[Today's game story was written by guest blogger Dave Pritchard.]
Powered by Liam’s four RBIs and Alec’s masterful pitching, the Braves won their semi-final game against a plucky but outmanned Yankees squad Monday. The final score was 16-5, with the Braves scoring all of their runs after two were out.
The Braves got on the board in the first inning. Nick used his burning speed to beat out an infield hit, steal second, and then end up on third despite falling down after rounding second. Connor followed with a titanic blast over the fence in center. Braves, 2-0.
In the second inning Tyler scampered home on a passed ball with two outs. Braves, 3-0.
The Yankees showed their character by refusing to give up. They scored three in the top of the third inning to tie the game.
In the bottom of the third the first two Braves batters made outs, but then Matt walked and Nick skied a long fly over the fence in left field. Braves, 5-3.
With a runner on first and only one out in the top of the fourth inning, Alec induced the next two Yankees batters to hit ground balls to Ryan at second base. Both times he calmly scooped up the ball and flipped it to shortstop Scott for forceouts.
The Braves broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth, with the big blow being a three-run homer to right-center field by Jack. The Braves hit the stuffing out of the ball in this inning, with Scott, Liam, Matt and Nick smoking line-drive hits to various portions of the outfield. Naturally, all six runs were scored after two were out. Braves, 11-3.
The never-say-die Yankees threatened in the top of the fifth. With two outs, two runs in and a man on third, the Yankees’ powerful number-three hitter smashed a sizzling line drive … right at second baseman Nick. Nick calmly gloved the ball. Braves, 11-5.
Then, with two outs and Evan on base with a walk, came the game-ending flood of runs. Tyler singled to left. So did Scott. AP legged out an infield single. Ryan walked. Two outs, three runs in, runners dancing off second and third and Liam striding to the plate. A hit would win the game for the Braves because of the 10-run slaughter rule.
Liam laced a single to center field, AP and Ryan scored, and the Braves had earned a spot in Saturday’s championship game!
The coaches awarded the game ball to Liam for his clutch hitting. Alec’s five-inning complete game also awed the crowd.
The game featured Braves reporter Jim Higgins filling in as first-base coach for Joe Kimple, who was coaching his younger son Carson’s team during the game. Jim had a quality game, as the team’s 16 runs attest.
Showing posts with label Dave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Game 16: Braves 7, Phillies 4
The Braves finished the regular season on a positive note, defeating the second-place Phillies in a battle of heavyweights Friday night at Water Tower.
Alec started on the mound. Phillies leadoff hitter Andre Vandlik singled up the middle. The Phils' Macklein Kortebein hammered a flyball to center field, but centerfielder Nick calmly made the catch. Teddy Webber drew a walk to put runners at first and third with two outs, but Alec induced a comebacker to end the threat.
In the bottom of the first, Nick hit the second pitch he saw over the fence in left center for his fifth homer of the season, and a 1-0 Braves lead. Alec and Jack walked, and Connor was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Will (Cookie) singled through the right side, driving in Alec and Jack to make it 3-0 Braves. Then Matt pounded a drive all the way to the fence in left center, bringing Connor and Will home. 5-0, Braves.
In the top of the second, Phillies batter J.T. Roemer reached on an infield single, but the Braves infield turned two forceouts at second, and shortstop Connor grabbed a fly ball to close out the inning. Anthony singled to start the bottom of the second, but was left stranded.
In the top of the third, the Phillies mounted a rally, aided by some Braves errors. With one out, Andre Vandlik singled. Macklein Kortebein hit another deep fly to center field, but Tyler caught this one. Andrew James doubled, and Teddy Webber walked to load the bases. the next Phillies batter hit a grounder that, thanks to an error and overthrow, brought home all three runners. Alec induced a grounder to end the threat. 5-3, Braves.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Jack drew a walk, and Connor singled on a tough spinning grounder the Phils pitcher was unable to handle cleanly. Will walked to load the bases. Then Evan doubled to right field, bringing Jack and Connor home. 7-3, Braves.
In the top of the 4th, the Phils placed runners on second and third with no outs. Then came the defensive play of the game. Shortstop Connor grabbed a grounder and threw out the batter at the first. Then first baseman Will fired a perfect strike to catcher Ryan, who tagged the runner from third barreling home. A 6-3-2 double play. Alec struck out the next batter to end the inning.
In the top of the 5th, with Connor now on the mound, Phils leadoff hitter Andre Vandlik drew a walk and would come around to score, but Connor struck out three batters to limit the damage. 7-4 Braves.
After the Braves did not score in the bottom of the 5th, the Phillies came up for what turned out to be their last at-bats. J.T. Roemer reached on an infield single, but Connor struck out the next 3 batters. Final score: Braves 7, Phillies 4.
Braves coaches awarded game balls to Nick, for his igniting homer, and Ryan, for fabulous tag out at home to conclude the double play.
The Braves finished the regular season in first place, with a record of 14-2. They are seeded first in the double-elimination playoff tournament, and will play Thursday afternoon July 8 against the winner of the #8 vs. #9 game. As Coach Ross reminded the team, everything starts over in the playoffs.
Ross thanked the boys for many things after the game, but especially for being excellent team players who supported each other and picked each other up.
A bevy of local celebrities were in the house for this thrilling tilt, including former Braves coach Dave Pritchard and his son (and Braves alum) Chris Pritchard (who served as bat boy, in-dugout cheerleader and roving encourager for his former teammates) and Chris' mom Kathy Rogers; Ryan's aunt and uncle Lisa and Dave; Nick's big sister Zoe and Evan's big sister Kait (a very faithful fan this season); one of Jack Kivley's older sisters; and a number of players from other teams (including Yankees player Clay Dailey, who stuck around to hear Ross' post-game speech).
Look for an email from Coach Ross in the near future with details about the first playoff game and about a practice before that game.
Alec started on the mound. Phillies leadoff hitter Andre Vandlik singled up the middle. The Phils' Macklein Kortebein hammered a flyball to center field, but centerfielder Nick calmly made the catch. Teddy Webber drew a walk to put runners at first and third with two outs, but Alec induced a comebacker to end the threat.
In the bottom of the first, Nick hit the second pitch he saw over the fence in left center for his fifth homer of the season, and a 1-0 Braves lead. Alec and Jack walked, and Connor was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Will (Cookie) singled through the right side, driving in Alec and Jack to make it 3-0 Braves. Then Matt pounded a drive all the way to the fence in left center, bringing Connor and Will home. 5-0, Braves.
In the top of the second, Phillies batter J.T. Roemer reached on an infield single, but the Braves infield turned two forceouts at second, and shortstop Connor grabbed a fly ball to close out the inning. Anthony singled to start the bottom of the second, but was left stranded.
In the top of the third, the Phillies mounted a rally, aided by some Braves errors. With one out, Andre Vandlik singled. Macklein Kortebein hit another deep fly to center field, but Tyler caught this one. Andrew James doubled, and Teddy Webber walked to load the bases. the next Phillies batter hit a grounder that, thanks to an error and overthrow, brought home all three runners. Alec induced a grounder to end the threat. 5-3, Braves.
With one out in the bottom of the third, Jack drew a walk, and Connor singled on a tough spinning grounder the Phils pitcher was unable to handle cleanly. Will walked to load the bases. Then Evan doubled to right field, bringing Jack and Connor home. 7-3, Braves.
In the top of the 4th, the Phils placed runners on second and third with no outs. Then came the defensive play of the game. Shortstop Connor grabbed a grounder and threw out the batter at the first. Then first baseman Will fired a perfect strike to catcher Ryan, who tagged the runner from third barreling home. A 6-3-2 double play. Alec struck out the next batter to end the inning.
In the top of the 5th, with Connor now on the mound, Phils leadoff hitter Andre Vandlik drew a walk and would come around to score, but Connor struck out three batters to limit the damage. 7-4 Braves.
After the Braves did not score in the bottom of the 5th, the Phillies came up for what turned out to be their last at-bats. J.T. Roemer reached on an infield single, but Connor struck out the next 3 batters. Final score: Braves 7, Phillies 4.
Braves coaches awarded game balls to Nick, for his igniting homer, and Ryan, for fabulous tag out at home to conclude the double play.
The Braves finished the regular season in first place, with a record of 14-2. They are seeded first in the double-elimination playoff tournament, and will play Thursday afternoon July 8 against the winner of the #8 vs. #9 game. As Coach Ross reminded the team, everything starts over in the playoffs.
Ross thanked the boys for many things after the game, but especially for being excellent team players who supported each other and picked each other up.
A bevy of local celebrities were in the house for this thrilling tilt, including former Braves coach Dave Pritchard and his son (and Braves alum) Chris Pritchard (who served as bat boy, in-dugout cheerleader and roving encourager for his former teammates) and Chris' mom Kathy Rogers; Ryan's aunt and uncle Lisa and Dave; Nick's big sister Zoe and Evan's big sister Kait (a very faithful fan this season); one of Jack Kivley's older sisters; and a number of players from other teams (including Yankees player Clay Dailey, who stuck around to hear Ross' post-game speech).
Look for an email from Coach Ross in the near future with details about the first playoff game and about a practice before that game.
Monday, June 21, 2010
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.
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.
Braves albums Chris & Jason, Part 2: A Stirring Comeback
[Dave Pritchard sent this note about a recent game featuring Braves alums Chris & Jason]:
Ex-Braves Chris Pritchard and Jason Blacher played key roles in their team’s never-say-die, come-from-way-behind victory in a tournament in West Bend Saturday afternoon.
Chris and Jason’s Wildcats were down, 12-0, before they even came to bat, the Wildcats’ best pitcher having been pounded, hammered, shelled, and battered by a very strong BOSS team. But the pitcher held his head high after a 59-pitch inning, and so did the rest of the Wildcats. The team dedicated itself to winning every inning from there on.
They chipped away at BOSS’s lead little by little, and going into bottom of the last inning they were down only – only! – 15-7, in large part because Jason had taken over on the mound and held the powerful opponents in check.
I won’t keep you in suspense. The Wildcats scored nine runs for a walk-off 16-15 victory, with everyone in the lineup contributing in the fateful last inning (including Chris with a line-drive RBI single).
The victory meant that the Wildcats won their pool in the tournament. They will play in the semi-finals Sunday morning, and if they win that game they will play for the championship at noon.
All in all, an exciting game that reminded me of what I read on the blog about the Braves’ amazing victory over the Red Sox. These are the kinds of games that reveal the character of a team.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon at Water Tower!
Dave
Ex-Braves Chris Pritchard and Jason Blacher played key roles in their team’s never-say-die, come-from-way-behind victory in a tournament in West Bend Saturday afternoon.
Chris and Jason’s Wildcats were down, 12-0, before they even came to bat, the Wildcats’ best pitcher having been pounded, hammered, shelled, and battered by a very strong BOSS team. But the pitcher held his head high after a 59-pitch inning, and so did the rest of the Wildcats. The team dedicated itself to winning every inning from there on.
They chipped away at BOSS’s lead little by little, and going into bottom of the last inning they were down only – only! – 15-7, in large part because Jason had taken over on the mound and held the powerful opponents in check.
I won’t keep you in suspense. The Wildcats scored nine runs for a walk-off 16-15 victory, with everyone in the lineup contributing in the fateful last inning (including Chris with a line-drive RBI single).
The victory meant that the Wildcats won their pool in the tournament. They will play in the semi-finals Sunday morning, and if they win that game they will play for the championship at noon.
All in all, an exciting game that reminded me of what I read on the blog about the Braves’ amazing victory over the Red Sox. These are the kinds of games that reveal the character of a team.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon at Water Tower!
Dave
Monday, May 24, 2010
Game 7: Braves 8, Rays 6
In the best game I have watched this season at Water Tower, the Braves came from behind to defeat the disciplined Rays, 8-6, on a warm Monday evening.
With smart, aggressive baserunning, the Rays parlayed a couple of first-inning Braves errors into a 3-0 lead. The Braves pulled one back in their half: Alec tripled to center field, then scored with 2 outs on Connor's single to right field. 3-1 Rays after one inning.
The Rays added to their lead with a single, a walk and an RBI single to left field. In the bottom of the second inning, both Will and Tyler hit the ball hard into the outfield, but the sure-handed Rays outfielders made the catches. After two innings, Rays 4, Braves 1.
The Rays tacked on another run in the third, scoring a run before a Rays player was tagged in a rundown. At the end of three innings, Rays 5, Braves 1.
Alec relieved Connor on the mound with one out in the top of the 4th inning. He struck out one bat, but the next one singled. The ensuing batter lifted a fly to center field, but centerfielder Tyler made a tumbling catch for the third out.
In the bottom of the 4th, Evan singled to right field, and Jack followed with a double to center field. Will singled to center, driving in Evan. Tyler singled to load the bases. Then Anthony singled to right, driving in Will and Ryan to make it 5-4 Rays. Tyler dashed home on a wild pitch to knot the score at 5-5.
In the top of the 5th, pitcher Alec worked around a double and an infield single. He grabbed the third out, a short fly ball, himself.
With a capacity crowd watching, including former Braves coach Dave Pritchard and a number of boys from other teams, the Braves came to bat in the bottom of the 5th. Alec beat out an infield single, then Connor doubled to center field, with coach Ross Harmsen holding Alec at third. Evan walked to load the bases. With two outs, Will ripped a double into the outfield, scoring all three baserunners. Will was tagged out at home, but the Braves had gained an 8-5 lead.
The Rays, though, would not go meekly. Their first batter in the 6th, Brandon Turer, homered to cut the lead to 8-6. The next batter singled. Then Rays player Cole Miller hit a foul fly very close to the third-base dugout fence. Third baseman Evan charged over and caught the fly while banging into the fence. One out, runner on first. The next batter bounced to Ryan at second base, who alertly got the lead runner on the fielder's choice. Two outs, runner at first.
Rays player Will Alt singled to put runners at first and second, setting the stage for defensive drama. The next Rays batter grounded to Evan at third, who stepped on the bag to force the lead runner and end the game. Braves 8, Rays 6.
Note: By the way, the photographer you saw at the game is my friend Nathan Wallin, an Air Force Reserve communications specialist (and soon to be UWM graduate) who enjoys photographing sports. He took a variety of photos at the game. I will send links to the photos out after Nathan has a chance to edit and post the pictures.
Next game: The next Braves game is a rematch against the Rays at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday June 1. We'll await word from Coach Ross on procedures and arrival time for that game. Ross also said the Braves would hold a practice between now and then.
With smart, aggressive baserunning, the Rays parlayed a couple of first-inning Braves errors into a 3-0 lead. The Braves pulled one back in their half: Alec tripled to center field, then scored with 2 outs on Connor's single to right field. 3-1 Rays after one inning.
The Rays added to their lead with a single, a walk and an RBI single to left field. In the bottom of the second inning, both Will and Tyler hit the ball hard into the outfield, but the sure-handed Rays outfielders made the catches. After two innings, Rays 4, Braves 1.
The Rays tacked on another run in the third, scoring a run before a Rays player was tagged in a rundown. At the end of three innings, Rays 5, Braves 1.
Alec relieved Connor on the mound with one out in the top of the 4th inning. He struck out one bat, but the next one singled. The ensuing batter lifted a fly to center field, but centerfielder Tyler made a tumbling catch for the third out.
In the bottom of the 4th, Evan singled to right field, and Jack followed with a double to center field. Will singled to center, driving in Evan. Tyler singled to load the bases. Then Anthony singled to right, driving in Will and Ryan to make it 5-4 Rays. Tyler dashed home on a wild pitch to knot the score at 5-5.
In the top of the 5th, pitcher Alec worked around a double and an infield single. He grabbed the third out, a short fly ball, himself.
With a capacity crowd watching, including former Braves coach Dave Pritchard and a number of boys from other teams, the Braves came to bat in the bottom of the 5th. Alec beat out an infield single, then Connor doubled to center field, with coach Ross Harmsen holding Alec at third. Evan walked to load the bases. With two outs, Will ripped a double into the outfield, scoring all three baserunners. Will was tagged out at home, but the Braves had gained an 8-5 lead.
The Rays, though, would not go meekly. Their first batter in the 6th, Brandon Turer, homered to cut the lead to 8-6. The next batter singled. Then Rays player Cole Miller hit a foul fly very close to the third-base dugout fence. Third baseman Evan charged over and caught the fly while banging into the fence. One out, runner on first. The next batter bounced to Ryan at second base, who alertly got the lead runner on the fielder's choice. Two outs, runner at first.
Rays player Will Alt singled to put runners at first and second, setting the stage for defensive drama. The next Rays batter grounded to Evan at third, who stepped on the bag to force the lead runner and end the game. Braves 8, Rays 6.
Note: By the way, the photographer you saw at the game is my friend Nathan Wallin, an Air Force Reserve communications specialist (and soon to be UWM graduate) who enjoys photographing sports. He took a variety of photos at the game. I will send links to the photos out after Nathan has a chance to edit and post the pictures.
Next game: The next Braves game is a rematch against the Rays at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday June 1. We'll await word from Coach Ross on procedures and arrival time for that game. Ross also said the Braves would hold a practice between now and then.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Braves Alumni: Chris & Jason
Hello Braves!
Chris and I saw this year’s Braves practicing at the high-school softball field a couple of days ago, and we got nostalgic about how much fun we had with last year’s Braves. It seems as if this year’s group is off to a great start.
Jim Higgins asked me to write a bit about what the two Braves’ alumni are doing this summer. Here goes:
Jason Blacher and Chris Pritchard now play on the Wisconsin Wildcats travel team for 13-year-olds. Jason and Chris are regularly in the starting lineup for the Wildcats, who play games on fields that are much bigger than the Majors field at Water Tower. Some of their games are played on diamonds with 80 feet between the bases and the pitcher’s rubber 54 feet from home plate. Other games are played on fields with major-league dimensions (90 feet between bases, the rubber 60 feet, 6 inches from home).
Jason plays mostly at shortstop and Chris mostly at first base, though both of them have also played other positions and pitched. Like most of the guys on the Wildcats, they had some initial trouble adjusting to the unfamiliar distance of the pitcher but lately they have been striking the ball with authority.
For example, Wednesday evening at Harden field on Milwaukee’s south side – a field with major-league dimensions including a center-field wall 380 feet from the plate – Chris clouted a long double to right field and smoked a triple down the right field line. He also pitched two hitless innings.
Chris’ second hitless inning ended when Jason making an amazing full-extension Sports Center top-play-worthy dive to snare a line drive that seemed headed for center field. You won’t find many 13-year-old shortstops better than Jason in the field. Jason was also productive at the plate, smashing a line-drive hit over the shortstop’s head into left field.
Wednesday’s victory left the Wildcats with a 9-4 record. Overall, the team will play 50-55 games, with the season ending the last weekend in July. There are 12 guys on the Wildcats, and playing time is distributed very equally. The team is a travel team, but other than one soggy April weekend in Iowa the travel is limited to southeast Wisconsin.
Chris and Jason really enjoy the guys on the Wildcats; the players’ parents get along well, too. Five of the Wildcats are from Whitefish Bay, three from Fox Point, and one each from Cedarburg, New Berlin, Greenfield, and Pewaukee. The head coach is a soft-spoken former college player in his mid-20s who the players and parents like a lot.
If any of the Braves are considereing a more intense baseball experience next year than the Juniors will offer, I’d encourage them to consider the Wildcats. Tryouts for the 2011 Wildcats will be in late summer. You can learn a little bit more about the Wildcats by going into the Roster and Calendar portions of http://wsbcc.com/.
Meanwhile, keep up the fantastic play at Water Tower! I follow your games via Jim’s blog, and when you get to the championship game I’ll make sure that Chris and I are in the stands to cheer you on.
Dave Pritchard
Chris and I saw this year’s Braves practicing at the high-school softball field a couple of days ago, and we got nostalgic about how much fun we had with last year’s Braves. It seems as if this year’s group is off to a great start.
Jim Higgins asked me to write a bit about what the two Braves’ alumni are doing this summer. Here goes:
Jason Blacher and Chris Pritchard now play on the Wisconsin Wildcats travel team for 13-year-olds. Jason and Chris are regularly in the starting lineup for the Wildcats, who play games on fields that are much bigger than the Majors field at Water Tower. Some of their games are played on diamonds with 80 feet between the bases and the pitcher’s rubber 54 feet from home plate. Other games are played on fields with major-league dimensions (90 feet between bases, the rubber 60 feet, 6 inches from home).
Jason plays mostly at shortstop and Chris mostly at first base, though both of them have also played other positions and pitched. Like most of the guys on the Wildcats, they had some initial trouble adjusting to the unfamiliar distance of the pitcher but lately they have been striking the ball with authority.
For example, Wednesday evening at Harden field on Milwaukee’s south side – a field with major-league dimensions including a center-field wall 380 feet from the plate – Chris clouted a long double to right field and smoked a triple down the right field line. He also pitched two hitless innings.
Chris’ second hitless inning ended when Jason making an amazing full-extension Sports Center top-play-worthy dive to snare a line drive that seemed headed for center field. You won’t find many 13-year-old shortstops better than Jason in the field. Jason was also productive at the plate, smashing a line-drive hit over the shortstop’s head into left field.
Wednesday’s victory left the Wildcats with a 9-4 record. Overall, the team will play 50-55 games, with the season ending the last weekend in July. There are 12 guys on the Wildcats, and playing time is distributed very equally. The team is a travel team, but other than one soggy April weekend in Iowa the travel is limited to southeast Wisconsin.
Chris and Jason really enjoy the guys on the Wildcats; the players’ parents get along well, too. Five of the Wildcats are from Whitefish Bay, three from Fox Point, and one each from Cedarburg, New Berlin, Greenfield, and Pewaukee. The head coach is a soft-spoken former college player in his mid-20s who the players and parents like a lot.
If any of the Braves are considereing a more intense baseball experience next year than the Juniors will offer, I’d encourage them to consider the Wildcats. Tryouts for the 2011 Wildcats will be in late summer. You can learn a little bit more about the Wildcats by going into the Roster and Calendar portions of http://wsbcc.com/.
Meanwhile, keep up the fantastic play at Water Tower! I follow your games via Jim’s blog, and when you get to the championship game I’ll make sure that Chris and I are in the stands to cheer you on.
Dave Pritchard
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Game 4: Braves 16, Athletics 7
Shaking off rust that built up after two rainouts, the Braves defeated the determined As 16-7 Saturday morning at Water Tower.
Connor led the parade of lumber-thumpers with 4 hits, including two homers, and six RBIs. Nick scored three times, and Evan was 4 for 4 with two doubles. Many players contributed today on offense with their legs as well as their bats.
The Braves took a 4-0 lead in the first inning through a combination of singles and aggressive baserunning. But the As took a 5-4 lead in the second inning, hustling to take advantage of a few Braves miscues. The Braves tied in the third by manufacturing a run with 2 outs: Nick singled, stole second and scored on Connor's single.
In the top of the 4th, Evan tomahawked a double into the outfield, and scored on Ryan's hit. Then Tyler ripped a fly ball into the right field that the As outfielder couldn't handle. Tyler zoomed around the bases to score. While an official scorer in major-league baseball might rule that as a single and a three-base error, I am not going to be the one to tell Tyler it wasn't an inside-the-park home run.
The As scored two in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-7, but that's as close as it would get. In the fifth inning, Alec reached safely, then Connor brought him by crushing a homer to center field. With two outs in the same inning, Evan doubled again, stole third on a passed ball and scored on another Ryan single. 11-7, Braves.
Alec took the mound in the 5th, bringing the Big Red Express with him. Stridingly confidently toward the plate, he pounded the strike with fastballs. Will speared a liner at second base to contribute to Alec's one-two-three inning.
The Braves broke the game open in the 6th. Will, Matt and Alec all reached safely. Then Nick ripped a triple into the right-center gap. Connor followed with his second homer of the game, a booming shot over the right-center fence.
Alec closed out the game in the 6th, with Nick knocking down a line smash and stepping on first base for the final putout. (Alec needed only 16 pitches over the final two innings.)
In pitching notes, Matt and Tyler picked up the Braves in the middle innings. Through no fault of his own, Tyler found himself pitching with the bases loaded and no outs, but kept his composure. He induced two grounders to third that the sure-handed Anthony grabbed and threw home to induce forceouts.
Former Braves skipper Dave Pritchard watched our game this morning. He promises an update on Braves alums Chris and Jason in the near future.
Probable talking points from the game:
Good: Only two called third strikes on the Braves today. The boys took Coach Ross' exhortation to swing the bats to heart, and it showed.
Less good: This is my opinion, not the coaches. Boys needs to remember to run everything out, whether it is a fly ball to the outfield, a pop-up near the plate or a grounder to an infielder. This is Little League. You can never assume the other kid will make the play and give up. The very act of running as hard as you can might make an opponent drop a ball or throw it wildly.
NEXT GAME
It's 6 p.m. Monday May 17 vs. the Cubs. Coaches ask that your Brave be at Water Tower by 5 p.m.
Connor led the parade of lumber-thumpers with 4 hits, including two homers, and six RBIs. Nick scored three times, and Evan was 4 for 4 with two doubles. Many players contributed today on offense with their legs as well as their bats.
The Braves took a 4-0 lead in the first inning through a combination of singles and aggressive baserunning. But the As took a 5-4 lead in the second inning, hustling to take advantage of a few Braves miscues. The Braves tied in the third by manufacturing a run with 2 outs: Nick singled, stole second and scored on Connor's single.
In the top of the 4th, Evan tomahawked a double into the outfield, and scored on Ryan's hit. Then Tyler ripped a fly ball into the right field that the As outfielder couldn't handle. Tyler zoomed around the bases to score. While an official scorer in major-league baseball might rule that as a single and a three-base error, I am not going to be the one to tell Tyler it wasn't an inside-the-park home run.
The As scored two in the bottom of the fourth to make it 8-7, but that's as close as it would get. In the fifth inning, Alec reached safely, then Connor brought him by crushing a homer to center field. With two outs in the same inning, Evan doubled again, stole third on a passed ball and scored on another Ryan single. 11-7, Braves.
Alec took the mound in the 5th, bringing the Big Red Express with him. Stridingly confidently toward the plate, he pounded the strike with fastballs. Will speared a liner at second base to contribute to Alec's one-two-three inning.
The Braves broke the game open in the 6th. Will, Matt and Alec all reached safely. Then Nick ripped a triple into the right-center gap. Connor followed with his second homer of the game, a booming shot over the right-center fence.
Alec closed out the game in the 6th, with Nick knocking down a line smash and stepping on first base for the final putout. (Alec needed only 16 pitches over the final two innings.)
In pitching notes, Matt and Tyler picked up the Braves in the middle innings. Through no fault of his own, Tyler found himself pitching with the bases loaded and no outs, but kept his composure. He induced two grounders to third that the sure-handed Anthony grabbed and threw home to induce forceouts.
Former Braves skipper Dave Pritchard watched our game this morning. He promises an update on Braves alums Chris and Jason in the near future.
Probable talking points from the game:
Good: Only two called third strikes on the Braves today. The boys took Coach Ross' exhortation to swing the bats to heart, and it showed.
Less good: This is my opinion, not the coaches. Boys needs to remember to run everything out, whether it is a fly ball to the outfield, a pop-up near the plate or a grounder to an infielder. This is Little League. You can never assume the other kid will make the play and give up. The very act of running as hard as you can might make an opponent drop a ball or throw it wildly.
NEXT GAME
It's 6 p.m. Monday May 17 vs. the Cubs. Coaches ask that your Brave be at Water Tower by 5 p.m.
Monday, August 3, 2009
A cup full of safety
Everyone,
Chris' post-season team played in a tournament in Brookfield this weekend. In the final game this afternoon Chris was batting against a pitcher who was throwing the ball pretty hard. Chris tried to hop out of the way of a blazing inside fastball, but he wasn't quick enough. It plunked him right in the ... well, I guess the safe thing to say is that he got hit right in the place guys REALLY don't like to get hit.
Fortunately, he was wearing his protective cup and trotted down to first base with a big grin on his face.
After the game I was shocked to learn that several of the guys on the team didn't wear their cups in the tournament games.
Please -- for your son's future, to say nothing of your future grandchildren -- make sure that your Brave always wears his cup to games and practices. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred he won't need it, but that hundredth time he will be very happy it's with him.
Dave
Chris' post-season team played in a tournament in Brookfield this weekend. In the final game this afternoon Chris was batting against a pitcher who was throwing the ball pretty hard. Chris tried to hop out of the way of a blazing inside fastball, but he wasn't quick enough. It plunked him right in the ... well, I guess the safe thing to say is that he got hit right in the place guys REALLY don't like to get hit.
Fortunately, he was wearing his protective cup and trotted down to first base with a big grin on his face.
After the game I was shocked to learn that several of the guys on the team didn't wear their cups in the tournament games.
Please -- for your son's future, to say nothing of your future grandchildren -- make sure that your Brave always wears his cup to games and practices. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred he won't need it, but that hundredth time he will be very happy it's with him.
Dave
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
U11 All Stars: Caravan leaves at 4ish
You guys are in luck!!! The U-11 All Star game vs. Germantown was rained out Monday evening, so you all have another chance to join us in West Bend! The game is rescheduled for Tuesday at 6 PM. A group will leave from Water Tower Park around 4:15 P tomorrow and convoy to the game. Come demonstrate your Bay pride, have some fun and watch some good baseball. Hope to see you there...
Karen
---
Earlier reports on the U11 team (featuring Connor and Alec):
Everyone,
Great news from the U-11 team! Led by Connor Kimple's two home runs, they smashed Elmbrook 12-5 today to move into the championship game of the West Bend regional.
They will play Germantown in West Bend. Contact Connor's or Alec's parents for details about specific time and field. Germantown is undefeated in U-11 post-season play, and Whitefish Bay has only one loss -- a one-run defeat to Germantown.
The U-11 team has done a great job, and is very deserving of everyone's support.
I have heard (but I do not have first-hand info on this) that whichever team wins earns a spot in the U-11 state championship tournament in Madison.
Best of luck to the boys!
Dave
Karen
---
Earlier reports on the U11 team (featuring Connor and Alec):
Everyone,
Great news from the U-11 team! Led by Connor Kimple's two home runs, they smashed Elmbrook 12-5 today to move into the championship game of the West Bend regional.
They will play Germantown in West Bend. Contact Connor's or Alec's parents for details about specific time and field. Germantown is undefeated in U-11 post-season play, and Whitefish Bay has only one loss -- a one-run defeat to Germantown.
The U-11 team has done a great job, and is very deserving of everyone's support.
I have heard (but I do not have first-hand info on this) that whichever team wins earns a spot in the U-11 state championship tournament in Madison.
Best of luck to the boys!
Dave
Thursday, July 23, 2009
U12 All-Star Update
Braves,
I promised an update of the fate of the U12 team Chris is on, so here it is -- even though the news is not as good as I would have liked it to be.
The Whitefish Bay team played in a seven-team pool at Beckum Field in Milwaukee (a very cool place, by the way). Each team played four games, with the highest-ranking four teams advancing to additional games.
We won our first game (I sent out a report about that one), got creamed in our next two, and had to beat undefeated Germantown Friday evening to have any chance of advancing. It was nice to see the Bay team play its best game of the tournament, winning 10-5. Joe Kaszubowski started on the mound and pitched very effectively into the fifth inning. Then Chris came on and struck out the last batter of the fifth inning before mowing down the top of the Germantown lineup in the sixth, fanning the final hitter to seal the victory. Offensive highlights for Whitefish Bay included a bases-loaded blast to the center-field wall by Kyle Rogers and an opposite-field bomb over the left-fielder's head by Chris for an RBI double.
After Friday's victory, our fate depended on the outcome of a game Saturday between Beckum, with a 1-2 record, and Menomonee Falls, with an 0-3 record (and having scored only one run in its first three games). If Beckum won that game, they would have the same 2-2 record as we had, but would advance instead of us because they had allowed fewer runs. Unfortunately for us, Beckum won that game.
Despite the Bay team's failure to advance, the players enjoyed the experience and benefitted from excellent coaching (Bob Leckie, Doug James, Jeff Clark). They also learned the importance of defense -- the Whitefish Bay team committed at least 15 errors in the four games, leading to countless unearned runs.
So the U12 season is over, but the U10 (Scott) team and the U11 team (Connor and Alec) are just beginning their post-season play. They would appreciate your support!
Dave
I promised an update of the fate of the U12 team Chris is on, so here it is -- even though the news is not as good as I would have liked it to be.
The Whitefish Bay team played in a seven-team pool at Beckum Field in Milwaukee (a very cool place, by the way). Each team played four games, with the highest-ranking four teams advancing to additional games.
We won our first game (I sent out a report about that one), got creamed in our next two, and had to beat undefeated Germantown Friday evening to have any chance of advancing. It was nice to see the Bay team play its best game of the tournament, winning 10-5. Joe Kaszubowski started on the mound and pitched very effectively into the fifth inning. Then Chris came on and struck out the last batter of the fifth inning before mowing down the top of the Germantown lineup in the sixth, fanning the final hitter to seal the victory. Offensive highlights for Whitefish Bay included a bases-loaded blast to the center-field wall by Kyle Rogers and an opposite-field bomb over the left-fielder's head by Chris for an RBI double.
After Friday's victory, our fate depended on the outcome of a game Saturday between Beckum, with a 1-2 record, and Menomonee Falls, with an 0-3 record (and having scored only one run in its first three games). If Beckum won that game, they would have the same 2-2 record as we had, but would advance instead of us because they had allowed fewer runs. Unfortunately for us, Beckum won that game.
Despite the Bay team's failure to advance, the players enjoyed the experience and benefitted from excellent coaching (Bob Leckie, Doug James, Jeff Clark). They also learned the importance of defense -- the Whitefish Bay team committed at least 15 errors in the four games, leading to countless unearned runs.
So the U12 season is over, but the U10 (Scott) team and the U11 team (Connor and Alec) are just beginning their post-season play. They would appreciate your support!
Dave
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Saturday party, Home Run Derby
Braves,
Party time at Water Tower! See the appended message from Majors commissioner Darren Miller.
Unfortunately, only the players who hit homers during the regular season or the WFB little league tournament are eligible for the home-run derby this year so the only guys who can represent the Braves are Nick and Chris. Come and cheer them on at 2 p.m. Saturday, and then watch the moms' game at 3 p.m.
Dave
---
Coaches,
Just a few reminders:
Don't forget about the weekend party at Water Tower this weekend. The championship games for both the Minors and Majors begin at 10:00a, followed by the party until about 4:00p. Please make sure your teams are aware of the schedule:
Party time at Water Tower! See the appended message from Majors commissioner Darren Miller.
Unfortunately, only the players who hit homers during the regular season or the WFB little league tournament are eligible for the home-run derby this year so the only guys who can represent the Braves are Nick and Chris. Come and cheer them on at 2 p.m. Saturday, and then watch the moms' game at 3 p.m.
Dave
---
Coaches,
Just a few reminders:
Don't forget about the weekend party at Water Tower this weekend. The championship games for both the Minors and Majors begin at 10:00a, followed by the party until about 4:00p. Please make sure your teams are aware of the schedule:
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
All-Star Updates: Connor, Alec, Scott
From Dave Pritchard:
Braves,
Here's the schedule of the WFB U11 all-star team, which features our own Connor Kimple and Alec Lindfors. Good luck, guys!
Dave
----- Forwarded Message -----
Coaches,
The U11 All Star team received their schedule last night. They'll be playing in West Bend next week:
Tuesday, July 21 Whitefish Bay vs. North Central 8pm West Bend Field 2
Wednesday, July 22 Whitefish Bay vs. Menomonee Falls Nat 8pm West Bend Field 2
Thursday, July 23 Whitefish Bay vs. West Bend 6pm West Bend Field 2
Friday, July 24 Whitefish Bay vs. Germantown 8pm West Bend Field 2
If they finish in the top 4 of 8 after Friday we will play on Saturday, July 26th at 1pm or 3pm at West Bend Field 1.
If they make the championship we play on Sunday, July 27th at 6pm at West Bend Field 1.
The fields are in Riverside Park, West Bend. Looks like it is about a 40-45 min drive.
---
U10 All-Star Update from Rick Rojahn:
Good evening. Here is the game schedule for our team:
Sunday, July 19th Northwest vs. WFB 12:30pm
Monday, July 20th WFB vs. Germantown 5:30pm
Tuesday, July 21st Elmbrook Nat. vs. WFB 5:30pm
All games at at Northwest Little League, which is about 92nd and Silver Spring. I will get you exact directions, but I believe you will exit Appleton avenue, go south over Silver Spring, and take the first right down the street and into the parking lot.
If we advance out of our pool, we then play single elimination on July 22, July 23, and July 24th.
Braves,
Here's the schedule of the WFB U11 all-star team, which features our own Connor Kimple and Alec Lindfors. Good luck, guys!
Dave
----- Forwarded Message -----
Coaches,
The U11 All Star team received their schedule last night. They'll be playing in West Bend next week:
Tuesday, July 21 Whitefish Bay vs. North Central 8pm West Bend Field 2
Wednesday, July 22 Whitefish Bay vs. Menomonee Falls Nat 8pm West Bend Field 2
Thursday, July 23 Whitefish Bay vs. West Bend 6pm West Bend Field 2
Friday, July 24 Whitefish Bay vs. Germantown 8pm West Bend Field 2
If they finish in the top 4 of 8 after Friday we will play on Saturday, July 26th at 1pm or 3pm at West Bend Field 1.
If they make the championship we play on Sunday, July 27th at 6pm at West Bend Field 1.
The fields are in Riverside Park, West Bend. Looks like it is about a 40-45 min drive.
---
U10 All-Star Update from Rick Rojahn:
Good evening. Here is the game schedule for our team:
Sunday, July 19th Northwest vs. WFB 12:30pm
Monday, July 20th WFB vs. Germantown 5:30pm
Tuesday, July 21st Elmbrook Nat. vs. WFB 5:30pm
All games at at Northwest Little League, which is about 92nd and Silver Spring. I will get you exact directions, but I believe you will exit Appleton avenue, go south over Silver Spring, and take the first right down the street and into the parking lot.
If we advance out of our pool, we then play single elimination on July 22, July 23, and July 24th.
U12 All-Star Update
Hey Braves,
Although the Braves’ season is over, I know that several of our guys are on other teams that are still playing. Please send updates to everyone so that we can keep track – and so that we can attend their games!
Here’s a first update::
Chris is on the WFB U-12 all-star team. Tuesday evening the boys defeated Grafton, 10-5, at Beckum Field in Milwaukee. The Bay team fell behind early in the game, 4-0. Bay inched back to be only one run behind, and then scored seven runs in the fifth inning (most of them with two outs) to take a 10-4 lead. Grafton scored a harmless run in the sixth inning, but that was all.
Highlights included great pitching by Joe Kaszubowski (who plays for the Dodgers in WFB Little League). Joe pitched five and a third innings, striking out 13. Andrew James (Phillies) blasted a two-run homer over the center-field fence. In the final inning Henry Davies (Phillies) caught a fly ball in deep center field and pegged a strike to home to nail a runner who had tagged up at third. It was a game-ending double play.
Chris started the game in right field. He had two singles in two trips to the plate, the second of which drove in the game-tying run in the fateful fifth inning. He took over on the mound with one down in the sixth inning and closed out the game.
The U-12 all-star team continues its post-season play at Beckum with games at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. Lots of WFB little leaguers and their families were in the stands Tuesday evening to root for the local team. It would be great to see some of the Braves there for the rest of the games.
Beckum Field is at 9th and Brown in Milwaukee, and the concession stand is really good! If you’d like to attend one of the games this week and need directions to the field, let me know. If anyone would like a ride, I can fit two or three guys in my Honda.
It would be great to learn about the schedules of other Braves who are in post-season competition.
Dave
Although the Braves’ season is over, I know that several of our guys are on other teams that are still playing. Please send updates to everyone so that we can keep track – and so that we can attend their games!
Here’s a first update::
Chris is on the WFB U-12 all-star team. Tuesday evening the boys defeated Grafton, 10-5, at Beckum Field in Milwaukee. The Bay team fell behind early in the game, 4-0. Bay inched back to be only one run behind, and then scored seven runs in the fifth inning (most of them with two outs) to take a 10-4 lead. Grafton scored a harmless run in the sixth inning, but that was all.
Highlights included great pitching by Joe Kaszubowski (who plays for the Dodgers in WFB Little League). Joe pitched five and a third innings, striking out 13. Andrew James (Phillies) blasted a two-run homer over the center-field fence. In the final inning Henry Davies (Phillies) caught a fly ball in deep center field and pegged a strike to home to nail a runner who had tagged up at third. It was a game-ending double play.
Chris started the game in right field. He had two singles in two trips to the plate, the second of which drove in the game-tying run in the fateful fifth inning. He took over on the mound with one down in the sixth inning and closed out the game.
The U-12 all-star team continues its post-season play at Beckum with games at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. Lots of WFB little leaguers and their families were in the stands Tuesday evening to root for the local team. It would be great to see some of the Braves there for the rest of the games.
Beckum Field is at 9th and Brown in Milwaukee, and the concession stand is really good! If you’d like to attend one of the games this week and need directions to the field, let me know. If anyone would like a ride, I can fit two or three guys in my Honda.
It would be great to learn about the schedules of other Braves who are in post-season competition.
Dave
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thanks from Coach Dave
Braves,
Thank you for the very generous gift card ... and everything else throughout the course of the season. I will retain lots of happy memories.
I remember having breakfast with Ross at Berkeleys to talk about coaching, and then another intellectually stimulating meeting (or two) with Ross and Rick at the Oakcrest Tavern in Shorewood. Karen Higgins had the inspired idea to have a pre-season pizza party so that the players and parents could begin to know each other. Karen did all the work to organize it, and it gave us a great foundation for the season.
Jim Higgins helped the team maintain a sense of team community with his game stories and multimedia blog. And there couldn't have been a more perfect end to the season than the wonderful evening at the Scobey-Polachecks.
The games were fun, and the practices were maybe even more fun. I've never been involved with a team that enjoyed practice so much! Rick and Ross were great to work with; the three of us have a diversity of skills that somehow meshed pretty well. Joe Kimple and Stuart Blacher were always ready to help out with practice or coaching during games.
And you know what a fantastic group of players we had. Jen McLaughlin summed it up best in response to en e-mail I sent out in early June explaining my concern that the selection of all-star teams could cause hard feelings. Jen wrote, "I think all of the boys playing in WFB little league are already all stars."
Jen hit the nail on the head. All of the Braves, and all of their families, were all stars. Thanks to everyone for everything. It was a great season!
Dave
Friday, July 10, 2009
Playoff Game Report: Cubs 10, Braves 8
The Braves’ season ended Thursday evening with a 10-8 loss to the Cubs, but our guys went down fighting. They can hold their heads high.
The Cubs, who had a very rough time winning during the regular season, played extremely well Thursday. Their coaches were amazed at their team’s flawless performance.
The Braves played well, too, with several solid hits and some sparkling defense. Our fielding was simply great.
In the first inning, for example, with a bright sun burning into his eyeballs, second baseman Ryan somehow caught a pop-up in short right field. In the third inning first baseman Tyler saved several runs by s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g ever so far to catch three less-than-perfect throws for outs. Everyone marveled at how he was able to keep his toe in contact with the base on those plays.
The Cubs started to make a move in the fourth, but the Braves cut them short with two nice plays. The first came with a runner on third, Jason pitching, and Ryan catching. A pitch got past Ryan, and the runner sprinted for home. Ryan scrambled back to the fence to retrieve the ball and made a perfect toss to Jason covering the plate for the out. The second play came with two outs and runners on the bases. The batter smoked a line drive toward center field. Chris, at shortstop, dove to his left and somehow snared the ball in the webbing of his glove for the out.
The Braves had lots of success at the plate, too, slamming seven extra base hits. In the first inning Chris bombed a three-run homer to right-center field. Later in the first, Ryan laced a triple down the right-field line, scoring on Alec’s RBI single.
In the second Scott led off with a line shot to the left-center-field fence for a double. Then Matt drove in Scott with a double of his own, this one to right-center. Not to be outdone, Jason blasted a double to left-center, driving in Matt.
The Braves had runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings, but could not get them home. Then the sixth, with the Braves down 10-6. Chris led off with a solo homer over the center-field fence. Jack followed with a double, and after two outs Alec drove him in with a single. Now the score was 10-8, with a good base runner on first. We wanted to stay aggressive and maintain pressure on a flustered defense. We gave Alec the sign to steal. Sadly (for us), the Cubs’ catcher made his best throw of the season to nip Alec at second, and the game was over. The good feelings about the season, however, were not over – and never will be. The evening ended with perfect weather and a wonderful team party at Liam’s house. All of the Braves were there, and everyone had a ball.
Thanks to all of you.
Dave
The Cubs, who had a very rough time winning during the regular season, played extremely well Thursday. Their coaches were amazed at their team’s flawless performance.
The Braves played well, too, with several solid hits and some sparkling defense. Our fielding was simply great.
In the first inning, for example, with a bright sun burning into his eyeballs, second baseman Ryan somehow caught a pop-up in short right field. In the third inning first baseman Tyler saved several runs by s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g ever so far to catch three less-than-perfect throws for outs. Everyone marveled at how he was able to keep his toe in contact with the base on those plays.
The Cubs started to make a move in the fourth, but the Braves cut them short with two nice plays. The first came with a runner on third, Jason pitching, and Ryan catching. A pitch got past Ryan, and the runner sprinted for home. Ryan scrambled back to the fence to retrieve the ball and made a perfect toss to Jason covering the plate for the out. The second play came with two outs and runners on the bases. The batter smoked a line drive toward center field. Chris, at shortstop, dove to his left and somehow snared the ball in the webbing of his glove for the out.
The Braves had lots of success at the plate, too, slamming seven extra base hits. In the first inning Chris bombed a three-run homer to right-center field. Later in the first, Ryan laced a triple down the right-field line, scoring on Alec’s RBI single.
In the second Scott led off with a line shot to the left-center-field fence for a double. Then Matt drove in Scott with a double of his own, this one to right-center. Not to be outdone, Jason blasted a double to left-center, driving in Matt.
The Braves had runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings, but could not get them home. Then the sixth, with the Braves down 10-6. Chris led off with a solo homer over the center-field fence. Jack followed with a double, and after two outs Alec drove him in with a single. Now the score was 10-8, with a good base runner on first. We wanted to stay aggressive and maintain pressure on a flustered defense. We gave Alec the sign to steal. Sadly (for us), the Cubs’ catcher made his best throw of the season to nip Alec at second, and the game was over. The good feelings about the season, however, were not over – and never will be. The evening ended with perfect weather and a wonderful team party at Liam’s house. All of the Braves were there, and everyone had a ball.
Thanks to all of you.
Dave
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Cubs game today, then what might be beyond that
Because people have been asking.....
If we beat the Cubs Thursday, we will play the Yankees Saturday at 10 a.m. (unless the Yankees beat the Dodgers, in which case we would play the Dodgers at that time). If we win both Thursday and Saturday, we will play Sunday at 2 p.m. (there's no way to predict against whom).
But first we need to win Thursday. We can't let our heads droop and shoulders sag if the Cubs take an early lead. We've had several come-from-behind victories this year because we didn't give up. We forgot that important lesson against the Rays Tuesday, and they trounced us.
Our season ends with our next loss, so let's get back to never-give-up Braves baseball against the Cubs!
Players, please report to Water Tower at 3 p.m.
See you there,
Dave
If we beat the Cubs Thursday, we will play the Yankees Saturday at 10 a.m. (unless the Yankees beat the Dodgers, in which case we would play the Dodgers at that time). If we win both Thursday and Saturday, we will play Sunday at 2 p.m. (there's no way to predict against whom).
But first we need to win Thursday. We can't let our heads droop and shoulders sag if the Cubs take an early lead. We've had several come-from-behind victories this year because we didn't give up. We forgot that important lesson against the Rays Tuesday, and they trounced us.
Our season ends with our next loss, so let's get back to never-give-up Braves baseball against the Cubs!
Players, please report to Water Tower at 3 p.m.
See you there,
Dave
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Game Story: Rays 16, Braves 5
Maybe you've heard the song, written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and also sung by Mary-Chapin Carpenter:
"Sometimes you're the windshield
Sometimes you're the bug."
Unfortunately, the Braves were the bug on the windshield of the speeding Rays in a 16-5 playoff loss Tuesday afternoon at Water Tower Park.
The Rays jumped out early and, after a short Braves rally, pulled away steadily. Their defense was spectacular, as they made outstanding catches of several balls hit hard by the Braves.
A couple of Braves bright spots: Chris crushed a 3-run homer to right-center in the final inning. Liam deftly slid under a tag attempt at third base to avoid getting caught stealing.
Season's not over! Playoffs continue: This is a double-elimination playoff tournament, so the Braves have at least one more game (and I am hoping they will play several more). After the loss Tuesday, Coach Dave exhorted team members to bring their passion and focus to the next game.
It's at 4 p.m. Thursday July 9 at Water Tower vs. the Cubs. Players should be at Water Tower at 3 p.m. for practice.
A team party will follow Thursday's game at the Scobey-Polacheck home from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I'll post the details on that separately.
Let's go Braves!
"Sometimes you're the windshield
Sometimes you're the bug."
Unfortunately, the Braves were the bug on the windshield of the speeding Rays in a 16-5 playoff loss Tuesday afternoon at Water Tower Park.
The Rays jumped out early and, after a short Braves rally, pulled away steadily. Their defense was spectacular, as they made outstanding catches of several balls hit hard by the Braves.
A couple of Braves bright spots: Chris crushed a 3-run homer to right-center in the final inning. Liam deftly slid under a tag attempt at third base to avoid getting caught stealing.
Season's not over! Playoffs continue: This is a double-elimination playoff tournament, so the Braves have at least one more game (and I am hoping they will play several more). After the loss Tuesday, Coach Dave exhorted team members to bring their passion and focus to the next game.
It's at 4 p.m. Thursday July 9 at Water Tower vs. the Cubs. Players should be at Water Tower at 3 p.m. for practice.
A team party will follow Thursday's game at the Scobey-Polacheck home from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. I'll post the details on that separately.
Let's go Braves!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Updates: No practice Monday, be at Water Tower at 3 p.m. Tuesday
Braves,
No practice Monday. Atwater School's diamond will be in use at 4 p.m., as will the fields in Whitefish Bay. So rest up for our Big Game against the Rays Tuesday.
Tuesday's game begins at 4 p.m. Please be at Water Tower by 3 p.m. so that everyone can get in some solid pre-game batting practice. We will need to swing the bats very well to beat the Rays!
Dave
No practice Monday. Atwater School's diamond will be in use at 4 p.m., as will the fields in Whitefish Bay. So rest up for our Big Game against the Rays Tuesday.
Tuesday's game begins at 4 p.m. Please be at Water Tower by 3 p.m. so that everyone can get in some solid pre-game batting practice. We will need to swing the bats very well to beat the Rays!
Dave
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Parade details
Any Brave who would like to be in the parade should wear his team shirt and hat. We will gather in spot #22, which will be in the 5500 block of Kent Avenue (just south of Silver Spring). There will be an orange cone with #22 taped to it to mark our spot. We'll be with the rest of Whitefish Bay's little league teams.
Please be in the staging area no later than 11:15 a.m. The pre-parade area is pretty crowded, so allow extra time. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Braves who would like to distribute candy to parade-watchers should bring their own.
The parade ends at Klode Park, the center of Whitefish Bay's Fourth of July festivities. See you there!
Dave
Please be in the staging area no later than 11:15 a.m. The pre-parade area is pretty crowded, so allow extra time. The parade will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Braves who would like to distribute candy to parade-watchers should bring their own.
The parade ends at Klode Park, the center of Whitefish Bay's Fourth of July festivities. See you there!
Dave
Friday, July 3, 2009
Practice update; Happy Fourth of July
Braves,
No practices Friday, July 3, or Sunday, July 5, so that everyone can enjoy the July 4 weekend. We may have a practice Monday -- stay tuned.
Dave
No practices Friday, July 3, or Sunday, July 5, so that everyone can enjoy the July 4 weekend. We may have a practice Monday -- stay tuned.
Dave
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