What the tourneys taught us...

1) Why do teams enter holiday tournaments with other teams from their conference/division? It doesn't make sense. Don't you see enough of these teams during the regular season? Why is Bernards playing Mount St. Mary in a final when they play twice during the regular season? Same with Dunellen and Middlesex, who play once in the regular season and likely again in the Central Jersey Group I sectional tournament. There are plenty of tournaments around the state to enter that you do not need to settle for familiar foes. Follow the lead of Bound Brook (which traveled to Maryland) or South Hunterdon (which challenged itself against the likes of New Egypt, Keyport and Lindenwold).

2) Hunterdon Central might be in a different class than every other team in the Skyland Conference and the area. I have not seen the Red Devils yet, but I have seen 14 teams and none are putting up the kind of results they are. My number two and three ranked teams -- Piscataway and Rutgers Prep -- already have had squeakers this season while Central is winning easily on the way to the semifinals of a very competitive 16-team Brick Memorial Tournament.

3) Gill St. Bernard's is legitimate. We learned that last weekend when Gill beat Montgomery. Today's game against New York power Bishop Ford should be interesting. If I had to pick right now, I would say Rutgers Prep and Gill have a 50 percent chance of facing each other in the Somerset County Tournament final.

4) Don't sleep on Mount St. Mary. The Mount Lions, led by 2005 Courier News Coach of the Year Jim Vopal, are 5-0 and winning close games. Senior leadership will do that for you.

5) Bridgewater-Raritan is better than its record shows. Being tied with Piscataway in the final seconds is something for this very young team to build off.

Here are some players that caught my attention this week: Courtney Woodard (Plainfied), Shauna Mulkerin (Immaculata), DreShonda Williams (Piscataway), Taylor Jeffers (Franklin), Amy Evanylo (Manville), Blaire Houston (South Plainfield), Lindsay Darvin (Benards), Gabby O'Leary (Westfield).

Well the first week is over...

And what a hectic week of girls hoops it was.

First, THANK YOU to all the coaches, assistants coaches, players, scorekeepers, team managers, parents, etc. who call in games. I know our early deadlines (9:45 p.m.) have been tough on you, but you are doing a great job. We are getting more night time girls basketball games in the paper than only other sport.

Second, the girls basketball notebook will be running on Saturdays in our new VARSITY pullout section. Notebooks for all sports run on the same day in that section. Also, Friday night game stories will be in VARSITY, too. So don't thumb through the sports section and figure something went wrong. Look for VARSITY.

Here are some of my thoughts, but for more, read the notebook.

-- Thursday and Friday night I saw two very team-oriented victories. Watchung Hills and Somerville both graduated star players last season, but appear to have adjusted well to their makeover. Interestingly, both teams won by the same score, 44-36.

-- I'm hearing good things about Immaculata's Shauna Mulkerin. The Spartans are 0-3, but people I have talked to who have seen them say Mulkerin is a young Lindsay Melone in the making. That's a scary thought for opposing teams during the next three years.

-- Who is the best team in Somerset County? It's no clear now than it was during the preseason. I have my thoughts, but I'll keep those to myself. You can debate that it is any of four or five teams. And please do, in the comments section.

-- My Top 10 looks surprisingly similar to my first Top 10. I guess I'm more clued in than I give myself credit for.

-- Here is my probable coverage schedule for holiday tournament week:

Dec. 26: Immaculata vs. Piscataway AND South Plainfield vs. Delaware Valley
Dec. 27: Plainfield vs. Franklin
Dec. 29 Dunellen Tournament consolation and championship games

Before that, I'll be covering Voorhees-Rutgers Prep on Saturday afternoon. It should be a very good matchup. As they did last season, the Vikings are surprising me. I clearly underrated them. Rutgers Prep has yet to play a local team, so it is a good chance to see how it measures up.

PREDICTION: Rutgers Prep 48, Voorhees 39
WHY? Junior center Felicia Mgbada will be too much to handle in the post and the quickness of the Argonauts' guards will too many cause problems in the full court.

Important correction

In Thursday's girls basketball season preview, I mistakenly wrote that Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer had attended a Plainfield High School practice. There was a miscommunication between Plainfield coach Elizabeth Clark and myself.
Clark called me Thursday morning and said what she actually told me was that having former Stringer player and Plainfield assistant coach Mauri Horton on her staff was "like having Coach Stringer at practice."

A Top 10 Experiment

I admit that after phone calls and/or emails to the 33 local high school girls basketball coaches, I still do not have a great grasp for what is going to happen this season. I swear that is not an indictment on my work, but rather a testament to how much parity is expected.
I mentioned this to my colleague Jerry Carino and told him that I did not want to make a Preseason Top 10 for fear of looking stupid. Together, we hatched the idea of putting all possible candidates into a hat and seeing what happens.
I decided against it for the newspaper, but figured it could make good blog fodder.
So, fresh out of a filthy, sweat- and sand-stained Florida Marlins cap found lying around the office, here is the out-of-a-hat Top 10. It consists of the 13 schools I considered for the Top 10 that runs in the paper as part of Thursday's lengthy season preview.
All I'll say now is that this is very different than the one I eventually printed. Only one team is in the same spot here as in the paper. Check out both.

1. North Hunterdon
2. Franklin
3. Gill St. Bernard's
4. Immacualta
5. Scotch Plains-Fanwood
6. Rutgers Prep
7. Montgomery
8. Hunterdon Central
9. Watchung Hills
10. Somerville
Others considered: Hillsborough, Westfield, Piscataway

Nava no more

After nine seasons in the independent Atlantic League, Lipso Nava is finally advancing. Nava, who played third base and became a fan favorite for the 1998 and 1999 Somerset Patriots, accepted a Single-A coaching position Monday in the San Francisco Giants organization.
The mustached marauder (I just made that up spur of the moment) never got out of independent baseball as a player, so this is a good break. He played for the Camden Riversharks before retiring as a member of the Newark Bears. Nava was the hitting coach for Newark's 2007 championship team. Below is the contents of the Bears' press release.


NEWARK, NJ, December 10—The Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced today that Lipso Nava, the team’s hitting coach during the 2007 season, has accepted a minor league coaching position within the San Francisco Giants organization for the upcoming 2008 season. Nava will serve as the hitting coach and first base coach for single-A Augusta in the South Atlantic League.

“I appreciate the confidence that the Newark Bears showed in me this past season and for giving me the chance to grow, both as a coach and as a person,” said Nava. “I look forward to this opportunity to further my career and, with the help of God, reach the Major Leagues one day.”

The 39 year-old Nava guided Bears hitters to a league-record .302 team batting average in helping Newark win the 2007 Atlantic League Championship. Last season marked Nava’s first as a coach at any level of professional baseball. He retired as a player following the 2006 campaign.

“I have personally known Lipso for seven years, and I am extremely proud of him and happy for him and his family,” said Bears general manager John Brandt. “With his tremendous work ethic and the success he achieved last season, he is very deserving of this opportunity.”

In a 17-year playing career, Nava had a .274 lifetime batting average in over 1,300 games played. He batted better than .300 on three different occasions, including a career-best .332 for the Somerset Patriots in 1998. The season before, Nava reached the Triple-A level for the only time in his career, batting .266 with nine home runs for the Iowa Cubs.

The Venezuelan-born Nava played for three different Atlantic League teams over the final nine seasons of his career, the Bears, the Patriots, and the Camden Riversharks. He closed out his career playing third base for the Bears in 2006, batting .239 in an injury-shortened 52 games.

This is the second consecutive off-season that the Newark Bears have had their hitting coach hired by the San Francisco Giants. In the 2006 off-season, veteran hitting coach Victor Torres was hired to work in the Giants minor league system. Torres is expected to coach at Double-A Connecticut in 2008.

Raritan Township's Cust Academy new site for spring training

Hopefully you caught this article last week. If not, the link is pasted below. I will have more on spring training after the turn of the calendar, but this should tell you all you need to know for now.
http://c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071206/SPORTS05/712060301/1015

Nettles, Hernandez and Brownlie, Oh My!

Just basic transactions news to report here:

-- Former Somerset Patriot Jeff Nettles has re-signed with the Kansas City Royals, who signed the third baseman after five seasons in the Atlantic League. Nettles hit .267 with eight home runs and 41 RBIs in 58 games at Double-A, but told me last season he hoped to start 2008 in Triple-A.

-- Former Patriot catcher Michel Hernandez has joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the best catcher in the league both offensively and defensively before the Tampa Bay Devil Rays snatched him in June and stuck him in Triple-A. Hernandez hit .276 and only struck out 13 times in 170 at-bats, numbers good enough for the Pirates but not the D-Rays, apparently.

-- Former J.P. Stevens High School, Rutgers University and Newark Bears standout Bobby Brownlie has signed with the Washington Nationals, his third professional organization. The former first-round pick of the Chicago Cubs was masterful in half of a season with the Bears, catching the Cleveland Indians' attention. The right-hander was 1-2 with a 3.17 earned-run average in 48 1/3 innings at Double-A, but got roughed up in the final game of the Eastern League Championship Series won by the Trenton Thunder, a Yankees' affiliate.

Hopefully I'll have some quotes from Nettles and Brownlie to run in the newspaper soon.

BASA breakup

If case this blog is your only source of Atlantic League news, you probably do not know that Baseball and Sports Associates is no longer what we have come to know it to be.
Before you start using negativity, remember BASA was not all bad. It saved teams lots of money on worker's compensation and was effective in business operations of minor-league baseball.
But the on-field aspect of BASA -- which handled player acquisitions for half the league last season -- is what drew ire from fans, writers and coaches alike this season, and that effectively ended last month when the leaders of BASA went their separate ways.
Adam Gladstone will now handle such responsibilities for the York Revolution, David Keller for the Camden Riversharks and Keith Lupton for the Lancaster Barnstormers.
It should be the end of shady trades, loading up one team for a playoff run while weakening another, on and on, so forth and so forth.
Sure, these three guys are still friends and will be wheeling and dealing, but they are competitive by nature and nobody wants to come up with the short end of a trade or look bad relative to the other two. It is worth noting that all three teams will be in the same division competing for two playoff spots next season thanks to realignment.
Expect this to a be a very, very good thing for the Atlantic League as it takes another step toward hashing out its self-created problems.
New Southern Maryland manager Butch Hobson is expected to handle the player procurement for his team while the other BASA-run team, Bridgeport, has a new general manager but still no clue who will do player procurement.

Managerial moves

Finally, something for me to write about as we transition from my summer job covering the Atlantic League to my winter job covering high school girls basketball.
The Lancaster Barnstormers hired former Philadelphia Phillie Von Hayes after an intense interview process that included high-profile candidates such as Gary Carter, Butch Hobson and Wally Backman. The part that truly is shocking to me is that Hayes got the job over Tom Herr, who managed the Barnstormers first-ever game and led them to the 2006 championship. I thought he was a lock to be rehired considering he is from the Lancaster area and is a known commodity to the fans.
“I can’t imagine a better place than Lancaster to manage in minor league baseball,” Hayes said. “The facilities and the organization are first class, and I am truly excited to be back in the Philly area. I’m looking forward to working with the veteran professionals in the Atlantic League and giving them every opportunity to get back to Major League Baseball. Our coaches & players will be as committed to winning as our front office for our loyal fans whose support and enthusiasm I have heard so much about.”
Hayes has been a Manager of the Year at Single-A and Double-A.
Unlike the other passed over candidates, Hobson's interview did not go totally fruitless. He landed the managerial position with the expansion Southern Maryland Blue Crabs after eight seasons at the helm of the Nashua Pride. The Pride won the 2000 Atlantic League title and returned to the championship series twice more after that prior to their 2006 departure for the independent Can-Am League.
Hobson spent eight years in the majors as a player and is the only Atlantic League manager with past major-league managing experience, having made a name for himself with the Boston Red Sox from 1992-94. During his first Atlantic League stint, he often was called the best tactical manager, a title which irks his friend and rival, Sparky Lyle.
The Blue Crabs also interviewed Carter, Backman, Cecil Fielder and Ryan Minor.
What is interesting about this hire is that it was widely assumed for years Minor was going to get this job. He spent on a season on the road as a coach with the Road Warriors and then another in the league preparing to be a manager. It sounds like he got a raw deal.
Also worth mentioning: Nashua is eight hours from Southern Maryland. I've made the joke several times that if the Pride had not left the league, the Atlantic League would have its first plane-worthy road trip. I guess Hobson has to move.

Torre? Brockton Rox?

Well, this story grinds my gears (Family Guy reference) but I'm going to post about it anyway.
The independent Can-Am League's Brockton Rox have offered their managerial position to Joe Torre in what clearly is a public relations stunt.
For those who don't know, the Can-Am League offers a lower quality of baseball than the Atlantic League and Somerset Patriots, and is home to teams such as the Atlantic City Surf, Nashua Pride and Montclair-based Jersey Jackals.
The story, which you can find at http://www.brocktonrox.com/therox/headlines/index.html?article_id=722, says that the Rox will offer Torre an annual salary in the high five figures and display the kind of trust and commitment Torre said he wanted but did not get from the Yankees brass.
Those people -- like at least one of my friends -- who think is a good move by the Rox are just plain wrong. You can argue it draws publicity to the Rox -- would I be otherwise writing about them right now? -- but I think it just draws ridicule.
We all know Torre would never consider something like this, so the Rox are just the butt of the joke to any writer who comes across this story. Is Rox merchandise or ticket sales going to increase because of this self-created story? Doubtful.
Anyway, if Torre was to manage an independent minor-league team, it certainly would be either the Patriots (owned by Torre friend and confidant Steve Kalafer) or the Atlantic League expansion Bergen Cliff Hawks, also owned by Kalafer and very close to New York City.
Enough time devoted to a ridiculous story.

News somewhat related to the Patriots

Atlantic City Surf general manager Brendan Fairfield resigned Thursday after one year on the job. Fairfield worked as the Somerset Patriots Vice President for three years but left for a job with the Surf after the 2006 season. He quickly was promoted to general manager.
According to a team press release, Fairfield accepted a job outside the baseball profession after spending 10 years in the minors.

In other semi-related news, the Patriots annual holiday party should be an interesting event now that Joe Torre is no longer Yankees manager. He is the guest every year and usually makes at least a few wisecracks about the Yankee hierarchy. Torre probably will only give a few interviews between now and then, so -- assuming he keeps his commitment to Patriots owner and close friend Steve Kalafer -- I'm looking forward to his speech to the crowd and my 3 minutes of 1-on-1 time.

2 weeks of thoughts...

Since Somerset Patriots season ended, here are some work-related thoughts I've had:

1) I finished reading The Bronx Zoo today and as I read it, I couldn't help but hear Sparky Lyle's voice in my head saying the stuff I was reading. Almost 30 years later, Lyle still uses the same terms to describe the same situations. And so many of the things he said about the Patriots playoff chase this year -- how they needed to go 5-2 in this week or sweep this early September series -- were things he was saying during the historic 1978 Yankees comeback. I was almost embarrassed to say I had not read that book for the first two years I covered the team. It was an off-season goal of mine.

2) I'm at a high school football game right now. Highland Park at Middlesex. I don't cover much high school football, but I covered Highland Park last week and their running back, Bryant Fitzgerald, is big time. He is listed at 5-10 and 170 pounds and is probably smaller than that but the best way to describe his play is to tell you it reminds me of Reggie Bush in Madden 2008. He's running at a different speed than even if the fastest players around him. Someone should scoop him up now, as a junior.

3) When did it get so cold out? I was wearing shorts during the Atlantic League Championship Series. Tonight, jeans, a long sleeve shirt, zip-up sweatshirt and beanie.

Postseason thoughts

Last night I gave you my initial thoughts about the Atlantic League Championship Series. Here is further analysis and some random facts.

1) In the moments after the loss, more than a few Patriots could be mumbling under their breath in the clubhouse about manager Sparky Lyle. The veteran skipper travels a long distance from his South Jersey home to come to the games and likes to be the first one out the post-game clubhouse door. He again was first Monday night, leaving without addressing his team. Lyle is not the emotional goodbye type, but considering many of his players sacrificed their health by playing through injuries, a "You gave it your best" speech might have been in order. His pack-up-and-leave routine left a sour taste in the mouth of many veterans.

2) Both of Newark's titles have been helped by Piscataway High School graduates, third baseman Corey Smith (2007) and pitcher Bryan Malko (2002).

3) Outfielder Jose Herrera was not even on the Most Valuable Player radar when Game 4 began. It was between Smith -- a one-time defensive liability who played a stellar hot corner in this series -- and closer Jeremy Hill. Just goes to show what three home runs and six RBIs in the decisive game will do for you in the eyes of voting media members.

4) You can second-guess any coaching staff after a postseason loss and this is no different.
Why did Lyle and pitching coach Brett Jodie handle the pitching staff the way they did? Reliable right-handers Paul Thorp and Saul Solveson were nowhere to be found while Jason Richardson and Hector Almonte were called upon routinely after coming up short for most of the regular season. Keith Ramsey, who had a streaky regular season, did not pitch at all in the playoffs while fellow starters Brian Adams, Brandon Knight and Lincoln Mikkelsen were stretched to capacity in the playoffs.

5) The Patriots led the league in home runs during the regular season, but their foundation was built on small ball. A walk, a steal, a bunt and...voila...a run. In the four championship series games, the Patriots stole just two bases and rarely bunted. When slow-footed runners were on base, the perfect pinch runner, Patrick Boran, could have come off the bench to create some havoc.

6) The Bears are the model of how quickly an Atlantic League team can be turned around. After a miserable 2006 season, a new manager, pitching coach, and director of player procurement retained only four regulars from the prior season and built a winning nucleus of talent. Congratulations on a job well done to one of the more professionally run front offices in the league.

7) In my 2006 season preview, I called the Lancaster Barnstormers the "Team to Watch." In my 2007 season preview, I called the Newark Bears the "Team to Watch." Attention Atlantic League owners: For the right price, I can make your franchise the 2008 Team to Watch.
(I'm kidding, of course)

8) Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen joined the Patriots on Sept. 4 with the sole goal of winning a title. Instead, he gave up seven runs in a no-decision in the fatal game. Mikkelsen, 40, could be the best pitcher in league history, but his teams are now 0-for-6 in the Atlantic League playoff. Feel bad for this guy.

Patriots season ends in shocking fashion

Here are my initial postgame thoughts after the Bears scored eight eighth-inning runs to beat the Patriots 13-7 to capture the Atlantic League Championship Series in four games...With more to come tomorrow...



1) The bullpen woes that plagued the Patriots all season was their undoing at the end. The bullpen blew a lead in Game 1, and could not hold tie scores and allowed the winning runs to score late in Games 3 and 4.



2) Bears manager Wayne Krenchicki and pitching coach Steve Focault have coached together at three different stops for 10 years in the Atlantic League and suffered three playoff series defeats. This title was a long time coming for these two.



3) Like closer R.D. Spiehs the night before, give Somerset starter Lincoln Mikkelsen credit for speaking after a rough Game 4 performance. Covering the Atlantic League is not like covering the majors. I'm the only reporter in the losing locker room and it would be easy to blow me off with no cameras watching. These guys were true pros.



4) It might seem silly, but this was a historic Atlantic League game. It reminded me of the New England Patriots collapse against the Indianapolis Colts in the 2007 AFC Championship Game. Dynasties simply do not melt down like this. The Patriots had not lost a playoff series since 2000 -- when I was high school senior -- and had won their last eight games when facing playoff elimination.



5) The Bears, a team that won just 42 games all of last season, became the first time other than the Patriots to win multiple Atlantic League titles. The Patriots still lead that race with three, but the Bears broke away from the Lancaster Barnstormers, Bridgeport Bluefish and Long Island Ducks. Maybe more teams should follow their lead and completely blow up their roster after a miserable season. (See: Lancaster).

Championship Series Game 3

HISTORY: The first inning of Game 3 is underway. With the series tied 1-1, it is a pivotal game, but not as much of a determining factor as you might think.
The only other time in Atlantic League history time that there was a situation like this , in 2003, the Patriots and Nashua Pride split the first two games and the Pride won Game 3. The Patriots rebounded with two road victories to capture the title.
Interestingly, six of the first nine Atlantic League Championship Series ended in three-game sweeps. This is the first since that 2003 series that there will be a Game 4.
The Patriots now have been involved in three of the four non-sweeps. The only other one extended series was the Atlantic City Surf's four-game victory over the Bridgeport Bluefish in the league's inaugural 1998 season.

Postseason Awards

Here are the Atlantic League Postseason Awards as announced Friday afternoon:
(Editor's Note: I HATE ties, but it's a good way to get all the teams represented in the awards. Other than that, I have no real objections with any of the selections other than I think Newark's Javier Colina should have edged his teammate Victor Rodriguez for Player of the Year and I don't think Jesse Hoorelbeke should have gotten a share of that award.)

C - Randy McGarvey, Camden
1B - Jesse Hoorelbeke, Bridgeport
2B - Javier Colina, Newark
3B - Jay Caligiuri, Bridgeport
SS - Ramon Castro, Newark
UTIL - P.J. Rose, Long Island, and Nate Espy, York (tie)
OF - Carl Everett, Long Island
OF - Mike Lockwood, Somerset
OF - Steven Doetsch, Road Warriors
OF - Ray Navarrete, Long Island
DH - Victor Rodriguez, Newark
RHP - Gary Knotts, Newark
LHP - Brian Adams, Somerset
CLOSER - Danny Graves, Long Island, and Derrick DePriest, Lancaster (tie)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR - Jeff Scott, Road Warriors
PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Brian Adams, Somerset
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Victor Rodriguez and Jesse Hoorelbeke (tie)
PARK OF THE YEAR - Commerce Bank Ballpark, Bridgewater
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - John Brandt, Newark

Through two games....

Here is what I'm thinking as I drink my Vanilla Frosty from Wendy's in my Cherry Hill hotel room. Or do you eat a Frosty? Not sure.

1) Attendance is a highly contested issue in the Atlantic League for two reasons. First, most teams announce paid attendance and not actual attendance, and there is usually a big disparity between the two. Second, the perception is most fans come for the between innings promotions, pregame giveaways and carnival atmosphere. That's what makes the Game 1 crowd of 6,006 -- a very legitimate number -- at Commerce Bank Ballpark so impressive. There were no between innings promotions -- just baseball in the playoffs. That means that if there were 5,500 fans through the gate, they came for the baseball. A very good sign.
2) The Patriots stayed alive with a 3-2 victory in Game 2 despite managing just five hits. That is eight total hits in two games. They scored the game-winning run in the 11th inning on a walk, a bunt, a groundout and a wild pitch. To win Game 3, the Patriots are going to need more offense even though they appear to have the better starting pitcher on the mound.
3) Catcher Randy McGarvey -- who I listed in my series preview package as an under-the-radar to watch -- missed Game 2 with a back injury. Brent Metheny caught in his place and played well overall, but he could not get a glove on the wild pitch that allowed the winning run to score. If McGarvey misses Game 3, that it could make a major difference.
4) Reggie Taylor caused a stir around the Atlantic League when he decided in late August that he wanted to play for the Long Island Duck instead of the Lancaster Barnstormers, where he played in 2006 and verbally agreed to rejoin. The Ducks got a lot of slack for this move, and how did Taylor repay them? By skipping Game 1 of the North Division Championship Series because he returned home to South Carolina after Sunday's regular-season finale and did not make it back in time.
5) The Newark Bears are headed to the Atlantic League Championship Series for the first time since winning the 2002 title. The way the Bears finished the regular season and the convincing manner in which they swept the Ducks makes them the odds-on favorite over the Patriots or Riversharks. They can win by out-hitting or out-pitching opponents.

Game 1 thoughts

The Patriots were held to three hits Tuesday in their Atlantic League South Division Championship Series first game 4-1 extra-innings loss to the Camden Riversharks.
The unstoppable offense that averaged nearly seven runs per game in its first 15 September games was nowhere to be found against Matt Beech.
Baseball and Sports Associates, the player procurement company that handles baseball operations for four teams, was a real winner Tuesday. BASA has taken a lot of heat this season and only one of its four teams made the playoffs, not the strongest defense it could make.
But BASA's late-season additions to the Riversharks made all the difference Tuesday.
Beech allowed one run and two hits in eight innings, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth.
Closer Lou Pote earned the victory with two scoreless innings.
Infielder Brett Metheny had a pinch-hit single in the three-run 10th-inning rally.
All three of them were acquired by BASA for the Riversharks in the last week of the regular season.
It all leaves the three-time champion Patriots on the verge of being eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
The Patriots won the winner-take-all Game 3 of the 2005 South Division Championship Series and won two games facing elimination in the 2003 Atlantic League Championship Series.
Still, it's not a comfortable spot to manager Sparky Lyle. Here is what he had to say about losing Game 1 -- four hours losing it.

"It's so important. If you lose this game, your back is really against the wall. There aren't any two ways about it."

"In the playoffs in the big leagues, I always thought it was better when the series were seven games. Five games weren't enough."

"If you lose the first game, you're chances (of winning the series) are pretty bad."

"Even champions lose once in a while, but to be here, I'm very proud of these guys."

If I only had a ballot...

I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the Atlantic League powers
Consultin' with the brains
And my head, I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a ballot.
(Who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz?)


Anyway, the point of that little lyric was to remind everyone that media does not its own vote for postseason awards in the Atlantic League.
Each team gets one ballot and is supposed to consult its beat writers for their thoughts.
This consulting rarely happens around the league, but, IN SHOCKING NEWS, I was asked for my opinion by Somerset this season and I definitely appreciate it - even if my opinions are not the ones that ultimately get submitted.
Here is my ballot:


Player of the Year: Javier Colina, Newark Bears

The versatile infielder made a splash in his first Atlantic League season, finishing first in the league in RBIs (101), second in home runs (26) and extra-base hits (59), third in slugging percentage (.560), fourth in runs scored (92) and fifth in hits (144).
Runners-up: Batting champion and 2004 Player of the Year Victor Rodriguez, Colina's teammate with the Bears. League-leader in runs scored (104), extra-base hits (62) and doubles (42), Ray Navarrete of the Long Island Ducks.


Pitcher of the Year: Brian Adams, Somerset Patriots
The left-hander likely would have won the pitching Triple Crown if he made his final start of the regular season instead of being held back for the playoffs. Adams led the league in victories (15) and finished with the best earned-run average (3.68) of any active pitcher. The three hurlers with better ERAs are long since out of the league. His 117 strikeouts ranked second in the league.
This award would atone for Adams inexplicably not once winning Pitcher of the Month despite being 11-0 in 15 games at Commerce Bank Ballpark and 15-2 overall.
Runner-up: Bridgeport Bluefish left-hander Mike Porzio, who topped Adams in strikeouts, finished two spots below Adams in ERA and fifth in the league in wins with 11.

Executive of the Year: John Brandt/Jim Cerny, Newark Bears
Brandt, the general manager, handed off player procurement responsibilities to assistant general manager Cerny before the season and the move worked brilliantly. Brandt, one of the league's more innovative minds, improved attendance in Newark with some truly unique promotions and by being flexible with his game schedule. There were plenty of camp days, 5:05 weekday starts to lure Newark's businessmen and 3:05 Sunday starts to lure churchgoers.
Cerny built an on-field product that was as good as any in the league. The Bears are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and it is not as if they have been knocking on the door for a while. This team arguably was worse than the Road Warriors in 2006.
Runner-up: Somerset Patriots general manager Patrick McVerry will be the first to tell you he has a great staff working for him. But credit starts at the top, and Somerset recorded its second-best season in total attendance. The franchise really played up the 10th anniversary season, plastering a new logo everywhere and remodeling parts of the ballpark.

Manager of the Year: Jeff Scott, Road Warriors
I will preface this vote by saying, I would be shocked if this happens. At least one league executive campaigned for Scott last season -- when I also "voted" for him -- and he was nowhere to be found at announcement time. Still, what Scott does -- driving the equipment van, helping out with the laundry, taking players to the bank -- is stuff no other manager would touch. His players love him for it, and that is why the Road Warriors set a franchise-record with 43 overall wins and remarkably avoided the North Division basement in the second half.
Runner-up: Rookie manager Joe Ferguson guided the Camden Riversharks to their first playoff berth since 2004 with a 39-24 first-half record. He got the most out of some aging veteran players who, just last season, looked finished.



Actual winners should be announced by the league Thursday.

Atlantic League alumni making playoff impact

While the Atlantic League regular season winds down, affiliated minor leagues are deciding their playoffs.
In the Double-A Eastern League, Trenton (New York Yankees) took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five championship series against Akron (Cleveland Indians) with a 3-2 win Wednesday night.
Why am I writing about this on my blog?
Former Somerset Patriot for a day, Noah Hall, had the walk-off RBI single with no outs in the bottom of the ninth. He drove the final pitch to the opposite field.
Hall did not play in Game 1 but got the Game 2 start at designated hitter and went 3-for-5.
The outfielder went to Atlantic League spring training with the Patriots and collected two hits on Opening Night before signing with the Yankees and spending the entire season as a backup outfielder at Double-A.
Former Lancaster Barnstormer Scott Patterson earned the Game 2 victory. Patterson allowed nine earned runs in 74 1/3 innings for Trenton this season.
The interesting thing about this story is I covered one game in Trenton this season and a few writers in the press box gave me a hard time about the quality of play and respectability of the Atlantic League. It is important to note that these hecklers were not Thunder employees.
But it seems to me like the Thunder's season -- and Wednesday night's pivotal game -- would have been more of a struggle if not for their Atlantic League alumni.
Also of note, if the series reaches Game 4, former Rutgers University and Newark Bears pitcher Bobby Brownlie is expected to make the start for Akron.

Six games, almost zero meaning

The Patriots began regular-season life after clinching a playoff spot Tuesday night against the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Both managers put something very close to their regular starting lineups out, but there is no denying the next three games will be played without the same intensity. Neither team has anything to gain by winning or losing.
"Anybody who wants or need a rest is going to get it," Patriots skipper Sparky Lyle said. "But we're not by any means going to let teams beat the (heck) out of us."
Second baseman Teuris Olivares is resting Tuesday, and expect third baseman Jose Morban and outfielders Mike Lockwood and Jason Romano to get days off in the near future.
But do not expect Lyle to do crazy things such as have position players pitch or hit away in obvious bunting situations. He wants to avoid any kind of prolonged losing streak or negative energy entering the playoffs.
As for the final three games of the regular season against the Camden Riversharks -- a South Division Championship Series preview -- those should be interesting. Both managers will probably spend more time playing head games with each other -- not pitching their top pitchers, switching up their signs, etc. -- than they will trying to win games.
The next game that counts is Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Commerce Bank Ballpark.

Camden loading up for Somerset

The Atlantic League South Division Championship Series is set and will feature the Camden Riversharks and Somerset Patriots when Game 1 begins at 7:05 p.m. Sept. 18 at Commerce Bank Ballpark.
The Atlantic League's deadline to add any playoff-eligible players to your roster was Monday at noon and while the Patriots remained quiet, the Riversharks did not.
Camden signed left-handed pitcher Rolando Viera, right-handed pitcher Lou Pote, infielder Brent Metheny and traded the Bridgeport Bluefish starting pitcher Randy Dicken for starting pitcher Matt Beech.
Pote is a former major-leaguer with 129 games of experience for the Angels and Indians.
BUT THE REAL NEWS HERE IS...Beech.
You may remember his name from being the pitcher Jose Offerman went after with his bat earlier this season, but Beech is more than that to Atlantic League personnel.
He is an up and down veteran capable of throwing a complete-game shutout or imploding without surviving the fourth inning. Either way, he is expected to get one start in the playoffs and should impact the series either way.
The Riversharks and Bluefish have their baseball operations handled by the same company -- Baseball And Sports Associates -- so naturally this trade raises some questions about the intentions of BASA.
Neither Beech nor Dicken is having a great season, but Beech is a gritty former major-leaguer who helped Bridgeport to the 2006 Atlantic League Championship Series. Dicken is more of a young project, who earlier this season was with the Road Warriors.
Patriots manager Sparky Lyle surely will have something to say about this trade Tuesday and I will call BASA director Adam Gladstone, too.
Check Wednesday's Courier News for those thoughts, but here is what Lyle said about BASA this past weekend:

“I don’t even know what we could do. They do whatever they want.”

Back from suspension, Ayala talks...

Patriots shortstop Elliott Ayala spoke to me Monday afternoon about his one-game suspension in the aftermath of an incident with umpire Chris Hubler.
Ayala made contact with Hubler's face while arguing a safe call at second base Friday night. He already had been ejected from the game at that point, and needed to be restrained from Hubler by home plate umpire Joe Cruz.
Ayala served a one-game suspension Sunday and is back in the starting lineup Monday night. If Ayala is ejected again this season, he will be handed an automatic two-game suspension.
He is the leadoff batter with Hubler behind the plate and it won't take long to see if there are any hard feelings on either side.

Update: First batter went smoothly. Take the first pitch, single to left on the second. So much for early drama.



Here is what Ayala said:

"It was the heat of the battle. It is in the past sense. It's something that happened, but I place no blame on him and me."

"I'd like to start. No grudges. It happens all the time in baseball. I'm not holding any grudges."

Did he make contact with Hubler's face?
"I don't think I did whatever he said I did. Nothing was intentional."

"I didn't say anything (worthy of an ejection). That's why (I got so angry)."

Crossing the line?

In the top of the second inning tonight, in the most important Atlantic League series going on right now, the Atlantic League reached a new low.
Somerset's Jose Morban singled and was on first base with one out.
In foul territory near the first base coach's box, Reggie, the Purple Party Dude mascot, was hanging out, putting on his usual between innings show DURING AN INNING.
He played several jokes on the first base coach -- who we later learned to be Reggie's acting accomplice dressed in a Patriots uniform --including kicking him in the butt a few times.
Morban got caught watching this act -- which came dangerously close to crossing into fair territory -- and was picked off the base on a snap throw by catcher Sandy Aracena.
You can blame Morban for losing his concentration, but I can see where he was misled into thinking a timeout had been called for these shenanigans.
If the regular first base coach had been in the box, Reggie probably wouldn't have been fooling around with him. Even if he was causing a distraction, you'd like to believe he would have yelled "BACK!" to Morban.
Also worth noting, if the home franchise wants this act so badly, why not do it when their team is up at bat? Then they would have to decide what is more important, and I bet the players and coaches would have something to say about that decision.
As someone who vehemently defends the Atlantic League and its high caliber of baseball, this was embarassing to see.
I realize the entertainment value of such performers to the fans, but when it starts affecting the on-field results in the middle of a pennant race, that is crossing a fine line.
It will be interesting to see what Sparky Lyle has to say about this play after the game -- especially if the Patriots wind up losing.

Israel comes to Atlantic League

It was only a matter of time before this story, but the newly started Israel Baseball League has made its first impact on the Atlantic League.
The Bridgeport Bluefish have signed Rafael Bergstrom, who, according to this press release from the Atlantic League Web site, sounds like he was the Most Valuable Player of the league.
The press release makes no mention of him having ever played affiliated baseball and I cannot find his name on any of the common sites. If that is true, it sounds like Bergstrom will be over-matched.
Good publicity stunt, though.
Here is the release:

Rafael Bergstrom, a 6’5” right-hander who ten days ago hurled a complete game shutout to lead the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox to the championship, has become the first player from the Israel Baseball League signed to a pro contract in the U.S.
Bergstrom, who turns 26 on September 5, has signed with the independent Atlantic League’s Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish, managed by former big league star Tommy John, and will join the team immediately. The league’s regular season ends September 16.
“Raffy was brilliant in the first season of the IBL,” said Larry Baras, the league’s founder, who oversaw the 41-game schedule for the first pro baseball league in the Middle East. “He worked hard, he was a fan favorite, and he was a big reason for the Blue Sox going wire to wire in first place and then winning the league’s first championship.”
Bergstrom struck out 56 in 51 2/3 innings in the IBL, and then struck out eight and walked none in his 3-0 victory over Art Shamsky’s Modi’in Miracle on August 19.
Ron Blomberg piloted the Blue Sox. Bergstrom’s 7-2 regular season record had him tied for the league lead in victories and he finished fourth in ERA at 2.44. He walked only 16.
He is a resident of Pacific Grove, CA and a product of University of California, San Diego. Prior to playing in the IBL, Bergstrom played two seasons in Germany and one in Australia.

Read me in THNT

I'm a little late posting this because it started 2 weeks ago, but Somerset Patriots fans from Middlesex County can now read my game stories in The Home News Tribune.
For those people from Somerset, Hunterdon and Union who often complain to me about not seeing game stories in the paper, the Home News has later deadlines, so you will almost always find a game story in that paper if you happen to be in their circulation area for work or travel. Or you can continue reading about the games at www.c-n.com.

Did the Patriots win a game they should not have?

It sure sounds that way according to rule 2.00 in the 2004 edition of the official baseball rules handbook.
With runners on the corners and one out in the top of the eighth inning Thursday night, Patriots left fielder Jason Romano made a running catch, turned and fired the ball to second baseman Teuris Olivares, who threw to first base to catch the runner straying too far off the bag and complete the double play.
The runner from third base crossed home plate with what would have been the tying run but home plate umpire Sean Arthur waved off the run because of the double play.
No one questioned the ruling at the time, but this is straight from the rule book:
"One out. Runner on first and third. Batter flies out. Two out. Runner on third tags up and scores. Runner on first tries to retouch before throw from fielder reaches first baseman, but does not get back in time and is out. Three outs. If, in umpires judgement, the runner from third touched home before the ball was held at first base, the run counts."
There is no question that the runner crossed the plate in time because Arthur initially got the call right, signaling that the run counted. Only after several Patriots hopped out of the dugout to disagree did Arthur change his mind.
This obscure rule exception was brought to my attention Friday afternoon by Road Warriors manager Jeff Scott, who still was kicking himself for not arguing the call. Scott admitted to being distracted in the dugout and missing the play. He said he has seen the play hundreds of time in his long playing and coaching career.

Fallout: The Patriots are in a pennant race with the York Revolution. If they end up winning the division by one game or by tiebreaker, this one is really going to sting.
OF COURSE, that would only have been the tying run and there is no saying the Patriots would not have won the game anyway. But it makes you wonder what would/could have been.

Offerman-Beech incident fallout

The Atlantic League suspended Bridgeport Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech for three games and Long Island Ducks first baseman Jared Price for two games Tuesday following their roles in an ugly brawl Aug. 14.
Both players also were fined undisclosed amounts.
After Beech hit former major-league All-Star Jose Offerman with a pitch in the third inning, Offerman charged the mound with his bat, leading to both benches clearing.
An investigation by the league led to the conclusion that Beech had thrown at Offerman to provoke the incident and that Price had come off the bench to tackle Beech, possibly causing the broken finger on the pitcher’s right hand.
Offerman was given an indefinite suspension pending the result of his legal proceedings, which are scheduled to begin Thursday in Bridgeport, Conn.

In related news, this story from the Associated Press says that Offerman and his lawyer are contending he did not hit either Beech or Bluefish catcher John Nathans with his bat.
"We dispute the fact that any contact was made with the bat," attorney Frank Riccio said. "It's as likely these two players got injured in the melee that followed the incident as opposed to the baseball bat incident."
It seems like the Ducks and Offerman are positioning an argument for his return to the Atlantic League, which would be a real shame.
In 2001, Bridgeport's Dee Jenkins was banished for life by the league for using his bat in a similar brawl. Jenkins' swings opened a bloody gash on then-Ducks manager Don McCormack's face.
If the Atlantic League is arguing that what Jenkins did is worse than what Offerman did just because of the end result, that is plain stupid.
Both players used bats as weapons. Just because one connected with a face on his swings and the other did not, does not mean Offerman should benefit from his swing and miss.
AS OF NOW, I FULLY EXPECT OFFERMAN TO BE ALLOWED BACK IN THE LEAGUE AND I DISAGREE WITH IT.

For analogy, it reminds me of the high school student who takes a test with a cheat sheet, gets caught and then says he never used it, so he should not be failed. Bad argument. You attempted to cheat, you got caught, you deserve punishment.

Thumbs up in Camden

Today's laurel goes to the grounds crew, umpires and weather man at Campbell's Field in Camden.
Despite steady rain from the first inning on, the Somerset Patriots and Riversharks were able to squeak in five innings to make the game official without injury to any player.
It was made possible by a great job by the grounds crew, bringing fresh dirt out to the batter's box and pitcher's mound between every half-inning.
The umpires showed the necessary patience, and were smart enough to go to delay as soon as the fifth inning was completed. To make their job easier, the rain did pick up severely before the sixth, justifying that point for the delay.
With all the bad press the Atlantic League has received in recent days, this is one VERY LITTLE well-done job.

A long way from remorse

A news side reporter from the Connecticut Post tracked down Jose Offerman at his New York home Wednesday and did not exactly get the kind of remorse that Atlantic League officials desire.
In the article below you will find quotes from Offerman where he absolves himself of some blame, outrageously claiming that Bluefish catcher John Nathans "made up" that he was hit in the head and had a concussion. Offerman seems to imply there was a conspiracy against him.
Not sure I need to say anything else here.

http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_6631730

Offerman must go now

Sit down before you read this story. Long Island's Jose Offerman, a longtime former major-leaguer, charged the mound swinging a bat during the second inning of Tuesday night's game between the Ducks and Bridgeport Bluefish.
Offerman struck pitcher Matt Beech and catcher John Nathans, and Nathans may have a concussion after taking a blow to the head.
Offerman homered on the first pitch of the game and was drilled during his second at-bat.
After order was restored, the Bridgeport police department arrested Offerman, a former Bluefish.
For more on the incident, read the story in the Connecticut Post:
http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_6623997

My opinion is that Offerman must be suspended for the rest of the season and -- depending on what is uncovered-- banished from the league. The move would not be unprecedented. Two others players have been kicked out of the league, and this behavior warrants it.
Ironic thing is that several major media outlets -- including ESPN and USA Today -- recently wrote big stories about the Ducks collection of 13 former major-leaguers and how they were bonding well together in this league.
Expect this story to become national news quickly.

Atlantic League moves

The Patriots are bringing in former major-league outfielder Luke Allen. He is expected to join the team Wednesday in York. Allen reached the majors for eight games in 2002 and 2003 and is a career .290 hitter in 1,150 minor-league games over 10 seasons before. He has both speed and power and play some third base.
Outfielder Bryan Goelz, who was knowingly brought in as a temporary fill-in a few weeks ago, was released to make room for Allen.

DID YOU NOTICE: Tike Redman -- the first player ever to take an official at-bat for the Atlantic League's expansion York Revolution -- singled and scored the tying run for the Baltimore Orioles in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday against Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.
Redman, a former major-leaguer with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit .464 with an on-base percentage of .516 and hit safely in all seven games he played for York. The outfielder also totaled six runs, five RBI’s, three walks, a double and a stolen base.
For the fans, the neat part of this story is that -- like the Patriots and Yankees -- the Revolution and Orioles have a connection. The teams are near each other and all four Revolution coaches are former Orioles players.

Justin Jensen

I recently spoke to Justin Jensen, the All-Patriots Team left-handed starting pitching representative.
There has been talk for several years now that Jensen's Patriots career might not be over, and Jensen confirmed that rumor.
However, I was under the impression he was a lot closer to returning then he made it sound when we spoke.
Sparky Lyle told me before the All-Star break that he hoped Jensen would throw a bullpen tryout for the team sometime during the second half of this season. While Jensen did not officially rule hat out, he made it clear he is much more likely to try a comeback next season.
For those unfamiliar with Jensen, he is the Patriots' career leader in victories, games started and innings pitched. He played for the 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 teams.
Here are some thoughts from Jensen:

"I tore my labrum the last time I was in Somerset and went to spring training the next year and could not go (pitch). I had surgery and have been rehabbing."

"You never know (what the future holds). My shoulder feels great. It's just a matter of getting my arm strength up and my legs back in shape."

"I’d like to walk away on my own terms, and I could do that if I’m able to comeback."

Appreciate your fireworks

Everyone knows fireworks are the Atlantic League's biggest promotional attraction, but what took place Saturday night in Bridgeport was disgraceful.
Fans had to wait more than 30 minutes after final pitch for the fireworks to start.
A 10-minute delay for a train to pass is understandable, but asking fans with little children to stick around until 10:40 for fireworks is inconsiderate.
It's no wonder the Bluefish are last in the league in attendance.
Sitting in the stands at that point, I overheard many people moaning about the delay and more walk out without seeing half of what they paid for.
Perhaps the worst part was the entertainment during the delay, which reportedly was a wait for police to block off the roads necessary to shoot off the fireworks.
A professional Simon Says entertainer was at the game, and bored fans with an excruciatingly long game of Simon Says. He acted crudely, calling one man "overweight" and making a lewd reference at another point.
To the fans' credit, most waited patiently through the Simon Says but there was marginal booing and a couple derogatory shouts such as "Simon Says it's your bedtime."

Frank Klebe fired midseason

How seriously do the Lancaster Barnstormers take their baseball? Apparently, even more seriously than I thought.
By now, it's well known that the fans love their team, and the Barnstormers' finally gave their fans hope that this dreadful season can be turned around Sunday night when they fired first-year manager Frank Klebe.
Pitching coach Rick Wise has been named interim manager.
In retrospect, the Klebe hiring made no sense to being with. He had been with the team since 2005 as a coach, but he had limited professional managerial experience and was being asked to lead the defending Atlantic League champions with all their veteran players.
Anyway, you can read more about the situation -- including quotes from Klebe and Barnstormers personnel -- in this story from the Lancaster New Era.

**Some things worth mentioning:
1) The story says Klebe is the first Atlantic League manager ever to be fired midseason. That should help underscore the magnitude of this move because there have been plenty of underachieving teams in the past who kept their managers anyway.
2) It says all Atlantic League managers sign one-year contracts. That is not true. After the 2002 season, Patriots manager Sparky Lyle signed a five-year contract extension. That contract expires after this season.
3) It seems to hint that much of Klebe's firing and the Barnstormers' woes have to do with BASA, the group in charge of supplying the team with players. BASA -- which holds the same responsibilities for the Bridgeport Bluefish, Camden Riversharks and York Revolution -- is run by former Patriots director of player procurement Adam Gladstone. BASA handled the baseball operations for the Patriots last year, but the Patriots dropped its services after a frustrating 2006 season. I've heard rumors BASA has lost some of its power in Lancaster. If that's true, can firing BASA be far behind this latest move?

MASH unit

Know anyone who wants to play professional baseball? If you do, post their name on my blog and I will pass it along to Patriots director of player procurement Brett Jodie.
Yes, I am kidding.
No, I am not nearly as kidding as I should be.
True story: I brought my glove to the ballpark tonight because I have a softball game in the morning. And since they gave out batting helmets at the gate, I am 66% ready to suit up. Just need a bat.
Anyway, the following list should you give you an idea why the Patriots are so short-handed. It might long enough to be a full lineup, but is just the injury report:

1B Josh Pressley (hamstring)##
OF Jason Romano (calf)##
OF Jose Morban (ankle)##
2B Danny Garcia (mild oblique strain)##
SP Jeff Urban (slight torn labrum)**
1B Todd Leathers (broken wrist) **

##= Day to Day
**= Disabled List

Pressley is the only one playing tonight and he is really jeopardizing himself to do so. He can barely run around the bases and is banging balls of the wall for singles. You really have to appreciate his effort.

If manager Sparky Lyle had a fully healthy roster, at least four of those players would be in the every day lineup. Leathers probably would be the first pinch hitter off the bench and Urban would be the top left-handed set-up man or the fifth starter.

That should give you an idea just how seriously these injuries could impact the Patriots.

Missing Cannon

No, nobody is re-enacting a war. No, we're not talking about the cannon fired off after Rutgers football scores a touchdown.
We're talking about Somerset Patriots left-handed pitcher Jon Cannon, who MAY HAVE signed in Taiwan.
I talked to pitching coach and director of player procurement Brett Jodie before Friday night's game and he said that Cannon told him before the All-Star break that he might sign to play in Taiwan but that he would call first
The call never came but Cannon did not report for the game and shortstop Teuris Olivares is wearing his jersey. Not a good sign.
Since most players went home for the break, there is a possibility Cannon was taking a flight into Newark that had not arrived yet. But that would be a major coincidence.
Brandon Knight will be inserted into the starting rotation in Cannon's place.

Hard to take the All-Star Game seriously

Preface: Tonight marks the first Atlantic League All-Star Game I have covered. I missed last season's due to a "family emergency," the same excuse a lot of these players give, I'm sure. But, my newspaper sent a highly competent replacement to cover the game, not someone who clearly was out of his/her league. Hope you see the analogy.


I'm having a difficult time taking this All-Star Game seriously. Here is why:
First, the Atlantic League elected to name big-name stars with questionable stats to be starters. Some of the best players in this league are guys you have never heard of, yet Edgardo Alfonzo, Carl Everett and Jose Offerman were all named starters.
True, the fans supposedly vote in the starters, but, as someone with knowledge of the league, trust me when I say your vote does not mean as much as you think. The league micromanages every decision, it makes and it could easily change around the voting so the deserving players are the starters.
Then comes the next frustrating part. The act of surprise when players such as Alfonzo, Everett, Offerman, and Danny Graves decline the invitation.
All five of those players have been to a major-league all-star game (with 8 total selections between them) so what makes anyone think they even consider this selection an honor?
That said, it's no defense for the disrespect with which they treat the game. If you are good enough to play in the league all summer, you are good enough to play in the All-Star Game. Do you think they would have a "previous commitment" preventing them from playing in the Triple-A All-Star Game?
If you skip the All-Star Game, you should be forced to skip the second half of the season. These fans want you -- even though you are past your prime -- and you blow them off.
But back to the league...why is there surprise when this happens? Be prepared for it. You should not have to call players at home the night before the game and practically beg them to play -- which I've heard happened. You should not have a pitcher with a 4-7 record and a 6.17 earned-run average playing in the game.
Bottom line, it's not a true All-Star Game. It's an All-I-Had-Nothing-Else-To-Do-Over-My-Four-Day-Break-So-I-Guess-I-Will-Play-Game.
Or, if you prefer acronyms, the AIHNETDOMFDBSIGIWPG.
Or, if you prefer comedy, one Atlantic League beat writer referred to it as the All-Farce Game.
Maybe it will be different next year when Somerset plays host. But I think it might be an internal problem with the league and not its franchises.
You want big stars to play in the league but they don't care about your league or its fans. If you get people who do care, the talent level is going to take a big hit. It's a no-win situation.

Explanation and belated quotes

The Patriots hopes of winning the Atlantic League South Division first-half title and securing the accompanying playoff berth ended Saturday night. You can read about the Camden Riversharks title-clinching 7-6 victory here.
In case anyone is wondering, the story has no quotes or reaction because the game ran late and I had an 11 p.m. deadline. The game ended at 10:40 and because of the nature of the game, I wrote three different stories. One where the Patriots lose quietly, one where they come back and steal a momentum-starting victory and the final one where they lost a heartbreaker.
Here are a couple quotes from Sunday morning, and there will be more in Wednesday's paper when I write a first-half season review.

Manager Sparky Lyle:
"We battled back to get to where we were pretty confident going into the ninth."

"There's no give-up in these guys (the Patriots). We scored five runs and all we've got to do is hold them.It was very disheartening."

First baseman Josh Pressley:
"Obviously a lot of guys poured their hearts out trying to win."

Closer R.D. Spiehs, who blew the save and took the loss after tossing a scoreless eighth inning:
"The biggest thing I'm disappointed in is the walk to (Denny) Abreu. He fouled off a couple good pitches and it was 3-2. I said, 'I'm throwing my slider,' because I thought I could get a swing and a miss or a ground ball double play. But the pitch wasn't even close."

"I felt better in the ninth than in the eighth. In the eighth I was behind in counts."

Playoff baseball in Camden

If you're driving over the Ben Franklin Bridge right now you can look down and see playoff-type baseball in Camden. Of course, if you're driving over that bridge, you probably are not reading my blog at the same time. And if you are doing both, then you have no chance to be one of All-State's safe drivers.
But don't fret. You can still get a sky view of playoff-type baseball Saturday night or Sunday afternoon.
The Patriots and Riversharks are playing three games that should decide the Atlantic League South Division first-half title and accompanying playoff berth. They are not the last three games of the first-half schedule -- as they were originally scheduled to be -- because, on Monday, Somerset has a doubleheader in Lancaster against the Barnstormers and Camden is visiting Bridgeport. Both are rainout makeup games.
But there is only one scenario in which those Monday games will matter since the Riversharks hold 1 1/2 game edge atop the standings entering Friday's action. If the teams tie for first place, the Patriots get the berth because of the tiebreaker -- head-to-head series.

Here are the scenarios:
Patriots sweeps Camden: They win the division outright.
Patriots take two of three: They enter Monday's games with a 1/2 game deficit.
Riversharks take two of three: They win the division outright. No sweep needed.

Worst Fourth of July Ever

Did you enjoy your hot dogs? How about your hamburgers? Yuenglings for everyone?
Well not this guy.
I spent my Fourth of July in Lancaster, Pa. and it was a disaster.
While my girlfriend and all her friends partied away the holiday, I spent the day in rainy Amish Country writing filer stories. I arrived at the ballpark at 3:30 for a 7 p.m. start and the game never happened. Was it called at 7? Nope, they waited until 9.
Of all the things the Atlantic League does poorly -- and there are plenty -- rain delays might be the worst. Fans always are uninformed of the game status, and the press corps should not find out from the PA announcement. This is not an indictment on Lancaster because it happens everywhere.
Now, I'm back at the Westfield Inn, 20 minutes outside of Lancaster, bored out of my mind. There is only a McDonald's and Bob Evans in sight and none of the players or other media have Internet access.
Thankfully, the Courier has given me a Verizon wireless card. Points for them. Zero points for Lancaster, Pa.

FYI: All-stars are announced Thursday. I'll post the selections as soon as I have them.

Goodbye to a good man

The Patriots losing Jeff Nettles dominated the headlines and the Commerce Bank Ballpark buzz Monday night, but somewhat lost in the shuffle was the goodbye to community relations director Matt Rothenberg, who worked his final Patriots game.
The Patriots did a nice montage of Rothenberg moments on the scoreboard during the seventh-inning stretch, and he joined broadcaster Brian Bender on the radio for three innings of play-by-play.
Rothenberg has been with the organization since interning in 2003 and is leaving to pursue graduate school opportunities.
I got to know Rothenberg personally while covering the team for two years, and realize he is a good guy and an extremely hard worker always willing to help out a frazzled reporter (ie: me) in the time of a crisis. He will be missed by the Patriots staff and those of us independent of the team who work closely with the staff every day.
Here, in Rothenberg's own words, are his top 5 moments since he became an Atlantic Leaguer:

#1 - 2005 AL Championship, #2 - 2003 AL Championship:
The 2005 championship was more gratifying than 2003 because of the hard work you put in as a member of the full-time staff. The first one was a great experience to cap off my internship with the Patriots, but the second one was about the result of hard work from the end of the 2004 season through the entire 2005 season. Both championships were great, though, and earning the rings and having the memories will definitely last a very long time. Although I would have liked one of them to occur in Bridgewater so our fans could enjoy it more, it was
nice to be able to go up to Nashua (both times) and watch it and soak in all the excitement of a championship.

#3 - Donald Trump at Commerce Bank Ballpark (9/10/2004):
With all the promoting and buzz about it, you knew it was going to be a great night -- one to remember. Of course, how many people enter a ballpark via a helicopter landing in center field? Few, if any, others.
Working here, I've had the opportunity to get close to people I've only seen on TV or on
baseball cards, so to be close to Donald Trump and get right up in his face and taking pictures of him -- it kind of makes you feel like the paparazzi. But the atmosphere surrounding his appearance was just phenomenal; you couldn't ask for a better night.

#4 - Largest crowds in Atlantic League history(7/3/04 & 7/3/06):
To set the record of 8,048 against Long Island in 2004 and then beat that with 8,062 against the Road Warriors in 2006, you get a feel for what Commerce Bank Ballpark has become: a fantastic gathering place for the community. You could feel the electricity running through the
ballpark on each night. Unfortunately, Lancaster had to top our records this season, but knowing our fans, I have a feeling we're going to take it back the record soon enough.

#5 - Joe Gannon's no-hitter against the Patriots (8/17/04), and his near
no-hitter (6/6/06):
While not a great moment in Patriots history, it was the first -- and only -- no-hitter I've ever witnessed in person. Considering how many are thrown at the major league and minor league levels each year, it's something that happens very rarely. To have nearly witnessed a second
one in 2006 -- by the same pitcher, no less -- it would have been quite unique. At the same time, though, to have been one-hit by Gannon, and with that hit being a grand slam by Mike Lockwood to win the game, it couldn't have been a better result.

Nettles signs!!!

It's the day many in the Somerset Patriots organization and around Atlantic League silently thought had passed: Third baseman Jeff Nettles has left the team, signing with the Kansas City Royals organization where he is expected to report to Double-A Wichita.
The independent league is designed to get players another shot Nettles clearly deserves another shot. Some would say it actually is his first shot, since he never played regularly in his five years in the Yankees farm system.
Nettles meant everything to the Patriots on and off the field during the past five years, and you will be hard-pressed to find anyone in the league with a bad thing to say about him.
Atlantic League personnel have wondered aloud in years past what it would take for Nettles to get another shot at affiliated baseball, and it appears the answer was to top his already stellar seasons with a great season.
Nettles leads the league with 19 home runs, 60 RBIs, a .679 slugging percentage and 37 extra-base hits.
His loss devastates the Patriots in the heart of a playoff race, but with only seven games left to decide the first-half pennant, they might be able to hang on without him. If there were three weeks remaining before the all-star break, I'd have a different opinion.
The Patriots held 1/2 game lead atop the South Division entering Monday's games and are leading the Lancaster Barnstormers 5-1 in the sixth.
Needless to say, this is the biggest player news out of Somerset in franchise history.
Score a victory for determination and perseverance.

Three classy gestures:
1. Nettles stayed at the ballpark to support his teammates in Monday's game.
2. The Patriots brought Nettles onto the field and announced his good news to the crowd before the game.
3. The fans gave Nettles a big cheer, with some fans even standing. For minor-league baseball -- where entertainment sometimes rules -- this was significant.

Van-tastic

Somerset Patriots left-hander Andy Van Hekken is making tonight's start against the Lancaster Barnstormers and third baseman Steve Van Note and right fielder Chris Van Rossum. That's more vans on the field than in the parking lot at the ballpark.
Anyway, now that I've blown past that terrible joke, this is the Patriots first game in sole possession of first place since May 29, and they wasted no time proving it with a two-run first inning.
Saturday's game is the first of six straight against the Lancaster Barnstormers, and while it is not easy to play the same team six games in a row, it helps that it is the Barnstormers.
Although this team is the defending Atlantic League champion, it is not very good.
The lineup has serious holes. There appears to be three solid bats in the entire lineup -- shortstop Danny Gonzalez, first baseman Jeremy Todd and left fielder Dominick Ambrosini. Once you get past them, there is not much to scare you.
In my opinion, Lancaster is going to have a very hard time qualifying for the playoffs without a serious second-half shakeup. From what I hear, that's probably not going to happen because manager Frank Klebe is very particular about the kind of player he will coach and very loyal to "his guys." His guys are a third-place team in the first half, however, and probably no better next half.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: There is one former major-leaguer on the roster and it's left-handed reliever Phil Norton, who was released by the Patriots earlier this month. Sometimes the "major-league" tag is deceiving. Some of the league's best players have never been above Triple-A, but you need at least some major-league talent to compete.
Maybe they can sign Van Morrison.

Remember Girls Basketball???

I do.
Though it's hard for me to think about anything other than minor-league baseball between April and October, I just heard that Governor Livingston High School has hired a new girls basketball coach. Former New Providence football start Andy Silvagni is the man, according to what I've heard.
Two things interesting here:
1) It's interesting anytime that someone from New Prov gets a job at GL or vice versa. Their rivalry already is good in almost every sport and you know that coach wants to beat his alma mater that much more.
2) Dave Boff did a great job rebuilding the Highlanders program the past four years. The team was good for 15 to 20 wins in both my years on the beat. Can Silvagni keep that momentum going? We'll see this winter, but one thing working in his favor: Star guard Lauren Munick has another season to play. A good building block for any rookie coach.

Back on the beat...

I'm back on the job after missing the Patriots' first series in York. I needed those three days to work on my Tommy John story, which you can read here.
I was glad to have the three days off because I think this is a real solid story, but also because of what I've heard about York.
The situation for the players is well documented -- a dangerous outfield, no showers in the clubhouse, grass that might not stick -- but what about the situation for the press?
I've been told there was no press food -- which I would have made a stink about -- and the official scorer left one game in the 7th inning. He scored the rest of the game over the phone after someone else told him what they saw.
When outsiders say bad things about the Atlantic League, I usually stick up for it. I say the quality of play is high, the attendance is good most places, etc.
But these are the things they are talking about. Can you imagine the Triple-A Richmond Braves' scorer getting up and leaving in the 7th? If you have somewhere to be at 9 and the game starts at 7, take the day off. Give someone else a chance. What you might not know is anyone can score an independent league game. You don't need any qualifications or a card, just an opportunity.
As for the food, I've been served bad press box food before and food others like that I don't. No problem with either of those. But these people are here working hard to give your league publicity, the least you can do is make a small gesture of appreciation. Offer a hot dog.

All-star voting

Voting has begun for the 2007 Atlantic League All-Star Game on July 11 at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa. Fans can vote by going to the league's official Web site and I encourage it. The league claims votes by fans, media members and league executives count toward the selections, but no media member I know -- including myself -- has voted for the team since 2000. If fans votes actually are considered, then congratulations, you have more of a say than the only non player, coach or league representative to see more than 100 games per season. Again, me.

HERE IS MY BALLOT, AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST YOURS OR JUST GRIPE ABOUT MINE:

SOUTH DIVISION:

1B: Nate Espy, York
2B: Danny Garcia, Somerset
SS: Danny Gonzalez, Lancaster
3B: Jeff Nettles, Somerset
C: Ben Davis, Camden
OF: L.J. Biernbaum, Camden
OF: Mike Lockwood, Somerset
OF: Dwight Maness, Camden
DH: Matt Dryer, York

About the selections: Somerset's three selections are all no-brainers. Nettles is on pace for a league-record 54 home runs, he's tied with Lockwood for the league's RBI lead entering Wednesday's games and Garcia ranks atop the league in stolen bases and third in runs scored. ... The hardest choice is in the outfield where Lancaster's Jutt Hileman gets the short stick. Hileman is having a very good season for an underachieving team, but Camden is an overachieving first-place team because of Biernbaum and Maness. Biernbaum brings a 19-game hitting streak into Wednesday. ... This game usually features two very questionable all-stars at catcher, but Ben Davis is not that guy. The former major-leaguer is a big-time bat whose only issue is his struggles throwing out potential base stealers. ... Dryer got off to an unbelievable season and he and Espy are really the only threats in York's entire lineup. Any offensive numbers they have would be multiplied if they had any protection.

NORTH DIVISION

1B: Victor Rodriguez, Newark
2B: Junior Spivey, Bridgeport
SS: Nick Ortiz, Bridgeport
3B: Luis Figueroa, Bridgeport
C: Sandy Aracena, Road Warriors
OF: Kevin Haverbusch, Long Island
OF: Keith Reed, Newark
OF: Jason Bryan, Road Warriors
DH: Jay Caligiuri, Bridgeport

About the selections: This lineup has a negative chance of happening. The Ducks rule the league -- literally, as their owner is the league CEO -- and there is 0 chance of them having one starter. Look for Rose to sneak in ahead of V-Rod or Navarrete ahead of Spivey. Both of those choices would be acceptable. Rose is having a very good season and it is a crime that Naverrete is not a starter. Navarrete is listed as a 2B only and Spivey might be the best player in the league. If Navarrete was listed as an OF -- where he sometimes plays -- he would be the No. 1 choice. What would be unacceptable is seeing some of the Ducks' underachieving big names -- Edgardo Alfonzo, Carl Everett or Jose Offerman -- slip into the starting lineup. It's possible because the league wants to promote its big names and fans want to see big names, but there is always the possibility these guys won't want to waste their break at the game anyway. ... If you notice how many Bluefish I put on the team, you know who I think has the best team in the league. ... I'm a big Aracena guy (how have none of the other teams signed this guy?) and he might very well start, but Bryan has no chance of starting despite his worthy numbers.

Voter Beware: If you are new to the league, beware that the ballot you see -- the ballot I based my votes on -- is subject to change without notice. When the starters are announced, you might see a DH not listed as a DH on the ballot or Navarrete in the outfield. Some times these are very smart moves, some times they are very shady.

Harder to keep a diet on the road but easier to blog

I often mock myself for being out of shape and having a beer belly, but recently I decided to do something about it. The reason? The teasing by family members and friends has become excessive.
I've created my own diet -- no french fries and no regular soda.
You may ask, "Ryan, what is that really going to do?" but if you have any idea how often I eat french fries and drink regular soda, then you know it could do a lot.
It's been a week without both now, and it's been very tough.
I miss soda more than french fries and am getting sick of lemonade, fruit punch and water.
During college, I was once quoted as saying, "If I could only bring three things with me to a deserted island, one would definitely be a Pepsi."
Well, this self-invented diet has me feeling like I'm on a deserted island right now.
In reality, I'm on Long Island and it's hard to keep a diet on the road because of the limited food options. Had a calzone and a powerade today.
Central Islip, N.Y. is my favorite road trip because the hotel is nice, the town is nice, the ballpark is nice and there are options for social activity in the neighborhood.

As for the team...the Patriots blew a five-run lead Monday night for the second time in five days. Sparky Lyle ripped his bullpen after the game and again Tuesday afternoon. Frustration is clearly setting in for Lyle, who, for the first time in 1 1/2 years, has a lineup clicking on all nine cylinders. But no lead is safe with this bullpen and he fears over-using Saul Solveson and R.D. Spiehs, the only two guys who have earned his trust.
Other interesting notes: Todd Leathers is in the starting lineup Tuesday for the first time since June 10. Lyle's doghouse is a deep one, and it's hard to crawl out once you are in. Now that Leathers has a shot, let's see if he takes advantage. Two hits, and he could be back at first base Wednesday. An 0-fer could mean see you in July. ... Second baseman Danny Garcia is not in the starting lineup for the second consecutive day. Garcia, the Atlantic League stolen base leader, is said to need rest after starting the team's first 42 games. ... Paul Thorp, who pitched for Double-A Trenton as recently as last week, is expected to join the Patriots on Thursday. Thorp is a right-handed reliever with solid career numbers. That's not much to say, but it's more than you can say about most of the pitchers in the team's current bullpen. Thorp will put the Patriots at the league maximum 25-man roster, so expect a release in the ensuing days because the franchise traditionally prefers to go with 24 -- likely for financial reasons.