Sports

Will Bardenwerper's book about baseball in Batavia and America has been getting national attention and is currently ranked #17 on Amazon's list of best-selling baseball books.

 The book, "Homestand: Small Town Baseball and the Fight for the Soul of America," is resonating with readers and reviewers.

That may signal, Bardenwerper said, that people are looking for small-town values of community.

"I think it speaks to the fact that maybe there is a real hunger for these kinds of places where people can come together for an affordable price and have a good time and kind of put some of the division that we find in our society behind us for a few hours and just have fun," Bardenwerper told The Batavian during a book signing at Eli Fish Brewing Co. on Saturday evening.

There have been several book reviews of Homestand published, including in major publications such as the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal.

The book addresses the growing divide in America between the corporatist world of Major League Baseball and the grassroots game in places like Batavia, which lost its historic minor league team when MLB broke with tradition and consolidated its minor league affiliates. That decision turned out to make baseball in Batavia better with the arrival of Robbie and Nellie Nichols, owners of the revived Batavia Muckdogs of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.

If highlighting that dichotomy has ruffled any feathers in the executive suites at the MLB, Bardenwerper hasn't heard about it.

"I don't know to what extent it is or isn't on their radar," Bardenwerper said. "If it is, I'm guessing they just kind of would like it to go away."

If you missed Bardenwerper at Eli Fish, there is another book signing Saturday (today) in Medina at Author's Note Bookstore, as part of Independent Bookstore Day. Bardenwerper will be in store from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Other authors participating are Doogie Horner from 10:30 to noon and Mylisa Larsen from noon to 1:30 p.m. Author's Note is located at 519 Main St., Medina.

Oakfield-Alabama beat Attica in baseball on Thursday, 12-2.

The Hornets are now 3-0 on the season.

Avery Watterson got the win, going 3 1/3 innings without surrendering a hit or giving up a run. He waked four and struck out five.

Stats:

• Avery Watterson, 2-2, 3 walks, 3 runs, 5 stolen bases           
• Hunter Tobolski, 1-2, 3 walks, 2 runs, 4 stolen bases  
• Jack Cianfrini, 1-3, 1 RBI 2 runs 2 walks, 4 stolen bases (Reached on an error)
• Ryan Schnaufer, 1-4, 2B 1 RBI 3 runs, 3 stolen bases (Reached on 2 errors)
• David Schnaufer, 0-5, 1 RBI 2 stolen bases (Reached on a FC)
• Jackson Gilbert, 1-4, RBI, eun, walk, 2 stolen bases
• Jake Gehlert, 0-4, RBI
• Levi Kabel, 0-4, RBI

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski.

Batavia tennis lost to Rush-Henrietta 5-2 on Thursday. 

Winning for Batavia were Talyn Kennedy at 2nd singles, along with Aiden Reimer and Will Fulton at first doubles.  

Batavia drops to 6-3 on the season.  

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Byron-Bergen beat Attica in tennis on Thursday, 4-1.

The Bees are now 1-1, and Attica is 0-2.

Mia Treleaven tossed a one-hitter for Notre Dame on Wednesday as the Irish beat Elba 3-0.

Treleaven fanned nine Lancers and didn't walk any 

Brea Smith went all seven innings for the Lancers, giving up a single earned run on six hits.

Treleaven went 2-for-3 at the plate.

Elba turned three double plays in the game.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Press Release:

The Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund is proud to announce that the 2025 New York Sire Stakes (NYSS) “Night of Champions” will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel in Batavia.

As the premier event of the NYSS season, the Night of Champions showcases the top two- and three-year-old Standardbreds bred, owned, and raced in New York State. With over $2.4 million in purse money awarded across the evening, the event represents the pinnacle of the harness racing calendar.

“We are excited to bring the Night of Champions back to Batavia Downs, where the event was last hosted in 2019,” said Ralph Scunziano, Executive Director of the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund. “Batavia Downs has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to hosting world-class racing, and their upgraded clubhouse and facilities are sure to create another memorable experience for our horsemen, owners, and fans.”

Located between Buffalo and Rochester, Batavia Downs is centrally situated in Western New York’s agricultural hub, offering a unique opportunity to highlight both the sport of harness racing and the economic impact of equine breeding and training in the region. The half-mile track is well known for its quality surface and competitive racing.

The races will be streamed live on Batavia Downs’ YouTube page, and a live post-position draw will take place on Facebook ahead of the event. Pre-race commentary and on-site interviews with winning connections will also enhance the live broadcast experience.

“We are honored to have been selected to host this prestigious event here at Batavia Downs.  I appreciate the confidence that the Agriculture & NYS Horse Breeding Development Fund has in our team here and we will not let them down. Our track and facility will be ready to go, and we are prepared to celebrate the “Night of Champions” with all of the people that attend,” said Byron Brown, President and CEO of Western Regional Off Track Betting Corporation.

The 2025 Night of Champions will be the culmination of a 56-day NYSS season, beginning May 18 at Saratoga Raceway. Full schedules for the Sire Stakes, Excelsior Series, and County Fair Series are available at www.nysirestakes.com.

Batavia went into the fifth inning in softball on Tuesday, leading 7-4, but surrendered nine runs to lose a lead they wouldn't regain.

Final score, 16-8.

Ariana Almekinder fanned five for Batavia.

Offense:

• Ariana Almekinder, 3-4, double, RBI, 4 runs
• Libby Grazioplene, 2-4, 2 triples, RBI
• Drew Stevens, 2-4, 2 RBIs
• Kyleigh Kabel, 2-4, RBI
• Lyla Smith, 2-4, RBI double
• Hannah Carney, RBI, double

"We had one of those innings that a very young team will have," said Coach Robert Kersch. "Need to learn from our mistakes and continue to grow." 

To view or purchase photos, click here.

Starter Brady Carney went all seven innings for the complete game victory on Tuesday as Batavia beat Olympia-Odyssey, 5-1.

Carney fanned seven, walked two and only gave up one hit.

Batavia offense 

• Carter Mullen, 3-4, triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored
• Maggio Buchholz, 3-4,  1 RBI
• Nolan Ball, 2-3, 2 runs scored
• Brock Bigsby, 1 hit, 1 RBI 
• Jameson Motyka, 1 Hit

"We're really seeing the ball well at the plate the last couple of games, and it's starting to show, said Coach Michael Sputore. "Pitching has always kept us close and now the bats are starting to wake up."

Batavia Now 3-3 overall and 1-0 in league play.

To view or purchase photos, click here.

It was a pitchers' duel between Oakfield-Alabama and Byron-Bergen on Tuesday, with the Hornets picking up the 2-0 win.

There were only three total hits in the game, two for OA and one for the Bees.  

The Hornets scored in the first and third innings.

David Schnaufer picked up the win, going all seven innings, walking two and striking out 13.

Dylan Utter took it on the chin for the Bees, going 6 1/3 innings. He K'd nine Hornets and gave up only one earned run.

Hornets offense:

• Ryan Schnaufer, 1-3, stolen base
• Avery Watterson, 0-2, walk, hit by pitch. 2 Runs, 3 SBs
• Levi Kabel, 0-2, walk, stolen base
• Dom West, 0-2, walk

Utter had the lone hit for Byron-Bergen. He also had a stolen base. 

Photos by Jordyn Tobolski

Press Release:

The Batavia Muckdogs are excited to announce their next five signings for the 2025 season.

Some new faces join the Muckdogs as well as some local western NY talent. 1B – Connor Gibbs, LHP -Evin Hollandsworth, OF & Lockport Native – Brayden Hy, INF – Jackson Inman & INF – Grady Lacourciere join the Dogs this summer at Dwyer Stadium.

Connor Gibbs is a 6’3 first baseman from Helena, AL, currently playing at Bevill State Community College. A consistent presence at the plate, Connor delivered an impressive .316 batting average last season across 48 games and 155 at-bats.

Evin Hollandsworth is a 6’2 freshman pitcher at Saddleback College from Dana Point, CA. Before committing to baseball full-time, Evin was a standout dual-sport athlete while attending Dona Hill High School, excelling in both football and baseball. 

Brayden Hy is a 5’9 freshman outfielder from Lockport, currently playing at Canisius University. Before joining the Golden Griffins, he was a standout player at Royalton Hartland High School, where he posted an impressive .417 batting average, recorded 108 hits, including 9 home runs, and 94 RBIs.

Jackson Inman is a 6’1 freshman infielder from Damascus, MD, making a strong impact in his debut collegiate season. He is currently hitting .346 on the season while adding power with three home runs with 25 RBIs.

Grady Lacourciere is a 6’2 freshman infielder from Lyme, CT, attending Hofstra University where he has started pitching. Bringing an impressive high school resume to the collegiate level, a standout athlete at Lyme-Old Lyme High School, he played four years of baseball and two years of football, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.

Opening Day is Saturday May 31 at 6:30 p.m. vs the Elmira Pioneers with free post-game fireworks. If you are someone you know has interest in sponsoring the Muckdogs, season ticket information, hosting a group event or picnic please contact General Manager Marc Witt (mwitt.canusa@gmail.com). The Muckdogs full schedule is available online at www.canusamuckdogs.com.

Submitted photos.