Game 10: Sluggers vs. Sluggers – Sluggers Win!!

Posted on May 24, 2011 by

If you feel as though this blog reads differently, you’re right it’s Coach Candice. Tommy feels as though I always have enough hot air to run my mouth that he figures I would be just fine expanding my hot air in a more productive way. Unfortunately game ten was a miserable forfeit. Game ten was against Impact and they had a little difficulty getting all their players there after a busy last week at school. Sluggers came out and were ready to play a game, so that is exactly what we did. We asked Impact if they would like to at least scrimmage, but they respectfully declined the offer, therefore we split the Sluggers in half to play against each other. So we now approach a situation for game ten where Sluggers are both the winners and the losers. Sluggers broke up to create two six member teams, and the fans were hollering to cheer on their Slugger. Coach Tommy coached one group of girls, and I took the other group of girls. Tommy successfully pitched to the girls to get in two runs, and I successfully pitched poorly to the girls and this is why we all established that I should never be asked to pitch to the girls in practice, games, or anything otherwise. Sorry Sluggers! My team lost 0-2.

With game ten at a win, Sluggers have taken second place for the season. Great job Sluggers. Now get ready for our city tournament where we can aim for first place.

Because one of our girls had to take off early, our nephew Jayton stepped in to make the teams even again. Really, I think it was so he could impress the ladies, even though he struck out twice.

Hope is one of our younger players, but yet outstanding.

Who are we….SLUGGERS!

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Game 9: Sluggers Final Stretch

Posted on May 18, 2011 by

The Sluggers faced Impact in the second to last game of the season Tuesday night and had a little luck on their side.  For some reason we just couldn’t get the girls’ heads in the game and they were very distracted through the whole thing.

I’m sure the late start of the game didn’t help. The game had to be delayed for about ten minutes for the Impact team to get enough girls to play. We could have forced the schedule issue and the other team would have had to forfeit the game, but that isn’t how we want to win any game. Impact ended up with only eight of their original eleven team members showing for the game and it looked as though the right fielder didn’t even have a glove until the last second of the game start.

We had some conflict with the home/visitor position of the Sluggers team. Home team is typically placed in the dugout along the third base line and the visitors on the first base line. Well, the Sluggers had been unpacked and setup in the first base dugout even though they were listed as the home team for this particular game. Now I’m not going to blame anyone for this mistake (not Candice or Elza), but it did add to some of the distraction at the beginning of the game. We also had to negotiate over the issue of “girl pitch” or “coach pitch” for this game. If you recall the first Sluggers/Impact game was scheduled a few weeks ago during the coach pitch part of the season but had to be canceled due to a double booking of the field. This Tuesdays’ game was the makeup of that missed game and there had to be some coordination between teams on just what would be the best way to proceed. By agreeing to a girl pitch game the Impact coach agreed to allowing the Sluggers to stay in the dugout on the first base line. All of these stumbling blocks just compounded the fact that the Sluggers were already kind of out of it. I don’t know if it’s due to the end of the school year or the end of the season or maybe the heat of the day just made them a bit loopy but they weren’t the Sluggers I know.

Maybe I’m being too critical.  All but two of the Sluggers got on base and they did win the game. We had some exceptional pitching by Janessa and Jordan who were able to keep the Impact team from making more than just one or two base hits. Our catchers Alexis and Champagne also did well stopping the ball behind the plate and were very quick to it back into play.

The lack of hits by the opposing teams in the last few games has had an effect on our girls in the field. We can definitely noticed they have developed a false sense of security and there is a lack of urgency in their fielding. This could very much come back to bite them in the end.

The Sluggers had a few good solid hits and were able to win the game with two points.

One of the hits that really stands out was made by our second base Julia. Her hit not only got her around the bases to third but she was also able to knock in Alexis who was on first base. That hit was one of the best we’ve had all season and just shows just how hard the girls have been practicing.

The girls were distracted during the game and that often happens towards the end of each season.

Even with everything that seemed to be pulling them all in differnt directions they came together and did what they needed to. The Sluggers made the plays and points just like they were supposed to, so I guess I can’t be too upset.

Good job Sluggers!!! Just one more to go!



Final Score: 2-0

Check out all the Game 9 Photos

Next game - Thursday @ 6:00pm. 

Grab your green – Lets go.

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Game 8: Sluggers Surprise

Posted on May 13, 2011 by

The Sluggers completed their eighth game tonight with a win. Stepping up to the mound was Jasmine with her accurate strike zone and cool confidence. She stayed focused and was able to dominate the game with five strike outs. If you Sluggers fans think this sounds a bit unusual and out of place you are right. Jasmine is not our typical pitcher. We usually see Jasmine’s great glove and aim on the third base line and that’s where we like it. We found early on in the season that “Jazz” almost never lets a line drive get by her. When it comes to stopping that ball few others can match her skill with the glove. For this reason when she asked for a chance at the pitcher’s mound there was some reservation in the back of our minds. Our hesitation didn’t slow Jasmine down and she kept practicing with our other pitchers and asking to pitch every chance she got. Jazz’s persistence won us over and we gave in and let her pitch to the team at Wednesday’s practice. WOW, were we amazed or what. She isn’t the fastest arm we have but talk about accurate and consistent. It’s these two attributes that made the win tonight possible. Jazz’s amazing, and newly discovered, pitching ability didn’t just help the Sluggers beat the Hot Shots, it made the game very enjoyable to watch.

We have to thank Jasmine not only for her pitching but for her solid persistence. She kept saying, “I can do it coach, I can do it.” Well, there you go.

Not only did she do it – SHE KILLED IT!!!!

WAY TO GO JAZZ!!!

As for the Sluggers’ points, it was Mercedes and Jordan who came in with the two runs of the game to win it. Even though it was Mercedes in the third inning to run across home plate for the point she never would have gotten there if not for a fantastic double by Zeanna. “Z” is not one of our heavy hitters but she took that pitch and hit one of the best third base line drives I’ve ever seen. That hit ran right down the edge of the line, took a beautiful jump over the third base and just kept on going. It was that great hit that gave Mercedes more than enough time to round third and get home for our first point of the game.

Jordan’s point was also made with the assistance of a team member. Jordan’s hit was a super single near second base which planted her on first and Champagne came up behind her and followed it with her own great pound into the Hot Shots’ defense. The combination of Jordan and Champagne was just too much for the Hot Shots to stop and Jordan was able to get in for our second point of the game. Even though Champagne didn’t make it to home plate that doesn’t mean her teammates didn’t try. Our center fielder Hope came up to bat after Champagne and gave us a great single to get on first base and to move Chaampagne down to second. Unfortunately the hits sort of tapered off and we weren’t able to get those girls all the way around. But, that’s ok because two was enough to lock in control of the game.

 The Sluggers went into the last inning of the game with two points over the Hot Shots, but as we all know a game can turn around quickly and instead of being up by two you can be down by two. There are no guarantees that says just because you’re on top means you’re going to stay there. That’s where our surprise super star pitcher Jasmine and our trusted catcher Terri come back into the picture. Jasmine and Terri spent the entire game chipping away the Hot Shots’ offences and were doing a great job but by the bottom of the last inning it was obvious that it was also taking its toll on Jazz. This third base rock star turned pitcher had never pitched for so long and it was clear she was getting tired, but we didn’t want her to come so far not to finish where she wanted to be. Jazz was exhausted but was still able to strike out the first Hot Shots batter with relative ease. It was the second batter who made a hit and got the Hot Shots on base for the second time in the game. Her double put her in good position to score and that wasn’t so good for the Sluggers. Jazz was able to step it up and send some great pitches past the third batter for a strikeout but the fourth Hot Shots batter wasn’t so easy. Jazz was wiped-out and sent three balls right in a row which meant the coach for the Hot Shots had a chance to do the last to pitch to his player. When the Hot Shots’ coach sent that pitch to his player she gave a major swing and the ball splashed into the dirt just outside of the first base line – foul ball. The foul earned her another pitch and another opportunity to hit the second base runner in. If she got lucky enough to really hit a grand slam, and it looked like she could, she would hit in the runner on second and possibly make it home herself. That would tie up the game and we would go into extra innings.

As the coach got ready to send the pitch the Sluggers got ready for the hit. Champagne on first, Julia with a runner on second, Alexis on third and the rest of the girls held their collective breath as the next pitch was thrown. The Hot Shots batter swung as hard as she could and made contact with the ball. It was at that moment in the game that the most amazing thing happened, at least it was pretty cool to me. The ball made a tiny little hop off the top of the bat, and from where I was standing, hit Terri in the facemask and planted itself right in her glove.

And that was it. Batter’s out. SLUGGERS WIN!!!

You gotta love the beautiful simplicity of it all. All the intensity, all the anticipation, all the dang stress and all Terri does is open her glove and there it is. Done!

Good job Slugger!!!

Final Score: 2-0

Catcher – Terri, First Base – Sonny

Dont’ forget to chech out all the photos of Game 8 on the Sluggers Live Galary

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Sluggers Stats Page Update

Posted on May 12, 2011 by

I noticed  that not a lot of people have been looking at the stats page and I think it may be because of the way it’s listed in the menu.  I updated the format of our menu so it can be seen in the list below the listing “Stats”. 

Take a look at the girls numbers.  It really lets you know just who is doing what.

I hope this helps.

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Game 7: Sluggers Hit Parade

Posted on May 11, 2011 by

I didn’t let the Sluggers know but I was a bit nervous about game 7. Coach Candice was going to be unable to attend and, don’t tell her but, she’s kind of the glue that keeps the team together. Without her there I had the feeling the girls were going to lose their focus. As the Sluggers went up to bat in the first inning it looked like my fears of a disintegrating team would come true. With our first three batters up and out right in a row I started to get a strong sense of imminent failure. Then all of a sudden, as our pitcher (Champagne) and catcher (Mercedes) went to work the Lil Divas were up and out in pretty much the same fashion. Once we got into inning two our girls showed the Lil Divas how they got their name, and started hitting. Our first hit came from Jordan’s super hard tap that earned her a single. That single worked well for us when Mercedes popped a great hit over third base to get Jordan on second and Jasmine tapped a slow one along the third base line to get an overthrow at third and Jordan ran in for point one. As soon as Jasmine got to first base Terri came up to bat and was able to snap a fantastic drive straight through second base which moved everyone down the line and hit Mercedes in for point number two – FANTASTIC. There wasn’t a lot of fielding going on for the Sluggers because most of the action was taking place between the pitching mound and home plate. Even though the Lil Divas did had a few good solid hits the Sluggers, with some fast footwork and great throws, were able to keep them from making it all the way around the bases. There was a quick infield drive that looked like the Lil Divas could turn into something but our shortstop Jordan made a spectacular pickup and throw to first base (Sonny) and that runner didn’t have a chance. Jordan – GREAT JOB SLUGGER!!!

We also had one high flyer sent out just left of second base but luckily for us we always have Hope on our side. Our center fielder Hope was on the spot and had that ball infield without hesitation and was able to keep that hitter on first base and that’s where she stayed for the rest of the inning. The rest of the game kept the same theme and The Sluggers were able to hold down the Lil Divas as well as get another two points in the four inning. One of our most underappreciated players was in great form for game 7. Due to the fact that there wasn’t a lot of activity in the field she got a lot of play and was very well highlighted for her skill at home plate. Our catcher Mercedes has just been amazing this season and has given some of the best glove work of any of the girls. Not only is Mercedes great behind the plate but she’s super with a bat as well, as you’ve seen in the video. So, for Mercedes, not only can she rock the ball she can stop it too. GOOD JOB KID.

FINAL SCORE: 4-0 SLUGGERS


With all the hitting going on the girl’s stats have really been all over the place. Checkout the Slugger Stats and the photos for this game.

Don’t forget our next game is this Thursday @ 6:00pm so bring your green and let’s get loud!!!

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Game 6: Sluggers Redemption

Posted on May 7, 2011 by

The first time the Sluggers faced Bat-Attitude they played well but it wasn’t enough to win the game and Bat-Attitude was able to beat the Sluggers 4-2. With that win over the Sluggers Bat-Attitude was able to generate a winning streak and create an undefeated season. This chain of wins was broken Thursday evening in game 6 of the season.

The Slugger girls played the team Bat-Attitude for the second time and this time the Sluggers were focused and ready to play. Well maybe “focused” isn’t the right word, but they were definitely ready to play.

It took only a few minutes for the Sluggers to get going and get their game faces on.

With this being only the second “girl pitch” game of the year there was some concern of how well the girls would hit off the other team’s pitcher. This fear wasn’t entirely un-founded. The Sluggers had issues hitting the pitches from Bat-Attitude, but that wasn’t totally due to the Sluggers. Not all of the Bat-Attitude pitches were over the plate so some of the hits the girls were able to get had to be made from “coach pitch” after the player had used all of her shots.

This may have slowed them down but it didn’t keep the Sluggers from getting on base and were able to get 2 runs in during the third inning.

All that was left to do was to keep Bat-Attitude from making any points. Even though it would take some work, and help from the field, the Slugger pitcher (Champagne) was up to the task. Warming up in the first inning was a bit tense but the Sluggers survived without giving up any points to Bat-Attitude. Champagne easily found her groove in the second inning and was able to get the majority of the game outs from the pitching mound.

Even with Champagne’s amazing pitching skills 1 or 2 hits were made but the Sluggers had the field covered and made sure the runners never got too far. The hits off of Champagne’s pitches didn’t happen very often which is great but it did have a small side effect on the girls in the field. Some of the Sluggers got a bit distracted and had to be reminded to focus on the game.

As the game ended the Sluggers were able to hold and finished in the lead. As all Sluggers should be, the girls were gracious and polite and gave the Bat-Attitude team a closing cheer at their dugout.

After which they ran to home plate for a well-earned “SLUGGERS” yell and a quick photo opp.

Final Score: 2-0 Sluggers. Good job girls!!!!

Checkout the rest of the game photos under the photo page link,
or game 6 slide show,
or look at all the Slugger photos in our library. – PHOTOS

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Game 5: Sluggers tie Dexter Dazzlers (0-0)

Posted on May 4, 2011 by

The 7:30pm game against the Dexter Dazzlers started off fast. It’s a good thing we warmed up the Sluggers early because as soon as the 6:00pm game ended the umpire called us out to bat and it was time to play. The speed of everything sort of threw the girls off a bit we didn’t even have enough time to pull all of the bats out of the bag.

The lack of set-up time was one thing but with this game being the first girl pitch game of the season, the Sluggers were a bit off balance in the first inning. You could really tell that the Dexter pitcher had trained well but still had a few wild throws. The Slugger’s pitcher (Janessa) did a great job at the pitcher’s rubber. Janessa was able to strike out at least 5 or 6 of the Dazzlers and Sluggers defense picked off the rest. Our second base last night (Alexis) had a great pop-fly catch for an out in the second inning and first base (Sonny) was able to get 1 or 2 outs with some help from the infield.

Getting hit by the ball got us a few bases but the Sluggers were able to get few good batting hits through the game. Jordan had a solid double to center field but unfortunately we didn’t get any other hits in that inning and she never got past second base. We had a few rough batting calls on us by the umpire but were still able to get to first base more than a few times.

With the base hitting going both ways the game was a heck of a nail biter. Going into the last inning as a tie the batting team is able to place a runner on second to promote the possibility of getting a run hit in but neither defense was willing to give up a run.

In the end both teams did well and we were extremely proud of the Sluggers ability to keep pace with a team that has been traveling the tournament circuit since the middle of last year. THE SLUGGERS DID GREAT!! Final score 0-0.

Don’t forget to check out the stats and see who has the best numbers, they update after every game.

The Sluggers
next game is this Thursday the 5th at 6:00pm.

Get your green on and help cheer the Sluggers to a win.

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