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.

A picture is worth a thousand words....

Click on this link.

Cal Bard, pure grit.

P2, G1, I6 WE WIN!

NAPA: G fly out. Joe walks. Joe takes second on a wp. Luke single to
left. Runners to third and first. Aaron ropes a double to center,
scores Joe, runners on second and third. Pitching Change. Cal fly out.
Tyler strike out.
PN: Double. OUT!!! (1-5 pick off). Strike out. Out (6-2).
3-1, us. Yes, yes, yes.
Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1, I5

NAPA: Hayden single up third base. Cal running for Hayden. Tyler
sacrafice bunt. Cal to second. Justin strike out Juan Carlos double to
right, Cal scores with SWAN DIVE over the play at the plate. Just
awesome. Juan Carlos to third in the confusion. MJ out at first.

PN: Strike out. Strike out. Strike out. G has seen five batters,
struck out five batters. Nice.

2-1, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1, I4

NAPA: G walk - very patient at bat. Joe deep fly out to right, G tags
up and takes second. Umpire calls G out for leaving early, we
disagree. Dahlen single. Dahlen takes second on wp. Aaron ground out.

PN: Strike out. Pitching change at a 2-2 count. Gabriel pitching for
us. Strike out. Strike out.

1-1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1, I3

NAPA: Jake rips a single to right. Juan Carlos grounder - Jake out at
second. MJ fly out, double play to first to pick off Juan Carlos.

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

1-1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1, I2

Pitch count correction: 27 through one for Aaron

NAPA: Aaron walks, Luke running for Aaron. Cal fly out to center.
Colton hits into a double play.

PN: Single up third base line. Shot through the infield, Gabe makes a
great play to feet the lead runner (8-5). Runner on second. Out (6).
Single. Runners to first and third. STRIKE OUT.

1-1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1, I1

Napa: Juan Carlos terrific bunt single to start us off. Out - JC
picked off at first. MJ ground out. Gabriel rips it to center for a
solid single. G steals second on wp. Joe ropes a double to center,
scores G. Tyler pinch running for Joe. Dahlen ground out.

PN: Out, Jake makes a great throw to first (5-3). Batter hit by
pitch, takes first. Runner steals second on an attempted pick off at
first. Single to center. Runners on first and third, one out. Strike
out. Runner home on wp. Runner at second, two outs. Strike out.

Aaron pitch count 24 (not sure I'll have this all game, no count on
the board - that was via the umpire :))

1-1.

Sent from World Headquarters.

P2, G1 Game On!

Vs. Petaluma National

We are visitors, Aaron will be our starting pitcher.

Gorgeous morning for baseball!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Phase II - 2010 California Section 1, International Tournament.

VS. Petaluma National (5-1, District 35 Champion)

Game Time: 11:00am   Address: Lafayette Little League  Park 711 St. Marys Rd. Lafayette, CA 9454

Anyone wishing to caravaan should meet up with the coaches at team at the In & Out Burger on Soscol and Imola by 8:30am tomorrow.


GO NAPA!!!!

Napa Register provides more outstanding coverage

Click on the link - and then send a note to the editor to let him/her know how much you are enjoying the coverage of this team.  The Register has been great about keeping up with the boys!

Section 1 International Tournament Brackets

The direct link to the brackets url is too long for this link field - so the page on the page this takes you to, look on the right hand side for the Section 1 options.  Click on 11-12 Division, Section 4 hosting.

GO NAPA!!

The 'Other' Recap: Register Coverage today

Click on the title here to see the Napa Register's report on the game with a great pic of Aaron.  Offensively,  two fabulously hit home runs by Cal in the second to get us started, and Colton in the third to really move the needle, plus Justin's double in the fifth and Joe's RBI fly to center in the fifth were the keys.  Defensively, Aaron's pitching - a complete game in 70 pitches with 9 strike outs, plus a double play in the 3rd (1, 1-3), another fielders choice to stop the runner coming home (1-5) in the fourth, and MJ's unbelievable diving catch and play to first (6-3) in the 5th were nothing short of amazing.

Next round continues on Saturday in Lafayette at 11:00am  - brackets posted in the next post!

District 53 Champions!!!!

FP: Strike out. Out (4-3). Out (8).

7-0, US, US, US!

Sent from World Headquarters.

G5 through 5th Inning

FP: Strike out. MJ!!!! An amazing defensive play (6-3). Strike out.
pc: 63

NAPA: Colton fly out. Justin double to right-center. Jake pinch
running for Justin. Jake steals third on wp. Joe RBI fly out to
center. Juan Carlos fly out to center.
pc: 36

7-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

G5 through 4th Inning

FP: Double to left-center. Runner steals third on wp. Single, runner
on third OUT! Great defensive stop (1-5). Strike out. Out (6-3).
pc: 50

NAPA: Hayden strike out. Aaron strike out. Luke strike out.
pc: 27, second pitcher.

6-0, us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

G5 through 3rd Inning

pc: 33 (FP pitcher through 2)

FP: Strike out. Single. Double play (1, 1-3).
pc: 37

NAPA: Gabriel walks. Steals second on wp. Steals third on wp. Dahlen
single, scores G. Aaron walks. Cal single to center. Bases loaded.
Luke rynning for Aaron Dahlen scores on wp, runners to 2 and 3.
Colton sends it over left, HOME RUN! Pitching change :). Justin out.
Joe out on a deep fly to left. Juan Carlos hit by pitch. MJ single to
center. Gabriel ou on a deep shot to center.

6-0, us.
Go Napa.

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G5 through 2nd Inning

FP: Strike out. Strike out. Walk. Out (3).
pc: 27

NAPA: Cal sends it: HOME RUN over dead center. Colton single to
center, Luke pinch running. Steals second on wp. Jake strike out.
Tyler walks. Juan Carlos out. MJ out.

1-0, us.

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G5 through 1st

FP: strike out, out (5-3), strike out.
pc: 11

NAPA: Juan Carlos single. MJ AWESOME bunt single. Runners on 1 and 2.
Gabe fly out. Both runners advance on wp. Dahlen strike out. Aaron
strike out.
pc: 13

0-0

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G5

Colton 1, Tyler 2, MJ short, Jake 3, Dahlen catching, Cal in left,
Gabe center, Juan Carlos right, Aaron in the mound.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game on!

We won the toss, Aaron is our starting pitcher.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Fan of the Game

Need I say more:

District 53 Title Game Tonight

5:30 vs. Fairfield Pacific, at Laurel Creek Park fields.

GO NAPA!!!!!

Fan of the Team

Debbie and I are in the car heading to Mill Valley for the morning.
Abby and Douglas are in the back, and somehow the subject of the boys
jersey numbers comes up. We went through the roster, and were stunned
to find that my six year old knows every boys number. We actually had
to pull up the roster to confirm it for ourselves. Definitely a big
fan, that little guy.

Game 4 Recap

Fairfield Pacific scored two runs in the bottom of the first, and I can honestly say, the fans in the stands had a moment of pause.  Clearly, the boys in the dugout did not.  This game was about our offense. They came up to the plate at the top of the second and did everything they needed to - were patient at bat, got the hits when we could - including a Grand Slam over dead center field from Gabe - and even took one for the team to score the 8th run of the inning.  MJ, Aaron and Colton all came up with big hits in the third to increase the spread, and MJ, Gabe and Dahlen all did it again in the fourth to get the job done.  Colton came in to finish the game on the mound, and we held them to just four batters, no more runs, and won by 11 in the fourth.  A satisfyingly decisive win.
Next game in Monday night at 5:30, same field.

Game Over - WE WIN!!!

NAPA: Tyler strike out. Juan Carlos out at first. MJ stand up double
to center - DAMN that almost went out!!! Gabriel shot to right, scores
MJ, Gabe on 2. Dahlen double to right, scores Gabriel. Cal pinch
running for G. Pitching change. Cal to third on wp Aaron strike out.
pc:

FP: walk. Out (7) - nice catch Luke! Strike out. Out (5-3) - nice
throw Jake.
pc:

14-3, game over in the fourth because of a 10+ run lead.

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G4 through 3rd Inning

NAPA: Hayden ground out. Juan Carlos bunt single. (I love the way
these boys bunt!!). MJ ropes a double to right, scores Juan Carlos.
Gabriel single to left. Dahlen single, error scores MJ, runners on 1
and 2. WP advances both runners. Aaron deep shot to right scores G,
runners on 3 and 1. Aaron (out) RBI steal scores Dahlen. Luke hit by
pitch, takes first. Colton ropes a double up the third base line.
Runners on 2 and 3. Jake out at first.
pc: 32

FP: MJ makes a phenominal throw (6-3). Pitching change, Colton
pitching. Strike out. Walk. Single to center. Out (4-6).
pc: 18

12-3, us.

Hour and thirty minutes in, going into the fourth...

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G4 though 2nd Inning

NAPA: Aaron walks. Joe double to right, runners on 2 and 3. Luke pinch
running for Joe. Cal bunts - bases loaded. Justin single, score Aaron.
Tyler strike out. Juan Carlos walks, run scores. MJ walks - great at
bat - scores Luke. Gabriel GRAND SLAM over center field. Pitching
Change. Dahlen walks. Aaron walks. Joe walks - another great at-bat.
Cal wears it - scores Dahlen. Pitching change. Justin hits into a
double (3, 3-2).
pc:3, third pitcher

FP: Batter hit, takes first. Single to right. Out (9). Bunt single
scores one, runners on 1st and 3rd. Strike out. Out (3)
pc: 31

8-3, US!

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G4 through 1st Inning

NAPA: Juan Carlos ground out. MJ out. Gabriel single over second base
(if G had been the center fielder he'd have made the play to
first... :)). Dahlen fly out.
pc:13

FP: Single. Strike out. Runner takes second on wp. Home run, scores
two. Out (6). Out (6-3).
pc:18

0-2, them.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game on!

We are visitors, Aaron is our starting pitcher and it's a gorgeous day
for a ballgame.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game Today 1:00pm in Fairfield

Napa National vs. Fairfield Pacific

Game address:
Gulf Dr @ Peppertree Dr
Fairfield, California
94533


GO NAPA!!!!


Also, Napa American vs. American Canyon immediately following at the same field (4pm start).  Come to cheer us on, stay to cheer more of us on!!

Fan of the Game

I am a little late getting this post up!  Game 3 Fan of the Game: Dave Benere.  Little League has pretty strict rules during tournament play - families and fans are not allowed to talk to the players or coaches.  Doing so can mean a loss for the team.  Dave is Dahlen's dad, our score keeper, the only person in the stands allowed to talk to the coaches, and the man who knows every nuanced rule of base running, substitutions, pitch counts and player rotation.  For those of us in the stands, he is the go-to guy for every question we have during the game.  And he answers all of them patiently and happily.  And while it is wholly deserved to have Dave Fan of the Game,  it is even more appropriate to say that all the rest of us are fan's of Big D.

Napa Register Coverage

In case you would like a second opinion on the game recap... (I still can't seem to figure out how to include a link in the copy section here, but if you click on the title of this post it will take you to the Register coverage. haha!)

Game 3 Recap

Another outstanding defensive game for the Napa National All Stars. Our hitting, and the East Vallejo fielding errors, certainly contributed to the win (:>), but keeping East Vallejo to just one run was a combination of some fantastic pitching by Juan Carlos and Gabriel, and some amazing fielding throughout the game. Play of the game, for me, without a doubt, was Gabriel's throw from center field to first to make the out. It was a perfectly fluid fielding play, and the kind of defensive stop that had to completely deflate East Vallejo. If you can't get a single out of a great hit to center, things are going to be frustrating. Offensively, twice our great base running drew the play away from home to score runs, and were enabled by some key hits by Juan Carlos in the second, Joe, Hayden and MJ in the third, and Hayden and Dahlen in the fifth. The boys play their next game vs. Fairfield Pacific on Satruday at 1:00pm. See you there!

District 53 Finals Brackets

Here is the bracket for the District Finals, just posted about an hour ago (if I've done this correctly, the title of this post is now a live link to the bracket site.) For those of you following not just our boys, but Napa ball in general, that FOUR OF SIX of Napa's teams - across the three age divisions - are playing in the District Finals. I am immensely proud of the Napa National Boys, but also tremendously proud of what Napa Little League is doing this year. GO NAPA!!!!!

Next game, in Fairfield on Saturday. Time TBD.

Mom, Dad, make your reservations!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game Over, we win! 9-1

EV: (5-3) - great throw Jake! Strike out. (5-3).

Sent from World Headquarters.

G3 through 5

EV: Juan Carlos finishes with 50 pitches - another phenominal effort.
Gabriel pitching. (3). Strike out. Single to right. (1-3).
pc: 11

NAPA: Justin walks, Jake running for Justin. Hayden ropes it to left,
Jake to second, Cal running for Hayden. Juan Carlos Hit by pitch.
Bases loaded. MJ strike out, great at-bat. Gabriel hit, Jake out at
home. Dahlen single up second, scores Cal and Juan Carlos, runners
advance on play to home, G on third, Dahlen on 2nd. Aaron intentional
walk. Pitching Change. Joe strike out.
pc: 7, pitcher #4

9-1 us.

Sent from World Headquarters.

G3 though 4

EV: Single to right. Strike out. Deep shot to right, runner scores
and runner on third. Strike out. OUT (3-1).
pc: 46

NAPA: Aaron ground out. Pitching Change, to a lefty. Joe strike out.
Colton strike out.
pc: 9, third pitcher

7-1 us.

Quote of the game: "I'm over my lovely phase.". Robin

Sent from World Headquarters.

G3 through 3

EV: Single to right. Strike out. (6-4). (4).
pc: 30

NAPA: Gabriel single to center. Dahlen single to right, Gabriel to
third, Dahlen draws the play heading to second, Gabriel scores. Aaron
bunts, safe at first, boggled play scores Dahlen. Aaron steals second
on wp. Joe deep shot to right, scores Aaron from second, Joe on first.
Pitching Change. Colton grounder, to second on overthrow, Luke (pinch
runner for Joe) on third. Justin out. Luke scores on wp, Colton to
third. Hayden solid hit scores Colton. Juan Carlos fly out. MJ double
to center, Hayden to third. Gabriel intentional walk. Bases Loaded.
Dahlen fly out.
pc: 19, second pitcher

7-0 us

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G3 through 2

EV: (8-3) Gabriel throws a frozen rope to first! Pop up (3). Strike
out.
pc: 19

NAPA: Tyler walks. Luke strike out. Jake strike out. Cal walks. Juan
Carlos shot to right, brings in Tyler, runners on first and second. MJ
hard hit to third, over throw scores Cal. Juan Carlos out at home.
pc: 40

2-0 us.

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G3 through 1

EV: (8) Gabe makes a great catch in center. Hit by pitch, runner takes
second on wp. (4-3), runner to third. (9).
pc: 9

NAPA: Juan Carlos single to right. MJ walks. Gabriel out. Dahlen fly
out. Aaron grounder, play to second.
pc: 19

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game on!

We won the toss - Juan Carlos is our starting pitcher. Dahlen
catching, Aaron at first, Tyler at second, MJ shirt, Jakey third.
Outfield Lyke left, Gabriel center, Cal right.

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game Today, details:

We play East Vallejo today at 5:30pm.

Game is in Benicia: 40 Rose Drive, Benicia, 94510 (same as first two
games).

Anyone wishing to caraavan to the game can meet the coaches and team
at the In & Out on Soscol at 3:30pm.

Go Napa!!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Napa American plays today:

In American Canyon, vs American Canyon at 5:30.

Go Napa!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Posting Comments

Many wonderful fans have emailed with questions or problems related to posting comments. Apparently my hyper-security-sensitive choices for 'settings' was making it difficult for people to post. I frankly had no idea anyone other than me would have so much to say on here, but love that is the case. I believe I have now broadened the scope of who can post comments to include anyone who is a registered fan of this site. Please try to post a comment, and email me to let me know if you are still running into problems. Anyone registered with the blog should be able to post, if I've made the changes I intended to. I love that so many of you have sought to comment, and hope the blog continues to be something everyone feels proud of.

Fans of the Game

It was a consensus decision, in no small part resulting from their effort to make it to Game 2, that this blog now feature a 'Fan of the Game', and that said feature start with these two: Robert and Mary Palmer (my amazing parents!) who are biologically related to no one on the team, and yet still so committed to the excitement of Napa baseball that they travelled five hours out of their way from Tahoe on July 5th to see Game 2, and then immediately following the game jump back in their car and drive back home to Manhattan Beach so Dad could be home for a 7am conference call. I am delighted to say the lobby for this post - particularly the inaugural award - came not from me, but from several other families truly touched by the effort you make to come to the games. Thank you to our first and preeminent Fans of the Game!

Game Two Recap

Another great game - most definitely showcasing the outstanding defense this team can play. I was happy to be out of the car after a five hour drive from Tahoe to make the game, and pleasantly rewarded with there already being two runs on the board in our first at-bat. Anyone interested in providing the color commentary for the first inning is welcome. Juan Carlos pitched an absolutely outstanding game for us - only 50 pitches for 14 outs after coming in for Dahlen in the second. He was backed by some fabulous fielding, particularly from MJ in the second, fifth and sixth innings; Jacob in the fourth, and his own great fielding play to first in the sixth for the second to last out of the game. Our hitting was solid, and my favorite offensive moment came in the 5th when Cal, on Aaron's double, nearly made it home on his full-tilt wheels despite a very adamant third base coach telling him to STAY on third. Post-game, we had a great all-family BBQ at the field. Any guesses from the pictures what game they chose to play after the coaches told them to 'settle down?'

Napa American Wins

14-4. Whoo hoo!!

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game Over: WE WIN 5-0

NAPA: Luke - pitching change during at-bat - walk. Juan Carlos out.
MJ strike out. Gabriel strike out.
PC: 7

BE: strike out, OUT (1-3), out (4)
PC: 50

Sent from World Headquarters.

Through 5

8-4 Napa American in the bottom of the 3rd!!

NAPA: Juan Carlos digs out a single! ((our photographer was asked to
leave the field... Eric has the bigger camera lense though!)), MJ sac
bunt - JC to second. Gabriel single, Juan to third, runners advance
on overthrow - JC scores, G to second. Dahlene single, G to third.
Dahlen stole second. Joe walk. Bases loaded, one out. Cal pinch
running for Joe. Aaron double to left, scores Dahlen and Gabriel - and
almost an enthusiastic running Cal :) - runners on second and third.
Colton strike out. Jake out (1).
PC: 47

BE: strike out, single, MJ gets the double!! (U4, 4-3)
PC: 43

5-0 through 5

Inning Quote: "There's a BABY on the field!"

Sent from World Headquarters.

G2 Through4

JC pitch count through 3: 24

NAPA: Benicia pitching change. Aaron out (1), Justin single - Tyler
pinch runnig, Jake strike out, Luke out (4-3)
PC: 15

BE: fly out (9), ground out (5-3)- great throw Jake!, double to left,
ground out (4-3)
PC: 35

2-0 through 4

Sent from World Headquarters.

G2 Through 3:

NAPA: MJ ground out (1), Gabriel fly out (9), Dahlen single, Cal out
at first.
PC:58

BE: walk, strike out, out (5-4), hit - runners on first and second,
strike out.

Quote of the game: "Really lovely, boys!" Robin J

Sent from World Headquarters.

Through 2

NAPA: Colton single - Luke pinch running, Hayden fly out - great at
bat, Luke steals second, Tyler strike out, Luke steals third, Juan
Carlos strike out with another great at-bat.
PC: 46

BE: ground out (1-3), pitching change to Juan Carlos, ground out
(1-3), MJ gets the third out on a great fielding play!
PC (Juan Carlos): 5

2-0 us through 2

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Through 1

NAPA: 2 runs scored before I got here! Juan Carlos and Gabriel both
cross home with hits by Juan Carlos, sac bunt by MJ advanced JC to
2rd, hit Dahlen
PC: 25

BEnicia (BE): strike out, strike out, strike out
PC:15

Sent from World Headquarters.

Game on! We are visitors, Dahlen is our starting pitcher (gett'em Digger!), and I am trapped in soul-sucking bad traffic coming I'm from Tahoe. 1st Inning update will be via relay.

Game Today 5:30:

40 Rose Drive Benicia, California 94510 Second Game vs. Benicia - GO NAPA!!

Game One

We Win. 8-3 A great game, and very exciting start to the tournament. East Vallejo was a team of hitters (and a fan base of chanters) and we all felt the jitters until the final out. Aaron (through 5) and Colton (in the 6th) both threw well against big bats, and Napa had a few key defensive stops - my favorite being the 3-4-1 out at first to retire EV in the first inning -- it was the kind of 'everyone-know-where-you-are-supposed-to-be-backing-each-other-up' split-second play that these boys make look easy. On the offensive side, Gabriel's home run to start the game was such a great start for us, and several of the boys had key bunts to get us base runners. I'm still not sure how to 'call' the offensive play during the second that scored Jakey and managed to keep Gabriel safe at second. It wasn't a pickle - any comments about how to describe that series of events are welcome :> If you're interested in a recap of the play-by-play, welcome to my nerd-center: Game On! We won the toss - Aaron Shortridge is our starting pitcher. Pep Talk:

1st Inning: EV (East Valejo): Double, strike out, fly out, out at first - with a
great play by Juan Carlos to Aaron (3-4-1)

NAPA: HOME RUN by Gabriel Reyes -first batter!! Juan Carlos bunt
single. Dahlen walks. Canepa fly out, runners to 2nd and 3rd. Single
by Shortridge brings in both runners. Rustice pinch runner for Aaron.
Strike out. Rustice stole, out at second.

3-0 through one :)

2nd Inning: EV: out at first (5-3), out at first (6-3), fly out (7)
Aaron pitch count end of one 15
AS pitch count through second 31

NAPA: Colton hit by a pitch, on first. Cal pinch running for Colton.
Jakey single. Luke Strike Out. Gabriel single, Cal scores, runners
advance on overthrow. Juan Carlos out at first, Jakey scores when G
drew the play on a pickle at second. New Pitcher. Gabriel steals
third. Dahlen out at first.

5-0 through 2

Ev pitch count end of one 25
EV1 pitch count through second ?
EV2 count 4
3rd Inning: EV: strike out, walk (hit by pitch), runner steals second on wp, walk,
strike out, out at first (4-3)

Aaron pitch count 54

NAPA: Canepa single, Tyler pinch running, Tyler out at second on Aaron
grounder, Justin fly out, running error - Aaron out.

EV count: 11

5-0 through 3.

Favorite coaching expression for the game: "Don't get cheated!" Kyle

4th Inning: EV: Single to right, double play (4-6-3), strike out.
Aaron count 69

NAPA: Cal bunt single (awesome bunt), double play (1-6-3), Tyler bunt
single, Gabriel single, Juan Carlos triple, scores two. Dahlen
(Digger!) single to center, brings in Juan Carlos. Joe out at first.
P
EV count 33

8-0 through 4

5th Inning: EV: strike out, strike out, strike out.

Aaron count:81

NAPA: Aaron walks, pitching change, Justin out (1). Cal out (1). Out
(4) on Jakeys grounder.

EV pitch count 8

8-0 through 5
6th Inning: EV: solo homer, solo homer, pitching change at 87 pitches for Aaron -
Colton pitching for Napa. Out (4-3). Single to center. Strike out.
Double to center, one run scores. Walk. Out (4).

Colton pitch count:23

Caravan to the game

Meet at 8:00am today at In & Out on Soscol and Imola to caravan to Benicia.

Game Today 10am:

40 Rose Drive Benicia, California 94510 First Game - Don't miss it! GO NAPA!!

Could not have said it better myself...

http://napavalleyregister.com/sports/article_81c9dbac-85a2-11df-a424-001cc4c03286.html