In case you missed it, go find your November 15th issue and turn to page 31!

Yay team!

In other news: Did anyone mistakenly pick up Matthew Luddy’s bat at the last game? It’s a silver Easton and it has his name on it. Take a look at your equipment to see if you have the missing bat and please contact Brendan Luddy ASAP.

Happy Thanksgiving!

All the kids did a great job hitting, fielding, and pitching – you should be very proud of yourselves. A special shout out of thanks goes to our dedicated coaches and the parents, who carved time out of their busy lives to get the kids ready to play during this successful 2007 Fall Ball season.

Official Team Photo

(click to see bigger photo)

Want more pix?

Get Christine Mazzotta’s collection at Snapfish (note: you have to register to view it, but you can purchase any photos you wish right there)

Check out our Berlin Baseball Flickr album, which is comprised of the great shots taken by Ray Hinchcliffe, Jeff Gdovin, and Chris’s – there are 639! pix. (Note: you can save any photo to your computer, click the “all sizes” link, select the size you want, then clicking the download prompt.)

* In the beginning of the season, we were not keeping official score with the coaches pitching to the kids. While I’m sure of the wins and loses, the scores are approximate from memory.

First Inning

Pitcher Matt Lewis started things off and got two strikeouts in the top of the first. Nick C, who was playing second, made a beautiful throw to first baseman Mike C for a nice defensive play. Matt Luddy started the Orioles offense off with a single, but it proved to be the only hit of the inning. Score: 0-0.

Second Inning

Matt Lewis, again at the mound, fielded three grounders and easily threw to Nick C at first for all three outs. Back on offense, Tyler hit a nice single into center field (and had a beautiful slide into 2nd base) with other hits coming off the bats of Nick C and Nick H. Michael C was hit in the back by a pitch, but stayed in the batter’s box anyway. However, in the end, the Orioles didn’t cross home plate and it remained 0-0 after two.

Third Inning

While Southington threatened with a few hits, pitcher Marc D was able to keep them off the board. The Orioles, however, made the most of their at-bats and scored 3 times during the home end of third. Matt Lewis, Anthony V (nice one into right), Nick M, and Matt Luddy (2 RBIs) all singled. While Stephen B hit into a force out at 2nd, he was able to bat in Matt Lewis for another RBI. Score: Orioles 3, SoNos 0.

Fourth Inning

Taking over pitching duties, was our “ace” Daniel V, who added two more strikeouts to the record books. Nick C, who played well all year at first, had a nice solo play stepping onto the bag well before the player.

The Orange crushed the ball in the bottom of the 4th, getting five runs before the alloted three outs were made. Singles were stroked by Daniel, Evan B, Tyler, Nick C (RBI), Michael (RBI), Nick H (who was hit by a wayward pitch before singling and tallying an RBI!), Marc (RBI), and Nick M (RBI). Berlin broke the game wide open, now leading 8-0.

Fifth Inning

The fifth (and final inning) became the “Nick and Nick” show. Nick M retrieved slappers back to the mound (one barehanded!) and threw them over to Nick C twice.

The Orioles scored once more in the bottom of the inning, as Stephen B, Matt Luddy, and Jarrett G singled to load the bases. Emma H (RBI) then singled in the last run of the season before the game was called due to time. The players graciously shook hands, posed for some team pictures, then all headed to Central Pizza for lunch and trophies to cap their wonderful season.

This was a fun game and it made this blogger happy to mention EVERYONE on the team! It was great to see everyone playing so well and having a good time. Great job — Berlin Orioles — you were an amazing 8-2 this fall!

Inning #1

Michael C recorded a strikeout, as the Os took the field first. Marc D made a great solo play, snagging a bounding ball and beating the runner at first. At the plate, Tyler M and Nick C garnered the only singles of the inning, as the game remained scoreless after one.

Inning #2

Taking the mound again, Mike struck out another batter and kept the SoNos off the bases. The play of the game (and maybe of the entire year) featured Nick C, who caught a soft pop-up off first base, rolled over once, and held onto the ball – nice to watch!

Team Orange scored once during the bottom of the inning with singles came off the bats of Nick H, Matt Lewis, and Nick M. Nick H crossed the plate when Matt Luddy (RBI) hit into a fielder’s choice that knocked out Matt Lewis at third base. At the end of two, Orioles up 1-0.

Inning #3

Nick C (this is his 3rd mention, so far!) took over pitching duties on the top of the third, as he easily and impressively struck out the side.

The bats came alive in the 3rd, as Berlin batted around the order and scored 5 runs in all. Sweet singles were hit by Tyler (2 in the inning, including an RBI), Nick C, Mike, Nick H (RBI), Matt Lewis (RBI), Nick M (RBI), and Matt Luddy (RBI). After three, Orioles were winning 6-0.

Inning #4

Back for his 2nd stint on the mound, Nick C kept Southington baffled at the plate and struck out one. The Orioles were also kept scoreless during the bottom of the inning as the SoNos brought in a fireballer. Nick H got the lone hit, as the score remained 6-0 after four.

Inning #5

Matt Luddy (who also pitched a nice inning) added another strikeout and kept Southington off the board. The Orioles lit it up again with another singles-fest. The hits kept coming from Matt Lewis, Matt Luddy, Emma H, Tyler (RBI), Nick C (RBI), and Mike (RBI), During the last “ups,” we added 3 more runs, making the final score Orioles 9 and North nada.

While Nick C was the obvious star today, it was great to see Tyler having such a great day at the plate. The pitchers didn’t allow much action in the field, but as usual, Michael, Nick H and all the Matts played solidly.

Every player should have a photo up there now and we have some cool action shots to round it out.

Go check it out – there are even new effects for your viewing pleasure.

It’s not too late, send in your pix today!

Inning One

The game began with a bang as the Orioles came out swinging with 7 hits and 4 runs during the top of the first. Singles came off the bats of Matt Luddy, Jarrett G, Daniel V (RBI), Nick C, Michael C (RBI), and Nick H. Both Emma H and Evan B (RBI) grounded into fielder’s choices but moved the runners along to put them into scoring position. The big hit – easily our best of the day – came from Tyler M (RBI), who had a booming double into right!

During the bottom of the inning, Nick C was the star as he struck out one batter and kept them scoreless. He also took matters into his own hands by snaring a slapper back to the mound and throwing over to Michael C for an easy out.

Inning Two

The 2nd inning proved to be a quiet one on both sides of the field. The lone hit, a nice single into right, was powered by Nick M. The “Big Ouch” award went to gritty Jarrett, who took a stinger one off the elbow from an errant pitch.

Over on “D,” Daniel proceeded to easily strike out the side – whoa the kid can really bring it in there!

Inning Three

Daniel, Tyler, and Nick C all singled, but Nick H’s clutch bases-loaded hit brought in Team Orange’s only run of the inning. Michael C pitched masterfully, getting two Reds to strikeout. Evan had a beautiful play at shortstop, knocking down a screamer and tossing it over to Daniel for the tough 3rd out.

Inning Four

Four singles, stroked by Nick M, Jarrett, Emma (RBI), and Daniel (RBI), brought home two more runs. Daniel was robbed of a double during the inning as Emma neglected to keep trucking. She did end up landing on third, but Daniel had to slam on the brakes and get back to first to keep everyone safe. With this blogger leading the screams of “run, Emma, run,” it provided a moment of levity for the fans.

Pitcher Nick C headed back to the mound and mirrored his work in the first inning. He recorded another strikeout and grabbed another back-to-the-mound liner, this time tossing to Marc D for the out. The Reds managed to score twice this inning, but that’s all they’d get this game.

According to Coach Christine, the key to the game was the awesome pitching (she was impressed with all that hitting, too!). Keep it up Orioles, one more weekend to go!

1st inning

Although Stephen B, Nick M, and Nick H all singled, our Orioles didn’t score in the top of the 1st. On defense, Nick C took charge on the mound and had two impressive strikeouts. At the end of one, the score remained 0-0.

2nd inning

The bats came alive with 7 singles in the second. Evan B started it off and was followed by Daniel V, Matt Luddy, Stephen (RBI), Nick M (RBI), Anthony V (RBI), and Nick H (RBI), scoring 4 runs in all. Nick M pitched the bottom of the inning and also had 2 great strikeouts. The second wrapped up with the Orioles taking a 4-1 lead.

3rd inning

The offense was quiet during the third with the lone hit coming off the bat of Daniel. Anthony pitched the bottom of the inning, and the SoNos were able to inch closer with another run. But the highlight reel would feature Nick H, who had a beautiful throw from third that easily nailed the runner. Score: Orioles lead 4-2.

4th inning

The Orioles scored again in the top of the forth. This time Stephen singled, followed by a sweet double from Nick M, and Anthony batted in the run. On the field, Nick C did some notable work at first base and Matt Luddy struck out one. Now, the Orioles were hanging on to a 5-4 lead.

5th inning

The hits continued to come in bunches – and the 5th inning featured singles from Nick C, Evan B, Jarrett G (RBI), and Matt Luddy (RBI). Also, Daniel was able to get on base with a fielder’s choice, as we added 2 more to the score. Daniel on the mound took control with 2 strikeouts. The game ended happily for our guys, as we won 7-4.

This weekend’s games (both away):

• Sat, Oct 13 vs Southington North @ Memorial Park @ 4:00pm (please arrive at 3:30pm for warm ups)
• Sun, Oct 14 vs Ed Walsh Red @ Carabetta @ 3:30pm (please arrive at 3pm for warm ups)

Parents: please give Coach Frank $10 toward the pizza and trophies as soon as you can.