Baseball Journal

[cotty16]

I went out to Chesapeake College on Saturday to watch Klay's championship game. The college is about 10 minutes past the Bay Bridge. Frederick only had to win one and they were able to pull of a miraculous comeback to take the lead in the top of the 9th (Klay scored the game winning run as a pinch runner) and they held on for a 10-9 win. Chesapeake's starter held Frederick down through 7 innings, but he ran outta gas and once the bullpen took over that was all she wrote.

So, Frederick heads to Enid, Oklahoma for the D2 JUCO world series and Klay gets a ring. It is a 10 team tournament. I was doing some reading on it. Since 2010 there's been 46 players drafted out of the teams that played there. It'll be really cool to see these talented players!

It's gonna be a long ass drive!

 

[Dustinb80]

Outstanding!!

 

[OhioWhiteTails]

Good luck, Cotty! Soak it in!

 

[jagermeister]

Too cool, Mike! Congrats to those young men! See Klay... contributing any way you can, whether pinch running or warming the bench and encouraging your teammates, will always pay off in the end. Now he’s got a ring to prove that!

 

[5Cent]

Yeah baby, way to go Klay and dad! Enjoy the ride Mike, and I hope Klay can suck up each moment.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I’m looking forward to updates! I’m sure Klay will make the most of any opportunity to benefit his team! And I’m also sure he will battle his way back to the starting lineup! That kid is a baller!

 

[Boarhead]

Good luck to Klay!

 

["J"]

That’s a proud dad moment right there!!!! Congrats too all involved…

 

[finelyshedded]

Good luck to Klay out in Okie Mike! Have a safe trip out and back and hopefully he brings home some great memories and a ring.

Great to hear Mason has done great this year too Brock! Everyone has a bad game once in awhile so I’m sure he’ll get right back on that horse and get it going again. Good luck to him the rest of the way and enjoy the ride buddy.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I should have edited my previous post regarding Masons last outing. A friend from Waverly that Mason has played Legion ball with (and will be attending the same school as Klay) came to that game. He video taped the entire game from behind home plate. People always blame umpires, but according to the video it was justified to do so in this case. Masons bread and butter is off speed and painting corners. This cat had no idea what edge of the plate was! Additionally, the kids in the field were horrible... they are young, but what should be routine (and never is), we did not do. It was frustrating to watch at the time but I was busy trying to speak with a lot of folks that came out to watch. Watching the video had my blood pressure up significantly.
The first tournament game was scheduled for tonight. It’s postponed until tomorrow. The coach from Rio Grande is coming to watch Mason and the kid is uptight about it. I’m sure he will do fine. He’s already signed up to attend Hocking for the first two years and I really think that’s his best move, but in two years he will likely transfer to Rio to complete his degree. If he continues to work hard and play summer ball, two years from now he could really be something.... and maybe not. No way of knowing, just keep going forward.

 

[jagermeister]

I should have edited my previous post regarding Masons last outing. A friend from Waverly that Mason has played Legion ball with (and will be attending the same school as Klay) came to that game. He video taped the entire game from behind home plate. People always blame umpires, but according to the video it was justified to do so in this case. Masons bread and butter is off speed and painting corners. This cat had no idea what edge of the plate was! Additionally, the kids in the field were horrible... they are young, but what should be routine (and never is), we did not do. It was frustrating to watch at the time but I was busy trying to speak with a lot of folks that came out to watch. Watching the video had my blood pressure up significantly.
The first tournament game was scheduled for tonight. It’s postponed until tomorrow. The coach from Rio Grande is coming to watch Mason and the kid is uptight about it. I’m sure he will do fine. He’s already signed up to attend Hocking for the first two years and I really think that’s his best move, but in two years he will likely transfer to Rio to complete his degree. If he continues to work hard and play summer ball, two years from now he could really be something.... and maybe not. No way of knowing, just keep going forward.

What’s his goal Brock? What career is he looking to get into? If it’s wildlife related, it doesn’t have to be Hocking. In fact, I’ve not been very impressed with anyone coming out of Hocking the past 5-6 years. The program seems to be going downhill from what I’ve seen and heard. In my opinion a 4-yr degree in a more broad Environmental Science curriculum would put more options on the table. Which also usually results in a place to play some serious baseball too.

 

[brock ratcliff]

What’s his goal Brock? What career is he looking to get into? If it’s wildlife related, it doesn’t have to be Hocking. In fact, I’ve not been very impressed with anyone coming out of Hocking the past 5-6 years. The program seems to be going downhill from what I’ve seen and heard. In my opinion a 4-yr degree in a more broad Environmental Science curriculum would put more options on the table. Which also usually results in a place to play some serious baseball too.

His goal is “wildlife “ related. At first he was leaning towards WO, like most redneck kids I’ve ever known. However, his plans have altered a little. It would be a good idea to discuss it with you one on one so I’ll probably give you a call soon.

 

[jagermeister]

His goal is “wildlife “ related. At first he was leaning towards WO, like most redneck kids I’ve ever known. However, his plans have altered a little. It would be a good idea to discuss it with you one on one so I’ll probably give you a call soon.

Call me any time, my man. I’d be glad to discuss it.

 

[cotty16]

We knocked off Steubenville last night 1-0 after our ace pitched a gem. He threw a two hit shutout with 9 K's and with the lone two hits coming in the 7th inning. Thankfully our catcher picked off a kid at second after a failed bunt attempt and then we turned a 4-6-3 DP to end it.

Steubenville is our biggest rival so it's always nice knocking them out of the tournament.

We had a phenomenal crowd there and someone snapped a pic of me giving them some love after the kids were done celebrating on the field. I was a little fired up. HAHAHA!

We now play Philo on Monday for the district semifinal as they knocked off number one seed Riverview yesterday.

 

[Dustinb80]

Congrats Mike

 

["J"]

That’s awesome Mike!!!!

 

[5Cent]

Great picture Mike and congrats on the win!

Ty's team got smoked last night, 0-17. Clyde had 3 pitchers that just hammered the strike zone with speed, locking our kids up and scaring them lol. Their catcher was also a little spider monkey behind the plate. No MOJO and no fun being had, just a tough game that helps them build character for 2hrs straight with 10U ages and tests coaches & parents nerves.

It was Ty's first game back and he went in to relieve the opener after 4 runs were given up and a complete crying/bad attitude breakdown ensued on the mound. That poor kid never recovered all game. Ty pitched very well but went 0-2 batting. Time to crank up the pitching machine speed and get em used to some zing after watching that show!

 

[brock ratcliff]

Lol. Awesome pic, Mike! Congratulations on the win!

We got knocked out last night. It was pathetic, really. Jackson was well prepared for Masons trickery. Even still, there were very few balls hit that should not have been handled and would have been by a more experienced team. Strangely, I’m happy it ended as it did. Mason was so frustrated by the lack of effectiveness by the team that he was just ready to be done, at least for today. I’m pretty certain he will be playing Legion ball this summer but I don’t know where.

 

[cotty16]

Brock, Congrats to Mason on a great HS career. I know he has the respect of the teams in your area and the fans of those teams as well. I look forward to the summer updates on him.

Adam, just keep it fun for those boys. Baseball is so humbling and frustrating most times. The good times will follow if they just enjoy the game at a young age. You are right... they need prepared. Try and keep it fun while ya do it. That is why we play the game after all. It's damn fun.

 

[Buckmaster]

Inner town rivalry game last night. My former 13u team (playing in a 14u league this year) beat our local 14u team last night, 6-5. The young guns won making them 4-0 in 14u play. They’ll rule the league next year....or maybe even this year. I do miss coaching.