With the premier date of the new 3 Stooges movie set for April 4, 2012 20th Century Fox has released a set of promotional photos included one very interesting to fans of the Post 701 softball team. Unknown until last week was the Skipper Vinny Fiorillo, shortstop Bobby Lopuch and first baseman Matt Beck had stand in bits for the Moe, Larry and Curly parts. This news was so big that the biggest New York City tabloid, the New York Post picked up on the story and the news was blasted all over the back page, replaced the Yankees re-signing of CC Sabathia and the Mets bringing in the fences at Citi Field. Rumors from Hollywood are that writers/directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly where so impressed with the 701ers work habits and abilities that they seriously considered giving them jobs as water boys on the sets and driving Will Sasso (Curly) back and forth to the tapings. Unfortunately, that job was lost for good when Manager Fiorillo wanted to fine Sasso one dollar for missing a "nyuk, nyuk, nyuk" line and Beck instisted on Sean Hayes (Larry) bringing the beer to Monday's taping after making the last line flub the previous Friday.

What a year Kiddi Korp member Lorenzo Fiorillo enjoyed in 2011. In addition to batting a team high .489 with 23 hits and 3 homeruns, Zo set Post records in stolen bases with 15 and runs scored with 24. So, it is no wonder that during his post season vacation in California he dumped his father/manager Vinny at Disneyworld to take in a Hollywood gala party. It was at the party that reality star Kim Kardashian insisted on being photographed with the 701 star. Stating that she was a regular reader of the post701softball website, the brunette bombshell could not wait to meet the speedy and handsome Post outfielder, especially after he left Pop on the It's A Small World bumper car ride. Eventually they partied until the wee hours of the night before hitting the local Hollywood Tasty Freeze for a baby dip vanilla ice cream cone and an extra large order of wings.

Just as news of the new 3 Stooges movie and its release in spring of 2012 has been reported, comes the unexpected flash that a second Post 701er will have a special part in the celluloid 2012 hit. Diamond Notes is reporting in an exclusive that all time shortstop Bobby Lopuch will be getting film time opposite the lovely Sophia Vergara. Lopuch will be playing the part of the Bud Jamison character I.P. Freely. The storyline has Freely selling his leaky 24 foot power boat to the Stooges as they look to cut out the middleman in their fish sales career. Of course all mayhem breaks loose when the Stooges hit Lake George looking for trout only to find their boat slowly sinking in the great lake. Lopuch has gotten tremendous reviews from Hollywood and reportedly has an offer to replace Ed O'Neil as Vergara's husband in "Modern Family." Post GM R.U. Nutz will have nothing to do with Hollywood's plans for Lopuch. An ironclad contract has Lopuch signed through the 2015 season with Nutz having exclusive rights to Lopuch's film career, unlike that of Skipper Vinny Fiorillo who reportedly has a starring role in Debbie Does Whoevever.

To the delite of thousands, if not millions of 3 stooges fans, filming for the 2012 release of the Farley Bros. Three Stooges movie began this past May. Not known until this Diamond Notes exclusive report is that the Post own Matt Beck will be playing a valuable part in the movie as a stand in for Curly. After getting permission from Skipper Vinny Fiorillo to leave the team for one week to begin filming, the Post's all time rbi leader has left for Hollywood. Reports are that Beck has begun filming the segment in which Curly has sold a arthritis remedy "Brighto" to the Vernon Dent pharmacist only to find out the "Brighto" removes the leather from his softball glove. First reports from critics are that Beck's performance are worth 5 stars but he has to bring the beer to the last day of filming.

After clearance from the FBI the White House released this exclusive photo of Post Skipper Vinny Fiorillo meeting in an annoynomous New York City hotel with Godfather Don Vito Corleone. The subject: taking out Osama Bin Laden. Don Corleone was contacted by CIA director Leon Panetta as to a strategic plan for the rubout. Wearing sunglasses so as not to draw attention to his presence, the Skipper drove his '91 Chevy Blazer into NYC for the secretive meeting. Over glasses of anoisette, The Skip and The Don finalized the take out plan without any problems or leaks to the press. Fiorillo was back in time for his Sunday cavatelli and meatballs while he then contemplated the Post lineup for opening day.

There were rumors that the talented, but eccentric Aaron Kelly would not make his stay a long one with the Post 701ers. After compiling a ba of .477 with 39 runs, 42 hits and an on base average of over .640 in only two years, AK decided that his 701 career was long enough and is moving on in 2011. When the talented Bill Gallo of the New York Daily News got wind of Kelly's flight from the Post, he posted this cartoon soon afterwards. That cartoon deserved a spot in the Post 701 Diamond Notes.

Over the years the Post 701 softball team has begotten a huge fan following. That fan base nearly doubled when Wes Carr attended his first Post game, an exciting albeit heartbreaking 13-12 loss to Guns 'N Hoses. Wes, who is head of the Saratoga Chapter of the Matt Beck Fan Club was given luxury box seats by interim Skipper Beck and enjoyed the post-game refreshement table as a thanks for being the newest Post fan. The 701 fan base encompasses a wide area, from as far south as Division Street and as far north as Oakland Avenue. That base is now extended to Saratoga and as a Post fan Wes gets a complimentary roll of duct tape from 701 veteran Hap Hartig, a ride on a Harley from Ray Fyfe and of course, one free mowing from that big right hander, Nyle Nelson. Welcome to the Post Wes!!

Back in 2001 the Post softball committee, led by Rich Auricchio, instituted the "Last Out Award" to the player who made the last Post out in a game. Over the years, many players, some as much as 3 times in a year, have had the "distinct" honor of bringing the beer for consumption following a hard fought win (or loss, whatever the case may be). The team's top hitter from 2009, Shaun Krutz and his .510 batting average made the last out in an 18-12 win over Z-Core with a fly to center. However, Krtuz raised the ire of many veteran Post players when following a game 2 win over Charlies, no beer was to be found on the Lynch #3 softball diamond. Following "Beergate" wanted posters were circulated all over the Amsterdam Pubs wanting Krutz for violation of Article 2, Section III of the Post by-laws . . . no beer when making the last out of a game.

Diamond Notes has been on the prowl all off season trying to get a glimpse of last years "Rookie of the Year" Aaron Kelly. Last Saturday DN hit gold when Kelly was caught with a hot date after a big night out. Known as spending whatever it takes, Kelly was spotted with his date leaving Cappies on Route 67. Reports are that Kelly has a banana split with sprinkles while his date had an expresso and creme de mint over vanilla ice cream.

The pressure of the playoff drive in 2009 apparently took it's toll on Skipper Vinny Fiorillo. Diamond Notes got this exclusive photo in game 15 of an overweight and sloppy Fiorillo at second base. After an intervention by vets Matt Beck and Scott Brennan, Fiorillo was convinced to attend a fat farm to get back into game shape. Placed on a strict diet without canolis and rigotta cheese, the Post Manager got back to his old svelte shape as a recent photo of him in the Post winter league in Venezuela attests. The 701 manager is back to his normal playing weight and has found a new recipe for canoli lites which may find its way to the Post 701 buffet table in 2010.

It is not well known, but back in 2002, Matt Beck had made the rounds in Hollywood and had a brief fling with starlite Anna Nicole Smith. Diamond Notes recently got their grubby little hands on this newly discovered photo of the Post favorite attending a Hollywood bash with the blond bombshell on his arms. However, the fling was brief when Beck called off the relationship when he found out that Smith had a previous history with DePalma's Mike Pepe. Beck was heard to say that he would not settle "for seconds."

He may be known as the popular and successful manager of the Post 701 softball team, but back in the 1980's Vinny Fiorillo was called upon by the NBC executives to be a substiute host for the Tonight Show. This archive photo shows the Skipper with the late Ed McMahon in a Tonight Show classic dated from February 25, 1982 in a show featuring Angie Dickinson, Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise. Fiorillo made a living as a Carson sub until Post 701 owner I.P. Freely called back in 1998 to take over the reigns of running the Post operation. Despite a multi-million offer from NBC to take over the Tonight Show upon Johnny's retirement, the ever popular Fiorillo went 180 degrees and took the managerial job for the 701ers.

Not many Post 701 fans know that long time 701 skipper Vinny Fiorillo once toured with the reknown 1970's rock group 3 Dog Night. Known for his strong vocals, Vinny once filled in for vocalist Chuck Negron. Fast forward over 30 years and once again the 701 Skipper has joined the group for their next tour which will start once the Post softball season ends. The Post manager will sing leads for such 3 Dog Night classics as "Mary Fran Told Me Not To Come" "Never Been to Lynch #1" and the popular "Old Fashion Baltimore Chop."

With the country in the depths of a recession and world peace always an issue it was good to see President elect Obama getting some stress free time catching the Post 701 on ESPN's Monday Night Softball. In this exclusive White House photo, President Obama is photographed watching the 701ers Charlie Archinal smacking his 100th career hit, the 10th Post player to achieve that coveted plateau. Shortly after the game, President Obama invited Charlie for a White House brunch given in his honor as soon as Archinal's plaque goes up in the Post 701 Monument park.

As President Obama paused from his daily run to chat with his White House guests, who was among the throng but the popular Post hurler, veteran Nyle Nelson. This White House photo shows the talented right handed among the many onlookers. As soon as Obama noticed the Post hurler, he had the Secret Service escort Nelson into the White House to discuss Post softball and the upcoming schedule. The President and Nelson shared pitching techniques over a few Coors Lights as Nelson left four tickets for Obama and his family for the next Post tilt.

He is an 11 year Post veteran patrolling leftfield for most of that time. He was there for the 2002 Championship and a part of many division titles. However, when Ray Fyfe singled in the big 11 run second inning vs former teammate Greg Sawitzki in the Post's 7th win, 13-9 over Church St. Deli, Ray Fyfe became the 9th Post player to reach the covetted 100 hit plateau. When word reach Washington, President Bush issued the 2008 commerative 100 bill featured the popular Fyfe. Skipper Vinny Fiorillo has issued a new directive in his post game Kangaroo Court, the Last Out Award must come up with a commerative Fyfe issued bill.

With the Class AA All-Star Game planned for this Sunday, Commissioner Rob Spagnola has yet to name Charlie Archinal and his 1.97 era to the Eastern division pitching staff. Within a matter of days a strong fan front has been formed urging online voting to get Archinal on the team. Leading the front has been long time 701 fans Kathy Tambasco and daughters Courtney and Marissa. As an added touch (ala Jason Giambi) the girls are sporting Charlie moustaches to urge fans to get out and vote. Diamond Notes got this exclusive photo of the girls and their hair lip with a note to all Post fans to get out and vote.

The online fan support for Charlie Archinal proved to be a success when the all-time Post leader in wins got the nod for the 2008 All-Star on Saturday. The "Support the Stash" groundswell started by longtime Post 701 fans, The Tambasco Girls" even went as far as their dog, Penny. Caught in this exclusive photo by Diamond Notes, the 3 1/2 year old black lab is seen sporting a freshly groomed moustache in showing her support for Charlie.

With the popular "Pick your favorite Post Player with a moustache" a success, one of the poll's leaders, outfielder Ray Fyfe decided to shave his notable facial feature. The sneaky lens of the Diamond Notes caught the venerable softball player just seconds after shaving in the lockerroom. However, rumors are circulating that Fyfe is in the process of returning to his hairy lip when he discovered many fans mistaking him for Tom Brokaw.

The recent poll on the Post 701 website asking viewers to vote for the best looking moustache on the team has gotten plenty of positive response. So much so, that the moustache-less 12 year veteran Matt Beck decided to join in the fun and grow one himself. However, much to Beck's suprise, the chrome domed all-star's stash came in on the gray side. In an Diamond Notes exclusive, the always sharp lens of the DN photographer caught the only photo of Beck with the hair lip. Once fans started refering to Beck as the new member of the Grey Beards, he immediately exited to the lockerroom to shave the moustacke and get back to his companions on the Brat Pack.

The extroidinary performance of the Post's young "Kiddi Korp" has reached all the way to Chicago and Papa Playboy, Hugh Hefner. Hef's 2007 Playmate of the Year Cheri Pye could not resist the chance to attend a 701 game and following the Post tough loss to St. Michael's, she was allowed in the Post clubhouse and shared some time with her favorite Post Kids. Young Vet Matt Beck was exluded from this tete 'd tete because of an itchy cup.

Famed New York Daily News cartoonist Bill Gallo got into the Post's struggles a few weeks ago with this cartoon. Noting the 701ers below par play, Gallo got away from the exploits of the Mets and Yankees to concentrate on Skipper Vinny Fiorillo and his crew. However, the very next game, Charlie Archinal tossed his gem and the Post got back on the winning track. The 701ers General Manager I. Gauta Leeke has invited Gallo to next Post game Tuesday vs. Schott's.

With the Post season on the brink of extinction, Skipper Vinny Fiorillo called on the able arm of veteran Charlie Archinal. The all-time Post leader in wins did not disappoint in leading the 701ers to a 7-3 win over Shorty's. The Master of Disaster struck out nine and did not allow an earned run. Following the game, perhaps the most notable celebrity in the world, Mohammed Ali was there to root the Post on and congratulate Charlie on a great game. Long time friends, Ali and Archinal shared some stories of their younger days in the 70's before both hit the Post for pizza and beer.

His popularity has risen with each hit, and with that noterioty, the Post 701's young star Dan Auricchio was invited to rock star Rod Stewart's yacht during the Post's off day. The youngster was indeed a hit with Stewart, and his foxy wife. Diamond Notes was there dishing out the drinks and catching the 701ers outfielder in a comfortable pose with Ms. Stewart.

One of the greatest actors of this generation, Al Pacino, was recently honored at an AFI tribute with a lifetime achievement award. Pacino was shocked when longtime friend and skipper of the Post 701ers, Vinny Fiorillo, found time from his busy schedule as the 701 Manager to attend the festivities and sit at the head table with Pacino. Fiorillo spent the night hobnobbing with the Holleywood sect before catching the redeye back to Albany for the Post's big game on Friday. Pacino acknowledged the Post headmaster by stating the Fiorillo was the "Don of the East End of Amsterdam" as he feed on his greens and beans and cavetelli.

The stunning completion to HBO's long time hit "The Sopranos" left everyone talking about it on Monday. However, little did anyone know that long time Post 701 star Gavin Murdoch played a big part in the alternative ending. In the optional final episode, David Chase chose the Post's own Murdoch to play the part of Guiseppe "Big Fish" Anchovarelli. In the scene, Murdoch's character meets with Tony Soprano to discuss various ways of eliminating Phil Leotardo and his Mother's recipe for cavatelli and meatballs. Despite the award winning performance, Chase cut the scene, but did not rule out a Murdoch redux if "The Sopranos" goes to the silver screen.

Things are getting tense for Tony Soprano and his New Jersey gang as The Sopranos HBO series comes to an end next Sunday. With the hit of Bobby Bacala and near fatal shooting of Silvio Dante, Tony is running out of his top honchos. However, the Post 701's own Matt Beck comes to the rescue in his first Soprano appearance playing the role of Vito "The Hitman" Parisi. Parisi acts as a disastified Soprano captain, and sets up a meeting with Phil Leotardo to discuss ingredients for sausage pizza and a Soprano hit. However, Beck's Parisi has other plans in what the TV Guide describes as a "sterling inaugural tv appearance."

He has been a stalwart at short since joining the 701ers 10 years ago amassing a .363 batting average with 142 hits and 129 runs scored. In addition to anchoring the number two spot in the order, Loper is always rock solid at short. With his softball skills well documented, Loper has begun a life after softball appearing in one of the final Soprano episodes entitled Tony and his Bacala. Lopuch stars as Tony's cousin, Angelo Veniterri. Angelo becomes Tony's best earner, while making the best cavotolli since Vincent Patore in season two.