Playoff Game #1: Braves 6, Brewers 5

The resilient Braves overcame their own errors and clawed their way back to beat the sharp, aggressive Brewers 6-5 Friday afternoon at Water Tower.
That means the Braves will next play the Rays at noon Saturday in the Whitefish Bay Little League Majors double elimination playoffs.
A combination of the tournament scheduler and a rainout pushed the Braves into a challenging pitching position. A pitcher who throws more than 19 pitches in a game must rest from pitching the next day. With that in mound, Coach Ross had a strict pitch count on some of our players.
The Braves were the home team. Alec started on the mound, but was relieved by Will after 19 pitches with two outs and the Braves down 1-0. Will threw strikes, but a couple of Braves errors let in 2 more runs. In the bottom of the first inning, Matt walked with one out and stole second. Alec singled into center field. When Matt tried to score on the hit, he was thrown out a home on a close play, the first of several defensive stops the Brewers turned. 3-0, Brewers.
The Brewers scratched out another run in the top of the second to go up 4-0. Tyler made a fine catch in center field during that inning.
In the bottom of the second, Will and Tyler started a two-out rally with walks. Scott beat out an infield single to load the bases. Will scored the first run on a wild pitch. Then Anthony singled through the right side to drive in two runs. After two, the score was Brewers 4, Braves 3.
In the top of third, the Brewers scratched out another run to go up 5-3. They might have scored more, but Matt made a head's up play. With a Brewers runner on first, the batter hit a hard grounder that bounced off shortstop Alec as he tried to grab. Second baseman Matt alertly grabbed the ball in the air and stepped on second base for a forceout, ending the inning.
With one out in the bottom of the third, the Brewers pitcher hit Nick in the side with a hard fastball. We could hear the sickening thud in the bleachers. Nick glared at the pitcher briefly before running down to first base. Matt then singled, with Nick dashing to third base and rounding the bag just in case of a miscue. Alec then hit a deep fly out to right field. Nick scored easily on the sacrifice fly, and Matt, zooming around the bases, alertly scored as well, knotting the score at 5. Connor doubled to center field, but the Braves couldn't bring him in.
In the top of the 4th, with Will continuing on the mound, all four Brewers batters hit the ball at shortstop Alec, who caught two liners and threw out the final batter at first. In the bottom of the first, Evan reach on a single past the shortstop, but an unusual 6-3-5 double play snuffed out the scoring threat.
In the top of the 5th, Evan took the mound. Like Will, he is a pitch-to-contact hurler who pounds the strike zone. The first two batters singled, then Evan struck out the next one. A fly out to Connor in left field and a fly ball to Alec at third ended the threat, with the score still 5-5.

Scott led off the bottom of the 5th with a single through the right side. Anthony walked, and with one out Liam walked to load the bases. Nick, with his side still hurting from the pitch that hit him, ripped a single into center field, scoring Scott with what would be the winning run. 6-5, Braves.
Connor took the mound on the top of the 6th. He struck out the first batter. The next batter hit an infield fly that second baseman Nick ranged to his left to catch. Connor struck out the final batter to end the game.
Coaches awarded the game ball to Will for giving the Braves three strong innings on the mound.
In post-game remarks, both Coach Ross and Will exhorted the team to come out more alert and prepared Saturday against the Rays.
We parents probably shouldn't forget that tonight's game was the Braves' first game in a whole week. I fully expect the boys to sharp on Saturday.

Tournament Schedule Change

From Coach Ross:
Team ... I've just been informed that due to the fact that tonight's Majors
games were rained-out, these games have been rescheduled for tomorrow night
and our game has been MOVED to Friday, July 9th at 4:30pm vs. Brewers. If
we win, we would still play on Saturday at 12n. The WFBLL website has been
updated to reflect these changes as well.
Therefore, I plan on having a practice tomorrow (Thursday, July 8th) from
3:30 - 5:00pm behind WFB HS on the softball diamond. Please let me know if
these scheduling changes cause any conflicts.
-Ross

Game 13: Braves 25, Brewers 2

The Braves batted around in both the first and third innings and crushed four homers, including two grand slams. But what Coach Ross wanted to talk about the team's 25-2 victory over the Brewers Monday afternoon was the fabulous team defense in the first inning.
As home team, the Braves took the field first, with Evan on the mound. The first Brewers batter dropped down an excellent bunt to the left of the mound. Braves third baseman Jack, pitcher Evan and first baseman Tyler all charged toward the plate as soon as the batter squared up to bunt. Jack picked up the ball and fired to second baseman Nick, covering at first, for the out. A bang-bang play, executed perfectly by the Braves. In the same inning, Matt (at shortstop) and Jack both made fine pickups of ground balls and threw sharply to Tyler at first for the outs.
With one out in the bottom of the first, Nick battled a good Brewers pitcher with foul after foul through ten pitches until he finally drew a walk. That seemed to break the ice for the Braves, who proceeded to bat around. Jack doubled, driving in Nick. Connor singled to right field, bringing Jack home. Will blooped a single to right, scoring Connor. Matt walked. Scott singled to bring Will and Matt home, and scored on a passed ball. Anthony singled, and Liam followed with a single to score Anthony. Tyler drove in Anthony with a groundout to the right side, and Nick singled into right field to score Liam. Braves 9, Brewers 0.
Anthony took the mound in the second inning. As he and our other hurlers pitch to contact, our defense continues to do its job. Third baseman Jack grabbed a grounder and threw out the first batter. Anthony helped himself by snaring a soft liner for the second out. Then Anthony finished off the inning by striking out the third batter with two successive changeups, the second one slower than the first. (I've noticed that's a theme in Little League Majors pitching this year -- the advent of the changeup, a pitch thrown ideally with the same motion as a fastball, but somewhat slower speed, disrupting the batter's timing.)
In the bottom of the second, one of the goofier moments of the season: Matt ducked out of the way of a high pitch, which hit something and rolled onto the field. The alert Brewers catcher picked up the ball and threw to first. The otherwise solid home-plate umpire seemed momentarily flummoxed by it. Both teams agreed the ball hit Matt's bat as he was ducking out of the way. The Brewers contended the ball hit only the bat. The Braves argued it hit the bat and then the catcher's mask, making it a foul ball. In the end, with no instant replay review at Water Tower, the umpire ruled it a ball in play and the out was recorded.
Strong Braves defense continued in the third inning. Anthony struck out the first batter. The next batter hit a grounder up the middle and through Anthony's legs, but shortstop Scott was in position and threw him out. Two Brewers walked, but the Braves snuffed out the rally on the next grounder, with Scott throwing to Evan at third base for a forceout.
The thundersticks returned in the third inning. Evan singled and took second on an error. Anthony singled him in. Liam walked. Anthony scored on an error. Nick singled, plating Liam. Then Jack gave Nick's legs a rest, crushing his second homer of the season, so both boys could trot home. Connor followed with a homer to center field, his eighth of the season. Cookie (Will), Matt and Scott all followed with singles, loading the bases for Evan.
If you know Evan at all, you know he approaches whatever he is doing with complete intensity and commitment. I'm sure he stood in the batter's box thinking only about getting the bat on the ball. But he got a pitch in his hot zone and slammed it over the fence in right field for his first home run and a grand slam to boot. He was screaming with excitement as he hopped around the bases.
Anthony and Liam both singled to center field to extend the inning, and Nick drove in the final run with a single. 20-0, Braves.
In the top of the fourth, our rookie Cookie took the ball on the mound. He struck out the first two batters looking, then hard-nosed Brewers player Joey Anzia battled him through several foul balls, then ripped a single. The next batter hit a high line drive that Liam left his feet to snare.
The Braves added more runs in the fifth. Evan singled and took second on an error. Anthony singled. Liam hit into a fielder's choice, driving in Evan. Nick and Jack walked, then Connor followed with a grand slam, his ninth homer of the year.
The Brewers, who never quit, got on the board with two runs due in part to aggressive baserunning. Final score: Braves 25, Brewers 2.
Coaches awarded the team ball to Evan.
Braves alum Chris Pritchard and his dad, our former coach Dave Pritchard, both watched big chunks of the game. I can tell you this: Chris roots for the Braves as intensely as if he were still on the squad. Thank you, Chris, for being one of our role models and a great supporter.
Homer time: I don't want to overemphasize home runs, because boys can mess up a good swing and hurt their team by trying too hard to hit dingers. But the Braves are loving the recent summer power surge they've put on. They were trying to add up the year's total last night. I think this is it: Connor, 9; Nick, 4; Jack, 2; Alec, 1; Evan, 1. Total to date: 17 HRS. I don't know the homer totals for other teams, but I would be surprised if any other team has 5 boys who have homered this year.
Changing speeds: Connor's at-bats have been impressive. He made a point of saying to me, "I hit singles, too," and he does. He has become patient enough to adjust to the speed of each individual pitcher.
Returning to the theme of changeups: Some of the Braves, including some of our better hitters, have more trouble with a slow pitch than a fast one. As we have started to see this season, some of the best pitchers aren't necessarily guys who throw as hard as possible all the time, but who vary the speed and location of their pitches with some control. Matt Bernstein of the Red Sox, for example. This is why studying a new pitcher, including studying your teammates' at-bats, is important. Matt will nearly always throw a good hitter a changeup during an at-bat. (When he pitched against Nick, for example, he threw it with two strikes in the first at-bat, and as the first pitch in the second at-bat.) Swinging out of your shoes on every pitch leads to a lot of misses. Our team success at the plate shows that getting the bat on the ball is the most important thing, not necessarily hitting it as hard as possible each time. Be patient, don't lunge at the ball, and drive it.
Next game: Our next game is Thursday June 14 at Water Tower vs. the Padres. Please have your Brave at the batting cage area at 5:30 p.m. Thanks.

Coach Ross speaks

Team,
Just a quick reminder, our next game is Monday June 21st vs. the Brewers at
4:30pm. Pregame warm-up will begin at 3:30pm. The Braves are the home team
(first base dugout) so we get the batting cage first. The first players
there typically get more swings ... it just works out that way. :-)
NO PRACTICE on Sunday, June 20th. Its Fathers day, Braves fathers should be
especially proud of their sons ... ALL have done an awesome job of
representing the team, themselves, and their fathers. :-) Good work Dads!
Lastly, another great team effort today by the Braves (15-5 win) ... the
Padres pitched one of their best pitchers and we got to him in the 3rd
inning by scoring 7 runs. I think we've had a few big innings this year. :-)
We are a fun and exciting team to watch.
Have a Happy Father's Day.
Ross

Games 12: Braves 15, Padres 5

With several regulars on vacation or unavailable, the Braves relied on strong performances from a nine-man squad and a younger brother to defeat the Padres 15-5 on a warm Saturday afternoon at Water Tower Park.
The coaches awarded Jack the game ball for a strong afternoon that included his first homer, a blast over the right-center fence; four rbis; and a sparkling, intelligent play at third base that Coach Ross talked with the team about after the game.
With a runner on third, you will hear coaches yell, "Check 3, go 1." In this case, Jack actually did it, and made it pay off.
With runners on first and third and no one out, the Padres batter grounded sharply to third. Jack scooped up the ball and looked at the runner on third base, freezing him for a few moments. Jack then threw to Tyler at first base for the first out. The runner at third took off for home. Tyler fired home and Scott applied for the tag, for a rare but sweet 5-3-2 double play. Jack's look at the runner, freezing him for a few moments, made the double play possible, Ross said.
The Braves began the game with nine team members, plus Connor's brother Carson as a call-up from the minors. Tyler, who started on the mound, dispatched the Padres in the first inning with an economical 7 pitches, aided by a double play started by Connor when he caught a line drive.
The Braves scratched out a run in the second. Connor singled sharply on the first pitch he saw, moved to second in the course of play and scored on a single by Scott. Braves 1, Padres 0.
But in the top of the third, the Padres, aided by a couple of walks and some miscues in the field, put up 4 runs. Padres 4, Braves 1.
The Braves showed their resiliency by batting around and putting up 7 runs in their half of the third inning. Liam singled on a two-strike pitch (the first of his two two-strike hits this afternoon). Then Carson was hit by a pitch, putting runners at 1st and 2nd bases. Nick doubled to drive in Liam, with Carson moving to third. Matt singled, driving in Carson. Alec singled, driving in Nick. Then Connor singled, driving in Matt. With Alec and Connor on base, Jack fouled off several pitches to stay alive, then clouted his first homer in the majors, to genuine shouts of joy from his teammates. In the same inning, Anthony showed the value of batting cage work, laying down a perfect bunt single. Braves 8, Padres 4.
Matt took the mound in the top of the 4th, striking out the first batter and inducing ground balls to the next two.
In the bottom of the fourth with one out, Nick started the action by drawing a walk after a full count. Matt singled. With two strikes, Alec ripped a double, scoring Nick and Matt. Connor singled to drive home Alec, then Jack singled to drive in Connor. Jack eventually came around to score himself. Braves 13, Padres 4.
The Padres scratched out a run in the fifth, but the double play initiated by Jack snuffed out their rally. In the bottom of the fifth, Liam capped an 8-pitch at-bat by singling. Nick followed with a double. Then, with two outs, Alec singled, driving in both Liam and Nick. Braves 15, Padres 5.
Matt and the defense shut the Padres down in the top of the sixth. Final score: Braves 15, Padres 5.
Afterwards, Coach Ross stressed that playing solid defense, especially in the infield, and making smart decisions with the ball would be priorities over the next few games, as the Braves prepare for the playoffs in July.
Next game: Our next game is Monday June 21 at 4:30 p.m. vs. the Brewers. Please have your Brave at Water Tower by 3:30 p.m. If your player can't make a game, please let us know as soon as you can.

Game 3: Braves 25, Brewers 10

In a game that could have given a scorekeeper a severe case of writer's cramp, the Braves defeated the young Brewers 25 to 10 in a battle of Milwaukee namesakes past and present.
Five Braves pitched, including season debuts for Tyler and Scott.
With the Braves batting first, Alec and Scott got the offense started by -- getting hit by pitches. Connor then crushed a no-doubter homer over the left-field fence for a 3-0 lead.
Evan started on the mound, pounding the strike zone. After a Brewer reached on an infield single, Connor (at shortstop) started a double play that Tyler finished at first to end the inning.
In the second inning, Matt, Evan, Alec (double), Anthony and Scott (double) hit safely consecutively to stretch the Braves' lead to 6-0.
The Brewers grabbed three runs back in the second inning, but Liam put an end to their rally by grabbing a flyout at second base. (The Braves' improvement in catching fly balls and line drives, especially in the outfield, is a positive trend this season.)
Taking advantage of a tiring pitcher, the Braves broke the game open with a 9-run third inning. The Braves batted around (Connor, Ryan and Tyler all batted twice in the inning). Big hits included a 2-rbi single by Liam and a double to right field by Scott. After reaching first on a single, Nick showed his wheels by scoring easily from first on a double by Connor.
Speaking of wheels, Jack raced home on a wild pitch in the 4th inning to make the score 16-4. In the same frame, Evan ripped a liner to left field, but a fine catch by the outfielder took a possible double away.
The Brewers battled back with a 6-run 4th inning to make the score 16-10. Matt put a stop to the bleeding with an excellent catch in right field.
With one out in the 5th and Scott on first base after a single, Nick pounded a homer over the center field fence. Connor doubled and Tyler drove him home with a single. Braves, 19-10.
Alec continued his stellar season of pitching in the fifth. Anthony grabbed the first out on a fly to right, then Alec struck out the next two batters.
The fifth inning ended just short of the time cutoff, so the teams decided to play one more inning. In the Braves' half of the 6th, Alec singled in Liam, who had walked. Then, with two outs and two on, Nick hit his third homer of the season, over the right-centerfield fence. Connor followed with a single and Ryan doubled him home, bringing the score to 25-10.
Connor threw a scoreless frame, including two strikeouts, to close out the final half-inning.
You might be tempted to say that the Braves, as an older team, should beat the Brewers, a younger game. What impresses me are the many signs of improvement in the Braves: making plays on defense, catching flies, running the bases smartly, taking care of the baseball and not making wild throws.
Saturday's game: Remember that Saturday's game against the Rays begins at 9 a.m. Please make sure your Brave gets to the Water Tower batting practice area by 8 a.m. Saturday.

Game 2: Braves 10, Yankees 4

Buoyed by strong defense and propelled by a big inning, the Braves defeated the Yankees 10-4 Saturday afternoon at Water Tower Park.
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, Nick beat out an infield single and went to second on the overthrow. Will moved him over to third, and Anthony drove him home with a two-out single, to put the Braves up 1-0.
With the game tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 4th, Scott walked with 1 out and stole second. Then Nick homered over the center field fence to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
With a double, a bunt single and aggressive baserunning, the Yankees tied the game at 3 in the top of the 5th inning. But the Braves batted around in their half of the inning, scoring 7 runs to take a 10-3 lead. Anthony singled to right, Jack walked and Tyler rapped a single to the left side to load them up. Then Matt crushed a triple to centerfield, clearing the bases. Alec drove in Matt with a single. Connor walked, and both he and Alec moved up on a wild pitch. Nick singled sharply up the middle to bring Alec home. Connor raced home a passed ball. Will doubled to center, scoring Nick.
Notable moments from the game
Fielding: In the top of the 3rd, with the game tied at 1-1, Jack made two catches in the outfield, including a fine running grab of a line drive. If he misses either of those, the game might have turned in a different direction. He also made a couple of nice plays in the infield. Nick ranged far at second base to grab two flyouts, and stretched his long frame at first base to record the putout on a throw across the diamond from Will. Coach Ross also noted after the game that the Braves made smart decisions with the ball: no wild throws or airmailed balls.
Hitting: Kudos to Tyler, who drew a walk and consequently forced the pitcher next time to throw him a strike, which he ripped hard down the left side for a single. Liam crushed a line drive that a good second baseman speared (and Jack alertly got back on second base without getting doubled up). Ryan practically knocked down a Yankees pitcher with a hard smash up the middle (the pitcher was OK).
Pitching: Alec, Will and closer Connor threw strikes and trusted their fielders to get the ball. Unless I failed in my notes, the Braves pitchers did not walk any batters in the game. In three innings Alec struck out 4 batters and did not walk anyone.
The Braves next play Wednesday May 5 vs. the Brewers at 6 p.m. If past practice is any indication, the coaches will ask the players to be at Water Tower at 5 p.m.

Game Night: Braves 5, Brewers 4

Coach Dave is fond of calling this level of baseball developmental, meaning that helping youth become better ballplayers is the priority.
Then he must have truly enjoyed Friday's 5-4 Braves victory over the Brewers in a battle of Milwaukee team namesakes at lovely Water Tower Park.
Several Braves players displayed improvement at the plate, on the mound and in the field during this game. Even more impressive, these lads stepped up in a close game in which every single break and close call went against the Braves, and in which the experienced Brewers made several fine catches to rob Braves batters of hits.
Alec took the mound in the top of the 4th inning, with our Braves down 4-3, and promptly turned in a 7-pitch inning that managers dream of. He induced a comebacker from the first batter, which he fielded confidently and whipped to first for an out. The next batter hit a liner up the middle, which Alec coolly grabbed for the second out. Then Tyler snagged a liner near first base to finish off the inning.
Tyler has been working on this hitting; it showed in his at-bats tonight. He put the ball in play in his first AB and nearly beat it out. In his second trip to the plate, he ripped several hard fouls and stayed alive until the Brewers finally retired him.
Evan and Liam also showed a fine blend of plate discipline and sweet swinging in their at-bats. Evan drew a walk and pounded a Texas League single to right field. Liam ripped a double to the outfield.
Scott was a bit gimpy from a recent soccer injury, but there was nothing wrong with his stroke in this game. He drove in three runs, including the game-winner. In the bottom of the second, his hard single plated both Jason and Jack. Then, in the bottom of the fourth, he drove in Jason for the game's deciding run.
More highlights and notes from Friday's game:
Hitting: Nick hammered a double to left-center field in the first inning, and was later robbed of a single by a leaping grab by the Brewers' second baseman. Speedy tablesetter Jason reached safely twice, stole multiple bases and scored twice.
Pitching: Connor struck out 4 while battling calmly through some adversity. Evan struck out a batter to strand a runner on 2nd. Chris struck out 4 in the final two innings, stranding baserunners, and induced ground balls that his crisp fielders Hoovered up.
Fielding: Shortstop Jason smoothly grabbed a hard grounder and tossed to Scott to get the important first out in the final inning. Second baseman Ryan closed out the game with a surehanded pick and throw.

Next game: 1 p.m. Sunday June 7 at Water Tower, vs. the Yankees. Coaches request that players be at Water Tower by 12:15 p.m.

Game Story: Braves 4, Rays 3

In baseball, just like in life, there is a time to run, and a time to stay put. The Braves made the correct hardball decisions at the right time Sunday evening in winning a taut, exciting game against the Rays, 4-3.

This game had plenty of friendly subplots: Several boys on the Braves were coached by Rays coaches on different teams last year in the Minors.

In addition to good basepath decisions, simply getting bats on the ball helped the Braves to victory. Our boys beat out several infield hits when the opponents couldn't field the ball cleanly.

A tone was set in the bottom of the 2nd with the Braves down 1-0. Nick singled through the right side of the infield on an 0-2 count, and moved to second on a passed ball. Then Connor slapped a ball to the third baseman. Nick stayed put at second, and the third baseman had no play. Our boys moved up a base a piece on a passed ball, and Jack drove in Nick with a productive groundout to the right side. (Note the theme: putting the ball in play can be good even when you make an out.)

In the 4th, the Braves were down 3-1, but kept battling a good Rays team. Anthony beat out a single and Chris singled up the middle. Both runners moved up on a passed ball. Jason walked to load the bases. A hard grounder by Connor drove in Anthony. (Note theme: putting the ball in play can be good, even when you make an out.)

Alec may not be the Brave who first makes you think of Maury Wills or Rickey Henderson, but he put on a clinic on how to manufacture a run in the bottom of the 5th. With 1 out, Alec beat out an infield hit (this is why you always run hard to 1st base). He stole second base on a passed ball. Then he stole third, and scored on the overthrow on that play. The game was now tied 3-3, setting the stage for the final inning.

Pitcher Chris shut down the Rays on two Ks and a groundout (Matt to Tyler). The Braves came up to bat against Rays pitcher Chris Siebert, a very talented and experienced player.

Anthony led off with a booming double to right center, and alertly took third base on a passed ball. Chris put the ball in play, but Anthony held third to avoid being an easy out at home. (I'm assuming that Coach Ross was giving helpful advice at third on that play.) Chris took second on fielder's indifference.

Nick came to the plate. Ross and Dave have worked with Nick a bit recently to help him tap his latent power at the plate, and I had high hopes. But I also knew that Chris Siebert was a quality pitcher.

Nick worked the count to 1-2, including a hard foul liner to the right that would have ended the game were it fair. Then he smoked a hard single down the right field line, driving in Anthony and starting the celebration.

Later that night when we were home Nick, who can be a bit reserved in public, told me he remembered the faces of every teammate running toward him after the hit. It was like they were in slow motion, he said, and described what each one did.

More notes and highlights:

Pitching: More mastery by Connor: 5 Ks in his two innings. Stellar relief by Chris over the final two innings: 4Ks and two groundouts.

Fielding: Jason helped himself on the mound by spearing a hard liner for an out (while runners were on 2nd and 3rd). Ryan fielded a hard grounder and fired to the sure-handed Evan for an out.

Injury report: In case you did not hear the explanation, Scott started the game but was unable to continue on an injured ankle. I am not a doctor, but my hunch is he will be OK for our next game, Friday against the Brewers.

This Day in WFBLL Braves History: First walk-off victory

Modified stance helps Counsell heat up at the plate

Nice feature story by Anthony Witrado on the Milwaukee Brewers' (and Whitefish Bay's own) Craig Counsell:

Modified stance helps Counsell heat up at plate

As he rounded first base, having just watched a ball off his bat clear the right-field fence, Craig Counsell pumped his fist.

He immediately regretted the gesture.

"I shouldn't have done that," Counsell said. "Matt Williams always used to get on me (when we played for Arizona) because he said I fist-pump every home run. And I always said that's because I don't hit enough home runs. I'm always so excited when I hit one."

Counsell, the Milwaukee Brewers' utility infielder not known for his pop, had just hit his first home run of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday to inspire the hand motion. At the time of that home run, Counsell had already scored a run and set up another by moving a runner over earlier in the game, so he figured into three of the team's four runs at that point.

It isn't surprising Counsell didn't approve of his own spur-of-the-moment action. He is soft-spoken, low-key and not great at talking about his own success.

Continued

And, if you like a little baseball humor, check out The Onion's satirical story:
Turns Out Craig Counsell Was Actually Best Baseball Player of the Steroid Era

Dale Sveum's Easter Sunday homer

To all of you who celebrate it, Happy Easter today. Easter brings to mind new clothes for kids, joyous music, baskets of candy and -- if you are a Brewers fan of some duration -- Dale Sveum's Easter Sunday walk-off homer to put the Brewers at 12-0 in 1987.

Follow this link to a story about that day, and a video clip of Sveum's homer:
http://tiny.cc/sveum

Checking In

Great turnout at practice yesterday, Braves! All nine guys who were in town showed up! This is a group that can't get enough baseball.

We had the shivering players do a lot of running to warm up their muscles, and by the end of the practice most of the guys had shed their jackets and sweatshirts. We finished with a spirited scrimmage highlighted by some timely hitting and a couple of nice plays in the field, including shortstop Matt making a lunging snare of a low line drive headed for center field and Alec vacuuming up a tough grounder at third and making a great throw to nip the runner at first.

Meanwhile, those of you who are interested in pitching should take a look at the big photo of Braden Looper on page 5 of the sports section of today's Journal Sentinel. Note the two-seam fastball grip and how the ball is facing center field. It is clear that Looper's arm had been fully extended.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

Dave

Photo credit:
Mark Hoffman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel