High School Reporting Thread

2 Easter tourney games against top private schools rained out on Sat.
Game against biggest rival, who are 8-0, (schools only 6.5 miles apart, everybody knows each other, played with & against each other for years), rained out today.

April showers bring what???

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April showers bring what???

MAKE-up GAMES!!! GED10DaD

Thanks Gun. Will be a tough one though. #3 team in the state. If he is on, he will do well. Beat the current #1 team in the state earlier in the year (they are 16-2) and lost to the current #2 team in the state 1-0 (they were #1 at the time). Against the current #1 & #2 teams in the state, he is 1-1 with a 2.15 ERA. Not bad for a freshman pitching varsity. I'm keeping my fingers crossed tonight though.

After 2 weeks of games being canceled, we finally got a game in. It was scheduled for yesterday, but because of the weather, the scheduled it for today. We were suppose to go to Lee(a 2 hour drive) but they decided to come over here. Long story short, I started RF and played well backing up and everything but never actually had anything hit to me. However, Coach DHed for me having my bud hit for me which wasn't a big deal at all, I was happy to be out there. We only played 5 innings since it was a district game and lost 1-0. We had 2 bloopers, they had 3 hits. It was a rough lost going into district play.

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Long story short, I started RF and played well backing up and everything but never actually had anything hit to me. However, Coach DHed for me having my bud hit for me which wasn't a big deal at all, I was happy to be out there.

If I had my life to live over again, I would wish to have 1/10 of your attitude about things. Being happy to be out there is a GREAT attitude. If it were me (looking back on things), I would have pouted that I was not hitting and only made things worse. You'll see that someday, your spirit or attitude about things has already made you a winner at the game of life.

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Originally posted by ClevelandDad:

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Long story short, I started RF and played well backing up and everything but never actually had anything hit to me. However, Coach DHed for me having my bud hit for me which wasn't a big deal at all, I was happy to be out there.

If I had my life to live over again, I would wish to have 1/10 of your attitude about things. Being happy to be out there is a GREAT attitude. If it were me (looking back on things), I would have pouted that I was not hitting and only made things worse. You'll see that someday, your spirit or attitude about things has already made you a winner at the game of life.

Thanks, I appreciate that!

Well, Bbson lost 6-2 last night. Didn't pitch too bad. Gave up 2 solo shots, two runs on a fisted single to center with 2 out (very frustrating), 1 run on an out and an unearned on a misplayed ball by center that should have ended the inning. Good news is he pitched another complete game. 6 innings, 91 pitches, no walks (did hit two guys - shows he is not afraid to go inside on the big guys), and probably 6 or 7 K's.

Since he is still young, I think this year is really a positive because he is continuing to be challenged. He is actually having to pitch and I am happy about that. I think he's learning alot. We play in a very tough region, so he is seeing the best. Litterally every team we play has at least 1-2 D1 signees - many of them have 6-8. Like I said earlier he has now pitched against the current top 3 teams in the state and has gone 3 complete games with a 3.15 ERA. He is challenged, but is certainly holding his own. I am looking forward to what the next few years hold.

bballman, your son is getting a great experience! He will be better and more confident for the challenges.

It's a pretty sure thing that if 2B makes it to the next level, it will not be as a pitcher. But he does pitch occasionally for his HS team, and he had his mojo workin' yesterday. Complete game win, no earned runs, 8 Ks, faced only 26 batters. The local paper called his pitching "dazzling." As far as his interview, it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way, but most of all, it feels out there...

Blue Wave Takes Tourney

BBMan - Sorry about the loss. As you know, when you throw strikes, sometimes they get hit! And zero walks, that's terrific. BBSon is getting such a great opportunity, and like you said, he's stepping up to the challenge. What a tough spot for a 14 year old to be in and what a way to respond. I know you are very proud of him.
GED10DaD

2Bmom, congratulations - How do you know he won't be a pitcher, sounds like he is doing well. Wouldn't count it out yet.

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it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way

Had to look down at your location when I read that. Sounds like a left coast kind of expression.

Anyway, congrats on a great win for 2B.

Gun, thanks for the words. It is an awesome experience. He is 15, but is a freshman. He is learning alot. He is being challenged and having to step up.

His pitching coach is a pitching coach for a AA minor league team. Before the season started he told us he hoped he pitched for varsity and he hoped that he got rocked at least once. He said one of the biggest problems with his guys at the AA level is that they have never lost, they have always been dominant. That first time that they really get hit hard, they don't know how to deal with it mentally. It is a big problem for him working with his guys. That is another area he is getting some growth in. The mental game. He is realizing that he is not always going to win. He is learning how to come back after giving up a HR. He is learning how to continue to pitch and give it his all for each batter even when you are behind. I think he will be a better all around player even as a result of the loss. They say whatever doesn't break you only makes you stronger. Well, he has definetely not broken yet. Still confident - still wants to get out there and compete.

Mike set the school record for hits yesterday in their 7-0 victory. For a school that playes 24 games a year he collected his 100th varsity hit in the second game of the season a 3-run HR. His 6 hits in the last 2 games and 9th since the HR put him over the top.

Congratulations to Mike!!

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Had to look down at your location when I read that. Sounds like a left coast kind of expression.

Thanks, bballdad - it was a fun game to watch. That came straight from my favorite movie, Bull Durham.

Clubhouse reporter: So how does it feel to get your first professional win?
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: It feels out there. I mean, it's a major rush. I mean, it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way, but most of all, it feels out there.
Crash Davis: [watching Ebby from across the clubhouse] Hopeless. This is utterly ******* hopeless.

I think great things are going to happen for your son. When they get a chance to get out there at a young age and compete at a high level, that gives them such an advantage when they catch up to the others in physical maturity. I agree 100% about what your wrote about some players never having to struggle, and having a hard time handling it well when it happens. We had a coach tell us the same thing a while back.

2B will likely top out at 5-11, and he throws in the low 80s. Not intimidating at all, but he gets pretty good movement sometimes. His coaches say he's a natural IF, and think he's got a bright future there. But he does very much enjoy getting on the mound every now and then.

Bull Durham - very good movie. That guy was wacked out. I don't know all the lines, but sure sounds like something he would say.

My son is not a big guy right now either. He's about 5'9" - 155lbs. Throws probably 83-85 with a good breaking ball and a change up which he can throw both for strikes. Certainly not very intimidating.

Team we played last night has 24 guys on the varsity roster - 16 are 6' or taller - 12 are 6'2" or taller. Good thing about Bbson is he is not intimidated. He gets right in there and thinks he should be able to get everyone out. Like I said earlier, I am looking forward to the next few years. Should be fun.

Finally played after 3 cancelled games--team played flat lost I think 8 or 9 to 2. Our pitchers were off and walked around 10.Son played a solid 3Base made a few nice plays. But finally a 60 degree day though by 4th inning it was low 50s, not complaining though.

I really enjoy reading all your posts.

To those facing rain and have pitchers in the family, be thankful you don't play in the persistant 30-40mph wind that is blowing from the WSW here in Phoenix. For those of you scoring at home, that's pretty much is straight out to center. I have seen balls where the hitting team is yelling 'DROP DROP' fly out of the park to center. I've seen off balance swings on good pitches leave the yard.

To those of you with hitters for sons, move to Arizona...

bballman, sounds like your son is maturing and getting opportunities against some great opponents. You pay a lot for that in some leagues. He's holding his own. Video those mistakes and make him watch them. You don't get these kinds of opportunities in freshman ball.

lebanonbb, you're going far in this game. Keep working hard and make your life's mission, after you've joined us in adulthood, to change 5 inning distict games to 7 inning district games. Only playing 5 innings where one team has to drive 2 hours is just sick and wrong. Buy some lights or start playing double headers on Saturdays at neutral sites, or something...

2Bmom, are you absolutely sure he isn't a pitcher? I've seen several 'sure thing draft picks' this year not do nearly as well. I saw one get absolutely lit up in three innings on Tuesday (89 pitches). Scouts gunning every ball outside the strike zone and making notes on every scorched line drives. I don't know why they stayed, must've been the per diem.

Coach Merc, congats. Sounds like your boy is going to end up with about 140. That's quite an accomplishment.

My son is the first relief pitcher tomorrow night against a rival. They seem to have the hitters but not the pitchers. We're at their place tomorrow night, which is nicknamed the 'homer dome'. The good news is the wind is only supposed to be blowing out at 5-10...

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Clubhouse reporter: So how does it feel to get your first professional win?
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: It feels out there. I mean, it's a major rush. I mean, it feels radical in kind of a tubular sort of way, but most of all, it feels out there.
Crash Davis: [watching Ebby from across the clubhouse] Hopeless. This is utterly ******* hopeless.

2B will likely top out at 5-11, and he throws in the low 80s. Not intimidating at all, but he gets pretty good movement sometimes. His coaches say he's a natural IF, and think he's got a bright future there. But he does very much enjoy getting on the mound every now and then.

2bmom.....my all time favorite movie! annie's one of my all time favorite characters.....

sounds like 2b is a great all around baller.....and i love hearing parents say their kids "enjoy" being out there. that's what it's all about!

i too love hearing about everyone's progress. sons team is 2-1. through 11 innings pitched his era is 0, thanks to some great defense behind him and a few wicked sliders.

i love this game!!

Time to catch up on the last couple of weeks....

Lost 5-3 to last year's State Champs...played kinda flat...

Won 9-3 league game on the road

Won a non-league game 15-0 during spring break with three of our starters on a school trip. Obviously not a strong team...

Everybody's back this week for three league games. Won the first 2-0 on Monday. Son took the mound on Tuesday (first time pitching since his surgery.) Threw four innings of 1-hit ball (50 pitches) but had three BB's. Defense turned 3 DP's to help him out.

I think the BB's had more to do with the way the game went. We didn't score in the first and son had an easy 1-2-3 in the bottom on 10 pitches. We scored 12 in the second and 6 in the third so each time he came out he was pretty much 'cold' and walked the lead-off batter before getting back into rhythm...the DP's really help...

Hawk19, congrats on your son's return and his performance! Gotta love those DP's - a pitcher's best friend!

L8, you can't get a better ERA than that! Congratulations to your son! Thank you very much for what you wrote about 2B. I hope we can all see each others boys play some day.

I think 2B might have gotten into a bit of trouble last night. We were losing an important district game 5-3. Our HC got kicked out in the 4th for arguing with the umpire. Lots of parents were screaming about bad calls, but 2B told me that he thought the umpire did fine - we were just looking at too many good pitches. Our regular assistant coach was out, so the game was left to our very young JV coach. Going into the top of the 7th, coach told the boys to take the first pitch. This is something that 2B just hates, but he always does what the coaches ask, even if it always leads to a 0-1 hole. Everyone in the universe knows that our coaches do this, but last night 2B had had enough. Our leadoff hitter was up first. He runs a 6.3 60, is a good OF, and is being scouted. After the initial 0-1 count, he draws a walk. 2B is the second batter. He gets a nice, juicy fastball right down the middle for the first pitch, and hits it foul. I heard somebody yell, "What are you DOING!!! We need BASERUNNERS!!!" So the very next pitch, he gets another fastball, and drives it to the left center gap for a double. There's your baserunner. So anyway, we have runners on second and third with no one out. A backwards K, pop out and swinging K end the game. Oh, well. We'll see if there are any consequences, but I say let hitters hit!

Edit: I know this makes 2B look like a selfish player. Truth be told, if the HC had asked him to take those pitches, he would have, and would have grumbled about it all the way home. But he was mad at the HC for getting himself thrown out. He wanted to help his team win the game, and knew that taking strikes wasn't the way to do it.

CASon had his first outing this season. He didn't have good velocity topping out at 83 on the Stalker. He was pretty consistently at 82-83 on the Stalker in the second inning. He did have good movement on all his pitches. His control was off and the coaches were calling for curves and not for the change which is the off speed pitch he has good control of. 1h, 2bb, 4k, 2r in 2 innings. But given it was his first time out in 6 months not that bad.

I hate taking the forst pitch mentality as well. My son loves hitting the first pitch. Even in college some of the umpires strikes zones are just horrible and he hates to get in a hole. he has struck out 4 times looking this year on pitches that were horrible horroble calls.
A lot of times the first pitch is the only really good pitch you will see.

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A lot of times the first pitch is the only really good pitch you will see.

Exactly!
Ah, the trials and tribulations of HS ball!

Freshman son had his first rough outting yesterday. He came in with two on and no outs in the 4th up 9-1 against a great hitting team. They had made 6 errors which led to many of our runs.

Gave up a single to load the bases, then got a double play with a run scoring, another single (run) and then fly out. 9-3 after 4.

Lead off HR in the 5th, then got three up three down, 9-4 after 5.

The sixth was horrible. Ground ball up the middle, ground ball between short and third, bunt single (third baseman asleep), bloop single to center that the CF kicked around, resulting in 2 scoring and second and third, then 2 run double pulled down the LF line and the hook. 2+IP, 5 R (all earned), 8 Hits. 9-1 had become 9-8.

Fortunately our closer came through and we held on to win.

It actually felt worse in person than it looked on video after. He was making his pitches and hitting his spots, they were just hitting it where we weren't. The HR was tagged, but was actually about 6" outside on a 2-2 pitch hit to the opposite field. Several outs were hit harder than the hits they got.

I guess they all get tagged eventually...

Well, we stopped the 8 game loosing streak by beating our x-town rival high school TWICE in a DH. We won 4-3 in the first, and 5-7 in the second game, we beat them with both of their stud pitchers on the mound. GED10 had his first start in HS at 2nd base in the first game, caught second game.

Here's his 1st DP turn at 2Base......


It was a good day!!! GED10DaD

CASon threw to a few batters at a college camp today and after only throwing 82-83 on Friday he threw 85-87 at the camp.

April showers bring.......

Finally on the the field again Friday after a week. Sunny, low 70's.
Played 8-0 team in conference game. Won 7-0. Team is 7-2, playing good defense and getting solid pitching.
Jr, the 14-yr. old freshman, 0-3. 3 K's (1st time since beginning of 10 yr. old season). Looked clueless at plate. Some good medicine for him though. Freshman batting cleanup on JV team with 12 soph.'s., leading team in several offensive categories. Thought he didn't need to put in that extra work that he has always done that put him in that position to begin with. Now requested that we get to the field early next morning so I could work with him on his swing.

Saturday morning, arrive early to work on swing. You don't suddenly slump and you don't suddenly get out of it, but its a good start.
Makeup game against biggest rival, who are 10-0, (schools only 6.5 miles apart, everybody knows each other, played with & against each other for years). Sunny, mid 70's, big crowd, with varsity players and coaches watching as well. Varsity game to follow JV.
Jr. 1-4 at plate, looks better at plate, has big 2 RBI single.
Top 7, 5-4 game, men on 2nd & 3rd, nobody out, 3 hitter up. Jr. brought in to pitch.
Strikes 3 hitter swinging on 3 pitches.
Gets ahead of 4 hitter 1-2. 4 hitter fouls off next 4 pitches. Jr. finally wins the 8 pitch battle by getting him looking at FB right on black at the knees. (Just a great long, drawn out, dramatic battle between 2 kids with the game on the line! Fun to watch as a fan, hard to watch as a parent!)
Gets 5 hitter to pop up to first. Game over. 5-4 win.

Team now 8-2, playing very solid baseball.

Today, rain, mid 50's, 20mph winds. Another rainout.

Ahh........April showers......

Hope the weathers better and they are playing baseball where you are.

Zack is RF'r on the fresh squad. So far he is hitting .452 after a dismal start. This past week he got his 1st assist when he threw someone out at home. But the most incredible throw was one on Friday. He didn't get the out but you could hear everyone in the stands talking about the "awesome throw". Just dead on to 3rd.

But it is getting frustrating. Guess I was naive about the politics in HS baseball. His average is 2nd, 3rd at worst on the team. His outfield skills are easily better-his arm is apples and oranges compared to everyone else. And he is being overlooked for jv and varsity playing time while another of'r is constantly called up.

They are destroying what we have taught him over the years, that if you are better, and you outwork everyone they will see it and it will pay off.

Wow - some great stuff going on here! Great picture, GED10DaD!

ZacksDad, patience. Looks like your son is learning from Jeff Francoeur! I know it is frustrating now, but he will have his chance. Who knows what the coach is thinking, but sometimes the things that we think are politics just aren't. Sometimes they are. But sometimes they're about what the coach thinks is best for the player and the team. Doesn't make it right, but as someone said in another thread, that's HS ball. Just the way it is. Anyway, I hope it all works out.

Wow, so many of you are just starting your seasons,and our last home game is tomorrow! It's been a pretty good season. We are 15-7, and should be 17-7 after Friday's last regular season game, but you never know. The district tournament starts a week from today!

Son moved up to soph squad last friday--thought he would get to play with his best bud but he got moved down after game was over.(such is life). Son plays 3 base and pitches--and they needed a 3 baseman. He is being given a good oppertunity so I hope he can make the most of it. They have played 3 games he has played every inning. He started 2nd game of double header on the mound and got his first sophomore win! Did ok gave up 2 runs, but considering ump only called 1 called strike in three innings he did ok though, didn't get frustrated,, figured it out early after 2 walks and put it down the pipe when he needed a strike. His bat was used by a couple kids and they hit 5 home runs in the 1st 2 games--my son has been in a slump but he asked for wiffle toss and batting cage time so he will be ok. Won all 3 games and kids on team are supporting him, seem like a great bunch!

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Originally posted by 2Bmom:
ZacksDad, patience. Looks like your son is learning from Jeff Francoeur! I know it is frustrating now, but he will have his chance. Who knows what the coach is thinking, but sometimes the things that we think are politics just aren't. Sometimes they are. But sometimes they're about what the coach thinks is best for the player and the team. Doesn't make it right, but as someone said in another thread, that's HS ball. Just the way it is. Anyway, I hope it all works out.

Its just tough. We transferred to the school so Zack is a "newbie" vs the kid that is being called up played travel ball with "all of them" and played summer ball last year.

It's also tough watching a kid get an opportunity at a higher hs level than Zack is getting when this kid walks to his position, throws his glove in the air to land in the spot where he will be, and then proceeds to tuck his jersey in.

But we just keep holding on....

Well, Bbson got rocked last night. Went 3+ innings and gave up 9 earned including 2 left on when he got the hook. Although it was not a good outing, I think he is learning some things. We talked about it afterwards and there are some positives and some things he really needs to work on.

On the positive side, it looked to us in the stands like he was throwing very hard. I had several parents come up to me and say that he was really bringing it. Another thing is that several of the hits given up were on pretty good pitches. This team was just really hot last night. Score was 8-1 when he got taken out. Final was 21-8.

Things to work on. When we were talking about it, I commented that it seemed like he was throwing about 80% fastballs and that for a team like that, he really needs to mix it up. He said no, it was more like 90% fastballs. On our team, catcher calls the game. I told him he needed to start taking charge and shaking off the catcher when he thinks the game plan needs to change. He is very smart baseball wise and knows how he should be approaching hitters and he needs to take some responsibility for what he winds up throwing. He also said he really wanted to go inside more to the hitters. He said when he did go inside, he was jamming them. Catcher continued to call outside fastballs which the hitters continued to hit to the opposite field. He is a freshman pitching varsity. Catcher is a junior, so I think he has been a little timid with shaking off.

The other positive is that I think his confidence is still there. I told him he could take this experience one of two ways. You can either say to yourself that you stink and just give up, or you can learn from this and work harder to get 'em next time. Before I could even finish, he said, "no, I don't stink, I just stunk today". Coach told him his next start is Friday and he said he will be ready to go.

Valuable learning experience overall.

Great attitude bball--every pitcher has a bad nite (actually many) how they resond is what is important. Obviously you know that, hope he has a great game friday.

Thanks 46. Let you know how it goes. Hope all is well with young 46.

April showers bring.......another rainout.
Looks like we may have 6 games in 7 days starting tomorrow......and supposedly good weather. Should be fun!

Rats...hit the wall at exactly the wrong time. Lost last night 7-3 in the game that decided the league champion and #1 seed for state tournament. No excuses. Just not our best game.

One highlight for me. Their leadoff guy is nicknamed 'Speedy'. He hits a slow roller towards SS and son charges, gloves it, and fires on the run to get him by a step. I'll bet that kid has been beating that out since tee-ball....It's always fun to get 'Speedy' on a play like that...

We were the road team. It's 105 at game time and the visitor's dugout faces due west....no shade anywhere...the home dugout is shaded and has a huge oversized fan....it's good to be the home team.

Hawk sorry about the loss, nice play by son though.
Have to rub in weather is a nice 70 tommorow 80 one of few times (1st this year) nicer than Arizona.
Son broke out of slump with a 2-2--4-rbi day in a 10-0 win--team is 14-6--with a believe 6 straight wins and looking strong.

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Originally posted by Hawk19:
Rats...hit the wall at exactly the wrong time. Lost last night 7-3 in the game that decided the league champion and #1 seed for state tournament. No excuses. Just not our best game.

One highlight for me. Their leadoff guy is nicknamed 'Speedy'. He hits a slow roller towards SS and son charges, gloves it, and fires on the run to get him by a step. I'll bet that kid has been beating that out since tee-ball....It's always fun to get 'Speedy' on a play like that...

We were the road team. It's 105 at game time and the visitor's dugout faces due west....no shade anywhere...the home dugout is shaded and has a huge oversized fan....it's good to be the home team.

I love stories like this! Let me guess what Speedy's last name was - Gonzolez

Well yesterday it was low 60's sunny, and 20-25 mph winds to start the 6 games in 7 days stretch.

We played a very weak team. Won 22-1 in 5. Like watching paint dry. But we started mostly freshman that haven't played much so it was great for them. It good to have those kind of games sometimes, so that everyone can get some playing time, and some other pitchers can get some work. Team is now 9-2.

Jr., the freshman, sat with the other sophmore regulars. He charted pitches, which is also a good thing.

Today is sunny low 70's. Tomorrow sunny, mid 80's. Finally some great baseball weather!

There has been some talk this week of Jr. and a sophmore being called up to Varsity. I personally hope that he gets finish what he started with the JV, to be able to continue to play pretty much every day and continue to get better and gain confidence. But as a 14-yr. old, he would be thrilled to get called up. Maybe for the playoffs, when JV season ends would be the best all the way around. Anyway, it's been a pretty fun 1st year of HS so far for Jr. and his parents.

Well...the ups and downs of baseball continue...at least after the snow and rain-outs.

Tuesday, the Sophs played against the Sophs of the defending state champs. 27 was 1-1 with 2 walks. Son's team won 10-3.

Thursday, the Sophs played the same team, with similar results: 19-5 victory. 27 was 0-0 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored. Played 1st, and then CF with 2 assists.

Today, 27 was "pulled up" to the JV game...along with almost every other Soph. I think the coaches were expecting less JV players?

27 came in to pitch in the 4th, with the score 0-0. Put up 2 goose-eggs for the 4th and 5th. Top of the 6th, his team scores 1 to take the lead. Took the bump in the 6th and then: high hopper up-the-middle that left the shortstop no pay at 1st. Bunt up the 1st-base-line that was misplayed by son (he almost collided with the 1st-baseman). Bunt pop-up that went over 27's outstretched glove on the 3rd-base side. Bases loaded, nobody out. Next batter nails a single up-the-middle scoring 2. Next batter bunts down the 3rd-baseline, but 27 makes the play and throw to 3rd to get the force. 1st and 2nd, 1 out. Next batter hits a grounder to the 3rd-baseman, it goes between his legs, 1 runner scores. Next batter strikes out. Last batter grounds out to 2nd. What was a 1-0 lead is now a 3-1 deficit.

Top of the 7th, his team scores 3 to take a 4-3 lead. 27 takes the bump again. 1st batter hits a double down the left-field line. Next batter hits a double down the left-field line, the throw takes a wicked jump on the carpet at 3rd and the runner advances to 3rd. Nobody out...tie game...winning run at 3rd. Next batter strikes out. Next batter hits a slow-roller to 2nd, 2nd-baseman throws home, but the throw is off-line and the run scores. Game over...5-4.

He went grocery shopping with his mom to take his mind off the game. But, this is baseball, and there is always next week .

First Varisty Home Run on Friday! Yipee!

27"s dad, what a tough loss! But yes, the great thing about baseball is that there is always next week.

baseball_fever, YAY! We know the feeling! 2B hit his first this year too. Congratulations!!!

Well, what do you know. Our last regular season game was Friday night. It was broadcast on http://www.floridacast.com. We won in 9 innings. 2B had a great game - 3 for 4 with 2 walks, 3 RBIS, one double. One his hits drove in the winning run with 2 out in the top of the 9th. One of our other parents just called me to tell me that 2B was named Player of the Game in the online broadcast.