No Mazz - No Problem
11/15/2008 |
James Dowling a legendary figure in Somerville and in the managerial ranks in the softball community is back at it trying to win the Readington fall league after getting crushed by Kerwins last year in the finals.
Dowling made multiple changes to his group this year to try to bring home another piece of hardware for his display case in his TV room. Mike"Stump"Mataish,Tony"Misery"Mazzariello and Mike"Stimey"Failla were offered spots on the roster but graciously declined,so JD had to do his thing. First thing he did was grab last year's championship pitcher Eric"Smithdog"Smith,although at times a loudmouth on the field and a pain in the ass,Smith knows how to win and has for years. Also added to the mix is Smith's current Tube teammates Billy"Heavy"Ettel,Tom"Scare"Crohan Greg"GMoney"Wyckoff,Emerson"Heartbreak"Greenridge and Mark"down on my"Nies.Dowling also recruited Tony"grand"Paiano,Gary"Rock"Roscoe,Josh Keister,Pete Hammernik,Jerry Waters and Vince Magilone.
Al Faleski,Paiano,Hammernik were the only 3 holdovers from last year's runnerup team. Dowling is like these EFX teams of late,heavy turnover lol.
The Royal defeated MSB 37-25 to advance to the winner's bracket final to play Industrial Properties,who defeated Universal Nutrition 22-21 in a bizarre finish. Royal had 9 guys against Industrial Properties and decided not to put Dowling in to make 10,and J.Waters lined out with 2 on and 2 out to end a close game which had the Royal lose by 2. However as we know,Royal did not have all the troops and playoffs are a different season than a regular season game.If Billy"Heavy"Ettel doesn't hand out walks like Halloween candy then Royal should be in fine shape.Dowling instructed his troops not to overlook IP or Universal,and the veteran squad he has will not.
There have been talks after the game of a James Dowling/Scott Farrell autographed ball that will be up for auction with the money going to Dowling's new outfits or Farrell's chapstick.
Weds nt will determine everything starting at 6:15.
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Tube wins Readington for 3rd year in a row
10/11/2008 |
Phoenix Tube defeats Haggan Tire 24-10 to win the best of 5 series 3 -1.David "Pipes"Reale goes 5 for 5 in the final game and despite off nights by some of the Tubians,they still manage to rack up 24 runs against a good Haggan Tire team.
Tube did it this year again,with timely hitting and superb defense. The best in the area in this man's opinion when everyone is present,addition of T.Crohan added more pop to the lineup and E.Greenridge playing 1b/OF definitely was a big factor in success on Thursdays and the weekends.
COunt on the other teams,especially the Shockers led by Josh Keister and Mike Kester to make some serious moves to try to overtake the men in maroon.
The league bats have been a success for 2 years now and everyone seems to really like it,props to Dave Ball for that and hopefully the Rec. Dept keeps us playing there for many years to come,as they are the best fields to play on in central jersey. |
Primetime/EFX title run falls short
8/8/2008 |
Primetime ran into a buzzsaw called Avellinos who now are back to back champs in Pisc. Avellinos led by pitcher Ben Marranzano,Jerry Waters,John Alcaide and crew have won 32 games in a row in Pisc,including playoffs in the last 2 years.This team is clearly the team to beat and was missing 2b/P Russ Banasiak too.
For the first year of the this team,we had fun and made a nice run to the finals,however this will not ne no cut throat team where friends are cut to try to win it all.That's not what it is all about.Winning is great,but having fun with the guys on and off the field is important too. So there may or may not be a team next year,depending if we can all play on our only available night(Tuesday),if not then it was a fun ride while it lasted. Mondays most of us will be in the Bridgewater NSA league and Thursdays Readington. Weds is not an option. See alot of you in the fall... Peace
Smitty |
20/20 with AL"Duke"Faleski
7/20/2008 |
AL"Duke"Faleski has been playing ball for over 27 years and he played on some great RED DOOR teams out of Manville years ago.He was and still is one of the better hitters around as he can hit singles when you need them and home runs as well.Al's temper has made him go "POSTAL" on some in the past,but now is a laid back veteran leader on most teams he plays on. He has started the Phoenix Tube over 40 team this year and they have a nice squad and should compete well at the nationals in Phoenix Arizona come October. So I asked the Manville legend a few questions,here we go enjoy:
E.Smith:What do you think of your team so far this year?
Duke:I think we have played well so far. Not having Frank C and Emerson for the nationals will hurt us. I think all the guys I have are winners, and will give you everything they have, win or lose
E.Smith:People wonder is this really your team,or is it Farrell's, who's is it?
Duke:I personally asked every guy on this team, so I hope that its mine. I have made every decision so far, and I am ok with listening to peoples suggestions, but I will make the final decisions. Its really Andrews team, no Andrew, no team.
E.Smith:How did this over 40 team happen?
Duke: I was going to make an over 45 team, and gave birth to a decent over 40 team.LOL
E.Smith:What do you think of your sponsor Andrew Reale ? Duke:Never in my 27 years of playing ball, have I been lucky enough to have a sponsor as generous as Andrew. He is a great guy, down to earth, as well as a great sponsor. I feel fortunate and lucky to get him to sponsor my team. I hope to make him as proud of his team, as I am to wear the Tube colors.
E.Smith:Who is your most important player that you need there?
Duke:They are all important. As you well know, you need everyone to compete hard and contribute to win. Can not win with just a few good players, must be deep.
E.Smith:What are some of the over 40 rules,people may not know ?
Duke:8 homeruns, 5 runs per inning max,allowed to swing the Miken Ultra 2, except last inning is an open inning.Double bag at first, and two home plates, with no sliding plays at the plate, force outs only at the plate. ( These are Senior Softball rules)
E.Smith:Does Rich Ihling really have 16 pair of batting gloves?
Duke:Maybe more
E.Smith:Congrats on Bridgeton victory,how was the competition?
Duke:Tribe, Fat Jacks and Sneddons were good teams, and I thought Shave This was a very very good assembled team by Zippy. They had a very solid 12 guys, and I was very proud to have beaten them
E.Smith:Are you guys looking full strength for the Parenti on August 2nd?
Duke:Missing Pru and Lope, Our three and four hitters, but I feel very confidant with the guys , that they will give everything, and I expect us to compete, as always. Win or lose I can promise our guys will give 100
E.Smith:Are you president of the Scott Farrell fan club?
Duke:Scotty is Scotty, and no I am not the president. I am sure he is the president of his own fan club,LOL.
Like him or hate him, he is a very good player for a lot of years now. He needs to talk a little less and just let his playing talk for him. (Yes I have told him this) He is a very valuable player to our team
E.Smith:What changes have you noticed in today's game?
Duke:BATS BATS BATS. THEY ARE SICK. They make the good players dangerous, the average players better.
E.Smith: Why is ASA in the Northeast falling to pieces?
Duke:Lunger does not give a shit. And he is a fat pig
E.Smith:What is your favorite association to play?
.Duke:ASA Like the bigger arc.
E.Smith:What is your stance on the whole "juiced" bat era that we are in?
Duke:Everyone is doing it, shaving or painting bats. ( Ask Barry Bonds, Maguire, and Palmiero what they think about cheating. There accomplishments do not mean shit. Same with softball
E.Smith:What are your favorite fields to play on?
Duke:Williamsport
E.Smith:Favorite tournaments?
Duke:Wildwood and Belmar were nice. Always loved Zins in Denver Pa.(Williamsport always No 1
E.Smith:What is your biggest tournament win ever?
Duke:Won the B"s in Belmar beating the all Army team. Finished third in the Bud once , beating Seltman and Cobb to get there. Won Williamsport A's twice, when they used to get a good showing on Labor day. Finished second in Wildwood B's to Jimmy Devines team, when he was young and just starting. Augulis
E.Smith:Any new pickups on the horizon for your over 40 team?
Duke:Would love to get Dave Ball for next year, and for the guys to comitt to me first and their other teams second.
E.Smith:Are there any good leagues left in central jersey?
Duke:Thursday night has most
of the better players in it from our area. Jimmys league has potential to be very good also.
E.Smith:If your team doesn't win(Haggan Tire),who will win the Thursday Night Readington softball league?
Duke:1. Tube, 4 way, Shockers
E.Smith:What do you think of the Shockers?
Duke:Great bunch of guys.
E.Smith:What do you think of the regular Phoenix Tube squad?
Duke:Its the best team that they have had, their potential is unlimited.
E.Smith:Will Mazz ever be happy?
Duke:No Comment
E.Smith:Do you like James Dowling's Monday night NSA league?
Duke:Yes, It is going to be even better next year.
E.Smith:What changes would you like to see in today's game?
Duke:BATS
E.Smith:Will you be player/coach of the Shockers soon?
Duke: No
E.SMith:Who are the best power hitters you played with or against in NJ?
Duke:RON DORSEY SR., BEN MARANZANO,BILL JERICH, DOUG KISSANE, DEVINE, PRU, BUDDHA,BENDER, KEN DEGUTIS, GRAU, MATISAK, A SNYDER,MONGO, HERK, NIES, BUNKY MILLER,BOB PIETRYCK, BROWNIE, AND A GODZILLION OTHERS
E.Smith:What did legendary Bobby Pietryzk teach u on the Red Door?
Duke:EVERYTHING
E.Smith:Who are the cheapskates in softball?
Duke:GARY HOWELL, SCOTT FARRELL, JOHN MALINOWSKI
E.Smith:IS it true,you may workout this winter for the first time in a decade?
Duke:SMITTY YOUR A DICK.
E.Smith:Why do teams fold and merge so often now a days?
Duke:No loyalty anymore
E.Smith:What is your favorite aluminum bat ever?
Duke: Green Richie Superior TPS
E.Smith:What young players do you think have the talent to be real good?
Duke:Hammer, Jason Glenn, Crohan, Pete Amadeo, Jay Evans, just to name a few
E.Smith:Do you still drink cranberry on the rocks at Gattos bar in Manville?
Duke:SMITTY YOUR A DICK
E.Smith:What is your favorite charity tournament?
Duke:AGULIS, PARENTI, JACK GARDNER(Somerville Elks)
Thanks Duke,appreciate the time. We shall talk again for another installment of 20/20 with the Duke |
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