Napa Register Coverage

This small town has come together with great enthusiasm, generous donations and local business sponsorships to help create and support a sports program worthy of the toughest competition in the country.  The right way to honor that is to continue to build our program through volunteering our time, giving what we can, and nurturing more big dreams in our children.  What these boys and these coaches have accomplished is remarkable.  It is a legacy well worth honoring.

Please come out and show your support today at 11am for the parade, with a Napa National Little League float, that will travel down first street and arrive to the fair.

Napa Register Coverage

This is a wonderful article that captures the heart of our Napa National team.  This team is a remarkable group of young men.  I am so proud my son has had the privilege of getting to know these boys this summer.  I cannot imagine a better set of role models.  I will sincerely miss not seeing these faces and laughing with these boys as we have every two or three days all summer.  It has been the summer of a lifetime.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I6 part two

Here we go, boys!

NAPA: Gabriel rips a single. Dahlen single. Aaron single. Oh my. Bases
Loaded, no outs. Joe fielders choice put at two, Gabe scores. Dahlen
scores on wp. MJ strike out. Juan Carlos bunt, final out.

5-2, So Cal.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I6 Top

SC: Home Run. Strike out. Double. Out (9). Gabriel in to pitch for
Aaron at 86. Out (5).

Here we go!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I5 Bottom

NAPA: Tyler walks. Colton strike out, Ty steals second. Luke strike
out - great at bat. Cal strike out.

0-4, them still.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I5 Top

SC: Out (3). Single to left. Out (4-6). Out (1-3).

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I4 Bottom

NAPA: G strike out. Dahlen out (3). Aaron single. Justin walks - hit
by pitch. MJ fielders choice, out at second.

0-4, still them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 I4 Top

SC: Single. Strike out. Out (2-3). Out (8-5) picked off the steal.
AWESOME.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1, I3 Bottom

NAPA: Jake strike out. Luke deep fly to left, out. Hayden strike out.

0-4, them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1, I3 Top

SC: Out (1-3). Strike out. Out (1-3).

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G2 Bottom

NAPA: Aaron Single! Joe strike out. MJ strike out. Juan Carlos
grounder, collision at second, out.

0-4, still them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G2 Top

SC: Strike out. Strike out. Out (4-3).

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1 Bottom

NAPA: Cal strike out. Gabriel out at first. Dahlen strike out.

0-4, them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1, I1 Top

SC: Out (9). Single. Single. Hit by pitch. Bases loaded, one out.
Grand Slam. Strike out. Out (1-3).

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show - The Big Show G1

Catcher - Dahlen
Pitcher - Aaron
1 - Joe
2 - Juan Carlos
3 - Jake
SS - MJ
L - Luke
C - Cal
R - Gabriel

Game on, Go Napa!!!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

MJ on the Register cover

Napa Register Coverage - Road Show photos link

More great photos from the Register (in case you can't get enough here!)

Napa v Utah photos

San Bernardino Sun Coverage fro Road Show G4

Follow the next round on ESPN - We play at 2pm, Friday.

Register Coverage for Road Show G4, even more!

Two articles!

Register Coverage for Road Show G4

We love you, Napa Register!  Please email thanks to the editor for the great press - the boys all know there is great enthusiasm back home and feel very proud of everyone's support.

Road Show, G4, I6 we WIN!

NAPA: Dahlen out at first. TY pop up, out. Aaron deep fly to center,
out.

UTAH: Out (4-3). Strike out. Strike out.

7-2,US!

Tournamen record: 3 and 1 BABY!!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4, I5

NAPA: Justin walks, Cal running for Justin. cal steals second on
passed ball. Jake out at first, Cal to third. Colton single scores
Cal. Luke fly out to deeeeep center. MJ single. Runners advance on wp.
Gabriel strike out.

UTAH: Out (3). Aaron out at 35 (available for Friday), Gabriel in to
pitch. Strike out. Double to right. Single, runners to first and
third. Single to left scores one. Strike out - nice, G.

7-2, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4, I4

NAPA: Colton single. Luke running for Colton. Cal sac bunt. Colton
safe on second. MJ ropes it to center. MJ steals second. Gabriel
strike out. Dahlen walks, Luke steals home on wp. Dahlen steals
second. TY single scores two!!! Aaron ground out at first.

UTAH: Single. Strike out. Strike out. Strike out. Aaron, awesome.

6-1, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4, I3

NAPA: Gabriel walks. Dahlen bunt. Runners at first and second. Delayed
steal by G - I love the way that boy pulls that off!! Dahlen steals
second on the next pitch. Hayden strike out. Aaron walks. Juan Carlos
strike out. Jake absolutely ropes one, first base makes an impressive
grab. Out.

UTAH: Single. Single. Strike out. Aaron in for JC after 35 pitches
(Keeps Juan Carlos available for Friday's game). Runner scores on wp.
Batter hit, bases loaded. Out (1-2). Strike out.

3-1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4, I2

NAPA: Dahlen single to the gap. Hayden hard hit grounder single. Error
keeps Dahlen on second. Runners advance on wp. Cal running for Hayden.
Aaron sends it out of the yard for a three run homer!!! Juan Carlos
strike out. Jake strike out. Colton single. Cal single. Runners
advance on wp. MJ out at first.

UTAH: Hard bouncer hits Aaron, JC almost makes the tag, but just
misses. Runner on first. DOUBLE PLAY!!! (1-6-3). Yes! Out (5).

3-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4, I1

NAPA: Luke leads us off: strike out. MJ out at first (6-3). Gabriel
strike out.

UTAH: Out (6-3). Out (6-3). Single to right. Runner to second on wp.
Strike out - nice job, Juan Carlos.

0-0.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G4 - Game On!

Vs Utah, 4:30 start

Catcher - Hayden
Pitcher - Juan Carlis
First - Joe
Second - Gabriel
Third - Jake
Short - MJ
Left - Colton
Center - Luke
Right - Aaron

Go Napa!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

More Napa vs So Cal photos

Some photos from Napa vs So. Cal

Napa vs Hawaii

Some photos from the Napa vs Hawaii game - Napa lost, but we can beat them.

San Bernardino Sun Coverage today

The picture on line with this article is amazing - I'll see if I can grab it and post it.

This one says it all - Dad and Son:

Jennifer Palmer would like to share this with you:

Winning coach, winning pitcher, winning everything.

To view the photos, paste each link below into your web browser.

http://sbsun.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=30967376&event=1055962&CategoryID=41574

(Note: The links above may be wrapped causing the URL to be cut off.
Make sure you include the entire URL.)

Thank you for visiting http://sbsun.mycapture.com

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Road Show, G3, I6 - part two. We won!!!

Bottom of the sixth, we are down by one. Here we go!

NAPA: MJ walks. Jake single. Runners advance on wp. TY strike out.
Cal walks, MJ scores on a wp

Tie Game!!!

Juan Carlos single scores Jake.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I6, part one

SC: Strike out. Single - Aaron hit hard in the leg on that one. Aaron
out at 20 (available for tomorrow), Jake in to pitch with one out, and
a full count. Walk. Strike out - steely nerves by number 3. Runners
advance on wp. Walk. Bases loaded, two outs. Out (3). Holy cow.

We have last up, need one.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I5

SC: Out (5-3). Single. Out (7) - great catch Juan Carlos! Walk - hit
by pitch. Runners on first and second, two outs. MJ out at 18 pitches
- still available for the Utah game tomorrow. Aaron in to pitch. Fly
to right, scores one. Strike OUT.

NAPA: Hayden strike out. Gabriel nearly beats out the throw to first,
out. Dahlen walks. Joe single to center, Luke running for Joe. Aaron
strike out.

3-4, them, at the moment.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I4

SC: Strike out. Out (9). MJ in to pitch - Colton out at the 85 limit.
Single. Out (3).

NAPA: Joe strike out. Aaron rips a triple up right field line. MICHAEl
JANKIEWICZ, I love you kid!! MJ sends it out over center for a two
run homer!!!!! TY walks. Cal strike out.

3-3

Game ON!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I3

SC: Single to center. Walk. Run scores on wp. Strike out. Run scores
in wp. Strike out. Single to left. Out (1-3).

NAPA: Luke strike out. Justin strike out. Gabriel ropes a double. New
Pitcher - Poulsen out at 49 to be avaialble for the tournament play on
Friday (SoCal is assured the #1 seed bases on their first three
games.) Dahlen out at first.

1-3, them

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I2

SC: Strike out. Walk. Walk - wow, we disagree on that last pitch. Out
- (2-6), got the runner stealing second. Strike out. One runner left
on base.

NAPA: Dahlen strike out. Joe smokes it over right field, HOME RUN!
Aaron strike out. MJ SINGLE!! Jake walks. Runners to 2 & 3 on wp.
Colton strike out.

1-1.

New ball game.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3, I1

SC: Single, great stop by MJ. Steals second on wp. Out (1-3). Runner
to third. Single, scores one. Strike out. Fly out (8).
Colton pitch count: 20

NAPA: Cal strike out. Juan Carlos out at first. Gabriel strike out.

0-1, them.

This kid can throw.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G3 Game On!

Catcher - Dahlen
Pitcher - Colton
1 - Joe
2 - Juan Carlos
3 - Jake
SS - MJ
L - Aaron
C - Cal
R - Gabriel

We are facing So Cal's Big Unit tonight. They are 3-0 and we are 1-1.
We need to take two games in the pool play to make the tournament. We
still play Utah tomorrow, and feel good about our chances there. So
while thi game is not necesary, it would be so nice.

All the Hawaii boys, coaches and families are sitting with us :)

Go Napa!!!!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Fans of the Game

Joe Horn and Makenna Walls (here with Louie Canepa) drove down with
their families to cheer us on this past weekend. We need all their
good karma again for the game tonight - you guys were fabulous to come
down!!

Road Show, G2, I6

HI: Walk. Home run, scores two. Single to center. MJ in to pitch, Juan
Carlos out at 47. Out (6-4). Out (9) - great job Luke. Out (6).

NAPA: Justin walks, Tyler running for Justin. Ty to second on wp.
Gabriel fly out. Dahlen strike out. Juan Carlos out at first.

1-4, them.

That's a first.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I5

HI: Walk. Out (6). Strike out. Out (4-3).

NAPA: Juan Carlos perfect bunt. Aaron hits a fielders choice, JC
out at second. Joe out at first. Luke walks. Jake rips it out o
center, scores Aaron. MJ strike out.

1-2, still them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I4

HI: Single (Juan Carlos took a tough dive for it at second and got the
ball off his glove into his eye. Way be tough JC). Dahlen in to pitch
- Digger! G out at 50. Hayden catching, G to right. Home run, scores
two. Juan Carlos in for Dahlen. Runner hit, takes first. Out (4) -
great catch Digger. Out (8). Strike out.

NAPA: Hayden strike out. Gabriel fly out. Dahlen strike out.

0-2, them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I3

HI: Strike out. Double to left. Out (3). Strike out.
G pitch count: 47

NAPA: Colton strike out. Jake out at first. MJ strike out.

0-0. Jeez.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I2

HI: Walk. Out (3). Hit to left, runners to first and third. Strike
out. Out (5-3) - one outstanding play by the youngest Rasmusen.

Cheers from the six-year old:
"Here we go G, G. Throw the heat!"
"Come on Juan, hit the heat!"

NAPA: Juan Carlos gets another tough call at first, out. Aaron walks -
very patient at-bat. Cal hits into a double play.

0-0.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I1

HI: Out (4-3). Out (6-3). Out (9).
G count: 13
Nice.

NAPA: MJ awesome bunt, tough call out at first. TY strike out. Gabriel
great hit, safe at first. Dahlen out at first.

0-0.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G2, I1 Game On!

Gabriel - pitcher (1)
Dahlen - catcher (2)
Aaron - first (3)
Tyler - second (4)
Jake - third (5)
MJ - short (6)
Colton - left (7)
Cal - center (8)
Juan Carlos - right (9)

We are home team.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, Game 1 Recap

I find it difficult to capture in words or pictures the intensity of playing on this field, in this stadium, in front of these crowds.  Our boys have never played in anything like it.  The game yesterday was far from our best ability, but an incredibly gutsy overcoming of huge nerves to pull out the win.  I am immeasurably proud of the effort the boys gave yesterday.  With this win - in their first game, keeping their streak alive - they have honored themselves, their coaches, their team, their town, and the many, many, many wonderful people in Napa who have made a contribution to making this trip possible.  

Offensively, play of the game is Joe Canepa's home run.  Game changer in the way it settled us down and reminded all of us - the boys, and the fans - of the fact that we didn't get here by accident.  The close tie for second is between Jake's rip to right in the fourth which touched off our run, and Gabriel's break for home to cap the fourth inning with 6 for Napa. Both were big emotional lifts, and Jake's smile from first was priceless, as was the surprise from Arizona when Gabe crossed the plate.

Defensive play of the game, for me, was Dahlen's grab of the short chop and amazing throw to first for the out in the 5th.  It was an outrageously off-balance, chaotic, and perfectly placed throw.  Close second is the 8-2 Gabriel laser rope from center to stop the run scoring at the plate in the 4th.  Dahlen took a hard it from the runner - which left a solid bruise - but never flinched at the play.  

What a team.

Go Napa!

Napa Register Coverage - post Road Show game 1

Tune in to 1440 KVON for the 5pm game vs. Hawaii today!

Go Napa!

Road Show G1, I6 we WIN!!

AZ: Strike out, with 3-0 count, G gets him looking. Strike out. Juan
Carlos to close the inning, Gabriel out at 20. Single to center.
Strike out.

6-4, US!!!!!!

Sent from my iPhone

Road Show, G1, I5 - bottom half

NAPA: Aaron strike out. MJ walks. Hayden fly out to right, MJ picked
off at first.

6-4, us

Sent from my iPhone

Road Show, G1, I5

AZ: single to right. Fielders choice (5-3). Aaron out at 50, Gabriel
pitching. Strike out. Runner hit, AZ fans warned for booing. Single up
right scores one. Runners to first and third. Dahlen scoops a short
chop and makes an impossibly tough throw to get the out at first (2-3).

NAPA: losing my battery - switching to Robins phone.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G1, I4

AZ: Double to center. Chopper, safe at first, runners on one and
three. Strike out. Runner to second on wp. Strike out. Hit to center,
scores one and they get the last out trying to score a second run.
Aaron at 40.

NAPA: Luke walks. Ty hits to a fielders choice, Luke out at second.
New pitcher (last out at 63). Jake rips it to right, Ty to third.
Gabriel hit passes third, scores Ty. Runners on one and two. Juan
Carlos walks. Dahlen strike out, Luke scores on wp. Gabriel scores on
a steal. Joe strike out.

6-3, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G1, I3

AZ: out (6-3). Out (4). Out (6-3). MJ, I love you.
Aaron count: 16

NAPA: Juan Carlos out (5-3). Dahlen deep fly out to center. Joe SENDS
IT TO LEFT, home run. Aaron rips a double to left. Advances to third
on wp. MJ strike out.

3-2, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Road Show, G1, I2

AZ: out (3), double to the fence, runners on 2 and 3. Colton out at
25, Aaron in to pitch. Strike out. Run scores on wp. Strike out.
Pitch count: 9

NAPA: Joe walks, Luke in for Joe. Aaron rips it to left. MJ grounder
- error a second score Luke. Cal walks. Colton single - attempt at
second is beat out by Cal, Aaron scores. Justin hit, MJ out at home on
fielders choice. Justin out on a base running error. Gabriel out at
first.

2-2, through 1.

Sent from World Headquarters.ndnd

Road Show, G1, I1

We take the field first:
Colton pitching
Dahlen catcher
Joe @ 1st
Juan Carlos @ 2nd
MJ at short
Jakey @ 3rd
Cal in left
Gabriel in center
Aaron in right.

AZ: out (6-3), strike out!, home run (damn.), out (6-3).
Pitch count for Colton: 18

NAPA: Gabriel strike out. Juan Carlos ground out (5-3). Dahlen ropes
it, snatches by short (6).

0-1, through 1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

See it LIVE

Youth Sports Live is on-site and filming all the pool play games.  For a small fee, you can - in additional to following the color commentary here :> - also see the action live.  Click the title to be taken to the YSL website!

Road Show!

4:30pm today - broadcast live on KVON 1440 (for Nor Cal'ers)

vs. Arizona @ Al Hougthon Stadium, San Bernardino

Colton Forster will be our starting pitcher.

The boys are ready and cannot wait to get out on the field and play.  The energy around here is fantastic, and we can't wait to see them get in the game.  GO NAPA!

HERE: we go.

The boys arrived to the Western Region Headquarters today.  Tournament play for the Western and Northwester Regions begins on Friday.  I will post full bracket info when Douglas and I join up with the team tomorrow, but for now, a few pictures thanks to Robin J!

Make your plan!  Get down here and be one of the fans to fill those seats and park in those spaces.  This is a remarkable moment for these boys, these coaches, and this town.  Just make it down, for any part of it you can - you will not regret it.

Let's get this show on the road!

Three cheers for the Napa Valley Register - clearly big fans of the boys!

WINNERS!

Regsiter Coverage, within 30 minutes of the win!

Hot off the presses :)

District 53 Champs, Section 1 Champs, Division 2 Champs.

Undefeated -- ALL THE WAY -- Baby!

So proud of you, boys!

P3 G3 I6 - WE WIN!

HOL:  Out (5-3). Out (3).  God bless you Debbie Schlienger for the videos of these outs!!!! STRIKE OUT!!!

THESE BOYS ARE GOING TO SAN BERNARDINO!!!!!!!!

We are so proud of what you have accomplished.

Wow.

P3 G3 I5

HOL: Walk. Next batter, pop up to Dahlen (2).  Dahlen makes the throw to first for the double play, gets the call, but call is over-ruled by committee.  One out.  Next batter, single. Next, huge shot to right, caught by Hayden (9).  Next, grounder to Joe at first, out (3).

Estimate on fan count at tonight's game: 2500 people!!

NAPA: Dahlen, single.  Joe, walks - to end a great battle at the plate.  Aaron, RBI single to center. Runners on third and first.  MJ, strike out. Colton, fly out to center. Jake, grounder to second, out at first (4-3).

6-0, us, at the end of five.

P3 G3 I4

HOL:  Out, (4-3). Next batter, chop to short, laser to first, OUT (6-3). Next, another hit to short, bare-handed grab and throw, out (6-3).

NAPA: Aaron, strike out.  MJ, deep single to right.  Colton up, HOME RUN!!!  Hayden, walk, Cal running for Hayden.  Juan Carlos, single. Justin, out at first.  Runners held on first and second because the ump said Cal left early (he did not!). Gabriel, strike out.

5-0, us, at the end of four!

P3 G3 I3

HOL: Double to left.  Strike out. Out, (8) - Nice, Gabe!  Out, (1-3).
Aaron pitch count 38.

NAPA: Luke, out (4-3). Gabriel, fly out to center (8). Dahlen, walk.  Joe, grounder to first, out (3).

3-0 at the end of three.

P3 G3 I2

HOL:  Out (5-3). Walk.  Attempt to pick off the runner, but we don't get him. 3rd batter, Out.  Strike out.

NAPA: Dahlen - single on the first pitch.  Joe - first pitch, HOME RUN!!! Two runs score!!! YES, JOE!  Aaron, single down third base line, safe at first. Luke running for Aaron.  MJ, fly out to center. Cal, double!  Runners to second and third. Jake, RBI fly out to center.  2 outs.  Juan Carlos, out (4-3).

3-0, us, at the end of two.

Team Dog

The lovely Katy Rasmusen Assereto and her husband Anthony with the
team dog :)

P3 G3 I1

Napa Defense: Aaron pitching, Dahlen catching.  Joe at first, Tyler at second, Jake at third, MJ at short. Juan Carlos in right, Gabe in center, Cal in left.

HOL: Out, 1-3. Out, strike out. Strike out.
Aaron pitch count 14.

NAPA: Juan Carlos out, (5-3). Tyler, strike out. Gabriel, fly out to center.

0-0 at the end of one.

P3 G3 - Game on!

vs. Hollister National
7pm start
Vacaville, CA

Aaron Shortridge is our starting pitcher, we are HOME!

Napa Register Coverage - ahead of the Championship Game

Game tonight at 7pm.  GO NAPA!!!!

Napa over Hollister 4-3

Napa Register Coverage

And a great picture of Justin from Sunday's game.

P3 G2 I6

NAPA: Jake, single!  Jake steals second.  Ty, sac bunt, Jake to third.  Cal, RBI ground out. Gabriel, strike out.

hold 'em, hold 'em, hold 'em, hold 'em....

HOL:  Walk. Single. Out, (4-3). Out, not sure of the play (relay communications :>), one run scores.  Two outs, score 4-2.  Single, scores run. Pitching change, Gabriel in.  One pitch, hit straight to G, out (1-3).

4-3, us!

P3 G2 I5

NAPA:  Gabriel, single.  Dahlen, fly out.  Joe, single.  Aaron, fielders choice, out.  MJ, hit.  Bases loaded. G steals on an overthrow to pitcher.  Colton, HUGE crack to center, wind against us, caught at the fence, out.

HOL:  Single. (Turn two, boys!) Double to center, runners to second and third. Passed ball, run scores. Strike out. Strike out - nice, Colton! Strike out - COLTON!! You rock!

3-1, us.

Quote of the game: MJ (short stop) to Eric (our photographer): "Eric, you gotta get those!" after a deep foul to left.  :>

P3 G2 I4

Colton at 44 pitches through three innings.

NAPA: Joe, strike out.  Aaron, walks.  MJ, walks. Colton, strike out. Runners advance on a passed ball. Hayden, hit by pitch, takes first.  Bases loaded, two outs.  Juan Carlos, WALKS! Scores a run.  Another passed ball, MJ steals home.  YES!  Justin grounder to second, play to first, out.

Infield update: Joe on first, Juan Carlos on 2nd, Aaron on third.  MJ short.  Justin in Left, Gabe in Center, Dahlen is Right. Hayden catching.

HOL:  Single to second. (Turn two boys!) Strike out. Grounder, (1-5-3) Colton - MJ - Joe.  DOUBLE PLAY!

2-0, us!

P3 G2 I3

NAPA: Colton, walks. Tyler running for Colton.  Jake, grounder single.  Runners to first and second.  Juan Carlos hits back to the pitcher, fielding error, all runners safe.  Bases loaded.  Cal, fielders choice, play to home.  One away.  Gabriel, strike out.  Dahlen, out at first.
Hollister pitcher: 49 pitches.

HOL: Strike out. Out, (4-3).  Out, (6-3) :>

P3 G2 I2

NAPA: Dahlen, strike out.  Luke, grounds to pitcher, out at first.  Aaron, walks.  MJ fly out to right.

HOL: Out (6-3).  Stirke out - go Colton!. Out (6-3).

0-0.

P3 G2 I1 - the real start

NAPA: Juan Carlos, fly out to center.  Cal, grounder to third, out at first. Gabriel, great at-bat - but struck out.

HOL: Strike out - nice start Colton!  Out, (1-3)  Strike out.  

0-0 ends the first

P3 G2 I1

Game start delayed - first inning beginning 8:30pm

We are visitors. And have LOTS of fans - thank you Napa families and friends for coming to the game!!!

Infield for Napa:

Dahlen catcher, Jake 3rd, MJ at short, Juan Carlos at 2nd, Aaron at 1st.  Colton pitching, Joe in left, Gabe in center, Cal in right.

Get'em Boys!

P3 G2 - Game On!

Game Two, vs. Hollister

Colton is our starting pitcher.

(Again, this is via relay, so I do not have starting fielding positions, but - you know, they're all great where ever they are!)

Remote fans

GO NAPA!  We are following from Friday Harbor tonight!

Regsiter Coverage for P3 G1

Again, send a note of thanks to the Editor!

Vacaville Game 1

P3 G1 I6 - WE WIN!!

NAPA: Hayden up, ground out (6-3). Second batter (this is by relay, I apologize to the batter for not getting this clear!), ground out (3). Two down, Juan Carlos up, flyout to right.

Hold 'em Boys!

RP: 1st batter, Strike out. 2nd batter, homer. One down, score 4-2. 3rd batter, ground out to first.  Two outs.  Grounder single.  Man on first, tying run at the plate. STRIKE OUT!!!!

4-2, us!

Go NAPA!!!!!

P3 G1 I5

NAPA: Gabriel, ground out to third (5-3). Joe, strike out. Pitching change, to the tune of Sweet Caroline :). Dahlen up, single. Aaron, walks.  Runners on first and second, two outs. Colton, strike out.

Tons of Napa fans in the Vacaville stands today!

RP: Aaron's pitch count 55 to start the inning.  Out, (1-3).  Strike out.  Double.  Count 1-1, pitching change to Gabriel.  Aaron has another great game. Single to right scores one.  Pop up to Rustice, out (4).

4-1, us.

P3 G1 I4

Aaron's pitch count is 46.  River Park on their second pitcher after first hit 50.

NAPA:  Luke up, strike out.  Hayden single, Cal running for Hayden.  Ty strike out.  Juan Carlos single.  MJ up, ground out.
rp pitcher: 14 pitches

RP: Shot to third, Digger makes the throw to first, OUT (5-3).  Strike out.  Shot to third, play to first again, OUT (5-3).  Three up, three down.  I love the efficiency!!

4-0, us

P3 G1 I3

Update through three innings:

They loaded the bases in the bottom of the third and we ended the inning with no runs.

4-0, us

Relay Update

we are having some technical difficulties, so here is the update so far:

Top of 3, we are up 4-0 (we are visitor)

Aaron is pitching

Gabriel hit a 2 run homer in the second - YES!!

Get'em Boys

Phase III starts today - four of the six Division teams face off this afternoon, and we join the festivities tomorrow, playing the winner of the River Park vs. Sutter game at 10am.  I'm not the slightest bit nervous for the boys, just excited to hear about the game, and sincerely wishing we could watch them live.  These guys play baseball with such drive and commitment, and every game has had its own spectacular moment (if not moments).  We will be waiting impatiently to hear the ones to come.

In the mean time, I thought I would put down all the things that I would be saying if I were there.  You can believe we will be cheering these things on the boat during every game - in Vacaville in spirit:

Let's go, Blue!

Turn two, boys!

Be patient!

See it and send it!

Turn on it!

Find the gap!

Your batter!

And and most importantly,
 Be efficient: Don't waste your energy, your outs or your strikes.  Leave no doubt.  You are here, undefeated, because of what you know how to do.  Play your game.

Go Napa.

Pinch-Hitters: Debbie, Eric, Robin and Laura

As many of the team families already know, Douglas and I are away on vacation for the entire Divisional Tournament.  So we, too, will now be living by our computers hitting 'refresh' every five minutes during the games.  Several of our wonderful parents have agreed - some rather timidly - to carry the blog in our absence.  For this I am deeply grateful - both for the sake of the extended baseball families who follow the games here, and for me personally being able to follow the games real-time myself.

Go Napa!

Nor Cal Division II Bracket PDF

All games played at Centennial Park in Vacaville, CA.

And as my dear friend put it so perfectly: Just win baby!

The Un-Page

A very cool site for those of you interested in seeing who else we face in Divisionals (and how they have fared all along) as well as everything that can come after.  Nerd it up!

Section Championship Highlight Video

These guys put together a great highlight video of the section finals. (Click the title to jump to the Youth Sports Net 365 Website)

Right now this video is available on the home page - not sure how long that will be, or what the navigation will be when they move it.  So check it out!!  Thanks to Art Reyes for forwarding this along!

Article from the day of the Championship Game

I'm late in getting this up, but in the interest of including ALL the Register coverage, here is the article that ran Wednesday - pics made for a full page spread in the sports section.  Awesome.

Love the Napa Register

Great coverage and great pics.

SECTION CHAMPIONS!!!!

NAPA: Aaron wears it, takes first. Pitching change. Cal single to
right. Runners on first and second. Jake bunt, out at third. Luke fly
out, runners held. MJ rips it to left, bases loaded. G strike out.

PN: G pitching. Out (1-3). Walk (hit by the pitch). Double to right.
Out (1). Throw to first scores a run. STRIKE OUT!!!!

5-1 US

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G3 I5

NAPA: Hayden deep single to left, Ty running. Luke sac bunt, Ty to
second.Tyler steals third on wp. MJ single to right scores Ty. MJ to
second on bad attempt to pick him off. G HOMER to center!!! Scores
two. Colton hits it to the gap in right for a single. (G warming up in
the bullpen) Dahlen strike out. Juan Carlos shot back to the pitcher,
out at first.

PN: Walk. Strike out. Runner steals first on passed ball. Strike out.
Strike out.

5-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G3 I4

NAPA: Digger bullets one back to the pitcher, out. Juan Carlos fly
out. Aaron ropes a double up third base line. Luke running for Aaron.
Cal out at first. Upside: we are seeing this pitchers curve ball
Pitch count for him: 53

PN: Strike out. Single to right. Out (6-5). Throw in the dirt, runners
to second and third. Out!!! MJ!!! nice catch - (6).
Aaron pitch count: 41

2-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G3 I3

NAPA: Cal ground out. Jake single - well placed. Justin fielders
choice, Jake out at second. Tyler running for Justin. MJ ropes a
double to center, Ty on third. G doubles to left, scores two!!!
Colton ground out.

PN: Out (4-3), nicely fielded ball Juan Carlos. Strike out. Strike out.
Aaron pitch count: 28

2-0, us. I think the team just needed Debbie and I to get here.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Through two:

Cal Bard robs them of a homer in right for the third out. Robin J did
an awesome job keeping me on the loop via text - so I will post a
first inning update later. The net is score is 0-0.

Sent from World Headquarters.

We are away. Don't have the starting in-field for you, as I am sitting
in abyssmal bay area traffic getting to the game.

Aaron is our starting pitcher.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game today, 6pm

At the Lafayette Field
711 St Marys

VS Petaluma National

For aaaalllllll the Section marbles.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Fan of the Game

Meet Eric Schlienger: (He's the one looking at the camera :>)

Eric is step-father to Aaron Shortridge, wonderful husband to Debbie, my dear friend, and our team's own private sports photographer.  Eric hasn't missed a tournament game, and spends each one on the field chronicling and capturing the great moments throughout the series.  His shots have helped bring some of the great coverage in the Napa Register, and are the delight of our families, the boys, and most definitely this blog.

P2G2 Recap

What a game!  Offensively, first and foremost - another game of outstanding pitching.  At bat, Gabriel getting it started in the first with a two run homer was - once again - huge.  And when they came back to tie it up in the second, the boys came back in the third and wasted no time getting base runners for Joe to smack it out to left (where his Dad sat ready for it :>). That got the inning off to a blazing start, and every other batter in the order came up and got a piece of it to finish the inning with 6 runs.  The rest of the game continued to put on the finishing touches on a 10-run lead that kept the game to a very efficiently played 5 innings.

Defensively, my favorite play of the game actually came in the first inning: runner on second with one out, batter hits a sharp grounder to Aaron who holds the runner perfectly, and then lasers it to first to get the out.  It was the kind of patient, perfectly timed play that puts caution into our opponents every time.

And here are a few of Eric's pictures from the game last night to add some great color to the commentary:

1. Tyler
2. Juan Carlos
3. Gabriel
4. Joe - Homer!
5. Hayden
6. MJ

Register Coverage for P2 G2

Thank you Napa Register!

P2 G2 I5 - game over, we win!

VC: Strike out. Out (1-3), great throw G. Strike out.
G pitch count 32

NAPA: Facing new pitcher. Hayden walks, Jake running for Hayden. Juan
Carlos walks. Jake out at third on steal. MJ RBI triple, scores Juan.
MJ scores on wp - game over!!

12-2.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G2 I4

VC: Strike out. Out (3). Out (3), great catch Joe Canepa!
G pitch count 22

NAPA: G walks. Steals second on wp. Joe single to right scores G,
plate to the plate gets Joe to second, Tyler running for Joe. Dahlen
fly out. Aaron strike out. Justin solid single, Tyler to third, Colton
running for Justin. Colton steal draws the throw, scores Tyler, Colton
safe at second. Luke strike out.

10-2, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G2 I3

VC: Out (5-3), nice catch Jake. Out (6-3). Out (1-3). Great inning.
G pitch count 8

NAPA: Juan Carlos out at first. MJ single. G walks. Joe SENDS IT over
left, scores three. Dahlen walks. Pitching change Aaron safe at
first, Dahlen out at second. Justin single, Aaron to third, Tyler
running for Justin. Cal RBI single to left, scores Aaron. Hayden rips
it to center, scores Tyler, runners to first and third. Juan Carlos
single scores Cal. MJ single, JC out at second.

8-2, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G2 I2

VC: Out (3). Solo home run. Single. Single. Out (3), runners to second
and third. Single, scores a run. Runners on first and thirdl.
Pitching change to Gabriel on a full count. Strike out.
G pitch count 1

NAPA: Colton ground out. Cal strike out. Jake ground out.

2-2.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2 G2 I1

VC: Single to center. Steals second on passed ball. Strike out. Out
(6-3), held the runner at second. Strike out.
JC pitch count 15

NAPA: Juan Carlos ground out. MJ walks. Gabriel SENDS IT out the left
field line - home run! Tyler walk with a GREAT at bat (9 pitches).
Dahlen walks, hit by pitch. Aaron out in a double play.
Pitch count 22

2-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G2 Game On!

Vs Vacaville Central (VC)

We are home, Juan Carlos is starting on the mound for us. Dahlen
catching, Joe at first, MJ second, Aaron short, Jake third, Colton in
left, Gabe center, Cal right.

Go Blue!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Updated Brackets for Section 1 Tourney

This link (title) should take you to a bracket that is updated nightly - for anyone wanting to follow how the other teams in our bracket our doing (ahem, Dad?)

Phase II Game 2 Today - Lafayette

vs. District 64 Vacaville Central

Game time: 6pm

Location: 711 St. Marys Rd, Lafayette, CA 94549


Anyone wishing to caravan to the game can meet the coaches and players at 3:15pm at the In & Out Burger on the corner of Soscol and Imola in Napa.

GO NAPA!!!

Its always a team effort

I have been thinking of writing a quick post about this for several games now, and Cal's great play to score the go-ahead run against Petaluma National turns out to be not only an amazing play, but a great example of what may go unnoticed in my blog coverage.

For those of you following from afar, it is hard for me to completely capture the substitutions and rotations that happen among all the players throughout the game.  While I try to capture who is on the field in which position at the start, that certainly ebbs and flows throughout the game - as do hitters and runners when we are on offense.  There are several boys on this team who in some games play only one or two innings with only one or two at-bats.  This is a function of both the great depth we have on the team, and the fact that certain particular abilities are best used at key moments, and therefore are kept in reserve for those times.

In the Petaluma game, Hayden - at his only at bat in the game - came in to start us off at the top of the fifth and hit much a needed and solidly delivered single up third base. Cal was brought in to pinch run for him.  Next up, Tyler, in his first at-bat of the game, executed a great sac bunt to advance Cal, and finally Juan Carlos roped the double that gave Cal the shot at home plate.  That Hayden and Tyler could both deliver when we needed it, late in the game and on their first at-bat, is testament to their skill and their understanding of the team roles.  Every one of the boys on this team makes a contribution every game.  While my coverage here on the blog tends to spotlight only one or two things a game, I wanted to make sure I took a moment to acknowledge the deep team effort we see every game.

Napa Register Coverage

Again, if you have the time, send the editors a quick note to say thanks.  The coverage the boys are getting is great! (Click the Title to jump to the article in today's paper.)

Fan(s) of the Game

Jerry, Butch, and Ray - The Grandfathers.  They know the game, support the boys, delight the stands, and thoroughly enjoy one another.  We all love them, and are lucky to have them in our numbers.  And now we have a tech-savvy test for them -- who will be the first among them to mention they saw this picture on the blog? :)

Phase II Game 1 Recap

This was a close game.  Petaluma National is a good team, and they played well all game.  

The score stayed 1-1 until the top of the 5th inning, when Cal Bard performed the offensive play of the game, week, month and year: a gritty dive for home that was captured both by our own Eric Schlienger (whose great pictures are posted below) and by the professional sports photographer who came to the game (his picture can be seen in the link below this post).  Cal's play is a fantastic display of the kind of drive and ability this whole team operates with.  I don't know how many of the other boys could do exactly what Cal did, but I know they work on that kind of 110% (in Cal's case, this play might more accurately be a 200%) effort every game.  Aaron and Gabe combined for 12 strike outs on the mound.

Defensively, the play of the game was without a doubt the 2-1-6 pick off of the runner on second in the sixth inning: bottom of the sixth, no outs, runner on second with the tying run at the plate, the boys pick off the base runner with an electrifying play.  I honestly don't think the runner ever saw it coming.  At that point the momentum completely swung our way, and the team wasted no time getting the last two outs.  

This was one of the tougher games we've had to play - a true grind all the way - and a well deserved win  thanks to each and every player keeping their head in the game and doing what they needed to do to all the way through.  I can't say enough how much fun it is to be at these games, and how intensely proud I am of how hard they work and how well they play.

Enjoy the pics:

1- Juan Carlos digs out the single

2 - MJ makes sure he and the first base ump are in agreement

3 - Gabe gets ready to send that ball back out

4 - Cal dives for home

5 - Such a great effort it deserves two pictures :>

6 - Post game, coaches make sure the boys say thank you to the Petaluma stands as well.