Unfortunately after beating Doncaster 15-14 in the Semi Final and earning a spot in the GF, Doncaster hit back in the GF and were too tough. Congratulations to the Melbourne team for reaching the last game of the year.
Under 16 State vs Waverley - WON 4-3
Under 16 State - Round 14, 17 Feb 2008
| |
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
Bye |
Pts |
For |
Ag |
Pct |
|
| 1 |
Melbourne |
14 |
12 |
0 |
2 |
|
26 |
153 |
46 |
769 |
| 2 |
Essendon |
14 |
11 |
2 |
1 |
|
23 |
128 |
42 |
753 |
| 3 |
Waverley |
14 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
|
22 |
112 |
58 |
659 |
| 4 |
Werribee |
14 |
10 |
4 |
|
|
20 |
120 |
70 |
632 |
| 5 |
Geelong |
14 |
8 |
5 |
1 |
|
17 |
87 |
90 |
492 |
| 6 |
Springvale/Haileybury |
14 |
6 |
6 |
2 |
|
14 |
110 |
111 |
498 |
| 7 |
Cheltenham |
14 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
|
13 |
85 |
109 |
438 |
| 8 |
Upwey FTG |
14 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
|
9 |
92 |
102 |
474 |
| 9 |
Doncaster |
14 |
3 |
10 |
1 |
|
7 |
85 |
151 |
360 |
| 10 |
Newport/Williamstown |
14 |
2 |
10 |
2 |
|
6 |
75 |
130 |
366 |
| 11 |
Bonbeach |
14 |
2 |
10 |
2 |
|
6 |
74 |
155 |
323 |
| 12 |
Fitzroy/Preston |
14 |
2 |
11 |
1 |
|
5 |
51 |
120 |
298 |
It’s the big day of the season …. finally here (no pun intended). Nerves, expectation, anticipation going overtime. Would the team go undefeated for the season? The stage is set, diamond 2 at Cheltenham … spectators and players everywhere … U18s on diamond 1, U12s and U14s on the grassy fields at the front. It’s a beautiful morning, clear blue sky, a touch of fog hanging around the far trees and dew on the grass … expected top 37C. At least the players will be spared the hottest part of the day. Time seemed to go so slowly leading to the coaches and umpires meeting at home plate for the start of the game. Suddenly, the young Demons are out there, on the diamond running warm-up routine. Cam climbs the mound and hurls the obligatory dozen pitches down to Jack, the infield criss-cross the ball around the diamond and the outfield nonchalantly toss the ball back and forth.
The umpire calls out “PLAY” and points toward Cam, the field is set … watching every movement and the spectators hush. The first 2 pitches are balls followed by 3 strikes and we all breathe a little easier. … it’s important in big matches to get settle early. The inning was over in quick time with another SO and a groundball 3 rd to 1 st out.
Bryce led off the batting but succumbed to some good pitches to join the boys back on the bench, Brad waited for the right pitch but then hit a line drive straight to the 2 nd baseman, Tristan forced a walk, likewise for Emmo and Justin ended the inning with a groundball hit for a 2 nd to 1 st out.
Score 0-0.
Second inning and the young Demons kept the pressure on with a S/S to 1 st out and 2 SOs.
Alex, first up, smacked a line drive to the L/F fence which was gathered in quickly allowing only a single, Cam walked so did Chris, Jack went down swinging and Bryce also sauntered back to the shed. Brad then drove the first pitch hard to the C/F fence for a double that sent Alex, Cam and then Chris home, Tristan whacked a searing low level missile between 1 st and 2nd into R/F for a single advancing Brad to 3 rd. Tristan then distracted the field at 1 st with Emmo at-bat giving Brad the opportunity to slide past the catcher to score run 4. Emmo eventually returned to the bench after having his socks ripped off with a low fastball thus ending the inning.
Score 4-0.
Top of the third saw a SO, a run scored after a fielding error and then a double play S/S to 2 nd to 1 st. Justin batting first eked out a walk so did Alex, Cam uncharacteristically swung at insects as did Chris and Jack lofted a high fly ball to C/F for the third out.
Score 4-1.
The fourth inning and things were hotting up, a regulation 3 rd to 1 st with a long stretch by T at 1 st to make the out, a DTS caused by an unpredictable curve ball allowing batter 2 on base who made home on a hit from batter 4 then a double out at 3 rd from a line drive fly out catching the runner off base. Bryce, Brad and Tristan were up and down in quick succession in the reply batting dig.
Score 4-2.
Cam started well in the fifth with 2 SOs but a pitch count of 75 was beginning to take its toll and the next 3 batters got on base with 1 scoring. Alex took over on the hill and the dig completed with a line drive fly out to 3 rd. Emmo led off the batting with a walk, Justin hit a groundball to S/S who took out Emmo running to 2 nd, Alex smashed a double down the R/F line but then Cam and Chris not finding any rhythm swung at air to end the inning.
Score 4-3.
Looking at the clock there was 20 minutes of game time left which could mean 1 more inning! What would happen next was in the lap of the gods.
Inning six and the Demons were in trouble early with loaded bases however a great pitch from Alex saw the batter knock the ball back to him allowing the boys to make a double out on a 1-2-3 play (pitcher to catcher to 1 st). The next batter swung late sending a sharp groundball at T on 1 st who casually effected the out. The bottom of the dig and there were about 10 minutes to go … all they had to do was take their time and wind down the clock. Jack up first and in the heat of the moment connected with the first pitch and was subsequently thrown out at 1 st, Harley next copped 3 strikes and a ball to end up back with his team mates, then Brad with a cool head ran up the pitch count to six before lobbing a chip shot single over 3 rd base …. just what the doctor ordered. T was next and he kept the dig going until swinging out on the sixth pitch. At this point all eyes were on the umpire who in dramatic form kept everyone in suspense until finally he raised his arms and called “TIME AND GAME”. It was over, the boys had won! They came pouring out of the dugout jumping around like kangaroos on a hot tin roof and the coach was wandering around as though lost in the desert! Handshakes and high fives everywhere as it sunk in and the coach was speechless and somewhat emotional and eventually quite wet from the odd water bottle spray. The presentation ceremony followed with each player, the coach, team manager and scorer receiving a medallion and the team a pennant and perpetual shield. Cam was presented with the MVP award however I should say at this point that it is difficult to single out individual performances in finals as they are as much about team spirit, confidence and determination as anything else. Brad had an extraordinary day scoring all 4 runs, can’t remember seeing that before, Alex came into pitch in tough circumstances and won out, Jack and Emmo had to catch a large number of curve balls in a pressure game, the infield of Justin Chris and Tristan executed the plays when needed and the outfield of Bryce, Brad and Harley were steady all game. Lastly, I’d like to thank all the parents who have made it possible, particularly Jo for scoring each week. My final words are reserved for our intrepid battle weary coach … Hondo, you’ve got a medallion, you have a pennant aaaand now THE SHIELD!
2nd Semi Final |
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
R |
H |
E |
| Essendon |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
| Melbourne |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
| Details | | |
Under 14 Metro East vs Blackburn / Waverley - Won 10-8
What makes a good baseball team?
It’s a combination of having respect for your mates, the Melbourne baseball club and having fun. The job of coaches and managers is to form the group into a team that makes less mistakes than the opposition.
All teams have outstanding players as did we. However without a team spirit and all players contributing there will be no success. The players who won the 2007-2008 under 14 east metro grand final are ,
Jack scheffer,Brandon hough, Stephen joyce , Mitchell Kelly , Lachlan kent , jesse Rintoul ,Tim ross , travis reudin , Patrick polites , Sebastian dunbar , Lachlan morris , ted middleditch ,
Tommy delatycki , adam hayman.
An outstanding effort by all .
Our team also consisted of umpires , scores , managers , linesman , and parents . This is a very good team .
Des marshall
Coach .
Under 14 Metro East - Round 14, 17 Feb 2008
| |
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
Bye |
Win
pct |
|
| 1 |
Melbourne |
14 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
|
89.3 |
| 2 |
Blackburn/Waverley |
14 |
11 |
1 |
2 |
|
85.7 |
| 3 |
Doncaster Knights |
13 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
69.2 |
| 4 |
Berwick Grey |
13 |
7 |
5 |
1 |
|
57.7 |
| 5 |
Malvern |
14 |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
57.1 |
| 6 |
Berwick Blue |
14 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
|
53.6 |
| 7 |
Moorabbin |
14 |
4 |
8 |
2 |
|
35.7 |
| 8 |
Doncaster Wizards |
14 |
2 |
9 |
3 |
|
25 |
| 9 |
Springvale/Haileybury |
14 |
1 |
11 |
2 |
|
14.3 |
| 9 |
Upwey FTG |
14 |
1 |
11 |
2 |
|
14.3 |
Prelim Final
Semi Final
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
|
R |
H |
E |
| Blackburn / Waverley |
0 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 |
|
|
| Melbourne |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
Little League Domestic
It was an all Melbourne affair in the Little League Domestic Grand Final. In the end it was Melbourne Red getting up by a single run. It was a very tight game with Melbourne Blue scoring 3 runs in the top of the last to tie up the game. Melbourne Red held strong in the final dig to score the go ahead and winning run. Congratulations to all that competed and a big thanks to all the parents for a successful season.
Little League Central Centre - Round 11, 29 Feb 2008
| |
Team |
P |
W |
L |
D |
Bye |
Win
pct |
|
| 1 |
Melbourne Red |
8 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
93.8 |
| 2 |
Melbourne Blue |
10 |
7 |
3 |
|
1 |
70 |
| 3 |
Fitzroy |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
2 |
66.7 |
| 4 |
Malvern Indians |
9 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
50 |
| 5 |
Malvern Mets |
10 |
4 |
6 |
|
1 |
40 |
| 6 |
Malvern Braves |
10 |
3 |
7 |
|
1 |
30 |
| 7 |
Preston |
8 |
0 |
8 |
|
2 |
0 |
Grand Final
U12 Reds Report
Friday night – (semi final) Melbourne Reds 8 vs. Malvern Indians 2
Our semi final was a tight game early on. Malvern came out hard and scored 2 runs in the first innings. We held our nerve and replied with 2 runs ourselves, then shut out Malvern for the rest of the game. In the second innings we scored our go ahead run when Alex Hayman hit a ground ball. We followed up with 5 runs in the 3 rd and never looked back. Plenty of strong hitting from the whole team including Callum Kent who thought he had an “in the park” homerun until an honest fielder, coach and umpire pulled him back to 2 nd. Base, great hit anyway and excellent running.
Justin Limburg improved in each of his 3 innings pitching. He was well backed up by Sean Rintoul behind the plate, Sean caught the whole game and let very little past. Sarah Chancellor-Goddard and Charlie Keyhoe threw one innings each and both held Malvern scoreless.
Thanks to Matt Houlden for coming down and umpiring and all the parents for the set up of the ground.
This Friday night, get down and support both teams in the local Grand Final derby – Melbourne Red vs. Melbourne Blue. 6.00pm. Friday night at Surrey Park.
2nd Semi Final
1st Semi Final
MCC Baseball Section 
