Diamondbacks Celebrations!

Here are some great ways we are planning to wrap up our season!

Team Pool Party on Saturday, June 14^th after the game @ the Bednarcyzks

Join us for fun at Brad’s house! Along with swimming, we’ll enjoy pizza, snacks, cake, and drinks to commemorate our great season. Note to families: please give $15 to Laura (our team mom) to cover the cost of the food and the trophies!

All-Star Weekend is June 21 and 22rd

Whether your child is on the field during these games, it’s fun to cheer on our kids in Purple during this wonderful weekend.

The Diamondbacks Meet the Rock Cats Night on Monday, June 23^rd

As a special bonus, Laura Daniels has gotten us some group tickets to see the Rock Cats, including the Diamondbacks taking part of the pre-game festivities as a Dugout Team. Our team (who will be in uniform for one last time) will get a chance to interact with Rock Cat players as they warm up and join them on the field for the National Anthem before returning to the stands to watch the game. This is the last day of school for everyone, so it will be a great night.

To attend, please give $11 for each person, which includes box seat tickets, the pre-game activities, and some food vouchers. The Daniels, the Halkias, and the Hinchcliffes will all be going, so we can carpool / chaperone your kids if you can’t attend.

Today’s Game Against the Cubs Postponed

Today’s game against the Cubs was called due to the lightening and rain.  We have rescheduled it for Monday (tomorrow) night at 5:30 @ McGee.

Don’t forget to bring lots and lots to drink, should we attempt to play!

Game 12: A’s vs Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks and A’s met for the second time this season, albeit with a similar result. The A’s remained unbeaten, bringing down our purple guys 7-0.

Inning One

The D-Backs took the field first. Nice defensive plays were made by Nick at pitcher and Emma at 2nd, who both scooped up easy balls and threw to Adam at 1st.

Nick continued his hitting ways, but he was the only one to get a hit during our ups. Adam’s smash toward right was impressive, but the ball was caught by their 1st baseman.

Inning Two

Again, Emma had a beautiful grab at 2nd and threw to Adam at first. The A’s also struck out twice during the inning.

There were no hits for any of the D-Backs during the bottom of the inning.

Inning Three

The Diamondbacks kept the A’s scoreless during the third, with two more strike outs. Nick had an effortless, unassisted out at first.

Dylan Daniels hit a single hard into left, but he was stranded there because the bats continued to be cold.

Inning Four

Dylan D got his shot on the pitcher mound. He did a good job throwing some strikes and allowing only two runs. Emma got another bounder and threw over to Nick for an out. First baseman Nick made a sweet unassisted out.

The Diamondbacks didn’t reach first base during the fourth.

Inning Five

Adam took charge at pitcher, as the A’s struck out twice and didn’t score during inning five. Adam also had a wonderful defensive play on the mound, snaring a ball hit back to him and throwing to Nick for the out.

Brad kept his hitting streak alive with a beauty into center field for the only offensive highlight.

Inning Six

Pitching for the purple now was Nick, who only allowed one A to cross home plate. Emma got an unassisted out at 2nd, tagging the base ahead of the runner. Nick was great on defense, getting two on the mound and tossing over to Adam at first. The nifty spin move for the 2nd out was spectacular!

The Diamondbacks went down 1-2-3 to end the game.

Highlights

This game was a tough one for our kids. A slow, wet field made it easier for the very-talented A’s infield to suck up the balls on defense.

Nick, Adam, and Emma were wonderful on defense. A special shout-out goes to Kyle, who did a wonderful backup in right field, snagging a well-hit ball and throwing nicely into Emma for a great play!

Game 11: Diamondbacks vs Yankees

The Diamondbacks, looking for some offense, faced the Yankees for the first (and only time) this season. They brought their bats, but the kids in purple came up short, losing 11-6 in a well-played game.

First Inning

The Diamondbacks started with a bang, scoring three runs in the first. Sweet singles were stung by Nick, Brad, Adam, Emma, and Tyler.

On defense the gloves were working as they held the Yanks to no runs. Nick (at pitcher mound) hooked up with Adam (at first) for two nice outs. Emma grabbed one at 2nd and tossed to Adam for the final out.

Second Inning

Tanner got the only hit of the 2nd inning, poking a nice one toward the third base bag.

The Yankees scored once among three strikeouts. Tho he didn’t get an out, Seb did a nice job keeping the ball in front of him on a hard hit ball into left center.

Third Inning

Team Purple got three more runs with great hits from Nick, Brad, Adam, Seb, and Tyler. Emma smoked one to the second basemen, who unfortunately for Em, made a nice catch and then threw to first for a double play off one of her best hit balls of the season.

Emma decided to take matters into her own hands on defense, as she got two outs during the bottom of the third. She tagged second base for an unassisted out and caught a sky high pop for another. The Yank bats did warm up, as they scored 5 runs during the inning.

Fourth Inning

As the field got hot, the Diamondbacks cooled off and wouldn’t score again during the game. Dylan D and Tanner had the hits during the forth.

On defense, Emma had her first shot at pitching and did pretty well, despite 5 more Yankee runs. Tyler had an unassisted out at 2nd to highlight the defensive play.

Fifth Inning

Brad, Adam, and Seb singled during the fifth, but no runs came across.

Nick pitched a great fifth inning as he threw hard. Adam got an unassisted out at first and Nick grabbed another one off the mound and tossed to Adam for an out.

Sixth Inning

The D-backs attempted to rally, as Tyler, Dylan D, and Tanner all singled. Despite loading the bases, our three runners were stranded on base as the game ended.

Highlights

Emma played well with a single (and great play robbed her of a nice hit), sweet defensive plays, and good outing at pitcher today. Offensive highlights came from Tyler who had three hits and Kyle who had a nice one. Dylan D and Seb both did an impressive job at catcher. Almost, D-Backs. Now let’s get those A’s!

Game 10: Diamondbacks vs Red Sox

The Diamondback bats were as cold as ice as they faced a good Red Sox team for the second time. While no D-back got past second base, the Sox scored plenty, winning the game 12-0.

Inning One

During our first ups, Nick slapped a single into left, but he was stranded at first.

On defense, Nick caught a high-popper off the mound and Adam took an unassisted hopper at first.

Inning Two

Seb singled, but three D-Backs struck out in 2nd.

Among two runs and a strikeout, Nick (at pitcher) grabbed two slow rollers and threw easily to Adam (at first) for 2 outs.

Inning Three

Emma had the only single of the third inning.

The wheels came off on defense during the third, but Brad had a beautiful catch in left field that got the Purple Team fans cheering. Adam (now at short) took a bounder and threw nicely to Nick for another out.

Inning Four

Adam had a monster double, but was left there as the bats continued to struggle.

Emma at second scooped up a sweet one and tossed it to Nick for the out. Adam grabbed one at pitcher’s mound and threw to Nick for another. Adam pitched well, tho 4 runs came across for the Sox.

Inning Five

The D-Backs went down in order in the fifth.

Nick pitched this inning and held the Red Sox to two runs. Nick snared one off the mound and threw over to a waiting Tyler at third (great catch!). Tyler also snagged a liner at third to end the inning.

Inning Six

The Diamondbacks again went 1-2-3 to end the game.

Highlights

This game was a tough one for the team in purple. However, Nick hustled all over the field and had a good stint at pitcher. Brad’s catch in left and Tyler’s stab at third were great plays on defense. With the cold bats,  Adam’s booming double into center field was the offensive highlight of the day.

Friday Practice Cancelled

This Friday’s (5/30) practice has been cancelled.

Please show up to Saturday’s 11am game against the Red Sox one hour beforehand (10am) so we can get in some batting and fielding practice.

If the Saturday game is postponed due to bad weather, please come early on Sunday (11am) before the noontime game against the Yankees.

Goooo D-Backs! We rock!!!!!!!!

~ Thanks to Emma who helped write this post.

Surviving Little League: Pitching Tips

How to Pitch

Cal Ripken’s steps for great pitching:

1. Take a baby step back
2. Turn your foot
3. Lift your leg
4. Point your shoulder
5. Throw the ball

Don’t forget to:

• Warm up for at least 10 minutes
• Start with the ball in your glove
• Keep your eyes on the target (catcher)
• Use your front arm for leverage and torque
• Anchor your back foot on the “rubber”
• Step toward the plate with a follow-through

Four Seam Fastballs

Little Leaguers do not throw anything other than a four seam fastball. The grip is shown above.

By the way, this grip should be used by all infielders and outfielders because it is the quickest and most accurate way to throw. Practice the grip by taking the ball out of your glove and rotating it until your fingers are over the backwards “C” of the seams. Keep it up until you can find the seams without looking.

Game 9: Rangers vs Diamondbacks

On a hot holiday weekend afternoon, the Diamondbacks hosted the Rangers. The D-Backs played well, but ran out of luck during a tough fifth (and last) inning, eventually going down 12-6. This game featured our first “kid pitching” of the season.

First Inning

Purple Power hit the field first with our veterans providing some great defensive highlights. Nick snared a pop-up off the pitcher mound, Emma snagged a well-hit grounder at 2nd and threw to Adam for the out, and Adam grabbed a bounder for an unassisted out at first.

The team came up to bat and had six hits and 5 runs. Singles were slapped by Nick, Brad, Adam, Tyler, Seb, and Dylan D. Emma was robbed by poor play calling by this blogger, as she called out Emma at first even though the Ranger’s first baseman was off the bag (sorry!) — but  Em did get an RBI.

Second Inning

The Rangers had a tough at bat with two strikeouts. Second baseman Emma scooped up a weak one and tossed to Adam at first for a nice out.

Back at the plate, the D-Back bats were quiet, except for a nice single by Nick.

Third Inning

On defense, Nick was all over the field the ball with 2 unassisted plays at first. Dylan D snatched one at pitcher’s mound and threw a beauty to Nick for another out.

Team Purple scored another run during the bottom of the third. Adam started it off with a booming double and was followed by a Tyler single. Seb’s fielder’s choice brought Adam in.

Fourth Inning

The Diamondback defense remained tough, keeping the Rangers scoreless in the fourth. Emma at second sucked up a bouncer and threw an easy one to Adam at first between 2 more strikeouts.

The D-Backs managed a sweet hit by Dylan V, but they didn’t score in the bottom of the inning.

Fifth Inning

Nick hit the mound to pitch, but the Purple seemed to lose their power during the top of the 5th. The Rangers would score 8 runs (and go around their batting order) and the D-Backs failed to get a single out.

Possibly frustrated by the long top of the inning, the D-backs couldn’t muster a hit during their final at bat.

Game Summary

The Diamondbacks played well during the game and had a good chance to win it until the end. Kudos goes to our catcher (4 innings behind the plate during a hot day). Congrats to Nick who started our pitching strongly and to Adam for his super-duper double.

Game 8: Orioles vs Diamondbacks

For the first time in a while, the Diamondback fans had nothing to shiver about. On beautiful, warm Saturday, the D-Backs came to play and bested the Orioles 10-5.

Inning One

The home team Diamondbacks took the field first. The Orioles loaded the bases, but Nick snatched a popup at pitcher’s mound and threw to Tyler at third for a double play.

On offense, Team Purple mustered three hits and got one run. Nick smacked a ball into left for a double, Brad hit once nicely into center, and Adam’s single got the RBI.

Inning Two

Two Orioles’ batters struck out and Nick snared a slapper back to the mound for a sweet out.

Emma slapped a hard shot to the third baseman (who made a nice catch for the out) and the rest of the Diamondbacks went down swinging during the bottom of the inning.

Inning Three

Back on defense, it was Adam who caught a sky high ball at shortstop for a great play.

During the bottom of the third, the D-Backs caught fire and scored four runs. Singles were hit by Devon (a real nice poke), Nick, Brad, Tyler, Seb, and Emma.

Inning Four

The Orioles came back to score 2 runs of their own,  despite two strikeouts and a nice put out at catcher.

The D-Backs scored another run off three hits from Tanner, Nick, and Brad.

Inning Five

Tyler caught a screamer at third and almost got the double play with a nice throw to Nick. Adam got a sweet scoop and made an unassisted out at third.

The offense came out swinging again as the Diamondbacks scored 4 more, almost making it around the lineup. Solid singles were hit by Tyler, Seb, Emma, Brad, and Devon.

Inning Six

During the top of the 6th, the Orioles scored 3 times, attempting a comeback. Seb caught a nice pop-up off the mound to end the day’s highlights.

Shout Outs

The team played well today, running the bases well – nice job running hard (and through first) and not straying off the bags while on other bases. Brad and Nick (Mr. Hustle) continue to hit well, but Devon gets the special nod with his two sweet hits today. Also, loved the catches by Tyler and Seb – great job!

Farm League All Star Game Scheduled

The Berlin Little League All Star Game has been scheduled for Saturday, June 21 (Sunday 6/22 as the rain date).

More details to come …