Final Standings Posted

Well, everything that we needed to have happen did. The Breeze swept PubZ. They both split the week before. All the stars were aligned. Well, except for us doing our part.

Had we swept the Dukes, we would have been league champions. Actually we would have been 2007 champions, considering we won the spring league. Oh well.

We could go back and review the few games that would have made the difference. If we had won the two ties, it wouldn't have made that much difference in the standings. In all 5 of our losses we were 10-run-ruled; nothing we could have done there, they weren't heartbreaking losses, we just didn't show up those nights.

All in all a good season. Stay tuned for end-of-season "party".

Any ideas for a sponsor, let me know.

Final Fall 2007 Standings

1 Caribbean Breeze 13-4-1
2 CC Clouts 13-5-0
3 Pubz 13-5-0
4 Bad News Beers 12-4-0
5 Stars & Stripes 11-5-2
6 Dukes 11-7-0
7 CC Sember 9-8-1
8 Vox Sox 8-10-0
9 Cobra Kai 5-11-2
10 Ninos 5-13-0
11 Mexicali Blues 3-13-0
12 Sliders 1-17-0

FInal Fall 2007 Results

8/20 Quincy #3
6:30 (A) CC Clouts (RAIN)
7:30 (H) CC Clouts (RAIN)

8/27 Highlands #3
6:00 (H) PubZ (L, 13-3)
7:00 (A) PubZ (L, 13-3)

9/08 Highlands #4 *Make Up
1:00 (A) CC Clouts (W, 7-0*)
2:00 (H) CC Clouts (W, 7-0*)

9/10 Highlands #3
8:00 (H) Sliders (W, 11-9)
9:00 (A) Sliders (RAIN)

9/17 Quincy #3
8:30 (A) Cobra Kai (T, 14-14)
9:30 (H) Cobra Kai (W, 17-7)

9/24 Highlands #3
8:00 (H) CCR/Mexicali (W, 23-10)
9:30 (H) CCR/Mexicali (W, 21-5)

10/1 Barcroft
6:30 (A) Vox Sox (W, 16-6)
7:30 (H) Vox Sox (W, 26-12)

10/8 Barcroft
8:30 (A) Breeze (T, 13-13)
9:30 (H) Breeze (L, 28-4)

10/15 Quincy #3
6:30 (H) Nino's (W, 11-10)
7:30 (A) Nino's (W, 26-6)

10/19 FRIDAY Gunston *Make Up
6:30 (H) Sliders (W, 7-0*)

10/22 Highlands #3
6:00 (A) Dukes (L, 15-2)
7:00 (H) Dukes (L, 23-11)

Sliders Suck

Thanks for wasting our time guys. 7-0 forfeit win, last series Monday.

Monday Review

Monday was much more satisfying than last week, as we were the ones to come back from a big deficit, then hold on to win the first game. In the second game we scored 8 in the first, 7 in the third, 9 in the fourth and two in the fifth to win by a final score of 26-6. That is a bit of redemption from last week's 28-4 pasting at the hands of Caribbean Breeze. Obviously we had a number of great batting performances, but one in particular stands out: Dan batted 8 times in the two games, and they only got him out once. He had two homers, a double, two singles and two walks, drove in 8 runs and scored 7. Pretty special in anyone's book.

In the second game, we were particularly helped out by the last four batters in the lineup, Al Peterson, Al Schneider, Jim Foti and Jeff Donald. Collectively in 16 plate appearances, they had 13 hits and one walk, scored 9 times, and drove in 7 runs. The two outs they made were on hard line drives on which our opponents made excellent defensive plays. Clearly these four guys were the key to us winning so comfortably.

We also had some excellent defensive plays, but none finer than Al Schneider's in the first game, a dive to his right to snare a hard-hit grounder and flip from his back to Jeff Morris at second to force a runner. As a result, the Ninos did not score in the inning. Al Peterson, Jeff Morris and Al Boyd also recorded a critical 1-6-3 double play in the last inning of that same game, which we ended up winning by a score of 11-10.

Next Monday 10/22 will be our last scheduled games of the season. Thanks to all who have contributed this year.

Season-Ending Scenarios

Tried to go through and look at what's left on the schedule of the Breeze, PubZ, and Us. A couple of things:

1) That tie last night hurt. You'll see why below. (forgetting about the beating in Game 2)

2) Our Schedule for the remainder of the season is the easiest. Dukes 7-5, Nino's 5-7, Sliders 0-11.

3) We need to win all of our remaining games. If so we'll be 13-3-2 (equivalent of 14-3)

4) PubZ and Breeze play each other in the last series of the season.

5) PubZ: Including last night, we need them to go 3-3 in their final 6 games (Last night's opponent. If so, that leaves them at 12-6. The minute they win their 4th game, we're done.

Remaining Schedule:
10/8 Sember 7-4-1
10/15 Dukes 7-5
10/22 Breeze

6) Caribbean Breeze: Need them to go 3-1 in the Final 4 games. IF that happens, they'll end up 13-4-1. We actually need them to split next week and sweep the PubZ.

Remaining Schedule:
10/15 Sember 7-4-1
10/22 PubZ

So, had we not tied the first game last night, we'd be in much better shape. But, so be it. We're big fans of Sember and Dukes right now.

Comments?

Uglier Than Kessler's Mug

Last night was a clash of the titans as the #2 Caribbean Breeze met the #3 Stripes.

The Breeze jumped out early on us and we found ourselves playing catch-up for the first half of the game. A few big innings left us up by 3 with 3 minutes left. What turned out to be bad for us, the Breeze went down in order in 5 pitches and actually left enough time to start a new inning.

We didn't score and they scored 3 quickly in the bottom of the inning. With the winning run on base a shot to left center brought Tom around 3rd. A great relay by Morris and great tag by Kessler cut Tom down atome, resulting in a tie, 13-13.

Game 2 was never close. 28-4 is a shellacking. Never got our bats going. Our defense was atrocious. They hit the ball well. According to Buttner, could be our worst loss ever.

Stats posted as soon as Tom gets 'em to me.

Stats, etc.

Sorry Guys, but I've been swamped at work and i don't have the spreadsheets from Tom to do the stats. Mike

Stay Tuned

Stay Tuned for continuation of the second game. We were leading 16-4 in the 3rd inning when the game was called. Tom will let everyone know when the continuation is scheduled.

Game one saw our bats finally come around. A back and forth game with the Sliders culminated with a full-time win by the Stripes. Bats continued in the beginning of the second game.

Well played, everyone.

Stats when the book dries out.

Games Cancelled

We Win by forfeit! Enjoy your saturday.

Chapman's Mug is Prettier..........

.......than last night's set of games.

Terrible pitching in the first game (thank you very much), terrible hitting in both games with the exception of 2 of the 10 innings played.

Summer swoon it was. Hopefully we can turn it around after the Labor Day holiday. Remember next game is on Saturday.

Arlington County Sucks

We should have played yesterday.

See you next week. Hopefully.

Game On

If the weather holds out and Arlington isn't a bunch of pussies, Game 1 tonight. Be there. Check the weather line this afternoon.

R.I.P Scooter

Schedule Posted

Fall Schedule is posted. Once again looks like the better teams are stacked in the back.

Thanks to those who came out to stars and stripes. The search for a new sponsor begins. Send me or Tom any ideas you have.

Final Spring 07 Standings

1 Stars & Stripes 13-3-2

2 Vox Sox 12-5-1

3 Dukes 11-6-1

4 Caribbean Breeze 10-8-0

5 Crystal City Clouts 9-7-2

6 PubZ 8-10-0

7 Sliders 8-10-0

8 Crystal City Sember 7-10-1

9 Galaxy Hut 4-13-1

10 Cobra Kai 4-14-0

Updated 6/29

Final Spring 07 Season Schedule

4/16 Quincy #3
6:30 (H) Breeze (RAIN)
7:30 (A) Breeze (RAIN)
4/23 Barcroft #4

8:30 (H) Galaxy Hut (W, 14-11)
9:30 (A) Galaxy Hut (W, 13-6)
4/30 Highlands

8:00 (A) CC Clouts (T, 18-18)
9:00 (H) CC Clouts (W, 21-9)
5/7 Barcroft

8:30 (A) PubZ (W, 21-20)
9:30 (H) PubZ (W, 22-18)
5/14 Barcroft

8:30 (A) CC Sember (T, 10-10)
9:30 (H) CC Sember (W, 17-7)
5/21 Barcroft

6:30 (H) Cobra Kai (L, 8-7)
7:30 (A) Cobra Kai (W, 12-5)
6/4 Highlands

6:00 (H) Vox Sox (RAIN)
7:00 (A) Vox Sox (RAIN)
6/11 Highlands

6:00 (H) Sliders (L, 12-11)
7:00 (A) Sliders (W, 14-7)
6/16 Quincy #3 *Makeup

3:00 (H) Breeze (W, 18-7)
4:00 (A) Breeze (W, 15-14)
6/18 Quincy #3

6:30 (H) Dukes (W, 10-8)
7:30 (A) Dukes (L, 15-7)

6/25 Highlands * Makeup

6:00 (H) Vox Sox (W,18-11)

7:00 (A) Vox Sox (W,20-15)

7/9 Highlands *TOURNAMENT*
Sember (L)
Clouts (L)

Final Stats

Dan Wins the Triple Crown.

We Did It!

So what if they were only playing with 8 in the first game.

So what if we were playing without our spiritual leader.

So what if it was 9000% humidity.

We Won.

Sweep. Broom Job.

Spring 2007 Champions.

HUGE series Monday

Guys, we need to sweep in order to win the title.

We can do this.

Vox Sox are coming off a loss and a tie with the Clouts. Let's keep 'em on their heels.

Stripes Battle Dukes for Split

The # 2 and #3 teams faced off last night at a hot and steamy Quincy Park. We knew the Dukes would be tough, they always are.

Game one started off with seems to have been a recent trend -- our opponents jumping out to a nice lead and our bats failing to get going. The Dukes jumped out early, but somehow you knew that the Stripes bats would come around. Maybe it took Al Petersen's injury to spark our team (Heal Up Al!), but our bats came alive and in the bottom of the last inning, down by two, we were able to score 4 and run out the clock for a good come-from-behind win. Final 10-8.


Game 2 started off strong for the Stripes, scoring 6 Runs in the top of the first. But we would score only 1 run the rest of the game, ending our 4 game winning streak. Final Score 15-7.

Hopefully updated standing will be posted by the Arlington soon. Stats later in the week.

Next Monday is our last regular season game against the first place Vox Sox. Please let me know if you'll be there. Email me at mattoon@gmaill.com

Stripes Win Big, Then Eek One Out

A beautiful Saturday for softball. And on the docket was the big hitting #4 Caribbean Breeze. Always a tall order.

Game one saw the Breeze get out to an early lead, but then their bats went quiet. In the mean time, the Stripes just kept cranking out the hits. Big hitsfrom Andrew and a huge grand slam from Dan proved to be more than we needed. Final Score 18-7. Certainly never expected to mercy-rule them.

Game 2 was more characteristin of our battles over the years. The Breeze got lots of help from our defense this time around. Stripes were up 3 with 5 minutes left, but couldn't make the clock move faster. A newly-energized Breeze put a 6 spot on us in the top of the last inning to go up by 3. Timely hitting on our part though proved to be the difference. Jeff Donald with the big hit, which turned out to be a 2-run homer (inside the park variety (or was it a single and a 3-base error?)) Then with the winning run on second, Diamond Jim Foti lifted a lazy fly ball that was misjudged allowing the winning run to come in. Final 15-14.

Games Monday.

Stripes Salvage Disappointing Split

Three weeks since our last game and the rust was evident. The Sliders bats showed up early, but our defense showed up too late. After 2 innings the Sliders had scored 10 runs, most of which were unearned as simple errors and mental mistakes plagued the Stripes. Yet we continued to claw back and were within two going into the bottom of the last inning, but could only muster 1 run. Final score, 12-11. Clearly a winnable game that we let get away from us early.

Game 2 was a different story. Our bats continued where they left off, getting out to an early lead that we never gave up. Our defense was much more solid and everyone up and down the lineup hit well. Final Score 14-7, but it was never even that close.

Good hitting all around, special mention to Dan who continued his hot hitting, hitting one homerun and coming 4 feet from a second, and Andrew who continues to hit out of his mind this year. Have a kid every year, buddy.

# series left and they are brutal, facing the other 3 teams currently in the top 4. First up is Caribbean Breeze this Saturday in a make-up. Please tell Tom if you are in or not.

Stay tuned for stats and updated standings.

Arlington County Fields Suck

Games are postponed toaday......

Stand By for rain-out date.

Stats

Stars fight it out for disappointing split

Well it was bound to happen. The Letdown. And this series had let down written all over it. the first place Stripes; the last place Cobra Kai. Daniel LaRussa, Johnny the DoucheBag.

It was clear that neither side had the bats working this evening, in our first early games of the year. It was apparent our gloves weren't working that well either. Stripes jumped out to an early lead on the Kai, thanks to another Dan Meehan moonshot. But then the bats went silent. Going into the bottom of the last inning, the stripes were down four. We rallied back to 8 -7 before a rifle throw from left field cut down Kessler at the plate for the final out.

Game 2 continued our trifling hitting performance. Until the last inning that is. Luckily, some great plays by Chapman in the outfield kept the Kai at bay (I'm sure you all know how painful it was for me to write that). Going into the last inning we were winning by 1, when our bats came alive, scoring 7 runs. Final score, 12-5.

Two weeks off now for the Memorial Day break. Stats and standings later in the week. Have a good holiday weekend.

Stats Posted, Standings Updated

The Kessler Split

A hard earned, if not pretty, kessler split tonight with CC Sember.

From the start it just seemed that our bats weren't all there tonight, well except for another moon shot from Meehan. In the bottom of the last inning, Stripes up by 2, Sember got the first to hitters on. 2nd and 3rd, no outs. They scored 2 to tie, then our defence shut 'em down. 2 come-backers to the pitcher and the game was over, tie score 10-10. Honorable Mention to Al Peterson for coming in in relief after the Jeff Morris injury.

The second game was a different story as we were able to string together a bunch of hits and runs. Bats of Chapman, Meehan and especially Kessler remained hot and Sember were never really in the game. Mercy rule score of 17-7.

SO....... the Stripes remain the lone undefeated team. Next up, the winless Cobra Kai. Early game next week.

Stats

Stripes Impressive Sweep Continue Winning Ways

Well, the Bats we certainly on display last night at Barcroft. 43 runs later the Stripes had a well-earned, hard-fought sweep of the dangerous PubZ team.

Game 1 was a seesaw battle. We were able to get out to an early lead, but going into the bottom of the last inning, we were up 4. PubZ got some early runners on base and and threatened before our defense was able to shut them down with the tying run on first. Final 21-20.

In game 2 PubZ got out to an early 10 run lea, but the Stripes fought back valiantly to go up 5 going into the last inning. PubZ was never able to muster a rally in the last inning. Final score, 22-18.

Special shout-out should go to Dan Meehan and Mike Chapman for their stellar night at the plate, and Lee at the Hot Corner. Truly a great set of games for the Stripes. Lots of character and grittiness on display.

Stay tuned for stats........

Stats

Stripes Bats Come Out to Play

The Stripes fought hard on Monday night and were a hair away from another sweep. We'll take the point and a half.

The first game was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. After an error plagued start in the field, the Stripes defense tightened up, even turning an impressive double play. Leading by 4 going into the last inning, the Clouts bats did the trick and scored 9 runs. Trailing by 5 with time running out the Stripes played small ball. A key base hit brought in the tying run and before we could flinch Al Schneider was caught off 2nd base. A Tie it is. Final 18-18.

The second game wasn't even close. The Clouts bats went silent and the Stripes continued hitting. Final 21-9.

A good night for most, with buttner batting 1.000, Dan Meehan overcoming the Giambi-shift for a good night at the plate, and Morris doing his best Ozzie Smith impersonation in the field (we need to get Big Red to more games).

Stats to be posted later in the week.

Stripes Sweep Season Opener

A beautiful night under the stars at Barcroft was just what the Stripes needed.

After a (shocker!) rainout in our first week, the Stripes ended up opening the 2007 Spring campaign against Galaxy Hut. Game 1 was a close, back-and-forth battle. heading into the last inning, the stripes held off a late surge and won 14-11.

In Game 2, it was clear that despite Chapman's futility, the Stripes bats continued working well. And Galaxy Hut's were not. Final 13-6.


A nice way to start the spring season. Stats to be posted soon.

Games Cancelled tonight

All, Games are cancelled tonight.

First Games of the Year

Our first regular season game is next Monday, 4/16 at 6:30 at Quincy Park against Caribbean Breeze.

Mike Mattoon and Andrew will be managing. Please let Mike or Andrew know whether or
not you are playing.

Early Bird Tournament

It appears we ended up tied for first in our division with a 2-1 record.
Since we lost to the team we tied with, they are the number 1 seed and
we are the number 2.

This means will be playing our first game at 9:00 at Jennie Dean against a team to be determined. The schedule has the last possible game of the day over by 4:00.

Thanks to all who played Monday night. If it hadn't been for one bad
inning in the second game, we would have won both. The first game
started: single by Buttner, single by Boniface, home run by Boyd. Ed
Reich pitched two excellent games, and we were pleasantly surprised that
Mike Chapman was able to join us and play both games. The Tuesday night
team beat the Dukes 18-6. Jay has stats posted on the Exporters website
at http://members.aol.com/jhatfi1006/usexporters.htm.

Early Bird Starts Today

See you at the Field

Jennie Dean #1.

8 pm

Update

We are not combining with the Exporters. We will continue to play as ourown team on Monday nights. If anyone has a ready sponsor, I will behappy to use them. If not, we'll sponsor ourselves if necessary, as someof you have suggested. As a team, we're not exactly big on partyingafter games.

Please let Tom know if you will not be playing with our team this Spring.I know Mark Ulrich is still recovering from his broken ankle.