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Little League Fan Blog

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From Section1Guy:

 

What a great opening game for the Little League World Series in 2007. I saw Massachusetts play all week long in Bristol during the regionals and they simply win ball games. They're one of the smallest teams I've seen at this level. They don't have a dominant pitcher or a dominant bat. They look like interchangeable units throughout the lineup. Westside American from Hamilton, Ohio, is one of the powerhouses of the Central Region in Little League. This is their third trip to Williamsport. A very impressive went feat.

 

Ohio's Kyle Cotcamp gave up only three runs in 16 2/3 innings during their regional run and he continued to pitch well by keeping Massachusetts scoreless through five innings. His counterpart, Sam Faulkson, was just as impressive keeping the Ohio hitters off balance and giving up one lone run from a passed ball. Massachusetts' bats came alive in the sixth inning, though, with a big double in the gap for John White that plated two runs to take the lead. Massachusetts added another insurance run which would become very important.

 

In the bottom of the inning, Faulkson lost some of his location. He hit the first batter and walked the second of the inning. A sacrifice bunt left Ohio with runners on 2nd and 3rd. A passed ball plated Ohio's second run, but with two outs and a runner on third, John Cornette came to the plate Cornette had three home runs in the regional and with an 0-2 count drove a fastball to deep center field. Massachusetts' Mike Rando went back to the wall, steadied himself, timed his jump, and...came down with an amazing catch leaning over the wall. He brought back a potential walk-off home run and Massachusetts left Game 1 of the LLWS with a 3-2 victory to move to 1-0 in Pool Play. Ohio falls to 0-1.

 

The catch was one of the best warning track/wall catches I've seen in Williamsport. The first was definitely the full-speed leap into the wall a few years ago by a player from the Midwest. This catch by Rando may be second due to the magnitude of the play. Massachusetts continued to get great pitching from Faulkson who finds ways to get people out. John Adams picked up the one-out save.

 

I'll have another blog later on tonight about the other U.S. game. Thoughts on Japan/Curacao and Maracaibo/Taiwan will come with it.

2,063 Views Tags: baseball, 2007-little-league-world-series, walpole, hamilton-westside


Comments (16)
Aug 18, 2007 3:35 PM Guest mark yuen  says:

japan freakin' rulez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 18, 2007 6:57 PM Guest jim broderick  says:

it was a great catch but i feel at some point i think he knew he had it. great catch yes. espn top play of the day no.
Aug 19, 2007 12:43 PM Guest WTx Bill  says:

After 2 games, it looks like Lubbock TX (SW Representative) has a good combination of hitting (especially the long ball) and pitching.  They haven't shown much field defense, but if the pitching strikes out the other side, they may not have the opportunity (or need) to show much field defense.  Very early yet, and I doubt they have another lefty pitcher that can match either of the first two kids, but they are looking very good so far.  As for pitching depth, Western used six different pitchers during the regional tournament. Williams (starter Saturday, 17 Ks) pitched in three games, but Zane Ancell (starter Sunday, 11 Ks), Bryndan Arredondo (relieved Saturday) and Stephen Smith each took the mound twice. Taylor Bridges and Tyler Thorne (relieved Sunday) each pitched in a game as well.

 

 

For what it's worth, their 5 runs against Chandler (AZ, West Representative) is their lowest run output this year.
Aug 19, 2007 3:51 PM Guest WTx Bill  says in response to WTx Bill:

Taylor Bridges also relieved today and got the last two outs, as Tyler Thorne didn't get either batter he faced out.  Lubbock plays again Tuesday against West Salisbury, Maryland (Mid-Atlantic Representative) and can use Williams again or use Smith (who hasn't pitched yet) or any (or all) of the 3 that have relieved - Ancell will still be locked into a "rest" (non-pitching - he can play a position) day.  

 

Maryland plays Coon Rapids, MN tonight, with both teams looking for their 1st win.  A MN win puts TX in the playoffs as the top team in the "B" Pool, as MN faces AZ in the 3rd "B" Pool game.  If both enter that game 1-1 and MD enters their last game against TX 0-2, only 1 other team could get to 2-1 and TX would hold a head-to-head win over either of those teams.  That would give TX the option to use any pitcher(s) against MD, as that game would not affect the standings.  That would give TX maximum options for their pitching rotation.  A MD win leaves a lot of options on the table, including a 3-way tie at 1-2 for 2nd place in the "B" Pool bracket!

 

The "A" Pool is a four-way tie, with all teams 1-1, so every team is very much alive for the US playoff round.
Aug 19, 2007 7:20 PM Guest WTx Bill  says in response to WTx Bill:

Coon Rapids beat West Salisbury with a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 6th inning, so Texas is in the US Playoffs and West Salisbury is headed home after their game with Texas Tuesday.  A tough loss for West Salisbury and I'm sure they'll play tough and be looking for redemption against Texas.  Coon Rapids MN and Chandler AZ will be playing late Tuesday for the #2 Pool "B" slot in the US Playoffs.

 

Monday's games will see matchups in Pool "A" for the US Playoffs, with Great Lakes (West Side Little League - Hamilton, Ohio) taking on Northwest (Lake Oswego LL - Lake Oswego, Oregon) for one spot and New England (Walpole American LL - Walpole, Massachusetts) facing Southeast (Warner Robins American LL - Warner Robins, Georgia) for the other. NE has a win over GL ("The Rabbit Catch" game), NW has a win over NE, SE over NW and GL over SE.  Margins in the wins were 1 for NE and NW, 5 for SE and 8 for GL. 

 

Runs scored are 12 for GL, 11 for SE, 5 for NW and 3 for NE.  While that makes it look good for GL (7 in runs over NW) and SE (8 over NE), these are 11 and 12-year-olds.  As they say in the gold ads, "Previous performance may not be a reliable indicator of future results" - that's why they play the games!  Good luck to all, and GO TEXAS!!!
Aug 20, 2007 12:18 PM Guest Guest  says in response to jim broderick:

BS:  Definitely ESPN Top play of the day!  GO WALPOLE!
Aug 21, 2007 9:46 AM Guest DAVID BOURELLE  says:

I like the rule on pitch count and not on innings pitched. I've coached baseball when my kids were in little league and always kept tack of the pitch count even though the league rules were set on innings. But I think they should go a step farther in protecting the arms of our youth, a pitcher that has pitched alot of pitches should have to sit out after he's done. Alot of times they are moved to short or outfield because they are some of the better players. First base is were I tried to put a pitcher if he had just pitched and I needed him. I don't claim to know if a kids arm can can be damaged by this pactice, but I know my arm couldn't take it: that is getting all warmed up and then allowing it to cool down and then maybe try to throw someone out from center field.
Aug 21, 2007 2:52 PM Guest Coach Finnie  says:

The pitching rule changes are the most important development in the little league series. No more 12 year olds throwing 140 pitches in a game or teams using the same pitcher all the time.  It is unfortunate the little league needed to protect players from over zealous coaches, but baseball will be better for all.
Aug 21, 2007 7:25 PM Guest Hans  says in response to Coach Finnie:

Yes, many good arms will make it to the next level intact.  It may create a huge pool of pitching talent in professional baseball 6 to 10 years down the road.
Aug 22, 2007 3:25 PM Guest Jon Steele  says in response to WTx Bill:

I just watched the ending of the Minnesota / Arizona game and was disgusted with what the Minnesota players did.  The cameras were on the two teams as they prepared to shake hands and the Arizona team huddled and yelled "Minnesota".  As this was happening the camera showed 3 Minnesota boys spit on their hands as they lined up to shake Arizona's hands.  Is this the type of sportsmanship we are teaching our youth today?  The Minnesota coaches, fans, and players should all be ashamed of theirselves and they should be banned for next year's tournament!!
Aug 22, 2007 3:53 PM Guest Chuck  says in response to Jon Steele:

Unfortunately, kids are watching professional players in MLB, NBA, NHL, and the NFL set some very poor examples regarding conduct.  I'm sure the coaches expect much more from their kids, but it's very difficult to monitor every kid every moment.  The kids should be held accountable, and be made to pay for their behavior (preferably by their parents), but I think banning next year's team for something they had nothing to do with is a little drastic.
Aug 23, 2007 12:45 PM CranberryBlue CranberryBlue    says:

Personally as a MA resident & Red Sox fan I think a few too many of the Walpole kids had Derek Jeter as their favorite ball player.  Huh?  You gotta be kidding me.  Next they'll be saying Peyton Manning is their favorite QB.

 

Kids these days.......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Aug 24, 2007 11:05 AM Guest Scott  says in response to Jon Steele:

It has been the talk already on the skyway in downtown MPLS today.  To think our family and co workers were so excited to have a MN team represented there and then to hear about this - what a turn- and all now to dissapointment.  My wife had called today as she had TVO'd the news on the team. My son (12 and just exiting Little League could not believe it)- if ever he were to have thought of such a thing- would be writing letters of apology to that AZ team and coaches, along with apologies the the other teammates who did not fall into this peer pressure tactic. We have been part of Little League for past 4 years- and it saddens be that acts like this will be what many remember -unfortunatley/ Who are these parents - coaches? Wow -Depressing!
Aug 24, 2007 2:38 PM Guest Randy  says in response to Jon Steele:

So exactly what do the fans have to do with this?  I understand discipline for the players, and the coaches must take responsibility, but kindly explain how the FANS are responsible?
Aug 13, 2008 1:32 PM Guest Randy Newt  says in response to Randy:

That is exactly right.  It is important to give credit where credit is due.  The fans are not responsible.
Aug 13, 2008 2:32 PM Guest Randy  says in response to Randy Newt:

These parents should be ashamed of themselves.  http://www.collegecreditbuilder.com/mlbcards.htm

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