Rotterdam 9-10-year-olds win state Little League title Thursday, August 13, 2009
PENFIELD — Rotterdam scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to rally past Geddes, 13-9, in the championship game of the New York State 9-10-year-old Little League tournament over the weekend at Penfield Little League near Rochester.
Justin Cullam, who homered in the third, belted a two-run double in the sixth. Brandon LaVenture, who hit a home run in the first, added an RBI single. It was the first state title since 1975 for Rotterdam, which went undefeated in winning the title...............>>>>..................>>>>.........http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/aug/13/0813_littleleague/
Cancer-stricken teammate inspires run to title Saturday, August 15, 2009 By Justin Mason (Contact) Gazette Reporter
ROTTERDAM — With three outs left and trailing by three runs in the state title game, a dozen Rotterdam Little League baseball players went into a huddle. They had amassed a flawless record over the course of the summer, cruising through the district finals, the regional championship and then the first games of the state tournament outside of Rochester. But they met their match in Geddes, a Little League ball club from the Syracuse area that they faced in Wednesday’s championship game. A two-run homer by Geddes put Rotterdam behind by three runs heading into their final at-bat in the six-inning game. Yet the team of 9- and 10-year-olds refused to let the deficit wear on their spirit or diminish their drive to be champions. Instead, they gathered by a special banner hanging in their dugout — the same one that had adorned their home field in Rotterdam all season. And like countless times before, they echoed their motto: Let’s bring this home for Tyler. “He’s a big inspiration,” said 10-year-old Nolan Isabella, referring to Tyler DeMarco, a fellow Little Leaguer who has withstood a four-year battle with pediatric cancer......................>>>>.........................>>>>..............http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2009/aug/15/0815_littleleaguers/
CONGRATULATION! Great job to all of the players, volunteers and coaches!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Posted on: 08/19/09 Rob Jonas, Sports Editor email: jonasr@spotlightnews.com
The Rotterdam Little League 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars were a team on a mission.
Rotterdam piled up a 14-0 record on its way to winning the district, section and state tournaments.
The All-Stars dedicated their playoff run to fellow Rotterdam Little League player Tyler De-Marco, who has been battling cancer since the start of the league season. The team brought a sign honoring DeMarco with them to each of the tournaments.
“Before every game, they’d gather in front of the sign and say a prayer to Tyler,” said Rotterdam manager Tony LaRue.
Rotterdam played inspired ball during its playoff run. The All-Stars outscored their opponents 189-42, had a team batting average of .469 and belted 24 home runs in their 14 games. Eight of their games ended in the 10-run mercy rule.
The only time Rotterdam was challenged was in last week’s state tournament championship game against Geddes from suburban Syracuse. Geddes built a 9-6 lead entering the sixth inning before Rotterdam rallied for a 13-9 victory.
Justin Cullam had the big hit for Rotterdam in the top of the sixth inning with an RBI double to drive in the go-ahead run. Brandon Laventure followed with a two-run single, and Brandon LaRue added an RBI double to cap the scoring.
It was the first state title for a Rotterdam Little League team at any age level since 1975.
“It was quite an achievement because Rotterdam Little League has about 400 players, and the teams that we faced came from leagues that had between 1,100 and 1,600 players,” said coach LaRue.
Rotterdam reached the state finals by beating up on its competition. The All-Stars opened the tournament with a 13-3 victory over Batavia in the first game of pool play, and then they downed Geddes 15-2 in the second game.
Chris Hamilton led Rotterdam during pool play. Hamilton belted a triple and three singles against Batavia, and then he launched two home runs and a single against Geddes. Cullam added a home run and a double in the Geddes game.
Rotterdam continued its dominance in a 16-6 semifinal victory over Pearl River. Laventure hit three homers, while Kyle Jasenski and Tyler Struffolino each added a double and two singles. Hamilton allowed two hits over the final 5.2 innings to pick up the victory.
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