Day One Report:
The 65's Huff 'N Puffs commenced play at the Huntsman Sr Games in St. George on Monday, starting off with a record of 1-1. Our first game was a loss to Calgary Strike Force, 20-7. As usual at this tournament, we tensed up a bit to start off with and just didn't hit. However, our second game, which was immediately after the first, we loosened up somewhat and beat Island Pub, (a team from Alaska, I think), 13-8. We played and hit better, considering it was a 7:00 game and under the lights. We aren't really used to that. I'm trying to remember some of the highlights, but I don't have the scoresheet in front of me. There were a couple inside-the-park HR's, I think Kevin Sauer and Jack Simons. I hope I got that right. I'll pay better attention today.
So, today we play Wanatchee, WA. at 1;50, then see what happens from there. Weather is very nice, about 30 degrees. But, hey, it's 29 at home! What's up with that?? Enjoy while it lasts. GO D'BACKS.
Report By Jamie White
Day Two Reports
The 65's Huff N Puffs finished up their 3 games in the preliminary pool play today, and I have some good news and some bad news. Bad news first: we kinda sucked today, lost to Wenatchee, Wa. by a score of 12-5. We didn't hit a thing, had only 1 run after 6 innings and scored 4 in the open 7th. It was a total team effort, BAD!!
The good news: we start all over again tomorrow in the playoffs, and we have worked our way into the "C" bracket. I guess we get what we deserve. However, we will come out swinging tomorrow and see what happens. Good luck to the 60's as well. They are waiting for their playoffs to be posted.
Report By Jamie White
Day Three Report
Well, the 65's Huff N Puff's finally woke up and hit the ball, beating the Boise East West Aircraft team by a score of 17-3 in a mercy rule game. We came out firing on all cylinders right from the get-go, scoring 3, then 5, and never looked back. Everyone had multiple hits, Wayne Miller leading the way with an inside the park HR. He had to "pull the shoot" to get him stopped at home plate. Brian Stonehouse pitched a great game. Our defense was also superb, zero errors and many great catches in the outfield. A huge improvement from our 3 round-robin games. Looking forward to tomorrow's game, we play the Wasatch Thunder, who also won big today. Should be a good test. Signing off. GO DBACKS.!!
Report By Jamie White
Day Four Report
The Huff N Puff's 65's came out swinging again today, and beat the Wasatch Thunder, a team from the Salt Lake area, 30-10. The game seemed closer than the score indicates, but we scored in bunches in the later innings. First inning was 4-3 for them, close again after 2, then our bats came alive. We had 3 inside-the-park HR's on really hard hit balls down the lines, Jack Simons, Tim Seitz (give him some O2), and Mike Ferre. Everyone again hit very well, and Jim Larson pitched a gem. Our defense was again very good, saving us some possible runs against.
We now play for gold Friday afternoon at 1:50, Gubler Park against one of the 2 teams we have beat, waiting for their results from this afternoon. Whoever wins that semi-final has to beat us twice. One game only would sure be nice. Good luck to the 60's as well. They are still alive and kicking and playing very well.
Report By Jamie White
Final Report
Well sports fans, the 65’s Huff N Puffs are coming home again this year with gold medals and big smiles on their faces. We had fun and hit like crazy in the playoff bracket, albeit, in a lower division than last year. However, that is out of our control where they put us, and the teams we played were good teams. Not sure how the ranking or placement works, we played good and are very proud of our accomplishments.
We beat the Boise East West Aircraft team, 21-9. We needed 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th to close them down, and we did it. We started off with 5 in the 1st and never looked back. Mike Ferre was our all star performer today, lead off with a double, had an inside the park HR, went 4-4, and made numerous good catches in RCF. We also turned a couple key DP’s with 1 out and bases loaded, which is a big boost for the defence and kinda deflates the hitting team. Brian Stonehouse was our winning pitcher, another great game for him, threw strikes and let his defence do the work. I don’t have the scorebook, so I don’t remember all the hitting stats. I just know it was a complete team effort, no injuries, and lots of encouragement from spouses, the 60’s and Harold & Cheryl.
Last of all, hats off to our coach, Derry Eresman, another wonderful job handling this rag-tag bunch. He never played much, but when he did, he hit. He is so good at it, he can have the job again next year. Rob Jensen and I are driving north on the I-15 and I am doing this report on my iPhone, so I am going to sign off. If I forgot anything or have more things to say, I will wait to get on my laptop when we get home.
And, congratulations to the 60’s on their hard-fought silver medal. Both teams supported each other with much enthusiasm, but we couldn’t see each others games today, as we both played at the same time at different fields. Good work guys.
Signing off. Good luck to the 55’s and 70’s next week. Weather looks fantastic.
Report By Jamie White