Season Comes to an End Against Tough Tiger Team

MBC lost to the Tigers 11-3 to end their season. The game was closer than the final score. The team ran out of steam in the fourth inning, tried to hang on for seven innings, but finally fell in the sixth.

MBC scored two to start the game and again this strategy backfired. Apparently it is bad luck to score two runs in the first inning. Nick Reeves singled sharply and was followed by a Tino Peleti double. Before the hot hitting Mitchell Smith could drive them in, both scored on the same passed ball. Mitchell singled anyway, and before Campbell could walk, crazy Coach Cougan tried a hit and run and Mitchell was caught stealing on a pitch too far outside for Campy to put in play. Thus Stuart Fairchild’s single occurred with no one in scoring position, and the Tigers pitched their way out of more damage.

In the second Andrew Kennedy lead off with a booming double and after a walk to Chris Luttinen MBC was in business again. This inning was thwarted when Nick Reeves slashed a ball that looked like it might get through to score Andrew, but hit Andrew to retire the side.

Stuart Fairchild tried to keep the hard hitting Tigers off the board, but after hitting two Tiger’s to put himself in trouble the team could not make the plays to get off the field. When good hitting teams get extra chances, they tend to score runs. MBC surrendered the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the second. The exact same recipe made the score 6-2 in the third. A combination of hits and errors finally chased Stuart off the mound in the fourth with MBC down 9-2.

Hits by Tino Peleti and Campbell Queen gave MBC hope in the third inning, but a memory impaired Coach Cougan inserted Bubba Golosh (see Bellevue write-up from an early season game) in to pinch run and he was picked off third before Stuart Fairchild could blast a double down the line.

As can be seen, the score made the game look worse than it was. These thirteen year olds were just inches away from making this a VERY GOOD game. Thank goodness they are young, are learning and get better and better EVERYTIME they play. I see a bright future for this group of boys.

Tough, Tough Loss in State Tournament Opener

The underdogs put up a gallant fight. They scored first, they hung tough and they almost came back to win. They made the Green Sox sweat, but came up one run short in losing 6-5.

The Green Sox pitcher walked the Ben Thomson and Nick Reeves to start the game. After a past ball Tino Peleti made them pay with a scorching single to score them both. Nick Reeves made an excellent read on Tino’s line drive and was just feet behind a tagging Ben at third and they crossed the plate in tandem to put MBC up 2-0.

The Green Sox did not earn the number one seed for nothing. They came roaring back in their half of the first to score three runs to take the lead.

Both teams settled down and the game became a defensive struggle. Campy Queen shut down a Green Sox rally in the second by picking off a runner at third with two out.

In the fifth with the bases loaded Jimmy Sheldrup brought the crowd to its feet with by slashing a hard line drive that was just not high enough to elude a leaping Green Sox second baseman.

Tino Peleti pitched valiantly against a strong hitting line-up but tired in the fifth allowing one more run and then two more on a bloop single with two outs.

It looked grim for MBC going into the seventh, but Ben Thomson lead off with a single. Hits by Tino and Mitchell Smith started to make the Green Sox nervous and after a two RBI single by Spencer Hogger MBC was in business. But their closer was called in and he struck out the final MBC batter with the tying run at third and the go ahead at second.

A great game, another proud MBC moment.

Remember this post??????

Remeber this picture? It was one of my first posts.

This has happened since that post. Doesn't he look happy?

And this picture and these words?:

This first picture is a picture of an iceberg. The second picture is from this year's State Champion Magnolia Baseball Club 15 year old team. Doesn't this look like fun? Just before this moment this team played a great game. These guys ALL stepped up and made big plays, had big hits and made great pitches. I am here to tell you that on this night these guys all gave the game their best effort. They really turned it on that night, no question about it.But.......... I am here to tell you that what they did in this game is not what made them champions. It is what they did ALL year. It was the effort they put into the off-season work outs. The long days in the cage, the 100's of ground balls taken in practice. What you are seeing above is just the tip of the iceberg. Most of the iceberg (the bulk of the work) is beneath the surface and is not seen.That is something to think about.

Well HERE IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

It is time for the tip of that iceberg to show up. I am proud of ALL the work you guys have put in. I am proud of the growth in your baseball ability, and your growth as people this year.

You have done the work, you are now poised for your reward.

Now that we are HERE, lets make the most of it. Now is the time to treat that body right. Lets get some good sleep each night we are in this thing. Lets decide that having a game Friday night is waaaaaay more important than one more day swimming at the beach or pool. Lets do everything we can to go into each game as strong and as ready as we can. We have paid a big price to get here, lets keep the effort alive through the tournament.

Our goal right now is to win a game, after that our goal will be to win a game. We will continue to take this league on ONE game at a time and we will be able to walk away when this tournament is over with our heads held high.

Ole' Joe Budnick

I played for this man one summer in semi-pro. I think it was 1976. A wonderful, wonderful Baseball Man.

Joseph August Budnick

Joseph August BUDNICK Born September 11, 1916 in Seattle, Joseph peacefully passed away on July 8, 2009 in hospice care. He grew up in Seattle and graduated from O'Dea High School. Though he worked for the State Department of Revenue for 20 years and as a security guard for the Kingdome for over 10 years, he is most remembered as an athlete and a coach. His name is in the O'Dea Hall of Fame for having earned 11 letters in basketball, baseball, and football. He started coaching in 1935 and finally retired from coaching in 1989. During those years he coached for Edmonds Community College, University of Washington, Seattle University, and in 1960 he coached the Cheney Studs to a National Championship. Joseph was a devout Catholic and was always willing to lend a hand. He loved to make people laugh. He volunteered his time helping many youth causes, especially running baseball camps, helping collect toys for the less fortunate at Christmas, and helping his son run practices for the CYO teams. He also served in the Army during WWII. Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Helen and daughter Darlene. He is survived by his son Joseph M. Budnick of Lynnwood. A viewing will be held from 10:00am to 11:00 am on Monday, July 13th at St. Brendan's Catholic Church with a memorial mass from 11:00am until 12:00pm. There will be a memorial luncheon following the mass and then a gravesite service will follow at 3:00pm at Holyrood Cemetery.

Fantastic Finish to a Fantastic Regular Season

The long season ended with a long game, and as the headline reads the fantastic finish did indeed end a fantastic regular season. MBC came back twice to beat the Pine Lake Pilots 6-4 to finish the season 12-10 and keep their playoff hopes alive. At the time of this story league officials must be pouring over a myriad of tie breaker rules to determine the final seat to the eight team league playoffs.

Both teams were evenly matched. The Pilots came into the game holding on to the final playoff spot with a 12-9 record; MBC came into the game at 11-10. The Pilots had to win to get in, and MBC had to win to create league management chaos.

Tino Peleti threw seven wonderful innings but left with the game tied 4-4 after seven. Stuart Fairchild contributed two scoreless innings and was followed by Nick Reeves throwing two scoreless innings as well.

MBC fell behind 1-0 in the fifth in what was a defensive struggle up to that point. MBC roared back in the sixth inning.

Ben Thomson (2-5) got the ball rolling with a lead off single. Nick Reeves (2-5) then doubled down the line, but the Pilot left fielder made a super play to just nip Ben at third. The Pilots then gave strong hitting Tino Peleti (2-4) an intentional walk hoping to take their chances with Mitchell Smith (3-5 2RBI). WRONG MOVE! Mitchell laced a line drive over the shortstop’s head to tie the game. Campbell Queen (2-5 2RBI) followed with a single to put MBC ahead and Stuart Fairchild (2-5 2RBI) then singled to keep the ball rolling. With runners on first and third, Stuart and Campy pulled off a double steal to make it a 4-1 game.

Tino mowed the Pilots down in the sixth to maintain the lead, and then MBC went into a brief intermission in the bottom of the seventh to allow the Pilots to tie the game.

Oh it is just horrible when this game of baseball goes against you! It started with a strange hop that eluded our shortstop. Then either a sniper from the rooftop or a prairie dog hole in a rough outfield made a reliable left fielder disappear from under a routine fly ball. After a ground out it looked like MBC jut might pull it off until the next two Pilot hitters sent singles down the right field line where MBC players aint’ at. I mean you just cannot play people there.

Both teams traded threats and great plays for the next four innings, and I was beginning to wonder if the field had lights (and it started at 9:00 AM!) when MBC put it together.

Nick Reeves lead off the eleventh with a deep fly out to center field, a sign that the bats were coming alive. Tino Peleti then belted a deep one, but he hit is so far it went out of play and he was held to a ground rule double. The MAN of the day then came up big, Mitchell Smith (who by the way had the nerve to DENY that he relied on Coach Cougan’s most recent batting tip given to him prior to game time, imagine that; that is the thanks I get) sent yet another screamer past the Pilot shortstop (who was VERY GOOD by the way) to give MBC the go ahead run. After Campbell Queen’s hard hit grounder tied up the Pilot first baseman, Stuart Fairchild added an insurance run with another RBI single.

Braced with a two run lead, Nick Reeves went out to close the game. After a quick ground out a runner reached on an error, but this team DID NOT even think THERE WE GO AGAIN, no sir, they got the next batter on a slick game ending 4-6-3 double play.

Let the tie breaker logic begin!!!!!

MBC Finally Beats up A Kent Team

MBC finally put the hurt on a team from Kent beating the Bulldogs White 11-3 Saturday night. “Not so Sudden” Sam Deane went all the way for MBC throwing 5 innings, giving up just five hits and striking out three. He had great help from his defense which turned two double plays one of which he started with a snag of a line drive. A lead off walk came around to score in the second inning and the Bulldogs managed two runs in the fifth as he tired.

He was given great help by his offense all night and did not have to face the Bulldogs in the sixth or seventh due to the 8 run mercy rule.

Fans were a buzz with the first appearance of an ALL BAINBRIDGE ISLAND outfield. The last time there was as much talk about an outfield was during the 60’s when all three Alou* brothers played together. As with the Alou brothers, the Island outfield was airtight and out of sight all evening.

Ben Thomson (4-4) and Campbell Queen (3-3 2RBI) were both perfect and Tino Peleti (3-4 5RBI) and Stuart Fairchild (2-3) were close to perfection. Every player in the batting order recorded hits tonight.

*Bonus points for the first non Steve Queen type person to email me the names of the three Alou brothers.

Magnolia Wins Big Over Mercer Island 10-2

A strong defiant Magnolia team beat a play-off bound Mercer Island team with a huge, clutch second inning explosion.

Stuart Fairchild was rolling and on top of his game from the mound. Stuart threw five innings gave up just four hits and struck out seven.

MBC borrowed a page from the 116 win Mariner team, Two Outs, So What. Nine of MBC’s ten runs came with two outs.

Campbell Queen led the second inning off with a single up the middle. Stuart Fairchild hit a grounder to short, but hustled up the line to prevent a double play (a key part of the inning). Back to back hits by Jimmy Sheldrup and Peter Rakita made the score 2-1 and after a strike out it looked like the rally had lost it momentum. But MBC was not done yet. Spencer Hogger, Ben Thomson, Nick Reeves and Tino Peleti all posted hits and the runs kept coming. Campbell Queen finished what he started when he stroked ANOTHER two RBI hit to cap off MBC’s best inning of the year.

In the fourth inning, again with two outs, Nick Reeves singled and scored on Tino Peleti’s booming triple.

In the fifth MBC needed two runs to mercy rule end the game. Stuart Fairchild singled and Peter Rakita was hit by a pitch. AGAIN with two outs, Andrew Kennedy singled and after a walk to Spencer Hogger, Ben Thomson hit a screaming walk off single to end the game.

Beastly Win Over Mudville

It was a strange night for baseball. Early on it looked like MBC could do no wrong. Soon it looked like disaster as MBC could do no right. A strong fifth inning corrected it all and MBC took home a 11-9 victory.

Stuart Fairchild channeled Dr Jeckl and Mr. Hyde from the mound tonight, as did his defense. Stuart loaded the bases in the first giving up a flare single, a hard single, and then watched his middle infielders pass on an inning ending double play ball. The middle guys turned two on the next (much tougher play) to keep the Mudville Beasts off the scoreboard.

In MBC’s first Coach Cougan wondered for a bit if the Beasts were EVER going to make a play to get an out. With three runs in and the bases loaded it looked like an early rout. But after double play ball and a strike out later he was happy to have four runs.

Things went smooth until the third when the Beasts showed us where their name came from by jumping all over MBC to score six big runs. Tino Peleti answered with a triple in the third to bring MBC within one and then took control of the game from the mound.

In the fifth, MBC regained the lead, and their composure as they tallied six runs and cruised the rest of the way to victory.

Ben Thompson was 3-4, Nick Reeves and Tino Peleti were 2-4, and Mitchell Smith and Campy Queen were 2-3. Others in the hit parade were Stuart Fairchild, Sam Deane and Andrew Kennedy.

Alumni News, Flying High From Walla Walla To Germany

Andrew Johnson from last years MBC 16 team at a tournament in Walla Walla as a dead duck going into third

Andrew, always athletic, always spontaneous, decides not to go quietly

Facing an 8 on the scale of difficulty Andrew tucks it in for the final landing

Short story, he was still out

Do not try this at home, or on the way to third, Andrew is a mutant and although he may be imitated, he cannot be duplicated!

In other news base running mutant Jordan Turpen is playing baseball in Germany this summer. Strange as it seems Jordan fell in love with a German exchange student and left in early June for a summer in Germany. The parents of the young Fraulein have set him up with an 18 year old baseball team. Two players from this league have been drafted into US pro ball. I heard last night that in his first double header Jordan was 5-7 and scored every time he reached base. Showing the Germans what a real speedster can do on base!

Tigers Efficiently Roar Past MBC

It all happened so quick that it seemed the game was over before it began. The second place Eastlake Tigers quickly and methodically scored their eight runs and sent MBC packing.

Oddly enough MBC played great defense, turning a wonderful double play in the second and having Bonecrusher Heller make a big league play from the hole. Spencer Hogger made a diving stop on a screaming line drive, but between these key defensive plays, the Tigers had managed to keep the pressure on and score the eight runs needed to win.

Offensively MBC could not do much against the Cy Young candidate the Tigers put on the mound. Chris Luttinen and Stuart Fairchild hit booming doubles but the Tigers limited the MBC boys to just two other hits, singles by Ben Thomspn and Spencer Hogger. They showed some good leather as well as the first baseman robbed Peter Rakita of a sure RBI double down the line with a nifty stab.

Wind Blows in a Win for Magnolia

In Magnolia they got a name

For rain and wind and fire

The rain is Spence, the fire Campy,

And they call the wind Tino

On what was a pleasant summer evening everywhere else in town the Magnolia 13’s played the rest of the island boys from Bainbridge defeating the Mavericks 9-1.

Tino Peleti threw six brilliant “wind aided” innings striking out ten of his neighbors. Six Bainbridge Island boys got to razz him on the ferry by recording hits.

It was a strong night for MBC offense all well. The first five players scored to lead off a good night. MBC added one run in each of the next five innings to win a mercy rule shortened game.

Ben Thompson led the game off with a hit, and the next two batters walked. Mitchell Smith scored two on his single and Campy Queen (2-4 2RBI) drove in the third run with another single. The Bainbridge pitcher “the King” tried to shut the door with a pair of strike outs but Peter Rakita (2-3 3RBI) came up big with a two out, two RBI single.
Magnolia scored a run in each of the next five innings and walked off the field on Campy’s game ending RBI single in the sixth. This brought a roar for BOTH crowds as the it meant we could all get out of the terrible wind that had blown all night

Loss And Gain

When I compare

What I have lost with what I have gained,

What I have missed with what attained,

Little room do I find for pride.

I am aware

How many days have been idly spent;

How like an arrow the good intent

Has fallen short or been turned aside.

But who shall dare

To measure loss and gain in this wise?

Defeat may be victory in disguise;

The lowest ebb is the turn of the tide.

Out of Sync MBC Falls to Brewers Blue

MBC 13’s fell to third place (13-2) Brewers Blue team last night 7-1. The score was not a true representation of the game, as MBC had chances to win this one, but found themselves way out of sync.

I circled eight plays in the scorebook that tilted the game in favor of the Brewers. Three were coaching errors, three outfield plays, and two tough plays from the mound. All correctable, most non-typical for this team, but they all happened and we came up short.

Both coaches were asleep at the switch when Ben Thomson led the game off by hitting the catcher’s glove. This non-questioned non-call cost us a base runner in a inning where we left the bases loaded. Later on, a frustrated Coach Cougan at third sent Tino home with a chance for a inside the park home-run after the Brewers blew the relay to home. In retrospect, after an super hustle play by the Brewers shortstop nailed Tino at home, Coach Cougan wished he had a man on third with no outs. Later in the evening, an absent minded, and perhaps itchy (no other explanation) Coach Cougan mislead both Ben Thomson and Coach Bishop into thinking he wanted to steal. Wrong move when down 5-1.

Three no catches on flyballs that we will someday “get to” cost us dearly, and I am sure the ultra competitive Stuart will always know how many outs there are in the future. And by golly, as long as baseball is played light hitting nine hitters will be accidentally beaned with two outs, two strikes and the bases loaded, that is just the baseball Gods telling you that it is not your night.

Game at Highpoint Might Just Be Our Low Point

A listless bunch with an awful lot of bad luck lost a winnable game at Highpoint against the Puget Sound Stars 13-5.

Not making the make-able plays and giving up lots of dinky hits was the recipe for failure for MBC. MBC gave up 14 hits and over half of these hits seemed to have eyes.

MBC had ten hits of their own, but they were bunched the wrong way. Rather than bunching them together by inning, they were bunched among four players. This team does best when everyone is getting hits.

Ben Thomson was 3-4, Nick Reeves and Campbell Queen were 2-4 and Tino Peleti was 2-3. AK added a single to the mix. None of the hits were for extra bases, and that typically spells bad news for this team’s offense.

Did You Guys Know That Your Coach Invented the Taco Salad? Well Here is Proof Positive

Out of Steam, Out of Pitching, Out of Time Magnolia Goes Out of the Tournament.

It was a loser out, winner stay in game, but as hard as MBC tried the verdict was out.

MBC scored four in the first. A rare walk to Ben Thomson , a single by Spencer Hogger (2-3) another walk to Tino Peleti was followed by a two RBI single by Stuart Fairchild (2-3) and a sac fly by Campbell Queen. Mitchell Smith’s two-out RBI single showed the Tigers that the MBC bunch was not done bringing the fourth run of the inning.

The Tiger’s matched that total and added five more in the second.

With time running out MBC responded in the fourth with four runs. Jimmy Sheldrup led the inning off with a hit and scored on Peter Rakita’s single. After a walk to AK, Ryan (a/k/a Limping Boy) Doerfler stroked an RBI single to center. After a Tiger error hits by Spencer Hogger and Tino Peleti put MBC within three runs.

But the comeback was over and MBC went down 1 – 2 -3 in the sixth to loose the time shortened game.

All in all it was a fun and exciting tournament. The experience was good for our boys. It was good to see the hard work in practice start to pay dividends for some guys that had been struggling at the plate and it was great to see Ryan Doerfler come back and start contributing.

Some hitting highlights from the tourney:

.571 Chris Luttenin
.556 Mitchell Smith
.556 Spencer Hogger
.500 Sam Deane
.500 Ryan Doefler
.462 Ben Thomson
.417 Tino Peleti
.417 Jimmy Sheldrup
.385 Nick Reeves
.333 Peter Rakita
.300 Campbell Queen

Frustrating Day Starts with Loss to Brewers Gold

It is always hard to beat a well match opponent three times in a row and that was the task in front of MBC on Sunday. If there ever was a team that wanted to beat us, well as the say in Louisiana, “there was them that could”.

Pulling out all stops the Brewers Gold made it their goal to finally beat us. Employing advanced scouting reports, playing their outfield deep and pitching around specific guys they eked out a 6-4 victory against us.

A close, well played game that always seemed within reach slipped away as MBC just could not connect with a knock out punch and ran out of time.

Ben Thompson stayed hot with a 2-4 2 RBI game. Tino Peleti , Mitchell Smith and Chris Luttinen were 2-3 and Nick Reeves, Campbell Queen, Jimmy Sheldrup and Sam Deane added hits.

Magnolia Wins with Greatest Comeback in Magnolia History

Again starting slow the Magnolia Boys found themselves down 4-0, early.

With a hint of things to come Magnolia scored two in the third. Jimmy Sheldrup (2-3) led off with a single, Mitchell Smith (2-3) hit a monster triple. He scored after a walk to Keenan Heller and a single by Spencer Hogger (3-3). Now here is where it gets kind of weird. With runners on first and second and zero out, the stubborn and non-bunt oriented coach Cougan finally gives in and flashes the bunt sign. Little did he know the Gators had positioned a sniper on top of the looming apartment buildings to shoot at the feet of Keenan Heller at second who gallantly tried to reach third after falling to the ground.

In the sixth inning down 8-2 MBC started the comeback. Nick Reeves led off with a double and scored on Tino Peleti’s triple. After consecutive hits by Campbell Queen, Chris Luttinen and Jimmy Sheldrup the Magnolia bunch had scored three, cut the deficit in half and were ready to make history.

Spencer Hogger started the rally with a long triple. Ben Thomson scored him with a single and the Gators third baseman booted Nick Reeve’s ground ball. Having seen enough of Tino Peleti, Gators walked him and elected to take their chances with Stuart Fairchild. WRONG MOVE!!!!!! Stuart blasted the ball completely over the head of an already deep center fielder and it was mayhem as the boys raced around the bases for victory.

You have to love the sight of a bases loaded walk-off triple!

Early Morning Loss to Brewers Blue

It is becoming apparent that the MBC 13’s are not a morning bunch. Playing in the 8:00 AM game MBC fell behind early and waged a gallant comeback to lose 10-7.

It looked good at the beginning. The game started with hits by Ben Thomson (2-4) and Nick Reeves (3-4) but they were quickly stranded as the rest of the team slept in. When the team woke up they found themselves down 8-0 after two innings.

Then the fun started. Sam Deane led off the third with a double (not an easy thing to do) and was moved to third by Spencer Hogger (2-3). Sam was driven home by Ben Thomson who later scored on Nick Reeves’ booming double.

In the fifth, Spencer Hogger led off with a hit and scored after Ben and Nick again notched back to back hits.

Still down five runs the boys started to make the Brewers sweat some in the sixth. Campy Queen single and scored along with Jimmy Sheldrup after two infield miscues by the Brewers defense. The big blow of the inning was Chris Luttinen’s single to bring the team within three runs.

MBC miscues led to two more Brewer runs in the sixth but the boys poised themselves for a comeback again down five.

Spencer Hogger led off the seventh with a hit, but the Brewers finally figured out a way to get Ben and Nick out. With two outs Tino Peleti hit a two run homer to put a big scare into the Brewers, but it was all over after Stuart Fairchild flew out to right.

Boys Bounce Back By Beating Brewers

Tino "Bugman" Peleti, in the dugout



The MBC 13’s stopped their losing streak with a big 6-0 win against the Brewers Gold team. MBC hit on all cylinders combining pitching, defense and hitting to dominate the game.

Tino “Bugman” Peleti was on fire on the mound and at the plate. Tino threw 6 2/3 innings of shut out ball striking out ten and was 2-3 with a home run a triple and five RBI. Chris Luttinen relieved in the sixth to close the door.

Defense was huge for the MBC team. The team made all the routine plays and Campy shut down any running game the Brewers tried. Stuart Fairchild made a Willie Mays catch racing deep into left center. The game ended with a terrific double play. With the bases loaded a soft line drive looked to be a sure hit up the middle before a loping tall Nick Reeves made a snow cone catch and doubled the runner off second.



(artificial recreation of Stuart's great catch, he ran so fast his uni came off)


Ben Thomson did his best to jump start the offense going 3-3 from the lead-off spot. He was stranded in the first inning but scored his next two times. In the third inning a walk to Keenan was followed by a double by Ben and the stage was set for Tino’ first blast of the night. With two down and a 0-0 tie the Brewer pitcher tried to get Tino with his off speed curve ball. He missed once, fouled off another and sent the third curve DEEP into the night for a three run homer.

The fifth inning was a deja’vue moment. Keenan started the inning with a single and was followed by another Ben Thomson hit. This time they tried to pitch around Tino but brought one pitch too close and Tino again sent the ball deep into the night for a triple. Stuart Fairchild promptly drove him home with his second hit of the night.

Campbell Queen had two hits and Spencer Hogger, Peter Rakita and Sam Deane also added hits. Sam put a charge into another ball in the seventh inning but his attempt at extra bases was shut down by a fine catch by the Brewers left fielder.

Children Should be Seen But Not Heard; Umpires Should be Heard but Not Seen

Please accept my apologies for my ejection from yesterday's game. I have gotten better at staying in games, but apparently have room for improvement. I will continue to improve my techniques of presenting my case with umpires while staying within the bounds they control.

Let me please explain my mindset, and fully explain the reasons for my ejection.

My belief in this great game of ours is that the umpire while being in control of the game, does this role best when they are quite invisible and not injecting themselves into the game. The umpire inserted himself into the game yesterday when he called Nick out for not sliding. Had he not made that call, no one would have been asking for Nick to be called out as Nick had obviously avoided contact with the catcher. I am a huge believer in safety for competition at this level and would take any player out of the game who would maliciously injure a player from another team.

His ruling that anytime there was a play and the runner was within arms length of another player a slide was necessary was absolutely wrong.

I want everyone to know that while in my argument with this umpire, the transgression which caused my ejection was not due to using profane language, nor did I use abusive language but I apparently crossed the line when I indicated my belief that one always seems to get calls like this (one sided) in Kent, and after being cautioned to end my conversation, I repeated this theory to Coach Bishop apparently within earshot of this umpire.


This proves another theory I have on umpires, the more wrong they are, the quicker they are to toss you.

In retrospect, I was wrong and my ejection could have been prevented by better actions on my part. Again, I apologize to the team, and the parents.

MBC 13's Slide Continues

Magnolia 13's had better set their alarm clocks a bit earlier for Wednesday 6/10. That is the next chance they have to turn around their mid season slide after losing 9-1 to the Kent Bulldogs Red.

Tight defense and timely hitting (things MBC used to use AGAINST other teams) was the key for Kent. Kent pounded out 14 hits and made great plays to limit MBC to just two hits and one run.

Nothing seemed to go right for MBC. Ben Thomson's lead off "hit" was robbed by a terrific play from the Kent shortstop and our next two hitters struck out looking. Cambell Queen was hit by a pitch in the second and scored on a drive to the right center gap by Spencer Hogger. Spencer languished at third and was eventual nailed in a tight play attempting to steal home.

In the fourth, down 5-1 MBC rallied and loaded the bases on walks to Tino Peleti and Stuart Fairchild and a single by Nick Reeves. On a towering sacrifice fly to center, Nick Reeves was called out as he sidestepped the Kent catcher. The home plate umpire just could not grasp the concept of the word "OR" in the rule "Slide OR avoid contact". This minor disagreement between the home plate umpire and Coach Cougan ended the inning, and ended Coach Cougan's day.

Four quick Bulldog runs in the fifth inning then ended the MBC 13's day.

Annoying Bulldogs Finally Leave Magnolia, and Take a Victory with Them

Good riddance to the most annoying team I have ever faced, the Kent Bulldogs – Blue. What a horrible team. They hit okay, and played decent defense but their constant obnoxious chatter that started every time our pitcher came set seemed to be specifically designed to prove what poor sports they were.

Magnolia again fell behind early and fell short on their comeback. Stuart Fairchild just couldn’t seem to catch a break early as he fell victim to seeing eye hits and some self inflicted damage due to walks. The damage could have been worse without Spencer Hogger doing his best impression of Brooks Robinson at third base all night. Tino came in and held them to one run as the team tried to come back.

Ben Thomson was 3-4 with a double and Tino Peleti was 3-4 with two triples. Cambell Queen was 2-3 and Nick Reeves and Jimmy Sheldrup added hits.

The game almost turned with a moment that seemed right out of the movie “The Natural”. As you may recall in the movie, Roy Hobbs falls under the spell of an evil woman who saps his glorious rise in fame. At his bleakest moment in the movie, a woman in white stands during his at bat and the sun beams down on her. Roy Hobbs, upon seeing this pure vision from his past, gathers himself and restores himself to his powerful ways, and proceeds to lead his team to glory.

Well, we are a thirteen year old team, and none of our boys are under a spell from an evil woman (at least I hope not!) but Campbell Queen seemed to have this moment as he tired of the annoying Bulldogs stealing bases at will. Not sure if anyone else noticed, but around the third inning, Campbell’s Grandmother (visiting from Colorado) stood in the stands, a ray of sunlight beaming down on her as she implored Campy to find the strength to rise above it and start throwing those darn Bulldogs out. It worked and soon runner after runner was taking that sad walk to the dugout as Campbell threw them out.

Magnolia Cannot Keep Wolves from the Door

Still smarting from their Friday night loss Magnolia traveled all the way to Port Orchard to duplicate the performance. Magnolia spotted the Wolfpack SEVEN first inning runs and put up a smaller comeback before falling 11-3.

The Wolfpack crawled all over a bug-less Tino Peleti in the first inning. Crafty Lefty came on in the second inning and fooled the Wolfpack hitter for the rest of the game.

Ben Thomson was a one man offense going 2-3 with a double. Nick Reeves, Tino Peleti and Jimmy Sheldrup managed hits as well.

Issaquah Thunders by Magnolia

Magnolia gave up ELEVEN early runs against the thunder on Friday night tried to rally back, but fell short loosing 11-8. The game had been delayed from 5:00 to 5:30 to allow Issaquah time to get the field on a Friday night; we should have delayed the game to 6:00 because that is when the home team finally showed up.

Scoring eight runs is typically enough to win, but tonight the team fell short.

Jimmy Sheldrup started the game and the defense let him down early and then the Thunder caught fire. The hitting light was on and it took a while for MBC to turn that light off. Chris Luttinen came on and fought against the hitting light and finally got it turned off in the second inning and blanked them the rest of the way.

The bats tried hard. Tino hit a three run homer (2-4 4 RBI), AK was 2-2 but left the game with a shoulder injury and Cambell Queen, Stuart Fairchild and Peter Rakita (double) all had hits.

The Woman who made me a Baseball Fan

My 103 year old Grandmother, Catherine Victoria (Cook) Cougan. She became a Met fan when the Yankees fired Casey Stengel and has remained a Met fan through thick and thin.

And if we played in the City, we could eat like this after the game

Just Like I Pictured It

Walking around New York on Monday I came across this field. Wouldn't it be great to play a game in the city?









The very first major league ballpark I visited was old Yankee stadium. I think it was 1961, the year of Maris. I was six years old. It was the coolest experience of my life and it changed EVERYTHING for me. You have to realize that prior to this trip baseball was a black and white thing for me. I had seen the game on TV (black and white)and had seen pictures in the paper (black and white) and read some books, mostly black and white photos. To walk into Yankee stadium and see the expanse of green grass, brown dirt, colorful signs everywhere and my goodness it seemed like each section of the bleachers was a different color. I stood there with my mouth open in awe of the site. I was hooked for life.

And I WAS a huge Yankee fan. Every time we played baseball I was Micky Mantle, or Tom Tresh or Moose Skowron. I had a cheap Yankee hat on my head every minute of the day. The year we left NY (1964) a neighbor who was a writer for the Times agreed to take my brother and I to the game on our last day in town. We were going to get to go to the locker room after the game and meet the players. His mother died unexpectedly the night before our visit and our trip, but not our move, was cancelled.

Magnolia Bans Black Sox

Defying a direct order from the commissioner of baseball, MBC played the apparent decedents of the 1919 Black Sox. The good news is that MBC prevailed, the bad news is we are still subject to possible disciplinary action.

Chris Luttinen pitched well for four innings and was rewarded by a strong offense which finally broke a close game open with a five run fifth inning. After Jimmy Sheldrup pitched a perfect sixth, the offense scored the game ending eighth run, to give MBC their FOURTH* mercy run game in a row.

The torrid hitting continued tonight. Ben Thomson (3-4) led off with a double and scored on Stuart Fairchild's (2-2 2 RBI) two out single. The teams traded runs and the lead until MBC put the game away with four runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth.

Spencer Hogger and Mitchell Smith had two hits and Tino Peleti added three more (11 for his last 12). Peter Rakita and Andrew Kennedy also joined in on the hit parade.

Campy Queen had the best 0-3 night of all time as he scorched three balls, a line-out to right, and two screaming balls at the second baseman, but did manage to notch 3 RBI. My guess is that he is watching what young Daniel Queen is eating, or getting tips from the young superstar.

* Five mercy run games in a row, if you were to include US getting mercy runned! Just trying to keep us humble.

FYI

No one (not even Steve Queen) has had the nerve as yet, but just so you know, there is the ability to leave comments after each article. Simply click on the word comment below the article and type away.

Hot Hitting Continues Against the Gators

Breakfast of Champions

This team likes the heat. MBC pounded out 16 hits to beat the CVAC Gators 11-7 for their third win in a row. The victory improves the MBC 13’s to 5-3 in league.

Stuart Fairchild pitched five masterful innings before tiring in the sixth. Combining low fastballs with his tremendous change up Stuart held the Gators to two hits while striking out three. Nick Reeves came in to relieve and was stung by five seeing eye hits in a row but was aided by two tremendous defensive plays. First Ben Thomson fired a perfect strike to third to nail a runner who tried to advance on an infield single and then Campy Queen made a Roberto Clemente like toss home to nail a Gator trying to score from second base on a hit to right.

Sam Deane came on to close the game out in the seventh for the save.

This team is hitting like nobodies business. They notched 23 hits this weekend to hit .517 and score 24 runs.

MBC has a new murderers row in Tino Peleti (4-4, a double, triple and 2RBI), Stuart Fairchild (2-4), Campy Queen (2-4 a double 2RBI) and Mitchell Smith (2-4 2RBI). Ben Thomson (double), Nick Reeves (double), Andrew Kennedy (double) Spencer Hogger, Sam Deane and Keenan Heller all had hits and Peter Rakita hit a towering sacrifice fly.

Tino feeling somewhat weak after his Saturday performance and in the need for some extra protein, Tino ate a fire ant prior to the game. It sure put a fire in his bat. Both his triple and double bounced off the fence. Just so we all get the word, the league office has now come out against eating fire ants and will begin a new fire ant testing policy. So let’s all just say no to bugs!

MBC Bats Heat up with Warm Weather

The MBC 13’s came out firing on a warm Saturday evening. The team bashed out 17 hits en route to a five inning mercy rule victory over the Federal Way Titans. MBC won the game 13-4.

Tino Peleti threw a complete game, striking out four and walking as many against a hard hitting club.

Tino was also 4-4 (with a double and triple) and scored four runs. He was supported in the hit attack by Stuart Fairchild (3-4 4 RBI), Campbell Queen (3-3 3 RBI), Jimmy Sheldrup (2-2 with a double and triple) and Ben Thomson (2-4). Mitchell Smith had a single and an RBI as did Peter Rakita. Peter’s smash was a torrid two bouncer with a drawn in infield that sent the Titans third baseman to the hospital with a broken nose.

MBC Pulls to 500 in League with 14-2 Victory over Chaffey

Ever wonder what happens when a team makes all the routine plays, throws strikes, and puts the ball in play hard and never strikes out? They get rewarded with a big time win at home, and a post game BBQ!

Magnolia played such a game Saturday and the results were stellar. Errorless ball, RBI’s by ten different players; a well balanced offense and superb defense. It was a thing of beauty.

Chris Luttinen mowed for three innings and he gave the ball to his pitching twin Stuart Fairchild who mowed for three more. The defense made all the plays and got us into the dugout for our Saturday afternoon hit fest.

Nick Reeves led the way with a 3-4 game. Campy Queen of the new stance responded with a 2-3 game and Jimmy Sheldrup IS back (.417 over his last 5 games) with a 2-3 game. Tino, AK and Keenan all had hits as did Ben Thomson. Ben almost sent us all home earlier but his long bases loaded two out blast was run down by a fine catch in the right center gap by an impressive center fielder.

Coach Cougan was not able to stick around too long at the post game BBQ. He had to leave early before little Neko the wonder dog was trampled by the BBQ crowd. But as Coach Cougan left he thought he saw an Italian Supermodel beckoning a star shortstop with her charms and her entourage up on the Magnolia tennis court hill.

Why is this Italian Supermodel interested in Keenan?????

Magnolia Falls by 8 to Rock Creek

Baseball is an unforgiving game. Sometimes it is not the physical errors but the plays that you just do not make that kill you. That was the story today, and we also added in our physical errors just for good measure.

Magnolia played a very aggressive running and swinging bunch and before the dust settled were eliminated in five innings. Our pitchers, Tino and Nick, threw stikes but time after time the plays that could get us off the field were just not made. MBC was a moment late all day long.

MBC got their hits, putting together a four hit two out rally in the second, but just could not keep up the pace with the Rock Creek bunch. Hits were recorded by Ben Thomson, Tino Peliti (2), Campy Queen, Jimmy Sheldrup, Chris Luttinen and Keenan Heller.

Will take this moment to apologize for the lack luster post game speech. Thankfully maturity is slowly creeping into this 53 year old body and my apology does not have to be of the Billy Martin, Bobby Knight variety. But here is the deal.

I hate to loose. I hate to loose by big margins. I get all creepy inside for a time after these kind of losses.

I hate to see YOU GUYS loose. I hate to see YOU GUYS loose by big margins. I am your biggest fan. I see how hard you work. I see how good you are, how good you can be. When I do not see it come through in game times it bothers me so much.

That said, after a two hour walk around Alki I calmed down and came back to the real meaning of my mission. The mission is to teach you guys baseball. No better time to teach that when we come up short.

We are a 13 year old team with lots of time ahead of us. Our goal is to get better, our goal is to learn the game, and our goal is to develop into better ballplayers. Winning will come along side the achievement of these goals.

Fantastic Finish Beats Rainiers

Magnolia played it best game of the year Saturday beating the Rainier's 5-3. Magnolia fell behind early (again, too big of a trend) and nibbled back and finally took the lead in the sixth inning.

Chris Luttinen took the mound and was impressive for four innings. Stuart Fairchild came on the pitch the last three innings, holding the Rainier's scoreless. Stuart was helped by fantastic defense behind him.

Ben Thomson led off the game with a single and was driven home by Tino Peleti. In the second Andrew Kennedy lead off with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jimmy “I’m Back” Sheldrup. Mitchell Smith lead off the fourth inning with a double, stole third and scored on Sam Deane’s ground out to second.

Magnolia took the lead for good in the sixth. Campy Queen led off with a double and scored on Mitchell Smith’s second hit of the night. After a pair of walks, Mitchell score a big insurance run on a passed ball.

Finally with the lead, MBC went out in the seventh to get three outs and a win, but those are the hardest three outs in baseball. After a lead-off walk (the ONLY walk our pitchers gave up) and two flair hits, MBC was in big time trouble. The infield came in to close it off and the Rainier batter blasted a bullet ground ball to first that was snagged by Ben Thomson who fired a strike to Campy Queen who returned a strike to Ben for the double play. The next hitter (with runners now on second and third) hit a swinging bunt to third that a hard charging Spencer Hogger grabbed and fired to a stretching Ben Thomson for the final out!

Big Comeback Delivers Big Win Against Bellevue, 8-5

Just when you think you have seen it all, you see more! MBC came back TWICE to beat Bellevue in the second game of a double header.

Playing a little soft and showing the effects of a long day and a long weekend, MBC fell behind 5-0 and looked semi helpless though five innings. MBC had chances, with many hits and walks, but the bases were not a friendly place for MBC base runners and both coaches were pulling their hair out.

It started to come together for MBC in the sixth. Five hits in a row (Peleti, Hogger, Queen, Smith and Rakita) and a sac fly by Chris Luttinen put MBC on the board for two runs to close the gap. Now I know what you are saying….five hits and a sac fly only yields two runs? Well the coaches had inserted two players to pinch run that inning with disastrous results. Bubba Golosh was picked off second and Guido Hassenfrats failed to score on the sac fly. Both of these pick up players were given their unconditional release after game and will not show up during an MBC game ever again….RIGHT?

In the seventh MBC redeemed themselves and came back to tie the score. A lead off single by Ben Thomson was followed by a single by Nick Reeves and Tino scored them both with a 2 RBI single. MBC tied the score when Stuart Fairchild singled Tino home.

MBC loaded the bases in the eighth with no outs….but I don’t want to write about this inning. What matters most is that in the ninth Tino reached on a screaming grounder to the Bellevue second baseman (who just could not handle it) and after a walk to Campbell Queen (they must have confused him with Daniel and pitched around him) the stage was set for Mitchell Smith.

Probably one of the best moves of the Magnolia front office was trading for Mitchell Smith last Wednesday night. This former Seattle Rainier came through BIG TIME for MBC with a towering double (he was 3-5 with 3RBI on the day) to score two runs and give MBC the lead. Peter Rakita (also 3-5 with 2RBI) then added insurance by driving home Mitchell.

Pitching for Magnolia was a Luttenin sandwich on Peleti bread. Tino Peleti pitched the first four innings and was relived by Chris Luttinen. Chris pitched five gallant innings to keep us in it before yielding to Tino for the close.

One Boneyard to Another, and MBC Again Falls Short, 9-4

After leaving their home park stacked high with BBQ rib bones, the MBC 13’s traveled to Bellevue and found themselves in another Bone Yard, the home field of O’Brien Auto Group, coached by none other than Jay Buhner a/k/a The Bone.

O’Brien looks to be the top team in the league. They were big, well coached, and swung the bats very well. They have 10 runned most of their opponents. MBC stayed with them most of the way, and rallied at the end to make them nervous.

MBC took an early lead with a two out RBI single by Spencer Hogger. In the second inning they took a 2-0 lead when Tino Peleti scored Keenan “Bone Stacker” Heller (who showed no ill effects after eating his weight in ribs last night). The O’Brien team roared back to tie it hitting a double and a triple in the second inning and broke away with a five run fifth inning, and added two more in the sixth.

Magnolia scratched back with a run in the sixth and one more in the seventh. Jimmy Sheldrup lead off the seventh with a huge double and MBC scored Jimmy and loaded the bases with no outs with the heart of the order due up. O’Brien countered with the little Bone, Jay’s son; coming in for relief. Throwing off speed balls ala Jamie Moyer (I guess Jay learned something hanging around the master) the little Bone retired the next three in order.

Stuart Fairchild battled this hard hitting team nicely and was relieved by Nick Reeves. Stuart received high praise from the Bone himself who took it upon himself to take Stuart aside and tell him how well he had done limiting his hard hitting bunch to just three hits and four runs.

Green Sox Win Big, But Cannot Douse MBC’s Flame

MBC 13’s lost to the Green Sox 10-1 in their home league opener. Down 2-0 before they batted they managed to score their lead-off hitter Ben Thomson via hard single by Tino Peleti, but that was their last hit and last run and it was all Green Sox after that.

Crafty Lefty Sam Deane threw strikes (did not walk a batter) and battled tough for three innings, but the Green Sox bats and defense were too much for MBC. The Green Sox had a lefty of their own and he put a big kibosh on the MBC bats.

All during the game the crowd was kept happy by the sweet smelling BBQ results prepared by Happy. Smoke and flame glowed in the night as tasty ribs, salads and veggie burgers were prepared by a tireless Happy Peleti. After the game the boys quickly recovered from their loss and dug in deep on the wonderful BBQ that was now open to them.

That shadow that appeared at Happy’s side after the game was actually Keenan “Bone Stacker” Heller who put on perhaps the best eating display EVER, by a Magnolia ballplayer.

Sad news was received during the post game BBQ. Slugging sensation Daniel Queen was held “homer less” for the first time, but did hit a triple. Has fame and fortune distracted this wonder boy, or has the Bainbridge Island Little League conspired against him…..more to follow on this story.


Picture of Keenan "Bone Stacker" Heller from earlier days

Daniel Queen Hits Fourth Home Run in as Many At Bats

Daniel Queen, Bainbridge Island superstar little leaguer, hit his fourth home run in his fourth at bat as the entire nation watched on with interest. The sky is the limit for this nine year old who previously played in his own fantasy league and now is making those dreams come true on the diamond.

In other news…..the MBC 13’s extended their winning streak to three games by beating the Rainiers last night, 11-3. Prior to the game, promising young catcher Mitchell Smith was traded to the Rainiers for a player to be named later.

A slow start (again!) put MBC down three runs early. Mitchell Smith’s two run single in the first started their ball rolling, and Mitchell gave the Rainiers a third run with a towering sacrifice fly in the third.

MBC started their comeback in the bottom of the third. Tino Peleti crushed a triple to deep right with Nick Reeves on first and scored when the Rainiers mishandled the relay. MBC took the lead for good with a seven run fifth inning; notching six hits including another monster triple by Tino Peleti.

Tino, Nick Reeves, and Stuart Fairchild were all 2-3, Ryan Doerfluer was 2-4 and hits were recorded by Keenan Heller, Peter Rakita (double) and Spencer Hogger.

The pitching duties were shared by Stuart Fairchild (one inning), Spencer Hogger (three great innings) and Tino Peleti.

At the conclusion of the game, coach Cougan stunned the Rainiers by choosing Mitchell Smith as the player to be named later, thus in effect; Mitchell had been traded for himself. MBC is delighted to have this player back in the fold (and appreciates his willingness to help out the cause to get a non-league game in, Thank you Mitchell, we missed you – and did you have to stick it to us like you did?).

And Another Thing

Yes, I admit that even with spell check that spelling errors will show up in my posts. Yes, after severe grilling and torture techniques my loving wife Peggy can prove that my grammer and overall use of words can be 'special and somewhat artistic'.

But for all of you who just might be snickering over the use of my term RBI in the plural sense, i.e. Joe had 4 RBI, I have had (and won) the argument of non "s"ing this term with Peggy, who I take as the be all end all in written and spoken language. RBI is short for RUNS BATTED IN and therefore just cannot bring myself to say RUNS BATTED IN'S.

In fact when I am at Safeco I laugh at the RBI's for Literacy sign.

Yes I am petty, and I take my thrills where I can get them.

Correction to Last Post

It has come to my attention that a comment made in the last post was erroneous. In my defense I will say it must have been based on 'early returns' and I was not privy to all the news at the time.

Future MBC great Daniel Queen hit THREE home runs in his little league game, one a grand slam and that he featured 8 RBI in his team's 10-6 victory.

Campbell, start writing down what that boy eats and let us all in on the secret.

Magnolia Wins Home Opener

The Magnolia 13 Bus is starting to roll. MBC wins their home opener and starts a winning streak all in the same day. Two games in a row.

MBC 13 beat Burnstead Redmond 10 to 8. A rough start was combined with a soft finish and it was all Magnolia in between.

Burnstead score four unearned runs in the first inning on sloppy defense and one big hit. Magnolia answered with one in the first, three in the third , five in the fourth and one last run in the sixth. Stuart Fairchild and Nick Reeves were the hitting stars as they both went 3-4. Others in the ten hit parade were Ben Thomson (3 RBI), Campy Queen (whose little brother out did him today with a HOME RUN in his little league game), Andrew Kennedy and Jimmy Sheldrup.

Magnolia used three pitchers. Tino Peleti started and went three striking out two. Nick Reeves pitched three and Jimmy Sheldrup closed it out.

Near Perfect Redemption on Saturday Night

Responding well to game one’s loss, Magnolia roared in game two of Saturday night’s double header. The team posted three first inning runs and added one more in the fourth inning to cruise to a 4-0 victory over the Brewers, the tournament host.

The story of the night was pitching. Stuart Fairchild threw five innings of perfect baseball, striking out nine. Stuart was fluid, confident and just mowed the Brewers down. It was a joy to watch him and a tough decision to protect his young arm on a cold night. Stuart fought valiantly to stay in (he knew what was happening) but the ball was wrestled from his hand and turned over to Nick Reeves.

Nick kept the no hitter, but lost the perfect game with a walk. A nice double play was turned to erase this walk and keep the Brewers to just 21 batters.

As with all no-hitters, great defense played a key role. Stuart pounced like a cat on two tough bunts. Ben Thomson snow coned a line drive headed down the first base line, and later combined with a speedy Nick Reeves covering the bag to prevent an infield single in the seventh.

No Show Magnolia Bows out of Show

With the chance to play for it all on Saturday, Magnolia came out soft and let their chance for Sunday tournament glory slip away. Playing a very beatable Bellevue team Magnolia scored two early runs and watched Bellevue scamper away with their play-off hopes. The final score was 9-3.

Tough Loss to Wave

Friday night in sub zero temperatures the MBC 13’s lost a squeaker 3-2 to the Washington Wave. Magnolia scored first as Tino led the game off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on Campbell’s ground out, and scored on Ben’s ground out. The Wave tied the game with an unearned run in the first, and added another unearned run in the third. Once the Wave had the lead, they brought in THE BEAST, their monster centerfielder to pitch. This is the same player who drove in both of their runs. He was 6 foot seven and weighed 250 pounds. The scouts at the field had him at over 100 mph on their radar guns, and rumor has it that he signed a pro contract after the game. The Wave team reminded me of Eddie Feighner ala The King and His Court*.

A tandem of Chris Luttenin and Tino Peleti kept Magnolia close all night. Splitting the pitching duties the two combined for seven strike outs and allowed but three hits. Costly errors and the inability to throw a strike to first base (two runners who eventually scored were PICKED OFF!, but our throws to first were un-catch able)

MBC scratched back and made it a game in the seventh. Down 3-1 Spencer Hogger lead off the seventh win a tremendous at bat. Battling the Beast (who struck out 8 in his four innings of work) Spencer fouled off pitch after pitch before slapping a single up the middle on a full count. With Tino facing a full count, Spencer went in motion and scored on Tino’s triple to left. Ben Thomson reached on a cather’s interference call and with two outs Magnolia had the go ahead run at second. But the Beast sent us all home to Mudville as he struck out our last hope at the plate.


*Eddie Feigner (March 25, 1925 – February 9, 2007) was an American softball player. Feigner (pronounced FAY-ner) was born in Walla Walla, Washington as Myrle Vernon King. He first assembled his four-man team, known as "The King and His Court," in 1946 and took on all comers, first in the Pacific Northwest and then around the country; Feigner retired from pitching after suffering a stroke in 2000 but continued to tour with his team, acting as emcee and telling stories while the team played. The King and His Court touring team played over ten thousand softball games in a hundred countries since the late 1940s and achieved widespread fame similar to that of the Harlem Globetrotters. Feigner's meticulous records claim 9,743 victories, 141,517 strikeouts, 930 no-hitters and 238 perfect games. The Washington Post described him as "the greatest softball pitcher who ever lived."

Magnolia Slugs Their Way to Victory

It all came together for the MBC 13’s on Sunday night for their first win. The team beat the Seattle Stars 14-5 on the strength of good pitching, good defense (well sort of good defense, spotty at times but good defense for 13-year olds) and powerful hitting. Magnolia pounded out 14 hits, and it was fun to see the boys finally standing tall in the batter’s box and driving balls to the outfield. After a slow transition to this level, the boys seem to be figuring it all out.

Magnolia started the ball rolling with a two-out rally in the first. Campbell Queen singled, Ben Thomson walked and, after they both stole their way to second and third, they scored as Chris Luttinen slashed a ball past the Stars third baseman. In the second inning, MBC added two more runs. Ryan Doerfler and Jimmy Sheldrup both singled and scored on a towering “single” by Tino Peleti. After driving a ball over the outfielder’s head, Tino managed to trip, miss first base, come back to touch it and was gunned out trying to reach second.

Magnolia broke the game open in the fourth inning. A hit parade combined with three walks brought home seven runs.

Every MBC player recorded a hit in the victory. Big nights were had by Tino Peleti (2-3 1 RBI), Nick Reeves (2-5 3 RBI), Ben Thomson (3-3 2 RBI and a triple) and Ryan Doerfler (2-4 1 RBI).

Pitching was a four-man show. Chris Luttinen started and posted three solid innings, allowing only the lead-off batter to score. Jimmy Sheldrup pitched two scoreless innings, followed by Sam throwing a solid sixth inning that was marred only by one inning of sloppy defense. Tino Peleti was lights out (literally, as the lights were poor) with a solid seventh inning.

Bowling for the Bowling Impaired

The Magnolia 13's finished up their longest day together by having a hoot of a time bowling at the West Seattle Bowl. The action was fast, furious and borderline spazzy as these competitive boys finished their day rolling the rock and having a good time. Three large pizza's were inhaled within minutes and then the fun began.

Hiding their bowing skills behind stage names to protect their solid reputations the scoreboard showed a game between such bowling giants as:

The Cheater
Cheesey
Elmo
Rubicks Boy

and yes in case you could not believe your eyes there was a bowler called Duck Poop, and the name fit. I am not giving out any names, so I will just say the bowler with the initial J. S. finally scored a pin in the SEVENTH FRAME!!!!



AND OH By the way before I forget.........Coach Cougan beat Coach Bishop at bowling for the FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!!! Interviewed after the contest Coach Cougan said " It was a great thrill to finally best Bish. I guess the key to my success was to just focus on my game. I didn't do anything different tonight, but Bish having the worst night of his bowling life was the key the contest, and for the record.....Hey Bish... Talk to me NOW!"




It was wonderful to see that the parents wanted in on the act. Grabbing their own lanes and having their own grand time, they too spent the evening getting to know one another better. So far the season seems to be getting off to a great start....now if we can just start to win some games!

Titans Steal Game for Magnolia

For starters is it just me or were those kids from Federal Way HUGE. Anyway Magnolia played tough, scrappy baseball battling huge boys, bad umpires, cold weather, fatigue (first double header) and full bladders but came up short once again on the scoreboard. Having to play game two of the double header immediately after the first game left many players needing bathroom relief during this game. Line-ups were juggled as players were released to “go” on an "as needed basis" to the restrooms which were quite a journey. Although MBC again lost, Coach Cougan took it as a moral victory that no MBC player faced the ultimate embarrassment.

On his favorite mound again Tino threw well for 3 innings. Control issues followed him from game one, but he seemed sharper and more in control in this game. Tino held these giants from Federal Way to four runs (three earned) and struck out three for his days work.

Spencer Hogger followed Tino with a strong fourth inning but ran into trouble in the fifth. Nick Reeves came in to put the fire out but the damage was done.

Magnolia had their best offensive showing against these giants. Tino led off with a scorching single which was followed by a single from Nick and a walk to Campy. Mr. Clutch (and winner of most of our off season hitting contests) Ben Thomson then followed with a sharp double to score two. When Mitch Smith flew out to left Campy sneakily scored the third run as the Titans threw to second and the second baseman argued the call.

Tino lead off the third inning with a single and scored on Andrew’s RBI single. Campy, who had walked earlier, moved to third on Andrew’s single and scored on a past ball. This third inning run explosion gave this young MBC squad their first lead of the season.

MBC's Woes Continue vs the Bombers

For older folks in Milwaukee, Spahn and Sain and two days of rain used to sound pretty good. Well, here in Magnolia we have yet to find our Spahn or Sain, but we seem to have the rain down. After a weeks delay for rain, MBC resumed tournament play on Saturday. Without Spahn or Sain in the lineup MBC went down 6-1.

Chris Luttinen pitched like Spahn. Chris went four innings and gave up three UNEARNED RUNS while allowing just two hits. The team’s lefty and franchise player Sam Deane came in for the final three innings and was not sharp early. Before Sam could turn around he had given up three runs. He quickly settled down and was his same old self blanking the Bombers for his final two innings.

The hitting frustrations continued. MBC had chances but could push but one run across against pitchers who should have received harder treatment.

Stuart Fairchild, Tino Peleti, Ryan Doerfler, and Kennan Heller all recorded hits for Magnolia.

Magnolia Falls to Rock Creek 7-3

MBC 13’s learned more lessons and lost another pre-season game 7-3. Walks and errors do add up and make games slip away. The good news is the bats started to show a glimmer, late in this game, showing signs that this team will turn it around soon.

Jimmy Sheldrup started for MBC and threw four fine innings. His first two batters reached on a hit and an error (and scored) but then Jimmy settled down and mowed for four innings.

Spencer Hogger entered to pitch in the fifth and was shown just what happens when you cannot throw strikes or get the ball down. Four hits and three walks later four runs were in and Spencer was running for cover. Nick Reeves came in to put the fire out and battled for the rest of the game and suffered some when his defense could just not seem to make the play to get off the field.

Hitting wise Andrew Kennedy was the star with a 3-3 night which included two doubles and 3 RBI. Mitchell Smith, Tino Peleti, Nick Reeves and Campbell Queen each added hits. Campbell Queen’s hit was a huge triple over the center fielders head and he made it all the way to second base.

Slow Start to Season; MBC Loses Opener

The Magnolia 13’s got a slow start out of the gate for the 2009 season, losing 3-0 in the tournament opener to the Brewers. In the first inning, with two outs MBC walked in two runs. Two infield errors in the second opened the door to another run. All the scoring in the game happened early, and MBC was not ready early.

From the third inning on, MBC found their gloves and the strike zone and redeemed themselves defensively. Things improved offensively as well, but the Brewers made the plays needed to keep MBC scoreless. Mitchell Smith tallied MBC’s lone hit, but Spencer Hogger, Tino Peleti, Stuart Fairchild, Nick Reeves and Jimmy Sheldrup all tagged balls that had some hope before landing in Brewers gloves.

It was a tale of fire and ice (though not as cold as we thought it would be) from the mound. Hard throwing Tino Peleiti threw 36 pitches in his two innings (18 for strikes) and, while the Brewers had difficulty putting the ball in play, his four walks and our two errors led to Brewer runs. Soft throwing Sam Deane threw 57 pitches (39 for strikes) and shut the Brewers down for five innings. Keeping the ball in play early in his counts and having solid defense behind him was his recipe for success. No plays were bigger than Stuart Fairchild’s barehanded grab and throw to get out of a jam in the third and Nick Reeves’ unassisted double play in the seventh.

First Action for MBC 13's

The Magnolia Baseball Club played their first game against a live opponent yesterday. It was an impressive performance for a team that had yet to see a field. MBC played the Stod’s team head up for nine innings and the final score was 4-4.



The results were the opposite of what I would have expected. After spending all winter hitting inside, defense was our strong suit and the hitting came up lacking. I guess there is a big difference between BP and having someone on the mound who WANTS to get us out. MBC pounded out seven hits, but struck out an unacceptable sixteen times! The good news is that if you had a bad day at the plate, you were not alone. My advice is to shake it off, it was our first time out, and we will get better.



I am reminded of a story an old friend of mine who was a college coach told me. He once traveled all the way to Ohio to watch a prospect play. In the only game he could watch, the boy struck out four times. The prospect was devastated and then perplexed when the coach offered him a scholarship. The coach told the boy that he had just seen the twelve best swings he had seen in ten years. Moral – Keep swinging, good things happen when we swing the bat.


Defensively MBC played very well. The gloves showed a lot of promise and both coaches were impressed by the hustle and effort displayed. Our pitchers threw strikes and the team backed them up, what more can we ask for?



The team showed great promise of team work. The talk was positive all day and teammates showed great support and appreciation for plays attempted and made. The best demonstration I heard all day of team work was from Ryan Doerfler. Nursing an injured leg, and limited in his ability to run and defensively contribute his primary contribution was warming up pitchers, not a pleasant task. I took pity on him around the sixth inning and offered to warm up the next pitcher. Ryan remarked that he preferred to do the job himself, he wanted to help the team.




And though it is early in the season, just want to put a shout out to all of those who either followed the game on the radio or after asking their son how did the game go and heard "OK, I guess" that there are still good seats available, as shown below.

Gentleman, Start Your Engines

Oh Boy, Oh Boy we start again this Saturday at 4:00. Cannot wait to get back to it. Time to break out your bats and come out the Strike Zone and start getting in shape for baseball.


And one more thing..... Last night I caught a bit of a Mariners game on FSN. They replayed the 116th win. Start checking your FSN listings, I think in this downtime of sports they may start showing more old Mariner games on TV.

One thing I was really struck by last night in watching the old successful Mariners was the patience at the plate that "those" guys showed versus the hack at everything current Mariners.

And man oh man do I miss guys like Stan Javier and Mark MacLemore.