Beaver Times 2009 Edition 8

The Beavers roll into the last week of the season in second place, but with a lot on the line. The first place Sportsmans Park is only 1 game up in the standings and the 3rd place Golden Sombreros is a mere 1.5 games behind the Beavers. The Beavers need a sweep to contend for first place and must not get swept to stay in at least second. To make it even more interesting, the Beavers are battling the Golden Sombreros. The standings are up to us.

Game one starts off slow. Rake singles with one out and tried to stretch it into a double. Here was the first bad call by the ump "OUT". That was the lone hit of the inning, needless to say, we did not score.

Golden Sombreros came up and made things happen. It was a combination of well-placed hits and poor defense. A ball went through Sabo's legs, the batter went for second and Dupper overthrew second. The ball went past Kid, who was playing 1st and the batter kept running. Kid threw home, too late. 1 batter 1 run, 3 errors. Not good. Then they started hitting. When we finally recorded 3 outs they had score 5 runs. It was going to be an uphill battle.

In the second inning Sabo singled, followed by a single by Dupper and another single by Kid to drive in a run...but that was it...a run. A classic quote by Kid when he was lifted for the pinch runner, Jake. Kid meant to say "Jake you had better not get out running for me", but it came out like this, "Jake, you had better not get me off!". Nice! The Beavers were loosening up.

The Sombreros countered with one of their own, but the bottom of their lineup did not muster much. There was hope.

In the 3rd inning the top of the Beavers' order was back up. Belle singled, Rake singled, Big John singled, Sabo singled and Dupper hit a sacrifice fly (shocking). 3 runs, on some well placed hits. The defense had been watching us over the season and was playing pretty deep. The Beavers were doing a good job of adjusting to expose the defense. Beavers were down 6-4.

The next inning with any scoring was in the bottom of the 4th. The Sombreros were threatening again. A double was shot to left field with runners on first and second. Dupper chased down the ball while the runner on first was gaining on the runner on second. He hit Rake on the cut-off and Rake turned and fired home for a play at the plate. Jimmy-D caught the ball and tagged out the first runner. The second runner was only about 20 ft behind him. He quickly put on the brakes and got into a rundown. The Beavers executed the hot box flawlessly and recorded the doubleplay at home. Well Done!

The Beavers took advantage of the change in momentum as the top of the lineup came through again. Another hit by Rake followed by singles by Mobility and Sabo again drove in two more. The Beavers were down just 7-6 through 5 innings. In the 5th inning Sonoma showed up and was inserted into the bottom of the lineup. With a runner on first, Sonoma reached on an error. Belle drove home the tying run. It was a new game.

The Sombreros answered the call with a lone run in the bottom of the 6th, and the stage was set for an important 7th inning. Mobility led off with a single, Big John walked (at this point Big John also was given a new nickname; Johnie Walker. He has walked about 8 times over the past 3 games - a record in slow pitch softball we presume). Sabo, completing his 4-4 night singled in a run. Dupper reached on an E, and Kid singled in 2 runs of his own. The inning culminated with a strikeout of Jimmy-D. But the Beavers had built a 2-run cushion going into the bottom of the 7th.

The air was taken out of the Golden Sombreros at this point and they went down easily in the 7th, leading to another Beaver victory. Another close game, another poor offensive showing, but another victory none-the-less. The Beavers were now 11-4 with this 10-8 victory. Second place was secured, now it was time for the sweep and hope that Sportsmans Park lost their doubleheader.

The player of the game goes to the pitcher, Keith (P.T.). After the wheels fell off early he allowed only 3 runs to score over the final 6 innings. His knuckleball was working and baffling the Sombreros. Honorable mention to Sabo with his 4-4 night and 3 RBI, but he lost his way in the field early in the game.

Game two.

The Beavers took to the field in the second game with a chance to win first place. It started off great, Sombreros down with not much more than a whimper. The Beavers struck first. The first 4 guys reached base and scored. Once again with a line of singles and sacrifice flies. We told the ump we scored 4 runs. It was immediately challenged by our opponents, we convinced them we were correct and that our scorebook was sound. They responded with their bats. Singles, doubles, errors, more doubles when it was through they had scored 5. At least that is what they first told the ump. So we proceeded thinking we were down one run after one and a half innings. It wasn't until about 2 innings later that we heard that they scored 6 in the first inning. I guess they "counted" wrong in the second, but the ump believed them, and we had to live with it. Both teams scored a run in the 3rd then we were able to shut them down for 3 straight innings.

During that time, we could hear the band performing at Parties in the Park. A Journey song came on. Belle chimed in with something you could only appreciate from Belle..."what is this slow jazz they are playing?"

The Beavers took the lead in the 4th with 3 runs. A string of hits and an error mounting the 3 until the middle of our lineup could not keep the hit parade alive. Keith, Jimmy-D and Belle all driving in runs. Jimmy-D even proclaimed that he got tired just running to first base. I think next year's training program should include the catcher as well.

We added our 9th run in the 5th and were sitting on a 9-7 lead going into the 7th. The Sombreros started off slow, but were able to chase in 2 runs to tie the game as it headed into the bottom of the 7th. Time was running out, it was about 8pm but this game had playoff implications.

Belle led off with a single to right center, completing his perfect 4-4 night. It was set up for the middle of the order. Rake lifted one to right center - one out. Mobilly also shot one to the right side, only to be caught by the secondbaseman. Big John stepped to the dish and lifted one high into the hot summer air. Unfortunately it did not travel far and the 3rd baseman moved into foul territory and made the catch for the 3rd out.

Game tied at 9. The ump was not going to even consider us playing one more inning to decide the game, it was called at a tie. Disgusting!

Beaver of the Game goes to Belle for his perfecto at the dish.

The spring season is over except for the playoffs. Still a few teams are finishing up their regular season rainout makeups. Playoffs will now start on 7/29. Times and field to be announced on 7/23.

Check back to beaverball.blogspot.com for times.