LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES : Bellinger’s boy brings big bat for Chandler
Posted on Sunday, August 19, 2007
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Clay Bellinger played in the World Series with the New York Yankees, but the utility man was never really known for his bat.
His son, though, can sure pound the ball.
Twelve-year-old Cody Bellinger went 4 for 5, including an impressive opposite-field two-run home run to left, and Chandler, Ariz., pounded out five home runs in a 16-6 victory Saturday over Salisbury, Md., at the Little League World Series.
Clay Bellinger even got to stand on the same field as his sweetswinging son — he’s the first-base coach for Chandler.
“He went to the World Series, so I thought it would be really cool if I could go to the Little League World Series,” said Cody, his voice raspy from all the yelling he’s been doing on the field.
The early games Saturday in South Williamsport were all highscoring affairs: Mexico defeated the Netherlands 11-1, and Canada beat Saudi Arabia 13-5.
But no team put on a display like Chandler (1-0 ), which had 17 hits, including 10 for extra bases.
The first three batters in Chandler’s lineup resemble a Little League Murderer’s Row. Seth Fretheim led off the game with a home run and followed with another shot in the sixth. No. 3 hitter Luke Parrish was 4 for 5, including a home run and a double.
Cody Bellinger was sandwiched in between them in the lineup. Listed at 5-1 and 87 pounds, the second baseman hardly looks imposing at the plate.
But appearances can be deceiving. Cody said his father took him to the batting cage regularly before tournament season.
Clay Bellinger hit. 193 over four seasons in his major league career. He played in two World Series for New York, winning in 2000 against the Mets and losing the following season against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
His hitting advice and major league experience are paying off with Chandler.
“One of the great things about him, despite being a major league player and having a World Series ring, he ultimately knows that we’re here for the kids, and it’s really about them,” Arizona Coach Chris McCann said.
Bellinger has been able to help soothe the team’s nerves, telling them to block out the bright lights in South Williamsport.
“I was more nervous in regionals,” his son said with a sheepish grin. “I don’t know why though.” Salisbury kept rallying Saturday after falling behind early. Craig East hit a three-run shot in the second and Ryan Aebly added a shot over the hedges in left field to cut the lead to 9-4, pumping his fist as he rounded first and bumping fists with his third-base coach before being greeted by several teammates at the plate. TEXAS 6, MINNESOTA 0 The new pitch count rule cost Lubbock, Texas, pitcher Garrett Williams a chance at tying a Little League World Series strikeout record.
Williams recorded the first 17 outs by strikeout, but had to leave in the sixth inning because he threw 88 pitches. Only two other pitchers have recorded all 18 outs by strikeout.
The new rule this year forces a pitcher from the mound after 85 pitches, though they may finish throwing to the batter against whom they reached the 85 th pitch.
Asked if he knew how many strikeouts he had, Williams answered, “No sir. I don’t worry about stuff like that... I just concentrate on the mitt and try to get the batter out.” OHIO 10, GEORGIA 2 Brandon Green had a two-run home run, then scored again in the sixth after doubling and coming home on a throwing error to lead Hamilton, Ohio (1-1 ). Starter Tyler Richards settled down after allowing two first-inning runs, striking out Clint Wynn to end the game. Micah Wells homered for Warner Robins, Ga. (1-1 ). MEXICO 11, NETHERLANDS 1 Isaac Camano drove in four runs and Mexico (1-0 ) used a six-run fourth inning to beat the Netherlands (0-1 ). The game ended after four innings — two innings early — because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Apeldoorn catcher Roy Sterling left the game in the first after hyperventilating because he didn’t like the home plate umpire’s strike zone. Apeldoorn pitchers walked five batters in Mexico’s five-run first inning.
“He got sick and couldn’t breathe. He was complaining about the balls,” Netherlands Manager Casper Coffie said. “I tried to tell him that he couldn’t change umpires’ call and that it didn’t matter, but it didn’t help.” Coffie said Sterling had to see a Little League doctor, but was going to be fine. BRITISH COLUMBIA 13, SAUDI ARABIA 5 Jackson Temple hit a three-run home run and British Columbia (1-0 ), broke a tie with an eight-run fifth inning to defeat Saudi Arabia (0-1 ).
Temple homered to center, just in front a small brick wall beyond the fences. He took a short hop and a skip before jumping on home plate as teammates patted him on the helmet. GLANCE At South Williamsport, Pa. UNITED STATES POOL A Walpole, Mass; Lake Oswego, Ore.; Warner Robins, Ga.; Hamilton, Ohio. POOL B Salisbury, Md.; Chandler, Ariz.; Lubbock, Texas, Coon Rapids, Minn. INTERNATIONAL POOL C Willemstad, Curacao; Tokyo Kitasuna; White Rock, British Columbia; Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. POOL D Mexicali, Baja California; Taichung, Taiwan; Apeldoorn, Netherlands; Maricaibo, Venezuela. SATURDAY’S GAMES White Rock, British Columbia 13, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia 5 Mexicali, Baja California 11, Apeldoorn, Netherlands 1, 4 innings, 10-run rule Chandler, Ariz. 16, Salisbury, Md. 6 Lubbock, Texas 6, Coon Rapids, Minn. 0 Hamilton, Ohio 10, Warner Robins, Ga., 2 TODAY’S GAMES All times Central Chandler Ariz. vs. Lubbock, Texas, 11 a.m. Walpole, Mass. vs. Lake Oswego, Ore., 2: 30 p.m. Apeldoorn, Netherlands vs. Taichung, Taiwan, 3 p.m. Willemstad, Curacao vs. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 6 p.m. Coon Rapids, Minn. vs. Salisbury, Md., 7 p.m.
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