Our first game on Friday was against a team from Albuquerque, NM. In chatting with a parent from their team I heard that they were 0-3 on the week so far and felt like they were not playing well. They came out strong in the first and pushed a run across. In our half of the first we got four hits. It was great to see the hitting carry over from yesterday. Sadly, between baserunning blunders and other frustrations, 4 hits and 7 batters produced only one run. Rabbit was due to lead off the second, batting eighth.
First pitch he saw was a ball, barely high. I would have called a strike, but it was not my decision. The next pitch was a strike. Rabbit was given the sign "Dead Red" meaning swing hard through the zone, regardless of location. The pitch was very low, and he missed the ball by a mile. Two next pitches were balls and he was 3-1. Dead Red again, and it was. Fastball, belt high, inner half. Gone. It jumped off the bat. First thing I saw was the CF number, then the fence, then the base ump circling his fingers. Over the fence for a home run! His first time ever hitting out of a park. The ball hit a light pole in the RF power alley and bounced back in. The other team threw it in, but by then he was already making his way around the bases to be mobbed at the plate. Simply amazing. What a way to break out of a slump!
The plate ump gave him the ball and I cannot recall ever seeing him smile like that. I was jumping around like an idiot, disbelieving what I just saw. I called his mom, grandparents, Blue Wave friends, everyone I could think of. It was stunning.
Next time up, brimming with confidence, he ripped a double down the RF line, fair by 3 feet. He was seeing the ball great today, and had 6 bases in 2 AB to prove it. Third time up he had a 2 RBI single. That was in the last inning, and with one out we figured he was done for the game. 3 hits, 3RBI, 2 runs, amazing. However, the team batted around that inning, and he stepped up needing a triple for the cycle. Bases loaded, major Hollywood drama time. Rather than a cycle he had to merely settle for another 2 run single. His line for the game went 4 3 4 5. An unreal accomplishment. The game ended with a comfortable win for Mizuno.
For game 2 the coach reversed the order, 9 hitter leading off, 8 hitting second, etc. Rabbit, previously hitting 8th, was the second batter. As he walked up to the plate the opposing catcher calls out "power hitter, move back!" Hilarious. He stung a ball to first that almost snuck through, but a good play got him out. Second AB was a pop up to right center field. He had just missed it. The game was moving along, and the boys were not that interested it seemed. Rabbit had started, and was very mediocre. He looked like he had not pitched in months. He was aiming the ball and nibbling, not throwing like the power pitcher he needs to be.
We were down 5 or 6 late in the game when Rabbit got his final AB. With runners on second and third he stroked one down the RF line. The 1B had him played perfectly, back on the grass and shaded to the line. It still nearly took his glove off. The bat was working, it had been a very good day.
We went back to the hotel for swimming pools and pizza parties. We would have to wait until almost 11pm to find out our seeding and opponent for the next day. Regardless, the boys had played well, occasionally great, had hit well all day, and were ready for all comers.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring Training - 1/3
We left Orange County early Thursday morning and settled in for what was a remarkably comfortable drive to Phoenix. We got in town with plenty of time to get checked in, unpack a bit and stretch. After a quick gathering to get some new jerseys for the weekend we were off for game 1. It is a good thing that the first game did not mean anything, because the boys sure played that way. With only nine of them making the trip we would need everyone to be focused and playing well. We had no reserves, we were playing with what we had. Well, in game 1 we had nothing. No concentration, no hitting, no progress. It looked like our first game in months. Frustrating, but a real relief that it would have no bearing on our seeding later on. To be fair, we did start an eight year old and then threw a boy who does not pitch, ever. However, the bats took the game off.
Game 2 was against a team from Calgary, Alberta. We were curious how they had been practicing over the winter. The answer is, they had not. I think, and after speaking with some of the parents I believe, that the boys were making the journey to have some fun, thaw out, see some MLB Spring Training, and maybe get an inning or two of baseball in. They were in no danger of winning the tournament, and they knew it. This was a Little League team that not been on a field for months. The good news is that our boys started to hit. Often. Hitting is contagious and we were starting to see production everywhere. Even Rabbit only had one swing where he failed to make contact. He was now 0-11 but looking better. After the games we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the next days games. We had split on day one, mercy win, mercy loss, and were looking forward to better results on Friday.
Game 2 was against a team from Calgary, Alberta. We were curious how they had been practicing over the winter. The answer is, they had not. I think, and after speaking with some of the parents I believe, that the boys were making the journey to have some fun, thaw out, see some MLB Spring Training, and maybe get an inning or two of baseball in. They were in no danger of winning the tournament, and they knew it. This was a Little League team that not been on a field for months. The good news is that our boys started to hit. Often. Hitting is contagious and we were starting to see production everywhere. Even Rabbit only had one swing where he failed to make contact. He was now 0-11 but looking better. After the games we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the next days games. We had split on day one, mercy win, mercy loss, and were looking forward to better results on Friday.
Monday, March 8, 2010
More games, more rain
We had a weekend tournament scheduled as a final tune up before we head to Arizona. It rained. Hard. We got one game in early, and got pounded. 13-3 loss. Rabbit absolutely crushed the first pitch he saw and it barely went foul. After that, four wide ones were quickly issued. The defense was a confused mess. I was actually a tad concerned, but remembered what the coach had told me. Saturday was when we learn, Sunday is when we play our best. The idea is that the kids have to make their own decisions, right or wrong, during pool play. This helps them learn the lessons and make the adjustments. There was minimal coaching during the game, but a very detailed conversation afterward that covered the game. Still, it was a 10 run loss and I was a bit concerned, mainly I needed a nap.
I got my nap, and felt much better. We were about 80% sure that Sunday would rain out, but we got very lucky. Sunday at 6:30 am we got the news that the games were on, and it was now a one day tournament. The previous days result had no meaning or bearing. A fresh start. I got to the fields to help prepare the grounds at 7 am. There was 4 inches of standing water all the way from home plate to first base. A few rakes, a sump pump, and several hundred pounds of dry dirt later we were ready for first pitch at 8:15. I am getting pretty good with a rake and shovel these days. The 11U team didn't play until 9am so we had a chance to prep the field a little more and I was quite impressed with how it came out. As expected, with brand new grass and 5" of rain in 10 days, the infield was slow. But it looked nice, held up great, and best of all, no bad hops!
Our first game was against the same team that had rolled us up the day before. The game was tremendous, close all the way through, and ended up as a 5-4 loss in 7 innings. Rabbit made two Gold Glove plays at first, backhanding line-drive shots to save runs. He was having a good game in the field, but was horrible at the plate. 0-3, 3 strikeouts, only made contact with one pitch the entire game. It was a fun game to watch, and a marked difference from the day before. The coaches were much more involved, as expected, and the boys responded well. Blue Wave had played this same team 4 weeks ago and been destroyed by them. When Mizuno lost on Saturday I was concerned, on Sunday I knew what this team could do. Game 2 was at 1 pm and we got off to the dreaded slow start. 1-1 after the first inning, but the boys looked like they were in glue. Some defensive lapses and a few pitches left up in the zone and we were down 8-2 in the fourth. Not the finish we wanted. The boys rallied though, and pledged to play better for the last 3 innings. And they did. The defense tightened up nicely, but base running mistakes choked any momentum the offense could garner.
In the sixth, it finally happened, Rabbit got the ball. I was nervous, to be sure, since this was his debut with the new team and he had not thrown off a mound in over a month. Add in the fact he had a throwing error and was working on a Platinum Sombrero for the day, and I was not expecting much. Shows what I know. He faced the 2-5 hitters in the sixth. One hit, 1 strikeout, no walks, no runs, and a well fielded 1-3 putout. In the seventh he struck out the first batter he faced, allowed back to back infield singles, then struck out the side. A great outing, even with the distraction of pitching in the rain. Once again he had a very bizarre day where the opponents were swinging at pitches way out of the zone and taking strikes right down the middle. I don't think he threw 50% of the pitches in the zone, but got 4 ks in 8 batters.
Overall we were pleased with the team and the way they played. They turned some double plays, made some good (and bad) decisions and are much more aggressive at the plate. But, they are also playing much better competition than Blue Wave was seeing. I think Rabbit belongs at this level and will contribute. His defense and pitching showed well this weekend. His hitting, as always, will take the most work. We wanted a challenge, we wanted an opportunity to get better. This looks to be a good home for now.
I got my nap, and felt much better. We were about 80% sure that Sunday would rain out, but we got very lucky. Sunday at 6:30 am we got the news that the games were on, and it was now a one day tournament. The previous days result had no meaning or bearing. A fresh start. I got to the fields to help prepare the grounds at 7 am. There was 4 inches of standing water all the way from home plate to first base. A few rakes, a sump pump, and several hundred pounds of dry dirt later we were ready for first pitch at 8:15. I am getting pretty good with a rake and shovel these days. The 11U team didn't play until 9am so we had a chance to prep the field a little more and I was quite impressed with how it came out. As expected, with brand new grass and 5" of rain in 10 days, the infield was slow. But it looked nice, held up great, and best of all, no bad hops!
Our first game was against the same team that had rolled us up the day before. The game was tremendous, close all the way through, and ended up as a 5-4 loss in 7 innings. Rabbit made two Gold Glove plays at first, backhanding line-drive shots to save runs. He was having a good game in the field, but was horrible at the plate. 0-3, 3 strikeouts, only made contact with one pitch the entire game. It was a fun game to watch, and a marked difference from the day before. The coaches were much more involved, as expected, and the boys responded well. Blue Wave had played this same team 4 weeks ago and been destroyed by them. When Mizuno lost on Saturday I was concerned, on Sunday I knew what this team could do. Game 2 was at 1 pm and we got off to the dreaded slow start. 1-1 after the first inning, but the boys looked like they were in glue. Some defensive lapses and a few pitches left up in the zone and we were down 8-2 in the fourth. Not the finish we wanted. The boys rallied though, and pledged to play better for the last 3 innings. And they did. The defense tightened up nicely, but base running mistakes choked any momentum the offense could garner.
In the sixth, it finally happened, Rabbit got the ball. I was nervous, to be sure, since this was his debut with the new team and he had not thrown off a mound in over a month. Add in the fact he had a throwing error and was working on a Platinum Sombrero for the day, and I was not expecting much. Shows what I know. He faced the 2-5 hitters in the sixth. One hit, 1 strikeout, no walks, no runs, and a well fielded 1-3 putout. In the seventh he struck out the first batter he faced, allowed back to back infield singles, then struck out the side. A great outing, even with the distraction of pitching in the rain. Once again he had a very bizarre day where the opponents were swinging at pitches way out of the zone and taking strikes right down the middle. I don't think he threw 50% of the pitches in the zone, but got 4 ks in 8 batters.
Overall we were pleased with the team and the way they played. They turned some double plays, made some good (and bad) decisions and are much more aggressive at the plate. But, they are also playing much better competition than Blue Wave was seeing. I think Rabbit belongs at this level and will contribute. His defense and pitching showed well this weekend. His hitting, as always, will take the most work. We wanted a challenge, we wanted an opportunity to get better. This looks to be a good home for now.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Why am I even surprised by rain anymore?
It is spring, and it is raining. Just like every year. Why does this surprise me when it has been like this forever? The downside is we keep raining out practices and games. Rabbit has not played in a game since February 15 and is itchy. He is really enjoying the new team and is trying his best to get caught up with the way they do things. We have a tournament scheduled for this weekend, but heavy rain is forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Boooo!
In exchange for lower (or no) monthly fees I have been doing my yard work on the weekends. We re-sodded two infields and put in sprinklers on 3 fields. Man was I sore. It was quite impressive though to see the finished result. I cannot wait to see the team play on the improved fields. After this weekend our next scheduled tournament is March 18-21 in Phoenix. We will leave Wednesday after school and head straight out. Should be a blast.
I got an e-mail from the Little League asking if Rabbit would be interested in playing LL around his travel schedule. They made it very clear that they understood that his travel team took priority and that they were hoping he could help fill out a very thin roster. I will ask him about this later tonight. While it would be nice to play with his friends, we made a conscious decision to not play LL this year for many reasons. As I read back my posts, I find it harder to endorse the idea. That being said, I know how much he misses playing with his buddies. It is up to him.
Spring Training is in full gear, games are already going, and we have already been to our first college game of the season. It is a great time of year, if we could only get the rain to stop!
In exchange for lower (or no) monthly fees I have been doing my yard work on the weekends. We re-sodded two infields and put in sprinklers on 3 fields. Man was I sore. It was quite impressive though to see the finished result. I cannot wait to see the team play on the improved fields. After this weekend our next scheduled tournament is March 18-21 in Phoenix. We will leave Wednesday after school and head straight out. Should be a blast.
I got an e-mail from the Little League asking if Rabbit would be interested in playing LL around his travel schedule. They made it very clear that they understood that his travel team took priority and that they were hoping he could help fill out a very thin roster. I will ask him about this later tonight. While it would be nice to play with his friends, we made a conscious decision to not play LL this year for many reasons. As I read back my posts, I find it harder to endorse the idea. That being said, I know how much he misses playing with his buddies. It is up to him.
Spring Training is in full gear, games are already going, and we have already been to our first college game of the season. It is a great time of year, if we could only get the rain to stop!
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