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.
Monday, April 27, 2009
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!
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!
Monday, April 20, 2009
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.
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.
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
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
Thursday, April 16, 2009
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?).
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?).
Monday, April 13, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, April 6, 2009
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.
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."
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."
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