This is more advanced than the Big Al clinic, the Sunday clinic is aimed at experienced coaches of 9-12 year old players.

Saturday, March 14th, 10:00-5:30

Sunday, March 15th, 8:30-5:30 @ Woodinville Community Center. 

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T-BALL AND COACH PITCH

MARCH 14TH, 10:00 AM TO 5:30 PM

HOW TO TEACH THROWING

FIELDING

HITTING AND BASIC DRILLS

TEACHING THE GAME TO 5 THROUGH 8 YEAR OLDS

PRACTICE ORGANIZATION

THROWING

PITCHING

FIELDING

LUNCH BREAK

CATCHING FUNDAMENTALS

BASE RUNNING FROM HOME TO FIRST

PRACTICE ORGANIZATION

QUESTIONS

In a rematch of Thursday's final, Mercer Island beat the All-stars from Kent LL, 10-5, to finish a perfect 10-0 run to the league's first ever Little League state championship. 

Mercer Island threatened early, getting two runners on in the first, but was unable to score.  Fortunately, starting pitcher Josh Stenberg needed just 7 pitches to send Kent back out to the field.  In the 2nd, Eric Kim led off with a single, Peter Lopes walked and Michael Bantle drove in Kim for the first run of the game.  David Emanuels smacked the first pitch out to center field to score Lopes and Bantle, and then scored himself on a double by Stenberg, to put MI up 4-0.  Kent went down 1-2-3 in the 2nd on just 12 more pitches by Stenberg, who also struck out 2 in the 3rd to keep MI up 4-0 after 3 innings.  Stenberg and Emanuels each scored in the 4th on a double by Anthony Scalzo, to open MI's lead to 6-0.  But Kent came roaring back in the bottom of the 4th, beginning with a leadoff home run, followed by a double and a walk and an error to load the bases with one out.  Kent's leadoff batter then hit a long fly ball to center field, and one of the Kent baserunners stumbled and fell after colliding with the MI 3rd baseman, but then was helped up and pushed toward home by the Kent coach, narrowly scoring before MI catcher David Emanuels tagged out the runner from 1st for the final out.  After a long delay while the umpires and tournament director called LL headquarters in Williamsport for guidance on the correct ruling, it was determined that two runs should score, leaving Mercer Island ahead 6-3 after 4 innings.   After MI went down 1-2-3 in the top of the 5th, Nathan Gallatin relieved Stenberg on the mound and quickly retired the meat of Kent's lineup to end the 5th, still 6-3.  The Islanders added some insurance in the top of the 6th, on a walk by Bantle and double by Emanuels, who both scored on another RBI double by Stenberg, who scored on an RBI single by Sam Pugel, who also scored following 2 more singles by Eric Kim and Andrew Pickles - leaving MI up 10-3 with 3 outs to go.  Kent managed two runs on a walk and two hits in the bottom of the 6th following a thrilling catch by Eric Kim in left field for the first out, and then Josh Stenberg made the play of the game, going way to his right to backhand a grounder to put out Kent's leadoff hitter for the 2nd out, and shortstop Michael Bantle finished them off, coolly handling a grounder and throwing out Kent's #2 hitter at 1st to preserve the 10-5 win. 

For the game, Stenberg was 3/4 with two doubles, two runs scored and 3 RBI to finish the tournament with a .500 batting average.  Eric Kim was also 3/4 with a run and RBI.  David Emanuels was 2/4 with a double, reached based all 4 times, scoring 3 runs and knocking in two more - he also finished the tournament with a .500 batting average and MI's sole home run at the state tournament.  Leadoff hitter Michael Bantle had a single and a walk, scored twice, and had an RBI.  Anthony Scalzo added two RBI with a double; Sam Pugel singled, walked, scored and drove in a run; Andrew Pickles added a single; and Peter Lopes walked and scored.  Josh Stenberg was the winning pitcher, allowing just one earned run, and closer Nathan Gallatin earned the save in relief.

Thurssday, July 24
MI comes from behind to beat Kent, 7-6, to reach Sunday's state championship game!

In a thrilling winner's bracket final, Mercer Island's 9-10 all-stars came back from a 6-3 2nd inning deficit to beat a tough Kent team, 7-6, to advance to the Little League state championship game.  As the sole remaining undefeated team in the double-elimination tournament, Mercer Island needs only to win on either Sunday or Monday to be crowned state champions.

Mercer Island started off strong with an easy 1-2-3 top of the first inning behind solid pitching from ace pitcher Michael Bantle, who also scored the first of 3 MI runs in the bottom of the first inning following a double by David Emanuels and RBI singles by Josh Stenberg and Sam Pugel.  Kent responded with a big inning in the top of the 2nd, however, scoring 6 runs on just 3 hits, thanks to uncharacteristically sloppy fielding by the Islanders.  Bantle hung tough, however, and got out of the inning with a strikeout, and then followed it up with a nice 1-2-3 3rd and near perfect 4th, before reaching his 75 pitch limit.

Mercer Island got one run back in the 3rd, when Eric Kim drove Anthony Scalzo in on a single, and then appeared to have tied the game in the 4th, when Scalzo scorched a line drive down the right field line with 2 outs and Bantle and Emanuels on, which the home plate ump signaled fair, only to have the 1st base ump call it foul, nullifying two would-be runs.  MI did get those runs back and tied the game in the 5th, however, after Sam Pugel was hit by a pitch and later scored on a throwing error by Kent's relief pitcher, and Eric Kim scored on a clutch, 2-out RBI single by Andrew Pickles.   Anthony Scalzo relieved Bantle on the mound in the 5th and held Kent scoreless for the 5th and 6th innings, allowing just 1 hit, while striking out 5 Kent batters.  In the bottom of the 6th, David Emanuels led off with a first pitch single to left field, and then scored the winning run from 1st base on a double deep to left center field by Josh Stenberg.

Emanuels finished the game 2 for 3 with a double and a walk and scored 2 runs.  Stenberg was also 2 for 3 with a double and walk, and scored once and drove in 3 more.  Sam Pugel had an RBI single and scored twice.  Eric Kim and Andrew Pickles had RBI singles and Peter Lopes also lined a single to left in the 2nd.   Combined, Bantle and Scalzo struck out 11 Kent batters and gave up just 5 base hits.

Mercer Island will play for the state championship on Sunday at 11am in Vancouver, WA.  If they lose, they will have another chance on Monday at 6pm.

Wednesday, July 23
Josh Stenberg throws 1-hit shutout to beat Capitol LL 10-0; winners bracket final vs. Kent on Thurs

Josh Stenberg threw a 1-hitter and struckout 6 in a complete game shutout of the 9-10 All-stars from Capitol LL on Wednesday to vault MI into a showdown with powerhouse Kent LL in Thursday's winners bracket final.  Stenberg also walked and scored in the first, and hit a lead-off triple and scored in the 4th.  David Emanuels was 3 for 4 on the night, including a 2-out, 2-run double off the fence in the 2nd to put MI up 3-0.  Anthony Scalzo was 2/3 with a walk, a double, an RBI and 2 runs scored.  Sam Pugel was 2/4 with 2 doubles and also scored 2 runs.  Noah Hsue drove in 2 runs with a double; Eric Kim singled in another, and Peter Lopes added a double.  Michael Bantle singled, scored and drove in another run.

MI will play the District 12 champion Kent LL All-stars on Thursday at 5:30pm, with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship game. 

Game 3 photos from Dana Kim.

Sunday, July 20
Mercer Island beats tough Richland team, 5-3, to advance to semis on Wednesday

The Mercer Island 9-10 Baseball All-stars advanced to Wednesday's semi-final game with a thrilling 5-3 win over a very strong team from Greater Richland LL.  Richland came into the game averaging nearly 18 runs a game in their 5 wins in the district 12 tournament, but only managed 3 hits off Michael Bantle, who also had all 4 RBIs for MI, including a clutch, 2-out, bases clearing double in the top of the 4th to give MI a 4-3 lead.  Anthony Scalzo relieved Bantle on the mound in the 5th and earned the save, needing just 9 pitches to retire the final 5 batters.  Scalzo also made a diving catch of a line drive to rob Richland's star player of a would-be leadoff hit in the 5th.  Noah Hsue went 2-2 and scored two of MI's runs, including stealing home on a passed ball in the 6th to add a key insurance run.  Peter Lopes got on base with a long fly ball to right and scored the first run of the game for the Islanders, on a Sac Fly by Michael Bantle in the 3rd, and also bunted for a single late in the game to advance Noah to 3rd.  Eric Kim walked twice and scored a run.  Michael Petrie had a single, as did Sam Pugel, who also made several key plays for the Islanders at first base.

Josh to Sam for the final out vs. Richland

The Islanders play next on Wednesday, at 5:30pm, against District 3 Champion Capitol LL.  All games are at at Fuller Field in Vancouver, WA. 

Saturday, July 19
9-10 All-stars explode for 24-4 opening win at state

The Mercer Island 9-10 All-stars got off to a fast start in the Little League 9-10 year-old State Baseball tournament Saturday, beating the District 6 champions from Asotin Little League 24-4 in 4 innings.  Mercer Island jumped out early with 6 runs in the top of the 1st, and took a 10-4 into the top of the 4th, when they exploded for 14 runs to put the game out of reach.  The Islanders batted around the order more than twice that inning and every player scored at least once.  Michael Bantle started on the mound and then gave way after 20 pitches to Josh Stenberg who struck out 5 of 11 batters faced.  Nathan Gallatin threw the last 1-1/3 innings, striking out 3 of 6 batters faced.

Highlights at the plate included:

• Leadoff batter Michael Bantle was 3-5 with 2 RBI
• David Emanuels was 2-3 with a walk, HBP a 3-run HR and 5RBI
• Josh Stenberg was 3-5 with 2 doubles and 1 RBI
• Anthony Scalzo was 2-3 with 2BB, a double and 1 RBI
• Sam Pugel was 2-4 with a walk, a double and 2 RBI
• Michael Petrie was 3-4 with a walk, a double and 3 RBI
• Eric Kim was 3-5, with 2 doubles and 5 RBI
• Nathan Gallatin was 2-4 with an RBI
• Peter Lopes went 1-1 with a walk, HBP and an RBI

Opening Ceremony at State 9-10 Tournament

More Game 1 photos, courtesy KuYuen Hsue 

The Islanders play next on Sunday at 5pm against the District 12 champions from Greater Richland LL, who went 5-0 to win their district, by a combined score of 89-9!

MI 11s make Eastlake come from behind to repeat as champs, 5-3; MI finishes a close 2nd. 

Aidan Plummer throws CG shutout to beat Bellevue West, 7-0; rematch with defending state champs Eastlake for championship on Sunday.

Comeback falls short, 11Us lose to defending champs Eastlake 11-5

11Us shutout Thunderbird 6-0 to advance to winners bracket finals!

11Us win 9-1 to advance to winners bracket semi-finals 

The 9-10 MI Baseball All-stars beat Kirkland American 11-10 on Monday to complete a perfect 5-0 record and capture Mercer Island's first ever District 9 championship. 

Unlike Saturday, when Kirkland's powerful lineup was unable to get a hit off Michael Bantle, their bats heated up early and often in the championship game, highlighted by 3 home runs, including a solo shot in the top of the first by Kirkland's power hitting shortstop/pitcher, Connor Johnson.  MI took the lead in the bottom of the first, with Michael Bantle and David Emanuels both walking and later scoring on passed balls, while forcing Johnson to throw 37 pitches in the first inning alone.  Kirkland took the lead 3-2 in the top of the third inning, but Mercer Island took it right back in the bottom, when Josh Stenberg and Sam Pugel both singled and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Petrie.  After a 1-2-3 top of the 4th by pitcher Josh Stenberg, the Mercer Island bats came alive in the bottom of the inning, when Kirkland had to pull Johnson from the mound after reaching his pitch count limit.  Noah Hsue led off with a single and scored on Peter Lopes' double, who scored on a single by Bantle, who scored on a Stenberg double.  Anthony Scalzo walked and Michael Petrie batted in a run on a fielder's choice, and then both scored on an Eric Kim single to give the Islanders what appeared to be a confortable lead, 10-3 after 4 innings.   But Kirkland would not go quietly, roaring back in the top of the 5th with 6 runs of their own, highlighted by Jarod Menssen's grand slam home run.  It could have been worse too, but Michael Petrie snagged a line drive to center field to end the inning, leaving the bases loaded and Connor Johnson on deck! 

After MI failed to score in the 5th, Kirkland tied the game in the top of the 6th, on Johnson's 2nd solo home run of the game - but that brief tie was as close as Kirkland would get as their depleted bullpen walked 4 straight batters in the bottom of the 6th, including the game - and championship - winning run, to leave Mercer Island with a scare and a narrow 11-10 victory.   

For the game, Josh Stenberg was 2-3 with a double, scored twice and drove in another. Michael Bantle was also 2-3 with a walk, scored twice and batted in a run.  Eric Kim had a single and 3 RBI, Peter Lopes had an RBI double and scored, Noah Hsue singled and scored, and Sam Pugel singled, walked twice and scored.

For the tournament, Josh Stenberg led the MI hitters with a .643 batting average a .722 on-base percentage, and a slugging percentage of 1.000.  Leadoff hitter Michael Bantle was close behind with a .625 batting average, .667 on-base percentage and .813 slugging percentage.  David Emanuels, Sam Pugel and Peter Lopes all batted .500, with slugging percentages of .714, .938 and 1.000 respectively.  Anthony Scalzo had an on-base percentage of .611, and was one of 3 players to hit home runs, along with Sam Pugel (2) and Eric Kim.  Every player recorded several hits and reached bases multiple times, with outstanding defense and pitching throughout the tournament.   Collectively, Mercer Island outscored their opponents 53-11 in five games, and recorded 3 shutouts, while outhitting their opponents 53-15.  The team's batting average was .465, and their patience at the plate paid off with an outstanding .584 on base percentage.

The 9-10 Islanders play in the state tournament beginning Saturday, July 19th, at 2pm in Vancouver, WA.  Map & State Tournament Bracket. 

Saturday, July 12
Bantle throws 4-inning no-hit shutout to vault 9-10s into Championship Monday 

Michael Bantle pitched a no-hitter to shutout a powerful Kirkland American lineup that had scored 33 runs in their first 3 games, and Josh Stenberg went 3-3, scored twice and knocked in 3 runs on two triples to power MI into Monday's championship game with their 4th straight dominating win, 10-0 in less than 4 innings.  David Emanuels was 2-3 and scored two runs.  Anthony Scalzo scored once and knocked in two more with a double.  Sam Pugel was 1-3 with a double, scored once and batted in another run.  Michael Petrie also doubled and scored. 

Game 4 photos, courtesy Ku-Yuen Hsue.

The MI 9-10s will play Kirkland American again for the District 9 Championship on Monday, at 6pm at Dodd field in Issaquah.

Wednesday, July 9
9-10Us notch another mercy rule shutout, 11-0 over Issaquah

The Mercer Island 9-10 BB All-stars builit on their strong start in the District 9 All-star tournament, beating the solid host team from Issaquah Wednesday night, 11-0 in 5 innings.  Anthony Scalzo recovered from the flu well enough to pitch, and pitch well for 4-2/3 innings, before yielding to Michael Bantle, who recorded the final out when Scalzo hit the 75 pitch limit for 10 year olds.  Scalzo allowed just one base hit and struck out 7 Issaquah would-be hitters.  Bantle led the attack on offense, slapping 3 singles in 4 at bats and scored twice, and made several great plays at shortshop, including going back and leaping up to stab a line drive to rob Issaquah of what would have been a lead-off double in the 2nd.  Josh Stenberg was 2/3 with a double and a walk, scored twice and drove in 4 runs.  Peter Lopes also had a great night, going 2-2 with 2 doubles, one with 2 outs on a full count, which drove in the Islanders' first two runs, and scored once himself.  Anthony Scalzo also had a hit and a walk and drove in a run.  Nathan Gallatin had a hit and a walk and scored twice in two plate apppearances.  Sam Pugel and Michael Petrie each had a hit and a run.  David Emanuels scored following a walk.

Game 3 Photos, courtesy Ku-Yuen Hsue.  

For the tournament, the Islanders have scored in double figures in all 3 games and haven't allowed an earned run, outscoring their opponents a combined 32-1, and outhitting them 36-5.  Michael Bantle, batting leadoff, is 7-12 with a triple and a double.  David Emanuels is 5-8 with 3 doubles and 3 walks.  Sam Pugel is 6-11 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI.  Josh Stenberg is 4-8, with 3 walks and a double.  Anthony Scalzo is also 4-8, with 3 walks, a home run and a double.   Peter Lopes and Nathan Gallatin are both 2-3 and have reached based 4 of 5 times. 

The Islanders play next on Saturday at 9am in the winners bracket final against a strong team from Kirkland American.

Sunday, July 6
9-10 BB all-stars beat Kirland National 10-0

Josh Stenberg pitched 5-2/3 scoreless innings to lead the Islanders to a 10-0 2nd round win over the Kirkland National 9-10 all-stars.  Stenberg allowed just 2 hits and a walk, while striking out 5, before yielding the mound to Anthony Scalzo, who closed out the game with a strikeout.  Eric Kim added a 3-run home run to cap a 6-run 6th inning.  David Emanuels was 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored and Sam Pugel also stayed hot, going 3 for 4, scoring a run and knocking in a bunch more.  Shortstop Michael Bantle had two hits and scored twice.  Michael Petrie was 2/3 and laid down a nice sacrifice bunt in the 4th.  Stenberg, Scalzo and Andrew Pickles also recorded hits, and the defense was error-free.

The Islanders return to action on Wednesday, in the winners bracket semi-final against the host team from Issaquah LL, at 6pm at Dodd Field in Issaquah. 

More Pictures, courtesy Ku-Yuen Hsue.

Saturday, July 5
9-10 BB All-stars blast 3 home runs en route to 11-1 win in opener

The fireworks didn't end on the 4th, as Sam Pugel and Anthony Scalzo combined for 3 home runs and 9 RBI, including Pugel's towering 240 ft Grand Slam in the 2nd inning, as Mercer Island's 9-10 year old baseball all-stars routed Snoqualmie Valley 11-1 in 4 innings for an easy mercy rule win in game 1 of the 9-10 BB district 9 all-star tournament.  Michael Bantle pitched 3+ solid innings for the win and Josh Stenberg closed out the game in the 4th, together allowing just one hit, one walk and one unearned run.  In addition to Pugel's 2 home runs and 6 RBI, Scalzo was 2-2 with a single, a 3-run HR, a walk, 4 RBI and 3 runs scored; David Emanuels was 2-2 with two doubles, a walk and 2 runs scored; Michael Bantle had a double, triple, RBI and scored once; Josh Stenberg had a single and walk and scored twice; Nathan Gallatin singled and scored and Noah Hsue had a single and a spectacular diving stop and putout at 2nd base.

Pugel getting some love after his Slam!

On July 13, 2008, the Mercer Island 11U Little All Stars finished their District 9 tournament run, placing 2nd and losing to the defending state champions from Eastlake Sammamish.

The team’s run for the championship began on July 6th, when they beat the Issaquah All Stars by a score of 9 – 1.  Sharing time on the pitcher’s mound, Brandon Lawler and Alex Bell combined to shut down the Issaquah team by not allowing a single earned run. 

Two days later, the 11U All Stars matched up against the Bellevue Thunderbird All Star team, winning by a score of 6 - 0.  Mercer Island played a relentless style of defense led on the mound by pitchers Max Hibbert and Nick Taylor.  Steven Woolston and Teddy Van der Velden each scored two runs for Mercer Island.

Mercer Island lost their first game on July 10th, matching up against the Eastlake All Stars, learning early what it was like to play last year’s state champions.  Falling behind 7 -1 after two innings, Mercer Island scored four runs in the third inning and suddenly it was a 7-5 ball game.  The Eastlake secured a win by scoring three runs in the fourth inning and one in the sixth inning, ending the game with a final score of 11-5. 

On July 12th Mercer Island played against Bellevue West and won by a score of 7 – 0.  Aidan Plummer threw a complete game shut out, completely baffling the Bellevue West All Stars and getting his team out of a bases loaded jam in the fourth inning by fielding a grounder on the mound and tagging the runner heading towards home plate.  Alex Bell was masterful at shortstop, making incredible plays look easy, highlighted by a double play to end the second inning.  Carl Bell jacked a triple off the centerfield fence rail, driving in Brandon Lawler.

This win against Bellevue West resulted in a rematch against Eastlake on July 13th.  Mercer Island came ready to play, and quickly jumped out to a 1 – 0 lead when Nick Taylor crushed a home run over the left field fence.  Starting pitcher Max Hibbert, supported by a stellar defense, quieted the Eastlake offense and the score was 1 -1 going into the top of the fourth inning.  Peter Allenbaugh started the inning with a walk, and then came around to score after a triple to the right field fence by Steven Woolston.  Nick Taylor drove in Steven Woolston and Mercer Island was leading in a 3 -1 game.  Eastlake then came back, scoring three runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth inning, resulting in an Eastlake win with a final score of 5-3.  Great pitching by Max Hibbert, solid play at shortstop by Alex Bell, and ground rule doubles by both Aidan Plummer and Carl Bell were additional game highlights.

Team manager Earl Bell and coach Jim Hibbert were very happy for the 11U All Star Team, which placed 2nd in a very tough District tournament, bettering their 3rd place finish in 2007 as the 10U All Star team.    When asked to characterize this team, Bell commented that he was most proud of team chemistry and each player’s ability to contribute towards their team’s 2nd place finish.  He points to Derek Sims, who had the teams’ third highest batting average, Peter Williams’ exceptional play at third base, Nelson Hayes making a clutch catch in right field against Eastlake, and Peter Allenbaugh’s ability to consistently get on base when batting as examples of why the Mercer Island team had such a successful tournament run.   Bell concluded by stating “everyone on this team played an important role and most importantly had fun during this tournament.” 
 
 

Saturday, July 12
Aidan Plummer throws CG shutout to beat Bellevue West 7-0 

Aidan Plummer needed just 76 pitches to finish a complete game shutout against Bellevue West and propel the MI 11 year olds to a re-match with Eastlake for the District 9 championship.   

The 11s play defending district and state champs Eastlake at noon on Sunday at Hartman Park in Redmond and if (WHEN!) they win, they will play again on Monday at 6pm. 

Tuesday, July 8
11Us shutout Thunderbird 6-0 to advance to winners bracket final  

The 11U All Stars played Bellevue Thunderbird tonight at Hartman Park in Redmond, winning 6-0.  It was a great team effort! 

MI began the game with a triple by Steven Woolston, who blasted a shot down the right field line.  Aidan Plummer was the big producer at bat tonight, with 4 RBI's.  Brandon Lawler had a double. 

Max Hibbert and Nick Taylor each pitched three innings of shutout baseball.

They were supported by a solid defense, highlighted by a 1-5-6 double play (Nick Taylor to Teddy Van Der Velden to Alex Bell).  Alex Bell was flawless at shortstop.

The 11U's played a relentless style of baseball - scoring in five innings and executing near flawless defense - keeping Thunderbird from scoring throughout the entire game!

On Thursday, the 11U team will play Eastlake, the defending state champions and only other undefeated team in the tournament.  The boys will be ready and anxious to "show their stuff" against a great team!