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registration opens - opening day coming up!

1/11/2018

A message from the Commisioners:

Dear Holy Softball Brothers,

The grass is getting greener, the birds are chirping and that cold air is passing by. In no time the weather will be begging for the crack of the bat and the umpire yelling SHHTEERI-I-I-IKE!!

The 2018 Yeshiva Softball League registration will be with Hashem's help opening up tomorrow, January 11th, and I just wanted to give y'all the heads up.

Teams from last year will have first dibs, as it looks like we will have B"H an overflow of teams this year!

For info, email: jerusalemsoftball@gmail.com

Lchaim Lchaim,

Rafi Kristallweiss
Dovi Rabinowitz
(You can guess which one of us wrote this!)

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champions!!! "florida-georgia line" wins it all - players and fans celebrate into the night!

6/11/2017

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Frozen Ropes Wins Holyland Series Championship!

6/10/2015

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By Alex Goodson

After a strong regular season, in which they held or shared first place throughout, Frozen Ropes earned the Holyland Series Championship Trophy in convincing style. In the title game, Frozen Ropes beat MMJ, another powerhouse and fierce competitor, by a score of 10-1.

The post-season had proven far more dramatic for Frozen Ropes. In the quarterfinals, they emerged victorious from a tight 5-2 defensive battle with Water Sensations. Then in the semis, staring down a 9-4 deficit in the final inning, the Ropes exploded for a 10-run rally, punching their ticket to the big dance.

Meanwhile, MMJ’s road had been relatively simpler. After earning a first-round bye, MMJ trounced Tzionim 12-1 in the semifinals, strengthening their “Murderers Row” credentials.

Frozen Ropes started the championship game off strong, and never took their foot off the gas. With two outs in the top of the first inning, Darren Wolff drew first blood for the Ropes, hitting a 3-run homer. Alex Getraer lead off the second with a solo shot, to extend the lead to 4-0.

MMJ wasn’t going to give up that easily, putting runners at the corners in the bottom of the second and then driving in a run, to trail 4-1.

In the fourth inning, the Ropes’ Yehoshua Zirman stepped up to the plate with two runners in scoring position. Zirman hit a seeing eye single through the hole between shortstop and third base to drive in two more runs, lengthening the Ropes’ lead to 6-1.

After Ropes added a run in the fifth, MMJ had their most serious comeback threat of the night. Their first two batters got aboard, and the next batter sent a hard shot up the middle - only to see it nabbed by Frozen Ropes’ pitcher Matt Rosenberg, who tossed to third base for the force out. Rosenberg then struck the next batter out, and the last out came on a nice outfield catch by Kobi Greenberg, ending the potential comeback by MMJ.

With the score 7-1 in the sixth inning, Frozen Ropes attempted to close out the game and seal the victory. David Berger led off with a walk, Adin Kanefsky singled, and captain Jeremy Schechter doubled to left center to bring in a run and put two runners into scoring position. With 2 outs, Darren Wolff - who already had a homerun and 3 RBI’s on the day- singled to right, driving in two runs, and making the tally 10-1.

Rosenberg closed out the complete game victory on the mound, with five strikeouts, several big defensive plays, and grace under pressure in threatening situations.

After the protagonists’ post-game handshakes, the Frozen Ropes gathered for the presentation of the Holyland Series Championship Trophy, and proceeded to celebrate with their fans late into the night.

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Lobos leads hunt for holyland series trophy; Morningside Translations in top spot for afi cup

6/1/2015

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By Alex Goodson

The regular season has come to an end and the playoff matchups are set for the “All Star Israel” softball league. This past weekend, several teams were competing for higher seeds and first round byes, looking to finish strong as they prepared for either Tier 1 Holyland Series Playoffs, or the tier 2 AFI Cup Playoffs.

The number 1 seed was awarded to Lobos, who beat the previously undefeated Frozen Ropes. Tzionim bounced back from last week’s loss, winning both ends of their double header, to grab the number 2 seed, and with it the coveted second bye.

MMJ defeated Bina Bombers for the 3rd seed slot, while Frozen Ropes received the 4th seed after the loss to Lobos.

Although Water Sensations lost, they had help from other teams and managed to obtain the 5th seed, while Jerry’s Kids defeated Good Old Boys to push their team into the sixth and final Tier 1 playoff berth.

The Holyland Series playoff matchups are as follows: #4 Frozen Ropes will play #5 Water Sensations, with the winner facing top-seeded Lobos in the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, #3 MMJ will play #6 Jerry’s Kids, for a chance to play the #2 seed, Tzionim, in the other semifinals.

Now that the playoffs are set, teams have a clean slate and will have to leave everything on the field if they want a chance at the Holyland Series Championship Trophy, which will take place this Saturday at 10:00 pm, at Kraft Family Stadium.

The Tier 2 bracket was decided last weekend as well. Morningside Translations took the top seed, setting them up against Bina Bombers. Good Old Boys and Mevaseret had the unusual experience of facing each other in the final regular season game, flipping spots in the standings, and discovering that this matches them up again in the Tier 2 semifinals. These games will take place on Thursday and Friday, and the winners will have the chance to play for the AFI Cup on Saturday at 11:45pm, at Kraft.

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playoff race goes down to the wire

5/27/2015

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By Alex Goodson, guest columnist

As the final weekend of gameplay for the “All Star Israel” softball league approaches, some teams are headed towards the Tier 1 playoffs and a shot at the Holyland Series championship trophy, while others prepare for the Tier 2 AFI Cup. Several teams made big statements in their last games which could give them momentum in the postseason.

MMJ knocked off undefeated Tzionim with a score of 11-5, and also beat Water Sensations 9-4, pushing MMJ into a tie for second place with Lobos. Lobos also won in convincing style, by a 12-5 margin over Good Old Boys, keeping them alive for a potential first-round bye.

Frozen Ropes remained at the top of the standings with two big wins, defeating Jerry’s Kids and Mevaseret. The undefeated team seems to be a clear cut favorite heading into the playoffs, but still has a big test against second place Lobos, who trail by just one game in the standings.

With Frozen Ropes, MMJ and Lobos all having clinched playoff berths, the remaining three spots are up for grabs this weekend, and the field is crowded. Although they lost to Frozen Ropes, Jerry’s Kids kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Morningside Translations. With that win, there is potential for a 4-way tie between Jerry’s Kids, Tzionim, Water Sensations and Morningside Translations. Mevaseret and Good Old Boys are also still in the hunt, though they each need to win out, and also get some help from other team’s losses.

Tzionim still holds their fate in their own hands, needing at least one win in their doubleheader this Friday (5/29) against Water Sensations and Morningside Translations, in order to clinch. Both ends of the twinbill will have huge postseason implications, likely finalizing the Holyland Series playoff bracket.

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Softball League Playoff Race: Anybody's Game

5/20/2015

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by Alex Goodson, guest columnist

The playoff race is heating up, as the “All Star Israel Sports Camp” softball league heads for the final lap of the regular season. Only 2 weeks away from the playoffs and some teams are starting to feel the heat, while others are cruising to the postseason.

Top-seeded teams Shechter and Tzionim sit comfortably in their playoff spots, while Good Old Boys and Grossman control their own fate, as their final 2 contests are must win games.

The upcoming week includes some exciting games with huge playoff implications. Tzionim are all tied up with Shechter at the top of the standings. Tzionim faces off first against MMJ, and later takes on Morningside Translation, with the number one seed and a first round bye on the line.

Good Old Boys take on Jerry’s Kids, as Good Old Boys are playing for their playoff lives, while Jerry’s Kids also fight to stay above the playoff line. Grossman’s playoff fate also hangs in the balance, as they take on MMJ, who are doing all they can to grab that ever so valuable first round bye.

Shechter looks to keep their perfect season alive against Lobos, who are creeping up right behind them in the standings, and this game is expected to be as intense as they come.

Meanwhile, Mevaseret takes on Good Old Boys in a do-or-die showdown, with the winner still in the Holyland Series Playoff hunt, and the loser likely relegated to Tier 2.

As the season heads toward the finish line, it’s still anyone’s game. Top seeds can slip down the rankings, lower seeds can gain playoff berths, and there’s always hope for a Cinderella run for the Holyland Series Trophy. Anything can happen in this tight playoff race, which is why sports are such beautiful things.

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Janglo Breaks Good News, Noble Effort Pays Off

5/23/2013

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Janglo was the bearer of good news, breaking into the winning column with an exciting 13-9 win, while Zach Noble’s patience at the plate was richly rewarded for Perl Pigments, in the “All Star Israel Sports Camp” Softball League.

Mickey Levinson homered, as Janglo outpaced Ossie's Fish for the victory, behind the spirited leadership of Janglo captain Zvi Herman, and veteran Binyamin Miller’s turn-back-the-clock 3 RBIs.

Meanwhile, Lobos took over sole possession of first place with a win over heretofore undefeated Ziontours. Lobos opened up a 5-0 lead in the second, thanks to sharp hitting by Nussi Jacobovitz and Yanki Itzkowitz. Ziontours looked to rally, capitalizing on rare errors to tighten the game. However, Lobos pitcher Yaacov Ehrlich helped Lobos continued pursuit of their prelapsarian pace, banishing Ziontours from edenic perfection by a score of 11-4.

Chula Vista took a huge step toward the postseason, with a 6-0 victory over fellow playoff hopefuls, Jerry's Kids. Yitzi Schwalb recorded the impressive shut-out on the mound for Chula Vista.

Jerry’s Kids second game of the week was perhaps the most exciting of the season to date, and resulted in the first tie of the campaign. The visitors, Perl's Pigments, broke a scoreles draw with two runs in the fourth, only to see Jerry’s Kids answer with four runs of their own, to take the lead. The score remained unchanged until the final frame, when the Pigments’ Zach Noble came to the plate with one out and the bases loaded, and gutted out a run-scoring walk. Akiva Lautman followed up with a game-tying sacrifice fly to deep center field, for the rare 4-4 final.

In other games with major postseason ramifications, Lakewood Heimishe Bake Shoppe defeated the RentACell Rollers 11-7, moving within striking distance of a playoff berth and putting the cell phone provider’s championship hopes in jeopardy. Pizza Larry, Shmikumaku and Kluger’s Sluggers also each stayed in the playoff hunt, the former with a win over Ossie’s Fish and the latter two with victories over Glenlivet.

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Ziontours takes off with round-trippers

5/16/2013

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Ziontours booked a trip to the top of the standings in the All Star Israel Softball League, circumnavigating the bases and playing great defense non-stop, to earn a pair of wins.

“We’ve turned on the jets and we’re flying high, I give props to the whole crew,” said Ziontours captain Benjy Berg. “There’s nothing plain about us. We’ve got a well thought out itinerary and a briliant flight plan - but sometimes,you just gotta’ wing it”.

Ziontours’ first win was a 9-7 duel with Shmikumaku, while the second came in a 5-4 nailbiter over Kluggers Sluggers. The Sluggers took the other half of a twinbill, this time facing Wolmark, 13-4, while Shikumaku bounced back with a 13-9 win over Pizza Larry.

In other games, Lakewood Heimeshe Bake Shoppe turned on their offense, with a 17-2 win over Ossie's Fish. The Lobos Blue Jays defeated Rent A Cell Rollers 14-3, with Lobos captain Nussi Jacobovitch crushing the first pitch over the center field wall. Kinley and Pizza Larry put on a defensive clinic, in a pristine 3-1 Kinley victory. Kinley followed up with an encore victory over Janglo, 20-3, while Jerry’s Kids rounded out the action with a 9-2 win over Glenlivets.

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RENT-A-CELL, PIZZA LARRY, WIN OPENERS

5/2/2013

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By Monty Wayland

There was lots of exciting action in the Opening Weekend of the All Star Israel Softball League, as fans were treated to a slate of tight defensive duels and big slugfests.

Pizza Larry came away with a tight victory over Pearls Pigments, 7-4, while Klugger’s Sluggers edged Ossie’s Fish by an even narrower margin, 7-6.

Meanwhile, RentACell came out swinging, earning a big victory over Janglo, 21-4, and Lobos made a statement in a rematch of last season’s Holyland Series, beating the defending champs, Lakewood Heimishe Bake Shoppe, 19-6.

The season-starting scintillating sequel showcased star skipper Nussi Jacobovitz, who batted 4-for-4 with two triples, a double, 5 RBI and 4 runs scored. Yaakov Erlich, Danny Strum, Yechiel Klieman and Yitzy Miller had three hits apiece, while Yitzy Kramer, Pinny Itzkowitz and Yaakov Asayag each added a pair.

In the most dramatic game of the week, Shmikumaku and The Glenlivets took turns leading until the bottom of the last, when a walk-off RBI single by Ari Orloff scored Shmuli Goldis for the game-winning run. Goldis himself had earlier evened the score on a clutch hit, sending Levi Herman across the plate. Goldis and Jake Litwin paced the Shmikumaku attack, each batting 4 for 4, while Jonathan Goldstein and Yoni Sunshine hit triples in the 9-8 victory.

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Author

Monty Wayland is a journalist whose work is syndicated by the GAN News Network, and featured in media including The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz.
His latest book, co-authored with Figmentov Uri Magination, is “Fourth-and-T’fachim: What the NFL and the Babylonian Talmud Teach Us About the Dynamic Tension Between Technocratic and Substantive Systems of Codification, and Life”.

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