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BANTAM CARDINALS 2009 BANTAM A ISLAND CHAMPS AND LOSE IN TIE BREAKER AT PROVINCIALS

27 July 2009:

The Comox Valley Cardinals played some good ball and finished with a solid 3-2 record at the B.C. Bantam A baseball championships in Maple Ridge on the August long weekend.

The Island champs defeated Victoria 11-7 in their first game. Strong pitching performances by Dillon Robson, Angus Ireland and Adam Riley, along with hot bats, solid defensive play and heads-up base running assured the victory. Brian Rideout was the game MVP, belting two home runs.

In their second game of the day, the Cardinals fell 14-6 to Mission. Solid pitching by Alex Freer and Cody Newberry had the boys in the game, but a couple of untimely errors proved costly in the third inning. Although bats were again strong, with Freer notching a double and a homer and Riley and Robson going 2-for-3, the boys could not make up for the third inning. Alex Freer was game MVP.

After a well earned rest, the Cards regrouped for Friday’s game against Maple Ridge. Tyler Oland, Ireland and Riley shared mound duties, with each performing well. Maple Ridge couldn’t get any momentum going, and when they were able to put the ball into play, solid defense shut them down. The hard-hitting Cards scored in every inning except the second en route to a 12-2 win. Myles Powell and Ireland were both 2-for-3 at the plate, with game MVP Riley ripping a triple.

On Saturday the Comox Valley crew defeated one of the tourney favourties, Ladner, 9-5. A real nail biter, the game was tied 5-5 after 5-1/2 innings. In the bottom of the fifth, the first four of five batters, Connor Turtle, Kyle Brush, Hunter Edwards and Powell, combined for four base hits to chase the Ladner starter. Card’s pitching duties were covered by starter and game MVP Dillon Robson, Newberry and Riley.

After the round robin, there was a three-way tie for top spot with Ladner Mission and the Cards all with 3-1 records in their pool. Ladner, with the fewest runs against, advanced to the semifinals while the Cards had to play a tiebreaker against Mission. Although the boys scored in six of seven innings, led by Riley and Turtle going 2-for-3, it wasn’t enough as Mission capitalized on defensive breakdowns in the fourth and fifth innings to post a 12-9 win. Game MVP was Angus Ireland.

Freer, Ireland, Newberry and Riley saw duty on the mound.

The Skills Competition was highlight for the boys, with the Accuracy Throwing quad squad of Powell, Ireland, Odland and Newberry taking top spot. The foursome of Robson, Riley, Freer and Brush had the fastest “unofficial time” in the Bases Relay but were given a five-second penalty for not touching second base. As a result, they earned bragging rights, but were not named official winners.

“All in all, the boys had a very successful tournament and fun was had by all,” a team spokesperson said. “Great support from parents, grandparents and other family and friends made for a great weekend of ball. Thanks to coaches Tony Powell, Dave Fauteux, Bill Robson and Darryl Egeland for all of their great work.”

SHORT HOPS Comox Valley Minor Baseball Association had four strong Bantam house teams this past season, and following house league play, there was enough interest to create an all-star team ... the Bantam A Cardinals started on a positive note, winning four of six exhibition games, their only losses coming at the hands of Campbell River’s AA squad ... following exhibition play, it was off to the Island championships in Port Alberni, where the team posted a three-game sweep, defeating Port Alberni, Powell River and Victoria to advance to the Provincials as the Island’s top seed ...

MOSQUITO CARDINALS 2009 AAA TIER II ISLAND CHAMPS

27 July 2009:

The Mosquito Cards opened the Island Championships with a game against the same Victoria Bandits who beat them in the Tournament Finals in Juan de Fuca in mid July. It was a totally different game though as the Cards led by William Drewry(3 RBI's) and Wyatt Strachan 2 run inside the park home run to beat the Bandits 8-3. Liam Janzen, Bryce Stromquist, Liam Wirth, and Strachan combined to get the win on the mound.

Duncan came to play in the second game of the day as the Cards withered in the strong afternoon sun as the Red Sox took the game 16-5. Matteo Giomo went 1/2 with a triple while Drewry was 2/3. Solid hitting and some errors made for a tough outing on the mound for pitchers Ryan Stich, Tyler Wong, Haydyn Kierstead and Giomo.

It took a heart stopping play at the plate to preserve the 6-6 tie on Sunday morning vs. the Bandits. Wirth made the game saving tag on a perfect throw by Drewry in the bottom of the 7th. Adam McKillican led the offence with a 3/3 2 RBI day at the plate while Tyler Wong went 3/3 with a single RBI. Stromquist, Janzen, McKillican and Wirth were the pitchers of record on the hill.

Needing a win against 2-0 Duncan to have a shot at the championship, Wirth, McKillican and Stromquist held the Red Sox batters to a mere 4 runs through 5 innings. McKillican led the team at the plate with his team tournament high .600 BA while Wirth, Giomo, Stich and Kierstead also contributed big hits. Not to be outdone, Strachan, Doleman, Wong, and Alex Wilford dominated the tired Red Sox pitching staff with their use of small ball offence in the 11-9 Cardinal win. With a 2-1-1 record, the Cards now had to hope the Bandits would provide a little help and they did just that to give the Cardinals the 2009 Vancouver Island Mosquito Tier II Championship.

After the game Manager Dave Drewry was quoted as saying, "a complete team effort, with all players finding a way to contribute, was the key to a successful weekend on the diamond." "Our pitchers have been working hard all season and they showed that they can compete with the best batters on the Island." chipped in Pitching coach Pete Stromquist. Team Manager Lee McKillican remarked, "good things happen when you have such a positive and committed group of coaches, parents and players. This is good start to our long term goal of developing a competitive baseball program for the years to come."

The Cardinals now move on to Surrey to participate in the 2009 Provincials along with Duncan, Kelowna, Vernon, Prince George and five Vancouver area clubs starting on Thursday.

MOSQUITO CARDS WIN SILVER MEDAL

18 July 2009: The Mosquito Cardinals have been hard at it playing up and down the Island in preparation for next weekends Island Championships in Victoria. Led by Manager Dave Drewry with support from Keith Doleman, Pete Stromquist, Lee McKillican, and a strong parent group, the Mosquito AAA Tier II Cardinals have been practicing hard and are starting to gell at the right time.

They began in mid June when they dropped a couple of close games to the AAA Tier I Campbell River Tyees up at Nunn's Creek Park. They then hosted teams from Duncan, Oceanside, and Campbell River on Canada Day in a mini round robin exhibition series at Aspen Park. Next up, the Cards travelled down to Victoria to participate in the Mid Summer Classic at Juan de Fuca. Game one saw the Cards draw the Pirates from Nanaimo. The Cards used a "pitch by committee" approach with William Drewry, Ryan Stich, Haydn Kierstaed, Wyatt Strachan, Nathan Doleman, Bryce Stromquist, and Adam McKillican combining for the 16-12 win. The Cards then took on the host Victoria Bandits in a hard fought 6-5 loss. Adam McKillican held Victoria to 1 run over 3 innings but the Bandits picked up runs in the 4th and 6th for the victory. Solid team defence by Alex Wilford, Bryce Stromquist and Ryan Stich couldn't stem the persistent Bandit attack. Ryan Stich took to the mound in game 3 pitching 5 solid innings in a 15-4 win over the Victoria Rebels. Wyatt Strachan led the offensive attack and shut the Rebels down in the 6th on the mound. Back from his roadtrip to Ontario, jet lagged Matteo "Gizmo" Giomo provided the spark with his aggresive baserunning. The Cards were set for the rematch against the Bandits in the final. On the mound, Liam Wirth held the Bandits scoreless through 3 innings until the Victoria offence got on track. The Victoria squad put up 4 in the 4th and 3 in the 5th on the way to a 7-3 Gold Medal Win. In all a really good weekend of ball for the Comox side and a good tune-up for the upcoming Island Championships.

The Cards took their roadshow down to Duncan on the 19th for a twinbill against the Red Sox. The Cards split game one 11-11.Game 1 score 11-11. Bryce Stromquist pitched a strong 3 1/3 innings with William Drewry catching. Ryan Stich provided middle relief while Wyatt Strachan held Duncan to 1 run in the final inning to give the Redbirds an opportunity to score the 3 runs needed to make the comeback. Some key hits by William Drewry, Adam McKillican and Liam Wirth as well as 3 walks by Liam Janzen helped with the offense. In the 2nd game, the Cards spotted the Red Sox 4 runsin the 1st inning before the defence kicked in. Liam Janzen pitched 2 innings with Liam Wirth catching. Adam McKillican came on with 4 innings of scoreless relief. The Cards got some stellar defence, led by the left side of the infield with Tyler Wong(2B), Bryce Stromquist(3B), and Matteo Giomo(SS)and backed up by outfielders Hadyn Kierstead and Wyatt Strachan.

RYAN WILLIAMS PIRATES 2009 CVBA PEE WEE CHAMPIONS

30 June 2009: The Ryan William's Pirates had a pretty good run this year as they turned in a pretty solid 2nd Place finish during the regular season of the CVBA Pee Wee League. Unfortunately, the Ambassador Shuttle Cubs had an even better one, going undefeated on the Spring long season to capture 1st place in the season standings. But with the changing of the seasons came the League Playoffs and one more chance at those red hot Cubs.

The playoffs began with a match-up against the Comox Valley Echo Red Sox. Strong pitching and tight defensive play were the name of the game in a 6-1 opening round win. Faced with a depleted roster due to school commitments, the Pirates took on the Piercy's Funeral Home Blue Jays with just 8 players. They used a strategy of revolving pitchers to keep the Blue Jays at bay. Theo Truax, Cody Ullock, Isaac Alksne, Curtis Card, and Nicholas Buchanan provided the arms in this "win by committee" strategy and prevail 12-9. Isaac Alksne was the offensive star of game three as he knocked out not one, not two, but three homeruns in a 16-5 win over the Anco Motel Tigers. Aggressive base running and tight defence also contributed in the win.

This set up a final game against not only the one team that had been a thorn in the Pirates side all season but the game that the Pirates had worked all season for. A chance to play the Ambassador Shuttle Cubs for the Championship. The Coaches put their heads together and decided to run with their ace on the mound and boy did he deliver. Nicholas Buchanan tossed a 7 inning 1 hitter while the bats came alive and the defence shut the Cubs down in a 10-0 win to become the 2009 CVBA Pee Wee Champions!!!

The Pirates would like to thank their Sponsor Ryan William's of Re\Max's Ocean Pacific Realty for his support in 2009. They would also like to thank their Coaches Christian Ricard, and Graham Truax for everything they've done for them this year. The CVBA also wishes to thank the sponsors of Piercy's Funeral Home, Ambassador Shuttle, Anco Motel, and the CV Echo for their generous contributions as well as those of Division Manager Delaura Renwall.

Drewry Electric Yankess 2009 CVBA Mosquito Champs

22 June 2009: Another great season of baseball came to a close on Monday the 22nd with a division BBQ and skills competition at aspen Park. The Mosquito Division Manager, Kathy Dyck would like to thank Western One Rentals, Aquatec Seafood, and the Superstore for their support in this day of fun competition that was enjoyed by all. Speedster Wyatt Strachan tore around the basepaths to take fastest runner while Liam Wirth's rockets were clocked at 54 mph in the fastest pitch competition. Last up was the ever popular Home Run Competition which was won by Liam Nijhoff.

The season actually came to a close the day before with 3 games held at Aspen Park. The day was led off with TC Collision and Happy's Source for Sports slugging it out for 5th and 6th. In a titanic battle that was tied after 4 innings, Happy's prevailed 17-16. Highlights of the game went to Brayden Baker, Caleb Burd, and Wyatt Strachan with home runs. Strachan also had a strong inning on the mound, striking out the side.

Game two set the Slegg Lumber Blue Jays against the Re\Max Hornets for 4th and 5th. Again this one would come down to the wire before the dust settled. Slegg Lumber must have figured they had this one in the bag as they were up by 5 runs going into the open inning but Re\Max wasn't about to just lay down and hand it to them. Mark Buchanan led off with a triple and Liam Nijhoff followed with a double to lead things off. Another runner got on and then Liam Wirth with a monster shot to left brought the Hornets within one. The potential tying run, Aiden Armstrong got as far as 2nd with one out when the Re\Max 1st baseman made an amazing catch in foul territory for the 2nd out. Armstrong allertly tagged up and headed to 3rd where he scored on an overthrow to tie the game at 7-7. Troy Osmond then completed the amazing comeback with a double, a steal and scoring on an error.

Tight one run ballgames were the of the day and the Final was no exception. It was a battle of the top two evenly matched teams. The Investor's Group Black Sox ahd prevailed over the Drewry Electric Yankees on the season series in four hard fought games two games to one with a tie. This time it was the Yankees turn as they prevailed in a 6-5 score to become the 2009 CVBA Mosquito Champions!!!

Thanks go out to all the hard work put forth by Division Manager Kathy Dyck and all the volunteer Coaches, scorekeepers, field rakers and those who made the skills competition and BBQ possible. The CVBA would also like to thank the six team sponsors, TC Valley Collision, Happy's Source for Sports, Re\Max, Slegg Lumber, Investor's Group and Drewry Electric for their support in 2009.

NEW HELMET RULES FOR 2009

DUE TO MANY HEALTH CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED, AS OF THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEASON, ALL PLAYERS MOSQUITO AGE AND OVER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR HAVING THEIR OWN BATTING HELMETS.

DUE TO THIS CHANGE OF RULES, CVBA IS MAKING A ONE TIME PURCHASE OF HELMETS THAT THEY WILL SELL AT THE EXTREMLY LOW COST OF $12.00. PLAYERS WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THESE DURING THEIR DIVISION'S UNIFORM NIGHT. THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE PLAYERS FROM PURCHASING THEIR OWN HELMETS FROM OTHER SOURCES IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

RALLY CAP ARTICLE

the following is an article about the Rally Cap Program taken from the Website, "ourbigearth.com" date February 2009

KidSports - Big Fun, Build Skills with New T-Ball

Posted by Guest Columnist on February 13th, 2009

Editor’s Note: Good Morning! It may be still be Winter, but all signs point to sunshine and outside fun - including T-BALL REGISTRATION, which begins Monday morning (Feb. 16) at the Lewis Centre, Comox Rec and Happy ’s Source for Sports (on Sixth in Courtenay).

That also means there couldn’t be a better time to talk shop about the game with Comox Valley Baseball Association president Steve McNamee.

The evolution of the sport in the Comox Valley has led local organizers to change the way things are done - fewer players on a team, more focus on skills, community and sportsmanship - all in the name of giving kids of all skill levels the chance to have a great time on the ball field and learn some skills in the process.

Sports are an intricate part of a child’s development and a dominant factor in health, social skills and general well-being. But, all sports are not created the same, or are for every kid. Finding the balance, the dynamic and the skills that suit your child’s sensibility can be challenging.

KidSports is here to offer some perspective, let you peek into the workings of sports programs in the Valley and give you some extra tools to make sure that sports and healthy activities are lifelong - and loved - for your family.

Here’s Steve:

I don’t know about you, but when I see that Major League Baseball starting Spring training, my thoughts turn to ball caps, seventh-inning stretches and Summer nights at the ball park.

I have visions of the sun shining on the field, kids running, throwing, catching and hitting balls…small kids playing in the dirt, eating dandelions and staring at the sky.

I love baseball. But, the much younger, attention-span-deficient crowd is more than likely playing T-Ball - which, in the past, has evoked visions of a 6-year-old standing in left field picking his nose.

The Comox Valley Baseball Association has changed all of that!

Last year CVBA introduced a new program to help ramp up the excitement factor of T-ball - the Rally Cap Program.

Designed to combine the best teaching tools from other sports like Martial Arts (by using a color coded system) and hockey (coaches are supplied with binders full of drills and ideas to teach skill sets), this new version of an old favourite offers kids the chance to play EVERY time they get on the field and pick up the key skills that, if they want, will turn them into baseball players with a solid foundation.

Here’s how the program works;

- At the start of the year each player will be given a White cap. There are six levels of skill and each is represented by a different colored cap.
- To earn the next color up, a player passes a skills test based on the skills that they practice during a skill development period each time they are on the field. For example, in order to graduate from a White cap to a Gray cap, each player must be able to: throw a ball a distance of 5 feet, catch a ball from 5 feet, be able to hit a ball off a tee, know which direction to run after hitting the ball, know the team’s name, coaches name and be able to name three teammates. As they progress through the ranks of this program, the skills get more challenging, but also progressively more fun.
- Here’s the cool part: teams only have six players - one for each infield position - which means each kid gets a great chance at the ball during a game.
- Three teams are scheduled per T-ball diamond and while two teams are playing a regular game the third will be working on skills (no one is sitting around with that finger up their nose). Then, the teams rotate. So, the kids play two games per session and log some solid skill-building time too.
- Players are taught proper techniques and every child gets personal attention.

It’s all non-competitive and all about encouragement, self-confidence and building a base.

When kids are able to play a sport this way, building their skills and learning how to be a strong link for a team, the benefits are overwhelming.

For the players, that sense of accomplishment and friendships built through working together not only helps them grow as a player, they often play for a much longer time frame.

For coaches, they also build their skills, finding confidence in teaching kids how to play the sport without necessarily knowing it inside and out. The CVBA gives coaches everything they need - right down to techniques, training and other tools - to make sure they can be the best and progress with their teams.

At the end when a player has earned that coveted red hat, he or she is a baseball player - ready to hit the ball park with a solid skill set and a love for a game that was fun, exciting and able to keep their short attention span plugged in long enough to allow them to gain the fundamentals that make baseball an unbeatable game.

No nose picking involved.

As I always say “everyday is a great day for baseball”!

NEW PITCH COUNT RULES

BC MINOR HAS ADOPTED NEW PITCH COUNT RULES FOR THE 2009 SEASON.

RULE 23.01

DIVISION SPRING SEASON SUMMER SEASON

MOSQUITO 1-20 PITCHES = NO REST 1-30 PITCHES = NO REST

21-30 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST 31-40 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST

31-45 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST 41-55 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST

46-55 PITCHES = 4 NIGHTS REST 56-65 PITCHES = 4 NIGHTS REST

56-70 PITCHES = 5 NIGHTS REST 66-80 PITCHES = 5 NIGHTS REST

70 PITCHES MAX IN A WEEK 95 PITCHES MAX IN A WEEK

PEE WEE A 1-45 PITCHES = NO REST 1-55 PITCHES = NO REST

46-65 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST 56-80 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST

66-85 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST 81-95 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST

PEE WEE AA 1-35 PITCHES = NO REST 1-45 PITCHES = NO REST

& AAA 36-55 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST 46-65 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST

56-75 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST 66-85 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST

BANTAM 1-35 PITCHES = NO REST 1-45 PITCHES = NO REST

36-65 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST 46-75 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST

66-85 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST 76-95 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST

MIDGET 1-46 PITCHES = NO REST 1-50 PITCHES = NO REST

46-65 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST 51-75 PITCHES = 2 NIGHTS REST

66-100 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST 76-115 PITCHES = 3 NIGHTS REST

YES WE KNOW PEE WEE A CAN THROW MORE PITCHES THAN AA/AAA AND NEEDS LESS REST THAN MIDGET (55/50) THAT IS THE WAY BC MINOR WANTS IT

PITCHES IN WARM-UP, RULED A BALK OR NO PITCH WILL NOT BE COUNTED AS PITCHES. A PITCHER IS ALLOWED TO EXCEED THE DAILY PITCHING LIMIT TO FINISH OFF THE CURRENT BATTER. A PITCHER MAY NOT PITCH ON 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS EXCEPT DURING BCMBA SANCTIONED TOURNAMENTS OR PROVINCIALS.

IF A PITCHER PITCHES EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM PITCHES REQUIRED FOR REST DURING THAT DAY, THEN HE/SHE IS NOT ALLOWED TO CATCH DURING THAT SAME DAY.

GREEN HAS WRIST SURGERY

01/31/09 7:44 PM EST

Third baseman forced to wear a cast for four weeks

By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com

MILWAUKEE -- Brewers prospect Taylor Green could miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery this week for a fractured left wrist. Green, 22 a third baseman, underwent a procedure in Milwaukee on Wednesday to repair a compression fracture in his left wrist, five months after he was originally hit by a pitch while playing at Class A Brevard County. The Brewers' official word was that Green, who was the organization's Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, would be back in playing shape by May 1.

His representative is hoping for a speedy recovery. Florida-based agent Joshua Kusnick referred to the team's timetable as "ultra-conservative." "It's my hope that he'll be ready for April," Kusnick said. "Remember that this kid is a hockey player, and he's tough. It wouldn't surprise me if he's ready to go before May 1." Green's wrist will be in a cast for the next four weeks, Kusnick said.

Green originally suffered the injury in August, but tests originally showed the injury should heal with rest, and he recovered enough to play in the Arizona Fall League. Pain in his wrist persisted, and Green's AFL stint ended with a thud when he was struck by a batted ball and suffered a broken nose. Subsequent tests revealed the compression fracture in his wrist, Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said.
"Think of it like a dent in a car," Ash wrote in an e-mail. A very valuable car. The Brewers selected Green, a native of British Columbia, in the 25th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and he had a breakout season in 2007, batting .327 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs in 111 games at Class A West Virginia while earning the Brewers' Robin Yount Award, given to the organization's Minor League player of the year.
In 2008 at Brevard County, Green hit .289 with 15 homers, 73 RBIs and a .382 on-base percentage. He played amid uncertainty about his future after the Brewers traded for Indians ace CC Sabathia, because Green emerged early as the possible "player to be named" in that deal. By October, it emerged that Cleveland had the choice between Green and outfielder Michael Brantley; the Indians chose Brantley.
Assuming he recovers as expected, Green almost certainly will play for Double-A Huntsville in the coming season.

OUR SPONSORS

Thank-you for all your support for the 2009 Season!

Re/Max Realty Lube-X Western One Drewry Electric

Comox Valley Dodge Slegg Lumber Piercy's Funeral Home CV Echo

Ambassador Shuttle Anco Motel Engrave It Pateman & Company

TC Valley Collision R Williams Realtor
Ocean Estates Dev
Happy's Source for Sports

Brazen HiTec Cumberland Dist CU Sunlife Investor's Group

CV Record Budget Blinds Canada Safeway
Deluca Veale Inv Grp

Dairy Queen Peak Drilling Thrifty Foods
Courtenay Mazda

THE OPERATION OF THE COMOX VALLEY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE BC LOTTERY CORPORATION THROUGH LOCAL BINGO PROCEEDS