Danville Hoots Baseball Club

The HOOTS were honored this past week by the American Amateur Baseball Congress with the selection of the C.O. Brown Sportsmanship Award from the 2009 Connie Mack World Series. 

Coach Don Johns received the letter from Carol May, World Series Administrator with the following award and announcement.  "Congratulations on your team's selection as the winner of the C.O. Brown Sportmanship Award in the 2009 Connie Mack World Series.  I hope you found your experience in Farmington to be worthwhile."

"Enclosed you will find a trophy commemorating your acheivement.  It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope you and your team will be successful next year and will be making a return trip to Farmington."

SO DO WE AS THAT IS OUR GOAL !!!

The Danville HOOTS arrived in Farmington, New Mexico for the Connie Mack World Series. Highlights are posted each day.

Thursday August 6:  A 6:00AM flight from Oakland and a 3 hour bus ride from Albuquerque to Farmington, New Mexico we finally arrived.  The bus was met a few miles outside of the city and provided a police escort into Farmington.  The players had the opportunity first to see Ricketts Stadium the site of all games.  A Beautiful field that seats 6,000 and every game is sold out through the tournament.

Players and coach's attended orientation, treated to a dance routine, lots of pictures from locals, and were provided a hamburger fry dinner.  The players met their host families who they will be staying with for the entire tournament.  The coaching staff was provided a Silverado for their use during the tournament. 

The HOOTS name continues to intrigue everyone here and received the honor of being recognized as the best amateur baseball name by the tournament directors.  Coach Johns has thanked everyone here during orientation as having the experience from other national tournaments for their organization and hospitality.

Friday August 7:

Farmington 'throws out the red carpet' was the quote of the day as the streets were lined deep with thousands of people for the annual parade to honor the 10 Connie Mack teams that are in the World Series.  Each team had a float provided for them and Western Refinery from Bloomfield was the host for the HOOTS.  Greatly decorated in the club colors of black, silver and white with the club slogan, "Champions Are Made When No One is Watching".  Large banners on the side with California HOOTS was a croud favorite.  The HOOTS had the honor to have the cheerleading squad from the local high school cheer for them on the float as they went down the long main street in Farmington.

The team finally found time for a short batting session and some field work prior to the official first games.  All 10 teams were on the field for the Opening Ceremony and were introduced to the capacity crowd.  Another well done event for everyone with honor guards.  Again, the announcers claimed "Now, I love this team and they have best name in baseball, the Danville HOOTS."  You remember these moments of this experience and every coach and player knows the honor of being here.

Saturday, August 8:

The HOOTS lost to the Midland Redskins 3-1 in their opening game at the Connie Mack World Series to a capacity crowd at Reckitt Stadium. The HOOTS loaded the bases in the first inning to score the only run of the game, and an outstanding catch off the wall in right field by Midland to end the inning, and a key single in the bottom of the sixth inning by Midland were the difference of winning and losing.  Left hand pitcher Michael Theofanopoulous of Danville pitched an outstanding game.  The HOOTS led early 1-0 and Midland tied the game up in the 3rd.  The game remained tied until the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs when Midland broke the tie with a key single to score the go ahead run.

Sunday August 9:

The HOOTS battled to the end in a 7-6 loss to the Dallas D Bat Mustangs in an elimination game at the Connie Mack World Series.  The HOOTS took an early 1-0 lead from a Chris Keck home run in the second inning.  The DBat's went ahead on a 3 run home run off starter Mark Appel in the fourth inning after a 3rd out strike out pass ball was not blocked and followed with another home run in the same inning.  The HOOTS came back to take a 6-4 lead in the fifth inning spurred by a squeez bunt play.  Dallas came back in the bottom of the sixth to take a lead 7-6.

The 2009 HOOTS season ended with a 42-9-1 record, a Connie Mack North Championship, and a Connie Mack West Region Championship and the honor to represent the West Region at the Connie Mack World Series that marks them as only the second team since 1959 to achieve that goal. 

In an interview with Coach Johns on local media stations his comments were "we will find a way to build our team with players to help us to get back to the Connie Mack World Series and Farmington." 

Richard Neely, President of AABC came to the field to compliment Coach Johns on the quality of the team, their play, and the way they represented the West Region during the World Series.  

The team will return to California on Monday with a summer of great memories. 

Earlier in the day the HOOTS host Janet Mackey from Western Refinery held a lunch for all the players and parents and foster parents to start the day.  In the afternoon the HOOTS and all teams attended the Connie Mack Home Run Derby.  Stephen Piscotty represented the HOOTS.

The game as expected was an exciting game between two very good nationally recognized programs both having a long history but faced each other for the first time.

Support is coming from many people and we thought we would share some of these with you.

From Nate Schierholtz, San Francisco Giants MLB:

"Donny-Congratulations on going to the Connie Mack World Series.  Thinking about you and the team.  The last trip to the American Legion World Series in 2001 was a lot of fun for me and the rest of the team.  Enjoy the ride and Good Luck."

From Dean Manderson,San Diego Gamers Baseball Club:

Congratulations on winning the Connie Mack Western Regional and advancing to the World Series. You guys are a class organization and we wish you the best in Farmington.  Good Luck!"

From Steve Trombly, Trombly Baseball SoCal:

"Congratulations on earning your way to the Connie Mack World Series.  The HOOTS are a great organization and whenever you aren't playing us I'm always rooting for you guys and wish you success.  Your team will be a great representative for the Western Region and I wish you luck.  Our team has been to Farmington twice and the experience is second to none.  Your players, coach's and parents will have memories from that week to last a life time.  Good luck Don and go get 'em."

From Mario Iglesias, Head First Gamers:

"Headfirst Bercovich hope the HOOTS continue a magical run in Farmington. I played there in 1991 for Bercovich and it is an experience I will never forget.This is great for Northern California Connie Mack and shows that in addition to the HOOTS being there all of us who are aspiring to make it there get to know what it takes to get there.  Best of luck."

From John Hughes, Northern California Professional Scouts Association:

"Don--on behalf of the NorCal Scouts Association I want to send out a big congrats and good luck to you and the rest of the HOOTS.  Thanks for making Northern California Baseball Proud. Nice going"

From Head Coach Dave Esquer, University of California Berkeley:

 "Congratulations, great job in getting your team to Farmington and the Connie Mack World Series.  That is awesome and a really great accomplishment, a big deal and good job and wanted you to know.

From Si Petro, Orange County Renegades:

"Congratulations to your club on a huge accomplishment.  It is really a great experience for your team and they are well deserving of this opportunity.  Best of luck and enjoy the experience of the Connie Mack World Series."

From Dave Manning, Delta Indians:

"Congratulations to you and your group.  You have a very special group and it was really exciting to watch you play and play against you.  It will really be a neat experience for you and your boys.  I wish you well and hope you can come back with a national championship ring." 

From Tony Crivello, NorCal Baseball:

"Congrats on winning the CM West.  Best of luck to you guys down in New Mexico.  We will be rooting for you."

From Dan Sozzi, EDH Vipers:

"Good luck in Farmington, I hope you guys win it all. That would be a great accomplishment with your American Legion Championship that you won.  Keep everyone posted and let your guys know the Vipers are rooting for you to win it all."

From Al Carrasco, Oakland Baseball Club:

"The Oakland Baseball Club is proud of the HOOTS for getting it done the right way. Congratulations to your players and coach's on your West Region Championship.  We wish you the best at the World Series and believe that you have what it takes to bring home the crown.  Go take it."

From your friends, Coach Joel and California Smoke:

"Congratulations to your team and coach's on your west regional championship.  Good luck at the World Series.

From Don Miller, Lafayette Generals:

"Don, congratulations! You have really put together a great program.  Good luck in Farmington...and enjoy the great facility and atmosphere!!

Trying to be the first Northern California Connie Mack team since 1959 to advance to the Connie Mack World Series fell on the shoulders of incoming senior left hand pitcher Michael Theofanopoulous as he pitched a complete game to defeat the California Rockies from Los Angeles in the Championship game of the Connie Mack Western Regional Tournament 3-1.  The victory sends the HOOTS to the World Series representing the West Region.  This is the HOOTS first trip to a Connie Mack World Series after being an American Legion program and winning the National Championship in 2000. 

With the game tied 1-1, the HOOTS failed to score in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded and no outs.  As this team has done all year they did not let that disappointment distract them and they moved on.  In the bottom of the fifth, Stephen Piscotty with two outs had a base hit, followed by a monster drive from incoming junior Chris Keck to right center for a triple to score Piscotty.  Keck was thrown out at home after a wild throw to third base.  Leading 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth Joey Epperson led off the inning with a home run over left field to put the HOOTS up 3-1.  In the top of the seventh, Theo got a quick fly ball for the first out, a strike out and a game ending fly ball to win the game.

Both teams played a great Championship game with a lot of class to complete a very well run Regional Championship.

The HOOTS will depart for the Connie Mack World Series on Thursday, August 6 and after opening ceremonies on Friday will begin play on Saturday at 7:30PM.

The HOOTS defeated the Orange County Renegades in the Semi Finals on Saturday 8-2 to advance to the Championship Game on Sunday at 3:00PM.  Andrew Kjar pitched 5 strong innings for the HOOTS and was relieved by Andy Eslick to finish the game against one of the top teams from Southern California and the west region. The offense scored 7 runs in the first and second innings to give the HOOTS some breathing room early in the game.  The Renegades came back strong in the fifth inning but with one out a fly ball out to Carter Loud and a great throw on a runner trying to score from 3rd ended the inning.

The HOOTS will face the winner of the 12:00 game between the OC Renegades and Ca. Rockies(LA). The Ca. Rockies defeated the Mudville Washington team earlier in the day 6-0.  The Ca. Rockies will play the Orange County Renegades at noon in an elimination game as required by AABC rules.

WOW! Friday was a Great HOOTS Day!!

The HOOTS advanced to the semi finals at the Connie Mack West Regionals after Stephen Piscotty pitched a complete game for the HOOTS in a 4-3 victory against the Arizona Firebirds who have been to the Connie Mack World Series 3 times in the past five years.  Both programs recognized as some of the best in the nation had a game for all to remember.  The HOOTS led early 2-0 only to see the lead diminish in the sixsth inning as the Firebirds went ahead 3-2 in the bottom half of the inning.  Trailing by two runs in the top of the seventh inning the HOOTS with two outs were able to get a key hit from Tino Liscomb, followed by a single by Piscotty, and a monster ground rule double by Chris Keck to score both runners and put the HOOTS in front 4-3. Piscotty went to the bottom half of the seventh and after a lead off push bunt single, was able to get a pick off out and retire the side without a threat to secure the win.

The victory leaves the HOOTS and only three other teams left in the west region who are battling for the Connie Mack World Series Berth.  The level of quality amateur baseball exceeds the expectations of college coach's and professional baseball scouts.  Connie Mack baseball is all wood bat and follows the American League professional baseball rules. This is an opportunity for people to see some of the best amateur teams and players from the western states.

The HOOTS face off Saturday August 1 at 3:00PM at Chabot College against the Orange County Renegades.   It pairs up one of Southern California's best Connie Mack teams against the top team in Northern California.  The two teams have met in the Connie Mack regional tournament in 2007 and are familiar with each other and their style of play.  Both programs are recognized as two of the top programs nationally on a consistent basis.  The Renegades are managed by Si Petro.

The HOOTS lost 2-0 in a winner bracket game at the Western Regional to the California Rockies from LA North Connie Mack League.  Mark Appel pitched seven strong innings for the HOOTS giving up only 4 hits while Rockies left hand pitcher Erik Salcido limited the HOOTS offense to 2 hits. The HOOTS face the Arizona Firebirds at Chabot College today at 2:00PM in an elimination game.

The Danville HOOTS won their first game at the 2009 Connie Mack West Regional Tournament against the Mudville Pinnacle the Washington State Champion in a tough extra inning game 4-3.  The HOOTS trailed Washington most of the game 1-0 as they battled through the game against Washington left hand pitcher Matt Boyd.  The HOOTS tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on an executed squeeze play, fell behind 3-1 in the top of seventh, and tied it up in the bottom of the inning to send the game into extra innings. The HOOTS finally won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Chris Killeen single to score Brian Hamm from second base.  HOOTS left hand pitcher Michael Theofanopoulous got the victory for the HOOTS coming into the game in the third inning and pitch six very strong innings only giving up 2 runs.  Theo is an early committed scholarship player to the Cal Bears at the University of California, Berkeley. The HOOTS advance in the winner bracket on Thursday at 5:00PM against the Ca. Rockies from LA North County.

The HOOTS Black team defeated the Sonoma Rebels 13-1 to win the Connie Mack North State title.  Both teams will advance to the West Regional at Chabot College starting on Wednesday July 29 for a birth in the Connie Mack World Series. Will LaMarsh pitched 5 strong innings for the HOOTS and the offense was led by Stanford bound Stephen Piscotty who was 3-3 for the day, 7RBI's that included a bases loaded triple. The West Region tournament will feature the 8 top Connie Mack teams from Arizona, Southern California and Washington. The winner will advance to the Connie Mack World Series held in Farmington, New Mexico.

The HOOTS open the West Region Tournament at 5:00PM against an opponent to be named later today.  This is an opportunity for baseball fans in Northern California to see some of the top teams in the nation and the many of the nation's best amateur players.

The HOOTS Black team defeated the Union City Lookouts 8-7 on Saturday in the North State Tournament and remain undefeated with a record of 4-0. Jason Kochan pitched for the HOOTS early in the game and got the victory. Andrew Kjar and Andy Eslick followed on the mound in a tight game in the later innings.

On Friday the HOOTS defeated NorCal U18 team 5-3.  The HOOTS Stephen Piscotty got the win on the mound for the HOOTS pitching a complete game.  The HOOTS play Saturday at 2:00PM vs. Union City and are guranteed a spot in the Championship Round on Sunday.

Earlier in the tournament the HOOTS defeated the California Smoke 8-5 on Thursday.  Michael Theofanopoulos got the win for the HOOTS on the mound after entering the game in the third inning with the game tied 2-2. Ryan Deeter started for the HOOTS in the first game to get the win for the HOOTS over the Tracy Cardinals.

The HOOTS entered the tournament as a top seed with an overall record in their league of 9-1 and an overall record with only 2 Connie Mack losses of 36-5-1.  The HOOTS are the defending Connie Mack North State Champion and have won the tournament the past two years to advance to the Connie Mack Western Regionals. 

Game times on Sunday are at 11:00AM.

You can follow the tournament also at www.northerncaconniemackbaseball.net

The HOOTS Baseball Club won the Championship Sunday July 13 in the Fourth "FLY WITH THE OWL" TOURNAMENT at San Ramon Valley High School.  The HOOTS defeated Oakland Baseball Club 5-1 and received an outstanding complete game performance from pitcher Robbie LeClair.  The HOOTS remained the only unbeaten team with a record of 4-0 and had a tournament record of only giving up 3 runs in four games and one shut out by lefty David Singleton.  Keegan Bill, Harmon Sidhu and Matt Flemer all pitched for the HOOTS.  The HOOTS defeated Santa Clara Red Sox 4-0, Oakland Baseball 6-1, and Reno Knights 4-1.  Oakland has had wins over California Smoke and Santa Rosa and their lone loss to the HOOTS earlier in the tournament.

Tournament awards were won by Jordan Reimer of Oakland as the MVP.  Matt Flemer of the HOOTS was awarded the Most Offensive as a 2 way player and pitcher.  The Home Run Derby Competion winners were Nick Bartalone for the "Fastest Around the Bases".  HOOTS Outfield Relay team of Drew Helinini, Marcus Semien and Mike Revukamp won.  HOOTS Infield Relay Team of Steve Cunha, Nick Bartalone, Steve Piscotty and Scott David also won.

Competition in the tournament has been excellent and has attracked many MLB scouts and college coaches throughout the west including UC Berkeley, USF, Santa Clara University, Cal Poly, Arizona State, Long Beach State, Chabot College, San Mateo College, and St. Mary's. The tournament features 6 of Northern California's top teams which include the Santa Clara Red Sox, California Smoke, Santa Rosa Connie Mack, Reno Knights of Nevada, Oakland Baseball Club and the HOOTS.