All-Stars shine in Midget Baseball Cubs Division finale
Forget the Major League Baseball All-Star Game -- it had nothing on McCook's younger version of the midsummer classic.
The McCook Midget Baseball Association's Cubs Division completed its 2010 season with the annual All-Star Game Monday, July 12, at Felling Field. When the dust settled, the National League capitalized on two strong innings at the plate and a game-ending double play to claim a 9-4 victory over their American League counterparts.
The Cubs Division is comprised of players entering grades 5-7 next fall. Players and coaches voted to determine the rosters for the All-Star Game. Three players from each of the 11 league teams were selected.
Lance Gillen, head coach of the regular-season champion D&T Electric Yankees, headed the winning National League coaching staff in Monday night's all-star contest. Denis Stritt of the Stewart Construction A's, champs of the Cubs Division post-season tournament played last weekend at Felling Field, headed the staff for the American League all-stars Monday night.
Monday's event had the feel of a Major League All-Star Game. The all-star squads lined up along the first and third base lines for pre-game introductions, with Tom Bredvick serving as public address announcer.
The National League all-star team had representatives from the D&T Electric Yankees, Community Hospital Cardinals, Lifetime Eyecare Twins, Miller & Associates Rockies, Collicott Taxidermy Orioles and McCook National Bank Astros. The American League all-star squad was comprised of players and coaches from the Stewart Construction A's, McCook Clinic Braves, J.M. Stevens Painting Red Sox, Janssen-Kool Honda Mets and Big Talker 1300 KBRL Royals.
The American League squad drew first blood with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Kyle Van Pelt of the Mets drew a walk to force in a run. With two outs, Caleb Suda of the Royals got to first base ahead of the throw to beat out an infield grounder.
Five-run outburst
The Nationals took control in the top of the third inning with five runs, helped by a bases-loaded walk, a hit batsman and an American League error. Pitching dominated the middle innings, as neither team could add a run until the Americans broke through with a single tally in the bottom of the sixth. Noah Hofman of the Red Sox walked, advanced to third and scored on a wild pitch.
In the top of the seventh, the Nationals helped seal the win with four more runs.
With two outs, Ben Bradley of the Yankees singles, followed by walks to Nathan Ulrich of the Cardinals and Kade Gray of the Twins to load the bases. Bryceton True of the Rockies walked to force in a run, then Isaac Larson of the Astros and Justin Barenberg of the Cards hit singles to drive in three more runs.
Game-ending double play
The Americans made one threat in their final at-bat. Bryson Kool of the Mets walked and later scored on a single by KalebTaylor of the Royals. The Americans had runners on second and third with one out when Kaden Sitzman drove a line drive deep to center field. Travis Wallen of the Orioles ran to his left and made the catch, then fired a strike to Riley Loop of the Cardinals at second base to double off the American League base runner for the game's final out.
A quick fireworks display beyond the Felling Field outfield fence followed the final out, as the two teams crossed home plate to shake hands after the game.
Bredvick thanked the players, coaches, parents and sponsors for their participation in the 2010 Cubs Division baseball season.
All-Star rosters
Here are the players who participated in Monday night's Cubs Division Midget Baseball All-Star Game:
National League
D & T Electric Yankees -- Caleb Sheets, Easton Gillen, Ben Bradley.
Community Hospital Cardinals -- Riley Loop, Justin Barenberg, Nathan Ulrich.
Lifetime Eyecare Twins -- Bret Baumbach, Drew Harvie, Kade Gray.
Miller & Associate Rockies -- Paul Calvert, Bryceton Trew, Coy Terry.
Collicott Taxidermy Orioles -- Travis Wallen, Jared Bryant, Taye Collicott.
McCook National Bank Astros -- Dustin Bredvick, Isaac Larson, Dustin Payton
American League
McCook Clinic Braves -- Kaden Sitzman, Luke Curl, Kaleb Tuxhorn.
Stewart Construction A's -- James Sughroue, Mike Lord, Alec May.
J.M. Stevens Painting Red Sox -- Nick Fuchuck, Noah Hofman, Eric Langan.
Janssen-Kool Honda Mets -- Cole Leach, Kyle Van Pelt, Bryson Kool.
Big Talker 1300 KBRL Royals -- Caleb Suda, Kaleb Taylor, Kyle Geisler.