Published: January 23, 2007 08:42 pm      

BASEBALL: New Falls team in NYCBL will stay West

BASE PATHS

The New York State Collegiate Baseball League loves Niagara Falls and Sunday afternoon in Syracuse, it wore its heart on its sleeve.

After debating travel costs and scheduling difficulties, the league voted against inter-divisional play for the 2007 season. The decision was by no means unanimous and most of those urging cross-over games were from the league’s Eastern Division.

“Everyone wants to play in Niagara Falls,” said Ted Ford of the Watertown Wizards, one of the league’s model franchises.

They’ll have to wait for the playoffs.

The Power of Niagara will play in the Western Division with Brockport, Webster, Geneva, Bolivar, Hornell, Wellsville and Elmira. The Eastern Division has Watertown, Little Falls, Amsterdam, Glens Falls, defending champion Saratoga and Bennington, VT. The season begins June 8; it has not been determined whether the expansion Power, playing in Sal Maglie Stadium.

Prinicipal Power promoter Cal Kern also said the team plans to schedule two or three pre-season exhibition games. The team hopes to market the hardback seats behind home plate as “The Electric Chairs,” plans a lightning-bolt mascot called “Zap” and is considering a kid’s booster club to be known as “Sal’s Pals, the Little Shavers.”

“We’re glad to have the prestige of Niagara Falls in the league,” said long-time commissioner Dave Chamberlain. “Just remember, you’re not allowed to win the league in the first year,” President Brian Spagnola of Amsterdam told Kern at Sunday’s meeting in the Syracuse Ramada.

“I didn’t see that in the by-laws,” Kern answered to an affectionate mix of cheers and jeers. With more than 250 collegiate players having applied for roster spots, the Power seems well-juiced, even with opening day more than four months away.

Justice for Jody

Congratulations to long-time Canisius infielder Jody Tassone on her induction into the Griffins’ Hall of Fame Saturday. Jody’s resume includes a stint with the Buffalo Nighthawks of the Women’s Professional Baseball League late ‘90s, a team that also included Sheryl Miller of Tonawanda. Both women lasted just as long as the league did, about six weeks.

Hot Stove stuff

Manager Torey Lovullo and others will discuss the game at the Bisons’ Hot Stove Luncheon Friday at noon in the Pearl Street Grill about a block from Dunn Tire Park. It’s $15, buffet, supposedly sold out, but a last-second cancellation could produce a ticket… The Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame, which concentrates largely on amateurs and semi-pros, will convene Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Magruder’s, 4995 Broadway, Depew. It’s $12, pizza, wings and drinks, tickets at the door … Batavia Muckdogs, now affiliated with the World Champion Cardinals, will have such memorabilia as a Jim Palmer Uniform at its dinner Feb. 3 in the Batavia Party House, Route 5, Batavia. Full sit-down dinner et al, $25, $40 for couples. You may contact the ‘dogs at 585-343-5454.

Signal Base Paths at Box 1186, Grand Island, NY 14072 or e-mail pollyndoug@hotmail.com