2009 Diamond Notes

Two former ACBL players, A.J. Battisto (Blazers, Georgia Southern) and Mike Gosse (Robins, Oklahoma), made the jump from A level pro ball to the AAA level this summer. Battisto, a 30th round selection of the Marlins in 2007, started the season at Jupiter (High A) where he logged a 4-3 record with five saves. He also posted a 42-9 strikeout/walk ratio with a WHIP of 0.99. The righthander was promoted to Jacksonville(AA) and finished the season at New Orleans (AAA) where he made five appearances with a 3.24 ERA. Gosse, a 23rd round pick of the Tigers in 2008, hit .263 at West Michigan (Low A) and .243 at Lakeland (High A) before making the jump to Toledo (AAA). The 5-7, 165 lb.second baseman had 16 at bats for the Mud Hens and batted .313 with a home run and three RBI.

COMPILED BY ALLAN SIMPSON In Association with League Managers and Scouts The Atlantic Collegiate League underwent one of the biggest makeovers in its 43-year history in 2009, expanding its ranks from eight to 12 clubs and undergoing a complete makeover in its Kaiser Division lineup—effectively, adding the teams based on New York’s Long Island that were part of the old Hamptons Collegiate League. The new kids on the block did a number on the old guard this summer. Not only did the Kaiser Division whip the more established Wolff Division 11-0 in the all-star game between the two divisions, but the upstart Westhampton Aviators, in their first year of existence, beat the Jersey Pilots in a one-game playoff for the league title, overcoming three consecutive Jersey home runs in the first inning. Kaiser Division clubs also monopolized a list of the league’s best professional prospects, securing eight of the top 10 spots on the accompanying list of 25. Oddly, the No. 1-ranked prospect, Westhampton shortstop/righthander Nick Ahmed (Connecticut), was somewhat of an unexpected choice for the top spot as he played only a minor role in his team’s success, but his upside, particularly as a pitching prospect, was considered the highest in the league. Ahmed withstood a challenge from two obvious Riverhead players: righthander Nick Tropeano (Stony Brook), who won the equivalent of a pitching triple crown by leading the league in wins (7), ERA (1.61) and strikeouts (77, in 50 innings), and was selected the league’s pitcher of the year; and outfielder/first baseman Pete Greskoff (Brown), who was tops in home runs (10) and RBIs (37), and second in batting average (.397). FAST FACTS Year League Established: 1967. States Represented in League: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania. Level of Competition (1-to-4 Scale, 1 being highest): 3. No. of Teams in League: 12. Regular-Season Champion (best overall record): Jersey Pilots. Post-Season Champion: Westhampton Aviators. Teams, PG Crosschecker Summer 25/Final Ranking: No. 25, Westhampton Aviators. No. 1 Prospect, 2008 (per PG Crosschecker): Darin Gorski, lhp, Kutztown Rockies (Kutztown, Pa.; Mets/7th round). First 2008 Player Selected, 2009 Draft: Darin Gorski, lhp, Kutztown Rockies (Kutztown, Pa.; Mets/7th round). Co-Most Valuable Players: Pete Greskoff, of-1b, Riverhead Tomcats; Ken Gregory, of, Jersey Pilots. Most Outstanding Pitcher: Nick Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats. Top Prospect (as selected by league): Nick Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats. BATTING LEADERS Batting Average: Ken Gregory, of, Jersey Pilots (.404). Slugging Percentage: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats (.760). On-Base Average: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats (.510). Home Runs: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats (10). RBIs: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats (37). Stolen Bases: Cass Hargis, of, Riverhead Tomcats (20). PITCHING LEADERS Wins: Nick Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats (7). ERA: Nick Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats (1.61). Saves: Corey Crispell, rhp, Quakertown Blazers (6). Strikeouts: Nick Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats (77).. BEST TOOLS Best Athlete: Nick Ahmed, rhp-ss, Westhampton Aviators. Best Hitter: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats. Best Power: Pete Greskoff, 1b-of, Riverhead Tomcats. Fastest Base Runner: Jordan Payne, of, Lehigh Valley Catz. Best Defensive Player: Nick Ahmed, rhp-ss, Westhampton Aviators. Best Velocity: Nick Ahmed, rhp-ss, Westhampton Aviators. Best Breaking Ball: Mike Tropeano, rhp, Riverhead Tomcats. Best Command: Casey Lawrence, rhp, Kutztown Rockies. Click here for the top 25 ACBL prospects

Former ACBL All-Star LHP Craig Clark (Blazers) was named California League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 16-2 record with a 2.86 ERA. Clark had not suffered a loss since May 7 and was a perfect 15-0 in his last 20 starts. The former Penn State star struck out 135 with only 36 base on balls in 147.2 innings for the playoff bound San Jose Giants. Other former Blazer pitchers with outstanding seasons include A.J. Battisto (Georgia Southern) who started the season at Jupiter (Marlins, High A) and finished at AAA New Orleans where he posted a 3.24 ERA in five appearances. Craig Muschko (LaSalle) allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his last ten starts for Daytona (Cubs, High A) and recorded a 7-3 log with a 3.40 ERA after going from bullpen to starter. Pete Andrelczyk (Coastal Carolina) topped Greensboro (Marlins, Low A) with 19 saves prior to his promotion to Jupiter. LHP Frank Gailey (West Chester) featured a 1.93 ERA in 44 appearances for Lansing (Blue Jays, Low A) with a 3-2 record and ten holds.

Former ACBL All-Star Reid Gorecki has been called up by the Atlanta Braves to replace Nate McLouth who has been placed on the 15 day Disabled List. Gorecki hit .317 for the Nassau Collegians in 2000 and was a 13th round pick of the Cardinals out of the University of Delaware in the 2002 MLB Draft. Gorecki was hitting .286 with nine home runs and 49 RBI for the AAA Gwinnett Braves prior to returning to the New York area for a three game series against the Mets. Former ACBL All-Stars Bobby Brownlie (NJ Colts) and John Halama (Brooklyn Clippers) are currently pitching for the Gwinnett Braves.

The 2009 ACBL Championship Game matchup is now set. It will be the Wolff Division champion Jersey Pilots traveling to Westhampton Beach, NY, Friday, August 7th to meet the Kaiser Division champion Westhampton Aviators.

First pitch at Hite Field will be at 5pm.
The game will be broadcast live over the internet by Carmine Vetrano. Click the TeamLine logo to listen

Junior Dishmey's two RBI proved to be the deciding factor for the Catz in the rain-shortened Game 2 in the best-of-three Wolff Division playoff series. Mike Rossetti (LV) outpitched Jack Rice (Jer) for 7 innings before the game was called with Lehigh Valley on top of Jersey 3-1. With the series tied 1-1, the Pilots will host the 3rd and deciding game today at Torpey Field. Game time is 3:30pm. The winner of this game will earn a spot in the ACBL Championship game tomorrow in the Hamptons against the Kaiser Division champion Westhampton Aviators. The ACBL Championship Game is scheduled for Friday, August 7, at the Westhampton Aviators home field, Hite Field. First pitch is 5pm.

The Kaiser division winner will be decided this evening. North Fork and Westhampton split the first two games of the series yesterday. North Fork taking the opener 7-6 and Westhampton winning the nightcap 9-2 to force game 3 of the series. The 3rd and deciding game of the series will be played at Hite Field, tonight beginning at 5pm. This game will be broadcast via the internet on teamline. Click the Teamline logo to listen.

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The Wolff division single elimination playoff games will be played tonight. The Quakertown Blazers (17-19) will travel to the division champ, Jersey Pilots (26-11) for a 3:00pm contest to be played at Torpey Field. The Lehigh Valley Catz (19-18) will face off against the #2 seed Kutztown Rockies (22-16) at Kutztown Park. Game time is 7pm. The ACBL Championship Game is tenatively scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at Kaiser Division champion's field, 5pm

Bad weather, the most prominent factor in the 2009 ACBL season has wiped out all Wolff Division playoff games today. Todays slate of games will be rescheduled for tomorrow. Check back later in the day as field availability and game times may be affected. The Wolff division playoff schedule is set and will begin tomorrow. The Quakertown Blazers (17-19) will travel to the division champ, Jersey Pilots (26-11) for a 3:00pm contest to be played at Torpey Field. The Lehigh Valley Catz (19-18) will face off against the #2 seed Kutztown Rockies (22-16) at Kutztown Park. Game time is tomorow evening August 3rd at 7pm. The Kaiser division finals best of three series will begin today. The Westhampton Aviators (25-16) travel to Cochran Park to play the division champion North Fork Ospreys (26-15). Game 1 will begin at 4pm, followed by game 2 of the series at 7pm. Game 3 of the series, if necessary will be played at Hite Field on Monday August 3rd beginning at 5pm. The ACBL Championship Game is tenatively scheduled for Thursday, August 6, at Kaiser Division champion's field, 5pm

As of today this is the way the post season shapes up for the 2009 ACBL Playoffs. The teams, times and date are subject to change as the final week of play continues this week. Wolff Semifinals (Single Game) Sunday, August 2 #4 seed at Jersey Pilots, 6:30pm #3 seed at Kutztown Rockies, 12pm Wolff Finals (Best of Three) Game 1: TBA Game 2: TBA Game 3: TBA Kaiser Semifinals (Single Game) Saturday, August 1 Riverhead Tomcats at North Fork Ospreys, 7pm, Cochran Park Southampton Breakers at Westhampton Aviators 5pm, Hite Field Kaiser Finals (Best of Three) Game 1: Sunday, August 2, at higher seed, 2pm Game 2: Sunday, August 2, at higher seed, 5pm Game 3: Monday, August 3, at lower seed, 5pm ACBL Championship Game Thursday, August 6, at Kaiser Division champion's field, 5pm

Drew Sutton, pictured on the left, becomes the very 1st Lehigh Valley Catz player to be promoted to the Major Leagues. Sutton, now with the Cincinnati Reds, got the exciting news yesterday that he was placed on their 25 man roster. Drew, who played shortstop for the Catz in 2002 and 2003, will be with the Reds next week when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Below is the article by Mark Sheldon on the MLB.com.

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Reds promote Sutton from Minors By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com CINCINNATI -- During a six-hour bus ride home with Triple-A Louisville following Tuesday afternoon's game at Gwinnett County in Georgia, all infielder Drew Sutton wanted to do was get some shut-eye. That became all but impossible once Sutton got some unexpected news. He learned he was going to the Major Leagues for the first time when the Reds called him up. "They told me when we got off the bus at 1 a.m., so I didn't get a lot of sleep last night trying to let everybody know and get some people up here," Sutton said. "Usually, they do it before the game or right after the game." To make room for Sutton on the 25-man roster, the Reds optioned reliever Jared Burton to Louisville. Sutton, who turned 26 on Tuesday, was needed to bolster an injury-riddled infield that is currently without shortstop Alex Gonzalez (right elbow) and third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (left wrist). Adam Rosales was back to Louisville on Saturday after he struggled offensively. A switch-hitter with some speed, Sutton was the player to be named later that came over in the March 31 trade that sent infielder Jeff Keppinger to the Astros. Anything that can quicken the route to the big leagues is welcomed by any player, and that's how Sutton viewed the trade. "When I left big league camp [at Spring Training], the Astros told me they just wanted me to play second base," Sutton said. "When I talked to [Reds GM] Walt [Jocketty] after being traded over here, he said they wanted to move me around -- shortstop, second, third, first and maybe some outfield. I thought that was a lot better of an opportunity to be more versatile, and it gives me more opportunities to play." Sutton was batting .254 with five home runs and 19 RBIs with Louisville. He played 13 games at shortstop, 10 at second base, 10 at third base and six at first base. "I talked to [Astros first-base coach] Jose Cruz and Coop [Astros manager Cecil Cooper] and guys over there in Houston," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "They liked what they had in him. I'm going to take a couple of days and have [infield coach] Chris [Speier] look at him at different positions and [first-base coach] Billy Hatcher to work with him in both corners of the outfield, and we'll see. It's his first taste of the big leagues." Sutton's primary position is second base, but he knew better than to expect to get comfortable there. "Dusty said we have a Gold Glover here [Brandon Phillips], so I won't be spending much time at second," Sutton said.

As of 11am this morning, the following games have been postponed: Lehigh Valley at Peekskill (DH) Quakertown at Northern NJ (DH) Kutztown at Jersey (DH) The Long Island at Southampton DH has been moved up to start at noon instead of the original 2pm start time. At this tiime all other games are still on.

Keith Groller of The Morning Call It may hurt some teams in the short term, but having 27 Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League players, past or present, drafted by Major League Baseball organizations this past week ''is a big positive'' for the league, said ACBL president Tom Bonekemper. ''That's what we want to do more than anything, develop players,'' Bonekemper said. ''This is a good number for us. The most we've ever had was 32 five years ago. And there's good quality in the 27 that were taken. ''We had a seventh-rounder with Darrin Gorski going to the Mets, an eighth-rounder in Ryan Buch [White Sox] and Chris Sedon went in the 10th to the Tigers. Sedon was our MVP last year.'' But besides being happy about the 27 total, Bonekemper said the three Lehigh Valley area teams -- the Quakertown Blazers, Lehigh Valley Catz and Kutztown Rockies -- should feel especially good because they combined for 14 of the prospects, although Gorski counts twice because he played for the Blazers in 2007 and Kutztown last year. Bonekemper is especially happy for former Catz player Tim Morris, who went in the 11th round to the Mariners. ''Tim should have made the all-star team last year, but didn't,'' Bonekemper said. ''He didn't sulk. He kept a good attitude about it. He said he just had to get better and he did with a terrific second half.'' Bonekemper said that with 24 summer collegiate leagues spread throughout the country, the 27 players taken showed the ACBL still is a place for the scouts to come. Speaking of scouts, Bonekemper, who has been involved with the ACBL since helping out Lee Butz with the Allentown Wings in the late 1970s, received a ''Service to Baseball'' award from the Middle Atlantic Major League Baseball Scouts Association. He was honored at a reception late last year at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.

The Northern New Jersey Eagles trip to Peekskill to face the Robins tonight, has been postponed. In addition to this game, the Southampton at Long Island andRiverhead at Westhampton games have been canceled As of this time the Sag Harbor at North Fork and Lehigh Valley at Quakertown games are still scheduled. Check back often as we will be posting any changes here.

The Sag Harbor at Westhampton game for today, June 5, has been postponed due to rain. Make-up dates will be announced.

Jamie Moyer (Allentown Wings) gained his 250th career win on Sunday when he allowed only one run in six innings in a 4-2 win over the Nationals. He became the 46th Major Leaguer and only the the 11th lefthander to join the exclusive 250 win club. Moyer is now one game shy of Hall of Famer Bob Gibson (251) for 45th all-time in career wins. John Lannan (Long Island Collegians) suffered the loss after allowing three runs in five innings with seven strikeouts. Jason Bergmann (Jersey Pilots) pitched a scoreless sixth inning for the Nationals.

Greg Folgia (Blazers, Missouri) was selected to the All-Big 12 Conference Baseball Team as a first team outfielder. Folgia has a team-leading .340 average with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. The junior outfielder added two more RBIs last night as Mizzou defeated # 19 Texas A&M; 5-2 in the Tigers' opening game of the Big 12 Championship Tournament.

Greg Folgia (Blazers, Missouri) was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Week for the second time this season. The junior outfielder posted a .500 average with four home runs and 10 RBI in the Tigers' four games last week. Folgia hit .545 with three home runs and nine RBI as Mizzou took the three game series from 19th ranked Kansas. The switch-hitting Folgia tops the Tigers in average (.342), runs (51), hits (66), doubles (15), home runs (12), RBI (61) and slugging percentage (.638) and was selected as number two prospect in the ACBL last year by Baseball America.

Mark Angelo (Blazers, East Stroudsburg) earned his second PSAC Player of the Week award after hitting .750 (9-for-12) with five home runs and nine RBI in a four game series with Mansfield. The post grad also drew two walks,was hit by a pitch and hit two sac flys. On the season he hit .421 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI. Mike Bortz (Blazers), Jeremy Gigliotti (Blazers) and Kevin Thompson (Blazers) also won PSAC weekly awards during the season. Bortz hit .346 while Thompson batted .401 with 12 home runs. Gigliotti posted a 5-2 record with a 2.55 ERA and struck out 68 in 50 innings. Matt Cotollese (Rockies, West Chester) also won two Player of the Week awards and is hitting .449 with 56 RBI. Bob Stumpo (Rockies,West Chester) is hitting .336 for the Rams and was a Player of the Week also. Four pitchers on 2009 ACBL rosters also earned Pitcher of the Week awards. Grant Kernaghan (Catz,Bloomsburg) was selected twice while Tom Admire (Blazers, East Stroudsburg), Colby Betz (Catz,IUP) and Mike Bucklin (Rockies,Kutztown) won weekly awards.

Junior Greg Folgia (Blazers) was named Big 12 Conference Player of the Week after hitting .429 (9-for-21) with 10 RBIs in five games last week for the Tigers. Folgia homered twice and collected five RBIs in the 11-6 victory over Kansas State on Saturday. The leftfielder/first baseman posted a .762 slugging percentage for the week and won the ACBL Slugging Award in 2008 and was also named number two prospect in the league by Baseball America. Folgia is currently hitting .331 and tops Mizzou in runs (35), hits (48), triples (3), home runs (7), RBIs (42) and slugging percentage (.586). Folgia has also been used as a pitcher in relief.

ACBL players continue to impress in the Big East as Joe DiRocco (Catz, Seton Hall) was named Big East Pitcher of the Week after earning a complete game shutout victory over Louisville. The sophomore righthander scattered six singles in the Pirates' 6-0 win in game three of the series. DiRocco is now 3-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 42.2 innings. Chris Sedon (Rockies, Pitt) was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after hitting .412 (7-for-17) with a 1.118 slugging average for the week. The junior infielder had three doubles and three home runs with 12 RBIs. He also stole four bases and is now 15 for 16 on the season. He is currently hitting .446 with eight home runs and 29 RBIs.

Several former ACBL players are now scouting in preparation for the June MLB Draft. Dana Brown (Nationals), Chris Buckley (Reds) and Tom McNamara (Mariners) are Directors of Amateur Scouting. Sal Agostinelli is the International Supervisor for the Phillies while Pat Kelly scouts the Pacific Rim for the Mariners. Closer to home Marteese Robinson is the East Crosschecker for the Nationals and John Green will be the Dodgers East Coast Supervisor. Area scouts include Kevin Barry (Braves), Keith Connolly (Orioles), Alex Smith (Nationals) and John Wilson (Twins). Buddy Hernandez has been named a scout for the Braves and will be based in Orlando. Joe Rigoli (Cardinals) and Phil Rossi (Marlins) continue to serve as pro scouts.

Several former ACBL players were selected for pre-season honors in the recent edition of Collegiate Baseball. Nate Lape (Stars, Marshall) was selected to the Louisville Slugger TPX 2009 NCAA Division 1 All-American Second Team while Zach Calhoon (Catz, Texas-San Antonio) was placed on the Third Team. Outfielder Lape hit .388 last year with 17 home runs and is Projected Player of the Year in the Conference USA. Closer Calhoon is Projected Pitcher of the Year in the Southland Conference after posting 13 saves with a 4-1 record and 1.54 ERA in 2008. Ryan Proudfoot (Catz, Texas-San Antonio) and Nick Zaleski (Catz, Sam Houston St.) were listed as top players to watch in the Southland Conference. Former ACBL players also gathered top honors in the Ivy League and Northeast Conference. Pitcher Todd Roth (Catz,Penn) and outfielder Nick Santomauro (Pilots, Dartmouth) were projected as Pitcher and Player of the Year respectively in the Ivy League. Ryan Buch (Blazers, Monmouth) and first baseman Vin Avella (Catz, Wagner) earned similar honors in the Northeast Conference. In D-2 Eric Carmichael (Rockies, West Chester), Matt Cotellese (Rockies, West Chester), Darin Gorski (Rockies, Kutztown) and Chad Lightcap (Blazers, Kutztown) were selected to the Pre-Season All American Team in the Atlantic Region. Bobby Kay (Robins, C.W. Post), Mike Adams (Robins, Franklin Pierce), T.J. Greig (Mustangs, Molloy), Rob Casal (Cadets, Caldwell) and Adrec Saxon (Pilots, Caldwell) were listed as East Region Pre-Season All-Americans.