Blue Flames

Manhattan Beach Minor All Stars, the comeback kids!!!   After losing their first game of the double elimination tournament, our minor All Star team has now won five games in a row.  In last night’s victory, this amazing team needed to come back twice to finally win the game 9-8.  Trailing 5-0, the boys scored 3 runs in the third inning and 4 runs in the fourth inning to claim a 7-5 lead.  Palos Verdes scored a run in the 5th to make it 7-6 going into the last inning.  In the top of the inning, the PV All Stars scored 2 runs to reclaim the lead.  Manhattan Beach needed one run to tie the game and two runs to win.  Michael Sandoval, who had already had two hits, led off the inning beating out an infield groundball.  Ian McLaughlin, then ripped his fourth hit of the game into the right field gap and off the fence to drive in the tying run. With the winning run at second with no outs, the next batter hit the ball to the right side of the infield, to advance the winning run to third with one out.  The Palos Verdes pitcher then struck out the next batter to record a huge out.  With two outs, it was up to the left fielder, Gordon, “Gordo” Cardenas to decide whether the game would go into extra innings or not.  On a 3-1 fastball, Gordon hit a line drive up the middle that gave Manhattan Beach the game, 9-8!  The entire Manhattan Beach bench unloaded and mobbed Gordon as he returned from 1st base with as big of a smile a boy could ever have.   The Minor All Star’s next game is Saturday at Marine Sports Park Center field at 11AM against El Segundo.  El Segundo is the team that beat Manhattan Beach, 11-10 in the first game, so this is sure to be another classic.  The winner of this game advances to the Championship game Monday evening at the same field. Todd Coyle MLL Board Member and Minors All Star Manager ____________________________________________________ July 8, 2004 The majors won big.  The final score was not   something like 9-3. If you were there and can write up what happened, send a note to dennisjkane@yahoo.com. ____________________________________________________ July 6, 2004 The Major All Stars rallied for a thrilling 5-4 win over El Segundo Tuesday night to advance in the District 36 Tournament.  The Majors Stars will play Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at the Complex. The Minor All Stars advanced in the 9 & 10 year old Division.  The stars hung on for a 4-1 victory over Silver Spur Tuesday night.  The Minor Stars will also be playing Thursday night at 6:30 at the Complex. Manhattan's 11 year old Stars played well but were defeated 4-0 at the hands of El Segundo in the 11 Year Old All Star Tournament.  Congratulations to manager Bob Collins and the 11 year old Stars for a good showing during the tournament.  Great job guys! Bill von Behren President, MLL