New York Emperors Stickball League

Interested in writing a Stickball Article?

What's up Stickballers!
I'm sure all of you have a Stickball story you want to share with the rest of us and we need volunteers to help write articles for the Stickball site. Sounds like a Perfect Match!
Whether it's a weekly status update, a Stickball Poem, a Stickball story or anything else you want to share with the rest of the Stickball community, please contact us as soon as you can.
We also welcome pictures of memorable moments to include in our front page. The league is open to input and contributions from all Stickball fans and members.
The season is fast approaching, so now is the time to step it up and help the league shine in 2010!
Send an email to bxstickball@gmail.com if you're interested.

Tickets going FAST!

Contact: Richie Marrero at 201-658-1871 or 347-202-2258 or
richnyesl@aol.com

Get ready New York! The 2010 New York Emperors Stickball League fundraiser is fast approaching and we have one of the best band line ups to ever come to the Bronx! Yes, you heard right and here it is. The legendary Tony Vega will finally bring some of his best salsa here to the Bronx. Tony Vega has not performed in New York for some time, but one of his first performances will be with our Stickball community in Co-op city. We'll also have one of our favorite salsa singers Frankie Morales as he joins us once again in 2010. Adalberto Santiago one of salsa's best performers will also be joining us, as well as, Tipica Novel to make this one of our best ever line ups. Good enough to compete with our powerhouse Stickball lineups?... Not sure about that ;-), but rest assured that the Bronx will be jumping on March 27th, 2010. Here are the details:

Date: March 27th, 2010
Place: Co-op City
177 Deiser Loop
Time: Doors Open from 7pm-2:00am
Price: $45 in advance $50 at the door
Dress Code: NO JEANS or SNEAKERS. (You will be turned away at the door!)

Opening Day April 11th, 2010!

Can you feel that? You know...that warm feeling in your blood as you read this article... No need for a doctor this time though, since that's just Stickball fever taking over you body. The moment we've all been waiting for during these past few cold winter months will soon be here, so get ready Stickball fanatics!
There were some significant player moves this past offseason. Here's a few of them:
Leland: Darnell Byrd and Mick Olivero will be going to the NJ Saints. Tim Montanez going to the Ravens
Emperors: Al Colon Jr will be going to the NJ Saints
Gold: Raul Morales is going to the Leland Legends
Stem: Boobie,Lenny and Veldi went back to Leland and Ricky Torres is going back to the Ravens
Royals: Daryl Warfield going to Stem
Ravens: Angel Jr. & Angel Sr. are going to Gold.
Starling AC: The new captain Tyrone Davis
* There are more changes in the works, so stay tuned.
* Captains, please send me any additional player moves not mentioned above

The start of the 2010 season will be on April 11th and that date could'nt get here sooner! We'll have a captains meeting on March 21st to kick things off and discuss any 2010 rule changes and a full review of the NYESL rulebook. Reminders will be sent out as we approach this date, so stay tuned.
Stay safe Stickball family and see you soon...really soon!

-NYESL Board

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

While the NYESL has had another great year in 2009, we're all looking forward to a great 2010 season. Many teams improved their caliber before and during the 2009 season and more free agent acquisitions during this post season has already started to shape a very competitive 2010 season.
But, during these times when the bitter winter cold prevents us from playing Stickball in our home here in the Bronx, we should take out time from our busy schedules and give back to our community. Stickball is not just a sport, but a family that reaches out and helps the less fortunate in times of need. There are many volunteer community events that will greatly benefit from a helping hand. Whether it's the Red Cross or New York City Food Bank or any of the other volunteer opportunities here in the city, those that could should try to donate time or money to these organizations.
Stickball is traditionally a "poor man’s sport", but that has changed over the years and it now includes professionals from all walks of life. So, as we progress and the game becomes more and more "pro", let's not forget that Stickball at it's core is still a poor man’s sport and passionately played for the greatly prized "Bragging Rights!".
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
-NYESL Board

Rest In Peace - Mike Paella

It is with sadness that we announce the death of our brother Mike Paella. We will all miss his cheerful personality and great sense of humor. Mike was also a great promoter for the game of Stickball and he will be dearly missed by all of us in our Stickball community. Funeral services will be held at:
Francisco's Funeraria
2242 1st Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Phone: (212) 427-4300
Dates: Tuesday - December 8th : 3pm-10pm
Wednesday -December 9th : 3pm-10pm

Kids Christmas Party onDec. 12th

Christmas is right around the corner and Starling A.C. will be hosting their yearly Christmas party on Dec. 12th from 1-4pm. The Christmas party includes many activities for our kids including painting, games, a gift from Santa and much more. To attend, please contact Richie Marrero at 646-831-5193 to sign up or more information. You must make a reservation to attend and a $5 deposit is required. The $5 is returned when you attend the event. When you call to make a reservation you'll need to provide the age, name and name of children attending.
Don't miss out!

2009 Columbus Day Tournnament Recap

The Bronx Emperors captured their 3rd Championship of 2009 as they defeated Stem 5-3. The Stem took the field as heavy underdogs
and for 5 innings they played the Emperors better than any other team had. The Stem held the Emperors to 2 runs and cracked their vaunted defense in the 5th inning by scoring 3 runs with clutch two out hits. They were led by Mid Outfielder Lenny formerly of the Leland Legends Short Stop Vic and Team Captain Sean who had the biggest hit a 2 out 2 run Double giving his underdog team a 3-2 lead. The Emperors as they have done all year long came right back in the bot of the 5th inning with a leadoff gametying HR by Emperor Co-Captain Tito. Short Stop Eric Rivera and Deep OF Chungo laced singles and Team Co-Captain Vido came thru once again for his team ripping a 2 out tie breaking hit giving his team the lead for for good. Although Al Jr of the Bronx Emperors was not present for the entire championship game, he earned this tournaments MVP by having a hard hitting consistent performance the entire weekend.
The Stem came to fight the fight and if nobody else believed at the Blvd they did. This is a team led by future stickball hall of famer Wayne Lippold and emotional leader Mid Outfielder Davey Hernandez.They play with the only female stickball player Jenn Lippold and they don't miss a beat. The Stem added ex mates from Emperors past to their lineup and are now a force to be reckoned with. They defeated the Leland Legends to advance to the chip and Leland was the #1 seeded team in the tournament. The Stem showed that you dont need a roster full of all stars to win, they will be heard from.
The Emperors beat Gold 2-1. The Emperors let Gold off the hook early by failing on a bases loaded 1 out oppurtunity in the 3rd and in the 4th with runners on 2nd and 3rd base. Both times they didnt put the ball in play as they have in the past. The Emperors Defense shut down the Gold offense as they have most of 2009. The Gold have been the standard and the Emperors have measured up very well beating the Dynasty Gold in 12 out of the last 16 times they've met. The Gold revamped their team which now resembles the 2000 Bad Boys of Manhattan,nontheless they are out to retake what the Emperors earned this year- Championships!
3 for 3 "Triple Crown" in NYESL Tournaments. 2009 Stickball Emperors of New York. Congrats to the Emperors on an unbelievable 2009. Thanks to the fans who continue to support and to the teams that come out week in and week out. See you at the Blvd!
-Tito Rivera

Photo by D-Lush.

NYESL FALL LEAGUE- Week 2

The NYESL Fall League is back in action this week after its one week break for the Columbus Day Tournament. Week one was a success, as all 6 teams were able to make it out.
In the first set of games, the Gold put a hurting on the Bandits by a score of 17-0 on field 2. On field one, Nothing Personal tied the Royals 1-1 courtesy of Ty Boogie's late inning HR.
The second set of games featured the Gold beating the Emperors 6-2 on field 1, while Leland handled Nothing Personal its first loss.
The third set of games featured another good matchup between the Emperors and Royals. Vido got the Emperors off to a hot start with an early 2-run HR, but the Royals fought their way back to take the game by a score of 3-2. On field one the Legends handed the Bandits their second loss of the day.

Here is this Sundays, Oct 18th, games:
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WEEKS GAMES WILL START AT 11AM***

Field 1
11am Leland vs. Royals (Gold)
12pm Emporers vs. Bandits (Leland)
1 pm Personal vs. Gold (Royals)

Field 2
11am Personal vs. Bandits (Emperors)
12pm Royals vs. Gold (Personal)
1 pm Emperors vs Leland (Bandit)

Standings:
1. Gold       (2-0)
2. Legends (2-0)
3. Royals     (1-0-1)
4. Personal (0-1-1)
5. Emperors (0-2)
6. Bandits    (0-2)

2010 Stickball Fund Raiser - March 27th

Planing is underway for next Year's Fund Raiser, so mark your calendar for March 27th, 2010! The acts have not yet been confirmed, but rest assured that the NYESL will not disappoint our Stickball community. More information will soon be posted about the performers, so stay tuned...

The Bronx Emperors take the '09 Columbus Day Tournament!

This year's Columbus Day Tournament was yet another great success for the NYESL. The tournament featured 10 teams including Sugar Hill from Manhattan and of course our very own the New Jersey Saints. While the competition on Stickbal Blvd. was as intense as ever, the Bronx Emperors came out on top to solidify a great season. The Bronx Emperors managed to take 4 out of 5 of the last major tournaments including two Columbus Day Tournaments in a row. They played solid defense all weekend as they continue to have one of the best defensive games in Stickball. Their offensive performance was led by the tournaments' MVP Al Jr who hit "liniasos" all weekend long. Al Jr joined the Emperors this year, but has since become the offensive heart the Emperors needed to make Stickball history. Under the leadership of Tito Rivera and Vido Creales, the Bronx Emperors have shown our Stickball community why they are now the team to beat.
Congratulations to the Stem for making it to the championship game this past Sunday. They picked up Boobie, Lenny and Veldi from the Leland Legends and that has already made a huge difference in their level competition. Stem actually faced of against the Leland Legends in the second round of the playoffs and won by a score of 2-0.
We would like to thank all the teams and players who participated in this tournament. We would also like to thank all the fans and family members who come out to Stickball Blvd and show support to the NYESL.
But, Stickball is not over yet as Stickball4Kids and the new NYESL fall league will continue next weekend. See you all soon!