First Scrimmage of the Season...

The Dawgs faced the Scrappers Saturday afternoon for their first scrimmage! All 12 were present for the big event and Coach Paul was able to let them play a few positions to try things out. This gave the newcomers an opportunity to be part of a West Raleigh game situation and it was so exciting to watch!

The coaches know what they need to focus on at the next couple practices and I'm sure the players are eagerly awaiting their first game of the season...against the Scrappers on Saturday, September 8th at 1:15pm! That's also Opening Ceremonies!

Next up for the Riverdogs...practice 6-8pm at Nowell Field on Monday, August 27th!

GO DAWGS!!!!

The Dawgs just finished and had 2 special guests as base runners...a former Riverdog #4 Ian and a former Scrapper #3 Luke...thanks for helping out!

The Riverdogs were hot and tired after a full two hour practice. They were waiting for Coach Paul to say a few words before leaving West Raleigh. The team will be back in action on Monday at 6pm on Nowell Field! 

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

Today is the day...

Coach Paul, Coach Cailean and Coach Dave are excited to kick off the Fall 2012 season tonight (6:00PM) at the teams' first practice on Nowell Field at West Raleigh! We're looking forward to meeting the new members of the Riverdog Family and seeing the returners!

There will be a parents meeting at 5:45pm tonight at West Raleigh. We'll need to complete the uniform order tonight!

Looking forward to the start of a new season!

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

End of Season Party for the Spring 2012 Riverdogs

Nana and Papa Dillard (aka Brenda and Wayne) were gracious enough to open up their pool and pool house, so Coach Lance and Mrs. Stephanie could have an end of season party for the Riverdogs! The rain didn't scare the kids from the pool! Thank you!

After some playtime in the pool, the pizza arrived and it was time to eat some pizza, salad and fruit. Delicious! Take a look at our famous dessert!!!!! Made by the Bowdish girls! A delicious cake and cake balls. Thank you so much!!! Our dessert table was topped off with an ice cream sundae bar with every topping you could think of...

Next, we all sat back and enjoyed an amazing keepsake DVD made by Coach Lance's niece, Zoie. What an incredible gift!!!! Thank you for taking the time to put that all together! Thank you to Mrs. Stephanie for capturing the moments of the Dawgs!!!!

Awards were given to each player...

#1 Jack Bowdish...moving up to the next league!

#3 John Penry...moving up to the next league!

#4 Ian Turner...moving up to the next league!

#6 Lance Phillips...back with us in the fall!

#7 Lawson Wheeler...moving up to the next league!

#8 Griffin Dittner...back with us in the fall!

#11 Jack Snipes...back with us in the fall!

#16 Gavin Turner...back with us in the fall!

#24 Josh Bussey...moving up to the next league!

#26 Alex St. John...moving up to the next league!

#27 Ben Stahlman...back with us in the fall!

#44 Luke Hayes...moving up to the next league!

Each player received a personalized wooden bat with his name, # and what it says above. 

Each family received a memorable DVD slideshow of the season!

I can't say enough good things about our coaching staff! Each went above and beyond! We will always have Ephesus Baptist Church in our hearts and we are so thankful to have such caring individuals teaching our kids! Thank you!

Good luck to Coach Lance and Coach Dave as they move on up with their sons, Luke and Lawson. I'm sure we'll see Coach Cailean and Coach Paul with the DAWGS in the fall! :-)

Thanks for a wonderful season!!!! See you all at the ballpark in the fall!

Closing Ceremonies

Right after Riverdogs won the championship game, the Bees were awarded their runner up trophies and the Riverdogs received their league champion trophies (first place at the end of the regular season) and their tournament champion trophies!! I've been told that no other team has taken both championships in the Minor League before!!! GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then, each team was represented for the closing ceremonies. West Raleigh is big on sportsmanship (as they should be) and each team voted for a teammate to receive the sportsmanship award. This season's recipient for the Riverdogs is 7 year old (will be 8 tomorrow!!!!), #27...BENJAMIN STAHLMAN!!!

Next up for the Riverdogs...END OF SEASON PARTY ON JUNE 11th at 5-8pm!!!!! POOL PARTY AT COACH WAYNE'S AND BRENDA'S HOUSE!!!!!!

CHAMPIONS!!!!!

Coach Lance had all 8 eight year olds lead the team as co-captains for their LAST game on Nowell Field. After a week from not being on the field, the Dawgs came ready to play in the championship game against the Bees!

Here's how we looked DEFENSIVELY...

1st inning:

Luke (shortstop) to Lawson (second) for out #1

Jack caught a beautiful fly ball at leftfield for out #2

Ben made a great catch at centerfield for out #3

2nd inning:

Lawson caught a fly ball at second for out #1

Ian had an unassisted play at first for out #2

Luke (shortstop) to Ian (first) for out #3

3rd inning:

Lawson (second) to Ian (first) for out #1

Ben caught another fly ball at centerfield for out #2

Alex (third) to Ian (first) for out #3

A nice 1-2-3 inning!

4th inning:

Josh (pitcher) to Ian (first) for the three outs

5th inning:

Ian had an unassisted play at first for out #1

Lawson (second) to Ian (first) for the second out

Alex (third) to Lawson (second) for the last out

6th inning:

Luke (shortstop) to Lawson (second) for outs 1 and 2

Luke (shortstop) to Alex (third) for the last out of the game!!!

Great work behind the plate Griffin, Jabril, Jack S and Lance!!!

Nice job outfielders...Alex, John, Josh, Ben, Jabril, Gavin, Jack B, Lance, Griffin and Jack S!!!

Now for the OFFENSE...

Alex: 1-3 with 1 run scored

Lawson: 1-2

Ian: 2-2

Luke: 1-2 with 1 RBI

John: 1-2

Josh: 1-2 with a homerun that went over the scoreboard, 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Ben: 1-2 with 1 run scored

Jabril: 2-2 with a double and 2 runs scored

Gavin: 1-2

Jack B: 1-2 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Lance: 2-2 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored

Griffin: 1-2 with 1 RBI

Jack S: 1-2 with 1 RBI

The Dawgs win the championship game, 7-4 and went undefeated during the tournament!!!

THANK YOU COACHES, PARENTS AND PLAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





CHAMPIONSHIP TIME!!!

After a holiday weekend, the Riverdogs will face the Bees Tuesday night at 5:30pm in the Championship game! Here we go DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!