Out in a blaze of glory!

The Petaluma National All Star team is finally out of the competition, after losing in a 6-1 rematch against the undefeated Napa All Star team.  Our boys battled bravely, and showed more determination, heart, honor, and sportsmanship than players twice their age.  The season has finally ended, but we couldn't be more proud of our kids (or the coaches or parents for that matter!)

On the (bright?) side, fall league baseball for both Robert and Carter begin THIS WEEKEND, with tryouts and get-to know you activities.  No rest for the weary Beloves!

It's not over yet!               

Another successful game! -REVISED -AGAIN

We had no idea we were to be spending our summer vacation in Lafayette, but there we sat for the 4th day in a row, cheering on our boys. 


Vacaville's All Star team proved to be worthy opponents, nearly battling back in the 5th inning to close a 6-1 lead down to 6-5.  But our boys proved mightier, scoring 2 insurance runs in the top of the 6th, and then shutting them down to win. Final score: 8-5 Petaluma. 

Check out the link to our local Argus Courrier.  Robert's name is in the paper!

We return to our lovely vacation spot on Wednesday at 6:00pm to face Napa again.  We will have to beat them twice to move on to the next tournament, but our boys definitely have it in them! 

Check back for more exciting updates!

Still Going!!! - REVISED

Another successful outing by our "Beloved" Petaluma Nationals All Stars!

The game against Alameda got off to a slow start when the batter's box had to be altered after our lead-off batter was walked. But our boys learned early that measurement is not the key to the game. Our opponent was clearly a head taller than us (who knows what they are feeding those kids in Alameda!)  But we proved mightier!  In a game that was a much harder-won battle than the final score would indicate, the Petaluma team took a 14-4 win in 5 innings (another example of the mercy rule.)

Robert, playing right field, made a game-changing play by robbing the opponent of a multi-run homer to end the 4th inning, and was awarded the game ball.  Our hero! 

We return to Lafayette again Tuesday at 6:00pm.  May the force be with us!

All Star Adventure Continues

Another WIN for Petaluma Nationals!

Probably because of Carter's stunning faux-hawk, the San Francisco All Star team fell behind 11-0 in the first inning, and never regained momentum. Thanks to the mercy-rule (the game ends after the 4th inning if one team leads by 10 or more runs) we were able to put them out of their misery and reserve our strength to play again tomorrow.  The final score was 11-1.

Tomorrow's game is at 2:00 in Lafayette.

Hey Now, You're An All Star!

While the Beloves were gallivanting around the country, the Petaluma National All Star 12 year olds were making their mark on Sonoma County, winning 5 out of 6 games and the title of District 35 Champions! (Click for more information on our fantastic Nationals!)

Amazingly, we arrived home just in time for Robert to join them as they headed for Sectionals in Lafayette.  What a way to continue a Belove Baseball Adventure!

On Saturday, July 17, they played the Napa All Star team in an all-out showdown.

The Petaluma Nationals are quite an amazing team, with talented, dedicated players but they were no match for Napa's 67mph fastballs. The final score was 3 to 1, Napa. (Click here to view more photos of this game.)

The next game is Sunday, so tune in tomorrow!
Same "bat" time for the next exciting episode!

Go Petaluma Nationals!!!!

Disneyland - 7/5

This blog is primarily intended to chronicle our baseball adventures.  Because this trip had quite a few extra stops (that we just couldn't pass up- we do have OTHER interests, you know) we did not post about everything.

However, by special request, here is a rundown of our trip to The Happiest Place On Earth.
 

Parking was a bitch!

And you have to be careful on that tram, or you can pick up a hitchhiker or two.

We made sure to see everything!













We were on the lookout for anything new and exciting.












We were attentive to good hygiene.

As well as the forces of evil!

And some of those rides will curl your hair!

But mostly we just had fun together!

It felt like we went around the place 100 times!

We were there for 17 HOURS! 
This is how it looked when we arrived.

         And this is how it looked when we left.

And the next day?
We were back for more.

Mickey!

Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me?

M-I-C-K-E-Y    M-O-U-S-E!

In honor of the Allstar game, Major League Baseball decorated 7-foot Mickey Mouse statues and placed them all over the LA basin.  And what a great scavenger hunt we had looking for them.  We found 27 of the 36 (one for each MLB team, plus a few).  Here is a sample of what we found:

This one had been vandalized and removed :(

But we caught up with him later at Fanfest! ( Notice the cast and ice pack.)

Want to learn more? Check out MLB Mickey Mouse All Stars

July 15

We are home, but not done yet.
Stay tuned for make-up posts and our trip to our hometown A's.

RILEY!!

One of the highlights of this trip had nothing at all to do with baseball. 

By altering our trip and taking in the Phoenix game, we also got to meet our new cousin Riley in Las Vegas!  What a treat!  We wish he was closer to cuddle more often.

If you want to see more photos of him, check out Annette's flicker site.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, RILEY!!!!

Robert's Sportscast - 7/11

Today's game was the Florida Marlins against the home team Diamond Backs. 21,037 fans watched the D-Backs lose 2 to 0. There also was a total of 10 pitchers 6 for the D-Backs 4 for the Marlins. to 0. The winning pitcher was Enright and Gutterrez got the save while Sanabia got the loss. There were 12 strike outs today 4 pitched by the D-Backs and 8 by the Marlins. The Marlins hit 4 singles 1 double no triples and no homeruns. The D-Backs got 6 singles and that was it. There were 3 walks, 2 pitched by the Marlins and the other by the D-Backs. It was a nice game to watch to end our trip.

Diamondbacks - 7/11

Chase Field, Phoenix.  WOW!  At first pitch the temperature outside was 102 degrees.  Inside: it was a comfortable 78, but that wasn't the only part that was cool.  We really enjoyed this park!

We showed up intending to buy our tickets at the window, but this friendly former-Oakland native made us an offer we couldn't refuse.  We ended up with seats 12 rows from the field at half price, thanks to Jim's wheeling and dealing.

The park is beautiful, and well constructed.   For an indoor field it doesn't feel cavernous, nor claustrophobic.  Walkways are open, and concession stands are located with their backs to the field, so fans standing in line can watch the game.  There are good seats at all ticket levels, and seats are angled toward home plate -DUH!  A walk around revealed the ultimate in cool viewing -- for the fan with the proper ticket, of course.

The folks at Guest Services were very friendly and so happy to see us!  They didn't have too many things to give us, but they eagerly shared what they had, and provided information on what to see and do in the park.



There is much for the kids to do.  As a matter of fact, they consider themselves the most family friendly park in all of sports.  We aren't sure we would go THAT far, but we agree that it is a friendly, family centered place.  Let's start with pricing.  In parks across the country it is getting more and more difficult for a family to afford to go to a game.  But not in Phoenix.  The ticket prices are very reasonable, with coupons and special deals aplenty.  For example: Fridays for $20 per person you get a ticket, $10 in Diamondbacks bucks (to buy food or souvenirs at the park) and a free ticket to Sea Life, Arizona. 


 And CHECK OUT THE VALUE MENU!!!
I can hardly fix a hotdog at home for $1.50!
We fed the kids for $9.00, and each one had 3 hotdogs!





But, if the value menu doesn't appeal to you, you can always have a sangwich...





And when you finish, you can just PITCH out the trash!

 Announcements are closed-captioned for the hearing impared. Play-by-play scoring shows on Diamondvision for anyone keeping score.And check out these living bobbleheads!


Attendance was low, but the crowd was lively and enthusiastic.
Overall a fun game and a good time was had by all.

Apparently, the Beloves have a fondness for small-market teams.  They just seem to have more to offer.  We give Diamondbacks high marks. 

A stop in "Vegas to visit our newest family member, then home in time to spend Ann's birthday at home for once.

A Change in Plans - 7/10

We are having so much fun, we can't possibly head home just yet.
We have decided to come to Phoenix to catch one more game.
Read the report tomorrow.

Fanfest! - 7/9

Those of you who have been following our adventure since New York will remember Fanfest!  This year we shared this baseball lovers' extravaganza with Jack and Brandy.  Here are a few highlights...

Photo ops and autographs.

Mascots everywhere!

 Face painting (and Big League Chew!)

 Games to play.

 And don't forget all the loot!!!!