TRI-VALLEY GAINS BIG WIN OVER CHESTER

TRI-VALLEY COMES UP BIG IN CHESTER GAME    

                                

  "We had our eyes on the sectionals from week one," Tri-Valley varsity baseball coach John Rusin noted following his teams big upset victory over No. 1 ranked Chester, 12-6, Wednesday afternoon at Chester.

  In regular season league play Chester swept Tri-Valley in their three game series.

  The Tri-Valley win puts the 4th ranked Bears (now 13-8) into the Section 9 Class C Championship game against No. 2 ranked Rhinebeck. The game was played yesterday at 4 p.m. at SUNY New Paltz. 

  "We had to find a way to get into the sectionals and we're a better team than when we lost to them earlier in the season," Rusin added. 

  Tri-Valley climbed out of a 4-2 deficit after two innings of play when Bears right-handed starter Senior Rodney T. Jester gave up four runs on several long double blasts to center field but Jester settled down and gained the win by striking out five over six innings

  Jester also led the Bears at the plate by going 3 for-3 with three RBI's.

  When asked if he thought Jester would come back after being down 4-2 Coach Rusin said, "Rodney has been in a lot of big situations and he's a veteran, he been on this team since his sophomore year and he's seen it all,  he was there when we lost the seven run lead in the seventh inning two years ago against Seward and he was there for the championship win last year." 

  Jester earlier this week  in an out of county daily's analysis of Section 9 Class C play was tabbed as the "player to watch," as he "played in the Section 9 championship as a sophomore and a junior," and asked "will the Bears' offensive leader make it three appearances in a row in the big game?"  

  It certainly looks like Jester lived up to the early billing as coach Rusin pointed out, "he's had an outstanding season and I expected him to have a big season this year but it super-seeded even what I thought, he's a great leader, a great teammate and he just a great kid."

  With Wednesday's win coach Rusin said "we continued our progression as a team and we just got better and earlier on we had a lot of new guys in new positions and it's all really about getting better each day."

  Tri-Valley broke Wednesday's game open in their half of the fifth with Cody Exner being walked, Justin Swarthout also walked, Jester singled to right, Mike Foster walked, John Anzano walked, Aric Boyes walked and Andrew Exner hit a double deep to right center.

  In commenting about his teams loss Chester coach Mike Doucette said, "a lot of walks and we were not around the zone and with Ryan Cabrera throwing we expect a lot better control." 

  Doucette credited Tri-Valley "with moving the guys over, hitting the gaps and they did everything they needed to do."

  "We had high hopes after losing to Tri-Valley 1-0 last year and felt this would be our year, and your never going to see a bad baseball team come out of Tri-Valley toward the end of the season."

  Adding to the Bears victory Wednesday was Mike Foster going 3-for-3 with one double and one RBI and Cody Exner with a double and a home run to the deepest part of center field.

  Cabrera took the loss for Chester who ends its season with a 17-4 record. 

  Tri-Valley got into the Chester game by defeating No. 5 ranked S.S. Seward

 Monday at Grahamsville, 7-4.

  Alex Brown pitched a three-hitter and had three RBI's. Mike Foster went 3-for -4 with 2 RBI's and John Anzano went 3-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI.

                                                    

IDENTIFICATION OF PHOTOS

                                                  

Tri-Valley right handed senior pitcher Rodney T. Jester pitched six innings, striking out five and went 3-for-3 with three RBI's in the Bear's upset 12-6 win Wednesday over the Hambletonians at Chester.

                                        

Tri-Valley senior center fielder Cody Exner hit an inside the park home run to the deepest part of center field Wednesday in the Bears 12-6 win over Chester. There is no fence in the outfield and Exner's long fly ball sailed over the center fielders head which resulted in the fielder tumbling down a hill  and the speedster Exner circling the bases to score a run. 

                                                     
 

  

  

  

Tri-Valley 7-S.S.Seward 4

The Tri-Valley Bears defeated S.S. Seward Monday 7-4 in their Section 9 Class C quarterfinal game at Grahamsville.

  The game featured outstanding pitching by Junior Alex Brown who only allowed three earned runs while striking out seven in a complete game effort.

  Michael Foster went 3-for-4 with two RBI's, John Anzano went 3-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI. Cody Exner added two hits.

  The quest for a repeat Section 9 championship takes the Bears to Chester Thursday for a semifinal game at 4 p.m.

PHOTOS OF MONDAY'S GAME

                                                  

PLAYING BASEBALL AT HISTORIC DOUBLEDAY

TRI-VALLEY BEARS PLAY ON SACRED BASEBALL GROUND   

                                           

  Taking the game of baseball to an historic level was not only a great treat for two sixth grade Tri-Valley Central School students but the entire Tri-Valley Central School Bears varsity baseball team faithfully carried on in the tradition of America's favorite pastime at the "Birthplace of Baseball" in Cooperstown this past Monday morning.            

  This non-league game against the Ellenville Central School varsity Blue Devils  sort of took second place as the grand game of baseball and Doubleday Field certainly resonated with the players from both teams as they expressed the thrill and great opportunity presented to them in their playing on the baseball field named after Abner Doubleday, who has been called  the originator of baseball. 

  The thrill and honor of being the official  left-field electric scoreboard operators was given to Tri-Valley sixth grade 11-year-old students Drew Harman and Joe Quick. They mentioned that they helped as managers for the school football team and were asked to perform this important job by Tri-Valley Coach John Rusin. 

  Doubleday Field was the home to the annual Hall of Fame game every summer in which two major league teams played and to this day an annual Major League Old Timers game takes place in this park over  Father's Day weekend. 

  Each year from 1940 to 2008 Doubleday Field hosted the Hall of Fame game which was an exhibition game between two major league squads and traditionally the game was held during the annual induction weekend at the nearby Baseball Hall of Fame.

  Major League Baseball put a stop to the game after the 2008 season citing "scheduling difficulties and the fact that there was now inter-league play which was formerly featured at the Hall of Fame game. 

  Doubleday field employees said the attempt to get a minor league team to play in Doubleday Field fell through in 1996 and the fact that the park does not have lights brings the reality that this probably will never happen. 

  In 2010 the Cooperstown Hawkeyes, a collegiate league team, made Doubleday Field their home park and plays a full schedule there each summer.

  The Tri-Valley and Ellenville fans who make the trek up to Cooperstown stood and admired the famous entrance to Doubleday Field and the covered grandstand behind home plate which looks the same as it did 50 years ago and contains no individual seats and just wooden benches with backs.

  Doubleday Field opened in 1939 and now contains metal bleacher seats down both foul lines and the outfield also contains bleachers about 10 row deep from right field to center field. Doubleday Field seats 9,800 fans.

  Those attending or playing in this game Monday morning could somehow feel the integrity, passion and spirit that this historic baseball field gives.

  Tri-Valley stated the game off quickly in the first inning scoring two runs but the Blue Devils came back strong in their half of the first inning scoring 6 runs as  Bears starting pitcher  Rodney T. Jester suffered control problems which resulted in a number of passed balls.

  Jester was replaced by Justin Swarthout who pitched 6.2 innings of relief allowing just two hits while recording seven strikeouts.

  Each team added runs to their totals through the next couple of innings and with the scored tied at 8-8 in the bottom of the fourth Jester scored putting the Bears on top to stay 9-8. They added another run in their half of the seventh innings to win 10-8.

  For Tri-Valley Jester went 3 for 4 with three RBI's, Mike Foster went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI's and Andrew Exner added three RBI's for the Bears. 

   A. J. Rodriguez blasted an RBI double for Ellenville.

  The win boosted Tri-Valley's overall record to 11-8. Following the game Bears coach Rusin was overheard commenting to a Tri-Valley parent that he feels the team is ready for the playoffs. 

  Both teams then toured the famous Baseball Hall of Fame.

  Additional photo coverage of this day's event can be found at http://bght.blogspot.com  

  IDENTIFICATION OF PHOTOS

                                                               

Groundskeeper and Doubleday Field Manager Quinton Hasak gives Tri-Valley and Ellenville players the guidelines for playing baseball on this field prior to the start of their game Monday morning. 

Eleven year-old Tri-Valley Central school sixth grade students Drew Harman, left, and Joe Quick man the official Doubleday Field electric scoreboard located in left field.

The covered grandstand behind home plate at Doubleday Field looks the same as it did 50 some years ago. 

Tri-Valley sophomore pitcher Justin Swarthout pitched 6.2 innings of relief striking out seven and allowing two hits in the Bears 10-8 win Monday at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. 

 Tri-Valley Central School Bears varsity baseball team posed for this picture under the historic Doubleday Field field entrance Monday morning at Cooperstown. Members of the varsity in no specific order are, Cody Exner, Jared Nash, Jessie Porter, Aric Boyes, Mike Foster, Rodney T. Jester, Justin Swarthout, Donavan Flores, Josh Borozny, Andrew Exner, Alex Brown, Brad Van Aken and John Anzano. Standing to the left of the team top row is Coach Joan Rusin and to the right of the team coach/scorekeeper Brian Swarthout. 

           

Golfing Highlights Column 5-24-13

 Worden Offers Year-Round Golf

                                                    

  Dave Worden has been in the golf-related business for 33-years and offers opportunities to golfers 12-months of the year. 

  The 54 year-old former outstanding four-letter Middletown Central School athlete opened The Golf Shop in Middletown in 1992 and two-years ago leased the Honor's Haven Fallsview Golf Course near Ellenville where he serves as the Director of Golf. 

  At the Fallsview Dave runs the show making sure their is someone in attendance at the pro-shop, he does all club repairs and club rebuilding and all golf course maintenance gets his personal attention.

  Taking golf indoors during the late fall, winters and early spring months has become a speciality at Dave's Indoor Golf Center located within The Golf Shop at 316 East Main Street, Middletown where winter indoor golf is played on Deadsolid Golf Simulators.

  The Indoor Golf Center features leagues for single men, two man teams, single ladies, two lady teams and juniors.

  Dave points out that the golf simulators provide realistic computer images, swing speed, swing tempo, face angle, face rotation , impact point and yardage. "This is real golf with amazing feedback," Worden said.

  Clubmaking has been a part of The Golf Shop for over 20-years and Dave is associated with the Golf Clubmakers Association and Professional Clubmakers Society.

  He oversees eight employees at the Fallsview and describes himself as "self-taught" when it comes to clubmaking. 

  His wife Terry works closely with Dave performing all the bookkeeping aspects while his daughter Janell serves as assistant director of golf at the Fallsview. All members of the family play golf.

  Worden lettered in four sports at Middletown High and played football and lacrosse at Hudson Valley Community College before moving on to the University of South Florida.

  During the months of January and June Dave teaches International Leadership Training (ILT) at the Fallsburg Clubhouse. This involves students ages 12-14 from mainland Korea who come here to learn English, Math, Money, Budgets and various aspects about the game of golf. 

  Dave Worden breathes, eats and sleeps the game of golf and his  outstanding enthusiasm for the sport and his desire to help others enjoy the sport is a beautiful thing to see. 

  Stop by or call Dave at 845-210-3106 or 845-344-2582.

 Ed's Outlook

  Golf Course Designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. developed a gem when he put together the plans for the the Fallsview Golf Couse at the Honor's Haven Resort and Spa located just outside the village of Ellenville. 

  On this nine-hole facility there is not a weak hole to be found and some consider holes seven through nine the toughest three finishers in the Tri-State area. 

  This week we will take you through the first three holes and follow up with three holes each for the next two weeks.

  From the blue tees the total yardage is 3,432 and 6,342 for 18 holes.

  Hole No. 1 is a par 4 totaling 401 yards and  is a fairly straight hole with a lake down the left side of the fairway and a bunker down the right side which requires you to drive straight down the middle. A large undulating green has sand traps to the left and front of the green. Keep it straight and you get your par here.

  Hole No. 2 is a 173 yard par 3 and a safe play to the middle of the green is recommended. The pin positions usually tempt golfers to attack on this shortest of the par three holes. An errant tee shot here and your looking at a bogie.

  Hole No. 3 is a 509 yard par 5 with high risk. The Sandburg Creek greet golfers off the tee and runs parallel to the third hole and Gully Creek must be traversed off the tee. A bunker lines the right side of the fairway and is reachable with your tee shot. The green is defended by a pond on the right and a deep face bunker greenside. A five on this hole requires accurate shooting. 

  Complete photo coverage of this course can be seen at http://bght.blogspot.com 

                                                        

  The Golf Tip

  By Robert Menges

  The Importance of Wedges:

  In today's ever-changing golf game, most players are under the influence if they hit the ball longer they will play better.

  Even though technology has increased now far the ball will travel, the scores are about the same. There is no doubt that if you hit the ball longer you should have less club to the green and be able to get the ball closer to the hole and make more putts.

  I believe this to be true, but you better be able to hit  shots on the green close to the pin. In order to hit the ball close, I feel it is important to carry three wedges in your golf bag. Most people have a pitching wedge that some with their set. This club has 47  to 49 degrees of loft. You have a choice to make for the other two wedges. A gap wedge with about 50 to 55 degrees of loft and a lob wedge is about 60 to 64 degrees of loft. I would choose between these two clubs depending on how far you hit the ball.

  A lob wedge will save you shots around the green and a gap wedge will help you with the in between yardages in the fairway.

  You should always carry a sand wedge that has 54-57 degrees of loft.

  Some touring Professionals will carry 4 wedges in their bag.

  The next time you play a round of golf, count how many shots you take from 100 yards in to the green. I think you will find that this will total about 60 percent of your score.

  When you are trying to improve your score, it is important to lower the number of shots you take close to the green. I think having three wedges in your bag will help you accomplish a lower score.

  Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or email at menges@hughes.net 

                 

                     

         The Putting Tip

          By Joe Bermel

  The miscue of golfers is that on short putts, especially, they decelerate on the forward stroke.

  Golfers need to do the exact opposite, that is accelerate on the forward stroke.

  Short putting is from a tap up to six feet, the "holy grail" of putting.

  Paramount to be proficient here.......your second putt on every hole is between a tap in and up to six feet.

  How many of these 18 you make or do not make will determine your score.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

    Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook.

                                                   .

              

                                     

             

Golfing Highlights Column 5-17-13

The Doctor Now Represents USGTF

                                                         

  Joseph Bermel, professionally known as The Putting Doctor, announced recently that he is has been asked to represent the United States Golf Teachers Association (USGTF) and is in the process of producing a second special edition DVD called "How To Putt Well For Golf Coaches."

  We met Joe several years ago at the North Coast Greater New Jersey Golf Show and he has become a weekly contributor to our Golfing Highlights column with his "Putting Tip."

  The USGTF trains and certifies golf teaching professionals and is the largest national organization of certified golf teaching professionals in the world "and its a great  honor to be asked to represent this great organization," Joe commented

  Over the years we found Joe to be a very interesting and an exceptionally knowledgeable instructor on the subject of "How To Putt Well."

  He is indeed very passionate about putting. His study of the putting game, disciplined approach, and most importantly the commitment to practice initially helped him maintain a single digit handicap over the past 30 years.

  This dedication  and resulting success helped him develop easy to learn methods to share and teach others to be successful at putting and thereby shoot lower golf scores.

  Joe commented to me recently that not everyone hits a bucket of balls before each round and less people practice putting before each round but he religiously practices putting before each round and regularly spends more than an hour putting on days between rounds.

  Joe's love in teaching good putting skills takes him to various club organizations, golf expos, golf shows and golf adult education programs.

  In addition to offering group and individual lessons, Joe put together a very informative special edition of "How To Putt Well" on a DVD which gives a basic, easy to follow, successful method for good consistent putting. His new DVD "How To Putt Well For Golf Coaches," takes teaching to another level and will be available on May 24 and as Joe noted, "it is a must for all golfers."

  He hopes to make it to a Sullivan County golf event in the near future.

  Congratulations Joe on your new professional appointment.

Ed's Outlook

  How would you like to increase the distance on your golf shots and also bring down your handicap.

  Leo "Rocky" Lee, president of Golfmasters, LLC showed us an interesting tool at the Northeast Golf Show in Somerset, NJ several months ago and described the Speedflex Pro "as a teaching tool that is easy to use but that you have to discipline yourself to swing it on a daily basis."

  Rocky noted that the Speedflex Pro gives "the golfer the ability and confidence to deliver a faster, more accurate swing each time by helping golfers with club head speed, flexibility, release, balance and weight shift."

  In pointing out the key gains you get from the Speedflex Pro Rocky noted that "club head speeds translate to shorter hits and this tool helps to train the 22 muscles involved in t he golf swing resulting in faster swing speed."

  As to flexibility Lee pointed out that "a full swing relies on flexibility and strength and out product helps you stretch muscles, increase flexibility and achieve a better swing length and club head speed."

  In the release category Lee said that the "improper club head rotation weakens the swing and decreases accuracy but with the Speedflex Pro your muscles will learn to rotate properly through the swing arc giving you squarer contact with the b all and improving accuracy."

  Better accuracy is accomplished according to Lee because poor balance changes the swing arc as it contacts the ball resulting in bad shots. This is where the Speedflex's heavier weight creates the better balance.

  A leading factor in the Speedflex Pro according to Lee is that the club distributes a better weight shift pattern in the swing for full power shots with greater distance. 

   Some very interesting information. We are attempting to use this training aid on a daily basis and for best results you must commit to this routine. Additional information and the model best suited for you can be obtained from Lee at 1-866-868-7348 or leeleol@aol.com or leo@speedflexpro.com        

Golf Tip

By Bob Menges

  Complete Your Back Swing

  The back swing is one of the most important parts of the golf swing. Most golfers do not take a full and complete back swing with the right part of their body.

  Any golfer who stands in the tee box is looking for more distance out of their drive. As I watch people tee off, I often notice that they let their arms and  hands take the club back too far. This causes them to loose control of the club in the back swing. If you think about swinging the club back with your shoulders and not just your arms, it will allow you make a complete back swing.

  A good thought to have as you are making your back swing is to try to get your left shoulder to the same point where your right shoulder starts at the address position. This is for a right handed golfer....it would reverse for a left handed player.

  This should allow you to turn your shoulders more so that you have better control of the club. It will also give your more torque in the swing which should lead to more club speed on the down swing.

  Also try to remember your shoulder muscles are stronger than your arms and hands. If you allow your bigger muscles to swing the club it should lead to better consistency and a faster down swing. Increasing the distance on your tee shot, as long as it is in the fairway, will allow you to hit a shorter club into the green and hopefully lower your score.

  Bob Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 845-292-0323 or by email at menges@hughes.net 

The Putting Tip

By Joe Bermel

  The miscue of golfers is that on short putts, especially, they decelerate on the forward stroke.

  Golfers need to do the exact opposite, that is accelerate on the forward stroke.

  Short putting is from a tap up to six feet, the "holy grail" of putting.

  Paramount to be proficient here.......your second putt on every hole is between a tap in and up to six feet.

  How many of these 18 you make or do not make will determine your score.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

     Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook.

                                                   

IDENTIFICATION OF PHOTO

                                   

Leo "Rocky" Lee, left,  from Golfmasters, LLC demonstrates the Speedflex Pro to well known Sullivan County golfer Donald Winters who now practices daily with this golf training tool. 

                                                    

                                     

             

Here & There Column 5-21-13

Enjoy The Little League Experience

   It's that time of the year ......... Little League play is just about ready to start and when you love baseball and our youth you are bound to be around the great experience of Little League baseball.

  The summer months  of May, June and July keep Sullivan County youth and their families busy with practice and several games a week. It's fun to watch those youngsters learn the fundamentals of this great game and then work hard until they are finally chosen to represent their leagues in inter-county regional playoffs.

  Following their regular season play area youth get selected for their league all-star team and its off to the races as our local teams travel to such places as Walden, Pine Bush, Port Jervis, Minisink and Newburgh.

  Sportsmanship for everyone is important to this game but sometimes parents and strong supporters of their hometown teams make poor decisions that result in just plain bad sportsmanship. We wish everyone who has played and supports this great Little League sport would be given the opportunity to read the sign at the Walden Little League complex that reads, "Remember They're Just Kids."

  It's great to see coaches and umpires in Little League go out of their way to support these youth and this game. 

  I'll always remember seeing an umpire come into a losing teams dugout and offer encouragement and congratulations to the team who lost. Wow....does that give true meaning to what Little League is all about.

  Little League explains their definition as "better than any other youth activity, baseball and softball have become the thread that has sewn together a patchwork of nations and cultures around the world."

  In their written explanation as to what Little League is "about us" they note that "baseball and softball embody the discipline of teamwork. They challenge players toward perfection of physical skills and bring in to play the excitement of tactics and strategy. The very nature of baseball and softball also teach that while every player eventually strikes out or is on a losing team, there is always another chance for success in the next at-bat or game."

  To all the many volunteer coaches, umpires and those who assist in any way....we thank you for what you do for our communities and for your many hours of dedication to a sport that has such great meaning for our youth.

                                                              

JESTER PITCHES ONE-HITTER

 Tri-Valley senior short-stop/pitcher Rodney T. Jester Wednesday struck out 13 Eldred batters and recorded a one-hitter as the Bears defeated Eldred 12-0 in a non-league game at Eldred.
  Jester also had 3 hits and 2 RBI's
  Justin Swarthout had 3 hits for Tri-Valley.
  The win boosted Tri-Valley's record to 9-7.

B-Mets Notes

Binghamton Mets 2013 Game Notes

Binghamton Mets (20-18) vs. Akron Aeros (19-19) (Double-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) 

RHP Logan Verrett (5-1, 3.04) vs. RHP Paolo Espino (1-0, 4.46)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 • Game #40 • Home Game #20

NYSEG Stadium • Binghamton, NY • 6:35 PM

LAST GAME: The B-Mets pounded out 14 base hits as they defeated the Akron Aeros, 5-2 Monday night. Binghamton used a spread out attack against the Aeros, as eight starters tallied at least one base hit. Akron scored the first two runs of the game against Rafael Montero, but the offense continued to fight. They took advantage of two Akron errors, and scored three times in the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Cory Vaughn padded the lead in the fifth inning, and stoked a solid single into centerfield to score Danny Muno. The final run of the game came in the sixth inning, when Cesar Puello blasted his fifth home run of the season. Muno contributed throughout the night as well with a team-high three hits. Montero earned his first win in four starts, and Jeff Walters logged his league-leading tenth save.

BINGHAMTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Logan Verrett makes his eighth start for the B-Mets this season, and his third against the Aeros. Currently, he is tied with three other pitchers for the league lead with five wins. In his last start, he threw a season-high 8.2 innings in a 3-1 victory against Trenton. He also struck out a season-best nine batters. In two starts against Akron, Verrett is 2-0. He has thrown 14.0 innings and has given up five earned runs. In all seven starts this season, he has pitched at least five innings, and has pitched at least eight inning twice.
AKRON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Paolo Espino will get the ball for the eighth time this season, and his seventh as a starter. In his last start, Paolo gave up four runs on six hits over six innings 5/9 @ REA. The right-hander has won his only decision, a one-hit victory over TRN on 4/23. This will be his third start against the B-Mets this season; in 9.0 innings he has allowed six earned runs in two no-decisions. 2013 is Espino’s fifth season with Akron, and he is currently tied for the franchise record with 23 wins..
OFFENSIVE OUTBURST: The B-Mets matched a 2013 season high Monday night, as they racked up 14 base hits. They also had 14 knocks against Akron on 4/6. For the season, the B-Mets are averaging 7.7 hits per game. Monday’s win was the fifteenth game this season where Binghamton has gotten at least 10 base hits.
THAT’S CALLED A WINNING STREAK: With a win on Tuesday, Binghamton will match their longest winning streak of the season (3 games). They won three in a row to start the 2013 season, all against Akron. The team is 0-3 since 4/6 when trying to win their third straight game.
20 WINS: 38 games is the fastest the B-Mets have reached 20 wins since 2004. In that year, they reached 20 wins in 34 games. That was the last time that Binghamton made the postseason.

HUCHINGSON HOLDS: Chase Huchingson threw two scoreless innings of relief in Monday night’s win. He recorded his third hold of the season, and has only allowed one earned run over his last 12.2 innings of work (9 games).
SPREAD OUT ATTACK: The B-Mets got at least one base hit in every inning of Monday’s victory over Akron. Eight of the nine players in the batting order also got at least one base hit, with five of them recording multi-hit games.
SERIES-OPENING WIN: Monday was the first time in May that the B-Mets have won the first game of a series. They had lost their previous three, and are 5-7 in series openers in 2013.
SHORTEN THE GAME: Binghamton is 16-0 when claiming a lead after seven innings. Closer Jeff Walters leads the league with 10 saves, and posts a 0.61 ERA.
NEXT GAME PREVIEW: The B-Mets conclude their three-game series with the Akron Aeros Wednesday night at 6:35 PM. RHP Jacob deGrom (0-4, 5.10) is scheduled to pitch for Binghamton against RHP Jordan Cooper (1-0, 1.93) for Akron.

Tri-Valley Headed For Sectional Play

TRI-VALLEY HEADED TO BASEBALL SECTIONALS    

                                                      

  Tri-Valley Varsity Baseball Coach John Rusin likes the way the Bears have improved by winning five of their last six league games in Division V OCIAA play and earning a spot in the Class C Section 9 championships. 

  Following Tri-Valley's early season three-game sweep by league champion Chester the Bears have clawed back to take two out of three from S. S. Seward and just last Friday completed a three-game sweep of the Fallsburg Comets.

   Rusin Friday said, "the three defeats against Chester came against a very good baseball team  and I think the sectionals will go through that place."

  He commented that his team, "has to find a way a way to keep getting better and I do feel overall we are starting to come around with our pitchers throwing strikes  and they are comfortable with the defense playing the way their are."

  Rusin added he likes seeing " the defense  playing the way they are capable of," and "the bats are starting to come around with our batters being more selective at the plate and hitting at better counts  and we are not as anxious at the plate and we're seeing  a better quality at bat"

  The Bears varsity coach pointed out that" we have a way to go but the process is coming along nicely and looking at the fact that we are coming off winning the  the championship last year, graduated nine seniors and I think when it's time for the next group to step up sometimes it takes a little while for them to figure out those roles"

  "Our seniors this year are doing a great job leading, our sophomores are rounding into form very nicely early and our junior class is being very productive  so a lot of  it early on was trying to figure out what their roles were  and how they fit in and now they are starting to play like a team....their coming together, having a lot of fun and playing the game the right way so hopefully this will continue," Rusin added.

  The coach was not sure yet who Tri-Valley will go up against in the sectionals because of the MHAL mixed division play. Teams that have qualified in the OCIAA Division V include, Chester, S. S. Seward, Tri-Valley and possibly Tuxedo.

  In the three game sweep against Fallsburg last week on Monday Bears junior Alex Brown threw a three-hitter striking out 16 in Tri-Valley's 8-0 victory. John Anzano and Donovan Flores each had two hits and an RBI for the Bears.

  Tuesday's game saw Bears winning pitcher Justin Swarthout striking out eight and hitting 3 for 6 with two RBI's. Cody Exner went  2-for-3 in Tri-Valley's 14-1 victory. 

  In Friday's game at Grahamsville Fallsburg took a quick 1-0 first inning lead as a result of two infield errors but the Bears tied the score in the top of the first as Cody Exner led off , was safe on a dropped infield ball, stole second base, took second base on an groundout by Justin Swarthout and scored on a infield hit to third by Rodney T. Jester.

  Tri-Valley broke the game open in the top of the second scoring 8 runs off a double by John Anzano, a double by Alex Brown, Andrew Exner getting hit by a pitch, a walk to Cody Exner, a triple by Swarthout, a single hit to short stop by Jester, a single by Aric Boyes to right field and another single by Anzano . Several errors by Fallsburg contributed to the 8-run inning.

  Bears Sophomore Jared Nash did not allow an earned run in pitching a six-hitter.

Anzano was 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI, Swarthout had a triple and three RBI's and Jester had two hits and five RBI's.

  Friday's 15-1 win boosted Tri-Valley's OCIAA league record to 7-5.

  Second-year Fallsburg Varsity Coach Dave Luczyski in commenting on the Comets winless season noted that "we have a young team, don't have a JV team and it's tough and a big jump for some of the guys from modified to the varsity level."

  Luczyski indicated that "we have younger pitching but in the next couple of years we feel we will be competitive and the players have to get more confidence with our hitting."

                                                                          

                                                                    

Identification of first two photos

Tri-Valley sophomore pitcher Jared Nash pitched a six-hitter and didn't allow an earned run in the Bears 15-1 victory over Fallsburg Friday at Grahamsville.                                                                    

The Tri-Valley varsity baseball team will be headed to Class C Section 9 championship play for the second year in a row following their three-game sweep last week over Fallsburg. The Bears won the Section championship last year. Members of this years team include, front row l to r, Cody Exner, Jared Nash, Jessie Porter, Aric Boyes, Mike Foster and Rodney T. Jester. Second row, l to r, Coach John Rusin, Justin Swarthout, Donavan Flores, Josh Borozny, Andrew Exner, Alex Brown, Brad Van Aken, John Anzano and assistant coach/scorekeeper Brian Swarthout. 

         

Golfing Highlights Column 5-10-13

Tigers Two Stroke Penalty

  Was it a good thing that Tiger Woods didn't win the Masters and who could it have been that called in on Tiger?

  The professionals we talked to and even some of the common golfers say that had Tiger won the controversy would never end.

  He was correctly given a two stroke penalty for an improper ball drop that he took during the second round.

  It was explained that Woods was correctly awarded a two-stoke penalty awarded for the infraction...the score card he signed was incorrect and did not reflect the two-troke penalty....the signing of an incorrect scorecard is disqualification, yet Tiger was allowed to stay in the tournament.

  Sound a little complicated because the bottom line as explained by officials is that one is normally disqualified for signing an incorrect score card.

  Did the rules committee in this instance call a mulligan on itself since they had been informed that there was a possibility that Tiger made an improper drop on the 15th hole, but didn't tell him......basically ruling that there had been no violation.

  The glitch here and what some golf professionals are saying is that if the committee had any lingering thought that the drop was a rules infraction they should have informed Tiger and he would have waited for a ruling before signing the scorecard.

  Bottom line here is that the rules committee allowed Woods to sign a scorecard without informing him that his play was still under review and might be subject to a penalty.

  The committee awarded Tiger his two-stroke penalty a day late and did not disqualify him for signing the wrong scorecard because of their error.

  Rumors were flying around everywhere as to who is might have been that called in on Tiger to report the penalty.

  These rumors included the ex-boyfriend of Tiger's current lady, Lindsey Vonn....nope wasn't him.

  Sixty-one year-old Champions Tour player David Eger was the man that called a tournament official he knew was working for the Masters to tell of the illegal drop.

  Eger has won four times in his career on the over-50 tour is reported to be a great golfer and a former tournament director who has worked for the PGA Tour and the USGA.

  According to those in the know Eger is one of the most experienced tournament officials in U.S. golf and an expert on the rules.

  What Eger did when he was watching the Masters and saw the illegal drop by Woods was to scroll through his cell phone and call Mickey Bradley, a rules official he know was working the Masters.

  This is indeed an incredible story and it was interesting to find that that a guy that knew something went wrong acted as quickly as he could to maintain and  keep up the integrity of this great game.

Ed's Outlook

  How would you like to increase the distance on your golf shots and also bring down your handicap.

  Leo "Rocky" Lee, president of Golfmasters, LLC showed us an interesting tool at the Northeast Golf Show in Somerset, NJ several months ago and described the Speedflex Pro "as a teaching tool that is easy to use but that you have to discipline yourself to swing it on a daily basis."

  Rocky noted that the Speedflex Pro gives "the golfer the ability and confidence to deliver a faster, more accurate swing each time by helping golfers with club head speed, flexibility, release, balance and weight shift."

  In pointing out the key gains you get from the Speedflex Pro Rocky noted that "club head speeds translate to shorter hits and this tool helps to train the 22 muscles involved in t he golf swing resulting in faster swing speed."

  As to flexibility Lee pointed out that "a full swing relies on flexibility and strength and out product helps you stretch muscles, increase flexibility and achieve a better swing length and club head speed."

  In the release category Lee said that the "improper club head rotation weakens the swing and decreases accuracy but with the Speedflex Pro your muscles will learn to rotate properly through the swing arc giving you squarer contact with the b all and improving accuracy."

  Better accuracy is accomplished according to Lee because poor balance changes the swing arc as it contacts the ball resulting in bad shots. This is where the Speedflex's heavier weight creates the better balance.

  A leading factor in the Speedflex Pro according to Lee is that the club distributes a better weight shift pattern in the swing for full power shots with greater distance. 

   Some very interesting information. We are attempting to use this training aid on a daily basis and for best results you must commit to this routine. Additional information and the model best suited for you can be obtained from Lee at 1-866-868-7348 or leeleol@aol.com or leo@speedflexpro.com 

 The Golf Tip

 By Robert Menges

  Preventing the Flying Right Elbow:

  The flying right elbow is one of the game's best known negative touchstones.

  It occurs in the back swing when the elbow juts out behind the player so the right arm forms the letter V or L, depending on the angle from which you view it.

  What's wrong with a flying right elbow?

  It restricts the width or arc of the back swing, for one thing. It also make it difficult to get the shaft parallel at the top of the swing with the longer clubs, a  restriction that reduces power.

  Finally, you don't want the elbow jutting out in the downswing because this also limits power and adds inaccuracy to the mix.

  So, you must drop down and in toward your right side. This connection is an extra move that must be made in less than a second of real time.

  However, trying to keep the elbow in close is too restrictive. It prevents a free-flowing overall swing motion and narrows the width of the back swing, both of which costs power.

  The right elbow can move away from the right side so long as it remains pointed down toward the ground and in a viable effective position. This will generate fluidity in the swing and allow the elbow to easily and readily return to or near the right side of the downswing.

  You do want the elbow close to the body in the downswing because it keeps the club moving from the inside.

  To put it another way and more meaningful, it prevents the club from going "over the top" and cutting the ball from outside to inside the target line at impact.

  Which is to say, with the right elbow in close to your side at impact, you are much less likely to hit a slice.

  Indeed, there is a very good chance you will get a  nice little draw on your ball.

  Robert Menges is the head golf professional at the Swan Lake Golf & Country Club, Mt. Hope Road, Swan Lake. He is available for private lessons and if you have a question he can be reached by phone at 845-292-0323 or via email at menges@hughes.net 

 The Putting Tip

 By Joe Bermel

  The miscue of golfers is that on short putts, especially, they decelerate on the forward stroke.

  Golfers need to do the exact oppoite, that is accelerate on the forward stroke.

  Short putting is from a tap up to six feet, the "holy grail" of putting.

  Paramunt to be proficient here.......your second putt on every hole is between a tap in and up to six feet.

  How many of these 18 you make or do not make will determine your score.

  Joe Bermel is available for private lessons, group, corporate, organization and golf shows/tournaments. His special edition DVD "How to Putt Well" is available by calling 631-589-1384, at his web site www.ThePuttingDoctor.com or by email at joe@theputtingdoctor.com 

     Ed Townsend is a PR consultant to the sport of golf. Ed writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league and tournament information, shoot a hole-in-one or even shoot your age, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com  We are also on Facebook.

                                                        

Identification of photo

Leo "Rocky" Lee, left,  from Golfmasters, LLC demonstrates the Speedflex Pro to well known Sullivan County golfer Donald Winters who now practices daily with this golf training tool.