On a sun drenched Saturday afternoon on Diamond #4, the Red Sox pulled away late and defeated the Cardinals to win the Majors Championship by a final score of 8-2. The Cardinals scored in their half of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Red Sox got that run back in the bottom of the 2nd, and the Red Sox took the lead at 2-1 as Quinn Corrao’s double plated Joe Camp in the bottom of the third.

While each team had chances, the score stayed at 2-1 until a run by the Cards had this Championship game all squared at two entering the bottom of the 5th. It was then that the Red Sox put the game away scoring 6 runs in that frame allowing the Red Sox nation on hand to breathe a little easier. Four straight hits off Red Sox bats to open the bottom of the fifth would put the game out of reach. Joe Saraceno doubled, Vinny Chiarenza singled him home, Joe Camp drove in Chiarenza with another base hit, and Corrao picked up his second RBI double of the game scoring Camp again and the party was on for the Red Sox faithful that had filled the stands.

Kyle Schoener pitched valiantly in defeat as he yielded just two runs in the first four innings; before being lifted with the score 5-2 in the 5th. Overall, the Cardinals had their throng of faithful fans on the edge of their seats all day long. The Cardinals won a very tense, 7-6 nail biter in the semis, and they were once again locked up in a beauty of a game before the Red Sox bats had one final flourish to put it away. Congrats to both teams for staging a fantastic finale before another packed house at Veteran’s Park !!

Don’t forget the Minors Division Championship will be played at Diamond #4 tonight at 6pm.

In the Minors division, the Cardinals and Red Sox will meet for the Championship on Monday at 6pm on Diamond #4.

The Cardinals defeated the Indians in their Semi Final game 1-0; while the Red Sox out slugged the Phillies 14-6. The Cardinals lone run was scored by David Pachla on a close play at home. As the 1-0 score would indicate, this game was dominated by the pitchers. For the Cardinals, Drew Callen pitched 4 2/3 innings and recorded strikeouts on 13 of the 14 outs he logged. Derek Callen came in to finish the 5th and the 6th and picked up the save throwing the last batter out at first, with the tying run on third. For the Indians, William Frank came out of the bullpen to strike out 7 of the 8 batters he faced.

The Red Sox completed a doubleheader sweep on Saturday as they defeated the Rangers in a 10am game Saturday morning. That win was followed by a 14 run outburst in their win over the Phillies. It was a total team effort in the win for the Red Sox as the contributions from all players were too many to detail here.

Join us Monday night at 6pm as we crown this year Champion of the 2009 Minors Division.

In the International division, all 8 teams squared off Saturday for some very exciting games. The Blue Jays, Candinals, Phillies, and Red Sox each won their quarter-final games. Semi-finals are slated for Monday June 29 with the championship game scheduled for June 30.^th

For more information on the International tournament, click here.

One of the foundations upon which Grand Island Little League (GILL) is built is to “be a good teammate.” Our players demonstrate that game in and game out, and our League continues to embody that slogan in its charitable efforts off the field.

Last year, GILL donated a host of new and used equipment to area leagues within the City of Buffalo and the City of Niagara Falls. Those leagues were in need of some assistance in finding the quantity and quality of equipment needed to continue their programs. GILL stepped up to the plate and delivered once again making a sizable donation to those programs. We are happy to relay that those same programs are thriving today.

In addition, for the past couple summers, GILL has led the way in a Food Drive to benefit the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island. What a difference this Food Drive has made for those in our Town that have been dealt a bit of a curveball. This year’s Food Drive will be held on Saturday, June 13^th. There will be collection bins at each of the Veteran’s Park diamonds on June 13th, as well as another point of collection at the Snack Stand.

Please remember to bring in some canned goods, or other non-perishable food items as you arrive at your game on Saturday, June 13th. This year we will have some of our players and teams assist in loading up all the items collected, and delivering these heartfelt donations to the Neighbors Foundation of Grand Island. For these players, it will be a different kind of “round tripper” but this one will have a much greater impact.

All of us associated with GILL know; that while turning a double play can be very exciting; turning around the day of someone in need, makes the kind of difference that will last far longer than the memory of that final out recorded on the diamond.

GILL led-off the 2009 season under fair skies on May 9^th.

A grand parade attended by many players, parents, and the Grand Island Volunteer Fire Company preceded the opening day ceremonies led by Mark Goc, president of GILL.

Mr. Paul Klock threw the “first pitch of the season” (a strike by the way) and was recognized with a “Special Award of Appreciation” for his many years of service and dedication to GILL. Mr. Klock was instrumental in founding Grand Island Little League in 1989.

Joe Oliverio, starting catcher for GIHS varsity baseball, was the honorary catcher and recognized as a true Grand Island Little Leaguer. Joe played through Big League with GILL and serves as a true role model for the young children in our league.

GILL wishes to extend its appreciation to the members of town board who were in attendance, the GI police department, Tim Hortons, and especially the GIHS music department for their beautiful rendition of our National Anthem.

On May 31^st, the GILL Board of Directors met and began the process of selecting the tournment team managers. This is a difficult process as each candidate was well qualified. The Board would like to express its sincere appreciation to all those that applied.

More information on our team managers as well as tryout information can be found on our Tournament Teams Home Page.

2009 Tournament Team Managers:

Baseball
Greg Ford: 8 Year Olds
Bob Pavone: 9 and Under
Todd Callen: 10 and Under
John Chiarenza: 11 and Under
Ken Lenz: 12 and Under
Michael Chorey: 14 and Under

Softball
Jeff Richard: 10 and Under
Coming Soon: 12 and Under

On average, a tournament team typically enters 3 local tournaments starting in early July and ending late July/early Aug. Tournaments are typically set-up for a team to play either a Thursday or Friday night game and 2 games on Saturday. If the team plays well and wins a couple of games, playoffs and championship games are played on Sunday.

For more information, please contact our Tournament Director, Jeff Schauger.

Service Award
Tracey Kozlowski

2008 Season Sportsmanship Award
Baseball League:
Christian Rustowicz - Pee Wee
John Griffin - International
Derek Konopski - Minors

Softball League
Sarah Swagler - International
Grace Giambra - Minors

MVP Awards
Softball MVP
Christina Richard - Majors

Baseball MVP
John Holody - Majors

GILL College Scholarships
LeAnna Kozlowski - Softball
Thomas Meka - Baseball