Victorious under the lights at Bergenfield PAL, the Killer Bz brought home their second straight CBYMCSL B league championship.
After a long, arduous and injury-filled season, the Bz were at their best when it mattered the most. Finishing the season with a 7-5 regular season record, the Bz faced the Bottling Co. in the first round of the playoffs. With contributions from all, including the Neiss brothers, Yoni Goldenberg, Shabtai, Weissberg and a great pitching performance by “action Jackson” Jacky Fleischman, they overcame a stellar opponent and cruised to victory.
In the semifinals, the Bz faced off against Old School on Labor Day. It was a true labor of love as Dr. Joey Shatzkes maneuvered between saving lives and his team. After being on call in the hospital, he helped a fallen woman at the park. In between, he made great catches, had solid hits and wreaked havoc on the base paths. With a call from the hospital, the Bz were headed to emergency mode as their spark plug left to return to his duties. Somehow Clark Kent returned before his next at-bat to change back into his uniform (his third outfit change in the phone booth) and score the winning run in extra innings.
Then it was on to the finals to face the fearsome Irwin Levenbrown and the Lamplighters. The Bz showed up in full sting to defend their title. Game 1 of the best-of-three series featured solid hitting and defense from the Bz, as well as championship caliber pitching. Game 2 was a seesaw affair with several lead changes, until the Bz exploded for 8 runs in the bottom of the 6th and blew the game wide open. All the Bz were buzzing, with Yossi Friedman, Roni Schwartz and Ammon Wenger all making their presence felt with stellar defense and timely offense. MVP Yitzi Karasick was the difference in the series and the entire postseason, sizzling at the plate going 14-16. The Bz extinguished the lamplighters with 14-4 and 15-7 victories.
The Bz appreciate their families for allowing them to play the game they love, and the league officials as well. But the biggest thank you of all goes to team captain, player, president, ceo and general manager Michael Graber. While Michael often gives motivation to all of the Bz opponents to want to destroy them, he is also the honey that keeps the Bz buzzing every day. And without all of his efforts both on and off the field, none of this would be possible.
