Three way tie for 2nd place in the Eastern Division

Walla Walla...............13-6
Columbia Basin..........12-8
Spokane.....................12-8
Treasure Valley.......... 12-8
Wenatchee Valley....... 11-9
Big Bend ................... 9-10
Yakima Valley.............9-11
Blue Mountain ........... 1-19

With 8 games to go, and Walla Walla and Big Bend still needing to make up a rain-out game, there is still plenty of room for change in the standings.

Chukars lose both games to Big Bend

No good news to report from Saturday's games. The Chukars pitched well, but didn't have the hitting to go along with it. We are now tied for second place with CBC in the Eastern division. It was good though, to see Landon after the past two weeks. He took us and Grandpa and Grandma Rich to Brewsky's Broiler, where we had some great food for supper.



Landon stayed and visited in our room later, and we talked more than we have in months! It is fun to just sit back and listen as he and Rog talk the "baseball lingo"......I learned that there is a lot of "etiquette" in baseball. Did you know:
* Outfielders should never run across the infield
* No one should ever play catch in the infield
* No one should step on the foul lines
* The catcher ALWAYS waits for the pitcher, when running out for introductions

We'll miss Wednesday's game in Pendleton Oregon, against Blue Mountain....but will head back up next weekend.

Heading to Oregon

We will leave at 5am in the morning (Saturday) for Ontario. The Chukars will face off with Big Bend at noon. They split the games at their last meeting, in Moses Lake, Washington. Landon said they had a brutal practice on Thursday, and today's was about normal. Hope to be able to report some good news when we get back Sunday afternoon.

TVCC loses both games to Walla Walla

Haven't heard from Lando yet, it's 8:00 pm, and we are monitoring the NWAACC standings.............and there she is (DANG !) Lost BOTH games - we are now TIED for first place in the Eastern division with Walla Walla, - 12 wins each. WW needs to make up two games, as they have only played 16 total, and should be 18 at this point.

Update - Landon finally called about 9pm. I guess Baumann was MAD ! (do you blame him?) They had BP and more..... after the game. Concerning Landon, he played the first 5 innings of the first game, and all of the second game. He went 1 for 2, with a ribbie double, YAHOO !! He finally broke out of his slump !! He was also hit by pitch, and had a few walks. He threw a runner out at third, and caught a pop-up at the plate. The boys need to get their heads in the game and turn this around!! After 8 wins in a row - 3 losses are a real bummer !

Important games today....... aren't they all?

As the Chukars continue in the second half of league play, they work hard at analyzing their opponents. A lot of time is spent in the baseball "classroom" as they review previous game tapes, discussing each of the batters and pitchers they will face. Walla Walla is in second place, and only two games behind TVCC in the Eastern division standings, so these games today could make some real differences in how the top two shake out. Hobgood and Keller will pitch today, and Landon said they should do really well against the WW lineup. Let's hope that hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck prevail today.

Split with the Yaks

Landon said the Chukars didn't play their best in Yakima, winning 5-4 in the first game, and losing 2-4 in the second. Considering everything, they were happy to come away with a split. Landon caught all of the first game, and the end of the second. He threw out two stealing second, and had some good blocks at the plate.

Off they go again !

The Chukars are headed to Yakima, Washington as of 1pm this afternoon. They will face off in a double header tomorrow at noon. Look back for a report tomorrow night or Sunday.

Correction and Apology !

Okay - Bill and Amy from Spokane......quit your laughing, and let me correct myself. Roger informed me tonight that they are NOT the Bigfoot(s) or Bigfeet (haha) - but the Sasquatches !! Sorry about that !!

Another Sweep !

Well I guess it was a couple of intense exciting games yesterday at Ontario. Final scores, 4-3 & 6-3. The Spokane Bigfoots (Bigfeet?) came to town in questionable weather - but the games were able to be played. The temperature was chilly, though the "tempers" proved to be HOT ! The first game was exceptionally intense, with the score at 0-0 going into the top of the 9th. Spokane up first, hit a 3 run bomb right off the bat, but the boys held them here. The Chukars were able to come back and tie it up, and in the last seconds were able to score in a close one at the plate for the win. The Chukar dugout emptied, as congratulations were offered. Landon said there were alot of close plays/calls, and the coaches from both sides took out their frustrations on the umps. Players were "involved", and alot of heckling was going on. In one particular incident, the batter got in the way as Landon threw down to second to catch a guy stealing. After an umpire conference, the batter AND the runner were called out, and Spokane proceeded to jeer with most cat-calls coming at Landon. It is interesting to note that no one tried to steal again ! Also, a play at the plate had Landon getting the OBVIOUS block, with the runner SAFE (huh?!) and all three Chukar coaches charged the plate to argue the call. Later in the 2nd game, Landon was able to stop another runner short of the plate (hope the guy doesn't have a broken sternum) - this time the ump was wearing his glasses :) The Chukars are now at the halfway point in league play, and are the leaders in the Eastern Division - Go Chukars !!

For D. Ross (one of the best)

The slits of his eyes
hidden in shadows
beneath the bill of his cap,
he watches and waits
like a patient cat
to catch what comes
his way.

Crack!
and he pounces
upon the ball,
his hands flying
above the grass,
flinging his prey
on its way
across the diamond
into a double-play.
- The Shortstop by Charles Ghigna

Derick is playing ball for Browne Mackie College in Salina, Kansas - see link on sidebar at left.

Rain Out ?

Looks like the game might be rained out today....
In lieu of that, AND the fact that none of us were planning on going to today's game anyway, how bout' some game photos from last week?

Click on this link to view pics

Pics from Road Trip

Click on this link to see pics of Roger and Gwen's road trip across Washington State, including game photos

HUGE wins on the road

The Chukars went 4 for 4 in their last two games on the road this past week. The wins against Columbia Basin and Wenatchee were HUGE (Landon's words), and put the team in FIRST PLACE in the Eastern Division of the NWAACC. We had a great road trip touring the state of Washington, and watching the Chukars kick butt !! As soon as I can get pictures uploaded to my computer, I'll post some for viewing.

Chukars split games with Big Bend

Surprise Surprise - we are updating this from the Phillip's home in beautiful Spokane Washington. Yesterday's weather was great in Moses Lake, Washington, where the team lost a heart breaker first game 3-2. We were tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the 9th inning, when the bases were loaded, 2 outs, and the Vikings scored to end the game. In the second game the Vikings scored 5 runs in the first inning, and it wasn't until the 7th inning that the Chukars were able to come back to tie it up and pull ahead. The game ended Treasure Valley 10, Big Bend 6. Happy Easter to all of you !!

TVCC sweeps BMCC

The Timberwolves from Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton Oregon, lost both games to the Chukars on Wednesday. The first game ended up with a score of 10-5.
The second, 5-0, where Landon's teammate Jon Keller tossed a complete game, 3-hit shutout. The next three games are all on the road in Washington state. Roger and Gwen are taking an extended road trip to follow the team, hoping to get in some sightseeing on the days off. We'll post highlights when we return, meanwhile, check out the scores on the sidebar to the left. Road trip info as follows:
Saturday, April 7, 307 miles to Moses Lake, Vikings of Big Bend
Wednesday, April 11, 236 miles to Pasco, Hawks of Columbia Basin
Saturday, April 14, 372 miles to Wenatchee, Knights of Wenatchee Valley