Ribbons Bonus Baseball

Game 1 6/27/2009 vs Sunset

2009-06-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the Victorville Ribbons began their quest for a birth in the Western Regional Tournament with a decisive victory over Sunset Little League. As billed, the Ribbons Pitching staff was dominating and there were no cracks in the armour of an imposing lineup that is likely giving opposing managers fits as they attempt to determine who to pitch around and who exactly they'll have to take their chances with. All and all, regardless of the Ribbons coaching staff being somewhat dissatisfied with the overall performance, The Green Machine certainly made.....

A Lasting First Impression for 2009

Ribbons Major boys squad dominates in 5 inning shutout victory to open D49 tournament.

Most people would be pretty content with a 12-0 victory to begin District 49 tournament play. Most coaches would be happy with 12 hits in five innings, including two double, two triples and a homerun. And any manager with the good fortune to watch three pitchers combine combine on a one hit shutout would be ecstatic. Did we mention they also struck out 14 Sunset hitters in those five innings? A pretty good opening act wouldn't you agree?

While every fan in attendance, including numerous coaches scouting the team with their jaws on the floor were shocked at the domination, each member of the Ribbons coaching staff found several areas of concern with the first round win. And though it is the popular opinion that the three were no doubt suffering from heat stroke, Owen, Tye and Jason all know the squad has a lot of work to do if they want to continue playing all summer long.

Defensively the eight players supporting starting pitcher Saxon Andross ultimately figured little in the games outcome. In fact Andross made as much contact with Sunset batters as they did with his pitches. Andross worked three innings striking out 8 hitting one and allowing one other runner to reach base. That other batter reached via am error by shortstop Solomon Bates. While Bates may contend it was a lack of communication between him and third baseman Zach Barnes, or possibly the strange spin off the bat that caused the miscue those in the dugout believe otherwise. If you looked at the field during the first three innings and for that the entire game, you saw players standing in the outfield with arms crossed, infielders resting on their heals and basically seven fielders enjoying the view from their positions as Andross, Bates and Reggie Lawson each took their turn on the hill, mixing overpowering fastballs with insane change ups, keeping batters off balance all day long.

The only player on the field who, out of necessity, had to stay awake all day was the catcher. This came in handy in the third as the Ribbons found themselves dealing with two Sunset runners on, one via the error and a second due to a high inside fastball taken off the helmet. Andross sailed a pitch that bounced away from Eric Turner who quickly gathered in the ball and noticing the runner had strayed a foot or two too far off second, fired a strike to Bates cutting in behind the runner catching him far off the base for the innings third and final out.

On the other side of the ball, Ribbons pounded out 12 hits on the day. 9 of the 13 players on the Ribbons roster reached base, seven different players scored and six members all got their first hit out of the way on this first Saturday afternoon of the tournament. A few of the hitters did a little more damage than that inflicted by just one single.

As has been the case in each of the past two seasons, Reggie Lawson stepped up the intensity providing much of the entertainment at center stage. Lawson finished the day 2 for 3 with a double, triple, Sac Fly and three RBI. All four of Lawsons plate appearances ended in him missing homeruns by a matter of inches on the bat. Most expect Lawson to be pitched around in the games to come. If that is the case, Solomon Bates figures to see even more good pitches, which could be fatal for opponents. Bates was 3 for 4 lining a homerun to right field which cleared the fence by five feet, and landed in the street, one hoping into coach Tye's truck. Bates finished the day just a double shy of the cycle. Ok so you pitch around Bates too. That should help Kaleyl Anderson better his 3 for 4 day too.

The bottom third of the lineup contributed to the victory as well with 5 runs. Joey Leclair turned in a two for three day as he drove in one run ad scored two.

Additionally the third base position (split between Jose Martinez and Zach Barnes ended the day a combined 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBI. The RBI came off the bat of Martinez on a ringing double into the left center field gap.

OK so maybe we were a little critical of yesterdays performance, but apparently we ( the coaching staff) weren't the only ones not overly impressed with the boys in green yesterday. As today's Ribbons opponent was determined last night between East Barstow and Apple Valley, it was reported that numerous AV supporters were informing Ribbons fans and coaches alike just how little they were impressed with the shutout victory. That's good, you already have three coaches a little irritated by a 12 -0 victory, go ahead and tell them it wasn't much right before playing them, that'll settle them down.

Game time is 5pm tonight at Mojave Vista, arrive early to avoid missing what looks to be another learning experience vs an obviously much more talented Apple Valley team that beat East Barstow 5-4 while holding two 70 mph pitchers in waiting for tonight's match up. I think that was the same story last season in the 9-10 division......hmmm???

We'll see you at the ballpark.

Major Boys v Sunset 2pm Today @ Mojave Vista

2009-06-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

Today marks the beginning of a new era in the Storied recent history of Victorville Ribbons Little League. Today Owen McIntosh will turn in his lineup card and be announced as Manager of the Ribbons All Stars for the first time. It's not as if Owen is unfamiliar with the circumstances, the intensity or the expectations, its just that now, the first base coach will have the opportunity to have the ultimate decision in regards to most every matter involving the 11 and 12 year old team. I imagine Owen is already at Mojave Vista, already taking notes on teams that Ribbons may never face. The pressure on the squad, due to past success, lies squarely on the shoulders of McIntosh, which he welcomes and has kept in mind throughout the two weeks of practice leading up to today. Owen knows the changing of the staff will be blamed should we not achieve a level of success expected from such a talented group. What Owen also must keep in mind is that on the flip side, he will most likely have a statue of himself erected at Hook Park should the squad exceed the outsiders expectations and actually achieve what the staff believe they are capable of.

I'm not going to go into any extended detail in regards to the projected lineup vs Sunset. I will say that an obvious handicap for the VRLL squad is the fact that they only have four 12 year olds on the roster and amongst the remaining 9 players, 2 missed being league age 10 this year by a matter of days. So we're a young squad, possibly the youngest in the tournament. Back in 2007 the 9-10 team also was likely the youngest in their tourney, again carrying only four 10 year olds and they did alright.

As for the lineup, it's just a matter of who's healthy. Solomon Bates displayed an amazing ability to bunt in Friday's practice which will prove to be huge, but that still leaves question marks amongst the other eight designated to start today's game, as well as a game plan on the mound.

This year's bench is another area of concern as the four players not starting today's game hit a combined .386 with 31 RBI and 36 Runs Scored in 114 at bats. None of those on the bench recorded any homeruns during the regular season, but the four combine for 9 district 49 tournaments worth of experience and 5 District 49 "rings". The Starting lineup has the Homerun hitter, or hitters actually. Today's starting nine combined for 19 homeruns in the regular season but with the added distance at the Mojave Vista park, hope to hit a ball or two into the gap and possibly leg out a double here and there.

The goal for this years Ribbons squad is simple; we want to beat Sunset, then hopefully provide the next team with a competitive game Sunday. The Game starts at two, We'll see you at the park!!!

2009-06-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

Eric Aceves 25 Eric Fernandez 5 Jeremiah Lorick 2 Gabriel Trujillo 13

Robert Brown 3 Rhese Gomez 18 Richard Moya 7 Bryant Valenzuela 34

Seth Escamilla 24 Alec Holliday 8 Rick Rivera 14 Travan Watson 15

Brett Woods 12

First things first, I need to issue an apology to the parents and players on the Ribbons 9-10 2009 District 49 Championship squad. Due to basically having 2 a day practices with the 11-12 year olds (8am-11am Batting Cages & 430pm-700pm) along with the rush into the energy club I've joined has caused some slippage here at THE RIBBONS REPORT. I'm way behind on reporting on the championship game and I seem to think Richard Moya is Ruben Moya, Gabe Trujillo is for some reason now Alec Trujillo and that there are two "R"'s in Lorick. This is unacceptable and something I hated seeing as a player and now have gone and done the same thing, and I was supplied the above roster long before the first game. What's next? Do I go and spell Coach Would's name wrong???

But enough of the Apologizing, ( only the Ribbons faithful and my wife will ever be the recipient of such things) lets talk D49 Back to Back to Back champions!

Lakers Flooded by Down Pour of Ribbons Hits

Spring Valley Lake is Mercied in Championship game

As the Ribbons Little League 9-10 team completes

a rare three peat with convincing win.

As Practice ended Wednesday evening, all updates on the 9-10 game led the Major Boys squad to believe there was still a chance of making it from Hook Park to Liberty in less than a half inning to witness the final out of what, through text messages rivaling Twitter in regularity, appeared to be a very convincing victory.

We broke practice, jumped in our cars and sped off, arriving as it would turn out, minutes too late. I approached the field and slowed, taking a second to enjoy the coaches, parents, fans and players celebrating the victory as well as the show of support provided by the 11-12 year olds as they showed the newest members of the Ribbons Dynasty exactly how to properly spray sparkling apple cider all over an unsuspecting coach, teammate or mom. Making my way out to the field I witnessed players and parents snapping off photographs to capture the moment along with Dads already providing the first of undoubtedly thousands of tales replaying their sons performance. After three sticky hand shakes to three very deserving coaches I took a step back to watch as Ken Woods best friend and Ribbons All Star head coach himself Owen McIntosh would suck his buddy into the one mistake a head coach can make that he doesn't ever mind hearing about. Owen caught Ken in a moment of unsuspecting joy, his guard was down and the parents and assistant coaches whom Ken had no doubt put his complete trust in provided him the ultimate compliment. As Ken shook the hand of McIntosh attempting to remain calm in the face of such danger began to back away, as did coach Lorenzo who had aided in keeping coach Ken's attention, thus allowing the water jug to be centered over the head of Ken as it was poured completely onto the first year Ribbons all star manager. No coach was more deserving of the moment, more caring of his players as children first, and more humble in his accomplishments than Manager Ken Woods.

Which is why it is fitting that as I searched for some individual performance to showcase, some star player that was the big difference, Ken was quick to point out that it was a total team effort, Each victory was the achievement of every player on the team doing their part to aid in achieving the common goal of winning the tournament. Ken credited his two outstanding coaches, Rick Rivera and Lorenzo Valenzuela for a great deal of the success but also was sure to make reference to a couple coaching decisions that turned out to show Ken's BASEBALL GENIUS too.

As for the game, Jeremiah Lorick pitched three solid innings for the win with Gabe Trujillo finishing things up with two shutout innings. A question mark going into the game with the injury to Brett Woods and with Lorick scheduled to pitch was the catching position. Given Spring Valley Lakes history of being a team that puts pressure on the catcher, this could've proven to be a major problem, had Robert Brown not stepped up and provided a much needed lift with four solid innings behind the plate. Once again in typical Coach Ken fashion, he praised the offense as it exploded for some 16 hits but also was sure to make note that it was Brown who was the player of the game.

But since I mentioned it, lets focus for a minute on that offense which Lorick and Trujillo benefited from. Lorick himself had a hit, Bryant Valenzuela capped a great tournament with a two for four day, Rick Rivera who, if anyone, could be considered to be the star of this low key squad. Rivera had the big pitching performance against VV American, which he followed up with two homeruns against SVL the first time and then in the final game went two for three with an RBI and what has been described to me as an " ESPN highlight real catch" DUH NU NU DUH NU NU.

Brett Woods the teams RBI leader for the tournament missed hitting a homerun by a matter of inches and finished 2 for 3 on the evening. Allowing Brett that opportunity to see good pitches all tournament long was Seth Escamilla who added three more hits included a bases clearing shot which some argue actually hit off the scoreboard and bounced back into play and should have been a grand slam. But a 3 for 4 day with 3 RBI I'm sure suit Seth just fine. The sweet swinging Eric Fernandez added two hits as did Rhese Gomez, Richard Moya continues to impress as he added a hit and two RBI and finally, Gabe Trujillo added a triple to his day of work closing out the Spring Valley squad.

So Where to now? It was uncertain at press time where exactly the Section 8 tournament will be held, but it is not scheduled to begin until after the Major Boys District tourneys have been completed, giving Coach Ken's squad three weeks to prepare, rest up and get healthy while of course cheering on the Major Boys team.

I guess Tye Andross summed up the magnitude of this third straight D49 title when he turned to me that evening, eyes kinda in a far away place and sort of half asked, half stated "You know, there hasn't been anyone on all three 9-10 D49 championship teams"

No Tye, again you are 100% accurate. Not one kid over the past three years has been 9 or 10 for more than one season, odd how that worked out.

Congrats Players, Parents and Coaches. We'll be looking for you amongst our Ribbons Rioters in the stands beginning Saturday at 2pm at Mojave Vista.

6/23 SVL 17 Ribbons 7

2009-06-24T15:48:00.000-07:00

It took nearly two years, but the Victorville Ribbons Little League 9-10 team finally was beaten after going 8 straight District 49 games without a loss from 2007 until yesterday. This article will be next to nothing, much like the effort on the field by the Ribbons was yesterday. That type of play becomes contagious as it spread through the team yesterday. I am anticipating coach Woods let them know how he felt and the team will be back on track for the victory today.

Game time is 5pm. The Major Boys team will be practicing so all you 9-10 parents need to pick up the intensity in the stands.

Good Luck Ribbons!!!!!!!!

Ribbons Injury Report

2009-06-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

9-10 Year Old Team

Alec Trujillo - Complained of soreness in his arm, should be good to go Tuesday.

Brett Woods - exact diagnosis still unknown. We at THE REPORT are confident that the long break between District and Sectionals will allow for a recovery which will allow at least Brett's Bat in the lineup if not his presence on the mound.

Rick Rivera - No not Ricky, Coach Rick. Coach Appears to have a pinched nerve in his back resulting in the extreme pain you may or may not have seen him in recently. Those of us who have coached with Rick and especially those who are married to his sister can see the obvious pain just by looking at him. Rick has a constant smile these days, a definite sign of the pain killers he must be taking to survive the tournament coaching third base.

11-12 Year Old Team

Entire Team - Appear to be suffering from a severe case of the lazies coaches will be attempting to keep all players away from 9-10 squad to prevent it from spreading. Have consulted with team physician Dr. Gary Elder who has advised staff to use a heavy dose of conditioning next week in practice in an attempt to cure the team.

Jason Pluma- Sore everything- Pluma who has spent the season behind a lap top made his first appearance on the hill last week, working roughly a 45 minute BP session. Following the workout Pluma complained of the players possibly getting better and stronger, and bigger each season. It is believed the fastball Pluma once snuck by 8 and 9 year olds is being crushed by 11 and 12 year olds. Pluma anticipates full recovery prior to next BP session.

Anybody seen "Good Will Hunting"?

2009-06-21T07:27:00.001-07:00

In the Movie "Good Will Hunting" Robin Williams is explaining to Matt Damon how he met his wife just before a Red Sox World Series game. It wasn't just a Sox World Series game, but the classic in which Carlton Fisk hit the homerun down the line, waving it fair as he ran toward first, watching it all the way. Williams never made it to the game with his buddies, deciding instead to remain behind, talking all night to the woman who would soon be his wife.
Yesterday I was reminded of that scene. As I sat on the couch at home, choosing to hang out with my two year old, watch some SpongeBob, play a little weii and forget about baseball for a while, I received a text from my mother in law:
games not over and ricky just hit his 2nd homerun

For those of you new to THE REPORT, Coach Rick is my brother in law, making his son Ricky my nephew. Do you see where I am going with this. I decided to stay with my son, missing the first homerun of KID DYNAMITE's career........and the second.

Dynamite Explodes in Ribbons Win

Rivera homers, not once but twice as Ribbons advance to 9-10 Championship game.

I dont have any highlights to share with you, I have yet to receive any statistics of note, save one, or is it two. In his first at bat, Ricky Rivera the uncontested Ribbons Rookie of the Year hit a ball into right center field that got up into the jet stream for his first EVER homerun. As if he knew the haters would look to discredit the shot due to the wind he went one better in his second at bat. With two runners on, Rivera turned on one sending it into the wind and some 30 feet over the fence for his second homerun of the game, the tournament and his career in the Ribbons Green. Rivera would finish the day 3 for 3 with half a dozen RBI helping the Minor Boys Ribbons team defeat arch rival Spring Valley Lake 11-10. With the Win, the Ribbons squad now sits waiting for Hesperia, Apple and Victorville American, along with SVL to beat each other up in an attempt to get to the title game versus Ribbons. That lucky contestant will then need to defeat VRLL twice to prevent Ribbons from a third straight District 49 title at the 9-10 division.

As I get the rest of the stats and stories, I'll be sure to update the page. For now though, I sit wondering; on Friday it was three plus unexpected innings on the mound for the win in a nail biter, yesterday it was a two homerun game to insure victory. What can KID DYNAMITE possibly have planned for the encore Tuesday night at 5pm? Guess I better show up to find out. As Rivera's current representation, THE REPORT was contacted by ADIDAS regarding the possibility of finalizing a shoe deal with Ricky as early as Monday morning. We'll be running the logo below by Ricky for approval. That may be the only thing getting by Rivera these days.

9-10 division - Ribbons 8, Victorville American7

2009-06-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

There are times in our lives when we are faced with adversity. Times when certain challenges in our lives cause us to stand up and become something a little more than we had been prior to that incident, something a little better. I am sorry to report to every mother of every member of the Ribbons 9-10 year old team that last night, your "baby" boys each took a huge step toward being young men. In the span of two and a half hours, most members of this years team went from being the semi serious minor A ballplayer, found anywhere throughout the High Desert, to a true All Star, found exclusively in the neighborhood of Ribbons baseball.
Under extremely hostile conditions, as crowds on both sides grew louder and louder and as the strikezone for the Ribbons pitchers grew smaller and smaller the green machine evolved into a true team, each and every member contributing in what could be the most exciting Minor Division, District 49 game since the 2007 championship game between VVRL and SVL. Sit back as we revisit

The Battle over Victorville

Victorville Ribbons defeats Victorville American 8-7, Despite Injury, Inexperience and an ugly case of the "Homers"

Rarely, if ever will you find any article within the pages of THE RIBBONS REPORT making any reference to the officiating blunders, vision or any other costly mistakes. I don't feel that is any way to treat a volunteer, especially one who is working so hard in such a difficult position, one in which there is always going to be someone questioning his call.

Last night however, in the friendly confines of Liberty Park, Victorville Americans regular season home fields, I witnessed (on far too many occasions) calls that should not be missed by umpires invited to oversee games of this significance, unless of course they were invited to make those calls. As the game wore on into the night, I watched from deep in left field as the strikezone continued to dissolve. At one point I questioned whether or not the only way to get a strike called on a VV American hitter was for him to swing and miss. But lets assume for now, that it was just a bad night for the umpiring crew of last nights game. Hopefully none of the blatantly obvious calls missed at home plate were of an intentional manner. Luckily, the Ribbons squad was able to get the W without the runs they were robbed of and the potentially devestating onslaught that likely would have followed.

Lets move on to the fans shall we? Last night, I sat alone out in the grass in left field for a reason. Anytime Andross and McIntosh are in attendance and not on the field of play and its Ribbons ball, expect some intensity in the seats, especially if the opponents fans make the first attempt to rattle our boys. I half expect to see Tye and Owen at todays contest completely painted in green with a big white R on their chests. Add into the mix the loyal members of the 11 and 12 team, sitting in the stands, most of whom feel the D49 title to be their birth right and top it off with number one pot stirrer Truman and it is easy to see why Ribbons security escorted Andross and McIntosh away quickly and quietly at the end of last nights contest. This is how we represent ourselves, very positive and showing good sportsmanship, until someone decides to stand up and believe they have the right to talk down to any boy in green. That just doesn't happen, not at Hook, not at Liberty and, to date not at any of the venues throughout California that have hosted a VRLL game. We just don't allow it. So as a veteran of two previous Ribbons summers, let me assure those fans who perhaps felt a little uncomfortable experiencing the support staffs excitement for the first time, that level of emotion comes out in games like last nights so be prepared. It only turns ugly once the opposition attempts to talk a little trash. Unfortunately for the desert, no one plays like Ribbons and no one talks trash like Ribbons. Others may try, but we are educated in our timing, intelligent about it, our ability to direct it away from the players who are all doing their best, and ..........well we just flat out can back it up on the field.

Lets move to the game, this type of emotion rarely comes out in a 14-2 victory, it was the excellent play by both squads on the field that created such a frenzy outside the lines.

The contest started off much as anticipated, Brett Woods took the hill for Ribbons and was a dominant presence. Woods struck out the first two batters he faced and closed the inning fielding a ground ball of the bat of American's number three hitter. Bretts velocity, location and movement looked to be at its best, everything was going to plan.

In the bottom of the first, Woods contributed as well with a ringing liner to right, plating Rick Rivera who had walked. Woods may have had two RBI on the hit had Bryant Valenzuela not been thrown out at second as he aggressively attempted to stretch a clean single into a double. Woods worked out of trouble in the second, giving up one unearned run and striking out two more American hitters. The bottom of the American lineup had got to him for a couple hits but Woods looked to have shaken it off, regained his composure and settled in for the evening.

Eric Fernandez started the second inning off with a ringing liner to left that was misplayed by the left fielder. Gabriel Trujillo would later single to right and after Jeremiah Lorick was hit by a pitch, up stepped Bryant Valenzuela with two outs and the bases loaded. Bryant found the left centerfield gap again in his second at bat with a liner out of the shortstops reach. The excellent baserunning by Ribbons allowed two runs to score easily and drew an errant throw from the centerfielder over the head of the catcher. Lorick running hard from first base, read the throw and never hesitated, breaking for home and scoring easily. When the dust settled, Valenzuela stood at third, clearing the bases and providing the Ribbons with a 4-1 lead.

The game looked to be headed the way of most Ribbons contests, 10 run lead, 4 inning victory, but things would suddenly change dramatically for the guys in green. In between innings, as he warmed up to start the third, Brett Woods felt extreme pain in his arm and was removed from the game completely. In his place stepped Rick Rivera, the Ribbons Reports Rookie of the Year. Rivera had earned this award with his bat, pitching sparingly over the course of the regular season. This would be the defining moment in Ricky's pitching career up until this point. Could kid dynamite enter into the pressure packed position on the hill and pick up where Woods left off? Calm his now nervous teammates and fans alike? Would the VV American fans, sensing blood in the water break him mentally?

It didn't look pretty to start. Rivera issued two walks, a single and two runs before making a play on a groundball and tagging out a runner attempting to score. Next came a flyball to right for the second out and with two outs and a man on, Ricky found his focus, striking out the sixth batter of the inning to keep the Ribbons ahead.

In the bottom of the frame, Seth Escamilla crushed an offering to right for an easy one out triple. With Fernandez batting, Escamilla attempted to score on a passed ball and appeared to have made it easily but was called out much to the anger of the Ribbons crowd. The inning ended with Ribbons failing to score, the momentum seemed to have shifted to the American side.

No one mentioned that to Ricky. Rivera struck out the first two batters he faced and after a walk to the lead off hitter, Valenuzuela forced the final out at second with a flip to shortstop Rhese Gomez covering second.

The bottom of the fourth saw the Ribbons add a run as Alec Trujillo scored on a passed ball after being walked and moving up on two wild pitches. Entering the fifth, Ribbons held a two run lead. Rivera kept it that way with a scoreless fifth which included two more strikeouts.

In the bottom of the fifth, the skill of the 9-10 coaching staff was put on display for all to see. With the bases loaded and crowd again in a frenzy over yet another questionable call at home, Manager Ken Woods reentered starter Ruben Moya. Moya came to bat with two outs and the team clinging to a two run lead. Rivera was running out of pitches and some insurance would be nice. Moya delivered, drivinv a ball into the right center field gap for a bases clearing double. Ribbons entered the final frame with an 8 to 3 lead.

Rivera began the sixth showing signs of fatigue, having not pitched this many innings in such an atmosphere. Rivera walked the first batter, gave up a single to the next and having reached his pitch count, was lifted for game one winner Rhese Gomez. Gomez gave up three hits and four runs, bringing the crowd to its feet as the game became a one run affair. But in typical Ribbons fashion, Gomez answered the call, striking out three batters along the way, clinching the victory for the Ribbons and a date with rival Spring Valley Lake in a match up of the tourney's only remaining undefeated teams. Join us today at 2pm for what is sure to be another exciting event.

Tonight at 8pm

2009-06-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ribbons Minor All Stars vs Victorville American, Tonight @ 8pm Liberty Park

Come support the 9-10 squad as they attempt to move one step closer to three district titles in a row!

2009-06-17T23:29:00.001-07:00

THIS YEAR MAY HAVE A NEW TEAM, NEW COACHES AND A NEW VENUE, BUT ITS LOOKING A LOT LIKE THE SAME OLD RIBBONS.

VVRLL MOVES ONTO THIRD ROUND IN WINNERS BRACKET

WITH 16-10 VICTORY OVER EAST BARSTOW.

THERE IS FAR TOO MANY FACTS, STATS AND OCCURRENCES FOR ME TO TRY AND ATTEMPT THE ARTICLE WITHOUT A LITTLE HELP OF MY EMBEDDED REPORTER WITH THE 9-10 TEAM, MRS WOODS. I WILL BE SURE AND WRITE A FOLLOW UP TO THIS ONCE I DO RECEIVE THOSE DOCUMENTS. I WILL SAY THAT KEN WOODS APPEARS TO HAVE A VERY WELL COACHED AND POSITIVE GROUP, REFUSING TO HANG THEIR HEADS AND BATTLING THROUGHOUT. SHOULD YOU CHECK OUT THE REGULAR SEASON PORTIONS OF THIS BLOG YOU WILL NOTICE ARTICLES THAT FEATURE IN DEPTH LITERARY PLAY BY PLAY, MORE STATS THAN YOU CAN COMPREHEND AND AN EMPHASIS ON GIVING AS MUCH "INK" TO AS MANY KIDS AS POSSIBLE. WE'LL GET THERE WITH THIS TEAM AS WELL IT JUST WILL TAKE A LITTLE MORE COORDINATION BY THE EDITOR OF THE RIBBONS REPORT, JASON PLUMA. CURRENTLY THE SENIOR SPORTS WRITER, JASON PLUMA IS COACHING THE 11-12 YEAR OLD SQUAD, AS IS THE SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATISTICIAN, JASON PLUMA. WITH THIS MANY MEMBERS OF THE STAFF COMMITTED TO OTHER ASSIGNMENTS, THE AVAILABILITY OF ANYONE TO COVER THE GAME IN THE REPORTS TYPICAL MANNER HAS YET TO MATERIALIZE.

HOWEVER, WE WILL GET YOU PLENTY OF STUFF TO FORWARD ON TO FRIENDS AND RELATIVES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, OR TO PRINT UP AND PLACE IN YOUR BOYS SCRAP BOOK. FOR NOW, HAVING HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE IN SOME OF TODAYS GAME, LET ME PROVIDE JUST A COUPLE IMAGES THAT STAY BURNED IN MY MEMORY LONG AFTER THE FINAL OUT.

OUR PITCHING WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE, LORICK AND VALENZUELA BOTH LOOKED AS WE AT THE REPORT HAD EXPECTED, BUT WHAT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE WAS THE KID BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE TWO. WITH A HERKY JERKY DELIVERY AND HIGH LEG KICK, GABRIEL TRUJILLO MAY HAVE MADE A COUPLE MAJOR COACHES SITTING IN THE STANDS NERVOUS, BUT THE EXPLODING FASTBALL AND CALM DEMEANOR CREATED JUST AS MUCH INTEREST IN THE KID WHO TOOK OVER EARLIER THAN EXPECTED AND CONTRIBUTED IN A BIG WAY TO THE TEAMS VICTORY. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OR THE ATMOSPHERE SURROUNDING THE GAME NEVER SEEMED TO EVEN PHASE THE KID AS HE ADDED HIS NAME TO THE LIST OF PITCHERS TURNING IN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES IN ALL STAR COMPETITION.

NEXT TO COMMENT ON WOULD HAVE TO BE THE DISEASE THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS SPREAD FROM THE 11 AND 12 YEAR OLD GROUP INTO THE 9-10 TEAM. THIS POSSIBLY WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE SIX MEMBERS WHO SPENT THE SEASON FACING A HANDFUL OF THE TOP MAJOR PITCHERS IN THE HIGH DESERT. BUT THEN AGAIN, THESE BOYS FROM THE MINOR DIVISION LOOKED LIKE THEY'VE BEEN HITTERS ALL THEIR LIVES. MAYBE ITS GOT SOMETHING TO DO WITH HAVING ONE OF THE TOP HITTING INSTRUCTORS IN YOUR DUGOUT.

AND LASTLY, OVERALL THE DEFENSE IMPRESSED. THERE WERE MISCUES, BUT THERE WERE ALSO PLAYS DEEP IN THE HOLE BY RIVERA, GREAT STRETCHES AT FIRST BASE AND A PLAY IN THE TOP OF THE SIXTH THAT ALMOST WAS THE PLAY OF THE TOURNAMENT.

WITH ONE OUT IN THE 6TH, A BARSTOW HITTER TOOK A VALENZUELA PITCH OVER THE HEAD OF THE RIBBONS LEFT FIELDER. WHILE BOTH THE NAME AND NUMBER OF THE LEFT FIELDER ESCAPES ME, HIS HUSTLE AND CANNON I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER. HE TURNED, CHASED THE BALL DOWN AND THREW A STRIKE TO THIRD BASEMAN JEREMIAH LORICK. LORICK USED GREAT FOOTWORK AND QUICK HANDS TO THROW A STRIKE TO BRETT WOODS AT HOME, A FULL STEP AHEAD OF THE RUNNER. THE PLAY WAS SO IMPRESSIVE THAT EVEN WOODS, THE CATCHER COULDN'T BELIEVE IT AS HE HAD ALREADY GIVEN UP ON THE LEAD RUNNER AND LOOKED TO DROP THE HITTER FROM THE BASE PATHS. THAT TYPE OF MISCUE NEVER HAPPENS WITH BRETT WOODS THUS PROVING TO ME EXACTLY HOW IMPRESSIVE THE PLAY WAS.

WE'LL GET OUR ACT TOGETHER, GET THE NAMES, THE NUMBERS AND THE SKILLS NOTED IN EACH ARTICLE. FOR NOW I'D JUST LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE PARENTS OF THE FIRST TIME RIBBONS ALL STARS. FIRST YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT YOUR KIDS ARE IN THE BEST HANDS POSSIBLE. KEN WOODS IS A MANAGER WHO CARES NOT ONLY ABOUT WINNING, BUT ABOUT KEEPING SMILES ON KIDS FACES. YOU HAVE A TOP NOTCH HITTING INSTRUCTOR IN LORENZO AND RICK IS AN EXTREMELY KNOWLEDGEABLE PITCHING COACH. HAVING SPENT THE SEASON COACHING WITH THEM, THE ONLY PROBLEM I CAN FORESEE ANY OF YOU HAVING WITH TWO OF THE THREE COACHES IS THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO THE DODGERS AND ANGELS. THANK GOD ONE OF THEM KNOWS ENOUGH ABOUT BASEBALL TO FOLLOW THE YANKEES.

AND LASTLY, IN CLOSING PLEASE UNDERSTAND BEING A RIBBONS SUPPORTER, YOU CAN EXPECT TWO THINGS. THE FIRST IS THAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE A VERY SUCCESSFUL SUMMER OF BASEBALL. THE SECOND IS THAT NO ONE IN THE DISTRICT 49 TOURNAMENT WILL LIKE YOU. DON'T LET IT BOTHER YOU, IT ACTUALLY GETS FUN ALLOWING FANS OF OTHER SQUADS TO RUN THEIR MOUTHS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THEY ARE DEFEATED BY THE GREEN MACHINE. ENJOY THE SECOND SEASON, AND KEEP THE REPORT IN YOUR FAVORITES.

THE REPORT OBTAINS 9-10 ROSTER

2009-06-17T22:32:00.001-07:00

While we put together the latest story following the 9-10 all stars, we thought it best to actually introduce some of our readers to this group. A group that is putting numbers on the board at a rate not seen since.......last years Ribbons squad.

The comparison:

2008 Ribbons after first two games 32 runs scored............won D49

2009 Ribbons after first two games 29 runs scored............?????

Who are these new Ribbons? Here's some names and numbers to help sort out all the scoring that's been done.

Eric Aceves 25
Robert Brown 3
Seth Escamilla 24 RETURNER/ Major Padres
Eric Fernandez 5
Rhese Gomez 18
Alec Holliday 8
Jeremiah Lorick 2 Major Dodgers
Richard Moya 7 Major Padres
Rick Rivera 14 RETURNER/ Major Braves
Gabriel Trujillo 13
Bryant Valenzuela 34 RETURNER/ Major Braves
Travan Watson 15
Brett Woods 12 RETURNER/ Major Braves

Minor Ribbons Score Major Victory in Opener

2009-06-17T01:20:00.000-07:00

Ribbons Minor All Stars Open Title Defense

With 13-2 Victory Over Sunset

It's the same story every season, opening night jitters. Everybody, including the coaches are a little nervous, a bigger stage a bigger crowd and for 13 all stars on the Victorville Ribbons All Star squad big expectations. What better way to lose those butterflies than with a 13 run outburst against Sunset Tuesday night.

Mix that with a quality start on the mound and Coach Woods team appears to be yet another eye catching development out of VRLLinc.

Due to the only Ribbons Reporter still on staff now performing double duty as assistant coach with the Major All Stars, I was unable to attend the opener but understood Coach Woods to be very impressed with the bottom of the lineups performance. This along with a 3 for 3 night by Jeremiah Lorrick, a hit and a couple walks for Bryant Valenzuela, two hits in four at bats for Brett Woods a big double off the bat of Seth Escamilla and a Fernandez triple solidified a victory for little known pitcher Reese Gomez, a nine year old who earned the confidence of Coach Woods and Pitching Coach Rick Rivera for the opening night nod. Gomez would go three innings holding the Sunset squad in check before handing the ball over to Ricky Rivera to put the finishing touches on a very impressive win for Ribbons Little League.

With the win, Victorville Ribbons minor teams have won 6 straight District games since 2007 and are 9 and 1 overall in District 49 play over that same time span. In an unusual twist to the schedule, Ribbons now returns Wednesday night at 5:00 pm to face East Barstow, a team who likely remembers the 10-0 loss suffered in last seasons District Championship game at the hands of the Ribbons squad.

Hope everyone can get out to the park and support the team tomorrow. As for myself I will be working with the Major Boys squad all week and will again be missing the game. Any one wishing to provide statistics, scores or stories of the game can email them to me at the address provided on my profile. Good luck fellas, we'll see you at the ballpark.

editors note- staff writer failed to do his homework as instructed and will be disciplined accordingly. We apologize should we have any statistics or above names wrong. We will be seeking out a team roster prior to Wednesday nights game, as well as locking in an official reporter to provide us all the highlights. Thank you for your understanding.

Back to Work

2009-06-16T23:32:00.000-07:00

I guess its probably just me, but for some reason it seems like each season, as All Stars come together and start practicing I see a team that looks worlds better than the previous season.

That would make sense, you would expect to be putting together the best team each season. But these are all the same guys, they just continue to improve, continue to grow, (guess that should be expected) and continue to become more like adults. The kids we took in 2007 were all very much a product of their parents.

This season, while they all continue to be a credit to that upbringing, each has begun to do their own thing.

They all now seem to have their own personality, their own brains. They are slowly becoming their own men.

Those men all reported back to work Tuesday, each again employed by the Victorville Ribbons Tournament Winning Factory. Here's a snapshot of each young man on the 2009 roster.

And there you have it, 13 kids 3 coaches and a million followers

here we go, lets see where we end up.

Just Gotta Get Through Today

2009-06-15T05:15:00.000-07:00

As the sun rose over the Desert, I awoke to find the new addition to the family waiting at the front door, like the loyal dog that accompanies you every morning on your walk. "No boy" I said, "One more day, Then we can go to the park and play ball".

Today all those chosen for the 11-12 all star squad should hear from the coaching staff. Parents should plan on being available for a parents only meeting. The location has yet to be determined.

As for the 9-10 squad, yesterday they drew a scrappy Sunset group which returns a couple key players from last years team. Ribbons takes the field at 5:00pm Tuesday to begin another title run. All those not involved with the 11-12 year old team and a likely first practice at that time should get out to Liberty and support Coach Woods and the team.

Here's that new puppy, eager to get out and play.

2009-06-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Another Summer for the Three Stooges

There are six players in the Ribbons Little league system,(six and a half if you count Vision Pluma in 2007) who make up the fraternity of players to win the District 49 9-10 year old all star tournament in back to back years. There are additionally some 14 or 15 players who can say they were D49 champs, either as a member of the first squad in 2007 or with the Section 8 champion team last summer. Most long time High Desert residents and little league alumni will agree that it is an accomplishment in itself to win a tournament of the District 49 tournaments size, let alone do it twice.

So as it stands today, six (and a half), 11 year olds can most likely, and with a relatively high level of confidence, lay claim to being the only high desert little leaguers, (possibly the only HD residents) to ever have two District 49 titles before even playing in the much more famous 11 and 12 year old tournament. Two seasons of experiencing winning prior to even attempting a run at the tourney which begins this month and concludes at the end of August in Williamsport Pennsylvania, with the world famous Little League World Series.

Now who knows if these 6 and a half ball players will all find themselves amongst the Ribbons elite again this season. Moving up to the eleven and twelve year old group has seen a greater supply of talented players saturating the teams in the league. But should the six and their teammatee who left the team one win prior to the D49 title in 2007, find themselves together again this season, what an accomplishment it could be,3 District titles and who knows what more prior to their big season, the 12 year old season. That would be a feat as rare as Tye Andross not questioning an umpires strikezone every inning. We're talking Little League Western Region Historic Event type achievement.

And that is precisely the objective of the three coaches credited with the 2 district and one sectional title over the past two summers . Coaches who although successful as coaches on their own, acknowledge that they have benefitted from the talented play of all players on both the 2007 and 2008 teams. The same three coaches, (Owen McIntosh, Jason Pluma and Tye Andross pictured above L-R) are also back again. This season the three are focused on not only winning the D49 tourney, but progressing further into the tourney just as they did the previous year, winning the section 8 tournament before ending with a 1 and two record at the sub division tournament, beating Temecula Valley before losing to both Rancho Bernardo of San Diego and Newport Beach.

This could be the last go round for the three as McIntosh looks to develop the very successful High Desert Hit Squad into a year round organization, first developed to benefit son Kade, now blossoming into a positive throughout the area. After the summers season concludes, Andross will begin debates between travelball, little league, or just backing off and focusing on keeping the game fun for Saxon and protecting the educational value of his right arm against baseball burnout . Pluma will be moving from the dugout to the sidelines this fall as Vision returns to playing football with the Desert Valley Hawks after a two year absence. In all likelihood this looks to be followed with time on the hardwood as Vision moves into his fourth season with NJB. Of course Pluma will,in all likelihood return to Ribbons for Visions 12 year old season, deciding to hold off on the Travel ball lifestyle until the following season.

Three guys who are each headed in different directions, guys who haven't always seen eye to eye, have disagreed on numerous occasions and admittedly have held a dislike and a distrust of each other on separate occasions over the past two seasons. However those issues never spilled over onto the field, where victory was the common denominator.

This season each will learn a new role in the overall heirarchy of the program Pluma will continue to develop the outfield and pitch batting practice, but will move off the field of play as the coaching staff will utilize a different strategy this season. Andross will focus exclusively on the field without the drama and the criticism the head coach is faced with constantly and should be quick to remind the casual fan approaching him that he isn't the manager. McIntosh now assumes those duties as well as enjoying the opportunity to manage the real time game situations after assisting Andross for the past two seasons.

As for the 9-10 year old coaching staff, three of the six coaches from the 2008 team that were not on the field now move into the duggout. Ken Woods gets his first taste of all star managing but should do just fine with his Braves coaching staff right there with him. Rick Rivera will in all likelihood coach third and serve as the pitching coach, with Lorenzo Valenzuela developing the hitters and coaching third. In addition it is assumed Manuel Escamilla will be assisting as often as possible as well.

While Pluma has committed to the summer regardless of whether or not son Vision is selected, all other coaches from last years squad, (Girard Anderson and Gary Elder) were unavailable for comment. Pluma who was basically missing in action throughout the regular season is fired up about the all star coaching opportunity, almost more excited than in the two previous seasons. Today the coach will be searching the Desert for this years bat. Those members of the 2008 squad may not know that the Good Luck charm Louisville slugger that sat inside the dugout at every district, sectional and sub division game last summer was somehow either lost or stolen during one of the rare practices coach Pluma was able to make this regular season. Time to go pick us out a winner.

And finally to put the rarified air the afforementioned now sit in, I'd like to draw on the past. at eleven years of age, a kid with a great glove and an average at best bat made his first all star team. As fate would have it, this team the 1987 Hesperia Major Boys would win the District 49 tournament. The following year the league split and over the next 5 years not once did his all star team ever advance past the D 49 tourney. It is a much tougher tournament than many give it credit for. The desert is no longer a land of unskilled and uneducated trash as had long been the perception.

Again speaking to the validity of the deserts wealth of talent we look to the boy from the earlier story, in 1994 he was selected to represent district 49 in the 16-18 year old division of Little League, (a team comprised of players from every league in the tournament that soon will begin). The 1994 49ers won the sectional tournanment in Riverside without a loss, went through the divisional tourney held at the same park without a loss. Went to western regionals in Las Vegas where, other than a scare from an Arizona team, they were never challenged.

In mid August, the team landed in Fort Lauderdale Florida at the Big League World Series representing the WEST. They beat Taiwan in their opener, and continued on until the semi final round in which the local team, on the strength of a left handed freshman out of LSU gave the team its first loss. The following day, the team was up three runs and one out away from defeating Taiwan for the second time and eliminating them. The victory would also provide a rematch with the Broward County team that had given them their first loss.

That rematch would never happen unfortunately, the 49ers were eliminated as Taiwan launched a bases loaded, 3-0 fastball into the night for a walk off grand slam ending the High Deserts run and giving the team the title of the 3rd best team in the world that year.

This was the second time in three years District 49 would find itself in Florida. I chose to play American Legion ball the first year the team went, otherwise maybe I could relate to the 6 and a half who have already achieved more than I did in all stars for 6 seasons.

But at any level, the Little League World Series is something to be proud of.

Until next time, take care of yourself, we'll see you at the ballpark

Older Than Their Age Would Suggest

2009-06-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

Five for Starters

Four Returners from the 2008 Section 8 Championship team, along with a new spark plug have this years 9-10 team starting off on the right foot.

2009-06-13T00:57:00.000-07:00

So maybe this is a little bit over the top. A little bit arrogant. I guess I could have maybe just excluded answer E and it would have been fine. But at THE REPORT, we report the facts. I wouldn't be doing my job if I simply listed the names of each player on the Victorville Ribbons Little League All Star team. Besides, this gives the competition an advantage, levels the playing field if you will. My contribution to the photography world actually allows you the opponent to focus on a couple specific players. That is, if they make the squad this season. The eleven and twelve year old squad is yet to be announced, I'm simply assuming if you throw 65+ and are top 5 in HR's and RBI you have a good shot. Just like the other three who fall into these two categories. Those others could have a little bit of an advantage due to them breaking 70 mph on the gun toward the season finale. Then there's all the guys who play specific positions. This league isn't blessed with 5 great shortstops and 4 stud catchers, instead we have A guy who has developed his skill at every position. We have players that run the bases like a pro, late inning defense players, slap hitters, bunters and a decent amount of pop in the league. We don't have one definite all world player... ( Well maybe) but we are a league forced to struggle through with players on the bench that would start and star for most squads.

There again, that cockiness, sorry. For those of you stopping in for the first time, allow me to introduce myself; My name is Jason Pluma and I am the CEO, Editor, Senior Writer, Photographer and Marketer of HiTnRuNMeDiA, the publishing company responsible for THE RIBBONS REPORT, the weekly online magazine covering the Ribbons Little League Major Boys 2009 season. In recent weeks, through the help of a shrewd agent, we were able to negotiate a deal allowing us, to jump back in the game with exclusive rights to cover both the 9-10 boys all stars and the 11-12 team.

Unlike with THE RIBBONS REPORT and its other sub pages, this will remain simplified, some pics, Rosters, box scores and a game article after each game. Part of the deal made involves streamlining the work to avoid neglecting the responsibilities associated with a position such as this. So I'm gonna wrap this up for now. If you're new visit the rest of the site, If you're a regular follower of HNRM, thanks for sticking with us, we offer our sincerest hopes that all those all stars in the league are recognized this season. The 9-10 team is rumored to open Monday night at Liberty Park, and we'll be there looking for all Ribbons faithful supporters sporting the Ribbons Green. As for the 11-12 team, at press time it has yet to be determined . Updates to follow, stay tuned.

Just remember, this won't be the investigative reporting you've become used to. Negotiations with wife,....I mean with company executives call for limited hours budgeted to THE REPORT. In compliance with this agreement, we've since terminated all non essential staff. That is the only comment we have at this time in regards to recent Tye Andross Sightings with "Will Coach for food" sign in the parking lot at Winco, Staters and Costco.

We're back, but in a limited capacity. Thanks for coming back and joining us and we hope to see all of you at the ballpark. For now, follow the "Ribbons Home" link, hit up the archives and get current on this magical team as they search for a third straight District 49 title.