There's an app for that

I was able to find an app on my phone to write on here so I thought I would give an update.

Yesterday (Tuesday) we had several of the younger guys participate in a showcase in Shelby, NC. Several of the area American Legion teams participated in the showcase and they invited us to take part. Following the showcase we made the ride into the mountains to our cabin in Bryson City, NC.












Tuesday night we watched the College World Series. The guys were pretty much all for South Carolina especially since we had just visited their stadium. Natalie, Donna, & Carrie cooked supper for us. We had chicken fingers, fries, mac & cheese, and lasagna.

There are 8 double beds in the cabin along with 5 futons. After the CWS, a movie, and video games, we think they settled down around 3 in the morning.

Wednesday morning we got the guys up early for breakfast casserole, toast, and cereal. We left at nine in the morning to head to Paddle Inn Rafting. We spent nearly two hours on the river. When we get to the hotel in Columbia, I will download some of the pictures that they gave us on a disc.

We came back to the cabin for lunch. After lunch, most of the guys were worn out from the rafting so they took naps. Tonight we are having steak, pork chops, sausage, baked potatoes, fries, and salad. Below is a picture of our cooks (Blake & Gregg).




Tonight we don't have much planned. We will pack and clean to get ready to leave early in the morning. It's a five hour drive from here to Columbia. We will check in to the hotel tomorrow afternoon and then we play at 6:30 & 9:00 tomorrow night.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

No Internet in Redwood Lodge in Bryson City, NC. I will update when I can.

Day 6: Caldwell County Post 29 - Granite Falls, NC

Today for lunch we visited The House of Refuge in Morganton (THOR). THOR is a homeless shelter that reaches out to those who have no place to go. We took pizza and drinks and fed the group of residents and workers and spent time just talking with one another.

We were able to get a much needed rest in the afternoon. It was the first time we were able to do that because we had plans or we were traveling on all of the other days. We made the short drive from our hotel in Morganton to Caldwell County Post 29's home field in Granite Falls, NC. This was yet another great venue for American Legion Baseball. Deal Stadium is an interesting park highlighted by the huge area in rightfield. The rightfield line is 390 feet with a right center gap of 401 feet.

The game was cancelled due to a rainstorm that hit in the bottom of the first inning. Post 34 jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the inning. After Chase lined the first pitch right to the centerfielded for the first out, Christo Sullivan doubled into the left-center gap. Back to back singles by Tanner Ashcraft and Cameron Carlisle scored Sullivan. Following an error on a failed pick-off play, Sam Kelley burnt the Post 29 centerfielder to knock in Ashcraft and Carlisle. Kelley eventually scored after two wild pitches. With two outs, Jared Pratt walked and scored when Roshan Hira doubled into left-center.

Kendall Edmondson started for Post 34 and struggled in the first inning as Post 29 hit the ball in their half of the inning. When the rain came, Post 29 had scored four runs on 4 hits and had runners on first and third with two outs.

Post 34 will have two days off before competing in a tournament hosted by Columbia (TN) Post 19. On Tuesday, a few of the players will participate in a showcase at Shelby's Keeter Stadium. Forty college coaches have been invited to the showcase so this could be a great opportunity for some of our younger players. After the showcase we will head to Bryson City where will spend the next two nights. On Wednesday, we will go whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River.

Day Five: Cherryville, NC

A few of the guys, Donna Williamon, and I went to Calvin Heights Baptist Church to worship. It was a great service and it always a great experience to have the opportunity to worship at a church on the road.

Following lunch and a brief break back at the hotel, we headed out to Shelby, NC. I wanted the guys to see Keeter Stadum at Veterans Field. In 2008, we participated in the Southeast Regional in Shelby at this stadium It was an amazing experience back then as we played in front of at least 6,000 people in round two of the Regional. American Legion Baseball just recently awarded Shelby with the World Series in 2011 through 2014. We were greeted at the stadium by Jim Horn, who was the co-chair of the Regional Tournament, and Randall Davis, who along with his wife Shirleen, were our hosts in 2008. They gave us a tour of the facility and talked to us about the changes the Stadium will undergo in preparation for the World Series. The people of Shelby were great two years ago and Mr. Horn and Mr. Davis were very kind to meet us at the Stadium on short notice so that our guys could experience one of the best places to play American Legion Baseball.


After our tour, we headed to Cherryville, NC. Our game was later that evening but Cherryville Post 100 was hosting Shelby Post 82 and I wanted the guys to experience one of the best rivalries in American Legion Baseball. I told them to imagine if Dothan Post 12 and Post 34 were less than 20 miles apart like Shelby and Cherryville are. We arrived in the sixth inning in a game that Cherryville went on to win. The Cherryville people were incredible hosts and it was fun to sit amongst the Cherryville fans right behind home plate. I had to give a rules clinic to a fan from Cherryville while we were up there so that was entertaining as well.

Following the game, we left to grab a bite to eat at McDonald's before returning to the field for our 7:00 game with Cherryville Post 100. In the 2003 Southeast Regional, Cherryville defeated us to advance to the American Legion World Series. Cherryville was the runner-up that year at the World Series. The people of Cherryville really get behind their team and it was fun to be able to be a part of it. If you ever go to a game at Cherryville, I highly recommend the Ribeye Sandwich. It was awesome. However don't be suprised when you get it. In Alabama (and everywhere else) the Cherryville Ribeye Sandwich is called a Fried Bologna Sandwich.

Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 17
Cherryville (NC) Post 100 - 4

Coming off of the huge win versus Shelby along with other important Area Games looming, Cherryville was not able to be full strength on the mound. Post 34 defeated Post 100 17-4 in a game that was shortened in the 8th inning due to the ten run rule. Blake Beck was stellar on the mound for Post 34 picking up his fourth win of the season. Beck pitched all eight innings allowing only 5 hits and 3 walks. Beck struck out three in the complete game win.

Post 34 pounded out 21 hits in picking up their 20th win of the season. Post 34 scored in 6 of the 8 innings and every starter had at least one hit. Hitters for Post 34 include: Chase Fields (2-4 with a single and a double); Tanner Ashcraft (3-3 with three singles); Cameron Carlisle (3-4 with two singles and a double); Trey Williamon (4-5 with two singles and two doubles); Sam Kelley (2-6 with two singles); Gregg Adcock (2-6 with a single and a double); Wood Collins (2-4 with two singles); and Jared Pratt (2-3 with two singles).

Day Four: Morganton, NC

Day Four began with a quick trip to Winthrop University. There was a baseball tournament going on at the Baseball Stadium so we were able to go inside. Winthrop's stadium holds about 2,000 and at the 2003 Southeast Regional it was filled with Cherryville, NC fans as we lost the championship 4-0.





After a trip to the campus bookstore and lunch, we headed to Charlotte, NC. Our first stop took us to the Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. We weren't able to go inside but we did walk around the outside and take pictures. We then parked downtown and walked around. We went to the Charlotte Bobcats arena and many of the guys ducked in to a bar to catch the US-Ghana Soccer match. After spending an hour in downtown Charlotte, we loaded up and headed to our hotel in Morganton, NC to get ready for our game against Burke County (NC) Post 21.


Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 14
Burke County (NC) Post 21 - 9

After struggling to a 1-3 record on the road trip, Post 34 needed something to get them going again. It came in the form of Jacob Bush. Bush made his first start on the mound for Post 34 and for four innings, he baffled the Post 21 hitters. Burke County Hitters were hitting near .350 as a team and had scored double digits in several games this season. Bush was able to get ground balls and fly balls as the Post 34 defense had one of the best nights to hold the Burke hitters back. In the fifth inning, Post 21 showed that their stats were legit. With two outs, Post 21 used back to back hits along with a walk to load the bases. The next hitter for Post 21 hammered a ball to centerfield for a grand slam and cut the lead to 11-8. Bush was able to finish the inning and Gregg Adcock came on in relief. In the sixth inning, Burke County would hit another home run to cut the score to 11-9. In the seventh inning, Post 34 added three runs capped off by Tanner Ashcraft's two run triple that scored Chase Fields and Cameron Carlisle. Ashcraft scored on Trey Williamon's single. After a one out single in the bottom of the seventh, Adcock struck out the final two Post 21 hitters to get the save and give Jacob Bush his first win on the season. Bush allowed 11 hits and 1 walk. He had 2 strikouts in five innings of work. Adcock pitched two innings. He gave up 2 singles and had 2 strikeouts.

Hitters for Post 34: Chase Fields (3-5 with three singles); Cameron Carlisle (2-3 with two singles and 2 RBI); Tanner Ashcraft (3-3 with a single, double, and a triple and 3 RBI); Trey Williamon (2-5 with two singles); & Roshan Hira (2-4 with two singles).

Day Three: Rock Hill, SC

Once again we woke up early to travel to our next destination. On our way to Rock Hill, we stopped at the University of South Carolina. After eating lunch and going to a campus bookstore, we drove to South Carolina's new baseball stadium. We got lucky and we were able to go out on the field. They were doing some work and the workers allowed us to walk around the stadium. The stadium was incredible and it was great to have the opportunity to walk around pretty much wherever we wanted to.

After out impromptu tour, we headed up to Rock Hill to face Rock Hill Post 34. I came to know the people at Rock Hill when we played in the 2003 Southeast Regional. We played the Regional at Winthrop University but because of rain, we played a game at Rock Hill High School, which was the site of our game. It was great to return to the place where Post 34 made their first appearance in the Southeast Regional in my tenure as Head Coach. I have a lot of great memories from 2003 and it was fun to relive some of those memories.

Rock Hill (SC) Post 34 - 5
Tuscaloosa Post 34 - 4

Rock Hill jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when they scored on an unearned run. The Alabama version of Post 34 took the lead in the top of the fourth when Trey Williamon hit a two run Home Run. Rock Hill took back the lead with a run in the bottom of the fourth and a run in the seventh. Rock Hill maintained the 3-2 lead until the top of the eighth. Wood Collins and Cameron Carlisle led off the eighth with back to back singles. Clean-up hitter, Tanner Ashcraft came through with a perfect sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third with one out. Following a strikeout, Sam Kelley hit a ground ball that the Rock Hill shortstop dove and gloved but Kelley beat the throw to first. Collins scored on the ground ball and Carlisle scored after hustling around third and causing the Rock Hill catcher to drop the throw from the first baseman.

Rock Hill led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a home run off of Post 34 reliever, Brad McCool. With two outs Rock Hill scored the game winning run to defeat Post 34 by a score of 5-4. Hitters for Post 34 include: Tanner Ashcraft (1-2 with a single); Trey Williamon (1-3 with a Home Run); & Jared Pratt (2-4 with two singles).

Day Two: Conyers, Georgia

We left early Thursday morning to make the trip to Atlanta. When we arrived in Atlanta we went to Dialogue in the Dark (click to read more about Dialogue in the Dark). Our guys were taken through a series of tasks in total darkness to give them a feel for what it would be like to be blind or visually impaired. We went through tasks such as walking through a park, crossing a street, riding in a boat, grocery shopping, and ordering at a cafe. You are led through these tasks by a guide who is visually impaired.

Following Dialogue in the Dark, we went to the Varsity to eat lunch and then headed to our hotel in Covington, Georgia. We hope that Day Two is the worst day of our trip because once we left the Varsity it was pretty much all downhill. One of the vans had a bad tire on it so it took us a while to get to our hotel from the Varsity. Duane Ashcraft changed the tire for us so the first problem was solved. We left to play the doubleheader against Conyers and the game was delayed because one of the umpires was stuck in traffic. I wish he had stayed there. You'll just have to take my word for it when I say that he was the worst out-safe umpire I have ever seen. He would make some of the guys in Tuscaloosa look like Major League Umpires. Here is an example of how bad he was - on a routine force out at second, he called one of our players safe saying that the fielder came off the bag (I thought we were out by the way). The opposing coach argued the call and talked him into asking for help from the other umpire. Keep in mind on this play, the field umpire is between the mound and second base. The umpire behind the plate overruled the call. I argued, to no avail, that he had no business overruling the call. I eventually let it go.

After several missed calls during the game, I was afraid what this umpire was going to be like behind the plate. He was actually pretty good calling balls and strikes. However, every single out/safe call that he had in the first two innings, he missed - both involved Zach Doherty. In the top of the first, bases were loaded with Zach on third. Zach ran home on a ground ball and did exactly what I teach our players to do and that is get way inside so that the third baseman has to throw in, over, or around them. The throw was low and to the first base side of the plate. The catcher dropped the ball but the umpire called Zach out. I asked for him to appeal the play to the field umpire thinking that since he had already overruled a play from 80 feet away then he would do it this time as well. He told me that he wasn't watching that play and couldn't overrule it. Believe it or not, I still did not get thrown out.

In the top of the second, Zach was coming home on the back end of a double steal. The umpire called him out originally and then went on to call him safe saying that the catcher had dropped the ball. We had scored a run but Zach was not moving. Eventually he got up but his pinkie finger and shoulder had gotten the worst end of the collision. After checking on him and sending him off the field to be carried to the hospital, the umpire declared that Zach was out. Let's just say that I watched the rest of the game from the parking lot but not before recommending that the umpire apply for a job at Dialogue in the Dark.

We lost both games which you will see below. Following the game Blake Beck and I went to the hospital to find Zach who was driven to the hospital by Donna Williamon (Trey's mom). They had gotten to the hospital at 9:30 PM. We left at approximately 3:00 AM. The good news was that Zach's finger and shoulder were not broken. His shoulder has continued to bother him and we are not sure if he will be able to play the rest of the trip.

Pretty miserable day but we are learning from some of our mistakes and learning to fight through adversity. I am proud of the way the guys are handling themselves on and off the field.

Game One:
Conyers (GA) Post 77 - 9
Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 7

Post 34 got out to a quick start building a 4-0 lead going into the second inning. Chase Fields and Trey Williamon hit home runs in the top of the first and Zach Doherty scored Jacob Bush on a sac fly in the second. In the bottom of the second, Post 34 starter Alex Aultman walked two of the first three batters. after a single and a wild pitch, Post 77 had cut the lead to 4-3.

Post 77 would add runs in the third, fourth, and sixth innings. Hitters for Post 34 included: Chase Fields (2-4 with a solo HR and single); Trey Williamon (2-3 with a 2 run HR & single); Wood Collins (1-2 with a double); Jacob Bush (2-3 with two singles). On the mound, Aultman pitched 6 innings. He allowed 12 hits and 4 walks. He also had four strikeouts.


Game Two:
Conyers (GA) Post 77 - 6
Tuscaloosa (AL) Post 34 - 4

Despite the missed calls mentioned above, Post 34 jumped out to a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the second inning. Post 77 scored two runs in the bottom of the second, third and fifth innings to jump out to a 6-2 lead. Post 34 tried to mount a comeback in the top of the 7th but after scoring two runs, the bases were left loaded when Post 77 was able to get the final out.

Hitters for Post 34 included: Zach Doherty (1-1 with a double) & Chase Fields (2-3 with two singles). Sam Kelley pitched 6 innings and allowed 8 hits & 3 walks. He had 7 strikeouts.

No internet

I apologize for the delay with the blog. Internet and computer troubles have kept me from updating. I will work this afternoon and tonight to get caught up.

Day One: Jacksonville, Alabama

Game One: North Alabama Hurricanes (Post 57) - 12
Tuscaloosa (Post 34) - 4

After jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, Post 34 could not put another run up until the fifth inning. Post 57 scored three in the first & third, four in the fifth, and two in the sixth. Offensively for Post 34, no one had more than one hit. Zach Doherty, Chase Fields, Cameron Carlisle, Tanner Ashcraft, and Jacob Bush each had one hit. On the mound, Kendall Edmondson took the loss. In the bottom of the sixth, Zach Doherty made his Post 34 pitching debut.

Game Two: Tuscaloosa (Post 34) - 10
North Alabama Hurricanes (Post 57) - 8

After a players only team meeting, Post 34 came out swinging the bats in the second game of the doubleheader. Post 34 won 10-8 making their overall record 18-10 and in-state record 14-4. Post 34 now holds a 2-1 advantage over Post 57 head to head.
In the first, Doherty led off with a walk and Fields reached on an error by the Post 57 shortstop. Cameron Carlisle hit his first of two home runs on the night to put Post 34 out to a 3-0 lead. With one out Sam Kelley would double and Wood Collins would single. Both would eventually score on errors by Post 57 to give Post 34 an early 5-0 lead.
Post 34 added two runs in the fifth on Carlisle's second home run to extend the lead to 7-0. Carlisle knocked in Fields who had reached on a double.
While Post 34 was scoring runs, Gregg Adcock was shutting down the Post 57 offense. Adcock struck out the side in the bottom of the first and did not allow a run until the fourth. Post 57 scored four in the fourth, two in the fifth, & two in the sixth. Brad McCool came on with two runners on and two outs in the sixth. McCool got a strikeout and Post 34 went into the 7th with a 10-8 lead. After striking out the first two Post 57 hitters in the 7th, McCool walked two and allowed a hit to load the bases. McCool was able to get Post 57's clean up hitter to fly out to centerfield to get the save.


Tomorrow we will travel to Atlanta. We are leaving the hotel at 8:15 AM to go to Atlantic Station where we will visit Dialogue in the Dark. At Dialogue in the Dark, the team will experience what it is like to be blind. They will be lead on a tour of everyday tasks but they will have to do these tasks in total darkness. They will be a led through these tasks by a guide who is blind. After eating lunch in the area, we will check into our hotel and get ready to play Conyers Post 77. Last year we defeated Conyers in the Southeast Regional in Sumter, SC. Alex Aultman, who pitched in last year's win against Conyers, will pitch game one and Sam Kelley will pitch game two.