Thanks to Dick Atkinson for the photos

I got an email recently from the manager at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in South Shore Tahoe, one thing led to another, now Trivalve will be heading up there to play 2 dates for the launch of Sammy’s most recent distilled product, Beach Bar Rum.  If you’re in Tahoe on May 4 (Friday) or May 5, come on out to our show, we’re hoping to do a shot or 2 with Sammy himself!

Couldn’t finish this piece without giving props to Ronnie Montrose, R.I.P.  I clearly remember seeing Gamma play at Justin Herman Plaza right around 1980, that much I’m sure of.

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.

Natalie and Eric tied with 24 wins each, Rocky 18, Mary Ann 13

As of new years day 2011, I’m in the lead (probably the only time I can boast this) with 2 wins.

Word got out that this would be Rosemarie’s final year of Christmas baking.  It was my mom who broke the news to us maybe a couple months ago.  For a little history, Rosemarie’s house was remodeled 40+ years ago, the kitchen was expanded to serve as her crafts workshop and food production area, so she means business.

We were all relieved to learn that the initial reports were in fact inaccurate, just as my brother stepped up to deliver a toast to acknowledge our aunt at the family gathering on Christmas night. Turns out my mom got the story wrong, Rosemarie decided to stop hosting Christmas Eve for the Ramos family at her house (another meal of epic proportion).

All is right with the world again. As word spread of the developments and conflicting reports, stock analysts warned of the potential impact to butter and sugar futures.

Long live Tallo’s cookies!!

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

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.

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.