Posted by
Staff Writer on Monday, November 20, 2006 3:36:53 PM
The 2006 soccer season at Studio City’s Beeman Park came to a close with honors pouring in for local brothers Nicolas and Michael Rincover.
Michael, 9 years old, was selected to the Minor League All Star team which will play All Star teams throughout the San Fernando Valley beginning December 2. Michael was well known in athletic circles before this latest honor. He has been a standout baseball player since beginning T-ball in 2003. Michael was the first pick in the 2006 baseball draft. His underdog Studio City Yankees swept the playoffs last year and lost a heartbreaker to the Cardinals in the Championship Game. At the conclusion of that season, he was nominated by Coach Julien Adams for the baseball All Star team.
Michael’s selection to the soccer All Star team is remarkable given that he is the youngest player in the league. Wanting to play again for veteran soccer Coach David Robison, he sought and was granted special permission from League officials to move up to the Minor League level. His season high 3 goals in a single game did not match his best effort, which came last year. In a 2005 league match, he scored a record 4 goals, all in the first half, before being moved to defense for the balance of the game. He may be best known for his having played simultaneously on two different soccer teams at different levels in the same league. On more than one occasion, he sprinted from one field to another, changing uniform jerseys on the run, to play in his second game. Still, baseball is Michael’s first love. Feared at the plate, Michael has for four years been known for his consistent power, having been a prolific homerun hitter since first picking up a T-ball bat. However, last season he established himself as an excellent defensive talent also, playing both catcher and first baseman for the Yankees.
Last week, Michael attended evaluations for the upcoming basketball season and is awaiting results of the November 22 draft.
Nicolas Rincover, 7 years old, is on track to match Michael’s athletic accomplishments. Nicolas' Pee Wee Galaxy franchise ran the table in the just-concluded soccer season. His team has been challenged to an inter-league championship match against an undefeated AYSO team. That unprecedented battle will take place at Beeman Park on Monday, November 27 under the lights and most likely in the bitter cold. Like his brother, Nicolas was the youngest member of his team, also having gotten special permission from league officials to play in the higher division.
Nicolas played in his older brother’s shadow until last year, when he established himself as the premier homerun hitter in Studio City. Under the tutelage of Coach Joseph Underwood and Assistant Coach Kevin Ralph, Nicolas set a record that is expected to stand for a long time - he hit at least one homerun in every single game, and multiple homeruns in most. If that wasn’t enough, his homeruns were quite often towering blasts that stunned onlookers. Nicolas combines a muscular, sleek build with a classic, picture-perfect swing. Ironically, Nicolas used a distinctive red aluminum bat given to him, and made famous by, his brother Michael. Amazed by his exploits, many of Nicolas' teammates began to use what became known as his "magic bat." Nicolas is also a versatile defensive talent, able to play any position both in the infield and outfield. An all-around athlete, Nicolas also possesses blazing speed and has a great arm. His goal is to establish himself as a pitcher by the time he reaches the Minor leagues.
Nicolas will also try his hand at basketball this season, having been selected by the 2006 Trojans. Coincidentally, the Rincover brothers, although playing in different age brackets, will both play for celebrated Coach and USC alum Julien Adams. Coach Adams’ 2005 basketball squad was undefeated, and he managed the baseball Yankees to the Championship Game. It appears that the story of these two brothers and their athletic prowess may not be quite finished.