#8 Seed OBI Unable to Play Up to Competition...

Before their contest against #1 seed Team Wear It,,, the OBI squad conceded defeat with their actions in the dugout and on the field.  Tough to stay positive and play against well a team we dislike so much, I get it. This is simply a culture issue, it is not a reflection of the talent on our OBI team. We can hang with any team when we play our game.

It really boils down to how we approach each game,,, the culture cultivated by the coach. Here is where I have failed OBI/Split City/2x Champs in 2014... And I hope to right the ship as we move forward.

I feel the key is maintain our core group and add a piece or two that will have a positive affect on the overall performance of the squad (from both an offensive and defensive perspective). The first move has been made, I am putting it in writing here in the blog...

Next step, another on me,,, be a better leader on the field and in the dugout. Leadership by example on the field and at the plate is my plan. Am going to take Paul's words of encouragement to heart and I hope each of you will do the same... "Hit it like you do in the batting cage". Thanks for the reminder Paul !!!

In the Season 3 tourney opening game, we found ourselves down 15-2 after 3 innings. Dim things looked prior to the top of the 4th inning where things took a positive turn with Clint leading off with a Double. One out later, Michael doubled, then Jayse and Nuta each singled. After John walked, Jakob singled in another run and finally, Paul singled home 2 more runs to bring the score to 15-7.

The final score was a 5 inning defeat of 18-7. This sent us to up against Runnin' Fools in the 7th Place Consolation game,,, wellllllll, after 3 innings OBI was once again down, but this time was only 8-1. Our 1 run courtesy of hustle and back-to-back singles by Nuta and Jayse with a Sac Fly by Michael.

Again the 4th inning played a big role in the game as J.R.'s one-out single followed by a Nuta double set the tables for Jayse's 2-run single. Then the unexpected happened in the bottom of the inning as the Runnin' Fools loaded the bases with  no outs. The next batter, Jeff, hit a two-hopper to Michael playing shallow at third base and an unusual triple play unfurled.

With the runner on third not immediately breaking from third base, Michael took the ball in his hand and in one motion tagged the runner standing on 3rd base (first out), stepped on 3rd base (second out), and threw to 2nd base for the third out of the play.

There, Jayse,,, I posted the note about the play (whew)... This was a special play in my life, especially getting a high five from all my teammates as they stepped off the field afterwards. I look forward to making the second half of 2015 special as we continue playing hard, no matter which team is in the opposing dugout.