Newark Bears: Brick City and Worcester In A Battle For Survival

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS: Bears Beware ~ The Winds of Extinction Are Blowing In From Worcester.

The Newark Bears are currently in Worcester, wrapping-up a four game series against the Tornadoes.  But in truth, both teams are gripped in a fight for survival.  The Brick City Nine certainly have their problems.  Locally, we are well aware of them.  But the Tornadoes are literally up to their batting helmets in debt and face a grim, uncertain future as well.  And that future may very well fall upon them no later than tonight.



At least on the outside, their situation appears even more dire than that of Newark's.  In a Wednesday article posted on WorcesterTelegram.com, we are told, Tuesday's game between the Tornadoes and Bears was held up by an hour when a service company hired by the Tornadoes showed up to the park demanding owed payments with a court order in hand, that attached, among other items, the team's equipment as assets.  Office furniture was even attached to the court order.  The matter was supposedly settled when the CanAm League Office stepped in and promised to satisfy Worcester's bill payment.  And we thought the Bears had it bad?



For Worcester, that was only the most recent financially induced dilemma.  Jose Canseco signed to play with the team earlier this season.  He left Worcester when the team allegedly started short-changing him on wages.  Canseco was reported as claiming the team was bouncing checks and that other players were also not getting paid.  Canseco basically called ownership a joke.  Of course we must take what he says with a grain of salt.  Just look at the messenger.  Never-the-less, Jose Canseco sicked his lawyer on the Tornadoes for less than $8,000 dollars he feels he's owed in back wages.



Since I started putting this post together last night, WorcesterTelegram.com published a follow-up article today, August 16, 2010, stating the Worcester Tornadoes have quite possibly played their last game.  Again, the matter is over money, and who the team owes it to.  If need be, the League will intercede and assume control of the team.  In that case, the club will be stripped of their name, and play the remainder of the season on the road.



They say misery loves company.  And with the Tornadoes and Bears in similar situations, at least they have each other.  The end of the road may be at hand in Worcester.  But the Newark Bears at least do not have bill collectors holding up starts of games as took place in Worcester during this series.   Well, not yet.  Right?  The unfortunate reality for both teams however, is they may soon switch leagues yet again, and join the Atlantic City Surf, Nashua Pride; and Sussex Skyhawks in the defunct circuit.  In no revelation, the Worcester Tornadoes, and the Newark Bears are both suffering continued, anemic gate receipts. The Tornadoes and Bears currently only pull in 600, and 700, fans per game, respectively.

According to this report written last season, the Bears owed nearly $800,000 in back rent to the Essex County Improvement Authority.  The team was; and I assume still is; making yearly payments that continue to escalate until 2022, when the debt is scheduled to be paid off, according to Jim Paganelli, the executive director of the ECIA.  Bill collectors from PSE&G, seed companies and clothiers were asking for their money, and payroll was delayed for some employees last season, according to court papers and interviews with current and past employees.  Jim Hague, the team’s former public relations director, who also served as the stadium announcer, resigned in late June, calling the team a "circus".

This season, only the team's unconventional owners know how much the debits and credits ledger has fluctuated since.  Ms. Dronett's idea for a TV reality show never made to our living rooms sets.  But they, Danielle Dronett and co-owner Doug Spiel, did release a reality video.  How much revenue her endeavour generated for the Bears is unknown.  I just hope that wasn't their only plan.



As far as the team being a circus, I imagine Mr. Jim Hague was speaking in response to the period after Frank Boulton declared the Bears unfit for the Atlantic League, and about the era under controversial former owner; Tommy Cetnar; then again, through the effective coup orchestrated by the present ownership; which perhaps was for the best.  But only time will tell.



On the field, Ken Oberkfell is now the former manager of the Bears.  In two short seasons, Ken Oberkfell went from managing AAA-Buffalo in the Mets organization, to managing the Bears this season, to the unemployment line at the present.  Officially, he left the team for personal reasons.  In his place and making his managerial debut, the Bears named Chuck Stewart as their new field boss.



But even then, things haven't changed much on the field.  Both the Bears and the Tornadoes are battling each other to stay out of the league's cellar.  After tonight, fifteen games remain in the CanAm League regular season.  At the moment, Newark holds the edge after taking two of three games from Worcester heading into Thursday night.  Three and one half games separate the Bears from last place Worcester.  But that is no consolation when you're facing extinction.



THURSDAY GAME NOTE:  As of 8:00pm Thursday evening, the fourth game between visiting  Newark and host Worcester Tornadoes was tied up at two apiece, in the third inning.  So quite obviously, something or someone stepped in on Worcester's behalf, and payed whatever bills needed to be paid, and thus prevented the U-Haul trucks from taking all their stuff away.




References used for this post, and credit:

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/how_court_battles_unpaid_bills.html
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120816/NEWS/108169831/1009/SPORTS
http://www.telegram.com/article/20120814/NEWS/108149940/0/News02
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/sports/baseball/did-newark-bet-on-the-wrong-sport.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.ctpost.com/baseball/article/Q-and-A-with-Frank-Boulton-Atlantic-League-695958.php






Mike.BTB

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

Newark Bears ~ Drop Opening Game to Kansas City T-Bones

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  American Association Territory Proving Hazardous For Bears.


In Sunday's series finale, the Gary SouthShore RailCats outlasted Bears' starter, Brian Parker.  The home team rallied in the sixth inning to score the tying, and go ahead runs.  Gary starter, Kyle Wilson was strong over seven innings, and could have benefited from better defensive play.  Three of the four runs he allowed came unearned.  The RailCats' bullpen kept the Bears quiet the rest of the way.  The game ended in a 5-4 final score.  The Bears wound up dropping three of four games in their first trip to Gary, Indiana.

Next stop - Kansas City..., "Kansas City, Here I Come...,"  - to take on the T-Bones.

NEWARK BEARS

vs.

Kansas City T-Bones

From

Community America Ballpark

Gary, Indiana

T-Bones Baseball

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball

Caleb Cuevas was making his second start for the Bears, and Brian Grening was on the hill for BBQ Nation.  And Kansas City waisted no time putting Newark on the grill.  After scoring two quick runs in the first, the T-Bones slow cooked and smoked the Bears; adding another run in the fourth for taste.


Brian Grening was excellent through six innings, allowing three hits, no runs, no walks, and striking out six.  For Newark, as has been Coach Oberkfell's desire this season, he's determined to make his starting pitchers be accountable for six innings, no matter the situation.  And so he let Cuevas struggle through seven walks, and three runs on four hits, in 5.2 innings, before finally getting lifted for Matt Lyons.  To his credit, Cuevas struck out five.

Thanks to three unearned runs, Newark finally posted a total four runs in the seventh to take a 4-3 lead.  But Matt Lyons gave two back in the bottom of the seventh, and Anthony Pluta gave Kansas City two more in the eighth for an 7-4 final score.

Kansas City's Brian Grening pitched eight full ininngs for the win.  Jacob Wiley picked up the save

The Bears have now lost four of five games during this swing through the American Association.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Pick Up First Win on American Association Grounds

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Brick City Wins First Game Against Gary SouthShore RailCats.  Play For a Split in Series Sunday.

Game One; The Bears Great Western Migration


FRIDAY'S FINAL ~ GAME TWO
Railcats   20
Bears       11

Let's just say Friday night's game got out of hand.  Because Pedro Rivera only lasted an inning in Thursday's game, and the bullpen had to pick up the next eight, Coach Oberkfell was forced into some sacrificial managing with regards to Friday's game two starting pitcher, Mike Ness.

Mike Ness was making his fifth start of the season.  He never had good stuff, and never was going to get some.  Not this game.  But with a taxed bullpen, Ken Oberkfell left his starter on the mound through five innings, despite surrendering thirteen hits, and twelve earned runs.  Ken Oberfell then relied on just one pitcher out of the bullpen to pitch the final three innings.  Luis Garcia gave up six hits and allowed another seven runs.

The game ended in a 20-11 final.  Offensively for the RailCats Adam Klein, Mike Massaro, and Rico Washington combine to bat 10 for 13, with nine runs scored, and eleven RBI.

For Newark, Alex Bardeguez scored four runs from the lead-off spot.  He went 4 for 6 with an RBI.  Daryle Ward hit his fifth home run.  He batted 3 for 6, with three RBI.  Eric McGee hit his third home run.  He went 3 for 5 with three runs scored, and two RBI.  And Billy Alvino was 4 for 5, with two RBI.




SATURDAY FINAL ~ GAME THREE
Bears        6
RailCats   4

This pitching match-up featured Newark's usual reliever, Matt Fitton, making his first start of the season after seven relief appearances.  And on the hill for the RailCats, was Stephen Hiscock.

The two teams exchanged a run in the first inning.  Newark's sizzling hot Juan Martinez homered for the fourth time this season.  And for Gary SouthShore, Mike Coles reciprocated with his own solo home run for the tie.

In the second, the RailCats busted Matt Fitton for three more runs.  Adam Klein had an RBI single. Mike Massaro tripled home another run.  And David Cooper singled home Massaro with Gary's fourth run of the game.

Stephen Hiscock cruised through the first five innings.  In the sixth inning he ran into a little trouble.  After securing the first two outs, he allowed a single to Juan Martinez, a single to Daryle Ward, and walked Eric McGee to load the bases.  Hiscock then walked the next batter, Bryce Lane, to force in the Bears' second run of the game.  That ended a good night of pitching for the RailCats' starter.  In 5.2 innings, he only allowed four hits, two earned runs, walked two, and struck out eight Bears.  T.J. Wohlever took over for Hiscock and struck out the next batter to end Newark's threat, and keep it a 4-2 game.

After a rough start over the first two innings, Matt Fitton settled down over the next four and left the game after six innings of work.  He finished allowing six hits and four earned runs.  He struggled with four walks, and struck out three.  Coach Ken Oberkfell summoned Kyle Morrison to pitch the seventh.  He picked up the first two outs, the second with a strikeout.  Coach Oberkfell then called upon Matt Lyons, who secured the third out of the Railcats' home seventh.

In the eighth inning, the Bears finally clawed-up Gary's bullpen for four runs.  Nick Santomauro singled home Daryle Ward.  Courtney Billingslea then singled home two more runs.  Matt Tomczyk's RBI single topped off the eighth, and gave the Bears a 6-4 lead.

Matt Lyons returned to the hill for the bottom of the eighth and combined with Jorge Vasquez to keep Gary SouthShore quiet for another inning.  And into the ninth they went.  Juan Martinez' lead off single was wiped out when Daryle Ward grounded into a double play.  Eric McGee then grounded out to short to set up a save situation for the Bear's bullpen.

Jorge Vasquez came back out in the ninth to face the top of the line-up.  Vasquez struck out his first batter swinging.  The second batter he faced popped to right.  Mike Coles, who has been giving Bears' pitching fits, extended the game with a double.  Jorge Vasquez then walked David Cooper to put the tying run on base, and bring the winning run to the plate.  But the Bears' closer composed himself, and struck out the number five hitter, Mike Rohde, swinging for the final out of the game.

That was Jorge Vasquez' seventh save of the season.  Matt Lyons gets credit for the win.  In a spot start, Matt Fitton pitched rather efficiently.  The Railcats' Chris Allen was tagged with the loss in relief.

In their third try, the Newark Bears finally have their first victory on this road trip through American Association territory.  Brick City will try and earn a series split against the Gary SouthShore RailCats tomorrow, Sunday, before moving on to Kansas City and taking on the T-Bones baseball club.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Take Matinee Game Over Tornadoes

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS:  Yesterday's Pitching Duel Turned Into This Morning's Loss.  Brick City Drops Rain Suspended Game.

Bears Strike Back in Today's Matinee Game for 7-4 Win Over Worcester.

Tuesday - RAIN HALTS PITCHER'S DUEL in WORCESTER



The Bears and Tornadoes were tied after six innings in Wednesday's matinee game.  Newark jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two.  Daryle Ward doubled home Alex Bardeguez in the first inning.  In the second, Bryce Lane led off the inning with a walk.  A two out double by Dan Coury scored Lane.  And yet another two out double by Quentin Davis drove in Dan Coury.


Worcester picked up two runs in the third.  The Bears then scored their fourth run in the fourth, to take a 4-2 lead on Dan Coury's home run.  In the bottom half of the fourth, Worcester rallied against Newark's starting pitcher, Brian Parker, again for another run, making it a 4-3 game.  With one out, Coach Oberkfell then made his move to the bullpen, and brought in Damian Sequen.


Brian Parker pitched 5.1 innings and got peppered for eleven hits.  He allowed four earned runs, no walks, and struck out five before being relieved.


Damian Sequen held Worcester in the sixth.  Three Bears' relievers combined on 3.2 innings to keep Worcester at four runs.  Anthony Pluta pitched 1.1 innings, with two strikeouts.  Jorge Vasquez took care of the ninth by striking out the side.  Damian Sequen was credited with the win, and Vasquez the save.


In the seventh inning, Alex Bardeguez scored an insurance run on a passed ball.  Newark scored a second time when Daryle Ward scored on a wild pitch.  Then in the ninth inning, they tacked on one more run for good measure.  Juan Martinez doubled home Eric McGee with the Bears' seventh, and final run.



Tuesday's Game Continuation:
The two teams concluded Tuesday night's rain suspended game this morning.  Click link above for game details of a fine pitcher's duel.  Today, Worcester's catcher, Chris Torres launched the game winning home run in the home ninth, giving the Tornadoes a 2-1 victory.  And of course, the Bears earned a split of the series in today's matinee.  They will play the rubber game of this series on Thursday.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Worcester Bullpen Gets Clawed in Eighth

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

Brick City Roars in Season Opener

Newark Bears; CanAm League Opening Day

NEWARK BEARS:  The Urban Grizzlies Ride Strong Pitching and Timely Hitting to Second Straight Victory Over Worcester.

Newark's starting pitcher, Brian Parker, gave the Bears a second consecutive strong effort Friday to get this young season started on a most positive note.  In 6.2 innings pitched, he allowed Worcester two scattered runs and three hits in total.  He walked no batters and struck out seven. Brian exited the game in the seventh inning on the winning side of a 3-2 game.  But when the Tornadoes tied the game at three in the top of the eighth inning against Damian Sequen and Matt Fitton, Brian Parker's effort was regulated to no-decision status.

In the top of the eighth, Damian Sequen walked the lead-off batter, then welted the next hitter with a pitch.  A sac-fly put the tying run on third, which prompted Coach Oberkfell to make a change.  In came Matt Fitton.  Another sac-fly promptly scored the runner from third.  Jose Canseco then popped out to end Worcester's at-bat.


In the home eighth, the Bears growled back with three runs.  With one out, Quentin Davis singled and stole second.  Alex Bardeguez singled him home for the go ahead run.  Daryle Ward then bopped a two run home run to give Newark a 6-3 lead.


Jorge Vasquez was summoned to pitch the ninth for Newark.  He surrendered a solo home run to Tornadoes' third baseman, Johnny Welch, but finally closed out Newark's second victory in as many games.  Matt Fitton was credited with the win, and Vasquez the Save.


For Daryle Ward, this was his first home run of the season.  Burt Reynolds was 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  Only second baseman, Juan Martinez failed to get a hit off Worcester pitching.  Tornadoes' Jose Canseco was 0 for 4 at the plate as the DH and clean-up hitter.


The 6-4 final score of this game is somewhat misleading.  This was actually a well pitched contest by both teams.  Combined, both staffs only walked one batter, and combined for sixteen strikeouts.  In seventeen combined innings, all pitchers limited the respective line-ups to fourteen hits.


Both teams will do it again in Game Three of this Opening Day four game series tonight.

OPENING DAY SERIES

Bears Lead 2-0

I  -  NWK 9; WOR 2

II  -  NWK 6; WOR 4

GAME THREE

Worcester Tornadoes

vs.

NEWARK BEARS

From

THE DEN

Broad Street, Newark

Mike.BTB