NYPD Team Takes On Rockland Boulders

The NYPD baseball team, composed of police officers from throughout the city who play many fundraising games, made its first visit to Provident Bank Park in Pomona on Saturday to play a charity exhibition game against the Rockland Boulders.

The Boulder's Keith Brachold went 4-for-4 in his Boulders debut, coming to the team from the Brockton Rox. In seven games at Provident Bank Park in 2011,   he batted .520, going 13-for-25.

Todd Gossage and Scott Clement hit back-to-back homers and the Boulders had 18 hits in a 17-8 final over the NYPD team.

To make the NYPD team, cops must try out for spots on the squad. Although they play many games in the metropolitan area, the team also travels across the country to play fundraising games. The team includes several players from Westchester and Rockland counties.

The Boulders host the New Jersey Jackals in a 2 p.m. start today in a Mother's Day Special, as the first 500 moms in attendance will receive a flower courtesy of the Rockland Boulders. Admission is free, however, parking fees of $5 will be in effect.

Training camp for the Boulders ends on May 16, after which the Boulders open the regular season by traveling to Canada to face the defending champ Quebec Captiales on May 17 to start a four game set. They return to Provident Bank Park for the 2012 Home Opener on May 22 against the Newark Bears. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm, with pregame festivities starting at 6:30.

Here’s the starting line up for the NYPD team, and their NYPD units:

Victor Rosario (OCCB), left field

Frank Delgado (Transit ATU), second base

RJ Ragone (73^rd Precinct), shortstop

Dave Mischo (Warrants Division), third base

Eric Sorensen (30^th Precinct), catcher

Henry Maldonado (Citywide Traffic Task Force), center field

Dave Mendez (PSA 8), DH

Joe Manzella (105^th Precinct), first base

Dennis O’Sullivan (Emergency Service Unit), right field

Kevin Gieras (20^th Precinct RAM Unit), pitcher

Here’s the rest of the roster for the team:

Jose Vazquez, (retired NYPD), manager

Jose Vega (72^nd Squad), coach

Mike Gaynor (70^th Squad), coach

Isaac Mercado (40^th Precinct), coach

Fernando Espindola (Gang Unit), pitching coach (a Rockland County resident)

Dan DeChirico (122^nd Precinct), pitcher

Mike Gagliardi (40^th Precinct), infielder (a Tarrytown resident)

Chris Donato (Midtown South Precinct), infielder

Danny Fitzpatrick (13 Precinct), pitcher

Jose Sanchez (71^st Precinct), pitcher

Dave Rodriguez (70^th Precinct), infielder

Reggie Smith (73^rd Precincet), infielder

Steve Phelan (Gang Unit), pitcher (a Rockland County resident)

Shane Bolin (47^th Precinct), outfielder

Mel Ariola (13^th Precinct), infielder (a Stony Point resident)

Chris Volz (PSA 7), pitcher

Dave Mercado (Police Academy), catcher

Matt Cresswell (Midtown South Precinct), pitcher

Robert Hugli (66^th Precinct), pitcher

Joe Ayala (46^th Precinct), pitcher

Peter Kessler (60^th Precinct), infielder

Tim Craft (41^st Precinct), outfielder

Nicholas DeMeo (75^th Precinct), pitcher

Tyrell Parker (Police Academy), outfielder

Robert O’Neill (Police Academy), pitcher

Dominic Alongi (Police Academy), catcher

Daniel Phelan (Police Academy), pitcher