Pilots lose doubleheader to Blazers at Bainton Field

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots lost both games of their doubleheader against the Quakertown Blazers on Sunday July 17 at Bainton Field on the campus of Rutgers University.

In game one, the Pilots fell to the Blazers 6-1. The Blazers took the lead in the top of the first, but the Pilots tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Rob DeAngelis singled, stole second base, advanced to third on a grounder, and then scored on grounder.

The Blazers retook the lead in the third on a balk and never looked back. They added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh to put the game out of the Pilots’ reach.

At the plate, Tom Marcinczyk had two walks for the Pilots. Tommy Giunta went six innings for the Pilots striking out three and giving up eight hits.

The Blazers dominated game two, crushing the Pilots by a score of 20-4.

Blazer shortstop Joe Sheeran hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats. He led off the game with a home run, hit a single in the second inning, roped a bases-clearing triple in the third, and then hit a double in the fourth.

Quakertown had 22 hits for the game including two home runs, two triples, and two doubles. They blew the game open in the third inning when the scored eight runs and  had 11 consecutive hitters reach base.

Rob DeAngelis, Tom Marcinczyk and Colby Smith each had two hits for the Pilots.

The Pilots next home game is on Wednesday July 27 against the North Jersey Eagles at Snyder Ave Park.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on twitter for updates on the Pilots.

Pilots lose to division leaders Staten Island

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots fell to the visiting division-leading Staten Island Tide 5-1 at Snyder Ave Park on Wednesday July 13.

The Tide scored two early runs in the top of the first. Charles Misiano singled and Rob Dadona walked to put two runners on base and then advanced to second and third. Zach Leone then hit a sacrifice fly to score Misiano and Austin Pollock singled in Dadona.

In the fourth, the Pilots had a chance to equalize. Malcolm Kelsey and Greg Kocinski were on second and third with no outs. However, both runners were left stranded.

The Pilots cut the lead down to one in the next inning when Rob DeAngelis scored a run on an error.

The Tide tacked on runs in the final three frames to put the game out of reach.

Alvin Vega pitched well in his first start of the season, going six and a third innings with only five hits and two walks.

Rob DeAngelis had a single and a double for the Pilots while Malcolm Kelsey had two hits.

The Pilots next home game is on Sunday July 17. The team will be playing a doubleheader against the Quakertown Blazers at Bainton Field on the campus of Rutgers University. The Pilots will be holding a clothing drive during the day. First pitch is set for 1:00.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on Twitter for more updates on the team.

The major problem with this year's All Star Game uniforms

Major League Baseball went with a very unique look for the All Star Game this year. Focusing on the Padres history with the colors yellow and brown, the league went all in on the concept.

The jerseys and hats were not great. At times, it just seemed to be too much going on at one time. However, they were interesting and brought a distinct look to the festivities. The real problem with the uniforms was the socks.

Now, as a disclaimer, I am not a uniform hater. Many of the designs that are hated on online and in the media I find really cool. One of my favorite uniforms of all-time is the old New Jersey Nets matte uniform that is hated by many.

Jose Altuve
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There are few things as aesthetically pleasing than a baseball player in high socks. Whether they are stirrups or just regular socks, the look is timeless and makes the baseball uniform distinct from other sports.

Some All Stars last night, including Jose Altuve and Manny Machado, wore All Star Game specific socks from Stance. Stance makes great socks, but these were the ugliest baseball socks I have ever seen: Navy blue with yellow stripes with the All Star Game logo on the side and the team, National or American, below the logo.

There are many bones to pick with this sock.

First, they do not match the uniforms of the people wearing them. During the All Star Game, players wear the uniforms of their team, not the All Star Game uniform. Therefore, those socks would only match the Padres color scheme. As a result, the socks do not match with any other team's color scheme, and therefore, almost of all the players in the game.

Second, there is so much going on. The baseball stirrup or sock is at its best when it is simple. Either as one full color or a main color with stripes, the best socks do not go over the top. These socks go all over the place. The logo, the team name, the stars are all additions to the sock that take the grandeur out of it.

Francisco Lindor
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Third, the sock does not always line up correctly. Because the All Star logo is so big on the sock, it is easy to see if it is in different locations on each leg. And for a few All Stars, one leg had the logo on the back of the calf while the other leg had the logo on the side of the calf. It is not a major detail, but it is an element that can make or break an outfit.

This issue is even more noticeable when some players do not wear the ASG socks. Francisco Lindor, for example, wore his regular Cleveland stirrups (arguably the best in the game) and it looked great.

For the Home Run Derby, I can live with the socks because players are wearing the All Star uniform and their respective socks would not match the All Star uniform. But, the sock is still way too much. It is obvious that having this sock is just a marketing ploy, hoping that youth will want to buy the sock. People will buy the sock, whether is is used in the game or not. But, putting it in the game is not going to result in more sales.

Let's not put money ahead of the game. While socks will not have an impact on the game, MLB should want the All Star Game to be its best product. The All Star Game socks are arguably its worst product.

Pilots raise 75 lbs of food for Red Bank Lunch Break

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

During the Jersey Pilots’ food drive during Sunday July 10 doubleheader against the Trenton Generals, the team collected 75 pounds of food. The team donated the items to Red Bank Lunch Break.

The Pilots will be holding a clothing drive on Sunday when they play at Bainton Field at Rutgers. First pitch is set for 1:00.

Pilots, Generals split Sunday doubleheader

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots split their doubleheader against the Trenton Generals at Snyder Ave Park on Sunday July 10.

The Pilots also held their food drive during the game as players and fans brought non-perishable food items to the field that will be donated to Red Bank Lunch Break.

In game one of the doubleheader, the Pilots won on a John Scarr walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth.

With two outs in the inning, Scarr ripped the first pitch he saw over the right field wall to give the Pilots the 8-7 victory.

The Pilots previously tied the game by scoring three runs in the sixth inning. With the bases loaded, Tom Marcinczyk singled, Malcolm Kelsey was hit by a pitch, and Scarr walked. Each at-bat resulted in one run crossing the plate.

The Generals biggest lead was 5-2 after the top of the second and then later on had a 7-4 lead that was erased in the previously mentioned sixth inning.

Scarr finished the game 2-4 with 3 RBIs and a walk. Kelsey had two hits, two runs and two RBIs. Justin Trochiano had two hits.

Ethan Frohman was great out of the pen for the Pilots. He went 4.2 innings, giving up only two hits, struck out six batters, and received the win.

In game two of the doubleheader, the Pilots fell behind early and could not muster any offense. The Generals scored three runs in the first, five runs in the second, and three runs in the third, while the Pilots could not score a run.

On the bright side, the Pilots had a good showing from their bullpen. Mike Gibbons went three innings out of the bullpen, walking only two batters and striking out six batters.

The Pilots next home game is on Wednesday, July 13 against the Staten Island Tide. First pitch is set 6:30 at Snyder Ave. Next Sunday, the Pilots will play a doubleheader against Quakertown at Bainton Field at Rutgers University, where the team will also hold a clothing drive for Goodwill.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on Twitter for more updates.

Food Drive at Tomorrow’s Doubleheader against Trenton

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

Tomorrow, July 10, the Jersey Pilots will be holding a food drive during the team’s doubleheader against the Trenton Generals.

For people planning to donate, please bring non-perishable food items.

First pitch of game one is set for 4:30 at Snyder Ave Park.

Pilots fall to North Jersey Eagles 6-3

Originally posted on jerseypilots.com

The Jersey Pilots lost to the visiting North Jersey Eagles 6-3 on Wednesday, July 6 at Snyder Ave Park.

The Eagles got off to a quick start in the top of the first. Leadoff hitter Shane Woelfel was hit by a pitch and then scored on a Bobby Shannon double.

John Scarr tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, but the Eagles took control in the next half inning.

In the top of the second, North Jersey scored four runs, all with two outs. Matt Slater and Woelfel hit back-to-back doubles and then Shannon hit a two run homer. Tyler Benson followed that up with a double and then scored to make the score 5-1.

The Eagles tacked on a run in the fourth to make the score 6-1.

The Pilots managed to get two runs back in the sixth. After Rob DeAngelis, Colby Smith, and Malcolm Kelsey all walked, Scarr singled in a run and Greg Kocinski hit a sac fly.

The Pilots had multiple runners on the seventh and eighth but couldn’t get any runners to cross home.

Tom Marcinczyk led the Pilots offense with three hits. Smith and Scarr also had two hits themselves. Dominick Pisciotto picked up the loss for the Pilots. Alvin Vega went five innings out of the pen for the Pilots, giving up only two hits and dropping his ERA to 0.61.

The Pilots next home game is on Sunday, July 10. It will be a doubleheader against the Trenton Generals with first pitch of the first game set for 4:30 against the Trenton Generals at Snyder Ave Park. The Pilots will also be holding a food drive for local families on the date. The Pilots will be holding a clothing drive on July 17.

Continue to check jerseypilots.com and @ACBL_Pilots on Twitter for more updates.