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2006 12U Nationals Blog

2006 10U Nationals Blog

12U Brackets (HTM) | Finals Bracket PDF FINAL

Thursday, August 10th, 2006 10:22 am Bonita Valley Wins Nationals News Articles!

I found a couple of articles on the Bonita Valley 12U team that you might enjoy reading - 2006 Bonita Valley 12U National Champs and Bonita Valley wins Nationals.

Sunday, August 6th, 2006 (2am Monday) CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) Bonita Valley Wins Nationals!

The heading says it all! But here's what happened to make that happen...It's really really late so please bare with me.

The girls got up this morning and knew what they had to do: Beat either Laguna Niguel or South Huntington Beach, and then face and beat a team twice that had just given them a severe beating - WAGS (10-4). We got to field seven and watched Laguna and SHB battle it out. Laguna prevailed in ITB play. Laguna Niguel won and had just a few moments to relax before starting the game versus Bonita.

The coin toss favored Laguna and we took the field first. Bonita blasted out of the gates with nine runs in the top of the first. Laguna went through several pitchers in that inning to try to stop the hitting and it worked for two innings. But then BV scored an additional seven runs to end the game holding Laguna Niguel to one run, 16-1.

The earlier Laguna -v- SHB game ran long and the Championship game was set for 1:00pm central. The BV coaches asked if they could have a couple of minutes to get some drinks/food into the girls and the Blue gave us 10 minutes.

Unlike the previous game with WAGS the first Championship game was a very low scoring game. The defense on both teams was solid and nobody felt that they had the game because both teams knew how quickly either team could score. BV scored first and WAGS responded with a run also. Both sides exchanged zero innings and Bonita scored late in the game to make the score 2-1. Since we were home, the girls held WAGS in the top of the 7th and won the game forcing the second - "IF Game."

WAGS was the home team in this game. The plan was to score first and often. Well, one run in the first was a start but nothing to make you feel like that was enough. Both teams scored one in the first,then nothing in the second inning. BV scored two runs and then WAGS tied it up again 3-3. Each side cheering as they felt they had the momentum.

The BV girls scored one in the 4th inning and held WAGS to nothing. Would four runs do it? Nope. It seems like each team had many opportunities to score but the opposing defense caused a lot of stranded runners. BV went on to score a run in the remaining four innings and WAGS was unable to mount a come back and the score remained 7-3. As BV got the final out, the Bonita parents started to rush the field to congratulate the girls.

Lots of video and photos were taken this game. More so during the awards ceremony. The runner-up trophies were given out first and the WAGS manager congratulated the Bonita Valley girls on winning and his girls for having a great year. Each girl was named and handed a plaque, and then it was Bonita's turn.

Coach John acknowledged the fine performance by WAGS and then then went on to thank our team parents for all the hard work supporting the team. Each of the girls went up and received their first place plaques. The Midland ASA staff thanked everyone and we took our team photo. I posted a small version on the front page.

The girls went into the BV Van and John took them to Diary Queen and then to the 7-11 for munchies. When we got back to the hotel we warned the hotel staff about the celebration that is a tradition - jumping into the swimming pool with all your regular clothes! Luckily we arranged for a boatload of towels to be by the pool for the event. The girls stormed the pool in their uniforms and chanted for each adult to be "escorted" into the pool; actually more like being dragged, pushed, or carried. Whatever works! Pizza was ordered for the girls and they ate in the lobby and then partied some more!

The ENTIRE TEAM Family will always remember a mom leaving the pool with thin white pants on. I will not devulge the name to protect the guilty :) Good night everyone and lets hope that all return safely!

Saturday, August 5th, 2006 11:24 pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) We MUST win three

Rain last night messed up the fields and our 8:00am didn't get started until about 10 something. We watched our host team in the loser's bracket and they were eliminated. We were to play Laguna Niguel on the same field.

BV and Laguna Niguel finally played and Bonita scored two quick runs on key hits to the outfield. It turned out to be all that the BV girls needed as they ended up winning 8-0. Laguna Niguel only got two hits in that game. We may face them again later on...

West Garden Grove was our next game, that game ended up 3-0 on pitching by Mommies, and Jen. WGG loaded up the bases but were unable to convert anything into runs.

There was a two hour wait for the next game - WAGS. We've played them three times before: Los Al, Escondido, and State. Tough games but BV came out on top. Unfortunately this game would be different. WAGS scored first on some aggressive base running. BV responded a little later with some key hits and a close play at home. Bonita took the lead 4-2 late in the game, but a boatload of errors by BV and huge hits by WAGS lead to eight runs in the sixth. They took the lead 10-4 and BV was unable to recover in the last two at-bats.

Bonita plays tomorrow at 11:00am. They play the winner of the 9:00am (South Huntington Beach -v- Laguna Niguel)game. If the can recompose themselves and win this game, they are in the Championship Game versus WAGS. The Championship Game is at 1:00pm but the girls will have to beat WAGS twice (again at 3:00pm) to take the Championship.

Watch us live on play-by-play tomorrow. Good night!

Friday, August 4th, 2006 10:13 pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) Final 8

Rain? Nope, no confusion today. We got ready for the game against Mcloud. We lost the toss for the first time were visitors. The girls took the field and JUMPED to a huge 9-0 lead in the top of the first. We went through the line-up one and a half times. The Mcloud team were taken out 1..2..3 by Jen. She would strike-out another three batters later on.

No action in the second inning for either team. In the top of the third the girls scored two more runs to make the score 11-0 and brought in Mommies in the fourth inning and she struck out two batters. No score for Mcloud. Taylor came in to close and seal the win in the fifth inning striking out one. Final score 11-0.

There are only eight teams left in the winner's bracket and we face Laguna Niguel at 8:00am tomorrow. The last time we faced them June 18th in Poway, BV was defeated 7-5. Everyone is looking forward to a good game. It will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

The girls stayed and watched the host team play for a little bit then head back to the hotel to get some food and some rest before curfew. They have to be in the lobby around 6:15am to head to the fields tomorrow. The parents had a low-key event also. Many are down in the lobby/TV room playing cards, filling in the brackets and just kicking back. Two more days (four games in a row if we keep winning) and it will all be decided!

The remote control re-appeared! We can change the channels! Good night everyone. We have lotsa games tomorrow so just check the live play-by-play to see how we're doing. The blog won't be updated until later Saturday Night.

Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 10:19 pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) 1st Bracket Game

The girls had a long wait today as they waited to play the Clovis Bullets. They had just beaten a team 15-0 and we had never played this team before. The coaches loaded up the girls in the BV Van and headed toward the fields about two hours before game time. The down pour cancelled the noon games and then we were told that our 4:00pm game would be pushed back to 7:00pm. Most of the parents figured we had a lot of time until we all got calls that we had 15 minutes to get to the fields because the game was back on!

We won the toss and chose to be home! Jennifer and the rest of the defense shut down the offense early with a early double play in the first. Bonita struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first. Again, Bonita held Clovis to another zero inning and BV busted the game wide open by scoring seven more runs. Nobody scored in the third inning, and the BV sealed the win in the fourth inning with five more runs. Claire crushed one to right center to bring two of those runs in with a triple. Taylor took the mound and finished out the game for us in the fifth.

Our host team (NV pronounced "ENVY") showed our girls a new cheer after the game - P.S. Our girls can't dance - lol. We stayed for a little bit to watch a little of the Laguna Niguel -v- San Bruno game. PQ easily won their game and plays Laguna next.

We all headed to "Gatti's" for a pizza, pasta buffet and arcade. I think I ate too much :(. The arcade was a blast for the girls and I think that even the coaches may have had more fun playing the basketball games, air hockey, bumper cars and other "skill games" The girls cashed in their tickets for some prizes and we all headed back to the hotel. Hey Sherrie - Tell us about that I-20!

Tomorrow we play at 4:00pm versus the Mcloud Stars on field 5. We will be doing play-by-play. Check in at game time and please remember that some games may be delayed due to rain...BTW, we had 112 People watch the game online today.

Thursday, August 3rd, 2006 9:58 am CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) 1 Game at a time

Here's the overal plan - We play at 4:00pm and when we win (gotta show confidence!) we play Friday. Then three games on Saturday and one on Sunday. That's it in a nutshell :) At the moment we're watching other games that are going on and waiting for our game later on this late afternoon.

2:55pm - The rain has caused some good sized puddles and some games were postponed. Our 4:00pm game has been delayed until 7:00pm. The girls are watching our host team play. The parents are off all over the place: the malls, getting munchies, watching games, relaxing at the hotel, and sightseeing. WHOAAA...Game back on! 4:00pm

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 9:01pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) It's Bracket Time!

Today, Bonita Valley played the Tahlequah Twisters. We were the home team and stopped the Twister early. The 12's played BV ball and and scored the 1st run of the game. However, our girls made some uncharacteristic mistakes and before you know it, the Twisters were up 2-1.

Bonita had some good hitting and they took advantage of any Twister errors. We tied it up 2-2 in the second inning and never looked back. Mommies pitched the whole game and was able to shutdown the Twisters for the rest of the game and "O" stopped any errant pitches . Our infield came up with some excellent effort and showed why you never give up on a play! The rain started and that's why BV vision stopped at 6-2, but the final was 8-2.

Immediately after the pool game (We finished 1st) Coach John found out where we would be seeded in the Finals Bracket. It appears as all the Southern California teams finished 1st in their pools. The girls play tomorrow at 4:00pm and they wait on the winner of the Clovis Bullets (CA) -v- Prescott (AZ) game.

We took the girls to the Golden Corral for a super buffet and were "herded" into a room to fit us all in :) Curfew is 9:30pm tonight but the parents are free to socialize in the lobby/TV room. There are several business types in there at the moment so let's see what happens.

12:32am - Ok, the remote controls seemed to have grown feet down in the TV Room/lobby. None of the staff here seems to know where they are....hmmmm. The parents still gathered down there and had a very low-key social evening. Some parents brought out the cards to play. It's snoring time. Good night for now.

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2006 1:28pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) The Wait...

Internet access was restored at the hotel. I had to resort to a HIGH SPEED 14.4 baud connection to update. Anyway, the girls are kicking back in hotel until 3:15 before they have to get to the fields for their 5:00pm games. Earlier games were delayed two hours due to the rain last night. Let's hope things get back on schedule. Cya after the game...

Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 1:05pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) Lets Play Ball!

Due to technical difficulties both at the hotel and with verizon we are/were unable to broadcast the play-by-play live. The hotel is working on the problem here and we are trying to get the things out with the laptop and broadband card. Things should be up and working for the Wednesday Twister game.

Our team started the day at 8:30am to head over to field 7 (the showcase field). We showed our passes to the "sentry" and he made sure that we had no external food, coolers, or easy-ups. We were provided with a giant cooler with water for the girls in the dugout. The stands were covered and we had a nice breeze. No sign at all of the rain from last night.

The 11:00am start time was pushed back because the previous game started late. Our girls were eager to play and we were home team for this game. Jen started as our pitcher and Chelsea behind the plate.

The 12s allowed no runs in the first inning and Bonita jumped out on top with five runs in the bottom of the first. Bonita added ten more runs in the second inning with excellent hitting by the entire team. Everyone got to playing time and Mommies came out to close out the game with "O" taking the pitches behind the plate. The Las Vegas Force was unable to generate any offense in their final at-bat and BV won 15-0.

Its a tradition that gift bags are exchanged after the 1st game has concluded. Both teams gathered right behind homeplate on the bleacher side. Everyone exchanged goodies and took photos with the teams sitting together on the bleachers.

We have a BBQ scheduled tonight at the hotel :). Our next game is Wednesday at 5:00pm versus the Tahlequah Twisters. We plan on doing the Play-by-play from this game on if we don't run across any unforeseen event.

1:34am - Seems like it's hard to find carne asada here! But our experienced BV crew managed to make some :) We had room made guacamole along with potato salad, Mexican rice, frijoles, salsa, chips, and tortillas.

The girls had a 9:00pm curfew so our excellent A/V crew set-up a DVD player in the lobby/dining area and turned it into the BV Theatre (42" Plasma). We had a wide assortment of movies for the parents to enjoy (Yes, we had popcorn, peanuts, chips, and other munchies) don't ask about the beverages :)

Good Night. I'll update when I get a chance. See you all tomorrow, k? :)

Monday, July 31st, 2006 10:05pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) Settling in time

All the teams showed up at the field tonight for opening ceremonies(Pin-Trading, Team Parade, Prayer, Umpires, Leah O'Brien) I somehow managed to find my way onto the field and shot this photo. We play tomorrow at 11:00am and Wednesday at 5:00pm. Bracket play begins on Thursday.

A sudden storm just hit and it was thunder and lightning for about an hour. It better not affect the fields!!! More ugly weather is pending later on this weekend.

The draw and the registration was straight forward - each girl signed the sheet and was given their player pass to get into the field. Regular Admission is 35 dollars. Don't lose your pass! We just got back from our team picture. The trip was 16 miles each way and the photo took 3 minutes. We have to go back at 6:00pm for the opening ceremonies. Oh, first game tomorrow at 11:00am versus Vegas Force Field #7.

Here's the plan for the day:

  • 09:00am - Meet in Lobby
  • 09:30-11:00am Practice
  • 12:00 Coaches Draw at the Clarion Hotel
  • 02:00pm - Player must each check-in
  • 3:00pm-5:30pm - Have team photo taken at Ezell Park
  • 6:00pm - Opening Ceremonies

    • Sunday, July 30th 2006 5:00pm CENTRAL TIME (+2 hrs) The Plan

    About half our team drove to Texas. Some arrived on Saturday night but the majority trickled in on Sunday. We had to wait for our rooms to be cleaned up but we sat in the receiving area and killed some time.

    The girls arrived around 4:30 or so and we let everyone unpack. Where to go after a long trip or flight to Texas? HOOTERS!!! We loaded up the girls into the BV van and headed over for dinner. Here's a picture of the girls at Hooters!