A Mantle Piece

After a long spring break it's time to pick up where we left off. Much has happened since our last victory over the Dodgers in March... including, most recently, another victory over the Dodgers in our last game, April 16th.

In between there was a victorious defensive gem against the Yankees resulting in a 2-1 win, a game against the Braves that our evil twins showed up to, playing in our place; and a picture day hit-a-thon game against the Cardinals that was very close until the wear and tear of the very long day caught up with us in the final frame.

But what does any of this have to do with Mickey Mantle?

I'm glad you asked.

Mickey Mantle played his entire 18 year major league career for the Yankees during which he won 3 American League MVP titles, was on 16 All Star teams, won 7 world championships, holds World Series records for most home runs (18); RBIs (40); runs (42); walks (43); extra base hits (26); and total bases (123). Add to that a triple crown in 1956 (leading the league in average; home runs; and rbi); and a gold glove. A tremendous player indeed. One of the greatest ever. And someone, whose many attributes can be found in each member of our very team:

From Daniel B's mastery with the bat, to Jonathan's gameday focus and desire to always give his best; from Alex's "baseball eyes" and ability to track a speeding ball to Nik's tenacity at the plate and habit of wearing pitchers down. I see it in Ethan's brute power and Matt's speed and finesse. In the strength of Ben's arm and the poetry of Jordan's all around play. It's there in Adam's knack for always knowing where to be on every play and in Daniel S's natural athletic prowess. In Sam's ability to gun runners down with pinpoint throws and Riley's love of getting dirty and sacrificing his body to make a play.

Before our last game, I threw out a challenge to all of our outfielders: The first team member to catch a fly ball in the outfield would receive a coveted Mickey Mantle baseball card. You may have noticed the extra security I hired to protect my bag, and the accountants from Enrst & Young standing by to verify that the card is indeed a genuine replica of a Mickey Mantle card.

While Daniel Shemano gave that card a run for its money with his barehanded scoop of a hit to left center, by game's end it was still under metaphorical lock and key in your skipper's bag. So the challenge remains. Who will be the first to claim the coveted card?

Whoever it is, one thing is certain in my mind...

"The Mick" may have been a lifelong Yankee... but his spirit is alive and well on the Mustang A's.

A's Catching Fire

People everywhere are standing up and taking notice of our Mustang A's.

Today was a solid team effort resulting in a 7-4 victory over the Dodgers. Once again nearly every member of the team found one way or another to get on base. Jordan, Ethan, Daniel B and Sammy each turned in multi-hit efforts. Matt, Daniel S, Adam and Jonathan showed terrific discipline and patience at the plate, finding one way or another to reach the base paths.

Some less painful than others... thank you Jonathan Friedman for "taking one for the team", OUCH.

But nothing pleases a coach more than a dirty grass or dirt stained uniform.

Then there were Ben and Riley turning in great performances in the field, making difficult plays look like routine putouts.

Finally, hats off to our pitchers. A day when we seemed to be firing on all cylinders, including Daniel Birnholz's stellar 4th inning line of 3 batters faced, and 3 strikeouts.

Then again, who'd want to see this coming at them?

But at the end of the day...

After the dust has settled...

And the scoreboard has long since been turned off (okay, that's a metaphor since it never works)...

The thing all our kids will look back on with the fondest of memories...

The very reason they suit up for two games and at least one practice each week, boils down to one simple word...

Snack.

Onward and upward to a brave showing against the Braves this coming Wednesday night.

As ever... your humble blogging skipper. Gregg

You Can't Spell "As"tronomical Without The A's

A's Families and friends:

Here it is. Our official little corner of the web. And as mentioned in the title, you can't spell "astronomical" without the A and the S. Throw a little apostrophe in there and... well you know what we get.

After starting the season off by our team hurling a no-hitter, I was beginning to feel sorry for the rest of the teams in our league. Fortunately our A's are comprised of such a wonderful group of fair minded boys, they decided not to rub it in, and have taken it easier on all of our competition since.

Obviously just saving it up for the playoff run.

Through six games, we've blown one team out... were blown out in one... and have had four games literally come down to the last inning. It's been exciting, heartbreaking and inspiring so far. Many times all in the same game.

Many times, all in the same inning.

But through it all, our boys have represented wonderfully and given their all.

Starting with this Saturday's game, I will post little "post-game" wrap ups here on the blog for you to read and share. And hopefully, via the generous offer of Rich Birnholz and his magical photographic eye, we'll have some action photos to post on here as well.

Some that will show our hustle and determination...

And some that show how we tower over our competition.

Through it all, we'll try to capture the fun and the effort our kids, as well as all of our wonderful parents have put into the 2007 CHPBA Mustang Season.

We're a third of the way through the regular season. And here's to the fun and growth ahead.

Sincerely, your blogging skipper... Gregg