News from June 2008

In a dramatic come from behind thriller, our 11U Travel Team defeated a gritty Olney team yesterday at Belvedere Park to capture the MABA League Title.

In order to advance to the finals we defeated the Littlestown Bolts on Saturday by a score of 14-2. Truman Thomas pitched an exceptional 4 innings in the victory, and Sean Gaheen plated the final 2 runs with a blast to the fence in the bottom of the 4th to reach the 12 run limit to make the game a slaughter.

Coming off the high of Saturday’s win over Littlestown, our 11U Mighty Eagles knew that duplicating that effort against Olney would be a real challenge. Yesterday was the fifth time we faced Olney this season, and while we had won all four previous matchups, they have all been close. The last victory was also a 1 run come from behind victory earlier this month, with that final score being 6-5.

Below is the boxscore to yesteday’s game. As you can see we were trailing 9-1 heading into the bottom of the 5th inning. While the casual observer might have given up on our team at that point, our players, parents, and coaches all knew better. We had battled back from 8 down once earlier in the season to win a game, and on 2 other occasions we had come back from 5 down and 6 down to win games. During the middle innings reliever Connor “Doobie” Alwan kept the Olney batters in check to give our guys a chance at a comeback. Then Noah Orders came in and only gave up 1 run over the last 3 innings.

Comebacks are nothing new for this group of players. Working as a team, they broke through for 6 runs in the 5th (started off by a bases clearing double by Bryce Zito). With Olney’s lead then reduced to only 2 runs (9-7), and with 2 more turns to bat, our boys knew victory (and the championship) was within their grasp.

To keep ourselves in the game there were 3 standout defensive plays. The first was a laser beam throw from CF by Truman Thomas to throw out a runner at first base. The second was a double-play started at third by Sean Gaheen where he fielded a rocket to his glove side, touched third, then threw across the diamond to get the runner at first. Sean’s throw was a tad bit high, but not to worry, Logan Crum made the leap and tag to get the out. The last webgem was turned in by Jackson Kerchner who threw out a baserunner trying to steal third on a passed ball. Jackson’s throw was perfect, and Sean made a great tag. Without any of these critical defensive plays, the outcome could have been very different.

Despite the confidence of our players knowing that any size lead is not insurmountable, they still could not make it easy on their parents and coaches. We loaded the bases in the bottom of the 7th, but could not get across the tying run before making 2 outs. So the entire season, the championship, was resting on the shoulders of Jackson Kerchner. In this pressure packed situation he battled the Olney pitcher for a bases loaded walk to push across the tying run. With the bases still loaded, Sean Gaheen (the hero from the day before) came to the plate. With the first pitch thrown by the Olney pitcher Sean belted a hard ground ball to right field just beyond the reach of the first baseman. The speedy Austin Tuttle sprinted home and crossed the plate for the winning run. The Broadneck bench erupted and ran onto the field to congratulate their teammate Sean. The pile on the field was followed by an ice water jug drenching of Coach Mike Orders.

What a fun victory for a very deserving team. All the hard work that started back in January with weekly indoor hitting and pitching was rewarded yesterday with a League Championship. Their final league record including the playoffs was 23-2.

Congrats 11U on an outstanding season!

The Broadneck Rockies won the 17u Colt League Play-offs defeating the Lake Shore Yankees 13-2 on Monday, June 9th and upsetting the Severna Park Cardinals 12-9 on Tuesday, June 10th.  The Rockies finished second in the regular season behind the Cardinals who had only one loss in the regular season.   The Colt League is a 17u league with 4 teams from Severna Park, 2 from Lake Shore, and the Rockies.  The Rockies are also playing in the 16u AA County Joe E Brown League and are currently 7-0.

Congrats to these Broadneck players on their League win, and continued success for the remainder of the Joe E Brown season. 

With temps now consistently in the 80’s and 90’s, the heat index can reach dangerous levels. Heat related illnesses are a real concern under such conditions, and a couple of incidents have already occurred; fortunately, none has been serious. Here are some things to know about heat-related illness:

Heat-related illness is a continuum, starting with heat cramps and progressing to heat stroke. Some characteristics of each are:

1. Heat Cramps
Painful, involuntary contractions of muscles in those who have been sweating and not replacing electrolytes which usually involve the calves, thighs, and shoulders. Heat cramps occur more commonly after activity (i.e. while sitting on the bench between innings) than during it.

2. Heat Exhaustion
Results from exposure to high temperature and dehydration. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion include weakness, malaise, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches (heat cramps), sweating, flushed skin, high heart rate, rapid breathing.

3. Heat Stroke
This represents a progression from Heat Exhaustion. Symptoms include those seen in Heat Exhaustion plus confusion (or even unconsciousness or seizures); may have lack of sweating. Body temperature is > 104.

Prevention of these illnesses is key. Children should hydrate for a several hours prior to, and continuously during outdoor activity. I recommend drinking water during activity and sport drinks prior to and after activity. Avoid caffeinated beverages, as caffeine is a stimulant and these drinks can actually make the player more vulnerable to suffering from heat related illness. Cooling measures such as staying in a shaded area when possible, limiting activity when not actually participating (i.e. sitting calmly and quietly between innings), and placing cool, wet towels over players heads or on the back of the neck all will help to prevent heat related illness. Players should remove their hats when on the bench, assuming the hat is not needed for shade; this will allow some heat to dissipate. Catchers are particularly susceptible to heat related illness, and therefore they should be monitored closely throughout the game; alternating catchers is recommended. Placing a cool, wet washcloth on the back of the catcher’s neck WHILE he or she is catching can be helpful.

At the first sign of heat related illness, treatment should begin. Usually this can be done right there at the field and should include removing the player from the game, moving him or her to a shaded area, placing cool, wet towels on the head and neck, and vigorously hydrating with water and sports drinks. If a player has to be removed during play (as opposed to simply sitting out an inning), coaches should consider not allowing the player to return to the game (the player’s parent should be involved in this decision as well). Of course, if a player’s symptoms are progressing despite treatment, or if there is any sign of Heat Stroke, EMS should be activated immediately.

Finally, remember that the players aren’t the only ones who are susceptible to heat related illness. Coaches, cheering family members and other fans, and siblings playing around the field during the game can all become victims. As a coach, you may be called upon to “triage” one of these other important members of the BBSC community.

Good luck in your remaining games and remember SAFETY FIRST!

Mike Remoll, MD
Safety and Insurance Coordinator
BBSC