Chick-a-Champions!
The Big XII baseball tournament was in Oklahoma City over Memorial Weekend, but the really good ball was being played just to the south in Chickasha. The Gold Sox rolled into Chickasha, Oklahoma with some swagger and brought home the hardware. The tournament was a grueling 4-day battle that featured 6 games over that stretch. Pitching rules forced the Sox to use almost every pitcher on the roster. And while the pitching was AWESOME, hitting was the real story. The Sox lit up the park and dented the outfield chain link for 4 straight days as they 10-runned all but one opponent. The Gold Sox hit over .480 as a team while only allowing their opponents to hit .170.
Many assumed after watching the boys hit that all of their talent was genetic. To prove this sound hypothesis, the dads stepped into the batting cage and showed some real 1970-style technique as they essentially failed to connect squarely with a single ball. The boys were fortunately too busy to see their dads' miserable failures. The bleacher critiques were noticeably muffled after the patriarchal poor showing.
The team dinner at Ted's, drinks at BJ's and a trip to Alligator Ally highlighted the off-the-field activities. The Gold Sox family continued to grow in its friendship against the wonderful backdrop provided by Norman, Oklahoma. In all my years of sporting activities, this trip was by far the most fun I've ever had. The ball, the boys, the families, the food, the fun and the result will be very difficult to ever top.
The trophies were as huge as the smiles. The parents and boys couldn't hide their pride as they floated all the way home.
Many assumed after watching the boys hit that all of their talent was genetic. To prove this sound hypothesis, the dads stepped into the batting cage and showed some real 1970-style technique as they essentially failed to connect squarely with a single ball. The boys were fortunately too busy to see their dads' miserable failures. The bleacher critiques were noticeably muffled after the patriarchal poor showing.
The team dinner at Ted's, drinks at BJ's and a trip to Alligator Ally highlighted the off-the-field activities. The Gold Sox family continued to grow in its friendship against the wonderful backdrop provided by Norman, Oklahoma. In all my years of sporting activities, this trip was by far the most fun I've ever had. The ball, the boys, the families, the food, the fun and the result will be very difficult to ever top.
The trophies were as huge as the smiles. The parents and boys couldn't hide their pride as they floated all the way home.
9 Up, 9 Down!
The Gold Sox were rolling when they ran into the Raiders. After a 1 run first inning, the Sox ripped off 6 and 15 runs in consecutive innings to cap off a 23-0 victory. Trevor Scott made his pitching debut and retired 6 straight batters thanks to a fancy pick-off move to third base. Trey Franz handled the mop up duties. In all, the Raiders only brought nine batters to the plate. The highlight of the game was the Sox firepower displayed in the 3rd inning. The boys had 15 hits and 4 walks before showing mercy and allowing the game to end.
Everyone got in on the action at the plate. Bug, Austin, Trey and Jayden all had two hits. Cody had 3 and Trevor had 4! Bug made every defensive play the Raiders gave us. In all, it was as close to a perfect game as one could imagine. But then again, 23-0 games usually are.
Everyone got in on the action at the plate. Bug, Austin, Trey and Jayden all had two hits. Cody had 3 and Trevor had 4! Bug made every defensive play the Raiders gave us. In all, it was as close to a perfect game as one could imagine. But then again, 23-0 games usually are.
40 PITCHES !
It is tough to pick a headline today, because the Gold Sox played very well in every facet of the game. Every single Gold Sox player reached base in the 3-inning, confidence building, merry-go-round fest on Monday night. The Sky Sox were coming off a 6 game weekend and were definitely thin on pitching and energy, but it was hard to deny the Gold Sox were finally putting it all together.
The highlight of the game had to be the fact that Gold Sox pitching only allowed 11 batters to come to the plate, and only allowed 1 unearned run. JaKobe threw only 25 pitches in the first 2 innings and struck out 3 batters, while the closing duties were handled by Jayden McCown, fresh off the DL. Jayden handled 3 batters with 15 pitches and recorded THREE strike outs. Welcome back Jayden! It was a very impressive outing with 62.5% strikes. It is very rare that you see a complete game handled in only 40 pitches.
The team hit .667 and slugged nearly 1.000. That translates to the average batter hitting a single every time they come up! Bug and Trey had triples, and Brody and Trevor recorded doubles. The outfield fence rattled all night as the Sox just kept putting line drives deep into the gaps. The defense also looked solid, and the boys had that intense, but relaxed attitude throughout the game. The victory was a great way to start another baseball week.
The highlight of the game had to be the fact that Gold Sox pitching only allowed 11 batters to come to the plate, and only allowed 1 unearned run. JaKobe threw only 25 pitches in the first 2 innings and struck out 3 batters, while the closing duties were handled by Jayden McCown, fresh off the DL. Jayden handled 3 batters with 15 pitches and recorded THREE strike outs. Welcome back Jayden! It was a very impressive outing with 62.5% strikes. It is very rare that you see a complete game handled in only 40 pitches.
The team hit .667 and slugged nearly 1.000. That translates to the average batter hitting a single every time they come up! Bug and Trey had triples, and Brody and Trevor recorded doubles. The outfield fence rattled all night as the Sox just kept putting line drives deep into the gaps. The defense also looked solid, and the boys had that intense, but relaxed attitude throughout the game. The victory was a great way to start another baseball week.
GREAT PITCHING SOLIDIFIES SILVER
The Gold Sox worked their way through five games on the last weekend of March to grab silver rings in the WTYBA Spring Classic. The Sox went 3-1 and earned their way into the championship game with a little help from the friends on the Mayhem. The Gold Sox family huddled together in 20 square feet of shade to watch and see if their 3-1 record was good enough for a shot at some hardware. The hard play played off, and the Sox were set for the Championship Game.
Everyone watching noticed if hitting carried the Gold Sox in Grapevine, pitching shouldered the burden in Amarillo. This pitching staff combined for an amazing 1.9 WHIP (walks + hits per inning). The Gold Sox struck out 28 batters and only allowed 26 runs in 5 games. The team's ERA of 5.00 is the lowest recorded tournament ERA in Gold Sox history. Had it not been for a few bad breaks (including line drive double plays and a game winning shot erased after hitting the pitcher's foot) the Sox would have sported gold.
In all, the Gold Sox showed championship effort and earned some nice hardware for their efforts. As a coach and a parent, I couldn't have been prouder.
Everyone watching noticed if hitting carried the Gold Sox in Grapevine, pitching shouldered the burden in Amarillo. This pitching staff combined for an amazing 1.9 WHIP (walks + hits per inning). The Gold Sox struck out 28 batters and only allowed 26 runs in 5 games. The team's ERA of 5.00 is the lowest recorded tournament ERA in Gold Sox history. Had it not been for a few bad breaks (including line drive double plays and a game winning shot erased after hitting the pitcher's foot) the Sox would have sported gold.
In all, the Gold Sox showed championship effort and earned some nice hardware for their efforts. As a coach and a parent, I couldn't have been prouder.
GOLD SOX GATHER IN GRAPEVINE
The Gold Sox stormed into Grapevine to open their 2012 season. Grapevine provided the perfect setting and allowed for shopping at the Grapevine Mills Mall, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Bass Pro Shop.
The boys also got to tour Cowboy Stadium, and The Ballpark in Arlington. Dinners at the Rain Forest Cafe were a treat as well.
The Marriot patio provided a great spot for the dads to unwind, drink Captain Ray's Rum, listen to Jay's "hotel show" story, and generally brag about the boys.
The Sox outhit their opponents almost 3 to 1 and outpitched their opponents by .170 batting average points. Every player contributed with hits, and JaKobe and Miles made their 2012 pitching debuts to amazement of the crowds. One coach asked if we held tryouts every year and how we managed to harvest so much talent. I told him it was just good genetics.
In all, it was a great start to a great future! Who are we????
GOLD SOX!
The boys also got to tour Cowboy Stadium, and The Ballpark in Arlington. Dinners at the Rain Forest Cafe were a treat as well.
The Marriot patio provided a great spot for the dads to unwind, drink Captain Ray's Rum, listen to Jay's "hotel show" story, and generally brag about the boys.
The Sox outhit their opponents almost 3 to 1 and outpitched their opponents by .170 batting average points. Every player contributed with hits, and JaKobe and Miles made their 2012 pitching debuts to amazement of the crowds. One coach asked if we held tryouts every year and how we managed to harvest so much talent. I told him it was just good genetics.
In all, it was a great start to a great future! Who are we????
GOLD SOX!
