Summer Vacation Begins

The American Legion season ended for Malibu today with a 5-1 loss to Santa Monica in the regional playoffs. Brooks Fitch pitched seven strong innings for Malibu, but got almost no run support just one day after a 23-run explosion against Templeton. Daniel Williams and Jamie Van Soelen ended the tournament in the cheap seats after being ejected in separated incidents midway through the game.

Legion Playoff Update

After losing to Covina on Thursday by a score of 6-4, Malibu rebounded today with a 23-5 win over Templeton in the American Legion regional tournament. Jason Puklus, who hit a first-inning homerun against Covina, had one of two grand slams for Malibu against Templeton. Brooks Fitch had the other one when he came to the plate as the fourth batter of the game for Malibu.

Malibu plays next at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. All remaining games in the regional tournament will be played at Jackie Robinson Stadium at UCLA.

Legion Playoff Schedule

Malibu plays Covina on Thursday, July 21, at 11:00 a.m. in the first round of the American Legion playoffs. The game will be at Reeder Field on the campus of Cal State-LA.

The winner of Thursday's game plays at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at UCLA. The loser will play at 10:00 a.m., also at UCLA.

Batting practice will be on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at Malibu High.

Abstract Brooks

Here, with a few filter and color level adjustments, is another version of the photo below showing Brooks Fitch hitting in the twilight at Jackie Robinson Stadium last Friday.

Legion Photos

It's taking me way too long to get caught up on the box scores (although I've just posted the box score for the June 21 game against Hollywood here) and for that I apologize to all concerned (and especially to John Puklus, who likes to have the stats available and up to date). While you wait for me to get caught up, please enjoy these photos from recent games.

Colbie Bell takes care of a foul pop against Brentwood on June 28.

Phil Johnson stands in against Brentwood.

Greg Kernodle strides in a game against Santa Monica on July 2. (Who was responsible for that third base line?)

Brooks Fitch cocks the bat in the twilight against Lawndale on July 8.

With Greg Kernodle on third, Stephen Williams starts his swing against Lawndale.

Phil Johnson delivers against Pali on July 9.

Doubleheader

Monday's game in Malibu against University, originally scheduled for 11:00 a.m., has been pushed back to 3:00 p.m. It will be followed immediately by a makeup of the June 25 game that was postponed due to a Saturday morning scheduling mixup.

Malibu closes out the regular season with two games at UCLA--on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. against Hollywood and on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Brentwood.

The Update from Coach Buss

For those of you who prefer to get your updated schedule information from Sharks Baseball instead of e-mail, here's the latest from Coach Buss:

Friday's game is at 5PM at UCLA. We are in the 1B dugout.

Saturday's game is at 2PM, UCLA. 3B dugout.

Monday we are home against University at 11AM. At Malibu HS. I still have not confirmed the 2nd half of the doubleheader . . . but be prepared for 2 games at MHS on Monday.

Clean uniforms Friday, please.

Friday's opponent is Lawndale. Saturday's is Palisades. And if you happen to be planning a pitching rotation, you might want to keep in mind that there's also a game scheduled for Tuesday.

Maj. Steve Reich

Paul Gallo writes today:

Steve Reich is a former opponent of mine at Shepaug Valley High School in Washington Depot, Connecticut and a player I later recruited while I was at Eastern Connecticut. I was hoping you could link this story on the blog for me, as a reminder that even if we do not agree with what is going on over in the Middle East, there are people, some whom we know personally, that believe in fighting for the freedom of this country.

Steve Reich was an incredible pitcher and even more so an incredible person.

I haven't seen him in about 15 years, but I will miss him.

The story, briefly, is this:

Maj. Reich died in the crash of an Army helicopter a week ago in Afghanistan. There were 16 Special Operations Forces personnel, including Reich, on board when the chopper was brought down by a rocket-propelled grenade. Maj. Reich was serving his fourth tour of duty in Afghanistan at the time.

Rather than follow Coach Gallo to Eastern Connecticut, Reich pursued a dream of attending the United States Military Academy. He pitched for the Cadets and holds career marks at West Point for strikeouts (259) and innings pitched (260). He played for Team USA in 1993 and 1995. In 1993, he was the flag bearer for the United States contingent in the World University Games. Reich signed with the Baltimore Orioles in 1996, but pitched only two games for the High Desert Mavericks of the California League before being called back into active duty.

There's more on Maj. Reich here and, with a few photos included, here.

We grieve with you, Coach.

Daily News Honors

Congratulations to Daniel Williams on being an Honorable Mention selection for the Daily News All-Area Team.

Spenser Buss

You don't have to be named "Williams" to get your picture posted on this blog (although it certainly helps). To prove it, here's a photo of Coach Buss's kid, Spenser.

According to Coach Buss, this is Spenser's first Little League photo.

You'll notice the cap is a little off-center. That, I understand, is a style point that Spenser picked up from watching Brooks Fitch play.

Saturday Split

Malibu split a doubleheader today, losing to Santa Monica A, 5-3, in the first game and beating Santa Monica B, 9-4, in the second game. Jacob Perrin was 5-for-6 in the two games. In the second game, Geoff Roth pitched a complete game for the win.

Please check back for box scores.