Pint-sized no-no

STUARTS DRAFT – Waynesboro started Saturday morning at Schneider Park thrashing Pioneer 12-1, but the afternoon ended with tears as the District IV 9-year-old All-Stars were forced out by Green County 6-5 in the third round of the state tournament.
But there was shining moment for the team that won 17 games this season. Especially for A.J. Ryan, who pitched a complete-game no-hitter.
“I felt really good,” Ryan said.
Waynesboro coach T.W. Dolin moved through a wave of his pint-sized players after addressing his team and zeroed his star pitcher. Reaching out his arm to Ryan, he handed him the game ball. Ryan fiddled with his sandy-blonde hair and shifted his hat while his eyes lightened.
Ryan did live on the edge at the top of the third inning when he walked three batters, but he was able to persevere after the Pioneers crossed the plate on an infield throwing error.
It was his day.
“Yeah, I’m happy. I pitched a good game. We won and it just felt good,” Ryan said rolling the baseball in one hand.
His teammates were pretty psyched too.
“We’re pumped up,” second baseman Sam Shipman said hiding from the glare of the sun. “We hit a lot and that was good. Pitching was good too.”
The purple and gold jumped in front early in the bottom of the first inning with six runs. Ryan chipped for two RBI during the offensive crush. Waynesboro added three runs in both the second and third innings to give the pitcher wiggle room. While the story unfolded on the mound, Dolin had no idea that his starter was close to a no-no.
After comparing the official scorebook to his, the verdict was in. A grin crossed his face and he said, “Yep, he pitched a no-hitter!”
“Ryan has done a great job for us, I’m very proud of him,” Dolin said. “He has done well all season. I’m very proud to have coached these guys, they have been one of the best teams I have ever coached.”
Ryan didn’t say much more, he didn’t have to.
Ryan causally said, “It feels good, I’m happy.”
After the final game, Dolin rolled up his sleeves and started to pick up the emptied bottles scattered on the dugout floor.
“We pitched really well. Ryan had a no-hitter today but we had one bad inning agianst Green County,” Dolin said glassy-eyed. “Our pitchers did a good job.”
When most of the team had tears streaming down thier faces, Ryan looked content.
“He’s a good kid, All of these kids have done what we have asked of them,” Dolin said.