The 12th seeded Lyle's Family Barbershop Boys Kid Pitch Baseball team held on to squeak past a very good number 2 seeded PBPA #35 club 6-5 on Saturday, June 26, 2010 and earn the right to face Alamo for the outright championship on Monday, June 28, 2010. Game time is at 5:30 PM.
Lyle’s won the coin toss and elected to be the home team for the game. Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” took the mound for Lyle’s as the contest got underway. Peyton Lane walked to the plate and on a 1-0 count he allegedly was struck by the pitch. As to where the phantom ball struck him is anyone’s guess, but he was awarded first base. Derek Owens hit a popup just in front of home plate that stayed fair for an infield hit as PBPA had something going. Camfield may have been a bit rattled as he uncharacteristically walked the next batter, Cayden Collings, on 4 straight out of the strike zone as PBPA loaded the bases with nobody out. Nicholas Owens lined out to third baseman Konour "Slammer” Smith for the first out of the inning as the bases remained loaded. Reese Bergstrom hit a grounder back to Camfield who threw home to catcher Sam “The Rally Man” Owen to force out Lane at the plate for out number 2. It appeared Lyle’s would get out of the inning unscathed but the ball somehow ended up rolling towards the pitcher’s mound and Derek Owens took advantage and scooted home safely for the first run of the game. It was at that point that the coach for Lyle’s was granted time to talk to his infield to remind them to relax and play good, fundamental baseball, and they seemed to respond as Camfield struck out Nate Browning looking on a full count fastball to end the inning. Before that out was recorded, however, Matt Ashby received the second phantom hit by pitch of the inning to load the bases again. The reason I believe these were phantom hit by pitches is because both of these occurred following Camfield fastballs, and yet neither of the boys who were allegedly struck even flinched…and believe you me, anyone who is struck by a Quinn Camfield fastball would be rolling and howling in pain! Be that as it may, the top of the first ended with PBPA holding a 1-0 lead.
Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” Camfield led off the bottom of the first for Lyle’s and he grounded out shortstop to first for out number 1. Preston “The Machine” Hayes uncharacteristically struck out swinging on a full count Nicholas Owens offering for out number 2, but Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson drew a full count 2 out walk to keep the inning alive. Konour Smith, however, grounded out pitcher to first to end the first inning with Lyle’s still trailing 1-0.
Camfield was back on the mound in the top of the second. Seth Duhamell singled up the middle to start things off for PBPA. Josh Bushert grounded out third to first as Duhamell took second. Peyton Lane reached on an error as Duhamell moved to third, and it was here that we had our first little bit of controversy. Lane tried to take second on the play but he was thrown out at second. In the meantime Duhamell was sent home from third base. The first base and third base coaches for PBPA were getting upset, and I had no idea why, so I asked for time to go talk to the umpires to see what exactly was going on. As I headed out to the field I said quietly and calmly to the first base coach, “Let’s just get this right, Jeff.” When I approached the base umpire I asked him after hearing the third base coach yelling, “You can’t call time when players are off the base!”, “Did you call time?” He sheepishly replied, “Yes, I did.” I then said, “Then there is no out at second base, the runner goes back to first, and the runner returns to third.” I was not happy about what had happened, and I honestly felt that we were really getting the short end of the stick because we could have had 2 outs with nobody on and only 1 run in. Instead, we were facing a 1 out situation with runners at the corners and PBPA’s numbers 2, 3, and 4 batters coming to the dish. That was not a situation I cared to be in. But if an umpire calls time, then the play on the field stops.
Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” lived up to his nickname and he calmly struck out Derek Owens and Cayden Collings in succession. Both strikeouts were set up by knuckleballs that kept the batters off-balanced, preventing them from catching up to the blazing 2 strike fastballs from Camfield. So in spite of everything, Lyle’s still only trailed by 1 run.
Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger led off the second by being issued a walk from Nicholas Owens. DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas popped out to the first baseman for out number 1. Isaac “GPS” Ray also was issued a 4 pitch free pass, bringing Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez to the platter. Vasquez hit a double into right center field that tied the score as Harshbarger scored from second, and Ray moved to third. Sam “The Rally Man” Owen struck out for the second out of the frame and the bases were loaded as Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” drew the third walk of the inning. Preston “The Machine” Hayes hit the ball well but second baseman Derek Owens gobbled up the ball and threw Hayes out at first to end the inning.
Preston “The Machine” Hayes was called upon to pitch as the third inning began, and he held PBPA in check. Nicholas Owens was robbed as first baseman Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson made an excellent over the shoulder catch as he dove with his back to the plate to pull down the ball, holding on to it with both hands for out number 1. Reese Bergstrom reached as his high infield popup was dropped by second baseman Dakota Vasquez, but Hayes pitched around the miscue. Matt Ashby reached on a fielder’s choice as Bergstrom was forced at second base for out number 2, but another error allowed Nate Browning to reach safely, placing runners at first and second. Hayes induced Seth Duhamell to popup to third base to end the inning with the score still tied 1-1.
Lyle’s took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson grounded out to the shortstop whose throw nipped Ferguson at first, and Konour “Slammer” Smith followed with a 1 out walk. Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger went down swinging, setting up some 2 out heroics for DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas. Thomas jumped all over the first pitch he saw which was high and outside, but he drove the ball way out into right center field for a triple as Smith scored from first base. Isaac “GPS” Ray struck out to bring the inning to a close.
PBPA scored an unearned run to tie the game in the top of the 4th inning. Josh Bushert grounded out to shortstop Quinn Camfield but Donovan Ferguson dropped the throw, allowing the runner to reach base safely. Peyton Lane reached on a fielder’s choice for the first out of the inning. Lane moved to second as Ferguson handled the ball hit by Derek Owens unassisted for out number 2. Cayden Collings hit a double over the head of left fielder Julian Harshbarger that scored Lane, but Hayes got out of the jam by getting Nicholas Owens to ground out to shortstop Quinn Camfield whose throw to Ferguson at first base was in plenty of time.
The bottom of the 4th inning proved to be the difference in the ballgame as Lyle’s was able to rally for 4 big runs and take a 6-2 lead. Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez singled into right for his second hit of the game but he was forced out at second as Sam “The Rally Man” Owen replaced him on the base path at first. Owen stole second ahead of Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” Camfield’s single into left as Owen moved to third. Preston Hayes drove home Owen as Hayes reached on a fielder’s choice when Camfield was forced at second, and Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson was walked in a very good 8 pitch at-bat. Konour “Slammer” Smith singled home Hayes for the second run of the inning, and both Smith and Ferguson came home to roost as Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger blasted a pitch deep into center field for a 2 run double. DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas grounded out second to first as Lyle’s now found themselves with a 6-2 lead after 4 completed innings of play.
Preston Hayes went back to pitch for his final inning of work as the fifth inning began. Reese Bergstrom was hit by a pitch as he led off for PBPA. It was now time for manufactured controversy to erupt. Matt Ashby hit a fly ball into center field that dropped for what looked like an apparent hit. However, center fielder Isaac “GPS” Ray picked up the ball and threw to second baseman Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez, who was standing on the bag to force out Bergstrom. It was not even a close play, and Vasquez did not bobble the ball. But for some unknown reason the first base coach for PBPA became enraged and yelled at the umpire. The coach was then given a warning, and play continued with Ashby at first with 1 out. Hayes walked Nate Browning ahead of a single off the bat of Seth Duhamell that drove in Ashby. Josh Bushert grounded out short to first for out number 2. Leadoff hitter Peyton Lane reached safely as his popup fell in front of pitcher Hayes. The coach for Lyle’s was granted time to talk to his infield and give them some encouragement to relax and get the job done, and they responded positively once more as Derek Owens ended the threat by grounding out to shortstop Camfield for out number 3.
Lyle’s was unable to put more pressure on PBPA as they failed to score in their bottom half of the frame. Isaac Ray struck out and Dakota Vasquez grounded out unassisted to the first baseman. Sam Owen walked but he was stranded as Quinn Camfield popped out to third.
Camfield went back to pitch in the top of the sixth for Lyle’s. Cayden Collings singled into left field and he stole second and third. Nicholas Owens was called out on strikes on a borderline pitch and the first base coach was not happy at all with the call, and he let the home plate umpire know it. Reese Bergstrom singled home Collings to pull PBPA to within 1 run, but Camfield struck out Matt Ashby looking at a fastball. He then struck out Nate Browning swinging on another great fastball that painted the black of the plate to end the inning and the ballgame with the score 6-5 in favor of Lyle’s. It was Camfield’s second consecutive save in as many days as Preston Hayes improved his pitching record to 3-4.
DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas and Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger were awarded game balls.
Lyle’s won the coin toss and elected to be the home team for the game. Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” took the mound for Lyle’s as the contest got underway. Peyton Lane walked to the plate and on a 1-0 count he allegedly was struck by the pitch. As to where the phantom ball struck him is anyone’s guess, but he was awarded first base. Derek Owens hit a popup just in front of home plate that stayed fair for an infield hit as PBPA had something going. Camfield may have been a bit rattled as he uncharacteristically walked the next batter, Cayden Collings, on 4 straight out of the strike zone as PBPA loaded the bases with nobody out. Nicholas Owens lined out to third baseman Konour "Slammer” Smith for the first out of the inning as the bases remained loaded. Reese Bergstrom hit a grounder back to Camfield who threw home to catcher Sam “The Rally Man” Owen to force out Lane at the plate for out number 2. It appeared Lyle’s would get out of the inning unscathed but the ball somehow ended up rolling towards the pitcher’s mound and Derek Owens took advantage and scooted home safely for the first run of the game. It was at that point that the coach for Lyle’s was granted time to talk to his infield to remind them to relax and play good, fundamental baseball, and they seemed to respond as Camfield struck out Nate Browning looking on a full count fastball to end the inning. Before that out was recorded, however, Matt Ashby received the second phantom hit by pitch of the inning to load the bases again. The reason I believe these were phantom hit by pitches is because both of these occurred following Camfield fastballs, and yet neither of the boys who were allegedly struck even flinched…and believe you me, anyone who is struck by a Quinn Camfield fastball would be rolling and howling in pain! Be that as it may, the top of the first ended with PBPA holding a 1-0 lead.
Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” Camfield led off the bottom of the first for Lyle’s and he grounded out shortstop to first for out number 1. Preston “The Machine” Hayes uncharacteristically struck out swinging on a full count Nicholas Owens offering for out number 2, but Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson drew a full count 2 out walk to keep the inning alive. Konour Smith, however, grounded out pitcher to first to end the first inning with Lyle’s still trailing 1-0.
Camfield was back on the mound in the top of the second. Seth Duhamell singled up the middle to start things off for PBPA. Josh Bushert grounded out third to first as Duhamell took second. Peyton Lane reached on an error as Duhamell moved to third, and it was here that we had our first little bit of controversy. Lane tried to take second on the play but he was thrown out at second. In the meantime Duhamell was sent home from third base. The first base and third base coaches for PBPA were getting upset, and I had no idea why, so I asked for time to go talk to the umpires to see what exactly was going on. As I headed out to the field I said quietly and calmly to the first base coach, “Let’s just get this right, Jeff.” When I approached the base umpire I asked him after hearing the third base coach yelling, “You can’t call time when players are off the base!”, “Did you call time?” He sheepishly replied, “Yes, I did.” I then said, “Then there is no out at second base, the runner goes back to first, and the runner returns to third.” I was not happy about what had happened, and I honestly felt that we were really getting the short end of the stick because we could have had 2 outs with nobody on and only 1 run in. Instead, we were facing a 1 out situation with runners at the corners and PBPA’s numbers 2, 3, and 4 batters coming to the dish. That was not a situation I cared to be in. But if an umpire calls time, then the play on the field stops.
Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” lived up to his nickname and he calmly struck out Derek Owens and Cayden Collings in succession. Both strikeouts were set up by knuckleballs that kept the batters off-balanced, preventing them from catching up to the blazing 2 strike fastballs from Camfield. So in spite of everything, Lyle’s still only trailed by 1 run.
Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger led off the second by being issued a walk from Nicholas Owens. DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas popped out to the first baseman for out number 1. Isaac “GPS” Ray also was issued a 4 pitch free pass, bringing Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez to the platter. Vasquez hit a double into right center field that tied the score as Harshbarger scored from second, and Ray moved to third. Sam “The Rally Man” Owen struck out for the second out of the frame and the bases were loaded as Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” drew the third walk of the inning. Preston “The Machine” Hayes hit the ball well but second baseman Derek Owens gobbled up the ball and threw Hayes out at first to end the inning.
Preston “The Machine” Hayes was called upon to pitch as the third inning began, and he held PBPA in check. Nicholas Owens was robbed as first baseman Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson made an excellent over the shoulder catch as he dove with his back to the plate to pull down the ball, holding on to it with both hands for out number 1. Reese Bergstrom reached as his high infield popup was dropped by second baseman Dakota Vasquez, but Hayes pitched around the miscue. Matt Ashby reached on a fielder’s choice as Bergstrom was forced at second base for out number 2, but another error allowed Nate Browning to reach safely, placing runners at first and second. Hayes induced Seth Duhamell to popup to third base to end the inning with the score still tied 1-1.
Lyle’s took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third. Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson grounded out to the shortstop whose throw nipped Ferguson at first, and Konour “Slammer” Smith followed with a 1 out walk. Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger went down swinging, setting up some 2 out heroics for DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas. Thomas jumped all over the first pitch he saw which was high and outside, but he drove the ball way out into right center field for a triple as Smith scored from first base. Isaac “GPS” Ray struck out to bring the inning to a close.
PBPA scored an unearned run to tie the game in the top of the 4th inning. Josh Bushert grounded out to shortstop Quinn Camfield but Donovan Ferguson dropped the throw, allowing the runner to reach base safely. Peyton Lane reached on a fielder’s choice for the first out of the inning. Lane moved to second as Ferguson handled the ball hit by Derek Owens unassisted for out number 2. Cayden Collings hit a double over the head of left fielder Julian Harshbarger that scored Lane, but Hayes got out of the jam by getting Nicholas Owens to ground out to shortstop Quinn Camfield whose throw to Ferguson at first base was in plenty of time.
The bottom of the 4th inning proved to be the difference in the ballgame as Lyle’s was able to rally for 4 big runs and take a 6-2 lead. Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez singled into right for his second hit of the game but he was forced out at second as Sam “The Rally Man” Owen replaced him on the base path at first. Owen stole second ahead of Quinn “The Eskimo Mr. Cool” Camfield’s single into left as Owen moved to third. Preston Hayes drove home Owen as Hayes reached on a fielder’s choice when Camfield was forced at second, and Donovan “Smooth Hustle” Ferguson was walked in a very good 8 pitch at-bat. Konour “Slammer” Smith singled home Hayes for the second run of the inning, and both Smith and Ferguson came home to roost as Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger blasted a pitch deep into center field for a 2 run double. DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas grounded out second to first as Lyle’s now found themselves with a 6-2 lead after 4 completed innings of play.
Preston Hayes went back to pitch for his final inning of work as the fifth inning began. Reese Bergstrom was hit by a pitch as he led off for PBPA. It was now time for manufactured controversy to erupt. Matt Ashby hit a fly ball into center field that dropped for what looked like an apparent hit. However, center fielder Isaac “GPS” Ray picked up the ball and threw to second baseman Dakota “Badlands” Vasquez, who was standing on the bag to force out Bergstrom. It was not even a close play, and Vasquez did not bobble the ball. But for some unknown reason the first base coach for PBPA became enraged and yelled at the umpire. The coach was then given a warning, and play continued with Ashby at first with 1 out. Hayes walked Nate Browning ahead of a single off the bat of Seth Duhamell that drove in Ashby. Josh Bushert grounded out short to first for out number 2. Leadoff hitter Peyton Lane reached safely as his popup fell in front of pitcher Hayes. The coach for Lyle’s was granted time to talk to his infield and give them some encouragement to relax and get the job done, and they responded positively once more as Derek Owens ended the threat by grounding out to shortstop Camfield for out number 3.
Lyle’s was unable to put more pressure on PBPA as they failed to score in their bottom half of the frame. Isaac Ray struck out and Dakota Vasquez grounded out unassisted to the first baseman. Sam Owen walked but he was stranded as Quinn Camfield popped out to third.
Camfield went back to pitch in the top of the sixth for Lyle’s. Cayden Collings singled into left field and he stole second and third. Nicholas Owens was called out on strikes on a borderline pitch and the first base coach was not happy at all with the call, and he let the home plate umpire know it. Reese Bergstrom singled home Collings to pull PBPA to within 1 run, but Camfield struck out Matt Ashby looking at a fastball. He then struck out Nate Browning swinging on another great fastball that painted the black of the plate to end the inning and the ballgame with the score 6-5 in favor of Lyle’s. It was Camfield’s second consecutive save in as many days as Preston Hayes improved his pitching record to 3-4.
DeAndre “Mr. Clutch” Thomas and Julian “Hey Jude” Harshbarger were awarded game balls.
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