Griffin goes to the Little League World Series

Well...Sort of...

Griffin and I spent Friday, August 21, 2009, in Williamsport, PA. We went with Pat & Charlie Ronan. Charlie plays in the majors division for Four County Little League. On the drive up there, it did not look good as the rain started to fall. When we arrived we found a great parking space in someone's back yard. $5.00 all day...you can't beat that. As we arrived at Volunteer Stadium the tarp was being pulled off. Griffin said, "It looks like they will start the game soon". But it was not to be. A few minutes later the tarp went back on the field. After about an hour rain delay, the tarp came off, the field was dressed again and the Mid-Atlantic team took the field. It was so exciting to be there for the first game. We watched a total of 4 games (or at least part of 4 games). In addition to all that, we found time to eat kettle corn, buy hats and shirts and take in the rich history of this great event. 2.6 million young people play in Little League making it the worlds largest youth sports organization. It is hard to understand the magnitude until you visit Williamsport, PA and take it all in.

Out with a bang...

Well, the tournament is finally over. The FCLL Minor League All Stars competed in their final game last night. They took on Brunswick Little League Minors All Stars. After an hour delay to repair the field from severe rain earlier in the evening, the game began. The team didn't do bad and on some occasions the decision of the umpires could have gone either way which may not have changed the outcome, but would have made the game that much closer. After 4 innings of play, the game was suspended for lightning. Due to the fact that a serious storm was on the way and there were several flashes of lightning, the game was called. The final score...Brunswick LL 10, FCLL 1. Our kids did not win, but they gave their all. Looking back the kids did well facing two older more experienced teams. I think they learned alot and had a great time. We look forward to a break from baseball. At least for a month...then fall ball starts.

Tournament Time...

It has been a long time since my last post. I guess that is because week to week it has been baseball, baseball, baseball. I guess you could say our life has been consumed with baseball. Griffin has played over 25 games this season between his regular games and his travel games. At age 8 (league age) this is alot of games.

Griffin was selected for the 2009 Four County Little League All Star team. In Little League there is no sanctioned tournament for Griffin's age group however, FCLL enters their minors team into the Emory Frye Memorial Minor League All Star Tournament hosted by Brunswick Little League. On Saturday, July 18, 2009 the team took the field. Although we did not know how the team would perform, they ended up taking both weekend games. Now we are in the "winners" bracket and are set to play on Tuesday evening.

I will try to update my blog as we go on.

Rember this photo?  It was taken by a photographer who was pro-choice.  He is clearly Pro-Life now.  Read the rest of the story here.

In a nut shell the young baby in this photograph is 21 weeks old.  He is now 9 years old.  Still think a baby in the womb is a Choice?  

Amazing...

Sunny Day...

Today was Griffin's first travel game. For those who don't know, he plays "in house" Little League baseball during the week and on Saturdays. On Sundays he has an opportunity to play competitive games with a select group of kids from Four County Little League. His team is called the Four County Cannons.


Although the score did not reflect a "Win"...Griffin had a great time. He started at short stop and in the third inning was called in to pitch. He finished that inning and completed the forth inning as well. Griffin did not give up any runs during his first ever travel appearance. He then went back to playing shortstop. At the plate, the pitchers could not find his strike zone because he walked three times.


For some of the players on Griffin's team this was their very first competitive baseball game. In fact, prior to this some have never seen real pitching and or stealing. The kids did not get the "W", but the experience they gained is invaluable.


The Cannon's next game is in two weeks and you can track their progress by visiting their Team Website.


It is awesome enough to wake up everyday, but when you can wake up on the Lords day and spend a sunny afternoon with your family watching your son play...there is nothing better than that.

March for Life 2009

Pre-Concert for March for Life...

Griffin and I went to see Matt Maher at a Pre-Concert for the March for Life. It was awsome. The room was filled with hundreds of energetic teenagers. Matt was on fire with his words and music. Kenny & Kemi both remembered Griffin and I from last years visit to the mount. Griffin came home and all he could say to Maureen was "Kenny remembered me". It was a good time. I have posted the pictuers and several videos. The video posted here is 1 of 3. In this video Matt talks at length and has some powerful words. I can't stop listening to it. Thanks Matt for your uplifting powerful words. Also, thanks to Kenny, Kemi and Dan for another great concert.

Matt Maher 1 21 2009