News and Announcements
The 35+ Washington Township Senators are ready to begin their 8th season in the SJMSBL this Sunday with a match against old rivals the Vincentown Vipers. The Senators and Vipers had many a pitched battle back in the day at the 25+ level, so it will be very interesting to see how things play out this time.
The Vipers had a very solid season in the 35+ B Division last year, and word is that they were anxious to move up and show their stuff against the A competition. Should be fun for all!
Bruce Shaw will be making his first start in the 35s on Sunday, and #29 is raring to go. Other new additions to the 35+ roster this year include Al Stowell, Bruce Stowell, Pete Conlin, Mike Pavlik, and Dave DeRuchie. These fine former 25+ Senators join a solid nucleus of talent that made it to the semi-final round of the playoffs in 2008. And they hope to take things one step further this year.
Pete Conlin and Frank Izzi will be helping GM Frese run the show on the field this year, and both gentlemen are experienced and able.
So let the games begin!
Ever since Don Davis signed a Cardinal contract back in the early part of the decade, the Washington Township Senators thought he looked pretty good in red.
Now, he is going to look good in red again.
Davis today signed on as a 35+ Senator for the 2008 season and beyond. He was reluctantly given his release by the Moorestown Marlins and Mike Maconi after that club committed to move up to SJMSBL's newly minted 45+ division, effectively immediately. It is as yet undetermined what number Davis will wear with the Senators, as he wore Danny Barbara's #22 with the Marlins and with the Nats in Florida.
"I loved my time with the Marlins, and their recent pick-up of Ed Brown and Bill Haines is going to make them quite formidable," Davis said, "But I'm just not ready to move up to the new 45+ Division. I very much regret having to leave the club at this time, but I couldn't be happier to be a Senator, either -- I'm pumped, and it's only December!"
Davis got a chance to play with the Nats during their Florida sojurn this past November, and although things didn't work out all that well ON the field, the vibe was a good one.
"These guys know how to play, and boy, did we have a good time despite our poor record," Davis said. "They know ALL the good bars down there, believe me...but of course, I'm a non-drinker, so I just had soda."
It is expected that Davis will throw some innings and be handed the keys to leftfield for the most part, as 2006 Senator MVP Dale Amos is likely to miss many games to coach his sons.
"Dale always does miss a lot of games," said GM Nick Frese, "And we expect that situation to escalate as his boys get older -- and we absolutely support that behavior, too. Dale's place is unquestionably with his kids. But, boy, just imagine when those two are there with (centerfielder Mark) Alessandrini. That's one hell of an outfield."
The Senators are well stocked with outfield talent, with the aforementioned threesome, plus stalwarts Miles Reader, Bob Wood, Ken Bevenour, and possibly even Rich Kulikowski, in the mix. But Frese is confident everything will work itself out.
"These guys are all about winning," Frese said. "I know everyone on this team will be on board with anything we need to do to get this team another championship. And that's a great feeling for a manager to have. Besdies, if we can get back on top this year, odds are very good that many of my current players will join me at the 45 level in 2009, which will open up lots of room for the younger guys at that point -- hey, time marches on, like it or not."
Perhaps the moment when everyone knew Davis would become a Senator was at their fifth Florida game in Sararsota, when he dived for a ball in left -- a ball that Evil Knievel probably wouldn't have reached...on his famous jet bike.
"Cripes, the starship Enterprise wasn't going to get to THAT ball," Frese chuckled. "Some of the guys still haven't stopped laughing at that one. I think Donny must have seen some girls from Hooters walking by and was just trying to show off."
All joking aside, the Senators appear to have greatly strengthened an already formidable lineup, and they are certain to be a favorite to get back to the top of the SJMSBL mountain in 2008.
"I like our chances," Frese said.
No official announcement was forthcoming, but it appears from the photo that Jamie Moyer's future plans involved a move to South Jersey. Sources within the Senator organization have indicated that an offer has been made to Moyer, who has so far refused to re-sign with the Phillies.
According to a front-office member of the Senators, the offer to Moyer includes free lunches at P.J. Whelihan's, and the promise that he will have the starting nod every Sunday during the season.
If signed, Moyer would be the OLDEST member of the Senator starting rotation (believe it, boys -- it's true!)
