Orlando Baseball Announcements

The Twins upset the defending champion Rangers to claim their first championship in the 25+ division. Kevin Kellerberg and Joel Burgos were co- mvps. Kevin notched 7 innings of shut down pitching allowing 1 run, with 8 Ks. Joel Burgos came up 3-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Jay Zerquera rescued us in the 6th inning after our starting Catcher had some dehydration dizziness. 39 year old Jay Z strapped on the the gear to catch the final innings in the sweltering heat. Team Captain Wendell Perez and Mgr Ricky Klotter were proud of the guys on this playoff run.

Finally, the Phillies dynasty continued their dominant reign in the 38+ division with a 2-1 victory over the Blazers. The Phillies won the Spring 2017 Championship behind the right arm of Scott Budds who fanned 14 Blazers in a tight 2-1 win. Budds pitched the complete game and finished the year 9-0 with a 1.25 ERA and 101 strikeouts. Matt Butler had a huge RBI single in the 2nd and finished the day 2-3. Barrett Gugliotta also added a pair of hits finishing 2-4. Budds had the game winning RBI walk in the 4th to give the Phillies the lead for good. He topped it all off striking out the side in the 9th to finish it. Awesome year Phillies! Big props to both our Pitchers and defense. When you finish the year with a team ERA of 2.05 you will be in position to win a lot of games. Details and team pics to follow.

The Blazers will face the Phillies at 9 AM next Sunday at Edgewater High School for the 38+ championship.

Rangers to defend their championship against the TwinsOrlando Rangers defeated Cubs 9-0 on Sunday as three pitchers combined to throw a shutout. Joshua Frank struck out Javier Santiago to finish off the game. Orlando Rangers grabbed an early lead on a double by Julio Lara, and a groundout by Eric Roukey in the first inning, then a single by Joshua Frank in the second inning. A bright spot for the Cubs was a single by Tristan Page in the second inning. Ernesto Sosa earned the win, pitching seven innings, allowing zero runs, three hits, striking out three, and walking one. Two relievers helped Orlando Rangers close out the victory. Scott Mikrut threw one inning. The Rangers had 11 hits in the game. Will Schingl and Frank each collected multiple hits to lead Orlando Rangers back to a title defense yet again for what has to be now described as a dynasty team in Central Florida amateur baseball.

The upstart Twins will attempt to deny the coronation at 12:30 Sunday June 25th at Edgewater High School after upsetting the Angels. Wendell Perez, who must have been very well-coached in high school, had 2 hits and 1 RBI and 2 Runs Scored and got a bases loaded save in the 9th. Joel Burgos had a base clearing double with 2 RBI. And despite the 100 degree weather 39 year old Jay Zerquera caught all nine behind the plate and his blocking stopped the Angels run game. Twins 9-4 win over the Angels.

Game 2 Best of 3 - Krall Division - Mets@ Ojays 12:30 -Orange (Game 3 next Sunday the 25th, suspended Game 1 will resume from the point of suspension AFTER the game next Sunday, IF NECESSARY)

Semi Final- Marsh Division - Cubs @ Rangers 9 AM Clermont Bishop

Semi Final-Marsh Division - Twins @ Angels 12:30 PM Clermont Bishop (winners meet for championship 6/25)

Run rule in effect for all playoff games as always, but time limits also in play this year, so hustle them in and out. No new inning after 2 hours and 45 minutes. Lets beat the rain!

Championships will be next Sunday, June 25 for all three divisions, times TBD. Good luck!

Yankees Win, Tha-a-a-a Yankees Win!Al Baum held the Reds to 4 hits, and shut them out until the 9th as the Yankees and manager Eric Echevarria advanced to the semi finals for the first time. Alex Santiago had a two run single in a five run 2nd inning, and the Yanks never looked back.

Game 1- Sunday, June 11, Ojays #2 Seed @ Mets #1 Seed 1:30 PM Bear Creek Complex

Game 2 - Sunday, June 18, Mets @ Ojays 12:30 South Orange

Game 3 (if necessary) June 25, Ojays @ Mets Time and Site TBD

25+ Tim Marsh Division - (single elimination)

Sunday, June 11 - Expos @ Cubs - South Orange 9 AM

Sunday, June 11 - Twins @ Brunch - South Orange 12:30 PM

Sunday, June 18 - Expos/Cubs winner @ Rangers 9 AM South Orange,

Twins/Brunch winner @ Angels 12:30 Edgewater HS

Sunday, June 25 - Championship , Time and Site TBD

38+ Nat Haber Division - (Single elimination)

Sunday, June 11 - #5 Yankees @ #4 Reds, 9 AM Edgewater HS

Sunday, June 11 - #3 A`s @ #1 Phillies, 12:30 Edgewater HS

Blazers off

Sunday, June 18 - Winner Phils/A`s bye

WInner Yanks/Reds @ #2 Blazers 9 AM Edgewater HS

Sunday, June 25 - Championship, SIte and Time TBD

Additionally, this Sunday the 11th, the Rangers will play the Rays at 10 AM at Bear Creek in a regular season game.

Angels, Blazers, Royals off this Sunday. Still waiting on Royals and Rays to confirm Grey Cup on the 18th.

Brunch highlights-Brunch 2 Rangers 12 Miloff 2-2 1 RBI, Delozier 1-2 , Addeo 3-3 Twins 4 Brunch 7 Delozier 9 IP, 4 R, 3 ER, 14 Ks; 2-3 2 RBI , Cory Veres 4-4, Mike Price 2-4, Jon Marrero 2-3 1 RBI, Joe Hellriegel 1-2 2 RBI

Brunch over the Blazers 7-5. Price 3-4 1 3B 3 RBIs, Delozier 3-4 9 IP 5 Ks 11 H 1 ER, Hellriegel 2-4 1 RBI, LaBarge 2-3 1 RBI

Scott Budds and the Phillies continue their championship defending romp through the Nat Haber Division with a 17-3 shellacking of the Reds at Celebration High School. Budds topped off his dominating pitching with a 3-run blast to left center.

Expos Victorious!Expos win against a scrappy Rays team, 10-6. Peter Amico got the win, while striking out 9 batters. Graham Frederick gets the save.

Twins Triumph in tight pitcher`s duel. Jay Zerquera drives in the lone run in a 1-0 Twin win.

Blazers Blast Reds Marty Jones celebrated a long-anticipated return to the diamond with a three run bomb, Matty Conrad, another local legend, returned to the field with a couple of hits and a beautifully caught game, and Scottie Donelick threw a great game for the Blazer victory.

Kevin Boyce 1-3 HR 3 RBIs,Jon Marrero 2-3, Tony Addeo 2-3 1 RBI, Matt Bzura 1-3 2 RBIs 3B, Scott Alfano 5 IP 2 Hits 0 ER 5 Ks W, Shaun Delozier 2/3 IP 1 K Save Team Had 10 Hits

Game 2 Cubs 1 vs. Brunch 3, Kevin Boyce 2-3 2 RBIs, Jon Marrero 1-3 1 RBI, Shaun Delozier CG 9 IP 1 ER 4 Hits 11 Ks, Team Had 10 Hits

Expos Win!Expos beat the Twins 7-6. Danny Petit got the win and the save. Started the game and pitched the first 7 innings and came back in the bottom of the 9th to get the save. Danny was also the MVP at the plate hitting a clutch, 2 out, 2 RBI double.

TWINS WIN!Kevin Kellerberg hit 2 homeruns including a grand slam, had 6 RBI, as the Twins came back to defeat the Rangers.

Mike Arsenault threw a complete game in the 7-5 victory Cubs over the Twins, striking out 11. Christian Leonard lead the home side off with a triple and Javier Santiago hit a 3 run single in the first to put the Cubs on top and they never lost the lead after that. Other notables were Zak Little and Mike Skyles who both went 2-3 with 2 RBI`s.

Scott Budds spun up a 5-hit shutout as the Phillies blanked the Reds 8-0 in the opener for both teams. Shawn Borschert hsd three hits and Corey Anderson returned to the league with a pair of doubles.

South Orange 1 - 9 AM, Yankees @ Blazers; 12:30 Angels @ Brunch

Edgewater High School - 9 AM Phillies @ Reds; Noon Rays Practice

Cypress Creek HS - 10 AM Ojays @ Mets (DH); 1:30 Royals @ Mets (DH)

Clermont Bishop - 9 AM Twins @ Cubs; 12:30 Expos @ Rangers

A`s and Rays off

Sunday, Feb. 19

South Orange 1 - 9 AM Mets @ Brunch; 12:30 Phillies @ Rays

Edgewater HS 9 AM Rangers @ Reds

Cypress Creek HS 10 AM Ojays @ Expos; 1:30 Twins @ Royals

Clermont Bishop 9 AM Angels @ Cubs

Seminole HS - 10 AM Blazers @ A`s (DH); 1:30 Yankees @ A`s (DH)

The registration and draft will be spread out over two dates. Those interested and qualified to play age 18 and over will need to report to South Orange Youth Baseball Complex at 9 AM next Sunday the 15th. (Directions from your location available on the tab on the left.) For those interested in the age 25+ and 38+ divisions, the date will be the following Sunday, the 22nd. You will register, then stretch and warm up for a light workout at 10 AM. We should be able to get you worked out and on a team before noon, for those interested in being home in time for the football game. By "light workout", we mean a quick IF/OF, pitchers and catchers throwing a bit, and a few cuts on the field. There are cages if you want extra swings on your own. We are also aware that you may not have been playing for a while, so nobody is looking for 100%, just dial it back, take it easy, the primary purpose is to make sure we have relatively equal distribution of talent, positions, speed, etc. Nothing to pull a muscle about.

League dues are $180 this spring. This covers fields, 2 umpires per game (high school certified or better), baseballs, liability insurance (not medical), playoffs, booking agent, website, awards, and more, not to mention the camaraderie of playing this great game with a bunch of guys with similar passion for baseball in the longest tenured league in Central Florida. You can pay by check or money order sent to Central Fla. Men`s Senior Baseball League (CFL MSBL), PO Box 4025, Apopka, FL 32704, or if you`re still strapped from the holidays, you can use a credit card with the PayPal button on the left. Please include an extra $7. 50 if you choose that option. We even have the option of spreading out payments over time without interest, through PayPal. (not the league! :) You don`t have to pay to work out, (it would be nice and really helpful!), but you will greatly enhance your draft status if you do, as everybody is looking for paid players. The league rule is "no pay, no play", and rosters will close by the end of the month.

SO, pre-register by letting me know to expect you for the draft. (blevinsknows@hotmail.com) We look forward to having you in the league, and please don`t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

The Phillies scored a run in the bottom of the 9th to win their 3rd fall championship in 4 years. Barrett Gugliotta was the hero, scoring Hall of Famer Vanessa West with a two-out base hit, after the venerable George Kerst was walked intentionally to load the bases. West reached on a Hit By Pitch with one out, advanced on a walk to Comeback Player of the Year Billy Kiernan, moved to third on a wild pitch and after the Kerst IBB, the stage was set for the Gugliotta heroics. The Reds had tied the game with two runs in the top of the 9th on a Jeremiah Jaspon double, a Hall of Famer Felix Soto Toro double, and an infield hit by Eddie Rubiera. The Reds would have had a first and third to go ahead, but Adam Greschler was cut down at third by center fielder Adam Cadiz after an Anthony Kazmerczyk single. A great game, as were so many this fall playoff season. Warren Hanson and Scott Budds pitched admirably for the Phillies, as did Craig Feeney and Ricardo Rodriguez for the Reds.

The Orlando Pirates took the last of five lead changes in the back-and-forth affair against the Angels, securing a 5-4 victory on Sunday at S Orange. The Angels were unable to overcome a two-run ninth inning deficit. The Pirates were led by a flawless day at the dish by Dustin Williams, who went 3-3 against Angels` pitching. He singled in the third, fifth, and seventh innings. Ernesto Sosa got the win on the mound. He allowed four runs over nine innings, striking out three, walking none and scattering 11 hits. After a scoreless stalemate, the Orlando Pirates finally got on the board with one run in the fourth on an RBI single by Andrew Boutton. The Pirates brought home one run in the fifth inning, and matched that run total in the ninth. In the fifth, the Michael Clemente scored on an error. The Orlando Pirates walked off on a RBI single by Phil Scheuer in the ninth scoring Miguel Villalona for the Championship.

Congratulations to Dan Jarvis of the Phils and Ernesto Sosa of the Pirates for another championship season!

12:30 25+ Angels @ Pirates South Orange 1

Game 1: Peter Garcia pitched a complete game, striking out 11 batters and giving up 2 runs. Jim Pinero went 2 for 3, hitting 2 homeruns, with 5 RBIs.

Game 2: Peter Ortiz pitched 7 1/3 innings, striking out 7. Jim Pinero went 3 for 3, including a homerun. In the top of the 8th the Ojays were down 2-1, and Gabriel Rodriguez hit a 3 run homerun to put the Ojays up 4-2. Robert Daley closed out the game on the mound earning the final out of the game with a strikeout.

Congratulations Ojays!

The Phillies edged the A`s in what manager Adam Bransfield reported was the `best played old guy game` he has ever been a part of, which is saying a lot, as he has been around a long time.

Scott Budds pitched a complete game shutout with 9 K`s to edge Joe Hamilla in a classic pitcher`s duel. He also scored the only run of the game on a Darren Hanson single in the 3rd. Barrett Gugliotta made a game saving catch with 2 outs in the 9th to seal the victory.

The Reds scored three in the 9th to tip the regular season champion Blazers 8-7, in another tight game, setting up a Phillies vs Reds championship next Sunday for the 38 plus crown.

The Reds pecked away at Hall of Famer Tony Caruso, tied 5-5 going into the bottom of the 8th inning. A dropped fly ball with two outs scored two for the Blazers, who appeared to have secured victory. But in the top of the 9th, they scored 3 times on consecutive base hits by Craig Feeney, Jeff Shebovsky, Felix Soto Toro and Mark Pacich, a Sac Fly by Ricardo Rodriguez, and a two out RBI by Jason Bailey for the game winner. Rodriguez retired the side in order in the bottom of the 9th, and the upset was complete.

In the 25`s, the Angels bounced the regular season champion Cubs, and the Pirates edged the Brunch 6- 5 in 12 innings, bringing up an Angels/Pirates championship on the 11th.

For the Angels, Rikki Kline pitched all 9 giving up only two runs. With the bases juiced in the 7th Leo Vazquez cleared the bases with an opposite field triple to extend the Angels lead to 6-1.

Eric Roukey`s walk-off sacrifice fly off of Alfano boosted the Orlando Pirates to a 6-5 win over Brunch in 12 innings at S Orange on Sunday. Ray Sanabria got the win in relief for the Orlando Pirates. Sanabria pitched two innings and allowed no runs. The Orlando Pirates were sparked by Will Schingl and Michael Clemente, who teamed up for six hits and two RBIs. The Orlando Pirates pushed one run across in the fourth inning to start the scoring. The Orlando Pirates scored runs on an error. Brunch brought home one run in the seventh inning, and matched that run total in the tenth. In the seventh, Brunch scored on an RBI single by Kipp, bringing home Verea. The Orlando Pirates survived Brunch`s surge and put up one run of their own in the tenth. The Orlando Pirates scored on an RBI double by Will Schingl.

9 AM #2 Mets @ #1 Ojays, 12:30 PM Game 2, Ojays @ Mets, Game 3 (if necessary), Dec. 11

25+ Division - South Orange Complex - single elimination

9 AM #4 Angels @ #1 Cubs

12:30 #3 Brunch @ #2 Pirates

Championship Dec. 11

38+ Division - Edgewater High School - single elimination

9 AM #4 Reds @ #1 Blazers

12:30 #3 Athletics @ #2 Phillies

Championship Dec. 11

Charles Georges had a walkoff RBI double to lead the Phillies to victory

Eddie Rubiera kept alive his streak of consecutive hits at 5, to go along with extending his league record number of getting Hit By a Pitch at Lord knows how many in the Reds win. Mark Pacich pitched three perfect innings to go along with a couple of base hits .

Rikki threw 8 innings of shutout ball against the defending champion Pirates, giving up only 5 hits in his MSBL and Angels debut. Congratulations Rikki!

We`ll get paperwork filled out, organized and warmed up by 10 AM, have a light workout, and have you on a team and on your way no later than noon. I emphasize the word "workout", because it`s not a "Tryout", we`ve been able to find spots for everyone, no matter their ability or fitness level, within reason, of course.

The season will start Aug. 31, (or the 24th for some teams), and after being off Labor Day weekend, we`ll play a total of 12 regular season games, primarily on Sundays, until Thanksgiving, then have playoffs the 4th and 11th of December. (we`re off for the holidays, then start the spring schedule up again in late January!)

It will cost $135 per player. There may be cheaper options, but we offer smaller rosters and open substitutions for more playing time, good fields with little or no maintenance responsibilities, HS certified or betters umpires, double minimum liability insurance (not medical!), good baseballs, and the peace of mind of knowing you`re a member of the oldest men`s baseball league in Central Florida, entering our 50th (!) consecutive season.

Sound good? You can pay by check, made out to Cent. FL Men`s Sr. Baseball (or CFL MSBL), PO Box 4025, Apopka, FL 32704, or you can use a credit card on the PayPal button on the upper left side of this page. Please include an extra $5 if you elect that option, for PayPal`s share. You can even spread out your payments, if you wish, see the link for details. Or you can bring cash or a check to the the field. Our rules are simple in this regard, no pay, no play.

But enough of the necessary evil of financing the fields, balls, umps, insurance, website, playoffs, awards, etc. (Uniforms can be an additional charge, depending on the team.) Come on out Sunday, August 14th at 9 AM at Cypress Creek High School, and let`s play ball. The camaraderie of hanging out with like-minded ballplayers is the best part of it all.

Please let me know of your intent to attend at blevinsknows@hotmail.com and let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to having you in the league!

Here is the game wrap, from the Pirates website.The Orlando Pirates beat the Mets 5-2 on Sunday at Clermont behind Roberto Rivera, who collected three hits. Will Schingl got the win for the Orlando Pirates thanks to eight strikeouts. Will Schingl allowed no earned runs, 12 hits and one walk over nine innings. Ben Link was charged with the loss. He lasted just four innings, walked two, struck out five, and allowed one run. The Orlando Pirates never trailed after scoring one run in the second on. The Orlando Pirates increased their lead with three runs in the seventh. A error scored Scott Mikrut and Michael Clemente to get the Orlando Pirates on the board in the inning. That was followed up by Rivera`s single, bringing home Eric Roukey. A two-run ninth inning helped bring the Mets within three. An RBI single by Link and an RBI single by Victor set off the Mets rally. Finally, Will Schingl got Paul to to end the game. The Pirates had their fourth consecutive championship!

The Blazers upset the defending champion Phillies in the semi-finals, then trounced the Reds in the championship to become the spring season kings. Congratulations to Carlos Ruperto and Tony Caruso and the rest of the Blazer boys!

The upstart Reds loaded the bases in the top of the first, but the inning was ended when a dribbler in front of home plate was turned into a DP by Bill Musacchio. From there on, Lilio Alvarez shut the door while dealing nasty stuff for the next five innings. The Blazer bats came alive in the second, third, and fourth innings as they put 14 runs on the board. The hit parade was led by Dennis Smith with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs. David Hage added 3 hits. Joe Del Valle, and Tony Caruso had 2 hits apiece.

Game 1 - 9 AM South Orange Angels @ Expos

Game 2 - 9 AM Cypress Creek HS - Royals @ Mets

Game 3_12:30 Cypress Creek HS - low seed winner Game 1 and 2 @ high seed winner Game 1 and 2

Game 4 - 12:30 South Orange - Cubs @ Pirates

Game 5 - Championship - Tuesday, June 28 - 7 PM - low see winner Game 3 and 4 @ high remaining seed.

Sunday, June 26th - Nat Haber Division

Game 1 - 9 Am Clermont Bishop - Winner Yanks/Reds @ A`s

Game 2 9 AM PAL Park Clermont (1250 12th St.) Blazers @ Phillies

Game 3 - 12:30 Clermont Bishop Low remaining seed @ high remaining for championship

Errick Heberling went the distance on the hill for the Angels in their victory over the Reds.

Frank Ricci-Frank was selected by the Veteran’s Committee. Some may not have had the distinct displeasure of getting in the batter’s box against Frank, but long-timers can tell you that during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, there was simply no better amateur pitcher in Central Florida. The powerhouse Cardinals, then Juice teams of that era were anchored by Frank on the mound. Fellow Hall of Famer and long-time teammate Rick Scheetz called him “Big Game Frank”, and for great reason. He threw hard, no doubt, but he could pitch. He had a hard slider and a 12/6 yacker that left more than a few hitters shaking their heads on the way back to the dugout. Facing Frank on a relatively poorly lit field at night in the 90’s was a gut check. Too many league and tournament championships to count, Frank continues to dazzle on fields around the area. Welcome to the Hall Frank.

Felix Soto Toro- Felix is officially the smartest guy to ever play in the league. You say to yourself, what is he a rocket scientist? As a matter of fact, he is. Our first and likely only astronaut to play in the league, Felix is amazing on a number of fronts. He rose from a tough childhood in Puerto Rico to achieve all of his professional success. We all have busy schedules but I can’t imagine anyone having a busier one, yet he always made time to play baseball, and he was and is a good ballplayer. A prototypical leadoff type guy, he could work a count for a walk, was one of the best bunt for a hit guys we’ve seen, and could lash one in the gap for extra bases, and when he was going well, more times than not. When I think back on guys who would get 3 or more hits in games, Felix is at or near the top of that list. He was also known for bringing fresh fruit and a machete to games, the better to share a healthy mid-game snack. I guess as an opponent, I found it rather intimidating. As a teammate on a number of tournament teams, there isn’t a better one. Welcome Felix to Hall of Fame.

Both winners were the underdogs. Scottie Mikrut and manager Ernesto Sosa combined to hold a hard-hitting Angel lineup to only 4 runs, and got more than enough offense to coast to the win. (details to follow)

The Phillies trailed 2-0 late to Hall of Famer Joe Greene, pitcher for the Athletics, but a couple of errors by the normally slick fielding Athletics opened the door for 3 runs, and the Phillies, with rookie manager Dan Jarvis driving in what would turn out to be the winning run, held on for the crown. Warren Hanson went the route, allowing only 2 runs to the regular season champs.

2 great games, 4 great teams, 2 new champions!

The registration and draft is Super Bowl Sunday morning,February 1st, at 10 AM for new players or those who want to try a different team, at the South Orange Baseball Complex, (directions from your location on the tab to the left), with Opening Day Sunday, February the 8th.

The cost is $185 for 16 games, plus playoffs. You can mail a check or Money Order to CFL MSBL, PO Box 4025, Apopka, FL 32704, or use credit cards on the PayPal button on the upper left of this page. Please include an extra $7.50 for Pay Pal's share if you elect that option.

Let me know if you plan on attending, send a note with age, position(s) and contact info to blevinsknows@hotmail.com

We look forward to having you in the league!

Thanks!

Danny Alejandro and the Padres completed the 2014 season sweep, winning both the spring and fall seasons, in a tough victory over the upstart Mets. League historians are poring over the archives, but suffice it to say that it has been a long while since a team won it all in both the spring and the fall.

Congratulations to both of these fine clubs, to all of their players and fans! Hopefully more details and pictures to follow soon!

Also congratulations to the Reds and Mets, both playing in the rarefied air of the finals in the Mets case for the first time, and in the Reds case in a long time. Tips of the cap to Joe Machovina and Pete Parilla and their squads for great seasons, you know they'll both be back.

Finally, the first member of the Class of '14 was honored at the end of the game, Felix Soto Toro of the Mets. Congratulations Felix, full writeups and acknowledgement will be forthcoming.

Thanks for another great season everybody, 2015 is right around the corner so rest up!!

Here are some highlights from our correspondent on the ground:

The Lake County Mets will make their first ever appearance in the MSBL Championship series. The Mets propelled themselves into the championship showdown Vs the 2X Champ powerhouse Orlando Padres this coming Sunday, December 14th, 2014. In a pitching duel, the Mets defeated the DCs by a final score of 1-0 on a 9 inning gem from Mets ace and fall 2014 team Cy Young Award winner Luis Rodriguez. Luis was spectacular on the mound tossing 9 complete frames of 4 hit baseball to go along with 5 punch outs. The Mets defense was superb and committed no errors in this game.

Credit to the DCs for a great battle as the Mets did not hit well and were only able to push the game's lone run across the plate on an errant throw in the bottom of the first inning. DCs pitcher Joey Neira was awesome on the mound for the DCs only giving up 2 hits in 9 innings of work.

SO Championship Sunday looks like this: Reds@ Pirates at 9 AM, Mets @ Padres at 12:30, both game at South Orange. Come on out for some season-ending championship baseball between 4 great teams!!

9 AM South Orange 9 AM Criollos @ Padres -winner advances to championship game vs. winner of above

Noon or as soon as possible: Angels @ Pirates winner advances to meet Reds for championship of 25+

3 PM or as soon as possible Winner of Noon game @ Reds

All South Orange games are normal game length rules, no new inning after 2:40, for today only.

Trotters 9 AM A's @ Old Reds makeup game.

Hello MSBL family and friends. I have recently become aware of a very special act of kindness on behalf one of the Lake County Mets most prolific players.

He is not only an excellent player, teammate and friend but "unbeknownst" to us, he is also a hero to many of his countrymen's underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic. Our very own Francis Vasquez through his church's and personal networks has been delivering toys to underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic for quite some time now during the holiday seasons.

This is truly a commendable action; and I would like to invite you all to take part in bringing joy to an underprivileged child this holiday season.

The Lake County Mets will be collecting new unwrapped toys on Sunday, November 16th and November 23rd at Colonial High School from 9am until 2pm.

If you'd like to stop by and share a little bit of your good fortune it will be very much appreciated.

Hope to see all of you at the ballpark and thank you in advance for your generosity!

You may also contact Francis directly at FrancisVasquez@aol.com

It looked like the Reds might get out of there comfortably, going in to the bottom of the seventh with a 9-5 lead. Things got interesting when the Angels managed to put one across home and load up the bases with two outs. In the end Matt came through in the clutch, forcing a ground ball out to end the game 9-6.

Thank you to all the players on both teams for coming out and fighting hard.

Angels Highlights
Game 1 On a muggy June Sunday afternoon June 22, the Angels and Pirates squared off in the championship opener and in the early going, runs seemed at a premium as both pitching staffs were dueling. It wasn't until the bottom of the sixth that the Pirates chased the Angels starter and broke open a 3- 0 lead. The next few innings had the making of a defensive clinic until suddenly the Angels bats decided it was early for a hibernation and the score went into the latter innings knotted at three a piece. The Pirates tacked one on in their half of the eighth and seemed to be well on their way to putting the Angels in a hole for the series. The top of the 9th set the landscape for a theatrical closing as Jared Hess came to the plate with two out and a runner on, to send the 2-2 offering over the left field wall where some proud youngster scurried for the souvenir moon shot. The Pirates rallied in the 9th putting two runners in scoring position with two outs and their heart of their potent order dwelling. The game ended on a high bounding grounder in the 3rd and Short hole, which seemed to have eyes initially and on a photo finish type play at 1st the side was retired and the Angels had held on in a tight one to win 5-4.

Game 2 Sundays game 2 of the 25+ championship series saw the Angels unseat the defending champion Pirates. The Angels rallied for a 7-0 lead in the 2nd inning, one of two innings in which the Angels batted through their lineup. The solid hitting and persistence of the Pirates helped them to narrow the gap to an 8-7 Angels lead in the 6th, where the Angels defense held serve. In the bottom of the 7th, the Angels bats erupted once again to post 8 more runs, closing the door in a rain shortened game that sealed a 16-7 victory against a solid defending champion in the Pirates. The Angels got production from top to bottom in their lineup in this series and committed only a single error in the duel, solidifying their most impressive stretch of baseball all season against the strongest opponent in the league. Congratulations to both teams for representing the league in this series, which closes out yet another season in the 25+. (Eric Heberling reporting)

Padres Highlights
Game 1 Angel Miranda pitched 5 innings for the win with Pete Correa coming in to relieve and shut down a bases loaded Criollos rally in the 6th. A balanced Padres hitting attack with Jose Birriel going 3 for 3 with a double and rbi, Luis Melendez went 2 for 4 with 3 rbi's, Jose Lind went 3 for 4 with a double and rbi, Pete Correa went 2 for 3 with 2 rbi's and Jose Granado going 2 for 4 with a double and rbi.

Game 2 Papa Ortiz pitched 5 1/3 innings for the clinching win. The Padres lineup was led by Jose Lind who homered in going 2 for 4 with 3 rbi's and Danny Alejandro who went 3 for 4 with a double and 2 rbi's. It was a complete and total team effort. (Danny Alejandro reporting)

The game was a heart- stopper for the DC's and their fans, and a heart-breaker for the Padres. Cesar Cedeno and Carmelo Morges started for their respective teams and threw up goose eggs until the 4th, when the Padres broke through. Pete Correa had a 2- run single with 2 out after an error and a walk for 2 unearned runs, but they looked to be enough, as Morges continued to mow down DC hitters.

In the 8th, the DC's finally broke through when Angel Davila led off the bottom of the frame with a long HR to left. But Morges settled down to clear the inning without further damage. Not scoring in the top half of the 9th meant they had 3 outs to get to reclaim the crown they won last fall. But Jorge Rosado led off the DC half of the 9th with a single, and in a somewhat controversial call, manager John Rios had Felix Lopez sacrifice Rosado into scoring position, which he did perfectly. After a ground out to 2nd, the DC's were down to their last out. But Robert Michel came up huge, ripping a clutch single to score Rosado with the tying run.

On to extra innings, where Ferdie Medina continued a streak of 7 consecutive scoreless innings in relief before the DC's came to bat in the bottom of the 11th. Angel Davila led off with a walk, and promptly stole second. This took the bat out of the hands of offensive juggernaut German "Deportivo" Rivera, as he was passed intentionally by Pads manager Danny Alejandro. Victor Vidal attempted to bunt the runners along, and pitcher Manny Rentana, who earlier had thrown out not one but 2 DC runners attempting to stretch singles into doubles from left, made a strong throw to third to get the lead runner, but Davila was faster and all hands were safe. Bases loaded, nobody out, the Padres had to pull everybody in to Little League depth. But Jorge Ravelo found some space with a line drive to left, and this epic battle was over, and the DC's reigned.

A true classic on an unseasonably warm December day. Fantastic competition, great sportsmanship, baseball at it's finest. Congratulations to the DC's on another crown and a magical season, and to the Padres, this was a game it was truly a shame that anyone had to lose.

But the DC's were able to defy the odds and hung on for an amazing win, 12-11, in the July heat,after a long season, with their pitching running thin,

Congratulations to both teams on a truly classic championship series! More details and pictures are forthcoming.

"Hey B Wow I was surprised to learn of one of our umpires passing,..sad.. Dave was a nice down to earth type of guy..he called many of my games..and although he may have missed a few calls (or strikes) i never gave him a hard time thoughts go out to his family.............that being said,....I , with heavy heart, and reluctantly, formally announce my retirement from the Orlando Msbl, "that was a tough sentence to type",...Health issues and an impending heart transplant have relagated me to the sidelines and no longer have the energy to be productive in our league,.. I will miss all the friends I have made,.and maybe a few enemies along the way,lol. but I will forever cherish the many years spent at the fields.. I thank you for all you have done for me,. and will never forget it,... I had a blast....you have my permission to post my email addr.(fstitan9975@yahoo.com) if any of the guys would like to drop me a note or get together that would be great Thanks again Brian for your tireless commitment to our league, I couldnt have played under a better president...humbly yours, Frank Shaw 99"

There aren't many men I've known in my life for whom I can use the word 'admiration'. I've respected many, admired very few. Jeff was one. Coaching our sons (his Mikey and my Cameron) together at Delaney Park LL will be the image of Jeff and his wonderful family I will retain until that day when I can shake his hand again. There is not a single person in my life that bore a greater personal burden more gracefully than Jeff Lumbert. His eulogy for his son Mikey was an act of fatherly love and Christian testimony that astounded me. I have preached at my own family's funerals, and probably will again, but I can tell you with certainty that I have never been more in awe of a man's faith and composure than on that morning at First Baptist when Jeff stood in the pulpit for the second time in 6 months to speak of a departed son and to call upon his listeners to seek the Lord while he may be found. You have a son. I have a son. I cannot humanly fathom what kind of strength that must have required. Jeff would be quick to remind this Christian brother that it wasn't in his own strength that he was able to do such a thing. That is a truth I fully believe, yet it was beyond amazing to see it demonstrated before my very eyes that day. And it gave me great hope that when the need is there for us the Lord will keep his promise to "give us a mouth and wisdom which none shall be able to gainsay nor resist."

I am also grateful that the final time I spoke to Jeff was last fall on a baseball field, Jones 1 to be precise. I think a few people were startled to see the shortstop turn a double play and then hug the guy coming to second. The SS was me and without my glasses I hadn't recognized Jeff playing until he got that close to me. There is something intensely moving for me in that memory. The last time I saw him I hugged him, and the next time I see him I'll hug him.

Our friendship was not as close in the world as I would have liked, we traveled in slightly different circles, but it will be eternal. It may seem a bit silly to a disinterested bystander that a boy's game keeps being mentioned as a central fact of a grown man's life, but you and I know differently, don't we? The game is the tableau, the canvas, the stage, whatever metaphor a better poet than I can summon. Like battle it enables the emotional connections that define friendship, commitment, honor, brotherhood, and the intensity of life. I am indebted to Jeff Lumbert for eternity for his part in all that. And I am indebted to you for the part you play in these things as a builder and keeper of that metaphor.

Deo Vindice,

Bob McMillin