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Spring Training Trip 2011 to Miami, FL

The NYPD Baseball Team will head down south to the warmth of the Florida sun and the frequent sounds of the crack of the bat that is still absent in the North East. The Finest Last Trip to Miami was in 2009 when they Played games with Coral Gables PD. and Miami PD. Several players trying out for the 2011 Finest squad will be making the trip, getting a chance to showcase their talents. Returning players  getting a chance to shake out their winter cobwebs preparing for the 2011 season.

On Saturday April 9, 2011 the Finest will play in a charity game vs. Miami- PD at Flamingo Park in the Miami Beach area. The Game will be played in Honor of Detective Amanda Haworth and Detective Roger Castillo of Miami-Dade Police Department who were killed in the line of duty executing a felony warrant January 20, 2011. Detective Haworth was survived by her son Austin, who will be Honorary Captain of the Miami Team. Tickets will be a $ 5.00 donation and will be available at the ballpark which is located at 1245 Michigan ave, Miami Beach.

Update April 13, 2011-

The New York Finest Baseball club went down to sunny Miami, Florida to play 3 exhibition games for spring training April 6 to April 11. Every day saw the temperature range between 85-90 degrees and the finest surely did not complain about the weather. Especially after the brutally cold winter that the northeast endured.

    In game 1, the finest played Coral Gables Pd. The finest led throughout the entire game 5-1, but were overtaken late by a walk off two run shot in the bottom of the seventh prevailing Coral gables to the victory. Finest starting pitcher Steve Phelan pitched well but was taken out after four innings. The bullpen could not hold the lead and flame thrower Dan Dechirico would take the loss.

Game 2 would be played against Miami Pd in a much anticipated match up. The game was held as a charity fund raiser for 2 Miami police officers who were tragically killed in the line of duty this past January. Proceeds of the game went to their families. Led by their ace Kevin Gieras, the finest defeated Miami 11-5. Gieras threw a gem throwing 6innings, striking out 12 and allowing only 1 earned run. Shortstop Ruben Cardona, catcher Frank Delgado and right fielder Pedro Pena each collected 2 hits leading the way to the Finest victory.
Noticas 23 in Miami, FL (video in Spanish from local TV Station)

Game 3 saw the Finest taking on the defending champion of the competitive Miami South Florida Baseball League, Team Rivas. The finest played this final game on an empty tank and clearly ran out of gas against Rivas. Final score in this one was Rivas on top 10-1. Team Rivas starting lineup were filled with Cuban and Nicaraguan players who were ex minor leaguers from all levels of pro ball ranging from A to AAA.
 

 All in all it was a great trip for all the NY Finest players including newcomers to the squad who left manager Jose Vasquez with a good impression on their abilities to help the team moving forward. The Finest head back home to start the season against the FDNY Bravest on April 17th. This is the baseball rivalry version of the Hatfield and the McCoys or Yankees vs. Redsox. It should be a another fun season.

by Victor Lara NYPD Baseball beat writer