Latimer Walk to Kick Off Campaign for Assembly

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2004. From the Latimer Campaign for Assembly. July 8, 2004:George Latimer, candidate for the New York State Assembly, is kicking off his campaign on Thursday, July 15th in an energetic and unique way. Latimer, a Westchester County Legislator, will walk the length of the 91st Assembly District, a distance of more than eleven miles, meeting with residents at specific locations to discuss issues facing the Sound Shore area, and talking with people along the route.

Latimer will stroll, or stride, through Rye Brook, Port Chester, Rye City, Mamaroneck
Village, Mamaroneck Town, Larchmont and New Rochelle.

“The 91st District is one that includes large and small cities, villages and towns – some that are very suburban and some that are more developed. Having represented almost half the district for thirteen years, I know many of the people and the issues they care about. But I still have a lot to learn and a lot of people to meet. Walking the
district will give me the chance to listen to people, to bring a sense of unity to the area, and most importantly, to show that my campaign and my service as an Assemblyman will be one that addresses every community
in the district”, said Latimer.

Even when he wasn’t in the midst of a campaign, Latimer has used walking tours and door-to-door visits to keep in touch with his constituents. “It is fitting that I am beginning my campaign this way, rather than
holding the traditional announcement flanked by my supporters”, he explained. Latimer entered the race for the 91st Assembly District at the urging of forty current and former local elected officials from the district, so gathering a group of supporters could have been easily accomplished.

“This race is about the people of the Sound Shore, the issues that are important to them – and my willingness to take the time and effort to get to know the residents and their concerns. It is what I did every day for four years as a Councilman in my home community, and for 13 years in the County Legislature. It is what I intend to do every
day if have the opportunity to serve in the State Assembly”.

Latimer will begin his day at 8:00 a.m. at the Rye Ridge Deli in Rye Brook hosting a breakfast with Rye Brook residents. At 9:00 a.m., he will proceed down Westchester Avenue into Port Chester. His route will
take him down So.Main Street to the Boston Post Rd. (US 1), where he will continue through every community until he reaches the Thruway Diner in New Rochelle. Along the route, he will be meeting to discuss healthcare, historic preservation, the environment and water quality, property taxes, education, traffic, and jobs. Various local officials,
supporters – and members of the press – will participate for part of the duration of the walk.

Latimer is seeking the Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party lines in this November’s election. His previous public service includes two terms as Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Media Blacks Out Pro Fastpitch League Ignores Growth of Sport, Part II

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Fastpitch Johnny. July 8, 2004 (Part Two of Three): When you consider that fastpitch softball is played nationally and involves over 10 Million girls and women, and the media coverage never mentions it, you get an idea of just how anti-women’s sports the media are. The last two weeks, college showcase tournaments were held in Boulder, Colorado, and in Edison New Jersey. No media covered the New Jersey tournament and it is a natural story, just as no media covered significant events of the National Pro Fastpitch season. Why? WPCNR wants to know.

THE Girls Who Play Ball come to play from All Over the World in Edison, N.J., Boulder, Colorado and more.

WHITE PLAINS’ TIGER KELSEY KULK of the Brooklyn Beach Girls facing the Inferno of New Jersey in the Edison Angels Summer Showcase, June 24. 26 teams from the West Coast, Florida, Georgia, Massachussetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio performed for swarms of big name college coaches in games that took your breath away. Only WPCNR was there. No local T.V. coverage. Why? Photo by WPCNR Sports.

When WPCNR pointed out to ESPN’s SportsCenter spokesperson that 26 18-and-under fastpitch teams from across the country competed in Edison, New Jersey last week, before time college coaches, ESPN’s Quinn did not know that.

WPCNR informed Mr. Quinn of ESPN that national tournaments are held every year by the ASA and PONY organizations attracting around 200 teams to each tournament. Quinn did not know that.

Do you think ESPN might do one live report from the ASA Nationals this year, just as a change for the relentless NBA, NFL preseason camp coverage?

Westchester’s All-World Fastpitch Player, Maddy Coon, from Horace Greeley, holding down third for the Virginia Shamrocks at Edison Angels complex, June 24. The Shamrocks had a boss weekend against the best of the West, East and South, winning 5 losing none and tying the Banshees. And no one knew. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

From this reporter’s perspective when millions of teen girls from all over the country gather in spots for hundreds of softball games that bring America together and let us see that we are the same all over, like at the nationals, that is news.

Isn’t it worth 1 minute on SportsCenter, or 60 Minutes, or at least on the local television stations? On my network it is.

COLLEGE COACHES FROM IONA, PENN STATE, RUTGERS, INDIANA, St. Joseph’s, Cornell were just a few of the coaches on hand to see Thursday June 24 action. Here they watch the Beachgirls in action. College coaches told WPCNR that they prefer watching tournament showcases like this one in Edison June 24-27 to high school scouting because they see more really good ball players. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

If you are interested in sports news it is. But sports news has been forgotten. Nowadays, the Tom Jolleys, Dan Quinns and Mark Chernoffs of the world deal in sports promotion, not sports news.

Fastpitch tournaments are held all over the country. They are huge in the Midwest South and far west. On Memorial Day, in Kansas City, 148 teams from the Kansas City area alone competed in a tournament. ESPN and the male-dominated media are out of touch.

“EVERYWHERE I LOOK I SEE GREAT BALLPLAYERS:” Dickie Hightower, Softball Coach at Georgia State University, has just arrived at the Edison Angels Summer Showcase, June 24 in Edison, New Jersey. Hightower said he comes up to scout the best of the northern fastpitch players and players from across the country to get them to come on down. The Fastpitch phenomena is ignored by the media, but not by the nation’s softball coaches. Photo by WPCNR Sports

WESTCHESTER’S ALLIE GARDNER beat the Inferno of Pennsylvania, 2-1 for the Beach Girls on June 24. Beach Girls went 6-1-1 on the weekend, losing only to Gordon’s Panthers of Southern California. Photo by WPCNR Sports

Westchester’s KATIE MCNAMARA OF THE BEACH GIRLS handcuffing the Lionettes of Southern California, 5-2, June 24. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Or, perhaps the fastpitch people are not aggressively promoting their game.

Let’s Look in the Papers.

The print media have tacitly ignored the debut of the Juggernaut in the metropolitan area with the exception of the Bergen Record. The first ever pitching performance in the New York area by Olympic Gold Medalist Michelle Smith on June 1 was not even covered by either newspapers or television.

Time to take off the Jerseys

I wonder if Ms Smith had torn off her uniform jersey to celebrate her shutout, whether the media would have covered it (it might have been a good idea for the beautiful Ms. Smith to do that, since that seems to have worked for Women’s soccer. It also shows a lot about the sexist mentality at the television networks, that they’d show that shot over and over again).

Only Manager Firing in New York area Not Covered In History of Sports in N.Y.

Then to compound the no-coverage felonies committed by the area Sports Directors and Sports Editors, Juggernaut owner Paul S. Plemenos, (distraught, sources say over his manager’s pitching strategies, and stunned by a three-game sweep of the all-star Juggernauts by the haughty Texas Thunder in Houston), fired his Manager Linda Derk Sunday afternoon, June 13, 9 games into the season.

NOT COVERED: PAUL PLEMENOS Owner of the Juggernaut, managing in the dugout on YES. Uncovered by local media. How could you not cover that? Photo Capture from YES Network by WPCNR Sports.

But perhaps the ultimate measure of the New York media anti-women sports bias was reached two weeks ago when no radio station, tv station, or network reported on the Juggernaut 27-inning game against New England Monday night that lasted 5-1/2 hours.

NOT COVERED: KACI CLARK PITCHED 22 INNINGS in Record 27 inning game in June and got no ink except on WPCNR, and maybe the Jersey papers. Photo by WPNCR Sports

When the longest professional baseball game was played between Rochester and Pawtucket on April 18, 1981, (33 innings) that game made the wires and was reported on national outlets.

Not a word in The New York Times, the Post, or the Daily News on Ms.Clark’s 22-inning stint to our knowledge.

How can you as a sports editor, not cover that? How can you not write a human interest story on Paul Plemenos as the second George Steinbrenner for his ousting of Derk?

Hello….sports editors…that’s news, boys. This is George Steinbrenner stuff (and you know how much ink and airtime every Yankee-Steinbrenner feud gets, or Jason Giambi’s parasite gets).

There was no excuse for not covering the Plemenos “Derkicide,” either. It was announced on the YES Network telecast of the Juggernaut game.

YES is the only word.

WPCNR has already commented on that amateurish production by the YES producers on Juggernaut games. At least some sportswriter had to be watching that game on YES, and some New York paper could have written a story on it. If the New York Times can write an article on the Arena Football Bowl telecast on NBC Sunday, they certainly could have written an article on the YES telecasts of the Juggernaut.

Why is WPCNR the only electronic media other than YES reporting on the Juggernauts?

That is a very good question.

Where is the National Pro Fastpitch partner, Major League Baseball? For instance.

Why is Major League Baseball, (the “marketing partner” of National Pro Fastpitch the women’s pro league, featuring teams in Sacremento, Houston, New York/NJ, Akron, New England and Arizona)not demanding of Fox Sports and ESPN that those networks promote National Pro Fastpitch, or (perish the thought) even televise some National Pro Fastpitch games nationally?

Paul Panages, Sports Editor of the Akron Beacon-Journal wonders. Paul has been covering the Akron Racers of National Pro Fastpitch with features on players and regular scores. This is more than the New York papers do. Panages said he felt Major League Baseball’s relationship to the National Pro Fastpitch league was “strange.”

“They put some money in it, and then they don’t promote it. It’s strange, they don’t seem to be promoting it very well.”

Major League Baseball could care less about women’s sports.

The national game has let the young women of America down.

Muscle your networks, Bud Selig, (Commissioner of Baseball). Do what the NBA did. The NBA forced their network to carry WNBA games when the NBA decided to back that league.

It is all the more shameful that Mr. Selig is not doing more to push National Pro Fastpitch, because he has a daughter. He must know how girls are given short shrift across the nation in education aid, sports aid, academic aid, and sports programs.

Yankees Aloof But Semi-Involved. Mets know nothing.

Meanwhile the local New York baseball teams, the Mets and the Yankees are behind the curve in supporting the Juggernauts.

Instead of doing something key on opening day, the Yankees did nothing tied in with the Juggernaut Opening Night. Couldn’t George Steinbrenner, who also has a daughter, have shown up on Opening Night and joined with Mr. Plemenos in launching the Naut season? Or how about the Mets owner doing something?

THE OPENER NOT COVERED: Yogi Berra showed up at the Naut Opener June 1. The Yankees, The Mets, Bud Selig and ESPN, MSG, and WFAN were “No-Shows” Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Mets, notified by Major League Baseball that they should support the local Pro Fastpitch entry, when WPCNR called them did not even know who the Juggernaut were.

That’s embarrassing to the Mets organization. After WPCNR had contacted the Mets, they announced the Juggernauts on their P.A. system at a Mets game.

The Yankees have announced that Alex Rodriguez will throw out a ball and make a personal appearance at a Nauts game. The Yanks will also hold a clinic at the Yankee Stadium with the Nauts? When? The last week of the season? It will do a lot of good then, won’t it?

But it is getting late.

The time to showcase the Nauts and the rest of the Pro Fastpitch league teams was the last two weeks. Whatever promotion is being done appears to be being done in a manner that gives the appearance of being supportive of womens professional fastpitch softball, but executed in a timing sequence that makes that support the least effective.

WPCNR believes this is being done deliberately to discredit and kill the girls fastpitch game. No one supports the excellence of the female athlete.

(This is the Second Part of a Three-Part Article)

Nauts Do the Little Things, Get 2-Out Hits, Take Out Thunder, 2-1

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F.Bailey. July 8, 2004: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut moved the runners bette, got a successful sacrifice from Lisa Iancin and depended on two big 2-out hits from Germaine Fairchild and Venus Taylor to pull out a 2-1 win for Kaci “22” Clark, Wednesday night before 801 fans at Montclair State University Stadium. The executions of the fundamentals allowed the Nauts to take 2 of three games from third place Texas Thunder and move within 2 games of the First Place Akron Racers in the National Pro Fastpitch circuit, with the Arizona Heat coming into Montclair Friday night.

MOVING EM UP: Lisa Iancin at the plate in the sixth last night facing Christa Williams inthe circle with Lyndsey Klein at first, just before her successful sacrifice bunt moved Klein (on first) to second to set up Venus Taylor’s smash rifled past a sprawling, diving first-baser Marrissa Young. Taylor’s cue shot scored Klein with the game-winning run. Klein went 3 for 3 and scored both Naut runs, turning the final play of the game with a scrambling backhand stop to her right and rope to first. Iancin has shown a talent for creating the key at bat in Naut victories. Photo by WPCNR Sports

After the Thunder got on the board in the opening frame when Kristen Zaleski beat a bunt to first, stole second and scored on Selena Collins rip into right center for a 1-0 lead, the Nauts came back to even it in the bottom of the second stanza.

Lyndsey Klein got the first of her three hits on a Baltimore Chop off the sunbaked MSU Stadium infield that went high off the thirdbaser’s glove. Klein just beat the throw to first. Iancin failed to move Klein on a sacrifice. But Klein wound up on second, anyway when Christa Williams uncorked a pitch that catcher Selena Collins could not get.

Venus Taylor walked and Naut Newcomer Laura Harms looped a soft liner to second. With two out Germaine Fairchild came to the plate.

Williams got her 1-2, then Fairchild said Williams threw a rise ball that “G,” as the players call her, blooped into straight away center fooling centerfielder Kristen Zaleski. She did not move in for it, and it fell 20 feet in front of her, scoring Klein who wheeled around third with the equalizer.

NAUTS HEROINE VENUS TAYLOR SIGNS THE VISOR OF A FAN after the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports

That’s the way she stayed, 1-1 until the sixth when Klein lead off with a rip up the middle, Iancin sacrificed perfectly, setting the stage for Venus Taylor. Venus said Williams first pitch was inside, and she was expecting a pitch on the outside part of the plate and was ready. She got it all and took it into the first base hole scorching the ball past sprawling firstbaser Marrissa Young and the speedy Klein cruised home from second with the winning run.

Lisa Iancin, whose knack for building an inning has distinguished her play this season bunts by choking up on the bat, hands together high on the barrel. It’s an unusual style, that allows her to hold that bat more at eye level and push the ball out harder. She missed her first attempt to bunt in the second inning and attacked differently in the sixth:

“I think the first time around, my bat was too far away from my eye level, so I was trying to keep it closer to my face and use more of my knees and my body to position myself exactly where I have to be to be able to meet the pitch,” Iancin analyzed it. “And also, to move up in the box, and be more confident, more determined, and trying to guess what she’s going to throw me.”

Asked about the Iancin choke-up bunt technique, Lisa said, “When I was younger I used to pinch the bat with one hand, and when I got around 14 years old, I got more strength and coordination and trust in your hands, and my coach decided to teach me to put my hands together up towards the barrel.”

She said, choking up “gives you more control of the bat and bring the bat closer to your eye level, the sweet part of the bat where you can actually see where you need to have contact point. You can also draw the ball by putting your top hand behind the barrel. The top hand actually acts as a cushion so you don’t bat it back hard to the pitcher.”

Iancin’s gamer-builder in the sixth looked as if she had rolled it out there with her hand, it was that perfectly placed.

Defensive Gems by the Juggernaut.

Newcomer Laura Hamms playing right field for the Nauts, from Bradley University, distinguished herself with a terrific throwout from the centerfield fence to rob Lindsay Gardner of a double in the 5th. Gardner was running full-tilt to second on a ball that hit and rolled to the centerfield fence. Hamms cut it off and threw a strike to Carri Leto at second. Gardner veered to the left of second trying to get a hand in, but Leto’s snake-like tag hung her out to dry. Venus Taylor commented that Hamms has a terrific arm, having coached her in Illinois, and that the league would soon get to know you can’t run on Hamms.

Circle on the Scorecard.

Naut Hot Cornerette, Jaclyn Pasquerella made the game-saving play in the top of the sixth on the Thunder’s Erin Evans, after Kaci Clark had walked Selena Collins and the speedy Liz Bouck pinch-running was sacrificed to second. Erin Evans turned on a Kaci pitch and hit a missile to Pasquerella’s right at third base.

Pasquerella incredibly, backhanded the line drive across her body at her ankle for one out and whipped it to the instinctive Carrie Leto right on second for an inning-ending double play. Instead of a double that easily would have scored the pinchrunner, Pasquerella’s lightning glove turned two.

KACI ROUNDS TO THE CABIN: Kaci Clark fires the last pitch of the game to Juliette Brooks. Erica Hansen is playing first. Jaclyn Pasquerella is crouched at third. Clark got the Thunder 1-2-3 in the seventh to earn her 4th win against 3 defeats, walking 3, and striking out 5 Thunders. The Thunder threatened in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th but Clark eased out of the jams.Photo by WPCNR Sports

Winning Battery Signs for Fans after the Game: That’s Germaine Fairchild, background, Catcher, and Kaci Clark, looking at the camera, signing for the dozens of Fastpitch players from the eleven fastpitch teams that attended the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Clark said in reviewing the game, “It was an absolutely awesome win. It was such a team game. The defense was phenomonal. You can see there was a limited number of strikeouts, so the defense was absolutely awesome. We hit the ball very very well. Although we only had five hits, it seemed like we had so many more because so many of us were doing such a good job of getting on base. We did a great job of getting the bunt down, moving the runners when we needed to, and it paid off for us. It was a great team game. My catcher called a great game. We worked very well together tonight.”

Asked about her seemingly shaky start, Clark faulted her spots:

“I didn’t necessarily feel shaky. I felt I got one pitch a little too far over the plate and you know sometimes those infield basehits are going to happen. It’s just making sure you’re hitting good spots. It’s not always about how well the pitch is breaking or how hard you’re throwing it it’s more about you’re hitting good spots with it.”

Asked what she thought about the fan support , Clark beamed,

“The traveling can be a little bit tough and all it’s an awesome opportunity for us to get to go see the other markets and see how they’re building because we’re so excited about the progress of National Pro Fastpitch. In a lot of places the crowds are good, some of them, we’d like to see more. The crowd here was great tonight.

We got a lot of kids, a lot of parents out and we really want to make a special appeal to the ballplayers and their parents. If they want this (NPF) to be around for their kids to be able to play, which is what we’re here for, you know, they need to get to games, get in the seats, and if they can’t be sure to be watching us whenever we’re on YES (Network), because they’re keeping an eye on who’s watching us.”

The Marauders, featured Fastpitch team stand for the National Anthem with the Nauts at the start of last night’s game. Eleven other teams from around the metro area attended the game, including the NJ Tornados, Lady Vikings, The Rampage, Morris County Belles. The Sparta and Nanuet Little Leagues and the New Milford Extreme. Photo by WPCNR Sports

The Current Homestand

Friday, July 9: Arizona Heat, 7:35 P.M.

Saturday, July 10: Arizona Heat, 7:35 P.M.

Sunday July 11: Arizona Heat, 7:35 P.M. Telecast Live on the YES Network.

National Pro Fastpitch Standings. July 8, 2004

W L Pct. Games Behind

Akron Racers 19 7 .731 __

The Juggernaut 19 11 .633 2

Texas Thunder 16 11 .593 3-1

New England Riptide 13 17 .433 8

Arizona Heat 10 19 .345 10-1/2

California Sunbirds 9 21 .300 12

Wednesday’s Scores

New York-New Jersey Juggernaut 2, Texas 1.

Akron 5, California 0

New England 7, Arizona 1

Zanaros to Fete Shakas and Moovas July 19 at VIP Opening.

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAMARONECK AVENUE CRAWLER. July 8, 2004: Zanaro’s the cornorstone restaurant of the City Center being fitted out at the old Home Savings Bank classic building on Mamaroneck and Main will open with a VIP party July 19 from 5 to 9. Invitations to the event are in the mail.

Gretsas Talks to WPCNR: His Last Day: July 16. Party on the 15th.

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY HALL SPIN. From The Mayor’s Office. July 8, 2004: George Gretsas, the outgoing Executive Officer of the City of White Plains has officially announced his last day with the city. Gretsas told WPCNR Wednesday afternoon his last day of work with the city would be July 16, and he would be “off the payroll” July 17.

Gretsas also said a going away party was being held in his honor on Thursday July 15, but details had not been worked out at the present time.

Gretsas begins his new position with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on August 2.

The Executive Officer also had no information available on who his successor would be, saying, “that is up to the Mayor.”

It has been a month since Mayor Delfino has known Mr. Gretsas is leaving the city, and the Mayor has not made any statements as to how he is going to deal with the Gretsas departure.

In other impending departures of note, when asked when Larry Delgado would be officially sworn in to the Common Council replacing Glen Hockley, Gretsas said the Mayor’s office has not received “the papers from the court” officially directing the city to oust Hockley and instate Delgado.

SALGA A PASEAR ESTE VERANO

Posted on July 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR WESTCHESTER COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From County Department of Tourism. July 7, 2004: El verano es la estacion del año perfecta para dar un paseo con la familia, aunque sea sólo por el fin de semana. En sólo dos días, usted puede conocer varios lugares de interés populares, hacer un poco de compras y disfrutar de exquisitas comidas. Un Mapa Turístico y un Itinerario de Dos-Días en español, creados por La Oficina de Turismo del Condado de Westchester, sugieren cómo planear un viaje para un fin de semana a Westchester, que localizado en la esquina sureste del Estado de Nueva York, es el portal al Valle Hudson.

El itinerario, recientemente traducido al español, incluye las principales atracciones de Westchester, especialmente aquellas que son apropiadas para las familias, como el Parque de Diversiones Playland, New Roc City y la Granja Muscoot. Los sitios culturales incluyen Philipsburg Manor y el Museo del Río Hudson. Conozca también el centro comercial, The Westchester, que se recomienda para las compras de alta categoría.

Se les aconseja viajar en auto para este tour aunque hay acceso a la mayoría de las atracciones de Westchester vía transporte público (tren y autobús.) En esos dos días, el viajero llegará a la encantadora Villa de Sleepy Hollow, las Ciudades de Rye y New Rochelle en el Brazo de Mar de Long Island, el rústico Pueblo de Somers y la enérgica Ciudad de Yonkers por el Río Hudson.

El Mapa Turístico de cuatro colores enseña los principales caminos, ciudades, pueblos y villas de Westchester. El Sistema numerado indica dónde se encuentran los lugares más populares, los centros de obras artísticas, museos, hoteles, centro comerciales y parques.

Este nuevo itinerario de dos-días es parte de una serie de itinerarios que ofrece La Oficina de Turismo del Condado de Westchester. Otros itinerarios (en inglés) enfocan paseos por los jardines, la compra de antigüedades, recorridos con niños y tours en auto para ver el follaje de otoño. Copias de todos los itinerarios, como también del Mapa Turístico, son disponibles al público con solo pedirlos. Comuníquese con La Oficina de Turismo del Condado de Westchester por teléfono al (800) 833-9282 o (914) 995- 8500; o por e-mail: tourism@westchestergov.com También puede encontrar versiones detalladas de estos en el sitio de internet de La Oficina de Turismo del Condado de Westchester, www.westchestertourism.com.

SENSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO LONG ISLAND SOUND: A PUBLIC MEETING

Posted on July 7, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR Main Street Journal. From Pace University. July 7, 2004: The NY Department of State is inviting all members of the public to a free symposium which will discuss the hazards of dumping dredge spoils into the LI Sound and explore safer alternatives. It will take place at Pace University, White Plains Campus on Wednesday, July 21st at 7PM. For more information call 914-997-0946.

Media Blacks Out Women’s Pro Fastpitch League Debut.

Posted on July 7, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Fastpitch Johnny. July 7, 2004: The national media and local newspaper and radio sports editors have an agenda to make sure that professional women’s fastpitch softball dies a fast death.

HOME OF THE FORGOTTEN JUGGERNAUT: Montclair State University Softball Stadium. The media are not covering the debut of the National Pro Fastpitch league, now in swing for five weeks. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Let’s take a look.

You can’t find National Pro Fastpitch coverage on the sports electronic media.

ESPN sports does not cover the games on SportsCenter.

MSG Network does not give New York/New Jersey Juggernaut scores on their SportsDesk shows, let alone show highlights, or run their scores on the MSG “crawl.”

The local sports television shows on Channels 2,4,7 have not covered the games, with the exception (WPCNR was told) of WOR-TV, Channel 9.

New York radio stations do not give Juggernaut scores, yet they give the New York Liberty scores (women’s pro basketball).

WFAN fans on fastpitch.

WFAN Radio, the “sports authority,” has done nothing to this reporter’s knowledge on the Juggernaut debut, totally discrediting themselves as the Voice of New York Sports.

Asked why WFAN was not covering the Juggernaut, Mark Chernoff, WFAN Program Director told WPCNR he had never heard of them.

This is strange because the Juggernaut front office reports they sent press releases and schedules to WFAN before the start of the season. Apparently Chernoff has been uninformed by his staff.

Chernoff said the station has had no phone-ins about the Juggernaut and might include them in their sports 20/20 updates if the public showed more interest.

MICHELLE SMITH FIRING IN MONTCLAIR, OPENING NIGHT. June 1. UNCOVERED, except by WPCNR. Photo by WPCNR Sports

WPCNR suggests that failure to at least interview the Juggernaut owner or even Michelle Smith on any show on FAN when she came to town to pitch for the Juggernaut is just plain prejudice on the part of “the sports authority.”

Michelle Smith Signing autographs into the night, June 1. Not a big enough star to cover for ESPN or the local television stations. Are you kidding me? Photo by WPCNR Sports

When the Worldwide Wrestling Foundation floated the XFL football league two years ago, the FAN interviewed the XFL people on the Mike and the Mad Dog program. They had no stars. Did they do that with National Pro Fastpitch and the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut, when Michelle Smith came to town. No. They did not.

The Juggernaut has tried to get their scores on the FAN 20/20, but FAN, according to Program Director Chernoff has not heard of them. How hard is it to do that F-A-N? It takes 10 seconds to give a Juggernaut score on the 20/20.

Program Director pleads Nolo Know.

Chernoff said he had not received any information or press releases from the Juggernaut, or Juggernaut schedules. Chernoff reported the radio station had not received any calls about them, and therefore could not gauge the level of interest in the team.

He did say FAN covered women’s basketball, including the Liberty and the Connecticut Sun. He said if he had information on the Juggernaut he could make a more informed decision about including them in their coverage.

The Juggernaut reports they sent information to WFAN and send it regularly, which only means that WFAN deliberately is refusing to cover professional fastpitch.

Tune in SportsCenter. It comes up empty on Fastpitch Softball.

ESPN’s Dan Quinn, a spokesperson for ESPN’s SportsCenter told WPCNR that SportsCenter did not have “enough time” in an hour show to report on the National Pro Fastpitch teams because “there was not interest enough in the sport to warrant the coverage.”

He said if focus groups held by the network research department showed more interest in the fastpitch game, ESPN might add coverage in the future.

Well, focus groups are not the way to make news decisions, Mr. ESPN. If you ask a group of men about fastpitch, unless they have daughters who play, they might not know about it. Relying on focus groups is a self-fulfilling prophesy.

WPCNR suggests that ESPN just does not want to cover it. That would take work. That would take research. That would take a commitment to covering the entire America sports scene instead of the NFL, Baseball, and the nonsports, professional golf, NASCAR and horse racing. ESPN simply shills for the sports they have rights to. They do not cover the sports news and sports trends as a news organization would.

Denied the Crawl.

ESPN’s real sin against fastpitch is they do not put the scores on the ESPN Update Crawls. That is poor. We are talking three games here a night. 15 seconds of crawl time. Come on, Dan, dump some of those nobody losing pitchers on the baseball linescores and put in the NPF scores, WPCNR is calling you out on failure to crawl.

Aaron Moore, the Manager of Communications for National Pro Fastpitch in Denver, Colorado, said he has repeatedly lobbied with ESPN executives by e-mail, (he did not recall who they were) for inclusion on the ESPN crawl. He said he was not given a reason why ESPN would not put the Fastpitch games on the celebrate crawl…the most watched part of any ESPN programming.

Moore told WPNCR last week from Oklahoma City, recording his relations with ESPN and their refusal to “crawl” National Pro Fastpitch, “All you can do is put it out there and it’s up to them whether they cover it or not.”

Moore said he sent ESPN a media kit before the start of the NPF season, and “is in touch with them almost on a daily basis.” Go figure.

ESPN televising the Olympic Team and Pro Fastpitch on delay.

The failure to cover Pro Fastpitch is all the more negligent by ESPN because ESPN will televise the Olympic softball team games with the top two National Pro Fastpitch East and West All Star teams next week. But show the games a week later. How poor is that?

Why wouldn’t you show them live?

The all-star games with the Olympic team will be broadcast live on the internet on Pro Sports Radio at their website.

National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) announced this week that Pro Sports Radio has agreed to webcast the three games in Oklahoma City, live on July 13 and 14.

Bob Eres will handle the play-by-play duties for the broadcast, while Aaron Moore will handle the color commentary. Fans can listen to the games by visiting the NPF site at Pro Sports Radio (www.npf.prosportstadio.com) and clicking on the All-Star Game logo. The logo will take fans directly to the broadcast.

Thunder Strikes on Chouinard’s Arm, Texas Downs Nauts 3-1

Posted on July 6, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR from Kristen Zimmerman. July 6, 2004: The Texas Thunder evened their crucial series with the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut on Lindsay Chouinard’s 2 hit, 3-1 victory, as the number 2 windmiller in the Thunder killer rotation, 2-hit the Nauts, and Naut errors plated 3 Thunder runs in the fifth at Montclair State University Softball Stadium before 279. The rubber game of the three game set is Wednesday night at 7:35 P.M, right-hander Kaci Clark (the 22-inning wonder, pitcher in the Nauts 27-inning win over New England two weeks ago) in the circle for the Nauts. (MORE — Play-by-play)
A three-run fifth inning sparked a 3-1 Texas Thunder (16-10) victory over the NY/NJ Juggernaut (18-11).

Pinch hitter Julie Brooks singled in leftfielder Erin Evans for the first run of the game. Evans led off the inning with a double to left field. A sacrifice fly by centerfielder Kristen Zaleski scored pinch runner Peaches James to put the Thunder up 2-0. Texas then capped off the inning when third baseman Clare Burnum singled up the middle to score rightfielder Liz Bouck. Burnum finished the night 1-for-2 with an RBI.

The Juggernaut put a run across the board in the sixth inning when a fielder’s choice by pinch hitter Jen Smith scored pitcher Gina Oaks, who led the inning off with a triple.

Oaks (4-7) took the loss for the Nauts, giving up one earned run on three hits, two walks, and two strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Texas starter Lindsay Chouinard (4-4) pitched a two-hitter, giving up one earned run on one walk, and two strikeouts in seven full innings of work.

Upcoming Schedule

July 7^th vs. Texas Thunder (home) 7:35 pm

July 9^th-11^th vs. Arizona Heat 7:35 pm

THE STANDINGS NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH

July 7, 2004

W L PCT. GB

Akron Racers 19 7 .731 _____

The Juggernaut 18 11 .621 2-1/2

Texas Thunder 16 10 .615 3

New England Riptide 12 17 .414 8-1/2

Arizona Heat 10 18 .357 10

California Sunbirds 9 21 .300

Tuesday Night Action

Texas 3, NY-NJ Juggernaut 1

New England 1, Arizona 0

Akron 3 California 1

Maisano Stays at the Michaelian Building. Won’t Toast Tocci.

Posted on July 6, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-JOURNAL. By County Legislator James Maisano.July 6, 2004: I have spent the past few weeks deciding whether to enter the race for State Assembly to replace my good friend, Ron Tocci. The people of the Sound Shore will greatly miss Ron’s outstanding leadership and dedication as our State Assemblyman.

After extensive consultations with family, friends and supporters, I have decided against taking on this campaign. I do not believe that running for State Assembly this year would be in the best interests of my family, public service or legal career.

Each day, I enjoy performing the important duty in our democratic government of citizen-legislator. Unfortunately, too many elected officials are becoming career politicians, especially our State Legislators in Albany. At this point in my life, I would rather continue serving my community as a citizen-legislator and concentrate on my County Legislator position, law practice and family.

I wish to thank the many people who have urged me to run and pledged their support. I am deeply flattered by their thoughtful advice and encouragement. I am especially thankful to the Republican, Conservative and Independence Party leaders who asked me to run for this position, as well as the many elected Republican officials from Albany to Westchester who reached out to me with kind words of support. I look forward to providing my full support to the Republican candidate in this year’s election for the 91^st State Assembly District.

County Legislator

James Maisano