Monday, January 18, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
January 10, 2010: West Sunset
The field had a little water left from a rain that no one could remember, and the pickup guys before us were kind enough to let us get on early, for the second game of the 2010 season. Starting for the visitors was Johnny Bartlett, resplendent in his Mission uniform, and willing and able to go the distance, which he did. Satch started for the home squad, warming up on the bump as his team was morphed to make sure that we had a competent shortstop, and not too many big bats.
The first few innings were bang bang, as one hit, an infield single from Vic was all any of the batters could muster. Johnny was keeping it all around the dish, mixing his slurvy stuff with his wrinkle stuff. Satch kept the changeup in rotation, mixed with a fastball that was livelier than usual, maybe due to the brisk temperature, and a knuckle that had some funky hard dive.
Finally in the third, we got to Johnny, and quickly put three runs on the board. They answered right back with 2 of their own, and a ball game was underway. The runs started to mount up, on both sides, and by the time Satch left the game in the 6th, the visitors had retaken the lead with a 5-4, which then became 7-5. Johnny had settled down and was throwing stellar ball, and we homers were befuddled as what to do. Satch had an emergency call from the wife, a cluster-fucked de-railer and chain mishap, had to leave the game for a few minutes. I lead off the inning with a first pitch single (frustration hit), got a ghost runner, and when I returned the team had capitalized and the score was 8-7, us. We went to the 9th, and the visitors suddenly came alive and scored 3 runs, 10-8, demoralizing turn of events….OR was it?
Girding up our reserves, and relying on the 6 men we had left (injuries and Punk rock had drained our team of more than a few members) we followed guffed ball, with line drive and sacrifice fly, and before we knew it, we were bases loaded and Sean up at bat. He promptly sent a sacrifice fly that scored the tying run, and we had men on first and second; the score knotted and tied at 10. In stepped the seasoned Nick Smith, who waited for the pitch he wanted and laced a drive over the infielders collective grasps, Gaspar hurried home and the game was won (Thanks to JT for remembering this final bit, good thing I was not the go ahead run, with my head that far out of the game).
Johnny (once again, a great game, all heart) kept his head high as we collected the bases, shook hands and wandered off to our lives for another week.
Highlights
*Johnny, too often you get the raw deal in your Complete Games, but you looked good.
*Thanks to everyone who stayed to help finish the game
*Sean, for looking great in his new Evergreen uniform, and pitching three innings of strong close out ball
*Dennis, not the best idea to talk shit to a pitcher when you are in the batter’s box, or ever for that matter.
*Edwin, with a great catch on my hardest hit ball of the day, could have been a double!
*Anthony, also with a much needed catch in right
*Johnny again for the over the shoulder snare in the no man’s land of the infield
*Thanks Tim for squeezing a couple of foul tip third strikes
*Johnny and Greg took me to the woodshed a couple of times, with runners on, thought I was being cagey, turned out I was just foolish
*Some strong in-fielding plays: Gasper, Tony, Chris, and a double off play in the 9th.
*Gaspar recorded 4 of the first six outs for the homers, once again proving his utter versatility
*Nice play on a troubled grounder to the right, JT!
*No Bob, so no HBP…
*Good to see Vivek, short though it was, hope the elbow is healing
*Lattig, once again, there is little chance of stopping him at the plate (but slow curves can do it once, never twice…)
*I muffed a picture perfect double play ball, then dropped it a second time trying to get one, I hate that!
A lot of rain, but we will keep our fingers crossed.
S. Paige
The first few innings were bang bang, as one hit, an infield single from Vic was all any of the batters could muster. Johnny was keeping it all around the dish, mixing his slurvy stuff with his wrinkle stuff. Satch kept the changeup in rotation, mixed with a fastball that was livelier than usual, maybe due to the brisk temperature, and a knuckle that had some funky hard dive.
Finally in the third, we got to Johnny, and quickly put three runs on the board. They answered right back with 2 of their own, and a ball game was underway. The runs started to mount up, on both sides, and by the time Satch left the game in the 6th, the visitors had retaken the lead with a 5-4, which then became 7-5. Johnny had settled down and was throwing stellar ball, and we homers were befuddled as what to do. Satch had an emergency call from the wife, a cluster-fucked de-railer and chain mishap, had to leave the game for a few minutes. I lead off the inning with a first pitch single (frustration hit), got a ghost runner, and when I returned the team had capitalized and the score was 8-7, us. We went to the 9th, and the visitors suddenly came alive and scored 3 runs, 10-8, demoralizing turn of events….OR was it?
Girding up our reserves, and relying on the 6 men we had left (injuries and Punk rock had drained our team of more than a few members) we followed guffed ball, with line drive and sacrifice fly, and before we knew it, we were bases loaded and Sean up at bat. He promptly sent a sacrifice fly that scored the tying run, and we had men on first and second; the score knotted and tied at 10. In stepped the seasoned Nick Smith, who waited for the pitch he wanted and laced a drive over the infielders collective grasps, Gaspar hurried home and the game was won (Thanks to JT for remembering this final bit, good thing I was not the go ahead run, with my head that far out of the game).
Johnny (once again, a great game, all heart) kept his head high as we collected the bases, shook hands and wandered off to our lives for another week.
Highlights
*Johnny, too often you get the raw deal in your Complete Games, but you looked good.
*Thanks to everyone who stayed to help finish the game
*Sean, for looking great in his new Evergreen uniform, and pitching three innings of strong close out ball
*Dennis, not the best idea to talk shit to a pitcher when you are in the batter’s box, or ever for that matter.
*Edwin, with a great catch on my hardest hit ball of the day, could have been a double!
*Anthony, also with a much needed catch in right
*Johnny again for the over the shoulder snare in the no man’s land of the infield
*Thanks Tim for squeezing a couple of foul tip third strikes
*Johnny and Greg took me to the woodshed a couple of times, with runners on, thought I was being cagey, turned out I was just foolish
*Some strong in-fielding plays: Gasper, Tony, Chris, and a double off play in the 9th.
*Gaspar recorded 4 of the first six outs for the homers, once again proving his utter versatility
*Nice play on a troubled grounder to the right, JT!
*No Bob, so no HBP…
*Good to see Vivek, short though it was, hope the elbow is healing
*Lattig, once again, there is little chance of stopping him at the plate (but slow curves can do it once, never twice…)
*I muffed a picture perfect double play ball, then dropped it a second time trying to get one, I hate that!
A lot of rain, but we will keep our fingers crossed.
S. Paige
Sunday, January 3, 2010
January 3, 2010: Moscone Field
So I will get the easy ones out of the way early. This was the best game of 2010, so far....and by far the most beautiful Sunday, of 2010, up to this point....Girgus, now that you got all those plays out of the way, we will be looking forward to some stellar games.
In any case, we had 19 people, on an amazing day in the Marina, we waited a few minutes for the pickup game before us to end, seemed like good guys. We had a salty dog kind of show up with Brian Girgus back in uniform, Johnny in Enid flannel, Stoner on his monthly furlough, and the rest of us motley pill hoppers.
Brian Phelps had challenged me to a heads up kind of thing last week, and the rain just staved off the sun long enough to make the field unplayable, but that was good enough to whet the appetite for this weeks contest. I accepted Brian's challenge, and took the bump with a strong defense behind me, I thought.
It didn't take long for the visitors to rack up a 3 run lead, and Brian set our boys down in order in the first. Satch would not let the shutout go any further, and stepped into a curve ball and hit it a very long way into right center. A double on my holiday legs, but the distance was pretty epic. 3rd on a fielders choice, and home on a blooper past the diving pitcher, and the shut out was broke. Another run tacked on and we had a good game, 3-2.
Next thing you knew, it was all tied up, 4-4, and we had a homerun, excitement, sun spots, bloops, runs, double plays. And then, it was 8-4, the visitors having taken the lead back handily. And that's pretty much how it stayed. I lasted until the 7th, lengthened by the a couple of great team play low pitch innings, Mike Lattig took over the hurling duties for the visitors team, and Mitch closed it out for the last. We never retook the lead, and the closest we came was 11-8, then it was 14-9, and in the dwindling twilight, us homers went down in order, and the first game of the new decade was in the books.
Highlights
* Some great hitting on both teams.
* Two double plays, maybe even a third!
* Greg's headfirst slide into third was amazing, as well as frightening, as Vic came down next to his head
* A very strong line up of Lattig, Phelps, Chris, Mitch, tough to have four battles in one inning.
* Chris, Mitch, and Brian had some great plays in center as well.
* Girgus, tough day man, 11 runs, a lot of chances, two roaming circles, one belly shot, two glove squirts, come back and redeem yourself!
* Thanks Nick for reminding me why I wear a cup all the time, three inches higher and I would have needed a lot of ice tonight.
* Bob HBP +1, a knuckle ball skip off the back, and then to the bat
* Solid base running today, on all parts
* Adam and Nick combined for some flashy first sack plays today, Nick including a jumping tag play.
* Ok, so I hit a home run, felt good, it has been a long while, and thanks Cagle, for reading my thoughts perfectly when I was coming into third, I was totally happy with staying there, glad I went though.
* Lattig, superb pitching after a long time, same with Mitch
* Ben, thanks for the seeds, minus the pickle and ranch...
* Bob, long run in the outfield, great play!
* Tony, great bunt, Brian, greater play on the bunt
* Thanks to all those who don't swing when we are stealing bases, the number of times we have to reset due to foul balls gets real old some times....
* Chris almost had an amazing play at short, you had to be at least 10 feet in the air, just barely missed it!
* A toast to all those who overdid it on NYE, and made it out, I know I was pretty hairy on Saturday, damn Manhattans, I'm going back to tequila.
Don't know the forecast, but I do know that next week is West Sunset, 2 pm.
Where's the damn ice!
S. Paige
Monday, December 21, 2009
Treasure Island- December 20, 2009
ARRRRRRRRRRRRGH, tis be a field of no uncommon worth, full of dirt and grass tis the likes of which ye have never seen!
Just when you think it might all fall apart, the bonds of the MBC come together and reassure you that we are not going anywhere. Deficit? HA! 26 or 27 brave souls ventured out to Treasure Island in the middle of th bay to play a game of baseball, five days before Christmas. The weather was a balmy 63 degrees when we started, we suffered through a little rain, but all it did was wet down the field and pass along.
And what a field it was! Bob had hooked us up with the little league field that he and John use during league play, and to paraphrase tony, It was a pleasure to play on a field that we didn;t have to worry about stepping a huge divot, or clump or take a bad hop off the dome. Infield and outfield both were in pristine condition, helped by the keys to the Club car that allowed us to drag the dirt before the game.
We decided a rematch of the last game was a fair way to start, with Satch and Sean going head to head. After a uneventful first half of an inning, the homers sent a few men to the plate, and then a few more, and had a 3 run lead. That we lost the very next inning, and the score was tied 3-3. But Sean was not in overpowering form this week (Hopefully your arm is alright! ICE ICE ICE). While Satch waited for the weather to darken to help the travel of the changeup and knuckle, Sean was hurt by the dink, the muff, the sun in the clouds, the gapper, and the error.
After five, we decided it was not fair to keep throwing, as we had too many people sitting out, so we stepped aside and Johnny and Mike Holland came in. Mike faired a little better than Sean, but the score stood 8-4 and it stayed that way until the 8th, when again the pitchers changed, and Ezra, in from NY and Trevor, Zach's friend also in from NY, came to finish the job. Trevor had some trouble finding the dish, and the visitors started a comeback, scoring a few, but in the end, the comeback was not to be, and 9-6 was etched by the final out.
Some of us tried in vain to let the game continue until it was too dark to see, but the rain was on its way again, and we decided it was better to have 9 good innings than risk a bad inning at the end.
Highlights:
* A great game of pitchers, of all sets, calibers and angles.
* Nice defense from Brian Cagle, playing Nick Smith perfectly
* Thanks Bob, for over running my hit
* Thanks everyone for coming out and playing
* The sliding and catching on the pristine diamond was great!
* Nice Scoops, Adam and JT
* Nice vacuuming Tony, Chris, Johnny, Mike and Tim
* Great game John and Emilia, now try not o wander away in the Club Car too often, or at least, don't crash it when you come riding back
* Great drives, Rojas! Sean!
* Way to leg out the infield single, John!
* Way to steal the base, Cagle, Satch, Philips, etc.
* Love the comebackers!
* Can't wait to see the pics from Nick, especially the one of Tony get brickhoused at home by Bob...
* Anthony, we can get you some shades. Thanks for coming out!
See you after the Xmas thing, same time same place:
Happy Solstice everybody,
S. Paige
Just when you think it might all fall apart, the bonds of the MBC come together and reassure you that we are not going anywhere. Deficit? HA! 26 or 27 brave souls ventured out to Treasure Island in the middle of th bay to play a game of baseball, five days before Christmas. The weather was a balmy 63 degrees when we started, we suffered through a little rain, but all it did was wet down the field and pass along.
And what a field it was! Bob had hooked us up with the little league field that he and John use during league play, and to paraphrase tony, It was a pleasure to play on a field that we didn;t have to worry about stepping a huge divot, or clump or take a bad hop off the dome. Infield and outfield both were in pristine condition, helped by the keys to the Club car that allowed us to drag the dirt before the game.
We decided a rematch of the last game was a fair way to start, with Satch and Sean going head to head. After a uneventful first half of an inning, the homers sent a few men to the plate, and then a few more, and had a 3 run lead. That we lost the very next inning, and the score was tied 3-3. But Sean was not in overpowering form this week (Hopefully your arm is alright! ICE ICE ICE). While Satch waited for the weather to darken to help the travel of the changeup and knuckle, Sean was hurt by the dink, the muff, the sun in the clouds, the gapper, and the error.
After five, we decided it was not fair to keep throwing, as we had too many people sitting out, so we stepped aside and Johnny and Mike Holland came in. Mike faired a little better than Sean, but the score stood 8-4 and it stayed that way until the 8th, when again the pitchers changed, and Ezra, in from NY and Trevor, Zach's friend also in from NY, came to finish the job. Trevor had some trouble finding the dish, and the visitors started a comeback, scoring a few, but in the end, the comeback was not to be, and 9-6 was etched by the final out.
Some of us tried in vain to let the game continue until it was too dark to see, but the rain was on its way again, and we decided it was better to have 9 good innings than risk a bad inning at the end.
Highlights:
* A great game of pitchers, of all sets, calibers and angles.
* Nice defense from Brian Cagle, playing Nick Smith perfectly
* Thanks Bob, for over running my hit
* Thanks everyone for coming out and playing
* The sliding and catching on the pristine diamond was great!
* Nice Scoops, Adam and JT
* Nice vacuuming Tony, Chris, Johnny, Mike and Tim
* Great game John and Emilia, now try not o wander away in the Club Car too often, or at least, don't crash it when you come riding back
* Great drives, Rojas! Sean!
* Way to leg out the infield single, John!
* Way to steal the base, Cagle, Satch, Philips, etc.
* Love the comebackers!
* Can't wait to see the pics from Nick, especially the one of Tony get brickhoused at home by Bob...
* Anthony, we can get you some shades. Thanks for coming out!
See you after the Xmas thing, same time same place:
Happy Solstice everybody,
S. Paige
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
December 6th, 2009- Balboa Park
Pitchers' duel
A low-scoring game in which the starting pitchers on both teams allow few hits and at most one or two runs.
So if ever there was a good description of a game this is it, although he way the game started, I wouldn’t have thought it would have been anywhere close. We had 20, by the time the Johnny come lately’s straggled in, and we set our sights on getting one more game before the winter officially descended. Satch started for the homers and promptly game up a leadoff triple to Bob, which was hit with such authority; if I didn’t know better I would have thought he knew I was going to hang a curveball to him. Bob, winded on third, was smiling big. Chris bashed another pitch to left, and made it to second. Sean sent a low hanging line drive that seemed destined for the third extra base hit in a row. But Gaspar, racing in, snatched it just above the turf, and then winged it into second to double off Chris who had scored by the time he realized the ball had been caught. The homers narrowly escaped the inning with only a run against them, 1-0.
However, Sean was dealing all day, and we went down with only one hit/error in our half of the 1st. And thus, the duel began. Sean overpowered us all day, we started to count the strikeouts and once we reached 10, we decided it was easier to just say he was a having a great day and leave it at that. Satch came back with a lot of guile, the knuckleball was hiccupping well in the heavy wet air, and we got out of a lot of tight spots with some clutch plays, including an "infield in" play at the plate. In the third, Tony got on, stole second, went to third on a pass ball, and Satch drove him in with a fielder’s choice up the middle. 1-1.
And it stayed like that. Through rain, hail, wind, and sun again. The outfielders shivering in the wet grass, infielders taking the ball in the painful palm of the glove, but still making the play. Gaspar, who had been traded after the first to the visitor’s team, ended up being the defensive player of the game, with a score of plays at third on hard hit groundballs, which snuffed every chance of rally we could muster. The K’s mounted, neither team willing to give in. We found ourselves facing another man on third, infield in situation, but this time Chris was the runner, and the groundball to Tony seemed tailor-made, the throw got there in time, and Greg got the tag on him. Only one thing was missing, the ball. It sat quietly behind the dish, just mocking us.
A nail biter of a 8th led to the last chance in the 9th, Sean and Satch still battling, neither willing to go until the contest was complete. Bottom of the 9th, Greg and Tony both get on, although only by the grace of God, as Chris had a chance at a perfect double play, the wet ball finally giving us a break. Satch strode the plate, confidence was high. So was the fly ball I hit to short center…. Greg, sensing our chances were becoming slim and few, tagged and raced for third. Stoner, catching the ball, winged it into third. Greg barely beat the throw (and should have been sliding), but then ran over the bag and past the tag, only to be tagged out trying to dive back to the bag. No one seemed to want it to end, but the next storm cloud was well overhead, and it was a carwash by the time we all got home, perhaps the final game of 2009 in the books, a classic contest, a team effort on both sides, and the best way to spend a Sunday.
Highlights:
• Bob, again with the bat, and throws out Cagle at second base, and it’s all on film!
• Sean, amazing performance, completely dominating, and a couple of fierce at bats as well.
• Struck out at least 3 with the knuckleball, perfect weather for it
• Some close plays at 1st, nice work getting the ball, and holding on to it
• Thanks to Nero for coming out with a bum wheel, and playing anyway!
• Satch made a nifty dive and catch on a infield pop up destined for no man’s land, scratched up my arm and leg pretty good too, something to brag about over the holidays
• Greg caught the whole game, nice work! Bob and Adam did a stellar job as well, nice to see Adam behind the dish again.
• Solid knock-it-down defense the whole game, it is great when the defenses are balanced
• Ben, Elvin, Vic, and Anthony, thanks for keeping up the attendance, and Stoner’s new guy, although we were worried his camera was going to get foul tipped
• The mad scramble of cops at 2:30 was weird, never seen a cop move that fast. Some sergeant in the Ingleside took a bullet fragment, and they swarmed. Kid who was arrested just got off a murder rap…
• If anyone buys pine tar over the break, make sure it’s the good stuff that smells like pine tar, not like weird chemicals, that new shit is terrible. And yes, there is a difference.
• New favorite BNB quote, “ I’m not going to talk to you about winning…I’m gonna talk to you about losing…Because if you lose this game…each and every one of you...is going have to live with that…you are about the best team I ever coached.”
Stay loose, stay dry, oil the glove and pray for sun,
S. Paige
The Video's
1. Caught Stealing ( I want everyone to watch where Bob's glove goes on that called strike....hahahahahaha, and well, what can we say Bob, you nailed that fucker! Showoff....
2. Big stick strikes out. Sorry Tony, think of it as a learning tool.
3. Chris takes Satch "deep drive."
4. Shitty Satch popup
5. I walk Sean, and then get him to swing at a knuckleball....I'm a dick....
6. Cagle Slash Bunts! I love it, always loved the slash bunt....the error helps....
7. The Big Stick gets caught leaning too, man...
A low-scoring game in which the starting pitchers on both teams allow few hits and at most one or two runs.
So if ever there was a good description of a game this is it, although he way the game started, I wouldn’t have thought it would have been anywhere close. We had 20, by the time the Johnny come lately’s straggled in, and we set our sights on getting one more game before the winter officially descended. Satch started for the homers and promptly game up a leadoff triple to Bob, which was hit with such authority; if I didn’t know better I would have thought he knew I was going to hang a curveball to him. Bob, winded on third, was smiling big. Chris bashed another pitch to left, and made it to second. Sean sent a low hanging line drive that seemed destined for the third extra base hit in a row. But Gaspar, racing in, snatched it just above the turf, and then winged it into second to double off Chris who had scored by the time he realized the ball had been caught. The homers narrowly escaped the inning with only a run against them, 1-0.
However, Sean was dealing all day, and we went down with only one hit/error in our half of the 1st. And thus, the duel began. Sean overpowered us all day, we started to count the strikeouts and once we reached 10, we decided it was easier to just say he was a having a great day and leave it at that. Satch came back with a lot of guile, the knuckleball was hiccupping well in the heavy wet air, and we got out of a lot of tight spots with some clutch plays, including an "infield in" play at the plate. In the third, Tony got on, stole second, went to third on a pass ball, and Satch drove him in with a fielder’s choice up the middle. 1-1.
And it stayed like that. Through rain, hail, wind, and sun again. The outfielders shivering in the wet grass, infielders taking the ball in the painful palm of the glove, but still making the play. Gaspar, who had been traded after the first to the visitor’s team, ended up being the defensive player of the game, with a score of plays at third on hard hit groundballs, which snuffed every chance of rally we could muster. The K’s mounted, neither team willing to give in. We found ourselves facing another man on third, infield in situation, but this time Chris was the runner, and the groundball to Tony seemed tailor-made, the throw got there in time, and Greg got the tag on him. Only one thing was missing, the ball. It sat quietly behind the dish, just mocking us.
A nail biter of a 8th led to the last chance in the 9th, Sean and Satch still battling, neither willing to go until the contest was complete. Bottom of the 9th, Greg and Tony both get on, although only by the grace of God, as Chris had a chance at a perfect double play, the wet ball finally giving us a break. Satch strode the plate, confidence was high. So was the fly ball I hit to short center…. Greg, sensing our chances were becoming slim and few, tagged and raced for third. Stoner, catching the ball, winged it into third. Greg barely beat the throw (and should have been sliding), but then ran over the bag and past the tag, only to be tagged out trying to dive back to the bag. No one seemed to want it to end, but the next storm cloud was well overhead, and it was a carwash by the time we all got home, perhaps the final game of 2009 in the books, a classic contest, a team effort on both sides, and the best way to spend a Sunday.
Highlights:
• Bob, again with the bat, and throws out Cagle at second base, and it’s all on film!
• Sean, amazing performance, completely dominating, and a couple of fierce at bats as well.
• Struck out at least 3 with the knuckleball, perfect weather for it
• Some close plays at 1st, nice work getting the ball, and holding on to it
• Thanks to Nero for coming out with a bum wheel, and playing anyway!
• Satch made a nifty dive and catch on a infield pop up destined for no man’s land, scratched up my arm and leg pretty good too, something to brag about over the holidays
• Greg caught the whole game, nice work! Bob and Adam did a stellar job as well, nice to see Adam behind the dish again.
• Solid knock-it-down defense the whole game, it is great when the defenses are balanced
• Ben, Elvin, Vic, and Anthony, thanks for keeping up the attendance, and Stoner’s new guy, although we were worried his camera was going to get foul tipped
• The mad scramble of cops at 2:30 was weird, never seen a cop move that fast. Some sergeant in the Ingleside took a bullet fragment, and they swarmed. Kid who was arrested just got off a murder rap…
• If anyone buys pine tar over the break, make sure it’s the good stuff that smells like pine tar, not like weird chemicals, that new shit is terrible. And yes, there is a difference.
• New favorite BNB quote, “ I’m not going to talk to you about winning…I’m gonna talk to you about losing…Because if you lose this game…each and every one of you...is going have to live with that…you are about the best team I ever coached.”
Stay loose, stay dry, oil the glove and pray for sun,
S. Paige
The Video's
1. Caught Stealing ( I want everyone to watch where Bob's glove goes on that called strike....hahahahahaha, and well, what can we say Bob, you nailed that fucker! Showoff....
2. Big stick strikes out. Sorry Tony, think of it as a learning tool.
3. Chris takes Satch "deep drive."
4. Shitty Satch popup
5. I walk Sean, and then get him to swing at a knuckleball....I'm a dick....
6. Cagle Slash Bunts! I love it, always loved the slash bunt....the error helps....
7. The Big Stick gets caught leaning too, man...
Monday, November 30, 2009
November 29, 2009: Balboa Park
Heavy in turkey, gravy, liquor and other things of vice, the game was surprisingly quick and sharp...well mostly. 20 solid players, another amazing day, and solid pitching by Dustin and Sean, and a extra inning before the sun set at 4:30 (damn it gets dark early).
Holidays are the great, but man do they take it out of ya, Satch was running on ethanol, stuffing reserves and stale sunflower seeds by the end, but it was a good game. Sean and Dustin both pitched great ball, and the score was close, 1-0, 1-1 through the first couple. Mitch manufactured the first run doing what Mitch does well, which is leg out balls, steal bases and run hard.
A slightly better hitting team and some costly errors brought visitors out front to 3-1 ( or 4, never did resolve that extra run)and then at some point in the 4th or 5th, the wheels came completely off, added insult to injury and by the time anyone could figure it, the score was in the 12-1 range. Sean missed being hit at least three times on comebackers, and we had two groups of three singles that went to the exact same place. The homers could not get a clean play, and the runs just kept coming.
In the visitors corner, we relied on Dustin's hungover magic and TWO nifty pickoff plays at second courtesy of Satch and Dustin. Both killed the runner in scoring position and gave us two outs, and might have been the difference in a closer game.
The game out of bounds, we all loosened up and enjoyed the remaining light, played an extra inning with Greg and Satch coming in for the 10 inning and were headed to the showers before the cold settled in.
Highlights:
* Dustin, great pitching. Hitting, not so much...
* Elias steals home, and damn near beat the ball to the plate, wasn't even close.
* Tony had some nice plays at short, knocked down the tough hops.
* Beautiful double play by the home team
* Tim steals third standing.
* Bob hit and hustled his heart out
* One of our balls is still lodged in the top of fence. No one wanted to climb the 80 foot fence to retrieve it
* Both pitchers and catchers made some nice plays around the dish
* JT made a long run and snagged a good foul ball for a crucial out
* Thanks to everyone who caught, it was a team effort on both sides
* Lattig played center field like a champ, playing each batter right where he should (goddammit....)
* Greg struck out on a knuckleball, Greg struck out on a knuckleball.....
* Even though Tony would argue, I don't think that the home team got hosed on any calls
* Doc got a hit, and scored! ( and almost wrecked coming into third)
Thanks to everyone who came out and made sure that we took advantage of these last days before the monsoon season.
Next week, same place same time
S. Paige
Holidays are the great, but man do they take it out of ya, Satch was running on ethanol, stuffing reserves and stale sunflower seeds by the end, but it was a good game. Sean and Dustin both pitched great ball, and the score was close, 1-0, 1-1 through the first couple. Mitch manufactured the first run doing what Mitch does well, which is leg out balls, steal bases and run hard.
A slightly better hitting team and some costly errors brought visitors out front to 3-1 ( or 4, never did resolve that extra run)and then at some point in the 4th or 5th, the wheels came completely off, added insult to injury and by the time anyone could figure it, the score was in the 12-1 range. Sean missed being hit at least three times on comebackers, and we had two groups of three singles that went to the exact same place. The homers could not get a clean play, and the runs just kept coming.
In the visitors corner, we relied on Dustin's hungover magic and TWO nifty pickoff plays at second courtesy of Satch and Dustin. Both killed the runner in scoring position and gave us two outs, and might have been the difference in a closer game.
The game out of bounds, we all loosened up and enjoyed the remaining light, played an extra inning with Greg and Satch coming in for the 10 inning and were headed to the showers before the cold settled in.
Highlights:
* Dustin, great pitching. Hitting, not so much...
* Elias steals home, and damn near beat the ball to the plate, wasn't even close.
* Tony had some nice plays at short, knocked down the tough hops.
* Beautiful double play by the home team
* Tim steals third standing.
* Bob hit and hustled his heart out
* One of our balls is still lodged in the top of fence. No one wanted to climb the 80 foot fence to retrieve it
* Both pitchers and catchers made some nice plays around the dish
* JT made a long run and snagged a good foul ball for a crucial out
* Thanks to everyone who caught, it was a team effort on both sides
* Lattig played center field like a champ, playing each batter right where he should (goddammit....)
* Greg struck out on a knuckleball, Greg struck out on a knuckleball.....
* Even though Tony would argue, I don't think that the home team got hosed on any calls
* Doc got a hit, and scored! ( and almost wrecked coming into third)
Thanks to everyone who came out and made sure that we took advantage of these last days before the monsoon season.
Next week, same place same time
S. Paige
November 22, 2009- Moscone
It was a tough one, at first, and we started the game with 13, doing the Caracas 6, borrow two, two outfielders. And not too bad frankly, then Sean and Zach showed up and made the whole thing legit.
Satch started on the bump, did alright, thanks to a newly crafted infield at Moscone which made a huge difference. No more falling off the mound on the follow through. And talk about true hops, that is one terrific redo.
But the story was not with the field, it was with Greg's arm, which gave up one hit in the first and then settled down and did not give up another until 9th, an amazing pitching performance. It was doubly amazing that Greg has not pitched in a while, and all of sudden he throws this gem.
Backing his play were some great defensive plays, and it was his game all the way. I had to leave in the 7th to go to a sound check (which was a waste of time...)so I missed the exciting conclusion. Once again, Greg was the center of the action, and so it is only fitting that he tell it:
Leading off the 8th Zack hits a ground ball to short that bounces off a sprinkler head then steals second. Next batter hits a
weak nubber that I proceed to throw down the first base line, one run
in. Sac fly for run 2. With the shut out gone, Sean comes in for a
clean save. We tack on a few off Rojas with the standard help from his
defense. Although Sean did launch a long homerun. Final score about
8-2.
So that's how it finished, amazing day.
Highlights:
* Greg gets it all this week. Congratulations
Satch started on the bump, did alright, thanks to a newly crafted infield at Moscone which made a huge difference. No more falling off the mound on the follow through. And talk about true hops, that is one terrific redo.
But the story was not with the field, it was with Greg's arm, which gave up one hit in the first and then settled down and did not give up another until 9th, an amazing pitching performance. It was doubly amazing that Greg has not pitched in a while, and all of sudden he throws this gem.
Backing his play were some great defensive plays, and it was his game all the way. I had to leave in the 7th to go to a sound check (which was a waste of time...)so I missed the exciting conclusion. Once again, Greg was the center of the action, and so it is only fitting that he tell it:
Leading off the 8th Zack hits a ground ball to short that bounces off a sprinkler head then steals second. Next batter hits a
weak nubber that I proceed to throw down the first base line, one run
in. Sac fly for run 2. With the shut out gone, Sean comes in for a
clean save. We tack on a few off Rojas with the standard help from his
defense. Although Sean did launch a long homerun. Final score about
8-2.
So that's how it finished, amazing day.
Highlights:
* Greg gets it all this week. Congratulations
Monday, November 16, 2009
November 15, 2009, West Sunset
Teetering on a birthday hangover cliff but excited because it was the one weekend I couldn't get in trouble for playing ball. That was my feeling as I stepped on to the field for Sunday's game.
Another clear, autumn day, brisk enough for sleeves, sunny enough that no one felt the chill. 20 people showed, and when the teams split, we noticed immediately that something was not going to work in the formula. The home team had all the power, most of the defense, and pitching and catching to spare. But we gave it a shot. And true to our initial fears, after the 1st inning the score was 9-0. The home team was walking around the bases, not legging out triples, and in general no one was having fun. Amazingly, all but two of those first runs came with two outs, it had to be the longest two out rally I have ever been a part of. Noah kept dancing, as one ball fell after another, and Tim's voice got hoarse repeating the phrase "Two outs!".
We brought in the MBC and traded Satch and Greg to the visitors team, for pitching and catching depth as well as some bat power. New guy Edwin and Dennis "white legs" went to the homers. It was still lopsided, but at least it wasn't going to be a massacre. Noah kept hurling for the visitors, and Floppy Pockets kept it up for the homers, only with a 0-0 score.
It see-sawed for a bit, and we had the lead for a bit, but Sean was throwing fire all day, striking out pretty much everybody, and we never could get more than a run at a time. By the time the sun started to be a factor, the game was again getting ugly, as Noah was blinded by the rays, and killed by the gorked ball. There was easily 6 infield hits in one inning, and when it wasn't that, it was doubles off the wall. Tough choices.
Satch came in as long relief, and the defense settled down, but by then the score was 11-4, and Sean showed no sign of letting up. Dusk came early and suddenly, and we capitalized on a pitching change and the lack of good light to score some runs, but in the end it wasn't enough, and the homers took the prize in a final of 11-8.
Highlights
* Bob as a leadoff hitter? And then he never leaned into one....
* Sean was dealing, and throwing the wood around as well
* The pitcher in our league is expected to catch pop flys, he is in the best position, and frankly when its your arm, you want to have only yourself to blame if it gets dropped.
* Same goes for pitcher as the cutoff, and this time it worked, catching Tony off of third, when we really needed an out.
* Lattig was 7-8 at least
* The Gaspar shift worked perfectly when we really needed it to
* I don't really want to point this out, but I think Noah might have given up 19 runs this Sunday, which has to be some sort of record, they were in two games technically, but still, pretty damn amazing, Congrats Noah! Way to battle!
* Ben almost had an amazing double play, but we were happy to get the lead runner!
* A play at the home, with the infield in, haven't seen it actually work in a long time, Elias to Gaspar, to get the sliding Dustin at the dish!
* Dennis has been trying to hit to the opposite field for 6 years apparently, and he did, a double. Congratulations!....
* Nasty knuckleball for a strike. Always nice when that happens.
* Almost had Lattig on a foul tip strike 3. That one will haunt me for a while
* Vic is the new base stealing weapon, not only did he get on base a lot, but he is quick as hell. Too bad none of us could bat him in....
* We sat on the third base side for the first time in a long while. The regular dugout was a swamp, a foreboding sign of winter, error in design, or broken sprinkler? In any case, it was different, and Gaspar almost killer Tony with a foul ball.
* Nero had some clutch plays at third, as did Ben at second
Game next week at Moscone, someone pay attention, I'll be laying down melodies at the Rite Spot.
S. Paige
Another clear, autumn day, brisk enough for sleeves, sunny enough that no one felt the chill. 20 people showed, and when the teams split, we noticed immediately that something was not going to work in the formula. The home team had all the power, most of the defense, and pitching and catching to spare. But we gave it a shot. And true to our initial fears, after the 1st inning the score was 9-0. The home team was walking around the bases, not legging out triples, and in general no one was having fun. Amazingly, all but two of those first runs came with two outs, it had to be the longest two out rally I have ever been a part of. Noah kept dancing, as one ball fell after another, and Tim's voice got hoarse repeating the phrase "Two outs!".
We brought in the MBC and traded Satch and Greg to the visitors team, for pitching and catching depth as well as some bat power. New guy Edwin and Dennis "white legs" went to the homers. It was still lopsided, but at least it wasn't going to be a massacre. Noah kept hurling for the visitors, and Floppy Pockets kept it up for the homers, only with a 0-0 score.
It see-sawed for a bit, and we had the lead for a bit, but Sean was throwing fire all day, striking out pretty much everybody, and we never could get more than a run at a time. By the time the sun started to be a factor, the game was again getting ugly, as Noah was blinded by the rays, and killed by the gorked ball. There was easily 6 infield hits in one inning, and when it wasn't that, it was doubles off the wall. Tough choices.
Satch came in as long relief, and the defense settled down, but by then the score was 11-4, and Sean showed no sign of letting up. Dusk came early and suddenly, and we capitalized on a pitching change and the lack of good light to score some runs, but in the end it wasn't enough, and the homers took the prize in a final of 11-8.
Highlights
* Bob as a leadoff hitter? And then he never leaned into one....
* Sean was dealing, and throwing the wood around as well
* The pitcher in our league is expected to catch pop flys, he is in the best position, and frankly when its your arm, you want to have only yourself to blame if it gets dropped.
* Same goes for pitcher as the cutoff, and this time it worked, catching Tony off of third, when we really needed an out.
* Lattig was 7-8 at least
* The Gaspar shift worked perfectly when we really needed it to
* I don't really want to point this out, but I think Noah might have given up 19 runs this Sunday, which has to be some sort of record, they were in two games technically, but still, pretty damn amazing, Congrats Noah! Way to battle!
* Ben almost had an amazing double play, but we were happy to get the lead runner!
* A play at the home, with the infield in, haven't seen it actually work in a long time, Elias to Gaspar, to get the sliding Dustin at the dish!
* Dennis has been trying to hit to the opposite field for 6 years apparently, and he did, a double. Congratulations!....
* Nasty knuckleball for a strike. Always nice when that happens.
* Almost had Lattig on a foul tip strike 3. That one will haunt me for a while
* Vic is the new base stealing weapon, not only did he get on base a lot, but he is quick as hell. Too bad none of us could bat him in....
* We sat on the third base side for the first time in a long while. The regular dugout was a swamp, a foreboding sign of winter, error in design, or broken sprinkler? In any case, it was different, and Gaspar almost killer Tony with a foul ball.
* Nero had some clutch plays at third, as did Ben at second
Game next week at Moscone, someone pay attention, I'll be laying down melodies at the Rite Spot.
S. Paige
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November 8, 2009- West Sunset
What a day for a game. With the rain on Friday, the field was watered and ready to go by Sunday, and we had a plethora of players, some 25 raring to get another game in before the impending winter comes for real. The teams were a bit more broken up from last week, but the core of the home squad still had the old guard, of Greg, Tony, Brian, Lattig, and Johnny who started the game on the bump. A rough couple of innings, but Johnny settled down and started getting the outs he was pitching for.
Satch started for the visiting team, and the bowling the night before must have helped to zero in the eye hand coordination, because I was getting the ball just where I wanted. Vitali asked me at one point if I was getting squeezed by the catcher, and I was happy to say No, that I meant to put the ball just off the plate. Relying heavily on the changeup and the occasional fastball/slurve, Satch had some great sub- 9 pitch innings, which is a great feeling. Also I had some solid defense behind me, although with 13 guys, it was a complete crap shoot every inning as to who was where.
The game started off 2-0, progressed to 6-0, (although one of my own teammates apparently broke up my shut out when asked what the score was, saying it was 6-1). Then it was 6-4, on a bases clearing triple (misplayed sun ball…) then it was 8-4. Just when the homers would get a little something going, we would come back with a scorcher and take the lead back. Not too many errors seemed to be the motto of the team that would prevail, and as the sun set in the west, and the glare got bad, we kept the ball out of right, and on the ground.
With so many people, and everyone having a good time, we lost track of the score, and it was debatable whether it was 10-7 or 11-7 (I think it was 11, an rbi single past Greg to score Vitali, and then Noah and myself scored later), but we settled for 10-7. Noah came in for the long relief for the visitors, and did an amazing job with his slow curves and inside out pitches. The homers smelled comeback and sharpened their teeth, and with some well placed hits, we had a 1 run game on our hands.
Bottom of the ninth, the visitors knocked the ball down, got the outs we needed and secured the victory….but wait, it was still light, and we had a surplus of players, so we threw an extra inning in for fun, giving the homers another chance at glory, but home squad victory was not to be, and in the enveloping dark we bade farewell to another glorious baseball game.
Highlights:
• Tracy, a new guy, made an amazing catch in left field to rob Johnny of a sure triple, not bad for his first time out!
• Didn’t kill Greg with the comebacker, that was good
• We did some backing up this week, fundamentals….
• Tony was smooth as silk around the infield, with one bad hop exception
• Lattig taking my changeup deep, thanks god I claimed Mitch on my team early!
• Tony plugging Mitch on a 0-2 pitch, who wore it, then got a hit, stole two bases and then scored. That is what you get for getting Mitch agitated
• Nero had a two run double
• I kept Sean off balance all day, that was a nice feeling
• Zach played a solid right field in the sun, and had a monster hit to left
• Vitali with a ground ball up the middle, caught the ball while standing on second, then on to first for a double play, after hitting a triple in the first
• Vic, Ben and Elvin are quickly becoming reliable additions
• Nick Kinsey out for the first time in a while!
• Almost got Lattig on a tag up play at 2nd
• Elias being honest about not getting a runner at third, it is nice to see that truth above winning is still rampant in the MBC
• Chris had another great catch in short center field, after a long run from SS
* Johnny has a show this weekend with THE BARBARY COASTERS, Friday and Saturday! We also have a birthday show at the Elks lodge, come on by and wish Satch a happy birthday, I am 138 this year!
Stay away rain,
S. Paige
Satch started for the visiting team, and the bowling the night before must have helped to zero in the eye hand coordination, because I was getting the ball just where I wanted. Vitali asked me at one point if I was getting squeezed by the catcher, and I was happy to say No, that I meant to put the ball just off the plate. Relying heavily on the changeup and the occasional fastball/slurve, Satch had some great sub- 9 pitch innings, which is a great feeling. Also I had some solid defense behind me, although with 13 guys, it was a complete crap shoot every inning as to who was where.
The game started off 2-0, progressed to 6-0, (although one of my own teammates apparently broke up my shut out when asked what the score was, saying it was 6-1). Then it was 6-4, on a bases clearing triple (misplayed sun ball…) then it was 8-4. Just when the homers would get a little something going, we would come back with a scorcher and take the lead back. Not too many errors seemed to be the motto of the team that would prevail, and as the sun set in the west, and the glare got bad, we kept the ball out of right, and on the ground.
With so many people, and everyone having a good time, we lost track of the score, and it was debatable whether it was 10-7 or 11-7 (I think it was 11, an rbi single past Greg to score Vitali, and then Noah and myself scored later), but we settled for 10-7. Noah came in for the long relief for the visitors, and did an amazing job with his slow curves and inside out pitches. The homers smelled comeback and sharpened their teeth, and with some well placed hits, we had a 1 run game on our hands.
Bottom of the ninth, the visitors knocked the ball down, got the outs we needed and secured the victory….but wait, it was still light, and we had a surplus of players, so we threw an extra inning in for fun, giving the homers another chance at glory, but home squad victory was not to be, and in the enveloping dark we bade farewell to another glorious baseball game.
Highlights:
• Tracy, a new guy, made an amazing catch in left field to rob Johnny of a sure triple, not bad for his first time out!
• Didn’t kill Greg with the comebacker, that was good
• We did some backing up this week, fundamentals….
• Tony was smooth as silk around the infield, with one bad hop exception
• Lattig taking my changeup deep, thanks god I claimed Mitch on my team early!
• Tony plugging Mitch on a 0-2 pitch, who wore it, then got a hit, stole two bases and then scored. That is what you get for getting Mitch agitated
• Nero had a two run double
• I kept Sean off balance all day, that was a nice feeling
• Zach played a solid right field in the sun, and had a monster hit to left
• Vitali with a ground ball up the middle, caught the ball while standing on second, then on to first for a double play, after hitting a triple in the first
• Vic, Ben and Elvin are quickly becoming reliable additions
• Nick Kinsey out for the first time in a while!
• Almost got Lattig on a tag up play at 2nd
• Elias being honest about not getting a runner at third, it is nice to see that truth above winning is still rampant in the MBC
• Chris had another great catch in short center field, after a long run from SS
* Johnny has a show this weekend with THE BARBARY COASTERS, Friday and Saturday! We also have a birthday show at the Elks lodge, come on by and wish Satch a happy birthday, I am 138 this year!
Stay away rain,
S. Paige
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
November 1, 2009- Balboa Park
A late inning change during the week due to the Bay Bridge closure brought us to Balboa park and a late start of 3 on the day that time changed. Needless to say we were a little worried about attendance and light for the game, but we were pleasantly surprised by a full squad with a couple of extras, and just enough light to finish a game (well, 8 innings). The mound was redone, with nice clay, which made for a nice change, and the grass while being hard and a little treacherous in the infield, was mushy and slow in the outfield. With the influx of new guys, the teams actually ended up being a pretty even split of the new guard versus the old. The exception being Stoner, who gets one week a month away from daddy duty and the pitching battery of Dustin and Noah who have been old guys for a while, but took the helm of the visiting squad. We traded away our new guy for Nick Smith just to make the teams right and got to work. We worked out a pitching rotation that favored everyone’s sore bodies and ensured that no one had to throw more than they needed to.
Sean, the intrepid lefty began and after his stated two innings of work, he wanted to keep going, since he hadn’t had a workout yet. We let him do it, cautiously though, capping his at 4 innings. The game started out low scoring, 1-0, 2-0, 2-1…. We old home guys (and I know some of you are thinking, Who does this young whippersnapper think he is) were just biding our time, waiting for the right moment to strike. And our moment came in the third, as we tacked on five runs, some through the bat of Chris (who I think had three doubles), some through great situational play like Brian Cagle’s bunt, and some through old fashioned shitty fielding like we have every week. Dustin took it on the chin (and took the Jameson to the gut), and if us veterans hadn’t seen it so many times before we might have had some pity. It’s tough to get the ground ball you want and watch it turn into an RBI double. Fundamentals… that is how you win games.
Noah took over the hurling duties in the 6th and settled into dead ball pitching, his specialty. Satch came in for the 5th, 6th and 7th, feeling better than last week, and used a lot of breaking balls and a few wicked knuckle balls to get out of some jams, the best being a bases loaded, no outs situation. The visitors scored a few more and (I think) so did we, but the decision was made that the score was 7-4, which gave the possibility of excitement and late inning heroics. Greg (our newly anointed bridegroom!) took the mound in the 8th to secure out victory, and while the visitors started to smell the blood in the water, the rally was stopped and ended with a pretty scoop from none other than featured player, Adam Pfhaler. The moon hung in the purple dusk; we gathered the gear, enjoyed the humid Indian summer and left the park, each knowing that few in the City had a better Sunday than us.
Highlights:
• Congratulations to Jen and Greg, I hope you know that marriage is a big commitment, and that you are ready for this:)
• The return of Bob, glad to hear that John won his early game, and made it possible to make an appearance. Bob’s got steaks for sale too, if you are interested, email him.
• Glad no one was injured by the bad hops, of which there were many
• Dustin got two really nasty knuckleballs, if only I could do it on a regular basis.
• All of the new guys that came out, thanks a bunch and keep on coming out!
• Catching foul balls is one of the biggest plays you can make!
• The double play that the homers made to get out of the bases loaded jam
• Tony, complaining about not getting any ground balls, promptly got one and it went right past him (ok, it was a bad hop, and we are glad you are alright)
• Nero, another recent profiled player, making some much needed plays in center field
• Stoner’s over exuberance and competitive spirit were in full effect, remember it still doesn’t matter who wins and loses, as long as we all have a good time….
• We should bunt more, as a rule, use the inside game, it is an important aspect
• We had a lot of loud hits as well as a lot of loud outs.
Enjoy the summer weather, we know it won’t be here for too long.
S. Paige
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Player Profile #14- Adam Pfhaler
Adam is a can do kind of guy. Enthusiasm and positivity are just how the guy operates, his modus operandi if you will. And he is a damn good ball player, he can play first, catcher, anything but pitcher I think. And sure, I might have said that about a lot of guys on this blog, but few do it in such easy style. Adam is one of the better ass savers at first base, I don’t know how many times I have gotten a ground ball, had plenty of time to throw, and then spaghetti armed the thing into the dirt, only to have Adam pluck it like a grape from a ripe bunch.
At bat, Adam can be very deceiving, there are times when you can get him to swing at the most god-awful pitches, and think you are getting away with something, and then he rips a line drive back at your head. Adam prefers the wood bats, and he buys the fancy ones that are guaranteed not to break, which they do anyway. He also is responsible for our fancy real bases, which he thought we needed one day so he got them. That’s what I am talking about when I say can do kind of attitude!
Although he has cooled a bit as of late, Adam used to be one of the more hot tempered competitive players we had. I heard rumors that Adam once won the Worst Sportsman award for the MBC. I don’t know why we don’t do awards ceremonies more often…He and Richard used to break a lot of helmets, I remember that much.
And who can forget that he has the cutest family in the world, who love to come out and cheer him on, or even join in the game from time to time!
We missed Adam for a long time, due to shoulder injuries, which seem to be resolving themselves finally. It must have been all those years beating the skins in the most famous DIY punk band of all time, Electric Light Orchestra….no wait….Jawbreaker. Adam has continued to support those who fancy themselves as musicians, by allowing drunken hillbillies to play his video store from time to time, which we sure do appreciate.
Unfortunately Adam became the object lesson at a San Quentin game this past year, when a prison guard (who apparently is a real asshole) rejected Adam from entering because his driver’s license was expired. Word to the wise, don’t give the guards an opening or they will exploit it (feel free to make as many prison rape jokes as you want here). Major bummer to have him get that close and then be sent back to the parking lot, for him and us.
Anyway, Adam brings a full tool kit to the MBC game, his skills on the diamond aside, he is a genuinely good person, cheerful and competitive, and chock full of movie trivia, including being able to quote Bad News Bears from titles to credits (You don’t believe me, Ask Ogilvie!). And remember you can rent a huge selection of great titles, and hard to find videos at:
Lost Weekend Video, 1034 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110, (415) 643-3373.
My boys play clean, hard baseball,
S. Paige
Monday, October 26, 2009
10/25/09- West Sunset
Well, you could not have ordered up a more beautiful day, not a puff of a breeze, no clouds in the sky, the sun bright and clear (too bright some might have said in the outfield). In a curious twist, we had 15 guys out there and no equipment or Greg, which started to worry us, but Greg was just not paying attention, and when he and the gear showed up, we dropped the bases and got the game rolling with 17 sturdy souls.
Sean, back on the hill again started for the visitors, and Satch got the call for the homers. Infields for both sides seemed to have a case of the dropsies and we booted more balls then we caught early on. Runs were scored, it was 2-1, then 3-2, Sean retired and new guy Zach came in to pitch, finding the plate easily and favoring the knuckleball. We were short on catchers and pitchers, thanks to V, Greg, Mitch and Adam for wearing the gear and getting us through. We had a quite a few loud hits over the course of the game, which was good to see, even if most of them were off Satch.
Somewhere along the way, the game busted open and the homers took a strong 8-4 lead, which was then completely demolished and tied up 8-8. Satch was nursing a colossal weekend hangover, and the usual aches and pains, but managed to throw 7, ending strong with a couple of strikeouts to preserve the tie. Meanwhile Mitch and V had their turns on the mound for the visitors. As the sun lowered in the sky, it became impossible for the center and right fielders to see the ball, and we had a lot of loopers. Kudos to everyone who braved the sun and didn’t get knocked in the beezer.
Greg took over the pitching in the 8th and 9th, and did well, inducing the groundballs we needed. In the end, the homers managed to score a couple of runs, and the game ended in a 10-8 victory for the home squad.
Highlights:
• Lots of new faces out there, Zach, Elias, Elvin?, Ben? good to know that we are not completely without new blood to replace the old
• Mike Lattig making one of the most amazing running catches in center that I have ever seen, truly astonishing.
• Satch hit 3 people, Nick Smith, who absorbs the brunt when Bob is gone, Mitch and Elias. They were all knuckleballs, or at least were supposed to be
• Tony for playing with a hip injury
• Chris for proving that he is human after all, not that we don’t like being amazed by your range, but it’s good to know that you can have an off day like the rest of us. Although that being said, he made an amazing basket catch in center field, mysteriously he was playing shortstop at the time….saved my ass!
• Mitch the competitor showed up, flashing a bit of the old ginger
• Zerbes again, hopefully the beginning of a long streak
• There was a very nice play on a foul ball in the 9th inning, but it was probably dumb luck
• Satch had one of the worst base running episodes that has ever been viewed, and was only saved from complete humiliation by performing an intricate sliding maneuver.
• The strains of ‘60s rock that wafted through the air from some Woodstock Anniversary thing in GGP
* Adam had a couple of monster hits, and we all know that it was the Bad News Bears wristband...why do we not all have those?
• New guy Zach hit a ball a very long way, very long.
• Craig looking sharp in his new baseball outfit, and promptly cranking some balls, and playing solid 2nd base (we are starting a collection to buy Sean something new to wear).
• Thanks to everyone who gave money to Nick for the permits, we need to make sure we are up to date on the bills, since Bob and Nick are heading up the Permit shuffle.
See you next week, ice those arms, and oil those gloves, winter will be here eventually.
S. Paige
Sean, back on the hill again started for the visitors, and Satch got the call for the homers. Infields for both sides seemed to have a case of the dropsies and we booted more balls then we caught early on. Runs were scored, it was 2-1, then 3-2, Sean retired and new guy Zach came in to pitch, finding the plate easily and favoring the knuckleball. We were short on catchers and pitchers, thanks to V, Greg, Mitch and Adam for wearing the gear and getting us through. We had a quite a few loud hits over the course of the game, which was good to see, even if most of them were off Satch.
Somewhere along the way, the game busted open and the homers took a strong 8-4 lead, which was then completely demolished and tied up 8-8. Satch was nursing a colossal weekend hangover, and the usual aches and pains, but managed to throw 7, ending strong with a couple of strikeouts to preserve the tie. Meanwhile Mitch and V had their turns on the mound for the visitors. As the sun lowered in the sky, it became impossible for the center and right fielders to see the ball, and we had a lot of loopers. Kudos to everyone who braved the sun and didn’t get knocked in the beezer.
Greg took over the pitching in the 8th and 9th, and did well, inducing the groundballs we needed. In the end, the homers managed to score a couple of runs, and the game ended in a 10-8 victory for the home squad.
Highlights:
• Lots of new faces out there, Zach, Elias, Elvin?, Ben? good to know that we are not completely without new blood to replace the old
• Mike Lattig making one of the most amazing running catches in center that I have ever seen, truly astonishing.
• Satch hit 3 people, Nick Smith, who absorbs the brunt when Bob is gone, Mitch and Elias. They were all knuckleballs, or at least were supposed to be
• Tony for playing with a hip injury
• Chris for proving that he is human after all, not that we don’t like being amazed by your range, but it’s good to know that you can have an off day like the rest of us. Although that being said, he made an amazing basket catch in center field, mysteriously he was playing shortstop at the time….saved my ass!
• Mitch the competitor showed up, flashing a bit of the old ginger
• Zerbes again, hopefully the beginning of a long streak
• There was a very nice play on a foul ball in the 9th inning, but it was probably dumb luck
• Satch had one of the worst base running episodes that has ever been viewed, and was only saved from complete humiliation by performing an intricate sliding maneuver.
• The strains of ‘60s rock that wafted through the air from some Woodstock Anniversary thing in GGP
* Adam had a couple of monster hits, and we all know that it was the Bad News Bears wristband...why do we not all have those?
• New guy Zach hit a ball a very long way, very long.
• Craig looking sharp in his new baseball outfit, and promptly cranking some balls, and playing solid 2nd base (we are starting a collection to buy Sean something new to wear).
• Thanks to everyone who gave money to Nick for the permits, we need to make sure we are up to date on the bills, since Bob and Nick are heading up the Permit shuffle.
See you next week, ice those arms, and oil those gloves, winter will be here eventually.
S. Paige
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Player #13- John Nero
Nero is the one waving:
It has been a long time since I did one of these, but it is because it has been hard to figure who should be next. After a lot of considering, and because it is number 13, I decided only one person was perfect for the “lucky” number, our pal John Nero. John has been playing longer in the MBC than yours truly, and I think we can all safely say that John has not changed one bit in the last 8-9 years. John can be a little gruff on the exterior, and if there is a negative side of a situation that can be pointed out, Nero usually has a handle on it. But that is just his way. One could say that counting on John to be John is close to being a 4th law of thermodynamics.
Hopefully he will see through this gentle ribbing and know that we always enjoy John on the field, he shows when we need him the most, he has the ability to swing wildly at one pitch and then knock the next one into the gap, a frustrating gift. I have lost out on a lot of two strike battles with Nero because I couldn’t get the third strike past him. He can play any position, including catcher, and he has organized the last few seasons of the San Quentin games, which we all appreciate. We were all a little worried when Pete V.S. left for the east coast, but John picked up the mantle with ease and situated himself as the point person for the games, to great success. He is quick to pass out info about a late game, or make sure that we have enough to challenge the Giants (or Pirates).
While he will never be confused with Cool Papa Bell, I can also say that I have seen John make some of the most amazing plays at third, plays that have to be pure instinct and reflexes. Because at the hot corner that is what you have to work with sometimes. I can’t tell you how many rallies I have seen die because Nero picked a line drive out of the air…great if it’s your team, maddening if its not.
John is a bartender, so I have a special place in my heart for him, and he works at two of my favorite spots in the city, The Uptown and Doc’s Clock, which means that not only is he on the cutting edge of hip but he has some street cred too. He is an avid reader of the MBC blog and posts under the handle Unmusical, and he rides his cruiser to the game sometimes.
And here is the amazing part, I got this far into it without mentioning that he is a blue blooded DODGER FAN, with Los Angeles tattooed on his arms. I might not agree with the choice, but I have to admire the dedication. If we have learned anything in the MBC, it’s that we need to accept and embrace our individual differences, having a good time is the only thing that really matters. And I think John always has a good time.
He just doesn’t talk about that side of things….
Thanks for being a good sport and a great teammate, John,!
S. Paige
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Sunday, October 18th- West Sunset
Satch was in Orange county last week, October 11th, missing yet another game, and today tried to get a recap. All I got was that we had enough to play, and Dustin got lit up. So there is that.
Today, I got out there early, or at least tried to, the traffic from the marathon made for slow going through the park, and when I got there at 1:30 and no one was there yet, I started to get nervous. We have had some poor attendance lately, and its not just football dropouts. Tony is laid up with a JFK injury (thanks Johnny), Bob is coaching fall ball, various people have kids, I seem to never be around on Sunday anymore, and Nero I think works now. So we need new blood. And we got it this week, along with some old, grizzled blood. Bill Zerbes, you old so and so, it is great to see Bill out again, a five tool man, worn and scratched tools, but he still got it. Two of the guys, including the mouth injury guy, were there again, and Dustin and Noah brought out there third coach from Urban. Add a really late Tim, and we had 17 for the day, which is damn near a surplus.
Sean started for the visitors, which could also be labed as the new guard of the MBC or nMBC. Us veterans formed a home squad, and fittingly, after the top half of the first inning it was 8-0. Sean, back from tour, was raring to go, and held us in check for most of the game, we finally broke the shutout in the third, and the score was 12-1. Johnny started for the homers, and we tried our best, but there were too many hitters on that team to make it much of a challenge. Also, he angered the baseball gods in the 1st by going out to pitch in his tshirt rather than his jersey. We all should know better.
Satch came in for long relief, and we started to settle down, the knuckleball was working well, and I got the big bats to swing at shitty pitches.
The score kept mounting, peaking at 14-2, before we mounted some kind of comeback. The final was in the neighborhood of 14-6, although that was a kind and blurry 14. Bill came in for the ninth and did well, we entered the 9th with comeback on our lips, but all of a sudden there was a double play and the game was over. Well, a shot behind the ear is sometimes the most humane way to go....
Highlights
* Nice to see the new guys, and that the ball in the mouth didn't take it personally.
* Noah and Dustin had some sort of Saturday night, Noah was sweating brown liquor
* The power lefties of the visiting team were tagging the wall all day.
* Brian Phillips, if you like your teammates, don't steal with a 9 run lead, batters get hit that way.
* Zerbes doing the grizzly Adams thing.
* Gaspar's no lo contendre style of outfielding, hands out, shake the head, "don't know where the fuck it is."
* Chris' play deep in the hole, didn't get the out, but a nice play
* Banana Hands. I guess that's me.
* Although he had a rough day at the plate, it was good to see Vitali too.
* Sean's pitching performance after being gone in Europe, glad you didn't come back in an ascot talking about soccer.
* Our first run that broke up the shutout, its good to feel pride in one's team. Its funny when we actually try to hustle when we need to score that first one.
Thanks to everyone who made it out, we were fearing batting practice, as we do every week these days. If you can, come out, or get the hell off the list! Or you know, what ever, tell your non-asshole friends to come out in your place...
Heal quick, and come back everybody else!
S. Paige
*
*
Today, I got out there early, or at least tried to, the traffic from the marathon made for slow going through the park, and when I got there at 1:30 and no one was there yet, I started to get nervous. We have had some poor attendance lately, and its not just football dropouts. Tony is laid up with a JFK injury (thanks Johnny), Bob is coaching fall ball, various people have kids, I seem to never be around on Sunday anymore, and Nero I think works now. So we need new blood. And we got it this week, along with some old, grizzled blood. Bill Zerbes, you old so and so, it is great to see Bill out again, a five tool man, worn and scratched tools, but he still got it. Two of the guys, including the mouth injury guy, were there again, and Dustin and Noah brought out there third coach from Urban. Add a really late Tim, and we had 17 for the day, which is damn near a surplus.
Sean started for the visitors, which could also be labed as the new guard of the MBC or nMBC. Us veterans formed a home squad, and fittingly, after the top half of the first inning it was 8-0. Sean, back from tour, was raring to go, and held us in check for most of the game, we finally broke the shutout in the third, and the score was 12-1. Johnny started for the homers, and we tried our best, but there were too many hitters on that team to make it much of a challenge. Also, he angered the baseball gods in the 1st by going out to pitch in his tshirt rather than his jersey. We all should know better.
Satch came in for long relief, and we started to settle down, the knuckleball was working well, and I got the big bats to swing at shitty pitches.
The score kept mounting, peaking at 14-2, before we mounted some kind of comeback. The final was in the neighborhood of 14-6, although that was a kind and blurry 14. Bill came in for the ninth and did well, we entered the 9th with comeback on our lips, but all of a sudden there was a double play and the game was over. Well, a shot behind the ear is sometimes the most humane way to go....
Highlights
* Nice to see the new guys, and that the ball in the mouth didn't take it personally.
* Noah and Dustin had some sort of Saturday night, Noah was sweating brown liquor
* The power lefties of the visiting team were tagging the wall all day.
* Brian Phillips, if you like your teammates, don't steal with a 9 run lead, batters get hit that way.
* Zerbes doing the grizzly Adams thing.
* Gaspar's no lo contendre style of outfielding, hands out, shake the head, "don't know where the fuck it is."
* Chris' play deep in the hole, didn't get the out, but a nice play
* Banana Hands. I guess that's me.
* Although he had a rough day at the plate, it was good to see Vitali too.
* Sean's pitching performance after being gone in Europe, glad you didn't come back in an ascot talking about soccer.
* Our first run that broke up the shutout, its good to feel pride in one's team. Its funny when we actually try to hustle when we need to score that first one.
Thanks to everyone who made it out, we were fearing batting practice, as we do every week these days. If you can, come out, or get the hell off the list! Or you know, what ever, tell your non-asshole friends to come out in your place...
Heal quick, and come back everybody else!
S. Paige
*
*
Late posting- Sunday, September 27th
Mike Gaspar gave me a write out of the game from this week, and it sat in my bag for a few weeks while i did not baseball things. So here it is, one of the few times when we did not play amongst ourselves.
MBC vs. Sunset Brewers
Once again there were not enough people for a real game, and facing the long nose of batting practice caused the MBC to make a command decision. As well, there were league guys on the field who wouldn't get off, and we didn't have the people to challenge them to a fight, so we challenged them to a game instead.
Dustin (Cap'n Whiskey to his friends) started on the hill, we played with walks for once, and the Brewers started off the game getting a couple of runs. In true MBC style, we responded by leaving the bases loaded the next inning, and it started to look grim. Then the Brewers lost some players and a trade was manufactured where Tim and myself (Gaspar) were sent to the other side. This seemed to light the fire of the MBC, and soon the rally had brought the score to 6-4 Sunset. A game was forming! OF course, it was short lived, as the Brewers continued to apply the heat, and the final was in the neighborhood of 14-7.
Apparently only one of the league guys was a dick, so that is nice, far below the usual quotient (sorry to all those league guys who play with us.)
MBC vs. Sunset Brewers
Once again there were not enough people for a real game, and facing the long nose of batting practice caused the MBC to make a command decision. As well, there were league guys on the field who wouldn't get off, and we didn't have the people to challenge them to a fight, so we challenged them to a game instead.
Dustin (Cap'n Whiskey to his friends) started on the hill, we played with walks for once, and the Brewers started off the game getting a couple of runs. In true MBC style, we responded by leaving the bases loaded the next inning, and it started to look grim. Then the Brewers lost some players and a trade was manufactured where Tim and myself (Gaspar) were sent to the other side. This seemed to light the fire of the MBC, and soon the rally had brought the score to 6-4 Sunset. A game was forming! OF course, it was short lived, as the Brewers continued to apply the heat, and the final was in the neighborhood of 14-7.
Apparently only one of the league guys was a dick, so that is nice, far below the usual quotient (sorry to all those league guys who play with us.)
Monday, October 5, 2009
West Sunset 10/4/09
I arrived early, dressed in the parking lot, and waited for someone else to show up. It was little while before they did, and slowly the players trickled in to the field. We have had some major problems getting enough people out lately, the last three weeks have seen batting practice, a game against a league team (see above) and a half assed 10 man game. This Sunday started to shape up the same way, and we were stuck at 13. There were five random guys who had been occupying the field and taking grounders and eventually we asked if they were interested in joining us, they did and for a while we had a surplus of people. Oaks Mike showed up late and it was good to see him after a long absence. Doc came to umpire, and did a great job, especially after taking one off the shoulder.
Having not thrown in a month, Satch was hungry to get on the hill and Noah complied as the hurler for the visiting team. The teams were a little uneven as the random guys all wanted to be on the same team, and as a result we had a pretty deep lineup of regulars. First inning aside though, the visitors settled down and held the game at a 5-2 line for most of the middle innings. But that first inning was a rough one, we had five or six hits in a row, some errors from the Randoms.
Somewhere in the third one of the Randoms hit a ground ball to Adam, who Bucknered it pretty good. Satch was loafing over to cover first, and then suddenly Nick Smith had the ball after backing up Adam, and we had a chance to get the guy. Bad news, we didn’t get the out, worst news, the throw went past me and hit the Random guy in the mouth…not pretty, but he was a remarkably good sport about the whole thing, although he was done playing for the day. He stuck around for a while and then tried to leave but his starter was kaput and he was stranded in the parking lot, bad day all around for that guy. His buddies left with him to get him out of there, and our mighty teams were whittled down to the 14.
Satch threw five and after a month definitely felt the time off, the arm felt good, but everything else was thrashed. Bowing out to save for another day, Rojas came in for the long relief and did well. Noah kept hurling, but we got him into a bases loaded jam and then emptied the bags on him, and that put the game out of reach, Oaks came in to pitch the last, but the damage was done and the final was 9-2 or 3?
Highlights
* The Randoms were all nice guys, even after we pummeled their buddy
* Tim (he of the 5th inning arrival) was on time, brought a friend, and hit the shit out of the ball all day, line drives, line drives…welcome back!
* Noah definitely settled down and kept us on a leash
* The Gaspar- Noah battle, which was at least 16 pitches, foul balls and ended with a hit.
* Bob was missing, but Mitch and Brian got plugged
* The wind was blowing out and Satch got one that carried to the short wall.
* Broke another damn metal bat, that $50 investment didn’t last long
* The visitors turned at least three double plays, including an ugly on with Rojas on 2nd (Tony claimed he couldn’t see the pop flyball, but the shortstop ten feet away apparently could see it…)
* I love that Doc compliments the pitch before he calls it (“That was a good one, strike one!” or “Jesus Christ, Strike.”)
Well the wind was blowing cold, fall might be upon us, the game next week is same place, an hour earlier, 2 pm. Come one come all, I will be in Orange county…again…for a wedding…again.
Enjoy,
S. Paige
Having not thrown in a month, Satch was hungry to get on the hill and Noah complied as the hurler for the visiting team. The teams were a little uneven as the random guys all wanted to be on the same team, and as a result we had a pretty deep lineup of regulars. First inning aside though, the visitors settled down and held the game at a 5-2 line for most of the middle innings. But that first inning was a rough one, we had five or six hits in a row, some errors from the Randoms.
Somewhere in the third one of the Randoms hit a ground ball to Adam, who Bucknered it pretty good. Satch was loafing over to cover first, and then suddenly Nick Smith had the ball after backing up Adam, and we had a chance to get the guy. Bad news, we didn’t get the out, worst news, the throw went past me and hit the Random guy in the mouth…not pretty, but he was a remarkably good sport about the whole thing, although he was done playing for the day. He stuck around for a while and then tried to leave but his starter was kaput and he was stranded in the parking lot, bad day all around for that guy. His buddies left with him to get him out of there, and our mighty teams were whittled down to the 14.
Satch threw five and after a month definitely felt the time off, the arm felt good, but everything else was thrashed. Bowing out to save for another day, Rojas came in for the long relief and did well. Noah kept hurling, but we got him into a bases loaded jam and then emptied the bags on him, and that put the game out of reach, Oaks came in to pitch the last, but the damage was done and the final was 9-2 or 3?
Highlights
* The Randoms were all nice guys, even after we pummeled their buddy
* Tim (he of the 5th inning arrival) was on time, brought a friend, and hit the shit out of the ball all day, line drives, line drives…welcome back!
* Noah definitely settled down and kept us on a leash
* The Gaspar- Noah battle, which was at least 16 pitches, foul balls and ended with a hit.
* Bob was missing, but Mitch and Brian got plugged
* The wind was blowing out and Satch got one that carried to the short wall.
* Broke another damn metal bat, that $50 investment didn’t last long
* The visitors turned at least three double plays, including an ugly on with Rojas on 2nd (Tony claimed he couldn’t see the pop flyball, but the shortstop ten feet away apparently could see it…)
* I love that Doc compliments the pitch before he calls it (“That was a good one, strike one!” or “Jesus Christ, Strike.”)
Well the wind was blowing cold, fall might be upon us, the game next week is same place, an hour earlier, 2 pm. Come one come all, I will be in Orange county…again…for a wedding…again.
Enjoy,
S. Paige
Thursday, September 24, 2009
9/13/09 and 9/20/09
Here is the roundup for the past two weeks, sad as they are, thanks to Mike Gaspar, Johnny Bartlett and Jon Spack for the details:
9/13/09
Here are the ugly details.
- ten guys showed up. i guess the THREAT of rain kept people
away.
- there were about eight sprinklers going in the outfield.
thanks to tony for trying to turn them off. we should
get a credit for the permit.
- asshole league guys on the field. it would have been interesting
if we would have had our normal turnout to see how this conflict
would have been resolved. as it was, we were resigned to infield
practice on a little league field. which i skipped but i'm sure
some fine double plays were turned.
- and one last comment. league guys are DICKS. dirt-bags of course
are the exception
BP only. So sad. I hope it wasn't football that kept everyone home.
9/20/09
About 11 people showed - played a nice 6 inning game with Tony and
Johnny both throwing complete games. Away team won by breaking open
a 2-2 tie in the top of the 6th - all beginning with a 2 out 2 rbi
liner up the middle by Greg. I believe the final score was 7-3.
Lets try to bet a little more on the ball here people, we got a tradition to uphold. Speaking of which, are we in season 17, 18, 19, 20???? of MBC?
S. Paige
9/13/09
Here are the ugly details.
- ten guys showed up. i guess the THREAT of rain kept people
away.
- there were about eight sprinklers going in the outfield.
thanks to tony for trying to turn them off. we should
get a credit for the permit.
- asshole league guys on the field. it would have been interesting
if we would have had our normal turnout to see how this conflict
would have been resolved. as it was, we were resigned to infield
practice on a little league field. which i skipped but i'm sure
some fine double plays were turned.
- and one last comment. league guys are DICKS. dirt-bags of course
are the exception
BP only. So sad. I hope it wasn't football that kept everyone home.
9/20/09
About 11 people showed - played a nice 6 inning game with Tony and
Johnny both throwing complete games. Away team won by breaking open
a 2-2 tie in the top of the 6th - all beginning with a 2 out 2 rbi
liner up the middle by Greg. I believe the final score was 7-3.
Lets try to bet a little more on the ball here people, we got a tradition to uphold. Speaking of which, are we in season 17, 18, 19, 20???? of MBC?
S. Paige
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
9/6/09 Cop Field Again, Labor Day weekend, Bay Bridge Closed
It turned out to be a great day, on the drive over I was fearing the fog and the wind would be strong elements to bear, but from some reason the fog ran just south of where we were, and it was all sun (well mostly sun) anyways.
We had 20 at one point, and 18 by the end of the game, one injury (Chad the hammy takes time) and Vivek (BBQ, not a good excuse, but what can you do?). Long lost Phil Snyder, of Utah and now Arizona showed up, as did Connor, Bob's young prospect.
Satch threw another complete game, which some might see as hogging of the mound, but it is out of necessity as I can already see that I am going to miss the next month or so of games, and 4 innings of work just won't satisfy the long drought ahead. As a rematch of last week, Johnny Bartlett started for the home squad and did well again, especially for a man who rode BART for an hour to get to the field. The key to Sunday's game was who's defense was less shitty. Not necessarily a slight to those who played, but it seemed we had a lot of players out of their natural positions, and we are not professional enough to be very versatile when it comes to that sort of thing.
The game started out ok, the visitors scored 3 runs in the first, and the home squad answered back, but then the visitors took off the kiddie gloves and before anyone knew what was happening, it was a 10-2 ball game again. Johnny lasted for the 7th and then turned the ball into Greg, who usually doesn't warm up until he has thrown at least 5 innings. Greg pitched well, ignoring the heckling coming from his own family.
Stronger built and mature than last week, the home squad had a bit more fire in the belly (and we all had some long innings) and by the end of the 8th, the score was 10-9, and Satch was feeling the heat coming from the hungry homers. However, padding was applied, thanks to a 5 run ninth, and while the desire was there, the win was not to be the home squads, and the final tally was 15-9.
Highlights
* Bob HBP +1, a back shot, middle up. He threw his bat afterwards, but we all knew he was smiling inside
* A day of home runs and triples, half power, half dry field, half bad fielding, but kudos to Adam, Roy, Bill, Greg, Bob, and anyone else I missed
* John Carey for sticking through a tough at bat (in which his old man called a knuckleball for the third strike and then laughed maniacally at him) and stroked a legit line drive over third in his last at bat
* Satch struck out on a gorgeous change up from Johnny, slow and inside, perfect! Bastard.
* Tony, Fucking Knuckle BALL!
* Some needed outs in the outfield when they were really needed.
* Adam scoops at first, saving some bad throws and getting those outs
* John Carey again with a long run in left field to track down a fly ball
* Emperor of the North, rent it today at Lost Weekend Video!
* On Greg's triple, I stepped off, appealed, and threw to Nick to tag second, it looked like Greg missed it from where I was standing, and I figured he might be honest enough to admit to it...
* Doc playing, rather than officiating, and getting a nice hit!
* Connor using a cheater stick, luckily no one was killed
* Had a lot of battle counts this game, where I thought I was in the driver's seat, only to give up hits, tenacity is a motherfucker.
Well, it's a 1 year anniversary for me next week, so chances are slim, week after than in Tahoe, week after that a 30th birthday party, so someone write down what happens, and remember to lie frequently and colorfully....
S. Paige
We had 20 at one point, and 18 by the end of the game, one injury (Chad the hammy takes time) and Vivek (BBQ, not a good excuse, but what can you do?). Long lost Phil Snyder, of Utah and now Arizona showed up, as did Connor, Bob's young prospect.
Satch threw another complete game, which some might see as hogging of the mound, but it is out of necessity as I can already see that I am going to miss the next month or so of games, and 4 innings of work just won't satisfy the long drought ahead. As a rematch of last week, Johnny Bartlett started for the home squad and did well again, especially for a man who rode BART for an hour to get to the field. The key to Sunday's game was who's defense was less shitty. Not necessarily a slight to those who played, but it seemed we had a lot of players out of their natural positions, and we are not professional enough to be very versatile when it comes to that sort of thing.
The game started out ok, the visitors scored 3 runs in the first, and the home squad answered back, but then the visitors took off the kiddie gloves and before anyone knew what was happening, it was a 10-2 ball game again. Johnny lasted for the 7th and then turned the ball into Greg, who usually doesn't warm up until he has thrown at least 5 innings. Greg pitched well, ignoring the heckling coming from his own family.
Stronger built and mature than last week, the home squad had a bit more fire in the belly (and we all had some long innings) and by the end of the 8th, the score was 10-9, and Satch was feeling the heat coming from the hungry homers. However, padding was applied, thanks to a 5 run ninth, and while the desire was there, the win was not to be the home squads, and the final tally was 15-9.
Highlights
* Bob HBP +1, a back shot, middle up. He threw his bat afterwards, but we all knew he was smiling inside
* A day of home runs and triples, half power, half dry field, half bad fielding, but kudos to Adam, Roy, Bill, Greg, Bob, and anyone else I missed
* John Carey for sticking through a tough at bat (in which his old man called a knuckleball for the third strike and then laughed maniacally at him) and stroked a legit line drive over third in his last at bat
* Satch struck out on a gorgeous change up from Johnny, slow and inside, perfect! Bastard.
* Tony, Fucking Knuckle BALL!
* Some needed outs in the outfield when they were really needed.
* Adam scoops at first, saving some bad throws and getting those outs
* John Carey again with a long run in left field to track down a fly ball
* Emperor of the North, rent it today at Lost Weekend Video!
* On Greg's triple, I stepped off, appealed, and threw to Nick to tag second, it looked like Greg missed it from where I was standing, and I figured he might be honest enough to admit to it...
* Doc playing, rather than officiating, and getting a nice hit!
* Connor using a cheater stick, luckily no one was killed
* Had a lot of battle counts this game, where I thought I was in the driver's seat, only to give up hits, tenacity is a motherfucker.
Well, it's a 1 year anniversary for me next week, so chances are slim, week after than in Tahoe, week after that a 30th birthday party, so someone write down what happens, and remember to lie frequently and colorfully....
S. Paige
Thursday, September 3, 2009
8/30/09 A Foggy yet Muggy yet Humid yet Warm Day
It was a great homecoming, after too many weeks off, Satch was back where he was supposed to be on a Sunday. And luckily enough people showed up to make it a game, although without the Dirtbags, it would have been rough. The Dirtbags, Chris and Brian and New Guy (Mike?) are a couple, few of fellows from the MBC who have moved on to league play, however, I guess the season is over now and we can expect them back soon.
Johnny and Satch squared off in a classic duel, and neither was in top form, but both went the long haul. Defense might have been on Satch's side for the beginning of the game, but we of the visitors squad had our share of dropped flies and booted balls too. Satch threw a lot of changeups, which seemed to stymie the overswingers on the homesquad.
Everyone got a lot of at bats, Mitch legged out a few close one's, Tony got hit in the foot, John Carey got pissed at a called third strike.
The loudest hit of the game was the New Guy Dirtbag, who took Satch to left, and once it got past our borrowed left fielder, there was no slowing down. By that time, it made the score 10-7, which was great, the majority of the game being the less exciting 10-2 variety.
Same time, same place, next week.
Highlights
* Greg catching the whole game.
* Bob's dance to get out of the way of my pitch, robbing us of a Bob HBP game
* The nastiest knuckleball ever thrown to Chris
* Nero had a nice line drive
* Greg had at least 4 caught foul balls
* The Dirtbags, great to see you again
* Satch struck out looking, which is strange because some might have said it wasn't a strike
* Brian's catch at 3rd to rob his own team of a hit
* Adam's digging it out at 1st
* Nick showing off his hitting ability and rubbing it in that he is still faster than us
Thanks for everyone that showed up, see you again
S. Paige
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