baseball season over

Well, we lost. Our season is over.

It's too bad, because the game itself leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. We made - count 'em - four horrible baserunning gaffes in just the first two innings. They set the tone for the game and cost us at least a couple of runs. Later in the game, we eliminated these problems, but left the bases loaded twice. In fact, the bases loaded with the full count. They resulted in a pop-out and a K.

My pitcher, the best athlete on the team, who arguably was our MVP this year, is also the most emotional. When things are going bad, he begins to look like he's on the way to a funeral, like playing baseball is the last thing he wants to do. It gets into his head. He deserved this game, and pitched well, but I need to figure out a way that this emotional problem doesn't persist next year.

My starting 9th grade right-fielder made two key errors. That was sad.

But it was a team effort. It was a decent game, considering our opponent and how we played. I wish we could have kept it going... but we didn't.

I choked up a little during my post-game speech. My SS/2B combination are a couple of kids I'll remember for the rest of my life. They've been starters pretty much since they were 9th graders, and have done me proud. I really liked this team a lot.

Finish the season 12-4, including 1-1 in the playoffs. Not bad. Could be better.

Now I can start thinking about having a life.