We are Rochester Raptors all the way! Drew had a blast playing with all of his favorite buddies and Ben loved coaching Drew, the little dudes, and having his own favorite buddies coaching with him, Tony and Chris! We had so much fun with all of the families, cheering our hearts out, pacing the fences, watching all the siblings soak themselves with all the junk food they could get. And all the moments in between.
A few things to remember:
This was the first year for the Rochester Raptors!
Ben's 1st year as a head coach of a travel baseball team.
Drew's first year on a travel baseball team.
This team is a hybrid, so they played for the travel team Raptors and for the Little League team the River Bandits.
The River Bandits won the Little League championship for our age group.
Drew was chosen to play on the All Star Little League team for the division championship-Ben was asked to coach this team.
This All-Star Team played multiple games up in Linden and when it was all said and done, they were the semi-finalist champions of all the Little League All Star teams in our surrounding communities!
Raptors would practice on the field downtown Rochester during the summer months. These were my favorite practices! Kids could walk to Dairy Queen and almost always all the siblings would come to hang and walk together to go get ice cream during practice. Luke is so awesome and would come help his Dad and the coaches by catching for them. Luke would often bring a buddy from his own team too! Below Luke and his buddy Chase are taking turns catching for the team.
Their Little League All Star team were the semifinalists in the Little League Championship for the Division All Star team!
Below Drew is rocking 2nd base. On this team Drew started on 2nd base, would sometimes play catcher and pitcher.
Drew counting down for his team!
The best teacher ever. Mrs. Jordan for the W!! Mrs. Jordan was Drew and Sylvan's teacher that year for 2nd grade. She did her own digging and surprised ALL of us at their championship game!! None of us knew she was coming! And these games were all in Linden by the way (so much driving every Tuesday and Thursday nights for these playoffs!) so she drove an hour each way to support our boys. I LOVE HER!
More of Drew on 2nd.
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Drew pitching!
Drew hitting!
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Drew on the fence getting ready to be on deck!
Our Raptors played against the Commerce Cobras twice. This was the team we eventually lost too in the championship game. Here is the magic of it all though. After the second time we played them, the boys on both teams, started messing around and an entire wiffle game started between the 2 teams after an entire baseball game! So picture this. The boys battle a hard fought game (these end up being the 2 teams left in the championship weeks later!). After the battle, they pick up the wiffle ball set and play an entire game together afterwards late into the night just for funsies!! So awesome. All kid directed with no coaches and/or parents to help direct. Just a bunch of kids loving to play this sport.
Drew and Caleb. 💙
After many drives to Linden and many hard fought games we made it the very last one... Star Spangled Banner before the championship game!
A heartfelt talk from Coach Dad after the loss.
We sure are proud of this group!
Starting back row of coaches left to right: Coach Mattina, Coach Cosbey, Coach Morin
Back row of players left to right: Jack, Christopher, Gibby, Sylvan, Drew, Luca, Carter
Front row of players left to right: Easton, David, Caleb, Blake, Mason
Ben passing our pins after the championship game to each of our players. So special watching Ben give one to Drew. GO, number 4!!! We love you!
The Division Little Commissioner congratulating both teams!
The Commerce Cobras had to beat us twice to win the championship (based on our records) and they did just that. The 2 teams and the friendships that were formed wanted a picture together at the end. Love.
Drew and Christopher! Power team of 2nd and 1st basemen working together!
Drew looking on...Next year, kiddo.
Aunt Cathy brought some of Miss Kate's cookies for us!
Now to Luke and his tournament win!!
Elite dominated in their tournament in Flat Rock!
1st place!!
This was a divide and conquer weekend. Ben and Drew with the Rapors and me cheering on Luke for all of us!
We love you, LUKE!!!
Great job, boys!!
After all the Raptors games were done for the season and the All Star Little League championship was complete, we partied! The Gibsons had us all over to their lake house for the day!
The 3 most awesome coaches ever!!
Speeches from the coaches to the players and families.
Raptors on 3! 1-2-3 RAPTORS!
Opening gifts. (Love them all in the bathing suit/no shirts. So cute and a perfect summer day!)
Till next year, Rapors family!!
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