The old saying goes that all good things must come to an end. And unfortunately this phrase now applies when it comes to the New York Collegiate Baseball League blog. As of today, the blog is being closed and no new content will be added. However, all previous posts will remain up to celebrate the last several years of the league - including an exciting '08 championship series that took three games to decide.
Additionally, after four great years in the NYCBL as a broadcaster and league media relations director, I would like to announce that I have parted ways with the league. It is an amicable split and I wish the league nothing but the best in the future.
I'd like to specifically thank several people who made the past four years very enjoyable including Paul Simmons (Watertown Wizards), Todd Kirkey (Watertown Wizards), Darin Williams (Glens Falls Golden Eagles), John Mayotte (Glens Falls Golden Eagles), Jeremy Winig (Glens Falls Golden Eagles '07-'08) and Jon Rathburn (Little Falls Times). I'd also like to thank Brian Spagnola (Amsterdam Mohawks) for giving me a chance back in 2006 when others wouldn't.
Some of my favorite moments from the past four years include covering two game three's in the League Championship Series (2005, 2008), broadcasting and producing three NYCBL All-Star Games and helping television talent cover a fourth, seeing over 3700 people crowd into Duffy Fairgrounds for a July 2007 game between Watertown and Niagara, getting a chance to broadcast a 2007 exhibition match between the Saratoga Phillies and the Russian National team (legit crowd of 1,000 at East Side Rec), announcing Mike Schellinger's 17 strike-out performance in game one of the 2005 Eastern Division playoffs and watching 1996 league alum Brad Lidge help the Philadelphia Phillies win the 2008 World Series. I'm sure there's moments I'm missing but those are the ones that stand out the most.
Also, I'd like to thank all the readers of the blog - including parents, players, fans and coaches. Without you reading the blog, sending e-mails and ideas, the blog would not have stayed around for two years. The comment section is open for any and all comments. I can also be reached at saltcitysports@aol.com.
Thank You.
John McGraw
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thunderstruck! Cook Signs With Frontier League Champs
The Windy City Thunderbolts of the independent Frontier League have signed infielder Bryan Cook (Saratoga '07) for the 2009 season. The Thunderbolts are the defending Frontier League champions.
Cook, a 2008 graduate of Nova Southeastern University, appeared in nine games last summer for the Frontier League's Rockford Riverhawks. He collected two home runs and four RBI over 28 plate appearances.
The Rockledge, Fla., native was a member of the 2007 Saratoga Phillies. He slugged a then franchise single-season record five home runs.
More information to follow.
Cook, a 2008 graduate of Nova Southeastern University, appeared in nine games last summer for the Frontier League's Rockford Riverhawks. He collected two home runs and four RBI over 28 plate appearances.
The Rockledge, Fla., native was a member of the 2007 Saratoga Phillies. He slugged a then franchise single-season record five home runs.
More information to follow.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Ratliff (Syracuse '91) To Join Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame
The Syracuse Chiefs of the Triple-A International League have announced that former Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League pitcher Jon Ratliff (Syracuse '91) is part of a group of seven men that will be inducted to the Syracuse Baseball Wall of Fame. The announcement was made at the Chiefs annual Hot Stove Dinner. The seven-member Class of 2009 will officially join the Wall of Fame on August 15, 2009, before the Chiefs game against the Rochester Red Wings.
More information to follow.
More information to follow.
Trio Named To WBC Preliminary Rosters
Italy
Clifford Flagello (Plattsburgh '05)
Valentino Pascucci (Schenectady '97)
South Africa
Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg (Glens Falls '07)
Clifford Flagello (Plattsburgh '05)
Valentino Pascucci (Schenectady '97)
South Africa
Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg (Glens Falls '07)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NYCBL Duo Named To 2009 D3baseball.com Preseason All-America Team
Second Team
Matt Tone (Brockport '07/Watertown '09), Cortland State
Honorable Mention
Alex Raetzloff (Allegany County '08), Webster
Matt Tone (Brockport '07/Watertown '09), Cortland State
Honorable Mention
Alex Raetzloff (Allegany County '08), Webster
Horning (Watertown '07-'08) Becomes A Diplomat
Former Watertown Wizards field manager Ryan Horning (Watertown '07-'08) has been hired as an assistant baseball coach at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. The Diplomats are members of NCAA Division III and play in the Centennial Conference.
Horning joins the Dips after a season in Ithaca, N.Y., as an assistant coach at Cornell University. Horning worked with the Big Red's infielders and outfielders and mentored three players to an All-Ivy selection. The Syracuse, N.Y., native has previously worked as an assistant coach at St. John Fisher College and Longwood University. During Horning's second season at Fisher, the Cardinals earned their first ever at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and secured the program's first tournament win.
Additionally, Horning guided the Syracuse, N.Y., 16-year-old Babe Ruth all-star team to the Babe Ruth World Series championship in 2004. He skippered the Salt City squad for four seasons and took them to the World Series in three of those years.
The St. Lawrence University graduate spent two seasons in the New York Collegiate Baseball League with the Watertown Wizards. Horning served as the team's pitching coach in 2007 and oversaw a pitching staff that included first team all-league selection Luis Castillo. Last summer, Horning took over the managerial duties when Todd Kirkey moved to the front office as the team's general manager. Horning guided the Wizards to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Division and the team made the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The team finished out the regular season by winning 10 of its' final 13 games.
Horning joins the Dips after a season in Ithaca, N.Y., as an assistant coach at Cornell University. Horning worked with the Big Red's infielders and outfielders and mentored three players to an All-Ivy selection. The Syracuse, N.Y., native has previously worked as an assistant coach at St. John Fisher College and Longwood University. During Horning's second season at Fisher, the Cardinals earned their first ever at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and secured the program's first tournament win.
Additionally, Horning guided the Syracuse, N.Y., 16-year-old Babe Ruth all-star team to the Babe Ruth World Series championship in 2004. He skippered the Salt City squad for four seasons and took them to the World Series in three of those years.
The St. Lawrence University graduate spent two seasons in the New York Collegiate Baseball League with the Watertown Wizards. Horning served as the team's pitching coach in 2007 and oversaw a pitching staff that included first team all-league selection Luis Castillo. Last summer, Horning took over the managerial duties when Todd Kirkey moved to the front office as the team's general manager. Horning guided the Wizards to a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Division and the team made the playoffs for the fourth year in a row. The team finished out the regular season by winning 10 of its' final 13 games.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Rivals.com Projects Romero (Glens Falls '08) As Oregon State's Starting Third Baseman
Kendall Rogers, the college baseball editor at Rivals.com, is listing former New York Collegiate Baseball League all-star Stefen Romero (Glens Falls '08) as Oregon State's projected starter at third base for the 2009 season. Romero transferred to Oregon State from Pima (Ariz.) Community College and is listed as a sophomore for the two-time national champion Beavers.
The Tucson, Ariz., native played one season at Pima Community College in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, a wood-bat league. Romero was named first-team all-conference and all-region as a freshman in 2008. He batted a team-high .414 with 49 RBI, 77 hits and three home runs. Romero also topped the Aztecs with seven triples and he was second in hits and RBI.
Last summer, Romero played for the Eastern Division champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles under John Mayotte. The Golden Eagles third baseman led the squad with 27 runs scored, 24 runs batted in and 16 times hit by a pitch. Romero added six home runs, 32 hits, six stolen bases and a .404 on-base percentage. He was one of five Golden Eagles named to the NYCBL All-Star Game.
Oregon State finished the 2008 season with a 28-24 record. The Beavers missed the NCAA tournament after winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007.
The Tucson, Ariz., native played one season at Pima Community College in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference, a wood-bat league. Romero was named first-team all-conference and all-region as a freshman in 2008. He batted a team-high .414 with 49 RBI, 77 hits and three home runs. Romero also topped the Aztecs with seven triples and he was second in hits and RBI.
Last summer, Romero played for the Eastern Division champion Glens Falls Golden Eagles under John Mayotte. The Golden Eagles third baseman led the squad with 27 runs scored, 24 runs batted in and 16 times hit by a pitch. Romero added six home runs, 32 hits, six stolen bases and a .404 on-base percentage. He was one of five Golden Eagles named to the NYCBL All-Star Game.
Oregon State finished the 2008 season with a 28-24 record. The Beavers missed the NCAA tournament after winning back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007.
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