July 2,3,4 2004 - R.Y.O. Independence Day Baseball Tournament
Congratulations to the FBLI GreenDogs - Farmingdale Baseball League’s 12-yr.-old Cooperstown Team. The GreenDogs utilized fifteen talented baseball players to win two games, lose one and tie a lightning-shortened four-inning game. The GreenDogs banged out a superb victory on the Fourth of July and took first place, becoming this year’s champions of the RYO Independence Day Tournament in Ronkonkoma.
The
tournament began with a “Play Ball” Friday night when James Darcy stepped
into the batters box as the team’s lead off hitter. Derek Venezia took the
mound in the bottom half of the first inning and the 2004 Tournament Season was
underway. The GreenDogs had to overcome an early 2-0 deficit. The players showed
courage and teamwork, diligently coming back and taking the lead for the
remainder of a well-played ballgame. Determination and pride were displayed
throughout the Game 1 comeback, setting the tone for a championship weekend.
Timely hitting by John Speelman, Jake Rachiele, Chris Leo, Josh McDowell and
Chris Napolitano, provided the run support for Derek Venezia’s four innings on
the mound. Patrick Kircher, John Galanoudis, Brandon Veracka and Christopher
Langon provided solid, professional all-star fielding defensively. The GreenDogs
were banging out hits in the top of the fifth and had the game well in hand when
Mother Nature’s fireworks, rain and lightning, ended the game after four
innings of play. After several weather related game stoppages, the game abruptly
ended in a tie.
Saturday
afternoon’s first of two games ended in a loss against the GreenDog’s
eventual, difficult championship game opponent. Greg Coppola started on the
mound for the first three innings, and at the plate he smashed a ball off the
outfield fence. James Darcy led off the game with a single. Chris Napolitano set
off some fireworks of his own when he hit an inside fastball 240 feet over the
left field wall for a homerun. Josh McDowell battled on the mound against a
tough opponent for three innings. J.R. Castrogiovanni pegged-out a runner at the
plate, with a perfect throw from left field. The team went down in defeat only
to comeback and compete with determination and vigor later that afternoon.
Behind
the plate, the catching duties were handled flawlessly all weekend, under the
hot summer sun by Hayden Kirk, Chris Leo and J.R. Castrogiovanni. The three
catchers kept their opponent’s base runners stranded all weekend long. These
skilled young athletes worked hard through the weekend.
The
long Saturday afternoon continued with a Game 3 pitchers duel. Joseph Kennedy
took the hill with the GreenDogs needing the win. Pitching like a true ace,
Joseph Kennedy was steady as ever, and delivered a complete game - a six-inning
gem. In this intense and close ballgame, John Galanoudis hit a deep single - a
rocket off the center field fence, and played strong defensively at third base.
Hayden Kirk drove a ball to right field to help provide the GreenDogs with the
two runs needed to propel the team into the championship game. Farmingdale
clinched that invitation with the 2-1 victory. The Game 2 rematch was set for
Sunday morning, Independence Day. The GreenDogs were up for the challenge, and
poised for a little retaliation.
The
GreenDogs arrived early and were ready to play this great game of baseball. Game
4 of the tournament would allow the GreenDogs an opportunity to revenge their
Game 2 defeat. The GreenDogs were in fact the underdogs but were ready to
play the game on the field. When Farmingdale sent John Speelman to the mound, he
pitched four no-hit innings leaving with a lead in the fifth. The GreenDogs
jumped on their opponent early, scoring four in the first. Speelman hit a shot
to the centerfield fence, Venezia had a bunt hit, and Hayden Kirk had another
hit to right-field. When the dust settled after a half inning, the ‘Dogs were
up 4-0. Defense would be the key to this championship game. Brandon Veracka set
the tone early with a running grab of a line drive for the first out of the
game. Greg Coppola played flawlessly at shortstop. Christopher Langon started a
key late inning 4-6-3 double play. The GreenDogs played as a team and cheered on
their teammates from the bench. The GreenDogs scored another run in the third
inning, when Jake Rachiele hit one off the fence in right-field. He was hustling
right out of the batter’s box, and his speed allowed him to slide into third
with a leadoff triple. The next batter, Derek Venezia executed the
suicide-squeeze play to add an insurance run. The Green Dogs went to the bullpen
for Patrick Kircher to close out the final two innings. Revenge was sweet when
the GreenDogs put away their opponent by a final score of 5-2.
The
theme of this championship run was TEAMWORK. It took fifteen players - three
catchers, six pitchers, infielders, outfielders, one manager and two coaches. It
was all about teamwork, teammates and the love of the great game of baseball.
The
2004 Summer Tournament Season will continue for these fine young ballplayers and
their staff, when they travel to Cooperstown in two weeks to compete in a
weeklong tournament, which will include teams from across the country. Many
thanks to Farmingdale Baseball League for providing this team the opportunity to
participate in this wonderful experience, which will create baseball memories
that the entire team will embrace for a lifetime.
The
GreenDogs players would like to thank the community for their generous
contributions and support during the team’s Car Wash, Garage Sale, as well as
other miscellaneous fund-raising events. The team would also like to express
their sincere appreciation to Lotus Garden Restaurant, Domenico’s Pizzeria and
JR’s Farmingdale Meat Farms - local businesses whose contributions to the team
have been a big help.
Let’s GO GreenDogs!
