The 10U Diamond Dog team found out they are as good as their last play this weekend at the Diamond Dog Classic.
After winning two games in dramatic fashion, the 10U team took third place while competing against established baseball programs in Central Illinois.
In pool play against the Central Area Indians, the Diamond Dogs went up after Gage Granadino and Ethan Willoughby hit out-of-the-park home runs early in the game. The Indians rallied back, sending the game into extra innings.
Down 9-5 with two outs, the Diamond Dogs rallied back 9-8 on a double from Willoughby. After tying the game, the Diamond Dogs won when Braden Finch stole home from third on a pitch.
“As soon as you start doubting yourself, you’ll never be able to accomplish what you think you can accomplish, “ head coach Dan Fishback said. “I was trying to show them that’s about determination, heart, not giving up, fighting for something you want.”
The Diamond Dogs took that mentality into Sunday against the St. Joe Bandits. St. Joe went up 6-1 early. The Diamond Dog came back in the fifth inning, and went up 8-6. The Bulldogs won 9-8 in extra innings.
“When life throws you a curve ball or you get knocked down, you’ve got to get back up and keep your composure,” Fishback said. “When times are rough, you do your part to support your teammate or family member, and you’ll make it through.”
The Diamond Dogs lost to Prairie Central Sunday. The Prairie Central Hawks went on to win the Diamond Dog Classic.
“This for this team in this tournament feels like a super win for us because we lost to one of the best teams in the area.”
“St. Joe has always been a nemesis for us,” Fishback said. “Last year we didn’t beat them. This year we’ve split with them in our second and third tournament.”
On an emotional high from their success against St. Joe, the Diamond Dogs beat the Champaign Dream to take second at the Pontiac Tournament. This was the first time they beat the Dream in three years.
The winning continued when the 10U team took third place out of thirty teams at the Brad Wallin St. Jude tournament in Chillicothe, IL.
Even in the losses, Fishback believes the tough schedule early in the season prepared the team for the success they are experiencing today.
“The kids are just starting to believe in themselves and it’s showing.” Fishback said.”
Fishback is able to rotate almost all twelve players through any position. All players spent the winter months working on the mechanics of pitching and fielding. While the young players are still limited in their baseball IQ, the coaching staff reiterates field rotations and mechanics to them.
Many players have the opportunity to practice pitching in double headers because Fishback believes the exposure prepares the players for pressure situations, like they saw in the Diamond Dog classic.
“You make an error and you don’t let it go, the ball has a way of finding you again in this sport,” he said. “It’s not just about talent. It’s about how well you play together and understanding where you need to improve,” Fishback said.
With several new additions to the 10U Diamond Dog team, Fishback said the team has bonded well and if becoming a family. With 12 bright boys on his team, Fishback believes the support of the parents is equally important.
“Attitude reflects leadership,” he said. “It all starts at home. This team is something special. This is bigger than a game. It’s a brotherhood. And it’s really rewarding to be around them whether we win or lose.”
Fishback hopes to continue to teach his team to fight to the very end of the game through the rest of their season in June.
After the win against the Central Area Indians on Saturday Fishback told his team, “You’re as good as your last play. You’re as good as your last bat. You’re as good as your last game.”
