Matthew Monday: Baseball Trophies

Last week Matthew and his baseball teammates received their trophies for the spring season.  I posted in June on what a great season it was, undefeated from start through championship.  They had their championship dinner—pizza of course!—and handed out their trophies. 

As each boy was called up Coach Charlie said something that made that particular boy distinctive.  Here’s what he said about Matthew.

If you didn’t catch all that, Coach mentioned that Matthew threw a lot of innings, was constantly throwing strikes, had about six different pitches, nicknamed “Tanaka” after the pitcher from Japan and on the Yankees by his teammates, was lucky to have drafted him for the team, was a great teammate, had improved his hitting by the end of the season, and that Matthew was “easily the best pitcher in the division.”   

Here’s a team picture.

 

Matthew is in the first row on the left.

It was also trophy night for the summer elimination league, which Matthew also participated, but this team did not fare as well being eliminated after four games.  Much smaller trophy.  Again Matthew on the left.

 

Matthew really enjoyed his little league experience, and he’s really proud of his effort for the championship team.

 

Great job Matthew.

Matthew Monday: 2021 Baseball Champs

Last week I posted on our Father’s Day activity for Matthew Monday, but I could also have posted on Matthew’s little league conclusion.  So I’ll post it this week.  They won their league’s championship.  They went undefeated.  Here are the final standings.  His team is called the CCB Baseball.

 

Here is a video clip of the final out.  That is Matthew on the mound.  His nickname was Tanaka, who was a Japanese star pitcher for the Yankees the last few years.  The last out is a hard grounder to the first baseman who steps on the bag for the out. 

Here is a photo of Matthew with his coaches.

 

And finally here is the team.  Matthew is up front kneeling without a baseball cap. 

 

It was a great team and Matthew pitched great all season long.  It was a lot of fun being a spectator.  It must have been a real gas for the kids.

Matthew Monday: Basketball Champions

Matthew played basketball instead of soccer this year, and boy did he enjoy it.  I don’t think I posted on it but their season started in October (I think) and just concluded last Sunday, February 16^th. 

What a season.  Their regular season record was 16-0, and then they won a playoff game and won the divisional championship game.  In all their team, the Fifth grade St. Rita Jaguars, played eighteen games and won them all.  What a difference from soccer where in two years I don’t think they won a game.

I am not going to say Matthew was a star player.  The team had one superstar player, a few other good players, and the rest of the team supported them.  Matthew was a decent defender but not much of an offensive threat. 

I have some video and pictures to share.  Back in January 26^th, I got on video one of Matthew’s few scoring baskets.  He is the road black uniform, number 44.

The next clips are from the final championship game.  Here they are in the home white uniform.  If you hear somebody in the crowd yell “Matt” or “Matthew,” it’s directed at him.  I post this because it shows a bit of Matthew’s defensive skills.

Here are the final two minutes of the game with the St. Rita fans sensing a win.  There’s a bit of mayhem at the end.

And then after the games the Jaguars receiving their trophies.  Matthew gets his trophy at the 38-40 second mark.

Here are some pictures.  First a team picture.  Matthew is in the front row on the left.

Here’s zoomed in at Matthew.

And finally, Matthew letting out a victory scream!

It’s good to be a kid!