Lil Lefty Provincials - Friday Night

Lil' Lefty started her PWSA Squirt II Provincial tournament Friday night. In a nutshell, they lost their first game 10-7 to Oak Ridges. I am disappointed. Lil' Lefty did not start pitching. She batted fifth for the first time all season. More on this later. The Tigers were behind 10-1 in the top of the seventh. They batted through the order and scored 6 runs ending the game with the bases loaded. A great comeback, but a loss in the record book. Lil' Lefty got up three times grounding out to second twice and hitting a hard grounder past third with the bases loaded in the seventh. The Oak Ridges pitcher had 14 strike outs. Lil' Lefty may have been the only batter to not strike out.
The Tigers started the night with a quick practice and make-up event at "an undisclosed location". For the record, the orange hairspray came out in the shower and I knew not to put tattoo's on Lil' Lefty's face.

Lil' Lefty was disappointed that she was not pitching (honestly, so was I) She pitched the last two innings after we were already loosing 9-1. Great Yankee Manager Leo Durocher said "You don't save a pitcher for tomorrow. Tomorrow it may rain."

The Coach, in my opinion, has been fair and consistent all year long. Lil' Lefty has had the lion's share of important pitching assignments and the team has benefited from her efforts. She has pitched the final game in every tournament where the Tigers have won a medal. The coach's daughter started the game Friday night. The coach may consider her the #1 pitcher and if he does, then so be it. He would have made the correct decision pitching his best pitcher Friday night. I do not, and think it is important to start a double elimination tournament with a win. Again, pitch you best pitcher Friday night. (See Leo Durocher quote above) I would have a hard time coaching because of decisions like this, and if in the same position I would probably have made the same decision... unfortunately, the Tigers would have had the same outcome.

Lil' Lefty loves big games, and has the intangible quality to elevate her team mates. Not sure why after batting 4th all season long she was moved to 5th. Not a big deal but, she didn't bat in the first inning, and will not bat in as many run producing situations. I guess coaches feel the need to make strategic decisions in big tournaments... along with some of the other unique changes in the batting order for this game. I wish we had danced with the order that brought us here.

Tigers are back at 1pm today and play until they loose one more game. Their defense is below average so it will be a challenge to continue playing. Hopefully, Lil' Lefty will get a chance to pitch.

Note to self: future blog entry coach vs. instructor.