If you prefer verbal directions, here they are: Go north on the 405. Exit Nordhoff Street. Go left on Nordhoff to Haskell. Turn right on Haskell and go north to the Mission Hills Golf Club (on the left). The baseball field is near the golf course at the intersection of Haskell and Lassen.
Both Malibu teams will play this weekend at Malibu High on Sunday. The varsity plays Taft at 8:30 a.m. and the JV plays Grace Brethren at 11:30 a.m.
Varsity players: Please arrive a little early to help get the field ready.
The new pitching machine is up and running.
Please thank Mark Conrad and Tim Biglow when you see them for the time, money, energy, and expertise they've put into getting the machine installed and secured.
The JV is playing today against Calabasas at Calabasas. Game time is 3:00 p.m.
The varsity plays tomorrow against Crespi at Westhills. Game time is 9:00 a.m.
Schedules for next weekend have not yet been posted.
Congratulations to Coach Dave Buss whose team won the Los Angeles Men's Senior Baseball League National Division title last Sunday with an 8-1 victory over the Valley Mets in a game played at Malibu High.
Pictured below is Dave Buss (looking very steroid-free) holding Jose Canseco on first.
Buss hit .625 for the playoffs with a .750 on-base average and an .875 slugging percentage. (Playoff stats for the Yankees are available here.)
The following paid announcement comes from Coach Buss:
This Sunday at 11AM, at Malibu High School, my 30 and over team plays for our league championship. I just wanted to invite you all to the game. Admission is free. As a matter of fact, I will pay you to come. You will see several ex-major leaguers, including 2-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series MVP Bret Saberhagen, and former minor league player of the year, 40-40 guy, and all around steroider Jose Canseco. The game also features a fat mortgage broker/coach playing first base for the LA Yankees. Said coach is in the running for league MVP, and should secure that all-important award if he plays well this Sunday. This award basically means nothing to anyone, except me. If I win it, I will have something else to talk about for the next few years. Your ears may bleed, but I will be happy.
All in all it should be a fun day. . . . I will probably buy a few rounds of drinks at the Malibu Inn after, for anyone who shows up and doesn't root against me or my team.
Cheeseburgers for the High School players who cannot, and should not, consume alcohol.
Malibu High--Sunday--11:00 a.m.
Be there!
Malibu's varsity team plays Chaminade on Saturday, September 30, at Chaminade High. Game time is 10:30 a.m. (Chaminade High is located at 7500 Chaminade Avenue in West Hills.) The JV team plays at Oak Park on Saturday against ECR (I'm still trying to figure out who that is) at 3:00 p.m.
Check the website here for updates.
Malibu's varsity team plays Chaminade on Saturday, September 30, at Chaminade High. Game time is 10:30 a.m. (Chaminade High is located at 7500 Chaminade Avenue in West Hills.) The JV team plays at Oak Park on Saturday against ECR (I'm still trying to figure out who that is) at 3:00 p.m.
Check the website here for updates.
Malibu's varsity team plays Chaminade on Saturday, September 30, at Chaminade High. Game time is 10:30 a.m. (Chaminade High is located at 7500 Chaminade Avenue in West Hills.) The JV team plays at Oak Park on Saturday against ECR (I'm still trying to figure out who that is) at 3:00 p.m.
Check the website here for updates.
Malibu's varsity team plays Chaminade on Saturday, September 30, at Chaminade High. Game time is 10:30 a.m. (Chaminade High is located at 7500 Chaminade Avenue in West Hills.) The JV team plays at Oak Park on Saturday against ECR (I'm still trying to figure out who that is) at 3:00 p.m.
Check the website here for updates.
There will be a practice for both the varsity and JV fall ball teams tomorrow (Wednesday) immediately after school. All high school players are welcome.
On Saturday, the JV team takes on Oak Park at Oak Park High. Game time is 9:00 a.m.
The varsity plays on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Westhills against Canoga Park High.
Please remember to pay Mark or Robert if you have not already done so. Registration is $150.
The Malibu varsity team plays its first game of the Westhills fall season on Saturday, September 16, at 10:30 a.m. against Calabasas at Calabasas High. The JV team follows on Sunday with a noon start at Westhills against Crespi.
Please let Mark Conrad or Robert Williams know--by phone or at practice today or tomorrow--if you're available for one or both games. Both teams may need to borrow players from the other.
The Westhills fall baseball season is scheduled to get under way next weekend. (Schedules should be available Tuesday night.) Those who are interested in playing should meet at the Malibu High baseball field on Wednesday, September 13, after school for a light workout and information session. (Those currently playing other sports are, of course, excused.)
Please bring a check for $150 made payable to Mark Conrad or Robert Williams. This will cover registration for the fall season and some additional games to be scheduled outside of the Westhills league.
An e-mail will be going out later today (Sunday) to those on the baseball e-mail list. Leave a comment here if you do not receive this e-mail and I will add you to the list.
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D. Williams CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 |
| Puklus LF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .316 |
| Johnson P | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 |
| S. Williams C | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .267 |
| Fitch 3B | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .412 |
| Van Soelen 1B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .385 |
| Weinstock SS/2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Roth RF | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Kernodle 2B/SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
D. Williams reached on catcher's interference in the 4th inning
BATTING
GIDP: Van Soelen, Weinstock
LIDP: Johnson
Team LOB: 5
FIELDING
PO: Johnson-Van Soelen
E: Weinstock 2, Fitch 2
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| Johnson | 8.0 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 3.86 |
WP: Johnson
Pitches-strikes: Johnson, 109-73
Groundouts-flyouts: Johnson, 7-10
Stephen Williams flies to center in the second inning.
Daniel Williams flies to center in the fourth inning. (Catcher's interference was called on the swing.)
Phil Johnson turns and throws to first.
Brooks Fitch tries to get into the pitcher's head.
Greg Kernodle grounds to short in the seventh inning.
Stephen Williams and Coach Buss wait out a conference on the mound.
Brett Weinstock awaits the pitch in the bottom of the eighth.
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D. Williams CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .154 |
| Puklus LF | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .333 |
| Johnson C/RF/1B/3B | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .364 |
| S. Williams 1B/C | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .273 |
| Fitch 3B/P | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .308 |
| Van Soelen RF/P/1B | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .222 |
| M. Gwyn P | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .500 |
| Weinstock SS | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .250 |
| Kernodle 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 |
| a-Roth PR/RF | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
a-ran for Gwyn in the 8th inning
BATTING
2B: S. Williams (2), Puklus (2)
ROE: S. Williams
S: M. Gwyn
Team LOB: 8
BASERUNNING
CS: M. Gwyn, D. Williams
PO: S. Williams
FIELDING
DP: Fitch-S. Williams-Weinstock, Weinstock-Kernodle
E: M. Gwyn
PB: Johnson
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| M. Gwyn | 5.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5.40 |
| Van Soelen W (1-0) | 3.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4.50 |
| Fitch S (1) | 1.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15.00 |
WP: M. Gwyn
Pitches-strikes: M Gwyn, 68-39; Van Soelen, 47-33; Fitch, 15-11
Groundouts-flyouts: M. Gwyn, 11-2; Van Soelen, 2-3; Fitch, 1-1
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D. Williams CF | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .125 |
| Puklus LF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .300 |
| Johnson 1B/3B | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .333 |
| S. Williams C | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .143 |
| Fitch P/1B | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .250 |
| Van Soelen RF/P | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .333 |
| M. Gwyn 3B | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .400 |
| Weinstock SS | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .125 |
| Kernodle 2B | 5 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | .375 |
| a-Roth P/RF | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
a-batted for Gwyn in the 5th inning
BATTING
HR: Puklus (1), Johnson (1)
2B: Fitch (2), Kernodle (1)
Team LOB: 7
BASERUNNING
SB: D. Williams (1), Kernodle (1)
CS: D. Williams
FIELDING
DP: Weinstock-Fitch
PO: Fitch-Gwyn
E: Weinstock, Gwyn, Puklus, Johnson, Fitch
PB: S. Williams
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| Fitch | 2.0 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 22.50 |
| Roth L (0-1) | 5.0 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 9.00 |
| Van Soelen | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 |
HB: Fitch 2, Roth 2
WP: Fitch
Pitches-strikes: Fitch, 51-25; Roth, 123-73; Van Soelen, 13-8
Groundouts-flyouts: Fitch, 1-2; Roth, 3-6; Van Soelen, 1-0
Phil Johnson was ejected from last night's game against Valley North while batting in the seventh inning after expressing dissatisfaction with the home plate umpire's strike zone. Geoff Roth came to the plate with an 0-2 count and swung and missed on the next pitch. He did not, however, strike out. Johnson did. (Sorry, Phil.)
Here's Rule 10.17 (b) of The Official Baseball Rules:
When the batter leaves the game with two strikes against him, and the substitute batter completes a strikeout, charge the strikeout and the time at bat to the first batter. If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other manner, including a base on balls, score the action as having been that of the substitute batter.
This is just in case anyone had any questions about the box score below.
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D. Williams CF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| Puklus LF | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .400 |
| Johnson P | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .500 |
| S. Williams C | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .333 |
| Fitch 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .250 |
| Van Soelen RF | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .333 |
| M. Gwyn 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 |
| Weinstock SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Kernodle 2B | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 |
| a-Roth PH/P | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
a-batted for Johnson with two strikes in the 7th inning
Johnson ejected in the 7th inning
BATTING
2B: Puklus (1), S. Williams (1), Fitch (1)
S: D. Williams, M. Gwyn
HP: S. Williams
Team LOB: 8
BASERUNNING
CS: D. Williams
FIELDING
DP: Fitch-Weinstock-Fitch
PO: Johnson-Kernodle
E: Johnson, Weinstock, Roth
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| Johnson W (1-0) | 6.0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3.00 |
| Roth S (1) | 3.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0.00 |
Pitches-strikes: Johnson, 112-69; Roth, 52-27
Groundouts-flyouts: Johnson, 5-6; Roth, 5-0
HB: Johnson 2
Phil Johnson, who held Valley North to three runs and earned the win, waits on deck in the fourth.
Daniel Williams bats in the seventh inning.
Jason Puklus hits in the top of the seventh.
Geoff Roth pitched three shutout innings to earn a save.
Roth points to Phil Johnson up in the press box after preserving the win.
Malibu leaves the field with a win over Valley North, 4-3.
| PLAYER | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | AVE |
| 1. P. Johnson | 31 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 8 | .516 |
| 2. D. Williams | 30 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .500 |
| 3. J Puklus | 38 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 8 | .474 |
| 4. B. Weinstock | 16 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .438 |
| T-5. B. Fitch | 29 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | .379 |
| T-5. S. Williams | 29 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 17 | .379 |
| 7. J. Van Soelen | 38 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | .368 |
| 8. S. Conrad | 29 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | .345 |
| 9. G. Roth | 28 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .321 |
| 10. C. Bell | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .308 |
| 11. G. Kernodle | 35 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .286 |
| 12. J. Perrin | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .278 |
| 13. M. Gwyn | 27 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .259 |
(Based on minimum of 10 at bats.)
Look for more on Monday.
Malibu finished the regular season schedule with a record of 11 wins and 3 losses following today's 9-3 victory over Brentwood. Along with Santa Monica, Malibu will advance to the American Legion 6th Area playoffs beginning on July 27. (NOTE: Birth certificates will be needed prior to the playoffs. Please locate yours now and make plans to bring it to the workout on Thursday.)
Box scores and stats (along with a few photos like the ones here) are coming. Thanks for your patience.
Brooks Fitch holds a Brentwood runner.
Geoff Roth delivers.
Daniel Williams hits in the fifth inning.
Tomorrow's game against University has been cancelled.
Next up: Malibu vs. Hollywood at UCLA on Tuesday. Game time: 6:00 p.m. (Don't forget to Tivo the MLB All-Star Game.)
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D Williams CF | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .500 |
| Puklus LF | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .441 |
| Johnson P | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .519 |
| Van Soelen 1B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .344 |
| S. Williams C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .360 |
| Fitch DH | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .375 |
| Kernodle SS | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .267 |
| M Gwyn 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .292 |
| Roth RF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .381 |
BATTING
2B: Roth (2)
3B: Johnson (1)
S: Kernodle
HP: Puklus 2
ROE: Puklus
Team LOB: 13
BASERUNNING
SB: D. Williams (5), Fitch (4)
FIELDINGE: Puklus, Johnson, Bell
DP: Johnson-Kernodle-Van Soelen
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| Johnson | 6.0 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 2.57 |
| Roth L (1-1) | 1.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4.91 |
Pitches-strikes: Johnson, 90-61, Roth 24-11
Groundouts-flyouts: Johnson, 4-2, Roth 1-0
| Malibu | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | K | AVE |
| D. Williams CF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .588 |
| Puklus LF | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .438 |
| Johnson 3B | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .478 |
| Van Soelen EH | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .357 |
| S. Williams C | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .364 |
| Fitch P | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .381 |
| Kernodle 2B | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .259 |
| Roth RF | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .353 |
| M. Gwyn 1B | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 |
| Bell SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .300 |
| Kramer-a PH | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 |
| Weinstock-b SS | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .385 |
a-batted for S. Williams in the 7th
b-batted for Bell in the 6th
BATTING
3B: Puklus (1)
2B: Puklus (6), S. Williams 2 (3), D. Williams (1), Fitch (3)
S: M. Gwyn
ROE: Puklus
GIDP: Fitch
Team LOB: 13
BASERUNNING
SB: Fitch (3), Johnson (1)
CS: Kernodle, D. Williams
E: Johnson 2, Bell, Kernodle
CS: Williams-Kernodle
| PITCHING | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | ERA |
| Fitch W (2-0) | 6.0 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3.00 |
| Roth | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1.80 |
Pitches-strikes: Fitch, 90-59; Roth, 9-7
Groundouts-flyouts: Fitch, 6-4; Roth, 0-1
PO: Fitch 2
