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Rebels Fly Past Falcons

Posted by Mike Conry at Aug 4, 2009 7:27AM PDT ( 0 Comments )

Bayville, NY – The Rebels beat the 10U Bayville Falcons, 8-5, in an exhibition game yesterday at West Harbor Field.

Despite giving away an age and distinct size advantage, North Bellmore North Merrick took the game to the kids from Bayville. The Rebels perfectly executed bunts, fake bunts, and a delayed steal. They took many extra bases with smart, aggressive baserunning. The defense successfully caught two Falcons players in run-downs. For the vast majority of the game, the Rebels put the pressure on and appeared the more experienced team.

The Rebels outfield defended some hard-hit balls in the gaps well, including a very nice, quick relay of a deep drive that limited the Falcons hitter to a double.

The Rebels hitting was timely and effective and included a drive through the left-centerfield gap by Jack 8 for a stand-up double.

In post-game, Coach Sam reminded his players how good they are, that they should always play with confidence, and that they’re a team to be reckoned with.

Other game notes: The rotation welcomed back Kevin 5, returning from a stint on the VL to provide strong starting pitching.

The Rebels face Massapequa Coast today, Tuesday August 4, 2:00pm, at Burns Park in an exhibition game featuring an expanded diamond and leading from bases.

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Rebels Sweep Chiefs, Hope For Play-off Berth

Posted by Mike Conry at Aug 3, 2009 12:08PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

North Bellmore, NY – The Rebels took both halves of a double-header on Saturday beating the Connetquot Chiefs, 7-4 and 18-4, at Newbridge Road School.

The Rebels offense started slowly in the first game but was firing on all cylinders by the second.

Game one saw key hits from Eric 4, Kevin 38, Billy 20, and Nick 2. With solid pitching efforts from Nick 2 and Mike 13, the Rebels held on for what they hope will be a key game in the NJBL standings.

The Rebels caught fire in game two when the Chiefs were pelted with line drives from every hitter in the Rebels line-up. North Bellmore North Merrick broke out with 18 hits for 18 runs in the first four innings which led to a run-rule shortened conclusion and Connetquot wondering what had just hit them. The Rebels’ Nick 2 boosted his slugging percentage collecting 8 total bases in 3 at-bats.

The Rebels schedule this week is uncertain pending the determination of NJBL play-offs.

North Bellmore, NY – The Rebels were defeated by the LI Inferno, 9-4, in a 9-inning game that counts as 2 in the loss column. Both teams came into the game with similar records in the NJBL with the winner controlling their play-off destiny.

The Rebels responded with an inexplicably uninspired performance that started with weak and sloppy warm-ups and carried over to 5 innings of weak and sloppy game play. Rebels’ errors that extended innings gave the Inferno ample opportunities to jump out to an early lead from which they never looked back.

The Rebels did some good things including scattered hits, lots of baserunners, some hard hit balls and good defensive plays. They managed a truly sparkling 5-3-2 double-play, when Matt 7 handled a hard shot, quickly looked the runner on third back, fired to Mike 13 at first, who fired to Matt 11 for the tag-out at home, to end the sixth. But they still couldn’t translate that to momentum on offense to get key hits.

With 2 regular-season games remaining, the Rebels will likely need to sweep their double-header with the Connetquot Chiefs this Saturday, 8/1 10:00am at Newbridge Road School, to stay in the play-off mix.

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Rebels Stay In NJBL Play-off Hunt

Posted by Mike Conry at Jul 28, 2009 10:22PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

Ronkonoma, NY – Today the Rebels beat the SYAG Braves 5-3 in NJBL play at Smith Road Field. The win keeps the Rebels in the hunt for a play-off spot.

The pitchers today had to manage with a very tight strike zone but persevered and succeeded nonetheless. The combination of Mike 13, Matt 7, and Alec 14 scattered some hits but did not allow SYAG to have a big inning. In spite of the ‘squeezing’ that went on, the Rebels pitchers were right around the plate most of the day and threw a multitude of strikes. Coach Sam told the three, "That’s just what I needed from you guys".

The defense behind them was excellent — sometimes, superb.

In the bottom of the third inning, a Braves player hit a ground ball fairly hard to the third base side. The ball sped beyond an outstretched Matt 7 and raced deep into the hole at short. Jack 8 backhanded it cleanly near the outfield grass, set his back foot, and fired it across the diamond to Nick 2 at first, who stretched to a full split, catching the ball and beating the batter by half a step. It was an unbelievable play in 9-year-old baseball.

Much of the defense chipped in with fine plays.

Outfielders Tyler 1 and Eric 4 made nice catches and Billy 20 cut-off a deep drive in the gap and started a quick relay that held the hitter to a double.

Behind the plate, Matt 11 was the ever-present backstop and steal deterrent. Nick 2, involved in another great play, this one in the bottom of the sixth, ‘busted it’ to grab a pop-up in foul territory outside the Braves dugout for a huge out.

The middle infield was great. In addition to Jack’s many terrific assists today, Alec displayed his glove work with several assists of his own, a sweet play saving a put-out at second base on a short-hopped throw from third, and taking care of infield flies on the right side.

The offense produced when necessary including Alec’s clutch, bases-clearing triple to drive in three big runs in the third. There were several hits throughout the lineup and even more good at-bats including Kevin 38 driving a ball to deep left in the third and hitting a hard smash to short in the fifth.

It was truly a great team effort.

The NJBL schedule continues at Newbridge Road School tomorrow night, Wednesday July 29, 5:30pm, when the Rebels take on LI Inferno in one 9-inning game worth two in the standings.

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Rebels 2009 South Shore Tournament Champs

Posted by Mike Conry at Jul 27, 2009 11:11PM PDT ( 0 Comments )

North Bellmore, NY – The NBNM Rebels defeated Massapequa Coast, 2-1, in the 2009 South Shore Tournament final Sunday to capture their second tournament championship in as many weeks.

The Rebels came out of pre-game warm-ups for yesterday’s contest with a fire and energy not before seen from them this season. The team was pumped-up and vocal and their attitude alone appeared to rattle the kids from Coast right out of the gate.

The Rebels put the pressure on in the top of the first inning sending five men to bat but failed to score.

Rebels’ starter Nick 2 threw with great velocity and control all day long, the Rebels infield defense behind him was rock solid, and he sat Massapequa down in order in their half of the first with just 12 pitches.

The Rebels threatened again in the second inning getting Matt 26 to third base but did not get a run across.

And, again, Coast went quietly in the bottom.

Coast caught a break in the third inning when their #9 hitter popped a shallow fly to right field that dropped in between Alec 14 and Billy 20 for a hit. Their #10 hitter proceeded to smack an 0-1 fastball through the right-centerfield gap to the fence for an RBI triple and a 1-0 lead. Nick and his defense went right back to work and left Coast’s baserunner stranded at third.

In the top of the fourth the Rebels offense responded immediately. Alec 14 lead off with a well-struck single. Billy 20 followed with a base hit of his own and Nick 2 drew a base on balls. With no outs and the bases loaded, Matt 11 had a great at-bat and walked to tie the game, 1-1. Mike 13 followed with a single to drive in what proved to be the winning run. Next Matt 26 hit a ball hard up the middle that looked sure to break the game open but Coast’s pitcher managed to get a piece of the ball, knock it down, and record a force out at home. Matt 7 followed with some hard luck driving a ball down the first-base line that was fielded nicely by the Massapequa first-baseman who stepped on first and fired home where the catcher put on the tag to complete a 3-3-2 double play.

Refusing to let the momentum shift, Nick continued his stellar and gutsy performance dispensing of Coast in the bottom of the fourth with 12 pitches.

Then the Rebels went down in order in their half of the fifth.

Nick induced two quick outs to start the bottom of the fifth. The next Coast batter singled up the middle and the tying run was aboard. Two pitches later, the Coast baserunner attempted to steal second and was promptly gunned down by Matt 11 to end the inning.

In the top of the 6th, Coast brought in a relief pitcher that sat the Rebels down one, two, three.

With the intensity reaching its peak, the Rebels took the field with confidence and a 1-run lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Nick’s pitch count was low enough that he could start the inning but moved to shortstop after the lead-off hitter for Coast managed their first and only base-on-balls of the game.

Jack 8 came on to pitch with a man on first and no outs. Jack struck out the first batter he faced. With one on, one out, the next Coast batter hit a ground ball up the middle that Alec played very nicely on his backhand and fired to Nick covering at second to record a fielder’s choice and the second out. With the count 1-1 on the batter, the baserunner on first stole second aided by the Rebels miscommunication on coverage.

Jack toed the rubber with two outs and the tying run in scoring position. The 1-2 pitch was just off the plate as Coast’s baserunner broke for third. Matt 11 threw a strike to Matt 7 who applied the tag, saw and heard the field umpire signal the final out, threw his glove in the air, and joined in the celebration in the infield as Rebels players and coaches enjoyed their first South Shore Tournament title.

After being drenched by his players in a successful surprse attack with the water cooler, a clearly elated Coach Sam noted in his post-game speech, "I’ve been waiting a year for this", referencing last year’s South Shore Tournament final between these very same teams when the Rebels played below their abilities and came up short. Coach also recognized and acknowledged all the hard work and effort he, his coaches, his players’ families and his players have put in since.

While it’s a rare occasion to single anyone out, Coach Sam handed Nick a game ball for his MVP performance.

The Rebels went 6-0 in South Shore extending their record in 2009 tournament play to a perfect 12-0.