Last weekend, our Little League teams spent a night cheering for our local single A baseball team. We had a pre-game tailgate and sweat through a very warm but beautiful late spring evening.

At games end, after the fireworks display, the kids ran the bases.

 Rule number 1: No passing.

That's OK.

It's much more fun to be swooped up by your big brother on your way to home.

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Record: 5-9

The Giants have made huge improvements in their game. The little mistakes that cost them many runs are slowly disappearing.

Last Saturday, Jesse hit his second homerun of the season, but this one was a grand slam over the center field fence.

I called it. Yes, I did.

Even with a full count, I leaned over and whispered to Mike's dad,

"This is his grand slam right here."

And then I cheered.

Yes. I. did.

I wonder if the pressure is greater when you're an undefeated team?

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The Bears won again last night. Four more games to win the league and then it's on to TOC's (Tournament of Champions).

Sic Em' Bears!

*the Bears are C & Z's minor team, with that handsome Dad of their's. as the coach.

I’ve been slow on the baseball updates this season. The two games a week per team and an additional practice, keeps us busy.

Here are the highlights: 

Bears

Record: 8-0

They’ve ended 7 out of the 8 games, 10 running the opponent in the fourth inning.

*Z’s got a hot bat, consistently hitting singles. He's playing a solid 2nd base, catching fly balls and throwing runners out.

*C hit a beautiful homerun over the left field fence that was rewarded with a steak dinner out with both assistant coach’s families. Good Times!

*Both boys are smoking pitches across the plate.

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Giants

Record: 2-4

This has been an interesting season. The team over all has good fundamentals, but they are lacking in knowledge of the game. Mike is trying to develop a deeper pitching team.

J is having a great pitching season. He is learning to be patient (which does come very easy for him). This may not be a highlight year in his sports career but it is a character building season none-the-less.

Bonus

A first!

J umpired behind the plate while C caught.

There’s a recipe for disaster!

We were sure C was going to end up face first on the plate after he (playfully)elbowed J as he walked up to catch . Luckily, all turned out well and I had a moment of sheer pride watching these two brothers, who deeply respect each other and are the best of friends.

Over spring break this week, we have 4 games and a combined practice. Somehow I got myself in charge of conditioning. I don't know, maybe it was my flappin' on and on that got me the job. "You should do this and this and this with the players. Then they'd develope this. And then .... so ..... and how about....."

Yep. I'm pretty sure that was it.

More up-dates to come.

This is a two team year for the family.

(An every other year deal, because of the boys' ages.)

 Of course, Mike is coaching both teams.

J is playing majors. They had their first game last night and won 13-10.

Great way to start a season.

Quote from the Coach, " They actually looked like a team!"

Yes, dear. Much to your surprise, but not mine. You are good at what you do!

Fall ball has proven itself to be more of a challenge than expected. Which in some ways is good. The boys of spring ball needed some competition, maybe a little humbling too.

The past two games have given us something to talk about. Two wins in a row!

It's good to see them boys working for their wins & stepping up their game . Builds character ~ in all of us. For this scorekeeping Mom, it takes great self control to sit on the bench and keep her opinions to herself.

Garlic fries, hot dogs, mustard, beer (though I never drink the stuff, blech!) Has anyone thought of bottling it yet?

Eau De Baseball anyone?

I was breathing deep as we sat in on our first Giants game of the season! Oh how I love the sights and smells.

The SF Giants faced the LA Dodgers. Beat LA!

(Note to self: Do not bring kids to Giants vs. Dodgers games! Way too intense! The fans are a lot louder and the language much more foul than we experience when the Giants face other teams.)

The 6:05 game was also a tribute to the “forever Giants”. Former Giants, the likes of Willy Mays and Barry Bonds were there saying thanks to fans for the years of support.

Bonds did take the opportunity to say he is not retired. In case we didn’t know or something.

Mike and I got a night away, just the two of us. After the game, we stayed over at the Marriot Courtyard South – about a mile and a brisk walk from the stadium.

Bonus! We were bumped to an even nicer room on the 18^th floor.

We stayed in the following morning, ordered room service and watched the Olympics until it was time to leave for the 1:05 game.

What more could we ask for? The Giants won both games!

Minus the nasty sunburn I got, it couldn't have been any better.

PS: Thanks Mom for hanging with the kids! Love you!

The weather cooled to a low 90 degrees. The team cooled to a 3 - 7 loss.

The boys did really well, but the other team had two big hits with runners on that sent the score in their favor.

Like many things in life, it's bitter sweet.

It's a bummer to lose but it's good to be done.

Thanks to all who followed our season and cheered from a far. It's been fun!

I can't say I lost hope - but I really thought I was seeing the end of our season. The team just seemed tired. A bit complacent. Heading into the 4th inning we were down, 0-9.

J had pitched the first 2 innings with C catching but they liked him and we couldn't seem to stop them from getting runs. C started pitching in the third, and has a history of tiring out after a few innings. But not this time. He continued to pitch another 3 innings as our team woke up to gain 14 runs in the top of the fourth. Our All Stars, got noisy and started smacking the ball as the other team used up 8 of their pitchers. C had an incredible game. J as always kept his head, picking up balls at short to throw for the out.

Final score 18 - 9!

Next game: tonight 5:30

We got thumped. Humbled. 3 - 15.

It was sweatin' hot..... as described by the players here at home. I was drenched. While in the dugout, I passed out wet towels, water, Gatorade and granola bars.

The boys played hard but it wasn't enough. They could play better. They'll get another chance to show their stuff Thursday.

J & C are playing on our league All Star team. This is a 10 day tournament and we play this evening …. in 110 degree heat. Right now the boys and Little Miss are watching Heidi (Shirley Temple), lounging under the fan trying to stay cool. (They are suckers for their sister.)

Mike is coaching and I am scorekeeper extraordinaire. Truly you should see the books I keep. They are amazing. Just ask.  But this isn't about me.

Anyways, we are two games into the tournament …here’s the low down:

Game 1 our boys won 8-1 with a two run homer over the fence by C. Sweet! He earned a steak dinner…..

Game 2 we won 8-2 ….. with a one hop to the fence by J for a double ……and two, yes two double plays.

J also pitched a little over 4 innings.

The second double play was picked up by the second baseman tossed to C who was covering second from short and thrown J at first who stretched to a long split for the second out. They sacrificed one run to make the double play, but we were in the top of the last inning and our second baseman picked up the last out again and tossed it to J at first.

I’m off to make smoothies and pack the ice chests. I’ll try and up date later tonight.

Congratulations to the Bears!
2008 Minor Division TOC Champions!

Players win games, teams win championships. ~ Bill Taylor

The Bears won the Minor TOC tonight 7-1 over the M White Sox, witnessed by a standing room only crowd. The Bears came back from a defeat to the same M team a few days earlier to beat them on Sunday morning to force the "IF" game of the tournament tonight. 
Their 4th batter in the line up, hit a Grand Slam over the right center field fence in the bottom of the first inning to set the tone for the game. The two pitchers,one of which was the 8 year old, grand slam hitter  combined to limit the White Sox to one run. The Bears played terrific defense throughout the tournament, a couple of good plays cut off runs at the plate in the final two games.

Good coaches teach respect for the opposition, love of competition, the value of trying your best and how to win and lose graciously. ~ Brooks Clark

Ahh yes. A few jugs of cold ice water, to let him know how much he is appreciated .......Congratulations coach! 

Bears 7 - M team 2

Yes that's right! They won!

The Bears won 14 - 4.

They 10 runned the opposing team in the 5th inspite of the 106 degree heat at 10 AM in the morning.

 Tomorrow, we play at 10 AM again. Bummer it's a Sunday, but this only happens maybe twice a year. If we win, we'll see the same team again Monday because this is a double elimination tournament and the other team is undefeated so we have to beat them twice.

Sic Em' Bears!

Well.... 3 1/2 hours and 7 innings later .... in 95 degree heat ..... at 9:00 at night ...... the final score was

Bears 16  - White Sox 23.

It was a crazy, nail biter until the end. The score was tied in the bottom of the 6th, which pushed them into the extra inning. Top of the inning the Bears scored 5 but the White Sox overcame with a hard earned 12 runs.

The kids and coaches were exhausted, but still even that late at night, there was a need to debrief, so we swung by the Taco truck  and ate out in the warm night air on the patio with the assistant coach and his family.

The game after us didn't start until 9:30 (which had a scheduled start time of  7:30). They called the game in the 3rd because the city has a curfew, and the lights at the ballpark have to be out by 11pm.

So these teams will continue their game this evening, which bumps the Bears to 10 AM Saturday morning. If the Bears win, they play Sunday morning; if they lose they take 3rd place out of 11 teams. If they win Sunday then they play Monday for the Championship.

Phew. I think I got that right.

Today,

I found my 3 Bears relaxing and fueling up on fresh fruit.

They fought hard and won!

The Bears were down 8-3 in the top of the 5th (they only play a 6 inning game). They brought in 8 runs to win 8-11.

Next game: Thursday

If they win, they play for the championship on Saturday, if they lose they play Friday.

This picture was taken after closing ceremonies when the boys got their trophies. The Bears players are doing the (Baylor University) Sic Em' Bears sign over a player from the team they beat in the final game. They are all great friends.

J, C, Z are the 3 on the right

They won!

Bears 7 - L team 0

Highlights:

J - pitched out of 16 batters he struck out 10 and pitched a little over 5 innings (he is only allowed a max 75 pitches so this is a huge accomplishment to go 5 innings)

C - batting got a single and a double and caught the whole game (for the record: we all feel better when C catches)

Z - hit 2 singles

Game 2: Tuesday

Minor League Champions 2008

 Final Score: Bears 5 Purple Aces 4.

Next up.... Tournament of Champions 

Bears 14 Yellowjackets 8

Bears 14 Jayhawks 4

Overall record: 15-1