Saturday begins our playoffs. We were fortunate to receive a bye, as the brackets are done randomly. There is a good news bad news aspect to that, however. If we lose our first game we’re out of the playoffs. Teams that had a first round game get a consolation game. The good news, of course, is that if we win the first game we either get to play in the championship game or in a 3rd/4th place game.
We will be playing either the Marlins or the Angels for our first game. These would not be the teams I’d pick. We beat the Marlins rather decisively in one game and they beat us even more decisively in the second game we played. The Angels, on the other hand, are the only team we haven’t played, so we have no idea what to expect against them. Our second round game will be against either the A’s or the Orioles, both teams I’m pretty confident we could beat. But even if we don’t we’ll get another game. I just feel like we have such a good team this year, especially after the disaster that was last year, and will admit that I’ll be disappointed if we flame out n the first round.
The rules do change during the playoffs. Where as normally we play either 6 innings, starting no inning after an hour and a half, for the playoffs we play 6 innings. The big “controversy” this year is over a change of the 2-2-1-1 rule. In the regular season a team has to use at least 4 pitchers. However, for the playoffs Kevin decided to change things to a 2-2-2, cutting a pitcher out of the equation. This means teams that have three dominating pitchers have a big advantage over a team like ours where we rely on a bunch of different kids a little.
In order to avoid flaming out in the first round we not going to repeat last year’s mistake of saving our best pitcher for the last two innings. So Jeremy Ma is going to get the start. For the play-offs, as I’ll discuss shortly, you’re allowed to change your lineup for each game. This means that Jeremy should be facing the best players on their team, but hopefully he’ll bring his best stuff.
After two innings of Jeremy our plan is a little more flexible. I think our current plan is to do Jared for an inning or two followed by Justin, who might finish out the start of Jared’s inning and then pitch one of his own or just pitch one of his own, and then to have Jeremy Me ready for the 6th inning save. This leaves Nick out of the equation which might not make sense, because if he can find the strike zone he’s, hands down, our second best pitcher in terms of “stuff”. At the same time having a pitcher in reserve seems like a good thing, as we saw with Nick’s last performance.
Pitching Jared second is important because it will allow him to catch AFTER he’s pitched. Steve and I have agreed that until the last game on Sunday, if we get there, we want to limit our pitchers and catchers to no more than 3 innings combined between the two. That means if we’ll want to use Jared for two innings behind the plate, which I think we will, he’ll pitch just one. We can get an inning from Jeremy Ma, an inning or two from Jeremy Me, which means we’ll be relying on Alec for an inning behind the plate, which is hardly my favorite solution. All things being equal he’ll likely catch the first inning of Jeremy Ma, and I don’t know what after that. Having a catcher who catches the balls means more strikes. It’s not that Alec doesn’t catch the ball, but then again it’s not like he really does either.
In the field certain kids will be slotted into certain spots as well. Noff, for instance, has proven to be incredibly heads up at second base and we’re excited to put him there. Other kids will be more of a mystery. First base itself is a bit of a mystery. Jeremy F and Matt S both like playing there. Are they considerable downgrades from other options? I’m not sure. At the same time I don’t really feel good about them there. It’s likely Jeremy F will see some time there cause I feel considerably worse about putting him elsewhere. Matt S remains a bit of an enigma.
The nice thing is that we will only have to sit two an inning on Saturday, which makes scheduling SO much easier. The bad news is that we are sitting two an inning because Cameron will not be there. This is a major minus when it comes to our hitting. He is arguably the best hitter on the team and it’s not easy to just replace that. Though Cameron has been in a bit of a slump lately. I think the leadoff position is just not the right spot for him. However, it is perfect for Jeremy Ma who draws a lot of walks. After that I think we’re looking at something along the lines of Nick, Jared, Jeremy Me, Jeremy F. At the bottom of the lineup we’ve got (going up) Noff, Sean, and Matt S. That leaves Austin, Alec, and Justin somewhere in the middle. The nice thing is that unlike last year we don’t really have a part where we can’t count on ANY hits. If we can make their pitcher throw a lot of pitches in the first inning I really feel like we could do some damage in the second.
So I enter this weekend upbeat and hopeful, though quite nervous. I had some unease when we were entering the basketball tourney, but I knew we were still a favorite to get to the championship game. Here, I feel like we have the talent, but we’re not SO much better than the field that we’ll need some luck, or to at least avoid bad luck, to go forward.
I’m not sure if I’ll update Saturday or after the weekend on how we do, but you can count on a full report.
Showing posts with label Jared. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jared. Show all posts
Friday, June 8, 2007
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Game versus Cubs
Our last game of the regular season was a good one and so I think we’ll go inning by inning for this one.
Pre-Game
One of the schools had an event last night and of course we have three players from that school so we had just nine players, with Sean, Jeremy F, and Noff all missing. We decided that we were going to give Jared the chance to go two that he didn’t have on Saturday and also we wanted to give Nick one more shot, though under some pretty controlled conditions. Having only 9 players was nice for them since it meant a lot of opportunities to play the infield. Last time we played the Cubs we scored a whole bunch in the top of the 6th inning to come back and win the game by a run. We started the game late because the ump went to the wrong field.
The Game
Austin and Cameron both started off the game with strike-outs. Nick singled and then managed to steal second and third. Unfortunately, Mandel got robbed by the shortstop on a liner and so we don’t score in the inning. After recording two outs, the Cubs manage to load the bases on Jared, before a dribbler back to him at the mound which gets us the third out. 0-0 after 1
They switch pitchers here and we take advantage with a single by Justin, who steals second. When he steals third they over throw the third baseman, on a throw that shouldn’t have been made, and so we get a run and essentially a new inning. Alec strikes out. Jeremy Me singles, gets to second when Jared walks. He steals third and is singled home by Matt S. Austin then singles home Jared, before Cameron grounds out to end the inning. 3-0 BoSox
Jared gets a nice brake when Austin comes up with a well hit ball into center. The next batter rockets a double into deep left, which Cameron does a nice job of getting to and getting back in. Jared hits the next batter. The player on second then steals third on a wild pitch. Next pitch gets by Jeremy Me, who easily recovers the ball. He likely could have made the tag by himself, but he tosses it to Jared who just barely misses the tag. Jared bares down and strikes out that batter and gets the next batter to ground to first. 3-1 after two.
The supposed heart of our order, Nick, Jeremy Ma, and Justin, go down 1-2-3 including 2 strikeouts against the same pitcher we saw in the second. On comes Nick. Nick once again has a rough outing. He ends up lasting only six batters, walking four striking out two. So much for his going two innings. We bring in Justin who strikes out a player to end the inning. Only one run from that inning is fortunate and we maintain a 3-2 lead.
The next inning we stake off. Alec, Jeremy Me, and Jared all hit doubles, followed by a single by Matt S which drives in Jared for our third run. Austin hits into a double play and while Cameron singles Nick pops out. Still we get 3 more runs and go up 6-2.
Justin comes in for his second inning, strikes out the first batter, gets lucky when the second batter CRUSHES the ball, but it hits a tree giving Jeremy Me just enough time to catch the ball for out two. While the next batter walks, the last batter lines out to Justin at the mound. Justin looked very sharp in his inning and a third.
We go down in order in the 5th. The ump has to ump the next game and wants this to be the last inning. However, when Jeremy Ma mows them down, I point out that if we had started on time we still wouldn’t have hit an hour and a half of play time. I get him to agree to play the sixth. While Jeremy Me singles to start things off, we don’t do anything else.
In comes Jeremy Me with a four run lead to protect. And basically our fielding falls apart. There is just one bad fielding play after another. On one Alec calls for a ball which he can’t get to, but Cameron or Justin would have been able to get to. So that’s a hit. On another, it goes through Cameron’s legs at short on a not particularly well hit ball, he simply didn’t get down. On yet another Jeremy Ma fails to come up with a throw at first. Three runs end up scoring before we can get things back into control and we come away with a 6-5 victory. Jeremy Me pitched incredibly well, facing 8 batters on only 17 pitches. Our defense simply failed to come through for him.
Post Game
I give a very upbeat talk about how we played well. And even when things started to go poorly we didn’t lose our cool and we prevailed. We gave the game ball to Alec. Everyone felt real good going into the playoffs which is great. The twin’s mother took the time after the game to thank us for all that we’ve done with them which was real nice of her to do. Also nice was that Steve and I ran into Cameron and his mother at the restaurant we’d gone to after the game and so we had a great dinner talking to him and his mother.
There’ll be another update tomorrow as I outline the playoffs and how we’re approaching them.
Pre-Game
One of the schools had an event last night and of course we have three players from that school so we had just nine players, with Sean, Jeremy F, and Noff all missing. We decided that we were going to give Jared the chance to go two that he didn’t have on Saturday and also we wanted to give Nick one more shot, though under some pretty controlled conditions. Having only 9 players was nice for them since it meant a lot of opportunities to play the infield. Last time we played the Cubs we scored a whole bunch in the top of the 6th inning to come back and win the game by a run. We started the game late because the ump went to the wrong field.
The Game
Austin and Cameron both started off the game with strike-outs. Nick singled and then managed to steal second and third. Unfortunately, Mandel got robbed by the shortstop on a liner and so we don’t score in the inning. After recording two outs, the Cubs manage to load the bases on Jared, before a dribbler back to him at the mound which gets us the third out. 0-0 after 1
They switch pitchers here and we take advantage with a single by Justin, who steals second. When he steals third they over throw the third baseman, on a throw that shouldn’t have been made, and so we get a run and essentially a new inning. Alec strikes out. Jeremy Me singles, gets to second when Jared walks. He steals third and is singled home by Matt S. Austin then singles home Jared, before Cameron grounds out to end the inning. 3-0 BoSox
Jared gets a nice brake when Austin comes up with a well hit ball into center. The next batter rockets a double into deep left, which Cameron does a nice job of getting to and getting back in. Jared hits the next batter. The player on second then steals third on a wild pitch. Next pitch gets by Jeremy Me, who easily recovers the ball. He likely could have made the tag by himself, but he tosses it to Jared who just barely misses the tag. Jared bares down and strikes out that batter and gets the next batter to ground to first. 3-1 after two.
The supposed heart of our order, Nick, Jeremy Ma, and Justin, go down 1-2-3 including 2 strikeouts against the same pitcher we saw in the second. On comes Nick. Nick once again has a rough outing. He ends up lasting only six batters, walking four striking out two. So much for his going two innings. We bring in Justin who strikes out a player to end the inning. Only one run from that inning is fortunate and we maintain a 3-2 lead.
The next inning we stake off. Alec, Jeremy Me, and Jared all hit doubles, followed by a single by Matt S which drives in Jared for our third run. Austin hits into a double play and while Cameron singles Nick pops out. Still we get 3 more runs and go up 6-2.
Justin comes in for his second inning, strikes out the first batter, gets lucky when the second batter CRUSHES the ball, but it hits a tree giving Jeremy Me just enough time to catch the ball for out two. While the next batter walks, the last batter lines out to Justin at the mound. Justin looked very sharp in his inning and a third.
We go down in order in the 5th. The ump has to ump the next game and wants this to be the last inning. However, when Jeremy Ma mows them down, I point out that if we had started on time we still wouldn’t have hit an hour and a half of play time. I get him to agree to play the sixth. While Jeremy Me singles to start things off, we don’t do anything else.
In comes Jeremy Me with a four run lead to protect. And basically our fielding falls apart. There is just one bad fielding play after another. On one Alec calls for a ball which he can’t get to, but Cameron or Justin would have been able to get to. So that’s a hit. On another, it goes through Cameron’s legs at short on a not particularly well hit ball, he simply didn’t get down. On yet another Jeremy Ma fails to come up with a throw at first. Three runs end up scoring before we can get things back into control and we come away with a 6-5 victory. Jeremy Me pitched incredibly well, facing 8 batters on only 17 pitches. Our defense simply failed to come through for him.
Post Game
I give a very upbeat talk about how we played well. And even when things started to go poorly we didn’t lose our cool and we prevailed. We gave the game ball to Alec. Everyone felt real good going into the playoffs which is great. The twin’s mother took the time after the game to thank us for all that we’ve done with them which was real nice of her to do. Also nice was that Steve and I ran into Cameron and his mother at the restaurant we’d gone to after the game and so we had a great dinner talking to him and his mother.
There’ll be another update tomorrow as I outline the playoffs and how we’re approaching them.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
BoSox vs. Braves
Steve and I had decided that we wanted to see 6 different pitchers for this game, after going with the typical 2-2-1-1 setup last game. It was time to see some new pitchers, so we decided to give Jared another chance, and also to give Nof and Matt S their first chances to pitch. We were careful to have a good pitcher ready to come in for relief if need be. When we get to the field we realize that we’re going to be playing the Braves which means we’ll see Percy (from last year) and Steve and I are both excited about that.
We start off well, with Nick hitting a single. We then proceed to run ragged on their catcher, who is Jesse's little brother from last year, with Nick advancing to third. Jared draws a walk, steals second. Matt S also draws a walk. Nick then scores when Austin is hit by a pitch. During Alec’s at bat Jared scores on a passed ball. Unfortunately even after he walks to load the bases we can’t get anything more going as their pitcher has finally found the strike zone. Still we come out with a 2-0 lead.
Jared is first up on the mound for us. And he starts off with his continuing habit of throwing off the plate. He ends up walking the first guy. However, during that at bat he pitched one high but over plate. I stressed to him that was what we wanted him to do. Just get the ball over, even if it is high. And he settled down some and was able to start to throw some strikes. In pretty ugly fashion, assisted by the fact that he looked to be facing the dregs of their lineup he strikes out the next three. It was a good inning from him and nice to see him have some success.
After Jeremy Me strikes out, Jeremy Ma walks and scores after being advanced to second my Cameron’s single and then home on a double by Nick, which turns into a triple when Cameron is thrown out at the plate (when I sent him) on a close play. Jared strikes out to end the inning.
Jeremy Ma does not start off well, throwing some balls and then hitting the batter. We have a particularly weak infield behind him so he really needs to record some Ks I feel for this not to be a bad inning. The next batter gets on base and the two runners are able to advance when the batter hits the ball back to the pitcher. On the next play there is a wild pitch and a run scores. Next play up there is ANOTHER wild pitch and this time we get the guy out at the plate, which was great to see. This was just one of several good plays made by Austin behind the plate. He was great at getting the mask off real quickly, was real nice. This helps him with his ability to catch popup fouls that most catchers at this age don’t have a prayer with. He didn’t catch any today but he will. Anyhow after that wild play the batter is walked and ends up at third on some steals, but Jeremy strikes out the batter to end the inning. 3-1 Sox
In a continuing theme Matt S starts off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. When Austin grounds out to first he advances to second and is then thrown out steal third. The kid should never steal a base but since we preach aggressiveness it’s hard to criticize him there. Nof then hits a double scoring Alec. Sean walks. Jeremy F hits a single scoring Nof, but our rally is ended when Jeremy Me grounds out to end the inning.
Our big question mark is now on the mound: Nof. As he finishes his warm ups I express to him how important it is to just get the ball over the plate. We don’t care if they get a lot of runs as long as he’s throwing strikes. First batter up, which we think to be close to the heart of their order, he gets up 0-2 before the guy rockets a triple to center. He scores easily when the next guy hits a single. The onslaught continues when the next batter gets a single due to bad fielding. Fortunately only one more runner scores after a grounder to third for an out, a ball down the line at third where Jared astutely gets out a runner going for home and another grounder to third. We’re up 5-3 at the end of 3.
As the fourth starts it looks like it’ll possibly be the last inning based on the time limit. Jeremy Ma then grounds out. Cameron comes through with a bloop single into right and ends up at third when Nick doubles. Cameron scores after Jared grounds out and that’s all we get.
I’m happy to have Jeremy Me up on the mound here. He starts off shaky, however, allowing the first two runners on. They end up scoring, but that’s all they get, including a great play made by Nof to get the third out. Everyone was giving him praise as we went into our team circle at the half inning which was so great to see. He had that smile of pride, where you could just tell how happy he was. It’s moments like that which make me glad to be coaching.
Of course there is still time left to start another inning. It did look real bad at first when Jeremy Me let up those first two hits that we’d have the double whammy of them scoring enough to extend the inning and thus end the game because we couldn’t start a new inning. But fortunately that didn’t happen.
Austin starts off with a walk and a steal. Alec singles him home and gets called out at second trying to get second after they throw home. He overslides the base and gets called out which he was quite upset about. Nothing else going so we now have a 7-5 lead going into the last half inning.
Steve and I had decided that Matt S, who was scheduled, would not pitch if the game was still close. Instead we’d throw Nick. I let Nick know at the start of the half inning that if it was close he’d be pitching. Matt S asks me if he’s going to pitch. He’s been very excited to pitch and his dad is standing close enough to the dugout to overhear what I say to him. And the explanation is “Depends on how many runs we score. I’ve never really seen you pitch and I’m not going to throw you out there for your first chance in a real close game. We’ll go with Nick instead. I want you to be successful and pitching for the first time in a real close game isn’t the right situation. You will, however, pitch in the first or second tomorrow.” Matt was real accepting of this and after the game his dad thanked me for handling it like that.
So Nick is on the mound to save the game for us. And things don’t start well when he hits the first batter. However, that batter gets thrown out by Jeremy Me at third when tries to advance on the next batters single. Nick pretty much settles down after that and we win the game 7-5.
This game was close, and frankly I’m not sure why. We were so much better fundamentally than they were. The real answer, I feel, is that our bats were just not as alive as they had been. Sure we score 7, but we didn’t hit the ball as much and having to go station to station, rather than have some doubles and triples thrown in there, makes life hard.
So far, so well. The only negative of the season is the continued difference between Steve and I over how important winning is versus growth. For Steve all is well as long as we win, and I know that’s just not quite true. Not a big issue while we’re winning, but I’m worried about what will happen if we lose a game or two.
We start off well, with Nick hitting a single. We then proceed to run ragged on their catcher, who is Jesse's little brother from last year, with Nick advancing to third. Jared draws a walk, steals second. Matt S also draws a walk. Nick then scores when Austin is hit by a pitch. During Alec’s at bat Jared scores on a passed ball. Unfortunately even after he walks to load the bases we can’t get anything more going as their pitcher has finally found the strike zone. Still we come out with a 2-0 lead.
Jared is first up on the mound for us. And he starts off with his continuing habit of throwing off the plate. He ends up walking the first guy. However, during that at bat he pitched one high but over plate. I stressed to him that was what we wanted him to do. Just get the ball over, even if it is high. And he settled down some and was able to start to throw some strikes. In pretty ugly fashion, assisted by the fact that he looked to be facing the dregs of their lineup he strikes out the next three. It was a good inning from him and nice to see him have some success.
After Jeremy Me strikes out, Jeremy Ma walks and scores after being advanced to second my Cameron’s single and then home on a double by Nick, which turns into a triple when Cameron is thrown out at the plate (when I sent him) on a close play. Jared strikes out to end the inning.
Jeremy Ma does not start off well, throwing some balls and then hitting the batter. We have a particularly weak infield behind him so he really needs to record some Ks I feel for this not to be a bad inning. The next batter gets on base and the two runners are able to advance when the batter hits the ball back to the pitcher. On the next play there is a wild pitch and a run scores. Next play up there is ANOTHER wild pitch and this time we get the guy out at the plate, which was great to see. This was just one of several good plays made by Austin behind the plate. He was great at getting the mask off real quickly, was real nice. This helps him with his ability to catch popup fouls that most catchers at this age don’t have a prayer with. He didn’t catch any today but he will. Anyhow after that wild play the batter is walked and ends up at third on some steals, but Jeremy strikes out the batter to end the inning. 3-1 Sox
In a continuing theme Matt S starts off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. When Austin grounds out to first he advances to second and is then thrown out steal third. The kid should never steal a base but since we preach aggressiveness it’s hard to criticize him there. Nof then hits a double scoring Alec. Sean walks. Jeremy F hits a single scoring Nof, but our rally is ended when Jeremy Me grounds out to end the inning.
Our big question mark is now on the mound: Nof. As he finishes his warm ups I express to him how important it is to just get the ball over the plate. We don’t care if they get a lot of runs as long as he’s throwing strikes. First batter up, which we think to be close to the heart of their order, he gets up 0-2 before the guy rockets a triple to center. He scores easily when the next guy hits a single. The onslaught continues when the next batter gets a single due to bad fielding. Fortunately only one more runner scores after a grounder to third for an out, a ball down the line at third where Jared astutely gets out a runner going for home and another grounder to third. We’re up 5-3 at the end of 3.
As the fourth starts it looks like it’ll possibly be the last inning based on the time limit. Jeremy Ma then grounds out. Cameron comes through with a bloop single into right and ends up at third when Nick doubles. Cameron scores after Jared grounds out and that’s all we get.
I’m happy to have Jeremy Me up on the mound here. He starts off shaky, however, allowing the first two runners on. They end up scoring, but that’s all they get, including a great play made by Nof to get the third out. Everyone was giving him praise as we went into our team circle at the half inning which was so great to see. He had that smile of pride, where you could just tell how happy he was. It’s moments like that which make me glad to be coaching.
Of course there is still time left to start another inning. It did look real bad at first when Jeremy Me let up those first two hits that we’d have the double whammy of them scoring enough to extend the inning and thus end the game because we couldn’t start a new inning. But fortunately that didn’t happen.
Austin starts off with a walk and a steal. Alec singles him home and gets called out at second trying to get second after they throw home. He overslides the base and gets called out which he was quite upset about. Nothing else going so we now have a 7-5 lead going into the last half inning.
Steve and I had decided that Matt S, who was scheduled, would not pitch if the game was still close. Instead we’d throw Nick. I let Nick know at the start of the half inning that if it was close he’d be pitching. Matt S asks me if he’s going to pitch. He’s been very excited to pitch and his dad is standing close enough to the dugout to overhear what I say to him. And the explanation is “Depends on how many runs we score. I’ve never really seen you pitch and I’m not going to throw you out there for your first chance in a real close game. We’ll go with Nick instead. I want you to be successful and pitching for the first time in a real close game isn’t the right situation. You will, however, pitch in the first or second tomorrow.” Matt was real accepting of this and after the game his dad thanked me for handling it like that.
So Nick is on the mound to save the game for us. And things don’t start well when he hits the first batter. However, that batter gets thrown out by Jeremy Me at third when tries to advance on the next batters single. Nick pretty much settles down after that and we win the game 7-5.
This game was close, and frankly I’m not sure why. We were so much better fundamentally than they were. The real answer, I feel, is that our bats were just not as alive as they had been. Sure we score 7, but we didn’t hit the ball as much and having to go station to station, rather than have some doubles and triples thrown in there, makes life hard.
So far, so well. The only negative of the season is the continued difference between Steve and I over how important winning is versus growth. For Steve all is well as long as we win, and I know that’s just not quite true. Not a big issue while we’re winning, but I’m worried about what will happen if we lose a game or two.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
BoSox vs. Yankees
Pre-Game
Steve and I were hanging out the night before and so we ended up making the lineups Friday night. Jeremy Ma was going to be unable to attend since we was going to the Bulls/Heat playoff game, lucky guy. We decided that we wanted to continue trying lots of different kids in different spots. We also agreed to give Jared and Austin a chance to pitch. All of our kids would see three innings of infield in the game if we went the full sixth, a possibility given the nice forecast, which we felt real good about.
Our team arrived early and with energy for our second game. I did some work before the game with Jared on his pitching. He didn’t look particularly strong. I changed him from working out of the windup to working out of the stretch. Still could have been far better. I need to really brush up on my pitching instruction since I’ve not been able to give the sort of specific tips to my pitchers that I’d like to be able to do.
The Game
The other game ends and we’re up to bat, facing the Yankees. We go down 1-2-3, though with no strike outs which is good. We gave Jared the start since we want to use him at catcher and it’s good, we’ve learned, to have them pitch before catching. Based on our work before the game, I knew that it could get real ugly. Sure enough he walks the first batter and second batter after going to full counts each time. He induces the next batter to ground out to second before walking two more. At this point he’s reached his limit and so I have to pull him, having also walked in a run. In comes Justin, who was scheduled to pitch the second. I feel good about Justin pitching as we know he’ll get the ball over. He lives up to our expectations, striking out the first batter, and doing the old ground-out to center (there was a force at second). Still they score 1 and we once again will have to play from behind.
Fortunately, we’re not behind for too long. After Matt A (who’s been nicknamed Noff) gets a walk, Sean hits into a fielder’s choice getting Noff out at second. Jeremy F then singles. Jeremy M singles in Sean. Jeremy F is now at third. It is here that I learn that he’s an absolute nervous nelly on the basepaths. He’s just terrified of getting out. To the point where he won’t even lead off at third. It doesn’t batter as after Cameron walks, Justin hits into a fielders choice scoring Jeremy. Nick ends the inning with a ground out and we capture the lead 2-1.
Justin comes back in and after allowing a walk to the first batter gets the next three out so we maintain our lead. Jared starts our inning with a strike out. Matt S then hits a hard hit ball that gets underneath their shortstops glove for a single. He ends up scoring after advancing to second on a fielders choice and a single by Alec.
We have another new pitcher in Austin, who we have throw to his brother. This is an unmitigated disaster. While Justin showed some signs of progress, Austin is a long way from being a pitcher we can use. After four consecutive walks, we use Cameron in relief. Cameron looks a lot better than he did in the first game. It looks like we might get away with only allowing one run, until one of their guys hits a base clearing triple. We end up allowing four runs giving them a 5-4 lead.
We need some runs in the fourth and Sean starts things out well by getting a single. He then steals second. I tell him to steal a half second too late, on a particularly poor catcher, and he gets called out, just barely. Whoops. Anyhow, Jeremy F then hits a single, steals second and third. Jeremy M unfortunately pops up to the pitcher for the second out. Cameron walks, and steals second easily, which is nice because Justin then drives in Jeremy, advancing Cameron to third. Nick hits another single driving in Justin. Jared continues our little rally, but unfortunately Matt grounds out to the pitcher. However, we’ve recaptured the lead, 6-5, Bo Sox. The bottom of the inning, with our ace pitcher Nick, goes as expected with his striking out the side on 14 pitches.
We then continue our offensive spurt scoring four more thanks to singles by Austin and Alec, a walk by Sean, a triple by Jeremy F, on a hit that he just laced, who scores on a single by Jeremy M. Four more runs gives us a 10-5 lead. The bottom of the fifth is going to be our last inning. We’ve got our best pitcher up. I’m thinking the game is in the bag. Except it just doesn’t happen that way. Nick gets a couple of bad calls on some strikes. This isn’t helped by the fact that Matt S, who is catching, isn’t a particularly good catcher. Nothing is working for Nick and we eventually have to pull him, with the bases loaded, only one out and having already surrendered 3 runs. In comes Jeremy M. His dad made a big deal the first day we met him how we pitched in relief last year. When he gets to the mound I ask him what we’re expecting him to do. He tells me “close the game”. I agree that is what we’re asking, but I ask him how he’s going to do that. He tells me “throw strikes”. I agree that this is the way. I tell him not to worry about letting them hit the ball, just to get it over the plate. He promptly ignores my advice (ok not really) and strikes out the first batter. This then brings up the strongest player on their team. On a 2-2 count the kid gets a hold of the ball. Fortunately Jared is out in left. He tracks down the ball and we escape with another win.
Post Game thoughts
The game ball went to Jeremy F, who was 3-3 including his great triple. He’s a nervous kid and I’m real glad he had some success today. Austin and Alec are going to need a lot of work on their hitting, as they’re just ugly to watch right now.
At catcher, Jared remains our strongest catcher, with Sean our second best catcher there today (Jeremy Ma might be better). Alec didn’t look nearly as good today and Matt S looked bad. Matt S really has a desire to play the position so it looks like he’s going to be Steve’s project this year.
Our fielding remains strong, with only one error, by Jeremy F at short, while our throwing could use some work. We’ll do some of that at our next practice, of course.
Overall, we continued to hit well today. Considering we had to remove three pitchers because they had walked four batters, to come away with the victory is just wonderful. I think we’re really starting to get a feel for who we can count on as pitchers and who we won’t be able to. Steve and I remain very upbeat about what we’ll able to achieve this year.
Steve and I were hanging out the night before and so we ended up making the lineups Friday night. Jeremy Ma was going to be unable to attend since we was going to the Bulls/Heat playoff game, lucky guy. We decided that we wanted to continue trying lots of different kids in different spots. We also agreed to give Jared and Austin a chance to pitch. All of our kids would see three innings of infield in the game if we went the full sixth, a possibility given the nice forecast, which we felt real good about.
Our team arrived early and with energy for our second game. I did some work before the game with Jared on his pitching. He didn’t look particularly strong. I changed him from working out of the windup to working out of the stretch. Still could have been far better. I need to really brush up on my pitching instruction since I’ve not been able to give the sort of specific tips to my pitchers that I’d like to be able to do.
The Game
The other game ends and we’re up to bat, facing the Yankees. We go down 1-2-3, though with no strike outs which is good. We gave Jared the start since we want to use him at catcher and it’s good, we’ve learned, to have them pitch before catching. Based on our work before the game, I knew that it could get real ugly. Sure enough he walks the first batter and second batter after going to full counts each time. He induces the next batter to ground out to second before walking two more. At this point he’s reached his limit and so I have to pull him, having also walked in a run. In comes Justin, who was scheduled to pitch the second. I feel good about Justin pitching as we know he’ll get the ball over. He lives up to our expectations, striking out the first batter, and doing the old ground-out to center (there was a force at second). Still they score 1 and we once again will have to play from behind.
Fortunately, we’re not behind for too long. After Matt A (who’s been nicknamed Noff) gets a walk, Sean hits into a fielder’s choice getting Noff out at second. Jeremy F then singles. Jeremy M singles in Sean. Jeremy F is now at third. It is here that I learn that he’s an absolute nervous nelly on the basepaths. He’s just terrified of getting out. To the point where he won’t even lead off at third. It doesn’t batter as after Cameron walks, Justin hits into a fielders choice scoring Jeremy. Nick ends the inning with a ground out and we capture the lead 2-1.
Justin comes back in and after allowing a walk to the first batter gets the next three out so we maintain our lead. Jared starts our inning with a strike out. Matt S then hits a hard hit ball that gets underneath their shortstops glove for a single. He ends up scoring after advancing to second on a fielders choice and a single by Alec.
We have another new pitcher in Austin, who we have throw to his brother. This is an unmitigated disaster. While Justin showed some signs of progress, Austin is a long way from being a pitcher we can use. After four consecutive walks, we use Cameron in relief. Cameron looks a lot better than he did in the first game. It looks like we might get away with only allowing one run, until one of their guys hits a base clearing triple. We end up allowing four runs giving them a 5-4 lead.
We need some runs in the fourth and Sean starts things out well by getting a single. He then steals second. I tell him to steal a half second too late, on a particularly poor catcher, and he gets called out, just barely. Whoops. Anyhow, Jeremy F then hits a single, steals second and third. Jeremy M unfortunately pops up to the pitcher for the second out. Cameron walks, and steals second easily, which is nice because Justin then drives in Jeremy, advancing Cameron to third. Nick hits another single driving in Justin. Jared continues our little rally, but unfortunately Matt grounds out to the pitcher. However, we’ve recaptured the lead, 6-5, Bo Sox. The bottom of the inning, with our ace pitcher Nick, goes as expected with his striking out the side on 14 pitches.
We then continue our offensive spurt scoring four more thanks to singles by Austin and Alec, a walk by Sean, a triple by Jeremy F, on a hit that he just laced, who scores on a single by Jeremy M. Four more runs gives us a 10-5 lead. The bottom of the fifth is going to be our last inning. We’ve got our best pitcher up. I’m thinking the game is in the bag. Except it just doesn’t happen that way. Nick gets a couple of bad calls on some strikes. This isn’t helped by the fact that Matt S, who is catching, isn’t a particularly good catcher. Nothing is working for Nick and we eventually have to pull him, with the bases loaded, only one out and having already surrendered 3 runs. In comes Jeremy M. His dad made a big deal the first day we met him how we pitched in relief last year. When he gets to the mound I ask him what we’re expecting him to do. He tells me “close the game”. I agree that is what we’re asking, but I ask him how he’s going to do that. He tells me “throw strikes”. I agree that this is the way. I tell him not to worry about letting them hit the ball, just to get it over the plate. He promptly ignores my advice (ok not really) and strikes out the first batter. This then brings up the strongest player on their team. On a 2-2 count the kid gets a hold of the ball. Fortunately Jared is out in left. He tracks down the ball and we escape with another win.
Post Game thoughts
The game ball went to Jeremy F, who was 3-3 including his great triple. He’s a nervous kid and I’m real glad he had some success today. Austin and Alec are going to need a lot of work on their hitting, as they’re just ugly to watch right now.
At catcher, Jared remains our strongest catcher, with Sean our second best catcher there today (Jeremy Ma might be better). Alec didn’t look nearly as good today and Matt S looked bad. Matt S really has a desire to play the position so it looks like he’s going to be Steve’s project this year.
Our fielding remains strong, with only one error, by Jeremy F at short, while our throwing could use some work. We’ll do some of that at our next practice, of course.
Overall, we continued to hit well today. Considering we had to remove three pitchers because they had walked four batters, to come away with the victory is just wonderful. I think we’re really starting to get a feel for who we can count on as pitchers and who we won’t be able to. Steve and I remain very upbeat about what we’ll able to achieve this year.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
A's vs. BoSox
Pre-game Practice
Steve talks to Kevin around noon and learns that we will not be having a practice. Oh no. We’ll be having a game. Do we have any idea who our pitchers our catchers are? Nope. Steve and I decide we’ll have a mini-practice before the game. The game is scheduled for 5:45. Steve and I make some phone calls and ask the kids arrive between 5:10 and 5:15.
Steve and I decide to get to the park at 4:45. And who is there, but Cameron. Talk about ridiculously early. Anyhow this gave us some real quality time to hang out with Cameron. He’s a quality kid and a good time was had.
Jeremy Me shows up. I do some hitting practice with him. Jeremy Me is a quiet quiet kid. His dad does a fair amount of talking. I learn that he was, according to dad, his team’s closer last year. I do some whiffle ball hitting with Jeremy and he is thoroughly unimpressive.
Eventually our team gets to the game. Steve takes the catchers aside and does some work. I do some real poor work with the pitchers. I did not bring my A game. I was very disappointed in myself as I feel like I squandered a good practice opportunity. The clock is ticking and so it’s time for me to start to do lineups. We have the team throw tennis balls to a few of the kids as catchers, but I was trying to figure out the lineup and so I didn’t really observe this closely.
The Game
We’re the home team. Initially we were going to pitch Jeremy Ma first since he says he pitches for travel and it wouldn’t surprise me. But in order to make the subs work, as I don’t like to sit all of the really good players at once, Cameron gets the nod instead. Right off the base we’re in trouble. Their #1 hitter on the first pitch lays down a TERRIFIC bunt. He of course reaches first easily since we’ve never practiced fielding bunts. On the next pitch he steals second. Their aggressive nature indicates to me that we’ve been out coached. They were simply able to accomplish far more in their practice than we were in ours. Next batter hits a single moving the runner to third. Here’s where my opinion of them starts to change. We call time and pull our catcher, Jared, over. We explain WHEN (not if) the runner goes fake a throw to second and hold onto the ball. Except the runner never goes. There’s a couple of pitches and the runner never goes. This ends up possibly being fortuitous when the batter grounds into a fielder’s choice to short. When the next batter strikes out, it looks like we might escape too much damage. Until their fifth hitter RIPS a triple into right center. The next batter is hit before Nick fields a well hit ball to short and makes it look easy recording out three at first. We’re down 2-0 to start the game.
No worries though as I feel we could come and get them right back. Jeremy Ma starts us off with a walk. Cameron then comes up and rips a double to score Jeremy. Justin hits one back to the pitcher and must have looked at the ball he hit 3 times, which was likely the difference between him being out and safe. Nick hits a single but they hold the run at third. We get another infield single from Jared to load the bases. Matt S comes up. This kid will hurt the ball if he can get a hold of it. Sadly he hits back to the pitcher. They get the out and home and easily double him up at first. 1-2-3 DP and we end up with only 1. 2-1, A’s.
I’m feeling good though as Jeremy Ma gets set on the mound. I figure after a little trouble last inning this should be a smooth go. Of course the first batter, on a full count, gets a single to center. This is where our problem comes in. The original plan had been to use our best projected catcher, Jared, with our best projected pitcher, Jeremy Ma. Except when I had to move Jeremy’s pitching to the second, I didn’t also move Jared. This means Matt S, who Steve said was our worst projected catcher, is now scheduled to catch. The fact that Matt can’t catch the ball definitely costs Jeremy some strikes this inning. The other thing that cost us some strikes? The wildly inconsistent strike zone of the ump. Anyway they’re able to steal 3rd due to passed balls. He then walks, on a full count again, the next batter (AK from last year). I hope he’s staring to settle down when he strikes out their #10 hitter. We’re now at the bottom of their order and I’m hopeful we can get another out here. Except he once again walks the guy to now load the bases. He then walks yet ANOTHER batter to walk in a run. He records a strike out, before hitting a batter with a pitch. At this point I go out to talk to him. Tell him it’s a weird strike zone. I know he’s a good pitcher. Just throw us some strikes. Alas he walks the next batter. I call time thinking I have to pull him (4 walks and a pitcher is pulled) except Steve says it’s only his third. This is of course a mistake. Anyway he stays in the game. Next guy hits a single. Finally, we get out of the inning when the 6 hitter fouls one off to the first base side, and Alec nearly makes a great diving catch. Next pitch he hits it again but this time Alec is able to make the catch, and adds in an unnecessary dive for good measure, to end the inning. The A’s extend their lead 6-1.
Austin, Alec, and Matt A go down 1-2-3 with Alec and Matt A striking out. Nick comes in as our next pitcher. I think we’re in better shape when he strikes out the first batter. But then the next batter rips one to left, and with Matt S playing there and taking forever to get to the ball, a single becomes a double. Nick doesn’t get rattled though and strikes out AK. He remains un rattled when he hits the next batter and walks their last kid. There’s a little dribbler back to the mound to end the inning without any runs scored. We head into the bottom of the 3rd still down by 5.
Sean comes up. I’m thinking, honestly, another 1-2-3 inning at this point. Except Sean RIPS a ball to deep center. The outfield was playing ridiculously in and so we get a triple out of a double. Steve and I are pleasantly AMAZED. Jeremy F then gets up and hits a weakly hit ball. However, he SPRINTS down to first and due to his great speed just barely makes it there in time. The run is held at 3rd, however. Jeremy Me strikes out as does Jeremy Ma. Cameron then hits a single, which turns into a double as they throw home to prevent Jeremy F from scoring. Justin, however, hits one back to the pitcher to end the inning. We’re now down 6-2.
We start the inning well. The first batter hits a well hit ball to center off of Jeremy Me. Cameron, however, is there and makes a good catch for out number one. The next batter hits a ball and the throw gets by Austin who is playing first. He then attempts to throw the guy out at second, despite Steve and I saying not to, and that ball gets by them so the runner ends up at 3rd. Jeremy looks a little upset on the mound but strikes out their next player. This is when the ridiculousness starts. On two consecutive plays there is a ball hit to second. Justin fields it cleanly and throws it to first. Both plays are close and both times the runner is called safe. I think it was the right call both times. Steve insists that the first one was definitely an out. However, our team gets fired up as they think both of them were outs. This puts some runners on and instead of ending the inning without allowing a run, when the next kid hits a single two runs score. Fortunately the next player hits a ball to right field, right at Alec who is playing there. Alec makes the catch and we end the inning. We’re now down 8-2, however. We’re able to get things going, however, when Nick hits a great ball to the warning track for a double. Steve had pointed out that the catcher is weak and so I have Nick steal 3rd. Jared walks and steals second uncontested. Matt Sherman hits a check swing tip to the catcher for our first out. Austin is then walked, loading the bases. Alec is then walked, scoring a run. Matt A walks for good measure, causing the pitcher to be pulled. Their catcher has been weak this whole time and I’ve been looking for a reason to send a kid home. Sadly it never comes. Sean hits a single scoring another run. I had started to send Alec home but then called him back. If I’d just sent him, he’d have been safe as the catcher lost the ball. That was my mistake as I sent him knowing the catcher wouldn’t likely catch it and then I wimped out. Our rally is cut short, however, by yet another double play. Jeremy F hits one to second base and Sean gets caught off of first to end our inning again. Still, we score three and make it an 8-5 game.
I still think we’re likely out of it however as scoring 4 runs is hard and we still have to hold them in the 5th. The 5th is going to be our last inning based on the time limit (no inning starts after an hour and a half). Justin is our next pitcher. As I’m catching him in warm-ups he’s showing exactly what he told me during practice: he can’t pitch fast but he throws the ball over the plate. Facing the bottom of their lineup he strikes out the first two players on seven pitches. It takes 3 more to induce a ground out to the mound. Three outs on 10 pitches is just terrific.
So now, with basically the top of our order, we just need to score four to win, three to tie. It’s going to be hard, but it’s doable. Jeremy Me starts us off well with a single. Jeremy Ma walks. Cameron then laces a double scoring one. Justin doesn’t want to be outdone as HE hits a double. I’m coaching first base this inning. When there is confusion getting the ball back to the pitcher I send Justin to third. This exposes my one big frustration with Steve: he’s not a good base coach. Fortunately I am able to correct it in this very important situation. I honestly think Nick will end the game but he bloops one to first. Jared, however, ends the game with a great hit into the gap in right-center and the BoSox win the game.
Jared got the game ball for his game winning hit.
Post game thoughts
The team is just ecstatic about our come from behind win. Steve and I are just so happy that this team is not going to be a repeat of last year’s.
We learned that we should have a surplus of pitchers and catchers. We have, for sure, three kids who we can use at catcher: Jared, who’s likely going to be our best catcher, Jeremy Ma, and Alec are also going to be just fine. Alec in particular surprised me with how well he caught. While Jeremy Ma is a better catcher now, I think Alec could easily grow into our #2 catcher. Matt S thinks of himself as a catcher, and he certainly has that build, but is our weakest catcher. Hopefully we’ll be able to grow him as the season goes on.
As for pitching, Nick and Jeremy Me proved that we’ll be able to use them regularly in any situation. Nick could have easily pitched another inning were we not trying to see as many players at different positions. Justin showed he could get the ball out of the plate. Cameron is the one who I feel the least good about. Jeremy Ma actually pitched the worst, but I have to think that’s just a fluke.
What was most amazing about the game was the fact that we didn’t have one fielding error. Every ground ball was fielding and every fly ball, with-in reason, caught. We had some throwing errors, but to have basically a perfect fielding game in the first game bodes VERY well for our season.
Also the fact that the top of our order produced both times they were hitting with no outs means that Steve and I likely did a good job of putting together the order, despite our limited knowledge of them. I’m not saying we’re going to go undefeated, but after last years pain I’m just so glad to have a better team.
Steve talks to Kevin around noon and learns that we will not be having a practice. Oh no. We’ll be having a game. Do we have any idea who our pitchers our catchers are? Nope. Steve and I decide we’ll have a mini-practice before the game. The game is scheduled for 5:45. Steve and I make some phone calls and ask the kids arrive between 5:10 and 5:15.
Steve and I decide to get to the park at 4:45. And who is there, but Cameron. Talk about ridiculously early. Anyhow this gave us some real quality time to hang out with Cameron. He’s a quality kid and a good time was had.
Jeremy Me shows up. I do some hitting practice with him. Jeremy Me is a quiet quiet kid. His dad does a fair amount of talking. I learn that he was, according to dad, his team’s closer last year. I do some whiffle ball hitting with Jeremy and he is thoroughly unimpressive.
Eventually our team gets to the game. Steve takes the catchers aside and does some work. I do some real poor work with the pitchers. I did not bring my A game. I was very disappointed in myself as I feel like I squandered a good practice opportunity. The clock is ticking and so it’s time for me to start to do lineups. We have the team throw tennis balls to a few of the kids as catchers, but I was trying to figure out the lineup and so I didn’t really observe this closely.
The Game
We’re the home team. Initially we were going to pitch Jeremy Ma first since he says he pitches for travel and it wouldn’t surprise me. But in order to make the subs work, as I don’t like to sit all of the really good players at once, Cameron gets the nod instead. Right off the base we’re in trouble. Their #1 hitter on the first pitch lays down a TERRIFIC bunt. He of course reaches first easily since we’ve never practiced fielding bunts. On the next pitch he steals second. Their aggressive nature indicates to me that we’ve been out coached. They were simply able to accomplish far more in their practice than we were in ours. Next batter hits a single moving the runner to third. Here’s where my opinion of them starts to change. We call time and pull our catcher, Jared, over. We explain WHEN (not if) the runner goes fake a throw to second and hold onto the ball. Except the runner never goes. There’s a couple of pitches and the runner never goes. This ends up possibly being fortuitous when the batter grounds into a fielder’s choice to short. When the next batter strikes out, it looks like we might escape too much damage. Until their fifth hitter RIPS a triple into right center. The next batter is hit before Nick fields a well hit ball to short and makes it look easy recording out three at first. We’re down 2-0 to start the game.
No worries though as I feel we could come and get them right back. Jeremy Ma starts us off with a walk. Cameron then comes up and rips a double to score Jeremy. Justin hits one back to the pitcher and must have looked at the ball he hit 3 times, which was likely the difference between him being out and safe. Nick hits a single but they hold the run at third. We get another infield single from Jared to load the bases. Matt S comes up. This kid will hurt the ball if he can get a hold of it. Sadly he hits back to the pitcher. They get the out and home and easily double him up at first. 1-2-3 DP and we end up with only 1. 2-1, A’s.
I’m feeling good though as Jeremy Ma gets set on the mound. I figure after a little trouble last inning this should be a smooth go. Of course the first batter, on a full count, gets a single to center. This is where our problem comes in. The original plan had been to use our best projected catcher, Jared, with our best projected pitcher, Jeremy Ma. Except when I had to move Jeremy’s pitching to the second, I didn’t also move Jared. This means Matt S, who Steve said was our worst projected catcher, is now scheduled to catch. The fact that Matt can’t catch the ball definitely costs Jeremy some strikes this inning. The other thing that cost us some strikes? The wildly inconsistent strike zone of the ump. Anyway they’re able to steal 3rd due to passed balls. He then walks, on a full count again, the next batter (AK from last year). I hope he’s staring to settle down when he strikes out their #10 hitter. We’re now at the bottom of their order and I’m hopeful we can get another out here. Except he once again walks the guy to now load the bases. He then walks yet ANOTHER batter to walk in a run. He records a strike out, before hitting a batter with a pitch. At this point I go out to talk to him. Tell him it’s a weird strike zone. I know he’s a good pitcher. Just throw us some strikes. Alas he walks the next batter. I call time thinking I have to pull him (4 walks and a pitcher is pulled) except Steve says it’s only his third. This is of course a mistake. Anyway he stays in the game. Next guy hits a single. Finally, we get out of the inning when the 6 hitter fouls one off to the first base side, and Alec nearly makes a great diving catch. Next pitch he hits it again but this time Alec is able to make the catch, and adds in an unnecessary dive for good measure, to end the inning. The A’s extend their lead 6-1.
Austin, Alec, and Matt A go down 1-2-3 with Alec and Matt A striking out. Nick comes in as our next pitcher. I think we’re in better shape when he strikes out the first batter. But then the next batter rips one to left, and with Matt S playing there and taking forever to get to the ball, a single becomes a double. Nick doesn’t get rattled though and strikes out AK. He remains un rattled when he hits the next batter and walks their last kid. There’s a little dribbler back to the mound to end the inning without any runs scored. We head into the bottom of the 3rd still down by 5.
Sean comes up. I’m thinking, honestly, another 1-2-3 inning at this point. Except Sean RIPS a ball to deep center. The outfield was playing ridiculously in and so we get a triple out of a double. Steve and I are pleasantly AMAZED. Jeremy F then gets up and hits a weakly hit ball. However, he SPRINTS down to first and due to his great speed just barely makes it there in time. The run is held at 3rd, however. Jeremy Me strikes out as does Jeremy Ma. Cameron then hits a single, which turns into a double as they throw home to prevent Jeremy F from scoring. Justin, however, hits one back to the pitcher to end the inning. We’re now down 6-2.
We start the inning well. The first batter hits a well hit ball to center off of Jeremy Me. Cameron, however, is there and makes a good catch for out number one. The next batter hits a ball and the throw gets by Austin who is playing first. He then attempts to throw the guy out at second, despite Steve and I saying not to, and that ball gets by them so the runner ends up at 3rd. Jeremy looks a little upset on the mound but strikes out their next player. This is when the ridiculousness starts. On two consecutive plays there is a ball hit to second. Justin fields it cleanly and throws it to first. Both plays are close and both times the runner is called safe. I think it was the right call both times. Steve insists that the first one was definitely an out. However, our team gets fired up as they think both of them were outs. This puts some runners on and instead of ending the inning without allowing a run, when the next kid hits a single two runs score. Fortunately the next player hits a ball to right field, right at Alec who is playing there. Alec makes the catch and we end the inning. We’re now down 8-2, however. We’re able to get things going, however, when Nick hits a great ball to the warning track for a double. Steve had pointed out that the catcher is weak and so I have Nick steal 3rd. Jared walks and steals second uncontested. Matt Sherman hits a check swing tip to the catcher for our first out. Austin is then walked, loading the bases. Alec is then walked, scoring a run. Matt A walks for good measure, causing the pitcher to be pulled. Their catcher has been weak this whole time and I’ve been looking for a reason to send a kid home. Sadly it never comes. Sean hits a single scoring another run. I had started to send Alec home but then called him back. If I’d just sent him, he’d have been safe as the catcher lost the ball. That was my mistake as I sent him knowing the catcher wouldn’t likely catch it and then I wimped out. Our rally is cut short, however, by yet another double play. Jeremy F hits one to second base and Sean gets caught off of first to end our inning again. Still, we score three and make it an 8-5 game.
I still think we’re likely out of it however as scoring 4 runs is hard and we still have to hold them in the 5th. The 5th is going to be our last inning based on the time limit (no inning starts after an hour and a half). Justin is our next pitcher. As I’m catching him in warm-ups he’s showing exactly what he told me during practice: he can’t pitch fast but he throws the ball over the plate. Facing the bottom of their lineup he strikes out the first two players on seven pitches. It takes 3 more to induce a ground out to the mound. Three outs on 10 pitches is just terrific.
So now, with basically the top of our order, we just need to score four to win, three to tie. It’s going to be hard, but it’s doable. Jeremy Me starts us off well with a single. Jeremy Ma walks. Cameron then laces a double scoring one. Justin doesn’t want to be outdone as HE hits a double. I’m coaching first base this inning. When there is confusion getting the ball back to the pitcher I send Justin to third. This exposes my one big frustration with Steve: he’s not a good base coach. Fortunately I am able to correct it in this very important situation. I honestly think Nick will end the game but he bloops one to first. Jared, however, ends the game with a great hit into the gap in right-center and the BoSox win the game.
Jared got the game ball for his game winning hit.
Post game thoughts
The team is just ecstatic about our come from behind win. Steve and I are just so happy that this team is not going to be a repeat of last year’s.
We learned that we should have a surplus of pitchers and catchers. We have, for sure, three kids who we can use at catcher: Jared, who’s likely going to be our best catcher, Jeremy Ma, and Alec are also going to be just fine. Alec in particular surprised me with how well he caught. While Jeremy Ma is a better catcher now, I think Alec could easily grow into our #2 catcher. Matt S thinks of himself as a catcher, and he certainly has that build, but is our weakest catcher. Hopefully we’ll be able to grow him as the season goes on.
As for pitching, Nick and Jeremy Me proved that we’ll be able to use them regularly in any situation. Nick could have easily pitched another inning were we not trying to see as many players at different positions. Justin showed he could get the ball out of the plate. Cameron is the one who I feel the least good about. Jeremy Ma actually pitched the worst, but I have to think that’s just a fluke.
What was most amazing about the game was the fact that we didn’t have one fielding error. Every ground ball was fielding and every fly ball, with-in reason, caught. We had some throwing errors, but to have basically a perfect fielding game in the first game bodes VERY well for our season.
Also the fact that the top of our order produced both times they were hitting with no outs means that Steve and I likely did a good job of putting together the order, despite our limited knowledge of them. I’m not saying we’re going to go undefeated, but after last years pain I’m just so glad to have a better team.
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