When your 8th players is wearing blue jeans and tennis sneakers and your 9th player is a no show and thus an automatic out you can pretty much figure how your day is going to go. That's how we started our game today. Meanwhile the Rebels have all of their hitters today and they've come to hit.
We scored a run in the top of the first but had the chance to score a lot more, leaving the bases loaded. The Rebels scored one in the bottom of the inning to tie it up.
After going easily in the top of the second we gave the Rebels two gift runs when a ground ball to second that should have been the third out went through the second baseman's legs. By the 3rd inning our 9th player showed up - ANOTHER guy in blue jeans and tennis shoes. You've got to be kidding me!? We send him to left for the 3rd inning.
Between our left and right fielders (the blues brothers) playing deep and tentative and our infield that made 3 errors, we gave up another 4 runs (3 unearned)in the 3rd inning. Their only earned run that inning came when their 3rd batter of the inning couldn't get a bunt down with runners on 1st and 2nd (both by erroros) and no outs. With an 1-2 count he hit a bomb to center on a hanging slider and scored on a single by the next batter (Brian "Crazy legs" Benjamin I believe).
After the fifth inning, with the game well out of hand and the chances unlikely for improvement, I decided to give up the ball to Max to finish out the game so I could save my arm for Sunday when I know I'll at least have players with matching uniforms behind me.
Max did a fine job only allowing 2 more runs. We lost 12-2.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
May 26th Knights vs Mustangs
We have a skelton crew tonight - just 9 players - with Hammer playing second since Richie Bryan has an injury and has to play first.
The Knights lead off batter is Matt "Matches" Avery. He's always hit me well. I can remember several bombs to left center. I tell Big O, who's playing 3rd, not to worry about the bunt. I'm sure Matches won't be bunting - he likes to hit the ball hard. The count works to something like 2-1 and I throw an inside fastball and Matches hits a pretty hard grounder to 3rd... that gets by a diving Big O who's playing in on the grass a couple of steps for the bunt. If he'd been playing back he would have had a chance for it. I said to him "I told you he wouldn't be bunting" and he said "Hammer told me to play in for the bunt. " I guess I should have check his positioning.
That was pretty much the story of the night. The outfield was playing way too deep which is pretty standard for outfielders who are not confident in their ability. They don't feel comfortable going back on the ball so they play deep enough that they will never have to go back. All night long balls were being hit in front of the outfielders. I miss Tony Barber (who just had his first child May 7th) in centerfield. He would play as shallow as I wanted him to and was still able to get back on the occasional ball hit behind him.
Tonight the game was pretty much over in the first inning. They scored 4 runs on several hits and a couple of errors. Darrel Sinclair & Matches shut us down for 7 innings (aided by a couple more base running errors on our part). We lost 9-0. Not very encouraging. (The Knights have won their last 3 games by shut out: 9-0, 5-0, 9-0).
I felt pretty good pitching and worked on throwing more forkballs. I held Matches and Supe to 1 for 4 each. Supe broke his bat on a fastball down the pipe that he should have hit over the trees. After his hit in the first Matches hit too VERY high infield pop ups and struck out looking on a forkball that cut over the inside corner.
We play the Rebels Saturday and the Pioneers (with Jim Bouton) are at Simsbury, CT Sunday. It should be a fun weekend.
The Knights lead off batter is Matt "Matches" Avery. He's always hit me well. I can remember several bombs to left center. I tell Big O, who's playing 3rd, not to worry about the bunt. I'm sure Matches won't be bunting - he likes to hit the ball hard. The count works to something like 2-1 and I throw an inside fastball and Matches hits a pretty hard grounder to 3rd... that gets by a diving Big O who's playing in on the grass a couple of steps for the bunt. If he'd been playing back he would have had a chance for it. I said to him "I told you he wouldn't be bunting" and he said "Hammer told me to play in for the bunt. " I guess I should have check his positioning.
That was pretty much the story of the night. The outfield was playing way too deep which is pretty standard for outfielders who are not confident in their ability. They don't feel comfortable going back on the ball so they play deep enough that they will never have to go back. All night long balls were being hit in front of the outfielders. I miss Tony Barber (who just had his first child May 7th) in centerfield. He would play as shallow as I wanted him to and was still able to get back on the occasional ball hit behind him.
Tonight the game was pretty much over in the first inning. They scored 4 runs on several hits and a couple of errors. Darrel Sinclair & Matches shut us down for 7 innings (aided by a couple more base running errors on our part). We lost 9-0. Not very encouraging. (The Knights have won their last 3 games by shut out: 9-0, 5-0, 9-0).
I felt pretty good pitching and worked on throwing more forkballs. I held Matches and Supe to 1 for 4 each. Supe broke his bat on a fastball down the pipe that he should have hit over the trees. After his hit in the first Matches hit too VERY high infield pop ups and struck out looking on a forkball that cut over the inside corner.
We play the Rebels Saturday and the Pioneers (with Jim Bouton) are at Simsbury, CT Sunday. It should be a fun weekend.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
May 23 Mustangs v Valley Cats (Doubleheader)
Game 1:
Chris pitched the first game and did an excellent job - the best I've seen her pitch. She went all 9 innings and with the exception of the 6th inning it was smooth sailing the whole way. We won 9-4.
Game 2:
I started game 2 and felt great. All my pitches are working well and my arm feels awesome. Good location too. We get a run in the 3rd (?) inning to take a 1-0 lead but in the next half inning I hang a curve to Kenny and he crushes it for a lead off double and scores when the next batter singles.
The score stays ties until the bottom of the 6th when we score 2 runs when the Cat's pitcher gets a little wild. Several walks, a hit or two and one run walked in and we've got a 3-1 lead going into the 7th. I shut down the cats in the top of the 7th but we don't add to our lead in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the 8th the wheels come off the bus (or at least the second baseman). Te lead off batter singles and with a 1-2 count I DRILL the second batter right in the center of his back with a fastball (ouch). 1st and 2nd no outs. The next batter hit a ground ball to second that looks like a double play ball for sure but our 2nd baseman boots it and can't even get a handle on it to get one out. Bases loaded no outs. The next batter hit another double play ball to the second baseman. This time he fields it cleanly and makes an underhanded toss to the shortstop covering second...that is so far off line that the ball rolls out outward left field. 2 runs score, 1st and 3rd no outs. The next batter bunts straight back to me for an easy out at first. The runner at 3rd holds. 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. A short fly ball to right is a diving catch by the right fielder. His throw home is a one hopper that is in time but isn't handled by the catcher. 4-3 Cats, 2 outs. I strike out the next hitter for the 3rd out.
The cats had brought in the Dentist to pitch the last 3 innings and he does a great job - nobody gets drilled and he holds us scoreless.
Tough loss. We had 3 runners picked off base in the second game (and two in the first game). I struck out 12 batters and really controlled them the entire game. Very frustrating. We should have won this game.
Chris pitched the first game and did an excellent job - the best I've seen her pitch. She went all 9 innings and with the exception of the 6th inning it was smooth sailing the whole way. We won 9-4.
Game 2:
I started game 2 and felt great. All my pitches are working well and my arm feels awesome. Good location too. We get a run in the 3rd (?) inning to take a 1-0 lead but in the next half inning I hang a curve to Kenny and he crushes it for a lead off double and scores when the next batter singles.
The score stays ties until the bottom of the 6th when we score 2 runs when the Cat's pitcher gets a little wild. Several walks, a hit or two and one run walked in and we've got a 3-1 lead going into the 7th. I shut down the cats in the top of the 7th but we don't add to our lead in the bottom of the inning.
In the top of the 8th the wheels come off the bus (or at least the second baseman). Te lead off batter singles and with a 1-2 count I DRILL the second batter right in the center of his back with a fastball (ouch). 1st and 2nd no outs. The next batter hit a ground ball to second that looks like a double play ball for sure but our 2nd baseman boots it and can't even get a handle on it to get one out. Bases loaded no outs. The next batter hit another double play ball to the second baseman. This time he fields it cleanly and makes an underhanded toss to the shortstop covering second...that is so far off line that the ball rolls out outward left field. 2 runs score, 1st and 3rd no outs. The next batter bunts straight back to me for an easy out at first. The runner at 3rd holds. 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. A short fly ball to right is a diving catch by the right fielder. His throw home is a one hopper that is in time but isn't handled by the catcher. 4-3 Cats, 2 outs. I strike out the next hitter for the 3rd out.
The cats had brought in the Dentist to pitch the last 3 innings and he does a great job - nobody gets drilled and he holds us scoreless.
Tough loss. We had 3 runners picked off base in the second game (and two in the first game). I struck out 12 batters and really controlled them the entire game. Very frustrating. We should have won this game.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Doubleheaders
Tomorrow the Mustangs have a doubleheader against the Valley Cats. We are making up a game that we missed earlier because of a rescheduled high school game that took priority over us. The first game starts at 9:00 am.
I used to play for a team in Nashua, NH (Nashua Cubs) that played all its home games at 9:00am. We would take bp before the game so I had to get there at 8:00 which meant leaving my house around 6:00 am. I would stop at a McDonalds in Nashua on the way over to pick up some breakfast and use the bathroom and stop there again for lunch on the way home. I would often have another game in Vermont at about 3:00pm. That was before I formed the CRVBL so it was the Putney Fossils vs Landmark College. Eventually a team from Brattleboro formed to play Landmark as well as the Fossils. I would end up putting on a few McDonalds pounds over the course of the season.
At the end of the 2001 season it seemed like nobody wanted to run the Nashua Cubs and it looked likely that there would not be a Cubs team in 2002. It was because of that that I decided to form the CRVBL. We already have 2 teams (Fossils & Brattleboro) and it seemed likely we could get 2 more teams. It's easy for me to remember the date of the last game I played for the Nashua Cubs because it was Sunday, September 9, 2001 - 2 days before 9/11.
I used to play for a team in Nashua, NH (Nashua Cubs) that played all its home games at 9:00am. We would take bp before the game so I had to get there at 8:00 which meant leaving my house around 6:00 am. I would stop at a McDonalds in Nashua on the way over to pick up some breakfast and use the bathroom and stop there again for lunch on the way home. I would often have another game in Vermont at about 3:00pm. That was before I formed the CRVBL so it was the Putney Fossils vs Landmark College. Eventually a team from Brattleboro formed to play Landmark as well as the Fossils. I would end up putting on a few McDonalds pounds over the course of the season.
At the end of the 2001 season it seemed like nobody wanted to run the Nashua Cubs and it looked likely that there would not be a Cubs team in 2002. It was because of that that I decided to form the CRVBL. We already have 2 teams (Fossils & Brattleboro) and it seemed likely we could get 2 more teams. It's easy for me to remember the date of the last game I played for the Nashua Cubs because it was Sunday, September 9, 2001 - 2 days before 9/11.
Monday, May 18, 2009
May 18 - Mustangs at Barons
My arm actually felt pretty good so I threw some easy bp in the cage before the game.
Max was supposed to start but he's just arriving about 5 minutes before game time so Ski gets the ball. The first batter hits the first pitch to first base and Ski forgets to cover first so the batter reaches, steals second, goes to third on a 4-3 ground out and scores when I make a bad throw from 3rd on a ground ball. I looked the runner back, then looked him back again and rushed the throw. In the process I've discovered that my arm is not feeling fine but is actually hanging pretty bad. No surprise really.
The Barons score 2 in the first and another 3 in the second. Max comes in to pitch in the 3rd inning and is really on. He holds them to 1 unearned run in the 4th(?) and another run in the bottom of the 7th.
Meanwhile their pitcher (don't know his name) is throwing a gem. The ump has a rather low strike zone tonight and he is hitting the corners at the bottom of the strike zone and we can't do much against him. We do score a couple of runs on walks and errors but don't get a hit until the 7th inning when Ski lines a solid single to right. With the no hitter broken up they send out a new pitcher for the 8th and we hit some solid line drives - right at people for 3 quick outs.
In the top of the 9th we finally string together some hits and score 3 runs but with a runner on Ski makes the final out leaving me in the on deck circle. I'm sure I would have parked one to give us the lead if only I'd gotten the chance. Final score Mustangs 5 Barons 7.
I'm looking forward to four days of rest for my arm. Our next game isn't until Saturday.
Max was supposed to start but he's just arriving about 5 minutes before game time so Ski gets the ball. The first batter hits the first pitch to first base and Ski forgets to cover first so the batter reaches, steals second, goes to third on a 4-3 ground out and scores when I make a bad throw from 3rd on a ground ball. I looked the runner back, then looked him back again and rushed the throw. In the process I've discovered that my arm is not feeling fine but is actually hanging pretty bad. No surprise really.
The Barons score 2 in the first and another 3 in the second. Max comes in to pitch in the 3rd inning and is really on. He holds them to 1 unearned run in the 4th(?) and another run in the bottom of the 7th.
Meanwhile their pitcher (don't know his name) is throwing a gem. The ump has a rather low strike zone tonight and he is hitting the corners at the bottom of the strike zone and we can't do much against him. We do score a couple of runs on walks and errors but don't get a hit until the 7th inning when Ski lines a solid single to right. With the no hitter broken up they send out a new pitcher for the 8th and we hit some solid line drives - right at people for 3 quick outs.
In the top of the 9th we finally string together some hits and score 3 runs but with a runner on Ski makes the final out leaving me in the on deck circle. I'm sure I would have parked one to give us the lead if only I'd gotten the chance. Final score Mustangs 5 Barons 7.
I'm looking forward to four days of rest for my arm. Our next game isn't until Saturday.
May 17 Pioneers at Meddowe (Longmeadow, MA)
Today we're playing in Longmeadow, MA. The Meddowe team likes to play some of their games with 1860 rules (basically softball rules only even more boring) and we've agreed to play a doubleheader - one 7 inning 1886 rules game and one 7 inning 1860 rules.
The first game is a closely played game. They get up by a couple of runs and we come back with 3 to take the lead and then extend it to a 4-2 lead going into the top of the 7th. (We're the home team again thanks to Buck's magnificient streak of winning coin tosses). Turk pitched the first 2 innings and Slappie the next 2 and I'm supposed to close it out.
My first two innings went fine except my arm is hanging a little - nothing too bad though and the adrenaline is getting me through it ok. The first batter in the top of the 7th leads off with a well hit ball to left. Unfortunately our left fielder took a step or two in before realizing how well hit it was so it sailed over his head for a double. The relay throw back in gets by the second baseman and the runner advances to third. Oh well. We have a two run lead so forget about him and get three outs. The next batter is a lefty who I struck out two innings earlier on a forkball. He was a pretty tough out that inning and after a bunch of sliders and fastballs I'd finally gotten him. This time I start him with a slider and he rips it deep down the right field line for a triple.
Now the tieing run is on 3rd with no outs. We bring the infield in looking to keep him from scoring. About 3 pitches later I through him a high inside fastball that gets by the catcher and he scores. We almost had him at the plate but the throw from the catcher was a little to the first base side of home. A perfect throw might have had him (or he would have broken my hand sliding into it).
Tie game now but at least the bases are empty. Not for long though. They eventually score 2 more runs, this time due to errors: A near collision between short and centerfield that results in the centerfielder dropping the ball and my own drop of a pop up between the mound and home. There may have been another error as well - I can remember. It was definitely not our best display of fielding.
Bottom line- we lose 6-4. I get the blown save and loss and my arm is really hanging now.
Game 2:
We are not up for the 1860 rules game at all after blowing the lead in the previous game. The basic rules are:
Underhand pitching with no balls or strikes called. Just lay it in there for the hitter.
Batted balls caught in the air or on one bounce are outs.
No gloves at all. Just bare hands.
The ball is softer and more bouncy than a regular baseball.
One step "gentlemen's" leads.
The results of these rules is that most balls can be caught pretty easily on one bounce. Basically any fly ball to the outfield is an out unless it's really a gapper and even then it has to be a line drive.
We give up 5 runs quickly in the first before we've really recovered mentally from the first game. After that inning the game went very quickly and we eventually decided to play a full 9 inning game. It probably didn't take much more than an hour. We lost 7-1. If you throw out the first inning where we were getting our bearings it was a 2-1 game. Not bad, but we all (The Pioneers) vow never to play 1860 rules again. It might as well be softball which is definately NOT baseball.
The first game is a closely played game. They get up by a couple of runs and we come back with 3 to take the lead and then extend it to a 4-2 lead going into the top of the 7th. (We're the home team again thanks to Buck's magnificient streak of winning coin tosses). Turk pitched the first 2 innings and Slappie the next 2 and I'm supposed to close it out.
My first two innings went fine except my arm is hanging a little - nothing too bad though and the adrenaline is getting me through it ok. The first batter in the top of the 7th leads off with a well hit ball to left. Unfortunately our left fielder took a step or two in before realizing how well hit it was so it sailed over his head for a double. The relay throw back in gets by the second baseman and the runner advances to third. Oh well. We have a two run lead so forget about him and get three outs. The next batter is a lefty who I struck out two innings earlier on a forkball. He was a pretty tough out that inning and after a bunch of sliders and fastballs I'd finally gotten him. This time I start him with a slider and he rips it deep down the right field line for a triple.
Now the tieing run is on 3rd with no outs. We bring the infield in looking to keep him from scoring. About 3 pitches later I through him a high inside fastball that gets by the catcher and he scores. We almost had him at the plate but the throw from the catcher was a little to the first base side of home. A perfect throw might have had him (or he would have broken my hand sliding into it).
Tie game now but at least the bases are empty. Not for long though. They eventually score 2 more runs, this time due to errors: A near collision between short and centerfield that results in the centerfielder dropping the ball and my own drop of a pop up between the mound and home. There may have been another error as well - I can remember. It was definitely not our best display of fielding.
Bottom line- we lose 6-4. I get the blown save and loss and my arm is really hanging now.
Game 2:
We are not up for the 1860 rules game at all after blowing the lead in the previous game. The basic rules are:
Underhand pitching with no balls or strikes called. Just lay it in there for the hitter.
Batted balls caught in the air or on one bounce are outs.
No gloves at all. Just bare hands.
The ball is softer and more bouncy than a regular baseball.
One step "gentlemen's" leads.
The results of these rules is that most balls can be caught pretty easily on one bounce. Basically any fly ball to the outfield is an out unless it's really a gapper and even then it has to be a line drive.
We give up 5 runs quickly in the first before we've really recovered mentally from the first game. After that inning the game went very quickly and we eventually decided to play a full 9 inning game. It probably didn't take much more than an hour. We lost 7-1. If you throw out the first inning where we were getting our bearings it was a 2-1 game. Not bad, but we all (The Pioneers) vow never to play 1860 rules again. It might as well be softball which is definately NOT baseball.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
May 16 - Dirt Dogs at Mustangs
What a beautiful day for baseball! It rained pretty hard last night and was cloudy early this morning but it had cleared off to blue skies by the time I arrived at Pioneer HS at 9:15. Both fields are impeccably groomed, as usual, along with foul lines and batters boxes and freshly mowed grass. It doesn't get any better than this.
This is our first game against the Dirt Dogs this year. They were very good last year so I know it's going to be a tough game.
After getting through the first with no damage we give up 4 runs in the second on some good hits and a couple of errors. They are dropping in a lot of hits in front of the outfielders. Duse is playing a very shallow center but even so there just isn't enough hang time on them for him to be able to catch them.
We hold them at 4 for the next few innings and finally get on the board in perhaps the 4th with 1 run. I came up with the bases loaded and one out and popped up the first pitch to short. Very frustrating. Despite reminding myself to be patient I wasn't.
In the 5th (?) we get a bunch of runs on a few hits, some walks, a hit batter and an error or two. The Dirt Dogs are pretty much melting down. I drove in 2 with a very well hit double over the left fielder's head. Perhaps the best hit I've had in several years. After 5 inings we lead 6-4.
They get one back in the top of the 6th to make it 6-5 and then get 2 more in the 7th to make it 7-6. Their final run is driven in by Tim Conway who, with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd, lays a perfect punt down the 3rd baseline and beats it out.
In the bottom of the 7th I come up with a runner on 3rd and two outs and walk then steal second a couple of pitches later. The pitcher throws a ball in the dirt and it gets by the catcher so the runner on 3rd scores and I move to 3rd. Nails is up now and I think the count gets to one and one. The pitcher shakes off the catcher and I'm pretty sure he's going to throw a curve. As soon as he throws it I can see it's going to be in the dirty so I start towards the plate. The catcher does a pretty good job of blocking it but it is off to the 1st base side of the circle around home and with my good jump I'm able to score. 8-7 Mustangs after 7.
The problem now is that Omar has already left leaving us with only 9 players and Big O needs to leave in about 15 minutes. We get throught he top of the 8th but don't get past either Omar's or Big O's spot in the order. Big O has to go leaving us with 8 players and 2 automatic outs for the bottom of the 9th.
We borrow a right fielder for the top of the 9th. I get up on the first batter 1-2 then hit him. Runner on first and nobody out. Time to Termie up! I strike out the next 3 to end the game. A very nice come from behind win for the Mustangs. We're now 2-2.
Tomorrow is a vintage games in Longmeadow then Monday night it's the Mustangs against the Barons. I'd better go home and ice my arm.
This is our first game against the Dirt Dogs this year. They were very good last year so I know it's going to be a tough game.
After getting through the first with no damage we give up 4 runs in the second on some good hits and a couple of errors. They are dropping in a lot of hits in front of the outfielders. Duse is playing a very shallow center but even so there just isn't enough hang time on them for him to be able to catch them.
We hold them at 4 for the next few innings and finally get on the board in perhaps the 4th with 1 run. I came up with the bases loaded and one out and popped up the first pitch to short. Very frustrating. Despite reminding myself to be patient I wasn't.
In the 5th (?) we get a bunch of runs on a few hits, some walks, a hit batter and an error or two. The Dirt Dogs are pretty much melting down. I drove in 2 with a very well hit double over the left fielder's head. Perhaps the best hit I've had in several years. After 5 inings we lead 6-4.
They get one back in the top of the 6th to make it 6-5 and then get 2 more in the 7th to make it 7-6. Their final run is driven in by Tim Conway who, with 2 outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd, lays a perfect punt down the 3rd baseline and beats it out.
In the bottom of the 7th I come up with a runner on 3rd and two outs and walk then steal second a couple of pitches later. The pitcher throws a ball in the dirt and it gets by the catcher so the runner on 3rd scores and I move to 3rd. Nails is up now and I think the count gets to one and one. The pitcher shakes off the catcher and I'm pretty sure he's going to throw a curve. As soon as he throws it I can see it's going to be in the dirty so I start towards the plate. The catcher does a pretty good job of blocking it but it is off to the 1st base side of the circle around home and with my good jump I'm able to score. 8-7 Mustangs after 7.
The problem now is that Omar has already left leaving us with only 9 players and Big O needs to leave in about 15 minutes. We get throught he top of the 8th but don't get past either Omar's or Big O's spot in the order. Big O has to go leaving us with 8 players and 2 automatic outs for the bottom of the 9th.
We borrow a right fielder for the top of the 9th. I get up on the first batter 1-2 then hit him. Runner on first and nobody out. Time to Termie up! I strike out the next 3 to end the game. A very nice come from behind win for the Mustangs. We're now 2-2.
Tomorrow is a vintage games in Longmeadow then Monday night it's the Mustangs against the Barons. I'd better go home and ice my arm.
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