Inaugural WHSL All-Star Game a Success!
Published by Thapos Admin
May 17, 2018
Lenny Meshberg was going to win the 2010 WHSL All-Star Game MVP. He just didn't know he would do it with his bat. Lenny started on the mound for the "National" All-Stars, made up of players from TBE-Chappaqua, TIC-WP, Larchmont, First Hebrew, and Bet Torah. He was facing off against the "American" All-Stars: players from Greenburgh, Harrison, CSI, Scarsdale, TBE-New Rochelle, and TBA. Shaarei Tikvah placed one All-Star on each team to even the squads.
In the "National" team's 2-1 victory, Meshberg threw six shutout innings, scattering four hits and two walks. He struck out four, including two looking. Jeff Friedman of Greenburgh was the only "American" hitter to even reach second base against Lenny, doubling with one out in the fourth inning. But Lenny got the next two batters to fly out to left, the third out coming on a highlight reel catch by Jeff Silva of Bet Torah, the defensive star of the game.
Greenburgh's Adam Els held the "National" team to only one run through six innings, that one run coming on Scott Simon's (my? Sportswriters don't often write themselves up in the game story) leadoff home run in the second inning. Scott was 3-for-3 in the game, adding a single and a double in his other two at-bats.
Meshberg was lifted for relief pitcher Joel Simon to start the seventh inning, but Joel promptly gave up a ground-rule double to Jeff Friedman, an opposite-field bomb that would have been a home run but for the right-field woods at Veteran's Park in Ossining. Jason Loeb of CSI singled to drive in Friedman and tie the game. Rounding into form, Joel then retired the next six hitters in order. The "National" team couldn't score either, keeping the game tied 1-1 going to the ninth.
Steve Langsam of TBA singled for the "American" team to lead off the final frame, advancing to second on Adam Els' second single of the game. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, David Schneiderman of TBE-New Rochelle hit a fly ball to left-center field, where Paul Schaffer of First Hebrew made the catch. Langsam tagged up and tried to advance, but Schaffer gunned him down at third base. Joel Simon got Jeff Friedman to ground to Larchmont's Brian Levine at short to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Levine led off with a well-placed double. After Mick Glauber popped out to first base, Lenny Meshberg again stepped to the plate. In his first three at-bats, Lenny had flied out twice against Els and struck out swinging against Steve Langsam, who came on to pitch in the 7th. But Lenny came through when it counted, lining one in front of the left fielder. Levine scored easily to set off a celebration. While Joel Simon vultured Meshberg's pitching win, Lenny still earned MVP honors thanks to his timely walk-off single.
***
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for our first-ever All-Star Game. There were bagels and lox, coffee and OJ under the breezeway. We all kept cool with waters, Gatorades, and sodas. Everyone had a bite to eat before a quick batting practice and the first pitch at 10am. The players' families watched the game from under a shade tree down the first-base line.
Thanks to all who participated, especially CSI's Rich Kavy for helping out with set-up. Next year we're hoping for an even bigger turnout than the 50 people who played and watched yesterday. We won't schedule the 2011 ASG on a holiday weekend so all teams can send players.
When you think about the WHSL, yesterday's All-Star Game and Family Day truly represents our league's brotherhood and camaraderie -- we can't wait to do it again in 2011!
In the "National" team's 2-1 victory, Meshberg threw six shutout innings, scattering four hits and two walks. He struck out four, including two looking. Jeff Friedman of Greenburgh was the only "American" hitter to even reach second base against Lenny, doubling with one out in the fourth inning. But Lenny got the next two batters to fly out to left, the third out coming on a highlight reel catch by Jeff Silva of Bet Torah, the defensive star of the game.
Greenburgh's Adam Els held the "National" team to only one run through six innings, that one run coming on Scott Simon's (my? Sportswriters don't often write themselves up in the game story) leadoff home run in the second inning. Scott was 3-for-3 in the game, adding a single and a double in his other two at-bats.
Meshberg was lifted for relief pitcher Joel Simon to start the seventh inning, but Joel promptly gave up a ground-rule double to Jeff Friedman, an opposite-field bomb that would have been a home run but for the right-field woods at Veteran's Park in Ossining. Jason Loeb of CSI singled to drive in Friedman and tie the game. Rounding into form, Joel then retired the next six hitters in order. The "National" team couldn't score either, keeping the game tied 1-1 going to the ninth.
Steve Langsam of TBA singled for the "American" team to lead off the final frame, advancing to second on Adam Els' second single of the game. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, David Schneiderman of TBE-New Rochelle hit a fly ball to left-center field, where Paul Schaffer of First Hebrew made the catch. Langsam tagged up and tried to advance, but Schaffer gunned him down at third base. Joel Simon got Jeff Friedman to ground to Larchmont's Brian Levine at short to end the inning.
In the bottom of the ninth, Levine led off with a well-placed double. After Mick Glauber popped out to first base, Lenny Meshberg again stepped to the plate. In his first three at-bats, Lenny had flied out twice against Els and struck out swinging against Steve Langsam, who came on to pitch in the 7th. But Lenny came through when it counted, lining one in front of the left fielder. Levine scored easily to set off a celebration. While Joel Simon vultured Meshberg's pitching win, Lenny still earned MVP honors thanks to his timely walk-off single.
***
We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for our first-ever All-Star Game. There were bagels and lox, coffee and OJ under the breezeway. We all kept cool with waters, Gatorades, and sodas. Everyone had a bite to eat before a quick batting practice and the first pitch at 10am. The players' families watched the game from under a shade tree down the first-base line.
Thanks to all who participated, especially CSI's Rich Kavy for helping out with set-up. Next year we're hoping for an even bigger turnout than the 50 people who played and watched yesterday. We won't schedule the 2011 ASG on a holiday weekend so all teams can send players.
When you think about the WHSL, yesterday's All-Star Game and Family Day truly represents our league's brotherhood and camaraderie -- we can't wait to do it again in 2011!