The team understood they had a curfew and were to meet me in the lobby at 8:30 for a morning workout. We had a double-header that evening at 5. We met in the lobby, but I can tell the Giants were worn. They had stayed up all night being teenagers, playing jokes, pranking eachother, and anything other than getting rest for day ahead.  As we pulled into the Triple Crown Complex, I could feel my anxiety level rise.  I was starting to get nervous.  I could just image what the rest of the team felt like, we were here.  BASEBALL was everywhere kids ranging from the ages of 8-18 playing competitive baseball. Everywhere you looked there were parents cheering, coaches yelling, and bats pinging. It was great! “Giants, you guys are playing at field 5.” the field director said. We got there early enough to check out other teams in our bracket, that’s when I realized the Giants had a shot to win….

We’re just getting started. The morning after the 18u team had a three hour practice, I find myself in a state of.. AHHH! We’ve raised the money to compete in the Triple Crown Tournament. The ball is rolling, can’t stop now, the vision is getting clearer. All, “Giants Play for Free” that’s the goal. All of our athletes competing at high levels, pushing our youth, to persevere, overcome, and work harder than their opposition while  promoting health, self respect, teamwork, and education. Angel Baseball, I’d like to thank my wife, my children, my ballplayers, their parents, Gary Christensen, Greg Lucey, the local businesses that help during this push, and all those that donated online. Thanks, to the 1200+ that have visited the website and the 100+ that hit the like button in a weeks time. Angel Baseball, my mom, my dream, my starting line! LETS GO!!!!!!

I felt I had to share this story. Our 15u team was letting the game slip away, our catcher was having a tough time behind the plate, and we had to make a move.  It was the bottom half of the inning and the opposing team just put up four horrible runs. I was surprised Anthony, our pitcher, wasn’t showing signs of frustration.  I addressed the team and asked, “Who can catch”? They all stood there staring at one another. I didn’t notice Peter Andon had raised his hand right away. Peter Andon, the smallest member of the team. I said, “OK, just Petey, Lets Go, We gotta put some runs up”!  The following inning the catching situation didn’t get any better and we couldn’t afford to give JP anymore unearned runs, so I called time out. “Petey come in your catching”. I shuffled the infield and walked into the dugout where Petey was getting the equipment on.  “Coach he doesn’t have a cup.” Petey’s dad Rob said.”Its up to him.” Petey, you sure you want to catch”? “I’ll catch sideways, dad”. Petey said, while strapping the pads on. “Its up to him”. his dad said again, “You sure Petey”? “Dad, I want to win this game”! Just like that Petey walked out and caught a great game. Petey!

As an athlete playing a team sport, your commitment to the team is just as important as your self preparation for the given sport.  A pitcher needs a catcher to frame a pitch, squeeze a swinging third strike, and call a game.  Just like a catcher needs a shortstop to catch a throw down and make a great tag. As a teammate you grow with your fellow teammates learning their strengths and weaknesses, you learn to trust one another, and count on each other. Throughout my years while coaching and watching team sports, I’ve learned that the most successful teams often say, “We’re like a family.” Love, Trust, and Reliability, something about going into a competition and knowing your not alone, knowing that there are12-13 players with the same fears, ready to face them “together”. Knowing if you happen to fall your teammates are there ready to pick you up. There’s something about knowing your teammates will be there, knowing you can count on them, knowing you’d do for them because they’d do for you. A team is a powerful force. When a team starts rolling on all cylinders they can be unstoppable. So while you train to become a better ballplayer remember the bigger task is becoming a better teammate.  The TEAM is counting on you!

On Monday, August 29, 2011, the 15u Giants will take on the Jamaica Plain Angels in the Boston City Baseball Invitational Championship at English High School at 144 McBride St. Jamaica Plain this game will have a 6:15pm start.The Giants probable pitchers are Malden’s Andrew Caulfield and Chelsea’s Anthony Cuellar. We look to make a strong contention for the championship. Following up the rainout the Giant’s coaching staff conquered that this Giants team has the tools to raise eyebrows and intend to.

I thought it was hilarious as I watched East Boston Gold take a 4-2 lead over the 18u squad, Nick “Chettah Milk” Powers looks over to me with the catcher’s mask on and says, “Coach can we use metal?, We’re not hitting.”
The next few innings the wood exploded, Teddy Feble and Jake Crowley hit back to back SHOTS!, the chettah squad put up runs by the tons. Winning the game 11-4.
Teddy Feble got the start and had 7 strikeouts in four innings work, curveball had the bite today. Jovan Henriquez closed it out and struckout 6 in three innings worked. The fastball was his strongest pitch today.
So, to answer your question Nick, “No, we cant use metal.”

The Giants opened the tournament against the Triple Play Allstars, Nicky Crowe got the start for the black and orange. Just as expected, he kept TPA off balance. TPA seem to have Lady Luck on their side, seeping bloopers and hitting lazy grounders for hits. TPA manage to put up 7 ugly runs. The Giants did have opportunities to prevent some runs from scoring, but didn’t execute. In the two innings pitched Nicky had 5 strikeouts.
Offensively the Giants showed promised. The leadoff hitter Alex Zelaya set the table with a shot to left center that he legged a double out of. He was brought home on a base hit off of Andrew Caulfied’s bat.
In the botton half of the second, the Giants had a great opportunity to put up big numbers,with the top of the order up, but left the bases loaded.
This game will be continued, in the top third inning at a later date.

We are excited to share, the 15u Giants will be opening up their season, this Saturday, August 27, 2011, at English High School, 144 McBride St.,in Jamaica Plain. This will be a 1 o’clock game. Malden’s Nick Crowe and Andrew Caulfield are the probable pitchers for the Giants. We would also like to welcome, Malden West’s Natalie McAllister, to the team. She is the first girl to play on a 15u team in our program.  Atta Girl, NAT!!!!