The Cubs fell to the eventual champion Raleigh Braves 3-0 in their semifinal game. Raleigh averaged 16 runs per game compiling a 5-0 record in the round robin portion of the tournament. This fully sponsored team from North Carolina won their quarterfinal game 18-0, over the DC Express, and were able to save their best pitching for the semi-finals and finals.
The Cubs got a great pitching performance from Ron Massaroni and played errorless ball to hold this potent line-up to just 3 runs (1 in the first, 1 in the 3rd, and 1 in the 9th). The entire defense played well, but three defensive plays stood out: Mike Ferraro throwing out a runner at the plate, and two outstanding plays by Ron Lochner at third.
The Cubs best chance to score came in the first when Randy Craft, Mike Girard, and Ron Lochner all had singles, but the Raleigh center fielder made a great throw to the plate to cut down Girard at the plate. We did put runners in scoring position in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th innings also, but could never get that key hit. Mike Ferraro, Ron Lochner and Girard all had two hits each. Randy Craft, Dave Mitchell, and Phil Gadomski had the other Cub hits.
We all got together at Jim McQuade's place afterwards and had a great party.
We may not win every game, but we always win the party!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Sunday 18th of November 2012 08:38:55 PM
Congrats to the Cubs. You had a great tournament and sounds like a lot of fun. You made all of us CDMSBL players proud. Get them next year. Happy Holidays to all you guys.
I just want to say after making my first trip to the fall classic how proud I am to be a member of the CDMSBL. The players in our league have shown that they are among the best, if not the best players in the world. I had the opportunity to see the Cubs play a tough Venezuelan team and take a lead into the bottom of the ninth only to lose a heartbreaker. I saw Joe Carrecia and Jim Bonaparte make it to the finals as pool players with the Mustang team and I saw gutsy performances by players on the Albany Blue Jays who were by far the best players on a team of 16 made mostly of pool players. I saw John Weber pitch in three of the 5 games played including a complete game in game one. I saw Mike Labanowski play a seamless shortstop throughout. I saw Mike Surin play and pitch only 4 weeks after breaking an ankle jogging. I saw Pat Alston drive the ball to all fields in the bright Florida sun. I saw the ageless Artie Gianakos pitch a three hitter into the 5th inning against the Enola Yankees only to have the lead squandered after he tired. I saw Bob Hiller play and enjoy himself again after not playing this past season. Yes, baseball is a great game as we all know and I am damn proud to be associated with such great talent and even more, such great guys in the CDMSBL.
bob - really nice note. you captured well, in insightful, appreciative lines, what's terrific about the league. you also gave in quick brush strokes some fine impressions about what happened in the games.
that, and mike girard's, are notes for the winter. thanks! -mike
Nice Bob. I want to thank the leaders who took teams south this fall. its hard work, but made a lot easier by the class of guys we deal with. You all made us proud, and that includes the 3 teams going to MSBL tournies, those on pool teams, and the guys playing in the Hobbs tourny. some 50 guys.
The meeting: After taken both games on Fri, first from the Mustangs of DC and then the Yankees from PA, the Cubs confidently set their sights on Saturday morning with a meeting with the undefeated boys from Raleigh. The Raleigh team did not lose a game in the tournament, had a bye in the first round and we knew they would be tough seeing the lopsided scores they hammered the opposition with. It rained hard Fri night and Sat morning. A puddled field greeted our meeting. After a confused half hour of where to play, it was determined that we would be moved to a dryer site. Ronnie Mazz was heard to say,Boys theyre moving us to Satellite field. The steamy Florida sun took center stage. The dugout benches, damp and uncovered, provided little comfort for the visiting Cubs, while the Raleigh team managed a seemingly impromptu tent cover over themselves and their equipment. After their bye, and further annihilation, a Raleigh regular warned us to get some rest. That kind of subtle intimidation only made the Cubs mad. Against their last opponent Raleigh took the affair, 18-0. We knew that would never happen to us. Raleigh scored one run on Mazz in the first inning, but with keen control and a nasty change, Ronnie kept this group unbalanced and guessing throughout. The game was like a boxing match. Two class fighters. We kept taken punches but would not go down. Defense was sparkling. Great throw from Mike Ferraro in centerfield, strike to the plate, Mike Girard holding his ground, like only he can, words from the fellow from Raleigh after being punched out, Girard grimacing from various muscle pulls, lashes back with a stern rebuttal. Ronnie Lochner, known for his tremendous hitting, flashing leather at third base, flying, horizontal gunning his runner by two steps. Randy the Magician, and steady TJScorsone, Timmy Brown with an ailing back, all standing tall. Petey G in right field, comes in on flies with the best, and Jimmy Mac had his glove covering left field. Dave Mitchell playing first base when Mike caught, was fluid and played like he belonged. No one can hit the ball harder than Dave. Jonny Martin , the pitching guru, and Teddy, going all nine earlier in the week, brothers in arms. Tommy and Shawn Maney .Tommy, lest we forget, playing with his opposite arm, still making an impact while most in similar circumstance, would surrender. Shawn, who in the first game, dives for a wind blowned fly, collects two hits, and realizes the next day that the hand was broken on the dive. Phil(Mash) Gadomski. Give me the ball, watch me paint the corner. You gotta love the shaking heads of the opponents when they stride back to the dug out after meekly grounding out. Teddy Poleto, the general, never satisfied, always wants more out of himself, but always gives 100%. 35s MVP Andy Hoyle, was always on the brink. Never strung it together, but his presence in the line-up always made you feel confident when he was up. Meanwhile, the team from Raleigh manages to scratch two more runs against us. Although we get nine hits and knock repeatedly,we cant lay the wood at the right time. Raleigh wins. Ultimately winning the championship. So close. So freakin close. What a week. Just makes you more determined. Next year.
You left out the fact that you hit .500; filled in at short and third; and came in twice or 3 times on the mound in relief and pitched superbly. Always too modest about your contributions!
