It's Hard to Win A Championship

It's hard to win a championship, but it's harder losing one!
Physics 101: For each and every action there is an equal and opposite reaction so don't despair.
What if our star pitcher, Oscar, had not shown up on a cane today?
What if our new lefty, Tim, could have pitched instead of teaching today?
No matter: Tom Henry pitched a superb game on a moments notice!
What if Howard Red's second baseman hadn't shifted left to snare Jr's liner?
What if Jim would have worn the correct sponsor's shirt?
What if Tinker's reflex was a millisecond quicker or wing span 4" greater to snare the liner for the 3rd out in the 9th inning?
Doesn't matter!
Hold you heads high as we played with valor!
Jumping on Howard with 5 runs in the first inning startled them. And leading for the majority of the game only to lose the lead and then regain it re-inforced in their minds that Blue was there to play.
Gentlemen, this was a successful season! No sense in feeling morosity for
we have grand children to play with, new kitchens to enjoy, friendships outside of our teammates to catch up with, and a new season to look forward to, but by darn, it is time that Carroll County wins the Big one next year!

A new post will appear within the next ten days advising you of an added
feature for Carroll County Blue followers, so check in periodically. To each and every Bluesman-It's Been Great!

Finale 10-9

A Casey Stengel quote: "Oldtimers games and airplane landings are alike. If you walk away from them, they're successful.

No sacrifice is too great for Blue. Post game write up to follow.

Wednesday Championship

It will be ours! Now stop checking the blog and get ready for bed!
See you at the rendezvous site in the morn. Where do we celebrate
post game tomorrow?

Reds Up by 1 after 1

That is in gamesmanship. Howard Red's called twenty minutes after league postponement deadline to reschedule for Wednesday. Don't allow mind games to distract nor deter us! R'Nealius, bring that big lumber again.

Going to the Show

Time to Shine Blue!

You can do this later.

Lets have a good one!
How often has Carroll County had the opportunity to bring home the Gold in "A" Division? Never. Let's get it done as we ain't gettin' any younger!

2011 Blue & Gray Picnic

Photos complements of Evers.

Grill Master Supreme!

Feasting

Good Eats and fellowship

Amicis. All we need now is a good bottle of red and a bocci ball court.

Let's build up our appetites!

"Look Jim, if I slip you a buck would Yasuko consider me for "The Award"?

The Rookie earned his award.

Tom gets his "Hello Kitty Award".

"If only I had thought to pay 2 bucks, that Award could've been mine!

Friendships extend beyond just the teammates.

And, friendships endure beyond one's playing days.

Blue Game Results- Yes We Are Dancing!

Given my earlier posts, I find it hard to mount escalating drama to this story (like your friend divulging the Climatic ending before you get to see the show). Today began, as the pending Baltimore Grand Prix, with five vehicles departing Westminster's Park N Ride for Randazzo Park. There were many lead changes with Bob leading the majority of the race until his patient and attentive listening to his co-pilot (6.9) apparently diverted them for a pit-stop....hence, last to arrive. Tinker remembering Evers commentary on WHS football days of yore took his advice finishing second by following the blocking of his linemen (WHS's Oscar and Tech's Big Ben).
And, now for the game. Blue's one run first inning lead evaporated quickly. While trailing 8-1 after three innings Blue never flinched. Positive words of encouragement and good natured bantering propelled Blue's offense. We came alive, playing confidently as in when a batter was unsuccessful his teammate immediately came through. When the heat of battle took its toll on Oscar's back, Tim came to the rescue (BOTH Warriors!). When we needed another run, Bob pulled a "run-down" trick out of JR's bag. After allowing eight runs to Glenelg in the first two innings, our defense shut them down until yielding their final two runs in the eighth inning.
END Result: BLUE 18 - Glenelg 10.

Now for my friends' comments on my use of vocabulary (Yes It Is English),
(weak excuses such as, "my edition of Roget's from college has pages too yellowed to read" and "my dictionary has more pages dog-earred than not") Here is a definitions tutorial:
Speed (v): Jerry and Dave
Ball Hawkers (n): Neal and Jr.
Coaching Extraordinare (v): Ben
Dangerous Hitters (n): Pete, Tom, Mike
Heavy Hitters (n): John, Jim, Al
Pitching Phenoms (n): Oscar (O) and Tim
Statistician (n): Yasuko
Strategician (n): Evers (Mel) and Bob (took my literary liberty with this)
Team Player Superbious (n): Chance (Hank)
Hitch-hiker's Thumb (n): Tinker (Black, blue, purple, yellow and red)

Fresh off the AP Wire

While ya'll await tonight's Blue Victory write-up I thought I would post the recap of our Monday's opponent game. Harford (while playing without five of their starters) has just advised me that they tied Howard Red in the ninth only to see RED win 12-11 in the bottom of the ninth. In Harford's opinion, Blue is the team to beat (Harford is the touring smart team so let's prove them correct!).
Blue's game article to appear tonight (I got a day job to go to now).

Gray

Congratulations to Gray for their victory today. The revelry taking place at Stables upon Blue's arrival to join Gray made it difficult for my on the scene reporter (Coach Myers) and I to communicate via cell but this is what I gathered: Gray was matched in a defensive struggle but survived their opponent's 5 run inning to win 7-6. How much better can it get than both Blue and Gray playing for their respective Division Championships on Monday.
As I dutifully sit in my study reporting, while my colleagues celebrate, I ask my dear friend R'Nealius, what time will the Ketel be ready at your house tonight as I can Absolutely use it. To put a twist on it, I prefer lime (and not the kind we use on the field).

Big Dance

Polish your shoes boys as Blue is going to the Big Dance!!!!!
Story to follow later.

Razzle & Dazzle

Appears as though we're getting viewings of the blog tonight so here's the WORD. Time to Razzle and Dazzle at Randazzo Park tomorrow. I had a phone conversation with Harford's manager tonight who informed me that there is unanimous census among Harford players that their greatest hope is to have to travel to Carroll County Monday. Let's do our part to make this happen!
Bring the leather, the lumber and the mentality to dispose Glenelg. Your memorable moments await if we gain home field advantage for Monday's Championship.

It Took A Team (And Ten Innings)

Gents ( and Ladies...we know who your are and love you!), we knew we were in for a game facing a team with determination, Bowie Silver.
"Gamesmanship" (n): the art or practice of winning games by questionable expedients without actually violating the rules, i.e. dropping a line drive in hopes of getting a double play, (Blue).
"Sportsmanship" (n): conduct of a person who is fair, generous and a good loser, (NOT Silver).I questioned Silver's strategy of intentionally walking two to get to Hank (Chance) who was 4 for 4, although it worked. Game winning run is attributed to Neal, our barrister, who is much practiced at putting the right spin on things (the Ball). Jerry Bowen loves to run as witnessed by his thunderous gap hit with the bases loaded for which he is credited with only a triple as his touching home plate was a disallowed sixth run in the inning. Accolades are bestowed upon our "Big O" for a courageous and resolute performance on the mound. Kudos to Dave for his speed and slide into third, pinch running for Tinker (although I would have made it as a head first slide!!!). Pete got us off the snide as usual , starting the comeback. As for last night's "thought list": I did rub dirt on it but it still hurt! Don't despair as I have had consultation and my Athletic Trainer will have me ready for Wednesday's game with Cyclobenzaprine, APAP w/Codeine, Lidoderm and bubble wrap (Thanks Mike for the ice and Mel (Evers) for the impromptu pick me up).
Now we precede to Glenelg Wednesday, putting our ten inning, 18-17, victory behind us. We brought the lumber, we knew what to do on defense and executed, so let's also focus on never assuming the apparently obvious and run 'em all out. It will require 100% attention and execution from here on in!!!!!!
Thanks to our loyal fans in attendance today from family, friends, Gray Team members and their spouses, Grason & Winnie Meredith and Harry. Let's do our supporters proud on Wednesday!!
Our counterparts (GRAY) will play the Hawks at home on Wednesday after the Hawks downed Catonsville today by 11-7. GO GRAY!!!!!
There is no better comradery than Carroll Blue & Gray!

Are You Ready?

Time for a three game winning streak!
In golf there are things called swing thoughts, so I have collected a few adages which may help us:
Life is a game, Softball is serious.
The most important pitch is the next one.
You can't lose if they don't score.
Rub some dirt on it, you ain't hurt.
Losing Sucks!
Give it your all or go home.
And in the words of Ken Singleton, "A man once told me to walk with the Lord. I'd rather walk with the bases loaded". (I'm a God fearing man, so take this as only a quote from Mr.Singleton).
As "Coach" has advised, bring the lumber, and in the words of R'Nealius,
"know what you're going to do if the ball is hit to you".
Read quickly as bed check is at 9 p.m.

Lead Sled Dogs

Silent bats did us in today. Game one, 11-3 loss, never saw us get off the mark. Game two was competitive coming down to the the final out. Jim was forced to use different position alignments and called on the elders to fill crucial roles.
Does any other team have a lefty-lefty battery such as Tim & Pete?
With injuries coming into play, Mike shifted from 1B to play third for the first time I recall this year, while Jim moved to SS. Nice glove work and arm at 3B Mike! Pete vacated the plate for the OF while Dave stepped in and Bob moved to SF. Hank was called on to pinch hit for yours truly and then assumed 1B. Please add this to the list of things that are priceless: Hank's expression after exploiting the Zuretti Shift! With pin-point accuracy, Hank laced a single between 3rd baseman #1 and SS and in front of 3rd baseman #2 (Wish I had a camera to capture the moment and Hank's look of "take that" satisfaction). Now we await the commissioner's decision on the disposition of our three remaining games prior to the tournament.

Carroll Gray softball team gives seniors chance to stay competitive - Carroll County Times: Local

Carroll Gray softball team gives seniors chance to stay competitive - Carroll County Times: Local: "The Baltimore Beltway Senior Slow Pitch Softball League has a
saying on its website:"

Axiom Validated

In sports commentator vernacular, "it's difficult to beat an opponent three straight times." Today may have been a first for Blue as we traveled to Glen Burnie for a "Triple-Header". Game one was a convincing 16-6 win. Game two saw Tim take to the mound as he secured his first "W" by a score of 13-4. I was queried by Glen Burnie's first baseman at the end of game two: "Whadda' they feed you guys in Carroll County, clover? You all hit 'em hard and run even faster." Now comes the rub: we provided evidence to support the adage that 3 in a row is difficult as Blue fell by a score of 8-10. (I'll defer to our scorekeeper for how many DP's we turned today as I lost count after 5).
With four and perhaps a fifth game to play prior to the tournament, I postulate that we have to play Glenelg to get to the championship game. Furthermore, requital is mandated on Tuesday at Howard Red!!!
In the parlance of my new found Irish friends (Murphy, Jamison, Paddy, Middleton, Bushmill, Bulmer and Guinness), "Blue Go Bragh"!