2009@myrtlebeach.com

Typical trip…some good, some bad. Made good time on the trip up, listening to the Maddux ceremony. He later joined Sutton in the booth, and was non-committal on his HOF cap. Several of the Braves games weren’t picked up by SC networks, and the wi-fi was slow and spotty.

Did eat a bunch…Bonefish Grill (a group of 18), Wild Wing Café (38!), Chick-fil-A several times, PB&Js, sandwiches, hot dogs, burritos, spaghetti, and home-made peach ice cream. Ceil’s relatives from Valdosta also came, swelling the ranks. For the first time ever we took a group picture…my count was at least 64, a record.

Matthew decided he liked the big waves, so I spent most of my beach time with him in the surf. Eventually I lost my cheap sunglasses in the water, though I had scratched them earlier in the week. Took Matthew to the Dollar Tree and I got three pair that should last me a while. M wanted to know how much sunglasses were next door at Wal-Mart, so we looked. He found a pair he liked that were ten bucks. Went back to Dollar Tree, and found the exact same pair for a buck…M wore them to the ball games.

One day I accidentally went in condo 101 instead of 201. With the bright beach filling the big windows, it was hard to see the couple staring at me until I was well into the condo. Only ran once, mostly due to the 9 AM high tide.

Monday I threw Will some BP, at NMBHS. There was a 13-year old team from South Jersey practicing, and an older Michigan team playing a game. Will spent Tuesday night with his team, and Ceil and I took Matthew on his annual trip to Bass Pro Shop. As usual, it was Mustang Week at the beach. Ford had a big event at the Hooters outside the Bass Pro.

I got invited to be the dugout coach, to keep the team book and help position players. In game 2 we moved the second-baseman to his left…that’s where the ball was hit on the next pitch. They won the first game, then dropped three close ones that could’ve gone either way. Won on Thursday morning, though Will didn’t reach base. He did make all the plays in the field. On the way home we ate at a local joint in Loris.

Friday AM he went 2-2 with a BB & HBP. His clutch single to left drove in two. The throw home was cut, then the immediate throw to second was off the mark. The second-baseman reached for the ball and Will ran right into him. The ball sailed into right-center and Will took third, later to score. The Connecticut team protested, but the umps had made the right call…defensive interference. On his next time up Will was hit, probably intentionally. It did put the tying run on second, and go-ahead run on first. Poor Jared, a beast in CF and at the plate, went 0-14 batting second behind Will…who reached base a team-high 7 times.

Between games we ate at the Litchfield Beach Fish House, which was pretty good. Ceil’s parents attended all 4 games, as did Ceil and Matthew. Anna hung out with cousins. Ceil’s Uncle Lennie & Aunt Corrine saw the first three, and Corrine’s brother Bob (a sports nut) got to see the Friday games, not far from his Pawley’s Island condo. Will made 2 errors in the Friday PM game, one on a roller he had to charge, another a dropped fly in the wind. Had he made those plays, they would’ve won. The offense was sluggish and the Cincinnati Patriots quelled a late inning rally with their 4th pickoff of the game.

Didn’t find out until 12:30 am that they had made the winner’s bracket, and would play at nearby MBHS at 9 AM. We had to check out, so packing took up the rest of Friday night and early Saturday AM. Will led off with a single, continued to second on the LF’s misplay, and took third on Jared’s groundout, and scored on Tyler’s single. The lead was short-lived, as Long Island moved ahead, but the Prowlers later tied the game on Michael’s double off the CF fence. The Whalers SS made several great plays, but Will and Mitch made a couple as well. Will walked with one out in the last inning, but Jared hit into a game-ending DP…bring tears to his mother’s eyes.

Will stayed with the team and returned Sunday, after an evening of putt-putt and Johnny Rockets. We left from the game and headed back, hitting the bumper-to-bumper exodus out of town. Spent too long in a Florence Borders on our lunch stop, and got home around 8 pm. Heard Uecker join the Braves radio team for an inning. I fell asleep on the couch at 9:30.

Sunday after NP we got my car from work. Ceil went to Costco, and shopped all afternoon. I napped more, and watch Newhart and MASH, since our cable is out. Got a headache last night, still have it today.

Meet the Prowlers

AJ (C, LF, P) A clutch hitter & fine defensive catcher, AJ is also a leader in the dugout. He made the play of the year, tagging out an East Cobb Cub for the final out in the July tourney semifinal win.

Audie (RF, P) Longtime teammate of Will’s, Audie hit better in the first half of the season than I’d ever seen him hit. Played great defense in RF. Also plays football at Lassiter - quarterbacked the 9th grade team.

Durham (LF, P) Injured much of the year, his go-ahead bases-loaded triple blew open the big win over the Cubs. Parents are from Chester SC…dad went to the Citadel, mom scrambles for foul balls (& was tackled by Spencer).

Jared (CF) The best youth centerfielder I’ve seen, and gets great jumps on balls. Very fast on the bases as well. His little sister often serves as the team bat-girl…she came out and said she likes Matthew, who avoids coming to Will’s games. Made the Lassiter varsity as a freshman.

Michael (P, 1B, LF) Fine pitcher and nice guy. Had a complete-game shutout on his birthday at East Cobb, against a very tough team. Step-dad recently played Augusta National.

Mitch (P, 1B, 3B) Fiery competitor and big game pitcher, Mitch is as his best when the game is on the line. Fundamentally sound in every area of the game. Great, fun parents…dad Fred loves the ChiSox and bows to baseball superstitions like me, like not changing when you’re on a streak.

Parker (2B) Made several fantastic defensive plays at second. Hilarious brother Spencer jumps on fences, leads cheers, and battles kids and parents alike for foul balls. During a recent rain delay Spencer entertained the crowd by sliding headfirst, shirtless, across the tarp-covered home plate, channeling Rick Dempsey.

Ryan G (C, P, LF) Early in the season I saw what a complete ballplayer RG is. A fine catcher with a strong arm, a strike-throwing pitcher, a playmaking leftfielder. Behind the plate he goes old school, wearing a flapless batting helmet backwards and old-school catcher’s mask. Also wears some weird brand of spikes that are supposedly super-comfortable. Dad David helped coach, another fine, fun baseball guy.

Ryan T (3B, P, 2B, SS) I enjoy watching both Ryans play. RT makes all the plays, and can handle the bat as well. He was impacted the most when Will joined the team. His likable dad makes smart, sensible decisions as the Prowlers manager. Sweet mom and family, including his little brother.

Tyler (1B, P, OF) The lanky sweet-swinging lefty quietly racks up extra-base hit after extra base hit, and his pitching motions takes advantage of his long limbs…well-schooled by his coach/dad. Made the Lassiter varsity as a freshman, and he plays football and basketball as well. Both parents teach.

Will (SS, C) Tough season for Will, playing shortstop and batting leadoff with & against players superior to any in his career. Made some great plays he shouldn’t have, and missed some he should’ve. His three homers weren’t cheap, and he led the team in hits, times reaching base, total bases, stolen bases, games played, and plate appearances. He was second in homers, triples, HBP, runs, and at bats.

My Peachtree "Cheating" Story

My Peachtree “cheating” story: Back when I used to qualify every year for Time Group One (not a hard task back then), I was able to cross the start line less than a minute behind the Kenyans. One year as I passed all my SPdL friends at the two mile mark, young Chris Irwin, saw me and shouted “How’d you get in the front? Cheater!” Hey, I earned it!

Another Facebook story…the other night I swapped quips with Jeff Schultz, regarding the degrees of separation between the Beatles, Wings, McCartney, Michael Jackson, and McCauley Caulkin. Guess you can throw Elvis in there.

Will says several of his teammates and opponents are trying to line up an even stronger “non East Cobb” team for next year. They just need the coaches to sign on.

The game tonight: All the Maddux stuff should be interesting, although he’s pretty low key. The luncheon would be fun if he told some stories, though many of his wouldn’t be so family friendly, I hear.

Just about got everything ready for the trip…with my customer being shut down the last 3-1/2 weeks, and limited activity next week, I’m as caught up as I’ve been in 1-1/2 years. Working late every night has helped. When I return it will be busy again, I’ll be behind, and there are still several projects and reorganizations that have yet to begin. One team member continues to disappoint and underperform. I’ve given him warnings, but he just doesn’t get it. I think the Ogre understands that if he lays off the slacker, he will need to be replaced. One replacement he has in mind would be a good fit…good with details and following up.

It was easy to write when it was just me and Will in Knoxville, but perhaps harder with the whole family in tow. Or not.

Midsummer Classic - First Pitch "Coverup"?

I’m always a sucker for the All-Star game and pregame. Will wanted to watch the derby…I had been sneezing all day Monday & fell asleep before the end. Also fell asleep before the end of the game last night. I asked Lang’s dad if he saw how many times LaRussa/Torre/Manuel/Madden changed pitchers. At least McCann finally got an AB.

Can’t blame the president for wearing a ChiSox jacket (but wasn’t it 90 degrees?) Guess it was to hide the bulletproof vest he surely wore. Might’ve been more savvy to wear an All-Star jacket, or Cardinals jacket, but it was nice he stuck to his team. There are some sweet CWS throwback jackets he could’ve worn. Were it me I would’ve wanted to wear a Braves throwback jacket.

Saw that first pitch from three angles (one later on a replay), and none of them showed where the ball went, or Pujols catching it. Then Buck strangely said something about the ball “making it to Pujols”. Weird. Monday I heard Buck on the radio, talking about all the security, how he didn’t know which inning Obama would be in the booth.

I did wake up for the Celebrity Softball Game…nice catch by Nelly, and Bobby Knight was entertaining. They should’ve brought in the college softball players who carried the HR hitter around. I liked Kenny Mayne and Harold Reynolds better than those Mike & Mike radio guys. Fred Lynn is too much of a gamer, and Goose doesn’t add much pizzazz. Nice touch for Winfield to pull a kid out of the stands to run for him.

We need a new dishwasher…or a second opinion.

Cheaters That I Know

In Mark Bradley’s post-Peachtree blog, a poster linked to the AJC results page, wondering how three Group Nine runners could run a sub-37 minute race. That’s hard to do from the front of the pack, and close to impossible from the last group, where you’d be weaving through walkers the whole race. The poster thought it likely the runners somehow cheated, though the timing chip would only work if it also crossed the starting line. I clicked on the link to discover I knew two of the three runners, a husband and wife between 35 and 42 years old. They’re athletic, but it would surprise me that they could run six 6-minute miles. They must’ve sold their numbers, as later I learned mom was at the hospital on the 4th, with a sick child. I won't name names.

Befriended Bryan on Facebook, though it took the busy guy a while to accept. He made a six minute Indiana Jones video starring Houston and Haviland, complete with musical score…pretty funny. His church softball movie appears to be going forward…he posted another YouTube video with financial backers/technical consultants Foxworthy and Paul Byrd discussing the movie. I think Susan told Ceil they will film in Georgia, so Foxworthy can be in it. Guess guys are lining up to be in the softball sequences.

Lots to do at work and at home before leaving for the beach. Will plays twice next Friday in Pawley’s Island, 40 miles away from N Myrtle Beach. That’s usually the beach getaway day…don’t know if anyone will stick around. Thursday they play in Loris, only 20 miles away but off the ocean, so it’ll be hot.

Prowlers

Front: Michael, Audie, Ryan G, Jared, Parker, Durham

Back: Tyler, Will, Ryan T, A.J., Mitch

Game of the Year

Friday I left work right at five, and picked up Will at the Normans. Was listening to Kincaid on the way. When we got back in the car from getting Will at the Normans was when I heard about the trade. Ceil was in SC when she heard and she called, wondering if we’d miss Francoeur. She (& her father) weren’t aware he was doing so bad, that the trade was good just because now Diaz could play more. Getting Church was a plus…sounded like both needed a change of scenery. Didn’t take Kincaid long to say that SportsSouth would need new rain-delay programming…they could never show the Francoeur special again.

I changed and we headed to the field, for a cleanup day for the tourney they were hosting. Afterwards we went to the CFA across from Sprayberry, where an old coach / friend works. He was out in the parking lot, so we talked baseball for a long while, then got free CFAs. Rented Volkarie, which Will enjoyed.

Saturday I had concession duty at 8:30, which was fun…not busy. Had just enough time to go home and get Will for his game…he went 2-2 with 2 walks in a 15-0 win. Before these games the dads had field duty, raking, chalking, watering, etc.

Will led off game 2 with a smash that kicked up chalk behind third…for some reason the ump ruled foul. Two pitches later he smashed a line drive over the fence. The Prowlers lost, despite Will’s HR. That night we rented I Am Legend.

First-baseman Tyler committed 3 errors in the first inning of Sunday’s 10 am game, the same umpire blew another obvious call, but Will made a sweet catch with his back to the plate (I don’t think he made an error all weekend). Down 3-0, they finally came back. Will drove in the tying run with a seeing-eye single to left, and later scored an insurance run. Mitch came on to quell a last-inning rally, beating the fourth best team in the state.

After lunch at 5 Guys (& more between game groundskeeping), they played a semifinal at Lassiter against the 27-3 East Cobb Cubs, the number 2 team in the state. Their starter shut them down pretty good. Key play…in the bottom of the 6th RF Audie fired home, but the AJ was accidentally hit by the runner as he moved to catch the throw. Both fell, then AJ tagged the runner, but the ump ruled safe.

With one out in the top of the 7th Will singled to left, and scored on Jared’s triple. Jared scored on a WP to tie the game. Tyler reached, Mitch doubled, and AJ was intentionally walked. Durham tripled to left center, making the score 9-6.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Cubs rallied, scoring twice and placing the tying run on second with two out. On another single to right, Audie charged and fired home…a perfect throw to AJ on one-hop, beating the sliding runner by a step. The ump made the correct call, despite later arguments by the East Cobb coach, which were drowned out by the celebration.

Ceil made it to the 8 pm championship game against Fellowship, who they’d beaten twice before. Will singled in the first and made a couple more good defensive plays…but the rain came and didn’t stop. Spencer, 2B Parker’s brother / Lassiter Trojan mascot, pulled a Rick Dempsey, sliding headfirst (shirtless) across the tarp covering home plate. The game was called, and Will’s Prowlers were declared the winners, by virtue of their higher seed.

We may go see the Pelicans Wed week with Will’s team after all.

Saw Lang’s wife Isabel on Iron Chef Sunday night (& last Thursday). It will rerun Thursday night. She was sitting next to KeyShawn Johnson.

At work they have recently let one inside and one outside sales person go…more to do with their performance than layoffs?

C, A, & M went to SC for a wedding this weekend…her cousin’s son. Think the kids had a good time.

…house still a mess from the attic cleanup.

…dishwasher quit working

…today the fridge started leaking.

…we have been too busy to go out for a while.

…I’ve been too busy to get a haircut or go to the library.

…both cars need oil changes.

…we leave for the beach Friday

…my dad is having another heart procedure Tuesday and mom would like me to come down.

Bad News Good News

Wednesday a long crack formed on the garage ceiling, from stuff in the attic that someone had moved off a board and onto the unsupported ceiling. Our house had been clean from our recent company. Now it’s a complete mess. The good news is yesterday Ceil and the kids completely cleaned out the attic. Now there’s a bunch of stuff to go through. The kids enjoyed the video of Will’s first birthday…all the Normans attended. Will found some shoes, hats, and tees he liked, including an old Hawks/Doc Rivers tee. Matthew enjoyed the comic strips I’d drawn for my high school newspaper.

Didn’t bring lunch Wednesday. Every time the Ogre takes me to Fuddruckers I’ve been getting the loyalty card stamped, so yesterday I went and cashed one in…got a $10.00 burger meal.

Roswell fireworks…we parked at the Publix, near the exit, and hoofed it to the parking lot about 30 yards from the stage. Had to walk all the way back there when we discovered Anna wasn’t among the 15 that left at the same time. Both M and A went up to the front to dance during one song, though they didn’t know the electric slide. Did I say that you could see the fireworks reflected in the windshields of the eight cars parked behind the stage? Looked like eight big screens playing the same show.

Ryan, one of the catchers on Will’s team, will miss the beach tourney, so last night they had Will filling in at practice. Two months ago he was OK not catching, but now he’s excited. Monday night we went to work out, and a bad hop gave him a black eye. Mitch, the team’s best pitcher, heard something pop in his throwing shoulder last night…not good.

Of the three most recent losses, Will played an integral role in the defeat:

June 27th…three fielding misplays in one inning (2 errors).

June 28th…another error (& 2 more misplays) were quite costly in the championship game loss. Then he hit the first pitch he saw in the last inning into a DP (though 7 of 9 teammates also had first pitch outs, including 2 more DP balls).

July 1st…tie game, next to last inning, runners on 2nd & 3rd, infield in, Will fields a grounder, eyes the runner, then catches the runner off second and chases him…without checking the runner on third, who had immediately took off and scored the winning run. Baseball is a team game, but usually Will makes those plays. Had he made half of them they’d be on a tear.

Ceil is taking A and M to SC Friday for a wedding. Will’s team is hosting a tourney, so I have duties for most of Fri, Sat, and Sun. Everyone enjoyed seeing the twins. We’re just terrible about picking up the phone and making plans.

Looks like Cox is just about through with Frenchy, and perhaps Kelly Johnson as well.

Been exhausted all week!

2009 Peachtree By The Numbers

KIRK…of all the runners with Time Group Four numbers, Kirk finished 8th. He had the added handicap of starting in Group Seven, meaning he had more walkers to go around than those actually running in Group Four. Only ONE Group Seven runner had a faster time than Kirk.

He finished 706th overall, out of the 55,000 runners (in years past, the top thousand runners to finish received a trophy), and was the 37th seventeen year-old to finish.

WILL…finished 232nd in Group Seven, out of perhaps six thousand.

DIXON…finished 282nd in Group Six, 6991st overall. He evidently dusted Will at the finish, beating Will by two seconds. That’s a long time…Will finished 7020th, 19 places behind Dixon.

DANIEL…of all 10 year-olds, Daniel finished 66th! Only ten 10-year-olds finished in less than an hour. Later I’ll see how Will and Dixon fared in their age groups.

Myron and I were no slouches, beating over 34,000 others. I told Myron he likes Costco so much, he named his son Kirkland.

Peachtree Road Race

Thursday we all cleaned up all day getting ready for company. Ran Anna over to ballet, way over on Lawrenceville Highway, way off Jimmy Carter...thankfully she had a ride back. That night we ate in, talked, and the kids played LIFE and cards.

Friday the girls went shopping, and I wore my Virginia friend out working on the playhouse. Built a door, put up two windows, finished the siding. Teens Will and Kirk helped. Finished just before the girls returned. Ate at a doctor’s house in Sandy Springs…UGA roommate of Ceil’s friend Dawn. Will and Matthew went to a party in northern Alpharetta…they watched Jaws in a pool. Movie ended at 11:10, so it was after midnight before I got to bed, exhausted.

Saturday I got up at 5 am, picked up the Virginia friends at six, parked near Mary Macs, and rode MARTA to Lenox, arriving too early for our Group Eight start. Neither Myron nor I felt great, but we were able to run the whole way. Even at a ten minute mile pace we had to weave through walkers and texters the whole way. We passed around SPdL around 9 am and saw some old friends…Heads, Mullens, Wisenbakers, Lights, Sapps, and Huberts.

Kirk broke ahead of the Group Seven pack at the start, giving him clear running for a bit. He finished with the 707th best time, with a 41:47 run. Will found friend Dixon just before the start…they weaved their way to a 54 minute finish. Myron and I finished with a 1:07 time, not bad, considering the crowd.

When looking at the AJC.com results later I realized Will and I had switched numbers, so all the youngsters could go off earlier than Myron’s group eight number. That meant Will’s good time inadvertently got posted to my name. I’ll take that!

Accurate column posted by Mark Bradley regarding all the Peachtree cheaters…many backed his claims, saying it was typical of this city’s poor drivers. Will be interesting to see if the race organizers take action. Since everyone wore timing chips, you’d think they’d have the data.

After the race we hung around waiting for the rest of Dixon’s family…dad Lee was Myron’s old roommate. We drove out Ponce de Leon and showed Kirk the Emory campus. Had a restful afternoon while the kids swam, but I didn’t doze off until just before they returned.

Went out to Roswell to see Banks & Shane and the fireworks. We had a crowd of about 30 people, including Becky, Willis, and Joel Norman. Anna didn’t see us head for the cars, so I had to walk back to get her at the end.

After NP, Costco, and lunch at the Earharts we all went bowling. With a crowd of 22 I was stressed, because people kept showing up Ceil hadn’t told me about. Afterwards we had pizza and cheesecake at our friend’s hotel, the NP Embassy Suites. The kids swam. I may be close to rested…just in time for work.

Work was stressful last week…a lot to do before taking off both Thursday and Friday. These next 2 weeks will be busy as well, before taking off for Myrtle Beach.

Arrgh!

Been so busy...but yesterday afternoon Will talked me into going down to the game…and a friend is taking me tonight! Can’t turn that down, though I’m not a fan of big crowds and Yankee fans by the thousands. Guess they wanted to save Gonzo, Moylan, and Soriano for when the game is tied or the Braves are ahead. Medlin did great for awhile, and by the time Acosta came in they had given up. Don’t want to wear out the good guys like they did Boyer last year.

Interesting none of these games this week are sellouts…plenty of empty seats the last 2 nights. Too bad KK got struck…seemed like the game turned when Giraldi was tossed. How many career ABs does Mariano have? (Two).

Ceil is pretty much finished painting the TV area…white trim. Finally painted the new French doors…white. She painted the fireplace a teal blue. Same color on the window box, and the sides of the kitchen cabinets that face the TV area. Yesterday she was quite relieved that a friend came over to help…last night they all went to Moes. They also reconfigured where stuff was…took out lots of books, added bowls and other decorations, moved the coffee maker. Got rid of lots of clutter.

Gotta get back to the library.

Big “customer day” today here at work. They’ve been cleaning up, repainting, repaving, buying new chairs, shirts, nametags. Having BBQ from 10:30 – 3 pm, so I won’t be hungry tonight.

Wednesday Night at the Ted

1:45...Will talked me into going to the Braves Yankees game...leaving Ceil & Anna home to finish painting (Ceil DID give us her blessing).

2:05...slipped out of work. Picked up Charles on the way home.

2:50...left home, without watering the new grass. Had to stop and get gas before hopping on 75 south...durn Civic only went 445 miles on 12 gallons! Traffic not too bad on the connector.

3:25...dropped off Will & Charles to get in the Skyline ticket line & parked. In my rush, I forgot my scorebook...and glasses. Despite reports of gates opening 3-1/2 hours before game time, we had to wait until 4 pm. Had a nice chat with a dad from upstate NY, taking his 2 kids to their first game. Later we sat with them, as our tickets were next to each other.

4:00 - 4:50...Braves take infield. Escobar & Chipper studiously take grounders at thier positions. McCann stretches and sprints. Francoeur goofs off. Nothing new there.

4:50-5:35...Braves BP. A much heavier BP crowd than usual. I spot one regular. Yankees fans think nothing of crowding the ailse and standing right in front of seated fans. The foul section adjoining the Yankee dugout is opened, and there's a mad dash for the front row. Fans are lined up ten deep.

5:35-6:20...Yankees BP. You'd thought it was the second coming. Fans worshipped, calling out to the gods before them. CC. Johnny. Mariano. Quietly alongside, Hideki Matsui gracefully fielded balls, waiting til the ballboy was available to take his throw. Later his graceful swing reminded me of Chipper's. Johnny Damon sported some awful white shoes (later a reliever wore some IN THE GAME).

A young family next to me tried to keep tabs on their wandering seven year old. Just as I told them I'd lost my 15-year old, Will breaks through a crowd to athletically snag a home run ball. Five minutes later he caught another...one each for he and Charles. 6:20-7:00 After BP we slowly circled the stadium, clockwise from LF. Saw the Lemmer and Chip Carey leaving their broadcast book. I'd always thought Chip to be a slender guy, but I caught a glimpse of his backside...he takes after his dad and grandfather, for sure. Caught up with the lady at the designated driver booth, who pulls double duty now that the G-Braves are in town.

The Game...Kowakami retired 9 straight, but Yankee pitcher Joba Chamberlain's line drive up the middle knocked him out of the game. Medlin continued the perfect game through five innings, then after walking the leadoff man in the sixth, picked him off first. The Yankees had gone scoreless in 14 straight innings. With nothing to lose, Yankee skipper Joe Giraldi got himself thrown out of the game arguing. The first base ump gracefully turned and threw him out.

After that it was all New York. The next batter homered, breaking up the no-hitter. The Braves mounted a couple of rallies, but could never catch up.

Hit the Varsity on the way home. They changed theor chocolate shake recipe, so I need to stop getting them. The rings seem less greasy, but you don't get as many. Oh, for the good old days. Still, not a bad evening.

And I'm going back tomorrow!

weak end

Will’s team broke out and won two Saturday, beating teams they should beat. Will did OK at the plate…BB, line drive single, HBP, sac bunt…but also 2 weak grounders and a popup. Batted sixth.

Audie, the new leadoff hitter, had his worst day of the year, striking out 4 times. He told his dad he didn’t like batting leadoff, but perhaps he was somewhere else…he forgot his cap. Will wasn’t wearing his numbered undershirt.

Will was involved in three double plays playing SS. Also played half of one game at second. His error was on a tough backhand play in the hole…he still came close to throwing out the batter.

Made two glaring mistakes had nothing to do with hitting…his walk placed runners on first & third with two out, and a weak throwing catcher. They’ll give him second base, but Will took a huge lead…and the pitcher picked him off before throwing another pitch.

After the HBP a grounder got past the SS. Will rounded second and headed to third. Expecting a close play, he slid headfirst into third…missing the third base coach waving him home. The CF had also booted the ball. Will did score on a WP.

After being out in the heat all day, also cleaning out the garage a little, Matthew and I went for a refreshing swim Saturday night. Friday night everyone was gone, so Matthew and I went to Moes, and rented Paul Blart Mall Cop…kinda funny.

After NP Sunday (good story about a Porsche) Will and Matthew went to Macon with me. Will drove to Southlake Mall before tiring…he and Matthew slept the rest of the way. Matthew helped my mom sort pictures. Will cut the entire huge yard, and I spent the entire time pulling grass and trimming hedges. Then we dragged four big dumpster loads of trimmings to the woods. Ate at Moes in McDonough on the way back…we were all famished, it was good. Got back and took Anna and Matthew swimming from 9:15 to 10 pm…Anna swam 50 laps (the short way).

Tonight Ceil and I are supposed to look at our finances. She’s been painting the TV area. Had my head in my work…tons to do…perhaps I’m making progress. Tough loss yesterday…I missed it.

Going to see the Yankees

I was planning on taking off the 25th afternoon and taking Will down early for dollar tickets, but now that I think about it, they might not have the dollar tickets for those two series. Even if they do, the lines will be early and long, and you’ll actually have to sit in that crummy seat.

Will was dropped from leadoff to seventh Tuesday, and went 1-4 with a nice triple to the RFC. Almost had a single up the middle, but also two ordinary fly balls. Started at 2B instead of SS, but moved to SS after two innings (other SS made an error).

Weekend

Watched the new Sports South special on McCann…Will watched with rapt attention. Hopefully Will sees that these guys practiced every day as kids. Will is at the point where he can’t get by on ability, if he heeds what coaches say, it can keep him above average. Friday he worked with his old coach, then in the game hit 2 line drives…one to RF on a curveball (also struck out swinging on a full count / 2 out / RISP (& also a HBP)).

Went to Moes after the game…on the way saw my co-worker in the Dodge Challenger. Saturday worked around the house, and got sick from the dust.

Pitched to Will Sunday after church, he was hitting ok. While he was pitching to my mitt, a pitch hit me in the toe…big bruise. It’ll be a few days before I can run…hopefully no longer.

Will’s old coach has arranged for Will to take a lesson from a real batting instructor, former minor leaguer Skip Shipp. Will also has BP tonight, a game tomorrow, and practice Wednesday. Last night I was watching Elizabethtown, which I thought good.

Dunno if these Braves are ever going to get it together…not fun to watch when they’re down ten runs.

We have a bunch of vendors in for meetings this week, I probably can’t avoid.

Redemption

Last night Will’s team was the lowest seed and faced the # 1 seed…the team that beat them 12-3 Monday. Without their best hitter, the Prowlers won 2-0. Then they had to play the E.Cobb Astros, the team that beat them 7-0 on Tuesday…as well as another beating earlier in the year. The Prowlers were now out of pitchers, so catcher AJ got the start. E Cobb went up 7-1, but the Prowlers came back and tied it in the top of the 6th. Audie came on and pitched well, but the Astros got a run across in the bottom of the inning and won. Got home around midnight.

Jared had batted after Audie all year. Last night without Tyler the order was changed, and Jared batted after Mitch, so was after Audie. Jared accidentally followed Audie and fouled off the first pitch, before realizing his mistake. Mitch then inherited the 0-1 count, without any further penalty.

One of the E Cobb players let a pitch go by outside the zone, but just as the ball crossed the plate he appeared to take a low practice swing. The plate umpire called out “ball!” as was his style. I immediately exclaimed “he swung!” Eventually the ump asked for help, and the base umpire signaled strike. I’d never seen anyone swing like that before.

Will did ok in the field, using his new glove…but struggled again at the plate. He hit some good hard line drives foul, but also swung at several pitches he never should’ve gone after…having made up his mind that he would swing, then swinging too hard. Three times he chopped to the pitcher. Did get a hit past the third-baseman, and walked once. We had a good talk on the way home…he agreed he gets messed up when he faces an inferior team. Everyone is hitting, and that’s when he gets over anxious, trying to kill the ball, hitting off his front foot instead of staying back.

They play at Kell at six. If they win, they play a second game tonight. I’ll miss Hanson again tonight.

Will the Magic win another game, or are they done?

Bad Times All Around

Will was so frustrated after Monday’s game that he was almost in tears. He ate up inferior teams Saturday and got 2 hits in Sunday game one, then got frustrated against good pitchers Sunday evening and Monday, flailing at the first pitch. Monday he let 2 tough grounders get under his glove, & pulled the 1B off the bag on another. Playing halfway he threw home to get a runner, but didn’t put as much on the throw as he should’ve, and the ball arrived just as the runner slud into the catcher, and the ball was dropped.

They were playing a good team who sprinted off the field and always fired the ball around…not for show, they were a sharp, well-coached team…hard-hitting. Will came in to pitch and they lit him up, scoring 4 runs. At least he threw strikes; he only walked the little last batter, who walked all 3 times he batted. Then a batter hit a walk-off HR…his run put the run rule into effect.

Yesterday Ceil took him to get a new glove and arranged a batting lesson with one of his old coaches. Last night he was back hitting line drives, and made most of the tough plays in the field. Without their best hitter (Will ranks about 4^th) the Prowlers lost to an elite East Cobb team.

Anna has been spending lots of time on sleepovers and with friends. Matthew had a rare sleepover friend at our house last night. I took them swimming from 8:45 to 9:45. Since no one was there, I walked laps around the pool.

I’m getting crotchety in my old age. Hacks me off that no one listens or reads emails. Our lives are easier with this VMI, but we’re still several months away from having things running right. Me and my group rarely receive credit for all we do.

The big boss commented positively on my loafers today. I’m sure I’m thinking too much, but it made me want to get a pair of wing tips. Upper management has directed him to wear a tie during this “economical downturn” so I’ve tried to dress nicer as well (just no tie). My area of the office is ten degrees warmer than other areas, since I’m next to the western wall. It’s hot in the afternoons, so I did trade dress shirts for nice golf shirts.

My work neighbor spent last week in Sea Grove Beach, not far east of Destin.

It's a Heartbreak

The Prowlers won their first Sunday game to get in the finals, but a Chattanooga team won 3 games Sunday, including the final, to take the tourney. They had two excellent pitchers, and won 4-1.

Will got 2 hits in the first game, but struggled in the final (as did most everyone: they only managed 3 hits…two by Audi). He did smash a line drive foul. He’s trying to kill the ball, lunging instead of keeping his weight back, swinging at the first pitch no matter where it is…kinda like a certain Braves rightfielder we know.

Several bang bang plays in the final…once we threw the ball around and looked bad, but they did turn a 8-2-6 DP. Will also turned a tough 4-6-3 DP to kill an early rally. They only allowed 8 runs in 5 games.

We had a fun time on the trip, plus the Civic got 44.0 MPG.