LaSalle's appeal is denied, but it's not over yet

 On Monday night, the worst possible result of LaSalle Institute's appeal of its athletic program being barred from postseason play in the 2025-6 school year was handed down. The appeal was denied, meaning that, barring any further appeals, the school faces a 1 year virtual death penalty from postseason play.

Not good for a school, as the logo indicates, that had just finished its 175th anniversary season. School president Kevin Calacone is not taking this lying down.

"La Salle Institute has learned that our NYSPHSAA appeal to overturn the unfair and unfounded disciplinary actions of Section 2 has not been granted. We do not accept this decision or the related penalties, which we believe are disturbingly arbitrary. La Salle Institute will now take this matter to the New York State Commissioner of Education and, if needed, to the courts to overturn the ruling.

La Salle’s entire athletics program deeply values the tenets of true sportsmanship and fair play. As such, La Salle adamantly maintains that our baseball team was in full compliance with all regulations regarding a scrimmage on March 22, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. We believe the penalties reflect a bias against private schools and a blatant disregard of NYSPHSAA’s mission."

Calacone also took the time to announce that the school has hired Patrick Moran away from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, where he'd been the principal the last 3 seasons, and the athletic director for 15 seasons before that, to take over the AD's job. Kevin Galuski, the brother of new head coach Mark Galuski, will be the assistant AD. Barring a miracle, 2025-6 will be a transitional year at LaSalle, which has already lost one of its star basketball players, amid rumors that a 2nd one could be headed out of town as well.

News & notes

 To follow up on a report from last week, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas passed away Saturday at 89 after a lengthy illness.

They'll likely pay tribute to Lukas when racing resumes at Saratoga on Thursday.

Also, two-time Whitney winner Commentator passed away at 24. In horse years, that's a long life lived.

Condolences. Rest in peace.

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The Tri-City Valleycats are back in town for the week, and will open a series vs. North division leader Quebec tonight, weather permitting, at 6:30 pm. 

It sure seemed as though the 'Cats' offense woke up Sunday at Sussex County after spanking the Miners, 11-5, to salvage the series. However, Tri-City is 9 games behind the Capitals, who are threatening to run away with the division.

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The Albany Times-Union revealed its softball all-stars in today's edition. Unfortunately for Troy High supporters, the Lady Horses, despite a dominating first year in the Colonial Council, got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment.

With the large school first team consisting of nothing but Suburban Council players, Troy placed two on the 2nd team, pitcher Kaylee Kussler and infielder Olivia Ashline, who graduated last weekend. The pro-Suburban bias is too obvious to ignore. I would guess that El Cheapo Media probably showed Troy a little more respect. Yeah, right.

News & notes

 On Friday, Firebirds QB Sam Castronova was named AF1 MVP. Duane Brown was named Player of The Year. Damon Ware was named Coach of the Year, at the AF1 banquet. Commissioner Jeff Fisher announced that expansion teams would be added next year in Ohio & Michigan.

On Saturday, the 'Birds completed an undefeated season with a 60-57 win over Fisher's Nashville Kats. No truth to the rumor that John Sebastian of Lovin' Spoonful fame licensed out the Kats' name, as that was also the title of a Spoonful single back in the 60's.

The least Albany can do is give the 'Birds a parade, something they didn't do in 1999.

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When LSU won its 2nd College World Series title in 3 years earlier this month, it turned out they had ties to the 518.

LaSalle graduate Eddie Yamin transferred from Dayton to LSU, and played a significant role in the Tigers gaining the national title. Next for Yamin is the MLB entry draft next weekend.

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While folks on reddit are complaining about the Mets' recent struggles, having lost 11 of 14, the Tri-City Valleycats are in a similar on and off slump.

The 'Cats have now lost two straight series after falling to Sussex County, 5-4, on Saturday night. Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) went 5 innings, charged with all 5 Miners runs on 11 hits after two stellar performances in his last two starts. Jake Reinisch (Shen/Wake Forest) didn't play after going 2-4 on Friday.

The series concludes today at 2 pm.

News & notes

 They finished championship month in Saratoga in style Wednesday, as both Saratoga Catholic and Saratoga Springs High were honored by the city's mayor, John Stafford, and given a parade. Stafford also did a coin toss with coaches Alphonse "Phonsey" Lambert & Andy Cuthbertson to see who'd get their mayoral proclamation first. Coupled with the Belmont Stakes Festival at the track, you can understand why it was "championship month" in Spa City.

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For some reason, NYRA is promoting next week's live racing separately from the rest of the summer meet, pushing a 4 day July 4 Racing Festival (July 3-6) as a much more special event.

Here's a thought. Next year, just start with the Belmont Festival in June, and go from there with the longest meet in Spa history. Shoot, I'm old enough to remember when it was just a 24 day meet back in the day.

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For the 2nd time in less than a week, the Tri-City Valleycats got a complete game pitching performance.

Easton Klein checked Ottawa on 4 hits, walked 1, and struck out 5 as Tri-City evened the series with a 7-0 win. Jake Reinisch, for the 2nd straight game, went 1-2 with 2 walks, this time adding 2 RBI with his 6th homer of the season.

The series concludes tonight before the 'Cats travel to Sussex County tomorrow.

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Bernie Williams left baseball behind after retiring after the 2007 season, but the former Yankee outfielder, who started his career with the Class AA Albany-Colonie Yankees in 1989, is returning to New York this weekend.

Williams and his jazz band will play at a festival in Millbrook, Dutchess County, where Williams will unveil his brand of wines, his latest hobby. The closest he's come playing in the 518 proper was at the Pruyn House in Latham in 2017 at a benefit for the Center For Disability Services.

Can we get him to play the Troy Music Hall? Just asking for a friend.

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DJ Jones had a tough act to follow when he succeeded Jamil Hood at Green Tech, but three sectional titles and a Class AAA state title later, Jones is moving on.

After 7 seasons as the head man at Green Tech, Jones will take on the dual roles of athletic director and men's varsity basketball coach at KIPP Capital Region, located on Northern Boulevard in Albany. Point guard Indavier Barnes is transferring to KIPP-CR to join Jones. KIPP-CR will be a Class C school as it is getting its feet wet in Section II.

Stay tuned.

News & notes

 Former RPI hockey coach Dave Smith has found a new job, and it may just bring him back to the 518 next season.

Smith was named coach & general manager of the Rapid City Rush, the ECHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames. Not sure if the Rush will see the Adirondack Thunder next season, but a visit to Glens Falls would give the Thunder something to promote.

Smith was dismissed by RPI in March after 7 seasons over an 8 year period (the 2020-1 season was cancelled due to the COVID pandemic).

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The Tri-City Valleycats are in a bit a rut.

The 'Cats have now lost four of their last five after dropping a 3-2 decision to Ottawa last night at Bruno Stadium. The last place Titans just happened to catch the 'Cats at just the wrong time for Tri-City, which is chasing Quebec for the North Division lead in the Atlantic Conference.

The series resumes tonight at 6:30 pm.

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Troy High men's basketball coach Jamil Hood is looking for a new star attraction.

That's because Stetson Merritt, after 3 varsity seasons, is leaving Troy and will transfer to the New Hampton School in New Hampshire. Merritt was the Flying Horses' leading scorer the last couple of seasons.

It's not the first time Troy has lost a star player to a prep school. Zach Radz transferred to one 10 years ago, and fell off the radar. Daniel Buie left for Gould Academy in Maine a couple of years later, and recently finished his college career.

Merritt, like ex-LaSalle player Davon Maloney, plays for the Albany City Rocks travel team, and those teams attract not only college scouts, but prep school scouts for underclassmen. As of now, Merritt is still on course to graduate in 2027.

Hearing rumors that Maloney's former running partner, Tre'Dell Faison, may be leaving LaSalle, too.. Stay tuned.

News & notes

 When racing resumes at Saratoga in 10 days, on July 3, one Hall of Fame trainer won't be working.

D. Wayne Lukas, 82, has passed his stable to one of his assistants after some recent health problems, per an article published in today's papers. Lukas was the leading trainer six times over a seven year period at the Old Spa, and won 15 Triple Crown races.

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The Tri-City Valleycats may need to hand out towels, water, & sunscreen for the first two games of their series with Ottawa, starting tomorrow night, with temperatures still in the 90's by game time both nights.

The 'Cats, however, dropped a 4-3 decision to Down East on Sunday, ending a 3-3 road trip.

News & notes

 After splitting the first four games of their series with the Down East Bird Dawgs, the Tri-City Valleycats got back down to business Saturday night.

Arlo Marynczak (Bethlehem/Siena) pitched a complete game with 12 strikeouts, as Tri-City's offense matched his K total in a 12-0 blowout.

Note that in the 3 wins in this series, Tri-City has piled up 44 runs against Down East's 3. The Bird Dawgs' 2 wins were closer games, including a walk-off on Friday. In all, the 'Cats have scored 58 runs in the 5 games to Down East's 19.

The series concludes today at 1:30 pm.

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Next victim?

The Albany Firebirds left no doubt who was the better team Saturday in their AF1 semi-final vs. Salina, blowing out the Liberty, 75-44.

Albany will find out who will challenge them for the Arena Crown next Saturday afternoon when Southwest Kansas & Nashville meet later today.

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Ana Gold & the Blaze are having a rough time in the AUSL.

The Blaze were blown out, 11-3, Saturday, by the Bandits in a game broadcast on MLB Network. Gold went 1-3 in the game. 

Just as unfortunate is the fact that the AUSL's itinerary doesn't include the northeast, and especially the 518, denying Gold (Ballston Spa/Duke) the opportunity to play in front of family & friends.

And we're hearing they'll settle on host cities for the teams next season, perhaps with hope of expansion. 

Give New York an AUSL franchise!

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If you're wondering why the Albany Times-Union hasn't been keeping track of 518 alums in the pros during baseball season, as they'd been doing in recent years, it's due to a lack of available space. Plus, flag football beat reporter Kyra Santicola was promoted to sports editor earlier this year, succeeding Bill Douglas, and probably hasn't gotten a chance to compile stats. If the charts don't start appearing soon, then we have to think it's now a lower priority. Stay tuned.