I have talked with the D-backs coach, and we are not able to arrange a game. They only have 9 players, and they were unable to come up with a team on any of the proposed dates. So our season is finished, with a 6-2 record.
Some thoughts....I really think we got better as the season went on, which we should have. We were heavy on 7th graders, and it is a big jump to the big diamond. But they responded well.
We had a couple injuries and days where kids had to be gone. Josiah and Mickey missed games due to injury. Cody, Neil, and Nick also had games missed due to various trips/obligations. But we were able to play thru the missing guys.
We had a good group of kids. Jeff brought it up, and I totally agree, that we were a very positive group, even when things weren't going well. Both Jeff and I hear players from the other teams whining at their pitchers for not throwing strikes, or getting on them after a bad at bat. We had our moments of inattentiveness to what was going on, but nobody got down on their teammates. Both Jeff and I were really proud of the guys for positive attitudes.
I did get a little frustrated at the inattentiveness occasionally at the games. One of our guys would get on base, and there was occasionally no cheering or words of support. Our high school team does a good job of cheering on their teammates. I hope the guys take note, and can do so in the future.
I wish we could have practiced more. But the guys are busy with track, and I'm busy, and there are concerts, and all that other stuff. But hopefully this served as a nice break-in to jr hi ball.
After the last game we went around the huddle, and had everybody say their favorite thing of the season. And all of them were good stories. Matt talking about his 3 RBI single, Spencer talking about Matt getting beaned in the butt for the game winning RBI. Andrew talked about a certain opponent grunting after he grounded out--and how funny that was. Josiah simply liked being healthy enough to play baseball.
It was nice to see that stuff, and the guys noting their success. In the last game, Cody asked me to play left field. He wanted to play 3rd most of the year. But every time he played left field, he was catching balls. He and I both realized he did a really good job for us there.
Neil's favorite moment was when he had the "fight" with Nick over who got to play 2nd base. Neil convinced me, and then had a great play to kill an opponent rally. Good stuff.
So anyway, the 2010 NSCLL Indians are done. I kept stats. If you are interested in your batting or pitching stats, let me know. I'm not gonna send them out as a team, but I would be happy to send out for an individual.
Best of luck in Junior High ball for the guys. Thanks to the parents for concession stand duty, and umpiring that you did, and book keeping and pitch counting. And for the 7th graders, maybe I'll see you next year!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Rays review
3 walk off wins in a week, and the last two were come from behind wins. Against the Giants the top of the order came thru, with Andrew and Ben walking, Jerald with a base hit, and Michael with a base hit. Against the Rays, Andrew reached on an error, Ben reached on an error, Jerald got a double, and Michael reached on an error. So not all on us, but we hit the ball, and that got us our chances.
The story of the game was the great pitching by Andrew. A complete game, 7 innings, 94 pitches, and only 4 runs allowed, 3 earned. He did a great job of mixing his pitches to keep the batters off balance. But the defense helped out, with 14 defensive outs. Andrew did his part with 7 strikeouts, and only 2 walks. That is an awesome stat/ratio in this league.
Andrew also scored 2 runs on the day, going 1-3, with a walk. Jerald had a nice day at the plate going 3-4, with 2 singles and a double. Mickey went 3-3 on base, with 2 walks and a single.
Great team effort. The guys were really focused for the game, and when they are, they play really well.
The story of the game was the great pitching by Andrew. A complete game, 7 innings, 94 pitches, and only 4 runs allowed, 3 earned. He did a great job of mixing his pitches to keep the batters off balance. But the defense helped out, with 14 defensive outs. Andrew did his part with 7 strikeouts, and only 2 walks. That is an awesome stat/ratio in this league.
Andrew also scored 2 runs on the day, going 1-3, with a walk. Jerald had a nice day at the plate going 3-4, with 2 singles and a double. Mickey went 3-3 on base, with 2 walks and a single.
Great team effort. The guys were really focused for the game, and when they are, they play really well.
Giants review
Nice come from behind win. Lost the lead in the 5th, but scored two in the 6th for the W. Pitching wasn't the greatest, giving up 10 runs, but fortunately our bats did some talking. Though some of it wasn't bats, as we walked oodles of times. Andrew had 3 walks and a single. Josiah had a couple walks too.
Cody had a nice day with the bat, going 2-3 with a single and a double. Michael also had 2 hits.
Cody had a nice day with the bat, going 2-3 with a single and a double. Michael also had 2 hits.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
And how could I forget...
3 cheers for Matt's backside. Got the game winning RBI, takin' one for the team.
Good job
Another interesting game. A few too many walks by both teams to call it a "good" game. But the guys hung together, and got the W.
Lot things I liked. Good attitudes the whole game. When Ben was struggling on the mound, I didn't hear a bunch of whining, I heard supportive comments from the defense. We don't clap like trained seals when we are on the bases either.
This was a good team effort, but I want to point out some good individual efforts. Stacey and Mickey both did well for us on the mound. Stacey had a 4 pitch inning, which was awesome. He is not a strikeout king, the other team will hit the ball. But as long as we play solid defense, we will be fine. Mickey was solid in relief.
Neil had a really nice game. Got his first clean base hit of the year, the last one on the team to do so. He also had a super bunt in the 5th to move Cody over in a tie game. He also made a nice defensive play in the bottom of the 6th.
A little story about that. I make my entire game lineup before hand. I accidentally had Neil in right and 2nd. Nick heard that, and said, "I wanna play 2nd". I said "ok". Neil then said he had only got to play 2nd once, and Nick had twice so Neil "demanded" 2nd base. I said "Ok Neil, you a good lawyer, take 2nd". And then Neil went out and made the good defensive play to end the inning. Nick however, claims he would have made the play too.
A note about Cody getting nailed on a stolen base attempt at 3rd after Neil bunted him to 2nd. That is one me. I hollered at Cody to go, as their pitcher was working out of a windup. I have discussed with the guys that they have the green light any time an opposing pitcher works out of a windup. (The reason being is it takes a lot longer to deliver the ball) Cody didn't quite get the jump he needed, and Taylor Hill of the Cubs made a super throw over to nail Cody. I like being aggressive on the bases, and it cost me that time.
In other good things of note, Ben and Jerald reached base in all 4 of their plate appearances. Everybody on the team got on base at least once.
So Friday at 6:30 at the East Diamond brings a rematch with the Giants. And then Saturday at 1:30. Let me know if you can't make it.
Lot things I liked. Good attitudes the whole game. When Ben was struggling on the mound, I didn't hear a bunch of whining, I heard supportive comments from the defense. We don't clap like trained seals when we are on the bases either.
This was a good team effort, but I want to point out some good individual efforts. Stacey and Mickey both did well for us on the mound. Stacey had a 4 pitch inning, which was awesome. He is not a strikeout king, the other team will hit the ball. But as long as we play solid defense, we will be fine. Mickey was solid in relief.
Neil had a really nice game. Got his first clean base hit of the year, the last one on the team to do so. He also had a super bunt in the 5th to move Cody over in a tie game. He also made a nice defensive play in the bottom of the 6th.
A little story about that. I make my entire game lineup before hand. I accidentally had Neil in right and 2nd. Nick heard that, and said, "I wanna play 2nd". I said "ok". Neil then said he had only got to play 2nd once, and Nick had twice so Neil "demanded" 2nd base. I said "Ok Neil, you a good lawyer, take 2nd". And then Neil went out and made the good defensive play to end the inning. Nick however, claims he would have made the play too.
A note about Cody getting nailed on a stolen base attempt at 3rd after Neil bunted him to 2nd. That is one me. I hollered at Cody to go, as their pitcher was working out of a windup. I have discussed with the guys that they have the green light any time an opposing pitcher works out of a windup. (The reason being is it takes a lot longer to deliver the ball) Cody didn't quite get the jump he needed, and Taylor Hill of the Cubs made a super throw over to nail Cody. I like being aggressive on the bases, and it cost me that time.
In other good things of note, Ben and Jerald reached base in all 4 of their plate appearances. Everybody on the team got on base at least once.
So Friday at 6:30 at the East Diamond brings a rematch with the Giants. And then Saturday at 1:30. Let me know if you can't make it.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Nice Game
Good win against the Padres yesterday. Went by too fast actually, I was having such a good time. And I think the players did too. Not because we won, but everybody was just out enjoying the day, and enjoying playing baseball.
As for the game itself....great pitching by Andrew and Mickey. Andrew was doing a good job, but I pulled him, because I wanted Mickey to get some work too. A shutout is always a nice thing out of your pitchers, no matter the level of baseball. They struck out 9 and walked or plunked 5. I will take that ratio any time.
Our batting was pretty solid yesterday too. I think we had more clean basehits yesterday, than our 4 previous games combined. Nick, Matt, and Josiah got off the schnide and got their first basehits of the year. Matt's was the big bomb, a 3 RBI single.
We have taken a lot of walks this year, but we only walked 3 times, which is interesting. I like baserunners, but I would much rather see the guys out whacking the ball around.
On the offensive side, Ben reached base on all 4 at bats (reached on 2 errors, a walk and a hit), and Matt went 2 for 3. Michael was the only guy that didn't reach base at least once, though he was still putting it in play, and making the Podgers/Dodres field it.
Defensively, we were pretty solid, we did have two errors tho. In the first inning, Andrew did a good job of knowing to cover first from the pitcher's mound, when Jerald had to go to his right to field a ground ball.
Last week of baseball, unless we can get something arranged for after this week, with an Ames team, or the Diamondbacks. One date being looked at is Memorial Day night at 7PM.
Here are the "volunteers" for the concession stand for our last 3 games.
Monday 6:30 Ben and Cody
Friday 6:30 Andrew and Mickey
Saturday 1:30 Jerald and Spencer
As for the game itself....great pitching by Andrew and Mickey. Andrew was doing a good job, but I pulled him, because I wanted Mickey to get some work too. A shutout is always a nice thing out of your pitchers, no matter the level of baseball. They struck out 9 and walked or plunked 5. I will take that ratio any time.
Our batting was pretty solid yesterday too. I think we had more clean basehits yesterday, than our 4 previous games combined. Nick, Matt, and Josiah got off the schnide and got their first basehits of the year. Matt's was the big bomb, a 3 RBI single.
We have taken a lot of walks this year, but we only walked 3 times, which is interesting. I like baserunners, but I would much rather see the guys out whacking the ball around.
On the offensive side, Ben reached base on all 4 at bats (reached on 2 errors, a walk and a hit), and Matt went 2 for 3. Michael was the only guy that didn't reach base at least once, though he was still putting it in play, and making the Podgers/Dodres field it.
Defensively, we were pretty solid, we did have two errors tho. In the first inning, Andrew did a good job of knowing to cover first from the pitcher's mound, when Jerald had to go to his right to field a ground ball.
Last week of baseball, unless we can get something arranged for after this week, with an Ames team, or the Diamondbacks. One date being looked at is Memorial Day night at 7PM.
Here are the "volunteers" for the concession stand for our last 3 games.
Monday 6:30 Ben and Cody
Friday 6:30 Andrew and Mickey
Saturday 1:30 Jerald and Spencer
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Game on! Saturday 1PM
The Padres are good to go to play us on Saturday at 1 at the East Diamond in SC. Our game on Tuesday was to be in Gilbert. However since we were off on Saturday, and the Padres are playing at East at 10PM, with their expanded roster of 17 players, they are good to go to play a doubleheader.
Let me know if you can't make it. I know Cody is out, and Neil is out. We can play with 8, or I may snare a pool player D-Ray to get us to 9, if somebody else can't make it.
thanks for your flexibility in all this!
Let me know if you can't make it. I know Cody is out, and Neil is out. We can play with 8, or I may snare a pool player D-Ray to get us to 9, if somebody else can't make it.
thanks for your flexibility in all this!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Tuesday game at Gilbert is Cancelled
The field at Gilbert is too wet to play today. Tentatively, we are looking at a 1PM in Story City on Saturday for a makeup.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
eh.
Well we did some good things, but not enough of them. And then defensively, walks, combined with timely hits by their part, and untimely errors on our part gave the W to the D-Rays.
I talked to the guys about getting outs when you have a lead. We tried to make some plays, but it didn't happen. Then we had our circus music plays, where we looked like 9 year olds out there throwing the ball around.
Pretty much an ugly game. It shouldn't take 2 hours to play 3.5 innings of baseball. But such is life.
Josiah did a good job of pitching, for his first attempt of the year. He got a little tired, then combined with some errors, the start of the 3rd inning went cuckoo. Then Jerald gave up some walks, then some hits, and that is problematic in any level of baseball.
Andrew had a nice day at the plate, getting on base all 3 times up. Andrew, Ben, Jerald, and Michael all had base hits.
No game until next Tuesday. I don't see a practice in there before then. I have stuff going on, or the field is busy, or the kids are busy. So, any improvement is on them.
I talked to the guys about getting outs when you have a lead. We tried to make some plays, but it didn't happen. Then we had our circus music plays, where we looked like 9 year olds out there throwing the ball around.
Pretty much an ugly game. It shouldn't take 2 hours to play 3.5 innings of baseball. But such is life.
Josiah did a good job of pitching, for his first attempt of the year. He got a little tired, then combined with some errors, the start of the 3rd inning went cuckoo. Then Jerald gave up some walks, then some hits, and that is problematic in any level of baseball.
Andrew had a nice day at the plate, getting on base all 3 times up. Andrew, Ben, Jerald, and Michael all had base hits.
No game until next Tuesday. I don't see a practice in there before then. I have stuff going on, or the field is busy, or the kids are busy. So, any improvement is on them.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Game on Wednesday
We are moving our Thursday game to Wednesday--6:30 at East Diamond.
Also our game on Thursday May 13 is being scratched due to a concert moving. No makeup date yet.
Also our game on Thursday May 13 is being scratched due to a concert moving. No makeup date yet.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Nice win
A little windy, but a nice day for baseball. Good win for the Indians. First off, great pitching by Andrew and Stacey. Andrew get the G-men off balance with a mix of fast and curve balls. And Stacey didn't throw hard, but really messed with the timing of the batters.
As for Stacey, he hadn't pitched this year, and I was going to give him an inning to see how he would do. And he did good, so I gave another inning. And so on. I had Josiah and Mickey warming up in the pen, but our defense did a good job of getting outs. That is how baseball should be played. They hit the ball, we field it, we get them out. And other than a few problematic errors, for the most part, we did that.
Andrew, Cody, Josiah, Spencer, and Jerald all caught some high pop ups. With that wind, they were no simple catches. Josiah's was probably the best, on a ball hit deep to center.
I'd still like to see more base hits. In 3 games this year, we only have 7 base hits. Jerald had two today, and Ben had 1. But to that, when the other team is walking you all the time, that is tough too. We got walked 15 times today. Aye carumba!
Andrew surrendered two in 3 innings of work, and Stacey walked 3 in 4 innings. Awesome! In this league, anytime you surrender less than a walk an inning, good things will happen for you, and they did.
Thing we need to improve on is watching me give signs, and doing what the signs are. Couple missed bunt and steal signs today.
But again, real happy with the effort. No practice on Sunday. Tentatively, we are going to play Wednesday at 6:30 at the East Diamond. Not 100% done deal tho. Stay tuned. Good job Indians!
As for Stacey, he hadn't pitched this year, and I was going to give him an inning to see how he would do. And he did good, so I gave another inning. And so on. I had Josiah and Mickey warming up in the pen, but our defense did a good job of getting outs. That is how baseball should be played. They hit the ball, we field it, we get them out. And other than a few problematic errors, for the most part, we did that.
Andrew, Cody, Josiah, Spencer, and Jerald all caught some high pop ups. With that wind, they were no simple catches. Josiah's was probably the best, on a ball hit deep to center.
I'd still like to see more base hits. In 3 games this year, we only have 7 base hits. Jerald had two today, and Ben had 1. But to that, when the other team is walking you all the time, that is tough too. We got walked 15 times today. Aye carumba!
Andrew surrendered two in 3 innings of work, and Stacey walked 3 in 4 innings. Awesome! In this league, anytime you surrender less than a walk an inning, good things will happen for you, and they did.
Thing we need to improve on is watching me give signs, and doing what the signs are. Couple missed bunt and steal signs today.
But again, real happy with the effort. No practice on Sunday. Tentatively, we are going to play Wednesday at 6:30 at the East Diamond. Not 100% done deal tho. Stay tuned. Good job Indians!
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