Game 5 - 15/1/13 v South Australia

A fine and sunny day greeted us this morning. Brad Simon our starting pitcher and number one gun was born huge. You would not want to feed him. He has done the hard yards growing up at home with more brothers than the de La Salles. He is competitive at musical chairs. His efforts today were superb. He threw up more heat and more variety than a bloke who'd had too much to drink in a Mexican restaurant. His body language lacked generosity and his smile was only for the Gatorade.

His superb pitching display saw two innings, six strike outs. Having played him so often and lost in local State Cup competitions, parents cheered all the louder. Relief really. He threw his off speed pitch with the poise and dexterity of a surgeon. With a great big crooked rusty scalpel.

We skipped away to a 1-0 lead after James laced one up the middle. Before long Ben Hunt had smashed a home run into an unsmiling neighbour's house. Ben, looks like one of those kids who gather on train platforms in groups on your way to work. In fact, he may just be that kid.

Those who buy houses near baseball fields don't surprise easily. Like birds that sit on main roads. No future. Mark Hunt was true to his name securing the ball like a determined lion seeking the stereotypical zebra. Damn those stripes.

At 10-0 Brad Simon returned to his own den and Blake Morris picked up on the mound where he left off earlier in the tournament. Slick, speedy and composed. They tell me this works wonders when you come from Manly. Especially when frequenting their nite clubs.

Young Isaac Whatson. a left hander from Hawkesbury, soon trudged to the plate and with his yellow wand in hand. He scratched and swung. Looked and believed. Suddenly he unleashed and belted one over the right field fence. Magic. An awesome effort for a first year player whose talent is well known, while his work at first base was also polished and precise. His addition to the team added a balance and opened up other options for the coaching staff. He did not disappoint. Finding that ball required the red belly three step. There was also a lunch time beer in that hit.

From there things got messy for South Australia. A couple of their outfielders looked like they's been on a bootcamp in the Barossa. They fumbled and fussed and got worse. They definitely needed those churches in Adelaide as we kept peppering the outfield. It got greener for us as the game went with pitchers and other substitutes joining the feeding frenzy.

Our bats were hot. Barbaro was the best (3 hits from 3 at bats). What concussion? James then smashed one over the right field fence for a home run. Others got close. Hits followed to Tsui (2), Gorman (2), Hunt (2), McCallum (2), Lindsay (1), Hore (1), Stevens (1), Whatson (1), Bohan (1) and Gulieri (1). Dean Frew (1) also hit one down the line for a fast triple. Such things are often the preserve of Buck's weekends.

Mackenzie Bohan also returned to the starting line up and with him came a tremendous play from left field to home base - along with a hit. His brains, enthusiasm and leadership brings a balance and subtle composure to the team.

The boys rollicked today, eventually winning 18-0 in an emphatic five innings mercy victory.

However their intent, purpose and ruthless desire was evident. They are building something strong here. Even Liam is sensing it, helping himself to a pat on the back for their hapless batboy whose work was as rare as a Lance Armstrong confessional speech - or a barber in Cronulla.


 

Game 4 - 14/1/13 v Victoria Blue

Victorians travel this earth under the blue and white banner and so it is that in baseball 'Blue' (their best team) and 'White' (their up and coming players) co-exist. Our assignment today was to play Victoria Blue in a crunch game to push us into a strong position in this preliminary stage of the competition. After playing everyone once, we move to the next phase of the competition later in the week in seeded positions. Today was on the full astroturf field - Diamond 3. The investment in sporting facilities in this part of the world is superb. Surprising they can't produce a strong Test cricket batsman or two.

Our starting pitcher was Ryan Hore, a big strapping lad from down Campbelltown way.  They take no nonsense in those parts and so it was today. Ryan used raw strength and a single mindedness to own the mound and dominate early. It was the ideal start against a talented and at times reckless opponent. He pitched four innings and did the job in style.

We batted second and did so with some early misfortune and bad form over the first couple of innings. James knocked two early ones to second base which causes one to wonder why it takes youth two bites of a spider to move one's foot correctly. A 3-4 early position was tight and tense.

No matter, Myrmell (2), Musulin (2), Hunt (2), Holm (1), Lindsay (1), Percival (1) all registered hits, and soon we were ahead 10-4 after five innings. The spinnaker was getting set to be flown.

Liam McCallum worked busily as bat boy. Professional.

James had a walk and hit a 'sac fly' to score a runner, while the return of Adam Barbaro as catcher mid way through the game also saw him bomb one over left field for a rare and much welcomed triple.

However changing pitchers can be like changing fashions. What one liked, enjoyed and accepted can be challenged. Discomfort and unfounded angst can become allies in the face of a new style - and a disturbance of rhythm. And so it was when we first went to Isaac Stevens from Ryde in his first outing, who pitched fast and furiously, but was not as effective as hoped for, walking too many batters but showing a level of promise which will be needed some other time. Then a composed Aaron Wilkins returned but did not stay long. His job was done. After six innings we were 10-10 and were shaking our collective heads. Mad cow style.

Inexplicably earlier at 10-8 up, Adam Barbaro as catcher picked up the drop third strike but between claiming he actually caught the ball he was then ruled not to have tagged the batter and of course did not bother to throw it to first base either. Extrordinarily, the runner was safe and batters advanced bases. Play the whistle. Loaded bases resulted and subsequently two runs resulted. Crushing, but no despair. Our coaches have learned long ago that clearing the throat rather than ripping someone's throat out works best with umpires - especially here in Mexico.

There was another mild dispute over an alleged tag and suddenly amidst the dust we were under the pump. Tensions rose. Coaches gesticulated like air traffic controllers. Voices in the crowd became more enthusiastic and after the game limit of seven innings, scores remained at 10-10. This though is not acceptable under tournament rules, so a "tie breaker" occurred. Never heard of it myself, but basically both sides were given their last two dismissed batters as runners on base (first and second) and play commenced for one innings and then another if required.

Christian Eckberg, a suntanned and lanky lad from Cronulla way who had earlier sauntered to the mound as pitcher in the seventh innings - and had done a great job under immense pressure and scrutiny - was more pacing to the mound this time. His off-speed pitching was a joy and the team's fielding became better...necessarily. Dean Frew made a great play at short stop. However they scored a run and led 11-10.

Enter Dean and James. Neither enjoyed a good hitting game but they could barely believe their luck when as the last two batters dismissed they too were sent to first base (James) and second base (Dean). With a throwing error to third base, Dean got home. 11-11.

Then we had some drama. Umpires sweated. Coaches cursed. Crowds had built and the tempo of the game was evenly poised. Pressure was immense and the game was there for either team. Half chances were cheered with stifled pleasure....Suddenly a loose ball from their otherwise tidy catcher and James who had been on third base for an eternity, scampered down the line. The big unit putting his Jasper Road sprint trials to the test...a tag would kill our chances...an out terrible...a safe slide, glory...

A 12-11 victory. Sweet.

Game 3 - 13/1/13 v Queensland

Heading to Diamond One (pictured above tonight) at 6.00pm to complete the double header this evening, a new level of intensity was sought and happily, delivered. Under cloudy skies we were again tested by the 15 degree temperatures and rousing winds. Ski gear was on parade and was near ineffective. The Channel 9 floodlights came on for the occasion, a bit like World Series Cricket.

The team in this pivotal game was Percival (catcher), Hunt (1B), Lindsay (2B), Frew (SS), Holm (3B), Bohan (LF), Myrmell (CF) and Tsui (RF).

On the way to the ground, our suspicions were that James would be pitching with the team needing something...anything...

Leading off as pitcher was one James McCallum, pictured here on his way to the bullpen pre-game. Out of the Lion's Den....A heavy weight fell upon his considerable shoulders with a win not negotiable and a new team wide standard required. He was and always is up for the challenge. Winning is a habit forged through pressure moments and when a test of self is won. Involving him early pushes him to better himself. His coaches know him well.

However, before he started pitching, James led the way with the bat making the first clean hit of the game. Batting in the second spot, he hit beautifully across the game, landing three clean hits, two of which smashed into the back fence with a commanding thud. He contributed when the team required it. His bat was primed and ready.

Importantly, with him, he brought others. Chief among them were an abundance of hits from Frew (3), Tsui (2), Percival (2), Holm (1), Lindsay (1), Hunt (1), Myrmell (1). The boys were electric really and the crowd were suddenly more alive. Parents reclined in their plastic rockers, chirpy voices returned and a buzz was evident. Kids suddenly got their share of canteen money. Parents smiled and rejoiced in their worthwhile holiday choice.

In the field, we were superb. Strong plays and safe catching supported the pitcher. James hummed along pitching for nigh on four innings. He gave up very few hits and left the mound (before tournament rules prevented him from playing tomorrow) when we were up 10-3. He had added a dominance and a purpose. Accuracy too.

He was strong and resolute. A crowd of 150 - 200 people had gathered progressively across the game's duration. There is no more pressure based sporting responsibility in junior sport - all sports - for mine, than a pitcher in baseball.

 When he stopped pitching he grabbed his bat and smashed the ball to all parts. Queensland were going dizzy and had well and truly had enough of him. They were as quiet as John Cougar Mellencamp's recording studio. But for the wind, one or two may well have gone out of the park.

An amazing sidelight moment surrounded a booming home run being hit off him into left field. Unfortunately, this is the lot of any pitcher.  I was sitting there well away from the action - as one does when one's son is pitching - and put the hands up and it sailed just out of reach. Spewing. Should have been taken, but for the leg and the war injuries. Liam was quick to express his disappointment. Back to the beach cricket nets.

James was not perfect, and plenty here needs to be built on, but he showed considerable character today.

A victory by mercy 18-6 to us fired a couple of belated warning shots over the bow to Western Australia. Our boys came ready to play...this time. They were inspired by James' leadership on the mound - and they were ignited into action. Young men seek to be part of that which is great.

Ultimately, our team completed a strong win. Dean Frew was equally determined and focused while Jordan Lindsay made two brilliant plays at second base. James Percival as catcher also played an influential and often understated role. A pitcher relies heavilly on a good catcher who communicates and who has brains enough to direct the play astutely.

The team post match run throughs and warm down was done with a renewed enthusiasm. No 23 was right there leading them through their routines. Back in business.

Game 2 - 13/1/13 v Western Australia

The mercury got down to 16 degrees for the start of today's 9.30am game at Waurn Ponds, Geelong. Amazingly, no wind to report, other than plenty of parent pre game chatter. Summer in Victoria is some sort of cruel adventure. Playing Western Australia in the first leg of today's double header, the boys were well aware of the importance of the game. A win would position them very positively in terms of finishing in the top four...a loss no disaster, but a psychological advantage would be lost.

What they were not aware of was the way this match would turn.

With the starting line up of Myrmell (pitching), Barbaro (catching), Hunt (1B), Lindsay (2B), Frew (SS), Holt (3B), Percival (RF), McCallum (CF) and Bohan (LF), the team could not have been stronger. However before long, the darkening look of the swarming clouds spoke loudly about the standard of our pitching. Pitching that promised much and delivered little. Julia Gillard style.

Myrmell struggled, leaking three runs and walking a few. Western Australia skipped away to a 3-0 lead and with it our chances were suddenly and unexpectedly dented. A string of replacement pitchers were summonsed from the bench, clearly against our team plans. No panic, but in the Panic Grand Final.

Sam Gulieri pitched well. Controlled and purposeful. Positive and reserved. However the assignment did not last long with double headers looming and pitchers' arms more precious than a jumper in Geelong. A booming home run off our gun pitcher Brad Simon signalled an opponent who was better prepared and more hungry. Then Issac Whatson pitched courageously and tidily, but was punished heavilly for the occasional loose delivery. His two baulks added insult to injury. Soon there was a decided lack of salt for our numerous and terminal wounds.

Our infield by comparison was silent. Charlie Chaplin was the only one missing. We missed half chances, got a terrible call from the umpire after James caught a fly ball and then threw out a runner at third base only for the umpire to signal 'safe' at a key moment in the fabric of the game. The umpire was immediately dispatched to OPSM. The crowd wanted the gallows instead. We also had five batters hit by pitches - including Adam Barbaro who took a sickening blow to the temple while batting and was ushered off to Geelong hospital. Their pitching was far from brilliant. His recovery will be slower than he wants...it was that sort of day.

With bat in hand we were mightily disappointing. Not one of our top six bats got a hit. Plenty of pop up catches for their infield and rusty gate swinging. Two hits only to their eleven. One to Bohan who looped one to left field and one to a replacement player Eckberg who hit with reckless courage through short stop. Both happened late in the game. A horse was seen bolting nearby.

James also hit and got on base, but due to a shocking air swing from their first baseman, it was justifiably deemed an error and did not count for him. He was again hit by a pitch in his first at bat, and was caught at right field in the last of his three at bats. A few hits from him could start to set a better tone across the line up too.

He took three catches and made some strong plays from centrefield. He was positive and determined, but we were never in the game.

Regretably, there was a decided lack of spirit and drive. A couple sulking. One moping. The team selectors will sift through this for the second of our games later tonight. Expect changes. Warmer weather would be handy, but WA would have felt this more than us.

Eventually it ended 13-2. A loss is a loss, but the nature of this embarrassing 'mercy' loss (imposed mandatorily when an opponent is ten runs ahead after five innings) was striking.

Canteen lines were shorter than usual as parent generosity evaporated. Fold up chairs did not fit so easily into their bags and brothers and sisters sat in cars happily making earlier than usual exits from the field.

Much pride is on the line against competition favourites, Queensland, tonight. They will need to be busier than a one legged tap dancer....or a bricklayer in Kabul.

Game 1 - 12/1/13 v NSW Country

Starting slower than a Neil Sedaka concert, our NSW team began nervously. Our country cousins came out positively, and with a couple of NSW discards on deck, they stood up. Funny thing that country air. They would have felt right at home in the sunburnt, heath of paspalam that surrounded the ground - except for the crisp southerly that peppered the ground. Victoria can be too close to the ice and Geelong's 22 degrees was a chilly start, with the Geelong doctor an unruly friend from the south west. (Above is a photo from yesterday's 40 plus temperatures, so I can convince you of the comfort we are experiencing!).

Quietly confident and loaded with first year players in Issac Whatson (who started), Ben Tsui (who started), Wilkins (who pitched second), Holm and Stevens, the boys began with some unease before a brilliant double play from Jordan Lindsay at second base got us out of there without impact. This though soon went bad as we gave them a 1-4 lead with wayward pitching. Walks are usually for Little Athletics.

Our pitching rotation against one of the comparative minnows was not our best, but we struggled with our lead off Eckberg and young Wilkins being dragged before irreconcilable damage was caused. Neither were terrible...just nervous in front of some 150 people in the crowd. Both needed and received the steady hands and wisdom of their teammates which will steer them to better things later in the tournament. Their disappointment was like a fallen icecream on a hot day in the doorway of the shop. Or a shoe sale without your size. Much hope, promise and an inexplicable mess. Thankfully there is always more icecream - and more shoe sales.

However, unexpectedly pitchforked into action, Blake Morris from Manly rose to the occasion and pitched superbly for 4.1 innings, striking out five of their batters. He was resolute under pressure and steadied a ship that was seemingly more Titanic than Sydney ferry. Like a young kid starting the family mower, he was persistent and blissfully courageous.

Dean Frew led grandly as our lead off (first) batter and registered three hits. Daniel Myrmell bombed a towering home run out of the park with another crushing blow and a brace of hits came from Ben Hunt (2), Tsui (1), McCallum (1), Musulin (1) and Bohan (1). Extraordinarily, we made 11 hits and not one fielding error.

James played as designated hitter (in the much desired three spot) - an insurance policy for him possibly being used as a pitcher in the game. At times, he looked like he would be required. However his 5 bats included one hit, one 'hit by pitch' and he had two walks and ground out once. A strong display. He was primed for the battle and as keen as ever.

As a 'true age' player now, there is a huge difference in confidence and 'place' in the team. His leadership is much needed along with his tenacity, drive and purpose. Today was about setting the tone of expectation in his game and in his teammates. Giant leaps for all when in the trenches.

Ultimately, as brave as NSW Country were, their lack of comparative pitching depth saw them surrender late runs and a 14-6 win was ours. We made no errors in the field and were clinical by the end.

National tournament play is about juggling your pitching depth and doing so with double headers (which we have tomorrow). The strategy, planning and balance this requires makes coaches and support staff into mathematicians. Soothsayers are also welcome. Tomorrow this is put to the sword.

The games against two competition heavyweights tomorrow - Queensland and Western Australia - will be a searching test of character. Equally, they are much anticipated. Almost as much as an unexpected jacket in the back of a friend's car in Geelong.

We head to sub 20 degree temperatures tomorrow. That carbon tax is working a treat.

Preparing For Arrival - 9/1/13

"There is no knowing how many miles you must travel to achieve your dream"

"To Accomplish Great Things We Must Not Only Act but also Dream...Not Only Plan but also Believe"

Today was the final training session for the boys as they head to Victoria at week's end. Lots of excitement and anticipation. Geelong stands to be a toasty 35 degrees on Friday before settling back to the mid 20's for the opening phases of the tournament. Liam is very proud of his older brother and has been shown what it takes to make the highest levels...he also likes a holiday.

The U/16 NSW Team for the 2013 National Championships reads as follows:

#Barbaro, Adam *
#Bohan, Mackenzie
Eckberg, Christian
#Frew, Dean * @
#Gulieri, Samuel @
Gorman, Connor
Holm, Patrick
#Hore, Ryan
Hunt, Ben *
#Lindsay, Jordan
#McCallum, James *@
#Morris, Blake
#Musulin, Bailey
#Myrmell, Daniel *
#Percival, James @
#Simon, Bradley *
Stevens, Isaac
Tsui, Ben
Whatson, Isaac
Wilkins, Aaron T

The majority of the team (#) had been to Perth as part of the winning NSW U/14 National Championships winning team of 2011.

The asterixed boys (*) went last year as first year players - and winners of the 2012 U/16 National Championships - and return with even greater experience this year.

Some of the boys (@) also played in the Cal Ripken tournament for Australia as U/13 year olds with James.

A hat ceremony - where parents presented their sons their NSW playing caps - occurred today. A small, but significant moment where parents' pride bubbled over! There is no more committed parent than a baseball parent. These boys have been training three and four times a week since October - and trials for three months before that. From Blacktown to Manly to Bankstown..Milperra...Chipping Norton...Central Coast. And that is just the training.

Mackenzie Bohan (pictured) and James have played baseball together since the age of 9 when they travelled to Japan to play baseball. Both play for Baulkham Hills in club baseball, have won every club Grand Final since U/10's and have played in many rep teams together - Little League (Hills South), Hills State Cup teams and NSW teams.


They are roommates on this tour and a focused, committed and dedicated duo. Always first to training, always seeking self improvement, highly driven and searching for success at every turn.

James returns to his favoured #23 for this National tournament and will pitch, but it is his hitting that has a true test. He has improved a lot on that front. "Cometh the hour..."

We have finally tracked down another bat interstate ...one broken one is in the USA under Chris' guidance and correspondence with Easton in California awaiting arrival/ shipment...another sits in Caringbah as a broken piece in Garry White's sports shop where stocks in NSW have been exhausted. They are getting plenty of use and being smashed. However not having a cutting edge bat at a tournament like this is heresy.

Kev has helped with the courier delivery of this latest one into Geelong. Will it last ten days? At $400 each (plus shipping) it is good not to have a drinking problem or a gambling addiction.