It was sunny, clear, the wind was blowing out, and we were all astonished that only 19 people showed. We were expecting dead men in rags to come shuffling out, mumbling about how they have been too busy with family and work stuff.
In any case, we split the teams, Satch starting for the homers, Noah for the visitors. The teams seemed pretty well divided, there was power on both sides, and defense, but the play that defined the day was the gork. By the end of 3 frames, the visitors had run up a healthy total of runs, by employing every dink and drop hit they could muster. And it wasn't that we were dropping the ball, the hits were just very strategically placed.
The homers relied more on good old fashioned hitting and shitty fielding, which is the MBC way. Our luck took a turn for the better when John McG stepped up and hit a 2 iron out to left field that just kept going and going. Mike Lattig was out there, which is usually death for all good hits, but this one stayed on a level course and sailed over his head. Rounding third, John had the look of a man in disbelief, as we all steered him home. An added bonus that his kids were there to see it.
Two innings later, Brian Phelps stepped into the box, after fooling us all earlier with opposite field power, he put one into the rafters in right. Brian, being quicker and younger than most, didn't look as though he needed the O2 when he stepped on the dish for the second home run of the game.
Then it got interesting.
John hit another one to the exact same place in left, only a little further, and Brian hit one into the right center gap that left us all in disbelief, as two people hit 4 home runs in one day! Definitely a first!
We homers had the defense going for us, as we turned a number of double plays, which really helped when we needed to have a quick inning. But for the visitors, the hits just kept on coming. The score obviously was a little higher than usual, as were the players, we tied the game at 6-6 and then again at 9-9. However, the visitors had a little more moxie going for them, and when they brought in Johnny Bartlett, "The Man who knows how to Cool the Bats," we knew that the death knell could not be far behind.
The final score ended up in the 13-9 range, and while there was a bit of fire left in people to keep playing, the sun and the excitement had drained the players. So it was decided that we would go home, while we still had time to have a beer and enjoy the beautiful day.
Highlights:
* Adam and Nick both played a great first sack, making scoops and back handed snares
* Three double plays, and almost a fourth, and we actually successfully completed the 3-6-1 DP!
* A special note from JT," I was glad to see Mitch, until he caught the best ball I have hit all year"
* Bob showed up in the 6th again, and went right to work
* Gaspar and I worked out a bunt/steal play,and it worked great, and we caught Nick unaware, I took third and then home to tie the game! Love that kind of stuff!
* Adam slid hard into second and got a skinned arm for his effort, he doused it in HydroPerox, and slapped some tape on it and kept playing. That's cool.
* Chris once again played a great SS
* A note to all: I was always told that in the MBC that it is uncouth to do the ol' fake catch and tag at second when a guy is stealing and there really isn't a throw. I guess for us, every time we slide, we risk our baseball future. This was also told to me by Richard Baluyut, so one has to take the source into account. But I would say that its a good rule to follow.
* We had a new guy (Daniel?) out, who had a real pretty hit
* I think I was 5-5, was anyone else? I am trying to remember not getting on base, help?
* Tony made one of the prettiest Rojas plays we have seen in a while. The pick, the pump, the set, the double pump, the walk and the throw. Got him!
* I hit Jay (sorry) and then he got a hit off of me. That's even.
* The outfield was really fast, which is really unusual for Camp Swampy. It was like concrete with bumps out there
* I struck Noah out three consecutive times, with three change ups. Someone else made the reference, so here it is: Roy Hobbs versus The Whammer
Not sure where we are next week, but it will be Mother's Day, for all you mothers. So bring your mom out.
S. Paige
2 comments:
Are you counting the ball I dropped a hit? As much as I should have had it, I think the official score keeper will rule in favor of both of us. No error. Nice hit.
My 2nd homerun was straight away center. Right over Mitch's head. Crushed. New strategy: vs Aaron go oppo. vs Greg go for the fences. I've been struggling at the plate lately, so this one felt good.
On a side note, I've been icing my knee all week. 2 inside the parkers will do that. Plus I've been riding my bike to work (f--k muni)
Props to the infielders for the double plays. As a lefty banished to the open expanses of the outfield, I love watching you righties do your magic.
You need to email us when you post these. I love reading them. Or I guess I should bookmark it.
Anyway, thanks for writing these up. Good work.
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