Entering this week 240 teams across the country traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to compete in Perfect Game’s WWBA National Championship 16u. Both of the Elite Squad 16u White & Red made the trip and arrived on Thursday night July 12th. Both teams were coming off impressive tournament runs in the Perfect Game BCS Tournament in Fort Myers where they finished in the top 8 of what is arguably the 2nd largest tournament of the summer!
Coming off of that impressive finish the coaches felt that the BCS was definitely something to build off heading into the WWBA tournament, little did they know what would transpire in a little over a week. In the first game the 16u was tested as they entered the bottom of the 7th inning down 3-1 in danger of loosing their first pool play game. For those of you that are not familiar with how some of these tournaments work, you lose 1 game and your playoff life might just be over. Needless to say that the 16u Red came back with 2 outs and a walk off RBI Single by ’14 Michael Brenner to win 4-3 and get things rolling for them. This would not be their only come from behind or walk off win, the first round of the playoffs they were challenged by the Dallas Patrios in a back and forth battle. In the bottom of the 6th inning the umpire approached coach Giummule to inform him that this would be the last inning. With two outs and the bases loaded ’14 Kharlin Sued would hit a single up the middle to advance them to the quarter finals.
For the White team there wasn’t much drama until their 2nd to last pool play game where they lost to Scorpions Baseball Club from MA. At that point in time it was win tomorrow, or go home. At that time coach Miranda reminded his team that they could not take anything for granted. He told the boys ” every time you check the PG website, you see our team team holding trophy, when you walk into the East Cobb Complex you see our championship banner. No one is going to take you lightly”
Needles to say the 16u White team responded the only way Elite Squad Boys do and came out and won their final Pool Play game 9-1 to advance them into the final 32 playoff spots. In the first round of the playoffs The Elite Squad White went into an extra inning affair before they won it in the 8th inning moving them into the sweet 16.
At this point, it marked very special territory….SF Elite Squad was the only orgnization in the country to have multiple/both of its teams in the final 16 teams still alive in the playoffs out of 240 teams!!!!!!!
During their Sweet 16u playoff game, White had a 2-1 lead going into the top of the 7th. Unfortunately the lead was given up and they were eliminated. The 16u Red beat a very talented Tri-State Arsenal team 4-3 in another drama filled game. Immediately after, Red was now lined up to take on the #1 overall seed EvoShield Canes. The Squad got huge performances from several players like ’14 Dallas Perez (3R HR to tie, 5RBI in the game) and Chandler Cissesl (Go Ahead HR) and never looked back. 3B Matt Fierman came in the final two frames to pitch and hold the lead vs a very explosive offense. There were other players through this and other games for both Squads that came up huge in big situations, but I am very superstitious and this was my first time sitting at home following our teams via GameChanger. So, whenever something bad happened or a in a tight situation I had to turn it off and walk away. If it were not for Coach Ambros giving me the play by play on the phone while he was following I would have no idea what was going on until after the game when Coach Giumulee gives me is usual post game breakdown after every game. Red went on to win 12-7 over the #1 seeded Team and punched their ticket into the Final Four before loosing to the same team the White lost to, and eventual champions: Team Georgia.
Because I was not able to be there since the first day, I followed the teams first hand on GameChanger, talked to the coaches after every game and had colleges calling me about how well and hard our players were playing. Although it was totally different and stressful because I could not see it happening infront of me, for the first time I became a fan and only a fan, with no control of the outcome, no control of any moves. I couldn’t even whisper to the coach next to me if I saw something that could possibly help us. I felt somewhat the emotions of what a parent goes through watching their sons team compete and living and dying with every pitch, getting nervous in tight situations and not being able to watch what was going to happen next. You see when you are coaching you are worried about a million possibilites that could happen during the game, what your next move is and what pitch to call next, you dont have enough time to get nervous. Being 12 hrs away, I had no choice but to just become a fan and live and die with every pitch. But let me tell you, these boys made it fun, and took us on a ride that most teams don’t get to ever achieve during their entire high school career. When they were down it was amazing to watch those yellow names on GameChanger cross the plate as if to say, we aren’t going home today until they just didn’t have anything left in their tank.
To the casual fan or reader, this might seem to be no big deal since either team didn’t win it all. But to someone who has attended and played in this event and has competed against the 240+ teams fighting for that 1 spot they know exactly how special it is what these boys accomplished. Combined they posted a 17-3 record and as I mentioned were the only organization in the country to have two teams in the sweet sixteen. Every player, parent and coach should be honored to be associated with these young men. I certainly am.
To the Elite Squad boys,
I want to thank you for allowing me to be a fan and for taking me on this special ride. I know that going through this no matter how hard it was to take it after you were eliminated you will be better because of this. This journey taught you a lot about yourself and your teammates. I remember the feeling last year to this day when my team was fortunate enough to hold up the championship trophy and today, after I sat down and reflected on what both teams accomplished this week all of those feelings came back and I felt the same exact way because I know the grind you went through and how you over came it. This year you had to play 7 games just to make the playoffs, making it very little room for error, and no wild cards. (Last years team was a wild card). Once again I just wanted to say thank you to all of you players and parents. I am extremely proud to be associated with you and say that you are Elite Squad Family.
Your Coach Always,
Richie Palmer
