All Stars - It's a wrap.

Wow, now that I have fully recovered from all stars, I want to take a moment to thank a few folks who deserve notice, but clearly work for our kids without expecting anything.

First my assistant tournament Brad Young. (He hates when I call him that) He was tireless in his helping and dependability. Always there when I needed him, he helped me maintain my sanity.

Mitch Benson was quick and responsive filling all star needs, including the spiffy new blue helmets and catcher's gear. He also got us pins in a hurry and made the uniform distribution and collection as smooth as I have ever seen it.

Dana Stoop and Mary Beth Manderson kept the root beer floats, slush puppies and burgers and dogs and everything else stocked and staffed. Beth Zolina picked up and dropped off money and cut checks and balance out the books for the whole thing. It looks like, when all is said and done, we will make about $3,000 for the tournament.

This is another reason we have one of the lowest little league registration fees and do not require any candy or magazine selling.

Thanks to Dan Barnes, Howard Brown, and Damon chase for the work they did with the 11/12s. Thanks to Mike Byerline, Russ Shubert and Luke Towne for molding our 10/11s. And thanks to Lenny Van Every, Derek Vinyard and Matt wood for getting out 9/10s ready. Great job to all the coaches. Thanks Team moms and parent helpers also.

Brad Payton was hardly at any of our games. (He hates when I say that) but he was umpiring everyday somewhere for someone. He had one of the busiest crews in the district and his contributions were more invisible to most of us, but no less important.

I know I am probably leaving someone out, and I am sorry, but the list of good people who donated their time and money is very long. From the snack bar workers, to the scorekeepers and pitch counters. From the grillers to the announcers. From the mountains to the prairie... It was an awesome event.

Another shining star on FHLL's report card.

Thanks everyone!

-Tony Lawrence

So, c'mon out, bring your uniforms, grab a hot dog or burger and drink, maybe razz ma tazz, maybe not, and join in some just family fun.

Thanks again for a great season!

-Tony

In a heated interpretation of local rules, district policy and western regional, and all the way up to Williamsport, the FHLL 10/11 team had to finish a game that was ended a few days earlier and played a key role in the tie breakers. The explanation is far too long and boring, but the result is short and sweet and very exciting – We are moving on as the top seed.

We had to meet Singing Hills at ECN and they had the bases loaded and nobody out. Clayton Ross stepped to the mound against a kid who has hit a few post season home runs, including in TOC vs. FHLL and against FHLL in the game earlier. Clayton got him to pop up to Michael Byerline at first. Then he gave up a walk, and then got a strikeout. 2 outs. The next kid hit a shot through what would have been the 5.5 hole, but Jacob Denson made a great sliding stop and threw from one knee to Braeden Barr covering third base for the third out.

Check the district website for official schedule, or take a look at our calendar page for upcoming game schedules.

http://www.eteamz.com/cadistrict41/files/2008D41SingleEliminationAllSta7508am.pdf

 It looks like the 10/11’s play Lakeside American in front of a sure to be a large crowd at ECN at Sunday at 6 PM.

All of the FHLL teams performed really well. The 9/10s shook of a tough loss to Singing Hills and roared back to close out pool play with a win. The 10/11s and 11/12s were each within a run of gong 3-0 in pool play.

Parker Brown hit his first ever little league home run in a 7 run first inning that set the tone for an impressive 9-2 win over a powerful Santee Pioneer team. His fans were screaming “What time is it?” – “Peanut Butter Jelly time!” as they do when our own PB does well. Darren Brown hit two fly balls to the deepest part of the park in the first inning then later crushed a home run to right center, interrupting a bar be que beyond the fence. I guess the question “What can Brown do for you?” has been answered. This, despite folks trying to tell him he is not a power hitter! Josh Anderson gave up a first inning 2 run homer, then settled in and shut the Blue clad bruisers down the rest of the way. JT Barnes came in and shut the door in the 6^th.

The 11/12s will be moving on for sure as the 2 seed in the bracket. It looks like Sunday at 6:30 at our home field, but check the website and the district website for details and opponent after Thursday’s games are in the book.

*** Wait – news flash*** FHLL must finish incomplete game with Singing Hills. If they win, they move on!  

The 9/10s bounced back from the Singing Hills debacle to show that that one game was a fluke and these boys are for real.

However, I washed my game notes and have to go back to the book and remember who did what. I will update the summary later, but wanted everyone to know they are 2-1 and awaiting the last game and tie breaking scenarios to see if they move on.

Bailey Van Every had two hits and reached base safely 4 times out of four at bats, sparking the FHLL attack. Jake Zolina pitched great and scored three runs and Matt Russo came in and closed the doors and the 9/10s took the 2 seed and move on to the next round of single elimination playoffs. 

The 11/12 knew they were in for a nice night when pitcher Anthony Lawrence struck out the side in the first, and the second, and the third. He had a perfect game through four and ended up with a 1 hitter and one unearned run in an 11-1 win over Lakeside National.

Parker Brown (What time is it? – Peanut Butter Jelly Time!) and Darren Brown (What can Brown do for you?) contributed at the plate and on the base paths and JT Barnes had a bases loaded triple as the 11/12 rebounded from a tough loss and now have to beat a tough Santee Pioneer team to move out of pool play.

This game will be played Wednesday at 6:30 PM at FHLL.

http://www.aikorn.com/fhll/allstars/ and see if you can fill in a slot or two.

Our 10/11 team is still undefeated as they toppled Singing Hills… I am not sure what the score was. I was at the game, but the field the game was on had a 9:30 PM auto light shut off. The game was still going, with FHLL having scored several runs in the 6th, but with the bases loaded for Singing Hills and FHLL leading by 9, the game was called and the score reverted back to the 5th inning score, which I think was 13 – 9. The game was close until the 5th when FHLL took a lead and then broke it wide open in the 6th… which didn’t count…

Jacob Denson set the tone for a big night with a monstrous first inning home run. The teams battled back and forth with clutch hitting contributions from Braeden Barr, Ryan Barnes and Noah Stoop. Nathan Hamilton got in the act with a big hit late and the team cruised to a victory. This all but assures this team of moving out of pool play and they have a very good shot at emerging as the number 1 seed.

The next game is July 1st at El Cajon National, vs. El Cajon National.

The 9/10s lost a tough one, 27-7 to Singing Hills. It may sound funny, but the game was not nearly as bad as the score indicated. We had chances to score a lot more runs as we loaded the bases a few times and had several chances. But the bats were alive for Singing Hills and the gloves were dead for FHLL. Error upon error snowballed as the boys could not get anything going. Every time the boys had a chance another Singing Hills player delivered a big hit. Isreal “Izzy” Gomez shook off the announcer messing up his name – twice – and hit his first career home run as the onslaught continued. Mercy rule took on a whole new meaning.

The boys were down but after a couple of hard practices. They seemed to have renewed spirit and determination. Let’s hope he can settle the kids down because at 1 win and 1 loss, they can still move on with a win in the next game – July 1st @ 6:30 vs Lakeside National @ Fletcher Hills Mor field.

Come on out and support a team! This is some good baseball!

All Stars off to an exciting start

For all the scores and schedules, go to

http://www.eteamz.com/cadistrict41/handouts/ 

As you all know, we are hosting many all star games. The reviews of our fields and facilities are in and the verdict is spectacular! The personnel, field and ambience are warmly received as Fletcher Hills Little League perpetuates it’s reputation as one of the best places to host all star games. Thanks to everyone who has made this event smooth and fun – the best is yet to come!

FHLL Cooks up a win in 9-10 play. 

In the opening game of the tournament, our boys from Fletcher Hills squared off against Lakeside American. The boys came out tight and got behind. Alex Cook hit a 2 run home run, but we still trailed 5-2 in the bottom of the 6^th with 2 outs. Alex returned to the plate with 2 men on base. Alex hit a tremendous home run, his second of the game, to right center field to tie the game. The game remained tied into extra innings as Alex Cook took the mound for FHLL and held Lakeside American scoreless for four innings. Into the bottom of the ninth Jackson Greaves beat out an infield single. Van Every put speedy Cameron Toye in to run for Greaves. Matt Russo stepped up to the plate, squared and laid down a perfect bunt down the first base line. With  the quick Toye running on contact and Matt Russo’s speed, the flustered Lakeside American pitcher threw the ball into right field. Cameron raced around third and slid safely into home, just ahead of the tag.

The game was very well played by both teams and a joy to watch. Bailey Van Every and Jake Lopez turned 2 sparkling double plays and the entire team played solid defense. Now that the opening game jitters are out of the way, this team is fired up about the next game with Signing Hills and the prospect of moving out of pool play. Manager Lenny Van Every and coaches Matt Wood and Derek Vinyard are cautiously optimistic, and the boys are confident and the tournament continues Saturday, the 28^th, @ 3:30 against Singing Hills.

In the other 9-10 game at FHLL, Singing Hills beat Lakeside National 15 – 0.

 Questionable Calls keep Barnes’ Boys one short

(Full disclosure – I am writing this with a slight FHLL bias, but still call them as I see them.)

*** The above was amended.

Wow. While this is written by FHLL and for FHLL AND I put a disclaimer at the beginning and immediately after my “joke” about the umpires, someone took it upon themselves to complain, so I have to remove anything that might be offensive. I would be shocked if it was the actual umpires who complained, as we talked after the game and I joked about how ½ the folks thought he nailed the call and ½ thought he blew it, like in every close call of every game. I even said “this was written tongue in cheek” I also said “this was written with an FHLL bias.” (see below – un edited) but in this hyper sensitive anonymous complaining world, I have to remove it. There were parents teasing and ripping kids during games, heated exchanges on the field, but our little website has to be monitored for jokes. Sigh. More joke free, dry commentary to follow after our teams have all played 2 games.

For the record, I would hope nobody would complain about our fields and games or crew, but if you post it on your website, I promise I won’t look for it, nor will I complain if someone tells me about it. Especially if it is a joke, and super especially if you say it is a joke.

Actually, they were two very close calls, and I am writing this tongue in cheek. The boys played with poise and spirit and are eager for another chance to redeem them selves. That chance comes Sunday at 6:30 PM against Lakeside National.

 Byerline’s Boys ride Ross to Romp

Our traveling warriors (the only FHLL team that is not playing at home – random draw, we have nothing to do with it) went to El Cajon National to play Cajon De Oro. The story of the game was Clayton Ross. He pitched almost a complete game 5 2/3 innings of shut out baseball. He ran out of pitches and Braeden Barr struck out the last batter to finish Clayton’s masterpiece. The 10-11 squad cruised to a 9-0 victory behind some slick fielding and timely hitting and left 12 runners on base in a game that was not as close as the score indicated. Zac Snow, Braeden Barr and Will Anderson delivered clutch hits to account for most of the scoring and it was a total team effort.

This sets up a match up Monday at ECN @ 6:30 between FHLL (who won 9-0) and Singing Hills (who beat El Cajon National 12 – 1) in what looks to be a top notch battle between the “hills.”

We are hosting games at our local field every day except the 4^th and 5^th of July! Check back to follow the story of how our boys do! 

President: Andrew Greaves

1st Vice President/Player Agent: Brad Peyton

2nd Vice President/Equipment & Purchasing Agent: Brad Young

Secretary: Lori Hamilton

Safety Officer: Derek Vinyard

Treasurer: Beth Zolina

Auxiliary President: Vacant

Auxiliary Vice President: Kristi Rainey

Information Officer: Paul Kelton

Coaching Coordinator: Tony Lawrence

Sponsorship & Trophies Coordinator: Leslie Schreiner

Field Maintenance Coordinator: Jeff Russo

Major League Coordinator: Mike Simpson 

Minor League Coordinator: Devin Harmon

Caps Coordinator: Dan Crago

Tee-Ball/Rookies Coordinator: Jennifer Chase

Umpire-In-Chief: Matt Wood

Listed by team and alphabetically by last name 

9/10 Team

Alex Cook

Jackson Greaves

Jake Harr 

Dylan King

Jake Lopez

Brent Marchand

Josh McFaul

Matt Russo

Cameron Toye

Bailey Van Every

Mason Vinyard

Ryan Young

Jake Zolina

10/11 Team

Will Andersen

Michael Austin

Ryan Barnes

Braeden Barr

Connor Burrill

Michael Byerline

Jacob Denson

Nathan Hamilton

Clayton Ross

Zack Snow

Austin Stephens

Noah Stoop

Bryce Towne

11/12

Josh Anderson

JT Barnes

Darren Brown

Parker Brown
Trevor Chapman

Joe Ferrell

Chris Hudgins

Kurt Keller

Anthony Lawrence

Julian Reisch

Austin Stewart

Garrett Welsh

Please give our kids congratulations.  Great work boys!!

Team  11/12 - Dan Barnes

Team 10/11 - Mike Byerline

Team 9/10 - Lenny Van Every

Congratulations!