Thursday night, I went to watch the Newark Bears play the Quebec Capitales because I missed baseball. It was a nice night, but the game drew another sparse crowd.
Brian Parker
The Bears celebrated Irish Heritage Night, so we got a different-than-usual selection of music to listen to before the game started. We were also treated to the performance of three national anthems: Ireland’s and Canada’s preceded the Star-Spangled Banner.
The team also recognized Mike Ness’ no-hitter by playing a short video clip of the final out and the on-field celebration. The PA announced “re-created” a play-by-play call that never existed, since the Bears are one of the few professional teams that do not broadcast their games. (Here’s a link to a longer video from the game http://vimeo.com/45648593)
Newark got another strong starting pitching performance Thursday night. Brian Parker wasn’t quite as good as Ness – he allowed one run on six hits and two walks over seven innings while striking out seven – but he certainly pitched well enough for his team to win.
The bullpen let them down. Anthony Pluta came on to start the eighth with the score tied 1-1, and couldn’t find the strike zone. He loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a hit batsman, then walked in a couple more batters and allowed a third run to score on a wild pitch. Newark rallied for two runs in the bottom of the eighth to cut their deficit to 4-3, but Joe Haumacher came in for the ninth and gave up a two run homer to Sebastien Boucher. That was the ballgame.
Newark closer Jorge Vasquez gives up a leadoff triple to Quebec’s Sebastian Boucher in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday.
Saturday, the Bears were supposed to hold a “Broadway Meets Baseball” fundraiser for Covenant House, with a performance of “Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway” prior to their game against the Capitales that night. It sounded like a fun, if a bit unusual, entertainment blend. Unfortunately, the Bears ended up postponing the “Broadway” portion of the evening, and the baseball game was watched by an even smaller crowd than the one on Thursday.
Mike Petrowski made his first start of the season for the Bears, and gave up three runs on six hits and two walks in four innings. Three relievers combined to give up another three runs on seven hits over the final five innings. It didn’t really matter, because the Bears couldn’t score any runs against Quebec’s pitching. Quentin Davis had a three-hit game, but that was really the only Newark highlight.
Quebec reliever Guillaume Duguay made his second appearance of the series to close out the game for the Capitales, and for the second time Newark’s public address announcer introduced him as Guillaume Leduc. (For good measure, he mispronounced the name, too.) I didn’t notice if Duguay had a visible reaction on Thursday, but he did on Saturday. At least it made me laugh.
The Bears made several player moves over the past few days. One that may be of interest to Mets fans is the signing of Howard Johnson’s son Glen. A 23-year-old infielder, Glen went 2-for-22 in 11 games for the Rockland Boulders earlier this season, and he’s 1-for-5 in his first two games for the Bears.
Newark is home again on Monday (6:35 p.m.) and Wednesday (11:05 a.m.) to host Rockland, but I don’t think I’ll make it to either game. I probably won’t see the Bears again for another two weeks, and I’m not sure how many more games I’ll get to before the season ends.
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- The detached head of one of the Bears’ mascots greets fans who enter the team gift shop.
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- Brian Parker
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- John Patrick Reardon IV is filling in at first base until Daryle Ward can return from his calf injury.
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- Catcher Orlando Mercado
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- Backup catcher Dan Coury
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- Quebec second baseman Jonathan Malo is a former Mets farmhand who earned a lot of praise (and spring training playing time) from Jerry Manuel in 2009.
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- Mike Petrowski
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- Victor Gonzalez
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- Newark closer Jorge Vasquez gives up a leadoff triple to Quebec’s Sebastian Boucher in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday.
Is Reardon any relation to Jeff?
We may have an extra ticket or two for July 29 picnic area so let me know if anyone wants to go.
He’s not a direct relation, but the name is too common for me to rule out any possibility. Here’s his college bio.
The Bears are a sad Team! They released Luis Garcia who was supposed to be the franchise. And signed Victor Gonzalez who topped out at 82 in the Pecos League! This team is a Joke! Can’t wait for them to fold and make more parking where the stadium used to be!
Lighten up…try and give a little support to the Bears…
Apparently it’s a great strategy to trade with the Boulders for a catcher who didn’t hit his own weight and pitchers with a double digit ERA. Don’t you have enough of those already?
I do like baseball in Newark N.J. {Newark Eagles}. The Newark Bears need Dr. House the T.V. series – the bears are in the I.C.U.
My wife and I are in the picture from Saturday about halfway up Quebec manager Patrick Scalabrini’s right upper arm. We’re from Rochester and were in Newark for the weekend. I too thought that the Broadway/Baseball promotion was a great idea and we made plans to see it all. Unfortunately I didn’t get the notice that it was cancelled until we showed up at 3:15. Any idea what happened?
The person I spoke to in the box office said something about it being postponed so the Bears could have more time to market it and have a larger group of people by tickets so there would be more money to donate to Covenant House.
“3 Reasons Why Businesses Fail at Marketing”
Posted By John Follis On March 19, 2012 @ 11:30 am In Marketing Tips
“1.) You Try to Do It Yourself 2.) You Hire Marketing Help, But it’s the Wrong Marketing Help
3.) You Don’t Have a Realistic Definition of What Success Is”
If the Newark Bears was going to postpoed the show they need to put it on the wedsit and give the customer more than a week notice. Business is Business The Newark Bears need to be like Warren Buffett. Bad P.R.
Newark Bears Baseball
2 hours ago.
The Bears return to Newark on Wednesday at 11 a.m., as they take on the Rockland Boulders.
BUSINESS & BASEBALL
Looking for a way to market your business and make valuable connections in the Newark area?
Join the Newark Regional Business Partnership on Wednesday for a luncheon at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. This is a great opportunity to catch a game and network at the same time!
Buy your ticket by Monday, July 23, and receive admission to the game AND luncheon for $50 (non-NRBP members). NRBP members can purchase tickets for $25 until the 23rd. After that, tickets prices will cost an additional $10 each.
The luncheon is scheduled from noon to 2 p.m. in the multipurpose room located on the concourse behind home plate.
The event is sponsored by Hudson City Savings Bank and the Newark Bears.