To the NDG Baseball Family,

The Senior Lynx players and coaches are blown away by the outpouring of support and well-wishes that we have received over the past few days. Between all of the e-mails, texts, bbm's and media coverage that we've received, the boys feel like the whole city (and country!) are behind them!

We are on the bus (again!) heading to Bangor, Maine. Tomorrow is 'uniform day' where we officially become Team Canada!  We have the opening ceremonies Saturday night, and then our first game vs. the Host team on Sunday afternoon.  Keep following our progress on what is undoubtedly the best website in the Little League system!

I'll try to send an update from Bangor to give everyone a feel for the WS atmosphere!  GO LYNX GO...GO CANADA GO!!

Bobby T.

Hi Guys,

As everybody close to our program must know by now, the Senior Lynx have themselves in a position to do something that's never been done before:  Win a National Championship!

In yesterday's semi-final vs BC, we got out to an early 3-0 lead. After that, we were able to rely on our 'strengths' (ie: pitching & defense) to coast to a 5-1 victory. Like all of our previous games, the key to this victory was our 'deep' pitching inventory!  A great start by Alexis Vargas, followed by solid relief work by Trevor Lall, Kris Hopkins and Eric Punski, put us in a position to compete tonight for the 'big prize'.

I've mentioned previously how our team focuses on pitching & defense (and timely hitting, of course!) to win close ballgames. So I must mention how steady our infield defense has been:  Rafi Zapata & Eric P at 3rd, Liam Wyatt at short, Jake Titleman at 2nd and Laurent Dupuis-Solliec (aka 'the hitting machine') at 1st. And lastly, Alex 'AC' Carmel has been spectacular behind the plate.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the 'veteran' leadership that has been provided by Oliver 'Big Papi' Singson. Ollie's record at Nationals has experienced a bit of a turnaround this past week!

In case I don't have the opportunity to do so afterwards, I want to thank everybody connected with our team and league for their support and encouragement. A special mention has to go to Mary Catherine Carmel. People have no idea how much 'behind the scenes' effort is required to help get our team into this position...and to allow the players and coaches to focus on what really matters:  Playing good baseball!  We hope to give MC a reason to work even harder after tonight!

I hope the boys would agree that we've had a great coaching staff this year. Ray's contributions have been invaluable...helping take our program 'to the next level'. Rafael Zapata (Sr.) and Livin Vargas and I have worked so well together. We might have slightly different 'baseball philosophies' (based on our own baseball backgrounds), but we are always able to 'mesh' our opinions into a consistent game plan that the boys can execute.

All of the e-mails and calls that we have received are greatly appreciated...from former Lynx players, coaches, parents, etc.  I have read many of them out loud to our team at our pre-game meetings. Keep 'em coming!


So now we have an opportunity to something REALLY special tonight. We can go down fighting with our heads held high...OR... We can walk off the field as National Champions! Both 'stories' will be VERY special for the boys to tell their kids and grandkids one day...but the latter has a MUCH happier ending!!

Quebec vs Ontario tonight (Habs vs Leafs???)...Bring it on!!

Wish us luck,  Bobby T.

Since everyone close to the program probably is aware already that we have a 4-0 record so far, I thought I'd try to shed more light on a 'day in the life' at this tourney:  Today we met for a team breakfast in the hotel lobby at 8:30 AM.  By the time we were done, it was closer to 10am. The tournament schedule had us having lunch at 11:30am. Instead we set up a 1 hour BP in the cage at the park. Luckily, we were able to take-out our St. Hubert chicken lunch and eat it at the park. We then came back to the hotel to relax before our 5pm game. At 3pm, we had a team meeting in Ray's room to review the line-up and the pitching plan for the game. MC then prepared her famous fruit smoothies as a last minute energy boost. By 3:45pm we were at the park starting our pre-game warm-up. And now for the really exciting part....

Once again, new heroes emerged for the NDG Senior Lynx. For instance, Trevor Lall has been a model of consistency on the mound. Game 4 began in similar fashion to the previous games... with excellent pitching and solid defense. Team Maritimes took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the 6th inning, leaving us 6 more outs to change the direction of the game. Fortunately, we had our number 3 hitter, Liam Wyatt, leading off. He proceeded to hit a towering shot about 325 feet to left center field cutting the lead in half. The "Cardiac Kids" had life!!!  Oliver Singsong then took a fastball in the kidneys. As he has on several occasions, Quintin Foster entered the game as a SPR or special pinch runner. "Q" then stole second to put the tying run in scoring position. Rafi Zapata also got on base setting the stage for Alex "AC" Carmel with 2 runners aboard. AC proceeded to hit a 320ft line shot over the left center fence. In a matter of minutes, our boys turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead. Eric Punski, Liam Wyatt and Kris Hopkins shut down a scrappy Maritime line-up after the second inning.

Video - Alex "AC" Carmel Hits Three-Run Homerun in Sixth Inning

The coaches were joking around before the game saying that we were playing "Earl Weaver-type" baseball:  Pitching; Defense; and 3-run homers! Throughout the first 3 games, we have definitely had solid pitching and defense...just no 3-run homers!! That changed in the 6th inning with one swing of the bat.

We are thrilled to be 4-0 but recognize that we have a lot of work left. Keep cheering us on and we will do our best to make you proud!!

Regards,