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Former Batavia Players in the MLB Playoffs

By Patrick Weissend

Here are the players that played for the Batavia Muckdogs or Clippers:

TWINS

NICK PUNTO-1998 BATAVIA

PHILLIES

ANDREW CARPENTER-2006 BATAVIA

J. A. HAPP-2004 BATAVIA

RYAN HOWARD-2001 BATAVIA

KYLE KENDRICK-2004-2005 BATAVIA

RYAN MADSON-1999 BATAVIA

LOU MARSON-2005 BATAVIA

CHASE UTLEY-2000 BATAVIA

DODGERS
 

RANDY WOLF-1997 BATAVIA

CARDINALS

JESS TODD-2007 BATAVIA

This fall let’s remember how lucky we are to have players who started here playing at the highest level of professional sports.  Season tickets make great Christmas gifts, so get your tickets and see the stars of the future.

One of Muckdog's 2009 stars suspended for drug use

By Howard B. Owens

This just came across came across the wire:

St. Louis Cardinals minor leaguer Alan Ahmady has been suspended for 50 games after testing positive for an amphetamine. The 21-year-old Ahmady played this season in Class A Batavia, N.Y.

Ahmady was one of my favorite players this past season. He's also the one who hit a home run over The Batavian sign in right field in the fifth inning, winning one lucky fan $250.

Red Wings annouce Muckdogs returning to Batavia for 2010

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

Batavia, NY - Today, Batavia Muckdogs General Manager Travis Sick announced that the Red Wings will continue to operate the Batavia Muckdogs for the 2010 season. 

“We have been in discussions for several weeks regarding next season, and given the improved financials during the 2009 season, we feel encouraged that further improvement is possible.  The Red Wings have decided to continue to support our operation here, and we’re eager to start planning for next year”, Sick said. 

While the Batavia Muckdogs operation did sustain a loss, its revenues saw a slight improvement over the prior year.  That, combined with strong efforts to hold expenses down enabled the Ballclub to have a better year.  “We know that even with the more favorable financial results, continued increases in advertising and ticket sales will be necessary for this franchise to be a success over the long term.  We need the community of both businesses and individuals alike to support the Muckdogs through advertising and attendance.  This community is very fortunate to have a professional baseball franchise, and I think and hope that people want it to remain here for a long time to come.  We’ll do everything this off-season to promote opportunities to support the Ballclub, and you can be sure we will be at our offices at Dwyer Stadium working hard to plan for the 2010 season.”

Naomi Silver, Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Rochester Red Wings and its affiliates stated “While it has been difficult for communities the size of Batavia to sustain a professional baseball franchise, it doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to have a franchise. The trend in sports has been for bigger cities to buy up small-town clubs, but I think small towns like Batavia need these ballclubs, maybe more than anyplace else.  After all, what makes a community livable if not for wholesome entertainment like a professionally run baseball club?  We just hope to do well enough through the support of our sponsors and fan base to make it work financially.”

Brian Paris, President of the Genesee County Baseball club added, “Batavia is very fortunate to have the Red Wings organization as a partner in our community.  They continue to strive to make baseball in Batavia successful.  The news of their return for a third season in 2010 is a true indication of their high level of integrity and persistence.  I would ask all of our business leaders and citizens within Genesee County and the surrounding areas to support their efforts.  The Batavia Muckdogs are a vital part of our historic and social fabric as a community. It is wonderful to be able to say I'll see you at the ballpark in June!"

Muckdogs 2010 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Dwyer Stadium or by calling (585)343-5454.

Batavia Muckdogs 2009 Year in Review

By Mollie Radzinski

37-39 record, 4th place in Pinckney Division, 12 games behind division leader

Longest win streak: 5 games, August 8-August 13

 

NYPL STATS LEADERS:

  • Alan Ahmady:46 runs (4th), 71 hits (T-9th), 47 walks (3rd), .407 OBP (2nd),
  • Devin Goodwin:19 doubles (T-5th)
  • Kyle Conley:8 homeruns (T-2nd)
  • Santo Maertz:26 games (T-8th)
  • LaCurtis Mayes:26 games (T-8th)</li>
  •  
  • As a team…

    Hitting: .249 BA (5th), 333 runs (5th), 630 hits (4th), 125 doubles (5th), 37 homeruns (3rd), 264 walks (5th), .357 SLG (4th),

    Pitching: 233 walks (5th fewest), 626 strikeouts (3rd)

    PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:

  • Alan Ahmady (June 29-July 5)
  • Kyle Conley (August 3-9, August 31-September 7)

    Moved on up:

  • Matt Carpenter:.219 BA, 2 homeruns, 9 RBI with Palm Beach Cardinals

 

  • Eric Fornataro:0-5, 5.24 ERA, 11 strikeouts with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Scott Schneider:1-3, 3.45 ERA, 29 strikeouts with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Jack Cawley:.222 BA, 2 homeruns, 13 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Xavier Scruggs:.295 BA, 7 homeruns, 33 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits (Midwest League Player of the Week August 3-9)
  • D’Marcus Ingram:.246 BA, 8 doubles, 11 RBI, 7 stolen bases with Quad Cities River Bandits
  • Ryde Rodriguez:.222 BA, 9 doubles, 19 RBI with Quad Cities River Bandits

 

Wayne Fuller to exit press box for Muckdogs games

By Howard B. Owens

There was a standing ovation in Dwyer Stadium on Saturday night, but it wasn't for a great diving catch, or a rare triple play or a bomb hit over the dead center field fence -- it was for the stadium announcer, Wayne Fuller.

Fuller, the voice of Batavia baseball for 25 years, announced his retirement from the PA mic, and the crowd paid Fuller the ultimate sporting honor -- a Standing-O.

Fuller, who also served as the official scorer, has been positioned in the Dwyer press box -- dubbed "Wayne's World" -- calling out starting line-ups and determining hits and errors through the baseball eras of the Trojans, Clippers and Muckdogs.

"There is a trick to determine when you leave on your own or are asked to leave," Fuller told the crowd. "I have decided this is my time to retire and leave the two jobs. As I have gotten older it has become harder, as they say today, to multi-task, and that's the principle reason for my decision."

Fuller continues on in his afternoon shift with WBTA and will also remain in the booth for high school and college games.

Fuller told me this morning he's looking forward to a trip to Alaska next summer -- a dream he couldn't fulfill while obligated to the Muckdogs for home-game announcing.

Batavia Drops Third Straight With One Game to Go

By Mollie Radzinski

As the season winds down, the Muckdogs (37-38) couldn’t provide a win in their last game at home, losing 7-3 to the Jammers (33-42).  Batavia was 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position on the night.

The offense was scattered with one run each in the 4th, 7th and 8th innings.  In the 4th, Kyle Conley doubled, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home a batter later on a sacrifice fly by Niko Vasquez.

Later in the 7th, Ivan Castro singled and Devin Goodwin hit a RBI double.  And in the 8th, Conley placed his eighth homerun of the season over the left field wall.

Michael Blazek (4-9, 4.50) picked up the loss as the starter going four and two-thirds innings with four runs (three earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out six.  Daniel Calhoun followed him with three runs, six hits and four strikeouts in four innings.  Santo Maertz pitched to two batters in the 9th with one strikeout.

Kyle Conley ended the night 2-for-3 with a double and a homerun.  It was his second consecutive night with a both a two-base hit and a round-tripper.  Ivan Castro also had two hit, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Batavia finishes up the season Sunday in Jamestown.

Muckdogs final home game tonight at Dwyer!

By Russ Salway

The Batavia Muckdogs take on the Jamestown Jammers tonight at 7:05pm. This will be the last home game for the Muckdogs 2009 season.  Its Fan Appreciation Night and also Rock the Park Night at Dwyer! Come on out for a beautiful Saturday night of great baseball action at the best baseball venue in WNY! There isn't a bad seat at all in Dwyer stadium.  The fun starts at 6:05pm with the pregame concert by Papa and Mama Root presented by Tim Horton's of Batavia and New Buffalo Impact. Enjoy great end of summer fun at Dwyer with your Batavia Muckdogs!

Muckdogs Shutout by Spikes

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia’s (36-35) offense couldn’t match State College’s (35-36) pitching as the Muckdogs only had four hits on the night and were retired in order in seven out of nine innings.  They also struggled on defense, coming up with three errors that resulted in three unearned runs.

 Joseph Kelly (2-3, 5.27) started the game, going four innings with four runs (two earned), four hits, two walks and four strikeouts.  Deryk Hooker also went four innings with three runs (two earned) on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts.  Jonny Bravo pitched the 9th with one hit while striking out one.

 Devin Goodwin, Matthew Adams, Jon Edwards and Niko Vasquez were the only Muckdogs to pick up a hit.  Goodwin’s double was the only one for extra bases.

Free Muckdogs Tickets for Thursday from The Batavian

By Howard B. Owens

Let's meet up at Dwyer Stadium Thursday and take in the greatest show in town -- a Batavia Muckdogs baseball game.

The game against the Auburn Doubledays is the next to last home game of the season, and I have free tickets available.

Between what the Muckdogs gave me for advertisers' appreciation night (because The Batavian was a sponsor this year) and the unused season tickets I have -- I have 28 tickets available.

E-mail me your request for tickets and we can either arrange for you to stop by the office to pick them up or meet me before the game and I'll give them to you.

Game time is 7:05 p.m. and my e-mail address is howard (at) the batavian dot com.

Request as many tickets as you like, just make sure you can use them. First come, first served.

I usually set in the third-base bleachers and you're welcome to join me for the game. Heck, I might even let you buy me a beer.

Muckdogs Rally For Comeback Win

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia (36-34) was down 7-4 going into the bottom of the 6th but was able to score four runs across the last four innings to get the 8-7 win over State College (34-26).

Both teams started scoring early; the Spikes scored three in the first and the Muckdogs followed with four.  Bases became loaded right away for Batavia after Devin Goodwin and Ryan Jackson had back-to-back singles and Alan Ahmady walked.  Matthew Adams then hit a double to center to clear the bases.  Adams was able to come home later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Niko Vasquez.

The 4-3 lead lasted until the Spikes had a three-run inning in the 5th and scored once again in the 6th.  But, the Muckdogs answered right back.  Kyle Conley homered in the first at-bat of the 6th inning to decrease to deficit to 7-5.

The comeback continued with another run scored in the 8th as bases became loaded once again.  Ahmady walked, Conley reached on a fielder’s choice that also allowed Ahmady to move to third on an error and then Jon Edwards also reached on a walk.  Walks proved problematic for the Spikes as Luis De La Cruz was also walked after a pitching change to score Ahmady.

The Muckdogs tied the game in the 9th after Goodwin doubled and came home on a sacrifice bunt by Jackson.  Conley got the game-winning RBI on a single later in the inning to score Jackson.

Michael Blazek got the start, going three and two-thirds innings with three runs, two his, five walks and four strikeouts.  Kevin Siegrist went three innings with four runs on six hits and two walks.  LaCurtis pitched the 8th with two hits and two strikeouts and Josh Squatrito (4-1, 1.38) got the win in the 9th, allowing one hit while striking out one.

Conley finished 3-for-5 on the night with a homerun and two RBI.  Goodwin went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Batavia Beats Auburn in Ten

By Mollie Radzinski

Both teams had ten hits in the ten inning game, but Batavia (35-34) was able to beat Auburn (24-44) in the end.

The Doubledays scored one run right away in the 1st inning and one more in the 3rd but the Muckdogs took a 3-2 lead after the bottom of the 3rd.  Devin Goodwin and Ryan Jackson were issued back-to-back walks and came home when Matthew Adams hit a two-out double.  Adams himself came in to score when Kyle Conley followed with another two-base hit.

Auburn took the lead right back, though, scoring once in the 4th and once again in the 7th.  However, Batavia decided to make things interested by scoring tying the game up in the bottom of the 7th.  Alan Ahmady reached on a walk, was advanced to third on a Conley single and then came in to score the tying run on a single by Jon Edwards.

The game stayed notched at four a piece until the bottom of the 10th.  Niko Vasquez led off the inning with a single that allowed Ivan Castro to reach on a force out during the next at-bat.  Goodwin then came up with a game-winning triple to score Castro and end the game.

Dan Calhoun got the start on the mound, going five innings with three runs (two earned), five hits, one walk and three strikeouts.  Tyler Lavigne followed him in an inning’s work with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.  Tyler Leach came next, throwing three innings with one run on three hits while striking out two.  Santo Maertz (3-1, 1.52) picked up the win, hurling the last two innings with just one hit, two walks and four strikeouts.

Offensively, Conley, Edwards and Vasquez all went 2-for-5, Conley and Edwards each with a RBI.

Muckdogs split twin bill with State College

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia (32-31) was able to even things back up with State College (32-31) by taking game two of the doubleheader by a score of 4-1.

Scoring started in the 3rd as the Muckdogs plated three.  Travis Mitchell reached on an error and Michael Swinson walked to start things off.  They both came home on a double down the left field line by Devin Goodwin.  Goodwin came in later to score on a single by Kyle Conley.

The Spikes answered with one of their own in the 4th but Batavia scored once more in the 5th to make it a 4-1 final.  Their final run came in as Alan Ahmady walked and came home on Matthew Adams double.

Jesse Simpson went four innings in the start with one run, two hits, two walks and eight strikeouts.  Justin Edwards (3-2, 3.15) followed him, throwing two innings with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.  Santo Maertz came in the 7th and struck out three to end the game and pick up his 3rd save of the season.

Adams finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and a RBI.  Goodwin went 1-for-3 with a double, two RBI and one run scored.

Batavia Drops Game One

By Mollie Radzinski

 The Muckdogs (31-31) fall one spot in the Pinckney Division standings after a 5-2 loss to division-rival State College (32-30).

 The Spikes got on board early, scoring two in the 1st and adding another run in the 3rd.  Batavia scored their first in the bottom of the 3rd when Travis Mitchell singled and came home later on another base hit by Matthew Adams.

 State College plated two more, one each in the 6th and the 7th to make things 5-1.  Batavia tried to rally in the bottom of the 7th as they scored one run after Niko Vasquez singled, moved to third on a double by Ryan Jackson and then Vasquez came home on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mitchell.  But that would be all of the scoring in game one of the doubleheader.

 Starter Justin Smith (0-1, 2.40) lasted four innings in the start with three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four.  Chris Corrigan finished up the last three innings with two runs, four hits, one walk and one strikeout.

 Jackson was the only one with multi hits, going 2-for-3 with a double.  Mitchell finished 1-for-1 with a RBI, two walks and one run scored.

Muckdogs Back to .500 With 10-4 Victory

By Mollie Radzinski

 Batavia (29-29) took down Aberdeen (25-32) 10-4 to start off the last leg of the season moving in the right direction.

 They took no time getting on the board, as Devin Goodwin had a solo homerun in the second at-bat of the game.  Alan Ahmady then walked, Matthew Adams singled and Jon Edwards singed to load the bases, enabling Ahmady to come in to score when Niko Vasquez also was walked.

 The Muckdogs made it 4-0 by scoring two more runs in the 2nd inning.  Bases were loaded yet again after a Beau Riportella single, Michael Swinson walk and Goodwin single.  Aberdeen walked another run in with Ahmady at the plate.  Adams followed with a groundout to score Swinson.

 But Batavia found trouble of their own when Aberdeen tied things up in the bottom of the 2nd.  But that would be all the scoring for the Ironbirds, and the Muckdogs were just getting things started.  Batavia added six more runs on the night, scoring all the way into the 9th, that included another solo homerun, this time by Ahmady.

 Starter Justin Edwards went two and two-thirds innings with four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four.  Tyler Lavigne (2-1, 3.86) picked up the win, going one and one-third innings with one strikeout.  Jesse Simpson went four strong innings with just one hit, two walks and four strikeouts.  LaCurtis Mayes closed out the game in the 9th with a hit, a walk and a strikeout.

 Goodwin finished 2-for-4 with a homerun and two RBI.  Ahmady went 2-for-3 with a homerun, three walks, two RBI and four runs scored.  Jon Edwards also had two hits in five at-bats.

 

*Congratulations again to our three All-Stars whom participated in the game Tuesday.  Alan Ahmady started at third base, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.  Luis De La Cruz went 0-for-1 in his at-bat and Santo Maertz pitched one inning of relief with two walks, two groundouts and one strikeout.

UFC fighter Matt 'The Hammer' Hamill to appear at Dwyer for Muckdogs game

By Howard B. Owens

Matt "The Hammer" Hamill, a UFC fighter with Western New York ties, will appear at Dwyer Stadium on Saturday when the Batavia Muckdogs take on the State College Spikes.

Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Hamill will be on hand to sign autographs for an hour before game time, and for an hour after he throws out the first pitch.

The popular UFC fighter attended RIT and while a student there, he was was a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion in wrestling.

Matt, who is deaf, also has a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling and a gold medal in freestyle wrestling from the 2001 Summer Deaflympics.

He was a contestant on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter reality television show, training under Tito Ortiz in the 205 lb weight class. He is currently 7-2 in his 9 professional Mixed Martial Arts fights.

Could Batavia lose the Muckdogs?

By Howard B. Owens

The Democrat and Chronicle engages in some idle speculation, raising the possibility that this could be the last year of baseball in Batavia.

The article leaves the impression that the writer has spoken with officials of the Red Wings and that the operator of the Muckdogs is undecided about the Muckdogs' future.

The average attendance this year has been 988. The article says that's down from 1,199 last year, but doesn't note that the Red Wings have instituted something new in counting attendance at NY-Penn League stadiums: Telling the truth. There's no inflation in the count this year.

The Red Wings would get only 10 percent of the sale price if the team were sold prior to next season.

Muckdogs Shutout Yankees 5-0

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia (28-29) held Staten Island (33-23) to just three hits to avoid the sweep and to inch back closer to .500 in the 5-0 win.

Scoring started early as the Muckdogs plated one in the 1st.  Alan Ahmady reached on a walk and came in to score on the next at-bat on a double by Matthew Adams.

They broke the game open by scoring four in the 6th.  Devin Goodwin started off the inning with a double and scored on a RBI single by Adams.  After Jon Edwards walked, Luis De La Cruz hit a double down the left field line to score both Adams and Edwards.  De La Cruz came home later in the inning on a wild pitch.

Chris Corrigan (2-2, 2.89) got the win in the start going five innings with three hits, three walks and one strikeout.  Justin Smith followed him to get his first hold of the season.  Smith went three innings with one walk and five strikeouts.  Tyler Lavigne closed out the 9th with a strikeout.

Adams finished 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.  Goodwin and De La Cruz both had doubles.

The majority of the New York-Penn League now has two days off for the All-Star break taking place in State College.  Good luck to Muckdogs Alan Ahmady, Luis De La Cruz and pitcher Santo Maertz in the game.

Muckdogs' Five Game Win Streak Snapped in 6-2 Loss

By Mollie Radzinski

Staten Island (32-22) was able to jump out to an early lead that Batavia (27-28) could not answer, resulting in the Muckdogs ending their five game win streak in the 6-2 loss.

The Yankees scored one run in the 1st and 2nd innings and then two more in the 3rd and that was all they would need.

Batavia scored their first run in the 6th inning on a solo home run by Jon Edwards.  They scored again in the 8th after bases were loaded on a Ryan Jackson single, Alan Ahmady walk and another single by Matthew Adams.  Jon Edwards then grounded into a double play that allowed Jackson to come in to score.

Michael Blazek (3-8, 4.53) suffered the loss in the start.  He went five innings with five runs on nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.  Kevin Siegrist followed him throwing three innings with one run, two hits and three strikeouts.  Andres Rosales finished out the game in the 9th, striking out three while allowing one hit.

Edwards finished 2-for-4 with a homerun, RBI and run scored.

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