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 HardBall
Magazine
Summer 2005
Feature:
2005 Summer Edition
2006 Summer Edition
2006 Fall Edition
Next Tour: Texas Cup, Aug. 29 - 31, 2008
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Atlantic City Tournament
National Adult
Baseball Association - Tournament Edition
Game Ending - May 28, 2007.
Noles Dealt Poor Hand in AC
Atlantic City, NJ
 Sand dunes, ocean breezes and the boardwalk provided a picturesque setting for the 2007 NABA Atlantic City Tournament.
The 18+ open division featured 10 teams with a combined 18 league or tournament championships. The New York Seminoles,
a five time NYC Champion, began the tournament with aspirations of adding another title to their bucket of shells.
The first game, Saturday afternoon, featured a match up between with the 2006 RVNABA League Champion Paterson Phillies. Led
by 2005 NABA World Series MVP 1B Rich Aleman, the Phillies looked for a return to the Atlantic City championship game they
reached in last year’s event. But, the Seminoles, countered with crafty veteran RHP Jose DeJesus. DeJesus (9 Inn.,
CG, 2 ER, 8K) using a mixture of pitch selections and varied deliveries reminiscent of Satchel Paige, stymied a Phillies offense
that entered pool play with .314 team batting average in 2007 RVNABA league play. Energized by the stellar mound performance,
the Seminole offense quickly raced to a 6-2 3rd inning advantage on a Nephty Cruz (2-5, 2 RBI, 2 Runs) two run scoring single
and Mitchell Pena's (2-4, 3 Runs) RBI single to rightfield. Three runs respectively by the Noles, courtesy of 3B Chris Aguilera
(3-4, 3 RBI) and 1B Carlos Cruz (2-4, 2 RBI), and Phillies in the remaining four innings gave the Seminoles an eventual 9-5
opening game win and a 1-0 record.
Sunday morning had a scheduled meeting with the 2005 NABA National Champion
Irvington Cardinals. Defensive miscues left the Seminole squad with an early 5-1 deficit. But the Noles offense, led by
a bases loaded single off the bat of Pena, erased all notions of a walk over with a 5 run fourth inning and 5-5 score. A three
run 5th following consecutive errors provided the Cardinals with an 8-5 edge. After a matching two run 6th inning for each
squad moved the score to 10-7, single RBI's by LF Nathan Moffie and Nephty Cruz sent a slugfest that saw every Seminole
score a run into the 8th with the Noles trailing by one. All hopes for a comeback were thwarted, however, when the 3 hour
time restriction was applied. Thus, ending the game in the 8th and handing the Cardinals a 10-9 shortened victory. The loss,
which evened the Seminoles pool play record at 1-1, set the stage for an elimination bout with the New City Outlaws
Margate Park fielded the backdrop for an afternoon pairing between the Seminoles and the 2004, 05', 06' defending tournament
and 2003 WRWBL League Champion New City Outlaws. Staked to an early 1-0 lead in the first frame, compliments of LF Nathan
Moffie's first homerun, the Noles provided an early glimpse into their quick strike abilities. An action that would be repeated
on this day. Following a game tying run in the Outlaw third and a single posting in the 4th, the Noles again quickly pushed
ahead 4-2 with a three run fifth in large part to a Joe Capogna (2-5, 3 RBI) two run double to the left centerfield wall.
Single runs in the 7th an 8th inning, including Pena's first pool homerun, pushed the lead to 6-4 heading into the ninth.
Looking to damper Nole's RHP Manny Reyes (9 Inn., 3 ER, 9K) impressive outing and prevent his first tournament win, the
Outlaws staged one more fight in defense of their crown. Following two walks and infield single, a defensive miscue with
2 outs created the break needed. The Outlaws plated two runs and forced a 6-6 tie. But the Seminoles, on this day, proved
one frame better. Leading off the 10th, a single by SS Joe Alvarez (2-4, 3 SB, Run) proved costly. Consecutive steals of
both 2nd and 3rd by Alvarez and subsequent walk to Moffie (1-4, 2 runs) brought C Nepthy Cruz to the plate. Cruz answered
with a double into the left centerfield gap which plated two runs and solidified an 8-6 victory and an end to the three
year Atlantic City Championship reign of the Outlaws.
The Seminoles, standing at 2-1 in pool play, looked toward
a deserved advancement into the playoff round scheduled for Monday. But within an absurd NABA tie breaking rule, the Noles,
were inexplicably eliminated from contention when tournament rules failed to recognize "head to head" play. In contradiction
to logic and basic rules in all competition, the NABA ruled that "runs allowed" would determine the elimination process,
not "head to head" results. As a consequence, the Seminoles and New Jersey Clippers were listed as “eliminated" in
favor of the advancement of three teams (Paterson Phillies, NJ White Sox and TriState Titans) that were each defeated in pool
play by either the Seminoles or Clippers. Protests filed were nullified when it was determined there was not enough time
to review stated arguments. Each of the three teams were assured advancement and would not be reversed. A black mark for
the NABA and bitter end in a tournament that would have been labeled a success prior to the unjust playoff selections.
Key Stat:
Phillies/Titans/White Sox runs allowed each based vs. opponents that held a collective 7-27 pool
record.
Seminoles/Clippers runs allowed each based vs. opponents that held a collective 11-7 pool record.
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TOURNAMENT
ROSTER
___________
OF - Joe Capogna
OF - Nathan Moffie
OF - Lou
Colon
1B - Paul Lulaj
1B - Carlos Cruz
2B - Mitchell
Pena (P)
3B - Chris Aguilera
SS - Joseph Alvarez (P)
EH - Gonzalo
Cruz
C - Nephty Cruz
C - Ray Arias
P
- Tirrell Ortiz
P - Juan Rodriguez
P - Jose DeJesus
P - Billy
Kirk
P - Manny Reyes
P - Luiggi Castillo
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NATIONAL
TOURNAMENTS
_______________________________________________
2008 CARIBBEAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS - PUERTO RICO
Game1: NY Seminoles 7 vs. Puerto Rico Giants 6
Game2: NY Seminoles 11
vs. Dorchester Yankees 5
Game3: NY Seminoles 12 vs. Connecticut Indians 13
Game4: NY Seminoles 6 vs. Chicago All-Stars
4
Game5: NY Seminoles 10 vs. New England Bandits 5
QTR Finals: NY Seminoles 5 vs. Brooklyn Dodgers 1
SemiFinal:
NY Seminoles 2 vs. Chicago All-Stars 4
Record: 5-2 Caribbean Championship Semi-Finalist 2007 ATLANTIC CITY - NEW JERSEY
Game1: NY Seminoles 9 v. Paterson Phillies
5
Game2: NY Seminoles 9 v. Irvington Cardianls 10
Game3: NY Seminoles 8 v. New City Outlaws 6
Record: 2-1,
Protested Elimination 2007 CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS - PUERTO RICO
Game1: NY Seminoles 12 vs.
Bridgeport Indians 3
Game2: NY Seminoles 15 vs. Chicago All-Stars 5
Game3: NY Seminoles 2 vs. Puerto Rico Giants 8
Game4: NY Seminoles 9 vs. Puerto Rico Warriors 0
Game5: NY Seminoles 2 vs. Puerto Rico Mats 3
QTR Finals:
NY Seminoles 8 vs. Puerto Rico Warriors 7
SemiFinal: NY Seminoles 9 vs. Puerto Rico Giants 10
Record: 4-3
Caribbean Championship Semi-Finalist 2006 TEXAS
CUP - SAN ANTONIO
Game1: NY Seminoles 6 vs. Houston Astors 4
Game2: NY Seminoles 5 vs. Houston Shockers
1
Game3: NY Seminoles 3 vs. Houston Braves 2
Game4: NY Seminoles 4 vs. San Antonio Warhawk 15
SemiFinal:
NY Seminoles 11 vs. Houston Astors 12
Record: 3-2 Texas Cup Semi-Finalist 2006 CARIBBEAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS - PUERTO RICO
Game1: NY Seminoles 12 vs. New Jersey Jaxx 1
Game2: NY Seminoles 5 vs.
Brooklyn Dodgers 9
Game3: NY Seminoles 10 vs. Puerto Rico Mets 5
Game4: NY Seminoles 12 vs. New England Bandits 2
Game5: NY Seminoles 13 vs. Long Island Starfish 13 (Tie)
QTR Finals: Division Champ - BYE
SemiFinal:
NY Seminoles 11 vs. Long Island Starfish 3
Championship: NY Seminoles 7 vs. Brooklyn Dodgers 9
Record: 4-2-1
Caribbean Championship Runner-up 2005 CARIBBEAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS - PUERTO RICO
Game1: NY Seminoles 3 vs. Puerto Rico Reds 10
Game2: NY Seminoles 13
vs. Orlando Reds 3
Game3: NY Seminoles 5 vs. Fedlock Falcons 1
Game4: NY Seminoles 10 vs. Puerto Rico Royals 7
Game5:
NY Seminoles 12 vs. Puerto Rico Giants 7
QTR Finals: Division Champ - BYE
SemiFinal: NY Seminoles 10 vs.
Fedlock Falcons 4
Championship: NY Seminoles 8 vs. Daytona Rangers 15
Record: 6-2 Caribbean Championship
Runner-up 2005 MIAMI CHALLENGE - FLORIDA
Game1: NY Seminoles 3 vs. Coral Gabble
A's 3 (Tie)
Game2: NY Seminoles 4 vs. Miami Red Sox 1
Game3: NY Seminoles 2 vs. Broward Bulldogs 1
Note: National
Division Champs
SemiFinal: NY Seminoles 3 vs. S.F. Mets 4 (10 Inn.)
Record: 2-1-1 SemiFinalist
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PLAYER INVITATIONALS
_______________________________________________
TOURNAMENT - INDIVIDUAL PLAYER INVITATION
1997 NABA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
- ARIZONA
Brian Mejias - Finalist
1998 NABA COOPERSTOWN CLASSIC - NEW YORK
Garrett Harris - Tournament MVP
Brian Mejias - Tournament Batting Champion
1998 NABA VIRGINA BEACH CLASSIC - VIRGINIA
Brian Mejias - Finalist
1999 NABA COOPERSTOWN CLASSIC - NEW YORK
Brian Mejias
1999 NABA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ARIZONA
Jose
Ferriera - Game MVP (2)
Brian Mejias - Game MVP
Paul Lulaj - Game MVP
John Colon
Peter Bonilla
2003
NABA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ARIZONA
Jose Ferreira - Game MVP
Paul Lulaj
Joe Alvarez
2004 ALL STAR GALA
- SHEA STADIUM
Joe Alvarez
Nephty Cruz
Vic Catano
Brian Mejias
2004 LI PLAYERS INVITATIONAL - CITIBANK
PARK
Joe Alvarez
Nephty Cruz
Ken Jacobson
TEAM INVITATIONALS
_______________________________________________
2005 NYC PLAYERS INVITATIONAL - KEYSPAN PARK
New York Seminoles
2005 ALL STAR GALA - SHEA STADIUM
New York Seminoles
2005 MABL/MSBL
WORLD SERIES - ARIZONA
RAWLINGS 10K NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Game1: NY Seminoles 6 vs. VABL Canes' 7
(8 Inn.)
Game2: NY Seminoles 4 vs. Foothill Blaze 7
Game3: NY Seminoles 0 vs. Union 345 Stars 9
Game4: NY Seminoles
0 vs. IPB Prospects-B 4
Game5: NY Seminoles 9 vs. IPB Prospects-R 6
Record: 1-4 Elimination 2004 MABL/MSBL WORLD SERIES - ARIZONA
Game1: NY Seminoles 1 vs. Merrick
Starfish 8
Game2: NY Seminoles 5 vs. VABL Braves 23
Game3: NY Seminoles 6 vs. Detroit Dodgers 7
Game4: NY Seminoles
2 vs. California Cannons 5
Game5: NY Seminoles 1 vs. So. Cal Snappers 18
Record: 0-5 Elimination 2004 NABA LIBERTY BELL - NEW JERSEY
Game1: NY Seminoles 9 v. Bronx
Royals 6
Game2: NY Seminoles 6 v. NY/NJ WhiteSox 7
Game3: NY Seminoles 0 v. Clifton Park 7
Record: 1-3 Elimination
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2006 TEXAS CUP
San Antonio, Texas 
Top: J. Arroyo, G. Cruz, J. DeJesus,
A. Barnett, E. Estrada, J. Williams, D. Mercado, P. Lulaj, N. Cruz
Bottom: J. Capogna, J. Ortiz, C. Granata, C. Berretta,
J. Rodriguez,, J. Ferreira, J. Alvarez, S. Nicosia
2005 RAWLINGS CHAMPIONSHIP
Phoenix,
Arizona
Top: G. Estivenson,
J. Brett, C. Ramirez, R. Muniz, N. Cruz, J. Ortiz, R. Arias
Middle: J. Tenorio, K. Jacobson, S. Upchurch, H. Batista,
P. Lulaj, J. Ferreira
Bottom: J. Alvarez, L. Peguero, C. Berretta
2005 FLORIDA CUP
Miami, Florida
Top: T'
O'Conner, F. Dolan, J. Ortiz, P. Lulaj, A. Alago, H. Batista, D. Jiminian
Bottom: F. Giglio, J. Sottile, N. Cruz,
J. Alvarez, P. Pollizzano, J. Tenorio
Not Pictured - V. Catano, C. Harris, J. Kraljev
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2005
CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIP
San Juan, Puerto Rico 
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2004
MABL WORLD SERIES
Phoenix, Arizona
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