Win or lose tonight, the Running Rebels are winners. Everyone involved deserves an award, and with the surplus of medals circulating around this team, I think we can each have two. Below are some of the more obscure commendations:
The Mr. Clutch Award goes to - Anthony Pacino
Every Rebels' player has contributed this postseason, but even Kirk Gibson would agree few feats can match Anthony's performance in the Section Finals against Tecolote. If you missed it, shame on you, but you can relive it
HERE.
Silent Stalker Award - Shane Sakata
When a batter stands at the plate, to whom do you think he is most wary of hitting the ball? Kaige? Jack? Anthony? Any infielder if the batter has seen us play. There is no future in hitting to any of them. The player they should fear, the player who has gotten the attention of at least one take-a-double-for-granted hitter in each of the last twenty games is waiting, patiently, in center field.
The They-Never-Learn Prize - Ian Robertson
Shane was a finalist for this as well, and nearly secured it when he threw out that North City kid for the second time in as many games. But no one is as consistently misunderstood as Ian. Fallbrook has about the most talented coaches outside La Costa, still they refuse to position their fielders where they can possibly throw Ian out. But seeing as the entire infield would have to stand in front of the pitching machine to accomplish this, it isn't that difficult to accept.
The I've-Got-Your-Back Trophy- Austin Farley
The coaches tell each player to back up the action on the field. This usually, though not often given the on-field talent, occurs after someone has forgotten to back up a play. Austin Farley is the most consistent when it comes to backing up a play. Again, it doesn't happen much, but, from right field, Austin is always there on an overthrow at 1st base. As catcher, Austin nearly ran down a ball that got away from the outfield. I dropped my keys after the Tecolote game and Austin was right there to step on them for me.
Mr. Fearless - Brent Predmore
It's one thing to play the pitcher spot for a club team, where you are called upon primarily to run down the occasional dribbling grounder that comes off the end someone's bat. It's quite another to stand thirty feet away from the Tecolote All Stars who look, and hit, like they could be in high school. Brent could have had as many double plays as Jack W. and Anthony, but many of the line drives he caught were hit so hard whatever runners there was rarely had time to stray off the base. The Pony Baseball Inc. owes Brent a special thank you for the liner he caught against La Costa South, which would surely have cost them a pitching machine.
- Braeden Ferrone
Heart of a Champion Award - Kaige Starbuck
Plays his position exceptionally well without saying a word. Listens to the coaches intently and respectfully regarding hitting and fielding, if not necessarily base running. Kaige clearly enjoys the game, though you can't always tell what he's thinking. Having been with him for Rec. ball, I can tell you, no one wants to do well for his teammates more than this kid. Kaige even gives Anthony, who would wrestle badgers to help the team win, a run for his money when it comes to heart.
Couldn't Do It Without You - Marybeth Wiener
Without Marybeth's organization and direction many of us would not have made it to the games, and a whole bunch of us would have gotten thrown out of several of them. As we watched "Pony Lady" nearly eject an umpire, we began to appreciate Marybeth's attention to detail, and the thorough warning at that first practice.
Mr. Baseball Award - Jack Occhionero
This young man has a commitment to baseball that would make Cal Ripken, Jr. proud. At the trophy ceremony Coach Mike commented upon Anthony's uncanny enthusiasm for the game, inquiring, "who else could tell you who plays 3rd base for the Kansas City Royals?" Simultaneously, Anthony and Jack replied, "Mike Moustakas!" And yes, Anthony deserves a similar award, as do the eight or so Rebels who we had to drag off the field at around 9pm, who had been playing pickle, ultimate-pickle, home run derby and wiffle ball since the minute their baseball game ended at about 5:30 that day. But Jack receives this award specifically for asking his sister, on the way home from that marathon, if she wanted to play catch.
Most Unbelievable Player - Jack Wiener
It is unfitting to issue an MVP award to a team as complete as the Running Rebels. Every player is indispensably valuable. If we may single someone out, it would be Jack for not only making plays no one would expect, but also for making those plays that no one else can even imagine. He knows where the ball needs to go before the ball does. One day I expect to hear Jack Wiener touted as is the first player in history to turn an unassisted quadruple-play. Yeah; he's rather a good hitter, too.
The Stealing My Thunder Award - Ned Biehl
At this very moment Ned is flying over the field in a CH-46 military helicopter.
No amount of blogging can compete with that, and unless I get one of these articles into Sports Illustrated, the flyover is going to be what people remember. In all seriousness, that was the coolest thing I've ever seen. Well done, sir.
Poker Face Award - Darin Predmore
When the Rebels suffered the then-tragic loss to Tecolote, Darin was the only coach I felt comfortable approaching. Following the next game, the incredible comeback against La Costa South, Darin was the only coach who didn't tackle me. Win or lose, or more often win by a lot, Darin maintains an even keel, and now that I know him better I won't take it personally when he doesn't look excited to see me.
Where Did He Learn That Award - Luke Caruso
Whether stretching a single into a triple, or making a physically improbable stretch for an out at 1st, Luke defies all reasonable baseball ability for someone twice his age. Luke was also a candidate for the Poker Face Award, though when he scored in the last game he cracked a smile and was disqualified.
Teammate of the Year - Brett Williams
When all three coaches feel compelled to say a few words about you at the post-postseason trophy celebration it says something about you. Each coach talked about Brett's heart as well as skill and enthusiasm. Tony and Darin nodded their heads the entire time Mike explained how Brett never gives up on a play, reinforcing Brent's glaring, endearing sense of commitment. Brett hits, he catches, he sends runner after runner back to the dugout confused and out, never wanting for anything but the enjoyment and betterment of his team. The kind of player, the kind of person you want on your team.
Ironman Trophy - Tucker Biehl
It is one thing, and actually it is quite something, to watch Tucker hurl himself about the outfield, stealing extra-base hits from the opposition, and shake off what might be, in a lesser man, a game ending injury. But what no one who arrived early enough to watch the boys take fielding practice against Fallbrook in the Regional tournament will forget is the shot Tucker took to the lip, and the ease with which he shook it off. It was brutal. Professional hockey players have sat out games with less dramatic injuries. We won't go in to who hit it, but when Tony asked if he felt like he could still play, Tucker responded with a look that indicated he hadn't even considered not playing.
Saintly Patience Prize - Tony Caruso
In an early tournament game vs. Fallbrook Luke hit a ball down the third base line that would have plated the go-ahead run. The ball was called foul. As the ball was clearly fair, even from the Condor Crew cheering section in right field, Tony, from the 3rd base coaching box, was not pleased.
Outstanding Achievement in Outfielder Positioning - Mike Pacino
Each of the Rebels' coaches does an extraordinary job moving the fielders around, but this award goes to Mike for a particular game in the Sectional Tournament, and indeed a particular play. In the first inning against Coach Mike hollered out to Ian, in right field, instructing him to move two steps to his right. On the next pitch the batter hit a towering fly ball directly into Ian's glove. Ian could have caught that ball with his eyes closed, though insists he did not.
