Brick American All-Stars looking for better finish in '08

Brick American's 15-year-old All- Stars were one victory away from reaching the District 18 championship a year ago.

The team was affiliated with Little League back then and this season has switched to Cal Ripken and the Babe Ruth program. Manager Mike Rytelewski has high hopes of going the distance as a newcomer to District 2 into the state tournament that begins July 18 in Milville.

But the challenge is made easier, said Rytelewski, with only four teams in that bracket. "Babe Ruth is really just getting started around here," said Rytelewski, whose team played Bayshore on Tuesday night this week. Brick National took on Manasquan in the other bracket, also on Tuesday night. The winners will meet on Friday night at Brick American and the losers go into the losers' bracket.

The championship round is on Monday at 8 p.m. at Brick American and a second game, if needed, will be played on Tuesday night at the same site.

"I think we look pretty good. We have only three new players who can fill in wherever needed," said Rytelewski. "Our problem last year was pitching but it's not much of a problem this year with what we developed during the season. We have a good nucleus of pitchers."

Rytelelewski can turn to any one of four righthanders that includes sturdily built Nick Galeotafiore, who he said is the team's "workhorse" as well as his son Mike, Robert Harzen and Ryan Charterina. Brandon Heim looms as the closer and Kyle Patrick is a welcome addition as a reliever with his sidearm deliveries. Nick McClelland also can pitch.

Although the infield still is not completely settled in, with many players capable of playing different positions, Charterina and young Rytelewski look like they'll anchor it up the middle. Galeotafiore and Harzen can play third and first base, respectively, and Chris Austin and Adam Harland likely will share time at catcher.

Dylan Stalfa is a stalwart at center field whose good speed at getting to fly balls also earns him a leadoff spot in the batting order. Newcomer Michael Hall, Mike Matteo and Patrick also can play in the outfield.

Brick National's 15s, meanwhile, has many players from its District 18 championship 14-year-olds last season.

"We look good in all three areas," said manager Bill Pett. "Our hitting should be good but you can say that and then they don't (hit), so we'll see. They're all hitting well."

Tim Carney and Brandon Chapman are top pitchers who also hit in the heart of the order. Chapman also excels defensively at shortstop and can play in the outfield if needed there. Scott Hurley and Rob Schmidt, both 14, also pitch. Pett says outfielder and leadoff hitter Nick Vitale "is one of the best you'll see."

The infield has Jake Brennan at first base, Kyle Bukovsky at second and Ben Wright at third. Rich Zonin is the catcher. Flanking Vitale in left field is Sam Ventola while Jonathan Pett's good throwing arm helped earn him a start in right field. Anthony DeSimone, a sure-gloved shortstop, is expected back in the lineup perhaps by next weekend from an injury. Bob Hurley is the team's coach.

The championship round is set for July 15.

Brick National's 14s have good pitchers but the staff is thinned a bit as young Victor Wilenta is out with a shoulder injury. But there is plenty of depth with Bruce Weber, Eric Strieter, John Kizman, Bill Berg and lefthanders A.J. Esposito and Rickey Popp.

The team played its district opener at Brick American on Monday night against Manasquan. Wilenta, whose dad of the same name manages the team, will start in the infield alongside shortstop Kevin Brennan, Brian Mayer and Kevin Voorhees. Lucas Guyte and Jack Seggau are catchers and can play in the outfield. Strieter looks good in center field while Jacob Nixon, Kizman and Esposito also will share playing time out there.

"We're good in pitching but not as good without Victor out there," said the elder Wilenta. "We'll just play small ball and use our speed on the bases."

Brick American's 13s, managed by Brick American president Tom Nerney with assistance from coaches Bill Hotz, Bob Nelson and Jerry Senna, began play against Manasquan on Monday at home in the fiveteam bracket. "I'll see how we hit. I think we can do alright," said Nerney. "We're looking to play good defense and we have good pitching."

Nerney has three left-handed hitters that include pitcher/first baseman/outfielder Dino Madonado, who is expected to hit in the heart of the order; Kyle Skoog, who can play in the outfield and at first base; and outfielder Anthony D'Andrea, who will bat leadoff.

Sinkerball pitcher Scott Steimle is the ace of the pitching staff and will play either at first base or third base when he's not on the mound and will bat in the heart of the order with Maldonado.

Brian Pictinics at shortstop and second base and Justin Apgar at third base or catching also are expected to play prominent roles.

Other players include shortstop Evan Berti; Anthony Miller, who can catch or play at third base; second basemen/outfielders Joe Esposito and Matt Hall; outfielder/ third baseman Brandon Louhier and first basemen/outfielders Colin Trevors and Kevin Wilson.

Brick National's 13s, who played host to Waretown in their opener scheduled for Monday this week, have three solid pitchers in Brandon Kieslor, Matt Kuras and lefthander Dan Wojtaszek, who also can move into the outfield. The team also plays on Tuesday.

Manager Jim Martyn and coaches Al Kontrucci and Fred Schnorrbusch have a reliable infield in first baseman Tyler Iannacone, second baseman Frank Biasi, shortstop Tyler Blendowski and third baseman Aaryn Strong, who bats cleanup. Jason Schnorrbusch is the catcher. Bill Marshall and Brad Applegate are likely starters in the outfield.