June 13^th the Pleasant Hill Major Minor team came in 2^nd in the Willamette Valley Babe Ruth League Playoffs, Eugene Sheldon number 1 and Eugene Willamette number 3.

There is some stiff competition in Willamette Valley Babe Ruth.  While the Pleasant Hill players were disappointed that they did not take first place they can be extremely proud of themselves as are their families and fans.

The Major Minor team may not have that big trophy in their showcase this year though they do have some wonderful memories to carry forward into next year’s 2011 season. The little community of Pleasant Hill and the surrounding areas that comprise our teams have some talented and dedicated players.  The Willamette Valley Babe Ruth teams will once again be playing against teams that not only play harder but also play with strategy, the support of their family and fans and the attitude of winners.

Congratulations Pleasant Hill Major Minor on a fine season. In fact congratulations are in order for all Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken teams.

Have a terrific summer with your summer league teams, tournaments, camps or vacations. We look forward to seeing all of you Pleasant Hill, Oregon Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken players back in 2011.

Pleasant Hill vs. Willamette photos

Pleasant Hill vs. Sheldon photos

Saturday was to be a long day for most of AAA Team Navy for 8 of the players along with players from AAA Gold and Pleasant Hill AA  Babe Ruth teams had formed a team to play in the annual Willamette Tournament in Eugene, Oregon.

Immediately following the Navy – Gold game the team left for Eugene where upon arrival they played  in two more back to back games.

Team meeting following 2nd place win in Willamette Tournament

On Saturday the team composed of Colton Baker, Dylan Miller, Tyler Cook, Kaleb Miller,  Seth Hensley-Weinheimer, Tanner Maryanski, Preston Paparo, Torrey Gage Tomlinson,  Brady Lane, and Braedon Putman took on and won against both Springfield and Cascade. Coaches for the games were Forest Tomlinson, Lee Baker and Kirk Miller.

On Sunday the team won against South Eugene and played Willamette to determine the tournament winner. While Willamette took first place and Pleasant Hill second, the parents and fans could not be prouder of Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill had pulled off 5 straight wins in 3 days. Tuesday evening June 8th a well prepared Team Navy will play their first game in the Willamette Valley Babe Ruth Playoffs and it is understood that their first challenge will be Willamette so this should be an exciting game. Congratulations on a Great Season Pleasant Hill Babe Ruth and Babe Ruth Cal Ripken.

Oregon Ducks

Youth Day Camp (Babe Ruth Complex) July 5-8
Players who will be in enrolled in grades 2-6 in the 2010-2011 school year.
Youth Day/Overnight Camp (PK Park) July 19-22
Players who will be in enrolled in grades 2-8 in the 2010-2011 school year.
High School Prospect Camp August 2-4
Players who will be enrolled in grades 9-12 in the 2010-2011 school year.

Oregon Beavers

Grand Slam 2010 Summer Camps

Willamette Valley Baseball Academy

Oh sure I have enjoyed watching my grandsons baseball skill and knowledge increase during these past 6 years and yet when I look back on his T-ball days I have so many memories that still put a smile on this old face.

What we so often overlook when thinking about T-ball or older youth teams are the coaches. Dedicated coaches such as T-Ball Navy coach Jason Barber seen in the photograph above. These coaches put hours of time and countless patients into teaching baseball and team participation skills to our youth.

The next time you are at a baseball practice or game or at the super market and see one of our Babe Ruth or Cal Ripken coaches take a minute to say thank you. Just think of what baseball would be like if we did not have these dedicated coaches to teach our sons and daughters the game of baseball.

Terry Weinheimer, PHBR webmaser

Photo by Courtney Dills and Tara Kelly, PHBR T-Ball Navy team reporters.

To see or download a copy of the Photo Order Form Click Here.

David is the Pleasant Hill AAA Navy baseball team. These are also a very talented and dedicated team of players though since the beginning of the regular season they had only won a single game.

Coach Forest Tomlinson and his assistants Coach Leigh Baker and Coach Jason White have been dedicated towards teaching the Pleasant Hill AAA Navy team strategy, technique and positive thinking.

Since before the beginning of the Spring season the  Pleasant Hill players have worked hard. These boys have been participating in a practice or playing in a game almost every day of the week rain or shine. In addition these players have also had homework assignments to better help them understand the techniques of winning in both baseball and life.

In the pre-season the AAA Navy team was winning on a regular basis. Once the regular season started it seemed as if they could no longer win regardless of the amount of practice they had or the dedication they showed. Then a couple of games back they had their first win when they played the Pleasant Hill Gold AAA team which is another team of excellent players. Unfortunately that win was  followed by a very big loss and the spirits were low.

On May 5, 2010 the match between David and Goliath finally came. The Pleasant Hill team arrived early, was in a very positive mood and understood the challenge they were to face. Before the Game Coach Tomlinson once again stressed the importance of strategy and staying in the game. Coach Baker and Coach White stressed the importance of both containing and directing their emotions and thinking positive even when behind.

From one inning to the next the fight was close as bats were swung, balls were pitched, errors and runs were made. Both teams practiced the strategies and techniques that they had learned and both teams maintained positive attitudes from inning to inning.

In the 6th inning the score was 6-7 and suddenly you heard the roar of the crowd as a Junction City player made a short bunt, the ball was thrown over the head of the first baseman and went far out in the field , this severe error on the part of Pleasant Hill resulted in the Junction City player making a home run off of a bunt. But wait!  It was not a home run for the Junction City player had also made an error and had not touched 3rd base on his way to home. Though the player was now home the pitcher threw the ball to third base and the runner was out. Two more outs and Goliath lost to David by a single run and a final score of 7-6.

Congratulations AAA Navy on a very good game against a very good team. As you play the game remember the words of Vince Lombardi: “Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.”

To see photographs of the game Click Here