Tigers Win Kid Pitch Rivalry Game

It was one of the biggest rivalry games of the season. Two Clawson Kid Pitch teams with top league records had bragging rights at stake. In the end, the Clawson Tigers took the victory Tuesday night with a 8-5 victory over the Clawson Diamondbacks.

led the undefeated Tigers (8-0) with two hits and scored two runs and starting pitcher Jeff Vlahakis scored two runs and  gave up three runs. Jack Therrien had two hits for the Diamondbacks (6-2), and pitched two strong innings.

"Our guys were a little nervous because they knew we were playing a good team," Tigers coach Steve Haney said of his 11-player team. "We threw strikes when we had to. I'd like to see them be more aggressive, play with more confidence."

But coaches and parents say Clawson Kid Pitch is more than just a competition for first place. Players learn the fundamentals of the sport— fielding, catching, pitching— as well as working as a team.

Diamondbacks coach Kevin Therrien said "listening, effort, willingness to learn, trying hard and having fun" are all values he tries to instill in his players.

"We play as a team, and we get to win as a team," Therrien said.

Clawson Kid Pitch is part of the Beverly Hills Little League, so they play teams from both Clawson and Beverly Hills. Teams typically play two games a week in each city. Many of the players have been playing together for years, moving up the league ranks. In Clawson, there is a T-ball team, for ages 5 and 6; , for ages 7 and 8; and Kid Pitch, for ages 9 and 10.

Brian Babich of Sterling Heights said he placed his son on the Diamondbacks team because he likes the small town feel in Clawson.

"It's just a good environment," Babich said.

He said he also likes the coaching techniques on Kid Pitch teams. "They push them but yet they know when to back off," Babich said.

Saundra Ryan, whose son Logan plays for the Tigers, said she likes assignments where players learn all the different positions.

"This gets them ready for (the position) that they like," said Ryan, adding that her son plays outfield, shortstop and second base. "I think (Haney) is a good coach."

Babich and Ryan were among the many parents and supporters at Tuesday's game at the baseball field. The crowd was full of energy during the game that many look forward to each season.

"These two teams come down to it every year," said Heather Kauffman, whose son Ryan, plays for the Tigers."It's a big game -- two really good teams."

Coaches say the Diamonbacks average 12-15 runs a game and Tigers about 10 runs. But competition between two skilled teams kept both below average at Tuesday's game.

The Tigers look to continue their winning streak in a make-up game at 6:30 p.m. Thursday against the Beverly Hills Dodgers at Beverly Hills Park North. The Diamondbacks play their next game at 6:30 p.m. today against the Clawson Yankees at Beverly Hills Park North.

Click here for a full schedule of the Beverly Hills Little League.