| I traveled about 30 miles strictly because the | | | | removed due to an injury. |
| atmosphere of a great baseball playoff game is | | | | During his warmups I start to think of how each |
| incomparable. At least to me it is. I went to see | | | | team will react to this sudden change in plans. I |
| one of the finest pitchers around facing a team | | | | don't have the answer as to which team it will |
| that is loaded with outstanding hitters. What a | | | | help. Will the Suffern team who just lost their ace |
| surprising outcome. I prayed that this outstanding | | | | start to hang their heads? Will the Mamaroneck |
| game would be rained out yesterday because I | | | | team benefit? I honestly don't have the answer. |
| had an umpiring assignment and would not be able | | | | But I do know that logic tells me that I would |
| to see it. My prayers were answered and this | | | | rather face anybody other than Robbie. With all |
| game was postponed until today and I will be able | | | | due respect, Robbie is in a class by himself and |
| to watch it! | | | | that's why sometimes a couple of dozen scouts |
| I am really looking forward to watching this game, | | | | are in attendance. |
| which starts at 3:00. I go to my favorite deli, | | | | Okay, we resume play and Nick calmly strikes out |
| Anthony's Deli in Harrison, New York and order a | | | | two batters to end the top of the first inning. Nick |
| wedge. It is about about 1:45 and I still have | | | | continues to breeze along and does NOT allow a |
| plenty of time to attend this matchup between | | | | hit until the sixth inning! Not bad, huh? Suffern |
| Suffern High School and Mamaroneck High School. | | | | scores single runs in the first, fourth and bottom |
| At the deli, I see Steve, a fellow umpire and tell | | | | of the sixth and lead 3-0 going into the seventh |
| him that I'm going to this game, will be sitting | | | | and final inning. |
| under a tree in the shade, eating a fabulous | | | | About the fifth inning, I told a fellow I met at the |
| wedge and watching this classic matchup. I asked | | | | game to not count out Mamaroneck. These guys |
| him what could be better than this. Steve smiled | | | | can hit! Well so much for my predictions. The |
| and shook his head and replied, "Larry, nothing is | | | | Mamaroneck bats never got going. Suffern gets a |
| better." Steve asked me to call him on his cell to | | | | two out hit to knock in their third run in the |
| give him updates. | | | | bottom of the sixth and that one had to sting. At |
| The fabulous hitting Mamaroneck team against a | | | | 2-0 you're still in the game. At 3-0 in the last |
| very good hitting Suffern team who has the | | | | inning, I think you have to be thinking that maybe |
| incomparable Robbie Aviles on the hill. | | | | this is not your day. |
| Incomparable as in an 0.24 ERA for the year! Are | | | | In the top of the seventh with one out, |
| you kidding me? One-quarter of a run per seven | | | | Mamaroneck gets a ray of hope with a bunt |
| innings! It comes as no surprise that he is | | | | single. That is only their second hit off Nick. But |
| expected to go high in the MLB draft next week. | | | | nothing materializes and they lose 3-0. My |
| Okay, so I make my trip of about 45 minutes | | | | thoughts after the game are that I tip my hat to |
| and arrive at the park. (Told my wife Wendy that | | | | Nick. He came into the game with one out in the |
| I would drive half way across the country to see | | | | first inning and he was lights out and pitched |
| this game.) She shook her head, almost insinuating | | | | himself a gem. I'll never forget how fabulous he |
| that there is something seriously wrong with me. | | | | was and hope he never does either. Brilliant |
| She very obviously does not share my passion | | | | performance! And I'm not really bothered that I |
| for the game. | | | | couldn't watch Robbie, except for only the two |
| I arrive about 2:30 for 3:00 start. I have to get | | | | batters he faced. Hey...Nick pitched a two hit |
| there early to make sure I get to put my chair in | | | | shutout against the two time defending New York |
| one of the best locations at the park to view the | | | | State champions and it doesn't get much better |
| game. I enjoy my wedge from Anthony's and | | | | than that. |
| wait about ten minutes for the much anticipated | | | | And Mamaroneck is a perennial power house and |
| first pitch from Robbie. | | | | their outstanding achievements should never be |
| It is now show time and I'm really up for this | | | | overlooked either. I've watched them many times |
| game and so are the three hundred or so in | | | | as their home field is only fifteen minutes from |
| attendance. (Very good crowd considering it's a | | | | my home and the reason I attend is to watch |
| 3:00 start on a work day.) Robbie retires the first | | | | great baseball. You would be very hard pressed |
| Mamaroneck batter. He then walks the number | | | | to find a better program and their coaching staff |
| two hitter. His pitching coach visits him on the | | | | is second to none. |
| mound and that sends up a red flag. There is no | | | | After the game, in the parking lot, I met up with |
| sense in having a mound visit with this guy on the | | | | the three umpires who were assigned this very |
| hill. After about a minute or two passes, it is | | | | important game. I asked the plate umpire what |
| getting clear to all that something may be very | | | | made Nick so dominant. He simply told me that |
| wrong here. Another minute passes and it's now | | | | Nick had a good well located fast ball, good curve |
| clear that something is definitely wrong. Robbie is | | | | ball and he mixed in about five or six changeups. |
| removed from the game. Must be an injury, right? | | | | That's pitching isn't it? |
| Yes it is. Found out later that it was either a groin | | | | No I didn't get to see Robbie but this truly was a |
| pull or hamstring problem. | | | | great game. Hats off to both teams and thanks |
| My thoughts are that I traveled to see this classic | | | | for a great afternoon at the park. What a |
| confrontation and I only got to see Robbie face | | | | pleasure! To me, this is the best deal on earth. NO |
| two batters. What a letdown for me and I'm | | | | charge to park my car. NO charge for tickets. |
| quite sure many others. Right fielder Nick Kulbaba | | | | Completely FREE to watch these two outstanding |
| is summoned to the mound. He warms up for | | | | heavyweights square off. |
| about fifteen minutes because he's allowed as | | | | No losers in this one. Only one winner but no |
| long as he wants because the pitcher was | | | | losers! |