So finally the stage was set for the Championship game with us (the Knights) in the driver seat having to only win one game and become MSBL 35+ Champs. This season has been so cathartic for me and as been so instrumental in me dealing with the passing of my sister. From the season opener to this championship game I have never had more fun then with this group of guys. I’ve been on some great teams throughout my career and early in my career my best memories are playing on the Braves, RECO and then on J.V. “B” in Junior High School, but this team ranks right up there. Ironically I don’t think they even realize what they’ve done for me. I couldn’t wait to play each week and I never felt more relaxed. I was just able to escape by life and what ever problems I was dealing with and just had fun cheering on my team, playing great baseball and ribbing on my fellow teams as well as taking it. Even my usual rivalry with fellow teammate Mark Milroy was non existent this year, for both of us. Usually we are both trying to out due each other (although neither of us will admit it) but this year we just went out there played our game and picked each other up when we botched a play or weren’t hitting. We were just on the perfect time at the right time, when I really need this outlet of baseball to get me through this tough time.

As a team we weren’t the greatest team of talent I’ve ever played with, but as a team we were one of the most cohesive teams I’ve ever been associated with. We never won by the same guys producing every week, it was a team effort and each week someone different stepped up to help us to victory. We came back 5 times throughout the season and each time we were down a couple of runs in the late innings we never got anxious or put unnecessary pressure on each other. We just played the game as we will get to them ( which we usually did) and it was just so much fun to play for the game sake and not for the W. Don’t get me wrong we one our share of games we just didn’t change our style of play because we felt we couldn’t comeback. On top of all this we had a weird season due to the weather having between 10-15 rain outs. This factor made it hard to play consistently from week to week, but the inconsistence didn’t seem to affect us in any way and whether it was back to back games or two weeks between games we always managed to stay hot and pull out the win. We ended the regular season 11-2 with a 10 game winning streak before meeting the Pirates in our last regular season game. Since I’ve played for the the Knights ( three seasons now) our biggest rivals have been the Pirates. It’s kind of funny usually when we have a rivalry there’s some one that you don’t like or some part of the teams play that rubs you the wrong way. I hated the Pirates but for no particular reason, the guys were always gracious win or lose and the team played hard and always made you elevate your game to compete with them. Unfortunately due to the inclement weather, our only game against them was the last game of the season (we were scheduled to play them three times) Like every game we played against them it was a close game and was a back and forth battle. We ended up coming up short, Losing 7-6, but we we didn’t get down on ourselves we just all felt that we would get them next time and that we could beat them. That’s just what we did when we saw them in the playoffs winning 8-7 in another close battle and advancing to the championship game and putting us in the drivers seat for the championship. The pirates had to battle there way into the finals of the losers bracket and won. There win setup another epic battle between the two teams that didn’t disappoint.

We were all super pumped to be playing for the championship, I maybe a little more than everyone else just because of my sister and dedicating the season to her and all. Yet, like the whole season our game was postponed a week due to the weather. We finally got to play, but on one of the coldest nights of the fall and late in the season on the 25th of October. As much as we were pumped to play , the changing weather and competitive nature of the Pirates made us collectively want to finish it right here and not force a second game. So, we started the game and like are other meetings it didn’t disappoint. Our pitcher Greg Crouser and the Pirates, Eric Holtz were in a fierce battle and managed to get through four innings without giving up a run. The Pirates struck 1st scoring a run in the 5th and then another in the 6th. I personally got up on my first at bat and drilled a line drive over the second baseman’s head but he managed to make a leaping catch. My second at bat I lead off the inning and I drilled a line drive into center. As I was on first the first baseman asked the pitcher, “what was wrong?” The pitcher responded, “I keep having nightmares of this guy named Justin who hits everything that I throw at him.” Hearing this I smiled and then the pitcher turned to me and said, “next time you just want to tell me what pitch you want since you hit everything I throw at you.” I move to second with the next hitter and then I tried to score from second and was called out on a close play at the plate where I miss judged where the ball was and got slow jump on the ball. So things began to look grim for us but like we had done all season our confidence never wavered. Yet, as we approached the seventh (the last inning) grumblings of a second game become apparent. Anthony was up first the bottom of the order and he quickly popped out for out number 1. The top of the order was then up and Sven Jenkins our lead off hitter managed to draw a 3-2 count and walked on a pitched, that if I had a 100 times would not have taken. Sven quickly stole second and Guy Caffery who was up at bat next popped out to the infield for out number two. Then Mark Milroy got up and I just had a feeling that he was going to come through. Prior to this at bat his he looked out of sorts and not comfortable at the plate striking out and grounding out. Yet this time at bathe was a different hitter and belted a a hit into left center scoring Sven and giving us our first run. George Camacho was up next and after Mark stole second, hit a hard grounder to second that the second baseman couldn’t handle and George ended up beating it out. I was next up and I was ready to win this game. I’m the type of hitter that always wants the opportunity to be the hero but when I’m put in that situation my nerves get the better of me and I go up to the plate more anxious then I usually do. Prior to going to bat I looked to the heavens and asked Amy to be there with me at the plate. As I approached the plate this overwhelming calm came over me and I would like to think my sister was there with me. I enter the batters box after doing my usual rituals and I stared down the pitcher wanting him to throw a pitch I could hit. I was completely confident that if I got a pitch I could hit I was going to end this game with the win. I had such a ora about me that Rich Wasvary, coaching first at the time said, “that he saw the determination and confidence in my demeanor, that you were going to get a hit.” Unfortunately, I never saw a pitch that I could hit and was walked on 4 pitches. So now the stage was set bases loaded and our lights out pitcher Greg Crouser was up at bat with the opportunity to tie and win the game. Greg quickly managed to get and 0-2 count on himself, so as he entered the box with two strikes the tension was palpable. Yet, like we did all year we didn’t panic we just payed our game and as the pitch was delivered Greg smashed a ball into left center over the center fielders head scoring the two runs needed to win the game. Our dugout became electric from just the amazement that we again pulled it out and that it was such an amazing finish to a perfect season.

BACK ROW: (left to right) Joe Bermudez, Greg Crouser, Lee Miranda, George Camacho, Justin Contursi, Rich Wasvary, Joe Mandlle, Mike Strutt FRONT ROW: (left to right) Sven Jenkins, Anthony Ambrosio, Eric Bjorkman, Mark ilroy, Guy Caffery

After surrounding Greg and celebrating our victory I looked for Sven to grab a hug. You see since our first win where we would just high five each other in congratulations for the win, Sven saw me and embraced me like a pitcher and catcher do when they win the World Series. It became a tradition or superstition, but after every win me and Sven did this ritual. So it was only fitting that we continued this ritual on our biggest win of the season. Then I found Mark and we were both very emotional because this season was both emotional and bitter sweet and Mark even remarked, “that this was for Amy.” I was so emotional not only because of our amazing comeback, but because of what this season meant to me and what this team had done for me all year. One of the biggest things I’ve struggled with is how people say when someone passes away they sometimes comeback and show you sign that there watching over you and are O.K. I still struggle with that, but I did feel that at that last at bat Amy was there with me, I’m not sure it was just me looking for a sign or she was really there, but I’d like to think she was watching all season. After celebrating this amazing victory we then went to shake the Pirates hands. I have to say they were all gracious and when I went to shake the pitchers hand he remarked, “I wasn’t going to give you a pitch to hit.” I thought was funny that he found me such an adversary that he want no part of me.

So for me this season was the perfect season and I will remember this team for years to come. Again this game as given so much to me. Not only did it help me deal with the loss of my sister, but it made me feel like I was doing something to honor her memory and show her how much I miss and loved her. Not only did we have the perfect team, but I had one of my best seasons, batting .533 and edging out fellow teammate George Camacho out by two points for the Batting Champion. I also lead the league in hits hits with 24 hits. and can honestly say that if it wasn’t for this team and this season I’m not sure I would’ve been able to get through this last year.