With a summer championship added to the trophy room of the Beavers it was off to Fenton for some summer/fall softball. Last week the Beavers had to forfeit two games at Fenton while they made their play for the Clayton Summer Championship. While there is an outside chance that Fenton will allow the games to be made up at the end of the season, we have to live with the fact that the Beavers are most likely 0-2 going into the season.
The Beavers were up against the Long Shots for the first games since finishing 2nd in last year's fall season.
There was a last-minute raid on the active roster as Sabo called at 5pm to say that his sitter was not available and he could not make the games. Then Belle called about 30 minutes later to say that he would be running late due to a sick kid. With Tanner already out due to night court, the Beavers were down to 10 men on roster. The biggest hit was to the IF defense. Sabo has become a cornerstone to the D anchoring 3B, some shuffling was needed.
Santo has recently taken some shots off his body at 3B and admitted that he was a little "gun shy" and would rather play OF. Kid, though side-stepping many a grounder at Clayton said he was ready to play the IF in Fenton. After playing an inning on the IF, it was clear that the Fenton IF was worse than Clayton was. None-the-less, Kid took 3B, Dupper at Short and Rake at 2B. As it turned out, the left side of the IF was fine, it was Rake at 2B that was the gaping wound for this game.
Beavers started off with some early hits. Rake led off with a single and Santo did the same. Kid reached on a E that allowed Rake to score. Mobilly then singled in both Santo and Kid. It was quickly 3-0 Beavers.
PT was able to hang a scoreless frame in the first, but in the 2nd the first of Rake's errors led to a run. Beavers led 3-1 after 2.
The 3rd inning started with the top of the order again. This time Rake and Santo both got out, then came the damage. Kid singled, Mobilly singled and Dupper singled in Kid. Deuce then reached on an E to score Mobilly. 5-1 Beavers. That was just the beginning though. In the 4th, after another scoreless frame by PT, Gee and PT singled to start the inning. Rake singled as well to load the bases. Santo moved everyone up one base with a single and Mobilly singled in 2 more. Dupper followed that with a single of his own before Deuce found the gap in right center and used his speed to round the bases for an inside-the-park homerun. Beavers were up 12-1.
The Long Shots were able to add one run in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th after another E by Rake at 2B. It was a rough day for Rake, where he never could completely commit to a one-hopper or slow roller. It was 12-4 going into the 6th. Beavers kept adding to their lead in the top of the 6th. Santo led off with a single and Kid doubled him to third. With Mobilly at bat, Gee acting as the 3B coach, told Santo to "not score on a single". He was, of course, joking as he saw Dupper on deck and wanted to pad Dup's SAC stats. Mobilly lifted a deep fly to left and Santo was not running home. However, Kid expected him to easily score so he was bearing down on third...still occupied by Santo.
The entire dugout was screaming at Santo to tag and score for the SAC fly and Santo finally took off for home. The shortstop was surprised to see that he had a chance at the lead run threw to the plate where Santo narrowly snuck his foot onto home before being tagged. Dupper followed that mayhem with a single to score Kid. Beavers were up to 14 runs.
Long Shots were only able to chase in one more run, and the Beavers started their "first game" of the Fenton season with a 14-5 win.
Beaver of the game goes to Mobilly for this impressive hitting line: 3-3, 2runs, 5RBI, 1SAC
The tide quickly turned in the 2nd game. As the visitors the Long Shots jumped out to a 6 run lead. They consistently hit the ball up the middle for singles and their cleanup hitter drove one over the fence. Beavers responded with a couple of their own on a single-double-single by Santo-Kid-Mobilly. The Long Shots kept their hitting revival in the 2nd inning with 3 more runs. This time aided quite a bit by shotty defense by Belle and Rake.
Beavers kept chipping away one by one over the middle innings. Kid doubled in Deuce in the 3rd, Rake reached via an error in the 4th to score Dupper and Kid driving in Jimmy-D with a single in the 5th. Going into the 6th it was 11-5 Long Shots. Beavers had a chance to put up some important runs as Dupper led off by reaching on a E. Big John later found his swing and launched a HR. Belle followed that with a single, but was stranded. It was now 11-7.
Unfortunately that was how the game would end. Beavers could not come back from the hitting and E's early in the game and ended up with the split for the week.
Beavers play again next week at 6:30 & 7:30 against last year foes, the Nationals. Games to be played on field #2 this week (the first time for the Beavers).
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition XI
The playoffs entered week two. The Beavers had reached the semi-finals with a 13-3 dismantling of the 5th place Sportsman's Park. Now they were face to face with the 1st place, 14-2, Golden Sombreros. The Beavers had not met the Sombreros since this exact game a year earlier. The Beavers were victorious in that match and took the 2009 season series 2-0-1. Without facing the Sombreros this year, it was anyone's guess as to what the Beavers were up against.
The Sombreros must have been trying out a new pitcher for the playoffs as he walked the hard-to-walk-except-Sabo-&-Big-John lineup of the Beavers. That is, he walked the first 4 Beavers. Another record, I am sure. Dupper drew the first RBI via the walk then up came Tanner who launched a triple to right center to clear the bases. The Beavers were off to a hot start. But it didn't stop there. Deuce then walked and Big John singled home Tanner. Santo singled home Deuce and PT hit his 4th consecutive SAC fly. Jimmy-D grounded out to score Santo and after the Beavers had batted around, 8 runs had scored.
The Sombreros answered with only one on their own after an error by Rake on a routine slow roller to second. Both teams were kept quiet for the 2nd and 3rd innings and then the Beavers started tacking on runs in the 4th. Jimmy-D led off with a single, Rake walked Sabo singled to load the bases. Mobilly singled in two and Dupper, in typical fashion, hit a SAC fly to score the 3rd run of the inning. It was 11-1 after 3.5 innings. In the bottom of the 4th the Sombreros were able to scratch out one run to keep the mercy run at bay...temporarily.
The 5th started with a single by Big John. Santo singled him to 3rd and Jimmy-D drove in the 12th run.
This was all the Beavers needed as the Sombreros were out of...queso...and fell to the Beavers 12-2. Beavers were on to play in the finals after about an hour layoff.
Beaver of the game goes to Tanner with his 1st inning triple to open up the game.
While the Beavers sat around and drank the 2 vs. 3 game was taking place to decide who was going to the Championship to play the Beavers. Bi-State Meat was playing Dogs In a Bathtub. It was a tight game, but the Meat prevailed and the finals were set.
Beavers were visitors and went down with merely a whimper in the first. That was echoed by the Meat. In the 2nd Tanner led off with a single and was scored on a singled by Big John. Beavers were on their way to a Championship.
Beavers came out of the gates hard in the 3rd with singles by PT, Jimmy-D, Sabo, Kid, Dupper and another triple by Tanner. 5 runs in all for the inning. Beavers were up 6-0. Meat responded with one sole run in their half. The Meat then chipped away a little more in the 4th with one more run and it was 6-2 going into the 5th inning of the Championship game.
It was time to separate the men from the boys. The Beavers had been scraping for runs most of the 2nd half of the season. The worm had turned so far in the playoffs. It was about to do so in the finals. Jimmy-D led off with a walk and Rake singled. Sabo and Kid also singled and scored Jimmy-D. Dupper his yet another SAC fly (I am not making this up) and Tanner hit a double to score 2 more. Mobilly then struck out swinging...it was a thing of beauty...except for the fact he missed the ball. Big John picked up where Tanner left off and singled in 2 more. Santo singled and Deuce finally found his stroke and laced a triple to right center score 2 more. PT singled in Deuce for a grand total of 8 more runs.
The game was all but out of hand. Beavers have been known to cough up big leads and the bottom of the 5th looked ominous. But after 3 runs had scored, the D tightened up and got off the field. Over the last two innings the Beavers were able to hold on while the Meat scored just once more. Beavers win the Championship 14-6!
Beaver of the game again goes to Tanner for a 3-4 game and missing the cycle by the Homer. This 2-fer in awards is sure to go to his head, so expect an o-fer to follow.
Beavers win their first championship in almost 2 years. Fall season starts up next week as the Beavers take their show back to Fenton where they finished in 2nd place last year.
The Sombreros must have been trying out a new pitcher for the playoffs as he walked the hard-to-walk-except-Sabo-&-Big-John lineup of the Beavers. That is, he walked the first 4 Beavers. Another record, I am sure. Dupper drew the first RBI via the walk then up came Tanner who launched a triple to right center to clear the bases. The Beavers were off to a hot start. But it didn't stop there. Deuce then walked and Big John singled home Tanner. Santo singled home Deuce and PT hit his 4th consecutive SAC fly. Jimmy-D grounded out to score Santo and after the Beavers had batted around, 8 runs had scored.
The Sombreros answered with only one on their own after an error by Rake on a routine slow roller to second. Both teams were kept quiet for the 2nd and 3rd innings and then the Beavers started tacking on runs in the 4th. Jimmy-D led off with a single, Rake walked Sabo singled to load the bases. Mobilly singled in two and Dupper, in typical fashion, hit a SAC fly to score the 3rd run of the inning. It was 11-1 after 3.5 innings. In the bottom of the 4th the Sombreros were able to scratch out one run to keep the mercy run at bay...temporarily.
The 5th started with a single by Big John. Santo singled him to 3rd and Jimmy-D drove in the 12th run.
This was all the Beavers needed as the Sombreros were out of...queso...and fell to the Beavers 12-2. Beavers were on to play in the finals after about an hour layoff.
Beaver of the game goes to Tanner with his 1st inning triple to open up the game.
While the Beavers sat around and drank the 2 vs. 3 game was taking place to decide who was going to the Championship to play the Beavers. Bi-State Meat was playing Dogs In a Bathtub. It was a tight game, but the Meat prevailed and the finals were set.
Beavers were visitors and went down with merely a whimper in the first. That was echoed by the Meat. In the 2nd Tanner led off with a single and was scored on a singled by Big John. Beavers were on their way to a Championship.
Beavers came out of the gates hard in the 3rd with singles by PT, Jimmy-D, Sabo, Kid, Dupper and another triple by Tanner. 5 runs in all for the inning. Beavers were up 6-0. Meat responded with one sole run in their half. The Meat then chipped away a little more in the 4th with one more run and it was 6-2 going into the 5th inning of the Championship game.
It was time to separate the men from the boys. The Beavers had been scraping for runs most of the 2nd half of the season. The worm had turned so far in the playoffs. It was about to do so in the finals. Jimmy-D led off with a walk and Rake singled. Sabo and Kid also singled and scored Jimmy-D. Dupper his yet another SAC fly (I am not making this up) and Tanner hit a double to score 2 more. Mobilly then struck out swinging...it was a thing of beauty...except for the fact he missed the ball. Big John picked up where Tanner left off and singled in 2 more. Santo singled and Deuce finally found his stroke and laced a triple to right center score 2 more. PT singled in Deuce for a grand total of 8 more runs.
The game was all but out of hand. Beavers have been known to cough up big leads and the bottom of the 5th looked ominous. But after 3 runs had scored, the D tightened up and got off the field. Over the last two innings the Beavers were able to hold on while the Meat scored just once more. Beavers win the Championship 14-6!
Beaver of the game again goes to Tanner for a 3-4 game and missing the cycle by the Homer. This 2-fer in awards is sure to go to his head, so expect an o-fer to follow.
Beavers win their first championship in almost 2 years. Fall season starts up next week as the Beavers take their show back to Fenton where they finished in 2nd place last year.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition X
The playoffs are underway. The lineup was posted pre-game, but due to some late arrivals, there were some last minute changes to the order. Deuce, who was also on beer duty, was waiting for everyone to show up at field #6. I'm not sure why he didn't think anything was weird when no other Beavers were at the field at 5-10 before game time. We tracked him down with a few minutes to spare and he made the trek over to the correct field, but not in time to lead off. Gee was needing a little extra time as well (as is shown here), so he was not in the field to start the game as expected.
Beavers took the field first and quickly took care of the visiting Sportsman's Park top of the order. Highlight of the inning was the big lefty grounding one to Big John (filling in at 1B), Vajohnna snapped at it, fielded in cleanly and was even able to get to the bag for the out.
Rake slid into the leadoff spot while the team awaited Deuce and the beer rations for the night. A lead off single was flared to right. Sabo hit into a FC, Kid singled him to 3rd. Up stepped Dupper. Dupper lifted a flyball to left center for a SAC fly (1). One-nothing, Beavers.
In the top of the 2nd PT must have been throwing some nasty stuff. He was able to record 2 strikeouts - looking - back to back. Sportsman's Park, still scoreless.
Beavers rallied in the 2nd. Big John walked Santo singled, Belle singled to load the bases. Gee singled in one run, Deuce hit a SAC fly (2) to score another and move Belle to 3rd. PT then hit a SAC fly (3) to score the 3rd run of the inning. Beavers up 4-0.
In the top of the third Sportsman's Park capitalized on some shotty defense on the infield. Between Kid not getting down on the ball, and Rake coming up to early on a grounder, runners were in scoring position. Kid is still blaming his fear of another black eye on why he does not get in front of grounders anymore. However, this has nothing to do with his lack of flexibility as the ball went under his outstretched arm (to his side). The damage was limited to 1 run.
The Beavers were up to their same shenanigans in the 3rd. Sabo walked, Kid crushed a double down the rightfield hill, setting the table for Dupper. Another SAC fly (4). Beavers regained their 4-run lead.
Throughout the game Misty was acting as documentarian and snapping photos of all of the Beavers at the plate and some doing other things. All the pictures can be viewed on Rake's Picasa album. A player on Sportsman's Park asked her why she was only taking photos of the Beavers. She had them sold on the documentary angle. I guess that is what you can call the Beaver Times. Back to the action.
In the 4th the Beavers struck again. Belle and Gee led off with singles. PT stepped up with a runner on 3rd and lifted a SAC fly (5). Jimmy-D then launched a deep fly to left, catching the left fielder (and most of the Beavers) off-guard. Jimmy-D easily had a double, but was wanting more. He tried to stretch the hit into a triple and was thrown out at third. May I recommend a slide next time, Jimmy? After a lesson or two from the "Gee School of Sliding" you may have made it in there safe and kept the rally going. Beavers up 7-1.
Rake led off the 5th with a smash to center. The left center fielder chased it down to rob Rake of a hit (and his best hit ball in weeks). Sabo picked up the slack and singled, Kid singled him to 3rd...all set up for Dupper, again. This time, instead of lifting a SAC fly he topped the ball and drove it into the ground to the left side of the infield. Kid was retired at 2nd on the force, Dupper legged out the throw to 1st to save an out and grab the RBI. 8-1 Beavs.
In the 6th Sportsman's Park started hitting. There were moments when it looked like the Beavers might come unraveled. Though they had scored in every inning, the 7-run lead did not feel all that safe. We have seen games go bad before. PT's pitching and some improved defense held Sportsman's Park to 2 more runs. It was 8-3 going into the bottom of the 6th.
This game just had a good feeling about it from the get-go. Beavers were light, having fun, not thinking too much about the outcome. The bats were alive and they kept hitting in the 6th. Big John, Santo, Belle, Gee all singled to start the 6th. Deuce then walked in a run as well. PT was up for the 3rd time with a runner on 3rd. So far, he had no official AB. He was 0-0 with 2 SAC. Again, PT lifted one to left. Another SAC fly (6). Jimmy-D, working on a nice night at the plate himself, did the same for another SAC fly (7). Rake then lined a ball at the 3B that was too hot to handle, but not far enough to score Deuce (though you should be running on contact with 2 outs, but I digress). Sabo then stepped up and lined a single up the middle to score Deuce and end the game with a 10-run mercy rule. Beavers win 13-3.
It was an odd stat night all the way around. 5 Beavers did not record an out (not counting SAC). Four Beavers were credited with only 1 official AB and 1 beaver had 0. Three Beavers went 3-3. The most interesting stat is this. Eight of the thirteen runs the Beavers scored, did so on an out; 7 SAC plus one FC. So while the timely hits may not have been there, manufacturing runs definitely was happening.
After the game, and shortly after we ran out of beer the Beavers decided to make a run for championship of Shaw Park vs. playing next week at Fenton. Rainouts have caused the two leagues to overlap and the 6:15 game at Shaw and the 6:30 game at Fenton are conflicting. Maybe, Fenton will give us another Bye, I doubt it though.
Beavers play the semi-finals at 6:15 next Wed, then if/when they win Championship is at 8:30.
Beaver of the game is difficult to narrow down. With 5 "perfectos", three of which are of the 3-3 variety and one of the 0-0 variety the choice is difficult. Though I hate to do it this way, the award needs to be shared this week.
Kid 3-3, 2B
Belle 3-3, 3runs, RBI (raised his avg over 50 pts
Gee 3-3, 2runs, RBI
PT 0-0, 3SAC, 3RBI, 3 Strikeouts pitching (should have been a 4th, but another bad call by the ump on a foul robbed him)
Bravo Beavers!
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| From Beaverball |
Beavers took the field first and quickly took care of the visiting Sportsman's Park top of the order. Highlight of the inning was the big lefty grounding one to Big John (filling in at 1B), Vajohnna snapped at it, fielded in cleanly and was even able to get to the bag for the out.
Rake slid into the leadoff spot while the team awaited Deuce and the beer rations for the night. A lead off single was flared to right. Sabo hit into a FC, Kid singled him to 3rd. Up stepped Dupper. Dupper lifted a flyball to left center for a SAC fly (1). One-nothing, Beavers.
In the top of the 2nd PT must have been throwing some nasty stuff. He was able to record 2 strikeouts - looking - back to back. Sportsman's Park, still scoreless.
Beavers rallied in the 2nd. Big John walked Santo singled, Belle singled to load the bases. Gee singled in one run, Deuce hit a SAC fly (2) to score another and move Belle to 3rd. PT then hit a SAC fly (3) to score the 3rd run of the inning. Beavers up 4-0.
In the top of the third Sportsman's Park capitalized on some shotty defense on the infield. Between Kid not getting down on the ball, and Rake coming up to early on a grounder, runners were in scoring position. Kid is still blaming his fear of another black eye on why he does not get in front of grounders anymore. However, this has nothing to do with his lack of flexibility as the ball went under his outstretched arm (to his side). The damage was limited to 1 run.
The Beavers were up to their same shenanigans in the 3rd. Sabo walked, Kid crushed a double down the rightfield hill, setting the table for Dupper. Another SAC fly (4). Beavers regained their 4-run lead.
Throughout the game Misty was acting as documentarian and snapping photos of all of the Beavers at the plate and some doing other things. All the pictures can be viewed on Rake's Picasa album. A player on Sportsman's Park asked her why she was only taking photos of the Beavers. She had them sold on the documentary angle. I guess that is what you can call the Beaver Times. Back to the action.
In the 4th the Beavers struck again. Belle and Gee led off with singles. PT stepped up with a runner on 3rd and lifted a SAC fly (5). Jimmy-D then launched a deep fly to left, catching the left fielder (and most of the Beavers) off-guard. Jimmy-D easily had a double, but was wanting more. He tried to stretch the hit into a triple and was thrown out at third. May I recommend a slide next time, Jimmy? After a lesson or two from the "Gee School of Sliding" you may have made it in there safe and kept the rally going. Beavers up 7-1.
Rake led off the 5th with a smash to center. The left center fielder chased it down to rob Rake of a hit (and his best hit ball in weeks). Sabo picked up the slack and singled, Kid singled him to 3rd...all set up for Dupper, again. This time, instead of lifting a SAC fly he topped the ball and drove it into the ground to the left side of the infield. Kid was retired at 2nd on the force, Dupper legged out the throw to 1st to save an out and grab the RBI. 8-1 Beavs.
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| From Beaverball |
In the 6th Sportsman's Park started hitting. There were moments when it looked like the Beavers might come unraveled. Though they had scored in every inning, the 7-run lead did not feel all that safe. We have seen games go bad before. PT's pitching and some improved defense held Sportsman's Park to 2 more runs. It was 8-3 going into the bottom of the 6th.
This game just had a good feeling about it from the get-go. Beavers were light, having fun, not thinking too much about the outcome. The bats were alive and they kept hitting in the 6th. Big John, Santo, Belle, Gee all singled to start the 6th. Deuce then walked in a run as well. PT was up for the 3rd time with a runner on 3rd. So far, he had no official AB. He was 0-0 with 2 SAC. Again, PT lifted one to left. Another SAC fly (6). Jimmy-D, working on a nice night at the plate himself, did the same for another SAC fly (7). Rake then lined a ball at the 3B that was too hot to handle, but not far enough to score Deuce (though you should be running on contact with 2 outs, but I digress). Sabo then stepped up and lined a single up the middle to score Deuce and end the game with a 10-run mercy rule. Beavers win 13-3.
It was an odd stat night all the way around. 5 Beavers did not record an out (not counting SAC). Four Beavers were credited with only 1 official AB and 1 beaver had 0. Three Beavers went 3-3. The most interesting stat is this. Eight of the thirteen runs the Beavers scored, did so on an out; 7 SAC plus one FC. So while the timely hits may not have been there, manufacturing runs definitely was happening.
After the game, and shortly after we ran out of beer the Beavers decided to make a run for championship of Shaw Park vs. playing next week at Fenton. Rainouts have caused the two leagues to overlap and the 6:15 game at Shaw and the 6:30 game at Fenton are conflicting. Maybe, Fenton will give us another Bye, I doubt it though.
Beavers play the semi-finals at 6:15 next Wed, then if/when they win Championship is at 8:30.
Beaver of the game is difficult to narrow down. With 5 "perfectos", three of which are of the 3-3 variety and one of the 0-0 variety the choice is difficult. Though I hate to do it this way, the award needs to be shared this week.
Kid 3-3, 2B
Belle 3-3, 3runs, RBI (raised his avg over 50 pts
Gee 3-3, 2runs, RBI
PT 0-0, 3SAC, 3RBI, 3 Strikeouts pitching (should have been a 4th, but another bad call by the ump on a foul robbed him)
Bravo Beavers!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Summer Playoff Lineup - Game 1
In true Birdland Blog form, here is the lineup for tonight's Beavers game against Sportsman's Park - 8pm Field #2 Shaw Park.
AVG/RUNS/RBI
1. Deuce (lc) .395/14/11
2. Sabo (3b) .644/31/19
3. Kid (ss) .588/17/22
4. Dupper (lf).439/13/11
5. Mobilly .533/12/17
6. Big John .462/9/12
7. Santo (rf).532/14/12
8. Belle (rc) .314/7/7
9. Gee (1b) .489/14/7
10. PT (p) .483/8/5
11. Rake (2b) .469/10/18
12. Jimmy-D (c).349/9/11
AVG/RUNS/RBI
1. Deuce (lc) .395/14/11
2. Sabo (3b) .644/31/19
3. Kid (ss) .588/17/22
4. Dupper (lf).439/13/11
5. Mobilly .533/12/17
6. Big John .462/9/12
7. Santo (rf).532/14/12
8. Belle (rc) .314/7/7
9. Gee (1b) .489/14/7
10. PT (p) .483/8/5
11. Rake (2b) .469/10/18
12. Jimmy-D (c).349/9/11
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition IX
As the summer regular season comes to a close, the Beavers were able to avoid lightening storms this week and get in two games against the #5 team in the league, Cousin Hugo's.
With two guys out of the lineup, the bench was thin and we were missing our leadoff hitter. Time to juggle the lineup again.
Sabo tried to break the leadoff curse and started the game with a single. Gee, moved up to the #2 hole, did the same. Dupper lifted his first fly ball to the outfield for his 3rd SAC fly of the year. Tanner, BIg John and Santo all singled as well and the Beavers were up 3-0 in the first frame. In the second inning the Beavers witnessed something they had not seen all year, Sabo struck out. He claims he "has never struck out in softball". We will have to look back over the past couple of seasons to see if that is true for his Beavers career at least.
In the 3rd inning the Beavers loaded the bases again and scored only one run on a fielder's choice by Santo. The Beavs were getting plenty of chances, but just not connecting on the RBI hits needed to blow this game open. In the 4th the bottom of the lineup came up big with 2 straight singles and a walk to load the bases yet again. Sabo then singled in Belle, Gee his a SAC fly to score PT. Kid singled to load the bases for Dupper. What transpired was amazing.
Dupper hit a fly ball to left center. It was recorded as a SAC fly again (2nd of game, 4th of season to lead the team). Sabo kept running from 2nd and scored on a fielding error. Kid kept running from 1st and scored after the fielding error and subsequent throwing error. A 3-run SAC fly. The official scorers looked for ways to credit Dup with all 3 RBI for this unique feat, but alas it was just a SAC fly and a few errors. Beavers were now up 9-0.
Just like most Beaver games of late, the offense seems to go into hibernation at some point. Luckily there was a nine-run cushion this time. The Beavers did lead off the 5th with bases loaded again. With Big John on 3rd, Santo on 2nd and Rake on 1st Belle hit a grounder to 3rd. The 3rd baseman threw home to force out Big John. The catcher alertly recognized that Santo was not running, at all, to 3rd and threw back to 3rd for another force out and a double play. That pretty much killed the inning rally.
All this time Cousin Hugos was managing no runs and very few base runners. In the 6th they struck for their lone run. Beavers held onto the victory for a 9-1 win and improved their record to 9-4-2. Still biding for 2nd place overall in the standings.
Beaver of the Game goes to Kid for his 2-3 line and great baserunning to score the 3rd run on the SAC fly by Dupper.
Several Beavers had 2 hits including Sabo, Gee, Tanner, Big John, Santo.
In the second game the Beavers just rolled the lineup which has been a heated bench debate for a few weeks now. Not known to help the sagging offense, it was time to put it to the test again.
Belle and PT started off the bottom of the 1st with singles, all was looking good for a few runs...then two straight outs and Belle called out at 3rd. Inning shut down, no runs, damn 2nd game curse!
Cousin Hugos chased in 2 runs in their half of the 2nd inning and the Beavers answered with 2 hits to open the inning, then 1-2-3 after that. Again, not able to manufacture runs with runners on.
In the 3rd inning, the bats did come alive. Santo doubled and Rake singled him to 3rd. Belle doubled both of them in and PT singled in Belle. Now they were hitting when it counts! Jimmy-D continued his improved hitting and singled. Sabo walked for the 11th time this year Gee hit into a fielder's choice with PT called out at the plate. Kid then tripled in 2 runs. It was a 5-run outburst. It was the 2nd time in the last 9 games that the Beavers had scored five or more runs in the same inning. The other time was the 1st game of the DH. Things might be looking up.
PT's strong pitching and relatively good defense kept Cousin Hugo's off the board for the remainder of the game. Beavers were able to add an insurance run in the 5th inning on a string of 4 straight singles. Beavers win again 6-2. Pushing their season record to 10-4-2.
This record is good enough for 4th place in the standings and a date next week with Sportsman's Park. The Beavers are 1-1 against Sportsman's Park this year. Allowing only 8 runs total to them Winning 8-4 and Losing 4-1. It should be a good match up next week at 8pm on Field #2. Beavers should be able to take this game, we'll see if the offense can step up and take control. For the season the Beavers are averaging 10.5 runs a game. This number is greatly inflated by some early poundings over the FDPD and The Bucks. The Beavs scored 40 runs over 2 games against the FDPD and another 40 runs in 2 games over the Bucks. So, for the other 14 games the Beavers are averaging 6.3 runs a game. There needs to be HUGE improvements.
Beaver of the Game goes to PT for his 3-3 perfecto and his pitching where he allowed 2 runs in the game.
Other lines worth mentioning:
Belle 2-4, 2RBI, 2B - raising his avg to .314
Jimmy-D 2-3 - raising his avg to .349
Gee Lightening 2-3, 1run
Rake 2-3, 1run
Stats are posted to the team site. There are 3 guys hitting sub .400. I think this has a great deal to do with why the Beavers are scoring 6.3 runs a game against formidable opponents.
Fallball starts in 2 weeks in Fenton. Game times TBA.
With two guys out of the lineup, the bench was thin and we were missing our leadoff hitter. Time to juggle the lineup again.
Sabo tried to break the leadoff curse and started the game with a single. Gee, moved up to the #2 hole, did the same. Dupper lifted his first fly ball to the outfield for his 3rd SAC fly of the year. Tanner, BIg John and Santo all singled as well and the Beavers were up 3-0 in the first frame. In the second inning the Beavers witnessed something they had not seen all year, Sabo struck out. He claims he "has never struck out in softball". We will have to look back over the past couple of seasons to see if that is true for his Beavers career at least.
In the 3rd inning the Beavers loaded the bases again and scored only one run on a fielder's choice by Santo. The Beavs were getting plenty of chances, but just not connecting on the RBI hits needed to blow this game open. In the 4th the bottom of the lineup came up big with 2 straight singles and a walk to load the bases yet again. Sabo then singled in Belle, Gee his a SAC fly to score PT. Kid singled to load the bases for Dupper. What transpired was amazing.
Dupper hit a fly ball to left center. It was recorded as a SAC fly again (2nd of game, 4th of season to lead the team). Sabo kept running from 2nd and scored on a fielding error. Kid kept running from 1st and scored after the fielding error and subsequent throwing error. A 3-run SAC fly. The official scorers looked for ways to credit Dup with all 3 RBI for this unique feat, but alas it was just a SAC fly and a few errors. Beavers were now up 9-0.
Just like most Beaver games of late, the offense seems to go into hibernation at some point. Luckily there was a nine-run cushion this time. The Beavers did lead off the 5th with bases loaded again. With Big John on 3rd, Santo on 2nd and Rake on 1st Belle hit a grounder to 3rd. The 3rd baseman threw home to force out Big John. The catcher alertly recognized that Santo was not running, at all, to 3rd and threw back to 3rd for another force out and a double play. That pretty much killed the inning rally.
All this time Cousin Hugos was managing no runs and very few base runners. In the 6th they struck for their lone run. Beavers held onto the victory for a 9-1 win and improved their record to 9-4-2. Still biding for 2nd place overall in the standings.
Beaver of the Game goes to Kid for his 2-3 line and great baserunning to score the 3rd run on the SAC fly by Dupper.
Several Beavers had 2 hits including Sabo, Gee, Tanner, Big John, Santo.
In the second game the Beavers just rolled the lineup which has been a heated bench debate for a few weeks now. Not known to help the sagging offense, it was time to put it to the test again.
Belle and PT started off the bottom of the 1st with singles, all was looking good for a few runs...then two straight outs and Belle called out at 3rd. Inning shut down, no runs, damn 2nd game curse!
Cousin Hugos chased in 2 runs in their half of the 2nd inning and the Beavers answered with 2 hits to open the inning, then 1-2-3 after that. Again, not able to manufacture runs with runners on.
In the 3rd inning, the bats did come alive. Santo doubled and Rake singled him to 3rd. Belle doubled both of them in and PT singled in Belle. Now they were hitting when it counts! Jimmy-D continued his improved hitting and singled. Sabo walked for the 11th time this year Gee hit into a fielder's choice with PT called out at the plate. Kid then tripled in 2 runs. It was a 5-run outburst. It was the 2nd time in the last 9 games that the Beavers had scored five or more runs in the same inning. The other time was the 1st game of the DH. Things might be looking up.
PT's strong pitching and relatively good defense kept Cousin Hugo's off the board for the remainder of the game. Beavers were able to add an insurance run in the 5th inning on a string of 4 straight singles. Beavers win again 6-2. Pushing their season record to 10-4-2.
This record is good enough for 4th place in the standings and a date next week with Sportsman's Park. The Beavers are 1-1 against Sportsman's Park this year. Allowing only 8 runs total to them Winning 8-4 and Losing 4-1. It should be a good match up next week at 8pm on Field #2. Beavers should be able to take this game, we'll see if the offense can step up and take control. For the season the Beavers are averaging 10.5 runs a game. This number is greatly inflated by some early poundings over the FDPD and The Bucks. The Beavs scored 40 runs over 2 games against the FDPD and another 40 runs in 2 games over the Bucks. So, for the other 14 games the Beavers are averaging 6.3 runs a game. There needs to be HUGE improvements.
Beaver of the Game goes to PT for his 3-3 perfecto and his pitching where he allowed 2 runs in the game.
Other lines worth mentioning:
Belle 2-4, 2RBI, 2B - raising his avg to .314
Jimmy-D 2-3 - raising his avg to .349
Gee Lightening 2-3, 1run
Rake 2-3, 1run
Stats are posted to the team site. There are 3 guys hitting sub .400. I think this has a great deal to do with why the Beavers are scoring 6.3 runs a game against formidable opponents.
Fallball starts in 2 weeks in Fenton. Game times TBA.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition VIII
It was time for a little help with the line-up. Quick on the draw was Mobilly to take his stab at the best combination of Beavers to put a victory on the board. It went a little something like this:
Sabo (3B)
Kid (SS)
Deuce (LC)
Tanner (RC)
Mobilly (P)
Big John
Dupper (LF)
Gee (1B)
Santo (RF)
Rake (2B)
Belle
Jimmy-D (C)
Immediately the peanut gallery questioned the three lefties hitting 2-3-4, but since there was no lefty on the Ivey-Selkirk roster, it didn't seem like a totally bad idea (even if Tony LaRussa wouldn't have been caught dead lining up so many lefties). Sabo fell victim to the leadoff curse immediately and was retired. Kid then followed with one of the ugliest, slowest swings of his fabled Beaver career. When he did make contact it was a slow roller to 2B - two outs. Deuce coaxed a walk and Tanner doubled him to third, but both were stranded.
The 2nd inning was equally flat. The lone hit was Dupper's single. After 2 innings Mobilly had allowed 1 run, and the Beavers had offered no support of their own. In the 3rd Ivey-Selkirk went down without a run and the Beavers started hitting. Rake led off with a single, Belle and Jimmy-D quietly flew out, then came the top of the order.
Sabo walked, Kid singled (scoring Rake), Deuce singled (scoring Sabo), Tanner singled (scoring Kid), Mobilly singled (scoring Deuce). The hitting continued in the 4th. Gee singled, Santo singled, Rake walked, Belle singled (scoring Gee), Jimmy-D became clutch again with another single (scoring Santo and Rake). Beavers score 7 runs in 2 innings. Things were looking good.
Ivey-Selkirk then started their comeback. Scoring 2 in the 5th. As the Beavers took the field in the top of the 7th Mobilly offered the ball to Gee to take over on the mound. Gee told him to finish it out. I think Gee should have listened to Mobilly. Five more runs scored and eventually Gee did come in to stop the bleeding. Beavers were down 1 going into the bottom of the 7th.
Before the game Kid had predicted a tie. It was looking all too possible.
Santo singled with one out, Rake did the same. With two outs Jimmy singled in Santo and Sabo stepped to the plate with the winning run at 2nd. Another single - breaking the tie and the leadoff curse. Beavers win 9-8.
Beaver of the game goes to Jimmy-D with a 2-3 night and 3 clutch RBI.
Impressive stat lines:
Tanner 2-3, 1 RBI, 2B (batting 4th for the first time)
Santo 2-3, 2 runs
Rake 2-2, 3 runs, 1 BB
The Beavs started off hot in the 2nd game. Scoring an early 4 runs on another new lineup, this one compliments of Gee:
Kid
Mobilly
Sabo
Tanner
Dupper
Big John
Deuce
Rake
Belle
Santo
Gee
Jimmy-D
Mobilly singled in the first and Sabo reached on an E-6, then Tanner doubled in Mobilly. Dupper, up to his old tricks, hit a Sac fly for an RBI. Big John then tried to restart the rally with a walk, Deuce reached on an E-7 on a routine play, Rake then reached on an E-6 to score Big John (or should I say, his runner, Dupper). Beavers had exposed some shoddy D and jumped out to a quick lead.
Big John was pitching game two and tried his best to give up the lead in the first. Ivey-Selkirk scored 3 of their own. The Beavers responded with 1 more in the 2nd. Santo led off with a single and Gee belted a deep drive over the left fielder's head. This is no easy feat as the OF was playing very deep all night. Gee rounded the bases and was going for the HR. The ball beat him home and to confuse the catcher Gee went into his head first dive about 12 feet shy of home. Somehow the momentum of his speed carried his slide to home plate. Unfortunately the catcher was able to get the tag down foe the 1st out of the inning. The slide looked something like this:
Ivey came back with 2 of their own. It was 5-5 going into the bottom of the 4th. Ivey then started hitting again. Scoring 4 runs, then plating another 2 in the 5th. Beavers were in a hole.
The Beavs began chipping away at the 6-run deficit in the 6th. Sabo, Tanner and Dupper all reached and scored. It was a 3 run game going into the 7th. There wasn't much quit in the Beavers on this night. They had tasted the tie and were not real happy with the taste. It was time for wins. The first two Beavers went down quickly, then Jimmy-D got his 3rd hit of the night. Kid singled Jimmy-D to 2nd. Mobilly walked. Bases were loaded, two outs, tying run on 1st, winning run at the plate.
Sabo lined a single to right center and Jimmy-D scored easily. Kid, running full steam (for him) chased Jimmy-D home and side stepped the catcher's tag and touched home.
However, the ump completely missed the call. The call that was about 5 feet in front of him. Unobstructed. He simply missed it. Kid was called out on the tag (which never happened, or even came close). Jimmy-D blew up at the ump. Clenching his fists, yelling, stomping. An all-out tantrum. Too bad umps never reverse their call, because if anyone deserved to have it reversed, it was Jimmy-D and his antics.
Beavers were left as losers. 11-9. The 10th runner wrongly called out at home and the tying run standing at 3rd. Tanner was up next and Tanner was 5-6 for the night. As we like to say. "He was due for an out".
What a shame. Definitely chalk that one up to the umpire.
Impressive stat lines:
Tanner 3-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2B
Rake 2-3, 1 RBI and reached on an error
Gee 2-3, 1 RBI, 3B
Next games are the end of the regular season. 6pm against Cousin Hugos. BE THERE!
Sabo (3B)
Kid (SS)
Deuce (LC)
Tanner (RC)
Mobilly (P)
Big John
Dupper (LF)
Gee (1B)
Santo (RF)
Rake (2B)
Belle
Jimmy-D (C)
Immediately the peanut gallery questioned the three lefties hitting 2-3-4, but since there was no lefty on the Ivey-Selkirk roster, it didn't seem like a totally bad idea (even if Tony LaRussa wouldn't have been caught dead lining up so many lefties). Sabo fell victim to the leadoff curse immediately and was retired. Kid then followed with one of the ugliest, slowest swings of his fabled Beaver career. When he did make contact it was a slow roller to 2B - two outs. Deuce coaxed a walk and Tanner doubled him to third, but both were stranded.
The 2nd inning was equally flat. The lone hit was Dupper's single. After 2 innings Mobilly had allowed 1 run, and the Beavers had offered no support of their own. In the 3rd Ivey-Selkirk went down without a run and the Beavers started hitting. Rake led off with a single, Belle and Jimmy-D quietly flew out, then came the top of the order.
Sabo walked, Kid singled (scoring Rake), Deuce singled (scoring Sabo), Tanner singled (scoring Kid), Mobilly singled (scoring Deuce). The hitting continued in the 4th. Gee singled, Santo singled, Rake walked, Belle singled (scoring Gee), Jimmy-D became clutch again with another single (scoring Santo and Rake). Beavers score 7 runs in 2 innings. Things were looking good.
Ivey-Selkirk then started their comeback. Scoring 2 in the 5th. As the Beavers took the field in the top of the 7th Mobilly offered the ball to Gee to take over on the mound. Gee told him to finish it out. I think Gee should have listened to Mobilly. Five more runs scored and eventually Gee did come in to stop the bleeding. Beavers were down 1 going into the bottom of the 7th.
Before the game Kid had predicted a tie. It was looking all too possible.
Santo singled with one out, Rake did the same. With two outs Jimmy singled in Santo and Sabo stepped to the plate with the winning run at 2nd. Another single - breaking the tie and the leadoff curse. Beavers win 9-8.
Beaver of the game goes to Jimmy-D with a 2-3 night and 3 clutch RBI.
Impressive stat lines:
Tanner 2-3, 1 RBI, 2B (batting 4th for the first time)
Santo 2-3, 2 runs
Rake 2-2, 3 runs, 1 BB
The Beavs started off hot in the 2nd game. Scoring an early 4 runs on another new lineup, this one compliments of Gee:
Kid
Mobilly
Sabo
Tanner
Dupper
Big John
Deuce
Rake
Belle
Santo
Gee
Jimmy-D
Mobilly singled in the first and Sabo reached on an E-6, then Tanner doubled in Mobilly. Dupper, up to his old tricks, hit a Sac fly for an RBI. Big John then tried to restart the rally with a walk, Deuce reached on an E-7 on a routine play, Rake then reached on an E-6 to score Big John (or should I say, his runner, Dupper). Beavers had exposed some shoddy D and jumped out to a quick lead.
Big John was pitching game two and tried his best to give up the lead in the first. Ivey-Selkirk scored 3 of their own. The Beavers responded with 1 more in the 2nd. Santo led off with a single and Gee belted a deep drive over the left fielder's head. This is no easy feat as the OF was playing very deep all night. Gee rounded the bases and was going for the HR. The ball beat him home and to confuse the catcher Gee went into his head first dive about 12 feet shy of home. Somehow the momentum of his speed carried his slide to home plate. Unfortunately the catcher was able to get the tag down foe the 1st out of the inning. The slide looked something like this:
Ivey came back with 2 of their own. It was 5-5 going into the bottom of the 4th. Ivey then started hitting again. Scoring 4 runs, then plating another 2 in the 5th. Beavers were in a hole.
The Beavs began chipping away at the 6-run deficit in the 6th. Sabo, Tanner and Dupper all reached and scored. It was a 3 run game going into the 7th. There wasn't much quit in the Beavers on this night. They had tasted the tie and were not real happy with the taste. It was time for wins. The first two Beavers went down quickly, then Jimmy-D got his 3rd hit of the night. Kid singled Jimmy-D to 2nd. Mobilly walked. Bases were loaded, two outs, tying run on 1st, winning run at the plate.
Sabo lined a single to right center and Jimmy-D scored easily. Kid, running full steam (for him) chased Jimmy-D home and side stepped the catcher's tag and touched home.
However, the ump completely missed the call. The call that was about 5 feet in front of him. Unobstructed. He simply missed it. Kid was called out on the tag (which never happened, or even came close). Jimmy-D blew up at the ump. Clenching his fists, yelling, stomping. An all-out tantrum. Too bad umps never reverse their call, because if anyone deserved to have it reversed, it was Jimmy-D and his antics.
Beavers were left as losers. 11-9. The 10th runner wrongly called out at home and the tying run standing at 3rd. Tanner was up next and Tanner was 5-6 for the night. As we like to say. "He was due for an out".
What a shame. Definitely chalk that one up to the umpire.
Impressive stat lines:
Tanner 3-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2B
Rake 2-3, 1 RBI and reached on an error
Gee 2-3, 1 RBI, 3B
Next games are the end of the regular season. 6pm against Cousin Hugos. BE THERE!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition VII
I'm not going to lie. I have been dreading the writing of this Beaver Times Edition. While we did not lose either game in the scorebook, I feel that the Beavers were dealt two more moral losses. It has been an interesting season. One that is completely salvageable, still. But it seems that there is no spark. When I think about it, I liken this season to the Cardinals' season thus far. The Beavers are punchless offensively, especially when runners are on. Defense has been spotty this year compared to some of the previous years.
Not sure what it is going to take to snap out of this. I have tried to juggle the defense (that trick used to work without fail), nope, not this year. We have gone away from "rolling the lineup" for the second game as many players thought this was hampering our chances of scoring more in the second game. Hell, we even had a player bring wine and wine coolers to the games for us to sip on.
If you have suggestions, please send them along in the comments below or email me directly. This manager is struggling to find the key to this ignition.
So with that, I bring you a shortened version of the Beaver Times - mainly because it has been more than 10 days since these games and my memory of the night's events that are not recorded in the scorebook are hazy.
The Beavers were up against the Dogs In A Bathtub, if you don't recall what that means, click here. The Dogs had a record of 6-6, while your Beavers were 7-3.
The first inning was predictable, the Beavers allowed a run in the first then Sabo got on base and was drove in by Dupper. 1-1 after 1. The Beaves held the dogs scoreless in the 2nd and added one more run on singles by Mobilly, Rake and Belle with Mobilly scoring on a SAC fly by Santo. Santo's SAC was actually a foul ball that would have counted as a K, had the rightfielder known the situation and the rules better. He caught the ball, then was late in throwing Mobilly out. This was the first uproar by the Dogs against the ump.
The scoring really began in the 3rd when Dogs plated 4 runs. The Beavers, not to be outdone, came up ready to do some damage of their own. Sabo singled (again), Kid walked, Dupper singled in Sabo, Big John singled as well. At this point, Big John was lifted for a pinch runner (Deuce) as Big John is still suffering from a bum hammy from last week. This irritated the Dogs as they claimed it was BS that we could replace our slowest runner with our fastest. I thought it was about to get heated. Cooler heads prevailed and Rake was able to single in 2 more runs. Beavers still held onto their 1-run lead through 3. In the 5th the Dogs tied the game, only to face the top of the Beaver lineup. Sabo (again) singled, Kid singled then Big John singled as well to chase Sabo home. Two more runs in the 6th for the Dogs and one driven in by Jimmy-D brought the game to an 8-8 tie. Dogs went down quietly in the top of the 7th. It was the Beavers game to win as the top of the order was lined up. Sabo got his 4th single, Kid singled as well, Dupper was intentionally walked to get to Big John with the sacks jammed.
Big John did his best Yadier Molina imitation and grounded out to short. Since Big John has the sore hammy he was easy to double up at first. TIE 8-8.
No Beaver of the game, but let's call out some nice box score lines of the game.
Sabo 3-4 2runs
Kid 2-3
Dupper 2-3 2RBI
Rake 2-3 2RBI
Belle 2-3
Jimmy-D 2-3 1RBI
As you can see, it is more about timely hitting than it is just hitting, we were getting on base...just not prolonging the innings.
The umpire disappeared for about 15 minutes between games - this is the same guy who talks during the game on his phone via his wired head piece. Also the same guy who typically blows calls at 2nd because he is nowhere near being "in position".
After the human rain delay, we began game two. Beavers were visitors and did not start out with much. Actually, let's just skip to the scoring...in the 6th! That's right, the Beavers were once again being shut out in slow pitch, beer league softball.
In the top of the 6th, the Beavers were posting goose eggs, but still in the game. Big John was pitching and holding the Dogs to only 2 runs. Jimmy-D led off the 6th with a single (for those of you keeping track that is 3 hits in one night), Sabo followed with another single (his 5th of the night) and Gee singled as well. Unfortunately this only loaded the bases. Kid delivered 1 RBI on a SAC fly. Dupper did the same. Mobilly and Big John then both singled and the sacks were jammed again. So far, we had 5 singles, only 2 runs to show for it. Rake stepped up with a chance to take the lead and laid another egg. It was 2-2.
The Dogs were not much better as they could not score any runs and in the 7th Deuce led off with a walk. Belle then hit into a DP (that was the 2nd 7th inning DP of the night for the Beavers), Santo ended the Beavers' hopes with the 3rd out. Fortunately for the Beavers nothing happened in the bottom of the 7th either. It was another TIE, this time 2-2. UGH!
Again, no Beaver of the game as I just can't bring myself to award that on a tie.
Interesting box scores:
Sabo 2-2 1run, 1 walk
Santo 2-3
Jimmy-D 1-2
Next game is on July 14 at 8pm vs. Ivey-Selkirk. They are 4-7-1 this season. Here's a quick look at the league standings:
Golden Sombreros 10-2
Sportsman's Park 10-4
CJC Transportation 10-4
Bi-State Meat 8-4
Beavers 7-3-2
Cousin Hugo's 6-5-1
Team USA 6-6
Dogs in a Bathtub 6-6-2
Bottom of the Fifth 5-7
Ivey-Selkirk 4-7-1
The Bucks 3-11
FDPD 0-12
Not sure what it is going to take to snap out of this. I have tried to juggle the defense (that trick used to work without fail), nope, not this year. We have gone away from "rolling the lineup" for the second game as many players thought this was hampering our chances of scoring more in the second game. Hell, we even had a player bring wine and wine coolers to the games for us to sip on.
If you have suggestions, please send them along in the comments below or email me directly. This manager is struggling to find the key to this ignition.
So with that, I bring you a shortened version of the Beaver Times - mainly because it has been more than 10 days since these games and my memory of the night's events that are not recorded in the scorebook are hazy.
The Beavers were up against the Dogs In A Bathtub, if you don't recall what that means, click here. The Dogs had a record of 6-6, while your Beavers were 7-3.
The first inning was predictable, the Beavers allowed a run in the first then Sabo got on base and was drove in by Dupper. 1-1 after 1. The Beaves held the dogs scoreless in the 2nd and added one more run on singles by Mobilly, Rake and Belle with Mobilly scoring on a SAC fly by Santo. Santo's SAC was actually a foul ball that would have counted as a K, had the rightfielder known the situation and the rules better. He caught the ball, then was late in throwing Mobilly out. This was the first uproar by the Dogs against the ump.
The scoring really began in the 3rd when Dogs plated 4 runs. The Beavers, not to be outdone, came up ready to do some damage of their own. Sabo singled (again), Kid walked, Dupper singled in Sabo, Big John singled as well. At this point, Big John was lifted for a pinch runner (Deuce) as Big John is still suffering from a bum hammy from last week. This irritated the Dogs as they claimed it was BS that we could replace our slowest runner with our fastest. I thought it was about to get heated. Cooler heads prevailed and Rake was able to single in 2 more runs. Beavers still held onto their 1-run lead through 3. In the 5th the Dogs tied the game, only to face the top of the Beaver lineup. Sabo (again) singled, Kid singled then Big John singled as well to chase Sabo home. Two more runs in the 6th for the Dogs and one driven in by Jimmy-D brought the game to an 8-8 tie. Dogs went down quietly in the top of the 7th. It was the Beavers game to win as the top of the order was lined up. Sabo got his 4th single, Kid singled as well, Dupper was intentionally walked to get to Big John with the sacks jammed.
Big John did his best Yadier Molina imitation and grounded out to short. Since Big John has the sore hammy he was easy to double up at first. TIE 8-8.
No Beaver of the game, but let's call out some nice box score lines of the game.
Sabo 3-4 2runs
Kid 2-3
Dupper 2-3 2RBI
Rake 2-3 2RBI
Belle 2-3
Jimmy-D 2-3 1RBI
As you can see, it is more about timely hitting than it is just hitting, we were getting on base...just not prolonging the innings.
The umpire disappeared for about 15 minutes between games - this is the same guy who talks during the game on his phone via his wired head piece. Also the same guy who typically blows calls at 2nd because he is nowhere near being "in position".
After the human rain delay, we began game two. Beavers were visitors and did not start out with much. Actually, let's just skip to the scoring...in the 6th! That's right, the Beavers were once again being shut out in slow pitch, beer league softball.
In the top of the 6th, the Beavers were posting goose eggs, but still in the game. Big John was pitching and holding the Dogs to only 2 runs. Jimmy-D led off the 6th with a single (for those of you keeping track that is 3 hits in one night), Sabo followed with another single (his 5th of the night) and Gee singled as well. Unfortunately this only loaded the bases. Kid delivered 1 RBI on a SAC fly. Dupper did the same. Mobilly and Big John then both singled and the sacks were jammed again. So far, we had 5 singles, only 2 runs to show for it. Rake stepped up with a chance to take the lead and laid another egg. It was 2-2.
The Dogs were not much better as they could not score any runs and in the 7th Deuce led off with a walk. Belle then hit into a DP (that was the 2nd 7th inning DP of the night for the Beavers), Santo ended the Beavers' hopes with the 3rd out. Fortunately for the Beavers nothing happened in the bottom of the 7th either. It was another TIE, this time 2-2. UGH!
Again, no Beaver of the game as I just can't bring myself to award that on a tie.
Interesting box scores:
Sabo 2-2 1run, 1 walk
Santo 2-3
Jimmy-D 1-2
Next game is on July 14 at 8pm vs. Ivey-Selkirk. They are 4-7-1 this season. Here's a quick look at the league standings:
Golden Sombreros 10-2
Sportsman's Park 10-4
CJC Transportation 10-4
Bi-State Meat 8-4
Beavers 7-3-2
Cousin Hugo's 6-5-1
Team USA 6-6
Dogs in a Bathtub 6-6-2
Bottom of the Fifth 5-7
Ivey-Selkirk 4-7-1
The Bucks 3-11
FDPD 0-12
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition VI
Beavers Split again, team batting average drops below .500.
In what is becoming a very predictably unpredictable season for the Beavers another split was reached this past Wed night. The St. Louis summer heat is here and there was no breeze to speak of in the sky. The was, however, Bahama Breeze in the cooler as Big John decided to bring along some wine coolers and white zinfandel to "reward" the Beavers for their lady-like play in the 2nd game of the DH two weeks ago where only one run was scored upon a team that had not won in several years.
Big John threatened such an assortment of drinks prior to the game, but I was surprised when I was handed a mini white zin as I entered the park. I guess we earned it.
This night's opponents were the Sportsman's Park squad. They had a good team a few years back and challenged the Beavers for the Championship. They have one of the few pitchers in the league who can effectively take advantage of the "unlimited arc" pitch rule and this baffled the Beaver bats all night just as a knuckleballer might to a fastball hitting team. We had nearly a full team in attendance, with only Mobilly missing the games due to a poorly-timed family vacation. [note to Beavers: the schedule is always posted and UPDATED on our team site, feel free to pass this along to your wives when they are planning vacations]
The Beavers tried to warm up amid the heat and wine coolers, many players had to forgo the sweet taste of the punishment for the Bud Lights that were hidden below the ice in the cooler. Though the weather was hot, the bats were not. The Beavers led off and were able to plate one run. Started by a hit by Sabo [editor's note: Sabo's is hitting better than 200 pts above the team average] and driven in by Big John, the Beavers scored first. Sportsman's Park's bats were also not quite ready for action. They went down without merely a whimper in the first and again in the second. The Beavers also went down in order in the 2nd. It was a 1-0 battle going into the third.
Not only was it hot, humid and there was no breeze, but the field looked like it had not been kissed by rain in years. The amount of dust that sat upon the infield was enough to slow down the hardest hit balls. When runners did reach base the dust cloud they kicked up just sat and hovered about 2 feet above where it left the ground. Not even gravity was a match for the humidity that kept the dust clouds lingering. Perhaps this made it hard to see across the infield at times.
The Beavers started hitting in the 3rd. PT led off with a single [don't look now, but his AVG is approaching .600], Deuce doubled him to 3rd. Sabo drove them both in with another single. Kid doubled in Sabo and Big John reached second on an E to the thirdbaseman. Tanner came up with runners and 2nd and third and singled to right. Kid scored and Big John was moving as fast as he could to score as well. Tanner attempted to stretch the single into a double and was called out. He was never tagged, perhaps the dust played a factor, and Big John's run was erased. Not only were the Beavers denied a baserunner with the bad call, but it also nullified the 5th run of the inning. A bad break for the good guys.
Sportsman's Park started nibbling back in the bottom of the 3rd with two runs of their own - primarily on singles falling in front of the Beaver OF. The BEavers added one in the 4th and 2 more in the 6th inning on a mixture of singles and walks. The ball was not flying in this heat and humidity and singles were the only effective way of scoring. Sportsman's Park stayed in the game with solo tallies in the 5th and 6th, the score was 8-4 going into the 7th.
The Beavers were only able to produce one lone single by Sabo and were forced to protect a 4-run lead in the bottom of the 7th. Luckily for the Beavers their defense had shown up and the bats for Sportsman's Park remained cold. No runs - a Beaver win of 8-4.
Beaver of the game goes to Sabo for his 4-4 perfecto with 2 RBI on 4 singles.
Game two picked up where the first game left off - light hitting. For the first 4 innings the two teams swapped goose eggs on the scoreboard. In the 5th the Beavers shut down Sportsman's Park again and scored a lone run on a triple by Gee [flavored by one of his infamous slides into the base - this time without injury] then a SAC fly by Santo. In the 6th Sportsman's Park started hitting and also getting lucky. The umpire, who had been embarrassingly inconsistent all night missed calls, and that was aided by a string of hits allowing them to not only score, but take the lead 4-1. It should not have been an insurmountable lead - it is afterall, slowpitch softball in a recreation league. Runs are meant to be scored. It started out right in the bottom of the 7th for the Beavers. Down by 3, ready to take the sweep with a small rally and the right hitters coming up.
Sabo singled (again), Kid singled, Big John coaxed a walk (he pulled a hamstring or quad earlier in the game and was relegated to taking walks as he could not run at all - it only took games this year for Big John's first injury a new record of endurance). Sacks were jammed for Dupper, Tanner and Rake.
Dupper hit it hard but right at the SS, no one could advance on the lineout, One Out. Tanner lifted a 2-strike pitch down the rightfield line but foul for a K. Rake fouled out the catcher for the final out. Sad, Sad, SAD.
No self-respecting team should lose a 4-1 slowpitch softball game. No decent softball team should lose 2 out of 3 games by scoring only 1 run in each loss. The Beavers have hit that mid season swoon. It is not pretty. It needs to stop.
Beaver of the game goes to PT. He actually gets this because of his recent hitting and pitching to keep this anemic offense in the game. Honorable mention goes to Gee for his triple and slide.
Next games are June 30 at 6pm. Let's hope that someone can forward this email on to our bats so they will show up as well.
In other notes, Jimmy-D wore a "JD" black arm band to honor the late Jimmy Dean of sausage and "Big Bad John" fame.
Quote of the night goes to Tanner. A beer was spilled behind the backstop and the umpire turned to the Beavers back there and said "I Saw that", Tanner quipped, "That's the first thing you saw all night, blue". So true, so funny.
beaverball.blogspot.com
In what is becoming a very predictably unpredictable season for the Beavers another split was reached this past Wed night. The St. Louis summer heat is here and there was no breeze to speak of in the sky. The was, however, Bahama Breeze in the cooler as Big John decided to bring along some wine coolers and white zinfandel to "reward" the Beavers for their lady-like play in the 2nd game of the DH two weeks ago where only one run was scored upon a team that had not won in several years.
Big John threatened such an assortment of drinks prior to the game, but I was surprised when I was handed a mini white zin as I entered the park. I guess we earned it.
This night's opponents were the Sportsman's Park squad. They had a good team a few years back and challenged the Beavers for the Championship. They have one of the few pitchers in the league who can effectively take advantage of the "unlimited arc" pitch rule and this baffled the Beaver bats all night just as a knuckleballer might to a fastball hitting team. We had nearly a full team in attendance, with only Mobilly missing the games due to a poorly-timed family vacation. [note to Beavers: the schedule is always posted and UPDATED on our team site, feel free to pass this along to your wives when they are planning vacations]
The Beavers tried to warm up amid the heat and wine coolers, many players had to forgo the sweet taste of the punishment for the Bud Lights that were hidden below the ice in the cooler. Though the weather was hot, the bats were not. The Beavers led off and were able to plate one run. Started by a hit by Sabo [editor's note: Sabo's is hitting better than 200 pts above the team average] and driven in by Big John, the Beavers scored first. Sportsman's Park's bats were also not quite ready for action. They went down without merely a whimper in the first and again in the second. The Beavers also went down in order in the 2nd. It was a 1-0 battle going into the third.
Not only was it hot, humid and there was no breeze, but the field looked like it had not been kissed by rain in years. The amount of dust that sat upon the infield was enough to slow down the hardest hit balls. When runners did reach base the dust cloud they kicked up just sat and hovered about 2 feet above where it left the ground. Not even gravity was a match for the humidity that kept the dust clouds lingering. Perhaps this made it hard to see across the infield at times.
The Beavers started hitting in the 3rd. PT led off with a single [don't look now, but his AVG is approaching .600], Deuce doubled him to 3rd. Sabo drove them both in with another single. Kid doubled in Sabo and Big John reached second on an E to the thirdbaseman. Tanner came up with runners and 2nd and third and singled to right. Kid scored and Big John was moving as fast as he could to score as well. Tanner attempted to stretch the single into a double and was called out. He was never tagged, perhaps the dust played a factor, and Big John's run was erased. Not only were the Beavers denied a baserunner with the bad call, but it also nullified the 5th run of the inning. A bad break for the good guys.
Sportsman's Park started nibbling back in the bottom of the 3rd with two runs of their own - primarily on singles falling in front of the Beaver OF. The BEavers added one in the 4th and 2 more in the 6th inning on a mixture of singles and walks. The ball was not flying in this heat and humidity and singles were the only effective way of scoring. Sportsman's Park stayed in the game with solo tallies in the 5th and 6th, the score was 8-4 going into the 7th.
The Beavers were only able to produce one lone single by Sabo and were forced to protect a 4-run lead in the bottom of the 7th. Luckily for the Beavers their defense had shown up and the bats for Sportsman's Park remained cold. No runs - a Beaver win of 8-4.
Beaver of the game goes to Sabo for his 4-4 perfecto with 2 RBI on 4 singles.
Game two picked up where the first game left off - light hitting. For the first 4 innings the two teams swapped goose eggs on the scoreboard. In the 5th the Beavers shut down Sportsman's Park again and scored a lone run on a triple by Gee [flavored by one of his infamous slides into the base - this time without injury] then a SAC fly by Santo. In the 6th Sportsman's Park started hitting and also getting lucky. The umpire, who had been embarrassingly inconsistent all night missed calls, and that was aided by a string of hits allowing them to not only score, but take the lead 4-1. It should not have been an insurmountable lead - it is afterall, slowpitch softball in a recreation league. Runs are meant to be scored. It started out right in the bottom of the 7th for the Beavers. Down by 3, ready to take the sweep with a small rally and the right hitters coming up.
Sabo singled (again), Kid singled, Big John coaxed a walk (he pulled a hamstring or quad earlier in the game and was relegated to taking walks as he could not run at all - it only took games this year for Big John's first injury a new record of endurance). Sacks were jammed for Dupper, Tanner and Rake.
Dupper hit it hard but right at the SS, no one could advance on the lineout, One Out. Tanner lifted a 2-strike pitch down the rightfield line but foul for a K. Rake fouled out the catcher for the final out. Sad, Sad, SAD.
No self-respecting team should lose a 4-1 slowpitch softball game. No decent softball team should lose 2 out of 3 games by scoring only 1 run in each loss. The Beavers have hit that mid season swoon. It is not pretty. It needs to stop.
Beaver of the game goes to PT. He actually gets this because of his recent hitting and pitching to keep this anemic offense in the game. Honorable mention goes to Gee for his triple and slide.
Next games are June 30 at 6pm. Let's hope that someone can forward this email on to our bats so they will show up as well.
In other notes, Jimmy-D wore a "JD" black arm band to honor the late Jimmy Dean of sausage and "Big Bad John" fame.
Quote of the night goes to Tanner. A beer was spilled behind the backstop and the umpire turned to the Beavers back there and said "I Saw that", Tanner quipped, "That's the first thing you saw all night, blue". So true, so funny.
beaverball.blogspot.com
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Tale Of Two Games
It was the best of games, it was the worst of games.
All started off well for the Beavers. Playing as the visiting team the Beavers started off with two straight walks - both coming around to score on a 2 RBI single by Big John. The opponents, Bottom of the Fifth, (that's their name...no, you didn't miss the first 4.5 innings) didn't show much life with the bats. PT had them fishing from the beginning. When they did make contact there was not much force behind it and thus, not much damage.
The Beavers began to pull away in the 3rd inning. Sabo drew his second BB of the night, was chased to third on Kid's single and scored on Big John's grounder to the left side of the infield that ate up the shortstop. I am not sure who was keeping score at the time, but Big John was credited with 2 RBI on the E-6. May need to go back and try to relive that one and see if those RBI were truly earned. Rake then lifted one down the left field foul line. It looked like it was going to hook foul for a long strike but then it began to slice back. Somehow it landed fair and fooled the LF. Rake scurried around for a HR driving in Big John. The hits kept coming. Back to back to back to back singles by Gee, Santo, PT and Jimmy-D (no, that is not a typo) followed by a SAC fly by Jonathan and two more singles by Sabo and Kid plated 4 more. It was 10-0 after 2 1/2 innings. Bottom of the Fifth did not have an answer...nor a run. So, back to the Beaver offense.
In the 4th the Beavers went quietly for the first two hitters; Tanner and Rake. Then came the two out rally. the bottom four once again strung together 4 straight singles, the top of the order added two more straight base hits and Kid capped it off with a 3-run homer. Seven more runs on the board and the Beavers were coasting to a 17-0 whoopin'.
Beaver of the game goes to the bottom 4 in the order; Gee, Santo, PT and Jimmy-D. This is the production needed from these guys and they were the middle of both big rallies. Bravo!
If you know anything about your Beavers you know that it does not take much for the winds to turn. Sometimes we are too tight, sometimes we are too loose. Game two is case-in-point.
THe Beavers were home team so they just stayed out in the field to start the 2nd game. Bottom of the Fifth tried to rally in the first but it was not going to happen thanks to Kid (LC) chasing down a ball over his head, firing it to Santo (SS) who threw a laser to Jimmy-D (C) to nail a runner trying to score. Couple that with two K's for PT and the game seemed to be off to a good start. Santo led off for the Beavers with a single and was scored on an RBI by Sabo. Unfortunately those were the last highlights of the game for the Beavers. And also all I care to say about the game, except this...the Beavers lost to a team that had not won in 2 years.
Beavers of the game? Nope
Next games will be on June 23rd at 8pm. Beavers will take their 6-2 record and hopefully show a little life.
All started off well for the Beavers. Playing as the visiting team the Beavers started off with two straight walks - both coming around to score on a 2 RBI single by Big John. The opponents, Bottom of the Fifth, (that's their name...no, you didn't miss the first 4.5 innings) didn't show much life with the bats. PT had them fishing from the beginning. When they did make contact there was not much force behind it and thus, not much damage.
The Beavers began to pull away in the 3rd inning. Sabo drew his second BB of the night, was chased to third on Kid's single and scored on Big John's grounder to the left side of the infield that ate up the shortstop. I am not sure who was keeping score at the time, but Big John was credited with 2 RBI on the E-6. May need to go back and try to relive that one and see if those RBI were truly earned. Rake then lifted one down the left field foul line. It looked like it was going to hook foul for a long strike but then it began to slice back. Somehow it landed fair and fooled the LF. Rake scurried around for a HR driving in Big John. The hits kept coming. Back to back to back to back singles by Gee, Santo, PT and Jimmy-D (no, that is not a typo) followed by a SAC fly by Jonathan and two more singles by Sabo and Kid plated 4 more. It was 10-0 after 2 1/2 innings. Bottom of the Fifth did not have an answer...nor a run. So, back to the Beaver offense.
In the 4th the Beavers went quietly for the first two hitters; Tanner and Rake. Then came the two out rally. the bottom four once again strung together 4 straight singles, the top of the order added two more straight base hits and Kid capped it off with a 3-run homer. Seven more runs on the board and the Beavers were coasting to a 17-0 whoopin'.
Beaver of the game goes to the bottom 4 in the order; Gee, Santo, PT and Jimmy-D. This is the production needed from these guys and they were the middle of both big rallies. Bravo!
If you know anything about your Beavers you know that it does not take much for the winds to turn. Sometimes we are too tight, sometimes we are too loose. Game two is case-in-point.
THe Beavers were home team so they just stayed out in the field to start the 2nd game. Bottom of the Fifth tried to rally in the first but it was not going to happen thanks to Kid (LC) chasing down a ball over his head, firing it to Santo (SS) who threw a laser to Jimmy-D (C) to nail a runner trying to score. Couple that with two K's for PT and the game seemed to be off to a good start. Santo led off for the Beavers with a single and was scored on an RBI by Sabo. Unfortunately those were the last highlights of the game for the Beavers. And also all I care to say about the game, except this...the Beavers lost to a team that had not won in 2 years.
Beavers of the game? Nope
Next games will be on June 23rd at 8pm. Beavers will take their 6-2 record and hopefully show a little life.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Please stop with the rain dances
If you are out there and you are the one doing the rain-dance every Wed will you please stop? The softball season is 6 weeks old and due to your Indian-God connection we have only played 3 of those weeks. The Beavers are 5-1 and are hoping to win a 6th game sometime this summer.
We will try again next week (June 9th) at 6pm on Field #6 at Shaw Park. Hope to see you there on a dry field.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
We will try again next week (June 9th) at 6pm on Field #6 at Shaw Park. Hope to see you there on a dry field.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
Monday, May 24, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition IV
After a rainout of the games scheduled for May 12th, the games scheduled for May 19th were not looking too possible either. Rainy day, followed by rainy day finally gave way for 2 straight days of sunshine. Somehow the ground soaked up all of the inches of rain and the field was in great shape for the double header on the 19th.
The night's opponent was another new team; the Bucks. The Bucks entered the night 2-2 in the young season, the Beavers were off to a 3-1 start. Two no-shows for the Beavers left the club with 2 less pitching options as Big John and PT both were out. The Beavers were the visiting team in the 1st game and came out flat. Going down 1-2-3 in the first and trying to put something together in the 2nd. With runners on first and second Gee singled to left center (virtually hitting it to the opposite field for Gee) Mobilly was then gunned down at the plate as he did not have a good jump on the hit. Luckily The Bucks were not ripping the cover off the ball either. After 2 innings it was 0-0 and quite the sleeper.
Tanner led off the 3rd with a single and it appeared he might be stranded there when the bottom of the order could not move him around, then the top of the order began to hit. Deuce lifted a ground-rule double down the hill and Sabo singled them both in for a 2-0 lead. Mobilly, on the mound, kept the Bucks bats silent with another shutout inning in the third as he switched from side to side of the rubber and varying his pitching style with nearly every pitch.
Mobilly led off the 2nd with a double which prompted a "way to pick up your base running" from the Beavers bench. He was moved the third by Dupper and driven home by a Sacrifice fly by Rake for a 3-0 lead. The Bucks started to take advantage of the Beavers slow start. They chased around 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th. This game was way to close for what it should be on paper. But, since we play on dirt and grass, that did not matter.
In the 5th Tanner got on base again with a double and scored on a singe by Santo. Going into the 6th it was a too-close-for-comfort 4-2. Then something changed. It's hard to say what triggers a huge change in momentum. Maybe the beer was kicking in. Maybe the Beavers were just beginning to forget their 9 to 5 and start relaxing, maybe everyone just needed a swing or two to get ready for the night...but it was time to hit.
The Beavers batted all 11 guys in the 6th. A barrage of singles and doubles. Singles by Sabo, Kid, Mobilly, Rake and Jimmy-D. Doubles by Gee (now being called Glee by Kid), Tanner and Santo. Most of the inning was made possible by a mental mistake by the Bucks SS. A grounder up the middle with Rake on first. The SS bobbled the ball temporarily, but still had time to beat Rake to 2nd by a step opted to just throw to first for the PO. The first baseman expected the FC and second and was no where near 1st. That E opened the flood gates for 4 additional runs in that inning for a total of 6.
After the Bucks scored one of their own in the 6th, the Beavers kept the hitting up in the 7th. Hitting around was not enough in this frame. The first 8 hitters all reached base safely. Singles by Sabo and Kid were chased around by a HR by Mobilly. A triple by Dupper was scored easily on a HR by Rake. Singles by Belle, Glee, Tanner and Deuce were then plated by doubles by Kid and Mobilly (his 6th RBI in 2 innings). Dupper then tripled for the 2nd time in one inning (maybe a Beaver record). Rake then drove home Dupper again, this time with a single. At the end of 6 and 1/2 the Beavers were now up 23-4.
Dupper took the hill to close out the game and allowed 3 runs, but not nearly enough to make this game interesting in the box score.
Beaver of the game goes to Mobilly for his 5-5, 6RBI, 2 doubles, 1 HR and 6 innings of 3-run pitching. Honorable mention goes to Rake 3-4, 5 RBI, 1 HR and Tanner 4-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI.
Effort of the game goes to Gee who while playing first base came in on a low looping foul ball. Determined to at least make the play look like it was close, Gee dove headlong for the ball (basically after the ball landed). Missing the catch, but providing plenty of entertainment.
Game two started slow. The first inning there was nothing happening for either team. Again a goose-egg for the Bucks in the 2nd inning. For the Beavers Sabo led off with a single, Kid did the same...and with the entire bench harassing Mobilly about his ridiculously tall black socks Mobilly shut the peanut gallery up with his 2nd HR of the night. Some of the comments which were caught were "does Michelle know you have her knee highs on?", "Michelle will be pissed that you are stretching out her stockings" and "Your mascara is running too". Good times. Good job in answering, Mobilly. Beavers were up 3-0.
The Bucks cut the lead to 3-2 helped by the juggling error by Rake at 2nd base. A potential DP ball was hit to SS, on the flip to 2nd Rake bobbled the ball, not once, not twice, probably at least 3 times plus. Similar to a hacky sack...but falling to the ground in the end.
The game would not be close for long. For the 3rd time in the 2 games the Beavers batted around. Again the 1st 8 Beavers reached base. Primarily singles and doubles...the Beavers were slowing up on the bases and not taking the extra base as this was becoming a blow out quickly. Beavers went out to take different positions in the field. At times it looked like a little league practice with everyone playing out of position. At this time, the team was relaxed and in control. Then the Beavers are like this, they are hard to beat...and sometimes hard to score upon.
The Bucks scored one lone run in the 4th and the Beavers hit around for the 4th time in the 4th. Singles, doubles, errors (which were mounting for the Bucks) kept scoring more Beavers. Perfectos for the night belonged to Santo (3-3), Kid (3-3) and Dupper (3-3).
The game was called by the mercy rule after 4 innings at 17-3.
Due to performance under pressure of the bench, I will award Mobilly the Beaver of the Game for game 2 as well. (2-3, HR, 4 RBI and reached on an error).
Play of the game happened against the Beavers in the 4th inning. Santo led off with a single, Jimmy-D then grounded a ball to the 3rd baseman. He threw to second for the FC, but the ball deflected off his glove and went to the SS who was backing up the throw. The SS, then threw back to the 2nd baseman to still force out the pokey Santo. So if you are scoring at home that out was recorded 5-4-6-4 FC.
Next game is May 26th at 8pm vs. Ivey-Selkirk. This team took the year off last year and seem to be formidable again this year. It should be a good match up and hopefully the Beavers will show up and hit like the did in the 2nd half of both of these games.
beaverball.blogspot.com
The night's opponent was another new team; the Bucks. The Bucks entered the night 2-2 in the young season, the Beavers were off to a 3-1 start. Two no-shows for the Beavers left the club with 2 less pitching options as Big John and PT both were out. The Beavers were the visiting team in the 1st game and came out flat. Going down 1-2-3 in the first and trying to put something together in the 2nd. With runners on first and second Gee singled to left center (virtually hitting it to the opposite field for Gee) Mobilly was then gunned down at the plate as he did not have a good jump on the hit. Luckily The Bucks were not ripping the cover off the ball either. After 2 innings it was 0-0 and quite the sleeper.
Tanner led off the 3rd with a single and it appeared he might be stranded there when the bottom of the order could not move him around, then the top of the order began to hit. Deuce lifted a ground-rule double down the hill and Sabo singled them both in for a 2-0 lead. Mobilly, on the mound, kept the Bucks bats silent with another shutout inning in the third as he switched from side to side of the rubber and varying his pitching style with nearly every pitch.
Mobilly led off the 2nd with a double which prompted a "way to pick up your base running" from the Beavers bench. He was moved the third by Dupper and driven home by a Sacrifice fly by Rake for a 3-0 lead. The Bucks started to take advantage of the Beavers slow start. They chased around 2 runs in the bottom of the 4th. This game was way to close for what it should be on paper. But, since we play on dirt and grass, that did not matter.
In the 5th Tanner got on base again with a double and scored on a singe by Santo. Going into the 6th it was a too-close-for-comfort 4-2. Then something changed. It's hard to say what triggers a huge change in momentum. Maybe the beer was kicking in. Maybe the Beavers were just beginning to forget their 9 to 5 and start relaxing, maybe everyone just needed a swing or two to get ready for the night...but it was time to hit.
The Beavers batted all 11 guys in the 6th. A barrage of singles and doubles. Singles by Sabo, Kid, Mobilly, Rake and Jimmy-D. Doubles by Gee (now being called Glee by Kid), Tanner and Santo. Most of the inning was made possible by a mental mistake by the Bucks SS. A grounder up the middle with Rake on first. The SS bobbled the ball temporarily, but still had time to beat Rake to 2nd by a step opted to just throw to first for the PO. The first baseman expected the FC and second and was no where near 1st. That E opened the flood gates for 4 additional runs in that inning for a total of 6.
After the Bucks scored one of their own in the 6th, the Beavers kept the hitting up in the 7th. Hitting around was not enough in this frame. The first 8 hitters all reached base safely. Singles by Sabo and Kid were chased around by a HR by Mobilly. A triple by Dupper was scored easily on a HR by Rake. Singles by Belle, Glee, Tanner and Deuce were then plated by doubles by Kid and Mobilly (his 6th RBI in 2 innings). Dupper then tripled for the 2nd time in one inning (maybe a Beaver record). Rake then drove home Dupper again, this time with a single. At the end of 6 and 1/2 the Beavers were now up 23-4.
Dupper took the hill to close out the game and allowed 3 runs, but not nearly enough to make this game interesting in the box score.
Beaver of the game goes to Mobilly for his 5-5, 6RBI, 2 doubles, 1 HR and 6 innings of 3-run pitching. Honorable mention goes to Rake 3-4, 5 RBI, 1 HR and Tanner 4-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI.
Effort of the game goes to Gee who while playing first base came in on a low looping foul ball. Determined to at least make the play look like it was close, Gee dove headlong for the ball (basically after the ball landed). Missing the catch, but providing plenty of entertainment.
Game two started slow. The first inning there was nothing happening for either team. Again a goose-egg for the Bucks in the 2nd inning. For the Beavers Sabo led off with a single, Kid did the same...and with the entire bench harassing Mobilly about his ridiculously tall black socks Mobilly shut the peanut gallery up with his 2nd HR of the night. Some of the comments which were caught were "does Michelle know you have her knee highs on?", "Michelle will be pissed that you are stretching out her stockings" and "Your mascara is running too". Good times. Good job in answering, Mobilly. Beavers were up 3-0.
The Bucks cut the lead to 3-2 helped by the juggling error by Rake at 2nd base. A potential DP ball was hit to SS, on the flip to 2nd Rake bobbled the ball, not once, not twice, probably at least 3 times plus. Similar to a hacky sack...but falling to the ground in the end.
The game would not be close for long. For the 3rd time in the 2 games the Beavers batted around. Again the 1st 8 Beavers reached base. Primarily singles and doubles...the Beavers were slowing up on the bases and not taking the extra base as this was becoming a blow out quickly. Beavers went out to take different positions in the field. At times it looked like a little league practice with everyone playing out of position. At this time, the team was relaxed and in control. Then the Beavers are like this, they are hard to beat...and sometimes hard to score upon.
The Bucks scored one lone run in the 4th and the Beavers hit around for the 4th time in the 4th. Singles, doubles, errors (which were mounting for the Bucks) kept scoring more Beavers. Perfectos for the night belonged to Santo (3-3), Kid (3-3) and Dupper (3-3).
The game was called by the mercy rule after 4 innings at 17-3.
Due to performance under pressure of the bench, I will award Mobilly the Beaver of the Game for game 2 as well. (2-3, HR, 4 RBI and reached on an error).
Play of the game happened against the Beavers in the 4th inning. Santo led off with a single, Jimmy-D then grounded a ball to the 3rd baseman. He threw to second for the FC, but the ball deflected off his glove and went to the SS who was backing up the throw. The SS, then threw back to the 2nd baseman to still force out the pokey Santo. So if you are scoring at home that out was recorded 5-4-6-4 FC.
Next game is May 26th at 8pm vs. Ivey-Selkirk. This team took the year off last year and seem to be formidable again this year. It should be a good match up and hopefully the Beavers will show up and hit like the did in the 2nd half of both of these games.
beaverball.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition III
Hola! Y la bienvenida a cinco de mayo de béisbol.
Fittingly on Cinco de Mayo the Beavers played Team USA. It was another amazing night for softball. Temperatures covering in the upper 60's. Only thing that was working against us was a high wind blowing in from left field. More on that in a bit.
To celebrate our friends to the south the game beer was Corona Light and Tecate...mmm, cerveza! Oh, and don't forget the lime juice for good measure. While chips and salsa would have been a nice accompaniment, we stuck with the liquid-only diet for the games.
Belled spelled Tanner in this game as Tanner came down with some unexplainable eye injury and Belle was back from finishing his Wed night hockey league. Thanks to Tanner for keeping the score book for the night. Most legible book in years...and probably the toughest official scorer on the Beavers with the power of the pen. We'll see how forgiving he was with the hits vs. errors.
Beavers took to the field as the home team in game one and the first batter laced a fly ball to right center. Belle, his first time seeing a fly ball since September completely misjudged the ball...broke in for it as it screamed over his head. A quick adjustment and the runner was held to a triple...and then stranded for the remainder of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning the Beavers loaded the bases on 3 singles only to strand the go-ahead and first run at third as well. Team USA came out hitting in the second. Primarily shooting singles into center field...they were able to chase around 3 runs and take the early lead. The Beavers clawed back. Belle reached on a single, Gee reached on an error, Santo reached on an error then the next two guys walked with the bases loaded giving rather cheap RBI to Jimmy-D and Deuce. Beavers were down by 1.
There was no scoring in the 3rd for either team. For the Beavers, Dupper was the final out for the 2nd time out of 3 innings. In the 4th Team USA plated another 3 runs, while the Beavers led off their half with a triple by Rake...they were not able to score his with a series of outs to the shortstop - PITIFUL!
Team USA added two more in the 5th, while the Beavers bats remained on Siesta. In the 6th Team USA scored one again and the Beavers started off a rally. Sabo doubled and scored on Kid's line drive single. Then came our menacing 4,5 & 6 hitters. Big John jumped on one but hit it high into the left field wind for out #1. Mobilly then looked at strike 3 (I had threatened to bring a Sombrero to the game that had to be worn when someone struck out, lucky for Mobilly I was unable to find a sombrero). Dupper then hit one deep to left that again was held up by the wind. A great chance to come back was thwarted. Dupper ended his third inning in three AB.
Team USA put the nail in the ataúd (coffin) in the 7th scoring 5 more times. The Beavers were deflated and I believe it was Kid who said "we can relax and just have fun now". Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing every week? The now "relaxed" Beavers started a rally in the bottom of the 7th. After Rake popped out to right Belle, Gee and Santo all reached base and scoring one. PT then hit a sacrifice fly to score the 2nd run. With two outs Jimmy-D grounded out to third. Rally over, Game over.
Final score was Team USA 14, Beavers 5. This was the same team that beat us for the championship last year, so they seemed to have our number. MVB of the game goes to ... no one...let's face it, none of us deserved it.
Luckily the Beavers don't stay down for long. Game two started off much better. Deuce was able to get one past the right fielder for a ground rule double, Sabo reached on a FC error, Big John hit a sac fly, then Mobilly singled in one, Dupper doubled in one and Rake singled in another. Then the middle of the lineup hits, it is a beautiful thing. 4 runs early for the good guys.
Big John took the mound in the 2nd game. He breezed through the first inning and according our books was untouched in the 2nd frame as well. According to Team USA later in the game they scored once in the 2nd, but that seems awfully suspicious. Either way, the Beavers were determined to not let that one run decide the game. In the top of the 2nd the Beavers added to their lead. Seven hits brought around another 5 runs. The top of the order all hit and the rally was extinguished when Mobilly tried to stretch a single into a double. But the damage was done...Beavers were up 9-0 (or 9-1).
The Beavers continued to score in the 3rd and 4th. Dupper led off the 3rd with a single and was drove in later in the inning by a single by Santo before PT would have been the 2nd player to wear the sombrero when he looked at strike 3. In the 4th Sabo reached on a error to the Shortstop then Kid made it hurt by driving one to the right center alley. The wind seemed to be aiding fly balls to this area of the field, but let's don't take anything away from this hit. Kid's ball rolled all the way down to the building near the tennis courts. While Team USA tried the "ground rule double" approach, it was a live ball and an easy dinger.
During all of this Team USA was able to find home plate a few times off of Big John, but they were well out of the game. Somehow able to play 7 innings again, the Beavers were win 13-6 (or 13-7). Beavers are now 3-1 on the young season and had proved that they can beat anyone when they play well.
MVB of the game goes to Kid and his 4-RBI night.
One things that can't be overlooked is the defense by Deuce over the night. Deuce ranged in and back to bring in fly balls. He also had two assists on outs at home plate. One throw being a strike to Jimmy-D early in game 1, another in game 2 when he basically rolled the ball through the legs of Rake and Big John only to find Jimmy-D at home to apply the tag. It was a play that took everyone on both sides by surprise. I don't think Jimmy-D has ever had two PO at home in one night. Will have to check the record books on that one.
That's it for Cinco De Beaver. A split is not what the team was looking for, but the renaissance in the 2nd game lifted the spirits and has the team ready for early games next week on May 12 again on field 2. Hopefully the wind is either not blowing in hard from left field, or the team is able to adjust and stop hitting fly balls into the wind. Without that wind, the scores of the games would have been much more lopsided for the Beavers. There were some fly balls that typically would be doubles of homers that were easy fly outs to a deep left fielder...
Fittingly on Cinco de Mayo the Beavers played Team USA. It was another amazing night for softball. Temperatures covering in the upper 60's. Only thing that was working against us was a high wind blowing in from left field. More on that in a bit.
To celebrate our friends to the south the game beer was Corona Light and Tecate...mmm, cerveza! Oh, and don't forget the lime juice for good measure. While chips and salsa would have been a nice accompaniment, we stuck with the liquid-only diet for the games.
Belled spelled Tanner in this game as Tanner came down with some unexplainable eye injury and Belle was back from finishing his Wed night hockey league. Thanks to Tanner for keeping the score book for the night. Most legible book in years...and probably the toughest official scorer on the Beavers with the power of the pen. We'll see how forgiving he was with the hits vs. errors.
Beavers took to the field as the home team in game one and the first batter laced a fly ball to right center. Belle, his first time seeing a fly ball since September completely misjudged the ball...broke in for it as it screamed over his head. A quick adjustment and the runner was held to a triple...and then stranded for the remainder of the inning.
In the bottom of the inning the Beavers loaded the bases on 3 singles only to strand the go-ahead and first run at third as well. Team USA came out hitting in the second. Primarily shooting singles into center field...they were able to chase around 3 runs and take the early lead. The Beavers clawed back. Belle reached on a single, Gee reached on an error, Santo reached on an error then the next two guys walked with the bases loaded giving rather cheap RBI to Jimmy-D and Deuce. Beavers were down by 1.
There was no scoring in the 3rd for either team. For the Beavers, Dupper was the final out for the 2nd time out of 3 innings. In the 4th Team USA plated another 3 runs, while the Beavers led off their half with a triple by Rake...they were not able to score his with a series of outs to the shortstop - PITIFUL!
Team USA added two more in the 5th, while the Beavers bats remained on Siesta. In the 6th Team USA scored one again and the Beavers started off a rally. Sabo doubled and scored on Kid's line drive single. Then came our menacing 4,5 & 6 hitters. Big John jumped on one but hit it high into the left field wind for out #1. Mobilly then looked at strike 3 (I had threatened to bring a Sombrero to the game that had to be worn when someone struck out, lucky for Mobilly I was unable to find a sombrero). Dupper then hit one deep to left that again was held up by the wind. A great chance to come back was thwarted. Dupper ended his third inning in three AB.
Team USA put the nail in the ataúd (coffin) in the 7th scoring 5 more times. The Beavers were deflated and I believe it was Kid who said "we can relax and just have fun now". Isn't that what we are supposed to be doing every week? The now "relaxed" Beavers started a rally in the bottom of the 7th. After Rake popped out to right Belle, Gee and Santo all reached base and scoring one. PT then hit a sacrifice fly to score the 2nd run. With two outs Jimmy-D grounded out to third. Rally over, Game over.
Final score was Team USA 14, Beavers 5. This was the same team that beat us for the championship last year, so they seemed to have our number. MVB of the game goes to ... no one...let's face it, none of us deserved it.
Luckily the Beavers don't stay down for long. Game two started off much better. Deuce was able to get one past the right fielder for a ground rule double, Sabo reached on a FC error, Big John hit a sac fly, then Mobilly singled in one, Dupper doubled in one and Rake singled in another. Then the middle of the lineup hits, it is a beautiful thing. 4 runs early for the good guys.
Big John took the mound in the 2nd game. He breezed through the first inning and according our books was untouched in the 2nd frame as well. According to Team USA later in the game they scored once in the 2nd, but that seems awfully suspicious. Either way, the Beavers were determined to not let that one run decide the game. In the top of the 2nd the Beavers added to their lead. Seven hits brought around another 5 runs. The top of the order all hit and the rally was extinguished when Mobilly tried to stretch a single into a double. But the damage was done...Beavers were up 9-0 (or 9-1).
The Beavers continued to score in the 3rd and 4th. Dupper led off the 3rd with a single and was drove in later in the inning by a single by Santo before PT would have been the 2nd player to wear the sombrero when he looked at strike 3. In the 4th Sabo reached on a error to the Shortstop then Kid made it hurt by driving one to the right center alley. The wind seemed to be aiding fly balls to this area of the field, but let's don't take anything away from this hit. Kid's ball rolled all the way down to the building near the tennis courts. While Team USA tried the "ground rule double" approach, it was a live ball and an easy dinger.
During all of this Team USA was able to find home plate a few times off of Big John, but they were well out of the game. Somehow able to play 7 innings again, the Beavers were win 13-6 (or 13-7). Beavers are now 3-1 on the young season and had proved that they can beat anyone when they play well.
MVB of the game goes to Kid and his 4-RBI night.
One things that can't be overlooked is the defense by Deuce over the night. Deuce ranged in and back to bring in fly balls. He also had two assists on outs at home plate. One throw being a strike to Jimmy-D early in game 1, another in game 2 when he basically rolled the ball through the legs of Rake and Big John only to find Jimmy-D at home to apply the tag. It was a play that took everyone on both sides by surprise. I don't think Jimmy-D has ever had two PO at home in one night. Will have to check the record books on that one.
That's it for Cinco De Beaver. A split is not what the team was looking for, but the renaissance in the 2nd game lifted the spirits and has the team ready for early games next week on May 12 again on field 2. Hopefully the wind is either not blowing in hard from left field, or the team is able to adjust and stop hitting fly balls into the wind. Without that wind, the scores of the games would have been much more lopsided for the Beavers. There were some fly balls that typically would be doubles of homers that were easy fly outs to a deep left fielder...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition II
...Play Ball...
It seemed like the season would never get here. While the Clayton softball league starts in late April, many leagues already have a few games under their belts in other leagues. April 28th finally arrived and the fields dried up enough to host opening night under the new lights at Shaw Park.
To get the team fired up about playing the career stats were brought to the game (and pre-game festivities). Last year, while finishing in 2nd place in the summer league and 3rd in the fall, the Beavers for the most part had an off year. The bats were just not there. Many career averages took a hit because of it. Call the career stats a little "motivation".
It was time for the 426th & 427th career games for the Beavers. This year's roster looks quite familiar. In fact, the top nine Beavers all-time in games played were in the lineup. It was good to get much of the old group back together. And this old group hit like they were comfortable.
The opponent was the new team, the FDPD. We did not know for sure if they would show up. It was about 5 minutes to first pitch and no opponent was in sight. Then they started filtering in. Followed by a fire truck of spectators mid-way through the game. What their fans saw was not pretty.
The Beavers were the home team and disposed of the FDPD rather quickly in the first. Sabo set the tone with a diving stop down the line at third and a force out at second. I think this was when the FDPD realized they might be overmatched. For the Beavers the first 4 batters reached base. Deuce led off with a ground-rule double, Sabo walked, Kid doubled and Big John doubled. After Mobilly's first K of the night Dup singled, Rake took a stab at Dup's career lead in SAC flies and Tanner singled in the 5th run.
The top half of the innings went about the same as the top of the first. Very little threats - and no runs. The Beavers came back swinging again in the 2nd. The bottom of the lineup starting the rally. Sabo, PT and Jimmy-D all reached base to set things up for the top of the order. I referred to this group as the "meat of the order", I was not let down. The top of the order produced again. As the runs began to pile up most Beavers started slowing down. What could be HR were stretched into triples, Doubles were left for singles. We do need to check Elias Sports Bureau for this, but the Beavers may have set a club record with three triples in one inning; Big John, Dupper and Rake. It was 12-0 and the FDPD was not happy. Especially the lippy second baseman who thought we were running up the score.
In the third inning the "meat" did not fare quite as well. Santo singled but otherwise the bottom of the order went down quietly. For a brief moment, the FDPD thought that they might be able to hang. They celebrated their accomplishment of allowing no runs...it was only temporary.
In the bottom of the 4th the flood gates opened. Again, most Beavers were pulling up a little, but the bats were hot and the Beavers were combining strong hits with poor outfield fielding. The top 5 guys in the lineup reached safely with 2 more triples and 3 singles. Each of them scored along with another 3 as the Beavers batted around. As the 8th run of the inning scored and the 20th of the game, the umpire called the mercy-rule and the first game was in the books. Beavers had a shut-out; 20-0. 4 scoreless innings tossed by a combined effort of PT and Mobilly. While any pitcher on the roster will claim that few runs they have allowed were earned, this shutout was legit. The Beavers were back!
MVB of the game goes to Big John for his "perfecto" 3-3, 3 runs, 3 RBI (single, double, triple) - the triple is not a typo
Game two started right away. While Rake caught a little flack for not "rolling the lineup", Deuce led off game 2 as he did game 1. This game started off quite differently than game 1. The Beavers were silenced for the first 3 innings of the game, only getting two runners as far as 2nd base in that time. The FDPD then pounced first as they scored 2 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Screams of elation resonated from their bench as they scored their first runs of the season and first runs in 7 total innings. I guess that is all that was needed to awake the new bats of the Beavers. The 4th inning started with the first 8 hitters all reaching base. A barrage of singles with and error and walk sprinkled in. When the inning ended the Beavers had taken control of game 2 with 10 runs and 15 batters taking their cuts. The inning was capped off by Mobilly's second strikeout of the night.
While the Beavers' bats were warming up again, the FDPD bats reverted back to their cool states. A quick bottom of the 4th brought the Beavers back to the dish quickly. The hit parade resumed. A run of seven straight reaching base after Rake popped up plated 5 quick runs. Them the top of the order loaded the bases as Mobilly stepped the plate. The Beavers were moving comfortably ahead on the scoreboard and there was plenty of time remaining in the game. Not sure if it was competitive spirit or trying to make up for his 2 Ks, but Mobilly launched one into centerfield. It shot over the FDPD outfielders, it shot past the outfielders of the opposite field. As the right center fielder chased it down, Mobilly was chasing down Beavers on the base path. Big John, about 2mph faster than a human road block, was on first for Mobilly's big fly. Big John was in no hurry to score and was not in favor of running up the score. Mobilly was not going to let that stop him from getting his HR. While a triple would have added to Mobilly's career triples lead (46 total), he was going for the extra bag. Not even Big John and his "extra 10 pounds" was going to keep Mobilly from the HR. A grand slam and a slap in the face to the men in blue of Clayton. It was wise for all to drive cautiously in and around Clayton. The Beavers were not making friends. Dupper followed the Grand Slam with a single and was chased around by a single by Rake and Tanner for the 20th run - before Gee went down with his first K of the season.
In the bottom of the fifth the FDPD found the plate two more times, but it was not enough to save them from the mercy rule for a second time in one night. Beavers win 20-4 in game 2 for a total thumping of 40-4 for the night.
Game 2 MVB goes to Sabo for his 3-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 BB performance (sorry Mobilly, in most circumstances a Granny gets you the award, but not this time)
Next week's games are at 8&9 on field #2. We play Team USA, the team who won the league last year. Time to exact revenge.
It seemed like the season would never get here. While the Clayton softball league starts in late April, many leagues already have a few games under their belts in other leagues. April 28th finally arrived and the fields dried up enough to host opening night under the new lights at Shaw Park.
To get the team fired up about playing the career stats were brought to the game (and pre-game festivities). Last year, while finishing in 2nd place in the summer league and 3rd in the fall, the Beavers for the most part had an off year. The bats were just not there. Many career averages took a hit because of it. Call the career stats a little "motivation".
It was time for the 426th & 427th career games for the Beavers. This year's roster looks quite familiar. In fact, the top nine Beavers all-time in games played were in the lineup. It was good to get much of the old group back together. And this old group hit like they were comfortable.
The opponent was the new team, the FDPD. We did not know for sure if they would show up. It was about 5 minutes to first pitch and no opponent was in sight. Then they started filtering in. Followed by a fire truck of spectators mid-way through the game. What their fans saw was not pretty.
The Beavers were the home team and disposed of the FDPD rather quickly in the first. Sabo set the tone with a diving stop down the line at third and a force out at second. I think this was when the FDPD realized they might be overmatched. For the Beavers the first 4 batters reached base. Deuce led off with a ground-rule double, Sabo walked, Kid doubled and Big John doubled. After Mobilly's first K of the night Dup singled, Rake took a stab at Dup's career lead in SAC flies and Tanner singled in the 5th run.
The top half of the innings went about the same as the top of the first. Very little threats - and no runs. The Beavers came back swinging again in the 2nd. The bottom of the lineup starting the rally. Sabo, PT and Jimmy-D all reached base to set things up for the top of the order. I referred to this group as the "meat of the order", I was not let down. The top of the order produced again. As the runs began to pile up most Beavers started slowing down. What could be HR were stretched into triples, Doubles were left for singles. We do need to check Elias Sports Bureau for this, but the Beavers may have set a club record with three triples in one inning; Big John, Dupper and Rake. It was 12-0 and the FDPD was not happy. Especially the lippy second baseman who thought we were running up the score.
In the third inning the "meat" did not fare quite as well. Santo singled but otherwise the bottom of the order went down quietly. For a brief moment, the FDPD thought that they might be able to hang. They celebrated their accomplishment of allowing no runs...it was only temporary.
In the bottom of the 4th the flood gates opened. Again, most Beavers were pulling up a little, but the bats were hot and the Beavers were combining strong hits with poor outfield fielding. The top 5 guys in the lineup reached safely with 2 more triples and 3 singles. Each of them scored along with another 3 as the Beavers batted around. As the 8th run of the inning scored and the 20th of the game, the umpire called the mercy-rule and the first game was in the books. Beavers had a shut-out; 20-0. 4 scoreless innings tossed by a combined effort of PT and Mobilly. While any pitcher on the roster will claim that few runs they have allowed were earned, this shutout was legit. The Beavers were back!
MVB of the game goes to Big John for his "perfecto" 3-3, 3 runs, 3 RBI (single, double, triple) - the triple is not a typo
Game two started right away. While Rake caught a little flack for not "rolling the lineup", Deuce led off game 2 as he did game 1. This game started off quite differently than game 1. The Beavers were silenced for the first 3 innings of the game, only getting two runners as far as 2nd base in that time. The FDPD then pounced first as they scored 2 in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Screams of elation resonated from their bench as they scored their first runs of the season and first runs in 7 total innings. I guess that is all that was needed to awake the new bats of the Beavers. The 4th inning started with the first 8 hitters all reaching base. A barrage of singles with and error and walk sprinkled in. When the inning ended the Beavers had taken control of game 2 with 10 runs and 15 batters taking their cuts. The inning was capped off by Mobilly's second strikeout of the night.
While the Beavers' bats were warming up again, the FDPD bats reverted back to their cool states. A quick bottom of the 4th brought the Beavers back to the dish quickly. The hit parade resumed. A run of seven straight reaching base after Rake popped up plated 5 quick runs. Them the top of the order loaded the bases as Mobilly stepped the plate. The Beavers were moving comfortably ahead on the scoreboard and there was plenty of time remaining in the game. Not sure if it was competitive spirit or trying to make up for his 2 Ks, but Mobilly launched one into centerfield. It shot over the FDPD outfielders, it shot past the outfielders of the opposite field. As the right center fielder chased it down, Mobilly was chasing down Beavers on the base path. Big John, about 2mph faster than a human road block, was on first for Mobilly's big fly. Big John was in no hurry to score and was not in favor of running up the score. Mobilly was not going to let that stop him from getting his HR. While a triple would have added to Mobilly's career triples lead (46 total), he was going for the extra bag. Not even Big John and his "extra 10 pounds" was going to keep Mobilly from the HR. A grand slam and a slap in the face to the men in blue of Clayton. It was wise for all to drive cautiously in and around Clayton. The Beavers were not making friends. Dupper followed the Grand Slam with a single and was chased around by a single by Rake and Tanner for the 20th run - before Gee went down with his first K of the season.
In the bottom of the fifth the FDPD found the plate two more times, but it was not enough to save them from the mercy rule for a second time in one night. Beavers win 20-4 in game 2 for a total thumping of 40-4 for the night.
Game 2 MVB goes to Sabo for his 3-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI, 1 BB performance (sorry Mobilly, in most circumstances a Granny gets you the award, but not this time)
Next week's games are at 8&9 on field #2. We play Team USA, the team who won the league last year. Time to exact revenge.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition I.I
The schedules has changed since the writing of the 1st Beaver Times this year. Opening night will be on 4/28 at 8 & 9 pm on field #1 - not 6 & 7 pm.
Hope to see you all there.
_rake
Hope to see you all there.
_rake
Monday, April 19, 2010
Beaver Times 2010 - Edition I
Welcome to the 2010 Beaver Times. It has been a long winter, but now softball is right around the corner. The Beavers are back at Shaw Park in Clayton for a 3rd straight season. This year, trying to make amends for a tough championship loss to the Team USA. It looks like most of the Clayton teams are back; Team USA, Bi-State Meat, Golden Sombreros, CJC Transportation, Cousin Hugo's and Dogs in a Bathtub are all on the schedule again. New teams like The Bucks, Ivey-Selkirk, Bottom of the Fifth and FDPD replace the old Sportsman's Park and Scared Hitless. There are also more teams this year since it appears that Clayton has decided to put lights up on fields #1 & #2. This means 2X the fun of playing back to back with another diamond. It also means 2X the chance for an outfield collision - stay tuned!
Just as the Beavers did last year, they will open the season against Team USA. The Beavers handled them somewhat effortlessly in the opening week of the season last year, but Team USA grew stronger throughout the season and met the Beavers for the Championship game early last August. Team USA ended up victorious in an 18-12 game. The Beavers will be seeking revenge on Apr 28.
Only time will tell how these new teams fare. It appears to bode well for the Beavers in the pre-season polls as the Beavers were 1-2 against Sportsman's Park and Scared Hitless combined. They were 13-1-1 against those teams returning. I am expecting the FDPD team to be a worthy opponent and can't imagine Ivey-Selkirk is much with the bat. No predictions for the team naming themselves after the Wisconsin NBA franchise or the team whose name may refer more to downing hard liquor than it does coming through in the clutch late in the game.
Sabo enters the game as the reigning 2009 MVB. He will have a couple of past MVBs gunning for the trophy this year. Dupper, Kid and Big John all had off years in 2009. Mobilly also a past recipient strung together some impressive numbers, but not enough to beat out the third sacker. Still need to come up with a penalty for Sabo not posing for the "Annual MVB Photo" with the wait staff at Beavers N Hooters.
First game starts at 6pm on April 28 on field #1. Come on out for opening day - there is nothing like it in St. Louis.
_rake
Just as the Beavers did last year, they will open the season against Team USA. The Beavers handled them somewhat effortlessly in the opening week of the season last year, but Team USA grew stronger throughout the season and met the Beavers for the Championship game early last August. Team USA ended up victorious in an 18-12 game. The Beavers will be seeking revenge on Apr 28.
Only time will tell how these new teams fare. It appears to bode well for the Beavers in the pre-season polls as the Beavers were 1-2 against Sportsman's Park and Scared Hitless combined. They were 13-1-1 against those teams returning. I am expecting the FDPD team to be a worthy opponent and can't imagine Ivey-Selkirk is much with the bat. No predictions for the team naming themselves after the Wisconsin NBA franchise or the team whose name may refer more to downing hard liquor than it does coming through in the clutch late in the game.
Sabo enters the game as the reigning 2009 MVB. He will have a couple of past MVBs gunning for the trophy this year. Dupper, Kid and Big John all had off years in 2009. Mobilly also a past recipient strung together some impressive numbers, but not enough to beat out the third sacker. Still need to come up with a penalty for Sabo not posing for the "Annual MVB Photo" with the wait staff at Beavers N Hooters.
First game starts at 6pm on April 28 on field #1. Come on out for opening day - there is nothing like it in St. Louis.
_rake
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Crowning of the 2009 MVB
Another successful Beaver Winter Warmup has come and gone. 10 of the players got together at Hooters to hand out the hardware for the 2009 Most Valuable Beaver. It was basically a two-person race with Sabo and Mobilly getting most of the votes. Here's your 2009 MVB:
There is a little discontent within the team over the winner, however. Typically...scratch that...always the winner cups the breast of a Hooters waitress with the glove trophy for a photo opp. Sabo refused to do this...and the board is now looking into the official rules and conduct of a MVB to see if he needs to be stripped of his title and trophy. Official word is expected by opening day in late April.
Opening day is within a month. Career stats should be posted soon reflecting 2009 stats. Stay tuned for the opening pitch of 2010 and hopefully some more championships.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
There is a little discontent within the team over the winner, however. Typically...scratch that...always the winner cups the breast of a Hooters waitress with the glove trophy for a photo opp. Sabo refused to do this...and the board is now looking into the official rules and conduct of a MVB to see if he needs to be stripped of his title and trophy. Official word is expected by opening day in late April.
Opening day is within a month. Career stats should be posted soon reflecting 2009 stats. Stay tuned for the opening pitch of 2010 and hopefully some more championships.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
Monday, March 22, 2010
2010 Beavers 'N' Hooters Is Here
In 3 short days we will celebrate the 2010 Beavers Winter Warm Up, also known as Beavers 'N' Hooters. Every year at BNH we crown the previous season Most Valuable Beaver. The trophy has been ordered and the MVP will be crowned this Thursday. For the first time in Beavers history this ceremony will be video taped and available right here on the Beaver Times Blog. Look for the video and still shots to be posted over the weekend.
If you are following this blog and you can't wait to find out who wins this year, follow my facebook or twitter accounts on Thursday March 25th as I will update once the trophy is presented.
Rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
If you are following this blog and you can't wait to find out who wins this year, follow my facebook or twitter accounts on Thursday March 25th as I will update once the trophy is presented.
Rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Spring Training
Beavers,
I am down in Phoenix taking in a little spring training. Every stadium has their characters selling goods around their stadium. This guy caught my attention...
Just a few short weeks until our season gets going!
beaverball.blogspot.com
I am down in Phoenix taking in a little spring training. Every stadium has their characters selling goods around their stadium. This guy caught my attention...
Just a few short weeks until our season gets going!
beaverball.blogspot.com
Monday, March 1, 2010
Winter Warmup Is Upon Us
Beavers,
It has been a quiet few months. Looking back, I see that the last time we talked was when Kid took a softball to the eye. That was back in Oct I think. Well, just as Spring Training is starting, it's time to shake off the rust on the Beaverball blog and get people talking again. In 5 short weeks we will be playing ball. Hard to imagine as it is a balmy 36 degrees today. I am sure that you all have been working hard with your hitting and fielding coaches. I expect everyone to come to camp in better shape than they were last year.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there are some other pressing issues at hand. Like the Winter Warm Up and the MVB selection. For those Beavers on the roster, head over to our yahoo site and let us know when what dates you CAN'T make the Beavers 'n Hooters event. Looks like only 4 have voted so far. We need to get this wrapped up this week so that we have ample time to coordinate. Because the most important part of BNH is the Most Valuable Beaver award ceremony. Time is needed to vote and then have the trophy engraved. The stats will be sent out and a poll will be started soon for your votes on the MVB for 2009.
Season starts on April 7, we have a lot to do before then. If you haven't voiced your opinion on what night you can't attend, do so now. Poll closes this Friday.
More info to follow on the MVB ballots.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
It has been a quiet few months. Looking back, I see that the last time we talked was when Kid took a softball to the eye. That was back in Oct I think. Well, just as Spring Training is starting, it's time to shake off the rust on the Beaverball blog and get people talking again. In 5 short weeks we will be playing ball. Hard to imagine as it is a balmy 36 degrees today. I am sure that you all have been working hard with your hitting and fielding coaches. I expect everyone to come to camp in better shape than they were last year.
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, there are some other pressing issues at hand. Like the Winter Warm Up and the MVB selection. For those Beavers on the roster, head over to our yahoo site and let us know when what dates you CAN'T make the Beavers 'n Hooters event. Looks like only 4 have voted so far. We need to get this wrapped up this week so that we have ample time to coordinate. Because the most important part of BNH is the Most Valuable Beaver award ceremony. Time is needed to vote and then have the trophy engraved. The stats will be sent out and a poll will be started soon for your votes on the MVB for 2009.
Season starts on April 7, we have a lot to do before then. If you haven't voiced your opinion on what night you can't attend, do so now. Poll closes this Friday.
More info to follow on the MVB ballots.
_rake
beaverball.blogspot.com
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