Robina Braves Blog

Go "The Lobster"

2011-05-30T14:26:00.000+10:00

Interesting to see the table. The argument that "we don't have any pitchers" is pretty fast becoming null and void. In fact, it appears as if the argument should be "we don't have a pitcher slow enough" as it appears as if all the hitters are having difficulty coming to grips with the slow strikes coming their way.
Only Mudgee are averaging more than 9 runs/game !

On the other side of the ledger, it was our fielding that kept us in the game yesterday. 2 DPs, 1 rundown and CS on a 1st & 3rd.

Another rest this weekend. Feels like we just get warmed up and we get a week off. Not Good !

The DL has grown again this season, as we expected, but not quite so early in the season.
Eugene 'Shaqille' O'Neill has done his shoulder, J-Mac has a bad hip, Young Rob Goddard's back is not good and Peely only available for home games makes it a drag 'em out option for away games.
I'm not sure yet but Rob may even be a non-starter for the season as his back was giving him curry during the warm-up yesterday. I could see he really wants to play but it's not worth it (when you get older) to extend yourself for one second and end up on your back (in the bad sense) for a month (or 2 or 3). Hope we see you back on the park soon (even if you are a pom).

It was great to see Vanessa and Mako there yesterday to score for us ! Another old face with D.J. as field umpire too. Hope we see more of you thru the season buddy.

Hope GCBA see the light and promote last year's GF club, Coomera. It's ludicrous they didn't start the season in Div 1.

Trick plays

2011-01-01T07:12:00.000+10:00

Happy New Year !

In an attempt to get some reaction and to see if you do more than read these blog posts. I wanna know if there are any other trick plays that a crafty side can do to bring memorium to some deadly scorelines.

1. Runner at third. Flyball to any OF, deep enough for the guy to tag. Hold your glove up like you're gonna catch it above your head, but at the last second, drop your glove down to make a basket catch. If the runner was timing your catch and watching the baseline instead of watching the OF, he will leave early and the defense could appeal at third.

2. With one out in the fifth, the game tied at 2, and Dorados speedster Zach Tarbet on first base, Ironwood Ridge coach Nick Allen called for the “Rainbow Play.”
Knowing Tarbet’s reputation as an aggressive base runner, the Nighthawks tried something new. The trick play went something like this:
As Tarbet took off from first, Ironwood Ridge ace Zach Morales threw a fastball to catcher Jake Wilhelm. Rather than try to gun down Tarbet, Wilhelm tossed a rainbow-arched pop-up toward second baseman Brandon Collins.
The entire Ironwood Ridge crew — coaches included — screamed “pop fly” and pointed toward the sky, drowning out the CDO voices. Running with his head down, Tarbet tried to read the Ironwood Ridge fielders that were selling and yelling for the phantom fly ball, and he stopped and turned back toward first base.
If Tarbet would have continued toward second, he would have stolen the bag easily.
Instead Collins fielded the throw from Wilhelm, and Tarbet was caught between first and second base and was tagged out.

3. With a runner on second the pitcher picks to second but in stead of throwing the ball he leaves it in his glove. the short stop and second run into the outfield gap and so do the out fielders. meanwhile the first baseman covers second and the runner is caught trying to take third.

4. Runner on second, and you know for a fact that he's running, perhaps its a 3-2, 2 outs or maybe youve stolen a sign and know hes takin off to third. pitcher comes from the stretch of course, but insted of a slidestep move, you move to the normal stretch. lift the leg, runner decides you've commited, and the pitcher picks off to third - 8.05d says it is a balk to throw to an unoccupied base, except for the purpose of making a play. If the runner breaks to third, the pithcer may step, and throw to third without disengaging the rubber.

(This one is tricky 'cause most umps would balk unless they knew the rule well - it's hardly worth a protest).

What do you guys think.

LL Majors

2010-11-23T06:14:00.000+10:00

Hi Y'all !
Great game last Saturday. I can't get over the improvement rate in the team. Everyone is growing in confidence at each outing.
Highlights of the game last week include a strong start batting in the top of the first (what happened after that ?), Remy struck out the side (on his pitching debut), a double play (pop fly to Bailey (P) who threw it to Blake (2B) to get the runner who left early) and a fantastic catch from Liam (CF) when they needed one run to tie the game.

Next in Line !
We have rest this coming week, but training will still be on on Thursday and our next game is on the 4th of December (can you believe it's nearly Christmas ?) against Mudgeeraba at Mudgeeraba.

All-Stars
I've been asked to nominate players for the All-Star game that will occur on the 11th December. This is a game where the best players on the coast play against each other in the various age groups. The teams are selected on the basis of what age group you were playing in at the beginning of the year so a couple of our U14s are still eligible for U12 Majors. That being the case, there are still U14 players from other clubs still eligible so the standard is pretty high.
I have nominated Bailey as a pitcher and Shaymus at First base. Now we wait and see if they get selected; Good Luck !

It would be nice to see some comments below ?

November Committee Meeting

2010-11-12T07:10:00.000+10:00

Well, the November meeting was held last night, being the second Thursday of the month.
Unfortunately, the Bandits opener was also last night and a couple of committee members had already organised to watch the new ABL get underway in Brissy.
http://web.theabl.com.au/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t4065&t=g_log&gid=2010_11_11_prtwin_briwin_1
Spys have told me that the Braves own Trent Cosh was the ground announcer at last nights event.

Anyway, back to the meeting.
6 in attendance and we discussed lots !
Apparently we're hosting the LL Minors on the 20th ??? We don't even have a team in the minors ?

Being the middle of the junior season there wasn't much to organise and my report went alonng the lines of all teams are enjoying their ball with our U14s playing hard and doing well.
The plan is to have the team photos taken before Christmas so we get that 'chore' out of the way and ready for the presentation day in March.

Our next club suausage sizzle is in 2 weeks
Thursday 25th @ 6:00
The last one was enjoyed by all... don't be late or the locusts will get all the snags !

Hopefully, we've seen the last of the rain and we can get some ball played.

See you on the diamond. Bernie

U12 Tournament

2010-11-02T07:44:00.003+10:00

It's a shock to the system - 2 washouts, a bye and then a double header !
Game 1 v Mudgeeraba
Bailey started as our pitcher and he threw well to Remy. Shaymus hogged the ball with 2 catches in the top of the first.
Blake and Tayne were the leadoff hitters; a big difference from the speed of the rookie ball pitcher from last year to the gorilla Mudgee put on the mound... and he was throwing a real baseball... hard !
The Braves struggled with the bat against the speed and inaccuracy of the Mudgee pitcher. In fact our only baserunners were all walks.
In the field we were fantastic; no catchable balls were missed and most grounders were fielded and thrown to the correct spot. The best out of the day was a grounder to Liam at 2nd and a hard throw to 1st.
Dakota finished the game strongly as our fireman and Aiden handled the catching duties admirably.
Game 2 v Runaway Bay
For this game I loaded the infield with our younger players and gave the older guys a go in the outfield.
Shaymus started on the mound with Remy behind the plate.
A great flyball was taken at centrefield by Bailey and later in the game Dakota missed another flyball by a bee's wing !
Skyler was our second pitcher, followed by Blake and then Kyle. Aiden finished the game as catcher.
I'm pretty sure we all slept well on Saturday night.
I hope any injuries sustained (Blake, Shaymus and Dakota) are rested and all are fit for training on Thursday @ 4:30. If it's dry we'll do some more hitting and fielding but if it's raining, we'll still have training - we'll do sliding practice so bring your boardies !
PS Next week's game this Saturday 8:00 am v Surfers Sharks @ Robina. Be there at 7:15.

Sausage Sizzle # 1

2010-10-29T06:33:00.001+10:00

Thursday 28 October 2010

Chef Peel

A good roll-up of parents and players enjoyed the first of what we hope will be many monthly get togethers.
The snags were prepared by mine host Peely - and were available to devour right on time at 6:00 pm. Unfortunately, those who arrived at 6:15 missed out.

Locusts

We are sorry to those who did miss out - it won't happen next month, as the locusts will be kept under control.

Locust in full flight

The field is drying out nicely, both the U14s and U12 trained last night in great conditions.

Thanks to all that participated.

Welcome

2010-10-28T07:10:00.000+10:00

Here's a place to have a say.
I know we have our website http://www.robina.baseball.com.au/ but sometimes it's a bit slow to get info up there.
This blog will allow us, I hope, get info up as soon as someone knows about it.