Sports Beat column - June 13, 2008

Sports Beat

June 13, 2008

Sports Beat by Bill McCaffrey

Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison are unrestricted free agents and if the Wiz lose them they would really be hurting. Arenas has said he would take less than the 120 million for a six year contract if the Wiz can re-sign Jamison. Arenas, like Bernard Hopkins handles his own affairs not bothering with an agent. Arenas has had knee problems and have had two surgeries on his left knee and really has not proved he can handle a full return to the court. To lose both would be a big blow to the Wiz and their fans. The team needs a real live NBA star center in order to become a contender. Terry Porter is the new head coach of the Phoenix Suns and Vinney Del Negro is the new coach of the Chicago Bulls. Joe McKeown has left George Washington to become the head women¹s basketball coach at Northwestern. He had 509 career wins at GWU as coach. Michael Curry is the new head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

I had a great telephone conversation with Terry Maher who I have known for over 60 years. We chatted about the old neighborhood we grew up in. I lived on 15th Street NW and he lived in an apartment house at 14th Street and Arkansas Avenue NW . My dentists, Dr. Myers had his office in that building also a very beautiful young girl named Patricia McDonald lived there, she later moved and graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School . She also was the heartthrob of George Malloy and Phil Sullivan and they really clashed over her. I later played football, basketball and baseball at Bell with George. Terry and I talked about a small Sunoco gas station on a small triangle at Arkansas and Webster and 14th Streets. It was run by a Morris Herndon and Captain Nerno. Terry was also the pitcher on the Wm. B. Powell elementary school softball team. He also was Captain of Powell¹s Patrol crew and I along with Andy Ritchie were his lieutenants. I sold newspapers (Post 50, Times Herald 50) on the corners of 14th and Webster, I got a penny and a half for each paper I sold. Ann and Martha Rodgers lived in a house on that corner.

Others around that area were Gene Wallace, John & Mary Pavlides at 1418 Webster, Charles, Charlotte, Betty, Ginger Baines at 1415 Webster, Bill Hampton, Courtland Buell, Jr., Joan & Margie Albert, Marlene and Stanley Krupshaw, Joan & Frances Savage, Joan Hazard, Phil Kapneck, Elaine Goodman, Natalie Blackstone, Joan Gray, Joan Greene, Margie Imlay, Evelyn Peake, Beverly Yumkas, Donny Herman, and Priscilla Harrison, it was a great place and a great time. On Tuesday evening it was like Savoy movie time as I watched a ³Charlie Chan² movie, a ³Mr. Moto² movie, and an ³Anna May Wong² and ³Mr. Wong² movie. The only thing missing was my favorite movie candy ³Good and Plenty².

LEOPOLD DOING AN OUTSTANDING JOB

Once again I had to call on Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold and his office to take care of a problem and once again Leopold came through with flying colors. I want to thank Leopold, Eric Robey and Anita Evans for taking care of the problem in a fast and efficient way. Everyone I¹ve talked to applaud the job Leopold is doing from the handing over illegal immigrants to the INS to the everyday tasks of running the County. To John Leopold I say thanks for a job well done!

BOXING NEWS

Kelly Pavlik put away Gary Lockett in the third round of their middleweight championship fight in Atlantic City. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has retired. Juan Manuel Lopez remained undefeated by winning the WBO super bantamweight championship by stopping Daniel Pouce De Leon in the first round of their fight. They have so many titles in so many classes these days but can you name the eight classes they had before the clutter of divisions of today? How many of you remember that Bobby Magruder was the best amateur fighter in the DC area before Sugar Ray Leonard became the best in their class? Who remembers the great DC fighters of the 30¹s, 40¹s like Steve Mamakis, ³Reds² Barry, Herbie ³Biff² Jones, Gene Smith, Jimmy Cooper, and Danny Petro? How about the great fight and wrestling announcer Jimmy Lake ? Lake ¹s bar was next to the Gayety Theater on 9th Street NW in downtown DC. Where is ³Has been² Rahman today? He disappeared from the scene fast. Ballroom boxing returns to Michael¹s 8th Avenue in September.

The Bob Davids Chapter Night at the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Saturday August 9, 2008
3:30 P.M. Program, 6:35 First Pitch
Dinner/Game: $29 ($24 12/under)
Keynote Speaker: Butch Hobson,
Former Red Sox Player/Manger

There¹s a new professional team in town, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, and a new ballpark you probably have not seen yet, Regency Furniture Stadium. This is your chance! The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are in the Atlantic League, an independent minor league. For more info on the Blue Crabs, go to www.somdbluecrabs.com.

Regency Furniture Stadium is in Waldorf, MD, just a few miles from the DC Beltway. Our main speaker will be Blue Crabs Manager Butch Hobson, major leaguer with the Red Sox, Angels, and the Yankees, and his manager with the Pawtucket Red Sox, the Boston Red Sox, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, and the Nashua Pride. He will address us beginning at 3:45 . We will also have additional presenters and events. We will have dinner at the covered Red Hot & Blue picnic pavilion, the perfect setting to eat, watch the game and mingle. Enjoy a marvelous 2-hour all-you-can-eat buffet picnic with Red Hot & Blue BBQ pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, cole slaw, potato chips, banana pudding, and soft drinks. The pavilion is located behind the left field wall. Send the form below to chapter secretary Don Seaman at 8332 Moline Pl ace Springfield, VA 22153-3314

Please make your check payable to SABR Bob Davids Chapter

Name (s)   ____________________________________________________________________
Address   _____________________________________________________________________
City, St, ZIP   _________________________________________________________________
E-Mail    _____________________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________________________________________________________
Adult dinner/game tickets                               _______ x $29 = $________
Youth (12 and under) dinner/game tickets       _______ x $24 = $________
Total cost.                                                                                    $________
I am still waiting to hear from the Blue Crabs.

Baysox and Phillies Split Wild Pair

The Baysox split their doubleheader with the Reading Phillies Thursday in Bowie . The first game was the completion of the suspended game from Tuesday, June 3rd and the Baysox would go on to win, 9-8 in eleven innings. The second game was Thursday's regularly scheduled game, a pitcher's duel the Baysox lost 2-1, handing Chris Tillman his first loss of the season. The second game was a seven inning game. The Baysox came into the first game down 1-0 in the top of the second. They would tie the game in the bottom of the second. Jeff Nettles led off with a double to left field and advanced to third on a wild pitch by new pitcher Carlos Carrasco. With one out, catcher Brian Peterson brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Reading answered with a run in the top of the fourth. With one away, right fielder Jeremy Slayden hit a double to right and advanced to third on a base hit by Brad Harman. Mike Eylward hit a ground ball to third but it was fumbled by Travis Brown, allowing Slayden to score and put the Phillies back in front, 2-1.

Bowie's bats came alive in the home half of the fifth inning. Kennard Jones led off with a double to left and moved to third on a wild pitch by Carrasco. Carrasco retired the next two batters, but then walked Mike Rodriguez and hit Carlos Rojas with a pitch to load the bases with two away. Carrasco walked Jonathan Tucker to bring the tying run home for the Baysox, but the inning was not over. Next up, first baseman Jeff Nettles smashed a no-doubter over the fence in left field for the first Baysox grand slam of the year, putting Bowie ahead 6-2. Reading stormed back in the top of the sixth. Jeremy Slayden led off with a walk, and consecutive singles by Brad Harman and Mike Eylward loaded the bases with no outs. Neil Sellers drew a walk to bring in the first Phillies run of the inning. With the bases still loaded, Michael Spidale came up with a base hit to right center, bringing Harman in and cutting the Bowie lead to 6-4. Ryan Keefer came in to relieve Jason Berken and Jason Donald welcomed him to the game by ripping a double down the left field line, clearing the bases and reclaiming the lead for the Phillies, 7-6. Reading added a little insurance in the top of the ninth when Joey Hammond and Jeremy Slayden hit back to ba ck doubles, extending the lead to 8-6.

The Baysox fired back in the bottom of the ninth. Reading brought in reliever Patrick Overholt and he walked Kennard Jones to lead off the inning. Ryan Finan came in to pinch hit for Travis Brown and crushed a homerun over the wall in right field to tie the game at 8. It was the first pinch-hit homerun of the season for the Baysox, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Finan was confident going into the at-bat, "Brad told me earlier in the inning I might be pinch-hitting for Travis Brown, so I was ready. I saw Kennard got on and I've faced this guy (Overholt) plenty of times. I was just looking for a pitch up, and he left a slider up there and I was able to get a hold of it." It looked as though the Baysox would end the game in the bottom of the tenth inning. With Jeff Nettles on second and two outs, Kennard Jones hit a bloop into center when Greg Golson raced towards the infield and dove headlong to make a diving catch to extend the game. Bowie finally managed to seal the deal in the bottom of the eleventh inning. With two outs and nobody on, Mike Rodriguez hit a double into center field and Carlos Rojas brought him in with a base hit to left for the winning run.

In the second half of the doubleheader, the pitchers took over. Bowie 's Chris Tillman went toe-to-toe with Reading 's Fabio Castro. The two combined for 16 strikeouts in 8.2 innings. Tillman picked up his first loss of the year, but was not discouraged after the game, "I felt real good about all my stuff tonight. It was the best stuff I've had so far. I was excited about it; I feel I pitched real well." The Phillies struck quickly in the top of the second inning when Jeremy Slayden led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a wild pitch. With a man down, Luke Appert picked up an RBI with a base hit to left field, but he was thrown out trying to stretch it into a double.

The Baysox got one back in the bottom of the fourth when Jeff Nettles drew a one out walk. With two down, Ryan Finan singled through the hole between first and second and Nettles advanced to third base. The Phillies took starter Fabio Castro out and replaced him with Josh Outman. Outman hit Jonathan Tucker with a pitch, loading the bases for the Baysox with two outs. Catcher Brian Valichka drew a walk to drive in the Bowie run and tie the game at 1-1.

Reading answer right back in the top of the fifth. Neil Sellers led off with a double to center and Luke Appert earned his second RBI of the contest with a single through the hole between first and second, seizing the lead back for the Phillies, 2-1. Baysox manager Brad Komminsk was ejected for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the fifth.

The Baysox threatened to score again in the bottom of the fifth but could not convert. With two outs and men on first and second, Nolan Reimold laced a single into right field. Carlos Rojas got a late stop sign from acting third base coach Moe Hill and was caught in a rundown to end the threat. The Baysox collected only one more hit in the losing effort, bringing their record to 34-25 for the season, just half a game behind first place Harrisburg in the Southern Division.

Nettles Nudges Baysox Past Senators

The Baysox came into Friday¹s contest in Harrisburg just a half game back of the Senators for first place in the Southern Division. What began as a pitcher¹s duel turned into a rout late as the Baysox scored eight runs in the final two innings on their way to a 9-2 victory. Bowie opened the scoring in the top of the third when left fielder Kennard Jones smacked the first pitch he saw over the wall in left, giving the Baysox an early 1-0 lead. Baysox starter Craig Anderson had his strongest outing for Bowie this year, going 6.2 innings and giving up two runs on just three hits while striking out five. Anderson cruised until the bottom of the seventh inning.

With two outs and nobody on, left fielder Garret Guzman doubled to right field and designated hitter Lou Montz brought him in with a homerun to left, chasing Anderson from the game and putting the Senators ahead, 2-1. With two outs and nobody on in the top of the eighth, the Bowie offense came alive. Mike Rodriguez got the rally going with a base hit into left field. Rodriguez stole second before Jonathan Tucker drew a walk, putting men on first and second and drawing a pitching change for Harrisburg . Zech Zinicola came in and promptly walked Lou Montanez to load the bases with two away. Third baseman Jeff Nettles brought Rodriguez and Tucker in to score with a single into ri ght field and Nolan Reimold followed with a base hit of his own, scoring Montanez and putting Bowie ahead, 4-2.

The Baysox would find insurance in the form of another big hit from Jeff Nettles. With two outs and Brian Peterson on third, Mike Rodriguez knocked a double into the gap in left-center, bringing Peterson home. Jonathan Tucker drove Rodriguez in with a single to right field, increasing the Bowie lead to 6-2. Lou Montanez came up with a single of his own, putting men on first and second. Jeff Nettles put the game out of reach with a homerun to right field, collecting his fifth RBI of the game and putting Bowie ahead for good, 9-2. Harrisburg starter Marco Estrada was impressive despite earning the loss, going 7.2 innin gs and giving up three runs on six hits. Bowie reliever Kam Mickolio earned the victory, his first of the year, pitching 1.1 perfect innings while striking out two. Closer Julio Manon worked the bottom of the ninth even though it was not a save opportunity. Manon was perfect also, striking out all three batters he faced.

Baysox Bats Barrage Senators

The Baysox offense took care of Harrisburg for the second night in a row as Bowie achieved their highest run total of the year, burying the Senators, 13-2 on Saturday. Baysox outfielder Lou Montanez led the way with two homeruns and all but one Bowie starter finished the game with at least one RBI. The Baysox explosion gave starter Brad Bergesen his seventh win of the year and increased the distance between first place Bowie and second place Harrisburg to a game and a half. The Senators opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on the corners and two out, Bergesen threw a wild pickoff attempt to first, allo wing Ofilio Castro to score the first run of the game and Seth Bynum to advance to second. Right fielder Mike Daniel brought him in with a single to right-center and the Senators went up, 2-0.

The Baysox began chipping away in the top of the third. After Kennard Jones led off with a single, Harrisburg starter Luis Atilano returned Bergesen¹s favor by throwing away his own pickoff attempt, allowing Jones to advance. Jones moved up to third on a groundout by Blake Davis and Mike Rodriguez drove him in with a sacrifice fly, cutting the Senators lead to 2-1. The Baysox picked up another run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ryan Finan in the fourth inning, tying the game at 2-2. Harrisburg brought in Josh Perrault to replace Atilano for the fifth inning. With two out and a man on second, Jonathan Tucker blasted a homerun to left field, gi v ing Bowie the lead, 4-2. Lou Montanez followed suit with a homerun of his own, increasing the Baysox lead to 5-2.

The floodgates opened for Bowie in the top of the seventh. Mike Rodriguez led off with a double to right and advanced to third on a fielding error that allowed Jonathan Tucker to reach base. Lou Montanez smacked a double into left field, scoring Rodriguez and pushing Tucker to third. Jeff Nettles followed with a base hit, plating Tucker and advancing Montanez to third. Nolan Reimold brought Montanez home with a sacrifice fly and the lead was 8-2 Bowie . Ryan Finan kept the rally going with a base hit down the right-field line, advancing Nettles to third. Brian Peterson brought Nettles in with a ground out and Kennard Jones moved Peterson to third with a base hit to right-ce nt er. The Senators brought in Beltran Perez to finish the inning, and Blake Davis greeted him with a three-run homerun to right field, pushing the Bowie lead to 12-2.

Lou Montanez capped the scoring in the top of the eighth with a solo shot, his second homerun of the game. Bergesen threw 6.1 strong innings to earn the victory, giving up two runs on seven hits while striking out four. Rommie Lewis came in to finish the game, going 2.2 scoreless innings, giving up three hits while striking out three. The seven runs in the seventh inning were the most the Baysox have scored in an inning this season. Bowie also tied a season-high with 15 hits in the game. Bowie has scored 22 runs combined in two wins against the Senators this season. With the victory, the Baysox tighten their grip o n f irst place, increasing their lead in the Southern Division to a game and a half.

SPORTS NOTES

Raymond (Ray) Stout, AHS Class of 55, died on June 4th at Anne Arundel Hospital in Annapolis. Our deepest sympathy to his family. Connecticut first baseman Travis Ishikawa is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Player of the Week Award and Altoona right-hander Yosian Herrera is the winner of the Bank of America Eastern League Pitcher of the Week Award. Portlan Sea Dogs outfielder Zach Daeges has been selected as the winner of the Eastern League Player of the Month Award for the month of May.

Our deepest sympathy goes to the families of the following:
Boris ³Mask of Iron² Shaklin, won four gold medals at the Rome Olympics. He won a total of 13 medals, seven gold, in gymnastics and was World Champion in 1958.
Hugh Jarrett, singer with Elvis Presley and the Jordanaires.
Jack, Medal of Honor winner for his heroism as a marine at Iwo Jima in World War II.
Anne Elizabeth Bruther, mother of William F. Bruther.
Charles Armbruster Wolf, Sr., Wilson (DC) HS grad.
Jim McKay, great sports announcer and the founder of the ³Maryland Million² at Pimlico and resident of Maryland . A great man who will be missed.
Lillian Kushner Hurowitz, Eastern (DC) HS graduate.
Mary Ellen Lynagh Trimble, St. Anthony¹s (DC) HS grad.
Michael Royce Ward, Bullis School grad.
Paul Edward Kraft, McKinley Tech (DC) HS grad.
Donald C. Utermahlen, World War II hero and retired C&P Telephone company employee.
Bill Finegan, music arranger for Tommy Dorsey and Glenn Miller. Co-founder of the ³Sauter-Finegan² big band with Eddie Sauter.
Wayne Archie Cawley (former MD Secretary of Agriculture) a great man and one that will be missed.
John Alfred Turner, Jr., DeMatha HS grad.
Eliot Asinof, author of ³Eight Men Out².

WHOA! NOT AGAIN!

More ³Isolated Incidents² on MTA buses and the Light Rail. By the way how many of the passengers on the Light Rail are paying their fares, I think a real answer would surprise a lot of Maryland taxpayers. V-E Day was this June and I salute all veterans from that war, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the Iraq and Afghanistan war for helping keep us USA citizens free and safe. Remember it¹s not anything to be ashamed of for standing up for America and God I just wish more Americans would do it! I can¹t believe Amando Benitez is still pitching in the majors because he¹s terrible! Whoops, he isn¹t anymore as Toronto let him go. Paul O¹Brien, Spalding¹s High School outstanding softball coach has resigned. Our prayers go out to Eugene Carls for a speedy recovery from his colon operation.

"Baseball America" has a great issue on the stands now about the best and worst baseball drafts of all time. The issue is on sale through June 29th. I wonder where they are today---Ed Hanger, Bill Hatcher, Ronnie Furr, Dick Coons, Judy Arnold, Lis Gunderson, John Moyer, Joe ³Bengi² Price, Lynda Calhoun, and Carolyn Briggs? Are the Ravens and Bengals bidding for Cedric Benson, the ex-Bear? Chopticon¹s Brandon Short was drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Riverdale Baptist¹s graduate Justin McClanahan was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. The Orioles finally dumped Steve Trachsal. The Orioles picked up eleven left handed pitchers in the draft. Will Erik Bedard end up with the Toronto Blue Jays? The worse kept secret in Charm/crab city finally came out Jonathon Ogden has retired from the Ravens.

Kizer Selected to U18 USA Women's Basketball Team
Incoming Terp will participate in 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship

Following three days of trials at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball announced its 12-member U.S. Under-18 Women's Basketball National Team and among the honorees was incoming Terrapin Lynetta Kizer. The selection of the 12 members were made by the USA Basketball Women's Collegiate Committee, which is chaired by Sue Donahoe, the NCAA's vice president of Division I women's basketball. Members of the team were born on or after Jan. 1, 1990.

"It's an honor. I can't stop smiling," said Lynetta Kizer, who hails from Woodbridge, Va., when asked what it meant to make the U.S. team. "... It's an honor to have the opportunity to go out there and to follow in the footsteps of all those [great] players that came before us and to represent the USA."

Kizer has previously medaled in a USA Basketball event, helping the White Team win gold at the 2007 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival. She was a McDonald's High School All-American last season, as well as, Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Parade All-American. A graduate of Potomac High School, the 6-foot-4 center was a two-time Washington Post All-Metro pick, earning a spot on the first team this season after averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Panthers to the Virginia AAA Northwest Region tournament. The USA Women's U18 National Team will train at the USOTC from July 10-16 and in Washington, D.C., July 17-20 before departing for the 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Women. The 2008 FIBA Americas zone qualifier will be contested July 23-27 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the top four finishing teams earning a berth to the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship. For more information, visit USA Basketball at www.usabasketball.com.

Baysox, Phillies Share Tight Pair

The Baysox were able to eke out the second game of their doubleheader with the Phillies on Wednesday. Reading¹s Fabio Castro outlasted Chorye Spoone as the Phillies took the first game in a tight defensive battle, 2-1. Reading¹s game two starter Carlos Carrasco got tagged with a tough loss as the bullpen gave up five runs in the seventh inning. Baysox pitcher Chorye Spoone made his first start since leaving the mound with shoulder pain April 20. Spoone struggled to find his rhythm, walking three hitters in the first three innings. He settled down after that though, going 5.0 strong innings and giving up just one earned run on two hits. Reading struck first in the bottom half of the opening frame on some sloppy defense by the Baysox. Ryan Finan dropped what would have been the first out and allowed Lou Marson to double home Jason Donald. The Phillies picked up another run in the second inning on Jeremy Slayden¹s leadoff homerun, putting Reading ahead, 2-0. Bowie answered back in the third inning when Blake Davis drove a two out double into right field. Jonathan Tucker plated him with a base hit up the middle to cut the Reading lead in half. The Baysox drew even in their next turn at bat when Lou Montanez led off the top of the fourth with a homerun, tying the game at 2-2.

The Phillies wasted little time getting to Gerardo Casadiego in the bottom of the sixth. Jason Donald greeted him with a single to left field and Greg Golson moved him to second with a bunt single. Lou Marson walked to load the bases with nobody out. Casadiego got Joey Hammond to strike out, but Jeremy Slayden drove Donald in for the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly to left. That was the only run Reading managed to push across but it was enough for Josh Outman, who pitched 1.1 innings of one hit baseball to earn the win. Game two was a defensive struggle for both clubs. Rommie Lewis started his first game of the season for the Baysox and pitched 2.2 solid innings, giving up a run on four hits while striking out five. Reading starter Carlos Carrasco was excellent, coming up just short of a seven-inning complete game. He went 6.1 innings and gave up just one run on four hits while striking out seven before leaving with the lead.

The Phillies scored first again in the third inning, chasing Lewis from the game. With two outs and the bases empty, Michael Spidale picked up an infield hit and stole second. Jason Donald legged out an infield hit of his own, moving Spidale to third. Greg Golson put Reading on top 1-0 with a base hit through the hole between third and short, scoring Spidale. Bowie started the top of the third inning with two straight walks, and with one out and men on second and third, Ryan Finan singled into left field. Lou Montanez came in to score bu t Nolan Reimold was gunned down at the plate attempting to grab the lead. The Baysox could not take further advantage and the game remained tied, 1-1.

Reading capitalized on some sloppy Baysox defense in the bottom of the fifth. After Orlando Guevara drew a leadoff walk, Michael Spidale laid down a bunt to move the runner up. First baseman Ryan Finan fielded the bunt, but his flip to first base hit Spidale in the back. Guevara moved to third on the error and the Phillies had runners on the corners with no outs. Jason Burch was able to get Jason Donald to pop out to third base, but Greg Golson drove Guevara in with a sacrifice fly to left field, moving Reading ahead, 2-1. The Baysox fought back in the bottom of the seventh. With Ryan Finan on first and a man out, Steve Torrealba picked up a base hit. Kennard Jones reached on a fielding error, loading the bases. Blake Davis hit a ground ball to first, but a throwing error by Joey Hammond allowed Davis to reach first an d Finan to score, tying the game 2-2. Mike Rodriguez beat out a potential double play to score Torrealba with the go ahead run. The Baysox would push three more runs across before the inning was over, going into the bottom of the seventh, 6-2. Julio Manon came in to seal the deal in a non-save situation, throwing one shutout inning.

Big Train Clobbered by Orioles
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bachman Park

Youse's Maryland Orioles continued to roll Wednesday, knocking off the Bethesda Big Train, 15-2, in Glen Burnie. The win for the Orioles made them 5-0 on the young season and pushed the Big Train back to .500 with a record of 2-2. O's pitchers ran their consecutive scoreless inning streak to 34 before Bethesda got a run in the eighth. Max Russell (Florida Southern) and Kevin Brady (Clemson) combined for seven innings of shutout ball, scattering five hits and two walks and striking out seven. Gerard Hall (Old Dominion) had three hits, including a triple, three run scored, and three RBI to pace the Orioles. Nick Natoli (Towson) added three RBI and Jeff Rowland (Georgia Tech) drove in two runs on two hits and scored a run of his own. Luke Adkins (Missis sippi State) had three hits for the Big Train, who got RBIs from Drew Lee (Morehead State) and Danny Stienstra (San Jose State). Click here to view the box score!

Score by Innings R H E
-------------------------------------------
Bethesda............ 000 000 011 - 2 8 5
Youse's Maryland.... 050 023 05X - 15 9 1
Win - Russell, M.
Loss - Allen, C.
Time: 2:45
Attendance: 75

Looking ahead...

Sunday: The Big Train take on the Maryland Redbirds at 7:30 at Povich Field. Father's Day Appreciation. Fathers and their kids may go on the field at 7 p.m. to play catch. Washington Parent Night. Chick-fil-A Night.

Kenny Moreland (BT '05) Signs with Orioles

Christopher Newport's Kenny Moreland signed a professional contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization Saturday, following the conclusion of the 2008 Major League Draft. Moreland heads to Florida Sunday for a week long minicamp where he will be assessed which will determine what level he will be assigned to. Moreland finished the 2008 season with a perfect 13-0 record and a 1.97 ERA, both setting new school records. He struck out 116 batters in just under 110 innings pitched. He also set career records in wins (35) and strikeouts (378).

Moreland also was named First Team All-American by D3baseball.com and the American Baseball Coaches Association. He was also named the ABCA's South Region Player of the Year and was a First Team All-South selection. He also took home the Player of the Year award in the USA South and was also a First Team All-Conference pick. Moreland's two wins in the USA South Tournament also earned him the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.

"It was a rollercoaster ride all day," Moreland said. "I woke up and pumped up and excited and I had my friends, family and most of the team over watching the draft. When the draft was over, deep down I was upset I hadn't gotten picked, but about 25 minutes after the draft was over, I got a call from the Orioles scouting department and they asked me how I would feel being signed by the Orioles, and I said yes sir!" Moreland becomes the first CNU baseball player to sign a professional contract right out of college. Mark Parnell also signed a professional contract, but he first signed with the Peninsula Pilots when they were an independent franchise. He went on to a professional career where he reached Class AA.

More Information...

BIG TRAIN 2008 SEASON SPONSORS

Thanks to these organizations for their generous support of Big Train baseball for the 2008 season: Chevy Chase Bank, Grossberg CPAs, Hopkins & Porter, Ledo Pizza, Miller & Long Co., Ourisman Automotive, and Sandy Spring Builders

CAL RIPKEN, SR. COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE

Summer 2008 is the fourth season of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League. The league consists of eight teams, the Alexandria Aces, Bethesda Big Train, College Park Maryland Bombers, Herndon Braves, Maryland Redbirds, Rockville Express, Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts, and Youse's Maryland Orioles. The teams play a 42-game regular season from early June to the end of July. The Cal Ripken, Sr. Collegiate Baseball League has a license agreement with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation for the use of the name Cal Ripken, Sr. and is not affiliated with nor sponsored by the Foundation or Ripken Baseball. For information, please log onto www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org.

THE MONTGOMERY CUP PRESENTED BY THE GAZETTE

Bethesda Big Train 9-5
Rockville Express 9-5
Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts 4-10

Log onto http://www.ripkensrcollegebaseball.org/ for up-to-date boxscores and standings. Sign-up for CRSL email alerts here.

Cal Ripken, Sr., used to say, "Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

ORIOLES ON ELEVATOR RIDE

From last to third and back again over and over that's the ride the Orioles have been on thus far this season but I still think they'll be the anchor team in the AL East.

I am surprised about how many suck-up phonies they have in their press box. They have a Jayson Werth fan (he's with the Phillies), a guy that collects press guides and peanuts, and a guy that hosts a small TV show in Bowie who has never turned down a hot dog or media meal. All really have no media credentials but are allowed in by a weak PR/media department. The last good media person they had was Rick Vaughn.

I like the Orioles Luke Scott but the rest of the team leaves a lot to be desired. If you want to have a good time at a baseball game, take in a Nationals, Blue Crabs, Baysox or Keys game. Don't take this the wrong way. I can't go to a baseball game (not since my stroke) so I am not looking for peanuts, guides or media meals or a press box seat. I've heard that Bill Stetka is a good guy so maybe it's somebody who works for him.

Orioles upcoming home schedule:
June 17            Houston
June 18            Houston
June 19            Houston
June 30            Kansas City
July 1               Kansas City
July 2               Kansas City
July 3               Kansas City
July 4               Texas
July 5               Texas
July 6               Texas

Nationals upcoming home schedule:
June 20             Texas
June 21             Texas
June 22             Texas
June 23             Angels
June 24             Angels
June 25             Angels
June 27             Orioles
June 28             Orioles
June 29             Orioles

WE GET LETTERS

Dear Bill, I hope that you are doing well. You seem to be back in full swing and then some. I hope that you have someone assisting you with all you do. Ron is doing well at Arlington National Cemetery & has a very busy schedule. He officiates at 25 -27 funerals a week. He preached at FBC of Washington last Sunday. Ron has 8 more months on this assignment, he will probably have to take a one year assignment and leave the family in Bristow. HE would lik e his children to finish high school in that area if possible. Cindy and Ron have 2 children, Grace, 15 and Timothy 13. Grace pitches or plays second base or outfield because of her hitting ability of over 400 on the Brentsville HS Girls Fast Pitch Softball team where she was named the Outstanding Athlete this year. She was also named ³Honorable Mention² on the All Metro as a sophomore pitcher. Grace also pitches on the Shamrocks (16 & under) Girls Fast Pitch Softball team. Her pitching speed is 55-60 and she has all of the pitches. I thought you would be interested in knowing about this. Take care of yourself, God Bless JoAnn

Bill, Thanks so much for the column, my "hometown" connection down here in the swamp. I am so thankful that my friends and family up there in the DC area have not suffered any injuries or major property damage in those horrific storms that devastated parts of Md. and VA Enjoyed watching the MLB draft and I see the Nationals won a thriller with Elijah Dukes homer against the Cardinals, 10-9, in that doubleheader yesterday. Will be rooting for "Big Brown" in the Belmont tomorrow to finally give us a Triple Crown winner. Watching the amazing story of his trainer, Dick Dutrow, on ESPN. Boston Celtics win the first game of the Championship series and both teams looked nervous last night. Looking for Paul Pierce to be the MVP of this series. Blessings, Dale

Bill, Chris said he sent a letter commenting on Mike Miller, I didn¹t see it can you send it again? Jean B.

Dear Jean, Here it is. Bill

Bill, Thank you for setting the record straight on Mike Miller. I have had the pleasure of following Mike's career since the mid-80s, covered him as managing editor of the Calvert Independent newspaper and was fortunate to work with him as Senator Dyson's Chief of Staff for 10 years. I consider him a great friend, a great leader and while he would never admit it -- a man with a heart of gold. He genuinely cares about people. I too am tired of all of the Mike Miller bashing. I have seen him in private moments between us when he has come across as humble and self-deprecating. He does not take himself too seriously. Sure I cringe at some of the things he says to the press -- but that's Mike. He tells it as he sees it. I really hope he rescinds his intention to retire in 2010. This is no knock on any of the reported "contenders" for his seat if he is to retire because they have made great contributions to the Senate. However, we need this Maryland treasure in the State Senate. Christopher Falkenhagen

P.S. A brief word about Tommy. I had a constituent case while working with Senator Dyson that involved the Parole Board. I contacted Tommy and he was very gracious and helpful. I have met him in person several times and you can tell that Mike and Patti did a great job raising him because he is a great guy. I do not know him well, but do know he is a good guy. Those attacking the son, because of unsubstantiated assumptions that Mike is intervening on his behalf are blatantly unfair!

SUPPORT MARYLAND SPORTS!!