Thoughts on the season from Coach Murray

Dear Westfield Blue Families:

I thought our website would be the best way for me to express some thoughts about our 2008 summer.

First, I thank my coaches, Gary, Brian, Bob and Linus. Their commitment and dedication to our players is best seen by me in our practices and games. They really do it right. At all times, the players are treated as 10-year-olds first and as a travel baseball team second. Their time, talent and energy enhances everything we do. It's really great to work with these gentlemen.

A big thank you to our website designer, Brett. The addition of our blog this year was an exciting and fun way to chronicle our children and follow the team. There's nothing like seeing the players in streaming video making a great play or coming up with a big hit. It was a great idea and the execution and implementation was perfect. The Harvard education was worthwhile Brett!

Beth, the photos of the team are simply beautiful and will become even more valuable as the boys grow. We will have your pictures to remember that they were once 10 and that playing baseball was a love for them.

Without the commitment of our families, travel baseball would be impossible. As you've found out in the past two summers, our team is unique in its approach. I know that 3:30 and 4 p.m. practices are tough times that often disrupt plans and cause major adjustments in schedules, especially for families whose parents work and those who have multiple children. Yet never have I received a single complaint from anyone. It allows us to get more work in with the players during the season, and repetitions in baseball are what build better players. I understand the sacrifices you all make for your sons and truly appreciate what you do, both for them and for our Westfield Blue team. Thanks for what you do for your son and our team. Without full commitments from every family, we would not come close to what we've given to the players.

Thanks to Audrey for coordinating our schedules and making sure that everyone was up to speed on what we were doing. She really puts her heart into our players and often walks out of meetings at her job to send out e-mails for us. She's also stuck with me and helps me keep both wins and losses in great perspective.

As for me, I'm still having withdrawals from the season ending. People have many things in their lives that bring them joy. For me, there is nothing better than sitting on a bucket at the end of a dugout and watching our team play. Baseball is a wonderful sport - best there is - and it teaches those who play many valuable lessons that they cannot help but carry with them through the years. Our team is comprised of 12 of the most beautiful children you can find. They listen, they work hard, and they improve as players. They are always respectful and aware of each other. There are countless times when I've heard players console each other after a tough at-bat or a mistake. The are great teammates and that invariably is the product of being great kids. You all should be very proud of the people you are raising.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your children's lives. It truly is a privilege.

Regards,

Mike

CJBL All Star Game

The July 31 Westfield Leader has the photo shown below on Page 10 of the Westfield players that participated in the Central Jersey Baseball League All Star game July 11. Click HERE to view.

Westfield Blue closes season with 3-2 loss to Long Hill

Westfield Blue lost to Long Hill 3-2 Saturday morning in the CJBL semi-finals, ending a very good season in which the team went 11-4 in league play and had an overall record of 16-9.

Westfield Blue started off the game well with Tyler Roth hitting a double and Rowan Oberman drawing a walk but the team was unable to advance either runner home. Long Hill was also unable to score in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to a outstanding grab of a line drive to left center by Owen Murray.

WB went silent in the top of the 2nd but Long Hill was able to rack up 2 runs without getting any hits by taking advantage of a few walks and stolen bases. Neither team scored in the 3rd due to excellent defensive play by both teams, including a diving catch of line drive by Roth at short.

In the top of the 4th, WB finally got on the board. Oberman led off with a single, stole 2nd and was advanced to 3rd on a sac fly by Owen Colwell. Owen Murray came up next and clobbered the first pitch clear over the left center field wall, tying the game at 2-2. WB was able to hold Long Hill in the bottom of the 4th leaving the score tied after 4.

After WB went down in order in the top of the 5th, Long Hill played a little small ball and dropped a bunt down the 3rd base line to put a runner on 1st. He stole his way to 3rd and was able to score on a defensive lapse by WB, putting Long hill up 3-2 after 5.

WB threatened to tie in the top of the 6th when Liam Loughlin singled and stole his way around to 3rd. Oberman drew a walk to put a 2nd runner on base but the offense wasn't able to get them home.

WB enjoyed excellent pitching efforts from Justin Lin and Rowan Oberman and many fine defensive plays from the rest of the team.

Oberman singles

Owen Murray 2 run HR ties the game

Westfield Blue shuts out Chatham 6-0 in CJBL Playoffs

Westfield Blue avenged their regular season loss to Chatham by beating them 6-0 in the opening round of the CJBL playoffs in Chatham Friday night.

Both teams started off slowly offensively tonight with no score through 3 innings. WB struck first in the bottom of the 4th (yes Westfield was the Home team). Rowan Oberman drew a walk, stole 2nd and 3rd and tagged up to score on a sac fly to center field by Owen Colwell.

WB pitching and defense held Chatham scoreless in the top of the 5th. The WB offense got to work quickly in the bottom of the 5th starting with a lead off single by George Devanney Murray. Justin Lin drew a walk and then Daniel Criscuolo took his 2nd pitch of the night in the Gluteus Maximus (look it up kids). This left the bases loaded with one out and Will Stern at the plate. Stern worked the pitcher, fouling off several 2 strike pitches and then ripped a line drive to left scoring Devanney Murray and Lin. After Liam Loughlin worked a walk, Owen Brancatella singled to drive in another run. Tyler Roth capped off the rally with a 2 RBI single to left that put WB ahead 6-0.

WB pitchers Tyler Roth and Parker Hess were outstanding tonight and effectively shut down the Chatham offense. Equally impressive was the WB defense. For example, in the 2nd inning with a runner on 2nd, Chatham hit a single to right field sending the runner from 2nd home. However, right fielder Loughlin quickly fielded the ball and fired to first base to get the batter out and save a run. In the top of the 5th, Chatham threatened with bases loaded and 1 out. A Ground ball was hit down the first base line to Justin Lin who fielded it and fired home to get the force out and save another run.

Next up in the playoffs is Long Hill at 10am Saturday.

Colwell sac fly scores Oberman

Devanney Murray starts off 5th with single

Stern 2 RBI rip

OB RBI single

Roth drives in final runs of the 5th

Stern rides his horsey to relax after the game

Kings of the Hill

Yikes! A mouse..everybody climb up here where it's safe

Westfield closes out season with 12-1 win over Plainfield

Westfield Blue bats were on fire during last Thursday’s game against Plainfield. With strong pitching by Parker Hess and an offense pounding out hits, the team took a commanding 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Tyler Roth led off with a line drive single to left, stole second and third, and scored on a hard grounder by Owen Colwell. Owen Murray then crushed a home run. He was followed to the plate by Parker who smacked a triple down the left field line. George Devanney Murray and Justin Lin each had RBI singles, which were followed by a beautiful line drive double by Daniel Criscuolo. Justin Lankler drew a walk before the inning ended.

The offense was back at it in the bottom of the second, scoring another 6 runs. Owen Brancatella reached first base after being hit by a pitch. Will Stern followed with a single. Tyler drove in both runners with a triple. Rowan Oberman drilled a single to bring home Tyler. Owen C, Owen M, Parker, and Justin Lin all followed with singles, with Parker and Justin each knocking in a run. Daniel then ripped the ball to left field for his second double of the game.

In the bottom of the third, Liam led off by crushing a triple to right field which was hit so hard that it brought lightening, ending the game with Westfield winning 11-1 after Plainfield opted not to resume play.

Parker pitched over 2 innings of no-hit ball, striking out 6 of his 7 outs. Tyler came on to finish the 3rd inning by getting the last two outs on Ks.

The defensive play of the game went to Claire Criscuolo for warding off a foul pop with her coffee cup. Unfortunately, she could not save the two drinks on the stands. Fortunately, they were only sodas.

Game Recap by C.Roth

Tyler drills a single

Owen Murray's inside the park HR

Parker triples

Justin Lin singles to left

Daniel doubles