Congratulations to the Holy Bs – ISBL Champions
Holy Bs – 2014
By Richard Borins.
Congratulations to the Holy Bs on bringing back the ISBL softball trophy with an exciting, come from behind, 17-14 win against Beth Tikvah today at Bayview Reservoir!
Congratulations as well to Beth Tikvah for an excellent season, also reaching the championship game for the 3rd year in a row.
We trailed by a score of 12 – 6 after five innings but that is when the defence settled down and the bats heated up. Defensively, there was an excellent catch in left field by Jordan Glicksman and some very nice catches in right field by Adam Griff. David Rosenberg came in as an infield rover in the 9th inning and he turned a very nice (and important) double play.
We had some great hitting performances today with almost every member of the team reaching base at least once. Jordan Glicksman and Ryan Abrahamson were each 4 for 4 at the plate including a double for Ryan. Joe Cass went 2 for 4 and it was his two out hit in the 7th inning that started our 5 run inning in which we took the lead, a lead that we would not relinquish. David Rosenberg, Matthew Dicker, Steve Gryfe, Randy Cass and Allan Lyons all went an impressive 3 for 4 at the plate. Allan knocked in our final two runs of the game with an opposite field double in the 8th inning playing on a banged up knee. Jon Burton played very well at shortstop and had a couple of big hits for us including an opposite field double.
Randy Cass deserves special mention for playing through a couple of injuries today as well. Randy had to come off the field twice but each time he kept going back out there.
We had some other injured players who were not able to play today but still came out to cheer on the team. John Phillips has been out all season with a bad back but expects to be back next year. Bob Cooper was a late scratch due to a nagging ankle injury. Bob came just in time to see us finish off the come back. Richard Banks and Jeff Levy helped coach today. Ken Herlin played well today and also did a very nice job coaching at 3rd base (as mentioned by the guys a couple of times at lunch).
We had more fans out today than for any other game this season and that really helped us! Thank you to: Zita Gardner (David Rosenberg’s mother in law), Marion Rosenberg (David’s mom), Ben Rosenberg (David’s son), Harry and Marsha Glicksman (Jordan’s parents) and their dog Winston, Nathan Cass (Joe’s grandson and Randy’s son), Adam Oaknine (my nephew and son of Holy B alumnus Avy), Matthew Dicker’s dad Jeff Dicker and Matthew’s girlfriend (and new team photographer) Emily, Jerry Borins (my Dad), Sheryl Brodey (my better half), Max Borins (who helped track Beth Tikvah hitting), Jack Borins (Holy Bs scorekeeper), Isabelle Borins (my daughter) and Slash Borins (our dog).
It was another great season and we finished with an overall record of 12 -1 – 1. The Holy Bs had what was probably a league high 18 players contribute this year. Josh Silver and Nate Charach were out of town today but have been big contributors all season long; they were important factors in our first place finish and playoff run and they deserve mention in this final entry.
It has been a real team effort all year. We celebrated once again at Yitz’s with a great lunch (thanks Barry Silver for hosting and for providing the ice for the injured players). Thanks as always to Jeff Levy for schlepping all the equipment, drinks etc. and to Marc Levy for always taking care of the bases, bats, etc.
Plans are under way to honour our 2nd championship in Holy Blossom history (and in the last 3 years).
What a great way to start the New Year!
Mazel Tov on this wonderful achievement. It would be wonderful if the HBT Team could join in the “Pitch for Israel” sponsored by the JNF and One Family Fund. It is a great day of baseball, in a fantastic setting. It happens every year towards the end of August. Again, Mazel Tov.