Mid-week Baseball

Jax at Practice
June 26, 2018

I returned to the baseball field last evening watching Jackson practice with his tournament team. Sitting off the field watching is not nearly as enjoyable as actually coaching. I did learn some things about teaching the game and running a practice that I could use next year, if I was going to coach again.

Jax Avoiding the Pitch

The likelihood is that my coaching days are through because Jax is likely moving on into more competitive leagues. 

It was a two-and-a-half-hour plus practice and I admit that I was beginning to get cold in the cool evening air as practice ended at 8:45 PM. 

It was long, but with the threat of rain and the two tournament games on Saturday, the team needed to work on a number of things.

In other news, the Orioles managed another loss and are now 23-55 and looking at a solid 114 loss season. It is both frustrating and embarrassing to be a fan right now. Nothing seems to go right--they lost a tight 3-2 game to the Mariners last evening.

When does next season begin?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It is Finished

The GORC Dodgers after a game this season

The season ended last evening for the GORC Dodgers with a crushing playoff loss. The boys played hard, but came up short against the juggernaut Cardinals who get to play for the league championship today. Congrats to them and here's hoping they win the championship. They were definitely the better team last evening.

I was pleased with the gritty play of the Dodgers, even when they got behind early, again. The boys stayed in the game because in baseball, it is not over until the final out. 

Mike and Me with our All Stars

I could tell that the guys were really committed to giving it their all, but we just came up short on a couple of tough plays. Jax came back from taking a nasty pitch off his hip and was able to pitch an impressive inning of baseball. That is real determination.  

On the highlight reel, however, there was a fantastic play which caught the baserunner at third napping for an out which was a definite high point of the game. What made it even better was that it was a play we had practiced and it earned the team ice cream at the end of year party. 

It was a great season and I am still in shock that after three months of "all baseball all the time" that it is over. I have been living and breathing baseball almost to the exclusion of other things in my non-work life. It was fun to coach with Mike again and watch each of the boys develop as baseball players. I thin this year was fun because we began to run and call plays from the bench and not just watch the boys react to the baseball.

I guess I can now focus on yard work and house projects can begin without distraction.

It was a great season. I miss it already.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Playoff Game #2

Jax Finishing a Pitch
June 6, 2018

Tonight is playoff game #2 for the GORC Dodgers. Earlier in the week they earned the right to play another game by pulling off a stunning comeback win over the Orioles, 10-9, to earn a spot in the semifinals. 

Me Coaching 3rd and Sending a Runner Home

I was late getting to the game against the Orioles because I had been attending Chris' retirement party. When I arrived, the team was down 8-0 in the third inning. But that is when the boys began to turn it around. The pitching solidified with Jax taking the mound and the bats began getting runs back one-at-a-time. The defense also woke up and one of the game's highlights was a picture-perfect pickle-drill run down of a runner attempting to come home from third base.

Jax had a great night. He pitched 2 innings, struck out 5 and allowed only 1 run. His batting line was similarly impressive. At the plate he was 3-3 with a double and 3 RBIs.

Discussing Strategy with Jack Schaecher at 3rd Base

Post Game Meeting
We Have At Least One More Game

Baseball is a great game, especially when the pitching and the batting come together and create the magic that propels a team deeper into the playoffs. 

Tonight's game is no small task. The team is playing the Cardinals who are 12-1-1 (yes there can be ties in our league). We lost 14-4 the only time we played them, but that was after an almost two-week layoff due to the rains. 

What is on the line? Tonight's winner advances  to the league championship game tomorrow. 

No matter the outcome of tonight's game, it has been a fun season and I can see the baseball improvement in each player on the team. 

Most of all, it has been fun! And baseball should be fun!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The All-Star

Jax Walking back to the Mound
GORC All Star Game
June 1, 2018

Last evening the GORC Under 10 Intramural Baseball League held its All-Star game and four Dodgers, including Jackson, made the team. Representing the National League, they competed against boys from American League teams in a generally well played game.

The American League lost 15-9, but that score was not the important part of the game. Watching the best players from each of the teams play together was rewarding for me. The boys are beginning to understand some of the important points of the game. Some really great lays were made int the field, including catching some well hit deep balls--which is partly why the American League lost, they had some deep well hit balls that were caught and that prevented runs from scoring and ended innings with the bases loaded. 

Jax was awesome at the plate. He reached base every time that he was up and was involved in a number of plays in the field. He also pitched a strong inning.

With the All-Star game complete, there is one regular season game remaining for the GORC Dodgers and then onto next week's playoffs.

Summertime is coming!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another Dodger Loss

Jax Hoping for Better Fortunes

The GORC Dodgers have once again lost two in a row. Last evening, they lost a close contest 9-8. The team had the lead twice during the game but could not hold it. They had the opportunity to force the opposition into the bottom of the sixth, however, the bats were not as crisp as they had been recently and the team just could not get the needed runs across the plate despite having the bases loaded. 

The season is coming to a rapid close. The team has one more practice and one more regular season game before the playoffs. 

At least the weather has moderated and we are actually playing some of the games. 

Despite the loss, the boys played hard and made some good plays in the field. It was fun to coach a close game and we knew that every run would count. Sadly, they wound up with one more than our guys. But, it was a learning experience. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Redemption on the Diamond

Double Rainbow
Piney Orchard Elementary School Field 1
May 10, 2018

Despite the weather forecast which made it seem as if torrential rains and thunderstorms were imminent, the GORC Dodgers met the GORC Angels for their rescheduled game last evening. 

Martin Pitching, Jax in the Outfield
May 10, 2018

There were some sprinkles off and on at times during the game, but the weather held and we were treated to a an infrequently seen double rainbow towards the end of the game.

The boys played a complete game with solid pitching, hitting, and fielding to defeat the Angels 12-6. The game started off fairly evenly with the score after one being 2-1 Dodgers. Then the scoring began in earnest. The game only went four innings due to time limitations and darkness. The innings were often long and laborious, but the boys played hard and made some good outs in the field. Once the bats got going everyone up and down the lineup contributed.

It was great to have the guys get back into their winning ways and play hard-nosed baseball.

Saturday presents the opportunity to get even with one of the teams that beat us last week.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rough Night on the Diamond

Some nights the baseball just does not seem to bounce in the right direction and the umpire's calls seem to go the other way.

Jax at Third

Such was last evening.

The GORC Dodgers ran into a buzz saw and lost to the Diamondbacks in a game the was tied 0-0 at the end of the first, but ended, because of time expiring, after four hard played innings at 15-5. I really though we were going to end in a 10-10 tie, but that is where the Umpire ripped the boys hearts out with some incredibly close calls at the plate.

To say that it was not our finest hour is an understatement. The hard part was that it wasn't hit balls that were the problem, it was the walks; hence, the game dragged on forever.

To say it was another hard learning experience is an understatement. We really need another practice, but there are none on the schedule.

Oh well, there is another game on Thursday!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Tough Outing

Jax Warming Up
May 5, 2018

Entering the day as the only GORC Intramural Team with an unblemished record, the Dodgers faced a determined Orioles team.

The game started evenly, with both teams scoring single runs in the second inning. Then the Orioles scored two runs in the third. Things got away from the Dodgers sat that point. 

Jackson pitched the first three innings. His longest outing of the season. He was tough and had good control. 

The bats were mostly silent during the day. The boys could not seem to string hits together. There were some fantastic moments, to be sure. A bases loaded double in the bottom of the 5th scored two runs, but that was all the Dodgers would manage for the day in a disappointing 11-3 loss. 

The great thing about baseball is that there is another game coming where the team can get back onto its winning ways.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Games Go On

The Field
May 3, 2018

Jackson Pitching
May 3, 2018 

Last evening the GORC Intramural Dodgers continued their winning ways by defeating the Marlins in a hotly contested game.

It was great that the temperatures were in the high 80's at game time and that the boys of summer were truly experiencing summer.

The Dodgers built a 7-3 lead by the 4th inning and hung on to win 7-5 in a game that went only 5 innings due to the time limit. The Dodgers were blessed with great pitching and some timely fielding plays, including the play that ended the game. Jax pitched the 5th inning and turned in a solid performance. 

Here was the game ending play. With two outs and a runner on third, the Marlins batter hit a shot that got by both the third baseman and the left fielder. But the boys did not panic. The left fielder ran down the ball and threw it to the shortstop relay who fired it to the third baseman who tagged the batter who was trying to stretch a double into a triple. The umpire signaled out and the game was over!

Very exciting.

The boys hung tough.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

As the Games Get Postponed

Jax on Saturday at the Plate

At least the temperature has stayed warmer.

Now the Spring-time rains have arrived and are playing havoc with the baseball schedules.

Jax Pitching on Saturday

Last night, the Orioles were rained out and the GORC Pirates practice was also rained out.

It was supposed to be an aggressive week of practice and games and we really needed the practice. 

This is the time of the year when almost everything revolves around baseball and the weather plays a big part in whether the games are played or delayed.

It is frustrating to get ready for practice and games only ot have the weather intervene. The weather has been bad enough this year anyway. At least the grass in the yard is growing.

Well, that's the game as they say.

I long to be warm at a game!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday on the Diamond

Jax on the Mound

It was an early morning game for the GORC Dodgers. The temperature at game time was barely 40 degrees, but it warmed quickly to almost 50 degrees. The Dodgers showed up to play and soundly defeated their opponents the Crofton Giants, 14-1. 

The game featured a very rare unassisted double-play by Jackson. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, he caught a pop-up and ran to to catch a runner who left third base too quickly. Had there been no outs at the beginning of the play it would have been a triple play since the runner on second also showed up at third base and Jax tagged him too. 

Jax also pitched three innings of shut-out baseball, including the first inning which saw only three hitters go to the plate.

The rest of the team played strong as well. There was good hitting, including a home run, and smart base running. There were also a couple of other defensive gems. Crofton's only run came on a bases-loaded hit batsman. 

It was an exciting game. The team has a tough week ahead with practice on Tuesday and games on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday! Wow. What a schedule. Thank goodness the team is blessed with six quality pitchers.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cold on the Diamond

The GORC Dodgers played a baseball game last evening.

Jax at Bat on Saturday

It was cold! Too cold. 

It is really hard to play baseball when it is cold and over the course of the game it got colder. According to the weather history for Crofton, where the game was played, the temperature was about 47 degrees when the game started, but the wind chill was closer to 40 degrees. By game's end, the temperature was 44 degrees, but the windchill had dropped to about 37 degrees. 

It was cold, but the guys persevered. It was hard to concentrate on baseball. 

In the end, the Dodgers squeaked by the Crofton Orioles 7-5. It was not a pretty game, but the pitching held up. This game went 5 innings, which is longer than the opening day 4 inning game. Both games were ended due to the time limit.

Jackson, for his part, played a solid game. He put the tag on a runner at third for an out on an attempted steal and had some solid hits. 

It was so cold, I don't think anyone took pictures of the event. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Season has Begun

Jax at 3rd
April 14, 2018

The official beginning of the youth baseball season occurred yesterday with the GORC Dodgers defeating the Crofton Orioles 16-8. It was only a 4 inning affair due to the slowness of the game. 

Post-game Meeting
April 14, 2018

All of the kids played great. 

We were actually behind after two innings after giving up a grand slam; however, the boys responded over the next two innings with two home runs  of their own, including one by Jax, and some solid base running. It was very interesting that both of our pitchers each hit a homer. Jax pitched two solid innings and looked great on the mound, in the field, and at the plate.

It was a great start to the season. The two teams meet again on Thursday in Crofton to complete the home-and-home series.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Taking the Field

Mike Gathering the Team Before Practice
March 19, 2018

There is a big storm racing towards the Mid-Atlantic region. Hopefully the last gasp of Winter.

GORC Dodgers Take the Field
March 19, 2018

Spring begins today, if you can believe it, at 12:15 PM. Just after noon. 

The weather, however, will definitely be more winter-like during the next couple of days.

A sure sign of Spring, however, is baseball. Last evening the GORC Dodgers took the practice field for the third time and continued their journey developing as baseball players.

There team is actually pretty talented. We have a few pitchers, including Jax, and they have a good sense of how to play defense. It is going to be a great season. It is amazing how quickly practice passes when we are all busy and having fun.

Now, all we need is warmer weather. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And into Double Digits

Jax's 10th Birthday Party
Family Edition

Jackson turned 10 yesterday. Jax, as he prefers to be called, made it into double digits and celebrated a complete decade.

What a decade it has been since his birth. 

The family celebrated Jax last evening. Everyone was in attendance and it was a great way to begin the week. Our family gatherings seem to be fewer of late as we all seem to be busier.

Jax is a sportsman. He plays basketball and baseball. He is a math whiz and has an infectious personality that can fill a room--or sometimes clear a room!

Such are the joys of Jax! Birthdays are great times to think about the joys that people bring to our lives!

Happy Birthday Jax!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Last Baseball Game

Jackson at Shortstop
October 28, 2017

Yesterday represented the last baseball game of the season for Jackson. 

He has effectively been playing baseball since March and is heading into the off season as a much better player than he was as the season began.

Final Baseball Game of the Season
An Idyllic October Day

Since March, he has become an effective relief pitcher, has hit two grand slam home runs, become a smart baserunner, and can effectively play all infield positions. Yesterday saw him take a slow rolling ball and fire it to first base to get the batter. In March, he would have thrown a "rainbow" ball that never would have made it to first in time.

It is officially the off-season. I am already looking forward to March when we start up again.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Birthday Celebration

Happy Birthday Chris
Like, Jax and Ethan

Sunday was a birthday celebration.

A big birthday and the grandsons were there to help Chris celebrate here transition into the Social Security eligible crowd.

Yea, it was a big birthday and the grandsons were more than happy to help the celebration get amped up to the highest level. 

The cheesecake was ready and lightly decorated with candles, the vocal chords were warmed up, and the celebration was at the highest level.

Happy birthday filled the room as the assembled family gave the classic song their best rendition. 

The afternoon included cheesecake topped with cherries. It was a perfectly planned birthday celebration with the grandsons singing the enhanced version of Happy Birthday.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD.  

Friday at the Ball Game

The View from Third Base

Friday's are good nights for baseball. I actually had tickets to see the Orioles, who defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-2, but I traded them in to attend and coach the GORC U10 Intramural Dodgers. 

Coach Mike with the Boys After the Game

I actually love coaching the boys as they learn to love the game of baseball. Last evening was a great game. As the shadows lengthened, they staged a great comeback by trying and then winning the game 12-7 after going down 5-2 early. 

A combination of timely hitting, great fielding and, of course, awesome pitching secured the hard fought victory. Jackson contributed to the victory with a solid hit that scored a couple of runs and good fielding at third base. 

The team needed the win to set the tone for the upcoming week in which they have four more games to close out the season. There are so many games because of rainouts earlier during the season. 

Another game today! Let's hope for another win.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Chris and Mom

Today, I want to pay a special tribute to two of the very special mother's in my life, my Mom and my Wife--two women who have teamed up to make me who I am today. They deftly handed-off responsibility for me a few decades ago and have teamed up ever since to encourage me to do the things I would rather not do, like go to the doctor, to help maintain my health and enthusiasm for life.

Nicole with Ethan and Jax
Niagara Falls 2016

And another mother in my life is my daughter, Nicole, who is a dynamic mom in her own right with two busy boys to keep her moving all the time. 

These are three generations of mom's in my life who all deserve celebration on this special day. Thanks for all that you do!

To all the mom's everywhere--take some time to celebrate this special day, just for you, whether it be breakfast in bed or some simpler acknowledgement, you are truly special.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Cue the End of the School Year Events

Jax in the Back

Last evening was one of the first of the lasts. Waugh Chapel Elementary School held their performing arts concerts and Jackson, known better as a lights out third baseman for the GORC Intramural U10 Pirates, performed as a member of the orchestra on his, if you can believe it, violin!

I was late to the concert, due to traffic and poor planning on my part, but I did enjoy seeing him perform. Tonight we will be on the baseball field and there will be no talk of violins or concerts, but last evening, Jax was front and center, OK--he was in the back row, of the third grade strings section.

Jax with Violin

And so it begins, the series of lasts associated with the impending end of the school year and the beginning of summer vacation. I have many fond memories of summertime and roaming the hills around our house in Central New York. And I remember all of the "lasts" associated with the end of the school year. The last game, concert, or test. I guess my favorite last was the last day of school! That is truly the best last of all.

The end of the school year is a time for celebration, and the "lasts" just help to make the most of each opportunity.

Good job last evening Jax!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD