Here is another edition of “Player’s Eye View” , from our friend Kevin Nishinaga, writing about the recent Northern California travel league weekend. It’s a personal diary of sorts, so should be read in that context. Nonetheless, I thought players and fans would enjoy it.
Here’s an excerpt:
Game 2 for Saturday was against taylor farms, the team that won the best of the west tourney two weeks ago. They scored 8 in the top of the first, on two homeruns, two balls off the fence, another hit or two, and one error. I had a swinging bunt single to lead off our half of the first, but got thrown out trying to steal second. I think everybody but the umpire thought I was safe. I think the ump didn’t get a good look because the area around second was sooo powdery that when I hit the dirt there was huge dust cloud. I got a faceful of dirt like I’ve never had before. I made a few plays at short, but also mishandled a slow roller for an error that turned into a run. Later in the game I twice faced a pitcher who tried out for team USA this year. That guy threw really hard and I struck out the first time, grounded to third the second time. We lost 11-3, and I later found out that at least three of the guys they had there play for team USA — Stephen Pinocchio, Nate Devine, and Chase Turner? (http://www.usasoftball.com/folders.asp?uid=4604). I think in the one game our pitcher gave up 3 homeruns and at least 5 balls that either hit the fence or one-hopped it. And the fences there are pretty deep, ~300 ft. I was 1 for 3 in game 2.
Click here for the entire post.
Editor’s note: Kevin, add Marcus Tan to that list of Team USA players on the California A’s. They will be playing at the ISC World Tournament in August. No shortage of talent on that club.
Thanks also to Kevin for some additional scores, for his “Fat City” team:
Fat City 9, Rude Pac 5
Taylor Farms 11, Fat City 3
Rockers 8, Fat City 0
Fat City 12, Rez Dawgs 5
Fat City 10, Funky Monkey 3
Fat City 10, Nielsen Gamblers 8
Fat City competed against “B” teams on Saturday and wound up winning the “C” division.
Click here for our earlier post with other Stockton scores, for the California A’s Taylor Farms team.
Click here for our earlier edition of “Player’s Eye View” of the Best of the West tournament in Santa Barbara.
Editor’s note: We invite others who blog or write about their fastpitch experiences to submit material for “Player’s Eye View”. Send to jim (at) fastpitchwest (dot) com.