the District 16 baseball tournament held this year at Park Hill South will be remembered for three things: Weather, Hospitality, and fundamental baseball.
The host at Park Hill South, John Sedler, took his ‘host’ designation seriously. John outdid himself under trying circumstances. The championship game was played on Saturday, May 22nd. Originally it was scheduled for Wednesday, May 19th. That should tell you all you need to know about the weather everyone had to contend with!
The championship game itself was full of offense. 17 runs on at least 6 homers. A couple of double plays, and Park Hill advances to the next round.
As is the danger with entering any post season play, it’s win or go home.
St Joe Central under Justin McCarthy had a good year. They just came up a bit short.
So Congratulations to the Park Hill Trojans!
The rest of the pictures we got from the tournament are HERE.
Jeff and I actually got to shoot the same game at the same time yesterday, an
increasingly rare happenstance. The weather was gorgeous, the fans were excited
and it was a great day altogether.
Liberty continued winning, this one a blow-out against Blue Springs at Liberty.
Pitching, defense, hitting, they all looked good as Liberty continues its tune-up for post-season.
The images are up at the KCSC Galleries.
Two games in two days, both gorgeous days to be outside, both uphill for the Jays. Wednesday, Blue Springs South’s Jaguars scratched and clawed to a 6-5 win, dropping the Jays to 0-2 on the young season.
Christian Brinser shows off the balletic potential of 2nd base.
Our shooting positions have evolved over time. Coach Bragg let us start out last year shooting from the equipment huts along the 1st and 3rd baselines. While that vantage point had pluses, dodging errant throws to first and third got OLD quick.
We noodled and did it differently – a short ‘painter’s bench’ just outside the equipment hut, lean on the top of the fence, and shoot away.
Jag's 1st Basemen works one to the pitcher to get the runner
..and Jays 1st Basemen Dylan Stephens executes as well....
You can get really nice stuff that way. I was using the 100-400. In the sharp daylight, it served quite well, and we were able to make the most of the opportunity.
Jag shortstop fires to first
Getting the most out of what you have. That has to be the idea behind coaching HS sports. Knowing the coach and many of these kids, we feel certain they too will make the most of the chances they have.
… FINALLY!! The Jays have gotten off to a rocky start on their relationship with Mother Nature this spring. After five tries to get in the first game of the year, St Joe Central and the pinstripes came to down Tuesday (after being postponed due to wet conditions on Monday) and the baseball team got their season started.
Because of the way the kids from both schools take to us, the friendship with Coach Hook of the basketball program, Coach Bragg’s kindness toward Jeff and me, we were determined to get to shoot this one.
Coach Bragg confers with his starting pitcher and catcher, Creighton Jones
Shooting baseball is the best of times and the worst of times. Derek Jones made a great acrobatic catch at shortstop. I can tell you about it cause I saw it. My camera was in my hands when I saw it. But I didn’t catch it!
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I did a bit better with the more predictable plays, like the attempt to steal second:
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2nd baseman Christian Brinser tags out a potential base-stealer on a great throw from the catcher.
It was great to be outside. The sky clouded up then cleared again the before the game ended. A guy could get used to this! So I think I’ll go do it again this afternoon!
Coach McCarthy and his catcher warm up the infield.
