Wild Weekend of Sports

The field at Trumbull HS from the press box through the chain-linked backstop

We always say, you have to be crazy to do what you do in broadcasting, journalism and in a lot of sports coverage. 

Well, this weekend was a crazy one that consisted of Babe Ruth baseball, American Legion baseball, and some summer league basketball. The heat was a major factor of the weekend. It was also a weekend of a lot of driving. Well, let's be honest. That's all relative, as we know I don't drive a lot, so any driving is a lot for me. 

It began back on Thursday, with the banquet that preceded the 13U Babe Ruth baseball tournament hosted by Trumbull Babe Ruth. Thanks to Rob Adams and Mike Buswell for inviting me to the banquet, as I would be joining Rob for some of the baseball over the weekend. 

Rob did a great job as one of the speakers at the banquet. You can hear his speech here.

Then we move to Friday. After leaving work, I joined Rob for the third game of four of day one at Trumbull High School for Babe Ruth. 

I was only able to stay for a portion of the game as I had to make my way to Bridgeport to coach a Ludlowe summer league basketball game. 

After that game ended, I headed back to Trumbull to re-join Rob for the final game of the day. In that final game, we saw the host Trumbull walk-off North Providence-Smithfield, Rhode Island 3-2 in eight innings. 

In was back to Trumbull High for four games on Saturday. None of the games were great score wise, but Rob and I had fun as always, and we had a good time with the people in the booth, most of those part of Trumbull Babe Ruth (parents, etc). 

On Sunday, it was back to Trumbull High School. There were four more games to be played. These would be the final games of pool play. I joined Rob for the majority of game one, as we saw Zac Trolland of Waterford take a no-hitter into the sixth inning and ultimately, throw a two-hit complete game as Waterford beat Quincy, Mass (apparently pronounced "Quinzy". Who knew? Not me) 3-1. Just a tremendous performance. 

I had to leave this game after six innings. Honestly, as the no-hitter was happening, I thought to myself how tough it would be to leave if the no-hitter was still happening. In the end, I saw the hit that broke up the no-hitter, so I didn't have to worry. I'm sure, somewhere, someone is blaming me for thinking about the no-hitter. 

I had to get down to Cubeta Stadium at Scalzi Park in Stamford for Legion baseball. Fairfield's 17U team was playing Stamford in an elimination game of the state tournament. 

I had thought that the game started at 1pm as that is what the website said. I left Trumbull at 11:45 figuring I'd give myself plenty of time to get there, get lineups and get settled in. When I got there, Fairfield was just finishing infield/outfield warmups. Then I learn that the game was changed to 12:30pm. 

See, people. This is why I get everywhere early. People pick on me for getting places too early (which I often do), but you never know what is going to happen. I was still able to get everything set, I just did not have the time I normally do. 

After Stamford won of Friday, Fairfield would need to win game one to force a winner-take-all game later Sunday afternoon. Stamford took game one, 13-3 in five innings to advance to the Super Regional and end Fairfield's season. 

After the game ended and after talking to a few people, it was back up to Trumbull. It was around 2:30 as I texted Rob to say I was leaving. I was thinking I'd be up there around 3:00, 3:15 at the latest. 

Well, of course there was traffic on The Merritt. It was closer to 3:30 when I pulled into the Dunkin Donuts parking lot on White Plains Road in Trumbull to grab Rob a coffee and myself a drink. I was unsure what I wanted but I knew I needed something cold and that would give me some energy. It was hot outside. I ended up with a Mango Pineapple refresher. It wasn't bad. 

I then made my way over to Trumbull High School by 3:40 for the 4pm game, which started a little late, which selfishly was helpful for me. Then, we had Trumbull playing Pittsfield, Mass at 7pm on Sunday night, in the final game of Pool Play. 

I think we all agreed that this was the premier game of the pool play, even coming into the game. Pittsfield came away with the victory in a crazy game, by a 17-10 score. 

We dealt with some rain during the weekend that delayed a portion of one of the games. Because why wouldn't we. I know Rob dealt with a couple of rain delays today for the games that were played. 

Oh and I am also apparently the VP of Statistics and Ginger Ale for Robcasting Radio. Or at least that's what Rob said. 

Fun, long weekend, that likely ended my summer of sports covering sports. At least for games I am at. A summer that included Legion baseball, little league baseball, Babe Ruth baseball and HS summer league basketball. Still some summer hoops coaching and some more writing before we get going with fall high school sports and more.  

Listen to Rob call the semifinals on Tuesday at 10am and 1pm and the Championship on Wednesday 10am at Robcasting.Mixlr.com.