July 23-27:  PONY WORLD SERIES (DIAMOND VALLEY-HEMET)  

*****$300 REGISTRATION FEE FOR WORLD SERIES*****

*****$400-$800 HOTEL CHARGE *****

*****$25 GAS PER DAY*****

*****$75 DAY TO EAT (I'M ONE OF THE FEW, MOST HAVE MOBS TO FEED )*****

*****$100 JUST TO STEP OUT OF THE HOTEL ROOM, DON'T ASK WHERE, I DON'T KNOW

*****$SOUVENIERS, NOTHING FREE UNLESS YOU ARE ESMY OR CHERYL*****

*****$5 DAILY ENTRANCE FEE(HOW COULD I FORGET THE STINKIN ENTRANCE FEE)

******WATCHING YOUR DAUGHTER WIN PONY WORLD SERIES-PRICELESS(BUT EXPENSIVE!!!)******

2014 PONY WEST ZONE 10U WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!! YOU KNOW!!!

AS SOON AS I CAME FROM WORLD SERIES MEETING, I WAS THRILLED WITH OUR POOL DRAW...NUEVO-HEMET-REDLANDS BLUE-BEAUMONT....WE NEEDED TO WIN EVERY GAME AND ALLOW LEAST AMOUNT OF RUNS POSSIBLE TO GET THE #1 SEED, WHICH MEANS A LITTLE EASIER ROAD TO THE FINALS.....WE DID JUST THAT, WE ONLY PLAYED 3 INN A GAME FOR THE FIRST 4 GAMES, A MERCY EVERYTIME OUT.......WE THEN FACED A TOUGH INDIO TEAM AND HAD TO PLAY 4 INN, FROM THERE THE #2 SEED FROM OTHER POOL IN SEMIS AND #1 SEED IN THE FINALS, OUR GIRLS HANDLED THE JOB IN A VERY IMPRESSIVE WAY, HIT, PLAY CATCH, AND MOST IMPORTANT, THROW STRIKES.....WE OUTSCORED OTHER TEAMS WE FACED 81 RUNS TO 5 RUNS(HEMET SCORED 2 RUNS, WOW!), WE OUTHIT THE OTHER TEAMS 86 HITS TO 11 HITS, YES ONLY 11 HITS IN 7 GAMES WITH 5 PITCHERS.....THE WIN WAS VERY WELL EARNED, NO OTHER TEAM WORKED AS HARD AS YOU GIRLS(KAYLA-ALEX-TESSAH-JAZMINE-JOY-KRYSTAL-FEATHER-MAKAILA-GIGI-MYRANDA-JENNAH-ISABEL)I KNOW, IT DOEN'T LOOK RIGHT(KFC-DJ PEP-TURTLE-TAZZ-TURBO-KANDYKORN-KRUNCH-IPOD-KOOLAID-GEMINI-MITYMOUSE-SQUINKY-THAT'S BETTER)....., AND I TIP MY SOMBRERO TO EACH AND EVERY PARENT FOR ALLOWING ME TO RUN WILD WITH THIS TEAM AND MOLDING THEM INTO VERY COMPETITIVE YOUNG BALLPLAYERS.....AND AS WE CAN NOW SAY, "WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS"......CYA ON THE DIAMOND........

JULY 23RD

GAME #1- PALM SPRINGS VS NUEVO (SCREAMING EAGLES) 

So we just got underway in our World Series.  We faced a familiar Team in Nuevo (screaming eagles), and it was exciting right out of the gate.Our girls came and hit really good, 9 hits out of 12 at bats and good enough for 8 runs.  We struggled in the circle and made a quick change and restored order...Tazz struck out 3 straight batters with runners on 2nd/3rd....we then continued to hit and score another 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks.......we did have a glitch and gave up a run in the bottom of the 2nd, but that was the only run.......We put up 1 more run and finished game in 3 inn, REALLY GOOD START FOR THE WORLD SERIES...let's go see how their snack bar compares to ours (can't we just get a burger and go Moms?)......

Tazz 3-3(2b), Krunch 2-3(2b), Turbo 2-3, KandyKorn 2-2(3b), Turtle 3-3(2b/3b), Gemini 1-2(2b), KFC 2-3, KoolAid 2-2(2b), Squinky 1-1(3b)

Pitching Tazz-3inn, 1 run/2bbs/5ks, 1hit 

PALM SPRINGS--------------16

NEUVO-----------------------1

GAME #2- HEMET VS PALM SPRINGS 

After a really good start, a quick lunch, we were ready to go again....This time we were the home Team, we only allowed 2 runs in 3 inn which means we scored alot.....this was the "home" team, and when I saw our girls level compared to their's during warm-ups, I knew they were in trouble.....we only batted 3 inn, but really only once as we shut it down after the 1st (sportsmanship).....another good game, and onto the pool for relaxation (loud relaxing!!!)......

Tazz 2-2(HR), Krunch 2-3(3b), Turbo 2-2, KandyKorn 1-1, Turtle 1-1(2b), KFC 1-1, MityMouse 2-2, Pep 2-2

Pitching Turbo-2inn, 0 runs, 0 hits, 3ks, KFC 2/3 inn, 2 runs-1 hit, DJ Pep-1/3, 0 runs, 0 hits, 0bbs

Hemet---------------2

PS All Stars--------14

GAME #3 - PALM SPRINGS VS REDLANDS BLUE 

OK, some games have a back story you parents and players need to know....during Opening Ceremonies I didn't hang with girls in line too much as Coaches came and hovered around me and basically let me know we were "all hype" as a team and could be beat.....I turned to Esmy to see if she was listening to what I was being told, I was a little stunned, but knew I could use it as motivation for game...I eventually made my way back to group and asked Esmy if I heard them right? She asked where did that come from, and I just said it is "envy" for our group.....so when we started game vs Redlands Blue, girls had my back, THEY WERE PUMPED, WE ARE NOT OVER RATED, 3 runs on 5 hits.....Turtle was throwing bbs, 18 pitches in 2 inn and they were toast, they were totally done........our 2nd inn lasted 12 batters and an additional 7 runs....the 3rd was only easier as we let up after another 5 runs just to send a message that you need to be careful when you tell a team they are not as good as they think they are, we don't talk in the stands, we do it on the field the "right way" , Turbo came in last inn and after 12 pitches it was time to get lunch, hope In-N-Out has short lines.......

Tazz 1-2, Krunch 2bb,Turbo 3-3(2b), KandyKorn 1-1, Turtle 3-3(2b), Gemini 1-1(3b), KFC 1-3, KoolAid 2bb, Squinky bb, Ipod bb 

Pitching Turtle-2inn, 0 runs, 1 hit, 4ks, Turbo 1inn, 0 runs, 1 hit, 1k

PS All Stars-----------------15

Redlands Blue All Stars------0

GAME #4 - BEAUMONT VS PALM SPRINGS

Just having come off a scrimmage vs Beaumont, I had our girls ready for their ace Gustelum, she didn't throw, they went with #2 pitcher?, "things that make you say hmm"......after a LOUD 1st inn for them, 2 bbs which scored them a run, they were ready to come at us full force, but then a funny thing happened, we got a chance to hit vs #2 pitcher.......12 batters, 4 hits, 5 bbs, and 8 runs, they were deflated......they only sent 7 batters the next 2 inn, and we only had 2 chances to hit, we made our 2nd inn count with another 6 runs.......off to the playoffs and batting practice just getting started for us.....where is the closest Pizza place for Dinner?......

Tazz 1-2, Krunch 2-2(3b), Turbo 1-2, KandyKorn 2-2(2b/sacrafice), Turtle 1-1(2b), Gemini 1-1, KFC 1-2, Ipod 1-1, 

Pitching Tazz-2inn, 1 run, 2 hits, 2bbs, 3ks, Turbo 1 inn, 0 runs, 2 ks

Beaumont All Stars------1

PS All Stars-------------14

GAME #5- INDIO VS PALM SPRINGS Quarter Finals

Playing our "Lil Buddies" from Indio was where we started our Championship run....losing the flip not a big deal to us, we get sticks first, advantage us........we sent 8 batters to the plate and scored 3 runs, not what we expected but a good start anyways....pitching was $$$$$, we threw 4 inn, 8 ks, 2bbs, 2 hits, not enough to do any damage as that took Indio 4 inn to do......we had other plate appearances, and we swang the bat well, we plated 8 more runs and finshed in 4 inn, finally a 4 inn game this week.....

Tazz 1-3(3b), Krunch 1-2, Turbo 2-3, KandyKorn 3-3(2-2bs), Turtle 3-3(2b), Gemini 2-3(2b), KFC 1-3, MityMouse 1-2, Ipod 3-3, 

Pitching Turtle-2inn, 0 runs, 2 hits, 4 ks, Turbo-2inn, 0 runs, 2bbs, 4ks

Indio All Stars--------0

PS All Stars-----------11

GAME #6- PALM SPRINGS VS REDLANDS RED (SEMI-FINAL GAME)

So now the games were getting a little more challenging...Redlands Red has always been a tough test for us, they are very athletic, pitch really well, play great defense, and run like Jaguars......after a 1 pitch out, we made a location mistake and it put a runner on 2nd base...they bunted to sacrifice runner to 3rd but our Turtle got "lil Country" to strike out on a high heater....we came up and only were able to get a lousy 1b, let inn 2 begin....with a leadoff k to their 5th batter, Turtle was back in control, ground ball to Gemini(Gecko) and it was 2up 2down, a full count bb and with 2 strikes on #8 hitter they decide to test KandyKorn's arm, it didn't work as Tazz caught the lazer she delivered and waited for runner to arrive, 3 down and let's go hit....after Turbo hit lazy fly ball caught by 3rd base, Redlands players were scolded for not calling the ball, Gemini took advantage with same hit in same location and once again, a little gun shy after getting yelled at, the ball drops for a 1b and we are off..Gemini reaches 2nd on wild pitch and KoolAid delivers a 1b up the middle for our 1st run, MityMouse follows with a bunt 1b and Redlands was coming unglued........end of 2 inn 1-0 good gals....after a lead off 1b, they decided not to steal as KandyKorn was anxious to get a 2nd mark for the game, Turtle made quick work of next 3 batters with a comebacker, fly ball to Krunch and a k to get out of any trouble......we once again got a 1b out of Krunch, but unlike us, we left her their, good pitching she kept us quiet for next 2 inn........they led off 5th inn with a 1b up the middle, ground ball to Turbo, hotshot from KoolAid to Krunch and ground ball to Turbo for final out, Redlands ties the game......we are hard Team to keep quiet for too long, we got our chance in the 5th inn, MityMouse led off with a line drive 2b, with 1 out and a bad umpire call for the 2nd out on bunt attempt Turtle came through with 2 out 1b for important rbi, she stole 2nd, KandyKorn bbs, a pitching change and we knew it was over, new pitcher their #3 pitcher, bbs Turbo, and Gemini cashes in Turtle with her 1b, Ipod follows with another 1b to plate the 3rd run of the inn........with time running out, it was Redlands last ab.....they got 2 lead off bbs, a wild pitch put runners on 2nd & 3rd no outs, a knuckleball gets a fly ball to center field, Ipod pulls it down and gets runner off 2nd for a double play, runner on 3rd, 2 down and #5 hitter up, same batter, same pitcher in PS Region and Turtle won that battle, on a 1 strike count, a change up get a weak pop up to Krunch to end the inn....whew, in all the fireworks, we didn't realize it was the 6th inn, ball game, onto the finals......

Turtle 2-3, KandyKorn 1bb, Turbo 1bb, Gemini 2-3, Ipod 1-3, KOOLAID 1-3(HUGE RBI), MITYMOUSE 2-2(HUGE 2B/BUNT)

Pitching-Turtle 6inn , 1 run, 4 hits, 3bbs, 3ks

Redlands Red-------1

PS All Stars--------4

GAME #7- PALM SPRINGS VS RIALTO GOLD (CHAMPIONSHIP GAME)

so, like I say, every game has it's underlined story....parents had come around Mark recording games, they told him they anticipated PS vs Rialto in the Finals, one of the same parents came to me prior to Redlands and told me they would see me at 3pm, meaning Championship game, told them I hope we are fortunate enough to make it there........also leading up to this weekend, I pulled scouting sheets from last time we had played this team in Upland and prepared for them "hoping" to face them in Corona Tourny, we didn't get that far as we got knocked out early, they finished 2nd place there to Corona Team which looked very beatable......I took those same scout sheets which "Ice" Cheryl keeps for me the past year and a half, and studied it like I was taking finals Senior year, it worked, Rialto could drill a fastball to the grass every time with every batter, but if you mix in a little change up and knuckleball to keep off balance, advantage pitcher, they haven't seen anything like it.....we have 3 pitchers that can pitch those pitches anywhere we want whenever we want, Rialto was not going to eat a diet of fastballs, rather a steady diet of off speed and may the better Team win....as the visitors we found out early their catcher had an arm, she hosed Krunch at 2nd by 8 feet, lesson learned by me, oops.....Tazz took control right back by striking out lead off hitter, doing same to #2 hitter and getting a routine fly ball to Pep to end the inn, YO Big Lady Mo, come on back to our side....we had Indionesia come and return the favor of our girls cheering for them at their game by cheering for ours at our game, sportsmanship our girls showed this weekend goes a long way......we got a lead off 1b by KandyKorn, KFC and Ipod walked, bases loaded and Indonesia helping frustrate the Rialto pitcher, we made noise but couldn't come up clutch yet....Tazz once again entered the circle and took charge, strike out to #4 & #5 hitters and it was 2up 2down, a bb and a fielder's choice to KFC to end the inning, at end of 2, 0-0 tie....like I said, Indonesia was a big part of the big crowd on our side, they were helped by Redlands Blue Coachs, Beaumont Coaches, Fontana Coaches and various other players we had competed against all weekend, that being good sports goes a long way to making friends, and boy did we need the support.....After a lead off bb to Krunch, Turtle ripped a double up the middle to break the scoreless tie, Turbo followed with a 1b, KandyKorn with a walk, Gemini bb, and bases were loaded with only 1 out, KFC drove a 1b to right field to score 2 more, this is where I had batters running on 2ball count on purpose to help the Rialto ace explode, Ipod got hit, rather than have her stop at first I sent her to 2nd, the Rialto defense wasn't sure what happened as runners were all over, someone get ice ready for Coach Joe, Ipod came back as umpire told me it was only ball 2, I knew it, but I also knew Ipod was hit by the pitch, which meant it was a dead ball and we would have lost a run, I grabbed Ipod and told her, "Your ok, it didn't hit you, and it didn't hurt if it did,  it is now ball 2, and we keep the run, but Coach it did hit me, YO KNUCKLEHEAD, IT DIDN'T HIT YOU AND WE SCORE A RUN, IT IS BALL 2 ON YOUR COUNT, "oh I get it, your right, it didn't hit me, and it didn't hurt", these girls learn fast...we did KEEP the run, Ipod gets a bb 2 pitches later, Pep gets a bb, and we put up a LOUD 5 runs in the 3rd inn, best of all, the Swag Rialto had was gone, I mean switched seats to the PS dugout, right next to "Lady MO".....Tazz once again took charge, ground out to KandyKorn, sweet catch in left by DJ Pep and finished with long fly ball out to Krunch, TEAM DEFENSE AT IT'S FINEST....end of 3 inn, 5-0 Good Gals..at this point, game was over, Rialto starter was struggling to keep composure, our loud Rowdy Parents and Family support had her rattled, though she got us out 2 consecutive inn without a run, it was a tough 6 outs for her.......Tazz kept cruising much the same way Turtle handled business vs Redlands, like we are supposed to do this.....I tried hard to kill 15 miutes in the 5th inn, but we didn't make any noise at bat, and we didn't allow anyone to reach base for Rialto in the bottom of 5, it was 3up 3 down both sides, so we were going to earn it the hard way, all 6 innings the way a Championship game should go.......we once again came up and had Ipod lead off by getting hit(karma-oops-but it didn't hurt), AGAIN, DJ Pep dropped a perfect bunt to get us runners on 2nd & 3rd, Turtle laced a 1b up the middle and we tacked on 2 insurance runs......3 more outs and World Series Champions on the girls Bio for College......Tazz once again working ahead by getting strike 1, on 1-2 count fastball up and we get routine fly ball to Turtle, 1 down, 2 to go.......on another 0-1 count, knuckleball outside gets their leadoff hitter to ground out to Tazz, 2 down 1 to go......a 4 pitch walk set up for a good ending, Pitcher vs Pitcher to finish the game....In Upland she tattoed a Turtle fastball about 175' (that is a long way), so we started her fastball up, she swang and misssed, , 0-1 count, we went knuckleball outside for strike 2, 0-2 count......fastball high, she didn't bite, 1-2 count, fastball inside to back her off the plate and ball 2,  2-2 count, knuckleball outside, STRIKE 3, PALM SPRINGS WINS THE WORLD SERIES........what an exciting finish, what an exciting game, what AWESOME SUPPORT FROM ERRBODY....as much as Tazz handled her business in the circle and offense made all the noise to score the runs, a huge THANK YOU to the unspoken "Hero" here Ice Cheryl, without her scouting reports I have to dig deep in the scorebooks to remember pitches and abs by Rialto players, on behalf of all PS players I say "THANK YOU ICE!!!!!"...YOU GIRLS WERE AWESOME, YOU PLAYED VERY CONFIDENT AND LOOKED LIKE THE MUCH BETTER TEAM, RIALTO GOLD HAD NO IDEA WHAT JUST HIT THEM, I DO, "A FOCUSED-CALM-DETERMINED GROUP OF SOFTBALL PLAYERS THAT HAVE PLAYED WITH THE NO QUIT ATTITUDE AND PLAYED TILL THE LAST OUT, HURT OR NOT, (GEMINI HAS ABOUT 3 THUMBS ON HER CATCHING HAND FROM OWEEE), THE NEVER SAY "I'M OUT" ATTITUDE WE HAVE ADOPTED OVER THE SEASON CAME THROUGH AGAIN, JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE, CYA ON THE DIAMOND....CHAMPS!!!!!.......

Krunch 1-3, Turtle 2-3, Turbo 2-4, KandyKorn 1-2, KFC 1-2, Ipod 3bbs, Pep 1-2(2b)

Pitching Tazz- 6inn, 0runs, 1 hit 2 bbs, 7ks

OUR JOURNEY TO THIS SERIES BEGAN IN WINTER BALL, MON/WEDS OPTIONAL HITTING, TUES/THURS GAME, AND WEEKEND AROUND THE HILL FRIENDLIES TO GET US PREPARED FOR BIGGER THINGS......WE PLAYED IN 50 GAME FROM SEPT.-DEC., WE JUST FINISHED UP OUR 78TH GAME FROM JAN-JULY, YES WE SACRIFICED, YES WE WORE EACH OTHER OUT, YES WE GOT TIRED OF EACH OTHER, BUT WHAT WE NEVER LOST, IS THE PRIZE AT THE END OF THE FINISH LINE, TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH ALL TEAMS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY WERE FROM, REGARDLESS OF HOW HARD THEY THREW, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR THEY HIT, WE HAVE GROWN INTO A FAIRLY DECENT SQUAD OURSELVES, AND OH HOW GOOD IT FEELS TO SEE YOUR CHILD OR ALL 12 OF THEM COMPETE AND COME UP ON THE TOP OF THAT HILL THEY WERE CLIMBING.....I SAW GUSTAVO TAKE OUR GIRLS TO THE TOP OF THIS ROCK IN MORENO VALLEY AS IF IT WAS A FUN THING TO DO, THERE WERE ABOUT 8 OR 9 PLAYERS CLIMBING THE ROCK, AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK OF WHAT ON EARTH WAS HE THINKING, I LOOKED AT IT WITH A DIFFERENT SET OF EYES, WE HAVE A GOAL, WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD CHANCE TO MAKE SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPEN, AND COACH JOE AND I WILL LEAD THEM UP THE HILL AS FAR AS WE CAN AND ENJOY THE MAGIC THESE GIRLS ARE ABOUT TO MAKE HAPPEN..."WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED, AND IT WILL BE FUN HEARING COACH JOE EXPLAIN TO HIS CUSTOMERS WHY HIS BEARD IS PINK...TO BE CONTINUED....."WE ARE FAMILY, WE HAVE ALL OUR FAMILY AND INDONESIA AS WELL" CYA ON THE DIAMOND, "CHAMPS"