Season in Review

The Diamondbacks were 4-11 this season - one game better than the 2007 team.

Our team was much better than our record indicated. First, we had a tough schedule. We played the top teams (Red Sox, As, Rangers, and Mets) twice without a win. Second, we played six 5:30pm weeknight and two 4pm Sunday games (yikes). Third, we played through cold nights (45 degrees in June) and hot days (one game was even called due to heat!).

Team Purple should hold our heads high! Despite being a young team, we were competitive and were in most of the games. Next year’s team foundation is pretty strong.

Thanks to all the parents who got their kids to practice, games, and did their time in the concession stand, kept score, gave treats to the team, read my emails, enjoyed the blog, etc. etc. etc. Thanks to my fellow coaches who gave their time and imparted their knowledge of the game throughout the season.

I hope everyone had a lot of fun and learned how to play baseball a bit better than when we started back in April. I hope you enjoyed your trophy, the team picnic, and the Rock Cats game (thanks, Laura!).

Good luck to the 2009 (and beyond) D-Backs!

The Diamondbacks and the Rockcats

The Diamondbacks were a dugout team at Monday night’s Rockcats game. The team (and some extras!) got to don the purple once again and check out the field, sit in the dugout and stand with a RockCats player during the national anthem.

Tho there was a bit of a sprinkle and the New Hamphire Fisher Cats won the game 4-2, everyone had a great time. Sam Willametz got a foul ball and many kids got autographs from players and mascots alike. 

Don’t forget to check out the slide show on the Team Pix page.

Diamondback All-Stars

Here’s the scene from the All-Star Weekend. Congrats to Ryan Ashe, Dylan Daniels, Nick Halkias, and Emma Hinchcliffe, who all played on different teams, but represented the Diamondbacks well!

Don’t forget to check out the slide show on the Team Pix page.

Game 15: White Sox vs Diamondbacks

Yesterday marked our final game as the 2008 Diamondbacks.  As the sun fell on the day and the season, the visiting White Sox would end up taking the contest 14-1.

1st Inning

The Diamondbacks took to the field first and had a tough start. Nick took one off the mound and threw over to Adam for an out, but five runs came across during the 1st.

Nick and Brad both singled, but we didn’t score during our half of the inning.

2nd Inning

Nick (at third) made a cool throw to Adam (at second) to get a sweet out. Adam also took a bounder and got an unassisted out at 2nd, tagging the base before the runner.

Our 2nd inning highlight featured Seb’s long shot into right center for a beautiful single.

3rd Inning

The D-Backs defense held pretty tight during the third. Nick took two unassisted outs at first, making them look easy. Emma snatched a high pop at second for a really nice play.

No D-Backs reached base during the third.

4th Inning

Emma pitched decently before tiring, but the ‘Sox tagged got five runs. Adam got an unassisted out at first during the inning.

Emma singled (into center field) and Ryan also got a nice hit in the 4th.

5th Inning

The fifth inning featured Dylan D, who pitched and didn’t give up any runs. He also had two snared off the mound with super throws to Adam at first (one was a very entertaining throw from the ground, and the other just quick throw right on target). Emma also had a nice scoop at shortstop and got the runner out after the long throw to Adam.

During our last time on offense, we squeaked a run with singles from Seb, Dylan V, and Kyle.

End Notes

Adam, Emma, and Nick all did a good job! Dylan D had a great last inning and Seb had two nice hits. The blogger especially loved the young players, who’ll take over the reins next year, with their efforts as they got some hits during the last ups.

Game 14: Diamondbacks vs Mets

The Diamondbacks faced the Mighty Mets for the 2nd time and played well. We almost pulled off the upset, but we came up short and were narrowly defeated 5-4.

First Inning

Nick boomed a double and Brad singled, but the D-Backs didn’t score in the top of the first.

On the field, Nick grabbed one on the mound and Emma scooped one at 2nd, each tossing to Adam at first for two nice outs.

Second Inning

Dylan D singled, but the batters continued to be chilly early.

The Mets would score twice, but Nick (at pitcher mound) threw a beauty to Seb at third for the final out of the inning.

Third Inning

Two balls were hit hard, but right into the shortstop’s glove during the third.

Despite 3 strikeouts, the Mets would score 2 more in the bottom of the inning.

Fourth Inning

The bats came alive, as Team Purple scored 3 runs. Singles were hit by Nick, Adam, Emma (a great smash into left), Ryan, and Seb. Dylan D’s fielder’s choice brought in an RBI.

Brad took the mound and proved to be wonderful at pitcher! Not only did keep them scoreless, but he had two great stabs and tossed over to Nick at first for 2 outs!

Fifth Inning

The Diamondbacks would scratch out another run on hits by Nick, Dylan V, and Adam.

Nick pitched the fifth, but the inning was highlighted by a crawling Dylan D who tried so hard to get an out at third!

Game Notes

Dylan V did a great job today, getting a sweet hit in the 5th, as well as a nice stop in right center on a bounce.  Thirdbasemen Seb and Dylan D also played well and Brad was impressive at pitcher.

Game 13: Diamondbacks vs Yankees

The Diamondbacks were up against the Yankees with the temps hovering in the 90s amid the humid sunshine - it’s crazy to think we played in longjohns a few weeks ago. With, perhaps, the team’s pool party on the kids’ minds, the D-backs were defeated 12-6 in five innings.

1st Inning

The Purple came out hot, scoring three runs off 6 straight hits from Nick, Brad, Adam, Seb, Tyler, and Ryan.

The defense struggled as the Yanks came storming back to score 5 of their own. The Yankees had several booming hits into the outfield, but Brad had a nice stop off a single bounce to left field. Nick had a nice scoop off the pitcher mound and tossed to Adam at first for our only out.

2nd Inning

Emma had the only hit of the inning with no other D-Backs reaching base.

The D-backs held the Yankees scoreless during the second. With the bases loaded, Nick grabbed one off the mound and tagged home plate for the final out - what a heads-up play!

3rd Inning

The Diamondbacks kept fighting and added 2 more runs in the 3rd. Adam, Seb (a beauty into left field!), Tyler, and Ryan all singled.

The Yanks came roaring back again with 5 runs in the 3rd, as the only out of the inning was a strikeout. Devon made a great stop in right field and showed good poise out there.

4th Inning

Nick, Brad, Adam, and Tyler all singled to add another D-Back run.

Tyler pitched a masterful 4th inning, getting a lot of strikeouts, throwing hard, and only allowing 2 runs to score. He was helped by Emma, who had a nice unassisted out at second, and Adam, who took a roller to first and beat the runner to the bag.

5th Inning

Our youngest player had a double, but he was stranded at 2nd with no other Diamondbacks reached base, ending the steamy game.

Highlights and Other Bits

Ryan had a great game with 2 hits and he almost caught two fly balls in left field! Tyler had 3 hits and was real impressive at pitcher. In the heat, this blogger was impressed with Devon’s hustle on defense and great swings up at bat.

All Star Game Weekend

The Teams

The Diamondbacks will be split up amongst the teams to fill the rosters. Here’s who are guys are playing with.

Team 1: As + Cardinals + Nick Halkias
Team 2: Rangers + Cubs + Adam Willametz
Team 3: White Sox + Mets + Ryan Ashe & Emma Hinchcliffe
Team 4: Yankees + Giants + Dylan Daniels
Team 5: Red Sox + Orioles

The Schedule

Saturday, June 21

• 9:30 am: Game One: Team 1 vs Team 2
• 11:30 am: Lunch: Home Run Derby / Relay Race / 2nd Base Throws
• 1:30 pm: Game Two: Team 3 vs Team 4
• 3:30 pm: Game Three: Team 5 vs Game 1 Loser

Sunday, June 22

• 11:00 am: Game Four: Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner
• 12:30 pm: Game Five: Team 5 vs Game 2 Loser
• 2:00pm: Game Six: Title Game featuring top two teams with the Best Record/Most Runs Scored

The Rules

1. We will be using minor-league rules
2. Kids will pitch entire game and can strike out kids
3. Walks – TBD (6 balls or NO walks)
4. All Teams will play at least 2 games, with 2 playing 3 (last game)
5. Do best to play kids as equally as possible

More Information

• Seeking concession volunteers – 1 from each team for each game.
• May be getting a cake
• Lunchtime 06/21 is 11:30 to 1:30, including HR Derby / Relay Race / Throws from 2nd base to hit 5 gallon bucket at home plate (top 3 in derby and throws will get packs of baseball cards)

Surviving Baseball: How to Catch Grounders

This is another video helping you to scoop up ground balls.

Surviving Little League: How to Catch a Fly Ball

Check out this video that teaches kids how to catch a fly ball.

Cubs Game Postponed Again

Boy, it was just too hot today to play! We’ll let you know when this game has been rescheduled (if at all).

See you Saturday for the game against the Yankees, which will be followed by the Pool Party!