Aug. 20, 2012 world series report

Good morning baseball fans, it’s a beautiful day in Portland. When kids go back to school, the teacher always asks, “what did you do this summer?”  how about play baseball in the world series?!!!!  The Portland rockets represented our area in  the National Amateur Baseball Federation world series held in Buffalo NY this weekend.

The rockets went 1-3,. Very competitive and very Portland proud,  certainly could have easily been 3-1

The world series champion, the Chicago clout ,,,they beat the st. john’s lefties 8-2. tournament info can be found at www.buffalomunyaaa.com

The Portland rockets were 24 men strong, filled the dugout and were all about baseball business in this trip,,,only 7 hours away,  vans packed to the hilt, and the new kids on the  block, first world series appearance ever, had a tough bracket. 

Game one at the minor league stadium under the lights, buffalo diesel 5 portland 2.

Game 2 at erie community college field, dan bollenbacher was dan the man,  a 4 hitter with 10 Ks 1 walk,  love that effort, dominant and in command.  Game in 2hour 8 min,,,all games are 9 inn.  Rockets win 4-1 over grand rapids.  Dalton tinsely opened the game with a home run and billy wellman had 4 hits,  I told the guys we would hit on sat. after a tough game under the lights/   nothing like seeing that white pearl in the blue sky,

Game 3 the beecher muskies of Illinois were not kind to starter bill geeslin, opened a

6-0 lead and cruised to a 8-1 win.  Justin miller pitched 4 very effective inn. In relief.  Game 4 of the world series played at the university at buffalo stadium, rockets had a great performance from Michael caley. Michael from markle battled thru 8 inn. His catcher also from markle, and norwell h.s. travis gray,  did the work behind the plate for 5  inn,  knowing that he is to have knee surgery later this week. 

Interesting to note, rockets fans, namely vacman brad, queen kristie and angi were getting text updates at the greasy pickle from rocket families in attendance 

And they decorated runkle- miller field to welcome the boys upon their return sat. eve

Rockets were out scored 22-14 in the 4 game marathon, hit but .277 as a team striking out 33 times. Billy wellman, ball state, led the team with 7 hits in 17 ab.  Justin Marrero and zach tanner had 6 each.

 But the boys of summer amassed many milestones this summer,  and we stand Portland proud.  A league title, a first ever WBC championship, a  regional championship in  Cincinnati and a first ever world series bid, the 3 week whirlwind most eventful.

And the boys have grown with each experience,,,,  lessons learned beyond baseball basics,  what it takes if you dare to be a champion.

TEAM> have your brothers back, check your selfish self, don’t talk the game, play the game.

All the clubs we saw were older, many former ex-pros.  You could see the maturity in the experienced player, lack thereof in the wannabees.

Hey jon Harrison on hand from frankton , he won a 40 in tv  in the opening nite drawing,

 Great to see dan bollenbacher with his dad and uncle on hand see the good guys win and dan have such success.  Great to visit with bill Monroe from Winchester , recounting days with keith nunley, mike mccoy, thad abel and now Elijah jones part of the Winchester connection

Many memories in the this trip, none more meaningful than 77 year old president of the nabf Charlie Blackburn in the managers meeting wed nite, welcoming the Portland rockets and saluting ray miller, those 2 having many phone conversations over the years.

Rockets finish with just the 2^nd  2 game losing streak of the season, and 31-13 on the season.  Another great year  in Portland.  Many milestones,  it brought many nice things said about baseball in Portland, and rocket nation took note, many rockets from years past sending in congrats and well wishes.  Saw many of those guys at the md softball rockets past, baily, heyne, geier, Schmitz,moorman,  stauffer, fullenkamp, at the softball tournament in coldwater ohio, yesterday.  Congrats to miracle lanes and gary Bernard on the runner up trophy.

Rockets go 1-3 in NY world series, 31-13 on season but we will be heard from again,

We are Portland couldn’t be prouder, if you cant hear us we’ll yell  a little louder.

As cubs fans forever say, wait till next year.

Randy miller pg 14

May I share a story of weirdness,,,I call it dualing cups

Buffalo diesel catcher while preparing for his turn at bat, takes his bat and drums it off his cup, like a percussion instrument he in effect is hitting himself down below making the drum sound.  Absolutely disgusting and if I ever see it again, there will be a game delay and perhaps an ejection. While this exhibionist pounds away,  pitcher mitch waters takes the ball while on the mound, and pounds it on his cup,,,,,mocking the ding dong at the plate,,,,,,weird but funny

Weird but not funny  3 wild pitches in the last game that ended the 8-7 loss.

Weird but funny, the conversations and discussions you hear from college age men in a van through 7 hours.