3V3 LEAGUE

Red Team vs. Black Team 
Red (26): Jeffrey Oswald – 16, Michael Herring, Jr. – 4, Brayden Baumgardner – 4
Black (23): Connor Hogan – 9, Thomas Oswald – 6

Green Team vs. Blue Team
Green (28): Ethan Hammer – 20, Jax Holub – 6 
Blue (18): Harrison Thomas – 6, Nick Cameron – 6, Olivia Simon – 4

JR. DIVISION 

Five Guys vs. Carson’s Woodside Tavern 
Carson’s (43): Noah Diulio – 15, Tabias Daloisio – 16 
Five Guys (42): Chase Billington – 19, Aiden Faulkner – 14

Saratoga Gelato vs. Curtis Lumber 
Saratoga Gelato (41): Jasyn Thompson – 14, Owen Mongan – 8
Curtis Lumber (25): Evan Rosettie – 9, Jacob Herandez – 6 

SR. DIVISION

Fat Paulie’s vs. Cudney’s Launderers & Dry Cleaners
Fat Paulie’s (50): Bryant Savage – 10, Tommy Maurer – 9 
Cudney’s (35): Jude Aliperti – 12, Kemauri Johnson – 11 

Pashley’s Construction vs. P.B.A. 
P.B.A. (51): Matt Salway – 13, Ben Van Valkenburg – 10
Pashley’s (48): Stephon Beebe – 15, Everett Smith – 13

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Spa City Baseball Camp just held their first session of camp and is gearing up for a second session in August. 

The first session of the Saratoga Central Catholic Saints summer baseball camp was held July 5 through July 8 and had 42 players attend, despite the holiday weekend. Saratoga Central Catholic baseball coaches, Alphonse Lambert and Dale Long, run the camp. Coach Lambert has been the head baseball coach at Saratoga Central Catholic for 33 years and has been running these camps just as long. Coach Long has been the head assistant coach at SCC for 15 years. The Saints baseball program has a 30-year-long tradition, in which its current players learn from alumni. 

“I started this camp to give an opportunity for kids to hone their skills,” said Coach Lambert. “In baseball, a lot of the time kids play so many games, and the little things they can work on get pushed to the side in practices. What we do in our camp is we break down each skill into stations.” 

These hands-on stations include the following fundamental skills: hitting, base running, and pitching; individual attention is paid to each player.

Traditionally, three camps/sessions are run. July’s session was for the kids who aren’t playing travel ball and Allstars to keep their skills up, however the kids who are could still attend to get some extra practice. The session in August is intended to get the players ready for fall ball. And, a winter camp usually runs the second week of March, just before Little League evaluations. 

The two weeks of camp in the summer ran in 2020 with no problems – players were socially distanced, and masks were worn; 50 kids attended the first session. 

Despite the pandemic and being the youngest varsity team in their league, the Saints still had a great baseball season. With four eighth grade starters and a seventh grader, they pulled off a 12-8 record. 

“The seniors were real role models for the young guys,” said Coach Lambert. “They showed them the way of Saratoga Catholic baseball.”

Varsity players, alongside Coach Lambert, Coach Long, and alumni volunteers, will continue to demonstrate “the way of Saratoga Catholic baseball” with the kids ages 8-14 who attend the August session. The camp will run Aug. 9 through Aug. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at West Side Rec. Field (6 Coach Waldron Way) in Saratoga Springs. The cost of the camp is $175, and the price includes a t-shirt. For more information and to register visit www.spasaints.com. Fill out the registration form and mail a check (payable to Spa City Bombers) to the address listed on the form. 

Open Public

Open Public sessions are recreational ice skating sessions for participants of all ages. No figure skating or hockey is allowed on Family Open Public sessions. 

Fees are $4 for City residents with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $5. Skate rentals/sharpenings are $5. Cash or check made out to Commissioner of Finance only. 

Open Stick

Open Stick sessions are designed to work on hockey drills for participants of all ages. No games allowed. 

All participants must wear a helmet with a cage or face shield and gloves.

Fees for City residents are $9 with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $11. A Community Pass account and a City or Non-City Rec Card are required to participate.

Family Stick

Family Stick sessions are designed to work on hockey drills for children 13 and under and parents. No games allowed. 

All participants must wear a helmet with a cage or face shield and gloves. 

Fees for City residents are $9 with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $11. A Community Pass account and a City or Non-City Rec Card are required to participate. 

Open Adult (17+) Hockey

Pick-up hockey sessions for those 17 years and older only. Full hockey gear including helmet with a cage or face shield and gloves required.

Fees for City residents are $9 with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $11. Goalies are free. A Community Pass account and a City or Non-City Rec Card are required to participate. 

Open Adult (60+) Hockey

Pick-up hockey sessions for those 60 years and older only; goalies only can be under 60. Full hockey gear including helmet with a cage or face shield and gloves required.

Fees for City residents are $9 with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $11. Goalies are free. A Community Pass account and a City or Non-City Rec Card are required to participate. 

Open Figure

Sessions are designed for figure skating practice and lessons.

Fees for City residents are $11 with a Blue Rec Card. All others are $13. Coaches are $6. A Community Pass account and a City or Non-City Rec Card are required to participate. 

Visit www.saratoga-springs.org to view the complete schedule. 

Contact the Recreation Department at 518-587-3550 x2300 or recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions. Early bird registration period ends one week before camp starts! Fees increase $25 after.

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Annika Kilinski finished 2nd in the world in the Young Adult Division at the National Ninja League (NNL) World Championship and received a 3rd place medal in the Step by Step skills category. She will be competing in the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) Worlds in Las Vegas on July 30. Annika placed first in the Area and Regional qualifiers, and also first in both Area and Regional UNAA qualifiers. 

“I had such an amazing experience at my 2nd NNL World competition and met so many new friends from all over the world,” said Annika. “I could not have performed as well as I did without training at the Saratoga Ninja Lab with my awesome coaches and teammates!”

Congrats to this week’s Athlete of the Week – John Dellavilla!

At 82 years old, John participated in the Vermont Senior Games in June 2021, winning a gold medal in the 50-meter sprint for the second year in a row, and a silver in the 100-meter sprint. John also won silver in the shot putt for the second year in row, and a silver in the long jump. 

When he participated in the NYS Empire Games in 2019, he won gold in the 50-meter, and a bronze in both the hammer throw and shot putt. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Due to the overwhelming success of the first round of pickleball workshops at Saratoga Springs Recreation Department, they have decided to offer another round on Thursday, July 22. 

They will be hosting two Beginner Workshops for ages 14+ from 12 to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. These are geared toward those who have never played or are interested in improving their skills. 

The Intermediate Workshop for ages 18+ will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m., and is geared towards those rated at a 2.5-3.5 level interested in improving their game. 

Both workshops will be held at the East Side Rec. Pickleball Courts located at 226 Lake Avenue. Fees are $45 for City residents and $65 for non-City residents. Fees after July 19 are $70 for City residents and $90 for non-City residents. You will need a paddle, sneakers, and water. 

Coordinator is Ken Henderson, Director, Traveling Pickleball Pros. Register early to secure a spot and save. Please email recreservations@saratoga-springs.org with questions. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will honor Capital Region frontline workers for their dedication and service to the community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic during Health Care Heroes and First Responders Day, presented by CDPHP, at the Saratoga Race Course on Friday, July 16. 

The day will feature free grandstand admission for all health care professionals and first responders with proper identification. Gates open at 11 a.m.

NYRA will welcome doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and vaccine site workers from Capital Region hospitals and healthcare organizations to the winner’s circle for a race named in their honor. Local police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics will also receive special recognition in the winner’s circle with their own race. 

The day will begin with a special performance of the National Anthem by Raymond Agnew, Vice President, Hospital & Community Engagement from Glens Falls Hospital. The afternoon will include a special appearance by the New York State Police Pipes and Drums who will perform on the track apron. 

Among the Capital Region health care workers recognized on-track will be professionals from Albany Medical Center, Glens Falls Hospital, the New York State Department of Health, Saratoga Hospital, and The Wesley Community. 

First responders represented will include officials from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, Clifton Park EMS, New York State Police, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, Saratoga Springs City Fire Department, and Saratoga Springs Police Department. 

On July 12, NYRA announced its Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, a new initiative designed to honor local frontline and essential workers who went above and beyond during the pandemic, including health care workers, first responders, grocery associates, and public service, postal and transportation workers, amongst others. 

Each Friday of the 2021 summer meet, beginning July 23, NYRA and CDPHP will recognize one Capital Region resident for their service to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each NYRA Hometown Hero, presented by CDPHP, will receive the opportunity to present the trophy in the winner’s circle during a race that afternoon. 

Nominations for the NYRA Hometown Hero program, presented by CDPHP, may be submitted via email at hometownhero@cdphp.com through Aug. 15, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. Submissions should include contact information for both the nominee and nominator, as well as a brief description (250 words or less) of why the nominee should be recognized as a NYRA Hometown Hero.

For additional information, visit NYRA.com. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS —The National Museum nd Hall of Fame is open 7 days a week  from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with updated galleries, a brand new Hall of Fame and Race Day Gallery experience, a new Gift Shop, and more.

Hall of Fame Ceremony

The National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6 at Fasig-Tipton, will be open to the public and free to attend. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will also be streamed live on the Museum’s website at racingmuseum.org.

Public seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors will open at 9:30 a.m. This year’s induction ceremony will honor the Hall of Fame classes of 2020 and 2021. Legendary track announcer Tom Durkin will serve as the master of ceremonies. The 2020 inductees include racehorses Tom Bowling and Wise Dan; jockey Darrel McHargue; trainer Mark Casse; and Pillars of the Turf Alice Headley Chandler, J. Keene Daingerfield, Jr., and George D. Widener, Jr. The 2021 class is comprised of racehorse American Pharoah (a 2013 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale graduate) and trainers Jack Fisher and Todd Pletcher.

Tom Durkin Leads Guided Tours at Racing Museum

Retired racecaller Tom Durkin will lead personalized tours of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame throughout the Saratoga Race Course meeting this summer from July 20 through Sept. 3. 

Tours will be from 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Sunday with a cost of $20 for Museum members and $25 for non-members (includes Museum admission). Tours will be limited to 15 people and reservations are required. This is the third year Durkin will lead tours of the Museum. Durkin will be highlighting various aspects of the Museum and its collection, including the new The Test of the Champion exhibit celebrating 150 years of the Belmont Stakes, and relating personal anecdotes from his distinguished career in racing.

Tour reservations can be made by calling the Museum at 518-584-0400 ext. 107. There will be no Durkin-led tours on Mondays or Tuesdays or Aug. 3 and Aug. 15. The tour price includes the special tour, admission to the Museum, and a showing of the new signature film, What It Takes: Journey to the Hall of Fame. Tours will meet in the Museum lobby and will begin promptly at 11 a.m.

Oklahoma Training Track Tours: Find out why this beautiful and historic site, located across the street from the main track at Saratoga Race Course, is a favorite base for Hall of Fame trainers. The Museum’s behind-the-scenes tours, offered in cooperation with the NYRA, are available now through September. This walking tour covers approximately 1½ miles and lasts for 90 minutes. Adult: $15; Student/Senior: $10.

For insurance reasons, tour participants must be at least 10 years old. Oklahoma Training Track Tours are by reservation only. The tour begins promptly at 9 a.m. and leaves from the Museum parking lot. You will meet your tour guide by the back Museum entrance. Reservations are required and space is limited. Sturdy walking shoes are suggested for this tour.

Two exciting new exhibits: Muybridge and Motion: Selections from the Tang Teaching Museum Collection (On display in the Link Gallery through Jan. 2, 2022), and ’Chasing Summer: The Art of Steeplechase (On display in the von Stade Gallery through Sept. 30).

Muybridge and Motion features a series of groundbreaking animal locomotion photographic studies by English photographer Eadweard Muybridge (1830 – 1904) from the Tang Teaching Museum collection and paintings by American artist Henry Stull (1851 – 1913) from the National Museum of Racing collection.

This year’s fine art exhibition, ‘Chasing Summer celebrates the Steeplechase Hall of Fame induction year with 31 works of steeplechasing art by British and American sporting artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. ’Chasing Summer also celebrates the return of 13 works from the collection that were previously on loan and have not been exhibited at the Museum in decades.

For more information about the Museum, go to: www.racingmuseum.org.

Shin splints describe the third most common injury that impacts a runner’s training. Published studies have shown that shin splints account for 6–16% of injuries among runners. 

Shin splints can be described  as “exertional lower leg pain.” Most commonly it is related to the soft tissue (muscles) but can also be a sign of a stress fracture or compartment syndrome.  More specifically, it refers to an anatomical site of periostitis.

Periostitis is a medical condition caused by inflammation of the periosteum, a layer of connective tissue that surrounds bone. The condition is generally chronic and is marked by tenderness/pain and swelling of the bone. This condition typically affects people who run, repetitively jump,  or lift heavy weights.

Pain in the front of the shin region is typically the “anterior tibialis” muscle. 

Pain in the inner aspect of the lower leg is often called “Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome.”

The Medial Tibial region (inner calf) is often thought to be either tibial periostitis, tibial stress fracture or microfracture or distal deep posterior chronic compartment syndrome. Available information suggests that the medial tibial stress syndrome most likely represents a periostitis at this location of the leg. 

Risk Factors

Risk factors that play a part in sports injuries can be categorized as either intrinsic (or personal) risk factors, such as anatomic variations and physical fitness, or extrinsic (or environmental) factors related to the type of sport, such as the status of the field or running surface. 

Numerous reviews published about factors associated with lower limb injuries among runners, generally agree that several risk factors may be associated with injuries. 

These factors include:
• lack of running experience
• competitive running
• excessive weekly running distances
• poor physical condition
• previous injury (specifically shin splints)
• female
• Increased BMI
• Increased navicular drop (i.e. an indicator of pronation in the foot) 
• ankle plantarflexion ROM 
• Greater hip external rotation ROM (in males only)

Although there are commonly held beliefs about the best solutions to prevent and/or treat shin splints, there is little objective evidence to support the widespread use of any existing interventions to prevent shin splints. 

A randomized controlled study conducted among more than 1500 Australian military recruits found no decrease in injury risk with stretching. In fact, there is evidence that stretching may affect performance adversely. 

Another sensitive subject is the use of orthotics. Although there is a time and place for the use of orthotics, foot orthoses were NOT found to be effective for preventing soft-tissue injuries like shin splints. 

In the recent past, it has also become popular to hear the benefits of “shock-absorbing” shoes or insoles, but no evidence was found to be effective for preventing any injury.

I was unable to find any study using prophylactic programs for the prevention of shin splints that were effective. 

Similarly, regarding common treatment options, the evidence of effectiveness for any interventions is limited. 

Review after review that I examined yielded that the most effective strategy for dealing with shin splints is “conservative therapy.” 

The main goal of therapy should initially aim to correct functional, gait, and biomechanical overload factors. In other words, strengthen where weak, modify foot strike position (i.e. avoid toeing out), and modify mileage and/or frequency of runs to reduce overloading the system. 

Recommendations/Exercises

The solutions that I have used focus primarily on identifying the source of the runner’s symptoms. Most commonly I have found the medial compartment to be related to the soleus, flexor digitorum longus, or posterior tibialis. In truth all muscles of the calf and foot are used with running but based on where the patient feels the most symptoms, the likely culprit becomes easier to identify. 

We follow the following steps:

1. Mobility First: This means improving tissue mobility and if there are any limitations in the joints of the foot or ankle, we address those areas as well.

Foam Rolling: Spend about a minute per region and perform before EVERY run and on days off from running. 

2. Stability/strength is second: Typically with the pain, there is the inhibition or avoidance of your normal strike and stride. This will affect the muscle’s ability to handle a load. It may seem like the calf would be strong due to the running, but often the shin splint is the clue pointing towards the weakness/imbalance of the muscles. 

It is important to work on the calf strength with the knees straight AND knees bent. 

Perform 3 sets of 10-15 reps 3x’s/week. 

Progressively increase the resistance to challenge the muscles and progress to one leg at a time to ensure both legs are working equally hard. 

3. Balance/proprioception is third: Due to the misinformation about the importance of “arch support” and the overuse of inserts/orthotics, the foot itself loses it’s natural ability to respond to forces and changes in terrain. Often too much cushion will negatively affect the reaction as well. In the end, the inability to sense what the foot is doing will lead to changes in gait and workload for lower leg muscles and contribute to shin splint pain. 

Progress from balancing on one foot holding for 30 seconds 3-5 sets. 

Next balance on one leg while kicking opposite in different directions around an imaginary clock. 

Finally, try balancing on one leg while reaching to the floor and touching different targets in different positions. 

Try all movements with no shoes and when you feel it is easy to try looking in different locations or closing your eyes. 

Shin splints are the third most common injury complaints made by runners. Soft tissue injuries require improving mobility, improving strength, and working on your balance/proprioception.

Thanks for reading my articles. If you want to contact my office, please call 518-306-6894, email me at goodemotept@gmail.com, or at www.Goodemotept.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, — The return of the Saratoga Racing Season is cause for celebration in Saratoga Springs! The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association, in collaboration with NYRA and the Saratoga Springs Downtown Special Assessment District, is excited to host a first -time event called Celebrate Saratoga! The event takes place in downtown Saratoga Springs on Opening Day of the Saratoga Race Course, Thursday, July 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Saratoga Springs Downtown Business Association welcomes racing fans, visitors and the local community back to enjoy the vibrancy of our charming City with live music performances throughout the downtown area including Hot Club of Saratoga at the Visitors Center; Seth Warden and Company at Ben & Jerry’s; Erin Harkes at the Spa City Motor Lodge; Kevin Mckrell at the Adirondack Trust Company Drive-Thru; and Lifeline at Impressions of Saratoga.

Other performances include Tim Wechgalear and Chris Carey at the Arcade Building; Jeanine Ouderkirk at Henry Street Taproom; Jacksland at the corner of Caroline and Main Street; Pat Decker at Palette; and Steve Candlen at Toga Heritage.

In combination with the Celebrate Saratoga event, storefront windows in the downtown area will be decorated as part of the celebration welcoming racing fans back to the Saratoga Race Course. Window decorations will be judged on July 14 at 2 p.m. by the legendary horse racing announcer Tom Durkin, popular CBS6 news anchor Liz Bishop and 93.3FM Star Radio’s award-winning veteran broadcaster Walt Adams. The drawing will be held on Saturday, July 17 and announced on the Saratoga DBA Facebook page.

“Saratoga’s vibrant downtown and outstanding shops, hotels and restaurants are a big part of what draws so many visitors to the Spa each year,” said NYRA Senior Director of Communications Pat McKenna. “We thank the Downtown Business Association for their support as we welcome the return of racing fans to Saratoga this summer.”

For more information on the Celebrate Saratoga event call 518-587-8635 or visit www.saratogaspringsdowntown.com.