Recreation & Sports

Trail closure under I-91 bridge, July 29-Aug. 2 and August 5-6

Attention West River Trail users: The area under the I-91 bridge will be temporarily closed from Monday, July 29 to Friday, August 2 due to utility conduit work. From immediately north of the bridge, the trail will be open. To access the trail north of the bridge, use the access from Rice Farm Road (go up Route 30, cross the Iron Bridge, take a right, past the Nature Conservancy trailhead, and look for the chain across the northern end of the West River Trail, on the right.)

CHESTER/SAXTONS , WALPOLE, CLAREMONT AND BRATTLEBORO TAKE LATEST CRVBL GAMES

With all teams in the Connecticut River Valley Baseball League in action over the last few days, the Chester/Saxtons Crush, the Walpole Wild Blue, the Claremont Cardinals and the Brattleboro River Rats emerged victorious.

The first place Chester/Saxtons Crrush lived up to its name with an 11 to 3 win over the Putney Fossils. Andrew Robbins of the Crush hit a solo home run and pitchers Scott Renfro and Nick Wirkkala combined to allow Putney seven hits. Defending league champion Claremont relied on the pitching of Andrew Sullivan and the hitting of second baseman John Grainger in its 9 to 2 victory over the Newport Polar Bears.

BRATTLEBORO PICKS UP FIRST WIN OF YEAR OVER NEWPORT

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The Brattleboro River Rats moved into the win column for the first time this season with a 7-2 victory over the Newport Polar Bears in recent Connecticut River Valley Baseball League action.

River Rats pitcher Todd Bell threw a complete game for the win, allowing just one earned run on six hits while striking out eight. At the plate, Bell drove in two runs. Other stars on offense included shortstop Michael Chevalier and third baseman Brian Benjamin, who each had three hits. Left fielder Caleb Record went two for four with an RBI, first baseman John Waitekus and right fielder Thomas Mauger each drove in a run while catcher Sunny Lucas scored two runs and second baseman Abe Klein scored twice and stole a base.

I’m posting on behalf of James, a 13-year-old I tutor part time.  He really loves playing Magic the Gathering and is really good at it.  He’s looking for more kids to play Magic with, roughly ages 11 to 15, and/or a local Magic group to join.  (That is, in Brattleboro – we know about the Greenfield one).

Please message me, or tell me how to get in touch with you, if you know of any Magic groups or 11-15 year old Magic enthuiasts who would be interesting in meeting me and James downtown somewhere (gazebo on the common?  Tea Lounge?) to play Magic.  (I don’t play, btw. :)) 

And spread the word!

Thanks!!!

CLAREMONT BEATS BRATTLEBORO IN CRVBL ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The defending Connecticut River Valley Baseball League champion Claremont Cardinals held off a surprisingly strong effort by the winless Brattleboro River Rats and came out with a 6 to 3 victory in recent CRVBL action.

The game at Claremont’s Barnes Park featured strong pitching by Claremont’s Mike Wells and Brattleboro’s Todd Bell, both of whom pitched complete games. Cardinal third baseman Justin Pierce singled, doubled, scored a run and drove in two more, while John Waitekus of the River Rats went three for three with a pair of RBI.

Congratulations to Brattleboro’s own Division 1 State Champions softball team. I was just reading the Brattleboro Reformer’s sports section. I am quite proud to learn the Colonel’s Softball team are now Vermont’s division one softball champions.

Also answered the fleeting question I had on Friday; “What was all the sirens about?”. Again, congratulations to the team and all the supporters of the team.

Three cheers.

WESTMINSTER, VT— Kurn Hattin Homes invites golfers of all skill levels to enjoy a fun day of golf, great food,
contests and prizes while helping to improve the lives of children in need. The 22nd Annual Kurn Hattin Golf
Classic will be held Wednesday, July 17th at the Keene Country Club. The event benefits children at Kurn
Hattin Homes in Westminster, Vermont, a year-round home and school for boys and girls in need of temporary care as a result of family tragedy, or social or economic hardship.

PUTNEY, SUNAPEE AND WALPOLE WIN LATEST CRVBL GAMES

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The Putney Fossils, Sunapee Old Lakers and the Walpole Wild Blue all collected wins as the 2013 Connecticut River Valley Baseball League season moved into its second half. All eight CRVBL teams will be in action over the next week.

Putney handed the defending CRVBL champion Clearment Cardinals its second defeat of the season by a 7-2 score at Dummerston field. The Fossils took control of the game with a four run second inning. Richard Bissell picked up the complete game victory, while Steve Kapril had 3 hits and knocked in five runs. Right fielder Josh Coursen of Putney preserved the lead with a spectacular diving catch with a runner in scoring position.

The 4th Annual Go Skateboarding Day is this Friday from 2-5 at the Crowell Lot Skate Park Site. We will have ramps, tons of refreshments, barbecue, contests and prizes as well as music. Should be a great afternoon. Bring your skateboard and tell everyone you can to come support the Brattleboro Skate Park efforts. 

As always, donations are welcome. 

Take care,
Spencer.

HITTERS TAKE OVER IN CRVBL WEEKEND ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney–CRVBL

Fans attending any of the past weekend’s games in the Connecticut River Valley Baseball League were treated to displays of heavy hitting, as each of the four contests featured impressive displays of offense.

On Thursday night in Dummerston, the Walpole Wild Blue thought they had their game with the Putney Fossils safely put away heading into the seventh and final inning with a 7-1 lead, but the Fossils fought back with four runs to fall short, 7-5. Walpole’s Joey Parrott got the win on the and scored two of his team’s runs, while Chris Ballou got the save, scored one run and drove in another. Center Fielder Jed St. Pierre had two hits, scored a run and stole a base. Putney Catcher Steve Stanley went two for three, scored a run and drove in a pair.

RowBOC– Rowing Program with Brattleboro Outing Club – Docks and Boathouse on Spriing Tree Lane on the West River.

There are 2 openings left in the 2nd Clinic this season – Learn to Row – single and double sculling will be taught.

SUNAPEE AND NEWPORT WINNERS IN CRVBL WEEKEND ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The Sunapee Old Lakers improved their season record to five wins and two losses by defeating the Brattleboro River Rats, while the Newport Polar Bears climbed above the .500 mark with a victory over the Keene Black Dawgs in Connecticut River Valley Baseball League action over the weekend.

At Bates Memorial Field in Newport, the host Polar Bears pounded out hits in five run second inning and a six run fifth and cruised to a 15-2 win over Keene Sunday afternoon.

A great event for an even greater cause!

Enjoy a fun day of golf , great food, and prizes while helping to improve the lives of children in need! One of the premier outings in New England, this event benefits the children of Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster, VT., a charitable year-round home and school for at-risk children from around the Northeast.

CHESTER/SAXTONS BEATS NEWPORT TO STAY ATOP CRVBL

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

In the only Connecticut River Valley Baseball League game over the Memorial Day weekend, the Chester/Saxtons Crush remained on top of the league standings with a 10 to 7 victory over the Newport Polar Bears at Vermont Academy.

Four of the league’s eight teams are in action next Sunday, June 2. Newport hosts the Keene Black Dawgs at 11:00 a.m. at Bates Memorial Field, while the Brattleboro River Rats take on the Sunapee Old Lakers at Dummerston Field in a 1:00 p.m. game. All CRVBL games are free of charge, and to learn more about the league of adult town teams, please visit the CRVBL website at www.crvbl.org .

CHESTER/SAXTONS SWEEPS BRATTLEBORO, KEENE KNOCKS OFF CLAREMONT, SUNAPEE EDGES PUTNEY AND WALPOLE BEATS NEWPORT IN CRVBL ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The Chester/Saxtons Crush vaulted into first place in the Connecticut River Valley Baseball League by sweeping a doubleheader against Brattleboro, while the Keene Black Dawgs handed Claremont its first loss of the year. In other town team action, Sunapee’s Old Lakers edged Putney and the Walpole Wild Blue defeated the Newport Polar Bears.

On Saturday May 18^th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Board and the West River Park Committee will be hosting the Grand Opening Celebration for West River Park on Route 30 West, 1.3 miles past the entrance to The Brattleboro Retreat.

Please join the community for food and fun during this exciting opening day. Raffle tickets for a chance to win eight tickets to the Red Sox are currently being sold with the drawing at the park on the 18th. Any donations to the park will be gratefully accepted!

CLAREMONT ALONE IN FIRST, CHESTER/SAXTONS WINS IN MUD, SUNAPEE BEATS WALPOLE AND KEENE WINS FIRST GAME IN CRVBL ACTION

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

The defending Connecticut River Valley Baseball League champion Claremont Cardinals are now in sole possession of first place, the Chester/Saxtons River Crush emerged victorious in a rain shortened battle against Putney, Sunapee defeated Walpole and Keene won its first game of the year in recent action among local adult baseball teams.

On Saturday May 18^th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Board and the West River Park Committee will be hosting the Grand Opening Celebration for West River Park on Route 30 West, 1.3 miles past the entrance to The Brattleboro Retreat. The rain date is Sunday May 19^th. Please join the community for food and fun during this exciting opening day. Raffle tickets for a chance to win eight tickets to the Red Sox are currently being sold with the drawing at the park on the 18^th. Any donations to the park will be gratefully accepted!

By Kevin McElhinney, CRVBL

NEWPORT, CLAREMONT, PUTNEY, CHESTER/SAXTONS AND SUNAPEE ALL TAKE GAMES DURING CRVBL WEEK 3

The Newport Polar Bears and defending league Champion Claremont Cardinals are the only two undefeated teams remaining in the Connecticut River Valley Baseball league following a weekend featuring five league games. The Putney Fossils also picked up their first win of the season while the Chester/Saxtons River Crush and the Sunapee Old Lakers split a doubleheader.

CHESTER/SAXTONS, CLAREMONT, NEWPORT AND SUNAPEE WINNERS IN CRVBL WEEK 2

There’s now a three-way tie atop the Connecticut River Valley Baseball League after the Chester/Saxtons River Crush, the Claremont Cardinals, Newport Polar Bears and Sunapee Old Lakers were winners in the season’s second week of town team action.

Chester/Saxtons River started off the weekend with a 5 – 1 victory over the Walpole Wild Blue at the baseball complex in Walpole. Nick Wirkkala of the Crush went six innings on the mound, giving up just three hits and striking out seven. He was also 1 for three at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing a base. Scott Renfro went 3 for 4 with an RBI double, Toby Miller also went 3 for 4 scoring two runs and Jamie Spence had two hits and drove in a pair of runs.