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B'shalom, Avrum (avrum@veahavta.org) 
In September, on a cool night, my team, Clanton Park Synagogue, won the Orthodox Synagogue 2009 Baseball Championship.
I watched from the sidelines with pride, as my mom and I cracked open sunflower seeds. I had an injury. We clapped feverishly as Clanton Park shul dominated its opponents, Shomrai Shabbos, the best team in the regular season.
Clanton Park team is made up of many buddies, fine athletes and talmudic-thinking ball players. Here are a few things the boys had to say.
Ezra Rosenzweig, a tenacious outfielder, said, “I’ve been on the team for eight years. We are unique because we are like one big family.” He added, “When you have [Elie] Goldberg and [Oren] Gal hitting bombs, it makes it a little easier to win.”
Ezra said his greatest play of the year came in the first round of the playoffs. Clanton Park was winning 7-5, with bases loaded and two outs. He was playing centre field, and the ball was hit over the right fielder’s head. Ezra darted from right field and nabbed the ball. “I’m pretty sure it was quite a lift for the team!”
Immanuel Greenberg, the team captain, a warrior, said he has known most of his teammates “since we learned how to throw a ball.” His most memorable game was when he and Ezra hit eight home runs in one game – four each.”
Immanuel said, “From managing, I’ve learned this is no one-man show and the heart of this team is the respect, friendship and the determination to win.”
Oren Gal, a first-class athlete, reminisced about a line drive he hit into the far trees in left centre in Clanton Park, “which began its decline as it was stopped by the trees.”
Oren attributes Clanton Park’s success to the fact that “no one is bigger than the team.” He said, “This is displayed by always hitting the cut-off man, and not running ourselves out of innings. He added, “Clanton Park is not a charity. They do not just give away games!”
Baruch Kanner, a six-year veteran, has known these guys all his life. He said the players are committed to the good of the team, “hence winning the championship frequently over the years.”
Eli Edell, like Baruch, grew up with the boys. He fondly remembers when the bases were loaded in the final game and he hit a blast of a triple in the top of the ninth to secure a come-from-behind victory.
Moshe Hillel Lipson, the youngest team member said, “As a boy I looked up to the guys.” He said his greatest hit was a double to the opposite field in the final game, and managing two extra bases.
“The team plays with a drive to win every time we step up to the plate.” he added.
Elie Goldberg, a slugger, stated that the most powerful moment was lifting the shul trophy in Stanley Cup style. “The strength of this team is we’re solid at every position, every guy is willing to bat wherever in the lineup, and we have really cool jerseys.”
Yizchak Kaplan, a focused pitcher, rejoiced over striking out one of Shomer Shabbos’ most powerful hitters to win the championship. He said, “This team has grown so much and continues to get stronger. Hopefully, we will continue together for many years to come.”
In 5770, the respect found within this team should be extended to all Jews, from one denomination to another. Chag Samayach.
Dedicated to: Eli Edell, Oren Gal, Elie Goldberg, Immanuel Greenberg, Yitzchak Kaplan, Baruch Kanner, Ari Levy, Moshe Hillel Lipson, Daniel Magder and Ezra Rosenzweig.
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