Baseball Journal

[ajupsman]

Yeah right. That was actually a time when I was right. He screwed the count up twice in the same at bat. The had men on 2nd & 3rd 6th inning of a tight game. First we had a called strike that should have been the 3rd out of the inning. Everyone knew except the ump. He said it was only the 2nd strike so the count was now 2-2. I go out and verify the count with him and he says 2-2. The next pitch was a ball and he sends the guy to first! That's when I lost my shit and this picture was taken. When he told me I needed to go back to the dugout I told him I wasn't leaving until he admitted he couldn't count. Needless to say that's when I got my warning so I did go back. Luckily the next guy popped out so it didn't do any damage but boy was I pissed. I had him ump 3 more times that year and I always made sure he knew he owed us one.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Mason's team finished up their regular season last night. They won the league championship, Mason was given the game ball. They were horrible all season but somehow got it together for the tournament. Pretty proud of Mason on an individual level. He pitched a lot this season and was by far the most consistent pitcher in the league...it is a weak league, but dang can that kid throw a baseball. He pitched four innings on Monday, struck out 11, walked one, and got one out on a line drive back to the mound. They are only allowed to pitch 6 innings in a week that contains two games, so he pitched the first two last night. He struck out 6, hit one kid and walked another. No runs scored... As it turned out, they won 12-2 against a team that owned them all season. Pretty good end to a long season. Now on to all-star tournaments... nice and hot.

 

[Fullbore]

Great job Mason! Wow, that young feller has my respect. He can sure get it done in the stand, the woods, on the water and on the mound. Awesome Brock!

 

[bowhunter1023]

His control is amazing Brock! Not walking kids at that level is exceptional and 1-2 a game is nothing. Good for him! Hope that's a trend for him going forward.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Thanks for the nice words... And you guys are right, that kid has whatever it is that helps folks do whatever they are doing under pressure. He doesn't get it from me! He was invited to play on three all star teams this summer but I'm only going to let him play in a couple of tournaments. IMO, even though he'd rather play baseball than breathe right now, too much of a good thing isn't good at his age. He starts practice tomorrow for the team he'll be playing on, 530 - dark, and it won't be enough. I'm sure we'll be at the ballpark bright and early on Saturday getting in a little more father/son practice ---- his idea ,not mine!

 

[Boarhead]

Nice job and congrats to Mason on a great season Brock.

 

[brock ratcliff]

Thanks Brian!

 

[Buckmaster]

My youthful team is now 4-10 headed into our last week of the season next week.
After that its off to tournament ball where the real season begins.

 

[Big_Holla]

Well it looks like my son's LL baseball is going to be done for the year. The end of the season was last Saturday and they held tryouts for Districts and he was picked for the team. Problem is we were never told when the first game could be and we are on vacation that weekend. Since it could be a 1 and done he likely won't get to play even when we get back. Maybe there's hope for Fall ball....

 

[cotty16]

Yep, good for Mason!

 

[cotty16]

Klay hit another one out yesterday. This one hit off the scoreboard in LF. I'm really proud of how he's hitting, pitching, and playing SS. Plus, he's played up for many pony games and has done very well.

Kody wrapped up his pony regulate season the other day. He's doing well also. His first all star tournament is this weekend in Boardman. Looking forward to it!

 

[Fullbore]

Awesome Mike! Your boys are a chip off the OLD block ! Lol

 

[cotty16]

After day one in Boardman for Kody's first pony tournament, we finished 1-1 in pool play. Won the first game against Cuyahoga Falls 5-1 and lost the second game to defending champ Boardman 12-10 after trailing 12-2 in the bottom of the 6th. We ran into the time limit. Bummer after coming back so well.

Very proud of the boys. This is the first tournament they've played in a as a team and there are only three 14 year olds with nine 13 year olds.

Kody caught both games and that had to be tough in this heat. He ended up 3-6 on the day with 3 singles, 2k, a fly out to cf, and a walk.

We've seen some pretty good pitching so far until we got Into Boardman's bullpen. There's a couple that I would've taken on my varsity team now! Lol

Also, the complex here is just beautiful. There are 20 fields, all grass infields and very well manicured. Very impressive.

 

[ajupsman]

My son's Babe Ruth team finished the regular season 12-2 and earned the top seed for the playoffs. They get a bye and play in the semi-finals on Tuesday. If they win the championship game is Wednesday. After that he will play on our 14U all star team which starts after the 4th. We are hosting our district tournament this year it should be fun few weeks of baseball.

 

[cotty16]

I miss Babe Ruth league baseball!!! Hate the pony system.

 

[ajupsman]

I miss Babe Ruth league baseball!!! Hate the pony system.

Is Pony run by Little League or some other organization? We've never had it around here. It's been Babe Ruth as long as I can remember.

 

[cotty16]

It's not little league. It's different rules than little league.

Just a quick example for the older kids, the 13-14 year olds play on 80 foot bases instead of like the 13-15 year olds on Babe Ruth playing 90 feet. When these kids are freshman it's a big disadvantage.

 

[cotty16]

Kodys team was knocked out early this morning by a travel team from Akron. We didn't play bad. They just killed us.
Kody was 1-2 with a K and a double to LF. We got ten runned so that's that. We only had two hits.

A little break and then Klay starts his bronco division all starts this weekend here in Wintersville and Kody resumes action on Thursday in Chester, WV.

 

[ajupsman]

It's not little league. It's different rules than little league.

Just a quick example for the older kids, the 13-14 year olds play on 80 foot bases instead of like the 13-15 year olds on Babe Ruth playing 90 feet. When these kids are freshman it's a big disadvantage.

80 ft. bases for kids going in to high school? That makes no sense. Cal Ripken does that 70 ft. division now for 12 year olds and to me that's foolish too. Just play with 60 ft bases until 13 and then go to the full 90 feet. No need to make this thing too complicated.

 

[cotty16]

I agree!