Playoff Game #3: Braves 16, Yankees 5

[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.

Playoff Game #2: Braves 3, Rays 2 (7 innings)

Tyler drove a single through the middle, scoring Evan with the winning run as the Braves defeated the Rays 3-2 in extra innings Saturday afternoon in a Whitefish Bay Little League Majors playoff game.
For the Braves, Connor pitched 5 and two-thirds innings, nearly a regulation complete game.
While the score was low, the action was intense and the fielding was usually crisp.
After Connor held the Rays scoreless in the first, Matt led off the bottom of the first with a walk. Nick then ripped a double to right center field. Matt scored and Nick went to third on the throw. Alec walked. Connor hit a sacrifice fly deep to right field, scoring Nick. 2-0 Braves.
After neither team scored in the 2nd, the Rays threatened in the top of the third. A Rays batter walked, then moved to third on wild pitches. With one out, Rays batter Paul Presberg hit a fly ball to right field. Will made the catch, and threw home to Ryan to tag the runner trying to score. A 9-2 double play.
The Rays tried to breakthrough again in the 4th. With one out, Brandon Turer singled to right field. Cole Miller hit a fly ball to right, but Liam slid to the ground to make the catch, and Connor fanned the next batter to end the inning.
After the opening inning, Rays hurler Ryan Hummer was just as effective as Connor, changing speeds subtly (as former Braves coach Dave Pritchard noted) and keeping our batters off-balance.
In the top of the 5th, Rays pulled closer when Connor Nethen homered over the center field fence. The next batter walked. Then a Rays batter hit a low bouncer to third. Evan got to his knees to knock it down, then calmly through to Jack at second base for a force out. Rays hitter Paul Presberg singled, but our Connor struck out the next batter to end the inning. 2-1, Braves.
In the top of the 6th, the last regulation inning, Connor induced a pop-up to himself for the first out, but then Cole Miller homered to left field, tieing the game. Connor got a second out on a fly ball to Nick at second base before turning the ball over to Alec, who struck out the next batter to end the inning.
In the bottom of the 6th, Matt singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch, but Rays reliever Brandon Turer induced pop-ups from the next two batters. With the score tied at 2, the teams went to extra innings.
Pitcher Alec first faced dangerous slugger Connor Nethen, who grounded the ball up the middle. It deflected off Alec's glove, but second baseman Matt alertly fielded it and threw to Nick at first for the out. Coach Ross pointed out afterwards that it was the second game in a row where Matt alertly grabbed a deflected ball for an out. Alec struck out the next two batters, setting the stage for walk-off drama.
In the bottom of the 7th, Connor hit a hard grounder to Rays' Brandon Turer at short, who made a fine play to throw him out. Then Evan doubled to right field. Will singled through the right side, with Evan moving to third.
With two outs, Tyler came to the plate. If you've followed this team for the past two years, you know that Tyler is a vastly improved hitter this season. He knows the strike zone, takes bad pitches and swings at good ones. He ripped a hard single back up the middle, scoring Evan from third with the winning run. Final score: Braves 3, Rays 2.
Coach Ross praised the effort and intensity of the boys. Game balls were awarded to Connor for his heroic pitching performance, and Tyler for his magnificent walk-off hit.
Other notable moments from the game: Anthony put down a perfect sacrifice bunt in the second to move Tyler to third base. Tyler and Will also caught fly balls in the game.
The Braves have Sunday off before playing the disciplined Yankees at 4:30 Monday at Water Tower. Look for a future e-mail from Coach Ross on reporting time to the ballpark.

Game 9: Braves 9, Yankees 2

The Braves have some excellent players, but no one is The Man. Actually, when it comes to Braves, any player can be The Man on any given play. The team's 9-2 victory over the disciplined and well-coached Yankees is the latest evidence of that.
The Braves batted first. With one out, Evan singled past the shortstop, Nick singled to center field, and Connor drew a walk, loading the bases. Ryan drove in Evan with an RBI groundout to short. 1-0, Braves.
The Yankees battled back to tie the game in the first through a combination of walks and an error, but catcher Ryan ended the Yanks' rally by throwing back to pitcher Connor to tag a runner out at the plate. 1-1.
In the top of the second, Tyler, Will & Jack all walked to load the bases. Anthony singled to drive in Tyler. Scott hit a fielder's choice to short, driving in Will. Liam singled through the right side, but Yankees third baseman Jack Friesch grabbed a line smash by Alec to end the inning. 3-1, Braves.
After his first-inning jitters, Connor found his command in the second inning, striking out the side around a harmless walk.
The Braves broke through in the third with a big timely hit. Evan singled sharply up the middle. Nick pushed him over to second with a groundout to the first baseman. Connor singled through the left side, then Matt walked to load the bases. Lefty Tyler then smashed a double to center field, driving in all three runners. 6-1, Braves.
Connor's infield defense supported him in the bottom of the third. The first batter grounded into the hole on the right side of the diamond, but Nick ranged over quickly to vacuum it up and throw him out. Then, with runners on first and second and two outs, third baseman Jack fielded a grounder and calmly fired a seed to first for the third out. Folks, a Little League third baseman throwing out a runner at first is not a given! Excellent play by Jack.
In the top of the 4th, the Braves took advantage of some Yankee generosity to extend their lead. With two outs, Scott and Liam both drew walks. Alec's single to right field plated Scott. 7-1, Braves.
This is a good place to point out that at-bats can be good even when they don't produce hits. Nick, Ryan and Evan all had at-bats where they fouled off multiple pitches, running up the opposing pitcher's pitch count.
The Braves shut down the Yankees in the bottom of the 4th with more good defense, including Evan snatching a fly ball at third.
In the top of the fifth inning, Nick singled sharply over the first baseman's head. Then Connor crushed his sixth homer of the season over the center field fence. 9-1, Braves.
Will relieved Connor on the mound with one out in the bottom of the fifth. He pitched effectively to contact, inducing a grounder for the second out and grabbing a comebacker and firing to first base to finish off the inning.
After the Braves failed to score in the top of the sixth, Will came back out to the mound. With one out, a Yankee runner reach first on an error. When he tried to go to third on the ensuing batter's hit, centerfielder Matt fired a perfect throw to Jack at third base to tag the runner out. A subsequent batter drove in a run, but the game ended with shortstop Connor spearing a line drive. 9-2, Braves.
Next game: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday vs. the Red Sox at Water Tower. Please have your Brave there by 5:30 p.m.

Busy week ahead with 3 games

From Coach Ross Harmsen:
Team ... NO Braves games this weekend (June 4-6). However, next week we are busy.
Below is a listing of next weeks' games. Please review and let me know ASAP
if you cannot make any one these games.
Monday, June 7th vs. Yankees @ 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, June 9th vs. Red Sox @ 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 12th vs. Red Sox @ 9 a.m. (this game was originally
at 11am)
I believe Wednesday's game may be questionable due to other WFB events. I
just want to make sure we can field at least 9 players for each game.
If your Brave CANNOT make any of these games, please get back to Ross ASAP.

Game 8: Braves 10, Rays 5

The Braves jumped out to an early lead, then rode pitching and defense to a 10-5 victory over the talented Rays on Monday afternoon at Water Tower Park.
With one out in the first, Alec singled up the middle and Nick drew a walk. Connor then crushed his 4th homer of the season over the left-field fence. 3-0, Rays.

Alec started the game on the mound. He set a tone with the first Rays batter, Chris Siebert. Chris hit the ball hard right back up the middle, but Alec grabbed the comebacker and threw him out. With his height, athleticism and basketball-honed leaping ability, Alec has a gigantic, pteryodactyl-like range as a fielder, and puts it to good use.
Later in that inning, a Rays runner tried to steal second, but catcher Ryan threw him out, with shortstop Connor moving swiftly to the second-base side of second to make the tag.
In the top of the second, the Braves broke the game open. Scott and Anthony singled. Ryan singled down the first-base line, driving in Scott. Matt walked. Will hit a long fly deep to right field; Anthony tagged and showed his hockey toughness by barreling through the catcher to score. Alec singled to bring Ryan home. Then, with runners on first and third, Nick ripped a line drive into the right-field corner, plating both Braves on base. The fleet-footed Nick dashed to third and scored when the Rays mishandled the ball. It was Nick's third triple of the season. Braves 9, Rays 0.
Braves' strong defensive play continued in the middle innings, highlighted by Connor in right field throwing a runner out at first (in the third inning), and Matt at short throwing out the speedy Chris Siebert in the fourth. Braves first basemen Tyler, Will and Scott provided steady, surehanded service at the bag.
In a potentially scary moment, Rays batter Paul Presberg got plunked in the head with the pitch: this is why kids wear helmets. Paul got up smiling. I checked with him after the game and he said he was fine. Of course, he's a famous tough guy and Junior Blue Dukes football player.
The Rays pecked away at the Braves lead, narrowing it to 9-4 in the fifth inning. Connor came on as the closer in the bottom of the fifth with two outs and runners on second and third. He induced a fly ball from the powerful Connor Nethen that Will speared to end the rally.
In the top of the 6th, Connor helped himself with his second homer of the day (and fifth of the season), a line drive that cleared the center-field fence. 10-4, Braves.
The Rays pushed across another run in the bottom of the final inning, but Connor closed out the game by inducing a comebacker and tossing to first for the final out. Final score, 10-5 Braves.
Notes: The previously scheduled June 5 against the Yankees will be rescheduled. So the Braves' next scheduled game is 6:30 p.m. June 9 against the Red Sox. Coach Ross Harmsen did indicate he will schedule a practice between now and next week's game.

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 1: Phillies 2, Braves 1

The Phillies defeated the Braves 2-1 in a pitchers' duel at frosty, wind-swept Water Tower Park on April 26. It was the opening Majors game of the Whitefish Bay Little League season.
Braves pitchers Connor, Evan and Alec showed good command on the mound, especially given the modest amount of practice the Braves have had to date. Connor also fielded several balls impressively from the pitcher's spot, and scored the lone Braves run by swiping third, then scampering home on an overthrow.
Some other Braves highlights:
Scott, hit by a pitch, was our first base runner of the season.
Matt beat out a single in the second inning. He also got down a solid bunt later in the game, and was narrowly thrown out at first.
Anthony ripped a sharp single in the 5th inning.
In a game short on hits, Evan, Ryan, Tyler, Alec, Connor and Nick all drew walks.
Nick started a double play in the 5th by grabbing a fly ball in the short right-field grass, then throwing to second to double up an early runner.
Liam made a fine catch of a fly ball to right field.
Will made his Braves debut.
I did not get to speak with Coach Ross after the game, but my hunch is that, after praising the effort of our boys, he would say they took too many called strikes. (Our home plate ump had a low strike zone, but he called it consistently throughout the game.)
The next Braves game will be at 3 p.m. Saturday May 1, vs. the Yankees. Look for emails this week from coaches with further details.

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

Braves clinch 4th place!

Everyone,
The Yankees beat the Rays Wednesday evening in a 3-2 thriller, meaning that the Braves will finish in fourth place in the regular season regardless of the outcome of our game Thursday against the Orioles.
Barring a change in the little-league tournament schedule, our first post-season game will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. against the fifth-place Rays. If we win that game our next game will be Saturday, July 11, at 2 p.m., almost certainly against the Dodgers. If we lose Tuesday, our next game will be Thursday at 4 p.m.
We split the season series with two of the three teams that will finish above us in the standings (Pirates and Phillies). If we can bring a sharp mental focus to a game, we can beat anyone in the league.
Dave

Game Story: Yankees 13, Braves 11

Sometimes the other team makes good plays and beats you.
That's what Coach Dave told the Braves after a 13-11 loss to the Yankees Monday night at Water Tower Park.
The defensively sound Yankees made two double plays in the game, snuffing out potential Braves rallies. One was a typical Little League double play, a combination of alertness and luck: the Yankees first baseman caught a line drive and stepped on first to double off a baserunner.
But the other DP was special. The Braves had the bases loaded with no outs. Scott hit a hard grounder toward third base. The Yanks' third baseman grabbed the ball, stepped on third and threw to second base to get a second Braves out. One batter later the game was over.
The Braves were down 3-0 entering the bottom of the 1st, but responded with a fine team rally. Ryan walked and moved to second on a passed ball. Connor beat out an infield single, with Ryan smartly holding at second. Evan reached on an infield single, loading the bases. On a 2-ball, 2-strike count, Nick ripped a hard single through the infield, driving in Ryan and Connor. Three batters later, Jack smashed a double to center field, bringing Nick and Jason home. ("I thought it was going to go out," Nick said of Jack's mighty jack.) The Braves were up 4-3.
In the bottom of the third, the Braves lit up the scoreboard again. Chris singled to right, then stole second and third. Ryan walked and stole second. Connor singled, driving in Chris. Ryan scored on a passed ball. Evan was plunked on the helmet by a pitch: it wasn't thrown that hard, and Ev was OK. See for yourself in this video clip, courtesy of Joe Kimple. Nick then lifted a towering sacrifice fly to center field, bringing Connor home and giving the Braves a temporary 7-5 lead.
Unfortunately for Braves fans, the Yankees scored 8 runs in the 4th through a combination of timely hitting, well-executed bunting, heads-up baserunning and Braves miscues. The Braves battled back with 3 runs in the fourth and one in the sixth, but couldn't close the gap.
One bright spot was the return of Connor from the disabled list. Connor singled twice, scored twice and pitched two flawless innings, striking out 5 Yankees. It appears all of our flu victims have recovered, and the Braves are healthy and ready to close the season strong. (Sigh. I hate writing the words "close the season.")
More highlights and notes:
Defense: As he habitually does (though we never take it for granted), Jason made several fine plays at shortstop, including two straight bang-bang throws to Tyler to nab consecutive batters in the second inning. Connor made two strong, accurate throws from center field to home plate to prevent runners at third from scoring. Ryan stuck with a tricky grounder to throw out a runner, and also caught a hard liner to end an inning.
Batting: Ryan, Connor, Evan, Nick and Jack all reached through hits/walks/HBP twice. Tyler, continuing his recent improvement, singled sharply up the middle.
NEXT GAME: 11 a.m. Saturday June 27 is our rematch against the Rays. The coaches will expect to see players about 10:15 a.m. at Water Tower.

Game Night: Scoresheet

 

[Click to enlarge.
Thanks, as always, to Coach Rick for the scoresheet scans.]

Game Night: Yankees 13, Braves 11

The Braves battled hard, but good defense by the scrappy Yankees scuttled potential comebacks as the Yanks prevailed, 13-11 Monday night at Water Tower Park.
I'll post a game story on Tuesday. But here's a hint about one of the more unusual events Monday night: if you seen Evan Howell in the meantime, ask him how his head feels.
Jim Higgins

Updates from Coach Dave: Sick Bay, Yankees game, Little League Night at Miller Park

Everyone,
First of all, a happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there in Braveland! No practice today in honor of the occasion.
Second, we may have all of our swine-flu guys at the game Monday! If your Brave will miss the game (because of illness or any other reason) please let me know.
Third, we look forward to seeing players at 5:45 p.m. Monday for warm-ups before our game with the Yankees.
Fourth, I will pick up tickets for Brewers night today, and will distribute them Monday evening to the families who signed up.
Dave

Game Report: Pirates 14, Braves 7

The Braves fell behind big early, then battled their way back into the game, but ultimately lost to the Pirates 14-7 on a warm Saturday evening at Water Tower Park.
Pirates slugger Kyle Rogers homered twice, and the slick-fielding Pirates snuffed out potential Braves rallies in the 5th and 6th innings with strong defense.
Pirates coach Dave Arnold told me that Rogers has hit about a dozen homers this season.
While the Braves were disappointed with losing, many bright spots are worth noting from this exciting game.
Matt, our last available pitcher in uniform tonight, took the ball in the top of the 5th inning with nobody out and Pirate runners on 1st and 2nd. He struck out a batter. Then, after a walk loaded the bases, Matt induced a pop-up that Alec grabbed, and a ground-out that ended the inning.
Entering the bottom of the third inning, the Braves were down 10-1, but woke up with a furious rally that was fueled as much by aggressive baserunning as by hitting. With 1 out, Tyler started the excitement by drawing a walk. Nick ripped a hard single to center field. Matt singled up the middle, loading the bases. Scott's infield single scored Tyler. Jason blasted a pitch down the left-field line that became a ground rule double when the ball bounded out of play, bringing Nick and Matt home. Then, with Chris batting, both Scott and Jason (from second base) scored on a passed ball. Chris walked, stole second, went to third on Alec's groundout and stole home.
This all happened so quickly I'm not sure I got all the names right. The outcome was a 6-run inning, and a credit to the Braves' resiliency.
More highlights and notes:

Pitching: Evan put up a goose egg in the 4th inning, striking out a batter and helping himself by grabbing a ball in play and throwing to Tyler for the 3rd out.
Fielding: Jack, with a phalanx of family and friends watching in the stands, grabbed a flyout in right field, and made several smooth pickups at third base. Matt helped himself grabbing a pop-up on the mound, and Alec made a fine running catch of a flyball in center field.
Batting: Nick was 2 for 2, his other hit a booming double to center field. Ryan doubled, also to center field. Chris started our potential last-inning rally with a single up the middle.
NEXT GAME: 6:30 p.m. Monday June 22 against the Yankees; players should be there at 5:45 p.m., per the Braves coaches.

Schedule issues

After this evening's game (Sat June 20), the Braves will have four regular-season games remaining. Here is the schedule:
Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m. against the Yankees
Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. against the Rays
Monday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. against the Cubs
Our June 16 game against the Orioles was rained out. Initially we were told that it would be made up Thursday, June 25, but that turns out NOT to be the case. Both teams would like the game to be made up on Thursday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m. But of course nothing is official until it appears on the Little League web site.
Dave

Game Day: Braves 8, Yankees 3

The Braves rapped out 12 hits, including a pair of triples, in a solid team victory Sunday afternoon against a young but scrappy and well-coached Yankees team.
Matt got the scoring started in the top of the 2nd inning, driving in Anthony and Alec with a hard single to center field.
In the words of Coach Dave, Tyler took one for the team that same inning, getting plunked on the leg. In the top of the 4th inning, Tyler delivered a piece of sweet-swinging payback, ripping a single to right field. Mr. T stole second and eventually came around to score on a grounder by Jason.
On the mound, Chris opened up the game by tossing 5Ks in 2-plus innings. Matt battled through a strange rule-book drama (more on that later). Alec continued his recent mastery with two scoreless innings to close out the game. All three pitchers benefited from strong defense. Jack picked a hard hit ball at third and threw a runner out. Chris caught a big fly to center field. And a tip of the catcher's mask to Anthony, who threw out a runner trying to steal second, with Jason applying the tag.
Rule book believe it or not: Bottom of the third, the Yankees batting, bases loaded, one out. Matt pitching. The Yankees batter hit a short fly just past Matt's grasp. Ryan picked up the ball and fired to catcher Nick standing on the plate. So that's easy to figure -- two outs, and the bases are still loaded, right?
Umm, not in this case. When the short pop-up was in the air, one of the umpires invoked the infield fly rule, a rule of sportsmanship designed to avoid situations where the team on defense could let a short fly ball drop to the ground and get a quick double play. Because the umpire had invoked that rule and the ball dropped to the ground, the batter was automatically out, and the other runners could advance at their own risk. Because the runner racing from third was then not forced to run home, he had to be tagged out. So he was called safe.
Yes, this is esoteric and confusing, and I doubt any of our boys had that in mind, nor could we expect them to at this age.
More highlights and note:
Batting: Chris reached safely each time, with a walk, a single and a triple. Connor slammed a triple to left center: the force of hit had me wondering if that would be our first homer of the season. Scott hit two singles and scored twice.
Give the other guys credit: Jason hit a rocket liner down the third base line, which was speared by the Yankees' third baseman.
Next game: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday June 9, vs. the White Sox. Look for a future email from the coaches on particulars.

Brrrrr [Dress Warm for Today's Game]

The game-time forecast from the National Weather Service calls for a temp of 54 degrees with icy northeast winds under a lead-gray sky.
Players may wish to wear long-sleeved T-shirts or sweatshirts under their jerseys. Fans may wish to stay home and watch the game on TV.
Historical note: Last time the Braves played the Yankees in Wisconsin, it was the 1958 World Series. Let's have a different outcome today.
Players report at 12:15 p.m.!
Dave

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.

Updates: Practice notes and the ever-fluctuating Yankees game time

Updates from Coach Dave, summarized from the 95 emails he sent earlier today:

PLAYERS, WEAR YOUR GEAR: Please have your Brave wear his cup, sliding shorts and baseball pants to practice today. We will be working on base running and sliding (among other things).

TODAY'S (Thu June 4) PRACTICE: Today's practice will begin at 4 p.m. at the high-school softball field ... unless another team gets there first. The two higher-level teams that often practice there will be elsewhere this afternoon, so I'm hopeful we'll have the field.
Chris and I will be at the field by 3:40 p.m. If we can't get the field, our backup location will be Atwater School in Shorewood. I will call people right away if the practice has to be moved to Shorewood.
Looks like a gorgeous day for baseball!

EVER-FLUCTUATING TIME FOR SUNDAY'S (June 7) GAME VS. YANKEES: Now it looks as if our game Sunday may be played at the originally scheduled time of 1 p.m. The Yankees -- our worthy opponents -- have told the league that they have a strong preference for the 1 p.m. time. I told the league commissioner that the Braves could play at either 1 or 2 p.m.
Confirmation to come when Coach Dave hears the official word.

Dave

Sunday June 7 game changed to 2 p.m.

Everyone,
Little League has just changed the time of our game Sunday against the Yankees from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Please adjust schedules accordingly.
Thanks!
Dave