Newark Bears Looking To Bounce Back Versus Rockland Boulders

From the desk of:   THE BRICK CITY NINE

NEWARK BEARS - Despite Club Record, There's Good Things Happening In The Den.


The Bears started a three game series Friday morning against the red-hot CanAm League leading Rockland Boulders.  The New York team is off to a 10-3 start this season, while the Bears are  foraging around with a 4-6 record.  Newark suffered through a 10-3 early day thumping in game one yesterday at the Den.  They'll try and even the series this evening as the series shifts to Rockland.


Early on, Rockland and Newark sport five of the league's top six hitters, led overall by the Bears Bridger Hunt with a .500 mark after ten games.  Bridger also leads the Bears with three home runs.  Rockland's Chris Edmondson is tied for the circuit lead with five home runs, but owns the undisputed early lead with fourteen runs batted in.


On the hill, the Boulders' Pat Moran leads the league with twenty strikeouts, while Newark's Ryan Carr tops all pitchers with a 1.86 ERA.  Team mate Bryan Banes is second with a 2.70 mark.  Then Rockland posts the next three starting pitchers with the top ERA.


Entering today's game, the Boulders are winners of three in a row, while the Bears have dropped two straight.  Entering the series, the Bears were fresh off taking two of three at the Den against the defending champs, Quebec Capitales.

 

Weekend Series Tied 1-1

I - RKL 10; NWK 3

 

GAME TWO FINAL

BEARS    6
Boulders   5

* 13 innings

Garry Templeton's group proved themselves a little more resilient than the average Bear.  After Newark center fielder JJ Sherrill led off the game with his first home run of the season, the Bears fell behind 4-1 in the third inning, on the strength of two Rockland home runs off Bears starter Brian Parker, struck by Chris Edmondson and former Bear, Billy Alvino.

The Bears clawed back in the fifth with an RBI from Bridger Hunt, which knocked Rockland starting pitcher Cameron Bayne out of the box after four innings and facing three batters in the fifth.  Evan Stermer entered in relief to face Carlos Guzman.  Brandon Newton scored when Guzman bounced into a fielder's choice, to make it a 4-3 game.

In the top of the eighth, left fielder Jamar Walton scored the game tying run on a passed ball committed by Rockland catcher Scott Knazek.  With no scoring in the ninth, into extra innings they went.

The Bears took a 5-4 lead in the top of the eleventh inning on Bridger Hunt's RBI single.  However, the Boulders tied the game again off Bears reliever Sergio Espinosa on a single by Jerod Edmondson, and a triple by Chris Edmondson.

In the top of the thirteenth inning, appropriately, Bridger Hunt crossed the plate with the Bears sixth run on yet another Boulders passed ball.  Newark pitcher David Dinelli then put the Boulders to bed with a scoreless effort in the bottom of the inning, to earn the win in relief.

The Bears halted Rockland's win streak, and improved their own mark to 5-5 in their last ten games.  The rubber game of this three game set is scheduled for 2pm Sunday in Provident Bank Park.




Mike.BTB

Newark Bears Drop Home Opener; Rockland's Pat Moran Fans Nine - Boulders Win 3-1

From the desk of:   THE BROAD STREET NINE

NEWARK BEARS - I'm Sure Someone Advised Coach Garry Templeton That Life In The Den Is Never Easy.


The Newark Bears kicked off their sixteenth season Thursday night in Rockland, New York, dropping a 6-4 decision to the Boulders.  This evening, the Bears opened the gates on their fifteenth campaign at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, this time hosting the Rockland Boulders for the next three games.


Bears starter Brian Parker had the distinction of making this year's Opening Day start, opposed by Rockland's Pat Moran.  The Boulders wasted no time, scoring a pair off Parker in the first on a two run home run struck by Chris Edmondson.  Brian Parker also needed to pitch his way out of big trouble in the third inning.  After allowing Rockland a third run, he worked out of a one out bases loaded situation by striking out the last two batters.  In the bottom of the third, the Bears got a run back on Brandon Mims' first home run of the season, to make it a 3-1 game.


Brian Parker lasted six full innings, allowing three runs on eight hits.  He walked one batter and struck out three before exiting the game.  Reliever Sergio Espinosa was summoned from the bullpen to take over in the seventh and pitched a scoreless frame.  Rockland's Pat Moran pitched 6.1 very effective innings, allowing the Bears one run on just three hits.  He walked no batters and struck out nine before departing.


Bears reliever Ryan Fennell turned in a scoreless inning for Newark in the top of the eighth, in what was still a 3-1 game.  In the bottom of the eighth, the Bears faced Rockland's Alex Kreis, pitching his second inning of relief, and went down quietly.  Ryan Fennell again turned the Boulders back in the top of the ninth, setting up last licks for Newark with their numbers three, four and five hitters due up against Rockland's closer, Kevin Fuqua.  Center fielder JJ Sherrill led off for the Bears and struck out swinging.  Next up, left fielder Jamar Walton reached safely with a single.  With right fielder Carlos Guzman up, Walton advanced to second base on a passed ball.  That mattered little as  Guzman worked out a base on balls.  Kyle Lafrenz was next in the order, and struck out on five pitches for out number two.  First baseman Matt Huggins then stepped in, and worked a 3-0 count before Kevin Fuqua ran the count full.  After fouling off a pitch, Huggins grounded to second base for the last out of the game.


Rockland defeated the Newark Bears for the second night in a row, this evening by a 3-1 final.  Newark's Brian Parker suffered his first loss of the season.  Rockland's Kevin Fuqua earned his second save in consecutive nights.  Starter Pat Moran rightfully gets credit for his first victory after a fine performance over the Bears.


The teams will meet again Saturday evening in the third match of a four game set.





Mike.BTB

Newark Bears ~ Winding Down a Precarious Summer

From the desk of:  THE BRICK CITY NINE



NEWARK BEARS:  Facing an Early; and Maybe Even Permanent; Hibernation.

Without trying to be funny, the Bears are headed towards an early; and maybe even a permanent; hibernation.  Even less humorous, is there are many layers to that opening line.  Said plainly, the Newark Bears are in trouble.


Even three inch Bear claws couldn't have prevented them from slipping so badly in the standings.  They lost their grip sometime shortly before the first half ended.  Since then, it's been a lean summer for the grizzlies from Newark.  They are currently in seventh place and 7.5 games behind first place Brockton in the season's second-half standings.  But the truth is, they should be in last.  The New York Federals are a filler team from the New York State League; needed to keep schedule integrity.  And truth be told, they aren't that good;  ...not at this level anyway.


Overall this season, the Bears find themselves with a 34-41 record and in sixth place.  The only teams below them are the previously mentioned Federals in last place, and the newest Atlantic League expansion team; the Rockland Boulders in seventh.


And this is where things get worse for Newark.


The Quebec Capitales lead the League in attendance.  So this discussion centers on the American based teams of the CanAm League.  With less than 20 games remaining in the regular season, the first-year Rockland County Boulders are the undisputed kings in attendance.  The New Jersey Jackals; who play just twelve miles away from Newark are second in the League in attendance behind Rockland.  Rockland plays their games forty-one miles away from Newark.


The Newark Bears surpass only the Pittsfield Colonials in attendance this season.  But that is misleading.  Pittsfield's home park is quite small with a limited max capacity; (3,500).  Even so, they're averaging just under 800 per game.  The Bears are averaging just over 900 per game.  I believe that may be an average number being supported by their sponsors and that their true attendance is even weaker.  But what's clearly evident, is the walk-up gate is virtually nonexistent.  A routine weekday/night game usually only brings in about 200+/- fans.


And here's the kicker.  Over the weekend, the Rockland Boulders bought ad-space on the bottom of the back page of the N.Y. Daily News and had commercials airing on 1050espnRadio as well.  Those are expenditures the Bears are finding virtually impossible to fund right now.  They no longer broadcast on radio and have ceased their web casting this season.  So advertising, is strictly out of the question.

In a best case scenario, for the Newark Bears, it looks like more, severe, cut-backs are in order.  I wouldn't know how well the decision to switch over to the CanAm League went for ownership.  The move was designed to save them money.  But I truly wonder how much longer they can exist this way?





Mike.BTB

NEWARK BEARS ~ Win First Game in a Romp

From the desk of:  Growling in Brooklyn


NEWARK BEARS:  Win Their First Ever Game In CanAm League and Avoid Sweep by Rockland.

FINAL SCORE:
Rockland Boulders  4
NEWARK BEARS  16


After dropping the first two games of the season, the Newark Bears roared back at their competition Saturday night.  They finally won their first game of the season and also avoided a sweep at the hands of the Rockland Boulders.  Rockland only rolled out three pitchers against Newark and the Bears clawed them all.

Newark pounded out 18 hits and plated 16 runs tonight in a romp over the Boulders at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.  Tim Raines Jr. had a break-out game as well with his first three hits of the season.  In going 3 for 5 tonight, he drove in 6 RBI.  Todd Gossage also chipped in with 3 more RBI.  The two combined for 9 RBI and 4 runs scored.

Other notable swings - Lead-off batter Brandon Watson set the table with a 4 for 6 day; an RBI and 2 runs scored.  Catcher Billy Alvino went 3 for 3; two runs scored and an RBI.  And first baseman Brian Nichols went 3 for 5 batting clean-up today with two runs scored.

Ryan Lobban was the starting pitcher for Newark tonight, hurling five innings and is credited with the win.  He gave up four hits and surrendered three runs all coming in the fifth, while walking two and striking out two.  By then the Bears were leading 9-3 and the bullpen took care of the rest. 

TJ Hose relieved Lobban with two innings pitched.  He gave up two hits, allowed a run and struck out two.  Andrew Pluta pitched the final two innings to seal the deal for Newark.  He allowed only one hit and struck out two, including the last batter of the game in a non-save situation.




NEXT GAME:

The Newark Bears face their officially declared rival; the New Jersey Jackals for the first time since being newly minted foes.  The first game of a home-and-home series is in Newark Sunday with a start time of 1:05pm.  Both teams head to the home of the Jackals for the second game on Monday.




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

NEWARK BEARS ~ OPENING DAY 2011

2011

CANADIAN-AMERICAN BASEBALL LEAGUE

OPENING DAY

Thursday, May 26, 2011
11:00am

Rockland Boulders
(SP - Bobby Blevins)

vs.

NEWARK BEARS
(SP - Jesse Estrada)

From Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium

in BRICK CITY

NEWARK BEARS BASEBALL CLUB

It's Game One in a Season Critical to the Future of Baseball in Newark.

 

 

After playing in the Atlantic League for 12 years, the Newark Bears open up their first campaign as members of the Canadian-American League of Baseball.  Their inaugural opponent will be a team also brand new to the league.  The Rockland Boulders from Ramapo, New York are an expansion organization and are officially open for business with a brand new park.

The Rockland Boulders are managed by former MLB pitcher, Dave LaPoint.  They've had a good pre-season.  In the first exhibition game in their history, they defeated the New York Federals.  The Boulders also defeated the Newark Bears both times they met for practice games.   Rockland will have to wait till June 16th however, to open up their new 4,300 seat stadium; Provident Bank Park.   They start the season by playing their first five series on the road.


The first thing different Bears' fans used to the Atlantic League will notice about the Can/Am League are the new Bears' start times. Thursday's Opening Day game starts at 11:00am. Some weekday games will start at 5:35pm. And some will start at the more traditional 7:05pm time.

The Newark Bear's returning General Manager is former MLB pitcher, Mike Torrez.  Tim Raines also returns as manager of the club with Ron Karkovice and 2011 appointment Jim Leyritz as his coaches.  Jim Leyritz played briefly for the Bears in 2001.  He'll be the team's pitching coach.


There will be three less players on the Bears roster to manage and coach this season.  Can/Am rosters are limited to 22 players versus the customary 25 player rosters.  It's just another aspect of the cost-cutting moves the Bears have had to undertake this season and why they're switching leagues.


There's a pair of Newark players you should keep in mind.  Tim Raines Jr. and Todd Gossage, the offspring of two former MLB greats, will be playing for the Bears this season.  Todd will be twenty-seven years old this season.  Tim Raines Jr. will be thirty-two in August.


The Bears will sport new uniforms this season.  Their home duds will be solid white with no pinstripes or piping. The navy blue N insignia will appear over the left chest.  A red number will be set on the right side of their uniform jersey but placed lower than the N.  The red, white, and blue uniform style is a tribute to our American Troops.  The team announced they would revert to their pinstriped home uniform when our Troops come home.


And now, I wish the new Front Office of the Bears much luck and success at the gate this season.  I hope the changes they've made entering this season start getting things turned around and headed in the right direction for the organization.  I'll be attending some games to lend my occasional support and do my best to keep Newark Bears Baseball a topic of conversation over here in Brooklyn.



Baseball Belongs In Newark.



Play Ball!



EXTRA INNINGS:

The New York Federals are a team comprised of players from the New York State League which maintains a lower-level relationship with the Can/Am League.  They will be a travel team only in order to accomadate an eight-team season schedule.


Check out the Newark Bears new uniforms : HERE.

Notable Team Managers:
Tim Raines ~ Newark
Bill Buckner ~ Brockton
Dave LaPoint ~ Rockland

 

 

Click the LINKS for updated rosters as/of May 25, 2011:
Newark Bears Roster
Rockland Boulders Roster

RELATED LINKS:
Rockland Boulders Website
Newark Bears Website
Can/Am League Website

RECENT POST:
Can-Am Preview, Welcome the Newark Bears - by Mike.BTB  -  With particular attention to the reasons why Newark needed to make this switch in Leagues.

Newark Bears; A Baseball City at a Crossroad...Again - by Mike.BTB - Attention to team history.

Mike.BTB