Final teams registering
August 7, 2011 - Chicago-Metro, Livonia, Youngstown, and New York City are all at the Holiday Inn for their registrations. New York currently only has 9 players but will have 6 more arriving by tomorrow. As of 4:00pm, Miami's Florida Bombers have not yet arrived.
Chicago-Metro - With the withdrawl of Toledo from the national tournament, Zanesville Regional runners-up Chicago-Metro have found themselves back in Johnstown. The Des Plaines Patriots are led by manager Mike Schultz.
"We're excited," said Schultz. "We played really well [in the regional. These guys really wanted to win and advance. I told them about our experience out here last year and I think everybody as a whole wanted to make sure we got back." Their predeccesors--the Glen Ellyn Jam--were national runners-up in 2006. Last year's Patriots finished 5th with a 3-2 record after losing their first game. The same was true at the regional in Altoona this year.
"Even if you lose that first game, you're still in it," said Schultz. "We were one game away from going to the last day [in 2010]. I know these guys will play tough when it comes to an elimination game, but hopefully that doesn't happen on the second day [again]."
Livonia - After many seasons of the Michigan Rams coming to Johnstown, the Coachs' Corner team represented Livonia in 2010. This year, the Michigan Cobras earned the right to represent Livonia. Manager Todd Miller will compete in his first tournament and comes with high praise from his rival coaches on the Rams. He also comes with several returning players who competed with Coachs' Corner last season.
"We expect good competition," said Miller. "No one was just handed a spot. If we do what we did all year--play defense and pitch--we should be okay."
The Cobras started their season 0-5 while the Rams began 5-0, but a reversal of fortunes saw the Cobras rally in the later part of the season to claim the victory in the final weeks of the season. Both teams were within 3-games of each other for most of the season.
Left-handed pitcher Aaron Saarela (Madonna) will start tomorrow for the Cobras. He is the only pitcher on staff with tournament experience.
"He's been our most dominating guy all year," said Miller. "He was here last year and I think that experience is important."
Youngstown - Manager Bob Mingo has not yet arrived in Johnstown. He is the tournament director for the NABF 18-U tournament and they are playing their championship game today at 3:00pm. Mingo is expected to arrive later tonight.
Assistant coach Bob Burke says that the Glaciers have had a good season, including a win in the NABF 20U Regional in Youngstown. The Glaciers were eliminated quickly in the NABF World Series in Toledo last weekend. Formerly named the Metros, the Youngstown franchise has now teamed up with the Glacier organization which offers indoor facilities and professional instruction for players from 9 through 20 years old.
"We're looking forward to the tournament," said Burke. "It's a great town, the whole town backs it--I've never seen anything like it. It's great." Burke also said that--although Mingo is currently serving with the NABF--that the AAABA is his favorite tournament.
New York City - It's been a long time since fans saw the New York franchise wearing the same uniform. After over a decade of one-and-done clubs, the Long Island Astros are back in town for their second consecutive tournament.
"We've very excited," said manager Jeff Rusoff. "We feel fortunate to be back in consecutive years. We have a lot of new players from last year, but we're looking forward to the experience." Last year, the Astros finished 7th at 2-2 with loses to Baltimore and New Orleans. This year, Rusoff has increased his pitching staff in hopes of lasting longer in the tournament.
"We made sure that we had enough pitching this year," said Rusoff. "I think last year in our game against New Orleans, we were just a little short on pitching, so we made sure to bring some extra arms this year."
Rusoff has selected 6'-3", 195-lb right-hander Joe Fasano to pitch in game 1. He attends NJIT in New JErsey.
"He gives me a little more flexibility," said Rusoff. "He's the kind of pitcher who can come back on a Friday if we're still around that late in the tournament."