So today (10 Jun 17) Lukas had his second playoff baseball game.  The game started out by being scheduled for a 9:00 am start, and then moved to a 2:00 pm start and then back to a 9:00 am start.  This constant change of time threw more than one monkey wrench into getting transportation set up and ready to go.  In the end everything worked out for the best.

I picked Lu up in Tacoma at 7:15 am thinking I had all of his stuff.  However it turned out that I did not have his cleats.  So into the car we jumped and off to the apartment to pick up the right shoes before heading to the field.  No problem for me because I add a little extra “problem” time into my trips for just these kinds of emergencies. 

After a quick stop we were off to the ball fields to warm up with the team.  Once we get there we found out that Lu’s practice hat was in his bag but not his game hat.  I got to practice my inner NASCAR and fly back to the apartment to get his hat before the game. 

After a couple of minor snafus it was warm ups as usual for Lu and the team.  He worked on some simple batting / bunting as well some ground ball fielding drills.  Lu looked tired and out of it but he said that he was feeling good.  After a quick motivational talk from the coach it was time to play ball.  This will be a match-up between the Orioles (Lu’s team) and the Twins to see who goes straight to the championship game.

Lu’s team was considered the “home team” for this game so we were in the field first.  Lu was positioned in Left Center field.  This is a struggle for Lu because there are long periods of time when nothing happens and he tends to lose focus.  The umpire (who we later found out is the brother to one of the players on the opposing team) was calling a very tight strike zone for our pitcher.  We ended up walking several batters including a couple of runs.

We were up next and got a couple of batters on board and scored 1 run out of it.  It felt as if the ump was being a bit generous with the strike zone when the Twins were pitching but it was just something we had to play through.  Lu was 6^th on the batting order and unfortunately the third out was recorded by the 5^th batter. 

On to the second inning and it was very much the same as the first.  The strike zone was very tight for our pitcher who seemed to be struggling to maintain where the ump was calling strikes.  After several walked batters we were finally able to get three outs.  One of which was a terrific heads up play by our catcher who threw a kid out on first who was leading off to far in between pitches.

Lu led off the bottom of the second and with the first pitch he got plunked right on the top of the head.  He laughed it off and joked about this being why you wear a hard hat when batting.  A couple of steals later and Lu is on 3^rd base.  He is still having difficulty leading off during pitches but when he gets the signal to steal he is off like a shot.  Unfortunately the rest of the team struggled with bringing him home.

When the 3^rd inning started our team elected to switch pitchers.  Our second pitcher was doing a little bit better but still struggled with consistency.  After a couple of walks and a couple of hits the Twins were up 9 – 1 after 3 innings.  In this league if you are ahead by 10 runs at any point the game is called so we were up against the wall at this point.

During the bottom of the inning the Orioles were able to string together a couple of great hits and put a few more runs on the board.  This gave them a bit more breathing room but it was still looking like a huge hole to climb out of. 

In the fourth the Orioles seemed to find their pitching grove and were throwing more strikes.  They were able to hold the score where it was at 9 – 3.  This seemed to really help to wake up the kids because there was more cheering coming from their dug out.  They were still in a hole but they proved to themselves that they could hold the Twins to 0 runs. 

Another round of play and they brought in another run to move that gap a little bit closer.  After 4 innings the score was now 9 – 4.

With the fifth inning came another pitcher.  The coach brought out his ace to close the game.  He had his command and he had his power so all he had to do was play catch with the catcher.  3 quick outs later and it was our turn at bat again.  Lu gets up and gets a solid infield single.  Stole second and third and was primed to score again.  His coach was working as the third base coach and was helping Lu with leading off and paying attention. 

After a walk and another steal there is now a runner on 2^nd and 3^rd.  Another great hit into the outfield and Lu is one of 2 runs to cross the plate.  One more run scores and the game is now 9 – 7 after 5 innings.

All we are praying for right now is for the Orioles to score 3 quick outs and give themselves a chance to win this game.  And just like that our closer is able to come through and put another 0 on the board. 

Lu’s team gets up and we are hoping for a come from behind win.  Either way we all know that they played their hearts out just getting the score this close.  A quick hit and couple of steals and a score puts the game at 9 – 8.  The next two batters get out and we figure it is over.  Little do we know that they are channeling the Mariners because the next person gets on base and is able to make it around to score on a base hit. 

The score is 9 – 9 with a runner stealing his way to 3^rd and two outs.  All Lu has to do is not get out.  First pitch a swinging strike.  Second pitch, a wild pitch and the runner comes in to score.  Orioles win it 10 – 9 in the bottom of the 6^th. 

With all of the excitement I thought that mom was going to have herself a heart attack and dad started to get pretty nervous / excited for the team there as well.  We were all able to hi-five the little guys as they ran into the outfield to have their team meeting.  You could not wipe the smiles off of any of their faces.

This little league game was on par with any professional game played this year.  The kids kept their heads about them.  Continued to cheer for each other and were able to dig themselves out of a pretty deep hole to win it. 

Thursday is the championship game and the Orioles are the first team to make it in.  Lu did great and the coach has commented many times about how far he has come as a player since his first day of practice.   If you haven’t seen these little guys play you are missing out.

A Proud Father;

Scott