Going To Championship Game

After many years with this team, in their last summer as Blue Devils, my 14U team has put together a tremendous season and have played their way all the way to the Championship game of the BIGS League here in NJ. They played the semi-finals last night and after leading 2-0, lost the lead to go down 4-2. We scored one run in the btm of the 4th, one in the 5th and one in the 6th to go up 5-4, all while playing great D and getting every out we could. Proud of them all, but especially YSSS aka #34 (second from right).

As you can see, there are no male models here. Just ballplayers. And that in itself is a great thing to be. Wish us luck.

#LOLMets

No trade, just misery.

Back Pain

SoulSlam did it to his bad self...

At the G-Y-M on Saturday AM for a leg workout. On Thursday we worked on Chest, Shoulder, Tris; on Friday it was Back and Bis. So Saturday was legs. I woke up a little later than I would have liked (7:20AM) and in my haste, decided not to warmup. Don't know if that was the reason for my malady but I guess I can say it may have attributed.

After some calf sets, went to the Leg Press (see illustration):

Anyways, had about 300lbs. on thius bad boy to start. Did 2 sets. Got up to add another 90 lbs. and OOOOOWWWWWWWHHHHHHHH! That doesn't feel right!

Anyway, mostly due to sloppy form and a rush to get it done, I must have rolled my back muscles up under me when I pushed. So now I pay the price in pain. It's getting better sloooooowwwwly.

9-3

Regular season concluded last night for 14U team with a 6-1 win over a straight-up club team. Left our local hometwon boys at 9-3 to finish regular season and currently atop division standings. Couple team have games to play so we could end up either #1, #2 or #3 seed for playoffs.

Boys played great last night. We blew the shutout in a comedic way...
Bottom 7, the chunky #3 hitter hit a solid shot to left center for a double. Now we have a 6 run lead so we don't hold him. Dopey coach on the other team bunts (!) his 4 hitter which we pick up and take the out at first, thank you very much. Now Spanky is on 3B. Next kid pops out to 2B, and Spanky is all the way down the line!!! My 2B throws a hail mary that sailed over the 3B head...sweettt! Kid scores. Anyway, we get a comebacker to mound with next batter and it's all over but the shouting.

YSSS was 2-3 with 2RBIs, RS, SB and some great fieldwork.

PLAYOFFS START MONDAY!

Out At Home

14U Blue Devils are now 8-3 and leading our summer league division with one game to go for us. Boys have really played well, and even 3 losses were within reach. We lost tonight 4-3 in a cloud shortened game, couldn't get last AB due to dark. Oh well. As I told boys, a year ago we lose tonight's game 9-3. Gotta be in it to win it.

Part of reason we lost is because other team threw us out at home at least 5x! Every time we had a runner at 3B with less than 2 outs was an adventure. In almost every opprtunity we hit a ground ball directly at a fielder. I have a simple philosophy. If it's hit to anyone but pitcher we go home hard.

We did score once or twice from 3B. One time, YSSS, with 2 strikes on him, shortened up and hit an F9 for an RBI Sac Fly. Coach on the other team was mighty impressed. Asked if YSSS was available to play fall ball.

Fireball Shout Out

#OHYEAH!!!

14U Summer Team

The final go-round for the team. We've had 7 boys play with us for 7 years now, losing and picking up others along the way. So the homestretch is upon us.

Before the summer began, we had 2 players leave. They had just joined, we're a little younger (13) and a little over-matched. Good kids. But I guess they wanted summer off. So our roster was down to 9. That makes playing games with day trips and vacations a might tough. So we rostered three 12U players just to add some depth. They only come when they don't have a 12U game.

Then last week it seems like another 14YO wants to stop playing. He's more focused on soccer says his parental unit; to be honest on a roster of 9 he's #8 in terms of skill and talent. So he's apparently only coming when I desperatley need him.

So last week we actually ended up playing with 8 for a game and a half. Rough on the OF, don't you know. But right now we are 5-0 in an upgraded league (we now play mostly club teams) and playing really well. Our D has been stellar and as I have told the boys, that's half the game. Or something like that.

I've gotten the chance to become the defacto HC as well. So we get to play baseball the way I prefer which is aggressive and "hair on fire" type baseball. So far so good. However we end up, I'll always have these last few weeks with the team, and especially the YSSS. He's really blossomed as a ballplayer this season, as he gets ready to go to HS. Proud of him I am.

Coming Back

After a 4 day weekend is usually tough. Work is work. I don't get real excited about this place.

Are you watching True Detective? You should.

July 1

Is always a happy birthday to the Oldest Son of SoulSlam, aka Jack. I can't believe he's 17 today. Seems like only yesterday I was chasing him around the yard as a toddler. Time does fly.

PS- He passed his driving test today!!!