The 8U team has competed in 2 Travel Tournaments to date.  Both have been all machine pitch.

 

The West Norriton Tournament (6/15 - 6/20) was a 16 team tournament (4 pools of 4). The team battled hard in several close games.  In the 1st game, TYA played a tough Douglassville team that ended up 3-0 after pool play.  TYA lost by a final score of 9-8.  The 2nd game was also a 1 run game with TYA taking the loss to Whitemarsh by a score of 7-6.  In game 3, TYA scratched out the maximum 5 runs in the bottom of the last inning to beat a very good Whitpain team 11-10.  Although 1-2 after pool play, TYA got to advance with Douglassville to the playoff round due to our runs against average being the best among the three 1-2 teams in the pool.  The playoff game Sunday night brought a rematch with undefeated Douglassville in the Quarterfinal game.  TYA played an excellent game and led 9-4 after 4 innings, but let things slip away with 5 runs allowed in the bottom of the 5th inning and the winning run in the bottom of the 6th inning to lose 10-9.

 

The East Norriton Tournament took place from 6/24-6/27.  This was a 20 team tournament (5 pools of 4 teams).  In Game 1, TYA lost 7-1 to a very talented Upper Providence team.  UP was the winner of the West Norriton tournament mentioned above.  The 3rd inning did in the Titans as we gave up 5 runs.  Heading into the weekend games, TYA was in need of some momentum!  On Saturday, TYA brought some revenge to Whitemarsh for the 1 run loss the previous week in West Norriton with a resounding 11-5 win.  Sunday morning, TYA shutout the Deep Run team 6-0.  With a 2-1 Pool Play record and the lowest runs against average among 2-1 teams in the 20 team pool, TYA got the 6 seed and played Whitpain again (#3 seed) on Sunday night.  Unfortunately, our "defense wins" approach fell apart in this game and we simply didn't come through big enough in 4 different bases loaded situations.  Whitpain advanced with a 12-5 win.

 

These 2 tournaments have tought us that we can play with anybody!  With several 1 run losses and then to turn the tables on 2 of those teams the next week, they know that it takes that 1 extra clutch hit or that spectacular defensive play to turn a game and tournament around!  We're up for the challenge!

 

Our next tournament will be the Cal Ripken Districts, beginning Sunday July 4th at Norristown.  We will move from all machine pitch to all kid pitch!  There are 5 teams in Ripken Districts (Central Perk, Whitpain, TYA, Harleysville and Norristown).  Our 1st game is 7/4 at 10am.  The top 2 teams advance to Ripken States in this double elimination tournament.

 

Please come out and support these 1st year players!  They are a great group of hard working kids!