AAA Tryout Date Announced

Below is the announcement just posted on the Needham Baseball site. There has been a recent rule change allowing 9-year-olds (baseball age) to try out for AAA. This means that all Rockets players are eligible to try out for AAA. Those who have already played a year of AAA ball do not need to try out.

TRIPLE AAA TRYOUTS – Sunday October 2^nd at Mills Field

9:00am – 10:00am eligible players last name A-G

10:00am – 11:00am eligible players last name H-M

11:00am – 12:00pm eligible players last name N-S

12:00pm – 1:00pm eligible players last name T-Z

 Eligible players to tryout for Triple AAA are baseball ages 10 and 9 year olds.

MAJORS TRYOUTS – Saturday, October 1^st at Mills Field

9:00am – 10:00am eligible players last name A-D

10:00am – 11:00am eligible players last name E-I

11:00am – 12:00pm eligible players last name J-M

12:00pm – 1:00pm eligible players last name N-R

1:00pm – 2:00pm eligible players last name S-U

2:00pm – 3:00pm eligible players last name V-Z

Baseball 10 year olds – All registered baseball 10 year olds are eligible to tryout for Triple AAA. Baseball 10 year olds who tryout for Triple AAA are not guaranteed a spot in this league and may be placed on a Double AA team. Registered baseball 10 year olds who do not tryout will be placed on a Double AA team.

Baseball 9 year olds - All registered baseball 9 year olds are eligible to tryout for Triple AAA. Players and parents of 9 year olds should give this option much consideration as very few 9 year olds will be selected to make a Triple AAA team. They may end up being the only 9 year old on a team. Registered baseball 9 year olds who do not tryout will be placed on a Double AA team.  

Questions on Triple AAA tryouts - contact league director Bob Whalen atrwhalen@thecolonygroup.com.

 The age cutoffs to determine baseball age are listed on our websitewww.needhambaseball.com.

Blue Sox Edge Out Rockets for a Chance at League Title

In quarterfinal action the morning before, the Needham Rockets upset Eastern Division champion Quincy in dramatic fashion, and the Needham Blue Sox came from behind to defeat a plucky Weymouth squad with Cinderella plans of their own. Inspiring performances for both Needham teams to be sure, but today's semifinal showdown was destined to take center stage. At stake was a trip to the Suburban Youth Baseball League Championship Game this Wednesday in Norwood.

These two teams had battled it out twice already during this short summer season. Clutch hitting allowed the Rockets to even it up in the late innings and force a 4-4 tie in the season opener. In their second meeting, the Rockets fell 6-1 as Blue Sox pitchers combined to spin a gem. What would Game Three of the subway series hold in store?

Tom was eager to find out with one out in the top of the first. First pitch swinging, he connected and sent a hard line drive into center field for a single. He advanced to second on a passed ball and then took third with some alert base running. The Blue Sox first baseman chased down a fly ball in shallow right field for out number two. He held the ball a little too long and had his back to second base, where Tom tagged up and took off for third. No throw, and the Rockets had a man on third with two away. The Blue Sox starter was sharp, though, and struck out the next batter to escape the inning unscathed.

Rockets starting pitcher Steven retired the side in order with some help in the first. Second baseman Alex gloved a hot ground ball towards the hole and fired to Tom at first for out number one. Matt G scooped a ground ball at short and fired a perfect strike to Tom for the second out. Steven took care of the third out on his own with a three-pitch K to put a perfect inning in the books.

The Rockets would make some noise in the second. With one out, Roman worked a walk. He scored from first on a deep single to right off the bat of Matt M, and the Rockets were on the board first. Matt would advance to third on two passed balls. Steven put himself on with a walk and stole second to give Matt G two in scoring position with two outs. Matt hit a bomb to right field deep enough to score both Matt M and Steven. 3-0, Rockets. With Matt G on second, Tom singled to center field. Matt rounded third and the Rockets sent him home. A perfect throw from center field, though, had him out by a step to end the inning.

The Rockets entered the bottom of the second with a 3-run lead in their pocket. But it was not meant to last. The Blue Sox bats suddenly woke up and as soon as the dust cleared, they had put up five to take the lead after two complete. Blue Sox 5, Rockets 3.

The Rockets would tie it up again in the top of the third. Patrick was hit by a pitch, Alex hit a screamer to short, but the Sox got Patrick at second. With one on and one out, Timmy hit a shot to right field for a single. He stole second, and the Rockets had two in scoring position with one out. Roman walked to load the bases for Matt M, who, as we've seen, has been raking of late. The slugger knocked in his second and third RBI of the morning with a double to deep center field. All knotted up at 5 apiece after two and a half.

But the Blue Sox continued their rampage in the bottom half, putting up another run before Tom came in to close the door with three straight Ks. 6-5, Blue Sox at the end of three.

Matt G led off with a single in the top of the fourth. Tom moved him over with a ground ball to first, and then Matt took third on a passed ball to put the tying run 60 feet away with one out. Patrick W hit a shot to first, but that pesky first baseman got leather on it, stepped on the bag, and fired home. Matt G was on his way. It was a great hustle by Matt, a very close play, but the umpire called him out to end the inning. Still 6-5, Blue Sox.

After the Sox beat out a leadoff infield single, Tom was sharp again, retiring the next three in order. Out number one was an infield fly to second. Number two was a ground ball to short, where Matt G ranged left to glove it and fired a laser to Alex at first to beat the runner by half a step. Perfect execution. A run scored, though, and put the Sox up by two.Tom fielded a tapper back to the mound and fired to first to end the inning.

The Blue Sox sent their Papelbon to the mound in the fifth to close it out. He was tough, striking out the first two. But Roman was able to get down a bunt on him. The Blue Sox were ready for it and executed their bunt defense flawlessly, but they still could not beat Roman's blazing speed to first. Roman's second bunt for a base hit in as many days put a runner on with two out. The Roman show wasn't over yet. He stole second on the next pitch, and the Rockets had a runner in scoring position. Then he made a break for third. The Blue Sox catcher made a quick throw. It was on target and right there, maybe even ahead of Roman, yet he managed to slide in under the tag. With Roman 60 feet away, the tying run came to the plate in hot-hitting Matt M. Matt battled, but the Blue Sox closer was throwing serious heat, and the Rockets were not able to bring Roman in.

Tom took the mound again for the Rockets in the top of the fifth. The Blue Sox clean-up hitter managed a single off of him, but after that he shut the door. He got one to pop up to the first base side of the mound and made a diving catch to glove it. He struck out another and got another to line to third base where Timmy's quick glove hauled it in. Another quality outing for Tom: 2 hits and 2 runs over 3 innings pitched, with 4 Ks against a punishing Blue Sox lineup.

The Rockets had their last chance in the top of the sixth. The Blue Sox closer was good--very good--but not unhittable, as Ryan would prove. He got his bat on a 1-2 fastball, sent it to left field for a single, and provided some hope for the Rockets. Ryan made it around to third on two passed balls, and Tom stepped in with two out. Tom was patient and took four to put himself on and bring the tying run to the plate. It was Patrick W, who had tied the game with a late innings triple a month ago in the first meeting between the two Needham teams. Patrick was confident he could get his bat on one this time around, too, but he wanted to see a couple first. He took two balls. Then he swung away, put good metal on a fastball, and sent it hard up the middle. But the pitcher was able to get his glove on it and that would be the end of a brilliant season for the Needham Rockets.

Final score: Needham Blue Sox 8, Needham Rockets 5.

As predicted, this game was a tug of war that was either team's to win all the way through the last pitch. A great effort on both sides--a thrilling game to have played and coached.

The game ball once again went to the entire Needham Rockets team. Like yesterday's, this game depended on everybody doing their job. Pitchers Steven, Matt M, and Tom each put in a solid performance on the mound to keep the game within reach for the Rockets. And consistent play in the field, especially from Matt G, Patrick W, and Alex, certainly helped our effort on the mound. Roman put himself on base every time up and was a force once again on the base paths. And our two catchers, Timmy and Ryan, combined for six solid innings behind the plate. They each earned the Hustle Award today for getting their gloves on almost every pitch, hustling after the ones that did get by them, and making good throws down to second and third all morning.

Thank you to all of the Rockets and their parents for a wonderful season of baseball. The coaches are currently organizing an end-of-season celebration--most likely a pool party at Needham Pool and Racket. Look for details soon.

Tom and I will be attending the Suburban Youth Baseball League Championship Game to cheer on our neighbors as they take on Wellesley for all the marbles. The game is this Wednesday evening 7:00 at Wall Field, 1315 Washington Street, Norwood. Come join us if you can!

Rockets Advance on Defense, Pitching, and Clutch Hitting

Some rain the night before had Tarallo Field in Braintree, the venue for today's showdown with Quincy, pleasantly damp but in good condition for the morning's first round playoff action. The grounds crew were wrapping up their work, having dragged the infield and drawn the lines, when the first few Needham Rockets began their warm up. It was a beautiful morning for baseball.

Rockets' leadoff man Matt G, however, did not care about the beauty of his surroundings. He only had eyes for a fastball over the heart of the plate which he proceeded to crush and send deep to right field for a single. One pitch, one hit, man on first, nobody out. Tom ripped one up the third base line next and the Rockets had two on with nobody out. The Quincy pitcher was able to retire the next three, though, and the Rockets would strand two.

Rockets starting pitcher Tom found his groove in the bottom of the first. He had a blazing fastball and was commanding it well. After giving up a leadoff walk, he struck out the next batter and then got the next to fly to center field where Patrick W made a clean grab blinded by the sun. The runner on third tagged up, though, and Quincy was able to get the run in. Tom struck out the next guy looking to put the first inning in the books.

1-0, Quincy.

Roman bunted for a base hit to light a spark for the Rockets in the top of the second. We've seen Roman burn down the line so many times it starts to seem routine, but there is nothing routine about a play like this against a good defensive team like Quincy. This was a great effort. Roman stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. With Roman at third, Ryan ripped a screamer up the first base line. Somehow, the first baseman was able to get to it and put leather on it. Ryan was robbed of a hit, and the Rockets were robbed of a run. The Quincy pitcher was able to get out of the inning. 1-0, Quincy.

Tom returned for the top of the second. He got one to ground to short, where Matt G scooped and fired on to Alex at first. Flawless. He got another to pop up to second where Roman hauled it in for out number two. The final out was another ground ball to short for Matt G. Alex made a nice stretch at first, and a clean inning was in the books for the Rockets. Still 1-0, Quincy.

With two away in the top of the third, Tom worked a walk and stole second. Patrick W moved him to third with a single to left. But the Quincy pitcher was able to escape the jam and keep the slim 1-run lead.

Tom kept his groove in the bottom of the third. He struck out one and got another to ground to second. Roman was there, fielded, and fired to Alex at first. Tom struck out the third to record another shutout inning for the Rockets. It was a solid outing for Tom: 2 hits over 3 innings pitched, 1 earned run, and 3 Ks.

A new Quincy pitcher retired the Rockets in order in the top of the fourth. Still a 1-run game after three and a half.

Steven and Alex combined to pitch the fourth. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the Quincy cleanup hitter knocked a blooper to centerfield. Roman got to it quickly and fired it in. One scored, and another was rounding third. Alex cut off the throw from Roman and gunned it home where Timmy received and applied the tag. Out! And not by more than a hair. Timmy had a split second between gloving the throw and tagging the front foot of the sliding runner. So many things had to go right to get the out and prevent the run--the run that might very well have made the difference in the game for Quincy. Roman in centerfield had to get to the ball quickly and get it in, Alex had to have the presence of mind to direct it home, Timmy had to make the catch, get the tag down, and hold onto the ball. This was a Major League play and, even though the Rockets went down by another run in the inning, it was the turning point of the game.

Alex struck out two to finish off the inning without any further damage. 2-0, Quincy, after four.

It was high time the Rockets made some noise with the bats. With one out in the top of the fifth, Harry singled to left. Steven hit a shot up the middle and found himself on at first, but Harry was thrown out at second. Two outs and a runner on first for Matt G. Matt looked at strike one and took a good cut at another. Then he absolutely demolished the 0-2 pitch, launching it way back to deep left field for a triple. Steven crossed the plate and it was 2-1, Quincy. With Matt at third, Tom put down a bunt--a work of art, a slow dribbler on the first base side. Matt got a good jump and gunned it home. Safe! A beautifully executed squeeze play to tie the game at 2 apiece. The Rockets dugout erupted in cheers and they only got louder when Patrick W ripped one up the third base line and beat out an infield single. Two on now for Alex. First pitch swinging, he clocked one to left to bring Tom in and give the Rockets the lead for the first time in the game. The show wasn't over. Timmy put down another beauty and the second squeeze of the inning brought Alex in from third. Four runs in the inning for the Rockets--all with two outs.

But the staunch Quincy lineup was not going to go out like that. They produced two more in their half of the fifth to tie the game again at 4. Alex did well to strike out three and limit the damage to two runs.

A 4-4 tie going into the final frame. Still anyone's game.  Until Matt M put fat metal on an 0-2 pitch and knocked it into centerfield for a single. Matt then stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. He would score on a single off the bat of Steven. It would become the game-winning RBI.

5-4, Rockets entering the last half inning. Alex returned to the hill for the save. He got the first two to fly to centerfield. Roman reacted quickly to glove the first, a hard sinking line drive, and then had to cover some real estate to get the second. All in a day's work for the gold glover. Alex took care of business himself to strike out the last and close the book on what might be the finest performance to date by the Needham Rockets.

The final: Rockets 5, Quincy 4.

Today's game ball went to the whole Rockets team. In order to win this game, all ten players had to make a critical play at some point in the game. If Ryan at catcher does not get his glove on a pitch that's down in the dirt, maybe a runner advances to third and scores on the next ground ball out. If Steven doesn't beat out the throw to first in the sixth inning, he's the third out and Matt's game-winning run does not count. If Tom isn't able to get the bunt down, Matt doesn't score from third to tie the game in the fifth. If Timmy is late with the tag at home in the fourth, another run scores and we end up in extra innings. In a game so close, every play like this can be the difference between winning and losing.

The Hustle Award went to Roman, whose hustle at centerfield accounted for two out of three outs in the last inning and whose hustle on the base paths helped make the Needham Rockets believe when they were down early in the game.

With this first round win, the Rockets advance to the semifinal round, where we face our crosstown rivals, the Needham Blue Sox, tomorrow in Walpole.

See you there!

Semifinal Showdown Tomorrow v. Blue Sox

It's a Needham v. Needham semifinal tomorrow as both the Blue Sox and the Rockets advanced to the second round of the Suburban Youth Baseball League playoffs.

The game will be at Burt Field, 600 West Street, Walpole. Map.

First pitch at 10:00. Warm up at 9:00.

See you there!

Location of Tomorrow's Playoff Game v. Quincy

With the fourth seed in our division, the Rockets draw Quincy tomorrow in round one. We will play at Tarallo Field at Hollingsworth Park, 348 Pond Street, Braintree. Map

First pitch will be at 10:00. We will warm up an hour ahead of the game this time, starting at 9:00.

See you there!

Rockets Finish Regular Season Strong

The Needham Rockets are on their way to the Suburban Youth Baseball League playoffs. The only question to be answered tonight was whether they would be the fourth or fifth seed in the Western Division. With a win tonight, the Rockets would still need a little help from their neighbors, the Needham Blue Sox, who were due to make up a rainout against Walpole National. Walpole National entered the final week of the regular season in fourth place. A Rockets win plus a Walpole loss would mean a fourth place finish for the Rockets and a chance to take on Eastern Division leading Quincy in the first round of the playoffs this Saturday.

But Rockets leadoff man Timmy was not thinking about any of this when he stepped in. His focus was on the ball, particularly a 2-1 fastball that he smacked to center field for a single. With Timmy aboard and nobody out, Tom singled hard to left. Alex drove them both in with a bases-clearing double, and the Rockets jumped ahead 2-0 with nobody out in the first. Calvin would keep the line moving with a walk, and Matt G drove in another to make it 3-0. Matt M would work a bases-loaded walk, and Harry would drive in another to make it 5-0, Rockets, after their half of the first.

Calvin took the hill for the Rockets in the bottom of the first and got Westwood's leadoff man to tap one back to the mound. He knocked it down and fired to Tom at first for the out. He struck out two more to make quick work of the first.

Steven led off the top of the second with a walk and then stole second. Timmy sent another shot up the middle and scored Steven to make it 6-0, Rockets. Tom brought Timmy in with a double to left, the second of four consecutive base hits for the Rockets. Alex singled in Tom, stole second, and came around to score on Calvin's shot to right. Another crooked number for the Rockets, and they would go up 9-0 after one and a half.

Calvin was back for the bottom of the second. The flame-throwing righty sent the first batter away with three pitches, but Westwood battled, put one on and drove him in with a triple. 9-1, Rockets. Calvin did not sweat it, though. Cool as always, he just went back to work and struck out the next two to retire the side. Another quality start for Calvin: 2 innings pitched, 1 earned run, 4 Ks, and an 8-run lead going into the third inning.

Roman worked a walk and then stole second to spark another rally in the third. Patrick B launched one to center field for a single and there were two on with nobody out. Matt M sent one up the middle to score Roman and make it double-digit runs for the Rockets, 10-1. Harry brought Patrick in to make it a double-digit lead. Two RBI on the night for Harry. Steven kept the inning alive with a walk and then advanced to second on a passed ball. Two in scoring position with two outs for Noah. Noah unloaded on the first two pitches and hit them hard but just foul. He fought back to fill the count but went down on a tough pitch over the outside corner. An epic battle at the plate for Noah finished another productive inning for the Rockets. 11-1 after two and a half.

Matt M and Patrick B combined to record a shut-out bottom of the third for the Rockets. Matt struck out one and got another to ground to short, where Alex made a nice back-handed grab and fired to first for the out. Patrick nailed the door shut with a three-pitch K. Still 11-1, Rockets.

With time marching on, a healthy lead for the Rockets, and another game scheduled at Morrison Field right on the heels of this one, the umpire requested that we end it after four. So, the next inning would be the last.

Five consecutive singles would produce five runs for the Rockets in the final frame. Tom led off with a shot to center field and advanced to third on a pair of passed balls. Alex brought him in with a rip up the middle. Calvin and Matt G continued the hit parade, both launching theirs to left, and Roman burned it up the line for an infield single to cap it all off. When the dust cleared, the Rockets found themselves on top 16-1 going into the last half inning.

Westwood mounted an impressive 6-run offensive in the bottom of the fourth. Alex did his best to slow them down, though, with some gold glove work at short stop. Ranging left, he put leather on a hard ground ball and got the lead runner at second. Out number two was a great effort at the plate by Rockets catcher Ryan. On a tapper back to the mound, Ryan was up quickly to receive and get the force. Good awareness on his part to prevent the run. Tom came in get the final out, and got the job done with a three-pitch K to end the game. Only a third of an inning for Tom, but he looked sharp and ready for the playoffs.

Final score: Rockets 16, Westwood 7.

A prolific night at the plate for the Rockets: 16 runs on 15 hits in only 4 innings. Alex set the tone in the first with a 2-run double on a deep shot to left field. He was 3-3 on the night with 4 RBI and earned the game ball for his efforts. The Hustle Award went to Patrick B for his consistent focus the field, always where he needed to be to make the play or back it up. He also helped his team on the mound, getting the final out in a scoreless third inning.

The Rockets now turn their attention to their first round playoff match-up with either Wellesley or Quincy this Saturday morning in Braintree. See you there!