It's not common for there to be an intense rivalry between a fifth- and first-place team. But that's the case with the Jets and Hornets in the 8-U Douglas County Amateur Baseball Assn.
Until recently, the Jets were the only undefeated team in League. And then they played the fifth-place Hornets, who beat them - twice.
The rivalry continued Wednesday at 4-H Cowser field. After the Hornets dealt two losses to the Jets, both by 22-21 scores, the most recent game had a different result.
The Jets earned revenge on the Hornets with a 22-10 win. Although the score and result were different, one aspect was constant in all three games - the steady stream of offense.
Hornets coach Brian Wise said that the high-scoring games have not been unusual in the league this year. The games have just been closer, he said.
The plethora of offense has caused new challenges, especially for the young players learning defense. Stan Skwarlo, coach of the Jets and DCABA president, credits the improved hitting among all of the league's players as creating the appearance that defense is an area of weakness for players.
Despite the high-scoring games, Skwarlo insists this view is only an illusion.
"The defenses aren't getting worse, they are actually getting better," Skwarlo said. "Everybody is hitting the ball so much that it is challenging the defense more than before."
The Jets' defense was the main difference in the third game, compared to the first two times the teams met, Skwarlo said.
"We actually played good defense tonight," he said. "It seems like things are starting to click."
He noted how players are learning the elements of playing defense, such as how to throw the ball to bases from the outfield for force outs.
Wise said that he saw his defense improve, also, but the Jets seemed to do a good job of finding the holes.
"They just seemed to hit it to where we weren't," Wise said.
Even though the Hornets didn't win the game, Wise took away many positives from the game.
"We learn just as much when we lose as when we win," he said.
Beating the Jets twice last week gave the Hornets the mindset to be a contender in the league.
"It's amazing how a couple of wins can really give the kids a lot of confidence," Wise said.
Both coaches said the intensity of the rivalry helped the players focus on the game, something that is sometimes challenging for players this young.
"The game kept everybody's attention the whole time," Skwarlo said. "That's a long time for kids this age."
The Hornets-Jets match-up is indicative of the playing levels of the teams in the league, both coaches said.
"From top to bottom, the league is so evenly matched that any team really can win on any night," Wise said.
Wise said he has been impressed with the effort his players put forth in this game and throughout the season. The Hornets threatened to make a comeback, but gained momentum too late.
"They all kept trying," he said. "They are all hitting and fielding better than they have before."
Skwarlo said that as the season has progressed not only have the match-ups become better but the players' improvements have made the season a success.
"It's pretty awesome for these 8-year-olds to have this kind of experience," Skwarlo said.
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