Harford Games

While driving over the Gunpowder Falls, enroute to our scheduled games, I received a call from our manager, Jr.  It was a dreaded time with a decision to make;  should I jump off the bridge now or take the call like a man?  Did he want to inform me that I had been returned to the minors or worse yet, been traded to Bowie Gold?  With a stiff upper lip, I answered the call informing me that our games have been re-scheduled for Monday June 23 as Harford was experiencing today's rains.  The carpool guys had been detained a few minutes awaiting the arrival of Murph, thus the delay in calling me to turn around.  Today's kudos go to my buddy Murph, as he received the award for best umbrella appearance.  Hopefully, this picture displays a likeness of the umbrella he attempted to describe to me although he did mention it was a Red, either terra cotta, magenta or another variation.
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Red Day

Blue entertained the visiting Red team today and showed their hospitality by allowing Red to score 5 runs in both  the first and second innings.  Blue was not to intimidated as they mounted a dauntless comeback, keeping pace with Howard over the final five innings, but eventually succumbed 17-8.  Perhaps Blue was edgy to begin game one as there were scouts in attendance (not the kind we experienced when playing Legion, high school or college ball).  Now, in the words of Paul Harvey, here is the rest of the story:  Blue deserves drinks on Gray tonight as we have provided Gray with sole possession of first place.  Blue shut down the potent Red bats and jumped on top in game two, never to be challenged.  Game two results: BLUE 13 Red 9!  Did anyone notice the deke from Blue's
right fielder providing for a force out at 2b? (Not only a Thesaurian but also a Thespian)!  Kudos to Freddie P for garnering the win- Red has trouble with Lefties!  To Neal: a thank you for your legs once again------looking forward to tonight! To 6.9 (Tommy): way to be in the game today!  To Mike B: you're starting to earn your keep!!!!!!!!!!!!  Let's celebrate tonight as Carroll County united and keep this thing rolling. I have telepathically received a message from a Punjabi seer that envisions a Blue and Gray 2014 Championship game. P.S.  (2100 hrs):  Tonight's dinner was another success.  It was our pleasure to have Chris Oswald, Farmers and Merchants Bank and Todd Herring in attendance as our teams' sponsors.  All of you in attendance wanting to return to Park's Landing for their delicious shrimp may be disappointed in learning that they are out of stock indefinitely-----Boy can Mike B. put 'em away!

Catonsville

Under gray skies and misty weather Blue assembled on Catonsville's field with four on the IR and three AWOL. Fred was called to take the mound for both games with our depleted squad and is my plaudit recipient today.  Game one started as a pitchers duel but Blue's bats came alive in the seventh yielding a 10-5 victory.  Two bats displayed some much needed power today...Kudos Mike B and Al (hard luck befell #22 as several hot shots were where they played ya)!  Blue's hot hitting continued to start game two while garnering a 20-11 victory.  Strong infield play all around from Chance to Evers on the corners and Tinker Al & Tony in the middle.  I would be remiss if not mentioning Rookie Ray's hot bat as well.  Monday we host Howard Red hoping we have something special to celebrate that evening over dinner!  6/6

SHOCKING

Blue's manager took it upon himself to show the way for Blue today!  Game one: 5,5,5 and then coasted to a 19-14 victory over the Howard County Shockers.  With a once again depleted squad, Jr. was called to action in left field and inspired the boys with TWO home runs! Welcome back bats! Unfortunately, Mother Nature curtailed game two in the top of the first with Blue threatening again having runners on and four already plated.  Good to see Mike B returning and Guy supporting with splinted finger.  Given a full healthy roster, we are destined to be a contender for the trophy this year!

Dundalk

After we absorbed Dundalk's pregame barbs about their flight from BWI to the outbacks of Carroll County, Blue had to endure a double defeat, 11-8 and 6-3. No excuses, just facts, as Blue had four starters absent and three starters pulled up lame before this fiasco ended. Today's kudos go to our corner infielders, Hank and Guy, for stellar defensive play and to rookie Ray for a nice hit and defensive play in RF and to our middle infielders for turning three double plays.  Fans,
don't despair as our equipment manager has ordered a case of Geritol to load our anemic bats.  All we need is to regain our confidence at the plate and hire a trainer!  Let's not be shocked Wednesday when we travel to play the Howard County Shockers.  Come on guys, I spent the entire Winter scouring Roget's for new superlative words for these posts. And a P.S. to 6.9: thanks, but I won't drink the juice even if it's not purple: to JP & RNH- I'll call it when I know I can get to it: to JP-the bowed head was in pray not shame. We're Carroll County BLUE---Let's go!!!!!!!!!!!!