Galva/Williamsfield @ Brimfield/Elmwood (Baseball)
(4/28/10)
One team that I definitely wanted to catch this season was the Brimfield/Elmwood Indians. Another team that I wanted to scope out was the emergency co-op Galva/Williamsfield, featuring do-it-all player Alex Ott. It just so worked out that these teams met up in Brimfield.
The unfortunate thing about this game, is that Brimfield is an 80-minute drive from home. It's not too bad from my office in Monmouth, but the drive home can be treacherous. This was actually my first trip to Brimfield, outside of a few stops off of Interstate 74 at the, yup, you guessed it....Casey's.
Heading over to Brimfield, from Monmouth, is a pretty easy trip. Route 34 over to Galesburg, hop on to I-74, make a pit stop at McDonalds outside of Knoxville, and shoot over to Route 150 off of highway 78. For business owners, and those handling marketing campaigns, here is a testament that advertising works. After reading the McDonalds liners throughout the WRAM game of the week yesterday, the $1 large fountain drink grabbed me, hook line and sinker.
The stop at "Mickey D's", for one of the large sweet teas was in the offering. Taking two gulps of the beverage, I think I consumed more sugar than I have all year. My teeth are hardly sweet, as I can very easily shy away from sugar, and this one drink curbed my enthusiasm. Next time, it will be a Coke. So, the advertising for $1 fountain drink worked, however the sugar high turned me off, but there are a bevy of beverage options for $1 out of the fountain. I'll go back.
Speaking of the trip, Mrs. Garmin took me an interesting route on the trip back to Macomb. I traveled from Tiber Creek Road, to my favorite, Dogtown Lane, and then headed off for Graham Chapel Road before hitting Route 78. Unfamiliar with this route, as I approached what appeared to be a town ahead, I saw school buses, and it looked kind of like coming into Princeville from the north. Expecting Princeville, I was shocked to land in Farmington. I was much closer to home than anticipated. Upon grabbing my mental atlas inside my noggin, I don't have any idea why I would think it was Princeville, knowing full well that Princeville is due north (and slightly east) of Brimfield. Oh well, I like surprises!
As I mentioned earlier, this was my first trip to Brimfield High School, which I find to be kind of rare, especially how much I have covered the Brimfield girl's basketball team over the past three seasons. For some reason, Garmin didn't have the address to the high school, so I had it direct me to the elementary school. It was just a block away, and I pulled up to the high school with no problem.
The problem, I found, was that this small little field with teams on it, didn't look like the baseball diamond I was expecting. Furthermore, a diamond across the street looked empty, and there was a ROWVA bus in this small parking lot. Was I at the wrong school? No, Coach Paxson told me where the diamond was in an email earlier in the day. Maybe, ROWVA was there for something else, I pondered.
Walking into the grounds, it was quite bare, with not many spectators on hand. Sure enough, the Tigers (ROWVA) were on the field, facing Brimfield. This was a JV game. I watched for a few minutes, then decided to search the grounds for the varsity game.
Pulling out, there were players on the diamond this time. I must have pulled into the parking lot right between innings, or my eyes are worse than I thought. I drove over to the new baseball/softball facilities, and the fields look great. The complex is just two years old.
I made my away up to the press box behind the bleachers, and a Brimfield student was handling the scoreboard, PA announcing, AND running music between innings and for the Indians batters. He had his hands full....and even had the time to answer my many questions!
It was the bottom of the first inning, and I was able to catch sophomore Nick Unes hit a 2-run triple, and later score to make it 3-0 after an inning. Galva/Williamsfield scored their only run in the 2nd inning, when Nolan Peterson reached on an infield dribbler, then advanced to third on an E1, and would score on a passed ball.
The Wildcats' starting pitcher was Brennan Steward, and his battery mate was ace Alex Ott. Ott entered the game with a 6-1 record, 0.97 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 14 walks. He isn't doing too shabby at the plate, hitting .507 with 33 RBI, 25 runs, and 11 stolen bases. Ott will be going to a junior college, and the 1st team All-State basketball player is looking to be a 2-sport college athlete at the JUCO level. He has narrowed his choices down to Olney Central College, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, and St. Joseph's College of Rensselaer, Indiana.
Brimfield/Elmwood came untracked at the plate again in the 4th inning, with Ethan Westart knocking a 3-run home run out of the park, and Luke Staub would drill a triple off of the top of the centerfield wall. With two outs, the Indians attempted a double steal, with Staub at 3rd and Unes at first. Unes got caught in a rundown, and did a fantastic job in the pickle, allowing Staub to score. Unes did get tagged out attempting to slide into second to end the inning. It was 7-1 going into the 5th inning.
It appeared that Galva/Williamsfield plated a run in the 6th, when Ott came in to score, on a Jake Warner fielder's choice. The Indians threw to 2nd base for the force out of Nolan Peterson, and Ott crossed the plate. Apparently, there was interference, and Warner was called out at first, and Ott was sent back to 3rd, waving off the run. The Wildcats would strand Ott, and end the inning.
The mercy rule came into effect in the bottom of the 6th, when Westart led off with a double, followed by Luke Staub's 2-run home run. This was the 30th home run of the season for the team, and Staub's 11th of the year. Unes followed with a single, then Braden Streitmatter reached on an error at shortstop, followed by an RBI single by Andy England. The game-ending run was plated by Streitmatter, when Brady Westart, the younger brother of Ethan, hit a sac fly into rightfield, ending the game, giving Brimfield/Elmwood the 11-1 win.
After the game, I spoke with Galva/Williamsfield head coach Tom Walston about the emergency co-op situation before the season, and how things have transpired throughout the course of the year. Following our talk, I chatted with Ott, about his superb season, and future plans. Ethan Westart was my next interview, discussing the team's success (23-4) and the balance of youth and experience. Westart will be heading to Parkland Community College, and then looks to attend the University of Illinois academically, and maybe walk-on to the baseball team. I finished the interviews with Indians head coach Steve Paxson.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Red Storm Get Pushed: Annawan/Wethersfield @ United (Softball)
Annawan/Wethersfield @ United (Softball)
(4/27/10)
WRAM Game of the Week
This game was added to the WRAM Game of the Week schedule only a week in advance, due to a glitch in one of the schedules I had obtained before the season. That schedule, had Moline playing at United, and for the early part of the season that was the plan. However, that changed after a few weeks of the day games, and how hard it is for me to get everything accomplished and get a broadcast set up by 4:00 to 4:15. A nearly one hour drive for a 4:15 on-air time just wasn't feasible, so the Moline game was scrapped.
After taking in one of the first games at the new softball facilities at United High School just a couple weeks ago, I noticed a couple hurdles needed to be cleared for a broadcast. There is no press box (which is normal at many ball diamonds), and the nearest outlet is in the football shed, about 100 feet away from behind home plate.
After talking with United assistant, Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell, he said that we would have a truck backed in behind home plate one way or another. A big thanks to head coach Gary Eyler for backing his truck in, and providing the "press box" for our broadcast.
The radio station has the extra long extension cord, that I hate taking to games, because it is rarely needed, but in those spots I have never been, it has came in handy. I knew for certain, it would be needed for this broadcast. I actually thought I may need more, and I had an additional 25 feet with me, but the 100 foot cord was the perfect length.
With the uncertainties I was facing with this particular broadcast, I wanted to make sure I was there before 3:30 (an hour before first pitch), just in case. I also loaded up all of the equipment, including backup equipment and a table. The broadcast equipment of choice has been the Cellcaster (on the road, using the Marti in town). At times, the Cellcaster can give me many problems, though my RemoteMix 4 can also give me fits.
When I pulled in, the Red Storm team was getting prepared to warm up, and coach Eyler had just backed his truck for me. I unloaded everything, and stretched out the extension cord. As I was bringing the equipment over, the Annawan/Wethersfield bus (Annawan school bus) pulled onto the grounds and the Titans unloaded.
Without an Annawan/Wethersfield roster, I was banking on Titans coach Jeremy Trill to have a lineup card, and he came through. I was fairly familiar with the Titans, just seeing them last week at West Central.
After my talk with coach Trill, I set the equipment up and called into the station. It took me awhile to get the call through with the Cellcaster (a problem I had kind of anticipated), but finally reached through. When a call goes through, I make sure that line stays connected. Even though it was only 3:45, and my broadcast didn't begin until 4:15, I didn't want to not get through at a later point, and miss any of my broadcast.
My line was connected, and I wandered over to the United dugout and talked with "Fluff" Tyrell. Assistant coach Hannah Baker had the lineup card, and it was without Katie Bertelsen. I found that strange since this was a Lincoln Trail Conference game. The coaches said she was out of school sick today. She did mention to me after the Moline game, before our interview, that she was pretty sick. Sophomore Amy Olson gets the start, and she has done a fantastic job when Bertelsen rests. Olson pitched in six games as a freshman last year, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.40 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 35 innings. She came into this contest, 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings. Her battery mate would be sophomore catcher Megan Patterson, with the regular, Sommer Foster, over at 3rd base. With that move, Kaitlyn Winkler moves to right field. Patterson normally catches Olson at the JV level.
As I gazed into the outfield, there were cups in the form of, "1,036 K's", representing the Katie Bertelsen strikeout count. With that number, she is tied for 19th all-time in IHSA history, and she is still a junior.
Shortly after 4:00, I made my way back to my broadcast "booth". I had anticipated standing up the whole game, but actually it was pretty comfortable sitting on the side of the bed of the truck. Both Fluff and Eyler offered me a chair, but I was content.
My broadcast partner Sam Brooks made his way over before we went on the air. We chided each other about the game time temperatures, and if we would succumb to the cold. It was about 61 degrees at game time, but with the sun shining down, it felt good. It did get a little chilly early in the game, which is when I pulled out the jacket. However, I was wearing my Red Storm short-sleeve polo, while Sam was in long sleeves. He also brought a blanket, and I would much rather be seen wearing a jacket, then cuddling up in a blanket.
Brittany Lewis led off the game for the Titans with a base hit, but was the only base runner of the inning for the visitors. United plated two runs in the bottom of the first. Sommer Foster reached on a walk, and scored on an Augusta Chandler RBI single. Chandler scored on a Taylor Toops RBI single. Foster finished the game with 3 walks, 4 stolen bases, and 2 runs in the Red Storm, 9-6 win.
Annawan/Wethersfield catcher Kylee Conlin, who had a very nice game behind the plate, hit a double to lead off the 2nd inning. Tessa Swedman had a base hit later in the frame, and Alysha Winn walked to load the bases. Olson pitched out of the jam, not allowing a run to cross the plate. United found themselves in the same predicament in the bottom of the 2nd inning, stranding the bases loaded to end the frame. The Red Storm did score a run in the 2nd inning, when Megan Patterson scored from 1st base on an RBI triple by Gina Long.
I noticed the stylish sunglasses of Augusta Chandler last night in Moline, bright pink rims. They resemble Barbie sunglasses, or something similar. I joked to Sam that he should trade sunglasses with Augusta.
United added to their lead in the 4th inning, with Patterson and Foster scoring on a Kaitlyn Winkler 2-run double to the centerfield wall. Rachel Kenney then hit an RBI single that scored Winkler. Kenney finished the game, 4-4.
The Titans scored their first run of the game in the 5th inning, when Brittany Lewis came around to score. Facing a 6-1 deficit, starting the 6th inning, the Titans evened up the game, taking advantage of a couple Red Storm errors. Conlin led off with a single, then Sara Peach lined out, and Swedman struck out. With two outs, the Titans would score five runs. Pinch hitter Sarah Hansen hit an RBI single that scored Conlin's courtesy runner (Kayla Bennett). With Hansen on base, Winn reached on an E1, followed by Lewis reaching on an E6. Erin Draminski then had an RBI single that scored Hansen to make it 6-3. Ali Stern then emptied the bases, with a 3-run double, tying the game, 6-6.
Answering back in the bottom of the frame, Sommer Foster led off the inning with a walk. She stole second, then moved to third on a wild pitch. Winkler popped out for out number one, then Chandler hit a single, followed by a Rachel Kenney double. Taylor Toops then knocked in two runs with a single, to give United the 9-6 lead.
In the 7th inning, Conlin popped out to centerfield for the first out, then Sara Peach stepped up and ripped a double. Olson then sat down Swedman and Hansen on strikeouts. United improved to (16-3) on the season and (9-0) in the Lincoln Trail Conference. Annawan/Wethersfield drops to (6-19) overall and (1-8) in the LTC.
(4/27/10)
WRAM Game of the Week
This game was added to the WRAM Game of the Week schedule only a week in advance, due to a glitch in one of the schedules I had obtained before the season. That schedule, had Moline playing at United, and for the early part of the season that was the plan. However, that changed after a few weeks of the day games, and how hard it is for me to get everything accomplished and get a broadcast set up by 4:00 to 4:15. A nearly one hour drive for a 4:15 on-air time just wasn't feasible, so the Moline game was scrapped.
After taking in one of the first games at the new softball facilities at United High School just a couple weeks ago, I noticed a couple hurdles needed to be cleared for a broadcast. There is no press box (which is normal at many ball diamonds), and the nearest outlet is in the football shed, about 100 feet away from behind home plate.
After talking with United assistant, Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell, he said that we would have a truck backed in behind home plate one way or another. A big thanks to head coach Gary Eyler for backing his truck in, and providing the "press box" for our broadcast.
The radio station has the extra long extension cord, that I hate taking to games, because it is rarely needed, but in those spots I have never been, it has came in handy. I knew for certain, it would be needed for this broadcast. I actually thought I may need more, and I had an additional 25 feet with me, but the 100 foot cord was the perfect length.
With the uncertainties I was facing with this particular broadcast, I wanted to make sure I was there before 3:30 (an hour before first pitch), just in case. I also loaded up all of the equipment, including backup equipment and a table. The broadcast equipment of choice has been the Cellcaster (on the road, using the Marti in town). At times, the Cellcaster can give me many problems, though my RemoteMix 4 can also give me fits.
When I pulled in, the Red Storm team was getting prepared to warm up, and coach Eyler had just backed his truck for me. I unloaded everything, and stretched out the extension cord. As I was bringing the equipment over, the Annawan/Wethersfield bus (Annawan school bus) pulled onto the grounds and the Titans unloaded.
Without an Annawan/Wethersfield roster, I was banking on Titans coach Jeremy Trill to have a lineup card, and he came through. I was fairly familiar with the Titans, just seeing them last week at West Central.
After my talk with coach Trill, I set the equipment up and called into the station. It took me awhile to get the call through with the Cellcaster (a problem I had kind of anticipated), but finally reached through. When a call goes through, I make sure that line stays connected. Even though it was only 3:45, and my broadcast didn't begin until 4:15, I didn't want to not get through at a later point, and miss any of my broadcast.
My line was connected, and I wandered over to the United dugout and talked with "Fluff" Tyrell. Assistant coach Hannah Baker had the lineup card, and it was without Katie Bertelsen. I found that strange since this was a Lincoln Trail Conference game. The coaches said she was out of school sick today. She did mention to me after the Moline game, before our interview, that she was pretty sick. Sophomore Amy Olson gets the start, and she has done a fantastic job when Bertelsen rests. Olson pitched in six games as a freshman last year, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.40 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 35 innings. She came into this contest, 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts in 11 innings. Her battery mate would be sophomore catcher Megan Patterson, with the regular, Sommer Foster, over at 3rd base. With that move, Kaitlyn Winkler moves to right field. Patterson normally catches Olson at the JV level.
As I gazed into the outfield, there were cups in the form of, "1,036 K's", representing the Katie Bertelsen strikeout count. With that number, she is tied for 19th all-time in IHSA history, and she is still a junior.
Shortly after 4:00, I made my way back to my broadcast "booth". I had anticipated standing up the whole game, but actually it was pretty comfortable sitting on the side of the bed of the truck. Both Fluff and Eyler offered me a chair, but I was content.
My broadcast partner Sam Brooks made his way over before we went on the air. We chided each other about the game time temperatures, and if we would succumb to the cold. It was about 61 degrees at game time, but with the sun shining down, it felt good. It did get a little chilly early in the game, which is when I pulled out the jacket. However, I was wearing my Red Storm short-sleeve polo, while Sam was in long sleeves. He also brought a blanket, and I would much rather be seen wearing a jacket, then cuddling up in a blanket.
Brittany Lewis led off the game for the Titans with a base hit, but was the only base runner of the inning for the visitors. United plated two runs in the bottom of the first. Sommer Foster reached on a walk, and scored on an Augusta Chandler RBI single. Chandler scored on a Taylor Toops RBI single. Foster finished the game with 3 walks, 4 stolen bases, and 2 runs in the Red Storm, 9-6 win.
Annawan/Wethersfield catcher Kylee Conlin, who had a very nice game behind the plate, hit a double to lead off the 2nd inning. Tessa Swedman had a base hit later in the frame, and Alysha Winn walked to load the bases. Olson pitched out of the jam, not allowing a run to cross the plate. United found themselves in the same predicament in the bottom of the 2nd inning, stranding the bases loaded to end the frame. The Red Storm did score a run in the 2nd inning, when Megan Patterson scored from 1st base on an RBI triple by Gina Long.
I noticed the stylish sunglasses of Augusta Chandler last night in Moline, bright pink rims. They resemble Barbie sunglasses, or something similar. I joked to Sam that he should trade sunglasses with Augusta.
United added to their lead in the 4th inning, with Patterson and Foster scoring on a Kaitlyn Winkler 2-run double to the centerfield wall. Rachel Kenney then hit an RBI single that scored Winkler. Kenney finished the game, 4-4.
The Titans scored their first run of the game in the 5th inning, when Brittany Lewis came around to score. Facing a 6-1 deficit, starting the 6th inning, the Titans evened up the game, taking advantage of a couple Red Storm errors. Conlin led off with a single, then Sara Peach lined out, and Swedman struck out. With two outs, the Titans would score five runs. Pinch hitter Sarah Hansen hit an RBI single that scored Conlin's courtesy runner (Kayla Bennett). With Hansen on base, Winn reached on an E1, followed by Lewis reaching on an E6. Erin Draminski then had an RBI single that scored Hansen to make it 6-3. Ali Stern then emptied the bases, with a 3-run double, tying the game, 6-6.
Answering back in the bottom of the frame, Sommer Foster led off the inning with a walk. She stole second, then moved to third on a wild pitch. Winkler popped out for out number one, then Chandler hit a single, followed by a Rachel Kenney double. Taylor Toops then knocked in two runs with a single, to give United the 9-6 lead.
In the 7th inning, Conlin popped out to centerfield for the first out, then Sara Peach stepped up and ripped a double. Olson then sat down Swedman and Hansen on strikeouts. United improved to (16-3) on the season and (9-0) in the Lincoln Trail Conference. Annawan/Wethersfield drops to (6-19) overall and (1-8) in the LTC.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Red Storm Get Marooned in Moline
United @ Moline (Softball)
(4/26/10)
In covering the United Red Storm softball team as closely as I do, working for WMOI/WRAM in Monmouth, this was a matchup I had waited all spring for. The Red Storm play a very tough non-conference schedule, with this matchup being a David vs. Goliath.
Tiny (Alexis) United boasts a student enrollment of 275, while Moline packs a punch of 2,223 students. Only about a 2,000 student differential between the two schools!
Moline has a phenomenal softball history, winning five state championships in the past 23 years. The Maroons have made 11 state finals appearances in the last 24 years, and have brought back a trophy each time.
With a 4:30 first pitch, and about a 70-mile drive from Monmouth, it was going to be a stretch to get to the game on time. I left the station at about 3:40, and according to Garmin, I would be arriving at Moline High School at 4:37.
Enter the Garmin Game. This may be a reason why I had to converse with Illinois State Police troopers three times over the basketball season. When Garmin told me I would get to my destination at a certain time, I liked to prove the automated female Garmin voice wrong. In the end, I shaved about 4 minutes off the original time.
I am pretty unfamiliar with the baseball and softball diamonds, as this is my first year covering spring sports as in-depth as I have. A quick call to Moline High School before I left, confirmed my destination to Bob Seitz Field, laying just off of the former 23rd Avenue (now Avenue of the Cities). I am nostalgic, it will always be 23rd for me.
When I talked with the high school, I could have swore the office told me the softball diamonds were just off of 34th Street. When I pulled off the the avenue, and onto 34th Street, I noticed the softball diamonds a block down. A quick drive around, and I pulled into the Walgreen's parking lot, which provided the closest available parking.
Walking up to the diamond, it was 0-0 in the bottom of the first inning. I scoped out the grounds to find a good spot. Right behind home plate was pretty filled up, so I ventured over to the United side, next to the Red Storm dugout.
Brittany Drish was on base when I walked in, and was later hit in on an RBI single by Olivia Aten. Aten finished with 2 hits and 2 RBI, including driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 6th inning, to give Moline the 3-2 victory.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Augusta Chandler walked, then Moline pitcher Jordan Kasbohm sat down the next three Red Storm batters down via strikeouts. Kasbohm pitched at the small-school level last year, helping lead the West Carroll Thunder to the Class 2A state finals, where they finished 4th place. Kasbohm transferred to Moline following last school year.
She carried over the K's, into the third inning, sitting down the first two batters for United. Trailing Moline, 2-0, Gina Long walked with two outs. Moline then sent out Amanda McLean to the mound. Facing Sommer Foster, the Red Storm catcher smacked a game-tying home run over the right field fence to even the game up.
Kasbohm would re-enter as the pitcher with two outs in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Stacey Rettig popped up to shallow right centerfield. Gina Long, running out from 2nd base, back to the plate, made a two-handed basket catch as she fell to the ground to end the inning.
Olvia Aten hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the seventh, Megan Patterson hit a two-out single, but Kasbohm got Long to pop out to end the game.
After the game, I spoke with Katie Bertelsen and Kaitlyn Winkler. Bertelsen was a little nervous about the interview, admitting she was a little sick. Bertelsen put up one of the gutsiest performances I have seen in high school athletics to this point in my career, and will probably go down as one of the greatest high school performances I will ever witness, pitching 19 innings and striking out 34 batters.....in a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP game. Speaking of gutsy, after missing four games due to a finger injury, Winkler has returned with bats-a-blazin, and entered the Moline game, hitting .488 on the season.
Before talking with Moline head coach Mark Gerlach, I talked with United assistant Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell. I was looking to lineup a pickup truck to set up in for Tuesday's broadcast of Red Storm softball at United High School. The facilities are brand new, and not a good spot to broadcast.
I never met Mark Gerlach until tonight, but as I saw him in the dugout, who looked very familiar. After broadcasting 112 basketball games this past season, I am sure I saw Mark nearly a dozen times. Mark is an IHSA basketball official, and he told me he has been for 27 years now.
My interview with Gerlach took place in centerfield at Bob Seitz Field. He said this could be one of his best teams in his tenure. That's something to say, since he has won a state championship, and took 2nd place twice in his 10 seasons at the school.
There were many obstacles in our short interview, which the video will be uploaded on Tuesday. First, there was a golden retriever that snuck by us, then one of his staff members tried to divert his attention later in the interview.
Upon leaving the Moline facilities, I noticed a Jimmy John's across the street. That, coupled with the Whitey's Ice Cream just down the street nearly got to me, but my will power was too strong. I did make a stop in Monmouth at the gas station for a snack.
I couldn't tell you the last time I bought a pop, soda, or whatever you call it while on the road. Normally, it's a Gatorade or water. Today, I opted for a Coca-Cola and some crackers. Everytime I see a coke bottle, it reminds me of the 1980 film, The Gods Must Be Crazy. If you have never seen of this movie, it is quite funny. The plot is about an African tribe that has no idea of the outside world. A coke bottle falls from the sky (out of an airplane), and it in turn provides many uses to the tribe, but also leads to jealousy, anger, and violence. The tribe leader seeks out the end of the Earth, to throw the bottle off of the edge. The first time I saw this movie, I was probably only 10 years old. It was one of those late night movies.
(4/26/10)
In covering the United Red Storm softball team as closely as I do, working for WMOI/WRAM in Monmouth, this was a matchup I had waited all spring for. The Red Storm play a very tough non-conference schedule, with this matchup being a David vs. Goliath.
Tiny (Alexis) United boasts a student enrollment of 275, while Moline packs a punch of 2,223 students. Only about a 2,000 student differential between the two schools!
Moline has a phenomenal softball history, winning five state championships in the past 23 years. The Maroons have made 11 state finals appearances in the last 24 years, and have brought back a trophy each time.
With a 4:30 first pitch, and about a 70-mile drive from Monmouth, it was going to be a stretch to get to the game on time. I left the station at about 3:40, and according to Garmin, I would be arriving at Moline High School at 4:37.
Enter the Garmin Game. This may be a reason why I had to converse with Illinois State Police troopers three times over the basketball season. When Garmin told me I would get to my destination at a certain time, I liked to prove the automated female Garmin voice wrong. In the end, I shaved about 4 minutes off the original time.
I am pretty unfamiliar with the baseball and softball diamonds, as this is my first year covering spring sports as in-depth as I have. A quick call to Moline High School before I left, confirmed my destination to Bob Seitz Field, laying just off of the former 23rd Avenue (now Avenue of the Cities). I am nostalgic, it will always be 23rd for me.
When I talked with the high school, I could have swore the office told me the softball diamonds were just off of 34th Street. When I pulled off the the avenue, and onto 34th Street, I noticed the softball diamonds a block down. A quick drive around, and I pulled into the Walgreen's parking lot, which provided the closest available parking.
Walking up to the diamond, it was 0-0 in the bottom of the first inning. I scoped out the grounds to find a good spot. Right behind home plate was pretty filled up, so I ventured over to the United side, next to the Red Storm dugout.
Brittany Drish was on base when I walked in, and was later hit in on an RBI single by Olivia Aten. Aten finished with 2 hits and 2 RBI, including driving in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 6th inning, to give Moline the 3-2 victory.
In the top of the 2nd inning, Augusta Chandler walked, then Moline pitcher Jordan Kasbohm sat down the next three Red Storm batters down via strikeouts. Kasbohm pitched at the small-school level last year, helping lead the West Carroll Thunder to the Class 2A state finals, where they finished 4th place. Kasbohm transferred to Moline following last school year.
She carried over the K's, into the third inning, sitting down the first two batters for United. Trailing Moline, 2-0, Gina Long walked with two outs. Moline then sent out Amanda McLean to the mound. Facing Sommer Foster, the Red Storm catcher smacked a game-tying home run over the right field fence to even the game up.
Kasbohm would re-enter as the pitcher with two outs in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Stacey Rettig popped up to shallow right centerfield. Gina Long, running out from 2nd base, back to the plate, made a two-handed basket catch as she fell to the ground to end the inning.
Olvia Aten hit the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the seventh, Megan Patterson hit a two-out single, but Kasbohm got Long to pop out to end the game.
After the game, I spoke with Katie Bertelsen and Kaitlyn Winkler. Bertelsen was a little nervous about the interview, admitting she was a little sick. Bertelsen put up one of the gutsiest performances I have seen in high school athletics to this point in my career, and will probably go down as one of the greatest high school performances I will ever witness, pitching 19 innings and striking out 34 batters.....in a STATE CHAMPIONSHIP game. Speaking of gutsy, after missing four games due to a finger injury, Winkler has returned with bats-a-blazin, and entered the Moline game, hitting .488 on the season.
Before talking with Moline head coach Mark Gerlach, I talked with United assistant Jeff "Fluff" Tyrell. I was looking to lineup a pickup truck to set up in for Tuesday's broadcast of Red Storm softball at United High School. The facilities are brand new, and not a good spot to broadcast.
I never met Mark Gerlach until tonight, but as I saw him in the dugout, who looked very familiar. After broadcasting 112 basketball games this past season, I am sure I saw Mark nearly a dozen times. Mark is an IHSA basketball official, and he told me he has been for 27 years now.
My interview with Gerlach took place in centerfield at Bob Seitz Field. He said this could be one of his best teams in his tenure. That's something to say, since he has won a state championship, and took 2nd place twice in his 10 seasons at the school.
There were many obstacles in our short interview, which the video will be uploaded on Tuesday. First, there was a golden retriever that snuck by us, then one of his staff members tried to divert his attention later in the interview.
Upon leaving the Moline facilities, I noticed a Jimmy John's across the street. That, coupled with the Whitey's Ice Cream just down the street nearly got to me, but my will power was too strong. I did make a stop in Monmouth at the gas station for a snack.
I couldn't tell you the last time I bought a pop, soda, or whatever you call it while on the road. Normally, it's a Gatorade or water. Today, I opted for a Coca-Cola and some crackers. Everytime I see a coke bottle, it reminds me of the 1980 film, The Gods Must Be Crazy. If you have never seen of this movie, it is quite funny. The plot is about an African tribe that has no idea of the outside world. A coke bottle falls from the sky (out of an airplane), and it in turn provides many uses to the tribe, but also leads to jealousy, anger, and violence. The tribe leader seeks out the end of the Earth, to throw the bottle off of the edge. The first time I saw this movie, I was probably only 10 years old. It was one of those late night movies.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Destination: Nowhere
Five Games --- No Innings
(4/24/10)
With the rainfall the region was handed throughout Friday, it seemed unlikely many games would be on the schedule for Saturday, since more rain was forecast. When I awoke at 7:00 a.m. the sun was shining, and the National Weather Service radar showed no precipitation within 100 miles.
I poured over the local media websites to check on any cancellations and postponements. A few Saturday games were called off on Friday, but no additional games were showing up as cancelled on these sites this morning.
With my spring schedule taking more north of my baseball/softball coverage area (the region I can get to games with my fulltime schedule), I thought I would take a southward trek today, pending the weather, of course.
The plan was to catch an inning or two at several baseball games, and get some action video, as opposed to the interviews that you have seen this past week. I mapped out a five-game operation, that would begin in Rushville, for the host Rockets hosting Mendon Unity, then head over to Astoria for South Fulton against Peoria Heights, then make my way over to Lewistown for their matchup against Brimfield/Elmwood, then cut north to Cuba for North Fulton and Abingdon, and then head back home for the final innings of Orion/Macomb.
Before heading out, I checked as many sites as possible, so I wouldn't be making a long trip to nowhere. Finding nothing, I texted Mitch Worley of the McDonough Voice, and he said that both Rushville and South Fulton had cancelled on Friday. That took that leg of the trip out. Since Lewistown, and Cuba weren't that far out of the way, I decided it was worth a short drive to Fulton County, with nothing else planned on a Saturday morning.
I filled up the tank at Phillips 66 in Macomb, and my tank was thirsty. Thirsty to the tune of $56.03, meaning I must have been running on fumes. Driving down Route 116 east of Macomb, a song popped on Modern Rock 95.9. The chorus is, "Tommorow's just a song away", and the title turns out to be "Song Away" by the band Hockey. It's catchy, and has an 80's vibe to it.
Thinking I may be able to save a few miles on this trip, I texted B-PC/A head coach Dave Arnold, to see if his Prairieland Conference compatriots were still in action. He returned shortly, saying the Brimfield/Lewistown game was moved to Brimfield at 1:00, and the Abingdon/North Fulton game had been called off Friday afternoon.
Already into Fulton County, just past Marietta, home of the Testicle Festival in June, I shot through Smithfield and past Bernadotte and into Ipava, jumping back on Route 116. It was quite a bit out of my way, instead of turning around, but I had the time to burn on this mini Spoon River Drive.
Mitch had earlier texted that he thought the Orion/Macomb game was still on, so I headed out to Macomb High School shortly after 11:00 on my way back into town, but both diamonds were empty. My destination to nowhere, and the planning for next week begins. If time allows, the plan for Monday is to catch Class 1A (#2) United at Class 4A Moline.
(4/24/10)
With the rainfall the region was handed throughout Friday, it seemed unlikely many games would be on the schedule for Saturday, since more rain was forecast. When I awoke at 7:00 a.m. the sun was shining, and the National Weather Service radar showed no precipitation within 100 miles.
I poured over the local media websites to check on any cancellations and postponements. A few Saturday games were called off on Friday, but no additional games were showing up as cancelled on these sites this morning.
With my spring schedule taking more north of my baseball/softball coverage area (the region I can get to games with my fulltime schedule), I thought I would take a southward trek today, pending the weather, of course.
The plan was to catch an inning or two at several baseball games, and get some action video, as opposed to the interviews that you have seen this past week. I mapped out a five-game operation, that would begin in Rushville, for the host Rockets hosting Mendon Unity, then head over to Astoria for South Fulton against Peoria Heights, then make my way over to Lewistown for their matchup against Brimfield/Elmwood, then cut north to Cuba for North Fulton and Abingdon, and then head back home for the final innings of Orion/Macomb.
Before heading out, I checked as many sites as possible, so I wouldn't be making a long trip to nowhere. Finding nothing, I texted Mitch Worley of the McDonough Voice, and he said that both Rushville and South Fulton had cancelled on Friday. That took that leg of the trip out. Since Lewistown, and Cuba weren't that far out of the way, I decided it was worth a short drive to Fulton County, with nothing else planned on a Saturday morning.
I filled up the tank at Phillips 66 in Macomb, and my tank was thirsty. Thirsty to the tune of $56.03, meaning I must have been running on fumes. Driving down Route 116 east of Macomb, a song popped on Modern Rock 95.9. The chorus is, "Tommorow's just a song away", and the title turns out to be "Song Away" by the band Hockey. It's catchy, and has an 80's vibe to it.
Thinking I may be able to save a few miles on this trip, I texted B-PC/A head coach Dave Arnold, to see if his Prairieland Conference compatriots were still in action. He returned shortly, saying the Brimfield/Lewistown game was moved to Brimfield at 1:00, and the Abingdon/North Fulton game had been called off Friday afternoon.
Already into Fulton County, just past Marietta, home of the Testicle Festival in June, I shot through Smithfield and past Bernadotte and into Ipava, jumping back on Route 116. It was quite a bit out of my way, instead of turning around, but I had the time to burn on this mini Spoon River Drive.
Mitch had earlier texted that he thought the Orion/Macomb game was still on, so I headed out to Macomb High School shortly after 11:00 on my way back into town, but both diamonds were empty. My destination to nowhere, and the planning for next week begins. If time allows, the plan for Monday is to catch Class 1A (#2) United at Class 4A Moline.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Hang Up and Drive? Censor Your Tailgate!
Brainstorming Bumper Stickers
There was a point on this Friday, where I understood the meaning of Loverboy's 1981 hit, "Working for the Weekend". My work never ceases, the days and nights run together, weekends bring even more work than a weekday (excluding Sunday, my recharge day....for the most part). So, on this rainy day, as I scanned the puddles waving from fresh rain drops, I knew there was no baseball or softball on the afternoon agenda.
With the color weather radar mirroring a box of crayons throughout the midwest, it appeared as though Saturday would be a wash as well. So, Loverboy cranked up in my head, followed by Todd Rundgrens, "Bang the Drum All Day."
Always knowing that KFC gives me an awful stomach, even before I finish the meal, I still act like the kid that just has to put his hand on a hot stove, or the person that has to go sniff the rotten milk. KFC came, KFC stayed, and KFC made me feel like I ate the entire chicken coop.
The drive home was nothing out of the ordinary, only mindlessly listening to the radio, and I couldn't tell you a single song that came over the air. However, I do know that in flipping the channels for the 35-minute drive, I could almost guarantee you a Taylor Swift song entered my ears for a brief moment.
It wasn't until the very final leg of my drive home, the last two miles, as a matter of fact, that this would, in some strange way, become a memorable drive home. As I approached a white Toyota pickup truck, I noticed a copious amount of bumper stickers plastered to the tailgate and back window.
My Favorite Bumper Sticker
Living in rural Illinois, I've seen my fair share of big, loud pickup trucks. When I was attending Black Hawk East college, they were a dime a dozen. In speech class, we had to give a speech on something, the topic alludes my memory at this time. It may have been one of those speeches that I had nothing prepared, so I went the extemporaneous route. The topic was the bumper sticker, "Loud Pipes Save Lives". The speech, was more of an attempt at comedy, than actually carrying out the assignment. The only thing I remember, was that there were probably a half dozen guys offering up suggestions as to what it means, after my speech was over.
Staring right back at me, in the middle of the tailgate was, "Cell Phones Kill, Hang Up and Drive". At first, it seemed logical. Then, after scanning across the 22....yes, 22 bumper stickers (on the tailgate alone), I found the very bumper sticker that first stood out to me, to sound hypocritical. Here I am, counting the number of bumper stickers on this guy's tailgate, nearly rear-ending him. There were 7 bumper stickers on his back window, he had to have a little bit of window on his mural.
That's it, that was the memorable drive home. I feel like I just wrote a Seinfeld episode....a very, very bad Seinfeld episode.
There was a point on this Friday, where I understood the meaning of Loverboy's 1981 hit, "Working for the Weekend". My work never ceases, the days and nights run together, weekends bring even more work than a weekday (excluding Sunday, my recharge day....for the most part). So, on this rainy day, as I scanned the puddles waving from fresh rain drops, I knew there was no baseball or softball on the afternoon agenda.
With the color weather radar mirroring a box of crayons throughout the midwest, it appeared as though Saturday would be a wash as well. So, Loverboy cranked up in my head, followed by Todd Rundgrens, "Bang the Drum All Day."
Always knowing that KFC gives me an awful stomach, even before I finish the meal, I still act like the kid that just has to put his hand on a hot stove, or the person that has to go sniff the rotten milk. KFC came, KFC stayed, and KFC made me feel like I ate the entire chicken coop.
The drive home was nothing out of the ordinary, only mindlessly listening to the radio, and I couldn't tell you a single song that came over the air. However, I do know that in flipping the channels for the 35-minute drive, I could almost guarantee you a Taylor Swift song entered my ears for a brief moment.
It wasn't until the very final leg of my drive home, the last two miles, as a matter of fact, that this would, in some strange way, become a memorable drive home. As I approached a white Toyota pickup truck, I noticed a copious amount of bumper stickers plastered to the tailgate and back window.
My Favorite Bumper Sticker
Living in rural Illinois, I've seen my fair share of big, loud pickup trucks. When I was attending Black Hawk East college, they were a dime a dozen. In speech class, we had to give a speech on something, the topic alludes my memory at this time. It may have been one of those speeches that I had nothing prepared, so I went the extemporaneous route. The topic was the bumper sticker, "Loud Pipes Save Lives". The speech, was more of an attempt at comedy, than actually carrying out the assignment. The only thing I remember, was that there were probably a half dozen guys offering up suggestions as to what it means, after my speech was over.
Staring right back at me, in the middle of the tailgate was, "Cell Phones Kill, Hang Up and Drive". At first, it seemed logical. Then, after scanning across the 22....yes, 22 bumper stickers (on the tailgate alone), I found the very bumper sticker that first stood out to me, to sound hypocritical. Here I am, counting the number of bumper stickers on this guy's tailgate, nearly rear-ending him. There were 7 bumper stickers on his back window, he had to have a little bit of window on his mural.
That's it, that was the memorable drive home. I feel like I just wrote a Seinfeld episode....a very, very bad Seinfeld episode.
IHSSN.net Summer Coverage
In a previous blog, about upcoming projects, I dropped a line about expanding summer coverage this year. With a schedule that should allow me to get to many shootouts over the summer months (fingers crossed), IHSSN is looking at bringing some top tier coverage of high school boy's and girl's basketball from various shootouts. Over on the Illinois High School Sports message boards, I have begun a running thread on summer shootouts (girl's), and will keep you up to date here as well.
Girl's Basketball Summer Shootouts
June 4th & 5th: Camp Pt. Central Shootout
June 4th & 5th: Lady Irish Shootout (@ Bishop McNamara)
June 5th: Olney Lady Tiger Shootout
June 10th: Lincoln Land Community College Shootout
June 12th: Ridgewood Shootout (@ Woodhull)
June 12th: Pana Shootout
June 16th & 17th: Olney Central College Shootout
June 24th: St. Joseph-Ogden Shootout
June 25th & 26th: Monmouth College
July 9th & 10th: Camp Pt. Central Shootout
July 11th & 12th: Belvidere Shootout
Girl's Basketball Summer Shootouts
June 4th & 5th: Camp Pt. Central Shootout
June 4th & 5th: Lady Irish Shootout (@ Bishop McNamara)
June 5th: Olney Lady Tiger Shootout
June 10th: Lincoln Land Community College Shootout
June 12th: Ridgewood Shootout (@ Woodhull)
June 12th: Pana Shootout
June 16th & 17th: Olney Central College Shootout
June 24th: St. Joseph-Ogden Shootout
June 25th & 26th: Monmouth College
July 9th & 10th: Camp Pt. Central Shootout
July 11th & 12th: Belvidere Shootout
Annawan Fills Basketball Vacancies
It didn't take long for the Annawan School District to find replacements for departing coaches Merritt Burns and Matt Huber. At the board of education meeting, the district decided to hire within, tabbing Zach DeMay as the new boy's basketball coach for the Braves, and Jason Burkewicz as the new girl's coach, also an assistant. This, as reported by the Quad City Times.
Burns was a casualty of the reduction in force (RIF), while Huber stepped down early this week, citing personal and family reasons.
After a (15-19) season, and a bulk of seniors on last year's roster, one could assume the boy's program at Annawan is in a rebuilding year, however the exact opposite can be said of the girl's program.
A year ago, the Bravettes pushed eventual Class 1A 3rd place finisher, Ridgewood, to double overtime in the Sweet 16. Annawan loses just one starter, albeit, an all-stater and a top ten finisher for the state's Ms. Basketball award, Kelly Buresh (the school's all-time leading scorer, regardless of gender). The team has an infusion of young talent entering high school next year. Reports have indicated the freshman-to-be (Class of 2014), have gone 56-0 over the past two seasons.
I would assume, there would be much interest in that position statewide, but the position did not appear to be open long enough to gauge the potential coaching talent pool. All the best to DeMay and Burkewicz, and congratulations to them on their first varsity basketball head coaching gigs.
Burns was a casualty of the reduction in force (RIF), while Huber stepped down early this week, citing personal and family reasons.
After a (15-19) season, and a bulk of seniors on last year's roster, one could assume the boy's program at Annawan is in a rebuilding year, however the exact opposite can be said of the girl's program.
A year ago, the Bravettes pushed eventual Class 1A 3rd place finisher, Ridgewood, to double overtime in the Sweet 16. Annawan loses just one starter, albeit, an all-stater and a top ten finisher for the state's Ms. Basketball award, Kelly Buresh (the school's all-time leading scorer, regardless of gender). The team has an infusion of young talent entering high school next year. Reports have indicated the freshman-to-be (Class of 2014), have gone 56-0 over the past two seasons.
I would assume, there would be much interest in that position statewide, but the position did not appear to be open long enough to gauge the potential coaching talent pool. All the best to DeMay and Burkewicz, and congratulations to them on their first varsity basketball head coaching gigs.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Galesburg's Grand Slam Week: Peoria Woodruff @ Galesburg (Baseball)
Peoria Woodruff @ Galesburg (Baseball)
(4/22/10)
Driving into Galesburg with the window down on this Thursday afternoon, I thought of three things that I just despise, my pet peeves if you will. Smoking, rolling the toilet paper under, and...littering.
I can handle smoking, it's a personal choice, and since I don't like, I walk away. The toilet paper is easy, I just turn it over. Littering. That's a whole different ball game. As I cruised down the highway, like I do every day, the trash littered across the sides of the highway just grinded my gears. There is no point to littering, it is pure laziness. Well...so is my throwing my garbage in the backseat of the car, but that's my own problem. So, as you head out on the road for your next trip, hang on to that McDonald's bag and throw it away. DON'T LITTER!
The Galesburg Silver Streaks baseball program has had to overcome some adversity this week, with four players suspended due to disciplinary reasons. All four are starters for the Streaks. Three of them will miss 1/3 of the season (about 11 games), while the fourth will just miss a couple games. Nate Olin, the latter, actually would get a couple plate appearances on this day, after sitting out two games. To hear my interview with coach Arnie Gonzalez, visit http://www.ihssn.net/interviews.htm.
Woodruff was already batting when I pulled into the baseball/softball complex at Galesburg High School. The Streaks softball team was practicing, and the sophomore baseball team was hosting Washington on another diamond. It was a pretty full complex.
I walked into Jim Sundberg Field, and found my place, just to the right of home plate. The field is named after former Texas Rangers all-star (and one-time Chicago Cubs, had to get that in there) Jim Sundberg, a Galesburg graduate.
My apologies to any Woodruff Warriors fans reading this, I may have some misspellings, as I never recieved a baseball roster. Jeremiah Williams was on base, and scored the first run of the game shortly after I arrived on a Nick Bart two-run single to give Woodruff a 2-0 lead after their half of the inning.
That was all the scoring the Warriors would be doing. The Streaks answered right back with a 5-run first inning, and never looked back, posting a slow-pitch beer league softball score (23-2). Zach McCrery scored the first run, after reaching on a single. Nick Milligan followed, a night after hitting a walk-off grand slam in a 5-1 win over Richwoods the night before. Milligan tied the game, at 2-2. Brock Bush cranked a 2-run single, and Jake Henderson right behind Bush in the order, followed suit, giving the Streaks that three-run lead.
After batting through the order in the first inning, Galesburg starting pitcher Jacob Taylor sat down Woodruff in concession, for a 1-2-3 inning. This is the final year of Woodruff baseball, as the school will be shutting it's doors at the end of the school year. Students will attend other Peoria District 150 schools, with most attending either Peoria Central or Peoria Manual next year.
Galesburg batted through the order again in the second inning, and led 13-2 after two. The inning was highlighted by a Zach McCrery 2-run home run over the left field fence (about 330-340 feet). McCrery would one-up himself later in the game, with a grand slam over the same spot. He finished the game, 3-3, with two home runs, 6 RBI, and 3 runs scored. IHSSN will have a video interview of McCrery on Friday.
The Streaks rapped out seven hits, walked twice, and reached on one error in the second inning. Woodruff starter John Nemel lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up 10 runs on 9 hits. Shawn Whitelaw entered, but only pitched 2/3 of an inning, getting pulled in the third inning after giving up four runs, three walks, and a hit batsman.
With some pinch hitters getting at-bats in the third inning, Galesburg went through the order yet again, piling up seven more runs, taking a 20-2 lead. It was in this frame, that McCrery hit a grand slam, that scored Nate Olin (hit-by-pitch), Logan Scott (E4), and Jake Henderson (single).
In the fourth inning, the Warriors went down 1-2-3 once again, and the Streaks scored their final runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Cody Kukuk, Bo Merritt (video interview of Bo on Friday), and Jake Henderson scoring.
I was unable to catch the fifth inning due to trying to iron out some issues at the radio station. Technology is great, when you can log into the radio station's computer from a laptop at a baseball game!
After the game, I talked with Streaks head coach Arnie Gonzalez, and he pulled over Zach McCrery and Bo Merritt for video interviews. I complimented Merritt on a great first name, however he spells it differently.
The plans for Friday are to head back to Galesburg, to catch the Streaks hosting Canton, one of the preseason favorites in Class 2A softball. This may not come to fruition, with between a half and 3/4 inches of rain in the forecast. This could also wash out Saturday games as well.
(4/22/10)
Driving into Galesburg with the window down on this Thursday afternoon, I thought of three things that I just despise, my pet peeves if you will. Smoking, rolling the toilet paper under, and...littering.
I can handle smoking, it's a personal choice, and since I don't like, I walk away. The toilet paper is easy, I just turn it over. Littering. That's a whole different ball game. As I cruised down the highway, like I do every day, the trash littered across the sides of the highway just grinded my gears. There is no point to littering, it is pure laziness. Well...so is my throwing my garbage in the backseat of the car, but that's my own problem. So, as you head out on the road for your next trip, hang on to that McDonald's bag and throw it away. DON'T LITTER!
The Galesburg Silver Streaks baseball program has had to overcome some adversity this week, with four players suspended due to disciplinary reasons. All four are starters for the Streaks. Three of them will miss 1/3 of the season (about 11 games), while the fourth will just miss a couple games. Nate Olin, the latter, actually would get a couple plate appearances on this day, after sitting out two games. To hear my interview with coach Arnie Gonzalez, visit http://www.ihssn.net/interviews.htm.
Woodruff was already batting when I pulled into the baseball/softball complex at Galesburg High School. The Streaks softball team was practicing, and the sophomore baseball team was hosting Washington on another diamond. It was a pretty full complex.
I walked into Jim Sundberg Field, and found my place, just to the right of home plate. The field is named after former Texas Rangers all-star (and one-time Chicago Cubs, had to get that in there) Jim Sundberg, a Galesburg graduate.
My apologies to any Woodruff Warriors fans reading this, I may have some misspellings, as I never recieved a baseball roster. Jeremiah Williams was on base, and scored the first run of the game shortly after I arrived on a Nick Bart two-run single to give Woodruff a 2-0 lead after their half of the inning.
That was all the scoring the Warriors would be doing. The Streaks answered right back with a 5-run first inning, and never looked back, posting a slow-pitch beer league softball score (23-2). Zach McCrery scored the first run, after reaching on a single. Nick Milligan followed, a night after hitting a walk-off grand slam in a 5-1 win over Richwoods the night before. Milligan tied the game, at 2-2. Brock Bush cranked a 2-run single, and Jake Henderson right behind Bush in the order, followed suit, giving the Streaks that three-run lead.
After batting through the order in the first inning, Galesburg starting pitcher Jacob Taylor sat down Woodruff in concession, for a 1-2-3 inning. This is the final year of Woodruff baseball, as the school will be shutting it's doors at the end of the school year. Students will attend other Peoria District 150 schools, with most attending either Peoria Central or Peoria Manual next year.
Galesburg batted through the order again in the second inning, and led 13-2 after two. The inning was highlighted by a Zach McCrery 2-run home run over the left field fence (about 330-340 feet). McCrery would one-up himself later in the game, with a grand slam over the same spot. He finished the game, 3-3, with two home runs, 6 RBI, and 3 runs scored. IHSSN will have a video interview of McCrery on Friday.
The Streaks rapped out seven hits, walked twice, and reached on one error in the second inning. Woodruff starter John Nemel lasted only 1 2/3 innings, giving up 10 runs on 9 hits. Shawn Whitelaw entered, but only pitched 2/3 of an inning, getting pulled in the third inning after giving up four runs, three walks, and a hit batsman.
With some pinch hitters getting at-bats in the third inning, Galesburg went through the order yet again, piling up seven more runs, taking a 20-2 lead. It was in this frame, that McCrery hit a grand slam, that scored Nate Olin (hit-by-pitch), Logan Scott (E4), and Jake Henderson (single).
In the fourth inning, the Warriors went down 1-2-3 once again, and the Streaks scored their final runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Cody Kukuk, Bo Merritt (video interview of Bo on Friday), and Jake Henderson scoring.
I was unable to catch the fifth inning due to trying to iron out some issues at the radio station. Technology is great, when you can log into the radio station's computer from a laptop at a baseball game!
After the game, I talked with Streaks head coach Arnie Gonzalez, and he pulled over Zach McCrery and Bo Merritt for video interviews. I complimented Merritt on a great first name, however he spells it differently.
The plans for Friday are to head back to Galesburg, to catch the Streaks hosting Canton, one of the preseason favorites in Class 2A softball. This may not come to fruition, with between a half and 3/4 inches of rain in the forecast. This could also wash out Saturday games as well.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
She's Like the Wind: Mercer County @ Monmouth-Roseville (Softball)
Mercer County @ Monmouth-Roseville (Softball)
(4/21/10)
The stars had alligned, and unfortunately it was an allignment that you would rather not have. With so much on my mind at work, several tasks getting done at the same time, my mind was a frazzled mish-mash. The main reason, was that it seemed each computer I tried to work on, either failed, or was extremely slow, further complicating a busy day.
Getting everything done on time was a chore, but I was able to knock everything out only about five minutes later than I wanted to, to head out to Monmouth Park for the WRAM Game of the Week.
There was a 20-30% chance of rain in the forecast, and no press box at the field. Well...there is a press box, but the window does not open. And, that is only the semi-truth. It does open, however, it opens to the inside, and there are no hooks. Without risking a concussion, there isn't a way to keep it propped open, but at least the equipment can be kept in the shelter.
After getting everything dropped off in my broadcast location, at the top of the Monmouth Park bleachers, I headed down to talk with Monmouth-Roseville softball coach Tom Casteel. In his dugout, 1st baseman Kara Abbott was holding an ice pack to her head, just getting hit by a ball minutes before. She would be ok, and play the entire game.
After talking things over with Casteel, I headed over to the Mercer County dugout to speak with Daryl Bewley. His team comes in with a (5-9) record, and I caught the Golden Eagles when they played United a week ago. He has a young team, with four freshman starters. One of them, Morgan Weeks smoked a triple off of United ace Katie Bertelsen, and was the only baserunner in that game. We also talked about the great weather the area has seen this spring, commenting that we could actually even use some rain. There's that jinx, read on...
In the first inning, the visiting Golden Eagles took advantage of some defensive mistakes by the Titans, scoring two runs off of two errors. Monmouth-Roseville has struggled at times in the field, but according to my stats, did not commit another error the rest of the game, playing some solid defense. The bad thing for the Titans, was Mercer County was placing their hits right where the Titans defense wasn't. Mercer County would win the game, 5-2.
After Emma Downey and Jordan Ruh scored runs off errors, Emily Heard stepped up and roped an RBI single, scoring Morgan Weeks. Heard finished the game, 4-4 with an RBI and a run. Ruh finished with a pair of base hits, and Weeks went 0-1 with 2 walks and a run.
Lynsey Weber led off the first inning for the Titans, hitting a single, and scoring the first run for Monmouth-Roseville. Taylor Woods followed with a nicely laid bunt down the first base line to reach. Alex Nunez followed with another text book bunt, that just stopped dead after hitting the ground just 8 feet in front of home plate down the first base side. Kara Abbott then hit into a fairly rare, 4-3-5 double play.
Towards the end of the first inning, after mentioning the perfect weather, a slight breeze entered the area, which became a consistent breeze, which then turned into a downright gusty wind that brought with it some light sprinkles. No matter my occupation, wind has always been my enemy. I haven't had too many occupations, but it just reminded me of my youth, when delivering newspapers on my bike during this time of year and the windy conditions I would have to battle. Try as I might to cover that wind from my microphone, there is only so much wind a clipboard can block.
Monmouth-Roseville placed a couple batters on base in the second inning, with Tessa Barry (walk), Kayla Kane (fielder's choice), and Taylor Greenstreet (single) all getting on, but failing to score. Neither team scored in the third inning. Mercer County plated their final two runs in the fourth inning. Leading off the inning, Heard had a base hit, and scored on the throw off a Kimi Nelson single. Midge DeFrieze scored the last run for the Golden Eagles, off of a Molly Dietmeier bunt.
Try as I might, the jacket debate failed once again. On Monday, I had wished I wore my jacket to the North Fulton/Lewistown game. Tuesday, I made the right decision by opting against the jacket in Stronghurst, and today it seemed like it was going to be a really nice day, with just that slight breeze at first pitch, and temperatures in the low 70's. Through the 2nd inning, I was doing ok, then as I watched fans in the stands make car runs to grab jackets, I fell into that line of thinking. By the time the 3rd inning ended, I had my color commentator, Sam Brooks, run down to my car to grab my jacket. With only 0:60 of commercials between innings, I know I wasn't fast enough to make the run before going back on air. It could have been close, but my listeners would be hearing a lot of panting for the next inning.
The Titans scored their only other run in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Greenstreet singled, her second hit of the game, then scored on an Alex Nunez RBI single. Nunez finished the game, 3-3 with an RBI. Looking to rally in the 7th inning, the Titans went down 1-2-3 to end the game, and drop to (3-11) on the season.
(4/21/10)
The stars had alligned, and unfortunately it was an allignment that you would rather not have. With so much on my mind at work, several tasks getting done at the same time, my mind was a frazzled mish-mash. The main reason, was that it seemed each computer I tried to work on, either failed, or was extremely slow, further complicating a busy day.
Getting everything done on time was a chore, but I was able to knock everything out only about five minutes later than I wanted to, to head out to Monmouth Park for the WRAM Game of the Week.
There was a 20-30% chance of rain in the forecast, and no press box at the field. Well...there is a press box, but the window does not open. And, that is only the semi-truth. It does open, however, it opens to the inside, and there are no hooks. Without risking a concussion, there isn't a way to keep it propped open, but at least the equipment can be kept in the shelter.
After getting everything dropped off in my broadcast location, at the top of the Monmouth Park bleachers, I headed down to talk with Monmouth-Roseville softball coach Tom Casteel. In his dugout, 1st baseman Kara Abbott was holding an ice pack to her head, just getting hit by a ball minutes before. She would be ok, and play the entire game.
After talking things over with Casteel, I headed over to the Mercer County dugout to speak with Daryl Bewley. His team comes in with a (5-9) record, and I caught the Golden Eagles when they played United a week ago. He has a young team, with four freshman starters. One of them, Morgan Weeks smoked a triple off of United ace Katie Bertelsen, and was the only baserunner in that game. We also talked about the great weather the area has seen this spring, commenting that we could actually even use some rain. There's that jinx, read on...
In the first inning, the visiting Golden Eagles took advantage of some defensive mistakes by the Titans, scoring two runs off of two errors. Monmouth-Roseville has struggled at times in the field, but according to my stats, did not commit another error the rest of the game, playing some solid defense. The bad thing for the Titans, was Mercer County was placing their hits right where the Titans defense wasn't. Mercer County would win the game, 5-2.
After Emma Downey and Jordan Ruh scored runs off errors, Emily Heard stepped up and roped an RBI single, scoring Morgan Weeks. Heard finished the game, 4-4 with an RBI and a run. Ruh finished with a pair of base hits, and Weeks went 0-1 with 2 walks and a run.
Lynsey Weber led off the first inning for the Titans, hitting a single, and scoring the first run for Monmouth-Roseville. Taylor Woods followed with a nicely laid bunt down the first base line to reach. Alex Nunez followed with another text book bunt, that just stopped dead after hitting the ground just 8 feet in front of home plate down the first base side. Kara Abbott then hit into a fairly rare, 4-3-5 double play.
Towards the end of the first inning, after mentioning the perfect weather, a slight breeze entered the area, which became a consistent breeze, which then turned into a downright gusty wind that brought with it some light sprinkles. No matter my occupation, wind has always been my enemy. I haven't had too many occupations, but it just reminded me of my youth, when delivering newspapers on my bike during this time of year and the windy conditions I would have to battle. Try as I might to cover that wind from my microphone, there is only so much wind a clipboard can block.
Monmouth-Roseville placed a couple batters on base in the second inning, with Tessa Barry (walk), Kayla Kane (fielder's choice), and Taylor Greenstreet (single) all getting on, but failing to score. Neither team scored in the third inning. Mercer County plated their final two runs in the fourth inning. Leading off the inning, Heard had a base hit, and scored on the throw off a Kimi Nelson single. Midge DeFrieze scored the last run for the Golden Eagles, off of a Molly Dietmeier bunt.
Try as I might, the jacket debate failed once again. On Monday, I had wished I wore my jacket to the North Fulton/Lewistown game. Tuesday, I made the right decision by opting against the jacket in Stronghurst, and today it seemed like it was going to be a really nice day, with just that slight breeze at first pitch, and temperatures in the low 70's. Through the 2nd inning, I was doing ok, then as I watched fans in the stands make car runs to grab jackets, I fell into that line of thinking. By the time the 3rd inning ended, I had my color commentator, Sam Brooks, run down to my car to grab my jacket. With only 0:60 of commercials between innings, I know I wasn't fast enough to make the run before going back on air. It could have been close, but my listeners would be hearing a lot of panting for the next inning.
The Titans scored their only other run in the bottom of the 5th inning, when Greenstreet singled, her second hit of the game, then scored on an Alex Nunez RBI single. Nunez finished the game, 3-3 with an RBI. Looking to rally in the 7th inning, the Titans went down 1-2-3 to end the game, and drop to (3-11) on the season.
A Return to Sectional Complexes a No-Go
Back in June 2008, the IHSA changed the postseason structure in many sports, including basketball and volleyball. With fuel prices hovering, and climbing over $4.00/gallon, travel concerns became the forefront to concerns in school athletics. The Association moved to change the sectional seeding complex in the postseason, to more localized regional tournaments, cutting travel.
At times, this has saved money for schools, however we are not paying $4.00 gas anymore, but school districts are even more pinched, financially, than in 2008. Many fans, coaches, and administrators did not like the move to regional tournaments with the possibilty of two very strong teams meeting up in a regional championship game, as opposed to a sectional meeting.
Breese Central principal Kent Jones, on behalf of the 12-member Cahokia Conference, sent a letter to the IHSA Tournament Advisory Committee, to change back to the old sectional seeding system. You can hear my entire interview with Jones online at www.ihssn.net.
At times, this has saved money for schools, however we are not paying $4.00 gas anymore, but school districts are even more pinched, financially, than in 2008. Many fans, coaches, and administrators did not like the move to regional tournaments with the possibilty of two very strong teams meeting up in a regional championship game, as opposed to a sectional meeting.
Breese Central principal Kent Jones, on behalf of the 12-member Cahokia Conference, sent a letter to the IHSA Tournament Advisory Committee, to change back to the old sectional seeding system. You can hear my entire interview with Jones online at www.ihssn.net.
Basketball Coaching Openings
In the northern part of the state, a couple jobs have opened up and one filled. Nice jobs are open at Class 1A Annawan. Girl's basketball coach Matt Huber turned in his letter of resignation. He led the Bravettes to a Sweet 16 appearance, where his team took eventual 1A 3rd place finisher Ridgewood to double overtime in the Sectional Championship. Annawan loses All-Stater Kelly Buresh, but brings back 4 starters, and an extremely talented freshman-to-be class, that has gone something like 56-0 in the last 2 years.
Speaking of Annawan, Merritt Burns, the boy's basketball coach became a victim of the RIF (reduction in force), that has plagued teachers and coaches statewide, recently. The Braves finished 4th in Class 1A just two seasons ago (under current Sterling coach Ryan Brown), when Burns was an assistant.
All roads seem to lead to Annawan in this blog, since former Annawan boy's basketball coach Eric Lawson has landed another coaching gig at his current school, Bureau Valley, a basketball hotbed. Lawson takes over for Brad Bickett who led the Storm to multiple state finals appearances a decade ago. Lawson was an all-state basketball player at Sherrard, and most recently was the head coach at Mendota, before becoming athletic director at Bureau Valley. Lawson spent a season at Rockridge as an assistant after leading the Braves to a regional championship earlier this decade.
For more information on coaching openings, and spots filled, check out one my favorite website, www.illinoishighschoolsports.com. Here is a direct link to the coaching openings thread. http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51389.
Speaking of Annawan, Merritt Burns, the boy's basketball coach became a victim of the RIF (reduction in force), that has plagued teachers and coaches statewide, recently. The Braves finished 4th in Class 1A just two seasons ago (under current Sterling coach Ryan Brown), when Burns was an assistant.
All roads seem to lead to Annawan in this blog, since former Annawan boy's basketball coach Eric Lawson has landed another coaching gig at his current school, Bureau Valley, a basketball hotbed. Lawson takes over for Brad Bickett who led the Storm to multiple state finals appearances a decade ago. Lawson was an all-state basketball player at Sherrard, and most recently was the head coach at Mendota, before becoming athletic director at Bureau Valley. Lawson spent a season at Rockridge as an assistant after leading the Braves to a regional championship earlier this decade.
For more information on coaching openings, and spots filled, check out one my favorite website, www.illinoishighschoolsports.com. Here is a direct link to the coaching openings thread. http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51389.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Disco Memories, an Umpire Delay, and the Heat Were Hot in Stronghurst
Annawan/Wethersfield @ (Biggsville) West Central
Softball/Baseball
(4/20/10)
Another advanced notice trip, gave me some time to gather lineups and rosters in (attempting) to cover both the Titans/Heat matchup in softball and baseball. Both Annawan/Wethersfield coaches (Jeff Parsons and Jeremy Trill) returned my emails in the morning, giving me some names to talk to after the game.
I was able to reach West Central softball coach John Morrison on his cell phone during the day, to let him know I would be coming over, and looking to interview him, and a few of his players after the game.
With many stories I was working on in the morning, I thought it was going to be a squeeze play in trying to get out of work in time, and make the short drive over to Stronghurst. As it turned out, I was able to head out the door at 3:45, and forgot how close Stronghurst was to Monmouth. This gave me extra time for a stop at Casey's (jeez....I need to get something in return from Casey's for all the money I spend at their wonderful General Stores, as well as the plugs in my blogs) for a Gatorade (Lemon-Lime) and a bag of ranch flavored sunflower seeds. This is already my third bag of seeds this season, the first two were barbecue. Going to ranch, was a nice changeup. Next up: Jalapeno.
It's not too often I cruise the highways of Henderson County. One of my first, if not my first, trip into Henderson County was right out of high school. During a road trip to a Cubs/White Sox game, I was scoping out the Illinois map in an Atlas, looking for funny-named towns in our state. One that really stood out for me was, Disco, Illinois. Disco is a (probably unincorporated) town between Stronghurst and LaHarpe. On a boring Sunday, me and a couple buddies hopped in a car and took off for Disco, to check it out. Disco was home to a handful of houses, a set of railroad tracks, and some grain elevators. What were we expecting? I don't know, maybe some bell bottoms, leisure suits, and the Bee-Gees.
The last couple games I have arrived at the diamonds shortly after 4:30, and the games have been well underway. It seems as though, most of the recent games have begun at 4:25. Arriving at 4:15, I knew the games could not have started, and in fact, neither would start on time.
I had no idea where the diamonds were in Stronghurst. I have been to the school a couple times, announcing games for the (Stronghurst) Southern Rebels several seasons ago. I cruised through the downtown of Stronghurst and made my way over to the high school grounds. The ball diamonds sit near the school, and not too far from the Henderson County Fairgrounds.
The two diamonds sit next to each other. The softball diamond, which is to the east of the baseball diamond, has homeplate looking out to the southeast. The baseball diamond has home plate looking to the southwest. The softball diamond is also several feet further south than the baseball diamond, so with the angles of the two fields, foul balls getting sprayed onto one field or another is probably a rare occurrence.
At 4:30, neither game had started, and in fact, I hadn't noticed any umpires on the softball side. I had a short chat with Annawan/Wethersfield baseball coach Jeff Parsons, and he gave me an updated lineup card for the game. The baseball game started at 4:33, according to my watch.
By 4:38, the softball umpires made their way over to the diamond, and we were playing ball at 4:41. With the delay in the softball game, I turned one direction, and watched the top of the first inning in the baseball game. Aaron DeClercq hit a 2-run single, and the Titans led 2-0 after an inning in baseball.
Over on the softball side, at Stan Fisher Field, the visiting Titans also took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, when Chloe VanOpdorp hit a 2-run single. The host Heat answered right back, in the bottom of the frame, scoring three runs. Alexis Ensminger rapped a base hit, and scored the team's first run. Ensminger advanced on Jessica Ditsworth's bunt, and tried to take third. It looked like she was going to be out, but while sliding into third, the ball squired away, and she was able to score. The freshman finished the game, 3-3, and scored 4 runs. Ditsworth, also a freshman, went 3-3 with 3 runs, while classmates Madison Newberry went 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI, and Kayla Long went 2-3 with a run. Four freshman start for the Heat softball team, along with a junior and four seniors.
Ditsworth scored the tying run in the first inning on an Alisa Johnson RBI single. Johnson scored on a Justine Dillard RBI single. Johnson finished 1-4 with an RBI and a run, while Dillard went 3-4 with an RBI.
The Titans were able to get just one hit in the second inning, a bunt by Tessa Swedman, off of West Central starter, Mariah Brooks. In the bottom of the second, Ensminger had a single and scored a run, and Ditsworth reached on a fielder's choice, then scored the fifth run (5-2) on a passed ball.
Annawan/Wethersfield closed to within a run in the third inning. The first two batters would reach on a dropped third strike, and a walk, and come around to score, making it, 5-4. Once again, the hosts would answer back, and extend the lead to five runs in the third inning. Newberry led off the frame with a ground-rule double after it bounced over the fence. Dillard followed with a single, and stole second. She was called out in a collision at third base. It looked like the umpire in the field wasn't sure if she was out or safe, and after a brief look of confusion, asked, "Show me the ball?" She was called out. Long then followed with a base hit, then Hillary Pence drew a walk, followed by an RBI triple by Ensminger, and an RBI but by Ditsworth.
In the fourth inning, Titans head coach Jeremy Trill was given a warning by the home plate umpire. Early in the game, Trill asked the ump if the runner at second base had left early. The umpire replied, "no". Trill, then asked, "well were you looking?" Fast forward to the fourth inning, and during the Ditsworth bunt, Trill asked if she was in the batter's box. The umpire said something to the effect, that, that is enough and that is your warning.
The Titans were sat down, 1-2-3 in the fourth inning. Just a Newberry single and stolen base in the fourth inning for the Heat, leading 9-4. The first three Annawan/Wethersfield batters reached base in the fifth inning. The base runners reached on an error in the outfield, a fielder's choice, and an infield single, but no runs scored.
The scoring flood gates opened up in the bottom of the 5th inning for the Heat. Pence reached on a bunt single, and scored the first run of the frame, then Ensminger reached on a fielder's choice, followed by another Ditsworth bunt, then Brooks walked. All four would come around to score, making it, 13-4, after Newberry hit a two-run single. One more run would make it a game, and that came with the bases loaded with two outs. Newberry scored the run after Erin Bavery was issued a walk, giving West Central the 14-4 win in five innings.
Following the game, I talked with West Central head coach John Morrison, while waiting for Coach Trill (giving infield practice with the JV). It was then Coach Trill's turn, who was getting heckled by his Titans players before the video interview. It was the girls' chance to get heckled next, as I interviewed the four Annawan/Wethersfield captains (Chloe VanOpdorp, Ali Stern, Brittany Lewis, and Sam DeClercq).
After those interviews, I made my way over to the West Central dugout, and interviewed the four West Central seniors (Mariah Brooks, Justine Dillard, Alisa Johnson, and Erin Bavery). It is always funny how some of the players get nervous on camera. Bavery, which is pronounced Bay-ver-ee (not Bah-ver-ee) said she was a little nervous, but all did a great job.
With the JV games now in full force, I headed over and talked with Annawan/Wethersfield baseball coach Jeff Parsons. I glanced at his scorebook and got the Titans stats, with their 13-6 win over West Central. Sean Walker has been tearing the cover off the ball, and today went 3-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs. Walker is 12-15 and has hit a home run in each of the last three Lincoln Trail Conference games. Sam DeClercq went 3-5 with 3 RBI, and Jake DeJaegher went 3-5 with 2 runs and an RBI. The latter also earned the win, improving to (5-1) on the season. He went 6 2/3 inning with 6 strikeouts.
Parsons and I talked for at least a half hour, from this year's Titans baseball team, to Wethersfield Flying Geese basketball, in which he feels very, very strongly about next season, with a great 8th grade class coming in. We also talked about the rest of the LTC for basketball, as well as his playing days at Williamsfield for Bob Anderson in the 1980's.
During the JV game, the West Central Heat were absolutely crushing the ball. Freshman Trey Goff crushed a ball over the right-centerfield fence (over the 344 feet sign), that drove in 3 runs. It was very impressive off the bat of a freshman. With nightfall setting in, and the lights on in Stronghurst, I called it a night around 7:45.
Softball/Baseball
(4/20/10)
Another advanced notice trip, gave me some time to gather lineups and rosters in (attempting) to cover both the Titans/Heat matchup in softball and baseball. Both Annawan/Wethersfield coaches (Jeff Parsons and Jeremy Trill) returned my emails in the morning, giving me some names to talk to after the game.
I was able to reach West Central softball coach John Morrison on his cell phone during the day, to let him know I would be coming over, and looking to interview him, and a few of his players after the game.
With many stories I was working on in the morning, I thought it was going to be a squeeze play in trying to get out of work in time, and make the short drive over to Stronghurst. As it turned out, I was able to head out the door at 3:45, and forgot how close Stronghurst was to Monmouth. This gave me extra time for a stop at Casey's (jeez....I need to get something in return from Casey's for all the money I spend at their wonderful General Stores, as well as the plugs in my blogs) for a Gatorade (Lemon-Lime) and a bag of ranch flavored sunflower seeds. This is already my third bag of seeds this season, the first two were barbecue. Going to ranch, was a nice changeup. Next up: Jalapeno.
It's not too often I cruise the highways of Henderson County. One of my first, if not my first, trip into Henderson County was right out of high school. During a road trip to a Cubs/White Sox game, I was scoping out the Illinois map in an Atlas, looking for funny-named towns in our state. One that really stood out for me was, Disco, Illinois. Disco is a (probably unincorporated) town between Stronghurst and LaHarpe. On a boring Sunday, me and a couple buddies hopped in a car and took off for Disco, to check it out. Disco was home to a handful of houses, a set of railroad tracks, and some grain elevators. What were we expecting? I don't know, maybe some bell bottoms, leisure suits, and the Bee-Gees.
The last couple games I have arrived at the diamonds shortly after 4:30, and the games have been well underway. It seems as though, most of the recent games have begun at 4:25. Arriving at 4:15, I knew the games could not have started, and in fact, neither would start on time.
I had no idea where the diamonds were in Stronghurst. I have been to the school a couple times, announcing games for the (Stronghurst) Southern Rebels several seasons ago. I cruised through the downtown of Stronghurst and made my way over to the high school grounds. The ball diamonds sit near the school, and not too far from the Henderson County Fairgrounds.
The two diamonds sit next to each other. The softball diamond, which is to the east of the baseball diamond, has homeplate looking out to the southeast. The baseball diamond has home plate looking to the southwest. The softball diamond is also several feet further south than the baseball diamond, so with the angles of the two fields, foul balls getting sprayed onto one field or another is probably a rare occurrence.
At 4:30, neither game had started, and in fact, I hadn't noticed any umpires on the softball side. I had a short chat with Annawan/Wethersfield baseball coach Jeff Parsons, and he gave me an updated lineup card for the game. The baseball game started at 4:33, according to my watch.
By 4:38, the softball umpires made their way over to the diamond, and we were playing ball at 4:41. With the delay in the softball game, I turned one direction, and watched the top of the first inning in the baseball game. Aaron DeClercq hit a 2-run single, and the Titans led 2-0 after an inning in baseball.
Over on the softball side, at Stan Fisher Field, the visiting Titans also took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, when Chloe VanOpdorp hit a 2-run single. The host Heat answered right back, in the bottom of the frame, scoring three runs. Alexis Ensminger rapped a base hit, and scored the team's first run. Ensminger advanced on Jessica Ditsworth's bunt, and tried to take third. It looked like she was going to be out, but while sliding into third, the ball squired away, and she was able to score. The freshman finished the game, 3-3, and scored 4 runs. Ditsworth, also a freshman, went 3-3 with 3 runs, while classmates Madison Newberry went 2-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI, and Kayla Long went 2-3 with a run. Four freshman start for the Heat softball team, along with a junior and four seniors.
Ditsworth scored the tying run in the first inning on an Alisa Johnson RBI single. Johnson scored on a Justine Dillard RBI single. Johnson finished 1-4 with an RBI and a run, while Dillard went 3-4 with an RBI.
The Titans were able to get just one hit in the second inning, a bunt by Tessa Swedman, off of West Central starter, Mariah Brooks. In the bottom of the second, Ensminger had a single and scored a run, and Ditsworth reached on a fielder's choice, then scored the fifth run (5-2) on a passed ball.
Annawan/Wethersfield closed to within a run in the third inning. The first two batters would reach on a dropped third strike, and a walk, and come around to score, making it, 5-4. Once again, the hosts would answer back, and extend the lead to five runs in the third inning. Newberry led off the frame with a ground-rule double after it bounced over the fence. Dillard followed with a single, and stole second. She was called out in a collision at third base. It looked like the umpire in the field wasn't sure if she was out or safe, and after a brief look of confusion, asked, "Show me the ball?" She was called out. Long then followed with a base hit, then Hillary Pence drew a walk, followed by an RBI triple by Ensminger, and an RBI but by Ditsworth.
In the fourth inning, Titans head coach Jeremy Trill was given a warning by the home plate umpire. Early in the game, Trill asked the ump if the runner at second base had left early. The umpire replied, "no". Trill, then asked, "well were you looking?" Fast forward to the fourth inning, and during the Ditsworth bunt, Trill asked if she was in the batter's box. The umpire said something to the effect, that, that is enough and that is your warning.
The Titans were sat down, 1-2-3 in the fourth inning. Just a Newberry single and stolen base in the fourth inning for the Heat, leading 9-4. The first three Annawan/Wethersfield batters reached base in the fifth inning. The base runners reached on an error in the outfield, a fielder's choice, and an infield single, but no runs scored.
The scoring flood gates opened up in the bottom of the 5th inning for the Heat. Pence reached on a bunt single, and scored the first run of the frame, then Ensminger reached on a fielder's choice, followed by another Ditsworth bunt, then Brooks walked. All four would come around to score, making it, 13-4, after Newberry hit a two-run single. One more run would make it a game, and that came with the bases loaded with two outs. Newberry scored the run after Erin Bavery was issued a walk, giving West Central the 14-4 win in five innings.
Following the game, I talked with West Central head coach John Morrison, while waiting for Coach Trill (giving infield practice with the JV). It was then Coach Trill's turn, who was getting heckled by his Titans players before the video interview. It was the girls' chance to get heckled next, as I interviewed the four Annawan/Wethersfield captains (Chloe VanOpdorp, Ali Stern, Brittany Lewis, and Sam DeClercq).
After those interviews, I made my way over to the West Central dugout, and interviewed the four West Central seniors (Mariah Brooks, Justine Dillard, Alisa Johnson, and Erin Bavery). It is always funny how some of the players get nervous on camera. Bavery, which is pronounced Bay-ver-ee (not Bah-ver-ee) said she was a little nervous, but all did a great job.
With the JV games now in full force, I headed over and talked with Annawan/Wethersfield baseball coach Jeff Parsons. I glanced at his scorebook and got the Titans stats, with their 13-6 win over West Central. Sean Walker has been tearing the cover off the ball, and today went 3-3 with 3 RBI and 3 runs. Walker is 12-15 and has hit a home run in each of the last three Lincoln Trail Conference games. Sam DeClercq went 3-5 with 3 RBI, and Jake DeJaegher went 3-5 with 2 runs and an RBI. The latter also earned the win, improving to (5-1) on the season. He went 6 2/3 inning with 6 strikeouts.
Parsons and I talked for at least a half hour, from this year's Titans baseball team, to Wethersfield Flying Geese basketball, in which he feels very, very strongly about next season, with a great 8th grade class coming in. We also talked about the rest of the LTC for basketball, as well as his playing days at Williamsfield for Bob Anderson in the 1980's.
During the JV game, the West Central Heat were absolutely crushing the ball. Freshman Trey Goff crushed a ball over the right-centerfield fence (over the 344 feet sign), that drove in 3 runs. It was very impressive off the bat of a freshman. With nightfall setting in, and the lights on in Stronghurst, I called it a night around 7:45.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Frigid in Fairview: Lewistown @ North Fulton (Softball)
Lewistown @ North Fulton (Softball)
(4/19/10)
Monday began with another one of those, "where am I going today?" moments. Early in the morning, I checked out the area baseball/softball schedule, and tried to find a match within drive time from work, and see a team or two I hadn't checked out this season.
The perfect destination was catching some Prairieland Conference softball between Lewistown, as they visited their neighbors to the north, North Fulton. The Wildcats of North Fulton play their softball in Fairview, which is a five mile drive south on Route 97 from Spoon River Valley High School (located between London Mills and Fairview). Valley is one half of the North Fulton co-op, along with Cuba High School.
I shot Lewistown head coach Joey McLaughlin an email saying, time permitting, I would head over and cover the game, and would like to talk with a couple girls after the game. He replied with a few names to talk with.
Normally, Monday's are pretty tight to squeeze in a 4:30 game, but today we had some quick meetings at work, and was able to head out the door at 3:30 to make the nearly one hour drive over to Fairview. There is no easy way to get to Fairview, from Monmouth. I actually missed a turn down a country road early in the trip, that, according to Garmin, added two minutes to my drive time.
The path, the GPS directed me, took me over to Cameron, then the country road that shoots from Cameron over to Route 41 between Galesburg and Abingdon. From there, I drive through Abingdon, down to the crossroads, where the highway meets Route 116. A left hand turn, and the drive goes through Fulton County, past London Mills, and on out to the intersection with Route 97. At this intersection is where you find Spoon River Valley High School. It is five miles from this point into Fairview.
It was 4:28 when I pulled into town, next to the diamonds in Fairview. I noticed the Lewistown Indians were already at-bat, meaning the top of the first inning had already commenced. My guestimation, was they had a 4:25 start time, which has been the usual at many games I have been to this season.
This was my first trip to the Fairview park. By the way, there are no outfield fences in Fairview. I was pretty amazed at the quality of the facilities here. Brand new, really nice scoreboard, decent dugouts, and even a press box behind home plate. There were a few bleachers, which is where I sat, just to the left of home plate.
Lewistown had jumped out to a 1-0 lead by the time I popped a squat. As I was walking into the park, Katie Dinkheller hit an RBI double, to make it 2-0. Courtney McKown, North Fulton's starting pitcher hit a single in the first inning for the host Wildcats, but she would be the inning's only baserunner.
McKown turned around, and struck out the side in the second inning. It was a 1-2-3 inning for the Wildcats in the 2nd inning as well. It was very chilly, with cloudy skies and cool temperatures, not to mention a cool breeze blowing. I am guessing, game time temperatures in the low 60's.
Knowing it was going to be cool, I had my jacket ready to be worn, but after getting out of my car upon arriving, I decided it wasn't needed. About a half of an inning into the game, I decided I made the wrong assesment. There was no going back now, it was just that temperature, where it was cold, but not too cold. I decided to tough it out.
Rachel Bull led off the third inning for Lewistown with an infield single. She advanced to 2nd base on a bunt attempt by Whitney Wilkinson, and was nearly caught up in the base paths, trying to get to third base, but made it safely back to 2nd. Bull would score on an RBI double by Jordyn Rhodes, making it 3-0 Lewistown.
The only base runner North Fulton had in the 3rd inning was Renee Slater, who reached on an error. A grandmother and her grandson sat in front of me for the most part of the game. One thing I miss when broadcasting games, is hearing the great quotes from spectators. The boy, who must have been four or five (I am really bad at aging someone), had some great drop-in quotes throughout the game. One of my favorites was, "Grandma, they're not even hittin' the ball, they're just standin' there with the bat." Kids do say the darndest things. One of the first things the boy mentioned when he sat down was, "Grandma.....how come it's all girls playin'?"
Lewistown has two baserunners in the top of the fourth inning, with Vanessa Smith reaching on an error, and Rachel Bull hitting a single. Smith would be called out at the plate for the third out on Bull's basehit.
North Fulton went down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning, and the Indians led off the fifth inning with a pair of singles. Wilkinson and Kalie Bainter each rapped base hits to start the frame. With one away, Katie Dinkheller hit into a 5-3-2 double play to end the inning.
Megan Baker was the only Wildcat to reach base in the fifth inning, on a walk. Lacie Henderson, Lewistown's starting pitcher reached on an error in the outfield in the bottom of the fifth. The Wildcats plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. McKown had a base hit, went to second base on a Morgan Miller single, and then scored on an RBI single by Meredith Beoletto, to make it a 3-1 game.
The two extra insurance runs were added by the Indians in the seventh inning. Rachel Bull hit another single, after spraying about four foul balls into the bleacher area near the North Fulton dugout, and would come around to score on a 2-run single by Rhodes. Jordyn Rhodes finished with 3 RBI. Bainter scored the fifth run, after reaching on a fielder's choice.
Trying to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, Stefanie Martin led off the frame with a single for the hosts. She was taken away with a 4-6-3 double play, led off by Lewistown 2nd baseman Brittany Keeler, who flipped it to shortstop Kalie Bainter, who made the perfect throw to 1st baseman Whitney Wilkinson. Kelsey Hanlin then reached on a walk, and Renee Slater hit a single, before McKown popped out to centerfield for the final out and to end the game, with the visiting Lewistown Indians prevailing, 5-1.
After getting my notes ready for the postgame talks, I headed over near the Lewistown dugout. I overheard some parents talking, with one of them saying someone had been texting scores from this game to the Canton (WBYS) radio station. I interjected, that it was me. WBYS was carrying the Metamora/Canton baseball game. The woman who made the comment happened to be Rachel Bull's mother, and her husband was in the fields listening to WBYS and hearing those updates.
Bull, was one of the three Indians softball players that I would interview on video. Those interviews will be available sometime Tuesday. The other two interviewees were Whitney Wilkinson and Kalie Bainter, as well as head coach Joey McLaughlin. The Indians are now (7-6) overall and (2-2) in the Prairieland Conference.
I took the cross country way back from Fairview, going through Ellisville, and coming out on Route 41 between Bushnell and Prairie City. One of my most memorable postgame trips came this very route. When I was broadcasting Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon football games on 104.7 WLMD, I was making the trip back from Peoria Heights with my color commentator, Tony Davis (softball coach at Lowpoint-Washburn).
As we were driving through the very country roads that Friday night, a very ominous light was in the overhead skies. We kept looking at it and joking, and it seemed almost surreal, like something out of a movie. It is hard to explain, but the light was just moving in a very unreal direction. The funniest thing is, we pulled off to the side of the road, and took pictures with our cell phone cameras (and this was when cell phone cameras first started popping up). After a few minutes, and some nerve-wracking moments, we discovered it was a Medi-Vac helicopter.
(4/19/10)
Monday began with another one of those, "where am I going today?" moments. Early in the morning, I checked out the area baseball/softball schedule, and tried to find a match within drive time from work, and see a team or two I hadn't checked out this season.
The perfect destination was catching some Prairieland Conference softball between Lewistown, as they visited their neighbors to the north, North Fulton. The Wildcats of North Fulton play their softball in Fairview, which is a five mile drive south on Route 97 from Spoon River Valley High School (located between London Mills and Fairview). Valley is one half of the North Fulton co-op, along with Cuba High School.
I shot Lewistown head coach Joey McLaughlin an email saying, time permitting, I would head over and cover the game, and would like to talk with a couple girls after the game. He replied with a few names to talk with.
Normally, Monday's are pretty tight to squeeze in a 4:30 game, but today we had some quick meetings at work, and was able to head out the door at 3:30 to make the nearly one hour drive over to Fairview. There is no easy way to get to Fairview, from Monmouth. I actually missed a turn down a country road early in the trip, that, according to Garmin, added two minutes to my drive time.
The path, the GPS directed me, took me over to Cameron, then the country road that shoots from Cameron over to Route 41 between Galesburg and Abingdon. From there, I drive through Abingdon, down to the crossroads, where the highway meets Route 116. A left hand turn, and the drive goes through Fulton County, past London Mills, and on out to the intersection with Route 97. At this intersection is where you find Spoon River Valley High School. It is five miles from this point into Fairview.
It was 4:28 when I pulled into town, next to the diamonds in Fairview. I noticed the Lewistown Indians were already at-bat, meaning the top of the first inning had already commenced. My guestimation, was they had a 4:25 start time, which has been the usual at many games I have been to this season.
This was my first trip to the Fairview park. By the way, there are no outfield fences in Fairview. I was pretty amazed at the quality of the facilities here. Brand new, really nice scoreboard, decent dugouts, and even a press box behind home plate. There were a few bleachers, which is where I sat, just to the left of home plate.
Lewistown had jumped out to a 1-0 lead by the time I popped a squat. As I was walking into the park, Katie Dinkheller hit an RBI double, to make it 2-0. Courtney McKown, North Fulton's starting pitcher hit a single in the first inning for the host Wildcats, but she would be the inning's only baserunner.
McKown turned around, and struck out the side in the second inning. It was a 1-2-3 inning for the Wildcats in the 2nd inning as well. It was very chilly, with cloudy skies and cool temperatures, not to mention a cool breeze blowing. I am guessing, game time temperatures in the low 60's.
Knowing it was going to be cool, I had my jacket ready to be worn, but after getting out of my car upon arriving, I decided it wasn't needed. About a half of an inning into the game, I decided I made the wrong assesment. There was no going back now, it was just that temperature, where it was cold, but not too cold. I decided to tough it out.
Rachel Bull led off the third inning for Lewistown with an infield single. She advanced to 2nd base on a bunt attempt by Whitney Wilkinson, and was nearly caught up in the base paths, trying to get to third base, but made it safely back to 2nd. Bull would score on an RBI double by Jordyn Rhodes, making it 3-0 Lewistown.
The only base runner North Fulton had in the 3rd inning was Renee Slater, who reached on an error. A grandmother and her grandson sat in front of me for the most part of the game. One thing I miss when broadcasting games, is hearing the great quotes from spectators. The boy, who must have been four or five (I am really bad at aging someone), had some great drop-in quotes throughout the game. One of my favorites was, "Grandma, they're not even hittin' the ball, they're just standin' there with the bat." Kids do say the darndest things. One of the first things the boy mentioned when he sat down was, "Grandma.....how come it's all girls playin'?"
Lewistown has two baserunners in the top of the fourth inning, with Vanessa Smith reaching on an error, and Rachel Bull hitting a single. Smith would be called out at the plate for the third out on Bull's basehit.
North Fulton went down 1-2-3 in the fourth inning, and the Indians led off the fifth inning with a pair of singles. Wilkinson and Kalie Bainter each rapped base hits to start the frame. With one away, Katie Dinkheller hit into a 5-3-2 double play to end the inning.
Megan Baker was the only Wildcat to reach base in the fifth inning, on a walk. Lacie Henderson, Lewistown's starting pitcher reached on an error in the outfield in the bottom of the fifth. The Wildcats plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. McKown had a base hit, went to second base on a Morgan Miller single, and then scored on an RBI single by Meredith Beoletto, to make it a 3-1 game.
The two extra insurance runs were added by the Indians in the seventh inning. Rachel Bull hit another single, after spraying about four foul balls into the bleacher area near the North Fulton dugout, and would come around to score on a 2-run single by Rhodes. Jordyn Rhodes finished with 3 RBI. Bainter scored the fifth run, after reaching on a fielder's choice.
Trying to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, Stefanie Martin led off the frame with a single for the hosts. She was taken away with a 4-6-3 double play, led off by Lewistown 2nd baseman Brittany Keeler, who flipped it to shortstop Kalie Bainter, who made the perfect throw to 1st baseman Whitney Wilkinson. Kelsey Hanlin then reached on a walk, and Renee Slater hit a single, before McKown popped out to centerfield for the final out and to end the game, with the visiting Lewistown Indians prevailing, 5-1.
After getting my notes ready for the postgame talks, I headed over near the Lewistown dugout. I overheard some parents talking, with one of them saying someone had been texting scores from this game to the Canton (WBYS) radio station. I interjected, that it was me. WBYS was carrying the Metamora/Canton baseball game. The woman who made the comment happened to be Rachel Bull's mother, and her husband was in the fields listening to WBYS and hearing those updates.
Bull, was one of the three Indians softball players that I would interview on video. Those interviews will be available sometime Tuesday. The other two interviewees were Whitney Wilkinson and Kalie Bainter, as well as head coach Joey McLaughlin. The Indians are now (7-6) overall and (2-2) in the Prairieland Conference.
I took the cross country way back from Fairview, going through Ellisville, and coming out on Route 41 between Bushnell and Prairie City. One of my most memorable postgame trips came this very route. When I was broadcasting Bushnell-Prairie City/Avon football games on 104.7 WLMD, I was making the trip back from Peoria Heights with my color commentator, Tony Davis (softball coach at Lowpoint-Washburn).
As we were driving through the very country roads that Friday night, a very ominous light was in the overhead skies. We kept looking at it and joking, and it seemed almost surreal, like something out of a movie. It is hard to explain, but the light was just moving in a very unreal direction. The funniest thing is, we pulled off to the side of the road, and took pictures with our cell phone cameras (and this was when cell phone cameras first started popping up). After a few minutes, and some nerve-wracking moments, we discovered it was a Medi-Vac helicopter.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Football Playoff Expansion Update
IHSA Football Playoffs Proposal
Update: Discussion and interviews coming
There are some lively debates about the football playoffs expansion proposal. Here are some forums with the hot topic.
Peoria Journal-Star forums:
http://www.pjstarforums.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=79762
Illinois High School Sports Message Boards
http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52863
INTERVIEWS COMING
I have confirmed an interview with Marian Catholic head coach Dave Mattio. Marian Catholic is the school that has submitted this proposal to the IHSA. Hope to have this done, and on the website on Monday.
Update: Discussion and interviews coming
There are some lively debates about the football playoffs expansion proposal. Here are some forums with the hot topic.
Peoria Journal-Star forums:
http://www.pjstarforums.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=79762
Illinois High School Sports Message Boards
http://www.illinoishighschoolsports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52863
INTERVIEWS COMING
I have confirmed an interview with Marian Catholic head coach Dave Mattio. Marian Catholic is the school that has submitted this proposal to the IHSA. Hope to have this done, and on the website on Monday.
Squeezing in Some Innings: Rockridge @ Monmouth-Roseville (Baseball)
Rockridge @ Monmouth-Roseville (Baseball)
(4/17/10)
A busy schedule Saturday was on my hands, with a 4:30 a.m. wakeup call to do the morning shift at the radio station. We have a three-man rotation that works weekends (just a couple hours on a Saturday morning).
For some reason, I enjoy waking up this early and working, call me crazy. I guess doing a morning shift for the majority of my 10 years in radio, I have been accustomed to it. The one downside, is the morning coffee at Ayerco. On many a Saturday mornings, I have sipped a lukewarm cup of coffee. Fortunately, today was hot. In fact, it was the hottest coffee I have picked up in some time, as I still had half of my 16 oz. cup full when I pulled into work at about 5:45.
After finishing my morning routine, I wrote the previous blogs here, did some research, and then had to make a trip over to Shopko for a belt. Later in the day, I had a funeral, for Jack Larson, my 87-year old co-worker who had worked in radio for 60+ years. Jack had battled cancer since 2007, but carried on life like there was nothing wrong. He hosted his music show, "Music with Memories", up until a month ago, when the crippling cancer left him bed-ridden. I only knew and worked with Jack for two years, but in the limited time I spent around him, I learned a lot in both the radio industry and more importantly, about life and working with others and helping people.
The reason I had to make the Shopko trip was because I left my belt behind at home. Of course, having two belts is better than one, I guess. They don't last forever. After my belt expedition, I headed over to Sunnylane Field, with the Monmouth-Roseville Titans hosting the Rockridge Rockets in Olympic Conference action.
It was about 10:30 when I pulled down Sunnylane (the actual name of the road that the MRHS sports complex is located). There were cars parked out on the street, down alligning roads, and all over the interior of Sunnylane Field. Fortunately, I found a spot not two blocks away. There was also a Junior High Track Meet going on today. Not sure how many teams were in it, though I know Monmouth-Roseville, Immaculate Conception (Monmouth), United, ROWVA, Galva, and Avon/B-PC were all partaking.
When I walked up, Titans baseball coach and M-R athletic director Chuck Grant greeted me. We talked for a few minutes about the great baseball weather (about 55 degrees and sunny), which was much cooler than the past few days, but typical nice April weather in Illinois. We also talked about the upcoming doubleheader with Rockridge, and the Rockets throwing their ace, Cody Hinson in game one.
Only a handful of baseball fans had arrived at this time, and Rick Chick was one of them. His son, Tim, is the 3rd baseman for the Titans. We talked about the Titans play, and about American Legion baseball for this summer. Monmouth has a young Legion program, and Rick is a coach. They are in need of one more coach for this summer's team. Shawn Temple is also on that Legion staff, and he walked over from the track meet, where he had a son competing. His other son, Alex, is a starter for the Titans baseball team.
Many people turned to watch the 4x400 relay at the track meet, with the MRJH 8th graders, tearing up the competition. That team (Junior Godina, Trayvon Smith, Dalton Hottle, and Martel Hunter) is fast!!! They set the new meet record. Hunter recorded a (11.56) in the 100-meter dash a week ago. All four of them were also on the 7th grade state championship basketball team. Watch out for this group next year!
Cory Jensen started for the Titans on the mound, and struck out a batter, and walked one in the first inning. In the bottom of the frame, Hinson walked leadoff batter Alex Temple, then struck out the next three batters, and carried the consecutive K's into the 2nd inning. Hinson had five strikeouts in the first two innings. He would finish the game off at the plate, launching a two-run blast that gave Rockridge a, 3-1 victory in the first game of the twinbill.
The Titans plated their only run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Temple led off, and struck out. B.J. Salyers rapped a single, and then was called for the 2nd out of the inning on a fielder's choice by Nate Farm. Tim Chick was then hit by a pitch in the foot (looked like it bounced from the dirt and hit him). With Farm at 2nd base, he attempted to steal third. It looked like he was going to be easily thrown out, but a collision by the Rockets 3rd baseman (right in the basepath) with Farm, popped the ball out of the glove and it rolled into shallow leftfield, allowing Farm to score with his quick hustle.
Monmouth-Roseville held a 1-0 lead, and I had to leave after three innings to get ready for the funeral services. The Titans would force a split with the visitors, taking game two, 9-4. Salyers finished with 2 RBI and 2 runs in the nightcap. I had thought about stopping on my way back from Galesburg, but my McDonalds was tasting awfully good on my drive, plus I was still in the dress clothes, so I drove on by.
(4/17/10)
A busy schedule Saturday was on my hands, with a 4:30 a.m. wakeup call to do the morning shift at the radio station. We have a three-man rotation that works weekends (just a couple hours on a Saturday morning).
For some reason, I enjoy waking up this early and working, call me crazy. I guess doing a morning shift for the majority of my 10 years in radio, I have been accustomed to it. The one downside, is the morning coffee at Ayerco. On many a Saturday mornings, I have sipped a lukewarm cup of coffee. Fortunately, today was hot. In fact, it was the hottest coffee I have picked up in some time, as I still had half of my 16 oz. cup full when I pulled into work at about 5:45.
After finishing my morning routine, I wrote the previous blogs here, did some research, and then had to make a trip over to Shopko for a belt. Later in the day, I had a funeral, for Jack Larson, my 87-year old co-worker who had worked in radio for 60+ years. Jack had battled cancer since 2007, but carried on life like there was nothing wrong. He hosted his music show, "Music with Memories", up until a month ago, when the crippling cancer left him bed-ridden. I only knew and worked with Jack for two years, but in the limited time I spent around him, I learned a lot in both the radio industry and more importantly, about life and working with others and helping people.
The reason I had to make the Shopko trip was because I left my belt behind at home. Of course, having two belts is better than one, I guess. They don't last forever. After my belt expedition, I headed over to Sunnylane Field, with the Monmouth-Roseville Titans hosting the Rockridge Rockets in Olympic Conference action.
It was about 10:30 when I pulled down Sunnylane (the actual name of the road that the MRHS sports complex is located). There were cars parked out on the street, down alligning roads, and all over the interior of Sunnylane Field. Fortunately, I found a spot not two blocks away. There was also a Junior High Track Meet going on today. Not sure how many teams were in it, though I know Monmouth-Roseville, Immaculate Conception (Monmouth), United, ROWVA, Galva, and Avon/B-PC were all partaking.
When I walked up, Titans baseball coach and M-R athletic director Chuck Grant greeted me. We talked for a few minutes about the great baseball weather (about 55 degrees and sunny), which was much cooler than the past few days, but typical nice April weather in Illinois. We also talked about the upcoming doubleheader with Rockridge, and the Rockets throwing their ace, Cody Hinson in game one.
Only a handful of baseball fans had arrived at this time, and Rick Chick was one of them. His son, Tim, is the 3rd baseman for the Titans. We talked about the Titans play, and about American Legion baseball for this summer. Monmouth has a young Legion program, and Rick is a coach. They are in need of one more coach for this summer's team. Shawn Temple is also on that Legion staff, and he walked over from the track meet, where he had a son competing. His other son, Alex, is a starter for the Titans baseball team.
Many people turned to watch the 4x400 relay at the track meet, with the MRJH 8th graders, tearing up the competition. That team (Junior Godina, Trayvon Smith, Dalton Hottle, and Martel Hunter) is fast!!! They set the new meet record. Hunter recorded a (11.56) in the 100-meter dash a week ago. All four of them were also on the 7th grade state championship basketball team. Watch out for this group next year!
Cory Jensen started for the Titans on the mound, and struck out a batter, and walked one in the first inning. In the bottom of the frame, Hinson walked leadoff batter Alex Temple, then struck out the next three batters, and carried the consecutive K's into the 2nd inning. Hinson had five strikeouts in the first two innings. He would finish the game off at the plate, launching a two-run blast that gave Rockridge a, 3-1 victory in the first game of the twinbill.
The Titans plated their only run in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Temple led off, and struck out. B.J. Salyers rapped a single, and then was called for the 2nd out of the inning on a fielder's choice by Nate Farm. Tim Chick was then hit by a pitch in the foot (looked like it bounced from the dirt and hit him). With Farm at 2nd base, he attempted to steal third. It looked like he was going to be easily thrown out, but a collision by the Rockets 3rd baseman (right in the basepath) with Farm, popped the ball out of the glove and it rolled into shallow leftfield, allowing Farm to score with his quick hustle.
Monmouth-Roseville held a 1-0 lead, and I had to leave after three innings to get ready for the funeral services. The Titans would force a split with the visitors, taking game two, 9-4. Salyers finished with 2 RBI and 2 runs in the nightcap. I had thought about stopping on my way back from Galesburg, but my McDonalds was tasting awfully good on my drive, plus I was still in the dress clothes, so I drove on by.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Proposal for IHSA Football Playoffs Expansion
Thoughts on a Proposed Football Playoffs Expansion
Reported by WRMJ-Aledo, a proposal has been submitted to the IHSA to expand the football playoffs from 256 to 512 teams, doubling the field. Here is the story by Jim Taylor, with audio from John Elder of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. http://www.wrmj.com/westernillinois.htm.
When I first learned of this proposal, hesistantly liked it. After mulling it over for a couple days, I think I would welcome such an expansion of the playoffs field. In my weekly column for the McDonough County Choice, a Macomb-based paper, I wrote about the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, when it became a hot topic again in March.
For selfish reasons, I would like to see that tournament grow from 64 to 96 teams, if certain criteria were met. My first contention would be to essentially shut down the N.I.T. That was/is one of the discussion points regarding the expansion of the tournament. I also like the proposed play-in for the first round, and the way the brackets would look, I would not be opposed. After all, there are well over 300 D-1 teams competing. I could go on, but back to the point at hand.
Apparently, this proposal suggests doubling the playoff field, from 256 teams to 512 teams throughout the 8 classes of football. The playoffs field expanded in 2001, but that was with class expansion, when two classes were added. I am against class expansion, and thought the six-class system was perfect, and after nine years, I have settled on that belief.
With that said, why am I for doubling the field, but against class expansion? Personally, and I have turned blue in the face while discussing class expansion since basketball expanded to four classes, I think with each expansion of the classes it takes a little bit away from the high school sports mystique, as funny as that sounds. For many, it loses a bit of appeal. It is great for the kids to win state trophies, and now two more football teams can hoist a state trophy. That is great for those kids, and those communities, and they will not think any less of themselves for winning a state title, whether there was one class, five classes, or eight classes.
One argument about the expansion of classes, is that it is for the kids. More kids now have the opportunity to win championships, etc. Well, if that was the case, why stop at 8 classes in football, or 4 classes in basketball. Some states, with a much smaller pool of schools competing, have more classes among its state series athletics.
Enough about class expansion, this is about team expansion. According to WRMJ's report, the proposal also has the first week of the playoffs being played during week nine, taking away one regular season game for teams.
One could make an argument, that now you are taking a game away from these kids. The point, though, is that there were 548 football teams eligible for the IHSA postseason in 2009. Using those numbers, only 36 teams in the entire state would miss out on a ninth game. Those 36 teams, would be winless, or one-win teams.
Football is the ONLY sport in the IHSA state series, that does not include every team in the postseason. Of course, this would take the "mystique" of the football playoffs pairings show. Most teams know whether or not they will be in the playoff field, or their bubble has burst, and that would remain the same.
One interesting question I would have, would be how the postseason would be conducted. I am assuming the largest 64 teams (doubled from the current 32) would be Class 8A, and on down, the smallest 64 would be Class 1A, as it is currently. Would there be four, 16-team quadrants, and how would they be seeded? Or would there be a regional structure? A playoffs pairings show would certainly be a lot of fun, adding 256 teams to the field, though, it would make an already arduous job tracking down stats, information, etc. even more difficult.
According to John Elder in the WRMJ interview, Marian Catholic, out of Chicago Heights, has made this proposal. I have contacted coach Dave Mattio at Marian to discuss this more, and hope to have an interview in the coming week or two.
My vote: YES to expansion! Please use the comment box below to argue any of my points, or to give us your opinion!
Reported by WRMJ-Aledo, a proposal has been submitted to the IHSA to expand the football playoffs from 256 to 512 teams, doubling the field. Here is the story by Jim Taylor, with audio from John Elder of the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. http://www.wrmj.com/westernillinois.htm.
When I first learned of this proposal, hesistantly liked it. After mulling it over for a couple days, I think I would welcome such an expansion of the playoffs field. In my weekly column for the McDonough County Choice, a Macomb-based paper, I wrote about the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, when it became a hot topic again in March.
For selfish reasons, I would like to see that tournament grow from 64 to 96 teams, if certain criteria were met. My first contention would be to essentially shut down the N.I.T. That was/is one of the discussion points regarding the expansion of the tournament. I also like the proposed play-in for the first round, and the way the brackets would look, I would not be opposed. After all, there are well over 300 D-1 teams competing. I could go on, but back to the point at hand.
Apparently, this proposal suggests doubling the playoff field, from 256 teams to 512 teams throughout the 8 classes of football. The playoffs field expanded in 2001, but that was with class expansion, when two classes were added. I am against class expansion, and thought the six-class system was perfect, and after nine years, I have settled on that belief.
With that said, why am I for doubling the field, but against class expansion? Personally, and I have turned blue in the face while discussing class expansion since basketball expanded to four classes, I think with each expansion of the classes it takes a little bit away from the high school sports mystique, as funny as that sounds. For many, it loses a bit of appeal. It is great for the kids to win state trophies, and now two more football teams can hoist a state trophy. That is great for those kids, and those communities, and they will not think any less of themselves for winning a state title, whether there was one class, five classes, or eight classes.
One argument about the expansion of classes, is that it is for the kids. More kids now have the opportunity to win championships, etc. Well, if that was the case, why stop at 8 classes in football, or 4 classes in basketball. Some states, with a much smaller pool of schools competing, have more classes among its state series athletics.
Enough about class expansion, this is about team expansion. According to WRMJ's report, the proposal also has the first week of the playoffs being played during week nine, taking away one regular season game for teams.
One could make an argument, that now you are taking a game away from these kids. The point, though, is that there were 548 football teams eligible for the IHSA postseason in 2009. Using those numbers, only 36 teams in the entire state would miss out on a ninth game. Those 36 teams, would be winless, or one-win teams.
Football is the ONLY sport in the IHSA state series, that does not include every team in the postseason. Of course, this would take the "mystique" of the football playoffs pairings show. Most teams know whether or not they will be in the playoff field, or their bubble has burst, and that would remain the same.
One interesting question I would have, would be how the postseason would be conducted. I am assuming the largest 64 teams (doubled from the current 32) would be Class 8A, and on down, the smallest 64 would be Class 1A, as it is currently. Would there be four, 16-team quadrants, and how would they be seeded? Or would there be a regional structure? A playoffs pairings show would certainly be a lot of fun, adding 256 teams to the field, though, it would make an already arduous job tracking down stats, information, etc. even more difficult.
According to John Elder in the WRMJ interview, Marian Catholic, out of Chicago Heights, has made this proposal. I have contacted coach Dave Mattio at Marian to discuss this more, and hope to have an interview in the coming week or two.
My vote: YES to expansion! Please use the comment box below to argue any of my points, or to give us your opinion!
Punk'd in Abingdon: West Central @ Abingdon (Baseball)
Biggsville West Central @ Abingdon (Baseball)
(4/15/10)
Originally, Thursday was going to be my day off from covering a game this week. I had a meeting with my CPA in Galesburg to go over my taxes (Tax Day and all) after work, so I didn't want to make plans to be somewhere and miss most of a game.
My appointment was set for 4:00 in Galesburg, and I noticed that Abingdon was hosting West Central in baseball. Just a quick 15-minute drive, I figured I could catch most of the game after my appointment. I had also not seen either team, and both are within my radio stations coverage areas. Abingdon (WAIK) and West Central (WMOI/WRAM).
I arrived at my CPA's office, Dave Webster, at about 4:00, and 15 minutes later was all wrapped up. He did fantastic work, and I will be returning to give him business again next year. Before heading over to Abingdon, I stopped into Lowe's to buy a new tarp to cover my TV outside on the deck. With the upgrade to a 36", I needed a bigger tarp to "weather proof" it from the rain and elements. It's a used, tube TV, so it is disposable. My last TV that was outside, had already lived out it's time, lasted 2 "outdoor seasons" on the deck, much longer than expected.
By the time I arrived at the Abingdon ball diamond, the Commandoes and Heat were in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The hosts held a, 4-2, lead and were batting. Upon grabbing my spot to watch the game, just left of home plate, Trent Ray blasted a solo home run over the left field fence. You can watch my postgame interview with Ray here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y64-52dpAQ.
The Commandoes extended their lead to 6-2, after Jesse Hines reached on a single and scored a run on a Dylan Timmons RBI single. Hines would later come in to pitch in relief, and threw two solid innings, striking out 4, and allowing 0 runs and 2 hits. I talked with Hines after the game, watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNfPuSzTuc
West Central made a run in the 3rd inning. Blake Durflinger led off the inning with a double. The first four Heat batters reached base. Later in the inning, Ethan Pullen poked a 2-run double down the left field line to tie the game, 6-6. West Central added one more run in the inning to lead, 7-6.
Abingdon went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 3rd inning, which was highlighted defensively by a West Central, 6-4-3, double play that ended the inning. Commandoes starter, Dylan Timmons left the mound after 3 innings, giving up 7 runs. He left the game with 0 outs in the top of the 4th with two runners on (single and walk). Hines entered and set the next three batters down via strikeouts.
A rally was made trailing by a run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Brandon Harroun made, what could be considered the play of the game, scoring the tying run on a suicide squeeze. He reached on a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then went to third on a Trent Ray single. Harroun then scored on the squeeze, just avoiding the tag with a head first slide into home. Coach Joe Nichols set up Harroun after the game, playing his best Ashton Kutcher (Punk'd). See what Nichols had in store for his starting sophomore shortstop in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPdl1s-tiFY
More runs would cross the plate for the hosts, and would leave the 4th inning with a three-run cushion, 10-7. The Heat hit a couple singles in the 5th inning, but failed to score. Ray had the only hit in the bottom of the 5th for the Commandoes.
The Heat came within two runs in the 6th inning, when Durflinger walked, and eventually scored on an error in rightfield. West Central head coach Jeremy Burrell said Durflinger is tearing the cover off the ball in this postgame interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTkRjg-naQ
In the latter stages of the game, I had an Abingdon fan approach me to ask where I was from. When I said the radio station, she was puzzled. She thanked me for the coverage, and also wanted to let Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Aaron Frey know he did a great job with the writeup earlier in the week. It was Dylan Timmons' mom.
To start the bottom of the 6th inning, the West Central reliever had an improper glove, with half the glove white. After a brief moment on the mound with the umpire explaining the situation, he traded gloves out and the inning began with the Commandoes at the plate and leading, 10-8.
The final runs were scored in this inning. Timmons hit a double, and was driven in by a Brad Siedel 2-run home run. Siedel would later be in on the postgame prank of Harroun. Siedel was the wheelman to grab the shaving cream from Coach Nichols' office, and would later be the prankster to surprise the shortstop during his camera time. Freshman Jacob Perdue later hit an RBI double, and Abingdon would hold off the Heat in the 7th inning to prevail, 13-8.
If you haven't watched the Brandon Harroun "Welcome to the Big Leagues" moment just yet, I suggest you do that now, before I explain it the next few paragraphs....
After the game, I headed over to the visitors dugout, to talk with Heat head coach Jeremy Burrell. B-PC/A Spartans head coach Dave Arnold had called me while I was waiting, wanting some information on West Central, the team they would be playing the very next day in Bushnell. The Spartans would be down to just three starters due to a band trip.
Speaking of the Spartans, former B-PC/A assistant baseball coach Silas Pogue, is now the Fresh/Soph coach at West Central, and we spoke for a moment before my interview with Burrell. I had to wrap up the interview short, since the F/S game had begun during our talk, and we were in foul territory.
Coach Nichols had suggested a few kids to talk with after the game, and over in the Commandoes dugout, I asked if they were available. They were all in the field, and I was a little confused. I asked if this was a varsity doubleheader? Nope, he replied, our varsity is our JV! The first interview was with senior Jesse Hines, who was not in uniform for the JV game. After Hines, I spoke with sophomore Trent Ray, and then Brandon Harroun had the unfortunate tag for the prank.
Behind the Prank
The classic Major League Baseball prank was first drawn up by Coach Nichols when I spoke with him on Monday. Today, he put the idea in motion, and had Brad Siedel run over to get the shaving cream, and grabbed a fresh towel for the shaving cream. Brad didn't make it back in enough time, so we had a lull, while Harroun was in the field, playing shortstop. He made a couple nice plays in the field, which the before and after video was caught by one of the Abingdon assistants.
During this inning, the prank was planned out. In the first two interviews, my final question was asking the players what their thoughts were of Coach Nichols. I thought this to be a perfect segue, since he orchestrated this all. The kids can now add, prankster, to Joe's resume.
When I reached that question, I would give Siedel the nod. During taping of the interview, I stumbled during the question, and almost gave myself away. Perfectly-timed, Siedel gave Harroun the faceful of shaving cream, ala MLB bloopers.
None of the Commandoes baseball players had heard of this prank being pulled off in the big leagues. This is a notorious prank when a rookie gets a win, or his first home run. I suggested to Coach Nichols, that during the next rainy day, he watch film for practice....of MLB blooper videos!
As Harroun was cleaning up, he admitted to thinking something was up, saying that I started laughing at the end. He then called me a, "bad actor". I guess Hollywood won't be a destination in my career, LOL.
Following up, Coach Nichols emailed me the next day, saying it was a great team builder, and even mentioned that a few players texted him later that night saying this very prank happened after a Cleveland Indians game. Not only a good team builder, but a baseball eductational moment!
(4/15/10)
Originally, Thursday was going to be my day off from covering a game this week. I had a meeting with my CPA in Galesburg to go over my taxes (Tax Day and all) after work, so I didn't want to make plans to be somewhere and miss most of a game.
My appointment was set for 4:00 in Galesburg, and I noticed that Abingdon was hosting West Central in baseball. Just a quick 15-minute drive, I figured I could catch most of the game after my appointment. I had also not seen either team, and both are within my radio stations coverage areas. Abingdon (WAIK) and West Central (WMOI/WRAM).
I arrived at my CPA's office, Dave Webster, at about 4:00, and 15 minutes later was all wrapped up. He did fantastic work, and I will be returning to give him business again next year. Before heading over to Abingdon, I stopped into Lowe's to buy a new tarp to cover my TV outside on the deck. With the upgrade to a 36", I needed a bigger tarp to "weather proof" it from the rain and elements. It's a used, tube TV, so it is disposable. My last TV that was outside, had already lived out it's time, lasted 2 "outdoor seasons" on the deck, much longer than expected.
By the time I arrived at the Abingdon ball diamond, the Commandoes and Heat were in the bottom of the 2nd inning. The hosts held a, 4-2, lead and were batting. Upon grabbing my spot to watch the game, just left of home plate, Trent Ray blasted a solo home run over the left field fence. You can watch my postgame interview with Ray here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y64-52dpAQ.
The Commandoes extended their lead to 6-2, after Jesse Hines reached on a single and scored a run on a Dylan Timmons RBI single. Hines would later come in to pitch in relief, and threw two solid innings, striking out 4, and allowing 0 runs and 2 hits. I talked with Hines after the game, watch the video here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiNfPuSzTuc
West Central made a run in the 3rd inning. Blake Durflinger led off the inning with a double. The first four Heat batters reached base. Later in the inning, Ethan Pullen poked a 2-run double down the left field line to tie the game, 6-6. West Central added one more run in the inning to lead, 7-6.
Abingdon went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 3rd inning, which was highlighted defensively by a West Central, 6-4-3, double play that ended the inning. Commandoes starter, Dylan Timmons left the mound after 3 innings, giving up 7 runs. He left the game with 0 outs in the top of the 4th with two runners on (single and walk). Hines entered and set the next three batters down via strikeouts.
A rally was made trailing by a run in the bottom of the 4th inning. Brandon Harroun made, what could be considered the play of the game, scoring the tying run on a suicide squeeze. He reached on a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, then went to third on a Trent Ray single. Harroun then scored on the squeeze, just avoiding the tag with a head first slide into home. Coach Joe Nichols set up Harroun after the game, playing his best Ashton Kutcher (Punk'd). See what Nichols had in store for his starting sophomore shortstop in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPdl1s-tiFY
More runs would cross the plate for the hosts, and would leave the 4th inning with a three-run cushion, 10-7. The Heat hit a couple singles in the 5th inning, but failed to score. Ray had the only hit in the bottom of the 5th for the Commandoes.
The Heat came within two runs in the 6th inning, when Durflinger walked, and eventually scored on an error in rightfield. West Central head coach Jeremy Burrell said Durflinger is tearing the cover off the ball in this postgame interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxTkRjg-naQ
In the latter stages of the game, I had an Abingdon fan approach me to ask where I was from. When I said the radio station, she was puzzled. She thanked me for the coverage, and also wanted to let Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Aaron Frey know he did a great job with the writeup earlier in the week. It was Dylan Timmons' mom.
To start the bottom of the 6th inning, the West Central reliever had an improper glove, with half the glove white. After a brief moment on the mound with the umpire explaining the situation, he traded gloves out and the inning began with the Commandoes at the plate and leading, 10-8.
The final runs were scored in this inning. Timmons hit a double, and was driven in by a Brad Siedel 2-run home run. Siedel would later be in on the postgame prank of Harroun. Siedel was the wheelman to grab the shaving cream from Coach Nichols' office, and would later be the prankster to surprise the shortstop during his camera time. Freshman Jacob Perdue later hit an RBI double, and Abingdon would hold off the Heat in the 7th inning to prevail, 13-8.
If you haven't watched the Brandon Harroun "Welcome to the Big Leagues" moment just yet, I suggest you do that now, before I explain it the next few paragraphs....
After the game, I headed over to the visitors dugout, to talk with Heat head coach Jeremy Burrell. B-PC/A Spartans head coach Dave Arnold had called me while I was waiting, wanting some information on West Central, the team they would be playing the very next day in Bushnell. The Spartans would be down to just three starters due to a band trip.
Speaking of the Spartans, former B-PC/A assistant baseball coach Silas Pogue, is now the Fresh/Soph coach at West Central, and we spoke for a moment before my interview with Burrell. I had to wrap up the interview short, since the F/S game had begun during our talk, and we were in foul territory.
Coach Nichols had suggested a few kids to talk with after the game, and over in the Commandoes dugout, I asked if they were available. They were all in the field, and I was a little confused. I asked if this was a varsity doubleheader? Nope, he replied, our varsity is our JV! The first interview was with senior Jesse Hines, who was not in uniform for the JV game. After Hines, I spoke with sophomore Trent Ray, and then Brandon Harroun had the unfortunate tag for the prank.
Behind the Prank
The classic Major League Baseball prank was first drawn up by Coach Nichols when I spoke with him on Monday. Today, he put the idea in motion, and had Brad Siedel run over to get the shaving cream, and grabbed a fresh towel for the shaving cream. Brad didn't make it back in enough time, so we had a lull, while Harroun was in the field, playing shortstop. He made a couple nice plays in the field, which the before and after video was caught by one of the Abingdon assistants.
During this inning, the prank was planned out. In the first two interviews, my final question was asking the players what their thoughts were of Coach Nichols. I thought this to be a perfect segue, since he orchestrated this all. The kids can now add, prankster, to Joe's resume.
When I reached that question, I would give Siedel the nod. During taping of the interview, I stumbled during the question, and almost gave myself away. Perfectly-timed, Siedel gave Harroun the faceful of shaving cream, ala MLB bloopers.
None of the Commandoes baseball players had heard of this prank being pulled off in the big leagues. This is a notorious prank when a rookie gets a win, or his first home run. I suggested to Coach Nichols, that during the next rainy day, he watch film for practice....of MLB blooper videos!
As Harroun was cleaning up, he admitted to thinking something was up, saying that I started laughing at the end. He then called me a, "bad actor". I guess Hollywood won't be a destination in my career, LOL.
Following up, Coach Nichols emailed me the next day, saying it was a great team builder, and even mentioned that a few players texted him later that night saying this very prank happened after a Cleveland Indians game. Not only a good team builder, but a baseball eductational moment!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
New Digs at United HS: Mercer County @ United (Softball)
Mercer County @ United (Softball)
(4/14/10)
Already planning to attend this game, I wanted to see the new softball diamond at United High School. Only a couple games have been played at the new facility, as the Red Storm hosted their first few games at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg and Monmouth College.
With that in mind, I made sure to pack some shorts, and bring a change of clothes for after work. The mercury reached nearly 85 degrees today. At some point, the temperatures are going to come back down to Earth, but right now, I am in June/July mode, not the second week of April. But, I will be out at a game, soaking up this sun!
I didn't have to go into work early today, but I did, about 40 minutes early, and yet, I still struggled to get to the 4:30 game, which was only 5 minutes down the road. It seems the earlier I go in, the more work I have to do, though I have gone above and beyond lately.
When I arrived at United High School, just 2 or 3 miles to the east of Monmouth, right out of town on Broadway, I wasn't quite sure where to go. As I pulled closer, I saw the softball diamond, and it looked like it was near the football field. It was, so I pulled into the last driveway, near the football entrance. The softball diamond sits just to the west of the football field, and home plate is about equivalent to the 20-yard line (south end zone).
The game was just getting underway when I began walking towards the field. I always like to park a good distance away. First reason is because I haven't had very much time to exercise in, and number two, I don't want to drive home looking through a broken windshield.
Bleachers at the new field are set to each side of home plate. The visitors bleachers are near the visitors dugout, which looks out along the 3rd base line, looking into the west (where the sun is shining brightly today). The Red Storm dugout is along the first base line, looking to the south. No sun in the outfielder's eyes, as it they have their backs to the afternoon sun out west.
There are no bleachers directly behind home plate, and as a matter of fact, there were no fans even standing (or sitting) behind the plate. When I walked up, I noticed my friend Terry Tracy from WRMJ-Aledo standing just off the home plate towards the visiting side. Terry works for John Hoscheidt at the Aledo radio station. We talked throughout the entire game, and he filled me in on the Mercer County Golden Eagles.
One of the topics of discussion was the new pitching distance, and how it has effected all of the softball teams around the state, or at least the ones we have seen, or coaches elsewhere we have talked to. He also told me the Golden Eagles field in Aledo has fences that are 200 feet around. Mercer County jacked three home runs in a game against Ridgewood earlier this year.
Katie Bertelsen, on the mound, struck out two of the three batters in the first inning. She would carry a perfect game into the 5th inning. It must have been a silenced jinx on my part. Once she recorded the first out in the 5th inning, I looked back to make sure there had been no base runners. After I noticed she had gone 4 1/3 perfect innings, I started to plan out in my head where I could get the best shot for the final out, if she would pitch a perfect game, or a no-hitter. The next batter roped a triple up against the rightfield fence, caroming into the corner. Morgan Weeks hit the frozen rope, and it was the only base runner allowed by Bertelsen all day, who finished with 14 strikeouts. United would finish off the Golden Eagles in six innings, winning via the ten run rule (10-0).
Gina Long scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning, after reaching on an error by the shortstop. Long stole second, then scored on an RBI single by Bertelsen. It was a 1-2-3 second inning by both teams, and that is when I made the comment to Terry that this could be a sub-60 minute game. It ended up being 67 minutes in 6 innings.
Another run was tacked on in the 3rd inning by Sommer Foster, who ripped a single, then walked in. Mercer County starter Molly Conway walked three straight batters, Bertelsen, Augusta Chandler, and Rachel Kenney in that frame.
Katie Kaywood scored the 3rd run in the 4th inning. She walked, then advanced to 2nd, 3rd, and scored all on wild pitches by Golden Eagles reliever (Fr.) Breanna Weeks. The Red Storm made it, 4-0, in the 5th inning after Foster scored. She had her second hit of the game, stole second, then scored on a Chandler sacrifice fly.
The ten-run rule came into effect in the 6th inning. Kaywood scored the first run after reaching on a double off the left field fence. Kaywood scored on an Ashlynn Winkler RBI double. Alex Fell then hit a single to reach, followed by a Gina Long RBI single. Foster then reached on an error at first base, followed by Bertelsen hitting a fielders choice, which got Long out at 3rd base. Chandler then hit a 2-run triple down in the rightfield corner to make it 9-0. The tenth run scored (Chandler), when Rachel Kenney poked out an RBI single.
After talking with Mercer County coach Daryl Bewley, I interviewed United head coach Gary Eyler. I also wanted to interview Bertelsen, but she had already left for Galesburg for a workout.
My next stop would be to Sunnylane Field in Monmouth, to try and catch the final innings of Monmouth-Roseville baseball against Stark County. With the struggles that the Rebels program has been going through this season, I expected a ten-run game in 5 innings, and that is exactly what greeted me when I pulled into the Sunnylane complex.
Fans were starting to pile out, as I walked in. The Titans and Rebels were both huddled on the field for their postgame talks by their respective coaches. I headed over to the dugout, and chatted with a couple of the Titans. They were victorious, 11-0, in five innings. I briefly chatted with coach Chuck Grant, before heading over to check the stats.
Nate Farm went 3-3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs, Alex Temple was 2-3 with 2 runs and an RBI, Tim Chick was 2-3 with 2 runs, and an RBI, and B.J. Salyers was 2-3 with an RBI. Salyers was also the winning pitcher, going 3 of the 5 innings, striking out 6 and allowing just three hits. Drew Cole finished the game in relief, striking out 3.
With my work done, I headed back home, and exchanged out TV's on the back deck. This blog is coming to you live from my back deck with a 36" TV tuned to baseball. I love summer in April! Of course, it came with a few problems. Since splicing the cable to my deck (shhhh), the splitter became rusted and stopped working, so a quick stop to Radio Shack saved that problem. I asked the clerk if he had a rust proof splitter, and Manager Bob gave me a funny look, before I explained it was for outdoor use. He set me up with a box, so hopefully this new splitter lasts longer than three years.
(4/14/10)
Already planning to attend this game, I wanted to see the new softball diamond at United High School. Only a couple games have been played at the new facility, as the Red Storm hosted their first few games at Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg and Monmouth College.
With that in mind, I made sure to pack some shorts, and bring a change of clothes for after work. The mercury reached nearly 85 degrees today. At some point, the temperatures are going to come back down to Earth, but right now, I am in June/July mode, not the second week of April. But, I will be out at a game, soaking up this sun!
I didn't have to go into work early today, but I did, about 40 minutes early, and yet, I still struggled to get to the 4:30 game, which was only 5 minutes down the road. It seems the earlier I go in, the more work I have to do, though I have gone above and beyond lately.
When I arrived at United High School, just 2 or 3 miles to the east of Monmouth, right out of town on Broadway, I wasn't quite sure where to go. As I pulled closer, I saw the softball diamond, and it looked like it was near the football field. It was, so I pulled into the last driveway, near the football entrance. The softball diamond sits just to the west of the football field, and home plate is about equivalent to the 20-yard line (south end zone).
The game was just getting underway when I began walking towards the field. I always like to park a good distance away. First reason is because I haven't had very much time to exercise in, and number two, I don't want to drive home looking through a broken windshield.
Bleachers at the new field are set to each side of home plate. The visitors bleachers are near the visitors dugout, which looks out along the 3rd base line, looking into the west (where the sun is shining brightly today). The Red Storm dugout is along the first base line, looking to the south. No sun in the outfielder's eyes, as it they have their backs to the afternoon sun out west.
There are no bleachers directly behind home plate, and as a matter of fact, there were no fans even standing (or sitting) behind the plate. When I walked up, I noticed my friend Terry Tracy from WRMJ-Aledo standing just off the home plate towards the visiting side. Terry works for John Hoscheidt at the Aledo radio station. We talked throughout the entire game, and he filled me in on the Mercer County Golden Eagles.
One of the topics of discussion was the new pitching distance, and how it has effected all of the softball teams around the state, or at least the ones we have seen, or coaches elsewhere we have talked to. He also told me the Golden Eagles field in Aledo has fences that are 200 feet around. Mercer County jacked three home runs in a game against Ridgewood earlier this year.
Katie Bertelsen, on the mound, struck out two of the three batters in the first inning. She would carry a perfect game into the 5th inning. It must have been a silenced jinx on my part. Once she recorded the first out in the 5th inning, I looked back to make sure there had been no base runners. After I noticed she had gone 4 1/3 perfect innings, I started to plan out in my head where I could get the best shot for the final out, if she would pitch a perfect game, or a no-hitter. The next batter roped a triple up against the rightfield fence, caroming into the corner. Morgan Weeks hit the frozen rope, and it was the only base runner allowed by Bertelsen all day, who finished with 14 strikeouts. United would finish off the Golden Eagles in six innings, winning via the ten run rule (10-0).
Gina Long scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st inning, after reaching on an error by the shortstop. Long stole second, then scored on an RBI single by Bertelsen. It was a 1-2-3 second inning by both teams, and that is when I made the comment to Terry that this could be a sub-60 minute game. It ended up being 67 minutes in 6 innings.
Another run was tacked on in the 3rd inning by Sommer Foster, who ripped a single, then walked in. Mercer County starter Molly Conway walked three straight batters, Bertelsen, Augusta Chandler, and Rachel Kenney in that frame.
Katie Kaywood scored the 3rd run in the 4th inning. She walked, then advanced to 2nd, 3rd, and scored all on wild pitches by Golden Eagles reliever (Fr.) Breanna Weeks. The Red Storm made it, 4-0, in the 5th inning after Foster scored. She had her second hit of the game, stole second, then scored on a Chandler sacrifice fly.
The ten-run rule came into effect in the 6th inning. Kaywood scored the first run after reaching on a double off the left field fence. Kaywood scored on an Ashlynn Winkler RBI double. Alex Fell then hit a single to reach, followed by a Gina Long RBI single. Foster then reached on an error at first base, followed by Bertelsen hitting a fielders choice, which got Long out at 3rd base. Chandler then hit a 2-run triple down in the rightfield corner to make it 9-0. The tenth run scored (Chandler), when Rachel Kenney poked out an RBI single.
After talking with Mercer County coach Daryl Bewley, I interviewed United head coach Gary Eyler. I also wanted to interview Bertelsen, but she had already left for Galesburg for a workout.
My next stop would be to Sunnylane Field in Monmouth, to try and catch the final innings of Monmouth-Roseville baseball against Stark County. With the struggles that the Rebels program has been going through this season, I expected a ten-run game in 5 innings, and that is exactly what greeted me when I pulled into the Sunnylane complex.
Fans were starting to pile out, as I walked in. The Titans and Rebels were both huddled on the field for their postgame talks by their respective coaches. I headed over to the dugout, and chatted with a couple of the Titans. They were victorious, 11-0, in five innings. I briefly chatted with coach Chuck Grant, before heading over to check the stats.
Nate Farm went 3-3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs, Alex Temple was 2-3 with 2 runs and an RBI, Tim Chick was 2-3 with 2 runs, and an RBI, and B.J. Salyers was 2-3 with an RBI. Salyers was also the winning pitcher, going 3 of the 5 innings, striking out 6 and allowing just three hits. Drew Cole finished the game in relief, striking out 3.
With my work done, I headed back home, and exchanged out TV's on the back deck. This blog is coming to you live from my back deck with a 36" TV tuned to baseball. I love summer in April! Of course, it came with a few problems. Since splicing the cable to my deck (shhhh), the splitter became rusted and stopped working, so a quick stop to Radio Shack saved that problem. I asked the clerk if he had a rust proof splitter, and Manager Bob gave me a funny look, before I explained it was for outdoor use. He set me up with a box, so hopefully this new splitter lasts longer than three years.
The Marathon in Macomb: Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Baseball)
Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Baseball)
(4/13/10)
WRAM Game of the Week
When I walked out to my car and the 80 degree sunshine greeted me, all I could think about was sitting outside and taking in a baseball game. Fortunately enough, that's exactly what I would be doing in a few hours....and getting paid for it.
Getting everything done, and making it over to Phil Bradley Field (named after the former Major League Baseball player from the Mariners and Phillies, an MHS alum), in the time I wanted was going to be difficult. I needed to make a pit stop at home, to change, because this is shorts weather....in April....I love it!
I pulled into the Macomb High campus at about 3:45. Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed my buddy Dave Hasley putting his umpire gear on. I dropped off my equipment in the grandstand behind home plate, pulled out a pen and my digital recorder and went down to talk with Monmouth-Roseville coach Chuck Grant.
Still living in Macomb, and writing a column for the McDonough County Choice, I braved wearing a Titans polo to the grounds of MHS. Normally, when covering area schools that are facing each other (much like United vs. B-PC/A last week), I wear the generic polos, or the Nike polos, instead of team-specific garb. But, with the time I have been putting into the website, I have left little time for laundry, and was left with a mountain of dirty clothes.
Coach Grant and I talked about the inopportune schedule for the Titans, only getting five games by this point, when the weather has been mainly perfect for the year. The days it has rained, have been the days the Titans have had games scheduled.
We also commented about the MHS students tailgating behind right-centerfield fence. By 4:00, there were already at least a dozen kids grilling out, and enjoying the weather. Heck, they even had tiki torches set up. By the middle of the game, there were probably 30-40 tailgaters out there!
Macomb coach Danny Watson walked over. Both head coaches are also the boy's basketball coaches at their respective schools. The talk went to basketball almost immediately, despite being in the middle of baseball season. That's when Macomb athletic director Dave Bartlett made a comment about quit talking about basketball, its spring!
After a quick interview with Coach Grant, I grabbed both lineup cards for the game. The pitching matchup was M-R's Cory Jensen against Macomb's Hunter Cunningham.
The Titans struck first, in the top of the first, when Alex Temple reached on a single, then stole 2nd, and scored on a B.J. Salyers RBI double. Salyers finished 3-4 at the plate with 2 RBI. The Titans tore up the basepaths as well, going 7-7 on the day in stolen bases. That makes M-R, 32-33 on stolen base attempts in 6 games.
Macomb almost tied it up in the bottom of the frame, but some slick fielding by the Titans on a perfect scoop in right field by Alex Temple and on-target throw to catcher Max Richardson got Tyler Thorman out at the plate for the third out.
Two more runs were added in the third inning by the visitors, after Salyers reached on a base hit, and Nate Farm reached on a walk to make it 3-0 Monmouth-Roseville heading into the bottom of the frame.
The heart of the order smacked around starter Jensen for five runs, giving the Bombers a 5-3 lead, with leadoff hitter Hunter Cunningham, Derek Mabrey, Tyler Thorman, Matt Lawver, and Evan Bryant all scoring runs. Thorman smacked a two-run double, and Bryant smoked an RBI triple in that inning.
Monmouth-Roseville answered back in the 4th inning, taking a one-run lead (6-5) after plating three runs. Cory Jensen and Drew Cole, the first two batters each walked and scored. Nick McLaughlin hit an RBI single that knocked in Jensen, while Salyers later hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Cole. McLaughlin was hit in by a Farm RBI double.
Macomb then took an 8-6 lead in the 5th inning, with Thorman and Lawver getting base hits, and Bryant a walk. All three would score. In the top of the 6th inning, the Titans loaded the bases with 0 outs against Macomb relief pitcher Brady Henderson. Richardson, who came up hitting under .150 drilled a bases clearing, 3-run double to give the Titans a 9-8 lead. Richardson would later score on a wild pitch, to make it 10-8.
Once again, the Bombers answered back in the bottom of the inning, tying it up at 10-10. Cunningham and Thorman scored the runs to catch up. Bryant hit an RBI single, scoring Thorman for the tying run. In the top of the 7th, Temple walked, stole second, and scored the eventual game-winning run, to make it 11-10.
Macomb made it scary for the Titans in the bottom of the 7th. Seth Wickert led off with a double, then Brett Taylor struck out, and pinch hitter Brandon Cousins hit a pop out. Cunningham then walked, followed by a Mabrey walk against Titans reliever, Temple to load the bases with two outs in a one-run game. Temple got Thorman, who was 4-4 in his final plate appearance popped out to end the game, and give Monmouth-Roseville a (5-1, 1-1) record. Macomb dropped to (7-8, 0-3).
Finishing up at 6:51, the game lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes. Not quite a marathon, but pretty darn long when I have been covering some 60-minute softball games recently!!!
(4/13/10)
WRAM Game of the Week
When I walked out to my car and the 80 degree sunshine greeted me, all I could think about was sitting outside and taking in a baseball game. Fortunately enough, that's exactly what I would be doing in a few hours....and getting paid for it.
Getting everything done, and making it over to Phil Bradley Field (named after the former Major League Baseball player from the Mariners and Phillies, an MHS alum), in the time I wanted was going to be difficult. I needed to make a pit stop at home, to change, because this is shorts weather....in April....I love it!
I pulled into the Macomb High campus at about 3:45. Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed my buddy Dave Hasley putting his umpire gear on. I dropped off my equipment in the grandstand behind home plate, pulled out a pen and my digital recorder and went down to talk with Monmouth-Roseville coach Chuck Grant.
Still living in Macomb, and writing a column for the McDonough County Choice, I braved wearing a Titans polo to the grounds of MHS. Normally, when covering area schools that are facing each other (much like United vs. B-PC/A last week), I wear the generic polos, or the Nike polos, instead of team-specific garb. But, with the time I have been putting into the website, I have left little time for laundry, and was left with a mountain of dirty clothes.
Coach Grant and I talked about the inopportune schedule for the Titans, only getting five games by this point, when the weather has been mainly perfect for the year. The days it has rained, have been the days the Titans have had games scheduled.
We also commented about the MHS students tailgating behind right-centerfield fence. By 4:00, there were already at least a dozen kids grilling out, and enjoying the weather. Heck, they even had tiki torches set up. By the middle of the game, there were probably 30-40 tailgaters out there!
Macomb coach Danny Watson walked over. Both head coaches are also the boy's basketball coaches at their respective schools. The talk went to basketball almost immediately, despite being in the middle of baseball season. That's when Macomb athletic director Dave Bartlett made a comment about quit talking about basketball, its spring!
After a quick interview with Coach Grant, I grabbed both lineup cards for the game. The pitching matchup was M-R's Cory Jensen against Macomb's Hunter Cunningham.
The Titans struck first, in the top of the first, when Alex Temple reached on a single, then stole 2nd, and scored on a B.J. Salyers RBI double. Salyers finished 3-4 at the plate with 2 RBI. The Titans tore up the basepaths as well, going 7-7 on the day in stolen bases. That makes M-R, 32-33 on stolen base attempts in 6 games.
Macomb almost tied it up in the bottom of the frame, but some slick fielding by the Titans on a perfect scoop in right field by Alex Temple and on-target throw to catcher Max Richardson got Tyler Thorman out at the plate for the third out.
Two more runs were added in the third inning by the visitors, after Salyers reached on a base hit, and Nate Farm reached on a walk to make it 3-0 Monmouth-Roseville heading into the bottom of the frame.
The heart of the order smacked around starter Jensen for five runs, giving the Bombers a 5-3 lead, with leadoff hitter Hunter Cunningham, Derek Mabrey, Tyler Thorman, Matt Lawver, and Evan Bryant all scoring runs. Thorman smacked a two-run double, and Bryant smoked an RBI triple in that inning.
Monmouth-Roseville answered back in the 4th inning, taking a one-run lead (6-5) after plating three runs. Cory Jensen and Drew Cole, the first two batters each walked and scored. Nick McLaughlin hit an RBI single that knocked in Jensen, while Salyers later hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Cole. McLaughlin was hit in by a Farm RBI double.
Macomb then took an 8-6 lead in the 5th inning, with Thorman and Lawver getting base hits, and Bryant a walk. All three would score. In the top of the 6th inning, the Titans loaded the bases with 0 outs against Macomb relief pitcher Brady Henderson. Richardson, who came up hitting under .150 drilled a bases clearing, 3-run double to give the Titans a 9-8 lead. Richardson would later score on a wild pitch, to make it 10-8.
Once again, the Bombers answered back in the bottom of the inning, tying it up at 10-10. Cunningham and Thorman scored the runs to catch up. Bryant hit an RBI single, scoring Thorman for the tying run. In the top of the 7th, Temple walked, stole second, and scored the eventual game-winning run, to make it 11-10.
Macomb made it scary for the Titans in the bottom of the 7th. Seth Wickert led off with a double, then Brett Taylor struck out, and pinch hitter Brandon Cousins hit a pop out. Cunningham then walked, followed by a Mabrey walk against Titans reliever, Temple to load the bases with two outs in a one-run game. Temple got Thorman, who was 4-4 in his final plate appearance popped out to end the game, and give Monmouth-Roseville a (5-1, 1-1) record. Macomb dropped to (7-8, 0-3).
Finishing up at 6:51, the game lasted 2 hours and 41 minutes. Not quite a marathon, but pretty darn long when I have been covering some 60-minute softball games recently!!!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
A Long Day, and a Quick Rundown
Random Musings
I plan on writing a full blog later on today's coverage of the Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb baseball game game. Monmouth-Roseville won a marathon, exciting game at Phil Bradley Field, 11-10. Length of game was 2 hours, 41 minutes.
R.I.P. Jack Larson
A radio legend passed away today, my former co-worker, Jack Larson, passed away from cancer today at the age of 87. What is remarkable, is the man worked up until about a month ago. The only thing that kept him away from the microphone was being bed-ridden with the disease in recent weeks. I didn't get to know Jack all too well, but over the past two years, I learned many things from him, just being in his presence and listening. He hosted, "Music with Memories" on 1590 WAIK (Galesburg), and one of my favorite things to hear him say, was when he would jump on his soap box about drivers not turning their headlights on in the rain. He will truly be missed!
Coverage This Week
After yesterday's trip to Abingdon, I have layed out a little bit of a schedule for the rest of the week. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I plan on heading over to United, to watch the Red Storm softball team take on Mercer County. United just opened up their new softball diamond at the high school this past Saturday. It looks like I will be taking a break on Thursday, to meet with my tax man, and on Friday I plan on taking in Metamora @ Galesburg (baseball). Saturday is still up in the air.
Early Planning
Some thoughts have gone through my head about my approach for next basketball season. With my schedule, it is extremely hard to update the scoreboards every night, so I am working on a method, and seeking some assistance on it for next season. Two reasons, number one, to take a big stresser off of me, and two, to make it more complete. In addition, I had a lot of requests for a football scoreboard, and with the statewide schedules released in June/July, I think I can make this happen pretty easily.
Summer Coverage
I hope to take in a few shootouts this summer. It is looking like my summer schedule is much less daunting than a year ago, though things change on a weekly basis it seems.
Conference Shakeups
More conference shakeups could be looming, though these are expected. According to some sources close to the situation, the West Central Conference could be adding new schools soon, for the 2011-12 school year. It appears as if Quincy Notre Dame and Chillicothe IVC will not be voted into this conference, as they were being reported as a possibility to join. Spring Valley Hall is a name that I've heard could very well join the conference as a football-only member in 2011, which would give the league their 10th team.
I plan on writing a full blog later on today's coverage of the Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb baseball game game. Monmouth-Roseville won a marathon, exciting game at Phil Bradley Field, 11-10. Length of game was 2 hours, 41 minutes.
R.I.P. Jack Larson
A radio legend passed away today, my former co-worker, Jack Larson, passed away from cancer today at the age of 87. What is remarkable, is the man worked up until about a month ago. The only thing that kept him away from the microphone was being bed-ridden with the disease in recent weeks. I didn't get to know Jack all too well, but over the past two years, I learned many things from him, just being in his presence and listening. He hosted, "Music with Memories" on 1590 WAIK (Galesburg), and one of my favorite things to hear him say, was when he would jump on his soap box about drivers not turning their headlights on in the rain. He will truly be missed!
Coverage This Week
After yesterday's trip to Abingdon, I have layed out a little bit of a schedule for the rest of the week. Tomorrow (Wednesday), I plan on heading over to United, to watch the Red Storm softball team take on Mercer County. United just opened up their new softball diamond at the high school this past Saturday. It looks like I will be taking a break on Thursday, to meet with my tax man, and on Friday I plan on taking in Metamora @ Galesburg (baseball). Saturday is still up in the air.
Early Planning
Some thoughts have gone through my head about my approach for next basketball season. With my schedule, it is extremely hard to update the scoreboards every night, so I am working on a method, and seeking some assistance on it for next season. Two reasons, number one, to take a big stresser off of me, and two, to make it more complete. In addition, I had a lot of requests for a football scoreboard, and with the statewide schedules released in June/July, I think I can make this happen pretty easily.
Summer Coverage
I hope to take in a few shootouts this summer. It is looking like my summer schedule is much less daunting than a year ago, though things change on a weekly basis it seems.
Conference Shakeups
More conference shakeups could be looming, though these are expected. According to some sources close to the situation, the West Central Conference could be adding new schools soon, for the 2011-12 school year. It appears as if Quincy Notre Dame and Chillicothe IVC will not be voted into this conference, as they were being reported as a possibility to join. Spring Valley Hall is a name that I've heard could very well join the conference as a football-only member in 2011, which would give the league their 10th team.
Audio Interviews on the Website
IHSSN conducted a few interviews this week. The new Interviews page is now online. Here is the rundown on my talks.
Galesburg baseball coach Arnie Gonzalez talks about the team's trip to Florida for spring break, who has the hot bat for the Silver Streaks, and how the Western Big 6 conference race looks to shake out. The Streaks have won 4 straight.
Abingdon baseball coach Joe Nichols runs down his team, off to an (8-8) start. The Commandoes have a very young and inexperienced team, but have played several games early in the season to get things in order.
Cobden softball coach Nathan Emrick discusses why a (9-3) start has tested the Appleknockers, a very familiar lineup with only 2 seniors on last year's roster, and a little bit of shuffling among his veterans in the field.
These interviews can be found at http://www.ihssn.net/interviews.htm
Galesburg baseball coach Arnie Gonzalez talks about the team's trip to Florida for spring break, who has the hot bat for the Silver Streaks, and how the Western Big 6 conference race looks to shake out. The Streaks have won 4 straight.
Abingdon baseball coach Joe Nichols runs down his team, off to an (8-8) start. The Commandoes have a very young and inexperienced team, but have played several games early in the season to get things in order.
Cobden softball coach Nathan Emrick discusses why a (9-3) start has tested the Appleknockers, a very familiar lineup with only 2 seniors on last year's roster, and a little bit of shuffling among his veterans in the field.
These interviews can be found at http://www.ihssn.net/interviews.htm
Canton Thanksgiving Tournament Field Grows Bigger & Stronger
IHSSN has learned that the Peoria Manual Rams and Chicago Marshall will join the field at the Canton Thanksgiving Tournament in 2010. Marshall took 3rd place in the Class 3A state finals this past March, while Manual took 2nd place in the Class 2A state finals, falling to Robinson in overtime of the state championship game. The five-team field also features the host Canton Little Giants, Macomb Bombers, and Illini Central Cougars. Metamora will not return to this year's field.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Running on Fumes: Double Dipping in Abingdon
Sherrard @ Abingdon (Softball)
Ridgewood @ Abingdon (Baseball)
(4/12/10)
Another late decision on where my travels would take me on this Monday afternoon. After reading over the area schedule, the Abingdon Commandoes were hosting a softball and baseball game, an easy double dip.
The big plus to this is that Sherrard and Abingdon have both been stellar on the softball diamond. The Tigers come in with a (15-2) record, while the hosts are (9-1). The Abingdon baseball team was another team that I had wanted to check out, and actually spoke with head coach Joe Nichols earlier in the day.
One thing that I have become known for with my fellow broadcast partners, are the adventures of how much gas is in my tank, and will it be enough to get us there. Macomb football coach Kelly Sears, my basketball broadcast partner for a few years still ribs me to this day about how full my tank is.
After a long day at the office, my mind was focused on getting to Abingdon (about a 30-minute drive) by 4:30, forgetting the fact that I rolled into town with the low fuel light on. I learned the hard way about five or six years ago that my Ford Explorer had much less fuel life than my previous car, a Dodge Avenger. It was learned at about 2 a.m. about 10 miles from home, after a long road trip. Fortunately, I have some good friends that were willing to trek out and pick me up.
I took off across country, without a town in between Monmouth and Abingdon, with the exception of Cameron. As I approached Route 41, I looked down, and with a look of horror on my face, realized I have been driving over 20 miles with that fuel light on, with another 10 miles to go.
Breathing heavily, and going through a rolodex of names of people I could call in Abingdon, I hoped I could make the short stretch on fumes. I did, and again I made a stop at good old Casey's to fuel up before heading to the diamond.
With the trip to the gas station, I was put back an extra five minutes, making it to the Abingdon baseball/softball complex in the 2nd inning of the game. This was my first trip to the Abingdon ball diamonds. The baseball field sits to the left, with the softball field over to the right.
I weaved through the winding road and found a parking spot next to the practice diamond. I popped a squat on the bleachers along the first base line. The score was 0-0 in the top of the 2nd inning, but that changed with an RBI single. Abingdon's Jamelia Sahyouni hit a stand-up double to the centerfield fence in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but would be stranded.
Sherrard poked out a triple in the 3rd inning, while the Commandoes mustered up a single in the bottom of the frame. Sherrard went down, 1-2-3 in the 4th inning. Sahyouni had her 2nd hit of the game in the 4th inning on a single, while Sheridan Brown also rapped out a base hit.
With Sherrard leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning, the Commandoes nearly tied the game. Allyson Cordle hit a single in the frame. Dana Combs hit a single into left field, and Cordle came around to score, but was tagged out on a play at the plate to end the inning.
The Tigers plated their 2nd run of the game in the 6th inning, on an RBI double. Two more insurance runs scored in the 7th inning by Sherrard, to win the game, 4-0. Sherrard improves to 16-2 on the season, while Abingdon drops to 9-2. The game lasted 1:21.
Interviews of both coaches, Sherrard's Becky Ince and Abingdon's Lynn Jones. I then set out to catch the end of the Ridgewood/Abingdon baseball game. Normally, softball games end much earlier and there is plenty of time to catch the last innings of a baseball game. Not today!
As I walked along the outfield fence of the baseball field, I noticed the Ridgewood players boarding their bus. The game was over. Abingdon coach Joe Nichols was talking with Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Aaron Frey. They informed me it was quick as lightning, with the Commandoes plating 7 runs in the 5th inning, to win 10-0.
Nichols and I talked for a few minutes, then did our video interview. Afterwards, as Nichols headed over to the dugout, some of his players were calling him "Hollywood" Nichols, for his camera time.
I set up the laptop in the car, logged online and plugged in the camera to upload the videos. Again, I certainly enjoy technology!
On a side, the latest Illinois Coaches Association Softball rankings (1A through 4A) are now posted on www.ihssn.net.
IHSSN will also be uploading some audio interviews with coaches this week. Stay tuned!
Ridgewood @ Abingdon (Baseball)
(4/12/10)
Another late decision on where my travels would take me on this Monday afternoon. After reading over the area schedule, the Abingdon Commandoes were hosting a softball and baseball game, an easy double dip.
The big plus to this is that Sherrard and Abingdon have both been stellar on the softball diamond. The Tigers come in with a (15-2) record, while the hosts are (9-1). The Abingdon baseball team was another team that I had wanted to check out, and actually spoke with head coach Joe Nichols earlier in the day.
One thing that I have become known for with my fellow broadcast partners, are the adventures of how much gas is in my tank, and will it be enough to get us there. Macomb football coach Kelly Sears, my basketball broadcast partner for a few years still ribs me to this day about how full my tank is.
After a long day at the office, my mind was focused on getting to Abingdon (about a 30-minute drive) by 4:30, forgetting the fact that I rolled into town with the low fuel light on. I learned the hard way about five or six years ago that my Ford Explorer had much less fuel life than my previous car, a Dodge Avenger. It was learned at about 2 a.m. about 10 miles from home, after a long road trip. Fortunately, I have some good friends that were willing to trek out and pick me up.
I took off across country, without a town in between Monmouth and Abingdon, with the exception of Cameron. As I approached Route 41, I looked down, and with a look of horror on my face, realized I have been driving over 20 miles with that fuel light on, with another 10 miles to go.
Breathing heavily, and going through a rolodex of names of people I could call in Abingdon, I hoped I could make the short stretch on fumes. I did, and again I made a stop at good old Casey's to fuel up before heading to the diamond.
With the trip to the gas station, I was put back an extra five minutes, making it to the Abingdon baseball/softball complex in the 2nd inning of the game. This was my first trip to the Abingdon ball diamonds. The baseball field sits to the left, with the softball field over to the right.
I weaved through the winding road and found a parking spot next to the practice diamond. I popped a squat on the bleachers along the first base line. The score was 0-0 in the top of the 2nd inning, but that changed with an RBI single. Abingdon's Jamelia Sahyouni hit a stand-up double to the centerfield fence in the bottom of the 2nd inning, but would be stranded.
Sherrard poked out a triple in the 3rd inning, while the Commandoes mustered up a single in the bottom of the frame. Sherrard went down, 1-2-3 in the 4th inning. Sahyouni had her 2nd hit of the game in the 4th inning on a single, while Sheridan Brown also rapped out a base hit.
With Sherrard leading 1-0 in the bottom of the 5th inning, the Commandoes nearly tied the game. Allyson Cordle hit a single in the frame. Dana Combs hit a single into left field, and Cordle came around to score, but was tagged out on a play at the plate to end the inning.
The Tigers plated their 2nd run of the game in the 6th inning, on an RBI double. Two more insurance runs scored in the 7th inning by Sherrard, to win the game, 4-0. Sherrard improves to 16-2 on the season, while Abingdon drops to 9-2. The game lasted 1:21.
Interviews of both coaches, Sherrard's Becky Ince and Abingdon's Lynn Jones. I then set out to catch the end of the Ridgewood/Abingdon baseball game. Normally, softball games end much earlier and there is plenty of time to catch the last innings of a baseball game. Not today!
As I walked along the outfield fence of the baseball field, I noticed the Ridgewood players boarding their bus. The game was over. Abingdon coach Joe Nichols was talking with Galesburg Register-Mail sports writer Aaron Frey. They informed me it was quick as lightning, with the Commandoes plating 7 runs in the 5th inning, to win 10-0.
Nichols and I talked for a few minutes, then did our video interview. Afterwards, as Nichols headed over to the dugout, some of his players were calling him "Hollywood" Nichols, for his camera time.
I set up the laptop in the car, logged online and plugged in the camera to upload the videos. Again, I certainly enjoy technology!
On a side, the latest Illinois Coaches Association Softball rankings (1A through 4A) are now posted on www.ihssn.net.
IHSSN will also be uploading some audio interviews with coaches this week. Stay tuned!
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