Tom Sapienza’s 48-year leadership of Rayson Miller put on hold
For the first time since 1972, Tom Sapienza won’t be able to coach Rayson Miller in the summer.
Heyen: Losing Legion season stings in more ways than one
There’s no positive spin to put on the cancellation of the American Legion season in Rochester. “It sucks,” Irondequoit Post head coach Andrew Bonanno said.
American Legion baseball season canceled for 2020
American Legion baseball has been officially canceled at all levels for the 2020 summer, meaning no District 7 baseball in Rochester.
What we know about the 2020 District 7 American Legion baseball season
Rochester-area American Legion play in District 7 could still happen this summer, but like other leagues, COVID-19 has it playing a waiting game.
Heyen: Life’s not fair, but Legion scheduling snafu still a shame
By BILLY HEYEN Rayson Miller had it all lined up. Lukas Haefner, RM’s ace, had been pulled early on Saturday so he’d be eligible to pitch Wednesday in a potential championship series. A lot of pieces had to fall into place for that to work out. But something no one on Rayson Miller could’ve expected […]
‘Evil empire’ Rockland ends Rayson Miller’s states run for 2nd-straight year
By BILLY HEYEN A year ago, Rayson Miller head coach Tom Sapienza called Rockland the “evil empire.” As far as Rayson Miller is concerned, that may be true. Rockland is the team that’s ended RM’s season two years in a row. Rayson Miller lost 9-2 to Rockland on Tuesday at Murnane Field in Utica. After […]
Hayden Smith keeps Rayson Miller alive at state tournament
By BILLY HEYEN All season long, Hayden Smith has delivered when called upon for Rayson Miller. With a loss Monday representing the end of RM’s season, Smith ensured that wouldn’t happen. Rayson Miller stayed alive at the state tournament with a 7-1 win over Maine-Endwell. Smith threw a complete game on the mound, allowing five […]
Rayson Miller’s pitching plan gets put to final test as RM falls to losers’ bracket
By BILLY HEYEN Rayson Miller’s 2018 season ended in the state championship series, two wins shy of a title. The shortcoming was due in part to the pitching demands placed on a team coming out of the losers’ bracket. This year, RM head coach Tom Sapienza didn’t want to face that issue again, so he […]
Rayson Miller’s veterans come through for 4-1 win in state tourney opener
By BILLY HEYEN The last time Lukas Haefner and Owen VanNewkirk played at Murnane Field in Utica, the outcome wasn’t what they wanted. They posed with a second-place trophy, Haefner’s arms crossed and no emotion on his face. VanNewkirk tucked himself into the back row, not making an effort to be prominently pictured. With Rayson […]
Heyen: 9 lessons I’ve learned from two seasons of covering Rayson Miller
Rayson Miller’s pregame speeches are the stuff of legend. Once RM comes off the field from infield-outfield warmups, Sapienza gathers his team to the dugout bench and into a huddle. Then, he speaks. He might ask an assistant or player to add words. But the most notable aspect, at least from outside the dugout, is the length…