Lisbon Heart wins again but score falls just short - Pure Heart!!

The heart of Lisbon Football shined brightly in the wealth of Yarmouth on November 13, 2010. One of the best games I have watched was a battle that had Lisbon ahead but their backs were against the WALL all day. Field position was in the hands of Yarmouth from the beginning, the Clippers began on the Lisbon side of the field no less than 7 times with Lisbon's De fence never breaking the entire game until 1 play with 4 minutes remaining. With just 5 minutes remaining on 4th Down, Lisbon's Ryan Riordan thru a pass that hit its mark and was carried out of bounds at the first down marker by Zach Splude. This first down would have given Lisbon 1st and Goal with 4:40 left but the catch was made but short by a matter if inches. The correct play was called, a perfect pass and catch was made but either the route was just off or the spot, non the less it gave the clipper one more shot which they did not quit when QB Freshmen swept around the right side for 54 yards and the only break in the Greyhounds De fence all day came with 4 minutes remaining. The Hounds had one chance to get the ball back but with adrenaline and heart and soul flying around the field, the punter was bumped and even though he was grabbed to be held up, he fell and a penalty was called. If their was any concerns about letting the game be played by the players and not the referee, this play took place in front of the wrong ref. Unfortunately the consistency of this ref., was clear. All day on 4th down Lisbon made a first down on a fake punt which he called back, running into the kicker vs roughing the kicker was the difference between 5 yards and 15, the rest of the game beyond two other 4th down or big situation calls by the one ref., standing between the kids playing it out and pin stripes feeling good about controlling a game,
this was clearly the beginning of a good solid rivalry that started just a few weeks ago and the only recomendations I would make for our future matches is it is time to put some focus on a kicking game. Two losses this year, both by the kick. Yes one conversion would have left the game tied but if we had a kicker we were in position two other time for field goal attempts under 30 yards and two auto extra points may have had them trying a conversion instead of just kicking. I have not been prouder of a group that was small and full of heart. No clear superstars but a ton of superstar hearts were on that field. Stepping up for the seniors and seeing some of the greatest plays from Mike M., even though they were trying to avoid him and double team him all day was magical. Thank you Hounds, you and your coaches gave us a fabulous season and an incredible day. The youth involved in this game from the bench and playing have now been witness to how much heart, effort and intelligent play can do for you. As long as that remains the lesson and Coach Mynahan and his staff continue to focus on intelligent, competitive spirit and our players continue to play for a team and not individualism, we will see continued results from one of the smaller teams and schools in the state. Officially after Riordans 180 yard game, Brady ball as it was named a few years back when Ryan averaged 18 throws a game to balance off a fabulous running game which will hopefully become the avenue and stepping stones to 3 straight state titles beginning in 2011. Great season Hounds.....................

2010 - Rio Ball & the Heart of Greyhounds

 

We have only a short time to make a difference in kids lives before the competition to succeed takes over. It is the understanding that settling for mediocrity is like allowing your kids to settle for being number 5 and not trying to improve. The lack of competition through a liberal social drive that began 14 years ago is not for the benefit of our youths future or the future of the United States as we know it.

Kick Off Week for All Star Baberuth Baseball

Dear Baseball Lovers;

As long as I can remember summer has been about one thing, after swimming, baseball. The beginning of my season and my transition from hockey everyday to baseball was the day the Red Sox season began when the game would be played right after school in the spring. I would rush home meet up with my brother and a couple neighbors in order to watch the Red Sox. The first games of the year were normally against the Tigers. The air seemed to get warmer, the smell better, the days longer not only because they were but, spring changed and it started with the Red Sox, even if snow was still on the ground it still became spring. All summer sports are shorter in Maine but no less loved by the youth and will continue to be a great past time as long as politics, new changes in sports program leadership and Liberal control of youth activities does not take place. The game and many sports in general are the only leadership training our youth will get and with Baseball we see many develop with many teams needing leadership over the years creating our leaders in business and education for the future. As an employer and previous director of a National Training center over 10 years, CEO's, Project managers, Office Supervisors and many other leadership positions were filled with leaders from their youth and school sports programs.

Baseball is our past time and hopefully our future. Our Lisbon players are in the Districts this weekend hoping to pass onto the States next Weekend. The 15 and under team is playing in Lisbon through Sunday and the 14 and under are in Boothbay through the weekend.

The greatest games this week in Lisbon may be the youth games going on for both girls and boys in the 12 and under leagues. Patrick Austin and Amy Austin both leaders in our community have taken on the roll with other family and friends to help re-build and stabilize the baseball and softball programs which had taken a significant deterioration in the late 90's through early 2000 when significant new visions and goals were established for the T-Ball, Minor leagues, 9 and under, as well as the Cal Ripken and Softball equivalent age groups. The late season tournaments and games going on for non All Star players are in its third year under the guidance and vision of Patrick Austin. Pat, his brother, wife and many others that have taken what had deteriorated to begin to improve the lower programs quality and its numbers needed to assure a re growth of Lisbon Baseball and Softball will occur. The great old days of winning our divisions almost every year with one or another team have now become a lost vision. Coaches and players of todays program actually look to other towns and marvel at them without ever truly understanding the exceptional leadership of the 70's and 80's and why it has been lost.

The goal of baseball and softball is to allow the kids the enjoyment of playing, team experiences, commradory of team mates, excersize, coordination, learning how to win and lose, learning how to work hard to reach goals, learning how to practice hard and get results and to give kids that make it a true goal the opportunity to play at higher levels, help get many through highschool and college and since we all will most likely have children some day, we pass on a tradition and the potential to make sports a career. Sports is now one of the fastest growing and largest industry's in the united states as well as the world. Careers range from college, high school, broadcasting, reporting, sports medicine, lawyers, retail sales and so on. Sports is not just for fun as many want it to be portrayed. It is no different for many as learning math so it should be treated as such for those that go that direction because if you remove the competition value at younger levels, you lose the ability to compete at older ages which will create drop outs of sports by some of the potential better athletes ending a potential career before ever getting started. Those that do not see sports as a viable industry are ignorant.

Anthony F Riordan Jr.