It was alot of work ... and some fun ... for Memphis Tiger Parents, Friends and Family working the O'Reilly 200 Craftsman Truck Races at Memphis MotorSports Park June 27-28, 2008

Darryl Worley rocks  the  Memphis Motorsports park after  the race

Darryl Worley with Memphis Tiger fans after the concert	Richard Baugh with his high school buddy Darryl Worley	Darryl Worley signs autorgraph for Haley Baugh	Darryl Worley with Frank, Preston & Garrett

The Memphis Tigers played in the FCA World Series this week-end and played up in the 10 yr old division. The Tigers played up trying to compete with older, stronger and faster boys in order to prepare for the Elite 24 in Orlando, FL. The Tigers found just that !!  The Tigers faced some of the most experienced Pitchers they have seem all year. The Tiger Coaches also had to bring out the David vs Goliath as they took the field against the hard hitting Mississippi Badgers who towered over Tigers.

TheTigers would go 3-0 in pool play, pulling a come from behind victory over the Arlington Tigers 7-6. The Tiger bats got hot in their next 2 pool games scoring 30 runs and only allowing 2. This would give the Tigers #1 seed.

The Tiger would face The Collierville Reds who were fresh off a State Championship weekend, where they had brought home the gold. The Reds were looking to advance and brought the best control pitcher the Tigers have seem this season. The Reds Pitcher was able to change speed at will and kept the Tiger bats off balance most of the game. The Tigers Defense held strong while the bats did just enough to take a lead and keep it. The Tigers Pitching Staff used 3 pitchers (Franklin Hefflinger, Preston Trainor, Hugh Fisher) who complemented each other greatly. The Tigers Brought in the big lefty (Hugh Fisher) to close the game and seal the Victory. 4-3 Tigers

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

ARLINGTON TIGERS VS. MEMPHIS TIGERS 

The Championship Game brought good solid baseball by both teams.Hayden Leatherwood would get the call and take the mound for the Tigers. The Tigers took a 1 run lead in the first and added another 1 run across the plate in the second. Arlington got hot in the 3rd and took a 1 run lead in the 3rd. 3-2 Arlington. The Tigers would get to see the curve ball as the Arlington Tiger pitcher would mix it in with his hard fastball. The Tigers bats got hot with a flury and plated 4 runs to take a 7-3 lead. Arlington would battle right back and plate 2 more runs to close the gap. The Tigers would lean on Big Papa ( DJ ROBINSON) to close the game. DJ took the mound and never threw a ball in the bottom of the sixth. DJ got the lead on every batter with 2 strikes. DJ would get a ground out, strike out and a ground out to 2nd to end the game. Hayden and DJ were only behind on 2 hitters the whole game in the pitch count, Hayden came back and put 1 of those in the books.   TIGERS 7-5 CHAMPIONS !!!!

Highlights : TIGERS WIN AROUND THE HORN SKILLS COMPETITION !!  

 Every Tiger player taking the mound !!!! 11 different pitchers !!!

Preston Trainor hitting to the warning track 3 times

Bam Bam (The Gun) Cochran throwing out runners from behind the plate & Game winning hit against Arlington in last inning with 2 outs !!!  7-6 Tigers !!!!

Hayden Leatherwood driving in the winning run (4-3 against the REDS) Solid Pitching

Steven Kendrick going 5 of 5 Monday night 

Solid defense play from Garret Baugh & Logan Cain shutting off the left side of the field !!

The Tigers team work and confidence in each other has put this team on a new level !!  Every Tiger crossed the plate and made huge plays to contribute in their success. Some teams will never play in a World Series Championship Game. These Young men have WON ONE !!!!!!!

GO TIGERS !!!!!

The Tigers won every pool game and beat every team in the tournament to claim #1 seed in the Championship game. The format only brought #1 & #2 back to play for the West Tennessee State title.

The crazy format brought the Tigers back early to play the Germantown Giants in a pool game before the Championship game. The Giants were fresh off a 1st place Championship Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska and fighting for a spot in the State Championship game. The Tigers were looking for that first win against the Giants. The Giants pulled off upsets over the Tigers in their previous 2 meetings. The Tigers jumped out front and held on for the Victory. D J Robinson would strike out the last Giant batter with runners on to preserve the win. Tiger 9-7

The Tigers were non-existant in the Championship game. It seemed that Line Drive was at batting practice as they found every hole on the field. 6 looping hits right over 2nd base. The Tigers were crushing the ball as well, just every ball found a Line Drive glove to fall in. The Tigers had beaten Line Drive the day before in tough ball game 9-8. These 2 teams are capable of scoring runs at will when their bats get hot. These 2 teams have pushed each other all year and the Tigers are a better Ball team thanks to Line Drive. Congrats to Line Drive on the victory!!!

TIGERS BEAT COLLIERVILLE 15-1 , LINE DRIVE 9-8 , COYOTE'S 19-7, GIANTS 9-7 IN POOL PLAY.

Tigers were in the finals again !!!!

Go Tigers!!!!!

The Memphis Tigers have made the championship game
4 weeks in a row!!

The Tigers have had a long hard month of baseball. The Tigers have won 3 of their last 4 tournaments and are ready for a break. At the mid point of the season these young men have brought home hardware from every tournament but 1 and played every Sunday!!!! WOW !!

4 Championships

1 Runner-Up

2 Consolation Championships

These young men are a little banged up after such a long hard road filled with playing stout baseball teams. These Tigers are hitting the swimming pools and going fishing !!!!!  The Tigers are taking a well deserved two week break!!!!

Congrats to the Giants bringing home the Championship this weekend. Two more feet and it could have been the Tigers.  The Giants are a great coached team full of great athletes and fine young men. The Tigers and Giants are championship ball teams with a great history of battles and have many more to come. These are the games you live to be a part of (Championship Ball).

WE'LL BE BACK !!!!  (In 2 weeks)

Go Tigers !!!!!!

The Memphis Tigers traveled to Birmingham, AL chasing the dream - the Tigers had set their goals high this season and the Road to Disney was the Dream.  This meant becoming a member of the Elite 24 field that would compete in Orlando at the Wide World Of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World and be among the top 24 teams in the Nation. What would this take - it would require a Super NIT Championship.

The Tigers arrived late Friday afternoon and would draw the late game (9pm) against Rascal Basball. The Rascals would throw their big ace all night against the Tigers. The Tigers found a few holes but, the big #25 Brooks would keep the Tigers off balance all night. One of the best pitchers the Tigers have seen this year.

Sat morning brought more heartache for the Tigers, as the Alabama Attack and Line Drive Baseball sent the Tigers to the bottom of the seeding. The Tigers just could not get anything going and got a taste of what big time baseball teams are about. To compete at this level you can not take a pitch off. The Tiger coaches and players would have a mindset meeting after the Tigers 3rd loss of pool play. The Tigers wouldn't get to go swimming after the 3rd loss until they hit the Practice field. Coach Kendrick and Trainor wouldn't let the boys leave until the Tigers knew what 100% meant and how to finish.  Something happened in that session as the boys became a new team. On Sunday, Mother's Day, a different Tiger baseball team would take the field.

The Tigers were at the bottom of the pack with a #10 seeding which put the Tigers in the first game of the day, 8 a.m. against #7 seed Oxford Bombers.  The Tigers would jump out quick with 6 runs in the first. The Tiger defense did the rest. 7-5 Tigers

The Tigers would then advance to face the #2 seed Line Drive Baseball. The Tigers knew this would be a hard fought, close game, as these 2 teams have gone toe-to-toe each time they have met. D J Robinson would take the mound first with Chris Swanberg coming in and closing the door on Line Drive with some ace pitching. 8-6 Tigers advance to semi-finals

The Tigers would face the #3 seed TPSA Bandits. The Tigers would jump out with some solid hitting and defense to take a commanding lead 9-2 going into the bottom of the 6th. The Tigers were 3 outs away from the Championship game, not so fast!!  The hard hitting Bandits were not ready to just let the Tigers walk up the hill to the championship game. The Bandits strung together a few singles and then a GRANDSLAM !! and another solo Homerun. The Bandits had battled back and tied the game. The mental toughness of the Tigers showed as the International rules came into play. Hayden (The Hammer) Leatherwood would crush a single to center and drive in the 2 runs. D J Robinson would come in and get the Save and put the Tigers in the Championship Game.  Tigers 11-9

MEMPHIS TIGERS  vs  GULF COAST LIGHTNING

The Tigers would win the toss, thanks to D J calling tails and the Tigers would be the home team for the first time all day...  William Locke would take the mound and pitch 3 flawless innings. D J Robinson would get the scoring started for the Tigers with a 2 run 200+ HR over Left-center field. Garrett Baugh would come in and close the game pitching the last 3 innings. Tigers 6-4  (SUPER NIT CHAMPIONS)

This group proved what they could accomplish, when you believe in yourself and each other. This is what a Team is about!!!   The Tiger's backs were against the wall and all odds were against them.  The Tigers learned a lot from other teams this week-end on what being a team means. Hat's off to all the great teams in the Tournament. 

 Great Job Tigers !!!! 

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hayden Leatherwood 2 HR'S

DJ Robinson 2 RUN HR

BAM BAM 2 RUN HR

Steven Kendrick 4 double plays / diving outfield catch

Preston Trainor throwing out 2 base runners.

Tigers going 9 pitchers deep !!!!! with plenty of pitching left..

Every Tiger could be mentioned here!!!!!! Awesome !!!

Locke , Swanberg , Baugh , Cain , Hefflinger

Tigers Pitching !!! Tigers Hitting !!! (Sun)Tiger defense!!!!

Happy Mothers Day to the Tiger Moms!!!

TIGER SCORE 60 AND ALLOW ONLY 10 RUNS ON WEEKEND!!!!

The Tigers team defense is really starting to gel. The Tigers never had to pull a starting pitcher all week-end as the defense stood tall and the pitch counts stayed low. The Tiger Bats were hot all week-end. On Sunday the bats started slow but once the blood got flowing, they were hot!!

Every Tiger recorded hits and runs, a complete team effort. The Tiger parents had a great week-end with the best tasting BBQ in Memphis !!! The team chemistry is starting to show and the Tigers are ready to head to Birmingham, Alabama for the Super NIT.

Go Tigers !!!

Great job !!!

HIGHLIGHTS

Hayden Leatherwood Grand Slam!!!

Pitchers DJ Robinson, Hayden Leatherwood, Frank Hefflinger

Team Defense !!!

Team Bats !!

Tigers play hard in Atlanta 1 day Shoot-out!!

The Tigers traveled to Atlanta, which is surely the city of Home Cooking.   Congrats to the Bandits who overcame all odds and took the tournament!!!

The shoot-out only allowed 35 min games????  The Tigers played a total of 7 innings in 4 games???   The Tigers did play some good ball but with a 1-inning game, two 2-inning games and one 3-inning game it's hard to see which is the better team.  The Tigers let KENNESAW EXPRESS escape with a win. The Tigers were up 3-0 to lose 4-3 in sudden death OT. 

It was a Rainy long weekend for the Tigers but we did take the field and learned about each other and our Team.  The Tigers will take this experience and move forward as we always do... Go Tigers!!!

Highlights from the week-end: 

Solid pitching performances

Hayden Leatherwood goes yard at 185+

BAM BAM IS BACK !!!!!

The Tigers will have a huge fan in their prayers as Steve M. Kendrick (Pop) lost his battle with cancer this past Wednesday Morning. Pop was a huge baseball fan and taught Steven to love the game. As Steven use to watch entire Braves games with POP at the age age of 2. Pop's last outing was to the ball Park to watch the Tigers play ball in Atlanta. 

We Love you Pop and we know you'll be at every game from here on. 

Coach Kendrick 

TIGERS COMPLETE 2008 PRESEASON CAMP AND TACKLE BIG FOOT !!!!

The Tigers finished up their preseason camp. The Tigers started the camp off with some speed training at Velocity Sports, followed by a trip downtown to BIG FOOT LODGE. The Tigers would tackle the famous 4lb burger (see albums section) 

The Tigers would all travel and stay together thanks to VAN'S TO GO and Coach Trainor providing a model home for the Tigers to stay in overnight. 

Saturday would start at APAK with a morning warm-up practice, followed by a date with the Houston High School Coaches for the next practice. The Tigers would take a little lunch break (all meals provided by the mom's breakfeast and lunch). The Tigers would then have a 3 hour team Scrimmage.

After all this , it was time for some fun. The Tigers all went to COMMANDO and celebrated Steven's Birthday.

These Tigers have worked hard and ready for another successful season. Special Thanks to all those Highlighted above for making this camp possible and pushing the boys to their limits.

GREAT JOB TIGERS & THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK , COACH KENDRICK

2008 SPRING ROSTER

CHRISTOPHER SWANBERG

LOGAN CAIN

STEVEN KENDRICK

PRESTON TRAINOR

FRANKLIN HEFFLINGER

BAM BAM COCHRAN

WILLIAM LOCKE

D J  ROBINSON

ROLAND WILLIAMS

GARRETT BAUGH

HAYDEN LEATHERWOOD

TIGERS DEFEND FALL TITLE AT First Tennessee Fields

The Memphis Tigers finshed the fall season at First Tn Fields this past weekend winning all 5 games to claim the Championship and finishing with a 11-3 record this fall. Two of the Tigers only defeats came by 1 run with another loss to the NIT Fall Champion Lexington Red Raiders, which the Tigers let slip away.

The Tigers entered the tournament looking to play some solid baseball. The brackets would stack all the odds against the Tigers. The Tigers were ready for the challenge. The Tigers would face the Bolton Wildcats Friday night.  Logan Cain threw a shut-out pitching performance, while the Tiger offense added 11 runs accross the plate. The Tiger were starting hot. Tigers 11-0

Saturday would be a day that you could tell what these Tiger players are made of. This day would test the Tigers physically and mentally. The Tigers would play in back to back games against strong opponents. Some of the Tiger players had already played in soccer games and football games that morning.  The Tigers started off by playing a super talented Munford Redbird team. An old friend to the Tigers (Garrett Baugh) for the Redbirds would hold down the Tigers in the first with a double play and lead the Redbirds to the scoreboard with 2 runs scored in the game. The Redbirds would fight until the end but the Tigers played solid defense and had just enough Offense to jump out front.  Tigers 7-6

The second game of the day brought on Wildcat Baseball who would be getting a little help for some Jackson Coyote Players when they dropped out of the tournament. The Wildcats had an athlete in every position. One of the best outfields I have ever coached against.   These teams battled until the end. The bottom of the 6th the Tigers had a 1 run lead only to see the Wildcats tie the game quickly. The Wildcats Loaded the bases with no outs causing the Tigers to call time and get their heads back in the game. The Tigers were tired and drained but these young men never quit and fought till the end.  The Tigers held the Wildcats with a pop-up out, a hard hit to Preston Trainor at 2nd who threw home to Bam Bam Cochran standing on the plate for out 2. Bam was not done as the Wildcats try to squeeze the winning run home.  Bam with cat-like reflexes caught the pitch and dove to meet the runner before crossing homeplate. The Tigers would Prevail in the extra inning of International rule play with a strong closing performance from Franklin Hefflinger striking out the Wildcat Batter to secure the win for the Tigers. This win gave the Tigers #1 seed. Tigers 8-7

The Tigers would play the winner of Munford vs Wildcats Baseball for a chance to play for the Championship. The Wildcats Broke the game open and went on to defeat the Redbirds handly 9-2. 

The Tigers Wildcats would be another classic battle. After falling behind early the with the Wildcat outfield robbing Tiger hitters all day.  William Locke hit a line drive in the gap between left and center that was snaged by a Wildcat Centerfielder, the catch should be footage for an ESPN highlight.  Shaking that off, the Tigers started reeling the Wildcats back in. The Tigers firepower showed up and took a 5 run lead into the last inning.  This Wildcat team is tough and wasn't ready to go home as they plated 4 runs to bring the game within reach. The Wildcats put the runners in scoring position with their lead off hitter at the plate. The Tigers would bring Preston Trainor to try and save the game. Preston threw 1 pitch. The Wildcat leadoff hitter swung hard and the ball set sail to deep left field. Chris Swanberg made the catch seem routine as he snagged the third out and came racing to the dug-out. Tigers 12-11 Championship bound.

The Tigers would face the Memphis Heat in the Championship. The Tigers were battle tested all weekend and were just to hot for the Heat to handle. The Tigers hit the field running and never looked back. Tigers 24-2

Overall these players showed what they have learned in a short period and the future looks bright for this squad in 2008. The Tigers end the Fall as Champions and look to grow from the experience.   GO TIGERS !!! GREAT JOB!!!

TIGERS WIN FIRST USSSA FALL TOURNAMENT

The Tiger came out late last Saturday night to play the Arkansas Storm and Claim the #1 seed going into Sunday. The Tigers would stand behind the great pitching of Franklin Hefflinger with 5 SO'S on the night. The Tiger Defense was sound and Big Papa Goes Yard on the first pitch again.  Tigers 9-4

 The Tigers would come out Hot against the Desoto Cardinals in the first game of the day on Sunday. The Tigers ended this one early 13-1 Tigers. This put the Tigers in the Championship Game. The Tigers would have to watch the Braves and Storm battle for a place at the table. The Braves were a little to much for the Storm with their hot bats.

 MISSISSIPPI BRAVES  VS MEMPHIS TIGERS

The Tigers would lose the toss and Braves selected to be home team. The Tigers got on the board first with William Locke scoring for the Tigers, but this would be the Tigers only lead until late in the game. The Ms Braves backed a solid Pitching performance from there Ace for 6 innings of play with some solid hitting. The Braves lead the whole game and if it wasn't for the outstanding defensive play of (Double play Cain) The Tigers could have fallen a little deeper in the hole. Logan made 2 great double plays to keep the braves from extending their lead.

The Tigers Were aggressive at the plate but couldn't put any hits together. The Tigers took a 1 run lead in the top of the 6th but the braves would come crashing back to tie the game and send it to extra innings. The 7th inning saw the Tigers offense come alive. The Tigers put a quick run across the plate and loaded the bases with 1 out. Steven Kendrick came to the plate and crushed a double to the fence to drive in 2 runs and expand the lead. Bam Cochran added to the lead with some heads up base running.The Tigers would score a total of 6 runs in the 7th before the braves could Cool the Tiger Bats. Preston Trainor came in and closed the ball game for the Tigers to claim the Tigers first Championship of the Fall season. 

 Go Tigers !!!!  Great Job !!!!!   

When you have the Memphis Tigers, a pool, fishing and a water slide you can only expect there to be lots of fun.  The Memphis Tigers had a pool party to wish Cole the best of luck and the boys sure sent him off in style.  Cole tried to hold off as long as he could not to go down the water slide but the temptation was too hard to resist. In Cole's words "he had a blast".

DJ was the big winner at fishing - catching the biggest bass of the night.  

Cole will be moving to Denver, Colorado to pursue some great opportunities.  We are sad to see him go but wish him the best of luck.  He will be staying in touch with the Tigers.

The party was a great time for everyone, the boys getting to spend some time outside of the baseball world and the parent having an opportunity to socialize.

This is a great group of boys and we are proud to be associated with each and every one of them.

Coach Kendrick

PLEASE CHECK THE ALBUMS SECTION FOR THE TIGERS YEAR END PARTY. THE TIGERS ALSO HAD A COOK-OUT WITH 2 HUGE WATER SLIDES FOR THE BOYS AND COACH COLE.  THERE WAS LOTS OF FISHING AND SWIMMING.

The Memphis Tigers started the fall season coming out of the gate fast. DJ Robinson went yard on his first pitch of the Fall season to put the Tigers on top 2-0 against the Mississippi Braves. The Tigers Pitchers were hot as Preston Trainor, Steven Kendrick and Logan Cain held the Braves to 2 runs for the contest, While the Tigers accumulated 10 runs to end the game early.  Tigers started Hot. 10-2 Tigers

The Tigers had a double header and next up was the Desoto Cardinals. The Tigers Lost the opening toss but would go out and put 7 runs on the board in the first. The Tigers went deep into the pitching Well allowing 8 different pitchers to pitch on the night. The Tigers had a 12-2 lead in the bottom of the last inning. The Cardinals weren't ready to go home as they started a 2 out rally that allowed them to close the gap. Logan Cain put a end to the rally with a great stop at 3rd and throwing the runner out at first to end all Cardinal Hopes.

The Tigers were a little rusty after only having 1 practice But, this is a special group that knows the Game. The Tigers will play the Arkansas Storm Tommorrow at 7:15 pm.

Great Job Tigers!!!!  Way to start the Fall Season !!!

Coach Kendrick

Highlights:

Roland Williams  4 of 5 , 1 walk , 4 RBI'S - DJ Robinson HR 

Standout pitchers Bam Bam, Logan Cain , Preston Trainor      

The Memphis Tigers have worked hard all year and are ready to compete for a World Series Championship. The eight year old season was a tough one for all teams as the competition was tough and looks to only get harder in the future. The Tigers had a few bumps in the road this season as did all teams. However the Tigers have come through like true Champions. The Tiger 8's welcomed a few new players on Board and the Tiger families welcomed them with open arms.  

The Tigers Have added a Pitcher (Franklin Hefflinger) from the Memphis Travelers to help with some depth in the World Series, as the Pitching limits are tight. Frank was a outstanding pitcher for the Travelers and the Tigers would like to thank the Travelers for letting Frank make the trip. Welcome Aboard Franklin.

The Tigers will be competing in a full set of Skills competitions.
 1-The Tiger Team will compete in a 10 man around the Horn.
 2-DJ Robinson will represent the Tigers for King of Swat(Homerun Derby)
 3-William Locke will represent the Tigers in the Roadrunner (Base run) 
 4-Franklin Hefflinger will represent the Tigers in Golden Arm (Target throwing)
 5-The Tigers will also have a player in the Bulls-EYE Bunting. This player will be named at the World Series.

The Tigers have worked really hard to prepare for this event and are ready to Rock. Special Thanks to Coach Keith, Coach Cole, Coach Evers for working the boys hard & keeping them focused and all the Parents for pulling together to have a successful Fundraiser which allows all rooms to be paid for at the World Series for each Parent. ( Great Job!!!!)  This will be a Special time for the Boys and the Parents. Let's go have some Fun and Play some Ball!!!

Go Tigers!!!!!
Coach Kendrick