Game Highlights: Saturday, October 18 at Olympic Park for Suburban Power League Tournament

2 games and 20 Innings of baseball in one day! Oh my!!

The Clubbers vs. the Schaumburg Seminoles is always a game the team looks forward to and has become a highlight of our season!! The winner of this game that was played in Schaumburg at Olympic Park would determine which team would advance to the Championship Game for the Suburban Power League Fall Championship. The game was tense from the outset and the Clubbers almost got there!

The Clubbers took the early lead and were ahead 2-0 at the end of two innings against Seminole "Team Illinois Ace" Steve Hague. The Seminoles tied the game in the 4th inning. At the end of 6 innings it was Schaumburg 3 and the Clubbers 2. Ryan Williams (4-IP, 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 2-K's, 4-W's, 1-E) pitched four nearly spotless innings against the potent and always powerful Seminole lineup. Following Williams on the mound was John Mason (3-IP, 6 Runs, 5 Hits, 1-K, 5-W's, 2-E's) who threw his magic for 2 more innings. However in the seventh inning the Seminoles finally broke through with 5 runs. Burrage (1-IP, 3 Runs, 1 Hit, 2-K's, 2-W's 1-E) and Ormond (1-IP, 0 Runs, 0 Hits) were on the mound for the final two innings. Ormond retired the top of the Seminole lineup in order to end the 9 inning game. FINAL SCORE: Seminoles 11 (11 Hits 2-E's) and Clubbers 5 (10 Hits, 4-E's). As the umpire left the field he commented about how impressed he was with the Clubber Team and the professionalism of the Clubber players.

RUNS: Bogititus, Mason, Williams-2, Bell. RBI's: Burrage, Ritacco, McElhaney. HITS: Burrage-2, McElhaney-2, Williams-2, Mason, Ritacco-2 (Single, Double), Rogers.

At the conclusion of the game Seminole Team Manager congratulated the Clubbers on a well played game and for giving a strong run at the Seminole team and was especially impressed with the pitching performance of Ryan Williams. Coach Rosene at the end of the game spoke to the team about how well they played, against a strong offensive team but reminded the Clubbers that small mistakes in an inning can turn a game.

In Game #2 the Clubbers faced the always hitting and always tough Schaumburg Redhawks in an exciting 11 inning nailbiter. At the end of nine innings the score was tied at 8 runs. The Clubbers had the bases loaded at the end of the 9th and once again in the 10th inning but could not get the winning run across the plate. Pitching for the Clubbers were McElhaney (1-IP, 3 Runs, 5-Hits, 1-K), Ormond (2-IP 3 Runs,2 Hits, 2-K's, 0-W's, 1-E), Rogers (2-IP, 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1-K, 1-W), Bogititus (2-IP, 0 Runs, 1-W, 1-E) and Gowder (4-IP, 3 Runs, 5-K's, 2-W's, 3-E's). Bogititus and Gowder were impressive in shutting down the Redhawks for 6 consecutive innings. The winning runs were unearned and scored on errors. Oh well! FINAL SCORE; Redhawks 11 (11 Hits) and the Clubbers 8 (10 Hits). A tough loss that Coach Rosene told the team "not to forget" during the off season, as this game was in the Win column for the Clubbers however, a few little things let the game slip away. Rosene encouraged everyone to work hard in the off season to improve and continue to develop their skills as it is the little things that make the difference during tournament games. Once again the umpire went out of his way at the end of the game to comment positively about the Clubber team.

RUNS: Burrage, Gowder-2, Williams-2, Bell, Speth, Rogers. RBI's: Williams-3, Mason, Burrage. HITS: Burrage-2, Williams-2, Ormond, Bell-3, Ritacco, Speth.

In the trophy presentation following the game, Suburban Power League Director, Russ Gangler congratulated the Clubbers for two very well played games and for finishing in 4th place for the SPBL Fall Season. Gangler also welcomed the Clubbers to the Suburban Power League for the 2004 season.

Following the trophy presentation, Coaches Dave Rosene and "JP" Carey met with the team and spoke about how impressed they have been with the level of skill and talent that resides with the individual players at this very early stage of their playing careers and also told the players that this Clubber team has tremendous potential to only get better. They also emphasized that baseball is a game that requires constant and ongoing focus to improve and urged each of them to work in the off season. Former Clubber Coach, Sam Levy who watched both of the games commented that the Clubber team has greatly improved defensively since he last saw the team play. With continued defensive improvement this Clubber team with its recently acquired speed, power and raw pitching talent has the essential ingredients in place to be very competitive in the Suburban Power League next season.

Any way you look at it, this Clubber team has much to be proud of! Finishing the Spring/Summer/Fall Season with an overall record of 41 Wins and 45 Losses after playing a total of 86 games that was one of the most challenging and demanding schedules of any 12 Year Old team in the State of Illinois. Winning the Windy City Baseball "Summer in the City" Tournament in July 2003 and being ranked 29th in the State of Illinois by USA Sports Ranking are good launching points for 2004. The Clubbers wrapped up the season with two months of play in the Fall Suburban Power Baseball League where the team finished in 4th place behind the 2003 Nationally Ranked Schaumburg Seminoles (1st) and the 2003 Nationally Ranked Lombard Launchers (2nd) and the extremely well coached Schaumburg Redhawks (3rd). The Clubbers finished ahead of the Lake Zurich Cougars, the Norridge Young Guns and the 2003 Nationally Ranked McHenry County Hurricanes.

As they say, "We Won Some, and We Lost Some" but for now it's just like the Cubs, "Wait Until Next Year!" However, the 2003 season is not the end, it is the beginning of something "special" for the Clubbers 2004 team!

Check Out the Menomonee Club Website

We are frequently asked why Menomonee? Where is Menomonee? And the best one was; "Are you guys from Wisconsin?"

To answer the inevitable questions about one of our sponsors check out the Menomonee Club Website. The link is now established. Just go to the Clubber Homepage and double click the Menomonee Club logo to learn about the rich history (the club was established in 1946) and the many programs of the Menomonee Club.

The Clubbers are listed as one of the League Programs of the Club and are linked to the Clubbers Website also!

Indoor Hitting and Pitching Clinics Begin in November

Indoor Pitching Clinics will begin for the Clubbers on selected Sundays in November, December, January and February. Dave Rosene and Kelly Smith will be conducting these clinics that will be held at the indoor athletic facilities at UIC. Pitchers for the 12 year old and 13 year old teams are encouraged to participate. Stay tuned for more details.

Dave Rosene and "JP" Carey will conduct monthly indoor Hitting Skills Clinics on selected Sundays in November, December, January and February at the indoor athletic facilities at UIC. Hitting fundamentals and developing a strategy for game situations wil be emphasized. All Clubber players are encouraged to participate in these monthly sessions. Stay tuned for more details.

The Clubbers are pleased to welcome Francis Parker High School Varsity Baseball Head Coach, Rick Haskins who will be involved in the off season instruction program. Haskins, a long time Coach at the Menomonee Club, will focus on building team dynamics within the off season clinic format. Rick Haskins was named as the 2000 Independent League Boys Coach of the Year.

Game Highlights: Friday, October 17 at Olympic Park in Schaumburg for SPBL Championship

The Clubbers played on Friday night October 17 at 7:30 pm in Game #1 of the Suburban Power Baseball League Fall Championship Series and took home a win vs the Lake Zurich Cougars at Olympic Park in Schaumburg in an exciting and well played game. FINAL SCORE: Clubbers 5 (7 Hits); Cougars 3 (6 Hits). The pitching was solid with McElVeen starting the game and giving up no runs and the Clubber defense was stellar and almost error free. Ritacco had his best game of the Fall Season defensively. Pitching were McElveen (3-IP's, 0 Runs, 3 Hits, 4-K's, 2-W's), Burrage (4-IP's, 1 Run, 2 Hits, 2K's, 9 W's, 1 HBP), Ormond (1-IP, 2 Runs, 1Hit, 1-W, -E) and Gowder (1-IP, 1-K).

7 Hits for the Clubbers: Ritacco, Colnon, Rogers, Gowder (2 Dbls), Williams, Ormond. Scoring Runs: Colnon, McElhaney, Bell, Rogers, Williams; RBI's: Rogers-2 and Gowder-2.

Game Highlights: Saturday, October 11

The final game of the Fall Suburban Baseball League Season was played at UIC versus the Nationally Ranked Lombard Launchers (#29 National Ranking; USA SportsRanking.com). The Clubbers had the lead at the end of the first inning on Angelo Burrage's Grand Slam Home Run. However, the Launchers never looked back and combined good hitting, solid defensive play and good pitching to to win the game in convincing "Launcher Style" with a final score of 17-5. Congratulations to the Launchers. We enjoyed hosting this well coached team at UIC for the very first time.

The Clubbers looked at several new players including Outfielder Chris Rogers and Pitcher John Mason (3 innings pitched).t Masoncontributed by pitching two scoreless innings. Also pitching were Gowder (3 ininngs pitched) and Ormond (1 inning pitched). The middle infield defense has steadily improved throughout the Fall Season as Ritacco and McElhaney have worked very effectively together. Additionally, the team has benefited from the leadership and solid catching skills that Gowder and Williams have given from behind the plate.

Special guest Reginald Jones attended the game. Reggie is the President of Fit-2-Win, Inc. a corporate fitness training company. He is also a former NFL Player where he played defensive cornerback with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns for five years. The Clubber Baseball Organization is pleased to welcome Fit-2-Win as a new corporate sponsor.

Game Highlights: Friday, October 10

The Clubbers (8 Hits, 4-E's) lost 10-8 in an exciting "seesaw" run scoring game on Friday night at UIC vs. the Lake Zurich Cougars (7 Hits, 2-E's). The Clubbers played the game short handed but entered the ninth inning with the score tied at 8 runs apeiece. TheClubbers scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning off of Ormond's 3 run RBI single. However the Cougars came back to score two runs in the ninth which decided the game. Speth had a huge triple to begin the bottom of the 9th inning but was left onb base.

The pitchers were Burrage (4-IP; 5 Hits, 5 Runs, 1-E, 3-K's. 2-W's), Ormond (3-IP; 1 Hit, 1 Run, 2-E's, 2-K's, 2-W's), Williams (2-IP; 1 Hit, 4 Runs, 1-E, 1-K, 3-W's). Runs were scored by Burrage, Gowder-2, Williams, Colnon-2, and McElhaney-2. RBI's: Ormond-4, Williams-2, Burrage-1.

Game Highlights: Saturday, October 4

In Game #4 the Clubbers (5 Hits) lost to the Schaumburg Redhawks (5 Hits) in Schaumburg by the score of 7-4 in a well played defensive game with solid infield and outfield support. Pitching for the Clubbers were Gowder and Burrage. The Clubber runs were scored by Bogatitus, Gowder, Burrage, and McElhaney with RBI's by Burrage, Ormond, and Williams. The Clubbers had bases loloaded in the 7th Inning but could not get the runs accross the plate.

Game Highlights: Friday, October 10

The Clubbers (8 Hits, 4-E's) lost 10-8 in an exciting "seesaw" run scoring game on Friday night at UIC vs. the Lake Zurich Cougars (7 Hits, 2-E's). The Clubbers played the game short handed but entered the ninth inning with the score tied at 8 runs apeiece. The Clubbers scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning off of Ormond's 3 run RBI single. However the Cougars came back to score two runs in the ninth which decided the game. Speth had a huge triple to begin the bottom of the 9th inning but was left on base.

The pitchers were Burrage (4-IP; 5 Hits, 5 Runs, 1-E, 3-K's. 2-W's), Ormond (3-IP; 1 Hit, 1 Run, 2-E's, 2-K's, 2-W's), Williams (2-IP; 1 Hit, 4 Runs, 1-E, 1-K, 3-W's). Runs were scored by Burrage, Gowder-2, Williams, Colnon-2, and McElhaney-2. RBI's: Ormond-4, Williams-2, Burrage-1.

Saturday, October 4

In Game #4 the Clubbers (5 Hits) lost to the Schaumburg Redhawks (5 Hits) by the score of 7-4 in a well played defensive game with solid infield and outfield support. Pitching for the Clubbers were Gowder and Burrage. The Clubber runs were scored by Bogatitus, Gowder, Burrage, and McElhaney with RBI's by Burrage, Ormond, and Williams. The Clubbers had bases loaded in the 7th Inning but could not get the runs accross the plate.

Saturday, September 27

In Game #3 of the 2004 Fall Season vs. the Schaumburg Seminoles, the Clubbers lost, 13-8 but there were many positve outcomes. The Clubbers had a chance to look at many new Players and want to thank everyone who participated in the game. Pitching for the Clubber were Burrage (2-IP), Ormond (2-IP) and Gowder (2-IP) got work on an exceptionally muddy field that contributed to some sloppy fielding. Despite the fielding errors, the Clubbers played even with the Seminoles in a shortened game.

The Clubbers are pleased to welcome another exceptional new player to the team, Ryan Willaims who pitched extremely well and has tremendous upside potential as a Clubber Player.

2004 Season

Plans are already underway for the 2004 season! The Clubber Baseball Organization has signed a contract for 35 Spring/Summer Home Games at the UIC Baseball Field. Next years schedule will once again include many of our Home Games on Friday and Saturday nights with a 6:30 game time. Clubber public address announcer Scott Minches will be back next season for Clubber home game festivities. The team has also signed a contract to have access to the UIC Indoor Baseball Facilities during the winter offseason. Winter offseason practices will be guided by Dave Rosene and "JP" Carey. Stay tuned for more details.

The 2004 team is forming. If you have not returned your Committment Form for the 2004 Season, please return the form to Team Manager, Mark Ormond to secure your spot on next years team. Don't delay, be a part of the 2004 Clubber Experience!!

Game Highlights: Saturday, September 20

Game #2 for the 2004 Fall Season is vs. the McHenry County Hurricanes on Saturday at UIC at 4:00pm was postponed because the Hurricanes were unable to field a team due to conflicts with football practice, etc. This game will be re-scheduled as a double header fall game at a date to be determined.

Instead the Clubbers ran a team practice and played an Intersquad game at UIC. The team practice focused on proper fielding techniques with a special focus on outfielders making the proper throw in specific game situations. Coaches Rosene and Carey emphasized to the Players that they are to hustle and be aggressive whenever they are on the field and also spoke to the team about the importance of leadership during games and the importance of Player communication with fellow teammates to help each other in making the right decision during the game. Leadership was also discussed in relation to in the Infield and the Outfield Players working together and the importance of Players taking leadership and making decsions to "call for" and "call off" fellow Players on infield and outfield fly balls.

In the Intersquad practice game, the Clubber Beta Team defeated the Clubber Alpha Team 7-3. All the pitchers got work and pitched well against their teammates. A big thank you to the Welles Park Baseball Organization for bringing some of their players to UIC Field to help the Clubbers play the Intersquad game. Thank you again to Chris Maness, Josh Maness, Louie Smith, Julian Diaz and others for coming out to play.

Game Highlights: Saturday, September 13

Congratulations to the Clubbers for an overall "Team Win" in the first fall game of the 2004 Fall Season vs. the Norridge Young Guns! The three Clubber pitchers were McElveen (3 innings pitched; 3 K's, no Walks and no Runs allowed), Ormond (3 innings pitched; no K's and 1 Walk, 2 Runs allowed) and Gowder (3 innings pitched; 5 K's and 2 Walks, and no Runs allowed), the pitchers recorded 8 strikeouts and 3 walks for the entire 9 inning game; RBI's by Rambaud, Colnon (2), McElveen, Gowder, Speth and Gates including a "Big Time" one run Home Run by Frank Gowder! Runs were scored by Ormond (2), McElhaney, Colnon, Burrage, Gowder, and Ritacco! RBI's: Bell-2, McElveen, Burrage, Rambaud, Colnon, Speth.

Practice

Practice on Thursday, September 25 at 4:00pm. The practice will be focused on making the transition to 13 year old baseball and the longer distances of 80 foot base paths and a 54 foot pitchers mound.

UIC Field

All fall games will be played at the UIC Baseball Field that is located at the corner of Halsted Street and Roosevelt Road. This field has been specifically modified for the Clubbers and dimensions for 13 year old baseball; 80 foot base paths and a 54 foot pitchers distance and features a pitchers mound, dugouts, bleacher seating for 150 fans and a press box with a public address system and spectacular views of the Chicago Skyline. Parking is conviently located directly behind the field. Enter the parking lot off of Morgan Street. Ample street parking is also availabe.

Suburban Power League

The Clubbers will play in the Suburban Power Fall Baseball League which will be 6 consecutive Saturday afternoon games, with games being played at the UIC baseball Field. The team will be coached during the fall season by Dave Rosene, former St. Ignatius Varsity College Prep Baseball Coach and assisted by "JP" Carey, former UIC Flames outfielder.

The Clubbers are looking forward to being a part of the Suburban Power League for the 2004 Spring/Summer Season.

2004 Clubber Tournament News

The Clubbers and the Schaumburg Seminoles will host two tournaments in 2004. The "Chicago-Schaumburg Express" tournament to be held in April 2004 and the "Seminole/Clubber Invitational" to be held in August 2004. The games for these two tournaments will be played in Chicago at UIC and in Schaumburg at Olympic Park. Stay tuned for more details. Call Mark Ormond and Russ Gangler for early registration infromation about these two tournaments which are certain to be very popular events!

New 2004 Organizational Structure

Effective with the 2004 Spring Season, the Clubber Baseball Organization will operate with a newly formed Clubber Advisory Board. The Board will develop the strategy and mission for the team and help with organizational issues. The coaches will report to the Board. The Board will include Russ Gangler, 2003 National Team Illinois Head Baseball Coach, Neal Bader, Director of the Menomonee Club, Mark Ormond, Clubber Team Manager and two Parent Advisors who will be appointed during the 2003/2004 offseason. Stay tuned for more details.