Thunder Baseball 2012

It seems like it's baseball season year round.  Coaches taking the kids out for batting practice, fielding or throwing a ball.
"Get your mitts, and we'll throw a few," we hear every few days.
The distance between the bases  is longer than last year, the rules change again, and "We got to be prepared."
"Let's get the same kids together," say the Dads.  They talk baseball WAY before the sign ups, getting kids fired up, and wanting to vie for a certain position.
"I'm playing first base this year, " Wes announces.
"Well, I guess you'll be playing for another team this year..." the coach answers.
At sign up time, almost all the same kids as last year are  in the team.  They are eager to play, and lots of coaches to train them, make it a fun time for every kid.  They all play, no bench warmers here.

The first half of the season we are winning, 8 -0, no losses.  We have two super pitchers, Mitchell and Izaak, and a coach that works with them.  The fielders   have a coach working with them, and show improvement at every game.  We have two dynamite first basemen, Pete and  Jake, and the fielders also alternate, since we have a large team.  Weslee is short stop, Myles at third base, and Mitchell plays third when he is not pitching.  Our catcher is outstanding in the field, but never goes out there.  Zack can throw down his mask and get a loose ball, or get a runner stealing to second.  He is really on the ball.
At batting  the players   are working hard to get consistency, but you will never know who will make the hit that clears the bases.  Every game is a surprise.  The coaches  continue to work with everyone, knowing that at any moment a player can and WILL surprise them with that winning hit.  It seems that at different moments players peak or reach higher understanding of their skills.   The two girls on our team are valued players, both catching fly balls, making plays, and hitting.  In no other teams did I see any girls.  What is the reason for that?
The second half of the season ends and our record continues to 16 wins, no losses.  Many games ended in the fourth inning, meaning we were more than ten runs ahead, the umpire called the game.
One game Mitch actually pitched a perfect game.
As Coach Watson said,
 " WOW... I have never seen a better little league game in my life and can't imagine there will ever be one like this. 2 great pitchers going head to head, in the end, Mitchell and the Thunder pulled it out. Final score - 1-0 Thunder with the only run coming in the 6th inning. Mitchell shut them down for a Perfect Game in the bottom of the inning. 18 up 18 down. Congratulations to Mitchell and the entire Thunder team. Still undefeated at 13-0, only 3 more to go!!!! I'm very proud of all of them, keep it rolling!!!!!!!!!!"
My Mother had taught many sports people techniques to prevent injury and improve performance, and I mentioned to my son, Weslee, "Want to learn to slide like 'Charlie Hustle' ?"  Of course, he had no idea to whom I was referring.
 "Sure,"  he says, and I proceed to teach him the slide where you stand up right after.  He loved any slide, batted first, and often was asked to bunt, get on base, steal bases, and make the first run.  I suggested to Weslee  to teach the others, never did.
Sunday, July 8, 2012,  just after noon we played our first tournament game against the Little Miami Bandits.  The temperatures are over 106 degrees, yet our team wins the game at the Blue Ash Sports Complex.  How  amazing it was to play with a well groomed field.  I loved seeing the electronic scoreboard show the score, 13 to 6.  There was even a misting umbrella and  huge lights for night games, but the bases were different than the ones we used.  Ours were soft, moved when the kids slid into them.  These were pinned into the ground,  hard and did not move one centimeter.  Coaches talked about the new bases, and how "You should not just crash into them and expect them to move!"
We moved to the next winner's game, and would play  Thursday evening.  Our pitcher, Mitch, was on deck to pitch against the Dragons.  The score was even into the third inning, and Mitch was up to bat; he made it on first, and stealing into second, he slid, landing onto his left hand.  He jumped up in pain, tears in his eyes.  Mitch is tough and never shows pain or discomfort, so this was serious.  His right hand held  his hurt hand, hanging limp. The coach ran out, wanting to put in a runner, but if Mitch came out, he would have to be taken out for the rest of the game.  He stayed in, holding his hand, and ran in for another run.  The inning ended, and there was a question about who would pitch.  Mitch went out on the mound, and started to pitch.  He threw well, but the catcher could not really return the ball, as Mitch could not use his left hand to catch.  He continued best he could, making the third out of the inning catching and throwing a ball to first.  He did not come out again.  The next inning we put in a pitcher that had less experience,  threw less strikes across the plate.  He was replaced by another relief pitcher, again allowing a lot of runs.  Players were  not playing their best, off balance with the unexpected loss of Mitchell and his injury.  We lose the game against the Anderson Dragons, 13 to 3..
"Where was our other pitcher, Izaak?", parents asked.
"Oh, the family is on vacation in Michigan.  What a disaster this game turned out to be!  I sure hope Mitch is okay!"
Friday Mitchell finds out he broke his wrist, and is in a cast for the next six to eight weeks.  No sports at all for him for a while.
We have a loser bracket game Saturday morning, and we find out Izaak and his family drive in from Michigan to pitch.  The Finneytown Thunder wait for the thunder to roll out, but the game is cancelled.  It is rained out.
Coach Watson describes the game against PYO on Monday night:
"You never know how a team will react when they lose their first game after winning the first 17 games and I can say there isn't a person that would not have been impressed with the way they came back. Winning a great game 16-3 vs our district rival PYO1. The whole team was involved, I really think everyone got at least 1 hit. Have to point out Joey's bomb to right, where did that come from? along with Weslee and Brianna's shots over center. Great defensive plays by Jake in right (told you that you could do it), Myles at 3rd and the backhanded grab by Brianna deep in the hole at second, I don't think there was a person in that park that thought you would get that ball, even their coach was smiling at that play. Zach's huge throw to get their first runner stealing second and keeping them in check the rest of the game. And then there's Izaak, another strong pitching performance. I know I'm leaving someone out, there was just so many things they did right, if we play like this, there is no reason we can't win 2 games Wednesday."

Wednesday is the final game for first place in the city.
 We play evenly, run for run with the Dragons, until about the fourth inning.  Izaak seems to be getting tired.   He is relieved by another pitcher, and the game continues neck and neck until the Dragons get one run ahead.  The game ends, 6-5 we lose by one run.  We end up second in the city tournaments.
The trophy is one huge gold and green prize.  Pictures are taken, coaches with players, sons with trophy, daughters and Fathers, trophy and team.  What a wonderful season this was!

Finneytown Thunder with Trophy

Coach Watson's words:
"Well, we did what we could. It was a great game and great season. If you look back at the end of last season, when we were in 5th place in our district, who would have thought we would have been in the regional championship game this year? We are one of the top 6 B1 baseball teams in the entire Cincinnati/Northern KY area. That is something to be proud of. So, if we went up 5 spots last year, if we go up 5 spots next year that puts us as the #1 team in all of Cincinnati. Who's ready to do it???"