On another perfect fall day today we held our 2023 Matinee Division Finale at the A Diamond in Schenectady as Jonny Martin took the mound for McQs team and Mike Girard was given the start for JKs team. Both pitchers threw very well as each pitched three scoreless innings and the game went to the top of the fourth with no score and now with two new pitchers. JKs team then started the scoring with three runs highlighted by a two-out, two-run single by Ralphie Clutch Caputo. McQs team answered with a single run in the bottom of the inning as Mike Clary led off with a single and came around to score on a Joe Careccia sacrifice fly. The game moved to the sixth inning with JKs team leading 3-1 when they scored five big runs as Jerry Rosen, Rick Saidenberg and Joe Parker contributed RBI singles and the game was essentially over. McQs team got one back in the bottom of the inning when Jerry Solomon singled and came around to score on a long double by Clary, but JKs team kept scoring with single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth to secure the victory. Final score was 11-5.
McQs team was led by Tony Nardacci and Mike Clary with three hits apiece while JKs team was led by Jerry Rosen who continued his onslaught on Matinee pitchers with multiple hits and RBIs. Joe Parker contributed multiple hits and RBIs as well and Tom Bain continued mashing with another triple and run scored.
Missing from todays attached picture is Mike Girard, Alex Marin, Jon Martin and Gibby Travis.
We had our most successful Matinee Season to date at the A Diamond and were blessed with great weather throughout the year. Looking forward to 2024 when we expect more of the same. FYI the new lights are up at the A Diamond and they look awesome!
Once again, Jim, you and your mates pulled it off. It's not easy to get a bunch of mostly employed near geezers to play baseball midday once a week throughout the season. But you and the players and the fans done did it, again, and put more baseball in the air for folks in the Capital District to play and watch.
You can also call your play "The Golden Intra-murals."
Congratulations. Much luck next year. (When you will remember to bring the arthritis rub?)
I miss playing with you guys, the matinee was always a highlight of my playing days, it seems like the more I am away from baseball the more I miss it, but being four hours from Albany and with my wife needing me more because of her advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis I find leaving for too long is a problem. Miss you guys and I wish you all the best, keep playing. Pidge
