We have spent the majority of our summer on the baseball field- many hours, 5 tournament weekends, out-of-town travel- and the hottest summer on record. But it was awesome and we wouldn't trade a minute of it!
Carter originally was going to play catcher, but in one of the first practices was recruited for left field. It turned out to be an amazing position for him. This boy can track balls and make the catch in almost any situation. Very few balls got away from him all season in the air...
or on the ground.
It was an amazing group of 14 boys who all shared the same passion, drive, devotion, and love for the game. If we could clone Carter into a team, this would be it. Turns out there are other kids out there with the same deep knowledge of the game and skills beyond their years. They had the time of their lives! There practices on weeknights ran for 3 packed hours and they all stayed after and continued to play until it was dark and coach kicked them out.
Coach Guhi has been a loved coach in our leagues for many years. His gentle spirit, contagious optimism, enthusiasm for sports, and knowledge of his players is every parent and players dream.
There were five assistant coaches and Billy was excited to be one of them. Each coach brought their own specialties to the team...
Let's Play Ball!!!!
The kids did a great job encouraging and motivating each other. They constantly pushed each other to be the best players they could be and weren't afraid to call each other out when someone needed to shape up. They are definitely a group of leaders.
I have the utmost respect for the kids who played pitcher. Tyler and Bryce were like ball targets who got pummeled more times than I can remember, but in true brick wall fashion, they stopped everything that came at them and made the plays at first.
I felt bad for Connor when game after game they played double and triple-headers in 100 degree plus temperatures. These kids are tough.
Speaking of tough, the siblings clocked some serious spectator hours and baseball fields lack any shade. Julia did good as long as she had a steady supply of snacks and ice water. She liked to pick out her own outfits for the games. This is by far one of my favorites...
The boys enjoyed some great wins the first few tournaments. There were some close losses, but we were proud of their efforts and they team they became.
Aside from left field, Carter also had a few innings at shortstop. It was another action position that kept him on his toes.
Little Jackson was one of the favorite kids on the team. At only 6 years old he secured a spot on the 8 year old all-star team!! And not only was he the youngest, he was the smallest by a full head, but that didn't stop Jackson. He was the fastest kid on the entire team. At the end of practices they had to run base sprints. Coach would hold Jackson by the shirt until all the kids rounded second, then let him loose. Every kid he passed had to do an extra set. There was at least 4 every time! They don't call him "Mad Dog Jackson" for nothing!
I loved watching the other teams after Jackson would hit and take off. They always assumed as the youngest and smallest he'd be an easy out, but Jackson was never tagged out at first base all season!
Andrew played a mean third base. Originally picked as an outfielder he was called in to cover third at practice and never left. His speedy reaction time and bullet arm to first base made many game-saving plays.
In his time in left field Carter made some amazing catches. Every time all the parents and coaches would turn to me and say, "Did you get a picture?" The answer, unfortunately was always no. In one game he made a diving catch, a running jump catch, a diving catch with a throw from his knees for the double play, and the running backwards catch. Wowzers! Here he is after the inning ending out giving the ball back to the ump. The ump gave him the MVP award for that game. Apparently he has found his position.
His batting was very consistent all season with only four strikeouts all summer. He may not have always hit the ball the farthest, but he always got on base.
The last two tournaments the pieces were really falling together and the boys fielding was matched with consistently power hitting. We had some exciting wins.
Ethan, our first baseman...
Carter hurling the ball in for a double play...
Game faces...
Andrew sending it out...
Tyler, ready for anything...
Big win in our last weekend. The bats were on fire...
Carter's best buddy and neighbor, Jonathan, coming in for the scoop...
Then it was on to the semi-final round. Garrett nailing another line drive...
Aggressive base running...
Another win under their belts they were headed to the championship game against one of the strongest teams in our area. Taking a break before the big game...
Everyone was fired up! We knew they had it in them to win this entire tournament and finish their last game with a bang.
They played full out and with every bit of energy, drive, and power they could find.
The big hitters of Level Cross (a year round travel team) could not get a run by them. They were squashed inning after inning. The excitement was palpable. The parents were all pacing like caged animals outside the fences.
They were one inning away and up by 2 runs (6-4). The win was so close we could all taste it. Every one of us watching was on our feet. In the bottom of the 6th a hit got away and before anyone even knew what happened, they had lost by one point. Hearts were broken- big and small. Everyone trying to hold back tears. We wanted that win for them so badly. They had played their hearts out all weekend and dominated the top teams and in a moment it was gone.
When Coach Guhi gathered them all around, he started to talk and his voice cracked. The tears trickled down. He wanted that win for them. They deserved it, but it wasn't meant to be. In the end he told each and every one of them how proud he was of this group. In decades of coaching youth and high school teams, this was the most dedicated and talented group he had ever coached.
We are so proud of you boys!! Thank you for an amazing summer of baseball. I wish the summer never had to end! Spring season seems SO far away.
After a round of cupcakes the smiles were beginning to return to their faces. After a few on Coach's face the giggles flowed...
And in true baseball-lovers fashion they were all out on the empty field under the lights playing again. This is what makes them all so special. Despite two long, hot July days, playing six games of baseball, and no dinner.... all they want to do is
play. Whether they win or lose, it is the game they love and their teammates they cherish, not a trophy.
Thanks for the memories boys!! You are a special bunch. It has been a summer we will never forget. I pray this group has many more years together playing for Jamestown baseball.
