Kettering Royals

Several Royals are nearing some personal Milestones.  Royals Skipper Mark Franklin is 1 hit shy of his 250th hit since the Royals started keeping stats in 2001.  4th year Royal Kevin Reynolds is 6 runs shy of 100, and 6 stolen bases short of 50, but he did cross the 100 hits mark in the playoffs last season.  Another 4th year Royal, Shawn Rudegeair is 2 hits shy of his 100th.  2nd Royal Chris Jergens is 2 hits shy of his 50th, and he picked up his 50th RBI last game.  Probably not much of a surprise to thoughs following the Royals, but 4th year Royal Brian Duffy is only 2 walks shy of 100.  And finally Royals Assistant Coach and Utility Man Eric Jameson picked up his 100th run last game, and is only 20 hits shy of 200!!  Can he get there this season???  Be sure to follow these and the rest of the Royals to see what milestones they can reach this season.

The Royals took the field looking to build on their opening day game.  However, it wasn't meant to be on Sunday.  The day started on the wrong foot beginning with warm-ups.  The Royals fell behind too early by too much to recover losing 17-5.  Click on the game for a full recap.

Up next for the Royals is another divisional matchup with the 1-1 Shockers.  The Shockers have been apart of some close games so far this season in their first 2 outings.  The game is Sunday at 7 PM under the lights at Athelete's in Action.  Come out and support the Boys in Blue as they look to get back on track after Sunday's loss.

Over the past few months the Royals "Family" has grown or will be growing in the coming months.  The Royals team would like to send out their Congratulations to Infielders Tim Peffley and Brian Duffy, and 10 year Royals Utility man and Assistant Coach Eric Jameson.  First, Tim Peffley became a new father during the offseason as he and his girlfriend Sarah welcomed a new addition to their family.  His son, Christian Timothy, was born on February 5th and came into the world weighing 8lbs 11 oz and 20 inches long.  Secondly, Brian Duffy got engaged with his new fiancee' Ann this past holiday season.  They are to be married next year.  And finally, Eric Jameson and his girlfriend Tracie found out they will be having a wonderful baby boy!  They will be expecting Joseph Lawrence later this season (the Royals Farm Club continues to grow)!!!

 Again from the Royals family Congratulations!

The Kettering Royals took the field Sunday after a bit after their scheduled 4 PM start time due to the Indians/Thunder nail-biter that preceeded them. The Royals opponent on the day was the one of twon new MVABL expansion teams for 2010, the Miami valley Cardinals. The Royals showed up ready to rebound from the disappointing 2009 season and took out all that frustration at the Cardinals expense. Royals Veteran Jason Holmberg made took the hill for the Boys in Blue for his first Opening Day start, and the Cardinals countered with the 2010 MVABL number 1 draft pick, Aaron Thacker. For the Royals, Holmberg was on his game, hitting his spots with the greatest of ease. In the first inning Holmberg had a part in the 1st 3 outs of the game recording 2 K's and a 1-3 putout. The Royals offense, together as a unit for the first time since their semi-final loss to the Slammers, was slow to get started. However the were able to plate the first run of the game in the bottom of the 1st as Brian Duffy was able to score after stealing third on an high throw from the Cardinals catcher. In the top of the 2nd Holmberg continued to warm-up. Looking to keep his pitch count low, he needed to face only 4 batters to close out the top of the 2nd and bring the Royals back to the plate. In the bottom of the 2nd Tim Peffley got the Offense started as he led off with a triple to the fence to bring Holmberg to the plate. Looking to help his own cause Holmberg laced a shot down the right field line to score Peffley from third. Royals Rookie Matt Finster followed up with his first single of the year, and Duffy loaded the bases on his 2nd free pass on the day to bring Kevin Reynolds up. However, Reynolds showed up to the game with his target shirt on instead of his Royals jersey and was hit in the back for the 2nd time on the day to pickup the hard earned RBI. With the bases still loaded for the Boys in Blue Chris Jergens stepped into the box. Jergens was able to plate 2 more runs with a opposite field double down the line. At the end of 2, the Royals held a 5-0 lead. In the top of the third Holmberg again made quick work of the Cardinals order sitting them down 1-2-3. In the bottom half of the 3rd the flood gates would open for the Royals as they were able to send 13 batters to the plate. During their run they would score 8 runs with the help 5 hits and 4 walks to end Thacker's day early. After the dust settled and the teams entered the top of the 4th the Royals held a commanding 13-0 lead with the heart of the Cardinals order due up hoping to find an answer against Holmberg, but he wasn't giving away anything on the day as he again set the Cardinals down 1-2-3 for the second straight inning. Entering the bottom of the 4th the Royals were poised to end the game early. Needing just 2 more runs to close out the games the bottom of the Royals order looked to get it done. Eric Jameson reached on a single and then was reach second on a pass ball. Royals Rookie Adam Thomas recorded his first single of the year that was able to plate Jameson from 2nd for the 14th run. Thomas was then able (just barely) to make the long haul and score from first off a double to the gap from Duffy for the 15th run. Reynolds then ended the home half of the 4th as he hit a nub shot back to the pitcher on the first ball he saw as he wanted to at least take 1 swing after being hit twice and walking on 4 straight in his first 3 at-bats. Needing just 3 more outs Holmberg took the hill looking to finish what he'd started. The Cardinals first batter was able to reach first, but that was as far as he would get as Holmberg recorded 3 straight strikeouts for the 5 inning complete game victory. On the day Holmberg faced 4 more than the minimal over 5 innings recording 9 strikeouts and only giving up 3 hits and 2 free passes. It was a good day for the Boys in Blue at the plate as the recorded 12 hits, with 4 Roylas recording multiple. On a day where everyone contributed at the plate it's hard to find 1 that stood out, but I think Jergens, Jameson, and Velasquez all deserve a mention each going 2-3 and tallying 8 RBIs and 3 runs scored between the 3 of them.

Up next for the Boys in Blue will be their first divisional game as the matchup against the Thunder who are coming off their thrilling victory over the Indians. The game is still homeless, but the league is working frantically to find a home and a time for the teams to play. Stay tuned to the site for updates to the game. Thanks to all the Royals friends and family that came out to cheer on the team, and we look forward to seeing you at the ballpark all year.

The Boys in Blue finished up their preseason workouts over the weekend.  Teaming up with the Dayton Rangers to face the Miami Valley Thunder at Action Sports Complex on Saturday.  The Royals/Rangers squad took the field against not only the Thunder, but also Mother Nature!  Playing some interesting baseball in what seemed like tornado force winds followed by FREEZING cold rain, but just when the teams looked to take shelter to see if it would blow over (at 50 MPHs), the rain stopped and clouds opened up for a beautiful day for baseball!  Thanks to the Rangers for helping the 4 Royals field a squad, it was nice to get out and play a little ball.

With the preseason complete, the Royals turn their attention to their Opening Day matchup against the new Miami Valley Cardinals.  The 2010 expansion team looks to have a lot of talent in their lineup.  The Cardinals had an impressive showing in their final tune-up game, both teams look eager to take the field where it will count real.  The Royals and Cardinals will face-off at 4:00 PM at Action Sports Complex, a new home for the MVABL in 2010 located just off Route 4 near Children's Hospital.  The current forecast is promising for Opening Day Baseball with a projected cool 60 degrees and sunshine.  The Royals will send veteran Jason Holmberg to the hill for the start.  This will be Holmberg's first Opening Day start for the Boys in Blue.  The Royals will look to keep their Opening Day streak going as they have not lost an opening day game since 2004.  The game should be interesting as the cold, wet weather has not allowed for a lot of outdoor workouts this spring.

The Royals hope to see you out at the ballpark as they open the 2010 season against the Miami Valley Cardinals at 4 PM.