tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13995817707689924852024-03-20T11:11:24.741-04:00Little League InsiderAn inside and in-depth look at the Little League International Tournament.
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-20225046660393246902016-07-27T02:19:00.000-04:002016-07-27T10:04:50.109-04:00New York State Little League Tournament Preview (2016)Wow. We're back. I missed the entirety of the 2015 Little League season because work just doesn't allow me to be Little League Insider anymore. I guess being an adult can stink sometimes. Who knew?<br><br>Anyway, I've been out to a few games this season around the New York and New Jersey area and I'm pumped up for all the state tournament action. Even though the blog itself isn't nearly as active as it used to be, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries/" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a> is always firing on all cylinders. Seriously... join it. There's Little League fans (1000s of them) across the country giving updates every single day. It's a great community.<br><br>I've done state tournament previews for New York and New Jersey in the past and its always one of my favorite posts to write, so I decided to give NY a shot this year since I've seen a couple of the teams so far and I'm incredibly excited to see Maine-Endwell this season, a team that could be historically good in New York. We'll see this week.<br><br>The state tournament is being hosted by Van Nest Little League and Bronxchester Little League in District 22 in the Bronx. The two fields are in walking distance of each other and will showcase the best the state has to offer.<br><br>Without further ado, here's this year's state tournament preview. Remember that most of this is based on simple research and I did it all in a couple hours. If any names are wrong, spelled incorrectly, or didn't showcase enough or the proper players, I'm deeply sorry. I'll get it right once the tournament starts today. Finally... come say hello if you see me. I'll be there on Wednesday and Thursday for sure.<br><br>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="380">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Section 1 West: Penfield (District 4)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 4 district titles, first section title since 1979<br>
<br>
Penfield National rolled through the sectionals by averaging 14 runs per game.
The last time PLL played a close game was the District 4 championship when they
knocked off Fairport, 6-4. Noah Rogoff, Matt Salina, Jake Lipani, and John
Scoenhardt are just some of the names to watch from the Rochester-area squad.<br>
<b><br>
Section 1 East: Maine-Endwell (District 7)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 8 district titles, 5 section titles, 2 state titles<br>
<br>
Maine-Endwell are the defending state champions. Normally, this doesn’t mean
much… new crop of kids, right? Wrong. M-E had six 11-year olds on that state
championship team and they’re bigger and stronger this season. This group also
won the state championship when they were 10-year olds. M-E is led by Michael
Mancini, Conner Rush, Jude Abbadessa, et al. The boys in blue and gold have
been as dominant as you can be, winning by mercy rule in every game thus far. <br>
<br><b>
Section 2 North: New Hartford (District 10)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 2 district titles, first section title<br>
<br>
New Hartford won its first section title in the long history of its league and
the Utica-area squad is excited to take its show to the Bronx. NH is 10-1
through the tournament so far and topped a strong Rotterdam-Carman squad in a
Best-of-3 series to reach the state tournament. Roman Kimball has been the
staff ace and one of the team’s top hitters. Tyler Potocki has shown some big
time ability on the bump as well including a 12 strikeout performance in the
district championship game. Will Gall and Kyle Philipkoski have had big hits in
recent victories.<br>
<br><b>
Section 2 South: Town of Wappinger (District 17)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 7 district titles, 2 section titles<br>
<br>
Wappinger has become the defacto leaders of District 17 since becoming one
charter and this particular group is experienced. They reached the state
tournament last season as 11-year olds, so they will be experienced. The group
is young with some 11s mixed in this year, but Shane Heinemann, Sean Camacho,
Ben Tullo, and Parker Nevins have been great leaders thus far.<br>
<br><b>
Section 3 North: Pine Bush (District 19)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 4 district titles, 2 section titles<br>
<br>
Pine Bush enters the state tournament at 13-1. They’ve won 13 straight games.
The offense for the Bushmen has been relentless. PB has scored less than 10
runs in a game just three times in their run to the Bronx. They put up 20+ runs
four different times as well. The team has 54 home runs in total, an
astronomical number. Joe Croce leads the way for an offense that puts them up
in bunches. He homered three times in the district “if” game, the second straight
year he’s hit three in a title-winning performance. Watch out for Will Pitt,
Ethan Velanga, and Gunnar Meland as well. Nick Scala provided an epic 6th-inning
homer in Game 1 of the district final.<br>
<br><b>
Section 3 South: Mid-Island (Staten Island) (District 24)</b>
Recent History (2000-2016): 4 district titles, 3 section titles, 1 state title, 1 regional title<br>
<br>
Mid-Island reached the LLWS back in 2006 and is ready for another run. MILL
comes from one of the toughest districts in the entire Eastern Region and is
battle-tested. MI has some big boppers at the top of the lineup and strong
arms. Matt Rupp has been the team’s most
dominant starter and one of the big sticks. Matt Polemeni, Eric O’Neill, and
Chris Field are also major home run threats every time they step in the box. <br>
<b><br>
Section 4 West: Port Washington (District 28)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 9 district titles, first section title<br>
<br>
Like Wappinger and St. James/Smithtown, Port Washington played in the 11-year
old state tournament last year. So they have some experience at this level.
They went 2-2 with wins over the other two teams in the tournament. Chris Chang
and Jake Spiryda are two players to watch for PW.<br>
<b><br>
Section 4 East: St. James/Smithtown (District 35)</b><br>
Recent History (2000-2016): 2 district titles, first section title since 1999<br>
<br>
Smithtown had an interesting road to the Bronx. In one of the worst and wildest
tournament formats you’ll see, St. James/Smithtown went 1-2 in pool play of its
sectional tournament, placing third. All four teams make the semifinals though
and SJSLL promptly won the semifinal and then beat the 0-3 team in the
championship. They obviously worked the tournament the right way. It’s no
accident though that Smithtown is in. They were in the state tournament last
year as well, falling twice in mercy-rule shortened games. James Ackerman and
Tyler Lawrence are two of the guys who should be on your radar.<br>
<br><b><u>
PREDICTIONS</u></b><br>
<br>
It’s hard to predict how teams will pitch a double elimination tournament, so
instead of straight picks, I’ll give you the teams ranked in order… Remember
that I’ve only seen two (Pine Bush and Mid-Island) play in person. <br>
<br>
1. Maine-Endwell<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2. Mid-Island<br>
3. Pine Bush<br>
4. Penfield National<br>
5. New Hartford<br>
6. Port Washington<br>
7. Town of Wappinger<br>
8. St. James/Smithtown<br>
<br>
I’ll be at Van Nest and Bronxchester Little Leagues on Wednesday and Thursday
for sure. Join in on the conversation for the Road to Williamsport at my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries/" target="_blank">LittleLeague World Series Discussion Group on Facebook</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-64253921139999893212015-02-11T11:52:00.003-05:002015-02-11T12:25:06.281-05:00Jackie Robinson West (Chicago) stripped on U.S. Little League World Series Title<br />
THIS IS GOING TO BE AN OPINION BLOG. READ THE FACTS FROM THE ORIGINAL NEWS BREAKERS, <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150211/morgan-park/jackie-robinson-west-stripped-of-national-title-over-boundary-remap" target="_blank">DNAINFO</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Well... this finally came to a head. I generally ignored this the whole off season because it's like beating a dead horse. It was obvious they were cheating from the beginning, but nobody wants to hear about cheating in Little League because almost everyone that is successful is doing it in some form. It's always considered "sour grapes" though. Well, in my experience, where there's smoke, there's fire, and it was billowing in Chicago.<br />
<br />
Here's my problem though. What Jackie Robinson West did was blatant, flat-out cheating. They deserve to lose all their wins. But, they haven't lost any of the glory. They still went to the White House, went to the World Series, had parades, etc... Little League was too concerned with the great publicity this specific team gave them. This needed to be handled way earlier. Little League needs to get out in front of these major issues. LL is trying to bring charters back from Cal Ripken, so they're allowing larger populations. It's no coincidence that huge urban areas were represented in many of the regions this year.<br />
<br />
Here's another problem, while Little League isn't littered with blatant cheaters at every turn, there's A LOT of cheating going on. Teams in California and Georgia were disqualified after winning sectional and state titles. There's always something fishy going on with perennial state championship teams. It's everywhere.<br />
<br />
Taney Youth Baseball Association (Mo'ne Davis' team) is not in the same boat as JRW because they didn't actively cheat, but Little League knows they had kids from all over Philadelphia, it was part of their chartering deal. They "grandfathered" in all the kids who played in the league previously for life, no matter where they lived. They had authorization from Little League to do it though, but it was still unfair to all the leagues in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region.<br /><br />Jackie Robinson, on the other hand, secretly added kids from outside their boundaries with the help of their corrupt district administrator. Completely unauthorized. Both leagues had "super teams" but only one was allowed to do it.<br />
<br />
So how does Little League fix their problem of "super teams" (because there is a definitely a problem)?<br />
<br />
For starters, the paperwork checking for tournament teams needs to start earlier. Everyone knows that Little League is all about the tournament. Drop the stupid June 15th or two weeks before rule. Everyone is playing together all year long. Just make sure everyone is of age and of residency. Otherwise, let teams play and practice together as much and as early as they want. International teams are doing it because their seasons run on different schedules.<br />
<br />
District Administrators are the only line of defense against cheating until the teams reach regionals. There's not enough time to check the validity of teams until they're already eliminating teams and once a team is a media darling (like Danny Almonte's team in 2001, Harlem LL the next year, Jackie Robinson West, or Taney), they're going to let it play out because they don't want negative publicity during the tournament.<br />
<br />
Little League needs to figure out this gerrymandering problem real fast though because they're biggest test in years and years if not history is coming up and it's this age change that everyone hates.<br />
<br />
The real 12 and 12 1/2 year old kids are going to be playing in an anonymous 50/70 World Series in northern California and 11 year old kids will be on national TV in Williamsport with home runs and 70mph pitching being way down (i.e. not good for television). This is a massive change to how Little League is run and perceived. Meanwhile, Cal Ripken's WS will still be 12 and 12 1/2 year old kids playing 50/70 in a beautiful ballpark. I'm not if sure Little League is making itself more attractive or less attractive with these wholesale changes.<br />
<br />
Let's end today with some positives of Little League though... Dave Belisle's speech to his team after being eliminated in Williamsport.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OqrlfzvmxBA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-31523171222829873672014-08-12T22:54:00.001-04:002014-08-12T22:54:36.398-04:00Little League World Series Preview (2014)<b><u>GREAT LAKES</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Jackie Robinson West (Chicago), Illinois</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 14-0<br />
Great Lakes Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 11-24<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 1.80<br />
Team K/6: 9.4<br />
Team Batting Avg: .473 (12 of 13 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 0.83<br />
<br />
<b>Key Players:</b> Marquis Jackson (.600, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 11 R), Pierce Jones (.750, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 12 R), Trey Hondras (.474, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R)<br />
<br />
<b>Overview: </b>Jackie Robinson West puts a ton of pressure on teams with its base running up and down the lineup, but the big three hitters are scary good. Six players took the ball out of the yard during regionals, and five different pitchers started games. Brandon Green has big strikeout ability (11 K in 5 innings) and Jackson is a beast in relief (mid-70s fastball). This team has the potential to be the best Great Lakes team in a decade or more and one of the most fun to watch.<br />
<div>
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">NORTHWEST</u><br />
<br />
<b>Pacific (Lynnwood), Washington</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 16-2<br />
Northwest Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 20-18 (Without Hawaii, 15-16)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 1.45<br />
Team K/6: 9.4<br />
Team Batting Avg: .341 (7 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 1.67<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Key Players:</u> Tyler Durbin (.667, 1 HR, 8 RBI)<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Overview:</u> Pacific isn't a team that is dominant by any stretch and they certainly don't have any dominant individual players. Pacific is also a singles hitting team. They only had three home runs in the regional (nobody with more than one). Pacific relies on Ian Michael on the mound along with Logan Kruse, but the rest of the staff performed well during the regional. Eastlake, Washington was a huge surprise in Williamsport last year. If this team matched that 3-2 performance, it would be a surprise as well.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MIDWEST</u></b><br />
<b>Canyon Lake (Rapid City), South Dakota</b><br />
Overall 2014 Record: 12-0<br />
Midwest Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 4-30<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 4.26<br />
Team K/6: 7.3<br />
Team Batting Avg: .431 (9 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 0.67<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Dylan Richey (.667, 5 HR, 22 RBI), Bridger Nesbit (.522, 1 HR, 4 2B, 7 RBI), Matthew Hegre (.500, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 14 R)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Overview:</u></b> The Midwest is the weakest region in the United States by far with just four wins in 12 years. Canyon Lake rolled through the Midwest regional (without beating Minnesota) and they did it with their offense. Dylan Richey is on fire at the plate and he has some table setters ahead of him. The pitching staff didn't get it done, but the defense behind them did with only four errors total in the regional. That's impressive. With the type of pitching Canyon Lake expects to see in Williamsport, I can't see them making a run at all this year, however.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">WEST</u><br />
<br />
<b>Mountain Ridge (Las Vegas), Nevada</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 14-0<br />
West Pool Play/Double Elim Record (Since 2002): 32-9<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 1.23<br />
Team K/6: 8.2<br />
Team Batting Avg: .338 (9 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 1.33<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Austin Kryszczuk (.429, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 12 R. 19 K, 1.09 ERA)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Overview:</u></b> Kryszczuk is the type of player that could enter LLWS lore. He carries Mountain Ridge with his arm and his bat. Add in big time players like Brennan Holligan and Bradley Stone and you have a potential World Series champion. Kryszczuk and Holligan are both big and strong and have the goods to lead the way. While Jackie Robinson West is expected to be strong, historically this is an easy path to the U.S. title game for a West squad.<br />
<br />
<b><u>MID-ATLANTIC</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Taney Youth Baseball Association (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 17-2<br />
Mid-Atlantic Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 15-22<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 2.72<br />
Team K/6: 8.0<br />
Team Batting Avg: .336 (7 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 0.67<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Jahli Hendricks (.611, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R), Jared Sprague-Lott (.533, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R), Mo'Ne Davis (2-0, 1 SV, 17 Ks in 12 IP)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Overview:</u></b> The story of the regionals was Mo'Ne Davis and her dominant pitching performance in the championship game, but she actually has a higher ERA than the team average. The staff is deep with Sprague-Lott and Richardson as capable starters. Lipson and Cummings are solid in relief. Offensively, this team has good home run power with Zion Spearman looking to get on track. Leading up to the regional he was the scariest hitter on the team. Statistics and history don't back up a deep run for Taney in the World Series, however.<br />
<br />
<b><u>SOUTHEAST</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>South Nashville, Tennessee</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 11-1<br />
Southeast Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 25-14<br />
<br />
<b><u>Regional Stats</u></b><br />
Team ERA: 4.25<br />
Team K/6: 9.0<br />
Team Batting Avg: .337 (6 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 0.83<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Sam Slaughter (.533, 3 HR, 12 RBI), Blake Money (.385, 1 HR, 4 RBI), Robert Hassell (.385, 1 HR, 2 RBI)<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Overview:</u> Statistically, this is not the greatest Southeast team. The ERA is through the roof, and the offense is ranked one of the lowest in the LLWS. This is still a team that was here a year ago with experienced coaches and two players back. Money and Hassell are both solid on the mound and Slaughter has been hitting the heck out of the baseball. An opening game against the media darlings could go either way. The result will be a big determination of this team's fate.<br />
<br />
<b><u>SOUTHWEST</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Pearland East, Texas East</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 15-0<br />
Southwest Pool Play/Dbl Elim Record (Since 2002): 23-12<br />
<br />
<u><b>Regional Stats</b></u><br />
Team ERA: 2.14<br />
Team K/6: 7.71<br />
Team Batting Avg: .307 (4 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 1.8<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Clayton Broeder (.500, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R), Jonathan Newman (8.2 IP, 11Ks, 0.00 ERA)<br />
<br />
<u><b>Overview:</b></u> Pearland was the best team in the Southwest Region and played the toughest schedule, possibly of anyone in the country. Maybe that's the reason they don't have great statistics because this team is not impressive on paper except for the where they come from. As a team they barely hit .300, they didn't hit for a ton of extra base hits, and they made almost two errors per game. Jon Newman didn't allow a run in two victories, but had less than 1 1/2 strikeouts per inning. Bryce Laird, Brandon Sliwinski, and Broeder each hit over .500 to lead the team. Michael Groover led the team in XBH with four, all doubles. He also had nine RBI to lead the team.<br />
<br />
<b><u>NEW ENGLAND</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Cumberland American, Rhode Island</b><br />
<br />
Overall 2014 Record: 12-1<br />
New England Pool Play/Dbl Elim (Since 2002): 18-19<br />
<br />
<u><b>Regional Stats</b></u><br />
Team ERA: 3.74<br />
Team K/6: 6.2<br />
Team Batting Avg: .380 (7 players over .300)<br />
Team Errors Per Game: 0.83<br />
<br />
<b><u>Key Players:</u></b> Addison Kopack (.474, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 10 R), Jayden Struble (.619, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 12 R)<br />
<br />
<b><u>Overview:</u></b> Coach Belisle said before the regionals that this team would need to hit its way to a regional title and it did. The top seven hitters all hit .333 or better and six of them are well over .400. The only reason Cumberland isn't the best hitting team overall is because the subs and the starters who get subbed out have all struggled. The five of them have a total of four hits. Cumberland can win a few games if the bats get deep into some pitching staffs, and the top two or three starters are definitely serviceable.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Predictions</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Opening Round:</b> Great Lakes over Northwest, West over Midwest, Southeast over Mid-Atlantic, Southwest over New England.<br />
<br />
<b>Winners Bracket:</b> West over Great Lakes, Southwest over Southeast<br />
<br />
<b>Losers Bracket:</b> Northwest over Midwest, Mid-Atlantic over New England<br />
<br />
<b>Losers Bracket Round: </b>Southeast over Northwest, Great Lakes over Mid-Atlantic<br />
<br />
<b>Winners Bracket Final: </b>West over Southwest<br />
<br />
<b>Losers Bracket Semis:</b> Great Lakes over Southeast<br />
<br />
<b>Losers Bracket Final: </b>Southwest over Great Lakes<br />
<br />
<b>U.S. Championship: </b>West over Southwest<br />
<br />
<b>World Championship:</b> Japan over West<br />
<br />
<b><u>Random Thoughts: </u></b>This has potential to be a great World Series. There's plenty of storylines and intrigue. The West Region is the favorite, but Nevada has NEVER been the LLWS before. South Nashville is back for a second straight year and neither time did they dominate on the road to Williamsport, but they're always solid. The West has won five of the last six US championships and six overall since 2002. They've appeared in 8 of the 12 since the field expanded to eight US teams. Southeast has won four titles over those 12 years with the Northwest (Hawaii, who's no longer in Northwest) and Great Lakes each have one. The Mid-Atlantic and Midwest have never reached the U.S. championship game since the field expanded in 2002. New England has reached the final three times including last year.<br />
<br /><br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br /></div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-89855133546435715492014-08-10T20:45:00.000-04:002014-08-10T21:31:05.987-04:00Taney Youth Baseball is Headed to Williamsport<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvX_b65xtI-eg785ILqTT4ulvZr-yXeuBKpe9y2A-wDciBgxWKMzuM0wNytbM5xIsx3MT4YQ76ASb0RtB27lirQJ1MU5CYm6FLE__ovBT6biMoplyZ761SBPqhoskBWv1IPeoj4Aj7a4/s1600/10542907_10152703631786015_5864248234630947636_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvX_b65xtI-eg785ILqTT4ulvZr-yXeuBKpe9y2A-wDciBgxWKMzuM0wNytbM5xIsx3MT4YQ76ASb0RtB27lirQJ1MU5CYm6FLE__ovBT6biMoplyZ761SBPqhoskBWv1IPeoj4Aj7a4/s1600/10542907_10152703631786015_5864248234630947636_n.jpg" height="400" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i>Commentary by John Malone</i></b><br />
<br />
Wow.<br />
<br />
<br />
There's not much else to say about the Taney Youth Baseball Association and its rise to the Little League World Series. <br />
<br />
I heard about this team during its run through districts because they knocked off the 10-year old state champions, Media. The immediate though was, "Cool. We don't get to see city teams do well in Little League too often." Then, I started reading up on the team. I started following Taney's games on GameChanger. The Dragons looked like a team of destiny, but they didn't thoroughly dominate everyone. In a state as tough as Pennsylvania to get through, it was easy to think they'd be tripped up somewhere.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
They made it to the state tournament with powerful teams. Everyone in the area, and a few more who follow the blog, knew that they had Mo'Ne Davis and that she supposedly had some talent. Between the big bats of Red Land, the dominance of Collier Township, the coaching of Mike Mussina and Montoursville, there was no way I wasn't going to take the chance to drive over two hours from home in New York to see the first day or two of the Pennsylvania State Tournament.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I immediately was blown away by most of the teams at Lower Perkiomen Little League. I hadn't seen a ton of baseball admittedly this year, but two or three teams looked worthy of a regional run. I wasn't sure if Taney was even one of them that first day, a 9-3 victory over Clarion, with Mo'Ne on the mound and not showing great command.<br />
<br />
I heard about her being the best pitcher in the state of Pennsylvania in the news. I heard about her throwing 70 miles per hour. What I saw in just a couple innings didn't support that. It certainly didn't feel that way when I saw Jared Sprague-Lott, her own teammate, throw and the big arms of Kai Cummings and Joe Richardson. Boy.. or should I say, girl was I wrong.<br />
<br />
I got to see Mo'Ne pitch against the defending regional champions during pool play with four very good hitters back with Williamsport experience. She completely dominated for five innings. She was throwing harder than I remembered. She had command of all her pitches, and wow her swagger was on point. Nothing bothered her. Meanwhile, the boys in the batters box did not look comfortable at all. She was lights out.<br />
<br />
She allowed two home runs in the sixth inning of that game against Delaware. Then, she picked up the save in the semifinal against Colonie, New York, but gave up a two-run homer in the process. That plus seeing her for six innings earlier in the week should've erased any mental edge she had over Delaware and based on the swings I saw in the championship it did. It also didn't matter. She flat out dominated the game once again on the back of her talent and watched her cool and calm defense make play after play until the final double play ended the game.<br />
<br />
I didn't buy into the Taney hype in the beginning. There were murmurs about the kids being from all over Philadelphia. They're not. They're from a couple neighborhoods in and around Center City. They all go to the schools in the same area and they've all been playing Taney Youth Baseball (plus their various travel ball including the NJ Arsenal and Anderson Monarchs) for years together. After seeing them play for three weeks and getting to know parents and players. I bought in. <br />
<br />
Taney is a team. They have table setters at the top. They have two big time starting pitchers with a crafty reliever along with two powerful right arms in the pen. They are scary hitters throughout the lineup especially the murderers row of Jahli Hendricks, Sprague-Lott, and Zion Spearman, and they have a defense that doesn't make many mistakes. They could easily go two-and-out in Williamsport or they could find themselves in the U.S. Championship game. The rest of the road doesn't matter. They reached the promised land and it was unreal to watch.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed meeting everyone from every team in Bristol this year. The success of this blog has made it a lot of fun to hear from players, coaches, and parents every day on the Road to Williamsport. The Taney kids are a big part of that. When Taney gets the bulk of the media coverage in Williamsport just remember that it has nothing to do with the kids or even their adults. It's the culture we live in. Just have fun with it. I'm telling you this group is worth watching and getting to know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Dim4sFvdjUw" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-3012785516896562014-08-09T16:15:00.000-04:002014-08-09T16:27:11.547-04:00Mid-Atlantic Region Semifinal Recaps<br />
<b><u>No. 2 Taney (PA) 6, No. 3 Colonie (NY) 5</u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
What a game between Pennsylvania and New York. Colonie shocked the heavy favorites with a<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOCvwGX58XU0k0GvVfYuZnkgw1DmE0UIpTA1stVejImOABoQOhjxDcJt4tTPrpWCyKRS3WMAoSymXUeShmYOXt9__B3UCdI2Ye6eQr6MZNrjf9c80p56gnQ8PZpKjZj28TGTTV4PDxe8/s1600/10569065_10152687172136015_1115337762288960518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOCvwGX58XU0k0GvVfYuZnkgw1DmE0UIpTA1stVejImOABoQOhjxDcJt4tTPrpWCyKRS3WMAoSymXUeShmYOXt9__B3UCdI2Ye6eQr6MZNrjf9c80p56gnQ8PZpKjZj28TGTTV4PDxe8/s1600/10569065_10152687172136015_1115337762288960518_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
three-run lead early thanks to double after double by Colin McDonough, Jakob Lemperle, and Ian Parker. Jimmy Davis added an RBI single in the fourth to make it 3-0. Taney wouldn't be denied for long. After Jahli Hendricks and Jared Sprague-Lott got on, Zion Spearman finally uncorked a home run to tie the game. In the fifth, Mo'Ne Davis and Hendricks both reached by error and Sprague-Lott looped a double over the bag into short right field scoring everyone. Jack Rice added an RBI single which turned out to a be huge third run.<br />
<br />
In the sixth, Taney went to Mo'Ne Davis to close it out. After giving up a leadoff walk, she got two outs, but Lemperle continued his tear with a two-run homer to left centerfield to bring Colonie within one, but Davis got out of trouble with the third out sending Taney to the regional final.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>No. 4 Newark National (DE) 4, No. 1 Toms River (NJ) 3</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
What a ball game.<br />
<br />
Jack Hardcastle dominated a good-hitting New Jersey team with 5 innings of two-hit baseball. Newark led 2-0 heading to the sixth on the back of an error which scored Brett Callahan and then a Callahan RBI single in the fifth. Newark added two huge runs in the sixth against Toms River's ace, Jon Giordano. Jason Dauerty (2-for-3) had an infield single and scored on a passed ball, Brandon Sengphachanh (2-for-3) singled, and Wyatt Minner ripped a single to score the important fourth run.<br />
<br />
Toms River to its credit didn't die. They haven't all summer long. Hardcastle walked Vinny Rose and Giordano before getting relieved by A.J. Blanchard. Connor Cino ripped a two-run double to make it 4-2 with nobody out. He came around to score on an RBI single by Christian Wood. Jason Kapp singled to put two on and two out for Kayla Roncin, but Blanchard induced a ground out to send Newark National to its third straight regional championship.<br />
<br />
Check back for a Mid-Atlantic Region championship tomorrow morning!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-45865100455486276502014-08-09T15:38:00.001-04:002014-08-09T15:38:25.790-04:00Little League New England Region Championship Preview<u><br /></u>
<u>No. 2 Cumberland American, Rhode Island (4-1) vs. No. 1 Fairfield American, Connecticut (4-1)</u><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1IH5lob-mUg-jEq2_GyOGu9WYqo7VOZraAfU5wHAJLXmwPwC9UcP8ZLMNp7WmbekiuoGWtsOsGIZCYbPAMaeX9lyG9ggII79VxD261zzdDHoe1VuPvfGoOkD_T3f1z75SWiBKeP9chE/s1600/10592822_881454621884273_9012992608617643458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1IH5lob-mUg-jEq2_GyOGu9WYqo7VOZraAfU5wHAJLXmwPwC9UcP8ZLMNp7WmbekiuoGWtsOsGIZCYbPAMaeX9lyG9ggII79VxD261zzdDHoe1VuPvfGoOkD_T3f1z75SWiBKeP9chE/s1600/10592822_881454621884273_9012992608617643458_n.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As expected from the beginning of the tournament, we have the two tournament favorites in the championship game. While Rhode Island started the tournament like an unstoppable force, they've come back to earth a bit. Connecticut, on the other hand, is trending upwards.<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Cumberland Offense vs. P.J. Egan:</u> Connecticut's number one pitcher, P.J. Egan, should be on the hill for Connecticut to face the powerful lineup of Rhode Island. If he reaches his pitch limit, Brian Howell is available, and he throws hard. Egan isn't overpowering by any means, but he's a pitcher. He allowed four hits and one run in the walk-off victory over Rhode Island in the first meeting. His ERA this week is 3.17, but he has had great wins over very good teams like the 2-1 victory over Farmington CT and a 4-2 victory over Norwalk CT, both teams worthy of a regional final. Rhode Island's offense is really strong. Hitters 1-6 are what I would call scary. Then you add guys like Trey Bourque at the bottom of the lineup and there are no free outs.<br />Addison Kopack has been the best hitter in the New England Region Tournament. Jayden Struble came up big against Maine in the semifinal. Rhode Island NEEDS him to have a big game. Nick Croteau is great at the top of the order but has been on a bit of a cold streak.<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Fairfield Offense vs. Nick Croteau:</u> Rhode Island will most likely go with Croteau (or C.J. Davock). Croteau hasn't allowed an earned run yet in three appearances in the regional and started game one. Both have good velocity but aren't overpowering either. Fairfield hasn't hit for a ton of power, but Jamie "Ralphie" Flink and Howell have left the yard recently including Flink's walk-off homer to beat Rhode Island and his first-inning homer against Massachusetts. Vince Camera has been the team's slugger up until the regional. It would be a perfect time to bust out.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzTB6YCTj0jrvOHC6Uqsjvttp-2hp3w8byIpXYbfUHmv6KYGAG5-Bt2CxkmRuSH1pmrD657ZA1GZtp4Addp1Fw5uYwJk00KjU6ET2qY66v6UD9N8zCuAbBhVJx4Htaf5h7KcCY-GCsfI/s1600/10550847_10152686637691015_1390377732237205510_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzTB6YCTj0jrvOHC6Uqsjvttp-2hp3w8byIpXYbfUHmv6KYGAG5-Bt2CxkmRuSH1pmrD657ZA1GZtp4Addp1Fw5uYwJk00KjU6ET2qY66v6UD9N8zCuAbBhVJx4Htaf5h7KcCY-GCsfI/s1600/10550847_10152686637691015_1390377732237205510_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /><b><u>Bottom Line: </u></b>This is as even of a game as you can get. Neither team beats itself on defense. Both should pitch well. It will come down to timely hitting and getting extra base runners through patience. These two programs have been here before. This is the third time they've faced each other since 2010 in elimination games. Fairfield went to Williamsport with a victory over Cumberland in 2010. Cumberland upset Fairfield in the semis in 2011 en route to the LLWS. Fairfield advanced to Williamsport in 2012, but Cumberland wasn't part of the regional that year.<br /><br />This year, there's no clear favorite. Neither team is dominant at all. They're both just solid ball clubs that will play a great game tonight. Pitching and defense always beat good hitting, but in this matchup there isn't a pitching advantage, at least not by much. I'm going to stick with my pre-tournament pick.<br /><br /><b>Prediction: Rhode Island 5, Connecticut 3</b>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-83473393175766022772014-08-07T22:52:00.001-04:002014-08-07T22:52:38.767-04:00New England Semifinal Recaps (2014)<b><u>No. 2 Cumberland American (RI) 13, No. 3 Falmouth (ME) 4, (8 inn.)</u></b><br />
<br />
For Cumberland, it doesn't get much scarier than today's game against Falmouth. The Maine champions, who were ranked last in my rankings at one point this week, brought their A game for television once again. Michael Simmonds loves the spotlight. With a home run to secure the three seed earlier in the week and then an incredible pitching performance (5 innings, 2 earned runs, five hits) against a lineup like Cumberland's. At one point, he retired nine straight and 11 of 12. He also had a two-run single to tie the game in the fifth.<br />
<br />
With the game tied 4-4, Cumberland loaded the bases in the 8th with a walk, single from Jayden Struble, and a hit batter. Tyler Provost drew an RBI-walk to break the tie and Sean Meers ripped a two-run single to break the game open, but it didn't end there. Trey Bourque added an RBI-single to his two-run home run in the second inning. Nick Croteau had an infield single and then Struble hammered a three-run homer to put the game away for good.<br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5slfh3PXXiW97u0Uu_hr6JmWODnYEMzq0iH5nPScOqZ1wn8EkRS86FLXZVgXKLa23kIEkbmhZLx799n5avg5Okqxw-09k9MTX4eyCk2f3QyuVBupeeGD8TNDh_BiSp8XYa_b5twrQV7Q/s1600/1524632_10152695921441015_2236828570819724451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5slfh3PXXiW97u0Uu_hr6JmWODnYEMzq0iH5nPScOqZ1wn8EkRS86FLXZVgXKLa23kIEkbmhZLx799n5avg5Okqxw-09k9MTX4eyCk2f3QyuVBupeeGD8TNDh_BiSp8XYa_b5twrQV7Q/s1600/1524632_10152695921441015_2236828570819724451_n.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a>Falmouth played an unbelievable game and tournament. Alex Smith went 3-for-4 with an RBI. He had a huge walkoff homer earlier this week. Ike Kiely had a pair of hits, and Sam Manganello had the game-tying single in the sixth. Falmouth also took home the Bob Watson Sportsmanship Award for the entire East Region. From everything I heard and saw, it was deserved. Great group. Paul Alesse of LiSPN who takes the officials photos of the tournament captured an amazing shot of Kiely in the eighth inning.<br />
<br />
By scoring nine runs in the eighth inning, Cumberland was able to get Croteau out of the game at the 35-pitch threshold for the final. They'll also have C.J. Davock available. <br />
<b><i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Photo Courtesy of <a href="http://lispn.com/">LISPN.com</a></i></b></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b><u>No. 1 Fairfield American (CT) 9, No. 4 Barnstable Tom Wallace American (MA) 0</u></b><br />
<br />
If you had to choose one of the two semifinals that would be tough on the favorite, you would've expected it to be this one. While Fairfield has been strong all week long, Barnstable has looked tough with its ace Wyatt Scotti on the mound, even dating back to the state final when Barnstable upset Holden.<br />
<br />
Today, Fairfield showed why the league has been to the Little League World Series twice since 2010. They bring it in the big games. Connecticut scored three runs on four hits in the first inning including another opposite field home run from Jamie "Ralphie" Flink (2-for-3). Jack Steed (2-for-3, 3 RBI) continued his hot streak with a ribbie single. In the second inning, Fairfield added five more hits, all singles. Connecticut added another pair of runs off a two-run blast by Brian Howell (3-for-4). Eight of Fairfield's 11 players had a hit. It was an impressive performance.<br />
<br />
Defensively, Fairfield was flawless and Sam Davenport found his groove on the mound allowing no runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five. Connecticut went to Howell to get the final four outs.<br />
<br />
For Barnstable, Nick Wilson was 2-for-2.<br />
<br />
We'll have a complete New England Regional Championship Preview article tomorrow night. Make sure you check back for that one.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Prediction Results-</u> For the third consecutive year, I got the final two teams in the region correct. For the third consecutive time, I've also missed just one of the semifinalists. This year, it was subbing New Hampshire for Maine. A walk-off home run in that game was the difference. I chose Rhode Island to win the region from the beginning. We'll see if that changes in the New England Regional Final Preview tomorrow.</div>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-89949037314006844992014-08-06T01:20:00.000-04:002014-08-06T08:55:03.930-04:002014 East Region Tournament: Day 5 Recap<b><br><br><br><br>CHECK OUT ALL 8 REGIONAL SCOREBOARDS IN ONE PLACE: </b><a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/08/live-scores-for-all-8-regionals-in-one.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Live Scoring</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<b><u>Toms River (NJ) 10, West Salisbury (MD) 5</u></b><br>
<br>
Coming off a no-hitter and sitting in a great playoff position win-or-lose during this game, Maryland came out hot. West Salisbury put up four in the first inning off Toms River's #2 pitcher, Phil Antoniotti. As he usually does, Antoniotti settled down and didn't allow another run. New Jersey crept back in the game and exploded for five runs in the fifth to take a 7-4 lead. A Blake Corbin home run in the fifth got Maryland back within two, but Toms River added three more insurance runs. Christian Wood was 3-for-3 with an RBI. Chris Baker came off the bench to record three RBI including a two-run single in the fifth. Connor Cino had two hits, two runs, and an RBI for Jersey as well. Wood and Nick DeRose were solid in relief.<br>
<br>
New Jersey is now in the driver's seat for the top seed (after Pennsylvania lost) and has Wood, DeRose, Jon Giordano (1-for-1, 2 walks, HBP today) available for the game with Delaware. Maryland, but virtue of New York's victory is eliminated. West Salisbury's defense hurt early in the tournament, but Maryland was definitely dealt a bad hand by missing the sixth place team, D.C. Ryan Mitchell and Dylan Smith did a great job leading the team this week.<br>
<br>
<a name="more"></a><br>
<br>
<b><u>Falmouth (ME) 9, Barnstable (MA) 4</u></b><br>
<br>
Maine chose the best time to put up its best performance of the tournament. Falmouth is one of the most athletic teams in the region, but sometimes they don't put it all together. Today, they did. The defense was much sharper than usual and everyone came up with big hits. Brady Douglas (2-for-4) came through with a two-run single in the sixth to break a 3-3 tie with one out. Josh LeFevre added an RBI <br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZcgLwt098Tdd0zRxXK_4sVjDt4WhsZPTdgt4tx23p_VKdETW0925bgG-8mc1Ubu3FCJcP_5rHceflw5jWnZfa2cYSvlSQLh6XpsGKSxHDiIWyoK_3g3PiMz_szMKZs0QkNZXZitizYk/s1600/Maine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZcgLwt098Tdd0zRxXK_4sVjDt4WhsZPTdgt4tx23p_VKdETW0925bgG-8mc1Ubu3FCJcP_5rHceflw5jWnZfa2cYSvlSQLh6XpsGKSxHDiIWyoK_3g3PiMz_szMKZs0QkNZXZitizYk/s1600/Maine.jpg" height="320" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Photo courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
single and then Michael Simonds blasted a three-run homer to left to put the game away. Francis Kiely was a spark plug in the leadoff spot with three hits including a double. Barnstable falls to 1-2 in the tournament and is basically in a playoff game with New Hampshire now.<br>
<br>
Falmouth at 2-2 will wait for other games to shake out to find out its position. Barring anything crazy with Rhode Island losing a second time, Maine should be in. There's a small chance of a four-way tie for three spots right now.</div>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<b><u>Fairfield American (CT) 5, Cumberland American (RI) 3</u></b><br>
The best game of the day was a probable championship preview. Connecticut started its ace PJ Egan. He went three innings giving up one run on four hits. Brian Howell allowed just two hits in his 1 1/3 innings of relief and no earned runs. Ian Bentley closed it out and actually grabbed the win with 1 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball. All of those numbers are incredibly impressive considering how imposing Rhode Island's offense has been.<br>
<br>
Cumberland took a 3-2 lead in the fifth, but Bentley hit a two-out double and then Jack Steed (3-for-3) drove him in to tie the game. In the sixth, with two outs again, Jamie Flink lofted a two-run walk-off homer to left centerfield.<br>
<b><u><br>Colonie (NY) 5, Taney (PA) 3</u></b><br>
<br>
It looked like yet another Taney victory early on. Joe Richardson was dominating the Colonie lineup with an overpower fastball and a nasty off speed pitch. Jack Rice, Richardson, and Carter Davis each hit an RBI double in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead. It took just one inning to swing the momentum. Zane Nelsen settled in on the mound for New York and continued to let his "gravity ball" just tickle the paint on the outer corner. He had a 14-pitch third inning with no hits against the meat of the order and then Richardson walked a pair in the bottom of the inning. With frustration setting in, Richardson took something off his fastball and left it in the zone for Jakob Lemperle to hammer the other way for a game-tying three-run homer. <br>
<br>
Taney never figured Nelsen out and it stayed that way until the fifth inning when Lemperle ripped an RBI triple and then scored on a passed ball to take a 5-3 lead into the sixth. Nelsen got through 5 2/3 innings including strikeouts of Taney's ultra dangerous four and five hitters in his final two batters. Lemperle came on for the final out and got it easily. The victory clinched a playoff spot for New York and shook up the seeding for everyone.<br>
<b><u><br>East Region Rankings after Day 4</u></b><br>
<br>
1. New Jersey (3-0)<br>
<br>
2. Pennsylvania (2-1)<br>
<br>
3. Rhode Island (2-1)<br>
<br>
4. Delaware (2-1)<br>
<br>
5. Connecticut (3-1)<br>
<br>
6. New York (2-2)<br>
<br>
7. Maine (2-2)<br>
<br>
8. New Hampshire (1-2)<br>
<br>
9. Vermont (1-2)<br>
<br>
10. Maryland (1-3)<br>
<br>
11. Massachusetts (1-2)<br>
<br>
12. Washington D.C. (0-3)<br>
<br>
<b><u>Random Thoughts: </u></b>The four spots are set in the Mid-Atlantic. We just don't know the order. If New Jersey beats Delaware and Pennsylvania beats D.C., it'll be New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware. If Delaware wins or Pennsylvania loses... things get a little crazy. Pennsylvania didn't go for the jugular today and they could've. That may cost them a significantly easier semifinal opponent. On the New England side, Connecticut is the one seed. The winner of New Hampshire and Massachusetts is in essence a play-in game, assuming Rhode Island beats Vermont. If Williston can knock Rhode Island off that would create a four-way tie for second, third, fourth, and the odd team out at 2-2.<br>
<br>
<b>Home Run Meter:</b> 20 (Last Year: 18, Previous Year: 21)<br>
<br>
<b>Strikeout Meter: </b>243 (Last Year: 267, Previous Year: 235)<br>
<br>
<b>Prediction Record:</b> 1-3 (Overall: 14-6, clinched a worse record than last year (25-5) with that performance)<div><br></div><div><b>Wednesday's Predictions</b>: Delaware over New Jersey 7-5, New Hampshire over Massachusetts 6-4, Rhode Island over Vermont 13-3, and Pennsylvania over D.C. 11-1. <br>
<br>
<b><br><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cc0lmo" target="_blank">SUPPORT LITTLE LEAGUE INSIDER HERE</a></b><br>
<br>
<br>
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br>
<b><i><br>Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br><br>Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br><br>Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br>
<br></div>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-70544889412771217602014-08-05T01:20:00.002-04:002014-08-05T01:20:54.807-04:002014 East Region: Day 4 Recap/Predictions<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>CHECK OUT ALL 8 REGIONAL SCOREBOARDS: </b><a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/08/live-scores-for-all-8-regionals-in-one.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Live Scoring</a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Newark National (DE) 9, Northwest Washington (DC) 4</u></b><br />
<br />
Newark got a pretty solid scare from D.C. today when Northwest scored four runs in the fourth inning without the benefit of a ball hit to the outfield. In fact, Northwest doesn't have an extra-base hit this entire tournament. The D.C. pitching and defense continue to keep games close though and today was no different. Dylan Waldner kept Delaware in check for most of the game, but Newark's bats woke up a bit. Brett Callahan was 3-for-4 with a two-run double. Brandon Sengphachanh was 2-for-3 with a home run, double and two RBI. It was his second home run of the tournament, tying him for the lead. Jason Dauerty cranked a triple, and David Hawtof added an RBI double in the sixth to create some breathing room. Neither team is in, neither team is out.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Barnstable (MA) 7, Williston (VT) 2</u></b><br />
<br />
I'm sure Massachusetts feels much better now after Game 2. The 25-5 drubbing at the hands of Rhode Island certainly wasn't indicative of this team's talent.<br />
<br />
"We took one on the chin in districts, almost took one in sections, and took one on the chin in states. (Against Rhode Island), we took it on the chin, torso, and the legs. It was brutal," Barnstable manager Joe Burke said. "I don't know what it is that makes us need to wake up."<br />
<br />
Having ace Wyatt Scotti on the mound certainly helped. Scotti was almost perfect with 4 1/3 innings pitched, no runs, one hit, five strikeouts, and no walks. Barnstable pulled him at 50 pitches for the semifinals with a 7-0 lead. He added an RBI double at the plate. The substitutes all reached base at least once and scored including a huge two-run triple from Jack "Babe" Ruth, who wears number three.<br />
<br />
For Vermont, Aidan Johnson and Griffin McDermott had RBIs in the sixth, but never truly threatened against Scotti. Both teams are still alive.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">West Salisbury (MD) 5, Colonie (NY) 0 (NO-HITTER)</u><br />
<br />
Maryland needed a win in the worst way and much like Massachuetts, West Salisbury found comfort in its ace. Dylan Smith looked unhittable against Colonie and he was. After a shaky first inning or two with control issue, Smith settled into a groove and went 4 2/3 innings of no runs, no hits, eight strikeouts, and three walks. Ethan Peterman came in and finished the no-hitter with four straight outs to end the game. The win puts New York's playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. Maryland, on the other hand, has the inside track at a semifinal spot now, even with a loss.<br />
<br />
Maryland took a 1-0 lead in the third with a double from Jacob Long (3-for-3, two runs) and an RBI from Ryan Mitchell. Then in the fourth, Mitchell added a three run triple with two outs to break the game open.<br />
<br />
The win certainly calms some of the turmoil from two tough losses, and really puts Maryland in charge of its own destiny. New York on the other hand has had a really rough week at the plate. Colonie scored 50+ runs in three games in the state tournament against two quality teams, but all of a sudden can't even hit the ball hard. Now, New York needs a win over unbeaten Pennsylvania to stay in it.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Cumberland American (RI) 10, Goffstown Jr. Baseball (NH) 0, (4 inn.)</u></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNKB7DGs9AGlChfbaGfLOZOHUVeTr2w3T3rcGPxswvRSXv80kfUXqH4NaHtEj5kyLrqtyOU2zxRKuWL6_rXZ4U8ZNwbEjP_btBkg48CWid1IRRZavCwMDfLmS5ADxj4KcyU_FrQbKYq0/s1600/10592822_881454621884273_9012992608617643458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNKB7DGs9AGlChfbaGfLOZOHUVeTr2w3T3rcGPxswvRSXv80kfUXqH4NaHtEj5kyLrqtyOU2zxRKuWL6_rXZ4U8ZNwbEjP_btBkg48CWid1IRRZavCwMDfLmS5ADxj4KcyU_FrQbKYq0/s1600/10592822_881454621884273_9012992608617643458_n.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Despite winning 10-0 in four innings, Cumberland showed its first signs of slowing down with just three runs over the final three innings. The hard-hitting boys from Rhode Island put up a seven spot in the first inning with laced line drive after line drive including a double from Addison Kopack that bounced over the six-foot fence. That's how hard it was hit. Kopack hit a solo homer in the second inning into the trees and added a double in the fourth. Cumberland's solid pitching staff allowed just three hits.<br />
<br />
They're far and away the best team in New England. If anyone else wins the region it'll be a travesty. We still need to see Rhode Island hit against an ace pitcher and it's not clear if their pitching can hold up at the next level, but the bats seem legit 1-9.<br />
<br />
<b><u>East Region Rankings After Day 4</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Pennsylvania (2-0)<br />
<br />
2. Rhode Island (2-0)<br />
<br />
3. New Jersey (2-0)<br />
<br />
4. Delaware (2-1)<br />
<br />
5. Connecticut (2-1)<br />
<br />
6. Massachusetts (1-1)<br />
<br />
7. Maryland (1-2)<br />
<br />
8. New Hampshire (1-2)<br />
<br />
9. New York (1-2)<br />
<br />
10. Vermont (1-2)<br />
<br />
11. Washington D.C. (0-3)<br />
<br />
12. Maine (1-2)<br />
<br />
<b>Random Thoughts: </b>It's incredible what your ace on the mound can do for your team's confidence. Massachusetts and Maryland looked completely different from their previous outings and not just because of the pitching itself. Everything about them looked better. The television games begin on Tuesday for New England which has Massachusetts and Rhode Island playing three games in three days with the semifinals to follow on the fourth day. That's a terrible schedule. Hopefully it doesn't burn anyone.<br />
<br />
<b>Home Run Meter:</b> 16 (Last Year: 13, Previous Year: 17)<br />
<br />
<b>Strikeout Meter: </b>203 (Last Year: 206, Previous Year: 200)<br /><br /><b>Prediction Record:</b> 3-1 (Overall: 13-3, Last Year: 12-4 after a 1-3 day)<br />
<br />
<b>Tuesday's Predictions:</b> New Jersey over Maryland 9-3, Massachusetts over Maine 8-4, Rhode Island over Connecticut 7-5, and Pennsylvania over New York 7-1.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-37832689883002701752014-08-04T01:47:00.000-04:002014-08-04T01:52:12.776-04:002014 Eastern Region: Day 3 Recap<b>CHECK OUT ALL 8 REGIONAL SCOREBOARDS: <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/08/live-scores-for-all-8-regionals-in-one.html" target="_blank">Live Scoring</a></b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6TD3TE-ENN3FiWnbv3cBTlIPahtowvQaJgBakUKqs73pXacgHSkFUzjSkUPbMI2wpc7k5ywaHjsjORfJ78d5JTTXMsWl9tKzq_sKifPBCIgNUKrP5NDDzbOUpiYG9iZkxB0A8MpIxh8/s1600/10569065_10152687172136015_1115337762288960518_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6TD3TE-ENN3FiWnbv3cBTlIPahtowvQaJgBakUKqs73pXacgHSkFUzjSkUPbMI2wpc7k5ywaHjsjORfJ78d5JTTXMsWl9tKzq_sKifPBCIgNUKrP5NDDzbOUpiYG9iZkxB0A8MpIxh8/s1600/10569065_10152687172136015_1115337762288960518_n.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Courtesy of Paul Alesse, <a href="http://lispn.com/">LiSPN.com</a>. </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Taney (PA) 8, Newark National (DE) 4<br /><br /></u></b></div>
<br />
The first game of the tournament between two teams that can win this thing had an excitement in the air on Sunday morning. It could've had something to do with the fact that Mo'Ne Davis was getting the start against a team with Little League World Series veterans. Davis looked cool and calm during her warm up routine and that unflappable swagger continued right into the game. Davis induced a pop up and struck out Delaware's two best hitters to start the game and she did it with a fastball that gets into the mid to upper sixties and a curveball that she puts where she wants. She took a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts into the sixth inning as Taney dominated the game with an 8-1 lead. Davis lost some zip on her fastball by the sixth inning and the third time through the order Jack Hardcastle and Brandon Sengphachanh hit back-to-back homers to make it 8-4. Joe Richardson came into get the final out of the game though and preserve the 8-4 victory. Jared Sprague-Lott blasted his tournament-leading second home run. Jahli Hendrick was 3-for-3. He's now 6-for-6 in two games. Newark National committed four errors. Three of which were pretty uncharacteristic. One was a rocket by Zion Spearman that anyone would've had trouble getting in front of at shortstop. Spearman, Taney's most feared hitter, is actually hitless this weekend so far.<br />
<br />
Check out the rest after the jump!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Williston (VT) 10, Falmouth (ME) 4</u></b><br />
<br />
Williston stuck to its guns and used four pitchers over the course of the game and eventually its offense came through to pick up its first win of the tournament. Maine took a 2-0 lead in the first with an RBI double by Sam Manganello and RBI single by Alex Smith. Vermont got a run back in the third inning with an RBI hit-by-pitch from Griffin McDermott and then took the lead in the fourth with three runs on a couple errors and another RBI from McDermott. Ben Herskowitz also had a big game with a pair of singles, runs, and an RBI. Jacob Boliba added an RBI late to put the game out of reach. Aidan Johnson was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Vermont is a solid team all around. They don't do any one thing great or poorly. They're just solid and they won't beat themselves. Maine, on the other hand, is the most athletic looking team I've seen from Maine, but they can't seem to put it all together for six innings.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Toms River (NJ) 6, Colonie (NY) 4</u></b><br />
<br />
Toms River put the Mid-Atlantic on notice with its first three innings of work today. Jon Giordano proved why he's considered one of the best pitchers in the region in his first outing. Gio was perfect through three innings with eight strikeouts. New Jersey led 6-0 through two innings with a pair of RBIs from Nick DeRose and a three-run blast from Jason Kapp, but Colonie's relief pitching completely shut New Jersey down the rest of the way. Toms River removed Giordano at 50 pitches with 3 1/3 innings pitched, zero runs, one hit, and nine strikeouts. As soon as he came out of the game, Colonie and its large cheering section bounced back. New York scored four runs in the fifth inning, but DeRose came in to pick up the save with two innings of no-hit ball. His curveball was literally unhittable to Colonie's best hitters in big spots. It was the difference in the game and avoided serious embarrassment to New Jersey for the pitching change. I harped on the pitching change a lot because New Jersey didn't need Giordano for any other pool play games and despite the 6-0 lead, NJ did not look great at the plate either with just three hits to that point and nobody in the pen to strike fear into Colonie. Maybe New Jersey knew the curveball would be devastating to New York after seeing them struggle against D.C. with it too. Another note... New Jersey had four hits today and Kayla Roncin had two of them. She has three hits and has reached base in all four plate appearances. Five hits will tie the record for a girl in Bristol with Capitol City's (DC) Sofia Ohanian.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Goffstown (NH) 4, Fairfield (CT) 2</u></b><br />
<br />
New Hampshire. The sole reason I'm not perfect with my predictions this week. After losing on a walk-off homer to Maine, a team that's not as strong as them, it was tough to see them knocking off Connecticut, but Goffstown battled from the start and held off Fairfield. Derek Steckowych was fantastic on the hill with four innings pitched, allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out seven. Connor Hujsak picked up the save in relief. The big blow came off the bat of Conor O'Connell in the fourth as he drove a 3-run homer to centerfield. Goffstown played great defense all night and Myles Green (single, run scored) made a nifty play at third base by nabbing a runner who overran second base on a ground ball. The New England rankings are now in complete flux. It very well may be Rhode Island and everybody else. We'll see.<br />
<b><u><br />East Region Rankings After Day 3</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Pennsylvania<br />
<br />
2. Rhode Island<br />
<br />
3. New Jersey<br />
<br />
4. Delaware<br />
<br />
5. Connecticut<br />
<br />
6. New Hampshire<br />
<br />
7. New York<br />
<br />
8. Vermont<br />
<br />
9. Massachusetts<br />
<br />
10. Washington D.C.<br />
<br />
11. Maryland<br />
<br />
12. Maine<br />
<br />
<b>Random Thoughts: </b>I don't like to get on hype trains too often, but watching Mo'Ne Davis and Taney today felt like you were seeing something special. I had a chance to hang out with Mo'Ne and some of her teammates after the game today and they just carry themselves so well. They're mature, focused, and having fun. Davis is a legit top of the line pitcher and could easily send Taney to the Little League World Series with another performance like today in a potential final with Delaware or New Jersey.<br />
<br />
<b>Home Run Meter: </b>14 (Last Year: 11, Previous Year: 8)<br />
<br />
<b>Strikeout Meter:</b> 162 (Last Year: 163, Previous Year: 129)<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction Record:</b> 3-1 (Overall: 10-2)<br />
<br />
<b>Monday's Predictions: </b>Delaware over D.C. 7-1, Massachusetts over Vermont 7-6, New York over Maryland 8-5, Rhode Island over New Hampshire 10-3.<br />
<br />
<b><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-83478977362152297292014-08-02T23:54:00.002-04:002014-08-04T01:47:24.959-04:002014 Eastern Region: Day 2 Recap<i><b>Check out the tournament previews <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/08/2014-new-england-regional-tournament.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/07/2014-mid-atlantic-region-preview.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></i><br />
<br />
<b><i>Catch the Day 1 Recap <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/08/2014-eastern-region-day-1-recap.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Taney (PA) 11, West Salisbury (MD) 1, 4 innings</u></b><br />
<br />
Pennylvania began its tournament on Saturday morning with an impressive showing against Maryland. Jared Sprague-Lott threw 2 2/3 innings of no-hit ball and it wasn't even the sharpest I've seen him (he walked four). Jack Rice and Sprague-Lott each homered and Jahli Hendricks was 3-for-3 with two doubles. As expected, they're in the top two in the region, but we'll know a lot more in the morning.<br /><br />Check out the rest after the jump!<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Cumberland American (RI) 25, Barnstable (MA) 5, 4 innings</u></b><br />
<br />
This game was over in the top of the first inning with a leadoff home run from Nick Croteau and a 3-run blast from Addison Kopack. Cumberland had seven hits in the first inning alone. After taking a 5-1 lead through one inning, Cumberland added four more in the second, including an RBI double by Jayden Struble, and 13 in the third inning. Massachusetts actually hits the ball fairly well, but they conceded the game after one inning. It was impossible to get a solid read on either team. Massachusetts' six pitchers walked or hit 11 batters. Interesting note though, Barnstable didn't strike out once today.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Toms River (NJ) 12, Northwest Washington (DC) 2, 4 innings</u></b><br />
<br />
Northwest actually led this game 2-0 after a wacky first inning marred by interesting umpiring decisions and one weird play. Toms River finally got on the board in the second inning though, and then exploded in the third. All of the damage was done with two outs. It started with Kayla Roncin's pinch hit double to centerfield which scored two runs giving Toms River a 3-2 lead. In continued through the lineup until Vinny Rose drew a bases loaded walk setting the table for Jonathan Giordano. Northwest Washington looked to its big right handed arm, Peter Yanes. The scouting report says, "That's a bad idea." After sneaking two hard fastballs by the equally powerful Giordano, Toms River's big bat launched a grand slam 300-feet high, and 255-feet long into the trees in left field. That was all she wrote for this one. Phil Antionotti and Jason Kapp combined to go 5-for-5 for Toms River.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Fairfield American (CT) 10, Falmouth (ME) 0, 5 innings</u></b><br />
Like the three previous games, this one was over fairly early. Fairfield scored four runs in the first and then a pair each in the third, fourth, and fifth innings to put this one away. Jamie Flink, the Ralphie from A Christmas Story look-a-like, was magnificent on the mound allowing no runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked just two. PJ Egan had a double and a pair of RBI, and Vince Camera added three runs batted in. Maine did not look great at all in this one with four errors and a couple misplayed balls on top of it. They have just nine hits in two games as well.<br />
<br />
<u><b>East Region Rankings After Day 2</b></u><br />
<br />
1. Pennsylvania<br />
<br />
2. Rhode Island<br />
<br />
3. New Jersey<br />
<br />
4. Connecticut<br />
<br />
5. Delaware<br />
<br />
6. New York<br />
<br />
7. Vermont<br />
<br />
8. Massachusetts<br />
<br />
9. Washington, D.C.<br />
<br />
10. New Hampshire<br />
<br />
11. Maryland<br />
<br />
12. Maine<br />
<br />
<b><u>Random Thoughts: </u></b>Some people will say, "Hey John! How the heck can your rankings change that much?!" My answer will be, "Because I have no idea what I'm doing!" No, in all seriousness, this year is about groupings. We had four mercy-rule victories today. I can't remember another time that's happened. I know we had three back in 2010 in one day. So what do the mercy rule victories tell us? There are haves and have-nots this year. I think the first six teams in my rankings are fairly even. I wouldn't be shocked in any of those six won the two tournaments. On the other hand, the bottom six teams can all beat each other but I don't think any of them can beat the Top 6. Within those two groups the rankings don't mean much at all.<br />
<br />
<b>Home Run Meter:</b> 9 (Last Year: 5, Previous Year: 8)<br />
<br />
<b>Strikeout Meter:</b> 98 (Last Year: 114, Previous Year: 105)<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction Record: </b>4-0 (Overall 7-1) <i>Note: That walkoff homer is haunting me</i><br />
<b>Sunday's Predictions: </b>Pennsylvania over Delaware 6-4, Vermont over Maine 7-4. New Jersey over New York 8-5, and Connecticut over New Hampshire 5-2.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-35011385960007806372014-08-02T00:12:00.000-04:002014-08-04T01:47:49.690-04:002014 Eastern Region: Day 1 Recap<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Newark National (DE) 13, West Salisbury (MD) 7</u><br />
<br />
This game looked like it would be a laugher by the third inning as Newark banged out nine hits in the second and third innings and scored 13 runs. The game wasn't super crisp with nine total errors (Little League only charged seven), but West Salisbury battled to the end. It's pitching only allowed three hits in the other four innings combined and Maryland struck out 12 batters total. Seth Abbey did a nice job in relief. Delaware's pitching wasn't the sharpest, but the staff threw strikes all day. Newark's four returning players were as good as expected, but the support cast showed they can hit the ball. Delaware definitely has some depth. My assessment after this one though? I'm sticking with my 0-4, and 2-2 predictions.<br /><br />Check out the rest after the jump!<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<b><u>Falmouth (ME) 3, Goffstown (NH) 2</u></b><br />
<br />
The best game of the day was a classic Little League game. We saw five pitchers total still, but the game was played to win and both teams went after it with their starters. New Hampshire doesn't look like they hit as well as expected (which is going to mess up the predictions a bit), but both pitchers, Conor Hujsak and Clay Campbell, were very good. Falmouth hung in all game starting with Sam Manganello's rocket off the scoreboard in centerfield. After going down 2-1 in the fifth on a mental and physical error by its relief pitcher, Falmouth battled in the sixth despite being down to its final strike. Josh LeFevre started it off with a double and then starting pitcher Alex Smith cranked a two-run walkoff dinger to win it. Goffstown threw five straight curveballs to Smith in the at-bat, and instead of blowing one by him, Smith saw his sixth straight curve and it was blasted out of the park.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Colonie (NY) 6, Northwest Washington (DC) 3</u></b><br />
<br />
Colonie jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Northwest's starting pitcher and it looked like the rout was on, but Northwest went to its junk-balling lefty, Max DeLorme, who was magnificent. DeLorme baffled Colonie with his 44-foot curveball for 3 1/3 innings of shutout ball. He struck out six. Northwest was hurt with four unearned runs in the game. After predicting a mercy-rule game, it's obvious that Northwest is a little better than expected and Colonie might be a little down from its high expectations. Props to NWLL for holding a team that scored 53 runs in its last three games to just two earned runs.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Fairfield American (CT) 9, Williston (VT) 4</u></b><br />
<br />
The nightcap went pretty much as expected. Fairfield picked up three runs in the first inning and a fourth in the second inning on a solo home run from nine-hitter Trey Hensel. Williston battled back by picking up two runs off Fairfield's top pitcher in the third on the back of an RBI triple by Jonah Roberts. Connecticut put the game away in the fourth with four runs, but Vermont did not help themselves with walks. This isn't the same level of Connecticut team as the past four years, but those teams were all elite of the elite. Connecticut showed off its top three pitchers and they're definitely deep. Number two pitcher, Sam Davenport ran into trouble when he faced the top of Vermont's lineup, but he started with 12 strikes in 13 pitches and four straight strikeouts. His curveball was filthy.<br />
<br />
<b><u>East Region Rankings After Day 1</u></b><br />
<br />
1. Connecticut<br />
<br />
2. Delaware<br />
<br />
3. New York<br />
<br />
4. Maine<br />
<br />
5. New Hampshire<br />
<br />
6. Washington D.C.<br />
<br />
7. Maryland<br />
<br />
8. Vermont<br />
<br />
<b>OFF:</b> Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts<br />
<br />
<b>Random Thoughts:</b> I struggled with these Day 1 rankings. There's no "bad" teams and there's no "Williamsport" teams as of yet. Pitching-wise, there were a bunch of guys that threw well. There were 22 pitchers on Day 1 this year compared to 29 last year, so that's an improvement. I always talk about the 225-foot fences after Day 1 because it's such a change from the rest of the tournament. The extra 20 feet took away about 10 home runs on the day. That's an incredible game changing amount. I love it.<br />
<br />
<b>Home Run Meter:</b> 4 (Last Year: 2, Previous Year: 3)<br />
<br />
<b>Strikeout Meter: </b>68 (Last Year: 66, Previous Year: 50)<br />
<br />
<b>Prediction Record:</b> 3-1 (Darn walkoff homer)<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday's Predictions: </b>Pennsylvania over Maryland 10-3, Rhode Island over Massachusetts 6-5, New Jersey over Washington DC 9-2, Connecticut over Maine 9-3.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-92106467406312427162014-08-01T01:28:00.003-04:002014-08-01T01:28:27.098-04:00LIVE Scores for ALL 8 Regionals in one spot!<br />
Check out all eight regional scoreboards from Game Changer right here in one place so you know what's happening across the country. Bookmark the link and share it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f47df59eda860442a28c0/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f486d62c0c157becfc4a4/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f4933f9a62472aece5675/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f497262c0c15862c8cdc6/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f47a21d23cd56cc7e5abd/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f4817320a7e5866f5ac11/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f48f9d1f96b4e7ca3bed5/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="90" scrolling="no" src="//gc.com/tournament-539f49b5f9a62472cb1f0cc9/scoreboard?g=5&p=4dd01f438f07406015001d0b" width="728"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-30578510328682790782014-08-01T01:05:00.002-04:002014-08-01T01:33:26.599-04:002014 New England Regional Tournament PreviewCheck out the <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2013/08/2013-new-england-region-preview.html" target="_blank">2013 New England Region Preview</a> right here to see how I did last summer. Like the Mid-Atlantic last year, I correctly picked both finalists. In New England? I had the champion picked from the get-go. As usual, I whiffed on one semifinal team. This year feels like it will be tougher to gauge. Let's get into it.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/07/2014-mid-atlantic-region-preview.html" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Check out the 2014 Mid-Atlantic Tournament Preview right here</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>Covering the regional tournament every year is my favorite thing to do. Consider helping me defray the costs of my trip (Obviously don't make money from a blog), but supporting the blog. Any donation is helpful, and appreciated. We're getting over 2000 visitors each day this year so far and that's going to double or triple during regional week. You should also consider sponsoring a daily recap.</i><br /><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cc0lmo" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to support Little League Insider</a></b><br />
Okay, enough peddling... The preview comes after the jump....<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Tournament History:</u></b> New England and the Mid-Atlantic split in 2001 when Little League moved from four regions to eight. Since the split, Massachusetts and Connecticut had each sent a team to Williamsport four times. Connecticut sent three in the last four years though. Massachusetts on the other hand has been way down. Rhode Island is right on the cups with three titles themselves in a regional that absolutely has a "Big 3." New Hampshire and Maine have each sent one team to Williamsport in the last 13 years. Vermont has yet to make it ever.<br />
<br />
<b><u>2014 League Pedigree: </u>Fairfield American (CT)</b> is on one of the biggest rolls in the country. This is Fairfield American's fourth trip to regionals since 2010 and they went to Williamsport twice in that time including 2010 and 2012. This group won a state championship as 11-year olds as well. <b>Cumberland American (RI)</b> has done well in Rhode Island despite facing some quality competition, especially from its own district and rival Lincoln. Cumberland has recent Williamsport history as well though. CALL beat FALL in the 2011 semifinals and then Cumberland won the regional championship. This team won the state title last season as 11-years olds.<br />
<br />
In a weird coincidence, <b>Goffstown (NH)</b> was ALSO in the 2011 New England regional and a solid favorite, but they bailed out in the semifinals that year. Goffstown won the state title in 2000 though when it was still the East Regional with 12 teams, and the boys from the Granite State still advanced to the World Series. This Goffstown group played in the regionals as 10-year olds.<br />
<br />
<b>Falmouth (ME) </b>hasn't won a state title since 1992, it's only championship. <b>Barnstable (MA)</b> is a recently condensed league, but has never won a state championship regardless. <b>Williston (VT) </b>won its lone state championship in 2008. This group has experience winning the Vermont title as 10-year olds, however.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Team Previews (Overall 2014 Tournament Record in Parentheses)</u><br />
<br />
<b>Fairfield American, CT (13-1): </b>Fairfield has come into Bristol with a ton of fanfare in the past. They were expected to win championships in 2010 and 2012, and even in 2011 they had big personality. This year's edition seems to have the lowest expectations of the four. It doesn't mean they're not potential champions. Vince Camera, Brian Howell, and Jamie Flink are the bash brothers of Fairfield with home runs leaving the yard left and right. Camera and Howell each have nine homers in 14 games. Flink had a 3-homer game himself. P.J. Egan is the team's trusted right-hander on the mound, but Sam Davenport is coming off a two-hit shutout in the state finals. This is a team with potential.<br />
<br />
<b>Falmouth, ME (10-2):</b> It's not a great sign when you lose a pair of games in the state of Maine if you want to make noise in Bristol, and it's doubly alarming when the team gives up a lot of runs. Falmouth allowed five or more runs in every game during the state tournament including 10+ over the last two games. The good news is that Falmouth hits the ball too. Nate Rodgers isn't one of the team's regular sluggers, but he bashed two home runs in the state title game. His first two ever. Alex Smith, Brady Douglas, and Mike Simonds are all excellent hitters along with Jackson Quinn.<br />
<br />
<b>Barnstable, MA (7-1, not including district): </b>Barnstable kind of came from nowhere to win Massachusetts, but its not for lack of talent. The Mass tournament structure is one of the toughest to navigate because of time crunch and single elimination. Barnstable found a way to do it though, and they did it by scoring a ton of runs. Brian Freih has a lot of pop in his bat and big Wyatt Scotti is a good hitter at the top of the order and a solid pitcher to boot. He shut down a very good Holden team. Colby Burke and Nick Wilson hit gap-to-gap as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Goffstown, NH (7-0):</b> Goffstown was a scary team up in New Hampshire this year leaving mouths on the floor, especially in Portsmouth, the team Goffstown crushed in a Best of 3 series. Connor Husjak proved to have a big time fastball on the mound and a big time bat in the box. Myles Green, Liam Kibreth, and Brett Padnode all had big hits in the final, but according to Portsmouth there is no rest period for opposing pitchers in that lineup.<br />
<br />
<b>Cumberland American, RI (7-0):</b> Cumberland comes out of Rhode Island unbeaten and swinging a hot bat. They team has hit over 20 home runs in seven games, but they've also found ways to win tough ones with walkoff wins over Lincoln, Coventry, and the state championship game over Cranston Western. Jayden Struble is hitting well over .500 with six home runs and 21 RBI in seven games. Nick Croteau is no slouch in the leadoff spot with seven home runs in seven games.<br />
<br />
<b>Williston, VT (3-0, not including district): </b>Williston knocked off South Burlington in its district championship and then cruised through the state championship including a 27-0 victory over Bennington in the state championship game. Griffin McDermott is the team's top pitcher and he launched a pair of homers in the state title game. Paul Angstmann, Storm Rushford, and Ben Herskowitz are all players to watch.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Prejected Records</u></b><br />
<br />
Connecticut 3-1<br />
<br />
Rhode Island 3-1<br />
<br />
New Hampshire 3-1<br />
<br />
Massachusetts 1-3<br />
<br />
Vermont 1-3<br />
<br />
Maine 1-3<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Semifinals: </b>Connecticut over Massachusetts 9-3, Rhode Island over New Hampshire 5-3.<br />
<br />
<b>Final:</b> Rhode Island over Connecticut 7-6<br /><br /><br />Day 1 Predictions: New Hampshire over Maine, 9-6. Connecticut over Vermont, 9-3.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br />Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-69211639126138489102014-07-31T04:30:00.002-04:002014-08-01T01:34:50.691-04:002014 Mid-Atlantic Region Preview<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cc0lmo" target="_blank">Support Our Trip To Eastern Regional Tournament</a></u></b><br />
<br />
<br />
Check out my <a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2013/07/2013-mid-atlantic-region-preview.html" target="_blank">2013 Mid-Atlantic Region Preview</a> to see how I did last year. I can tell you too. I picked the two finalists correctly, and three of the four semifinalists. I missed DC, obviously. However, my individual picks, I had both semifinals correct and the championship correct (I changed my pick as the tournament went on to Delaware). Overall I was 25-5 for the entire East Regional. Okay, enough back patting. Here we go...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Tournament History:</u></b> In the 13 years of the Mid-Atlantic region, it has proven to be one of the most balanced tournaments in the country. Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland each have three trips to Williamsport. Delaware and New Jersey each have two trips in that span. Washington D.C. has never made the trek to the LLWS.<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">2014 League Pedigree:</u> This is <b>Newark National's (DE) </b>fourth straight trip to Bristol, and they return with four players from a team that went to the Little League World Series last year. <b>Toms River (NJ)</b> is a storied Little League town. The most famous of course is Todd Frazier's 1998 team, but that was Toms River East, not Toms River. Frazier's league went to Williamsport in 1995, 1998, and 1999, an incredible run. Toms River has made a huge move in the last decade. They advanced to Bristol in 2005, and Williamsport in 2010. <b>West Salisbury (MD)</b> has been to Bristol three times including 2012, 2007, and 2003. In 2007, they advanced to the LLWS as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Northwest Washington (DC)</b> has wrestled control of D.C. baseball from Capitol City. They've made the trip to Bristol four times in the last six years, but have yet to make the semifinals. <b>Colonie (NY)</b> has won titles in four different decades. This is their fifth overall. The last was in 2004. Before that was 1987.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have <b>Taney Youth Baseball (PA)</b> who just switched to Little League two years ago. This is their first shot at Williamsport after winning the Pennsylvania title last week.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Team Previews (Overall 2014 Record in Parentheses)</u></b><br />
<br />
<b>Northwest Washington, DC (6-0): </b>NWLL returns to Bristol for the fourth time in six years and in those four trips a Furlong brother has come along. Three total Furlong brothers will play in the Mid-Atlantic tournament this year when Charlie steps onto the diamond. That ties two other families in the East Region (that we know of). The Pickerings from Lincoln (RI) and the Plebani's of Capitol City (DC). Northwest Washington has used good pitching and timely hitting to win the tough games in its run so far. The top three hitters in their lineup are really tough.<br />
<br />
<b>Newark National, DE (8-1):</b> Newark National returns for the fourth time with a serious pedigree now. They've been fantastic the last three years with a 13-4 record. National brings back four players from last year including Jack Hardcastle, Brandon Sengphachanh, Brett Callahan, and David Hawtof. They've added the big arm and bat of A.J. Blanchard as well. Despite having some tough games in Delaware, this team may be deeper than last year.<br />
<br />
<b>West Salisbury, MD (12-1):</b> West Salisbury won the state title as 11-year olds last year and the league has experience. West Salisbury has put up a ton of runs on the run to the regionals, especially its final three games where they crossed the plate 43 total times. Ryan Teaman and Ryan Mitchell are blasting home runs at a really high rate. Six different players hit eight total home runs in one day in the state finals doubleheader.<br />
<br />
<b>Toms River, NJ (15-2):</b> Toms River has played a ton of games this summer already and had some really tough competition in the state final four. This team is big, strong, and can really hit a fastball though. Jon Giordano is the team's ace and biggest bat. He hit a pair of home runs in the final four and was walked intentionally or "unintentionally" seven straight times though. He also hit one 323 feet. No really. Watch it go 323 feet right here.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/101771946" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/101771946">Jonathan Giordano game-tying HR with 2 out in the 6th</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user8435842">All Shore Media</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
Toms River features one of the two girls in this regional in Kayla Roncin. She isn't one of the team's marquee players but she's got<a href="http://llworldseries.blogspot.com/2014/07/roundup-girl-power-helps-toms-river-win.html" target="_blank"> <b><u>home run power (Watch)</u></b></a> and picked up one of the most gut-wrenching one-pitch saves you'll ever see in the state championship. The rest of the lineup hits home runs 1-9. If the pitching goes deeper than one or two arms, they're a favorite here.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Colonie, NY (12-1):</span> Colonie is coming off five straight wins in five days in the New York State Tournament after an opening round loss. The wild tournament concluded with a 1-0 victory, 7-6 victory, and then 24-2, 15-1, and 15-0 blowout wins. Collin McDonough is swinging a hot bat and Jakob Lemperle has a ton of power and ability to shut you down on the mound. Ian Parker and Jimmy Davis can also change the game with one swing as well.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Taney Youth Baseball, PA (12-1):</span> Taney, out of Philadelphia, has the look of a regional championship contender despite being one of the least dominant looking teams on the road to Bristol. When you see Taney in person, you'll realize why they win games though. Zion Spearman is one of the most intimidating batters you'll see in the box. Kai Cummings, all 6-foot-1 of him, is imposing in his own right, and Joe Richardson also strikes fear in his opponents. Jared Sprague-Lott is a very good ace pitcher and hits really well in the middle of the lineup. Mo'Ne Davis, the other girl in this regional tournament, is a solid pitcher and has shown some power in the last couple games. She's a fantastic athlete and the smoothest female player I've ever seen on the diamond. Taney would be even scarier offensively if they tinkered with their batting order significantly.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Projected Records and Predictions</u></b><br />
<br />
Pennsylvania 4-0<br />
<br />
New Jersey 4-0<br />
<br />
Delaware 2-2<br />
<br />
New York 2-2<br />
<br />
Maryland 0-4<br />
<br />
Washington, D.C. 0-4<br />
<br />
<b>Semifinals: </b>Pennsylvania over New York 7-5, New Jersey over Delaware 10-5<br />
<br />
<b>Final:</b> New Jersey 6, Pennsylvania 4<br />
<br />
<br />
DAY 1 Predictions: Delaware over Maryland, 5-1. New York over DC, 12-2.<br />
<br />
<b><i><br />Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-15409136044809187112014-07-29T02:52:00.001-04:002014-07-30T13:17:06.897-04:00Roundup: Girl Power Helps Toms River Win NJ State Title (7/28/14)<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><a href="http://www.gofundme.com/cc0lmo" target="_blank">Support Our Trip To Eastern Regional Tournament</a></u></b></span><br /><br /><br />
<b><u>New Jersey</u></b><br />
<br />
Kayla Roncin is the third girl to win a state championship this year (that we know of) and she was a main cog in Toms River's 7-6 victory over Ocean City/Upper Township during the "if game" of the state title series. Roncin broke a 2-2 tie with a two-run smash earlier in the game and then picked up the save on the mound facing a 2-0 count and the bases juiced. She needed just one pitch to induce a short fly ball to centerfield that starting pitcher Jon Giordano chased down and laid out for to set off the celebration. Giordano, Toms River's big star, pitched 5 1/3 innings and struck out 12. He was intentionally or unintentially walked seven straight times in two days at the plate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/101986884" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="375" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/101991799" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.shoresportsnetwork.com/" target="_blank">Source</a></i></span><br />
<b><u><br /><br />Delaware</u></b><br />
<br />
Newark National won its fourth straight state championship, a new record in the state of Delaware, with a 10-5 victory over a very tough Woodbridge squad. AJ Blanchard blanked Woodbridge three days to reach the state title game, and then in today's "if game" he cranked two home runs to lead Newark to victory. Jack Hardcastle got the start and ripped a double. David Hawtof and Brett Callahan closed the game out. Callahan had a big double as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Random Thoughts:</u> There's just one more spot left in the regional field. It's Massachusetts. That game is tonight at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Once all the champions are named, I'll get to work on my Mid-Atlantic and New England Regional previews. Then the day-to-day in-depth posts. It's the best coverage of a Little League Regional tournament anywhere. Don't worry other regions, we'll still be checking in with you before Williamsport regularly. As usual, if you're going to see every game at another regional tournament and would like to write for us, just send me an email at section1guycom@aol.com.<br />
<br />
<b><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-87911484487244719252014-07-27T04:24:00.001-04:002014-07-27T04:47:18.761-04:00It's Title Sunday! Only 10 Spots Left! (7/27/14)<br />
There's only 10 spots left in the regionals. We've filled 42 of them. All ten of the remaining slots could be filled on Sunday (barring weather or "if" games on Monday). Let's look back at Saturday's action and see what happened.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>West Virginia</u></b><br />
<br />
There's a great chance for at least three girls (that we know of so far) to reach the regionals around the country. The first secured her spot by doing it on the mound. Emily Riggs pitched Bridgeport to its third straight state title in the 11/12 year old division in the 12-2 victory over Morgan County. Riggs allowed two runs on four hits and struck out six. Ben Mossburg gave Bridgeport the lead in the first inning with a two-run blast and Bridgeport never looked back. Nick Stalnaker added a home run in the third inning and Riggs drilled a two-run double. Cody Tomasik added a three-run double.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Iowa</u></b><br />
<br />
Sioux City Headid won the state title with a 9-6 victory over Grandview in the title game. Headid finished the Iowa state tournament with a 7-1 record after a perfect record in districts. Watch out for the bats of Peyton Popken, Kobe Clayborne and Justin Kirwan.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Montana</u></b><br />
<br />
Mount Sentinel took Game 1 in the Best-of-3 series against Boulder Arrowhead, 1-0. Game 2 and if necessary, Game 3, will both be on Sunday. Mount Sentinel took the 'W' with great pitching from Jack Leary (4 innings) and Kaden Heidrick (2 innings). Kellan Feeley drove in Preston Jones for the game's only run.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Southern California</u></b><br />
<br />
Long Beach and Encinitas split a doubleheader in the Best-of-3 Southern California State Championship Series. The third and final game will be played today with the winner advancing to San Bernardino. Long Beach took Game 1, 12-2, behind the pitching of it's dominant ace. Encinitas' bats woke up in Game 2 to pick up a 9-3 victory, forcing Sunday's action.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ohio</u></b><br />
<br />
After losing to Canfield in the winners bracket final, Hamilton West Side, the six-time state champions, expected to make a run at the title. They did just that with a 9-2 victory in the morning to force an "if" game, but the 'Little Engine That Could' from Canfield held onto a 3-2 victory, earning the state championship. Brandon Mikos threw a great game for Canfield in the "if game" victory and escaped a lot of jams.<br /><br /><b><u>Florida</u></b><br /><br />Florida is a black hole of information. South Brandon will play for the state championship as the winner's of Pool A. It's unclear if they'll be playing Bayshore or North Springs. It's pending results. What's crazy is the fact that South Brandon lost its final pool play game to drop into a 3-way tie for first. They allowed 7 runs. Port St. Lucie beat them 3-1 today. That one run allowed was the difference because Port St. Lucie allowed 8 runs in their three games giving South Brandon the championship berth by a fraction. North Springs was the title favorite coming in but ran into a buzzsaw ace in Game 1 against Bayshore and lost 2-0. North Springs didn't allow another run or hit in the tournament with a 12-0 victory and a 20-0 victory. If Bayshore lost to Baker County and gave up more runs per inning (i.e. 3ish), North Springs could advance.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Connecticut</u></b><br />
<br />
State powerhouse Fairfield American flexed its muscles in Game 1 of the the state championship Best-of-3 series with a 10-0 victory in five innings. Sam Davenport tossed a two-hit shutout to pickup the victory on the mound. Fairfield's lineup was relentless with hard-hit ball after hard-hit ball. None of them left the yard, which may be even more terrifying for South Windsor in Game 2. <br />
<br />
<b><u>New York</u></b><br />
<br />
Colonie took a big step towards its first state championship since 2004 with a 15-1 clubbing of previously unbeaten Wappinger. It was Colonie's fourth win in four days and they'll need a fifth in five days to take the title. Wappinger dropped Colonie into the losers bracket with a 10-7 victory on opening day. Both offenses are lethal, so it will come down to who's pitching holds up at the end of the tournament.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Pennsylvania</u></b><br />
<br />
Collier Township forced an "if" game against Taney of Philadelphia with a 7-2 victory. Jake Meneskie tossed a great game for Collier after allowed two runs in the first inning including a solo blast off the bat of Mo'Ne Davis. Austin Hendrick ripped a three-run home run and Sam Tortorella added a solo shot in the victory. Tortorella should get the ball for Collier in the championship game. The probable starter for Taney is Davis. She was effective in two innings of work against Collier a couple days ago.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-76716311083630262822014-07-26T15:23:00.001-04:002014-07-26T15:23:55.538-04:00Little League Friday Recap (7/26)<br />
<b><u>Oregon</u></b><br /><br />Bend North took home the Oregon state championship with a 14-4 victory over Gresham behind 5 strong innings on the mound by Drew Steelhammer. Bend North had a sixth-inning victory earlier in the tournament and Steelhammer has been responsible for a lot of big hits.<br /><br /><b><u>Massachusetts</u></b><br /><br />Holden moved to 2-0 in the four-team round robin with a grand slam off the bat of Peter Field in a 4-2 victory over defending state champions, Newton SouthEast. It was his third homer in two games. He also pitched 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win. The 2-0 deficit was the first time Holden has trailed all summer. Newton SouthEast and Barnstable play on Sunday. The winner is in the state championship game with Holden.<br /><br /><b><u>Delaware</u></b><br /><br />Newark National is just one win away from its fourth consecutive state championship and a shot at defending its Mid-Atlantic regional title after a 9-0 victory over Woodbridge in the winners bracket final of the state tournament. A.J. Blanchard tossed five innings of two-hit, scoreless ball and one of the four returning players from last year's LLWS team, Brett Callahan blasted a home run to give Newark National some breathing room and then a big fifth inning turned it into a rout.<br /><br /><b><u>Tennessee</u></b><br /><br />Like Delaware, Tennessee is looking for a repeat champion from the region, and they took a step closer. South Nashville will defend its regional crown after knocking off Karns 4-1 in the state title game. Barrett Smith, Garrett Justice, and Robert Hassell (returning player). Blake Money (returning player) was excellent on the bump with 10 strikeouts and just three hits.<br /><br /><b><u>New Jersey</u></b><br /><br />Toms River, the favorite coming into the Final Four, toughed out a big 4-2 victory in the winners bracket final against Ocean City/Upper Township. Phil Antoniotti tossed a complete game, giving up a two-run homer in the first, before dominating the OCUT lineup. OCUT had a dominant mound performance of their own though from Gannon Brady who struck out 12 in 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. He was perfect through four innings. After Brady reached the pitch count, Toms River went to work. Alex Civitello hit a single and Jon Giordano hit a 300-foot blast to tie the game. Nick DeRose hit a two-run homer two batters later for the winning runs.<br /><br /><b><u>Maine</u></b><br /><br />Falmouth rallied in the "if" game to knock off the defending 11-year old AND 12-year old state champions, Saco/Maremont. Nate Rogers bashed two home runs, his first two ever, in the victory. Brady Douglas and Alex Smith each had a pair of hits, and Mike Simonds drove in two runs.<br /><br /><br />There will be another update tonight with more scores and recaps from Friday and Saturday action. So check back later!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-49448256158427147582014-07-25T03:06:00.001-04:002014-07-25T04:40:19.623-04:00Little League Insider Roundup (7/24/14)<br>
<br>
<b><u>Rhode Island</u></b><br>
<br>
Cumberland American LL went to the Little League World Series back in 2012. They'll be taking another crack at it in 2014 after an 8-7 victory over Cranston Western in the state championship. Cumberland has shown a ton of home run power in their run to the regionals. Sean Meers had a two homer game, Nick Croteau had a two homer game, and Struble has had a two homer game. That's just in states. CJ Davock and Addison Kopack have hammered some big ones too.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Connecticut</u></b><br>
<br>
The state finals are set. Connecticut's Best-of-3 series will start on Saturday with perennial powerhouse (and recently vandalized) Fairfield American taking on South Windsor National. Both teams needed extra innings and two days to put away their opponents in the single-elimination section championships. Fairfield American Vince Camera hit a two-out single in the bottom of the 8th to give FALL a 2-1 victory. Camera drove in both runs including a solo homer earlier in the game against Farmington's big ace pitcher. Camera has nine home runs in 11 games for Fairfield American. Jamie Flink is another big bat in the FALL lineup. For South Windsor, Caleb Kuhns crushed two home runs including a two-run shot to force extra innings.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Massachusetts</u></b><br>
<br>
The Massachusetts state final four kicked off with powerful Section 1 champion, Holden, continuing to flex its muscles. After averaging 17 runs per game on the way through districts and sections, Holden continued its torrid offensive pace with a 13-3 victory over Barnstable. Peter Field smacked two home runs. Holden burned its ace for the rest of the tournament because of yet another terrible tournament format. Newton SouthEast, the defending state champions with three players back, blanked Hamilton-Wenham, 5-0. They went 20s with their pitching too. Interesting move. They face Holden next.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Maine</u></b><br>
<br>
Last year, Saco won the Maine state title through the losers bracket. Now, they're one game away from doing it again. After losing in the second round, Saco has won four games in four days and is looking for the fifth against Falmouth to take the title. Will Mitchell hit a pair of 3-run homers and Pat Sawyer battled on the mound. Sawyer was on the losing end of the first matchup between these two teams. He struck out 10 in 4.1 innings today.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Ohio</u></b><br>
<br>
Ethan Fletcher hit a game-winning single in the sixth to give Canfield a crazy 5-4 victory over regional and state power Hamilton West Side. Dominic Pilolli threw 5 2/3 for Canfield to get the victory. Canfield allowed a 4-2 lead to evaporate into a 5-4 HWS lead before a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth.<br>
<br><b>Pennsylvania</b><br><br>Taney from Philly shocked slight favorite Collier 13-10 (they led 13-1 in the 3rd) behind two home runs from Joe Richardson. MoNe Davis pitched two strong innings and gave up just two hits to the power hitting team from Western PA. Taney has Richardson and Kai Cummings available in the final as well as Davis and Sprague-Lott for the "if" game. Red Land and Collier will so battle for the right to face Taney. Both teams have their pitching lined up as well.<br><br>
<b><u>California</u></b><br>
<br>
All tournament long, I've struggled to find news on the California squads. In Southern California, the Best-of-3 championship series will feature Encinitas vs. Long Beach after both squads were forced into "if" games by Ocean View and Thousand Oaks, respectively. In Northern California, it was all Pacifica American from the beginning of the district tournament to the NorCal state championship game. Woodcreek gave Pacifica all it could handle in a 17-15 championship. Elijah Ricks could be one of those household names if Pacifica win the West Regional. Watch out for him but the whole team hits.<br><br><br>
<b><i><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br>
<br>
<div>
</div>
<br>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><i><br>Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br><br>Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br><br>Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b></div>
<br>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-12156217652619787162014-07-24T01:02:00.001-04:002014-07-24T01:30:26.754-04:00It's Nitty Gritty Time... Regional Fields Getting Full (7/23/14)<br />
Another slew of state championships has been handed out. There are not many spots left in the country. The countdown to the East Regional has begun on my internal clock. Let's get right into it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Michigan</u></b><br />
<br />
Midland Northeast completed the trifecta today. After winning the Michigan state title as 10s and 11s, Northeast battled through the single elimination Elite Eight and beat Byron 6-5 in walk-off fashion. Carter Knochel ripped a two-out bases loaded single to win the championship. Matt Schummer picked up the win on the mound.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Georgia</u></b><br />
<br />
Peachtree City National beat the two Georgia powerhouses on consecutive days to win the state championship. First, they came from behind to knock off Warner Robins American in the semifinal, and then crushed Columbus Northern 12-1 today on the back of home runs by Calin Smith, Shep Hancock, and Bo Hogeboom. Beating WRALL and Northern is no joke. Watch out for PTC.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Kentucky</u></b><br />
<br />
Warren County Southern won its second state title in three years and third since 2007 by beating Paintsville 5-2. Charlie Key struck out 13 batters in the victory. Mac Ausbrooks hit a home run in the victory and Adam Burns had two RBI. Gage Holman added an RBI triple.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Indiana</u></b><br />
<br />
Cooper Biven struck out 13 in a two-hit shutout in New Albany's 2-0 victory over Highland to send NA to the Great Lakes regional for the first time since 2007. Biven and his teammates won the state title as 10-year olds too.<br />
<br />
<b><u>New Jersey</u></b><br />
<br />
Ocean City-Upper Township combined into one league this year and the results have been spectacular. OCUT took down Somerset Hills in the first round of the state final four, 9-4, to reach the winners bracket final. In the other game, Wood-Ridge/Moonachie surprised heavy tournament favorite, Toms River, with a first-inning grand slam but Jon Giordano entered the game and slammed the door as Toms River battled back to win 7-4.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Maine</u></b><br />
<br />
The defending state champions, Saco/Maremont, have battled back through the losers bracket to reach the state title game. They knocked off Bronco LL 11-5 in the losers bracket final with back-to-back-to-back home runs from Kobe Gaudette, Ben Ham, and Grant Dow. Luke Ham launched a home run later in the game as well for Saco. Saco will need to beat Falmouth twice to reclaim the state title.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Southern California</u></b><br />
<br />
The toughest state in the country is almost coming to a head as the sub-division finals kicked off tonight. Ocean View took down Encinitas 6-4 to force an "if" game in the south sub-division final. In the north, Thousand Oaks did the same by beating Long Beach.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Pennsylvania</u></b><br />
<br />
There's just three teams left in Pennsylvania and they're definitely the three best teams in the state. Taney and Collier Township's winners bracket final will be replayed tomorrow after only two batters coming to the plate (back-to-back hits for Collier). The reason for the postponement may have to do with Red Land who ripped eight home run balls into the atmosphere, bringing the rains, in a 15-4 victory over Back Mountain American. Red Land put together its THIRD inning of 10 runs in the state tournament.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Ohio</u></b><br />
<br />
Hamilton West Side is looking for its 10th state title since the year 2000. Apparently nobody else plays baseball in Ohio? Anyway, West Side hasn't allowed a hit in three game in the state tournament but takes on Canfield in the winners bracket final this week. Canfield beat HWS for the state title as 10s. HWS returned the favor as 11s.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-34527657703308241042014-07-22T04:29:00.004-04:002014-07-22T16:20:13.343-04:00DC Little League Rivalry Forged through Competition, Now Has Respect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQD_MFx85C5bwD3t6boGMGkepcfeAzn7mTUca75ysMaCh-5PNtxqpFDqG5UF1NpvLZqY1bUxnWaFWe1yps6cNFWQ_LDSiufujtlmMkqgMb3C4sveP2nGquYugcxf7njiYdv24flw4mgE/s1600/91914_PA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQD_MFx85C5bwD3t6boGMGkepcfeAzn7mTUca75ysMaCh-5PNtxqpFDqG5UF1NpvLZqY1bUxnWaFWe1yps6cNFWQ_LDSiufujtlmMkqgMb3C4sveP2nGquYugcxf7njiYdv24flw4mgE/s1600/91914_PA.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<b><i><br />Photo courtesy of LISPN.com</i></b><br />
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b>
When it comes to Washington D.C. Little League baseball, only one name came to mind for well over a decade before 2009, and that was Capitol City Little League.<br />
<br />
Cap City won the D.C. Tournament every single year from 1988 to 2008, and usually in laughable fashion. If there were any competitive match-ups, they only came from Northwest Washington Little League and very rarely. Finally, something in Northwest Washington clicked. In 2009, NWLL shocked Capitol City and won the city tournament, earning a spot in the Mid-Atlantic Tournament in Bristol, CT.<br />
<br />
Since then, the rivalry has flourished. Northwest Washington has now won three of the last five titles and they're slight favorites for a fourth in today's D.C. Tournament championship despite Capitol City returning a handful of contributors to last season's regional semifinal appearance.<br />
<br />
"In the heat of it all, the rivalry was not friendly," First-year Capitol City manager Brian Friel said. "It wasn't in the spirit of Little League."<br />
<br />
In the arms race to dominate to Washington D.C. youth baseball, the two leagues turned into bitter rivals in the last few years, but with that bitterness, respect has come into play over the last year or two, and it came to a head during pool play this week.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
With a 4-2 lead in the late innings this week, Capitol City's number one pitcher, Collin Bosley-Smith, was looking to shut the door on a much-needed win over NWLL. Northwest beat Cap City twice in a warmup tournament, and another loss wasn't going to be great for the confidence heading into a possible championship game. Then, one of the biggest fears of any Little League administrator, director, coach, parent, or fan can imagine came to life. A Northwest player drove an upper-60s fastball back up the middle even faster. The ball hit Bosley-Smith square in the skull and soared into left field. Bosley-Smith went down.<br />
<br />
"It was the scariest moment I've ever experienced at a baseball field," Friel said. "The ball was hit as hard as you can hit it. It was horrible."<br />
<br />
Immediately, a pair of physicians ran onto the field to tend to Bosley-Smith including Northwest Washington parent, and Georgetown Emergency Room doctor, Dr. Brendan Furlong. Bosley-Smith never lost consciousness, but was not in great shape. He was taken to the hospital via ambulance.<br />
<br />
The game continued with a completely different feel for both teams. Northwest Washington rallied for a 5-4 victory, but all thoughts were with Bosley-Smith.<br />
<br />
"It put everything in perspective right away. This was an injured child. It's so much more important than the result of a baseball game. We're all parents when its over," NWLL manager Paul Donnellan said. "So after the game, we mellowed the celebration down despite beating our rivals, because at that point we still didn't know Collin's status. It was a horrific thing to see."<br />
<br />
Thankfully, Bosley-Smith was just fine. He was diagnosed with a concussion and stayed at the hospital for a few hours for observation, but went home that night with a serious headache. By Sunday's semifinals, he was in street clothes but in the dugout with his teammates laughing, smiling, and being a 12-year old kid. After Capitol City edged Capitol Hill Little League 4-1 in the first semifinal, Northwest Washington stopped by to check in with Bosley-Smith.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSYgP6q_a7tSuNxqLI-GSpAyPt10yNaZ6_MSta6vsVU9wI5oq_yD_LAP0h3T1zaocNSKHCSTxTq63yd18r4YqIUHwQb8bkdLJnuDdy4pz7rD-6AInRCp0lXMHlSYP5VrYVzNfK8T4cqs/s1600/CapCity.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSYgP6q_a7tSuNxqLI-GSpAyPt10yNaZ6_MSta6vsVU9wI5oq_yD_LAP0h3T1zaocNSKHCSTxTq63yd18r4YqIUHwQb8bkdLJnuDdy4pz7rD-6AInRCp0lXMHlSYP5VrYVzNfK8T4cqs/s1600/CapCity.png" height="300" width="400" /></a>"It was miraculous to see him doing so well, and the kids wanted to do something for him," Donnellan said. "So they got him a Superman T-Shirt (because he's the 'Boy of Steel') and each player signed a Get Well card. It was good for the kids to see that he was okay and express their sympathy even in healthy competition. These two teams absolutely respect each other."<br />
<br />
"It really meant a lot to us and the kids that Northwest would take time from the rivalry to do something like that," Friel said. "The relationship between the two leagues has been trending upward and this really bridged the gap."<br />
<br />
Now, with Bosley-Smith still ruled "out" for the championship game, both teams need to refocus and get ready for another intense matchup with a Mid-Atlantic Tournament berth on the line. For Northwest Washington to win the title, they'll have to beat Capitol City for a fourth time this summer.<br />
<br />
"Absolutely this is tough. We have to execute and play great baseball because how many times can you beat a good team," Donnellan said. "For us, we hope it's four."<br />
<br />
Either way, the rivalry is alive and kicking and it's only good for baseball in the area. Both teams play travel ball with each other around the D.C. area and they've become friends off the field. It actually makes them want to beat each other more when they're on the field.<br />
<br />
The rivalry between Northwest and Cap City isn't where it ends though. Capitol Hill Little League won the 9-10 year old D.C. Tournament two years ago, and Banneker/Satchel Paige pushed Northwest into a nerve wracking sixth inning before NWLL pulled out a 2-1 victory.<br />
<br />
Maybe more rivalries will brew in Washington over the next 10 years. It can only be good for the state of baseball in D.C.<br />
<br />
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
<i>John Malone is the founder, writer, and editor of Little League Insider. He's a senior web editor for MSG Varsity Network in the New York metropolitan area and has covered youth and high school sports in one capacity or another since his own youth, which only gets further away each year. You can follow him on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MSGV_Malone" target="_blank">@MSGV_Malone</a></i><br />
<br />
<b><u>For more Little League Insider news and notes ---</u></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a></i></b><br />
<b><i><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-67216144585736193242014-07-22T03:40:00.000-04:002014-07-22T03:40:36.444-04:00First Wave of State Champions Commences Plus More! (7/21/14)<br />
Well I'm back from my road trip to Pennsylvania's Little League State Tournament and there's a lot to catch up on. Let's take a spin around the country and meet some of the state champions out there.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>New Hampshire</u></b><br />
Goffstown was the best team in New England in 2011, but after a 4-0 pool play start they didn't put it together in the elimination round in the regionals. Goffstown will get its chance at redemption this year. The District 1 champions swept Portsmouth in the Best-of-3 state finals with a 9-0 victory and a 10-0 victory. Portsmouth said that all four pitchers they faced from Goffstown were better than anyone they had seen all tournament. The lineup is strong too. Liam Kibreth and Connor Hujsak homered in Game 2 and Derek Steckowych homered twice in Game 1.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Missouri</u></b><br />
Joplin South rolled through the state of Missouri with a dominant performance in districts and then again in states. Joplin South outscored its opponents 42-5 in four games at state and was never threatened. Zach Westmoreland is great on the mound and at the plate. The team hits for power with guys like Jordy Washington, Beau Gardner, and Westmoreland. That's just a few of the names you might learn once the regionals kick off.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Washington</u></b><br />
<br />
Pacific Little League from Lynnwood won the first state title in 22 years for the league by coming out of the losers bracket and beating the heavy favorite, Federal Way, twice. Pacific won a pitcher's duel 2-1 in the first game and then blew the doors off them with a 12-2 victory in the "if" game. Tyler Durbin has a great stroke and put a few out in the state tournament. Karsen Tjarneberg didn't allow a hit over four innings in the final victory.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Kansas</u></b><br />
Despite never winning a Kansas state championship, Frontenac played confident and loose throughout the district and state tournament and cruised to easy victory after easy victory. Behind dominant pitching and timely hitting, Frontenac beat up everyone in its path. Pitchers Ben Boekout, Ryan Raio, Jake Beckmann, and Cooper Cleland are all effective on the hill.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Nebraska</u></b><br />
Kearney won its fifth straight state championship and is looking to get back to Williamsport after winning the region in 2012. Kearney outscored its five opponents in Nebraska 73-2 with four shutouts. Seth S., Will R., Colin M., and Fritz W., Kaden B., Tyler S., Trey R., each jacked at least one home run so far this summer. Seth S. has five by himself in five games.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Texas West</u></b><br /><br />Northside Suburban from San Antonio did it the hard way after dominating its district and section and came through the losers bracket in the state final four. Simon Castillo is one of those special talents and Jakob Rayfield is a good #2 starter and won the state championship "if" game 4-2. Castillo blasted six home runs in the state tournament itself.<br /><br /><b><u>South Dakota</u></b><br /><br />Rapid City Canyon Lake made easy work of the North/South Dakota state tournament, until Fargo gave Canyon Lake all they could handle in the championship. Canyon Lake rallied in the sixth inning, however, and pulled out a 10-9 victory to send the perennial powerhouse to Indianapolis for the regionals. Bridger Nesbit blasted a pair of home runs in the win.<br />
<br />
Other State Tournaments still going on....<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Pennsylvania</u><br /><br />I stayed to watch Day 2 and talk about some surprises. Back Mountain American proved they belonged with a big 15-12 victory over Lionville. Montoursville won a tough game with Clarion to eliminate them, 7-4. The heavyweight showdown between Red Land and Collier Township turned into a late stoppage as Collier nearly 10-runned RL with a 13-4 victory. Finally, Taney blew out Warwick 12-0 in four innings.<br /><br />Taney and Collier is now the heavyweight showdown. I'm honestly not sure how this game is going to go. For starters, it depends who is on the mound for both teams. There are options for both, and they both matter. An injury to Collier's Christian Trottier is also a key component. His bat and work behind the plate are irreplaceable. Austin Hendrick at the top of the order and in centerfield is as good a baseball player as you will see though. Wow does he have all the tools. Speaking of tools, Taney's Zion Spearman used his to hit a grand slam today that hasn't landed yet. It's the second longest home run (if not the first) I've ever seen. It was minimum 350 and possibly 375. That's not an exaggeration. I don't exaggerate Little League numbers.<br /><br /><b><u>Oregon</u></b><br /><br />Pre-tournament favorite, Cedar Mill, lost its opener and has won three straight to get back into contention. Bend North is looking strong in the winners bracket though. Gresham is the other unbeaten team left in Oregon.<br /><br /><b><u>Maine</u></b><br /><br />Falmouth outlasted Bronco 6-5 in a great winners bracket final in Maine to leave the District 6 champions just one win away from a regional berth. Falmouth led Bronco 6-0 before a grand slam brought the Hampden league within a run. Bronco put two men on in the sixth, but Falmouth escaped the jam with a victory.<br /><br />Michigan<br /><br />The single elimination round started and tournament favorite, Midland Northeast, picked up another victory. They're now two away from a state title.<br /><br /><b><u>Indiana</u></b><br /><br />New Albany outscored its three pool play opponents 30-5, but now the single elimination quarterfinals begin and the semis and championship are both in one day. Pitching decisions will rule the day. Cooper Biven blasted three home runs in three games of pool play including two grand slams.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Rhode Island</u></b><br /><br />Cumberland American is in the drivers seat for the Rhode Island state title after cracking Cranston Western 17-4. CALL has 12 home runs in its last four games and two walk-off victories to boot.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Georgia</u></b><br /><br />Martinez-Evans, the defending 11-year old state champs, dominated Warner Robins in the final game of pool play, 9-1. The victory gives Martinez-Evans the top spot in its pool as they move into the single elimination crossover. They'll face 2006 Little League World Series champions, Columbus Northern.<br />
<br />
<b><u>New York</u></b><br /><br />Throgs Neck from the Bronx put together another pitching dominant performance in a 7-1 victory over Whitestown. Throgs Neck mustered just four hits, but two of them were of the home run variety including one of the bat of Will Tracy. TNLL will face Grand Island in the winners bracket. Wappinger won a slugfest with Colonie in its first round game with home runs off the bat of Kyle Caccamise, Ryan Kirby, and Matt Rzesnik. Wappingers will face East Meadow in the winners bracket.<br /><br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-84624368035358684622014-07-21T01:18:00.001-04:002014-07-21T01:22:14.650-04:00Pennsylvania State Little League Tournament - Day 1 Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGNe16d3l3c40llRgFaErDoetRv2fZ6Hpj571pRHno3v4LxuO87ASKPfWIrY9RpckforGn3CyrYGk6ifDOTm2Yr1PV9hvoOUWPgL0v8xoWMR2cGOHjR1mW4m64c5hliA24pJ9CfoRhVg/s1600/get-attachment-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGNe16d3l3c40llRgFaErDoetRv2fZ6Hpj571pRHno3v4LxuO87ASKPfWIrY9RpckforGn3CyrYGk6ifDOTm2Yr1PV9hvoOUWPgL0v8xoWMR2cGOHjR1mW4m64c5hliA24pJ9CfoRhVg/s1600/get-attachment-1.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br />I got plenty of raised eyebrows on Sunday when local fans and the families of the teams in the Pennsylvania State Little League Tournament asked me where I'm from. Who would be crazy enough to drive three hours just to watch the best eight teams in Pennsylvania Little League? Obviously this guy, and the day did not disappoint.<br />
<br />
For starters, all eight teams are really good. Everyone has at least one excellent pitcher, and everyone hits throughout the lineup. It's a very impressive group top to bottom. Here we go with the recaps!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<b><u>Game 1: Taney Youth Baseball 9, Clarion 3</u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b>
Despite not blowing teams away during districts or sectionals, Taney was on the tip of everyone's tongue on Sunday morning because Mo'Ne Davis was getting the start on the bump. The highly-touted young lady allowed just one hit and no earned runs in two innings. The only negative? Two unearned runs and a high pitch count. Taney showcased some good arms throughout their rotation including Kai Cummings who closed out the game with some smoke. Zion Spearman and Cummings each had a big two-run double. Spearman scored three runs and is a scary hitter. Clarion was solid and led 2-0 early, but never put it at together. Its top two pitchers have strong arms. They just have to get control (and/or nerves) in order.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Game 2: Warwick 8, Montoursville 6</u></b><br />
<br />
For the second straight game, the mound was a game of musical chairs. By the team Warwick held on to victory at the end of Game 2, SEVENTEEN pitchers took the rubber. Everyone is always worried about tomorrow. Anyway, like Taney and Clarion, both Warwick and Montoursville showcased some hard-throwing pitchers in the lineup. Warwick is one of those teams that can scare anyone. They bunt, they run, they take extra bases, the pressure your defense all game long. Montoursville made the plays, rotated correctly, etc... They still got beat with two bunt singles, two infield singles, stolen bases, and first to third running. Montoursville, coached (not managed) by Mike Mussina, looked good. They just got beat by a well-schooled team. Mason Sechrist was 3-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a run scored. He also made one of the best catches I've ever seen in left field when he caught the ball while running face first into the chain link fence. He fell backwards onto his back, seemingly stunned, and showed the ball to the umpire for the out. Warwick's Ethan Weiss was probably the hardest throwing pitcher of the day.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Game 3: Red Land 14, Back Mountain American 4 (F/5 inn.)</u></b><br />
<br />
Through the first two games of the day, there wasn't a single home run. Lower Perk has a gorgeous 50/70 convertible field and the fences are built that way too. Only 201 down the lines, but it kicks out to 230 in center. Either way, it was surprising to not see a home run. With Red Land and BMA, that wasn't going to last long. BMA took a surprising 1-0 lead in the first, but Red Land immediately answered with a two-run home run by Kyle Hannon. Back Mountain responded in the second inning with an RBI double by Matt Maransky and then took a 3-2 lead in the third with a long solo home run by Will McCrum. Hannon had the answer again with his second two-run home run of the game to retake the lead, 4-3. Back Mountain tied it again with another solo home run, this time off the bat of Justin Finarelli. Finally, after four offensive innings and a couple BMA pitchers, Red Land's vaunted attack showed up in full force. RL put 10 runs across the plate in the fifth inning to mercy Back Mountain. Hunter Merritt had a two-run homer and a double, Jaden Henline hit a 3-run home run, Hannon added a double, and finally Reese Kauffman hit a two-run dinger to complete the victory.<br />
<br />
Game 4: Collier Township 9, Lionville 5<br />
<br />
Collier won the 2012 Pennsylvania State Little League championship and Lionville won the 2013 state championship. What's that have to do with this game? Nothing at all. It's just a fun fact. Onto the game. This felt like a heavyweight fight from the get go and it's obvious that both teams are near the top in terms of talent in this tournament. Collier's Christian Trottier (Islanders and Penguins great, Bryan Trottier's son) launched a two-run homer in the first to give Collier a 2-0 lead. Grant Umberger of Lionville helped his own cause with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning to halve the lead. Collier added single runs in the third and fourth innings including a home run off the bench by Frank Peluso, but Lionville once again closed the gap with a two-run blast by Dave Owsik to cut it to a 4-3 deficit in the fourth. Sam Tortorella absolutely hammered a 3-run shot in the fifth to give Collier some much needed brething room, but six straight walks by Collier's bullpen cut the deficit back to two, 7-5. The boys in royal blue added two more in the sixth though including a solo home run by Austin Hendrick to secure the victory.<br />
<br />
Overall Thoughts: It's so hard to even rank the teams after Day 1 because I saw 30 pitchers. When it gets down to the nitty gritty, things could look a lot different when some of the aces are going 65 or 85. Red Land's lineup is very imposing as expected. Luke Wagner is legit on the mound too. For me, Collier might be the slight favorite when it's all on the line. They're almost equally dynamic on offense and between Tortorella and Hendrick, they have a nice pitching duo. Collier was also the only team today to really burn a pitcher with Tortorella throwing 78 pitches in 4 innings. He struck out eight, allowed just four hits and didn't walk a batter. Hendrick throws gas, but walked six batters in one inning. He had eight walks in two innings and struck out five. He didn't allow a hit.<br />
<br />
Lionville is right there with a tough lineup, smart baseball, and an effective number one pitcher. I would not be surprised if they won the tournament, but I still favor the other two for now.<br />
<br />
Warwick and Taney both picked up wins and have a lot of good qualities about them. Taney has the arms, but I'm not sure if the middle of their lineup is enough to carry them. They're offense overall probably ranks seventh ahead of only Clarion, the team they beat. Warwick didn't show off a ton of offense, but they will do anything to get on base and make you pay for it. They also have strong pitching and top quality coaches. They can beat anyone in this tournament in a single game situation.<br />
<br />
Montoursville has some real nice players and won't back down. It would not be a shocker if they beat one of the top four teams, but I can't see them doing enough to win it right now. Back Mountain American is huge, they hit the ball, and they play good defense. I'm not sure if they have enough pitching though. Clarion has some strong arms, but needs to pick their heads up a bit more. They got down easily. They don't have the physical tools of the other teams, but they're very good and very dangerous.<br />
<br />
All in all, I was very impressed with the quality of baseball in the state tournament. If any of the eight teams wins it, Pennsylvania will not be ashamed of their performance in the regional, I can guarantee that. If Red Land or Collier put it all together, they could be making a trip back to PA to play some more baseball in South Williamsport.<br />
<br />
I'll be back at Lower Perkiomen Little League for Day 2 action. I won't have a recap until late night, if at all though. Long drive back to New York. Have an issue with my opinions or want to give positive/negative feedback? Tell me on Facebook or Twitter. Don't comment here. I don't see them often. Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a><br /><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-72039079614721217422014-07-20T03:26:00.002-04:002014-07-20T07:09:45.373-04:00New York State Tournament Preview 2014The New York State Tournament begins on Monday with a 6-team double elimination bracket. Whitestown opens up with Throgs Neck. The winner takes on Grand Island. Colonie opens up with Wappinger. The winner will face East Meadow.<br />
<br />
With the way 6-team tournaments are set up, if you play in the first round, you can't blow any of your pitching. It's not worth it. Winning a first round game, and then losing to the bye team sets you back at the beginning of the losers bracket. You have to win the first TWO games if you don't have the bye. The way to do that? Save your pitching for game two. Obviously, if you have the bye, you play to win every game. That's your Little League Insider strategy of the day.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Section 1: Grand Island (District 1)<br />2000-2014 History: 2 district titles, 0 section titles</b><br />
<br />
Grand Island won its district title as 11-year olds, but like every other team in this tournament, did not win a section title as 10s or 11s. This is the first appearance for every single one of these specific teams. Grand Island won a tough district and then rolled through its two games in Section 1 tournament including a 14-4 victory in the final over Wellsville. Austin Weber had 6 RBI in the game including a grand slam and PJ Munoz struck out 7 batters in four innings to get the victory.<br />
<br />
<b>Section 2: Whitestown (District 10)<br />2000-2014 History: 8 district titles, 1 section title</b><br />
<br />
Whitestown is 9-0 during the tournament so far and navigated a tough sectional tournament with wins over traditional power, Maine-Endwell, and Syracuse-area team, Baldwinsville. Whitestown has shown solid pitching through with Bryce Gnatek, Collin McAndrew, and Tommy Morreale performing well. Gnatek and Morreale have home run pop along with Collin McAndrew.<br />
<br />
<b>Section 3: Colonie (District 13)<br />2000-2013 History: 9 district titles, 3 section titles, 1 state titles</b><br />
<br />
Colonie is the most storied program left in the state tournament. They've even won a state title back in 2004. They won the initial Section 3 Tournament this year that included every single team in every district in Section 3. There were no district tournaments. Colonie had to weather pool play which included the defending 11-year old state champ, as well as a single elimination sub-divisional title game and the best 2-out-of-3 championship. Colonie passed with flying colors and an unbeaten record. Jakob Lemperle is the team ace and big bopper. Jimmy Davis and Colin McDonough both have big sticks as well.<br />
<br />
<b>Section 4: Town of Wappinger (District 17)<br />2000-2013 History: 4 district titles, 0 section titles</b><br />
<br />
Wappinger won its first section title in decades, but they did it in dominant fashion. Wappinger relied on its powerful top of the order and bashed more than a 15 home runs in four games. Kyle Caccamise, Jarred DiNardo, Ryan Kirby, Matt Rzeznik, and Quentin Bowman are all scary hitters. Kirby, Q. Bowman, and Phoenix Bowman are all solid on the mound.<br />
<br />
<b>Section 5: Throgs Neck (District 22)<br />2000-2013 History: 6 district titles, 0 section titles</b><br />
<br />
Throgs Neck relied on its powerful pitching depth led by Alex Santos and Aiden Daley. The offense has enough power that Joe O'Keefe can come off the bench and club a pair of home runs in the Section 5 championship victory. Almost everyone has home run ability including Will Tracy, Chris Soto, and Chris Polgano. Evan Stein and Marc Stockhausen add pitching depth.<br />
<br />
<b>Section 6: East Meadow (District 32)<br />2000-2013 History: 6 district titles, 0 section titles</b><br />
<br />
East Meadow fought and clawed its way to the first section title in league history with a 3-1 victory over Port Washington, a team that beat them in pool play 10-0. Charlie Cucchiara picked up the victory with a dominant performance on the mound. He also beat Babylon 9-0 on the opening night of the section tournament.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a><br /><br />Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br /><br />Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br /><br />Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<br />Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1399581770768992485.post-34794702738553980032014-07-20T02:29:00.002-04:002014-07-20T11:35:01.016-04:00Around the Horn: Little League Style (7/19/14)Many state tournaments kicked off today, others kicked into high gear, and one finished up in crazy fashion. We'll get right into it as we go around the horn.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Delaware</u></b><br>
<br>
<b><i>(Written by Damien Hollyday)</i></b><br>
<br>
Newark National, the defending Mid-Atlantic champions, completed the first step today with its fourth consecutive Delaware District 2 Majors title with an 8-1 victory over Naamans. Newark National outscored its opponents 72-14 through the tournament behind some big performances. They'll be the favorites in the 3-team state tournament. Against Naamans, A.J. Blanchard tossed 4.2 innings with seven strikeouts to pick up the victory. Jason Daughtery hit a monster two-run home run and made two incredible defensive plays during a bases loaded no-out situation in the second inning. Brett Callahan and Blanchard each had two RBI in the victory.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Iowa</u></b><br>
<br>
The Iowa State Tournament kicked off with three games in pool play and nobody really separated themselves, which has been typical. Last year featured a four-way tie for the two state championship game slots. We'll keep an eye on it this year. Johnston American, Grandview, Boone National, and Davenport Southeast each picked up a victory. Davenport trailed 8-2 before rallying for a 9-8 victory over Lucas. Eleven home runs were hit in total on the Day 1.<br>
<br>
<b><u>New Jersey</u></b><br>
<br>
Toms River bashed Nottingham 15-5 to win the Section 3 title. There are two different Toms River leagues. Todd Frazier's version (Toms River East LL) went to Williamsport in 1995, 1998, and 1999. Toms River LL (this version) lost in the regional title game in 2005 and went to Williamsport in 2010. They're big, strong, and hit tons of home runs. Definitely the New Jersey favorite.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Georgia</u></b><br>
<br>
Warner Robins American defeated Murphey Chandler 15-7 in the opening game of the Georgia State Tournament. WRALL used seven pitchers in the victory. Dylan Frank, Javy Rodriguez, and Jacob Pierce each had a home run.<br>
<br>
<b><u>North/South Dakota</u></b><br>
<br>
Canyon Lake LL of Rapid City, SD pounded Brandon Valley 10-0 in four innings to open up the state tournament. Bridger Nesbit and Blake Weaver both homered. Fargo, ND topped Timberline 13-3 in the other matchup. No team from North Dakota has ever advanced to the regionals, and nobody outside of Rapid City has won the state title since 1981.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Tennessee</u></b><br>
<br>
Karns opened the state tournament in dominant fashion with a 21-0 drubbing of Johnson City. Karns cracked nine home runs in the victory including a pair by Cameron Fisher. He had 7 RBI. Morristown American crushed Clarksville Northwest, 17-0, and Tullahoma pulled away from Smith County 18-8. South Nashville, the defending regional champions, open up on Sunday. In the tournament's Home Run Derby contest, two South Nashville players finished in the top two.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Maryland</u></b><br>
<br>
West Salisbury came from the losers bracket to knock off Sharpsburg twice in one day including a mercy rule victory in the "if" game. This is West Salisbury's fourth state championship since 2003. It's also the third straight state title for MD District 8 including Berlin last year and West Salisbury in 2012. WS advanced to Williamsport in 2007. West Salisbury jacked eight home runs in the two games on Saturday by six different players. Ryan Mitchell had three. Dylan Smith was dominant on the mound.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Florida</u></b><br>
<br>
South Fort Myers and Sarasota National won a pair of games over the beginning of the weekend and will play each other for the FL Section 6 title. SFM's Yari Diaz cranked three home runs on the day in the 9-5 victory over Greater Naples and 26-1 victory over LaBelle. Regional favorite, North Springs, trounced Kendall 12-1 in its first sectional game. Timmy Manning launched a pair of two-run home runs and struck out 10 in 4.2 innings pitched. Coby Mayo, Colin Flynn, and Sean Shambo also had home runs.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Northern California</u></b><br>
<br>
Mill Valley edged Sutter Buttes 4-3 in the opening round of the Northern California state tournament. Mill Valley led 4-0 and used four different pitchers to hold onto the victory.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Louisiana</u></b><br>
<br>
Bossier escaped with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Eastbank to stay in the winners bracket of the Louisiana State Tournament. Gabriel Larry (Does that name ring a bell from last year?) hit a solo home run and three Bossier pitchers limited Eastbank to just two hits.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Massachusetts</u></b><br>
<br>
Holden played a six-inning game for the first time all summer, but still picked up the victory in a 2-1 Section 1 title victory over Leominster National. Hard-throwing Francis Ferguson welcomed the challenged and passed the test with flying colors. He allowed a sixth-inning solo home run, but picked up the complete game victory with 10 strikeouts and only three hits allowed. In Section 4, Peabody West was in the driver's seat for the Section 4 title game, but let a 4-1 lead evaporate against North Andover American to lose its first game. Hamilton-Wenham took advantage by crushing winless Wilmington, knocking Peabody out of the title picture. Hamilton-Wenham will face North Andover American for the title.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Southern California</u></b><br>
<br>
Long Beach edged Thousand Oaks 2-1 to win its second game in the SoCal North Sub-Divisional Tournament. Glendora pounded 11-year old state champs, Encino, to set up the winners bracket final. In the SoCal South Sub-Divisional, Ocean View beat up one of the early favorites, Canyon Lake. Sweetwater Valley is also a team to watch in this tournament though.<br>
<br>
<b><u>Rhode Island</u></b><br>
<br>
The Ocean State's Final Four is always hotly contested. When four of the five top programs in the state are in the tournament, you're going to get great baseball games. Cranston Western beat Portsmouth 3-0 on the back of a one-hit shutout by Anthony Eacuello. Cam Bissett had two RBI including back-to-back home runs with Noah Cook. In the other game, Cumberland American's Addison Kopack tied the game with one swing, and then for the second time in two games, Jayden Strudle came up with the game-winning walkoff hit in extra innings.<br><br><b><i>Join the Discussion: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/groups/llworldseries" target="_blank">Little League World Series Discussion Group</a><br><br>Like our page: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">Little League Insider</a><br><br>Follow us on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/littleleaguepro" target="_blank">@LittleLeaguePro</a><br><br>Follow us on Instagram: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/littleleagueinsider" target="_blank">@LittleLeagueInsider</a></i></b><br>
<br>Section1Guyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13451765211730086805noreply@blogger.com0