Courtesy of the Niagara Gazette
By Doug Smith
NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Weathering a few operational eclipses, Niagara Falls enjoyed its day in the sun as all-star host Wednesday. New York State Collegiate League President Stan Lehman told Niagara Power CEO Cal Kern that Kern’s operation took the league’s all-star game “to a new level, establishing a new standard.”
Well over 500 fans attended, many of them from far away, boosting the local economy, significantly the Como Restaurant where they significantly reduced the pasta surplus. Most stayed to chew the fat long after the last pitch.
The East won 4-3 in a game scripted for local heroes. North Tonawandan Jesse Puscheck delivered the game-winning hit, a seventh-inning single, after scoring the team’s second run, in the sixth. Puscheck’s line for the night: 1-1-1-1, on base three times.
Power ‘stars did well. Adam Taylor went 2-2, the only player with more than one hit. Outfielder Shakeel Newton made a fine running catch and drove a counterpart to the wall in his only at-bat. Chane Lynch fielded flawlessly at first, Steve Beckham was in line for the mound “W” before the East caught up and Scott Voyles and Frank Grandinette each posted a perfect pitching line – a third of an inning each.
Six different arms twirled for the West in the fourth and fifth. East pitchers had a limit so strict that five were lifted, usually trouble-free, in mid-inning. The West used 13 pitchers, the East 11 – and every East hurler struck out at least one batter, a total of 17 in all. West pitchers whiffed 12.
The object here was to get as many into the game as possible, but nine mid-inning bullpen calls wore out the gate added a half hour to an otherwise swift game.
Already late starting, the Home Run Derby then stumbled when only three of the eight contestants left the yard, two of those in foul territory. But Olean’s Jon Kemmer suddenly found a groove in the finals and launched three in the direction of Hyde Park Lake. “Ooohs” filled the air.
Close to 70 players suited up and keeping track of them was a nightmare for announcers and official scorers, as the league provided no “spotter,” identical numbers were commonplace and many teams have eye-straining red-on-black color schemes.
Umpiring was superb, although the crew “blew” one when a hard grounder ricocheted first off the pitcher, then the umpire, who halted play, even though the rules specify that the umpire is part of the field. Later, in an attempt to get everyone their “up,” players re-entered the game, further hornswoggling the scorers, although only an appeal by an opposing manager could retire an out-of-order batter, and that just wasn’t in the cards.
Dominating the highlight reel was West pitcher Nick Boyd’s grab of a line drive behind his back, and “Mrs. Power” Sherri Kern’s “first pitch,” a rainbow into the pot of gold of the strike zone.
Niagara resumes play tonight at Hornell, 7 p.m., then returns home a “Faith Night” doubleheader vs. Wellsville Saturday at 4. After Wednesday’s “Where’s Waldo?” search for roster names, it’ll seem like child’s play.
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