Joe Gumi come thru for the FIRE The FIRE continue to roll along this spring and the boys are having a great time. The FIRE have experienced a vast team-wide improvement in overall execution this past season. This improvement is directly tied to the boys dedication to early morning weekend practices and combination game experience from fall & spring seasons plus tournament play. Week in and week out on the field the level of play, the understanding of finer points and overall execution have continually improved.

The season started with a great experience in Cal Ripken in MD where the FIRE went 2-1 in pool play and continued over into the season. The FIRE currently stand in first place in their division at 12 wins and 4 losses in the NCYAA travel program and made the round of the final four in the Baseball Heaven Memorial Day tournament losing to the eventual champion. This coming week marks the end of the spring season and once again the FIRE will be playing for first place on the last week of the season for the second straight spring season.

All the FIRE players have contributed in many ways to the team success. Ken Ritchie has been the teams most improved hitter and a leader in the middle of a dangerous line-up. The improved power hitting of Andrew Connors and Ken Ritchie has added a new dimension the FIRE line-up who already play one of the best brands of small ball in the league. This past week alone Ken Ritchie had 2 homeruns and Andrew Connors a Grand Slam, plus a towering shot that he hit last week that still has not come down. Between the improved power and the team speed lead by speedsters and leadoff hitters Richard D'Angelo and Kyle Ritchie (who routinely steal second and third), the high on base average of Darryl Tan, Sean Kiley, Drew Simone and Alex Passaertti, and the timely hitting of Brian Mitchell, Nick Cento, Joe Gulmi and Brian Emmert, the FIRE are a very difficult opponent for any team and no matter what the flow of the game, they just seem to find ways to grind out the wins any way they need to. Nick Cento and Brian Emmert have had key 2 out hits with bases loaded (for 3 RBI' each) in 2 separate wins. Darryl Tan on the occasion when he doesn't get a hit makes the most productive outs and almost every week seems like he has multiple RBI's. Passaretti, Simone and Kiley rarely go a game with scoring at least 1 run each, and week in a week out the FIRE continue to be one of the most aggressive teams with hit and runs, advancing runners and executing squeeze plays. Alex Passaretti, Drew Simone, Sean Kiley, Joe Gulmi and Brian Mitchell have all each executed more than 1 successful squeeze bunt. The FIRE routinely are the only team at this age to successfully execute squeeze plays and up and down the lineup from power hitters to contact hitters the FIRE push across runs when they need to.

Nick Cento at third base throws out a would be runner The team's success has also been a function of improved team defense and outstanding pitching. The pitching staff of the FIRE goes with a rotation that is 8 deep and all have contributed in big games many times. The power pitching of Connors and the Ritchie brothers (Kyle and Kenny) overwhelm hitters while the craftiness of Drew Simone and Sean Kiley keep hitter off balance. The pitching staff is rounded out by Darryl Tan, Alex Passaretti and Brian Mitchell who have proven invaluable in their ability to start or relieve at a moments notice and be successful at both. The pitching highlights include a no hitter from Ken Ritchie, dominant starts from Connors who has the best strikeout to walk ratio, Sean Kiley's pick off move (picks off at least 1 or 2 guys every game) and Drew Simone's outing against the Huskies (one of the best teams on the eastern seaboard) where he kept the Huskies off stride and the FIRE in a the game they had no business actually being in. The team defense is lead by Brian Mitchell, Kyle Ritchie and Drew Simone who play multiple positions every game each week and play exceptionally well. Their well roundedness enables us to play many kids more innings and still field a competitive team. Outstanding outfield play has been turned in by Brian Emmert, Joe Gulmi and Richard D'Angelo as well; often turning a game around with a big catch or an important relay to snuff out a rally.

Andrew Connors crushes another pitch Win or lose their game for first place this coming week_. The season has truly been a great experience for the boys. The FIRE will also head to Cooperstown this August to compete in a week-long national event. GO FIRE!!!

Brian Emmert sports the shades in Right Field

Sean Kiley watches a drive to left for another RBIKen Ritchie hits a bombAlex Passaretti delivering another big hitRich D'Angelo at first with coach PassarettiDarryl Tan closes out the game for the saveDrew Simone pitches the FIRE to victoryBrian Mitchell applies the tag in an important run downKyle Ritchie slides home just ahead of the tag