After opener, Bet Shemesh, Ra'anana ready for first games

4 teams will play their first games in the IBL on Monday with Blue Sox taking on Netanya Tigers at Gezer Field.

By SHLOMO SPRUNG
baseball 298.88 2 (photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
baseball 298.88 2
(photo credit: Efrat Sa'ar)
Four teams will play their first games in the IBL on Monday with Ron Blomberg's Bet Shemesh Blue Sox taking on Ami Baron's Netanya Tigers at Gezer Field. Steve Hertz's Tel Aviv lightning host Shaun Smith's Ra'anana Express at Sportek in Tel Aviv. Also Monday Petah Tikva will play Modi'in in a rematch of Monday night's opener as the Pioneers look to exact revenge on the Miracle after Modi'in trumped Petah Tikva 9-1 on Sunday. Opening ceremonies will be held at the Sportek and Gezer similar to the one held in Petah Tikva on Sunday night with various ceremonial first pitches and introduction of the players. Bet Shemesh will send right hander Jason Benson to the mound. Benson, a 1.83-meter pitcher from Holland, Michigan will be opposed by Netanya's Opening Day starter Leon Finegold, a 1.83m pitcher from New York City. In Tel Aviv the Lightning will send out right handed pitcher Dan Rothem, a native of the city. Ra'anana will counter with Colombian right hander Max Donald Vazquez, who stands 1.85m. At Petah Tikva, Art Shamsky's Miracle will likely send out right handed pitcher Maximo Nelson, 1.96m from the Dominican Republic. Petah Tikva will start 1.80m right hander Josh Epstein. Epstein played for Ramapo College and in 2006 had a record of 1-1 and led the team with a 4.60 ERA in 29.1. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he now makes his home in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Nelson pitched for the GCL Yankees in 2004, posting a 6-5 record with a 2.63 ERA in 12 games.