Announcements

Announcement History:   10/22/2008 - 7/6/2009

7/6/2009 - Norcross Minors Begin State Tournament - The Dixie Youth League District 7 AAA (Minors) tournament was held recently at Pinckneyville Park in Norcross and the Norcross National team won the championship going undefeated throughout the entire tournament. The team advances to the State tournament and their first game is scheduled for Saturday, 7/18 at Mountain Park in Lilburn, GA.  The Norcross American team, led by manager Chris Davis, were runners up in the tournament and will also play in the State tournament.

Show your support for these fine Norcross baseball players by attending opening day of the Georgia Dixie Youth League State Tournament at Mountain Park!

7/6/2009 - Gwinnett High School Stats Released - The Gwinnett Daily Post has published the stats for the 2009 High School Baseball season.  Many Norcross standouts are on the list.

http://www.gwinnettdailypost.com/

6/14/2009 – Norcross Comeback Falls Short – The Blue Devils were eliminated from the 2nd Annual Buckhead Classic on Sunday as they could not overcome a 6 run 2nd inning by Murphy Candler.  Norcross scored in 4 of the 5 innings but in the end lost 6-5 to the team from Dunwoody.  Playing in their last of 53 games this season - Norcross finished with a 30-22-1 record.  Thanks to all family and friends who supported the team this season!

Pictures from Buckhead have been posted on Dave Nelson's web site.

6/13/2009 – Blue Devils Win Pool Shutout Rehoboth 2 - 0 – Playing the second must win game of the day, the Norcross Blue Devils shut out the Rehoboth Rays to advance to the final day semi-final round of the Buckhead Classic Baseball Tournament.

Starting pitcher Jesse Vaughan, knowing he could ice his arm in a Maine snow bank tomorrow, went 5 innings without allowing a run as Ray after Ray was retired by Norcross defense.

Norcross did not score in the pitchers duel until the 4th inning when Jacob Gassert reached first, stole around to 3rd and was brought home by a Drew Aspinwall RBI single. Jesse Vaughan helped himself in the 5th with an RBI double up the middle establishing a 2 run lead going into the 6th inning. Jesse drove home Zack Walch who had reached 2nd base launching a missile over the Rehoboth right fielder’s head.

Closer Griffin Ramsey allowed no runs in the 6th to end the game, back stopped by a spectacular Drew Aspinwall diving catch at second base.

The Blue Devils, at 2-1 in their tournament pool, will start again Sunday in the semi-final round of the tournament play at Frankie Allen Field in Buckhead, Georgia.

6/13/2009 – Blue Devils Top Dugout Club Tyrone 5 - 1 – The Blue Devils bounced back Saturday morning to win their second pool play game of the Second Annual Buckhead Baseball Classic played at the Pace Academy baseball field located nowhere near Pace Academy.

Brendan Furry started on the mound for Norcross and retired the first 3 batters he faced in the first inning. Coming to bat, Zack Walch struck with an RBI right away and Chris McNulty scored on a throwing error to go up 2-0 on the Tyrone team.

Brendan got the win holding Tyrone to just 1 run for 3 innings with reliever Jesse Vaughan shutting out the Dugout Club for the final 3 of the 6 inning game.

Mikey Olson and Andrew Thunhorst combined for RBI singles in the 5th for 3 more runs to give Jesse a little breathing room in the final inning.

Tyrone threatened in the 6th getting 2 runners on base and the tying run on deck. A 5-3-6 double play from Andrew Thunhorst to Ty Burns over to Griffin Ramsey at 3rd took the spark out of the Club and cleared the bases of threats.

Norcross will next face the Rehoboth Rays in a must win game at 6:45 PM back at Frankie Allen Field in Buckhead where coach John Stewart has requested clean shirts for all players and fans (Polo if possible) given the more upscale nature of his boyhood ball park.

6/12/2009 – Blue Devils Edged by Storm 5 - 4 – With Friday evening thunder rumbling in the background, the Norcross Blue Devils were edged by a run in their opening game of the 2nd Annual Buckhead Classic Baseball Tournament.

The Georgia Storm from Alpharetta jumped ahead by 4 runs after 2 innings before Mikey Olson and Ty Burns belted back to back RBI doubles in the bottom of the 2nd to score 3 runs. Norcross did not score again until the 6th inning when Jacob Gassert would steal home on a passed ball leaving the Blue Devils a run short after 6.

Defensive plays kept the Storm at bay and the game within reach throughout the evening.  Relief pitcher Zack Walch came on in the 3rd to allow only 1 run in 4 innings. Catchers McNulty and Ramsey both made diving tags at the plate to block Storm runs from crossing.  Right fielder Brendan Furry threw out a Storm batter at first base for the first out of the game then moved to left field for two more nice catches.

It was great to see Nellie Stewart off the 15 day DL and back in the lineup, playing in the same park where his dad had played youth baseball before Ted Turner colorized all those old movies.

The Blue Devils next face the Dugout Club Tyrone at 11:15 AM Saturday morning at the Pace Academy baseball field located nowhere near Pace Academy.

6/9/2009 - Buckhead Classic Schedule Change - Norcross will play their first game on Friday night at 6:00pm vs. the Georgia Storm.  The Wednesday afternoon game has been moved to Saturday afternoon. Check the schedule page for the revised game times.

Complete Buckhead Classic Tournament Bracket
Web Site  Buckhead Baseball

6/9/2009 - Note from GGBL 11U Director:

Coaches,

Before we close out this GGBL season I want to again thank each of you for all you do year in and year out to make our league the best youth baseball league in Georgia. Teams are continuing to develop and get better, new teams are joining the league bringing more excitement, and the traditional rivalries continue to play out each season. Simply put...great baseball in a great environment for our boys. And lets all remember one of the unwritten principles of our league - we're building champions on and off the field, developing high character young men who embrace the game the right way. I wish we could play all summer guys, but at least we'll do it again next season.

Don't forget to tip your hats to Tony Dante, his assistant coaches, parents and volunteers. I think they did an excellent job as hosts this season and laid out the red carpet, even announcing at every game. It's hard work folks hosting a tournament, but Tony and his crew didn't miss a beat allowing us to finish on time and in a big way. Appreciate it Tony....checks in the mail brother. Lastly, a tip of the cap to the Collins Hill Eagles and coach Billy Egan. Billy, I really appreciate the way you handled yourself last night and the kind words you and your boys offered up. You've taught them the right way and it shows in their play and attitudes. You're high character folks - what the league needs.

Best of luck to each of you in your post-season tournaments. Go represent Gwinnett!

The 2009 GGBL Season in Review:

• 11U League Champions: Dacula Falcons - Gold
• Runner-up: Collins Hill Eagles - Green
• Inaugural Sportsmanship Award Winners:
•   Lawrenceville Grip
•   Duluth Wildcats
• Top notch host: Lawrenceville Black Knights

6/7/2009 – Blue Devils Follow Tradition in Buckhead Tourney – While the game of baseball has been described as a “game of adjustments” for good reason this season, baseball is also a game of great tradition.

Norcross has a great tradition continuing this week in the upcoming Buckhead Baseball tournament as one of the current Blue Devil team dads is a veteran of the Buckhead baseball program.

Yes, over 40 years ago the dad of one of our Norcross 11U Blue Devils played youth baseball at the same Buckhead Baseball Park field that we will step onto this week.

The mystery dad appears in this ancient archive photo recovered from the Allied Waste Management dump site before it was turned into “green energy”.

Guess which player pictured above is our modern day team dad. Please respond to official Blue Devil team scorekeeper Dave Thunhorst (don't guess him, he's from New Jersey) with your correct answer to win a Blizzard flavor of your choice at the PIB DQ.

6/7/2009 – Buckhead Classic Pool Play Games Released – Norcross will play Dugout Club Tyrone in their first pool play game 3:30pm Wednesday afternoon at Pace Academy Field in Atlanta.  Game 2 the Blue Devils will face the Georgia Storm at Frankie Allen Park in Buckhead Friday night at 6pm.  Game 3 Norcross will play last seasons Buckhead Classic 10U champs the Rehoboth Rays.  Each game is a must win as only the winners of each of the 4 team pools advance to the semi-finals.

Complete Buckhead Classic Tournament Bracket

6/6/2009 – Blue Devils Exit GGBL Championships – As in their previous game, runs were hard to come by as Norcross was beat by Grayson 10-2 to end their GGBL season.  Grayson was aided by a 5 run 2nd inning which was all they needed late Friday night in Lawrenceville.  The Blue Devils will end their 2009 season as they participate in the 2009 Buckhead Classic in downtown Atlanta this week.

6/3/2009 – Blue Devils Stunned by Dacula Gold 10 - 0 – Held scoreless for the first time in 45 games the Blue Devils have to look all the way back to a scary October 2008 game for a loss like tonight’s.

Starting on the mound for Norcross, Jesse Vaughan pitched 3 innings allowing only 1 run but got no support from the Blue Devil bats in the 3rd game of the GGBL tournament.

Playing at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, the Blue Devils loaded the bases in the 1st inning and threatened again in the 4th but failed to even bat around the line up twice in the game, never crossing home plate with a runner.

Norcross will next face the winner of today’s Grayson Rams vs Lawrenceville Grip in an 8 PM start Friday evening at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.

6/3/2009 – GGBL Tournament Bracket Update – The Blue Devils will play the Dacula Gold at Rhodes Jordan Park at 6pm - Wednesday June 3rd.

Complete GGBL Tournament Bracket

5/31/2009 – Devils Bring the Heat, Butt Rams 12 - 1 - Tight defense, hard base running, and hot bats combined to run rule the Grayson Rams Sunday afternoon. In a 90° scorcher at Dacula Park, the hot hitting Norcross Blue Devils scored 3 in the 1st, 2 in the 2nd, 6 in the 3rd and one more in the 4th to head butt the Ram team with the 2nd best record in the GGBL.

Starting pitcher Jesse Vaughan got the win and revenge for an early season loss, shutting out Grayson for 2 innings followed by reliever Zack Walch who kept the leash tight on the Rams.

Seven Blue Devils had RBI’s in the game, with Sam Grosswald and Jacob Gassert each with 2, Mikey Olson notching a triple, Griffin Ramsey scoring on a double steal, and new found speedster Chris McNulty drawing a walk, stealing 2nd and 3rd then coming all the way home on a passed ball.

As if not exiting enough, a catcher Chris McNulty throw to Drew Aspinwall at 2nd base gunning down a stealing Ram runner was apparently more than an agitated Ram coach could stand who was promptly ejected in the 1st inning.

With the win, the Blue Devils stay in the tournament winner’s bracket, having won their first 2 games of the 2009 GGBL tournament.

Norcross earns a couple of days off and will next face the winner of today’s Dacula Gold vs South Gwinnett Lightning in a 6 PM start Wednesday evening at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.

5/30/2009 – Blue Devils Escape the Grip 7 - 6 – Norcross opened their first game of the 2009 GGBL league at Dacula Park, outlasting the Lawrenceville Grip in a 6 inning nail biter. The Blue Devils pounced on the Grip for 6 runs in the 1st inning with a Chris McNulty 2 RBI double, a Zack Walch RBI, a Sam Grosswald 2 RBI triple, and a Mikey Olson RBI to go up by 6 runs.

That was all the Norcross scoring for a while as starting pitcher Griffin Ramsey held the lead for 3 innings. Reliever Jacob Gassert allowed only 1 run in the final 3 innings.

Knotted at 6-6 after 4 innings and into the bottom of the 6th, team scorer Thunhorst was fumbling for the obscure tournament tie breaker procedures as the Blue Devils came to the plate in the bottom of the final inning.

After a Jesse Vaughan lead off double put the winning run in scoring position, the Grip decided to intentionally walk Sam Grosswald (R E S P E C T) to pitch to Mikey Olson. Mikey immediately launched a gapper into left center field for a Grip breaking walk off RBI double.

The Blue Devils next face The Grayson Rams in a 2 PM Sunday afternoon start back at Dacula Park in Dacula, the city without a name that had to take its letters from Decatur and Atlanta.

5/29/2009 – GGBL Tournament Bracket Released – The Blue Devils will play the Lawrenceville Grip Saturday at noon in game one of the GGBL County Championships at Dacula Park.  Game two will be played on Sunday at 2pm with a win or 4:15pm with a loss. The 16 team tournament will be held at two locations: Lawrenceville and Dacula.

Complete GGBL Tournament Bracket

Brief set of GGBL Tournament Rules

 5/25/2009 – Norcross Swamped by Wave 6 - 1 – Playing into the final day of the 5th Annual Memorial Day Beach Blast tournament in Panama City Beach, Florida, the Blue Devils ran out of gas in a 9 AM Monday morning start and were unable to bring the offense that had scored 14 runs in the previous 2 games.

Obviously tired after playing a late game Sunday night which finished 15 minutes after midnight Atlanta time, the Norcross Blue Devils crossed only a single run and were washed out of the tournament by the Gulf Breeze Wave.

The Blue Devils exceeded last years tournament performance by winning 2 games and playing into the last day of bracket play, and were one of 4 final teams in the 13 team contest.

The Blue Devils, will regroup and be ready to enter the GGBL tournament this Friday at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville.

 

 

5/24/2009 – Norcross Gaffs Marlins in Midnight Madness 3 - 1 – Finishing a long day of baseball at 15 minutes after midnight Atlanta time, the Norcross Blue Devils won their second game of the tournament over the Tallahassee Marlins to advance to the final day of play in the 5th Annual Memorial Day Beach Blast in Panama City Beach, Florida.

With frogs croaking in the outfield lily pads, the Blue Devils started their second game of the day in the Beach Blast tournament 13 hours after the first, following a long day of play at the beach.

Sam Grosswald, Drew Aspinwall and Zack Walch had RBIs for the Blue Devils, driving in enough runs to send the fish back to Tallahassee.

Jacob Gassert started on the mound for Norcross and went the distance for 5 strong innings giving up a single run to Tallahassee who threatened but never mounted a real threat as excellent Blue Devil defense kept the fish from swamping the boat. In the 2nd inning, Norcross catcher Chris McNulty reeled in a running Marlin trying for 2nd base with an on target cast.

The Blue Devils, now 2-0 in the tournament play, return early Monday morning and will try to advance to the championship game with another win at the Beach Blast.

5/24/2009 – Blue Devils Axe Xtreme 11 - 1 – With more pent up energy than a gulf coast thunder storm, Norcross pounded the Bay County Xtreme in the opening game of the 5th Annual Memorial Day Beach Blast in Panama City Beach, Florida.

Playing early Sunday morning after lounging for 2 days in the posh beachfront accommodations selected by travel maven Deanna Furry, Norcross batters teed off right away on the Xtreme pitching. The Blue Devils jumped to an early 2-0 lead after one inning, scoring 5 more runs in the 2nd and 4 more in the final 3rd inning at bat. Seven Blue Devils struck for RBIs in the game led by Ty Burns and Zack Walch who each drove in 2 runs.

Jesse Vaughan pitched the entire time shortened 3 inning game for the Blue Devils, holding the local Bay County team to a single run. Quick throwing catcher Griffin Ramsey helped by snuffing out an Xtreme base runner trying to steal 2nd base in the top of the 3rd inning.

The Blue Devils, at 1-0 in the tournament shortened pool play, earn a number one seed bye with the best run record and will play again Sunday night at 9:00 PM in the championship bracket play.

According to amateur meteorologists Glenn Aspinwall and Dr. David Grosswald handling dueling mobile weather devices, thunderstorms which have pounded the beach delaying play for 2 days appear to have moved west of the Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.

5/21/2009 – Blue Devils Fall to Collins Hill (Green) 8 - 4 – Norcross put a scare into the GGBL league leading Green Eagles Thursday night in the final regular season game at Collins Hill Park.

Starting pitcher Jesse Vaughan was in control for 3 innings holding the hard hitting Eagles to just 2 runs backed by strong defensive play. Griffin Ramsey went Eagle hunting twice gunning down birds at 3rd and 2nd base in the 1st and 2nd innings.

Norcross started the game aggressively with Jacob Gassert drawing a lead off walk, stealing around to 3rd base, and then scoring on a Drew Aspinwall RBI to go ahead by 1-0 in the 1st inning.

The Blue Devils scored 3 more in the 3rd and 4th innings with Zack Walch, Ty Burns, and Jacob Gassert notching RBIs to lead the now nervous Eagles 4-2.

Down but far from out, the powerful hitting Eagles exploded for 6 runs in the 4th inning to take the lead they would not relinquish.

The Blue Devils finish the GGBL season in the top third of the competitive 18 team league with a 13 - 7 record in league play.

The Blue Devils are departing immediately for Panama City and the 5th Annual MEMORIAL DAY BASEBALL BEACH BLAST tournament. Norcross will start against the Bay County Xtreme Baseball team from Lynn Haven, Florida this Friday night at 9 PM, weather permitting.

With the notorious McNulty mini van reported to be headed north to other venues, Coach Pat will be looking to park his big rig in the Lexus Lot at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach.

5/20/2009 – Norcross Blacks Out Collins Hill 10 - 5 – Nine Blue Devils had 10 RBIs in 3 innings, blacking out the Collins Hill (Black) Eagles in the final home game of the regular GGBL season. Middle inning reliever Brendan Furry got the win for the Blue Devils holding the black team to just 1 run over 2 innings.

With Chris McNulty turning Jacob Gassert to the dark side, the Blue Devil dark duo out blacked the entire Collins Hill ninja team as Chris drove in 2 of the 10 runs and Jacob closed out the 4th inning on the mound getting 2 strike outs then watching Griffin Ramsey gun down a stealing ninja at 2nd base to end the game.

Setting a Pinckneyville Park home game attendance record, nearly a hundred fans enjoyed the Blue Devil win while dining on Gina Gassert’s lavish spread of green beans, corn on the cob, tuna steaks, pork chops, and bacon wrapped filet mignon, followed by Cindi Aspinwall’s to die for home made brownies.

The Blue Devils with a 13 - 6 record in league play, finish the GGBL season on the road at Collins Hill Park facing the league leading (Green) Eagles team Thursday night at 6 PM.

The Blue Devils are trying to not look past this final league game before departing for Panama City and the 5th Annual MEMORIAL DAY BASEBALL BEACH BLAST tournament. Norcross will start against the Bay County Xtreme Baseball team from Lynn Haven, Florida this Friday night at 9 PM.

Rumor has it the McNulty mini van is already being adorned with white shoe polish letters on the back windows and eye black under the headlights in preparation for major beach strip cruising.

5/18/2009 – Hawks Fly the Coop at Dan Watts 9 - 8 – The short fences at historic Dan Watts field failed to contain the Mill Creek Hawks who flew home run balls into the left center field poison ivy in the 1st and 4th innings to outscore the Blue Devils by one run.

Norcross scored 8 runs in 6 innings Monday night in the home match against Mill Creek, but came up a run short at the final tally.

Pitcher Zack Walch, who had picked off a base runner at 1st in the 4th inning, inspired the home crowd turning a 1-3 double play in the top of the 6th to give Norcross a chance for a come back in the final inning.

Trailing by 2 in the bottom of the 6th, Chris McNulty drove in his second run of the night. The RBI pulled Norcross within 1 run of the birds but the Blue Devils failed to cross another runner and were done for the night.

The Blue Devils are now 12-6 in GGBL league standings with only 2 league games remaining in the season. Norcross has an off day before returning to action Wednesday night in a Pinckneyville Park home match against Collins Hill Black.

5/16/2009 – Norcross Walk Off Grounds the Falcons 10 - 9 – The Norcross Blue Devils brought down the high flying Dacula Gold Falcons Saturday night in the bottom of the 6th inning scoring 6 runs capped by a Griffin Ramsey walk off 2 RBI double.

Down 9-4 in the final inning of a marathon 2 ½ hour contest, Chris McNulty and Zach Walch drove in runs to get the Blue Devils fired up. Norcross scored two more runs on a Jesse Vaughan walk and a Brendan Furry hit by pitch, setting the stage for Ramsey’s final double shot at the birds.

Norcross had led the game for 4 innings getting a good start on the mound from Sam Grosswald who held the Falcons to just 1 run for the first 2 innings. The birds flew up scoring 5 runs in the 5th before 6th inning reliever Jacob Gassert put the hood on the Falcons for the night.

The Blue Devils will have little rest after a long day which started with a morning round of golfing followed by a marathon night of baseball. Continuing the end of the season GGBL run, Norcross will face the Mill Creek Hawks Sunday at 1 PM back at Pinckneyville Park.

5/16/2009 - Team Aspinwall Absconds with Prizes

Congratulations to the Aspinwall's Foursome for winning the "Round for Cooperstown" Golf Tournament this morning. In addition to winning the low score, Drew Aspinwall cashed in with the kids closest to the pin and Glenn also won the closest to the pin for adults.

The Raffle grand prize winners were the Gassert's who won the Beach Condo in the raffle, Larry Howard won the Packer Tickets, Jake Walch won the Maui Gems Sunglasses, and Nelson Stewart won the Braves tickets.

5/15/2009 – Blue Devils Trap Wolves 6 - 2 – The Norcross Blue Devils traveled to Buford City Park Friday night to continue their domination of Buford winning the 4th game of the season against the Wolves.

It was a slow starting game with Norcross scoreless and down by 2 runs going into the 4th inning when Chris McNulty finally drove in the first Devil run to get the Blue Devils on the board.
Sam Grosswald tied it up 2-2 in the 5th with an RBI double followed by a Ty Burns hit to drive in the go ahead run.

Zach Walch and Jesse Vaughan had back to back doubles in the 6th as the Blue Devils crossed the plate with 3 more insurance runs.

Norcross pitching kept the Wolf bats quiet allowing only 2 runs over the full 6 inning game. Middle inning reliever Jacob Gassert got the win coming on in the 3rd with 2 runners on base to shut out Buford for 3 innings.

After a morning round of golfing the Blue Devils will host the tough Dacula Gold Falcons at Pinckneyville Park in a Saturday evening home match up.

5/13/2009 – Blue Devils Rough Up the Ridge 9 - 5 – The Norcross Blue Devil bats roared Wednesday night mauling the Peachtree Ridge Lions at Peachtree Ridge Park.

Fans from as far away as Wilmington, North Carolina watched a powerful Norcross offense score 4 runs in the first inning and 5 more in the 4th and 5th innings. Sam Grosswald had 2 RBIs on the night, Nellie Stewart went 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Jacob Gassert had an RBI, stroked a double, then scored coming home on a passed ball.

Starting pitcher Jesse Vaughan got the win, aided by reliever Griffin Ramsey who shut out the Lions for 2 innings, and closer Sam Grosswald who looked strong finishing the 6th inning.

Catcher Chris McNulty kept the Lions caged tagging out a Lion runner trying to come home in the 2nd inning, later gunning down a Ridge runner trying to steal 2nd base in the 4th inning.

With the win, the Blue Devils are now 10-5 in GGBL league standings. The Blue Devils have an off day before traveling to Buford City Park Friday night to meet the Wolves in more GGBL action.

5/12/2009 - Norcross Loses Close Game - Tied at 3 heading into the final inning, Parkview played small ball to get the final run across and win a tightly contested well played game 4-3.  Both teams played tight defense and had stingy pitching but in the end a bloop hit to right field proved to be the winning hit on the night.

 5/9/2009 - Angels Fall to Devils 9-8 - With the Blue Devils leading by 5 runs heading into the bottom of the 6th inning the Hebron Angels rallied late for 4 innings but come up short on their comeback attempt as Jacob Gassert stopped the Angels in the 6th pitching the final three outs including a big strike out.  Jesse Vaughan pitched the first three innings for Norcross.  Drew Aspinwall went 3 for 4 as he launched a ball over the right fielder for what proved to be the game winning RBI.  Nelson Stewart executed two hit and runs perfectly in the game - both times hitting the ball past the vacated middle infielder.

The Blue Devils travel to Parkview Tuesday night for the tail end of the two game season series.  Norcross won the first meeting at Pinckneyville Park by a score of 7-5.

5/08/2009 – Collins Hill Green Stops Norcross Streak 7 - 1 – The GGBL League leading Collins Hill Eagles (Green) came to Pinckneyville Park Friday afternoon to shut down the Norcross Blue Devils hitters.

Despite the Blue Devils loading the bases early in the 1st, Norcross was held scoreless for 4 innings before Griffin Ramsey finally drove in the only Blue Devil run of the game in the bottom of the 5th.

Devil defensive highlights kept the game from getting more out of hand with a right fielder Brendan Furry throw out of an Eagle runner trying for 2nd base, catcher Jesse Vaughan gunning down an Eagle off 3rd base, and catcher Griffin Ramsey catching and Eagle off 1st base.

The Blue Devils travel next to Hebron for a Saturday afternoon start against the Angels.

5/07/2009 – Norcross Avenges Early Season Rout – The 2009 Blue Devils played their first game of the year on October 25th at the Boo Ball tournament in South Gwinnett - that nights opponent?  The Suwanee Stix.  The Stix put a 10-0 shellacking to the Blue Devils on a night where nothing seemed to go right.  Not on this night.  Norcross sent 5 pitchers to the hill over 6 innings and shutdown the Stix by a final score of 8-4. 

Jacob Gassert crushed a solo homerun way over the left field fence for an insurance run in the bottom of the 5th inning.  Sam Grosswald pitched the 4th and 5th innings retiring all 6 batters in only 15 pitches.

Norcross plays the defending GGBL champion Collins Hill Eagles at Pinckneyville Park at 6pm.

 5/03/2009 – Black Sox Goat Rope Blue Devils 12 - 5 – After passing the “Goat Show” signs and grazing donkeys seen Saturday on Highway 11, Norcross left the bats behind and showed up in Monroe Sunday morning ready for a tractor pull.

Playing in the second day bracket play in Monroe, Georgia Criswell Park’s Comebackers Classic Tournament, excellent pitching by starter Griffin Ramsey kept Norcross close for 3 innings. Grif allowed only 3 runs which came on 2 Blue Devil errors in the 2nd inning.

Tied with Criswell at 3-3 after the first 3 innings, the goat rope got going in the 4th as 3 Blue Devil bull pen relief pitchers gave up 7 runs to fall behind 10-3 to the Black Sox.

Ironically, later in the afternoon, the Atlanta Rough Rider team that Norcross defeated 4-2 in Saturday pool play went on the final championship game, finishing 1 run short as tournament runner up to the South Forsyth Mustangs.

The Blue Devils return to action Thursday night in the more cosmopolitan Dan Watts home field environment, hosting the Suwannee Stixx. The Blue Devils are anxious for the speedy return of ailing slugger Chris McNulty whose agent/dad is rumored to have taken a second job labeling fish wrappers.

5/2/2009 – Dogs Bite Devils, End Streak – Perhaps it was the missing beat writer and his Reggie Jackson-like fleet of European luxury cars. Norcross was without the paparazzi and it may have thrown them off their game. Despite not having their “A” game and missing their silver-haired media mogul, the Devils kept it close –losing 6-5 to a very good pack of canines. This group of North Gwinnettians seem to have less off the field dramatics-but played intensely and with few errors.

Norcross was in the Visitor spot and only had one hit through 4 innings (a double by Thunhorst). Sam Grosswald struck out 5 in the first two frames and held the Dogs to one run. The Dogs finally scratched out three in the third-but it would have been worse if Andrew Thunhorst didn’t convert a 6-3 double play to end the inning. Norcross got 4 in the 5th to tie the game on Grosswalt’s solo shot over the right field fence, Stewart’s long single to left and Gassert’s 2 RBI double. However the Dogs clawed their way to an unearned run off of ZZ Sabathawalsh (#22 Norcross) in the 5th to eke out the W. Something tells me these two teams will have some legendary classics in the days to come.

The Devils try to stay alive with a 10 am start on Sunday. Rumors are one (or rather owner of several) BMW owner may find a tony, southern style, rural B and B to avoid alleged “speed traps” en route to the game.

5/2/2009 – Rough Ride But Devils Prevail – Shaking off the effects of the late night against the always hospitable North Gwinnett “Red” and the 5 county traverse (Don’t ask Matt Furry or Gina Gassert how they found their way) to Southern Living antique-land, Blue Devil defense and timely escape-style pitching prevailed over the scrappy, fundamentally solid Atlanta Rough Riders. Apparently no Devils left their equipment with QT attendants, as all appeared ready to play, holding the Riders to 1 run in the first 4 innings. The “boys from Decatur” showed grit-as well as solid defense and pitching- before Norcross punched across two runs in the 5th to go ahead 4-2(final score) . Andrew Thunhorst ended the ride for the formidable opponents, closing the door in the 6th.

Griffin Ramsey and Brendan Furry fought through not having their “best stuff ” –giving up 6 walks and hitting a Rider- by getting timely outs in tough situations. Ramsey went 3 innings and was helped by several excellent defensive plays made by Andrew Thunhorst and Drew Aspinwall. Furry benefitted from some nice defense as well: with an inning ending double play on a line shot back to the pitcher who threw to Christopher McNulty at third to close out the Rough Rider rally.
Thunhorst shut the final push by the Riders by coaxing a popup which he caught himself to seal the victory.

On the offensive side, Jacob Gassert went 2 for 2, had an RBI and scored twice. Ty Burns’ single and the Brendan Furry’s double in the 5th helped catapult Norcross to their 7th game in a row without a loss.

Griffin Ramsey started on the mound followed by Brendan Furry to hold the Rough Riders to just 2 runs in a tight defensive contest.

5/01/2009 – Norcross Nails North Gwinnett 10 - 7 – Never lacking for excitement in Suwannee, the Blue Devils saw opposing coaches tossed, menacing lightning, and hail in the outfield as the streaking Blue Devils pounded Bulldog pitchers for 10 runs in a Friday night GGBL contest at George Pierce Park.

Starting pitcher Jesse Vaughan got the win pitching out of bases loaded trouble in the 1st and 2nd innings as he held the Bulldogs to just 3 runs in 3 innings.

Revenge was sweet for Chris McNulty in the 1st inning as he went deep hitting a solo shot out of the park for his mom with a presumably legal but yet a bat that went unmeasured by the opposing coaching staff!

Leading 5-3, Norcross piled it on in the 4th inning. The Blue Devils batted around the order scoring 5 more runs to the chagrin of one of the North Gwinnett coaches who was asked to find the nearest field exit.

In a driving rain storm that swept the field in the final 4th inning, closer Zack "New Shoes" Walch came on the mound  to mow down batter after batter as fans raced for their cars through the sudden May storm.

With 7 straight wins in GGBL play, the streaking Blue Devils are now 8-3 in league standings. Norcross travels early Saturday morning to Monroe for an 11AM tournament start against the Atlanta Rough Riders.

4/30/2009 – Blue Devils in Dead Heat with Hoyas 9 - 9 – The Norcross Blue Devils battled back from being down 3 runs in the 4th inning to tie the Atlanta Hoyas at 9 runs apiece in a 5 inning contest.

Playing the talented east Atlanta travel team at historic Dan Watts Field, Norcross fell behind 2 runs in the 1st inning. The Blue Devils came back right away to put 4 runs on the board with Zack Walch, Jesse Vaughan, and Mikey Olson notching RBIs in the bottom of the 1st.

Norcross and the Hoyas traded punches for the next 4 innings as Coach Walch brought 4 pitchers to the mound to control the hard hitting Hoyas. Sam Grosswald finally held the Hoyas in the 5th striking out 3 batters to keep within a run going to the bottom of the final inning.

Zack Walch, who had the first RBI of the game, finished the game in the bottom of the 5th inning with the last RBI to tie the Hoyas with 9 runs.

Norcross returns to GGBL league action Friday night with an 8 PM start at George Pierce Park in Suwanee against the North Gwinnett Bulldogs (Red). The Blue Devils hope that the late starting game in fading light conditions will allow for fan Mary McNulty to slip unnoticed into the park under the cover of darkness, avoiding any conflict with the intolerant umpiring crew.

4/29/2009 – Weekend Tournament Schedule - The Pool Play brackets have been posted for this weekend's tournament in Monroe.  The Schedule Page is now updated for Saturday.  Our first game will be at 11am vs. The Atlanta Roughriders.  Game two will immediately following at 1pm vs. the North Gwinnett Bulldogs Black.  The NG Black team is the team coached by Tracey Jenkins who left the GGBL this season.  On Sunday, we will playing at 10am or Noon depending on the results of pool play.

 4/28/2009 – Sammy’s Comet Stuns South 7 - 6 - Now officially back from rehab, Slammin Sammy Grosswald launched a high flying comet over the left field fence with 2 on base. The come from behind 3 RBI missile put the Blue Devils up a run on South Gwinnett who never led again in the game.

On a beautiful Tuesday night Pinckneyville Park home match up against the Snellville team, the Comets were grounded by reliever Andrew Thunhorst who came on the mound in relief for the final 3 innings of the 5 inning game.

Andrew gave up only 1 earned run over 3 innings of throwing to keep the Comets quiet and save the win for Norcross.

With the win, the Blue Devils go to 7-3 in the GGBL now having won 6 straight in league play.

Norcross will next tee up against the Atlanta Hoyas, Thursday night at the historic Dan Watts Field in old Norcross.

4/26/2009 – Blue Devils Extend Streak in Lawrenceville 8 - 4 – Hoping the only Lawrenceville radar gun would be on the pitcher, the Norcross Blue Devils traveled across county to Rhodes Jordan Park for a Sunday afternoon face off against the Lawrenceville Grip. The game time temperature in the low 80’s was much improved from the month ago frigid 46° afternoon temp when Norcross was edged by 1 run to the park’s Black Knights team.

This time starting pitcher Mikey Olson held Lawrenceville to a single run for two innings backed by strong defensive play including a 1st inning left fielder Jacob Gassert fly ball catch and throw to 2nd base double play.

Hot Blue Devil bats and aggressive base running put 4 runs on the board in the 2nd inning. RBI’s by Nellie Stewart, Drew Aspinwall, and Zach Walch with Drew coming home on a double steal put the Blue Devils up 4-0 and the Grip on notice that the Blue Devils were not leaving town empty handed.

Coach Scott Walch called reliever Andrew Thunhorst to the mound in the 3rd inning when again more Norcross defense made the difference. With the bases loaded, Drew Aspinwall fielded a hard grounder and threw a strike to home plate from deep shortstop to stop a Grip run from scoring.

With 3 wins on the weekend and five straight in GGBL play, the streaking Blue Devils are now 6-3 in league standings. Norcross has a travel day off Monday before returning to league action Tuesday April 28th with a home field Pinckneyville Park match up against the South Gwinnett Comets.

4/25/2009 – Norcross Grounds Lightning 9- 3 – Down by 2 runs to South Gwinnett in the bottom of the 4th inning, Norcross got its own charge up illuminating the scoreboard with 4 runs to go ahead of the Lightning 5-3.

Starting on the mound, Griffin Ramsey controlled the Lightening to just 2 runs over three innings while catcher Chris McNulty silenced the thunder in the 1st inning gunning down a stealing base runner at 2nd then initiating a 2-3 double play to end the inning.

Jacob Gassert thundered a double over the Lightning center fielder’s head followed by RBI strikes from Drew Aspinwall, Zack Walch, Andrew Thunhorst, and Mikey Olson.

By the 5th inning, Jesse Vaughan had revived from a near coma to ground the Lightning bats, holding South Gwinnett scoreless even striking out the final two batters to end the game.

The Blue Devils travel through a notorious Gwinnett County speed trap to Rhodes Jordan Park Sunday afternoon for a 4 PM GGBL match up against the Lawrenceville Grip.

4/25/2009 – Devils Break the Broncos 10 - 5 – Norcross fell behind by 3 runs in the first inning to the Brookwood Broncos who had come to play at Pinckneyville Park.

Drew Aspinwall got the Blue Devil rodeo going right away with a bucking single down the 3rd base line followed by Zach Walch, Griffin Ramsey and Ty Burns rib eye pokes off 3 Bronco pitchers to go up 5-3 after the 1st inning.

The game looked tamer as pitcher Zack Walch lassoed Bronco batters scoreless for 2 more innings while Norcross added 4 runs against 2 more Brookwood pitchers in the 4th inning.

Great defensive work by Norcross in the 4th kept the Broncos corralled as Brendan Furry picked off a Brookwood runner at 2nd base followed by an Andrew Thunhorst initiated double play from 2nd to 1st base to end the inning.

4/24/2009 – Norcross Caught in Cumming 8 - 5 – The Norcross Blue Devils were caught stealing or picked off base five times Friday evening as the Blue Devils traveled to the oldest sports complex in Forsyth County for a season rematch with the Sharon Springs Spartans.

Starting pitcher Griffin Ramsey held the hard hitting Spartans to 4 runs over the first 3 innings and even stole home himself to put the Blue Devils up briefly 3-2 in the top of the 3rd inning.

Jacob Gassert, Mikey Olson, and Jesse Vaughan each had solid doubles off the hard throwing Spartans but the loss of base runners left the Blue Devils 3 runs short at the end of the 6 inning contest.

The Blue Devils will take the field at Pinckneyville Park 4/25 for a Saturday afternoon home GGBL double header against the Brookwood Broncos, followed by the South Gwinnett Lightning.

4/23/2009 - Thursday Night Split Squad Game - Norcross will conduct a split squad practice with the Major Red Sox on Thursday night beginning at 6:30pm at Dan Watts field.

4/22/2009 - Grease!

4/19/2009 – Blue Devils Drop the Stars 8 - 3 - Possibly named after a man whose initials were O.C., the Norcross Blue Devils traveled to Ocee Park for the third annual exhibition match against the Ocee Stars tournament team.

Starting pitcher Mikey Olson and a rare appearance by middle inning reliever Drew Aspinwall shut out Ocee for 4 innings while the Blue Devil batters scored runs in every inning but the first in the 6 inning game.

In an even more unusual line up card that had Zack Walch catching and Andrew Thunhorst at first base, Chris McNulty took the pitcher’s mound in the 5th inning.

Failing to apply the fierce eye black that has become his trademark, McNulty resorted to sticking his tongue out at the Ocee batters, actually frightening two of the Star batters into striking out in the 5th inning.

Riding a 3 game winning streak, Norcross is looking forward to a Thursday 4/23 start at historic Dan Watts Field against the new league power house, undefeated Peachtree Ridge Lions.

4/18/2009 – Blue Devils Whack Wolves 8- 4 – Sam Grosswald returned to the mound to pitch a shut out first inning on a warm Sunday afternoon second game of the day’s doubleheader at Pinckneyville Park.

Norcross never trailed as Chris McNulty doubled home the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, coming back to the plate in the 3rd inning for another RBI double down the 3rd base line. Jesse Vaughan next clubbed a 2 RBI shot up the middle to establish a 4-1 lead after 3.