WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,374,995 VISITS IN ONE YEAR—65,000 VISITS A WEEK BY 985,281 VISITORS

Hits: 0

WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. By John F. Bailey. With National Amusements. August 9, 2004, UPDATED 11:45 P.M. E.D.T.:  IMAX cinema magic will be coming to the City Center Cinema de Lux in November and is expected to premier with the showing of The Polar Express. Construction on the new state-of-the-art theatre will begin shortly at Cinema de Lux and is planned to open in November, 2004 according to National Amusements. Details of where the theatre will be located in the City Center have not  been disclosed, though a National Amusements spokesperson is saying no new construction is involved.

 The news came in a national press release announcing that  IMAX Corporation and National Amusements Inc.,  have completed a  multiple theatre deal to install as many as 18 IMAX® theatre systems over the next several years, including an IMAX MP theatre system at White Plains own Cinema de Lux.

City Hall was unaware of the deal when called at 10 this morning. 

Cappelli Enterprises, owners of the City Center were contacted for details. Bruce Berg, Vice President of Cappelli Enterprises speaking to WPCNR said it was “an unsubtantiated rumor, we’re not talking to them. ”

Jennifer McGuire Hansen, spokesperson for National Amusements in a message to WPCNR confirmed the addition of IMAX to the City Center de Lux. She said the De Lux is being equipped with the technology “to view new IMAX first run films,  it is not a new IMAX auditorium.  it is IMAX technology that will enable patrons to view new IMAX first run films using IMAX technology. It’s pretty neat and White Plains is one of 4 new locations we announced.  I wanted to make that distinction. It is not calling for new construction. “

A spokesman for IMAX in New York told WPCNR in an interview that the new theatre will house a screen 70 x 40 feet, and will be “retrofitted”  into one of the existing Cinema de Lux theatres at a cost of $1.4 Million. The spokesperson said the White Plains IMAX would be ready to  premier the new IMAX 2004 holiday extravaganza, The Polar Express, and would feature multichannel digital sound and be capable of showing new general theatre pictures that are being released in the IMAX format.

 

 

IMAX currently operates a IMAX MPX theatre in New Roc City, the development formerly owned by Cappelli Enterprises in New Rochelle.

 Under the specific terms of the deal, National Amusements will install 4 IMAX MPX® theatre systems in 2004 and 2 additional systems in 2005 or 2006. As part of the deal, the parties reached agreement on terms under which National Amusements may purchase up to 12 additional systems, predominantly in the United Kingdom, beginning next year, as an integral part of National Amusements’ development plans in that market. National Amusements currently operates the IMAX Theatre at The Bridge Cinema de Lux at The Promenade at Howard Hughes Center in West Los Angeles.

The deal signals an important milestone for IMAX in the implementation of its commercial theatre growth strategy, which uses the combination of its proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technology to bring major Hollywood event films to the IMAX theatre network, and the IMAX MPX theatre system technology to drive signings and installations.

The first four IMAX theatres will be located at City Center 15: Cinema de Lux in White Plains, New York; Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, near Hartford, Connecticut; Showcase Cinemas Stonybrook, in Louisville, Kentucky; and Showcase Cinemas Springdale, near Cincinnati, Ohio, and are expected to open in November 2004, in time for the IMAX® 3D release of the Warner Bros. Pictures holiday film The Polar Express. The specific locations for the 2005-6 installations have not yet been determined, however, one of the theatres is likely to be located in the United Kingdom. All 18 potential IMAX theatres will utilize the revolutionary new IMAX MPX technology, which was designed specifically for multiplex operators, enabling them to add an IMAX theatre to a new or existing multiplex in a more cost effective and timely manner.

“National Amusements is committed to providing our patrons the ultimate movie going experience. We are excited to be partnering with IMAX and feel that its new DMR technology is consistent with a number of things we are working on throughout our circuit. Our new Cinema de Lux brand, our focus on alternative entertainment and this new IMAX technology we are now introducing will ensure that our patrons have an entertainment experience that is unrivalled elsewhere,” stated Shari E. Redstone, president, National Amusements, Inc.

“We are extremely pleased to expand our relationship with National Amusements, one of the most forward-looking exhibitors in the world,” said IMAX’s Co-Chairmen and Co-CEO’s, Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “This multiple theatre commitment from National Amusements confirms our belief in the potential of IMAX theatres in commercial multiplexes and further advances our commercial strategy. The strong interest from National Amusements and other top multiplex theatre operators should help us attract even more digitally re-mastered Hollywood event films, which, in turn, can help us grow the IMAX network around the world.”

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 9, 2004: In a pressure cooker of a game before 1,011 fans and a YES Network audience, the New York New Jersey Juggernaut overcame a 3-0 deficit and drew within 2-1/2 games of the Texas Thunder with a 5-3 victory in Montclair State University Softball Stadium Sunday night. Carri “Lightning” Leto tied the game and Lauren Bauer won it with back-to-back 2 out singles in the sixth, giving Amazing Amanda Scott her 13^th victory against 6 losses to lead the league.

BLONDES RULE THE WORLD: Amazing Amanda Scott (13-6) about to retire her 13th straight Thunder batter to end the Juggernaut come-from-behinder win against Texas Sunday night in Montclair. Scotty rose to the occasion. Kept her club in the game and they came back to win. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Peaches James started for the Thunder and both she and Amanda Scott, Nauts starter had big problems with the plate umpire, Victor Martinez and his stingy inconsistent strike zone. Groans, moans, and oohhs and ahhs rang out behind the homeplate screen on every call as the game moved into the third frame.

In the third, after Amanda felt she was particulary squeezed on two pitches to Liz Bouck, she engaged the man behind the mask in a discussion of the strike zone and received a warning when she did so at the close of the disasterous at the time inning. Amazing Amanda was particularly irked because his not calling two obvious bunt swings by Bouck and two corner clippers on Claire Burnam cost Amanda 3 runs.

Messing with Amanda

Amanda was cruising in the third with one out, when the Texas Jack Rabbit, Liz Bouck beat out her second bunt on Spiderwoman Jaclyn Pasquerrella ( Naut third sacker) on an eyelash play at first.Then Lindsey Gardiner Baltimore-chopped a bloop to shortstop Lindsey Klein who shorthopped it, but did not have a play at first. Two on.

 

Kristen Zaleski then hit a ball sharply right to Lindsey who might have been distracted by Bouck running in front of her as she tried to make the play, thinking third base, but instead the ball hit off Klein’s glove for an error and scooted past her into shallow left. The fleet Bouck raced home to make it 1-0.  Gardner went to second and Zaleski was safe at first.

 

Ump, You’re Killing Me.

 

Scott took a deep breath and induced Ryan Realmuto the cleanup woman to foul to Amanda’s  batterymate sister Courtney Scott. Two out. Only 1-0. Maybe we can get out of this.  Clare Burnam was next up. And Amanda’s problems with the plate umpire flared up. With the count 1-1, Amanda shot in two very close pitches that were called balls on Burnam. At 3-1, Amanda had to come in with a pitch a little too good and Burnam rocketed it into the left center field alley — one hop to the running track to the Ringor sign below the scoreboard to bring home Gardner and Zaleski to make it 3-0. Amanda was steamed.

 

Scott  then surrendered another double down the line to Ginger Jones-Powers but Thunder Manager Wayne Daigle held Gardner at third (with 2 out), for some inexplicable reason, and Amanda  fanned Julie Brooks to get out of the inning, and she was to retire the next 12 Thunder batters to face her.

 

As it turned out on this wonderful Naut night, Jones-Powers was the last Thunder to reach base. On her way over to the dugout, Amanda went over to the plate umpire Victor Martinez and fans saw the umpire point his finger in her face and point to the bench. Amanda was hot, and the ump had given her a warning.

 

With the elegant, remorseless Peaches James staked to a 3-run lead in the Thunder circle, Naut aficionados were grim. That was a lot of runs to overcome in this league.

 

One at a Time.

 

In the Naut third the Juggernaut got one back as the plate umpire continued to squeeze Peaches James equally.  Courtney Scott walked. Carri Leto lined a single to right Lauren Bauer singled to left to load the bases with no one out. But this is Peaches James.

 

She surrendered a long foul homerun to Lyndsey Klein, then struck her out swinging. But, Jackie Pasquerella with 2 strikes on her grounded slowly to first to score Jen Smith (running for Courtney Scott) with a run to make it 3-1.  James fooled Kellie Wilkerson who popped to secondbase to end the bid.

 

In the fourth, Amanda righted herself and gave her team a chance to come back, starting to set down the Thunder one batter after another.

 

Peaches is Out of There and Is Not Happy.

 

In the last of the fourth, Peaches James walked Gina Oaks to start the inning. Incredibly, Thunder Manager Wayne Daigle, not liking what he saw, proceeded to the mound for the second time on the evening and removed Peaches James, bringing in Crista Williams, the Olympic champion to pitch and a new catcher, Selena Collins.  Peaches James could not believe it. The fierce competitor was grim as she walked to Thunder bench, tight-lipped, seething.

 

Williams in relief fanned Germaine Fairchild, then walked Venus Taylor on a 3-2 pitch. During the Taylor sequence  Oaks stole second when the ball got away from new catcher Selena Collins.  Collins missed another pitch that Williams through in the dirt to the next hitter Courtney Scott, allowing Oaks to move to third. Then Courtney Scott blasted  pitch high and far into the leftfield night.

 

Play of the Night.

 

Erica Evans went back back back to the running track caught the ball over her head with two hands and fell to her back holding on to the ball. Gina Oaks tagged up and scored to make it 3-2. It was the play of the night so far and it looked as if it would stand up . Williams got Carri Leto on a grounder to third to end the inning.

 

Williams looked like the Williams that came within two errors of beating the U.S. Olympic team, in the fifth inning getting Lauren Bauer, Lyndsey Klein and Jackie Pasquerrella  1-2-3. It did not look good for the Naut nine this night.

 

But You Never Know.

 

In the sixth Kellie Wilkerson was walked on 4 pitches to lead off the inning. (Oh, those bases on balls to lead off an inning.) Gina Oaks bunted for a base hit getting the ball past the mound, and Lyndsey Gardner could not field it in time to get her at first and the tying runs were aboard for Germaine Fairchild.

 

KEY PLAY IN THE 6TH STANZA: Germaine Fairchild flying to first as Claire Burnam touches third for the force on Kellie Wilkerson, then tries for the double play at first. The first baser, Jones-Powers does not handle the throw and Gina Oaks high tails it over to third. After  Christa Williams fans Venus Taylor, Courtney Scott walks, setting up Carri Leto in the heroine’s spot. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Williams got the dangerous Ms. G to ground to thirdbaser Claire Burnam who stepped on third for the first out retiring Wilkerson, then Burnam got greedy, trying to double up Fairchild at first and Ginger Jones-Powers let the ball get by at first base allowing Oaks to reach third, with Fairchild reaching second.

 

Williams fanned Venus Taylor on a 2-2 pitch for the second out, and Courtney Scott was the hitter. In a long at-bat, Williams worked Scott to 3-2, and walked her on a very close pitch. The bases were full for Carri Leto.

 

Lightning Strikes Again.

 

Friday, Carri Leto got two key 2-out hits to beat Akron. Could she do it again on the great Williams?

 

 She quickly got behind 1-2, then with the third basemen in, Leto lashed at a low and outside pitch and drove it solidly over the head of Burnam and into the shortstop hole and it got beautifully down in the outfield grass. Once again 2-out Lightning delivered  to send Gina Oaks home with the equalizer to make it 3-3, with Fairchild moving to third and the stands were loving it.

 

THE WHITE PLAINS EXPLOSION WAS AT THE GAME: Larry Giordano, left, Greg Zaccaria, Dom Sputo and Jo Bellantoni and the White Plains 14 and 12-Under teams were at the game. The Explosion’s shrill, never-let-up-softball cheers for the Nauts “Rip it Carri, Rip It.”  when the Nauts were trying to rally were heard loud and clear on the YES Network telecast. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Leto has gotten three huge hits for the Nauts with two out  in the last two games, and this was no easy task for “Lightning.”

 

On the first pitch to centerfielder Lauren Bauer back at the top of the order Bauer hit a smash up the middle at the pitcher. Christa Williams deflected it with a desperate bending stab  to the second baseman Gardner who could not handle it. Fairchild scored the go-ahead run with Scott and Leto moving to third and second. Joy in Montclair and the Naut dugout as the Nauts led incredibly, 4-3.

 

The Thunder was unravelling now. Lyndsey Klein smashed a routine grounder to shortstop Amanda Buchholtz who simply butchered it and Courtney Scott scored to make it 5-3.

 

YOU DON’T MESS WITH AMANDA: Wrapping it up. Amanda Scott with 2 dead in the seventh is about to induce Liz Bouck to bunt to Jaclyn Pasquerrella at third who will gun the rabbit down for the final out. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

Amanda Scott finished strong in the seventh to notch win number 13. She only fanned two, but her rising to the occasion and retiring 13 in a row was money pitching.

 

The final out was most satisfying as The Texas Jack Rabbitt  Liz Bouck laid one down again, challenging Spiderwoman (Jaclyn Pasquerrella at third) for a third time. This time Pasquerella  threw a speeding bullet to Oaks at first. OUT! Game Over. The—a Nauts Win!

 

This was the second biggest win of the Nauts season and drew them within 2-1/2 games of the Thunder. The other win was the 27-inning victory over New England in June.

 

What They Were Saying.

 

Manager and Owner Paul Plemenos, hanging out with about 200 fans outside the stadium after the game, said, “It was unbelievable. Unbelievable. The girls played great, never say die. We’re peaking, as I told you, we’re peaking going into this. We are really looking great.”

 

Asked about what he told Carri Leto going into the key at bat, Plemenos commented, “I said make her throw strikes to you. She’s been missing the strike zone. You’ve got a small strike zone. Make her come into you with one you can drive, hopefully pull one. But she struck it between  Burnam and Buchholtz in the 5-6 hole.”

 

Lightning Smiles.

 

WPCNR talked with 2-Out Lightning (Carri Leto), and asked her to take us through the big tying at-bat: “I was in the hole 1 and 2, so I just needed to battle. The strike zone was a little erratic tonight, so any pitch that was close I had to swing at it. I got a good one and it worked.”

 

Lightning Leto. Photo, Courtesy New York/New Jersey Juggernaut.

 

 

 

Leto said she took a low and outside pitch to the opposite field. “When I first came in, I wanted to wait until she (Williams) threw a strike because she was more wild tonight than she usually is.”

 

Asked if this tying hit was one of the more memorable hits of her career, she smiled (and she has the whitest teeth in sports, ladies and gentlemen):  “It’s pretty good. It was in front of a big crowd tonight. They’ve been so loyal. We have the same fans come out for every game. They say things “when you got that hit, I couldn’t scream I was so excited.” That feels great because they’ve been supporting us all year, so getting the big hit in one of the final home games felt really good.”

 

Centerfielder (No. 24)  Lauren Bauer who had two hits tonight, including the game winner up the middle, attributed her hits to the live batting practice the team has been getting from new BP pitcher, Bill  before the game:

 

“I love it. He will  just pitch and pitch and pitch and you don’t have to worry about his arm or anything. That was great. We pitch to ourselves, but  I feel guilty when our regular pitchers pitch batting practice. They need to save their arms for the game, so this was great. No guilt. No guilt batting practice!”

 

WPCNR asked Amazing Amanda Scott what happened out there between her and the home plate umpire. Scott told it like she pitches, straight at you:

AMAZING AMANDA SCOTT, signing autographs for young fans after the game. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

 

“After the fateful third, I think we settled in  because I don’t think they got many hits after that, we played great defense, and we just kept plugging away. We settled in with the umpire. He was squeezing real tight there for both teams. I was starting making better pitches and we made great plays.”

 

Asked about her little discussion in front of the dugout with the plate umpire, Scott smiled, taking time out from autographs, and said, “I just went up and tried to ask him, you know, if he could establish a consistent strike zone. That team (The Thunder) is a very good offensive team, and he missed some big pitches in a big moment. So I just asked him to get consistent here.”

 

WPCNR asked The Great Scott about her thoughts on the season, and Scott glowed, “It’s been great. This is a great market to play in. I’ve really had a great time.The fans are amazing. This franchise is wonderful. The girls I’ve met outstanding athletes. It’s been a great ride so far. I think if we keep playing like we are now, we’re peaking at the right time.We’ve gotten some big wins against the top two teams right now, and if we can pull off the number one seed that would be great. I think we’re playing great ball right at the right time.”

 

The ride continues Monday night at Montclair State University Softball Stadium when the Nauts make up a suspended game with the Thunder at 5:30, resuming the game in the fourth inning, trailing 6-0, then play the Thunder in the regularly scheduled game at 7: 30 P.M. The Nauts trail Texas by 2-1/2 games with 10 to play, (2 will get done tomorrow), and trail Akron by a game for second place.

 

 Role Models and Players Who Want to Be Them Stand for God Bless America. Photo by WPCNR Sports

 

The National Pro Fastpitch Standings August 9, 2004

 

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	AWAY
Texas Thunder	34	15	0.694	–	17-5	17-10
Akron Racers	33	17	0.660	1.5	18-8	15-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut	32	18	0.640	2.5	20-7	12-11
New England Riptide	21	30	0.412	14.0	11-12	10-18
Arizona Heat	16	34	0.320	18.5	9-18	7-16
California Sunbirds	14	36	0.280	20.5	9-16	5-20

SUNDAY RESULTS

NY-NJ Juggernaut 5, Texas 3

Akron 4, California 3

New England 5, Arizona 1

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 8, 2004: The first place Texas Thunder visits the New York New Jersey Juggernaut tonight in Montclair, New Jersey, leading the Juggernaut by 3-1/2 games. With 10 games to play, the Nauts need to win all three games, tonight Monday and Tuesday at 7:35 P.M.. This is the final regular season homestand of the season for the Juggernaut. They finish the season with three in Sacremento and three in Arizona, and are hopeful that Akron and Texas will stumble if they take care of business against the Thunder. 

NY-NJ Juggernaut Owner, Paul Plemenos at Friday’s Akron-Juggernaut game. Whether the Juggernaut finish first or second in the NPF it’s been a interesting season for their owner, Paul Plemenos who now is living every man’s dream, owning and managing a big league ball club in a pennant race and pioneering professional softball. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

“Yeah, it is every man’s dream,” Plemenos told WPCNR after Friday afternoon’s win against Akron.  “Beyond that the team responds well and we’ve got a great understanding with one another. And when I step  on the field, I’m no longer the owner, I’m just the coach. And, when I step off the field, I go back to being the owner again. It’s really been great.”

Asked about tonight’s series with Texas, and if the Juggernaut was ready for their big three pitchers of Peaches James, Lindsay Chouinard and Chista Williams, Plemenos said, “I think that we are, especially in the last two games against Akron, we went 1-2 but we really dominated Akron the last nine innings of play, the last two innings of Thursday’s game and all seven innings Friday. It was total and utter domination. We just weren’t ready to play in the first game, and that showed a little bit and hey, everybody has those days.”

Juggernauts celebrate 3-0 Win over Akron Friday. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

“We are ready to face Texas.  They’re a big challenge for us, but we’re ready, we took  2 out of 3  from them last time they were and we play very strongly at home.We’re excited for it.”

Plemenos was enthusiastic about the support the Juggernaut have been receiving at the Little Ball Park on Campus, Montclair State University Softball Stadium: “The crowds have been decent and certainly very enthusiastic. We don’t get the biggest crowd in the afternoon, but our evening games are very packed. Our YES game (Sunday night’s game with Texas) we have great  advance sale for that and we always have very strong walkup sales. I am very pleased, the next three games should be very good gates.”

Hits: 0

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL-CHRONICLE EXAMINER. From Councilman Larry Delgado. August 7, 2004: Last Monday evening, Councilman Larry Delgado made his first appearance at the monthly Common Council meeting since being sworn in to the Council two weeks ago, and Glen Hockley removed by enforcement of the Attorney General’s quo warranto action on his behalf. Mr. Delgado sponsored a buffet and celebration in the rotunda and spoke at length to the public from his Common Council seat. Here is the text of Mr. Delgado’s remarks upon his return to the Common Council:

White Plains Common Councilman Larry Delgado, shown during his Democratic Party imposed exile, 2003. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

Thank you Mayor and Members of the Common Council.  Well, a little time has transpired since the council elections of 2001, but it’s great to be back on the Council and feel I honored and privileged to again be able to represent and serve the residents of White Plains.  We all know that in the 2001 elections a broken voting machine in the Westminster Ridge neighborhood put in doubt who was the 3^rd place council race winner.

 

After 2 ½ years in the courts, the NY Supreme Court ordered my reinstatement as the winner of the election.  This situation will hopefully never happen again, but I am so pleased that the Mayor and the Council recently moved ahead in upgrading our ancient and obsolete voting machines.  Voting machines are meant to accurately count votes, not to determine the outcome of close elections.

 

I thank the voters of the City of White Plains.  To those who voted for me, you have my thanks and appreciation for your trust and support.  To those who didn’t vote for me, I hope I can earn your trust and support in the next year and a half.  To those who didn’t vote at all, well here you have ample evidence that every vote does truly count!

 

I also give thanks to our judicial system and all the judges at all levels who participated in this case.  We are so fortunate in this State to have fair and dedicated judges who wear their robes for the sole purpose of imparting justice.  The judicial system may be slow and ponderous, but it is fair and just.

 

Thanks also to NYS Attorney General Eliot Spitzer whose office investigated the 2001 election results, determined that I had won, and went to Court to restore me to office.  Mr. Spitzer demonstrated that as the people’s lawyer he will seek justice whether at the highest levels of Wall Street or in a local election in the small City of White Plains, and always in a professional and non-partisan manner.

 

Thanks to all the volunteers who worked on my campaign, my attorney Jeff Binder, and lastly, I thank my family for their support- my wife Anita, my son Jason, and my mother in law Rosa.

 

And now I am focused on the future, on the important work to be done in the next 1 ½ years such as:

 

        1. achieving responsible development that is responsive to the City’s needs

        2. ensuring sufficient parking that is also resident friendly.

        3. acquiring open space and preserve it for future generations.

        4. ensuring that every penny of sales tax revenue collected by the State on our behalf is accounted for and returned to us.

        5. promoting affordable housing so young families and seniors can remain here.

        6. relieving congestion on our streets by promoting mass transit options.

        7. promoting art in the downtown and other quality of life improvements.

        8. maintaining and improving our City’s infrastructure.

 

We can accomplish these and so many more things by working together, in a spirit of optimism, cooperation and bipartisanship.  We are a diverse City, but I will listen to all voices with the same enthusiasm.   After all, we are all neighbors who care for each other, and united by a great City.

 

Thank you and I look forward to serving all of you.

 

Larry Delgado

White Plains Common Councilman

Address to the People of White Plains

August 2, 2004

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 6, 2004: In a game they had to have to stay in the race for the NPF pennant, the New York New Jersey Juggernaut (31-18) shut out the Akron Racers 3-0 Friday afternoon to pick up a full game on the Racers, leaving them 1 game behind Akron and 3-1/2 behind Texas going into Sunday night’s showdown with the first place Texas Thunder. Amanda Scott pitched a 3-hit shutout for her 12th win against 6 losses and Carri “Lightning” Leto came through with two singles with 2 outs to drive in all the runs Amazing Amanda needed. 

Texas behind Christa Williams shut out Arizona Friday night in Houston, 1-0, setting up a must-sweep situation for the Juggernaut when the Thunder come into Montclair Sunday night.

TWO OUT LIGHTNING: Lightning Leto swats a single off  Kasey Whitehead over Racer Shortstop Kristin Johnson with 2 out on the second pitch to score Germaine Fairchild lighting off from third base to give Amanda Scott a 1-0 lead in the second frame. “G” Fairchild worked a 3-2 walk and was doubled to third by a rip down the left field alley by Courtney Scott (the Naut on second base just behind the pitcher.  Photo by WPCNR Sports.

Amanda Scott resumed her dominance over NPF teams with a solid outing, defusing the pesky hard-hitting Racers, retiring the first  nine batters she faced. Mixing pitches that crackled and just missed the corners with pitches that appeared to just miss, bringing groans, grimaces and looks of incredulity from the Nauts’ “4th Umpire,” Jaclyn Pasquerrella playing third base. (Pasquerella shouts a loud “Yeah” everytime Scott fires one that Jackie thinks is a strike, helping the plate umpire out.) 

 Scott masterfully put away the Racers until the fifth and sixth innings, when the Racers threatened to tie the game.

Rally on Two

In the second inning, the Juggernaut rallied on two, when Germaine Fairchild, the Nauts best clutch hitter, worked a 3-2 walk from Kacey Whitehead, the Racer knuckler and control specialist. Next up, Amanda’s batterymate and sister, Courtney Scott blasted a pitch on a line 25 feet inside the left field line that got down, screaming to the yellow Reno Appliance sign in straightway left for a double.

That set the stage for Carri Leto, Naut second sacker. Carri swung and missed the first pitch then caught the next pitch fat lining a pretty flare over the shortstop’s head perfectly placed to send in “G” (Fairchild) with the go-ahead run, Courtney (Scott) moving to third.

Leto told WPCNR after the game , “The first pitcher (Whitehead) was a junk ball pitcher, she was throwing a lot of offspeed, a knuckleball. She fooled me on the first pitch. So I was thinking on the second strike, hit opposite field, then I’ll actually be on time. That was going through my head.”

On the second big hit later in the game against McHugh, Leto said she was just trying to get on base. Leto who went 3 for 3, said of the season so far, “We’ve played all season just to get into the playoffs, so now that we’re here these are big games, they’re like playoff games before the playoffs.”

Leto said “It’s an intense season. A very rigorous season, you play every single day, but it’s fun. We have a good time playing together.”

Delayed Steal Jams Racers’ Gears.

With Leto on first and Courtney Scott on third and leadoffer Lauren Bauer up, the Nauts tried the delayed double steal. Racer Catcher Jenn Poore fired to second to get Leto but shortstop Kristin Johnson failed to cover and Poore’s throw sailed sublimely into centerfield, allowing Courtney Scott to score from third to make it 2-0.

That’s the way she stayed until the fourth inning. With Radara McHugh in the circle, having relieved Whitehead in the third, Johnson made an error on a grounder by Kellie Wilkerson. Venus Taylor popped up but that woman again, “G” Fairchild singled through the shortstop hole to put runners on first and second. McHugh fanned Courtney Scott and faced Carri Leto again with two out.

LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE WITH 2 AWAY: Carri Leto turns on and lashes a McHugh offering into the first and second base hole sending Kellie Wilkerson lighting out for third, and Germaine Fairchild to second. The yellow  ball is seen just to the right of Fairchild, scooting through just past  lunging firstsacker Nicole Trimboli while second baseman Brandi Stuart is about to knock it down.  Stuart fired across the diamond to Trimboli who attempting to get Fairchild at second  threw it away into left, allowing Wilkerson to score to make it 3-0. Heather Wright, retrieving the errant throw in left, threw out Fairchild at the plate on a rough tag by Jen Poore. Photo by WPCNR Sports

In the fifth inning, Nicole Trimboli broke up Amanda’s No-Hitter with a solid stroke up the middle. Nicki Myers then blasted a high towering drive to the scoreboard in deep left. Venus Taylor leaped but missed it the ball hitting high on the Majestic sign, just missing a two-run homer. Because Trimboli thought the ball was going to be caught, she was only at second, and Myers had to stay at first with a very authoritative single. Myers’ was the hardest hit ball of the day and the only Racer to pull Scott all afternoon. With one away, Scott carefully worked out of the jam, inducing a grounder to Leto from Trina Peal, and getting Becky McMurtry to line softly to Leto at second.

TOP GUN VS. TOP STICK:  The battery of Scott and Scott duel Iyhia McMichael. Here Scott  walks Iyhia McMichael in the sixth with two out and a Racer on first. Scott fanned Iyhia once, induced a grounder to first, and walked her here, narrowly missing a called third strike. Jaclyn Pasquerrella at third can’t believe it, holding out her hands in supplication.  Photo by WPCNR Sports.

In the sixth, Akron again threatened.

With two outs, Kristin Johnson singled, and the league’s leading hitter, Iyhia McMichael strode to the plate. Amanda worked her to 3-2, ending up walking her. Jen Poore, the next hitter hit a humpback liner right at Kellie Wilkerson in right, who coming on hard and fast, caught the shot at her knees ending the bid.

Scott finished strongly in the seventh nailing the shutout by  retiring Trimboli and the game ended on an inning ending short-first double play turned by Lyndsey Klein at short. Scott in going the distance, fanned  7, walked 2 and moves her record to 12-6.

Thunder in for Final Three Home Games of Year.

The Juggernaut await Friday night action when the first place Thunder play Arizona out in Tucson to see whether they will face the Thunder Sunday night 3-1/2 games out or 2-1/2 games out. They need to sweep the Thunder to have a chance to win the first NPF Pennant and get top seeding for the playoffs.

FASTPITCH IN THE AFTERNOON: The Nauts on their sunporch, work on their tans, watching the action. A rare day game on the NPF schedule drew 297 fans to the little park on campus. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

The YES Network will televise Sunday evening’s Texas Thunder-Naut game at 7:35 P.M. There are still seats available. The Thunder are in Montclair State University Softball Stadium Monday and Tuesday nights, the final chance to see the Nauts in regular season action this season.

PLAYER TO PLAYER:  A happy recap, as the Juggernauts sign autographs and greet their fans, answer questions, an NPF tradition. Photo by WPCNR Sports

THE NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS August 7, 2004

STANDINGS

	W	L	PCT	GB	HOME	AWAY
Texas Thunder	34	14	0.708	–	19-5	15-9
Akron Racers	32	17	0.667	3.0	18-8	14-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut	31	18	0.625	3.5	19-7	12-11
New England Riptide	20	30	0.408	15	11-12	9-17
Arizona Heat	16	33	0.327	18.5	9-15	7-18
California Sunbirds	14	35	0.271	21.0	8-15	5-20

Friday Results

NY-NJ Juggernaut 3, Akron 0

Texas 1, Arizona 0

California 2, New England 0 (Late Game)