Rookies Report by Coach Mike Webb

World Series game 1- Rookies were in for a rude AWAKEning as they had the first game (9:00) of the day. We lost 10-7 and will have to battle ourselves out of the "bottom" bracket. Next game Friday at 9:00. Figure it out boys!

World Series game #2, Rookies found a way to beat a very good Southern IN Spikes team 6-0. Rookie Defense was strong all day, allowing only one runner to reach third base. Bats were bangin' the whole game. Jake "Big Boy" Fuller had a towering ground rule double. Gilmour was back after yesterday's decapitation and had their batters hanging their heads after he stole hit after hit. Aggressive base running was key again. Good job Rookies!Btw, Rookies received their 1st place trophies for Around the Horn. Also, some low life thief stole Caige Christie's catcher's equipment out of their truck and put it next to the dugout we were in yesterday. Some people!

 Rookies season came to an end today (3-2 World Series) in almost unbelievable dramatic fashion. They played back to back to back in 100+ heat. Game 3 vs McCutchanville ended in an 8-2 win. Game 4 vs Western KY Aces turned into a 13-5 win for the Rookies.
Game 5 vs Rage was a 12-11 loss in the bottom of the 6th with 2 outs and they drop a bloop hit on the left side. Rookies foiled Rage's 2 other chances with a runner on 3rd in the last inning. Almost pulled it off. Rookies had a wonderful season however, the players took this loss hard.

Injuries today: 1: Kuebler took a bad hop in the throat. 2: Wells took one in the face. 3: Hunt took one in the leg. 4: Hunt took another in the ribs. 5: umpire took a 10 ft throw from Christie in the face and left the game

Thank you to all the grandparents, parents, friends, siblings, and rest of families for their support and togetherness that made our Rookie family!

World Series 2014- On the Field & In the Stands!

The boys played early Thursday morning.  They did not fair well against the Highland Shockers.  They fell into the losers bracket, so they had some digging out to do.  The Rookies love challenges!  Friday morning came and they played against the Spikes & won which put them into the next round on Saturday.  Saturday was a full day, they had 6 games to win to win the entire World Series.  First team up was McCutchanville- we won, rested an hour then played the Western KY Aces.  We won that game, rested for 20 mins and then we were up against the Rage.  We couldn't pull a win out, we lost by 1 point.  The boys felt the heart ache of losing, it was sad but they have nothing to hang their heads about.  They had an amazing season and we're so very proud of each Rookie and the effort and character they displayed on and off the field! The Rookies placed 5th overall in the World Series, what a great season!  In the end, they were second in the GOLD division, 1st in SILVER & BRONZE!!!!  We celebrated afterwards at BW3's!!!!!

Smothers Park - Owensboro, KY

After the boys played Friday morning, we headed to Smothers Park for a picnic lunch.  The boys had a blast hanging out with their team mates.  It was a beautiful day to visit a beautiful park!

World Series Opening Ceremonies/Competitions

Last night was the Opening Ceremony of the World Series in Owensboro.  Each Rookie was entered in a team competition, Jacob was signed up for Around the Horn.  He along with some of his team mates, had to compete against the other 8U teams on how fast they could throw the ball around the infield.  The Rookies won!!!  The other competitions were, Home Run Derby and Fastest Man.  Our boys did great in each category.  The kids traded pins with other teams and hung out with their news friends.  Pizza was served and then Opening Ceremonies began.  We got about 20 mins. into the ceremony when it started pouring. We were drenched and the boys didn't get to go on stage to receive their trophies for Around the Horn!  All in all, it was an amazing experience, the boys had a blast!  Jacob was so excited to share the experience with his best friend Dom who plays for the 9U JCards!

Rookies - Mt. Vernon Riverbend Bash Champs

 

On Tuesday, the Rookies opened play with a doubleheader at Mt. Vernon against St. Phillips. The opposition came out with 3 in the first and that was about it. Rookies scored 5 runs every inning while en route to a 20-4 win in 4 innings. For second time this season every Rookie scored!

Game 2 vs Vincennes was a different story. Rookies came out with an 8-1 lead. Hitting carried over from the first game with Hunt, Anglin, Fuller all crushing shots to the fence. Defense had several highlights. Watson had a 3 run saving line drive catch in RF. Wells fielded a shot that caromed off of Lashley's glove for an out at first. Williams caught one in LC and Anglin stopped a one-hop shot. Gilmour played a shot off his foot and made the play at first. Left side of the infield (Fuller and Hunt) both took one for their teammates when they needed it most as Vincennes closed to a final score of 8-6.

Rookies were at it again Friday night playing South Gibson Predators. Rookies won 15-1 in 4 innings. Anglin and Williams caught fly balls in the OF. Infield played strong led by Gilmour up the middle. Everybody hit for the Rookies. Watson had a nice line drive down the RF line for a stand up triple.

Rookies began double elimination play Saturday vs Mt. Vernon winning 10-0 in 5 innings. Too much excellence to point out. All kids were firing on all cylinders. It was a great team effort all around to take down a spirited Mt.Vernon team decisively on their own field.
Game 2, winner's bracket game vs West Terrace ended in another 10-0 game in 5 innings. Each time they reached base, Rookies D tightened up and took control. Watson had 2 putouts from right, Gilmour threw to a ghost man at 2nd until Wells flew in and rolled it for a double play. Hunt played a carom off of Fuller, deep in the hole, and gunned the runner at first. Fuller, Lashley, and Hunt all took one for the team and turned them into 2 outs. Anglin and Hunt both had triples. Christie had the game winning, 2 RBI hit and scored a $20 bill for doing so. Wells has surfaced as the team's newest vocal leader. Keep it up boys!

Rookies squared off with Vincennes for Mt. Vernon's Riverbend Bash and came out on top with 12-3 win. Rookies ran their unbeaten at Mt. Vernon to 13-0 (where this team first played). 2 triples for Watson, 2 triples for Hunt, 1 triple for Anglin. Home run for "Bangin' Anglin also. 2 out rally started by Kuebler who's hustle beat the tag out at 3rd by an inch. Next up was Watson's bases emptying triple. Every Rookie had a hit. Sticks came out big!
On defense, Hunt to Wells to Lashley DOUBLE PLAY. Landon "show 'em the ball" Wells line drive catch and throw to Lashley at first for a DP. Watson catch in RF, throw to first not in time, then Lashley throw to Fuller at third for a DP. OF with Anglin, Williams, Kuebler, Webb, and Watson played strong keeping Vincennes to one double and nothing more than a single. Caige "Give me another $20" Christie ended the game with a diving catch into the back stop!  We finished the night off celebrating at Buffalo Wild Wings!