Monday, Jul. 13, 2009

A hot time at the ol' ballpark: 10-year-olds and parents do it for the love of the game

It was hot. Sunny, no-breeze hot. Ninety-five degrees at 5:30 p.m.

But the 10-and-under Waterloo Angels select baseball team didn't care.

"They are running around throwing balls with their vests on," said mom Kara Miller, watching the boys in their gray-vest-over-red-shirt uniforms. "We're sitting down in the shade."

The Angels played in the Midwest Regional Championship tournament the weekend of June 26 at Fairview Heights Khoury League Fields. Teams from as far away as Indiana and Ohio competed.

"What's neat is even when we get in over our heads, it's a learning experience," said team manager John Green. "They push themselves to a level they didn't know they could compete at."

At 2 that afternoon, the Angels had lost their first game 9-1 to the Chesterfield (Mo.) Chargers.

"Between games, we went to Olive Garden and got them lots of water and carbs," said Kara, whose son Gage Byrd plays shortstop and husband Matt Miller helps coach (third base and hitting) along with Eric Mauer (first base and fielding) and Tony Dugan (pitching).

"The older guys are really into the game," said Shannon Yount, mom of rightfielder Andrew, a ballplayer since preschool. "They want to teach the boys everything they know about the game."

Who knows? Maybe one day the Angels will be like the guys who play Tuesday night in Major League Baseball's All-Star game at Busch Stadium.

Nick Brinkmann, Austin Stewart, Ben Mauer and Jacob Green already have something in common with Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Derek Jeter and Tim Wakefield.

They love the game.

"The kids were wanting to put on their uniforms at 9 this morning," said Shannon. "Andrew was ready to go by 10."

So was Tyler Brinkmann, a compact first baseman in mirrored sunglasses who also plays outfield.

And Joey Birrittier, who got the first game's only RBI.

"I like hitting the ball and getting runs," said Joey, a versatile player who keeps track of his stats and the stats of major leaguers. "I know Pujols has 26 home runs, 68 RBIs and three grand slams this year.

Why did sandy-haired Drew Dugan pick Pujols' No. 5?

"Because I can hit good," he said with a smile.

Craig Dietz warmed up son Alex, one of the Angel pitchers. They drove back from Lake of the Ozarks for the tournament."We've come a long way from where they were two years ago," said Craig. "We were like the Bad News Bears. Now, we can at least compete."

He described himself as an assistant, assistant coach.

"I am just here all the time, warming up the pitcher, keeping them in line. When your son's pitching, that's when you are most nervous."

Most players take a turn pitching.

"A rule of thumb is five pitches for every year of age," said Green. "For 10-year-olds, that's 50 to 60 pitches. After that, you pull them and put somebody else in."

The Angels may be just 10, but they've got sponsors and a good-looking banner they hang on the dugout. Just about everyone carries an equipment bag.

Angels' parents paid about $150 for a uniform and 12 games in the WSA (Waterloo Sports Association) select league. Sponsors help pay for equipment and tournament fees.

The regular season ends Wednesday, but fall ball may be right around the corner.

"You can keep kids busy up until late October," said Green, the father of three young boys. "Take November and December off. I can guarantee by February we hit the ground running. By March and April, we're in search for sunny days. We get out there and swing the bats. ..."

That hot night, families moved from shade to metal stands to be close to the game.

"I'm at the ballpark every night. I will be till Tuesday," said Debbie Brinkmann, who has two sons playing. Thirteen-year-old Josh plays for the Mustangs. Tyler is an Angel. "I enjoy going and watching. I had an older brother who played a lot of ball. It's fun. I wouldn't miss it for the world. They go from one sport to the next sport. It never really ends."

"We are in first place (5 wins, 4 loses, 1 tie) in our league back home."

What would she be doing if not for baseball?

"Boating," she said.

Christy Brinkmann is mom to No. 11, Nick, the tall second baseman.

"He's got a father who's 7 feet," she said. "There's nowhere to go but up. He plays soccer and he's in band. Baseball is his favorite."

Even when his team is on the losing end of a lopsided score. The Missouri Longhorns scored early and often.

"What do you feed them?" manager Green asked the Longhorns' third-base coach, standing a few feet from the Angels' dugout.

"A steady diet of corn," he said. "Our big one hasn't come up yet."

Ten is old enough to steal a base, but young enough for tears.

"An outfielder missed a ball in the last game and struck out," said Green. "He was down on himself. 'Come on, it's OK.' His last at bat, he cracked a triple. He had the biggest smile. That's what it's all about."

"Hustle out, hustle out."

Parents encouraged from the stands.

"Good eye, Gage. That was a good choice," a mom called out as a ball sailed over the batter's head.

A player, hit on his leg by a pitch, limped toward first.

"They don't give him much time to rub it off, do they?" said another.

"Come on, 12," said the Angels' scorekeeper. "Swing at anything close. Get those two RBIs."

A foul ball flew over the stands and landed, plop, on the field behind.

"You can tell it's hot when none of the kids run after the foul balls," said a mom.

Players drank water and Gatorade, dipped washcloths in ice water and spread them on their heads, spritzed each other with spray bottles.

Coaches remained upbeat.

"Keep it going, guys. Keep it going. Come on, Joey. Straighten it out. If that's fair, that would make it a triple."

Things didn't go well for the Angels.

"These are the frustrating times. The center fielder can't find the ball," said Manager Green, quietly, then called out, "It's gotta be out there somewhere."

The Angels lost something like 25-3.

"At this age, they're starting to develop a winning attitude," said Green. "When they lose, it kind of upsets them. ... You can see the look in their eyes that there's quite a bit of disappointment. We try to point out the positive aspects."

After the game, the boys sat down around the coaches. They talked about momentum, the fundamentals, not giving up. And maybe the best part of having a bad day.

"Tomorrow's another day, guys."

Team members are Joey Birrittier, Nick Brinkmann, Tyler Brinkmann, Gage Byrd, Alex Dietz, Thomas Griffith, Jacob Green, Jacob Hooser, Matthew Lepp, Ben Maurer, Austin Stewart, Avery Wheat, Ryan Wodochek and Andrew Yount.

The Angels will host tryouts on Aug. 8 for next year's 11 and under team. For information, call 939-9869.