1/23/11- West Sunset

Man, these dog days of January, huh? Sun beating down on you, the lightest of breezes, really makes you wonder how we can take it. I should shut up now, lest it start raining again for three weeks. So the day was beautiful, we had 26 people at least, the field was in great shape, and we ended up having a good little game. The defensive plays alone were amazing, one of our better games for web gems.

Sean, back in form, moustache intact, was dying to get on the bump, and commanded the hill well while he was there. I offered Greg the starting position but he said behind the dish was where he belonged, so I again started for the homers. And what a lineup I faced, Kvoriak, Mitch, Noah and Duane aside, the visitors also had every power left hander in a row, all of them drooling at the the West Sunset 299 foot right field fence.

We homers drew first blood though, and capitalized on the lead to get out in front 3-0. It was more than we thought we would ever get against a well rested Sean. And then suddenly they laced four hits together and then I got two strikes on Ben, also out for his first game in a long time, and for some reason thought it was a good idea to throw a softball changeup for strike three. Ben tagged it and the visitors were off and running, to the tune of 3-2. By the time the dust had settled, it was all tied up at 3.

Greg and Noah stepped in to the feeder roles, and we took the lead with two runs in the 8th, and held the visitors scoreless for the next two frames. Of course, we had to play extra innings with the day being as it was. So we played on, and on and on, through the 12th. It never got any closer in score, and the final may have been 7-4? It was all lost in the beautiful day, the good times, lots of baseball.

Highlights:

* Ed had the defensive play of the game, a running over the shoulder catch in center field, almost completely stretched out. It definitely saved the lead

* Rich also had an amazing play in right, a shoelace tumble catch

* Loren had an over the shoulder catch at second, in the sun

* Greg picked off two runners, Mitch and Sean! Not the two easiest baserunners....

* I worked the right side of the diamond almost exclusively at the plate, and had an epic battle with Sean, through two full counts.

* No one was killed with the foul ball rockets that Rich was sending.

* I have to compliment the outfield on the homers, everyone did great job, catching the balls that needed to be caught.

* Loren caught most of the extra innings, which was needed, thanks!

* There was a spectacular play at home to nail Noah, who was trying to give the visitors the lead.

* There were several other great cut-off throws and close plays at every base

* Cheers to everyone who stayed through to the end, I know it was getting pretty tiring by the end

* The return of James, Rob, Anthony, Ben, Lattig! One back from show business, one back from laziness, one back from tour, one back from injury, one back from work/illness/rain...Welcome Home!

* I had a pretty good knuckleball working, and actually struck out one looking with it. Anytime it's a go to pitch, is a good day in my book

* Also had a streak of calling out the fielder that was going to get the next ball. Sometimes you just know

* Jeers to everybody to stayed home, inside, watching football on a day like that. And have we decided to start game sooner to make room for Superbowl, or are we deciding that football sucks and leaving it at 1pm?

* Rules Question of the game: Does a baserunner, who stays in the path, have to stop and allow a fielder to get to the ball, or can he continue towards the next base? Mainly does he have to get out of the way, or is it a free for all?

Same field, same time, see you there.

S. Paige