Orioles News – May 23, 2011
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Orioles News – May 23, 2011 Coach Jayson Lucas Asst. Coach Rich Koltas Best Wishes for a Speedy Recovery to Sam T.! Due to the weather forecast, the practice will be on Thursday night. Note to Parents Regarding Recent Changes We have fielded many questions from parents over the last two weeks about changes in our approach to the game. Due to so many questions and concerns, I am explaining the situation here. At the team meeting on April 13, I outlined our plan for the season stressing that we would focus on positional play. As coaches, we felt it was important for 12-year olds to start learning the specifics of a few positions. We understand that many parents were in agreement with this approach. On Mother’s Day weekend, I received a complaint that we were not following the league rules. To my surprise, there was a new set of MAA rules posted on April 30 that even our League Director was unaware of. This new set of rules complicates positional play and playing time. Please be assured that we are doing our best to follow the rules and not put our team in jeopardy of a forfeit. However, the rules have us moving players from position to position, not allowing us consistency in playing positions. We appreciate Coach Carl and Dan Rivera helping us out as we try to implement new approaches. We understand the frustration over this change among the parents and the players. We will continue to work with each individual player to identify their strengths and help them develop as ballplayers and as young men. Memorial Day Tournament The brackets have been released for the Memorial Day tournament. All our games will be played at Andersen Field 2. Friday, May 27 at 5:45 p.m. vs. Marlins Saturday, May 28 at 8:00 a.m. vs. Cubs How well we play will determine what time we play on Sunday. See the bracket here: http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0018/4747/MDB_ 12U_Bracket.pdf Area of Comments on the Recent Games Mother’s Day: Sandlot has been our field so far this season. Devin and Wolf combined for a no-hitter on Mother’s Day with Cody catching the complete game. Cody had a nice throw to second to get the player out during the first inning. Devin pitched out of a bases loaded situation in the first as well, allowing no runs. Justin caught a nice line shot to second in the fifth. Devin ended the day facing 15 batters with 6 strikeouts. Nate had a double with 2 RBIs, Zach went 2-3 with 2 singles, and Wolf had a double, RBI, and 2 runs scored. Ryan, Torey, Sam M., and Quintan all had singles, with Quintan racking up 3 RBIs. Marlins Game: It was a pitcher’s duel to the end. We lost, but battled until the end. Sam T. had a phenomenal unassisted double play in the fourth. The base runner is still recovering Wolf had a day at the plate going 2-2 with a single, a double, 3 RBIs, and a run scored. Sam M. was patient at the plate and scored twice. Torey walked and score a run, and Sam T. had a single and a run scored. The Double-Header: We split the double header last Sunday, dropping one to the Cubs - likely the best team in the league. But we came back strong to win the second game against the Astros - likely the nicest team in the league. Some highlights from the second game: Nate had a single and a run scored. Torey had a double and a run scored. Quintan, Devin, Ryan, and Wolf each had a single. Devin had a nice catch in left field. Indians Game: We were rained out on Saturday, so we were ready to play the Indians at Sandlot on Sunday. What a day for Big Mac! An inside the park homerun, a triple, and a single – he was only missing a double for the cycle. He went 3 for 3 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored. The first three innings were error-free and only one error in the fourth and one error in the fifth inning! The coaches are extremely proud of all efforts by the team. Quintan had three solid innings pitched with 5 strikeouts in 13 batters faced, and only 2 hits. The second inning saw three batters and three outs. Devin had a nice backup at second to make an out. Zach had a single and 2 runs scored. Nate had a shot to left field resulting in a double and a run scored. Aaron went 2-3 with a single, a double, and a walk, and 2 runs scored. Quintan had a single with a run scored and an RBI…he kept finding a way to get on base. Ryan had a single with 2 RBIs. Justin made good contact with the ball. Torey was robbed of a double when the center fielder was right under it, but he came back the next at bat with a single. Devin walked twice with 2 runs scored. Cody threw to Big Mac at third to catch the runner stealing. A great example of how our work at practices pays off! A big thanks to Bob Walters for once again helping with the scorebook. Code of Conduct During the double header the umpire gave our team a warning about throwing equipment in the dugout. While it is fine to be passionate about the game and want to succeed, each player needs to control their emotions from not becoming physical toward equipment or others. This will not be tolerated. Playing Time Game playing time will be reduced for missing games and practices, poor attitudes, and failure to follow the Code of Conduct. Practices & Games This Week Monday, May 23, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Black Elk Park Everyone wear hats Forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 78 Thursday, May 26, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Black Elk Park Everyone wear pants and hats Forecast: Sunny, high of 69 TOURNAMENT POOL PLAY: Friday, May 27, 5:45 p.m., Game 1 vs. Marlins, Andersen #2 (13625 Cottner Street) Drink Schedule: Coach Lucas Forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 73 Be in full uniform and meet at the field 45 minutes prior to game time. If games before us end early, we may start early. TOURNAMENT POOL PLAY: Saturday, May 28, 8:00 a.m., Game 2 vs. Cubs, Andersen #2 (13625 Cottner Street) Drink Schedule: Favre Forecast: Partly cloudy, high of 76 Be in full uniform and meet at the field 45 minutes prior to game time. TOURNAMENT BRACKET PLAY: Sunday, May 19, TBA, Andersen #2 (13625 Cottner Street) Drink Schedule: Looking for Volunteers Be in full uniform and meet at the field 45 minutes prior to game time. If games before us end early, we will start early. This Week in Baseball History May 25, 1935: “The Sultan of Swat.” “The Bambino.” Babe Ruth hits his 714th homerun, a record for career homeruns that would stand for almost 40 years. Ruth went 4 for 4 on the day, hitting 3 homeruns and driving in 6 runs. Babe Ruth was sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees before the 1920 season. Red Sox owner Harry Frazee wanted to instead finance the musical No, No, Nanette. Ruth hit more homeruns than the entire Red Sox team in 10 of the next 12 seasons. During his career with the Yankees, the team won 4 World Series and 7 AL pennants. After selling Ruth, the Red Sox did not win a World Series until 2004, an 85-year drought known as “The Curse of the Bambino.” (This piece was obviously written by a Yankees fan ) May 26, 1959: Harvey Haddix of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches 12 perfect innings against the Milwaukee Braves, only to lose the game on a 2-run double by Braves’ first baseman Joe Adcock in the 13th inning. It was the first time a pitcher threw more than 9 perfect innings in major league history. Website Remember to visit our webpage on the MAA website regularly, especially in case of changes in practice times or locations. http://www.millardathletics.com/page/show/297020-orioles?subseason=42165 See the new feature stories on Sam and Aaron! We would love to have more stories or updates on the players from time to time. This could be a story written by the player himself or the parents, or just a news item about a school recognition, good report card, etc. Think of this as your chance to brag about how great all these kids are! Please send news items and stories to Michaela Lucas at [email protected] .