Runner-Up in State Tourney

Oh what an eventful weekend! Bradley's team played in their state baseball tournament this weekend - 11 teams in their division. We got a late draw for Saturday and didn't play our first game until 4 pm. Well, needless to say, we did not get off to a very good start. Bradley started off pitching and was doing a good job - his fielders however were having a few issues. Needless to say, instead of getting out of the inning only facing 4 batters, it took 41 pitches to 10 batters from Bradley, 30 pitches to 7 other batters from two different relievers and we were upside down 13-0. The boys made a valiant effort to get back in the game, but fell short losing 15-7. The next game started much better but then the third inning came and our pitcher was struggling and our fielders were making errors. After they scored 7 runs with only one out, Bradley was brought in and closed out the inning allowing only one more run to score. Again, the boys tried to comeback but ran out of time losing 12-7. After losing back-to-back pool play games, the boys now to have play their first elimination bracket game at 8:00 pm Saturday - their third game of the day, all back-to-back. Knowing the stakes were high and it is now lose or go home, they pulled it together and won by the mercy rule in the fourth inning 8-0 behind Carson's complete game. Back at the field Sunday for a 10 am game, we faced the Stingrays who went 2-0 on Saturday, did not have to play a third game on Saturday and who we had never played before. Feeling that if we could get past this first game we could make it to the Championship, Bradley took the mound. He pitched an amazing 3 innings allowing no runs, 1 hit, 1 walk and 4 strikeouts, leading his team to a 6-2 win. We then faced one of the teams that beat us in pool play. Carson took the mound and did an amazing job. With a 13-3 lead going into the bottom of the 5th, it took us 4 pitchers to close out the game, winning 13-12 - what a squeaker! Finally, the Championship game against the other team that beat us during pool play. The Florida Storm seemed a bit arrogant when we played them the day before. They too had only had to play two games on Saturday, versus our three. This was only exacerbated when they (deliberately, in my opinion) gave me wrong uniform numbers on their roster sheet (we were home team). Then substituted a player without notifying either the umpires or me which escalated into a shouting match, their manager being ejected and finally TR being ejected. After much mayhem, we did lose 7-5. All in all, our boys played amazing baseball - having to play three games back-to-back both days. If you had asked me Saturday evening if we'd be in the Championship game on Sunday, I would have said "No". Glad they proved me wrong!

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Ball, Ball and More Ball

Well, we've pretty much lived at a ballfield since last Wednesday night around 8:00 pm. It all began with our co-ed late games last Wednesday. We split and had a great time. Special thanks to Dave for filling in for us at shortstop!

Moving on to Thursday, we saw the first Conference USSSA tourney of the season begin at our office at 3:30. Since there is lots to do during one of these events, we all pitched in and finally left around 11:00 since Bradley did have school Friday. Friday morning the games began at 8:00. Val came out and assisted with selling merchandise as I was involved in a couple of meetings Friday morning. Our first game was broadcast over the internet Friday night with TR pulling camera duty. All in all, I think it went very well for our three camera newbies. We finally left around 12:15 Friday night only to return Saturday morning at 9:00. Special thanks to Shay and Val for helping me with merchandise on Saturday. With extra inning games and an injury, by late Saturday we were a couple hours behind on our main field - which meant our broadcast did not start on time. Bradley and I couldn't stick it out though and left around 12:15 as he had games on Sunday. Sunday morning, TR headed back to the office for the broadcast of the final day of games and wouldn't you know the IF game was needed!

Bradley and I headed to Oviedo for a doubleheader. I had let him sleep as long as possible so he was raring to go! The Braves started strong, playing good defense and hitting the ball - winning their first game 12-3. Bradley was 1-3 with a double. Both outs were line drives right to the first baseman. He took the mound to start the second game, throwing 2 innings, 25 total pitches, one strikeout and had one run score due to an error by our rightfielder. At the end of two, the Braves had a commanding 10-1 lead so we were able to move some people around and give some other kids the opportunity to pitch. The final score of the second game was 16-5. Bradley was 2-2 this game with a walk, single and a double. It was nice to be back at the field after a little break. The boys did a great job and should be in good form for their state tourney next weekend.

Weekend Off

Okay - so we had the weekend off due to Easter (even us ball heathens celebrate). Bradley was also on Spring Break last week. The weather was good and we were able to take an evening trip out to Fort Wilderness to meet some friends Thursday evening. The kids played ball and we had dinner. Then Friday, I was able to get into the office really early so we could spend some time at the lake with more friends. Had a ball game of adults vs kids and the adults won (of course). Of course, we had the obligatory Easter egg hut at the McGinley's on Sunday. This was punctuated by the announcement from several younger kids that Bradley has to hide eggs next year - he's not allowed to hunt eggs as he'll be in double digits!

TR's Baby

So here is picture of the new boat aka TR's Baby. He's waiting for the hockey puck for the GPS so he can take it offshore fishing. We did put it in the lake last week with our friends Daniel & Katie - Bradley gave it two thumbs up.

In other news, we celebrated the end of Spring Training last week along with Shay's bday. We also went to the Orlando Magic Game. Bradley wasn't happy with the Magic as JJ Redick didn't get to play any (but we still had fun). TR paid more attention to the dancers than the basketball game :)

Had another busy weekend - Carson's bday party was Saturday afternoon and everyone kind of hung around and made it a family party. There was a huge water slide (as tall as the house) which the kids thought was great - only a couple of adults were brave enough to try the slide - one with HILARIOUS results as he catapulted over the end of the slide almost landing in the waterway (BTW - his name is "Fatboy"). I had a great time watching UNC dismantle Villanova.

Mom & Dad arrived Sunday for a little r&r - straight to the ballfield. It was not our boys best performance as they lost both games Sunday. It was very hot & humid and most of them looked tired and worn out (about half our team was on spring break last week and the rest are on spring break this week). Bradley didn't play too bad - had a couple of good hits and a great catch in left. I have tan lines that will be impossible to get rid of!