Peaks and Valleys: A Weekend of Protest and Poisonous Intent Rallies Upper Makefield 11U Mavs around Their Mentor

Upper Makefield, PA (PRWEB) May 02, 2014 -- As the Upper Makefield 11U Mavs gathered in the batting cage at Valley AA on the morning of Sunday, April 27, it would not be an understatement to say they were reeling.

A three-run loss at Tri-Township two days earlier had the boys questioning themselves, wondering if the faces in the mirror had some answers for the issues on the other side of the reflection.

Can we tighten up our game enough to compete with an unbeaten (and largely untested) Valley squad that roared to last year’s Cal Ripken SE Pennsylvania state crown?

Will we put together six solid innings on a cavernous field tailored to Valley’s physical brand of athleticism?

Or will we drop to .500 and anchor ourselves in the middle of the Suburban Travel League early-season standings?

Just to make the challenge seem more daunting, the obstacle course more serpentine, manager Lou Bencardino received an early hook from an obstinate umpire who seemed to think the dozens of fans in attendance were there to cheer his thumb.

So as manager Lou retreated to the unwanted comfort of his black Lincoln Navigator (where he was treated to some quality baseball and a Flyers defeat), the Mavs put together their latest rendition of the “Thrilla-on-Hulme-villa.”

Ace left-hander Anthony Bencardino knew just what to do with Dad’s ejection. After a 13-pitch first inning that included 10 strikes, the Freight Train rumbled through Scott Arleth’s lineup like a sledgehammer in a tweezer factory. Up, down. In, out. Have a whiff of this boys.

In fact, the Freight Train was so good his pitch count brought him out for the fifth inning – and then the conflict began in earnest.

As the Valley third-base coach strolled to his position with a giant white scorebook in his hand and a Cheshire cat look beneath his bald head, the Mavs should have known something was amiss.

And when Freight Train threw his first delivery of the inning, the visitors were in violation of the “six innings per week” pitching mandate of Suburban Baseball.

So as interim manager Duane Van Arsdale made the slow walk to the mound to hand the ball to Mikey Sylvester, the word “protest” shortened itself from seven letters to four.

Never mind that Dangerous Dominic Edwards had plated Ryan “Coolio” Coolahan with the game’s first run during the top of the 5th inning.

No matter that the Valley bats had been candle-snuffed by Freight Train throughout a crisply played contest.

Apparently – by any means necessary includes barking from the cheap seats, e-mailing complaints the moment the final out is made, and generally setting a bad example for a group of boys who haven’t even reached middle school.

So with Mikey Sylvester manning up to the challenge of warming on the fly and setting Valley down with a magnificent field and throw play on leadoff man Ashford during the sixth, the Mavs won one for the missing Skipper.

The effort included a great center field catch from the repositioned Freight Train, a bunt RBI and outfield grab from Josh “Hampy” Hampshire, a tailing double and second-base glove work from Zachary “Zach Attack” Van Arsdale, and solid performance at the plate and behind the dish from catcher Devon Pollock.

Collin “Money” Manel patrolled first with his usual aplomb, singled, and exuded the quiet confidence that characterizes the Mavs.

Josh “Boss of the Hot Sauce” led off with typical aggressiveness, and Louis “Hoove” Bencardino played a quality left field as he inches closer back to catching health. Oh, and the Hoove is always fired up. You fired up too?

Nicholas “TNT” Taylor also was on hand for support after a mysterious ping pong injury landed him on the 24-hour DL.

Dangerous Dominic added a pair of unassisted third-base putouts during the fifth, and ended the game with an assist to Manel at first.

Over in the Navigator, manager Lou had seen his boys put their preparation to good use. A couple honks for good measure and Sunday again resembled Fun Day.

Now about that protest… Let’s settle it on the field. Oh, that’s right. We did! That would be 2-0. The Mavs return to action on George’s Field at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 2, against unbeaten Newtown. Bring it on Leo!

Go MAVS!!!

Louis A. Bencardino, Bencardino Excavating, http://www.bencardino.com, +1 2152446000, [email protected]