CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Indians were on a road trip to Detroit, but their home, Progressive Field, did host baseball Friday night.
While the Major League club would have only played one, fans that purchased tickets were treated to two high school baseball games before a line of rainstorms moved the third game to Saturday. The games are part of the sixth annual Cleveland Indians Charities Hardball Classic.
The first day of the Friday-Saturday event featured a close game and blowout, but more important than the scores was that proceeds from the event went to Cleveland Indians Charities (CIC).
“We’ve done it for several years and we wanted to come out with a way that some of the local community schools could come down and get the opportunity to play on a Major League field,” said Jayne Churchmack, Indians Executive Director of Community Outreach. “It was a great opportunity to have a Cleveland Indians Charities fundraiser. They married together well.
“We get used to it because we’re here every day,” Churchmack added. “For these kids, they may never get to play on a Major League field again or maybe never have before. It’s good for them. It’s good for their school spirit.”
Proceeds from ticket sales were not the only funds being raised Friday night. At the entrance to Gate D inside Progressive Field, a silent auction was being held. Items on the auction block included a batting practice experience, an autographed baseball cap and team-issued bat from three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove centerfielder Grady Sizemore as well as a signed jersey and bat from catcher Victor Martinez.
CIC was also auctioning an autographed baseball from 2008 American League Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee. Team-issued bats from various players and Hardball Classic T-shirts were also being sold.
“Our players are really engaged with what we do with Cleveland Indians Charities, specifically when we’re interacting with kids” Churchmack said. “They’re all about youth baseball and help us out any way that they can. We’re offering these auction items to raise a little bit more money for Cleveland Indians Charities.”
From an organization standpoint, the Indians are working to develop programs for the youth in and around Cleveland.
“We have a fundraiser coming up on May 28, it’s called Boys of Summer and the entire roster participates in this,” Churchmack said. “It’s the only time you can get up close and personal with the entire roster. We do a golf outing in August and the money we raise go to youth education and recreation programs. We fund Cleveland City Schools high school softball and baseball. We help fund about 4,000 kids to play youth baseball in the inner-city. We’re really focused on youth education and recreation programs."
Bees survive late rally
Kyle Coronel, Brecksville Broadview Heights
Photo By Matt Florjancic
The Braves trailed 3-1 heading into the top of the seventh, but got lead-off man Mike Harper aboard with a walk. Mark Wayner’s sacrifice fly to right field moved Harper over to third just under the tag of Brecksville-Broadview Heights third baseman Mike Mancuso.
Berea co-captain Darrick Paster singled to center field and drove Harper in, but would get no closer. After Ryan Krokos intentionally walked Berea’s Cory Tuley, he induced a fielder’s choice to close out the game.
“In a game like this where everybody’s playing and they’re in a venue like this, the jitters got to both teams,” Brecksville-Broadview Heights coach John Mutch said. “They’re a good team and they compete. They play hard for seven innings.”
The Bees used four pitchers in the game, with Kyle Coronel starting and picking up the win. He gave up one run on two hits. The three pitchers who followed, Mike Pettigrew, Steve Hagen Jr. and Krokos struck out three hitters and surrendered only two hits.
“It was truly unbelievable,” Coronel said of the experience. “When you throw the ball, the catcher gets a pop in his glove and it echoes. It was different and a lot of pressure, but it’s like any other game."
Not only did Coronel start the game, he batted second in the order and went 1-for-2. He was later inserted as a defensive substitution, allowed by a reentry rule. Thus, he had the full experience of warming up in the centerfield bullpen, taking ground balls on the infield and getting to step in the batter’s box.
“The ball came in so clear,” Coronel said. “You watch your favorite players in there and now, you’re in their shoes.”
Comets take advantage of Wildcat errors
Not only is the baseball team at St. Ignatius strong, but the entire athletic program is built on success. However, that success meant very little to the Solon Comets in game two of the CIC Hardball Classic.
Solon made St. Ignatius pay for its three-hit, four-error performance. With no score heading into the top of the third, Solon got its first two hitters on base. Clean-up hitter Bill Gerstenslager hit a fielder’s choice but an error at home plate allowed two runs to score. Eric Kuznik followed with an RBI single to center field.
The Comets extended their lead in the fifth when Brandon Nelli singled home Justin Parker. Parker had singled to start the inning and moved into scoring position on a throwing error.
If there was any hope of a comeback by the Wildcats, Solon quickly extinguished it with a three-run seventh. A throwing error allowed Andrew Corrado to reach base to start the inning. He was followed up by a walk and a pair of RBI singles.
Third game a wash
Solon got a unique reward for winning its game over St. Ignatius. Before University School and Gilmour Academy could go through warm-ups, Solon rolled the tarp from foul territory and covered the field.
Gilmour and University will play Saturday morning at 9 a.m. at Progressive Field.
Matt Florjancic currently works as a free-lance reporter and sports announcer for WOBL and WDLW Radio.
