News & notes

 There won't be any semi-pro football in the 518 this season, for the second time in three years.

This time, though, the Troy Fighting Irish, who played most of their home games at Watervliet High last year, since coach Ryan Job was also the football coach at Watervliet, are taking a year's break due to a transfer of ownership. New owner Rod Dukes plans to have the team back on the field in 2023, and maybe back in town. We'll see.

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The Albany Patroons will open their playoff series at Atlantic City on Tuesday night, with game 2 set for Friday at the Washington Avenue Armory. Game 3, if needed, would be next Saturday. This format, with the top seed playing game 1 on the road, is meant to save on travel expenses.

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WWE Hall of Famer and best selling author Mick Foley will be in town on Wednesday as part of a speaking tour, which brings him to The Linda at WAMC studios on Central Avenue. Showtime is scheduled for 8 pm. Foley has previously done commercial advertising in the 518 for the now-defunct Albany Attack lacrosse team. It'll be interesting to see what he has to say.

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High school baseball is not done with Bruno Stadium just yet.

The 518 Futures game will be played at The Joe on Thursday, with a 6:30 first pitch. Tickets are $5, and can be had at the box office.

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While all the attention at Bruno Stadium tonight will be on the pro debut of Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker, who was drafted by the Mets last year, the Valleycats' series vs. the Trois-Rivieres Aigles (pronounced "eagles") is a quiet homecoming for Mohonasen graduate Matthew Rusch, the Aigles' manager.

Friday, the 'Cats overcame deficits of 1-0 & 2-1 to defeat the Aigles, 4-2, before just over 3200 fans on Fireworks Night. Troy High softball ace Olivia DeCitise threw out the first pitch, and the 'Cats used three consecutive doubles in the 6th inning to beat the Aigles.

Valleycats GM Matt Callahan has said that scouts from at least 15 major league clubs, including the Yankees, are planning on being at the game tonight. I'd imagine it's to take a look at Rocker, but players on both teams will be looking to impress as well.

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Time to update the state regional schedules for softball, baseball, & lacrosse for today:

Baseball:

Class AA: Saratoga vs. Fayetteville-Manilus, 1 pm at Shuttleworth Park in Amsterdam.

Class A: Averill Park vs. Massena, 6 pm at East Side Rec in Saratoga.

Class B: Schuylerville vs. Peru, 4 pm at SUNY-Plattsburgh.

Class C: Chatham vs. Norwood-Norfolk, 3 pm at East Side Rec.

Class D: Germantown vs. Chapel Field Christian, noon at East Side Rec.

Men's lacrosse (all games at Shaker):

Class A: Shenendehowa vs. Scarsdale, 12:30 pm.

Class B: Niskayuna vs. Rye, 3 pm.

Class C: Burnt Hills vs. Pelham Memorial, 5:30 pm.

Class D: Schuylerville vs. Briarcliff is underway.

Women's lacrosse (all games at Hendrick Hudson):

Class A: Shen vs. Suffern is underway.

Class B: Queensbury vs. John Jay, 12:30 pm.

Class C: Burnt Hills vs. Tappan Zee, 3 pm.

Class D: Schuylerville vs. Bronxville, 5:30 pm.

Softball:

Class AA: Saratoga vs. Liverpool at Luther Forest, 4 pm.

Class A: Troy vs. New Hartford, 4 pm at Carrier Park, DeWitt.

Class B: Ichabod Crane vs. Canton, 1 pm at SUNY-Potsdam.

Class C: Greenwich vs. Norwood-Norfolk, 4 pm at Luther Forest.

Class D: Argyle vs. Bolton-Schroon Lake, 2 pm at SUNY-Plattsburgh.

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Oakland infielder Kevin Smith (Columbia) went 0-4 in a 7-2 loss to Boston on Friday. Smith is currently batting just .194 on the season for the A's, who acquired him from Toronto in the offseason in the trade that sent Matt Chapman north of the border.