As the 11-12s team battles Little League for a chance to continue playing in the District 23 Tournament, we congratulate the West Side 9-10s Tournament team for reaching the finals in the District 23 games! After a disappointing first loss to Inwood, West Side went on to win the next 5 games, eliminating Kingsbridge, Peter Stuyvesant, Greenwich Village, East Harlem, and just yesterday North Riverdale (in a super fast, tension filled 3-2 game).
West Side gets to face Inwood again tomorrow, Monday July 14th at 5:30 in Inwood. If you have a chance, please go to the game and support the team. They will have to win against Inwood tomorrow, and then play them again (and win) on Wednesday (7/16) to win the District. The Inwood field is located at 218th Street and Indian Road (4 blocks west of Broadway).
The 11-12s tournament team, on the other hand, won the first game against Kingsbridge, and then lost against Next Millennium. With several irregularities with the team Next Millennium fielded, West Side reached out to District Administrators and requested that they that they take a closer look. West Side then went on to play Inwood, losing that game. After finding out last night (after the 9-10s played) that Next Millennium has been disqualified from playing in the 9-10s tournament, West Side President Tatiana Hoover, once again reached out to the District questioning the fact that Next Millennium was still allowed to field teams in other divisions.
It is our contention that Next Millennium should not be allowed to continue playing in the District 23 tournament -- they have been disqualified from the 9-10s, this after having been disqualified two years ago and given a one year ban. We also feel that the teams Next Millennium faced unfairly (Peter Stuyvesant, West Side and North Riverdale) should have a chance to compete fairly in tournament play.
Ms. Hoover has spent the last 2 days trying to get Little League to address the situation. It's our position that a League that has a history of cheating, that has been disqualified (and banned) in the past and yet continues to operate as usual, has as no place in Little League. That League should have all its teams -- in all age brackets disqualified -- and the burden of proof should at some point not rest with the law-abiding leagues. So far Little League has ignored our calls and emails.
Meanwhile, West Side 11-12s have continued to play – facing an Inwood all star team yesterday (winning 12-3) and they’re looking forward to games against Peter Stuyvesant on Wed. and Friday. The team has also entered a tournament in New Jersey later this month.
Check out the photos for all the tournament games in our Photo Gallery!
As most of our players and families go off to their summer plans, the WSLL is proud to announce that we fielded 4 Tournament Teams this year! We invite you all to join us at the always exciting games.
This year Greg McDonald returns as the coach of the 9-10s Tournament Team. With 12 players he was ready to take on both the Cal Ripken and the District 23 tournaments. The team played 2 Cal Ripken games in Queens, losing the first, and winning the second game. They then decided to drop the Ripken tourney, as it interfered with the schedule of the District 23 – their goal is to win that one – and they’ve played two games already, losing the first to Inwood (4-2) and winning the second, eliminating Kingsbridge from the tournament (11-1).
The 9-10s play WEDNESDAY, JULY 2 at 5:30 in Inwood (Ken DeGroat Field – 218th St. & Indian Road. Four blocks west of Broadway)
In the 11-12s age group, we have two teams. The Blue Tournament Team with Larry Toporek as Head Coach/Manager and the Red Team with Geoff Hoover as Head Coach/Manager.
The Blue Team has entered the Cal Ripken tournament, where they are currently 1-1, with a loss to Ozone Howard and a win against Bushwick (9-0). They play their next game WEDNESDAY, JULY 2nd at 5:30 in HBQVB (Directions to HBQVB Field at 236-02 Hillside Av. in Queens: Take the Grand Central Parkway east and exit at the Cross Island Parkway South. Take the Cross Island to the second exit (the first will be Union Turnpike). The second exit is Hillside Avenue. Take Hillside west. The cross streets should start at 242, going down to 236. The field is on your left beginning at 239 St. and ending at 236 St. There is a parking lot at 236 St. The number at the field is (718) 464-6088.)
The Red Team is seeking to become the second WSLL team to win the District. They’re off to a great start as they faced and beat Kingsbridge in a tight, exciting game two days ago. WEST SIDE 5, Kingsbridge 4! Gabe Paley pitched 6 tough innings, striking out 9 and was 3 for 3 with 3 rbis and Patrick Jaraique was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored in leading the red team to victory.
West Side next faces Next Millennium on Monday July 7th @ 5:30pm at the Kingsbridge field (Cooney Grauer Field – 233rd St. & Bailey Ave. in the Bronx).
The Junior Division (13-14s) team is led by Coach Gary Lincoff and entered in the District tournament, but unfortunately they lost both of their games to more experienced teams. We’ll let you know if they decide to enter into any more tournaments.
We look forward to see you out there at our games, cheering the teams on!!!! The games are great fun and we really need the support!
If you can't make it to the games, check out our tournament album for fun photos of the players.
Tatiana