Levittown, NY -
When the Gamers played the Warriors this past week at Stokes Elementary School in Levittown it was more than just a matchup between possible playoff opponents. Moreover, it was a matchup between the past and the present with the future of both teams hanging in the balance.
That's because the Gamers return after a two year hiatus was only made possible when Gamers manager Craig Shames decided to leave the Warriors, along with Jeremy Webman and Danny Ballestas in order to start a new team. A decision necesitated by the Warriors addition of several players to their summer team who played with them on their fall team last year.
Now the only question is whether or not Shames, Webman and Ballestas will go back to the Warriors next summer or if the success of the Gamers will lead to them playing again over the summer. If their play in game one was any indication it looks like the Gamers will be together for a while.
Sparked by the return of Scott Zimmerman to the lineup the Gamers clicked on all cylinders winning easily 16-1. Zimmerman, who missed a month with a shoulder injury, came back in a big way hitting two homeruns and narrowly missing a third when he got a triple in the 5th inning that knocked in the mercy rule clinching run. The triple and two homeruns marked the single best statistical game any player has had this year for the Gamers and now gives them 8 different players that have hit homeruns this year.
But it was the play of Webman, Ballestas and Shames that was the big story on the day. Webman went 1 for 2 with a walk, an rbi, and a run scored, Shames went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored and had a clutch double in the first inning to set up the Gamers first run, and Ballestas had a monster game at the plate going 3 for 3 with a huge 2 run hit in the 3rd inning that broke the game open.
The second game was a different story though as the Gamers bats fell silent. Not even a heroic, Willis Reed like effort from Shames, who tried to play through a sprained ankle, could lift the team to victory. Rob and Dave Roll went a combined 6 for 7 with 4 runs scored at the top of the lineup but with little help the Gamers fell easily 9-4.
They will look to bounce back next week against the Hustlers (4-4) in their last regular season matchup of the season.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Gamers Dominate In Sweep
Westbury, NY -
A week after an anemic offensive performance that cost them a game the Gamers (6-2) bounced back in a big way sweeping the Hackers by a combined scored of 44-2 in interleague play. The tone was set for the day when they batted around twice in the bottom of the first inning of game one scoring 22 runs in the process.
The big first inning was capped by a homerun from light hitting outfielder Craig Shames. "You know its a rout when even Craig hits a homerun," infielder Brian Malfettone said. Malfettone would later add a homerun of his own in the second inning breaking out of a 2 for 11 slump with a 3 for 3 performance.
Stu Plotkin and Adam Goldberg also homered for the Gamers who pounded out 27 hits led by three a piece from Goldberg, Jon Zafonte and Jeremy Webman. Everyone else had at least two hits expect for outfielder Eric Dundon who walked and singled in three trips to the plate.
In the second game it was more of the same for the Gamers who scored five runs in the first inning setting up another easy victory by the score of 16-1. Both Goldberg and Plotkin homered again and Rob Roll had a big 3 run double in the fifth inning to put the game away. There were even some nice defensive plays as Goldberg made a diving catch at short, Plotkin a leaping catch at first, Shames a sliding catch to snag a line drive in the outfield and fittingly a sliding catch by Dundon down the right field line to end the game.
All in all, it was a very impressive performance by the Gamers who moved back into first place with the victories. If they continue to hit like they did today they will be very tough to beat.
A week after an anemic offensive performance that cost them a game the Gamers (6-2) bounced back in a big way sweeping the Hackers by a combined scored of 44-2 in interleague play. The tone was set for the day when they batted around twice in the bottom of the first inning of game one scoring 22 runs in the process.
The big first inning was capped by a homerun from light hitting outfielder Craig Shames. "You know its a rout when even Craig hits a homerun," infielder Brian Malfettone said. Malfettone would later add a homerun of his own in the second inning breaking out of a 2 for 11 slump with a 3 for 3 performance.
Stu Plotkin and Adam Goldberg also homered for the Gamers who pounded out 27 hits led by three a piece from Goldberg, Jon Zafonte and Jeremy Webman. Everyone else had at least two hits expect for outfielder Eric Dundon who walked and singled in three trips to the plate.
In the second game it was more of the same for the Gamers who scored five runs in the first inning setting up another easy victory by the score of 16-1. Both Goldberg and Plotkin homered again and Rob Roll had a big 3 run double in the fifth inning to put the game away. There were even some nice defensive plays as Goldberg made a diving catch at short, Plotkin a leaping catch at first, Shames a sliding catch to snag a line drive in the outfield and fittingly a sliding catch by Dundon down the right field line to end the game.
All in all, it was a very impressive performance by the Gamers who moved back into first place with the victories. If they continue to hit like they did today they will be very tough to beat.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Week 5 Preview: Interleague Play
Westbury, NY -
The Gamers (4-2) should be 5-1 in sole possession of first place. Instead as they get set to take on the Hackers (1-3) during interleague play they find themselves in a 3 way tie for first.
That's because last week they struggled mightily on offense failing to score more than 8 runs in either game. Luckily, they were able to salvage a split with a come from behind victory in game 2 but they won't be that lucky if they can't get their offense back in high gear this week.
The return of Greg Roll and Jeremy Webman to the lineup and the long awaiting season debut of Tom McGrath should help matters and it is expected that Gamers manager Craig Shames will be shaking up the lineup a little bit.
Either way the Gamers need to take care of business the old fashioned way. By taking pitches, working the count, and getting on base by using the whole field. Anything short of a dominant sweep will be unacceptable.
The Gamers (4-2) should be 5-1 in sole possession of first place. Instead as they get set to take on the Hackers (1-3) during interleague play they find themselves in a 3 way tie for first.
That's because last week they struggled mightily on offense failing to score more than 8 runs in either game. Luckily, they were able to salvage a split with a come from behind victory in game 2 but they won't be that lucky if they can't get their offense back in high gear this week.
The return of Greg Roll and Jeremy Webman to the lineup and the long awaiting season debut of Tom McGrath should help matters and it is expected that Gamers manager Craig Shames will be shaking up the lineup a little bit.
Either way the Gamers need to take care of business the old fashioned way. By taking pitches, working the count, and getting on base by using the whole field. Anything short of a dominant sweep will be unacceptable.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Sluggish Gamers Split Against Legends
Levittown, NY -
On paper it seemed as though the Gamers (4-2) would have a decided advantage over the hometown Levittown Legends (1-5). And then they played the games. Perhaps it was the hour delay to the game or the fact that no one could find the field. Or maybe it was the fact that Greg Roll, Scott Zimmerman, and Jeremy Webman were missing from the lineup. Either way the Gamers could not get their bats going failing to score more than ten runs in either game.
Luckily for them they were able to play solid defense to keep the games close. In the first game, they got off to a quick 2-0 start after Jimmy Dundon doubled in a run and the newly acquired Stu Plotkin followed with a triple. But after that they failed to score more than one run in any other inning with the bottom of the order going a combined 3 for 14.
The second game wasn't much better offensively for the Gamers as they were shut out for the first three innings before rallying for 2 runs in the fourth and 3 more in the sixth capped by a two run triple from Jimmy Dundon. However, they still trailed by two runs going into the bottom of the 7th inning. Craig Shames led off with a single and Eric Dundon followed with one of his own. That set the tables for the top of the lineup and Jon Zafonte came up huge with a two run double to tie the game somehow scoring Rob Roll all the way from first base despite Rob having a bad knee.
After holding the Legends scoreless in the top of the eighth inning they squeezed across a run in the bottom of the innning as Dave Roll lead off with a single and eventually scored on a single to centerfield by Brian Malfettone. It wasn't pretty but in typical Gamers fashion they were able to grind out an impressive come from behind victory.
On paper it seemed as though the Gamers (4-2) would have a decided advantage over the hometown Levittown Legends (1-5). And then they played the games. Perhaps it was the hour delay to the game or the fact that no one could find the field. Or maybe it was the fact that Greg Roll, Scott Zimmerman, and Jeremy Webman were missing from the lineup. Either way the Gamers could not get their bats going failing to score more than ten runs in either game.
Luckily for them they were able to play solid defense to keep the games close. In the first game, they got off to a quick 2-0 start after Jimmy Dundon doubled in a run and the newly acquired Stu Plotkin followed with a triple. But after that they failed to score more than one run in any other inning with the bottom of the order going a combined 3 for 14.
The second game wasn't much better offensively for the Gamers as they were shut out for the first three innings before rallying for 2 runs in the fourth and 3 more in the sixth capped by a two run triple from Jimmy Dundon. However, they still trailed by two runs going into the bottom of the 7th inning. Craig Shames led off with a single and Eric Dundon followed with one of his own. That set the tables for the top of the lineup and Jon Zafonte came up huge with a two run double to tie the game somehow scoring Rob Roll all the way from first base despite Rob having a bad knee.
After holding the Legends scoreless in the top of the eighth inning they squeezed across a run in the bottom of the innning as Dave Roll lead off with a single and eventually scored on a single to centerfield by Brian Malfettone. It wasn't pretty but in typical Gamers fashion they were able to grind out an impressive come from behind victory.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Weak 3 Preview
Levittown, NY -
After getting rained out last week during their highly anticipated matchup with the second place Hustlers the Gamers (3-1) are set to return to action against the Levittown Legends (0-4).
The game will be held on the home turf of the Legends at the Fred Niest Complex. Not to be confused with the Fred Durst complex which Rob Roll suffers from. The game will be held, weather permitting, at 10:45 am.
The Gamers will be unveiling their new lineup in this game as they made several roster moves over the last week. Slugging thirdbaseman and food network tv star Seth Koslow was kicked off the team for refusing to introduce Gamers manager Craig Shames to Giada DeLaurentis. In his place the team recalled Danny Ballestas from their Triple A Meadowlands affiliate.
They also announced that they were suspending catcher Jeremy Webman for 2 weeks for dropping a pop up in last week's game against Game Face. Additionally, they will be without infielder Tom McGrath who will be down in Florida rehabbing at their extended spring training facility. McGrath has yet to play for the Gamers this season.
Outfielder Scott Zimmerman might also have to miss the game with a shoulder injury. Despite the losses of Koslow, Webman, McGrath and Zimmerman the Gamers shouldn't miss a beat as they announced the signing of one of the Island's premier sluggers. Speculation is running rampant as to who it might be but we are not expected to find out until a dramatic pre game ceremony. Jimmmy Dundon will also be filling in as an extra hitter.
After getting rained out last week during their highly anticipated matchup with the second place Hustlers the Gamers (3-1) are set to return to action against the Levittown Legends (0-4).
The game will be held on the home turf of the Legends at the Fred Niest Complex. Not to be confused with the Fred Durst complex which Rob Roll suffers from. The game will be held, weather permitting, at 10:45 am.
The Gamers will be unveiling their new lineup in this game as they made several roster moves over the last week. Slugging thirdbaseman and food network tv star Seth Koslow was kicked off the team for refusing to introduce Gamers manager Craig Shames to Giada DeLaurentis. In his place the team recalled Danny Ballestas from their Triple A Meadowlands affiliate.
They also announced that they were suspending catcher Jeremy Webman for 2 weeks for dropping a pop up in last week's game against Game Face. Additionally, they will be without infielder Tom McGrath who will be down in Florida rehabbing at their extended spring training facility. McGrath has yet to play for the Gamers this season.
Outfielder Scott Zimmerman might also have to miss the game with a shoulder injury. Despite the losses of Koslow, Webman, McGrath and Zimmerman the Gamers shouldn't miss a beat as they announced the signing of one of the Island's premier sluggers. Speculation is running rampant as to who it might be but we are not expected to find out until a dramatic pre game ceremony. Jimmmy Dundon will also be filling in as an extra hitter.
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