Regional Semifinals: Glen Allen 5, West Raleigh 10U Blue 2

Glen Allen held the lead from wire to wire and took a 5-2 win in the Southeast Regional semifinal.

The homestanding GA team got two runs in the top of the first, which was plenty behind their starting pitcher, who threw 99 pitches and allowed just three hits. The West Raleigh offense never really got on track; 10U Blue did not have multiple hits in any inning, put just three baserunners in scoring position, and had the leadoff man reach base in just one inning.

In other words, it wasn’t a characteristic offensive performance, which matched well with the uncharacteristic defense showing, as West Raleigh committed five errors (the same total they had committed in the previous three games combined, and two more than they had committed in the entire state tournament combined). Three of Glen Allen’s five runs were unearned.

The loss ends the summer season for 10U Blue. Thanks to everyone for all the hard work this summer, including Coach Sean, Coach Kevin and Coach Fred; plus great work on the travel, food and sponsorships from Ani, Jennifer, Liz, Beth and many more.

Semifinal WR 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks reached on a ball through shortstop and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Chace came up with a two-out RBI single.

Score after one inning: Glen Allen 2, WR 10U Blue 1

Sixth inning

Gavin reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Chace’s RBI double.

Score after six innings: Glen Allen 5, WR 10U Blue 2




Pitching Performances

Chace threw three and a third very effective innings, allowing just two earned runs.

Colin worked out of a jam in the fourth with a pair of strikeouts.

Banks finished it with a pair of scoreless innings.

Semifinal Web Gems

•   Chace speared a line drive back through the middle and then threw to Gavin at second to double off the runner and end the inning in the first.

•   Gavin came in on a chopper and made a smooth play across the middle to end the third.

•   Banks stabbed a hard shot back to the mound for the second out in the sixth.

Semifinal line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Glen Allen	2	0	0	3	0	0	5	7
WR 10U Blue	1	0	0	0	0	1	2	3

Southeast Regionals Game 4: West Raleigh 10U Blue 14, Putnam Co (Tenn.) 4

Friday started a little slow, as everyone loaded the van at 9:50 a.m. only to notice that someone was missing--Coach Sean. The team had a little time to rest while they waited on him:

Here's the crowd that assembled when they heard Coach Sean might be making a public appearance:

One little-known part of the trip to the field is that the team van has to pass by a small pond that features a weird-looking doll sitting on the pier. This team is not afraid of much. One thing they are afraid of: that doll. Here, take a look:


Once the doll was avoided and the baseball part of the day began, West Raleigh finished pool play at the Southeast Regional with a 14-4 win over Putnam Co. (Tenn.). The win means 10U Blue finished pool play at 4-0 and earns the top seed in the American Division, setting up a 10 a.m. regional semifinal game on Saturday against the host team, Glen Allen.

Putnam started Friday's game with hot bats, scoring three first-inning runs. But West Raleigh battled back to get four, and then, after Putnam tied the game at four in the top of the third, scored ten unanswered runs in the third, fourth and fifth to end the game in five innings.

The win once again left 10U Blue with some free time in the afternoon, meaning the local authorities will probably have to establish some sort of martial law in Glen Allen.

Game 4 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce reached leading off the game and went to second on a passed ball. He scored on Banks' triple. Chace's shot to right scored Banks. Chace scored on Ben's drive through the outfield. Brady singled home Ben.

Score after one inning: WR 10U Blue 4, Putnam Co. 3

Third inning

Banks reached leading off the inning. Gavin smashed a double. Chace hit an RBI single. A pair scored on Ben's single, and then he went all the way to third on an error in the outfield. Elias smacked an RBI single. A wild pitch moved him to second, then Brady's fielder's choice advanced him to third, where he scored on JT's shot through the infield. 

Score after three innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Putnam Co. 4

Fourth inning

Banks walked to lead off the frame. Gavin singled. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Two scored on Chace's single, and he moved up to second on the throw. A fielder's choice put him on third. Elias walked. JT lined a two-out, two-run single. 

Score after four innings: WR 10U Blue 13, Putnam Co. 4

Fifth inning

Asher led off with a walk. Bryce doubled. Banks' fielder's choice scored Asher.

Score after five innings: WR 10U Blue 14, Putnam Co. 4

Pitching Performances

Ben started and went two innings, retiring four of the final five he faced.

Gavin threw a hitless third.

Colin pitched a scoreless fourth.

Bryce closed things out with a 1-2-3 fifth.

Game 4 Web Gems

• Andrew tracked down a hit to center in the first and made a great throw to Bryce at the plate. Bryce stepped up to get the throw, then came back to tag the runner and get the out at home.
• Asher hustled after a wild pitch in the third, retrieved it, and flipped to Gavin covering home for another out at the plate.
• Colin ranged far over behind first to gather a pop-up in the third.

Game 4 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Putnam Co.	3	0	1	0	0	X	4	6
WR 10U Blue	4	0	5	4	1	X	14	11

Free Time in Glen Allen: Laser Tag, Go-Karts and Dubsmash

You already know what happened on the field yesterday. But a 12:30 game, and just one game on the schedule, left 10U Blue with lots and lots of free time on the docket. That left the intrepid coaching staff with two choices: let the players have a full day of free time and risk mayhem in the streets of Glen Allen, or try to plan something to keep them busy. They went with the latter.

That meant a trip to G-Force Karts, where the team participated in laser tag and go-karts. They learned two very important things: don't get into a shooting match with Matt "Dead-Eye" Kimball, and never ride in the passenger seat with Chace. Here's the postgame shot from laser tag, which was indeed won by Coach Matt:

Driving the go-karts meant getting equipped with some very cool head sock-type things that were then worn all over Glen Allen, including in line at the Dairy Queen, which for future reference makes you look more like you should be making Blizzards than ordering them. Colin and Ben model them here, although Coach Kevin (SAFETY FIRST) already has on his helmet.

Then the race began. Let me state this again: don't ride with Chace.

Here's what a tire looks like after getting in a fight with Chace:

After a break for dinner, the players reconvened at the hotel for some very important business: making another YouTube video. These are directed by Coach Regan and involve elaborate choreography, intense special effects, and unexpected celebrity cameos:


If they can find time, 10U Blue has a game today at 11:30 against Putnam Co. (Tennessee).

Southeast Regionals Game 3: West Raleigh 10U Blue 14, Manatee (FL) 1

In one of the most complete team performances of the summer, West Raleigh got excellent offense, pitching and defense on the way to a 14-1 victory over Manatee, the state champion of Florida. The game was shortened to five innings by the run rule.

Here's a look inside the team van on the way to the game. Note that the coaches are not entirely immune from the desire to whip:


Once the dancing was over and the game began, 10U Blue jumped on top early with a two-run first and never looked back behind sensational pitching that saw two West Raleigh pitchers issue zero walks, stretching the walk-less streak to 12 innings at the Regionals.

The trip back to the hotel was surprisingly subdued, owing partly to how hard all 12 players had just played, and partly due to the fact that most of the van was engrossed in a game affectionally known as "Try To Beat Coach Adam At Trivia Crack." Bryce's reaction in the following photo shows you how successful they were:

The rest of Thursday's results mean that West Raleigh has now clinched the American Division and the top seed from that division in Saturday's four-team bracket play. However, one more pool play game remains--an 11:30 date with Putnam Co. (Tenn.) on Friday.

Game 3 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks lined a one-out single and took second on a wild pitch. Gavin doubled him home. Gavin took third on a fielder's choice and scored on Chace's fielder's choice.

Score after one-half inning: WR 10U Blue 2, Manatee 0

Second inning

Andrew was hit by a pitch and took second on a wild pitch. Colin "Well-Dressed Man" Kimball lined a single. Andrew stole home. Elias singled. Asher sacrificed both runners over. A wild pitch scored Colin. Bryce roped an RBI triple and scored on Banks' single.

Score after one and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 6, Manatee 0

Third inning

Chace was hit by a pitch. Ben singled. A wild pitch scored Chace. Brady reached on a fielder's choice. Colin walked. Elias walked. Asher was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch scored Colin.

Score after two and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Manatee 0

Fifth inning

Andrew lined a double and went to third on a wild pitch. JT was hit by a pitch. Colin smacked an RBI single. A wild pitch scored JT. Asher walked. Bryce reached on a fielder's choice. Banks, Gavin and Chace hit RBI singles. 

Score after four and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 14, Manatee 1

Pitching Performances

Chace was terrific over four innings, needing just 45 pitches and allowing just one runner past second base.

Banks closed it out in the fifth, including a pair of strikeouts.

Game 3 Web Gems

• Against one of Manatee's fastest runners, Colin, Gavin and Brady teamed up on a lightning-fast 4-6-3 double play in the second.
• Bryce, Asher and Chace combined to execute a rundown between third and home in the third.
• JT made the catch of the summer in the fourth, covering half the town of Glen Allen to track down a fly ball near the line and make a sprawling catch. 

Game 3 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 10U Blue	2	4	3	0	5	X	14	11
Manatee	0	0	1	0	0	X	1	4

Southeast Regionals Game 2: WR 10U Blue 11, Glen Allen 5

West Raleigh pounded out 12 hits on the way to an 11-5 win over Glen Allen in the second game of Southeast Regional pool play.

Despite the win, there was some room for improvement, as Coach Sean warned 10U Blue, "You took a couple innings off in that game. You can't keep doing that. These other teams are too good." 

A six-run first inning, featuring three doubles, set the tone for the victory. Although there were some uncharacteristic defensive lapses in the middle innings, a quartet of West Raleigh pitchers combined to walk zero in six innings to limit the damage. How efficient was the pitching? For the game, the four 10U Blue pitchers threw 70 pitches, 53 of them for strikes (meaning over 75 percent of their pitches were strikes). Compare that to a pair of Glen Allen pitchers, who needed 121 pitches to get through the same six frames. 

The win moves 10U Blue to 2-0 in the American Division and sets up a matchup on Thursday at 12:30 against the other 2-0 team in the pool, Manatee (Fl.). 

Game 2 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce singled and stole second. Banks doubled him home. Gavin singled and took second on the throw. Chace drove in a pair. Ben doubled home Chace. Andrew cracked the third double of the inning, scoring Ben. Brady reached on a fielder's choice. JT's fly ball advanced both runners. Colin's sacrifice fly scored Andrew.

Score after one-half inning: WR 10U Blue 6, Glen Allen 0

Second inning

Banks lined a one-out single. Gavin doubled. Chace lifted a sacrifice fly. Gavin stole home.

Score after one and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 8, Glen Allen 0

Third inning

Joe reached on a ball through the infield. Bryce doubled. Banks drove in a pair with a double.

Score after two and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 10, Glen Allen 0

Sixth inning

Banks lined a one-out double and scored on Gavin's double.

Score after three and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 11, Glen Allen 5

Pitching Performances

Chace breezed through the first with just 11 pitches.

Colin needed just 14 pitches in the second.

Asher worked three innings and pitched around some defensive issues, finishing with a five-pitch fifth.

Banks blew through the middle of the order in 1-2-3 fashion in the sixth.

Game 2 Web Gems

• Brady dashed back and made a tremendous play on a drive to center in the fifth. 
• Chace ended the game with a diving stop at first base.

Game 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 10U Blue	6	2	2	0	0	1	11	12
Glen Allen	0	0	3	2	0	0	5	5

Southeast Regionals Game 1: WR 10U Blue 14, Mt. Pleasant (SC) 4

If you needed to know how many miles we are from Henry County, Tennessee, here's your answer. Cool sign here at RF&P Park (my new favorite park because it features fast wi-fi for blogging purposes) in Glen Allen: 

With that backdrop, 10U Blue took a 14-4 win over Mt. Pleasant (SC) in four innings in the Southeast Regional opener. Two-out runs were key, as West Raleigh's first four runs were scored with two outs, and nine of the 14 overall crossed with two.

That was more than enough offense to back up Andrew and Joe on the mound, as Mt. Pleasant didn't manage a hit until the final inning.

The next game is scheduled to begin at 5:30 against Glen Allen (Va.). A full (and updated--did I mention the wi-fi?) bracket is available here.

Game 1 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks doubled and scored on Chace's single.

Score after one inning: WR 10U Blue 1, Mt. Pleasant 0

Second inning
Colin singled and went to second on Asher's fielder's choice. Bryce picked up a two-out RBI single. Banks singled. Gavin lashed an RBI double. Banks scored on a wild pitch.
Score after two innings: WR 10U Blue 4, Mt. Pleasant 0

Third inning
Andrew worked a leadoff walk. JT's fielder's choice put runners on first and second. Brady knocked an RBI single. Asher beat out a nubber. Bryce coaxed an RBI walk and went to second on a wild pitch. Banks walked. Gavin hit a sacrifice fly. Chace lined an RBI single.
Score after three innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Mt. Pleasant 0

Fourth inning
Andrew singled and went to second on a wild pitch. JT cracked an RBI single. Colin singled. Brady walked. Asher drove in JT. Bryce beat out a fielder's choice. Gavin blasted a two-out three-run triple.
Score after four innings: WR 10U Blue 14, Mt. Pleasant 4

Pitching Performances
Andrew started and fired two hitless innings.

Joe threw two strong innings of relief and walked just one.

Game 1 Web Gems

• Joe, Gavin and Chace teamed up on a sweet 1-6-3 double play in the third. The only slight problem was that the umpires only gave West Raleigh credit for one out. But trust me, it was a double play.
• Banks came in charging hard in right field to gather a sinking liner in the fourth.

Game 1 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Mt Pleasant	0	0	0	4	X	X	4	4
WR 10U Blue	1	3	5	5	X	X	14	14

Regionals: Opening Ceremonies and Skills Competition

The 2015 10U Southeast Regionals began Tuesday night in Glen Allen, Virginia. First, let's set the scene. The biggest hit so far of the regional is the return of the team van, complete with a mix tape CD burned by Coach Kevin. The future Grammy-winning mix is so diverse that it manages to include both Ice Ice Baby (to which Coach Regan actually asked, "What is this?" when the song began, almost costing her her selfie stick privileges) and the Wobble. Here's a look inside the van at one of the rare times it wasn't rocking back and forth:

Here's one little-known fact about the big 15-passenger vans: they have absolutely no room for baseball equipment bags. That means Coach Fred's truck has been converted into the equipment truck:

Tuesday night's events began with opening ceremonies, featuring lots of people who talked. Everyone seems very nice, and the Glen Allen facilities are incredible, although they could use a dome to alleviate the sweltering temperatures. Maybe in the next phase of renovations.

After the ceremonies, there were two separate skills competitions. Each coach chose two players from his team to compete in a race around the bases. Each player was timed individually. Here's Andrew, sporting the pink socks:

And then here's Gavin showing off his prize for winning first place in the entire event:

The next competition was a little complicated. It featured nine players on the field, one at each position. It was called around the horn, but featured multiple throws from the infield to the outfield and then back again, with every player touching the ball at least once, and most more than once. It put a very high premium on making clean throws and catches--any bobble by any player essentially eliminated that team. Here's the coaches (and future coaches) watching West Raleigh's round:

Each of the ten teams at the regional participated, and this photo probably tells you which team won:

Yep, 10U Blue took the win by a few hundredths of a second over the team from South Carolina that they will meet on the field tomorrow. Here's another shot:

The evening ended with Rita's Ice provided by the hosts. Note the parent-approved way the players either turned their jerseys inside out or took them off entirely. Asher Some nameless players had to be persuaded it wasn't a good idea to go shirtless on the first day of the regional.

West Raleigh plays the first game of pool competition on Wednesday at 12:30 against Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

While It Was Raining...

One day, when Coach Regan is up on stage receiving her Oscar for Best Director, we'll want to look back and remember her very first feature film. That one starred some baseball player-turned-actors and was a masterpiece of composition and directing and also featured an unforgettable soundtrack.

You haven't seen everything from the state tournament until you've seen this one, which is currently in the lead as the video of the summer:



And while we're on the subject of great videos from the state tournament, here's the post-championship dance-off:

Championship Series Game 2: West Raleigh 10U Blue 6, Supper Optimist 0

West Raleigh 10U Blue put together one of the most complete performances of the summer, getting exceptional pitching and defense to go with timely hitting on the way to a 6-0 victory over Supper Optimist. The win gave 10U Blue the Eastern North Carolina state title and earned them a spot in the Southeast Regional next week in Glen Allen, Va.

10U Blue set the tone early with a three-run inning in the top of the first—courtesy of a clutch two-out hit from Andrew—and then rode suffocating pitching the rest of the way. Chace and Banks combined to walk just one while letting their defense do some incredible work (see below) behind them.

The biggest Supper threat came in the fourth, as they strung together three singles to load the bases with one out. But the next hitter rolled a grounder to Banks, who fired to Asher on the plate for the force. To make things interesting, Banks then decided to go 3-0 on the next hitter, then stormed back with three straight strikes to record the swinging strikeout and end the inning. Crazy stat alert: After Supper took a 4-2 lead in the third inning of Sunday’s first game of the championship series, 10U Blue outscored them 18-0 over the next eight innings.

For the game, five of the six West Raleigh runs came with two outs, making it 18 of the last 38 10U Blue runs that have scored with two outs.

The state title means this group has now won four straight state championships. After the fourth, they found a good alternate use for their giant yellow water bottles:

The real drama came after the game, as 12 rambunctious 10-year-olds tried to fit into one selfie. Here’s what that looks like from the other side:

And then here’s the final product, which was only achieved after Coach Kevin broke out a selfie stick and Coach Regan provided some crucial instruction:

No practice Tuesday as Coach Sean recovers from his midnight trip to Sunni Sky’s. By the way, in case you think Baker is only a professional wrestling savant, he also knows a little something about baseball. Around the third inning, he announced, “We’re going to win and we’re going to score six runs.” So next week when you’re chewing your fingernails in Glen Allen, just go ask Baker what’s going to happen.

Championship 2 WR 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks singled. With two outs, Chace singled. Ben singled to load the bases, and then Andrew came through with a clutch two-out, three-run double.

Score after one inning: WR 10U Blue 3, Supper Optimist 0

Second inning

Asher reached on a fielder’s choice. Bryce singled. Banks doubled home Asher.

Score after two innings: WR 10U Blue 4, Supper Optimist 0

Fifth inning

Gavin smacked a leadoff single. Chace reached on a shot to the left side. Ben was hit by a pitch. JT drew an RBI walk.

Score after three innings: WR 10U Blue 5, Supper Optimist 0

Sixth inning

Asher singled. A wild pitch moved him to second, and Bryce drove him in with a single.

Score after four innings: WR 10U Blue 6, Supper Optimist 0




Pitching Performances

Chace started and fired three scoreless innings without allowing a runner past second base.

Banks threw the final three innings and did not walk a batter while continuing the shutout.

Championship 2 Web Gems

•   Bryce started the game by spearing a rocket shot at third against the leadoff man.

•   Eli made a phenomenal full-extension diving catch in right-center against the very next batter.

•   Ben made a great sliding catch in left field against the leadoff man in the third.

•   Banks stabbed a line drive back through the middle in the sixth.

Championship 2 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 10U Blue	3	1	0	0	1	1	6	12
Supper Optimist	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	7