Rookie Tournament - June 12-13, 2009

Our Rookie Team (Benjamin's team - 7 and 8 year olds) has really shown us what they can do. We got beat in our first game on Tuesday, June 9th, against the Diamondbacks - the best team in the league (undefeated record all regular season). We actually came out strong - had them down 4-0 in the first couple innings. Then, they got to hitting (they have 5 A-team All Stars on their team) - and ended up beating us 4-8. That moved us into the Loser's bracket. We were determined to meet the Diamondbacks again - which meant beating everyone in the Loser's bracket.....to get to the championship game (assuming the Diamondbacks would beat everyone they played). We played our second game Friday night at 7:00 against the Cubs - played good and won. So, that meant we had to play the Red Sox at 8:30. Those boys played the BEST they've played all season and won!! It was so awesome!! We then had to play the A's at 10:30 Saturday morning. It was a tight game through 4 innings - 8-7 - but we came alive in the 5th inning and won 8-20! We then played the Mets at 1:30. We won!!!! Yes - you read right - four games between 7:00 pm Friday and 3:00 pm Saturday!! Our kids were wiped out!! We have one boy who has bone spurs on his ankles - got some braces Friday night after our two games to wear on Saturday. Had a couple kids turn ankles in the games Saturday....... It was tough on them. But, they were strong and did great!! That got us exactly where we hoped to be - in the championship game against the Diamondbacks (yes, they beat everyone they played)!! The game was originally scheduled for tonight at 6:00. Knowing that Benjamin would be gone to church camp, Jason negotiated with the other team's coach (his good friend, Mark Wetzel) to play on Wednesday night, June 17th. Turns out, it's raining tonight, so the game would have been rescheduled regardless........ Shoooo........... We'll meet the Diamondbacks at 6:00 Wednesday night. When we beat them (notice I said "when" and not "if"), we'll have to play them again at 7:30 since they're undefeated in this Double Elimination Tournament. It will be hard to beat them twice - but if our kids play like they did this past weekend, we can do it!!! If not, beating the Diamondbacks just once will be thrilling!!!! - for the kids - and for us adults!!!! :) Nothing wrong with being competitive!!!! ;) After we played all those games this weekend, we looked up towards the Minor's (9 and 10 year olds) field and noticed this......... No one can get enough baseball - especially these coaches!!!! (Jason third from left). We finally went home around 4:00 - the boys had fun in the pool cooling off. I'll keep you posted on the game results Wednesday night!! Wish the Reds good luck!!!! ~Shelly :)