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SO LONG FOR NOW
Clips Decide to Sail Off Into the Sunset as Return to Port Uncertain
In addition to the Clippers forfeiting both games of the double-header even though the brawling Brewers caused both games to be canceled, Clips player-manager Tom Dixon was suspended for the rest of the season. (The Brewers also forfeited both contests, and three of their players were suspended for the rest of the season: Mike Munafro, Paul Mayer and Tom Altieri.) The league commissioner, Jim Bianco, ruled that the Clippers were equally to blame for starting the incident. Yet the assault followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers throughout the entire first game of a scheduled double-header at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. (See below story for details.) Despite repeated requests by Tom to the umpires, the Brewers taunts, insults and cursing continued right up to the attack Tom instructed the Clips several times not to respond to the taunting. Most of the Clippers players pulled out the league in protest. Not only were they outraged by the ruling, the players were concerned about how the Brewers violent and criminal behavior put their safety at risk. The Clips also felt that the umpires did a terrible job and allowed the Brewers’ verbal abuse to escalate the tensions and that the men in blue did not step in to stop the Brewers players from storming the Clips dugout area. Both umps for the June 3 game, Tony Saunders and John Santiago, should be suspended for the season. “This is a travesty and one of the most ridiculous decisions that I have seen in my life. The league has punished the victims and rewarded the villains,” Tom said. “The trash-talking has gone on far too long in the league. Players involved in brawls and other incidents the past few years have gone unpunished. If the league is continued to be run in this haphazard and unfair manner, there will not be a league around much longer.” Actually, Tom is looking to form a new wood bat league in the future. It will be one in which trash-talking and fighting are not tolerated. The umpires will be competent, know the rules and keep the games under control. In the meantime, Tom held scrimmages on Sunday mornings at Greeley. Most of the players have found new teams for 2008. The worst part of the decision is how it hurt the Clippers players who just wanted to play ball in 2007. But Tom hopes that some positives can result from this sad situation. “If a new wood league can be formed and the trash-talking is greatly reduced, then some good can come out of this nightmare,” he said. “Ultimately, the goal is to play baseball and have some fun.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Clips Severely Injured After Opposing Team Launches Dugout Assault
This incident followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers the entire first game of a scheduled double-header at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. Despite repeated requests by Clips player-manager Tom Dixon to the umpires, these taunts, insults and cursing continued right up to the assault. Tom instructed the team several times not to respond to the taunting. The first game of the twin bill was stopped before the bottom of the 5th when the Brewers starting pitcher, Mike Munafro, ran onto the field in an effort to punch a Clips player. (The Clips were trailing 14-5 when the game was halted.) The second game was called off after the entire 15-player Brewers team ran into the Clips dugout area, and many of the Brewers punched and kicked the four Clips players in the dugout area along the third base line. The police were called since the Brewers players threatened to beat up the Clips in the parking lot. The officers arrived a short time after order was finally restored, but the most of the Brewers players quickly left the school parking lot. Erik Anderson and Tom suffered jaw injuries after being punched while trying to break up the melee. Erik also has an injured quad and back after being kicked by two Brewers players who were wearing metal spikes. Anthony Dimartino was left with bruises. More important, Anthony was concerned about seizures from the beating since he has epilepsy. He got checked at the hospital Monday. The incident left the team shaken and battered. Some players said they did not want to play anymore this season.
League commissioner Jim Bianco ruled that the Clips were equally responsible for starting the incident. Yet the assault followed trash-talking and verbal abuse by the Brewers throughout the first game. Amazingly, Tom Dixon was suspended for the rest of the 2007 season and the Clips forfeited both games of the twin bill. The Brewers also forfeited both contests, and three of their players were suspended for the rest of the season: Manafro, Paul Mayer and Tom Altieri.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thoughts of Ball Field Helped Teammate Cope with Field of Battle in Iraq
Clemente’s Navy reserve unit was called to active duty and he was shipped out on July 11, 2005, for the assignment. Clemente served in the military police guarding convoys, one of the most dangerous duty for a U.S. soldier in Iraq. In a phone call to Clips player-manager Tom Dixon in January 2006, Clemente reported that his military base was attacked three times a day and the convoys are at serious risk of hitting road-side bombs. “It’s bad over there. The Iraqis just don’t care. They blow themselves up,” he noted while he was on a 12-day emergency military leave to visit his ailing father in the Bronx. Baseball helped keep his mind off the dangers and hardships. “I am long-tossing as much as possible,” Clemente said. “But it’s tough to sleep here in the sand. I only get two to three hours or sleep each day.” The father of five, who joined the Clips midway through the 2004 season, trained on occasional weekends throughout the winter and spring of 2005. The lefty hurler, who is a New York police detective and lives in the Bronx, threw a gem in the 2004 semifinal playoff game in September. (See story on the Team History page.) While Clemente was less than thrilled to be in Iraq, hes coping with the duty but can't wait to get back home and on the ball field. “But I want to serve my country and do the best job possible over here,” he told Tom in a September 2005 phone call from Iraq. All of the Clippers will be praying for Clemente to return safe and sound if he ships back to Iraq. The Clips dedicated the 2005 and 2006 seasons to Clemente, who serves as an inspiration due to the sacrifice for his country. But they were glad he got as much enjoyment this season before going to Iraq. Not that we are worried about not having the ace pitcher on the team. We just want Clemente to come home healthy and happy. And it doesn’t matter that he is a Boston Red Sox fan. Meanwhile, the team received some good news during the 2005 preseason. No. The Clips did not pick up more pitchers. One of the players, who was added midway through the 2003 season, already just returned from the war in Iraq. Julio Fernandez finished serving a nine-month tour as a member of the military police guarding convoys after being called to active duty from the Army reserves. He is back home in Orange County after being stationed briefly at a military base in New Jersey, where he was debriefed. We hope not because he rejoined the Clippers, although he will play on another team in 2006. All of Julio’s teammates were thrilled about his safe return. “Who” is a human highlight reel and a vacuum cleaner at shortstop. A good thing, too, especially with all of the rain last three seasons. The speedster was among the team leaders in stolen bases and humorous remarks during the 2003 and 2005 seasons. Already back in midseason form, Julio played a prank on Tom when he reported back to duty with the Clips. In a phone call, the New York City police officer pretended to be a potential new player demanding to play shortstop. Tom, who did not know he was speaking to Julio, stood up for his teammate and told the called that he refused to give anyone that position. Anyway, Julio was raring to go. “I’m rusty, but I think that I get my stroke back fast,” he told Tom, who congratulated him on a safe return. “I’m so happy to be back on the playing field.” His teammates echo those sentiments. Especially the pitchers. On a positive note, league commissioner Jim Bianco was gracious enough to waive the $130 dues in 2007 for Clemente, who still plan to pay for the team’s expenses, such as the cost of umpires, fields, baseballs, and Tom’s retirement fund. Jim also excused the dues for Julio in 2005. Now if we can only figure out some excuse to get Jim to waive the dues for the rest of us. |
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