State Game 1: WR 9U Blue 9, New Bern 1

There are many text messages you want to receive from Coach Bruce. An invitation to dinner with he and his lovely family, perhaps. A quick story about wood in the barn and long-tailed cats, always. But this is the one you don’t want to get:

“I would like to bestow my pants upon you.”

That was the actual text sent earlier this week when Coach Bruce realized he had a conflict with Friday morning’s first game of the state tournament. Because of Ripken rules requiring coaches to wear pants, that meant someone else would have to, as he put it, “fill my pants.”

We’re just going to leave it right there since this could turn ugly fairly quickly. It should be noted that the paparazzi was on hand to get a photo of the new white pants and that the photo will indeed be shown here before it is sent straight to Cooperstown for posterity. This particular shot was apparently taken just after Coach Adam and Coach Kevin were told, “Show us your best side.”

Anyway, without Coach Bruce’s pants, West Raleigh had to take on New Bern Friday morning afternoon in Snow Hill. The game was pushed back two hours due to heavy rain overnight, which slowed down the infield considerably, but 9U Blue still created enough offense to cruise to a 9-1 victory.

The pregame delay meant players and parents had to find ways to occupy themselves. Some people showed impressive creativity:

And then there were some people who really, really showed their commitment:

I mean, really, who doesn’t have the tools necessary to craft cow costumes handy while in Snow Hill? My only question would be about the red nose…I thought Rudolph was a reindeer, not a cow, but maybe I’ve been singing the song wrong all these years.

The victory, unfortunately, left West Raleigh with approximately three hours to kill before the next game, leaving the citizens of Snow Hill terrified about what crazy hijinks might ensue in their town. Oh, IMPORTANT SIDE NOTE: during opening ceremonies we learned that Snow Hill is the “hub of the universe.” Yes, that phrase was actually said—on a microphone nonetheless. Trust me, you don’t want to know the other towns that were in the running for “hub of the universe” status but didn’t make the cut.

Game 1 Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce singled and stole second. After JT’s walk, Gavin cracked a double that scored Bryce. Chace singled, eventually clearing the bases, with Chace alertly taking second on the throw. A wild pitch moved Chace to third, and then Brady’s RBI groundout scored him.

Score after one inning: WR Blue 9U 4, New Bern 0

Second inning

JT laced a one-out single. Gavin singled. Chace drove in JT, and then Brady’s sacrifice fly scored Gavin.

Score after two innings: WR Blue 9U 6, New Bern 0

Fourth inning

Joey singled. A fielder’s choice from JT put runners at the corners and then enabled Joey to come all the way around. Gavin singled home JT. After Chace was (surprise!) hit by a pitch, Brady drove in Gavin.


Score after four innings: WR Blue 9U 9, New Bern 1

Pitching Performances

Banks threw two perfect innings to start the game.

Jake struck out a pair in an inning-plus of work.

JT threw two hitless innings.

Asher finished it up in the sixth.

Game 1 Web Gems

•    Ben made a nice running catch of a line drive near the left field line in the second inning.

•    Bryce ranged far to his left in the hole between first and second to gobble a grounder and throw out the runner in the fifth.

•    Banks made a very nice play on a ball on the right field line and held the hitter to a single instead of allowing extra bases.

Friday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
New Bern	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1
WR 9U Blue	4	2	0	3	0	0	9	9