9u Asher traveled to Omaha for the 2021 USSSA Suburban Stampede Summer Slam. The tournament was played on June 5th and 6th, 2021, and featured thirteen 9u teams. 9u Asher finished pool play undefeated, earning the number 1 bracket seed. The team played great baseball all weekend and celebrated a tournament win as undefeated champions.
The team set the tone for the weekend early, behind a complete game, no-hitter by Kyle Ramirez in the first game. His effort on the mound was supported by an unassisted double play by Will Coleman.
The energy from game one carried over to the second pool game, where Brody Hertzog turned an unassisted double play in the first inning. The winning efforts continued through the weekend, with the boys scoring 78 runs while giving up only 24. Noah Crisp was the team leader at the plate. Crisp was 11 for 13 with 2 walks and 10 runs scored over 5 games.
“This is a great group of boys and families,” said head coach James Asher. “Each of the 11 players on this team wants to compete every time we play. They are winning baseball games because they work so hard every single week. This was our first-ever travel tournament, and everyone made this a fun, memorable weekend.”
In addition to playing baseball, the team also organized several outings around Omaha. The team enjoyed The Amazing Pizza Machine, where everyone ate pizza, drove go-carts, and played video games. They also visited the Omaha Zoo and spent many hours playing in the hotel pool, which was a welcome relief after playing in 90-degree weather.
“Our parents made this trip so memorable for the boys. As a group following the fall season, we decided that we would take one trip during the summer season,” continued Coach Asher. “The families picked Omaha because it’s relatively close and features so many fun things to do. This is a special group and I hope they enjoyed their first out-of-town tournament as much as I did.”
The parents worked hard to make this a special weekend. A few of the fun things they did include making door-hangers with each boy’s name and printing giant Fathead faces for the siblings to use in cheering on their brothers. The parents also handed out goody bags to the players and their siblings.
Overall, it was a winning weekend packed full of fun and smiling faces.
9u Asher is coached by James Asher, Eric Findlay, Kyle Schmalz, and J Ramirez.
9u Asher players watching s sea lion at the Omaha Zoo 
9u Asher players celebrating a scored run 
9u Asher plays at the Omaha Zoo 
9u Asher players in the Omaha Zoo giraffe house 
9u Asher players having fun after a long day of baseball 
9u Asher players showing off the Fathead faces their parent’s made for them 
Edge on three!