Sports Beat column - May 12, 2006

Sports Beat
May 12, 2006

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Once again the Washington Wizards fizzled at the end and yes, again its going to be a long summer for Abe Pollinâ¤s Wiz, a wannabe NBA team. The Wiz as the Bullets were one of the best and one of the most feared teams (remember the â¤¦Beef Brothersâ¤?) in the league they won an NBA championship in the 1970â¤s then Owner Abe was going to stop the killing in DC so he changed the teams name to the Wizards. Gee, the Wizards! That pointed hat crew that excited no one as the Wiz continued in their downward spiral and the only excitement left when Robin Ficker was frozen out as a ticket holder when the team moved to downtown DC to Abe Pollinâ¤s downtown pleasure palace now known as the Verizon Center. Also gee whiz, the killing goes on in DC and the teams previous name â¤¦Bulletsâ¤? is no longer seen except in the record books when the team was a true contender not a first round bomb out. Until the Wiz get a true big person who can work both ends of the court and can pound the boards they will remain a wannabe. Isnâ¤t it pathetic that the Wiz and Washington Capitals have become so impotent after the glory days of Wes Unseld (player not coach or GM), Elvin Hayes, Jack Marin, Gus Johnson, Rod Langway, Mike Gartner, Bob Carpenter (wasnâ¤t he suppose to be the teams American Superstar but somehow on his trip to the Forum his father got in the way) Scott Stevens, (He did become a superstar but in New Jersey â¤³ NOT here) and it could go on and on. Letâ¤s hope both the Wiz and Caps return to the Glory days (and I donâ¤t mean the restaurant and pub). They could if their owners get the supporting cast to make them champions. Where are David Poile, Dick Motta, Bob Ferry, etc., when we need them? Oh well we have the Nats, Redskins, Ravens, Orioles to root for whoops, but they are in worse shape or just as bad as the Caps and Wiz. Oh well thereâ¤s always next year right?

Ex-Terps Help USA Field Hockey Qualify for World Cup
Powley, Rizzo and Silvetti help US qualify for world championship.

Three former Terrapins helped the United States Field Hockey National Team qualify for the 2006 World Cup over the weekend. The University of Maryland's Lauren Powley, Dina Rizzo and Sara Silvetti all started for the Americans who placed fourth overall at the World Cup Qualifier which was held in Rome, Italy. The 12-team World Cup takes place in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 26-Oct. 8. An All-American in 2001 as a member of the Terps, Rizzo has been a veteran member of the US squad, while Powley, a senior on this season's 2005 NCAA and ACC Championship squad and a four-time All-American, and 2004 All-American Silvetti are in their second stint with the full senior team. The USA joins continental and ranking qualified teams Argentina, Australia, Germany, India, The Netherlands, South Africa and host Spain, as well as, qualifier teams England, Korea, Japan and the China in Madrid. The USA began the tournament with a 1-1 draw with Ireland, tallying the game-tying penalty corner shot with :30 remaining in the game. The USA then hung on for a 1-0 win over world 6th-ranked New Zealand and edged home-standing Italy in a rain-delayed contest spread across two days after play was suspended until the next morning because of flooded field conditions. The USA continued its march to Madrid with a 4-2 win over Azerbaijan. The win, in combination with a Korea win over New Zealand, assured the USA a spot in the semifinals and a berth in the World Cup. The team lost its final pool match 3-0 in an experimental game with Korea and lost a heartbreaking 1-0 semifinal match to England with no time left in the overtime period. In the consolation match, the Red, White and Blue succumbed to Japan, 4-1. With the World Cup berth secured, the USA will return to Virginia Beach to begin its training for the sport of field hockey's world championship. The team's preparations will include a four nation tournament in August featuring the world's three top rated teams including No. 1 The Netherlands, No. 2 Argentina and No. 3 Australia. The tournament is scheduled for Aug. 17-20 at the Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex on the campus of the University of Maryland in College Park and August 23-27 in Virginia Beach. For more information on the U.S. National Team and the upcoming Four Nations Tournament to be held in College Park, visit www.usfieldhockey.com.

D.C. DIVAS GO TO 3-0 WITH 76-0 WIN

The D.C. Divas hosted the first year Harrisburg Angels who battled valiantly. But were no match for the Divas swarming defense and high powered offensive attack. The Divas have now won 19 straight regular season games and 26 of 27 over the last 4 seasons. The Divas ran for 233 yards on the ground with RB Rachelle Pecovsky rushing for 5 touchdowns and 121 yards on just 9 carries. Pecovsky was named the offensive MVP for the second week in a row. The 5 rushing touchdowns ties a Divas team record set in 2001 by RB Jane Reynolds. The 9 rushing touchdowns are a team record an included a 12 yard touchdown run by Offensive lineman Jessica Banks-Poawui on only her second career carry. QB Allyson Hamlin was 7 of 15 and led the offense to 24 first downs. WR Nikki Williams contributed her first career touchdown pass in a backup QB role with a 30 yard bomb to TE Crystal Boyd. It was the first career catch for the rookie. Defensively the Divas recorded their second shutout of the year, holding the Angels to - 67 yards of total offense. DT Stacey Michael recorded a safety to go along with 6 tackles and a fumble recovery to punctuate her defensive MVP evening. A shock trauma nurse when sheâ¤s not a Diva, Michael said simply â¤¦It was the game of my lifeâ¤?. The Divas defense has shutout 9 of its last 11 regular season opponents. LB Donna Wilkinsonâ¤s interception return for a touchdown capped a 57 point first half. The Divas now have a bye week and then travel to Connecticut to face the Crush on May 20th.

From the Coach: DC Divas vs. Harrisburg Angels, 05/06/06

What a glorious night for football! The weather was perfect. It has been a long while since we enjoyed such nice weather at home. It warmed my heart to see the DC Diva faithful out in force. I know your presence was felt and appreciated by the team. All in all the game went like we expected. The complete and utter domination of their offense was a surprise. You never expect to hold someone to -67 yards total offense â¤³ ever. Our Defense is playing at a high level right now and I expect them to continue to get better each week. Stacey Michaels had an outstanding game for the second week in a row earning her MVP honors. Vickie Lucas harassed the line of scrimmage all night and helped create 9 turnovers by the Angels. The Offense had a break-out night. With the passing game going for over 100 yards and the running game around 230 yards, the offensive staff couldn't ask for much more. Rachelle Pecovsky turned in another outstanding performance going for over 100 yards and 5 touchdowns. Earning her MVP honors for the second week in a row. With the game well in hand, it afforded us some leeway on offense and we toyed with a wishbone backfield consisting of some of our offensive line. The team has appropriately nicknamed the formation "Metro." They did look rather impressive and of course were ecstatic when they finally scored. The Angels have a long road ahead of them. And although they lost to us, they should be encouraged. They have a strong core of players that are willing to fight to the very end. Add some experience and they will have a good football team as they continue to improve. Looking forward to the Connecticut Crush game, we have had them circled from the beginning of the year. It is so hard to play on the road in our league. The long bus ride, the fast food, the unpredictable scheduleâ¤²it all makes it hard to stay focused and play determined football. The coaching staff really has their work cut out for them over the next two weeks. Not only will we have to keep the Divas poised and determined but we are going to have to prepare them to face anything and everything on the football field. I can guarantee you that the Crush remember losing to us in the first round of the playoffs 76-0 in 2003. April Meyers (RB #20) may feel a real sense of urgency. She was there and remembers her ride home all too well. She is an outstanding talent and, if memory serves, has gained over 500 yards in ONE game. She is a force and we are going to focus our attention on her. If we contain April Meyers we can contain their offense. This isn't a new team that hasn't played us. I know they will be ready. It is my job over the next two weeks to work the Divas so hard they do not forget what they are playing for. The season is long. The playoffs are even longer. We are just getting started. Sincerely,Ezra M. Cooper Jr., Head Coach

SABR and Big Train Baseball

On June 17, the Bethesda Big Train collegiate baseball team will be hosting the Bob Davids Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research at Shirley Povich Field in North Bethesda. The event will begin at 3:30 in the afternoon, and last until the evening's Big Train game has been completed. Members and their guests are invited. The afternoon affair will feature several panels of speakers on summer college baseball. Officials of the new Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League as well as umpires from the League will speak. Sal Colangelo, Big Train's manager, will talk about his perspective regarding collegiate summer league play. Sal will bring along a couple of Big Train players, who will chime in with their viewpoints. Chapter member and well-known author Paul Dickson will speak on the language of baseball. After the speaking and Q&A sessions have been completed, members will be treated to some Big Train ballpark fare. The food and drinks at dinner will be included in the price for signing up. Also included will be admission to the Ripken Sr. Collegiate League baseball game between the Bethesda Big Train and the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. A section of fine seats will be blocked off so that invitees can sit together and enjoy the game and each other's company. The cost of this program will be $20. Please mail check to John Munns at PO Box 1187, Frederick, MD 21702-0187 and make the check out to Bob Davids Chapter. We would appreciate receiving payment and the attached registration form for this event by Friday, June 2. Shirley Povich Field is located just a few blocks off of the I-270 spur near the Washington Beltway. It's in Cabin John Park. You would enter the park off Westlake Drive in back of Westfield Montgomery (formerly known as Montgomery Mall). For directions, visit the Big Train website at: http://www.bigtrain.org/published/directions.html.

Contact Bill Hickman with questions: bdhickmn@aol.com

Please send check or money order payable to: # of Tickets ________ X $20 = ________ SABR/Big Train Event
c/o John Munns
PO Box 1187
Frederick MD 21702-0187

For receipt of application confirmation, please either include a SASE, or email:
jmunns@fred1.org

Name:______________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________ City:_________________________ State______________________ Zip __________ E-mail address: ___________________________________ Telephone # _____________ Guest's names ______________________________ City ____________ State________________ ______________________________ City ____________ State________________ ______________________________ City ____________ State________________ The event is opened to members, non-members, and guests.

Talkin' "Baseball" May

The regular meeting of "Talkin' Baseball" will be held on Sataurday, May 13 at 9AM at Barnes & Noble, 4300 Montgomery Ave. (Longate Shopping Center), Ellicott City, MD. Our guest will be George Solomon, former Sports Editor of the Washington Post who will discuss the book, "All Those Morning...at the Post". Everyone come!!

Chesapeake and Potomac Baseball Club

The Chesapeake and Potomac Base Ball Club is having its next meeting at The Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton, VA on Saturday, May 20th at 1pm. The plan is to have a meeting first and then to head over to a nearby ball field for some hitting and fielding. Richard D'Ambrisi, a baseball historian from the Baltimore area, to come and speak to us about vintage base ball. Richard has ten years experience as a vintage baseball living historian and he has expressed an interest in joining the club as a historian, consultant and non-playing member. He also recently spoke at Sports Legends at Camden Yards in Baltimore on "Baseball and the Civil War" in Baltimore. For anyone that has been reading up on vintage base ball, please bring your books along and Richard will speak to those books. The club encourage everyone to make the effort to come out for the meeting on the 20th as this will be a great opportunity to get some first hand knowledge from an area expert on vintage base ball. After our speaker, there will be some discussions on the club, future games, uniforms, rules and an open forum for any questions that you might have. All interested parties are welcome to attend. To find out more about the club or the meeting, please contact Jeff Turner (turnerstorm@comcast.net) or Scott Rogers (scott@madforjam.com). Go to http://www.royalmilepub.com/hours.htm for directions.

BOXING

I understand that Hasim â¤¦HBâ¤? Rahman is really trying to make up for dissing the kids last week. In a disappointing show at Michaelâ¤s 8th Avenue before a less than capacity crowd. Only Art Morales put on a respectable showing out pointing Martinus Clay to win an unanimous decision, Clay tried to make a fight of it but it was to late to catch the visitor from California. In the preceding fights (?) Kiel Shuler KOâ¤ed Elijah Harris at 1:20 of the first round. Tyrell Samuel put Fred Fleming to sleep at 1:30 of the first round. Both of these bouts were stinkers even tho Robin Ficker urged both fighters to do other than dance around the ring. In two so-so fights if you could call them that, Farah Ennis took a four round unanimous decision over Michael Ciccone. The second sleeper saw Jameson Bostic taking a six round majority decision over Dhafer Smith. Our deepest sympathy goes to Bobby Magruder on the loss of his mother who passed, she was a lovely, sweet person who gave Bobby the support that has helped guide him through his career and life. She will be missed by all. More sad news came with the passing of former two time heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. Our deepest sympathy goes to his family.

BAYSOX REPORT

LOPEZ BLAST LIFTS BAYSOX OVER ROCK CATS, 4-2
Lopez' Shot Highlights Victory

In his first rehab assignment with Bowie, Javy Lopez helped the Baysox out with his Major League bat. The 35-year old was 2-for-3 with a double in the 2nd and a solo blast to deep center in the 8th inning. LHP Adam Loewen picked up his third win of the season with an 11 strikeout, four walk performance through six solid innings of work and RHP Chris Britton netted his second save of the season as Marino Salas got the night off. Loewen, newly acquired LHP Carlos Jan and Britton shutout the Cats the rest of the way en route to their 18th win of the season. However, the Baysox were not done yet as they put two on the board in the 5th and Lopez' insurance blast in the 8th. With two gone in the 5th CF Noah Hall doubled down the left field line, advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a subsequent wild pitch by Jones. In total the game saw a seven wild pitches, four by Jones. After Hall scored, Keylor doubled to left field and was driven in on the third straight hit to left in the inning - a single by Alvarez. Lopez' monster shot off Tristan Crawford in the 8th secured the game for the Baysox who improve to 18-14 on the season and remain tied for third place with the Harrisburg Senators. Jan (pronounced yawn) was impressive in his debut with the Baysox, going 1.2 innings with three strikeouts and just one walk. Alvarez was 1-for-4 with an RBI and two stolen bases. ON DECK: The two teams finish up their first series tomorrow with an early day game at 11:05 a.m. Lopez will rehab again with Bowie before the team heads out on a road trip to Trenton for four games, during which Lopez will return to Baltimore. RHP Brian Finch will face LHP Errol Simonitsch. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for all fans. Tickets are still available and cane be purchased online by visiting www.baysox.com or by calling the box office at 301.464.4876.

BAYSOX FALL TO ROCK CATS, 3-0 IN FRONT OF 10, 113 AT BASEBALL IN EDUCATION DAY

The Baysoz fell 3-0, Head To Trenton For Four Game Set Wednesday's day game did not go as well as planned. New Britain's Errol Simonitsch allowed just four singles through eight shutout innings, handing the Baysox their 15th loss on the season, 3-0 on Baseball In Education Day #2 in front of a crowd of 10,113 at Prince George's Stadium. With RHP Brian Finch on the mound the offense could not seem to muster any run support for the Texas native. Finch allowed a solo shot to Felix Molina in the top of the 1st inning and another run crossed the plate on a skeptical call in the 6th inning. With two outs in the 6th Alex Romero drew a walk. Doug Deeds followed Romero and lined a single off the right field wall. Romero rounded third base and headed for home. Baysox Catcher Ryan Hubele blocked Romero's slide into the plate and seemed to tag Romero for the final out of the inning. Unfortunately, on a bad rotation, there was not an umpire at the plate to make the call. The home plate umpire, who was standing at third base, hesitated then called Romero safe at the plate. Bowie manager Don Werner disagreed and was ejected by the home plate umpire for arguing the call. Regardless of the 0-2 deficit, the Baysox offense could not seem to pick up on Simonitsch's slow curveball and failed to move runners along the base paths. In the meantime, New Britain was able to put one more on the board off reliever Calvin Maduro for the final run of the day. DH Javy Lopez went 0-for-4 with four groundouts in the contest. The 35-year old Major League veteran is eligible to be activated by Baltimore this Saturday. The newest member of the Baysox, Carlos Jan, pitched again and struck out two in 1.1 innings of relief. The 10,113 cheering fans that were on hand to take in Wednesday's game were mostly students. It was the biggest attendance draw at Prince George's Stadium this so far this season. ON DECK: The Baysox head out today for a one-stop road trip that will take them to Trenton, NJ for four games over this weekend. Trenton currently sits in 6th place in the Northern Division with a 10-20 record. On Friday the Baysox will face Carl Pavano, who will be rehabbing with the Thunder this series. Lopez will not travel with the team to Trenton.

ROCK CATS SNEAK PAST BAYSOX 9-7 IN 16 INNINGS

The Baysox lost a Tough Five Hour Affair In what turned out to be the longest game of the season, the Baysox dropped a heartbreaker to the New Britain Rock Cats 9-7 in front of 1,312 at Prince George's Stadium Monday night. LHP Craig Anderson started the game at 7:07 pm on Monday evening and six pitchers later, 3B Gera Alvarez was the final Baysox pitcher when the game ended at 12:09 am on Tuesday morning. Anderson began the game well, giving up just a solo shot to DH Danny Matienzo in the 2nd inning. Noah Hall tied the score with an RBI triple down the right field line in the 3rd off RHP Nick Blackburn plating Brooks Badeaux. Both teams added another run in the 5th frame. New Britain knocked in Scott Whitrock, who had tripled off Anderson and Jeff Fiorentino drove in Rayner Bautista with an RBI double. As the game progressed the Baysox tied the game in the bottom half of every inning the Rock Cats scored. In the 6th, Alex Romero hit the second triple on the night off Anderson and plated two 'Cats for the 4-2 lead. However, the 'Sox answered as 3B Tripper Johnson collected his second hit of the season with a solo blast to left field and two batters later, Bautista drove in C Ryan Hubele from second with an RBI single to right field. Then in the 14th inning LHP Brian Forystek came out of the bullpen as the last available relief pitcher and quickly gave up a run on two hits to pass the lead back to the Cats. After going just 1-for-6 in seven plate appearances, RF Tony Alvarez' bat came to life in the latter stages of the game slapping a single into center field with one out in the 14th. Leo Daigle followed Alvarez with a double to right placing Alvarez on third. New Britain intentionally walked Cory Keylor for the second time in a row to get to Tripper Johnson. With the sacks full of 'Sox, Johnson drilled a pitch to straightaway center. CF Trent Oeltjen made a beautiful dive for the ball, but as he landed face first on the warning track the ball slipped out of his glove. Seeing Oeltjen's fantastic play, and thinking he made the catch, the runners were retreating to tag up and advance. Johnson passed Keylor as he was retreating to first. The umpires ruled it a single and Johnson was out for passing the lead runner. Daigle tagged and scored on the play for the tying run. 3B Gera Alvarez replaced Forystek in the top of the 15th inning. Alvarez came into the game having logged 5.1 relief innings in four years. Alvarez pitched decent, but made a few bad pitches in his two innings pitched. In the 15th he game up two runs on two hits, but the resilient Baysox never-say-die attitude bounced back in the bottom half of the frame. Bautista led off with an infield single and was matched by a Badeaux single to center. With two on and two outs, Tony Alvarez came to the plate again and drilled a two run single into the right field corner to knot the game at 7-7. Out of options, Gera Alvarez took the mound again in the top of the 16th and game up a two out, two run blast to Matienzo, his second home run of the game, for the 9-7 lead. The Baysox could not answer in their half of the inning as they fall to 17-14 and are now 2-4 in extra innings affairs this season. Gera Alvarez picked up the loss in the 5:02 marathon. After collecting just four hits in regulation, New Britain accumulated 13 hits in extra innings. The Baysox had nine hits in the supplemental seven innings to even both team's hit totals at 17 a piece.

SPORTS NOTES

Donâ¤t forget the Anacostia High School 1956 Class Reunion on September 15th at Martinâ¤s Cross Winds in Greenbelt. For more information contact Paul Ratcliffe at 301-932-6929 or email at prat@netscape.com. It continues to be sad news, the passing of David Roth, AHS 1951 and Paula â¤¦Harrisonâ¤? Wojcik, AHS 1953 our sympathy goes to their families (thanks to Fred Plummer for the information). Congratulations to the new officers of the Oldtimers Baseball Association: President â¤³ Bill Becker 1st Vice President --- Bill Becker, Jr. 2nd Vice President â¤³ Paul Bonomo 3rd Vice President --- Lefty Elliott Congratulations to Johnny Holliday who is to be honored as one of the â¤¦Fathrs of the Yearâ¤? by The Fatherâ¤s Day Council benefiting the American Diabetes Association Research, Information and Advocacy Programs on June 15th at DC Ritz-Carlton, for information call John Grigsby at 800-342-2383. One of the great publications I receive is Al Battisleâ¤s â¤¦The Match-Upâ¤?. No letters to publish but I have been receiving a lot of calls and letters about the Jocks Reunion, most have two concerns 1) Why no African Americans are in the Jocks Hall of Fame and 2) a lot of folks are sending in names of top athletes from the times they supposedly honor who have been left out and asking who is in charge of missing some of the great ones who are not in. Hey the ones in charge are - Charlie Brotsman and Joe Warren. To me it looks like you canâ¤t get everyone in, politics play a part (not your elected officials), itâ¤s a white only organization, favoritism and friendship. I donâ¤t know if its any of those just passing along whatâ¤s on the street and there seems to be a move afoot that will establish an organization that will truly represent all the great athletes of this era. Hey Dave Ziren this looks like something you may want to dig into.

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