Sandites 14-and-under win championship
Competing under the name of the St. Louis Cardinals, the Sandites turned in standout team and individual performances in the Future Major League Ballplayers World Series held July 22-27 in Del City, Okla.
That competition, also known as "The Show," saw the Sandites' Hayden Reeder win the Home Run Derby held the evening of the opening ceremonies.
Reeder walloped nine homers to take the event while teammate Kylar Robertson came in runnerup with seven home runs. Spencer Bruner toured the entire base path in just 12.6 seconds to win the base running event. Teammate Shane Bridges had a solid time of 13.45 seconds in the event, as well.
The Sandites also claimed the Round the Horn competition with a record time of 6.25 seconds.
Competing for the Sandites in that contest were first baseman Alex Hackerott, second baseman Blake Boone, shortstop Jordan Poulter, third baseman Josh Barrett and Robertson at catcher. Scoring well in the acuuracy throw were Darrack Harger, Brandon Boyd and Poulter. Standout pitching, near flawless defense and timely hits helped the Sandites win their pool games over teams representing the Chicago Cubs (12-0) and the Texas Rangers (21-1).
As a result the Cardinals (Sandites) earned the No. 1 seed heading into bracket play.
The Sandites then defeated the Cubs again by a score of 10-0. In the finals the Sandites beat the Houston Astros (Oklahoma City) 9-4. That put the Sandites within a single game of the World Series title. However the Astros came back to top the Sandites 6-2 to force a deciding contest for the baseball championship.The Sandites took that clincher in dominating style with a 10-0 shutout of the Oklahoma City ballclub.
"I'm really proud of the way the team responded when we had to," said Sandites manager Mark Boyd. "Winning this title after eight attempts starting as 6-year-olds will be a long lasting memory for me."
Boyd pointed out these players have outstanding potential heading into their freshman year. "These young men are a great bunch of players to have coached," he said. "And my assistant coaches John Hackerott, Mark Robertson and Paul Bruner are second to none. What a way to end my youth baseball coaching experience! It could not have ended better."
Copyright 1995-2008 Townnews.com
MLB celebrates 16th RBI World Series
Youth teams from Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta will be looking for a sweet repeat as Major League Baseball hosts the 16th annual Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) World Series presented by KPMG from Aug. 6-17 at venues in the Los Angeles area.
The RBI World Series is the championship round of the RBI program, the Major League Baseball initiative for youth baseball and softball presented by KPMG. There will be 24 teams competing in three divisions: Junior Boys (13-15 years old); Senior Boys (16-18 years old) and Girls Softball (19 and under). Detroit (Junior Boys), Philadelphia (Senior Boys) and Atlanta (Girls Softball) will defend their respective titles against RBI teams from Southern California and the winners of RBI regional tournaments in six geographical regions. The baseball championship games will take place on Aug. 11 at Angel Stadium.
"As we launch the 16th annual RBI World Series, it is important to note that these games feature more than just great baseball and softball," said Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig. "This year we have been able to recognize and reward the off-field talents of many young athletes through the RBI for RBI scholarship program, jointly funded by Major League Baseball and KPMG. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I congratulate every player and coach who has reached the Series. RBI is a great example of Major League Baseball's commitment to reaching out to and providing boys and girls the opportunity to play the game and improve their lives."
The youngsters will have more going on than just their games. Participating teams have the opportunity to attend Major League games and welcome receptions that will feature guest speakers such as Don Newcombe, the Dodgers' director of community relations; Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson and MLB educational programming consultant; Tom Brasuell, vice president of community affairs for Major League Baseball; Tim Flynn, chairman and CEO, KPMG; Bruce Pfau, vice chair, human resources of KPMG and Princess Palmer, partner for KPMG.
Earlier this year, the "RBI for RBI" Scholarship Fund was created by MLB and KPMG to provide financial support in the form of scholarships to selected recipients who participate in an RBI league. Six $5,000 "RBI for RBI" scholarships are being awarded to high school seniors. This year's recipients will be recognized on Wednesday evening at the welcome reception of the RBI World Series presented by KPMG.
RBI and the RBI World Series presented by KPMG are also supported by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, which is committed to helping expand and enhance the program. KPMG, which became the first presenting sponsor of the RBI Program in June, 2007, assists RBI with expanding and enhancing the program and through the development of financial literacy and other life skills courses. In addition to the more than 250 volunteers who supported this year's RBI regional tournaments, KPMG volunteers will assist in facilitating the 2008 RBI World Series.
"Over 1,000 of our employees have served RBI this year, as volunteers and have found working with these youths tremendously rewarding. We are all very proud to contribute to such a worthwhile program," said Flynn. "We salute the regional winners on their achievements and wish them the best of luck in the World Series."
Since it was established in 1989, the RBI program has provided a path for many players to enter the college and professional game. More than 180 RBI participants have been drafted by Major League clubs. Among the RBI alumni currently playing in the Majors are Carl Crawford of Tampa Bay; Coco Crisp of Boston; James Loney of the Dodgers; CC Sabathia of Milwaukee; Justin Upton of Arizona and Jimmy Rollins of Philadelphia.
This year, seven current and former RBI participants were selected in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, including second-round picks Xavier Avery (Baltimore) and Joseph "Jay" Austin (Houston).
"The RBI program was instrumental in my life in many ways," said Crisp. "It helped me to go to college and it was also very important in my baseball development. The RBI program should be commended on the difference it has made in the lives of so many youngsters. I'm proud to be an RBI alumnus."
RBI presented by KPMG is one of many MLB initiatives dedicated to enhancing youth participation and interest in baseball and softball. Specifically, RBI is designed to promote interest in the sport, increase the self-esteem of disadvantaged children and encourage kids to stay in school. RBI programs have been started in more than 200 cities worldwide, and annually provide as many as 100,000 boys and girls the opportunity to play baseball and softball.
2001-2008 MLB Advanced Media, L.P.
Braves fall in championship
The #1 Cherokee Braves stranded a dozen base runners, including three each in the pivotal fourth and fifth innings, on the way to a heart-breaking 4-2 defeat at the hands of perennial Iowa baseball power Davenport Assumption in the Class 2A State Baseball Championships here Saturday afternoon.
"We had our chances," said a disappointed Cherokee coach Scott Koch. "We had the bases loaded two times and runners at first and third two other times and couldn't get the big hit. We usually come up with critical hits in those times, but didn't today. That's the way baseball is, I guess."
Cherokee junior pitcher Matt Koch, sporting a modest 5-0 record this season after being used mainly in a closer's role due to the Braves' deep pitching staff, battled the potent Knights (35-8) throughout, allowing four runs on nine hits and one walk, with three strikeouts in six innings of work. Senior Jake Kent got the win for Assumption, giving up one earned run on 10 hits and one walk, with six Ks in seven innings.
Tyler Jones led the Cherokee hitters with a 3-4 game and one RBI, while Scott Brown was 3-4, Mark Johnson 1-4 with an RBI, Kyle Ruehle 1-3, Tim Jones 1-3, and Cody Ege 1-4. The Braves scored a run in the first ater Tyler Jones led off with a single, was sacrificed to second on a bunt by Matt Koch, and scored on Johnson's single to right field. Cherokee tallied its final run in the sixth when Brown singled, advanced to third on a fielder's choice ground ball by Matt Pitts that the Knights third baseman threw into right field, and scored on a Tyler Jones single.
Although they stroked 10 hits in the game, the Braves had trouble adjusting to the umpire's wide strike zone that, at times, was wide enough to warrant a light bar and pilot car. A couple college coaches watching behind home plate noted that several pitches were called strikes against both teams that were at least a foot off the plate. The Braves end their magical season with a 30-2 record, after winning the State
"I'm proud of the kids," added coach Koch. "We battled and had our chances and were the only two teams left playing in the state in our class. "We hit the ball hard, but right at them too many times."
The Braves, in their fourth consectutive state appearance and fifth in six years, lose five quality seniors to graduation in Ruehle, Johnson, Tim Jones, Brown, and Dillon Moye. Assumption, this year's top seed and rated number 2 behind the Braves all season, plays a 4A schedule and will move into Class 3A, or possibly even Class 4A next year.
2008 Cherokee Chronicle Times
Unsigned Lawrie to join Team Canada
Indications from all sides are that a deal will be struck before the Aug. 15 deadline, but it appears Milwaukee's top Draft pick will play for his country before he signs with the Brewers. Last week, catcher Brett Lawrie was named, as expected, among the 25 players selected for the Canadian junior team's July 13-23 national tour. It is Team Canada's final tune-up for the World Junior Baseball Championship. The Brewers, who selected Lawrie with the 16th overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft, had hoped to sign Lawrie as early as possible and send him for a few weeks of work with Minor League catching coordinator Charlie Greene before the Team Canada workouts begin. Now, it appears Greene will have to wait to get his hands on Lawrie, an 18-year-old converted infielder who remains somewhat raw behind the plate.
"You hope he doesn't get hurt along the way and cost himself a year of service time," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said on Wednesday.
Lawrie also remains a strong candidate to play in the Summer Olympic Games. The baseball program is scheduled for August 13-23 in Beijing, but Canada has yet to finalize its squad. If he is selected for the Olympics in addition to the juniors tournament, Lawrie would get six weeks of top-notch, wooden-bat International competition. He likely would travel from Edmonton to North Carolina around Aug. 4 to catch the end of Team Canada's "training camp" against Team USA, then would head to Asia for the Olympics. At some point along the line, Lawrie would have to pass a physical and sign his Brewers contract. Professional players are eligible for International competition if they are not on a 25-man Major League roster.
Major League teams face an Aug. 15 deadline to sign their Draft picks. Last summer, the first year the signing deadline was in place, many of the top high school picks waited until the final hours to sign, and that could be the case again this year. Unsigned players of interest to the Lawrie camp include No. 15 overall selection Ethan Martin, a high school right-hander from Georgia. Neither Brewers amateur scouting director Jack Zduriencik, who generally does not discuss negotiations with Draft picks, nor Dan Lawson, Lawrie's agent, would comment on the record. The Brewers have already signed eight of their first 10 Draft picks, with the holdouts being Lawrie and Tennessee high school right-hander Seth Lintz. The team is closing in on a deal with Lintz, according to a club official.
But the top target remains Lawrie, who came out of high school in Langley, British Columbia, and sealed Milwaukee's interest this spring when he batted .486 (17-for-35) with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in the Dominican Republic against professional summer league teams. On Draft day June 5, Lawrie was asked whether he intended to sign quickly. "That's going to be up to my family and the people in my corner as well as my advisor," Lawrie said. "Obviously, I want to get going, but we'll see when that time comes."
2001-2008 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. All rights reserved.
Dominguez, Marks and McClanahan Honored By ABCA
Chris Dominguez, Justin McClanahan and Justin Marks have been selected by the American Baseball Coaches Association as members of the 2008 ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-South Region team. Dominguez and Marks were then named Second and Third team All-America by the ABCA respectively. The University of Louisville was one of two programs in a region that includes Georgia, Vanderbilt, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Stetson, Tennessee, Tulane, Charlotte, USF and Southern Miss among others, to include three players on the All-Region first team.
Dominguez, the 2008 BIG EAST Tournament MVP, BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year and the only unanimous selection on the All-BIG EAST First Team was previously honored as an All-American by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, the NCBWA and PING! Baseball. He batted .365 with 68 runs, 13 doubles, a BIG EAST-leading 21 home runs and 75 RBI, stealing 11 bases while starting all 62 games at third on the BIG EAST Champions. He made just six errors at the hot corner, leading the team to their first conference title in school history. Dominguez is 10th on the career home run list with 36 in just two seasons in The Ville, and placed himself tied for 7th in single season home runs, tied for 8th in runs and tied for 6th with his 2008 total in RBI.
He was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, was on the Wallace Award watch list, both given annually to the national player of the year. The Colorado Rockies grabbed Dominguez with the 25th pick of the 5th round, 167th overall, in the 2008 MLB draft. The sophomore has until August 15 to sign with the Rockies or return to The Ville for his junior season. Marks, a sophomore pitcher from Owensboro, Kentucky, was also a PING! Baseball Second Team All-American after posting a 9-2 record with a 2.37 ERA in 14 starts during the 2008 season. The southpaw finished the season with 89 strikeouts, which is tied for 6th in the single season list, and his nine wins ties for fourth. In his two season he has 176 K's which ties him for 10th on the career list, a 2.53 ERA, the lowest in school history, and 18 wins, tying him for 3rd. A First Team All-BIG EAST selection and a member of the 2008 All-BIG EAST Tournament team, he lead the Cards to the first conference title in school history. His freshman season he was named to the Louisville Slugger, PING! and Rivals.com Freshman All-American teams as well as 2007 BIG EAST Rookie of the Year, and Second Team All-BIG EAST.
In 2007 Marks was 9-2 with a 2.67 ERA in 18 starts, jumping into the weekend rotation as a freshman. He struck out 87 in 104.2 innings pitched and limited opponents to a BIG EAST low .189 batting average. Marks is currently playing for the USA Baseball National Team. He is one of 34 invitees that will compete for 24 spots on the 2008 National Team roster which will be announced on June 24. USA Baseball's 2008 National Team schedule includes a six-game friendship series against Chinese Taipei and a month-long trip to Europe where the team will compete in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and the IV FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic. McClanahan, a Third Team All-BIG EAST, and All Tournament selection was Toronto's 17th pick of the 33rd round(999th overall).
He finished the 2008 season one off the single season
doubles record with 26, and tied for 6th with 97 hits. He finished the season batting a team-best .372 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI, also leading the team with 17 stolen bases. Logan Johnson and Isaiah Howes were ABCA Second Team All-Region selections following the 2007 run to the College World Series in Omaha. The 2008 Cardinals finished the season 41-21, advancing to consecutive regionals for the first time in school history.
2007 CSTV Networks, Inc.
Coleman Invited to National Team Trials
Wichita State baseball student-athlete Dusty Coleman has been invited to the 2008 USA Baseball National Team Trials held June 11-23 throughout the northeast and southeast United States. At the conclusion of the trials, on June 24, 22 players will be selected for the National Team roster. Coleman, a sophomore shortstop from Sioux Falls, S.D., hit .314 with 53 runs, 75 hits, 19 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 71 RBI and 13 stolen bases for the Shockers in 2008.
USA Baseball's 2008 National Team schedule includes a six-game friendship series against Chinese Taipei and a month-long trip to Europe where the team will compete in the Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands and the IV FISU World Collegiate Baseball Championship in the Czech Republic. The 2008 USA Baseball National Team will be led by Oral Roberts University head coach Rob Walton, who served as an assistant coach for the 2005 National Team. Walton is joined on the 2008 staff by pitching coach Jerry Meyers (head coach, Old Dominion University), assistant coach Nino Giarratano (head coach, University of San Francisco), and assistant coach Ritch Price (head coach, University of Kansas).
Copyright 2006 Wichita State University
Star-studded Red Sox winding up for a World Series repeat
Can the Boston Red Sox retain their title? Of course they can. Repeat champions are rare in baseball, especially in this day and age with free agency and frequent player movement. Teams that can keep their core players around for multiple years are the teams that usually have the most success. The last repeat World Series baseball champions were the New York Yankees, who won three straight from 1998-2000. Before that the Toronto Blue Jays achieved that distinction in 1992 and 1993. And in this year of 2008, the Red Sox have what it takes to win it again.
The Red Sox are the most complete team in baseball; they have starting pitching, a strong, solid bullpen, a talented line-up with speed, power, youth and experience. Their core players have been with the team for years, and they know how to get it done.
Their manager, Terry Francona, is one of the best in the game, and a former Manager of the Year. And their wonder-boy GM, Theo Epstein, is one of MLB's top executives. I will break down why Boston has an excellent chance to repeat.
Its all about pitching:
If you ask any knowledgeable baseball person if a team has a chance to win, the first thing they will look at is the starting rotation. The Red Sox rotation is superb. Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, and Tim Wakefield make a formidable five. Beckett last year was (20-7 3.27 ERA) and in the play-offs posted a 1.20 ERA (4 ER/30.0 IP) in his four starts. Beckett is a perennial Cy Young candidate, a former World Series MVP, and is one the most reliable aces in the game. As a No.1 starter, it doesn't get much better than Josh Beckett.
Daisuke Matsuzaka was (15-12 4.40 ERA) last year. Coming from Japan as their best pitcher, he had to face an adjustment period coming to the US. Now that he is more-or-less settled in and is currently (5-0 2.43 ERA) in 2008. He is demonstrating that he is also an all-star calibre pitcher. This basically gives the Red Sox two aces at the top of their rotation. Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester are two talented young arms. Lester was 4-0 last year, and Buchholz threw a no-hitter in his second major league start! Tim Wakefield, the ol' knuckleballer, can still get outs and eat up innings as a fifth starter. Curt Schilling is still on the comeback trail and if he returns and is capable of being the Curt Schilling that has 216 career wins, Boston will have the best rotation hands down.
The bullpen is strong, too. Julian Tavarez, Mike Timlin, Manny DelCarmen, and David Aardsma provide solid middle to late relief. But what makes their bullpen a strong point is the dynamic 8th 9th inning combo that rivals the Yankees' Joba Chamberlain and Mariano Rivera as the best in the league. Hideki Okajima as the set-up man posted a 2.28 ERA last year and currently has a 0.64 ERA. Jonathan Papelbon, the second coming of Mariano River it seems, has a 1.35 ERA and 72 saves in the last two years. If Boston are leading after seven innings the game is pretty much over. In the play-offs, pitching has even greater importance, and the Red Sox staff and bullpen are as good as it gets.
The Line-up:
Few in the major leagues are as deep as the Red Sox. They have two table setters/catalysts at the top of the order with the young Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia. Followed by arguably the best 3-4 combo in the history of baseball in David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. These are two fearsome power hitters who are as clutch as it gets, and pose tremendous problems for any pitcher they are facing on the mound. Mike Lowell, who is recently returning from injury, batted (.324 21 HRs 120 RBIs) last year. Kevin Youkilis is a feisty, hard-nosed hitter who is a tough out, and is a .280-.300 hitter who can get on base. J.D. Drew, although a career underachiever, is still a capable hitter with raw skills.
Jason Varitek, the team's leader and captain, is a guru behind the plate and a reliable hitter in clutch situations. Julio Lugo fills out the line-up as the No.9 hitter. He is a veteran who has speed and is solid as the last guy in the line-up. Guys like Coco Crisp and Sean Casey coming off the bench have been major contributors on teams in the past. This line-up is proven and is clearly one of the most potent in baseball.
Intangibles:
The curse of the bambino is gone, and the Red Sox Nation is alive and well. The team has great chemistry and the core veterans have been together for several years now - Varitek, Ortiz, and Ramirez. The rivalry with the Yankees is also alive and well, and the last few years the Red Sox have gotten the better of that match-up winning two baseball World Series Championship in the last four years to the Yankees nil.
So far in 2008, the Sox are atop of the AL East even with David Ortiz getting off to a horrendous start. There is no reason to believe the Red Sox will not make the play-offs, barring severe injuries.
Once the play-offs start then it's every man for himself, and anything can happen. The teams that succeed in the play-offs are those who have strong pitching, timely hitting, and sound defense. The Sox have all three, which makes them the FAVOURITES to win the World Series in 2008
SportBuzz All rights reserved 2008
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