Monday, July 28, 2014

07/27/14 Balboa Cop Field

What a great day, as long as you weren't driving or a Giants fan. 

Before we start, a special congratulations to Dani Leone and Jen Ralston, two of our MBC stalwarts, who took the big leap this weekend.  Yes, the chicken farmer is officially off the country market, having fallen in love with a wonderful lady and as far as I can tell, they are creating a agricultural paradise in Petaluma.  The wedding was a great event, live music was present from start to finish, good beer, tables of cookies, chicken and waffles were all excellent, and my first experience with a wedding ceremony done in country song format ( Given the number of weddings I have and in the future, will, attend as guest and employee, I wish this format was a lot more popular....).  From all of the MBC, Wishing you all the good fortune and happiness!

The drive back from the north bay, in a panic, trying to get through the Sunday traffic and close enough to a Bart station to get to the game on time was not great, given the number of things going on in the city this part weekend, but it all worked out.  Thanks to John McGrath for picking the cop field, conveniently located next to a station.  We had 17 all told, and the game was a tight affair for most of the time.  Phelps started for the visitors and Satch for the homers.  In the bottom of the first we strung together several hits and scored three runs.  We were real confident, until the top of the second when we gave it all back.  But it was nice while it lasted.  The score stayed like that for a few innings then, we scored a run, then they answered and it was tied for a bit longer. Phelps did not have the usual zip on his pitches and bowed out after 2 innings.  Noah came in a pitched for a while, then Mitch for a few, then Daniel in the 9th.  Satch went the distance, natch, as the only sure thing I know is that each game only guarantees that the next will most likely be further off.

Our Waterloo came around the seventh, we had managed to get two outs, but the visitors were threatening to break it wide open.  Satch had lived by the change up and knuckleball all day, and with the wind and humidity it was all working.  A fisted liner to the middle of the infield looked scary, but then I saw Rojas moving, nay, gliding to the ball and I relaxed.  Smack it hit the glove, then, well, it dropped out.  Sad to say that was the play of the game.  The visitors took advantage and moved a few more across the plate. 

By the 9th, it was 9-5, and we were trying to make a last stand.  Daniel was throwing, and having trouble getting the ball across the dish.  After a legit hitting start, we had the bases loaded, and Tony ended up taking a walk to bring in the first run.  Satch up next went through 3 counts and then took a walk to make it 9-7.  Alas, with 2 outs, Tice flied out and the game was over. 

Highlights:

* It was a great game, defense was pretty strong on both sides

* The changing weather and wind had a great effect on the knuckleball, I loved that Greg was calling it three four times in a row.  Finally!

* I hit Bob twice, both on pitches that a blind man could have gotten out of the way of

* New guy Rafael was a defensive and offensive talent the whole game, robbing me of an easy extra base hit with a full 360 turn in center before gloving the ball

* We had guys dead to rights on pitch outs twice, couldn't seal the deal.

* Always reasuring to hear the racking of shotguns when you are trying to concentrate

* Tice made some nice plays in right field, including a San Quentin special

* Phelps tagged Nick hard in the helmet when he had to come off first.  Luckily it was mostly brim, and Nick was already grumpy

* Tony had a great day other than that one play, couple of hits, couple of heads up plays with runners on.  We all know its the one bad play that stays with you afterwards, not the 9 you did right.

* Thanks to Greg for catching and playing with a bad back, even if he did catch the final out of the game

* Mitch had another great game at SS, all kinds of range, and a couple of hits on top of the pitching

* Other than the long fly out I hit, I at least managed a line drive double down the line that made me feel like I can still hit

* There might have been some chicanery with regards to a fair/foul ball on a few down the right field line

* Ed and Rafael both hustled to back up first, way too much trying there.

* Visitors almost had two double plays in a row

* Tony may have been picked off at first to end the game, but no one really knows (quiet down Phelps.)

* Noah was the only one for most of the game that hit the knuckleball well, one was at his shoulders, the other at his eyes.

* The theme of the day for our team was "Is this really happening?"

* We decided that Sonny's impromptu jazzy fedora hat choice in the 7th inning was our downfall, but at least we went out looking classy.

Thanks to everyone for playing, and congratulations to all the Dodgers fans for a SF sweep.  It is still July, thankfully, so hopefully the Giants can shake the the injury and bad luck bug long enough to make this a pennant race.

S. Paige

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