It was a real fun ride guys, thanks for being the great kids you are, it made the last year of Little League for me and Joey one of the best.  It was great seeing you guys stand up as a team and mount that comeback last night, bringing the tying run to the plate....TWICE....in the top of the 6th...great job guys!!! You should be proud of yourselves.  As it turns out, it's now the #1 and #2 seeds playing for the Championship...so we're not dancing with the Championship Trophy...it's time to PARTY!

Team Party...Sunday, June 27th from 2-6pm at my house, players wear your bathing suits for when we jump in the ocean....I'd really like us to get together before everyone scatters for the Summer, I'll have awards, we have a nice menu coming together, bring any specialty dishes you have, (or know where to buy).

Bring any pictures you have from the season...See you on the 27th.

Coach Steve McD

Programming note:  CAP Sports will be aired again on Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 pm, we recorded it and watched it last night, we saw Tom Booth's catch in RF, and Dylan's final strikeout for the save...Anti, Colbert, Joey, and I were all interviewed as well...check it out, it's pretty funny.

Great win tonight guys!!!! But not much time to celebrate, we have Churchill's Thursday night at Burgess...great job by everyone tonight, on down the lineup...key hit by Sean Colbert late in the game, and as always, he was solid in the field...awesome catch in RF by Tom Booth late in the game...big time catch Tom!!!! 

Joey McDonough pitched 5 2/3 innings with 7 Ks on 86 pitches, Joey cruised through the middle innings, throwing 14, 8, and 10 pitches for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings.  Joey helped himself at the plate getting on base all 3 times with a single and 2 walks, and scoring a run. 

We had some real heads up base runnning by both our special pinch runners Tom Booth and Justin Marino...really nice base running guys! 

Pat Murphy had a nice night going 2 for 3 and had an RBI...keep swinging the bat Murph!! Dan Sullivan and Pat Shaughnessy each added singles for the Kennels.

Dylan Anti closed the game on 6 pitches to record the final out with a strikeout for the save, and the 2009 Kennels first playoff win.  Dylan went 1 for 3 tonight with 2 stolen bases and he scored the Kennels first run.

We have Churchill's Thursday night at Burgess, they are going to be tough, best record in the league this year....WE GOT NOTHING TO LOSE!!!!

Keep and eye on the web site for rain out info...it looks like it will be wet...again come early to warm up...once again...GREAT TEAM EFFORT!!!

KEEP IT ROLLING!!!!

Coach Steve McD

Programming note:  For those with cable , CAP Sports came down and interviewed some of the VFW and Kennels kids after the game, he took some video of Tom Booth's catch in RF late in the game, and also caught Colbert's hit.  

You're gonna be stars!!!  It's on over the weekend, you won't see it live tomorrow night because we will be playing...it's on channel 13 at 7:30pm over the weekend too.

Hope you guys are ready...it's now win or go home. 

We have VFW at Emerson tonight and it looks like WE'RE ON!!!

At least according to the forecast...come early to warm up.

Coach Steve McD

Nice win Kennels, Gendreau's will make some noise in the playoffs,

We are finishing our suspended gamne with JA, we pick up where we left off, Shaughnessy leads off in the 7th inning tied 8-8...we play till we get a winner.

Please be there for 4:45pm to warm up.

Coach Steve McD

Mother Nature has given us the night off, the forecast is for wet weather.

It was good to get a late season look at Churchill's, just before playoffs because to get to the Black Division Championship (which we played in last year) the road will have to go through Churchill's...they showed why they are at the top of the Black Division tonight, they threw 2 tough pitchers, Tim Elrich and Joe Cronin who combined for 12 strikeouts of the 22 batters they faced, we only had 2 guys get up 3 times.  Those guys are good, but we helped them out a little....

WE NEED TO SWING THE BATS!

There is only 1 way I can guarantee you will not get a hit...don't swing the bat...we need to correct that next game so we are swinging well going into the playoffs.  You don't have to kill it, just get it in play...although killing every now and then is OK.

EVERYONE say it with me....SWING THE BAT!!!

We are definitely playing next week, now it's just a matter to see who we play in the playoffs.  You guys should be proud of yourselves, you worked hard and we are playing in the post season where anything can happen....now is the time to get hot!!! 

On to the highlights:

This one will be quick, just like our at bats tonight....one guy swinging the bat well was Dylan Anti.  Anti went 1 for 3 with his second Home Run...tell you what Dylan, when you hit them, we know they're gone...again, nice shot to LF for 2 RBI and our only runs of the night...Dylan got the Game Ball not just for his hitting but that glove...it's fun to watch Anti play short stop.  Dylan had 4 put outs, but it was the one rocket off the bat of the speedy Chase Reed that got everyone's attention...all I can say is WOW!  Great glove Dylan!!!

We had another contender for the game ball, and if I had a second one with me and wasn't running so low on baseballs I would have handed one to Murph!  As a matter of fact, Murph, I'm going to find a decent game ball and hand it to you next time I see you.  Pat Murphy made his pitching debut tonight...that's right...2 outs left, and I gave Murph a big surprise...I looked over at Murph and said YOU'RE PITCHING!!!  You should have seen the look on his face.

Murph started strong, but he found out it's a lot different with a batter in there...tonight was Murph's first time pitching to live hitters and he struck out the final 2 hitters of the 4 he faced to end the game.  Way to go Murph...nice job...make sure you remind me to give you that game ball...you earned it!!!

Justin Marino made 2 very nice running catches in LF, ranging deep into foul territory to snag a shot off the bat of Tyler Morini.  Justin showed what a great team player he is tonight, after he finished the first 3 innings of the game he thought his night was done...not just yet Justin.  Shaughnessy got nailed in the ankle with an Elrich fastball that put him on the bench, so Justin pinch ran for him and stayed in the game and we moved him to 2B, then we shifted him over to 3rd when we needed him...nice work tonight Justin.

Joey McDonough, the Kennels starter found out the hard way why Churchill's is so good, they can flat out hit the ball, they swing the bat, and they can hit...Joey McD threw 5 1/3 inning on 86 pitches with 4 strikeouts.  Joey McD's highlight tonight came on a snag of a line shot right back up the middle...nice hands Joe!!

Chris Neuman continues to swing the bat well, he led of the 4th with a single, and scored on Anti's HR.   Chris also drew a walk, he worked the count to 3-2 after starting 0-2...nice eye Chris...really good at bats tonight!

Once again...nice job making the Playoffs...we have Gendreau's for our final game at 8:30am Saturday morning at Emerson...I hate morning games too guys!!! 

Please be there no later than 7:45 to wake up...I mean warm up!  Then we have pictures at MRA Softball field immediately following the game...if any parents need (want) to drop your players off and then meet us at MRA we'll get them there for pictures...no problem.

Get Ready for Playoffs guys!!!

Coach Steve McD

Nice team effort tonight guys, everyone contributed, you played smart defense, and generally took very good care of the ball tonight...you were all into it tonight and maintained focus...(through most of the game). 

We are getting down to the wire, tonight was a good division win to complete the season sweep of PPD 2-0 which could have bearing on playoff seedings if we go to  tiebreakers...we have 2 more games left then playoffs...I'd like to see us go into the playoffs on a good note, if we win out and get some help, we could sneak into 3rd...any way you slice it we should be playing next week...good job tonight guys!!! 

Jaime Neuman got the game ball tonight, he was swinging the bat well, going 1 for 2 with a Double, and a walk and his fly out to LF would have gone for extra bases if  the left fielder doesn't pull that in!!!   That extra work Sunday paid off Jaime, keep it up!! 

Sean Colbert had a nice web gem catch in CF, actually it was over in left...nice range Colbert!! 

Pat Shaughnessy pitched well, going 3 1/3 innings on 60 pitches, and then played some strong defense at 1B, squeezing the final out to end the game. 

Dylan Anti came on to relieve Shaughnessy, Dylan went 2 2/3 innings on 50 pitches with 6 Ks to nail down an important win  for the Kennels playoff hopes.  Dylan went 2 for 3 with a walk, an RBI and scored a run...Anti added a couple of stolen bases to his total as well....nice job Dylan, keep doing those exercises.

Andy Parker's bat is heating up, he went 3 for 3, with 3 RBI, he scored a run and had a sacrifice...nice night at the plate Andy!!!   Keep it up for the playoffs!!!

Joey McDonough added to the hit total going 2 for 3, with a walk and scored 2 runs...keep swinging the bat Joe!!!

Dan Sullivan had a tough day, tough sun in his eyes all night, chewing dust behind the plate...he worked hard tonight.  At the plate, Dan went went 1 for 2 with a walk ...Dan had an RBI as well...I say Dan had a tough night because he was literally 1 step off 3rd when the PPD catcher Cory Carraher tried to pick him off...he got him...right in the head, way to hang tough Dan, good thing it caught the helmet.

The box score doesn't always tell the story, Pat Murphy didn't help his average much tonight going 0 for 1, but he certainly helped his team...Murph had 2 SAC flies for 2 RBI...Murph also played solid defense tonight...with a few put outs at 3rd...he also executed the perfect rundown, just like we taught you guys.  Dylan picked off a PPD runner straying too far from 2nd, Murph ran him back to 2nd and made a good throw to Joey McD who applied the tag...good work Murph!!!

We have Churchill's on Thursday night at Emerson...they are going to be tough to beat...it will be good to see them before the playoffs so we know what we need to do in the playoffs!!!  Time to step up guys...Churchill's looks to have the Division title in their sights...be there at 5 to warm up.

Coach Steve McD

Kennels hung tough with VFW, their aggressive baserunning style manufactured a couple runs early with us helping them out throwing the ball around...but it was Bondo's homer in the 3rd and Mitch's 2 run shot in the 6th that were the difference.

Guys are going to hit them out in this league, there's some big hitters, you can't control that...but you CAN control throwing the ball around, let's take better care of things Tuesday night at MRA against PPD...be there at 5 to warm up.

Coach Steve McD

Good work at practice Sunday, let's carry it into the game....Playoffs start next week and we want to go in on a win streak...3 games with Division opponents...we need to win at least 1 or 2 to make sure we get in...come ready to play Kennels!!!

The SPLL Major League All Star game is on Sunday, June 7^th at 11:30 am at Burgess Field, each team can send 3 representatives and name 1 alternate. The 3 players representing the 2009 Kennels at the Major League All Star Game are also our top 3 stat leaders, dominating each of the major statistical categories.   

If for any reason any of the top 3 players cannot attend the All Star game, the alternate will be offered the chance to attend.   

In order by average: 

NOTE:  Highlighted areas are team lead numbers.

Please join me in congratulating Joey, Dylan and Shaughnessy (and Andy if any of them can’t play)!!! 

Dylan is a 2 time Majors All Star!!!  This is the first Majors All Star game for Joey and Shaughnessy, come on out to watch the top 18 players in each division compete. 

Coach Steve McD

Tonight was cold, wet and raw, not exactly nice weather to watch good baseball…but that’s not exactly what we played tonight anyway.  We need to get back to playing SMART defense…you need to KNOW where the ball is going before it comes to you.

Now say it with me… 

WE NEED TO STOP THROWING THE BALL AROUND!!!! 

We need to take better care of the ball...also, I’m glad to see you guys are so generous, but not on the baseball field...we gave away extra bases, we gave away extra outs, we gave away runs and took some of our own away….NO MORE MENTAL MISTAKES!!!  We made too many mental errors and YAC took advantage. 

You guys know how to play good smart defense, let’s get back to it on Saturday against VFW.  Learn from tonight's mistakes, and move on...we need to get ready for the playoffs!!!

Now on to the highlights: 

With the Kennels putting up 10 hits on the board, and 2 guys hitting home runs, 4 guys with multiple hit games....you'd have thought we would have put more runs on the board, but we left too many guys on base...6 stranded baserunners, we left the bases loaded and came away empty early...we need to push those runs across…you were swinging the bats well and making good solid contact!!  Now let's string some of those hits together!!! 

Dylan Anti drilled a shot to deep left field 30 feet up the hill for his first home run, no question about that one Dylan…keep them coming!!  As usual, Dylan played solid defense making 4 puts outs in typical Anti fashion, I'm glad you got that glove fixed!!  

Joey McDonough hit his 2^nd homer of the season, we thought it was a 2 run shot but we cost ourselves a run on the bases (never again Kennels!!).  Joey went 2 for 3 tonight, and made a nice play ranging to his right at 2B to take away extra bases and squeezed the final out. 

Dan Sullivan also went 2 for 3 tonight, his bat is heating up…keep it going Dan!!!  We need your bat!!! 

Pat Murphy went 2 for 3 tonight as well, with a couple of singles, way to cut that swing down a little to make sure you connect Murph....keep it up!!!

Andy Parker was looking very aggressive at the plate tonight, and it paid off, 3 for 3 with a Triple…keep that same approach at the plate Andy!!! 

Sean Colbert has been playing awesome defense no matter where we put him, early in the game he ranged deep in CF to haul in a shot to the track.  Colbert also turned in 2 of the final 3 outs playing 3^{rd .}  Keep it up Sean!!!!  Colbert also got on base late in the game and scored on Tom Booth’s RBI single. 

Tom Booth was swinging well in practice, so we started him at EH to get him more at bats, and it paid off, he was on base all 3 times and ran the bases well. Nice job Tom! 

Seriously guys, you hit well tonight, I don't usually have to do this much writing for a loss...throwing the ball around, and mental errors cost us big tonight...let's learn from tonight's mistakes and move on...forget about them now, they're history. 

We have Pitchers & Catchers at my house Friday night at 5:30-7:00pm…we need it guys!!!  Please try to make it!!!  Give me a call if you can't be there.

VFW at Emerson Saturday at 3:15pm, be there at 2 to warm up!!! 

Coach Steve McD

The Kennels are working on a nice streak, some fun wins, the walkoff win with Rose & Vicki’s, 2 with Kush Kone, now back-to-back shutout wins, putting together strong pitching,  and solid defense combined with timely hitting and good base running.  It was another fun one to watch tonight, featuring Dylan Anti with his first start of '09.

Dylan gave up 1 hit, and 1 walk over 3 innings with 3 Ks on 34 pitches...interesting play on the walk, Glynn was being aggressive on the bases and tried to take second, 2-1-6 recorded the out...way to be heads up guys. Dylan, remember, you need to keep doing your exercises if you want to keep getting the ball...Anti helped his cause at the plate as well, leading off the game with a walk and scoring on Joey McD's Double to score the Kennels first run to jump out to a 1-0 lead they would not give up.  Anti was on base all 3 times tonight...he got tonight's game ball.

Glynn countered with hard throwing Sam Letendre, Sam was making Cooper Gavin’s mitt pop from start. The Kennels worked some tough at bats against Sam, Andy Parker in particular, had a Youk-like at bat…you were right on those Andy, that was a tough at bat in the 3^rd inning…Sam was firing strikes and you kept fouling them off…I know the Glynn coaches hoped he could throw longer but you ate up a ton of pitches they took him out at 59…nice at bat Andy…keep that intensity at the plate!

Anti was relieved in the 4th inning by Joey McDonough, who struck out 8, in 3 innings, on 47 pitches.  Glynn made it interesting for Joey… getting 2 men on base in the 6th, with their number 3 hitter Nick Romo at the plate... 2 outs…after several tough fouls with a 3-2 count,  Joey closed it out with a K to preserve the shutout and seal the win.

Pat Shaughnessy got our second game ball tonight...for his solo bomb 30 feet up the hill in left to lead off the 4^th…. giving the Kennels a 2-0 lead on his second home run this season...there was no doubt about this one....NICE SHOT Shaughnessy!!! 

Several other Kennels worked good at bats tonight, Chris Neuman had a line shot for a single...keep swinging the bat Chris, good things happen when you swing the bat like you mean it.  Justin Marino had another hit tonight, he ran the bases well advancing quickly from 1^st to 2nd then 2^nd to 3^rd on past balls. 

Andy Parker rounded out the Kennels hits tonight with a nice single down the left field line, you turned on that ball nice Andy.  Josh Whiting drew a walk in 5th and used his head running the bases....tagging up at 3rd and scoring on Joey McD's sacrifice fly to score the Kennels final run, to push the score to 3-0, hitting his 2^nd RBI of the night...nice heads up base running Whitey.

Once again Dan Sullivan was rock solid behind the plate, really good glove tonight squeezing those foul tips, tons of scoops and doing a great job keeping the ball in front of you…keep it up Dan!

NICE TEAM EFFORT......KEEP IT UP!!!!

We have YAC at Emerson on Thursday and the forecast is calling for rain...keep an eye on the web site for weather updates...the games are at 6 pm during the week for the rest of the season, please arrive by 5pm to warm up...NICE WORK tonight guys...you're getting hot just in time for the playoffs!!!!

Coach Steve McD

The story of today's game was a quick one about pitching, for both teams...both starters finished the game in less than 60 pitches each and it took less than 60 minutes.  Joey McDonough for the Kennels had 9 Ks on 54 pitches throwing a complete game shutout to earn tonight's game ball. 

Joey was helped by stellar defense tonight...it started early, in the first inning Dylan Anti took a one hop shot up the middle off the bat of  Matt Cushing, Kush Kone's starting pitcher, and started a double play to erase KK's first 2 hitters.  If Anti doesn't make that play, the complexion of the game is totally different, instead, KK was retired after just 7 pitches.  It's that kind of defense we've come to expect from Dylan...love to watch you flash the leather Dylan.

Jaime Neuman had his first hit tonight, nice job Jaime...I told you it would come, looks like giving you the start for going to the Skills Clinic paid off, nice job!!  Tom Booth had another hit today, that's back to back games Tom...keep it going!! 

Kennels played very solid defense tonight, Dan Sullivan was a rock back behind the plate, squeezing everything tonight keeping Kush Kone quiet on the bases.  Sean Colbert was smooth as always with a couple of put outs playing second.  Murph made a nice pick and long throw to first from 3rd.  Andy Parker ranged back squeezing a long fly to center...and that was about it...55 minutes.

You have a week off...games start at 6 pm next week, (Coach Parker was right)...but after the long weekend, please plan on being at the field at the same time...4:45pm...we are going to need to shake off the cobwebs after the long weekend.

For those that did not turn in the discount cards tonight...please try your best to sell them, you have one more week...please try to remember to bring either the cards or the money next week.

Always nice to start a long break with a win...we have the field on Sunday for practice...it is optional...I do not plan to be there, but you are welcome to use the field if you like.

See you Tuesday.

Coach Steve McD

SPLL Discount Cards/Money due on Tuesday - the proceeds from the discount cards are going to batting cages, we'd like to get them ASAP so the league is collecting the money/remaining cards. 

Remember, it's $10 per card or return the card...I know some guys sold all their cards, we'll see how we do as a team.

Nice work at the Skills Clinics by Dylan, Jaime and Chris Neuman, and Murph....good to see you guys putting in the extra effort. ...name the Kennel missing from the list to get out of 1 lap next practice.

We have Kush Kone Tuesday at MRA 3.

Coach Steve McD

Really nice comeback guys, we had the momentum and ran out of time...play was suspended for the 2 hour time limit tied at 8.   We are checking the ruling, but it looks like we pickup play at the same point at a later date to finish it.

We had a couple of nice plays, some really great "firsts" today, Andy's first Triple...nice line drive Andy...Sean Colbert had his first RBI as did Tom Booth...both were key hits during our 5th inning comeback...and Joey McDonough had his first Majors Home Run, Joey hit a 2 run shot to deep straightaway centerfield...Nice Bomb Joey!!!

We have practice at 3 on Sunday and Kush Kone on Tuesday.

 Coach Steve McD

Kennels have a tough stretch coming up, 3 games in 5 days, add in that we have the Skills Festival and Picture Day on Saturday, practice Sunday...we have a very full plate of baseball coming up. 

Parents, take Saturday afternoon if you like...we have a game at 1 pm, which means warmups are at 12:15pm...then we have team pictures immediately following the game at 2:40 pm MRA 4 (the softball field)...then the Skills festival starts at 3 pm on Burgess for Majors kids. 

I'd really like the players to attend regardless of how the game goes earlier, we all need the work.  I am helping run the event, and I know they could use the drills that will be demonstrated...that runs til 4:30-5pm, so again....if you want the afternoon to yourself, leave them with me.

We have a record of 3-4 after a tough loss to VFW...nice effort to come back late...that shows you won't quit.   Let's try to get back over .500 starting Friday.

We have Kush Kone Friday, JA Saturday, Kush Kone again Tuesday, 3 games in 5 days as we hit the mid point of the season...can you believe it?  We will have a break for a week after Tuesday's game...it's how the schedule falls...but let's get focused for Friday...everyone take a few swings!!!

Coach Steve McD

Sorry for the delays in updates, computer issues for the last week.

Way to hang tough Kennels, nice come back in the 6th for a walk off 3-2 win over Rose & Vicky's....it took a full team effort to pull this one off, but we had a few guys step up with solid defense when we needed it and a couple keys swings of the bat to take it home. 

Tied 2-2 in the 6th, rookie Sean Colbert was playing 3rd with men on 1st and 2nd, he cleanly fielded a hot shot and stomped on the bag for the 2nd out; then with bases loaded 2 out, again, a hot shot down the line Colbert fielded it cleanly and won the foot race to the bag for the 3rd out...ending the inning and preserving the tie.  It's that kind of heads up defense that wins ball games...it also won Sean the game ball!!!  Great Game Sean!!!

Tied 2 all in the 6th, Joey McDonough lead off with a Double down the line to get in scoring position for Andy Parker.  Parker hit a shot to SS, and put his head down to beat the throw, the throw got away and Joey McD came around to score the winning run!!!

It was fun watching you guys jump around after that one guys...like Coach Parker said...it's wins like this one that can get you on a roll....let's keep it going Monday night against VFW.

We have practice at Burgess tomorrow at 3pm, but it is Mother's Day so practice is optional...make sure you do something nice for your Mom, best thing might be to come and take some BP and give her some time to herself. 

We'll see you Monday night 45 minutes early if you can't make it.

Coach Steve McD

Good effort against Churchill's guys, we had some break-through performances, Andy Parker looked relaxed and strong on the mound,  he took some swings in a game like we've seen in practice, you put a nice swing on that double...good all around game, Andy got the game ball.

We also had some performances we'd like to forget as well, we have to stop giving away runs, be smart guys...know the situation,  and where the ball is going before it comes to you!!  

We also have to get into the game !!  And focus !!  We shouldn't have to try to get you into the game and focus after we score 3 runs to tie it 4-4 in the 5th....that should get anyone excited for baseball.

I could have coached a little better too, so we ALL have work to do.

I'll do a highlights update after I get things ready for our pitching session tonight, (I know I owe our fans a few writeups, I'll catch up)  I'll see you tonight...catchers wear your cup!

Coach Steve McD

Fun game tonight guys, you ran the bases well...I have to rest my shoulder, it's sore from waving you in...sorry to everyone I ran into outs, (I think 4 or 5 of you) those are on me...I always think you can make it.

Well,  I owe you 2 writeups now...I'll make sure I get them done before our next game against Churchill's on Thursday...just like tonight, please arrive 45 minutes early to warm up...let's keep it rolling, 2 in a row...we're in a 3 way tie for 2nd place.

Coach Steve McD

Nice job today guys, I'll do a full writeup later...tons of great stuff to write about...15 hits...Shaughnessy cranked out a 3 run homer!!!

See you at practice tomorrow at 3 pm...I know some of you have family stuff tomorrow, hope to see as many of you as we can....we have PPD Monday night!!!

Coach Steve McD

The Kennels, had their chances but could not capitalize, we left 3 guys in scoring position, we need to pick those runs up guys.  The way we do that is to start making contact, we need to put the ball in play and string some hits together to drive some of these baserunners home.  We only had 4 hits, and scored 3 runs, very efficient, but not enough...we need more hits.  A couple guys got robbed on some nice defensive plays by Tracy Chevrolet.  

Dan Sullivan cranked a shot deep down the left field line...keep swinging like that Dan, those will start dropping.  Pat Shaughnessy drilled a line drive to the shortstop...one step either way and that's a hit Pat. 

We did have 2 guys connecting tonight...Dylan Anti went 1 for 3 with a single and hit a shot to deep right that he's standing on 3rd if that ball drops.   Joey McDonough went 3 for 3, hitting a standup Triple in the 1st, coming home on Andy Parker's sacrifice to score our first run.  Joey followed that up with a Double and a Single...way to swing that bat Joey McD...keep it up!

Aside from the one circus play in the field, you guys played some pretty good defense.  Tonight's Kennels' starter, Andy Parker made a heads up play at first, after hitting his pitch count, Andy was moved to 1B, after squeezing the first out he spotted a Tracy runner trying to score...Andy gunned it home touching off an "interesting" run down...we got the double play...not exactly how you draw it up...I have no idea how to score it...but it counts.  

Nice catch by Chris Newman on a deep fly ball that definitely would have gone for extra bases...nice grab Chris.   Murph had a couple of put outs playing 3rd, looking pretty solid...Murph also knows to keep his head in the game before I have to put a helmet on it...enough said about that Murph!!

Pitchers & Catchers at my house Friday...we need it guys...catchers remember to wear your cup!

We have ABB at 3:15 pm at Emerson field on Saturday, get there at 2:30pm, I would like to see you 45 minutes early to warm up...we need to get the bats going!!!   Let's have some fun Saturday guys!!!

Coach Steve McD

I have to give a shout out to tonight's starting pitcher for Tracy, I've coached Dan Burns for most of his time in SPLL, (since T-Ball) we got separated in the Majors last year.  I'm glad I got to see Dan's first Majors win, he had to gut it out, we tested him early, and he settled right down to throw his full count of 85 pitches in 5 2/3 innings.  Dan had 8 Ks, and gave up 3 walks and hit a guy...Whitey's fine Dan...Nice Job on the mound tonight to notch Tracy Chevrolet's first win in SPLL.

Tough pitchers' duel tonight...as a former pitcher it was fun to watch.  The 2 starters, Brian Christian of Gendreau's (14 K's) and Joey McD (11 K's) of the Kennels combined for 25 strikeouts, both guys were throwing gas for strikes.   Joey McD's complete game earned him the game ball tonight, we're hoping for the same type of outing from Andy Parker Wednesday night against Tracy Chevrolet.

Brian is one of the top pitchers in this league, he will make you miss, good news is we don't see him again until the end of the year...but you have to swing the bats.  We struck out looking too much tonight, I'll cut you some slack...he's tough, but you need to swing the bats!!!  On the positive side, we worked 5 walks and turned 1 into a run...nice base running Dylan....we need to take advantage any way possible against the flamethrowers, each team seems to have at least 1.

One thing you need to learn from tonight....it doesn't matter who's pitching...if you don't swing the bats...you won't hit, simple as that....take your cuts up there!!!  I will never give you a hard time if you go up and take your swings...but called strike 3's drive me crazy. 

As with all games, please arrive no later 5pm to get loosened up properly, we have Tracy on Wednesday at Emerson field.

Come ready to play!!

Coach Steve McD

You guys have to check this site out...great free training resource....I am a big fan of copying the best...the pros...whether it's pitching or hitting.

Check out this web site http://www.pitchingclips.com and find your favorite pitcher and study his delivery.   ALL professional pitchers have developed their own style, but they are also consistent on the fundamentals that make a good pitcher. We are going to copy that. 

 Coach Steve McD

If the web site says we are rained out...we are rained out...if not...it's on and be ready to play, I try to have postings done by 4pm.

Coach Steve McD