Winning the Gold

Stuart at Bat

The Celebration After the Big Win

 SC Sliderzz Baseball Team
Gold Medal Winners
Utah Summer Games
9u Age Division
June 2010

Ky Stuart #12

One of the big tourneys for the Sliderzz this summer was the Utah Summer Games held in Cedar City. We played up a year in the 9u age division because there wasn't an 8u age division. We were all pretty excited about the prospect of taking home a gold medal, but we knew we would have to play great baseball three days in row in order to make it happen. There were a few teams from Northern Utah that we hadn't played before, and a good Rebels team from St. George that we hadn't beaten yet, as well as the Cedar Stix that we had split with in the past.

So, we went with optimistic attitudes, knowing that we really had nothing to lose, being the underdog as an 8 year old team. The outcome though, couldn't have been any sweeter for us. The first day brought two great victories over a couple Northern Utah teams, and winning both games on day two secured our spot in the championship game. Kyler had some great pitching those first two days, and when we played the Stix he pitched his first no hitter, in a Sliderzz victory 10-0. Our boys really were playing some great baseball and it was exciting and fun to watch.

The championship game proved to be the toughest match up to that point, and we were going head to head with the Rebels, a team that we hadn't beaten in the last handful of games. It was a battle, but we came out strong to put the pressure on them. After a few innings, they had their rally, and we were behind at one point. Then we came back and the score was tied 6-6 for an inning or so. I could barely handle the stress! It was so fun though, especially when we took the lead and pulled ahead enough to know that we would probably win the game. That we did, and the celebration was exciting and great. I was so proud of our boys and their determination to play baseball like champions, like gold medalists, and that is what they were.

Kanab Heat Stroker

       

We kicked off the summer playing baseball at the Kanab Heat Stroker Tournament. Let me tell you, heat stroker was an understatement. It was a good weekend though, and we won the tourney without much competition. Sometimes I like those games though. A little less stress for me! Ky pitched great with the wind up that Uncle Spike practiced with him while we were in Pennsylvania. The highlight for Ky though, was probably his at bat when he batted left handed. He hit the ball up the middle, but got out at first. It was still fun for him to "switch hit." 

The little kids tried to stay cool with the neck wraps that we bought, and the coaches were nice enough to let them hang out in the dugout so they could have a little shade.

Trip to Pennsylvania

We have been trying to sell our house for two and a half years now, and finally we had a buyer and were just waiting for a close date. We pretty much knew if we planned a long awaited trip to Pennsylvania to visit my sister, Taralie and her family, it would probably move things along, just because it wouldn't be the most convenient timing. Sure enough that is exactly what happened.

Nevertheless, we went to Pennsylvania, just Danny, Kenzlie and I, and we had a super fun time with the Jensens. It was great to get to see where they live and spend some time hanging out and relaxing with them. We had fun playing "horse," going to soccer games, eating icees with ice cream, swimming in the river, eating lunch at a shore side restaurant and taking a sunset stroll over the bridge.  Thank you Kim and Kyle for taking such good care of the rest of our kids so we could have a little vacation.