08/09/2021 - Jim's unofficial American Legion Baseball Great Lakes Regional

08/09/2021 - Jim's unofficial American Legion Baseball Great Lakes Regional - 08/09/2021

Midland Berryhill Post 165 heads to Shelby, NC for the 2021 American Legion World Series.

Below you may find -

The Great Lakes Regional schedule, scores and notes;

List of Great Lakes Regional teams with links

Schedule of the 2021 American Legion World Series

Media coverage of the prior day's games

A list of the other Regionals with a link and the competing teams

at the bottom - a brief recap of Midland Berryhill in Fargo, ND in 2009!

AMERICAN LEGION Baseball Code of Sportsmanship

I WILL:

Keep The Rules

Keep Faith with My Teammates

Keep My Temper

Keep Myself Fit

Keep A Stout Heart in Defeat

Keep My Pride Under in Victory

Keep A Sound Soul, A Clean Mind And A Healthy Body

REMINDER - this is all unofficial and subject to my age, eyesight, typing and information availability

American Legion World Series -

*"How to watch and follow the 2021 American Legion World Series" - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253310/how-watch-and-follow-2021-american-legion-world-series

*2021 American Legion World Series home page - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021alws

Official box scores and statistics are avialable through each regional site provided by "StatBroadcast"

#August 3-8 - American Legion Great Lakes Regional (Region 5) - Morgantown, WV

(West Virginia champion + Morgantown/WV Post 2 (host); Illinois champion + Runner-up; Indiana champion; Michigan champion; Ohio champion); - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region5

(*matchup for games 12-15 may be altered by rule - see region link)

Host - Morgantown/WV Post 2

Location - Dale Miller Field

Teams- (won-loss may not be completly accurate!) -

Host - Morgantown/WV Post 2 (13-9)

xIllinois Champion - Rock Island/IL Post 200 (25-3) - eliminated 08/05

xIllinois Runner-up - Barrington/IL Post 158 (16-3) - eliminated 08/07

xIndiana Champion - Rockport/IN Post 254 (20-7) - eliminated 08/07

xKentucky Champion - Owensboro/KY Post 9 (28-4) - eliminated 08/06

Michigan Champion - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165 (28-3-1)

xOhio Champion - Harrison/OH Post 199 / Yeager Benson (27-5) - eliminated 08/06

xWest Virginia Champion - Bridgeport/WV Post 68 (16-6) - eliminated 08/05

*

Wednesday 08/04/2021 -

+08/04 G1 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-7, Barrington/IL Post 158-1

+08/04 G2 - Owensboro/KY Post 9-6, Rock Island/IL Post 200-3

+08/04 G3 - Rockport/IN Post 254-11, Bridgeport/WV Post 68-10

*

Thursday 08/05/2021 -

+08/04 / 08/05 G4 - Morgantown/WV Post 2-3, Harrison/OH Post 199-2 - (completed on 08/05)

+08/05 G5 - Barrington/IL Post 158-4, Bridgeport/WV Post 68-3 - elimination

+08/05 G6 - Harrison/OH Post 199-3, Rock Island/IL Post 200-2 - elimination

+08/05 G7 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-9, Rockport/IN Post 254-0 -

+08/05 G8 - Morgantown/WV Post 2-12, Owensboro/KY Post 9-2 (6 innings / 10 run rule)

*

Friday 08/06/2021 -

+08/06 G9 - Rockport/IN Post 254-5, Harrison/OH Post 199-1 - elimination

+08/06 G10 - Barrington/IL Post 158-4, Owensboro/KY Post 9-1 - elimination

+08/06 G11 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-7, Morgantown/WV Post 2-3

*

Saturday 08/07/2021 -

+08/07 G12 - Morgantown/WV Post 2-4, Rockport/IN Post 254-3 (10 innings) - elimination

+08/07 G13 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-12, Barrington/IL Post 158-2 - elimination

*

Sunday 08/08/2021 - Championshp

+08/08 G14 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-10, Morgantown/WV Post 2-1

(Midland / Morgantown GameChanger)

*V Midland/165 (10-13-0 / 10-13-0); SP/WP-Max Coughlin (RHP; Midland Dow HS/20-Delta College; 6ip/21bf; 1R/1er, 3H, 3K); 2P-Blake Waible (LHP; Bay City John Glenn HS/20-Grand Rapids CC; 1ip, 3bf; 0R, 0H, 1K); 2H (Al Money (Midland HS/21-Hope); Griffin Clark (Midland HS/20-Chattanooga State CC); Al Warner-3 (Clare/23); Trent Johnson (Midland Dow HS/21)); 2RBI (Money; Logan McCoy (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope); Warner; Johnson-3); 2B (McCoy; Warner-3);

*H Morgantown/2 (1-3-2 / 1-3-3); SP/LP-Caleb Cottle (RHP; Morgantown HS/23; 5.2ip, 32bf; 9R/7er, 13H, 4BB, 3K, 1-HBP); 2P-Zach Brennan (RHP; Morgantown HS/21-Alderson Broaddus; 1.1ip, 6bf; 1R/1er, 0H, 1BB, 1-HBP); 2H (Aaron Forbes (University HS/22)); 2B (Forbes-2);

Note: The game was delayed for several hours in the first inning due to weather;

*

Great Lakes Regional Teams -

*Host - Morgantown/WV Post 2

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/wv/302838

Team site - https://morgantownpost2.com/

*Illinois Champion - Rock Island/IL Post 200

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/il/101688

*Illinois Runner-up - Barrington/IL Post 158

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/il/303307

*Indiana Champion - Rockport/IN Post 254

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/in/3020252

*Kentucky Champion - Owensboro/KY Post 9

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/ky/305586

*Michigan Champion - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/163718

Team site - https://midlandberryhill.wixsite.com/midlandberryhill

*Ohio Champion - Harrison/OH Post 199 (Yeager Benson)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/oh/3023798

Team site - https://post199.org/home/programs/baseball/about-j-b-yeager-baseball

*West Virginia Champion - Bridgeport/WV Post 68

*ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/wv/303220

The 2021 American Legion World Series

August 11-17 - American Legion World Series - Shelby, NC - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021alws

(2 - four team pools, winner & runnerup play semifinal)

*Stars Pool -

Region 6: Central Plains Region (MN, ND, SD, WI) - Fargo/ND Post 400

Region 2: Mid-Atlantic Region (DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA) - Ridge St. Mary's/MD Post 255

Region 3: Southeast Region (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN) - Tupelo/MS Post 49

Region 8: Western Region (AZ, CA, HI, NM, NV, TX, UT) - Honolulu/HI Legion

*Stripes Pool -

Region 5: Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV) - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

Region 4: Mid-South Region (AR, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE) - Dubuque County/IA Post 137

Region 1: Northeast Region (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT) - Beverly/MA Post 331

Region 7: Northwest Region (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY) - Idaho Falls/ID Post 56

*

Thursday 08/12/2021 - pool
+08/12 G1 - Fargo/ND Post 400 vs Honolulu/HI Legion - 10am

+08/12 G2 - Dubuque County/IA Post 137 vs Beverly/MA Post 331 - 1pm

+08/12 G3 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165 vs Idaho Falls/ID Post 56 - 4pm

+08/12 G4 - Tupelo/MS Post 49 vs Ridge St. Mary's/MD Post 255 - 7:30pm

Friday 08/13/2021 - pool

+08/13 G5 - Central Plains vs Southeast - 4pm

+08/13 G6 - Mid-Atlantic vs Western - 7pm

Saturday 08/14/2021 - pool

+08/14 G7 - Mid-South vs Northwest - 1pm

+08/14 G8 - Great Lakes vs Northeast - 4pm

+08/14 G9 - Southeast vs Western - 7:30pm

Sunday 08/15/2021 - pool

+08/15 G10 - Mid-South vs

Monday 08/16/2021 - semifinals

+08/16 G13 - Winner/Stripes vs Runner-up/Stripes - 4pm

+08/16 G14 - Winner/Stripes vs Runner-up/Stars - 7pm

Tuesday 08/17/2021 - Championship

+08/17 G15 - Winner/13 vs Winner/G14 - 6:30pm

*

#Media items of interest (my selection) -

Social media sites abound, but they are too complex for me!

*The American Legion - https://www.legion.org/baseball

*The American Legion (08/05/2021) "2021 American Legion Baseball regionals: Day 1 roundup" by Richard Walker - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253273/2021-american-legion-baseball-regionals-day-1-roundup (Wednesday's games)

*The American Legion (08/06/2021) "2021 American Legion Baseball regionals: Day 2 roundup" by Richard Walker - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253303/2021-american-legion-baseball-regionals-day-2-roundup (Thursday's games)

*The American Legion (08/07/2021) "2021 American Legion Baseball regionals: Day 3 roundup" by Richard Walker - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253306/2021-american-legion-baseball-regionals-day-3-roundup (Friday's games)

*The American Legion (08/08/2021) "2021 American Legion Baseball regionals: Day 4 roundup" by Richard Walker - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253308/2021-american-legion-baseball-regionals-day-4-roundup (Saturday's games)

*The American Legion (08/08/2021) "Squads punch their tickets to American Legion World Series" by Richard Walker - https://www.legion.org/baseball/253311/squads-punch-their-tickets-american-legion-world-series

*Midland Daily News (08/08/2021) "World Series-bound: Berryhill wins big in regional final" by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/World-Series-bound-Berryhill-wins-big-in-16373394.php

*Midland Daily News (06/18/2021) "Berryhill's back: Post 165 boasts roster full of athleticism, pitching" by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/insider/article/Berryhill-s-back-Post-165-boasts-roster-full-of-16257915.php (pre-season team profile)

*WVMetroNews (08/08/2021) "Michigan downs Morgantown to win the American Legion Great Lakes Regional" by Joe Brocato - https://wvmetronews.com/2021/08/08/michigan-downs-morgantown-to-win-the-american-legion-great-lakes-regional/ (text and video)

*Dominion Post (08/08/2021) "Post 2’s special run in regional tournament ends with 10-1 loss to Midland (Mich.) Post 165" by Mark Schraf - https://www.dominionpost.com/2021/08/08/post-2s-special-run-in-regional-tournament-ends-with-10-1-loss-to-midland-mich-post-165/

*

OTHER American Legion National Regions

#REGION 1 (Northeast) - Shrewsbury, MA Host - Shrewsbury Post 397

Departments (States) - CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region1

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Newport/RI Post 18-5, Hamburg/NY Post 527-1

+Game 15 - Beverly/MA Post 331-6, Newport/RI Post 18-5 - Championship

Teams -

Connecticut: Windsor Locks Post 36
Maine: Bangor Post 75
Massachusetts: Beverly Post 331 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
New Hampshire: Portsmouth Post 6
New York: Hamburg Post 527
Rhode Island: Newport Post 18
Vermont: Essex Junction Post 91
HOST: Shrewsbury Post 397 - 2019 ALWS qualifier

#REGION 2 (Mid-Atlantic) - Asheboro, NC - Host - Randolph County Post 45

Departments (States) - DE, MD, NC, NJ, PA, VA

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region2

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Ridge St. Mary's/MD Post 255-8, Fuquay-Varina/NCPost 116-1 - Championship

Teams -

Delaware: Wilmington Post 1 - 2018 ALWS champion
Maryland: Ridge St. Mary's/MD Post 255 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
North Carolina: Fuquay-Varina Post 116
New Jersey: Allentown (OS)
Pennsylvania: Pottstown Norchester (OS)
Pennsylvania (B): Harrisburg Paxton Post 370
Virginia: Chesapeake Post 280
HOST: Randolph County Post 45 - 2019 ALWS qualifier

#REGION 3 (Southeast) - Pelham, Ala. - Host - tbd

Departments (States) - AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region3

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Florence/SC Post 1-9, Tupelo/MS Post 49-5

+Game 15 - Tupelo/MS Post 49-11, Florence/SC Post 1-3 - Championship

Teams -

Alabama: Troy Post 70
Florida: Tallahassee Post 13
Georgia: Covington Post 32
Louisiana: New Orleans Post 285
Mississippi: Tupelo Post 49 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
South Carolina: Florence Post 1
Tennessee: Columbia Post 19
HOST: Shelby County Post 555

#REGION 4 (Mid-South) - Hastings, NE - Host - Hastings Post 11

Departments (States) - AR, CO, IA, KS, MO, NE

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region4

Sunday, August 8

+Game 13 - Dubuque County/IA Post 137-11, Washington/MO Post 218-4

+Game 14 - Dubuque County/IA Post 137-3, Cabot/AR Post 71-1 - Championship

Teams -

Arkansas: Cabot Post 71
Colorado: Grand Junction (OS)
Iowa: Dubuque County Post 137 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
Kansas: Pittsburg Post 64
Missouri: Washington Post 218
Missouri (B): Oak Grove Post 379
Nebraska: Gretna Post 216
HOST: Hastings Post 11

#REGION 5 (Great Lakes) - Morgantown, WV - see above

Departments (States) - IL, IN, KY, MI, OH, WV

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region5

#REGION 6 (Central Plains) - Sioux Falls, SD - Host - Sioux Falls Post 15

Departments (States) - MN, ND, SD, WI

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region6

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Hopkins/MN Post 320-10, De Pere/WI Legion-3

+Game 15 - Fargo/ND Post 400-11, Hopkins/MN Post 320-10 - Championship

Teams -

Minnesota: Osseo Post 172
Minnesota (B): Hopkins Post 320
North Dakota: West Fargo Post 308
North Dakota (B): Fargo Post 400 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
South Dakota: Renner Post 307
Wisconsin: De Pere (OS)
Wisconsin (B): La Crosse Post 52
HOST: Sioux Falls Empire Baseball (OS)

#REGION 7 (Northwest) - Gillette, Wyo - Host - tbd

Departments (States) - AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region7

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Idaho Falls/ID Post 56-9, Helena/MT Post 2-3 - Championship

Teams -

Alaska: Eagle River
Idaho: Idaho Falls Post 56 - Champion - adavnces to ALWS
Montana: Helena Post 2
Montana (B): Billings Royals Post 4
Oregon: Eugene (OS)
Washington: Yakima Valley (OS)
Wyoming: Cheyenne Post 6
HOST: Gillette Post 42

#REGION 8 (Western) - Fairfield, CA - Host - Fairfield Expos Baseball (OS)

Departments (States) - AZ, CA, HI, NM, NV, TX, UT

link - https://americanlegion.sportngin.com/2021region8

Sunday, August 8

+Game 14 - Honolulu/HI Legion-4, League City/TX Post 554-3 - Championship

Teams -

Arizona: Boulder Creek (OS)
California: Petaluma Post 28
Hawaii: Honolulu (OS) - Champion - advances to ALWS
Nevada: Henderson Southern Nevada Post 40
New Mexico: Rio Grande (OS)
Texas: League City Post 554
Utah: Herriman Post 40
HOST: Fairfield Expo Baseball (OS)

* * *

Stolen from the 2019 American Legion World Series Program / Media book - a brief recap of Midland Berryhill Post 165 2009 Championship season -

2009 -- Midland MI Post 165

FARGO, ND – On a sun-splashed afternoon that felt more like an autumn college football Saturday, Midland, Michigan Post 165 won the 2009 American Legion World Series championship.

It was a perfect ending to an otherwise imperfect tournament due to inclement weather. In fact, seven of the tourney’s 14 games were seven inning affairs instead of the normal nine-inning games due to the weather. In the end it was Midland, Michigan claiming the national championship beating Medford, Oregon Post 15, 11-4 in front of 1,867 at Newman Outdoor Stadium on the campus of North Dakota State University.

Defending champion Las Vegas returned to defend its title and was the pre-tourney choice to repeat but just prior to the start of the Series, Jeff Malm, the MVP in ’08 signed a Big League contract. Midland, the only other returning team from 2008 field was then installed a slight favorite to claim the crown. Midland did not disappoint its fans by going 5-0 at the ALWS.

The mainstay was tourney MVP Jordan Dean. Dean, shortstop, anchored a defense that turned 12 double plays.

Perhaps one of the wildest games in American Legion history saw Midland eliminate Rowan County NC, 15-14.

Midland was cruising with a 12-0 margin going into the sixth inning when North Carolina exploded for eight runs. Midland countered with three runs in the seventh before North Carolina scored five in the seventh. In the bottom of the ninth, North Carolina scored again to cut the margin to one and the game ended that way.

The championship game was exciting as Midland jumped off to an 8-0 lead and coasted to the win. Midland ended its most successful season at 54-7 record.

* * *

08/01/2021 - Class AA 2021 American Legion Department of Michigan Baseball Championship (08/01/2021)

08/01/2021 - Class AA 2021 American Legion Department of Michigan Baseball Championship (08/01/2021)

UNOFFICIAL (as always I try my best but there is no guarantee that my digits do what I want!)

It is interesting to see the extensive coverage of local American Legion teams in the Ohio championships as opposed to the lack of same (excluding Midland / Gladwin and the Upper Peninsula) in Michigan;  Thanks RRN Sports and the Midland Daily News! and all those papers "down south"!

July 29-August 1 at Stevensville, MI hosted by Stevensville Post 568

*Michigan American Legion Baseball - https://michiganlegion.org/baseball/

*American Legion Baseball - https://www.legion.org/baseball

2021 Michigan Class AA Champion - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

(previous winners listed near the bottom)

Robert Turner Baseball Scholarship (first awarded in 2013) -

2021 - Scott Jackson (Adrian/MI Post 275)

2020 - no season

2019 - Collin Bradley (Adrian/MI Post 275)

2018 - Clark Nelson (Adrian/MI Post 275)

2017 - Kyle Staelgraeve (Adrian/MI Post 275)

2016 - Camden Dice (Gladwin/MI Post 171)

2015 - Grant Anschuetz (Adrian/MI Post 275)

2014 - Tyrus Millimaki (Ishpeming/MI Post 114)

2013 - Hunter Hayes (Adrian/MI Post 275)

*Robert Turner Baseball Scholarship description and application - https://michiganlegion.org/assets/baseball/2021TurnerBaseballScholarship.pdf

KiKi Cuyler Award - Michigan Class AA Tournament MVP -

2021 - Avian Rivera (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165)

2020 - no season

2019 - Carson Longstreth (Gladwin/MI Post 171)

2018 - Tyler David (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165)

2017 - Martin Money (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165);

2016 - Brady Wood (Bay City/MI Post 18);
2015 - Derek Clyde (Midland Berryhill Post 165)

2014 - Adam Fitzgibbon (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165)

2012 - Adam Fitzgibbon (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165)

2011 - Colton Loomis (Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165)

(1929 - 2016 list - https://michiganlegion.org/assets/kikicuyler_winners.pdf)

*

Media links at the bottom

Sunday August 1 -

+G11 Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-4, Gladwin/MI Post 171-1 - Championship Game

(Gladwin GameChanger)

*V Midland/165 (4-5-0); SP/WP-Lane Kloha (RHP; Midland HS/23 - 7ip/cg, 28bf, 1R/1er, 6H, 2BB, 2K); 2H (Al Warner (Clare/23)); 2B (Griffin Clark (Midland/20-Chattanooga State CC); Trent Johnson (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope); Warner);

*H Gladwin/171 (1-6-1); SP/LP-Carson Oldani (RHP; Beaverton/21-Northwood - 7ip/cg, 30bf, 4R/3er, 5H, 1BB, 3-HBP); 2H (Trent Reed (Beaverton/21-Lawrence Tech)); 3B (Reed);

Saturday July 31 -

+G10 Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-5, Gladwin/MI Post 171-2

(Gladwin GameChanger)

*V Midland/165 (5-8-1); SP/WP-Dylan Thompson (RHP; Alma/22 - 6.1ip, 25bf; 2R/2er, 4H, 2BB, 6K, 1-HBP); 2P/Save-Brody Krzysiak (RHP; Bay City John Glenn HS/23; 2/3ip, 5bf; 0R, 2H, 1BB, 2K); 2H (Griffin Clark (Midland/20-Chattanooga State CC); Al Warner-3 (Clare/23)); 2RBI (Avian Rivera (Dow/20-Oakland)); HR (Rivera (2R)); 2B (Trent Johnson (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope));

*H Gladwin/171 (2-6-1); SP/LP-Avery Goldensoph (RHP; Swan Valley/21-Michigan - 4.1ip, 23bf; 5R/4er, 6H, 4BB, 3K); 2P-AJ Shouey (RHP; Swan Valley/21 - 2.2ip, 9bf; 0R, 2H, 1BB, 1K); 2H (Jarrett Inscho (Beaverton/20-Mid-Michigan); Carter Campau (Bullock Creek/22));

+G9 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-8, Stevensville/MI Post 568-1 - elimination game

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Midland/165 (8-9-0); SP/WP-Maxwell Coughlin (RHP; Midland Dow HS/20-Delta - 6.2ip, 26bf; 1R/1er, 7H, 1BB, 7K); 2P-Logan McCoy (2B/RHP; Midland Dow HS/21-Hope - 1/3ip, 2bf; 0R, 1H, 1BB); 2H (Logan McCoy (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope); Trent Johnson (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope)); 2RBI (Al Money (Midland HS/21-Hope); McCoy; Avian Rivera (Midland Dow HS/20-Oakland)); HR (Rivera (1R)); 3B (Money); 2B (Braylen Laverty (Midland HS/22); Johnson);

*H Stevensville/568 (1-8-1); SP/LP-Jack McQueen (RHP; St Joseph HS/21 - 3ip, 18bf; 2R/2er, 5H, 4BB, 1K); 2P-Garrett Brewer (LHP; Berrien Springs HS/23 - 1.2ip, 10bf, 3R/3er, 2H, 3BB); 3P-Tyson Williams (RHP; Watervliet HS/23 - 2.1ip, 3R/3er, 2H, 1K, 1-HBP); 2H (Jayce Warren-3 (Bridgman HS/22); Riley Adams (Stevensville Lakeshore HS/21));

Friday July 30 -

+G8 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-18, Mt Pleasant/MI Post 110-4 - elimination

(Midland GameChanger)

*V Midland/165 (18-16-0); SP/WP-Nathan Masar (RHP; Bullock Creek HS/23; 4.2ip, 23bf; 4R/4er, 6H, 3BB, 8K); 2P-Al Money (3B/RHP; Midland HS/21-Hope; 2.1ip, 10bf; 0R, 3H, 3K); 2H (Al Money (Midland HS/21-Hope); Griffin Clark (Midland HS/20-Chattanooga State CC); Dylan (DJ) Thompson (Alma HS/22); Brody Krzysiak (Bay City John Glenn HS/23)); 2RBI (Money; Derek Beougher (Bullock Creek HS/20-Saginaw Valley); Thompson-4; Krzysiak-3; Braylen Laverty-5 (Midland HS/22)); 3B (Logan McCoy (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope)); 2B (Laverty-2; Money; Avian Rivera (Midland Dow HS/20-Oakland); Thompson);

*H Mt Pleasant/110 (4-9-1); SP/LP-Zade Garrett (RHP; Morley Stanwood HS/23 - 4ip, 24bf; 8R/6er, 6H, 4BB, 2K, 1-HBP); 2P-Keegan Fry (RHP; Alma HS/22; 2ip, 12bf; 5R/4er, 6H, 1BB, 1K); 3P-Andrew Seavey (RHP; Portland HS/20 - 1ip, 11bf; 5R/5er, 4H, 3BB, 1-HBP); 2H (Cole Olson (Central Montcalm/21-Lake Michigan); Chris Campau (Standish-Sterling HS/20-Mid-Michigan); Mike Hunter (Alma HS/22)); 2RBI (Hunter); 2B (Hunter; Cole Olson; Andrew Seavey (Portland HS/20));

+G7 - Gladwin/MI Post 171-5, Stevensville/MI Post 568-1 - winners bracket

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Stevensville/568 (1-2-4); SP/LP-Jaidyn Morris (LHP; Stevensville Lakeshore HS/20-Indiana South Bend; 5.2ip, 29bf; 5R/5er, 8H, 3BB, 3K); 2P-Dylan Reisig (RHP; Bridgman HS/22; 1/3ip, 2bf, 0R, 1H);

*H Gladwin/171 (5-9-1); SP/WP-Owen Franklin (RHP; Oscoda HS/21-Northwood; 6ip, 22bf; 1R/0er, 2H, 2BB, 8K); 2P-Avery Goldensoph (RHP; Swan Valley/21-Michigan; 1ip, 3bf; 0R, 0H, 1K); 2H (Addison Vallad-3 (Standish-Sterling/22)); 2RBI (Vallad-3); 2B (Trent Reed (Beaverton/21-Lawrence Tech));

+G6 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-15, Adrian/MI Post 275-1 (5 innings) - elimination

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Midland/165 (15-10-0); SP/WP-Nolan Sanders (LHP; Midland Dow HS/22; 2ip, 6bf; 0R, 0H, 1K); 2P-Alan Harvey (LHP; Midland HS/21; 3ip, 13bf; 1R/1er, 3H, 1BB, 4K); 2H (Al Money (Midland HS/21-Hope); Derek Beougher (Bullock Creek HS/20-Saginaw Valley); Braylen Laverty (Midland HS/22); Trent Johnson (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope)); 2RBI (Griffin Clark (Midland HS/20-Chattanooga State CC); Avian Rivera (Midland Dow HS/20-Oakland); Beougher; Johnson); 2B (Johnson);

*H Adrian/275 (1-3-7); SP/LP-Aiden Nighswander (RHP; Britton-Deerfield HS/20-Siena Heights; 2ip, 14bf; 6R/5er?, 5H, 2BB, 1K, 3-HBP); 2P-Justin (Jed) Falasco (RHP; Michigan CenterHS /22; 2/3ip, 13bf; 9R/2er?, 5H, 3BB, 1-HBP); 3P-Brendan Howard (RHP; Adrian HS/22; 2.1ip, 9bf; 0R, 0H, 1BB, 1K); 2B (Robert Gauna (Adrian Madison HS/21-Glen Oaks));

+G5 - Mt Pleasant/MI Post 110-8, Three Oaks/MI Post 204-6 - elimination

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Three Oaks/204 (6-8-6); SP/LP-Ty Mickiewicz (RHP; Niles Brandywine HS/20-Bethel; 5.1ip, 27bf, 6R/3er?, 6H, 2BB, 8K); 2P-Jackson Anderson (RHP; St Joseph Michigan Lutheran HS/23; 2/3ip, 6bf; 2R/2er, 3H, 1BB); 2H (Ty Mickiewicz-3 (Niles Brandywine HS/20-Bethel); Keeghan Pelley (Buchanan HS/21); Austin Bradley (Niles HS/22)); 2RBI (Mickiewicz; Pelley); 3B (Pelley);

*H Mt Pleasant/110 (8-9-3); SP/WP-Cole Olson (RHP; Central Montcalm HS/21-Lake Michigan; 4.2ip, 22bf, 1R/1er, 5H, 1BB, 7K, 1-HBP); 2P-Mason Stambaugh (SS/RHP; Alma HS/22; 2.1ip, 14bf; 5R/4er, 3H, 3BB, 2K); 2H ( Mason Stambaugh (Alma HS/22); McKeegan Ferguson (Montebella HS/21)); 2RBI (Keegan Fry (Alma HS/22));

Thursday July 29 -

+G4 - Stevensville/MI Post 568-7, Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-6

(GameChanger from Stevensville)

*V Midland/165 (6-10-0); SP/nd-Danny Witbeck (RHP; Evart HS/21-Northwood; 5ip, 25bf; 6R/6er, 8H, 2BB, 3K, 1-HBP); 2P/LP-Lane Kloha (RHP; Midland HS/23; 1.2ip, 9bf; 1R/1er, 3H, 1-HBP); 2H (Nolan Sanders (Midland Dow HS/22); Logan McCoy (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope); Brody Krzysiak (Bay City John Glenn HS/23)); 2B (Derek Beougher (Bullock Creek HS/20-Saginaw Valley); McCoy; Al Money (Midland HS/21-Hope));

*H Stevensville/568 (7-11-1); SP/nd-Jayce Warren (RHP; Bridgman/22; 5ip, 25bf, 6R/6er, 9H, 1BB, 1K); 2P/WP-Tyson Williams (RHP; Watervliet HS/23; 2ip, 7bf; 0R, 1H, 1K); 2H (Owen Kelley-3 (St Joseph HS/22); Grant Ruddell (Stevensville Lakeshore HS/21-Clarke); Nate Necas (Bridgman/22)); 2RBI (Dylan Reisig (Bridgman/22); Kelley); HR (Kelley-2 (1R, 1R)); 2B (Necas);

+G3 - Gladwin/MI Post 171-15, Mt Pleasant/MI Post 110-0

(GameChanger from Gladwin)

*V Gladwin/171 (15-12-0); SP/WP-Carson Oldani (RHP; Beaverton/21-Northwood - 3ip, 11bf; 0R, 1H, 1K, 1-HBP); 2P-Colin Sackrider (RHP; Garber/22; 2ip, 7bf, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 3K); 2H (Carter Campau (Bullock Creek/22); Owen Franklin-3 (Oscoda/21-Northwood); Addison Vallad (Standish-Sterling/22)); 2RBI (Jarrett Inscho-4 (Beaverton/20-Mid-Michigan); Campau; Avery Goldensoph (Swan Valley/21-Michigan); Franklin; Vallad); 2B (Campau; Inscho);

*H Mt Pleasant/110 (0-2-2); SP/LP-Chris Campau (RHP; Standish-Sterling HS/20-Mid-Michigan; 4.2ip, 36bf; 15R/13er, 12H, 8BB, 2K); 2P-Zade Garrett (RHP; Morely Stanwood/23; 1/3ip, 1bf; 0R, 0H);

+G2 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165-8, Three Oaks/MI Post 204-1

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Three Oaks/204 (2-3-2); SP/LP-Elijah Witter (RHP; River Valley HS/20 - 6ip/cg, 28bf, 8R/6er?, 7H, 5BB); 2H (Alex Ritter (St Joseph Michigan Lutheran HS/21)); 2B (Keeghan Pelley (Buchanan/21)

*H Midland/165 (8-7-1); SP/WP-Andrew Young (RHP; Bullock Creek HS/23 - 3ip, 15bf; 1R/1er, 2H, 4BB, 4K, 1-HBP); 2P-Blake Waibel (LHP; Bay City John Glenn HS/20-Grand Rapids CC - 3ip, 11bf, 1R/0er, 1H, 1BB, 4K); 3P-Nathan Masar (Nathan Masar (RHP; Bullock Creek HS/23; 1ip, 3bf; 0R, 0H, 1K); 2H (Logan McCoy (Midland Dow HS/21-Hope)); 2RBI (Avian Rivera (Midland Dow HS/20-Oakland); Dylan (DJ) Thompson (Alma HS/22)); HR (Rivera (2R)); 3B (Derek Beougher (Bullock Creek HS/20-Saginaw Valley)); 2B (Thompson);

+G1 - Gladwin/MI Post 171-7, Adrian/MI Post 275-0 (5 innings)

(Jim's unofficial stats)

*V Gladwin/171 (7-7-1-8LOB); SPWP-13/Jarrett Inscho (RHP, Beaverton/20 - Mid Michigan - 4ip, 14bf, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 4K); 2P-16/Andrew Shouey (RHP, Swan Valley/21 - 2ip, 8bf, 0R, 2H, 2K); 3P-9/Blaise Millar (RHP, Garber/22 - 1ip, 3bf, 0r, 0H, 1K); 2H (27/Trent Reed-3 (SS; Beaverton/21); 20/Carter Campau (C; Bullock Creek/22)); 2RBI (27/Reed; 20/Campeau); 2B (29/Avery Goldensoph (RF; 21/Swan Valley - Michigan); 11/Brendan DeFlorio (OF?; Mio Au Sable/20 - Mott CC));

*H Adrian/275 (0-2-2-4LOB); SP/LP-8/Palmer (RHP; Adrian/23 - 4.2ip, 28bf, 7R/4er?, 6H, 3BB, 5K, 4-HBP); 2P-16/Justin (Jed) Falasco (RHP; Michigan Center/22 - 1.2ip, 6bf, 0R, 1H, 1K); 3P-4/Brendan Howard (RHP; Adrian/22 - 2/4ip, 2bf, 0R, 0H); 2B (22/Ethan Eyler (CF; Summerfield/21); 7/Connor Davies (RF; Adrian/21));

* * *

American Legion Department of Michigan Baseball Class AA Champions (2011-2021) -

2021 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2020 - no season

2019 - Gladwin/MI Post 171

2018 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2017 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2016 - Bay City/MI Post 18

2015 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2014 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2013 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

2012 - Adrian/MI Post 275

2011 - Midland Berryhill/MI Post 165

(1926 - 2020 listing all Departments! - https://www.legion.org/documents/baseball/dept_champions.pdf)

Teams -

*Adrian Post 275 Adrian, Mi AA 2021 Baseball Team (Adrian, MI)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/3020288

team link - https://www.post275baseball.com/

*Gladwin County, Post 171 AA 2021 Baseball Team (Gladwin, MI)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/99089

*Midland Berryhill Post 165 AA 2021 Baseball Team (Midland, MI)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/163718

team link - https://midlandberryhill.wixsite.com/midlandberryhill

*Mt Pleasant, MI Owen Barrett Post #110 AA 2021 Baseball Team (Mount Pleasant, MI)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/108894

*Stevensville Post 568 AA 2021 Baseball Team (Stevensville, MI)

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/303624

*Three Oaks Post 204 AA 2021 Baseball Team (Three Oaks, MI) -

ALB link - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/100597

Media -

#Midland Daily News -

*08/01/2021 “State champs: Berryhill scores late to beat Gladwin again” by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/State-champs-Berryhill-scores-late-to-beat-16355882.php (Sunday's Championship game)

*07/31/2021 “Berryhill beats Gladwin, forces all-or-nothing rematch” by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Berryhill-beats-Gladwin-forces-all-or-nothing-16354806.php (Saturday's games)

*07/30/2021 “Berryhill survives, Gladwin advances to state final” by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Berryhill-survives-Gladwin-advances-to-state-16353569.php (Friday's games)

*07/29/2021 “Gladwin into W.B. final, Berryhill falls into losers' bracket” by Fred Kelly - https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/Gladwin-into-W-B-final-Berryhill-falls-into-16350793.php (Thursday's games)

#Herald Palladium -

*07/29/2021 “Stevensville eyes Legion baseball state title” by Ben Sanders - https://www.heraldpalladium.com/sports/stevensville-eyes-legion-baseball-state-title/article_390015d0-c053-5ba8-b7ed-cfb501013657.html

* * *

08/01/2021 - 2021 American Legion Department of Michigan Class A Baseball Championship (08/01/2021)

08/01/2021 - 2021 American Legion Department of Michigan Class A Baseball Championship (08/01/2021)

unofficial

 

July 29-31 at Marquette, MI hosted by Marquette Post 44

*Michigan American Legion Baseball - https://michiganlegion.org/baseball/

*American Legion Baseball - https://www.legion.org/baseball

2021 Michigan Class A Champion - Marquette/MI Post 44 “Blues” 

(Prior champions listed near the bottom)

Hal Newhouser Award - Michigan Class A Tournament MVP -

2021 - Erik Johnson (Marquette/MI Post 44)

2020 - no season

2019 - Cody Frappier (Gladstone/MI Post 71)

2018 - Braeden Lamberg (Gladstone/MI Post 71)

2017 - Ben Schwalbach (Gladstone/MI Post 71)

2016 - Hal Boden (Hudson/MI Post 180)

2015 - McKinley Larson (Marquette/MI Post 44)

2014 - Samuel Pouliot (Gladstone/MI Post 71)

2013 - David Falish (Escanaba/MI Post 82)

2012 - Kyle Sexton (Kingsford/MI Post 363)

2011 - Cody Larson (Negaunee/MI Post 114) - 2011 was the first year of the Award

Media links at the bottom

Saturday July 31 -

+G10 Championship - Marquette/MI Post 44-10, Copper Country/Houghton Legion-0 (5in) - Championship

*V Marquette (10-7-1); SP/WP-Dakota Maki (5ip, 18bf, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 3K); 2H (Jakob Peterson; Justin Wenk); 2RBI (Hogan Nemetz); HR (Peter VandenAvond (1R)); 2B (Brock Taylor);

*H - Cooper Country (0-0-1); SP/LP-Dean Jurmu (3.1ip, 20bf, 9R/7er, 5H, 4BB, 1K, 1-HBP); 2P-Dylan Horning (1/2ip, 9bf, 1R/1er, 2H, 2BB, 1K);

+G9 - Copper Country/Houghton Legion-7, Rosebush/MI Post 383-3 - elimination game

(GameChanger from Rosebush)

*V Copper Country - (7-12-0); SP/WP-Eli Oldt (7ip, 27bf, 3R/3ER, 4H, 1BB, 2K, 1-HBP); 2H (Kade Farrell; Brandon Norkol-3; Eli Oldt); 2RBI (Norkol-3); 2B Norkol);

*H Rosebush/383 (3-4-1); SP/LP-Ryan McIntyre (3.1ip, 21bf, 4R/4er, 9H, 3BB, 2K); 2P-Marcus Castelleon (3.2ip, 18bf, 3R/3er, 3H, 2BB, 7K, 2-HBP); 2H (Logan Borodychuk; Carter Norris); 2RBI (Borodychuk); 2B (Borodychuk-2);

Friday July 30 -

+G8 - Rosebush/MI Post 383-9, Menominee Legion-2 - elimination game

(GameChanger from Rosebush)

*V Menominee (2-4-7); SP/LP-Zachary Starzynski (4.1ip, 26bf, 9R/3er, 7H, 2BB, 3K); 2P-Connor Schroeder (1.2.ip, 8bf, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 1K); 2H (Andrew Schroeder); 2B (Ethan Russell; Andrew Schroeder);

*H Rosebush/383 (9-7-2); SP/WP-Andrew Funnell (6ip, 28bf, 2R/2er, 4H, 4BB, 4K); 2P-Logan Borodychuk (1ip, 5bf, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 2K); 2RBI (Max Sly); 2B (Sly);

+G7 - Marquette/MI Post 44-10, Copper Country/Houghton Legion-0 (5in) - winners bracket

(GameChanger from Marquette)

*V Copper Country (0-2-3); SP/LP-Nick Horning (4.1ip, 28bf, 10R/3er, 9H, 4BB, 4K);

*H Marquette/44 (10-9-1); SP/WP-Erik Johnson (5ip, 19bf, 0R, 2H, 12K, 1-HBP); 2H (Peter VandenAvond); 2RBI (Jakob Peterson);

+G6 - Rosebush/MI Post 383-19, Chief Pontiac/MI Post 377-14 - elimination

(GameChanger from Rosebush)

*V Chief Pontiac/377 (14-12-9); No names (4 pitchers (#7; #00; #1; #15) - 6ip, 47bf, 19R/8er, 6H, 12BB, 2K, 3-HBP); 2H (#1; #25, #21-4; #00); 2RBI (#25; #21-4); 2B (#1);

*H Rosebush/383 (19-6-6); SP/WP?-Tyler Hutchins (2.2ip, 13bf, 2R/2er, 5H, 0BB, 3K); 2P-Ryan McIntyre (2ip, 8bf; 2R/2er, 2H, 1BB, 1K); 3P-Carter Norris (5bf; 5R/5er, 1H, 3BB, 1-HBP); 4P-Griffin Phillips (2.1ip, 16bf; 5R/0er, 4H, 1BB, 1K); 2H (Carter Norris; Brady Beebe); 2RBI (Beebe-3); 2B (Beebe; Hunter Maxon);

+G5 - Menominee Legion-5, Blissfield/MI Post 324-2 - elimination

(RRNsports)

*V Blissfield (2-?-?); SP/LP=Kage Little;

*H Menominee (5-?-?); SP/WP-Andrew Schroeder (6.1ip, ?R, 6H, 5BB, 10K); 2H (Andrew Schroeder-3); 2RBI (Kaedaen Calacri); 2B (Kaedaen Calacri; Andrew Schroeder);

Thursday July 29 -

+G4 - Marquette/MI Post 44-8, Rosebush/MI Post 383-5

(GameChanger from Rosebush / Marquette)

*V Rosebush/383 (5-9-5 / 5-8-4); SP/LP-Blake Moore (5ip, 27bf, 6R/5er, 7H, 3BB, 4K); 2P-Marcus Castellon (1ip, 5bf; 2R/1er, 1H, 1BB); 2H (Logan Borodychuk; Mike Whitman-3); 2RBI (Ryan McIntyre);

*H Marquette/44 (8-8-2 / 8-8-2); SP/WP-Justin Wenk (6.2ip, 31bf, 5R/4er, 9H/8H, 2BB, 3K); 2P/Save-Erik Johnson (1/3ip, 1bf, 0R, 0H, 1K); 2H (Erik Johnson; Justin Wenk / Peter VandenAvond; Johnson; Wenk); 2RBI (Hogan Nemetz-3);

+G3 - Copper Country / Houghton Legion-1, Menominee-0

(RRNSports)

*Menominee (0-?-?); SP/LP?-Ethan Russell (6ip, 1R/1er?, 2H, 6BB, 6K); 2P-Andrew Shroeder;

*Copper Country (1-?-?); SP-Kade Farrell (7ip/cg, 0R, 5H, 3BB, 7K);

+G2 - Rosebush/MI Post 383-5, Blissfield/MI Post 325-2

(GameChanger from Rosebush)

*V Rosebush/383 (5-8-0); SP/WP-Mike Whitman (6ip, 23bf; 2R/2er, 2H, 4B, 8K); Andrew Funnell (1ip, 4bf; 0R, 0H, 1BB, 3K); 2H (Tyler Hutchins; Hunter Maxon); 2B (Hutchins; Max Sly);

*H Blissfield/325 (2-2-2); no names (SP/LP-#6 (4.2ip, 27bf, 3R/3er, 7H, 6BB, 4K); 2P-#21 (1.1ip, 5bf, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 1K); 3P-#3 (1ip, 6bf, 2R/0er, 1H, 1-HBP); 2RBI (#4 - 2 run squeeze);

+G1 - Copper Country / Houghton Legion-2, Chief Pontiac/MI Post 377-1

(RRNSports)

*V

*H

Media -

*RRN Sports Saturday 07/31 coverage: “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Blues Win State Title” - http://www.rrnsports.com/story.cfm?story=4817

*RRN Sports Friday 07/30 coverage: “ONE MORE TO GO: Marquette Blues Mercy Flames” - http://www.rrnsports.com/story.cfm?story=4816

*RRN Sports Friday 07/30 coverage: “Menominee Red Wave Eliminated At State Tourney” - http://www.rrnsports.com/story.cfm?story=4815

*RRN Sports Thursday 07/29 coverage: “Marquette Blues Hold On For State Tourney Victory ” - http://www.rrnsports.com/story.cfm?story=4814

*RRN Sports Thursday 07/29 coverage: “WILD RIDE CONTINUES: Flames Walk Off Again” - http://www.rrnsports.com/story.cfm?story=4813

*Escanaba Daily Press scores from Friday 07/30 - https://www.dailypress.net/sports/local-sports/2021/07/legion-scores-2/

*Escanaba Daily Press scores from Thursday 07/29 - https://www.dailypress.net/sports/local-sports/2021/07/legion-scores/

*Mining Journal News from Friday 07/30 - https://www.miningjournal.net/sports/local-sports/2021/07/capitalizing-on-break-marquete-blues-extinguish-copper-country%e2%80%88flames-10-0-in-winners-bracket-of-american-legion-class-a-state-tournament/

*Mining Journal News from Thursday 07/29 - https://www.miningjournal.net/sports/local-sports/2021/07/marquette-blues-victorious-in-opening-game-to-advance-in-winners-bracket-of-american-legion-baseball-state-tourney/

American Legion Department of Michigan Baseball Class A Champions (2011 was the first season)

2021 - Marquette/MI Post 44

2020 - no season

2019 - Gladstone/MI Post 71

2018 - Gladstone/MI Post 71

2017 - Gladstone/MI Post 71

2016 - Hudson/MI Post 180

2015 - Marquette/MI Post 44

2014 - Gladstone/MI Post 71

2013 - Hudson/MI Post 180

2012 - Kingsford/MI Post 363

2011 - Hudson/MI Post 180

*

Team information -

*Blissfield Post 325 A 2021 Baseball Team (Blissfield) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/305507

*Clarkston Chief Pontiac 16U A 2021 Baseball Team (Clarkston) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/3023809

*Copper Country Flames Hancock Post 186 A (Houghton - Hancock) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/99350

*Marquette Legion Blues a 2021 Baseball Team (Marquette) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/3022217

*Menominee Red Wave a 2021 Baseball Team (Menominee) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/98208

*Rosebush Post 383 Sr. A 2021 Baseball Team (Mt Pleasant) - https://www.legion.org/baseball/teams/2021/mi/3024237

* * *

Why I Swear

 Why I Swear

TEN REASONS WHY I SWEAR (I stole this!)

1 - It pleases my mother so much.

2 - It is a fine mark of manliness.

3 - It proves I have self-control.

4 - It indicates how clearly my mind operates.

5 - It makes my conversation so pleasing to everybody.

6 - It leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind as to my good breeding.

7 - It impresses people that I have more than an ordinary education.

8 - It is an unmistakable sign of culture and refinement.

9 - It makes me a very desirable personality among women, children and respectable society.

10 - It is my way of honoring GOD, who said, “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your GOD". 

 

ps I "stole" this

Who's Watching?

Who's Watching? (Jim stole this from an American Legion Baseball coach)

This is an interesting article that I found on the web. Many of our players are working with the goal of playing at a higher level. I think this makes some excellent points and our players should be mindful of them as they go about their business on and off the ball field.

"Because You Never Know Who's Watching"

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be allowed to sit with several college coaches as they evaluated talent at a very good high school baseball tournament. This was a small tournament with only six invited teams, held at a major division 1 college campus. A showcase tournament.

No player's names are being used, no teams are being mentioned and I will try to stay as generic as possible with the description of these players. The focus of this article is to make a point, not to embarrass any particular player.

The following are some of the comments and discussions that I was allowed to listen in on:

(A) The first involves a player with a national reputation listed as a top prospect in several sources that I am familiar with. He is a position player. The coaches were in agreement that this player had several nice tools: Good arm strength, good glove and good speed. The question that each of them had was his ability to hit at the upper end of college baseball. Some coaches told me that the solid tools that the player had would make him a prospect to them even without plus hitting abilities.

What happened next amazed even me. The player was struggling with his bat but showed flashes of an upside. However on defense the player did not move well. Did not show good anticipation, did not follow foul balls (showing a jump). More often than not only moved from his position if he was involved in the play.

observations / comments -

Some of the coaches REALLY did not like the lazy (their words - not mine) attitude shown. On a couple of stolen base attempts (where the player was covering the bag) he did not make an attempt to stop a less than perfect throw. Basically he flagged at the ball and got out of the way.

One coach told me that he wanted players that were interested in sticking their nose in there and getting dirty. This coach is with a team that would be considered a "national power".

Some of the coaches told me that they would have to see the player again; later this summer before making any decision regarding a potential scholarship offer. Other coaches told me that they probably would not pursue this player any further.

(B) Next up is a right handed pitcher who was throwing solidly in the upper 80 mph range

He has a slight movement on his fastball, an okay breaking ball and a fair change-up. This player however did impress many of the coaches. WHY ?

observations / comments -

He did not have his best control at times. At times was getting penalized by a moving and small strike zone, and had 5 errors made behind him, by his defense. What caught the coach's attention was his ability to battle and keep challenging the hitters. He did not drop his head or slump his shoulders when things went against him. He showed no expression when a ball was called on an obvious strike.

He even went so far as to walk over and speak to his second baseman, after a costly error and then pat him on the back as he walked away. The coaches I was sitting near did not miss this! Each of the coaches that I spoke to admitted that they did not have the player on their lists of potential recruits. Each also said that they would be making a point to see the player pitch again this summer. This player became a prospect with several big time schools on a day when he was the losing pitcher and did not have his best stuff. Because of his attitude and the heart he showed.

(C) Third Example: Is a big 1st baseman. This young man does not run like a gazelle, does not have a great arm. (average at best). He is not what you would term athletic but he is not fat. However he made points with several of the coaches in attendance.

Of course you have guessed it by now: The young man can hit with the best of them.

observations / comments -

There is a little more to the story though. He can hit to all fields with power. He displayed a good ability to go with a pitch. He showed a good knowledge of the strike zone. I personally did not see him chase a bad pitch. With runners on second and third and no outs in a one run ball game this young man hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield. He did this with a 2-strike count. He made an out and the run scored. He did his job for his team.

He hit a home run or two over the weekend, a double or two to the spacious gaps, had several screaming singles, but more importantly he hustled! This player ran hard on and off the field, every inning. He did not quit as most of his teammates did in a blow out loss at one point in the tournament.

As one pro scout commented to me: "A player never changes his game, no matter what the score. A player plays as hard if his team is behind seven runs or ahead seven runs, or if his team is in a one run ball game."

If you think that college coaches and professional scouts do not notice the little things you are mistaken. As one coach told me: "We have to pay attention to each of the intangibles, it is the only real separator between some of these guys." He went on to explain that each recruiting year they will have several players on their board that are essentially equal in athletic skills and ability. What then makes the difference is the Little Things.

So the next time you think that it doesn't matter how you hustle or present yourself maybe you should revisit that part of your game. As another coach told me: "A player can hustle and give his maximum effort even on a day when he and/or his team is not playing their best game. It doesn't take any athletic ability to hustle."

You Never Know Who Is Watching !

* * *