Ishikawa Tournament

On Saturday, we defeated Teruclinic 4-1 in the opener of the Ishikawa Tournament at Chatan Stadium. I was blessed to receive the nod as the starting pitcher. I threw 3 innings giving up only one earned run. I took a liner of the inside of my left leg on a come backer that resulted in the final out of the second inning. The only run was on a 2-out double with a runner on 3rd. I was behind in the count 2-1, and so I serve him u a fat fastball right down the pipe. This was my first actual win in a real tournament game since the beginning of my career.

Teruclinic is a strong team with a few former independent pro players. They usually send their players to the Ehime Mandarin Pirates in the Shikoku Independent baseball league. We also took the second game of the double-header against Okikoku, and will play Okiden next Saturday!

Check out the clips above.

God bless you!

rob

Night Practices

Here is a short video of what we normally do in practice. This year we received nets for a batters cage, a few L-screens, and 1st and 3rd base nets. Pitchers have been able to face live batters more often.

Check it out!

God bless!

rob

The game versus Okinawa University was rained out again. We have never faced them in a practice game or during the tournament. Next game will be on Saturday March 10th against Ryuku University.

Please check back in!

God bless,

rob

Game on!!

This Sunday at 2pm, we will have our first game of the season. The game will be held in Nishihara at the Okidai college field. We will be playing Okinawa University. We were scheduled to play against them last year plenty of times, but each time the rained cancelled each game. They're a pretty strong team that finished 3rd in the RBC tournament last year. They defeated Enagic 2-1 in the first round of that tournament.

I am blessed to have the opportunity to be the starting pitcher. I'm one of the only pitchers on the team anyway, so I'm the starter by default! It will be a great time and a great chance to compete with guys 10 years younger.

To God be the glory! Always!

God bless you,

The field of Dreams continues.....

rob

Off-Season Training

Please pray for me as I continue training for the this years season. We start training again this week, and we are preparing for the March tournament. This year will bring some opportunities to play against Enagic and Okiden.

Please pray for more chances to build relationships with there guys. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move them to come to church and hear God's Word fully.

All for the glory of Jesus Christ!

The End of the Year

Well it was a great run, but we were blanked 8-0 in some unfortunate circumstances due to bad weather. The game started from the bottom of the 3rd, with them up to bat with bases loaded, and leading 6-0. The umpires should have stopped the last game in the 2nd inning, maybe even before it started. Rain was inevitable for the entire day, yet, JABA umpires don't get paid if there's a rainout, so they try to push the game out. So the circumstances didn't help our chances.

Teruclinic got two runs in the bottom of the 7th to push the game to 8-0, which enables the game to end after the 7th inning in a tournament game. It was a great season for a first season for Aniya. I have no idea what's going to happen next year. The team has offered their desire in having me come back for next year as a starter. I'm just praying for these guys to come to church and hear the Gospel. Please continue to pray.

God bless you,

rob

Game On

The 2nd game of the RBC Tournament with be held at Akama Stadium on Saturday the 26th. The game will start at 845 in the morning. This game is a continuation from the previous rain out. The game will leave off in the top of the 3rd inning with bases loaded and Teruclinic leading 6-0. During the previous game, the weather was so bad that the ground turned to mud. Even the 3rd and 1st base lines were without visibility. It was crazy! They got three runs off a foul ball, and two grounders that literally got stuck in the mud. In Japan, the rain has to be literally drenching people for them to actually stop the game. In this one, the mud had become so thick, that the pitcher was sliding all over the place when he landed to deliver the ball to home plate. Unfair? Well, God knows! He's in control. I'm looking for another cool miracle from Him! We'll have 7 clean innings to try and comeback in this one. Plenty of chances! I won't be pitching in this one.

Please pray that the Lord does a miracle, and He also heals my middle finger on my pitching hand. I've been having problems with cracks under my fingernail.

God is good! Jesus, lead us in victory I pray! In Jesus name, Amen!

God bless you,

Thanks for your prayers and support.

rob