Knockout Blow

Well boys, for 8 and one-half innings we had them on the ropes. Going into the bottom of the ninth Blue continued to hold its 16-11 lead and was in command of Harford. Our well-balanced hitting and defense had put us in position to slay the dragon. Harford, being the tournament hardened team, showed their mettle and resolve by persevering 17-16. Excepting our plethora of injuries, the 2010 season was a success.

Blue Defeats Glen Burnie

First tournament game yielded a 13-11 victory for Blue. It appears to be all serious business from here on out. Semi-final game at Harford County Wednesday.
Bring your game faces.

What About Harry!

Let it be inscribed in Carroll County Senior Softball annals that our not quite antediluvian patriarch went out with a bang.

The year was 1993 when Harry formed Carroll County's first senior softball team. Eighteen seasons have passed with Harry's last at bat being equal to his very first in 1993...A Base Hit! As Harry reached first base today the crowd on the hill was joined by several Harford players in applauding his accomplishment. Harry, remember I told you before the game, "If Ted Williams could go out that way so could you!" Happy Trails to Harry and Janet as they depart for Alligator Alley and the Skyline Drive.

Game notes: In Game One we proved the postulate that when you have more errors than hits you lose. Game Two was more competitive with Blue trailing by only a run in the sixth before succumbing to Harford 14-9.
Dugout dedication exhibition game at 10 a.m. tomorrow with dedication at 11 a.m.
Blue is to wear BLUE shirts for the exhibition.

Englishmen and Mad Dogs

Blue is neither English nor Mad Dogs so we should avoid the midday sun.
First game, being played in only 90 degree heat, yielded an 11-6 victory.
In the absence of our minister and lay minister we opted for The Lord's
Prayer to begin the morning. What we failed to do was to remember The
Hail Mary for game two as we fell to Glen Burnie 15-7. I need to mention
that our versatility was again tested due to all our injured and that the
newest middle infielders, Larry, Oscar and Harry continued their perfect
fielding percentage from last week. John has regained pre-vacation form
which causes Ray to circle the bases frequently. Hank continued his hot
hitting, even with his concentration interrupted by cell phone calls from his fan club.
AND, to Neal, I have seen guys make those same catches in their hip pockets.
And, what about Harry, yet another pinpoint hit.

Home Stretch

Young, Macho Men....get energized....four to go!
Shine the shoes like new! Loftly goals still lie ahead! Can't wait
to hear the first person version of Clinker to Stinker to Underpants.

WHEW - Was it Hot

Whatta day. Blue's record is 1-0 on home field #1 which was last seen in our loss to Bel Air in last year's tournament championship game. An editorial correction was brought to my attention by Yasuko from the previous blog. Neal and Jr. were the recipients of the "Hello Kitty" (not Love Kitty) award.

Now to the game subject matter. Game one started late while awaiting an umpire (Good Job Bob!) and while Larry contemplated another patchwork lineup. The quandry was resolved by utilizing the 16th infield combination of the season showcasing Mr. Bair's skills at 2B. After spotting a lead to Silver for 5 innings Blue prevailed 22-19.

Game Two: Larry returned to the mound and Oscar took over 2B (#17 IF combo). Tinker had only gone 4 for 4 at the plate when Larry opted to pull him in favor of infield configuration #18 (what's a guy gotta do to stay in the lineup?) (Larry was really afraid of facing Tinker's wife iffin' he didn't make it to court on time).
Showered, half re-hydrated and driving to court, Tinker's on the scene reporter, Evers, called to inform me of an uprising of a trio trying to usurp the venerated tradition of Tinker to Evers to Chance. The nerve of Oscar to Harry to Hank instituting the new moniker of "Clinker to Stinker to Underpants" to supplant us.
Great job guys!!!!End result: Blue 16 Silver 10.
Other notables: Ray has now honestly earned the nickname "Shortie" as he took over for Tinker. And what about Harry? I heard he did it again, the guy who can hit 12" softballs through a 5" hole 80 feet away! But, now Harry is taking the extra base while pinch running for JR!!!! Wish I could have witnessed all these game two phenomenons.
Finally, Tinker enjoyed the best PBJ in late afternoon, thanks to Neal, but only for giving us proper directions to the correct Red Brick building.

A Near Miss

Blue defeated Old Liners 10-7 in the first game which saw Jim return to 3B from his shoulder injury. Blue began the game with a full roster minus only my DP buddy, Evers (Mel was in attendance though to lend his support). After five innings, Jim returned to the DL with his wounded wing, thus starting yet another infield configuration, number 15 of the season.

For game two allow me to quote the league website's recap: "Old Liners down to their last strike with none on base in the bottom of 7th with a 16-14 score. Then had single, triple, single single single to win the game 17-16. Now that's what it's all about!"
ENOUGH SAID!

In all, Blue did turn double plays, nailed runners at the plate from the outfield (with a certain infielder's relay help), hit homers, and Hank was as hot at the plate as I have ever seen him. And I believe our left fielder (a Love Kitty Award Winner) is now gunning for an offensive award. Tomorrow it's two more against Silver. Let's win a doubleheader as a refreshing change!

Dugout Dedication

Hear Ye, hear ye. On Thursday August 19, 2010 there will be a dedication ceremony of the newly erected dugouts at the home field of Gray & Blue. Beginning at 10 a.m. there will be a scrimmage game between the Gray and Blue teams of Carroll County. The dedication will begin at 11 a.m. with representatives of the County and press in attendance. Light refreshments will be provided.

Picnic Summary

A hearty thank you for the festive and gracious hospitality afforded to Blue and Gray at the DePalmer residence today. Vince, can we do it again next week?
Good food, fellowship, recreation and relaxation was had by all. Congratulations to the pair who dethroned the Yankees in the pits and to Mel & Norma who took the bocci ball championship. Hopefully John & Peggy will enjoy their dinner out as our meager token of appreciation for their efforts in seeing through to the culmination of Ray's dream for dugouts. To Lee, we hope you take pride in your one year ownership of the hallowed award Hank presented. To Neal and Jr, just let Jim & I know how many assists you two want at Monday's games and we'll be glad to oblige.
Vince, can we do it again next week? To Larry, regarding the rumor I heard tonight,
say it ain't so. Mr. Bair is to be commended for his exemplary skills in directing this program as a whole (can I bat higher in the order now?). To the right Reverend Pastor Jim, Evers and I thank you for the loan of the church key. And to Vince,
can we do it again next week? Come Monday, it's back to business in letting the remainder of the league know that Carroll County is a threat to be dealt with!!

P-A-R-T-Y T-I-M-E

Picnic begins 3:15 at Vince DePalmer's on Walnut Street in Manchester.
Here is FOOD (other than picnic fare) for THOUGHT:
With 8 games to play, Blue trails third place Glenelg by 3 games in the loss column.
For Blue to secure third place, we need help from Silver(4), Parkville, Howard and
or Glen Burnie(2) to provide Glenelg with at least 3 losses. I personally would prefer to win out but be seeded 4th to face either Silver or Glen Burnie in game one of the tourney. The winner of that first game would then face Harford County for whom I have confidence we can handle thereby allowing us to face Howard Red (most likely) for the Championship. Howard Red is due our retribution for July 28th game.
Just thinkin'!

"Perseverance" (Standing steadfast in spite of counter influences)

To avoid any more injuries to Blue, no "BIG" words will be used in hopes of avoiding papercuts from leafing through Merriam Webster.
Two more Blues are down. Pastor Pugh's shoulder injury from last week prevented his playing...thus, yet another new infield configuration (arrangement of players) today. In Neal's absence, Pete attempted a shoestring catch in Left resulting in a quick departure to Carroll Hospital Center. Tinker's untrained eye diagnosised a compound fracture of his left phalanx (finger). Our prayer list just continues to grow.
Falling to Glenelg 16-9 in game one gave rise to some soul-searching which resulted in every Blue player finding the fortitude (grit, backbone, guts) to overcome adversity (disastrous experience or misfortune). Game two ended with Larry's RBI (Run-Batted-In) single to right field resulting in a well fought 7-6 victory. JC & RNH have been summoned (called) to return from their vacations as we can't wait for September roster expansion (to increase in number).
P.S. Pete has advised that Tinker's eye is untrained, as the ER Doc diagnosed a dislocation even with the bone exposed. So to Pete, keep the legs in shape as we'll need them for the tourney.