With the chill of a typical Chicago winter wind whistling just outside the McCook Dome doors, 13 Rocker girls put on their spikes and started to warm up.
Just one week ago, the Rockers left Indianapolis after tasting what can only be one of the most bitter losses in the storied franchise history. The taste, which could only be described as sucking on an old sweat sock after a long aerobic workout, needed some scope.
On this day, Kelly McGrail would be the mouthwash the Rockers needed.
McGrail launched a two-run Home Run into McCook Suburbs night to put away a very stubborn Warren Wave team by the score of 6-2.
3 Rocker pitchers share din the victory. Breanna McGee started and pitched 2 innings and had 1 strike out.
In came Karlie Ruane to pitch the 3rd inning. Ruane has been on a strike out streak lately and in this game, she did not disappoint. After walking the 1st batter, Ruane blew out the next 3 Wave hitters. This gives Ruane 8 strikeouts in the last 4 innings she has pitched.
Sara "Booooooooooooooooo -Jack" came into close out the game and get a save. Bujack threw a 3 up 3 down inning which include 1 strike out to end the game. To play that last inning, Coach jack had to bribe the umpire with $5.00 to let us play one more inning. Sara you owe me $5.00 baby!
Other notable Rockers ......
Jenna "Flash" Kotas scored twice.
Illana "Mutt" Primack hot a double.
Give a base hit to Alex Bartlett, Dee Barbaro, Breanna McGee, and Karlie Ruane.
Oh Yes, Sara Bujack did go 2 for 2 at the plate but was again picked off third showing that she is allergic to scoring in McCook.
The Rockers head to the playoffs to play the undefeated Northern Ice at 10:00 AM at McCook on Super Bowl Sunday February 3.
Yes Coach Brian - I used Spellcheck.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Indy Leaves a Bitter Taste in the Mouths of 16U Rockers Gold
The Tinley Park Rockers 16U Gold traveld to Indianapolis to play in the SportZone ASA World Series Qualifier over the weekend of January 18-20, 2008.
The Rockers were placed in the always tough "Pool E" which as we know is known as the "Pool of Death" in the softball world.
Never-the-less, the Rocker girls braved 2 degree weather and showed up at 6:40 AM to play the Indiana Angels.
Sara Bujak took the mound against the Angels and was greeted rather rudely by the girls from Indiana. There were 4 straight singles, however the always top-notch Rocker defense caught some Indiana girls napping on the bases and Bujak got out by allowing only 1 run.
The score remained Indiana 1 Tinley 0 in the bottom on the second when Breanna Mcgee used her speed to get on first. With Breanna flying up the line, the 3rd baseman threw a ball that the 1st baseman couldnot come up with. McGee later stole 2nd base.
With McGee now on second and Erin Houlihan batting, the Rockers were a single away from tying the game. The feeling was that with McGee flying around 3rd base, no catcher in her right mind would stand in front of the plate with McGee coming at her.
Houlihan though had differnt thoughts. I am sure that a single was not going though her head and I am sure she was thinking why tie the game when I can give us the lead with one mighty swat. Sure enough, Erin got a pitch she liked and sent it to John Cougar Mellencamps house for a Home Run and the Rockers lead 2-1.
Indiana tied the game at 2 in the 3rd and Bujak was replaced by Karlie Ruane. Ruane did not let up any hits but a couple of walks gave Indiana a 3-2 lead.
We went to the bottom on the last inning. Were the Rockers Doomed? It seemed that way. But all of a sudden the fans started to rise on their feet as the excitement started to mount. What was going on you ask? Dee Barbaro picked up a bat and headed out of the dugout. As word spread through out the area, people started pouting into the SportZone to see Dee bat. She would not disapoint. Dee launched and Indiana offering into the morning sky and the Rockers were tied. HOME RUN BARBARO! Chants of Dee Dee Dee Dee echoed all the way to South Bend.
The 16U Gold would get a walk and two more singles in the inning but could not score another run. The game ended a tie and the Rockers had a bad taste in their mouth.
So the Rockers had to wait until 2:30 PM to play again. Inside the stomachs of each Rocker Player, a little ball of fire started to burn hotter and hotter. This burning sensation could be from either wanting to get back on the field to play again or from the mornings microwave egg and sausage breakfast. It was hard to tell.
But at 2:30, the Ohio Valley Thunderstyx from Kentucky stood in the way of the Rockers and their goal of wiining the pool.
Coach Jack handed the ball to Breanna McGee to get the job done.
The Rockers won the game 4-2 behind cluth hitting by Kaity Zenner, Karlie Ruane, and Katie Houlihan. All three players came up with clutch hits in a 3 run second inning.
The 4-2 victory gave the Rockers the championship in Pool E and gavethem a BYE until 10:00 AM Sunday morning. This was a big advanatage.
I spring forward to Sunday morning and I will leave out all the events from the Saturday night Kareokee.
The Rockers had a first round playoff match up with the Mid-Suburban Panthers. The ball was handed to Kalie Ruane for the start on the hill.
The Rockers started off strong by scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning. Alex Bartlett, Kelly McGrail, Alex Washkowiak, and Sara bujak all got on base and put the preasure on the Panthers.
On the defensive side, Karlie Ruane struck out 5 batters in three innings which included a 3 strike out 2nd inning. Breanna McGee came in for the save and the Rockers won 5-2
The Rockers next opponent was the Indy Crush and the ball was handed to Breanna McGee. McGee held the Crush scoreless for 3 innings allowing just 2 hits and striking out 2.
The Rockers scored runs in the 1st and 2nd inning to take a 3 run lead.
In the first, Kelly McGrail ripped a double down the right field line. The Indy pitcher tried to pitch the Andrew Sophomore away but little did she know that McGrail can drive the ball to the opposite field. McGrail stole 3rd and was batted in by Alex Washkowiak.
In the second, the people in the Dog pound started to howl becasue Ilanna "The Mutt" Primack came up to bat. The "Mutt" reached first and was quickly sacraficed to 2nd by Caity Zenner.
Up came Mel Kachinsky. Earlie Mel was showing off her new green dress for an upcoming school dance. Now, dressed to kill in a softball uniform, Mel ripped a single to score the Mutt.
Mel scored the third run when Erin Houlihan drove another base hit giving the Rockers what should have been a big enough lead at 3-0 to get to the finals.
Then the wheels fell off the cart.
Teh Crush scored 3 riuns off Mcgee in thge 4th due to 2 hits, 1 walk, and three errors while McGee was on the mound. McGee would leave with two strike outs and should have had a better result.
Sara Bujak came in on relief.
The game remained tied in the 6th inning and the game went into International Tie-breaker. you could just feel the tension in the air.
The Crush could not score in the topof the sixth and the Rockershad the game in the bag.
In the bottom of the sixth and a Mel Kachinsky on second, the Rockers could not get the run home. We would go to the dreaded seveth inning.
The Crush had the bases load with two outs and their batter hit agrand slam home run which knocked the Rockers out of the tournament.
In all the Rockers only lost one game during the weekend. It was a tough one to lose.
The Rockers were placed in the always tough "Pool E" which as we know is known as the "Pool of Death" in the softball world.
Never-the-less, the Rocker girls braved 2 degree weather and showed up at 6:40 AM to play the Indiana Angels.
Sara Bujak took the mound against the Angels and was greeted rather rudely by the girls from Indiana. There were 4 straight singles, however the always top-notch Rocker defense caught some Indiana girls napping on the bases and Bujak got out by allowing only 1 run.
The score remained Indiana 1 Tinley 0 in the bottom on the second when Breanna Mcgee used her speed to get on first. With Breanna flying up the line, the 3rd baseman threw a ball that the 1st baseman couldnot come up with. McGee later stole 2nd base.
With McGee now on second and Erin Houlihan batting, the Rockers were a single away from tying the game. The feeling was that with McGee flying around 3rd base, no catcher in her right mind would stand in front of the plate with McGee coming at her.
Houlihan though had differnt thoughts. I am sure that a single was not going though her head and I am sure she was thinking why tie the game when I can give us the lead with one mighty swat. Sure enough, Erin got a pitch she liked and sent it to John Cougar Mellencamps house for a Home Run and the Rockers lead 2-1.
Indiana tied the game at 2 in the 3rd and Bujak was replaced by Karlie Ruane. Ruane did not let up any hits but a couple of walks gave Indiana a 3-2 lead.
We went to the bottom on the last inning. Were the Rockers Doomed? It seemed that way. But all of a sudden the fans started to rise on their feet as the excitement started to mount. What was going on you ask? Dee Barbaro picked up a bat and headed out of the dugout. As word spread through out the area, people started pouting into the SportZone to see Dee bat. She would not disapoint. Dee launched and Indiana offering into the morning sky and the Rockers were tied. HOME RUN BARBARO! Chants of Dee Dee Dee Dee echoed all the way to South Bend.
The 16U Gold would get a walk and two more singles in the inning but could not score another run. The game ended a tie and the Rockers had a bad taste in their mouth.
So the Rockers had to wait until 2:30 PM to play again. Inside the stomachs of each Rocker Player, a little ball of fire started to burn hotter and hotter. This burning sensation could be from either wanting to get back on the field to play again or from the mornings microwave egg and sausage breakfast. It was hard to tell.
But at 2:30, the Ohio Valley Thunderstyx from Kentucky stood in the way of the Rockers and their goal of wiining the pool.
Coach Jack handed the ball to Breanna McGee to get the job done.
The Rockers won the game 4-2 behind cluth hitting by Kaity Zenner, Karlie Ruane, and Katie Houlihan. All three players came up with clutch hits in a 3 run second inning.
The 4-2 victory gave the Rockers the championship in Pool E and gavethem a BYE until 10:00 AM Sunday morning. This was a big advanatage.
I spring forward to Sunday morning and I will leave out all the events from the Saturday night Kareokee.
The Rockers had a first round playoff match up with the Mid-Suburban Panthers. The ball was handed to Kalie Ruane for the start on the hill.
The Rockers started off strong by scoring 3 runs in the 1st inning. Alex Bartlett, Kelly McGrail, Alex Washkowiak, and Sara bujak all got on base and put the preasure on the Panthers.
On the defensive side, Karlie Ruane struck out 5 batters in three innings which included a 3 strike out 2nd inning. Breanna McGee came in for the save and the Rockers won 5-2
The Rockers next opponent was the Indy Crush and the ball was handed to Breanna McGee. McGee held the Crush scoreless for 3 innings allowing just 2 hits and striking out 2.
The Rockers scored runs in the 1st and 2nd inning to take a 3 run lead.
In the first, Kelly McGrail ripped a double down the right field line. The Indy pitcher tried to pitch the Andrew Sophomore away but little did she know that McGrail can drive the ball to the opposite field. McGrail stole 3rd and was batted in by Alex Washkowiak.
In the second, the people in the Dog pound started to howl becasue Ilanna "The Mutt" Primack came up to bat. The "Mutt" reached first and was quickly sacraficed to 2nd by Caity Zenner.
Up came Mel Kachinsky. Earlie Mel was showing off her new green dress for an upcoming school dance. Now, dressed to kill in a softball uniform, Mel ripped a single to score the Mutt.
Mel scored the third run when Erin Houlihan drove another base hit giving the Rockers what should have been a big enough lead at 3-0 to get to the finals.
Then the wheels fell off the cart.
Teh Crush scored 3 riuns off Mcgee in thge 4th due to 2 hits, 1 walk, and three errors while McGee was on the mound. McGee would leave with two strike outs and should have had a better result.
Sara Bujak came in on relief.
The game remained tied in the 6th inning and the game went into International Tie-breaker. you could just feel the tension in the air.
The Crush could not score in the topof the sixth and the Rockershad the game in the bag.
In the bottom of the sixth and a Mel Kachinsky on second, the Rockers could not get the run home. We would go to the dreaded seveth inning.
The Crush had the bases load with two outs and their batter hit agrand slam home run which knocked the Rockers out of the tournament.
In all the Rockers only lost one game during the weekend. It was a tough one to lose.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Tinley Park Rockers 16U Gold heading to Colorado to play in the United States #1 College Exposure Tournament!
The Tinley Park Rockers 16U Gold team will be heading to Denver Colorado for 2 touraments.
First the Rockers Gold will play in the Colorado Classic. The Classic is a 5 game guarantee the weekend prior to the Sparkler played June 28-29. This option replaces our practice games and will get us ready for the Colorado Sparkler.
The Colorado Sparkler is simply the number 1 College Exposure tournament in the USA. The Rocker girls will be going up against the BEST PLAYERS in the United States. Playing in this type of tournament is what you want from your travel program.
The Sparkler had 500 teams from 40 different states in 2007. Over 2000 All-Star team participants All-Star Games coached by college coaches (see below). Over 300 college coaches were recruiting at last years tournament The tournament has an All American Game televised nationally.
A syndicated Private concert for Sparkler participants with nationally know recording artist is also scheduled.
First the Rockers Gold will play in the Colorado Classic. The Classic is a 5 game guarantee the weekend prior to the Sparkler played June 28-29. This option replaces our practice games and will get us ready for the Colorado Sparkler.
The Colorado Sparkler is simply the number 1 College Exposure tournament in the USA. The Rocker girls will be going up against the BEST PLAYERS in the United States. Playing in this type of tournament is what you want from your travel program.
The Sparkler had 500 teams from 40 different states in 2007. Over 2000 All-Star team participants All-Star Games coached by college coaches (see below). Over 300 college coaches were recruiting at last years tournament The tournament has an All American Game televised nationally.
A syndicated Private concert for Sparkler participants with nationally know recording artist is also scheduled.
Tinley Park Rockers 16U Gold Heading to Indianapolis for ASA Tournament!
The Tinley Park Rockers 16U Gold will be heading to the "SportZone" - the Midwest’s premier indoor softball facility !!!
Last winter the "SportZone" hosted girls fastpitch teams from 12 states !!! ALL SportZone fastpitch tournaments are ASA A Northern National Qualifiers (paid berth) and all SportZone fastpitch tournaments award ASA Points that go toward qualifying for the ASA A Nationals!
The "Sportzone" is located at 6601 Coffman Road in Indianapolis, IN 46268.
All 16U Rocker Gold families should have made their hotel reservations already!
Is there any 16U Rocker Gold player who is not going to this tournament?!
Please be prepared to play early on Saturday morning January 19. Rooms are booked for January 18 and 19.
Hotel Information from the Barbaro Family – Thanks for doing this for our team.
Wingate By Wyndham located at 6240 Intech Commons Drive , Indianapolis - (317) 275-7000
Organization Name – Tinley Park Rockers
Group Code – Rock
Last winter the "SportZone" hosted girls fastpitch teams from 12 states !!! ALL SportZone fastpitch tournaments are ASA A Northern National Qualifiers (paid berth) and all SportZone fastpitch tournaments award ASA Points that go toward qualifying for the ASA A Nationals!
The "Sportzone" is located at 6601 Coffman Road in Indianapolis, IN 46268.
All 16U Rocker Gold families should have made their hotel reservations already!
Is there any 16U Rocker Gold player who is not going to this tournament?!
Please be prepared to play early on Saturday morning January 19. Rooms are booked for January 18 and 19.
Hotel Information from the Barbaro Family – Thanks for doing this for our team.
Wingate By Wyndham located at 6240 Intech Commons Drive , Indianapolis - (317) 275-7000
Organization Name – Tinley Park Rockers
Group Code – Rock
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tinley Park Rockers First Blog
The Tinley Park Rockers will be going into their 6th season of competitive girl’s fast-pitch travel softball.
The Rocker coaching staff will not only attempt to teach Rocker players about the game of fast-pitch travel softball, but also on how to be a teammate and the values of sportsmanship. The team stands behind honest values and a straightforward approach towards playing travel softball.
All Tinley Park Rocker teams play at the highest level possible. We have 7 teams in our Organization, some of these teams are registered as Class "A", while other teams are classified as Class "B". Our Organization believes that the Rocker girls will learn how to play the game and increase their skills by playing top competition. Most of the tournaments that Rockers enter are class “A/B” which means that the tournament is open and that we will play against class “A” teams. This means that even our Rocker Class "B" teams will play against other teams and tournaments that are Class “A”.
The Rockers first goal is to help our players develop the skills it takes to compete on their junior-high and high school teams. You do this by practicing and playing. Sitting on the bench or playing a couple of innings for a class “A” team does not make you a better player. The Rocker Organization took great pride in 2006, when the Prairie View Junior High girl’s fast-pitch school team went undefeated during regular season and tournament play. This team was made up mostly of players who play in the Tinley Park Rocker Organization. This team played in the 11-team SWIC conference. It was hard to find a junior-high team in the SWIC conference that didn’t have a Rocker player on their roster.
The Rocker Organization had two other great accomplishments in 2006.
· The Rockers 12U Platinum Team won the Illinois NSA State championship in Springfield, Illinois. Around 60 teams played for the State championship in this tournament from allover the State of Illinois.
· All five teams in the Tinley Park Rockers Organization earned births in the NSA National World Series in 2006. While some Organizations fail to qualify their best team, we feel that this is a great accomplishment.
In 2007, All seven teams in the Tinley Park Rockers Organization earned births in the NSA National World Series or USSSA World Series. While some Organizations fail to qualify their best team, we feel that this is a great accomplishment.
Another equally important goal of the Rockers is that the Organization will provide a fun environment, while teaching, showing, and enforcing good sportsmanship from our players and their friends and families. We hope these values will stick with our players for the rest of their lives.
A final goal of the all Tinley Park Rocker teams is to earn a bid in the NSA, ASA, or USSSA World Series that are usually help in the month of July. As mentioned earlier, all five Rocker teams earned bids to the NSA World Series that was held in East Peoria in 2006. Win or lose, the experience that these girls obtain helps them devolve even stronger softball skills and leadership that will enhance their softball career.
All Tinley Park Rocker teams will be registered members of the NSA, ASA, AFA, and USSSA softball organizations – depending on tournament schedule that each manager chooses.
The Rocker coaching staff will not only attempt to teach Rocker players about the game of fast-pitch travel softball, but also on how to be a teammate and the values of sportsmanship. The team stands behind honest values and a straightforward approach towards playing travel softball.
All Tinley Park Rocker teams play at the highest level possible. We have 7 teams in our Organization, some of these teams are registered as Class "A", while other teams are classified as Class "B". Our Organization believes that the Rocker girls will learn how to play the game and increase their skills by playing top competition. Most of the tournaments that Rockers enter are class “A/B” which means that the tournament is open and that we will play against class “A” teams. This means that even our Rocker Class "B" teams will play against other teams and tournaments that are Class “A”.
The Rockers first goal is to help our players develop the skills it takes to compete on their junior-high and high school teams. You do this by practicing and playing. Sitting on the bench or playing a couple of innings for a class “A” team does not make you a better player. The Rocker Organization took great pride in 2006, when the Prairie View Junior High girl’s fast-pitch school team went undefeated during regular season and tournament play. This team was made up mostly of players who play in the Tinley Park Rocker Organization. This team played in the 11-team SWIC conference. It was hard to find a junior-high team in the SWIC conference that didn’t have a Rocker player on their roster.
The Rocker Organization had two other great accomplishments in 2006.
· The Rockers 12U Platinum Team won the Illinois NSA State championship in Springfield, Illinois. Around 60 teams played for the State championship in this tournament from allover the State of Illinois.
· All five teams in the Tinley Park Rockers Organization earned births in the NSA National World Series in 2006. While some Organizations fail to qualify their best team, we feel that this is a great accomplishment.
In 2007, All seven teams in the Tinley Park Rockers Organization earned births in the NSA National World Series or USSSA World Series. While some Organizations fail to qualify their best team, we feel that this is a great accomplishment.
Another equally important goal of the Rockers is that the Organization will provide a fun environment, while teaching, showing, and enforcing good sportsmanship from our players and their friends and families. We hope these values will stick with our players for the rest of their lives.
A final goal of the all Tinley Park Rocker teams is to earn a bid in the NSA, ASA, or USSSA World Series that are usually help in the month of July. As mentioned earlier, all five Rocker teams earned bids to the NSA World Series that was held in East Peoria in 2006. Win or lose, the experience that these girls obtain helps them devolve even stronger softball skills and leadership that will enhance their softball career.
All Tinley Park Rocker teams will be registered members of the NSA, ASA, AFA, and USSSA softball organizations – depending on tournament schedule that each manager chooses.
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