Baseball Adventures visits Shankee Town BA

Baseball Adventures, BA bound. The Buenos Aires baseball scene is in for a real treat come April 12th, when the Baseball Adventures Team flies into town for a six game tournament against some of the Liga Metro’s most charismatic teams; among which the Buenos Aires Shankees stand out. Set to square-off at the beautiful Estadio Nacional de Beisbol on Thursday, April 19th, This will be the first time the Shankees will face another American team, and this is an event that Buenos Aires baseball fans cannot miss. Leading the way for Baseball Adventures is their veteran manager, pitcher, and DH, Dennis “Rocket” McCroskey, who has played in various countries around the globe and has over 25 years of adult baseball experience. McCroskey currently plays for the Greenwood Ridge Dragons in the Redwood Empire Baseball League in Northern California and has been a member of the Southere Calfornia Dodgertown West League since 1987. Joining him on their first ever trip to Buenos Aires, is long time teammate and coach, John “El Doctor” Stalberg. The oldest member of the Baseball Adventures Team, he hails from Beverly Hills, California where he coaches baseball and makes his living as a witch-doctor (psychiatrist). This will be El Doctor’s 14th trip with Baseball Adventures. Next up is Paul Raymond, who has been to six trips to Cuba and is no stranger to late inning heroics, having hit a 9th inning homerun to defeat a tough Cuban female team in La Habana. He is a tax attorney who enjoys playing infield and whacking the ball into a higher tax bracket. Damian Perkins, or Perkie, comes from frigid Indiana, and has played in countries including the Dominican Republic and Cuba. He is a solid all around player who can dominate in the outfield and lend a solid hand at the catching position. Devil Boy, or El Niño, as he is often referred to, is the youngest of the group and is known for his stylish attire both on and off the field. Another player eager to get out of the cold, is Michigan native Mark Foerster, who has spent many an inning playing in the always sunny and warm Central America. Foerster, a fine pitcher with gentle ways, plays in his local MSBL league and will be on the mound and patrolling the left side on the infield for this version of the Baseball Adventures Team. Next up, second baseman and outfielder, Sid Rosenblatt from Scottsdale, Arizona. Also known as “El Sid”, he plays with his local team the Scorpions, and after having recently retired from his medical practice, he is eager to see the world and play baseball everywhere. He is also expected to keep the team loose with his doctor jokes. Tim Urban, from the icy state of Wisconsin, plays 1B and OF for his local MSBL team. Urban has been on two trips to Cuba, and this is a new adventure for him. Considered a good addition to his team by McCroskey, Urban says that he is ready to rock and roll. Steve Wolf, or El Lobo, hails from the Boston MSBL and was president of the local league. “El Lobo” was quoted as saying that he will never let a fly ball drop in the outfield, and McCroskey feels good about Wolf pairing up with Perkie to patrol the outfield. Another player from the northeastern part of USA, Russell Ward out of New Hampshire area, is expected to help solidify the defense and perplex batters with his pitching. Two years ago, Ward set a Cuban record by giving up 3 straight homers on four pitches. We’ll have to wait and see how the local boys treat the MSBL hall of famer. Steve Zolotas, or "Zolo", will be on his second trip as a member of the Baseball Adventures team, although he has played on several Cuban trips and on one to China. Zolo is the president of the Ventura Country NABA league and plays first base and sometimes pitches. Last but not least, Rogelio Lara, an accountant from Miami who is a steady and multi-talented player. Lara can play infield or outfield, can pitch or catch, and can speak fluent Spanish, which makes him a vital asset to the team in Spanish speaking Buenos Aires. With the cast of characters and players from all walks of life, it surely promises to be a week of baseball like no other. Fans will be able to meet the players at the Sugar Bar, the official hangout of the Buenos Aires Shankees. Stay tuned for Baseball Adventures full schedule. Reporting for the Shankee Press, Jack Green.