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BRACKET RESULTS
Third place finish at ECB
The Fire did some great hitting in their run toward another Championship while at East Cobb Georgia but eventually ran into a buzz saw performance by perhaps one of the best pitchers in the country to get eliminated and show up in the third place spot. After losing a close 9-8 slugfest game against the host team ASTROS the Fire needed to rebound. However to be playing the California club known as TABU facing their best pitcher was no relief. It was a tough experience. The TABU got revenge for a loss that dropped them into the 1-loss bracket the night before at the hands of the Fire. For full bracket breakdown go to the link.
"We are so proud of these boys and how they battled" remarked Coach Nenna.
The team had some emotional rollercoaster rides in this event. Coach Nenna saying " I don't know about you but I am spent!"
The Fire went 5-2 overall and lost only to the 2nd place and 1st place finishers. Having scored 17 runs (3-innings) and 15 runs (4-innings)in their pool games the Fire secured the #1 seed giving them home team advantage the entire bracket play. The draw was shocking in round one facing the reigning local Florida AAU League Champion (participation points based)BULLETS GOLD and their ACE. The Fire continued hot hitting
beating the Bullets.
In round two the Fire came back with a 1 PM Saturday game well rested after a long Friday. However the bats went a little quiet and the Fire found themselves down 4-2 in the top of the 5th with a runner on first and a big hitter at the plate. A sharply hit ball leading the Shortstop Brendan Rodgers to the bag resulted in a crazy play that will always be talked about and remembered.
After diving for the ball on the way to the second base bag the ball lay a short distance from the base. B-Rod picked up the ball in his bare hand and touched the bag from his knees with his glove. He fired a bullet to first base to nearly complete an inning ending double play! We all thought the runner at first would also be called out but were certain the out at second was secure. The call initially was made by the base umpire as Out at second - safe at first. After a conference from the Chili Dogs coach the base umpire met with the home plate umpire. The call at second base was over ruled as safe! NO WAY!
Coach Ralph approached the umpire and asked for a clarification on what he saw and got the most amazing answer. He saw the same thing we did ... he just mis interpreted the rule. "I saw the ball in his bare hand and he touched the base with his glove" repeated the umpire to coach Ralph. So we asked for a protest and correction based upon a rule - not a judgement ... we were told NO. No? Well the controversy went out of control since it was
a poor decision gone into a even worse handling of our appeal to get a tournament official to come make a ruling and clarify the umpire error.
Time in our game was running down before the final inning could be started
therefore we were trapped. Coach Ralph initially protested calling for a delay then we realized no one was coming so we collected the protest fee money and registered our complaint. Bad news followed initially ...Coach Ralph was ejected from the game for a comment he sort of regrets but still felt whole heartedly at the time ... the team went on to allow one more run and could not rally. The game was lost 5-2. "I should have kept my mouth shut but I could not help but feel this umpire was an embarrassment to the profession." adding "I could understand missing a judgement call or even being wrong on a rule ... but not to resist even getting it right at the time by seeking an official that could help." The key to the Chili Dogs temporary victory was the outstanding play of their shortstop getting the two fastest Fire runners on ground balls hit into the hole and bounding high. Yet, each was out by just inches.
Well after a 4 hour period the ruling was overturned by the tourney officials and the game had to be resumed from that point of the incident.
Instead of the runner being safe at second base it went two outs and the runner remained on first but never scored. So batting behind 4-2 instead of 5-2 the relaxed Fire capitalized with a two run inning and got three outs to hit with the score tied in final inning and a chance to bat last.
The Fire loaded the bases and forced the Chili Dogs to pull their outfield in shallow only to have a ball driven tot he warning track for a game winner 5-4. Jubilation followed ... but some felt bad for the Chili Dogs.
"It was a terrible situation for both teams" stated Coach Mark.
Stretched and emotional the Fire completed the strange day by beating the
TABU in a convincing fashion with three Home Runs and put themself in a spot to play on Sunday still undefeated. The opponent would be the host Astros.
On Sunday the Fire began a see saw game falling behind and catching up
as the back and forth emotion of the game ebbed with the score. As the game approached the final two innings it would almost seem that who ever batted last would win. Home Runs would bring the game tied multiple times.
Trailing 9-7 in the final chance for the Fire they loaded the bases with one out. After a strikeout that got past the catcher a run scored to make it a one run game 9-8. The other runners now moved up to scoring position.
Instead of a miraculous comeback the last batter hit a line drive caught by the third baseman to end the game.
So much energy and emotion was used in that game that the Fire seemed to be overmatched in the final game for the first time all year. "Tip your cap to their pitcher" answered Coach Mark " He was good". The TABU team would win 10-4 and move on the the Championship but lose to the Astros.
"The same 4 teams that were in Cooperstown's Final 4 were here and we held our own and showed some people we are for real" mentioned one parent " We all are very proud of our boys!".
The Fire are deffinitely one of the top 5 teams in the entire country so we look forward to the Nationals in July and August at Disney. Who knows,
maybe we win one at home.
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Fire 11U
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