Game 4, Johnson vs. Dante - May 20, 2015

Today the team faces the boys from Dante at Keelesdale Park in Toronto.  I called Andy around 4:30 p.m. and he said it was still going on and not a mercy game so I was hoping to catch a part of it before it ended.  The park is not very far from my work but the traffic was terrible but I still managed to get there during the last inning.

As I was walking over to the bleachers, I could seen Aaron in the catcher's gear.  The batter hits a nice one in the outfield and runs all the way to third but this team is encouraging him to run home, even thought the outfielder is throwing in the ball.  All I am thinking is - don't do it, don't do it, Aaron won't let you get away with it!  Do I know my kid or what?  The runner was tagged out!  There was another couple of outs and the game ended because the score was 8-2, so Johnson didn't have to bat.

 

Andy and Ariana both couldn't wait to tell me how well he was doing behind the plate and mentioned a throw he made to second in time to get the out.  Great, he's not pitching today because he was told not too but he is still straining his arm!  He'll definitely be sore for tonight's game!!!

 



Game 3, Johnson vs. St. Basil - May 19, 2015

Well I couldn't make it to the game today but I was pleasantly surprised to turn on my camera to find a couple of great shots...and the credits go to Ariana! 

All I heard was it was another mercy game with Aaron pitching all 4 innings, even though he was told by the Tigers coach not to pitch for school this week!  The score was 12-1 for Johnson.

Game 2, Johnson vs. Romero - May 15, 2015

This afternoon the boys from Johnson headed over to Tom Riley park in Toronto to face off with the team from Romero.  Tom Riley was Aaron's home park last year with the RY Cardinals, so it's a very familiar field for him!  Romero was the team from last year with all the mexican accents. 

 

The game started at 2:30 so I was worried that I wouldn't get to see any of it but since it was the Friday before a long weekend here in Toronto, we were able to leave work at 3:00 p.m., which gave me some time to get home and be able to head over to the game with Andy and Ariana.

 

We got to the field as Aaron was heading back to the mound for the bottom of the 4th inning. The score was already 9-0, for Johnson.  The field was wet as it was raining earlier and all the kids were dirty!  The first batter was out (I honestly don't know how as I was just getting settled) and there was one on base, who ended up scoring a run.  The next two both strike out.

  

Top of the fifth and Aaron goes up to bat.  He hits but is caught and the next two batters both hit and are thrown out at first, to end the inning.

 

Aaron is on second for the bottom of the fifth as a new pitcher takes the mound.  The first batter gets hit with a pitch and walks; the second hits and it's an amazing catch by Aaron who looks like he was going to fall over!  The third walks; the fourth hits towards Aaron, and the runner is out at second, Aaron throws to first and the runner should have been out but the first baseman's feet was off the bag!  The fifth batter hits and is safe on second and 1 run is scored.  The final out came with a run-down between second and third...it took seven players to get the runner out!

 

Top of the sixth and the first batter hits a home run (way to go #24)!  The next batter hits but is out at first; the third batter strikes out and I don't remember how the final out happen as I was paying attention to Andy who was going to look for the home-run ball!

 

Aaron is back on second for the bottom of the sixth and I can clearly see why he likes this position...all the balls come that way.  The first batter hits right to Aaron and he is out at first; the second hits and it's caught by Aaron and the final batter in this inning strikes out.

 

Top of the seventh and Aaron is up to bat and ends up getting a walk; the second batter hits and is safe on first; the third gets hit with a pitch and walks...and the base is loaded!  The fourth batter strikes out and # 24 is back up...and he does it again, It's a grand slam!!!  The sixth batter hits and is safe on first and seventh struck out.  Again, I don't remember what happened for the third out because once again, Andy distracted me to say he was going to look for the grand slam ball!!!

 

 

Bottom of the seventh and final inning, and Aaron is back on second.  The first batter walks; the second strikes out; the third hits towards Aaron and is out at first, but one run is scored and the final batter hist and is out at first.

 

Final score 14-4, for Johnson.  Wow, way to go boys!!!

Game 4...Tigers vs. (Millcroft) Burlington - May 14, 2015

Tonight we travel to Millcroft Park in Burlington, Ontario as the Tigers take on Burlington.  The drive wasn't too bad as the traffic was flowing well.  It took us about 45 minutes to get there...but another 10-15 minutes just to find the Park!

 

Ariana and I found the newly opened Michael's store just up the street from the Park so we spent our hour walking the aisles in the store!  It's still walking so it counts as exercise!!!

 

Since we were the away team, the Tigers were up to bat first.  Our first batter got strike three and even though the catcher dropped the ball, they still threw him out at first.  The second batter walks; the third has a nice hit and 1 run is scored.  The fourth batter hits and is out at first.  With 2 already out, Aaron goes up...the runner on base tries to steal and is thrown out at second!  I guess we know who is starting the next inning!

 

The Tigers take the field with # 19 on the mound and Aaron on second.  It was a quick one with the first batter thrown out at first and the next two strikes out.

 

Aaron goes back up to bat and although he hits, he’s thrown out at first.  The second batter struck out and the third is thrown out at first.


Nice!

By this time, it’s already getting COLD.  I know it’s still Spring but it definitely doesn’t feel like it!

 

Bottom of the second and Millcroft’s first batter hits and is safe on first; the second struck out; 1 run comes in on an over pitch; and the next two batters strikes out.  The game is now tied.

 

Top of the third and our first batter hits a nice on the outfield, and he’s safe on first; the second hits and is safe on first, but the runner is out at third; the pitcher balks and advances the runner on base; the third batter strikes out; the fourth has a nice hit and no one was able to stop the ball…or the 2 runs from being scored!  The fifth batter hits and is safe; the sixth batter hits another nice one and 2 more runs come in.  Aaron ends the inning when he pops up in centre field and is caught…but it was a nice hit!


Yep, that one went up in centre field...but it's caught!

Bottom of the third and Tigers the field again.  The first batter hits but is out at first; the second strikes out; the third hits towards Aaron, who fumbles to get the ball and when he does throw it, our first baseman doesn’t have his foot on the bag!  The fourth batter hits a nice one in the left field and 1 run is scored and the final batter pops a foul and it’s caught by our first baseman.  We’re still leading.

 

Burlington sends out a new pitcher for the fourth inning.  Our first batter hits and is out at first; the second, third and fourth all walk; the fifth batter hits…and it’s a Grand Slam (4 runs).  This is the first time I have seen a grand slam live!  Way to go #10!  The sixth batter strikes out; the seventh and eight both walk; a runner steal a run; the ninth batter pops up and is caught, leaving Aaron in the hole.

 

Bottom of the fourth and # 19 is still on the mound and Aaron is still on second.  The first batter strikes out; the second hits and is safe on first; the third hits but is caught…and the runner on second is out because he left the base before the ball is caught!


Heading out to second base...

Top of the fifth and the score is 10-2 and someone said we only need to score 2 runs to end the game on mercy.  It looks like Burlington changed the pitcher but they all look the same in uniform so I can’t really tell.  Aaron starts off the inning and gets strike 3 but the ball drops and he tries to make it to first but they beat him to it.  The next two batters both strike out.  Well, so much for leaving he cold and going home early!

 

Bottom of the fifth and # 29 takes the mound.  The first batter hits right towards Aaron and he’s out at first; the second batter walks; the third hits to short, who throws to Aaron, to get the out on second and then Aaron throws to first, to get the out at first.  Nice double play boys!

 

Top of sixth and the first two batters both walk and waste no time in stealing bases.  One run is scored on an overthrow to third.  The third batter strikes out, and the runner on third is tagged out.  The fourth batter walks and the fifth strikes out.

 

Number 29 is back on the mound as the Tigers take the field for the sixth inning and Aaron is still on second.  The first batter hits a nice on in centre field and is safe on first; the second batter walks; the third hits and the bases are now loaded.  One run is scored on an over-pitch.  The fourth batter walks and the base are loaded again; the fifth batter hits and is caught but another run in scored; the sixth batter pops up in the infield and its caught by Aaron, although it should have been the Pitcher’s ball!  The final batter strikes out.

 

Final score 11-4, for us…way to go Tigers!!!

Game 3...Tigers 1 vs. Tigers 2 - May 13, 2015

Tonight we are at Rivergrove Park as the Tigers take on the Tigers 2.  I managed to keep my word and went for a short walk on the trail along the park...while Andy sat and chatted with another parent!  It is a nice trail with a lot of hills to climb.  I didn't go too far since I was alone and a girlfriend was coming by the Park to say 'hello'.

 

The game started right at 8:30 p.m. and Aaron remained on the bench as our team took the field, with # 1 pitching.  It was a very quick inning, which ended with the first batter hitting and getting caught; the second walks; and the next two striking out.

 

Bottom of the first and our first batter walks; the second hits and is safe on first.  The first run comes in on an over-pitch.  The third and fourth batter walks...and the bases are loaded.  The fifth batter hits and 2 more runs are scored.  Aaron goes up to bat and fouls a couple before walking...and the bases are loaded again.  The seventh batter walks, and 1 more run is scored...and the bases are still loaded!  Batter number eight hits and 2 more runs are in, including Aaron's.  The ninth batter has strike three but the catcher drops the ball, and he is safe on first, and another run is stolen.  Batter number 10 hits and another run is scored.  The eleventh batter hits right through the pitcher and he is safe on first, while another run is scored. OMG, I find it hard to believe that this team is also an AAA team!  Batter number twelve, hits and is out at first; batter number thirteen hits and another run is scored; batter number fourteen is hit with a pitch and walks...and the bases are loaded again.  The next batter hits and is caught.  Aaron is up again in this first inning...with 2 outs.  He hits and is safe on first and another run is scored.  The seventeenth batter walks...and the bases are loaded again!  Batter number eighteen goes up and the pitcher balks...and a runs comes in, with the bases still loaded.  The batter hits and is out at first, with Aaron trying to score.  I counted 14 runs but the scorekeeper said it's 13 runs...and 2 broken bats in this inning alone!

Number 1 is back on the mound as our boys take the field again.  The first batter hits and is safe on first, and the next three all strike out!

They are using the same pitcher for the bottom of the second.  Maybe they don't have many pitchers or already used them up earlier this week.  Our first batter gets hit with a pitch and walks; the second hits and is safe on second; the third strikes out; the fourth hits and is safe at first and 1 run is scored but the runner is out at third.  It seems like Winter returned with a vengeance as it is COLD now!!!  My fingers were getting too cold to take photos.  The final batter hits but is out at first.  This inning felt like a real game.  We only got one more run.

The boys take the field again and number 1 is still pitching.  Aaron is sent out on second (I guess he won't be pitching tonight)!  The first two batters struck out and the third fouls a few before popping up and getting caught.

Top of the third and they send back the same pitcher.  Our coach switched Aaron for number 15.  Our first batter hits and is safe on first; the second walks; the third gets hit with a pitch and walks...and the bases are loaded.  The fourth batter pops up but the pitcher drops the catch and its too late the get any outs or stop the run from being scored.  Batter number five also pops up in the infield so the infield fly rule applies and he is out.  Batter number six hits and is out at first but 1 more run is scored.  The seventh batter walks...and the bases are loaded again.  Time is called and they finally changed the pitcher.  Batter number eight hits and 2 more runs are scored.

Time is called and the game ended because of the mercy rule.  Thank God it did too as it was freezing cold.

T12 Tryout - May 12, 2015

I don't know how he does it...remaining so calm!

 

This afternoon he is missing the game for school because he is registered for the T12 tryout at the Rogers Centre.  We had to be there at least by 3:15 p.m. so we headed out a bit earlier to find parking and going through security.

"Tournament 12, or T12 as it is known will takes place across Canada in Spring/Summer of 2015.  These tryout camps will help determine the players that will be selected to represent their Province at T12.  The tournament itself will take place in Toronto from September 14-18, with all games at the Rogers Centre."

Roberto Alomar

He did say he would be on that field one day...mission accomplished!

 

Heading to the dugout!

Aaron pitching in the Blue Jays bullpen!

That's a lot of boys...and this is only session 1 of 7!

This year we were informed that around 650 boys registered in Ontario and I believe they are looking for 20 boys to form the team representing Ontario! Good luck to everyone.  We were lucky to get the tryout of our first choice.

Proud Dad!

It was a nice experience sitting and watching Aaron walk on that field.

Game 1, Johnson vs. Bosco - May 11, 2015

This afternoon, due to a commitment at work, I had to rely on Andy for notes and photos.  I know I should have told Ariana to do it instead but I knew that she would be playing with her friends instead of paying attention to the game. The game was scheduled for 3:15 p.m. at Sunnydale park. 

Around 4:10 p.m., I called to see how it was going and it sounded like a really good game but as far as taking the notes and the photos...not too good.  Andy said, "I don't know how you do this...see if you can leave early and come catch a piece of the game.  Aaron is pitching and score is already 10-0 for Johnson".

 

I ended up packing up and leaving but traffic was a bit heavier than I expected. As I was pulling into the parking lot Aaron was throwing the final pitch and then the teams walked off the field!  I got to the dugout in time to hear his Coach say he pitched amazingly, striking out 9 batters in 4 innings...but I didn't see any of it since Andy couldn't capture any 'good' photos.  I guess the game to was too good to watch!

 

The score was a ridiculous 16-0, for Johnson.  Way to go boys!