Kyle Slate makes pro debut

The former CBA ace made his first pro appearance for the Gulf Coast Phillies (28-32) Monday pitching the first two innings allowing two runs, one earned, four hits, walked one, and struck out four. Slate was one of six pitchers used by the Phillies in the 6-5 defeat by the Braves (17-43).

The GCL regular season has since been completed.


Slate was a 37th round selection of Philadelphia in the June Major League Player Draft and made a last second decision to sign Aug. 15, the final day ML teams had`to sign players they had selected in June.

Slate, 18, said he received an $80,000
signing bonus plus another $80,000 to be used for college. Slate had signed last fall with the
University of Maine.

Vic Kubu Eulogy by long time friend

The follwing is written by Manasquan football team physician and long time friend of Vic Kubu..Dr. Patrick Buddle of Wall. He plans to read it at Wednesday's memorial service. It is published here with his permission...




"The Best Beer I Ever Had"


Victor E. Kubu…his real name is Everett Victor Kubu….actually for many years I never really knew that….he probably thought I was going to make fun of him….and he was right!!!
Myself, and maybe Kevin Hyland our athletic trainer were probably the only two people I know that could actually make fun of him and get away with it….I think he was scared we would take too many players out of the game!!.... Even at that, I still received a few arm punches every now and then!


In 1986.... 22 years ago, almost to the day, I was asked to work a high school football game. At that time I had no idea where the town of Manasquan was, much less the football field.
I worked the game, I believe we won…and after the game, Victor, coach Kubu, asked me if I would like to join him and the rest of the coaching staff for a post-game beer.


Victor’s version of this story, is that he wasn’t able to get rid of me since then!!!...but 22 years later, I can honestly say…that was the "best beer" I could have ever had.


It is because of Victor and this Manasquan football program…. That myself and my family have developed so many enduring friendships and have had so many great memories….I owe that all to Coach Kubu.


There’s a quote that says, "what you do for yourself dies with you….what you do for others….remains immortal." By the mere fact that this field bears his name, and by the sight of all of you here today…I believe Coach Kubu has taken a few steps towards some form of immortality.


When someone would ask Coach Kubu what his best win was…. he would quickly respond, "the next one!" However Victor did have his "Short comings"…the main one is that he never listen to my football advise!!


Right now he’s probably reprimanding God for allowing Mike Mele last year to run the Statue of Liberty play, that went for a untouched 44 yard touchdown ....for the last 22 years I had been hounding him to run that play!! After its success you can be sure I let him know that he had used it a few more times we may have had 15 state championships!!!

I see it every day in the hospital…but Victor’s death reminds me once again, of how precious our lives really are. To all of you…. please enjoy your lives, family, and friends, …don’t wait until someone is sick to say you love them. As Victor would say often, " life is not a practice run…there are no do overs."


I would like to thank Sharon, Terri, Wendy, and Victor Kevin for their trust in me and allowing me to take care of Victor…I would also like to thank my other medical colleagues, physicians and especially Victor’s nurses for their assistance in Victor’s care….


You would have to ask Victor’s family how good of husband, father, and grandfather he was…but I would bet they would say he was a good one…


You would have to ask his coaches and players if he was a good coach…but I’m pretty sure they would say he was a great one…


The one thing I can say with 100% certainty and without reservation…. is that he was the best friend I could have ever had!!

Patrick M Buddle M.D.
Team Physician, Manasquan Football

A very sad day for anyone associated with Shore Conference athletics

Manasquan High School's Vic Kubu, one of the most successful football coaches in
Shore Conference history, died early this morning according to his long time friend and personal physician Dr. Patrick Buddle, Wall.

Kubu, 65, had underdone two surgeries for pancreatic cancer in the last year according to the physician.

Dr. Buddle said Kubu's family and close friends were at his side when he passed away at home.

""Our reaction is our thoughts are with the Kubu family, from the entire Manasquan football program,'' said Pete Cahill, named interim coach last month when Kubu said he would be unable to coach his season.

""It's an obvious loss to the entire school community and the Shore Conference,'' said Cahill. ""He was one of the originals from the old guard of the Shore Conference.''

Dr. Buddle said there would be a memorial service Wednesday at the high school at a time to be determined but that any other funeral proceedings would be private.

Dr. Buddle said during the second surgery in
January at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick, the tumor and a good portion
of Kubu's pancreas were removed during a 12-hour operation but that since then Kubu had suffered from recurring infections, malnutrition, and
chronic Ascides, an accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity.

The physician said Kubu had been been admitted ""four or five times"" at Jersey
Shore Medical Center since January because of the infections.

Kubu's 263 victories had ranked second among active Shore Conference coaches to Warren Wolf of Brick Township who has 350.

With a weakened Kubu guiding the team from press box facilities last season, Manasquan went 12-0 winning a Shore Conference record 10th New Jersey
State Interscholastic Athletic Association sectional championship. It defeated West
Deptford, 28-0, in the 2006 South Jersey Group II final.


Manasquan went 12-0 last season, winning a Shore Conference record 10th New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association sectional championship. It defeated West Deptford, 28-0, in the 2006 South Jersey Group II final.

Advisory

I am always happy to talk high school football...BUT.. Steve Falk will be our main high school football writer ....soooooo most 2007 general football comments should be referred to him.

Of course, one little problem right now ,is that the Press has yet to provide him with a blog (a mere detail). But that should be coming soon.

High school football: New name for Warrior Field

Manasquan High School's Warrior Field was re-named Vic Kubu Warrior Field in the spring to honor the school's now deceased head coach .The new name is spelled out across a new scoreboard which replaces a scoreboard that had existed since the late 1950's.


I was over there today working on our 'Squan football preview..Nice scoreboard. Now all they need is a new field!!!

Former TR East, Brookdale star Jimmy Principe's big game (5-for-5)

Below from minor league baseball.com. Jimmy (Arizona Diamondbacks) is batting .273 with 3 HR, 18 RBI, and six SB


Jimmy Principe displayed a perfect sense of timing.
With his parents on hand at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field, Principe hit for the cycle Friday, powering the Missoula Osprey to a 12-3 triumph over the Ogden Raptors.
A 37th-round draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in June, Principe went a career-best 5-for-5. He slugged a three-run homer, his third, in the first inning, then singled in the third and tripled home two more runs in the fourth.
When the 21-year-old right fielder came to the plate in the fifth, he knew exactly what was standing between him and a historic achievement.
"A couple of guys on the team were messing around, saying, 'You need a double,'" he said.
After third baseman Justin Fuller dropped his foul pop, Principe laced a pitch from reliever Douglas Brooks to the gap in left-center field for his second double of the season.
"When I hit it, I knew I had it, so it was pretty special," he said.
Making the moment even more special was having his parents there to watch him for the first time as a professional. They made the trip from Toms River, N.J., arriving on Thursday night.
"It was unbelievable," Principe said. "I just looked up in the stands, saw my parents, saw the looks on their faces and how proud they were."
The Brookdale Community College product wasn't done. He capped his performance with another single in the seventh.
"I was swinging the bat well [earlier in the season], but I've been working with our hitting coach, Jerry Spitt, just trying to listen to what he's telling me, and tonight it carried over," Principe said.
Elijah Rumler fell a triple shy of the cycle and drove in two runs to help the Osprey (9-9) win their third straight. Jose Dijol also had two RBIs and Taylor Harbin had two hits and scored twice.

A late shocker - Slate signs with Phillies!

Kyle Slate, a 2007 Christian Brothers Academy graduate and the top high school baseball pitcher in the Shore Conference last season when he went 11-1, told me this morning he has signed with the Philadelphia
Phillies.

As a life long Phillies fan I know I'm happy!!!

Ok..back to the news portion ...


""I think I surprised everybody with this one,'' Slate said. ""I think everyone is going to be in shock.''


Slate, a 37th round selection of Philadelphia in the June Major League Player Draft,
said he made the decision very late Wednesday night. Wednesday was the final day for big
league teams to sign players they had selected in June. Slate, 18, said he received an $80,000
signing bonus plus another $80,000 to be used for college. Slate had signed last fall with the
University of Maine.

The right-hander was one of three 2007 Shore Conference players drafted in June. The
others, Anthony Ranaudo of St. Rose and J.C. Menna of Red Bank Catholic, opted to accept
collegiate scholarship offers from Louisiana State and James Madison, respectively.


On an earlier blog (which I have since altered) Slate had seemingly rejected the Phillies offer, but changed his mind literally at the 11th hour.

""It was the craziest night of my life,'' said Slate. ""It came down to the last minute.

""I spoke to pretty much everybody that's important in my life between 11 and 11:30 (Wednesday night). Everybody told me that this is a great opportunity.''
Under baseball rules Slate would have been eligible for the draft again after three years at Maine but decided not to to wait.
""Who knows, you're only going to get one shot to actually pursue your dream,'' he said. ""I pretty much called my agent and told him at 11:20 last night I want to be a Philadelphia Phillie.''


I just spoke with Gene Schall, Phillies area scouting boss. He told me Kyle will be on a plane to Clearwater, Fla. Friday to spend the end of the season with the Gulf Coast Rookie League Phillies to at least get some bullpen work in.

After that Schall said the Phillies may send him to Instructional League in Clearwater, Fla. in October, and then probably on to spring training in 2008 andwill likely eventually start him in 2008 in the Gulf Coast League.

""We look for big physical pitchers that have projectability,'' Schall said. ""You look at Kyle, he's 6-5, 200 pounds, and that body is only going to get bigger and stronger.''

Slate on Monday threw in front of 15-20 Philadelphia scouts from all over the United States at Citizens Bank Park.
""They told me I threw 88-89 the whole time, about 25 pitches, with good off speed,'' Slate said. ""It was pretty intense, the most intense thing I've done in my entire life.''

Slate said he grew up a Yankees fan. "'I'm a Phillies fan now,'' he said.

In his development, Slate could one day pitch for the Lakewood BlueClaws, the Phillies low Class A affiliate.

Slate said he hoped to make it to the major leagues by the time he's 23-24 years old. ""If I develop into the pitcher I want to become, mature a lot more on the mound,'' he said.

Football: Matawan lineman leaves Florida State

By Steven Falk

Anthony Grosso, a freshman offensive lineman from Matawan Regional High School, has left Florida State, according to the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat. Grosso informedSeminoles' offensive line coach Rick Trickett of his decision on Tuesday, according to the Democrat.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden did not rule out Groso returning to the team. ""Well, he's not here,'' Bowden said on the school's Web site. ""Nearly every year, some freshman goes home. It's just not what he thought. It's different. It's tough. And so a lot of them come back. I'm usually pretty patient with them. So we can get him some time to think about it before we know for sure.''

The 6-foot-7, 290-pound Grosso was an Asbury Park Press All-Shore first team selection last year.

Ranuado shoots down $250,000 from Texas, Phillies connect on $80,000 offer to Slate (please see newest blog) , Menna college bound

2007 Shore Conference Major League draft picks Anthony Ranaudo (St. Rose) and J.C. Menna (Red Bank Catholic) have opted to attend college.

Ranaudo, drafted on the 11th round by Texas, told me he turned down a recent $250,000 dollar offer from the Rangers. This after, back on draft day, he rejected a $300,000 plus offer from Milwaukee which had planned to select him in the third round. Ranaudo subsequently fired his agent.

"At this point in time it wasn't worth foregoing my education at LSU,''said Ranaudo Wednesday by cell phone enroute to LSU.

""Hopefully with the experience I'll gain down there I'll come out it as a higher draft pick.''

In the space of two months Ranaudo turned down offers totaling $592,000. "" Everything happens for a reason,'' he said. ""Hopefully everything turns out well going down to school.''




CBA's Kyle Slate, a 37th round pick of the Phillies, initially said Wednesday he rejected an $80,000 offer.


Menna was a 39th round selection of the Pirates.

Major league teams had until today to sign their players. Otherwise, if they have signed with four-year schools as did Ranaudo (LSU), Slate (Maine), and Menna (James Madison), they are not draft eligible again until after their junior years."






Slate said Monday he threw in front of some 15-20 scouts in an otherwise empty Citizens Bank Park.""I threw well there,'' he said. ""I' m sure that helped my offer out a little bit. It was a great experience.''

Football: Kaysonne Anderson , former Squan single season rushing leader - has been switched to DB at UNH

I know.. the blog still reads high school baseball. As you know we have been sort of using this for an all sports catch all for most of the summer..including hs baseball.

Anyway - I thought this development on Kaysonne might be of interest to some Shore Conference fans ..


below from the UNH (Univ. of New Hampshire) web site -


2007 • Moved from running back to defensive back this season. • Listed as a backup corner on the pre-season two-deep.

2006 • Continued his recovery from a serious knee injury. • Carried the football 17 times for 42 yds. with a long run of 9 yds. • Played in three games.

2005 • Did not play due to a serious knee injury. • Would have seen significant player time if he remained healthy.

2004 • Redshirted the season.

Before UNH • Attended Manasquan High School. • A member of Manasquan’s basketball and track teams.

Played on the state championship football team from 2000-2004. • Was named first-team All-State, All-Shore Conference and All-Monmouth County. • Named Offensive Player of the Year in Monmouth County and in the Shore Confer ence.

Todd tearing it up

With a 3-for-4 day with a double, triple, and three runs scored Saturday Todd Frazier has boosted his BA to .330 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. Through Saturday he was 9 for his last 13 at bats.

Former St. Rose All-Shore catcher Jayson Hernandez transfers to Rutgers

I received this information via e-mail from RU and localized it more for us......There is a longer release at the RU web site......

Jayson Hernandez, a St. Rose High School graduate and 2006 Asbury Park Press All-Shore catcher from Jackson, will join the Rutgers baseball program this fall. Hernandez will have three years of eligibility remaining after transferring from Winthrop University.The 5-10, 190-pound catcher played one season at Winthrop appearing in 22 games as a freshman He finished the season with five hits, including a double as Winthrop compiled a 33-27 record advancing to the semifinals of the Big South Conference tournament. Hernandez will join nine newcomers including Point Boro graduate Pat Biserta.

Ryan Kalish (RBC grad, Boston farm hand) out for the year

This sent in by a blogger whichI am re-running here - it is from The Lowell Spinners web site:

"OUT OF COMMISSION: Ryan Kalish has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a wrist problem. Lowell will certainly miss his 18 stolen bases and .330 batting average. "He's probably the most exciting player I've seen [at Lowell] in my four years here," said Spinners media relations director Jon Shestakofsky."

Junior League Middletown- S. Wall play by play

At Sherlon Christie's blog ( I know it says high school lacrosse.!!)

TR South vs. TR East in the Pioneer league

If you go to this box score from the other day at minorleaguebaseball.com .. (Billings vs. Missoula) .you'll see Jim Principe (TR East) is playing for Missoula and Todd Frazier for Billings....(I have to think this is a fun reunion for both)...
..the above item sent in by a blogger... GOOD JOB!!

Scott Goodale announces assistant coach

John Leonardis, the head coach at The Peddie School, Hights-town, Mercer
County, has been hired as a full-time assistant wrestling coach at Rutgers
Uni-versity, new Scarlet Knights' head coach Scott Goodale an-nounced
yesterday.

A former wrestler at both Le-high University in Bethlehem, Pa. and Blair
Academy in Blairstown, Warren County, Leonardis will coach the
upper-weights, Goodale said.

"He's someone who brings a lot of intensity and will get the best of our
wrestlers both on the mat and in the classroom,'' said Goodale, the former
Jack-son Memorial head coach who was hired as Rutgers' head coach this past
Tuesday.

"He's got great New Jersey ties, which is the whole theme of the things
we're trying to do, and technique-wise, he's one of the best around. "He
will give the upperweights somebody to work with, which they really haven't
had in the past.''

Story for Thursday Press - Geoff Billet comments on being named new CBA hoops coach

By TONY GRAHAM

STAFF WRITER

You rarely find a big time college men's assistant basketball coach leaving the ranks for
a high school job.

Even if it is a head coaching position at prestigious scholastic program and an alma
mater.

Well, you do now.

""This is the only high school job I would have ever considered once I got into college
coaching,'' said Geoff Billet Wednesday after ending summer long speculation by confirming he
has left Seton Hall University to succeed Ed Wicelinski as head coach at Christian Brothers
Academy.

Wicelinski resigned in April after leading CBA to 625 victories since 1980-81, believed to
be the highest victory total ever at one Shore Conference high school.

""CBA is a very, very, special place to me and pretty much for anyone who's ever gone
there,'' said Billet, an All-State performer for CBA when it won its third NJSIAA Parochial A
crown (now called Non-Public A) under Wicelinski in 1995.

He went on to become an all-time top 10 scorer at Rutgers racking up 1,480 career points.
He also coached one year for the Scarlet Knights and for five years served as an assistant to
Dave Calloway at Monmouth University which included NCAA Tournament berths in 2004 and 2006.

Last season he joined the staff of first year Seton Hall coach Bobby Gonzalez and is
credited with securing recent verbal commitments for 2008-2009 from Paterson Catholic point
guard Jordan Theodore and seven-foot junior college player Charles Okwandu.

Wicelinski termed Billet's decision to leave a major college situation for a high school
position ""extremely unusual.'' ""Nothing I've ever seen before, an interesting move, one I'm
sure he struggled with,'' Wicelinski said.

Billet said the success he envisions for Seton Hall under Gonzalez made for a difficult
choice.

""That made the decision even harder than it would have bene under most circumstances,''
said Billet.

Wicelinski said CBA's search had narrowed to Billet, freshman coach Mike Wheeler, and
junior varsity coach Chris Kane.

""I thought it was a very unusual position for CBA where they had a choice of what I
think are three can't miss type of candidates,'' said the former coach.

Billet steps into big shoes following Wicelinski who was preceded by Vinnie Cox who
also enjoyed tremendous success.

Under Wicelinski CBA won 14 Shore Conference Tournaments, appeared in 20 of 25
championship games, and captured nine NJSIAA South Jersey A sectional titles.
""I definitely have high, high, standards to live up to,'' said Billet. ""If there's one
thing that's always attracted me to high school it was being able to help influence kids at an
age where I think you can have a great impact off the court and on the court.''

On the court Billet will begin with a team that returns its two top scorers. Rising
senior guard Mike Kuhn and rising junior forward Brian Neller helped lead a 23-8 CBA club that
fell in the 2007 Shore Conference and NJSIAA Non-Public A finals.

Wicelinski said the 2006-2007 junior varsity Colts lost one game and the freshman were
undefeated.

Billet said any other role he may have at CBA besides coaching basketball has yet to be
determined.

Billet's younger brother Todd, who played at CBA and then for Rutgers and the University of
Virginia, is the current head coach at Morris Catholic High School.

e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.