Hi Mom and Dad and Happy Easter
I hope that you had a nice Easter, and I'm glad that you spent it with Rob and his family.
I had flashbacks yesterday of the many Easter's spent with you and the boys, especially the baskets. You always made holidays very special and a lot of fun.
I guess that Kim feels very uncomfortable coming to your house with all the kids, she is very concerned about them breaking something or spilling something or just getting into trouble. Marriage is definitely very hard sometimes, as we try to balance doing what we feel is right with being generous and sacrificing our needs and desires.
Anyway, I looked over Jordan's schedule and most of his remaining games are on Saturdays, so here is the schedule. Look it over and pick a weekend.
http://www.up-littleleague.org/Schedules/Schedule_BB-Major.php
He is on the Rays.
By the way, last game he seems to have solidified his spot and the second baseman, which is more of an achievement that he realizes. He started late and I remember practices where the infield was set and then the subs were put in behind them. There are two stars on the team, both 12 year olds that play short, so that spot is taken. The other kids are one of the coaches kids and he also plays travel team. They tried him at third and although he made two good plays, his losing focus led the coach to worry about him getting hurt and moved him to second.
In his last game he stayed very focused after we discussed it and made at least six plays from there. He's not as sure handed as Jimmy Rollins but the coaches have said that he is obviously not afraid of the ball as he always gets his body in front of it and knocks it down. The last game our pitcher threw very hard and most of the balls were hit to the right side so he had lots of action and did very well.
He also batted second, moving up from 6th, but looked bad at the plate. He has a habit of changing his stance even when he is doing well, which makes me crazy. (Just like at home, always tinkering!). Hopefully he will come around and start hitting the ball again. I also have to remember that the 12 year olds throw very hard and he is just a little guy.
More importantly, he got a 98 in Physics at the homeschool co-op he goes to, highest in his class, even though there are high schoolers in his class.
And last night I typed M-O-M on the computer in large letters and Daniel stared at it for a minute and then smiled and said MOM!
Every time we go out we get compliments on how beautiful they all are and well behaved.
It's roller coaster ride of highs and lows, the house is a disaster, I can't find my tools, and my job is too darn demanding. But I am grateful for everything I have and everything you and Dad did for me.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Baseball
Jordan has started to struggle at the plate. he struck out twice and walked twice and didn't look confident in either at bat. He messed with his stance, for whatever reason, and was more crouched. I wish he would just leave it alone. He played 2nd base the whole game, though and did well. I think he had about six plays, all were putouts. It's good that he has his confidence in the field. I know that 12th graders throw hard, but I also know he can hit them, he just needs the confidence. Baseball is hard that way. Confidence is everything.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Rays - Cardinals
This is the email wrap-up from coach McKenna:
Wow, last nights game was truly amazing. I have been coaching in UPLL since 2004 and that is one of the more amazing finishes to a game that i have seen in a long time. The game itself wasn't that exciting but For the other team to go ahead in a very close game via a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth and for our team to come back in the top of the 6th like we did is really very special. I am glad i could be there for it and i am glad our all the members of our team were there to see it. I think it shows alot for these boys to just play baseball in the last inning when they could have easily just mailed it in and put their heads down and gave up.
It was truly a team effort and everyone contributed in some way. To point out a few significant contributions in the game:
1) First lets thank Jake McKenna for the catch at the end of the game - i think he ran up at first to catch it in order to put some excitement in the catch. He fought very hard to make the catch and end the game. Jake also scored from first base on Sean's double which was some very good base running. Not sure where that speed comes from as he certainly didn't get it from his Dad (my brother).
2) Nick Cruciani got the bunt sign and got down a perfect bunt and beat the throw to first and Sean Toner kept on running from second base on the throw to score the winning run. Perfect execution by all involved -i didn think they would be expecting a bunt in that situation.
3) jake Mathew pitched a good game and kept us close for most of the game
4) Tyler Edwards was tough on the mound in the last inning. I know he was nervous but he didn't show it and he closed it out for us- that shows alot to me - to perform under pressure is very hard to do
5) Quinn Mckenna kept the HRs coming and went 3 for 3 at the plate
6) Sean Toner did another good job behind the plate and had another double and three RBIs. Big game for Sean.
7) Ray and Jordon both had singles to keep their hitting streaks going
8) Sam had a nice catch in CF and Michael played a few good innings at first base
Wow, last nights game was truly amazing. I have been coaching in UPLL since 2004 and that is one of the more amazing finishes to a game that i have seen in a long time. The game itself wasn't that exciting but For the other team to go ahead in a very close game via a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth and for our team to come back in the top of the 6th like we did is really very special. I am glad i could be there for it and i am glad our all the members of our team were there to see it. I think it shows alot for these boys to just play baseball in the last inning when they could have easily just mailed it in and put their heads down and gave up.
It was truly a team effort and everyone contributed in some way. To point out a few significant contributions in the game:
1) First lets thank Jake McKenna for the catch at the end of the game - i think he ran up at first to catch it in order to put some excitement in the catch. He fought very hard to make the catch and end the game. Jake also scored from first base on Sean's double which was some very good base running. Not sure where that speed comes from as he certainly didn't get it from his Dad (my brother).
2) Nick Cruciani got the bunt sign and got down a perfect bunt and beat the throw to first and Sean Toner kept on running from second base on the throw to score the winning run. Perfect execution by all involved -i didn think they would be expecting a bunt in that situation.
3) jake Mathew pitched a good game and kept us close for most of the game
4) Tyler Edwards was tough on the mound in the last inning. I know he was nervous but he didn't show it and he closed it out for us- that shows alot to me - to perform under pressure is very hard to do
5) Quinn Mckenna kept the HRs coming and went 3 for 3 at the plate
6) Sean Toner did another good job behind the plate and had another double and three RBIs. Big game for Sean.
7) Ray and Jordon both had singles to keep their hitting streaks going
8) Sam had a nice catch in CF and Michael played a few good innings at first base
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Two strikes? Use your hands
A few days ago the Phillies won 7-2 on a two-strike pinch hit grand slam from Carlos Ruiz. That same night Jordan faced one of the leagues flamethrowers and struck out twice. I sat in the bleachers right behind home plate and I was pretty amazed how fast that kid threw the ball.
I picked up the Sunday paper, which is unusual for me, and read about the Phils win. Chooch was quotes as saying, "I was just trying to use my hands". My father used to say "protect the plate." I used to say "don't let the ump call you out". I liked Chooch's quote so I had Jordan read it. Then we went to the cages and he hit the snot out of the ball about 60 times, and started feeling just a whole lot better about himself. So we talked a little about hitting with two strikes.
If hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports, try doing it when you're down to your last strike. I can actually remember the intensity of that situation. You have a split second to decide, not whether it's a pitch you like, but whether it's close enough for the ump to call it a strike. If it's close, you gotta swing. You choke up, shorten your swing, and "use your hands".
Jordan played again on Monday night, and in his first at bat, found himself down 0-2. The pitcher was not nearly as fast, but behind in the count is still tough. His first base coach told him to choke up, and he did. The next pitch was high but he swung and got a piece of it. The next one was down the middle, maybe outside, and he hit it off the end of the bat. The next one was in the same spot, and almost the same thing happened and the ball rolled down the third base line about 6 inches fair. I stared at the ball thinking it would go foul, but it didn't. I thought to myself for a split second "crap I hope he's running and not staring at it like everyone else in the park!". I looked at first base and saw the back of this kid barreling down the line and crossing first, no chance for a play.
Sure it wasn't a screaming line drive into right center field, but anyone who loves baseball knows that that kind of a hit is as fun to watch as a big line drive into the outfield. I really proud of Jordan for the way he handled himself under that pressure, and especially the way he allowed his dad, his coach, and Chooch to help him a little.
He kept the inning alive, eventually scored, and so I walked over to the dugout to congratulate him. He was as happy as if he had hit a two strike pinch hit grand salami for the Phillies. He said "I did exactly what you said, dad! Did you see it!?"
"Of course I did, Jor, and I couldn't be happier for you!"
PS: In his next at bat he hit a soft liner to the pitcher who caught it. In his third at bat he hit a screaming liner the second baseman's left side, who reached out his glove but it was too hot to handle. It bounced off his glove for nice solid single. I think the two strike demon is dead.
I picked up the Sunday paper, which is unusual for me, and read about the Phils win. Chooch was quotes as saying, "I was just trying to use my hands". My father used to say "protect the plate." I used to say "don't let the ump call you out". I liked Chooch's quote so I had Jordan read it. Then we went to the cages and he hit the snot out of the ball about 60 times, and started feeling just a whole lot better about himself. So we talked a little about hitting with two strikes.
If hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports, try doing it when you're down to your last strike. I can actually remember the intensity of that situation. You have a split second to decide, not whether it's a pitch you like, but whether it's close enough for the ump to call it a strike. If it's close, you gotta swing. You choke up, shorten your swing, and "use your hands".
Jordan played again on Monday night, and in his first at bat, found himself down 0-2. The pitcher was not nearly as fast, but behind in the count is still tough. His first base coach told him to choke up, and he did. The next pitch was high but he swung and got a piece of it. The next one was down the middle, maybe outside, and he hit it off the end of the bat. The next one was in the same spot, and almost the same thing happened and the ball rolled down the third base line about 6 inches fair. I stared at the ball thinking it would go foul, but it didn't. I thought to myself for a split second "crap I hope he's running and not staring at it like everyone else in the park!". I looked at first base and saw the back of this kid barreling down the line and crossing first, no chance for a play.
Sure it wasn't a screaming line drive into right center field, but anyone who loves baseball knows that that kind of a hit is as fun to watch as a big line drive into the outfield. I really proud of Jordan for the way he handled himself under that pressure, and especially the way he allowed his dad, his coach, and Chooch to help him a little.
He kept the inning alive, eventually scored, and so I walked over to the dugout to congratulate him. He was as happy as if he had hit a two strike pinch hit grand salami for the Phillies. He said "I did exactly what you said, dad! Did you see it!?"
"Of course I did, Jor, and I couldn't be happier for you!"
PS: In his next at bat he hit a soft liner to the pitcher who caught it. In his third at bat he hit a screaming liner the second baseman's left side, who reached out his glove but it was too hot to handle. It bounced off his glove for nice solid single. I think the two strike demon is dead.
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