Well, I guess our stats are going to come back to earth.
The Stripes showed some come-back grit in game 1, , getting the winning run to 3rd base with 1 out in the bottom of the last inning. But a strike from the CF gunned down Chris "Remember Me" Boniface at the plate, resulting in a double play and ending the first game in a tie.
The second game was just as sloppy as the second, but we still had a chance. The team looked lethargic and llooking towards having a few weeks off.
Here's to starting over in September.
Stats to be posted. Standings too.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tom's review
Since we were missing Al Boyd, Chris Boniface, Lee Defibaugh, Jeff
Morris, Mark Ulrich, Al Schneider and Steve Mandolesi Monday night
against the "Never Will Be's", I had to be creative with the defensive
positioning and lineup. Jeff Donald played shortstop, Mike Chapman
played second base, Al Peterson played left center, Andrew played first,
Joe played left, Dave Buttner caught, my son Charlie played right center
and Ed Reich pitched. Filling their usual starting positions from the
Spring were Dan in right and Mike Mattoon at third. I started as the EH,
holding a place in case anyone else arrived, but no one ever did.
So maybe we don't need anyone else.
In the top of the first inning of the first game, we sent 21 batters to
the plate and scored 16 runs on 7 walks and 11 hits, Dan's lone double
and 10 singles. Dan had two hits and four RBI in the inning. In the
second inning, we scored another 5 runs on a walk and 5 hits,
highlighted by Dan's second double and two more RBI. In the third inning
we were held to a measly two runs on a walk and three hits. At the end
of the third inning, the score was 23-6 and the umpire checked his watch
to see if he could start another inning. Unfortunately for him, he did.
This time we sent 15 players to the plate and scored 11 more runs on one
walk and 11 hits, including another hit and RBI by Dan and doubles by
Mike Mattoon and Andrew. In the bottom of the inning, our opponents'
bats finally came alive and they scored 7 runs on 8 hits, making the
final score 34-13, with the game ending well past 9:00, the start time
for our second game.
Starting the second game immediately, our opponents continued their
torrid hitting from the end of the first game and in the first inning
scored 7 runs on 7 hits and an error. They scored two more runs in the
second inning, before we held them scoreless in innings 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, we scored 3 runs in each of innings 1,2 and 4, making the
score 9-9 after four innings. They scored a single run in the top of the
fifth, before we came back to score five in the bottom of the inning and
take a 14-10 lead. Unfortunately we weren't able to bat long enough to
consume all of the game time. So they were able to bat again in the top
of the sixth. They proceeded to score 7 runs on only six hits and two
costly errors, and we entered the bottom of the sixth trailing by a
score of 17-14.
Ed led off the bottom of the sixth with a single; Joe followed with a
double; then Andrew had a big single to left center to drive in both Ed
and Joe. Suddenly we were only down by one run, with Andrew representing
the tying run at first. With two strikes on him, Mike Mattoon pulled a
ball down the left field line and past the left fielder. When it rolled
to the fence, Andrew scored all the way from first. Mike, hustling out
of the batters box, made it to third just a split second before the ball
arrived on a relay from the shortstop. We were now tied 17-17, with Mike
standing on third and Alan Peterson coming to the plate. Alan, as is his
wont, swung at the first pitch and singled into left center, driving in
Mike for a final score of 18-17.
We had lots of heroes in these games, both offensively and defensively.
If you look at the website, you will see batting
statistics that are downright scary, highlighted by Dave's .833 average
and 7 runs scored from the leadoff position and Dan's .778 average and
10 RBI at cleanup. There were also Ed and Joe's table setting hits in
the last inning and Andrew, Mike and Alan's clutch hits to tie and then
win the game. Amazingly, with 52 runs scored on the night, we had no
home runs. We did have three triples in the second game, by Jeff Donald,
Mike Chapman and Mike Mattoon, all to both drive in runs and lead to
scores by them. Ed pitched two excellent games, keeping a good hitting
team under sufficient control that we could outscore them. Our defense
was pretty solid for so many people playing away from their normal
positions. Our infield keystone combination of Jeff Donald and Mike
Chapman were particularly solid, if not spectacular, and our outfield
centerfield combination of Alan and Charlie each made difficult catches
at key times. Dave Buttner also tagged out a runner at home.
Our next game is Monday 8/28 at 6:00 at Virginia Highlands, we play
Pubz, with whom we have a very recent unfortunate history. Please let me
know whether or not you are playing. I know that Lee and Mike Chapman
are out.
It is hard to imagine a better opening night for our season. I look
forward to seeing everyone again. I remind you that we don't play on
Labor Day, 9/4.
Morris, Mark Ulrich, Al Schneider and Steve Mandolesi Monday night
against the "Never Will Be's", I had to be creative with the defensive
positioning and lineup. Jeff Donald played shortstop, Mike Chapman
played second base, Al Peterson played left center, Andrew played first,
Joe played left, Dave Buttner caught, my son Charlie played right center
and Ed Reich pitched. Filling their usual starting positions from the
Spring were Dan in right and Mike Mattoon at third. I started as the EH,
holding a place in case anyone else arrived, but no one ever did.
So maybe we don't need anyone else.
In the top of the first inning of the first game, we sent 21 batters to
the plate and scored 16 runs on 7 walks and 11 hits, Dan's lone double
and 10 singles. Dan had two hits and four RBI in the inning. In the
second inning, we scored another 5 runs on a walk and 5 hits,
highlighted by Dan's second double and two more RBI. In the third inning
we were held to a measly two runs on a walk and three hits. At the end
of the third inning, the score was 23-6 and the umpire checked his watch
to see if he could start another inning. Unfortunately for him, he did.
This time we sent 15 players to the plate and scored 11 more runs on one
walk and 11 hits, including another hit and RBI by Dan and doubles by
Mike Mattoon and Andrew. In the bottom of the inning, our opponents'
bats finally came alive and they scored 7 runs on 8 hits, making the
final score 34-13, with the game ending well past 9:00, the start time
for our second game.
Starting the second game immediately, our opponents continued their
torrid hitting from the end of the first game and in the first inning
scored 7 runs on 7 hits and an error. They scored two more runs in the
second inning, before we held them scoreless in innings 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, we scored 3 runs in each of innings 1,2 and 4, making the
score 9-9 after four innings. They scored a single run in the top of the
fifth, before we came back to score five in the bottom of the inning and
take a 14-10 lead. Unfortunately we weren't able to bat long enough to
consume all of the game time. So they were able to bat again in the top
of the sixth. They proceeded to score 7 runs on only six hits and two
costly errors, and we entered the bottom of the sixth trailing by a
score of 17-14.
Ed led off the bottom of the sixth with a single; Joe followed with a
double; then Andrew had a big single to left center to drive in both Ed
and Joe. Suddenly we were only down by one run, with Andrew representing
the tying run at first. With two strikes on him, Mike Mattoon pulled a
ball down the left field line and past the left fielder. When it rolled
to the fence, Andrew scored all the way from first. Mike, hustling out
of the batters box, made it to third just a split second before the ball
arrived on a relay from the shortstop. We were now tied 17-17, with Mike
standing on third and Alan Peterson coming to the plate. Alan, as is his
wont, swung at the first pitch and singled into left center, driving in
Mike for a final score of 18-17.
We had lots of heroes in these games, both offensively and defensively.
If you look at the website, you will see batting
statistics that are downright scary, highlighted by Dave's .833 average
and 7 runs scored from the leadoff position and Dan's .778 average and
10 RBI at cleanup. There were also Ed and Joe's table setting hits in
the last inning and Andrew, Mike and Alan's clutch hits to tie and then
win the game. Amazingly, with 52 runs scored on the night, we had no
home runs. We did have three triples in the second game, by Jeff Donald,
Mike Chapman and Mike Mattoon, all to both drive in runs and lead to
scores by them. Ed pitched two excellent games, keeping a good hitting
team under sufficient control that we could outscore them. Our defense
was pretty solid for so many people playing away from their normal
positions. Our infield keystone combination of Jeff Donald and Mike
Chapman were particularly solid, if not spectacular, and our outfield
centerfield combination of Alan and Charlie each made difficult catches
at key times. Dave Buttner also tagged out a runner at home.
Our next game is Monday 8/28 at 6:00 at Virginia Highlands, we play
Pubz, with whom we have a very recent unfortunate history. Please let me
know whether or not you are playing. I know that Lee and Mike Chapman
are out.
It is hard to imagine a better opening night for our season. I look
forward to seeing everyone again. I remind you that we don't play on
Labor Day, 9/4.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Impressive Wins for the Stripes
There was no rust to dust off. Maybe it's because the Spring season ended only 3 weeks ago. Or maybe because it was a beautiful night, but the "Stars" truly seemed aligned. Hell, Buttner was hitting to the left side of 2nd Base and so was Kessler. Things were bound to go right.
In game one, it was an all-around team effort. Thanks mostly to their pitcher's inability to find the strikezone, the Stripes jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The final score was 34-11, though many of their runs came in the last inning when the game was already out of reach (possibly an omen for the next game). 34 runs is certainly the most we have scored in a long time, if not ever. Tom?
Game 2 was much closer. The Never Will Be's have a ton of team speed and their bats certainly came around in game 2. But the Stripes showed their grit and continued to claw back, culminating with a comeback from a 3-run deficit in the bottom of the last inning. Truly a hard fought win. Final score, 18-17.
Special mentions of the night:
- Considering only 3 people were playing in their natural position, our defense didn't do too bad.
- Kudos to Charlie "I know, Dad, watch the line drive" Meldrum, and Alan "Dont' call me Coco Crisp" Peterson in the outfield.
- Jeff Donald filled-in more than admirably at shortstop, especially considering he's nearly 90 years old.
Fair and Balanced reporting here on the blog (Chapman). I didn't even mention my monster triple to effectively win the game last night (of course after my boneheaded throw earlier in the inning extended the game more than it needed).
Next week we have early games. Keep an eye out for standings and hopefully stats later in the week.
In game one, it was an all-around team effort. Thanks mostly to their pitcher's inability to find the strikezone, the Stripes jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The final score was 34-11, though many of their runs came in the last inning when the game was already out of reach (possibly an omen for the next game). 34 runs is certainly the most we have scored in a long time, if not ever. Tom?
Game 2 was much closer. The Never Will Be's have a ton of team speed and their bats certainly came around in game 2. But the Stripes showed their grit and continued to claw back, culminating with a comeback from a 3-run deficit in the bottom of the last inning. Truly a hard fought win. Final score, 18-17.
Special mentions of the night:
- Considering only 3 people were playing in their natural position, our defense didn't do too bad.
- Kudos to Charlie "I know, Dad, watch the line drive" Meldrum, and Alan "Dont' call me Coco Crisp" Peterson in the outfield.
- Jeff Donald filled-in more than admirably at shortstop, especially considering he's nearly 90 years old.
Fair and Balanced reporting here on the blog (Chapman). I didn't even mention my monster triple to effectively win the game last night (of course after my boneheaded throw earlier in the inning extended the game more than it needed).
Next week we have early games. Keep an eye out for standings and hopefully stats later in the week.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Play Ball
Men, it's a beautiful day to play softball, hope you're tanned, rested and ready for the fall season.
Also, please email me your vote for MVP: mattoon@gmail.com
Dan Meehan
or
Lee Defibaugh
Winner will be announced after I've received enough votes.
Also, please email me your vote for MVP: mattoon@gmail.com
Dan Meehan
or
Lee Defibaugh
Winner will be announced after I've received enough votes.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Back in the Saddle again
What a long break, I don't even remember what it's like to play softball.
Bring your glove and your hitting, it was absent at the end of the spring/summer season.
Bring your glove and your hitting, it was absent at the end of the spring/summer season.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Site Issues
Sorry guys, i tried to post a poll on the site, but it blew up on me. I've got a work-around going but you'll have to bear with me for a while. Thanks,
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Final Spring 2006 Results and Standings
MON | 4/17 | Gunston *PPD |
MON | 4/24 | Quincy Park | |
| 9:00 | (H) | Carrib Breeze | (L, 14-10) |
| 10:00 | (A) | Carrib Breeze | (W, 23-6) |
MON | 5/1 | VA Highlands | |
| 6:00 | (H) | Medium Pace | (W, 16-15) |
| 7:00 | (A) | Medium Pace | (L, 18-8) |
MON | 5/8 | Gunston *PPD |
MON | 5/15 | Gunston *PPD |
MON | 5/22 | VA Highlands | |
| 6:00 | (H) | Vox Sox | (L,9-5) |
| 7:00 | (A) | Vox Sox | (W, 10-8) |
MON | 6/5 | VA Highlands | |
| 8:00 | (A) | Ballston Braves | (W, 14- 8) |
| 9:00 | (H) | Ballston Braves | (W, 22- 6) |
SAT | 6/10 | Gunston* | |
| 11:00 | (A) | Dukes | (L, 15- 3) |
| 12:00 | (H) | Dukes | ( W, 24- 15) |
MON | 6/12 | Gunston *PPD |
MON | 6/19 | VA Highlands *PPD |
MON | 6/26 | Gunston *PPD |
MON | 7/10 | Gunston* | |
| 8:30 | (A) | CC Sember | (W, 17- 7) |
| 9:30 | (H) | CC Sember | (W, 15- 12) |
MON | 7/17 | Gunston* | |
| 6:30 | (A) | Galaxy Hut | (W, 7- 0*) |
| 7:30 | (H) | Galaxy Hut | (W, 7- 0*) |
SAT | 7/22 | Gunston* | |
| 3:00 | (A) | CC Clouts | ( W, 15- 11) |
| 4:00 | (H) | CC Clouts | ( W, 15- 13) |
MON | 7/24 | Gunston* | |
| 8:30 | (A) | PubZ | (L, 12- 10) |
| 9:30 | (H) | PubZ | (L, 17- 11) |
MON | 7/31 | Gunston | |
| 6:30 | (A) | CC Clouts | (, - ) |
SAT | 8/5 | TBD* | |
| TBD | (A) | Post Season Tournament | (, - ) |
Standings
Place | Team | Record |
| 1 | Carribean Breeze | (14-3-1) |
| 2 | PubZ | (13-5-0) |
| 3 | Dukes | (13-5-0) |
| 4 | Stars & Stripes | (12-6-0) |
| 5 | CC Clouts | (11-7-0) |
| 6 | Lost Boys | (8-8-1) |
| 7 | Medium Pace | (8-9-0) |
| 8 | Ballston Braves | (7-11-0) |
| 9 | Sliders | (7-11-0) |
| 10 | Vox Sox | (6-12-0) |
| 11 | Galaxy Hut | (4-14-0) |
| 12 | CC Sember | (2-14-2) |
And That was That
Well, the Stripes went into the playoffs on a little losing streak. And it continued. Our bats didn't show up in game one agains the resurgent Clouts, symbolized best by both yours truly and Mike Chapman striking out looking. (Screw you Chapman) It wasn't even close.
Game 2 was a little closer, but in the end, we were playing catch-up again and came up a little short.
Good news is that the fall season starts in 3 weeks (dripping with sarcasm). Stay tuned to hear from Tom re: the Fall season and player dues.
Game 2 was a little closer, but in the end, we were playing catch-up again and came up a little short.
Good news is that the fall season starts in 3 weeks (dripping with sarcasm). Stay tuned to hear from Tom re: the Fall season and player dues.
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