Women Shine in Tennis Tourney

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Howard Goldin

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- The 20^th anniversary of the Bronx Open, a USTA Pro Circuit tennis tournament played at the tennis courts in Crotona Park, was celebrated last week. The prelude to the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam event hosted in the United States, which will also be played in New York City, is a drawing card to young women pros from all corners of the globe.

The 32 entrants in the main singles draw included players from 13 nations in the continents of North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Australia. Thus, the Bronx, as its history reflects, welcomed women from throughout the world.

The players competed to raise their rankings and earn a share of the $50,000 in prize money by their success in the tourney. They also came to sharpen their skills in competition on the same surface and in the sane weather conditions as the U.S. Tennis Center in Flushing, where the U.S. Open will be played two weeks after the Bronx tournament concluded.

Romina Oprandi of Switzerland lived up to her first seed position by capturing the title and winning the $7,315 in prize money with a victory over a former Bronx champion (2001, Anna Chakvetadze of Russia, 5-7, 6-3, 6-3, in the final. After the first set, it appeared as if Chakvetadze was on her way to be the only woman to be a two-time winner of the event. Both reached the exalted final game by defeating young Americans, Chi Chi Scholl (20) and Alison Riske (22) in the semis. Oprandi’s victory was her second tournament win within the past month. It was her 22^nd ITF title.

The doubles final was a clash between two Japanese twosomes. The second seeded team of Shuko Aoyama and Erika Sema defeated the team of Eri Hozuma and Miki Miyamura in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6(4).

Residents of the Bronx and tennis fan visitors were able to see professional tennis free of charge with the only exception being the final on Sunday afternoon, which charged a nominal fee of $10.

Youngsters, ages 6-18, were able to learn or improve their tennis skills with free tennis lessons that were given every afternoon of the tournament from 5-7 p.m. The Thursday session, as it is every year, was the special Kid’s Day. The annual Around the World Parade and other festive children’s activities took place.

The sponsor of the week-long event was Emblem Health.

The health maintenance organization has sponsored the tournament through 18 of its 20 year existence.

Highlanders Train Future All Stars

By Deigo Mack

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- Recently, I had a chance to spend a day with Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy (HBA) founder Joe Cisco Sr. After seeing his team in action, I came away impressed with a local sports program and recognized an undying dedication to Bronx youth.

In fact, for over 20 years, in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx, Coach Joe Cisco Sr. has built a baseball program with an emphasis on character and mental preparation rather than winning championships. Sound odd? Go figure.

Cisco explains “Winning isn’t everything because after you win a ballgame, it’s destined your going to lose one sooner or later. And then, what? Here at Highlander Baseball, we believe losing is more important than victories. Think about it. How else would we know our capabilities unless we lost a game or two? After that, you make adjustments and be thankful someone taught us our weak points.”

So regardless of the scoreboard, HBA remains a winner both on and off the field. The biggest example is Coach James Cisco Jr., the founders’ son, whom played baseball at Fordham University. Nowadays, the younger Cisco coaches the Highlander’s 17-year-old traveling team for his Dad, making HBA, a family affair.

Even players say the camaraderie is genuine. Talented St. Raymond’s High School pitcher Malik Dixon said, “I wouldn’t be the pitcher I am today without Highlander Baseball Academy and I owe it all to Coach Joe and his son.”

Even hard hitting third baseman Miles Semetis stated, “We learn so much about life from Coach Joe and Coach James, baseball becomes easier. They teach us about hard work, dedication and staying the course.”

For instance, it is common for HBA players to participate in off season training: batting cages, weight training, fielding instruction, and other developmental drills are worked on during winter months.

In the summer, it is baseball tournaments and high school showcases for HBA players. Their results speak for themselves. Highlander Baseball Academy is responsible for sending over 50 kids to college and minor league franchises since 1990.

Joe Sr. said, “I’m 64 years old. My son has energy to travel…I don’t. Plus, Junior knows the program inside out…he lived it. I enjoy watching him coach, he makes me so proud.”

Sitting in the dugout, Joe Jr. leads HBA into the future with designer shades on. He offers coded encouragement to his players between innings, which proves you’d have to be inside Bronx Highlanders Baseball Academy to understand its lingo.

But the day wouldn’t be complete without a last word from HBA founder, Joe Sr. who says “Remember winning isn’t everything, our goal is to get kids to college.”

Looking over numerous college scouts and press interviews of his players, it seems his formula is working. Training, Education and Exposure is Highlander’s motto.

It’s a job well done.

visit www.eteamz.com/HighlanderAcademy  Facebook.com/Highlanders Training Academy

e-mail Deigo Mack: Deigomack@yahoo.com

Sweet Revenge for Red Bulls

(Photos by Ken Carozza)

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BRONX, NEW YORK, August 13- The Red Bulls served up sweet revenge at home in their new Newark Stadium. After losing 2-0 to the Dynamo in Houston, the Red Bulls returned the favor. On Friday they beat Houston 2-0.

After a scoreless first half. The Red Bulls came on strong on the second half with goals from Juan Gunnar Solli and Tim Cahill. The Bulls moved into second place with the win.

Pols, Residents Celebrate Night Out

(Photos by Gary Quintal)

By Michael Horowitz

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 10- City Council candidate Andy King headlined a group of dignitaries attending Tuesday night's National Night Out at the Section 1 Greenway, working the crowd and engaging leaders of civic organization in discussion about how life in Co-op City could be improved.

King, a long-time leader of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) in the Baychester/Edenwald area, interacted easily with Winston Dinkins, a long-time leaders of the Zodiacs Track Team, and Lorraine Rohlsen-Alexander, a founder and long-time leader of the Co-op City Tennis Club.

The candidate, the frontrunner in the contest to succeed Larry Seabrook as Councilman for the 12th Councilmanic District, promised to help Dinkins realize his dream of a track along Co-op City's Section 1 Greenway and to assist Rohlsen-Alexander in efforts to improve conditions at the community's tennis courts.

Those attending Tuesday night's National Night Out, a time to celebrate the solidarity among shareholders in the fight against crime, included Helen Atkins, president of the Riverbay board; Daryl Johnson and Al Shapiro, members of the Riverbay board; Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, and Rep. Eliot Engel.

In addition to politicking, Tuesday's Night Out was a time for Co-op City shareholders to get to know one another and to celebrate their common bonds.

For Melanie Fournier and her daughter, Nalani, 7, it was a time to enjoy refreshments that management and community organizations provided and to enjoy a beautiful night out together with each other and with friends in the local community.

“We've got a good thing going in Co-op City,” said City Councilman James Vacca, a former District Manager of Community Board 10 who represents Throggs Neck, County Club, and Pelham Bay in the Council. “However, we have to be concerned that the NYPD is down 7,000 officers since 2001.”

Rohlsen-Alexander, for her part, pointed with pride to what the Co-op City Tennis Club has accomplished in the local community over the last 25 years. Tea Braxton, 12, Leah Bentham, 10; Iaminie Stokes, 13, and Kyra Aska, 13, were there to lend their support to the tennis club that has meant so much to them over the years.

Rohlsen-Alexander, who has lived in Co-op City for 41 years, stressed, “It's wonderful that we can have a celebration, like this National Night Out, in our own backyard. It's wonderful that we have come together to interact and join in the fight to maintain Co-op City's safe and beautiful environment. We, as shareholders, should appreciate what we have and resolve to maintain it.”

Faye Bentham, a grandmother of Leah Bentham, a Co-op City Tennis Club member, stressed, “I have lived in Co-op City for 20 years, and I like the environment. Three generations of our family have, for years, lived in this community. The National Night Out gives us a chance to get together with our friends and neighbors and to celebrate what we have in Co-op City.” 

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Help Catch Perv

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Help Catch Perv: BRONX, NEW YORK, August 10- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a man who exposed himself to a 15-year-old...

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Help Catch Perv

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Help Catch Perv: BRONX, NEW YORK, August 10- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a man who exposed himself to a 15-year-old...

Help Catch Perv

BRONX, NEW YORK, August 10- Police are asking for the public’s help in trying to track down a man who exposed himself to a 15-year-old girl.

Cops say that around 1:50 p.m. on July 23rd, the man exposed himself to the teen at the East 180th Street station of the Numbers 2 and 5 subway line.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential.