Kettering Royals

On August 1st several Royals participated in the 2010 MVABL All-Star Game held at 5/3 Field, home of the Dayton Dragons.  The weather for the event was perfect, not too hot, not too cold, and just enough clouds in the sky to block out the sun every now and then.  The first event on the day was the Home Run Derby.  This year saw the most ever participants with 39 players taking their swing to put one into the seats.  With the luck of the draw the Boys in Blue held the pivotal 11th spot giving the Royals a chance to see what everyone else did ahead of them.  Drew Dobbins led off for the Royals and made solid contact but was unable to put one into the seats.  Next up for the Royals was their skipper, Mark Franklin.  He stepped into the box hoping Assistant Coach Eric Jameson would serve up some meatballs... However, excitement got the best of the Royals coach as he swung at nearly every parmesan pellet Jameson threw hitting several shots to the gap, but again nothing out of the park for the Royals hitters.  The Royals hopes of a Derby champ fell on the shoulders of Chris Jergens who stepped into the box as the final hitter in the first round needing 2 to advance.  With his Dad on the mound, serving him meatballs, Jergens was able to plate his first and got the much needed 2nd with only 1 out remaining in his at-bat to advance to the 2nd Round.  4 batters advanced to the 2nd round, and with only 5 outs to give, only 2 were able to hit a HR, David Moss from the Thunder and the Royals own, Jergens.  With 2 tied both hitters advanced to the third and final round of Sudden Death Derby!  Moss went first and promptly lauched 2 balls down the line that were just nearly foul, but in his 10 pitches was unable to hit a HR.  Chris and his Dad then took their spots with all 10 pitches to just hit one HR to take the prize.  Jergens swung at everything with a few falling just short, but on his 8th pitch launched a ball into the rightfield lawn seats that hit the handrail for the Derby winner!

 Following the Derby the 5/3 maintenance crew cleaned up the field as the rest of the MVABL All-Stars began to arrive for the 3PM game.  Playing in the game for the Royals were SS Brian Duffy, RHP Jason Holmberg, and OF Chris Jergens.  The game was very exciting as both teams went back and forth, and the fans even witness the first Cycle from the Thunders'infielder David Moss.  At the plate for the Miami Division, Jergens went 1-5 and Duffy went 1-3.  In the field Duffy also wrapped up the Defensive Player of the Game with a diving stop in the hole that he was able to then throw out the runner at first for the final out of an inning.  On the mound, Holmberg was making his first appearance in an All-Star game, but his outing was shortened due to some defensive miscues allowed 4 runs (1 ER) to cross the plate.  When the final out was recorded the Miami Division found themselves on the losing end falling 3 runs short.  Congratulations to all particpants in a fun and exciting All-Star extravaganza.