Rehoboth Beach, DE — The NBNM Rebels returned yesterday from the 2011 Sports at the Beach Labor Day Bash with a disappointing 3rd place finish. Despite a second-best 3-1 record, North Bellmore North Merrick went flat and were knocked out by the Delaware Liberty in their semi-final play-off.

It was easy-going in the early rounds of this tournament Saturday where the competition was decidedly weak. With serviceable pitching and defense, and an offense that looked like it started to find it’s groove again, the Rebels beat two teams from New Castle’s Delaware Hurricanes organization, 9-4 (it was closer than it sounds) and 14-2 (a run-ruled spanking).

Despite their 2-0 record, play-off seeding rules found NBNM the #3 seed and needing to play a 9:00am quarter final against the younger Hurricanes team. The Rebels bats stayed hot, including a 1st-inning grand slam by Brian Porricelli and, later, career HR #1 for Mike Proios. By the fourth inning, the Rebels had secured a 12-0 victory by run-rule.

But, in keeping with the beach theme, the tide turned for the Rebels in their semi-final game against the Liberty. It was the Liberty bats that set the tone in this one with the team from Dover jumping out to a 5-0 lead by the middle of the first inning. The Rebels never did recover as their offense sailed off to points unknown, and a 7-1 defeat ended their weekend.

Despite the lack of overall success on the field, the Rebels’ players and families all enjoyed the many amenities in the area with great times at the beach, boardwalk amusements and arcades, water park, go karts, shopping, and abundance of good eats.

And so concludes another Summer season.

Fall ball in NJBL league play starts with a double-header Sunday 9/18 10:00am at Carmans Road Field against the Massapequa International Braves.