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Welcome to Smelly Socks & Sandlots
Home of the 2008 SBO Major League CHAMPIONS
and the 2009 Runner-Up Champions! Cal Ripken is baseball’s all-time IronMan. He retired from baseball in October, 2001 after 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Ripken’s name has become synonymous with strength, character, endurance, and integrity. His philosophy of working hard, playing with passion, and enjoying the game has made a tremendous impact on the sport and on fans everywhere. We are fortunate to be a part of the Cal Ripken League of Babe Ruth baseball, and the model of play he has promoted for our young players. Please sign our Guestbook under "Extra Innings"
I see great things in baseball. It's our game
- the American game. You know I think it's time to give this game a ride. --John Fogerty
Baseball is a simple game of catch --Greg Hall, "Baseball Is"
Uniforms
Red Sox, you get to keep your jerseys, sock, and hats, but I need your pants. Please return them to me washed as soon as you can. Thank you--and thanks for all your hard work this season. Here is a Link to the SBO Tournament Bracket
Select this LINK to view the bracket. It can also be accessed under documents in the Extra Innings link above.
   Miracles DO Happen 6/28/09 All tournament long I reminded you to believe in yourselves
and the talents you have been given. All tournament long I reminded you to play
like a team. All tournament long I reminded you that "heart" and
"grit" would take you far—as it does in life. But Sunday morning I
asked you for something else—to believe in miracles and to say a prayer if you
had a mind to. Two wins in the tournament earned us a rest, so we didn’t play until 4:30 Saturday afternoon (though scheduled for 3:30). We faced the Flame Throwers in a game we just weren’t ready for. (For whatever reason, we not only played them twice during regular-season play, but we also played them in the mid-season tournament. We were learning not to like playing the ice-cream team.) Matt put us on ice, so we dropped in the bracket to play the Diggers. Like night and day, you were a different team in the second game fending off the Diggers’ hot bats to win 15-6. We left that evening wondering who we would play in the morning. The Yanks were playing the Coyotes on the field next to us. At 10:00 on Sunday morning, we looked into yet another Yankee dugout, but it was then I told you to believe in miracles. With a sizzlin’ bat throughout the tournament, Alex started the game with a double, and we never looked back. We batted 15 in the first inning alone and hit the dugout with an 11-0 lead—too much for the Yanks to overcome. With the score 13-2 after three innings, the game was over—Miracle Number 3. And then we waited. We waited for the result of the Flame
Throwers-Wolves game. And we waited some more. After seven innings, the Wolves
realized their first loss, so we took to the plate against another well-coached
team. While they only had seven on the field, they proved to have as much grit
as us. Leading the whole game, we found ourselves down 8-11 at the top of the
fifth. Was this then end? Was our miracle tournament over? Not with five steps
across the plate! At the bottom of the inning, the Wolves scored one with three singles, but our defense held strong to cap off the nail-biter, 13-12—a semi-final game to remember. Miracle Number 4. You achieved what the sports world flocks to—the underdog overcoming incredible odds to win. While we came up short in the end on the scoreboard, you are all Number 1 with me. You believed in your team, you believed in the talents you have been given, and you believed in miracles. Congratulations Red Sox—a job VERY well done. Wow! 6/26/09
It just takes a little faith in what you can do, huh? What is up with those Red Sox? First a double play last night, and now we have a home run tonight (way to go, James!). You guys have just been storing up all season for this, haven't you? Justin, I am so proud of you. You watered your drought tonight with a nice hit. Keep it up, kiddo. Hunter, another nice job at the plate tonight, and I swear Someone is looking out for you on the bags. Good job, UpMan. And Ryan, another great night behind the plate. You've come a long way, Baby! Alex...you have been a great lead-off man. Your stick is hot! G-Man, way to take another hit for the team. Glad to have you back, Michael. I guess you're feeling better--got a single tonight. I am proud of all of you. James, you pitched a great, complete game tonight. I guess you won't be eating dog food tonight :) Boys, this is the fun I have been talking about. You are playing to your potential with the gifts you've been given. You played with a lot of heart tonight, and that will take you a long way in the tournament...and in life, too. We just knocked off the Number 2 team in the league. A great accomplishment. Now let's put it into perspective and keep our heads on straight. As the Bren Man said tonight--it's one game at a time, one pitch at a time. Congratulations, Big Red! Hot Sticks and Rollin' It With Tough D! 6/25/09
Wow! Can you believe it, Red Sox? Your sticks came alive in the first game of the playoffs against the Rockies. Amazing things happen when you believe in yourselves and the possibilities of teamwork. You don't know how proud I am of you all. You each stepped up to the challenge and contributed to the success of the team. Noah, three for four for the night--way to go. Jacob, your stick hits well when the swing is good--well done, G-man. Hunter, what can we say? You came through when we needed you--nice job at the plate. Justin, you're getting back in form. Even though it was in the air, you connected well. Just straighten it out, and you have it made. Keep believing! Defensively, that is the best game we have played all season. Alex, you have been pitching exceptionally well the last couple of weeks. Keep up the good work. Ryan, you are digging some amazing balls out of the dirt and air. We all appreciate your hard work behind the plate and the good decisions you have been making. And how 'bout that double play! Brennan, James, and Noah--was that fun or what? You don't see teams rollin' it too often in our league. Great job! Let's keep the momentum going against the Yankees. With play like this, we are unstoppable! Continue to believe and have confidence in your abilities. Time to Regroup 6/7/09
Since the regular season has started, we have taken it on the chin with four losses--though three came from a tough tournament. I want to congratulate the nine who hung tough for the remainder of the tournament. We weren't awake for the first game, but rebounded to play well against a hot Caliche team who ended up taking second in the tournament. As we progress through the season, our opponents' bats are getting hotter. Our pitching is improving as well, so we need to step up the defensive game--we don't want our pitchers to work so hard. However, if you look at our stats, we are improving with our fielding. That's not to say we don't have our work cut out for us, but we are getting better. Red Sox, it's time to regroup. With only six games left, we need to kick in the juice, remember baseball is a fun game, and do our homework always. By the way, thanks to all who showed up for our wet practice. It didn't last long with the tornado warning, the lightning, and, finally, the downpour--but it's always good to get together just to have fun. Let's get 'r done, Smelly Sox! Week One: 1 & 1 5/30/09
We didn't exactly kick off the season the way we wanted, but we have some things to take away with us that we can be proud of. James did a tremendous job on the hill with 13 strike-outs in five innnings. Our bats were dead, but the next day, they came alive. Jacob, we were all very excited for you when your wheels turned your double into an RBI. Great job running bases. And for your first time out of the blocks, you did a nice job on the mound. Speaking of the hill, Brennan, outstanding job on the mound. No hits and seven, count them, SEVEN strike-outs in three innings--way to go Idaho! Hunter (Up Man), great job with that single, kiddo--very exciting for you. Ryan, I know you wanted more off the plate, but you did a great job in the second game behind the plate. You were a leader, and that is what we need from you. Relax at the plate and let that bat do the work for you. Lastly, Alex, I know you felt tremendous heat in that last inning, and you probably wanted to crawl under a rock, but you came through--I KNEW you could do it. You should be proud of yourself--you have come along way. Your team and your coaches know what an accomplishment it was for you. All of you--KEEP BELIEVING IN YOURSELVES AND WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF. You are destined for greatness if you stick together at a TEAM, never, ever quit, and always give everything you have for the team. Great lessons to take with you for the rest of your lives. A Great Start 5/15/09
Well, Red Sox, you have started the season with a bang, and we couldn't be more excited for you! You have brought that same spirit and fun from last season to the front of our game, and as we gel with our new team members, things will only get better. You all have done what we have asked of you, and some of you have been willing to play in positions you're not comfortable with--and you've grown from it. Whaddya think, Jacob? In just three games, we have seen some exciting baseball. Just last night Ryan threw out a runner at second; Brennan struck out three batters in a row; Michael did a great job on the mound with his debut on the hill; James threw 4Ks in seven batters; Hunter found his swing and made a connection; Justin discovered something new about batting; I could keep going, but the point is--you are all improving with each practice and game. Most importantly, though--you are having FUN! Because, as I always tell you, baseball is a game, and games are meant to be fun. Keep working to improve as a player, as a team mate, and as the young man your folks hope for you to become. I'm excited for the season and watching you all grow. Back to 70 4/28/09
SBO Vice-President, Jamey Mack, attended a Cal Ripken meeting in Pueblo on Saturday. The league announced because of a lack of participation in the 60' league in Colorado, that division is going to be phased out. As a result, the SBO Board decided in it's meeting last night to stay with the 70' division. Thus, bases will remain at 70', and all rules played with last year will apply. We will be able to lead off and steal. However, still NO BIG BARREL BATS. Schedules Posted 4/26/09
Our schedule is now posted. We have three new teams in our league--Heat, Rage, and Diggers. You will notice along with our new tournament and the Brush and SBO tournaments, the Cal Ripken League Tournament is also listed. This is for the All-Star team that will be selected by the SBO Board and coached by Jason Santomaso and Jamey Mack. Also, if you would like to view the schedule for all teams, you will find it under "Documents" in the "Extra Innings" menu above. Field Work 4/25/09
The coaches met today to work on the fields. Bullpens were added to Fields 1 and 2 located outside the dugouts, but the dirt was not filled in. Since the artificial mounds purchased for the fields were not to SBO standards, new dirt mounds will be built instead. Any leftover dirt will be used to fill in the bullpens. Also, base standards were set at 60' and 70' in Fields 1 and 2, and at 60' on Field 3 (machine pitch). The pitcher's mound will be set at 45' and the bases will be set at 60'. While it will make it more difficult to steal bases, it is hoped the game will be more competitive, and that when it comes time for the All-Star tournament, we will be better able to compete in that league rather than in the 70' league with the likes of Cherry Creek. Last, a couple of weeks ago the SCF put up new back-stop chain link on Field 1, and they finished the work on Field 2. FYI--SBO has hired an individual to take care of the fields. Welcome to Another Year of Baseball! 4/6/09
With the 2009 SBO Draft completed April 3, we are ready to kick-off another year of America's greatest past time. With the loss of our twelve-year-olds from last year, we were able to draft five new 10-year-old players who Coach Mike and I are glad to have on our team. We will schedule our first practice following Spring Break. Until then, enjoy your time off from school and have a Happy Easter!
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