This season has zoomed by and this blogger has not been able to keep up with all the games that has past.
The WR 9U Blue team has played in some great games, some not so evenly matched games and some LONG first inning games this past season. All adding up to a 6-0 run in the ENC State Tournament which meant that the Blue team had won the ENC States and are headed to Gaffney SC.
After last weeks win a parent sent me this link. It is a letter that Cal Ripken wrote to parents and coaches, and since we wear his name on our arms it seemed fitting to share his beliefs and his words of wisdom. Especially as our 8U Blue team is battling it out at their Southeast Regionals in Alabama and our 10U, 11U and 12U Blues are working their way through States.
http://www.ripkenbaseball.com/cc/notebook/index.html?article_id=593
As we sit back and enjoy watching our boys play, reminiscing about those yester-years it is nice to keep the perspective that baseball is fun. It's a game. It's a great game played by great men (and boys) and we are all lucky enough to be apart of it.
WR 9U Blues
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Championship Game against Chatlee Marlins
With in 15 minutes of winning our extra inning game against the North Wake Knights, the Blues have moved to the next field and are awaiting the start of their next game against the Chatlee Marlins. The crowd is exhausted from the last game, which felt like the championship game. we all hope the boys have something left to give, because we know the Marlins are coming for us.
The Marlins are the home team and we step to the plate first. #9 Payton Green gets a lead off hit by third, but the Marlins quick defense gets the ball in quick and gets him out stealing second. #17 Ryan gets a sweet line drive hit over the short stop for a double, and gets to third on a passed ball. #2 Garrett will walk, he tries for second and gets thrown out but #17 Ryan will score on the throw to two.
#2 Garrett starts on the mound for the Blues, our defense fell a little short in the first. The first Marlin gets on by error. Their second batter sac bunts, their third batter drops a fly ball into right field for a double and a run will score, next batter will bunt for a hit, and a run will score as we attempt to get the runner stealing second. Garrett will strike out the next two batters (both swinging) to get us out of the inning).
2-0 Marlins after 1
The Blues offense stalls in the second, only base runner will be #28 Brian who walks. The Marlins have a huge second inning and the WR Blues help them out with the five runs they score. The first three Marlins get on by 1 hit, 1 Error (run will score) and 1 Walk. The next batter sac's bunt. A runner will score on a passed ball, batter then hits a double to right field and two more runs will score, another hit to center field will score a run.#28 Brian will take over on the mound and the next batter will bunt, #11 Grayson runs in from third and gets the force at second for out #2, Grayson will also get out #3 with a line drive catch at third.
The Marlins now have a 7-1 lead after 2.
#11 Grayson and #17 Ryan get the only hits for WR in the third. Grayson will drop one into Right center field and Ryan will hit a ground ball through the left field side. Both are left stranded. The Marlins will not score any runs in the third off of #28 Brian. He will give up one hit (first batter hits a blooper over second), one Marlin will get on by error. Brian will get one strike out (swinging) and two ground outs. The first to #9 Payton at third who gets it to #1 Sam (who makes a nice stretch) at first, and the second was to #16 Payton Bloom at short stop back to Sam at first.
Still 7-1 after 3...and the Blue do not help their cause as they go three up three down in the fourth. The Marlins will score three more in the third. Walks, passed balls and being hit by pitch help the Marlins around the bases. Marlins go up 10-1 heading into the top of the fifth. WR needs to score at least 2 runs to keep the game alive. Unfortunately #8 Evans & #7 Jacobs hits aren't enough as both are left stranded and the game ends after 4 1/2.
Marlins win 10-1 in four innings.
The Marlins are the home team and we step to the plate first. #9 Payton Green gets a lead off hit by third, but the Marlins quick defense gets the ball in quick and gets him out stealing second. #17 Ryan gets a sweet line drive hit over the short stop for a double, and gets to third on a passed ball. #2 Garrett will walk, he tries for second and gets thrown out but #17 Ryan will score on the throw to two.
#2 Garrett starts on the mound for the Blues, our defense fell a little short in the first. The first Marlin gets on by error. Their second batter sac bunts, their third batter drops a fly ball into right field for a double and a run will score, next batter will bunt for a hit, and a run will score as we attempt to get the runner stealing second. Garrett will strike out the next two batters (both swinging) to get us out of the inning).
2-0 Marlins after 1
The Blues offense stalls in the second, only base runner will be #28 Brian who walks. The Marlins have a huge second inning and the WR Blues help them out with the five runs they score. The first three Marlins get on by 1 hit, 1 Error (run will score) and 1 Walk. The next batter sac's bunt. A runner will score on a passed ball, batter then hits a double to right field and two more runs will score, another hit to center field will score a run.#28 Brian will take over on the mound and the next batter will bunt, #11 Grayson runs in from third and gets the force at second for out #2, Grayson will also get out #3 with a line drive catch at third.
The Marlins now have a 7-1 lead after 2.
#11 Grayson and #17 Ryan get the only hits for WR in the third. Grayson will drop one into Right center field and Ryan will hit a ground ball through the left field side. Both are left stranded. The Marlins will not score any runs in the third off of #28 Brian. He will give up one hit (first batter hits a blooper over second), one Marlin will get on by error. Brian will get one strike out (swinging) and two ground outs. The first to #9 Payton at third who gets it to #1 Sam (who makes a nice stretch) at first, and the second was to #16 Payton Bloom at short stop back to Sam at first.
Still 7-1 after 3...and the Blue do not help their cause as they go three up three down in the fourth. The Marlins will score three more in the third. Walks, passed balls and being hit by pitch help the Marlins around the bases. Marlins go up 10-1 heading into the top of the fifth. WR needs to score at least 2 runs to keep the game alive. Unfortunately #8 Evans & #7 Jacobs hits aren't enough as both are left stranded and the game ends after 4 1/2.
Marlins win 10-1 in four innings.
NW Knights...We Meet Again
It is less then 24 hours since our last meeting with North Wake, this time WR is the home team and #98 Blake is on the mound. It was an eventful first inning for the Knights, #98 is getting squeezed a bit at the plate and will end up walking two. One Knight will get on with a dropped third strike, he will give up two hits and three runs, gets an official strike out in the book and we get a base runner in a run down between 1st and 2nd, although we get the runner the run down will allow the runner from third to score. NW jumps to an early 4 run lead.
#16 Payton Bloom gets a lead off walk, he will steal second, third AND HOME on passed balls. #98 Blake will get on with a little help from the short stop but he gets stranded as the Blues slowly chip away at the NW lead, one run at a time.
1-4 NW
#98 is still on the mound and will assist in getting the ground outs one and two, #17 Ryan Smith will grab the fly out for out #3.
#2 Garrett gets a lead off walk in the second, then steals second and then third on a bad throw. #17 Ryan will hit a ground ball to the pitcher to score #2. #11 Grayson will walk but is left stranded in the second. Chip away boys...chip away...
2-4 NW
#98 Blake will start the third, he will give up two hits, and gets one batter to ground out to him at pitcher. #1 Sam Perez comes in to pitch in the third, strikes out one and #16 Payton Bloom will field a ground ball to Center Field and throw a runner out at home. No runs will score for NW in the 3rd. WR will also be held in the 3rd. #9 Payton Green gets our only hit of the inning with a hit between first and second and #28 Brian Rubin will walk.Both are left stranded.
#1 Sam Perez is back on the mound in the 4th. He will give up 1 hit after striking out two (both swinging) and he gets a ground out back to him at pitcher for out #3. #17 Ryan Smith gets the Blues only hit in the 5th with a ground ball up the third base line for a double.
2-4 NW after 4...Pitching Duel...
#9 Payton Green is on the mound for WR in the 5th. The Knights will go 3 up 3 down, first batter pops out to #9 Green on the mound. Second batter shoots a one hopper to #17 Ryan at second, and the last batter grounds out to #11 Grayson at short stop. Bottom of the fifth and the Blues get two hits, one by #9 Payton Green who gets a single between second and third and #28 Brian will drop on in behind third. Both are left stranded and we are headed into the 6th.
The Knights and WR make it interesting in the 6th. With Green still on the mound, the first batter will get on with a hit between second and third, the next batter walks. Then Green strikes out the next two (both swinging), fifth batter of the inning walks (BASES LOADED - 2 OUTS!!!) and #9 Green gets the last batter looking. Blues hold the Knights in the 6th and now we NEED TO SCORE!!!
#2 Garrett gets an one out double over the right fielders head, followed by #17 Ryan who hits one by the third basemen, #2 Garrett will get safely to third and Ryan will settle into second on the throw to third. #11 Grayson will hit one back to the pitcher who then over throws first #2 Garrett and #17 Ryan will score. The Knights will then intentionally walk #7 Jacob and #8 Evan to load the bases and to create a force at any bag, our next batter will fly out to RF and even with his wheels the Knights manage to get #11 out sliding into home...
4-4 TIE after 6, Extra innings folks
Once you enter an extra inning situation in this weekends tournament, the rule states that each team will start with a runner on second when on offense and no outs. #9 Green is on the mound in the seventh. #2 Garrett grabs the first out with a SWEET diving stop at first base on a hard hit ground ball. #8 Evan will create a double playing by making a line drive catch in left field and throwing home to get the runner from second out at home.
Blues do not score in the bottom of the 7th but a lot of drama by the Knights coaching staff after they intentionally walk #98 Blake- a lengthy and dramatic conversation occurs on whether or not #98 left early when stealing second, to help calm things down Coach Pate sends Blake back to first, and then Blake steals second on the next pitch. Unfortunately #16 Bloom and #98 Black will be left stranded and we head into the 8th inning.
#9 Payton G. heads back to the bump to start the 9th. #98 Blake is behind the plate at catcher and will grab a bunt attempt that pops up to him for out #1. Next batter walks, Third batter will get on and a run will score by error. Green will strike out the next two swinging to end the 8th. North Wake goes up 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 8th...do or die time for the Blues.
#1 Sam will be our runner who starts on second in the 8th, #2 Garrett will walk. #17 Ryan will sac bunt to move the runners over. #11 Grayson will lay down a sweet bunt, and get to 1st safely and #1 Sam will score (ALL TIED UP). #7 Jacob will hit a ground ball up the middle, #2 Garrett will score and WR WINS THE GAME!!!!
6-5 WR after 8 full innings.
The Blues and Knights never seem to disappoint and they do it again today with a stellar game. Next up for the Blues...Championship game against Chatlee Marlins.
#16 Payton Bloom gets a lead off walk, he will steal second, third AND HOME on passed balls. #98 Blake will get on with a little help from the short stop but he gets stranded as the Blues slowly chip away at the NW lead, one run at a time.
1-4 NW
#98 is still on the mound and will assist in getting the ground outs one and two, #17 Ryan Smith will grab the fly out for out #3.
#2 Garrett gets a lead off walk in the second, then steals second and then third on a bad throw. #17 Ryan will hit a ground ball to the pitcher to score #2. #11 Grayson will walk but is left stranded in the second. Chip away boys...chip away...
2-4 NW
#98 Blake will start the third, he will give up two hits, and gets one batter to ground out to him at pitcher. #1 Sam Perez comes in to pitch in the third, strikes out one and #16 Payton Bloom will field a ground ball to Center Field and throw a runner out at home. No runs will score for NW in the 3rd. WR will also be held in the 3rd. #9 Payton Green gets our only hit of the inning with a hit between first and second and #28 Brian Rubin will walk.Both are left stranded.
#1 Sam Perez is back on the mound in the 4th. He will give up 1 hit after striking out two (both swinging) and he gets a ground out back to him at pitcher for out #3. #17 Ryan Smith gets the Blues only hit in the 5th with a ground ball up the third base line for a double.
2-4 NW after 4...Pitching Duel...
#9 Payton Green is on the mound for WR in the 5th. The Knights will go 3 up 3 down, first batter pops out to #9 Green on the mound. Second batter shoots a one hopper to #17 Ryan at second, and the last batter grounds out to #11 Grayson at short stop. Bottom of the fifth and the Blues get two hits, one by #9 Payton Green who gets a single between second and third and #28 Brian will drop on in behind third. Both are left stranded and we are headed into the 6th.
The Knights and WR make it interesting in the 6th. With Green still on the mound, the first batter will get on with a hit between second and third, the next batter walks. Then Green strikes out the next two (both swinging), fifth batter of the inning walks (BASES LOADED - 2 OUTS!!!) and #9 Green gets the last batter looking. Blues hold the Knights in the 6th and now we NEED TO SCORE!!!
#2 Garrett gets an one out double over the right fielders head, followed by #17 Ryan who hits one by the third basemen, #2 Garrett will get safely to third and Ryan will settle into second on the throw to third. #11 Grayson will hit one back to the pitcher who then over throws first #2 Garrett and #17 Ryan will score. The Knights will then intentionally walk #7 Jacob and #8 Evan to load the bases and to create a force at any bag, our next batter will fly out to RF and even with his wheels the Knights manage to get #11 out sliding into home...
4-4 TIE after 6, Extra innings folks
Once you enter an extra inning situation in this weekends tournament, the rule states that each team will start with a runner on second when on offense and no outs. #9 Green is on the mound in the seventh. #2 Garrett grabs the first out with a SWEET diving stop at first base on a hard hit ground ball. #8 Evan will create a double playing by making a line drive catch in left field and throwing home to get the runner from second out at home.
Blues do not score in the bottom of the 7th but a lot of drama by the Knights coaching staff after they intentionally walk #98 Blake- a lengthy and dramatic conversation occurs on whether or not #98 left early when stealing second, to help calm things down Coach Pate sends Blake back to first, and then Blake steals second on the next pitch. Unfortunately #16 Bloom and #98 Black will be left stranded and we head into the 8th inning.
#9 Payton G. heads back to the bump to start the 9th. #98 Blake is behind the plate at catcher and will grab a bunt attempt that pops up to him for out #1. Next batter walks, Third batter will get on and a run will score by error. Green will strike out the next two swinging to end the 8th. North Wake goes up 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 8th...do or die time for the Blues.
#1 Sam will be our runner who starts on second in the 8th, #2 Garrett will walk. #17 Ryan will sac bunt to move the runners over. #11 Grayson will lay down a sweet bunt, and get to 1st safely and #1 Sam will score (ALL TIED UP). #7 Jacob will hit a ground ball up the middle, #2 Garrett will score and WR WINS THE GAME!!!!
6-5 WR after 8 full innings.
The Blues and Knights never seem to disappoint and they do it again today with a stellar game. Next up for the Blues...Championship game against Chatlee Marlins.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
North Wake...Hello Old Friend
As far as little league goes...North Wake vs. WR is as great of a rivalry as Yankees vs. Bears and it only seems fitting that we would meet them on the field in our first tournament of the season.
Chico's Bail Bounds was on speed dial for North Wakes starting pitcher who hit two of our first five batters (#16 Payton & #32 Timothy). Although we had runners on base we left them stranded in the top of the first.
#32 Timothy would be the Blue's starting pitcher, he will strike out 2 (1st strike out was a foul tip 3rd strike catch by #14 Zach) and NW would ground out to #2 Garrett at first.
Second inning offense for WR 9U was similar to the first, only #17 Ryan will get on with a walk and will steal second but the Blues leave him stranded. #32 T-Pate gets the first batter to ground out to #11 Grayson at second who throws to #2 Garrett at first who makes an incredible stretch for the out. #32 will give up one hit and Strike out two (both of them looking...trying to keep their eyes on the fast ball).
Third inning similar to the first two #11 Grayson will get on with a little help from the NW short stop, but he ends up stranded at second and still no runs for the Blue. #32 Timothy is still on the mound in the third. He gets the first two batters to ground out to him on the mound and the third grounds out to #11 Grayson at second.
0-0 after 3...looks like a pitching duel in Cary
Fourth inning Big Blues get two hits, #98 Blake gets one to Right Field (and will steal second then third on passed balls) and will be hit in by #2 Garrett who hits one hard between 1st and 2nd. #2 Garrett will follow up his RBI hit with a stop at the pitchers mound as he takes over in the fourth. He will walk the first batter but then catch a line drive back to him and he catches to runner not tagging for a double play. He ends the fourth with a strike out looking.
1-0 after 4
#28 Brian will walk in the fifth, #7 Jacob lays down a sac bunt to get him to second, #14 Zach hits a crazy line drive shot to left field which...is...caught?!?!?! He got robbed, it was the best hit of the DAY...again a runner is left stranded. #2 Garrett steps back on the mound in the fifth, he walks one then strikes out three (all swinging).
#11 Grayson leads off in the sixth with a great bunt hit (but Coach Rick who must have been watching Coach Green too much during the regular season gets #11 thrown out stealing third). #8 Evan Ashworth is walked and #16 Payton Bloom hits a single. No runs will score and two ducks were left on the pond in teh 6th. #11 Grayson will be the closer for game two. The first batter will line out to #9 Payton Green, second batter will ground out to #17 Ryan Smith at second who gets the throw just in time to #28 Brian Rubin at first, next batter will walk and the last batter grounds out to #32 Timothy at 3rd.
1-0...I am sure we will meet again...
Chico's Bail Bounds was on speed dial for North Wakes starting pitcher who hit two of our first five batters (#16 Payton & #32 Timothy). Although we had runners on base we left them stranded in the top of the first.
#32 Timothy would be the Blue's starting pitcher, he will strike out 2 (1st strike out was a foul tip 3rd strike catch by #14 Zach) and NW would ground out to #2 Garrett at first.
Second inning offense for WR 9U was similar to the first, only #17 Ryan will get on with a walk and will steal second but the Blues leave him stranded. #32 T-Pate gets the first batter to ground out to #11 Grayson at second who throws to #2 Garrett at first who makes an incredible stretch for the out. #32 will give up one hit and Strike out two (both of them looking...trying to keep their eyes on the fast ball).
Third inning similar to the first two #11 Grayson will get on with a little help from the NW short stop, but he ends up stranded at second and still no runs for the Blue. #32 Timothy is still on the mound in the third. He gets the first two batters to ground out to him on the mound and the third grounds out to #11 Grayson at second.
0-0 after 3...looks like a pitching duel in Cary
Fourth inning Big Blues get two hits, #98 Blake gets one to Right Field (and will steal second then third on passed balls) and will be hit in by #2 Garrett who hits one hard between 1st and 2nd. #2 Garrett will follow up his RBI hit with a stop at the pitchers mound as he takes over in the fourth. He will walk the first batter but then catch a line drive back to him and he catches to runner not tagging for a double play. He ends the fourth with a strike out looking.
1-0 after 4
#28 Brian will walk in the fifth, #7 Jacob lays down a sac bunt to get him to second, #14 Zach hits a crazy line drive shot to left field which...is...caught?!?!?! He got robbed, it was the best hit of the DAY...again a runner is left stranded. #2 Garrett steps back on the mound in the fifth, he walks one then strikes out three (all swinging).
#11 Grayson leads off in the sixth with a great bunt hit (but Coach Rick who must have been watching Coach Green too much during the regular season gets #11 thrown out stealing third). #8 Evan Ashworth is walked and #16 Payton Bloom hits a single. No runs will score and two ducks were left on the pond in teh 6th. #11 Grayson will be the closer for game two. The first batter will line out to #9 Payton Green, second batter will ground out to #17 Ryan Smith at second who gets the throw just in time to #28 Brian Rubin at first, next batter will walk and the last batter grounds out to #32 Timothy at 3rd.
1-0...I am sure we will meet again...
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
First Tournament for the 9U Blues - Pool Play Game 1
This past weekend marked the 2012 9U West Raleigh Blue teams first time playing together this summer season. Our boys made the long hard trek to Cary, NC to play in a Top Gun Tournament along with some other friendly WR faces.
Saturday morning (the early game) the Blues stepped on the field to face the NC Rivercats. The Blues are first with the sticks and score two runs in the top of the first. Great hits and smart base running by #9 Payton Green, #32 Timothy Pate (1 RBI) and an RBI for #16 Payton Bloom.
#7 Jacob Coffin starts on the mound for the Blues and #14 Zach Hurrand is set behind the plate. Rivercats go three up, three down in the first with two popups to #9 Payton Green at short, and a Ground out to #11 Grayson Nichols at 2nd.
The second inning was...err...an inning for the Blues, our offense stalls a bit as does our defense. #7 Jacob strikes out one, gets a ground out to #17 Ryan and #14 Zach gets a "R-Cat" attempting to steal 2nd. But...before the last batter was struck out the Rivercats were able to score three runs in the second inning to take the lead. #1 Sam Perez will get the only hit for the Blues in the third (#17 Ryan Smith is hit by a pitch) but no runs will score for the Blues.
#11 Grayson takes over on the mound in the 3rd inning. He strikes out one, they ground out to #1 Sam at third and they pop up to #2 Garrett at first.
#9 Payton Green stays hot in the fourth inning and hits a single to CF, #32 Timothy will also get on in the 4th, #9 will score with fast feet on a hard hit out by #2 Garrett. #11 Grayson stays on the bump in the fourth and strikes out one, gets a ground out to #17 Ryan at second and a chopper up the first base line that #11 will grab and make the out at first (3 up - 3 down).
Fifth inning - zero hits for the Blues, and #1 Sam Perez Strikes out the sides.
Sixth inning - zero hits for the Blues, and #1 Sam back on the mound gets the first batter to ground out to #2 Garrett at first (who made a great diving stop, and then slid back to the bag to get the out), second batter goes down looking and the third attempts a bunt that Sam gobbles up and gets the out at first.
Seventh inning - #9 Payton must be walking on the sun cause he is hot and his streak keeps going with a single to RF. #32 T-Pate hits a laser to CF that gets caught under the fence for a ground rule double. During #2 Garrett's walk appearance at the plate a passed ball scores #9 Green and the Blues go up by one.
Bottom of the Seventh and #1 Sam is back on the mound.Striking out the first Rivercat, getting the second to ground out to #17 Ryan at second and then the third and final out - a ground out to Sam.
4-3 Final 9U Blues
Saturday morning (the early game) the Blues stepped on the field to face the NC Rivercats. The Blues are first with the sticks and score two runs in the top of the first. Great hits and smart base running by #9 Payton Green, #32 Timothy Pate (1 RBI) and an RBI for #16 Payton Bloom.
#7 Jacob Coffin starts on the mound for the Blues and #14 Zach Hurrand is set behind the plate. Rivercats go three up, three down in the first with two popups to #9 Payton Green at short, and a Ground out to #11 Grayson Nichols at 2nd.
The second inning was...err...an inning for the Blues, our offense stalls a bit as does our defense. #7 Jacob strikes out one, gets a ground out to #17 Ryan and #14 Zach gets a "R-Cat" attempting to steal 2nd. But...before the last batter was struck out the Rivercats were able to score three runs in the second inning to take the lead. #1 Sam Perez will get the only hit for the Blues in the third (#17 Ryan Smith is hit by a pitch) but no runs will score for the Blues.
#11 Grayson takes over on the mound in the 3rd inning. He strikes out one, they ground out to #1 Sam at third and they pop up to #2 Garrett at first.
#9 Payton Green stays hot in the fourth inning and hits a single to CF, #32 Timothy will also get on in the 4th, #9 will score with fast feet on a hard hit out by #2 Garrett. #11 Grayson stays on the bump in the fourth and strikes out one, gets a ground out to #17 Ryan at second and a chopper up the first base line that #11 will grab and make the out at first (3 up - 3 down).
Fifth inning - zero hits for the Blues, and #1 Sam Perez Strikes out the sides.
Sixth inning - zero hits for the Blues, and #1 Sam back on the mound gets the first batter to ground out to #2 Garrett at first (who made a great diving stop, and then slid back to the bag to get the out), second batter goes down looking and the third attempts a bunt that Sam gobbles up and gets the out at first.
Seventh inning - #9 Payton must be walking on the sun cause he is hot and his streak keeps going with a single to RF. #32 T-Pate hits a laser to CF that gets caught under the fence for a ground rule double. During #2 Garrett's walk appearance at the plate a passed ball scores #9 Green and the Blues go up by one.
Bottom of the Seventh and #1 Sam is back on the mound.Striking out the first Rivercat, getting the second to ground out to #17 Ryan at second and then the third and final out - a ground out to Sam.
4-3 Final 9U Blues
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