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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| clemsonnun |
Posted - 03/22/2009 : 00:10:16
As tournament director of the Jr Grizzlies tournament this weekend, we encountered some very unfortunate circumstances. A centerfielder from the East Side Raiders collided with the left fielder leaving the CF on the ground with a double compound fracture in his leg. I have never experienced such an injury and must say everyone involved from volunteer parents, coaches and emergency staff were awesome.
Young Max is in our prayers. The great part of this story are his teammates. We are having a skills competition where Home Run Derby winner receives an autographed Jeff Franceour bat and to other contests where the road runner and golden arm receive Jeff Franceour autographed cleats. After their game and being through a very emotional game, Max's teammates got together and decided that their goal was to all enter the contests in an effort to win Max all the autographed items.
After a full day of entries I am gald to announce that they accomplished their goal of winning all competitions. Although, they went 0-2 in pool play, these youngsters along with their parents put their hearts first and showed everyone what youth baseball is all about.
I would like ask everyone to put Max on their prayer list as he has a tough recovery. But with the guys on his team, I am sure Max will get every bit of support he needs to return to the playing field.
GET WELL SOON MAX!! |
| 2 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Fandad |
Posted - 03/23/2009 : 09:32:17
Max is doing well. He should leave the hospital today (Monday). He had a rod put in his leg, and it will be 9 months before it will be removed.
The East Side Raiders are comprised of kids who have played recreation baseball at East Side Baseball Association in Fullers Park in East Cobb. The team is also associated with Walton HS, and is considered a Walton Jr. Raider team (even though we do have 3 Pope Kids - can't be perfect). These kids are very close and were tremendously effected when Max was injured. Max is the kid on the team that keeps eveyone laughing and loose - so seeing him in a great deal of pain was very disturbing to many of his teammates. Max's injury came in the top of the 2nd inning, while the Raiders were up 2-0 - and while the team continued to battle after Max left in the ambulance - they ended up falling 9-6 to the host team Grizzlies. They went out and did their best to win the skills competition for Max (and did tremendous). The emotional roller coaster was too much for them as they came back to take on the Kennesaw Mustangs later in the afternoon - and they just could not keep up with the hot hitting Mustangs club and fell 21-10.
That is were Tim's story ended above - the Raiders - 0-2 after pool play. Now the rest of the story....
Knowing their teammate was OK - but lost for the season - The Raiders were dedicated to put forth their best effort for the Consolations - and play for Max! But who was waiting for them .... the Kennesaw Mustangs, who had defeated them 21-10 the day before. The Raiders came out and played terrific defense - led by a tremendous pitching performance and held the Mustangs from reaching home plate for 4 innings, while going out to a 3-0 lead. The Mustangs, chipped away and had the winning run at 3rd in the btm of the 6th - but could not cash in, and the game went to extra innings 3-3. The Raiders were able to get the momentum back and prevailed 7-4 !! After the game the Musatngs head coach - came over and spoke to the Raiders players about how proud he was of them - and that he had warned his team that they would see a different Raider team on Sunday - and congratulated the Raiders for their win over his team. A very gracious and classy act by the Mustangs head coach!
Onto the Consolation Semi-Final. Another tremendous defensive and pitching outing - and the Raiders defeated the Canton Red Hawks (who had earlier eliminated the host Grizzlies team that the Raiders lost to on Saturday) - 10-5.
Unfortunately the story does not end with a Consolation Championship. The gas tank was empty and a very solid hitting Dawsonville Kings team tore through the Raiders to claim the Consolation title 17-2.
All the Raiders coaches and parents are extremely proud of the way the team handled the adversity, and came back on Sunday to play for Max (and themselves). The kids showed tremendous character, and heart. While the Raiders are not a great team always on the field - they are a great team where it counts ... their love of the game and each other.
Max will be in our prayers for a good recovery, please keep him in yours. The 12 East Side Raiders look foward to meeting more 12U teams this season, and having fun playing the great game of baseball !!
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| bigfan |
Posted - 03/22/2009 : 21:39:17
Please everyone keep Max in your thoughts and hopefully next year he'll be back out there tracking down fly balls.
Max, you're in our prayers. |
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