Pitching and Defense wins ball games

I had a chance to go see North Meck JV play South Meck JV yesterday. As far as the game itself goes the score was no indication of the game that was pitch by both Paul Leonard (NM) and Michael Atz (SM). Both threw strikes, the difference was one team made the plays behind it pitcher and the other teamcompletely fell apart. It all stills comes down to defense. The team that makes the plays and doesn't give up outs will compete. Michael Atz pitch so much better than what the score of that game indicated. Very few pitchers at the JV level dominate. Kids like Michael Atz and Paul Leonard won't blow hitters away but they will throw three different pitches for strikes. The ball is going to be put in play...so make the plays. Many schools are short handed when it comes to staff so they don't have the ability to spend the time necessary to work on defense. Some coaches just don't realize the importance of this part of the game and those guys will continue to have subpar programs.

Michael Atz, if you or anyone in your family reads TBR....keep your head up...you did your job yesterday. Paul Leonard, if you or any of your family reads TBR...you did your job yesterday and so did your defense. Both of you guys will compete against each other many times over the next few years...I look forward to watching it! Nice job both of you!

 

terpbaseball! Great job recognizing what those 2 kids did. Even though the game may not be the outcome one of the pitchers wanted, showing both pitchers respect speaks highly. Pitching wins games but you better have some defense to back those pitchers up.

 

Yes, Michael Atz' family not only read TBR, they are members. I wouldn't be surprised to find out Paul Leonard's family does, too.

Michael is coming back from TJ Surgery, so I am extra interested in him. Way to go Michael!!!

 

NM/SM Varsity Game

I was at the other NM/SM game yesterday just to observe, not affiliated with either school. The disappointing thing I witnessed was how the SM coach yelled (literally) at his team after the game. I heard it begin as I left the bleachers and walked through the parking lot to my car. The guy was clearly out of control. I understand being unhappy with your team after a loss and addressing issues of concern, but some things need to be handled in private. I don't see the point of further humiliating them like that. There's a lot to be said for positive reinforcement and motivation.

 

Update appreciated

Terpbaseball, thanks for posting. I've know Michael since his LL days and he has always been a competitor. Sounds like the surgery was only a minor setback. Give him a high five from me Dave!

 

Theres no question that pitching and defense wins ballgames,,, anybody that don't believe that is someone who's losing a lot of 13-12 ballgames, and most likely some occasional lowscoring games too. Hitters go thru slumps, but defense will be there everyday.

Great post terpbaseball.

 

NM/SM Varsity

DancingInTheStands is right, I could hear the coach also. Thing is, I have no problem with a Coach yelling at his players. Some of the best Coaches around yell. I think it comes from frustration of putting in all the hard work, time and dedication it takes to prepare a team and maintain a facility. You prepare in the off season, keep up with your players, identify talent, weak areas, work to improve and have your field ready for the spring.
Errors are going to happen, it's just part of the game, but when they continue to come in bunches you question if enough work was done to prepare for the season. The previous night againt AK they had 5 errors booked. This is a second year Coach, new to this area and this level of competition, trying to find his footing or in over his head? The jury is still out. This game was well played and Pope pitched a very good game with each team comitting one error. I can only believe the frustrations for this Coach is a carry over from other games.
Pitching and Defence wins, you work hard to build both. Now when you can add hitting to these you can win championships.

 

Pitching/Defense Butler vs Ardrey Kell JV

Ardrey Kell beat Butler at the JV level 2-0 about 2 weeks ago...the difference in the game was defense as both pitchers did a great job.

The AK pitcher threw the whole game and threw 17 ground ball outs, 3 K's, 2 walks and 1 fly ball (the only ball hit out of the infield all night by Butler). The defense from AK was great and made the difference in the game.

The Butler pitcher threw a great game, gave up a couple of key hits early and they had one error early that ended up making a difference in the end. The last five innings of the game no one scored and there were only a couple of base runners...

Great game to watch if you love baseball - well played by both teams.