With the loses we sustained during the past week, I was forced to call in the reserves. As it turned out, Jimmy and Jon (who had said all along they could play if needed) were able to fill in quite nicely.
At the plate, we had a pretty good night. Michael got us started off with a nice line drive to left and we kept going from there with lots of good solid base hits and a couple of bombs by Josh and Luke. Thankfully we play our games on the larger fields at Veteran's Park these days, rather than those at Central Park, because Luke hit a towering drive that short-hopped the fence in right-center that would have easily cleared the fence at Central. It just happened to be the hit that drive in the clinching (put us over the 10-run run-rule) run.
Defensively, we played a solid game and never game the opposition a chance to rally for that big inning that seems to plague us at times. Even on the few plays that we were unable to turn into outs, we smothered the ball and kept it close to prevent runners from advancing.
We were also the beneficiaries of nice work in the pitching department. Chris through a complete game, and seemed to have many of their hitters off balance. There were very few hard hit balls and several cue shots off the end of the bat. As is very important in slow pitch softball, he also through a lot of strikes, which forces the hitter to swing at less than perfect pitches (at least from their point of view).
It was a good game with good results. Lots of fun, no injuries, and a W to boot (Final score 17-7). We also had a nice turnout in the stands, thanks to all the families that braved the craziness of the ballpark to support those of us on the field. We were also able to enjoy Norval presence once again, and we are thankful for his encouragement and oversite.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Games 5 & 6: Two Bad
The first game didn't start off to so well, as the opposition got off to a fast start, while it took us a couple of innings to get going. Overall it wasn't a bad game, but we were bitten by the bad inning, and depite a late rally we were not able to recover. I believe the final score in this one was 6-14.
The second game was one of the best games we have ever been a part off on both sides. Each team played good defense and hit the ball well. Were it not for an off target throw from our left fielder, I think we would have pulled this one out. I am going to have a serious talk with him, and hopefully this won't be an issue again. I think this was just about the most fun we have had as a team in a losing effort. Both sides played good, clean, exciting softball, with good sportsmanship on both sides. The final score in this one was a hard fought 10-11.
Despite our best efforts, we dropped both games of our double-header to fall to 2-4 on the season with two games left to play. It would be nice to finish 4-4 by running the table the rest of the way.
The second game was one of the best games we have ever been a part off on both sides. Each team played good defense and hit the ball well. Were it not for an off target throw from our left fielder, I think we would have pulled this one out. I am going to have a serious talk with him, and hopefully this won't be an issue again. I think this was just about the most fun we have had as a team in a losing effort. Both sides played good, clean, exciting softball, with good sportsmanship on both sides. The final score in this one was a hard fought 10-11.
Despite our best efforts, we dropped both games of our double-header to fall to 2-4 on the season with two games left to play. It would be nice to finish 4-4 by running the table the rest of the way.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Game 4: Electricly Burned
Not to ruin the suspense, but it is much easier (and more fun) to write about our victories that it is to summarize our loses.
This particular game went much like many of our losses in the past have gone. We played pretty well for the most part, but one bad inning with a couple of mistakes followed by a couple of big hits left us trying to play catch-up. It was unfortunate that we played, probably our worst game of the season against the best team we have play so far.
We hit the ball reasonably well throughout the game. I think Josh even had a couple of round-trippers instead of his customary one. We did have some issues on the bases, however, and kind of shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. Most of the time, though, it was a matter of the other teams defense making plays. We had several hard hit balls to the left side of the infield (3B and SS) that were caught and turned into outs.
Defensively we had a rather rough, at least measured by the other games this season, outing, but mostly those errors only put us in bad shape to handle the bombs to the fence that a couple of guys on the other team were hitting. It was also not our best pitching night of the season, but I think we should have helped him out a little more than we did.
We put a little rally together with two outs in the bottom of the last inning. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit we had accumulated, and we came up short against the Britt Rice Ballers with a final score of 11-17. Much like the A&M vs. OSU game on Saturday, with a few plays going a different way, this game would have had a much different result.
This particular game went much like many of our losses in the past have gone. We played pretty well for the most part, but one bad inning with a couple of mistakes followed by a couple of big hits left us trying to play catch-up. It was unfortunate that we played, probably our worst game of the season against the best team we have play so far.
We hit the ball reasonably well throughout the game. I think Josh even had a couple of round-trippers instead of his customary one. We did have some issues on the bases, however, and kind of shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times. Most of the time, though, it was a matter of the other teams defense making plays. We had several hard hit balls to the left side of the infield (3B and SS) that were caught and turned into outs.
Defensively we had a rather rough, at least measured by the other games this season, outing, but mostly those errors only put us in bad shape to handle the bombs to the fence that a couple of guys on the other team were hitting. It was also not our best pitching night of the season, but I think we should have helped him out a little more than we did.
We put a little rally together with two outs in the bottom of the last inning. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit we had accumulated, and we came up short against the Britt Rice Ballers with a final score of 11-17. Much like the A&M vs. OSU game on Saturday, with a few plays going a different way, this game would have had a much different result.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Game 3: Standards Passed
I learned something this week, and it turned out to be of vital importance to this game. What I learned was that if a player is participating in another game that has run long (say a 6:15 game that has gone into extra innings) and he is scheduled to play in a 7:15 game on another field that is starting on time, the 7:15 game must, by rule, be held until that player is available to play. Thus, Luke was able to bat in his correct spot in the lineup and all was well.
This game was much closer than the final score would indicate, and we had several opportunities to lose it. Thankfully, we were able to scrape together enough runs to keep the game tied as time expired, and we gave ourselves one more inning to attempt to pull out the win.
After we settled down following the anxiety at the beginning of the game, our defense settled down as well and we had an overall good game in the field, despite some early shakiness. Thanks in part to Matt's archnemesis, Brian (only in this game, of course), we never could quite get the big inning we wanted early on in the game. As far as pitching was concerned, I think both teams were getting squeezed at the plate, but of course it was worse for our guys (what kind of manager would I be if I conceded otherwise). As it turned out, that last inning was all we needed. We were finally able to get the key hits that we were looking for earlier, and we closed out the inning with some more good defense for a hard fought 17-6 victory.
Thanks to all the friends and family that made it out to the game. One of the best parts of playing against the other WPC team was having so many people there cheering on both sides.
I would like to send out a special thanks to my mother-in-law, Maryanne, who at my request braved the heat, bugs, and craziness of taking the kids to the softball game to show her love for me. As I approach my 30th birthday, I am once again reminded how much I miss my mom, but I am continually thankful for the "extra" mom that the Lord blessed me with when Kierstyn and I got married. She (Maryanne) has always made special efforts to help soothe the pain that comes with losing your mother when you are 23, and I am so very grateful for everything she has done. Thanks, again, Mom. I love you.
This game was much closer than the final score would indicate, and we had several opportunities to lose it. Thankfully, we were able to scrape together enough runs to keep the game tied as time expired, and we gave ourselves one more inning to attempt to pull out the win.
After we settled down following the anxiety at the beginning of the game, our defense settled down as well and we had an overall good game in the field, despite some early shakiness. Thanks in part to Matt's archnemesis, Brian (only in this game, of course), we never could quite get the big inning we wanted early on in the game. As far as pitching was concerned, I think both teams were getting squeezed at the plate, but of course it was worse for our guys (what kind of manager would I be if I conceded otherwise). As it turned out, that last inning was all we needed. We were finally able to get the key hits that we were looking for earlier, and we closed out the inning with some more good defense for a hard fought 17-6 victory.
Thanks to all the friends and family that made it out to the game. One of the best parts of playing against the other WPC team was having so many people there cheering on both sides.
I would like to send out a special thanks to my mother-in-law, Maryanne, who at my request braved the heat, bugs, and craziness of taking the kids to the softball game to show her love for me. As I approach my 30th birthday, I am once again reminded how much I miss my mom, but I am continually thankful for the "extra" mom that the Lord blessed me with when Kierstyn and I got married. She (Maryanne) has always made special efforts to help soothe the pain that comes with losing your mother when you are 23, and I am so very grateful for everything she has done. Thanks, again, Mom. I love you.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Game 2: Gettin' the Lead Out
I think this may have been the best game that we have ever played. Pitching, defense, and hitting were all executed quite well.
Both of the pitchers (Matt and Andrew) did a fantastic a job throwing strikes and forcing the opposing team to put the ball in play. When the ball was put in play, the defense did its job, almost to perfection. As far as the offense was concerned, we just kept putting the ball in play, and when we were on base we were aggressive and smart (not going for too much when we didn't have to). Josh got back on track with his customary trip around the bases on a smash to the fence in right center, but most of our hits were just clean singles or doubles. It was just a fun game all around.
Once again, we had a good turnout. I would like to especially thank all of the wives who made the extra effort to bring the kiddos out to the park for the game even though it was a later start time. I can't speak for the other guys, but I know I enjoy having my family joining in the fun.
Both of the pitchers (Matt and Andrew) did a fantastic a job throwing strikes and forcing the opposing team to put the ball in play. When the ball was put in play, the defense did its job, almost to perfection. As far as the offense was concerned, we just kept putting the ball in play, and when we were on base we were aggressive and smart (not going for too much when we didn't have to). Josh got back on track with his customary trip around the bases on a smash to the fence in right center, but most of our hits were just clean singles or doubles. It was just a fun game all around.
Once again, we had a good turnout. I would like to especially thank all of the wives who made the extra effort to bring the kiddos out to the park for the game even though it was a later start time. I can't speak for the other guys, but I know I enjoy having my family joining in the fun.
Game 1: Tough Loss
I am going to try to keep these summaries shorter than in the past, but we'll see how that goes. It should be easier for this game, since it was two weeks ago.
As the title of the post indicates, this was one we probably should have won. Our hitting started off pretty well, as it has the couple of seasons, but we were a little rusty on the defensive side and that allowed the game to get away from us. A couple of missed grounders, a missed catch, and a horrendously off target throw from left field put us on the wrong side of an 11-18 loss.
On the bright side, we had a good turnout both on the field and in the stands. I hope that trend continues, at least for the games that aren't too late in the evening.
As the title of the post indicates, this was one we probably should have won. Our hitting started off pretty well, as it has the couple of seasons, but we were a little rusty on the defensive side and that allowed the game to get away from us. A couple of missed grounders, a missed catch, and a horrendously off target throw from left field put us on the wrong side of an 11-18 loss.
On the bright side, we had a good turnout both on the field and in the stands. I hope that trend continues, at least for the games that aren't too late in the evening.
Not Quite Sure
I am not quite sure what motivated me to try to resurrect this blog at this time. I don't know if it is because of our win last night, or the renewed excitement that is being exhibited by the guys on the team. Maybe it is because we have two full teams now and that in and of itself is exciting because that means more guys are getting to hang out and at least start building relationships with other men in the church.
Whatever the reason, I am enjoying this season and because of that I am going to give this blog another shot. Anybody on the team interested in being a regular contributor, just let me know. I would like to see if we can make this a team effort, just like our win last night.
Whatever the reason, I am enjoying this season and because of that I am going to give this blog another shot. Anybody on the team interested in being a regular contributor, just let me know. I would like to see if we can make this a team effort, just like our win last night.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Tailgating
So, just in case anyone is still checking this blog....
If you want me to send you any of the pictures, just let me know!
Kierstyn (aka, Skipper's personal assistant)
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