Week 1, 2019 CCJBL

This Week In CCJBL Baseball!!!

May 27, 2019

Shannon Eagles @ Lanark Beavers, Eastland H.S.

The CCJBL season started with a bang at Eastland H.S.! Shannon immediately got on the board against Lanark's Amos Rusie with three runs. They then scored two more against Rusie in the second. Beavers reliever Dallas Kuechel was touched for two in the fourth and also two in the fifth. 

With a 9-0 deficit facing them, youngster Billy Lee took the mound for Lanark in the sixth. Poor Billy had one of the worst innings in CCJBL history. The first eight batters in the inning reached safely. He got only one out in the frame that did not result in a run scoring and his defense committed two errors behind him. Shannon batted through.... twice. The final total damage? 12 runs scored on ten hits. 

Meanwhile, Eddie Cicotte hurled a gem for the Eagles in his first CCJBL start, giving up no runs on just three hits and going the distance. The final score of 21-0 was the largest margin of victory in recent memory. 

In addition to Cicotte, two other Eagles in their first CCJBL competition flexed their muscles. Roy Hobbs and Gary Carter combined to go 7-8 with four runs and 7 runs knocked in. The future certainly looks bright in Shannon! 

Final Score: Shannon 21, Lanark 0

Shannon performance highlights: 

Hamilton 1-3, 3 R, 2 SB

Dunston 1-5, 2 R, 2 RBI 

Hobbs 3-3, 4 R, 2 RBI, HR, 2B

Carter 4-5, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2B

Gandil 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B

Mahtook 3-3, 3 R, 2 RBI 

Taylor 2-3, R, 2 RBI 

Cicotte W, 6 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 K. 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI

Lanark performance highlights

Ankiel 2-2, 2B

Rusie L, 1 2/3, 5 R, 3 ER, 5 H, 2 BB

Keuchel 2 1/3, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 H, BB, K

Lee 2 IP, 12 R, 9 ER, 10 H, 4 BB, K

Savanna Indians @ Milledgeville Missiles, Milledgeville H.S.

Milledgeville scored four times on five hits in the second inning off of the Indians Robin Roberts and those proved to be the difference in the game. Neither team scored aside from that. The Missiles Todd Worrell went the distance for a complete game shutout.

Final Score: Milledgeville 4, Savanna 0

Milledgeville performance highlights

Dihigo 2-3

Carey 1-3, RBI 

Bellinger 1-3, RBI 

Lindstrom 1-2, R

Boyle 1-2, R

Worrell W, 6 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K. 1-2, R, 2 RBI

Savanna performance highlights 

Fielder 2-3

Hayes 1-2, 2B

Roberts L, 2 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, BB, K

Viola 2 IP, 0 R, BB, 3 K

Jonnard 1 IP, 0 R, H, K

Chadwick Silver Streaks @ Mt. Carroll Hawks, Point Rock Park

The home squad jumped all over Streaks starter Jesse Haines, scoring four times before Haines was lifted with two outs in the second. They added another tally against reliever Ryan Tepera in the third then a final score on a solo blast by Reggie Jackson in the sixth. Chadwick could muster only a single unearned run in the second and two unearned runs in the sixth.

Final Score: Mt. Carroll 6, Chadwick 3

Mt. Carroll performance highlights

DeShields 2-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B

Wells 1-3, R, RBI 

Jackson 2-3, R, 2 RBI, HR

Baker 1-3, R, SB

Cruz 2-2, R, RBI 

Vaughn W, 4 IP, R, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Drysdale 2 IP, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, K

Chadwick performance highlights

Davis 2-3, R, CS

Robinson 1-3, R

Berardino 1-1, RBI, 2 BB

Haines L, 1 1/3, 4 ER, 5 H 2 BB

Tepera 3 2/3, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K

May 30, 2019

Shannon Eagles @ Chadwick Silver Streaks, Handel Park

It looked early on as if Shannon would continue their 21 run offensive explosion from Monday night when Roy Hobbs slugged a two-run homer in the top of the first. Chadwick's Bobby Hofman answered with a two-run shot over the chain link in the bottom of the inning. Johnny Berardino then slapped a solo shot off of Eagles starter Michael Lorenzen to stake the home squad to a 3-2 lead after two. 

Streaks starter Chad Ogea and reliever Ryan Tepera refused to relinquish the slim margin, allowing Mt. Shannon only one measly hit after the first inning.  

Final Score: Chadwick 3, Shannon 2

Chadwick performance highlights

Kelly 2-3, 2B

Williams 1-2, R, BB, 2B

Hofman, 2-3, R, RBI, HR

Berardino 1-1, R, RBI, HR, BB

Ogea W, 5 1/3, 2 ER, 4 H, BB, 8 K

Tepera S, 2/3, K

Shannon performance highlights

Hamilton 1-3, R, RBI, HR

Dunston 1-3, 2b

Hobbs 1-2, R, RBI, HR, BB

Carter 1-3, 2B

Lorenzen L, 3 2/3, 3 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Harley, 1 1/3, 0 R, H

Mt. Carroll Hawks @ Milledgeville Missiles, Milledgeville H.S. 

Neither squad could manage to put a run in the board until the third when a Dale Murphy single and Reggie Jackson sacrifice fly gave Mt. Carroll a 2-0 lead. That was all the support Hawks hurler Josh Smith would require. He gave up no runs and only one hit in a complete game shutout. 

Final Score: Mt. Carroll 4, Milledgeville 0

Mt. Carroll Performance highlights

Wells 2-4, 2 R, RBI, HR, SB

Murphy 2-4 RBI 

Jackson 1-3, R, RBI 

Smith W, 6 IP, 0 R, H, 2 BB, 7 K

Milledgeville performance highlights

Bellinger 1-2, BB

Boswell L, 2 IP, 2 R, ER, 3 H, BB, K

Johnson 2 1/3, ER, 3 H, 2 BB, K

Worrell 1 2/3, ER, 2 H, 2 K

Savanna Indians @ Lanark Beavers, Eastland H.S.

This was an exciting back and forth battle! 

Willie Hayes started the game by creaming a home run off Beavers starter Billy Lee, but Lanark answered back in the bottom half with a run of their own. Lanark continued to score after that, one in the second and two more in the third. The big blow being a homer from the bat of reigning MVP Moises Alou. 

Things changed radically in the top of the fifth with Savanna at bat trailing by three. Pitcher Robin Roberts surprised everybody by knocking in two with a triple! Two batters later Brad Ausmus homered to give the Indians a 5-4 advantage! 

But with one out in the sixth Alou struck again, hitting another dinger off of Claude Jonnard to send the contest into extra innings! 

Cliff Floyd ended the stalemate with a two-run shot off of Dallas Kuechel in the top of the 8th. Jonnard then put the Beavers down in order in the bottom half to secure the victory. 

Final Score:

Savanna 7, Lanark 5 

Savanna performance highlights 

Hayes 2-3, 2 R, RBI, HR

Ausmus 3-4, R, 2 RBI, HR

Floyd 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR

Viola 2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, 3 BB

Roberts 3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K. 1-2, R, 2 RBI, 3B

Jonnard W, 3 IP, ER, H, K

Lanark performance highlights

Chance 2-5, RBI 

Delahanty 1-2, R, 3B

Alou 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 HR

Ankiel 2-3, RBI, BB 

Tinker 1-4, RBI, 2B

Lee 3 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 K

Rusie 1 1/3, 4 ER, 4 H, BB, 2 K

Kuechel L, 3 2/3, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K

Current CCJBL Standings

Mt. Carroll                       2-0

Chadwick                        1-1

Savanna                           1-1

Shannon                          1-1

Milledgeville                   1-1

Lanark                              0-2

2019 Team Previews

 2019 CCJBL Team Previews

Holy cow!! It's time for yet another season of entertaining CCJBL summer league baseball! Let's take a look at this year's squads.

SHANNON EAGLES 

Billy Johnson, 12, 3B/1B- Just a solid winner. No mistakes, puts the ball in play.

Shawon Dunston, 12, SS- Took the league by storm last season with 6 extra base hits and 20 RBI.

Arnold "Chick" Gandil, 12, 1B- Was in hot water with the league for some sketchy behavior but he's back for a second season. 

Gary Carter, 11, C- Hotshot catcher in his first season up from the Small Fry division. 

Desmond Figgins, 11, 2B- First name Desmond, middle name DeChone, everybody calls him Chone (pronounced Shawn). I'm confused.

Pete Fox, 12, OF- A solid producer who hit .316 last season. 

Billy Hamilton, 12, OF- All Star centerfielder stole almost a bag per game last season. 

Roy Hobbs, 11, RF- I'm thinking we got an eccentric on our hands. Insists on using a wooden bat he says he made himself. Also, just moved to town but refused to tell me where he came from. 

Mikie Mahtook, 11, OF- Insists that is the correct way to spell Mikey.

Tommy Taylor, 11, 3B/2B- Another mystery man, just moved here after one season in D.C.

Mike Lorenzen, 11, P- Hurled a no-hitter is a couple years ago. 

Mike Harley, 11, P- Big kid who loves the Cubs. 

Eddie Cicotte, 11, P- Should be an immediate ace but he better stop hanging out with Gandil ASAP. 

Team Summary: Lost all three pitchers (two all-stars) from last year's team, that usually means a rough go of it. If the rotation can hold up this bunch should score a ton of runs in support. 

MT. CARROLL HAWKS

Frank Baker, 12, 3B- the kid nicknamed "Home Run" lived up to it last season with a pair of dingers. Knocked in eleven runs.

Willie Wells, 12, SS- Simply one of the finest all around ballplayers in the league.

Ira Thomas, 12, C- Was incredibly productive last season, hitting. 400!

Don Kelly, 12, OF/IF- Went hitless for the season last year but can play literally anywhere on the field defensively. 

Gene Robertson, 12, IF- Also versatile defensively and no easy out at the plate. 

Johnny Olerud, 12, 1B- A singles machine. 

Delino DeShields, 11, 2B/ SS- Word is has great speed. Originally from Montreal. 

Jose Cruz, 11, LF- Not much power but will get on base and play solid defense.

Dale Murphy, 11, CF- Wait until you get an eyeful if this kid! Dominated Small Fry. Wouldn't be shocked if he nabs an MVP or two.

Reggie Jackson, 11, RF- Big personality and an even bigger swing! 

Don Drysdale 11, P- He's the only ten-year-old in the league but don't let that fool you. I wouldn't dig in, kids. 

Josh Smith, 12, P- More than solid as an 11-year-old last year. 

Ricky Vaughn, 12, P- Between Drysdale and "The Wild Thing" I'm guessing the Hawks will lead the league in hitting batters.

Team Summary: Mt. Carroll has all the makings of a league champ. Murphy and Jackson are almost sure all-stars and they have a potentially dominant pitching staff. 

LANARK BEAVERS 

Eric McNair, 11, IF- Little. Gritty. Old School. 

Cliff Mapes, 12, OF- Always ready when called upon. Hit .333 in a part-time role last season. 

Ricky Ankiel, 11, OF- Re-inventing himself as an outfielder after pitching at the lower levels. His outfield arm is a cannon!

Eddie Delahanty, 12, OF/IF- A versatile leader. 

Moises Alou, 12, OF- The reigning league MVP looking to repeat!

Nic Simpson, 12, C/SS/3B- Plays three positions well and can hit a little too. 

Joey Tinker, 11, SS/3B- Just gobbles up any grounder near him. 

Chuck Knoblauch, 12, 2B/SS- Had a rough year at the plate last season but has speed.

Frankie Chance, 12, 1B- Re-united with ex-teamate Tinker. They were quite the duo in Small Fry.

Mickey Owen, 11, C- All-Star backstop at the lower levels. Will be counted on heavily to manage the pitching staff. 

Dallas Keuchel, 11, P- Young hurler that is wise beyond his years. 

Billy Lee, 11, P- Young hurler that is weird between his ears. 

Amos Rusie, 12, P- 4-2 with a 1.45 ERA last season. Will be gunning for the Tully McAuliffe Award. 

Team Summary: The reigning tournament champs have a lot going for them. A dominant pitcher, last year's MVP, and two promising young pitchers. 

MILLEDGEVILLE MISSILES

Freddy Lindstrom, 12, 3B/CF- A surprise with the bat last season, hitting .282.

Jarvis Brown, 12, OF- Hitless last season but looking to improve on that! 

Alvaro Espinoza, 12, IF- Knocked in six runs last year in limited duty. 

Timmy Federowicz, 12, C- Looking to duplicate his dream season from a year ago. Batted .419 with two homers!

Max Carey, 12, OF- Will likely inherit the leadoff spot from the departed Ricky Henderson. It's in good hands, Max hit .355 last year. 

Harry Craft, 12, CF/ 1B- Really struggled with the stick last season. Could lose some at bats in a more crowded outfield.

Cody Bellinger, 11, OF/1B- Has a Small Fry MVP on his dresser. 

Joey Votto, 12, 1B- The reigning league batting champ and a fan favorite! 

Tanner Boyle, 12, SS- Numbers don't tell the story with this kid. Vocal leader who isn't afraid to mix it up with anybody. 

Martin Dihigo, 11, OF/IF- A dark horse pick to win MVP. Nothing this young man can't do. 

Dave Boswell, 11, P- Should be a steady presence on the bump for the Missiles. 

Bobby Johnson, 12, P- Had a rough first season with one of the highest WHIP's in the league. 

Todd Worrell, 12, P- Sub 2 ERA this past season. Will be the staff anchor. 

Team Summary: Bellinger will help in the power department, the Missiles were dead last in home runs last year with just three. Will have to find some way to replace the departed CCJBL legend Fernando Valenzuela. 

CHADWICK SILVER STREAKS 

Jody Wood, 11, C- "Woody" to his friends. Dependable receiver with an uncanny knowledge of the game. 

Ed Robinson, 12, 1B- Steady if unspectacular. 

Jose Lind, 12, 2B- Steady presence and leadership. 

Bobby Hofman, 11, IF- Has a surprising amount of pop in his bat and will take a walk. 

Marc McLemore, 12, 2B/OF- Can get you a steal if you need it, solid depth guy.

Matt Williams, 12, 3B- Burst onto the scene by leading the league in dingers last season. 

John Berardino, 12, SS/ 2B- Adds quality middle infield depth. 

Eric Davis, 11, OF- Perhaps the most gifted player to step onto a CCJBL field.

Luis Gonzalez, 12, OF- Will surely improve on what was a miserable performance at the plate in 2018.

Jesse Haines, 12, P- Will have to improve on last year's 6.32 ERA for the Streaks to contend. 

Chad Ogea, 11, P- Bayou born and bred.

Ryan Tempera, 11, P- Has electric stuff, will be heavily counted on. 

Team summary: Will be a tall order to match their 8-4 record from last season after losing elite hurlers Jared Weaver and Stevie Karsay. Can Davis and Williams power them to the top?

SAVANNA INDIANS

Willie Hayes, 12, CF- Has to get on base more than his .222 clip from last year. A top notch base stealer when he does get on. 

Cliff Floyd, 11, 1B/OF- Just a good all around ballplayer. 

Steve Beuchele, 11, IF- A smart team player. 

Harold Reese, 12, SS- A rare third year player, PeeWee greatly improved defensively at short last season. 

Richie Zisk, 12, OF- Has to provide more pop in the middle of the order that he did last year. 

Kevin Young, 12, 3B, OF- Only one hit last season, should definitely improve on that. 

Joe Mather, 11, IF/ OF- Big, talented youngster that the Indians faithful hope can add much needed hitting. 

Bret Boone, 12, 2B/3B- Another kid that will almost certainly hit more than he did this past season. 

Prince Fielder, 11, 1B- Will be the biggest difference maker among the Indian newcomers. Has massive power.

Brad Ausmus, 12, C/1B- Clubbed 3 homers and hit .375 last year. Led the league in slug at .792. 

Frankie Viola, 12, P- Had the worst ERA in the CCJBL last season, 10.03.

Robin Roberts, 12, P- Was charged with six losses last season. Coaches fully expect him to improve on that number, the stuff is just too good not to. 

Claude Jonnard, 12, P- Also will need to improve on last season for Savanna to compete. 

Team Summary: In 2018 the Indians didn't hit well (.187 team average) or pitch well (6.82 ERA). They have three 12-year-old hurlers with experience, so that should improve. Can Fielder spark the offense enough to get them back to the top of the CCJBL? 

Need a CCJBL Rules refresher? 

-6 inning games
-No ten run rule
-No ties
-Position players must play six defensive outs. Position players appearing as pitchers must still be in the game for six defensive outs
-No re-entry (includes pitchers)
-Pitchers must appear in one game per week. Either as a pitcher for at least one inning or as a position player under position player rules
-Players may pitch a max of six innings per game and nine innings per week. May only start one game per week
-Position player and pitcher playing rules apply to tournament and do not change whatsoever
-Ten game regular season
-Single elimination tournament seeded according to regular season record, with top two regular season teams awarded a first round bye
-All Star game that will take place after regular season and tournament are concluded
-11 and 12 year-old league. 10 year olds allowed if needed to complete the 13 player roster
-Only players on roster may appear in game for that team. Replacements for players that cannot be at the game are not allowed
-Home field ground rules will be respected as discussed with umpire prior to the game
-Games will be played at the following fields:
Chadwick- Handel Park
Savanna- Old Mill Park
Lanark- Eastland High School
Shannon- Lions Park
Milledgeville- Milledgeville High School
Mt. Carroll- Point Rock Park
-The league tournament and All Star game will always take place at Chadwick's Handel Park