A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield L The Westfield Leader eader eader eader eader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, June 4, 1998 Page 15
CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK
lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml lmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlml
mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm
mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm
mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm mlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlmlm
1998 RAIDER SOCCER CAMP
at Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School
Director: Tom Breznitsky
in association with
THE DUTCH SOCCER ACADEMY
Director: Roger Bongaerts – European Training Specialist
Camp Features
• Novice to Advanced • Ability Grouping • Kinder Soccer Program
Camp Features
• Tactical Camp for Teams • Goalkeepers School • Indoor Facilities • Family Discounts
For a camp brochure please call: Tom Breznitsky – (908) 322- 6102
Boys' Varsity Soccer Coach, Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School
Home of the '87, '89, '91, '92, '95, '97 NJ State Champions Boys Soccer Team
B O
Y S
G I R
L S SESSION I – July 13- 17
SESSION II – August 3- 7
Juniors Jacob Laksin and Nick Fixmer finished with identical records of 1- 0. Freshmen Andrew Babicz and Dave Sigmon finished with identical records of 1- 0 and freshman Rob Bugg finished with a 2- 1 record.
Blackman commented on his season, "This year was definitely a rebuilding year after losing five starters to graduation from last year's team. Next year should be a very competitive one, both in the Watchung Conference and in earning a starting posi
Raider Netmen Finish Season Strong at 13- 7
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
tion on the varsity team." "This is a team with seven freshman, three sophomores and three juniors. We will be losing four seniors but only two starting positions; however, the No. 1 singles player will be difficult to replace," explained Blackman. "The positive side is that all these underclassmen now know what it takes to make the varsity team and to be competitive in Union County."
Blackman has amassed an incredible 12- year record of 216- 51.
DOEBBER GOES THE REAL DISTANCE
Raider Netmen Snare Cardinals in Thriller
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
The Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School boys' tennis team won an elongated, 3- 2, thriller over the Plainfield High School boys on May 27. Raider senior Ian Doebber, at third singles, showed his spunk and dogged determination by battling back from a 1- 6, first- set loss to win his match with John Tran of the Cardinals and to give the Raiders the victory.
All of the other matches had been decided quite some time prior to the conclusion of Doebber's match with the Raiders winning two and the Cardinals winning two. Doebber edged Tran, 7- 5, in the second set which forced the match to a third and deciding set.
The final set was back- and- forth and went to a tie breaker with each player winning six games. In the tie breaker, Tran got up early on Doebber
holding a 4- 1 lead, but Doebber regrouped his thoughts and fought his way back to win with an exciting, 8- 6, tie breaker.
"All the other games were finished and everyone sat around and watched Ian's match," stated Raider boys tennis Head Coach Dave Blackman. "The match was touch and go. They just kept trading games. Ian would win a game, then Tran would win one," concluded Blackman.
The Raiders improved to 12- 7 while the Cardinals slipped to 10- 9.
1st Singles – Justin Jackson (P) d. Mike Bostwick, 7- 6( 7- 3), 6- 2
2nd Singles – Timon Jackson (P) d. Dave Hassan, 6- 3, 6- 1
3rd Singles – Ian Doebber (SPF) d John Tran, 1- 6, 7- 5, 7- 6 (8- 6)
1st Doubles – Chris Schlegel and John Corbin (SPF) d. Jasmond Stepney and Jason Jones, 7- 5, 6- 1
2nd Doubles – Paul Swedlund and Shawn Lafkowitz (SPF) d. Curtis Jones and Cameron Cox, 6- 0, 6- 2
MAY 26: NORTH 2 GROUP 1 New Providence 9, Cedar Grove 3
Pioneer junior Todd Simo tossed a threehitter and picked up his seventh win against only one loss. Mike Piccolo smashed two triples. Kim Coleman and Tim Simo both went 2- for- 4.
New Prov. (16- 3) 080 001 0 09 Cedar Grove (16- 5) 000 030 0 03
NORTH 2 GROUP 2 Governor Livingston 10, Morris Hills 9
The Highlanders had a six- run fourth inning capped by Brian Schmidt's tworun triple. Terrence Reilly blasted a home run for the Highlanders.
Gov. Liv. (19- 6) 121 600 0 10 Morris Hills (18- 6) 004 400 1 09
NORTH 2 GROUP 3 Cranford 4, Montville 0
The seventh- ranked Cougars blanked Montville when Tim Meyer tossed a four- hitter in Cranford on May 26.
Montville 000 000 0 00 Cranford (20- 1) 030 100 x 04
NORTH 2 GROUP 4 Union 8, Elizabeth 3
Farmer Tony Schmidtberg struck out seven and allowed only four hits as Union stopped the Minutemen, 8- 3, in the semifinal round.
REGULAR SEASON: Watchung Hills 10, Westfield 0
Dave Van Saum tossed a one- hitter for the Warriors who improved to 8- 12- 1. Senior Greg Freisen had the only hit for the Blue Devils who slipped to 14- 9.
Westfield 000 00 00 Watchung Hills 018 01 10
MAY 27: New Providence 6, Manville 3
Kim Coleman had a triple and a double as the Pioneers clinched a share of the Mountain Valley title.
New Prov. (17- 3) 200 211 0 06 Manville (11- 7) 002 000 1 03
Manville 6, New Providence 3
New Prov (17- 4) 000 003 0 03 Manville (12- 7) 121 200 x 06
Governor Livingston 9, North Plainfield 4
Terrence Reilly had three RBI for the Highlanders.
N. Plainfield (8- 11) 110 000 2 04 Gov. Liv. (20- 6) 421 101 x 09
Cranford 17, Plainfield 3
The big guns of the Cougars were firing and pitcher Chris Thee struck out five Cardinals and tossed a four- hitter. Chris Baran crushed a three- run homer for the 21- 1 Cougars.
MAY 28: New Providence 15, Bound Brook 4
Kim Coleman Homered, Tim Simo tripled and Mike Piccolo doubled for the Pioneers.
New Prov. (18- 4) 032 042 4 15 Bound Brook (9- 12) 200 001 1 04
NORTH 2 GROUP 1 CHAMPIONSHIPS: New Providence 12, Belvidere 2
Pioneer pitcher Todd Simo kept the County Seaters under control as the Pioneer bats knocked them off their seats. Peter Brown blasted a three- run homer in the fourth to add to the insult.
Belvidere (14- 11) 000 11 02 New Prov. (19- 4) 060 6x 12
NORTH 2 GROUP 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS: Millburn 4, Cranford 3
Millburn (21- 5- 2) 000 030 1 04 Cranford (21- 2) 100 002 0 03
Local Area High School Boys Baseball Results:
Softball Leagues Steam Into High Gear at Local Parks
By DAVID B. CORBIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
The "boys of summer" are rolling into high gear at the local parks in Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood and can provide much entertainment to interested fans.
The Westfield Men's Softball League is presently playing its games at Tamaques Park in Westfield throughout the week and on Sundays. Last year, The Mattress Factory defeated the Gamblers, 8- 7, 9- 6, and 13- 12 to take the title. In the final game, the Factory found itself in a deep 111 hole in the bottom of the fourth but bounced back and bounded to the title.
The mighty Phoenix trampled Sneaker Mania 15- 1 in the final game on August 24, 1997 to swoop upon the Scotch Plains Softball League (SPSL) title. The (SPSL) plays at
Jerseyland Field, Scotch PlainsFanwood High School, Farley Field and Brookside Park in Scotch Plains.
St. Joseph had its prayers answered when it held off St. Jude's quest, 13- 11, to capture the St. Bartholomew's Oldtimers Softball League title on September 1, 1997 at Jerseyland Field in Scotch Plains. The St. Bart's League plays its games at Forest Road in Fanwood and Jerseyland, Brookside Park, Farley Avenue, Park and Terrill Middle Schools and Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School in Scotch Plains.
The powerful Russell Road team won its third title in- a- row in the Fanwood Old Men's Softball League (FOMSA) by shelling Montrose Avenue, 15- 1, then edging them, 4- 2, at La Grande Park in Fanwood on August 12- 13, 1997. (FOMSA) plays all of its games at La Grande Park.
The Sour Grapes dimmed the Old Stars, 8- 5, at Farley Field on September 7, 1997 to squeeze the title of the JCC SoftballLeague. TheJCCSoftballLeague plays its games at Tamaques Park and Farley Field on Sunday mornings.
Raider Boys Down Cardinals, 9- 7
Senior Dave Gewirtz blasted a solo homer in the third inning as the Scotch Plains- Fanwood High School baseball team downed the Plainfield Cardinals, 9- 7, in Scotch Plains on May 26. Down 4- 3 in the fourth, the Raiders exploded for four runs to take a 7- 4 lead, but the Cardinals pecked away and tied the game in the top of the sixth.
Gewirtz also singled and finished with four RBI. Jim Buccola had a double, a single and two RBI. Doug Bishop cracked a double for the Raiders who upped their record to 12- 5. Gewirtz picked up his fifth win of the season. Plainfield fell to 4- 13.
Plainfield 400 003 0 07 Sc Plains- Fanwood 201 402 x 09
Area High School Tennis Results:
MAY 28: Scotch Plains- Fanwood (13- 7) 5, Irvington (5- 16) 0
1st Singles – Mike Bostwick (SPF) d. Wayne Bryan, 6- 0, 6- 0
2nd Singles – Dave Hassan (SPF) d. Kadoo Bailey, 6- 2, 6- 2
3rd Singles – Ian Doebber (SPF) d. Greg Larosiliere, 6- 2, 6- 4
1st Doubles – John Cameron and Amit Shoor (SPF) d. Sam Noel and Andrew Laurence, 6- 0, 3- 6, 6- 3
2nd Doubles – Paul Swedlund and Shawn Lafkowitz (SPGF) won by forfeit
Scotch Plains Softball League: (As of May 26)
A Division:
TEAM W- L Percentage Snearkermania 5- 1 .833 The Hideaway 4- 1 .800 PEPCO 4- 1 .800 Phoenix Tube 3- 1 .750 MALIBU 3- 4 .429 Jade Isle 1- 4 .200 CTC Renovations 1- 4 .200 Bravo Landscaping 0- 5 .000
B Division:
TEAM W- L Percentage Starlight Cleaners 4- 0 1. 000 C & C Landscaping 3- 1 .750 S. P. Post Office 5- 2 .714 D & L Locksmith 2- 2 .500 Flanagans 2- 2 .500 Depth Chargers 2- 2 .500 Appezzato Const. 1- 5 .166 Fridays 0- 4 .000
Summer Softball League Reminder:
Any local leagues, male of female, which would desire to have its standings listed on a weekly basis and would like to have some possible coverage, can contact David B. Corbin of The Westfield Leader and The Times at 232- 4407 or e- mail at dave@ goleader. com.
POSTERS
The Westfield Leader and The Times
have the capabilities of making large color posters (24x18 and smaller) of sports photos or any photos you may wish to be reproduced. Prices are reasonable. Call David Corbin at (908) 232- 4407 or e- mail Dave for information at dave@ goleader. com.
A DEVIL BASEBALL MOTHER LOOKS BACK...
Last WHS Game Marked End of Another Chapter
By MICHELE ORSINI
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
Today marked the end of a chapter in our families lives. As my son Phil and his teammates played their last Westfield High School baseball game, I couldn't help thinking back to all of the years of baseball that led us to this point.
Through T- ball, Minors, Majors, Ponies, summer tournament teams, American Legion, freshman, junior varsity, and varsity, the parents were always there to cheer the boys on. Now, childhood baseball careers that spanned more than a decade were coming to an end. Looking at the players on the team took me back in time.
It's funny, the memories that stay with a mother don't have much to do with wins or losses, balls or strikes, ERAs or at bats. Instead, the memories consist of treasured bits and pieces of time that highlighted my son's youth. There was the 1997 Union County final game and Phil's "hit of a lifetime."
The feeling of joy as I watched his home run sail over the center field fence was nothing compared to the total excitement of seeing his expression as he rounded the bases. The thrill of watching the team as they won the county championship was great.
Although I don't have a clear recollection of the score or how many walks or strike- outs there were, I do have a vivid picture in my mind of the boys piling on top of each other in sheer jubilation.
There was also the time when Phil, Bobby Baykowski, Matt Williams, and
Dave Koye were about 10- or- 11 years old. It was a summer tournament championship game against Cranford.
Although these two teams have had a strong rivalry for years, what I remember most is the two teams, standing side by side, holding up their first and second place trophies as they posed for a group picture. There were smiles on each and every face and it didn't really matter who had won.
I remember, too, the little things that showed these boys had heart. At the beginning of their 11th grade season they vowed to make it to the county finals. They put the date of that game and the name "Pops" on their cleats. "Pops" was Bobby's grandfather.
He had passed away earlier that year after being the team's number one fan for many, many years. He watched their practices, never missed a game, and always had a little advice for them. I can still see him standing along the fence, as big a part of my baseball memories as any game or score.
This year, the boys were playing without one of their original teammates. I noticed the words "teammates forever" written in Phil's hat, referring to their friend who wasn't on the field with them this year. I knew then that baseball had bonded these boys in a way nothing else really had.
In my mind, I see Phil and Greg Freisen, hats too big for their heads, playing in a minor- league all- star game. Great friends then — and now. I think, too, of the friendships that were made among the parents. Watching your sons play hundreds of baseball games together has a way of drawing you closer.
I laugh to myself when I think of the times the moms would yell out "great hit," even when the opposing team caught one of our boys' shots. To a mom, if you whack the ball, it's a hit! The fact that the other team catches the ball doesn't dampen our enthusiasm.
When your sons are 7, just starting out in a sport, you have no idea of what's in store. The driving to practices, numerous games, buying equipment, countless loads of wash to keep the uniforms clean, dragging your other children from game to game, and the numerous discussions between fathers and sons as they replay the games in their minds.
As these same boys prepare to graduate from high school and leave the playing fields of their youth behind them, you realize what precious memories you've seen in the making. I wouldn't trade them for anything.
David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times WELL- PLACED RETURN… Raider senior Ian Doebber makes a well- placed return to his Irvington High School opponent at third singles. Doebber reigned supreme to win his final game of the season.
David B. Corbin for The Leader and The Times DEPTH CHARGER… Randy Langenfelter of the Scotch Plains Softball League whacks the ball at Jerseyland Field.
David B. Corbin for The Leader and The Times MIKE NEUHAUSER… Of D. & L. Locksmiths trots home at Jerseyland Field.
David B. Corbin for The Leader and The Times LOU DIMARCO… Of the Starlight Cleaners takes a cut at the ball at Brookside Park.
David B. Corbin for The Leader and The Times FINAL RUN… Senior Bob Baykowski scores the final run for the seniors at Westfield High School in the game against Newark East Side on May 27.
| www.goleader.com | press@goleader.com | Copyright |