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2006 Archived
Stories11 & 12 Year Olds
Hoover Tyler Wins District
Championship
 Stockton,
CA - Coming into the final championship game of Little League's main
division, Manager Scott Merin and Coach Mike Sullivan probably
didn't know what to expect from their team. After getting into
the championship game undefeated, Hoover Tyler's 11 & 12 year old
team was pounded by the Sundown team on Tuesday, 18 - 6.
Hoover Tyler, having come out of the winner's bracket, had to lose
twice, so Wednesday's (July 12, 2006) match was on for the District
title.
Coach Merin & Sullivan decided to go with starting pitcher Mark
Orth. Orth gave up a double to the first Sundown batter, then
induced the second batter into a pop-up to HTLL's catcher, Kyle
Cortopassi. The third hitter for Sundown then singled -
certainly causing some fans to question whether we were in a repeat
of the night before. As if to say "heck no", starting pitcher
Mark Orth slammed the door shut, with emphasis, by striking out the
next two batters - Sundown's clean-up and their fifth batter.
In HTLL's bottom half of the first inning, our boys failed to score
despite a single by Bobby Olivarez.
Orth continued his mastery of the Sundown team, in their second
inning, by retiring the side in 1-2-3 fashion.
Hoover Tyler's second inning would prove to set the tone for the
rest of the game. Sam Held lead the inning off with a walk.
Kyle Cortopassi followed with a single. Outfielder Andrew
Linebaugh then doubled, knocking in Held. Hoover Tyler had
it's first lead of the two game championship series. After
Chad Eddens grounded out to the second baseman, advancing the
runners, lead-off hitter Brett Sullivan singled, knocking in the
second run of the inning. After Bowe Merin grounded out, Mark
Orth, Drew Mesa, and Sam Held all singled consecutively, adding
three more runs in the inning.
The score after two complete innings was HTLL 5, Sundown 0.
Sundown managed to rally in the top of the third inning after 3 of
the first four batters singled, plating one run, but Mark Orth
settled things down after striking out the last two batters of the
inning.
In Hoover Tyler's half of the third inning, they put the game away by
scoring fours runs. Ian Lamond led things off by singling.
Kyle Blevins then also singled. Brett Sullivan then continued
what would be a great offensive day (3 for 4, 2 runs scored, 2
RBI's) by knocking in a run with another single. Bowe Merin
and Drew Mesa also singled during the rally.
The score after 3 full innings was HTLL 9, Sundown 1. Sundown would
not score anymore runs in the game, thanks to the excellent pitching
of Mark Orth.
In HTLL's fourth, one additional run was tacked on after singles by Kyle
Cortopassi, a wild pitch, and another single by Brett Sullivan.
With Hoover Tyler up in the fifth inning, and only needing one run to
finish the game with a 10 run rule victory, Sam Held stroked a low
pitch over the fence for a Home Run and a Hoover Tyler victory.
Hoover Tyler had picked up it's second district 11 & 12 All Star District
Championship in the past three years.
Congratulation to Manager Scott Merin, Coach Mike Sullivan and to all of
the players of the District Champions Hoover Tyler team!
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Art Davis
Facilities Maintenance
Coordinator - what a thankless job. Over the past decade we
have had our versions of the super volunteer. While the titles
may be different, Hoover Tyler Little League has been very fortunate
to have people like John Villarin in the late 1990's and Doug
Carruesco in the early 2000's. So now what do we call the guy
who surpasses the definition of super volunteer?
Bathroom plumbing problems, new scorekeeper's booths, storage units
under the new scorekeeper's booths, batting cage expansion, dirt for
the infields, new outdoor speaker system, speakers for opening
ceremonies, expansion of the pitcher's warm-up area, cyclone fence
repair, graffiti removal, and even catching the kids who have been
spraying graffiti throughout our property - all are attributed to
the man with the heart of gold - Art Davis. And this is by no
means a complete list - only some of the projects he is working on
this year.
In virtually all of the
projects he is involved with, Art has managed to use his skills to
get discounts for all of the materials and labor needed. Art
says he simply asks and points out the fact we are a non-profit for
kids. In some cases he has managed to get large donations from
the companies he is dealing with (a special thank you to Phil Dunn
and DSS for providing so much of the cement needed for the batting
cage project at a heavily discounted rate).
Art's position, like all of us who serve on the Board of Directors,
has no monetary reward/pay. What is phenomenal is the fact
that he is out at the Little League fields 5 - 6 days a week - all
day long on most days. His work is professional and exemplary
and he seems to know everything about everything.
On top of all of this, from my own personal perspective, I have
gained a very good friend.
So what do we call the next level of volunteer? How about
Role Model? Thank you Art Davis - from our hearts to your
golden one.
See Project & Workday Photos -
Click here
Our hearts go out
to...
Gabriel Cruz
We were informed that Gabe
Cruz was in a serious accident and that there will be a fundraising
event held on March 26 at Annunciation. As soon as I get more
information, I will post it here. Gabe is a 2003 graduate of
Hoover Tyler Little League. He played on All Star teams and
Tournament of Champions teams. His family members were long time
volunteers for our league. We are going to be calling on all
Hoover Tyler Little League families to support this fundraising effort.
In the mean time, please put Gabe's recovery in your prayers. Look
for more information soon.
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