New York State League

NYSL players signed to pro teams

Name / Pos / Team
• Matt Acevedo / INF / San Angelo (ULB)
• Felix Adamkiewicz / SS / Evansville (FL)
• Khalid Afify / RHP / Lincoln (AA)
• Andre Alvarardo / INF /Chico (GBL)
• Mark Alvarez /RHP / Lincoln (AA)
• Adam Amar / INF / Blue Jays/ Auburn (NYP)
• Chris Antonides / RHP /
Gateway (FL)
• Andrew Barbaro / C / Traverse City (FL)
• Alex Bardequez / INF / Sioux Falls (AA)
• Josh Barney / RHP / Kalamazoo (FL)
• Arthur Barone / C / Worcester (Can-Am)
• Dan Bertolini / SS / Midwest (FL)
• Chris Bielski / OF / River City (FL)
• Matt Britt / OF / Texarkana (CBL)
• Jono Brooks / INF / Rockford (FL)
• Pat Burgess / C / Yuma (GBL)-Texarkana (CBL)
• Jon Burke / LHP / Quebec (Can-Am)
• Brian Campbell / RHP / Lincoln (AA)
• Ryan Crespi / OF / Sussex (AA)
• Pat Cummins / OF / Orange County (GBL)
• Matt Dahlin / RHP / Edmonton (GBL)
• Frank D'Aversa / LHP / Rockford (FL)
• Joe Dempsey / C / Lincoln (AA)-Rockford (FL)
• Ray Devaul / LHP / Yuma (GBL)
• John Ducey / RHP / Evansville (FL)
• Greg Dumouchel / OF / Ottawa (Can-Am)
• Fred Duquette / LHP / Kalamazoo (FL)
• Anthony Franco / C / Sioux Falls (AA)
• Sean Gildea / LHP / Gateway (FL)
• Nate Ginsberg / LHP / Yuma (GBL)
• Ryan Grant / INF / Sioux Falls (AA)
• Adam Harazenda / LHP / Reno (GLB)
• Dennis Jones /OF / Midwest (FL)
• Grant Ledbetter / RHP / Edmonton (GBL)
• Andrew Lihotz /LHP / Texarkana (CBL)
• Josh Likens / LHP / Reno (GBL)
• Andrew Long /RHP / Texarkana (CBL)
• Jim Ludwig / LHP / Florence (FL)
• Brian Mason / OF / Reno (GBL)
• Adam Matos / OF / Lake Erie (FL)
• Dan Maycock / OF / Gateway (FL)
• Rob Maxwell /RHP / Texarkana (CBL)
• Matt Mazurek / OF / Rockford (FL)
• Ryan McArdle/ INF / Rockford (FL)
• Ross McCoy / OF / Rockford (FL)
• Joe McGhee / C / Brockton (Can-Am)
• Greg McKeown /RHP / Texarkana (CBL)
• Brad McLaughlin / RHP / Quebec (Can-Am)
• Josh McLeod / C / Bay Area (CBL)
• John Molyneux / OF / Fort Worth (AA)
• Michael Mondesir / RHP/ Washington (FL)
• Eric Morrison / OF / Texakana (CBL)
• Corey O'Neill / 1B / Texakana (CBL)
• Joe Orgovan / RHP / Pensacola (AA)
• Mark Pappas/ SS / Sussex (Can-Am)
• Lonnie Patterson / RHP / Schaumburg (NL)
• Ryan Pembroke / INF / Big Bend (CBL)
• Chris Petrie / OF / Grand Prarie (AA)
• Kevin PiccIrillo / LHP / Brockton (Can-Am)
• Scott Porter / RHP / Midwest (FL)
• Jamie Quinn / C / Windy City (FL)
• Shawn Ravenscraft / RHP / Reno (GBL)-Midwest (FL)
• Josh Regits/ RHP / St. Paul (AA)
• Nick Riker/ RHP / Texarkana (CBL)
• Trumaine Riley / WR / Erie (AIFA)
• Vince Rizzi / RHP / Worcester (Can-Am)
• Fraser Robinson / LHP / Brockton (Can-Am)
• George Rohan / LHP / Gateway (FL)
• Brian Rzepka / OF / River City (FL)
• Rob Savarese/ LHP / Lake Erie (FL)
• Nolan Shaffer / RHP / Florence (FL)
• Mark Sikora/ RHP / Yuma (GBL)
• Zack Staniewicz / RHP / Alexandria (CBL)
• Shane Sveda / RHP / Midwest (FL)
• Joe Walentin / RHP / Reno (GBL)
• Pat Warfle / INF / Atlantic City (Can-Am))
• Ryan Weber / RHP / Reno (GBL)
• Zack Welsh / C / Texakana (CBL)
• Dave Whigham / RHP / El Paso (AA)
• Paul Wilson / RHP / Reno (GBL)
• Andrew Wong / IF / Amarillo (ULB)
• Kent Wright / C / Fort Worth (AA)
• Nick Vadaro / IF / Sussex-Brockton (Can-Am)
• Ozain Valoy / C /Quebec (Can-Am)
• Scott Vanes / RHP / Somerset (ATL)
• Justin Young / RHP / Witchita (AA)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

In 1858, the first known baseball song was written, "The Base Ball Polka!" It was not quite as famous as Jack Norworth's 1908 classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", which was written on some scrap paper on a train ride to Manhattan, New York. Norworth then provided those paper scrap lyrics to Albert Von Tilzer who composed the music which in turn was published by the York Music Company and before the year was over, a hit song was born.

Jack Norworth was a very successful vaudeville entertainer / songwriter and spent fifteen minutes writing this classic which is sung during the seventh inning stretch at nearly every ball park in the country. In 1927, he changed some lyrics and a second version appeared.

1908 Version

Author: Jack Norworth
Composer: Albert Von Tilzer
Published on: 1908, 1927
Published by: York Music Company

Katie Casey was base ball mad.
Had the fever and had it bad;
Just to root for the home town crew,
Ev'ry sou Katie blew.
On a Saturday, he young beau
Called to see if she'd like to go,
To see a show but Miss Kate said,
"No, I'll tell you what you can do."

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack,
I don't care if I never get back,
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

Katie Casey saw all the games,
Knew the players by their first names;
Told the umpire he was wrong,
All along good and strong.
When the score was just two to two,
Katie Casey knew what to do,
Just to cheer up the boys she knew,
She made the gang sing this song:

Official League Hotel:
Ardsley Acres Hotel Court

Camp Days
If your camp or organization would like to spend a day with our players, please contact us at:
info@nystateleague.com

HEAR FROM THE PLAYERS!

Matt Dahlin, RHP, Edmonton Capitals (GBL): “You have to start somewhere and work your way up and I think the NYSL is a GREAT place to start and the best opportunity to be noticed. Especially when someone like myself has never been noticed through high school or college that much, it’s a great way to let people see the talent one has been given. And the NYSL does just that. Now I wasn’t quite sure how I’d do but if you show up and play the game, then good things happen, and I was fortunate to have that happen. And because that happened, the NYSL was able to find a professional team for me.”

Kent Wright, C, Fort Worth Cats (AA): The NYSL provided me with a competitive atmosphere where I could showcase my talents in front of professional baseball personnel. The players were of a high caliber and the experience was an unforgettable one. New York in the summer time is a great environment for the professional baseball player.”

Grant Ledbetter, RHP, Edmonton Capitals (GBL): “Jay Acton and Nick Belmonte have created a flawless operation in the NYSL. The numbers prove it. In just two seasons over 100 college players have been given the opportunity to take their game to the next level. The NYSL is without a doubt, rhe best opportunity to showcase your skills among a high pool of competition. Along with that, Jay and Nick demonstrate the highest degree of loyalty and commitment to the success of each individual. Without the NYSL, my baseball career would have ended. Now, I am preparing for my second season of pro ball with Edmonton of the Golden League. Thanks Jay and Nick, I couldn’t have done it without you!”

Ryan Pembroke, INF, Big Bend Cowboys (CBL): “I greatly appreciate Jay Acton, Nick Belmonte And the NYSL for giving me an opportunity to play Professional Baseball. The NYSL is a great stepping stone for players who look to pursue playing Professional Baseball. Without this opportunity in 2008, I would probably still be going to tryouts looking to get picked up. Jay and Nick look out for the best interests of their players and I thank them for that. Because of them I am currently playing in the 2009 season in the Continental Baseball League for the Big Bend Cowboys. If you are looking for a place to play I highly recommend the New York State League as a place to start off.”

Jamie Quinn, C, Windy City ThunderBolts (FL): “The New York State League is the best way for the undrafted or unsigned player to begin his professional baseball career. Jay Acton, Scott Nathanson, and Nick Belmonte all helped me by giving me an opportunity to showcase my skills and play in the NYSL. I greatly appreciate all what they have done for me in helping me sign with the Frontier League. The NYSL is by far the fastest developmental league to the professional ranks and gets my highest recommendation.”

NYSL FLASHBACK: DAVE CASH
When the New York State League was reconstituted in 2007 the first manager hired was former Major League All Star Dave Cash. Cash was chosen to manage the Brewmaster team and was instrumental in the launch of the league, appearing in television, radio and print commercials as well as making many promotional and speaking appearances. Cash was a fifth round draft pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1966 and played with greats such as Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell during his time with the club. By 1971 Cash was a regular and became a World Series Champion as the Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles. Cash was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1973 for pitcher Ken Brett and it was with the Phillies Cash would have his best seasons, being named an All Star in 1974, l975 and 1976. He finished up his twelve year playing career with stints in Montreal and San Diego. His career batting average was .283 and his fielding percentage of .984 is the highest for National League second baseman in history. When he put down his bat and glove he became a coach in the Phillies organization. First he was assigned to Batavia (A) and then to Scranton-Wilkes Barre (AAA). He later became the Philadelphia Phillies first base coach. In 2001, the Baltimore Orioles offered Cash his first managerial job at Frederick (A) in the Carolina League. Later he spent time with the Orioles AA and AA teams. In 2005 he became the Orioles first base coach and served in that capacity through the 2006 season, In 2007 he joined the NYSL. And then in 2008 he became the hitting coach for the Sussex Skyhawks and the team went on to win the Can-Am League Championship. Cash will reprise that coaching role this season. An avid fisherman, Cash enjoys spending the offseason pursuing that passion. Cash’s son David is an outfielder in the Orioles system and is currently hitting over .300 at Frederick. But what Cash enjoys doing most is working with young players and it looks like he’ll spend the future being able to do that.

The Real Independent Champions
It was 25 years ago that the Mohawk Valley of New York State saw its last professional baseball champs—the Utica Blue Sox of the NY-Penn League. This fully independent league won the last championship ever in an affiliated league, beating out franchises of the Yankees, Mets and Orioles among others. The Blue Sox were managed by an intense young man names Jim Gattis and their pitching coach was the venerable Bob Veale, who spent many years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Sox played at a rundown stadium in South Utica called Murnane Field. The executive offices were in an abandoned trailer with no working plumbing. And sometimes even a few fans showed up but for the most part this was about the players—Barry Moss, Don "The Cobra" Jacoby and a world-beating relief pitcher from Canada named Roy Moretti. The Blue Sox started the season with a big lead but had to win three games on the same day to get into the playoffs. Somehow they pulled off this miracle leaving the Little Falls Mets and the Oneonta Yankees behind. On September 5, 1983, the Blue Sox won the Penn League Championship in Newark, New York, against an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The old Blue Sox are long gone but the memories of that championship season have not faded.

Grover Cleveland Alexander

Alexander was born in Elba, Nebraska. Alexander was one of thirteen children and played semi-pro ball in his youth. He signed his first professional contract at age 20 in 1907 for $50 per month. He had a good first season, but his career was almost ended when he was struck by a thrown ball while baserunning. This incident set his career back, but he had recovered by 1910, became a star pitcher again, and was sold to the Philadelphia Phillies for $750.

In his 1911 debut, Alexander led the league with 28 wins (a modern-day rookie record), 31 complete games, 367 innings pitched, and seven shutouts while finishing second in strikeouts and fourth in ERA. From 1912 to 1920, Alexander led the league in ERA five times (1915, 1916, 1917, 1919, and 1920), wins five times (1914-17, 1920), innings six times (1912, 1914-17, 1920), strikeouts six times (1912, 1914-1917, 1920), complete games five times (1914-1917, 1920), and shutouts five times (1915, 1916 [a single season record 16], 1917, 1919). He won pitching's Triple Crown in 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1920. In 1915, he was instrumental in leading the Phillies to their first pennant, and he also pitched a record four one-hitters. Alexander, with the Phillies circa 1910.

After the 1917 season, the Phillies sold Alexander to the Cubs, ostensibly fearful that he would be lost to the army in World War I, but as Phillies owner William Baker admitted later, "I needed the money". Sure enough Alexander was drafted, and spent most of the 1918 season in France as an artillery officer, where he suffered from shell shock, partial hearing loss, and increasingly worse seizures. Always a drinker, Alexander hit the bottle particularly hard after the war. He still gave Chicago several successful years, however, and grabbed another pitching triple crown in 1920. Finally tiring of his increasing drunkenness and insubordination, the Cubs sold him to the Cardinals in the middle of the 1926 season for the waiver price.

The Cardinals won the National League pennant that year and met the New York Yankees in the World Series, where Alexander had his finest moment. He pitched complete game victories in Games 2 and 6. According to teammate Bob O'Farrell in The Glory of Their Times, after the game six victory, Alexander managed to get drunk throughout the night and was still feeling the effects when he was sent out to pitch. Alexander came to the game in the seventh inning of Game 7, after starter Jesse Haines developed a blister, with the Cardinals up 3-2 the bases loaded and two outs. Facing Yankee slugger Tony Lazzeri, Alexander struck him out and then held the Yankees scoreless for two more innings to preserve the win and give St. Louis the championship. He had one last 20-win season for the Cardinals in 1927, but his continued drinking finally did him in. He left major league baseball after a brief return to the Phillies in 1930, and pitched for the House of David until 1938. Alexander died on November 4, 1950 in St. Paul, Nebraska at the age of 63.—courtesy: Wikipedia