Wooden Bat Tournament

We went 1-2, which wasn't good enough to make it to the second day. I missed the first two games (losses), but the third game started late and I was able to get there for that one. Nothing exciting to report, except that Sushi is not having too much fun. Have not figured out what his problem is yet.

Game Six - Good and Bad

First,the bad - this is the first game I have ever missed in the five years I have been coaching. Work is not working too easily with me on scheduling around baseball. Other people get their schedules manipulated, but not me so much. I could go on, but I digress.

Now, the good - another league win! Got ahead early and held on for a one run win. Too bad I missed it!

Dick Cheney Rocks

Well, Dick Cheney continues to freak out the liberals. Which is great. They deserve it. It's so nice to hear somebody that can speak in complete sentences. Contrast that with the ice princess. Well, don't bother. You'll want to jam an ice pick into your ears listening the the ice princess.

Cheney is right. We need to have everything at our disposal to battle the enemy. If you sit there and tell your enemy that you won't hurt them and you'll leave a key under the doormat, don't be surprised when you come home and your furniture is gone, your wife has been raped and your kids have been taken hostage. But, all you morons who voted for "hope and change" don't care, do you.

Game Five- Fantastic

This is the game I was most looking forward to. As you know by my previous posts, we had three kids taken off our team. Well, this is the team that got said kids. The coach of this team is a kinda weird story: he doesn't have a kid in the league, the claim is his brother plays catcher in the MLB (I have yet to find any proof) and the league prez has a serious jones for this guy. Anyway, I was really ready for this one.

They started one of the kids from last years team and I reminded our kids to be patient at the plate. Sure enough, he was kinda wild. We were the visitors and immediately went to work. The first two batters got on base and scored on a hit by number 3. He ended up at third and then stole home. I was coaching third, right in front of the opposing dugout. They were mad and thought it was "bush league" that we stole home. It was at this point I knew that this guy didn't have a clue and I was in his head.

The kids have pitch counts that they have to abide by. Their pitcher hit 85, which is the limit. I waited to see if they were going to change pitchers and they didn't move. I reminded them that that was 85. They were surprised and tried to say, no it was 70. I said that it was 85 and they needed to change, which they did. An inning later, they told the ump our pitcher was at 89 pitches. The ump told me and I said he was actually at 69. They insisted and I said, "Give me a break. They aren't even keeping track of their own pitcher and I'm supposed to believe they are keeping track of mine? No way." I showed the ump my book and he agree with me.

Then they tried to say that there was a weekly cumulative pitch count, which is bull. Anyway, we got up 13-3 on them and then gave up 4 runs and won 13-7. The custom is after each game, everybody (coaches too) lines up and shakes hands. The other coaches didn't. Real classy. I told my assistant that I won't let up on them next time. I figure that I held up about 4 runs by not running as much once we got our big lead.

Game Three - My Bad

Lost our third game (actually our first game) 6-2. Had some positive things:

• Our top two pitchers are going to be very good.
• We found two more kids that can pitch.
• Had a sweet 2-6-2 putout. Runners on 2nd and 3rd. Catcher threw to Sushi at short to pick off the runner, who went to third. Runner on third runs home and Sushi gunned him. Freaking sweet!
• Sushi hurt his thumb, but can still hit like a machine.
  

But, there were some negatives:

• The games being close together is going to be a problem with the pitch count.
• Our lack of practice and experience was glaring.
• Our hitting is very suspect past the top three hitters.
• Sushi hurt his thumb and may not be able to catch for a week.
• I coached the game like a drunk moron.
  

Game Four - Rock On

League play began tonight. The winner of the league is the All-star manager, which has been me for the last two years. It didn't start well, down three before we even came to bat. We have a lot of kids that have never really played, so we are teaching on the fly. The first two innings were cut short by growing pains. Our pitching wasn't as consistent, but we made some good defensive plays that kept the score at 3-0.

In the bottom of the third, we finally got it together and put 4 on the board. At this point, Sushi was pitching. He gave up a lead off triple in the top of the 4th. The next batter he put on a clinic in pitching. After getting two strikes on fast balls, he threw a perfect circle change. The kid was so far in front of it, that it wasn't funny. The runner was stranded and we put 9 up in the bottom of the fourth, ending the game due to the 10-run rule. And, it wasn't just walks and errors. We hit the ball.

I'm not sure what to think: every year, pitching has been a problem, with only two or three kids that could throw the ball over the plate. This year, I may have six kids that are capable of throwing strikes. Do I dare dream?

Second Game Canceled - Due to Weather

I'm not as mad about this cancellation. It snowed and rained today, but by 3:00, it was sunny, very windy and 42 degrees. I would have played, but we weren't the home team. Saturday is next. I ain't holding my breath.

First Game Canceled - Without Notice

There's nothing like the first game of the season. So much promise, so many unanswered questions, sunflower seeds. I got to the field early to get it chalked and raked to perfection. One of our other teams was practicing, so it was quite pleasurable to kick them off the field (Yeah, I've got a mean streak when it comes to baseball. I was a pitcher and was not afraid to pitch inside.). So, I'm raking away, working out my lineup in my mind, getting that baseball high, when a kid tells me, "The game has been canceled." "What?" "My mom said the game was canceled and moved to Friday." I swore under my breath. "Fine."

At this point it's too late to call everyone and tell them not to show up. I got a hold of the league prez and he says, "I thought I sent you and email." "No. And you can call the other team and tell them not to bother showing up Friday." "Why?" "Because I have to work. I told you I can't screw with the schedule because of work." Then I hung up and verbally swore.

So, we had a practice after a few tears were shed because we couldn't play. It is a good sign that the kids were ready to play. Well, we'll give her the Ginsu Wednesday.

I Love Coffee!

This is too funny for words!!!!

We're Going to be Fine

Had a couple practices over the weekend (and a date!). If the kids progress as expected, we'll have seven players that are as good as any others in the league. Our pitching will be an issue, but isn't that always the case? Even in MLB, pitching is always an issue. The biggest surprise is a returning player from last year. He just didn't seem to have a clue last year, but he's been very good in practice thus far.

The only disappointment at this point is my own son. I thought I had his pitching figured out, but he can't find the strike zone. I'm hoping it corrects itself. It's a minor thing, as he still hits like Ichiro. My new nickname for the boy is Sushi. He likes it.