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Spongers keep cool in heated matchup
Tarpon Springs and East Lake tried to intimidate each other before Wednesday's semifinal.
By DOUG KATES
Published April 26, 2007
DUNEDIN - Tarpon Springs and East Lake tried to intimidate each other during infield practice before Wednesday's semifinal and they never warmed up to each other before game's end. East Lake used a walk, stolen base, wild pitch and single to take the early lead, and the 1-0 advantage lasted through four innings. In the top of the fifth, things began going wrong for East Lake when starting catcher Michael Papa said something in the batter's box the home plate umpire didn't like and was ejected. In the bottom of the fifth, Tarpon Springs used two hits, two walks and two stolen bases to score a pair of runs, and in the sixth inning used three walks, three errors, three stolen bases and a wild pitch to add two more. The Spongers (15-11) finished with a 4-1 victory, and the game finally ended despite a lengthy delay when the Eagles (19-8) claimed the Spongers made an illegal substitution late in the game. "We just play baseball," said Tarpon Springs coach Dana Genna. "They were trying to intimidate us." Joey Kasey was the winning pitcher with a five-hitter. Cody Bergen had a pair of singles. For the Eagles, Blake Oliver had a pair of singles and the lone RBI. In the second semifinal, Bill Perillo had a two-run triple, a double and a single as Dunedin (22-5) advanced to the final with a 9-2 victory over Palm Harbor University (12-12). Winning pitcher Clay Kollenbaum had a three-run double in the first inning and allowed only four hits in six innings on the mound, striking out eight. Class 2A-11 Shorecrest's pitchers thwart most lineups, but they were no match for Northside Christian. The Mustangs sprayed balls to every nook and cranny in their 11-4 trouncing of the top seed. David Edwards and Ryan McDonald each had three hits for the Mustangs. It was more than enough support for Will Crispell, who pitched five innings and struck out eight to get the win.
[Last modified April 26, 2007, 00:34:42]
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by Jill
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04/28/07 10:55 PM
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No matter what you say, I know that EL is full of Coaches that teach hard work and to respect other teams. Taunting goes on from ALL schools and you know it Bill. When it reaches hurtful comments, it has to stop. We DO win with our talent, thank you!
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by kid
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04/28/07 04:05 PM
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u cant balme umpires for losing a game. there are other things that are done that can win u games. u cant put a blame on one play or call. just stop whining about it because it already happened and theres nothing u can do to change it, so tough shit
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by Zeke
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04/28/07 11:52 AM
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And that formula = an ugly story. Both coaches are qualified and competent. Both teams talented and filled with good kids. Emotions took over and it got out of control. Hopefully everyone learned a lesson.
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by Zeke
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04/28/07 11:41 AM
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Please stop blaming the umpires. Agreed, they can and will overreact. Do you think they came out of the car thinking that way? It seems like some portion of all the parties, coaches, fans, umps, and players forgot to lead.
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by Zeke
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04/28/07 11:31 AM
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This sounds like it was out of control from the beginning. That usually happens because prior events or things happened to set this stage. Both Coaches are aware of those things and need to get their teams under control at the outset.
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by CG
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04/27/07 11:34 PM
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Why don't you whiny EL boneheads just shut up. Your behavior AS ALWAYS was deplorable. Truth be told, your coach should be fired for allowing his players to behave like that in a championship game.
Poopie got what you all deserve.
Loosers.
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by Billl
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04/27/07 10:54 PM
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Why should Dunedin be ashamed of those comments. There True !! Deny that no taunting goes on behind outfield wall or senseless taunting from dugout to pitching. Try to win by talent , not unsportsman like distraction. It happens Jill & you know it
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by Jill
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04/27/07 06:46 PM
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The issue here is that the ump made an unfair ruling. What is a team to do? What about the Seniors who played all those years and have their dreams die? Can't we have review of an unfair call? This one cost EL the season!
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by insider
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04/27/07 06:01 PM
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this is bad story because of what happend to papa, but not ugly. what about last year when dunidun got into a fight after the game?
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by Jill
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04/27/07 03:05 PM
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I agree this is the ugliest baseball story in a long time. You are right, Coaches are in charge, but Umps are in charge of Coaches! The Umps lost control of the game, and EL GOOD KIDS got dumped on. Dunedin-you should be ashamed of your comments.
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by Zeke
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04/26/07 11:56 PM
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Coach Genna, Coach Frances its tournament time. How about getting control of your teams and play the game. This is an ugly story and both of you are to blame for that.
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by Zeke
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04/26/07 11:44 PM
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This sounded like bad blood between the teams from the get go and Papa got caught up in it whether deserved or not. It sounds like he is a good kid. My money is on he knows why he was ejected. A team leader doesn't get caught up in the mess.
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by Zeke
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04/26/07 11:33 PM
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Huh - the umpire tossed the kid because he said or did nothing? Something happened at some point of the game to set the ump off. I've never seen an ump dump a player without some provocation. Perhaps all the pregame nonsense set the stage.
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by Richard
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04/26/07 09:19 PM
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Outsider- you have no clue about what you're talking about. That was the worst behind the plate call made as long as I can remember. I would have felt the same if it happened to Tarpon-unbelievable over reaction and totally innapropriate.
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by Bill
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04/26/07 09:04 PM
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Has anyone been to East lake fields, The parents,players,students behind wall & coaches that allow it to happen are 10 times worse at home. They got what they deserve.its a shame that they were 1 game away from getting embarrassed by Dun. for 3 time
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by Parent
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04/26/07 08:46 PM
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I can honestly say that the EastLake players NEVER encountered a problem like they did with the Spongers last night! What a poor example to our kids! TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TARPON COACHES!
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by Outsider
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04/26/07 03:46 PM
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Sounds like Doug reported EXACTLY what happened. "Papa said something the Ump didn't like..and was ejected". You saying that didn't happen? And EL was on the TS side of field during warm ups. Coach Frances' comment: "They are between the lines". Hmmm
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by Pete
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04/26/07 12:28 PM
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If we are to teach our kids respectable values, it should begin with the adults closest to them; Parents, Coaches, Umpires, and even Sports Writers. Please get your facts straight. No words were said to the umpire by the EastLake catcher!
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by Pete
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04/26/07 12:14 PM
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Mr. Kates should not print an article without all the facts. Tarpon Springs instigated the negative pre-game comments and even threw a ball at East Lake players. No words were spoken by the catcher and his ejection by the umpire was egregious!
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by insider
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04/26/07 11:24 AM
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east was warming up where they always do and it only started when tarpon started throwing baseballs at east lake players.
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by Insider
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04/26/07 08:21 AM
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Tarpon's use of an ineligible player, now that's a story. Thank you for your time Mr. Kates.
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by Insider
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04/26/07 08:15 AM
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Please start reporting facts, not hearsay. You just represented one side of the story. Let the people hear the other side. This is not how Michael Papa should be represented in his last high school game. On another note, you failed to report...
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by Insider
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04/26/07 06:57 AM
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you owe him an apology for assuming he said anything. This kid won a $1500 scholarship for "character and leadership" and you are assuming something was said. Is it possible, Doug, that the home plate umpire severely mishandled the situation?
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by Insider
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04/26/07 06:54 AM
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First off, Doug, you must not have been there before the game. East Lake warmed up were they always do, no intimidation, no talking, just stretching. Secondly, please site for me your source verifying Michael Papa said anything, if you can't...
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