Wednesday, June 18, 2008
June 12th Game vs. Anchors
It's Not Raining
When It's Sunny
June 12th vs. Anchors
It's funny. We had a very
different game last week. Anchors is a
good team – strong players, friendly but with an edge. That's ok because we showed up to play.
It
shouldn't matter who we play. One of my
favorite compliments is when an opposing team says, "Teams hate playing you
because it looks like you're having so much fun and don't care." Even in this game, the catcher told me that
she wanted to play for our team. We'll
still have hours of debates of what we should do better, but I like it when we
play with ourselves and not worry about the other team. Well, I know I like playing with myself, and
I like playing with you guys too.
I know it's
always easier to be happier with each other when we're winning and doing well,
but the best would be to be happy no matter what.
The B61 Lineup
pitcher: "Everybody
needs a knee" Jamie
catcher: "Lettuce
entertain you" Sarah and "I Rock" Alyce
1st: "I always look
like this" Rob
2nd: "Don't stop
believing" Tamara
ss: "Boots" Matt
3rd: "Put me in
coach. I can do it" Brendan
left: "I am the
cleanup, coo coo kachoo" Steve
center: "I am" Capone
floater: "Float
like a butterfly" Amy
right: "Choo Choo!"
Amtrak Jonathan
pinch hitter: Brendon
Coach: Elvis
Spiritual Advisor:
McWhippit
Our loyal fans: "I'm
too sexy for this bench" Tracey, "Let's not make Neptune angry" Stef, "Looking
for a nickname" Aubrey, "I'm wearing my kick-ass B61 socks" Jim, "I can stop
play with one walk of my stroller" Rachel/Cooper/Cali, Gary
The Game
Something was different. We were pumped and ready to play. Was it the writeup, the beer, the day? We were just fired up, B61 old school. "No pep talks. Let's play ball." "Let's be in it from the Geico. 15% more runs." We had chatter, high fives, some ass grabs,
laughter and a quickly emptying cooler.
We start out slow though. Jonathan leads us off with a crappy fly ball to 2nd base. Ain't no way that's happening
again. Matt picks us up with a base hit
past the pitcher. Jamie follows and hits
a pop fly to left field which gets called back as an "illegal pitch"?? Apparently, there was no arc on the
pitch. "7 years in this league, I've
never heard of that before." "Well,
you've never met Blue before." Definitely odd, but we're willing to take the free chance. Unfortunately, Jamie hits another pop fly, so
now he's 0 for 2, and it's only the first inning. Steve reliably hits a base hit to advance
Matt, but it's not enough. A quick out
at first, and we're done. Not the strong
start we wanted, but we haven't turned on ourselves yet.
Our defense kicks strong. Tam starts by stopping a grounder and making the play to 1st look easy. Capone runs for a dramatic
sliding catch but can't hold it. I like
his moxie. Brendan, testing his mettle
at 3rd, makes his first out with a pick up and throw to Rob. Matt catches a quick popup, and we're
good. That's the way it should be.
Capone leads the 2nd with a blooper out to center
field. "Stay on the bag!" Steve gives Ant a little extra coaching from
3rd base. "Hey, Anthony. Listen to me. I'm on 3rd. I have a
red shirt on." It was really Capone's
wheels that helped as Tam hits a grounder to shortstop who can't convert the
out at 2nd. Rob advances the
runner with a grounder to 1st – "I can't believe the big guy got
down for that." Sarah advances the
runners as well, and Capone puts the first mark on the board.
Some quick outs, and we're at bat again.
Czar leads B61 off with a ball out to right field. The fielder misjudges it, and it goes over
his head. Jonathan uses the opportunity to
round the bases. HR! Choo choo! Then again, Matt said, 'That's an error, right? You're not counting that as a HR." It's a home run in my book.
Matt then gets a typical weak ass hit and luckily makes it to first
(That's the way I remember it!) Jamie
lines one past 3rd base. Jamie
disses Amy and decides not to bring her in as his pinch runner. Rhino hits a sac fly to advance Matt to 3rd,
and Brendan does the same to bring Matt home. 3-0. In a questionable call,
Capone is called out at 1st though I'm sure he beat the play.
Our defense holds them again in the 3rd inning,
including a good play by the rookie on 3rd and a textbook Matt ->
Tamara toss for the 3rd out.
Tam starts the 4th by booking for a base hit to 1st. "Were you on track in high school?!" McLovin spices it up with a perfect opposite
field hit to bring Tam to 2nd. The shortstop uses Sarah's grounder to make the play at 2nd,
but leaves runners at 1st and 3rd for an Adam pinch
hit. His sac fly doesn't have the
distance, so it's time for a 2 out rally. Jonathan hits a nice base knock between 1st and 2nd sending Tam home and Sarah to 3rd. 4-0. Matt hits a line drive to
left to bring Sarah in and Czar to 2nd. Jamie and Steve keep the rally alive with base hits to bring Czar
and Boots home. 7-0. What a rally.
Anchors comes alive with a base hit to center and a bobbled blooper
to right field. Brendan converts a
grounder to 3rd by tagging the runner. Yet, Anchors keeps coming strong. A few more base hits and Anchors scores two
runs until Steve makes the final out with a pretty basket catch running full
speed towards the infield.
In the top of the 5th, Colin takes the mound as
pitcher. It's good to see him there with
his distinctive wind up pitch. Capone
gets a single, and Tam walks. A missed
catch by Colin (not high enough for an infield fly rule??) still gives him
enough time to get Capone out at 3rd. The Colin switch does them good as Anchors
quickly gets the next 2 outs to shut us down.
Jonathan starts the 6th with another base hit. Matt hits a line
drive directly at Colin, leaving Jon stranded between 1st and 2nd. Fortunately, the throw to 1st is
missed, and Amtrak runs to 3rd! "Look at the dust!" Jamie aims and
hits a grounder right into Jon's foot on the 3rd base bag. He sets up again and this time hits an RBI
single to make it 8-2. Matt pinch runs
for Jamie and advances to 2nd on Steve's base knock. A good catch by the 2nd basewoman
gives us 2 outs, and in a surprising event, Anthony strikes out to end the
side. "That last pitch was
horrible. If I had swung at it, you guys
would have yelled at me."
Anchors comes alive as it hits a base hit and then a long home run
out to deep left. They cry, "Korean Power!"
as their bomber goes back to the dugout. It must have rubbed off, because Anchors quickly hits another base hit
between 2nd and 3rd. Jim catches a foul ball off the fence, but unfortunately, he's not
playing, so it doesn't count. A deep
ball to left bounces to Steve, and Anchors puts runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Capone makes a great catch
running in, sees the 3rd base runner tagging up and rockets a
perfect throw to home. Alyce throws off
the mask, makes a perfect catch and covers the plate as she waits for the
runner to finally reach her for the tag. Denied! I love watching that play
in my mind over and over!
Leading 8-4 in the 7th, Tam gets called out with a
questionable call at 1st, but Rob makes up for it with a base hit
past 2nd. Lettuce hits a
SWEET line drive past the left fielder to drive Rob home and get a double for
the day. Alyce follows with another
SWEET drive over the left fielder's head! With Sarah on 3rd and Alyce on 1st, Jonathan hits
another long ball to right field that the fielder underestimates. Don't they see the guns on that guy? It's a triple, and B61 goes ahead 11-4. This time, Matt takes a pot shot at Jon on 3rd but misses. He follows with a RBI
single to deep left. Jamie smacks a long
ball. As he limps around the bases, 3rd base coach Capone tells him, "Well, you have to make a decision," as he
approaches 3rd. A triple is
good enough for now. Especially as
Brendan hits a single past the shortstop to bring in the run. 14-4.
When It's Sunny
June 12th vs. Anchors
It's funny. We had a very
different game last week. Anchors is a
good team – strong players, friendly but with an edge. That's ok because we showed up to play.
It
shouldn't matter who we play. One of my
favorite compliments is when an opposing team says, "Teams hate playing you
because it looks like you're having so much fun and don't care." Even in this game, the catcher told me that
she wanted to play for our team. We'll
still have hours of debates of what we should do better, but I like it when we
play with ourselves and not worry about the other team. Well, I know I like playing with myself, and
I like playing with you guys too.
I know it's
always easier to be happier with each other when we're winning and doing well,
but the best would be to be happy no matter what.
The B61 Lineup
pitcher: "Everybody
needs a knee" Jamie
catcher: "Lettuce
entertain you" Sarah and "I Rock" Alyce
1st: "I always look
like this" Rob
2nd: "Don't stop
believing" Tamara
ss: "Boots" Matt
3rd: "Put me in
coach. I can do it" Brendan
left: "I am the
cleanup, coo coo kachoo" Steve
center: "I am" Capone
floater: "Float
like a butterfly" Amy
right: "Choo Choo!"
Amtrak Jonathan
pinch hitter: Brendon
Coach: Elvis
Spiritual Advisor:
McWhippit
Our loyal fans: "I'm
too sexy for this bench" Tracey, "Let's not make Neptune angry" Stef, "Looking
for a nickname" Aubrey, "I'm wearing my kick-ass B61 socks" Jim, "I can stop
play with one walk of my stroller" Rachel/Cooper/Cali, Gary
The Game
Something was different. We were pumped and ready to play. Was it the writeup, the beer, the day? We were just fired up, B61 old school. "No pep talks. Let's play ball." "Let's be in it from the Geico. 15% more runs." We had chatter, high fives, some ass grabs,
laughter and a quickly emptying cooler.
We start out slow though. Jonathan leads us off with a crappy fly ball to 2nd base. Ain't no way that's happening
again. Matt picks us up with a base hit
past the pitcher. Jamie follows and hits
a pop fly to left field which gets called back as an "illegal pitch"?? Apparently, there was no arc on the
pitch. "7 years in this league, I've
never heard of that before." "Well,
you've never met Blue before." Definitely odd, but we're willing to take the free chance. Unfortunately, Jamie hits another pop fly, so
now he's 0 for 2, and it's only the first inning. Steve reliably hits a base hit to advance
Matt, but it's not enough. A quick out
at first, and we're done. Not the strong
start we wanted, but we haven't turned on ourselves yet.
Our defense kicks strong. Tam starts by stopping a grounder and making the play to 1st look easy. Capone runs for a dramatic
sliding catch but can't hold it. I like
his moxie. Brendan, testing his mettle
at 3rd, makes his first out with a pick up and throw to Rob. Matt catches a quick popup, and we're
good. That's the way it should be.
Capone leads the 2nd with a blooper out to center
field. "Stay on the bag!" Steve gives Ant a little extra coaching from
3rd base. "Hey, Anthony. Listen to me. I'm on 3rd. I have a
red shirt on." It was really Capone's
wheels that helped as Tam hits a grounder to shortstop who can't convert the
out at 2nd. Rob advances the
runner with a grounder to 1st – "I can't believe the big guy got
down for that." Sarah advances the
runners as well, and Capone puts the first mark on the board.
Some quick outs, and we're at bat again.
Czar leads B61 off with a ball out to right field. The fielder misjudges it, and it goes over
his head. Jonathan uses the opportunity to
round the bases. HR! Choo choo! Then again, Matt said, 'That's an error, right? You're not counting that as a HR." It's a home run in my book.
Matt then gets a typical weak ass hit and luckily makes it to first
(That's the way I remember it!) Jamie
lines one past 3rd base. Jamie
disses Amy and decides not to bring her in as his pinch runner. Rhino hits a sac fly to advance Matt to 3rd,
and Brendan does the same to bring Matt home. 3-0. In a questionable call,
Capone is called out at 1st though I'm sure he beat the play.
Our defense holds them again in the 3rd inning,
including a good play by the rookie on 3rd and a textbook Matt ->
Tamara toss for the 3rd out.
Tam starts the 4th by booking for a base hit to 1st. "Were you on track in high school?!" McLovin spices it up with a perfect opposite
field hit to bring Tam to 2nd. The shortstop uses Sarah's grounder to make the play at 2nd,
but leaves runners at 1st and 3rd for an Adam pinch
hit. His sac fly doesn't have the
distance, so it's time for a 2 out rally. Jonathan hits a nice base knock between 1st and 2nd sending Tam home and Sarah to 3rd. 4-0. Matt hits a line drive to
left to bring Sarah in and Czar to 2nd. Jamie and Steve keep the rally alive with base hits to bring Czar
and Boots home. 7-0. What a rally.
Anchors comes alive with a base hit to center and a bobbled blooper
to right field. Brendan converts a
grounder to 3rd by tagging the runner. Yet, Anchors keeps coming strong. A few more base hits and Anchors scores two
runs until Steve makes the final out with a pretty basket catch running full
speed towards the infield.
In the top of the 5th, Colin takes the mound as
pitcher. It's good to see him there with
his distinctive wind up pitch. Capone
gets a single, and Tam walks. A missed
catch by Colin (not high enough for an infield fly rule??) still gives him
enough time to get Capone out at 3rd. The Colin switch does them good as Anchors
quickly gets the next 2 outs to shut us down.
Jonathan starts the 6th with another base hit. Matt hits a line
drive directly at Colin, leaving Jon stranded between 1st and 2nd. Fortunately, the throw to 1st is
missed, and Amtrak runs to 3rd! "Look at the dust!" Jamie aims and
hits a grounder right into Jon's foot on the 3rd base bag. He sets up again and this time hits an RBI
single to make it 8-2. Matt pinch runs
for Jamie and advances to 2nd on Steve's base knock. A good catch by the 2nd basewoman
gives us 2 outs, and in a surprising event, Anthony strikes out to end the
side. "That last pitch was
horrible. If I had swung at it, you guys
would have yelled at me."
Anchors comes alive as it hits a base hit and then a long home run
out to deep left. They cry, "Korean Power!"
as their bomber goes back to the dugout. It must have rubbed off, because Anchors quickly hits another base hit
between 2nd and 3rd. Jim catches a foul ball off the fence, but unfortunately, he's not
playing, so it doesn't count. A deep
ball to left bounces to Steve, and Anchors puts runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Capone makes a great catch
running in, sees the 3rd base runner tagging up and rockets a
perfect throw to home. Alyce throws off
the mask, makes a perfect catch and covers the plate as she waits for the
runner to finally reach her for the tag. Denied! I love watching that play
in my mind over and over!
Leading 8-4 in the 7th, Tam gets called out with a
questionable call at 1st, but Rob makes up for it with a base hit
past 2nd. Lettuce hits a
SWEET line drive past the left fielder to drive Rob home and get a double for
the day. Alyce follows with another
SWEET drive over the left fielder's head! With Sarah on 3rd and Alyce on 1st, Jonathan hits
another long ball to right field that the fielder underestimates. Don't they see the guns on that guy? It's a triple, and B61 goes ahead 11-4. This time, Matt takes a pot shot at Jon on 3rd but misses. He follows with a RBI
single to deep left. Jamie smacks a long
ball. As he limps around the bases, 3rd base coach Capone tells him, "Well, you have to make a decision," as he
approaches 3rd. A triple is
good enough for now. Especially as
Brendan hits a single past the shortstop to bring in the run. 14-4.
Our defense remains cool – an easy Reinert catch, a Tam -> Rob conversion
and a Matt-> Tam gives us an easy 3 outs to end a good game.
Memorable Moments
· Jamie: "Can I get a pinch runner? Who made last out?"
Adam:
"Amy."
Jamie: "
Never mind."
· Blue stopping the game every time Rachel walked
outside the dugout with Cooper and the stroller
· That great Capone-Alyce double play at the plate
· Colin's comment after the game, "I still love
you guys. I don't like Blue, but I love
you guys." We love Anchors too.
· Adam told me I hit a cycle (single, double,
triple and HR), but I don't remember a double
· Every time I scored, the catcher would say,
"Welcome back," "Good to see you," or "Right this way." I love a good attitude and sense of humor.
· Anchors' catcher, "I want to play for you
guys. You bring beer, and we're too
serious."
· Jamie going 0 for 2 in one at bat
· "Well, Jamie, you have to a make a decision."
Player of the Game
One MVP goes to the rookie Brendan. He stepped up to playing 3rd and made some key defensive outs
and had 2 RBIs for the day. I have to
give Alyce the co-MVP nod. For only
playing a few innings, she got the team on fire. Batting 1000 with a powerful knock to left
field and that beautiful play at home – that's the Lady Bus Stops personified.
