SteepleCats Newsletter

July 8, 2013 - New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
North Adams SteepleCats News Release


'CATS NAB TWO COMEBACK WINS OVER BUSY FOURTH OF JULY WEEK

After the team's first scheduled game of the week was washed out and after dropping the next on the road, North Adams returned home for two big games, starting with Laconia on the franchise's annual Fourth of July Spectacular.

Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the seventh, North Adams came all the way back to take the lead on junior Bryan Soloman's (Eastern Kentucky) game-winning, two-out, two-RBI double that propelled the SteepleCats over the Muskrats, 3-2, on July 4.

A night later, against first-place Vermont at home, North Adams found itself again trailing by two runs heading to the bottom of the seventh. But just like the previous night, the 'Cats would strike back.

It started with back-to-back base hits, first from sophmore John Razzino (Franklin Pierce) and the next from sophomore Dominic Severino (CCSU), giving erasing a two-run deficit and turning it into a one-run lead in the span of two at-bats. An inning later, the 'Cats tallied three more insurance runs to stun Vermont, 6-2, at home.

North Adams ended the week, however, with two straight losses, dropping a doubleheader to Keene on Saturday. Still, the 'Cats are still very much alive in the Western Division race, and after back-to-back road games this week, North Adams will enjoy a season-long four-game homestand starting Thursday (June 11) night against Newport.

STEEPLECATS ANNOUNCE CHICKEN PARM DINNER DATE, DETAILS ATTENTION FANS: Mark your calendars for Monday, July 15, as your 'Cats are proud to announce the date and details for our first-ever Chicken Parmesan Dinner!

The organization will hold the dinner at Bounti-Fare Restaurant, located at 200 Howland Avenue in Adams, Mass. The dinner will run from 4-7 p.m., and all proceeds will benefit the SteepleCats, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

In addition to the chicken Parmesan entree, dinner menu will include garlic bread, salad, a selection of coffee or tea, and water, as well as a cash bar and dessert table.

Cost for entry is $10 for adults, and $8 for seniors and children under 12. The night will also feature 50/50 raffles and door prizes.

Tickets will be made available at North Adams SteepleCats home games beginning Thursday, July 4 against Laconia at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at home games through July 14. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door the night of.

What: SteepleCats Chicken Parmesan Dinner to benefit the North Adams SteepleCats

Where: Bounti-Fare Restaurant, 200 Howland Ave., Adams, MA

Cost: $10 adults / $8 seniors, children under 12

Additional: Cash bar, dessert table, 50/50 raffle, door prizes

NECBL DIVISION STANDINGS

EASTERN - CURRENT DIVISIONAL STANDINGS THROUGH GAMES OF 07/08/2013

TEAM GP W L PCT GB STREAK LAST10

Newport Gulls 21 13 8 .619 0.0 2L 5-5

Ocean State Waves 25 15 10 .600 0.0 2L 7-3

Mystic Schooners 21 12 9 .571 1.0 2W 4-6

Laconia Muskrats 19 10 9 .526 2.0 1L 3-7

Sanford Mainers 20 9 11 .450 3.5 1W 4-6

New Bedford Bay Sox 22 8 14 .364 5.5 2L 5-5

Plymouth Pilgrims 20 7 13 .350 5.5 2W 4-6

WESTERN - CURRENT DIVISIONAL STANDINGS THROUGH GAMES OF 07/08/2013

TEAM GP W L PCT GB STREAK LAST10

Vermont Mountaineers 22 15 7 .682 0.0 2L 6-4

Saratoga Brigade 19 11 8 .579 2.5 2W 8-2

Holyoke Blue Sox 21 11 10 .524 3.5 2W 4-6

North Adams SteepleCats 22 10 12 .455 5.0 2L 6-4

Danbury Westerners 21 8 13 .381 6.5 1W 2-8

Keene Swamp Bats 19 7 12 .368 6.5 2W 5-5

SCHEDULE UPDATE

Fans, please note the following reschedule dates: North Adams' suspended game against Saratoga from Sunday, June 30 will be completed this Friday, July 12, beginning at 4 p.m. Then, following the completion of that contest, North Adams and Saratoga will played their regularly scheduled, nine-inning contest beginning at approximately 6:30 p.m. North Adams' scheduled home game against Keene from Monday, June 10, has been rescheduled for this coming Sunday, July 14 at 4:30 p.m. Last Tuesday's rainout against Danbury will be made up as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on Saturday, July 20, beginning at 3 p.m. at Joe Wolfe Field. The second game will begin approximately 30 minutes after the end of the first. North Adams' scheduled road game against Vermont from Tuesday, June 11, has been rescheduled for Monday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. PLEASE NOTE ALL SUNDAY START TIMES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE REGULAR SEASON ARE 4:30 P.M. STARTS.

UPCOMING PROMOTION SCHEDULE

Fans, you do NOT want to any of the action at Joe Wolfe Field this summer. In addition to some of the best collegiate baseball nationwide, the SteepleCats organization will proudly bring back some of your favorite promotions and giveaways from last season and beyond.

Here's a look at what's on tap this week (all times 6:30 unless noted): Thursday, July 11 vs. Newport - GAME SPONSOR: Berkshire Bank / GIVEAWAY: Berkshire Bank surprise gift to first 250 fans through the gate! Friday, July 12 vs. Saratoga (4/6:30 pm) - GAME SPONSOR: North Adams Transcript / GIVEAWAY: SteepleCat Baseball Cards to first 250 fans through the gate! NOTE: Remember fans, the first game Friday will be the completion of a suspended game from June 30th. The second game will be nine innings. Saturday, July 13 vs. Keene - GAME THEME: Margaritaville / GIVEAWAY: SteepleCat Koozies to first 250 fans in attendance! Sunday, July 14 vs. Keene (4:30 p.m.) - THEME: Baseball Bingo Night / GIVEAWAY: SteepleCat Team Photos to first 250 fans through the gate!

SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BRACELETS The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., hit close to home for the NECBL's Danbury Westerners, as Danbury is located just nine miles from Newtown.

In remembrance of the lives lost and support for our friends in Connecticut, this summer NECBL players are wearing a commemorative green ribbon on the side of their hats. In addition, the league is selling a green Sandy Hook Elementary School commemorative bracelet for $5 and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Newtown Youth and Family Services organization. This organization has provided countless hours of free counseling services to the victims' families, as well as other services to help aid in the community's recovery. To show your support, please stop by the souvenir stand during any SteepleCats home game and purchase your bracelet for $5.

2013 NECBL ALL-STAR GAME INFORMATION

Baseball fans: the 20th annual NECBL All-Star game will be held on Sunday, July 21st at beautiful Robbie Mills Field in Laconia, New Hampshire.

Hosted by the Laconia Muskrats, the NECBL All-Star game showcases all of the NECBL's top talent. First pitch is slated for 5:30, but the festivities take place all day long.

Head out to the park early to watch batting practice and see the best prospects from the NECBL show their stuff in front of scouts from virtually every Major League team.

We hope to see you there, Sunday July 21st, in Laconia, New Hampshire, to watch the league's best square off in the 2013 All-Star Game! For more information, please head to necbl.com.

PREGAME/POSTGAME VIDEO COVERAGE

Fans, even after the last out, there's still more SteepleCats action. For exclusive interviews and coverage, be sure to check our SteepleCats YouTube channel after every game to keep up to date. Be sure to check back and stay updated, you won't want to miss a thing!

LISTEN, WATCH, and FOLLOW EVERY GAME

Can't make it to the field? Follow your team away from the ballpark on Teamline, the official web broadcasting partner of the NECBL! Teamline is your #1 choice to catch your favorite team, at home or on the road. You'll never miss a pitch!

Video webcasts are available at $8 per game, and every audio webcast is available FOR FREE, each and every game! Teamline is the OFFICIAL webcasting partner of the SteepleCats and the NECBL!

Don't forget to download the NECBL Pointstreak App and follow along as you tune in no matter where you are. Search for the app on iTunes today!

FOLLOW THE GAME LIVE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE

If you can't make it out to the ballpark for every game, make sure you download the Pointstreak phone app, allowing you to follow stats and game scores wherever you are. This app is available on iphone, ipad, and android.

DREAM BAT - THE OFFICIAL BAT OF THE STEEPLECATS

Fans - you too can be like a SteepleCat player swinging the Official Bat of the NECBL,Dream Bats. Be sure to isvit www.dreambats.com to purchase pro quality adult wood bats, youth bats, baseball accessories, and engraved trophy bats and balls.

Also please be sure to check out the Dream Bat SMOKE Aluminum BBCOR bat currently being used nationwide in high school and college baseball. Enter coupon code NECBL for 10% off your entire online purchase. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @dreambatcompany.

Dream Bat Company - Quality Baseball Products since 2005 and proud to be the Official Bat of the NECBL!

SWING JUICE - The official Energy Drink of the NECBL!

Swing Juice is a proud partner of the NECBL. Locally owned and operated right in Rhode Island, "Swing Juice Energy Drink was designed with a specific blend of ingredients to help with your Focus, Stamina and Energy ahead of and during competition." Available in four terrific flavors. Log onto www.swingjuice.com for more details and follow them on Twitter at Twitter.com/SwingJuice!

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR AND SUPPORT YOUR 'CATS!

Believe it or not, in the summer of 2013 we will begin our 12th season as a franchise and as such, we want to make this the most memorable season yet. Our ability to sustain a competitive, successful and memorable team in the smallest market in the NECBL is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers, the tenacity of the players, and the loyalty of our fan base. It is our mission to continue to put a quality team on the field and to create a memorable experience for all fans.

The 2012 season was filled with many wonderful memories and highlights, both on and off the field. Some of the off-field activities included:

- Nearly 20,000 fans coming to the ballpark.

- Visiting all of the local elementary schools to read, meet, and play with our youth.

- Distributed over 3,000 tickets to elementary school students.

- Bringing parents and friends in from all over the country to learn that our area is a special place to visit and live.

- Providing opportunities for our players off field to help them develop life skills through team building and exposure to a variety of activities.

- Sustaining the SteepleCats deep commitment to our community through player participation in our communities and our schools.

As we begin to plan for the 2013 season, the SteepleCats will need the support of our community once again. As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, the SteepleCats are only able to exist and function through the generous support it receives from community businesses, charitable donations of all sizes, and the generous time from our volunteers and host families. To demonstrate your belief that the SteepleCats are a valuable asset to our community, we encourage you to consider making a donation of any size to the SteepleCats organization. Whatever size donation that you can make will help us keep NECBL baseball here in North Adams! You can donate right on our Shop SteepleCats website. Click here and just fill in an amount.

Alternatively, please make your check payable to the North Adams SteepleCats and mail it to P.O. Box 540, North Adams, MA 01247. Thank you for your consideration.

FOLLOW YOUR 'CATS ON FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND YOUTUBE!



New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 8, 2013


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