State Game 3: WR 9U Blue 11, Roanoke Rapids 1

In the course of world history, there are many great battles for land. Wars have been fought over tiny strips of property. Monarchies have risen and fallen. Somewhere, the Hatfields and McCoys still do battle.

And then there is the matter of the occupation of the first base dugout at Field One at the Greene County Recreational Complex in Snow Hill—hereafter known as “Bloody Snow Hill”—on July 12, 2014, a day that will forever live in infamy.

The occupation was led by one of the most famed rabble-rousers of our time, Dan Stahlman, who tried to engineer a violent takeover—as he has frequently done in the past and is so well-known for doing—by brute force. His weapons of choice? You guessed it: the menacing presence of three shade tents.

However, the intrepid forces from Roanoke Rapids were alert to his reckless and frankly quite offensive plan. They intercepted him and politely informed him that he was on the wrong side. Dan, who by this point was joined by Shady Committee Chairman John, was his usual belligerent self, correctly identifying that there was NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT IN THE WORLD than who occupied which dugout in a baseball game played between nine-year-olds in the middle of a giant bug mating zone with no shade visible anywhere for miles. His wild threats and hostile advances were greeted with sincere warmth by his adversaries.

Eventually, a very regrettable outbreak of bows, arrows, knives and who knows what else was avoided when the dispute was sent to mediation. That mediation was held on the tournament schedule posted on the front window of the concession stand—you might have seen it, it’s the one that plainly listed West Raleigh as the home team in black and white. This, of course, is the document that Dangerous Dan was basing his totally ridiculous assertion on, which turned out to be…exactly correct.

Then they played a game and West Raleigh won, 11-1, in four innings, getting at least six of those runs by virtue of being in the first base dugout.

Oh, wait a minute. No, they got those 11 runs by pounding out seven hits, pitching very effectively, and playing error-free defense.

The victory enabled West Raleigh to finish 3-0 in pool play and, in the most amazing stat of the weekend, pitch all 12 players in those three games. The first 9U Blue game of single elimination bracket play is Sunday night at 7 p.m. against the winner of the 3 vs. 6 game. Who is in the 3 vs. 6 game? Just check the handy online bracket that is evidently being constantly maintained here.

Game 3 Blue scoring plays

First inning

JT reached on a fielder’s choice and moved all the way to third on wild pitches. Gavin’s groundout scored him with the first run of the game. Chace ripped a single and Brady smoked an RBI double, then took third on the throw, where he scored easily on Jake’s single.

Score after one inning: WR Blue 9U 3, Roanoke Rapids 0

Second inning

Joey worked a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Ben’s single. Ben stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch, and then Asher walked and stole second. Bryce walked, loading the bases for JT, who promptly smacked a two-run single. Gavin cracked a two-run double and scored on Chace’s shot to left. Brady singled, moving Chace to third and allowing Brady to move up on the throw. Jake’s shot to the outfield plated a pair and finished the scoring.

Score after two innings: WR Blue 9U 11, Roanoke Rapids 0

Pitching Performances

Gavin worked a scoreless first two innings.

Elias needed just seven pitches in the third inning.

Bryce and Chace combined to finish out the fourth and final inning.

Game 3 Web Gems

•    The first inning ended on a sweet 6-4-3 double play, with JT firing to Bryce on the bag, who relayed to Banks on the flawless execution.

•    JT went deep in the hope at shortstop to grab a grounder and throw to Joey covering second to get the force in the third.

•    Overall, 9U Blue played its second error-free game in the three pool games in Snow Hill.

Saturday's line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
Roanoke Rapids	0	0	0	1	X	X	1	3
WR 9U Blue	3	8	0	X	X	X	11	7