Pine Bush, NY – The 11U Rebels of North Bellmore North Merrick Little league returned home Wednesday after being eliminated from the 2011 Williamsport Tournament in the New York State play-off. While it was a disappointing ending, it was a great run by this team that hadn’t lost an official game since May 22 and represented its league in a way that hadn’t been accomplished in a decade.

NBNM opened the tournament last Saturday against Section 4 representative Stony Point. Signs that this was not to be the Rebels’ week came early as they very uncharacteristically committed four errors in the top of the first inning spotting the Stony Point club two early, unearned runs. Despite a great effort from pitcher Nick Valeriano, NBNM’s offense was mostly quiet, the defense managed three more errors, and they found themselves trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the sixth. All the sloppy play and lack of sustained hitting notwithstanding, the Rebels were battling with one out and men on second and third. Stony Point, evidently feeling the reality of the Rebels’ threat, resorted to a desperate, bush-league, trick play: the pitcher feigned a ‘pick-off’ throw to third base, the fielders, bench and fans yelled, “ball! ball!” as the pitcher ran toward third pointing down the left field line with the ball in his glove, the third baseman chased the imaginary ball, the runner was drawn off third base, and the pitcher applied the tag for out number two. The Rebels subsequent base hit that would have tied the game instead drove in just one and that’s how it ended; 4-3 final.

With their backs to the wall in the double-elimination tournament, the Rebels lined up Monday night against Section 1 champion Vestal. The Rebels were the recipients of some charitable play in this one, took an early lead and never looked back. While the offense was more than adequate, the story of this game was Rebels pitching and their remarkable efficiency. En route to NBNM’s 8-1 victory, Kevin McClenghan, Michael Proios, Alec Acri, Jack Delaney, and Brian Porricelli combined for a total pitch count of 91 that left McCleneghan available on one day of rest and Proios, Delaney and Porricelli available the next day.

The Rebels returned Tuesday against Section 3’s Colonie hoping for a resurgence on the momentum of Monday’s big win. After a one-hour delayed start while the field was readied after a day of on-and-off rain, it became apparent that was not to be the case. The Rebels struggled to get anything going offensively. Meanwhile, with two out and men on second and third in the fourth, Colonie managed a big double to score two and take a 3-0 lead. After a Rebels rally was limited to just one run in the fifth, a two-out double in the sixth brought the tying run to the plate. But, again, the Rebels came up short, suffered a 3-1 loss, and an early exit from the tournament.

All in all, it was a great experience for these players that provided memories that will last their lifetimes. Failure to win the State in no way diminishes the great accomplishents of taking the District and Section banners. What some, including this writer, suspect it does do, though, is leaves that bad taste of unfinished business in the players’ mouths and gives them the drive to go even further next year much as the painful 2010 District play-off propelled them this year.

These players ought to be very proud of their accomplishment as I know their parents, families, coaches, neighbors and league are proud of them.

The Rebels next game is 9:00AM Saturday at Gunther field to kick off the 2011 South Shore Tournament.

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