Update: Tuesday, January 27, 2009:
Here is a link to view the high quality video.
Update: Wednesday, January 28, 2009:
Several readers have pointed out that it seems that whenever I point the video camera, someone goes yard. (Holoien, Martinez, and now O’Brien), not to mention Budke’s triple. Coincidence, I imagine, but there is a line developing for hitters asking me to be at their next game with the video camera (with a corresponding list of pitchers telling me to “stay away”. ) If this keeps up, I’ll have to do them on a reservation basis 🙂
(Video by Jim Flanagan)
This video was shot during the 2009 AAU International Tournament title game between the Chicago/NY Dominicana team from the Dominican Republic, and the Midwest Stampede, of Iowa. Most valuable pitcher Rob O’Brien is at the plate, his team leading 3-0. He hit a three run homer, breaking the game open, and staking his team to a 6-0 lead. They would go on the win the game, 8-0, and capture the 2009 AAU International Tournament crown. The Dominican Republic won the very first AAU title, back in 2000 when there were just eight teams. This year’s field of teams grew to a record forty (40).
The video was shot with a HD “Flip video” camera, that is about the size of a small iPod. The quality of this video at YouTube is very average, but the quality of the original is remarkable. YouTube had added a “view high quality” setting, which I was using on my Fastpitchwest channel at YouTube, but that option does not appear to be available this evening. I am trying to adjust it for better quality, but in the meantime, if you wish to see the original, email me, at jim (at) fastpitchwest (dot) com, and I’ll email you a link that you can view it at.