Sports

Press release:

MORGANTOWN, W. VA. -- Nic Ready hit two home runs in a Muckdogs win on Tuesday, and two home runs were not enough on Wednesday for Batavia as they fell to the West Virginia Black Bears, 8-2.

Troy Johnston belted his second home run of the season for Batavia and shortstop Dalvy Rosario hit his first of the season. Both were solo shots. Johnston had two hits; he's a 17th-round pick of the Miami Marlins this year out of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wa.

Eli Villalobos took the loss for Batavia, throwing the first 2.2 innings, giving up three runs and he struck out four.

Brock Love and Joey Steele once again had strong outings in relief for the Muckdogs and both have an ERA of 0.00 on the season.

Love, a 34th-round pick of Miami this year from Alabama, went 1.1 innings of perfect baseball and struck out one.

Steele, a 30th-round pick this year by there Marlins out of the University of San Francisco, tossed the eighth and struck out two without giving up a walk or a run.

Jackson Rose, a 2018 draft pick, threw three innings and struck out six without allowing a walk.

Batavia is now 24-15 and three games up on second place West Virginia (20-17) in the NYPL Pinckney Division. Third place State College (Pa.) also lost, and dropped to 19-20 with Mahoning Valley jumping ahead at 20-19. The Muckdogs are back in a battle with Lowell (23-13) for the best overall record in the league.

Batavia plays Thursday at 6:35 p.m. against West Virginia.

The fun continues at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday when the Muckdogs host Williamsport, it is Flash Back Friday, there will be Crafty Hour as Eli Fish craft beers are $3 for an hour before the game and all fans can get a bag of tennis balls after the game and take the chance on throwing one into a hula hoop to win two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of Allegiant Air. There are other hoops to win other prizes.

On Saturday (also a 7:05 p.m. start), the Muckdogs not only have fireworks after the game, but Tompkins Bank of Castile bought all the general admission seats and are giving them away to fans. There are still a few available at the box office.

Sunday is a 5:05 p.m. start and it's O'Lacy's Irish Day. O'Lacy's has specials and tickets, you can visit the restaurant or follow them on Facebook. It is also free admission for MuckPups and kids can run the bases. Before the game, next to the souvenir stand, it is Autograph Alley as eight players will sign autographs, pose for photos and selfies with fans.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Submitted photo: Milton Smith II gives a high-five to Troy Johnston (27), who hit his second home run of the season for the Batavia Muckdogs on Wednesday night. Johnston had two hits in the loss for the first-place Muckdogs.

By Dan McComb:

The Batavia 24U Baseball Team finished off the regular season yesterday with a 9-2 win against Lockport in Lockport.

Batavia finishes the regular season at 12-0 and will have a playoff game at home at Genesee Community College at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Batavia was paced by three home runs, one by Zeke Lynn (two-run homer in the first inning), Dion Rosalina (3-run homer in the fifth inning) and a solo shot from Ryan Mullen in the sixth inning.

Batavia’s defense shone in this game also. Luke McComb fielded six chances without an error. Mullen threw out a runner at second base in the first inning attempting to steal, with a beautiful tag by McComb.

Also in the bottom of the first inning, Casey Radka threw out a runner at home plate with a beautiful tag at the plate by Mullen. In the sixth inning Tristan Aldinger threw out a runner at third base. Aldinger and Josh Bradley made nice running catches in the outfield.

The 14-hit attack was paced by Tristan Aldinger with three hits and two hits apiece by Josh Baptiste, Radka and Jerry Reinhardt. Also collecting hits were Lynn, Marcello, Rosalina, McComb and Mullen.  

Lynn and Radka shared the pitching duties, with Lynn earning the win. Batavia finishes their regular season with a perfect 12-0 record.

Press release:

Nic Ready is starting to show some of his promised power this season -- with his first home-game home run on Monday, he jumped on a bus after the game to play the West Virginia Black Bears Tuesday night.

He had a chance to stretch his legs, this time rounding the bases again.

With Batavia trailing 1-0 in the third, Ready, the NCAA Home Run Derby champion as a senior at Air Force Academy, blasted a two-out, three-run home run.

As West Virginia (wearing their special Moonshiners uniforms) closed the lead to 5-2, Ready crushed another home run. That was it as Batavia cruised to an 8-3 victory.

For the game, Ready increased his average to .305 by going 3-for-5 and had a RBI double as well as he drove in six runs on the game.

Batavia catcher Andres Stormes also hit a home run, a solo shot as he went 2-for-3 with two runs.

Milton Smith II had a hit and a run and stole his 10th base of the season.

J.D. Orr, who jumped to the top spot in the NYPL average race with a .378 average, went 2-for-3 with two runs and two walks. Putting him on base means a steal, and Orr stole two bases and has 19 on the season.

Dalvy Rosario scored once and stole two bases, giving him nine on the season.

The win was big for Batavia, as the Muckdogs are 24-14 and gained a full game (up 4.0) on second place West Virginia (19-17) in the NYPL Pinckney Division. Third place State College Spikes of Pennsylvania also lost, and dropped to 19-19 with Mahoning Valley. The Muckdogs are back in a battle with Lowell (23-12), Mass., for the best overall record in the league.

On the mound, lefty Andrew Miller won his second straight to improve to 2-3 on the season. he went five strong innings with two strikeouts and did not walk a batter. Bryan Hoeing had his first career hold, going three innings and striking out two without allowing a walk. Josh Simpson, another lefty on manager Tom Lawless' roster, pitched the ninth and struck out the final batter of the game.

For Buffalo Bills fans, Batavia won on Jeff Hostetler Bobble Head Night. The former West Virginia baseball player was featured with a Black Bears No. 15 jersey on his bobblehead. Hostetler led the New York Giants over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV, 20-19 in 1990. The first 1,000 fans received the gift and the former QB was there to sign autographs.

Batavia has two more games in West Virginia, Wednesday and Thursday at 6:35 p.m.

The fun continues at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday when the Muckdogs host Williamsport, it is Flash Back Friday, there will be Crafty Hour as Eli Fish craft beers are $3 for an hour before the game and all fans can get a bag of tennis balls after the game and take the chance on throwing one into a hula hoop to win two round-trip airline tickets courtesy of Allegiant Air. There are other hoops to win other prizes.

On Saturday (also a 7:05 p.m. start), the Muckdogs not only have fireworks after the game, but Tompkins Bank of Castile bought all the general admission seats and are giving them away to fans. There are still a few available at the box office. 

Sunday is a 5:05 p.m. start and it's O'Lacy's Irish Day. O'Lacy's has specials and tickets, you can visit the restaurant or follow them on Facebook. It is also free admission for MuckPups and kids can run the bases. Before the game, next to the souvenir stand, it is Autograph Alley as eight players will sign autographs, pose for photos and selfies with fans. 

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Submitted photo: Nic Ready, with his signature toothpick, is all smiles. He has hit three home runs in two games, had six RBI's Tuesday and Batavia is in first place.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs will celebrate their opening night of the 2019 live racing season on Wednesday (July 24) by welcoming the New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) as they make their first of nine stops at the Genesee County oval this year. The initial visit will bring two divisions of 2-year-old trotting fillies along who will compete for identical $53,000 purses. 

The first split that's carded as race five features the undefeated Love A Good Story (Chapter Seven-Celebrity Lovin) who is listed as the 6-5 morning choice from post six for Team Orange Crush: Andy and Julie Miller.

This filly has already taken a lifetime mark of 1:55.1 at Tioga Downs in her second career start and has won all three of all her races by open lengths. She is the top pointgetter in her bracket and has $52,600 made this year. Love A Good Story will look to add the winners share of this race to her total as well. 

Per Engblom’s Munster (Chapter Seven-Richesse Oblige) is coming off a sparkling effort of her own at Yonkers where she went gate to wire in a career best 1:57.4. That was her first time on a half mile track and the result bodes well for her prospects at the Downs. Jordan Stratton will be at the controls from post two at 2-1.

The second division in race six has a pair or performers from from the Ake Svandstedt Stable that were made morning line choice at 2-1 by the track handicapper, as a stable entry. 

Seventimesalady (Chapter Seven-Ava Marion) and Destiny Blue Chip (Chapter Seven-Chasin Clouds Away) will leave from post one and post seven respectively.

Seventimesalady is winless in two starts but not for lack of performance. She chased Love A Good Story in a fast 1:55.1 at Tioga to finish second in her first lifetime start and then got parked out for a majority of the mile from post seven at Yonkers last week before finishing third. She will be looking to get a good trip from the pylons with her trainer Svandstedt in the bike. 

Destiny Blue Chip is also winless in two starts but has put in two solid races trotting close to the leaders, garnering a couple of thirds for her work. Unfortunately she moves out in post from those starts but does pick up driver Jim Morrill Jr. this week who will be an asset to her as he knows the track at Batavia well.  

Another ready candidate is Really Blue Chip (Credit Winner-Muscles Secret) who has shown she likes a half -mile track. She sat a pocket trip behind Hypnotic AM at Yonkers last week and finished second in a 1:56.1 time, trotting her mile in 1:57.2. And she does have a win in the NYSS already this in her first lifetime start at Buffalo. She is in a perfect spot here to take that next step for trainer Scott Di Domenico. Really Blue Chip leaves from post five for driver Jordan Stratton.  

There are also three $15,000 divisions of the Excelsior “A” series in races three, four and seven and two $6,700 Excelsior “B” series events in races eight and nine. 

Post time for the first race is 6 p.m. 

Press release:

As a senior at the Air Force Academy in 2018, Nic Ready won the NCAA Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., when he hit a record 55 home runs in three rounds for the title.

During his senior season, he hit .341 with 20 home runs.

A 23rd-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins this year, Ready hit his first home run in Batavia (his second on the season) as the Batavia Muckdogs defeated the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, 4-1 on Monday.

Batavia (23-14) is in first place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Ready, who is now hitting .293, had a 3-for-4 day with two runs and his home run gave Batavia a 1-0 lead in the seventh.

With the game tied 1-1 in the eighth with two outs, Troy Johnston a 17th-round pick of the Marlins this year, ripped a 2-RBI double off the right-center wall to give Batavia the lead for good.

“I thought it was gone, I did, it was an awesome feeling, you love when you get a ball like that in a situation like that,” Johnston said. "Milton (Smith II) starting it off with a hit (in the eighth), Nic Ready squeaking one through and Andrew Turner got us an insurance run. Hitting is contagious especially with two outs.”

A crowd of 1,139 saw the Muckdogs win on Kids Day.

"The kids were awesome, they were loud, they got after it, I loved it. It was a great atmosphere here in Batavia,” Johnston said.

Batavia has the two top hitters in the NYPL and they both contributed, as J.D. Orr (.368) had a hit and Smith (.352) had a hit and a run. Orr was a 10th-round draft pick this year and Smith went in the 22nd round last year to Miami.

Andrew Turner, a 39th-round pick in 2018, continued his recent hot streak as he is hitting .329 in his last 10 games and .299 on the season. He had two hits including an RBI double.

On the mound, Evan Brabrand continued his dominating season.

Brabrand, a ninth-round pick this year out of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., is now 2-0 with seven saves in nine mound appearances. He has struck out 14 in 9.2 innings and given up one run for a 0.93 ERA. on Monday, he had one strikeout in 1.1 innings, one hit allowed and no runs.

Starter Easton Lucas had a shutout for the three innings he pitched, struck out four and did not walk a batter. Lucas, a lefty, is a 14th-round Marlins draft pick this year out of Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and he has a 1.69 ERA.

Lefty Dakota Bennett went 4.2 innings, struck out two, gave up two hits and no earned runs.

The pitching is phenomenal, I am just glad I’m on the other side,” Johnston said.

Right after the game, the Muckdogs left for West Virginia for three games with the Black Bears. The Muckdogs are home Friday and Saturday at 7:05 p.m. with Williamsport and Sunday at 5:05 p.m.

The game Saturday is sponsored by Tompkins Bank of Castile and free general admission tickets are available at the box office while they last.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Press release:

Even when the Batavia Muckdogs lose, they find a way to keep the crowd excited to the last out.

The Muckdogs ended a 3-game win streak with a 5-4 loss to Mahoning Valley on Sunday.

The Muckdogs play at home at 11:05 a.m. on Monday as part of Kids Day and a special for fans age 55 and over. Tickets for anyone 55 and older is just $2 and there will be food and drink specials as well.

On Sunday, Mahoning Valley jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the sixth and held off a Batavia rally to win.

Batavia remains in first place in the New York-Penn Pinckney Division with a 22-14 record and Mahoning Valley is 18-18.

J.D. Orr had another strong game going 2-for4 with two runs and is now hitting .369 on the season, jumping just ahead of teammate Milton Smith III (.356) for the top average in the NYPL.

Dalvy Rosario (two runs), Nic Ready and Ronal Reynoso all had hits while Jack Strunc and Andrew Turner had RBI's.

Starting pitcher Edgar Martinez went four innings and struck out three, Jonaiker Villalobos, who took the loss, struck out one in .2 innings.

Jeremy Galindez went 2.1 innings giving up two hits and struck out one.

Edison Suriel lowered his ER to 1.69 throwing two scoreless innings one one-hit ball with four strikeouts to keep the Muckdogs in the game.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Photos by Jim Burns

Catcher Keegan Smith and pitcher Julio Frias were on the same page as Frias had a no-hitter through five innings on Saturday night in a 7-2 win over Mahoning Valley for the first-place Batavia Muckdogs.

Submitted photo and press release:

Julio Frias looked like he might take the hard-luck loss of the season for the Batavia Muckdogs. The 21-year-old Miami Marlins signing was tossing a no-hitter through five innings Saturday night, but the Muckdogs trailed, 2-0.

With the team trailing, 2-1 and two outs and two strikes, Andrew Turner belted a three-RBI double to give Batavia the lead. The hits kept coming with two outs, and after a seven-run inning, that was all the pitching staff needed.

The Muckdogs improved to 22-12 with a 7-2 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrapper. Batavia is in first place of the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Turner, a 39th-round draft pick of the parent-club Miami Marlins in 2018 out of Long Island University, finished 3-for-4 with a run, but his big hit was the bases-clearing hit to the right-center fence.

"I was just trying to get something to hit, something I could put in play and get it up the middle," Turner said. "We didn't need three runs, we needed one or two, but I was fortunate to get it up the middle and bring the runs in."

Frias improved to 3-1 throwing 5.2 innings with eight strikeouts and gave up just one hit and walked three. He now has a 2.02 ERA.

"With a guy like Frias on the mound, he is going to hold us there for a long time, he is going to keep throwing up zeros," Turner said. "We know it's going to take one inning, we have so many good guys the lineup, if he could just hold us there and we knew he would."

With a righty coming up, Manager Tom Lawless went to the pen with two outs and pitcher Joey Steele came in and got the Muckdogs out of a jam and kept his 0.00 ERA intact.

From there, M.D. Johnson struck out three batters in the seventh and gave up one hit. Brock Love, a 34th round Marlins pick out of the University of Alabama, threw the final two innings and was perfect, striking out three and still has a 0.00 ERA in four innings and three appearances.

At the plate, J.D. Orr stole his 17th base of the season and went 2-for-4 with a RBI and unto up his average to .363 while Ronal Reynoso was 2-for-4 with a RBI double and run. Milton Smith II singled in a run, stole his ninth base of the season and scored.

It was Wilmot Cancer Institute of Batavia's Cancer Survivors Night and the crowd impressed Turner.

"It's unbelievable. It's the whole reason you play. When you are playing for a team like this, it makes coming to the ball park fun every day," Turner said. "We're 40 games in, we've been here since spring training in February and March, we have a winning ball club, and the fans coming out.

"The fans are excited every day and it makes you want to be here and play that much harder for not only all these fans coming out, but also the guys around you. It's been great."

The Muckdogs have two more home games in this series.

Today (July 21) is a 5:05 p.m. start with autograph alley (players signing autographs around 4 p.m. or 4:20 p.m.), kids run the bases and it's a kids' day for the Muckpups.

Monday is a special 11:05 a.m. start with food and ticket specials. It is also summer camp and splash day.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Press release:

AUBURN -- The Batavia Muckdogs had a long day of travel and baseball Friday, but showed why they are in first place in the Pinckney Division with a 4-3, 401 sweep of the Auburn Doubledays.

Batavia scored three runs in the top of the final inning to stun Auburn in the first game.

With Auburn leading 3-1, Michael Hernandez singled in Andrew Turner when Dalvy Rosario hit a two-RBI double scoring Milton Smith II and Ronal Reynoso.

Roasario hit two doubles in the game and stole a base while J.D. Orr went 2-for-4 with his 16th stolen base of the season.

Turner, Jack Strunc each had a hit while Hernandez, the Muckdogs' catcher, went 2-for-3.

The pitching Eli Villalobos, a righty from Long Beach State and a 14th-round draft pick of the parent Miami Marlins in 2018, went 5.2 innings with three strikeouts and did not get the decision. Jonaiker Villalobos, a lefty from Venezuela, faced two batters, retired one and for the win to go to 1-0 on the season.

Evan Brabrand, a 9th round pick of the Marlins this year, made it a perfect seven on saves as he threw one inning of perfect baseball with two strikeouts to get his seventh win of the season in seven attempts.

In the second game, Jackson Rose, a 35th-round pick of the Marlins in 2018 out of Minnesota, continued his strong season on the mound for manager Tom Lawless.

Rose went six strong innings with five strikeouts and gave up just two hits and did not walk a batter. Josh Simpson, who was taken in the 32nd round this season, had a perfect inning in relief, striking out two for his first save of the season. In five games this season, Simpson, a Columbia grad, has a 0.00 ERA.

Batavia (21-13) scored two in the first and two in the final inning to put the game away.

Hitting was contagious as Reynoso had two hits, a stolen base and a run and Turner had two hits and a run. Catcher Andres Sthormes had two hits.

While Nic Ready blasted a double, Troy Johnston had a RBI single, Brayan Hernandex (run) and Milton Smith II (run) had hits.

The Muckdogs are home Saturday night at 7:05 with fireworks after the game and a Beach Boys theme. Sunday is a 5:05 p.m. start with autograph alley, kids run the bases and it's a kids day for the Muckpups. Monday is a special 11:05 a.m. start with food and ticket specials. It is also summer camp and splash day.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

By Dan McComb:

The Batavia 24U Baseball Team beat Clarence at home 10-4 yesterday to remain unbeaten at 11-0 on the season.

Batavia banged out 13 hits including a 4-for-4 effort from Jerry Reinhardt. Dion Rosalina hit a two-run home run and knocked in three runs, and Burnie Jonis had two hits and three RBIs.

Also collecting RBIs were Casey Radka, Reinhardt and Luke McComb. Ryan Mullen and AJ Marcello also collected two hits.

Rosalina staked Batavia to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first iinning with a two-run blast over the left field fence.

Clarence would take the lead 3-2 with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. However, Batavia answered with four of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning, the key hit being a two-run single by Jonis.  

After Clarence cut the lead in the top of the fifth to 6-4, Batavia answered with another run to go up 7-4 after five.

Batavia put the game away with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with hits from Mullen, Jonis and Reinhardt contributing to the three runs.

Reinhardt and Radka hurled for Batavia, allowing four runs (three earned).

Batavia’s next and final game is on the road against Lockport. Batavia has never beaten Lockport on the road.

By Dan McComb:

A.J. Marcello delivered a hard hit single up the middle in the bottom of the seventh inning to propel Batavia to a 4-3 win over North Town of Williamsville on Wednesday. Zeke Lynn scored the winning run.

The Batavia 24U Baseball Team scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Tristan Aldinger led off with a walk and went to third in a double by Jerry Reinhardt. Casey Radka then delivered a two-run single and came home to score on two throwing errors.

Batavia would not score again until the dramatic single by Marcello in the bottom of the seventh inning, snapping a 3-3 tie.

Trevor Sherwood pitched the first five innings of the game, striking out seven and allowing three runs. Radka came in to earn the win going the last two innings without surrendering a run.

Batavia banged out six hits (including a triple by Josh Bradley) and only struck out twice in the game.

Batavia turned over a beautiful double play in the first inning when Luke McComb fielded a grounder behind second base, back-handed a throw to Radka at short stop, who touched second base and fired to Marcello at first base to complete the double play. 

Batavia improves their record to 10–0. They next play tomorrow against the defending champs, Clarence, who Batavia beat earlier in the season, 10-5, in Clarence. This game will be played at 6 p.m. at Genesee Community College.

Dakota Bennett, an 11th-round draft pick of the Miami Marlins, picked up a win last night in an 11-0 win over Auburn for the Batavia Muckdogs.

Submitted photo and press release:

The Batavia Muckdogs have increased the lead in first place in the Pinckney Division to 3.0 over the West Virginia Black Bears, the Pirates affiliate in the New York-Penn League.

Batavia (19-12) hosts the Auburn Doubledays at 7:05 tonight at Dwyer Stadium.

The team, featuring mainly recent draft picks and signings by the parent club, the Miami Marlins, won 11-0 on Wednesday night over Auburn.

Three pitchers combined for a three-hitter, each given up just one hit.

Dakota Miller pitched five innings in relief to pick up the win. Miller, an 11th round draft pick of the Miami Marlins in 2017, improve to 2-1 on the season. He struck out one, gave up a single hit and walked one.

Easton Lucas, a 15th-round draft pick of the Marlins this year, threw the first three innings and struck out two, gave just one hit and no walks or runs. His ERA dropped to 2.35 on the season.

Joey Steele, another 2019 draft pick, kept his ERA at 0.00 as he threw the ninth innings, striking out two.

Muckdogs Manager Tom Lawless gave two of his best hitters the night off, Milton Smith II (hitting a NYPL leading .402) and Sean Reynolds (two home runs, 33 home runs in three years).

However, the offense scored 11 runs led by the electric J.D. Orr, a 10th-round 2019 draft pick out of Wright State in Dayton, Ohio.

Orr is second to Smith II in hitting for the lead league and had a triple and a double to increase his average to .357 while scoring three runs. He also drove in two runs, stole a base and walked.

Shortstop Dalvy Rosario tripled and drove in four runs on the night.

Troy Johnston, a 17th-round draft pick out of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., this year, is now hitting .300 on the season as he went.

Catcher Keegan Fish, a 13th-round pick of the Marlins in 2018, went 2-for-3 wth two runs, Nic Ready belted a RBI double and Brayan Hernandez had a single and stole a base.

On tap tonight: It's Labatt's Blur Thirsty Thursday as all 16-ounce Labatt Blue products are just $2 until the seventh inning.

Tickets are available at muckdogs.com or stop by the Dwyer Stadium Ticket office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the week. The number is 585-483-3647.

Above is a Batavian file photo from the 2018 races.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Registration for one of the most popular promotions of the season at Batavia Downs Gaming --- the annual “Dachshund Dash” wiener dog races --- begins on today (July 18) and will remain open until entry capacity is met. 

These races are scheduled to take place on Sunday (Aug. 25).

If you have a dog that has competed in this event in the past or have one you would like to enter for the first time, please call Sara Tenney at 585-343-3750, ext. 439, to register or for more information. If you leave a message you will receive a call back for confirmation. 

Please be aware that entries are limited to the first 80 dogs and the fields have filled fast the last several years.

This is the 15^th year Batavia Downs has hosted the annual races that are sponsored by Genesee Feeds of Batavia.

A total of 10 heats will be contested with eight dogs competing in each heat. The first race will begin after the last live harness race of the day, which will be approximately 4:30 p.m. 

All those who enter will receive doggie bags full of treats courtesy of Genesee Feeds of Batavia, the official sponsor of the race. The owners of all heat winners will receive $25 in gaming Free Play and the top three finishers in the championship race will receive two clubhouse buffet certificates and $100, $75 and $50 (first through third) in Free Play for the gaming floor. The top winner’s total prize package including the gaming Free Play is valued at $200.

The wiener dog races are the final part of Family Fun Day at Batavia Downs Gaming that runs from 2 until 4 p.m. This fun-filled event includes many activities for kids including free pony rides courtesy of Castilone Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Also on that day there will be $1 hot dogs and sodas from noon until last race.

Last year a crowd of nearly 3,000 people showed up to watch “Louie” nose out “Jasper” in a photo finish with “Dexter Tyberius” finishing a close third in the championship heat. The very friendly Louie, who is owned by Bruce Hummel, of Pittsford, quickly became a fan favorite in the Purple Haze winner’s circle after the race. 

Track officials expect to host a similar sized crowd again this year. 

The 18th annual Batavia Blue Devil Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Batavia Downs Banquet Facility on Park Road in Batavia.

The event is sponsored by the Batavia Coaches Association.

Cost is $35 per person.

Social hour begins at 5 and dinner is served at 6.

The following people will be inducted this year:

• Elizabeth Varland -- Class of 2002
• Stephanie Conway -- Class of 2003
• Philip Santiago -- Class of 2003
• Sumiyya Hunter Roff -- Class of 2004
• Ryan Gugel -- Class of 2005
• Jennifer Gurrant -- Class of 2005
• Amanda Page -- Class of 2006

Tickets are available starting Aug. 5 at the BHS Athletic Directors office.

The deadline to buy tickets is Wednesday, Sept. 25.

For more information, call 343-2480, ext. 2003.

By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs

Batavia Downs has announced that Wanda Polisseni’s Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Center and the New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund will be sponsoring a cocktail party to be held before the $1.8 million New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) Night of Champions on Saturday (Sept. 14) at the Downs. 

The party is by invitation only and is for all NYSS finals participants and their guests and some VIPs and will run from 4:30 until 6 p.m. in Grandstands Banquet Room, which is located on the second floor of the building, adjacent to the hotel entrance. The party will conclude in time for everyone to make their way to the clubhouse for the first championship final of the night that will be carded as race two.  

Kelly Young, executive director of the Agriculture and New York State Horse Breeding Development Fund and Todd Haight, director/general manager of Live Racing expressed their excitement looking forward to this very important night for all who race in New York State. 

“The Night of Champions is a time for the connections of all the horses who made it to the finals to look back on the year and celebrate their success. These equine athletes rose to the top of their class and thrived during a demanding season gathering points across the state from Buffalo to Yonkers, and every harness track in between,” Young said. 

“We’re so pleased to join with Wanda Polisseni and her Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption Center to celebrate the best of the best at Batavia Downs. Wanda is a dedicated owner of New York-bred horses and her love of the sport makes her a great partner to honor our Night of Champions participants.”

“It’s been many years since Batavia Downs hosted the Breeders Crown back in 1988 and we couldn’t be more proud to have been selected this year to showcase the very best horses that have been bred and raced in New York State,” Haight said. 

“Wanda is a longtime friend of Batavia Downs and our 'Purple Haze' winner’s circle is named after her stable. Now she is joining with us again on this great night to host the NYSS cocktail party and enjoy the best racing in the state. I can’t wait for September 14!”

Henry Wojtaszek is the CEO and president of Batavia Downs Gaming. His thoughts about the event go beyond its racing significance and expresses the financial impact it will have on the communities that WROTB benefits. 

“The Night of Champions being held at Batavia Downs is a testament to the hard work being put forth by our staff into making this one of the best racetracks in the country,” Wojtaszek said.

“Not only will this event attract folks from all over the state to our facility, but also to local hotels, restaurants and businesses. The economic benefit of having this marquee event right here in Genesee County will be felt by all.”

The $1.8 million Night of Champions races will highlight the richest card of racing ever held in Western New York. Also featured on the card will be Batavia Downs signature stake, the $50,000 Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational pace and a slate of races featuring the best resident overnight horses on the grounds. Post time for this grand night of racing will be 6 p.m.

The Batavia Jr. Blue Devils Boys Basketball Camp will be held Aug. 12-16 at the John Kennedy School gymnasium, ​located at 166 Vine St. in the City of Batavia.

• Session 1 is open to boys entering grades 3 and 4 in the fall. It will run from 9 to 10:45 a.m.
• Session 2 is open to boys entering grades 5 and 6 in the fall. It will run from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Cost is $50.

The camp staff consists of Youth Basketball Director Jalen Smith, professional and college players from the Buffalo and Rochester area and players from the Batavia Boys Basketball Program.

Emphasis will be given to drills and skills that campers can practice at home. Ball handling and shooting will be emphasized each day. Competition will include individual skill contests, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3 games.

To print out the child information form and parent consent form, click here.

Payment along with the completed child information form and parent consent form are due by Friday, Aug. 9.

Checks should be made payable to:  The Batavia Basketball Boosters; mail to Buddy Brasky, 25 Clifton Ave., Batavia, NY 14020.

Phone is (585) 356-4050.