Some times you just want to go down on your knees and thank God for making you a ball player- Bill Lee
Well, Spaceman couldn't have described my emotions better for the game on Sunday, after many a week off, Ol Satch was back out where he belongs on Sunday, as were half of the MBC list. Definitely the biggest turnout we have had in a long time, so large we had to turn away two wayward league guys who were there before we showed up and were hoping to slide in to our game. If we were short it would have been fine, but as it stood, we were 13 on 13, or there abouts, and as we began they quietly slipped away, dejected. I knew how they felt, probably had to go home and act happy to clean the house and spend quality time with the family. It was decided to play 12 innings, just to make sure that we all had enough at bats, and well, because why not?
Satch's arm was ready to go, as was Sean's and we were dealing from the first pitch. One nice thing about having so many people out there, is that you go alto longer not having to face the big hitters, and thus can conserve a little more. After a boom boom top of the first, including a great snare of a line drive from Johnny Bartlett, we rumbled right over the defense and scored three runs, helped by aggressive running and some key hits, including one of (three?) hits by Mr. Brian Girgus, who we all suspect is on the juice, due to his rapid turnaround at the dish. There the margin held for the next three innings, until we small balled another run across the dish, to give us a 4-0 lead. Damn it felt good, the weather was perfect, sun nice and warm, wind blowing out to left, and spring in the air. The weeks off had helped the arm, but not the legs, and the sprinting and stealing of bases didn't help either, so after a solid six, Satch turned the ball over to Greg to seal the deal for the next 6. Greg held strong, but the visitors started to come alive and before we knew it, the score was 4-3, then an inning later it was all tied up.
Sean had turned the ball over to another lefty, that Bob brought out from little league, Mark? Anyway, he kept it around the dish, and we were unable to score the tie breaker. The Visitors on the other hand were more than capable, and took the lead in the 8th, with some fine running by Mitch (of course). Once again the Mitch factor was in serious contention for the game changer, especially in tracking down the hardest hit ball I have had in a long time, with a wooden bat no less! Something very unsatisfying about only getting on base with gorks and texas leaguers, when the deep drives get caught. Eh, its part of the game.
The visitors griped a little about the continuation of the game, fearing that we would spring back and take the game in the 10th-12th. However, the only real excitement was our outstanding defense in a bases loaded jam to get two outs at the plate, on force plays, both with excellent grabs from Adam behind the dish. Our once strong lineup couldn't get the stick together, and as the sun set, we wrapped the final inning in the enveloping wind and cold, and thanked each and every person that had made it out.
Highlights:
* The re-appearance of Micah, Dani, Nick K, Jayson, Kvoriak, Elvin, Rob...
* Micah said he was in NY and played with the East Coast MBC a few times, apparently the fields they play on really suck. Well, serves them right for moving to NY.
* Let me say for the record, I hate hitting people. We all joke about Bob getting plunked, but it is usually a knuckleball or something that he takes rather then expending the energy to move out of the way. I hit Zach with a fastball, which I wanted up but not in, but that's where it went, and got him in the high ribs. Not intentional (smart pitchers don't hit people with 2 strikes) but still it really sucked and I feel like shit.
* Greg also expected me to be shitty about a.) losing my shutout, and b.) losing the game. Nope. Just happy to be there.
* I AM shitty about Mitch catching that ball though. Fuckin Mitch.
* Stoner wanted to play 1st and we moved him back out to center where he made a great sliding (of course) catch! That's why we play you in the outfield Stoner!
* Chris had a great game at short, a good defense makes all the difference.
* Rob, great bunt! Small ball is always satisfying
* I was able to get most of the big hitters to swing at eeEEphus pitches, that was nice
* Gaspar hit a line drive up the middle, just when you think you know somebody....
* Ben did a admirable job behind the dish, we need to work on that throw back though.
* Saw the first play at the plate when Bob was catching that he did not call the runner out. And it was Brian. And he should have been out for not sliding. But he was safe, if that makes a difference.
* Nice to hear that everyone was completely disinterested in watching the Oscars (except Nick Smith, but at least he works in the business)
* Thanks again for the good times.
Have a good one this Sunday, its Balboa I think? Stay tuned. I'll be down in Scottsdale, trying to get a walk-on tryout with the Giants. Or at least getting drunk in the same place where they hold Giants tryouts.
S. Paige
No comments:
Post a Comment