Rams return for Brooklyn
July 21, 2011 - The Brooklyn Rams won their best-of-9 season series against the Youth Service League 5-1 to earn the right to represent the storied Brooklyn franchise at this year's tournament. The Rams placed 3rd in the 2009 tournament which is their best finish in 6 previous appearances.
Brooklyn has competed in 54 of the 66 tournaments dating back to 1945 and is the only franchise other than the 'Big 4' to win the tournament since 1965. The franchise currently sits at 95 wins in 198 games and will play their 200th national tournament game on Tuesday this year.
"We're very excited," said manager Jerry Katzke. "We had a great trip to Johnstown last time we were there, so we're going to work as hard as we can and hopefully duplicate our performance and do even better." The Rams posted wins against Elk County (9-2) and Buffalo (8-3) as well as two victories against host Johnstown. The first saw Brooklyn with a 5-run lead in the top of the ninth, but Delweld tied it to force extra-innings. The Rams won 6-5 in 12-inning and then won the second game 5-0 to eliminate the host team. Both Brooklyn loses came against runner-up New Brunswick (10-0 and 6-2).
Two players from 2009 are still with the Rams: right-hander Kasceim Graham (University of Albany) who won the first Johnstown game as he struck-out 6 and allowed only 2 hits in the 3 extra innings, and shortstop Alex Maldonado (Holy Cross). The rest of the team is new to Johnstown, but will have the experience of playing against unlimited-age opponents in the Parade Ground League. Players to watch include right-fielder Anderson Mateo, and pitchers Stephen Bove and Louis Mastrandrea.
Brooklyn receives a direct bid to Johnstown this season. They were eliminated in two games in a play-in series against New Brunswick in 2010.