Smiles is shown above due to his first RBI of the season earned the "hard way", that is a run for a bruise. Bases loaded and Smiles has a good at bat but on the 4th pitch of the At Bat he gets plunked right on the ankle OUCH! But a run batted in for Smiles. Way to take one like a tough guy and get the team a run. That wasn't the only scoring but the real story was great pitching by Shark: 3 IP 1 run and 4K with the win then Average Joe with a 3 inning save with one run allowed on just 2 hits. The defense, particularly Rocky at short, late in the ball game, contributed to the win. We had 10 hits including doubles by Sparky and Rocky. Rocky, Shark and Sparky had at least 2 hits. Everybody had at least a run scored or an RBI. Bronco got his RBI on a bases loaded walk while Average Joe got his on a single. Dyno scored 2 runs and also "took one for the team" in a particularly bad spot! "right in the boys", his voice was not noticably higher after he got to first and that is good. Shamrock scored 2 runs and reached base 3 times, once on an error. He did hit the ball his other at bat but a good play on his fly ball to center foiled a perfect on base day. D Buzz also scored 2 runs and stole 2 bases.

1st Rolaids moment Saturday:Bases Loaded 1 out and our best hitter, Shark Lewis up. 2nd inning we are up 3-1 and about to break this game open and coast to the win! Well, Blake slams this ball 300.............
millimeters in front of the plate. The Dodger catcher accidently steps on the plate while picking up the ball, The umpire throws his hands up (normal sign for foul ball) and Blake gets tagged. Then the ump says out! Smiles is on third and can't figure out what the heck is a gon'in on and neither can anybody but the Dodger's Coach who calls his team off the field. Smiles tries to score and is tagged. Looking back on the play, Smiles was out before he could step off third as the catcher stepped on the plate with the ball in hand then the double play was recorded when the tag was made. the next time Shark came up he had only Sparky on and he singled him in. If that happens in the bases loaded situation then we get at least 2 and maybe three runs home. By the way the picture above-Jim Davenport, Gold Glove infielder for the Giants in the 60's would say as he has said to Both coach Brent and Coach Doug, in his Southern Drawl: "turn that glove over Son, it'll hold more!"
#2 Rolaids moment: This is about Sparky who coach Brent and Coach Doug have coached for 2 years now, and on base running, we get that pit of the stomach queezy feeling almost every time he is on base but his "get away %" is positive. So Sparky is up in the 4th no one out and we are ahead 4 to 1. He hits a clean single and decides to get in a run-down by breaking for second. The ball is comming in to second and he is going to be out by 45 feet! The ball is bobbled by the cut-off man as Sparky is scrambling to get back to first--reverse and Sparky goes toward second again the throw is not very good and Sparky tip toes into second. At this point in the Ball game we are starting for Rite Aid for the large economy size bottle of Rolaids!

This was a Great win for the Beavers. Two wins over first place teams in a row! Shark got the win on the hill vs the River Bandits. The game started well with Slick reaching first on a walk, Shark moving him to 3rd after a steal of second and a Rocky drive to right for a hit. In the Bottom of the inning Shark put the Bandits down 1-2-3. In the second we broke the game open with Magic Joe reaching, How? how else for him? Hit By pitch. Shamrock blooped a hit over the infield and Woody drove in the first run of the inning with a nice hit. Sticks walked and so did Dyno for an RBI. Pill hit a fielders choice that left Sticks at third and he stole home again. Smiles went down swinging in a good at bat. Then Rocket hit a 2 run single. Slick hit an RBI single scoring the Rocket and we had 6 runs in the inning. Shark also had a hit in the inning. Shark went on to pitch 2 more innings, giving up an unearned run. Along the way: Dyno made a tough catch in left to end an inning; DBuzz handled a deep drive to Center that came right out of the Sun(Snow Cone!); Shamrock caught a Major League Pop up with the glove and not his head this time; Pill played a couple of balls well at second; Joe and Rocket played 3rd fairly well. Also, Rocky had an RBI hit in the late innings and D-Buzz had an RBI while Sticks stole home for the second time in the game.

Rocky was a stud at the plate in this game with 2 clutch hits and 2 RBI. Defense was key as well with the last inning being an example. Rocky at First went after an over throw and trapped the runner at first off the bag, holding on to the ball and tagging the runner out in a cloud of Dust. that was out #2O of the game. He was also part of the Ho-hum play to end the game with the shot off the pitcher then almost thru Pill which Slick grabbed and threw to Rocky at first just in time for the 21st out!

Slick had a great game vs the River Bandits with a hit and a run scored on a walk in the first. But his defense was outstanding. The end of the game in particular. The situation was actually not out of hand in the usual Beaver way with the Coach clutching his stomach and looking for Rolaids. The score was 10-6 with a runner on 3rd, who reached on an error by the way, but we had 2 outs. Darius Fleming hits a seed up the middle that Rocket deflects then it short hops Pill and pops up to Slick who is half way between 1st and second-from his Short Stop position and he gloves it and throws it hard to Rocky who catches it just before the speedy Darius gets to first. SportsCenter Play! Woody also made a couple of SportsCenter plays. The first going back on a ball from first that most players would have given up on but Woody pursued it and caught it over his head with his glove extended. Woody, rob a hit from a River Bandit why don't ya. Then with Rocket on the Bump for his first inning and an 8-4 score, bases loaded, the Lead-off hitter lined a ball to Woody at first and he caught it and doubled Tanner Adams off the bag by 3 feet. WOW!

The good part seemed to be our pitching, We gave up no earned runs to the Iron Pigs but 7 were on the scoreboard. Shark started us off on the bump and after some errors including by the pitcher The metal hams to be had 3 runs on the board by the first. Shark yielded 2 hits and 2 walks with one K. Magic Joe had a great first inning on the Bump thanks to SportsCenter double play by Woody, snagging a line drive between first and second waiting for Slick to get to second and firing a bullet to the bag for the force and double play. In the next inning 2 runs scored and the scorebook looks like someone was typing and E key got stuck (indicating error) first batter EI on a pick off Balk home third batter E9 on the play and Wild pitch home. Magic man had 14 pitches in his first inning and 36 by the time we had to lift him. Rocket closed the inning with a K and a pop up. Rocket finished strike out that reached first on an error then we picked him off. A Fly out to Dyno, a walk and 2 errors to score 2 more runs before a ground out to Magic Joe at third an a long throw to Sparky ended it. The Bad part was the offense, we stuck out 11 times in 6 innings! We had 5 hits including a Triple by Shark and "double" by Rocky. double in quotes as it was an inside the park home run. Sniper got Tony near first. It was the first baseman who literally ran into Rocky and chop blocked him to the ground but both umps were watching the ball sailing over the centerfielder's head and did not see it. Umpiring 101,with 2 umps, someone should be trailing the runner. Rocky had another hit and both Shark and Slick had hits.
the Ugly part was our defense. As stated above the errors figured in all the scoring, dropped balls, over throws, "balls through the 5 hole" (legs), bad pick-off and some mental errors as well. We did have some good plays-Pill, Shark-Rocky and Sparky on pick-offs, Rocket on a close force at third, Woody and Magic Joe as above, Sticks and Dyno in the outfield. Shamrock and Smiles did some good relay throws and DBuzz had some plays in center to hold runners. But for the most part it was Ugly.

The sound is for our friend Cubbie (David Bustamante) who is shown above probably breaking his nose on Sparky's helmet as Spark slides in safely!
the highlights were there in this game for both teams but a lot of "lowlights" as well. Both the Beavers and the Redwings seem to play to the level of the competition. Both teams make a habit of beating top teams but lose to lesser teams.

We started ok scoring one run and then reloading the bases with no outs but we coud not do more damage. Rocket shut down the top of the Redwings order on 9 pitctes, 2 grounders and a pop up. Then things started to go awry. We got squeezed a bit and Rocket walked in a run. A grounder to Magic who threw it to Rocky for the force at the plate and we thought things would turn around. A strike out and high fly to center and we are out of it right? Wrong! The Sun and wind and it gets dropped. 2 more hits and 4 runs before the strike out ends it but not before with 10 Redwings bat. Bottom of the order it does not look good. But Dyno walks on a 3-2 count and advances to 2nd on a wild pitch. Pill lays down a good sac bunt to get Dyno to third with one out but we get a little help from the Wings as they boot the ball at first, as Pill moves to 2nd and Dyno scores. Sparky comes up next and hits his second single of the game. With Pill at third Sparky steals 2nd and Slick walks. This looks great bases loaded and no one out. Shark pops it up though. No worries Rocky has a 2 RBi single. With Sparky as the trail runner coming in the throw gets by Cubbie and Sparky has a clean slide in to home but Cubbie dives to try to tag him on the feet and misses but does manage to drive his nose into the Sparkman's helmet, as shown above. So we go up by one run. Then after a 10 minute "nose break" ( pardon the pun I could not resist)Rocket gets a 2 RBI single of his own. Rocket steals 2nd and then third. The throw goes off the 3rd baseman's glove and Rocket fires home for the 6th run of the inning. Magic Joe on the Bump to get a shut down inning. It starts with a lead off walk and then an error on a hit lets the #10 batter go to 2nd as a run scores then another walk plus an error so the second unearned run of the inning scores with the top of the Red Wings order up. Joe gets the next 3 outs 9 pitches. We still lead 7-6 with Shark on the bump. Shark is getting squeezed too and he walks the first 2 hitters. After 2 outs one of them a grounder that scores the lead runner for the tie, Shark hits the 9 batter and gives up a hit to the #10 batter. that scores the go-ahead-run. In the top of the sixth We get 2 quick outs and then giving up 2 singles in a row and suddenly the bad guys are up by 2. Get out the tums. Really bad in the bottom of the 6th when we learn time is up and we have to score 2 runs But Shark singles and steals a moves to third on a ground out by Rocky. When Rocket pops up after Shark scores on the catchers error it looks bad. Sticks is up and battles but strikes out. game over no! dropped third and he reaches with speed. He steals 2nd and Shamrock has the burden of getting the run in. He hits it to third but the long throw in plenty of time sails over the 1st baseman and Sticks ties the score. Woody has a battle but stikes out on a bad call. He actually got three bad calls. One on the 1st strike- no way too low, one strike right there and then a ball that should have been strike three but called a ball, make up? finally a ball a foot outside is called strike 3. There is your third tie. Look forward to the game Saturday when we have the game of the week 6pm show at BSP and 7 pm 1st pitch. Snackbar open for our game and our announcer Lynn Tetlow, Coach Brent's sister is going to be there.

This sunset (play at the plate) was one of the few highlights in an 11-6 loss to the Knights on a very windy night at BSP. The story of this game was wasted opportunities and the elements. Parents now know what a wall being sandblasted feels like. As a team from the coaches to the players we were not at our best. The Spirit of the team was there however and true to form never left us all year. Part of the story can be read in the box score. From the top of the line up Sparky got things going for us getting on base and stealing with Slick driving him in right away with a single. Blake followed getting hit by a pitch Rocky got a hit and an RBI as but that is all we would get at first. Shark would later in the game get hit by pitch one more time and have an RBI ground out. Shark stole a couple of bases and Slick got one as well. Slick scored twice and so did Sparky. It really should have been three runs but Sparky suffered a severe case of Brain cramp with us down 6 in the last and tried, on his own, to steal home-"never make the first out of an inning at home (or 3rd)!" It wasn't the only mistake we made but in true Sparky style (good or bad) it was the most spectacular! That is why we wouldn't trade him for the world. Sparky finished the season as our leader in batting average at .538 just edging out Shark, .532 and Rocky .526. Rocket finished this game with 1 hit an RBI and a hit by pitch. His batting average over the 11 games he was with us was .448. Another key player this year was Sticks. He had taken to the 6 hole lately and in this game, true to form he worked 3 walks. During the season Sticks had 21 free passes and a .593 on base%. Sticks was second on the team in walks and hit by pitch combo with the clear leader Dynomike who had 28 free passes. Magic Joe by the way was not there at the last game due to the flu leads the team in Hit-by-pitch with 8 plunks. Speaking of good on base % Shamrock had settled into the #7 hole and had a .500 on base% in this game he would have come up in the last with a chance to add to his very respectable 12 RBI had Sparky not suffered the Brain Cramp. On RBI's Woody, our #8 hole hitter was our team leader with 20 but they walked him all three times up. Dyno, with his .556 on base % was next and he also had a walk in this game. Pill was our 10 hole hitter today and got on the hard way again with his .482 on base %. He made an excellent play at second on a line drive that almost knocked him over but he caught it cleanly. Smiles was our ultimate clean up hitter on the night. He didn't get on but did make a good play on a hot grounder that bounced away but he did not panic and threw the runner out at first, good play Smiles. Smiles was tied for the lead on the team in sacrifices with Magic, Slick and Shark, Hey! pretty good company there Smiles!
Rolaids moment? Sparky?-nah something stonger for that, Mallox or something. the moment may have been the ball hit over Smiles head in left but he got to it and worked it in through the cut-off man so Coach will recover from that. In the end the wind and a good Knights team prevailed. They don't have half the spirit and character of the Beavers though. coaches will take this team over any other in the league!

Our draft picks in no particular order, 15 year olds other than Magic Joe: Nate Haley, Catcher, Pitcher and just about everywhere else. PJ Berner Catcher and infielder and Jason Kimberling; Pitcher and Third Baseman.  The 14's in addition to those above: Steven DeHerrera; Pitcher, 1B, Outfield.  The 13's in addition to Bronco Blake: Alex Rice; pitcher in training, Outfield and third base; Christopher Turner: Pitcher in training, outfield and Short Stop; Cameron Bloyd, Catcher in training and middle infield; Elijah Dennis-Gilmore: Pitcher in training, infield and can catch if needed.  A Great team!  Team meeting Thursday 2/28 at Roundtable on Elk Grove Blvd and Williamson 6:30 to 8pm.  Check out some of the articles from 2012 below along with the Tyler Routt all star recap.  More past articles on the Bulletin Board.  Schedules for the first week  posted on this site with first 3 events listed at the bottom of this page. posted below the few articles about last season and the Tyler Routt Mid Season Gamer all star event.  There is also a message about our sponsor The Sports Shop, and the Beaver Coaching staff. Players sign the Guest book on this site above, before the team Meet and Greet Thursday.  Click on the orange line above where it says Guestbook.

Dyno-Mike Jorrin is our secret weapon returning. A lefty who has a great on base % and is an RBI machine.  A past Tyler Routt All Star, Michael developed arm strenght through the year last year and used his big heart to play at a high level.  Very happy to have him back.  Also back is our protected Fall Ball Muskrat, Bronco Blake Lujan: Pitcher, Shortstop and can play anywhere.  Blake wants to work on his game with high school in mind. He will be challenged by the coaching staff to step up his game.  Pictured below pitching against the travel team in fall ball.

That was the theme for the first week of practice.  Monday starts a new week of practice at Nottoli 5-7 under the lights.  Tuesday March 5 at Jones North, we only will have an hour to practice 5-6 with clean up for ten minutes at dusk bringing us to 6:10pm.  Tuesday is the last practice impacted by darkness as daylight savings starts Sunday.  we have lights Thursday March 7th at BSP, 7pm to 9pm  Our Saturday practice is noon to 2pm at Brown on Saturday the 9th.  Get to practice early to get the bands done and the heavy bats, hitting in the cage and whiffles.  We would like to do stretching by 5 minutes after scheduled start time.  If you are going to be late or miss practice email a coach or call before practice starts.  In this picture, Derek,  D-Buzz leads stretching coach Don Supervises.

With a pace of under 8 minutes per mile D-Buzz did great 73 out of 856 runners (8th out of 35 runners in that age group).  No wonder he dusts you guys in the runs. Anyway we are very proud of our D-Buzz.  See you all at practice Monday 5:30pm Pacific DAYLIGHT time.  Zehnder diamond off of Laguna Blvd at the Railroad tracks.  Between I-5 and Franklin Blvd.  practice till dusk. should be able to get in an hour and a half. Tuesday practice at Nottoli 7pm show up at 6:45 is full uniform, gray pants hat and jersey, remember the belt (your responsibility) is black and the socks are black.  Pants and socks available in exchange for the Sports shop business card you got from Coach Donny at the first meeting.  Coach Brent will be taking Baseball Card shots of everyone on Tuesday. 

What in the Wide Wide world a Sports is a goin' on here.  So far one of our team leaders has managed to stand out in a most unusual way! PJ shown here trying to vanquish a spider or ant also has come up with some nicknames for the group. Steel Jaw or Jaws for Stephen, and last night for himself in self defense he picks one.  With everyone including Magic Joe showing up in uniform for pictures, a sea of black and orange, PJ has a different color on... OK PJ anything but Dodger Blue...Oh no that is what he has on.  From Sesame Street "which one doesn't belong?"  In a brilliant Kangroo Kourt advance defense PJ names himself PAPA SMURF

More nicknames in the works including Christopher!  Thursday at 5pm at Jones for our prep leading up to the practice game against the Redwings.  Signs and a lot to go over.  Saturday vs the Redwings at BSP 11:45 is show up in uniform!  Everyone says they will be there.  Papa Smurf remember it is the Beavers uniform not Blue Man Group

It was hard for us to figure a nick name for Christopher but then Coach Brent and I remember our childhood.

That is Beaver Cleaver from "Leave it to Beaver" a 1950's sit com.  You gotta tell me there no relationship here? Just take a look!

Close enough Christopher is now nicknamed Cleaver!  Sharp nickname if you get my drift!  Anyway nicknamed for Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver of "Leave it to Beaver" Fame!

Great last inning win over the Galt Dodgers. The last inning Lurch Kimberling reached on an error, stealing his way to third then scoring on Dyn0mike's fielder's choice. Some big hits to score our first 11 runs too. Stripes Haley had a stand up triple included in his 2-3 day.

Rocky Anguiano was 2 for 2 with a double and D-Buzz Dokter had a hit a couple of steals and pitched 3 innings of 1 hit ball. Bronco Lujan scored 2 runs and got the win in relief giving a few walks but no hits.  Papa Smurf Berner had hit and scored on Papa Smurf's wild run.  Thrill Rice had a hit too.  JimiJack Dennis-Gilmore reached base and became a Kangaroo Kourt case by trying to steal an occupied second base then unsuccessfully tried to steal first base back giving coach Slick

his first case of coach's heart burn.

 Clutch walked and scored too all the way from first, huffing and puffing all the way.  Jaws DeHerrera had a knock, an RBI and some great stretches at first. But overall the team fielding average was very low. We need to think a better defensive game and support our pitchers better, hey a win is a win though!  

This was a fun game! To quote Coach Lou Brown from Major League "They are startin' to come together Pepper, Startin' to come together".  The first inning we could see that we had an advantage on the Hooks.  It appeared that they had not practiced as well as we hard or as long as we had.  But they still had a little larceny in their hearts. After Jaws walked, Stripes hit a blooper into right and Jaws was stealing.  Former Muskrat, Josh "Flash" Caldwell, told Jaws it was caught and he he wandered off towards third and was tagged out.  Rocky singled to left on a hit and run sending Stripes to third.  A real threat when Rocky stole 2nd but 2 ground outs later we had no score.  In the bottom of the 1st the first ball hit was a grounder to Lurch who grabbed it and launched it about 8 feet over Jaws head at first, "hey Coach Brent, Got any Rolaids?"  D-Buzz then hits the next guy with a fastball.  An infield fly by another of our old players "W" is dropped-one out but runners advance.  Then Flash Caldwell gets a single for an RBI with Barnnachie scoring an unearned run . D-Buzz then gets a strike out and a ground out which Lurch plays perfectly to end the threat.

Down one Zip in the second the Beavers went to work. Bronco started it off right with a single up the middle and then promptly stole second, then Thrill walked. When Dyno had a sacrifice to the right side as good as the bunt he was almost perfect with (just rolled foul) but Dyno's sac put Bronco and Thrill at second and third.  It looked bad after two were out and Cameron up, but that is why we call him Clutch.  Clutch beat out a close play at first, scoring Bronco easily, but while they were trying to argue with the ump Thrill scored all the way from second. Heads up play guys. 2-1 Good guys! DBuzz then worked a perfect bottom of the 2nd getting 2 ground balls and a pop-up to Cleaver a second. 

Top of 3rd and the Beaver's offense comes alive.  Papa Smurf Singles to lead off then Jaws, singles him to third on a a base hit to Right.  A steal by Jaws  and a second hit of the night by Stripes plates Papa Smurf, A steal of second and another solid hit by Rocky scores both Jaws and Stripes.  A gound out to the right side by D-Buzz moves Rocky to second then he steals third.  Lurch pops out to center but not deep enough to score Rocky.  It is up to Bronco to keep it going. Hit hits a sharp ground ball to third but the throw is Lurch-like over the first baseman.  Rocky scores and Bronco steals second. Thrill is up with 2 down and he gets walked but the pitcher throws 2 wild pitches to plate Bronco too. 

Bronco then came on to pitch and pitched one inning with one hit, one strike out, a walk and no runs allowed.  In the top of the 4th JimiJack (Elijah) walked and stole second on a pick off attempt  (a liitle delayed steal action that was unitentional and drove Coach crazy). He got third pretty easily on a passed ball then when home on Cleavers grounder to first which bounced off both knees and the shin of the first baseman as Cleaver tiptoes in to first

Lurch comes on to pitch.  Great job too!  He gets into trouble right away though as after one out on strike out,  Flash Caldwell singles and the next guy walks.  First and third and we put the "short stop charge" play on. Lurch makes a good pitch and Stripes makes a better throw to Bronco charging, then with Bronco making a great return throw for the tag by Stripes.  Coach Flimsey, "Seven years of coaching and that is the first time that play has ever worked!" We were pumped! Another uneared run scored but no biggie. Stripes Haley and Lurch Kimberling combined for another run on the Lurch single to make it 9-2. We just had to get them out in the bottom of the 5th as the game was going to be called due to darkness.  Lurch was pitching and Papa catching.  Lurch walked the lead off and then struck out 2 before walking another batter.  With second and third and 2 outs  the first runner of the inning tried to score on a low pitch that Papa Smurf was able to keep fairly close and he dives and tags the runner out trying to steal home to end the game.  WOW!

Practice Thursday 5:45 Jones South

We had a lot of confidence going into this game. A nice 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first for Bronco Lujan.

We got hits from Bronco and D-Buzz in the first but Bronco got picked and D-buzz was stranded at 2nd after stealing easily.

In the second, an error in right a steal and a couple of ground outs produced a run for the Gnats.  We could not match that despite hits from Lurch and Dyno.  Lurch was the victim of a fielder's choice and Dyno stole 2nd but we could not get him further.

In the top of the 4th Ember (Elijah) makes a good catch in center.

We got it going after another no hit inning by Bronco featuring a double play by Rocky on a pop up and a tag of second. Clutch got us started in the third.  We think of that line from League of Their Own, Dottie, "Lay off the high ones" Kit, "I like the high ones"

He tomahawks this one into left center and steals 2nd while Papa  Smurf reaches on an error, Clutch trots to third.  After Jaws walks Bronco grounds out for the RBI.  Papa Smurf gets to third but we could not score him to take a lead.  1-1 after 3 innings.

D-Buzz has a great first inning and then with out benefit of a hit (bunch of walks by Chase Goodlett, former Muskrat) we get Rocky to score  with a steal of home.  Thrill also walked and stole a bunch of bases but got tagged out by the catcher on a very close play.  2-1 good guys. Not so fast. D-Buzz gives up a run on a hit by pitch and a few steals with 2 hits thrown in ( the only 2 hits they had all game) He struck out 2 Gnats and Papa Smurf was pretty much a one man rundown when Thrill threw down to second and Bronco made a good throw to Papa Smurf. 

We could not get anything going in the bottom of the inning, Cleaver walked and stole 2nd but nada on the scoreboard. Lurch came on to pitch and got 2 outs before walking the # 3 hitter who promptly stole 2nd.  A 2 out jam when the clean up batter hits one to short right center. With 2 down, if it drops the go ahead run scores and we are in real danger.  Clutch is out there and look at the wrestling move he puts on this ball!

Saved the game right there folks!  In the bottom of the sixth we got it going.  Top of the order and Jaws walks and goes to third on a Bronco double.  Then D-Buzz gets his 2 RBI single so we are up 2 and not done!  After D-Buzz steals second they walk Rocky and we go double steal with Thrill up.  Thrill gets the RBI on a gound ball and that leaves it up to Lurch with one out. He comes through with a nice hit and we go up by 4 into the last inning. 

The top of the seventh and here comes Rocky for the Save but the Sandgnats were not done yet. The first batter reached on an error and after a strike out of the #5 batter, Rocky walks a batter.  Then the next guy his it to Papa Smurf at second with a good feed to Bronco and the leaping throw to Jaws--double play game over!

We had some great pitching and a good job of catching by Rocky, Papa Smurf and particularly by Thrill who caught most of the innings on a hot day. A good team win and there are some more pictures in the Album marked "2013 Sandgnats victory album"

The Len Willeford Homerun Derby is Sunday May 5, 2013 at 11am Jones North and Antonio "Rocky" Anguiano is our participant. He will be battling against 16 other players for the 2013 HR derby crown.  Come out and watch your teammate!

For the Tyler Routt Gamer All Stars the Following Beavers will play on the North Field with representatives from the Bulls, Rockhounds and Thunder.  Alex "Thrill" Rice C, 2B, 3B, SS, OF and Pitcher. Thrill has really stepped up his game helping out behind the dish and always with the right attitude. 

Our second player is Cameron "Clutch" Bloyd, not the biggest or fastest player but maybe the biggest heart next to Dyno on the team.  A determined player who gives his all in the spirit of the Tyler Routt.

Stephen "Jaws" DeHerrera 1B, OF, P.   A quiet leader.  Hitting for average, fielding an all star quality first base, and a fun teammate.  No complaints just a solid ball player.

Finally a pick by the Tyler Routt committee, returning Tyler Routt All Star, Michael "Dyn-0-Mike" Jorrin: OF, 1B and P.  Dyno is the poster child for the Tyler Routt. Great attitude, listens, "yes, Coach,learns and improves. After last years Tyler Routt, Dyno's average jumped at least 50 points and over the past year he became a team leader.  Congratulations to all the Tyler Routt All Stars. You all Stars need to be at the field in you Beaver uniform without a hat (you will get an all star hat to keep) at Noon.

The rest of the beavers are invited to watch their teammates at Jones this Sunday!  11 am HR derby 1:pm on field ceremony.

Wow, Where did this offense and base-running come from? Not that we are complaining, the team and the coaches needed a Haw Haw Haw LAUGHER!  More to follow, lots of highlights and few laughs as well when the "visual evidence" which coach Brent "went the distance" to get, is available later.  Game Thursday vs the Ironbirds 5/2/13 4:30 pm Show up at BSP. 

So first the Camera Story: It was Coach Brent's bus day as he brought D-Buzz and Coach Slick.  So rushed he forgot the Camera--no problem go do the lines on the field then run home grab the camera-know right where it is--get going before traffic gets bad--well maybe before it gets REALLY BAD.  Come back before first pitch and forgot the battery. go again--to late to catch a break with Traffic but still got back before the second inning was too far along.  anyway he did catch some pretty good pics.  Check the Album "13 victory over the Bulls" including our own Papa Smurf having to steal second back?  Yes from third where he was greeted by Thrill on the bag too!

Not the best move but he made it back and then did a little Jig? Oh you are so in the "Book"

Then there was another funny moment with Clutch. You know they say that cows can sleep standing up but what about left fielders Clutch?

Well back the game and the stuff that Coach Brent missed while touring the Vineyard area.  The First inning D-Buzz pitched well and got out of a man at third jam with one out. One walk, one wildpitch or passed ball and a steal but Buzz strikes out the #3 batter and gets a popup in to shallow left and Bronco Corrals it.  things are not looking good for us in the bottom of the inning when Jaws strikes out but dropped third strike and catcher can't throw Jaws out so one on.  Steal of second then Bronco moves Jaws to third on a ground out and DBuzz promptly drives him in with the first hit of the ball game, Hey on zip good guys. In the second D-buzz does his Houdini act again. Strike out, single then the next guy pops it up to right--error but the throw goes 8-6-4 to get the runner who thought we were going to catch the ball but all part of our plan to get the lead runner---Right!, anyway D-Buzz struck out the next batter after wild pitching the remaining runner to third--Anybody got some tums for Coach?  Thrill walks--steals 2nd and third and comes home on Papa Smurf's single.  Papa can't stand still and is picked off first base killing the rally there.

Clutch walks but with 2 out we could not do further damage.  So maybe that is why we practiced some baserunning on Wednesday huh?  No problem Stripes Haley comes in and deals on the hill. 3 bulls up 3 down on 2 strike outs and good 5-3 put out.  On to the bottom of the third and just maybe we can get something going? Boy Howdy! Jaws Walks, Bronco has a base hit and DBuzz sends them both home on a single.  Nate drives Buzz home with a nice nit and steals second scoring on Thrills single.  this is where it gets a little weird, a little? no a lot weird!  Thrill steals second and takes third on a wild pitch. Papa Smurf walks and steals second so second and third and at that time 1 out.  Papa proceeds to steal third as shown above, has to steal 2nd for the second time and is stranded there with thrill at third concerned about another attempted theft of third by PJ and a massive collision!

Anyway we did not get either man in. 6-0 Beavs.  They get an unearned run in the top of the 4th but Stripes limits the damage and has another good inning on the hill.  time to go to work again and we do.  Starting with Jaws who reaches on another error, making it to second then third on a passed ball.  Bronco walks and after one out Rocky finally comes through with his first and only hit of the game. After Stripes walks Thrill knocks in Rocky and Dyno walks .  Thrill to second and what happens Papa Smurf singles Thrill in with Dyno going to second.  Coach Brent, back at first base coaches box, yells at Michael Jorrin "Hey Dyno! Wave to Papa Smurf" He does. "PJ, see Dyno there? don't steal second while he is there! " "OK Coach" So 11-1.  We bring in Bronco on the bump for a perfect inning.  We stopped running and even with 2 hit by pitches we could not score again.  Bronco yielded another unearned run on a walk and error  but struck out the side after that to end the game. 

Nice game for everyone even our fans, so we choose a fan of the game.  It turned out to be a hippy. Michael Dokter with the ponytail!

Now that is a pop up slide--Nice D-Buzz

What a game vs the first place Rivercats.  We held them scoreless into the 6th and then gave up 3 total runs for the 5-3 win! But what is amazing? The last game 10 errors..this game ZERO errors!  It does make quite a difference in the game, Don't ya think?    By the way the sound from Caddyshack is a special request from Coach Flimsy.  A 5-3 win like this (which is low scoring for one of our games) does not happen without defense and pitching.  Thrill Rice was outstanding everwhere he played. He made a sliding play at second base to save a ball from going into right field then from his backside made a flip (just like we do in warm-ups everyday) to feed Jaws at first for a "Sportscenter" play.  Coach Doug asked "When did we get Marco Scutaro (all star 2nd baseman for the Giants) on our Team?"

that might be a kangaroo Kourt pic!

Bronco Lujan made a number of remarkable plays at Shortstop

and was defending on a steal that should have resulted in the Rivercats starting pitcher being ejected.  The pictures will show that Bronco did everything right and Andrew did everything wrong.

D-Buzz Dokter was a machine in Center.  Well, in one case maybe a "snow cone making Machine", picture of his catch of a high fly ball in the 5th below!

You can see quite a bit of baseball in the top of the glove.  And Stripes Haley, who pitched 3 near perfect innings, caught a couple with a few runners "caught stealing" then went in on defense at third when Rocky came in and caught a lined shot about a foot off the ground from lead-off hitter Tim Ellis that would have at least tied the game for the final out.

Speaking of pitchers. After Nate, Blake Lujan came in and earned a Hold for his work on the hill, 2 2/3 innings 1 hit, six strikeouts and 2 runs. He held the 4-2 lead then yielded to Lurch Kimberling, who came in and threw strikes.Oh hey welcome Back Lurch!

 After allowing one inherited runner to score Lurch struck out #5 hitter Dees to end a Rivercat threat.  Lurch also got 2 quick outs in the last inning then started getting a little wild. So we bring in the closer with tying run on first and he allows a walk with the bases loaded just to churn the stomach acid, coach Doug is charging the paddles for Coach Brent, Coach Donny can't look and then the lined shot to a low forehand snag by Nate and Rocky gets his Save.  Great game guys! More pictures in the "13-10 Rivercats defeated" album on the left menu under photo albums, take a look! Monday at Nottoli vs the Riverbandits 4:30 show up!

So Coach Brent, Coach Donny and Coach Doug were interested in who the Juan Marichal team would start on the bump, we figured our former player Woody Trejo, No it was Dyn-0-Mike Jorrin on the hill. He got 2 quick outs on a pop up to former Muskrat Blur Lefebre at catcher and a strikeout.  then he got a little wild and was pulled after giving up 2 unearned runs, E-4 and E-7, with several walks thrown in. Jaws relieved him and got them out of the inning.  Later in the game Thrill caught a bit, played short and got a couple of knocks including a lined shot to center. Dyno also contributed on offense with a squeeze bunt that he placed so well not only did he score the Runner, Woody, but he was safe too. Dyno also beat out an infield hit and stole 3 bases.  Meanwhile Jaws was 3 for 3 with nice hits.  Clutch hit the ball well but was unable beat out a grounder, he did walk. Clutch Bloyd none the less contributing on defense and with a run scored.  Marichal team won 13-9 in a well played game with lots of Tyler Routt spirit and sportsmanship. Coach Brent has some pictures. they will be along shortly

Often our coaching staff describes a player  as he is Outhouse or Castle!  Meaning he is either really good or really bad.  Well we, as a team were Castle then outhouse for our doubleheader.  The Rockies game really should not have been as close as it was but our pitching was outstanding  Starting with D-Buzz on the bump for 2  shut out innings of work

then Magic Joe got his first action with a shut out frame and Luch pitched giving up an unearned run.

 we also got good pitching from Bronco and Jaws as well as Rocky for 2 to Close.  that did not happen as we gave up a tying run in the top of the 6th we ended up tied at the end of 7 and we went another inning.  The Rockies put another unearned Run up against Rocky!  Down one run we went to the eighth and D-buzz singled and Lurch is hit by a pitch, then Papa Smurf hits into a fielder's choice forcing Lurch at second and Moving the tying run to third in D-Buzz.  Papa steals second and Thrill bats with 1 out and the game on the line.  See below:

that is what as known as a tomahawk line drive down the third base line that scored D-Buzz easily but the winning run was Papa Smurf

As Papa Scores the game winner Thrill reaches second on the Walk off! Look at the agony of defeat in the Rockies and watch Stripes and Thrill celebrate!

Between games we ate a bit and rested but maybe not enough!

and we had just enough offense to win in 8 innings 4-3 on a one out, 2 RBI, Walk-off double by Thrill Rice. Down 3-2 going to the bottom of the 8th we came through with an outstanding up lifting win!   

Now for the Outhouse part. The Redwings came in and we just missed scoring in the top of the 1st.  Then Stripes took the hill and could not find the strike zone and 3 runs scored on 3 walks and hit. With no outs Magic Joe Oto came in and limited the damage then pitched 3 more innings allowing 0 Earned runs. At that point even the good plays had a bad angle. Here is Cleaver with a good catch in right but the Winged Red men get a Sac Fly out of it!

  With bases loaded this inherited runner scored on the play but Cleaver and Magic Joe limited the damage.

Butt there were Dis-ASS-Ters every where and Sun spots too!

  4 more runs were plated on errors and mental mistakes. Once it started we could not stop it. Bronco Lujan finished up and pitched fairly well but they did get  more unearned runs. We were spent after the extra inning win and could not come back vs some tough Redwing pitching and defense.  Flush it and forget it! Tuesday is a new game. 

Who is this guy and what did he do with our Cleaver.  No really, Cleaver stepped up in the game vs the Storm and came through with 2 hits in 3 AB's and 2 runs plus some very good defensive plays including a catch of a very high pop fly in right. So much success that here was a little "Chin Music" above He was not alone.  We had 19 hits. It didn't look easy at the start.  The Storm scored first in the bottom of the first in what would be the only run in three innings that Magic Joe pitched. 3 IP, 2 K, 2 hits, 1 BB. and the Win on Bump!  In the 2nd Thrill walked got Sacrificed to third by Papa Smurf and scored on a hit by Ember Dennis-Gilmore.  In the third Magic Joe helped his own cause with a hit and a steal.

D-Buzz then had a nice hit to score Magic takes second on the throw steals third and scores on a Rocky Sac Fly. 3-1 good guys. Coaches plead for more runs and in the 4th the bottom of the order delivers.  Dyno, who was struggling at the plate walks and goes first to third on a Cleaver solid hit. Dyno scores on Bronco's hit and Cleaver on a knock by D-Buzz.  5-1 us dudes! A couple of hits by Lurch and Thrill don't score in the 5th but Lurch and D-buzz calm the Storm from the Bump.  We break it open with an "Injustice" yell in the 6th (don't ask me it was one of the players idea). We get 3 two out runs on a walk to Bronco, Hits by Magic Joe and D-Buzz then, the big blow, a triple by Rocky.  8 to 1 at that point.  We give up another unearned run in the bottom of the 6th and then the flood gates open. 2 outs and Dyno joins the hit parade with a hit up the middle.  Cleaver follows with a knock and so does Ember. Then Bronco and Magic Joe get hits with D-buzz getting on via error. Rocky walks and Lurch gets a big RBI hit. Then Thrill cleans up the bases with a single. Ember was the last steal and of home!

We had stopped running up 12 runs and Coach asked Papa Smurf to make an out to end the inning and he sacrificed himself for Sportsmanship. Well done Papa Smurf! We gave up some more unearned runs and one earnie with Bronco on bump but we got it done.  14-5 Beavers!

A lot of fun in the Desert. Coach Blocking the plate here.  Then Coach Doug finishing a double play.

Great baseball and greater golf Here is one shot but more are in the Album marked "Desert Coaches"

The coaching staff had 2 ulcers, a headache and sprouted a nosebleed during this game but we did manage to pull it out. It wasn't easy although we coasted thru the first few innings and enjoyed a 7-2 lead after 4.  That would be the last of easy going in this contest! Thrill got it started with a hit and a steal scoring on Rocky's double. Then Magic Joe Walks and goes to work on the bases.

Magic and Rocky end up scoring on a Stripes ball hit thru the shortstop position. 3-0 good guys!

Magic also started the game on the bump and pitched three innings giving up 2 unearned runs.  At that point no biggie we had a good lead so coach didn't need to sweat too much. 

We were scoring well and lots of contributors! In the second Jaws and Clutch had hits and Papa Smurf drove them both in with a very nice hit!

In the third it was Bronco with a double and Magic with an RBI single then Nate hit a sacrifice to score Magic after he stole 3b

The top of the 4th was very interesting.  An error on a high fly ball put, with a steal, a fast runner on second.  After one out there was a single and it was 1st and third. Then a line drive is hit to deep left field and we thought oh No! but Lurch is there and catches it Sac Fly Right? Wrong look below!

Out at the plate for a 7-2 double play Lurch to Rocky on the fly with a seeeee-d!

Other great defensive plays by Thrill, Bronco, Cleaver, Rocky and Stripes. 

We were coasting.By the time Ember gets on in the 5th inning we are not concerned but he steals second easily then gets picked at 2nd but works into a rundown and a great one.  5 throws by the defense ending in an obstuction call putting him safe at 3rd.

Ember ended up scoring on a D-Buzz hit to tally our 8th run.

then out come the Rolaids and the tums! Stripes who breezed thru his first inning of work on the bump hit a bump in the road with a number of errors. 4 runs on no hits and a couple of errors plus a walk or two and we had just the 2 run lead to start the last inning. Bronco gave up a lead off hit and a couple of stolen bases allowed a sacrifice to score the 7th run for the Mudcats.  Ok bases empty and one out we can get two outs. A walk to Casey McConnell, good ballplayer but the worlds slowest base runner. A strike out gives us 2 outs but 2 wild pitches puts Casey as the tying run at third! Things are unraveling and there is a call for a defibulator for Coach.

two walks load the bases with 2 outs "when it is time for a change-call Speedy Oil Change and Tune-up."  D-Buzz is summoned from centerfield and Stripes comes into catch..End of torture right? No Way!  D-Buzz looks good warming up but.....

he goes to full count on the leadoff batter. The runners go on three and two and foul ball. Re-set, pick coach up off the floor of the dugout and here we go again.  high fastball...Swing...and a miss....gloved by Stripes for the final out.  an 8-7 hard fought game and it was team work that got it done!

The picture album on the left menu is marked "13-16 Mudcats swamping".Nice way to roll into the Memorial Day holiday weekend! 

The Coaches sure did at the giants game Sunday with a large group at Triples Alley!

 See ya all Tuesday at Jones North for our next game!

Pictures are here and will be like the old Clint Eastwood movie The Good,bad and the ugly!  Do you want to know, I didn't and could not even look. The Rockhounds did manage a lot of hits and took advantage of our errors (both mental and phyiscal). It could have been worse had they not stopped running.  Ok it was 18-5.  The offense was almost single handedly put up for the Beavers by Lurch who went 3 for 3 with 2 doubles but once again even that was a little ugly with the big fellow getting picked off.  Our guys did not pitch as badly as the score showed.  We had a 2-1 when Stripes went out for his third inning of work and then went down with arm issues.  Other pitchers like Bronco and D-Buzz did ok for a while and the defense let them down and they had to come off the hill so we could stop the bleeding and give the defense a break to re-group.  More later with pictures. This is the good part or maybe the Miracle part!

Ember overruns this lined shot from left and then reaches back to snag it!

Also part of the Good was Lurch 3/3 but picked off like  4 of our top 5 batters, the ugly maybe?

the Bad how about these two normally great outfielders?

yes Bad and ugly!  Stripes pitched with a lead, Good, left with arm trouble with the score tied and then things got ugly!

Dyno reached base Good

could not get further--Bad--Rocky had 2 hits Good but did not score on the second hit because he got picked off and run down you guessed it UGLY

Cleaver reached base 2 out of 2 (insert here) but did not score (What goes Here?) covered 1st but the throw wasn't close (u guessed it UGly)

The Coaches are very proud of this team to bounce back after 5 losses in a row and play through adversity but we are particularly proud of what our 15's did on their " last day".   Magic Joe Oto finished his season with a 1-3 and a big RBI plus a good 2 innings of work on the Bump. Magic ended his 13-15 Babe Ruth with a good year .360 batting average pitching 20 innings with 3.15 ERA

Nate "Stripes" Haley had a big hit in the game with a 2 RBI double and added a single and some decent work on the hill. He also started a team rundown catching a fast runner for the Bulls off third base, look at the players participating below, That is Stripes with the tools of ignorance on (only us catchers can call them that).

Nate had a good year at the plate with a .333 average. he got on base a lot .500 on base %. his ERA in 26 innings was 3.23.

  Jason "Lurch" Kimberling got the Save in his final appearance in 13-15 ball. He also walked a scored. He ate up 17 innings with 17 strike outs and was a monster at the plate with some power,  .326 average with a couple of triples. Lurch shown here at first base, another place on the field where he got some reps.

 And Papa Smurf, PJ Berner went out with a bang in more ways than one.  He had a 2RBI double in the game and another hit and 2 steals. Papa finished his final 13-15 season with a .341 batting average.

that is Papa Smurf's 2 RBI double going up the alley and then as the dust settles Papa striking his usual pose at 2nd base!

Papa was brought  up in Kangroo Kourt for his ready position in the outfield as below with Bronco in the delivery

"Papa Smurf, Coach Brent is bringing you up for your thumb in belt loop ready position, Are you comfortable? maybe we should get you a lawn chair and a soda"

So what does Papa do in the bottom of the first in right field, he carries a lawn chair to right and sits down and opens a soda instead of warming up. 

"Classic".  Others were involved in this win too.

Our 14's, Derek "D-Buzz"Dokter had a good day with a 2/2 with a double day 2 steals (to add up to 33 for the 22 game season and lead the team, maybe the league--caught twice and at least one was a bad ump call).

Rocky (Toni Anguiano) had a walk but his contribution was on defense with a couple of runners thrown out. 

He and Nate combined for 4 Bulls cutdown on the bases.  He played Shortstop, and 3rd in addition to catching. Michael "DynoMike" Jorrin was a machine in the outfield and did one of the best Sac Bunts of the year. 

The 13's were lead by Alex "Thrill" Rice

He was 2 for 3 with 2 runs and raised his average to .388 

 See Will The Thrill Clark and Alex ,  Now you see why we call him Thrill

Then there was Bronco Blake Lujan who finally reached base and had an RBI after a prolonged slump but contributed on the Bump with the Win in relief!

SEEE! he remmebered where the base paths were finally.  It has been a struggle but a good season with an average over .300 inspite of the slump.

Stephen "Jaws" DeHerrera was 1 out of 2 with a run scored and a steal.

Chris "Cleaver" Turner contributed on Defense with a play at second with his getting stronger everyday arm,

 while Cameron "Clutch" Bloyd had a walk and a run scored. 

 Thanks to our Coach Tanner "Slick" Morrison for his first season as a coach he did a great job!

finally we had Elijah "Ember" Dennis-Gilmore with some good outfield play. His arm strength has improved and he makes the throw in from the outfield as good as anyone.

there was a lot of good defense and even some "rolaids" worthy drama as we took a lead, then lost the lead on some walks, then went back ahead to stay with minutes left in the game. Coaches resisted the urge to stall and Lurch allowed 2 base runners to give us a little "pucker" factor and run off some time so we did end up with the win.  The rest of the pictures are in the photo album "3-22 Bulls 2 final game"  Enjoy.  See everyone at the party. 

For the first time since 2007 when they won the College World Series, The Oregon State Beavers, Coach Doug's Alma Mater, is going to Omaha and the World Series on the strength of a 4-3 win in the third game of the Super Regional in Corvallis over the Kansas State Wildcats. First game is Saturday noon Pacific time.  Go Beavs!

Can you name the two guys and get bonus points for the Nun!

The Beavers started with some great people and players, From the 2012,2013 Beavers #13 Antonio "Rocky" Anguiano (BASEBALL AGE 15): All Star, a pitcher, Catcher Shortstop and all around good dude!

From the 2012 Beavers also : Welcome back,  Wes "Woody" Trejo #8 (15) :All Star, Pitcher, 1st base (look at the pictures below) and catcher. 

Also protected 2013 Fall Muskrats:#12 Jordan "Riv" Hughes (13) [P, 3B, SS, OF]

and #18 Mondo "Mongo" Anguiano (13) [1B, P and OF].

  Via the draft we welcome back #2 Michael "Dyno Mike" Jorrin (15) [CF, 1B].  We have watched Dyno develope with Rocky and Woody over the last 2 seasons and as his nick name suggests, he puts his heart into the game! 

Our other players are new to the Beavers and Nicknames and numbers will follow!

The are in alpha order:  Noah Black (baseball age 13) [C, Inf.]; Greggory Boggess (14) [Catcher]; Alfio Guiffirda (14) [C, 2B, OF]; Buddy Haase (14). Alejandro Mejia (14) [OF, 2B]; Sam Sodergren (13) [P, 1B}; Victor Ventura (15) Supplemental High School MTHS [P, C, 3B, SS, OF]; Korey Williams (14) [C, 3B]  Coaches Doug Penney, Brent Tetlow, Tanner "Slick" Morrison and Donny Penney are excited for the season and look forward to seeing everyone at Lamppost Pizza  5109 Laguna Blvd. EG 95758 on Thursday 2/27/14 at 6:30 for the MEET and GREET!

Players are asked to sign the Guestbook via the link at the top of the page. 

Check the roster on the site  for numbers and in most cases some temporary nicknames.

Weather looks iffy for today, Saturaday 3/1 but we are at Jones if it is not raining steady or worse at 3pm. We will use the cement pad behind the backstop for bands and heavy bats.  concrete paths for running and whatever area we can to stretch and throw.  I will see if we can find a spot for the catch net.  bring tennis shoes and wear a long sleeve undershirt and the Beavers Jersey on top. Hat and baseball pants please.   

Above is the Brown diamond in the wet conditions.  I will further update at noon but for now practice on the hard surfaces is on 2pm Jones North.

Remember there are discount cards still available from Coach Doug.  $10 each and about $7.50 comes back to help support the cost of the league. That keeps us on the fields (when it is not raining) and keeps the lights burning on the lighted fields. Lamppost Pizza buy any Pizza, an Extra large costs around $15, get the second free $30 bucks worth of Pizza $15 in savings and the card is more than paid for in one use!  Same for Mr. Pickles but it takes 2 months to save about $12. Still they are great sandwiches.  Other discounts inside. 

Practice is off for Monday Trying again at Brown on Tuesday 3/4 Brown Diamond (EG Park) 5pm.  See Why

Practice showed some potential. Particularly in infield with Noah, Alex, Buddy and Dyno, Alfio was very solid catching for the coaches and had some great throws to the bases from the plate.

The real impression came at Stingers! When he hit it KD smacked the rock and so did Rocky, Sam, Riv (who was last but not least!) But Woody right out of the sick bed slammed out 8 1/2 Stingers to win the stingers "going away".

Game vs the Redwings Saturday 3/8 Brown Diamond 1:45pm Sharp is show up time. Per Co Captain Michael "DynoMike" Jorrin, it is High Socks Saturday so full uni with high orange socks. 

Welcome our new player #10 James Milam !

Jungle Theme from TV George of the Jungle in honor of the field conditions at our second field of the Day -Nottoli!

In the first inning we started well with the three runs. Alfio got on base "The hard way" hit by a pitch but that did not slow him down he stole 2nd and scored on Dyno's single. Dyno stole 2nd went to third on Rocky's ground out , then Noah got a 2 out base knock to drive Dyno in while Noah stole 2nd was sent to third after Riv was walked and KD was hit by a pitch.  Then Buddy walked for the  third RBI of the inning.

 Then on defense we gave up 2 with a couple of errors but Rocky held us together with the help of Alfio "Speed" catching. Rocky only gave up one earned run and actually should have been out of the inning with no "earnies"!

  Our umpire was former player Matthew "Cy" Dunbar, easy to spot  with his long hair

Dyn0-Mike Jorrin was the star on offense, with 2 hits, an RBI and several steals including one of home with what would prove to be the winning Run!.

  James Milam, contibuted to the win,"right off the bus", his first event with the team, by earning the win on the hill with a no hit no run inning in the 4th. 

Alfio "Speed" earned a very scary save and gave the coaches their first "Rolaids moment" of the season by loading the bases with one out, getting former Muskrat "Hydrant" Sills to pop out to Mondo "Sluggo" Anguiano (see below) at first and stuck out The Redwings "Dominican Short Stop", Ceasar Guzman on 3 pitches to end the game leaving the tying run at third the whole time. 

Alfio also walked stole 2 bases and scored on one of Dyno's hits.  Noah got an RBI hit in the first inning and scored as well . Noah later had another run scored. Other RBI's went to Buddy "HP" Haase (2) ( can you guess what the HP stands for?), Sam Sodergren, all those were on bases loaded walks. Sam was involved in some teaching moments with Noah and Buddy, see this picture with Sam in good position but the back up is not, can you tell how?

  Woody pitched well for a 1-2-3 inning.

Rocky started and should have gotten out of the first with at most one run but he still left with the lead and contributed on defense. Korey played third for us and got two free passes to first base, in the first the hard way by getting hit on the hands. Riv Hughes pitched second and struck out the side giving up one hit but 3 walks.

  We work on that control he wil be really good on the "bump".  Riv had several opportunities at 3rd making some difficult plays in the long grass. Only one play was not completed. Riv's arm was to strong and the throw too high for even Woody to get.

Nickname change for Mondo Anguiano, it was "Mongo" from the movie Blazing Saddles but since the reason was the character, Mongo in the movie was big and strong, he "slugged" a horse and knocked the horse out we decided that a better nickname was "Sloggo" not so close to his actual name Armando or Mondo for short!  Other nick names coming!

One week from this Saturday Laguna Youth baseball is holding its opening day event, they are inviting former LYB Alumni to attend the event at Morse Park in their Babe Ruth Uniform 8:30 on the Wildcat field at Morse Park. Here is what Mike Pott, LYB President had to say:

Laguna Youth Baseball is celebrating its ten year anniversary this year and we are inviting back former players who are still playing baseball (whether it be Babe Ruth, High School, or tournament ball) to join us for our opening day festivities on March 22, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at Morse Park.  They should wear their Babe Ruth jersey and hat and meet out on Wildcat field at 8:30 a.m. that morning.  We are going to have them all come out on the field after our current players go out on the field.  We will introduce them by organization as they come out on the field and have a brief discussion about the history of LYB and their role in it.  We will have them stay for the ceremony and, at the end of the ceremony, we are going to have them line up and give our current players high fives as they exit the field.  It should be a good time for all and give the little guys something to look forward to and some players to look up to.

If you are a former LYB player and want to participate contact David Baker LYB Opening Day Coordinator by email at davidbaker@surewest.net

The Beavers have a scrimmage game later that day. 11am show up at BSP for a game vs the Rivercats.

We have postponed our Kangroo Kourt to Friday June 9 Zehnder Park 5:30pm we will conduct Kangaroo Kourt.    This is a baseball tradition started in the Major Leagues in the early part of the last century.  It is a "team building" exercise and the real purpose is to have fun with baseball.  No one should take it personally.  This picture is an example we  use in Kourt.

What is wrong with this picture? " Big Country, Coach Brent is bringing you up (in Kourt) up for standing on the chalk baseline with your size 13's listening to Coach.  "How do you plead" Guilty? if so you have a physical challenge to complete. If not guilty, you appeal to the panel of Coaches- Brent and Coach Fox, if the appeal vote is one to one then Coach Doug would vote to break the tie   If the appeal is denied you do double physical challenge if the Appeal is granted you have no penalty and if another player brought you up he does your challenge.  We start practice at 5:30 do a quick bands, stretch, throw and 4 corners then we go to Kourt.  Have fun with it, it you have charges to bring up give them to Coach Doug or Coach Brent, even Coach Fox.  Parents are welcome to attend and suggest charges in advance. 

Let's get ready to Rumble!  The schedule is up on this site now but the practices from 4/1 (except for Easter week 4/14-4/19) are not set yet.  We may have a change to our March 25 practice too.

I thought we would put up this "eye catching photo" that coach Brent took of the "Gun Show" to get everyone's attention!

Coach Brent got the pictures to me so here is the update.  For those that don't know it was Coach Brent's Birthday on Friday, he is only 3 years older than dirt as contrasted with Coach Doug who is 10 years older than Dirt! Anyway for his birthday week Coach Brent got to work about 80 hours, so I went ahead with the wrap early, now the pictures are here below.

First, you may have noticed we had some added help on Saturday,  Former Coach for the Beavers, Dave "Herk" Jemes (Dave is an adult league pitcher with a Herky-jerky delivery that frustrates opposing batters, thus "Herk") and former Player Spencer "Moose"Jemes (Spencer was a small player who played bigger than he was, thus Moose) helped out greatly on Saturday.

Moose shown here in 2007.

Coach Herk demo's for Riv!

Coach Moose in the pen with Woody and Speed.

Now to the game. A good outing for the Beavers!  The story of the game featured a contribution from every player.  Woody pitched the top of the first and allowed one unearned run, He struck out one and walked 2 inclulding the lead off guy, who scored. He generally pitched well.  We came back in the bottom of the first with 3 runs. Speed Giuffrida walked and stole to third. Smooth Black was hit by a pitch and stole 2nd. Then the Hammer (Korey Williams) comes up and hits a wicked ground ball through the short stop for a hit and 2 RBI. Hammer steals secondbase. After 2 were out, Woody gets a  single. There was a potential play at the plate but Hammer was able to score.

The 2nd inning Dyn0Mike Jorrin pitched.

  We had him in a bull pen on Friday and worked on a left handers pick off move to first base.  So after one out Dyn0 had to try out the move giving up a single to Luke Gover then picking him off first before he threw a pitch to the next batter. Had him by 10 feet and leaning the wrong way. In Franklin Tryouts this year Michael told me he threw out Luke at second base from the outfield. Dyno appears to have Luke's number! anyway he gives up 2 hits in the inning and no runs.

The bottom of the inning features Riv Hughes with a one out single and stolen base. then Speed drives Riv in with a 2 out single to left, moving to second on the throw home which was too late to get Riv. That is the extra 90 feet given up by the RiverCats that Beavers are trying to avoid giving up. But we could not get Speed home this time. 

 In the top of the Third Sluggo Anguiano took over on the hill,

even though he pitched well at times he didn't have the pin point control we are looking for. He committed the Cardinal sin of walking the lead off hitter but with Dyno in center and Alex "Zorro or Fox" Meja  on the infield the base hit to right center turned into a fielder's choice on for the Rivercats Devon Bright when Dyno gunned out Mateo at second to Fox covering.  2 two out errors allowed Bright and Rielly Dees to score unearned runs But Sluggo had a stike out and finally got a Nye Gover comebacker to end the inning and relieve and early season Rolaids moment for the coaches with the RiverCats threatening to even the score or go ahead.

The third inning is where we really broke the game open.  Smooth walked and stole to third. Then the Hammer walked. He stole second, and Sam "Tree" Sodergren (click on Sam's name on the Roster left menu to see the nickname story) hit a single through the infield to score Smooth but The Hammer was thrown out on the play at the plate.  Woody got an RBI single  and stole second Buddy "HP for Harry Potter" Haase came up with one out and on a ground ball sacrificed Woody to third. This is where the Fox re-enters the picture. He walks, then Coach Slick and Coach Doug hatch a plan to score Woody by sending the Fox to second before the pitcher is even set. The 'Cats pitcher throws behind Alex and he stays in the rundown long enough to score Woody. Great base running! 

In the 4th we bring in Noah the Smooth to pitch.

  He has a good inning if a little scary. He walks lead off  Luke Gover. A grounder to the Cowboy (James Milam, see the roster page and click on his name for the story there) who gets the force  on Luke by throwing to HP at second. No throw is possible for the double play though.  Does it seem to you like we are picking on the Govers? Did I mention that we did get 4 runs off of the RiverCats 1st pitcher, wait for it, Olen Gover! Anyway Smooth walks the next 2 batters to load the bases with one out. Hard luck 'Cats player Billy Shashte hits what should have been a Sacrifice Fly to Speed in center but the Runner at third did not tag up, Coach Joe Matlen, for some reason, appeared to be rather red in the face at that moment. We get a comebacker to Smooth to end the inning with the bases once again loaded, ( Pepto please). 

We kept working on Runs.  Riv walked with one out stole second and third and after Speed gets a 2 out walk, Riv steals home on a ball that did not get that far from the catcher.

In the 5th Riv took the Bump and pitched A pretty good inning with one strike out and couple of ground balls after a lead off hit. 

 Riv Puts a little extra in to this one I think!

The Bottom of the 5th did not get us a run despite a lead-off single by Smooth and 2 out Hit by pitch on Woody.

We came to the final inning and were looking to close things out but had only used 5 of the 7 pitchers we wanted to see.  So Tree took the Bump first and got a ground ball from, wait for it, Nye Gover.

  Luke Gover then reached on an error and stole to third. With that Runner on third Tree struck out the next batter for the 2nd out.  Tree having done his Job, we brought in the Cowboy to finish. 

He struck out Spider Kimberling on three pitches but it could not end so easily, the last pitch the Spider swung at was so far out of the zone, Speed could not catch it, but Speed did scramble after it and threw it to Woody at first to record the final out by a step.

The pre season was either "Outhouse or Castle", good games or bad games, good weather or horrible weather.  The 2nd Redwings game was not our best effort on defense and we did not hit the ball well but there were some good plays. The Centerfield catch by Alex "The Fox" Mejia was spectactular

Ala Willie Mays!  All the pitchers pitched well and all gave up runs, most unearned runs, Woody started went 2 innings giving up 1 earned run and striking out 4. Dyno came in next and went 2 innings giving up a couple of earnies but did not walk anyone hitting one batter who did not make much of an effort to get out of the way. Riv Hughes came in and got a strike out gave up an earned run and had some bad luck defensively.  But Tree Sodergren pitched the best. He threw his fast ball well struck out 2 and gave up one unearned run. The picture below I sent to Bill "Tree" Laskey, Former SF Giants pitcher and now Broadcaster, because of the good hip turn he gets "pointing the  hip pocket at the batter" as Coach Moose says. 

Our hitters were Dyno, Sluggo Anguaino and Hammer Williams. Hammer beat out a grounder in the first for our first RBI and when the throw got by the first baseman he rounded the bag too much and Coach Dave "herk" Jemes had to counsel him.

Coach Moose was also there, helping the pitchers and hitting infield.

Speed learned some catching tips including hiding the "meat hand" while the pitch is coming but apparently not on this bunt attempt.

A shout out to Smooth Black who played well at Short and to the Cowboy Milam who played "hurt" with a slight fever.  Cowboy needs to learn the shuffle shuffle instead of the cross over step on the lead off of second base.

Game on at Jones North noon show up 1pm game v. Reds

  That is past this is present

What can we say, the coaches are already pounding the Pepto- Bismol and the runs for them matched our error total.  The good part of that is we did hit the ball fairly well matching the Galt Reds 6 for 6 in hits. We ran the bases fairly well and the pitching was pretty good. We gave up only 2 earned runs out the 10 they scored. But that adds up to a bunch of errors.

At the start of the game we had to put "Riv" in as an emergency starter, Woody was set to start but he was the only real catcher we had to start the game.  Riv did an outstanding job in the first inning  getting the first batter on a fly ball to Dyno Jorrin in center

Then after giving up a hit he got a grounder to Cowboy at second for out #2 and then his first of 4 strikeouts on the day.  On offense we drove Coach Brent straight to the Tums.  The Reds pitcher walks Dyno, hits Smooth Black and then drills Woody with a fast ball right in the back-ouch.

that baseball hit hard and is bouncing away when Coach Brent snapped this picture!

So Bases loaded no body out! The Hammer is up ! Lets go Beavs! Not! Dyno gets caught stealing home and then Hammer walks. Ran ourselves out of a run there! With one out we suffer the "fate that we hate!" A strike out looking. So with two outs Riv's potential RBI grounder to the right side is just out #3 So coach Brent is on antacids after 1 full inning of the season.   0-0 at that point. Top of 2, with Riv really pitching well, but a lead off hit then a couple of strike outs and line drive to right directly at our right fielder. We fail to run through the ball and that lands a step in front of the right fielder for an error. Still can we get the lead off guy and keep the first batter from scoring, no! a ground ball back to Riv a toss within reach of first and the old Alligator arms come out and the ball sails by to right field.  The run scores and the batter goes to third. Big inning potential for the Reds.  Coach Doug after the Pepto. But Riv then stops the bleeding by striking out the #2 hitter.  We come up bottom 2 and load the bases again on walks but another "backwards K" and a ground out back to the pitcher and we are out of it.

Dyno on to pitch in the Third and Fourth is the plan. A lead off error scores, on a second error but we get out of the inning due to some base running blunders by Galt.

Time for offense to get it together. Woody gets a one out hit and steals second then scores on a line drive hit to left by Hammer Williams for the first Run and RBI of the Beavers 2014 season.

Even after scoring the run to bring the score to 2-1 bad guys there was frustration. Hammer stole second, the delay in getting the sign, a minor problem but in scoring position with one out. In the score book a strike out looking (not swinging on a called stirke) is denoted by a backwards K, and that was the indication in the book next. One of 4 backwards K's on the day for the Beavers. Coach Doug thinking of changing from Pepto to Scotch.  Anyway we get another ground out that doesn't move the runner up and we are out of the inning. Dyno faces 5 batters in the next inning giving up one hit, striking out one (error on dropped third) , a fielders choice and 2 ground balls but 2 more unearned runs scored.  So far they have 4 runs, none earned!

In the bottom of the 4th Sluggo Anguiano gets into one and slams it into left center and ends up with a double.

Not the greatest slide but the ball was bouncing by the bag at the time. With one out Cowboy Milam walks and Speed Giuffrida gets a 2 RBI hit steals second  on a delayed steal (his own idea, the straight, not delay steal, was the signal) and then ends up getting caught stealing third. (no sign to go that time and another rally done in! )

The news on Defense was not all bad. A great catch by Fox Mejia  and rundown  that had just about the whole team participating, ending up with the catcher, Speed, tagging the runner back at the base he came from. Also, as you can see below, Hammer made a play third and the ump got that one wrong.

At this point in the ball game it is 4-3 them but we are in the game.  So Woody, who was supposed to start comes in to pitch the 5th. A couple of walks but he settles down and with a strike out, a good play by Woody on a line drive and a smart play by HP Haase and we are out of the inning. But frustration continues at the plate as the top of the order goes down 1-2-3 on two ground outs and a foul out to third.

Woody back to the hill and the wheels really come off the defense here. A walk, three errors and botched pick off result in one unearned run and runner on third with no one out. Woody almost got out of it though. But with 2 outs he gives up a hit to the #6 batter for the Reds and they score the second unearned run of the inning.  We get out of that but can't score in the 6th stranding Korey at third after a sacrifice by Tree Sodergren, moving him there. But 2 strikeouts end our inning.  We are still close at 6-3 for the top of the 7th. But 3 errors, a walk and a hit get the Reds 4 more uneared runs.

Just score Beavers and get close!  So Alex "Zorro" Mejia steps up and crushes one to left, ending up with a long single.

A steal of 2nd and the Fox is able to Score on Cowboy Milam's base knock to right. 

Even with Cowboy stealling second and advancing on Speeds ground out all the way to 3rd we could not mount anymore offense.  Overall we would have won the game if we had made only half the errors we made or scored the runners left on in first 2 innings alone. "backwards K's" and not fielding or failing to time with our throws really hurt us.  Our game on Wednesday vs the Bulls at BSP 5:15  with a 4:15 show up time and our game and our game Saturday 10 am Nottoli where we visit the Dragons (9am show up) provide us with the chance to win 2 games. Our practice at Jones South in between, Thursday April 10th  5pm provides us with the chance to work on our skills, especially on defense.  "Don't practice it until you get it right, practice until you can't get wrong" John Wooden (Basketball Hall of Fame)

Woody hammered out a double and triple but not enough to keep the Bulls from a come-from-behind win. Other good hitting included 2 hits and 2 runs from Sluggo Anguiano, as well as hits from Smooth Black, DynoMike Jorrin, Riv Hughes with an RBI by HP Haase. 

We will not go through the entire up and down game but a few things to think about. We had 6 hits and about 7 earned runs out of our 8 runs they had 3 hits and about 2 earned runs out of their total of 9 runs.

Our pitchers did a super job.  Woody started and went 3 innings.  Gave up one earned run but was once again victimized by errors including one of his own on a pick off play "gone bad".  In the end 2 other runs scored due to errors. He did get 4 strikeouts and made some great plays including catching a pop up twice, almost getting a double play on the runner standing on 1st base.

In this picture notice the other players "watching a good game" 'Riv Hughes pitched next and gave up 5 runs, NONE EARNED!  Great Job on the Bump RIV! He also had some defense. 

Notice the throwing hand keeping the ball in the glove begining to end!

We had some other defense by Smooth, HP and Sluggo as shown below

notice the position in front of the bag as opposed to below the Bulls player allowing Sluggo to get between him and where the ball was coming from(left field)

Notice the glove up and throwing hand keeping the ball in in spite of the eyes closed Smooth makes the grab.

In the end one of the unearned runs ended  tyingthe game for the Bulls going to the bottom of the last (6th). Cowboy on the hill and the players call the infield to hill.

Cowboy gets one out but a walk and some steals put the winning run at 3rd. We pull the infield in.  Then there was a pop up just behind second and we did not communicate! the ball drops untouched in a crowd of Beavers and the winning run scores!

Tough way to lose a game!

Well the game wasn't pretty but some of the fans were!

Our Fans of the game Tami and Hannah Dokter

I Hate to get back to the game even though there were some positives.  We scored early with Dyno walking and stealing bases while Woody followed in the #2 hole with a nice double, then the Hammer drilled a base hit to score Woody.  2-Zip going to bottom of the 1st but then with one out we gave up a couple of hits and bam!  3-2 bad guys.  A strike out but Smooth reaching on the E-2 doesn't get us anywhere. Then the Dragons strike for three more runs on 2 errors and hit by pitch. But we come back once again on good hitting by Dyno and Woody, plus hits from Fox Mejia, Speed Giuffrida and an RBI fielders choice by Smooth Black. Hammer also walked and scored third run of the inning while Riv Hughes also walked and scored the 4th and tying run in the 3rd inning. The tie did not last long as Dyno was throwing strikes but they were hitting em "where we ain't"

there were some good defensive plays including some at the plate with Woody throwing to speed

and Speed throwing to Riv (Right field to 3rd)

there was some good base runing with Woody and Dyno stealing 5 bases each and scoring 5 runs between them

Woody a good lead above. He also stole home in this game. We had an RBI hit by Cowboy Milam and a late in the ball game hit by the Hammer. Hammer did not score as he forgot the outs and walked off third base. We end up losing once again on our own errors both mental and phyiscal. We have a week of practice to fix this but first Kangaroo Kourt, after bands and throwing plus infield, we have the long time baseball traditional team building exercise.  At Zehnder 5:30 (after Lutheran High is finished)  Have fun with it -parents welcome. 

Kangaroo Kourt. Session #1 done. Except for Speed and Woody, who have somerunning to do!

We learned some things like Smooth Black and HP Haase, you don't back up the throw down to second in the other players back pocket

 then there is also learning about taking a throw to bag in a non-force situation, you don't need either the tough out or the foot on the bag!

 also on signs wait for one from the Coach to steal not this one!

Then there was the Cowboy lead whichhe will never do again. Note the pink skirt has been added to the picture.  I think he will use the shuffle step next time!

and finally "This is a simple Game, You hit the ball; you throw the ball and you catch the ball; you Got it?! (Bull Durham)

We may not make all the plays but they are starting to come together as a team and Kangaroo Kourt helps. 

This game started great! Riv Hughes was dealing on the hill and we were hitting.  Riv shut them down in the first two innings with 2 strike outs and only one hit.  Outstanding job Riv! earning the player of the game honnors. 

Meanwhile our offense was on target. Dyno got on base by catcher's interference, scored as a base hit then he stole 2nd

went to 3rd on Riv's ground ball, scoring on Rocky's single. Rocky stole to third and Woody hit a ball to the right side which scored Rocky.  Then in the bottom of the 2nd we plated two more runs on a hit by Smooth, not the greatest stroke ( a little front foot and lean over plate) but effective.

then he goes to second when the throw gets by the first baseman. From there Cowboy moves him to third.

Speed walks and steals 2nd setting up Sluggo to get a nice 2 run single. But then disaster struck!  One out with Sluggo on first and the 1st Coaches Rolaids moment of the game! Fox hits a pop up to the pitcher and Sluggo is standing at 2nd when the ball is caught for an easy double play back to first.  "Sorry Coach, thought there were 2 outs".  The great play followed by the bad which was to be a theme for the rest of the game. Tree Sodergren comes on to pitch and  gets a quick out followed by some real wildness.

3 walks in a row and then a "ground ball with eyes" then an error. Dyno came in to stop the bleeding and only one run given up. Dyno got a grounder to second and we were out of it!

Our bad luck continued. Buddy "HP" Haase makes a great tag on a runner and turns a double play with style followed by 2 "Lollypop" throws to first that runners beat out then on a fielders choice at second; he doesn't pick up the runner scoring from third until it is too late. This is a team error, how about someone, other than coach, yelling "HOME".

 The next episode also occurred during the little 9 run inning that the Threshers put up in the 4th. A walk and 2 errors on the infield put up 2 unearned runs then Dyno gets a strike out. followed by 2 more walks and error setting up bases loaded for Threshers big man, Chase Goodlett. He triples then scores on the 3rd hit of the inning to cap the 9 run disaster.  Rocky makes his first appearance of the year on the bump and gets a come backer for the end of the inning. OUCH! 9 runs 2 earned. From there, a couple of throwing errors and one in the outfield contributed to 5 more runs for the Threshers off of Woody, maybe 1 or 2 earned. Woody only gave up one hit to Darius Flemming.  But on the good side of the ledger, we were not done on offense and the team did not give up. They were up on the fence when we were at bat.

The hits continued for Rocky, Woody and then Hammer with a 2 RBI hit. Smooth then knocked Hammer in with an RBI single; stole second and third, coming home on a sacrifice to the right side that Speed nearly beat out.  4 runs on 4 hits but we could not keep it going. Dyno reached in the bottom of the last on a solid single to left, Down 15-8 we thought we could rally when Dyno stole 2nd and third with a walk to Riv and a easy steal of 2nd. Rocky hit a sac fly to score Dyno, They then walked Woody, maybe on purpose, Then they got Hammer swinging  for the second out. Smooth, who had been hot also, was walked to load the bases for Cowboy.  But they got Cowboy on Strikes to end the game. 

One of the other highlights of the game was our favorite umpire, Michael Buchanon who did the game.  Shown here with the called third strike on a Thresher batter "Hoop, there it is!"

Over all we were proud of the team for hanging in there and fighting to the last out. We had one bad inning, kick that out and we win 9-6.  The Ironbirds better watch out Thursday!

Oh before I forget there was one last Kangroo Kourt fine!  The whole team is bringing up Miss Liz, Our team Parent, for Performing with Austin Mahone in music videos and no autographs, free CDs or nothin'  See the visual evidence below:

The Coaching staff decided to give her a pass on the fine because she might embarrass the team by beating most up the acedemic hill at Zehnder!

Finally, a nice and much needed win! The team was into it from the start! At bat everyone was up on the fence!

On Defense those Beavers played exactly like we had practiced to play.  Riv started on the bump and pitched well, walking a batter in the first inning who, as usual, scored on aggressive base running. Stole home on the throw back to the pitcher.  Coach Allen is Known for that. Maybe the only semi rolaids moment of the day.  Big Charlie Hewell was blocking Woody's fview of the runner coming down the line from third.  Otherwise a pop up to first, a Fly out to Dyno in center and a bullet that Sluggo snagged just before it would have rocketed in to right field for a sure double.  Those plays set the tone, defensively, for the game. We got that run back in the home half of the inning. Riv had a one out "SEED" to Left for a double, stole third

then scored on Rocky's sacrifice to the right side of the diamond. The second was much like the first inning. Riv gets an out on a nice play at short by Smooth and then walks Lone Pine Jacobson (former Muskrat) and gives up a double to Chris "Cleaver" Turner (former Beaver) to score L. P. After a few more walks and a strike out with the bases loaded,  Cowboy makes a nice snag of a well hit ball at third and forces the runner coming to third, the run doesn't score. We once again got the run back on a single by Hammer and steal of second then a single by Smooth but Hammer is caught between home and third out trying to score on delayed steal that was not intentional.  Sluggo and Tree walk to load the bases and Cowboy hit a ball to the right side to score Smooth. 2-2 after 2!

Dyno to the bump! He ends up picking off 2 or 3 runners at first and we get ---NOBODY! Cowboy did make a great play at 2nd base to save another runner and more than likely a second run in the inning.

So we give up a walk then another run on a hit that Hammer almost gets to in right. He did everything correctly, going to the spot where the ball was headed but came up just short of catching it, Coach Brent caught the moment on film. 

The defense comes through with the bases loaded again. A line drive and Dyno snags it and throws to first for the double play and we are out of it. We go to the top of the 4th down one run and Sluggo is the pitcher.

  He walks batters, hits batters and gives up a hit to a guy near the bottom of the order.  But some how we turn a weird double play with a fielders choice and a guy thrown out at the plate. Heads up defense with Riv, Rocky, Smooth, Speed on those plays! Also Smooth hits Tree at first with a good play to end the inning, look at the Stretch by Tree!

but bottom line is we are down 3 going to botom of 4.   We need Rocky, Woody, Hammer, Smooth, Sluggo and Tree to reach base. Rocky confers with Sluggo on the plan!

 With one out Rocky hits a ball toward third and smelling a hit he sprints to first beating the throw but pulling both quads. He steals second by running stiffly to second. Woody up and he basically needs to hit a triple to get Rocky home. He does, holding up at second to draw the throw to third so Rocky scores.  Hammer follows with a hard hit ball to third and when the throw goes through the first baseman he takes second as Woody scores. Smooth walks and Sluggo "takes one for the team" getting hit in the helmet by a pitch so bases loaded for the Tree.  He has a wierd little hit that scores Hammer and the bases remain loaded for Cowboy. He takes a walk and gets an RBI. A 4 run inning puts us up by 1 run with Sluggo being the pitcher of record. 

It is Woody time! On for the Save and Woody works his magic.  A lead off walk then another walk , Smooth makes a good play on the third batter of the inning with a over the shoulder catch on a pop up to the grass behind third base.  Then Riv gets a ground ball tags the runner from third and completes the double play! Inning over!

We needed some insurance runs. We got 'em! Buddy leads off with a walk after being "Low bridged" by Ironbirds pitcher Big Charlie Hewell. You see Big Charlie above in the picture of Riv sliding into third, he is the "man child" playing third in that picture. 

then Dyno and Riv walk bringing up Woody (Rocky was out for the double quad pull) Woody delivers with a 2 run double.  That knocked Big Charlie out of the game and they brought in another pitcher. After one out and bases loaded for Smooth, coach had a meeting at third

Then Smooth hits one hard thru the second baseman scoring both Riv and Woody and Smooth reaching third on the wild throw home. Sluggo Anguiano steps up and singles to drive Smooth in and we cap the scoring with a 5 run 5th inning. Woody has a couple of one out walks in the last inning but gets two "come backers" to the mound to close the game with throws to Mondo at first.

Let's say like we say in golf after a bad shot out of bounds! FIDO-Forget It Drive On!

The game started on time and the team, we were visitors, arrived early and helped dry out a wet, muddy field.  By game time we were good to go but over confident. We came off of a great win Thursday night over the second place team in the AL, Then our team saw that the Bees only had 8 players (apparently, they forgot that the Reds beat us with 8 on our opening day). There was a little downer too as Rocky was still hurting with a bad quad pull.  He tried to play but running out of the box in the third he re-pulled the quad and had to sit the rest of the game. All this contributed to a 6 run inning for the Bees in the bottom of the first.  We were not catching the ball or fielding it well at all. The Bees hit mostly ground balls to the infield and we made errors, at least in the first, on several balls. Some of them we were letting the ball get to the fielder (not charging the ball) and thus throwing too first late. Then there were the Balks, 3 in the first inning alone. The plate umpire was a little tight with the strike Zone, ask Woody, and he was "Balk happy". For those who follow a lot of major league baseball, the plate umpire doesn't usually call balks, it is the base umpire.  In our game we think he called 7 balks with 5 against us and 2 against the Bees.  Anyway, we did not improve much as the game went on.  We got a hit from Smooth in the first inning,  but other wise our offense was so boring even Cowboy's dog fell asleep

In fact, we did not get another hit until the 5th when Woody slammed a ball up the middle that got by the outfielders for a double.

We had Woody at second with no one out. Then with one out, Sluggo Anguiano gets a hit to the outfield to score Woody.  Tree Sodergren singled but we stranded both Sam and Mondo on the bases. Fox Mejia did get a nice single in the 6th, just look at that smile!

but we could not get him home either. 

Our defense is better than we showed and our pitching too. We had 5 hits and probably should have had more.  But FIDO

It started with the Rivercat game and after a really exciting Redwings game we have quite a different team than we had vs. the Bees. We are scoring and playing better defense, not perfect but better.

Dyno sniffs a hit and is safe in the first vs the RiverCats.

We tagged the Spider out on a pick off by Dyno too.

Cowboy applying the tag here. Woody stole second on a close play here, maybe a slide eh Woody?

Then there was a Fox steal in the Rivercats game and one that did not happen in the Redwings game. Something we are going to work on in practice, jumps off the pitcher on steals!

Anyway the Rivercats game was  a loss for us 11-2 but we were not shut out thanks to hits by Cowboy and Fox and some good running by Speed to reach on a slowly hit ball Cowboy and Speed both scored with Fox getting the only Beaver RBI of the game.

We are in the odd position of having no photo evidence of our exciting game with the Redwings. Woody threw three good innings and got us a 2-1 lead going to the top of the 4th. Despite some fine pitching by Dyno but there was one pick off move to nail the big Redwings Catcher, Josh Lumpkins, which the Umpire got wrong by calling Josh safe on a dive back to first. Riv pitched ok but the bottom of the Redwings order got a couple of "swing with their eyes closed hits" and we gave up some runs with a couple of errors and walks thrown in.  In the 5th we started the comeback with hits by Smooth and then an RBI triple by Tree Sodergren. 

Tree also pitched well in the game allowing one run on a sacrifice fly in the 6th and then shutting them down in the 7th with help of a 7-2 double play on a fly ball to Speed with his good throw to Woody at the plate to nail a runner coming home and end the inning. 

Our half of the 6th was exciting. Now down 9 to 3 we started the comebadck with a walk to Fox and a great sacrifice bunt by HP, (Buddy Haase), Dyno walks and we do the double steal with Fox and Dyno. Riv comes through with an RBI hit to right field and Rocky follows with an RBI single. Woody followed with what should have been a Sac Fly but the ball was hit so hard on a line that Both Riv and Coach Doug thought it was a 2 RBI single and Riv was too far down the line at third to get back and tag up.  9-5 then.  We were really charged for the 7th after the Speed double play from left in the top of the inning. Right away Cowboy gets a hit but we did not want to steal 4 runs down and Josh Lumpkins with a cannon at catcher for the redwings.  Smooth hits a solid grounder to third but they get the force on Cowboy. Then Mondo walks and Tree hits one just over second base that they make a catch on 2 out and 2 on.  Speed walks in a good at bat bringing up the Fox.  Fox hits kind of a "swinging bunt"  and the defense boobles it, Smooth crossing the plate. Coach Slick said it was a close play but the ball and Fox's foo get to the base at the same time.  Umpire says out game over and we lose. No video replay apparently in New York so I guess we can't protest. A couple of good efforts from the whole team. We out hit the Redwings 13-11 and probably played a little better than they did on defense but a few key errors in the wrong spots hurt us.   Now we are really challenged by the first place Rockhounds  who are 6 -1 on the season. They may not take us seriously, If we play error free we may be able to surpize them.  9 am show up Saturday at Nottoli. 

  Notice that all 4 of these Tyler Routt 2014 players are back on the Beavers in 2015 and our Home Run Derby player is helping Coach.  Sunday May 4, 2014 at Jones Family Park Woody Trejo  did compete as The Sports Shop Beavers representative to the Len Willeford Home run derby, Woody didn't win but represented the Beavers well. 

15 other teams were represented as well. 

then the Tyler Routt Gamer All Star Games started with the Opening Ceremonies at 1pm. Dave and Kathy Routt threw out first pitches.

Our first participant by uniform number is #5 Noah "Smooth" Black, silky smooth fielding short stop, who can play most any position. Look at Joe Matlen's article below and see if you see in Noah some of the same qualities Joe talked about in Tyler Routt, we do! Smooth did a great jobat Short and at the plate.

The next player is #10 James "Cowboy" Milam.  Why Cowboy, To quote John Blutarsky in Animal House, "Why not? (burps)"  Cowboy plays shortstop, third, second and Outfield as well as pitches, he had a clutch hit in the game.

There is one specific area that Cowboy excells in and is mentioned in the article aand the material below,  see if you can figure that out. 

The next player is #18 Mando  Anguiano 1B, Pitcher and Outfielder. Mando adds a power element to our game.Through the Bees game his average was .389 and slugging .444. He has one specific thing he does that Joe and I mention below. He also has progressed really fast by learning from mistakes and doing what coach suggests even if he does spend too much time with his sunflower seeds! Great defense in the game at first and in the outfield.

Our alternate is a player we coaches think is terrific. He puts out a Tyler Routt effort everyday. #4 Alex "Fox" Mejia.  Fox has improved everyday since day one of practice and we can ever get him to smile over a hit now and again. Fox played on  the South field for the Hot Rods coaches and had multiple hits.  Coach Scott wanted to keep him for the Hot Rods.

Here is the article by Joe Matlen written several years ago but still applicable.

REMEMBERING A ‘GAMER’

  By Joe Matlen

  “Nice play, Nick, way to go!”

 “That’s it, Dylan, you’ve got ‘em now!!”

 “Here we go, Devin, it only takes one!”

 The sounds of a youth baseball game in Elk Grove, California on a spring or summer evening. A setting that is played out over a dozen times a week during the season, but this time there was more drama than anyone knew. Sure it was a playoff game, so there was a tenser feel in the air. But this Elk Grove Babe Ruth game at Sheldon High School a few years ago had a sub plot that none of the players, parents or coaches, save one, knew about. Watching in obscurity this day stood a father, taking in the sounds and sights of youth baseball that he had not dared to witness for several years because of the painful memories.

 Those memories revolve around a dynamo named Tyler Routt, a baseball-loving kid like many others he grew up with in Elk Grove. Tyler played baseball since he was nine years old in Bambino, which is now Cal Ripken, then moved up to Elk Grove Babe Ruth for the 13-15 years, and even to Senior Babe Ruth for the 16-18 years. He played with and against Mike Tonis, Brett Crandall and a host of other recognizable names in his hometown. He once struck out 18 batters in a Bambino game and once hit two home runs and made a game saving catch.

Tyler played ball in the back of his parent’s property, which his Dad made into a baseball field. He invented a game called ‘feltball’ when the family spent summers in Lee Vining. He loved four-wheeling and golf and going to San Francisco Giants games. As parents of active kids have experienced, the household was jumping with Tyler, his brother Jason, and their friends playing sports and just having fun from dawn to dusk, with minor interruptions for school, homework and chores.

Tyler had some rough times along the way – blood transfusions at birth, a broken nose at age 11, and a bicycle accident at age 13 that left him with a fractured skull and without hearing in his left ear. But he had a sense of humor and a lust for life that was contagious. He had a soft side, too, that showed up in full force when he cried after hitting a batter while pitching. The score or anything else didn’t matter; he was sick about hurting someone. Tyler’s sense of sportsmanship was one of his major strengths. He was a fantastic teammate, who genuinely cared about his team.

Then in March of 1998, while out with some friends to get something to eat, Tyler was killed in a tragic automobile accident. He was only 21 years old.

David and Kathy Routt, Tyler’s parents, and brother Jason have slowly put their lives back together since that awful day. As a memorial to Tyler, they have sponsored a team in Elk Grove Babe Ruth’s spring season every year since then through their business, Routt Roofing. Their contributions have made it possible for dozens of kids to play baseball. They even walked into, by pure coincidence, a Routt Roofing team having their team party at Pizza Bell one day.

Which brings us back to the 2003 playoff game at Sheldon High School. Despite sponsoring all those teams, this was the first game that David Routt had actually attended since Tyler played. Being smack in the middle of the youth baseball experience was not easy. He fought back tears thinking about all the good times Tyler had experienced. No one at the game could have known how difficult it was for this spectator that they didn’t recognize. The one coach who knew, Tom Kilbride, a long time youth coach in Elk Grove, had provided the invitation. But even Tom could not imagine the emotions filling David on the sidelines as the Routt Roofing team lost that playoff game. And that emotion had nothing to do with the score.

Three years later, Routt Roofing is still sponsoring Elk Grove Babe Ruth teams. But after a lengthy battle with the city, they are being forced to sell their property, including the baseball field with base paths that have long since disappeared, to make way for a new interchange at Sheldon Road and Highway 99. It appears that they will even move out of Elk Grove, which is a loss for the community.

At the inspiration (and perspiration) of Doug Penney, player agent for Elk Grove Babe Ruth, the league conducted the first annual Tyler Routt All-Star classic this year. There were four games played on Sunday, May 7^th at Jones Family Park in Elk Grove. The idea was for the league to select players that are ‘gamers’ – those who bring a love for the game and a strong dose of energy and enthusiasm. Essentially, four teams full of players who represent the qualities of Tyler Routt. David and Kathy were there to throw out the ceremonial first pitches and to receive good wishes from the youth baseball community. Hopefully, they saw a little bit of Tyler in the faces of the boys competing in his honor.

We think this says it pretty well but there is a little more when you look at Tyler's picture, Open face, smiling and exuding a love of life and Baseball. That is why we nominated these players in 2014 over 16 years after Tyler left us tradgically.

Our first game this year vs the first place Rockhounds was a thriller.  We ended up dropping the game 14-10 but we scared them. No other team has scored more than 7 runs on them and no other team except the Galt Giants who beat them 6-4 has come within 4 runs of them. We played better on Offense and made some good plays on defense with a couple of double plays.  We did have a few errors which probably made the difference in the loss and a potential win. We had a couple of umpire calls that were wrong too but that did not make the difference. Standouts on offense were Hammer 2 for 3 with a run scored

There was an interesting play at third which went our way on the call. It did not start out perfect with Hammer having his foot on the 3rd base bag instead of squared up to the baseball coming in from first.  But the play was made mainly because #14 didn't slide (this will be a continuing theme)

Dyn 0 Mike Jorrin had a Double and a run scored.

  Cowboy Milam "legged" out a hit according to Coach Brent's photo we might say he hopped out a hit on what appears to be one leg!

Fox had a good catch in left which more or less wrestled him to the ground rather than the other way around. Speaking of defense Cowboy and Smooth had a rundown situation and the aftermath is shown below, the picture is titled Rockhound DOA!

 There were a couple of more plays that featured #14 in a dubious roll, one we got the out and one not.  The first was a throw from HP Haase at  second base in the 5th inning.  It was a humped back liner to HP and put a good throw to Speed at the plate with #14 Ty Spikes breaking from third for the plate.  Out by 30 feet. Speed did what he should do, crow-footed the ball in the glove and waited for the runner. The new rule is collisions at home should be avoided in MLB in our league a collision at anybase to dislodge the ball is an out and an automatic ejection.  Here is the play in 5th below:

     Clearly he should have been ejected in the 5th and if so he would not have been able obstruct the plate in the in the 7th or get an at bat and reach base in the 7th.  The obstruction play was a pitch from Woody that got away and #14 just stood there and got in the way of Speed trying to get the ball to Woody.  Don't want to seem like a whiner  because we probably still would have lost but only by 2 runs not 4 if #14 had been ejected when he should have in the 5th inning. 

Moving on there was other good offense with other hits by Smooth Black: 1 for3 with an RBI and run scored; Speed with a base knock that went about 7 feet from home but Speed used his speed and surprise to beat it out and score too.

Sluggo had a hit and a Run,  HP scored,  as did Woody and Riv.  A good effort against a really tough team with the breaks not really going our way but nobody gave up and we grew as a team.  Let's get the Rockies on Wednesday!

What a game! Coach told Dyno when he pulled into third during our rally in the 6th that "I wasn't on heart medication before the game but maybe I need it now".  

The game started out with Riv on the hill. Riv was pitching very well although he was having a little problem because on 3 out of 4 of the ground balls he got the Rockies to hit we ended up not fielding cleanly and one unearned run resulted.

We got some fielder's choice plays which should have turned into double plays.

and in the second inning with Riv pitching we did better stranding Rockies runners at second and third.

But the offense could not get going ,even with hits from Dyno in the first , stranded at third base and Hammer in the second, who was...wait for it ...stranded at third.  Dyno to the bump in the third and he gives up a lead-off walk who is stranded at third after a stikeout and a couple of popups to third,

around a hit. Lucky we did not have a balk called on Dyno when he stepped toward first and did not throw. 

 all this to this point put Coach Doug past the point of Tums and into the deep breathing while Coach Brent was hyperventilating! We were down 1-0  on an unearned run with us stranding runners at 3rd with less than two outs twice.  All we needed to score 2 runs was slow ground ball past the pitcher but NO!.  Dyno back to the hill in the 4th . They get a one out hit and then they steal to third with 2 outs the last batter in the line up is up with a 1-1 count and we picked to third but the throw was down and skips into left field. Another unearned run.  Dyno completes his second strike out and we go to the bottom of the 4th down by the 2 unearned runs.  Riv leads off draws a walk and steals second. Then Rocky singles him to third and steals second himself. Woody comes through with a smash through the infield and into the right center gap for a two RBI double and we can take the coaches off of the suicide watch list.  Tie game.  Smooth executes the one out bunt really well but the pitcher grabs it fakes to first and comes home to get Woody, who actually got under the tag with the Umpire out of position (more about that later)  Smooth took second on the play but we could not get the go-ahead run home. Ok on to the 5th with Tree Sodergren on the bump. More stomach acid but he gets through the inning with a strike out and line out to left, by the way this was not ordiary line out to left. Smooth was out there in left and when we saw it hit with runners at 2nd and 3rd we thought it was 2 runs for the bad guys. But Smooth does the tuck and roll comes up with the circus catch and fires back in almost doubleing the runner at second off. Now Tree walks the bases loaded with two outs and strikes out the Rockies #6 hitter on a 3-2 pitch, stranding runners at all the bases.  The Coaches were turning blue from holding their breath so long.  In the fifth, Sluggo leads off with hit and gets caught stealing on a busted bunt and run play. No Break in the tie there! Then it gets really weird!  Tree goes back out to the bump. He can't quite get the strike zone mastered again and walks a batter who steals to third, we had a good shot at him at third but the throw was to the second base side of the bag with Smooth saving a run, at least temporarily with some good glove work.

        After Tree loads the bases on walks we call for the Closer, Woody. He strikes out the first batter he faces and with the bases loaded there is a pop up to Smooth who is playing short and he catches it right behind second base. The Umpire had called "infield Fly" but no one heard him with the noise and one of the frequent trains. Smooth goes to tag the runner who is several feet off second and we say tag the bag. He does and we start trotting off with Woody and Smooth having worked some real magic! Umpire says no, Infield Fly was called and the batter is out but the force is off. Nobody called time but in talking to the ump he says that he didn't see a tag of the runner so safe. The Rockies runner from secnd is half way to first base walking off the field so Woody picks up the ball to throw to Hammer at 2nd but the throw is wild and the runner from third comes home with the go-ahead run (all after the third out should have been called per the rule book!)  As Tanner Boyle from Bad News Bears would say "Oh Crud!".  Woody gets the third out on a grounder which would have ended the inning without any run scoring but for the Umpire ruling and one bad throw.  They got three runs and none earned.

"Don't get mad, get even" or more than even.  We did!  In the bottom of the 6th, we get the Fox up. He has struck out on three pitches in the third (two weak swings and pitch on the corner that was too close to take.) He is down 0-2 on two more weak swings and Coach Brent said "I saw him get mad at himself" He then proceeds to slam the 0-2 pitch down the third base line for long single. Up steps the secret weapon at the end of the line up, Tree Sodergren. He gets the count to three and one and misses a pitch. He turns and walks toward the dugout. (in the book, Tree) so after he is told he gets three strikes he smokes a ball over the centerfielder's head to move Fox to third.  Dyno then gets a 2 RBI hit to take the lead. Then Riv comes up and hits a little Duck Snort to right center  moving Dyno to second.  Dyno and Riv execute a double steal and Rocky gets a 2 RBI single to give us a three run lead. That's all we could get despite the fact that Rocky stole to third with no one out.  That would be....all together now... "A runner at third with less than 2 outs who did not score! "

Woody to the Bump to close out the team win.  The wierdness was not over yet. It was getting dark and the Umpire was rushing us out. Woody did not get enough warm ups and was wild. He walks the bases loaded and we try to pick off at third again but the ball gets by our third baseman and a run scores.  A meetng on the mound and we tell Woody one more batter. He walks him. Reloads the bases but something tells us to stick with him. He warms up and strikes the next batter out, not before going to a full count with the bases juiced.  WOW The whole team is having heart flutters!, Then Woody gets the next guy on strikes with, Yup, you guessed it, a full count. The next batter hits a little weak grounder down the thirdbase line and Woody goes for it to shovel to Speed at the plate but he boobles it then from the seat of hit pants he wings it toward 1st and Tree makes a fantastic stretch at first for the force at first and the win! A bang bang play at first too. The Umpire got it right! That is one for the game, Blue!

Woody and Tree save the day.  That throw gets past Tree and 2 runs score for a tie game.  A real team win!  Now get ready for the Doubleheader and pictures on Saturday.  Jones at 8:45 on May 10 (Saturday) then show up at noon at BSP for the first game vs. the Mudcats and the second vs the Rockhounds. We came close against the Rockhounds last week and we will beat them this week but first things first Practice Friday 5:15 show up at Jones South and then we beat the Mudcats. Tough game there men!

Victor "Dub" Ventura joins us for practice Friday, pictures and our double dip Saturday. Welcome him!

Good first meeting now on to practice, Saturday at 3 pm Jones South.  SIGN THE GUESTBOOK if you have not already.  In addition to Coach Brent, Coach Michael Jorrin and Coach Doug others maybe there to offer some experience including but not limited to Tanner"slick" Morrison, Wes "Woody" Trejo and Toni "Rocky" Anguiano. Players this year in no particular order include: Andrew Castillo, Alfio "Speed" Giuffrid, Noah " Smooth" Black, Ryon McKinnis, Mando Anguiano, Carter "Big Country" Thomas, Josh Walsh, Kishan "Linx" Shah, Jesse "Goldie" Mejia, Daniel Merten, James "Cowboy " Milam, Alex "Fox" Mejia, Patrick "Happy" Port.  You might notice that most of the players have nicknames from prior Beavers or Fall ball Muskrats teams. Mando is the exception of our past players with nicknames and he will get one that will stick soon but so will he rest of the players. .  

For sale we still have our discount cards for sale to help fund our league. $10 and very popular. Among the discounts are our feature sponsors, Lamppost Pizza and Mr Pickles. Monthly "buy one get one free" gets you 12 chances to buy a pizza averaging $15 or a gourmet deli sandwich averaging $7.50 and get one free every month starting in March that is saving $90 to $180 a year for an investment of $10. The are more discounts from a free drink with a meal to 25% of your order. We encourage you to buy one for $10 and $7.50 goes to the league. We have 5 left and we can get more.

Fun practice for the first one on Saturday March 7.  We saw Andrew Castillo for the first time.  Smaller middle infielder with a lot of spunk.  He reminded Coach Doug of good friend and former Major league 2nd baseman and also bench coach for the Dusty Baker version of the Giants, Bob Lillis. Bob Lillis 2nd row right. Not quite as small as Wendell Kim but none the less a big presence on the baseball field. His nickname was given affectionately by the players and coaches who really appreciated him, "Flea" so that is Andrew's new nick Name. Flea is going to be a fixture in our infield and we will get him on the pitching mound as well.  We may video him and send that to my other friend shown in this picture, Dick Pole, Pitching coach for the Giants, Expos, Reds and Brewers.

Coach Brent has done his usual magic with the team picture. here is a straight one:

then things got goofy:                                                     We did get some practice in with bands, stretching and some skill lessons and practice.  Coach Michael, Brent and Doug were helped a lot by Woody and Rocky.  We also had our  chief adviser, Rich Thomas.  Who could forget our team parents: Adan, Liz and Ashley. New parents are stepping up everyday.  We are very lucky indeed. Just a note that we are changing our Wednesday practice to a scrimmage game still at BSP vs Hardey's team with first pitch at 5:15 and show up is 4:45. We have to yield the field at 7pm to the Owlz. We will be done by 7:10 or so.   Our practice game vs the Rivercats this Saturday Jones North is now a12:30 start and show up is 11:45am.

What a special game for all the Coaches. Coach Doug because it was against good friends Joe Matlen and Al Kimberling, Coach Brent (who had to work on his birthday and could not attend) because of the rivalry with the RiverCats who usually beat us and due to Joe and Al as well. Coach Michael and Woody who regularly faced the RiverCats and mostly came out on the losing end, liked the change of pace! Oh, maybe I forgot to mention that the 'Cats are 2014 defending champs of the League!

It did not start out well although we did get a couple of hits in the top of the first from Smooth, Yogurt and WK but only one run for the good guys. In the bottom of the inning Ebert took the hill and did not have the best control but did not pitch badly. What we did badly was kick at least one ball on the infield that lead to 3 runs, only 2 earned. A couple of Walks and we did pull Ebert for Big Country. Big Country was on it. He struck out only 2 RiverCats with no walks, no runs and only 2 hits. He pitched 3 innings only 40 pitches and earned the Win! But lets not get ahead of ourselves!

In the top of the second down 3-1 Cowboy got a solid hit and stole 2nd then with one out Fox walked. Happy put an almost perfect hit and run single through the hole at short with Cowboy going on the pitch he scored easily. Jammer worked a walk and then with 2 outs Ebert had a hit followed by a Smooth walk, Fox, Happy and Jammer all scored based on Yogurt and WK hits but Ebert was thrown out trying to score but we took the lead for good 5-3.  Big Country continued to pitch and shut the 'Cats down. Bottom of second Big Country gave up a rare hit and with one down and 'Cats #3 hitter up, he launches one to left. Happy breaks back then in and makes a great recovery and catch. The runner was already at second and looking to score when the ball got by Happy,but Happy snags it and does the "touchdown dance" so the runner reaches back to first unmolested. Two outs and the 'Cats clean up hitter sends a rocket to left, in the pit of his stomach, Coach Doug knows this has a chance of being an inside the park 2 run homer to tie the game. Happy moves back and gets that one too!  In the third we wasted another Cowboy hit. but came alive in top of the 4th.  A hit by the Jammer and a SAC by Goldie moved Jammer over. A walk by Ebert with two outs set up our 2-3 and 4 hitters who responded with a Smooth RBI single and shot down third by Yogurt for a hit and bases loaded walks from WK and Big Country!  Don't stop now but we did.  9-3 at that point. 

Yogurt comes on to pitch the 4th and gets 2 quick outs. But then he walks a batter and then another. In the end they score an unearned run. 9-4. It might have been worse if Fox had not made a great running catch in ...left, where else?  no problem we will get the run back, NOT.

In the 5th it is a hit by Happy that is wasted. It all starts to come undone for Yogurt in the 5th.  A walk to the lead off guy in the inning then after 2 outs a seeing eye ground ball gets through. Three hits in a row before Yogurt gets the third out on a strike out! 3 more runs 9-7 good guys.Again it could have been worse, if not for a running catch by Ebert..Where? Where else...Left! You think that is scary just wait!

 We can't do any damage in the 6th, last inning due to time limit.  Then as the Home team, the River Cats bat last.  Lynx comes on for the Save.  We are feeling a bit better when he strikes out the first batter and the second batter grounds to Short but a bare had pick up and throw looks like we get him and the ump calls out.  Al Kimberling as the first base coach signals that WK was off the bag and our ump reverses his call. The second out follows on a 6-4 force but a run (the player originally safe at first scores. Lynx throws to first about 7 times. He walks the next batter throwing to first several times and losses his focus on the hill.  Coach Doug makes a trip to tell him 2 outs 2 men on let's not throw over anymore. So he throws a couple of strikes and before throwing what we hope is the final pitch, he does what? Throws to first. Coach Doug is looking for the Tums. Then on what we thought was going to be strike 3 Lynx plunks the batter loading the bases.  Someone commented that the red of Coaches face really clashed with the orange jersey!  2 balls one strike on the powerful Paul Perez and this time Lynx picks to third base. "charge the paddles, Coach Doug is on the floor of the dugout." Count goes full and Lynx gets him to pop up high towards the fence of the dugout near first base. WK makes a great catch and crashes the fence. After the other coaches manage to revive Coach Doug, we celebrate! Here are the boys after the win. 

Game stats (game results) are on the left menu.   great fun! P.S. We miss the Flea, apparently still trying to recover from his RBO (O for Ouch) on his wrist in the Storm game. 

Pictures which we call Bubble Gum Card Pictures are posted on the Teams/Roster page, click on left menu on this page, then click on the players name and you get a picture like one that would go on a baseball card.  Here is the Jammer's (Josh Walsh), BTW Jammer because he doesn't Jammer on, it is hard to get a lot of talk out of him, but he is fitting in just fine with this team. 

Nice background on the wheelbarrow!  Here is Yogurt too!

Big bat in the first practice game and solid on the Bump too! The other big hitter in game one of pre season was Smooth!  

We are indeed lucky to have our youth coaches starting with Michael "Dyno-0-Mike" Jorrin helping us coach this team. Dyno a former Tyler Routt All Star finished 3 seasons with the Beavers as our lead off hitter and Centerfield in 2014, also left handed pitcher and was selected to the 2014 "15 year-old all Star team".  He is a Babe Ruth Certified Coach.

Then there is Toni "Rocky" Anguiano, who was 2014 Beavers Team Captain.  Catcher, Shortstop and sometimes pitcher but always solid as a Rock. He will be playing for Laguna Creek HS and helping out whenever he can.

Then there is Wes "Woody" Trejo: pitcher, Catcher, First base. Always a hard nosed player who got his nick name because he was one of two players on our team in 2012 who knew all the words to Toy Story "You've got a friend in me"

Coach's Corner is an irregular feature of this website with some learning points and some funny moments.  These pieces depend on Coach Brent's great pictures for the subject matter.  For example: One continuing line of instruction is taking a throw in front of the bag {base} relative to the runner and direction the ball is coming from.  For example here is a picture of Smooth appearing to take a throw in pretty good position at second with the throw coming from home plate.   

notice though he is in back of the base.  now insert a runner sliding in where the shadow is  in the picture above. The runner gets in the way of the ball Smooth doesn't catch it then. Then look at Josh here. The Jammer should be on the grass in back of second so when the ball hits the runner or gets by Smooth, Jammer has time to back up the play and save an extra base.

Lynx is in front of the bag here and can reach back and tag.  The runner could not get in his way and keep him from catching the ball, Note the back up is too close, "in his back pocket" instead of on the grass to prevent the ball going into center. 

Smooth and WK in pretty good position at third. 

Like to see them each one step back almost contacting the base.

Another problem is our ready position. When the ball is pitched we should be ready not with hands on knees, outfielders on foot a little in front of the other knees flexed. Infielders, we should be able to see the insides of glove, butt up head up and on balls of feet. See below: 

Hands off knees Flea

Yo Fox this is live here!

Hey Jammer, got to be ready. Glove won't catch much on the knee.

Now this was just plain funny Smooth, bad fish for dinner?

This would be the long (Yogurt) and the Short (Diego) of EGBR!

This is just flat strange but then again it is Happy and I think he actually caught the ball!

 Some fun stuff and something to learn from.  Hey we scored too!

So two identical 2-10 losses, to the Knights and then the Redwings. More on these a little later when we get Coach Brent's pictures.  (I have seen some and they are worth waiting for). The pictures are probably better than a blow by blow of the games. Some funny moments: Ebert vs the Redwings with the one and a half twister off the "low board" at third, Coach Doug gave him a 3 1/2 ( too much splash on the entry),

Jammer at catcher vs Redwings. 

Bases loaded liner to center which short hops to Yogurt's glove so he fires a bullet to Josh at home who catches then steps up the line to tag the runner from third.  A hard tag but all he really needed to do was step on home and throw to first to get the runner who stopped.  

Upcoming practices include Monday 3/30 at Jones North 5:30  Wednesday 4/1 Jones North 5:15 then the season starts after Easter on Monday 4/6 Brown Diamond we are home team to the Dragons 5:15 first pitch, 4:15 show up time. 

Some great pictures from the Redwings and Knights games.  The results for us were not the greatest but we were learning and trying to take positives from the games.  Some of the positives were not specifically about our team but our umpires.  "Woody" (Coach Wes Trejo) did the game vs the Storm and did a good job especially considering that it was his first game to "Ump".

Once again notice how close Yogurt is to the bat. He needs to reel that glove in a bit.  Our other umpire was Matthew "Cy" Dunbar, another former Beaver/Muskrat nicknamed for Tim Lincecum  I wonder why?

Anyway, he got the calls right. Here are two examples both outs on close calls both correct on instant replay (Coach Brent's camera)

A lot of funny moments and some good play too. We had our weaknesses (defense) and our strengths (pitching). We had the umpire come to our pregame meeting and I think he charged up the team more than the Coaches!

We started with Big Country on the hill and he was dealing.  3 innings, one run(unearned) 2 hits 3 K's and 4 walks. Nice motions and good control.

  Coach Font likes the push with the lower body and front elbow.  Top of second inning we got a little defense with a relay throw through Lynx at short to Yogurt at the plate and this happens:

We did take advantage of some bad base running plays by the Dragons. Getting their lead off man at 3rd twice in the first 3 innings. In the first it went 1-3 then 3-5

On Offense we started in the second inning.  Cowboy gets a lead off hit.  Up steps the pitcher, Big Country, trying to give himself a lead. With Coach Dyno at third he gives Big Country the Take and Cowboy the steal. It works great. One of the few times no one missed the sign.  Then Big Country finds center field. 

Not to be overly technical but you do have to touch second on a triple. 

here is the triple that wasn't!  Big Country gets credit for the RBI and a single.

Cowboy goes to the hill, gets an out but the second batter reaches on an error, more problems move that runner to third then the batter with a nice ground out to the right side and we are down one run. (not earned) Bottom of 4 we get a 4 run uprising! One out Smooth, Wk, Yogurt and Cowboy all walk. With two outs Lynx gets a big 2 RBI hit.

Then Fox followed with another RBI hit. 5-2 looking good--NOT!. We had some other chances to score on a lead off hit by Goldie but he misses a steal sign and then Happy grounds into a force play at second with Goldie not sliding or "peeling off" so Umpire says "runner's interference" Rally killed! and Happy is out too.  Top of the 5th with one out on a strike out by Yogurt we start walking folks.  one walks,a hit by pitch and a 2 run error,  another error 2 more walks another strike out and then what else a walk. We give up 6 (Coach Doug is looking for Pepto)  8-5 bad guys.  Coach Brent is popping Tums one after the other.Yogurt does settle down and pitches well, three strike outs 0 hits but 5 walks and 2 hit by pitches. Work to do at the plate and everyone contributed.  Smooth leads off with a single then steals to third

as WK walks and takes second on a steal. Yogurt hits one to the right side and Smooth scores but so does WK on an error. One out and Cowboy walks and steals to third as Big Country walks. Lynx flies out to left. 2 outs for Fox and comes through with an RBI knock. Ebert gets hit by a pitch but Goldie grounds into a fielders choice on his brother at third. Ain't family grand!  Tied up!  We go through a very scary inning. time is running out, we are at the bottom of the order but good news, Happy, our secret weapon is up.  Full count and he gets rung up on a outside pitch (too close to take Happy).  One out and it is  looking like a tie but the Jammer comes through with an infield single:

So one out and Jammer at first for the Flea.  One ball, 2 strikes and Flea takes it to right field for a hit that moves Jammer to third

With the winning run on third and Smooth up, Coach Woody calls for a Flea steal. He goes and the  throw was to the shortstop who hesitates and Jammer slides in

...Safe!

Big win.  Game ball to Flea!

One picture that I didn't get in this story: Cowboy scores with Coach Doug's head in the way of the camera!

What a start by Big Country, 4 innings under 60 pitches, 2 hits allowed and Zero Runs. Cowboy was almost as good with 4 innings and one earned run. We have proof that Big Country learned his pitching lessons well!

Railroad tracks and the palm up, pushing down the hill, keeping the front shoulder closed with glove action.

No one scored in the first 4 innings on either side, in spite of Jammer's "strike out double" chronicled below.  He strikes out and the pitch gets by the catcher. Jammer hustles to first and the overthrow gets him to 2nd, that is the good news, the bad is he got picked off of second by the catcher! Basically too big a lead and didn't get back or steal after the pitcher threw.  "# no man's land"

There was great defense from most of the team including our emergency catcher, Smooth, who was great in the first 3 innings.

We had other good defense from WK at first, who had a real solid game.  

We also had the Coach Doug "photo bomb of the day". Becoming a tradition in our wins!

And wait for it, safe or out?

We will never know! We had some plays throughout the game we have to work on. Fox and Lynx have to back up throws to second on the grass.

After Cowboy took the hill we started to have a few defensive problems. We gave up a run in the fifth to go down 1-0, one hit and one hit by pitch. We fought back with a hit by pitch ,WK, and a walk to Cowboy then a sacrifice by Fox for an RBI. In the sixth we end up loading the bases with 2 outs and their biggest player hits a rocket to Right center...  But Goldie goes airborne and snags the liner for the third out.  Here is the aftermath, One happy ball player there.

In the top of the 7th we gave up 3 big runs. A walk, one hit and 2 errors result in three unearned runs.  

Oh, this is not looking too good. Down three and going into the bottom of the 7th.  We make 2 quick outs. OK our first loss coming up, and on errors, "Coach any scotch, Tums ain't cuttin' it!" Big Country then gets his first hit of the game (our first hit of the game), Fox gets hit by a pitch (way to take one for the team Fox!).  Goldie works a walk and we have the bases loaded for Ebert but he walks to force in a run.  Then Happy. A 2 RBI single to tie the game.  What a hero (game ball to Happy). A little fuzzy at first but the Happy smile comes through.

We have time so we go to the top of the eighth and Cowboy has a great inning,  1-2-3, Lynx to WK, Fox  a pop up catch and then Wk to Fox covering first and we are out of it with at worst a tie.

Top of the order in bottom of the eighth, Smooth comes through

He was interfered with but umpire was looking away.  anyhow we did ok. Smooth steals 2nd, Lynx get a hit and Smooth goes to third. With one down, on a wild pitch, Smooth steals home for the win!

A very tense but entertaining game.  More fun  vs the Scrappers Tuesday afternoon with 4:30 show up.  Jones North

We did not swing the bats early and when we started playing baseball it was too late. Our pitching wasn't up to the usual standard and as much as we would like to say the mound (breaking down) and the Umpire with a small and not to consistent zone, we did it to ourselves. 5 hits and 6 strike outs for the Beavs and 4 of those K's were looking.  The Scrappers were a fast team and our pitchers didn't hold runners well. Ebert made a clean play at third and missed a runner by 2 steps at first.  Good position below but the throw to third was late.

Cowboy was a big part of the offense in this game 2 for 3 2 RBI. 

Smooth scored 2 of our 6 runs and pitched in the end of the game. 

The other team would not let WK hit. walking in two at bats and getting a base for a bruise the third

at bat and he scored.

Lynx had an RBI and Yogurt had 2RBI with one hit and Happy had a hit and a steal.

Fox had a hit and an RBI. Oh and before I forget, Coach Doug's daily photo bomb on Coach Brent's picture!

We did get our sponsor sign up last game and will have it posted next game Thursday as well. Nottoli where we are visitors to the Bulls. 5:30 1st pitch and 4:30 show up. 

It wasn't as close as that score might indicate.  Here are some of the scores :

If you were able to see, and judging by how long into the dark the umpire let this go, you weren't, Cowboy struck out the side in the last inning.  This picture was taken just after the last out, see how Dark? and Where is Coach Brent?

A few control problems (I don't think seeing big Country's glove was easy) but he got it done on the Bump!

  More hits than we have had in a while with Smooth (2 doubles)

and Fox collecting 2 hits each. Jammer, WK, Cowboy, Big Country and Lynx with base knocks as well as runs scored on hustle by Ebert and Yogurt. Big Country did pitch well despite 3 runs but only one earned in his 2 innings.  Cowboy had 3 runs only one earned as well. He struck out 5 Bulls players but walked 5.  More pictures are posted "photo album " left menu" "Bulls 2015"   The stats are updated on this site under "Teams/ Rosters" on left menu.   ee if you can find the picture where Lynx is fielding a ball while looking at a girl in the third base stands.  

It wasn't pretty.  It wasn't just the one umpire call on the spectacular double play Goldie to WK where the umpire didn't see the tag. Goldie didn't give up neither did the Beavers  (see the Rally sleeves, late in the game)

  It wasn't just the Cowboy rocket hit right at the second baseman, 

the Lynx shot off the first baseman that they picked up in time to get Lynx,  the Fox hit at the third baseman or the shot to the left side he hit that didn't go through or even the infield and outfield errors we made but a combo of all of the above. We are still the better team we just have to play like it until the breaks start to go our way. We had two good hits, one from Yogurt which almost went through the short stops glove 

We had an early score form Smooth who walked to lead off the game.

The pick off didn't work and then he steals second standing up.

third wasn't close either but should have gotten down in a slide

then the score first of many on the day, NOT at least not by us.

We had a really tough inning in the third. One out and down 2 runs with the bases loaded Big Country was at his pitch limit. Lynx came in to pitch and appeared to get a double play ball to Goldie at second, he tags the runner going by (the Owlz coach at first saw this and his player said he was tagged) Then Goldie throws to first and we are out of the inning down only 2 runs. Wait! the umpire behind home doesn't see the tag with the runner between him and Goldie. no out on the basepath but out at first and a run scored.  We are just about off the field and so are the Owlz.

A walk and a double latter there are 7 runs in the inning

Yogurt has to pitch but gets a pop up to Ebert at third to end the "Inning from Hell"

Oh there is more! Don't forget the daily Coach Doug photo bomb

and the lighter side of the game, Anybody seen my glove?

Now we get to the end. Two outs in the top of the last and no one has given up, see our youth coaches with the "rally sleeves"?

Smooth tags one to right center and goes for it.

But Oh No!

  FIDO! Forget It Drive On!  A long season to go. 

Get ready and play Wednesday for Coach Doug who will be having a knee replacement

Coach Doug out of surgery for new knee and itching to get back on the field.  Go Beavers! Beat Galt tonight 

great pitching doesn't always beat good or even beat average hitting.  Big Country pitched 4 innings of shut out Ball.4 strike outs, one walk and no hits.   49 pitches, very economical.  after a tough outing vs. the Owlz, not as bad as Big Country thought, this a great bounce back performance.

 The rest of the pitchers did ok as well, Cowboy

and Yogurt.

 Errors or little infield hits managed to gain them 4 runs only one earned meanwhile our offense Just slept. In fact, Coach Brent told me the first hit by Smooth as a "Thang". A four foot smash that Smooth beat out.  our best chance for a score came in the 6th with Fox.  One of the reasons we have loved having Fox on the team is his intensity.  By that we mean he gets this look in his eyes, at least once per week, that says I am going to hit this ball into the middle of next week! Like the incredible Hulk, Fox turns a little green and attacks the baseball.  leading off the 6th that is what he did, Coach Brent saw the signs, a little steam escaping from the ears. He hits it 9 miles to center and it rolls to the fence. In the picture below you can see the back of the centerfielder's jersey.

Chugging around first! Then at second!

Moving well here but look at the red light at the corner, could it be a sign?

In the end we sent him and might do it again, it had to be a quick pick up and 2 perfect throws but that is what happened and Fox was out. A double that could have been a triple. The coaching staff will "wear this one" An outstanding hit by the Green Fox!

Later Yogurt and  Cowboy had hits but we were being shutout until the 7th. 

Down 4-Zip in the bottom of the last and our secret weapon is up, Happy!  0-2 count and he clobbers one into the right center  gap!  A double  for sure but Happy "legs it into a single." Up hops the Flea and pushes one to the right side moving Happy to "scoring position"Jammer beats out an Infield hit so first and third. Smooth then unloads a double that scores  Happy, "all the way from third"  all that matters to us is that he is smilin' happy all the way home. Jammer to third where they try to pick him off and throw the ball down the third base line so Jammer scores.  We could not muster any more offense and we fall 4-2  .  We have ability to score from anywhere in our lineup! Now let's just prove that in the next game!

Before our game with the Storm, we need to look back on the last two losses and see if we learned anything. I think the answer is YES-YES-YES. We have young players making mistakes and constantly battling back from them.  The Knights were pretty cocky coming in against us.  They escaped with a win but just barely!  We may have been the only team to take a lead on them after the third inning. We are the only team to score more than 9 runs vs their team. Only the Mudcats came closer to beating them losing 8-7.  Despite the loss we are still very proud of the effort. Before the play by play, some learning moments. Note this following sequence on the play at second on Yogurt. look at where the fielder is and where the ball is.  Yogurt got between the thrower and the fielder and the result is he is safe. We saw some of this early from the Beavers but we are not making that mistake very often anymore:

We still make at few mental errors but we are making progress and learning in the process.  Big Country, who pitched well enough and was in position to get a win made a mental error with a man at third and got a come-backer. hesitating too long to get the player at third he threw just a second too late to first but he will use it as a learning, maturing experience.  He now knows the priority is the runner coming home and if he has that in his head next time he will get the runner at home. 

Fewer and fewer of the mental errors is starting to show an improved defense on the field.  Nowhere is it more evident than in the improved play of Big Country and Goldie. Here is a major league 2nd baseman play by Goldie early in the game.

Other 13's are learning too.  Lynx was thinking he was safe below, he did reach three out of 4 plate appearances on the day, not here despite his call!

He is safe at home but not without a lesson!

Umpire calls safe, then tells Lynx "I could have called you out for not sliding" We think the Umpire very effectively got his point across!!

Now to Coach Brent's recap.

Big Country starts on the hill for us and gives up one hit but gets a grounder and a pop up to Cowboy

then strikes out "the Clean up dude" we get a lead off hit from Smooth

who steals second in everyone's mind but the umpire

The position of the defensive player is in front of the bag, makes it look better to umpire, ya think? Two outs and Cowboy gets a knock, would have scored Smooth too. 2nd inning features more good pitching and defense from WK and Cowboy. We can't get anything going in the second. Top of the 3rd and the flood gates open.  They get a quick run on a couple of hits and outfield ground ball that gets by us.  We have a couple of Kourt cases on defense in this inning.  Big Country has the chance at the runner coming home or first chooses neither, nice glove side turn on relay by Lynx then just about hits his own foot on the "throw" home. Both mental errors, one not thinking fast enough the other not taking enough time to grip the baseball. they go up 8-0, Bottom of the inning Goldie walks, Jammer moves him over an reaches on "bang bang play"  the ball gets away at first and Goldie Scores

Jammer steals second, looking good one out, a man in scoring position. But wait Jammer thinks he gets steal sign again and is thrown out by 20 feet at third. Flea walks steals second and third as Ebert Walks, Smooth just misses one and pops out to catcher.  8-1 bad guys.

Due to good defensive plays (including Goldie play mentioned above) and solid pitching by Yogurt we get a shut down top of 4. In the bottom of the 4th we come alive for 5 runs, on a hit by Lynx, Walks to Cowboy and an RBI knock by Yogurt, after one out Fox walks to reload the bases

we are coming back strong per Fox and Woody

and WK, Goldie and Happy all get RBI walks. Jammer puts the ball in play and gets another run in.  Loaded for Flea and one out, Laurence Welk! that is a come-backer to catcher to first "a 1 and a 2 and a 3" double play, still 8-6 now, earned runs maybe 6-3 us.

 Top 5 they get another unearned run, yipes, I sense a bad trend here!.

Bottom of 5 we get two quick outs one good plays by the Knights. Lynx gets a hit but is too far off base and gets picked BAD but the catcher throws it down the line and "Lynx- Slynx' into 2nd.  We are down 3 and  when Cowboy reaches and then Yogurt knocks Lynx in. Fox hits it, not exactly a rocket but good enough to reach 1st when they over throw  him at first, so Cowboy and Yogurt score with Fox ending up at third. Big Country knocks him in and WK gets plunked in the back! So Two outs and two on for Goldie who gets into one that they track down in center. Hey we take the lead on the undefeated team! 10 -9 god guys! Knights getting a little tightness in the sphincter?

In the 6th they get two on a walk, a hit and fielders choice that an out at home on so two outs 2 one for Big Marvin Dela Cruz He hits one to the fence in Left  2 runs score but we get Marvin 7-6-5 for third out as they retake the lead 11-10. 

top of 7 and Cowboy back to the hill.  He is throwing strikes and we have not been helping out a lot on defense. Smooth makes one great defensive play, diving snag at short but they hit two "gapers" and even though he strikes out two of their best hitters we have gone down another 4 runs.

Smooth and Lynx have hits back to back and take advantage of an overthrow to score Smooth 15 to 11  But that is where it ended.  We are learning all the time. Jammer, Smooth, Lynx and Fox are hitting consistently and The Yogurt/ Big Country connection is contributing some power. Everybody is making contact for RBI's   We just need to stop the bleeding in the that big bad inning.There are some added photos in the Photo Albums on the left menu see "Knights 2015", Thanks Coach Brent!

Hey let's knock off this one bad inning stuff. 10 runs in the first and only 3 earned maybe one more in the later innings so on Earned runs we win like 6-4.  Pictures are here in the Storm 2015 album in photo albums on the left menu.  more to come soon! lets get out there Saturday and play a cleaner game.

Just a brief update.  Two cities Galt and Elk Grove with three tough games against the rival RiverCats a close loss 7-4 but only because of a few early errors was it not a Beavers victory or a one run game, Smooth and Cowboy pitched better than they got as all 7 River Cats Runs were scored against them.  4 of 7 earned.  note that we scored 4 earned runs to match that.  We still had a bad inning in the first but not 6 to 8 runs like has been happening.  Progress!  Wk pitched 2 scoreless innings to hold the Cats down and Big Country used 9 pitches to pitch around an error and get the Cats out in the 6th without allowing at hit or a run. Yogurt was our star on offense 1 for 1 with 3 RBI.

In Galt we started slow vs. the Giants and trailed early by 2 after 3 innings that were well pitched by Big Country, no runs earned. Yogurt pitched the next 3 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned. ) We came back late and Speed scored 2 runs stealing 4 bases with Yogurt driving in both of Speed's runs.  Smooth scored on a Speed hit and Goldie walked and stole into position and scored from second on an Ebert hit. We had the tying run on 1st with 2 outs and Yogurt got picked off of first with Fox at the plate representing the go ahead run.  This pick off thing really bit us back at home in the game vs. arch rival Ironbirds.  After leading the game for a few innings and wasting some opportunities to add to the lead, In the first we had 3 players picked off first by the lefty pitcher! We had our one bad inning in the last inning trailing by by one we gave up one unearned run and one that was a mistake pitch to a bottom of the order guy.  We still came back for one run on a Speed, a coui;e of steals and a Cowboy hit.  Smooth was 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored.  Speed scored the other 2 runs with one in the first on a walk and couple of steals with Cowboy knocking him in again.  Check the picture albums on the left menu. 

we are very proud of the grit that this team showed against the mighty knights. We gave them all they could handle and more. In the top of the first Smooth started with a hit.  Cowboy moved him to second with a Sacrifice, one of two for Cowboy in the 2 hole and that is part of the job for the number 2 hitter. Speed had a nice hit to drive in Smooth and with one out after a Yogurt hit, Speed got caught stealing third.  When Fox got his RBI hit it should have been two runs.

Big Country started on the bump.

and got two quick outs then gave up a hit, what followed was ball hit up the middle that we did not handle and would have ended the inning with 0 runs all three that scored were unearned.  Top of the second and we get busy. Bottom of the order comes through big time. After two were out Jammer walks, Then Ebert moves him to 2nd with a nice "Op-O-Taco" (opposite field hit).  Happy beats out an infield hit to load 'em up.  Up hops the Flea, gets and infield squibber that he beats out for an RBI Knock. Smooth hits one through third base right on the line and 2 runs score. So Second and third with Flea on third and Smooth on second gets caught off the bag and in a run down, Coach Donny working him gets the flea hopping down the line and then turns him loose, he steals home and Smooth is safe on the throw home. 

I would like to think that Smooth getting caught was intentional but know better than to ask! but 6-3 good guys.  Once again Big Country to the hard luck hill.  He walks the lead off hitter, always a stomach churner for the Coach. Then the second guy bunts to 3rd base side and Big Country gets it an fires to Yogurt at first. Runner and ball arrive at the same time and the throw glances off the glove.  Not great position for Yogurt on a bad throw anyway one run scores.  Another walk and an error at second on a grounder, which could have been a double play ball so they are loaded up. Then Big Country induces a pop up to Speed playing catcher. That should have been out number 3 with one earned run out of 4.  The big Knights Catcher and #3 hitter launches one into right center that was misplayed into Grand Slam instead of just a 3 run triple. 8-6 bad guys. 
Do we give up "Crud no Coach I just wanta play ball" (Tanner from 'Bad News Bears')

Speed leads off the 3rd with a double but gets tagged at third on Yogurt's grounder to third. Yogurt reaches and steals second then lynx batting in the 6 spot knocks him in with a hit.  Now it is a one run game with WK on the bump. Pitches to 6 batters and with 2 double plays gets his 6 outs.  Big Country works a lead off walk and follows with a bunt hit. Ebert gets his second hit of the day and loads them up for Happy who draws a bases loaded walk for an RBI. Jammer gets force at the plate on Flea's grounder.  Smooth's hit scores Ebert and with 2 down Speed gets Happy to score.  We take the lead 10-8. No scoring for us in the 4th and we come up in the 5th with what we saw as an 11th run.  Lynx draws a one out walk and then WK belts a triple Lynx scores easily.  Donny says he did not break stride around third but the Knights appeal that he missed third and the umpire says out.  Lynx hit the corner of the bag like we taught him but undue influence cost us the run.  Big Country walked but Jammer hit one to first and we were out of a promising inning 2 walks and triple. no runs. Cowboy to the hard luck bump next.  He walks the lead off guy, bad mojo! a hit to right field should have been an out but runner was safe on a little bobble on the attempt 9-3 put out.Then a walk. A squibber by the #8 hitter scores one then another walk to load em up again. Smooth on to pitch and he strikes out the first batter for out #5 in the inning. After a run scoring walk Speed picks off the runner at third. Out #6.  They own a one run lead. They put #11 Paul Hoferber in to pitch he gets the Ebert to hit one in the hole at short but they make a great play then #11 goes "good morning, good afternoon and Goodnight" on the next two Beavers.  Smooth back to the bump with time running out.  He gets the quick strike out but #11 hits one to left that moves in the wind on the Flea and he doesn't catch it, it squirts away and Flea takes the "around the horn" route to the ball, I would say a single and 2 base error.  Squeeze bunt and they get the run we get no out.  A walk and we are really running out of time.  But bases loaded comebacker to Smooth to Speed to WK. We had  a minute so we play the 7th. Smooth hit by a pitch Steals second and Cowboy Sac's him over.  Speed walks and steals second so tying runs on with two outs for Fox. He hits a low liner up the middle that the knight shortstop makes a diving, rolling "Sports center" play on to end a great game.

Very proud of everyone on the team as everyone contributed on offense and most did a good job on defense too.  At least 3 double plays including a Lawrence Welk by Smooth/Speed/WK in the last inning.

This was both an exciting game and a nerve racking one. For the first time in several games we had the "hammer" (WERE THE HOME TEAM).  Big Country started on the hill and dispatched the Bulls in 10 pitches with a couple of pop ups and a ground out.  We went right to work on offense with a
Smooth walk 2 steals to get to third and Cowboy with "The world's shortest sacrifice fly". Cowboy hit on just over the first baseman's head and caught it going away from the plate.  Smooth sprinted home much to the Bull's surprise. We were not able to wrap our heads around a lead and gave up an unearned run in the second.  Despite of Fox reaching on an error and a double by WK we could not score. (Fox caught stealing). That caught stealing was about the only flaw in Fox's game on this day! Big Country continued to pitch well striking out 5 in his 3 innings. 

There were a few defensive lapses. Bulls scored 3 added unearned runs in the third. We continued to hit, a nice hit by Ebert for example but we could not score until the fourth. 

In the fourth Yogurt took over the pitching duties. We were down 3 runs and did not want to go down any more! In the fourth the Bulls only managed to draw a walk. Yogurt stranded that runner.  To work in the 4th and Smooth gets a base knock to lead off the inning.  He steals to third and Speed singles him in. Speed gets to second on a steal and Yogurt singles. Second and third by the time Fox drives the first of 2 doubles into the outfield. 2 RBI and Lynx slams the first pitch he sees into right field scoring Fox. 

Nice socks! 5-4 good guys. Yogurt continues to deal.

In the bottom of the 5th we get another Ebert hit and walk but a caught stealing kills that rally. A two out error allows a run to reach and get to scoring position. Then a knock from Ike Hollins scores the 5th run and ties the score.  Coach's stomachs are churning.  but a one out rally starts with a Smooth hit and a steal. Cowboy then has an "Oppo Taco" that plates Smooth with the go ahead run. To be honest the time was getting close and coach Doug as well as several of our parents were checking the time after every pitch.  Speed and Yogurt walk. and the man of the hour, The Fox comes to the plate. Down to his last strike Fox puts a ball in the gap for his second double and with Yogurt as the trail runner, Fox clears the bases for  a total of 5 RBI on the day.

Lynx moves Fox to third and WK walks.  The time is down to a minute with Big Country up.  We signal him to take a strike but we take off the steal sign as we don't want WK or Fox to be picked off and have to play the seventh.  The sign doesn't get to Wk or Fox and Wk steals second the throw goes to third and by some miracle they miss the tag on Fox.  Stage whisper from the stands that time was up anyway, gets through to the umpire and he calls the game with Big Country at bat.

A happy crew cleans the field

and gets ready for the Storm on Monday Jones South, show up 4:30 game 5:30 Speed will miss this one. 

We did end up losing this game but gave the storm everything they could handle and more.  Along the way there were a bunch of highlights and few "low lights".  We started out on offense with the Smooth show.  He walked stole second, stole third and took home on the overthrow.  Yogurt reached on an error, went to second on a Cowboy hit

and then tried to score on a Fox hit but was thrown out by a good throw.  One run on 2 hits and a couple of Storm errors.  With Big Country dealing on the hill we thought we were okay with 2 quick outs and then a pop up drifting on the wind over shortstop falls on the infield dirt E-6, that run ends up scoring when there should have been 3 outs 2 hits follow to put 2 on then a grounder to third hits of the heel of the first baseman's glove for a 2 run E-3 wasn't a great throw could have been E-5, a  strike out for what should have been out number 6 and we are down 3-1.  2nd inning we could not score in spite of a hit by Ebert. Big Country shuts them down too.  We get a hit from Smooth in top of 3 but don't score.  Then the bottom of the inning Big Country gives up a lead off walk gets the next 2 out then E-6 for another unearned run.  4 runs in three inning none earned.  Big Country, a little peeved so he decides to do something about it.  Top 4 and Yogurt gets a hit then Cowboy walks. after one out Big Country preps on deck ( see some determination here folks)

So Big Country steps in against fellow 13 year old, Mike Hardey.

Then he tattoo's high fast ball to left all the way to the retaining wall in left at Jones South.  Yogurt and Cowboy score and Big Country is chuggin' around third, maybe leaking a little oil, but he turns on the jets and scores standing up the first Beaver home run on the year, a 3 run "jack".  So starts a fabulous 3 batter sequence that sees WK up next. he tags one foul that would have been farther than Big Country's hit then he squares one up that gets over the left fielders head and isn't cut off until it is just about to the same Wall Big Country hit. We stop him at third as the relay throw is coming in behind third but it gets bobbled. hind sight it could have been back to back homers! triple drat. So the original D-Buzz Dokter and his folks came to watch the game and our friend Michael Doktor suggests the squeeze, as Bluto said in Animal House "[burp] Why not?"  Jammer is up and gets the sign in a one ball count but he misses the first attempt. We try to take the sign off but Jammer and WK don't see the "take off" sign. Jammer executes the near perfect suicide squeeze bunt and WK breaks exactly at the right time and we score with Jammer out by an eyelash at 1st. We lead by one! But in the bottom of the inning Cowboy gives up two runs on the bump but guess what only one was earned because ..wait for it - E-6.  Smooth scores again in the 5th. His single , Yogurts one out hit and steal plus an over throw of third. But Yogurt gives up a pair of runs one earned and Smooth pitches the 6th and gives up one run also unearned.  We can't mount another charge in the 7th and lose 9-6.  Great offense, good pitching but shaky defense  Figure it out other than 2 of Smooth's runs we had 4 legit runs and they had 3 of their 9 earned. 

The Beavers have set their returning "protected players" for 2016

In order of age:

#5Noah "Smooth" Black SS, 3B, C, P, OF

#18 Mando "WK" Anguiano 1B, 3B, OF, P (supplemental player Laguna Creek High School)

#28 Carter "Big Country" Thomas P, C, 1B, 3B,OF

#8  Teo "Rocket"Turner P, C, SS, 3B, OF

Teo is a current Muskrat and a playing age 13. A terrific addition to the squad. He gets his nickname courtesy of Coach Scott Gormley of the Redwings, who saw him pitch against Scott's older Fall Ball team and said we should call him Rocket

Smooth:

WK

Big Country

Rocket

A new season begins with a lot of familiar faces. 

In addition to our protected players: #55 Big Country Thomas; #8 Teo "Rocket" Turner; #5 Noah "Smooth" Black; #18 Mando Anguiano we get Beavers:  #14 Alex "Fox" Mejia and #11 Jesse "Goldie" Mejia, From the Muskrats we get: #4Santino "Shark" Barajas; #16 Troy "Tank" Ngo; #9 Jaymes "Snag" Arguelles; #7 Arjoon "Jacks" Shah.  The new players are #3 Larry Gonzales, #10 Chase Moore and #12 Isaac Oliva.  Returning student coaches: #13Toni "Rocky" Anguiano and #2 Michael "Dyn-0-Mike" Jorrin. 

We had a good "meet and greet" with everyone present! now on to practice! 

good practic, even a little hitting. 2 new nicknames!  Chase Moore, who looks a little too much like Shaggy from Scooby Doo, is now Scoob or Scooby, because we already have a "Snag" (Jaymes) and Shag is too close.  

One modified nickname.  Mando has been Sluggo and WK but we just thought as hard as he hits the ball as well as being a big first baseman, maybe "Belt"  He is a pretty good "body double" for SF Giants first sacker, Brandon Belt See pictures below.

Saturday 3/5 was rained out!

The league has arranged for each player to pick up a pair of socks and a pair of pants. Unlike previous years no card or coupon is needed.  The new Sports Shop Location is 9677 Elk Grove-Florin Road 95624 in the Emerald Park Plaza shopping center next to Old Town Pizza. Just tell them you are with the Beavers and they will give you a pair of Orange Socks and gray pants.  You provide your own belt but the color should be black.  

The Coaches were struggling with nicknames for Larry and Isaac. But inspiration came at pitching practice last evening on the Brown Diamond practice mounds.  First Larry,  Larry is proving he can play just about anywhere including pitching and catching. He is also fast and reminds Coach Doug of Leon Joseph "Bip" Roberts, former big league infielder/outfielder. So Larry is now "Bip".  Issac was even tougher to get,  Not small enough or talkative enough to Mike "Tiny" Felder (past MLB and one of Coach Doug and Coach Brent's former coaches).  But Isaac delivered on the mound Not as fast as Nolan Ryan's "express" (or even Federal Express) but reliable so "DHL" like the international delivery service

Saturday practice game starts out slow for the Beavers but they come roaring back!
Big Country pitched 2 innings with one unearned run given up.  Took him 6 pitches to get through the first inning with one strike out and 2 ground balls.

Lucky for Scooby in the background that this is warm ups not live!

We gave up another run with Jacks on the hill and one, again unearned with Rocket on the bump.

But that was it!  One earned run on 5 hits 7 strike outs and 3 walks. That being said there were some defensive blunders.  We had a Bermuda Triangle in the outfield and then one in the infield, where a ball that should have been caught fell unmolested to the earth!

Note, Goldie on his "bum", he called it, but Rocket saved the day by getting a force at second to Snag. 

There was some poor positioning Goldie, Jacks and some good back up by Snag, see below

Some of our defense was great.  see the pictures below with Jacks, Tank, Fox, DHL and Goldie

Offense was great. In addition to the big Fox  2 RBI hit, Smooth was 3 out of 4 with 3 runs, Rocket one for 2 with 2 runs, Goldie a big 2 RBI hit, Tank with another 2 RBI knock, Scooby walked and scored twice. 

Smooth ended up closing out the game on the hill. We won going away 9-3

It was just a practice game and we learned a lot!  We need to get better at defensive positioning and cut down on strike outs! we struck out 12 times, 5 of them looking!

Check out these great pictures taken by Coach Brent. Also most of the player pictures on the Roster page-see Teams and Rosters on left menu-were taken at our first Saturday practice by Coach Brent. 

A wild game. We lost 7-5 to a Raptor ball club that we out played in many ways. For example,  figuring up the earned runs there were 3 from the Beavers and 1 or 2 for the Raptors.  Our outstanding pitching induced 16 strikeouts in 7 innings.

It should not have come down to that as we made at least 6 errors.  We out hit the Raptors 7-6. Starting with our first hits and runs of the year featuring Big Country, Jacks and the Shark. 

Above big Country, who stole 2nd goes to third on a hustle hit by Jacks. Then Jacks steals 2nd to set up for our Mr. Clutch of the day, Shark.  He gets violent at the plate an cranks one up the middle to score 2! There were 2 outs so we were going on contact.

We learned not to make throws to third when the third baseman is out of position and our third basemen learned to get in position. See the almost good result of Jacks in the proper position.

That was later in the ball game and the umpire called safe, we may have some visual evidence that he was wrong.

We also learned better outfield play, Snag is an example shown in the first 2 shots under a fly ball but with the glove down and the ball coming out of the sun. Proper position would have given him a much better chance to block the sun and catch the baseball.  The last two shots are of a great effort coming in on a ball very near to the infield dirt. He missed the ball but kept a runner at third from scoring.  Good improvement Snag!

Hitter of the day, Fox Mejia, 2 for 3,  An RBI here for Fox scoring Rocket.

We had some stud catchers as Rocket threw out a runner at second to end the first inning.

Houdini for the day, Tank on the hill in the 3rd. Gave up a hit to the lead off batter then struck out Number 2 batter, induced our former player, Cowboy Milam to pop up to the infield then muffed the catch so 1st and second with one out, Struck out the clean up batter.  An error on a ball up the middle loading the bases then struck out the number 6 batter in the Raptor order. 0 runs 3 left one after one double and 2 errors on the infield.  Magic! Comeback player of the Game, Rocket. After a tough outing on the hill, [4 runs allowed (0 earned) a balk, a bad pick off throw], he comes up in the bottom of the 6th gets a  two base knock with Smooth in scoring position

Rocket then scores on the second hit of the day by Fox.  We had the opportunity to score more with fox stealing to third and then a walk to Big Country and steal for him of second,  but a ground ball that didn't quite get through ended that rally. Smooth struck out the side in the 7th but allowed one unearned run. We are learning better defense and pitching strategy, but it did cost us a ball game.  The stats are updated. 

This was the definition of a See-saw battle. 4 or 5 lead changes in 6 innings. We were down by 3 runs twice.  At the end Rocket came in to pitch.  In the 5th he could not find the umpires rather illusive "Strike Zone" but once we got the lead back in the bottom of the 5th, Rocket dealt to the last three batters "Good Morning - Good Afternoon and Goodnight!"   strike outs on 11 pitches.  Rocket acted as his own closer for the win on the hill!  Many heroes, Especially from the bottom of the order where Scooby

(Coach Rocky bows down to Scoob for the RBI) and DHL, who had and RBI as well

It started out as seems to be par for the course with us giving up some unearned runs with Big Country on the hill.  A hit, an error and a couple of fielders choices. we are 2 down. In the bottom of the inning we came up with three runs. Smooth reached on an error, then almost got picked off!

Somehow he gets under the tag! Smooth eventually steals second and goes to third on Rocket's hit.

Smooth scores on Fox's one out hit but Rocket at third gets in a rundown and is tagged out. Fox steals second. Big Country drives him in with hit and then Big Country Scores on one of Goldie's 2 RBI on the day.

3-2 Good guys, Then Big Country started "flat dealing" on the hill.  Getting the Iron Pigs out with a Strike out and a couple of pop ups in the second.  The third was a different story though.  A walk and a couple of errors created a couple of runs and put a man on for the the big man in the Iron Pigs order.  He worked a walk but then on a fielders choice we got him into a rundown. The sequence Coach Brent got is below:

Note a couple of good points and some we could improve on.  Big Country, who started this rundown, is in at the end with a good arm position. Jacks who took the throw and got it to third is out of position, after having thrown to third his spot was behind Smooth towards third base (having followed his throw to third but he is in the picture out of the baseline and in front of Smooth) Smooth as the catcher is in a good spot, we hope Fox was covering home!.  The Tag by Smooth should have been a two hand shove not a one hand reach in, less chance of getting the ball knocked out by the big guy.  Overall a great job producing an out. The bad news is we go back down 6-3 But we tie the thing up with a hit by Smooth followed by a steal of second and hustle hit by Rocket!

Tank gets plunked by a pitch and with Rocket at third he coasts into second without a throw, they didn't have any first and third plays and Fox gets an RBI on a Sacrifice fly.  Good base running by Smooth.   

with  one out, Big Country gets an RBI fielders choice to the right side. A two out ball hit by Goldie gets us another run when Tank scores on a ball hit through the short stop.

Tank comes in to pitch and they get three runs to go ahead again. We can only manage one run when Snag walks steals second and tries to steal third on what I call the "dead Meat play".  The sequence below shows the eyes closed slide around the tag and the finally the ball getting away.

Resurrection!

Then Smooth gets his first clean hit of the game.  look at this contact.

Rocket on to pitch and he did fairly well against the top of the order with a strike zone that Coach Brent said.  "get the hammer and nails, the strike zone is moving around!" Rocket gave up one unearned run and got a strikeout in the 5th inning.  The bottom of the inning we discovered they didn't have another pitcher.

It starts with Fox reaching on an error by the pitcher and then steals second moving over to third on sacrifice by Big Country. Then brother Goldie drives him in with a hit. steals second and scores on a Jacks hit. 

The Shark comes up with a hit after a bad attempt to bunt made coach change the sign to "hit away"!

Note the bad bat position, with no up angle on the bat and bat below the zone. Anyway Jacks stole to second  and Shark got a hit moving him to third. Shark stole second and Snag walked to load the bases. Then walks to DHL and Scooby got them their RBI mentioned above. From there the Iron Pigs pitching only went down hill.  With Smooth getting an RBI hit by pitch and Rocket an RBI walk.  With bases loaded they did get the second out forcing Scooby at the plate. Then Fox made the best contact of the day on ball lined hard to left which the left fielder caught.  Good guys up 13-10.  Rocket has his 1-23 on three K's and we get the first win of the season for the Beavers. 

To quote Maxwell Smart "missed by THAT much!"  We had them it was getting dark leading 5-1 going to the bottom of the 6th. Then the errors happened.  They opened with a hit we had acouple of walks to load the bases and 2 strike outs by Rocket.  Then a bloop to Right that should have been caught and all three runners on base score as we throw the ball around.  The third out was a ball hit to the right side that we could not throw the the batter out.  more errors followed and we finally picked a runner off of second for the third out but damage was done.  1 earned run for them and we lose 8-5! more soon with some pictures on the way!

It wasn't pretty at Jones South on Thursday night but it "ain't over!"  It is still early season and we are a better ball club than that 15 to 5 loss to the Galt Pirates, who are 4 and 1 by the way, would show. DHL had another couple of hits and raised his average up to 364. Goldie, Fox and Jacks had 2 hits as well. Where as Galt only had 11 hits but benefited from errors and 8 walks.  more later with a few "highlight" pictures from Coach Brent

Another game we should have won.  We out hit them 9-7. Out pitched them  based on earned runs and we had some calls go against us on the bases.  This throw from catcher Jacks to Big Country at third and you can see the tag with both feet off the base!

So how did we lose? Answer is simple: Errors!  In the third we gave up 3 runs, all after 2 were out with no one on base.  A walk starts it Ball gets by our outfielder, no good relay throw and a runner scores from 1st on a single and an error. Several batters latter the third run of the inning scores on a grounder to short we could not pick up.  A rare error here. 

In the 4th we gave up another run with Shark on the bump when a runner reached on another error and then just stole all the way home because we couldn't hold him on base from the mound.  Catcher had no shot at throwing him out.  Then in 5th we gave up 2 runs with 2 outs on a terrible pick off attempt.  Runners at second and third. #7 batter in the order up who had previously ground out to the pitcher and walked.  They try to bait us into picking off the runner at second by getting him half way to third. Shark balks on his throw to second by stepping off with wrong foot.  The umpire correctly lets the play develop but if the guy at second was picked off or the guy at the plate thrown out it would not have counted and the runner from third would have scored and the runner at second put at third. It was better for the Storm the way it happened with a bad throw to short which is picked up in short center by the second baseman backing up-good- he doesn't throw it and holds the ball in center while both runners score-bad!.  The batter up at the time gounds out 6-3, Rocket to Fox on a nice play by Rocket.  Good news, Shark pitched well, bad news he contributed to the 3 unearned runs that they scored against him

Smooth pitched one good inning with one earned run given up . 

Smooth and Rocket had also been a little off at the plate but both got key hits in the last inning. Smooth with a solid hit with one out to score Bip. Then Rocket with a booming double to score Smooth!

Bip also had an extra base hit. 

 Big Country was 2 for 4 with a run scored 

Scooby, Fox, DHL, Shark and Jacks had hits on this day and Jacks hit was a legit double that scored a run.

Interesting slide there Scooby!  The defense wasn't all bad.  Fox saved a high throw at first, Smooth made a good running catch in the outfield as a short stop, with jacks backing up the play (nice!), Goldie put a good tag on runner stealing third with Rocket making a good throw from catcher and one of several good catches in the outfield including this one of Fox making a grab look routine on a high pop fly in a sunny sky, see below

For two nights in a row, it came down to drama at dusk.  The drama on Tuesday night was very different than Wednesday.. On Tuesday the Beavers were down 3 runs to the Rattlers with the light failing in the top of the 6th. This situation was of the Beavers own doing! We started off alright. We got 4 runs on six hits in the top of the first. A one out hit by Rocket who stole second easily. Then Fox doubles him in.

Big Country follows with a hit and Goldie doubles in Fox and Big Country with his best hit of the season. 

Then Goldie takes third on a ball in the dirt and scores on the Welcome back Tank hit.  

Shark had a hit with two outs but we couldn't score any more.  Then we had a good inning from Smooth on the hill allowing one unearned run when we blew a play at first on a ground ball with a late cover.   Jack Rabbit is safe.

 In the bottom of the second the Rattlers came all the way back to tie with three runs, one earned after a hit by pitch, a walk, a hit and an error turned in to runs. We took the lead in the 3rd, for a brief moment.  Rocket started it by beating out a grounder. Fox followed with a hit and big Country knocked Rocket in with Goldie plating his brother for the second straight at bat on a hit. 6-4 good guys.

We couldn't stand to have the lead apparently.  With Rocket on hill we make a couple of different infield errors and a over throw of the runner going to third and 4 runs scored with only one hit and couple of walks. Rocket struck out 2 but we go down 8-6. But we tie again on walks to DHL, Bip and Scooby as well as hits to Snag and Smooth.  good news, bad news is Snag and Scooby get cut down at the plate.  Rocket back to the bump and he strikes out two more Rattlers. The lead off batter gets on by error but we "pickle him" between second and third when Rocket starts it with a spin move. the whole team is in of this rundown and Fox from centerfield is the one that finally tags him.  That is team work folks. We get one in the 5th on another hit by Rocket, a steal and a Big Country Sacrifice fly to right. 

One again after Big Country takes over pitching we can't stand to have the lead. An easy pop up to short and Bip calls Rocket off.  The ball falls and that starts the Merry Go Round with 4 Rattler Runs and another 3 runs we are down.  It is pretty dark.

 The bottom of the line up came through. Jacks and Shark walk and DHL reaches on a dropped third strike after we open up first base with a balk and 2 steals.  After 2 are out Snag walks to force in Jacks and Shark takes home on a ball to the backstop. DHL now at third and Snag at second.  Smooth  walked and Rocket came up.  It was getting pretty dark but the Umpire was aware that if the tying run scored he could suspend the game.  That wasn't good enough for Rocket as he slamed a ball into the left center gap ( at least I think that is where it went, pretty dark).

that is Riley Dees the shortstop running into the left center gap after Rockets ball.

Rocket cleared the bases and the Umpire suspended the game to be finished.  What a finish it was. We resume with Rocket at second and 2 outs. First Fox gets an infield single to move Rocket the third. 

It is Big Country's ball game to win and he takes a big step towards that by shooting an RBI double to right center and Rocket scores with Fox to third. Goldie caps the scoring with a 2 run single. 

Okay we are 5 runs up.  Easy right, wrong Bunky!  Big Country working for his second win on April 30 Gives up a single to Rielly Dees and a steal later and a few walks. Suddenly our 5 run lead is down to three  runs with bases loaded. Smooth goes out to talk to his pitcher and gets him calmed down.  He strikes out LaDarrian Flowers and gets two ground balls to Tank at first. Although one more run scored we still win by 2. 

Whew!

Wednesday night the drama was different.  We got out to modest lead in the first with Smooth hitting a ball literally through third base. After a steal to third Rocket hits a nice ball to left

center for a double!

 Rocket steals third and scores on an overthrow of third. Big Country started on the Bump and went 4 innings striking out 6 and giving up 3 runs only one earned on 2 hits. Nice! By the time the second and third run scored in the 4th inning we had built a nice lead. Big country benfited from a double play in his last inning of work. Rocket is at short and gets a ground ball that he feeds to DHL and DHL makes the turn and Tank completes the "6-4-3" doubleplay.

We scored 5 in the third on a lead off hit one out hit by Smooth and a steal of second.  See below and note the bad position of the defense at second base on the Smooth steal. 

Smooth is sliding into the bag and the fielder is to the outfield side.

After Rocket walked then Fox hits one of his 2 doubles on the day. Smooth scores.  Big Country walks and so does Tank to force in Rocket.  Jacks gets an RBI walk and then Shark steps up and look at this hit up the middle.

Shark's hit scores Big Country and Tank.  and with another hit combo in the 4th by Smooth and Rocket with a shot to left we lead 8-3 after 4. See rocket hit below (one of 3 hits) only topped by Smooth's 4 knocks. 

Shark was lead off in the 5th and got another hit. DHL followed with a double. Bip walked to load the bases for perhaps the weirdest Sac Fly in the world by Scooby.  An infield fly that actually went out over 2nd base. Shark scores on a tag up! Then Snag gets a great hit and 2 RBI!

Meanwhile Smooth, Rocket, Fox, Big Country and Tank all get hits and we put a 7 spot on the board against the Sand Gnats in the 5th. Shark pitches pretty well in the 5th.  

Then came the top of the 6th with a 15-4 lead we are just trying to complete the game.  But Scooby has other ideas.  With one out he cracks his double down the left field line.  see the sequence Coach Brent took below. 

The last is the best, the light was fading but you could probably see the Scooby smile from outerspace!    When Scooby gets to third he says "that is the best hit I ever had!"  Snag gets the hit that moved Scooby to third and Smooth walked to load the bases.  Rocket walked to score Scooby and Fox got a hit to score Snag. Big Country walked and Tank hit into a fielder's choice to score Rocket. When we completed the top of the 6th it was 19 to 4 and it was really too dark to keep going. But if we go back to the last inning the score is 15 to 4 and Scooby's double "didn't happen". We can't let that happen.  Rocket comes through again and gets the "Scooby Save"!

Fun at the Yard in Galt.  After the Sand Gnats game we are a confident ball club facing a Galt Dodger team without much pitching and only 8 players. We went up thinking we would jump on them in the first inning. One hit from Rocket and he was stranded on third.  Rocket went to the hill and shut them down but the coaching staff was already reaching for the Tums.  Goldie leads us off in the 2nd with a solid hit and steals 2nd, Jacks walks and Goldie steals third

Bip walks, Scooby gets Goldie in with a hit for the first run on the day.

Up steps Snag who had a day!  He started small with a hit driving in Jacks, but Bip tried to score and was thrown out from outfield to third to home.  Smooth got a hit to load up the bases again followed by a Rocket hit in drive in Scooby.  3-Zip good guys! Rocket continued to shut out the Dodgers through 3 innings. Rockets pitching line 3 innings, 2 hits 2k and 1 walk No runs allowed. Smooth caught for Rocket and ended his third inning with this catch of a foul pop up.

 
We had to take him out so he could pitch Monday.  In the Top of the 4th we scored 2 more runs and should have had at least 3 runs. Bip Leads off and reaches on a dropped third strike and some hustle. 

 Bip stole 2nd and Scooby walked. Snag then had a hit to center and Bip tried to score and he did in my humble opinion.  The catcher or any fielder, cannot block the plate or a base without the ball. look at the sequence of pictures below and note where the catcher is set up in the base path in front of the plate.  He doesn't move his feet and Bip tries to slide around him. He is safe by rule but the umpires from Galt thought the game was too one sided and didn't call it.  They also called all the balks on us, not on the first Galt pitcher who balked every time he threw with men on base.

 But, in spite of the umpires we did score 2 more runs as Smooth got a hit to score Scooby and then Rocket and Fox walked to force in Snag.  A pop up by Tank caused Smooth to be doubled off for the Third out. 5 to Nil Beavers! We had some good defense. with several examples of "Brother to Brother" Goldie to Fox outs.

We went next to Shark to pitch and he did well, but wasn't spectacular like Rocket. Shark allowed 2 runs on one hit, a walk and a strike out but both runs were unearned.

We didn't score in the fifth in spite of base runners all over. Scooby got called out on strikes on a questionable call but with 2 strikes he has to learn to protect.  Tank to the hill, coming back off of an injury, he battled but gave up 2 runs one earned.

 Tank did get those runs back in the next half inning.  Snag lead it off with a double.

Smooth got a hit to move Snag to third. and then Rocket grounded out to score Snag. Smooth stole home and Fox walked and stole second.  Tank got a hit to score Fox. 

Tank was out trying to advance but Goldie got his own hit, stole second and scored on a Jacks hit.  Jacks stole third and scored on an overthrow of third.

looking at the picture this might have been the first run Jacks scored in the second inning. Anyway he scored 2 important runs. Defense was  good all around with very few errors.  Everyone participated. see below Shark to Tank, catches by Snag and our new speedy centerfielder, Jacks (would it kill you guys to use 2 hands!)

Snag and Rocket closed out the scoring with a lot of help from Fox.  Snag got his 4th hit of the game and after one out Rocket got another double in the gap. 

Then Fox got yet another hit and RBI but the throw was too late at home and the base umpire decided we had scored enough.  They threw to second to get Fox advancing and the umpire said he was out. Not so Sir!  two pictures below

on the base no tag yet and then stands up and the tag is not there until after.

Anyway, we were up by 7 runs with Smooth on the hill.  He struck out the side to finish the game.  2 innings 4 K's.  We probably should have won by 14-15 runs but that is baseball.  The umpires are part of the game and we have to respect the game. 

this was ugly in more ways than one.  26-6 final.  A lot of mental and physical errors.  Proud of the team that we didn't give up. We were fighting to the last with Rocket's Double to lead off the last inning but after a steal of third we stranded him at 3rd. By the end of the game we were working much better with our relays from the outfield and coping with the free running game of the Ironbirds. This will be instructive for us when we play the Ironbirds again in late May.  They ran up until the last inning not exhibiting good sportsmanship. We will pay them back in May by battling them hard from the start and put a real effort into playing to win but with honor and sportsmanship.   Snag's 2 run double, 

Smooth's two hits and 2 runs,

Fox and his 2 RBI,

Bips hit/ score

Most of our defense did not work. Snag is this the "Tebow" in Centerfield?

Some good plays like Goldie to Tank to get Yogurt at first.

Or great position by Rocket at home plate

Like I said a few good plays by us but they were getting our guys all the time on great plays. Like this throw from the catcher to get Snag, barely with a stretch!

  Time to FIDO (forget it drive on!)

Beavers take a sort of a double header.  First we faced the Redwings.  We have not had a pitcher go more than 3 innings and those outings usually have been pitch counts of 60 or more. 7 innings in a week is the limit and no more than 4 in a game. Rocket started us off and flat out dealt!

He not only pitched 4 innings but did it in style with 48 total pitches, 8 strike outs and No-No-No perfect style,(no hits, no runs, no walks- facing the minimum 12 batters) He and Big Country who was catching were so in the zone they didn't realize that they had gone 4 and practically gave Coach a heart attack when they trotted out on there own to the mound and plate to start the 5th.  If they had thrown a pitch we would have forfeited the game and Coach Doug suspended for a game for violating pitching limits. He had some nice plays behind him as with any perfect outing.  Jacks makes a good play on a hopper to 3rd.  Goldie catches at first from Rocket using the force (eyes appear closed as ball goes into glove.)

While he was dealing on the hill Rocket was contributing at the plate. In the bottom of the first Smooth leads off with a hit. steals second and Rocket's single scores him easily.

that was all we got for a while until the fourth when the top of the order got us started again.  Smooth started it again with the second of his perfect three hits on the day. starting a trend he stole second and then started for third when the pitcher tried to get him the throw went by the third baseman and under the fence as Smooth is awarded home. 

then they walk Rocket, then Fox. Big Country gets a nice hit, bases Loaded, no one out for the Tank.  He doubles in Rocket, Fox and Big Country. Jacks adds a hit but no score so it is 5-zip good guys.  Tank takes the hill and we end up giving 4 runs back on a couple of hits, walks and errors.  Snag gets us one back. He gets a hit and steals second. ( after a missed sign or 3) then Smooth moves him to third with a ground out.  Rocket follows with an RBI 6 -4 Beavs.  Smoth to the hill for a nice 1-2-3 inning with 2 K's.

The drama wasn't done.  Big country on to close out the win for Rocket on the bump and the top of the order for the Redwings comes up.  Ground ball to short and Rocket airmails the first baseman, error number one. Big Country walks the next batter for mistake number 2. but we get the lead off batter at third Smooth to Jacks who makes a great play for the first out.

look at the back up by Rocket and Snag. So 2 on one out when there should be 2. but ok . One hit then what appears to be a Sacrifice fly to a windy, sunny centerfield. Fox, normally gets those but this one drifts and goes off his glove and 2 runs score to tie the game.  Big Country blows the save on 2 runs both unearned. Smooth who is catching makes a trip to the mound with 1 out and bases loaded. What ever he said worked and Big Country gets a pop up to the mound and a strike out.  We can't score the winner in the bottom of the inning. We go extra innings. Big Country shuts them down striking out the side around one hit. We just need to score the run to end the game.  With one out Smooth hits the double. Okay feeling good with Rocket up and Smooth steals third.  At third the pitcher tries to pick off Smooth. The throw goes by the third baseman to continue a theme from earlier and under the fence for a Walk Off pick off gone bad.  7-6  we win!  The Rattlers win is updated below. 

maybe the snake in the grass was a bad omen.  Anyway we beat our selves in this one.  We out hit them 11-10 and out error-ed them 9 to 4.  They reached on balls we miss played at least 5 times. Other errors were overthrows and miss played grounders in the field that gave them extra bases or runs. Tank started a should have yielded one to two runs at most but 7 scored.

we had balls go off fielders gloves by bad luck and plain miss handling.

We did actually make some decent plays scattered in among our fumbles, like Big Countries 2 runners cut down at the plate.  

We did comment as with the case above on Sportelli attempting to score the outfielders and relay men seem to get the ball to County in time that he could have used 2 hands and "crow-footed" the ball to make a no doubt tag and ready to throw rather than the casual swipe of the glove  as the runner goes past. Smooth came in the 3rd and gave up a hit right away.  The Owlz up by 7 decided to bunt.  Smooth fields it and gets the play to Rocket near second base for the force on the runner at second by an eyelash!  Good play but risky!

Smooth had 4 strike outs in his two innings and started our scoring in the top of the 4th. Leading off with a hit, he steals second and third getting in position for Fox to drive him in with a ground ball.

After a lead off hit with Rocket on the hill we get a ball to left that should have been caught, should have been stopped that turns into a double error putting runners at second and third with no outs instead of one runner at 1B with one out.  Followed by an error at second and then at first.  Disaster! 5 runs all unearned an then Rocket twists an ankle and is out.  Big Country had to finish the game with 2 innings instead of one when we have a 3 game week.  He did a good job though.  Anyhow the offense went back to work down 12 to 1.  Smooth with a one out hit and steal of second. Fox comes up with a double to score Smooth and Fox scores after Country walks and Goldie beats out an infield hit to load 'em up for Jacks who gets an RBI walk. 

We had some good out field defense late especially from Fox and Snag.  Here are a couple of Snag Snags in the last inning, note Jacks' position for the cut off with the hands up in the first one ( he did listen and learn!) 

Snag went back on the second one in a perfect manner not back peddling ( hey ! he learned too!) we can take some good from this game.  So good pitching by Big Country gives us a chance down 12 to 3, At least we can make it hard on the Owlz and get Coach Venegas a little rattled.  We did.  Shark leads of the last inning with a hit. Scooby then singles to right. 

Coach Rocky gives Scooby the high 10 for the nice hit.

DHL hits into a fielder's choice that forces Scooby at second but sends Shark to third.  Smooth puts one down the first baseline that doesn't get through but works as a sacrifice to score Shark. Fox singles to move runners up and Big Country's hit plates DHL with our 5th and final run. We were on a roll and just ran out of outs. 

We played two first place teams and played them very tough! we were intensely proud of how the team handled this tough assignment.  Sportsmanship, pride, and hard work. We won the 1st game against the Marauders 13-3.  Their conduct in the first game we played them was not good. In the second we we paid them back for their disrespect for us and the game by beating them with class and good hard play. Rocket took the hill and one hit them through 3 innings. That hit was erased by Big Country to Tank with the tag just a bit high on the southern area.

Rocket was just flat dealing! Meanwhile, we scored one in the first when Smooth and then Fox hit doubles for one run. 

That we are going to call "Fox corner" the first Fox double went right along the line right after Smooth had hit his double down the third base line as well.

In the third Scooby started us with a knock

and went to second on Bip's walk. Smooth plated Scooby with a hit.

and they walked Rocket. The hero of the day, Fox hit a double, this time of the three RBI variety!

5-zip Beavs! Belt goes in to pitch in his first game of the season.

  He was a little rusty. He did get one out on a strike out. but a walk and a couple of hits got them two runs, This apparently offended Tank. With a man at first, Belt induced a weak looping liner to Tank who zipped the ball to Big Country for an inning ending double play. Then in the bottom of the inning Tank decided to get at least one run back on his own. 

He doubled, stole third and when they over threw third, he scored  6-2 good guys. They got one run off of Smooth but we did a good job on defense containing them. The bottom of the fifth was just plain fun.  DHL wasn't so sure though. He got hit by a pitch!  So he stole second and then third, Once again they threw late and wild to third so DHL got up and scrambled home!

Bip walked and Smooth got him to scoring position with a hit then they walked Rocket for the second straight time.  Here was that guy again, Fox!  Just another ho-hum 3 run double.  He was on FIRE! They walked Belt. After two out, They hit Goldie with a pitch.  Tank gets a hit to score Fox. Jacks gets an RBI knock So bases loaded for Snag. He gets a hit but not the one he wanted.  A Run Bruised In for him.  7 runs and with Big Country closing we win 13-3. not a lot of drama or need for Pepto, Tums or Rolaids. The second game-another story!  A lot of running and long day but we have another first place team to play, the AL East leading Rivercats!  Some of you may have noticed, but from the lack of comments you haven't, so I will tell everyone. On the defense chart we put a baseball quote in the lower right hand corner. The Rivercat game quote by Robert Earl Wilson (former MLB Pitcher and manager) said it better than we ever could "A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into 9 innings"

 We didn't score in the top of the first but gave up 2 runs on a couple of hits but did catch a RiverCat runner trying to score from second on Scooby in right. He got it to Tank who threw it home to Rocket for the third out of the inning.

We had a big second inning Starting with one out hits from Goldie, Tank, Jacks, Snag, Shark and DHL then a two out hit from Bip plated the 5th run of the inning. see below  6 straight hits then 7 out of the eight batters reached. 5-2 good guys.

They kept chipping away and tied the score in the third inning. We went back ahead in the 4th when Big Country lead off with a hit.Goldie Walked and Tank got a double scoring Big Country. Goldie scored on Jacks ground ball to third with the 3rd baseman tagging Tank and firing to first to get Jacks. 2 outs but Snag walks followed by hits for Shark and DHL. to load them up.  Scooby draws an RBI walk  8-5 good guys.  Then the stomach acid starts rolling.  An error gets the last batter in the order  on to lead off for the 'Cats. A walk, then a grounder to short but the running beats it out. Bases loaded for Supplemental High School player Nick Chew.  A bloop just over third and that gets by our outfield.  2 runs score.  We go with a first and third play after another weak hit and it blows up and Chew scores. We get an out via strike out but a walk and 2 grounders through the infield plate 6 in the inning. We score one more run when Smooth scores his hit and the first Belt hit of the season, a solid double. .  Rocket really gutted  up for the bottom of the sixth. Walks a batter then Big Country to Smooth we caught him stealing.  A come-backer to Rocket and 3 pitch see ya! to the last batter.  we are still down 13-9 going to the last inning.

 We went through 4 lead changes, a bottle of tums and ultimately were down 4 with the bases loaded and 2 outs.  We could not quite pull it off but went down swinging. We out hit the Cats 13-11. We also booted the ball around a bit. Hey we were running out to energy; we had scored 22 runs and played 13 innings so far.  We were not out of spirit though.  On the bases were Scooby, Smooth and Rocket.  Rocket was bouncing off of first, Smooth ready to run and Scooby looking for an opening to score. In the Dugout everyone was up on the fence.  We are very proud of the attitude and spirit of this team!

The River Bandits had not won a game yet.  They looked at us as just what they needed to change their luck. They started with an unearned run in the top of the first.  In our half inning we had a deep linedrive by Smooth that was caught in center and a Double by Rocket. But did not score.  Rocket pitched well but trailed going to our second 1-zip.  We took him off the hook in the bottom of the inning with 2 runs.  Big Country doubled to left to lead us off.

 Goldie had a screaming line drive about 10 feet from the plate and beat the throw with hustle, Country to third.

 Jacks got an RBI ground out, bringing up Shark with a grounder to the right side to score Goldie.

 2-1 good guys. Whew!  Not so fast, Bunky!  Tank on to pitch.

A one out hit that the outfield played into a double, then a pop up to short. Two outs and we can't field a ball down the line at third.  Tie ball game.  They go ahead on a Shaun Wilson hit 3-2, Tank gave it up with a little help from our defense, bad news! Good news, Tank is now the pitcher of record! Bad News, 2 outs, not apparently bad news for Smooth, Rocket, Fox, Tank, Big Country, Goldie, Jack and Snag, who all reached base safely.  7 hits, one walk and 6 runs.  8-3 lead with Tank the pitcher of record.  

Smooth started us with a solid hit then Rocket, excuse the pun, launched one that they handled well holding Rocket to one base but we stole to a 2nd and third situation for the team leader in doubles, Fox.  Guess what he does? Two run double!

Tank singles in Fox and Big Country reaches on an error.  Then Goldie gets a little better hit than the one in the second and Tank scores.  Jacks loads the bases with a walk.  Then the good news Snag gets a two run knock as the Bandits kick the ball around. The bad news is that they finally got it together and threw out Jacks by 10 feet trying to go to third!   

Shark on to pitch 8-3 good guys.  

A walk and a hit by pitch but Shark strikes out the third batter of the inning, looking. Then Bip catching his first game of the year miss played a pop up.  He is leaning and otherwise did a good job.  Shark has to get tough and does with another strike out, then he got a ground ball out.  No runs, no hits and 3 left!  Houdini!

Jacks was next on the bump.  He was effective if unconventional.  We're is he looking?

Anyway, one hit and 3 ground ball outs.  Back on offense we were a little bit offensive!  With one out Big Country pops it up on the infield and stands at home plate with what Coach Brent describes as "Gumby shoulders" they don't catch it and Country scrambles to first while the Bandits are kicking the ball around Goldie walks and Jacks is hit by a pitch, Snag and Shark get RBI walks.  no hits two runs.  

We had some defense along the way, Shark, Smooth, Tank and Jacks among others.  

Big Country was our closer, he pitched well, one walk, one strike out, one hit and no runs allowed.  We prevailed 11-3. At little scary early, no tums left for the coaches after the first couple of innings but all was good at the end.  

Lollygagers! Listen to the sound on the website.  We choked away a ball game Tuesday night 10-Zip!  A shutout.  That had not happened this season to us even in our big loss to the Ironbirds.  We could beat these guys.  The Mudcats did play outstanding defense and we made at least 8 errors.  Earned runs were hard to figure because of that fact.  They did get at least 2 earned runs and, as they say If you don't score, you can't win!  Our pitchers did not do badly. Rocket pitched the first 2 innings giving up 6 in the first, 2 Earned, Striking out the side.  He struck out 2 in the second and gave up Zero runs.  Belt pitched the third and was rusty, giving up 2 runs but striking out 2. Smooth was locked in for the the last 3 innings.  giving up 2 unearned runs and striking out 2 while inducing a double play.  We had only 2 hits: Rocket 1 for 1 with a walk and Fox 1 for 2 with a strike out.  Walks were a Rally with Scooby getting one and Goldie one as well.  " Other than that Mrs Lincoln, how did you like the play?"  Ouch.  FIDO  Forget It, Drive On!  Beat the Raptors!

Hey! That was fun.   In spite of the of the Umpire trying to keep Coach Brent's camera off the field Coach Brent took some great pictures! Doesn't the Ump know who we are?  Anyway, we started with a bang.  Smooth and stole to third

then stole home.

Rocket walked,  Fox got a hit to move Rocket up, Belt walked to load them up then Big Country got 2 RBI on his first hit. 

Goldie and Tank got plunked by pitches with Tank getting the RBI for his bruise. 

They changed pitchers and got a couple of strike outs. Then DHL got a fielders choice with Goldie not sliding at third and out by an eyelash.  4-Zip good guys.  

Rocket dealt for 3 shut out innings with one hit which may have been an error. 

Scooby lead off the second with a knock and Smooth walked. 

Fox and Belt drove them in with hits.  6-Nada!   

We got another in the top of the third with a Tank hit, a steal, then Jacks advanced the runner to third and Shark drove him in with a hit.

 Then the Umpire said they caught Shark stealing second.  Call New York for the replay, or at least ask Brent, see below

That is as close as they got, but  still, 7- Nill. 

The top of 4 we got a Scooby walk and a Smooth hit but nothing else.  Belt on to pitch getting ground balls that we didn't field, Beaver inning, Oh no!  Tank stopped the bleeding after 4 unearned runs scored on Belt.  7-4  Tank gets a Hold for stopping the scoring after they got within three.  In that inning Shark did make a good catch in left on the High School player, Colin Saeger.

Tank ended up driving in 2 more runs when Belt and Country reached on walk and a hit by pitch.  Tank got a one out double to drive in the 2 runs.

   Big Country on to pitch with a very shaky lead made worse by an unearned run in the fifth.  But he struck out 3 in two frames giving up only 2 hits and no walks.  Still too tight. Big Country took care of that.  DHL lead off the 6th with a swinging bunt that stopped near the third base line in fair territory. He stole second and when Scooby struck out and alertly broke for 1st and made it we had first and second no one out. Smooth knocked in DHL and then with 2 out, Big Country hit a three run bomb to left center way over the head of the outfielders.

  He was leaking a little oil coming into third so we held him up, rather than risking a third out at home.  13- 5 at that point.  A wild pitch brought Big Country in

and he also shut the door on the Raptors in the bottom of the sixth.  We told Rocket, who was catching to "chew some clock" and he got it, a little late.  There was one minute left when Big Country got the come-backer to him and lobbed to 1st, but by the time the Umpire checked,time was up.  14 -5, a convincing but not entirely comfortable win.

What an exciting, nail biting game.  No Tums, Rolaids or Pepto-Bismol left in the Coaching staff reserve supply! But the team was loose, having fun and playing well.  In the first we shut them down on 2 great plays by Smooth at short, and a Tank to Belt ground ball.

Rocket on the Hill was pitching well.  He ended up giving up 2 hits with 1 strike out.  A great starting performance for out young hurler! Michael Potter, 15 year old high school pitcher for the Owlz did not do as well.  Coach Brent says he was "hitting everything but the strike zone", He hit the umpire twice, Tank at second on attempted pick off, and he gave up 4 walks with a couple of wild pitches.But we could not score in his 3 innings. Smooth walked and got picked off. 

Smooth on to pitch in the third as Rocket was out of innings for the week. Smooth struck out the side in the third around a rare error.  In the 4th another error put a runner on but Rocket gunned him out from catcher to Tank (SS) trying to steal. 

With another Smooth strike out Billy Shastie 16 and a High School player hits a moon shot deep into left.  That got down for a triple but Shark got the ball in with a good throw to hold him at third.

Smooth took care of the rest, striking out the number two hitter for the inning-ender! 
Notice I have not said anything about our offense to this point, there wasn't any, walks and a couple of loud foul balls, that was it!

The 5th was the inning of decision and it looked like the decision wasn't going our way at first.  A lead off bloop hit off of Smooth, But Scooby got the ball back in holding him to a single.

then a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second, They were not going to run on Rocket anymore even with a speed guy like the #3 hitter.  High School player Mike Potter then drove in the run with a base hit to right.  Potter steals second but is nailed at third on sort of a phantom tag by Big Country.  He sold it to the umpire and because the throw from Rocket beat him by a bunch, the umpire bought it!

Hey, after the last few games we were owed a call or two!

 Smooth got the third out on a bounce out pitcher to first (Belt).  But damage done the bad guys up 1-zip!

Time for a little rally.  With one out Big Country hits a ball through the 3rd baseman. E-5, Big Country steals second then third.  Goldie then hits another ball down the line at third that they don't field cleanly and he beats the throw to first with Big Country scoring the tying run. Goldie steals second and third, so one out and Jacks at the plate.  As the hero of the day, he has a job to do. "hit it to the right side for a sacrifice"  3-2 count and he does hit it to second to score the go-ahead run.  " the ground attack." 

2 errors 4 steals and a sacrifice. 2-1 good guys!

Throw strikes Big Country and close. Owlz have 14 guys and Country gets through their 7-8-9 strikes out all three on 12 pitches. "Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Night!" 

DHL leads off with a solid shot to center, Hey, our first hit, "hold the phone, not so fast!"  Billy Shastie, in center, fields it on two hops and guns down DHL with a seed to first base! Rats!

Snag gets a 2 out walk and we try to get him to 2nd for Bip, caught stealing. 

Okay,  Big Country, Batters 10-14 coming up, get your Save without allowing Shastie (lead off hitter) to come up. We get a lead off error, but after the #10 batter steals second we get him: Smooth at catcher to Jacks at third. We caught 3 runners stealing in the game.  That is great because 2 bloop hits follow before Big Country strikes out the #13 batter, Whew,  Okay, just don't walk him... he does.  Billy Shastie up, Bases loaded and all he has done at the plate is hit a triple and a hard ground out to short. Jacks at third base has a bad knee. DHL at second is a little down because he was robbed of hit by Shastie and made an error earlier in the inning. Rocket is playing his first inning in the game at Short stop, maybe a little nervous. First pitch, Billy hits a sizzler on one hop to Jacks on the grass in back of third.  It hits off his chest and he grabs it,- cue up the Chariots of Fire music-, Jacks is not going to beat the guy to the bag at third- improvise, adapt, over come-and he did tagging him before the runner reached the bag.  GAME OVER!

What a great game.  game balls obviously to Jacks and our leader Smooth. Proud of all the Beavers, facing a 1st place team that had humiliated us earlier in the year. Owlz throw a no hitter and we find a way to win with pitching, defense and base running!

We had an opportunity to sweep the weeks games against the 1st place Ironbirds and the greatly improved Sand Gnats.  Starting with the I-Birds who beat us by 20 runs showing no class the first game we went at them

Rocket pitched 3 innings of his best at their awesome line up.  We gave him a lead or should I say he and Fox gave him a lead in the first. 

A one out Rocket single started us and he stole 2nd right away.  Up steps our Silver Slugger award winner for the year, Fox and smacks another of his team and maybe league leading doubles. He has 10 doubles and is batting over 500 for the season.  He also leads the team in RBI with 26.  One zip good guys.  But then in the second it starts.  2 errors to lead off the bottom of the second gets the Dirty Birds 2 unearned runs on only one hit. A Goldie hit in the second

is wasted and a bases loaded 1 out situation in the third doesn't produce anything.  Bottom of three , one of those lead off walks to the bottom guy in the order bites us.  A hit and a potential double play ball ends up with a couple of errors on the T-Rex arms miss of the double play feed and miss fire on the throw back in from right.

  3 more runs, only one "technically" earned run. 

That is all they got. 

5 runs one earned.  On Offense we had a Fox hit in the 4th, he was caught stealing, not sure of that call.

Belt got a hit and stole 2nd, the after 2 were out Goldie came through with a knock to score Belt.  5-2 Dirty birds.  

Smooth shut down the I-Birds down for two innings .  Meanwhile we loaded the bases in the 5th with no outs, Jacks and Shark started us with hits followed by DHLdrawing a walk.  3 straight strike outs and we waste a golden opportunity 

Top of 5th and Rocket hits a one out Double, Fox moves him to third with a hit.  Then Fox steals second and Belt walks to load the bases again!  Big Country gets one RBI with a fielders Chioce  we can't do any more damage.  Big Country holds the Birds in the bottom of 6 but their closer Cam Jones save it for the I-Birds  5-3 Bag guys is the final great pitching but errors and missed opportunities kill us.  

 The Sand Gnats story is much better.  Four super innings of pitching by Rocket

6 Strike outs, 1 hit and 1 run, unearned.  They got their gift run in the first.  

Rocket and Fox got that run back in our half of the first on Rocket single and a swipe of second

against the leagues best catcher ( a 16 year old).  

Big Country took over on the hill and stopped the Gnats.

A Smooth to Goldie caught stealing on the fast #5 hitter helped.  The top of the 6th was a different story.  A lead off walk scored on a two out single by Big Vinnie. "Our Turn". Scooby draws a lead off walk

and steals second when Bip messes up the bunt and run play by not offering at the pitch, which was a called strike.  Bip grounds out pitcher, Big Vinnie, to first. One out Scooby on second with Smooth up.  Smooth shoots a 3 hopper up the middle for an RBI single with Scooby reading the ball all the way and scoring without a throw.  

Tie game.  Rocket takes care of that with a double to score Smooth with the go-ahead run.  

Big Country the pitcher of record and Smooth on for the save.  We couldn't do it easy, not enough stress on the coaches, so Smooth walks the littlest player in the league with one out, he gives up a hit to their #1 hitter. 1st and 2nd and the next batter hits one to right, Scooby makes a nice 2 hand catch.

 #3 hitter, all star Carp, is up, coaches are drenched in sweat.  Smooth gets Carp to ground out to Jacks at Second to Belt at 1st.  3-2 Win. 

This one started out ok.  We tied it one to one then in bottom of second after a runner reached on an error and Big Country threw him out trying to steal second, Rocket struck out the next two.  Then we got the offense going with hits from Goldie, Shark, Snag, DHL, Smooth and Rocket, then Fox reached, all of those scored, in part because of Big Country's smash to third that they over threw and Tank's single. 8-1, Couldn't stand success they tied it with 2 earned and 5 unearned.They got one off of Smooth in the 4th to take a one run lead but Smooth and Big Country shut them down after that through 5 and 6.Goldie Snag and DHL got us a couple of runs to take a one run lead in the fifth then Goldie reached again with hits from Shark and Snag to go up by 2 in the bottom of the 6th. Looks like Big Country has a chance to pitch for the win with a 2 run lead.  Country walks the first hitter, then gives up a hit to the #2 batter and walk to load them up for Jack Francis who hits one up the middle for  ahit we miss play that and they tie it up.  A couple of errors and walk follow they  get three more runs before we get the first out. A triple plates a few more and single to the #10 batter ends up scoring the 8th run of the inning.  We can't come back and a bad called strike thre to Rocket ends the game we lose a game that we kicked away 17-11 

Rocket bulled his way through 2 innings, but only gave up 2 earned runs. Smooth got 2 hits and Jacks one but we could not do any more damage.  We left men on third twice and men in scoring position 5 times.  Tank had a good defensive game with an unassisted double play.  Scooby had an outfield assist on a solid double to nail a runner going to third, tag by Jacks.  Other highlights and pictures on the way.

This was a back and forth battle.  As the visitors we started off with a Smooth single,

Smooth stole 2nd then third,

scooting home on the overthrow of third.  Rocket started for us and pitched very well.  He did give up a one out walk and then a double, that should have been caught or at least held to single.  The runner from third scored on a right side ground ball out. Tie ball game.   We did have some very good defense, Jacks started at second and went up for a knuckle ball hit to him, look at that hop, you could get 2 slices of cheese under those shoes! Tank was at first for another early out. 

Tank at Short and Fox at first, below.  This was for the second out in Rocket's third and last inning.

Right after that, the third out to right.  Bip, arriving late went to right field and tracked the ball deep into right field and it just bounce out of the pocket of the glove. 2 - 1 bad guys.  We had some chances to score in the 4th when Smooth reached on an error and did a head first into second on the overthrow.

 We could not score him in spite of the fact that he stole third as well.We had some opportunities on defense as well   As our catcher, Smooth's throw to second beats the runner  but Tank gets the ball and the dust at the same time and can't react in time to tag the guy out.

  Big Country was watching Rocket's Johnny Cueto move which had the Giants going back to the bag when he threw home.  Impressive but Big Country on to pitch and he actually had the batters diving back to the bag as he threw home.

Big Country also helped us tie the game in the 5th inning.  His hit with a steal and a hit by Tank put runners at second and third for Goldie who came through with a hit to center and Country scored easily but Coach sent Tank home too thinking that the relay throw in to the short stop would not be good enough, it was and Tank was the first out of the inning at the plate. 

Bad baseball. by Coach cost us the go ahead run, Jacks hit into a fielder's choice which would have scored Tank from third.  In the sixth, we tried to get the offense going but wasted a DHL hit to center.

Big Country, pitched really well striking out 5 in three innings but giving up 2 runs, one earned. 2 errors allowing runners to reach and deep drive that we miss played into a Home run, should have been a double or at most a triple.  Any way we were down two runs again. 

That's all right Smooth and Rocket executed a perfect hit and run after Smooth started our top of the last with a single. Rocket hit one in the gap in left center for a double and Smooth scored. 

Fox followed with a hit to score Rocket.

Big Country followed that with a hit to move Fox up.  It looked really promising when Fox stole third and they over threw the bag. but a sniper got Fox on the way home and he had to go back to third. 

Goldie saved the day with a hit to score his brother but a one run lead is all we could get.  Smooth got the first out but had to face the top of the line up after that.  We needed to play in after the lead off guy singled.  

But we didn't and a bloop falls in to Left and the tying run scores,  The runner goes to second and then a bloop to right ends the ball game when we throw to second instead of home to cut off the run. 

All in all the coaches were proud of the team for a good effort against a play off team.

Coach Doug (Doug Penney), Coach Brent (Brent Tetlow) Coach Rocky (Toni Anguiano) and Coach Fox ( Alex Mejia) welcome our 4 protected players:

# 4Goldie (Jesse Mejia) 3rd year as a Beaver plus a couple of years as Muskrat. Goldie is an infielder and outfielder who started to pitch a bit in Fall Ball 2016

#8 Rocket (Teo Turner)This returning Beaver can play anywhere on the field and is usually our #3 hitter. As well as one of our starting pitchers.

#11 Moose (Joey Avila) Moose can play any infield position and pitch. We look forward to "Moose Power" at the plate and on the bump. 

#5 Slick (Brennen deSantiago) Infielder, pitcher, catcher  Slick is a top of the order run scoring guy!

We are very proud of the effort from the whole team in this game.

The game started well for us with a 2 out rally in the top of the first.  Rocket walked and stole second

Then Moose with one of his two RBI singles on the day.

 Edge walked and moved Moose to second Magnet also had 2 hits and this one put Moose  on third and loaded the bases.

We stopped Moose at third with 2 outs not wanting to make the last out at the plate thinking big Tony Sole was rattled on the hill and could not pitch to DC. We were right, a 5 pitch RBI walk to DC- 2- Zip good guys. 

Pitching was outstanding with Rocket going the max allowed 4 innings of shut out ball with 6 strike outs.  Some of the strike outs on the breaking ball had the Mustang hitters shaking their heads, but really, Rocket should not smile so much after that, as Coach Brent points out, it is a sportsmanship thing.

There were some great defensive plays behind Rocket, and even in front of him.  Slick in perfect position to take the throw and make the tag from Moose . 

Technically, the player was out and should have been ejected for not sliding on a play at the plate. 

Moose caught a difficult pop up for an out

Slick and Goldie, at short, combined on a nice caught stealing behind Rocket.

In the Meantime our offense sputtered a bit.  In the second, we had 2 outs and bases loaded for Rocket. Base hit through the right side...NOT! the ball hits the heal of the runner going to second (Goldie), that is a base hit for Rocket but runners interference on Goldie for the third out!

After Rocket is done and we lead 2-0, then we get some offense going as Ice draws a walk and goes to second on Slick's 2 out walk. Rocket singles to load them up for Moose. His second hit scores Ice. 

Magnet came in and was throwing strikes but suddenly we could not catch the ball.

3 unearned runs later the game was tied.  Good, bad and the ugly.  After a missed fly ball, here is a good relay throw to the infield cut off, Goldie, with his hands up. We almost got the runner going to second but we were not ready to make the low tag and the runner beats it.

Moose pitched pretty well in relief but a lead off walk and an error resulted in the unearned run to give them the lead.  We could not mount the comeback in spite of hits by Magnet and Goldie.

 Earlier Moose had 2 hits as did Rocket. Animal stole a base late in the game but we could not get him home.

 Land had a hit and Logan had an earlier hit as well.  Nonetheless our sponsor would be proud

Keep your heads up the Thunder is next at Brown Diamond in Elk Grove Park. Tuesday at 5:15 (4:15 show up) we know this is tough for families to get from work at then get the players from School and to the baseball field.  Player responsibility to call or text coach if they are going to be late. 

 We win big with Arrow going 3 for 3! Moose gets the win on the hill and Goldie ties a Major league record striking out 3 on 9 pitches ! Rocket with a triple and Animal with a late double but let's not get ahead of our selves! We were the visitors and had great potential in the 1st.Goldie looks like he is golfing here but good enough for a hit!

Once he steals second and third all Slick has to do is put it in play and we are up one!

Then with one out Rocket reaches on a hard hit ball to short. and naturally steals around to third.

then Moose singles Rocket in and steals second  but we can't get more in the 1st. 

In the home half of the inning, Moose strikes out one gives up a walk and line drive to left that Magnet snags.  We also get a nice play Goldie at third to Animal at first!

In our 2nd Arrow got one of his three hits but nothing happening. Moose back to the bump. A strike out but the ball was in the dirt and the only one in 4 inings that got past Rocket, still he almost gunned the guy at first. Anyway Rocket got him back on the first pitch steal attempt, nailed at second by a nice throw. A one out walk lead to nothing because Moose and Rocket were on the same page and got the strike outs looking on the next two batters. Excellent catching

We get it going again in the third with Animal getting a key one out hit followed by Goldie with a ball hit thru the 2nd baseman. The Thunder could not find the plate or the catcher against Slick and Animal scoots around the bases.  Slick walks and Rocket hits a bomb out to left but a good relay play costs Slick the score and some of the skin on his left arm.

We get 2 more-4-zip good guys. Ice scored one of those runs.

  Slick on to pitch with Rocket catching and Arrow playing second Magnet at first. Some nice defensive plays with two innings of work from Slick and 4 Thunder base runners, Arrow took care of one with a tag. Goldie got one, Slick made a good play and Rocket caught a couple of pop ups.

Great defense with the shut out through 4 innings. We don't think 4 runs will be enough so DC reaches on an error and Edge walks.  Thunder did not have any catcher who could do what Rocket and eventually Animal did, stop the ball before it reached the back stop. DC and Edge scored.

Figuring in this rally was the second Arrow hit.  After Slick pitched his second shut out inning we got up again and got to work with Goldie getting a hit and scoring on a Moose hit. They were watching Moose on the bases and the Thunder trying to pick him off. Mistake. He avoids the pick off and makes it third.

Moose scores on a Magnet hit. but there is a play at the plate. The slide gets 0 style points Moose!

8-0 then on comes Goldie, Good Morning, good Afternoon and good night 3 K's on 9 pitches, Ties a Major League record!

We start the top of the 6th. Edge with a walk and we try the hit and run with Edge and Arrow. perfect, Edge goes pulling the second baseman toward the bag and Arrow puts the ball through the open hole on the right side. Edge ends up at third. 1st and third no one out. Edge scores on an Ice ground out. Then Jano walks. Animal doubles

and gets the 2 RBI  We lead 11 -0 but the game is called for darkness

We arrived and the field actually looked good we played 3+ innings and were down 3 when the ball got too slippery for the pitchers Dan, the Umpire, stopped the game for safety.  The game will be rescheduled and we will start over.  Nice work out we learned some things. Rocket pitched well to start but gave up at least one earned run and a couple of unearned runs, none of which count against the record

Not much offense with Magnet and Edge reaching, Magnet needs to learn to "pull the trigger on third when the ball goes by the catcher at Brown. 

We had some examples of how to and how not to make plays at second.  See if you can figure who doesn't have the proper position near the bag on these plays and who does.  Also how close do you want to back up the play.  

By the Time Goldie came in to pitch the ball was getting pretty wet and we were behind so we liked that Umpire Dan called the game.

 How about a team picture for our parents?  See below

Rarely do we get to quote Charles Dickens in sports article or allude to great literature like 'Tale of two Cities' But "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times". Well, in reverse anyway! Against Galt Thursday it was the worst of times, against the previously undefeated Scrappers Saturday night, it was the best of times! We had the "slows" vs. Galt and just the opposite vs. Scrappers. 

Rocket started this game and had 4 innings of pitching eligibility. We used them all.

Looking at the picture you can almost hear the grunt Rocket was doing when bearing down with the fastball. They knew it was coming and could not hit it!

9 strike outs with 3 of those coming against the top of the line up batters. One run by the scrappers in the first was unearned. Outstanding pitching giving up 3 hits and 1 added run in the fourth when the #2 and #3 batters  got back to back hits, with the second hit getting past the outfield for a single and 2 base error. Rocket also fielded his position very well.

On the last picture we are saying Magnet already caught the ball and his eyes were closed to protect himself from the dust that Austin was kicking up! Bang-Bang play.  Anyhow we also almost threw out 2 runners in the Scrapper's first but Slick's first throw took a hop on Goldie and went high; the other we were out of position . 

   They got a run on the error in the first and we were down 1 until the 3rd inning when Jano started us this a lead off Hit-by-pitch and Z-Land the same. 2 on with no outs for Goldie who hits it right down the third base line and the ball gets all the way to the fence in left running on the dirt in foul territory. Note that below you don't see the left fielder in Coach Brent's picture. Sequence!

Both Jano and Z-land score 2-1 good guys!

We were not done scoring though Slick singles Goldie in and a hit by Rocket moves him to second.

 then with the pitcher getting a little wild, a double steal puts Slick at third and Rocket at second. A passed ball plates Slick and Rocket then with 2 outs bluffs down the line and when the catcher throws to third, as planned, Rocket just makes it home with the steal 5-1 Beavers.

We had some stylish defense, a cool Magnet at first  Jano with the fad hair cut at second!

Our players of the game figured in both offense and defense. Moose had a team record 6 RBI on two hits. A smash triple in the 6 run 4th and a 3 RBI double in the 5 run 5th. The swing on the Triple is shown first and the double over the centerfielders head next with the Moose antlers at second for the topper.

None of this happens if the rest of the team had not set the table for Goldie, Slick, Rocket and Moose. 

Z-land with a hit later scored on a Rocket hit.

Slick hits and scores on Moose double. DC had two hits, Arrow had one and an RBI.  Then Goldie on to close with a little bit of a cushion 17-2! The strike zone shrunk to "postage stamp" size due to the score and Goldie gave up 2 runs on 2 walks and 3 hits (when Goldie walked a couple he started grooving the ball and they hit it) Give the Scrappers credit down by 15 they were cheering on their team mates.  Maybe we could learn something from that.

Goldie got 2 strike outs one looking and one swinging. Eventually it was a comebacker to Goldie Thrown on to the Magnet for the final out. Only 5 innings due to time limit (it takes some time to score 21 runs total in a game).  Practice Tuesday at BSP 5:30

We started well. Rocket pitched 3 perfect innings striking out 4.

O

There were some great plays Goldie at Short to Magnet at first and DC with a catch in Center

We did get some runners on but could not finish with a 0-0 tie going to the bottom of the 4th inning. Moose on the hill is a little rusty and walks the first batter but then gets and out.Disaster hits with 2 errors at third base. So Starts the Snow ball fight. 

Back up on this play is supposed to be on the grass not in the Back pocket of the Short Stop. But the next play we get it right. Another error after a walk scored a second run but then we got out of it with a tag play at the plate.

 Still down 2 runs we rally a bit. Goldie gets on and steals second taking third on an over throw. Rocket up with one out grounds out but Goldie scores. They dispute the play but Coach Brent's pictures show that Goldie scored 2 to 1 bad guys.

The real disaster happens in the 5th inning when a few walks, both outfield and infield errors lead to 3 more unearned runs. Goldie comes on the bump and gets us out of the inning.

We are not able to do much with them so the 6th starts with Goldie but more errors bring Slick into the game. Comic relief, umpire makes Slick take the gray sleeve off his pitching arm, then Moose puts Slick's small sleeve on his own big arm, Coach Brent, "Moose, if your fingers start turning blue, come in the dugout and we will cut it off" 

There was an Animal sighting!

We can't field the ball for Slick either!  13-1 bad guys and we get the top of the line up in the top of the 7th. Slick gets a one out hit and Rocket walks, Moose gets a hit so bases loaded one out.  What is the worst that can happen? you guessed it 1-2-3 double play to end the game. 

Just Wow!  No Rolaids or Tums left in the dugout for the coaches!  We started with Rocket no hitting the Rattlers for 2 innings. He did walk 4 but no runs and 4 K!

We get to work in the bottom of the first with Goldie getting a hit and moving to third on Rocket's double then Slick walks to load the bases. The one out hit by Magnet plates Goldie and Rocket

After 2 shut out innings from Rocket, the Magnet comes on to pitch.  He gets out of a 2nd and third situation in the 3rd and gives up an unearned run in the 4th.

Some good defense   Slick to DC at Short for a Caught stealing note Land making progress on back up, Goldie at third for a tag and Land saves a run with a back up in left. Which allowed a great sunset at the plate on the next play.

A Special play by Slick form Ice in Right to Moose to Slick and see the foot block with the ball and the top hand keeping the ball in the glove for the tag! A couple of our hits didn't figure in the scoring, including Ice and Land hits.

We may have expected a bit more from that hit over the Center fielder's head!  Anyway Goldie on to pitch.  We should have gotten out of the 5th without any damage. But errors plated 3 runs so the Snakes take a lead. Goldie, Slick now at second with Rocket catching combined to stop the bleeding with a caught stealing and a couple of pop up catches.

Jano in these pictures is making progress on the back up position.  We are still down but not for long.

Goldie gets a hit and after a couple of steals scores on Rocket's second double of the game. Slick then gets Rocket in! Tie ball game! We get a 4th straight hit from Moose and then Magnet comes through with his 3rd RBI of the game, giving us the one run lead.

Then the weird happens, Practice Tuesday we talked about a short stop charge play with 1st & 3rd. Snakes did that with Magnet stealing second and the throw cut off by the short stop cutting down the Moose at the plate. Hey,we are learning. A one run lead and we bring in Slick to pitch. He gets One out on a Strikeout. Then a solid hit up the middle and we are thinking tie ball game or worse! Oh No! But out of nowhere comes Goldie fields the ball behind second kicks the bag for the 2nd out and puts a perfect throw on line to Magnet at first for the game ending double play!

We played a good game and were leading in the last. We could not hold the 2 run lead and lost in a tough last inning. Rocket pitched two shut out innings scattering base runners and on 2 hits and three walks.  Defense helped With Slick to Goldie for a caught stealing.

Moose with a nice play at third and throw to Magnet at first in a tough sun

Meanwhile, we got the offense going in the first with a hit from Rocket and a couple of steals to put Rocket at third with 2 down. The moose comes through with a solid knock through the left side and gets his new pink shoes to first with an RBI single.

In the second inning, Arrow gets a one out hit and steals 2nd. He goes to third on a nice hit by Z-Land up the middle and scores on ball in the dirt with a steal of home

With Magnet following Rocket on the bump, we stopped fielding and went down 3 to 2 on 3three errors and no hits in third.

In his second inning of work we did help him out when a 1 out single was erased Slick to Rocket, a high throw but good tag by Rocket

We started off in the top of the 4th with a second hit on the day for Arrow. Then Ice followed with a nice hit to move Arrow to second.

 The hitting star of the day Z-land then got a nice hit to plate Arrow and send Ice to third. Z-land stole second and Jano walked.Bases loaded for Goldie who singled in Ice. with the bases still loaded. Rocket walks to plate Land. Jano got thrown out on a fielders choice but we are up 2 runs. We really didn't do anything in the 5th.  Moose and his pink shoes (Mothers day tribute!) is on to pitch 

 In the bottom of the 5th he gets one quick out. Three straight guys in the heart of the order reached, 2 hits and walk. Then disaster struck and double by the #5 hitter cleared the bases as time expired . So close!

We  lost to the Lugnuts 4-3; the Mudcats 6-4 and the Redwings 9-6.  The Redwings game was back and forth all game. We had leads until the last inning.

The Lug Nuts was our first game with Mando (Belt) back. Also this game was Animal's first game off the D.L. in 10 days.  He came through with a hit and run in that game to go with good offensive performances from DC and Rocket with 2 hits each and one of Rocket's was a double. Land had an RBI and hits by Arrow, Goldie and Moose should have yielded more. Slick got a hit too but injured himself on the slide on a steal of second. In the end we just fell one run short.  Here are a few pictures of that game.

Just above, Belt shows us that you can run through a catch and get an out. 

A tough one run loss.

The Mud Cat game was even worse of a loss as we played a close game and then went ahead in the 6th inning only to give up a couple of runs and then our comeback fell short.  Goldie, Rocket, Land and
Animal had hits and we had a bunch of base runners but could not come up with the offense for once. Moose, Goldie, Arrow, Rocket and Slick made great plays on defense.  Some shots of that game follow. 

Jano's backup position is improving here.

still came up short.The Redwing loss was really tough as Rocket pitched 3 innings of one hit ball and we were in control of the game 3-0. Goldie on to pitch but comes up with a sore arm.  Moose comes in to pitch and we are not making plays behind him. Balls over the heads of outfielders and through the infield. Slick has to finish but we can't comeback in spite of 2 hits by Rocket, a hit and 2 RBI by Belt, 2 hits including a double by Edge with a couple of RBI, Goldie with a hit, Animal and Land had hits again and so did Ice with 2 RBI. 9-6 final and most of our runs were earned but not so for the Red Wings.  A few good shots that Coach Brent got in this game follow.

We call this catch by Goldie the "limbo catch" my back hurts just looking at that!

We will get back on Track Thursday vs. the Owlz.

We fell behind but did not quit and came roaring back.  Moose, Magnet, Slick, Land, Goldie and Arrow with big hits. Slick started, Rocket got the win and Moose the Save.  That summary doesn't do the team's effort or the coaching staff's over use of tums, justice!  We started on defense with Slick on the hill and Rocket catching, kind of the opposite of the usual order.

Goldie was down with an arm issue and we wanted to give Moose the game off if possible. Slick responded with three innings of one run ball.  It wasn't quite as easy as it sounds. Starting with the new Owlz lead off batter that slick hit on the 2-1 count. But he buckled down and struck out Lorenzo (2nd batter) and the Supplemental High School player, Kyle Matulis.  With a runner on second, the clean up batter hit a ball to Belt at third which he fired to Magnet for the 3rd out. Okay, nice comeback from the HBP.

Our turn let's get some offense going! NOT! 10 pitches from Kyle Matulis and three strikeouts looking (backwards "K's") Ouch, "got any Tums, Coach?"

Slick back to the hill. He gives up a one out hit. then a dropped pop up gives us 1st and 2nd 1 out. Full count swinging strike out and one looking so we get out of it> "Got any Rolaids, I am out of tums"

Then we come up again and get another backwards K followed by Slick who gets around on Matulis for a double down the third base line.

But we  move Slick to 3rd with a ground ball to the right side and they get the first baseman to pitcher covering. Then wait for it.....................another backwards K! "Pepto-Bismol Coach?"

So in the third Slick stays in to pitch, and top of the order gets a hit and then comebacker sacrifice moves the runner to second. Up steps their High School player and he hit a triple over everyone in the outfield. So the lead off hitter scored but great pitching to strike out the next 2, 4 and 5 batters.  Down 1, no problem, right? Wrong, problem! Kyle is still pitching and gets us 1-2-3 but at least this time they were all swinging strikeouts!

Slick is done so he can still pitch Saturday. Magnet to the hill, Old reliable, throws strikes Right? Wrong, today he did not have it. He walks two in a row to start the inning but gives up a double to the #8 batter on a bloop. Take heart, then gets a strike out. Still only 1 run, so pitch to the lead off guy who gets 2 RBI single. Okay, swallow hard, and put Rocket in with 2 on and one out.

The next guy is hurt and just bunting if you believe the Owlz! Don't believe the Owlz Coaches as he hits a high pitch, hard to bunt for a single on a little "duck snort" into left center. Rocket walks Kyle M to load the bases and strikes out the clean up hitter. An error on a grounder leads to 2 more un earned runs. and he strikes out the next guy.  Not good with the bad guys up 6-zip. Zantac?

Bottom of 4 is our inning! They used 2 different pitchers! everybody was walking or hitting the baseball. Jano hit the ball well just about getting over the third baseman's head. Ice, Goldie, Rocket and Belt all walked with Belt getting an RBI bringing up the hero of the day, the Moose! He "Tomahawks" a ball in the gap and gets a three run triple!

Standing on third and dancing around causes the pitcher to balk and we are down only one. With 2 outs, Edge walks and steals second. Then, still smarting a bit from having an off day on the hill, Magnet gets a clean single and Edge scores. Tie ball Game.

Rocket back to the hill and a lead off walk but a strike out and fielders choice Belt to DC gets us 2 outs and a man on first.

Fly ball to right and we are out of it, Wrong! the catch is made twice but it pops out and drops,

Should have been three outs though and instead it is 1st and 2nd when the injured player hits a triple for 2 unearned runs. Still Rocket strikes out Kyle. to end it.

On to the 5th, Arrow leading off gets a single. This is the foul before the hit, cool stop action picture

Steals second and Land moves him to third with a hit.  Land steals second and Jano is out swinging with a good at bat. Ice just gets under one for a pop up out #2. Goldie "playing hurt" singles in a run and Rocket, Belt and Moose walk to plate another 2 runs.  Up steps the other hero of the day, Slick and hits his second double of the day, sending 2 runners in and getting the Moose to third. Edge walks then  Moose and Slick score on Magnet's second hit of the day! 3 RBI for the day!

That was our scoring with 13 runs in to their 8. Could we save it? Rocket gets 2 more strike outs in the 6th, gives up a flair hit and gets a play Moose to Magnet to end his outing.

  So we don't score more and it is Moose on for the "Save" Two strike outs and harmless comebacker for the WIN!

Coach Brent suggests the title of this article should be "no Rolaids needed" He said that in spite of the fact that in the third inning the Shaky Snakes gained a brief tie in the game at 5.  But Coach Fox and I totally agree. Something had changed with this team! We are starting to gel as team. We are very proud of the way the good team chemistry is creating good results on the field.

Frankly, it is going to be tough to hit all the highlights with 16 hits, great base-running, super pitching and some sterling defense. But the game story is fun.  We started with offense in the first. Rocket gets hit with a pitch and moves up to 2nd on a steal but with 2 down he is stranded there. The Moose comes through with a hit though

A little two out Rally gets a little bigger when Moose steals home on an errant throw back to the pitcher, Way to be a-lert, the world needs more Lerts!

2-zip good guys before the Snakes get to bat. Meanwhile on the Bump we have Slick, Defensively we are playing behind Slick plus Rocket guns out a runner who reaches on an error. 

Interesting Lotus position here Moose but had time to read the signature on the baseball and throw to Magnet for out #1 Then Rocket guns the runner at second with Goldie on the tag.

runner slide was too early but probably out anyway with a better slide as the throw was there in plenty of time! Slick struck out the #3 batter on 4 pitches. Back to work at the plate. Animal starts the inning with a double and moves to third on a DC bunt base hit. Then Arrow plates Animal with a solid hit( first of 2 on the day) 

See the ball down the third base line!

now that is the famous Arrow victory pose!  3-0 Beavs!  Slick had a little more stress in the 2nd but put them away with some help from the defense and another strike out.

DC at short gets the force to Magnet at 2nd. Then we go back to work in the top of the second with Goldie getting a hit and they walked Rocket after Goldie steals second for Belt to come through with a big hit that scores 2 runs. Moose gets a hit steals and moves to third on a Slick ground out but is caught stealing home this time. Anyway 5-0 us. 

 This is where it got a little weird. Slick gets an out and then hits the last batter in the Rattler order. Gives up a bloop hit to the lead off guy, then an error on what could have been a double play loads the bases.  Another flair falls in and they score. Then 2 more score on a walk and hit. We should have had the third out long before we got the second out on a fly out to Land in left and a grounder to Magnet whose speed allowed him to beat the runner to the bag. Tie Score. 

this was a play with Slick covering third where the snake is out but called safe during the bad inning we had. No worries the way our team was playing, we bounced right back with the middle of the order. Magnet walked and Animal was hit by a pitch. With one out Arrow had a hit to load the bases. Then Land gets an RBI for a bruise as he is hit by a pitch. Up Steps Ice, who Tomahawks a 2 RBI single into right center.  Then Land scores when Goldie beats out a grounder to second. We are back up by 4 runs and never looked back.

Moose on to pitch and protect Slick's lead. A walk and strike out then a hit, so it is starting to get interesting, but another K and high pop up to Animal at first and we are out of the 4th.

notice the Edge back up on this catch by Animal! Nice! 

We were not done scoring! Moose walks and then Slick Doubles for the RBI (check the Slick Smile at the 2 bag!) Edge gets a knock for an RBI  and he steals and scores on a Magnet hit! 

Moose finishes the 5th with one meaningless run allowed on one questionable hit. In the top of what would be the last inning, we pour it on. Land get a nice hit to left, Ice and Jano get walks, Jano ran the bases really well, he is improving every day!  Goldie gets an RBI single and Rocket a fielders choice but an RBI. Belt and Slick walk so an RBI for Slick. Edge punches one to right to score Belt. 17-6 Can Rocket hold 'em in the last inning? Sure thing!

2 K's and come backer around one "tiny zone" walk. We are very proud of the way this team has come together. 

We could have won by 20 as we were still batting bases loaded in the 7th when the RiverCats quit. Jano had 2 hits, an RBI and 2 runs. Moose was 3/4 with 5 RBI more to come

Moose se had a good game shown above driving in Goldie in the first

Edge had had an RBI hit to Score Moose, Belt ( hit by pitch) had already scored on a Slick ground out. We score 3 in the first 

We had some good defense, Moose shown here running down a speedy Trent Hughes. 

Defense included Ice in Left, Arrow with a nice play on a pop up and A right field to first which might have gone Land to Belt.  Below, the Jano hit sequence, note the left fielder and shortstop chasing the ball  Fox congratulates Jano at 1B then Jano scores  

Edge safe at 3rd but then gets picked off and has to steal third again! May hear about this again on June 9 

DC with a nice RBi hit to help us go up 12-7 in the 4th. 

Arrows birthday and sis has cupcakes for all! 

We did not mount our usual offense but were quite effective on Defense.  Slick pitched effectively and put in his longest outing of the year at 4 innings. He stranded two Dragon runners on  one hit in the first.

Then we went to work in the bottom of the first.  Goldie got hit by a pitch and stole 2nd for Rocket to drive him in with a solid base hit to right. Then we just let Rocket work his magic on the base paths. from first he eventually stole all the way to home plate. Belt walked and stole to scoring position for Edge who grounds out to the right side for a 3-0 lead.

Mean time we are making plays all over the yard on defense for Slick including, Belt at first, Edge, Magnet, DC, Animal and Ice. 

 When a player is tagged out at the plate trying to score it is sometimes called a Sunset. Rocket painted a beautiful Sunset on Alex Boyd in the 4th.  Note that he gets the ball and " crow foots it" in his throwing hand in the catchers glove for the tag.

We did not score again but we tried. Rocket got hit by a pitch and Belt walked. With one out Edge hit a ball hard but it turned into a fielder's choice at second. Rocket kept on going trying to catch the Dragons sleeping again but was thrown out at the plate on a close call.

 We kept up the defense when Magnet came in to pitch including this Edge catch at second.

and this one by Animal (notice the slight bend in the arm by Edge which makes that catch easier than the stiff arm Nazi salute by the Animal, both caught the ball though)

We had a 3-1 lead ( one unearned run vs Slick who only gave up 2 hits) so we handed the ball to Rocket for the save.  Rocket gave up one walk and one base runner on bobble at Short but struck out 3 in 2 innings of work,  Slick gets the win, Magnet a hold and Rocket the Save.  All got considerable help from a darn good defense.   

Hot Rods game was a must win and we did pull away coming out of the last turn to cross the finish line with a 14-11 win.  We are one of 5 teams contending for the two remaining play off spots. We have to win Saturday and have some help to sneak into the 8th play off spot!

We were extremely Proud of the way this team came together as a unit at the end of our season.  We played the 1st place team in the NL West and the number 3 seed in the play-offs.  We played good defense for most of the game and we took it to the Sounds on offense from the first inning.  DC and Ice made good outfield catches in the early part of the game. With Edge, Moose and Goldie making outstanding plays On the infield. Goldie's running catch from short stop behind third on the foul line reminded us of Gold Glover, Brandon Crawford (hair flowing and all) .  See pictures above and below. 

Slick pitched a strong 4 innings scattering 3 hits and 1 earned run with 3 strike outs and no walks  

Our offense and aggressive base running earned Slick a three run lead after one inning. Goldie and Edge walked.  Rocket drove a 2 run hit through the left side.  Rocket then stole to third and took advantage of sloppy play to score.  

Great throw from catcher Rocket is knocked out by contact with runner on tag.  They got a tie in Slick's last inning

Rocket says "They scored 3 we will score 3"  We did but not in the conventional way! I might mention and this point Coaches are out of Tums, Rolaids and little bottles of Scotch!  Anyway Moose gets a lead off hit. Slick gets a one out walk and Magnet walks with 2 down to load them up for DC. Before DC reaches the plate Coach Doug gives Coach Brent the R rated sign for suicide squeeze. The info is relayed to DC  1st pitch Moose breaks from Third and DC puts it down perfectly

Moose scores while DC and the Ball get to first at the same time but the throw is off the top of the first base glove.  Slick scores on the overthrow.  Magnet to third, DC takes off from first on the first pitch and the throw goes to center to sending Magnet home. 6-3 good guys. 

Goldie pitched a clean inning and Rocket shut down the Sound in the 6th.  

Things looked good with a 3 run lead and one out on a fly ball to Belt in right.  But a bloop single is followed by a double 

play ball up the middle that we did not field or even get one out on.  A Walk and a hit by pitch hurt .  We got the second out and still had a lead when old Muskrats teammate, Jermaine Smith hit a 2 run double.  We could not come back.  The team played hard and no one can fault the effort.  

More later on this but some great pictures depicting the focus of the team and the quality of our pitching ad defense. Shown here Slick, Easy, Bullet and Moose on the hill combined on a 4 hit and one run allowed blow out win. Easy pitched 2 good innings 1 hit 1 walk and no runs

Focus is evident just look at our dugout in the bottom of the first inning

Every player on the fence!  to go play by play by play would take too much time, there was great defense, a lot of offense for us  and no drama ( no Rolaids needed) that is not to say there weren't any funny moments. 

Using the Force, eh Slick? You can't hit what you don't see!

Right after this he got an RBI single.

Sabo trying a new approach, Stick you tongue out at it Joe!

Right after this at Bat Sabo walked and scored on a Goldie's Fielders choice. 

This hitting and fielding form from Flash looks very similar with the leg kick, both worked though!

the next shots of Goldie to Easy and DC to Goldie they just show these 3 Beavers making some nice plays. 

The glove work by DC on that hot grounder was particularly impressive. 

More defense soon.  Hoss scored a run and had an RBI ground out. Sabo scored 2 runs on 3 walks.  1 RBI. Flash had 3 hits and run. Easy 2 walks and run. Bullet a hit and an RBI, Ice 3 hits and one run. Moose 2 runs 2 RBI, Slick 2 hits, RBI 2 runs, DC 1 for 2 with RBI and 3 runs and Goldie one hit but 2 runs scored.

A little more defense, The Thunder did score one run but were going to score another until Goldie got a ball in shallow right field from his 1st base position and rifled a throw to our #5, Slick who did a little #5 on # 5beat down at the plate. Nice throw Goldie, nice "sunset" at the plate Slick, don't tag so high next time though. But good 2 hands on the ball so it doesn't get knocked out!

 there were also some nice plays by Ice and Moose at 3rd base

Speaking of defense and Moose, he back picked a Thunder runner at second base from the catching position that surprised everyone on the field except the Moose and the umpire.  Finally, here is DC going to the opposite field (right field for right hander) or "oppo Taco" nice lead off single on which he latter scored on an Moose RBI fielder's choice followed by Ice and Bullet RBI knocks. 

15 to 3 good guys and it wasn't as close as that score made it sound.  We have some great pictures coming demonstrating Rocket's mastery of the mound 4 innings 2 hits and 1 earned run. Kekoa ( now Bomber) followed with a no hit, no run inning striking out 2 and walking 2.  Many great performances! 

Take it from the Top as we say!  Everyone was up early at Jones before 8am for pictures. That got us to Galt about 8:40 as we beat the Red Sox there!  We warmed up and Rocket started on the hill as we were the home team.

A  two out walk then and error but Rocket struck out the 5th batter in the order and we were up to bat. Goldie and Bomber walked so Slick just steps up and gets a nice RBI single

with Bomber taking 3rd. Bomber scores when Rocket hits to right side for an RBI. Moose gets drilled by a pitch to load them up for DC and he gets a RBI . After a walk or 2 DC steals home

more walks, then Goldie gets a base and an RBI for a bruise as he is hit by a pitch. Bomber Hits

 then Slick and Rocket gets infield hits and we end up plating 11 out of 18 batters who come to the plate in the 1st, That is what they call a good start. 12 runs on 5 hits, 2 Hit by pitch and 8 walks.

Rocket back to the hill for a 14 pitch inning with 2 strike outs and a come backer which he flipped to Easy for the "Easy" out

In the 2nd Bullet walks and Ice gets a nice hit.

then Easy walks and finally Cuz draws a 2 out walk for an RBI. After that Rocket goes back to the bump for the 3rd with an 8 pitch inning! A lead off walk to set up the Red Sox, that is what we are saying, then a looping liner to Easy who extends at first to catch it take 2 steps to the bag and Double Play! then the boring old 3 pitch "see ya" to the 3rd batter of the inning.

A lead off hit by Goldie but we did not score.

Somewhere in the middle of the game the centerfielder for the Red Sox dove for a ball and lost one of his tiny hearing aids The Search was on!

Eventually, we all joined the search and Goldie found the hearing aid, several times a hero in this game Goldie!

Then top of the Red Sox order faced Rocket in the 4th. A single, a walk and a couple of errors on pick off attempts plus an RBI ground out plated 3 runs only one earned for the Red Sox  Oh no our lead is down to 10!

In the Fourth Rocket leads off with a walk, steals 2nd then Moose drives him in with a hit see the RBI antlers at first.

Bullet drives in Moose  for run # 15 for us. Bomber on to pitch.

Great job see above.  In our 1/2 of the 5th Cuz had a nice lead off hit

He stole to 3rd while CB and Sabo walked to load them up for Goldie, Goldie hits a ball deep enough for the Sac fly to left but the hearing aid kid from before guns out Cuz for the Double play.

Great game 15-3 Good Guys

It was the worst of times, It was the best of times  Actually, for you literary types Old Chuck Dickens said it the other way around in A tale of two cities . Our worst was the game vs the Mustangs Maybe not our best but at least better was the game vs the Mud Cats. Game blogs are below.  Here are the team pictures!

The straight picture then the crazy one below To borrow from another media for the below picture

"It's my kind of team, Charlie, my kind of team!" Lou Brown, Major League (1989)

In the Mustangs game we jumped out ahead 3 -0 after 2 & 1/2 innings on a Moose one out hit and a steal of second base.

Slick singled Moose to third and then Bomber and Rocket walked with Rocket getting the RBI on Moose crossing the plate. Slick scored on the Bullet ground out. Then, in the 3rd, Goldie got hit with a pitch, got mad and stole to third. Moose got the RBI hit.

Meanwhile defense and pitching was outstanding On defense, Sabo and Slick (from the mound) with nice flips to first.

Then, as they say, the wheels came off. First batter of the inning reaches on an error, followed by a flare to right that  gets 2 runners on and then we get a pop up for what should have been the second out.  Slick actually hits the next 2 batters to force in a run and then he strikes out the #3 batter for 2nd, should have been 3rd out. A bases clearing single follows with a little help from our defense.  Eventually 6 runs score; 5 unearned. Some problems developed in our offense as well, Cuz got a hit and got thrown out at 2nd trying to steal, might have been safe but he did not slide! Rocket had a double to lead off the 4th and could not score. Easy got a lead off hit in the 5th, Flash got him to 2nd with a nice hit. Then he took third on CB's walk but got picked off 3rd going back after a lead because ...wait for it...he did not slide!

Bomber pitched a scoreless 4th and should have gotten out of the 5th with no damage as well, but 3 errors allowed 3 unearned runs. 9-3 bad guys! We made some decent defensive plays with a nice catch in the outfield by CB

Rocket threw out a runner stealing second and Goldie made a diving tag

We made an attempt to come back late in the game with a 2 out rally by Slick walking then Bomber and Rocket got hits, Slick and Bomber scored on Rocket's hit. Then Rocket stole to third and scored on Bullet's hit for his 2nd RBI of the day!

Rocket pitched a scoreless bottom of the 6th

but top of the 7th with Ice on third and one out we could not score again.

The next game as Home team against the Mud Cats was a totally different story.

It started with Rocket pitching 4 very good innings. Even though the lead off runner for them reached on a error and scored the rest of the pitching was super! Rocket had 6 strike outs,

With Moose catching the first 5 he threw out Panda (Tyler Nakagaki) twice!

On Offense, Moose and Rocket got one out hits Moose scoring on a balk and then the Family Cash got Rocket home, Bomber moved him to third with a ground out and Bullet drove him in with a base knock! In the bottom of the 4th Bomber led off with hit, stole to third then DC drove him home with a one out ground out.

Defense continued with strong pitching and some good throws. Bomber struck out 5 in two innings and the other out was the walk to Panda then when Moose was looking for the ball that got by him at the catching position Panda tries to advance and is caught stealing pictured just above. Moose says it was all a decoy move! It was all about defense from there on out. Moose on to pitch and the first batter #13 reaches on an error. Moose gets the next batter to hit a high pop up to Right. Oh no! We have seen this before with a 3 run lead but....Hoss makes a good catch and almost doubles #13 off at first!

Whew, one out runner at first. Big Panda up for the Mud Cats and hits a looping liner over 2nd but wait, DC gets there with a reach and snags it for the second out.  

2 outs and Rocket catching for Moose. He decoys the runner at first into trying to steal. Rocket hits Slick who is just into the game after a school meeting and he puts the easy tag on #13 to end the game!

The second game started great and Coach Venegas said he wrote the game off in the 4th inning. Shark shut the Owlz down thru 4 with only 2 hits 2 unearned runs and 0 walks. The Shark "K'd" 7 of them. Meanwhile Sparky walked and Slick reached on an error. They walked Shark probably intentionally and Rocky made them pay with a a 2 RBI single. Rocket had a single as well to reload the bases and Sticks got the RBI on a walk. When Shamrock got another RBI hit the Owlz pulled their high school pitcher. 4 runs too late eh? Sparky got another hit in the second but could not score. In the third we thought we broke it open with Shark's Triple, Rocky walks and so does Rocket. Bases loaded one out for Shamrock, Mr Automatic. He singles for the RBI then Woody comes thru for 2 RBI single and Magic Joe reloads the bases with a walk. After 2 were out Pill comes through with a 2 RBI "lawn dart" into left for a hit. 6 runs on 4 hits. 9 to 2. It would stay that way with one unearned run for them in the 5th and nothing for us in the 5th but a hit by Rocket. then the top of the 6th we kind of collapsed. One earned run on hits by Sprague and Ames, then a couple of unearned runs rapped around some hits and 2 balks. They score 5 so 9-8 us. Too close. top of the sixth we get a walk and then a double from Magic but Shamrock is thrown out center to third. Joe is called out stealing third but Coaches camara says safe. Top of the 7th we come back for 2 runs with Pill's single and steal of second scoring after Sparky's single and Sharks 2 RBI hit. Rocket on for the save, but it was not happening. Sticks made a good catch in center on the 1st batter but the 2nd dude walked and Austin Doubled him in. then the second out was a tricky pop up to the center of the diamond that dropped unmolested. Sprague got a hit to score the second run and the wining run was on 1st. Ryan Ames hit a ball to the gap and by the time we got it in the winning run scored. Tough game and rotten way to end it, but everyone kept their heads up. Beaver Pride!!

Tough loss but we are still proud of the Beavers. Stats updated for the all star vote tonight and our numbers are great 3 guys batting 500 or better 6 others .300 or better. There are great new pics loaded to the photo albums in "2102 Double Dip" album. The games started too early for most Saturday but the spirit of the Beavers was awake! We started steam roller style with Magic Joe on the bump 1-2-3 go the Rockies2 strike outs and a grounder to first 11 pitches and we are up in the bottom of the first! Sparky gets his first hit of the day "right out of bed" second pitch of the AB. Slick walked and Shark lined out hard to first, the ball kind of caught the first baseman rather than the other way around.But Slick was doubled off. Rocky singled up the middle to score Sparky, who surprize surprize stole 2nd and third. Rocket drilled a single up the middle and Rocky scored on an Sticks grounder that the short stop boobled but that was all that Sticks needed to be safe. the second vs the rockies was different for us. When the first Rockies' batter reached on an error, Magic Joe lost the zone for a while and walked the bases loaded then another walk scored a run. The sac Bunt scored the tying run but Magic Joe toughened up and struck out two of the next three to get out of the inning. I thought we were coming back with Woody's lead off double but we could not score him. Magic goes back to work with a masterfull third inning, working around an error to shut down the "Mountain Folk". Bottom of the third, we sent 14 batters to the plate. We had hits from Sparky, a triple from the Shark, then a hit from Rocket followed by another triple, this time from Sticks. The hits did not stop, with Shamrock, Woody and Magic Joe getting hits and Dyno walking with Pill getting an RBI on a fly to left that they dropped. Then up steps Smiles and bunts with the pitcher obstruction that counts, by rule, as a hit! Congrats Smiles. Sparky's second hit of the inning scored Dyno and we got 8 runs. 10-2 good guys! Ok lets Coast to a win, no such luck! Woody with 2 hits so far in this game for us, took the hill and could not find the zone with anything else but a "hit me" pitch. He gave up 3 hits and walk to the next 4 batters. We thought he would get out of it with a nice come backer for an out, but with 2 strikes on the next batter, he hit the guy. Then the next guy gets plunked too. A ground ball we could not turn to a double play, followed by a couple of walks, an error and some hits for 9 runs before we brought Shark in to stop the bleeding, with the first of his 4 K's in 3 innings. But we were down one. No problem for the Beavers. We came back with three runs in the bottom of the 4th. With one out a hit by Rocky started us. Rocky scored on a Rocket Triple, followed by a double to Sticks. Then Shamrock gets on with a hit...by pitch. With Sticks at third one of out slower guys, Shamrock, gets in the pickle and Sticks steals home (4th time this season). Woody gets his third hit of the day to the empty bases and we end the inning. 13-11 us. Other than Sharks third hit of the day there wasn't much more offense but defense was outstanding. Sparky threw out a runner stealing and Woody had another good play at 1st. We hold the lead and shut them down. Good win!

The Phrase that came to mind after this game was "Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?" Wow we really blew up and allowed the Sand Gnats to slither by us like the Snake above that invaded our dugout!
Pitching for once was not great. Eventhough the defense was like Swiss Cheese (full of holes). Our offense started ok but went to sleep in the middle innings. By the time we woke up we were in too deep a hole score wise to catch back up.
On the positive side, we never gave up. Rocket came in a pitched very well. One run on 4 hits and 4 strikeouts with 1 walk. If you look at the earned runs we allowed 7 so earned runs wise it would have been a 7-7 tie not a 17-7 loss. We had 11 strikeouts ourselves. 4 looking. Not good.
Our offense was powered by Rocky who had an outstanding game 2 out of 3 with 2 Doubles and 3 RBI. Sparky was on base 2 out of 3 times and scored 2 runs with 4 steals. Slick also had a walk and hit by pitch, stole one base and scored twice.
Rocket struggled in the beginning of the game at the plate but came back with a hit and a run scored (on Rocky's 2nd double of the game in the 6th)
Sticks walked twice and scored once. Coming back from his injury D-Buzz did not do well at the plate but made a couple of run saving catches in center for us. Shamrock had 2 hits, one by a pitch and one of the more traditional variety. Woody pitched but not what we are used to seeing from him. His defense was outstanding though with one (as usual) Sportscenter play at first and couple of more routine plays. (there is one photo-see "photo albums" left menu 2012 Sand gnats 5-30-12 album- of him way off the ground saving us an overthrow and the run) Woody also had a 2 RBI hit in the first and another in hit in the 6th. Magic Joe should have been out of the first inning with one run but we didn't make the right plays to get outs and 5 runs were allowed. Joe had a couple more traditional errors in back of him in the second and in two innings threw 74 pitches. that should not have happenned but the defense was not up to the task and the pitch count got away from the coaches. Joe had a hit in 3 at bats. Dyno did work a walk but could not score. Pill's throwing arm was sore but he still found ways to contribute, like a tough catch in the second for the first out. Smiles saved some runs with throws from right field. All in all we need to move on to the double header now moved to BSP Saturday with Show up at 9am.

We had some bad moments on Defense in a game that started with us up 4 in the first. Sparky walked stole a couple of bases including home. Slick got a hit went to second on Sharks hit and Scored on a ground ball to right side by Rocket that the first baseman could not field. Shark scored due to the error at first and then Rocky walked and Rocket stole third and went home on the over throw of third. 4 Runs then the second after giving up 2 unearned runs in the 1st we had a 1 out double by Magic Joe and a walk by Dyno, Magic stole 3rd and Dyno got to 2nd when Pill laid down a pretty good bunt but Magic got caught in "no man's Land" for the out. Smiles got some good swings off and almost reached on a passed ball but no runs for us. Sparky scored in the 3rd, reaching on an error on a throw from third that moved him to third. Shark had a Sac Fly to score him. In the 4th the bottom of the order came alive and got 3 of 7 runs we gave those bottom feeding sharks back. Sticks singled and with one out and Sticks at third on Steals Woody had a solid single for the RBI. D-Buzz reached on a fielder's choice and stole 2nd then scored on Dyno's RBI single. A 70 foot single by Pill scored Magic Joe who had walked. We closed out the scoring for us in the top of 5th with a single by Sparky, Shark was hit by a pitch and Rocket hit a single. With Sparky scoring from 3rd but the Shark trying to score form 2nd was thrown out at home. We ran out of game time and defense. We made 2 errors in the first inning, 3 in the 2nd and 3 in the third with 2 in the 5th. We gave up 3 or 4 earned runs.

With Rocket Dealing on the hill for 2 innings and striking out 5 with 1 hit allowed and no runs then Magic Joe comes in and flat deals for 2 no hit no run inninngs we looked ok even at 1-0 lead but then in the bottom of the 4th we batted around plus 3 batters and scored 9 runs. Easy win cruise control, no rolaids, no paddles, No Clear!, right? No way with this team! We managed to make it a nail bite fest! Woody did come in and felt a little off balance on the hill. Several walks and a couple of hits, but despite a strike out, Woody struggled and we put Shark in to stop the bleeding. A couple of ticky-tack Balks and three runs scored in the 5th. The sixth didn't go well either with a couple of hits form the top of the order plus a walk and we were in trouble again. An error in right and we have got Rolaids out in Bulk, but Shark gets them by striking out the #7 batter with Ben Ortega on third. the tying run was in the hole at the time.
On offense we got it started right away with Sparky drawing a walk and several "dive backs for Pizza" until he stole 2nd. Then Rocket moved him to third where Shark drove him in with the first of 2 singles on the day for the Shark. We got through the lineup by the of the third. Sparky led-off the 4th and eventually got up twice. His first at bat he just about took an ear of the pitcher with a lined shot up the middle. Sparky stole second and third and Rocket brought him in with an RBI Single. The Rocket stole 2nd and Shark Singled with D-Buzz walking. Rocky shot a ball into right field scoring 2 runs. Then up stepped Magic Joe looking to bust the game open and he did! A double up the middle scored the 2 runs on base. With no outs Shamrock hits a screamer in the infield which stops on the right side at the pitchers mound. Sacrifice and Joe moves to third. A little 2 out bingo for Sticks with an infield hit to right side for an RBI. Sticks steals second and then executes the double steal with Dyno after he walks. Then Pill Huscher walks as does Sparky for an RBI Then Rocket gets his second hit of the inning scoring 2 more. Wow 9 runs in the inning. Rocky got a hit later and Shamrock got one too, right on the arm with a fastball. No harm done and no further scoring either. Great Game but do we have to make it some "exciting"? BTW new photos up loaded to album "Beavers 2012 Ironbirds" click photo albums left menu. D-Buzz Mom in Kourt?

Great contributions from everybody couldn't pull out this win on Saturday at Jones North. Mudhens got tough in the end of the game. The Story of the first part of the game was Magic Joe's pitching. Lights out! 3 innings pitched no hits, 1 walk and 7 punch outs, 3 looking. Joe's stuff was electric. We could not hold the lead though. We built the three run lead in the first with a couple of walks and D-buzz single. After Sparky scored on the D-Buzz single then Slick stole to third and went home on the overthrow to third. DBuzz then was "balked in" from third. Woody started off our 2nd with a hit and got to 3rd on a walk and a Sac by Smiles. But we could not get home. Tony arrived and put on the batting helmet and hit the ball but forced Smiles at 2B. Sparky came up in the top of the third and got his first of 2 hits but could not score after stealing to third! Joe gave up an unearned run in the third. We threw the ball around the yard allowing Miguel Saragoza to score after a walk. Mr Hard Luck, Woody Trejo came to the hill and got a K looking on the lead-off guy. but a walk, 2 hits and couple more walks, along with some throwing errors and other mental mistakes resulted in 6 runs. 7-3 so we get our our ups in the 5th and mount a 5 run rally based on Woody's walk a steal and Dyno's walk. Then our newly re-nicknamed Pill Huscher comes up and lays down a bunt for a hit. A couple of throwing errors after the hit score one run. Smiles moves the runners along and Rocky singles plating 2 runs. Sparky singles after Rocky is thrown out stealing. Shall I say it...wait for it..another Rolaids moment. Sparky stealing 2nd and third (6 steals on the day for Sparky)Slick then walks. Then Rocket, "Rockets" one to the gap for a double but is thrown out trying to stretch it to a triple, Old Baseball saying "never make the third out at third base" We are done in the 5th. Rocket gives up 2 hits in the 5th but no runs. The 6th is more of the same as Sticks walks with one out, Steals 2nd and goes to third on a Wild Pitch. Magic Joe and Shamrock load the bases with walks and there is Woody again, this time with a 2 RBI single. Woody had just come off the field in the bottom of the 5th robbing the #5 hitter on a snare of "seed ticketed for the right field line and stole a sure RBI double from the Hens. So how about the bottom of the 6th (last inning due to time) Three run lead right? no worries, right? WRONG! Rocket walked the #9 batter and struck out the last batter in the order looking. Get the double play and the win? NO! #1 hitter singles and then Miguel singles too. Anthony Alves then hits one over out outfielders and plates all three runners on a triple. Joe catches a foul pop near the fence and Rocket gets the last guy on a high pop to the Mound. Another tie. We gave away a win at least twice by not playing good defense and not fielding in the outfield. We also left some runs on the bases. But see ya monday Beat the Ironbirds! Zehnder 5:30 1st pitch 4:30 show up.

Our COHS high school player is with us starting Thursday at practice (Zehnder 5:30-7:20) Then pictures at Jones Saturday 8am sharp! Be late and miss the picture! We do those pictures warm up then beat the Mudhens right there at Jones! We have Kangaroo Kourt after and the pot luck lunch the parents have arranged. Get your rest Friday night. eat something and go to the pictures on time! Bring lots of water or water and sports drink mixed. It will be hot!

Some strange things happened to the Beavers when they played the IBirds the first time this year. We got off to a one run lead with hits by Sparky and Shark, then D-Buzz had a good hit but that was all as Magic Joe hit one right down the line at first and the 1st baseman made a play on Magic's 2 RBI double bid. Woody on the hill and he got the first hitter and walked the second then got the #3 man to pop up to Sparky at 1st, from there it got weird. A popup bey the clean up batter to Shamrock at 2nd for the third out--But NO! right off Shamrock's melon and everybody is safe but Shamrock, who has a slight headache. An error on a pick off scores the first run of the inning and the second on a double before the last batter lines out to recovering Shamrock. In the 2nd Sticks gets a hit but we can't score him. Their second is another error fest. Again a quick out and a walk. Another pick off doesn't work and then a walk a couple of hits. We catch Coach Allen trying to steal a run for the second out but a hit and another walk kill us before Woody gets the third out on a come-backer. Our third is another base runner when Smiles gets plunked by a pitch and then Slick lines out into a double play. Sparky walks and Rocky singles but they get Shark by an eyelash at first on rocket grounder hit to short. Their 3rd starts with Sparky with a walk and then a hit but he gets a strike out so one out and he gets 0-2 on the next batter and hits him with the 3rd pitch, Bases loaded. A walk and a second walk on questionable calls hurts us for 2 runs then a grounder to first scores the third run before another single and ground out. Ok 9-1 We are down and out right-WRONG! We don't give up and mount a 7 run rally on a walk to D-Buzz and a Double by Majic Joe then a grounder by Shamrock plates D-Buzz, Shamrock the RBI machine. Woody walks and Sticks hits an RBI double. Dyno gets a 2 RBI single and Bronco Max Huscher picks a great time for his first hit of the season for another run. Smiles pushes a ball to the right side for an RBI next and Slick walks advances to second and scores on Sparky's 2 RBI hit. 7 runs but we fall behind again on errors and run out of time. Tough one. Practice Thursday Zehnder at 5:30

We had a tough game vs the River Bandits and then transitioned to the other field to finish the game vs the Owlz. Dyno walked was Balked to second and went to third on a wild pitch ( it seems like it took about as long to move from Jones South to Jones North as it did for Dyno to get to third-but he made it.) Then Magic Joe walked and stole 2nd. Up steps Shamrock and hits the 2nd pitch he sees into right for a 2 RBI single. Smiles has a 5 pitch at bat and strikes out swinging (good effort). Then Rocky moves Shamrock from 2nd (he had a passed ball that got him there--eventually like an Irish Glacier)to 3rd on a ball hit to the right side. Shark hits a ball hard up the middle and gets thrown out at first as we fall one run short of the tie. Good effort by a tired bunch but we are very proud of the effort on Cinco de Mayo!

This picture probably has nothing to do with this game but I just think it is a cool picture of D-Buzz sliding into 3rd with the 3rd baseman up in the air! (photo credit coach Brent)The story of this game is not a slide or a hit or even the amount of Rolaids taken by the coaching staff. It is the story of a determined bunch of players on a bottom of the standings team that punched toe to toe with the elite team in the league and almost beat them. In fact, one pop-up when we were stealing did us in. Coach Brent wanted to safety squeeze with Sparky on third and Shark up. Ok, you were right Coach. We did salvage the tie. The hitting stars were Shark 3/4 2 RBI, reached on an error and oh yes, pitched 4 innings of 2 hit, shut out ball by the way. Also Sparky in the 2 hole with a 2 for 3 day 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Other stars; Slick turned a double play, had a hit and a pair of runs scored. Smiles walked and stole a base while Sticks scored a run. Woody had a single and an RBI, Magic Joe pitched well and had 2 hits. D-Buzz took one for the team and also walked. Shamrock got his hit that seems to come in every game. Dyno caught a tough ball in left to end a River Bandits rally and Rocky caught the first two perfect innings of Shark's day.
The coaches are considering switching from Rolaids to the Emergency paddles-CLEAR!

I think it sums up the evening about as good as can be when Coach Brent asked "Do you think we can get Rolaids in injectable form?". Ok we don't want to dwell on this but look at the first inning. It might be a bad sign when our pitchers give up one hit and the first run has errors marked as reasons why the runner took 3rd and home, the second run is an error all the way from the point where the batter reached first after being hit by a pitch. The third and fourth runners reached base on errors and advanced at least once by errors. 4 runs were in on at least 4 errors (I really lost count.) At that point the other 5 runs that scored in that inning can not be earned runs as eliminate the errors and we are out of the inning with any runs scoring. Then we did contribute 5 walks and one more hit be pitch. Coach Carey said he had 2 hits in that inning I only found one!Through the rest of the game that counted there were a total of 2 earned runs out of 14. that means that on earned runs we had an equal amount. The runs we gave up and got in the 6th don't count officially as the game is considered to revert back to the end of 5th when we did not get to finish the 6th.
It is worth mentioning that Sparky when 2for 3 with a rare RBI in this game for the Beavers. Shamrock had an RBI single and so did Sticks while D-Buzz 2B, Majic Joe, Rocky and Slick had hits as well. Smiles scored a run as did Bronco and D-Buzz.
My suggestion is Flush it and forget it. Beat the River Bandits that will surprise the Heck out of them.

The Economy size Rolaids may not be enough and the coaches are thinking of switching to Pepto! What a game! In the first Inning, Joe pitched well but gave up a rocket Double to the lead off hitter then managed to strike out the dangerous Ricky Van Houten. Then the other coach's son Nick Henderson blasted a double to left that scored a run. The number 4 hitter K'd too and we got a fly out to D-Buzz in center for the 3rd out. We struggled to get that run back with a Sparky hit, a couple of steals and a Shark single. The second was some of the same with a a double by Andrew Gale and an RBI single by Zach Wood. Damage was limited by a strike out and a pop up that Woody handled as it came down from the stratusphere(With the bases loaded that might have been Rolaids moment #1!) Shamrock started off the 2nd with a walk followed by walks to Bronco and Smiles. With one out Sparky put a 2 RBI hit to right center right where he and coach Doug had talked about. Then Rocky hit a single, But Smiles rounded third base trying to score (rolaids #2) and was tagged out, but not before allowing the runners to move up, Sparky to third and Rocky to second. Shark hit a ball well up the middle but the second baseman bare handed it and threw it to 1st in time for the out. We managed 2 runs to take the lead by one! Joe pitched pretty well but Woody pitched better! He held the Gnats scoreless for the Hold preserving Joe's chance to win (at that point coach Donny was calling Joe, Magic Joe-new nickname!) Anyway Woody had 2 K's gave up 3 hits and walked none for the Hold. Here comes Rolaids moment #3, with poor Rocky pitching. A couple of errors and they tie the score. He did not pitch badly but did give up 2 hits and 3 runs only one of which was earned (right in the pit of the stomach). Wasting no time we went right to the Shark for pitching. On offense in the 4th we had a run in the bag. Rocky slammed a shot over Ricky Van Houten in center so far that he almost ran out of sight. Rocky is chugging towards third and puts his head down about the same time Coach Donny throws up the stop sign. The Rock rounds the bag at third and is tagged out. Rolaids #4, Then of course both Shark and D-Buzz reach base with a single and error. That would have scored Rocky and Blake had a good chance of scoring as well on second with 1 out if Rocky is safe. Maybe Rolaids moments 5,6 and 7, So then the ultimate Rolaids moment: in the 5th inning with 2 outs Shamrock at third and Dyno at first. By the way Dyno's base running has also cause some unneeded stomach acid. In the third on sucessive pitches he went to second and third. The Sands of Time were running through the hour glass at glacial speed as he reached base. At third he tried a slide about 6-7 feet short of the bag. A little crow hop with the lead leg gained a very light touch on the bag as the tag came down...Safe!(can anyone run to Wallgreens for coach Doug?) Anyway, Smiles is at bat. The first pitch is low and away and Coach Van Houten says "that away to start it off" to the pitcher, "ball one" says the ump. The second pitch was a strike and the third a high pitch for a ball again. Then a low and in pitch gets called a strike. Smiles steps out of the box and all the Gnats start leaving the field. Shamrock gets a clue from Dad Dave and starts moving in "X Mo" toward the plate, Coach Brent said he thought he heard the "Chariots of Fire" music from somewhere. Shamrock slides home, nice form by the way and the Ump says Safe- We break the tie and Coach is wondering if Pepcid is better. Dyno decides, with Coach Marty's help, to get his mini piano in to gear to take 2nd,-maybe a little late fellows. Anyway they did throw him out leaving Smiles to wonder what happened and to lead off the next inning. Prilosec maybe coach?
But Shark has a 7 pitch 6th inning shutting down the #7,8and 9 batters who have 4 hits so far this game. In the 6th we can't score the insurance run. Smiles struck out to start the inning and Sparky walked and stole 2nd then Rocky was a K victim as well. So Shark gets hit by a pitch and we get 2nd and third with D-Buzz up and he is money, but he tops one back to the pitcher and we are out of the inning. No problem Shark can handle it, right? He promptly walks the lead off guy. Great! But the last guy in the order lines a shot to Magic Joe who catches and makes a quality throw to first almost getting the double play. Oh well. The top of the order bounces into a fielder's choice Magic Joe to Bronco to get the lead runner, 2 down. A couple of pitches to Ricky and the top of the order guy trys for 3rd. Shark gets it started and I think Rocky, Joe, maybe Sparky all touch the ball which ends up with Bronco who tags him out to end the game. Zantec? See ya all Wednesday at Jones South 4:30 show up. Sticks, Slick you missed a barn burner of a game!

This is just a place holder till I can get more detail but bottom line Woody Trejo is almost a Beavers Legend with a 2-2 day including a run scored and a key 3 RBI double in the great Beaver comeback in the last inning that fell just shortl He also pitched well but defense failed him and the Beavers in general on this day. We lose by 2 runs and the light faded. The other numbers on offense were not Bad D-Buzz and Shark 2-2 with 2 RBI but the defense let the pitching down so Lollygaggers is the audio theme Hey Early show up in Galt. We have 8 players to Start and have to be there Saturday 4/28 at 9am. Go East off of hiway 99 on Twin Cities to Carrillion then Right about a mile on Carrillion to the park at the intersectin of Carrillion and Walnut!

That ball comin' right at you was just like all the quality pitches that Shark threw at the Rivercats through the first three frames. In the frist inning it was a 9 pitch effort with a pop up to Sticks on one pitch, another ground ball back were it came from for a 1 unassisted and then big Dom singled on a hard grounder through the infield. That is ok a fielders choice to Average Joe at third, to Bronco and then back to Slick for the "phantom tag" on the big guy, out #3. We did nothing in the bottom of the inning but Shark got back on the hill for another short inning; a pop up to Sparky at first this time and 2 K's, one looking one swinging. then the bats came to life with D-Buzz a hard hit single and a couple of steals puts him at third when Sticks walks then with one out Dyno walks to load 'em up. Bronco Huscher's walk was an RBI for him. After 2 outs up steps Shamrock with a 2 RBI single. Smiles walks so we have Shamrock at second, Smiles at first and Sparky up. "Go up the middle on this guy Sparky", and he does for a clean single. Shamrock didn't get a good jump but Smiles got a worse one going back to the base and meeting Sparky coming up the line. Imagine his surprise! Oh well a "teachable moment" and more more money form the coach for Pepto! No one felt worse than Smiles but Sparky handled the situation like a pro and team leader, Proud of you Spark boy!
But 4 -0 lead with Shark on the Bump for one more good inning 8 pitches this time and one good double play turned by Slick and we are out of the inning. We got a couple more runs in the bottom of third with a single from Rocky and then the Shark took a slow pitch to the right center gap (we love it when they listen to the coach suggesting an approach that works). It was a stand-up triple for Shark. Then D-Buzz comes thru again! a single scores Shark!
Then we had to send someone else to the hill, D-Buzz off of his strong offensive performance was the victim. too many walks to count and a few hits with some errors sprinkled in and we go from up to 3 down. We brought in Woody Trejo to get the third out and he did after an inherited runner or 2 scored. So we are Down 3 and the Cats bring in their # one pitcher Kyle Ducay. We get a walk and they make a pretty good play on Joe's grounder with 1 K looking and 1 swinging we don't score. In the next inning Woody went back to the hill facing the top of the order and they got a couple of hits and then Woody got thatcan't throw a strike illness that D-buzz had. So Sticks came in and got us out of the inning after a couple of hits and some fly ball outs. In the bottom of the 5th Rocky got a nice hit off of Ducay but we couldn't get any offense going. top of the last Sticks was throwin' every piece of junk he could at em' but the zone was pretty tight and we walked a few more.35 pitches total for Sticks over two innings was enough and we brought in Average Joe Oto. Joe got us out of the inning but some of the inherited runners scored. Only 3 runs charged to Sticks. Good job by all our pitchers after Shark in a difficult situation. Our last chance and we wanted our at bats so I got Coach Matlen to agree to turn on the lights for 1/2 hour. Big Dom was pitching for the 'Cats and he was wild. He walked Sticks who had enough of the not scoring stuff. He stole second and third then went home on the overthrow scoring with a Head first slide (not a good idea) at home-close play.Woody and Bronco Walked and Dyno hit one to left that they made a good play on but finally Average Joe got rung up on a questinable strike 3 call to end the game. 17-7 loss and just by coincidence we walked or hit 17 rivercats. what does that tell you. Practice Friday at BSP 5:30 We need to find a couple of guys to pitch Saturday vs the Redwings!

Average Joe Started this game and gave us 3 good innings, then Rocky came in and gave up the tying run but then while he was on the mound still the Beavers took the lead for good on an RBI fielder's choice by Joe scoring Woody and a Shark single and a bunch of Steals including home! Thus Rocky gets the win. We say, in the game, that Rocky is the "Vulture", giving up the tie and Then being on the hill when the winning run of the game scored thus he vultured the win from Average Joe. Shark got the save with a 3 for 3 day with a triple and a sacrifice.
The game was going to be tight from the get-go. But we didn't give up ala Braveheart like in the audio Clip! Slick was down with Alergy problems and Sparky with his shoulder. We have a 3 game week and had to ask Average Joe Oto to start and take us deep into the game. He threw 57 pitches in 3 innings and did an outstanding job on the bump: 4K only one run. He was actually perfect through 2 2/3rds innings. Average Joe also helped the team go back ahead with an RBI ground ball. All our pitchers did great with an 11 total strike outs of the 21 outs we got. Our defense was outstanding despite missing a couple of defensive studs in Sparky and Slick. Dyno continues to catch difficult fly balls and line drives in the outfield and both Joe and Bronco had good defensive plays. Woody and Sticks saved a couple of errors at first including one fab stretch by Woody at first. This was also the first game that pitching, defense, base running and hitting came together for an all around well played game. We started hittng in the first inning with Sticks McElroy earning a walk and being sacrificed to 2nd by Rocky then taking 3rd on an alert play with the catcher dropping the ball. With one out Shark Lewis drove him in with a sharp smash that ate up the second baseman for the RBI single.On defense we played a perfect 1st and second with great plays by Bronco at third, 2 by Dyno in left, Rocky with a shoe string catch at short and a good throw to Sticks at first. In the bottom of the third we got 2 quick outs with a tough grounder to Shamrock at 2nd that he stopped didn't panic on and threw out the guy at first then a strike out. I thought Joe had the last batter struck out but right after Coach Marty said "don't tell Joe but he has a no hitter" we get the bad call on 3 and 2(Walk- no perfect game). That batter steals second. So the single by the top of the order scored the run. We had another single before the #3 hitter struck out. There goes the no hitter and the win for Joe as the game is tied at that point. No panic by the team but the coaches were headed for the Tums bottle. We scored another run in the top of the 4th on singles by Woody Trejo and Dyno Jorrin with Woody advancing on a wild pitch and scoring on Average Joe's RBI grounder. That got us the lead for a while but they tied it again off of Rocky. After 2 were out a walk scored on a couple of singles by them pesky Threshers. Not to worry Shark singled and then took it on himself to steal his way around the bases and home on his cousins, the Thresher Sharks.
Rocky got us to the top of the 6th, by besting the three of the top four Thresher hitters with a strike out and a pop up to Shark at short plus a grounder to Shark and the throw to Sticks. We added on through the 7th and Shark shut them down in the bottom of the 6th. With a little help from Joe at third and a couple of K's. That brought us to the bottom of the 7th with light fading and memories of the Owlz disaster. The triple by Shark in the top of the inning helped a little when he scored on D-Buzz's RBI sinlge to put us up by 3, but we were still working on Vern the ump to call it. No worries, Shark has got this, right? Top of the Thresher order and he gets the K on the pesky lead off hitter. Then the gounder to Max and he throws it wide of Woody at first but Woody does the "Stretch Armstrong" and reels it in for out #2. Why does Shark remind us of Brian Wilson of the Giants? Because he can't get a save without the tying run at the plate. The #3 batter doubles and the next guy walks on 4 pitches-- So Shark then goes "Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good night!" with 2 heaters and hook for the last out and the Save; oh yes and our first regular season win! Good Job guys!
Reminder Practice Wednesday at Nottoli 5:30 game at Nottoli 5:30 Thursday, 4:30 show up. Saturday we are in Galt at Galt Community Park (Directions on www.eghardball.com and this site.) We only have 9 players and Rocky is going to be late. Oh my. 9 am show up

Smiles expressed how we felt in the Redwings game Saturday. This loss was on the defense as the pitching and at least one inning of offense showed up. There is an aguement for the fact that none of the 10 runs by the Redwings was an earned run. The only possible earnie's were in the first but that envolved a wild pitch and the 5th inning where there were 2 hits with 1st and third and then an error scored one and move the other runner up so a ground out scored the second run followed by a strike out and a pop up to first. So no earned run in either inning. There were a multitude of other errors clearly leading to the loss. Not too many players had an error free day. Our offense started in the 4th inning vs Willie Gormley, Redwings #1 pitcher who went all 4 innings. Rocky walked in the park picked up a bat and singled, stole second and third and then Max walked and stole second. Slick then drove both in with a solid single. The Shark was next with Slick on second after a steal and he hit a deep fly to center which someone caught (sharks luck all day three at bats and three balls hit to left, center and right all caught.) But D-Buzz knocked in Slick and then stole 2nd went to third on Woody's single then Woody stole 2nd for the easy score on Dyno's 2 RBI single. 5 runs all earned. Guys if we play just a little better defense we win 5-4. Monday 4/23 @ 5:30 vs the Threshers-Jones North 4:30 show up. Average Joe starts. Note we have added a practice Wednesday at Nottoli 5:30 and our game Thursday is there too at Nottoli a 5:30 1st pitch!

This game was that close to the win column but darkness fell quickly and impacted our third out attempt and the fact that 2 balls hit in the darkness were not caught when they would have been in normal light. The game was suspended with our at bats in the bottom of the last to go. We went into the inning leading by 2 and came to the middle of the frame trailing by 3. "What a revoltin' development that is!"
D-Buzz was the key player on the Beavers in this game. He came up in the 1st and slammed a one out, 2 RBI, tomahawk shot into center. Scoring Slick Morrison, who had reached on a single up the middle (Slick left the game shortly after with a stomach problem-get well Slick) and Rocky Anguiano who reached on Fielder's Choice and a E-5. D-Buzz Dokter wasn't done in the 1st, stealing second and then going to third on the pick-off move to second which was spiked into the ground and rolled into right center. Sticks McElroy came up and singled Buzz in. At that point we tied the score 3-3. We fell behind on a walk and some shaky defense on baserunners. Woody Trejo gave us 2 decent innings on the bump but then we got The Shark, Blake Lewis, to pitch 3 innings of 1 hit, no run Beavers baseball. 4 Owlz struck out including the #5 and #6 hitters in their deep line up. Rocky threw out a runner at third and Woody had a good play at catcher on a 2-3 dropped third. Meanwhile we had some good plays and not so good plays. Check the "1st week" album to see the sequence of shots of out throw to third on Tyler Landsberger going off that "Owlz Beak" and the slide... safe! If Average Joe is in front of the bag at third and not letting the runner get between him and the ball, the throw from Rocky beats him and we tag him out. On the other hand we had a couple of great plays by Dyno in left and Shark at first. We got back to hitting in the third with a single by Shark a couple of steals and he scored on an overthrow at third for the tying run. The 4th inning run scored by Dynomike after a walk was mostly errors. The Owlz walked the bases loaded with 0 outs and then changed pitchers. Average Joe struck out on a questionable pitch and then Shamrock came up and hit a sharp grounder back to the pitcher, forcing Woody at home but the throw to first went over the head of the first baseman and Dyno scored, huffin' and puffin' from second. We were up one run. In the fifth we were looking for multiple insurance runs. Rocky walked and stole 2nd then with one out D-buzz singled him in for his third RBI of the game. Then D-Buzz steals 2nd with his 4th steal of the game. Sticks walks and we try the double steal. It was questionable if Buzz was caught stealing or not but that is what the call was. Woody's ground out would have scored him if he had been safe.
The top of 6 was a disaster caused by darkness. Rocky did not have pin point control and walked the first 2 hitters (hitters 1 and 2 in the order) then the third hitter popped up to D-Buzz (who else in this game) and he threw to Shamrock for the double play, two outs and runner on 1st leading by 2 runs. Then the pop up from the Owlz clean up hitter goes up into the night sky and starts drifting on Rocky. The ball "lawn darts" into the ground and suddenly it is 1st and second. The 5 hole hitter walks to load the bases and then the next batter hits a fly to left into the night sky. Bronko Huscher says he didn't see it after in got into the air, he trys to go in on it and sails over his head and there goes the lead. The very next batter hits one farther oover Bronko's head that he also did not see and they score 3 more runs. Rocky strikes out the #8 batter on three very dark pitches. We talked the ump into suspending play so we would have a chance to score 4 in the bottom half. The completion is scheduled after our one pm game on May 5th. Sparky and Slick are not eligible for that last 1/2 inning, but will play in the 1pm game we hope. Sparky is out with a shoulder problem for at least the rest of this week. Get well Sparky!

Beavs up early in this one then the walk fest puts us down 16-6. we comeback to 16-11 before the Cats toughen up. Let's put it this way, the weather wasn't great, we had a decent start and then we didn't play well, then we appeared to get worse then that but at the end of game in the light rain we came back on their best pitcher who was having a bad day but the comeback was a couple of outs short.
The Shark started the game by getting a quick strike out then gave up a walk when coach d"on was umping. On Dom's high fly ball the runner got hung up and tagged out at the plate for the second out with big Dom on second. Jaystid then blooped a single to score Dom. Then Sparky picked off Jay at first with Woody and Slick pickling the runner for the 3rd out. Defensively we failed in the 2nd with an overthrow on a pick off getting a one out runner at third were a fielders choice could score the unearned run. Blake struck out 2 in that inning. A walk a shaky fielders choice and an error lead to 2 more unearned runs and an earnie with one out and Big Dom up. For his final out Shark struck big Dom out on a swing through high fast ball. good way to end his preseason pitching efforts. Sticks came in cold with the bases loaded and 2 outs but he could not find the Strike zone. Woody then was called on an eventually got that 3rd out. Our next pitching victim was D-Buzz with herky jerky motion. 5 errors, a pair of walks and 3 hits, and a wild pitch later we still had no outs and 6 runs in for the Sewerrats er I mean Rivercats we called HELP!. Slick Morrison moved on to the hill from short and induced a fly to center, a RBI fielders choice and a pop up to first. 13 runs for the Cats and we had 6. Sparky came on in the top of the 5th and got a quick out on a 4 pitch "see ya" (strike out looking). one hit and 7, yes 7 erors later we ended up down 16 to 6. Down 10 with three outs to go. On Offense we earned what we got with only 1 Rivercat error. Slick, Shark and D-Buzz combined for 2 runs in the first on the only Reached on an error to Slick a steal and single by Shark for the RBI then with Buzz at the plate the Shark was a preditor on the base paths taking advantage of the wild pitches to splash across the plate with the second run of the inning. We got nothing in the second despite Average Joe Oto earning a base with a bruise (hit by pitch #1) In the third Sparky walked and moved up on a Sac by Slick then got caught stealing in third. Shark walked Stole to third and then D-Buzz fouled out to 3rd base ending the inning. We had better luck in the 4th with Woody, Sticks and Dyno walking then Average Joe had a single to score Woody with Sticks thrown out at the plate. Coach Don in the book for sending him "never make the first out of an inning at home". Shamrock walked and Sparky got a fielder's choice and an RBI followed by RBi knocks by Slick and Shark for 4 runs. For the bottom of the last the Cats sent Dom Munoz ( the big lefty to the hill and it was painfull for us. The powerfull thrower hit Sticks and Shamrock befre leaving the game. Sticks arm will be bruised for a while and we don't know how long Shamrock with be hobbling. But with no body out and Woody and Sticks already scoring we had the bases loaded with Dyno, Average Joe and Shamrock on base when Sparky came through with a shot up the middle to score Dyno but Shamrock got nipped at 2nd centerfielder to second base. When Slick grounded out Joe Scored. Then the Shark and D-Buzz had singles. The comeback fell short on a high fly ball above the lights that somehow one of their guys caught off of Woody's bat. 16 -11 final. The Saturday game (first regular season game) is Postponed and will be played Monday 4/30/12 at 5:30 pm Nottoli

Shown above Anthony "Sparky" Rivett and Ryan "Rocket" Sutherland executing a rundown play in 2011. Both of these Beavers return to the team in 2012 to play for the team. Both Catch and pitch as well as play just about any other position on the field. Super players and super teammates. This year they are joined as protected players by two other versitle players. "Rocky" Tony Anguiano and Derek "Doc" Dokter both are pitchers and good infielder outfielders plus Rocky is a catcher also. They both played for Coach Doug and Coach Brent on the Fall Ball Muskrats in 2011. Sparky and Rocket played for the Muskrats in 2010. Hey we just got Michael "Dyn0" Jorrin, Tanner Morrison, Blake Lewis, Tyler Kelly, Max Huscher, Tyler Buck, Christain "Sticks" McElroy, Wes Trejo and Joe Oto!

A fun start and good weather but the weather part might change the week of March 12. We have a practice game Monday 3/13 at BSP Show up time is 5pm and the game will not start until after 6pm, a scrimmage vs the Ironbirds. Then Tuesday March 13, (weather permitting) we are back at Jones North. The rest of the schedule for the practice season is posted. and the next 3 events appear at the bottom of this page.
Hey, look at Sticks bashing the ball last year in the picture above.

Hey another practice game this one with the Owlz. Coach Venegas has Bartholomew til 1pm this Saturday. so 10:30 game and 9:30am show up. Should be fun and we can work on first and 3rd plays and bunts plus bunt coverages.. Full uni with full warm up.

Practice still on at Nottoli on Thursday. We are under the lights with the 7pm - 9pm shift. I will try to wrap up by 8:40 so we have time to clean up the field.

A back and forth error fest is what one might call this game in which the Beavers prevailed over the Owlz 8-5. There were some highlights, funny moments and some not so great momments. First the bad news. It looks like protected Owlz player Ryan Ames is out for 4+ weeks with a torn elbow tendon. While pitching Ryan plunked Woody on the back and then doubled over holding his right arm. He went to the hospital and is in a sling
On to fun stuff.
We went ahead on a hit by the Shark, Blake Lewis, Then d-Buzz, Derek had a hit moving the Shark to 3rd and as Woody walked the Shark stole home. Sparky was on the hill for the Beavs and had a great first inning. After giving up a hit and a stolen base to lead-off the game he got a ground out, a strike out on the #3 batter and then got the cleanup guy to ground into a 5-3 put out, Average Joe to Shark for the out.
Meanwhile the top of the 2nd yeilded a run for the good guys with a solid hit by Sticks McElroy and a couple of steals. After Dyno walked (on base % is around .750), Sticks scampered home on an errant pick off for a 2 zip lead. That did not last long. Sparky had a tough time with the 2nd inning. He walked the first hitter and then on a pick off at first the ball went all the way down the line getting the runner to third and then another pick off went off of the glove at third. That runner scored and then a series of walks and one big hit by the #11 batter scored 4 more runs. A couple of those 4 were unearned as well as the first. Sparky then got tough and struck out the lead off hitter and got the #2 guy to bounce out to Sticks at first.
The top of the 3rd showed we had better times on the way. Smiles came up and had a good at bat but struck out swinging but the catcher dropped the ball and Smiles with a heads up play to break for 1st and made it on the slight overthrow to first. He stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. Sparky and Slick Morrison walked. bases loaded no body out with the Shark up, things looked great. But Sharko strikes out vs a tough pitcher. No problem, see Jazz hands in the picture above, that is about what he did in this game. A 2 RBI single. He promptly stole 2nd and went to third on walks by Wes and Max. then a sacrifice by Sticks scored him. 4 runs in the inning and we take a one run lead. that is all we needed so Sparky becomes the winner and Sharko gets the save.
But we were not done yet. Shark went the rest of the way (3 innings striking out 5 with one hit allowed) Solid defense by Slick Morrison, Max, Sticks and good catching by Sparky. We didn't score in the 4th despite a hit by Shamrock Kelly and hit-by pitch on Smiles (got it on the calf and it did leave a mark)
the top of the 5th was pretty good for us. Shark lead off with a solid single to left and D-Buzz followed with a hit as well. Woody then drove both runs in with a base knock but was thrown out trying to stretch to third. Dyno walked again but for the second time was thrown out at 2nd trying to steal (put a rope on that boy's waist Coach Marty).
The game at that point was 2 1/2 hours old so we made the 5th the last inning. The Shark started that inning right with a 4 pitch strike out (his 5th of the game.) Then a hit to the 5.5 hole and the runner barely beat out Slick's strong throw. Another infield hit followed. But Shark got the 2 hole hitter to pop it up on the infield. Then the first walk of the season for Shark and bases were loaded. Drama with the tying runs on base and the #5 hitter up (Ryan Ames was their #3 hitter out for the injury). Then comic relief, Smiles in right field is doing the wounded stork rain dance, Coach with a little help from Smiles' Mom figures out that emergency substitution is needed, late report is Smiles made the restroom in time. After Sticks goes to right, the #5 hitter tops a pitch into what looked like a perfect bunt slowly hit to Average Joe at third and he wings by the runner from 3rd to Sparky at the plate for a bang-bang 5-2 force out to end the game!
Very nice job all around guys.

Sparky stopped the bleeding on the hill and drove in the tying runs in the last inning. Sharko struck out 5 in 2 innings for nice relief as well. The pitching over all was pretty good. We allowed one earned run in the first with Wes (Woody--looks and he knows the song "you have a friend in me" that Derek was singing)that was pretty good scrambling after a lead off double and 3 hit by pitches. Woody also picked off Jimmie Robinson at second. In the second it looked like another Houdini act with a couple of walks and a fielder's choice for one earnie then error after error prevented us from getting the third out. They scored 7 runs in the second and the final outs were 2 strike outs, so good pitching from Woody there (by the way I see a little right handed version of Kirk Rueter in Wes, another Woody connection). Meanwhile on offense we not hitting the ball all over the yard. We went a head in the top of the 1st with a Slick Morrison hit advancing to second a wild pitch going to third on Derek's (Buzz's-after Buzz Lightyear)ground out and scoring on Tony's (Rocky's) single. They tied us in the bottom of the inning but Max walked and scored, advancing to second on the sticks hit and stealing 3rd then scoring on Dyno's (Michael Jorrin) RBI single. That was all we got. Hard Luck Shamrock (Tyler Kelly) hit into a double play fly ball to second. In the third now down 8-2 we scored when Blake (Sharko) walked stole 2nd and third and scored after Sparky walked on Slick's RBI single (2/3).8-3 and we needed the Bullpen, well we got it. Spark pitched 2 innings allowed no hits or runs and struck out 3.Back on offense Smiles contributed a walk but had to come out of the game with a collarbone injury. Sharko restarted the offense in the 5th inning with a single a Steal and Sparky then got a one walk and Slick grounded out for the RBI of Sharko. Buzz had a single scoring Sparky and Buzz stole 2nd. He then scored on Rocky's second RBI single of the game. Rocky also got thrown out trying to steal for the second time in the game (catcher's legs). Sticks and Dyno started the top of the last with walks then Shamrock singledto load the bases. Sharko walked to get an RBI then Sparky got a bases loaded single which scored Michael and started the merry-go-round where Shamrock tried to sneak home with the go-ahead run. didn't happen. Coach Don said it was a gamble that their second baseman called us on with a good throw to get Shamrock at the plate. Then we got the shutdown bottom of the 6th for the tie. Good effort Beavers, we are proud of you.

Practice game is still on for tomorrow. Show up in full uniform at Nottoli lighted field 5pm for Practice game starting between 5:30 and 6pm. We host the Riverdogs in this Spring Training Tilt.Sharko on the bump last practice game.

Defense was shaky at times giving up a single that turned into a homerun. Pitching was generally good. Blake "Sharko" Lewis (our swimmer and water polo player) started and did not deserve to get tagged with 4 unearned runs. Sparky Rivett pitched well also. Derek was a little wild and Tony gave up a few late hits but both settled down and threw strikes. It was hard to tab a hitting star but Tanner "Slick" Morrison was 2-2 with 2 runs and a couple of steals. Sparky had a hit in the first and the fourth inning but the 2nd was his usual derring do on the bases. A hard ground ball through the legs of the shortstop and ends up in a grand slam. Dyno (Michael Jorrin) and Sharko had hits as well. Max reached base the hard way, hit by pitch and also walked and scored. Tyler O. Kelly (what else could you call him around St Pats Day but Shamrock) hit in some bad luck with a blast in to shallow center that the centerfielder didn't have to move on. How could they play him there? Joe Oto (shown above in the sequence to tag out the runner at second) walked and scored. Wes walked as well. Tony "Rocky" Anguiano had an RBI ground out to score Slick. Other RBI's by Dyno, Sharko and Max. Smiles Buck didn't get up and had to leave for a hitting lesson. Shamrock thinks that is ironic.

Schedule is out and our first game is 1pm at Zehnder on 3/31 and we host the Sand Gnats.

Here is Derek "Doc" Dokter on the hill with a good leg lift and balance. Derek is a left handed bat who hits for average with some extra base pop.

Tony is shown here on the bump. He also is a fire starter on offense with good base running skills, even without great speed.