A team of 25+ All-stars from Philadelphia challenged Quentin Jensen and the CDMSBL to a game at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, NY on Saturday. Q responded by assembling an All-star team of his own (12 players), made up of some of the top talent in the 25+ division of the CDMSBL and a couple of old timers that play in the 35+ and 45+ divisions. Many of the players had never played on the hallowed ground before and were very excited about the opportunity. Not the least of these was starting pitcher, Adam Abarre. Adding to the excitement for Adam was the fact that his Dad had traveled a good distance to be at the park to see his son play for the first time in many years. Q was made aware of this fact and he let Adam go as far as he wanted in this game. Adam responded by allowing just two runs on 4 hits over 6 innings, while walking just 1 and striking out 6. Mickey Novac allowed just one hit and one walk while keeping Philly scoreless in his two innings of relief, and Eric Joyce struck out two, while setting down the side in order in the ninth. The CDMSBL Stars took no time taking control of the game, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first before an out was recorded. Bill Behrle, Eric Joyce, Quentin Jensen, and Mike Girard all singled to lead off the inning and the next three batters reached on Philly errors. After the Philly starting pitcher struck out the number 8 hitter, JP Behrle then doubled to plate the seventh run of the inning. Mario Cubello led off the 2nd inning with a single, but was cut down at the plate after a Bill Behrle double down the left field line. The play at the plate can only be described as a slow-motion sumo wrestling match, as Mario was surprised by the relay throw and was unable to slide. I can only hope that the photographer got a picture of the aftermath of this "collision" as it was a really funny sight. Eric Joyce followed with a double that scored Behrle with the 8th run. The third through 5th innings found the CDMSBL Stars being retired in order, as the Philly pitcher used the over-aggression of our batters to help get them out. By the time the bottom of the sixth came around, the Philly stars had closed the score to 8-2. Eric Joyce led off with a double, followed by singles from Jensen and Girard. That left the score at 9-2, with runners on second and third and none out. Ron Lochner then drove a ball to right-center field that looked like it might leave the yard. The ball bounced in the warning track and out for a 2 RBI ground rule double. Just a couple more 12-ounce curls Ron and you might have had a home run to remember. The final run of the game was scored when Matt Milligi doubled in Lochner. It was a perfect day for baseball, and the CDMSBL Stars did the league proud with their performance on the field. Q: Thanks for inviting this old-timer and his buddy to spend the day feeling young again. We really appreciated it!
-- Edited by mgirard11 on Sunday 4th of July 2010 07:32:09 AM
It was an amazing day at Cooperstown, Doubleday Field yesterday. It was a chance for all cdmsbl members to be proud of our league and the talent that are players have.
A special thanks to Adam LaBarre for pitching a gem. He was throwing harder then I seen him throw in 2 years. It was great to see your dad at the game traveling from Texas. He was very excited to see his son throw at the birthplace of baseball and you truley put on a clinic. Mickey Novak and Eric Joyce also stepped up blanking the Philly team for the last 3 innings.
Bill Behrle, Eric Joyce, Q. Jensen, Mike Girard, Ron Lochner, Mickey Novak, Matt Milligi, Dave Ames, JP Behrle, AC Cleary, Adam LaBarre and Mario Cubello.
Thanks to all who played as it was a very memorable day for the Jensen family as it was my 1st time playing there.
I would also like to apologize to Mario for hitting him with the bat. As my 1st 2 plate appearances the bat seemed to leave my hands and fly into our dugout hitting Mario and then almost into the bleachers down the 3rd base line. Lucky for me Mike Girard helped me with some stick-um and Ron Lochner was going to his car to get duct tape to tape the bat to my hands so no kids would get hurt.
