In a game that ended with a little controversy, the Kentucky Bluegrass beat the Kentucky Colonels 6-5.

 

Seems that the coaches agreed to play nine inning tonight prior to the game being played, so the Bluegrass team could use all it's pitchers. I didn't know this until Adam Gilcrest came out to pitch the top of the sixth inning, as Walt usually takes out Gilcrest after five innings and puts in a relief pitcher. However the gentlemen in front of me said that they were going to play nine innings and when the lights came on in the top of the seventh, I was sure the game was going nine innings. Well in the bottom of the eight the Colonles got the first man on via an error, and he promptly stole second. So no outs and a man on second and the Bluegrass pitcher proceed to throw two wild pitches to allow the runner to score and it's now 6-5. The pitcher then walks the next two batters, and then a strange thing happened. The coach of the Bluegrass team comes out to the mound to talk to the pitcher, with what I assume was the relief pitcher standing by the 1st base line in front of the dugout waiting to be call in to pitch, but the coach comes off the field and number 44 goes back into the dugout, then all of a sudden the same coach comes out and request time and then brings in the relief pitcher. I could understand the move if the kid was in the bullpen warming up, but he wasn't. Well 44 comes in and shuts down the Colonels and then the coach comes out to say that it's. Walt was none to happy and said something to the effect that this won't happen again, and Denny the Colonels manager didn't seem to happy either....

 

I really don't care one way or the other, as I just come out to watch good baseball, but it did seem strange and out of character for both gentlemen to be upset over nothing....so I am thinking that the agreement was to play nine innings.........but..............

 

Gilcrest started and went six innings. He allowed 6 runs of which one was unearned, walked 2, struck out 3 and gave up 9 hits, of which one was a HR (311) right down the right field line. Ben Kuebbing came in to relieve in the last two innings and gave up 2 hits, walking 1 with 3 strike outs and gave up no runs.

 

Hitters for the Colonels tonight were:

 

Elliott 0-3, 1 walk, and 1 sb

Kuebbing 1-3, double, scored 1 run, and 1 walk

Maile 1-3, triple, and 1 rbi

N. Ryan 0-1, and reached on a FC

Adams 1-2

Darner 1-2

Shanks 1-2

Isler 1-2, and scored 1 run

Krohman 1-3, and scored 1 run

J. Ryan 0-2, and 1 walk

Parrott 1-2, triple, scored 1 run and 2 rbi's

Reed 1-2, sac, 1 rbi, reached base via error (6), and scored 1 run

 

Colonels notes

 

Haven't seen Walt nor the other Colonels Coaches as upset as I did tonight at how the game ended. Pretty sure the game was to go nine innings as I have never seen the Colonels turn on the lights for just seven or so innings.....

 

The game itself was a good one, entraining and while both team did make some errors, both also made some real nice plays in the field.

 

To me at least it looks like some of the younger Colonels who are practicing football in the morning and playing baseball in the evening are starting to get a little tired. Good thing that football is soon going into a two week layoff....

 

I will not be attending the one game on Thursday and the DH on Friday in Louisville, Kentucky, so hopefully someone else will update those games.

 

Another beautiful night, and again quite a few fans in the stands watching and enjoying a great game......

To me at least it looks like some of the younger Colonels who are practicing football in the morning and playing baseball in the evening are starting to get a little tired. Good thing that football is soon going into a two week layoff....

 

 

 

Which Colonels are playing football and baseball? What do you mean tired?

Had nothing to do with nine innings. There was an agreement to allow Bluegrass to pitch some guys who had not had any work and go either 8 or nine innings. Both the Bluegrass coach and Coach Taney discussed that that would be the last inning the full inning BEFORE the eighth. The last kid had not thrown a pitch all high school season. He threw 11 balls and two strikes including three wild pitches and nine pitches totally out of the strike zone. The coach was sent out to remove the young man because he was clearly not able to throw a strike. He didn't follow the coach's instructions and was sent back out to take him out. The fact that the struggling pitcher was rmoved after just a few pitches is what apparently offended the Colonels' coaches. Bluegrass played all 16 eligible players in several positions because this was the first game for the 7 Ryle players on the team. The last three innings saw 4 kids in the line-up that had played very little or none defensively for their school teams. The coach simply didn't want to embarrass the kid on the mound, watch a good game turn into a walk-fest or have a kid struggle when there was no need. There was no disrespect intended, nothing of the sort. I know for a fact the Bluegrass coaches did not want to offend the Colonels, their coaches, players or fans in any way shape or form and truly regret that the game ended in this fashion.

Had nothing to do with nine innings. There was an agreement to allow Bluegrass to pitch some guys who had not had any work and go either 8 or nine innings. Both the Bluegrass coach and Coach Taney discussed that that would be the last inning the full inning BEFORE the eighth. The last kid had not thrown a pitch all high school season. He threw 11 balls and two strikes including three wild pitches and nine pitches totally out of the strike zone. The coach was sent out to remove the young man because he was clearly not able to throw a strike. He didn't follow the coach's instructions and was sent back out to take him out. The fact that the struggling pitcher was removed after just a few pitches is what apparently offended the Colonels' coaches. Bluegrass played all 16 eligible players in several positions because this was the first game for the 7 Ryle players on the team. The last three innings saw 4 kids in the line-up that had played very little or none defensively for their school teams. The coach simply didn't want to embarrass the kid on the mound, watch a good game turn into a walk-fest or have a kid struggle when there was no need. There was no disrespect intended, nothing of the sort. I know for a fact the Bluegrass coaches did not want to offend the Colonels, their coaches, players or fans in any way shape or form and truly regret that the game ended in this fashion.

 

Okay, I will go with what you say, but as I posted, don't really know, really don't care, just seemed strange to see the Colonels coaches so upset.

 

Question: How do four kids play this at this level if they play very little or none defensively for their high school teams? When you consider how many HS teams there are, and how few summer leagues teams there are, it just surprises me. The play of most of the summer league teams that I have seen, is top notch, and to have four kids on a team, that don't play that much just surprises me. Just a question no harm meant, just wondering... Oaky?

To me at least it looks like some of the younger Colonels who are practicing football in the morning and playing baseball in the evening are starting to get a little tired. Good thing that football is soon going into a two week layoff....

 

Which Colonels are playing football and baseball? What do you mean tired?

 

Not going to be mentioning names, as it is just my opinion, but....their bats just look slower, and they don't seem to have the pop that they had at least to me, that they had during the HS or even the early summer season. No big deal, as they are still playing very well, but they just look tired. Could be wrong, just my opinion.

Okay, I will go with what you say, but as I posted, don't really know, really don't care, just seemed strange to see the Colonels coaches so upset.

 

Question: How do four kids play this at this level if they play very little or none defensively for their high school teams? When you consider how many HS teams there are, and how few summer leagues teams there are, it just surprises me. The play of most of the summer league teams that I have seen, is top notch, and to have four kids on a team, that don't play that much just surprises me. Just a question no harm meant, just wondering... Oaky?

 

Maybe they just pitch for their respective teams

Maybe they just pitch for their respective teams

 

While that is a possibility, most pitchers that I have seen that play at this level, are some of the most gifted athletes that I have seen. Not too many kids that pitch can't play "D" as if they can't play "D" they are only hurting themselves when a ball get hits there way.... My guess if they played Knothole or even little league and if they were good enough to pitch on your HS team, then they played a lot of "D" at the lower level....

 

BTW didn't mention this in my game notes, but is the Bluegrass pitcher who took the shot to the groin area okay? Just watching the ball hit him where it did, I think hurt every man in the stands.....:cry: :cry:

Three of the four only pitched for their respective school teams and the fourth saw very limited time but has proven himself to be an asset over a couple of summers. All great kids and the coach likes to let everyone do more than "just pitch" whenever possible. No disrespect to other coaches at all understand, just what this guy tries to do.

 

The pitcher that got hit was Jeff Hatfield and yes, he took quite a shot to that "area." Had on a protective device but still hurting a tad.

Bluegrass Chiefs have loads of talent. They have pitching depth, solid defense, and should have a nice hitting team this summer. Can't play short with only 11 or 12 players at this level of summer ball. Now that the Ryle players have arrived the Bluegrass coaches will have more options from game to game with 18 to 19 players available.

On Thursday while I didn't get the score of the game, the Colonles beat the Florida Renegades. I was told that Jim Ryan had the Florida nine confused all day, and that Rick Parrott had a great day both in the field and at the plate....

Friday, the Colonels played in their first game of the day against a team from Evansville Indiana, and lost by a score of 12-9. Honestly it was the worst game that I have seen the Colonels play in the last two years. When you commit a total of five errors, and throw 140 pitches in seven innings, and making some mental mistakes on the base paths, things aren't going well. Starting pitcher for the Colonels was Uhl with Shanks coming into relieve...

 

Hitters for the Colonels in the first game were:

 

Elliott 2-2, scored 3 runs, walked 3 times, 4 sb's, and had 1 rbi

Kuebbing 1-4, scored 1 run, 1 walk, had 1 rbi, and 2 sb's

Maile 2-4, 2 doubles, 1 walk, 3 rbi's, scored 2 runs, 1 walk, and 1 sb

Isler 2-3, double, hbp, 2 sb's, and 2 rbi's

J. Ryan 0-1, 1 walk, and scored 1 run

Parrott 1-3, 1 walk, and 1 sb

Holocher 0-1, 1 walk, and scored 1 run

Reed 1-1, hbp, and scored 1 run

N. Ryan 0-3, and 1 walk

 

Colonels notes....

 

Only rained enough in Louisville for the fans to put up their umbrellas only to keep the light rain off them. It rained so lightly that the field at Bellarmine University didn't even get wet enough to keep the dust down. It did however get dark enough that if the field had lights they would have turned them on.

The second game of the day was played at the University of Louisville and there, the entire field other than the mound is field turf. While it looked nice, the players told me it was strange to play on...

 

Again the Colonels lost, this time to the Rawlings Prospects by a score of 10-7. Starting for the Colonels was Cody Elliott, but from the first pitch he threw, I could see this wasn't the Elliott that I have seen this high school season. His Dad said pretty much the same thing. He is just tired from the all the football practices and the required throwing that he has to do playing football. Brad Krohman came in to relieve but the Prospects got some timely and some seeing eye hits to close out the Colonels.

 

Hitters for the Colonles in the second game were:

 

Elliott 1-4, 1 rbi, and reached base on a error (6)

Shanks 1-4

Maile 2-3, HR (375), scored 1 run, 1 walk, and 2 rbi's

Isler 0-2, 2 walks, scored 1 run, and 1 rbi

Krohman 1-2

Parrott 1-3, reached base on a error (5), and scored 1 run

Kuebbing 1-3, and scored 1 run

Darner 0-0, hbp

Reed 0-4, reached base on a error (4), and scored 1 run

J. Ryan 2-3, scored 2 runs and 1 rbi

 

Colonels notes:

 

Maile HR was indeed a shot over the left center field fence. The next time up, Luke saw four out of five pitches inside and tight against him, and he walked.

 

Strange play in the bottom of the sixth with a man on when the Colonel batter hit a sharp ground ball that the man in blue couldn't get out of the way of. It hit him and went straight to the second baseman who threw it to first for what he thought was a out. However the umpire called it a dead ball and gave the runner first and allowed the runner from first to stay at second. While it was the correct call, I just haven't seen it happen before...

 

The Colonels play two tomorrow and hopefully the players get a good night sleep, they need it. Josh Bleser who has been on vacation with his family will be back Saturday and my guess will be pitching one of the games....

Saturday saw the Kentucky Colonels play a Double Header and both time the Colonels lost by scores of 9-4 to the East Cobb Yankee's and 5-0 to the Memphis Tigers.

 

The first game of the day was against one of the best hitting teams that I have seen in a long, long while, the East Cobb Yankee's. Every hit, and I mean very hit was a line shot, a frozen rope. The Colonles starting pitcher today was Matt Nichols and the East Cobb took it to the young Colonel pitcher for three quick run in the very first inning. This was followed by two more runs, but both of those runs were unearned and this lead to a five to nothing score after just two innings. Disaster struck in the third with a 1 and 1 count the batter hit a frozen rope right at Nichols which hit Matt squarely on the meat part of his right throwing arm, and ended his day. Matt's Dad and Mom took Matt to the hospital to get x-ray's and I am glad to report that nothing was broken, but Matt has a rather good looking bruise on his throwing arm, and I am sure he won't be pitching for a couple of day's. Josh Bleser who just this morning returned from vacation with his family, came in to pitch and you could tell right away that Josh was rusty from not throwing in a week or so. East Cobb scored another three run to increase their lead to eight to nothing after three innings. In the fourth disaster struck again, as this time Bleser after throwing thirty three pitches in the third inning, arm tightened up on him, and he had to come out too. Enter Brad Krohman who did an outstanding job of holding the Yankee's to only one more run through the rest of the game and that was a mammoth HR from the Yankee's number nine hitter that traveled close to 400 feet near dead center field. The Colonles came alive in the fourth and fifth innings and scored a total of four run, on some timely hitting. Tough lose to a very, very good team....

The second game on Saturday saw the Colonels waste a very good outing by young Brandon Nutini who had the Tigers confused until the button of the fourth when Memphis pushed through a run to make it one to nothing. The Colonles, wasted two golden opportunities when in the first with no one out, Elloitt gets on via a walk and proceeds to steal second but get goes no farther. In the top of the fourth with one out, Isler get a single and then Adams follows with a single to find the Colonles with runner on first and second with one out, but again the Colonles didn't move the runners along. In the bottom of the sixth with Nutini getting tired, the Tigers score four runs, I think that if Walt already didn't have Nichols and Bleser down with injuries and Mutsch on vacation, he takes Nutini out but..... Again in the top of the sixth Maile walks but gets thrown out trying to steal, and Isler walks but again nothing else happens and the Colonels lose.

 

While I hate small ball, and yes I understand that Walt doesn't want the team to bunt, this game could have easily been won with some small ball playing. I understand and agree that winning isn't what these young men and this team is all about...

 

The Colonles play at 2pm today to end their long weekend in Louisville...

 

BTW, I was told that the East Cobb Yankees beat the Midland team this weekend. Very, very good team the Yankees are.......

Is Walt allowed to coach during the dead period?