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Muckdogs Remain Perfect in Dramatic Fashion

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia (3-0) was down the entire game until it counted in the bottom of the 9th as they capitalized on Williamsport’s (2-1) mistakes to win 6-5.

The inning started with Santo Maertz (1-0) coming in to put the Crosscutter batters down on a lineout, strikeout and groundout while only allowing one hit.

Matt Carpenter started off the bottom of the inning with a single before Xavier Scruggs was hit by a pitch.  Ryde Rodriguez then reached on a fielder’s choice that moved Carpenter to third.  With Niko Vasquez batting next, catcher David Doss let a ball by him in the dirt that let Carpenter come home to end the game.

Williamsport took a 4-0 lead in the third, but Batavia answered with two of their own.  Jairo Martinez doubled deep to center and came home on a Jack Cawley single.  Cawley then came in to score later on a ground ball by Ryan Jackson.

However, the Crosscutters expanded their lead once more adding one more run in on a RBI triple by Jiwan James to make it 5-2.

Once again, though, the Muckdogs answered with another two of their own.  Scruggs singled and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch by Reginal Simon.  Martinez got a RBI in the next at bat off a base hit.

But Batavia wasn’t finished.  They tied things up at 5-5 in the 8th starting with another single by Martinez.  Beau Riportella then came in to pinch run, stealing second and coming home on a single by Cawley.

Eric Fornataro threw 4 innings in the start, allowing five runs on six hits with just one walk and one strikeout.

Martinez went a perfect 3-for-3 on the night with a double, walk, one RBI and one run scored.  Cawley went 2-for3 with a walk, a RBI and a run scored.

The two teams face each other again Tuesday night at Dwyer at 7:05 p.m.

Batavia Pitchers Hold Auburn to One Hit in 5-1 Win

By Mollie Radzinski

Starter Michael Blazek and relievers Dan Calhoun and LaCurtis Mayes held the Doubledays to one run and one hit while the Muckdog offense broke open the game in the first with four runs to keep Batavia perfect at 2-0.

Beau Riportella sparked the rally with a lead off single.  Matt Carpenter followed with a single.  Xavier Scruggs reached on an error by the third baseman while Riportella came around to score the first run.  Havana, Cuba-born Ryde Rodriguez then smacked a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall to make it 4-1.

Blazek (1-0) went five innings in the start, letting up one run and one hit with two walks and four strikeouts for the win.  Calhoun threw the next three innings with no hits, one walk and two strikeouts.  Mayes kept things perfect in the 9th as all three batters were retired on two groundouts and a strikeout to end the game.

The only run and hit for the Doubledays came in the 1st inning when Eric Eiland reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and came home on another fielder’s choice.

Batavia increased their lead by one in the 6th on a single by Rodriguez and a RBI single by Luis De La Cruz.

Rodriguez finished the day 2-for-4 with a homerun and 3 RBIs.  Jairo Martinez also went 2-for-4 and Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

The win puts Batavia at 2-0 and drops Auburn to 0-2.  The Williamsport Crosscutters come into town tomorrow for a three game series.

*For some reason I am still having trouble uploading videos, but will have them to you as soon as I figure it out!

Interesting article on the 1980 Batavia Trojans

By Thomas Gahr

I recently came across this article and thought I would share. It's a column from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, writen by Bill Nichols in 1980. It records his experiences as a Batavia Trojans coach during the 1981 season. At the time the Trojans were the Cleveland Indians affiliate. I think it is interesting to get an outsiders perspective on Batavia and N.Y. Penn league baseball at the time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

http://www.lkwdpl.org/nworth/batavia1.htm

 

Winning Ways Continue in Season Opener

By Mollie Radzinski

Batavia came alive on Auburn’s inefficiency in the bottom of the 7th to break a 1-1 tie to start the season with a 6-1 win.

After David Miller loaded the bases on three consecutive walks, lead off hitter D’Marcus Ingram was hit by a pitch to break the tie.  Ryan Jackson followed with a sacrifice fly to score one.  Randy Schwartz then had a costly error that plated another and put runners on second and third.  Familiar Muckdog Xavier Scruggs then emptied the bases on a 2-run double to make the score 6-1 after 7 innings.

Justin Edwards (1-0) got the win, pitching three innings in relief with one hit and three strikeouts.  Starter Kevin Siegrist looked sharp through the first four innings, only allowing one run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts.

The Doubledays were first to score at Dwyer this season on a solo homerun by Schwartz in the 3rd.  But that would be all the Auburn offense on the night.

The Muckdogs answered right back in the bottom of the 3rd when Jackson walked and reached home after back-to-back singles by Niko Vazquez and Scruggs.

Dan Richardson shut the Doubledays down in the 9th to secure the win.

Offensively, Scruggs had the only multi-hit night for Batavia, going 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI.

The two teams face each other again tomorrow night in Auburn and close out the series Sunday back in Batavia.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:30.

Batavia Muckdogs poised to open 2009 season

By Howard B. Owens

Fans and media were invited out to Dwyer Stadium this evening to meet the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs.  I spoke with manager Mark DeJohn briefly about his new team and snapped a couple of pictures of the work out, including one of DeJohn giving one of his players some instruction on glove work.

Back at Dwyer...

By Mollie Radzinski

 Hey everyone!

As some of you already know, I'm back interning with the Muckdogs again this year.  My jobs have changed some, though.  I am primarily doing media work.  I'll have game stories after every game, feature stories throughout the season and I'll post a new player interview every Monday.

Feedback from fans is key!  Let me know if there's anything you want to know about, any players you want to hear from, any story ideas, etc.  I will try my best to do it all!

I have one pre-season feature story done, but my video is taking really long to upload, but I'll have that to you as soon as I can.

And don't forget: Open House tonight from 6-8 and of course the Home Opener Friday at 7! Hope to see you all there! :)

Muckdog Memories

By Thomas Gahr

In honor of the first Muckdog game of the year, I have posted an article on my blog on my memories of baseball growing up in Batavia. Check it out if you are interested, and feel free to share your own memories. 

http://20prospect.wordpress.com/

The baseball club is a part of what makes Batavia a special place. Let's hope it lasts another 70 years.

Muckdogs catcher from last season cut to make room for draftees

By Howard B. Owens

Christian Rosa was signed last June by the St. Louis Cardinals out of an independent league and assigned to the Batavia Muckdogs.

It was a dream come true for the undrafted Puerto Rican native, and he was a contributor to the 2009 championship season.

In 32 games, Rosa batted .286 with four doubles, two homers, 12 RBI and four stolen bases.

As the June draft approached this year, Rosa was cut by the Cardinals to make room for new players.  He said he was surprised to be let go.

"I never thought I was going to get released,” Rosa said. “Everybody was telling me that I was doing great."

Batavia manager Mark DeJohn says Rosa indeed did everything right. But the lack of a strong throwing arm resulted in his release.

 

“I absolutely loved having Christian on my team. We won a championship that honestly means more to me than any World Series or other league championship rings I have, and Christian was a big part of that,” DeJohn said. “To be a kid who was undrafted and coming out of an independent league, he was just outstanding in a lot of areas.

 

“He received the ball well, blocked it well, called a good game, did a good job with the bat and ran well for a catcher. It’s just that his arm is well below average, and that’s heartbreaking because Christian is the type of kid you really get attached to.”

 

Tenative roster for 2009 Batavia Muckdogs published

By Howard B. Owens

The Cardinals Nation blog has posted a tentative roster for the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs, and fans will recognize a few names from last year, including one of my favorites - Beau Riportella.

Other returning Muckdogs include: pitchers LaCurtis Mayes and Dan Richardson, catcher Luis De La Cruz, infielders Jairo Martinez and Xavier Scruggs with outfielder Edwin Gomez.

The roster also includes some top draft picks: fifth-rounder Ryan Jackson, eighth-round pick Jason Stidham and ninth-round selection Nick McCully.

Ryde Rodriquez, signed as a free-agent out of Havana, Cuba, is also on the roster. In 2008 in rookie ball, Rodriquez hit .324 but otherwise failed to impress at either Johnson City last season or Quad Cities so far this year.

Besides the returning Muckdogs, 11 of the other players have previous professional experience.

And, I'm telling you, if Riportella develops plate discipline (not just "some discipline" but any discipline), he'll be a hell of a hitter.  Last year he struck out 32 times against only 3 walks.

You can come out to Dwyer Stadium tomorrow night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and meet members of the team.  The season opens Friday at 7 p.m. at Dwyer Stadium.

UPDATE: Here's a post about a Muckdog from last year who won't be back in 2009 with the Muckdogs or any other Cardinals team.

Batavia Muckdogs Season Opener with Fireworks!

By Russ Salway

The Batavia Muckdogs open their 2009 season at Dwyer  Stadium June 19th at 7:05! Cheer on our hometown 2008 NY-Penn league champs as they return for another great season!  The Muckdogs are facing their thruway rivals the Auburn Doubledays with post-game fireworks! Let's Go Muckdogs!!!  

Event Date and Time
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Muckdogs Open House at Dwyer Stadium 6-8pm

By Russ Salway

Hey MUCKDOGNATION!!! You and your friends and family are all invited to an open house this Thursday June 18th at Dwyer Stadium from 6pm-8pm. Meet the players, watch practice, get autographs or shop at the team store! Gates open at 6pm and its free and open to everyone! Bring your camera and get some pictures of the new St. Louis Cardinals 2009 draft picks!!! Also don't forget the season opener is this Friday the 19th at 7:05pm with fireworks!!!  Let's fill the stands and make this a record breaking season attendance this year!  LET'S GO MUCKDOGS!

Event Date and Time
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Meet the 2009 Batavia Muckdogs Thursday at Dwyer Stadium

By Russ Salway

Hey MUCKDOGNATION!!! You and your friends and family are all invited to an open house this Thursday June 18th at Dwyer Stadium from 6pm-8pm. Meet the players, watch practice, get autographs or shop at the team store! Gates open at 6pm and its free and open to everyone! Bring your camera and get some pictures of the new St. Louis Cardinals 2009 draft picks!!! Also don't forget the season opener is this Friday the 19th at 7:05pm with fireworks!!!  Let's fill the stands and make this a record breaking season attendance this year!  LET'S GO MUCKDOGS!

St. Louis draft gives some clue about who will be a 2009 Muckdogs player

By Howard B. Owens

The St. Louis Cardinals first-round draft choice, who might very well wind up in Batavia as a Muckdog, is a big guy from a small town with big ambitions.

Shelby Miller, from Brownwood, Texas, a town of 19,000 people, was the 19th overall pick in the annual MLB draft. His fastball has been clocked at 97 m.p.h. and he doesn't mind comparisons to Texas natives Roger Clemens and Nolan Ryan.

Those are some big shoes to fill.

The high school pitcher has been dubbed "a special kind of talent" who could fetch $3.5 million in his first contract.

The Cardinals second pick is a catcher out of the University of Southern California, Robert Stock.

Other selections in no particular order:

Baseball America has a complete list of St. Louis draft picks.

Just because a player is drafted doesn't mean he will sign, or that he'll wind up in Batavia. The Cardinals also have a short-season affiliate in Johnson City, Tenn.

Group of last year's Muckdogs make it to Quad Cities

By Howard B. Owens

Thirteen players who spent at least part of the 2008 season with the Batavia Muckdogs have been placed on the Quad Cities River Bandits roster for 2009.

The players promoted are: George Brown, Hector Cardenas, Ramon Delgado, Arquidemes Nieto, Miguel Tapia, Adam Veres, Charles Cutler, Blake Murphy, Osvaldo Morales, Domnit Bolivar, Alex Castellanos, Jon Edwards and Chris Swauger.

Last year's Muckdog stars promoted to High Class A

By Howard B. Owens

Eight players who spent time with the Batavia Muckdogs during their 2008 championship season are continuing their minor league careers this season with the Palm Beach Cardinals.

Palm Beach, also a St. Louis Cardinals affiliate, is in the Florida State League, which is considered High Class A.

Among the players making the roster are hitting stars Jermaine Curtis, Cold Sedbrook and Shane Peterson.

Reliever Adam Reifer is also starting the season with Palm Beach, as is Lance Lynn, who put up great numbers with both Batavia and Quad Cities.

Rounding out the list of promotions: Francisco Rivera, Ryan Kuilk and Thomas Eager,

Batavia Muckdogs name mascot

By Billie Owens

Homer is the moniker selected for the Batavia Muckdogs following a contest among local residents.

More than 100 names were submitted for the big lovable dog mascot of the NY-Penn League Champions.

The contest winner is Katie Houseknecht of East Bethany. She was the first person to submit an entry and the first one to suggest Homer for the mascot's name.

"The name was a no-brainer for me," Katie said in a Muckdogs' press release. "Homer is my brother Tim's nickname. And if the Muckdogs hit lots of 'Homers,' they will be NY-Penn League Champions again."

She won an electric scooter, courtesy of 7-Up, plus two tickets for Opening Day at Dwyer Stadium. The Muckdogs will play against the Auburn Doubledays in the Friday June 19 game. Fireworks will follow.

Cardinals affilation with NY-Penn league teams shows mixed results

By Howard B. Owens

The Cardinals Nation blog runs down the history, going back to 1981 when the Cardinals added the New York-Penn League to its farm system, of Cardinals-affiliated teams.

Only seven times in nearly 30 years in the league have Cardinals farm teams reached the playoffs.  The capper, of course, is the 2008 championship season of The Batavia Muckdogs.

Batavia's post-season visit's Little League Muckdogs, involved in mentoring youth

By Howard B. Owens

Press Release:

More than 2,500 miles separate Claremont, California from Batavia, New York.  But on Tuesday, March 2, Claremont Little Leaguers got a bit of Batavia right in their own ballpark. 

Jermaine Curtis, third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league team, the Batavia Muckdogs, paid a special visit to Claremont’s Little League Farm team who bears the same name.   Curtis visited with the 13 youngsters and shared stories about his road to being a professional baseball player including his successful career with UCLA baseball.  Curtis stressed the importance of doing well in school, always trying your best and most of all he told the boys to “always have fun.”

The meeting of Muckdogs from opposite sides of the county was no coincidence.  In 2008, Claremont Little League officials decided to assign the younger players to minor league teams. 

Chairman Bernie Bernstein said, “We thought the designs for the minor league teams were fun and that the kids would really be excited about them.  The 50th anniversary of Claremont Little League was the perfect opportunity to roll out the program.” 

Well who would have known that they would have also provided an opportunity for the youngsters to meet the stars of their respective teams?

Claremont Muckdogs’ coach, Brian DeMott, through a mutual friend, found out that Curtis, whom he had seen at many UCLA games, was drafted by the Cardinals and played for their minor league team, the Batavia Muckdogs. 

Curtis, a graduate of A.B. Miller High School in Fontana, happened to be in town with his family when the call came.   Curtis was enthusiastic about the opportunity to visit with the young Muckdogs and applauded the league for making the decision to use minor league team names and logos for the season. 

Curtis responded to the request saying, “I want to give back to the sport I love so much!  My dad and I took the journey to being a professional baseball player all on our own.  We had little guidance and had to learn along the way.  I want to be able to be a mentor and help young kids who are upcoming athletes.”

Curtis’ outreach to young athletes is just beginning.  He is in the process of launching a new website, upcomingpros.com, which will allow upcoming professional athletes to mentor children and their parents on their road to college sports and the pros. 

Curtis plans to keep in touch with the Claremont Muckdogs and other young athletes through a blog on his site and in time, he plans to bring in other top collegiate and semi-pro athletes to the site to do the same. 

One thing is certain; there are a few new fans of the Batavia Muckdogs in Claremont, California today!
   
 

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