Day 1
So.... day 1 has merged into day 2... A long, tiring day. But all in all handled fairly well by all concerned. A bit bumpy coming into Chicago, a bit of sitting around waiting for our plane to arrive, but we have made it to Buffalo all the same. I received 2 comments from people in Brisbane before we had even boarded the plane, commending the boys. Which is always nice and a great way to start the trip. And more conversations then you could imagine while in the air and waiting at the airports. Everyone wants to know who we are and wish us well. Tomorrow is another big travel day. Breakfast is in a few hours and then Niagara Falls. Oh.... and hopefully Golden Corral for those who know why i am a little excited!! Then off to Oneonta. Will be game time before we know it.
So.... day 1 has merged into day 2... A long, tiring day. But all in all handled fairly well by all concerned. A bit bumpy coming into Chicago, a bit of sitting around waiting for our plane to arrive, but we have made it to Buffalo all the same. I received 2 comments from people in Brisbane before we had even boarded the plane, commending the boys. Which is always nice and a great way to start the trip. And more conversations then you could imagine while in the air and waiting at the airports. Everyone wants to know who we are and wish us well. Tomorrow is another big travel day. Breakfast is in a few hours and then Niagara Falls. Oh.... and hopefully Golden Corral for those who know why i am a little excited!! Then off to Oneonta. Will be game time before we know it.
Day 2
Is in the books. Is it only day 2? I'm sure my meagre words will never do Niagara Falls justice. So lets just say a great time seemed to be had by all. An outstanding lunch was thoroughly enjoyed and then the final leg of our journey to Oneonta began and was completed. Brendan and I sorted some issues and concerns with the tournament organisers, while Carter took the players to dinner and picked up the cheque (At least he was supposed to). It's now after 11pm and I haven't seen any of the boys since my return, so am unsure if that's a good or bad thing. I guess we will find out in the morning when the alarms sound, breakfast is had and we head off to spend the day at the Hall Of Fame and surrounds.
Day 3
Right. So..... day 3 began as any good day should. Brendan Vassallo at his rightful place in charge of the automated pancake making machine.... With the amazing assistance from the wonderful people at the Oneonta Public Transit, we made our way into Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. Reviews ranged from amazing, great and spectacular, to educational and life-changing! After another long, tiring day, dinner was at Brooks BBQ where we were joined by friends both old and new. To appease the masses, we stopped by Dick's Sporting Goods on the way home to finish the day. Fairly safe to say that the local economy wont be facing a recession any time soon. Boys are now in bed, as we play our first games of the trip in the morning against the local boys from the Oneonta Little League. More tomorrow night hopefully!
Right. So..... day 3 began as any good day should. Brendan Vassallo at his rightful place in charge of the automated pancake making machine.... With the amazing assistance from the wonderful people at the Oneonta Public Transit, we made our way into Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame. Reviews ranged from amazing, great and spectacular, to educational and life-changing! After another long, tiring day, dinner was at Brooks BBQ where we were joined by friends both old and new. To appease the masses, we stopped by Dick's Sporting Goods on the way home to finish the day. Fairly safe to say that the local economy wont be facing a recession any time soon. Boys are now in bed, as we play our first games of the trip in the morning against the local boys from the Oneonta Little League. More tomorrow night hopefully!
Day 4
We took the field for the first time today against two local Oneonta Allstar teams. In the morning game we played their 11 and under team, and came away with a 7-4 win. Parker, Tyler and Rhys pitched a solid 2 innings each, and were well supported by the defense. Jackson and Miller hit doubles and Billy had 3 hits including 1 off the top of the fence that unfortunately bounced back into the field for another double. Linden hit one considerably further for our first HR o...f the tour. The boys then had their fill of pizza for lunch before taking on the 12U team. Callum homered in the first inning and Linden added another, but we found ourself down 5-4 heading into the 6th. RBI's by Callum, Robbie and Jordan put us ahead 7-5 and Nic closed out the game on the mound. Callum, Linden and Connor all pitched well, but a few errors in the field made the game closer than it should have been. Post game hotdogs, burgers and popcorn were kindly provided by the Oneonta Little League, and we cannot thank them enough for hosting us. Our players had a fantastic day, mixing with some of the warmest and friendly people you could ever meet. Then it was off to get set up at the tournament, dinner at Denny's, and the anticipation of the week ahead.
Daily woodchuck count: 1
Weekly woodchuck total: 1
We took the field for the first time today against two local Oneonta Allstar teams. In the morning game we played their 11 and under team, and came away with a 7-4 win. Parker, Tyler and Rhys pitched a solid 2 innings each, and were well supported by the defense. Jackson and Miller hit doubles and Billy had 3 hits including 1 off the top of the fence that unfortunately bounced back into the field for another double. Linden hit one considerably further for our first HR o...f the tour. The boys then had their fill of pizza for lunch before taking on the 12U team. Callum homered in the first inning and Linden added another, but we found ourself down 5-4 heading into the 6th. RBI's by Callum, Robbie and Jordan put us ahead 7-5 and Nic closed out the game on the mound. Callum, Linden and Connor all pitched well, but a few errors in the field made the game closer than it should have been. Post game hotdogs, burgers and popcorn were kindly provided by the Oneonta Little League, and we cannot thank them enough for hosting us. Our players had a fantastic day, mixing with some of the warmest and friendly people you could ever meet. Then it was off to get set up at the tournament, dinner at Denny's, and the anticipation of the week ahead.
Daily woodchuck count: 1
Weekly woodchuck total: 1
Day 5
The Australian flag was literally flying over the complex. Breakfast was had, team was registered, pins were traded, medical and insurance forms filled out, pins were traded, uniforms were fitted, pins were still traded, kangaroo court run and "won", pins... pins..... pins....
The opening ceremony began and possibly the loudest cheer went up when the 38th team entered the arena. The skills competitions were our first on-field endeavours, and while perhaps not as success...ful as me might have hoped, the boys enjoyed another unique experience all the same. Back to the bunkhouse for pizza, showers and bed. Early start in the morning!
Daily woodchuck count: 2
Weekly woodchuck total: 3
The Australian flag was literally flying over the complex. Breakfast was had, team was registered, pins were traded, medical and insurance forms filled out, pins were traded, uniforms were fitted, pins were still traded, kangaroo court run and "won", pins... pins..... pins....
The opening ceremony began and possibly the loudest cheer went up when the 38th team entered the arena. The skills competitions were our first on-field endeavours, and while perhaps not as success...ful as me might have hoped, the boys enjoyed another unique experience all the same. Back to the bunkhouse for pizza, showers and bed. Early start in the morning!
Daily woodchuck count: 2
Weekly woodchuck total: 3
Day 6
We woke at 5.30am to a fog covered field. Early breakfast and our game against the Denver Legends started at 7am. At 7:02 Billy hit the first HR of the tournament just 3 pitches into the game. An RBI by Miller and an RBI triple from Callum put us up 3-0 early. Denver's bats came alive though and we finished up going down 12-4 after 6 innings. The boys did learn the difference between an inning and innings though.
The afternoon game was against the Simi Valley Tribe of ...California. Big strong kids who hit the ball extremely hard. After we tied the score at 1-1 after the first, we fell into an 8-1 hole. A 3 run bomb from Nic brought us closer, but even after HR's by Jordan and another from Billy, we ultimately were beaten by a very very good team 20-7.
Daily woodchuck count: 1
Weekly woodchuck cumulative total: 4
We woke at 5.30am to a fog covered field. Early breakfast and our game against the Denver Legends started at 7am. At 7:02 Billy hit the first HR of the tournament just 3 pitches into the game. An RBI by Miller and an RBI triple from Callum put us up 3-0 early. Denver's bats came alive though and we finished up going down 12-4 after 6 innings. The boys did learn the difference between an inning and innings though.
The afternoon game was against the Simi Valley Tribe of ...California. Big strong kids who hit the ball extremely hard. After we tied the score at 1-1 after the first, we fell into an 8-1 hole. A 3 run bomb from Nic brought us closer, but even after HR's by Jordan and another from Billy, we ultimately were beaten by a very very good team 20-7.
Daily woodchuck count: 1
Weekly woodchuck cumulative total: 4
Day 7
An easy morning was followed by a mid afternoon game against our old friends from ASAP Baseball from California. It was our first time on one of the Green Monster fields over the back. Nic homered in the first, and despite 2 well executed rundowns in the third, and an outstanding catch by Billy, we found ourselves down 6-1 heading into the last. Nic hit another HR, which was the first in a trio of back to back to back bombs by Callum and Linden. The toeing run came to the plate, but in the end we went down 6-4 in a pretty good game.
Our evening game was postponed after rain, lightning and 7 or 8 wails of the "fire brigade meeting" warning siren. Fortunately nothing came of it and we got ready for another big day tomorrow
An easy morning was followed by a mid afternoon game against our old friends from ASAP Baseball from California. It was our first time on one of the Green Monster fields over the back. Nic homered in the first, and despite 2 well executed rundowns in the third, and an outstanding catch by Billy, we found ourselves down 6-1 heading into the last. Nic hit another HR, which was the first in a trio of back to back to back bombs by Callum and Linden. The toeing run came to the plate, but in the end we went down 6-4 in a pretty good game.
Our evening game was postponed after rain, lightning and 7 or 8 wails of the "fire brigade meeting" warning siren. Fortunately nothing came of it and we got ready for another big day tomorrow
Day 8
The morning began with a cheer squad behind the left field fence for Robbie and a game against the Illinois Crush. Callum and Linden again hit back to back bombs in the first. Jordan added 2 more rbi's and we were up 4-0 before we had thrown a pitch. Jackson lined one over the left centre field wall in the 3rd to make it 5-0. Defence was good, including a sliding catch in CF by Connor. Tyler threw 4 solid innings and Jordy closed it out by getting the last 3 outs. We re...corded our first win 5-1
The next game saw us up against the Easton Elite from California. Big strong guys on an extremely small field equaled 20-0 after 4 innings. In possibly the longest game in Dolphins history, the game finished 6 hours and 20 mins after it began! And in perhaps the weirdest, those four innings were called by 3 different home plate umpires! Another lightning display stopped the game, and it was after dinner before we picked it up again. The undoubted highlight of the game was new cult hero Robbie bouncing the ball off the CF wall, only a foot from going over.
Our last game kicked off about 8.30pm and we played Hit and Run from California. Robbie kept his streak continued with another knock off the wall. Callum again hit a huge HR in the 3rd, but despite Jackson and Billy pitching well, we lost another one 9-2.
Finals begin in the morning, and we will hopefully post who, where and when we will be playing as soon as we are made aware.
The morning began with a cheer squad behind the left field fence for Robbie and a game against the Illinois Crush. Callum and Linden again hit back to back bombs in the first. Jordan added 2 more rbi's and we were up 4-0 before we had thrown a pitch. Jackson lined one over the left centre field wall in the 3rd to make it 5-0. Defence was good, including a sliding catch in CF by Connor. Tyler threw 4 solid innings and Jordy closed it out by getting the last 3 outs. We re...corded our first win 5-1
The next game saw us up against the Easton Elite from California. Big strong guys on an extremely small field equaled 20-0 after 4 innings. In possibly the longest game in Dolphins history, the game finished 6 hours and 20 mins after it began! And in perhaps the weirdest, those four innings were called by 3 different home plate umpires! Another lightning display stopped the game, and it was after dinner before we picked it up again. The undoubted highlight of the game was new cult hero Robbie bouncing the ball off the CF wall, only a foot from going over.
Our last game kicked off about 8.30pm and we played Hit and Run from California. Robbie kept his streak continued with another knock off the wall. Callum again hit a huge HR in the 3rd, but despite Jackson and Billy pitching well, we lost another one 9-2.
Finals begin in the morning, and we will hopefully post who, where and when we will be playing as soon as we are made aware.
Day 9
Our first bracket (playoff) game was against the Wheatland ducks from Illinois. Linden was lights out on the mound, striking out 7. We had hits by Linden and Jackson in the 2nd inning, followed by a perfect bunt by Connor which lead to RBI's by Parker and Jordan. Linden hit a 2run HR in the 3rd to put us ahead 4-0. A hit from Robbie, and back to back HR's from Billy and Nic made it 7-1. Billy went deep again in the 5th, as did Callum and Jack...son to finish the game at 12-1 and move on in the tournament.
The next game was against the CBC Heat of California. Again our pitching was very good, Callum struck out 4 in his 3 innings, and Miller closed the game out. The bats stayed red hot, with HR's by Linden, Nic, Jackson and finally Miller, who became our 7th guy to go deep at the tournament. The game pretty much ended on a sparkling double play by Nic and we wrapped it up 12-0.
That brought us to our 3rd game of the day against the Lodi Reds of California. Not much went our way, or more to the point, their pitcher probably threw the ball pretty well. everyone battled hard and never quit - in fact, may have even been fired up a little by what was going on. the highlight of the game being a diving catch in RF by Parker. Alas our tournament came to an end, but we still had our new friends to support at 11pm that night!! After watching them win and move on, we were off to bed to prepare for our last day at the Allstar village
Daily woodchuck count: Zero
Weekly cumulative total: 4.... i think.
Oh and a skunk too!!
Our first bracket (playoff) game was against the Wheatland ducks from Illinois. Linden was lights out on the mound, striking out 7. We had hits by Linden and Jackson in the 2nd inning, followed by a perfect bunt by Connor which lead to RBI's by Parker and Jordan. Linden hit a 2run HR in the 3rd to put us ahead 4-0. A hit from Robbie, and back to back HR's from Billy and Nic made it 7-1. Billy went deep again in the 5th, as did Callum and Jack...son to finish the game at 12-1 and move on in the tournament.
The next game was against the CBC Heat of California. Again our pitching was very good, Callum struck out 4 in his 3 innings, and Miller closed the game out. The bats stayed red hot, with HR's by Linden, Nic, Jackson and finally Miller, who became our 7th guy to go deep at the tournament. The game pretty much ended on a sparkling double play by Nic and we wrapped it up 12-0.
That brought us to our 3rd game of the day against the Lodi Reds of California. Not much went our way, or more to the point, their pitcher probably threw the ball pretty well. everyone battled hard and never quit - in fact, may have even been fired up a little by what was going on. the highlight of the game being a diving catch in RF by Parker. Alas our tournament came to an end, but we still had our new friends to support at 11pm that night!! After watching them win and move on, we were off to bed to prepare for our last day at the Allstar village
Daily woodchuck count: Zero
Weekly cumulative total: 4.... i think.
Oh and a skunk too!!
Day 10
Started lazy with nothing much happening. Suggestions were made, deals were done, and we found ourself on the main field #28, mixed into 2 teams with our friends from Simi Valley Tribe. Fun being the name of the game. And that we had in droves. The closing ceremony followed, as did the championship game and fireworks and suddenly our week was drawing to a close. Late night saying goodbyes and cleaning, ready to head back to NYC in the morning.
Started lazy with nothing much happening. Suggestions were made, deals were done, and we found ourself on the main field #28, mixed into 2 teams with our friends from Simi Valley Tribe. Fun being the name of the game. And that we had in droves. The closing ceremony followed, as did the championship game and fireworks and suddenly our week was drawing to a close. Late night saying goodbyes and cleaning, ready to head back to NYC in the morning.
Day 11
Long bus ride. Most slept for at least part of the way down. Into the hotel for a shower and moments rest then off to Citi field to see the Mets beat the Phillies 2-1 in a really good game. Most have headed home to bed. As is this old boy. The mornings come around far too quickly - and we are off exploring lower Manhatten in a few hours
Long bus ride. Most slept for at least part of the way down. Into the hotel for a shower and moments rest then off to Citi field to see the Mets beat the Phillies 2-1 in a really good game. Most have headed home to bed. As is this old boy. The mornings come around far too quickly - and we are off exploring lower Manhatten in a few hours
Day 12
Up relatively early for breakfast and a subway ride to Lower Manhatten. First stop, Statue Of Liberty. Past Wall St and onto the World Trade Centre sight. Stopped into Washington Square park for a spot of chess, but the heavens opened up so we had to hightail it back to the hotel. Which did mean a decent dinner and some shopping for the boys/supporters. Plenty of time spent in and around Times Square, and home for bed. Another big day in the morning
Up relatively early for breakfast and a subway ride to Lower Manhatten. First stop, Statue Of Liberty. Past Wall St and onto the World Trade Centre sight. Stopped into Washington Square park for a spot of chess, but the heavens opened up so we had to hightail it back to the hotel. Which did mean a decent dinner and some shopping for the boys/supporters. Plenty of time spent in and around Times Square, and home for bed. Another big day in the morning
Day 12
Is that right? Cant be right? 12??
We swung past the Rockefeller Centre and saw St Patrick's Cathedral. Down to the NY Public Library and onto Grand Central Terminal. Eventually made our way to and up the Empire State Building and Flatiron. Then had to make it up as we went. Due to Subway repairs we couldnt get out to Coney Island as hoped, But managed instead to purchase every possible baseball item at Paragon Sports. Home for Dinner and some last minute late night shopping in times Square. Another big day tomorrow. Central Park, the Museum and the piece de resistance..... Yankee Game!! Lets go Yankees!!
Is that right? Cant be right? 12??
We swung past the Rockefeller Centre and saw St Patrick's Cathedral. Down to the NY Public Library and onto Grand Central Terminal. Eventually made our way to and up the Empire State Building and Flatiron. Then had to make it up as we went. Due to Subway repairs we couldnt get out to Coney Island as hoped, But managed instead to purchase every possible baseball item at Paragon Sports. Home for Dinner and some last minute late night shopping in times Square. Another big day tomorrow. Central Park, the Museum and the piece de resistance..... Yankee Game!! Lets go Yankees!!