O-TIGERS NOTEBOOK

By P.J. Harmer

Staff Writer

The Brooklyn Cyclones proved to be good hosts for the inaugural New York-Penn League All-Star Game, the first baseball showcase held in Brooklyn since the 1949 Major League All-Star Game.

"It’s pretty sweet and the stadium is something indescribable," said Michael Hollimon, who started at shortstop for the American League at KeySpan Park. "The fans were crazy at the autograph session."

For two nights, the NY-Penn All-Stars were treated like big leaguers. On Monday, they were honored at an All-Star Gala led by Hall of Fa[an error occurred while processing this directive]mer Juan Marichal.

Game day was a little busier. Players went through an autograph session, batting practice, a home run derby and introductions.

"It’s something special and overwhelming," Hollimon said. "The players are fun to hang around with. These guys are first-class ballplayers and people."

A near-record KeySpan crowd of 9,054 fans witnessed the first NY-Penn All-Star Game, won by the National League affiliates, 5-4.

Several players took in the experience with camcorders. When Hollimon batted in the home run derby, teammate Justin Justice took photos with a digital camera.

"It’s a great feeling," Justice said. "Just the atmosphere. There are so many things you can say, but it’s just a pleasure to be here."

ALL-STAR GAME NOTES: Jamestown catcher Gaby Sanchez earned MVP honors, finishing 1-for-3 with two RBIs. He had a two-run single in the fifth, when the NL erased a 1-0 deficit and took a 4-1 lead. Sanchez was selected in the fourth round by the Florida Marlins in June’s MLB draft.

• All but Mahoning Valley pitchers Jensen Lewis and Joe Ness played in the game for the American League.

• Five players from the National League — Williamsport’s Brent Lillibridge, Brooklyn’s Josh Petersen, Vermont’s Dee Brown and John Howell, and New Jersey’s A.J. Van Slyke — were all named to the All-Star team, but were not available to play in the game.

• Mahoning Valley’s Matt Fornasiere and Auburn’s Brian Bormaster were the only players to get two hits in the game.

HOME SWEET HOME: Oneonta finally seems to be getting used to playing at Damaschke Field.

A 7-1 setback to Staten Island on Aug. 12 put the O-Tigers at 6-12 at Damaschke, not including a victory at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown on July 30.

Since then, the Tigers have gone 8-1 at home. Oneonta also has the top road record in the league, at 23-10.

"It seems like it was a while coming," Oneonta manager Tom Brookens said. "But we’re more comfortable here and feel like we’re going to win each game."

The Tigers likely will need to tap into the charm of Damaschke for a season-ending five-game set with Lowell from Sept. 4-8. Oneonta led Lowell by three games in the Stedler Division heading into Friday. The Tigers play nine of their final 14 at home.

"I think we have a great team and a great chance," Oneonta’s Will Rhymes said at the All-Star Game on Tuesday. "When we get back to town, it’s going to be all business. That last series with Lowell will be a lot of fun."