Alpharetta Youth Baseball Association Celebrates Opening Day This Saturday

Baseball League Kicks off 46th Year at Wills Park.

'Trouble with the Curve' is a Softball Right Down the Middle

Clint Eastwood takes a break from his one-man act with an empty chair to play a grouchy old man. Now that's a stretch! 

Clint Eastwood plays an aging baseball scout who has a troubling relationship with his daughter Amy Adams in "Trouble with the Curve." Eastwood's eyesight is failing so Adams decides to tag along on what could be his last scouting trip. The conflicts in the movie are many: father-daughter, daughter and her new boyfriend (played by Justin Timberlake) and a big baseball conflict pitting younger tech-savvy scouts against old-school, seasoned scouts. We have seen this movie before; it was called "Moneyball." There are some dark moments, some sappy moments, and you are never quite sure if you are supposed to laugh or not when Eastwood goes on one of his grouchy old man rants. The last time he was in a movie was back in 2008 for "Grand Torino," …

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POLL: Are Kids Getting Priced Out of Baseball and Softball?

A NY Times article explores the era of the $250 (or more) baseball bat.

Have you bought a baseball glove for your Little Leaguer lately? Did you pay more than $100 for it? How about a $250 bat? Or maybe $299.99? That's the online price of one model at Dick's Sporting Goods, Alpharetta-Milton Patch's Readers' Choice winner for Best Sporting Goods Store. A New York Times story headlined "Big Price Tags Attached to Even the Littlest Leagues," looks at the big business of equipping youngsters for participation in youth baseball and softball leagues, quoting those costs and more. "A batting helmet protects tiny heads for $39.99," the Times reports. "A pair of Nike Jordan Black Cat cleats will make your child fast and fashionable at $51.99 until he or she outgrows them." Bats and fielding gloves can be much more. …

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St. Francis Beats Lakeview Academy

The Knights were led by pitcher Spencer Orr, who got the win and struck out 11 Lions batters.

The St. Francis Knights baseball team beat Lakeview Academy Saturday 4-1. The Knights got a strong pitching performance from Spencer Orr, who got the victory on the mound, according to head Coach Jeff Nichols. He struck out 11 Lions batters in 6 innings of work. Jonah Huff retired Lakeview in the final inning to record the save. Offensively St. Francis High was led by Mark Schulte who went 3 for 4 had 2 RBI and also added 2 stolen bases. Spencer Orr, Matt Klein, and Joey Roche also added two hits on the day. The Knights return to action Thursday afternoon at Mt. Pisgah.

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Alpharetta Student Picks Presbyterian for More Education, Baseball

Congratulations to Alpharetta High School senior baseball player, Derek Long, who signed a letter of intent to play at Presbyterian College. Pictured with Derek are his parents, Karen and Jarrett, AHS Head Baseball Coach, Steve Bohn, AHS Athletic Director, Kirk Alexander, and AHS Principal, Shannon N. Kersey.

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St. Francis Baseball Teams Make it a Day for Chip's Nation

The Knight's Diamond Club holds a cook-out and BBQ throughout the day of baseball.

Today is "Chip's Nation Day" at St. Francis High School's baseball field, and while the games already are underway, there's plenty of action on the baseball diamond left. A full day of baseball games for Middle School, JV and Varsity is on tap with Chip Madren and his family as guests of honor. The Knight’s Diamond Club will have a Cook-Out and BBQ scheduled throughout the day, with all proceeds being donated to “Chip’s Nation,” the fund set up to defray medical costs for Chip and his family. Chip Madren was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2010 while a student at St. Francis Middle School. This has been a tremendous challenge for Chip and his family that has caused a drastic change in their lives. As Chip recovers and rehabilitates …

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Milton to Buy Land for Bell Memorial Park Expansion

City Council approved spending $345,000 on almost 4 acres of land next to the existing park, home to the Hopewell Youth Association baseball league.

Before Milton City Council even had a chance to approve the purchase of 3.82 acres of land next to Bell Memorial Park, the biggest supporters of that park were thanking the city. Scott Stachowski, president of the Hopewell Youth Association, spoke at the start of the Monday night council meeting to offer his organization's thanks. (Watch accompanying video.) He couldn't stay to watch the $345,000 purchase be approved because his son's baseball team had a practice he needed to attend. Mayor Joe Lockwood said after the meeting that the additional park land could allow expansion of the existing facilities. First, however, the city will check the property for problems, such as having been a site where George Washginton once slept, containing …

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Knights Fall Despite Grand Slam, Six Ks

St. Francis returns to the baseball diamond today.

The St. Francis High School Knights varsity baseball team lost its season opener at home to Paideia 10-9. The Knights were led at the plate by Zac Johnson's grand slam, said Coach Jeff Nichols. Jonah Huff was the only Knight with multiple hits. He went 2 for 2 with a solo HR. Spencer Orr pitched well but didn't get the decision. He struck out six on the day. St. Francis will be back in action Tuesday at home against Riverside Military.

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Hopewell Youth Association Opens Online Registration for Spring Baseball

Milton residents only can register until Nov. 14.

The first game won't be held until March 3, but online registration for Hopewell Youth Association's (HYA) spring 2012 recreational baseball season is now open. Information on registration, age cut off dates, volunteer coaching opportunities and league fees are available online. The registration process is split into three parts: Registration will close Thursday, Dec. 29. A $35 late fee will be charged for any registrations after this date. Each phase of the registration is open to all ages. "Based on the success and growth of our baseball program we urge you to register as soon as possible," said Scott Stachowski, president of HYA. Important 2011 season dates: (Dates are subject to change) HYA, which recently celebrated its 25th …

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'Moneyball' Could Be a Game Changer for Pitt

The latest Brad Pitt film throws a real curveball at the conventional sports movie, but is it Oscar worthy?

Brad Pitt sets out to revolutionize the game of baseball in the real-life story turned movie "Moneyball." Pitt plays Billy Beane, the Oakland A's general manager who hired math whiz Peter Brand (played by Jonah Hill) to help revolutionize the game of baseball. There is not a lot of time spent on the field in this film, it is really all about Beane and how he created a winning organization not with roster talent, but by using statistics called sabermetrics. It is the story of a time when nerds took over what had always been a jock's world and hit a grand slam. "Moneyball" stands on its own with a strong supporting cast of personalities in a timeless David and Goliath story. Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the team manager at odds …

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