2005 12U Challenge Team Excels in Ripken Tournament

Some super baseball memories were made by the Stewards of the Game 12 year old Challenge team and their families as the players excelled on the field in a Super Regional tournament held at the Cal Ripken complex in Aberdeen, Maryland on May 27-30, 2005. The state of the art facility built by the Ripkens as a home for the Cal Ripken World Series (12 and under) and to honor their father, Cal Ripken Sr. was a real draw for the Flames team as they wanted to test their skills against 23 other teams in a pool play format. Boasting playing surfaces that were built and maintained to Major League standards, the Ripken complex did not disappoint and the gorgeous weather and superb play by the Flames made for an awesome weekend.

First up was a team from Amherst, New York and the Flames came out victorious 9-5. William Frazier pitched three innings without an earned run and the Flames bats were very active. Cameron Travis was 2-3 with a double, Nathan Sharp was 2-3 and Spencer Cole was 2-4.

The nightcap was a slugfest for the Flames, outscoring a team from Kent Island, Maryland 17-1. Tanner Cassady and Bubba McKnight combined to allow only one base runner over the last three innings and the bases were full of Flames most of the evening. William Frazier was 2-3 with 2 doubles, Cameron Travis was 2-4 with two doubles, Sam Remick was 2-4 with a double and Daniel Armstrong was 2-3 with a blast that almost carried the fence in the deepest part of the ballpark. Good play by the centerfielder held Daniel to a single.

Next up were the unbeaten (2-0) Maryland Orioles for a 10:30 game on Sunday morning on the beautifully groomed Memorial field. William Frazier pitched six strong innings, allowing one earned run and striking out 8 as the Oriole batters were kept off balance at the plate. Sam Remick fought back from a thumb injury to go 3-4 at the plate in an inspiring performance. Cameron Travis continued his hot hitting, going 3-4 with a triple and a double and William Frazier was 2-3. Two awesome defensive plays made the game complete. Catcher Nathan Sharp threw out a runner on a third strike that got away and then hustled back to block the plate and tag out the runner on the throw back from first baseman Palmer Coleman, an unusual 2-3-2 double play. The game ended when right fielder Daniel Armstrong charged in and made a diving catch on a sinking line drive. Good play in all elements of the game allowed the Flames to prevail 10-4 and advance to their final game with a 3-0 record.

The last game was played on Monday morning at 9:00 and the Flames were excited to step onto Wrigley Field with its superb playing surfaces groomed to perfection and the warming sun drying up the last hints of the dew. The opponent was Trenton, New Jersey and again aggressive hitting put the Flames in control early. Spencer Cole pitched three shutout innings and the Flames bats remained hot. Spencer Cole was 2-2 with a double, Cameron Travis was 2-2 with a double. Sam Remick tripled and Palmer Coleman connected for a home run that delighted Flames fans and players. Nathan Sharp continued his good defensive play by snagging a line drive with a big leap at 2^nd base.

Batting .500 or better over the weekend were Cameron Travis, Sam Remick and Spencer Cole. Pitcher William Frazier allowed only one earned run over nine innings while striking out 12 batters. Nathan Sharp was outstanding in the field, both from the catcher’s position as well as at 2^nd base. The Flames finished with a 4-0 record, a feat accomplished by only 5 of the 24 teams entered.

Front row:  Nathan Sharp, Jared Sobo, William Frazier, Sam Remick, Tanner Cassady Middle row:  Spencer Cole, Cameron Travis, Palmer Coleman, Bubba McKnight, Daniel Armstrong Back Row:  Coach Ben Travis, Coach Mike Sharp, Cal Ripken Jr., Coach Brad Frazier