7th Inning Stretch: The Greatest Game You Probably Haven’t Even Heard About
Our recent article of the Bulverde Braves-Navy, machine pitch division, has become quite popular with the patrons out at the Jumbo Evans Sports Complex. So we at BuLL's I decided to continue coverage of the team by attending their mid-week tilt against the Red Sox. I can tell you that we were certainly not disappointed as we were able to witness the greatest game in Bulverde Little League (machine pitch division) history.
Originally scheduled for Monday, April 25th, the mid-week matchup was rescheduled for Wednesday due to inclement weather. It was back and forth all game, and I don't just mean the ball being thrown all around just to get it back to the machine for the next pitch. The Braves led for most of the game and carried an 8-5 lead into the 5th inning. As the Red Sox came to bat, time ran out and the 5th inning would be the final inning. The Red Sox were able to string together a few hard hits from the heart of the batting order and take the lead heading into the bottom of the final frame.
With the score now 9-8, the Braves now needed a couple of runs to walk out of the ballpark with the win. That's when the intensity of the game went from moderately interesting to phones down. With parents and Teammates cheering their respective teams on, Landen Cobb walked up to the plate to lead off the inning and get the all important tying run on base. He delivered a hard hit single and reached second base on an errant throw. Eventually, Cobb was able to move over to third base on a passed ball as the next two batters struck out.
With Cobb on third base and two outs, Maefu Metai moved toward the plate with purpose. The intensity of the game and the hopes and dreams of his teammates no doubt weighing heavy on Metai's mind. Metai walked from the dugout with his bat to his side creating a line in the dirt all the way to the batter's box. He stands in the box intensely waiting for the pitch from the machine by keeping an eye on the ball for most of the at-bat. The first two pitches find their way to the catcher's glove. Feeling the weight of the moment, Metai turns to the crowd and gives his mom a wave as if to say 'hi mom'. That's when things went from phones down to phones up and recording. That's when the game went from a typical mid-week machine pitch division matchup. That's when it became something out of a movie.
While Coach Owens loads the 3rd pitch into the machine, Cobb can be heard on third base shouting "You got this, Maefu! Please hit me in!" with his fingers laced together praying that God's plan and Cobb's wishes align. Coach Owens pulls the handle on the machine sending the pitch towards the swinging bat of Metai. "Go! Go! Go!" yells the overwhelming Braves crowd as the ball is crushed down the third base line that eventually comes to a stop half way between the third baseman and home plate. The crowd lost their minds with parents throwing popcorn in the air and teammates climbing the fence in the dugout.
The game now tied 9-9. Ryan Villa has to fight through the excitement and focus on bringing in the winning run. The first pitch is a passed ball that allows Metai to move over to second base which now puts him in scoring position if Villa can put one in play. On the very next pitch, Villa hammers one into left field. The crowd once again screaming "Go! Run! Go!" as Metai speeds around third and heads for home for the winning run. The Braves crowd absolutely lost their minds and teammates ran onto the field to celebrate as they won in walk off fashion, 10-9.
"I've never seen anything like this!" said Rhett Nuckolls. "We never give up. This team has no quit." he continued. Carter Torres added "We're going to Disney World!". "Those guys came up big there at the end. Complete team effort." said Rhett Clinton. "I just wish I knew why their catcher kept talking to me." he continued.
"I just went up there trying to jump start the inning." said Cobb. "I feel like I can do anything right now. I may even go home and drink the milk that's a day past its expiration!" he continued standing there with no shirt on.
"I knew I had to deliver for the team after the excitement before I got up to the plate." said Villa, also standing there with no shirt on. "I knew as soon as I kissed my cross necklace the Red Sox didn't stand a chance. Coach Owens lined up the perfect pitch, like he always does, and I was able to send it for a ride" he said as he winked in the direction of the coach. "Coach always tells us 'think big, believe big, act big, and the results will be big'. I'm pretty sure this makes us number 1 in the league now." Villa continued. Obviously, Mr. Villa doesn't know how a win-loss record works, but he was clearly feeling the moment.
"I woke up this morning feeling like a champion." said Metai. "Today's stop at McDonald's before the game felt different. The ice cream machine was actually working and I was able to get an Oreo McFlurry. You ever had one of those? Highly recommend you try one if you haven't already!" he continued. As he got bombarded by his teammates, Metai had one final comment "I'm on top, I'm for sure on top!" when talking about the end of game huddle.
It was exciting. It was loud. It was the greatest game you probably haven’t even heard about.
The Braves also played Saturday and lost 15-2.