1/3/16 Big Rec

First game of the new year, always a pleasure.  As we seem to be in the beginnings of our fabled El Nino winter, we were a little worried that it might rain but Bob sent out a email that soothed the fears of a wash out.  And it did the trick, as we had 22 players come out, and not only was it dry, it was a beautiful day!  Slight chill in the air, but no wind, and the field was in perfect condition after a serious rehab from Parks and Rec.

Sean, resplendent in a red cotton ensemble took the mound for the homers.  He threw well, as he always does, but was unable to stop the visitors from scoring the first run of the year, on a sacrifice fly.  And then another. And another.  All told. he threw 7 innings, and gave up 3 runs, which is great for the MBC.  He struck out at least 3 or more, and was a consistent spray hitter through the game. Abe took over for him in the 8th, which I think was the first time I have faced him, and gave up one run.

Satch went for the visitors, determined to start the year off on the right note.  And to that end, I guess I was successful, though I don't think I struck out a single batter.  But the fastball was pretty locked in, and the change-up and curve were getting swings and my defense was playing stellar ball.  I cruised through 6 innings and didn't give up a run.  In the spirit of taking my turn to sit out, sharing, not being as asshole, and the fact that I went bowling the night before, I handed the ball off to Tony and then Sonny to take the game home.

Tony went one inning and gave up one run.  Sonny went 2 innings and gave up two runs.  While the homers made it a battle to the end, with the winning run on base, ultimately the game was decided with a 4-3 victory for the visitors.

An interesting postscript, I felt like it had been a while since I was on a team that won, and thanks to this blog I can satisfy that query.  Other than the last SQ game, I have to go back to the July 12 game to find a time when I was on the winning team.  So we can safely say that the latter part of 2015 was a real drought in the win column for ol' Satch.  Good thing no one pays attention to stuff like that.

Highlights:

* Thanks to everyone who made it out, the first game of the new year is always one of my favorites, along with every other game of the year.

* Sean gets best dressed.

*  John Nero was a man possessed, rapping out hits like he was 21 again

* Dennis made an appearance, and seems to have stolen one of McGrath's kids bats for game use....

* Lattig wore pants for the first time in a long while, and then slid home on a pass ball.  Timing is everything

* Abe and his brother came out, and Abe made a great play in left in addition to his pitching

* Tim's strike zone was a little hinky at the start of the game, and we had to say something.  He responded well.

* Bob made a Mitch-ian play in center field, which was followed by James also making a long running catch

* I hit two doubles and was stranded both times.

*  James was yelling from center field to hit the cutoff with a runner in scoring position.  Then a ball comes to him and he throws a laser to the cutoff man, who is standing about 7 feet from the catcher.  Luckily, there was enough time to get the ball that extra distance for the out at the plate, but I think James should be excused from ever having to throw to the cutoff man again.

* In a nail biting finale, man on first with two outs in the 9th, routine ground ball to SS, to 2nd base, dropped ball.  The MBC style.

* I hit Bob in the ass on the first pitch of his at bat and it wasn't even intentional.

* Thanks to Tim, Greg and Don for catching

* Sonny made a nice second effort play to get Sean in a rundown, after he overran second base.

Hope that 2016 is another great year for the Mission Baseball Club.

Don't look back, something may be gaining on ya.

S. Paige