2009.06.21

My 10-year-old son, Cie, plays little league baseball for the Cardinals. The team has been struggling to reach .500 for the season. Following a big win on Thursday evening, the team made it to 5-5.

Two of the five losses the Cardinals have suffered this season have come at the hands of the Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks have won both meetings. Saturday, the Cardinals played the Diamondbacks. Our young lion, Cie, was the starting pitcher for the Cardinals.

There is a rule in little league baseball that if a pitcher throws 41 or more pitches he has to sit out (not pitch) the next game. Theoretically, a kid could throw 40 pitches in every game and never have to sit out.

The coach told me prior to the game that he was going to limit each of the pitchers to 40 pitches. The team has three pitchers that they rely on to do 95% of the work. If possible, he wants to keep all three available for each game.

Anyway, Cie was the starting pitcher. Cie pitched well and made it through a scoreless first inning pretty smoothly. In the bottom half of the inning, Cie was able to steal 2nd base, 3rd base, and home on passed balls to give the Cardinals their first run.

In the second inning, Cie walked the lead off batter. The second batter popped up to Cie who then made a great throw to first to complete the double play. Apparently, there is no infield fly rule in little league baseball. Cie struggled and walked another batter... and reached 40 pitches.

Cie reached his pitch count and was taken out with 2 outs and a man on in the second inning. The Cardinals were able to escape the second inning without allowing a run. At the end of the second inning, the score was Cardinals 6 and Diamondbacks 0.

Kyler pitched the third inning and allowed two runs. After three innings, the score sat at 7-2 in favor of the Cardinals. In the fourth inning, Kyler ran out of pitches. The coach pulled Kyler from the game. Enter pitcher number three, Tommy.

Tommy struggled to find the plate. There were a series of defensive blunders that did not help. Run after run crossed the plate. Eventually, the Diamondbacks took the lead 8-7 with only one out recorded in the fourth inning. There was a pop-up near the pitchers mound - the pitcher called for it - Cie charged from first base - not seeing the pitcher - they both reached up for the ball - Cie caught it! Cie and Tommy talked about the miscommunication... at that time; the runner standing on third base took off for home. The Cardinal players screamed that the runner was stealing, Cie spun on his heel and lazered beamed the ball to the catcher who tagged the runner at the plate. The double play ended the inning with the Cardinals trailing by a run.

In the bottom of the inning, the Cardinals were able to get a run across. Heading into the fifth inning, the score was tied 8-8. Tommy used his 40 pitches and was struggling to find the plate.

Little league has a rule that the starting pitcher may re-enter the game if he has not used all of his pitches. The coached decided to put Cie back on the mound. Cie struggled to find his rhythm. He struck out the first batter. He then walked the second batter. He went to a full count before striking out the third batter. With two out and one man on, Cie went to a full count and walked the #8 batter. With two outs and two men on, Cie went to a full count and walked the #9 batter.

The bases were loaded. There were two outs. The lead off hitter approached the plate. Cie reached back and fired... strike one. Next pitch, ball. Next pitch, ball. Next pitch, strike. ... Wow.

The count sat at 2-2 with the bases loaded, two outs, and a tie score. All of the pressure in the park rested on the shoulders of one ten-year-old boy standing on the pitchers mound. Cie reached back and fired a fastball straight down the middle, the batter swung, and missed. The ball landed safely in the catcherÕs glove. Tragedy was avoided no runs crossed the plate.

In the bottom of the 5th inning, the Cardinals were able to get to the Diamondback pitcher. Consecutive batters walked. The pitcher recorded a strike out. A pitch slipped out of the pitchers hand and hit the backstop; the runner on 3rd base sprinted home. Game over. The Cardinals won 9-8.

Cie pitched 2 and 2/3rds scoreless innings, initiated two double plays, and stole home. For the first time this season, the Cardinals beat the Diamondbacks. For the first time this season, the Cardinals have a winning record.