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Bethlehem BRAVES Travel Baseball CLUB
Bethlehem BRAVES 1864 Vintage Team in the SpotLight - July 2, 2015
Crossing bats
A vintage baseball game bridges the miles between two teams looking to preserve, educate and entertain
Local rooters are sure to unite when the Bethlehem nine cross bats with the visiting New York Mutuals in a base ball match at the Bethlehem Elm Ave. Town Park in Delmar on Saturday, July 4.
Steve “The Prez” Peterson, manager of the Bethlehem Braves, shared his expectations for a tough match with this reporter the other day. Peterson said the Mutuals is a tough and competitive lot with a winning reputation.
“They’re dedicated guys,” said Peterson. “They enjoy playing us. They enjoy beating us. I hope we can put together a good team this year, and give them a little better run.”
The Braves is a young and speedy aggregation out of Bethlehem that doesn’t often see many opportunities to match wits with such formidable opponents. These young cubs may be wet behind the ears compared to the boys from the Big City, but they won’t for a second hesitate to go hammer and tongs when the occasion calls for it.
“Bethlehem always has a strong team, and though they have not beaten us yet, it is just a matter of time,” said Tom “Big Bat” Feslowich, the Mutual’s team president. “ They have the support of the home rooters, and that is always an advantage. We always expect a well-played match with enthusiasm and muckle. If they use the willow and hit daisy cutters, they should fair well.”
On the slab for the home team will be Josh “Sweet Pete” Peterson with Tony “Meatball” Sanchez behind the dish. Sweet Pete has shown some prowess with whitewashing his opponents (in games allowing him to throw overhand). “Dollar” Bill Bogatz will be pitching for the visiting nine, while Pockets will be his battery mate. News has it that Dollar is a gentleman and a bachelor, so if any ladies are present and unattached, they should come dressed in their finest dresses.
On the offensive, the Mutuals boast a skillful lot. Thom “Dirt” Fioriglio is said to be very skilled at the fair-foul. That is when you chop down on the ball so it hits in fair territory (and therefore a fair ball) and then heads towards the benches in foul territory and is in play. He can place the ball anywhere he wants, while Derek “Legs” Fesolowich is fast and not an easy out.
A different era
Baseball was very much a different game a century ago, complete with different rules and language more suitable for a Jane Austen book than the Sporting News. Fights with umpires, games disrupted by fans with money on the line, was not uncommon. Nevertheless, it was dubbed a gentlemen’s game, and later the National Pastime. Soon after the Civil War ended in 1865, the popularity of the game blossomed across the nation. Johnny Evers, baseball Hall of Famer, once described how every vacant lot in his South Troy had a baseball game played upon it.
“Playing in front of a crowd is the most fun thing we do,” said Feslowich. His Mutuals was founded in 1999, a homage to the original team that played the game from 1857 to 1876. His team made of individuals that are part athlete and part thespian, travel the region playing vintage baseball. It’s the game many of us played in Little League and later, but they hold true to the archaic rules that have been amended over the past century. “It is one of the main reasons we do this. Part of our mission is to educate and entertain and show people the history of the game of baseball and how it was played in the 19th century. It is very satisfying to see the smiles on people’s faces or to answer questions or to pose for pictures. Especially when kids are involved.”
For more than five years now, the Mutuals have made an annual trip to the Capital District to play off against a team in the Town of Bethlehem. Steve Peterson, president of the Bethlehem Mickey Mantle association that fields youth amateur baseball teams, established that team in 2008. The pairing between the two teams was out of happenstance.
#Peterson said the town was organizing a celebration to recognize the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s landing on the shores of the river that would eventually bare his name. “I attended the meeting because I’m very interested in American history. I just started the club, and I’m thinking, ‘What can I do to help? Is there something that I can do?’”
Peterson recalls people sharing ideas of showcasing wooden shoes and Dutch pottery, to pay tribute to the region’s Patroon heritage. A baseball fan, Peterson voiced his idea for a vintage baseball game.
“So, I sat in on the meeting, and not to name names,” said Peterson, “but … the quote was, ‘What does baseball have to do with America?’”
Peterson recalls responding with a chuckle before admitting that baseball may not have had much of a cultural impact in the area 400 years ago, but did so 150 years ago. To further support his idea, Peterson said he researched the idea of an old-time baseball game over the Internet, and reached out to a handful of teams across the region, comprised of individuals dedicated to playing baseball based on vintage period rules.
“The Mutuals answered my e-mail, and they latched right on to it.” What has since transpired is an annual event that welcomes a traveling vintage baseball team out of Long Island to play ball in Delmar each holiday weekend. Members of each team have an apparent respect for one another. This spring, the Albany Institute of History and Art debuted “Play Ball!” a baseball exhibit showcasing the history of the game in the Capital District. The Mutuals traveled from Long Island to participate with Peterson and his players to dress up and play a few exercises on the institute’s front lawn.
Each year, the event plays out as if the relics from the Baseball Hall of Fame escaped from Cooperstown and had come to life like dream match-up only W.P. Kinsella could conjure. Players play period authentic uniforms, long-sleeved and wool. Pitchers throw underhanded, and nearly 20 feet closer to the batter than from where they throw today (60 feet, six inches). And, perhaps the most noticeable difference among them all, none of the players on the field wear gloves.
The players who dress the part can’t help but feel as if they are putting on a production suitable for Proctors.
“There is a sense of showmanship,” said Feslowich, who goes by the nickname “Big Bat.” Some participants take to wearing fake facial hair, reminiscent of the lamb chops that were popular during the Victorian Age. For others, the handlebar mustaches that would make Rollie Fingers proud, are very much real. All play to the crowd to make it an interactive experience. “Part of it is having the skills to play the game the right way, but also, the humor and joy that we show while playing. The more we can get the crowd involved, the better. If we can pull off a trick play, like the hidden ball trick or a well-executed fair-foul, the better.”
Peterson has been known to use public figures throughout the Capital District to field his nine each year, some from the local media, others from politics. His made it a point to make it an event for everyone to enjoy.
“It’s a great town event,” said Peterson. “People like to come out and see that.”
Announcement:
Due to new Town residency requirements, after 8 successful years, 2016 was the final Fourth of July Vintage Base Ball game played in Bethlehem.
On Monday JULY 4th, 2016
The BETHLEHEM "4th of July"
VINTAGE BASE BALL Game
was played with the Rules of the year 1864 - Civil War era .
The Bethlehem BRAVES Vintage Team WON 16-7 vs. the New York Mutuals of Bethpage, Long Island.
Our Special Guest singer of our
National Anthem and God Bless America
"Rafi the Singing Jeweler"
delivered amazing patriotic performance.
www.bethlehembraves.com
The NY Mutuals are based in Old Bethpage Village – Long Island, NY. (web site link)
http://www.nymutuals.com/
2016 Bethlehem BRAVES - 1864 Vintage team roster:
Joe "Crazy Joe" Monserrat
Josh "Sweet Pete" Peterson
John "Iron Man" Guastella
Tony "Meatball" Sanchez
Tim "Full Count" Fuller
Kevin "Special K" Kraus
Joe "Pay Day" Carrecia
Scott "Get 'Er Done" Bonanno
Mark "Masher" Marshall
Dan "Flash" Fuller
Joe "Hammer" Hauser
Steve “The Prez” Peterson
We always did things by the rules since day one and now they change the rules and they raise the fees by 357%.
In response to the Town of Bethlehem field rental fee increases of 357% - 700% more:
This does seem to be wrong on many levels.I do think that there are still enough kids from Bethlehem playing for the Braves and in the future as well. An athlete such as our son Mike, who struggled to make the Bethlehem travel teams through the years benefited from this group tremendously. This set him up for finally making the Varsity baseball team this spring his Senior year.
He put lots of volunteer hours in along with substantial money to play as well that it seems like... such a shame to do this. When we live in a competitive School district for sports it certainly gave him a sense of hope to get better and reach some goals that may not have been able to be reached without the Braves. Meeting kids from different schools/areas has been a great experience for him and has helped his self esteem and his ability to become a better player. I see nothing wrong with have a mixed group of kids that have worked very hard at achieving such a great field and baseball experience.
We will be sad to know these rules may change for selfish reasons. I do know that Steve Peterson has also tried hard to pull in more Bethlehem kids to tryout and play for them as well as my husband a town resident to coach at one point. We have five children and so far my other two boys were luck enough to play for their age level Bethlehem travel teams, which has been much more affordable . The town charges a fair amount to rent the fields to the Braves as it is. We certainly can not afford a 700% increase in cost for our soon to be college level player. This is very disappointing to us. As a town resident this proposal will actually hurt us and that doesn't seem fair either. Can't their be a better way to do this??
Christine Cubello
Delmar, NY
Spotlight Newspaper - July 13, 2016 issue, page 15 "Letter to the Editor":
"Proposed rules on town parks is bullying"
Mr. Michael Hallisey, Managing Editor - Spotlight.
I have been watching the Bethlehem field usage issue closely as I was in a similar situation as a coach of a Travel girls’ softball team for many years. In 2000 we left the Tomboys program at a time when many of the other higher level players from the organization (as well as other community programs in the Capital District) joined or formed teams with the goals of providing our kids with better opportunities. Facility and field usage was always an issue, even back then, and we did our best to keep it affordable which was difficult. With a team made up from girls from several different towns, we probably had the most players from our own community at 4 or 5 of the 13 players. At that time, we didn’t even pay for field use, as for the most part, it was on a first come basis. Requiring the amount they now want is absurd. Are you also telling me you are going to start checking all of the users that are enjoying the parks etc. to make sure their group is 90%? I think not and it saddens me that these fine groups are being singled out. Even Tomboys, who now recruit from outside our community to maintain membership, are in jeopardy of this rule.
As I listen to the reasons for why this situation has become such a debate and witness the specific targeting of Mr. Peterson and his baseball group, I am disgusted at how the Town of Bethlehem is “rewarding them” for their hard work and dedication to our children. For years now this program has taken it upon themselves to construct, repair, and care for their home field when the town could not afford it themselves or just didn’t care. Now all this effort and financial investment is being stolen like some modern day Robin Hood where they not only can’t get preference to reserve this field, but are being charged exorbitant rates to use it when they do. Are you telling me that the cost to maintain this field by the town outweighs the benefit of what these folks donate(d) to its care in addition to thousands they already pay? I don’t buy it for a second and see this as just another money grab and chance for John Clarkson to flex his muscles of control to BULLY our residents into paying more to utilize something already built and paid for. Lest you forget that having our kids occupied with sports helps to keep them off the streets, substance abuse free and out of mischief. Just another selfish act by the town administration.
It seems like every day I wake up to find that those who have not been a part of building this fine town are doing something new to tear it down and make it what THEY want. I continue to encourage everyone to stand up, get involved and speak their mind to protect what we have built. It not too late!
David Harrington
Bethlehem
9 years ago when my son Tim graduated from Hudson Valley LL in Ravena, he wanted to find somewhere to continue baseball.
Ravena no longer had a Babe Ruth league, and as we knew people connected to Bethlehem Babe Ruth and it is an adjoining town, we applied there, and were turned down because we were not from Bethlehem. Even though that violates Babe Ruth rules. I don't believe that there is a problem with this now, but there was then.
He wound up playing for an independent league that traveled sometimes 2-1/2 hours from home to play. This was difficult. At the end of that summer we found the Braves. He is now 21 and continues to play for them. He finished his HS career, and is now going in to his senior year in college, and is a pitcher and infielder there.
The Braves opened their arms to him 8 years ago , and although their have been ups and downs along the way, he has always been a welcome part of the Braves family. The Braves offered him an opportunity to better his skills, gave him the confidence and skill set to become a college baseball player, and a strong person. He has made many friends, and connections through the Braves and will have these friendships and memories to look back on for the rest of his life. He is also now teammates with several of his opponents from other HS and College teams, who also found a home with the Braves.
If the town of Bethlehem see's this as a problem, shame on them. The Braves are truly in it for the kids and the love of the game.
Personally I have put in countless hours , helped raise $ all for improvements on the fields making improvements in the organization, helping to build a better baseball experience. I hope that the town will reconsider the proposal, as it will certainly do more harm than good. And I hope that they remember that Field 5 was an abandoned run down, swamped field when the Braves approached the town with the idea of building what is now a showpiece.
Pete Hughes
Ravena
I would like to thank Steve Peterson for everything he has done for our family and very grateful for having my son be a part of a great team. He has been with the Braves for 3 years now and I could not ask for a better coach in Jimmer. Thank you again Steve for everything that you have done for this league and all the players.
Brian Wood
Bethlehem
With the long weekend coming I wanted to give a huge Thank you to Steve Peterson and The Bethlehem Mickey Mantle Baseball league. It started 9 years ago when my ...son Mike learned the true meaning of teamwork dedication from some very amazing coaches throughout the years. Michael has been fortunate enough to continue to play with the same teammates and coaches. He and I are very thankful.. This year marks probably the last year as he playing in the 22u college age team...We are truly thankful for the commitment this league has shown to all the players and families throughout the past 9 years and for many more...
Amy Rudolph
Delmar
Over $100,000.00 into it and it looks pretty nice. Thank you Bethlehem Mickey Mantle, Inc. for making Field #5 one of the best baseball fields in the Capital Region. Town says "Bethlehem Braves Won't Be Denied A Field To Rent", oh sure but at a 357% increase! The new fee is $50.00 a game, instead of the $100 a week fee being paid now each season. A 357% Increase! On top of the over $100,000.00 that the Club has put into the rented field over the past 9 years.
S. Peterson
Bethlehem
So tomorrow is most likely the last day I'll suit up in an 1864 outfit, dressed to play ball.
If you haven't seen the Times Union newspaper, this year will be t...he final year of our Vintage Baseball game against our friends and foes from Long Island, the New York Mutuals.
And it hasn't really hit me yet...
Being apart of this wonderful game is truly an honor. Each year, I enjoy putting on that hot and heavy uniform and put on a show for the fans and having a fun time doing so. I always felt like this was the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters. It truly is an entertaining experience as I used to be a spectator.
It really is a shame that there are people out there who just don't appreciate what you do and why, and want to take away all that you've worked toward.
My father, Steve Peterson, has done a lot for me and a lot for this area around the wonderful sport we know as baseball, and I'll always be grateful for those opportunities.
Tomorrow is a day to be with our loved ones and reflect on our nation as a whole and be thankful for what we have, both personally and collectively. Almost everyone has plans to be with family and friends at 4th of July parties, and you should be. But if you are in the area and can spare some time to come over for one last time and watch the final July 4th 1864 Vintage game at Elm Avenue Park in Bethlehem, we would all appreciate that continued community support you've shown these past several years.
Game time starts at 1pm. (Bethlehem Town Park Field No. 5 next to the pool.) Our snack shack will be open with cold refreshments and food, as its forecasted to be a beautiful (yet warm) summer day.
For those that haven't been there, it's a family friendly experience, so bring everyone. We'll include you all, teach you about the game and bring you back in time for only a couple hours. Pictures with the players before and after the game are welcomed.
Not to mention, we'll be on several local tv stations.
Thank you to everyone who has come out to support us. Thank you dad and the Mutuals for making this possible each year.
And I hope to see you all there! Its been a pleasure. *Tip the cap*
Josh "Sweet Pete" Peterson
Bethlehem
There are a few among us who have a real passion and love for the game we call our National Pastime. Over a 8 years ago I was contacted by one such person. His passion for the game, his thirst for knowledge and genuine love of community brought my club, the New York Mutuals to his town in upstate New York. He wanted what so many of us that play the game of vintage base ball want, to share the origins of baseball with the people of the area. Through the next 8 years we met wonderful people, played against and educated his players and fans as to how the game was played in 1864. They took to the game like no others and made it part of their 4th of July tradition, one that we were very proud to share. While on the outside we played the part of opponents, on the inside we were cut from the same cloth and a bond was formed between our teams. Last year was the first their team came to beat us but in our eyes these gentlemen were always winners! It was with deep sadness that we learned that for various reasons this will be the last year that we will get to share the game with our fellow ballists from Bethlehem. Many thanks to the man that brought baseball history to the area and introduced to his community. Steve Peterson you will always be considered an ambassador to the game and a role model for all.
Hoorah Steve!
Our hats off to you!
Tom Fesolowich - NY Mutuals
Bethpage, NY
Mr. Michael Hallisey, Managing Editor - Spotlight.
I have been watching the Bethlehem field usage issue closely as I was in a similar situation as a coach of a Travel girls’ softball team for many years. In 2000 we left the Tomboys program at a time when many of the other higher level players from the organization (as well as other community programs in the Capital District) joined or formed teams with the goals of providing our kids with better opportunities. Facility and field usage was always an issue, even back then, and we did our best to keep it affordable which was difficult. With a team made up from girls from several different towns, we probably had the most players from our own community at 4 or 5 of the 13 players. At that time, we didn’t even pay for field use, as for the most part, it was on a first come basis. Requiring the amount they now want is absurd. Are you also telling me you are going to start checking all of the users that are enjoying the parks etc. to make sure their group is 90%? I think not and it saddens me that these fine groups are being singled out. Even Tomboys, who now recruit from outside our community to maintain membership, are in jeopardy of this rule.
As I listen to the reasons for why this situation has become such a debate and witness the specific targeting of Mr. Peterson and his baseball group, I am disgusted at how the Town of Bethlehem is “rewarding them” for their hard work and dedication to our children. For years now this program has taken it upon themselves to construct, repair, and care for their home field when the town could not afford it themselves or just didn’t care. Now all this effort and financial investment is being stolen like some modern day Robin Hood where they not only can’t get preference to reserve this field, but are being charged exorbitant rates to use it when they do. Are you telling me that the cost to maintain this field by the town outweighs the benefit of what these folks donate(d) to its care in addition to thousands they already pay? I don’t buy it for a second and see this as just another money grab and chance for John Clarkson to flex his muscles of control to BULLY our residents into paying more to utilize something already built and paid for. Lest you forget that having our kids occupied with sports helps to keep them off the streets, substance abuse free and out of mischief. Just another selfish act by the town administration.
It seems like every day I wake up to find that those who have not been a part of building this fine town are doing something new to tear it down and make it what THEY want. I continue to encourage everyone to stand up, get involved and speak their mind to protect what we have built. It not too late!
David Harrington
Bethlehem
Thank you Steve for your efforts to improve our town. Not just the tens of thousands of dollars raised by both residents and non residents to improve the quality of our fields, moreover, the quality of life for our kids, who live here and just a few miles outside our town. I'm sure that the kids outside our community appreciate your efforts more than most, as you have done the right thing by welcoming our neighbors to play a game called baseball. You also have taken time out of your own schedule to bring vintage baseball to our community. I wish that there were more people in the Town of Bethlehem willing to commit their time to make the same difference like you have shown. What a great example for the rest of us! Keep up the great work!
Marty Kerins
Delmar
Too bad the Town of Bethlehem can't recognize the tens of thousands of dollars in improvements that the Braves have made to the Field #5 and complex and the great opportunity that it provides to the ball players from Bethlehem and the region to play a higher level baseball.
It is very hard to find something that works, even harder to keep something that works going and even harder for government to stay out of the way and not interfere.
I know as a baseball and softball coach... for 17 years and part of the Braves/Frozen Ropes staff that Steve Peterson developed one of the best fields and top tier organizations in the Eastern New York Travel Baseball league.
Bring your July 4th vintage game to the Village of Coxsackie field we would be happy to host such a great event!
Mark Evans
Mayor
Village of Coxsackie
And with that folks, we say thank you. Thank you to the Mutuals. Thank you to my father Steve Peterson. And thank you for the eight years of continued support.
But now its up to you Bethlehem. We can continue doing this if you support us beyond today. This town that I live in, learn in, work in, volunteer in, and have supported my whole (yet short) life, is trying to take away days like today. From me. From you. From everyone. All for what? What does the town of Bethlehem gain from taking away?
All the great fans we had today, on behalf of the Braves and myself, thank you for coming out and spending your July 4th afternoon with us. I hope you all had a great time watching and learning how baseball began.
If we don't do this again, I'll miss it... The game and the fans.
Thank you.
Josh Peterson
Glenmont
The CD BRAVES play in the ENYTB -
Upstate New York's Premier Travel Baseball League
BRAVES 14 Team open their 2016 Season on Doubleday Field in Cooperstown.
2016 Summer Season Teams:
BRAVES 14, OUTLAWS 16, OUTLAWS 18, BRAVES 23
2016 Summer Season Teams:
BRAVES 14, OUTLAWS 16, OUTLAWS 18, BRAVES 23
Steve Peterson, President of
Bethlehem Mickey Mantle Inc / Braves Travel Baseball Club
was selected as the
2015 Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce
“Citizen of the Year”
http://www.bethlehemchamber.com/…/30th-annual-awards-dinner/
Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce 30th Annual Awards Dinner...
at the Cyprus Shrine Banquet Center 27 Hannay Lane, Glenmont
Friday, April 17
5:30 pm ~ Networking
7 pm ~ Dinner
8 pm ~ Awards
$65 per person
Join the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce on Friday, April 17 for the 30th Annual Chamber Awards Dinner.
Network with 200+ business colleagues while we recognize a Business Person of the Year, a Citizen of the Year, Community Spirit, Lifetime Achievement and Youth Awards!
~This Year's Honorees ~
John Croce and Paul Pagnotta
Four Corners Pharmacy
Business Person of the Year
Steve Peterson
Citizen of the Year
Jeremy Martelle
Community Spirit
Jeffrey Buenau and Michael Buenau
Buenau's Opticians
Lifetime Achievement
Sydney's Cycling Sauces
Youth Award
The "ValleyCats Fall Classic" held at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, was presented by Frozen Ropes Albany. The final tournament game of the 5-day event featured
the Upstate Thoroughbreds 16U vs. the CD Braves 16U.
The BRAVES 16U Team take the Championship game right down to the final play of the final inning. The BRAVES fall 2-1 on the final play. OUTSTANDING JOB! The entire BRAVES Travel Baseball Club is very proud of how you represented our organization.
Thank you guys! Steve Peterson, President
CD BRAVES 13F Fall Team:
Rich Brown, Manager. Chris MacMorran & Joe Cronin, Coaches
CD BRAVES 14F Fall Team:
Rich Royka, Manager. Ed Conway & Elgin Henderson, Coaches
CD BRAVES 15F Fall Team:
Josh & Steve Peterson, Manager. Quentin Jensen & Brendan Roberts - FROZEN ROPES Coaches. JD Smith, Asst. Coach
CD BRAVES 17F Fall Team:
Mark Davis, Manager. Art Proper & Henry Garcia - Coaches.
Request a Try-Out today for the BEST Travel Baseball Club in Town.
CDBRAVES@hotmail.com
Contact us at 518-469-8772
CD BRAVES 12U team
The BRAVES repair the grass on the Outfield on Field # 5
"Wayne's World" - improved water drainage - Left Field side
Bethlehem Mickey Mantle Inc. performed $17,000.00 of improvements on the water drainage around the Bethlehem Elm Ave Town Park Field #5 that they rent from the Town during the baseball season. These permanent improvements to the Town owned land were performed solely with the assistance of Wayne LaChappelle and his equipment and labor.
An additional $4000.00 was just spent on repairing the damaged Outfield grass on Town owned Field # 5. BIG numbers on land we do not own.
Bethlehem Mickey Mantle -
New York State Champions - 1988
Coach Jesse Braverman and Player John Hoffman meet on the field again 26 years later.
John Hoffman and son Shane Hoffman with Coach Jesse Braverman.
John played for Bethlehem Mickey Mantle back in 1988 and now 26 years later, his son Shane is playing for Bethlehem Mickey Mantle, Inc. and the BRAVES Travel Baseball Club. With Shane wearing BRAVES uniform number # 7, which was Mickey Mantle's number.
2013 CD BRAVES Teams take home ENYTB Last Man Standing Tournament hardware
The CD BRAVES 13U Red Team win the ENYTB LMS 13U Tournament,
taking home the Championship trophy.
The CD BRAVES 15U Team take 2nd Place in the ENYTB LMS 15U Tournament.
2013 CD BRAVES 19U College Team
Both our BRAVES 13U and BRAVES 14U
teams are the
1st Place Champions of the 2014 ENYTB
Last Man Standing Tournaments.
Both teams went undefeated 4-0 through their respective tournament brackets, with both teams playing up against older age competition.
Our BRAVES 13 Team won the 13/14+ Division
and our BRAVES 14 Team won the 15/16+ Division.
The Albany Times Union Sunday issue featured:
Bethlehem Braves win league tournament.
The Bethlehem Braves under-13 and under-14 teams brought home championship trophies in the 2014 Eastern New York Travel Baseball League Last Man Standing Tournaments.
Both Braves teams went undefeated, 4-0, in the final tournament series and competed against older division teams to win the title.
The 7-year-old Braves Travel Baseball Club plays in upstate New York’s Premier Travel Baseball League, with more than 250 registered teams this summer.
The Braves under-13 team includes, front row, from left: Chris Verstandig, Dylan Conway, Zach Wood, Jayden Henderson (batboy), John Fratianni, JaQuan Perrin, Austin Osberg and Ryan Robbins. Back row, from left, coach Elgin Henderson, manager Rich Royka, Michael Coe, Ian Boldiston, Ethan Royka, Ben Seiler, Javon Henderson, Elijah Brown, Naasih Brown, Spencer Brown, coach Ed Conway, and coach Al Goodwin. Ben Spence is missing from photo.
Members of the Braves under-14 team are: David Montalvo, Dan McMullen, Thomas Salamida, Spencer McMahon, Ryan Shumway, Colin Baker, Phil Proper, Ryan Mulholland, Matt McMullen, Steven Mendleson, Ben Wander, Nick Mosier, Arlo Marynczak, Kyle Verstandig, Manager Mark Verstandig, and coaches Bill Shumway, David McMahon and Dave Montalvo.
BRAVES 2012 Fall Ball Season
CD BRAVES 12U Team
BRAVES 18U Connie Mack Fall Team
CD BRAVES 14U Team
Bethlehem BRAVES 13U Summer Team w/ NY Mutuals
Bethlehem BRAVES 18U Senior Babe Ruth Team
BRAVES 16U Bethlehem Mickey Mantle Team
BRAVES 18U Bethlehem Connie Mack Team
CD BRAVES 15U Wood Bat Team
All of our Volunteers have had Background Check performed
"Protect Youth Sports has demonstrated a unique awareness to the needs of youth sports organizations and has developed a very thorough process for running national background checks and re-verifying the accuracy of records."
"We believe it is most important that everyone involved with our volunteer youth baseball organization be properly checked by the leading national background check entity." - Steve Peterson, BMM President
Thank You Jack
First Pitch on Opening Day - 5/25/09.
"Thank you Jack."
Bethlehem Town Supervisor Sam Messina says Thanks to NY Mutuals
Mr. Tom Fesolowich
Mutual Base Ball Club of New York
Dear Tom:
On behalf of the Town of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Braves Baseball Club, enclosed please find a Certificate of Appreciation for the Mutual Base Ball Club of New York's participation in the Town of Bethlehem's 19th Century Vintage Base Ball Exhibition game on July 4, 2010.
This is the second year the Bethlehem Braves have played the Mutuals on the Fourth of July and an event our Town residents look forward to. Hopefully we will continue with this tradition of playing old-time baseball in the years to come.
We wish much success in your travels across the country demonstrating the roots of our national pastime.
Sincerely,
Sam Messina
Bethlehem Town Supervisor
Aug. 6th, 2010
CC: Steve Peterson, President - Bethlehem Mickey Mantle, Inc.
Joann Dawson - Town Board Member
Mark Hennessey - Town Board Member
Mark Jordan - Town Board Member
Kyle Kotary - Town Board Member
Division Champions - 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004
Eastern NY League Champions - 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997, 2003
New York State Champions - 1988, 1990
North Atlantic Regional Champion and Mickey Mantle World Series Participant - 1990
Bethlehem Mickey Mantle players with professional experience -
Matt Quatraro - Tampa Bay Rays - 10 years, current manager of the Columbus Catfish - Tampa Bay Single A affiliate in South Atlantic League.
Cameron Smith - Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cincinnati Reds - 10 years
Dan Conway - Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds - 6 years
Matt Elfeldt - Boston Red Sox - 1 year
Avi Rasowsky - Florida Marlins - 2 years (still active)
Composite team record over 19 seasons - 329-140
The new Bethlehem Mickey Mantle, Inc. (BMM) - BRAVES Travel Baseball Club is a 501(c)3 Not-For-Profit, Tax Exempt, Community-based, Year-round, Competitive Travel Baseball Club that features a full complement of training, fitness, instruction, and opportunities available for Players ages 13 to 18 yrs. old to play baseball with the BRAVES Travel Baseball Club. The BRAVES are named after Coach Jesse Braverman in honor of what he started back in 1987. In fact, Jesse is now the "Special Advisor to the BRAVES."
Our BRAVES Teams play travel baseball games against the area's best on the newly rebuilt home Field #5 - the Mickey Mantle Field in the Bethlehem Elm Ave Town Park on Route # 32 in Delmar.
For more information about playing competitive travel baseball with Bethlehem Mickey Mantle, Inc. - the BRAVES Travel Baseball Club, please e-mail us today at BethlehemMickeyMantle@hotmail.com or give us a call at Tel.# 518-469-8772
The letters BBCOR stand for "Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution." The BBCOR standard measures the "bounce" the ball makes off the bat, or the "trampoline" effect. When a ball hits a bat during a game, the ball literally holds a lot of energy that you can see in the speed of the ball coming to the plate. Now with wood bats, the energy transfer is lost as the ball compresses upon impact because wood is solid and has density, so it absorbs much of the energy. Player bat speed also becomes another factor or variable that allows the ball to compress by almost a third of the size of the ball. With hollow core metal/composite bats, the walls of the bat actually give away a little, which means the ball distorts less and the energy that is retained is released upon impact through a trampoline type of effect. This is why metal/composite bats hit balls much farther and come off the bat much faster than wood. BBCOR measures the loss of energy at collision.
A good simple way to explain BBCOR is to bounce a tennis ball on the ground and it jumps back up with very little efforts because the walls of the ball are flexible and the flexibility (energy) helps push the ball back towards you. This is why it is called the trampoline effect because it is flexing with the impact and then bouncing back to its original shape, allowing you to jump much farther in the air. Now add solid wood to the inside of a tennis ball and try to bounce it. It will take much more effort (energy) to make the ball bounce in any form because the density (solid wood) is absorbing the energy. This is why wood bats have a far less trampoline effect than metal/composite bats.
What does this mean for youth baseball players?
The game of baseball has changed over the last 15 years. Offense is up and home run production is far more common than past playing generations. The new BBCOR standard is forecasted to decrease offense by 10-25%, allowing the game to be played more traditionally again. The safety of the game will increase and ball-off-bat injuries will go down. Now according to the explanations from NCAA and NFHS, they want: "All bats to perform the same as your best wood bats in the market." The first thought is that it still may be cost effective to purchase metal/composite bats because they will last much longer than wood bats. The truth is somewhere in the middle because hitters will learn to hit better and break less bats in return. Plus the market will adjust to the conditions and better prices on wood will be introduced.
Why not just use a wooden bat?
From the factual information provided above, there are really no tangible performance reasons to swing metal/composite bats anymore other than efficiency and cost factors. As a matter of fact, it is common knowledge in the wood industry that your best quality woods will perform on the same levels of the new BBCOR bats. As a knowledgeable coach, player or parent, we all know wood not only helps develop a better hitter, but prepares them for the next level of play. There have been studies that after 1-year of team use, players percentages have actually gone up by .050 to .100 because the players became more selective hitters who come to the plate with a plan and a true understanding of waiting for quality pitches. What this means is that hitting with wood helps you develop better hitters, that will break less wood bats and have a better opportunity to transition to the highest level of play.
