12U Gold Win the Rocker's Softball Palooza Tournament

Last weekend was a great weekend for softball in the south suburbs. The weather was clear and just perfect for the 8 team tournament. There were 2 pools with the 11U Black, Homewood Heat, Orland Park A's and Palos Storm in the Red Pool. In the Blue Pool was the 12U Gold, DuPage Diamond Dogs, Downers Grove Rebels, and Beach Park Thunder. Off to pool play...

The first game matched the 12U Gold with the Downers Grove Rebels. The girls came out swinging and wrapped up a 13-0 victory. Katho, Hailey & Mel had key hits to get the bats going. The 2nd pool game was against the Beach Park Thunder. The Gold scatched out a couple of early runs and then had a couple of big innings. Sara, Angela & Megan lead the team with an efficient effort to post the 12-4 win. After a quick ride over to Kiwanis from McCarthy, the DuPage Diamond Dawgs were the next opponent. This game was tight from the 1st pitch. Both teams had some timely hitting but the Gold was holding onto a 4-2 lead heading into the bottom of the 4th ( and last inning). The Dawgs got 2 runners on and then laced a 3 run homer just inside the right field line. Another run followed as time expired for a 6-4 loss. So the Gold were 2-1 in pool play positioning them in 2nd place in the Blue Pool.

The championship round was single elimination so every play counted. The Gold drew the Orland Park A's in the 1st round. The Gold jumped out to an early lead and played well in the field. Amy, Sarah & Lauren all collected big hits. Solid outfield play finished off the A's for a 12-0 victory. On Sunday morning the sun was shining even though Coach Jack was back in town. The brackets put the 12U Gold vs. the 11U Black. Only one fact was certain, 1 Rocker team would move on. The first couple innings were tight with both teams playing well flashing the leather. Finally a big inning broke it open for the Gold. Megan's hit jumped right over the bag at 3rd & Allie returned to get some big hits. When the dust settled the Gold came out on top 10 - 3.

On to the championship game vs the Diamond Dawgs. The 1st inning set the tone with Sarah & Lauren getting on. Rebecca dug in and hit a bomb to straightway center to jump to a 2-0 lead. The Dawgs fought back with 1 of their own. Then the defense took over with a perfectly executed double play Sarah - Rachel -Rebecca with the tag at home. Throw in another double play and the bats started to heat up again. This time the Gold kept adding on runs and took the Championship with a 9 - 2 victory. A truely great team effort to bounce back against a very good DuPage team. Time to collect some hardware....

Here's all the results from the Rocker's Softball Palooza:

Tinley Park Rockers “Softball Palooza” 2008 12U Class B WSQ – May 24-25

Tournament Champions – Tinley Park Rockers Gold
2nd Place – DuPage Diamond Dogs

Single Elimination Bracket Play Results
1st Round
Tinley Park Rockers Gold 12 Orland A’s Blue 0
Tinley Park Rockers Black 12 Beach Park Thunder 0
Homewood Heat 7 Downers Grove Rebels Green 6
Dupage Diamond Dogs 12 Palos Storm 0
2nd Round
Tinley Park Rockers Gold 10 Tinley Park Rockers Black 3
DuPage Diamond Dogs 8 Homewood Heat 3
Championship
Tinley Park Rockers Gold 9 DuPage Diamond Dogs 2


Red Pool Play Results
Tinley Park Rockers Black 13 Palos Storm 0
Homewood Heat 7 Orland A’s Blue 0
Tinley Park Rockers Black 4 Homewood Heat 3
Orland A’s Blue 8 Palos Storm 2
Homewood Heat 14 Palos Storm 3
Tinley Park Rockers Black 7 Orland A’s 3


Blue Pool Play Results
DuPage Diamond Dogs 10 Downers Grove Rebels Green 0
Tinley Park Rockers Gold 12 Beach Park Thunder 4
Tinley Park Rockers Gold 13 Downers Grove Rebels Green 0
DuPage Diamond Dogs 10 Beach Park Thunder 0
DuPage Diamond Dogs 6 Tinley Park Rockers Gold 4
Downers Grove Rebels 22 Beach Park Thunder 14

Softball Palooza Schedule

Tinley Park Rockers 12U Class B USSSA WSQ - 5/24-25/08

RED POOL
1 Orland A's Blue
2 Homewood Heat 12U
3 Palos Storm
4 Tinley Park Rockers Black 11U

BLUE POOL
5 Tinley Park Rockers Gold
6 Beach Park Thunder 12U
7 Downers Grove Rebels Green
8 DuPage Diamond Dogs

Saturday - May 24, 2008
McCarthy Park 16801 South 80th Avenue -Tinley Park
Time McCarthy
8:30 AM 7-8
10:15 AM 5-6
12:30 PM 2-3
2:15 PM 1-4
4:30 PM Playoffs Game A
6:15 PM Playoffs Game B

Kiwanis Park 175th Street & Castle Drive - Tinley Park

Note: Kiwanis Park is located behind St. Stevens Church 175th Street & 84th Ave. The North field is located closest to 175th Street

Kiwanis - N
8:30 AM 3-4
10:15 AM 2-4
12:30 PM 5-7
2:15 PM 5-8
4:30 PM Playoffs Game C

Kiwanis-S
8:30 AM 1-2
10:15 AM 1-3
12:30 PM 6-8
2:15 PM 6-7
4:30 PM Playoffs Game D


Sunday - May 25, 2008

Time McCarthy
8:30 AM Playoffs Game E
10:15 AM Playoffs Game F
12:30 PM Playoffs Game G

SINGLE ELIMINATION PLAYOFFS
Game A BLUE 2ND PLACE VS. RED 3RD PLACE
Game B RED 1ST PLACE VS. BLUE 4TH PLACE
Game C RED 2ND PLACE VS. BLUE 3RD PLACE
Game D BLUE 1ST PLACE VS. RED 4TH PLACE
Game E WINNERS OF GAME A AND GAME B
Game F WINNERS OF GAME C AND GAME D
Game G CHAMPIONSHIP - GAME E AND F WINNERS

Rocker Palooza Rules

USSSA
WORLD SERIES QUALIFIER

12U

Tinley Park
Illinois




RULES AND REGULATIONS

THE “SOFTBALL PALOOZA” TOURNAMENT WILL BE RUN IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH THE 2008 USSSA RULE BOOK EXCEPT WHEN NOTED.


1. RULES: All Managers Should Read and Understand USSSA Rules and these Tournament Rules; manager is responsible for making sure his/her team knows and abides by these rules. USSSA Rules will be in effect during the entire tournament.
2. The Manager is responsible for checking the MAIN PAIRINGS BOARD AFTER EVERY GAME to see if the schedule has any changes. Any other copies of the schedule including those posted on the website are just a guide and can be revised at any time.
3. CHECK-IN: Manager should check in at Kiwanis Park at tournament information stand. Check in should be done 60 minutes before your first game.
a. A copy of Insurance Certificate for Tournament Director to keep.
b. A copy of Signed ON-LINE Roster for Tournament Director to keep.
c. A folder containing players’ Birth Certificates for age verification, if required.
4. READINESS: Teams Must Be At The Field Ready to Play 30 Minutes Before Scheduled Game Time.
5. LINEUP CARDS: Lineup cards must be properly completed, including players’ & subs’ first and last name(s), uniform number(s) and on-field position(s). Managers must turn in completed lineup card to home plate umpire at the time of the coin flip. Each team will supply their own line-up cards.
6. HOME TEAM: will be determined by coin flip at home plate at the pre-game meeting.
7. WEATHER ISSUES: In case of inclement weather, Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify the format of the tournament including eliminating losers bracket games in order to complete the tournament within the time frame allotted. Teams must be Ready to Play Within Thirty (30) Minutes of Notification.
9. GAME TIME IS START TIME!
10. FIELD CONDUCT: No infield practice allowed. Teams may warm up outside of the outfield fences only. No batting practice allowed in between the fields. No infield / outfield ball after the first inning. Please make sure your team hustles on and off the field.
11. WARM-UP PITCHES: The starting pitcher or a new pitcher will be allowed a maximum of five (5) warm-up pitches, and no more than three (3) in-between innings. Each additional pitch will constitute a “ball” on the batter.
12. USSSA MERCY RUN RULE: 12 (runs) after 3 (innings); 10 after 4; 8 after 5.
13. TIME LIMIT: One Hour and Fifteen Minutes (1:15) – inning in progress to be concluded. (Time Limit subject to change depending on weather.) Clock starts on the FIRST WARM UP PITCH!
14. TIE-BREAKER: If game is tied at the end of regulation (7 full innings, or time expired), the International Tie-Breaker will be used until a winner is determined.
15. DUGOUT CONDUCT: No Alcoholic Beverages or Smoking Allowed in the Dugout.
16. UNIFORMS: Uniforms are recommended to be similar in color and style and have numbers on the back. No identical numbers. Batting Helmets have Chin Straps, they are to be used and properly secured.
17. PROTESTS: There are no protests. Umpires decisions are final as are the decisions of the tournament director and her staff.
18. CONCESSIONS: VERY IMPORTANT! No Outside Food will be allowed in the Complexes (team water coolers ARE allowed in dugout). YOU CANNOT USE A GRILL IN THE VILLAGE OF TINLEY PARK!
19. Teams may run for the catcher or pitcher at any time. A substitute that is not in the game must be used. If no substitute is available, then the player who made the last BATTED OUT may be used.
20. Inclement weather will cause the four-game guarantee to be voided. Schedules and tournament style can change because of the weather. Tinley Park Rockers management will make all decisions on scheduling.
21. TIE BREAKERS: To decide ties in standings, the following tie-breakers will be used:
a. Head to head
b. Least runs allowed all games
c. Least runs allowed (minus worst game)
d. Coin flip
22. Winning team should report final score to the Field Marshall or Information Tent.

This week's schedule 5/19

We will be off on Monday (5/19) and Tuesday (5/20) games and uniforms are listed below. I am looking for a park for a practice on Friday will keep you all posted….



Wednesday Kiwanis North Palos Ripit-Green Black uniforms 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 107th & Oak Park Orland Sparks Gold Uniforms 5:45 p.m.



I want the girls at the parks 45 minutes before game time.

Weekend in Joliet

Last weekend the 12U Gold went 4 - 2 to take 7th place overall in a 27 team tournament in Joliet.
The 1st game was a 8-0 victory over the Plainfield Shockers. It was an early 7am game but the girls came out swinging and cruised to the win.
The 2nd game was a 10-2 win over the Diamond Queens. Kathleen pitched her 2nd complete game and had the opponents jumping at her changeup all day.
With a 2-0 record the 12U Gold won it's pool & it was off to bracket play.
The 1st opponent was the Plainfield Twisters, who had just handed the 11U Black it's 1st loss. The Gold jumped all over their #2 starter and batted around in the 2nd inning to run off with a 12-2 win.
Sunday was clear but cold with a stiff wind blowing in on field 6 like a hurricane. The morning game was against Palos Rippit Black, who the Gold defeated last fall in Tinley. It was a tight game but in their last at bat, the Gold fought back to tie the game at 4. With runners at 2 & 3rd and 1 out, the Gold just couldn't push the winning run across the plate. In the tie breaker, there was a great throw home to keep a run from scoring. But the next girl for Rippit hit a shot into the teeth of the wind for a 2 run homer. The Gold fought back to score 1 but fell short. .
The next opponent was the Diamond Queens again but this looked like a different team. The game was close and a late rally including a home run by Angela put the Gold on top 4-3.
The Duneland Flyers were the next team and it was a tough game. The bats were quiet with some fine plays by their defense on some at-them balls. The Gold fell 9-2 to complete the tourney.
Overall the Gold placed 7th. The 2 losses came to the 2nd & 3rd place teams in the tournament. With a play here, another hit here, they could have been in the championship. Next tourney - Rocker Palooza in Tinley.....

This week's Schedule

Wednesday night Gold vs Black at Kiwanis at 5:00 PM - Wear Gold

Thursday night vs Lemont Rockers in Worth at 5:45 PM - Wear Black

Sat morning vs Plainfield Schockers in Joliet at 7:00 AM

Yeah that's right game starts at 7:00 AM go to bed early

Round Robin Results

The round robin in Northlake was a tough day for the girls. A tough Trevians team fought back in the first game to win by a 6-5 score in their last at bat. The Gold played with 10 girls so everyone got a lot of playing time. The 2nd game was the Lady Tigers and the Gold fell behind early and fell 6-4. The last couple of innings were interesting as the Gold played with 2 outfielders. The final game was against the Hawks 96 team. This time with 9 girls in the lineup, a close fought battle was in hand. The Hawks won by 1 run to finish the day.

It was a challenging day playing with less than our normal 13 girls. Everyone had a lot of action, sometimes in their secondary positions. Outfield play was excellent with some great catches and backups. Keeping focus, making routine plays and knowing the game situation is key to winning close games. Let's get ready for Joliet next weekend..

12U Gold Win USSSA World Series Bid

The 12U Gold travelled north to Elmwood Park to compete this weekend in the Tigers USSSA World Series Qualifier. 18 teams were entered including 4 "A" teams and 3 11U teams.

The first game was against the Oak Park Huskies and despite the 8:00 am start and the wet outfield, the Gold played well and posted a 7-0 win Kathleen got the shutout with timely hitting.
The next opponent was the Chicago Outburst and another shutout 2-0. This time Megan got the big hit to seal the win. The Gold win their pool & on to championship play.

The 5:00 pm start with the cold windy damp weather made it tough on both teams. The Wasco Diamonds played a efficient game but the Gold was able to push across 4 runs. Wasco threatened but Kathleen made a perfect throw from center to Sarah to Rebecca to gun down the runner at the plate. A great victory....

Sunday opened against the Windmills White with a convincing 12-0 win. Ashley lead the way with her 1st home run of the day. The next game was the semifinal in the winners bracket. The Bolingbrook Rage hit the ball hard and jumped out to a 6-2 lead. The Gold fought back with another Ashley homer and some late hitting to a 6-5 score but fell short of the win.

On to the losers bracket and a rematch with the Wasco Diamonds. Just as in the previous game it was close with both teams making plays. The Gold tied the game at 4 - 4 but Angela was thrown out at home. The Gold had one more opportunity loading the bases but couldn't push across the tying run. Wasco went on to win the tournament playing 7 games on Sunday.

The 12U Gold wound up in 5th place out of 18 teams. Jack received a call from the USSSA which awarded the 12U Gold a bid to the World Series. Overall the team fell a little short of winning the championship, but accomplished another team goal. Winning a bid to Disney!!!!

Homer Hawks Round Robin Sat May 10th

Yes, it's true. The Homer Hawks Round Robin for the 12U Gold is in Northlake.

Now for the good news. We're scheduled for 3 games all back to back against some good teams. At 10 am it's the Trevians, who played at our round robin and looked good. At 11:45 it's the Elmwood Park Tigers, who tied with the Gold for 5th in their tournament. The last game is at 1:30 against the hosts, the Homer Hawks 96.

Forecast is for good weather on Sat & rain for Mother's day. Here's the address

Grant Park

44 W. Golf view Drive
Northlake, Illinois. 60164