Upon arriving at Cooperstown All-Star Village (CASV), the Rage baseball team wasted no time getting themselves acquainted with other teams and getting involved in pin trading. After competing well in the skills competitions during opening ceremonies, the Rage team were ready for the tournament to start.
After getting off to a slow start on day one dropping their first game 15-1 to Viking Select (UT), the Rage turned around and took a tough loss to ESP American (IL) 4-6. After starting the tournament 0-2, the Rage 12U started to find themselves in game three as they faced off against the Lake County Stars (IL). In an offensive onslaught for the Rage and led by Homeruns by Keegan Eberly, Micah McPhail, and Jack Reeves, the Rage accumulated 20 hits in a 28-2 win over Lake County.
In an afternoon affair with Lonestar Central (TX), an early deficit was too much to overcome as the Rage dropped the game 12-8. Headed into an early Tuesday morning game against Hard 90’s Crush (CA), in a hard fought game the Rage hang on to win 5-4. The Rage then faced off in a night cap under the lights against PLO Bulldogs (FL). In a game that featured 3 HR’s (Burke Withycombe, Jackson Leininger, Jack Reeves) from the Rage and 4 HR’s from the Bulldogs and a clean defensive game from both squads had the Rage falling short to the Bulldogs 6-4 to finish pool play, having the Rage earn the 40 seed out of the 60 team tournament.
Going into Wednesday’s single elimination rounds, the Rage faced off with the Illinois Hitmen (IL). The offensive production continued behind Homeruns from Burke Withycombe and Micah McPhail as the Rage cruised to a 14-6 victory to advance to the 4th round of the tournament. The Rage were set to play the Irvine Rox (CA).
The Rox played excellent fundamental defense and the pitching performance from the Rox starting pitcher kept the hot Rage offense at bay holding the Rage to only 3 hits. The Colorado Rage’s tournament ended dropping the game 2-0 to the Rox.
Ultimately, the Colorado Rage 12U team played well the entire week finishing 3-5 against some stiff competition from all over the country, had a once in a lifetime experience, got to experience the National Baseball Hall of Fame, see the field where baseball was born and the opportunity to interact with other players from several different walks of life.
The Colorado Rage would especially like to thank all of the parents for making this happen and your support, the players for representing the Colorado Rage in a professional manner, and our sponsors NCR Roofing, Advocare, Brandons Dirt Works, Royal B Threads, and all the others that generously donated to the Colorado Rage that made this trip possible. THANK YOU!!