THURS JULY 3RD SIGHTING

Cole & John at the fields working hard!

SCRAPBOOK UPDATE

I have been notified that the scrapbooks will be delivered on Monday 6/30. I am going to take Sonya's advice and ask that everyone meet me on Tuesday 7/1 at 6pm near field 12 to pick their book up.

An alternative is picking the book up from me at work. My office is located near the DMV/ Sigman/ 138. My address is SeayCo Integrators, Inc., 2069 Lake Industrial Court, Conyers, GA 30013. M-F 8:00am-5:00pm.

If there is anyone who still may have a conflict, please email me at brandiwatson@yahoo.com.

BASEBALL INSPIRATION

A very wise man shared this with me today and if you are unfamiliar with this story/ athlete and are open to being inspired, please click on the link:

http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/2008/05/31/adam-bender/

SCRAPBOOK PREVIEW

http://www.mypublisher.com/bookstore/book_viewer.py?d=tq%3Ey-cppl%60je%3E3369717

Before you open this book, take a second and pray that I did not misspell your child's name, duplicate a picture or screw something up.

I should have the finished product early next week. If anyone has a good idea of how we/I can distribute the books without having to drive all over Conyers, please email me!

STATE TOURNAMENT BLAISE, JAYLON, ETHAN

Blaise hits one up the midldle. Jaylon advances to 3rd and Ethan scores (watch for Ethan at the end of the video).

STATE TOURNAMENT SETH ZACHERY

Seth gets a double in the final game against the Mudcats.

STATE TOURNAMENT ETHAN BOOTH

Ethan is the runt of the Raptors. He is the youngest player at 5 years old and still has a lot of innocence about him. In this video, he hits the ball to the short stop who over throws 1st. Ethan runs through the bag and the 1st baseman then looks for Daddy/ Coach Erik for reassurance.

STATE TOURNAMENT DONOVAN REYNOLDS

Donovan hits the ball and hustles down to first.

STATE TOURNAMENT RILEY SHUBERT

This was Riley's tournament. He virtually goes unnoticed and I am not sure why because he had hit after hit this weekend. Watch the 2nd baseman when Riley slides into second. Apparently, Riley heard what Coach Dusten said to do if the 2nd baseman was in his way.

HOW TO SLIDE BY BRANDON LAWRENCE

STATE TOURNAMENT DYLAN, CHASE GRAYSON

The ball was hit in left center. Dylan fields the ball and throws to Chase on second base. There are runners on 1st and 3rd base. The runner on 3rd tries to go home. Chase throws to Grayson and...

STATE TOURNAMENT JAYLON, CHASE TO GRAYSON

This was one of those plays! A ball was hit to short left center. Dylan makes the attempt to catch, but misses and Jaylon is behind him backing up. Jaylon fields the ball and makes a throw to 3rd to stop the runner who was running to 3rd. The ball hits the runner in the back. The runner goes home. Brandon retrieves the ball and makes the throw home to Grayson. Grayson.....

4TH PLACE STATE TEAM ROCKDALE COUNTY RAPTORS

I've often said that I would prefer a close dog fight of a baseball game than watching the Raptors beat a team by the run rule. Last night was a dog fight inning by inning and one of those games that will be hard to forget. The Raptors finished their season losing to the Mudcats 30-29 in extra inning overtime. Everything these kids and coaches had was left on the field last night. Below are the Raptor coaches and the athletes they each brought to the team from the regular season.Coach Jeff, Grayson & Nicholas from the Angels.

Coach Sam, Blaise and Brandon from the Cardinals.

Coach Erik, Jaylon, Ethan and Seth from the Dodgers.

Coach John, Cole and Donovan from the Cubs.

Coach Dusten, Coach Brett and Head Coach Buz with Chase, Dylan and Riley from the Rockies.

STATE TOURNAMENT VS MARINERS HIGHLIGHTS IN PICTURES

Above: Coach Buz with one of the best umpires we have ever had.
The first fly ball to be hit in the outfield is caught by Dylan.

Daddy's proud!

Jaylon catches a high hit ball in the outfield.

Cole and his grand slam game ball!

STATE TOURNAMENT VS MARINERS JAYLON OUTFIELD CATCH

This is a quick video so you have to pay attention. During the lastat bat for the Mariners and Jaylon snags one in left field. Between he and Dylan, the left side of the field was on lock down.

STATE TOURNAMENT VS MARINERS DYLAN OUT OF THE PARK

As I explained to Dylan, I am an amateur with both the camera and video camera. I have more experience with the camera thus the good to very good pictures, but my experience with the video camera is limited to the last two weekends. Dylan enjoyed watching himself run the bases in his last out of the park home run (video taped), but this time wanted to see the ball go out. So, I brought out the video camera just as Dylan was coming up to bat and did as he instructed- got the ball going out!

STATE TOURNAMENT VS MARINERS COLE AT BAT

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the final inning, Cole stepped up to the plate. The Raptors were up by 6 and needed 2 runs to win the game by the run rule. Click the video to see how Cole responded to the situation.

SCRAPBOOK UPDATE

UPDATE: The cost for the 2008 U6 Raptors Scrapbook is $22.50 (includes shipping). The book will be completed by the end of state tournament weekend- hard bound, 20 pages, approximately 115 pictures. I will download and order on Monday June 23 and should have it back by Wednesday July 2. If you are interested in ordering a book, please let me know by Sunday June 22.

I've had several parents ask if I would put together a scrapbook for this 'season' to which I will absolutely do. This is something I've organized in the past for the teams that Nicholas has played on (**keep this in mind when you are picking players next year**).

I consider the quality of the book to be very good and the publisher that I order through has always exceeded my expectations in the quality and timeliness of their product. Depending on how many pictures I use, the range in price is between $22-$27. This includes shipping.

Please click on the following link to see an example of the last two books I've put together- http://www.mypublisher.com/bookshelf/

Example 1- this is a scrapbook that I put together for Nicholas' 1st grade class. It was a true labor of love.

The Book ID is M703896 Password 1193058

Example 2- this is the 08 5/6 Angels book. This design and template that is used in this book would be the one that I would use for the Raptors.

The Book ID is M684029 Password 1174196

For now, the information that I need from everyone is your child's first/last name. Unless I have that information directly from you whereby I can cut and paste, I can assure you, I will misspell someones name. I also need the jersey number and I would like to know what team your son played on during the regular season. Coaches, please include your first/last name as well. This information can be emailed to me at brandiwatson@yahoo.com.

JUNIOR COMPETITIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 20-22

Bracket:
http://www.usssa.com/sports/Bracket.asp?Type=Winners&Tournament=438236

Directions:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Kroger:1745+Highway+138+SE+%23+A+Conyers+GA+30013/79+West+Main+Street+Hampton+GA/#a/maps/l:Kroger:5341+Highway+20+S:Covington:GA:30016:US:33.549078:-84.01707:address:/l::79+W+Main+St:Hampton:GA:30228-2934:US:33.394942:-84.288252:address:Henry+County/m::8:33.463003:-84.152286:0::/io:1:::::f:EN:m:/e

VIDEO RAPTORS VS MARINERS JUNE 14

Grayson singles.
Ethan singles.Seth singles.

SUB STATE VS MARINERS COLE'S CATCH

This was a much needed catch in the last inning to help the Raptors defeat the Mariners. The pitcher, Cole, held onto the ball for the out.

RAPTORS QUALIFY FOR STATE

http://www.usssa.com/sports/Tournament3.asp?TournamentID=438384

Congratulations Raptors!

JUNE 14- JUNE 15 SUB STATE JUNIOR COMPETITION

Sunday was a long day for the Raptors. Our bats started working by the 2nd inning, but overall, our defense was not on the field against the Mud Cats. Above, Brandon field a grounder at first and gets the out.

Donavan chases a ball down in right field and stops the runner at 2nd from advancing.

Jaylan makes an awesome catch in left field. Ethan also had an outfield catch during the game against the Mud Cats, but there is not picture of it (had to put the camera down for the hit stick during the game against the Mud Cats).

RILEY'S DOUBLE IN THE FINAL INNING VS MARINERS

Similar to last weekend, the Raptors had to endure conditions that were close to miserable. These words will describe the misery- warmup, rain, rain, train, clear, lake, drive, game, rain, pink, ants, wet, delay, delay, delay, rake- game. For a game that should have started around 1pm, The Raptors were in the final at bat just after 7pm. In the most important inning of the day, Riley steps up to the plate and hits a double.

NICHOLAS HITS IN WINNING RUNS JUNE 14 VS MARINERS

****TURN VOLUME DOWN BEFORE WATCHING VIDEO**** With two outs and the game winning run on 2nd, Chase approaches the plate. The Mariners choose to walk Chase and load the bases. Nicholas is up next, but before he hits, Coach Dusten tells him that a pop fly loses the game and a line drive wins the game. According to Nicholas, it was then he decided that with the given facts, he would hit a line drive to win the game.

DYLAN HITS OUT OF PARK

With the Raptors down by 5 in the final at bat, Blaise singles followed by Dylan's 'out of the park' home run. This is the rally that leads the Raptors to victory.

CHASE HITS ONE OUT

Chase hits one out of the park during the game against the Mariners. Because of this hit, the Mariners chose to walk Chase in the final inning.

LITHIA SPRINGS CLASSIC GAME HIGHLIGHTS

Cole is ready for everything that is hit up the middle.

Brandon makes a great throw to 3rd and Nicholas tags the runner before he reaches the bag.
Brandon has to stretch to get the out at 1st.
It was a 'slug fest' during the championship game. Blaise is fielding a ball that hit the fence and getting into the infield as quickly as he can.
Donovan kept us alive on Saturday by hitting several balls over the fence. How can he help not watching the ball (above), he knows it is going over!

LITHIA SPRINGS CLASSIC JUNE 6-8, 2008 (4-0) 1st

The Raptors took 1st place in the Lithia Springs Classic, but it was a painful path to victory. We finished the tournament 4-0, but only played two games. We spent more time at the field waiting to play, as we did playing and the temperature was close to or at 100 degrees. The tournament started with 8 teams and finished with (maybe) 4. Unfortunately, the tournament was poorly put together resulting in teams with different levels of competition. Unlike the Raptors, some teams were still utilizing a batting tee for their players.

ETHAN, ETHAN, ETHAN....

For those family and friends who are unable to come to the games, but keep up with how we are doing from this blog, this is Ethan. He may be the youngest on the team and definitely one of the happiest children you will ever meet. Ethan plays right center and keeps his head in the game by reenacting what is going on or what he wants to happen. I had a talk with Ethan on Sunday morning and asked for clarification. What exactly are you thinking about when you do this.... and this... and this....?

Above, Ethan is letting the batter know that was his third pitch.
In anticipation of playing in the older leagues, Ethan is practicing his pitching here.

I have no idea what this is! Maybe a strike, maybe an out??

I believe this is 'strike'. I may have to ask him to clarify this as well.
And finally, my favorite - no idea what it is, but it looks fun and cool! Perhaps for the Raptors, this is our Tomahawk Chop???
Next tournament, I will take pictures of what the umpire is doing and see if we can match it up to what Ethan is doing.

ROCKDALE WARM-UP TOURNAMENT MAY 31- JUNE 1

(Above- The Ken Griffey, Jr. Swing) The U6 Rockdale Raptors competed in a Warm-Up tournament this past weekend. For only playing together for a week, the team played great baseball and placed 2nd in the tournament (3-1).

Game 1: Dylan fielded a grounder at 1st and got the out.

Game 2: Grayson tags #2 out a foot from home plate.

Game 2: Sometimes the umpires miss the call. Chase was called out despite clearly being safe.

Game 3: Ethan, from right-center, makes a perfect throw to Chase to get the out at 2nd.

Runner Ups: The Raptors admire their 2nd place throphies.