THE OFFENSE WAS OFFENSIVE

Maybe Havelock Hewes will have pleasant dreams of Dobbs Ferry after surrendering 17 runs in the top of the 4th inning in Game 1 at Riverdale, enroute to a 27-7 defeat at the hands of Dave Rosengard. Havelock's misery began when SS Alex Rivera tried to complete a double play but missed Marvin's glove and drilled batter Laura Stoeth in the leg instead. Her teammates seemed to take this personally, and Rob Anapol, Ross Barkan, Ian Parfrey, and Zach Nilva (grand slam) all homered in the inning. Anapol homered three times in the game, all 3 absolute bombs, and drove in 7 runs. Ross Barkan, a promising rookie from Brooklyn, homered twice and drove in 6. Rosengard pitched effectively for the win.

Game 2 was won by Jim O'Connor (2-0) over Ian Parfrey, 19-17. O'Connor's team fought back from a 10-2 deficit. Freddy Melendez homered and drove in 7 runs. Barkan was 5-for-5 with 4 RBI. Parfrey homered twice and drove in 7, but couldn't out-hit his pitching, as fields away from Central Park continue to be his Kryptonite. The go-ahead run was stranded on first base in an exciting finish.

Field conditions were a little on the icy, sunny, and muddy side, which made for little defense and much offense.

This is not meant to take the place of Dave Rosengard's View From the Mound, which will eventually hopefully be hosted here.

OPENING DAY

We decided to open the 2010 season in Riverdale, after hearing unfavorable reports of ground conditions in Hastings. The field, on Independence Avenue and 232nd Street, was a strange hybrid of turf infield and grass outfield. There was a fair amount of mud in the batter's box and in the outfield, but the weather was beautiful, and the games were exciting, though all the players are probably doing laundry tomorrow.

Game One was won by Jim O'Connor's team 15-13. They barely held on after scoring 10 times in the top of the 1st. First hit of 2010-- a Russell Rivera double to right-center off of Dave Rosengard. First home run of 2010-- an Ian Parfrey 3-run shot to left in the 2nd inning off Rosengard. First strikeout-- Dave Rosengard, 1st inning, pitching to Dan Glauber. First cycle-- Ian Parfrey. First win-- Jim O'Connor.

Game Two was won by Havelock Hewes, 8-4. Hewes's team rallied for 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th to win. Alex Rivera's 2-run triple to left-center was the decisive blow.

I want to thank everyone who played today in conditions reminiscent of Woodstock (the mud, not the rampant nudity), and keep in mind that the winter schedule is often improvised, like this game was. Our default is Zinsser Park in Hastings on Sundays.