2/15/15 Big Rec West Field

It was another hot day in February.  We might as well enjoy it, and come August, when the entire state goes up in flames, we can say, Well, remember how nice it was in February?  The nice weather brought out a lot of players, 25 to be exact, and we started the move to play a group that was practicing on the other diamond to try and have a second squad game, but nothing came of it, so we just settled for a lot of substitutions.

Satch started for the homers, and felt good but was not throwing well.  I didn't get a chance to warm up, and everything was tight and pinched.  I feel like the mound at the newly manicured field in GGP is too steep, and while that should have been an asset, it wasn’t.  Just couldn’t get comfortable.  I threw 4, but the visitors scored about 6 runs, not the best outing.

Carter started for the visitors, and fared better than I, but was not impervious to hits and runs either.  The nature of the game, no one was going to throw a complete game.  Sonny relieved Satch and threw damn near shutout ball for his whole time on the bump, then Sean closed the deal. For the visitors, they had Tony, Dustin, Storm, and Daniel.  So a lot of different hurlers for the day. 

Probably the most interesting part of the day was that I think there was about 9-10 people hit by a pitch in the course of the game.  I know I hit four (not my best day, as I said) and was also hit myself, on the knee.  The sound was terrible, but I barely felt it.  Honestly, I thought that the ball was nowhere near hitting my leg. Strange day indeed.

The visitors won handily in 9, we played extras and I think the homers won in 11, but by then, four hours in the hot sun had zapped everyone’s brains, so help me out if this is wrong.

Highlights:

* Great day of ball, fun to have spectators as well

* Hank made a complete lay out to stop a ground ball up the middle.

* The homers were throwing the ball around like the Bad News Bears for a few innings

* Storm had a rip to right that cleared everything

* NEVER. CALL. OFF. MITCH.

* Tony and Greg were on opposing teams for the first time in a few years

* Jay + Sun = No shirt all day.  We insisted he at least wear one when he batted.

* Hank also made several running catches

* A lot of almost great plays

* Daniel had a really jarring fall off the grass on the lip of the outfield.  We were surprised he bounced back up

* The infield dirt is the right kind, but it's very deep and soft like sand.

* Thanks to Tim, Ed, Carter, Bob, Greg for catching in the sun

* First spotting of the Jameson twins in quite some time, and no it’s not just a clever name

* I had four hits, all in the exact same direction, between 3^rd and SS.

* Elvin claims he likes working counts.  The rest of us call that Get the Goddamn Bat Off Your Shoulder.

* Happy Birthday to the young’un Gaston, 26?