Game 9 A Win is a Win

The skies were grey and the Westfield Bue Ground Crew (Dave and Frank) did a great job getting the field in shape, not to mention their rendition of YMCA http://www.officialvillagepeople.com/. The Blue bounced back to end a 5 game slide behind the dominant pitching, aggressive base running and timely hitting.

Harry got the Blue off to a solid start in the first inning throwing strikes and the Blue defense made some plays. Mono came in to help end a 3 run Grey rally and throw 3+ dominant innings for the Blue. Mono said after the game, "I felt strong and probably should not have grooved the 1-2 fastball to Drew." He was right!

The Blue's bats continue to sputter having scored their first 4 runs on walks and steals and aggressive base running. Jack P and Jared came up with timely hits to start and finish the 6 run fourth inning rally. Mono got back to his swinging ways with a triple to the fence in right but was stranded on 3rd after some nifty fielding by the Grey.

Men in Tights or Coaches in Uniforms?

Saturday, June 17, 2010

Westfield "Silver" brought its undefeated record into Saturday as it opened up play in the Cal Ripken District Tourney on Gumbert 3. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the fields were immaculate as the Silver took on the team from neighboring Mountainside. The format was different than normal as the tournament rules required that teams bat only 9 players with limited substitution. The "Silver" lost a heartbreaker 13-11 on a walk off 2 run home run from the Mountainside bast in the bottom of the 6th.

The 'Silver" jumped out to a quick start scoring in the first inning as J Rod singled and stole 3 bases including home to get the blood flowing and to serve notice to the Mountainside "A" team that the Silver/Blue was here to play. Kyle Big Mac faced a hard swinging Mountainside team and while he gave up 2 runs, threw strikes and closed out the first stranding a runner on 3rd. Mono came on in the second and third to retire each of the 5 batters he faced before giving way to Jake F who threw 3 strong innings of relief. The Blue were off to the races again tallying 17 stolen bases highlighted by a number of swipes of the plate.

Jared, Eddie and Mono scored 2 runs a piece and JRod scored 3 on 2 hits and 3 RBI'. Big Mac roped again with 2 hits and 3 RBI's. The Blue was down 1 run entering the top of the 6th, 11-10 when Jared lead the inning off with a sharp single to left (his third hit of the game). Jared stole his way to third and with 2 down and newcomer Zack at the plate, Jared broke for the plate on a past ball and in a cloud of dust, crossed the plate with the tying run.

Blue Completes first week of season with 15-7 Win over Union

The first week of the summer 2010 baseball season came to a close at G 3 with a win over a tough Union opponent and a post game Nosh thanks to the great efforts of the players and Marie's organization of the Blue Crew parents. Plenty of pizza, chocolate chips, beverages and some spirited games of running bases late into the night were enjoyed by all and recorded by Roseanne.

Tonight's game was covered by Dave Corbin from the Westfield Leader with great game review and some action photos as well. The action cab be found at http://www.goleader.com/10jun24/

Jared lead the way again with 3 shutout innings and 7K's. J Rod ha his 2010 pitching debut and Liam came away with his first save of the summer.

The Blue got started in a hurry ripping 7 hits and scoring 7 runs in the 1st inning as the first 6 batters reach safely. Jack, Jacob F, Liam and Eddie paced the Blue scoring 2 runs each. Kyle and Mono paced the hitting attack with 4 and 3 RBI' s a piece. Newcomers Devin and Zack had their first hits and RBI's with the new team as well.

Next up the Blue takes a brea from the Green League Schedule to play in the Cal Ripken 12u District Tournament at Westfield's Gumbert field. The competition will be tough as this is the first time in over 10 years that Westfield has entered a B team in this tournament. We will be playing this tournament as Westfield Silver as top teams from the region that include Westfield White and Blue A teams along with very strong teams from Cranford, Scotch Plains, Warren and Maplewood look to challenge the Blue Silver. Further information can be found at Westfieldbaseball.com

Game 2 Westfield Blue Beats Westfield White 4-2

Tuesday June 15 had a familiar feel but something was different. Blue and White resumed the in town rivalry for 2010 after splitting 2 games in 2009. Gone were JD and Liam from the White and Cameron from the Blue. All three players moving up to the "A" teams.

The game was a typical back and forth game between the squads with the scored tied at 1 after 3 innings. Kyle Big Mac and Harry Leroy Halladay kept the White batters off balance all night, combining on a 1 hitter. The Blue's bats were also quiet, with just 2 hits, one hit when Jack C lead off the game and came around to score after a few steals and and an error. and Liam ripped a single in the third. Westfield kept up its aggressive baserunning with 1o more steals with 3 each from Jack C and J Rod.

Westfield Blue (and Silver) Gets off to fast start for the 2010 Summer

Game 1 Vs New Providence

Westfield Blue started off the 2010 season where it left off in 2009 at Gumbert 2 in an unusual away game scenario. Solid pitching, steady defense and timely/clutch hitting on June 12 all helped drive the Blue to a 12-6 win. Game Ball to Jared for a great relief pitching performance and Jack C.

Pitching

Mono, Jared and Liam combined to limit New Providence to 3 runs through 5 innings before giving up three late sixth inning runs. The pitchers scattered 8 hots and only 2 walks leading the way to Blue's 5th consecutive Opening Day win.

Defense

Jake F and J Rod lead the way with web jems in the fist and fourth innings. The Blue also got strong defense behind the dish from Harry and Liam.

Hitting and Running the Bases

Kyle Big Mac and Jack C lead the way with 2 hits a piece. Kyle lining two balls off the left field fence. The big blow came in the top of the third with a Grand Salami into the G2 parking lot.