Successful post season leaves players looking to next year

With the season finally over, kids from all the baseball leagues are headed to City Beach, or vacation, or jobs, or preparation for the next sport. But before we close the Babe Ruth chapter it seems appropriate to wrap up what happened in the post season and highlight key performances.

This team was special in several ways. First and foremost, every player made a commitment at the onset and, other than two injuries, stuck with it during an extended post-season. This has not been the case in past years and these boys deserve credit for supporting each other and seeing it through as a team.

Secondly, this team had a premiere coaching staff due to the suspended American Legion season. The coaches, Mike Givens, Rick Klontz and Bill Weiden worked with the boys nearly every night, developing skills and introducing concepts to which most players had never been exposedŠ hours of work and repetition — not settling for “almost right.” In the end, it will be this practice which endures as the players advance in their sport.

Third, the families fully supported the program. Extra trips to town with high gas prices, late finishing practices, changed or cancelled vacations, volunteering in the concessions stand and supporting the kids on the road.

And finally, this team finished 11-4 overall and third at the state tournament, a feat not matched in recent years. Yes, this season had a really good feel.

Every member of the team improved over the past six weeks. Many players were moved into unfamiliar roles and positions. Shortstops became catchers, first basemen became outfielders, catchers became second basemen, number three hitters excelled as lead-off men, and some guys were asked to play all over the place. Regular season starters learned how to stay focused and contribute from the bench (an oft overlooked ability). Regular starting pitchers learned how to work as a committee and put it on the line without warning. And everyone had their hitting style worked over by the staff — hard, ingrained habits were changed and the hits started coming.

But in the end, it’s about the players, and in that spirit we’ll list the season leaders (top 5) in offensive and defensive categories: Batting: S. Snow (.439), N. Halpin (.375), S. Nitcy (.326), K. Bradbury (.323), L. Morgan (.305) On Base: T. Gordon (.691), S. Snow (.667), J. Clad (.629), K. Bradbury (.628), M. Lorden (.612) Slugging: S. Snow (.854), L. Morgan (.472), T. Gordon (.425), M. Lorden (.419) Hits: N. Halpin (18), S. Snow (18), S. Nitcy (14), T. Gordon (11), L. Morgan (11) Doubles: S. Snow (7), T. Gordon (4), L. Morgan (3), J. Clad (2), K Bradbury, S. Ewing, T. Hamilton, M. Lorden, S. Nitcy (tied at 1). Triples: S. Snow (5), M. Lorden (2), T. Gordon (1) Home runs: L. Morgan (1) Runs: S. Nitcy (25), S. Snow (19), M. Lorden (17), N. Halpin (16), L. Morgan (15) RBI: S. Snow (22), N. Halpin (16), T. Gordon (12), L. Morgan (11), S. Nitcy (8) Steals: M. Lorden (6), M. Kingsley (4), S. Snow (4), K. Bradbury (3), L. Morgan (2) ERA: T. Hamilton (4.49), T. Gordon (5.09), K. Bradbury (5.51), S. Nitcy (5.54), L. Morgan (7.56) Won/Loss: T. Hamilton (2-0), M. Davis (2-0), M. Lorden (1-0), T. Gordon (4-2), K. Bradbury (2-1) Innings Pitched: T. Gordon (23), K. Bradbury (16), S. Nitcy (13), T. Hamilton (12), L. Morgan 8 Strikeouts/Inning: M. Davis (1.5), T. Hamilton (1.3), M. Lorden (1.2), K. Bradbury (.86), L. Morgan (.72)

Other notable performances: Tevin Hamilton pitched an exceptional three innings in the final, hitting all his spots and staying focused despite some troubling errors behind him. Tyler Gordon was the pitching workhorse. Totally unflappable, he never had a bad outing. He was the go-to guy when things got tough. Luther Morgan emerged as an effective mid-inning reliever and gave the team quality innings. Matt Kingsley was called on repeatedly for the key steal, hit or defensive play. A true team guy, his head and heart were in every game. Sherman Ewing delivered some sterling defense at second base over the course of the entire post season. Marcus Davis pitched a couple of key late inning outs from the bench. Tucker Davis came off the bench for some clutch hits and key RBIs during the season, plus did double duty as the bullpen catcher. And Kyle Bradbury’s bat really came alive at State adding pop to the bottom half of the order that kept the rallies going.

So baseball’s over for another year. The post season for the various leagues is past and the fields are being aerated and top dressedŠ ready for a winter rest! Arrgh, can’t believe I said that!