A hometown grad is headed to the big leagues - Gordon chatted with Queensbury’s Brett Rodriguez this week about the exciting news! We’re also sharing the latest Phase 3 guidelines, updates on sports and camping, and lots more…
Brett Rodriguez (Courtesy of Wofford Athletics)
Queensbury Grad Signs with Seattle Mariners
Brett Rodriguez, one of the best all-around athletes ever to come from this area, is now a member of the Seattle Mariners organization.
Rodriguez, a three-sport start at Queensbury who went on to a standout baseball career at Division I Wofford College, signed with the Mariners last week.
“I’m super excited for the opportunity, but at the same time, this is the beginning for me and I’m just hungry to see how far I can go and just work hard and try to make my dreams come true,” he told Glens Falls Living.
Rodriguez, the son of Anthony and Michelle Rodriguez, had committed to playing his final year at Creighton University in Nebraska, “but because of Seattle calling me, I couldn’t turn down that offer,” he said.
He just graduated from Wofford with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance. Getting that degree was one of the reasons he didn’t sign last year after his junior season.
“I feel really good about it,” he said. “That was one of the reasons I went back to school, to finish my degree, and I’m definitely super excited to have it along with starting my professional career.”
For now, he’s working out at home in Queensbury or at a friend’s house, getting in some swings when he can.
“I’ve been trying to hit on fields lately, but I’ve been kicked off a lot of them, so I’m going to a batting cage that a friend has in his backyard,” he said.
Rodriguez said he was talking to several teams, but decided on the Mariners. “They said they loved my athleticism,” he said. “That’s a big thing that they really like about me. And also that I can play multiple positions. I played third, short, second and even a little bit of centerfield in my time at Wofford, so I’m definitely a utility guy for them, but they are thinking somewhere in the infield depending on where they need me for that team.”
Jay Marra, Brett’s high school coach at Queensbury, said, “I could not be happier for Brett! Just the nicest young man you would ever meet! I knew he would get [signed] on his athleticism and speed alone. He’s so much like [fellow Queensbury standouts] Brendan Harris and Will Groff, a multi-sport star who could play any position at an all-star level! I’m so proud of him!”
Rodriguez started in 164 games at Wofford College, batting .294 with 183 hits, 140 runs scored and 93 RBI. He is the school’s all-time leader in career stolen bases with 85, and was named All-Southern Conference first-team in 2019 when he ranked 15th nationally in stolen bases.
At Queensbury, he was a remarkable three-sport athlete, helping the Spartans to a state football title while leading the baseball team to the state semifinals and starting as point guard on the basketball team.
As a senior, he batted .430 with 26 hits, 15 RBI, three home runs and 22 stolen bases. On the mound, he was 7-0 with 55 strikeouts and a 0.66 ERA. He was named first-team all-state as a senior.
What Else is New?
Gatherings grow
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Monday that gatherings of up to 25 people will be allowed as part of Phase 3. The Capital Region, which includes the Glens Falls area, entered Phase 3 today. Restaurants can now have indoor dining at 50% of capacity. All servers will wear masks, and diners must wear masks when not seated at their table.
Gov. Cuomo also says some youth sports like baseball and softball could start up again early next month. The Governor said “low-risk” athletics — baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, cross country and crew — may resume starting July 6 in areas that are in Phase Three of the state’s reopening plan amid the coronavirus. Up to two spectators per child will be allowed at the events, Cuomo said.
Also, the New York State Department of Health announced that sleepaway camps for children will not be allowed this summer.
More info here.
Gone Camping
Warren County and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation announced Region 5 campgrounds and parks will be open as of June 19.
“There is good news for some but not all of the DEC campgrounds/parks in Lake George region, as Hearthstone. Luzerne and Rogers Rock are missing from the list.
“The DEC hopes to have all of its campgrounds and state parks re-opened by July 1.
“Here is the list of those that will be open as of this Friday:
Glen Island
, Lake George Battlefield, Lake George Battleground
, Lake George
Million Dollar Beach (7 days/week), Long Island
, Narrow Island
, Eagle Point, Scaroon Manor, Lake Durant
, Lewey Lake
, Buck Pond
, Lake Harris
, Meadowbrook
, Putnam Pond.
“Note: Campgrounds operated by New York Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which include Moreau Lake State Park, are open.”
More info here.
Bears, Oh My
DEC issues guidance to reduce bear conflicts. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos encourages New Yorkers to reduce the potential for conflicts with bears in communities across the state.
A press release said bears that frequent developed areas are more likely to be hit by vehicles, illegally killed by people who perceive them as a threat, or euthanized for dangerous behavior. New Yorkers can live responsibly with bears by taking down bird feeders, storing garbage containers and pet/livestock feed securely indoors, cleaning grill grease traps, and asking neighbors to do the same. A bear passing through a developed area in search of suitable natural habitat may investigate human food sources, but if it cannot obtain anything to eat, it will continue on its way.
Follow the tips below to live responsibly with New York black bears:
• Do not feed bears intentionally. Feeding bears intentionally is illegal and a ticketable offense. Bears that obtain food from humans will continue to seek food from humans and become nuisance bears, which can pose a threat to humans.
• Around dwellings, the public is encouraged to: Remove all bird feeders; Keep garbage, grills, pet food, and bird seed inside a solid, secure structure such as a house, shed, or garage; If grills cannot be secured, clean grills, move them away from houses, and remove grease traps after each use; Put garbage on the curb the morning of collection, not the night before, and use bear-resistant trash containers; and close garage doors and ground-floor windows/doors at night.
Anvil Inn Reopening - Good news + Bad news
In a Facebook post, Lisa Orsini of the Anvil Inn wrote, “Hi Folks! Good news and bad news! Good news is...we will be reopening! Bad news is...not until July 16th. Neal [Orsini] has the place ripped apart redoing the floors and painting the kitchen. Plus, hopefully the ‘new normal’ will look a little closer to the ‘old normal’ a month from now. We thank you for your patience and support! Miss you all!”
Gone Golfing
The 11th Annual Cornell Cooperative Extension Golf Tournament is Saturday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m. at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg. All proceeds from this benefit will be used to help financially support Cooperative Extension educational programs. $95 if pre-paid by Aug. 7. Includes golf, barbecue and prizes. Info: 518-623-3291. Pre-registration for tournament and barbecue is required by contacting Amy Sabattis at 518-623-3291 or 518-668-4881.
COVID-19, County by County
In Warren, Washington and Saratoga counties, the presence of the coronavirus continues to decrease steadily. For the first time since March 17, a span of 91 days, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases among Warren County residents.
“This is great news, and we are very thankful for the cooperation from our Warren County residents and work of our Warren County employees and local healthcare community that allowed us to get to this point,” Frank Thomas, chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors, said Tuesday in a press release. “But please remember that this is not a time to let down our guard. This vicious virus is not eradicated. We need to continue taking precautions to ensure that we don’t undo all of the progress that has been made.” Warren County documented no additional COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and has had no new cases in the past 13 days.
• In Warren County, 27 of their 33 deaths have been nursing home residents. Another four were residents of assisted living facilities. There have been 244 confirmed cases overall in Warren County, not including cases that were presumed to be COVID-19. 231 residents have recovered.
• Washington County has reported 13 deaths and 212 total cases since the pandemic began. 195 residents have recovered, with four cases still active. That’s down two from last week. No Washington County residents were hospitalized as of Wednesday
• Saratoga County reports 17 deaths with 522 confirmed cases overall, and one person hospitalized as of Wednesday. That’s down three from last week. 484 residents have recovered, and there are 22 active cases, down 13 from last week at this time.
