Fresh-cut Christmas trees arrived today at the Malibu High Athletic Booster Club lot at the corner of PCH and Heathercliff. As a reminder, the tree lot is the main fundraiser for all of the athletic programs--including baseball--at Malibu High.
Thanks to all the baseball players (and others) who showed up this morning to help unload the trees.
Actually, it was the truck carrying the Christmas trees that broke down according to Coach Gallo. The bottom line, though, is that there will be no trees to unload today. Spread the word--and set aside some time on Friday to unload Christmas trees.
Games today: the JV plays at 8:30 and the varsity at 2:30. Both games are at Westhills.
Christmas trees will be delivered to the tree lot on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. All Malibu High baseball players are strongly encouraged to be there to help unload the truck.
The fall league schedule for Sunday has been changed (see the post below) so varsity players will be able to work at the lot before heading to Westhills for the 2:30 p.m. game against Chatsworth.
Also, while hours volunteered at the tree lot are always appreciated, Friday has been designated as the day for baseball and softball players to staff the lot. Baseball players should be sure to sign up for some Friday slots.
Changes in this weekend's schedule appear to be complete. Here's where things stand for Week 8 of the Westhills Fall League:
Both Malibu teams will play at Malibu High this weekend. The varsity plays Oak Park on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and the JV plays Buckley at 11:40 a.m. (Please note that this is a change from the original schedule.)
(Help preparing the field prior to warmups for the 9:00 a.m. game would be greatly appreciated.)
Here, thanks to Dave Bowman, are the fall batting average leaders for Malibu through the first six games (based on a minimum of 10 at bats):
1. Greg Kernodle -- .500
2. Matt Bowman -- .455
3. Stephen Williams -- .400
4. Jared Weinstock -- .357
(tied) 5. Jace Dispenza -- .333
(tied) 5. Sloan Campi -- .333
(tied) 5. Wesley Semkin -- .333
Check back soon for more stats.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops. Today, October [26], a [Wednesday] of rain and broken branches and leaf-clogged drains and slick streets, it stopped, and summer was gone."
--A. Bartlett Giamatti, "The Green Fields of the Mind"
Both Malibu teams play at Chaminade on Saturday. The JV game begins at noon. The varsity game follows at 3:00 p.m.
For a map to Chaminade High, click here.
The next practice for the varsity fall ball team will be on Thursday. Expect a change in the practice schedule next week due to Yom Kippur.
The varsity team plays at Pepperdine against Taft on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. The JV game is at Malibu High on Sunday at noon against Highland Hall.
Stephen Williams went 3-for-3 and doubled to knock in Jacob Perrin with the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Highland Hall defeated Westlake High, 6-5.
No, Williams and Perrin haven't been traded. Highland Hall's manager Dave Bowman asked the two to fill in for some of his players who were unable to make today's game at Pepperdine.
Malibu's varsity team will play on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against Calabasas at Calabasas. The JV team plays on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. at Pepperdine against Monclair.
Malibu dropped the first game of the fall season to Calabasas on Saturday, 4-3. In spite of strong pitching performances by Colbie Bell, Jared Weinstock, Wesley Semkin, and Jacob Perrin, a series of defensive lapses leading to three unearned runs combined with a failure to get timely hits with runners in scoring position led to the loss.
Jace Dispenza hits for Malibu.
Leadoff hitter Greg Kernodle provided most of the offense for Malibu. Kernodle was 3-for-4 on the day. Weinstock, Perrin, and Nate Schoenbrun also had one hit each.
Jared Weinstock delivers in the fourth inning.
Stephen Williams awaits the play at first base.
Malibu returns to Calabasas for a rematch on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Saturday's varsity game will be at noon against Calabasas, not 3:00 p.m. as stated in yesterday's post. As a reminder, tomorrow's practice will be at 4:00 p.m.
For more schedule information, see the Westhills Baseball site here. (Please note: Schedule changes are a common occurrence during fall ball. We'll always post the latest schedule information available here.)
Just a reminder: If you haven't already paid your share of the fall baseball registration fee ($130 per player), please do so on Thursday. Checks may be made payable to Robert Williams.
