RED SOX OR ATHLETICS

READ ABOUT RECENT NABA CHAMPIONSHIP AND ALL STAR GAMES HERE The Palm Beach Indians and the Giants both repeated their spring championships when they won Fall 2002 titles Sunday, February 9 at the Lantana Sports Complex. Click on headlines below for details. You'll also find other background stories about South Florida's premier Adult Baseball League. SEVEN ROOKIES DRAFTED IN FIRST PHASE The Angels, who will be moving up to the 18AAA league this spring, selected New York transfer Danny Moya, who plays shortstop, third base and the outfield. The 25-year old Moya has experience in Adult Baseball Leagues on Long Island, NY. After the AAA Giants passed, the Rockhounds chose left handed hitting outfielder Brian Belaguera, a 21-year old, who recently moved to Florida from Brooklyn, NY. The Cardinals drafted former Dwyer High School Adam Brock, a 22-year old right hander. Four other players were selected by 18AA teams. The newly renamed Palm Beach Seminoles (formerly Braves, Whitecaps temporarily) chose Lino Batista, an experienced NABA Palm Beach League outfielder who spent some time with the Marlins in the fall league. Batista is 25. And, one of the new 18AA teams, the Cubs, managed by veteran youth coach Bob Vail, added three players. Lionel Levarity is a 30-year old second sacker who has previous Adult League experience in the Philadelphia area. They also tabbed Boston transfer Marc Tonzillo, a 30-year old outfielder-first baseman. Harris Levitt was also added to Vail's roster. Levitt is playing his way back into shape after having played in Adult leagues in California. EIGHT MORE DRAFTED TO BRING TOTAL NUMBER OF PALM BEACH LEAGUE ROOKIE DRAFTEES TO FIFTEEN. A second Spring league placement tryout and league wide draft was held Sunday, March 16 at the Santaluces Complex in Lantana, and eight more newcomers were added to league rosters. Seven rookies had been drafted on March 9. (See story below) The 18AAA Yankees (Barry Castelluccio) used their first pick to choose 24-year old pitcher Geoff Schifrin, who previously pitched in the league for the now defunct Jon Smith Subs, 1997 18A league champions. The Angels (John Corporal), also moving into 18AAA for the first time, selected another player with previous league experience. They took 22-year old switch hitting first baseman-pitcher-outfielder Lance Simpson. Simpson played for two years with the Joy Auto Body Yankees, who won the 18A league spring league championship in 1999. Six other players were chosen by 18AA league teams. The Seminoles (formerly Braves, Joe Stone, Brad Baker) picked up 22-year old centerfielder-pitcher-catcher Edwin Ramos, originally from Puerto Rico, now living in West Palm Beach. They also selected 30-year old infielder Ramon Iglesias, a lefthanded power hitter who came to the United States only two years from Cuba. Ramon played previously for the 18AAA Marlins, who are no longer in business. The Greenspace Royals (Jake Ballinger) selected 29-year old infielder Jose Robledo of Palm Springs. The Cubs (Bob Vail)took the brother of Edwin Ramos, 24 year old Luis Ramos DeJesus, a middle infielder. The Marlins' (Scott Cobb) draft choice was 29-year old outfielder-infielder Fernando Miranda of West Palm Beach. And, the Rockhounds (Mike Soulen) selected 52-year old pitcher-first baseman Bob McNelis.