PLAYOFF GAME 1, Monsignor Percy Johnson vs. St. Basils - May 26, 2014.

This afternoon MPJ took on St. Basils at Ourlands Park in Toronto for their first Playoff Game. The boys of MPJ already beat this team a couple weeks ago but the fields were in terrible condition due to the rain, so it will be interesting to see if they can beat them again in good weather!

St. Basils seemed to be in a cheerful mood today. They were making a lot of noise over on their side of the field.

The game started right on time and St. Basils was up to bat first.  They were not able to score any runs as they were swinging at any and everything.

Aaron was up to bat first in the batting order. He hit a nice one into the outfield between second and third base and made it safely on first base. He stole second and then another kid hits and Aaron was able to score the very first run for his team. Everyone got a chance to bat during that inning and Aaron was up again with 2 outs. He fouls a few balls over the fence before finally striking out and ending the inning. One foul ball went so high that everyone stopped and stared as it was going up in the sky. I am sure if he had straightened out that one it would have been a home run for sure!  That most definitely was the hardest hit I have ever seen him make!  The boys brought in a total of 6 runs in that first inning.

That ball is outta there!

St. Basils didn't score any runs in the 2nd inning as they were still swinging at everything. Our guys were able to pick up another 3 runs as St. Basils was dropping catches and overthrowing.

Neither team scored in the 3rd inning. St. Basils changed their pitcher in the 3rd and although Aaron took a walk, he was left on 3rd when the inning was over.

St. Basils was able to score their first and only run in the 4th inning. One player got a walk to first and he stole second and third. He was a smart kid, stealing home while the pitch was being thrown...no one saw that coming!  Aaron mastered that move last year.  In fact, because he got so good at stealing home before the pitch is thrown, Rexdale advanced to the finals in the tournament in Vaughan last year.

St. Basils sent in a new pitcher at the beginning of the 4th and we were able to get another 2 runs before they changed the pitcher AGAIN!  Aaron went up again in the 4th and walks to first base on ball 4. He walks to 2nd and then the next kid pops up. Aaron is off the base and they decide to try and throw him out but they end up overthrowing the ball and Aaron advances to 3rd. We got another 4 runs in that inning.

It was already 4:50 p.m. and the umpires couldn't decide if to call off the game on the mercy rule (the score was already 13-1). The coaches decided to continue. St. Basils went up to bat and didn't score any more runs, so our boys didn't have to bat and the game ended.

So I guess it wasn't the weather after all!

Today, while the game was going on Ariana was playing catch with the Coaches son, who happens to be in her class.  The Coach came over and said 'she can really throw a ball'.  I guess it runs in the family!

We had enough time for Aaron to get home, take a shower and change into his Umpire's uniform!  Tonight he umpires his first game for the Season (the Rookie Ball game at Rexdale).

Off to Umpire his first game of the Season - May 27, 2014.