Kettering Royals

The Royals took the field Sunday for their first preseason contest of the year to knock the winter rust off.  The Boys in Blue faced off against the Dayton Rangers at the friendly confines of Athletes In Action, which was the best facility to host the teams on that cold and wet day.  As the team took the field the veterans got a chance to see some of the new faces that will make up the Royals roster this year.  The game went as expected under the conditions, hits were scattered here and there, 4 different pitchers got some work in off the mound against live hitting, and others got their shot to field some balls for the first time since the fall.  For their first workout, it was excatly what the Skipper was looking for.  I think the highlight on the day, after Ubi's hitting display, was that Royals Veteran showed some stank off the mound and sawed off not 1, but 2 pieces of lumber during the same at bat for one Ranger. Media quoted him afterwards stating, "It wasn't about whether win or lose today, but just that we got the train moving towards April 13th".

 Up next for the Boys in Blue is a team new to the MVABL this season, the Centerville Dragon.  The preseason game will be a fun tune-up for both teams as they will both meet again a week later on Opening Day when they start keeping stats for real... :)

As the offseason progresses the Royals 2008 Roster nears completion.  The Royals Roster was hit hard as several players announced their retirement as they walked off the field for the final time with the League Championship under their belt.  Announcing their retirement in the offseason were several long time Royals veterans which include Chad Campbell, Nathan Schwab, Matt Haver, and most notably Jason Griffith.  Also announcing his retirement was Royals Rookie Chris Heitker who would be enjoying the benefits of College graduation this summer, a Full-Time JOB!!

With so many holes to fill Royals Management began to get the word out to find some replacements to help keep the Royals on track.  Rejoining the team after his hiatus, Pikeville College Hall of Famer Ron Runyon is looking to lace them up again for another season of fun in the sun.  But that was just one spot, what about the others?? With the Royals Director of Scouting, Nathan Schwab, retired, Shawn Rudegeair stepped up to help fill the Royals vacancies.  New Royals inking deals for the 2008 Season include Jesus Velasquez III, Mark Baker, Tim Peffley, and Jason Holmbergcurrent.  Also current Musketeer Brenden Regan and current UD Flyer Tim Biedenharn have also inked deals to join the squad in 2008.

The Final one roster spot is not quite 100% yet, but almost there, the 2008 Royals squad is looking pick up right where the 2007 team left off.  Royals Management and Director of Scouting have signed some quality Rookies that look to be great contributors to the team in 2008.  As the preseason is winding down, the Royals 2008 squad will have their first pre-season test as they face-off against the Dayton Rangers on Sunday March 30th at Athletes in Action in their first scrimmage of the 2008 season.  For all those that have been around, I’m sure this will go down to the teams last bat to decide the winner!!  The following Sunday, April 6th, the Royals will wrap up the offseason with a final tune-up scrimmage against the new Centerville Dragons before the MVABL opening day on Sunday April 13th.

As the Boys in Blue arrived at the field on Sunday there was an air of excitement. Making their second appearance at the big dance in as many years the Royals felt this was their opportunity to cash in. Royals veteran and a cornerstone on the pitching staff, Jason Griffith was the scheduled starter. Griffith was looking for a different outcome over his last Championship start where a walk-off homerun ended the Royals comeback in last season's winner-take-all finals. Griffith was coming off a 9-inning 3-hitter complete game victory against the Dayton Rangers in the League semi-finals when he got the nod from the Skipper for the start.

Playing behind their starter the Royals defense played at an unseen level. When Griffith wasn't controlling Astros hitters, his defense picked up outs on all but 1 ball that was just out of reach of the diving Duffy and not committing a single error en route to the 5-0 Victory!

This Royals Championship was a team effort all the way!! Every Royal did his part along the way throughout the season. After going 3-5 in the month of July, the Boys in Blue buckled down and got their focus back notching 5 straight victories through the month of August ,despite some injuries throughout the lineup, to secure the League Title.

In the playoffs veteran Brian Duffy (7-14/7 RBIs) and rookie Scott Falkowski (5-8/6 runs) led the offense. And off the hill their staff was tough as well. Duffy picked up the first win against the Kettering Outlaws help from another Royals Rookie, Kevin Reynolds who assisted with 3 scoreless innings to secure the Royals win. And veteran Jason Griffith capped off the League semi-finals and Sundays Championship with back-to-back complete games and only allowing 4 hits.

All in all it was an unbelievable feeling for all securing the teams first league title, but for a few the game was even more memorable. For veterans Mark Franklin and Eric Jameson, they have been with the team since 2000 and have seen the team struggle through the early years and to finally say they've won it all really is a great feeling.   Veteran Chad Campbell has played through injuries, most recent was his 8 inning performance on a broken foot, to help the squad compete many a times over the last 6 years.  Former Royal TJ Dean was there in our thoughts as we celebrated, he has been a Royal over the last 5 years but a great job offering pulled him from the squad before he could see the team finally cash in.  And for 3 of the Royals Rookies, Kevin Reynolds, Scott Falkowski, and Shawn Rudegeair they were able to go from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs after dismal seasons in 2006 with their previous teams. But rookie Kyle Ubinger says we all have him to thank for our success this season as greatness just follows him where ever he goes and he wasn't going to settle for anything other than the title!!

Thanks go out to everyone who made it out to support us throughout the year, especially our littlest fan, Bernie Kosar Griffith, who seemed to be the teams good luck charm!! And congratulations to the Dayton Astros on their season, and especially to their coach Rob Johnson who turned the team around after a hard 2006 season and all-around good guy. And finally, thanks to all the Boys in Blue that made the commitment to play with on the team, and made it out each week to help the team succeed!!

The 2007 regular season ended with a thrilling victory against the Dayton Astros to secure the #1 playoff seed for the Boys in Blue.  In the playoffs, the Royals picked up 2 victories over the last week, against the Kettering Outlaws and the Dayton Rangers, en route to the MVABL finals where they will face-off again against the Dayton Astros.  Brian Duffy and Kevin Reynolds kept Outlaws hitters at bay as the team picked up the 16-7 win, and last Sunday veteran Jason Griffith worked his magic agains the Rangers only giving up 4 hits and 1 unearned run as the team cruised to a 11-1 victory capped by a 7 run 7th.  The pitching staff has been assisted by the Royals hot bats as the team has picked up 27 runs on their way to the league finals.  The Astros after falling to the Rangers in the second round were able to regroup and work their way back through the lower bracket where they would get a rematch with the same Rangers squad in the lower bracket finals, but this time they were able to take their second matchup to move on to the MVABL Finals.

So the Boys in Blue will meet the Men in Black this Sunday as they look to pickup the organizations first League Championship as they make their return appearance to the big dance.  Game time is slated for 1:00 PM at Rotary, but this game could make a last minute change to the beautiful confines of AIA.  Be sure to show up early as the good seats will go fast as both teams battle it out for the League Championship.

As the fans setup their chairs on the day I don't think anyone could've scripted a more exciting finale to the Royals regular season. In the make or break game the Royals needed to pickup a win to not only secure the #1 Seed, but more importantly to avoid the Playoff opening weekend Double Header. The fans would not be disappointed as the game unfolded in a way that no one could've ever scripted... After a 30 minute rain delay the Boys in Blue took the field in the top of the 6th down 5-4, but the delay put a strain on everyone as the Astros were able to plate 4 runs in the top half of the 6th for a 9-4 lead, but battling back the Royals were able to score 7 runs of their own to regain the lead 11-9. Due to the time restraints the Royals took the field in what would be the last inning of the game looking to seal the deal, but the Astros would not have any part of that... With some key hits of their own the Astros put another 4 runs in the book to put the Royals down 2 now going into their half of this last inning... Starring at a 2 run deficit facing the hard throwing Leach, Royals Veteran Eric Jameson stepped up to the plate. Working the count, he got Leach down 2-0 and he was sitting on the fastball that Leach had to deliver, and when he got that pitch he turned on it with all his might to send it quickly out over the left field fence to cut the Astos lead to 1. Rookie Chris Heitker followed up with his second 1B on the day, but was cut down as Leach fired a seed to second to cut down the lead runner on a Falkowski sacrifice attempt. With 1 out Leach got the Royals next hitter, Schwab, to fly out to 2nd recording the 2nd out of the inning. With 2 outs, down by 1, Rookie Kevin Reynolds stepped up and knocked a single to get the game winning run on the base paths. With Veteran Ben Ailes at the plate looking to at least plate the tying run, but following a surprise Balk Falkowski and Reynolds both moved up 90 feet things got just a little brighter for the Boys in Blue. But Leach beared down to work the count to 2 balls, 2 strikes, with 2 outs in this crucial at bat when Ailes connected on the next pitch sending it high and out to left center. As soon as the ball left the bat Falkowski and Reynolds took off, and as Astros Left Fielder Evan Tennery gave chase it was a nail biting experience. The Ball continued to sail hanging in the thick air as Evan got closer and closer, then as the ball was nearing the ground Tennery went horizontal as everyone held their breath, but the ball was just out of reach bouncing off the turf for the game ending walkoff ground rule double giving the Boys in Blue the 14-13 victory.

 It was a hard fought game on both sides and maybe their paths will cross again as both squads work their way towards the MVABL Championship Game. Up next for the Boys in Blue, they will face off against the winner of the Indians/Outlaw game this Sunday at 7:00 PM at AIA. Be sure to get your ticket in advance as the playoffs will sell out fast! Come out and cheer the team onto victory.