Saturday, August 31, 2013

Jake by Alfred Slote

Taking a break from reading the third volume of A Life of Picasso, I read Jake by Alfred Slote. This book and author were featured in one of the first 30 for 30 Shorts.

Jake is a kid's baseball book that was written in 1971. The protagonist is a eleven year old boy who lives with his uncle. Jake's uncle is a musician who is gone rehearsing and playing music most nights and sleeps until noon. The book follows Jake as he struggles in school and tries to keep his Michigan little league baseball team from being disbanded.

It is not a great book for adults. It is interesting in the context of Bill Simmons, Grantland and the ESPN 30 for 30 shorts. Bill wrote a article about what the author and the book meant to him when the short film was published. His article, the first two chapters of book and the short film are here on Grantland.

Just as a footnote, I am really struggling with third volume of the life of Picasso. I had forgot how much of a burden it was to get through the second volume. It has been more than 20 years since I started reading something and then gave up. The third volume of the life of Picasso could be the first one.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

ESPN Films 30 for 30 Shorts: Arthur & Johnnie

Grantland and ESPN Films have released the twelfth film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.

30 for 30 Shorts: Arthur & Johnnie

The latest film, from television and film veteran Tate Donovan, tells the story of a brother's love and how it changed tennis history


You can find Arthur & Johnnie on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9584328.

More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=arthurandjohnnie

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

2013 Jesuit Sophomore Parent Dinner

Sharon and I went to the Sophomore Parent Dinner at Jesuit High School. After last year's Freshman parent dinner, we had a much better idea of the agenda for the evening...

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

California Historical Landmark #807

Drew, Jack and I stopped at this waymark on the way home from Almanor.

Oregon City
California State Historical Landmark #807

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located on Diggins Drive between Oroville and Cherokee, California in Butte County. There are 10 other California State Historical Landmarks in Butte County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 39° 35.552 W 121° 31.732.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

IMG_4569-001

Entering California over the Applegate and Lassen Trails, a party of Oregonians arrived here in autumn of 1848 to establish Oregon City. Little more than a year later their captain, Peter H. Burnett, became the first civil Governor of California. For a time, Oregon City prospered as a gold mining and supply center - then it declined into virtual oblivion.

California Historical Landmark #807

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Sago Mini Doodlecast

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!

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Code Expiration: November 19, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Disney Fish Hooks

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Code Expiration: November 19, 2013

Monday, August 26, 2013

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 65


On day 65, I rode 23.0 miles east across Nebraska. Starting the ride on Interstate 80 [41° 7' 1.01", 101° 32' 33.08"], I rode along Interstate 80 until reaching Road 51C. I followed the road into Paxton and then turned right on Highway 30 (Lincoln Highway). I traveled twelve miles into Sutherland and stopped at the corner of Highway 30 and Park Street.

This was another very fast downhill ride. I averaged 21.3 miles per hour.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Milo Greene's 1957 playing in a hotel in China!?!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Jesuit High School's 50th Anniversary Bash

Sharon, Jack and I went to the Jesuit High School 50th Anniversary Bash with Phil, Marlene and Tim. Tim will be a freshman at Jesuit this year. The Sanborns stopped at house for a drink and hor d'oeuvres before we headed to Jesuit.

With 2,000 people attending, the Anniversary Bash included music, food, drinks and fireworks. They had five food stations set up around the campus representing the five different decades. The band Wonder Bread 5 played for a couple of hours. The night finished with a nice fireworks show.

Geselbracht was there. He was in town for his 40th high school reunion. Phil and Geselbracht were at Jesuit together. Although Phil and I have talked about Geselbracht ever since my 50th birthday, this is the first time that they have seen each other since high school.

Friday, August 23, 2013

ESPN Films - Nine for IX - No Limits

Sharon and I watched No Limits. This is the fourth film in a new series from ESPN films. Called Nine for IX (as in Title IX), the series includes films about women made by women.

Bills Simmons said recently during a podcast that EPSN has done more than 75 documentaries over the last couple of years. I have seen most of these films, but I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like this story.

The film is the story of Audrey Mestre, Pipin Ferreras and the world of competitive no limits free diving. No-Limits Apnea is an extreme sport that allows the athlete to use any means to dive and return to the surface as long as a guideline is used to measure the distance. Most divers use a weighted sled to dive down and use an inflatable bag to return to the surface.

While the film relies on some interviews, the majority of the footage is of the actual people and the actual events. This makes the film particularly powerful.

This was a difficult film for me to watch. It was like watching a car crash in super slow motion...

No Limits is available on iTunes.

ESPN Films

Thursday, August 22, 2013

First Day of Tenth Grade

First Day of Tenth Grade (High School Sophomore)
IMG_4596

First Day of Ninth Grade (High School Freshman)
First Day of 9th Grade

First Day of Eighth Grade

First Day of Seventh Grade

First Day of Sixth Grade


First Day of Fifth Grade


First Day of Fourth Grade
 

First Day of Third Grade


First Day of Second Grade


First Day of First Grade


First Day of Kindergarten

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

California Historical Landmark #337

Rich Bar
California State Historical Landmark #337

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located on State Highway 70, 4 miles southeast of Belden, 23.6 miles northwest of Quincy in Plumas County. There are 12 other California State Historical Landmarks in Plumas County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 40° 00.550 W 121° 11.460.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

California Historical Landmark #337

Gold was first found here in July 1850 by miners coming over the mountains from the Yuba Diggins, and there was much production during early 1850s along this east branch of the Feather River's north fork. Here 'Dame Shirley' (Louise Amelia Knapp Smith Clappe) wrote her Letters From the California Mines, one of the classics of the gold rush.

California Historical Landmark #337

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

ESPN Films 30 for 30 Shorts: Wilt Chamberlain: Borscht Belt Bellhop

Grantland and ESPN Films have released the eleventh film in their 30 for 30 documentary short series.

30 for 30 Shorts: Wilt Chamberlain: Borscht Belt Bellhop

The latest film, from Caroline Laskow and Ian Rosenberg, tells the story of the most important summer job in basketball history. In 1954, before his senior year of high school, Wilt Chamberlain took a summer job as a bellhop at Kutsher's Country Club, a Jewish resort in the Catskill Mountains.


You can find Wilt Chamberlain: Borscht Belt Bellhop on the ESPN web site at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9532912.

More about the film at: http://espn.go.com/30for30/film?page=wiltchamberlain-borscht-belt-bellhop

Starbuck iTunes Pick of the Week - Sara Bareilles - I Choose You

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!

Starbucks

Code Expiration: November 12, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Haze

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!

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Code Expiration: November 12, 2013

Monday, August 19, 2013

Jesuit Soccer Try-outs

Over the last sixteen months, Jack has talked more and more about soccer. He lamented not making a select team and even mused about trying out for soccer at Jesuit.

Jack played four very successful years of soccer, including 2004, 2005, 2006 and indoor in early 2007.

After failing to make a select team in March of 2007, Jack started playing flag football in fall of 2007.

After playing freshman football at Jesuit last year, Jack has decided to try-out for soccer this year! He went to the freshman and sophomore try-outs this afternoon. There are about 70 freshman and sophomore boys vying for 40 spots on two teams.

Sunday, August 18, 2013

Brunch at Roxy

Drew and Jack

Sharon, Jack and I met Drew and Niki for brunch at Roxy. Niki flew up from Southern California on Friday night and went to the Sugarloaf fundraiser dinner with Drew on Saturday night. It has been great to see Drew over the last few days and it was nice to finally meet Niki.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Dinner at the Riverside Clubhouse

Friday night after we drove back from Lake Almanor, Sharon and I went to dinner at the Riverside Clubhouse with the Wackmans, Borjas and Renterias. Our sons have played together on the Gunners and Outlaws baseball teams since fall of 2008. It was very nice to see everyone. Sharon and several others had the salmon special, while I had chicken enchiladas.

At this point, Cooper is at Jesuit with Jack, Jeremy is at Christian Brothers and Breyton is at Elk Grove High. I am hopeful that Jack will be playing with Cooper next spring and that they will get a chance to play against Jeremy and Breyton!

Friday, August 16, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 7


After getting up and starting to pack a little, we all went down to the Dorado Inn. I got Tomasin to take Drew, Jack and I out on the boat along with Chris and Mikey. Everyone wakeboarded. Using our big camera, I took almost 300 pictures of boys and Tomasin. I posted the best three or four pictures of everybody in a Facebook photo album here.

Chris dropped us back at the dock at the Chavez Cabin. We finished packing up the house and loading up the cars. We headed down to the Dorado Inn to say goodbye to the Tomasins. The Snipes were all off hiking to the top of Lassen.

Afterwards, Drew, Jack and I headed over to the peninsula to drop off the key. By the time, we got on the road, it was about 12:10 pm. Heading down Highway 70, we caught up with Sharon at Caribou. We eventually stopped for lunch at Scotters Cafe.

From there, Drew, Jack and I made a side trip to Cherokee and Oregon House. In addition to the historical marker, Oregon House had an interesting covered bridge and restored school building. Using the GPS, we were able to wind our way into Oroville and back on Highway 70. With the lunch and waymarking stops, it took us a little more 4 1/2 hours to get home. Like I did on Wednesday, we took Highway 65 from Marysville to Roseville.

Although I know that I said the same thing last year, I swear that I am staying for the whole week at Lake Almanor next year. I am not going to run back and forth for week. [Note to self: bring mountain bike and kayak]

Thursday, August 15, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 6

Lake Almanor

Jack and Drew spent the day wakeboarding with Tomasin and riding Chabrier's wave runners. Sharon spent the morning riding more than 18 miles on the Lake Almanor Bike Trail. The boys eventually had lunch with a group at the Peninsula Market.

I had a mobile device presentation to make to the IS Town Hall. Stopping at the house, I eventually got on the road about 12:40 pm. Driving Sharon's car, it took me just over 3 hours and 15 minutes to get to the Dorado Inn via Highway 70 and the Feather River Canyon.

Sharon had brought a cribbage board. The boys had been playing during the afternoon before I got there. Jack, Drew and I ended up playing one of three handed cribbage before dinner.

Drew and Chris spent some time on the wave runners as the sun was going down. Eventually, Julie served tamales for dinner. Sharon and Julie got engaged in a long conversation. By the time we got back to the Chavez Cabin, it was almost 11:30 pm.

Jack

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 5

While I spent a long day in meetings at work, Jack, Drew and Sharon took off about 5 p.m. and headed to Lake Almanor. They stopped at Applebees in Oroville for dinner. Heading up Highway 70, they got to the Dorado about 11 p.m. They stopped and visited with group before heading to the cabin. It was about 11:40 p.m. before Sharon called me.

Chabrier also came up to the lake today. He is staying at the Dorado Inn with his two youngest girls.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 4


An odd day... Spending time with Hunter, you can never expect to get moving very quickly. I spent some time in the morning trying to get my arms around a couple of work issues. Once he was up, Hunter spent some time finalizing some flight arrangements. Jack lounged watching Sportscenter.

We finally wandered down to the dock only to find that the battery was dead on the boat. No year at Lake Almanor is complete without boat trouble. I was finally able to get a hold of Chris on the Tomasin boat. They rolled up and jumped Hunter's boat to get it started. Jack got the wakeboard on and got into the water. Unfortunately, the battery was still dead and the boat wouldn't start. Tomasin's jumped started the boat a second time. From there, Jack had a long wakeboard south along the Eastern Shore. He crashed once, but got back up and boarded a second time.

Swinging by the Dorado Inn, we headed to Knotty Pines to put some gas in Hunter's boat. Back at the Dorado Inn, we lounged for a bit before Jack and I walked back to the cabin to get some lunch.

After lunch, I drove back to the Dorado Inn. I ended up heading into town with Tomasin, Snipes and Hunter. We stopped at the recycle center, the Lassen Club, Tantardino's, the Peninsula Market and Jennie's cabin before heading back to the Dorado Inn.

Jack and I dashed back to the cabin to pack. We rolled away from the cabin about 6:15 p.m. I decided to take Highway 36 back into Red Bluff and then down Interstate 5. With a quick stop at Subway in Red Bluff, it took us just a little over 3 1/2 hours. We were home just a little after 9:45 p.m.

Tomasin reminded me during the day that I swore last year that I was going to stay for the whole week this year... I failed. I have to work on Wednesday and Thursday morning before I head back up to the lake.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Blast-A-Way

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Code Expiration: November 5, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Janelle Monae - Dance Apocalyptic

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!

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Code Expiration: November 5, 2013

Monday, August 12, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 3


Jack and I did an early morning run along the bike trail. I ran 4 miles, while Jack said that he ran about 3.5 miles. I talked in the last year about how big and strong he is getting. I couldn't even keep up with him for the first hundred yards...

Afterwards, we headed into Chester to do some shopping. Hunter and I are going to feed everyone at our place tonight. Jack and I picked up some corn and stuff to make a big salad.

Back at the cabin, Hunter, Jack and I finally headed out on the boat. Jack wakeboarded. I tried to single ski, but failed to get up after five or six attempts.

We stopped at the Dorado Inn. With a little effort, we were able to rally everyone and head to lunch at Carol's. Typically, we have trouble getting there before it closes for lunch at 2:00 pm.

Hunter and I dropped Jack and Zooey back at the cabin and then headed to Knotty Pines to meet up with Tomasin and Snipes. Parking the boat, we walked up to the Red Onion. Unfortunately, it was closed. Tomasin picked us up and we had an adult beverage at Tantardino's Pizzeria & Pasta.

Heading back to the Dorado Inn, Hunter and Snipes beat Tomasin and I in horseshoes for the second straight day! We lost 22 to 20...

Hunter and I finished the night making dinner for everyone. We fixed chuck steaks, corn and salad for a late dinner.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 2


After a late night, no one was moving very early. I eventually went out for a four mile run along Highway 147.

When Hunter finally got up, we took his boat around to the public launch on the other side of the dam. We spent the rest of the morning on the lake. We briefly caught up with Tomasin. Jack wakeboarded, while Hunter and I both single skied. Neither Jack or I skied last year, but both of us were able to get up on the first try. Well, technically, it was my second try; Hunter's rope broke the first time I tried to get out of the water...

Back at the Dorado Inn, Snipes, Tomasin, Hunter and I spend some time lounging in the boat trying to solve world peace. Hunter's repeated trips to Cuba since last fall generated some interesting discussions.

While we were eating a late lunch, Tomasin, Mikey and Chris built a horseshoe pit south of the cabins at the Dorado Inn. Playing after lunch, Tomasin and I barely lost to Snipes and Hunter who turned around and beat Keith and Jack.

Hunter, Jack and I headed back to the house to get cleaned up. We ended the day on the deck at the Dorado Inn with a late dinner. The Snipes made chicken and beef fajitas. Interestingly, there was a lot of discussion over dinner about healthcare. We headed back to the house and crashed about 10 p.m.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

2013 Lake Almanor Day 1

Buffalo Chips

For 26 straight years, I have spent part of a week every summer with the Tomasins, Hunters, Wallens, Snipes and others. For the first 22 years, we stayed at the Dorado Inn at Lake Almanor. When the Dorado Inn changed ownership, we got bumped and spent two years at the Tsasdi Resort on Lake Sh@sta in 2010 and 2011.

Julie and Joy worked to get part of the group back into the Dorado Inn. Last year, Hunter rented a place near the Chabrier's house. Jack and I stayed there. I called that house the Winchester Mystery house; it was a large rambling place with literally 20 beds spread through it.

After working out in the morning and getting a haircut, Jack and I loaded up and rolled from Carmichael about 2:00 p.m. Taking Highway 70 up the Feather Rive Canyon, we made great time. We got to the Dorado Inn about 5:10 p.m. just as the Tomasins and Snipes were starting to unload.

After visiting for a while, Jack and I headed over to the peninsula to pick up the key for the house that Hunter had rented. This year, Hunter rented a place about 1/4 mile north of the Dorado Inn. It is a small three bed room right on the lake. The only odd thing is that it is decorated with bears everywhere.

Jack and I are staying with Hunter again. I am hoping to get Sharon and Drew up for a couple of days in the second half of the week. For the third straight year, it looks like none of Hunter's kids will be here this week.

Eventually, we got everyone rounded up and headed to Westwood. Unlike some years, we actually got to dinner fairly early. The tradition has always been to go to Buffalo Chips for pizza. After dinner, Hunter, Snipes, Tomasin, Joy, Julie and I finished the night playing pool at Chuck's Railroad Room.

Friday, August 09, 2013

Steve Wike's Retirement Party

After work, I went to Steve Wike's retirement party at the Sheepherder's Inn. I have worked with Steve on and off at Farm Credit and Sutter Health for almost twenty years. A group of us chipped in and got him a custom made bobble-head as a gift. This is the second retirement party that I have been to in the last month!

Thursday, August 08, 2013

ESPN Films - Nine for IX - Let Them Wear Towels

I watched Let Them Wear Towels. This is the third film in a new series from ESPN films. Called Nine for IX (as in Title IX), the series includes films about women made by women.

Let Them Wear Towels looks at the history of woman's sports writers struggling to gain access to the man's world of the locker room. The story is told through interviews with a number of the women pioneer sport writers, including Melissa Ludtke, Claire Smith, Lesley Visser and Jane Gross. It includes a wide range of stories of raw behavior, humorous retaliation, angry lawsuits and remarkable resolve.

Time Inc., filed a lawsuit against Major League Baseball (MLB) after Melissa Ludtke was prohibited by MLB’s Commissioner, Bowie Kuhn, from interviewing players in the locker room during the 1977 World Series. In 1978, U.S. Federal Judge Constance Baker Motley ruled that male and female reporters should have equal access to the locker room. In spite of this ruling, the struggles continued.

In the 1984 National League Championship Series between the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres, Claire Smith was physically removed by players from the Padres clubhouse after Game One. The experience left Smith with emotional scars.

In 1990, the Boston Herald’s Lisa Olson sued the New England Patriots for harassment after players made vulgar comments toward her inside the locker room. The team was fined, but the Herald moved Olson to Australia after she received death threats.

This is a solid film. Frankly, it is hard for me to identify with some of the emotions around the subject. Really, what's the big deal?

Let Them Wear Towels is available on iTunes.

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

California Historical Landmark #969

Home Site of Sarah Wallis
California State Historical Landmark #969

See this location on Yahoo Maps in Flickr
See this location on Google Maps

This landmark is located at south side of La Selva Drive between Military Way and Magnolia Drive, Palo Alto, California. There are 42 other California State Historical Landmarks in Santa Clara County. The GPS coordinates for this location are N 37° 24.989 W 122° 07.832.

You can log your visit to this landmark at waymark.com.

California Historical Landmark #969

Sarah Armstrong Wallis (1825-1905) was a pioneer in the campaign for women's voting rights. In 1870 she was elected president of California's first statewide suffrage organization which in 1873 incorporated as the California State Woman Suffrage Education Association. The home she built on this site, Mayfield Farm, was a center of suffrage activities attracting state and national leaders such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Ulysses S. Grant.

California Historical Landmark #969

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Virtually Biking Across America - Day 64


On day 64, I rode 20.0 miles east across Nebraska. Starting the ride on Interstate 80 about one mile southwest of the town of Brule, I rode along Interstate 80. I passed the Sand Hill Pony Express Station [N 41° 06.313 W 101° 43.203] outside of Ogallala. I finished the ride on Interstate 80 [41° 7' 1.01", 101° 32' 33.08"]. Between here and Fort Kearney, the Pony Express Trail stays close to Interstate 80.

This was another very fast downhill ride. I averaged 21.1 miles per hour.

The trip log for Virtually Biking Across America is here.

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Valerie June - You Can't Be Told

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - Valerie June - You Can't Be Told

Code Expiration: October 29, 2013

Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Civil Wars - Dust to Dust

The complete list of Starbucks iTunes picks of the week is here!
Starbucks iTunes Pick of the Week - The Civil Wars - Dust to Dust

Code Expiration: October 29, 2013

Monday, August 05, 2013

Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan

On July 3, 2013, Sharon, Jack and I watched Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. After seeing Star Trek into Darkness in June, we are going to start a project to go back and see all of the other Star Trek films in order like we did with the James Bond films.

Released 1982 by Paramount Pictures, the film is the second feature based on the Star Trek science fiction franchise. The plot features James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise facing off against the genetically-engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalbán), a character who first appeared in the 1967 Star Trek television series episode Space Seed.

This is a much better film than the first Star Trek movie. I particularly liked Ricardo Montalbán's performance. At some point, I need to go back and watch the 1967 episode in which Khan first appeared.

Sunday, August 04, 2013

Super Series Battle of the Bats Day 2


The Walbeck Elite played in the second day of the Super Series Battle of the Bats tournament. Seeded fourth out of nine teams after the pool play, they faced the East County Prospects in the first elimination game.

Leading off, Jack had a rough game at the plate. He was 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack struck out swinging on a 0 and 2 pitch off the plate trying to protect. He grounded a 1 and 1 pitch to the second baseman in his second plate appearance and was throw out at first. In his third at-bat, Jack walked. He ended up coming around and scoring a run. Jack struck out swinging on a 3 and 2 pitch in his fourth plate appearance.

In the field, Jack played left field for seven innings. He had no put-outs or assists.

Falling behind 2 to 0, the Elite scored in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings to win the game by the score of 8 to 6. They had 8 runs on only six hits. The Prospects committed five errors.

Walking to the car to get lunch, Jack was very discouraged. During lunch and just before the next game, I ended up challenging him more than I probably ever have.

The Elite's second game of the day ending up starting 1 1/2 hours behind schedule. The Guam Crusaders played the East Bay Mustangs in a ten inning game. The Walbeck Elite played the number one seeded Fairfield PAL.

At the plate, Jack was 1 for 3. In his first at-bat, he ran the count full, fouled off three pitches and then hit a fly ball to centerfield for an out. Jack hit a 1 and 2 pitch for a line drive down the right field line in his second plate appearance. I was sure that it was a double or a triple. The right fielder made a great diving catch for the out. In his third at-bat, Jack grounded a 2 and 2 pitch up the middle for a single. They tried to pick him off first. He and the first baseman got tangled on the ground as the pitcher threw the ball away. Jack pushed the first baseman down as he tried to get up and go to second. Although he was bigger than Jack, the first baseman got visibility upset. Jack was out at third when he tried to advance on Nick's fly ball out to centerfield.

In the field, Jack played seven innings in left field. He had one put-out on a fly ball to left center that he went a long way to track down.

Giving up three unearned runs, the Elite lost the game by the score of 3 to 1 and were eliminated from the tournament.

This marks the end of the summer season. It was interesting to watch the boys go around and say good bye to each other. There are a couple of boys on this team that Jack has gotten to know that we might not play with again. There is a meeting next Sunday to turn in the jerseys and talk about where the program goes from here. Unfortunately, we are going to be out of town on vacation. Talking to Matt Walbeck at the pool party last weekend, he was indicating that the team might play a couple of tournaments in the fall.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Super Series Battle of the Bats Day 1


The Walbeck Elite played in the Super Series Battle of the Bats at the Woodland Sports Complex. This was a 16u wood bat tournament that included a bunch of teams that Jack has never faced before. The Elite were missing a number of their key players, including Matt F., Alex I., Aaron and Marco. They played the Nevada Union Jr Miners in the first game of the tournament.

Leading off, Jack had 2 walks, 4 stolen bases and 2 runs scored. In his first at-bat, he walked on four pitches. Jack stole second, stole third and scored on an error on Kyle's ground base to the right side. Jack walked on four pitches in his second plate appearance. He stole second, stole third and scored on Nick's inside the park home run to right field.

Jack played left field for two innings of a four inning game. He had one put-out on a line drive.

The Elite jumped all over the Miners and won the game by the score of 11 to 0 in four innings.

The Elite turned right around and played the East Bay Mustangs. This appears to be a team from Concord.

At the plate, Jack was 1 for 2 with a walk and a run scored. In his first at-bat, Jack lined a 1 and 1 pitch into right field for a single. He went to third on Nick's single, but ended the inning there with Kyle grounded out and Zach struck out. Jack hit a 1 and 1 pitch down the right field line in his second plate appearance. I was sure that it was going to be a double or a triple, but the right fielder made a great running catch for the out. In his third at-bat, Jack walked on 6 pitches. He went to second on a passed ball and scored on an infield error on Alex D's grounder.

Jack played five innings in left field. He did not have a put-out or an assist.

The Elite gave the game away early. Committing 8 errors, they lost the game to the Mustangs by the score of 11 to 4.

With a record of 1 win and 1 loss in the pool play, the Elite ended up seeded fourth out of nine teams. They will play the East Bay Prospects in the first elimination game on Sunday.

Friday, August 02, 2013

ESPN Films - Nine for IX - Pat XO

Running on the treadmill at Arden Hills, I watched Pat XO. This is the second film in a new series from ESPN films. Called Nine for IX (as in Title IX), the series includes films about women made by women.

The documentary looks at the life and career of Pat Summitt. Summitt is the former women's college basketball head coach of the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team. She is the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history of either a men's or women's team in any division. She coached 38 years from 1974 to 2012 with the Lady Vols. She won eight NCAA national championships, second only to the record 10 titles won by UCLA men's coach John Wooden. She is the only coach in NCAA history with at least 1,000 victories.

The story is told with interviews her players, her assistants and her son. Her son Tyler serves as a de facto narrator of the film. Tyler essentially grow up as part of her teams. There is a lot of footage of him at different ages with the teams.

Summitt was widely considered one of the toughest coaches in college basketball history, men's or women's. You get a good feel for how tough she was from the interviews with her players and the early footage of her coaching career.

This is a solid documentary. I am not a college woman's basketball fan; I don't follow the sport. Nevertheless, this is great story about a remarkable individual.

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Dinner at Bogetta

As a team building event, Jon hosted the IS leadership group at the Bogetta Restaurant in Yountville. Judy, Patrick, Jerry, Randy and I met in Fairfield and carpooled over to the restaurant and back. It was nice dinner; I had some great short ribs.