11/12 ALL STAR RUN COMES TO AN END
And so it ends. Congratulations to Ian, TC, Nate, Matthew, Mondesi, Albert, Jake, Christian, Josh, David, Tiger, Justin, for a great run through the District tournament and a couple of well-fought games in the Sectionals. The Villagers came in to today against La Palma Continental Little League needing a win to stay alive in the tournament, and they certainly put runners on base--eight in all. Unfortunately, none of them scored as nobody managed the big hit. Meanwhile, Mondesi Blanchard pitched exceptionally well, only allowing four baserunners and striking out nine in five innings, but LPC was more efficient with their baserunners, and won the game 2-0.
As perhaps the most successful all star team in LVLL history, the boys should be very proud, and they will surely continue on to baseball glory in the future, as there was an abundance of talent present on this roster.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sectional Tournament Game 1: Yorba Hills 13 LVLL 3
In a scorcher up in Fullerton, the Lakewood Village 11/12's ran up against their best competition of the year, battled hard, but ultimately succumbed to a team that played better baseball. LVLL twice started an inning for Yorba Hills with errors and had five overall, which just will not get it done. Mondesi Blanchard homered in defeat, Jake Elzinga had a couple of hits, and David Rivera had a couple of hits also. Six Village pitchers chipped in today, and really pitched well enough to earn a better fate. Better luck next time, and next time comes quick: tomorrow (Sunday) at Fullerton Sports Complex, 4pm versus the La Palma Continental All Stars.
As an aside to the game today, it would've been really nice to get to play some tougher teams before this game. All year, and including league play for the all stars, it has been a succession of blowouts, weak pitching, poor defense. Not good baseball. When the team took on Long Beach, it was a good challenge, and they came through, but it was only Mondesi and Ian pitching against Long Beach, which is certainly good strategy, but it doesn't necessarily help the other pitchers become battle-hardened. And that was the case all year long as the guys faced few guys as good as the Yorba Hills All Stars' worst player. I would imagine that at Yorba Hills, there were several players that did not make the all star team that were darned good players and that games during their league play were daunting frequently. Meanwhile, the Dodgers outscored their competition 281-43, which means, on average, the other teams facing most of our all stars scored less than 2 runs every game.
So, the point is, I do believe that our guys would have benefited greatly from some exhibitions against good teams. Heck, they benefited from this game. It was very clear on the field that the way our guys played WILL NOT CUT IT. Every single pitch has to be focused on with laser-like intensity, and the fundamentals have to be followed to the proverbial 'T'. It was fun playing against a team that was basically arrogant and thought they were above us. It would've been more fun to show them what's what.
As an aside to the game today, it would've been really nice to get to play some tougher teams before this game. All year, and including league play for the all stars, it has been a succession of blowouts, weak pitching, poor defense. Not good baseball. When the team took on Long Beach, it was a good challenge, and they came through, but it was only Mondesi and Ian pitching against Long Beach, which is certainly good strategy, but it doesn't necessarily help the other pitchers become battle-hardened. And that was the case all year long as the guys faced few guys as good as the Yorba Hills All Stars' worst player. I would imagine that at Yorba Hills, there were several players that did not make the all star team that were darned good players and that games during their league play were daunting frequently. Meanwhile, the Dodgers outscored their competition 281-43, which means, on average, the other teams facing most of our all stars scored less than 2 runs every game.
So, the point is, I do believe that our guys would have benefited greatly from some exhibitions against good teams. Heck, they benefited from this game. It was very clear on the field that the way our guys played WILL NOT CUT IT. Every single pitch has to be focused on with laser-like intensity, and the fundamentals have to be followed to the proverbial 'T'. It was fun playing against a team that was basically arrogant and thought they were above us. It would've been more fun to show them what's what.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Lakewood Village All Stars Finish the Job over Long Beach, 8-1.
11/12's MAKE HISTORY AND TAKE THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP OVER LONG BEACH, 8-1.
For only the second time in LVLL's 55-year history, the Majors all star team won the District championship (last: 1999), and they did it in dominating fashion. Mondesi Blanchard started for the Villagers and did not allow a hit out of the infield, and made a sweet pump fake play to pick off a runner while Long Beach was threatening in the third inning. He struck out 7 in 4-2/3 innings, and worked around 4 hits, two walks, and one hit by pitch to hand off the game to Ian Konek, who got the last four outs for the championship. Facing perhaps the hardest throwing pitcher in the area, the boys once again were equal to the task, with every single player reaching base, including the first run-scoring hit from TC Johnson (who had two hits), a huge 3-run home run from Tiger Jablonski, who gave Lakewood Village a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning, and run-scoring hits from Matthew Fields and Ian Konek. All in all, this team hit .467 for the district tournament, slugged .847 (that is an amazing number, by the way), and gave up a mere 4 runs in 4 games. This group of kids won the 9/10, 10/11, and 11/12 year old all star tournaments, something that nobody else in our Section can claim. ...and speaking of the section, Lakewood Village will take on the District 56 champion Yorba Hills team at Fullerton Sports Complex (560 E. Silver Pine St., Fullerton) in the first round of sectionals on Saturday at 1pm.
This team... is something else. After Tiger struck out in the first inning, he stated bluntly that "he sucks" and "always strikes out". The next at-bat he homered off of the biggest, baddest pitcher in the district. Ripper was tearing up after having (gasp!) two straight at bats without reaching base, and the very next at bat he singled home our final two runs. Justin (Tips) got off of a plane from France early this morning and got the walk that led to Tiger's home run. Doctor totally flubbed a sinking liner hit to him and second base and recovered--quickly!--to still throw the guy out at first. Josh Fischer looks overmatched in striking out twice, but still manages to get on base via two walks, scoring our first run. And all the while, the guys have to be reminded to watch the game while their teammates are batting. And, the victory pileup after the game? Well, there wasn't one. There was sort of a post-ironic couple of gloves flung in the air and goofy laughing and blank stares when talk of history was brought up. That's this group!
This group is also:
CHAMPIONS! (Whether they care or not!)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Tonight! At Stearns Park! Championship!
Lakewood Village Majors All Stars versus Long Beach Majors All Stars at 7:30pm at Stearns Park in Long Beach. Be there or be square.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Winning without your best effort. GBLL 2 LVLL 12.
Top picture--2010 vs. GB
Bottom picture--2009 vs. LBOne year ago tonight, Mondesi Blanchard and Josh Fischer both homered in a dramatic win over Long Beach, with Josh's coming as a walk-off jack. The boys thought that was a good tradition so they did it again tonight vs. Greater Bellflower. In a game that was not their best effort overall, the boys handled business in any case, with Mondesi reaching base four times, Josh thrice more, with Ian Konek garnering three hits and 3 RBI's, and pitching three strong innings for the win. David Rivera (ol' doc) reached base three times in addition and Albert Rodgers hit a booming triple in the first inning as Village jumped out to a 4-1 lead right off the bat. The lads will saddle up again on Tuesday July 13th at 7:30 pm at Stearns Park in the championship game.
It's truly something, the march for greatness. The All Stars won this game tonight, a mercy rule game, on the basis of sheer force. Our team so outclassed the competition that we could miss five bunts out of five called for, get a runner picked off of first, get a runner thrown out at third on a lazy, slow slide, and make four errors and still come away with a double-digit victory. As the kids were informed after the game, our next opponent, likely to be Long Beach again, will not be beaten with the same effort.
Yes, they are, once again, 11 and 12-year old boys. But everyone grows up (hopefully) and this is a legitimate step for these guys, in our view. The lesson here is: how much do you care? Do you want to win District 38 All Stars for the second time in league history, and if so, are you willing to back it up with dedication and commitment? We will push on and on for greatness because it is an article of faith that these boys are playing as boys for probably the last time in their lives and will in all likelihood NEVER be on a team that is as talented and skilled as this one. It is a fine line we walk between fun and drudgery and playing hard and playing recklessly, but we aim to toe this line.
Tiger's TOC running video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1nj_xpIjsM&feature=related
Here is the infamous Tiger running into the LBLL shortstop video during the TOC. Remember to look for Tiger going up and to the right while he slides in, which would indicate he's not looking for blood, in any case.
I do admire the technical skill in the production of this video, even if its author's conclusions are specious.
Here is the infamous Tiger running into the LBLL shortstop video during the TOC. Remember to look for Tiger going up and to the right while he slides in, which would indicate he's not looking for blood, in any case.
I do admire the technical skill in the production of this video, even if its author's conclusions are specious.
Game day!
In a postseason full of stops and starts (the LVLL Dodgers had 2-1/2 weeks between games at the end of the regular season, followed by a week between their next two games), the 11/12 year old all star team will take the field tonight after an 8-day break, against Greater Bellflower. We have wiled away the time with a couple of afternoon practices full of infield/outfield, soft toss drills, bunting, bullpens, and batting practice.
My back is sore and the boys should be ready.
My back is sore and the boys should be ready.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Lakewood Village guts it out over Long Beach, 3-1.
The Villagers took on LBLL's big dog on a balmy Thursday night at Stearns Park and took advantage of their precious opportunities to get the win. Justin Boyd started a rally with a leadoff single in the 3rd inning, Tiger Jablonski specially ran for him, and scored with alacrity on a Mondesi Blanchard single followed by an error by the Long Beach centerfielder. David Rivera then drove in Mondesi with a groundout, and that ended up being enough for Mondesi (5-1/3 IP-11 strikeouts-2 hits-2 walks-1 hbp) to win and Ian Konek to save the game for LVLL. Ian was also rock solid at first base, making every play hit his way. The 11/12 year olds will next play on Friday, July 9th at 7:30 pm versus Greater Bellflower.
These boys are really showing a lot of resolve so far in this tournament. The pitcher for LB was about 6'2" and at least 160 pounds. Our tallest player is Mondesi at 5'7", 135#. However, these kids are just not impressed--not only with him, but with coaches yelling at them, with the weather, with parents' expectations, or with "pressure" from baseball. Once again, when we won this game, the lads let out a collective yawn. The coaches were MUCH louder in comparison.
So... that's how it is! Satisfaction for these guys would appear to be found in "not losing" as compared to "winning". They just expect to win and seem to be interested in seeing how it will happen this time around. That said, it is truly remarkable to see Justin (Tips), an 11-year old, starting off a rally against a cheddar-throwing monster like Long Beach's pitcher. This kid is a little chubby and was a little soft to start the season, but when he goes to the plate (or plays outfield or pitches), just seems to be unflappable. One gets the feeling that he fully expects to get a hit each and every time up, although he seems to cope just fine when he does not.
And, meanwhile, whither Mondesi? Johnny (the manager) states that the reason why Mondesi has been successful is that a) he is left-handed and b) his "stuff" moves. He was a sight to see tonight. This was a true pitcher's duel; Jay (LB's starter) struck out 9 in only 4-2/3 IP, and there were no bombs hit off of him--we had to scratch and claw for every run. Mondesi was probably better (although maybe our hitters are also), as LB only got one ball to leave the infield, and that one was a chopper that went over Nate's head at third base.
Maybe they'll have more excitement at the BBQ with the fireworks this weekend...
These boys are really showing a lot of resolve so far in this tournament. The pitcher for LB was about 6'2" and at least 160 pounds. Our tallest player is Mondesi at 5'7", 135#. However, these kids are just not impressed--not only with him, but with coaches yelling at them, with the weather, with parents' expectations, or with "pressure" from baseball. Once again, when we won this game, the lads let out a collective yawn. The coaches were MUCH louder in comparison.
So... that's how it is! Satisfaction for these guys would appear to be found in "not losing" as compared to "winning". They just expect to win and seem to be interested in seeing how it will happen this time around. That said, it is truly remarkable to see Justin (Tips), an 11-year old, starting off a rally against a cheddar-throwing monster like Long Beach's pitcher. This kid is a little chubby and was a little soft to start the season, but when he goes to the plate (or plays outfield or pitches), just seems to be unflappable. One gets the feeling that he fully expects to get a hit each and every time up, although he seems to cope just fine when he does not.
And, meanwhile, whither Mondesi? Johnny (the manager) states that the reason why Mondesi has been successful is that a) he is left-handed and b) his "stuff" moves. He was a sight to see tonight. This was a true pitcher's duel; Jay (LB's starter) struck out 9 in only 4-2/3 IP, and there were no bombs hit off of him--we had to scratch and claw for every run. Mondesi was probably better (although maybe our hitters are also), as LB only got one ball to leave the infield, and that one was a chopper that went over Nate's head at third base.
Maybe they'll have more excitement at the BBQ with the fireworks this weekend...
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