I came across this photo the other night. I can't believe it's been 19 years since I coached this particular team (the 1990 Santa Clara Royals). Every few years, I get the opportunity to coach a special team--and this was certainly one of them.This team participated in a 12 team Pony League based in Santa Clara, California. I coached the team for three seasons. In sharp contrast to Chicago, this team did not experience a single rain out in that three year span!
The team played in a beautiful ballpark called Lou Vierra Field. The volunteer ground crew took pride in the grass infield. The infields were dragged and raked between every game. Only one game was played each night, so games typically drew good crowds--up to 150 people or so. It was an exciting atmosphere with an electronic scoreboard and announcer. It is a shame that our Orland Park players don't often get to experience that ballpark environment.
Just a few of the more unusual memories regarding this particular team:
- The coach (pictured top row left) with the beard, Earl Grace, enjoyed his experience so much that he stayed on for two years after his son Ryan was too old to play in the Pony League. His wife, who was an outstanding softball player, eventually joined the team as a bench coach. The players viewed Earl as some kind of hitting guru. Whether what he was saying was right or not, they believed in him and all he had to do was say a few words before the player was hitting again.
- Greg Minor, the third player to Coach Grace's right, once won a game with a remarkable catch. With two outs in the last inning of play, he ran full speed and slid into the fence while going after a pop up from his first base position. With one foot caught under the fencing, he reached out to make a sensational play to win the game.
- Michael Trautner, the coach directly in front of Coach Grace, was a very aggressive third base coach. One of his mistakes ultimately led to a league championship for this team. The Royals faced elimination in last game of the regular season. The team was down by one run with two outs and a runner on third. Coach Trautner thought that I had called for a steal of home plate (which I hadn't). I was shocked to see our runner running as hard as he could for home plate on the pitch. He slid in under strike two to tie the game. One pitch later...our batter struck out! But, the team was still alive and utlimately won the game in nine innings.
- Asa Waldstein (front row left), the team's centerfielder, led the League in hit by pitches. Asa was hit 15 times in one Pony League season. He took great pride in this. During one game against a tall, hard throwing pitcher, Asa stuck his elbow out for another hit batsman. The opposing manager, knowing his history, came running out to argue with the umpire--saying that he didn't try to get out of the way. The umpire replied that no one would be crazy enough to take a fastball like that off their arm. He did take the hit intentionally--but we told him to stop taking those hits before he broke his arm.
- Matt Osama (front row, second from the right) broke his arm in an off the field accident. For one game, the team needed Matt to play in order to avoid forfeit. Matt played rightfield...he made catches and then flipped the ball to the relay man who was just a few feet away. He also drew three walks in one game despite the fact that he couldn't swing! The opposing coach was screaming at his pitcher to "just throw strikes". And, the pitcher could not get the ball over as he was trying to hard to aim each pitch!
It's hard to believe that this all took place nearly 20 years ago!
