9/12/21 GGP *SHUTOUT*

 

So much for the end of our GGP run.  Back at the same field, the temperature slightly warmer for the first part of the game, and then the fog really rolled in and it was right back where it has been all summer, cold and miserable.  The game on the other hand, was great, if you were on the visitors team.

Sean Paul completed a 9-0 shutout, full stop.  It was a pleasure to watch a master craftsman at work, even though it was my team. 

We had our chances, and Satch threw 8 innings of decent ball, but it was not to be.  I don't feel like I was serving them up, with a few exceptions, but the runs were steady and regular as milking Bessie.  Sean was just not able to be touched, we went down in order at least 4 of 9 times, and a lot of what got us base runners was errors and hustle.  Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear he eats you.

I will take this moment to highlight that our team turned 5 double plays!  Some the old fashioned way, some on line drives, either way, it is probably the only reason the score was not 16-0.  Cap tip to the homers.

In addition to his pitching performance, Sean also had a deep drive to right center, along with The Big Blue Bomber, and Mitch, who was trading doubles.

We could never really get anything started, our biggest threats were always with 2 outs, and that is no way to rally.  

Final score: 9-0, visitors.

Highlights:

* The battery of Sean and John McG, complete games for both of them, awesome day!

* Thanks to everyone that swung at the knuckelball

* Nick W. almost broke me with foul balls on his at bats

* Don made a long running catch in left that robbed us of a chance

* I had one hit I can be proud of and one that I got on base because the 3rd baseman tripped over the infield grass.

* I counted about 6 dink hits into left that all fell 3 feet in front of Bob, maddening

* Carter was out with Charlie, who I think we should have had pinch hit....

* Urano was our play starter for most of the DPs, and also threw a lights out 9th.

* With a few exceptions, every hard hit ball we had went directly to some one

* JT came within 6 inches of a great 2-out knock

* I almost lost a shin to Mike Lattig come backer, luckily I was able to dodge it

* Scoops from Nick S. and Adam at 1st were on display

Thanks to all that played, it was great to have 19!

S. Paige

8/29/21 GGP (Final Game)

 I didn't think there was anyway I was making it to the game.  Kids were equivocal when I asked if they wanted to play, as was Mrs. Paige.  However, there also didn't seem to be anything better to do, and we knew the air would at least be fresh.  And fresh it was, to the point that the family was freezing about 30 minutes after we go there.  Well, that is why you ar supposed to keep moving....

We arrived in the 4th inning, with the score 2-1 visitors, Nick W on the mound, and Lattig for the homers.  It seemed like a split of the old guard and the new guard with a few exceptions for fairness, at least Chris P and Urano were on different teams.

Phelps and I agreed that I would be squeezing if he got to third while I was up.  Well that didn't happen, but I managed to gork a ball to short right and outrun the throw to first (barely) for runners at 1st and 3rd with no outs.  Yes, a great opportunity for the ol' "get picked off and hope that the runner at third can score" play.  Nick did the best he could, but that play is a real bummer for the pitcher, the change in direction has to be perfect.  Brian scored easily, and I got to sit down.  Win-win, scored knotted at 2.

Phelps came into throw and Dan came in for the visitors.  The wheels came off quickly, and we pounced on the errors and new pitching to the tune of 5 runs.  Phelps held the visitors, looking nothing like a guy who hadn't pitched in 2 months.

The play of the day was an almost... Dan hit a monster to right center, and was off to the races.  JT was running it down, and he and Urano got to it, and Urano threw a laser to home on one hop just as Dan was bearing down.  In the park homerun for Dan.  Almost the most amazing MBC defensive play ever.  No one thought it would be close, including Bob who was just trying to stop the ball rather than thinking about applying the tag.  A great hit, a great throw, and an almost great play.

Satch took over in the 8th for a two run "save", almost overturning the boat.  The visitors came back and scored 3 runs before I was able to secure the final out for a 9-5 victory.

Highlights:

* Thanks to everyone that came out and made it a real game, with sitting and everything.

* Lil Satch and lil Josh Gibson were in the mix, playing outfield, and running for JT and Bob who were nice enough to give them a chance.  And Lil Satch scored a run, basecoached by his dad, what a treat!

* Mike Lynch's expensive $198 bat was the casualty.  Let's remember not to use others bats without permission.

* Also that one should never spend more than $50 on a bat (West Coast Sports in San Leandro has a lot of quality $40 bats).

* Someone hit a triple, but I don't remember who it was.

* Thanks to Chris L, John McG, Don, Bob for catching.

* Also a great catch from Chris L on a difficult foul ball behind the dish

* Adam had a whole cheering section out

* No sight of the band, hopefully they have not given up on us

* Our team had the record for left handed infielders in non-1st base positions

* I somehow managed to be 3-3 with a run scored.

* I apologize for any action or great plays that I didn't cover before I got there.