back in the sulky.

The last but certainly not least $43.980 New York Sire Stakes division was carded as race eight. As far as being continuous, it really doesn’t get any better with two of the top sophomore trotting fillies in the New York Sire Stakes drawing into the same division.

The Credit Winner--Meadowbranch Mary filly Fortunista will open as the favorite on the morning line at 5-2, basically due to post position; she drew the rail for owner-trainer Gilbert Garcia-Herrera and Barbara and Donald Arnstine.

Fortunista ships to Western New York on quite a form spree, having won her last four starts including New York Sire Stakes legs at Buffalo Raceway, Yonkers Raceway and Monticello Raceway. She sports season’s earnings of $172,001.

The talented Cowgirl Hall (Cash Hall--Britt’s Spirit) won’t go down without a fight. In her nine starts in 2012 she’s won five and has been second in three of them for trainer-driver “Gates” Brunet. She’s earned $144,955 this season for owners Ted Gewertz, M. H. Rosenthal and Jean and Debbie Brunet.

The Excelsior series races were carded as race one, six, 10, 11 and 12.

Racing fans unable to attend the races can watch the all the action from Batavia Downs via streaming video at www.bataviadownscasino.com <http://www.bataviadownscasino.com/> . Simply click on the “Live Racing” section and then on the “Video” link.

Oakfield-Alabama wins junior/senior baseball championship

By Howard B. Owens

Submitted by Scott Gayton:

Oakfield-Alabama defeats the Batavia Yankees to win the Junior/Senior Championship Title. The final score was 4-3. Front row from left: Coach Joel D'Alba, Jordan D'Alba, Andrew McIntyre, Tristian Korzelius, Cole Phelps, Cameron Dayka. Back row: Coach Scott Gayton, Zach Gayton, Allen Chatt, Danny Dinsmore, Austin Fisher, Chris Nanni, Hunter Spiotta, Josiah Yantz, Manager Bruce Chatt.

Batavia Youth Football cancels 2012 season

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

It is with great sadness that for the first time in 45 years we must cancel the 2012 Batavia Youth Football Season. We simply do not have enough players to keep the league active at this time. We are canceling this year and are hopeful that next year Batavia Youth Football will once again be a part of the youth football activities in the area.

We apologize to those football players, cheerleaders and families that were planning another season with Batavia Youth Football. We would also like to thank the entire Genesee County area and the thousands of kids for their support of Batavia Youth Football.

Refunds will be sent ASAP and any questions can be directed to byfinc@gmail.com.

Photos: Opening night, 2012, at Batavia Downs

By Howard B. Owens

And they're off ... for the 66th season, there is live harness racing at Batavia Downs.

More than 3,000 racing fans turned out for opening night and they witnessed Shawn Gray, who captured Buffalo's 2012 driving title, notch three wins.

Two other of the nation's top drivers, Dan Noble and Jim Morrill Jr., were also featured on the night.

TVYLFSL softball tourney benefits Crossroads House

By Rick Franclemont

On Saturday the Tonawanda Valley Youth Ladies Fastpitch Softball League (TVYLFSL) hosted a Junior Division small ball softball tournament to benefit Crossroads House.

Four teams of 10-12-year-old girls participated, representing Batavia, Le Roy and Byron-Bergen.

Participants and their families were asked to bring donations from the Crossroad House wish list.

http://www.crossroadshouse.com/

"Crossroads House is a comfort care home for those who have a terminal illness and have been medically determined to be in the last three months of life. Crossroads House is an alternative to a hospital or nursing home when care can no longer be provided in the patient's own home."

Le Roy 2 coached by Micky Hyde won the tournament. Tied in points going into the last game with Le Roy 1, Hyde's team scored a run in the last inning to pull off the win.

More pictures from the games can be found here.

Photos: Tractor pull at the Genesee County Fair

By Howard B. Owens

More than 1,000 people -- when organizers considered 700 fans a good turn out -- showed up at the tractor pull at the Genesee County Fairgrounds on Saturday evening.

Competitors brought their machines -- small, medium and mighty -- to compete in various classes of competition, from stock, street-legal trucks and modified law tractors up to souped-up full-sized tractors.

If you're unable to view the slide show below, click here. To purchase prints of these photos (or previous fair photos) click here.

Batavia Downs opens 66th season on Monday

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

A bigger signature race, a new first race post time and Sunday afternoon racing in August are just some of the changes in store when racing returns for the 66th season on Monday (July 23) at Batavia Downs Casino. The pacers and trotters will meet at America’s oldest lighted harness track for 72 exciting race dates.

The Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational Pace, the track's signature event, will now offer a $50,000 purse. This year’s Kane Memorial is slated for October 6. Last year, Aracache Hanover with Trevor Henry in the bike, lowered the Downs all-age record when he paced to victory in 1:51.1. Aracache Hanover is locally owned by William Switala and James Martin.

Racing fans will need to arrive 15 minutes earlier with first race post for all evening racing programs now slated for 6:25 p.m. Racing gates open at 5 p.m. with the exception of August 11 and September 15, when racing gates open for Old Fashioned night at 4:30 p.m.

A total of six matinees will be offered, including all four Sundays in August. The other two afternoon race cards are Labor Day and Columbus Day. Post time for all matinees remains at 1:15 p.m. with racing gates opening at 12 p.m.

Racing will be conducted on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday night basis for the first two weeks of the annual Summer-Fall meet with Sundays replacing Mondays in August. Twelve races will be carded nightly except on Saturdays when the Genesee County racetrack will host 13-race programs.

A complete racing calendar is available for download at www.batavia-downs.com.

Changes were made to the wagering menu, with the major change being the minimum on trifecta wagering has been lowered to 50 cents. However a $1 wager is required. One dollar daily double wagering is also being offered.

Superfecta wagering is now offered on all races with the exception of races one and seven. The Pick-4 has been moved to the third race and the late-late double moves to the last two races nightly. The popular Pick-6, which paid $10,000 to one lucky ticket holder last season, begins on race seven.

North America’s leading dash winning harness racing driver in 2011, Dan Noble, will make his Batavia Downs debut on opening night. Noble led all drivers last year with 773 wins. He currently sits fourth this year with 320 wins.

Shawn Gray, currently the leading driver at Buffalo Raceway, will also be racing at Batavia Downs for the first time. The Maine native shipped to Buffalo in January and has notched 185 wins so far this season there.

Jim Morrill Jr., who recently won the $445,594 Yonkers Trot with Archangel, makes a special appearance on Monday night. Morrill established records for most wins and earnings in a single season at the Downs in 2006.

Again this season all racing programs will contain $2 free play coupons that can be redeemed at Players Club. The cost to purchase a program remains at $2, however on opening night and on July 28, the first New York Sire Stakes event of the season, racing programs will be free.

Player’s Club members dining in the track's historic clubhouse will receive $5 in Casino free play with the purchase of a buffet. On Sunday afternoon, the cost of the lunch buffet minus the free play coupon is just $3.95.

The entire racing season will be broadcast via live streaming video at www.batavia-downs.com. Race replays are available at the same web address.

The 2012 season features a variety of promotions, including two old fashioned nights, the biggest free handicapping contest ever and the annual family fun day at the races featuring the hilarious wiener dog races.

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