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Big Game Alert

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 18 2017 12:29 PM

Pleased to announce the biggest baseball event of the year this Sunday in Riverside Park where the West Side Little League Clueless Kool-Aid Guzzlers* host the 78th Precinct Youth Sports Council Cheetos in Interleague/Interboro scrimmage action. The hard-hitting Guzzlers, coached by Centerfield, are looking forward to hosting their hustling Brooklyn visitors who are coached by John Cougar Lunchbucket. Limited standing-room tickets are available through Stubhub but get them NOW!!!! Betting is encouraged! Inside pitches will be thrown! Game 4 p.m. at Riverside Park at 103rd street. Be there!!!! *-not their real name.

d'Kong76 May 18 2017 12:36 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I just check The Snooze, a line has not been posted yet. Keep us updated.

Lefty Specialist May 18 2017 01:05 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Check them to make sure they have lats, quads and thoracic outlets.

Edgy MD May 18 2017 01:18 PM Re: Big Game Alert

This belongs in the baseball forum. I hope that big doofus reliever with the neck tatts gets hammered.

Centerfield May 18 2017 01:53 PM CPF SECOND GENERATION LITTLE LEAGUE SHOWDOWN!!!

WEST SIDE VERSUS BROOKLYN!!! LUNCHPAIL VERSUS MINIFIELD!!! MORE ACTION THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY HANDLE!!!! Well, maybe I exaggerated the action a little bit. Anyway, JCL and I have arranged an informal scrimmage between our boys' little league teams. It should be a lot of fun. This Sunday (May 21) at 4 p.m. at the Riverside Field. (entrance is on 103rd Street and Riverside Drive). Rumor is that the coaches may or may not have a beer at the outdoor cafe right afterwards. In the area? Stop by and say hello. Got a 10, 11 or 12 year old who plays? Suit him/her up and get into the game! (I'm looking at you Mini-Wolf!) Shoot me a PM if you want to stop by. I'll send you my contact info.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 18 2017 01:54 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I just hope they finally give the headhunting a rest.

Centerfield May 18 2017 01:55 PM Re: CPF SECOND GENERATION LITTLE LEAGUE SHOWDOWN!!!

Oh crap. RMPL.

Edgy MD May 18 2017 01:56 PM Re: Big Game Alert

You should get a camera going behind home plate and have your brother call the game.

Centerfield May 18 2017 02:02 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I was thinking it would be nice to get some photos of the event. Man. If only there were members of this board that knew how to handle a camera...

Benjamin Grimm May 18 2017 02:03 PM Re: Big Game Alert

And make sure all of the players stay far away from Adriana Lima.

Edgy MD May 18 2017 02:08 PM Re: CPF SECOND GENERATION LITTLE LEAGUE SHOWDOWN!!!

Centerfield wrote: LUNCHPAIL VERSUS MINIFIELD!!! I didn't know he was Minifield. I always thought of him as Short Centerfield. Willets Point's kid hit a grand slam last weekend. You should get him in on the action. And YoungerPooper climbs walls so well she makes Torii Hunter look silly.

themetfairy May 18 2017 02:59 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Centerfield wrote: I was thinking it would be nice to get some photos of the event. Man. If only there were members of this board that knew how to handle a camera... I wish I could make it. Pre-existing anniversary plans take precedence....

d'Kong76 May 18 2017 03:40 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Will there be an IGT!?!

seawolf17 May 18 2017 03:55 PM Re: Big Game Alert

d'Kong76 wrote: Will there be an IGT!?! YES this has to happen. I would be there myself if I could. This is excellent.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 18 2017 03:59 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I'm hoping we get enough Cheetos to make it out, so seriously if you have 10 year old and you're confident they have a little ability, come and play. I had to be clear to my guys it was voluntary lest I get sued for any injuries (not that saying so was a defense) but I have 3 commits so far and hoping for as many as 8. We have some serious Park-Slope private-schoolers in the group, you know they don;t like leaving the borough.

seawolf17 May 18 2017 04:01 PM Re: Big Game Alert

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm hoping we get enough Cheetos to make it out, so seriously if you have 10 year old and you're confident they have a little ability, come and play. I had to be clear to my guys it was voluntary lest I get sued for any injuries (not that saying so was a defense) but I have 3 commits so far and hoping for as many as 8. We have some serious Park-Slope private-schoolers in the group, you know they don;t like leaving the borough. I have an eleven-year-old with very little baseball ability, unfortunately.

Centerfield May 18 2017 04:16 PM Re: Big Game Alert

My kids are 11. So 11's are fine. Baseball ability is optional. We'd love to have mini-Wolf.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 18 2017 04:18 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I just mean, the ability to get out of the way if a pitch comes close. I feel like they are at the age where if you don;t know what you're doing you can get hurt. We played against a team whose kids didn't know anything about baseball a few weeks ago, and a kid got hit directly in the eyeglasses by a pitch. He didn't move! Fortunately the only damage was to his glasses and a small shape of his rims on his face, but worse for our pitcher who was all shaken up. Wolf Junior I'm sure knows that much.

batmagadanleadoff May 18 2017 04:22 PM Re: Big Game Alert

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I just mean, the ability to get out of the way if a pitch comes close. I feel like they are at the age where if you don;t know what you're doing you can get hurt. We played against a team whose kids didn't know anything about baseball a few weeks ago, and a kid got hit directly in the eyeglasses by a pitch. He didn't move! Fortunately the only damage was to his glasses and a small shape of his rims on his face, but worse for our pitcher who was all shaken up. Wolf Junior I'm sure knows that much. Sounds like the kid was wearing sports glasses. Good thing. If something like that happened when I was a kid, that might've been tragic.

cooby May 18 2017 06:38 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Sounds like a good time!

seawolf17 May 18 2017 07:31 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Most of Sunday's schedule involves our daughter, so MW and I might just make the trip. I'll let you know.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 19 2017 06:18 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Hmm. HMM.

Lefty Specialist May 19 2017 10:29 AM Re: Big Game Alert

I'd watch but then I found out it was an ESPN game.

Fman99 May 19 2017 12:06 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I would love to be a shirtless drunk heckling asshole at this game.

MFS62 May 19 2017 12:45 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Fman99 wrote: I would love to be a shirtless drunk heckling asshole at this game. I'm sure someone will be able to skype you in. Lol! Later

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 19 2017 02:03 PM Re: Big Game Alert

See, that's the reason we haven't done LL with YoungerPooper yet-- all those Skyping-in shirtless drunk heckling assholes. We're, like, slightly less than 50-50 for this, methinks.

cooby May 19 2017 02:12 PM Re: Big Game Alert

And that's just the women

Centerfield May 19 2017 02:51 PM Re: Big Game Alert

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: See, that's the reason we haven't done LL with YoungerPooper yet-- all those Skyping-in shirtless drunk heckling assholes. We're, like, slightly less than 50-50 for this, methinks. Just do it. Have a beer with us. There is an outdoor cafe right next to the field.

d'Kong76 May 19 2017 04:19 PM Re: Big Game Alert

No one mentioned beer!

Centerfield May 21 2017 12:51 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Heard the Cheetos are throwing a lefty. I called Wilmer Flores' mom but she says he has another game.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 21 2017 05:26 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Cheetos will be on their way shortly but sadly lacking in numbers. Two of the more reliable kids went down with broken wrists this week! We only had 6 for our "real" game yesterday. Also I'll be the only coach there. I had to tell the parents that it was "voluntary" given that it was off-schedule outside of insurance etc etc and most of them took that to mean they had the day off.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 21 2017 06:07 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Centerfield wrote: LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: See, that's the reason we haven't done LL with YoungerPooper yet-- all those Skyping-in shirtless drunk heckling assholes. We're, like, slightly less than 50-50 for this, methinks. Just do it. Have a beer with us. There is an outdoor cafe right next to the field. Stuck in Jerzee, as it happens. Blergh.

Centerfield May 22 2017 01:50 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Lots of fun. 2nd generation CPF baseball games are the best. Thanks for making the trip Coach Lunchbucket and crew!

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 22 2017 10:28 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Yes it was a good time! The West Siders edge in experience came through when they got into the Cheetos bullpen and broke a 2-2 tie in the 4th inning. And by broke, I mean, obliterated, but it was all good fun, and as you might not be surprised to learn CF's kid is very funny and a great host.

d'Kong76 May 22 2017 01:17 PM Re: Big Game Alert

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: and as you might not be surprised to learn CF's kid is very funny Must get it from his Mom.

Edgy MD May 22 2017 01:25 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Pictures, descriptions, and accounts are totally lacking! Rebroadcast and retransmission is totally absent!

MFS62 May 22 2017 01:31 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Edgy MD wrote: Rebroadcast and retransmission is totally absent! Those cannot be provided without express written consent. Later

Centerfield May 22 2017 01:48 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Full Game Report: *Scrappy 78's (mostly 10 yos) hung right in there with with the West Siders (11's) until the late innings. The year doesn't seem like much but makes a big difference at that age. Every time we play a 12 yo team we get smoked. *Game was close until the 4th inning when a clearly talented 78's bullpen was mis-managed by incompetent 78's coach. Bad bullpen management and a couple of balls that found holes were the deciding factors. *Speaking of incompetent coaching, WS coach's son hurt his forefinger on his throwing hand before the game and was relegated to OF. Post-game found out that he downplayed severity of injury and it actually might be broken. Basically swung one handed during the game. WS coaching staff receiving severe backlash on mis-handling of injuries. WS strength and conditioning coach Mike Barwis denies any fault. *78's hampered by injuries themselves, and missing players. Couple of broken wrists for the Cheetos in the week leading up to the game. Also, several Cheetos were spotted clubbing late Saturday night into the morning. Clearly the 78's organization does not have the proper protocols in place. *Delicious beers were enjoyed post-game by the coaches.

Centerfield May 22 2017 01:53 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Also, game not well-attended by other CPF members. Perhaps attendance was affected by the weather, which was ABSOLUTELY FUCKING BEAUTIFUL. There is talk of making this a home and home series, so if the West Siders make the trip to Brooklyn, we will try to give a little bit more notice, at which point we expect a lot more CPF turnout.

Centerfield May 22 2017 02:00 PM Re: Big Game Alert

[fimg=850:8ey34ozm]https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.0-8/18620921_10213028280765479_4972175083728656497_o.jpg?oh=658363883a4b4db20ef1e430aee24b8a&oe=597436F4[/fimg:8ey34ozm] From Left to Right: *Super Obvious 78's Ringer who's name I forget but I'm pretty sure was Ichiro Jr. or something like that *Lunchpail *Short Center

Edgy MD May 22 2017 02:11 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I'm enjoying West Side dudes trying their best to bust a chat on baseball mother, fussing with her purse to send them each a hint that they're not getting.

cooby May 22 2017 02:19 PM Re: Big Game Alert

This is absolutely the coolest thing that has ever happened as a result of the CPF (and MOFO, let's be fair) If any of your boys ever play in Williamsport, please let me know and I'll be there with bells on. Trust me, it could happen.

seawolf17 May 22 2017 02:38 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Brooklyn would be easier for us, definitely.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 22 2017 03:25 PM Re: Big Game Alert

The "ringer" is Lunchpail's pal from school who was his teammate last season but due to being born on either side of our league's cut-off date, they were placed in different age divisions by our league this year. He pitched the first 3 innings and made me look good. Lunchpail who just turned 11 last week, is the next-oldest kid we had in attendance. He blamed the foreign mound for losing the strike zone in relief and disagrees with his coach as to the need to address his form. In his defense he had extra pitches to throw on plays not made behind him. It was good for our club to see swifter pitching than they usually do. And once they got over the Intimidation Factor of realizing the West Siders lined the baselines of their field, aluminum bats (our league is strictly wood) and had belts as part of their unis, those who attended I think are in better shape than they would have been for this Wednesday night's return showdown with the league rival who dealt them their only league loss so far this year. Cheetos' offensive highlights included breaking up a 6-K perfect game in the 3rd, and scoring two runs, then loading the bases again in the 4th. One of kids was just 9, he hung in on a tough at-bat to draw a walk. I'd have been shitting my pants.

Centerfield May 22 2017 04:44 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Bat-wrap kid was my favorite. Saw d'Arnaud 2016 and said to himself, I need to hit like that!

Centerfield May 22 2017 04:45 PM Re: Big Game Alert

cooby wrote: This is absolutely the coolest thing that has ever happened as a result of the CPF (and MOFO, let's be fair) If any of your boys ever play in Williamsport, please let me know and I'll be there with bells on. Trust me, it could happen. It's crazy to think that two boys whose births were celebrated on this board, actually hooked up in a baseball game. So cool.

Frayed Knot May 22 2017 05:43 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Centerfield wrote: *78's hampered by injuries themselves, and missing players. Couple of broken wrists for the Cheetos in the week leading up to the game. Also, several Cheetos were spotted clubbing late Saturday night into the morning. Clearly the 78's organization does not have the proper protocols in place. Any truth to the rumors that several kids missed the game due to being tossed over the night before by Adriana Lima?

Benjamin Grimm May 22 2017 05:50 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Let me tell you, if I was dumped by Adriana Lima, I wouldn't be sulking, I'd be bragging about it to everyone I meet!

Frayed Knot May 22 2017 05:54 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Especially if you're in 4th grade.

Chad Ochoseis May 22 2017 05:59 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Coca Cola points Short Center 3 Lunchpail 3 West Side Pitcher 2 9 Year Old Walking Kid 1 Lunchbucket's Ringer 1

Centerfield May 31 2017 12:05 AM Re: Big Game Alert

So turns out Ryan played this game with a broken finger. Tough break for the kid. Out for probably the rest of the summer season.

cooby May 31 2017 12:06 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Aw! :(

themetfairy May 31 2017 01:00 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Keep him away from Ray Ramirez! Sorry about the stint on the DL :(

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 03 2017 08:08 PM Re: Big Game Alert

This morning the Cheetos scored a resounding 12-0 victory over some hot-shot Catholic-school-sponsored team and their big fat Bay Ridge Brooklyn coach. Several of our kids have been playing on the same team for 3 years, and one of them, Ben, had never had much success in all that time but it was slowly becoming apparent this season that he was catching up to the others finally, which isn't a high level necessarily, but a higher one for sure. Ben always struck out and dropped balls because he didn't know he *could* not drop balls or get hits, and it was apparent (like a lot of kids on our team) that he never watched an inning of baseball in his life. And though you could see just a little bit more physical maturity than you used to, Ben normally never bats any higher than 6 in a lineup of 9 or 10 and never gets closer to the defensive action than 3rd base, where at our level it's rare a ball hit there ever becomes an out. Today Ben snared a grounder to 3rd and made a heads-up force play at the bag (tried for a DP but his throw was not great); caught throws from the catcher and applied tags to would-be base-stealers not one, or two, but three times (in three tries); and in his last turn at bat, smashed a legit liner into left field with the bases loaded for a grand slam. Now this last hit was against the Catholic-school's bullpen soft-tosser but in 3 years of doing this, for the parents and all the kids, it was the greatest moment in baseball history.

Edgy MD Jun 03 2017 10:43 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I've been there. When the kid who only stinks because he doesn't know he doesn't have to stink, because his place in the social pecking order suggests he probably should stink ... suddenly squares it up. Sometimes he suddenly realizes it's not that hard and rips two more into the outfield in the same day, and by the end of the game, he has an all-new nickname. For us it was Derek Lucchesi, suddenly nicknamed "The Big Cheese," after hitting two homers in one game, that were, by everyone's reckoning, his first two clean hits ever. I hope Ben got some serious Schaefer.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 04 2017 11:56 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I hate to clog up this thread with my prideful bullshit but the Cheetos are on a roll and peaking at the right time. Today our pitcher couldn't find the zone in the top of the first inning and 5 walks turned into 5 runs before we got to bat. But the same kid led off with a triple and we tied it after 1, he found his stuff, we score another 5 in the second inning and went on to destroy them 14-6. This is the same team we will meet in the first round of the playoffs next Saturday, and the only team in our side of the bracket to have beaten us this year. Our offensive explosiveness allowed us to use neither of our top 2 hurlers, so we intend to shove it up the red team's butts next week but good. Ben wasn't there today to attend his brother's first communion but Lunchpail erupted from a slump with a big triple in the first inning

Centerfield Jun 05 2017 02:04 AM Re: Big Game Alert

This is terrific. Lots of Cheetos fans on this board. Brag on! Go Cheetos!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 05 2017 07:24 AM Re: Big Game Alert

BEN NEEDS TO GET HIS DAMN PRIORITIES IN ORDER (Good on the kid. May we luxuriate in Cheeto dust all June long.)

Centerfield Jun 09 2017 02:57 PM Re: Big Game Alert Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jun 09 2017 03:15 PM

Our rec league playoffs started this week. We had a bye in round one but played a tight quarterfinal yesterday. Squeaked out a nailbiter 3-2. We had one hit (a 2 run HR) the whole game. We have really good pitching on our team, but basically we only have about 4 kids who have any chance at the plate. The two coach's kids hit 1-2, one kid is talented but has been inconsistent, and then one twelve year old who is the best overall player in our league. And now with Ryan out, we are that much thinner. Semifinals are tonight. Play the top seed in our tournament. Wish us luck!

Edgy MD Jun 09 2017 02:59 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Good luck, Guzzlers. Don't give up on those non-hitters. Look down your roster. One of those kids is just one adjustment away from being the next Ben!

themetfairy Jun 09 2017 03:05 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Ya Gotta Believe! Best of luck in the playoffs!

Centerfield Jun 09 2017 03:39 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Edgy MD wrote: Good luck, Guzzlers. Don't give up on those non-hitters. Look down your roster. One of those kids is just one adjustment away from being the next Ben! There is a ton of talent down there. Just hasn't clicked for them yet. I have three guys that are just a step away from being productive. It's a tough adjustment coming up from the minors (10 year olds pitching) to the majors (12-13 year olds pitching). Other than my superstar, most of my kids are 11 and it's the first time they are facing older kids. They'll get it. Hopefully today.

Edgy MD Jun 09 2017 03:56 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Yeah, facing 13-year-olds on a Little League-sized field is brutal.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 09 2017 04:24 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Good luck! Cheetos opening round playoff is tomorrow afternoon (12:45 at Prospect Park, tickets available on stubhub) and if we win, 5 p.m. same place Sunday

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 19 2017 01:50 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Cheetos lost the final today, 3-0. They were a good team with 3 good pitchers and they shut down our heavy hitters, there was not much we could do after getting a few on in the first but we acquitted ourselves well otherwise. This team's strategy is to intentionally bat their kids on top of the plate hoping for hbps and walks then "stealing" in an attempt to draw bad throws and run the bases without hitting. They beat us twice this way in the regular season but it forced us to defend it better. And we did today. Best moment: they recklessly drifted the coach's son off second and we ran the D: catcher chases, pitcher covers home, middle infielders pinch. Kid stays off the base between 3rd and 2nd, our catcher has wheels, his grandmother was a 72 Olympian, and as he gains our head coach, tired of their bullshit, just shouts: TAG HIS ASS!! and sure enough their dumbass excuse for Fake Baseball results in a kid tagged out by our catcher 3 feet from where he started. Their coach flips out at our poor sportsmanship but it was just what they had coming. They won fair and square but fuck them and their lame game. Cheetos forever.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 19 2017 03:07 AM Re: Big Game Alert

I'm fascinated by this... catcher sprightliness. Do I understand you correctly? Your catcher caught the pitch, then ran directly at the drifting runner? And were their runs today cheapies?

Edgy MD Jun 19 2017 11:20 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Yeah, I want video.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 19 2017 11:40 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Yes our league allows base stealing after the catcher possesses the ball. Often, this team doesn't try to straight-steal but instead drift between the bases in an attempt to force bad throws/catches. Every friggin pitch too. Our play isn't for the catcher to chase the runner all the way to the bag but to get him back to where he started by pumping and threatening on those plays where they drift between bases. But the kid, obviously having been coached to, wouldn't commit till we threw so our catcher just kept coming and beat him. Wastes everyone's time and makes a joke of the rules but that's how they win. It was a victory all by itself to make them look that stupid and the TAG HIS ASS! was pure Buttermaker. As for their runs 1 was "legit" (solo home run over out right fielder's head), 1 came by drift/throw, 1 was a lazy error on our part. It wasn't our best game offensively, most of our guys were a little too amped and then played tentatively after we fell behind and their ace came in (having completed his travel-team committment) to close. Only hit off the Ace came from Ben, who's not scared of nothing.

Centerfield Jun 19 2017 03:50 PM Re: Big Game Alert

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: This team's strategy is to intentionally bat their kids on top of the plate hoping for hbps and walks then "stealing" in an attempt to draw bad throws and run the bases without hitting. Complete bullshit. I know that being patient and drawing a walk is probably the best way for a lot of these kids to get on base. But dammit, no one ever remembers drawing a walk in Little League. You remember your home runs and your bases clearing doubles. What's the point of playing baseball if you're not going to swing. Shame on these coaches for making it about wins and losses instead of playing the game. There are guys in our league who coach this way too. "Wait for your's Jimmy." Even as Jimmy has no intention of swinging. In our rec teams, we have a "swing from your shoes" policy. Get a pitch to hit, swing hard. Anyone taking a called strike 3 gets squirted with water. Of course, for us, the "wait for your's Jimmy" team just wrapped up their second straight league title. And for all of the walking etc., the coaches do a great job drilling them on fielding. That team practices all the time and they like, NEVER, throw to the wrong base. Whatever. Our team is much cooler and would kick their asses in a brawl.

Lefty Specialist Jun 19 2017 04:36 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I coached Little League for four years. Some kids just aren't ever going to be baseball players, hate the sport and are only playing because their dad made them, or are so uncoordinated it's a wonder they can put one foot ahead of the other. I had a "must swing once" rule. Kids aren't stupid, they can see when the opposing pitcher is all over the place. It'd be easy to just stand there and take the walk, rather than the embarrassment of striking out. But knowing they have to swing once forces them to evaluate the pitches; it's a ball, but is it that bad a ball? Then swing. Of course it meant I had a lot of kids swinging 3-0 at pitches three feet outside, but in those cases they usually walked on ball five anyway.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 19 2017 06:57 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Yeah to the extent we had a philosophy it was "go down swinging" but it's really a matter of getting the kids *prepared* to swing at every pitch because by the time they decide if it's a strike or not then start the swing, its often too late to swing and hit anyway. It is not easy for sure. I have to say, Lunchpail was good at this, rarely took a strike without at least starting the motion. The bullshit from my POV was their positioning in the box. One kid I swear had a toe on the edge of the plate. This makes it harder for the pitcher to recognize a strike and tend to throw outside. All their shittiest hitters drew walks. Our league also has a rule that a pitcher after 2 HBPs in one inning/3 in a game has to come out, so there's little to lose except a few bones and it exploits the opposing team's worry that will hit someone.

Frayed Knot Jun 20 2017 03:13 AM Re: Big Game Alert

Allowing base-stealing -- even with the caveat of not leaving the base until the ball hits the catcher's mitt -- seems a bit misguided for that age group. Kids that age can run a lot better than they can do almost anything else. I can't say as how I can remember for sure, but it seems to me that stealing wasn't part of the game until more like age 13 or so.

Mets Willets Point Jun 20 2017 03:46 PM Re: Big Game Alert

My kiddo's team is in the semi-final tonight against the team with the best pitcher in the league. It's gonna be a nailbiter.

seawolf17 Jun 20 2017 06:51 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Frayed Knot wrote: Allowing base-stealing -- even with the caveat of not leaving the base until the ball hits the catcher's mitt -- seems a bit misguided for that age group. Kids that age can run a lot better than they can do almost anything else. I can't say as how I can remember for sure, but it seems to me that stealing wasn't part of the game until more like age 13 or so. Seriously. The stealing thing always bothered me as a coach because nobody had a catcher who could throw anyone out. So basically every baserunner got second -- and sometimes third -- roughly automatically.

Edgy MD Jun 20 2017 07:03 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I didn't mind it. Although I also never saw a runner get flagged for leaving early. And they did and do, alla time.

Mets Willets Point Jun 23 2017 01:51 PM Re: Big Game Alert

My son's team won the championship last night. Then both teams went to the local ice cream parlor to celebrate together. They even made the local news.

Centerfield Jun 23 2017 01:54 PM Re: Big Game Alert

That, in a nutshell, is baseball. Congrats Little WP.

themetfairy Jun 23 2017 03:13 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Your daughter is starting to resemble Jodie Foster ala Bad News Bears!

Mets Willets Point Jun 23 2017 05:11 PM Re: Big Game Alert

themetfairy wrote: Your daughter is starting to resemble Jodie Foster ala Bad News Bears! Wasn't that Tatum O'Neal?

Mets Willets Point Jun 23 2017 05:13 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I can totally see it though.

themetfairy Jun 23 2017 05:40 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Mets Willets Point wrote: themetfairy wrote: Your daughter is starting to resemble Jodie Foster ala Bad News Bears! Wasn't that Tatum O'Neal? You are right. Sometimes I conflate Jodie and Tatum's childhood roles.

HahnSolo Jun 28 2017 04:32 PM Re: Big Game Alert

With Little Solo now playing 13u travel ball, I figured he was past the "cute and fun" stage to post in this thread. But last night they had their version of the Buckner game, with Little Solo playing a big part, and wanted to report on it. His team trailed 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh--and last--inning. A runner was on second with two outs, I bet Fangraphs had their win probability at .00004%. Then the following happened: - tailing liner to left center; center fielder races over, reaches it, and promptly drops it. Runner scores from second and it's 7-5. - next batter taps a two hopper to the left of the third baseman. He bobbles and drops it. Still makes a throw, but we have a guy with some speed running. He beats it out and the tying runs are on base. - Next batter bloops one to the right side. First baseman looks at it; second baseman looks at it. Ball is not hit too high in the air, and by the time both of them realize the other isn't getting it the ball bounces between them. The pitcher fails to cover first and our guy reaches safely. Bases loaded, with the winning run on first. [now a break in the action] As the dad of a sometime pitcher, my heart aches for this kid on the mound. To this point in the inning, he's given up one hit, gotten two outs, had two errors and one mental error behind him. Kid should have been out of the game and on his second hot dog by now. [analyst commentary] After the bloop, the other team's manager calls time to walk to the mound. But wait! It's not to talk to the pitcher; it's to yell at his first baseman! That's not OK, coach. - Next batter walks on five pitches. Did the coach's antics spoil the pitcher's routine? He'd been hitting his spots up to that point. It's now 7-6, tying run on 3rd, winning run on second. Little Solo is due up. - I always tell him that either after a walk, or after a mound visit, the pitcher--especially a young one--will try to get ahead in the count and might aim a fastball. So I like him to be aggressive in those spots. He lines the first pitch to right field. Tie game! Or is it? The right fielder, seeing that his one chance to stop the tying run is to try to get the out at first, charges and hurries a throw. But the rushed throw is wide of the bag. Tying run scores! Meanwhile, both the catcher and the pitcher scramble for the ball--leaving home unoccupied. The catcher attempts to pick up the errant throw, now rolling toward the fence on the first base side, but it gets past him! No one goes to the ball as the winning run crosses the plate! SO your scorecard for that inning would be: hit, out, out, error, error, hit (mental error), walk, hit (plus error). Great win

Edgy MD Jun 28 2017 05:17 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Man, those humiliating 9-3 putouts are always a danger in the Babe Ruth Prep League.

HahnSolo Jun 28 2017 05:22 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Edgy MD wrote: Man, those humiliating 9-3 putouts are always a danger in the Babe Ruth Prep League. Might not have gotten him, but it was worth a shot. Problem was, not only did he not get him, the throw eluded the first baseman and the catcher backing up.

seawolf17 Jun 28 2017 06:28 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Edgy MD wrote: Man, those humiliating 9-3 putouts are always a danger in the Babe Ruth Prep League. I nearly made the last out of my team's season on a 9-3 putout one year in Little League. Two out, bottom of the sixth of the first round of the playoffs, and I hit a blooper into very short right field and had just enough moxie to beat it out. (I've never been fast.)

cooby Jun 28 2017 07:01 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Pretty sure Jodie foster was in the tv series

Frayed Knot Jun 28 2017 07:11 PM Re: Big Game Alert

I threw out a guy at 1st [u:pxjkllsg]from LF[/u:pxjkllsg] in a softball game. I had a gun back in the day.

Edgy MD Jun 28 2017 07:16 PM Re: Big Game Alert

cooby wrote: Pretty sure Jodie foster was in the tv series Jodi had aged out of Little League movies by 1979. Besides, she was too high end for the TV show. Heck, at that point, she was too high end for TV. She would have been hard at work shooting Foxes. Tricia Cast was the TV version of Amanda Wurlitzer.

Mets Willets Point Jun 28 2017 07:53 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Kind of stunning that the third Bad News Bears movie starred Tony Curtis.

Centerfield Jul 24 2017 05:05 PM Re: Big Game Alert

Eight weeks after the Big Game, Short Center's broken finger seems to be more or less stable now. For the last two weeks, he had been batting with the finger taped and off the bat. This was the first weekend he could grip the bat completely. Went 6 for 6 with a walk in a doubleheader sweep. Still not ready to pitch yet, but maybe by next weekend. Summer travel baseball is exhausting. I mean, it's nice to travel and see all these different places, and meet new people, but an away game really kills your entire day. We are at least somewhat reasonable in that we only practice once a week. Some of these other teams practice every day. I really admire the dedication of some of those more competitive teams, but also kinda feel sorry for them at the same time. I mean, that is a lot of time to put into youth baseball. We head out of town this weekend to visit my brother in St. Louis. The Hawks start a tournament, with a night game Friday, and a doubleheader Saturday.

Rockin' Doc Jul 25 2017 03:57 AM Re: Big Game Alert

I'm glad that Short Center's broken finger is mending well and didn't require a trip to the DL. The number of games kids can play with Spring Leagues, Summer Travel teams, and Fall Ball, is amazing to me. I don't know how some kids have time to enjoy a normal childhood of goofing off and wasting time. It can be even more exhausting for parents. I must admit, that I was occasionally beset with jealousy while attending my son's practices and games. He had the opportunity to play in 3 different leagues spanning 8 months of the year. I never played 2 consecutive seasons of organized baseball until my three years on the varsity team in high school. I had only played 3 and a half seasons of organized baseball up to that point in my life, but I practically lived with a bat, ball, or glove in my hands. I think the virtually year round baseball is great for some kids, but I think it causes some to burn out and move on to other interests.