6:00 & 7:15 / GRASSHOPPER LEAGUE (Field #1)

Boys, ages 9-11

League Coordinator: ADULT VOLUNTEER NEEDED

COACHES:

Crickets: Bill Roman -4199 (Additional Volunteers Needed)

Hornets: Ron Berutti -5385

Wasps:   Chip Ziegler 7593,

Rich Carmody 4315

UMPIRES:  Stephen Castiglione, Joe Murolo, Scott Tierney

GRASSHOPPER LEAGUE SCHEDULE:

                    6:00                                            7:15

8/9            H v C                                          W v C

ALL THE BUZZ  IS ABOUT THE HORNETS

By Ron Berutti

If you spent Thursday evenings at Field One this summer, then you would not have been able to avoid it.  Great softball was played by three outstanding teams in the Grasshopper League.  The Crickets chirped and the Wasps hummed.  But in the end, all the buzz was about the Hornets, who survived the tough competition to win the Grasshopper League championship with a 4-2-2 record.

In a true team effort, all of the Hornets contributed.  You may have seen Chris “Shaggy” Wayne allow only one run over 12 innings pitched.  Matt “Flash” Montero was sure to dazzle you with his blinding speed on the base paths if your eyes were able to follow him.  And observers noted that Luke “Skywalker” Rowlands demonstrated that he is a force all by himself.

Declan “Dirt” Berutti may have been seen popping a double over the third baseman’s head, while “Mad” Max Schriner made play after play in the field look easy.  And proving the axiom that two Coppola’s are better than one. Brothers Nick “Posada” Coppola and Mike “Green Hornet” Coppola routinely stung the ball with their bats.

Jesse “Cornball” Cornwell’s booming bat was always a threat, and he also was a lot of fun.  Meanwhile Kevin “Taz” Conticelli was steady as a Highland Lakes boulder on defense, sometimes acting as a one man outfield when the team was short of manpower.

But in the end, in the deciding game against the tough Cricket squad, it was shut down pitching by Michael “Soup” Campbell, and 5 runs batted in by Sean “Hammer” Hammerstead that made the difference in the outcome which favored the Hornets.

Not to be forgotten are the coaches who volunteered their time in helping to make the Hornets a fundamentally sound team.  Returning assistant John Wayne “Wizzer” Wisniewski demonstrated how to play like the pros.  Meanwhile,  Hornets alumnus Mason Wayne (with a great name like that he doesn’t need a nickname) aggressively coached first base, always ensuring that the Hornets ran through the bag.  Finally, Coach Len Conticelli and Coach Jim Schriner were always there to help warm up the pitchers and to lend an encouraging word to the team.

Congratulations to all the Grasshopper League participants for a fun season of softball and for their excellent sportsmanship.  And thanks also to the umpires, whose volunteer efforts made the games run smoothly.  Finally, thanks to league commissioner Alice “Selig” Carmody for always making sure that the players were properly equipped and that the fields were in great condition.

See you all next summer! 

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Crickets vs. Wasps  8/11

          Another close Grasshopper League game included 2 double plays by the Wasps.  David Salvato of the Wasps had a double to drive in the game's only run.  Max Shriner pitched a 3 hitter for the Hornets, and Gordon Ziegler, TJ Marry, Raymond Zimmerman, and Mike Murolo combined for a 3 hit shutout for the Wasps.

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Crickets vs. Wasps: 8.3  

          Both teams played tight defense and for the second time this year, concluded the game with a scoreless tie.  Excellent plays in the field were made by Devin Torres of the Wasps, and Paul Bokun of the Crickets.  Matthew Laccetti made a nice catch in left field on a long hit by the Crickets.

          Hornet vs. Wasps:  A close game was punctuated with strong defense, and the Wasps pulled out a victory in their last at bat.  Devin Torres drove in the game winning run in a 3-2 victory.  Steven Tierney, Luke Madden, and Vincent Montone had nice hits for the Wasps, while Sean Hammerstedt, Nick Cappola, and Declan Berutti put together hits for the Hornets runs.

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The Boys Grasshopper League played a double header on July 12th. The Hornets beat the Crickets 3 to 1 and then went on to beat the Wasps 7 to 0. Hornets players, Declan Berutti, Mike Campbell, Jesse Cornwell and Max Schriner, just to name a few, are showing what teamwork can do. Watch out for the Hornets!

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This league will have back-to-back games on Thursday evenings at Field #1 - PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE CAREFULLY for times. Coaches are responsible for calling practices.  Again, MORE UMPIRES ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED!   WE CANNOT HAVE GAMES WITHOUT OFFICIALS.  All players should bring their own water to the game/practice at all times. Start date:  July 5

GRASSHOPPER LEAGUE SCHEDULE:

                    6:00                                            7:15

7/5              C v W                                         H v W

7/12          C v H                                          W v H

7/19          H  v C                                         W v C

7/26          C v W                                         H v W

8/2              C v H                                     W v H

8/9            H v C                                          W v C