{ Diamond Nation }

Andy played in the Ripken Baseball league this summer and was fortunate to be chosen for its All-Star team, only one of twelve players!

The team entered the Diamond Nation Little League World Series, ranked one of the top tournaments in the United States!

The tournament was in Flemington, NJ.... the very same week as our Cape May vacation!

We went to Cape May on Friday, July 26 and stayed at the Grand Hotel that night (and had a fantastic beach day!)

Went to the rental house on Saturday and met up with Deb, Matt, and the boys for that evening.

Peg, Larry, and Jen joined us on Sunday.

We left Monday, July 29 to head to Flemington...Team meeting at the hotel at 1 pm. 

Headed to Diamond Nation for our first game at 4 pm vs New York Dynasty...Lost 11-4.  Andy played left field.

Back to the Hampton Inn...Andy swam all night!

Game at 10 am on Tuesday against Diamond Stealth (from Connecticut)...an absolutely fantastic game...we were down 8 -0  and came back to lead 10-8, only to lose 14-10....Flood City Elite played a fantastic game!  Andy was catcher.

Game at 12:15, haven't even caught our breath from the last game and back on the field...against Tri-State Arsenal...lost 12-5, but played well.  Andy played short stop and was called in to pitch one out!

Dinner at a steak house with the Owen's family...fun and relaxing!

More swimming at the hotle!!

Game at 10 am on Wednesday (last game if we lose) vs. New York Dynasty (again!)...lost 13-3.

We bolted out of there and were back on the road for a 2 hour drive back to Cape May!

Flood City Elite may not have won a game, but it was an experience that Andy will never forget...playing at such a huge tournament, the largest all-turf fields in the U.S., and having fun playing baseball with his teammates!