NWK Bears ~ No Pain, No Gain, For Ken Oberkfell's Starting Pitchers

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Caleb Cuevas Just the Latest of Ken Oberkfell's Sacrificial Lambs.


There's no mistaking it; the Bears have hit lean times.  But that's no reason to start sacrificing cubbies now.  More about that later.  But they remained resilient however, enough so to earn a four game split against the second place New Jersey Jackals this past weekend.  In the process, they also managed to squeeze by the Worcester Tornadoes, and out of last place heading into Tuesday night's game against the defending CanAm Champs.


In a much needed change of scenery, the Bears migrated up to Canada, to start a four game series against the first place Quebec Capitales.  Caleb Cuevas was making his sixth start still in search of his first win against three loses.  The Capitales promptly scored two runs against him in the first inning.  In the second, Newark struck back with two runs to tie.  Danny Santiestaban scored on a fielder's choice, and Burt Reynolds singled home Juan Martinez.  After the first inning, Cuevas faced the minimum over the next two frames.


Bryce Lane scored on a wild pitch in the top half of the fourth to give Newark a 3-2 lead.  But in the home half of the frame, Quebec pounced all over Cuevas for seven runs, off five hits, including a home run.  Four runs came unearned after an error by Tucker Nathans at third, and one scored off a wild pitch.


Newark picked up two in the fifth inning.  Danny Santiestaban singled home Billy Alvino, and Tucker Nathans singled home Daryle Ward to make it a 9-5 game.  But in the bottom of the fifth, the Renegades scored their tenth run off Caleb Cuevas.


Manager Ken Oberkfell sent out his starter for a sixth inning, and Hudson Valley promptly plated their eleventh run.  To that point, Caleb's line was not pretty.  In six full innings, he allowed eleven runs; seven earned; and surrendered eleven hits, while walking two, and striking out one.  Then incredulously, Coach Oberkfell sent out his starter for yet another inning of work.  Sure enough, Caleb Cuevas surrendered another two runs in the seventh before being mercifully lifted after recording just one out.


This sort of handling of his pitchers is now beyond odd.  Ken Oberkfell's handling of his starting pitchers now borders peculiar, if not irresponsible.  Look no further than Monday night's game against New Jersey.  Coach allowed Brian Parker to surrender nine runs in 4.2 innings.  It's understandable he might be demanding of a six inning start.  But this tough love is now starting to prove highly ineffective.  If you let teams tee-off, someone is going to get hurt.  Just sayin'...   And it's not like the season hasn't been dotted with such sacrificial offerings.  They freckle the season.  I know, what else is there for a manager to do?  I get that.  But can we at least start with a little more humane treatment, and reaching for a quicker hook once in a while?  Maybe not in Brian Parker's case, but in Caleb Cuevas' outing for sure.


Let's just say, the Capitales were leading 15-5 in the eighth inning.  And thankfully, this game did eventually end.  It wasn't what the Bears wanted, nor what they needed.  Instead they travelled to the great white north and encountered more scarcity of wins.  But they are Bears.  They'll get through this.  The Worcester Tornadoes were involved in an inter-league game against the Amarillo Sox and lost badly as well.  So that's another day the Bears won't spend in last place.  And right now, you'll just have to treat it like another day in paradise.





Mike.BTB

The Newark Bears ~ A Resilient Brick City Species

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE

The Urban Grizzlies Endured Another Troublesome Summer in an Unfamiliar Environment.   Encroachment, Scarcity, and Long Cold Winters are All Part of Being a Newark Bear.


Offensively speaking, the Quebec Capitales had nary a player rank within the top ten in any of the big three categories; Avg.; HR; RBI.  One Cap player placed eighth in batting.  And one Cap placed tenth in RBI.  That's it.


But when it came to pitching; pitching; pitching; -  Quebec had an abundance.  That said, the Quebec Capitales rode the strength of their hurlers all the way to a championship over the New Jersey Jackals in the 2011 Canadian/American League Finals which concluded back on September 16th.   The title was Quebec's fourth in the seven year history of the CanAm League; and their third consecutive championship.

There have only been three other teams to win a CanAm Title.  Two of those clubs are no longer in the league. The Worcester Tornados remain as the only other club still in the circuit to claim a title.  Two former champs, the Sussex SkyHawks and the Nashua Pride, have folded since celebrating their titles. 
The Nashua Pride once played in the Atlantic League too; like another team; the Atlantic City Surf.  They both won Atlantic League Championships before switching over to the CanAm League; and inevitably folding operations.


And there-in lies our segway intended for the Newark Bears Baseball Club.


So how did the two time Atlantic League Champions do in their first year playing in the CanAm League? 


Well..., they finished 41-52 overall; good for 6th place.  Their finish was only one win better than the 7th place expansion Rockland Boulders' record.  And the last place New York Federals shouldn't be entered into this conversation as they were pretty much drafted into service.


Offensively, the Bears wound up being a light hitting group after Daryle Ward's contract was purchased and Tim Raines Jr.'s season tailed off.  Daryle Ward was a key slugger right up until his departure.  And after a furious start, fans as well as his team mates; not to mention his Pop; watched Tim Raines Jr.'s production fizzle in the second half of the season. 


If anyone, you'd have to declare Danny Santiesteban the team's offensive MVP.  His .328 batting average was tops on the team and ranked eighth in the league.  His team leading 74 RBI were only six off the top spot.  But 13 home runs; while good enough to lead the Bears; was a distant ten knocks from the CanAm leader.  Danny also finished first on the Bears in games; doubles; and triples.


Brandon Watson still qualifies as a Most Valuable Bear.  He led the Newark Bears in runs scored; at-bats; and hits.  His .323 batting avg. ranked second on the team only a few percentage points behind Santiesteban's mark as well as being second to him in games played.


But Quebec's championship proved you didn't need to slug your way towards a title.  What you needed was pitching; pitching; and more pitching.  Unlike Quebec, that's something the Bears didn't have in abundance.  No; in this department, the Bears were hungry for help.


Twenty-seven year old starting pitcher; Alex Smith was the only berry they really had.  Alex Smith pitched to a 10-3 record for the Newark Bears which ranked him sixth in the circuit.  The CanAm leader had fourteen wins.  His 3.39 ERA was quite remarkable considering he walked more batters that he struck out; fifty-six versus fifty-two.  In 111.2 inning pitched, he allowed 103 hits.  After Alex Smith, pitching was the Bears' Achilles heel all season long.  And many times; too many times; Coach Raines was forced into very unconventional methods of handling his pitchers.


But how did they do?


They joined the CanAm League for a reason; primarily because of their struggles at the gate.  The title goes back to Quebec again; the league attendance champs.  They pulled in three times more fans than the Bears did.  And what of Newark's nearest neighbors?  The expansion Rockland Bouders led the contingent of American based teams.  They along with Quebec were the only clubs to break the 100,000 mark.  New Jersey pulled in 85,000 fans which ranked them 5th in the league and 35,000 fans ahead of Newark.  New Jersey averaged 1,700 fans per game.  Newark was the only team beside Pittsfield, not to average better than 1,000 fans per game.  And in Pittsfield's case, their attendance situation is understandable.


The plan was to switch Independent leagues so as to cut operating costs due to the club's falling on hard times.  The Atlantic League became too costly for them to operate in while faced with an increasingly absent fan base.  And so the CanAm League provided a financially friendlier alternative in which to continue operations.  Did it help?  I have no idea.  I'm not privy to that information.  Do I hope it helped?  Absolutely.


With the conclusion of this past season, the book keepers may have truly realized a tangible and welcome reduction in costs.  But did it put the Bears and Newark Baseball on a safer river bank of survivability; even if just by a few salmon?  Again, I wouldn't know that.  But I still sense the Bears live a precarious existence.



With the recent maelstrom resulting from Fred Wilpon's blocking the N.Y. Yankees from placing their AAA-Scranton club in Newark's Riverfront Stadium for one season now subsided, I for one didn't see how that would have been a good situation for the Newark Bears, outside of some cosmetic upgrades to the park and a token infusion of petty cash. 


And here's why.


Newark baseball needs a permanent solution.   And it needs to be untethered from affiliated baseball. They need an incredibly original thought that does not take Gotham City into account.   That’s every-one’s problem.   They are Newark; not NYC.   They need something done independently with the concentration focused wholly on Newark and where the fan base should be coming from.  Their base gate must come from the nearby neighborhoods in order for any team to survive there.   They are surrounded by organizations respectively pulling in healthy gate receipts.; including a once gate challenged S.I. Yankees club just few years ago, who are now coming off their three best years attendance wise.


A one year stop in Brick City by a prospecting travelling road show would have done more harm to Newark than good.   The more I think about it, the worse I think the idea of having upper-level minor league ball around here is.   It’s akin to allowing Wal-Mart into the city and effectively putting Mom-and-Pops out of business.  Why snub noses at the Law of Diminished Returns?   Minor League Baseball teams are very important pieces of local economies outside the NY metro area.   It’s best if they remain on the outskirts of town.   We need to stop being so centric about where we live and how much clout we think it brings.


So with the Scranton Yankees planned invasion safely behind them now, the Bears need minds who can make Baseball work in Brick City and get them standing on their own four paws again.  Carpet Baggers need not apply.  Newark needs a Newark inspired solution.


Perhaps, until then, hibernation will go well for the resilient urban Bears, and a season of plenty finally comes their way next Spring.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ GM Mike Torrez Making Changes

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE



NEWARK BEARS:  New Names Contribute To Snap 6-Game Losing Streak.

Desperate times call for measures.  Or in the Bears' case, just playing with a sense of desperation will do.  They did that tonight.  But that's not to say Newark hasn't been playing hard.  Under Tim Raines Sr., they have.  But GM Mike Torrez decided this week changes were in order.  He made a flurry of signings while in the midst of a six game losing streak.


The Bears are looking for some stability at catcher.  Billy Alvino was behind the dish the last two games including today.  Recently signed Bobby Dombrowski; was Tuesday night's catcher.  And of course, Eric McGee has caught for the Bears this season.


Thursday, Tim Raines Jr. was moved into the infield again to play second base.   Mike Torrez just signed a 22 year old outfielder named Pat Biserta.  He started in center field in Raines' place.  Two infielders; Ryan Walsh and Brandon Young were also signed by Mike Torrez and have been inserted into the line-up this week at third and shortstop respectively.


With changes to the roster, the Bears' needed a change in fortune next. 


The Bears brushed away a 1-0 Pittsfield lead in the top half of the first inning and scored four times in the bottom half.  Pittsfield starter; Eric Katzman; didn't last very long.  After a lead-off single by Brandon Watson, Eric Katzman walked three of the next four batters to force home a run.  Then newly acquired Pat Biserta cleared the bases with a three run double giving the Bears a 4-1 lead.


Pittsfield scored their second run of the game in the top of the second.  Newark brushed that off also and reciprocated with three more runs in the bottom of the frame.  Another lead-off single by newly signed Ryan Walsh and two more walks by Pittfield's Eric Katzman loaded up the bases with Bears again.  Tim Raines Jr. grounded into a 4-6-3 double play but Ryan Walsh scored on the play.  Daryle Ward then doubled home Brandon Watson.  Danny Santiesteban followed with a single to score Daryle Ward.


In the fifth, Danny Santiesteban doubled and stole third.  He scored the Bears' eighth run on a fielder's choice.


Today's starting pitcher for the Bears; Chris Vasami; whom played for the Bears previously, was also resigned this week and made his first start of the season today against Pittsfield.  Over his first five innings, he gave up eight hits; two earned runs; one walk; and struck out one batter. 


But how would he fare in the sixth inning which has become Newark's starting pitcher kryptonite this season? 


Answer - He gave up a lead-off single and walked the next batter.  He got his first out on a fly to center.  Another single advanced everyone one base, but an error by Tim Raines Jr. at second base allowed the lead runner to score.  And that was the end of Chris Vasami's day.  It was off to the bullpen for Coach Raines again.


Another recent acquisition; Matt Fitton; was summoned by Coach Raines to douse Pittsfield in the sixth.  And he did.  But the seventh was a different story.  Fitton got himself into trouble by loading the bases.  So in came the Bears' third pitcher of the game; Anthony Pluta.  He got the third out of the inning via strikeout to prevent Newark's 9-3 lead from caving in on them.


Mikey Mehlich pitched the ninth inning and wrapped up Newark's first win in their last seven tries.  They finally attained their seventeenth victory of the season versus sixteen losses.  Most importantly, they avoided dropping under the .500 mark.


Gone from Newark's roster are OF-Kyle LaMotta; 3B- Todd Gossage; and OF- Burt Reynolds; all released this week by GM Mike Torrez.


The Bears will try and salvage a split of this four game series against Pittsfield tomorrow; Friday.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ A Very Quiet Night In The Den

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN



NEWARK BEARS:  Lose Fourth in A Row; Losing Fans At The Gate. 


Theoretically speaking, there shouldn't be anything terribly pressing about the thirty-first game of the season.  That's unless you're the Newark Bears and the CanAm League's first half leaders are roughly two weeks away from being decided; and you're just coming off getting swept by the League's top team.  Well then, in that case, this game against Pittsfield was crucial.  And if you factor in the diminishing fan presence at the park, this came was critical.


The Bears and Pittsfield Colonials started a three game series Tuesday, and entered tonight's action tied for third place with identical 16-14 records.  With the conclusion of tonight's game, the Bears now find themselves in fourth place; a full game behind Pittsfield; and eight games behind Quebec as of this posting; with less and less people showing up to the park.


Tuesday's 5-3 final was Newark's fourth loss in a row.  Newark led 2-0 after the first inning with help from two Pittsfield errors, and led 3-0 after the third inning.  But that's all they'd get for the rest of the night.  Pittsfield game back with 2 runs each in the fifth and sixth innings.  The Colonials added an insurance run in the top of the ninth for good measure.


Pittsfield's bullpen closed the lights out on Riverfront Stadium this evening.  Colonials' starter; Chad Paronto; struck out stuck out seven Bears in six innings.  The bullpen matched him.  Three different relievers combined to pitch an inning each and strike out another seven Bears.  Starter Chad Paronto gave up six hits and 2 earned runs (three total).  The bullpen allowed only one hit.


Newark starter; Jesse Estrada; pitched six pedestrian innings.  Five hits; four walks; and four strikeouts would have been OK until the Bears allowed two unearned runs to score in the fifth inning.    His records drops to 1-4.  This was his third straight defeat.  His last win came on June 6th against the New York Federals.


The only Newark Bear with any sharpened claws tonight was Tim Raines Jr.; 2 for 5; run scored.  Danny Santiesteban and Billy Alvino had an RBI apiece.


Otherwise, it was a very quiet night in The Den....; quite literally.  There were only 208 fans in attendance tonight.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Whoa Canada

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE



NEWARK BEARS:  CanAm League's Top Team Sweeps the Brick City Nine in Forgettable First Trip to Canada.


Last week's CanAm LHP of the Week; Alex Smith of the Bears; couldn't corral the Capitales earlier this afternoon in Quebec.  As a result, Newark lost to the Capitales completing a three game sweep on their Northern road. 


Hoping to go into Canada and close the gap between them and the CanAm League's top club, the Bears wound up losing three more games in the standings and today remain tied for third place with the Pittsfield Colonials.  Both teams have identical 16-14 records; 7.5 games out of first.  New Jersey is solidly in second place.


Poor defense in the first inning dropped the Bears and Alex Smith into an early hole.  Two unearned runs were part of a 3-0 start for Quebec.  On the other side, one of Quebec's many quality starters; Matthew Rusch; took his turn on the mound and started out well before Newark caught up to him also.  And after six innings, both teams were tied at five apiece.

With the game turned over to the bullpens, Newark's T.J. Hose was charged with pitching the eighth inning.  Two singles and a double later, the Bears were trailing by a run again.


T.J. Stanton pitched the ninth inning for Quebec and retired the Bears in order to gain the Save.  Dexter Bobo pitched the eighth inning for the Capitales and was the game's winning pitcher.



BEAR CLAWS:
Daryle Ward ~ 1 for 4; Home Run; 2 RBI.
Danny Santiesteban ~ 2 for 4; Home Run; 2 RBI.



The Bears get a day off Monday to travel back home to The Den where they'll host the Pittsfield Colonials for a four game series starting Tuesday.




Independent League NEWS:

ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ During the bottom of the fourth inning in a game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and the Somerset Patriots, Lancaster manager; Butch Hobson; argued over a play at first base with the first base umpire .

A heated Butch Hobson then gestured as if to throw the Umpire out of the game.  Well, that bought Hobson an ejection.  Coach Hobson then repeated the gesture throwing the Umpire out of the game again.  He then removed the first base bag out of the ground and took it with him to the dugout, where he retrieved a Sharpie; signed the bag; and gave it to a young fan in the first row.  The home crowd went wild as the game continued without a first base bag.



Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Bears Take Back Second Place

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN



NEWAR BEARS:  Split Four Game Series With Worcester.

See Game One and Game Two; HERE


GAME THREE FINAL:  Worcester 4;  Newark 2.
After a rain delay and getting shut-out for eight innings, the Bears finally mustered some offense against Worcester in the ninth inning.  But they fell half-way short of a comeback last night losing 4-2 in game three of the four game series against the Tornadoes.  The loss dipped the Bears percentage points behind Brockton for second place overall in the League.


Newark starter; Jesse Estrada; took another tough loss.  He falls to 1-3 on the season as he lasted 4.2 innings and gave up three of Worcester's runs.  TJ Hose and Kyle Morrison pitched 4.2 innings in relief and allowed one more run to the Tornadoes. 


TJ Hose actually had himself a rather stellar appearance.  He pitched 2.2 innings; gave up no hits and struck out five.


Tim Raines Jr. has seen his batting average rise from .348 to .371 recently.  He went 2 for 3 in this game with a run scored.  Danny Santiesteban carried a big stick with a 3 for 4 night and 2 RBI.



GAME FOUR; SERIES FINAL:  Newark 8;  Worcester 7.
The Bears grabbed the last game of this four game series to earn a split with the Worcester Tornadoes.
Each team took turns pelting each other with four runs in the first inning.  Worcester picked up three more runs in the second inning to make it a 7-4 game.  The Bears clawed their way back with a run in the third and fourth innings.  Then in the fifth, they scored two more to take an 8-7 lead.


That's when Coach Tim Raines Sr.'s bullpen, the backbone of this team, stepped up yet again in support of the starting pitching; which frankly, wasn't very good on either team's part late this afternoon.


Newark's starter; Casey Gaynor; picked up his first win, in his first start, in his first game of 2011 in spite of giving up 8 hits and 7 runs (all earned) over his 5 innings pitched. 


In relief, the bullpen shined again while protecting the Bears' lead.  Matt Fitton was first.  He pitched two innings; allowed one walk; a hit; and struck out one.  Chris Rollins and his season 0.84 ERA were called upon to pitch the eighth inning.  He struck out two batters for his part with no hits or walks allowed.  Mikey Mehlich was then summoned to close out the game for Newark.  After plunking the lead-off batter, Mikey retired the next three in order to earn his 5th Save of the season.  His ERA is a microscopic 0.75 now.


Brandon Watson, now batting .336 this season, had an outstanding day at the plate batting lead-off, -going 5 for 5 with 2 runs scored. 


Daryle Ward; 2 for 3; with two RBI, climbed to a .378 batting average.


Todd Gossage hit a solo home run in the third inning.  Burt Reynolds homered in the fifth inning.


Billy Alvino; Daryle Ward; and Burt Reynolds all had 2 RBI each.



SEASON RECORD/ OVERALL LEAGUE STANDINGS:

Entering Thursday's Games:
1st - 20-6 - Quebec Capitales
2nd - 15-10 - Brockton Rox
3rd - 16-11 - NEWARK BEARS
4th - 16-11 - New Jersey Jackals


After Thursday Finals:
1st - 21-6 - Quebec Capitales
2nd - 17-11- NEWARK BEARS - 4.5 games back
3rd - 17-11 - New Jersey Jackals
4th - 15-11 - Brockton Rox  -  After two and one half hour rain delay, Rox lose 1st game of DH.  2nd game to start by 11pm Thursday.  League Rules prohibit an inning starting past midnight.  Brockton and the Rockland Boulders will have roughly one hour to play game two.

***Game Two; Brockton/Rockland - Cancelled curfew.



Quebec; Newark; and New jersey all won tonight.  And you can see, a little pack has formed for second place overall.  Brockton and Newark have been battling for position all season.  Now New Jersey; winners of their last four in a row; have joined the party after getting off to a slow start this season.



NEWS:  In the Rockland Boulder's home park, Brockton Rox manager; Bill Buckner; and a few Brockton players got into a heated exchange with the game's umpiring crew as they were all leaving the field after the game.  The incident occurred in full view of  a number of remaining fans on Rockland's park concourse (designed to be fan/player interactive).  Cooler heads prevailed and the night ended without further incident, although the League announced they will look into the matter.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Worcester Tornadoes Rip Through The Den

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS: Series Against Worcester Tied 1-1.

Game One:  Monday Final - Bears 4;  Tornadoes 3

Newark's DH; Kyle LaMotta; drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning Monday night in the first game of a four game series against the visiting Worcester Tornadoes.

Anthony Pluta got the win in relief as Coach Raines used four Bears' pitchers to eek out a win.  Aaron Kalb started for Newark and lasted 5.1 innings.  He gave up six hits and all three of Worcester's earned runs.  He walked four and struck out four along the way.

The bullpen took over for Newark and turned in a stellar effort.  Chris Collins was called on first.  He turned in 1.2 innings and gave up one hit.  Second out of the pen was Matt Fitton.  In 1.1 innings, he gave up a walk; one hit; and pounded the catcher's mitt with three strikeouts.  Anthony Pluta closed it out and earned a win as the beneficiary of Kyle LaMotta's game winning hit.

Game Two:  Tuesday Final - Tornadoes 10;  Bears 4

Starting pitcher Alex Smith and the Bears suffered a calamitous first inning against Worcester.  Three errors; two walks; and three hits all led to an quick 5-0 deficit.  Only one Tornado run was earned.  And after only two innings pitched, it was off to the showers for Smith.

Recently signed shortstop; Juan Martinez (Jeff Toth was released); committed two of the Bears' errors while right fielder Danny Santiesteban committed the third Newark miscue of the inning with an errant throw.


Over the third and fourth innings, things just proceeded to get worse for Newark.  Three more runs came across the plate for a 8-0 Worcester lead.  Eric Eden was summoned to pitch in the third inning as Coach Raines made an early call to the bullpen.  And Eric fared little better.  He pitched 4.1 innings and allowed Worcester another five runs on eight hits. 


Last night's winning pitcher; Anthony Pluta; was then called upon to take over in the seventh.  But the Bears were behind 10-3 by then and had committed six errors in the game.  Pluta pitched a scoreless eighth.  Mikey Mehlich was tasked with the ninth inning as the third reliever used by Coach Raines.  He served up a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.


Worcester starting pitcher; Ryan Bicondoa cruised, but ran out of gas in the fifth inning.  After getting the first two outs, he allowed three straight singles before walking Danny Santiesteban with the bases loaded for the Bears' first run of the game.  Over his first four innings however, he struck out nine Newark batters, while allowing only three hits and two walks.


The Tornado bullpen picked up where Bicondoa left off.  Worcesters' relievers struck out another six batters in wrapping up the second game of this four game series; knotting things up at a game apiece.  Danny Santiesteban was ejected after striking out looking for the second out of the ninth inning.


Fifteen hits and six errors; you can't win like that.  And that's the kind of game it was for the Bears; frustrating.


The Brockton Rox defeated the Rockland Boulders tonight, and coupled with the Bears loss, means the two teams are tied again for second place overall in the CanAm League with 15-10 records respectively.



Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Pelted Again By Brockton Rox

From the desk of:  GROWLING IN BROOKLYN



NEWARK BEARS:  It's Raining ROX in Brick City.

OK; - These Rox from Brockton are starting to become a real problem.  After giving them a good clawing in their place a week ago, Brockton packed their nail files for this follow-up series in Newark.  And after two games in The Den, Brockton remains scratch free.


In two games since returning from Massachusetts, the Bears have suffered two losses thanks to Brockton.  Although in Friday night's slug fest, it wasn't for a lack of trying.  In something more akin to a softball game in the school yard, the Bears fell three runs short in a 17-14 game.  But then allowing Brockton to score another eleven runs in Saturday's affair...?  Twenty-eight runs in two games?  Yea, that's a problem.


Newark starting pitcher; Jacob Wild; and his follow-up; Kyle Morrison; quite simply, got wrecked by the Rox.  Brockton pelted Jacob with eight hits on their way to seven runs in five innings.  Jacob Wild helped them along with four walks.  Done with him for the day, Brockton then stoned Kyle Morrison for another four runs on three hits over one and a third innings in relief.


Pitching; Pitching; Pitching......in Newarks' case is like salmon.  As it goes, so will the Bears.  Good pitching equals fat Bears.  A scarcity in pitching and these Bears will go hungry. 


Scoring twenty runs in two games should be worth something.  Newark's Saturday night line-up sported a combined .299 batting average.  That ain't just berries.  However that number has been in decline lately.  Tim Raines Jr.'s batting average has dropped from the lofty altitudes of .400 down to below .350 (.348).  Early season hot hitters, Billy Alvino and Danny Santiesteban, have cooled off also.  But even in decline, there has been enough offense for Newark's pitchers to work with.


Brockton now overtakes Newark for the second best record in the League.  Last night's Rox win gives Brockton a record of 14-8.  Newark drops to 13-9; good for third best overall.  But everyone is looking up at the Quebec Capitales.  Winners of their last ten in a row, the overall season leaders sport a sparkling 18-4 record on the young season.


The Bears will try and salvage the last game of this series against Brockton today and hopefully start getting their recent pitching woes turned around.  Newark's Jersey local; Aaron Kalb; will start for the Bears.






Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Find Worcester To Their Liking

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN

Newark Bears:  Brick City Nine Gain Victory In First Trip To Worcester.


FINAL:
Newark Bears 6;  Worcester Tornadoes 2

Pitching!

Pitching; pitching; pitching.  Thank you!  Good night Worcester.

Well..., basically.



Aaron Kalb won his first game in two tries as the Bears gained victory over the Tornadoes in Newark's first ever trip to Worcester.  It was the Bears, behind seven strong innings pitched by Kalb, who blew into Worcester and disturbed the Massachusetts night.  Kyle Morrison relieved Kalb with two innings of scoreless work.


Aaron Kalb's Line:
7 ~ innings.
5 ~ hits.
2 ~ runs; earned.
2 ~ walks.
4 ~ strikeouts.

Kyle Morrison; relief:
2 ~ innings.
1 ~ hit.
0 ~ runs.
1 ~ walk.
2 ~ strikeouts.


Brandon Watson led-off the game for Newark with a single.  Number two hitter, Kyle LaMotta, then lost an 0-2 pitch over the wall for a two run home run.  Worcester came back with a pair of runs in the third to tie the game at two.


Billy Alvino scored on a Paddy Materra sac fly in the fourth inning for the go ahead run, and a lead the Bears would keep.


For good measure, the Bears put together a three run rally in the fifth inning.  Consecutive singles by Raines Jr, Ward, and Santiesteban plated one run when Raines scored on Santiesteban's hit.  A ruinous error by Worcester's shortstop; Boomer Blanchard; allowed both Daryle Ward and Danny Santiesteban to score.  That made it a 6-2 game.  The Bears' pitching took care of the rest.


Danny Santiesteban's RBI was his 17th, and places him second behind teammate Tim Raines Jr.'s 21 for the League lead.


The Bears are now 8-2 in their last ten games.  They improved their season record Monday night to
12-6 which places them a game behind Quebec as the League's best.


The Quebec Capitales, at 12-4, have as many wins as the Bears but with two less losses.  They are also winners of eight out of their last ten games, and are riding a four game win streak.  They were inactive Monday.

Game two of this three game series between the Bears and Tornadoes is Tuesday night.




Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Brick City ROX Brockton

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN

NEWARK BEARS: Team's First Trip To Brockton Starts Off With Win Over Rox.

Last week against Quebec, I caught a listen of the Brockton Rox web caster in between games of a double header, who had nary a good thing to say about the Bears.  During last night's web cast, it seemed he picked up where I left him off last.

So when 3,012 Brockton fans watched their home town team lose to the Bears by a score of 6-4 last night in the opening game of a three game series, I was pleased.  Payback is a real stitch in the baseballs sometimes.  The Bears might not have even realized their honor was at stake last night. 

But I did.  *wink!

In rehashing what happened to the Rox in his post-game wrap, my new favorite announcer was in a quandary as whether to credit the Bears for hitting three home runs, or rationalize that his starting pitcher was just missing pitches.  He reminded his audience countless times the Bears' Ward, Raines, and Watson, who all homered in this game, all had Major League experience.  ...And his point was?


But to his credit, he called them pesky.  Gee Wally!  Thanks.  However, he did say they'd be a problem for the Rox this season and would give them trouble for sure.  And that's the fairest thing I heard him say about the Bears in two opportunities I had to listen-in on his call.


So, Brockton's starting pitcher; Mike Smith; was just missing pitches.  Riiight.  The Newark Bears place four hitters within the top ten batters in the league.  Tim Raines Jr., who fell below .400 last night is second in the League with a .397 batting average.  Daryle Ward is fourth sporting a .372 average.  Billy Alvino is fifth with a .370 average and Danny Santiesteban is seventh with a .350 average.  Not enough for ya?  At number eleven in the League?  Newark's DH, Brandon Watson is batting .338 also.  So yea...I can see where Mike Smith was just missing pitches last night.


In addition to his fifth home run of the season, Tim Raines Jr. upped his League leading RBI total to twenty.


The Bears' starter; Alex Smith; walked four batters and as such, didn't have as neat a line as Mike Smith did.  But Alex Smith made sure the five runs his offense scored for him held up and in the process earned himself his second win of the season.

BROCKTON ROX

NEWARK BEARS

TONIGHT

(Bears lead series 1-0)

NEWARK BEARS

vs.

Brockton Rox

GAME TWO

From somewhere up in Massachusetts

Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Beware! Bear Traps Abound

From the desk of:  GROWLING IN BROOKLYN

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S CUP CHALLENGE:

New Jersey Jackals

vs.

NEWARK BEARS

From Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium

BRICK CITY

Tuesday Night Final:

Jackals   4

BEARS  8

NEWARK BEARS:  No Respect In The Booth Is No Problem On The Field!


"Growling In Brooklyn" just found it's cause.


Grrr!


The New Jersey Jackals were winners of their last three coming into tonight's game against the Bears as the Essex County Challenge resumed in Newark tonight.  For the Bears' part, they just completed a five game sweep against the New York Federals over the weekend.


I listened to the Jackals' game feed and heard their announcer offering up a huge slice of homer-pie.  All he did was complain about how there was no one in the park; how the PA system was set too loudly for so few people; how, because of the way center field is situated in Riverfront Stadium to take advantage of the NYC skyline view, it means the sun sets directly behind home plate interfering with the center fielder's vision; and it seemed as if he went on and on and on....   So the fact the Bears were leading 4-2 after five innings pleased me very much.


And I think what happened is I felt this new rivalry juice me up tonight for the first time.  After a day at the park like I spent Monday in Newark, I didn't appreciate the Jackals' announcer going on ad-nausea with his criticisms of the Bears' situation. 


And so, it's on Guys!  New Jersey Jackals be warned; the new rival of the Newark Bears is my rival too.


As a matter of fact, I was put off earlier by the same kind of nonsense when I was listening to the first game of a double-header between the Quebec Capitales and the Brockton Rox.  In between games, the gentleman handling the microphone took a call.  Eventually, he and the caller got to talking about the Newark Bears.  Imagine that?  But it was the Brockton announcer who was guilty of most of the disparagement over the state of baseball in Newark.  The gentleman didn't believe the city/area was capable of supporting the team and generally had less than kind words to say regarding the Bears; especially when compared to his home town Brockton Rox.


This CanAm League sure is one tough circuit, huh?  It's rough being the new club in the League I guess.  Inhospitable receptions, blistering observations, and misguided perceptions seem to be ruling the 'net with anti-Bear bias today.  Good I say!  It'll just make the rest of the season that much more fun for me, especially when we play New Jersey and Brockton.


In the course of me putting together this post, New Jersey tied the Bears at four apiece in their top half of the sixth inning.  And long ago in this game, my favorite broadcaster of the day started his dissertation about how good the Jackal's bullpen was and bragging about how they were running a streak of 14.2 consecutive scoreless innings pitched.  That is, until is got snapped today.


Into the Jackals bullpen the Bears went, like a bull through a china shop.  Kyle LaMotta led off the home sixth with a walk.  He promptly got caught stealing 1-3-6 for the first out.  Tim Raines Jr. who was 5 for 5 today, doubled.  The next batter, Daryle Ward followed with another double scoring Raines.  Danny Santiesteban then singled to drive in Ward from second.  Burt Reynolds capped off the Bears scoring for the inning when he tripled to left, scoring Danny all the way from first.


The Bears added one more in the seventh for good measure when Tim Raines Jr. collected his fifth hit of the afternoon; another RBI double scoring Brandon Watson to make the score 8-4 Bears.


And that was the way this contest ended; with New Jersey losing.  Does a loss to the Bears make a sound if no one is around to hear it?


Hey Mr. Jackal announcer guy, can you hear me now?


Atta boy Bears!





Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Scratch Out Victory In Ninth Inning

From the desk of:  GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN



LINK:   Newark Bears

NEWARK BEARS:  After Blowout Victory Thursday, Bears Scratch Out Win In Ninth Inning Tonight.

FRIDAY FINAL:
New York Federals....7
Newark Bears.............8

A truly entertaining game in Newark on this late Friday afternoon.


The Bears were cruising again leading 3-0 after three innings played. 

In the second inning, Daryle Ward led off with a triple.  The next batter, Danny Santiesteban, promptly drove him in with a single.  After Santiesteban advanced to second on an error by N.Y. Feds' pitcher Giuseppe Granito, the struggling Todd Gossage made good with an RBI driving in Santiesteban from second with a single for a 2-0 Newark lead.  The Bears tacked on a third run when N.Y.'s Giussepe Granito was charged with his second error of the game which eventually led to an unearned run for Newark in the third inning.

In the top of the fourth frame, the Federals struck back and touched Newark starter Ryan Lobban for three runs off three hits to tie the game at three.

With the preliminaries out of the way, this game really got started with Newark's next at-bat.  In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bears struck for four runs while sending Fed's pitcher Granito to an early shower after pitching 3.1 innings for New York.

With one out, Newark DH Burt Reynolds singled.  Todd Gossage then collected his second hit of the game.  Hot hitting Billy Alvino likewise, promptly singled to drive in Reynolds.  Paddy Matera-(2B) drew a walk to load the bases with Bears.  Then the big blow.  Brandon Watson cleared the bases with a triple putting the Bears up 7-3.

The teams traded zeroes on the scoreboard over the next three innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, the Feds mounted another comeback.  Three runs scored had the Federals within a one of the Bears.  Newark pitcher Kyle Morrison got touched up for three hits and all three runs.

The top of the ninth could have been viewed as a bad omen.  A wild pitch put a Federal runner in scoring position who was quickly driven in by an Andrew Barbaro single.  And this game was now tied an in threat of slipping away from Newark

But the Bears had last licks and made the most of their chance.  To lead off the home ninth, Tim Raines Jr. was hit by a pitch and taken out of the game.  Kyle LaMotta, pinch running for Raines advanced to second on a 3-1 FC.  Daryle Ward was intentionally walked.  Both runners advance on a Santiesteban sacrifice fly.  Burt Reynolds then singled home Kyle LaMotta from third for the Bears game winning run.

The Newark bullpen wasn't nearly up to the task this afternoon.  Kyle Morrison and Mikey Mehlich combined for three innings; six hits; and four runs allowed (one walk and two strikeouts) to let the New York Federals back into the game.  But because the Bears were able to string together a couple of hits in the ninth and win, these types of implosions often go over-looked and Mikey Mehlich earns a win.


It was good to see Todd Gossage get two RBI and a couple of hits.  He needs the confidence boost right now.

No word yet about Tim Raines Jr. leaving the game.  He was 0 for 3 today with one RBI.


The Newark Bears have now evened their record at 4-4 for the season.  Their .500 winning percentage also leap-frogs them into fourth for the moment; two and a half games back of first.


Bear lead five series vs. Federals two games to none.

Next game:   Saturday, June 4 ~ N.Y. FEDERALS @ NEWARK BEARS



Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Brick City Nine Claw the N.Y. Feds

From the desk of:  The BRICK CITY NINE - (GROWLINGS FROM BROOKLYN)



Link:  Newark Bears

Newark Bears:  N.Y. Federals Get Clawed in Brick City.


I don't have the heart to kick a team when they're down; not when they are the New York Federals.  They are a team largely comprised of players from the New York State League; D-League of the CanAm League; formed to provide a schedule comprised of eight teams.


However, Eddie Lantigua; first baseman of the Federals, is proving to be an early season slugger.  Eddie jumped out to the season lead in home runs with 3 and has driven in a league's second best 9 RBI.  Lantigua lost his lead position for RBI this afternoon when Newark Bear's outfielder Tim Raines Jr. passed him with a now league leading tenth RBI.


Unfortunately for both teams, after the first week of the season, they both came into tonight's game holding up the rest of the League.  The Feds sat in last place sporting a 1-5 record while the Bears fared little better in seventh place with a 2-4 record.


In describing what happened between these two teams in their first ever meeting, is when this story becomes all Bears folks.  They pounded the Federals this evening 12-3 on the strength of fifteen hits.


Starting pitcher for Newark; Jacob Wild, pretty much determined what kind of day the Feds would have.  And their outlook wasn't good.  Wild kept the Feds out the the Bears hair over the 6 innings he pitched.


Jacob Wild's Line:
6 ~ innings pitched.
3 ~ hits.
0 ~ runs.
1 ~ walk.
6 ~ strikeouts.


The bullpen and defense suffered a late game brain cramp.  But otherwise, the Bears were in complete control of this contest. 


Coach Raines returned his son, Tim Raines Jr. to his more traditional two-spot in the order after batting him clean-up the game prior.  As mentioned above, Tim responded tonight by overtaking the CanAm League's lead in RBI with ten when he connected on his third home run of the season during a five run Newark fifth inning which made the score 8-0.  Four more runs in the eighth inning and the Feds were a beaten bunch. 


Raines' batting average remains above .400 (.414) after week one, which is good enough for fourth in the League.  On that note, amazingly, Newark's number nine batter and catcher; Billy Alvino, is batting .478 - good for second in the league.


Right fielder Danny Santiesteban blasted a three run home run of his own.  As a matter of fact, the Bears cracked five home runs in all Thursday.  As mentioned, Danny and Tim Raines - but Billy Alvino, Brian Nichols, and Daryle Ward all homered for the Bears tonight.


1B- Daryle Ward had himself a rather big day also, going 3 for 4; 3 RBI; and two runs scored.  He's batting .385 so far this season.


However, someone I suggested we all keep an eye on; Todd Gossage is still struggling mightily.  He suffered through an 0 for 4 tonight while lugging a .160 batting average around.  He was also the only Bear not to get a hit tonight.  He's currently hitting eighth in the order ahead of Billy Alvino.  Billy had himself another productive night going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and a walk.  And you'd think with a little scouting after a week in the books, teams will seek to pitch to Gossage more as opposed to facing Alvino.  Let's hope.  If Coach Raines keeps the bottom of the order as is, perhaps Todd starts seeing better pitches so as to break out of this funk he's in.


By game's end, the Bear's starting nine batters left the field with a collective .333 batting average.  They might have padded their stats somewhat against the Federals tonight.  But more importantly, they skipped over Worcester in the standings to get another position away from last.  The Bears record is now 3-4 after week one; in sixth place and three games out of first.


Link:  New York State Baseball League




Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Defeat Their Newest Rival For Second Win

From the desk of:  Growlings From Brooklyn


NEWARK BEARS:  Bears Take First Game In
The Essex County Challenge.

FINAL SCORE ~ Sunday, May 29, 2011  vs  New Jersey Jackals:
New Jersey  3
Newark   4

Born more from an off-field community partnership between the New Jersey Jackals and the Newark Bears to help strengthen each other's presence in the area; work with charities and community programs; Essex County announced the two teams would play for the County Executive's Cup.  Dubbed, The Essex County Challenge, at the end of each season, which ever team wins the most games between the two head-to-head, win bragging rights for a year.



POST-GAME:

The Brick City Nine evened up their season record at 2-2 with their first ever victory over new top rival; the New Jersey Jackals.  Newark kept the bats going Sunday with another ten hits after totaling 18 hits the game prior.

In the first two games of the season versus Rockland, Tim Raines Jr. went hitless and the Bears remained winless.  In his last two games, he is five for nine and the Bears won two in a row.  Danny Santiesteban also continued some hot hitting going three for three, with a double and RBI.

Eric Eden started for the Bears and lasted 6.2 innings.  He walked two batters while striking out none and surrendered seven hits.  He gave up two runs but only one of them earned.  The effort was good enough for his first win of the season. 

Newark and New Jersey will take Memorial Day off before playing game two of the series on Tuesday at Yogi Berra Stadium; home of the Jackals.




Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Will Try and Win First Game Saturday

From the desk of:  GROWLING IN BROOKLYN

NEWARK BEARS:  Suffer First Two Tough Losses To Open Season In Front Of Brick City Crowds.

The Rockland Boulders got an early start on writing some team history for themselves by winning their first two games in their inaugural season defeating the Newark Bears in games one and two of the Can/Am Season. 


Newark on the other hand, sadly lost their Home Opener Thursday in front of 3,963 fans in attendance and wound up dropping their first two games as new members of the Can/Am League.



Thursday's game was tied at five runs apiece after nine innings.  Fans were treated to free baseball on the very first day.  But Rockland pounded out 6 runs in the 10th inning ending the Bears afternoon. Swinging a good bat for the Bears, Danny Santiesteban had three hits.  Tim Raines Jr was 0 for 4 and Todd Gossage was 0 for 4 on the day also.  Pitcher Anthony Pluta took the loss in relief.
FINAL:  Rockland 11;  Bears 5  ~  10 inn.
Newark Bears version
Rockland Boulders version



In Friday's game, the Rockland Boulders used the long ball to down the Bears again. 
Jeff Toth had a home run and three RBI for the Bears in defeat.  Batting third, Tim Raines Jr. went
0 for 3 and Todd Gossage was 1 for 3 in the sixth spot.  Pitcher Jacob Wild took the loss.
FINAL:  Rockland 4;  Bears 3
Newark Bears Version
Rockland Boulders Version



NEXT GAME:  Saturday, May 28, 2011
Game Three
ROCKLAND BOULDERS  @  NEWARK BEARS    6:35pm




Mike.BTB