Albion Midget baseball League officials today announced that the upcoming season has been cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.

“We met today and we have decided to cancel,” said Dan Bartlett who coaches the Sandstone team. “Recreation is in Phase Four of the Governor’s reopening plan and we are not even to Phase two yet so right now no one really knows when things will reopen enough for us to have games.”

He noted that parents will have the option of having their registration fee refunded or put it towards next year.

However, Bartlett stressed that if Phase four of the reopening happens in time the league is looking to possibly have a short season in August – September.

“As soon as it lifts we would like to give it a shot in August and September to give the kids a chance to at least play a few games,” said Bartlett who noted that both the Albion baseball and girls softball leagues are keeping the door open for a possible late summer – early fall short season.

He added that both the T-Ball and the Coach Pitch Leagues have cancelled for this year and will not attempt a short season later in the summer.

Contributed Photo – Carlitos Sanchez

Albion High graduate and Genesee Community College sophomore Carlitos Sanchez has been named GCC’s Co-Male Athlete of the Year.

A two year mainstay on the GCC swim team, Sanchez shared the Male Athlete of the Year Award with sophomore soccer player Ed Port.

Recently Sanchez also earned the Cougar Award for men’s swimming.

He set school records in the 50 and 100 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke events and took first place honors in all three events at the regional meet.

Contributed Photo – Members of Medina’s 1963 Niagara-Orleans League championship tennis team included, in front, James Satkowski, James Balcerzak, Burt Thomas and John Martin. In back are Paul Bateman, Pat Dool, Michael Mayell and Coach Joe Lemma. Missing from the photo were Douglas Robinson and Robert King.

Since joining the Niagara-Orleans League in the mid 1950’s Medina has had plenty of success on the tennis courts winning no less than 27 league titles.

The first two of those league titles came in the back-to-back 1962 and 1963 seasons as the Mustangs went 10-0 in both campaigns.

In 1962 Medina posted 5-0 shutout wins in nine matches. The only point the Mustangs lost was in a late season title clinching 4-1 win over Wilson.

Coach Roger Houserman’s Mustangs lineup that season included Joe Scarpinato, Dan Malte, Norm Goheen and Bob King seeing action at singles with the duos of Paul Bateman – Bill Koneski and John Martin – Burt Thomas manning the doubles positions.

In 1963, a regular season ending 3-2 win over rival Albion was Medina’s closest call. In the other N-O matches the Mustangs went 5-0 six times and 4-1 three times.

In the narrow win over Albion Coach Joe Lemma’s Mustangs got singles wins by Paul Bateman and Pat Dool and by the first doubles duo of John Martin and Burt Thomas.

King and Michael Mayell also saw action at the singles spots during the season while James Balcerzak and James Satkowski held down the other doubles spot.

The Mustangs almost claimed their first tennis title in 1961 but lost in a playoff match to Lew-Port in what was the Lancers final season in the N-O loop before joining the Niagara Frontier League.

Contributed Photo – Chanyce Powell

Albion High graduate and SUNY Brockport junior Chanyce Powell has earned track and field All-American honors for the third year in a row.

Powell earned the All-American honor in the Triple Jump. She won the SUNY Athletic Conference Triple Jump title, placed third in the regionals and had a national qualifying best leap of 11-8 meters.

Since the NCAA track and field nationals were cancelled all athletes with a qualifying mark were awarded All-American honors.

Powell previously earned All-American honors in the Long Jump in both her freshman and sophomore years. She placed fifth at the NCAA national championship as a freshman and seventh as a sophomore.

She earned SUNYAC Rookie of the Year honors her freshman year and was an All District Academic honoree as a sophomore.

During her career at Albion Powell was a four time Niagara-Orleans League champion in the Triple Jump and a two-time champion in the Long Jump. She was also a two-time Section VI Long Jump champion.

Contributed Photo by Photos By Bruce – The members of Albion’s 1983 Niagara-Orleans League champion boys track team included, in front, Darrell Owens and Tim Bourke. In the second row are Mike Daniels, Todd Adams, Jim Winters, John Kappler, Doug Platt, Mike Harding, Morris Taylor and Bill Swan. In the third row are Coach Bob Ord, Tony Eibl, Fred Simmons, Theo Warren, Mike Salvatore, Jim Atwell, Jim Owens, Dean Covis, Jeff Morrison and Dan Gehl. In the back row are Andy Gallup, Tom Hooker, Roger Misso, Rich Miller, Eric Knaak, Tom Wilkins, Chris Rice, Gary Hinnenkamp, Todd Ross, Tom Mingione and Coach Al Johnson.

Last spring the Albion boys track team went undefeated (6-0) to capture the Niagara-Orleans League championship for the 15th time since the Purple Eagles first claimed the crown in 1983.

That spring in 1983 the Purple Eagles went undefeated (7-0) at the All-League meet to lock up their first N-O title.

Albion had finished the dual meet portion of the N-O season in a three-way tie for first place at 6-1 with Newfane and Wilson. In dual meet competition the Purple Eagles had trimmed Newfane 73-68 but dropped a narrow 71-70 decision to Wilson.

The Purple Eagles though broke that deadlock by garnering 56 points to take top honors at the All-League meet to claim the crown as Newfane finished in the runner-up spot with 46.

At the All-League meet the Purple Eagles got first place finishes from Bill Swan in the 3200, Gary Hinnenkamp in the Pole Vault and Tom Wilkins in the 1600 Walk. Swan and Wilkins also teamed up with Theo Warren and Mike Daniels to win the 3200 Relay.

Albion also got second place finishes from Daniels in the 800 and Jim Atwell in the 200 as well as third place finishes by Swan in the 1600, Atwell in the 100, Todd Adams in the Pole Vault and Chris Rice in the Discus.

The Purple Eagles also took second in the 400 Relay and third in the 1600 Relay.

It would be five years before Albion would regain the N-O title but then the Purple Eagles ran off four straight championship campaigns from 1988-1991.

That run included four straight All-League meet wins in the Long Jump by Ray Callicutt, three in the 110 Hurdles by Billy Newsome and two each in th 100 by Mark Brewer, the 800 by Van Warner, the 3200 by Geoff Sidari and the Pole Vault by Gary Drought.

Albion then claimed the N-O title in 1994 and 1996 before putting together a huge streak of seven straight championships from 2004 to 2010.

That seven year run included a triple win effort at the 2005 All-League meet by Tyrone Newsome in the Long Jump, High Jump and Triple Jump. It also included two wins in the 100 by both Rayshod Rackley and Morris Taylor and two in the 400 by Kenny Boyer.

Then last spring the Purple Eagles ended a nearly decade long drought by going 6-0 to claim the N-O crown.

Contributed Photos – The area’s Genesee Community College team athletic honorees include, from left, Jason Downs, Carlitos Sanchez and Ryan Voss.

The area’s GCC athletic awards honorees also include, from left, Brianna McMullen, Madison Papaj, Grace Masse and Ashton Laird.

Seven area student-athletes have received team sports awards from Genesee Community College.

Albion High graduate and GCC sophomore Carlitos Sanchez earned the Cougar Award for men’s swimming. He set school records in the 50 and 100 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke events and took first place honors in all three at the regional meet.

Holley grad and GCC freshman Madison Papaj earned the Cougar Award for soccer where she was a starting goalie.

Medina grad and GCC freshman Brianna McMullen won the Cougar Award for women’s swimming.

The Coaches Award for women’s swimming went to Medina grad and GCC freshman Ashton Laird.

McMullen placed second in the 50 Butterfly and third in both the 50 Free and 100 Individual Medley at the regional meet while Laird placed third in the 200 Free and the 100 and 200 Backstroke.

Medina grad and GCC sophomore Grace Masse received the Coaches Award for volleyball.

The Coaches Award for baseball went to Albion grad and GCC sophomore Jason Downs.

The Most Improved Player Award for baseball went to Barker grad and GCC sophomore Ryan Voss.

Comprised of teams from Medina, Lyndonville, Roy-Hart and Somerset, the Niagara Orleans Youth Baseball League has cancelled its season due to restrictions caused by the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.

“After continued discussions among the four towns that makeup the Niagara Orleans Youth Baseball League. It is with great sadness that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 baseball season as a result of the devastating circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Chris Goyette of Medina LOYAL Baseball. “Due to this, our organization is refunding all families their registration fees.”

“We also encourage parents and players to try and stay informed as our region hopefully continues to progress to phase 4 in the NYS reopening phases,” added Goyette.  “We are working on a possible plan if and when our region reaches phase 4 to organize some sort of opportunity for our youth to get outside and play some baseball this summer. “

Contributed Photos – Winning pitcher Bill Wright celebrates Lyndonville’s 1982 sectional title victory.

Lyndonville ended a long 23 year diamond title drought in the spring of 1982 when the Tigers blanked Cuba 2-0 in the Section V Class C championship game at Rochester’s Silver Stadium.

Senior Bill Wright hurled a 5 hit shutout with 9 strikeouts as Coach John Hayes’ Tigers captured a Section V title for the first time since 1959. His effort included getting out of a one out bases loaded jam in the sixth inning.

Wright received excellent support from his defense which included Jeff Wells at catcher, Mike Joy at first, Ed Luce at second, Rick Donald at shortstop, Rob Riemer at third, Dave Dix in left, Jim Boseck in center and Jim Perkins in right.

The Tigers runs both came home on errors in the third and fourth inning.

Wright also hurled the Tigers to victories in both the quarterfinals (5-1 over York) and the semifinals (4-3 over Geneva DeSales). He had a 5 hitter with 2 strikeouts against York and a 3 hitter with 11 strikeouts against DeSales.

At the plate, Donald had 3 hits and Joy 2 against York. Joy also had 3 hits against DeSales.

Lyndonville catcher Tim Riemer congratulates his brother Rob who hurled the Tigers to the 1983 sectional title win.

Keeping the momentum from that then school record 17-3 season, the Tigers went on to repeat at Section V Class C champions by romping past Pavilion 10-0 in the 1983 title contest at Silver Stadium.

Junior Rob Riemer pitched a sparkling one hitter with 10 strikeouts to lead the way for the Tigers.

The Tigers offense included three hits by Everett Seymour and two each by Rob Riemer, Ed Luce and Brad Hoffee.  Rob and Tim Riemer, Hoffee and Darryl Joy all had doubles.

Rob Riemer also hurled the Tigers to a 6-1 win over Mt. Morris in the quarterfinals allowed only 2 hits and struck out 14. Two hits apiece by Hoffee and Luce led the Tigers offense. Luce and Donald both banged out triples.

In the semifinals Seymour hurled a 6 hitter with 7 strrikouts to lead Lyndonville to a 4-1 win over Arkport. Luce, Tim Riemer and Joy each had two hits to spark the offense.

Lyndonville then almost made it three straight Section V Class C title campaigns but the Tigers dropped a narrow 2-1 decision to Geneva DeSales in the 1984 final at Silver Stadium.

Hayes’ Tigers also captured Section V titles in both 1994 (2-0 over Hammondsport) and 1996 (1-0 over Fillmore). Terry Stephens hurled the Tigers to both title victories. He blanked Hammondsport on just one hit his sophomore year and Fillmore on only two hits his senior season.

In recent years the Medina, Lyndonville, Roy-Hart and Somerset girls softball leagues have played a combined schedule. Now that four community softball League has become the latest area sports group to cancel its season due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.

“It is with much disappointment that I announce that the 2020 girls softball season is cancelled,” said Brian Grimes representing he Medina Powder Puff entry in the league.”We are very sorry that the girls will not be able to play but are in agreement that if is for the safety and best for all involved.”

Grimes added that anyone with questions on the refunding of registration fees can contact him either by Facebook, e-mail, text or by calling 585-409-5010.

In youth baseball the Medina, Lyndonville, Roy-Hart and Somerset teams have likewise played a combined schedule in recent years.  That group is scheduled to meet on Monday on the status of the upcoming season.

Nearly 20 local teams are among the honorees on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s (NYSPHSAA) statewide list of winter sports season Scholar-Athlete teams and individuals which was released this past week.

In all some 2,475 Scholar-Athlete teams and 30,497 individuals across the state involving 569 schools were recognized for having averages of 90 or higher.

“Congratulations to the Scholar-Athlete teams and individuals from the winter 2020 season,” said Dr. Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “The Scholar-Athlete program continues to be one of the most rewarding endeavors we encourage here at the Association. The winter season was extremely challenging this year, so to see this many student-athletes honored for their work in the classroom is truly rewarding.”

Locally the Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville boys basketball squads have earned Scholar-Athlete team honors.

In girls basketball the Albion, Holley, Kendall, Medina, Barker and Roy-Hart teams have all been honored.

Also earning Scholar-Athlete Team honors are the Albion, Medina and Roy-Hart boys and girls swim squads as well as the Holley, Kendall and Median competitive cheerleading squads.

In addition, Individual Scholar-Athlete honors have been earned by over 200 local student-athletes.

Albion’s individual honorees include 14 in boys swimming, 12 in wrestling, 10 in girls basketball, 5 in boys basketball and 4 each in girls swimming and competitive cheerleading.

Holley’s has 16 in competitive cheerleading, 7 in wrestling and 6 in boys basketball.

Kendall has 8 in boys basketball and 6 in both girls basketball and competitive cheerleading.

Lyndonville has 6 in boys basketball, 5 in wrestling and 4 each in girls basketball and competitive cheerleading.

Medina has 13 in girls swimming, 12 in boys swimming, 5 in girls basketball and 8 in competitive cheerleading.

Roy-Hart has 17 in boys swimming, 16 in girls swimming and 8 in girls basketball.

Barker has 8 in girls basketball.