Another amazing day in Balboa Park and we were worried for a few minutes that we weren't going to have enough guys, but by the end of the day it was another 11 on 10 kind of game. We were bolstered by a few friends of Friends and then a couple of guys who looked like they had come to have batting practice.
Sean was back after a week off, and he and Satch decided to square off once more. The sun was warm and it was easy to keep arms loose and feeling good, Sean getting the call for the home squad. The visitors got off to a early lead, scoring two runs in the top of the first, and the homers answered right back with one, and we knew it was going to be a good game. On a day like that, how could it not be.
The visitors tacked on a few more and the visitors had a few more in their bag, and 4-3 was the look of it as we went into the fifth. And there is stayed until the visitors fell apart with the thanks to some shoddy fielding and timely hitting by the homers. All of a sudden it was 6-4 in favor of the homers and the tide had officially turned.
It stayed that way through the 9th inning, James having come into relieve Sean on the bump. Satch stayed strong for the visitors, mainly because he won't be playing for a few weeks. And then, from the bottom of the order, came a series of gorks, goofs, drives and drops, and a key throw away from Tony (who stated that he did it on purpose to extend the game) and the game was tied, it was Comeback City, baby! We then turned away the homers in the 9th with an amazing double play.
We entered the 10th at the top of the order, and the wheels came off, the visitors almost batting a round, to the tune of four runs. We smelled the victory on the wind, and Satch took the mound for one last dance. Greg started off the homers with a beautiful bunt single, but the homers were not able to capitalize on it, and a strike out ended the game. Tony pleaded for one more inning, but the teams were done and so was the game.
Highlights:
* Double play! Almost two!
* Mitch, Lattig and Phelps accounted for more than half of the outs or assists on the visitors team
* I hit Tony by accident, and Bob claimed that Tony had stolen his pitch
* Ritchie caught the whole game and made some great foul out catches.
* Ok, so Ritchie also got caught stealing....twice.....the second one taking the bat out of Lattig's hand in the 8th....
* Sean and James pitched a great game
* Bob and Greg absorbed some real nasty hits behind the dish, using all the gear they could.
* The fundamentals of making sure to get at least an out proved to be the difference in the game, I think
* Especially on the cop field, make sure you stop balls in the outfield, cuz if they get past you they are going to roll for a while.
* I think I got Sean to pop out to center field at least three times
* We had a little trouble with throwing the ball around, lets make sure we make good strong throws, hit your man in the chest, not limp wrist some three hopper past the your man
* While we are mentioning things, lets run out our hits, regardless of where they go
Next week is the 4th of July double header, starting at 11 am. This years venue is the West Sunset field, bring the dogs and beers. I will have to miss it this year, as I will be on a plane to the UK, don't worry though, I'll show those limey, tea drinking, scone making, Parliament having, red coat Punch and Jilly's what it means to celebrate freedom.
Happy Independence Day
S. Paige
Monday, June 28, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
6/20/10- Cop Field
What a great fathers day it was, we had fathers who have been gone, fathers with their progeny, Mike Gaspar's birthday (42 years young) and all on a beautiful sunny day. 19 came out to play and although some might offer that the lineups were a little unbalanced, it wasn't a a complete blowout. Johnny took the bump for the homers and Satch was feeding for the fresh visiting squad.
And an epic battle it was, being such a great day we had decided that we needed to play at least a few extra innings and 12 ups and downs later, Johnny and I were still battling on the hill, that's right we both threw the long haul. And surprisingly, neither of us was really tired or sore after wards, it is the benefit of having a good defense.
True, Johnny did have to face a murderers row of sorts, but the game was a close shave for a the first three or four innings, and it didn't ever get completely out of hand. I think this might have also been a testament to what happens when our captain, Greg, is not out there. Greg is good at keeping the teams from getting a little heavy on bats, and calling us on the bullshit that some of us may try to get away with.
We visitors scored first blood, the homers came right back and tied it up, and it played that way, with one more run added for the first few. Then the flood gates started to open for the visitors, thanks in part to the hard pan of the outfield that allowed singles that bounced to turn into triples. Satch was helped by some timely 6 and 7 pitch innings and a great defense that kept the ball in front of them. Johnny attempted some hurly-burly play while backing up third, base coaching Rick while he was rounding third. Rick stopped, then realized Johnny was on the other team, and his own team was yelling to keep going. Of course, we were too lazy to actually post a basecoach, but whatever. I admired the shrewdness of it.
A few grumblings aside, everyone seemed to be alright with playing 12 innings (there was talk of mixing the teams and playing a full second game), and as the sun set, and the wind brought the fog a little closer, we remarked that any father would be happy to have this be their Fathers Day event.
Hightlights:
* Lots of homeruns and extra basehits, with the grass being short and fast. Rick and Mitch might have had the longest rolls, Satch might have had the line-drivest
* Amelia came out with her old man, and got a clean hit over the second baseman, looking great!
* Bob was HBP, and everyone cheered!
* Thanks to Ben, Bob, Mike, Noah for catching
* Dustin Skiles back and while maybe not in old form, certainly a contender again, replete with Jameson
* Again, Johnny, great game, you are a great competitor and a gentleman's gentleman
* We didn't get a double play, then got a doubled off the next batter. The universe at work.
* It was nice that everyone was chill with the close calls, there were a few that I didn't want to be the one to decide.
* Tony had a great spear of a line drive to kill a rally
* Amelia also stole a base and slid into third, that is what I am talking about!
Well, lets do it again this Sunday, same field, same time.
S. Paige
And an epic battle it was, being such a great day we had decided that we needed to play at least a few extra innings and 12 ups and downs later, Johnny and I were still battling on the hill, that's right we both threw the long haul. And surprisingly, neither of us was really tired or sore after wards, it is the benefit of having a good defense.
True, Johnny did have to face a murderers row of sorts, but the game was a close shave for a the first three or four innings, and it didn't ever get completely out of hand. I think this might have also been a testament to what happens when our captain, Greg, is not out there. Greg is good at keeping the teams from getting a little heavy on bats, and calling us on the bullshit that some of us may try to get away with.
We visitors scored first blood, the homers came right back and tied it up, and it played that way, with one more run added for the first few. Then the flood gates started to open for the visitors, thanks in part to the hard pan of the outfield that allowed singles that bounced to turn into triples. Satch was helped by some timely 6 and 7 pitch innings and a great defense that kept the ball in front of them. Johnny attempted some hurly-burly play while backing up third, base coaching Rick while he was rounding third. Rick stopped, then realized Johnny was on the other team, and his own team was yelling to keep going. Of course, we were too lazy to actually post a basecoach, but whatever. I admired the shrewdness of it.
A few grumblings aside, everyone seemed to be alright with playing 12 innings (there was talk of mixing the teams and playing a full second game), and as the sun set, and the wind brought the fog a little closer, we remarked that any father would be happy to have this be their Fathers Day event.
Hightlights:
* Lots of homeruns and extra basehits, with the grass being short and fast. Rick and Mitch might have had the longest rolls, Satch might have had the line-drivest
* Amelia came out with her old man, and got a clean hit over the second baseman, looking great!
* Bob was HBP, and everyone cheered!
* Thanks to Ben, Bob, Mike, Noah for catching
* Dustin Skiles back and while maybe not in old form, certainly a contender again, replete with Jameson
* Again, Johnny, great game, you are a great competitor and a gentleman's gentleman
* We didn't get a double play, then got a doubled off the next batter. The universe at work.
* It was nice that everyone was chill with the close calls, there were a few that I didn't want to be the one to decide.
* Tony had a great spear of a line drive to kill a rally
* Amelia also stole a base and slid into third, that is what I am talking about!
Well, lets do it again this Sunday, same field, same time.
S. Paige
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
6/13/10- Camp Swampy
Well, instead of having 12 on 13 this week, we just had 13. We tried our best, and we were bailed out when Johnny came late after attending the SWEEP of the A's at China Basin. But in general, it was a real loose game with not much to brag about. We kept the game honest and the teams seemed to be pretty balanced, but since we were playing defense against our own team for most of the fucking game, its hard to say what was what.
Sean and Satch squared off again, and the first couple of innings, the game see-sawed, but Sean's arm was sore from too much pitching and he thankfully stopped before it started hurting.
We homers were ahead, and then we were tied, and then Noah got back a run that we had given up, with a great clout to the deep center. Satch was fresh from not being able to play for the past month and a half, so I just took her easy and threw all but the last frame. James, Tony's new guy, and then the Circus came in to deal for the visitors after Sean, and the game began to get away from everybody. Zach, back after a long absence threw a great 9th for the homers. The sun was shining and the wind was blowing out and we got a few into the wind that just kept on carrying out. I think we skipped an inning some where in the mix, but what ever, the final was something like 12-8, so not a terrible blowout, but at the end of the day, not our best game either.
Richie Garcia was back again, which we all hope is permanent, as long as he doesn't fall off his skateboard again. Even Greg and Nick Smith were absent, we must be in the summer vacation doldrums, and it doesn't look too good for this weekend either, so if you got a friend bring him and ten other guys with you.
Highlights:
*Tony hit a towering homerun
* Adam had a tough day at first, more than one squibber with a weird spin came his way as did the balls in the dirt.
* Ben and Noah did a fine job of catching the majority of the game, with Richie coming in for the leg saver inning
* Circus and Lattig made a fearsome duo when they were playing defense for the homers, and yes, a few of them were tough plays, A FEW.....
* Glad no one got plunked in the head on the fly balls, the sun was right in our eyes
* Richie stole 2nd, 3rd, home on a pass ball.
* Tony did his patented delayed steal of home, which we all know is what he does when he gets tired of being on the basepaths and wants to sit down
* Sean had about 4 doubles
* James hit my knuckleball, which I made the mistake of throwing more than one. I can't stop throwing the knuckle to the new guys, since they are the only ones who swing at it. But its slow enough that they usually make contact and gork it somewhere....a real Sophie's Choice.
* I threw one at Circus to send a message, he got it.
Don't know where the game is this week, but I do know that Greg, Nick, Sean , Circus, Anthony are out already, so bring a friend.
S. Paige
Sean and Satch squared off again, and the first couple of innings, the game see-sawed, but Sean's arm was sore from too much pitching and he thankfully stopped before it started hurting.
We homers were ahead, and then we were tied, and then Noah got back a run that we had given up, with a great clout to the deep center. Satch was fresh from not being able to play for the past month and a half, so I just took her easy and threw all but the last frame. James, Tony's new guy, and then the Circus came in to deal for the visitors after Sean, and the game began to get away from everybody. Zach, back after a long absence threw a great 9th for the homers. The sun was shining and the wind was blowing out and we got a few into the wind that just kept on carrying out. I think we skipped an inning some where in the mix, but what ever, the final was something like 12-8, so not a terrible blowout, but at the end of the day, not our best game either.
Richie Garcia was back again, which we all hope is permanent, as long as he doesn't fall off his skateboard again. Even Greg and Nick Smith were absent, we must be in the summer vacation doldrums, and it doesn't look too good for this weekend either, so if you got a friend bring him and ten other guys with you.
Highlights:
*Tony hit a towering homerun
* Adam had a tough day at first, more than one squibber with a weird spin came his way as did the balls in the dirt.
* Ben and Noah did a fine job of catching the majority of the game, with Richie coming in for the leg saver inning
* Circus and Lattig made a fearsome duo when they were playing defense for the homers, and yes, a few of them were tough plays, A FEW.....
* Glad no one got plunked in the head on the fly balls, the sun was right in our eyes
* Richie stole 2nd, 3rd, home on a pass ball.
* Tony did his patented delayed steal of home, which we all know is what he does when he gets tired of being on the basepaths and wants to sit down
* Sean had about 4 doubles
* James hit my knuckleball, which I made the mistake of throwing more than one. I can't stop throwing the knuckle to the new guys, since they are the only ones who swing at it. But its slow enough that they usually make contact and gork it somewhere....a real Sophie's Choice.
* I threw one at Circus to send a message, he got it.
Don't know where the game is this week, but I do know that Greg, Nick, Sean , Circus, Anthony are out already, so bring a friend.
S. Paige
Friday, June 11, 2010
6/6/10- West Sunset
Finally got a game in, and man what a beautiful day. The sun was out yet it was foggy and muggy, perfect Sunday baseball weather. And the people came out of the woodwork, we ended up having 12-13 for at least some of the game. Some people had to leave the game early, Satch included, and I imagine it probably got down to 9-9 by the end.
Sean and Satch squared off in a classic match and true to form, the visitors scored in the very first inning, thanks to a deep drive from Tony that one hopped to the wall at the 356 marker. We homers fought back though and made it a even game and then some. We fought forward and kept it going, the sun kept shining, and we were hot for the first time in a while. Sean was mixing the high balls with the change ups and curves. But we somehow built up a pretty good lead by the time I had to go in the 5th, somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-2. Johnny Bartlett took over for the homers and Greg came in for the visitors, and now to finish the story here is Mike Lattig with the final report:
At the end of the day, there was really only one thing to say - it's Mitch's world. The rest of us just live in it. Over the last three innings, Mitch basically turned in a five-tool performance, bringing his team back from the brink with timely hitting, heads up base running, great outfield play and the constant threat of him throwing you out on the basepaths.
Apparently you can score from second on a ground ball to second, And that whole "stop in front of the short stop to screen the ground ball and make the play hard" thing also works, as that's how the tying run was scored in the ninth. Then, in the tenth, after new-guy Manny started a rally that led to the go ahead run, Mitch locked down the one-run victory with two long-ranging, running catches in center.
Needless to say, no one was surprised. And really, no one was that disappointed. Another gorgeous day and another tight game in the books. Can we make it three straight one-run, last-at-bat victories next week at Balboa?
Highlights:
* Some strong defensive plays from Brian Cagle, and the rest of the infield.
* A lot of new guys, great to see the fresh meat for the grinder
* I had a base stolen, and the damn foul ball sent me back. Please people, let the ball go by, I only have one of those per game.
* Great turnout, beautiful weather, lets see another strong game this Sunday
S. Paige
Sean and Satch squared off in a classic match and true to form, the visitors scored in the very first inning, thanks to a deep drive from Tony that one hopped to the wall at the 356 marker. We homers fought back though and made it a even game and then some. We fought forward and kept it going, the sun kept shining, and we were hot for the first time in a while. Sean was mixing the high balls with the change ups and curves. But we somehow built up a pretty good lead by the time I had to go in the 5th, somewhere in the neighborhood of 5-2. Johnny Bartlett took over for the homers and Greg came in for the visitors, and now to finish the story here is Mike Lattig with the final report:
At the end of the day, there was really only one thing to say - it's Mitch's world. The rest of us just live in it. Over the last three innings, Mitch basically turned in a five-tool performance, bringing his team back from the brink with timely hitting, heads up base running, great outfield play and the constant threat of him throwing you out on the basepaths.
Apparently you can score from second on a ground ball to second, And that whole "stop in front of the short stop to screen the ground ball and make the play hard" thing also works, as that's how the tying run was scored in the ninth. Then, in the tenth, after new-guy Manny started a rally that led to the go ahead run, Mitch locked down the one-run victory with two long-ranging, running catches in center.
Needless to say, no one was surprised. And really, no one was that disappointed. Another gorgeous day and another tight game in the books. Can we make it three straight one-run, last-at-bat victories next week at Balboa?
Highlights:
* Some strong defensive plays from Brian Cagle, and the rest of the infield.
* A lot of new guys, great to see the fresh meat for the grinder
* I had a base stolen, and the damn foul ball sent me back. Please people, let the ball go by, I only have one of those per game.
* Great turnout, beautiful weather, lets see another strong game this Sunday
S. Paige
Thursday, June 3, 2010
5/31/10
Another game, another miss from Mr. Paige, this time in a BBQ in Healdsburg, which I can;t say is a bad way to spend a Memorial day weekend, but it sure as hell isn't a baseball game....and now here with the recap is Mr. Mike Lattig:
5-3 game heading into the 9th. Greg and Sean had been locked in a duel. With two outs and nobody on, the visitors rallied for the tying runs with four straight singles off of yours truly. Then, with two outs and nobody on in the bottom half, the home team rose up for three straight hits of Tony, started by Anthony and capped off by... Oh, hell, I can't remember. Maybe lefty nick (who returned from the grave) or Sean's friend who was in town during a cross-country motorcycle trip. A stirring 6-5 victory on a gorgeous sunny day...
With another recap, here is the Big Stick himself, Mr. Tony Rojas:
i have to say, last sunday was one of the funnest and best games i've had the privilege of playing in for quite some time. not only did we see the return of nick levine, richie garcia and scott mills but the new guys were rounding out into form as well. i can't remember all the details but 20 showed and shaun pitched for the home team and was in fine form.
i think at one point he had struck out 7 or so in a row. i was lucky enough to play every position on the field except catcher and after we, the visitors, had tied the game with a 2 run 2 out rally in the top of the 9th, i came in to pitch. we got the first two outs pretty quickly. anthony stepped in and battled and battled and eventually popped a clean hit off a curveball to the outfield. levine then followed with a solid hit.
2 on and 2 out, bottom of the ninth and who but bob steps in to bat. he was killing the ball all day so i just went ahead and hit him with the first pitch. wrong move. bob got pissed, called ball one, and went on to battle after i managed to get 2 strikes. he eventually hit one into the left field gap. anthony scored. the home team went nuts. bob got the winning walk off hit. i didn't even care. i couldn't pitch any better. and it was an awesome game. can't wait til this sunday.
Glad to hear of all the exciting stuff, keep on coming out! Not sure where the game is this week, but you know it will be good.
S. Paige
5-3 game heading into the 9th. Greg and Sean had been locked in a duel. With two outs and nobody on, the visitors rallied for the tying runs with four straight singles off of yours truly. Then, with two outs and nobody on in the bottom half, the home team rose up for three straight hits of Tony, started by Anthony and capped off by... Oh, hell, I can't remember. Maybe lefty nick (who returned from the grave) or Sean's friend who was in town during a cross-country motorcycle trip. A stirring 6-5 victory on a gorgeous sunny day...
With another recap, here is the Big Stick himself, Mr. Tony Rojas:
i have to say, last sunday was one of the funnest and best games i've had the privilege of playing in for quite some time. not only did we see the return of nick levine, richie garcia and scott mills but the new guys were rounding out into form as well. i can't remember all the details but 20 showed and shaun pitched for the home team and was in fine form.
i think at one point he had struck out 7 or so in a row. i was lucky enough to play every position on the field except catcher and after we, the visitors, had tied the game with a 2 run 2 out rally in the top of the 9th, i came in to pitch. we got the first two outs pretty quickly. anthony stepped in and battled and battled and eventually popped a clean hit off a curveball to the outfield. levine then followed with a solid hit.
2 on and 2 out, bottom of the ninth and who but bob steps in to bat. he was killing the ball all day so i just went ahead and hit him with the first pitch. wrong move. bob got pissed, called ball one, and went on to battle after i managed to get 2 strikes. he eventually hit one into the left field gap. anthony scored. the home team went nuts. bob got the winning walk off hit. i didn't even care. i couldn't pitch any better. and it was an awesome game. can't wait til this sunday.
Glad to hear of all the exciting stuff, keep on coming out! Not sure where the game is this week, but you know it will be good.
S. Paige
Friday, May 28, 2010
5/23/10- Cop Field
I was freezing my ass off in the mountains, but here is what happened according to two of the players, Johnny Bartlett and Bob Carey:
Only a couple things need to be said:
J. Bartlett – complete game + striking out Bob Carey and hitting him
Bob Carey — 4 for 5 off J. Bartlett (including triple
____________________________________________________________
Last Sunday saw the perfect 18 show up to play a nail biter. Great mixture of new faces and grizzled veterans.
Only a couple things need to be said:
J. Bartlett – complete game + striking out Bob Carey and hitting him
Bob Carey — 4 for 5 off J. Bartlett (including triple
____________________________________________________________
Last Sunday saw the perfect 18 show up to play a nail biter. Great mixture of new faces and grizzled veterans.
Henway, like the subject sez, Sunday's game is at Balboa Park, the Cop field. 3:00 pm, natch.
Well that is pretty much all she wrote, the sun is here for a little while so you better enjoy it and get out to the park. The winning SQ game will be printed in the Mountain Democrat soon, will re-post once it is in.
S. Paige
Well that is pretty much all she wrote, the sun is here for a little while so you better enjoy it and get out to the park. The winning SQ game will be printed in the Mountain Democrat soon, will re-post once it is in.
S. Paige
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
5/16/10- Golden Gate Park
I really wish I had been able to be there, if not just to add one more guy. Now I know I am preaching to the choir here, but come on people, either you are a baseball player, or you are a guy who used to play baseball and now does chores around the house and goes to brunches with the wife's family and talks about gardening tips and church functions and then to family barbeques with nutty relatives in Manteca....oh wait, well, hey...I don't have to explain myself... I come out as often as I can, but you know how it is? All you people without significant others should be out there every Sunday, that's for sure. I remember Sundays being the three hours of the week that I didn't think about scoring and just concentrated on...well...scoring.
In any case, some of us still love this game enough to go to GGP on Bay to Breakers Sunday, and forge a dynamite game! And to them I salute! The rest of you better get your fucking priorities straight. As Pete Rose once said, "Baseball is a hard game, love it hard and it will love you back hard. Try to play it easy and the first thing you know you are on the outisde looking in." Now here is the hero of the game, Johnny Bartlett:
In any case, some of us still love this game enough to go to GGP on Bay to Breakers Sunday, and forge a dynamite game! And to them I salute! The rest of you better get your fucking priorities straight. As Pete Rose once said, "Baseball is a hard game, love it hard and it will love you back hard. Try to play it easy and the first thing you know you are on the outisde looking in." Now here is the hero of the game, Johnny Bartlett:
It was a crisp Spring day at Big Rec. A figure appeared on the horizon. The shape was familiar, like Cool Papa Bell splitting the corn rows -- RICHIE GARCIA. Back in action and playing like he was never injured. However, Richie made for a grand total of 11 guys. Contrary to Nero's fear-inducing email, traffic was not bad, and parking was never easier at Big Rec (thanks John). That said, we quickly tried to remember the rules to Curacao 5ive. Adam volunteered to start out as permanent catcher. Johnny B took the bump for the home team, facing fellow San Mateo rival Sean Paul for the visitors.
Somewhat to concentrate on the game at hand because of the mini-skirted women (and men) from Bay To Breakers prancing about. Alas, the game began and the visitor struck first with a 2 spot in the first. The homes answered with one, and so the scored remained for quite a while at 2-1. Then 2-2. Then 4-2, then 4-4. A tight little game, considering the Curacao 5ive conditions. Lo and behold, two strangers joined. One was kinda hippy (we'll call him New Guy 1 and he played for the home team) and the other was kinda cranked up or something (we'll call him David). Anyway, both new guys were way more capable than expected. Ånyway, those guys made 13 men and made the game a little more legit.
Top of the 8th: Sean hits a home run that's still in orbit. RIGHT HANDED! 5-4 visitor. Mike Gaspar relieves Sean in the bottom of the 8th and retires the side with about 6 pitches. No kidding.
Visitors add an insurance run in the top of the 9th. But the home team wasn't done yet. Richie ties the game with a great situational single. Johnny B hits a double to bring home Richie and send everyone home to wallow in Budweiser.
Highlights abound:
Adam makes one of the most amazing catches behind the plate. I forget who was at bat, but the pop up goes pretty much straight up, it appeared that Adam didn't have a clue, but took the screams from his teammates to heart, lifted his mask, turned around and nabbed the ball right in front of him in what can only be described as being like a frog flicking his tongue to catch a fly.
There were a couple double plays, if I'm not mistaken.
Brian Girgus, playing first base, runs back and makes a fantastic over the shoulder catch. Amazing.
3 innings later, Greg Snyder makes an almost identical play to Brian's. The leather was on display!
New Guy 1 made a fairly amazing running catch in left field. And then promptly split from the game.
Adam, Mike G, and Greg all caught and sacrificed their ABs for the betterment of the game. Hats off to you fellas.
And it's great to have Richie back, and in fine form, I might add.
All in all, it was a great modified Curacao 5ive game.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
5/9/10- Cop Field
A threatening morning of rain, we were fearful of a rainout, but next thing you know it is sunny and bright, and not too much wind. It ended up being a muggy warm day, which was the last thing any of us expected.
So once again, we found ourselves short, it was a pretty good crew but with only 12 guys there isn't much you can do. But we started with the usual 12 man thing, and before too long we had Edwin and Adam show up and next thing you know we had ourselves a real game.
Satch started on the hill and was throwing at about 60%, but with some good change ups and curves, that kind of thing. And who should be facing him on the big bump but Mr. Brian Girgus, back after a long absence. And he threw pretty decent, but we had made a rule at the beginning that it was going to be an aggressive day at the plate. It seemed to work out well, we are a highball hitting crew. The score ran up 4-1 through the 3rd, the visitors with a healthy lead. But the homers were not to be stopped, coming back with a mixture of guile, old fashioned shitty fielding, and powerful line drives to the gaps.
Brian bowed out first, followed by Satch, and Greg and Greg came in to mop up. Home Greg did his best and shut down the visitors with his mixture of speed and slow. Visitor Greg was less successful and hopefully didn't hurt his arm. The visitors tried their best, but the homers in the end were victorious with a 9-8 victory.
Highlights
* Actually had a game....
* Satch went 5-6 with 3 singles, double, triple and the longest fly out in the history of MBC. If it hadn't been for Mitch tracking it down, I might have thought about trotting it out.
* Mitch had some other great catches, and a couple of drives that hissed past the mound
* Adam, Ben, Gaspar did a great job of catching
* We kept Tony off balance all day, Lattig and Satch got him out 4 times in a row.
* First time in a while that Greg didn't catch
* Greg picked off Vic and only through a error made by our own team did he keep from being out, pay attention on those bases, there are no timeouts
* Sean jogged by, spent the day with his mom, nice....don't let it happen again
* Foggy on the rest, but if you got a highlight, send me a message.
Satch is out of commission for the next month, so someone write it up and email me the stories for the blog.
S. Paige
So once again, we found ourselves short, it was a pretty good crew but with only 12 guys there isn't much you can do. But we started with the usual 12 man thing, and before too long we had Edwin and Adam show up and next thing you know we had ourselves a real game.
Satch started on the hill and was throwing at about 60%, but with some good change ups and curves, that kind of thing. And who should be facing him on the big bump but Mr. Brian Girgus, back after a long absence. And he threw pretty decent, but we had made a rule at the beginning that it was going to be an aggressive day at the plate. It seemed to work out well, we are a highball hitting crew. The score ran up 4-1 through the 3rd, the visitors with a healthy lead. But the homers were not to be stopped, coming back with a mixture of guile, old fashioned shitty fielding, and powerful line drives to the gaps.
Brian bowed out first, followed by Satch, and Greg and Greg came in to mop up. Home Greg did his best and shut down the visitors with his mixture of speed and slow. Visitor Greg was less successful and hopefully didn't hurt his arm. The visitors tried their best, but the homers in the end were victorious with a 9-8 victory.
Highlights
* Actually had a game....
* Satch went 5-6 with 3 singles, double, triple and the longest fly out in the history of MBC. If it hadn't been for Mitch tracking it down, I might have thought about trotting it out.
* Mitch had some other great catches, and a couple of drives that hissed past the mound
* Adam, Ben, Gaspar did a great job of catching
* We kept Tony off balance all day, Lattig and Satch got him out 4 times in a row.
* First time in a while that Greg didn't catch
* Greg picked off Vic and only through a error made by our own team did he keep from being out, pay attention on those bases, there are no timeouts
* Sean jogged by, spent the day with his mom, nice....don't let it happen again
* Foggy on the rest, but if you got a highlight, send me a message.
Satch is out of commission for the next month, so someone write it up and email me the stories for the blog.
S. Paige
Thursday, May 6, 2010
5/1/10- San Quentin: 5/2/10- Moscone
We congregated in the parking lot, making sure we didn't have any of the 160 things that you can't being in now, 12 no, wait, 14 of us (Ben and Vic) trudged up the hill, already sweating in the hot Marin sun and started the process. Amazingly we were in record time, the bag search was about the same, the guard barely peeked in each bag and when the phone rang he stopped all together. I think they must have known we were good guys.
The new multi-million dollar hospital is finished, and according to one inmate, they only have one floor of medical services, the rest is fancy offices with views of Mt. Tam and the bay. Sounds about right. They still have to leave the grounds to get any major medical help, so one wonder what the hospital is used for. During the Norovirus outbreak, they closed the hospital and told the inmates that they didn't allow sick people in there.
We put on the spikes and got the word from Kent that we would be starting a little late as one cell block had not been released, and that group contained both pitchers. We threw in the outfield and then took infield, looking remarkably sharp in contrast to games past. The Giants took their turn, we spoke to the umpires about the rules of balls in the yard and the first pitch was underway. Mitch was hit with a ball in the shoulder and helmet, stole second, and came home on a single by Chris Powell. Another run scored and we ended the top of the first out in front for the first time. Sean, the cagey lefty, who was on his first trip to the Big House (that we know about) took the bump and started mowing inmates down. He kept them off balance all day, and added to his glory by going 3-3 at the plate. He had a little trouble, as we all did with the home plate umpire whose strike zone was changing batter to batter, and who was very susceptible to the frame. But he did it for both teams, so whatever. Apparently it was his first game behind the plate.
One of the main reasons we had been excited about this game as that we had cherry picked a defense that wouldn't crumble and fall at the prospect of playing at SQ, and indeed our defense was solid all day, no misplayed balls in the outfield, the only major hit that the Giants got was off Satch, and it was a deep drive, saved from being a homerun by a few feet. Our infield knocked everything down that they could, and did a really great job of keeping the ball in the infield and preventing the hungry runners from advancing just because they could.
Neither
Sean gave way to Satch in the 6th, and in hindsight, I should have warmed up a bit more, I didn't throw a strike for the first 8 pitches, and when I did it was hit well. A misplayed ball at 2nd was all it took to get the Giants on the board, and the score stood 5-2. But we held them, Satch started throwing strikes, the defense capped the rallies, and made the plays that were needed. I got sweet revenge on Red, the guy who had hit the monster shot off of me, and who our entire bench was happy to remind me of when he came up again. Yeah, I recognize the guy. I employed the slower and slower defense against him, throwing changeup after changeup, and getting him to flail off balance. He battled, but in the end, I got him to swing at a dying quail of a pitch, and the danger was over. Stretch himself complimented me after the game and said he liked that approach to aggressive hitters.
Somewhere in the middle of the game, Stoner came up and got plugged in the back fo the neck, which was not what we wanted to see or hear. It was a meaty thwap, and Stoner went down, yelled FUCK! and then laid on the ground. As concerned as we were for him, his reaction was also slightly amusing, in a gallows humor sort of way (hey it's prison). He stayed down and was checked out, and the Giants got him a leaky icebag that got him more wet than anything. But we were all very relieved to see him get up and walk. And he didn't even miss his next at bat. That's the MBC spirit, play in the face of all medical advice!
We came to the 9th, they got a man on, but it was too little too late, and Johnny "Bad Ass" the catchers who looks like he could take on a Abrahams tank, flied out to Sean in left to record the final out. We had won. It didn't sink in for while, we shook hands, met for a prayer at the mound, chatted for a few minutes and then were herded out. The beer flowed at the Marin Brewing Co. and toasts were handed all around. Freedom and victory never tasted so good.
Highlights
*Sean gets the game ball for excellent pitching and hitting and fielding, all on his first outing
*Greg caught the whole game, and framed some excellent pitches.
*Noah, who kept a clean scorecard and played some soccer in right field
*We had a lot less strikeouts then we usually do, thanks to some more aggressive swinging and no Stretch
*Johnny Bartlett got a hit after being robbed at the plate, and made a great stop at 3rd.
*Brian, Mitch, Stoner all had important catches in the outfield.
*It was fun to have all the inmates against us in the game, usually they want to see the Giants lose, but they were cheering pretty good for their own guys this time.
Thanks to everyone who made it out. 1-9 BABY!!!!
________________________________________
Moscone. Well, it was a nice day. 11 people showed up, then 12, then 11 again. We played Reykjavik 11, glad that we were able to do something but man, it sucked not having a game after the high the day before. Thanks to Vivek for bringing Matt! Other wise we might have had to have batting practice! Ouch. The game as it was, went about 6 innings, and the final was 14-8?
Highlights
*Gaspar hit one through my legs on the pitchers mound. Not used to that.
*Sean had two homeruns.
*I pitched more, and needed some serious ice afterwards. And booze.
*Vivek had a monster shot.
*I finally broke the Old Pete bat, it served us well. I am taking it camping and will burn it ceremoniously.
*Thanks to Greg, Gaspar, John Spack for catching, and extra thanks to Gaspar for pitching as well
*Sean had a crafty hidden ball trick
*Finally got some good hits with the Nike bat
*Nick Smith's grunts when he hits are getting more pronounced, and more intimidating
Well, hope to see us back up to 19 on Sunday, Cop Field, 3 pm.
S. Paige
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