rocky laber

The first year my daughter was on the roster of a tournament team, she was 9 years old and only saw garbage time on a team that one just 1 or 2 games all summer.  My friend Mike’s daughter had a similar experience on that same team, our girls represented the younger end of the spectrum and rode a lot of pine.  They’re now juniors at rival high schools, although the rivalry is mostly amiable when it comes to softball – CPS has won each of the last 7 matchups dating to their freshman seasons.  We see each other at the games, do some friendly razzing and catch up.

The same team has another of Nat’s former teammates, Haley (now a freshman) as their starting pitcher.  Nice girl, good athlete, I coached her on 2 summer teams, we’ve known the family for some years.  With Natalie pitching in the top of the first, Haley takes one the other way, slugging a long triple over the right fielder’s head.  Bottom half of the same inning with Haley on the mound, Natalie sends a bomb way over their centerfielder’s head for an 2 run double.  Win-win, I enjoyed seeing both kids having success.

Eric completed his first season of Juniors in NOLL SOLL baseball, the next level up from Majors where games are played on a larger diamond.  It is truly an understatement that the season had its ups and downs, the second game of the year saw one of our impactful veteran players go down with a season-ending injury, and another was injured to a lesser degree the same day.  To their credit, this group never gave up – through good times and bad, including one of the worst drubbings you could imagine.

I’ll hold on to certain memories of the season that involve my son.  In the very first game, with the Padres in the field in the top of the first inning, the Angel’s leadoff batter hit a line drive to the right side that Eric handled easily.  His other chances on defense were handled with equal aplomb as well that day, in spite of an opening day loss.  In their first meeting against the Reds, Eric stroked a two-run double down the left field line in another losing effort.

Also important, this season witnessed the fact that the post season provides a new set of opportunities, and what sometimes matters is when you get hot.  In their first playoff game, they jumped ahead of the Angels in the first inning and never looked back.  They also staked an early lead against the Diamondbacks which held up for their second improbable win.  The championship game of the double-elimination tournament took place on a Wednesday evening, facing a well-rested and powerful Reds team.  Again, the Padres jumped out to an early lead in the first, only to see their opponents chip away and take the lead midway through the game.  The comeback started immediately, aided by some incredible defense, and they earned a berth in the regional TOCs.

The Padres coaching staff provides a contrast to that of some of the other teams in the league.  Head coach Larry is somewhat soft spoken when compared to some of the younger, more intense coaches of other teams.  The manner in which he ran the team sometimes took getting used to, but even if his style may have come into question, there’s no way anyone would dispute his dedication and devotion.  Now that we’re sitting in the stands at a larger diamond, a bit further from the action, it’s not always clear to a spectator why a move is being made at a particular time.  Now it all makes sense, Larry had a great handle on pitch count, any one pitcher’s effectiveness, and strategy relative not only to the current game, but juggling things effectively in order to make sense for upcoming games.

Kudos

CPS softball played incredibly well this year, last night they were crowned NCS Division V champions, and deservedly so. The team played a total of 21 games since February, each a victory.  Some games were hard-fought, others blowouts, but in NCS play they ran the table and did not allow a run – remarkable. Last night they defeated a very talented team, St. Barnard’s of Eureka, 1-0.  It was classic softball, dominated by pitching and defense.  The Cougars scratched out a single run in the 4th inning, a razor thin margin of victory.  The game ended with St. Barnard’s runners in scoring position, the tying run at 3rd, the go ahead run 60 feet behind her, and Sadie striking out the side.

I’m very proud of my daughter and all the girls, here’s what we’ve had all season long:

A group of talented, competitive and dedicated young ladies who know the game, play it hard, and show respect toward the game, their opponents, and officials.  Everyone knows their role, accepts it and fulfills it for the greater good of the team.

An outstanding coaching staff, full of positive energy, equally well versed in instruction, strategy and motivation.

An enthusiastic and knowledgeable fan base consisting of students, alumni and parents.  The time spent together is always very enjoyable.

Team spirit.  To witnessed it firsthand is to know what I’m talking about.

An outfield that can run, catch and throw.  Witness the relay against Valley Christian, when a bomb to the wastelands of right center field beacme an out at 3rd base.  It hapened that way because the fielders didn’t give up, and they executed the way they’ve been taught.  In addition, these girls consistently did all the little things right. For example,  hustling into position to back plays up and keeping runners from advancing on errant throws.

An infield that turned many a hard shot into outs.  The other team hit the ball hard? No problem, we routinely gobbled up ground balls and line drives, retiring batter after batter.

On-field leadership. One word: Zoe.  To see her in action is to truly appreciate her talent.  A catcher that knows home plate belongs to her.

Pitching.  This is what we had that put us way over the top in our league and in NCS play.  Most teams have just one, a few teams have a pretty good one. Not us, we have two. We are blessed with a pair of hard throwing, accurate and cool-under-pressure pitchers.  They’re both sophomores, and both getting stronger with each progressing season.

A school that puts the right amount of support and emphasis on their athletic program.  CPS is typically not the place to go if a kid is looking to immerse in a highly competitive athletic program, that’s somewhere else.  The administration, faculty, staff and student culture allow for a rich balance of academics and athletics.

College Prep will now hang a softball championship banner in the gym for the very first time.

CPS alum Nick Masson (brother of senior 1B Helen) has been documenting the last several games, you can see more photo sets here.

The 2010 CPS softball team accomplished a lot this year.  You don’t always believe the preseason predictions, but in this case, those who made them had an inkling.

And so it goes from year to year, certain teams are loaded with talented seniors, the next year their core has moved on.  CPS certainly benefited from the talent and experience of their upcoming graduates, and next year may be another story.  What remains is a strong and dedicated group, including 2 outstanding pitchers (ahem), a pair players that should continue to have a significant impact on the program. The season went along without too much drama, save for a scare against OMI on Senior Day.  Highlights would include the tournament win in Calistoga, and the 1-0 win over Marin Academy, no question our best played game of the year.

Contributions came from up and down the lineup, but our pitching absolutely set us apart from the rest of the pack, en route to a 19-0 record.  Over the course of the season,the 2 sophomores compiled some impressive stats:

Natalie Laber: 9 wins, 67 strikeouts, 0.52 ERA, 1.000 fielding percnetage

Sadie Oliver-Grey: 9 wins, 102 strikeouts, .080 ERA, 1.000 fielding percnetage

It’s on to NCS, Prep finds out about their draw Sunday May 23.

As long as my shoulder stays healthy, I paddle with the Oakland Renegades Dragon Boat team twice a week on Lake Merritt.  Pretty good stuff, check it out: oaklandrenegades.org

Scanning sfgate.com recently, I saw a still from Field of Dreams where Costner and Liotta are playing catch. The article referred to a KNBR promotion contest for Father’s Day, where 68 dads vie for the chance to play catch with their kid on the field before a Giants game. Entries are judged by the content of their email stating why they deserve to win.
Bob Fratti won a KNBR contest like this last year, he got to be “ball dude” for the Giants, I don’t remember if it was “ball dude camp” or for an actual game. Regardless, it sounded very cool, he was proud of having done it, and I remembered his approach for the winning entry: keep it brief.
Using the Fratti rule-of-thumb, here’s my WINNING entry:

Subject: Reasons why I should win the fathers day contest
From: studio@rlaber.com
Date: June 10, 2009 8:36:58 AM PDT
To: dad@knbr.com
there are several:
I’m 48 years old and have been working hard on perfecting my knuckleball. I think it represents my best and last chance of making a major league roster and I want Giants scouts to see me.
My kids are ballplayers: my son, a 12 year old speedy centerfielder, and my daughter, a freshman all-league (BCL East) pitcher.
My wife hits line drives regularly in her women’s league.
I can still go yard in my mens league.
I’m told that I sound like Tom Tolbert.

I don’t know the truth in that last line, but it’s Bob who told me. I got the email this morning telling me that I was one of the winning selections.  WOO!! Thanks ball dude!  See you on the diamond

See some photos on flickr.com

Nat’s back with her summer team, the Alameda Blaze.  Last weekend they ran into some very stiff competition in Stockton – 28 teams in an A-ball tournament.  Runs were scarce, defense shaky at times, pitching just OK.  Turns out it was just what they needed, serving as a wake up call for the next weekend in Salinas.

The three high school girls are back (Natalie, Michelle and Gabby), morale and team chemistry are as good as ever.  There were many events that people will remember about this weekend, but for my money, it belonged to Anastasia.  She did deliver more than one clutch hit to drive in runs, but her defense was magnificent.  Any ball hit in her direction that was not over her head was an out. Period.  No infield hits went her way, like the ones Michelle slaps and legs out so regularly.  Pop ups? Forget about it.

Natalie is pitching the semifinal game on Sunday. In the 6th, the NorCal Legends’ leadoff hitter delivers a double, and was sacrificed to 3rd.  Knowing that a capable bunter was coming to bat, the coaches seemed ready to concede a run to get an out while preserving a 2-run lead.  On a grounder hit to 3rd, Anastasia picked it clean, sold a pump fake to 1st, then turned and nailed the base runner whose momentum had led her too far from the base.  That exact play was discussed in the dugout seconds before it happened, but it was agreed that we’d play it safe and get the out.  Maybe Anastasia was able to hear the conversation, maybe she acted on her own. Whatever the case, it was perfectly executed and they went on to win the game and the championship game that followed.

Here’s the official write-up.

Lynne Jones was shooting at the first OMI game in March and took this great sequence of pictures.  I couldn’t resist, it’s Sadie crushing a 2-run homer.

just so you know, it ain’t just about my kids.

Skyline handed Lowell a 4-1 loss, taking 2 of 3 in the Transbay Series, which pitted OAL’s league champ against their counterparts from San Francisco.  They lost the opener at Laney College, then came from behind at Lowell’s home field with a dramatic 6-5 victory.  The final game was played at Owen Jones (aka Laber Field) on a perfect Wednesday afternoon.

The Skyline roster is almost entirely comprised of OGSL girls.  Natalie has either been teammate or opponent of all of them, I’ve coached a number of them, going back as far as when they were 8 year olds.  Emily Eguchi Miller is my business partner’s daughter, in fact Allan and I met one summer years ago as our girls played travel ball together.  Back in 2004, Emily was one of the girls who pitched for the Vipers and was a big part of one of my most memorable experiences.

We played a tournament in Benicia in ’04 when Glen Vondrick and I coached together.  It’s Saturday afternoon, and our third game of the day on a weekend where I was in charge – Glen had taken his family to Europe on vacation, it coincided with a tournament weekend, so we’re without Martina, our #1 pitcher.  We still have 4 girls who can pitch, Whitney, Emily, Barbara, and Natalie.

Our girls are down by a couple runs early on, but rally a couple times. The score is back and forth and we find ourselves ahead late in the game.  Emily’s on the mound and I have 2 players on the bench, Barbara and Natalie, whom I instruct to stay ready in case Emily tires or gets into trouble.  They’re warming up and are ready at moment’s notice, understanding and agreeable that their turn may come soon, but Emily is battling, working hard, making great pitches with solid defense behind her.  I can’t recall how we got the last out, but I know they were home team with the tying run on base when we finally finished.

We played against some pretty tough teams that year, wins were hard fought and savored.  So after the final out is recorded, there’s a joyful scrum on the infield, Emily is being mobbed just off the first base line.  Elation, then a sigh of relief for me, we held.  The ritual of clearing out the dugout, gathering bats and helmets, I’ve got kids and parents helping out, we hustle because there’s another game right after ours.

I’d barely had enough time to reflect when I was blindsided by Barbara’s parents, not happy that she wasn’t on the field when that last out took place.  That’s another story, and with the exception of that weekend, I’ve been on great terms with them.  But they were also there when Emily pitched the winning game against Lowell.  She did a great job of keeping batters off balance, locating her fastball and flipping a few well placed changeups, but what impressed me most was her incredible defense.  Emily throws hard for sure, but she gets rid of the ball in a heartbeat.  Her quickness allowed her to field a bunt that was barely popped up in front of the plate (could have been the catcher’s ball), catching it for the out and doubling the runner off first on a bunt and run.

As Paul Keener introduced the Skyline roster in the post game awards ceremony, we found out that Emily was named league MVP and first team all-league pitcher.

Sean Oliver called me tonight as I was coming home from Mary Ann’s ballgame.  “I just got out of a league meeting where they announced the all-league selections. Of the nominated pitchers selected, one lives at my house, one lives at yours. Unanimous decision.”

How cool is THAT??!!

I’m brimming with pride.