Blaze wins Clarence Travel Playoff game tonight

The Blaze won 7-6 to return to the championship round against the winner of the Lancaster Blue and Lakeview game. The boys took an earl lead and then lost it to fall behind 6-4. They scored three in the bottom of the sixth to win the semi-final game. The final runs came after Mateo hit a great ball to left, Robbie singled up the middle, and Griffin scored both on a blast to right center that went under the fence for a ground rule double. Griffin then stole third and scored on a great sacrifice bunt by Teddy with one out. A great comeback, a fine balance between mastering the long ball and the small ball aspects of the game. Game awards went out to Rob, Mateo, Rocco, Griff, Teddy, and Kevin. Everyone played well, and everyone had a great game!

Fixing the Low Elbow or Sidearm Thrower

Fixing the Low Elbow or Sidearm Thrower

11u_Cougar_Classic_Division_schedule_2012

Rochester schedule. FYI, Rob and I are staying Saturday night only. Thanks.

State Tournament Results

The boys went 2-2 in the Cal Ripken State Tournament, making it to the championship game. The boys lost to Kiu Gehrig in the opener, and then had two excellent games versus Camillus (18-1) and Jamestown (10-0) but could not break the Lou Gehrig puzzle, losing 8-4 in the finale.

Rochester tournament information

http://www.rochestercougars.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=45&Itemid=76

All info and hotels an be found here. We have ten going in , so please let us know if you are not attending. We do not know the game schedule yet to know which day we play. Thank you. bob

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum

Boys lose opener in Lancer Classic

The boys lost to New Era, 5-3 despite strong pitching and a two run homerun from Rocco. All around a much improved performance over last week's district tournament. I think we are on the right foot again. Darn those big barrel bats! Good job!

11 u in Lewiston

11U-12U_70ft_Classic_Rules_10

Rules for tournament attached. Please read.

Please be there at five.

Also, make sure everyone is in official Babe Ruth uniform, as we have to take a quick state tourney pic tonight before the game. If anyone would like to volunteer to do it officially, I would appreciate that. It does not have to be anything special. BUT, I will need it emailed to me tonight. If you can do that, I would appreciate that.

Joe and Bob, you don't need to wear pants, but we need to keep the shorts out of the pic when cropped. Thanks, Bob

Re: Uniforms for tonight

Just to clarify for all...new players do not yet have the items with the asterisk (vest and patched yellow undershirt), but they will get them at the park tonight.

I will be glad to discuss the reasons and the consequences of this mess up AFTER THE TOURNAMENT IS COMPLETED. But until then, let's focus on the positive and on a good win tonight! Thanks! Bob

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum



On Jun 28, 2012, at 11:36 AM, Bob Maulucci <bmaulucci@gmail.com> wrote:

> Please wear proper uniforms for tonight:
> Gold undershirt with Cal Ripken patch*
> Green vest*
> Gold belt
> Gold socks
> Green NB hats
> Plain gray pants
>
> Any variation might resort in you not being able to play. Those who do not have the asterisked articles above will have them at game time tonight. Please be there an hour before each tournament game. Thanks! Bob
>
> Directions again, are posted on team blog, http://northbuffalonine.blogspot.com
> Ramsey Field is 1170 Walck Road in North Tonawanda.
>
> See you tonight! Bob
>
> Bob Maulucci
> (716) 603-0601
> Sent from my iPad
> "Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum
>
>

Uniforms for tonight

Please wear proper uniforms for tonight:
Gold undershirt with Cal Ripken patch*
Green vest*
Gold belt
Gold socks
Green NB hats
Plain gray pants

Any variation might resort in you not being able to play. Those who do not have the asterisked articles above will have them at game time tonight. Please be there an hour before each tournament game. Thanks! Bob

Directions again, are posted on team blog, http://northbuffalonine.blogspot.com
Ramsey Field is 1170 Walck Road in North Tonawanda.

See you tonight! Bob

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum

Let's get it started....

Tonight the boys face North Tonawanda in the opening game of the WNY Cal Ripken District Tournament. The game is at 6 pm at Ramsey Field in NT, 1170 Walck Road. We look forward to a strong tournament and hope to win our way in the state tournament with a strong showing against NT and also Lou Gehrig and Lancaster.

11u Boys Districts Bracket

All games at Ramsey on Walck Rd. Thanks for your support all year. Bob

Directions to NT Fields

http://www.leaguelineup.com/location.asp?sid=564915699&url=travelclarence&locationid=1478156

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum

Scrimmage game scheduled versus Lancaster Blue

As a final tune up for the tournaments we have going on, we have arranged for a scrimmage Sunday night at 8pm at the park.
See you guys tomorrow, and let us know if anyone is going to miss either. Thanks, Bob

Ps., so far we know the tourney in North Tonawanda for districts has a 6pm game Thursday and Friday. Not sure which will be our opening game. We will know on this Friday night.

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum

11u Blaze holds off Lancaster Black to finish regular season 8-0!

The boys battled hard against a tough Lancaster Depew team and finished the regular Clarence Sunday League season with a 8-0 record, guaranteeing at least a tie for first place. It was a hot day in Westwood Park, but the fundamentally sound Blaze manufactured runs at the end and were able to outlast their opponents. With already one out, the leadoff and second hitters did their job and got on base in the sixth, with the score close at 6-5. Rob bunted in Mike to go ahead by two, before the Lancaster pitching shut us down. In the sixth, despite some great pitching, the opponent surged back with a run and had two on base when Luis made a spectacular diving catch in short center field to end the game, winning 7-6. What a great way to spend Father's Day! The Blaze look forward to the upcoming tournament season and league playoffs.

Travel Game, please be there around noon

Bob Maulucci
(716) 603-0601
Sent from my iPad
"Baseball is like Church. Many attend, but few understand." -Wes Westrum

11u Defeats Lou Gehrig to go to 8-0

The 11u Blaze had a great all around effort and defeated Lou Gehrig Blue by a score of 6-1 at Shoshone Park. Timely picthing and bunting were among the highlights, as the boys moved to their best start ever and remain firmly tied in first place with Lancaster Blue. Thanks to all those who came out to watch! What a beautiful day at the park.

Another close one against Lakeview, another 7-6 win

In a strange happening,the Blaze 11u boys played Lakeview again, and had the same result, a 7-6 win! Again,the Lakeview team hit hard, and we struggled though the first few innings when it seemed t hat we hit line drive after line drive into waiting gloves. The comeback was started in full force when Teddy hit a three run homer to send the park into a frenzy. After falling behind again by two, the top of the order got on base and Mateo scored on a hit from Griff to bring us within one. Connor hit a walk off single that scored Rob and Griff for the win.

North Buffalo defeats Lakeview in close game, 7-6

The Blaze defeated a tough, hard hitting Lakeview team. Down after the first inning, the boys rallied back and took a 6-2 lead. When this collapsed in the fifth, the boys came back with a run and then held on to win. Great pitching again foiled the opponents for most of the game. Great job boys!

North Buffalo stays in first place, beats OP 11-2

The Blaze blazed through Orchard Acres Park by defeating the Orchard Park Bulldogs by a score of 11-2. Six different pitchers held the opponent to only two tallies despite flashes of offense by OP. The Blaze fielders supported their hurlers with smart play and quick counters, catching several unsuspecting runners off guard. The hitting continues to be better than last season. Great job boys! The Blaze are now off until Friday May 18 when they face Lakeview on the road.

North Buffalo beats Central Amherst, 11-4

The boys exploded for 11 runs today and defeated Central Amherst 11-4. The pitching gave up only three hits, and the infield made play after play to stop a solid opponent. Our second league win keeps us in first place with Orchard Park on the slate for next week.

North Buffalo wins opener, 5-3

Great game today everyone. What a way to start it off! I was very impressed by the pitching and base running especially. A good team win, and of course, the two players of the game were brilliant to say the least.

Practice this week will be Thursday at 6 and Saturday at 8, weather permitting. Let's keep it rolling.

Season starts with a big exhibition win

Monday, the 11u Blaze defeated the Lancaster Blue team, 12-1 at Shoshone to avenge last year's championship game loss? The blue squad played tough as we had expected, but our new lineup was red hot. Pitching was outstanding from all six players used, and he whole squad played solid defense. The bats were out in force, and scored an unprecedented 12 runs, dispelling the rumors that this team is built around defense. LOL! Congratulations guys, you did a great job.

Baseball is in the air!

Hi guys,

I just received a few updated contacts, and I just thought I would use that impetus to send out a quick note to everyone to let you know that we are getting ready to start practicing indoors soon. We are awaiting gym confirmation. 

A few things you should know ahead of this...
-- if you did not pay the deposit of $100 in fall at tryouts, you must pay that before attending any practices. Insurance demands this. 
-- you must also eventually register for the park, either online or at the March 12 or March 26th dates at NBCC.
-- after the final registration date, you must be registered and have paid the deposit to continue practicing with the team. I hope that makes sense. Insurance demands it. 
-- Final spots (12 total) will be filled in tryouts on March 31 and April 1 at the park, weather permitting. I am expecting all current players to attend as well to help me evaluate the new comers by having them to compare to. 
-- we are finishing getting suppliers and uniform details settled. We should have all this wrapped up and order way ahead of time. Start thinking of whether your son might need a larger jersey if you played last year. I want to get these ordered and delivered ASAP once we have the sheets finalized. Fees will probably be between $150-$175, and most have already paid the first $100 of that.
-- if you had any uncredited fundraising from last year, those amounts are being turned over to the treasurer on Monday, and checks are being written to you this week coming up. I apologize for the long wait in this. It was beyond my control, and steps have been put in place to see that it never happens again. Changes in the administration have been made, including my being given a much larger role in the travel program. There will be no fundraising for us this year for our team, only for 12u and the Cooperstown trip.
-- our tournaments this year will be districts, Lewiston, states (three weekends in a row starting June 28), and then a Rochester tournament in late July (park will be closed this week for girls tourney). 
-- Bob Noah, Joe Hassett, and I will comprise the coaching staff again. We will eventually hold a meeting to lay out our expectations for the year concerning responsibilities, conduct, interactions between parents and players, etc.... We feel we have always had a good democratic system of coaching and handling the players, and we have had very few if any bad incidents. I hope you will trust us to do what is best. 
-- We would like to discuss the possibility of relinquishing some of the non-coaching duties to a parent or two. We will need a team manager and score keeper. I would personally like to discuss this with anyone interested. Please let me know. These are very important roles that we need done right. Thanks!

I hope everyone is having a great off season, and I will be in touch within the next two weeks with gym dates. Please try to take care of as much planning for the above as you can so we can all start together. I guess that wasn't a very quick note...was it? See you all soon. Bob