July 30, 2007 by jon.

I posted our first video to YouTube this morning. I tried a pretty innocous video to start with. Just to be safe.

So here is one of Brad hitting a double that he was able to stretch into a triple. Let me know what you think and I’ll upload some more.

You can also view the clip on our Video Page.

Jon

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July 22, 2007 by jon.

  We had the (Last) ball game of the year yesterday.  Robyn’s team finished the softball season with a bang.  Only 7 out of 12 players showed up but they played with enthusiam.  Of course we don’t keep score so there is no telling how they did.  Robyn had fun and that was what mattered.

  She played Second, Short Stop, Catcher and Outfield  (Although outfield in this league is standing in the shortstops back pocket).  She did pretty good.  Had a hit every time at the plate too.  I think she only struck out once this whole season.

  It was fun watching her grow in the game.  Her throwing was getting better altough her batting remained about the same.  You see dad pitches a little faster than the coaches so when she hits off of me, it goes farther.  Not so in the game with the coaches.

  So now what?  I think we’re done for this year.  Brad doesn’t want to play fall ball and I don’t blame him.  Last year got to be a little long.  He may or may not try out for Travel Team.  We’re still discussing.

  As for Robyn, sports are done for now.  She may try cheerleading again once school starts, but we’ll see.  There always is Piano which she is pretty good at.

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July 17, 2007 by jon.

Last Friday was the first time my family ever joined me on a business trip.  I had scheduled one to HRH’s Moline office to coincide with the John Deere Classic.  :-)  Can you say a little golf?

Well Thursday I was in the office taking care of a few things while the family went poking around Moline.  I guess they found a mini-golf course (Robyn had 2 holes in one!) and the kids spent a lot of time in the hotel pool.  After work, we took Kala to the airport.  She flew to Denver to celebrate our good friend Rachelle’s 40th birthday.  So that left me and the kids.

Connie from the Moline office was nice enough to ask us over for dinner.  They lived across the river in Iowa amidst the corn fields.  It was a beautiful neighborhood and a good way to kill a few hours.

On Friday, Connie had set aside a few tickets for us to the John Deere Classic.  This was the first time the kids had ever seen a golf tourney.  Cool stuff according to Brad.  Robyn thought it was ok, but it was a lot of walking.  We ended up parking in VIP Preferred across the street (THANKS Connie!).  When we got there, we started just wandering around.

I was impressed, I didn’t have to tell the kids but once about golf course manners during a tournament.  They were quiet when they should have been and clapped at the appropriate times.  We walked down 9 and sat at the 8th green.  Then walked past the driving range and to 17 where the HRH tent was.  Again, THANKS Connie.  We had lunch at the tent (Tent is too small a word, it was more like a mini-lodge with a door, windows, sink & bathroom.  In other words, the kids could be kids with out being told to be quiet.

After lunch, we walked down 18 to the clubhouse and then ended up following Zach Johnson unintentionally.  We went down 1 and 2, hurried over the 3rd green which was a par 3 and watched Zach come through.  We stayed there for a few more pairs and then cut 4 and went to 5 where of course Zach was again.  We saw some great golf and some not so good golf.  I shouldn’t talk because I would never get close to how those guys were playing.

In all we hit portions of 10 holes on a beautiful course and saw golfers like Zach Johnson, Jesper Parnevik and Kirk Triplett.
A stop at the Merchandise shop and we were on our way home.

You see, Robyn had a softball game at 6:00 so we needed to be on the road.

The kids slept a bit in the car until we got home.  A quick bite then on to the game.  Coach Rob was short handed in coaches so Brad helped on the field and I was bench coach.  Robyn did well.  She bruised herself a little sliding into third and got quite dusty, but in all, had a great time.

We had another game on Saturday so it ended up being a pretty busy weekend.  Robyn got a hit every time she was at bat except for once.  I think she really likes this game.

Kala landed in O’Hare Sunday and our weekend was done.  I had fun with the kids and I think they had fun with me….maybe.  Anyway, it was good to spend some time together and let Kala go have fun in Denver.

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July 2, 2007 by jon.

The playoffs are over for Brad.  They ended up 3-2 in the playoffs and in 4th place.  Not too bad.  Due to weather problems they played a double header for both the first two games and last two games.  Brad pitched 9 innings in those 5 games and gave up only 6 runs.  Even though he was nervous about pitching in the playoffs, he did well.  Matter of fact, coach had him as starting pitcher for 2 games.  (2 innings each) and closing for 1 game (2 more innings).  He did well not allowing many to score.

Batting for him was a different story.  I told him before the playoffs that I would give him $10 for every hit that made it to the fence.  My mistake as he only had a few hits and mostly struck out when at the plate.  I guess he changed his swing a bit to get the big hit and couldn’t connect.  I won’t do that again.

So we had a great season, lots of fun.  We’re sorry it’s over, but also glad.  Brad has expressed some interest in trying out for Travel ball for next year.  We’ll see how that goes.

Of course, no update would not be complete without talking about softball.  Problem is that Robyn’s hasn’t had a game in 2 weeks.  She was didn’t have a game this past weekend and was rained out the weekend before.  She has a practice Thursday and a game Saturday that we’ll probably miss because we’re trying to go camping.  Hopefully we’ll get some games in before the season is over.

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June 28, 2007 by jon.

  Been a while since I posted.  Some travel, some weather and some baseball has been distracting me.  First the baseball.

  Softball actually.  Robyn had her first (And second and third) game in the last few weeks.  She is doing pretty good.  She’s played most all positions including catcher.  She like it a lot and I think she looks cute behind the plate in all that gear.  (Don’t tell her that)  She has done well hitting and base running.  They don’t keep score in this leage so it’s all about fun and she’s having in.  I’m proud of her for trying it out.

   Brad is now in the throes of the playoffs.  We’ve had a bunch of rainouts recently so the schedule is pretty mixed up and cramped.  When it’s all said and done, they played two games on Sunday, won both and then played today and lost.  Double elimination so they play again this Saturday.  If they keep winning, it can potentially be double headers for a few days.

  As for how he’s doing, it’s pretty good.  The last two games he pitched the first two innings to lead off the games.  A total of four runs scored over 4 innings.  Not too bad.  He also has caught for 2 innings for every game.  I think he still really likes catching.  Today, at the plate, he got a little frusted today because he struck out on calls he didn’t agree with.  I keep telling him he needs to protect the plate when he has 2 strikes against him.  He’ll learn.

  The family also went to the Midwest League All Star game.  It was hosted by the local Kane County Cougars.  I was away at some meetings so I couldn’t go, but I think they had fun.  The kids got 20 autographs between the two of them.

  I’ll do an update on my running a little later.

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June 13, 2007 by jon.

Brad had another game yesterday.  (Same time Robyn had practice and Kala worked.  Dad played shuttle driver.)  Again he played catcher for two innings.  I really like him as catcher.  Brad has a good grasp of the game and is learning the position.  For example, he tried a snap throw to first early on to catch a runner leaning the wrong way.  Almost got the runner too, but Brad’s coach told him to run the ball out towards the runner to force him back.  At this level there is too much chance in throwing to first  like that.  Brad took the advice to heart and everytime someone was on first, he would advance a little to get them to go back.  It’s great that he listens.

Well as he was catching a batter from the other team laid down a perfect bunt.  About a third of the way to the pitcher’s mound.  Brad and the pitcher both went for it.  Brad got there first, took another step or two toward the mound to get the angle and then fired a stike to first.  The first baseman dropped the ball but otherwise the runner would have been out.  It was perfect execution for a bunt.

After the inning I asked Brad how he knew to play a bunt like that because it was never practiced and we didn’t even know the kids could bunt.  He said he learned it playing MLB on Playstation….I had no response to that…

The Braves lost again and are in a 4 game losing slump.  It’s like the kids haven’t showed up for the games.  They just aren’t there mentally.  Brad even had a few gaffes during the game.  Something’s come over the team and they need to break out of it before the playoffs which start in a week.  Of course, it’s just kids baseball but it’s fun to watch them at this level.

BTW - Robyn’s practice went well.  She got her uniform (Orange number 5)  Her first game is this Saturday.  Stay tuned for blow by blow updates!

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June 11, 2007 by jon.

What a wonderful weekend!  Started with Brad’s All Star game Saturday morning.  Brad was on the National League team as was 17 other kids.  They picked 3  players from each team so it was a little crowded.  Brad’s coach also was coach of the all star team so Brad felt a little more comfortable.  I really like how Coach Bob did the lineup.  He had players from the same teams play together on alternate innings.  So Brad was on the field with his friends each time he was in the field.  Brad also got to play on the same team as his friend Michael.

The National League was behind the whole game.  Brad got to play 3rd, catcher, and outfield.  He was the only one to get an extra base hit.  His came in the last inning with 2 outs.  He hit a RBI double to kick the rally off.  Brad also had some good plays at third and catch.  Even though they lost, it was a lot of fun.

Oh, did I forget to say it was Robyn’s birthday?  The big 8.  My little girl is growing up.  What did we do to celebrate?  Robyn went to softball practice.  Then we went to TGIFriday’s for dinner.  They sang to her, but she was a little shy.  Her birthday gifts from the family included softball items like a bat bag, visor and water bottle.  All pink of course.

Sunday, Brad had another game (Lost 11-10).  I really enjoy watching him play catcher.  I think he does a great job and has a good feel for what’s going on.  After the game, we rushed home so that we could go to Robyn’s birthday party.  Robyn decided she wanted a Shrek birthday so we had 12 kids go to the movie theater to watch Shrek 3.  That was crazy.  Robyn didn’t quite know what to do with all of the girls vying for her attention.  I guess since she was the princess of the evening, all of the girls wanted a part of her.  That was not a position Robyn is used to being in and she was a little shy.

The movied ended up to be pretty good.  Robyn got to start the movie by pushing the big green button AND she got to take home a part of the movie (They cut off a few cells to give her)

Another busy weekend but it was a blast.

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May 21, 2007 by jon.

Along with our busy weekend of moving dirt, Brad had two baseball games.  I was only able to go on Saturday where he had 2 walks and a double.  He also had a three up and three down inning pitching.  On Sunday, I guess he had a home run as well as pitched to 4 batters without letting anyone score.

Brad seems to be settling into the catcher position and does it for at least two innings a game.  Sunday’s game went into extra innings so he got to catch for a third inning.

Oh, and they won both games including Sundays game with two extra innings.  The Braves are now 7-3.

By the Way, the team voted for the All-Star players on Sunday.  Brad was one of the three selected.  This is his second selection in three years and I think he’s pretty happy about it.  I know Mom and Dad sure are proud!

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May 12, 2007 by jon.

As of Friday, Brad’s team was 4-2 and Brad was really enjoying playing catcher.  Matter of fact on Friday he threw someone out at First who was trying to get too big of a lead.  Before the inning, Brad saw that the other team tended to take large leads and he warned the first baseman to be ready.  Sure enough when someone got on, Brad rifled him down.  Of course Kala and I missed it because we were at the volunteer dinner for Springfest.  Too bad.

Brad also pitched two innings and I think no one scored on him. He’s doing pretty good and seems to be enjoying it.

We missed Saturday’s game because Brad and I ran the Springfest 10K so we don’t know how the Braves did.  We’ll find out this weekend at our next game.

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October 22, 2006 by jon.

Brad’s team played the Tigers Saturday at 2:00.  The got in a hole early and were down 9-0 in the third.  They came back a bit in the 4th and were down 10-3.  Then they had a great rally coming back to 10-9 (Runs are capped at 9 per inning or they may have scored more).  Brad led the rally with a rally cap and chanting H-I-T RALLY!  The whole side picked it up and their bats picked up as well.

But theyn the Tigers brought in their closer.  The Rangers were shut down in the last 2 innings with no scoring.  It didn’t really help that we shut them down as well.  Brad ended up being the last batter of the season.  Taking a called strike three (It seemed low to us).

We had some great coaches these past two season and Brad sure learned a lot.  It’s too bad that they won’t be coaching again in the spring.  We’ll miss Coach Bob, Coach Mark, Coach Ken and Coach Steve.

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October 14, 2006 by jon.

Last game of the season for the Rangers today.  And what a game it was.  Brad had a walk, then a long homer to right field.  (He was huffing as he rounded third) and then a long triple to the same place.  He is more confident at the plate than I’ve ever seen him and hitting well.  Take a look at some of his photos.

Oh, and he pitched today as well.  Three up and three down, all strikeouts.  He was stong today.

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October 14, 2006 by jon.

It’s been a long time coming. But we’re back. Tigers make it to the World Series. One the 22nd anniversary of winning the 1984 World Series. What poetry. Bottom of the 9th, scored tied, 2 out. What little league player hasn’t imagined the scenario? Well Ordonez delivered with a 3 run homer. Who could have scripted anything better?

7 Straight post season wins. Who can stop them!

Anyone got tickets???

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October 11, 2006 by jon.

We received Brad’s tournament schedule for baseball. Looks like we’ll have a busy weekend on the 21st & 22nd. He has a 3:00 game Saturday, 11:00 and 3:00 on Sunday and a 6:00 pm Monday if they keep winning. He will miss the Sunday morning game because we’ll be downtown for the marathon. Hopefully we’ll make it back for the 3:00 one.

Stayed tuned for more updates…

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October 8, 2006 by jon.

The Rangers had another good game today.  Still undefeated with only one game remaining.  Found out the tournament is all next weekend starting Saturday afternoon, all day Sunday with the championship on Monday night under the lights.  Pretty cool, but it will make for a long weekend.

In today’s game Brad had a great hit to right to start off, but the right fielder made a diving catch.  It still drove one in so it was a RBI.  He then struck out, doubled and walked for his last at bat.  Another decent day at the plate.

In the field, Brad had a good play at Third to tag out a runner stealing.  He also played Short, Left and Center.  Then in the 5th inning, the pitcher got in a bind and loaded the bases.  Coach brought Brad in who got two strike outs to end the inning.  (Both on a full count)  That’s twice now Brad came in with bases loaded and no one scored on him.  I think he likes the pressure of the situation.

More photos uploaded today.

Stay tuned for updates next weekend.

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October 7, 2006 by jon.

Brad played a part in a double play today when he played center field and covered second.  Then to top it off, they had a triple play.  Bases loaded and a line drive to left.  The left fielder made a snow cone catch and then threw a line drive to second to double off the runner.  Brad saw the guy running from third was still off and fired it to the third baseman.  OUT!  A triple play.  They had some snappy throws and played heads up ball.

He also had a good day at the plate.  5 plate appearances.  First two innings were walks.  Then a double to left field, a force out to first (RBI) and a single to right.  A good day all around and the Rangers are still undefeated with 2 games left in the season.

You can see pictures and some video on our photo page.

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