"Don't Hit it to the guy in the tight pants"

On a muggy summer night the Beavers took the field trying to avenge a double-header loss the week before. This week the Beavers would at least look better than the previous weeks as we are now sporting our new Beaver jerseys. While these jerseys are rockin', they are also 100% polyester - so note to Beavers, if you have beer duty for the remainder of the year, you had better also think about packing water. To say that these black, poly jerseys are warm is an understatement.

The Beavers were set to face CJC Transportation. CJC came into the week's action with only one win. It seemed like this was the week to snap out of the hitting funk that has mired the team for a few weeks now.

In the first game CJC led off the game with an empty frame though they did get two on. The Beavers jumped out of the gate. Belle doubled, Rake homered (partially in thanks to the left fielder slipping), Big John tripled (yes, you read that right...oxygen for the big guy, please!), Dupper and Sabo singled and Rage doubled. Once the dust settled it was 2nd and 3rd for Tanner with two outs. Tanner grounded a harmless dribbler to second. The secondbasemen took his time in fielding and throwing the ball to first. Tanner was hustling all the way and trying to make something of this pathetic hit. Tanner crossed the bag and about 2 seconds later the firstbaseman caught the secondbaseman's throw. "OUT!", yelled the umpire. Tanner's momentum had taken him a ways down the rightfield line and when he heard the call he was in total disbelief. The Beavers bench erupted in laughter as Tanner had just been hosed. The worst call we had seen in years. The ump was determined to try to give CJC any and all chances to stay in the game. Rake asked the ump if we would at least get credit for the run in return for that gift out. It was not going to happen. Beavers 5, CJC 1, Ump 1 after 1 inning of play.

The next action came in the third inning. The Beavers led off with a double by Kid and followed it with 3 singles...all to score one lone run. To ruin a potential crooked number Big John was gunned out at third on a Mobilly pop up. Big John may be "a pretty good ballplayer, but it is not because of his speed".

The game sped up considerably during the middle innings. CJC plated one run in each of the 3rd and 4th innings, the Beavers plated 2 of their own in the 3rd and 5th. After 5 it was Beavers 7, CJC 2, Ump 1.

In the bottom of the 6th the Beavers were able to string together several singles to plate two more runs. Trying to stretch a single into a double Tanner was again called out, this time at second, and again where he was quite obviously safe. The game was called for some reason with the Beavers up by 7 after 6 innings. Final score Beavers 9, CJC 2, Ump 2.

To say the ump was not really sure what was going on is a huge understatement. Missing blatent calls, calling the game after 6 innings with plenty of time remaining and then putting down the final score of 8-3 on the score card. He was obviously there to just pick up a check.

The Beaver of the game for game 1 is a tough one. No one completely took over the offense or defense. It was a solid 7 run victory, but the one consistent performer was Rage. With a 3-3 night including 2 singles and a double and also turning a doubleplay, Rage gets the honor.

Somewhere amidst the first game the CJC bench was overheard saying, "guys, don't hit it to the leftfielder, the guy in tight pants. With pants that tight he has to be good". So early in the season we get an email about our players in long pants and everyone carrying bat bags, now we have guys calling Dupper out again. The pants are most likely the same ones Dupper wore in his teens, so they are a little tight. We have all learned to just look away.

The Beavers retired to the beer cooler for a few minutes before stepping to the plate in game two. To punish the Beavers for our poor play last week, Kid brought Natural Light, Busch Light and Colt 45. We might have to have restrictions on the beer selections for next season...

In game 2 the Beavers started off hot again. Rake doubled, Kid doubled off the top of the tree down the rightfield hill, Big John hit a sac fly to score Kid from second, Dupper tripled, Mobilly and Keith singled. After all of that, the Beavers were on the board with 4 runs. CJC answered with one of their own. They seemed to be getting better as the night went on. Their offense had a few guys who could place the ball perfectly between the infield and outfield and their defense had started to become more cohesive. Especially their left centerfielder who pretty much played everywhere from left to right. If the ball was in the air, he was near by.

The Beavers virtually tood the second inning off, Tanner and Jake both hit singles but no one else could bring them around. After 2 it was Beavers 4, CJC 1, Ump 0.

In the 3rd the Beavers' bats came alive. Rake singled, Kid lifted one to rightfield, down the hill again. This time the rightfielder camped under it, only for it to bounce off his glove. Kid stopped at first, Rake to third. Big John singled then Mobilly hit a 3-run homer. The rally started again with Keith singling, Rage tripling, Tanner hitting a double (and not getting called out), Jimmy-D also lined a single to rightfield. The Beavers were up 11-1. Keith kept CJC at bay with good defense behind him for the most part. With the exception of two throwing errors by Jake in his inning at first and a wild throw by Sabo to try to get a lead runner at second the defense obliged and kept CJC to minimal runs.

In the top of the 4th, Kid reached on yet another error. Big John then launched a screamer to left centerfield...and deep. Kid slowly jogged around the bases as Big John was in over drive determined to not get held at 3rd again. He basically caught Kid between 2nd and 3rd and the two ran home a step a part, just beating the relay in from the outfield. Beavers were now up 13-1. CJC went down easily again and once again the umpire called the game. I think the ruling is supposed to be 10 run lead after 5 innings, 15 after 4. Well, according to our book we were up 12 after 4. That was good enough for the man in blue. He handed Rake the scorecard to sign and read 13-3 Beavers. Hmmm. Soon after that, we found out what was really on his mind. He asked us for a Colt 45. Now it all makes since. Billy D. Williams was in his head for the hour and a half of softball games. He just wanted to get to our cooler of ice cold Colt 45.

Beaver of the game goes to Big John. A deep sac (o' shit) fly ball to score kid from 2nd, an RBI single and the HR.

Next week the Beavers have a bye. In two weeks we are playing again on the good field (#6) at 8 & 9 pm.