Defendermobile enjoying a cleaning after a recent victoryAs we strode across the field to the open and dry diamond, there was a prone figure in the dugout and Jeremy said, "There's a bum in the dugout!" I quickly reined in this situation by yelling at them to leave the bum alone. Kenny then started laughing and said it was probably Alex, the tip-cupping, recently disposed coach of the red team. I just shook my head as Kenny waited for a reaction and the best I could do was tell them to get in their positons as I tried wiping the big grin off my face. It turned out it was 2 teenagers necking, and after about 90 seconds of practice, the lovebirds abandoned their nest for quieter environs.
We practiced some throws from catcher to second and catcher to third and also put in our trick play that day. The play is for the catcher to quick throw to short, who is running in towards the pitcher, and shortstop to throw back to home when they are sending the runner from first when they have another one on third. The play is designed for them to think that we are throwing to second so they will send the runner from home and BAM, we catch a quick a out. The danger is 2 throws are involved, thus giving you 4 chances to screw up. It will be called rarely. We also discussed strategy and line-ups and I shared with them my plan to surprise them by starting Ralph instead of Anthony, and then bring Anthony in to close the game. I wanted to do this for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to see how he would pitch against a good hitting team [Giants went into the game on a 7 game winning streak and they scored at least 12 runs in each of the last 6 games ] and second, I wanted to let the Giants know my #2 starter can shut them down as well as my #1. They all agreed, including Anthony, and we discussed the fact that those who do not show to practice should not be getting a lot of ab's or playing time. We parted ways until the next day full squad workout.
Five people showed on Wednesday and we obviously could not do much of a workout. We went over some strategy, did some baserunning drills and did a quick bp. Anthony and Ralph warmed up their pitching arms as well. We told the five they would get to go to the batting cages the next day. We (the coaches) originally had planned splitting the team into two groups to take to the cages, but I really did not feel like rewarding the group who is intermittent at best when it comes to appearing for practice. By splitting the team into groups, it allows the coaches more time to work with kids on their swing, and we really wanted to get Ralph and Josh to start getting their bats in gear.
Jeremy, Ralph and Kenny at the batting cages
Kenny called Wednesday night after practice to tell me a bad joke. He then called back and I ignored his call. He tried calling me twice on Thursday (with the same result) and when I arrived at the fields to pick them up to go to the cages Kenny informed me that there was something wrong with my phone and that his calls were not getting through.
"I'll have to look into that Kenny." I said, wishing there were a sunglasses equivalent to help hide the smirk that was taking over my face at the moment. We had the kids take a few swings and discussed batting styles and strategies before piling into the vehicles to go to the cages. I admonished the kids that if they got in any trouble they would have to deal with it themselves or until their parents got there and that I would leave them if they started screwing around or left the cage area (there is a huge game room attached to the cages). I had to do the peremptory admonishment since some of the kids think that since I am a lawyer I can break the law, do anything I want and have the ability to get them out of trouble in a snap of the fingers. In the past, they have encouraged me to drive without a seatbelt, run stop signs and drive down one-way streets the wrong way as well as kick teams and people off the fields all with the same argument that I can do it 'because you're a lawyer'. Methinks they watch too much t.v.
The batting cages went well. I got Anthony to finally stop reaching (he had been doing that for 2 games now) and step closer to the plate. Kenny decided he could hit better by standing on his toes (bringing much laughter to myself and Anthony as we watched), and Josh finally stopped trying to use the bat as a butt-scratcher in the batters box and held the bat somewhat properly as he lashed out some line drives. Ralph was being very aggressive after I had him move his back foot 'out of the bucket' (getting his back foot even with his front foot at the plate) and I felt he could handle being moved up in the line-up. Jeremy slugged the ball and quit short-arming his swings. He is such a big kid, if he finds his groove, he may not make another out all year.We returned to the field to toss the ball around some and to watch the big game between the Giants and Southern Trucking, both 6-1 going into the game. Tytee and Clayvon were at the field and Tytee offered to go change into practice gear. I told her to do it and Clayvon just sort of disappeared into the fringes. He doesn't take too well to practice, which is a shame because he would really benefit from it, but he is such a good presence on our team, I sort of let it slide. As long as I do not put him too high in the order the other kids do not mind either. Clayvon is bright and quick-witted and keeps the team loose on the bench with his joking and spontaneous rapping. The coach from the team we scrimmaged was at the other field and asked if we wanted to scrimmage again. I agreed and although we only had 6 kids, I pulled one of Tytee's friends into the game. Ashley is her name and she is a fast kid and very eager to learn the game. I told her later I was mad at her for not showing up earlier in the year. She would have made a good addition with her spunk and hustle. Tytee told me she (Ashley) had gone out with Kenny for a short time but dumped him because he was always goofing off. It made me like her more, and an unintended consequence of having her around was that it seemed to mute Kenny--at least for the time being. We had fun at the scrimmage--I do a pseudo social-psych experiment with the kids in these situations and allow them to play wherever they want. It is an interesting dynamic since the regular alpha males must take a back seat to the baseball-ability alpha males although it sometimes results in pure stubbornness by some and I may end up with 2 shortstops and no secondbaseman. We played a couple of innings and went to watch the rest of the Giants-SoTruck game that was tied up in the 4th inning.
I had an unofficial practice Friday (I had to be at the fields for the LICH-Sunset Park game). Kevin showed up, Anthony was there and Ashley appeared as well. We practiced throwing and then I pitched to them for a few minutes. Kevin, who I am starting to realize has a good eye, simply amazed me at this practice. Anthony asked to pitch to Kevin so that Kevin could get used to fast pitches. Kevin was zinging every pitch to the shortstop. Ashley was at second so I told Kevin to hit the ball to her. He pulled it down the first base line and I said, "No, hit it to the girl." He did. Twice in a row. It had to be a fluke, so I told him to hit it to third where Fat Gerald was playing. He is the former player (not a Defender, mind you) who started the row at practice the week before with Kevin. BAM, BAM two shots down the line. Kevin, smiling, asked, "Where do you want me to hit it now, coach." and he proceeded to hit the next two to where I told him. Kevin is moving up in the batting order, period. We went to watch the game (which was a resounding 16-1 loss for LICH) and during the game, I received a phone call from a restricted number.
"Hello?"
"Yes, is this Kenneth Tello's baseball coach?" asked the strange voice on the other line.
"Yes it is." I replied beginning to realize it was Kenny prank calling me.
"Yes, I need to report to you that Kenny broke his knee playing in the playground and will be out the rest of the season."
"O.K."
"Did you hear what I said? He will be out the rest of the season. He can't play anymore."
"That's O.K." I said without much concern, "We will be a better team without him anyway."
And then without giving him a chance to respond I continued, "Tell him I am leaving right now to come see him in the hospital. Where is he?"
"Um, he is in Methodist Hospital." came the startled reply.
"O.K., tell him we are on our way."
I was duly impressed with his next reply, which kept the facade going.
"Room 3218."
"What?"
"He is in room 3218."
"O.K. Thanks. Bye." and I hung up the phone. Coach Chris was standing next to me and we both laughed. About 30-40 seconds later my phone rang again.
"So you think the team is better without me?" said an irritated Kenny. I laughed.
"Kenny, I knew it was you the whole time. Quit screwing around, get to bed early and I will see you early in the morning."
"What time?"
"What time did I tell you?"
"Eight-o-clock."
"A.M." I said, and we both laughed at our team inside joke as we hung up the phone. Kevin, every time we talk about a game time or practice, asks with completely sincerity, "a.m. or p.m.?", even when we say practice Monday at 4:30, Kevin will ask, "a.m. or p.m.?" So that is our own little joke, and I explained to the kids that this type of humor is acceptable because we are not taunting or abusing the boy, just enjoying an innocent laugh. During the game, Kevin was pointing out mistakes the team was making in positioning themselves and in failing to make fundamenta
l plays. I was proud that all the repetitive work and hollering appeared to be paying off as all the mistakes he pointed out were all accurate. I decided to do some reinforcement of the practicing we do and asked him why it was he knows those things. He just shrugged as the ice cream truck played its enticing song of seduction in the background. "Well, do you think the fact that we practice these things all the time may be helping you to learn the game correctly?" I asked.Anthony at the batting cages
Saturday was a beautiful day and it had rained about an hour during the night, just enough to hold the dust down. Our squad was there in force about 30 minutes prior to game time and we were looking ready. Quincy reappeared after about a 2 week absence. I teased him about his spaceship finally returned to earth, but told him he may not play since he had blown us off. He tried giving the 'I didn't have your phone number' line but no one was buying it. He would probably play a little bit anyways since he is such a good kid, and I am also a little bit afraid of his little 8-year-old brother. Christian appeared along with Taylor and Joel. None of that group had been to a practice in 2 weeks, so I decide the 4 of them would split 2 positions and the other 8 players would get to play the entire game. I was looking forward to playing the Giants for several reasons. They are the best team in the league, but I figured they would be cocky coming into the game since they have been dominating games. The coaches, both former players from the league, are good guys and have the right attitude about the game. The kids are all good kids and respectful, and they are well-coached and you have to be ready for them to take advantage of any little mistake your team will make. We raised some eyebrows by starting Ralph on the mound, especially since we had been saying that we would start Anthony all week. They started Joey after saying all week that Kareem would be starting. Anthony and Kareem are among the top 3 pitchers in the league. The gamesmanship had started and we didn't even get the first pitch of the game in yet.
We were the visiting team and I really wanted to jump these guys. I decided to bench coach so I could get the kids focused on their at bats. Lou was on first, Windmill Man Chris was on third and Sonia was her normal pillar of strength on the bench keeping the kids calm and focused and ensuring Kenny was not trying to sneak any Red Bull.
Kenny walked to lead off the game and did a beautiful delay steal on the first pitch to Anthony. Lou looked at me and said "I didn't send him." and I just smiled knowing Lou knows none of us can control Kenny when he gets on base. Kenny feels any time he is on base he should be on third within a few pitches, and he usually does just that. Anthony lashed a liner to left and we were up 1-0. We added another baserunner but could not score and we were up 1-0 after our first ab's. Josh was their first batter and he is a solid hitter. He bats left but consistently hits the ball to the opposite field down the line. I positioned my fielder and waited. 4 pitches later Ralph had a k and the team was feeling good. The second batter walked, the third batter popped up to the pitcher and Kareem was up, by far the most dominating slugger in the league. I refuse to intentionally walk anyone in little league and had coached the kids to pitch him low and outside, counseling them that I would rather him walk than demoralize us with a 300 foot home run. Second pitch they sent their runner and Kenny gunned him down, thus ending the inning and taking the bat out of their sluggers hands. We got shut out in the second and Ralph took command of the game in the second inning. The Giants had been taunting Ralph and said he pitched slow. Well, he struck out Kareem, shocking everyone watching the game, walked the next guy and then got a ground out and another k to end the second.
Kenny led off the third with a hit and promptly stole second.Anthony got a hit and moved him to third. Anthony stole second on the first pitch and did not draw the throw. Kenny scored on a wild pitch and Jeremy walked. Josh was at bat and Anthony scored on another wild pitch. Josh walked. Kevin at bat and he hit a bouncer up the middle. It was a hard play and Kevin beat the trow from short as Jeremy scored while the ball fell from the firstbaseman's glove. Coach Chris had told Josh to round the base and Josh interpreted that to try and score. It was a much closer play than it should have been, but he was the first out of the inning. Ralph and Tytee both took called third strikes, but we were up 4-0 going into the bottom of the third.
The Giants hit a scorcher to short that Anthony handled like a pro and Jeremy made a nice catch at first of a somewhat errant throw. The next batter grounded to the pitcher and the last batter in the order was up. The commish, forced into ump duty, called a ball 4 on a full-count (I think he squeezed my boy) and Josh hit the ball exactly where he always does, but it dropped right between my leftfielder and thirdbaseman. The next batter hit a routine grounder to Kevin at second, but he lifter his head and the ball went between his legs into rightfield. Both baserunners scored, but Tytee made a nice throw to Ralph (who was backing up the shortstop for some reason) and he rifled a throw to Josh at third for the final out of the inning. I was a bit pissed that they scored, but did not show it when the kids came in. Coach Chris pulled them together and praised them for pulling together so quickly in the face of a bad play and we told the kids to go get the runs back. We had runners on second and third with 2 outs and Anthony up, but all he could do was ground out weakly to second base.
The Giants had their 3-4-5 hitters due up in the 4th. We kept Ralph on the mound. The first batter, Joey, grounded out to short. Kareem again struck out and the next batter lofted a fly ball to right. I was thinking at least there are two outs in case this ball drops in when Tytee gracefully settled under the ball and it thumped into her mitt with a resounding 3rd out sound. I cheered like we just won the game. The kids all mobbed Tytee in the field, damn near carrying her off in triumph and the team was feeling good and playing loose. I can admit that I had a tear of happiness in my eye over that successful catch. She has really been working hard at practice and has really been working on her fielding abilities. I was beaming proud at that moment, but we still had 2 big innings to go.
They brought in Kareem to start the 5th inning. Jeremy hit a single and promptly stole 2nd, 3rd and home within the next 4 pitches. I think that really rattled their team scoring so quickly off their ace. He shut us down and the coaches decided to send Ralph out for one more inning. It was hot and we did not want to lose because he was too tired. They led off with a little-ass 20 foot single and then hit a shot to Anthony who was able to get the lead runner. Guy on first, one out. Corey, who often practices with me and is always at the fields, was at bat. His coach told me he had not had a hit all year, but he also started the year with a broken foot. Ralph hung one in there and Corey hit a blast. I thought it would be a homer, but Quincy raced to the ball and was able to contain it to a triple. I waked out to talk with Ralph, who was beginning to look tired.
"How you feeling?"
"O.K." said the boy of few words.
"You think you can get me these last two batters?"
"Yeah."
"These are the last two kids in the order, they are pissy-assed scared of anything you throw, just toss some strikes to Kenny, O.K.?"
"O.K."
And he did just that, striking them both out to end the inning. We were up 5-3 with one very long inning to endure, but I knew we were closing the game with our stud pitcher.
Tytee led off the 6th and looked nervous because Kareem was pitching. Kareem has had a shine for tytee all year and I pulled her aside, put both my hands on her shoulders and pulled her real close.
"Listen, you have to trust me on this girl, I guarantee you, he is infinitely more nervous pitching to you than you are of facing him. You got that?"
"O.K. coach, I'll do my best." she smiled and proceeded to skip her way to the batter's box while humming a song. The first pitch was in the dirt, the next way outside. The third pitch was over her head and you could see the smitten hurler having trouble on the mound. He finally put one over, and I told her to watch the next pitch closely. It bounced off the plate. She immediately stole second and third (she is incredibly fast when she runs hard), but the next three batters all whiffed. I was getting nervous for the whole team. The Giants are a veteran team and I have seen them come back from deficeits so many times. Even with Anthony on the mound I was nervous. They had they top of their order up and I had my stud on the mound. Best against best. It had been a quick game and a very well played game up to this point in the tilt.
Josh led off the fateful last inning. After about 5 pitches, Anthony got him swinging. He then got a quick 0-2 count and I was about to breathe when he plunked the kid in the shoulder on the 0-2 pitch. He then walked the next batter. 2 on, 1 out. Nerves were a- rattlin' in the old coach. Kareem was up. Everyone expected me to walk him but I don't play that style of ball, it smacks of pussyism to me and I feel we have to win it on the field, power against power. I figured Kareem was a bit flustered with his previous 2 k's and may be pressing. Anthony got him to 1-2 when Kareem hit the longest, highest pop-up in league history right in front of the plate. A home run in an elevator shaft is what the Gunner (Pirate announcer from my youth) used to call it. We all just stood and watched as Kenny jumped up, settled under it and watched as it hit the ground and then his shinguard, thus keeping the ball fair. We never really coach that play since with backstops, there is rarely ever a popup of that magnitude occurring. If he had turned his back to the pitcher, it would have rolled foul, but it was probably best their slugger was held to a single on that play. At least it wasn't a home run and because it was a popup, the runners had stayed close, so now it was bases loaded, 1-out and coach had to stroll away from the bench to ensure the team did nothear me cursing. It seemed as if this was where the game was going to turn from us. I quickly realized I had to return to my duties. I jumped up on the bench, positioned my fielders and drew the infield in to play for the force at home. On a 1-0 pitch, Elizar hit a shot into centerfield. The runners took off anticipating a come-from-behind victory when Clayvon ran in and snared the ball before it hit the ground. I started bellowing, "SECOND BASE! THROW IT TO SECOND BASE!" which he promptly did for the force and the team went wild with the game-ending double play.
We played a good game and made the most of what we could with the offense. They struck us out for 15 of our 18 outs, but we used our 7 hits and 6 walks well. All the batting practice is also helping our fielding. We had 9 fielded outs and got 2 more outs on the base paths. Other than Kevin's miscue and Kenny letting the popup drop in front of him, we played a flawless game. We gave up 1 earned run and 3 total to a team that had scored 12, 21, 18, 21, 14 and 12 runs in their previous 6 games. The kids once again chose pizza over push-ups for their post-game celebration. We told the kids they did real well and should be proud that they overcame the couple bad plays they had committed. We pointed out how it took so many of them working together to pull out the win and that all the cheering on the bench is what made the difference. Kenny chose to wear his shin guards to the pizzeria and Clayvon, after his impromtu rap session in the dugout in the 6th inning had to, of course, play his ringtone that turns Kenny into Pavlov's dog. Clayvon even gave me credit for helping in the win by admitting he was not thinking about throwing to second base until he heard my yelling. The game ball went to none other than our own Mr. Met, Ralph, or the Ralphinator as I now call him when he is on the mound. We went back to the fields and I had to wait around for the last game to end so I could gather the league equipment. The kids asked if I would pitch to them in a pick-up game. Both Coach Chris and I agreed to do so. It was fun for a while, but you can gauge the decompensation of the event by a few factors. First they start sitting in the backstop area instead of the dugout. Then a couple of them quit going into the field. Finally, they start throwing stuff around and it becomes mayhem. When I saw Jeremy go down in a heap yelling, "You got me in the balls!", I knew it was time to end this game. 5 hours of little league is enough in one day for me. I made sure our boy was O.K. and went to watch the last game. Anthony hung out with me, partly to abuse me since the Yankees had beat the Pirates the night before and we had a milkshake bet on the 3 game series. Most of the team was hanging around the fields when I was leaving and I went to them all and congratulated them on the win and reminded them of practice on Monday. "P.M." we all said laughing and it was just a good feeling going home and rehashing the game and thinking some of the hard work we have all been doing may be paying off. Anthony called and the timing of the call was suspiciously close to the ending of the afternoon Yankee-Pirate game. He was laughing and asked when could he collect his milkshake and we set a payoff date for the next afternoon. But even that couldn't get the smile off my face that day.
This weeks results:
Giants 12 ---- SoTruck 7 (Thursday)
Sunset Park 16 ---- LICH 1 (Friday)
Defenders 5 ---- Giants 3Sunset Park 12 ---- Heroes 6
SoTruck 24 ---- LICH 2STANDINGS AS OF JUNE 9, 2007
Gibbs' Giants 7-2
Southern Trucking 7-2
Nick.com Defenders 5-4
Hynes' Heroes 3-5
Sunset Park 3-5LICH 0-7
Next game: Saturday June 16 @ 10:00am vs. LICH (final regular season game)
No comments:
Post a Comment