Athletes in Action News and Commentary

The difference a week makes

The juxaposition between last week's weather and this week is paramount.  After starting to believe that we had to ready ourselves for 40 days and nights of rain/flooding, the skies have finally cleared up and the weather has felt like summer.  With the improvement of weather has come an improvement of play from our team.  Currently, we have a 3-game winning streak (recording 3 consecutive shutouts) and have won 4 of the past 5 games!  After helping out the community yesterday with various projects, the Oilers get back to action tonight vs. Elmira.

....and the rain continues

After starting the season with sensational weather, for an upstate New York late spring, the forcast has quickly turned wet.  This past week, in hopes of enjoying a much needed six game home stand, the team has rather re-acclamated itself with pulling a field tarp, and drying puddles. 

With four of the games canceled due to rain this week, the team hasn't allowed the weather to dampen its focus as they enjoyed a come from behind, extra inning (10 innings) victory on Friday against visiting Elmira.  Alfred anticipates that the upcoming week, and the official start of summer, will bring with it warmer weather which will enable it to carryon its winning ways.

New York--The not so Big Apple

Whether it is right or wrong, as it is simple human nature, people often have preconceived ideas/expectations of certain places and people.

When many of our players knew they were playing baseball in New York for the summer...thoughts of the Yankees, the Bronx, Central Park, the statue of Liberty, etc. crossed their minds; stereotypes of a fast paced uncaring culture was apart of the mis-perception of what they believed New York is/was...they couldn't have been farther from the truth.

The image that Hollwood paints of "New York" was quickly stifled as our players made a two hour commute from the Buffalo airport to an open armed Appalchia rural community.  The town of Alfred, New York has welcomed, bent over backwords, and fully embraced the return of the baseball team to its community after a three year absence to neighboring Bolivar, New York.  Alfred State baseball coach, Tom K., and our host church, were a part of a miracle as God orchastrated the field location, the church-which will serve/facilitate many purposes, as well as all the host families for our players within a week! 

The town of 2,000 has been phenomenal...daily we're continually grateful for their welcoming spirt, their friendly nature, and their servant hearts. With the start of the 42 game season set to begin tomorrow Wednesday June 10th, opening with Niagra, the players are primed and ready to give the community something to cheer about.

Let the games begin!