sports Golnick Pediatric Dental Associates "We are the Pediatricians of Dentistry" New Kids On The Block Steve Stein Contributing Writer I I t hasn't taken long for Congregation Shir Tikvah to make an impact in the InterCongregational Men's Club Softball League. In only its second season in the league, Shir Tikvah is tied for fifth place among 12 teams at the mid-season Fourth of July break. That statistic doesn't tell the full story. Shir Tikvah is 6-3 with wins over league powers Temple Israel No. 1, Temple Israel No. 2 and Temple Shir Shalom on its resume. Player-coach Herschel Poger's team is winning the right way, according to Chuck Freedman, one of the league's coordinators. "Herschel has learned the art of how to balance a competitive team with the camaraderie of teamwork and brother- hood:' Freedman said. "It's an honor to have Shir Tikvah in the league and to play against them:' Poger said his team is a cross section of the Troy shul with players ages 35-55, board members, family education teachers and even new Associate Rabbi Dan Horwitz, whose first "official" function with Shir Tikvah came on the softball diamond. Most Shir Tikvah players drive from the eastern end of the commu- nity — places like Troy, Oak Park and Rochester — for games each Sunday at Community Sports Park in West Bloomfield. Matt Bassin motors from Grand Blanc. "It's not a bad drive. About 35 min- utes:' he said. "I really enjoy playing. I hadn't played ball for about 20 years. And it's been awesome becoming friends with the guys on the team. You used to see the same faces in shul and not talk to them. Now you do:' There's even two father-son combina- tions on the team in Mark and Jordan Small and Ken and Yale Williams. "We look like our shul," Poger said. "We're members first and softball play- ers second. "We're winning because we have ath- letic ability and great team chemistry. Guys on the team have gotten to know each other. Someone you used to give a polite nod to as you passed in the lobby at shul is now your friend and teammate:' Poger said announcements of the team's game results at services always get "a rise" from the congregation. A team potluck open to the entire shul community is planned for July 27 in the Community Sports Park pavilion after the team's games. Jason Golnick DDS, MS Arnold L. Golnick DDS, MS Sam Blanchard DDS, MS Shir Tikvah third Positive and Friendly Staff • Convenient and Flexible Hours Emergencies Seen Promptly • Hospital Dentistry Available Most Insurance Accepted • Specialists in Working with Children with Special Needs and Autism Nitrous and Sedation Available baseman Matt Bassin TWO Lakes Medical Center 2300 Haggerty Rd, Ste. 1180, West Bloomfield, MI 48323 Taylor, MI 18180 248-668-0022 313-292-7777 LOCATIONS The team was born in early 2013 at a fundraising euchre tournament in a West Bloomfield restaurant. That's where Freedman and Poger met, and Poger learned about the league from Freedman. "I wasn't aware of the league' Poger said. "I was relatively new to the shul then, so I contacted some guys my age, told them about the league, and we had our first practices right before the sea- son began:' After a slow start last season — Poger said players needed to knock the rust off their games, and he had to figure out everyone's best position — Shir Tikvah won a few games toward the end of the summer. "We were shell-shocked before we got our act together; he said. "We finished strong. That's why we're not surprised we're doing so well this season:' Poger is confident Shir Tikvah has enough players that a second team can be formed to play in the league in 2015. "We even thought about it this year:' he said. Also on this year's Shir Tikvah ros- ter are Jordan Acker, Paul Blatt, Kyle Edwards, Gary Gerson, Scott Kleiman, David Leszkowitz, Scott Litt, Justin Racklin, Marty Rinke, Josh Rusgo and Adam Skrzynski. Adat Shalom Synagogue No. 1 was on top of the league standings through the games of June 29 with a 7-1 record. It was followed by Temple Israel No. 1 (7-2), Temple Israel No. 2 (7-2-1), Congregation Beth Ahm (5-2-1), Shir Tikvah and Shir Shalom (6-3), Adat Shalom No. 2 (4-5), Temple Beth El (3-5), Congregation Shaarey Zedek (3-6), Temple Israel No. 3 (3-7), Temple Kol Ami (1-8) and Bais Chabad Torah Center(1 -9). ❑ Please send sports news to sports@thejewishnews.com. Gail Molinari DDS, MS Andreina Castro DDS, MS 21213 Ecorse Rd. 1888960 BIRMINGHAM 111. BIRMINGHAM #1 Kids Martial Arts Program MARTIAL ARTS Kids Karate • NOW ENROLLING 2219 Cole Street Birmingam MI 48009 www.bmartialarts.com 248 646-6608 1917,, 14 . W. : ` —.410 Chicken Stir Fry $9.99 lUts a Iforat OF SOUTHFIELD 10% Senior Citizen Discount Tasty and Healthy Breakfast, Lunch and Dinners Eromemad'ASAns 114 by Delicious Full Course Dinners featuring: Homemade Meatloaf '9.49 Homemade Turkey '9.99 4 Grilled Chicken Breast 5 9.99 On 12 Mile Rd. East of Northwestern Hwy. • 248-353-32320 July 10 • 2014 49