Plainview's Long Island Falcons baseball team topped off their spring/summer season by winning the 1999 Nassau County Babe Ruth Championship. While compiling a record of 28 wins and only six losses, the Falcons "buzzed" through an incredible playoff series. In the double elimination tournament, the team opened against a tough Massapequa squad. Trailing after the first six innings by a score of 7-0, the Falcons turned on their game. With one out in the bottom of the seventh, walks to Jason Appel, Jason Bonder and Lenny Wiener started things going. Key hits by David Langer and Brandon Steinberger helped push across three runs. A walk to Anthony DeFranco, a base hit by Michael Rutcofsky, a walk to Jamey Spithogiannis and a single by Jason Appel, tied the game. Jason Bonder finished off Massapequa with a game winning line drive base hit to right. In the second round the Falcons faced their old nemesis, Levittown (who also beat Massapequa). Another incredible game was about to unfold. Tied going into their last at bat, the Falcons put the "squeeze" on their opponents. DeFranco started things off with a single and quickly moved to second on a steal. Jonathan Ascher singled hard up the middle, as DeFranco stopped at third. Manager Alan Rutcofsky flashed the sign and Michael Rutcofsky executed a perfect suicide "squeeze" bunt. Game one to the Falcons, 7-6!

The next game was played before a packed house at Burns Park. You could feel the electricity in the air. Behind superb pitching performances by newcomer John Zarrelli and ace Jason Bonder, Levittown was kept off balance with a mixture of power pitching and fine change-ups. Leading the attack with 3 hits was Jamey Spithogiannis, while Rutcofsky, Bonder, Rob Schenker, Zarrelli and Steinberger each collected 2. Jonathan Ascher and Lenny Wiener each drove in runs with long doubles, while Brian Sosa, Anthony DeFranco and David Langer contributed with fine base running. Before a standing-room-only crowd, the Falcons won the championship, 10-4. Congratulations to Manager Alan Rutcofsky and his coaching staff: Marty Ascher, Les Steinberger and Mike Spithogiannis for the long hours and hard work.

Congratulations to the Plainview Long Island Falcons!