12 replies to this topic

[Derek21]

Does anyone follow or go to games in the area? Trenton? Being that I live out here, I cover the Staten Island Yankees. This is my second full season. It's really fun going to games and it's a nice setting right by the water over by the Ferry Terminal overlooking the most wonderful skyline. It also happens to be a great ballpark.

I've been fortunate enough to cover back-to-back championship winners cause I came on at the end of 2005. Pretty fun stuff.

I usually do game recaps and sometimes features. Last night, they played their Verrazano rival the Cyclones on the Fourth. So there were special fireworks when it ended to go along with the great ones we could see from across the ocean.

And the game was great too. They cameback from a run down to pull it out in 11!

Anyway, I usually put all my stories up on my blog down below.

But I thought I'd post my latest cause it was a feature story on a local kid who pitched last night. Might want to remember the name Dellin Betances. So here it is:



Betances Shows Poise and Promise

STATEN ISLAND, NY - It's one thing to not allow a run when you have your best stuff but quite another when you're working your way through batters without it.

That's what Dellin Betances was able to do well enough in his fourth Penn League start against the Cyclones last night before a near packed house of 6,011 who celebrated part of their Independence Day by taking in an exciting 4-3 eleven inning Baby Bomber victory over the Cyclones at St. George.

Despite creating a couple of jams with a loss of control (six walks), Betances was able to pitch his way out of trouble by showing tremendous poise. One particular instance in the third inning saw the young 19 year-old hurler load the bases on three walks with two outs. He then went to a full count on Brooklyn first baseman Jason Jacobs before freezing him with an unhittable pitch which painted the outside corner to get out of it.

“I was glad to get that pitch cause I was kind of [upset] that I walked the bases loaded. So I was glad I got that last strike to strike [Jacobs] out,” Betances said after getting a no decision.

That kind of ability is what excites first-year skipper Mike Gillespie about his 19 year-old pupil who starred for Grand Street High School before being selected by the Yankees in last year's draft in the eighth round. Blessed with a fastball which can reach the mid-90's, he also possesses a wicked knuckle curve and changeup in his arsenal, giving Bronx Bomber fans plenty to get excited about. In 18 innings thus far, he had a 1-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and has whiffed 22.

“I liked the way he kept his poise and sort of pushed his way through it. I think he is a mature kid. I personally have been very impressed with his maturity beyond his years. I haven’t seen him be rattled," the manager noted as his team prepared for the second game of a three-game set scheduled for Thursday night at Keyspan Park.


Betances was pleased that he was able to get through four and two thirds without allowing a run despite unusual conditions on the Fourth of July.


"It was pretty hard just being that the rain and stuff but I managed through it and we actually got a win. So that was good," he pointed out.


If the weather wasn't ideal, then the plate umpire who passed on a couple of borderline strikes which led to walks probably didn't help in that regard either. However, Betances didn't seem to mind how it was called.


"It's alright. You just can't think about it too much cause you got more pitches to worry about. He was alright. The rain probably had an affect."


The lanky righty who's listed at 6-9 230 in the Staten Island Yankee program never buckled despite some gritty at bats by the Cyclones. He also got Jacob Eigsti to line out to short for a 6-5 inning ending double play in the fourth stranding two more runners at the corners.


Most encouraging for Betances was that he finished strong by getting Micah Schilling looking and Ender Chavez swinging before departing to a nice ovation after reaching his pitch count (89 pitches). He finished the night striking out six Cyclones.


"I was glad after that I was able to bounce back and get those two guys out but I reached my pitch count. So I had to come out. There was no way I could've thrown to that last guy."


"He can finish a hitter if he's at 85 and that's what happened with the previous hitter. But he couldn't start another new hitter," informed Gillespie who also lamented having to take his starter out.


"I dreaded that trip to the mound with one out to go and he did not want to come out. He wasn't thrilled. There was no issue over it but he wanted to stay in the game."


For the New York resident, he was excited to be able to pitch for the home club in such a great environment against their Verrazano rival.


"It's a great feeling. We had a lot of fans today. I was glad we got the win. So it's a great feeling just being here in front of the home fans. And there's nothing better than Yankee fans. I loved it."


He also talked about the importance of getting that first game against the Cyclones. Staten Island sliced Brooklyn's lead to two games.


"It's always good to get the first one. So get that out of the way. If we could win [Thursday] that would be great."


Despite pitching in the Gulf Coast League last Fall, he has noticed a difference in his first year in the Penn League and also knew he could improve on last night's outing.


"I did pitch Gulf Coast. It's different because there's more college hitters. Patient. Very good hitters. So you just got to throw strikes.I didn't really do that today but hopefully next time I come back."

[Devilsdude530]

Derek, your story can't beat the one in the Bergen Record today of the kid who pitched at Rutgers-Newark who turned groundskeeper for the Bears, who turned pitcher for the Bears (w/90mph heat).

[Satans Hockey]

It's a shame that Staten Island Yankees won't be around much longer. Their attendance is dreadful.

The view use to be much prettier when the Twin Towers were there. I also believe that is a reason why attendance is so poor.

[Derek21]

P.S. Satans, Mandalay took over ownership and the attendance has gone up. They're offering a few 5-game Pinstripe Plans which include all you can eat deals along with other cool stuff. I think a couple soldout.


It's definitely been an improvement. It's a really nice ballpark.

So, anyone else go see minor league ball anywhere?

Edited by Derek21, 05 July 2007 - 10:48 PM.

[Devilsdude530]

I go see the Bears once in a while. I'd love to go out to SI and BRK to see those two clubs. Just look so picturesque.

[Satans Hockey]

P.S. Satans, Mandalay took over ownership and the attendance has gone up. They're offering a few 5-game Pinstripe Plans which include all you can eat deals along with other cool stuff. I think a couple soldout.
It's definitely been an improvement. It's a really nice ballpark.

So, anyone else go see minor league ball anywhere?

I always thought the ballpark was nice but I know me and a few other friends thought it was depressing going there cause of the view. I haven't been there in a few years though. If I wanted to take the train there it would take about 45 mins cause I am on the opposite side of the island so that is part of the reason I never go. It only takes me 25mins to get to the CAA by driving lol Also with all the god damn traffic on this island it takes forever to drive to the ballpark as well so that's another reason I never go. Maybe I will go check out a game soon though.

Edited by Satans Hockey, 05 July 2007 - 10:54 PM.

[sykkie15]

I had been going to New Jersey Cardinals games since they came to New Jersey...I've been to about five Skyhawks games, but they're somehow even worse than the Cardinals. The attendance has plummeted.

[thefiestygoat]

I love to follow minor league baseball, especially Yankee prospects. I love to follow guys like Hughes, Clippard, DeSalvo, Chamberlein, Kennedy, Horne, and Betances. Not to mention position players like Cervelli, Montero, Tabata, Gardner, Jackson, and Corona to name a few of my favorites.

Check out this weird line from a 5 inning no hitter in Trenton the other night.
Brett Smith (W, 7-4)
5 IP/ 0 H/ 0 R/ 0 ER/ 7 BB/ 5 K. 86 pitches--41 strikes/45 balls.

[Derek21]

I always thought the ballpark was nice but I know me and a few other friends thought it was depressing going there cause of the view. I haven't been there in a few years though. If I wanted to take the train there it would take about 45 mins cause I am on the opposite side of the island so that is part of the reason I never go. It only takes me 25mins to get to the CAA by driving lol Also with all the god damn traffic on this island it takes forever to drive to the ballpark as well so that's another reason I never go. Maybe I will go check out a game soon though.

I can relate to that actually since I also live on that side as well and have to navigate around all the traffic usually taking backroads, etc.

You can't be that far away from where I am. Where are you?


God. It's thundering here again. I hope we don't have another blackout.


Hey fiesty. Cervelli was the catcher here last year and an All Star. He wasn't even supposed to be the No.1 backstop and look how that turned out. He's doing well with Tampa.

Edited by Derek21, 05 July 2007 - 11:24 PM.

[Derek21]

I see you also listed Brett Gardner on there and Corona as well. Both were part of the '05 championship team. Corona walked off. That was so cool. I just missed getting Gatoraded. LOL


Also, Josh Schmidt used to close on that team. He had a brutal '06 but has rebounded lately in Tampa and has a ton of K's in a setup role. He's got some nasty bite on his pitches.

[Satans Hockey]

I can relate to that actually since I also live on that side as well and have to navigate around all the traffic usually taking backroads, etc.

You can't be that far away from where I am. Where are you?
God. It's thundering here again. I hope we don't have another blackout.
Hey fiesty. Cervelli was the catcher here last year and an All Star. He wasn't even supposed to be the No.1 backstop and look how that turned out. He's doing well with Tampa.

Im in Richmond Valley. I didn't have any blackouts recently. If I can get a few friends to go I will probably just take the train.

[Derek21]

Im in Richmond Valley. I didn't have any blackouts recently. If I can get a few friends to go I will probably just take the train.

Ah. I'm over by Arthur Kill near the West Shore.

[devilsfan26]

I used to go to SI Yankees games with my dad and uncle when they played at the College of Staten Island because my uncle is handicapped and at that place the accessible seating was right along the wall, so he used to bring us there so we'd have nice seats. I never pay any attention to standings or whatever with minor leagues, but I love going to games. I don't go to minor league games as much as I used to. Now I only go to like one or two a year, usually either Somerset Patriots, Newark Bears, or Lakewood Blueclaws. I like going to minor league games more than major league games, though, because the stadiums are smaller so there aren't really any bad seats, so you can catch a foul ball pretty much wherever you sit. My dad caught two foul balls in one SI Yanks game. I also like minor league games more because the tickets are cheaper. I mean you can pay $50 to go to a Yankees game and sit a mile away from the field. Unless they are playing the Red Sox or it's a playoff game I'd rather just watch it on TV.