9/11/11- West Sunset

Probably the best weather day at West Sunset that has ever occurred.  Warm.  A little humid, the light breeze from the ocean.   A great way to celebrate America and freedom on the 10th anniversary of a tragic day in our country's history.  And what's more American than pick-up baseball?

I as lucky to be out there, as I have been for the last three weeks, but I swear this is the last time for a while, although its a fool who speaks in absolutes.  Mrs. Paige came out and watched the action, she pledged to walk some steps to shake the critter loose, but she ended up just sitting in her chair and enjoying the sun and the game.  Mr. Garcia, scourge of the SoCal little league and Richie's dad, also came out.  He seemed a lot more interested in his book, which looked like a good one (http://www.amazon.com/Satch-Dizzy-Rapid-Robert-Interracial/dp/1416547983).

We were 10-10, which became 12-11 by the end of the game.  Current AOY Brian Phelps started for the homers and had a great outing, his stuff was working, and everyone was mixed up by facing a lefty that wasn't Sean.  Dustin started for the visitors and had a good outing, but his lack of inebriation ultimately hindered his pitching.  The homers were graced with a very good defense that helped us to close out some quick innings.  Satch once again as in right field, which I like at West Sunset, 'cuz its basically like playing a deep first or second base.

The homers scored first and the visitors came back soon after and we had a game on our hands.  Brian cut to the bone on the visitors and didn't allow anything beyond the first run, Dustin was not so lucky.  We mounted a couple of rallies and by the time that Brian handed over the ball in the 6th, it was 9-1.  No one likes a blow out, however, and while I would like to say that I was trying to even the score up a bit, its just not true.  Basically,  the visitors smelled the fresh blood in the water and jumped all over me.  Sean took over for the visitors and pitched a few innings and then Noah came in a mopped it up.  Both of them did a great job of shutting down our offense, with a few exceptions.

Brian had to come out to the mound at one point and talk me down, which helped and we got out of the inning.  I never recorded a K in 6 innings of work, but I got the outs. You matha-magicians might notice that adds up to 12 innings, well, it does.  It was so nice that none of us wanted to leave, and we vowed to keep playing until the sun went down, the baby was born, or we all collapsed.

So play on we did, and while the visitors never did take the lead, they kept pounding away and the final score was somewhere in the region of 13-7.

Highlights:


* Richie put on a clinic at SS, and had at least 12 put outs

* Elvin and Tyler both covered the outfield with skill and had a couple of hits as well

* Thanks to Ed, Bob, Greg, Noah for catching, which was probably a little sweatier than usual

* Chris hit the hell out of a ball, and ended up with a home run the hard way

* The homers got out of a bases loaded jam at one point

* Sean was stymied all day by Brian, and I managed to escape his wrath, no home run for you!

* Jay and Paul on the other hand, hit the ball well all day.  I complimented Jay on his improved hitting.  He said it was all due to getting fat pitches to hit.  So that didn't go over like I planned it, basically, its not that he's any better at hitting, its that Brian and I suck at pitching.  I'll remember that.

* Dustin had a nice drive down the line, and then wore himself out having to score from second, maybe he was drunk after all....

* Duane also had a nice hit, and had a self-realized "Grouchy" moment (we all know who that is) when he couldn't let a strike out go

* Phelps put one to the wall in right center

* We made Elvin run all day, taking the extra base, you gots to use those fresh legs while you got them!

* Brian had pinpoint accuracy, except when Dustin and Noah were up, and then he tried to hit them about 4 times

* I was 0-5, with three ground outs to Richie, in which he never had to move, one strikeout and a 4-6-3 double play.  I was DFA'd after the game

* Greg tried the subterfuge first and third throw back to the pitcher.  Didn't work, but nice to know it exists

* A lot of hidden ball play attempts

* Ed made a nice grab on a short right field gork to end an inning

* Adam made a couple of really nice plays at 1st including one that he threw dirt in his own face but still made the play, and wants everyone to know he hasn't been around the last few weeks because he was in LA, being filmed for a documentary (and yes, he is bragging).

* Bob survived his high highfalutin' polo match in Atherton and came and played ball to get back to his working class roots.

* Johnny had a couple of great classic line drives

* Rick came out with a rehabbed leg, and was looking downright sprightly, complete with a moonshot to left

*  Q?  came out late and hit the hell out of the ball

* Thanks for all the well wishes and advice on the impending fatherhood, I hope everyone understands that when the baby comes out with me, we all take turns monitoring and/or protecting it during the game....

S. Paige