It's Over, All Over Now

Last week in Montana Peggy and I were fortunate enough to see Allison Krauss perform live in a tiny little park in Billings.  It was a wonderful warm summer night.  Who knew that she would perform one of my favorite sad songs (most her songs are sad) or that the tune would be so prescient*.

ALISON KRAUSS - IT'S OVER

The nights are so lonely and the days pass me by

True love has faded, left me behind

So we'll just move along, stop wasting time

It's over all over now

It's over, end of the line

It's over and your doin' fine

It's over and over and over I'm asking why

You're leaving it's over now

Gone are the love songs that only we knew

Robbed by the cold wind that sings the night through

Gone is the sweet love, tried but untrue

It's over all over now

It's over, end of the line

It's over and my desperate heart is still trying to find some way

Hoping you'll stay 'Cause it's over,

all over now

It's over, all over now

 * having prescience,  or knowledge of things or events before they exist or happen; having foresight:

Season Ends Against Boys of Summer

The Boys of Summer turned our team into boys in summer.

In a see saw game the Boys of Summer rallied twice to finally win the game in the sixth inning.

MBC struck first with a lead off double by Dylan Vchulek.  After two quick outs it looked grim for the inning, but their shortstop erred to allow Stuart Fairchild to reach and then the hottest hitter in baseball today, Nick Reeves delivered an RBI single.

The Boys of Summer tied the game in the second and MBC was lucky to hold them down.  A four walk inning created havoc and MBC was lucky to escape with allowing just one run.

Tino Peleti put MBC back on top in the third with a breathtaking shot deep into the trees in right center.  Bannerwood is a big ball park, but this blast was out of any park.

In the fourth MBC played add on and seemed to put the game out of reach.  Nick Reeves led off with another single and their shortstop made another error on Quinn Burcham's hard shot.  A walk to Nick Salfka loaded the bases but unfortunatly the Boys of Summer induced a double play ball.  Tai Huff salvaged some of the big inning with a blast over the left fielder's head to score Quinn, but that was all MBC would get, now leading 4-1.

Control issues bit MBC again in the fourth and fifth allowing the Boys to score two and three runs respectivly and taking a 6-4 lead, but MBC was not done yet.

With the speedy Quinn on first, Nick Safka jolted a ball deep to left and one hopped the wall for a triple barely scoring Quinn.  The throw to third was off line and Nick just barreled home to tie the game.

Sadly the Boys of Summer led off their sixth with a triple of their own and pooched a hit through a drawn in infield to win the game and send our boys off for the summer.

Dow, Deux, D'oh! (as in Homer Simpson expression)

Please see the post for our last game against Dow.  They are a bad match up for MBC.

MBC launches balls into the outfield.  It typically works well for us and we score runs in bunches.  Dow has a pretty speedy, smart, mobile outfield and they seem to always be just where we hit them.  It gets old after a while.

Game 2 of the State Tourney was no different.

Dow scratched out three runs in the third inning against Andrew Helean.  Andrew threw a pretty good game, limiting Dow to just six hits.  Back to back singles to lead off the third set Dow up a run scoring single and two sacrifice flys.  Dow also scored one more in the sixth with a lead off double and a soft double after that.

MBC had one big chance to even it up in the fourth. A pair of walks to Keenan Heller and Tino Peleti put two on and made it interesting.  Stuart Fairchild took a horrible strike three call on a ball that bounced in and MBC seemed to be in agony.  The inning only got worse for MBC.

Hot hitting Nick Reeves followed with a single to load the bases and then with two out Quinn Burcham laced a rope into right field that was caught (of course) by the Dow right fielder.

MBC made Dow nervous in the seventh.  Stuart and Nick led off with singles and MBC had runners on second and third.  Quinn came through with a sacrifice fly to score Stuart but Dow's relief pitcher closed the door on further MBC hopes.

Third Time is Still a Charm Against the Zips

Coach Cougan was very worried about MBC's first round draw in the State Tournamnet.  We drew the Zips, a team we had already beaten twice, and one that had seen MBC's starting pitcher both times.

It is always hard to beats someone three times, and the baseball gods sometimes intervene.  It sure looked that way through five innings until the magic of the three game day kicked in and MBC rolled to victory.

Stuart Fairchild was as good as ever but suffered from the worst luck giving up one in the second, one in the fourth and two in the fifth.  A combination of swinging bunts, duckfart hits and line drives that just eluded MBC gloves combined to give the Zips a 4-0 lead.

The Zips pitcher was holding his own against the big bats of Magnolia for five innings. Tino Peleti blasted a two out double in the first and Zip outfielders raced down deep drives from Quinn Burcham, Nick Salle and Nick Safka and Tino's next blast before MBC could catch a break.

The break happened in the fifth.  Tai Huff led off and battled the Zip pitcher for what seemed like a fifteen pitch at bat.  Tai fouled off pitch after pitch until the Zip pitcher finally walked him.  Jack Murphy bunted him to second. Tai moved to third on Dylan Vchulek's single.The speedy Dylan stole second.  Smelling blood in the water Nick Salle ripped a double down the right field line to cut the lead in half.  The Zip pitcher had seen enough of Tino and walked him.  As has been said MANY times before BAD MOVE!  Stuart Fairchild made them pay with a single and the hot Nick Reeves then doubled to tie the game.

The sixth started with a walk to David Becker and a single from last inning's hero Tai Huff. A single by Nick Safka loaded the bases.  Dylan walked to bring in the tying run and Nick Salle hit a sac fly for insurance.  Not done yet, Tino singled for a run and Stuart's big double made it a five run cushion.

Magical Marathon Day of Baseball Gives MBC Three Wins in One Day

The hardest thing to do in baseball is to win both ends of a double header.  Well, MBC was challenged on Sunday with a triple header, and they won all three games!!!! The day started early with a ferry ride to South Kitsap and ended near the mountains in Issaquah.  The weather was a scorching day, but the MBC bats were even hotter.

In game #1 against the Wolfpack Nick Safka battle gallantly for five and 1/3 innings, suffering some from MBC's defense but holding his own against determined Wolfpack hitters and turned a tie game over to David Becker, who got out of the sixth inning.  Tino Peleti took over from there, received some more run support and held on for the victory.

MBC scored first and added on all game, but the Wolfpack kept pace up until the the seventh when MBC dashed their hopes with a four run explosion.

Dylan Vchulek and Nick Reeves had three hits each and Tino Peleti and Quinn Burcham each added two hits.  Nick Sall, Stuart Fairchild, Tai Huff (game winning double), David Becker and Nick Safka all had one.

In game #2 the Wolfpack jumped on Nick Salle for two runs in the first, but that was all they got as Nick settled down and cruised the rest of the way.  The bats stayed hot and MBC won this one early in a mercy rule five innings 10-2.

Dylan Vchulek and Nick Reeves both battled for the most hits in the day award by both getting two hits in this game as well.  David Becker and Keenan Heller also had two hits  Stuart Fairchild added a monster double.

MBC left South Kitsap feeling pretty good with two wins and headed to Issaquah to play the Cannons.  The Cannons needed to win the game to earn a spot in the State Tournament, but the hot hitting MBC team stood in their way.

The poor Cannons.  Dylan Vchulek started the game with a double, moved to third on Keenan Heller's grounder and after walks to Tino and Stuart the bases were loaded for MBC' hottest hitter, Nick Reeves.  Nick singled in Dylan and then Quinn Burcham cleared the bases with a monster double over the center fielder's head.  David Becker then singled home Quinn and it was 5-1 MBC.

The second inning was no better for the Cannons.  Andrew Helean led off with a single, Nick Safka boomed a triple over the left fielder's head and the hit parade continued.  Kennan singled, Tino tripled and Nick Reeves added ANOTHER hit and it was 10-1 MBC.

Andrew Helean was magnificent on the mound going the distance and holding the Cannons to just two runs.

Nick Reeves won the hitting derby for the day going 7-9 (one of his outs was a line drive double play to second) but was pushed all day by Dylan Vchulek who went 6-11.  Dylan's total included a double and a triple and Nick's included a double.  A fantastic display of hitting by them both. They now know what Roy Hobbs must have felt like!

MBC Loses Six Run Lead and Exits Fourth of July Tourney

MBC ran up a 6-0 lead against the Eastlake Tigers and then watched it and their tourney hopes fade away.

In the second inning hot hitting Nick Reeves led off with a single, stole second and scored when the tigers shortstop could not handle Jack Murphy's hard ground ball. 

The ball really got rolling in the third inning. Nick Safka led off with a single and after another boot by the shortstop and walks to Nick Salle and Tino Peleti, Stuart Fairchild singled home two runs and was followed by Nick Reeve's single to score two more.  A deep sacrifice fly by Quinn Burcham gave MBC the six run lead that they proceeded to squander.

I will not go into great detail, but as is typical with this team the horrible defense included the typical assortment of physical errors compounded with plays NOT made and the forcing of plays that should not have been tried. And of course the other teams evil showing of the dreaded bunt played big in the meltdown.

MBC Beats Redmond Oregon

In game three of the tourney MBC came back from their earlier whooping and proceeded to lay one on the team from Redmond Oregon.

Nick Reeves threw well in a complete mercy rule shortened six inning game and the bats and defense did their work to bring home a victory. 

Tino Peleti was 3-3 with a big double and Nick Safka was 2-3

Bandits Bash MBC

In game two of the Fourth of July Tourney in Tacoma the NW Bandits came out and laid a big whooping on the MBC 16's.  The inability of MBC to turn a crucial double play in the first inning started a hit parade that never seemed to end. Ten runs later and MBC pretty much threw in the towel and saved their arms and guns for another battle.

Big Win Over Rips

MBC came back twice to beat the Rips Brewers in extra innings.  Quinn Burcham pitched a gutty five innings and yielded to Andrew Helean who went the rest of the way.

The Brewers scored twice in the second to go ahead.  A single, a walk and a sac bunt put runners on second and third.  A Rips single and infield out put two on the board for them.

MBC answered in the third. Nick Safka started things out with a sharp single and promply stole second.  The damage did not really start until two outs.  Tino Peleti singled home a run and he was followed by a single by Stuart Fairchild.  Nick Reeves then singled and Tino scored and Stuart also scored as the Brewers decided to throw the ball around, in errant fashion.  3-2 MBC

MBC played add on in the fourth.  David Becker hit a moon shot to the wall in left, moved to third on an infield single by Dylan Vchulek and scored on Nick Salle's clutch two out single.

Not content with holding a lead MBC decided to play their worst defense in their half of the fourth which combined with some timely Brewer hits put MBC down 7-4.  A big double by the Rips catcher in the sixth made it a 8-4 deficit and things looked grim for MBC.

But Nick Salle got us going with a lead off single.  Tino then launched a bomb to left center that went off the glove of the center fielder (who had traveled very far to get even that close). Nick Reeves singled to load the bases and a rattled pitcher walked Quinn Burcham and Tai Huff!

Down just two runs now the hot hitting David Becker came up and lined a two run single to right center to tie the game.  Keenan Heller hit a ball too hard to short, and while the MBC team was convinced that he beat the double play toss to score the go ahead run, the man in blue said no dice and the game went extra innings.

MBC went ahead with a bases loaded walk to Tino in the eighth and added an insurance run with a sac fly by Stuart.  Andrew Helean then slammed the door on the Brewers to take home the 10-8 win.

The One That Got Away

MBC had a big show down with the FOC Bears on Monday night.  A good match-up, two teams high in the standings with similar records.  The game was close all night and MBC suffered from not being able to close the door.

Nick Safka pitched his best game, going five innings, giving up just one earned run and limiting the Bears to four hits.  Nick Salle relieved him and gave four great innings and he did so on short rest.

The Bear's threw a tough lefty against us, and ran him out for way too many innings and pitches in my book.  He through 133 pitches over eight innings.  A crime in my book.

The Bears scored first sneaking a run accross in the first inning.  A lead-off single, a bunt in which MBC got no out (a re-occuring theme that must stop) a stolen base and an infield out.

MBC roared back in the fourth.Dylan Vchulek and Nick Salle led off the inning with walks. After the Bears got one out Stuart Fairchild blasted a big double to right center to score both speedy base runners.  After the second out Tai Huff clutched up and screamed a single to right to score Stuart and give MBC a 3-1 lead.

In the fifth the Bears came back with a run to tighten the score.  A lead-off walk, another bunt with no out recorded and another bunt (yeah we got one) put runners at second and third.  A sac fly scored the run before the Bears could be retired.

MBC took a 3-2 lead into the seventh, got two out before the Bears could get a base runner and then received TWO big lessons in life on TWO balls that would have gotten MBC out of the inning as winners.

But it was not to be.  Sadly MBC went on to loose in the tenth inning.

Tino Makes Big Comeback, MBC Wins 13-3

 It has been so sad to see Tino standing around in the dugout all high school season and our season.  And we have felt his frustration, feeling the leg to be sound, but being told to be patient and let it heal some more. And then to extend his agony it rains on the day he is cleared to play and he has to wait even longer.  

Tino had tons of fun in his comeback game.  The team had tons of fun in his comeback game.  As good as Tino is, he also inspires those around him to play better. It is wonderful to see him work so hard and finally come back from his knee surgery.

Andrew Helean pitched very well against a very good hitting Boys of Summer team.  These guys rake the ball pretty good, and Andrew held them to just three hits.  Andrew tired somewhat in the fifth, and Nick Salle came in to slam the door.

It became a hit fest with Tino coming back.  In the first the Boys of Summer walked Dylan Vchulek and Keenan Heller bunted him over to second.  Tino then laced a bullet over the second baseman's head to score Dylan from second.  Stuart Fairchild followed with a monster blast over the center fielder's head for a double.  But the Boys of Summer pitcher steadied himself and pitched his way out to keep the score 1-0 and they then pushed accross a run to tie the game.

In the third, Dylan led off with a booming double.  Like clockworkTino scorched a ball down the right field line to score Dylan and again the opposing pitcher worked out of the jamb.

MBC blew the door down in the fourth.  David Becker led off with a walk, and Jack Murphy laid down a picture perfect bunt for a single.  Andrew Helean singled to load the bases.  Dylan singled home a run and Keenan Heller hit a sacrifice fly.  Tino Peleti then launced his third hit of the day, a towering blast over the centerfielder's head for a triple chasing the Boys of Summer starter from the game.

Stuart Fairchild greeted the reliever with a double and scored on Nick Reeves's single before the Boys of Summer could retire MBC.  

In the fifth MBC scored five more runs to enforce the mercy rule and shorten the game.  The big blast in the fifth was from Tai Huff, who drove a ball to the wall in left.

There was an old sit-com in the 70's called "Welcome Back Kotter", you may have heard of it, it started John Travolta's career. Anyway I drove all the way home humming the theme song to this show.

And Tino - Up your nose, with a rubber hose (You Tube it you youngins!)

 

Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.

Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)

Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've got him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

welcome back kotter lyrics

MBC Nips Tsunami at Home

In a reverse deja vu game MBC played their second 2-0, one hour fifteen minute game, with the two runs coming in the first inning in as many nights.  This time MBC was on the right side of the score.

In the first Dylan Vchulek reached on an error, Keenan was beaned and Nick Salle spanked a single to load the bases.  Stuart Fairchild hit a high bouncer and the Tsunami were able to force Dylan at home.  Fortunately Nick Reeves laced a single up the middle to score Keenan and Nick Salle and that was all the scoring for the night. 

Nick Safka and Quinn Burcham added hits in later innings and in another tie in to last night Dylan Vchulek had a long drive taken away by a great catch in left.  Timing is everything as Dylan's blast would have been way into the trees in last night's ballgame.

The story of the night was Stuart Fairchild.  Coach Cougan had informed Stuart that he would be pitching probably three, maybe four innings in tonight's game. But who could take him out.  Stuart was throwing a perfect game through five and 1/3 innings and took his no hit bid into seventh and got two outs!

It was not to be.  With one out to go a Tsunami hitter placed a ground ball in the six hole where a diving David Becker made the grab but could not make the play for the out.

Tough Loss Against a Near Perfect Dow Outfield

A tough 2-0 loss at Hartman Park last night for the MBC 16's.  We did not know at the time, but the game was over earlier than the amazing hour and fifteen minutes that it took to play.

Three mistakes, all made early, made the difference in a night when both starting pitchers; Nick Salle for MBC and Jacob Jensen for Dow threw strong complete games.

MBC tried early and tried too soon. Dylan Vchulek led off with a walk. Dylan moved to second on a hit and run with Nick Salle.  Reliable Adam "Wee Man" Hintorne spanked a "too sharp" single up the middle and in his impatience (after waving 23 runs in the night before) coach Cougan waived the speedy Dylan home.  Dow's center fielder Daniel Frederickson threw a bullet to home and Cameron Gale applied the tag on a bang bang play to nip Dylan.  Of course Stuart Fairchild followed with a base hit and was then stranded; thank you for the lesson, Baseball Gods.

Cameron Gale led the Dow first inning off with a walk (Nick's only walk of the night and one of only two mistakes) and moved to second on a single from Matt Ahlquist.  Both moved up a base on Nick's only other mistake of the night, a wild pitch.  This set the stage for that MBC Killer, Daniel Frederickson to hit a sac fly to score one run.  Ahlquist moved up as well and scored on an infield out to finish all scoring for the night.  Nobody knew it then, but the game was over that fast.

Dow's outfield and Jacob Jenson then proceeded to stymie MBC all night.

Nick Reeves led off the second inning with a hard smash down the left field line. Great hustle and a perfect throw from Kenji Walker nipped Nick at second to thwart that inning.

MBC tried to get busy in the third inning after Dylan Vchulek's double, but were thwarted when Christian Higgens ran down Stuart Fairchild's smash in the right field corner.

In the fourth David Becker was the victim, as the speedy Frederickson ran down his potential RBI extra base hit in the right center gap.

The game ended in fitting fashion.  Trying their best to mount a come back, but down to two outs, Andrew Helean drove a ball to the wall in left only to watch  Kenji Walker make a running catch on his drive and ram into the fence.

Sometimes you just have to tip your hat to an opponent and know that you gave it your best and they made all the plays.

MBC Explodes for Win Against Bulldogs

Wow.  23-1, and they scored first!

The Kent Bulldogs came to town and tried to jump on MBC early.  Two lead off singles and a walk put MBC in some trouble, add in an errant throw and you have a Bulldog run.  But Andrew Helean bowed his neck and pitched out of this first inning jamb and cruised the rest of the way.

MBC matched the Bulldogs, and then some with their first inning. Nick Salle tied the game with a lead-off home run and four hits later the MBC team had scored four first inning runs. Nick hit another bomb in the fifth  for a double and his disappointment could be heard all over Magnolia as his drive died just before the right field fence.

Kennan Heller got things going in the second with a lead off hit and MBC batted around and scored seven runs, with Keenan notching two hits in the inning.

In the fifth inning David Becker launched a ball that got pretty close to the burm in left field, a monster double.

Every MBC player got a hit, why JP even tallied a hit for the injured Robbie Dunbar who sat on the bench all night. He could not bring himself to award a studying Tai Huff or the sick Dylan Vchulek hits.  His rule was "you had to be there to benefit".

Adam Hinthorne and Nick Reeves had three hits a piece and Nick Salle, Stuart Fairchild, Jack Murphy, David Becker and Keenan all had two hits.

Slow Start and Strong Finish Puts Whammy on Vipers

MBC nursed a 2-1 lead through six innings before putting up a five spot to secure a win against the Vipers.  The ever steady Stuart Fairchild pitched smoothly through five inning yielding two hits, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run.  Nick Safka came in for the last two and closed the door. 

With the exception of the one unearned run, MBC played stellar defense.  They turned a nice double play in the sixth, Adam Hinthorne shut down the running game and Nick Salle made a nice diving catch in center.

MBC's scoring started in the second.  Robbie Dunbar walked and after a walk to Nick Reeves and a single by Jack Murphy the bases were loaded.  David Becker battled during his at bat and earned a tough bases loaded walk and then Nick Safka hit a clutch single for a second run.

In the seventh MBC broke open a close game.  Nick Reeves opened the inning by blasting a ball over the left fielder's head for a double and Jack followed with another single.  Tai Huff came in to pinch hit with runners at first and second.  After pretending to bunt and drawing in the infield, Tai laced a hard shot down the line to score Nick.   Dylan Vchulek, Nick Salle and Adam Hinthorne followed with singles and Stuart Fairchild launched a double.  Robbie Dunbar ended the scoring and the inning with a blast up the middle to score two, but was thrown out trying to advance to second.

MBC Bounces Back with Big Win over Bulldogs

Once again MBC loaded just ten players on the bus for a road game down south and once again the formula of taking ten players on the road earned a victory.

Nick Salle was impressive in six shut out innings allowing just one hit and striking out four.  He yielded to his buddy Quinn Burcham who closed out the seventh in style, beaning two Bulldogs, yielding one hit and holding the damage to one run. 

Offensively it was a pretty good hit parade and nice to see the bats coming around again.  Nick Salle, Quinn Burcham and Stuart Fairchild all drove balls over out fielder's heads for extra bases.  Timely hitting was displayed as the team scored four runs.

Nick Salle was 2-4 with a triple, Nick Safka was 2-3, scored two runs and his only out was a hot line drive nabbed by the first baseman.  Jack Murphy, Adam Hinthorne and Nick Reeves also added hits.

Playing error less baseball made a huge difference as well. Who knew such a little thing could make such a big difference?

MBC Hits Rock Bottom Against the Rush? Hope So

Horrible traffic, injured players, gloomy skies, five errors by the infield, bad calls, general lollygagging and silent bats; one or more of these bad things caused the MBC 16's to play their worst game.

Poor Andrew Helean  pitched his heart out scattering five hits and giving up just one earned run while his team lost 8-1. The evening started poorly and the game started slowly.  The Rush pushed a run across in the second on a lead off double, a sacrifice bunt (blown, again by the MBC defense trying to prove once again that bunts are kryptonite) and a documented blown call by the field umpire.  No kidding, he tried to end Coach Cougan's argument with these unwise words "Sorry Coach I blew the call, that's baseball".  Coach Cougan's agreement with his blown call, but disagreement with his inability to change the call almost ended with Coach Cougan's exit, thank you Coach Pelley for your calming influence.

But that point became moot as MBC kicked (booted is another word for it) the door open for the Rush with two, two out errors in the fourth inning to plate four runs.  To solidify the evening boots were displayed in the sixth inning to plate three more.

On the bright side, Robbie Dunbar and Adam Hinthorne managed to get hits and Adam even scored a run.

MBC Takes Care of Stars

In perhaps their best game of the year, MBC came out hitting on all cylinders to beat the 8-2 Seattle Stars 5-1.
Great pitching, solid defense and an offensive attack that spanned the entire line-up were keys to the game.

Stuart Fairchild threw four solid innings and was matched by Nick Salle for the last three. The team turned two double plays and the game even featured a diving catch (on a routine flyball) by super cool Nick Safka.

Dylan Vchulek led off with a single (on his way to a 3-4 night, with a triple) and after two walks to Adam Hinthorn and Stuart Fairchild he scored on a passed ball.  Quinn Burcham then hit a deep sac fly to right to score Adam and Robbie Dunbar notched a clutched two out single to score the third run.

In the third, Stuart Fairchild hit a bomb over the left fielder's head for a double and once again scored on a clutch two out single by Robbie.

In the fifth, Stuart legged out an infield single.  A speedy Keenan Heller was put in to run for Stuart and after a steal of second, Keenan scored when Nick Reeves clutched up for a two out single.

Four out of five of MBC's run were scored with two outs!!!

MBC Blanks Bellevue

MBC made quick work of Bellevue on Wednesday night.  Andrew Helean threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings striking out five with solid defense and the offense got to work quickly.

Dylan Vchulek starting things off with a single and moved to third on Nick Salle's single.  After Adam Hinthorne and Stuart Fairchild flew out it looked like the inning was over, but an errant pick-off at third went wild and Dylan scored on the overthrow.

While Andrew Helean held the Bellevue bats at bay MBC did what it has been doing too much of lately, threatened repeatedly without scoring, 

A lead off single and stolen base by Nick Reeves left him stranded in the second. Back to back hits by Nick Salle and Adam Hinthorne went for naught in the third.  Nick reached again in the fourth and was followed by a David Becker single to produce no runs. 

Finally in the fifth, Nick Safka led off with a single, but was thrown out pushing for two.  Dylan then truly hit a double and scored on Nick Salle's clutch RBI single.

Andrew tired some in the sixth and Nick Reeves came on to relieve.  With runners on first and second the Bellevue batter lined a shot up the middle.  Nick deflected the line drive and the ball ended up in shortstop Stuart Fairchild's glove for an easy double play, crisis averted.

Nick Safka came on to pitch a 1-2-3 seventh to bring victory to MBC.

MBC Shuts Out ZIPS

Needing a win big time, MBC travelled down to Puyallup on Monday night to battle the PBC Zips.  The bad news was the team bus only had room for ten players.  The Lakeside Honor Society boys quickly volunteered to remain at home to study for their finals. 

Stuart Fairchild took the mound and gave the Zips zip.  Stuart was on a roll  pitching  4 2/3 innings and yeilding but three hits.  Robbie Dunbar relieved in the fifth and threw one spectacular inning, but had to yield to Nick Salle with two outs in the sixth due to a mysterious hand injury.  Nick Salle got the third out and cruised through the seventh to keep the three pitcher shut-out.

MBC should have scored liked they were in Bend Oregon.  It was the night of the Rally Without the Tally.  MBC loaded the bases four times during the game and was blanked three times.

Fortunately MBC went to work early and held the lead all night.  Keenan reached first with one out in the first.  Stuart Fairchild followed with a hit and after a walk to Quinn Burcham and a strikeout the stage was set for Robbie Dunbar.  Robbie blooped in a single to score two and Nick Reeves followed with a single to make the score 3-0.

Nick Safka led off the fourth with a double and scored when Nick Salle scorched a ball up the middle. 

In the seventh Robbie Dunbar walked and was driven to third by Nick Safka's second hit of the night.  Finally, after having runners on third all night Tai Huff clutched up and scored Robbie with an infield out.

Having just ten players on the bus made for some interesting line-ups defensively.  Stuart Fairchild was limited in mobility from a nagging hamstring issue, Robbie had the mystery hand thing going on that no one could figure out and some thought had something to do with alien life forms taking refuge in his elbow (hey, it could happen) and in the sixth inning, while batting, a baseball was thrown through Keenan Heller's right foot.  It hobbled the boy pretty good.  Keenan rallied some but moved around like Walter Brennan on the Real McCoys show  (You Tube it you youngins) from long ago.

Laces Tie Up MBC

A hard hitting Laces team rolled into Magnolia and out hit MBC to take a 7-3 win. The Laces scored in the first, third and fifth inning, some on their own but mostly with help from MBC's errors.  It was a tough night to be a pitcher.

It was not a good night to be an MBC hitter either.  The Laces Aces struck out eleven of our hitters and help the team to just five hits; Dylan Vchulek, Nick Salle, Adam Hinthorne, Quinn Burcham and Nick Reeves.

MBC Is Skunked in Battle with Steelheads

Perhaps too tired from their weekend in Bend MBC came out flat against a strong Steelhead team on Wednesday night.  After scoring 94 runs in six games over three days MBC found nothing left in the tank.

The score was 8-0 but, and you gotta trust me on this one, it was closer than that.  After Nick Salle blanked the Steelheads in the first, Dylan Vchulek led off with a screaming line drive to right.  As an indication of how the night was to go, their right fielder made a fine running catch into the corner.  With two out the hot hitting Adam Hinthorne doubled, but again, as an indication of how the night was to turn out, he was picked off of second base.

The Steelheads scored one in the second on a two out single.  In the third the game got away from MBC.  Violating all rules of gentlemanly manners the Steelhead put on a bunt play with two runners on.  After MBC's obligatory error the bases were full. After a run was walked in Quinn Burcham came in to relieve.  A force at home kept the Steelheads at bay, but a long double scored three and the night was ruined.

Robbie Dunbar and Adam Hinthorne each had two hits and Dylan Vchulek, Nick Reeves, David Becker and Quinn added hits.

Bend it Like MBC!

What a great weekend.  The MBC 16’s stormed (literally) into Bend Oregon on Friday and proceeded to kick behinds and take names; the only sad news is that I have since lost my list.

Sadly, and to some disappointment, we soon discovered that not all of our weekend opponents were worthy adversaries.  They were good quality teams, but for some reason unknown to us, two younger teams decided that entering an older tournament might be good for them.  Someone gave them some bad advice.  It was not just our size to their size that made such a difference, but the real problem for them was team speed.  Their outfielders could not cover the ground needed for our gap shots and their infielders were not used to playing a game where every batter ran like Ichiro.

Coach Cougan was proud that his talk to the MBC players of showing respect and dignity to an opponent throughout the game was well heeded.  Against both of the younger opponents Coach Cougan was complimented by the class and spirit that MBC showed to their younger opponents.

MBC scored 94 runs in the tournament on torrid hitting.  MBC banged out 17 doubles 4 triples and 3 home runs.  MBC raced out to big leads early in each game.

Day ONE

In game one MBC saw its big lead disappear, but rallied for more runs and found the relief pitching needed to hold off Sho-Time to record their first victory.  This game was a warning of what happens when you let teams hang around, but as will be seen later it was not taken to heart at this point.

Game two was a blow-out with the highlights being Nick Reeve’s throwing a perfect game and Quinn Burcham launching a massive three run homer.

Day Two

Game three was an early morning (8:00 am) contest in which again MBC broke out with a big lead against a pretty good opponent.  Sitting idly on their lead (again) MBC saw this team come back within one run going into the seventh, and of course MBC was the visitor.  It was not pretty in the seventh as the Mongoose scored two runs to win without a hit. (and they only showed bunt once, but I guess that was enough Kryptonite to weaken the MBC defense, see past year’s woes and more woes about other teams bunting on us).

You never really want to play a team just after they lose a game they should have won, but the poor Salem Shamrock really had no other choice.  MBC took out an awful lot of frustration on the poor Shamrock team and launched ball after ball into outfield and made quick work of the Shamrocks

The shock of losing did nothing to dampen the spirits of the club.  The planned team dinner was great.  It was good for us all to get together, eat some wonderful food and enjoy each others company.  It did wonders to recover from the disappointment of losing earlier in the day.  Upon learning that we still made the final four AND that our first opponent in the Championship round would be the Mongoose sent everyone home with great anticipation for morning revenge.

Day Three

The Mongoose had NO chance against a resolved MBC bunch.  MBC jumped out with a two run first and the Mongoose did not like the look of Andrew Helean from the get go.  Andrew pounded the strike zone and limited the Mongoose to just three runs as MBC pounded their three pitchers for eighteen runs.  Revenge was sweet.

MBC basically turned in a repeat performance for the Championship game.  A fresh Robbie Dunbar Jr.* ate up the Bears and his team (with big help from his own bat) again blasted out eighteen runs.  This marked Coach Cougan’s first Championship in his eight years of coaching MBC baseball (and might finally shut up the critics who say he cannot win the big one)

The tournament drove home the point of just how valuable MBC's mid winter signing of Robbie Dunbar Jr.* was to the team. (*please remember that adding the Jr. to his name is contractually necessary).  Robbie hit .600 with two doubles and a triple and threw a complete game shut-out in the final game.  The current depth of our pitching staff was a wonderful luxury.  The ability to roll out a fresh strong starter after all teams had played five games was instrumental in capturing the tournament title.

Adam (Wee Man) Hinthorne went off big time in this tournament.  Adam hit .588 with three doubles and a triple and drove in 10 runs.  In addition he made his second mound appearance in as many years and brought home his second victory, this one a complete game.

Nick Safka hit .500 for the tourney with a big double.  He also pitched well in his only pitching appearance.  Nick was a valuable ally in assisting Coach Cougan sorting out the “Mechanical Pencil Caper” (MPC) as well, more on this later.

The mighty Quinn Burcham batted .462, and hit a massive home run and three doubles (but only got to second on one of them)  He also made a fine relief appearance in game one.

Stuart Fairchild continued his consistent (and powerful) ways.  Stuart hit .467 with just one double, but TWO home runs.  Stuart’s first home run left the yard so fast that Coach Cougan could hear it go by!

Tai Huff hit a strong .455 with a booming double.  Aside from being a top suspect (he was later cleared) in the MPC, Tai is fast becoming a favorite teammate.

Dylan (the blur) Vchulek (.429) made a strong case to remain at lead-off for the remainder of the season.  His disruptive speed, in front of the bats this team has, made an incredible impact in each game.  MBC was lucky enough to loose EVERY coin flip prior to each game to garner Visitor status.  The other teams were just playing into our hands as Dylan immediately shook up each pitcher and put the other team on edge thinking they had to make every play as fast as they could, thus forcing many errors throughout the game. Dylan also made a fantastic backhand play at second base early in the semi-final game to record the third out and save a run.

After the shock of our loss to the Mongoose, Coach Cougan received an even bigger shock and bigger loss.  His yellow mechanical pencil that he uses to record line-ups and keep track of things in general during the game was missing!  As any good detective could tell you, the suspect HAD to be someone who had access to the dugout during the game.  This made the rest of the coaching staff, and all the players’ suspects. Smeagle was dismissed because we were pretty sure he did not know what a pencil was due to his reliance on crayons in his kindergarten class.

Coach Cougan quickly cleared the coaching staff.  Their integrity and credibility are above question they promptly answered that, no they had not taken it.  

All players were told they were suspects early Monday morning.  They were told they would be questioned, and they were told that they had all better have a pretty good alibi for the 4^th inning of yesterday’s first game.

Most suspects were cleared.  Nick Safka did admit to liking mechanical pencils, using them and that his favorite color was yellow.

David Becker refused to give any direct answers without his lawyer present, which moved him up the short list.  Nick Salle reminded me that he was warming up in the bullpen with me during the disappearance. Jack Murphy denied being in Bend on Sunday and had five alibi witnesses that saw him in Mag Town during our 4^th inning.

Nick Reeves was evasive, his upper lip was sweating and he would not directly answer questions but I did notice he was twitching his head in Keenan’s direction. Kennan Heller broke down early in his questioning and confessed to be the culprit.  Oddly he could not explain how he did it, why he did it or even what the pencil looked like.  The authorities started to think that he may be just a serial confessor, but someone had to go down for it and it might as well be Keenan. 

Prior to calling the Bend Police on the way out of town, Coach Cougan found the pencil deep in his baseball bag as he was changing into his travel clothes.  This, luckily, kept the incident out of the papers and saved Keenan from doing prison time on Bend Oregon.

Luck Runs Out, MBC Gets First Taste of Defeat

MBC tasted defeat for the first time, and they did not like it.  A close hard fought game between two early season undefeated's and MBC lost 4-2.

Pitching was good from both dugouts.  Quinn Burcham threw four innings walking only one and spreading five hits. He was followed by Nick Salle who pitched three innings yielding just three hits.  For the first time this year, errors were the key as Quinn gave up one unearned run and Nick allowed three to score, but just one run was earned.  The gloves let us down and kept us on the field just a batter of two too long tonight.

The Vipers took and early 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the fourth.  MBC bounced back quickly to take the lead.  The Viper pitcher had his way the first time through the line-up, but with a second look MBC quickly struck for two runs.

Nick Reeves started the fourth with a nice line drive single. He was followed with back to back booming doubles by Adam Hinthorne and Quinn Burcham.  At this point the Viper pitcher regained his poise and pitched out of the inning and pitched out of the game.  MBC offered no rallys beyond the fourth.

Another Wild Walk Off Against the Zips

Friday night saw the MBC team once again battling a low count roster.  MBC started the game with ten players on the line-up card and nine players on the bench.  Luckily #10 (who is #99) arrived just in time to bat.

Stuart Fairchild pitched a brilliant complete game striking out five, walking no Zips.  His worthy opponent was also a fierce competitor and pretty much limited the MBC bats to zip against him.  The hard throwing Zip's pitcher struck out 12 MBC hitters and as a team we mustered just two hits against him.

But striking out that many MBC hitters takes a lot of pitches and the fire-baller with the Harpo Marx hairdo could not last past six innings.

In the sixth MBC plated a run to make it 3-1 thus setting us up for another wild finish.

David Becker and Andrew Helean both worked a walks and Dylan Vchulek hit a towering double to right center to score David and put runners on second and third.  Quin Burcham then singled to tie the game and put Dylan on third setting up Keenan "Bonecrusher" Heller in the role of tonight's hero.  Keenan had already singled sharply off the starter and the crowd felt good about his chances.  With a drawn in infield and a very sick Nick Reeves on deck Keenan came through with a high bouncer to short.  Speedy Dylan (who goes from standing still to full speed as good as anyone I've coached) took off and was in safe in a cloud of dust.

Speaking of History

After last nights brush with history, combined with let me just call it a slight waning of respect from certain areas of my life; I find it high time to remind one and all about one of my signature accomplishments that certain people (and they know who they are) sometimes take for granted or even try to downplay.

Yes indeed, I am reminding one and all that I did indeed invent the Taco Salad.

Attached is proof positive, and as I tell the certain area of my life over and over again

Read it and believe it.

History Repeats, MBC Walk Off Win Against Cannons

Last year, in our third game, on a Wednesday, in front of an injured Jamie Moyer, against the Cannons, MBC orchestrated a 9-8 walk off win against the Cannons.

This year, in our third game, on a Wednesday, while a recovered Jamie Moyer pitched VICTORIOUSLY, against the Cannons, MBC orchestrated a 3-2 walk off win against the Cannons.

What a game.

It was a pitchers dual for four innings.  Andrew Helean and his worthy opponent had each given up just one hit through four innings.  In the fifth Andrew gave up two seeing eye doubles (if there is such a thing, but on the first double Robbie Dunbar almost made a fabulous catch, missing by inches; and on the second double we all held our breath as a speedy Nick Danger* raced across the outfield, dove, and we did not know he did not get it until the dust settled). A final hit scored the Cannons second run and put MBC in come back mode.

And what a come back.  In the sixth with two outs, Stuart Fairchild singled sharply.  With a two-two count on Quinn Burcham, Stuart took off for second and moved to third on the catcher's overthrow.  The rattled pitcher then walked Quinn.  Robbie (Mr. Extra-Base-Hit) Dunbar then doubled into the right center gap to score Stuart, but that was all MBC would get.

In the seventh Keenan Heller worked a one out walk.  Adam Hinthorne hit a high bouncer to second, and after Keenan danced in front of the second baseman you could almost hear Dave Niehaus'es call of "My oh my, everybody is safe".  Nick Danger* then blasted a screaming (opposite field) line drive down the left field line to score Keenan from second and a speedy Adam all the way from first.

Andrew Helean threw five strong innings, striking out six and walking only one.  Nick Sarrassota* followed him with two innings of one hit ball and four strikeouts.

 * Both Nicks mentioned in the above story, and an additional Jack Soulpatch (who other than playing adequately at shortstop did not really do anything worth writing about in this story, but may someday) are currently in the Witness Protection Program and use of their real names could put the three players in jeopardy.

MBC Rolls Over Another Titan Team

For the second day in a row MBC faced a team named the Titans and once again came out victorious.  MBC received great pitching and threw up two big innings to put the game away.

Stuart Fairchild was outstanding in his five innings of work.  Stuart struck out seven, walked no Titans and gave up just two hits and one unearned run.  Nick Reeves closed the game out with no hits and struck out two batters.

Offensively Adam Hintorne (two hits) started the ball rolling with a big double.  After an infield hit by Nick Reeves and a passed ball, Stuart Fairchild drove them both home with one of his two hits.

Michell Smith (playing for his old team to help fill the roster) started the crazy third inning with one of his two hits. An error by their shortstop was followed by consecutive hits by Nick Reeves, Dylan Vchulek and the ever steady Stuart Fairchild.  A Robby Dunbar double ended the scoring and MBC went up 7-0 and eventually won 7-1.

15's Lead the Way in Home Opener

The MBC 16's opened their season against the FCA Titans short rostered players and had to call up three players from the 15 year old team.  What a great idea.  The 15's lead the way in both hitting and pitching to secure a victory for the home team.  From our 15's we received a 5-6 night with 4 RBI and five innings of solid pitching.

Robbie Dunbar Jr. started on the mound and was unhittable in his two innings.  Partly due to his velocity but mostly due to his location.  Robbie walked five, and struck out four in his two innings of no hit ball.

To dial in strikes, Coach Cougan resorted to Duncan McCombs who threw five outstanding innings giving up two measly hits, walking none and striking out six Titans.  Duncan breezed through his five innings with solid defense and offensive support.

Quinn Burcham got the ball rolling by hitting a smash the the third baseman could not handle.  After the shortstop botched Robbie Dunbar Jr.'s smash, both scored on Tai Huff's single.  Duncan McCombs then hit a clutch two out single to score Tai, gaining the lead just before coming on to pitch; thus game over.

MBC played add on in the fifth when Trent Schulte lead off with the first of his two hits.  Robbie then hit a massive triple and scored on Tai's second hit of the night.

In the sixth, Duncan scorched his third hit of the night to lead things off.  After a single by Adam Hintorne and a beaning of Nick Reeves, Trent singled again to score two.  After a beaning of Stuart Fairchild, a walk to the mighty Robbie Dunbar Jr. plated the last run of the night.

MBC displayed heretofore rare flashes of leather on the night.  David Becker made a dandy backhand grab of a hot smash early in the game and Tai Huff, playing second base for the first time made two outstanding diving plays.

All in all, the team (including its new additions) looked and played great in the home opener.

Opening Night

Due to contractual obligations with the network Friday's game will be an 8:00 start.  Please get there early for the pregame festivities.

This will be a tough opener.  MBC starts the season with three stars on the bench; Keenan Heller - hangnail; Tino Peleti - skin rash and Everyday Russell Madche - bad hair cut.  Keenan expects his personal manicurist to cure the hangnail by early next week, but Tino's skin rash and Russell's bad hair could linger late into the season.

Four other highly touted players will most likely be unavailable for the early season as they play for their respective countries in the World Cup Tournament.  Stuart Fairchild may be unavailable for some time as his team Sierra Pedalgo looks to go deep into the tournament.  Two of our three Nicks; Salle and Safka along with Jack Murphy are trying their best to keep O'Man in the tournament.

To replace these players on the rosters MBC has made one permanent roster move adding Andrew Helean as a full time member of the team.  Andrew has played for the Wellsley School of Special Needs with Adam Hinthorne and David Becker.  In addition, for tonight's game three young upcoming stars from Bill Olson's Travelling Carnival will make an appearance, Trent Shulte, Duncan McCombs and Blake Swanson.

On Saturday Spencer Hogger and Mitchell Smith have opted to come out of retirement to play one last game, and perhaps will be sweet talked into more.

Bad News, Perhaps

Me and Tony Esposito, Tony leaned on me hard to join the team

Statue of Bobby Hull, from his glory days

My cousin John, his friend Ron, BOBBY "FRICKING" HULL, cousin Joe and Me

I won't know for sure for a week of so but there is a better than average chance that I will not be able to coach the boys this season.

As you may know, I flew to Chicago last weekend to see the Blackhawks play, but really it was a tryout. And I thought the tryout went rather well. The team captain Jon Toews and a defense-man Steve Montador joined me for a bit and we passed the puck around. What made me think the tryout went well is that the Hawks pulled out all the stops and had me meet with two hall of famers, Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito during the first intermission.

They wanted me so bad they let me bring my cousins in from Indianapolis, John and Joe Cougan.

So... if I sign, and if the Blackhawks made a Stanley Cup run I will most likely be unavailable to coach the team this spring and early summer.

Inspiration

Sometimes life gets hard. Things do not go your way. All roads seem to be going uphill. You think unfairness abounds.

We all feel this way sometimes. Life is picking on us. We seem to not have the energy to fight back.

Years ago I learned a valuable lesson. I worked near a place that hired disabled workers. These workers had various disabilities. After one horrible day at work, which had culminated a horrible week at work I was headed home and I drove by the bus stop that these workers congregated at waiting for the bus to take them home. And I noticed that each of them had the biggest grin on their face. They ALL seemed happy. Of course I had seen them before and as I reflected on it, they always looked so happy.

These were people that had either incurred or were born with issues that hampered their bodies, minds and senses. THEY had it rough, not me and yet they were dealing with life's issues waaaay better than I was. It made me ashamed to be feeling sorry for myself knowing that my obstacles were imaginary.

Remember the following photo next time you have a bad game, strike out or are worrying about recovering from a minor ACL tear. You still got it pretty good, you control your destiny and there ain't nothin' in front of you that hard work cannot cure!

Super Bowl Mania

I will pass out copies of the grid at practice. You all have a pretty good chance of winning one of these SUPER T-shirts in the Super Bowl Pool

When Men Were Men

Pierre Pilote behind the net, with goalie Glen Hall

Gordie Howe cheating and knocking down my hero! but I always admired Gordie

Bobby Hull and Stan Makita, nice teeth

In 1962 at the age of seven I moved to Chicago and fell in love with hockey. Every game was televised (forget about ever getting tickets) and I watched every game. The NHL had just six teams, and the Blackhawks (my team) were great (they finished second to Toronto).

My favorite Blackhawks were Bobby Hull, Stan Makita and Pierre Pilote. Bobby Hull was the Mickey Mantle of hockey, the golden boy and he had the world's fastest slapshot. Stan Makita was center extraordinaire, and one mean dude. But my favorite was the captain, defenseman Pierre Pilote.

And the title above is so true. These men played hockey with NO helmets and the goalies wore NO masks. Unbelievable. Check out the photos, check out the teeth.

After school everyday in the winter we played hockey at the local rink. The local rink was a frozen pond about three hundred miles from my house, at least that what it seemed like when my brother dragged me home every night for dinner crying because I was so cold and swearing I would never go back again. I actually went back to South Holland a few years back and noticed that it was about a quarter mile away from 1011 E 161st Street.

We lived in Chicago for three years. My hockey claims to fame, other than crying every night on the way home, were loosing my front teeth to an opponents hockey stick and beating the ever loving stuffing out of a local punk tough guy. This cretin was a real neighborhood bad ass (who I spent the rest of my time hiding from until we moved) but a horrible skater and dirty player. One day I had enough and knowing he was a terrible skater I went after him after he made a swipe at me and cleaned the ice with him. It was reminiscent of the scene in "Christmas Story" when Ralphie finally gets the local bully, including the rest of the kids egging me on.

A side note, this local tough guy went on to pitch for the Seattle Mariners. During his tenure as a Mariner I happened to call a friend from the old neighborhood (Mickey Schassburger) and as we spoke of Steve Trout and his big league pitching career Mickey chimed in - "yeah, but I bet he is still a punk".

Winter musings: The weather has me thinking of this AND I have just booked a trip to Chicago to see the Blackhawks in March (and I get to skate with the team!!!!!!!!)

Hockey's greatest player of all time (sorry Wayne) Bobby Orr, going airborne to score a goal to win the Stanley Cup!

Snow, and All it Implies

It is snowing lightly, off and on in West Seattle. My history of Seattle includes experiencing

And hearing about many snow/traffic horror stories. That said our practice at RIPS today is VERY optional and I will go as far to say that I do not recommend that you go to it.

I will go down there and work with who ever shows up, but please consider staying home where you are, warm and have play-off football to watch, homework to do and all the creature comforts surrounding you.

Keenan, I did not intend to make you feel sad. I know you have a horrible home life, just remember what I told you about better days ahead.