Mormon Baseball

Its what every baseball fan dreams of.

Its the playoffs. Bottom of the 10th. Two out. Your team gave up 4 runs in the top of the 10th. You’ve already done well, 1 for 2 with 2 walks and no strike outs. If you can just get on base, maybe your team will find a way to tie, or win the game.

And then you get a perfect pitch. You swing, and watch as the ball sails out of the outfield.

For most of us that is a fantasy. We’ll never even be in professional ball, let alone pull off end-of-the-game heroics.

For Marcus Littlewood that was yesterday.

Sure it was just the Class-A Midwest League, but I’ll bet it was still very real, and very exciting, and somewhat surprising because Littlewood hasn’t managed much heroics during the past season.But, he can be very proud of his performance last night, no matter how he sees the past season.

Unfortunately, the team, the Clinton LumberKings, still lost the game 9-6. Littlewood may be called upon again for post-season heroics. His team needs to win both of the next two games to advance.

None of the other Mormons on teams playing in the post-season for the minor leagues got in games yesterday. Taylor Cole’s team, the Dunedin Blue Jays (Florida State League, A+) was eliminated in a two-game playoff (Sept 3rd & yesterday), without him appearing in either game–possibly because he recently advanced from a single-A league.

Mitch Maier and Mitch Talbot are on the disabled list, which may explain why they did not play. I’m not sure why in the other cases.

AAA teams:

Each of the two AAA leagues have league conference playoffs, championship series, and then the champions of each league then meet in a single game AAA championship, scheduled for September 17th in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

International League

• Mitch Maier, Pawtucket Red Sox, International League, North Conference Champions (on disabled list — did not play so far)
  * The Red Sox trail 0-1 a 5-game series against the Rochester Red Wings Sept. 4-8
  * If they win, the League championship is a 5-game series played Sept. 10-14.

Pacific Coast League

• Clayton Mortensen, Omaha Storm Chasers, Pacific Coast League, Amerian Northern Conference Champions
  * The Storm Chasers lead 1-0 a 5-game series against the Oklahoma City RedHawks Sept. 4-8
  * If they win, they play in the 5-game League championship series Sept. 10-15.
• Mitch Talbot, Las Vegas 51s, Pacific Coast League, Pacific Southern Conference Champions (on disabled list — did not pitch so far)
  * The 51s trail 0-1 in a 5-game series against the Salt Lake Bees Sept. 4-8
  * If they win, they play in the 5-game League championship series Sept. 10-15.

AA teams:

The top two teams in each of the two divisions in the Eastern League play each other in a 5-game series to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Nik Turley, Trenton Thunder, Eastern League, Eastern Division 2nd place team
  * Trenton Thunder lead the Binghamton Mets 1-0 in a 5-game series Sept. 4-8.
  * If they win, they play in the 5-game League championship series Sept. 10-14.

A+ teams:

Each of the two divisions in the Florida State League play division series between the winners of each half of the season to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Taylor Cole, Dunedin Blue Jays, Florida State League, North Division 1st half winner
  * Dunedin Blue Jays were eliminated in a 2-game series Sept. 3-4 by the Daytona Cubs. Cole did not pitch in either game.

A teams:

Midwest League

The first and second place teams from each half of the season from each of the two divisions in the Midwest League qualify for the playoffs. The winner of each half season plays the second place team from the other half season to determine who plays in a division series that determines the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Marcus Littlewood, Clinton LumberKings, Midwest League, Western Divison 2nd half 2nd place team
  * The LumberKings trail the Beloit Snappers 0-1 in a 3-game series September 4-6
  * If the LumberKings win, they will play a 3-game division series.
  * If the LumberKings win the division series, they will play a 5-game championship series against the Eastern Division champion.

South Atlantic League

Each of the two divisions in the South Atlantic League play division series between the winners of each half of the season to determine the division champions. The division champions then face each other in a championship series.

• Bryan Harper, Hagerstown Suns, South Atlantic League, first half winners, Northern Division
  * Suns are up 1-0 over the West Virginia Power in a 3-game series Sept. 5-7.
  * If the Suns win, they play in the 5-game League Championship Series Sept. 9-14

I will try to keep us all up-to-date with the status of these Mormon minor leaguers over the next couple weeks. Enjoy the minor league post season!