June 29--Tonight, we find ourselves with all of the top seeded Nippersink PONY Tournament of Champion teams knocked out during the Sweet 16 Playoffs. Our 30-0 and number one seed is gone in the 2nd round, our 28-2 second seed is gone in the Final Four and our 27-3 third seed is gone in the 2nd round!! Once again, the Playoffs prove that at any time, ANY team can be beaten! 

We are now at LVBP, for the TOC Championship game between our six seed, Lake Villa Maroon and our four seed, the Genoa City Cobras. Both teams have enjoyed a great season and only a game or two in the W/L columns separate these teams!  

The weather is questionable but thanks to our Host, the field is in great condition and the teams and fans are ready for championship baseball. The Cobras strike first and jump out early to a 3-0 lead behind some solid hitting, incredible pitching and a solid defense. Maroon batters keep their focus, but continually find themselves facing 3-2 counts and or excellent fielding by the Cobras.

The Cobras continue to add more runs each inning and hold Maroon to five scoreless innings, when in the 6th with one out and with rain coming down, Maroon gets something rarely seen during the game; a batter on base due to balls. Our next batter hits a grounder to the Cobras second baseman, who makes a great scoop and throws to 2nd base, covered by the shortstop, who throws to 1st base for the inning ending double play! Again, great pitching and defense by the Cobras stop a charging Maroon!

The Cobras place a couple of more runs for insurance and behind Colton, after 7 complete innings, a no hitter is recorded, and the score is 9-0 Genoa City Cobras! Congratulations Cobras and great run Lake Villa Maroon!  Pictures and complete Playoff recap to be posted!

June 29--The Antioch A-Kats are the 2008 Nippersink Silver Champs behind some solid pitching, great defense and some rock'n bats! Our number 1 seed in the Silver bracket found themselves up against our number 7 seed, Lake Villa Royal, who had advanced through the brackets behind some great pitching and hitting. Congrats to the Antioch A-Kats and to all of our Silver bracket playoff teams!  

June 27--The Nipp Front Office would like to thank all of our teams participating in the 2008 season and acknowledge the great efforts by our players and coaches.  

This year turned out to be another year of exciting baseball, with new teams being formed and playing through the challenges presented by the game, to teams coming from behind and learning that it's not over till the last out, to the top seeded team being knocked out of the Playoffs after an incredible season, to higher seeded teams continuing their march to the Championship --all thanks to our Players, Managers, Coaches, Parents, Umps and Community baseball organizations. 

Player development and teaching the fundamentals of the game and good sportsmanship is the cornerstone of Nippersink Pony baseball--not winning it all. Remember, that every adult that participates in the Nipp Pony league, is also agreeing to aid in the development of our players and prepare them for high school and life. Baseball provides a great opportunity for adults and youth to connect in a competitive and fun environment and we always strive to improve this positive exchange and experience.

We field 100’s of emails in a typical season and at times through email, telephone and in person, we find ourselves addressing issues outside of the game played on the field. Thus, in the upcoming offseason, we would like our Community Directors to address several issues pertaining to player development, team selection, divisions, and manager/coach training, volunteer support and other items that would enhance the 2009 season.  

Again, we sincerely appreciate everyone's contribution of time and talent to the players and desire to improve the league--which ultimately, will enhance our players. Kindly look for an email in early Oct/Nov, calling for the first Community Director's meeting and enjoy the 2008 Playoffs!