NYPL Batavia Muckdogs

Muckdogs start slow

June 28, 2003 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Batavia Muckdogs News Release


The first week and a half has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for the Muckdogs. Through 11 games, the Muckdogs have a record of 5-6. The season began with 4 straight losses, but they seem to have started to right the ship.

The bats have come around, as the 'Dogs have 2 extra inning wins and a victory in the bottom of the ninth vs. Jamestown. Both walk off wins have come courtesy of J.D. Foust, who is hitting .333 on the season. Another hot bat has been Joe Brunink, who leads the team in hitting at .344. He also has a homer and 7 RBI's.

On a sour note, the 2-0 loss to Jamestown on June 20th has been the Jammers only win to date.

Who's Hot

Jake Blalock - Hit for the cycle vs. Williamsport on Thursday 6/26. Now hitting .256 and leads the league in extra base hits with 9 and doubles with 6. Also has a team high 11 RBI's.

Jean Machi - In two starts this season, Machi is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA. He has pitched 9 innings, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 6.

Who's Not

Vinny DeChristofaro - In 2 starts this year, Vinny is 0-0 with a 14.21 ERA. In 6.1 IP and has allowed 12 hits and all 10 of his runs have been earned. Opponents are hitting .387 against him.

Omar Bramasco - In 6 games, Omar has 2 hits in 20 at bats (.100 BA). He has also struck out 9 times.

Alumni Update.....Erik Judson

Erik Judson was a member of the Batavia Clippers in 1990. The following account was written by P.R. Assistant Chuck Wade, as he remembers the days when Erik was in Batavia and the 13 years since.

Each night, sitting in the press box at Dwyer Stadium, it is nearly impossible not to let old memories take their toll on my mind and to travel back in time to the old wooden Dwyer Stadium and the many memories that it holds for myself and countless others.

Many of these things will never be forgotten, including buying a program every night so that I could be entered in the "Target Throw" for that evening's game. Every night around the fourth of fifth inning, hearing Wayne Fuller boom over the PA system, "can we have the lights please, the lights please." Even visions of Chipper the Clipper dancing the "chicken dance" will most likely never leave me.

While these memories have shaped my childhood, it was one memory in particular that would come back to life quite a ways down the road. Erik Judson had played college baseball at the University of California at San Diego. Drafted by the New York Mets, Erik made his way into the Phillies organization and found himself playing third base for the Batavia Clippers. He had begun shaving his head in college, but it was that shaved head that would connect us in the beginning.

I remember one night sitting in the old rickety grandstand with my father when he pointed out that the third baseman was bald. To a five-year-old baseball junkie, this was really something worth noticing. It was in between a double header when I first met Erik; he signed a card for me and that was about it. I remember being very intimidated by his presence.

A bit later during the season, a breakfast was held by the Booster Club at Perkins Restaurant where the players would dine with community members. Having known the General Manager, Brad Rogers, at the time, it was arranged for Erik to eat with my family. Erik and I ate together and got to know each other a bit better, and we even set up a day when Erik would come over for lunch.

The day came and was filled with a huge lunch, and concluded with a whiffle ball game in my backyard that I eventually won in the bottom of the ninth. To this day, the game is on videotape and is always watched amidst many smiles and fond memories.

Erik Judson would play one more year of professional baseball before retiring and going back to school. He would soon find a job working with the San Diego Padres in their front office. Through the years we would remain in contact, sending each other mail and with occasional phone calls to keep up with each other. While all of this went on, the memories that I had of Erik seemed to be fading away. Christmases would come with packages from Erik, full of Padres memorabilia, autographs, and many different items of Padres clothing. Yet still, through all of this, Erik seemed to be fading away from me bit by bit.

I was now a freshman in college, and a late night phone call to Erik in California would be the catalyst that set the wheels in motion. I was invited to spend a week out in San Diego with Erik. After my parents consented, it was set. After 13 years without seeing each other, I was finally going to see my friend, and for the first time actually have a conversation with him. By coincidence, the week I chose happened to be the week that my favorite team, the Detroit Tigers, were in town, and it happened to be the week of my birthday. So it was a great present indeed.

Erik Judson is now the Vice President of Development for the San Diego Padres, the person in charge of Petco Park, the new ballpark that is opening in April of 2004. I spent the week going to meetings, seeing Pearl Jam, watching baseball, meeting his friends and fiancée, and just talking with the person whom I had known for so long, yet just met for the first time. I took pride in the fact that while all these people knew Erik much better than I did, none of them had known him as long as I had, not even his soon-to-be wife.

I was honored to be a guest in the home of Erik Judson, to say the least. It was literally a dream come true. For thirteen years we had not seen each other, and by the end of the week even though 17 years of age separated us, we were like old friends. I was sad to go, but took joy in the fact that we will not have to wait thirteen years to see each other again.

This is the joy of baseball in Batavia. While making the major leagues is everybody's goal, there are many other perks that can be found in this wonderful game played in this wonderful town. Young children may in fact make lifelong friends, and this is a place where memories are born. It is a place where people grow up and learn lessons about living, and it is a place that I know will always live deep in my heart; full of childhood memories, and a reminder of the power of friendship.

Fan Spotlight: In the Bleachers, with Lois "Grandma" Dusen

Through 12 presidents and 64 years, a fixture in the city of Batavia has been baseball. Baseball might be a constant but what you might not see is the constant present of one specific fan.

Lois Dusen has been attending Batavia baseball games since 1939, when the stadium was known as MacArthur Park. Lois, has a birthday coming up in the next couple of weeks, and according to her, it is her 32nd birthday.

"We used to sit in chairs that were from the mortuary," Dusen said. "That is when the stadium was real old." Dusen has been a season ticket holder since the start of baseball in 1939. "I used to buy the tickets myself," Dusen said. "But now my kids usually get them for me as a gift."

With all of the name changes and the players that have come and gone, it is tough to distinguish one player as her favorite. "I have liked a lot of players, none as my all-time favorite though," Dusen said. "But I loved my Clippers, they were MY team."

But what is it about baseball that would make a young lady (back in 1939) start to come to home games and continue on? "It's about the whole game," Dusen said. "Offense, pitching and hitting the ball, I enjoy seeing it all." The one thing that Dusen loves to see more than anything is winning. "They better start winning," Dusen said commenting on the Muckdogs early season struggle. "If they don't start winning, I will be the new manager of this team."

Dates to Remember

July 4: Hillside Children's Center FIREWORKS Extravaganza!

July 9-11: The Yankees are Coming!! The Yankees are Coming!! Don't miss U.S Army Softee baseball giveaway on the 9th and HP Hood baseball giveaway on the 10th (both for the first 500 fans)

For the complete schedule, go online to the Muckdogs web site.

...And in Closing

Muckdogs OF Alex Borgo will be leaving in mid-July to play for the German National Baseball team. Borgo started playing in Germany at the age of 18 and has been a contributing member since. He has competed in numerous home run derbies where he has won and stars at the top of their lineup. We will miss Alex for the time he is away, but wish him the best of luck. Stay healthy and come back soon!

Check out the Batavia Muckdogs Statistics



New York-Penn League Stories from June 28, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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