Friday, May 27, 2005

Irish Together Again

Many of the guys on both teams are close friends and have been team mates before, so its always a pleasure to play our Green Brothers. And the boys enjoy it as well as evidenced by the group photo of them being goofy. Pat came up with the idea to shoot a photo of the two teams combined, and a great idea it was. Although the web doesn't do the actual photo justice, its sharp and everyone is clear. If there are any of you who want a hi res version, email me, colin@stonecrow.net and I'll get you one.

We had some better hitting despite the crazy pitching machine/pitcher. The boys are seeing the ball and making good decisions on what to swing at. We came up a little short this game, but I can tell the practices are paying off. Again, thanks to the coaching staff, you guys are doing a great job.

IRISH BLUE_GREEN


IRISH BLUE_GREEN
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Both Sheldon Irish teams, (Blue & Green) together.

GOOFY IRISH BLUE_GREEN


GOOFY IRISH BLUE_GREEN
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Irish Blue and Green together.

DYLAN_0013


DYLAN_0013
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Focused on the catch.

ALEC 0009


ALEC 0009
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Throwing home.

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Weekend Games Offer Peaks and Valleys

The skys never actually parted for our beautiful weather on Saturday, so the Irish had to make some sunshine of there own and they did it with a solid game against the boys from Pleasant Hill. As usual, Pleasant Hill lived up to their name, from the coachs down to each player, these guys are a pleasure to play against. 10-1 final (Irish)

Sunday, the sun was out but the Irish had a dark cloud above them. I like to call this cloud, the "As Yet Unbeaten Springfield". Again, we made them earn it. Seems like every game against these guys we get closer and closer to beating them. They started strong, and...well, they ended strong too but we got our runs in and had a good game. I have to hand it to Springfield, these guys are very well rounded and played a great game. 13-3 final (Springfield).

David_0002


David_0002
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Outta there!

DYLAN_0003


DYLAN_0003
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

#7 Comes up with a "one hopper"

Friday, May 20, 2005

Churchill Steals The Irish's Thunder

It was a slow start that put us behind from the get go, had we come out with the intensity we ended with, the score might have been reversed. The boys still had a good time and they started hitting really well. At the same time, Churchill ramped up their defense to match. Their 2nd basemen clearly robbed David of an easy base hit, snagging a hard line drive that could've potentially lead to a double. I have to give it to Churchill, they made a nasty habit of hitting into the gap coupled with good throws and solid plays. Dylan ended his batting slump and got on twice, once all the way home. He also got a little infield action as pitcher, I think asking Coach Mark every inning, everygame has paid off for him. (poor Mark) Our #7 can be relentless. He did well, and is learning all about his responsibilities as pitcher. In right field, He had a good stop and even better throw to first to get a runner out. All the boys had their moments, Terrance gave us another scare as catcher, but shook it off and with an all new appreciation for the "cup" was right back in it. 10-7 final.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Irish Blue Lock Horns With South Eugene!

Another great game! Played out in chilly circumstances. Threat of rain and a near constant wind remind us that spring weather can be as unpredictable as the game itself. This game was but another example of how far our boys have come as ball players. They were very strong defensively allowing only 6 runs at the end of regular play, with a well earned 6 runs of their own, the boys took the game to extra innings once again. Offensively we came out a little flat and ended up back on the field to defend our chance for another at bat. It wasn’t meant to be however, before we knew it, South put another 3 runs on the board and a W in their column.
��We've come up against some tough teams and with the runs being dead even in the last three games, I think we can come away knowing that we played our best and learned even more, which of course is the whole reason we're out there. It's sometimes easy for me to forget how young these guys are by watching how well they play. When I put that in perspective, I'm amazed every game. Good job boys! We'll get 'em next time.

CHAD_0014


CHAD_0014
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Chad stretching for a ball while a runner scrambles for 2nd.

TYLER_0011


TYLER_0011
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Tyler grabbing a lightining bolt to stop the runner at first.

Saturday, May 14, 2005

Irish Go Extra Innings (again)

Another hard fought well played game! This one mirrored the Junction City game right down to the final score. 12-11, the only difference was we held them off an additional 2 innings. Emotions ran very high on both sides of the bench. It can be very difficult as a coach(s) to keep your cool in a game driven by so many great plays as well as questionable calls by a lacking ump, our coaches and player rose to the occasion as usual, keeping in perspective who we're all out there for in the first place. I can't say the same for the other teams coaches however and it makes for bad feelings at the end of what was a really good game. Meanwhile, we put this one behind us and move on to another game Sunday at 12:00.
Welcome back Terrance!

JACKSON_0005


JACKSON_0005
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Jackson in perfect form. This picture is a little decieving, the ball was movin'!

Friday, May 13, 2005

Shootout In Junction City

Wow! What a game! This had to be one of the most exciting games I've seen. We jumped out to a substantial lead early on and it looked like smooth sailing, we we're hitting really well, cycling through the line-up and making some great plays. Once Junction City got warmed up, it was clear that we had a battle on our hands. They too started hitting well into the gap and we suffered a couple tough innings. With our heads up and emotions high, we evened out at 10-10 in the 6th, forcing an extra inning. It was a short at bat for the Irish with a quick 3 up 3 down. We took the field with the hopes of doing the same, but they managed to hit around us again. With guys on 2nd and 3rd our chances looked grim, but the boys kept their edge and played some of the best defensive ball I've seen them play. Batter grounds out to 2nd who narrowly throws him out at first, while the runner on third breaks for home only to be thrown out during a heroic slide. Nice! Sheldon survives to bat again. Another quick at bat with little damage to Junction City's momentum and we're back out on the field where the game finally comes to an end 12-11 Junction City.

On a side note, one of our catchers and star bunters Terrance was injured during the Colts game. Unbeknownst to the rest of us, he had been hit by a flying bat and suffered a shoulder injury that might keep him out for awhile. We wish you well Terrance.

David_0014


DSC_0014
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

OUT!

JACKSON_0013


JACKSON_0013
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

David_0018


DSC_0018
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Josh_0002


DSC_0002
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Josh_0003


DSC_0003
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Picked up the bunt and throws to first.

Dusty_0006


DSC_0006
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Leaping into the air to catch this 3rd out.

Mitchell_0013


DSC_0013
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Throwing the runner out from short.

Tyler_0007


DSC_0007
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Scoopin' up a hot grounder

Sheldon Lights Up The Colts

Sheldon Played another great game tonight against the Thurston Colts. This game was full of action, from amazing catches in the outfield to testing the arms and gloves of the Colts as we slid into home. Kudos to Logan who while at the hot corner (3rd) took a mean grounder with a nasty hop, right off the coconut. Thankfully he was back at 'em on the very next play. All in all, we are playing more like a team than ever. Our coaches are doing an awesome job and I think they're creating a season these guys will always cherish and look back on fondly. Mark, Ron and Bob, you guys are doing a wonderful job. Check out some highlights from the game. Final 9-2

Sunday, May 08, 2005

RAINOUT 5-8-05


RAINOUT GRAPHIC
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Mother's Day Game Called For Rain

Mother Nature spoke in the form of black sheets of rain. As a result, we have yet another make up game to schedule. It does free up some more time to spend with mom though. Hope everyone is having a great Mother's Day!

JOSH_0080


DSC_0080
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Terrance_0087


DSC_0087
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Dylan_0002


DSC_0002
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

David_0004


DSC_0004
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Mitchell_0007


DSC_0007
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Alec_0011


DSC_0011
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Dylan_0018


DSC_0018
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Jackson_0020


DSC_0020
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Dusty_0024


DSC_0024
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

DSC_0027


DSC_0027
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Tyler_0028


DSC_0028
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Terrance_0033


DSC_0033
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Tanner_0054


DSC_0054
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Logan_0058


DSC_0058
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Jackson_0060


DSC_0060
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Tyler_0062


DSC_0062
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Dylan_0064


DSC_0064
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Chad_0068


DSC_0068
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Alec_0075


DSC_0075
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Friday, May 06, 2005

Happy Mothers Day!

To all the moms in my life, thanks for all you do, your job is not an easy one and your efforts often go unacknowledged, but rest assured, you are loved and appreciated. You make it all look easy. Without you, we would all be mannerless slobs, and for those who still are mannerless slobs, imagine how much worse you would've been! When your done with that thought, call your mom.

Flowers for Mom


TULIP3846
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Clash of the Sheldons

Amidst constant threat of rain, the boys from Sheldon Blue and Sheldon Green squared off for yet another high energy game of line drives, miraculous catches and desperate slides into home. This may have been the best all around game our boys played. They played a heads up game from start to finish, listening to the base coaches and reading the signs. The game was low scoring and came down to the very last at bat for Sheldon Blue, Dusty was on 3rd and Mitchell was up, we needed one run to end the game with a W in our column. With one out, Mitchell connects but gets under it and pops up to the outfield. Right field makes the catch, Dusty tags and goes for, its on! Rightfield sees whats going on and sets himself for the game saving throw to home. It was a good effort, but couldn't beat Dutsty's hussle. Sheldon Blue wins by one.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

Eugene Resident Has History Of Helping Helpless

Witnesses say a Eugene lady not only acted on behalf of a wounded squirrel, but took precious time out of her busy day to see that the little guy had at least a fighting chance at survival. The incident took place at the the corner of 16th and Oak st. in downtown Eugene. A mother squirrel and her offspring were crossing the busy street when a car struck the baby, injuring his back and legs. The baby squirrel, helpless to escape on his own or with his mother's help was rescued by the good samaritan who then drove the little guy to Willamette Wild Animal Rescue.

As it turns out, this same samaritan, who's also known as my wife, was witnessed stopping morning rush-hour traffic in downtown Denver to assist a baby duck who was seperated from its family. She then drove said critter to her husbands work to have the duck couriered to a wildlife refuge in Boulder Colorado.

Some people might think her crazy, but if crazy is taking time to help, even when its inconvenient, then I would like to be crazy too. In fact, I would like the whole world to be crazy.

Wednesday, May 04, 2005

IRISH0027


IRISH0027
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Irish Battle Undefeated Springfield

Although Springfield remains undefeated, they had to work for it.
The Irish opened up with blazing bats and some real hussle around the bases.
It was good to see them off to such a strong start. They had heard of Springfield's strength from Irish Green's loss, and maybe felt these guys were not human in their skill as ballplayers. Not so. We raced to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and maintained a strong defense up until about the 3rd inning. Springfield rallied back with some strong bats and fast wheels. We had some difficulties with fielding that helped them get ahead and quickly out of reach. Dylan and Jackson had some amazing catches in the outfield that proved to boost the whole team, parents included.
Final 20-8.
We'll get 'em next time.
(pictured is Alec and Chad moving the ball and stopping the runner.)

Monday, May 02, 2005

Professional Hand Scores Made Easy


SCORIT0015_NO PHOTOT
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

This has got to be one of the handiest tools available for do it yourselfers like me. This invention takes the same technology used in the press room and brings it to your home studio for a lifetime of professional scoring and perfing.
I have been using this product for years and its given my cards the professional look without the professional cost. I find excuses to come up with projects to use this on. They have just recently added a perf board. True perfing for small run, or single run applications is virtually unheard of, not anymore. If your a designer, printer or scrap booker, you need to give these guys a look. www.scorit.com

Our catcher David


IRISH0012
Originally uploaded by cmort04.

Saturday's Main Event!

Saturday afternoon, the Irish got back to business in a showdown with the boys from Pleasant Hill. This was their 2nd game against these guys and while both teams played well, the Irish just couldn't be stopped, with all the bats blazing they quickly jumped ahead 10-0 in the first inning. While frustrated, Pleasant Hill remained a class act from the coaching staff down to the guys in the trenches.

Second inning was much like the first and put the boys up by a subatantial lead. 20-0. Pleasant hill answered with a few run of their own, but just couldn't catch the Irish. They called the game after the 5th, implementing the 10 run rule. Final 24-3. P. Hill kept their chins up and proved to everyone what a class act they are, meanwhile the Irish celebrated a much need victory and broke the pattern of win, loss, win, loss.

Sunday's game was called on account of rain and will be made up on Tuesday in Springfield. Springfield is a team to be feared, word is they beat our Green team by a margine that made our 24-3 Pleasant Hill victory look like a neck and neck race. We'll see, when they bring their sticks, the Irish are tough to beat.