NYCBL Picture of the Week

Kevin Mahoney (Canisius) of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles takes a pitch in a game against the Saratoga Phillies on June 17, 2007 at East Side Rec in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Also pictured are Saratoga catcher Tyler Scruggs (West Virginia/Duquesne) and home plate umpire Rudy Firmbach.

Photo courtesy of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles.

St. Joseph's Tabs Hamburg (Newark '98-'99 mgr.) As Bench Boss

Fritz Hamburg (Newark '98-'99 mgr.) has been named the head baseball coach at St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pa. It is the first Division I managerial stint for Hamburg, who, while working at Army was named the 2007 Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Baseball America.

Hamburg takes over at St. Joseph's after serving as an associate head coach for eight years at the United States Military Academy under former college teammate Joe Sottolano. Hamburg was the pitching coach for the Black Knights and he helped mentor three-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Nick Hill (2004, 2005, 2007) and 2004 Patriot League Player of the Year Schuyler Williamson. In addition, Hill was a two-time All-American and Army reliever Milan Dinga was tabbed second-team All-America in 2007. Eleven of Hamburg's former players have been selected in the Major League Baseball entry draft including two in the top ten rounds.

Prior to Army, Hamburg served as an assistant coach at Cornell, New Mexico State, Cal Poly Pomona, Georgia and Ithaca College.

The Doylestown, Pa., native was an All-American catcher at Ithaca College in 1988. He helped backstop the Bombers to the 1988 NCAA Division III national championship. After graduating from Ithaca in 1989, Hamburg signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He went on to play part of the 1990 season for the Spartanburg Phillies of the South Atlantic League.

Hamburg was the first manager in the history of the Newark Raptors franchise in 1998. He guided the Raptors to a 27-15 record in their maiden voyage and the Western Division title. Newark placed second to Geneva the following year but went on to defeat Geneva and then Ithaca for the league championship.

St. Joseph's was 18-34 last year and compiled a 9-18 mark in the Atlantic 10.

NYCBL Alumni Spotlight: Jeff Wilpon (Syracuse '82)

Welcome back to the New York Collegiate Baseball League Alumni Spotlight. Every other week until the beginning of the 2009 NYCBL season in June, former NYCBL (NCBL or NESBA) players or coaches will be featured. Last June, 33 current or former New York Collegiate Baseball League players were selected in the Major League Baseball entry draft. Countless other former players and coaches have gone on to success at the collegiate and professional levels.

Today, the spotlight shines on former Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League player Jeff Wilpon. Wilpon was a catcher for the 1982 Syracuse Junior Chiefs. The team played in the North Eastern States Baseball Association umbrella organization in the Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League, an NCAA-sponsored league in upstate New York. The Junior Chiefs were managed by Onondaga Community College head coach Joe Antonio. Wilpon's team finished the regular season with a 17-7 record and tied the Cortland Apples for first place in the league standings. However it was the North Syracuse Merchants taking the league's playoff championship.

After a summer with the Junior Tribe, Jeff Wilpon was tabbed by the Montreal Expos in the fourth round (64th overall) of the 1983 Major League Baseball draft. He spent time with the New York-Penn League's Jamestown Expos.

Today, Jeff Wilpon is the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of the New York Mets. Wilpon serves in the same capacity with the New York-Penn League's Brooklyn Cyclones and the Mets Development Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the New York Mets. In addition, he is the Executive Vice President of Sterling Equities. Wilpon, according to his biography on the Sterling Equities web site, oversees the Mets day-to-day baseball and business operations. He also worked alongside the city of New York to help oversee the planning, design and construction of Keyspan Park in Brooklyn, the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Cassidy (Geneva '97) Named Head Coach At Sullivan County Community College

Former Major League pitcher Scott Cassidy (Geneva '97) has been named the head baseball coach at Sullivan County Community College in Loch Sheldrake, New York. It is the first coaching assignment for Cassidy, who pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres over the course of his 10-year professional career.

Cassidy, a native of Liverpool, N.Y., enjoyed a successful collegiate career at LeMoyne College. He was a two-time MAAC North all-star and the 1998 MAAC North Pitcher of the Year. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Toronto Blue Jays in May of 1998 and he made his professional debut with the Medicine Hat Blue Jays of the Pioneer League. Five years later, the former Dolphin made his Major League debut with the Toronto Blue Jays and recorded 58 relief appearances. After a season with Triple-A Syracuse in 2003, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in April 2004.

The LeMoyne College graduate spent 2004 and part of 2005 with Triple-A Pawtucket. He did make one appearance for the Boston Red Sox in 2005 but he was traded in July to the San Diego Padres. Cassidy finished the 2005 season splitting time between Triple-A Portland and San Diego. The former Liverpool High School star had his best season in 2006, going 3-1 with nine saves and a 2.70 ERA in 12 appearances for Portland and spinning together a 6-4 mark, 2.53 ERA and 42 appearances for the Padres. Following a 2007 season spent with the Portland Beavers, Cassidy signed a free-agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. But, he decided to retire during spring training.

At SCCC, Cassidy replaces 2008 NJCAA Division II Region 15 Coach of the Year Mike Marra. Marra led the Spartans to last year's Region 15 Championship.

For more information on Cassidy and SCCC from Rob Potter of the Sullivan County Democrat, click here.

Cassidy pitched in the Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League during the summer of 1997 for the Geneva Knights. Cassidy's Knights went 22-20 and finished third in the Western Division. Cassidy's teammates included current Hornell Dodgers general manager Paul Welker and 2008 Atlantic League all-star Ray Navarrete. Cassidy is one of 27 former NCBL/NYCBL players that have gone on to play in the Major Leagues.

NYCBL Picture of the Week

Allegany County manager Michael August (left) and Hornell manager Jake Tenhouse (right) exchange line-up cards and go over the ground rules before Game 2 of the 2008 Western Division semifinals.

(Photo courtesy of Paul Jannace, Wellsville Daily Reporter)

Nitros 2009 Roster Coming Together

The Allegany County Nitros have posted a tentative 2009 roster on their web site at NitrosBaseball.com. (Updated 12/14/08)

Pitchers
Roger Aquino (Columbia)
Brad Bira (Lindenwood)
Chris Camastro (Pace)
Michael Tamburino (Pace)
Mark Fochesato (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Paul Lopez (Long Island University)
Sean Madden (Lenoir-Rhyne)
Thomas Towles (Transylvania)
Sebie Kirkland (Francis Marion)
Mitch McClay (Washington & Jefferson)

Catchers
Paul Panik (Canisius)
Matthew O'Rourke (Francis Marion)

Infielders
Damon Arnold (Alderson Broaddus)
Joe Dorocak (Dayton)
Tyler Lehman (Francis Marion)
Vincent Malzahn (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Matt Zajac (Savannah Art & Design)

Outfielders
Martin Gordon (Francis Marion)
Kevin Kiermaier (Parkland)
Matt Kirchner (Elon)
Ben Kuebbing (Transylvania)
Matt Francis (Rochester)

Mohawks Reveal Initial 2009 Roster

Here is the Mohawks initial roster for the 2009 season courtesy of AmsterdamMohawks.com. Updated 1/18/09

Pitchers
A.J. Bazdanes (Maine)
Sean Bouthilette (Kentucky)
Elliott Byers (Stanford)
Brendan Chapin (Marist)
Chase Greene (Kentucky)
Nathan Hood (Pittsburgh) (RHP/IF/OF)
Braden Kapteyn (Kentucky) (RHP/1B) - SF 2008 (39/1167)
Sean McKeown (Marist)
Mason McVay (Florida International)
Tom Moran (Manhattan)
Carson Pillar (Maine)
Derek Zielinski (LeMoyne)

Catchers
Matt Colantonio (Brown)
Ben Luderer (Marist)

Infielders
Rafael Cordero (Temple)
Dan Gamache (Auburn)
Tony Patane (Maine)
Chad Salem (Manhattan)
Austin Sheffield (Manhattan)

Outfielders
Ian Choy (Canisius)
Manoli Pahoulis (Pittsburgh)
Tillman Pugh (Arizona State)
Jamel Scott (Cincinnati) (IF/OF)

Pale Hose Sign Herr (Rochester '06)

Jordan Herr (Rochester '06) has signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago White Sox for the 2009 season. Herr becomes the third alumnus of the Webster Yankees organization (ne Rochester Royals) to sign a minor-league contract. Bryan Gardner (Roch. '06/Webster '07) signed with the Cincinnati Reds following the 2008 Major League draft and the Houston Astros tabbed Pat Urckfitz (Webster '08) in June.

Herr split the 2007 season between the University of Pittsburgh and the independent Atlantic League. As a redshirt sophomore, Herr appeared in 51 games and batted .274 with five home runs and 32 runs batted in. He finished second on the team with 13 stolen bases and added 46 hits, 35 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, 29 walks and a .417 slugging percentage. The Lancaster, Pa., native signed with the Atlantic League's Lancaster Barnstormers at the end of the college season. He hit .202 with four home runs and 16 runs batted in over the course of 36 games played for the Barnstormers.

The Chicago Cubs selected Herr in the 41st round (1220th overall) of the 2007 draft. Herr did not sign and opted to remain in college.

The 22-year-old is the younger brother of minor-league prospect Aaron Herr and son of former Major Leaguer Tom Herr.

Jordan Herr was a member of the 2006 Rochester Royals. He helped the Royals to a 22-20 regular-season mark and an appearance in the NYCBL playoffs as a wildcard team. Between the regular season and playoffs, Herr batted .327 with 22 RBI and a team-high five home runs. He paced the club with 26 runs scored and he was second in runs batted in. He was tabbed first-team all-league at the end of the season.

2009 League Officers Selected

The New York Collegiate Baseball League has selected its' officers for the 2009 season. The positions were voted upon by the league's owners at a September meeting in Syracuse, N.Y. The NYCBL's 2009 officers are as follows:

President: Stan Lehman (Brockport)
Vice President: Mark Perlo (Webster)
Treasurer: Dan Russo (Allegany County)
Secretary: Darin Williams (Glens Falls)

Stan Lehman replaces Brian Spagnola (Amsterdam) as the league president. Lehman is the owner, president and general manager of the Brockport Riverbats. Lehman's Riverbats have been members of the league since 2004 (joining as the Genesee Valley Riverbats). Brockport won the 2008 league title, defeating Glens Falls, two games to one, in the NYCBL Championship Series. Lehman resides in Rochester, N.Y.

Mark Perlo replaces Hornell Dodgers general manager Paul Welker as the league's vice president. He is the owner, president and general manager of the Webster Yankees. Perlo is entering his fourth year in the league as an owner; his Rochester Royals (renamed Webster Yankees in 2007) joined the league in 2006. Perlo is currently overseeing the construction of a brand-new facility for the Yankees in Webster.

Dan Russo was voted to continue serving as the league's treasurer. He is the owner and general manager of the Allegany County Nitros. Last July, Russo was honored with the 2008 Eddie and Mini Daub Award, for his many years of service to the league as an owner and treasurer. Russo's Nitros entered the Northeastern Collegiate Baseball League in 1998 and are currently the second-oldest team in the Western Division behind Hornell. Russo resides in Wellsville, N.Y.

Darin Williams is the league's new secretary, replacing former Little Falls general manager Hoffman Wolff. Williams is the owner and general manager of the Glens Falls Golden Eagles. Williams purchased the team prior to the 2007 season. Under Williams' ownership, the Golden Eagles have markedly increased attendance, won two-straight Eastern Division pennants and appeared two years in a row in the NYCBL Championship Series. Williams resides in Glens Falls, N.Y.

Note: Brian Spagnola served as the league president from 2006 through 2008. He oversaw expansion of the league from 12 to 14 teams as the league added clubs in Elmira, Little Falls, Niagara Falls, Rochester and Bennington, Vt. Spagnola's tenure also saw the league enter into a contract with TRZ Sports and TEAMLINE, to provide live, Internet broadcasts of every league regular season and playoff contest.

NYCBL Photo of the Week

Allegany County's Tim Kearny (Maryland) waits for the ball as Webster's John Kenny (Hofstra) slides into home plate. Allegany County won the game, 9-4, on July 9, 2008, at St. John Fisher College. Photo courtesy of Webster Yankees.

Wizards Magically Release 2009 Roster

Here is the Wizards initial roster for the 2009 season courtesy of WatertownWizards.com. Updated 12/19.

Pitchers
Mike Assmann (Cortland State)
Luis Castillo (Bellevue)
Matt Croglio (Holy Cross)
Cody Hallahan (Minnesota State)
George Jweid (Cortland State)
Kevin Kilpatrick (St. John's)
Cory Nelson (LeMoyne)
C.J. Riefenhauser (Iona)
Justin Smith (Utah Valley)
Josh Syberg (Southeast Missouri State)
Matt Tone (Cortland State)
Darren Travers (Cerro Coso C.C.)

Catchers
Joey Bowens (Creighton)
C.J. Lukaszewski (Binghamton)
Josh Tutwiler (St. John's)

Infielders
Jim Calderone (Binghamton)
Andrew Cook (Radford)
Don DiPetta (Siena)
Ben Flanary (Temple)
Ray Frias (UNC-Greensboro)
Casey Havers (Longwood)
Mark Moriarty (Cerro Coso C.C.)
Jake Rickenbach (Utah Valley)

Outfielders
Brett Botsford (LeMoyne)
Peter Bregartner (Binghamton)
Alex De La Rosa (Creighton)
Nick Harris (Southeast Missouri State)
John Pedrotty (Holy Cross)
Justin Riddell (Cincinnati)
Franklin Romero (Cerro Coso C.C.)

Lidge (Ithaca '96) Saves World Series For Phillies

(Photo courtesy of MLB.com)

Photo courtesy Dave Craig (Thanks to a reader for sending this in)

Brad Lidge, Ithaca Lakers 1996