The International Insider » baseball

Dragon Softball Prevails over Seagulls

Matthew Prevosti and Mike Grigolli — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:28:27 +0000

The Lady Dragons’ notched their first win of the season against MSIT’s Seagulls. After losing three tough games the Lady Dragons rallied to bring home the win on April, 12th on our very own field.

Was it the distinctive defense or the harmonious hitting of the Dragons that was a changing factor in this game?

The answer becomes lopsided when statistics are reviewed. The dragons powered through the Seagulls’ pitching with a staggering 14 runs on 10 hits. The efforts of four Dragons’ offence kept the girls ahead on their way to victory.

Sophomore Katherine Kelly had three hits and was responsible for three RBI, she now boasts a batting average of .667 and is off to a fantastic start.

Sophomore Antoinette Galbos’ bat is hot, with a batting average of .800 this season so far and 6 RBI in the game. She also had a great defensive game, making tough plays with her wide range of mobility.

CSIM’s Jamie Lepard had two RBI and McCown freshman Danielle Kearney also scored three runs throughout the game. With offense like this the Dragons’ are sure to have a promising season.

“Our team played good defense and got the bat on the ball, we kept our confidence and got our first win”, said Junior Gina Ianniello.

The team has currently lost four games to, Wagner High School, Port Richmond High School, Bayside High School and Newton High School. In all four games the girls have shown exceptional qualities as a varsity team and now it is just a matter of experience and time before our team will be extremely productive. Their next game will be on our field against the Tottenville Pirates on April 19.

“With team experience, and confidence we are sure to win, all we need to do is have one great game, and we will be in the right mindset.”, said McCown Sophomore Danielle Cannon. And the game against the Seagulls may have been this very game.

Baseball Starts Off with a Slam

Briana Kohm — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:26:00 +0000

With the winter season finished to an end and it’s only normal to be excited for spring season sports. Baseball a favorite spring time sport amongst many has been trying to become a team for three years, but sadly it looks as though they will have to wait another year before becoming apart of the Public School Athletics League (PSAL).

Due to recent budget cuts in PSAL, schools can’t start new teams and are also ridding the city of unsuccessful teams.

Yet this isn’t bringing our mighty Dragons down. With tryouts held in early March, Athletic Director and Coach Mr. Dennis Barrett was ready to spring into action for a new and fun year of baseball. Though they aren’t PSAL, they are still a team.

“I don’t like the fact we aren’t PSAL because we cant go to playoffs or championships but at least we still get to play,” said sophomore Azmi Canorski.

Though the team is sadden because they are considered a cluedb the coach still has high hopes for them.

“I hope to build an interest in baseball in the school and have a solid foundation for future teams and that nobody gets hurt,” said Mr. Barrett.

With seventeen players on the team, they will be learning all the fundamentals of baseball including hitting, running, catching, throwing, and defense.

“We are going to learn the fundamentals, but safety and teamwork first,” said Mr. Barrett.

Along with the high expectations of the coach the boys have equal expectations.

The boys will be playing games just as if they were PSAL against schools such as Wagner High School, St. Peters High School, St. Joseph by the Sea, Petrides High School, Curtis High School, and New Dorp High school.

The boys competed in a spring break tournament at MSIT, where they they went to semi-finals and showed the baseball community that they are an up and coming squad.

In their first game against New Utrecht they lost in the bottom of the second extra inning, and proved to the Island that they can compete with a well known Brooklyn team.

Perhaps their premier game so far was played against MSITs Seagulls. The Dragons out pitched and out hit the Segulls, in a 3-1 victory after 7 full innings.

These games may not be counted in PSAL, but you can be sure that the boys will be practicing hard to do their best on the field.

The Dragons are certain to compete and are expected to fulfill the hopes of their teachers and peers, later in the season they will play better teams and will even have a game in Staten Island Yankee Stadium.

New York Yankees Take Their Twenty-Seventh Title

Madison Lock — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 22:23:35 +0000

New Yorkers went wild after the New York Yankees won their twenty-seventh World Series. It took nine long years for the Yankees to claim their victory, and on November 4th, 2009, the Yankees did.

Due to the Yankees great hitting, outfielders, basemen, and pitching, the Philadelphia Phillies walked away with a tragic loss.

On October 28th, the New York Yankees lost the first game of the World Series at home. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher, Cliff Lee, stumped the Yankees with his fastballs, curveballs, and change-ups.

Even with the effort of the Yankees, including Derek Jeter who hit doubles and singles, the Phillies took the game 6-1.

Still, the Yankees shook it off as they walked on the mound the following day. Solo home runs were hit by both Teixeira and Matsui, and the crowd went wild as the Yankees won Game 2, 3-1.

Yankees filled the dugout for their third game, all decked out in pinstripes on a rainy Halloween in Philadelphia. The New York Yankees won their second game in a row with a score of 2-1.

They took this game thanks to Alex Rodriguez, whose hit was ruled a ground rule double on the field but later reviewed and determined a home-run. This was also the first instant replay call in World Series history.

On November 2nd, the Phillies were on top of their game. Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees on the board with an RBI double, but with a strong pitcher and lineup, Phillies took over. Attempts were made by the players to come back, but in the end of a close game, Phillies took the game 8-6.

Hideki Matsui, or as many know him, Godzilla, lived up to his nickname as he was named MVP on November 4th, although he was a triple short of the cycle. The Yankees brought home the title of World Series Champions with a 7-3 win against the Philadelphia Phillies.

“I thought it was awesome. I thought Matsui deserved the MVP award and his nickname Godzilla fits his performance. Jeter throughout the post season was in a slump, but hopefully next season he’ll be ready to hit. I believed the Yankees deserved to win the World Series,” said freshman Tommy LaCara.

Fans felt amazing over the Yankees’ win, for they have waited a long time for it to happen.

“I feel great. It’s been nine years since they won the World Series and it’s great to see the veterans like Jeter and Rivera win again and it’s great to see newcomers win like Sabathia and Matsui,” said Para- Professional Chris Adinolfi.

After twenty-seven World Series titles, baseball fanatics hold high expectations that the Yankees will win again.

The Yankees made it all the way this year, and victory is now theirs and ours.

Homerun for the Baseball Club

Briana Kohm — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:18:38 +0000

After a long wait baseball is finally here. The students and athletic director have been trying their hardest to have a baseball team, and though it’s now a club, the hope is it will be a PSAL team in the future.

Three years ago the school tried to start a baseball club, but unfortunately due to the poor turnout, it was canceled.

“After the club failed the first time, it’s nice to know they are trying again, and I hope it works out this time,” said senior Christopher Gallo.

Mr. Neglia, the gym teacher at the time, began the club, and now Athletic Director and physical education teacher, Mr. Dennis Barrett, has stepped up to the plate and will be coaching the boys.

“I hope to compete as a PSAL team, and if PSAL does not approve the team, then I hope to have a successful club team,” said Mr. Barrett.

In order for a team to be approved, the coach must first send a letter to PSAL explaining why they are interested. Next, PSAL conducts a thirty minute interview with the athletic director. After that, the athletic director must make sure that there are enough students interested, the school has a regulation field, and there is a qualified coaching staff.

“I played since I was seven for SI Mudcats, New Springville little league, and SI Titans. I play outfield, shortstop, third base, or even pitcher,” said freshman Brandon O’keefe.

Along with trying to become PSAL the boys face another problem.

“The problem is finding a field that we can practice on. Drills and batting practice is limited on the turf field,” said Mr. Barrett.

Yet finding a field doesn’t seem to be stopping the boys from doing what they love.

“We practice fielding, hitting, pitching, and ground balls,” said sophomore Jonathan Wahnon.

The efforts and high hopes the club has will hopefully lead to a PSAL team.

“I played baseball for a long time, and if we get a team, I think we will be good. We have a good coach, and we will do well in the season,” said sophomore Lennie Giordano.

Though many of the twenty-six players, consisting mostly of freshmen and sophomores, have played for a long time, some are eager to start a new sport.

“I never really played before and I hope to learn how to pitch and just become a good player,” said freshman Joseph Ojo.

Anyone is welcome to join the team. Stop by Mr. Barrett’s office in room 152 after school for more information on practices, which will be held every Wednesday and Friday for 2 hours.

Yanks: One Step Closer to 27

Madison Lock — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:16:34 +0000

The six-year wait is finally over. American League team The New York Yankees finished the season with the best record with 103 wins and 59 loses…

Not only did the team finish with an astonishing record, they also clinched the American League East Division.

After sweeping the Minnesota Twins, The New York Yankees moved on to the American League Championship Series.

Fans swarmed Yankee stadium in the Bronx on Friday, October 9th with high hopes that The Yankees would win against Minnesota. Fingers were crossed and the tension was high as each player went up to bat.

The Yankees needed these games, as the six-year wait was long enough. After a tie-breaker by Alex Rodrgiuez, Mark Teixeira hit a walk-off game winning home run.

“They haven’t won the World Series since 2000 (although they did make it to the World Series in 2001 and 2003 but lost), and this seems to be their year. They had the best record in the regular season, and they have the power to not only make it there, but to win it,” said sophomore Chris Hepworth.

Nothing is going to stop this team from winning. On October 11th the score board was blank until the sixth inning.

With two outs, runners on first and second, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins singled to the left allowing Denard Span of the Twins to score.

Then, down by one, top of the seventh Alex Rodriguez hit a solo home run to the right. Following his teammates lead, Jorge Posada drilled a home run into left center.

With the help of these two runs the Yankees won the game.

“The Yankees have a well balanced team. They can hit the ball, play defense, and they have great pitching. In baseball that is a recipe for success. Besides Derek Jeter is their captain,” said global history teacher Ms. Karolynn Mangiero.

New York fans across the five boroughs have high expectations for them.

“The Yankees are going to win because their lineup is strong and their rotation is just too good,” said senior Jon Weiss.

And, they are the twenty-six time World Series champs.

“The Yankees came back hard and strong this year, and with the power of their fans and friends they’ll make it all the way,” said sophomore Leorie Beriguete.

Now that they took care of the Angels on October 25 with a 5-2 win, they are in the World Series.

With errors from the Angels, strong pitching from Andy Pettite, and the Yankee’s strong defense, the game was over in nine innings.

“I am the ultimate Yankee fan, and I truly believe that they will win the World Series. They are solid from one to nine in the line- up. The pitching staff is untocuhable and A-Rod became clutch at the right time,” said SSA1 Pappalardo.

Fans hope that the six-year wait will be worth something in the end, if the Yankees win World Series number twenty-seven.

Why the Soccer Team is Co-Ed

Aleksandra Makowska — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:59:42 +0000

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance,” states Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

What?

In other words, any opportunities available for boys must also be available for girls and vice versa. Back in the 1970’s, the title set the foundation for gender equality in every educational department that receives money from the government.

It’s also the reason why our soccer team this year is co-educational. There were not enough people of each gender nor enough funding to successfully form two separate teams, yet a single team must always include interested participants of both sexes.

Title IX has been intact since before we were born, so why haven’t our previous PSAL (Public Schools Athletic League) teams been integrated?

Physical Education teacher Mrs. Carmilla Pepe says the school’s previous sport undertakings provided separate teams for girls and boys.

Whereas boys had boys’ basketball and baseball, girls had girls’ basketball and softball. And wrestling could have been co-ed if only a single girl expressed an interest in the sport.

Title IX, in its meaning to sport teams, aims to only provide the same opportunities for everyone.

“Soccer teams are already sexist. Girls’ soccer skills have to be evaluated before girls join a team, but boys’ skills do not,” said McCown sophomore Lina Apselle, who is on the soccer team. “This team is definitely a change from what I’m used to, but it’s a good change.”

Equality is one thing. Fairness might be another case.

Exactly how fair is it to have the two genders train with each other and against one another?

“I don’t mind playing with girls, but I don’t like the idea of playing against them,” said sophomore Alex Manger.

He shares the same worries as senior Mario Lucero who says “I’m afraid the games will be uncomfortable and too rough, in a way, for the girls.”

It’s clear that the perception of girls as weaker and, therefore, requiring care when playing against has not changed with the combining of sports teams.

Scientifically and on average, girls do run slower and throw lighter punches. And we all know that soccer can quickly become a dangerous contact sport.

“The co-ed team is definitely a great experience. It’s not very good as a competitive sport right now, but I‘m glad everyone’s getting the same opportunity for playing soccer for fun,” said the school’s soccer coach Luis Cruzatte. “Next year, I’m hoping we can get two separate teams so that both can play freely and competitively.”

No player really has a problem with sharing their sport with people of the opposite gender.

As to whether girls will be able to hold their ground during the games, we’ll have to wait and see.

And despite people’s outward concern for the girls, I heard two students discussing how “those girls are going to whoop our …“ ahem, during a scrimmage between an all-girl’s team and our own brand new co-ed team.

Mister October Surpasses Lou Gehrig at Bat

Briana Kohm — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:58:42 +0000

Derek Jeter preparing to surpass Lou Gehrig’s record for the number of hits by a Yankee.

All it took was a single to right field off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman in the third inning.

Yankee Stadium was filled with over 46,771 people, at a game that is sure to be remembered by everyone.

At this game on June 4, 2008, Derek Jeter surpassed Mickey Mantle for third place on the Yankees all time hit list.

In September of 2008, Jeter moved further up the list to pass Babe Ruth to take second place.

Most recently on September 11th, 2009, Derek Sanderson Jeter became the Yankees all time-hit leader, passing Lou Gehrig’s record with 2,722 hits.

A boy who was born in Pequannock Township, New Jersey to a multiracial mother and father turns out to be one of the greatest baseball players of our time.

In 1992, the Astros passed Jeter in the draft, allowing Jeter to be the Yankees sixth overall pick.

Hal Newhouser, who was working for the Astros, told everyone that Jeter would lead a winning team.

“Jeter makes me proud to be a Yankee fan because he has bought us many victories throughout the years,” said senior Paul O’Hara.

Lou Gehrig born June 19, 1903 is also a very well known name.

A man known for his hitting also called “ the Iron Horse,” went down in history with the most career grand slams, 1,995 RBI in seventeen seasons, a life batting average of .340, a life slugging percentage of .632, and an on base percentage of .447.

Lou Gehrig also won American League MVP in 1927 and 1936, Triple Crown winner in 1934, National baseball Hall of Famer in 1939, and Named to seven All-Star Teams from 1933-1939.

Unfortunately, Lou Gehrig’s career ended at age 36 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Tateral Sclerosis (ATS) better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Now Derek Jeter joins Gehrig as on of the best Yankees player.

“I have been a Yankee fan since the womb because they are the greatest sports franchise in the world,” said technology teacher Mr. Rosario Miano.

The New York Yankees became a franchise on March 12, 1903 and have since become one of the greatest team of all times.

When talking about Jeter, there is one moment that both Security Guard Pappalardo and Athletic Director Mr. Dennis Barrett have nominated their all time favorite.

“My favorite Jeter moment was when he dove into the stands and caught the foul ball and got injured,” they said.

Derek Jeter has been a four time NY Yankee Player of the Year, from 1998-2000 and in 2006.

His other achievements include: American League Golden Glove Award from 2004-2006, 2000 All-Star Game MVP, 2000 Babe Ruth Award, 2006 Hank Aaron Award, and the 2000 World Series MVP.

“Given the long history of great Yankee players and traditions, it is special to see someone in our

generation break such a long standing record. You have to believe,” said Mr. Miano.

Fans of all ages relish Jeter’s record.

“He is the best shortstop because
Title IX of the Educational Amendments

Why the Soccer Team is Co-Ed

Mister October Surpasses Lou Gehrig at Bat

he is fast, agile and good at what he does,” said senior Brian Rivelli.

Yet when asked the question of Jeter becoming MVP this year, people all had the same answer, no.

“There are other players more deserving of the award, but it doesn’t mean he isn’t the MVP of his team because he is,” said Mr. Pappalardo.

Still, when talking about whether or not Jeter should be in the Hall of Fame, many believe that this is exactly where he will end up.

“[Derek Jeter in] the Hall of Fame? Absolutely because he epitomizes what it is to be a great player, but also because he is all about the team and not the drama,” said Parent Coordinator Mrs. Annette Lentini.