2016 Father/Son Cactus
Waikiki Beach Boys 19, Fog City 4
‘Round, Round, Get Around, They Get Around!’
By Jason Johnson, special to MSBL National
October 30, 2016, Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ – “We’ve got a bunch of rabbits out there,” exclaimed the enthusiastic Beach Boys manager Gary Firestone from the steps of the dugout. The Beach Boys had no problem getting around the bases swiping seven of them en route to a 19-4 victory in the Father/Son Cactus Division Championship and Waikiki’s first ever father/son title.
It didn’t start off easy for the Beach Boys, however, as Fog City jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first three innings. Mike Allen got Fog City going in the first inning when he hit a fly ball double to right field with two outs that drove in the game’s first two runs. Allen also drove in a third run when he grounded out in the third inning scoring John Maida in from third.
In the top of the fourth inning the Beach Boys responded by hammering out eight runs led
by a two-run double from Daniel Dominguez. With the Beach Boys leading 8-4 Fog City loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning when David Chilcote lined a pitch to center field but Dominguez charged in on it and made a sliding catch for the third out to end the rally. Dominguez was awarded team MVP honors after the game.
“When he made that diving catch out in center it really turned it around and took the air out of their balloon,” said Firestone. “That was the biggest play of the whole tournament for us.”
The Beach Boys would cruise after that scoring 11 more runs in the final three frames and holding Fog City to just two more hits after the fourth inning. Winning pitcher Tony Covarrubias pitched the last five innings of shutout ball striking out three.
For the Firestone father/son duo being able to play together was a dream come true. Gary Firestone said that being able to play with his son is the only reason he continues to play with his son, Clay. Clay reciprocated the feeling and said he wants to continue to play with his dad as long as he’s capable.
“It’s a surreal thing and I never thought I’d play on the same field as my dad,” said Clay Firestone. “I know I’m not going to always have this opportunity and I’m really glad to have the chance now.”
“This was my 22nd ring since playing but my first in the father/son division and this one means the most to me,” said Gary Firestone.
Pool Play
Fog City and the Beach Boys both went 4-0 during pool. The Beach Boys attributed most
of their success to starting a son on the mound while most teams started a father, then when they had to switch to a father on the mound they were usually playing with the lead.
Playoffs
Fog City defeated Las Vegas 10-9 right before the championship game. Down three runs going into the ninth inning Fog City rallied for four runs with Matt Chilcote driving in the winning run. They got to Sloan Park tired and beat up but were ready to lay it all out on the championship field.
The Beach Boys defeated the Denver Grizzlies 4-2 earlier in the day to get to the championship game. To advance, the Beach Boys needed to get a stolen base late in the game from Clay Firestone to get him into scoring position to score the decisive run.
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Waikiki Beach Boys 0 0 0 8 0 0 1 2 8 19 18 2
Fog City 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 9
Pitching Line:
WP: T. Covarrubias LP: M. Hanna
2B: Gonzalez, J. (BB), Dominguez, D. (BB), Allen, M. (FC), Mccarthy, J. (FC)
Leading Hitters: Beach Boys – Flores, J. 1×2, 3 BB, 3 R; Schoser, J. 4×5, 2 R; Maldonado, I. 3×6, 2 R, 3 RBI; Gonzalez, J. 1×4, 4 RBI. Fog City – Walsh, J. 2×5, 2 R; McCarthy, J. 2×3
SF: Gonzalez, J. (BB), Chilcote, M. (FC)
SB: Benevides, E. (BB), Gonzalez Sr., F. (2) (BB), Flores, J. (BB), Maldonado (BB), Dominguez, D. (BB), Firestone, C. (BB).
Team LOB: Beach Boys 12, Fog City 10
Time of Game: 3:34