Leading off today: While much attention Monday night focused on Stephen Strasburg taking the Washington Nationals right to the deadline before the San Diego State pitcher agreed to his first professional baseball contract, a couple of New Yorkers were also working their way toward late decisions.
Recent Ward Melville grad Steven Matz was at Citi Field today for the formal announcement that he had signed an $895,000 contract with the Mets late last night.
"It's surreal. It's awesome. It's my No. 1 moment," Matz told Newsday.
The 6-foot-4 lefty was the No. 72 overall pick in the June draft. Had he not signed with the Mets, Matz would have boarded a plane today to head for college at Coastal Carolina. His pro contract reportedly calls for $160,000 to be set aside toward his education.
Meanwhile, Orchard Park's Kyle Hoppy was supposed to begin a career in football and baseball this week at Bucknell, but that won't be happening either.
Hoppy told The Buffalo News on Sunday that he's opted to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. The center fielder was drafted in the 28th round, which likely puts his signing bonus a bit north of $100,000 based on the fact that the Orioles were unable to lock down a number of their high picks.
He'll report to Sarasota in early September for five weeks of the fall instructional league.
A Section 2 growth industry: When the Ichabod Crane players took the field Monday for the first day of football practice it marked the fourth straight year that Section 2 had added a team.The Times Union reported.
The other recent additions, helping push Section 2's roster to 62 teams: Hoosic Valley (2006), Cairo-Durham (2007) and Saratoga Central Catholic (2008).
Supporters raised more than $100,000 in the last two years to fund the launch of the Ichabod Crane team.
