Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Storm Quiet Thunder
-Sandy Springs. At 9:04, Monday, the Sandy Springs Storm took on the Thunder in the late game. The Storm sent 30 batters to the plate, scoring 12 of them. The Thunder only had 15 batters with just two scoring. No errors were committed by the Storm, while the Thunder had five. It was an off night for DHYS and the Storm took advantage. The Thunder look forward to representing District 4 in the Dizzy Dean State Tournament.
Interesting stats and facts:
-Jack Purdy hit his fourth HR of the summer.
-Mercer Buechner was involved in two double plays at 3rd (5-3 and a rare 5-3-5).
-10 of 15 Thunder batters swung at the first pitch.
-Greg Huey filled in for Jack Hammond in the analog scorekeeping dept.
-The Cooks kept Thunder parents cool and refreshed.
So long everybody.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 0 | 7 | ||
| DHYS Thunder | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 |
Thunder Pound Rays, Advance to State Tournament
-Sandy Springs. The Thunder took on local rivals the Rehoboth Rays on Monday night after strong storms prevented the game on Sunday. There were dark clouds encroaching, but the radar looked promising. The game got underway at 6:39 with a temperature in the high 80's. Kenny got things started with a solid single and stole second. Noah punched an RBI double to the wall to get the Thunder on the board. With one out, James walked and Ryan followed with his own RBI double. Mercer walked and the red hot Trevor Gulley hit a single, scoring James and Ryan. As Jarrett came to the plate, the "lightning thingy*" sounded and play was halted (*credit to Jack Hammond). Just under a half-hour later, play resumed and Jarrett smashed a double and Gaines hit his signature single to right to give the Thunder a 6-0 lead. Before the inning ended, the game was halted by a lightning delay, although none was seen by Thunder parents.
Mercer took the mound for the Thunder and was able to hold the Rays to 2 runs thanks to some great defense by Noah Hammond, who made a running catch in center and hit the cut-off to get the runner heading for third. The second inning was uneventful for the Thunder and just as the inning ended, another lightning alarm sounded. Play resumed shortly and Mercer had a quick inning, only needing eight pitches to shut down the Rays. In the third, Noah, Jack and James all had RBI's to give the Thunder a seven run lead. After three straight hits by the Rays, Mercer settled down allowing those baserunners to score, but no others. The score after 3 innings was 11-5 in favor of the Thunder.
The Thunder fourth added four runs on great hustle by Max on the base paths and a three base error by the Rays on a hit by Noah. Jack came on in the bottom of the inning to shut down the Rays and secure the win 15-5 on the mercy rule. DHYS Thunder advance to Dizzy Dean States! Two wins in a row for the Thunder with a game to immediately follow against the Sandy Springs Storm.
Interesting stats and facts:
-THUNDER ADVANCE TO DIZZY DEAN STATES!
-No fielding errors for the Thunder!
-Solid pitching from Mercer and Jack
-3 Doubles by Thunder batters (Noah, Ryan and Jarrett)
- 594 miles logged so far
So long everybody.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHYS Thunder | 6 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 0 | 3 | ||
| Rehobeth | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 4 |
Thunder Bats Rumble to Victory
-Sandy Springs. On Sunday, the Thunder took on the Wills Park Raiders on a hot day in Chastain Park. At 2:16, the game started with the boys from DHYS as the visiting team. With one out, Gaines Moore got things going with a single to left and moved all the way to third on a couple of wild pitches. Noah walked and James hit a ball that the 3rd baseman could not handle, and both runners were able to score. Ryan knocked in James and Max ensued with a single up the middle and with JJ batting, moved up 90 feet each on a wild pitch. Ben got Ryan in on an infield single and Trevor Gulley collected his first hit of the season and 2 RBI's to run the score to 6-0 in favor of the Thunder. Some Thunder parents seemed joyous and even comfortable with the lead at which point Jack Hammond reminded us "It ain't over till its over." Noah took the mound in the bottom frame and gave up a couple of singles after two walks, but was able to hold the Raiders to three runs.
Noah led off the second with a big double and James walked. Ryan and Max picked up RBI's to get back two of the runs. In the bottom of the second, Max took the mound and got two quick outs, but the Raiders did not go down easy. A long single to the wall and a walk followed by a mammoth 3 run homer brought the Raiders back to within 2 runs.
In the third, the first six Thunder batters reached base and Kenny, Jack and Ben had RBI's to push the score to 15-6. Jarrett held the Raiders to just one run in the bottom of the third, with some superb defense from the Thunder. The fourth for DHYS was quiet with only a single by James Huey. JJ started the inning but walked the first two Raiders. Trevor came in to pitch and gave up a double but then settled down to get out of the inning with a good lead still intact at 15-10.
The fifth started with JJ reaching on an error and a single by Mercer who subbed in the game at third. Trevor got an infield hit to score Jarrett and two batters later, Jack hit a single to the wall, scoring two runs. Ryan walked with the bases loaded and Max reached on an error to hit the 20 run mark for the Thunder. Kenny came on to in the bottom of the fifth and gave up a bloop single to left. The runner stole second and, feeling confident, tried to steal third. Max let him know that wasn't such a good idea and threw him out for the first out. The next batter hit a single to Jack at deep short followed by smash that Jack handled, stepped on the bag and threw to first for a game-ending double play.
Interesting stats and facts:
- Trevor Gulley collected 3 hits and 3 RBI's (as did Jack and Ryan)
- Only one error for The Thunder!
- Ben and Max each threw out a runner at 3rd attempting to steal
- Behind stellar defense in the fifth, Kenny faced the minimum number of batters.
- 564 miles logged so far
So long everybody.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHYS Thunder | 6 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 18 | 1 | 9 | |
| Wills Park Raiders | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Mercy! NYO Beats Thunder in Late Late Game
Sandy Springs- You know it's late when the west coast Brave's game ends before ours. The game thankfully ended at 11:50 with the mercy rule enacted. Tough night for the Thunder.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E L NYO Warriors 7 0 0 4 6 17 12 3 7 DHYS Thunder 0 0 1 2 0 3 3 5 5
Lightning Postpones Thunder Win
Sandy Springs- Friday night baseball in Atlanta had the DHYS Thunder up against the Wills Park Eagles out of Alpharetta. Just 30 minutes prior to the game, blue sky was slightly softened by billowing white clouds. Both teams were introduced individually and the Star Spangled Banner was played. Parents consulted their weather apps as the skies began to suddenly darken. The home-plate ump yelled "Play ball!" and the first pitch to leadoff hitter Kenny Andrews was thrown by the Wills Park right-hander at 6:04, with a temperature in the high 80's. Andrews hit a pop to short right field that was handled nicely by the second baseman. Noah Hammond followed with a single and stole second. With one out, James Huey hit a swinging bunt that the catcher threw over the first baseman's head, allowing Hammond to score. The moment that Noah crossed the plate, the lightning detector siren went off and play was halted. Strong storms moved through the area and the game was postponed until Saturday morning at 9:00.
The game resumed right on schedule with a humid temperature of 68˚. With James Huey on, Ryan hit a grounder to the shortstop who gunned him out at first for the final out of the postponed inning. Ryan started on the mound for the Thunder and after loading up the bases with two walks and an error, struck out the side to retire the Eagles in the first, although a run scored on a wild pitch. Mercer started off the second with a first pitch double in the gap. Jarrett struck out, but the catcher could not hold on to the ball and then threw the ball into the right field corner, allowing Mercer to score and Jarrett to advance to second. Ben moved the runner to third and Gaines hit a bloop single for an RBI to give the Thunder a 3-1 lead. Up next, Kenny hit an infield single and a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third. Noah had a fielders choice RBI and Jack followed with a single and RBI. James got in on the hit parade with a L O N G single RBI to move the lead up to 6-1. Ryan held the Eagles again in the bottom of the second and no runs scored.
Mercer led off the inning with a single after falling behind 0-2. Ben reached on an error and Mercer moved to third. Gaines struck out but reached on a wild pitch that got away from the catcher. With Kenny up, another wild pitch allowed Mercer to hustle home for the seventh run. Kenny lined a single up the middle scoring Ben and Gaines. Noah and Jack both had singles and the inning ended with a 9 run lead for the Thunder. In the bottom of the third, the Eagles got only one run and Ben picked off a runner at third to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth, Mercer again led off with a single, but the Thunder could not get any runs across. Noah Hammond came on to pitch the bottom half and shut down the Eagles on just eight pitches. The Thunder scored one run in the fifth on a wild pitch and led 11-2.
Noah was still on the mound in the bottom half of the fifth, with Max behind the plate. The first six batters for Wills Park reached and the score was 11-6. Jack Purdy relieved Noah, allowing one more run, but shut down the Eagles with two strikeouts. The Thunder added two insurance runs in the sixth to run the score to 13-7. In the last frame for the Eagles, Jack gave up a leadoff single, but then struck out the next batter. After a walk and a great sliding catch by Beek in left field, the Wills Park baserunner was caught in a run-down and retired for the final out of the game. Thunder win 13-7.
Interesting stats and facts:
- Thunder pounded out 15 hits in the game
- Strong pitching from Ryan (3 inn. 2ER) and Jack (1 2/3 inn. 0ER)
- Nicest bathrooms yet at NYO.
- "Don't look... RUN!"
- 504 miles logged so far.
So long everybody.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E L DHYS Thunder 1 5 4 0 1 2 13 15 4 10 Wills Park Eagles 1 0 1 0 5 0 7 6 5 7
Trending Old School
Mercer is winning over some teammates in the sock department. Once we get to Cooperstown, everyone will have the old school flavor.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Beautiful Night for Baseball. . . or not.
-Chastain Park. Well it looked like a great night for baseball at 5:30.
But, it quickly turned ugly,
and stayed ugly.
We will play bright and early Saturday. GO THUNDER! (just not the real kind)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Father's Day at the Old Ballpark
Kennesaw- A hot, hot Father's Day brought the Thunder back to Adams Park for a big game against the NYO Warriors. No rain in the forecast today as the boys looked crisp in their bright whites. Ryan Murray threw the first pitch at 12:55 with a temperature of 89˚ and rising. The Warriors, in their Sunday reds, started things off with a walk, stolen base and wild pitch to get the leadoff runner to third in no time at all.
A strikeout kept the Warrior runner at third. The next batter hit a sharp hopper back to Ryan and the runner broke home. Ryan fired it right to Ben, ready for the ball at home. The ump yelled, "On the tag, that runner is OUT!". An exciting play to say the least, but the next batter hit a single, moving the runner over to third. A wild pitch scored the runner to count for the first run for the Warriors. After two walks loaded the bases, Ryan was able to get the NYO batter to hit a grounder to Gaines at 2nd and the third out was made. The starting hurler for the Warriors only needed 8 pitches to dispose of the Thunder in the bottom of the first.
The second inning got going with a home run to dead center from the 8th spot in the NYO order. A walk and a stolen base set up a perfect sacrifice bunt moved the runner to third with one out. The next batter hit a grounder to short. Jack looked the runner back to third and threw to first for the out. The runner took off for home and after catching the throw at first, Jarrett fired the ball to Ben. The throw was on time but was bobbled and NYO went up 3-0. Back-to-back singles led to another run before a pop up to the pitcher to end the inning. Three consecutive singles for the Thunder plated their first run after Max was thrown out a the plate in a play involving a collision that took the NYO catcher out of the game. Another Thunder runner was thrown out at home before the inning ended, but the Thunder had gotten on the board.
The top of the third started with a grounder to 2nd and Gaines making a nice smooth play for the first out. An E6 had an NYO runner at first, but the next batter hit the ball right to Jack at short. He stepped on the bag and arced the ball to first for the double play to end the inning. Only four pitches in the inning for Noah Hammond. The bottom of the third got off to a boom with a solo shot by JJ. This sent a buzz through the Thunder crowd and upon returning to the dugout, a teammate asked, "Dude, where did that come from?" and the Thunder had pulled within 2 runs. With one out, Gaines hit his signature single over the third baseman's head and Kenny followed with a single. Mercer came up with runners on first and second. A wild pitch moved the runners over and Mercer battled the pitcher, fouling off ball after ball until hitting a single up the middle to score Gaines. Jack was up next and promptly deposited a ball over the fight field fence to put DHYS up 6-4. 3 errors and two walks led to two more runs and with the bases loaded Ben hit a single to score the innings final run. The Thunder had a five run lead heading to the 4th.
A single and a hit batsman led to a 2RBI single by NYO to make the score 9-6. Jack Purdy relieved Noah on the mound and Ben came in to catch, replacing Max. A single brought the tying run to the plate and the NYO batter cleared the scoreboard with a stunning 3 run homer. 9-9. Two singles and another hit batsman, followed by a double put the Warriors up 11-9. The last batter in the inning for NYO hit a towering shot to the wall, where Trevor timed his jump perfectly to take away extra bases and end the inning. The wheels had come off for the Thunder and they went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning. It was a heartbreaker for the Thunder.
Interesting stats and facts:
- 4 HR hit in game.
- The Thunder sent 14 batters to the plate in the 3rd.
- The trend of good defense continued with only one error committed by the Thunder.
- 9 of 11 Thunder players had base hits.
- 444 miles logged so far.
So long everybody.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E L NYO Warriors 1 3 0 7 11 11 3 8 DHYS Thunder 0 1 8 0 9 9 1 4
Monday, June 20, 2011
Smudging the Glove
Everyone knows that baseball players are very superstitious. Players will wear the same unwashed socks or even underwear in order to gain some metaphysical edge. Baseball dads can get in on that action as well. After #18 had some errors and tremulous fielding, he asked if I would condition his glove with the old hot glove treatment. I went one step further and smudged the glove. According to the internet, smudging is a ritual way to cleanse a person , place or an object of negative energies, spirits or influences. The smudging ceremony involves the burning of special, sacred plants and herbal resins, then, either passing an object through the resulting smoke, or fanning the smoke around a person or place. The spirit of the plant then purifies whatever is being smudged.
I lit a smudge stick made of home-grown white sage and purified the glove, alongside a Chipper Jones baseball card and a stick of sandalwood incense. Solemnly, I waved the sage around the glove chanting "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" while facing Cooperstown. It seems to have worked. The glove is soft and supple. There have been no errors since.
Waiting to Play
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| photo by Mercer Buechner |
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| photo by Mercer Buechner |
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| photo by Mercer Buechner |
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| photo by Mercer Buechner |
Rain Delays Win
Kennesaw- The Thunder travelled to Adams Park to take on the Acworth White team on a hot, sunny afternoon. The boys looked sharp in the gold uniforms and came out swinging in the first. For the first time all season, more than one player was sporting the "old school" look with socks showing to the knees. Max and Noah joined Mercer rocking the socks. It was 88˚ when the first pitch was thrown at 4:58 EDT. Kenny started things with a single to right. The Acworth pitcher balked the runner over and Mercer hit the ball to the right side to move Kenny to third. Jack and Max followed with RBI singles and after a another balk and wild pitch, the Thunder had a 3-0 lead heading to the bottom of the first. The first four runners reached for the White team and 2 quick runs were scored. After a fly out to Hammond in center and pop to the pitcher Kenny Andrews, a wild pitch plated a third run for the Acworth team. Ben "Gunnner" Thilo caught the runner sleeping at third and picked him off for the third out of the first frame. Throughout the first inning, the wind picked up from the north and dark clouds ominously appeared.
JJ led off the second with a solid single and after yet another balk and wild pitch, ended up a third. Ben followed with an RBI single and moved over to second on a wild pitch. Gaines moved the runner over to third. As Mercer stepped into the box, a strike of lightning close by halted the game with one out and runners on the corners.
The one hour and 40 minute rain/lightning delay ended at 8:25 and the temperature had dropped 20˚ .
Mercer stepped up to the plate with a controversial 0-1 count and hit a grounder to first and picked up an RBI. Jack followed with a double to double up the Acworth White 6-3. The bottom of the second started with a solid single up the middle for Acworth. A balk and a bunt moved the runner to third and that runner scored on an E2. A single and back-to-back doubles put the White up 7-6. Mercer made a nice catch in left and almost doubled up the runner at first. The inning ended with a nice play by Gaines at second, throwing out the runner just in time.
Acworth made a pitching change and a tall, goggled side-armer warmed up on the mound. The Thunder were able to tie up the game at 7, but a devastating curve ball struck out the side. Gnats came out in the bottom of the third, tormenting the field ump and several players, but new pitcher Connor Mashman was throwing darts. A walk and a single led to a run, but more stellar defense by Gaines and a strike out to end the inning on a full count had the Thunder rumbling.
In the fourth, Gaines reached on an error and Kenny followed with a single. A wild pitch moved the runners up and Mercer hit a smash to third, scoring Gaines and the Thunder had tied it at 8. Jack followed up with an RBI single to give the Thunder a one run lead. Heading to the last half inning, Mashman took control of the game. He struck out two and the last batter hit a swinging bunt that Max pounced on and threw out the runner to seal the win for the Thunder.
Interesting stats and facts:
-Jack Purdy was 3-3 with 2 singles, a double and 3 RBI
-Mercer Buechner had 2 RBI's without the benefit of a hit
-Thunder pitchers (Andrews, Mashman) issued only 3 walks
-Errors were few and far between at 2! Way to go Thunder!
-Six balks were called in the game
-Smoking is only allowed in the parking area at Adams Park
-372 miles logged so far
So long everybody.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E L DHYS Thunder 3 3 1 2 9 9 2 6 Acworth White 3 4 1 0 8 9 3 5
Friday, June 17, 2011
Can't Stand The Heat
The first pitch was right at 6:00, with a temperature of 87˚ . With two outs in the first, Jack Purdy hit a ground rule double, barely missing a homer. Ryan followed with a single and Max walked to load the bases. Up came Mercer and the inning ended with no runs scored. Connor Mashman took the mound for the Thunder. The first three batters reached (BB, HBP, E5) before a pop out to Ryan at 3rd for the first out. A single and a fielder's choice plated two for the Heat. Two more walks and the score was 4-0. Coach Phil made a pitching change and brought in Jack Purdy to finish out the inning. A grounder to third was missed and the Thunder were down 6-0. The inning finally ended with a grounder to SS and the Thunder needed a wake-up call.
The 2nd inning started with Mashman reaching on an error and promptly stealing second. JJ came to bat and, after a wild pitch that moved Connor to third, walked to put runners on the corners. With one out in the inning, Gaines hit a single to left to get the Thunder on the scoreboard. James and Kenny followed with solid hits that went right to the Heat's gloves. The bottom of the second started with two quick outs on nice plays by Kenny at short and Noah in center. After a base hit, Jack coaxed a lazy fly to left to end the inning.
The highlight of the 3rd for the Thunder was a solo home run by Jack Purdy to get the Thunder within 4 runs. The Heat added two more runs in the bottom of the inning with 4 solid singles.
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| Jack Purdy's 2nd HR of the summer |
Mercer started off the 4th with a booming double that rolled to the wall. Jarrett hit a ball to short and Mercer waited until the SS threw to first and then headed for third. The first baseman tried to gun Mercer out at third and threw the ball over the third baseman's head, allowing Buechner to score the third run for the Thunder. The bottom of the 4th had Mercer on the mound for DHYS. A hit batsman and a walk came home to roost even though the 3rd, 4th and 5th batters had infield grounders. At the end of 4, the score was 10-3 in favor of the Heat. Jack Purdy added another RBI in the fifth on a single, but the Thunder could not get a rally going. Mercer faced two batters in the bottom half and time was called.
Interesting Stats and Facts:
- Thunder players need to make plays and GET DIRTY!
- Walks and errors are not helping the cause.
- 300 miles logged so far.
So long everybody.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E L DHYS Thunder 0 1 1 1 1 4 6 5 7 Hobgood Heat 6 0 2 2 - 10 6 3 6
Monday, June 6, 2011
June 4, Game 2-11:45 vs. Atlanta Thunder
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| Noah Hammond |
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| Connor Mashman |
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| Sweet Swingin Murray |
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| James Huey |
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| Purdy goes yard |
Braves Too Much for Thunder
Saturday, June 4 9:30 AM
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | R | H | E | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BH Braves | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 2 | 5 | |
| DHYS Thunder | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 5 | 4 |
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