News & notes

 The National Arena League needs to shut Antonio Brown down. Yesterday.

The mercurial, impulsive majority owner of the Albany Empire led with his mouth in a war of words with Orlando Predators co-owner John Cheney, not to be confused with the late college basketball coach, John Chaney, prior to Friday's rematch between the two teams.

Orlando reaped the benefits of Brown's impulsive mishandling of the team, as receiver Darius Prince, QB Jonathan Bane, and defensive ace Dwayne Hollis all had a hand in Friday's 61-24 dismantling of the stumbling Empire (1-6).

As a rule, most sports owners tend to shy away from the spotlight. Not a neophyte owner like Brown, a NFL veteran whose diva antics led him to burn bridges in Pittsburgh, Oakland, New England, and Tampa Bay. Albany was down, 48-6, late in the 1st half, and had to claw back from behind all night, spoiling player-turned-coach Maurice Leggett's debut as coach.

You can sugarcoat it all you want, but at the end of the day, Brown came here to run from his legal problems in Florida. I'm not even sure he was at the game last night.

I am begging for local ownership to help minority owners Steve & Charlotte Von Schiller take the team from Brown before the league does have to step in.

==================================================

Lacrosse season is officially over in the 518.

Hours after Bethlehem was eliminated in the women's Class B semi-finals, Niskayuna, forced to wait an extra two hours and change due to a thunder & lightning storm at UAlbany, fell to Garden City, 12-6. We salute the Silver Warriors & Lady Eagles on an outstanding season.

================================================

After four years away, women's roller derby is back in town, rolling under the radar.

The Albany All-Stars, or, Brawlstars, returned to the Washington Avenue Armory two months ago, after their last games were played in 2018-19 at the Capital Center. The plan appears to play one game a month at home, as the Brawlstars return to the Armory next Saturday night against the Hudson Valley Horrors. Game time is 7 pm. Y'think maybe the ladies are trying to pick up some of the good vibes from the Armory's other tenants.....?

===============================================

Speaking of the Albany Patroons, they went into St. John's, Newfoundland, and pounded the Rogues in game 1 of the TBL Eastern finals, 134-108. Game 2 is Monday at 7 at the Armory, with a possible 3rd game if needed set for Tuesday.

================================================

The Tri-City Valleycats defeated the Gateway Grizzlies, 9-5, Friday night, thanks to 4 homers. The two teams resume their series in the Illinois suburbs tonight at 7:45 pm (ET). The 'Cats will be back home Tuesday.

================================================

Former Yankee & Met pitcher Dellin Betances was in town on Thursday as a guest of the Center for Diability Services. Betances last pitched for the Mets in 2021. There was also a fundraiser at the Hangar on The Hudson on Thursday night.

================================================

Some bad news for softball fans.

As we're writing, Class B champion Ichabod Crane is Section II's last hope for a state title.

That's because Class AA champion Shenendehowa, without their seven seniors, fell in 11 innings to Clarence High, 1-0. Troy High, the Class A champion, ran out of gas and magic behind their lone senior, Olivia DeCitise, and were shut out by Maine-Endwell, 4-0.

Congratulations to the Lady Horses and the Plainswomen on a fantastic season.