CAPITAL Ws
Cannons Bounce Back In a Big Way Against Cross-Town Rival Capitals

Newington, CT (AP)—Letters can be fun. Whether it’s strolling down Sesame Street, dancing to the ditty “ABC” by the Jackson 5, enjoying a handful of chocolaty M & M’s, a delicious bowl of Post Alpha-Bits cereal or Campbell’s Alphabet Soup one can derive great pleasure from the characters used in written language. Meaningful combinations of letters can also be found in any baseball league’s lexicon: CNMSBL, DP, OPS, RBI, WHIP. Yet too often this season it has been a single letter that has vexed the Connecticut Cannons: L. Despite the off-season influx of team-first talent the Big Red Machine still found itself in the A Division cellar as the calendar showed the second Sunday of June. Ensconced in the veritable frying pan of New England’s first 2008 heat wave, the Cannons took on the cross town rival Capitals in what has come to be known as the Battle of Newington, a perennial paean to big market baseball in central Connecticut. As the sun shone down on Sacco Stadium at Alumni Field and the mercury crept toward the century mark, the Cannons cut down on things that have cost the team in the campaign’s early going—BBs, Es and Ks to name a few—and in doing so discovered the most important letter in the entire alphabet when it comes to athletics: W. The Cs, with a pared-down player list that included just twelve 2008 roster invitees, went into what Manager Matt Celio referred to as “must-win games” and emerged victorious not once but twice, 11-4 in nine innings and 2-1 to move into sole possession of sixth-place with a home date against the As of Marlborough (5-3 at press time) on Sunday, June 15 (Father’s Day) as interleague play continues.

The Cannons, without early season starters Tom Clark, Mike Patenaude and Jack Vanasse at the beginning of the ball game, instead turned to Adam Pallone on a strict “Joba-esque” pitch count of sixty to seventy throws. The twenty-seven year old right- hander was impressive and was aided by some early help from his Cannon compadre Kevin Quinn in the home half of the first. After recording his first out in crimson, Pallone surrendered a hit to Sal Menke and a free pass to Chris “Suck My” Corkum but K-Dog, playing his sixth position—third base—of the young season, made a diving stab of a sharply hit grounder to his left and sprung up to slap the tag on Menke as he scampered to third for a force out. A fly ball to left to the sure-handed Drew McDowell kept the game scoreless and the former Maryland standout was solid into the third. After sandwiching two outs around a walk to tenth batter Matt Apostle, Pallone induced another ground ball to third but this time Quinn couldn’t come up with it putting runners on first and second. A pair of walks and a wild pitch later the Caps had taken a 2-0 lead before a ground out to Leo Dionicio at second ended the threat. Pallone (3 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 K, 4 BB) wanted the ball for one more inning but management felt he had given a scintillating sixty-two pitch performance and instead called on the Mighty Quinn as the Cannons looked to cut into the advantage. In the top of the fourth the long-dormant Cannons offense finally showed signs of life by plating two runs courtesy of the bottom of the order. Mike Weber led things off with a laced line drive down the left field line that hit half way up the fence on the fly and he coasted into second with a stand-up double. Pallone followed with a single, his second hit in as many at-bats, and both players scored on a two out base hit by Andy “Argyle Projectyle” Borst to knot the score at two, officially closing the book on Pallone. Quinn allowed a hit to the first batter he faced in the form of Capitals Manager Dave Sacco but some dazzling defense by the Cannons infield helped him escape the inning unscathed. Art Mooney hit a grounder toward the middle that Dionicio somehow tracked down (earlier in the day the “Dominican Dreamboat” had words with Celio about an error that went against him the previous Sunday against Glastonbury: “I’m the only shortstop who would have gotten to that ball. From now on I’ll just be like the slow white guys and let everything go under my glove for a hit.”) and flipped over his back to shortstop Bill Balcerzak who then fired to first as Chris Barsa picked a low throw out of the dirt. When Balcerzak was asked about the second baseman’s acrobatic play he said: “I knew it was going to be coming from some f***ed up way so I just got myself ready to turn it.” In the top of the fifth controversy came calling when Dionicio, as is so often the case after a Web Gem, had an infield single to start the inning. However, both he and first base coach Weber missed Sacco’s hidden ball trick and when the “Gringo From Santo Domingo” stepped off the bag he was tagged out ending a potential rally (McDowell followed with a deep double but was stranded at second). In the home half, Park Marut walked to start things but was summarily dismissed with extreme prejudice as Borst fired to first with a snap pick off for out number one and Quinn would dispatch the next two batters respectively via a strike out and a ground out to the smooth fielding shortstop Balcerzak. A rally was once again sparked by Weber who singled to start the sixth. Pitcher Mike Karp attempted to catch the fleet-footed extra hitter napping but threw the ball away and Web wheeled all the way around to third with nobody down. McGann followed with an RBI knock, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and later scored on a Balcerzak base hit to put the Cannons on top 4-2. Quinn cruised through the sixth against the two-three-four hitters as the ball didn’t leave the infield but ran into some control problems in the seventh. He allowed a one-out double to Sacco, hit Mooney with a pitch, and issued a base on balls to Ruben Sierra. A wild pitch scored Sacco and a sacrifice fly to McGann in right plated Mooney to tie things at four. Patenaude replaced Quinn (3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 K, 3 BB, 1 HBP) and fanned Colwyn Krull in a lefty-lefty match-up to finish the frame and send the game into extra innings. For the first time in the contest the bottom of the Cannons batting order went quietly and Menke reached on a hit to begin the bottom half of the eighth but a hit and run attempt failed miserably as Corkum popped to second and Dionicio decoyed the runner by moving toward second as if a steal was still in order. Menke was hung out to dry as “Kid Caribbean” made the catch and ran the ball back to first to turn the FU (fly out/unassisted) double play, taking the proverbial wind of the Capitals sails. Maule led off the ninth and launched a homer to deep left to put the Cannons on top and the pressure was off the rest of the Connecticut line-up. Balcerzak reached on an error, McDowell singled, Barsa had a RBI base hit, Quinn hit a sacrifice fly to left, Patenaude (pinch hitting for Weber) got aboard on an error, McGann (RBI) and Pallone poked base hits, Borst made it to first on a flub, the fourth of the day—generously—by third baseman Tony Malinosky, and Maule scored two with a single to push the lead to a comfortable seven-run cushion, 11-4. Patenaude (W, 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K) closed the door, sitting Newington down in order to secure the victory, the left-handed elder statesman’s first of the 2008 campaign. “Bad things happen to bad people,” Dionicio told reporters after the game, a reference to Sacco and his hidden ball play, one “Big Brown” considered to be bush league (McDowell informed members of the team that his beloved LSU Tigers had fallen prey to the very same play in the College World Series Super Regional). Sacco stated: “I thought we were in great shape when we got out of the eighth without facing Jason [Maule]. Mike [Patenaude] pitched to perfection and Karp simply ran out of gas.” Celio added in his post-game press conference: “Adam and Kevin gave us everything they had—I couldn’t ask for anything more from the two of them at this point of the season though I think we are just scratching the surface with both guys—and it goes without saying that Jason and Mike are two of the best the league has to offer (both players were sorely missed in the June 1 double header against the Marlins). We got top- to-bottom production from our line-up (ten of the eleven batters either scored or drove in a run) and we’re a dangerous team when guys are swinging hot bats. Web and McGann are seeing the ball real well—Mike is going the opposite way which is a family tradition—and though they, Pallone and Borst aren’t going to receive as much media attention as some of our other guys but that part of the order was truly the difference maker today. It’s been said several times that we are a warm weather team and I fully expect us to play with this passion as the season stretches on.”

Game Two saw the “Old Man of the ‘C’” mount the mound yet again and Patenaude definitely did not disappoint. In a battle of nineteen’s the Cannons left-hander was matched up against righty Robert “Don’t Call Me Shirley” Hayes and the two entertained observers with a good old fashioned pitchers duel. Connecticut struck first as McDowell singled, stole second and third and scored as Sierra bobbled a Quinn ground ball at short to make the score 1-0. Patenaude played with fire through the first three frames allowing runners to repeatedly move into scoring position but each time he was able to wiggle out of the jam, most notably in the third when Malinosky fought for a ninth-pitch single to left with two down and runners on first and second. McDowell came up firing with a perfectly placed laser up the third base line that Patenaude snared to nail the lumbering Krull before he reached the plate. After allowing a pinch hit solo poke to Hayes in the fourth that bound the ball game at one Patenaude settled down and was his usual spectacular self, keeping the Caps off balance with a devastating curve ball that seemed to drop off the table right before the batter’s eyes. The Cannons too were able to threaten but it wasn’t until the sixth that the team broke through for an additional tally against Hayes. Maule led off the inning with a single, moved to second on a Dionicio ground out and scored on a McDowell single that snapped the tie, putting the Cannons back on top, 2-1. Patenaude (W, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 K, 7 BB) had all the run support he would need as he ended any hope of a Capitals comeback by getting two pop ups and a strike out in the sixth and then not allowing the ball out of the infield in the final frame (he issued bases on balls to Noose Roppo and Marut and a base hit to Corkum while working for the last six outs). “Jason is so tough in big situations, undoubtedly the most feared hitter in the league in those spots, but it was a real boost to get Drew involved on the offensive end,” Celio said. “D-Mac struggled a bit through the first six games but he’s a middle of the line-up guy for us, his baseball acumen is unparalleled and we expect great things from him. He manufactured that first run with his legs, came up with the clutch hit in the sixth after hustling in the heat and humidity all day and fought a tough backdrop to play a particularly solid left field, from his five catches to the play at the plate. He was remarkable for the Cannons and is one of the big reasons we head home on a winning streak. Borst behind the plate for two was incredible and I think we can expect quality innings from him for the rest of the season. And what can I say about Mike? You just know the guy is going to give the team all he’s got on the mound. To go out there and win two in conditions like this is something special. I think we caught a glimpse of what the Cannons can be this season and when you add some of the pieces that were missing today (Clark, Bill Gills, John Mancini, Steve Markie and Vanasse were absent from the active roster; Tom Luby and Mark Lynch are on sixty-day retroactive injured reserve) we have the potential to be the best the CNMSBL A Division has to offer which is what our players and fans have expected since Opening Day back in April. This was baseball the way we are capable of playing it on a weekly basis. We can stand toe-to-toe in a slugfest or out-pitch an opponent. We’re ready to win by any means necessary. I couldn’t be more pleased with our performance as a team today. The rest of this season should be a whole lot of fun.”

According to Assistant Manager “Yogi” Weber, “A sweep gets our record better.” According to second baseman Dionicio, “Spring training is officially over.” Truer words have rarely been spoken and the Connecticut Cannons now find themselves squarely immersed in a scramble for post-season seeding. The popping of the Caps certainly grades as an A+ but you can alpha-bet the Big Guns are far from satisfied and they shouldn’t rest on their laurels just yet. In the wide world of sports—RIP Jim McKay—Ls are lousy while Ws are wonderful. The Battle of Newington fell in the Cannons favor but the biggest battles of the 2008 CNMSBL season-long war are still ahead. The Connecticut Cannons are clearly loaded and a fire has finally been set to the fuse. The time for this team to explode on the rest of the A Division is now. Standing room only seating for this Sunday’s double dip against the Marlborough Athletics is available at New Cannon Yards via phone (1 800-CANNONS) or internet (ctcannons.blogspot.com) so bring Ol’ Dad on down to the diamond for baseball at its best.

Cannons News and Notes: Balcerzak has scored or driven in fifteen of the team’s thirty-three runs through eight games…the free agent acquisition will be honored by Medina High School as he enters his alma mater’s Hall of Fame this weekend; Maule was 6 for 8—5 for 5 in the opener—on the day, raising his average to .381 on the season…Celio provided the hard-hitting centerfielder with a pair of navy stockings prior to the opening pitch and hopes that the serendipitous socks will allow Maule to continue mashing from the lead-off spot…Maule spent Saturday driving the back roads of Connecticut with his still- blushing bride…when asked if he was looking to move Maule deadpanned: “No. I was looking to be here. I would have climbed a tree if that’s what she wanted.”; Balcerzak, Clark, Steve Markie, Maule, McGann and Weber are hitting above .300 after Sunday’s contests; Pallone’s three hits raised his average to .250 (his fiancée has promised the first-year Cannon can play in August’s postseason instead of leaving for his honeymoon if his average remains above the Mendoza line); Connecticut’s team batting average jumped forty points from .232 to .272 with twenty-eight hits in the double header (the ’07 Cannons hit .274 as a team); Patenaude has compiled a gaudy 1.26 ERA through three games…the veteran left-hander confirmed he was “feeling charitable” when he allowed teammate John Mancini to get a hit in the final inning of the Step Up to the Plate Charity Baseball Marathon…“I walked the batter before ‘Blue Fire’ just to get to him.”…behind Clark, McDowell, Patenaude, Pallone, Quinn and Vanasse Connecticut’s team ERA is more than 1.5 runs fewer per game in 2008 than it was for the 2007 season (3.70 from 5.34); Pallone does not turn twenty-eight until October 3 making him the youngest Cannon and the only one to be born in the eighties (Connecticut now has representation from four distinct decades)…Pallone, the Athletic Trainer for the Trinity College Baseball team, will receive a World Series ring after the Bantams defeated the Johns Hopkins Blue Jays by a score of 5-4 on May 29 to take the NCAA Division III title; the Cannons medical staff announced Celio has been suffering from “flu-like symptoms” for the better portion of a week (his alphabet began an ended with E, not as in error but as in E. coli…oh, and he did K as a pinch hitter for Maule); several sources reported Borst took soft toss before the games…with himself; Barsa saved a baby bird that had fallen from its dugout nest before the games…management initially planned to sacrifice the bird to channel Dionicio’s inner Pedro Cerrano in a slump-busting attempt…the “ Heartthrob de Hipaniola’s” Thing That Makes You Go Hmmm? of the week: “I was so disappointed in ‘Big Brown’s’ performance on Saturday…and that horse going for the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes sucked too.”…Dionicio asked Celio if he was playing in Game One and when he was told he would be batting third in the top of the first he stated, “Put a K in the book.”…it was actually a backwards K; Quinn entertained members of the media before the games by explaining how, like Elvis, he enjoys a little less conversation and a little more action: “I once got in a fight with a Marine who claimed to have eight confirmed kills. You know what I did? I knocked his a** out!”; “Loaded Cannon” Craig Perrier played his first game with the Boston Braves going 0-3 with a walk…there were several similarities between this contest and his first game with the Cannons: his first two at bats were a ground out to second and a base on balls; the third baseman dropped an easy pop fly a la Mike Calabrese; he donned his Cannons cap…Perrier settled on #10 for his new uniform saying simply, “One better than Celio.”; Connecticut has swept the Battle of Newington in each of the past two seasons and are 5-3 lifetime against the Caps.