The Royals faced off against the 6th seed Slammers on Saturday in the MVABL Semifinals.  The Boys in Blue battled personnel issues in game 1 and fell 2-10, but were able to get the job done in the pivotal game 2.  Rookie Frank Burgos took the hill for the Royals in the must win game.  Burgos went 6 1/3 strong innings when a few stray balls finally caught up with him and he had to be relieved by veteran Kevin Reynolds.  Reynolds recorded a scoreless 6th and 7th as the Royals picked up the 10-7 victory to force a Game 3.

Game 3 will be played Tuesday night at Rotary Park. Game time is 7 PM and the two teams will claw and fight in this loser go home game for the chance to face the Rangers in the 2009 MVABL Finals.  Please come out and cheer your team on as they look to extend their season another week!

The Royals faced off against the Astros in their opening round series finale last night at Brandt Field.  Royals Rookie Frank Burgos started on the hill and the Astros countered with their ace Shawn Haffner.  The Royals were the visitors in the game and hit a few balls hard in the top of the first but left a runner stranded.  In the bottom of the 1st the Astros capitalized on some Royals errors and were able to plate 5 runs before the dust settled.  Down 6-0 going into the 2nd the Royals were able to get runners at 2nd and 3rd but Haffner got 2 back-to-back ground balls to end the Boys in Blue threat. The Astros added another run to their lead as Foster was able to belt a single into the outfield plating Evan.  In the top of the 3rd the Royals would finally begin to chip away at the 6-0 deficit.  Ubinger lead off for the Royals and was able to reach on a throwing error and Reynolds belted a single to get runners at the corners.  With 1 out rookie Chris Jergens belted a single to the gap that was able to plate Reynolds and Ubinger bringing Burgos to the plate.  Burgos belted a ball down the left field line but was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double, but was able to move the runner from 1st to 3rd with Rudegeair due up.  Rudegeair knocked another single just over the shortstop in front of PJ Dobbins in center to score the 3rd run for the Royals cutting the Astros lead in half.  Burgos worked quickly through the bottom of the 3rd facing the minimum to bring the Boys in Blue back up to the plate.  In the top of the 4th the Royals would finally get to Haffner and would plate 5 runs off 5 hits and 2 walks to take the 8-6 lead.  The game would remain a nail-biting 8-6 for the next 3 innings.  In the top of the 7th Tim Peffley lead off for the Royals and legged out an infield single.  The Astros recorded their first out of the 7th as Jason Holmberg accidentally impeded Astros catcher on a sacrifice bunt down the 3rd base line.  With Peffley moved back to first after the interference Peffley moved from 1st to 3rd on his stealing his way into scoring position with 1 out.  With 2 strike's and Peffley at 3rd Tim Biedenharn knocked a deep fly to left that was able to score Peffley to increase the Royals lead to 9-6.  However the Astros are fighters and were not about to just give in and answered with a run of their own with an RBI single off Tony's bat before the Royals could close out the 7th.  Astros reliever Garrett Copas continued to handle Royals batters as he closed out the top of the 8th, and then helped his own cause in the bottom.  In the bottom of the 8th Copas belted a triple off the wall to plate the Astros runner from 2nd to cut the Royals lead to 1.  With 1 out and the tying run 90' away rookie Chris Jergens took the hill to close out the game.  Jergens was able to get a quick K for the 2nd out of the inning, but Sherrill was able to follow-up with a 2 out walk.  With runners on the corners for the Astros Sherrill moved closer stealing 2nd on the first Jergens pitch to Haffner.  Now with the tying and winning run within 180' of the plate Jergens bared down and got the K he needed to end the inning.

Entering the 9th inning the Royals held a slim 1 run lead with the heart of their inning due up looking to get an insurance run or two.  Copas entered the 9th inning after a scary warm-up hampered by some cramps, but dug deep and hung in there to end the top of the 9th holding the score at 9-8 Royals.  As the Astros headed to the plate in the bottom of the 9th down 1 run with hopes to pick up the win as the Royals have not had much luck in the close games this season, the Royals have lost 10 games this season by 3 runs or less.  Evan led off for the 'Stros and picked up the 4 pitch walk to get the tying run onboard with Foster due up.  Foster went right after Jergens swinging away, but on the pitch Evan broke for 2nd however was cut down by a perfect shot from Ubinger behind the dish for the big 1st out of the 9th.  With a 2-2 count Jergens was able to sneak another fastball passed Foster for the 2nd out of the inning.  Tony came up to the plate for the Astros looking to keep his team alive, but on this night Jergens would win the battle and recorded his 4th K to end the game sealing the Royals 9-8 victory.  At the plate 7 Royals recorded Multiple Hits in the victory, led by Jergens (3-5, 3 RBI), Burgos (3-4, 1 RBI), and Velasquez (3-5, RBI).

After a winless June (0-4), the Boys in Blue have bounced back in the month of July going 5-3 picking up wins in their last 3 games. The month of July has ended with a bang for the Royals as the picked up the double-header sweep of the Indians this past Sunday with 12-7 & 10-8 victories. In game 1 Tim Biedenharn had the game of his career going 4-4 with 4 runs scored, 3 RBI's, a double, and back-to-back homeruns in his final 2 at-bats. Falling only a triple shy of the cycle! In the game Jergens & Burgos also hit long balls. Royals Rookie Frank Burgos started on the hill and pitched a great game in front of his family. He threw a complete game striking out 5 in the game 1 12-7 victory.

During the brief intermission the Boys in Blue were re-energized with the help of a great picnic lunch supplied by the Reynolds family. In the nightcap Royals veteran Brenden Regan started on the hill. Mirror Burgos' start, Regan also pitched a complete game for a Royals victory. A few Indian long balls in the 7th and final inning made it interesting, but Regan was able to retire the final batter on an easy F4 for the 10-8 win. At the plate the Royals picked up key hits (and walks) off the Indians starter when needed. Highlights at the plate for the Boys in Blue included, Veteran Brian Duffy who hit a triple off the wall clear the bases capping off a 5 run second, Biedenharn stayed hot in game 2 going 0-0, with 1 run scored, 3 walks, and 3 RBIs, Kevin Reynolds plated 2 RBIs on 2 hits, Rudegeair was 2-2 with 3 runs, and Velasquez rebounded to go 2-3 scoring 2 runs in the 10-8 victory in the nightcap.

After a brief days rest the Royals were back in action Tuesday night at Rotary Park against 3rd place Shockers. The Shockers sent Jeff Cherry to the hill who has had the Royals number their last 2 meetings. For the Royals, Rookie left-hander Tyler Allen made his first start of the season. Allen had a rough start finding the zone in the first inning and with the help of the sun the Shockers were able to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead. In the bottom of the first the Royals were able to plate one as Biedenharn was able to score on a pass ball after reaching on a single and then moved over to third on a Jergens single. From there Allen worked inning after inning holding the Shockers at bay keeping the Royals in the game. Over Allen's final 5 1/3 innings of work he recorded 1 K, 8 Fly-outs, 6 ground-ball outs, and only gave up 4 hits. Down 4-1 the Royals were able to cut the lead in half as Biedenharn was again able to score on a pass ball after landing on third off his first triple of the year. In the 5th Reynolds got the Royals within 1 of the Shockers with a sacrifice fly that was able to plate Jameson from third. With a score sitting at 4-3 in favor of the Shockers in the top of the 6th, they were able to pickup an insurance run as the Shockers' Allen was able to score on a fielder's choice. However in the bottom of the 6th down 2 runs the Royals battled back off Shockers reliever Damon Barr. Rookie Chris Jergens led off the inning with a sharp single down the first base line, and after a quick K, veteran Jesus Velasquez III stepped up to the plate. Down 0-2 in the count, and his Mom and Daughter Savannah looking on, Jesus hit a clutch 2 run HR over the left field fence for his first of the year to tie the game at 5. In the 7th, Allen was replaced by Eric Jameson, coming on for his 2nd relief appearance, as the Shockers were able to get runners on 1st and 3rd with only 1 out. A quick pickoff play recorded the 2nd out of the inning, but Kuhn was able to move up to 2nd. With a Shocker runner still in scoring position Jameson was able to get the much needed flyout to end the threat. In the bottom of the 7th Barr worked quickly sitting the Royals down in order with the help of a 4-6-3 double play ball sending the game into extras tied 5-5. In the 8th Jameson mirrored Barr's performance and was able to pickup 3 quick outs bringing the Boys in Blue to the plate with the heart of their order due up. Biedenharn led off the inning for the Royals and was able to draw a key walk getting the winning run on base. However Biedenharn was unable to score as he was gunned down at the play by an excellent relay from the fence off a Jergens blast that fell a few feet short. With 1 out the Shockers were able to pickup the 2nd out of the inning with a short fly at the plate. With 2 outs, and 1st base open, the Shockers elected to intentionally walk Velasquez to setup the force anywhere. Following the velasquez's walk, Royals skipper Mark Franklin, was also able to draw a 2 out walk loading the bases. The Shockers still had a force at any base with 2 outs as Jason Holmberg stepped up to the plate. Not leaving anything to chance Holmberg jumped on the first pitch he saw and was able to hammer it between the Shortstop and Third baseman for the game winning walkoff single. Jameson recorded the victory as the Royals won 6-5, but Allen's 6 1/3 innings was key to keeping the Royals in it until the end.

I want to say thank you again to the Reynolds family for the picnic lunch between games Sunday, I truly think this helped us perform at the level needed for the victory in game 2 against the always tough Indians. Up next for the Royals, they have one more game this Sunday before the league breaks for the All-Star festivities. The Boys in Blue will face off at 4 PM in Springfield at Carleton Davidson Stadium, home of the Wittenburg Tigers. We hope that all the Royals family, friends, and fans can make it out to support the team. Be sure to check the locations page for a map if needed. We hope to see you at the ballpark.

The MVABL All-Star votes have been tallied and calculated.  Join me in congratulating Royals Rookie Chris Jergens & Veteran Kevin Reynolds as they will be representing the Boys in Blue in the 2009 MVABL All-Star Game.  Jergens will also be traveling to Columbus to represent the Royals in the Miami Valley All-Stars versus Columbus All-Stars to be played at Thomas Worthington High School Saturday August 8th.  Kevin and Chris are having great seasons.  Kevin is currently batting .303, leading the team in AB's, 2nd in Hits & Stolen Bases, and 3rd in Runs Scored.  Chris is also having a stellar year in his first year with the squad.  He is batting .441 and leads the team in 4 offensive categories, Hits, RBIs, Doubles, and Home Runs.

Also participating in the All-Star festivities, several Royals will be participating in the Home Run Derby.  Jergens, Frank Burgos, Tim Peffley (2008 Runner-up), and Tim Biedenharn and Jesus Velasquez who belted long balls this past weekend will also be taking their shot at the grand prize.  This years' derby winner will take home a Nintendo Wii.

 All All-Star festivities will be held at Athletes in Action on Sunday August 9th.  The Home Run Derby will begin at 1 PM with the All-Star game to follow starting at 4 PM.  Please come out and support the Boys in Blue as they represent the Royals on All-Star Weekend.

Be sure to checkout the game recap from the Royals thriller victory over the Indians on Sunday just posted!  Also all your Boys in Blue stats are updated through Sunday's game.  The Royals play a pair of games this Sunday against the Thunder, who got the best of the Royals in their final at bats of the 9th inning, at 10 AM and then an afternoon game in their first meeting with the newly reorganized South Dayton Slammers at 1 PM.  Both games are at Rotary Park, if any Royals parent or fan would like to grill between games I'm sure all players would be happy to partake as this will be a long day.  Both games will be 9 innings so be sure to pack your sunscreen...  See you at the ballpark!

The Boys in Blue are glad the month of June is finally behind them. On Sunday the Royals picked up their first win since beating the Thunder way back on May 31st. Over the month of June the Royals lost a pair to the Sox, and then fell ever so close against the Astros and Rangers. In the Astros game the 'Stros centerfield made an unbelieveable game saving catch at the wall, literally, to seal the Astros 6-5 victory. And then the victim of another heartbreaking loss last week against Rangers losing by 2 in the 10th.

However with June behind them, the Royals turned the page in their calendar and looked to start July off on the right foot. On Sunday the team traveled north to face-off against the Indians on a beautiful day of baseball. Reynolds started the day for Royals on the hill and went 6 strong innings keeping the team in the hunt until the end before Jergens relieved him to finish the game. But at the plate Tim Biedenharn's hit in the bottom of the 9th finally got the Royals on the winning end of the close game. Biedenharn knocked a walk off single up the box to score rookie Tyler Allen from 3rd. The game was hard fought on both sides, but for the Royals it was nice to finally get back in the win column after a few heartbreakers the last couple weeks. Stay tuned for a full game recap and stats.

The game Sunday kicks off a busy July for the Boys in Blue. The Royals will play 3 doubleheaders over the next 3 weeks before wrapping up July in a single game against the Shockers. With lots of baseball to be played please come out and support the team.

After a rough 1-4 start, the Royals and the league had the weekend off to celebrate Mother's Day.  Well I'm not sure what it was, the home cooking or the family atmosphere, but since the break the Boys in Blue are 2-0 and outscoring their opponents 33-10.  The Royals began their streak against their opening day opponent, the Miami Valley Dragons.  Jason Holmberg started on the hill for the Boys in Blue and kept the Dragons guessing at the plate.  Holmberg threw the complete game allowing 1 run on 4 hits recording 6 K's.  At the plate Brian Duffy, Brett Reasoner, and Chris Tipton all lead the office with 2 hits each.  When the dust settled the Royals were finally back in the win column recording a 12-1 victory.

Looking to start a win streak the Royals faced off against the Miami Valley Thunder, who got the best of the Royals in their final at-bats in their last meeting.  Reasoner was on the mound for the Boys in Blue for his 1st start of the year.  Reasoner was looking to avenge the Thunders first victory against the Royals as he was the hard luck loser in the outing.  Off the mound Brett helped quiet the Thunder offense throwing the 7 inning complete game recording 9 K's as the Royals cruised to an easy victory.  At the plate the Boys in Blue plated 21 runs on 16 hits, 6 for extra bases.  Mirroring his performance on the hill Reasoner led the offense going 5-6 with 4 runs and a SB.  Other notable performances at the plate, Shawn Rudegeair was 3-3 (4 runs / 2 2Bs / 4 RBIs / SB), Tim Biedenharn and Jesus Velasquez III each had 2 hits a piece knocking in 6 RBIs.  On a great day for baseball the Boys in Blue looked to be getting back into their rhythm.

Up next for the Royals is a pair of games against the always tough Beavercreek Sox.  The Boys in Blue play Sunday night at 6:00 PM and then again Tuesday night at 8:30, both games will be played at Rotary Park in Beavercreek.  Please be sure to come out and support the team as they look to continue their win streak.

The Boys in Blue lost a pair of heartbreakers in the final inning to the revamped Shockers and the new Thunder.  On Thursday night the Royals met the Shockers, who are under new management and sporting a new look, in a pitching duel.  On the hill for the Shockers was MVABL vet Jeff Cherry and the Boys in Blue countered with Royals Rookie Frank Burgos making his first career start.  The game moved along quickly as on the night both teams only recorded 6 hits and the pitchers tallied 14 strikeouts over the short 7 innings.  The Royals scored first in the second of an errant pickoff throw, but the lead was short lived.  Burgos pitched well for the Boys in Blue, but in the 4th a bases loaded BB allowed the Shockers to plate their first run in the game to knot the game at 1.  It would remain that way until the bottom of the 7th as the Shockers were once again able to load the bases and capitalize on a well placed HBP-bat-deflection that actually trickled past the pitcher allowing the runner from 3rd to scamper home for the game winning run.  At the plate for the Boys in Blue Mark Franklin and Shawn Rudegeiar recorded a hit a piece, and off the mound both Burgos (4 2/3 IP / 4 K / 3 Hits) and Ubinger (2 1/3 IP / 3 K / 1 Hit) pitched well.

On Sunday night the Royals were not out of the storm yet.  In their 1st matchup of the season against the new MV Thunder the Royals sent veteran Jason Holmberg to the hill.  However it was not to be Holmbergs night as the Thunder were right on at the plate recording 8 runs over the first 4 innings capped by a pair of Homeruns by Williams recording 5 RBIs himself to help the Thunder jump out to the early lead before 2nd year veteran Brett Reasoner took the hill to stop the hurt.  The Royals bats, which had been quiet, finally found some life.  The Boys in Blue were able to knot the game at 8 as they posted 5 runs in the 5th and 3 in the 6th.  With the Royals mounting a comeback the Thunder brought in mult-talented/mult-positional Drew York who began to sit Royals down 1 after the other in the final 3 innings of the game.  In the 7th York helped his own cause belting a triple to the deepest part of the field plating a run for the Thunder to give them the 9-8 advantage.  In the top of the 9th down by 1, the Royals were able to again tie the game as Duffy, who reached base for his team leading 10th BB, was able to score off a sharply hit single off the bat of Tim Peffley.  With the game tied 9 all in the bottom of the 9th the Royals took the field.  Reasoner recorded 2 quick K's before the Thunder batters recorded back-to-back singles.  With a 1-1 count and runners at 1st and 2nd the Thunder looked to move up a base and went for the steal, but Ubinger's pickoff throw went just wide and by the time OF Kevin Reynolds was able to field the throw the Thunder's runner scooted across the plate for the game winner.  For the Boys in Blue, Brett Reasoner did his best going 2-3 (2B / RBI / 2 runs / 3 SB ) at the plate and throwing 5 1/3 innings (7 K's) in relief to end up with the hard loss.

 The Royals have a week off to wish all the Royals Mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day.  After the bye week they will meet up with the 3-0 Rangers, who are off to their best start in team history.  The Royals/Rangers games are historically always very exciting and either filled with lots of runs or a very low scoring close pitchers duel.  Game time is 1:30 and the gates open at 1, so be sure to come on out as the Royals look to get back in the win column.

The Boys in Blue finally took the field to begin their 2009 Season.  They opened up with a victory in a 2h 35 minute marathon against the Dragons that didn't finished up until the wee hours.  But in their 2nd game of the weekend they faced off against the new look Astros.  As it was during the regular season last year the Astros had the Royals number, but they didn't go down without a fight.  Be sure to check the schedules page for in depth recaps of the Boys in Blue opening weekend outings.

The Royals get travel day as they prepare for their first matchup against the Warren County Shockers on Tuesday.  The Royals take the field at 7:00 PM at Rotary Park.  Be sure to come out and cheer your Boys in Blue as they look to get back on track.

As Opening day arrived Mother Nature threw the Boys in Blue a little curveball. Playing the nightcap in a day filled with sprinkles it was doubtful that the Royals would take the field. As the day of baseball began teams around the MVABL took the field. With the lingering threat of showers growing by the hour, Royals management hoped they'd be able to take the field as more and more games were being completed. However Mother Nature had different plans, and about an hour before the first pitch a larger rain cell rolled through to turn the only piece of dirt on the whole field to mud. Park personnel tried to salvage the mound but too much rain over the day finally added up. The team was thwarted before they ever got started. However what looked to be a bad thing may turn into something nice. Instead of playing in 40 degree drizzle, the Boys in Blue will meet up with the Astros next Sunday at 1 PM at Rotary park. Weather forecast for this weekend is 80+ and partly cloudy... A complete opposite of Sunday night.

With the Rainout, the Royals will take the field this Saturday again for the scheduled nightcap for their season opener against the retooled Miami Valley Dragons at AIA. Opening up for the Royals on the hill will be 3rd year veteran Kevin Reynolds. Game time is 7:30 so be sure to show up early to stake out a view as your Boys in Blue kickoff the 2009 Season.

In Sunday's rain makeup against the Dayton Astros, 2nd year veteran Jason Holmberg is still on tap for the start. The game will be played at Rotary Park and the first pitch will be thrown at 1 PM.

Lots of Royals action on tap for this weekend. We hope to see you out at the field.

As the days pass, opening day is almost here.  In less than 2 days the MVABL will kick off the 2009 Season.  The Royals take the field at 7:30 PM under the lights at Athletes in Action stadium.  Jason Holmberg will be on the hill getting the opening game nod from the skipper.  Behind him the Royals will have some new faces around the diamond and in the dugout.  Royals management hopes that these new additions can keep them on track as the season progresses.  Be sure to arrive early to pick your seat as your Boys in Blue play their first game of 2009.

 Also be sure to check the full schedule hot off the press for all your Royals action this season.  And the Royals roster has been updated with new player profiles for all your 2009 Boys in Blue.  Roster photos will be updated so you'll be able to recognize your favorite player when you meet them.

 See you at the ballpark!

The Royals and Indians squared off Sunday for some preseason action Sunday at Gaunt Park.  The weather turned out to be great for the teams to square off to prepare for the start of the 2009 season.  As the game was the first real matchup for both squads, things started slow for the Boys in Blue.  The Indians jumped out early as the mish-mash Royals defense did their best.  The Royals played the game with exactly 9 consisting of 2 P's, 1 C, 1 1B, 5 OF, and 1 IF still recovering from surgery to field a defense.  Everyone did their best and had a lot of fun.  Both teams seemed excited to just be on the field again.  The Royals pitchers looked sharp off the mound, Holmberg, Falkowski, Reynolds, and newcomer Frank Burgos all got some work off the hill.   At the plate everyone put at least one ball in play, capped by a deep HR by another new Royal Chris Jergens.

 With just 2 weeks until Opening Day the Boys in Blue look forward to the start of the new season.  With some new faces in the lineup they hope to pickup where they left off in 2008.

Royals management would like to announce the signings of two new Royals to the roster for the 2009 Season.  Jeff Benhase and Chris Tipton will be joining the crew looking to fill the vacant roster spots.  Jeff Benhase, a current Xavier Musketeer playing with fellow Royal Brenden Regan, will join the outfield platoon and help fill the void left from the departure of long time Royal Ben Ailes.  Jeff will also provide some relief off the mound for the Boys in Blue this season.  Chris Tipton joins the crew after playing for Capital University and a brief stint in the Chicago Adult Baseball league before moving home to help coach the Oakwood Lumberjack squad.  Chris will help the squad fill the middle of the infield providing relief for Brian Duffy and Tim Biedenharn.  Tipton brings some size to the Royals lineup registering 6'10", but with his cat like reflexes he plays like he's 5'6".  Chris will also provide some help off the mound this season staring down batters like the Big Unit on the hill...  Both are great additions to the squad and are eager to take the field in their first season in the MVABL.

 Welcome Aboard!

As the snow begins to fall (finally) the offseason preparations are in full swing. Royals management has been working the phones feverishly to confirm returing veterans for the 2009 season.  So far the Boys in Blue will look very similar to the '08 squad as 12 returnees have been signed on for a follow-up season.  Two veterans have already announced their stepping aside. Powerhouse Ron Runyon, who tried to come back after retirement but suffered a serious groin injury before the season ever started, will be again stepping aside to continue rehabbing his injury.  And Peffley's HR bash brother Ben Ailes, with his relocation to Columbus during last season is unable to participate on a full time basis.  We may still see Runyon and Ailes in a Royals uniform this season, but only time will tell.  The are still a few vacancies on the roster that management will look to fill over the next few weeks.

Only 14 Sundays until opening day!

Royals Career Record Holders

Royals Season Record Holders

2007 & 2008 Miami Valley Adult Baseball League Champions