The Dogs arrived in Jersey Wednesday night for a pizza party and checked into their hotel rooms in preparation for the big…
The RGMVM Bulldog 8-and-under travel team headed to Allendale, N.J. to represent New York in the AABC Eastern Regional Tournament.
The Dogs arrived in Jersey Wednesday night for a pizza party and checked into their hotel rooms in preparation for the big tournament. The Bulldogs and the Maryland Rangers played to a draw in game one and they were sorry they did. The Rangers jumped all over the boys from RGMVM, getting out to an 11-1 lead.
The Bulldogs, however, would not roll over, battling back to 11-7 and leaving the tying run at the plate in game one. Playing some great defense in game one were Bryan Torres, Robbie Hofmann and Rick Fleri. The Bulldogs bounced back and came out running in game two against the Allendale Astros. Everyone got involved in the attack on offense.
Robbie Hofmann (2-3)
Matt Fox (3-4)
Chris Piteo (3-4)
Bryan Torres (2-4)
Brandon Acosta (2-4)
The Dogs also used their pitching and defense to jump out to a 12-5 lead. Getting it done on the mound were Matt Fox, pitching a solid three innings in getting the win, and Chris Piteo, throwing the last three innings in securing the save. With the bounce-back win it was everyone to the lake for a victory swim.
The Bulldogs next took to the field for an elimination game against the Cheshire Reds from Connecticut. The Dogs got solid pitching from Hofmann in the first and then loaded the bases, taking an early 2-0 lead.
In the second and third innings the Bulldog defense had a few lapses and fell behind, 6-2. In the fifth the Dogs were robbed on a controversial play at the plate that after the dust settled the ump called safe, leaving the Dogs behind, 7-2.
In the bottom of the sixth the never-say-die Dogs mounted a rally, cutting the lead to 7-4. They brought the go-ahead run to the plate, but unfortunately it was not meant to be as the batter grounded out and Cheshire advanced to the semifinals. After a few tears were shed, the realization of the accomplishment of the young boys was captured. A great season ended on a beautiful field, but the memory of being a state champion and a 21-3 season will last forever. RGMVM 2003 8-year-old Federation New York champions…
A special thanks goes out to the parents for their support throughout the year. There will be a tryout for the 2004 Bulldog travel team, which is open to all serious ballplayers in and out of RGMVM boundaries. The date will be Sept. 7. Please call Rob Hofmann at 718-847-4406 for more information.
Major softball tournament
Rockaway Game 1
In the first game of the Girls’ Major softball tournament, RGMVM sent young pitcher Lucia Cappuccio to the mound and she would keep the game close until the RGMVM bats could get rolling. Once the girls’ bats got going it was hard for Rockaway to stop them.
Getting it done with the bats for RGMVM were: Johanna Rice (2-2), Jennifer Conlin (2-3), Krystil Hofmann (2-2), Alexandra DiMarco (1-2), Carla (2-2) and Lucia Cappuccio (2-2).
Everyone got involved and contributed. The win moves RGMVM to the winners bracket for a matchup with Ozone Howard. RGMVM faced off against Ozone Howard in the Girls’ Major Little League softball tournament, with the girls of RGMVM coming out on top. RGMVM sent young windmiller Krystil Hofmann to the mound and she kept the Ozone Howard hitters off balance all game with a great mix of pitches. She struck out 16 batters.
Lucia Cappuccio also was great behind the plate, calling all the pitches and gunning down a runner at third base to kill a late-inning rally. Coming up big with the bats for RGMVM were Johanna Rice, Rebecca Tierney and Krystil Hofmann, who drove in the three runs for the RGMVM crew. With the win, RGMVM will await the winner of Rockaway vs. Ozone Howard.
League news and reminders:
Registration and tryouts for the 2004 season will be Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All equipment bags must be returned to Jeff Catalano as soon as possible. Failure to do so will result in a $50 charge to the manager of the team. All returned equipment bags at the end of the season with missing equipment will be assessed a $50 fee.
Any parent who has not completed the mandatory work detail will be charged a $50 assessment on the 2004 registration.
Limited lessons are available in fast pitch softball for girls, baseball pitching for boys and hitting for both baseball and softball. Please call Hedda Hofmann at 718-847-4406.
Any manager looking to start travel teams should contact his or her player agent. These travel teams will help develop the ball players in the league to compete at the next level of play and will encourage the serious ballplayers in the league to play and practice year-round.
These new programs show the league’s commitment to helping our players continue to practice and train for the upcoming season. These programs are part of the league’s new “Practice, Train and Play Ball Year-Round” campaign. The Ladies Auxiliary is looking for a few good women. Get involved. Help the league and our kids. Call Hedda Hofmann at 718-847-4406 for more information.
Please visit the RGMVM Little League at its new improved Web site: www.rgmvm.com. All game write-ups should be e-mailed to rgmvm@rgmvm.com.
