Five Days, Four Games

Malibu plays four games in the next five days including two afternoon games at UCLA. Tomorrow Malibu faces Brentwood for the first time this season. Game time is 2:00 p.m. On Friday, Malibu and Fairfax square off at Jackie Robinson Stadium, also at 2:00 p.m. The two Santa Monica teams visit Malibu on Saturday for games at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Check the complete schedule here. (Updates will be posted as they are received.)

Congrats, Grads!

Congratulations to the Sharks baseball players who graduated today at Malibu High.

George Paul Azzi
Alexander Robert Beck
Duncan Howard Daw
Philip William Johnson
Jason John Puklus
Geoffrey Isadore Roth
James D. Van Soelen
Brett Michael Weinstock
Aaron Scott Westine
Robert Daniel Williams

We thank you for what you've done for baseball in Malibu and wish you the best in your future endeavors, both academic and athletic. Malibu's coaches, players, and fans will miss you.

Mid-week Update

Malibu took a shortened game from Palisades with a run in the bottom of the sixth on Monday and then rolled over Hollywood on Tuesday. Box scores will be delayed a few days due to the general mayhem associated with tomorrow's graduation ceremonies at Malibu High.

Next up: Malibu plays University at UCLA on Saturday. Game time is 10:00 a.m.

Malibu 12, Hollywood 1 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
Puklus SS	2	2	1	0	1	0	.450
B. Weinstock p	1	2	0	0	1	0	.231
Williams CF	3	1	2	1	0	0	.421
Johnson 3B	2	1	2	3	1	0	.538
Roth 1B	3	0	0	0	0	2	.286
S. WIlliams C	2	1	1	3	1	0	.188
Kernodle 2B	3	1	2	1	0	0	.500
Van Soelen LF	2	0	0	0	1	0	.143
Perrin EH	3	0	1	1	0	0	.385
Dispenza RF	3	1	1	0	0	0	.222
Gwyn EH	2	1	1	0	0	0	.444
Fitch EH	1	1	1	2	0	0	.429
Jessen EH	1	1	1	0	0	0	.---
Campi EH	1	0	1	1	0	0	.---

BATTING

2B: S. Williams (3), Gwyn (1)
ROE: Dispenza
HP: B. Weinstock
LIDP: B. Weinstock
Team LOB: 8

BASERUNNING

SB: Puklus (1), Johnson 2 (4), Kernodle 2 (3)

FIELDING

E: Kernodle

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
B. Weinstock W (1-0)	4.0	3	1	0	1	3	0.00
Gwyn	1.0	0	0	0	1	2	0.00

HBP: B. Weinstock
Pitches-strikes: B. Weinstock, 68-41; Gwyn, 21-12
Groundouts-flyouts: B. Weinstock, 5-4; Gwyn, 1-0

This Week's Schedule

Malibu, off to a 5-0 start in the American Legion season, has three games scheduled this week. The Sharks take on Palisades today at 5:00 at Malibu High. Tomorrow, Malibu plays Hollywood at UCLA. Game time tomorrow is also 5:00 p.m. Finally, on Saturday at 10:00 a.m., Malibu plays University at UCLA.

Happy Father's Day

One of the things I've enjoyed most about baseball in Malibu over the past ten or twelve years has been the active involvement of so many great parents. Thanks to all of you--especially, today, to you fathers--who have spent so many hours over the years coaching, cheering for, and, best of all, just having fun with your sons and mine.

Happy Father's Day!

Malibu 3, Lawndale 2 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
D. Williams CF	2	1	1	0	0	0	.357
B. Weinstock 2B	3	1	0	0	0	0	.182
Puklus P	3	0	0	1	0	1	.444
Roth LF, P	1	0	0	1	0	0	.333
S. Williams DH, C	1	0	0	0	1	0	.167
J. Weinstock 1B	1	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Gwyn C, 3B	1	0	1	0	1	0	.400
Perrin 3B	2	0	0	0	0	2	.500
Kernodle 2B	2	0	1	0	0	1	.500
Dispenza RF, LF	2	0	1	0	0	0	.250
Van Soelen EH, 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	.200
Schoenbrun EH, RF	1	1	0	0	0	1	.000

BATTING

2B: D. Williams (2)
ROE: B. Weinstock
HP: D. Williams
GIDP: Van Soelen
Team LOB: 5

BASERUNNING

SB: B. Weinstock (2), Schoenbrun (1)
CS: Kernodle

FIELDING

DP: B. Weinstock-Kernodle-Van Soelen; Gwyn-Kernodle-Van Soelen
E: J. Weinstock, Conrad, B. Weinstock

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Puklus	3.0	4	0	0	1	4	1.17
Roth W (2-0)	4.0	3	2	1	3	4	5.48

HBP: Puklus
PO: Puklus, Roth
Pitches-strikes: Puklus, 44-28; Roth, 65-43
Groundouts-flyouts: Puklus, 1-2; Roth, 5-0

Time: 1:49

New Box Scores Posted

At last (and just in time for Izzy's use in preparing for tomorrow's game against Lawndale), box scores for the two most recent games have been posted. In order to keep the season in sequence, I've post-dated the postings. You'll find last Saturday's game against Santa Monica A here and Monday's game against Santa Monica B here.

Incidentally, the batting averages and ERAs posted with each box score are season totals, not in-game averages. I'll try to post season stats soon.

All-CIF

The All-CIF Southern Section baseball selections were released yesterday. Daniel Williams was a first-team selection for Division V. Congratulations, DWil!

(For a complete list in all divisions, go to the CIF Southern Section web site here, click on "Student Awards" and select "2005 Baseball."

The Baseball Banquet

Sixty players, coaches, and family members attended the annual Malibu High Baseball banquet last night at Spruzzo's. Coach Paul Gallo awarded varsity letters to sixteen players and acknowledged the contributions of the team's ten seniors by giving all of them the Coaches' Award.

Players and coaches assembled for a group photo on the patio at the end of the evening.

In Adam Paulson's absence, Jason Cavnar recognized the players on the JV squad. Jacob Perrin was named Most Valuable Player and Sloan Campi was named Most Improved Player. Paul Gallo recognized Jason Puklus and Daniel Williams with the Captains' Award. Daniel Williams was named Most Valuable Player. All-League certificates were awarded to Brooks Fitch, Philip Johnson, Jason Puklus, Geoff Roth, Jamie Van Soelen, Brett Weinstock, and Daniel Williams. Brett Weinstock was also recognized as a member of the Frontier League All-Academic Team.

Chaos in the Courtroom

Just hours after a jury in Santa Maria, California acquitted Michael Jackson on all charges in his fourteen-week child molestation trial, all eyes were turned to the proceedings in the dugout at Jackie Robinson Stadium where, in Judge Buss's Kan-Gear-roo Court, Philip Johnson was found guilty on one count of failing to know the number of outs while running the bases. Johnson, who had three hits, two stolen bases, and six RBIs in the game against the Santa Monica B team, exploded on hearing the verdict, as the following photo shows.

In spite of his conviction, Johnson left the dugout a free man, although carrying a heavy load.

Baseball Banquet--TOMORROW!

The annual Baseball Banquet will be held tomorrow at Spruzzo's. While festivities will not get under way until after 6:00 p.m., Spruzzo's would like to begin serving earlier, so please come at 5:30. The cost will be approximately $17.50 per person, tax and tip included.

Guilty!

No, not Michael Jackson. We're talking about Philip Johnson. Our cameras went inside the dugout to capture the emotional scene when the verdict was announced in yesterday's postgame Kan-Gear-roo Court. Six RBIs on the day and Judge Buss still wouldn't cut him any slack. Check back later today for the full report.

Legion Update: Week One

Malibu defeated the Santa Monica A team on Saturday, 10-9, and blew past the Santa Monica B team yesterday, 11-0, to move to 4-0 on the season. Box scores and recaps will be posted soon. (A little thing called "work" has been interfering lately.)

Malibu 11, Santa Monica B 0 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
Puklus SS	5	3	3	0	0	1	.533
B. Weinstock 2B	3	1	0	0	2	0	.250
D. Williams CF	3	3	0	0	2	0	.333
Johnson 3B	3	2	3	6	1	0	.444
Fitch P	2	0	0	0	1	0	.333
S. Williams C	3	1	1	1	0	0	.182
Gwyn RF	2	0	1	0	0	0	.250
Dispenza LF	2	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Kernodle 1B	2	0	0	0	0	1	.500
Bell EH	3	1	1	0	1	0	.125
a-Campi	0	0	0	0	1	0	1.000
b-Perrin	2	0	1	1	0	0	.667
c-Semkin	2	0	1	0	0	0	.286
d-Conrad	2	0	0	0	0	0	.0

a-batted for S. Williams in the sixth
b-batted for Gwyn in fifth
c-batted for Dispenza in the fifth
d-batted for Kernodle in the fifth

BATTING

2B: S. Williams (2), Semkin (1)
ROE: D. WIlliams, Gwyn, Fitch
HP: Fitch
Team LOB: 11

BASERUNNING

SB: Puklus (1), B. Weinstock (1), Johnson 2 (1,2)

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Fitch	3.0	0	0	0	0	4	2.63
Semkin W (1-0)	4.0	2	0	0	0	2	0.00

HBP: Semkin
Pitches-strikes: Fitch, 35-23; Semkin, 45-30
Groundouts-flyouts: Fitch, 3-2; Semkin, 2-8

Malibu 10, Santa Monica A 9 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
Puklus SS	3	1	1	1	1	0	.500
D. Williams CF	4	2	2	1	0	0	.444
Johnson 3B	3	2	1	1	0	1	.167
Van Soelen 1B	3	1	1	2	1	0	.250
Fitch P	2	1	2	2	1	0	.600
B. Weinstock 2B	3	1	1	1	0	1	.400
Roth RF	3	1	1	1	0	1	.375
S. Williams C	3	1	1	2	0	0	.125
J. Weinstock LF	2	0	0	0	0	1	.000
a-Kernodle	1	0	0	0	0	0	.667

a-batted for J. Weinstock in the fifth

BATTING

2B: D. Williams (1), Van Soelen (1), Fitch 2 (2, 3), S. Williams (1)
Sac: Johnson (1)
Team LOB: 3

FIELDING

E: 2 (Johnson, Van Soelen)
DP: 2 (Fitch-Weinstock-Van Soelen; Johnson-S. Williams-Van Soelen)

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Fitch	2.0	2	3	3	3	2	4.20
Roth	1.2	6	5	5	2	0	10.94
Johnson, W (1-0)	3.1	0	1	0	3	4	0.00

WP: Roth (2)
HBP: Johnson (2)
Balk: Johnson
Pitches-strikes: Fitch, 42-25; Roth, 41-22; Johnson, 51-29
Groundouts-flyouts: Fitch, 3-1; Roth, 3-1; Johnson, 3-3

Malibu 18, Fairfax 5 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
Puklus P	3	2	3	2	0	0	.571
D. Williams CF	2	3	1	0	0	0	.400
Johnson 3B	1	1	0	1	0	0	.000
Van Soelen 1B	2	2	1	1	1	0	.200
S. Williams C	2	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Bell LF	3	1	0	0	0	0	.000
Semkin RF	4	1	0	0	0	0	.200
Kernodle 2B	4	2	3	2	0	0	.800
Perrin SS	4	1	3	2	0	0	.750
a-Conrad LF	2	1	1	0	0	0	.500
b-Schoenbrun CF	1	1	0	0	1	0	.000
c-B. Weinstock P	2	1	1	1	1	1	.000
d-Roth 1B	2	2	2	3	0	0	.400
e-Campi	2	0	2	2	0	0	1.000
f-Fitch 3B	2	0	0	0	0	1	.200

a-batted for Puklus in the third
b-batted for D. Williams in the fourth
c-batted for Johnson in the fourth
d-batted for Van Soelen in the fourth
e-batted for S. Williams in the fourth
f-batted for Bell in the fourth

BATTING

2B:  Puklus 2 (2, 3), Perrin (1), Roth (1)
3B:  Roth (1)
SF:  Johnson (1)
HP:  D. Williams, Johnson
Team LOB:  9

BASERUNNING

SB:  Williams 2 (2, 3), Kernodle (1)

FIELDING

CS:  1, Puklus-Johnson
E:  4 (B. Weinstock, Kernodle, Roth, Perrin)
PB:  Johnson (1)

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Puklus (W, 1-0)	3.0	2	1	1	1	5	2.33
B. Weinstock	3.0	1	4	0	4	1	0.00

WP:  B. Weinstock (1)
HBP:  B. Weinstock (1)
Balk:  B. Weinstock
Pitches-strikes:  Puklus, 48-30; B. Weinstock, 59-35
Groundouts-flyouts:  Puklus, 3-0; B.
Weinstock, 4-4

Schedule Change: June 20

As most of you will already know thanks to Rick Johnson's e-mail, the American Legion game on June 20 originally scheduled to be played at Pali High has been moved to Malibu High. The schedule on the blog here has been updated to reflect the change.

Big League Dreams

Here's one from the archives. This photo dates (I think) from December 1998. It was taken at the Big League Dreams facility in Cathedral City. (Please let me know if my memory is faulty. Also, let me know if you have old photos you would like for me to post on the blog.)

Front row (l. to r.): Jared Weinstock, Grady Berk, Travis Turek, Brett Weinstock, Jason Puklus. Second row (l. to r.): Chris Auten, Jamie Van Soelen, Daniel Williams, Colbie Bell, Matt Hale, Brooks Fitch. Third row (l. to r.): Art Hale, Steve Weinstock, John Puklus. (Photo courtesy of Anne Arvin.)

Where was Philip Johnson?

Looking for a Run

With the score tied at 0-0, the Sharks watch their teammates bat in the top of the seventh in yesterday's game against Pacific Palisades.

An Editorial Note

At the risk of being overly melodramatic, the box score (below) for yesterday's Malibu-Palisades game represents the culmination of a dream. I recall a conversation with John Puklus several months ago in which I expressed my interest in posting box scores for Malibu's games. Sadly, it didn't happen during the high school season because I never had time to learn the finer points of HTML, which is the language of web sites--one one of them, anyway.

I'm beginning to get the hang of it, though, and my more discerning readers will notice that the postings have gradually become more visually appealing over time. For example, the first photograph appeared on Sharks Baseball on March 4, over two months after the blog was born. The first photograph showing coaches up close appeared on April 25. (I don't even want to try and describe the technical challenges presented by the effort to get a picture of Dave Buss to work on the web. If you've ever read the novels of Anne Rice or Bram Stoker, you'll understand.) The first presentation of statistics in tabular form occurred on May 8 and, frankly, didn't look that great. The table published on May 11 looked a little better and the playoff roster posted on May 19 showed some further improvements in format.

If you doubt that my technique is improving, compare the format of the varsity baseball schedule back in January with that of the American Legion schedule posted a little over a week ago. (Perhaps it makes the schedule difficult to read for old folks like me, but you've got to be impressed with the Malibu M in the background.)

Anyway, this is the first--but hopefully not the last--box score. I think I can do a better job on the spacing between lines in the boxes to give it a tighter appearance. I can also add more data, such as game time temperature, wind speed and direction, attendance, bunt attempts missed, ATBPWNROB (average time between pitches with no runners on base), etc. (Your suggestions are welcome.) While I could post the boxes for the other teams, I doubt that I will because I'm not sure that any of my regular readers--Hi, Mom!--really care about those.

The box score, incidentally, is not intended to replace the narrative description of each game. (I'll get to that soon for yesterday's game.) If the blog were just like I'd like for it to be, for each game there would be a box score, a newspaper-length article, a set of pre-game and post-game notes, the pre-game Vegas line (just kidding), and a detailed post-game critique of each player and coach's performance. (Since I've got to live with two of the players, I'm really just kidding about that last one.)

Anyway, the blog has been fun for me and, from what I hear, for a few of you as well. Thanks for the feedback. To the players and coaches, thanks for the inspiration.

Perhaps thanks should also go to George W. Bush. If he hadn't made international politics so depressing, I would probably be spending more time on my other blog.

Malibu 2, Palisades 0 (Box Score)

Malibu	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	K	AVE
Puklus SS	4	0	1	0	0	2	.250
Williams CF	3	0	1	0	0	0	.333
Johnson P, 3B	2	0	0	0	1	1	.000
Van Soelen 1B	3	0	0	0	0	3	.000
Roth RF, P	3	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Gwyn C	2	0	0	0	0	1	.000
S. Williams DH, C	3	0	0	0	0	2	.000
Bell 3B, 1B	2	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Kernodle 2B	1	1	1	1	0	0	1.000
Fitch EH, P	3	0	1	1	0	1	.333
a-Semkin	1	1	1	0	0	0	1.000
b-Dispenza	1	0	1	0	0	0	1.000

a - batted for Gwyn in the 8th
b - batted for Kernodle in the 5th

BATTING

2B: Puklus (1), Fitch (1)
HP: Kernodle
GIDP: D. Williams, Roth
Team LOB: 5

BASERUNNING

SB: D. Williams (1)
PO: Kernodle

FIELDING

DP: 1, Puklus-Bell
CS: 1, S. Williams-Kernodle
PB: Gwyn (1)
Pickoffs: Johnson

Malibu	IP	H	R	ER	BB	K	ERA
Johnson	3.0	1	0	0	2	2	0.00
Fitch	3.0	1	0	0	1	3	0.00
Roth	2.0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00

WP: None
HBP: Johnson, 2
Pitches-strikes: Johnson, 56-30; Fitch, 46-30; Roth, 24-14
Groundout-flyouts: Johnson, 4-2; Fitch, 2-4; Roth, 1-3