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Its the end of March, 2006. The trip to Disney to play in a tournament has finally arrived. My daughter Manteee and her team of Indian Hills Braves from Oakland New Jersey is about to take on a team from Livingston New Jersey. Livingston and Oakland are about 20 miles apart. So what that we traveled 1500 miles to play each other.

The top of the first inning for Livingston.

While watching Livingston practice I said to myself. Hey it looks like these girls can play. Livingston gets a few runners on base and then there is a hot grounder right at my daughter. She errs and a run scores. My Manteee is not looking so good. Two batters later with the bases loaded for Livingston, another grounder is hit to my daughter with the same results as the previous ball in the dirt. Manteee goes to her right and boots the ball.

As two runners crossed the plate I shifted my attention from my daughter to the coach. He was livid. The first inning ends with Livingston in front 3-0. This was the low point of the trip for my daughter. She did not play again in this game. The coach yanked her and had her sit the bench.

As I watched the game my thoughts were about Manteee as I observed the field. I often gazed into the dugout to see how my daughter was doing. It seemed like she was hiding. When I got a rare glimpse of her, she looked like she had lost her best friend. This was a low point to say the least.

Next game had different results.

Back at her position at second base my Manteee seemed to be apprehensive about what could happen. Her fears and concerns soon subsided. In the first inning another team from New Jersey hit two balls her way. She played them well and threw out both runners.

As the game moved on more balls were hit her way. A dozen chances at least. Maybe two or three hard plays had to be made. She handled all the plays and Indian Hills won the game.

After the game assistant coach Phil Lemenza said. Sammi is my hero. After playing a horrible game she came back strong. (My wife and I are the only ones that call her Manteee everyone else calls her Sammi)

To say I am proud of her is an understatement. She fights; she claws and never gives up.

She is my hero as well. Thats why she is one of my top ten favorite players of all time.

Please pass this on to your friends.

The great game of baseball. What could be better? Loving the game of baseball for Aron Wallad has been a job of joy for a long time. For over 45 years he has followed the game by coaching, watching games, reading stories and checking players stats. Playing baseball, softball and stickball were his games of choice. Join Aron as he looks at the game from some different points of view. You will find his stories moving. You will be amazed when you see some of the unusual statistics he presents. The quotes will move you or make you laugh.

5-5,

Defense;

5, defenders,

The soccer team has new positional dynamics with this formation.

The addition to this defensive style is a central defender who can control the play from the back line.

This defender could also be an attacking player who will feed through balls to the striker. In addition to this the play maker will help create and initialze an attack from the defensive edge of the mid-field.

It can be thought that this player is also a mid-field player when the attack is mounted.

In real soccer, when your team has the ball, everybody becomes an attacker.

This team has this formation of positions in order not to lose.

They do not want goals scored against them and are usually willing to have a single goal scored for them and will to play for a draw albeit 0-0.

It is also possible that their goalkeeper is not the "best" in the league.

It is however possible that this team has also be set up to play a strong attacking team.

This would mean that the coaching staff has done their homework and scouted the opposition.

All in all this team is more prepared to defend as opposed to attack.

This team is an opportunistic attacking team and usually against the run of play.

This happens when the opposing team has made or been forced to make a mistake.

5, midfielders,

Two outside/wing players who dominate the sides of the field. They also act as attackers creating many scoring opportunities for their teams.

These are hard working players and a usually super-fit. However sometimes after a few runs on the side these two can switch with the two inside players for a rest.

If this is possible, the team can keep their opponents confused and always looking for changing plays and positions.

This type of positonal play can not be defended by a man-on-man team defense. This requires a good zone defense and a constantly communicative team.

The 2 inside players are usually defensive in their roles but will become part of the attack when their team has possession. They will generally use the central midfielder to create plays and control the tempo of the game.

The tactical aspect of this team is to play within 2 thirds of the field at a time.

When defending they will remain in the defensive and middle thirds of the field.

While the attack is on the defense tries to occupy the middle third.

This is to gain space and pressure the opposing team to remain in their own defensive end.

This allows for an attack of the goal by 5 players at a time. Not that other systems doesn't allow this, but it is systematic in its nature and creates these opportunities.