BACK TO BACK CHAMPS
Eddie Baray earns back-to-back MVP honors as Cyclones defeat Expos 8-0

Jul 21, 2025 - Prior to the beginning of yesterday's championship game, Eddie Baray announced "I'm pitching to contact boys, so be ready". Eddie could not have been more accurate and truthful with that statement. Eddie pitched 8 innings and struck out only 1 batter and that strikeout came in his last inning of work. The rest of his outing, Eddie pitched in and around the strike zone enough to induce contact produce outs.  Eddie was able to keep the Expos' big hitters at bay for most of the game and the rest of the lineup mostly off the bases. The Expos best chance at getting back in the game came in the 5th inning when the Expos loaded the bases courtesy of two hits and a walk.  But with two outs already in the books, the Expos drove a liner to left field and Eddie was out of trouble.

On offense, the Cyclones took advantage of Expos misplays and made them dearly. In the 1st, Guy Koenig reached on a hard hit grounder to third base that wasn't handled cleanly.  He promptly stole second base and moved to third on a strike three wild pitch that saw Camilo Galvez reach first as well. Craig Baser followed with a Sac-Fly to get the Cyclones on the board. Eddie Baray joined in with a hit of his own and Juan Guedez, courtesy running for Eddie, stole second to put 2 runners in scoring position. Up next, Josh Granados reached on an error, but that error produced two runs.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Dre Vappie led the inning of with a single to right. Justin Putnal followed with a grounder to third, but the ball was thrown in to the outfield and runners were now on first and third. Taylor Scaggs joined in on the action as hit laced an RBI single to center making the score 4-0. Chad Tineo grounded into a fielder's choice moving Justin to third. Chad stole second on the next pitch putting himself into scoring position. Next batter, Juan Guedez, grounds to third but the third baseman tripped and was unable to come up with the play with Justin scoring on the play and Chad moving to third. With runners on first and third again, Guy hit a sharp grounder to the pitcher driving in the third run of the inning to make the score 6-0.

The Cyclones would score 2 more runs, 1 each in the 4th and 5th innings to end the scoring at 8. Taylor Scaggs pitched a 1-2-3 9th inning to secure the Championship for the Cyclones. It's the Cyclones 6th championship in the Houston Hardball League, including two while in the North Houston Wood Bat League, a division of the HHL. It's the third championship in the last 6 seasons and first back-to-back championship for the Cyclones.

Houston Cyclones - Houston Hardball League Spring 2025 35+ Division Champions
Standing (Left-Right): Craig Baser, Guy Koenig, Tom West, Priamo Reyes, Justin Putnal, Josh Granados, Ray Mariano, Taylor Scaggs, Camilo Galvez, Mgr. Dean Cosme
Kneeling (Left-Right): Ernesto Ojeda, Andre Vappie, Juan Zuniga, BJ Galvan, Eddie Baray, Chad Tineo, Jairo Reyes, Juan Guedez

Eddie Baray hurls a changeup Championship Game vs Expos July 20, 2025

CUSTOM TAYLORED WIN
Taylor Scaggs hurls 5 shutout innings to advance Cyclones to 6th straight Championship Game

Jul 14, 2025 - On a less than picture perfect day, Taylor Scaggs took the mound for the Houston Cyclones with the goal clear, win.  Win and the Cyclones would be in the Championship Game for the 6th consecutive time and 7 of the last 8 seasons. And win he did. Taylor hurled 5 shutout innings before handing it over to Eddie Baray for the last 2 innings. Taylor struck out 7 while only allowing 2 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. On the other side of the ball, the Cyclones bats were quiet for the first 3 innings as the Rangers were keeping the Cyclones off balance and shaking their heads one time through the batting order.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, Eddie Baray led off the innings with a perfect bunt down the 3rd base line that at one point looked as though it may roll foul but as it began to slow down took a slight turn to the inside and stopped in fair territory for a single. From there things began to unravel for the Rangers as the Cyclones sent 12 batters to the plate, scoring 7 runs on an assortment of hits, walks and errors to go up 7-0 after 4. The Cyclones would score 2 more runs in the 5th inning and the game would end 9-1 in favor of the Cyclones. The Cyclones now face the Expos for the HHL Spring 2025 35+ Championship next Sunday.

Taylor Scaggs delivers a pitch during playoff game vs Rangers July 13, 2025

PLAYOFFS TIME
Final regular season game rained out. Cyclones look forward to playoffs

Jun 23, 2025 - The rain began the first pitch. Players assisted in raking the field to make it somewhat playable after the rain stopped. The Cyclones took the field as the home team in hopes that the rain would hold off long enough to get the minimum of 3 complete innings in to qualify the game as official.  Mgr. Dean Cosme started on the mound and promptly walked the first batter. While he wouldn't blame the conditions, they sure made it harder than normal to pitch. The next batter looped a single to right field.  Batters on first and second and no one out.  The next batter laced a liner to right field.  After repositioning right fielder Tom West to move in more and over to the right field line more, Tom sprinted in and caught the ball for the first out. Tom threw to first baseman Andre Vappie who stepped on first base for the second out and Andre threw to shortstop Eddie Baray at second base for the third out.  TRIPLE PLAY!!!

The good vibes of the triple play wouldn't last too long as the weather would turn nasty.  After the Cyclones threatened but did not score in the bottom half of the first, Cosme took the mound again for the top of the second inning in the rain and the rain would get harder and harder.  After striking out the first batter, the game was called due to poor playing conditions as the rain continued to pour down. The triple play would not be official. But that's ok.  It's forever immortalized on video for the world to see at their leisure. Click the link - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1YXARicEew/

The Houston Cyclones will now concentrate on the playoffs where they will look to win their second consecutive championship and 6th overall.

June 22, 2025 game vs Rangers was rained out and canceled

DAMN RIGHT!
HBP sparks offense as they pick up Cosme and the defense

Jun 9, 2025 - With 1 out in the 4th inning, Ernesto Ojeda came to the plate with a sinking feeling that he might get hit by a pitch.  Sure enough, first pitch - BAM!, right in the upper left tricep/shoulder area. Take your base. As the Cyclones dugout began to shout at the Astros pitcher, he shouted back and admitted he hit Ernesto on purpose. It was a needless pitch and a needless ejection.  This is a recreational adult men's league where each of us have a family and a job to be able to provide for that family.  This isn't the pros.  No one is getting signed to play for an MLB team.  We're beyond that age. We play for the love of the game and the camaraderie of the other players.

After play resumed, the Cyclones took full advantage of the disadvantage the ejection put the Astros in and pounced on their relief pitcher and holes in the defense. Already leading 9-5 at the beginning of the inning, the inning ended with the Cyclones up 15-5.  After getting out of the next inning after allowing 2 additional runs to the Astros, the game ended after the Astros, who had another game to play in the afternoon, made the decision to end the game.

Big hitters on the day were Camilo Galvez 2-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 3 RBI and Guy Koenig 2-3, 2 R, 1 SB, 3 RBI. At least 6 others had 1 hit and almost everyone else reached base by walk or HBP. Final score was 15-7.

Camilo Galvez watches his ground-rule double take flight vs. Astros June 8, 2025

DOUBLE DANGEROUS
Eddie Baray hurls complete game 1 run gem, Josh Granados leads offense with 2-run double

Jun 2, 2025 - It's never as easy as it may seem or look.  Sunday's game against the Rangers was just that.  Eddie Baray hurled a complete 9 inning game, allowing only 1 unearned run on 6 scattered hits, striking out 5 and allowing no walks all while keeping his pitch count very low.  But if you we're watching the game from afar, it seems as though the Rangers were 1 to 2 hits away from making it a lot more interesting than the Cyclones would feel comfortable with.

On the other side of the ball, the Cyclones offense started off very slow and silent for the first couple of innings.  In the top of the third Juan Zuniga walked to lead off the inning. Juan would eventually come around to score on a fielder's choice by BJ Galvan.  The run was setup by Josh Granados as he was running as the courtesy runner for Juan, when he stole 3rd base in order to put himself into a position to score on a variety of plays that are typical for men's league baseball.

In the 4th inning, Priamo Reyes lined a lead-off single to left field.  He promptly stole second base where a comedy of errors on the part of the Rangers allowed Reyes to never stop running once he stole second. Later  that inning, Camilo Galvez and Craig Baser was reach base on consecutive singles.  Guy Koenig grounded into what should have been an inning ending groundout but the shortstop flubbed the ball and Guy was safe and Camilo scored on the play to make it 2-0.  Next batter Josh Granados smacked a shot to deep left-center field that landed at the base of the fence for a 2-run double. The Cyclones would score a couple of more runs in the 7th and 9th innings respectively to insure the 7-1 victory.

Josh Granados smacks a 2-run double vs. Rangers June 1, 2025

Eddie Baray delivers a fastball vs. Rangers June 1, 2025

BLACKJACK!
The Cyclones scored 21 runs on 16 hits and 11 base on balls

May 19, 2025 - The Houston Cyclones sent 15 batters to the plate in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Conroe Lumberjacks.  The Cyclones scored 9 runs in that first on 2 hits and 8 walks. If they had not gotten another hit and not scored again, they would have still won the game. Starting pitcher Dean Cosme and the Cyclones defense held the Lumberjacks to 3 runs (2 earned) on only 6 hits and 3 hit batsmen.

Having big days at the plate on Sunday were Juan Zuniga (2-4, 1 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, 4 RBI), Taylor Scaggs (2-5, 1 2B, 1 BB, 1 R, 3 RBI), Chad Tineo (1-3, 2 BB, 1 SF, 2 R, 3 RBI) and Craig Baser (3-4, 1 BB, 3 R, 2 RBI).  The rest of the team all reached base safely at least once and everyone scored at least one run and notched at least 1 RBI

Craig Baser lines one of three hits vs. Conroe Lumberjacks May 18, 2025

REASSERTING THEIR STRENGTH
Complete team effort pounces on Marauders for 16-9 victory

May 5, 2025 - In a game where everyone reached base safely or scored at least one run, it was one of the most complete team victories in recent memory against a long time rival. The Cyclones scored 16 runs all while smacking 21 hits and walking 6 more to decisively defeat the Marauders. Having big days on offense were Justin Putnal who drove in 3 on 2 hits while also scoring twice and Camilo Galvez who continued  his recent hit streak with another 2 hits and 4 more RBI. Taylor Scaggs had another strong start on the mound for the Cyclones but tired in the 5th inning as the game began to drag on, and the Marauders got to him for 9 total runs 6 of which were earned.

Justin Putnal lines an RBI single vs. Marauders May 4, 2025

SWEEP REVENGE
Craig Baser crushes 2-Run HR to lead Cyclones to Double Header sweep

April 28, 2025 - In Game 1 of Sunday's double header, the Cyclones faced the Royals at Meyer Park.  The game lasted 2-1/2 hours but for all intents and purposes, it was over in the first inning as Taylor Scaggs displayed his dominance over the Royals, throwing a complete game (8 innings), allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and most impressively, striking out 15 Royals along the way to an 18-2 victory.  Every Cyclones batter reached based safely at least once and while there were solid hitting performances up and down the lineup, it was Dre Vappie and Juan Zuniga who led the way driving in 4 RBI on 2 hits each with Dre scoring twice and Juan scoring 4 times.

In the nightcap, Eddie Baray took the mound for the Cyclones and was once again brilliant as he held the Expos in check for the most part, hurling a complete game while only allowing 3 runs on 7 hits and 2 base on balls, while striking out 9 in a 9-3 victory over the Expos. On the offensive side of the ball, the day belonged to Craig Baser, who launched a 2-Run soul-crushing HR in the 7th inning to put the Cyclones up 4-3 after trailing most of the game. Also adding to the offense was Camilo Galvez, who went 3-4 with a double, 1 run scored and 2 RBI. 

Taylor Scaggs delivers a pitch during Sunday's double header vs. Royals April 27, 2025

Eddie Baray delivers a pitch during Sunday's double header vs. Expos April 27, 2025

SURPRISE ATTACK
Cyclones unprepared for what awaited them in the other dugout

April 14, 2025 - The defending league champs ran into their old rivals on Sunday, the Marauders, and quickly found out why the Marauders were currently undefeated.  A much improved Marauders team from a season ago came into Sunday's matchup in first place and proved why they were undefeated. They quickly jumped on starting Pitcher Dean Cosme, tagging him for 3 runs and another 2 runs in the 3rd inning and knocking him out of the game.  Taylor Scaggs relieved Cosme and while he fared a bit better, the offense could only muster 2 runs and the game ended in an 8-2 loss. 

Guy Koenig reacts after grounding out to first on a check swing vs. Marauders April 13, 2025

ROYAL TREATMENT
Cyclones run wild on Royals on their way to a 14-5 victory

April 7, 2025 - The Houston Cyclones ran their way to a new team record with 12 stolen bases en route to a 14-5 rout of the Royals. The stolen base parade started early as lead off hitter Juan Guedez got the party started with a leadoff base hit and promptly stole second.  Two batters later, Guy Koenig singled to center to drive in Guedez.  He promptly stole second as well for the first of his 3 stolen bases on the day.

In the second inning, Josh Granados led off with a walk and stole second. Juan Zuniga reached on an error and Dre Vappie blooped and RBI single, driving Granados. After one out, Ray Mariano walked to load the bases. Tom West popped into an infield fly, but the Royals misplayed the ball, allowing Zuniga to score. Chad Tineo then came to bat with runners on second and third. Tineo then roped a 2 out-2 RBI single and promptly stole second and third, leading to Juan Guedez' second at bat of the game. He blooped a single to center to drive in Tineo and reached second on an error as the Royals centerfielder booted the ball.  Guedez then stole third before the inning would come to end. After 2 innings the score was now 6-0.

The third inning would go similarly to the second as the first 5 batters would reach base scoring 4 runs and stealing 2 more bases. After 3 innings the score was now 10-2. The Cyclones would score 2 more runs in the fourth inning and steal 4 more bases as Chad Tineo stole 2 more bases and Guy Koenig stole his third on the day. In the end, the Cyclones defeated the Royals 14-5 and won the stolen base battle 12-1 as well.

Guy Koenig steals second vs. Royals April 6, 2025

BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS
Cyclones hold on to beat F2024 Open Division Champs Desperados 7-6

March 31, 2025 - The Cyclones jumped to an early 1-0 on Sunday afternoon against the defending Open Division Champions. The Cyclones held the lead for 3 innings until starting pitcher Dean Cosme allowed the tying run to score on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Cosme would allow another run on the 5th after giving up 3 more hits and a couple of fielder's choices. In the 7th inning gave up 3 more hits and a couple more fielder's choices to allow another run to score.  Slowly adding to their lead, hope seemed lost as the Cyclones continued to fail to score runs despite plenty of scoring opportunities.

But in the bottom of the 7th inning, after the Desperados took a 3-1 lead, they changed pitchers and the Cyclones capitalized. BJ Galvan walked to lead off the inning, but the Cyclones next 2 batters struck out. Chad Tineo then roped a single pushing BJ to 3rd base. Priamo Reyes singled to drive in BJ and an error by the shortstop allowed Chad to score, tying the game at 3 each.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Cyclones, fueled by momentum after Cosme's four pitch top of the inning, jumped all over the next Desperados pitcher for 4 runs to go ahead 7-3 heading into the final inning. RBI singles by Camilo Galvez, Jairo Reyes and Ray Mariano highlighted the go-ahead inning. In the ninth, a fatigued Cosme uncharacteristically walked 3 batters, hit another one as well as allowed another single, bending as far as he could but not breaking before inducing the game ending fly ball to secure the victory.

Dean Cosme looks in for the sign vs. Desperados March 30, 2025

MELTDOWN!!!

March 24, 2025 - One fateful inning can make a game turn on a dime. Ask the 2024 Yankees about Game 5 of the World Series. For the Cyclones, while not a playoff or championship game, it stings nonetheless. On Sunday, with the Cyclones leading 7-3, the wheels fell off the wagon and the storm fizzled to barely a drizzle.  After getting the first batter of the inning to pop up to second base, the next 2 batters reached on singles.  Back to the top of the order, the lead off hitter for the Expos grounded a ball to third base. Barely fair, BJ Galvan attempted to start a double play only to see the ball head into tight field and a run score. 6 consecutive hits later, the lead was lost and air sucked out of the Cyclones and all but 3 outs left before the Cyclones would meekly walk away, humbled by a loss t hat shouldn't have been.  Ego's bruised and lesson's learned, the Cyclones move on to the next game.

Ray Mariano watches as he lines a hit to left field vs. Expos - March 23, 2025

I KNOW THE DAMN RULES

March 19, 2025 - I've played this game a long time. I've studied this game even longer. No two games are the same. Sure the score may be the same, but the process in which the 27 outs are achieved are never the same. The way in which 3 outs are achieved in a half inning are never the same.  Sure you can get 3 ground outs to third.  Or 3 fly outs to left field.  But the pitch count will vary  The pitches to achieve that pitch count will differ. Every game is unique. The rules of major league baseball attempt to account for every situation. I believe they do. And if something new arises, the rules are changed to reflect those changes.

Since I was a kid growing up in New York, I've watched baseball on TV, played baseball and softball in leagues, with friends, against friends, for prizes and for money (it ended up being like 5 bucks a kid, but it was money nonetheless). One thing I am not, is ignorant of the rules.  But let me preface that by stating, I learned about most of the rules as I played and watched each game, each season, each year. I didn't know all the rules at 10 years old. I didn't know them all at 21 year of age. But I didn't cover my ears, or hold my nose or turn my head when a new situation that I had not previously experienced arose. I learned from it. I studied it. I remembered it.

I've never portrayed myself to be a superstar of the game.  I've never portrayed myself to be a great hitter or a great pitcher. Although I used to be a really good first baseman. But that's another story. I've never stated that I'm always prepared for every situation that may happen on the field, but I liketo think I am. I appreciate the game. Respect the game. I'm also one who knows that the game has changed and that personal expression is a modern aspect of the game that many peers my age are reluctant to embrace. I embraced that part of the game a while ago. I'm glad to see it's finally becoming an accepted part of it even though some die-hards may still grumble.

But the purpose of this post is not to boast about my knowledge of the game or lack thereof, but rather to express the fact that I am someone who does know the rules and am a stickler for them. Whether its seeing a gross miscarriage of justice by the umpires during a game on tv or within the league I play where I am a member of the executive committee and a member of the rules committee. I am someone who is looked at as knowledgeable and can answer most questions.

When a situation that I had not experienced before takes place, I sometimes have to inquire as to the what the correct ruling is because I have been on the wrong end of incorrect applications of the rules by the very umpires that have been paid to interpret and execute those same rules (yeah Bobby, I'm looking at you). This past Sunday, a play that happened at first base while my team was on defense begged for an explanation. That explanation came after the inning was completed, forcing me to accept whatever decision had been rendered. In this case as well, it was the end of the game and we had the game well in hand and just needed to get the final outs to end the game, so waiting made sense.

The situation was runner on first and second (I think) and no outs. The batter grounds the ball towards first base. It was very close to the line between being fair or foul. The umpire signaled the ball to be fair. Our first baseman fielded the ball.  The runner on first did not break for second but instead took one step off first and then stepped back onto the bad.  The batter, thinking the ball was foul, never left the batter's box. Our first baseman, not knowing the call, stepped on the bag and then tagged the runner for what many of us perceived to be a double play. It's this particular caveat of the play that could have changed the outcome from a single out to a double play and or vice-versa.  Had the first baseman tagged the runner first, even with him standing on the bag, and then stepped on first, it would have been a double play. But since the sequence was the first baseman touched first base first and then the runner, the act of touching first base rendered the play a non force play and the runner was free to advance at his own caution or return to the bag which is what he ultimately did.

I, sitting about 100 feet away from the play, seeing what happened, began to question the outcome and why it wasn't a double play, I believe I saw the first baseman tag the runner first and then step on the bag. I continued to ask until someone began to shout "KNOW THE RULES! LEARN THE DAMN RULES!" and additional verbiage that I won't get into on this platform. I decided to let it all go knowing we would win the game, and I would speak with the umpires after the game was over.  Why did I make that decision? Why didn't I fight for the double play?  Why didn't I go out and argue that I saw the runner get tagged first? The most obvious reason was that we were about to win the game and why delay things further. Another reason was I wasn't going to win an argument with the umpire. Not at that moment of the game.  99.9% of the time you never win an argument with an umpire. So I decided not to escalate the situation. I knew the rule that was being applied. I didn't know that sequence of events that the umpire would say he witnessed.  I feel I witnessed it differently. That would have been my argument. I know the rules.

In fairness, I could have said and done things to instigate an argument with the opposing team's pitcher, but experience and wisdom has taught me that someone like that is not worth the time and effort to argue with or even engage in a verbal confrontation with when they don't have the capacity to have a civil discussion on an intellectual level. Short fuses burn quickly and I had the ammunition to light the fuse.  But one thing I have learned from recent events that have taken place on the baseball diamond is that some people aren't worth it and I'm too old to waste my time on such nonsense with someone who is meaningless to me and the life I enjoy. I've exorcised those demons. The rent was due.  The eviction notice was drawn and executed.

SEASON BEGINS WITH A WIN
Reigning Champs begin their title defense by topping Astros 11-4 in title game rematch

March 17, 2025 - The Houston Cyclones quest for back-to-back championships began in earnest Sunday as they defeated the Northside Astros 11-4. The Cyclones looked to take advantage early and appeared they were headed in that direction as they sent 7 batters to the plate and were unable to capitalize on shaky first inning pitching by the Astros. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, the Astros score the game's first runs plating a pair to take a 2-0 lead.  That lead would be short lived as the Cyclones came roaring back to score 5 runs in the top of the 4th to go ahead 5-2.  The Astros and Cyclones traded runs in the next few innings bringing the score to 6-4 before starter Dean Cosme gave way to Taylor Scaggs, the hard throwing righty that was limited to playing OF for the Cyclones due to his age.  While Scaggs made 2 appearances last season, this season he will be able to pitch without limitations. In this game, Scaggs pitched 2 innings, allowed 2 hits and a walk while striking out 4 and closing out the Opening Day victory for Cosme and the Cyclones 11-4.

Taylor Scaggs delivers the pitch vs. Northside Astros - March 16, 2025

OPENING DAY POSTPONED
The Cyclones and the rest of the league will try again next Sunday

March 9, 2025 - Heavy, steady rain has delayed Opening Day by one week. It now means the Cyclones will face the Astros next week, the team they defeated to become Fall 2024 Champs. What a way to start the season.

SPRING 2025 SEASON APPROACHING
The Cyclones will begin with a roster mostly unchanged but improved

February 6, 2025 - Super Bowl Sunday marks 4 weeks before the Spring 2025 Season begins for the Houston Cyclones. The team returns mostly intact but will look to add a new player or two at this year's draft which takes place March 2nd, one week before the season starts. This season begins the new 12 game schedule reinstated by the league after several years of playing a 10 game schedule. The 35+ Houston Cyclones have never played a 12 game schedule.  The 35+ Division began as an option to continue playing during the latter part of the pandemic when Houston city fields were closed and it was unknown when they would reopen.  Earlier renditions of the Houston Cyclones that played in the North Houston Wood Bat League and HHL 30+ Weeknight Divisions played 12 game and 15 game seasons respectively.