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Tennis, Everyone?: Camp Abilities Saratoga Launches Blind Tennis

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Closeup of a tennis ball that has been modified for visually 
impaired players.
Photos by Jonathon Norcross. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Camp Abilities Saratoga held its first-ever blind tennis program on Monday afternoon, allowing children and teens with visual impairments to serve, volley, and smash at Skidmore College’s new McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center.

The game is modified to include soft plush balls filled with rattles so that players can hear where the ball is located. Although the balls don’t have the same bounce as a typical tennis ball, they are larger and thus easier to hit with a racket. The courts are also condensed to include only the service boxes. Tactile strips are placed at the service line and around the service boxes so that players can feel when they’re about to head out-of-bounds. The rules are also altered so that, depending on the player’s level of visual impairment, they can allow the ball to bounce anywhere from one to three times before returning it. And although spectators might want to cheer, they’re required to keep quiet so that players can auditorily track the ball.

“We just wanted to bring blind tennis to the world and introduce it to more people, to get the sport developed a lot more,” Camp Director Tiffany Suppes told Saratoga TODAY. “And it just so happens, it’s the same year that Skidmore finished the [tennis] courts, so it worked perfectly for us.”

Suppes said that Camp Abilities Saratoga pairs up its campers one-on-one with coaches who can help modify and adapt any sport or activity to suit the needs of individual campers. The camp also has sports specialists that oversee and teach activities.

Camp Abilities Saratoga runs until Aug. 9 on Skidmore’s campus, where around two dozen campers participate in a variety of sports, including beep baseball, swimming, goal ball, track, tandem biking, and tennis.

Camp Abilities Saratoga was founded in 2013 as a service project of the Saratoga Springs Lions Club, modeled after Camp Abilities Brockport. Its mission includes promoting physical activity among children who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf blind; supporting future educators; and demonstrating to families each child’s potential for independence in an inclusive, enriching environment.

Softball Facilities at Veterans Memorial Park Getting a Facelift

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Rendering of a revamped Veterans Memorial Field House via the Saratoga Springs Department of Public Works. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — City of Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Works Chuck Marshall recently announced that construction is underway on the Veterans Memorial Field House project, which includes renovations to the existing building and the construction of a new field house with a concession stand and bathrooms. The revamped facilities will accommodate the playground, splash pad, and large tournaments hosted primarily by Saratoga Miss Softball.

Former DPW Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco first proposed the project in 2021 as a partnership with Saratoga Miss Softball to create a new fieldhouse that would accommodate growing tournaments and an expanding softball program.

“The Saratoga Miss and Saratoga Thunder softball community is thrilled to see this project under way,” said Alison Gilcreast, president of Saratoga Miss Softball. “We have been diligently working with the city and [CHA Consulting] to design a facility that will elevate our park. From hosting highly competitive tournaments to a full recreation season, girls of all ages and abilities are welcomed at Veterans Memorial Park. Thank you to all those who participated in making this come to fruition. We are excited for the future of Saratoga Softball.”

11-Year-Old Golfer Gets Hole-In-One

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of Luciano Pecora posing with his hole-in-one ball provided by
his father Greg. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Luciano Pecora, an 11-year-old golfer from Stillwater, recently got a hole-in-one on the 5th hole of the Saratoga Spa State Park Golf Course, his father Greg told Saratoga TODAY.

Luciano reached the par-3, 105-yard hole in one stroke with a 7-iron. It was, his father said, the first time he’d played on a real golf course.

A video shared with Saratoga TODAY showed Luciano triumphantly retrieving his ball. “Luciano’s first time playing ever and his first hole-in-one—crazy!” his dad said.

Wrasslin’ at the Fair

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Black Roze delivers a devastating chop to Colin Delaney. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Amidst a water-skiing squirrel and a cage filled with capybaras, one could witness a man named Mikey smacking an evil camp counselor in the head with a cheese hat. “Cheese!” spectators yelled approvingly as Mikey, a real Muenster, beat his foe senseless.

The Dynasty, a professional wrestling promotion, put on its first show at the Saratoga County Fair last Wednesday night. Dubbed “Slamboree,” the event featured multiple title defenses and a couple surprise appearances from superstars with WWE name recognition.

The five-match card kicked into gear with fan-favorite Mikey “the Gouda Guy” Cheese successfully defending his “Cheddar-weight” championship against Coach Kyle, a summer camp counselor with a bad attitude. Later, Eden Grey defeated Tiffany Avatar to become the new #1 contender for the women’s title. Then, Doink the Clown showed up for a surprise tag team match involving a referee (the Doink gimmick was prominent in WWE in the 90s and has subsequently been used in an unofficial capacity on the indie circuit).

Last but not least, heavyweight champ Black Roze retained his title against Colin Delaney, who is best known for his stints with WWE, ECW, and AEW. The Roze vs. Delaney bout included outside interference by Sgt. Fury, thus setting up a potential main event between Fury and Roze at Dynasty’s “Light Up the Sky” on Aug. 16 in Schenectady.

“On behalf of the entire Dynasty family, thank you [Saratoga County Fair] for your unparalleled hospitality and accommodations,” the promotion said in a social media post. “This was our first event with you and we’re all collectively planning ways to make it bigger and better next time!”

Ballston Spa’s Ana Gold Named Pro Softball League Rookie of the Year

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Photo of Ana Gold via the AUSL. 

BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa native Ana Gold has received Rookie of the Year honors from the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which wrapped up its inaugural regular season on Wednesday. She was also named to the league’s All-Defensive Team as a corner infielder.

Prior to her final game of the season, Gold led all rookies and ranked fifth among all players in the AUSL with a .394 batting average. She also finished third in slugging percentage (.704). The rookie from Duke University was one of two players in the league with multiple triples, posted a hit in eight of her last nine games, and belted a pair of home runs in a 12-6 victory on Tuesday night.

“Everything just feels like it’s clicking right now,” Gold said in an interview posted to the AUSL’s website. “I’m seeing the ball [well], getting my swings off. You can’t think about every single pitch the pitcher has when you’re up at bat. You have to really look for a strike and get your swing off, and that’s helped me a lot.”

On the defensive side, Gold made just one error in the field all season and garnered an impressive defensive highlight reel, including one play in which she threw out a runner at first while stumbling and falling to the ground.

“I’m just ready any second for a ball to be hit at me, to make a great play,” Gold said. “I like to think when I’m on defense, I’m actually on offense. I’m taking the first step, I’m getting the hop I want, and just attacking the ball every pitch.”

Gold’s team, the Blaze, did not earn a spot in this year’s playoffs. 

The 2025 AUSL MVP will be awarded ahead of Game 1 of the AUSL Championship, which begins on Saturday, July 26 at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Saratoga County Pitchers Thriving with Mohawks

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.


Photos of Joe Gold, James Redick, Brad Curtis, and Matt Sgambati via the Amsterdam Mohawks.

AMSTERDAM — As the Amsterdam Mohawks near the end of their regular season, Saratoga County natives Joe Gold, James Redick, Brad Curtis, and Matt Sgambati have thrived in their mound appearances for the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League’s reigning champions.

Gold, a Ballston Spa native and Boston College sophomore, has allowed only 2 earned runs in 6 innings, while striking out a whopping 10 batters.

Redick, of Clifton Park and Fordham, has been a near-constant presence on the mound for Amsterdam, leading the team with 30.2 innings pitched. He’s allowed only 8 runs for an ERA of 2.35 while whiffing 33 hitters.

Curtis, a Clifton Park native committed to Siena, has an ERA of 3.60 across 10 innings. At the plate, he’s garnered a slash line of .226/.316/.355, and smashed a game-tying solo homer on July 11.

Sgambati hasn’t pitched much but held his opponents to only 1 earned run in 3.2 innings of work, while striking out 6.

The four ballplayers will have just a handful of opportunities to add to their summer highlights, as the Mohawks are scheduled to conclude their regular season on July 29.

Jockeys Versus Horsemen Charity Basketball Game Set for Aug. 6

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The 16th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game—which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund—will be played on Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Ángel Cordero Jr. Assisting him on the sidelines this year will be Taaj Ridley, the head of player development and assistant coach for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League.

The horsemen team will be coached for the first time by trainer Kenny McPeek and retired New York-based trainer Rick Schosberg. They will succeed Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin, who coached the team over the past 15 years.

This year’s special guest player will be former Syracuse University star Ryan Blackwell, who is now Siena’s assistant men’s basketball coach.

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center is located at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue. Horsemen, individuals, or organizations who would like to sponsor the game may do so via the NY Chaplaincy website at www.rtcany.org.

Spa Catholic Pitcher Headed to Duke

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Sports.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic pitcher Carson Moser (class of 2026), one member of the Saints state champion varsity baseball team, has accepted a scholarship to pitch for the Duke University Blue Devils.

“I am so proud of this young man who worked hard to earn this great opportunity,” wrote Saints Coach Alphonse Lambert in a social media post announcing the news. “Great pitcher, even better person. We’re proud of you, Car!”

This spring, Moser pitched for 11 innings in 4 starts, striking out 25 of 53 batters faced. He allowed 6 earned runs for an ERA of 4.91, while limiting his opponents’ batting average to .140. According to a Prep Baseball scouting profile, his fastball can hit 92 m.p.h.

Saratoga Baseball Excellence Continues: Youth Team Crowned State Champs

Written by Jonathon Norcross on . Posted in Featured, Sports.


Photo of the 10U team provided by Barry J. Bruno. 

 Photo of the Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball 11U Blue Sox state championship team
provided by Shawn Lescault. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — In an unprecedented year that has seen two high school baseball teams win state titles on the same day, the City of Saratoga Springs’ diamond-dwelling athletes continue to accumulate accolades.

The Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball league’s 11U Blue Sox team captured the Cal Ripken Eastern New York State Championship last week, punching their ticket to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Pennsylvania, where they will represent New York State. Should they prevail in the tourney, they’ll advance to the Cal Ripken World Series.

The Blue Sox notched victories over Clifton Park, North Colonie, Guilderland, and Highland in the state championships, improving their overall season record to 26-8.

“This group has been locked in all summer,” said Geoff Hunter, the squad’s head coach. “They’ve worked hard, supported each other, and stayed focused in every game. I’m incredibly proud of their growth, grit, and how they represent our community on and off the field.”

“This has been a banner year for baseball in Saratoga,” said Shawn Lescault, president of Saratoga-Wilton Youth Baseball. “Both Saratoga Springs and Spa Catholic winning state championships this spring, and now our hometown 11U Blue Sox adding a Cal Ripken state title; it’s clear that the love for the game runs deep in our community. We’re incredibly proud of what this team has accomplished. Baseball is alive and well in Saratoga.”

The 2025 Saratoga-Wilton Blue Sox 11U roster includes Logan Ercole, Madden King-O’Keefe, Grady Hirning, Grayson Hunter, Ryan LaCasse, Tucker Lescault, Liam Muller, Jack Ramsdill, Sammy Rodriguez, Joseph Sevi, Michael Windelspecht, and Camren Woods.

Another Saratoga-Wilton team, the 10U Blue Sox, defeated Guilderland in the quarterfinals of the Eastern New York State Championship tournament, but later fell in the semifinals to Poughkeepsie. The 10U team’s season will continue, however, as they compete in additional tournaments in South Glens Falls and Queensbury in the coming weeks.

Spa Catholic Baseball Champs to be Honored at Yankee Stadium

Written by Saratoga TODAY on . Posted in Sports.


Image via Saratoga Central Catholic. 


SARATOGA SPRINGS — On Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Saratoga Central Catholic state champion varsity baseball team will be honored by the New York Yankees during a special pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium prior to a game against the Minnesota Twins.

Those interested in attending the game can save 50% on tickets by ordering at this link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Saratogacentral2. A portion of each ticket sold through this special offer will benefit the Saratoga Central Catholic baseball program.

The Spa Catholic Saints won the Section 2 Class C Championship on June 14, defeating Deposit-Hancock 4 to 0. It was the first baseball title in the school’s history, and only the second state championship for any sport in school history.