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Travis Heathcock, Jackson Robichaud, Luke Serotsky, Pres, Collier Hicks, James Blackstone
Boone Aycock, Bennett Nix, Matt Humphrey, Jonny Dabney and Collin Crump
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The All-Star season overlaps with spring season, so Preston practiced with both teams for about a month. When they first started playing, they played against the other 5 teams in their division and did fairly well, only lost two games to the same team. The coaches moved the boys around in the batting order, and positions, but Preston usually batted near the top, and played middle infield or pitched. He had a super sweet team, with fun parents. All of the boys prayed before every game, and the moms prayed over the boys and coaches each game....which I just loved.
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| Great inning boys! |
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| Got the game ball after pitching and playing well! |
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| Uncle Brian, Henley and Nene came to watch! |
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| Preston's stylist shaved his numbers |
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| James Blackstone, Preston and Luke Serotsky |
When the first tournament started, we expected the boys to do pretty well, as we were tied for first place. The received a bye for the first set of games, but sadly lost their first game to the other #1 team which moved to the boys to the loser bracket. We thought that they would get an opportunity to play in the championship because they were playing teams that they had easily beat all season, but they fell apart and got knocked out.
They practiced a couple more times, and entered their final tournament "The World Series." Teams from all around entered. On the first day, the boys went down for some drills, and to see the facilities (it was hosted by a ballpark in Calera).
Jenny Crump, one of the moms, made each boy a monogrammed towel that they can put pins on, or use to wipe sweat. The boys loved them!
The following day the tournament began. Their first game was at 12:30, which
they tied. They had an 1.5 hour break, and then played their second game, which they lost. They were tired after playing in 90 degree heat and just hanging out for so long. Bennett managed to stay back with a friend, but Walker came along. He did surprisingly well playing with siblings.
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| Getting sprayed with a mister, and loving every minute of it! |
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| Most supportive Daddy! |
Saturday morning, Steve rode back out there with Preston to start the actual tournament. All of the teams were ranked after the pool play games the day before, and it was a double elimination tourney. The boys played their hardest, but they sadly lost the first game by one run. Since their next game wasn't scheduled until 5:45PM, Steve and Preston came back home for lunch and to rest in the air conditioning for a bit. They rode back out for the next game, and were optimistic. Sadly the afternoon games were delayed due to extra innings and lightening delays, and they didn't start until 7:30! The played their hearts out, and Preston pitched and made a double play one inning, but they ultimately lost by one run again in double overtime (they played two extra innings). It was a long day, and Steve and Preston were both exhausted when they walked in the door at 10:30.
Though we hated to see the boys go out the way they did, we are happy to have our summer back.
