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  • Tuesday, July 28, 2015

    Yankee Humor Opens Baseball Tournament

    UTICA — Humor won out at the opening of the New York State American Legion Baseball Championship Tournament Tuesday morning.

    James Yermas and Bucky Dent

    Commander Yermas and Bucky Dent.

    State American Legion Commander James Yermas threw out the first pitch to catcher Bucky Dent, a NY Yankee World Series MVP.

    The pitch was a shy short, with the ball bouncing to Dent – who then acted as if he didn’t like the pitch, throwing down his glove.

    James Yermas

    Commander Yermas throws out first pitch.

    The ump jokingly tossed the former Yankee out of the game “for throwing equipment.”

    Following the opening ceremonies, Dent conducted a mini-baseball clinic for some of the tournament players as well as a few youngsters.

    Rivals from a previous championship tournament squared off for the opening game at Utica’s Murname Field– Clinton County Mariners from Plattsburgh and West Seneca Post 735 from West Seneca.

    Bucky Dent

    Bucky Dent reacts to pitch by hurling his glove.

    Other teams seeking to be state Legion champs are: Saratoga Stampede from Saratoga Springs, Maine-Endwell Post 1700 from Endicott, Utica Post 229 from Utica, Fairport-Brooks Sheperd (Brooks Shepard Post 765) from Fairport, Rockland OTB Pirates (Leo Laders Post 130) from Stony Point, and Ilion Post 920 from Ilion.

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