Greenbelt

The best I can say is that we are finally home.  Greenbelt 12 and Blue 5. Greenbelt 17 and Blue 14. Plays of the day go to Freddie P's defensive prowess in RCF (JB who?).  Offensively, Guy S. has mastered Tinker's "How To Hit to the Opposite Field Manual"---nice hitting Guy!!  A reminder for Manager Jr., (nice car by the way and thanks for the ride), I have yet to be PC yet this season so when the blowout comes Monday, remember how I cherish being PC.  And an  "I told you so" to our equipment manager: Iffin' you'd secured that flak jacket for Evers he wouldn't be sporting broken ribs!  Looks as though we will be the dark horse spoilers headed into the tournament this year. Let's regroup and show Harford what we can do come Monday!  4/6/w/T

Greenbelt Road Game Trip

A reminder for the Blues Boys: Set your alarms for 0500 HRS as it's an early start and remember to pack your lunch and dinner.  As I survey our 2014 depleted roster, I am imagining our starting lineup to include the following players: Spinal Stenosis, Plantar Fasciitis, Fractured Ribs, Atrial Fibrillation, Navicular Fracture, Biceps Femoris Strain, Phalanx Secunda Fracture, Adductor Longus Strain, Tibia Subcu Laceration, and poor Montreal Cog Assessment (he can play all the positions). Perhaps R'Nealius is the smartest of us all while suffering on the DL with his beach umbrella attendant
It's 7/29,  yet momentous moments lie ahead. Let's buck up and finish with a flurry!

Blue Gray Ashen

Spirits were high in both dugouts at the beginning of today's doubleheader.  Several alumni were in attendance as well as our loyal Blue and Gray spouses, children and grandchildren to witness the regular season finale between the County cousins.  Let's get this over with......Gray prevailed 7-5 and 14 -6.  Blue did themselves in during game one but give credit to Gray in both games as they possess that one intrinsic asset - - speed.  I was disappointed that we, Blue, did not perform better for the sake of our DL compatriot R'Nealius who hobbled to the field to cheer us on.  Also, it was good to see former players Rod and Ray in attendance (if you read this Ray, I checked my mailbox and your blog subscription renewal check still has not arrived but I still respect you!!).  Jr. took the mound for Blue in the fourth inning and to the relief of Blue defenders he set down Gray in his final two innings with a total of 10 pitches. The highlight of my day came as we were shaking hands at the conclusion and Mike Trevaglia (sic) buzzed the field.  5/6 (Peggy, let me know if your official score book shows otherwise. And to my fellow Manchesterite [Vince]....I accept your smack talk but nonetheless I'll hit your pitchers all day long no matter what pitches you call for!!!!!).  Chance, as Blue's Equipment Manager, how about securing a QB Flak Vest for Evers as he continues to absorb hits at 3B, although as Evers acknowledged it was unintentional on Gary's part.

July 16, 2014 Lineup

Blue is guaranteed a win tomorrow with a starting lineup of "THE KING" and his court.  Although, Eddie Feigner passed away seven years ago his legend lives on as the Carroll County Sports Complex will put on a display 7/16/14 with the "Pseudo King" on the mound.  Portraying "The King" will be our affable and loveable #6.95 (Tom Henry-because there is none greater), catching will be Tinker (because he is the slowest of the team), Chance will be positioned at first base as he is one step quicker than Tinker, and Evers will anchor SS as he has two steps on Tinker and one on Chance. The batting order shows "The King" leading off (the sacrificial out) followed by Tinker (always guaranteed to hit a single) then Evers (the man was batting .800 at one point this season) and then Chance (the power hitter).  If this post doesn't intimidate the opposition I am out of psychological banter!

Red and Blue and Ocher

Surprisingly after last night's storms there was no 7 A.M. postponement call so Blue met at the appointed time at the park n ride to include Mike P.  I drove Evers and Guy to the Park; I only mention this because of our conversations on the way which will appear to be relevant later. From this picture you can see the worry , anxiety and stress we felt while awaiting to go against Red.

  It was a close call to make for the defensive gem of the day between Freddie P and Jerry B in the OF but the nod has to go to Jerry (although you can see how uptight the youngster was).  Third, fourth and fifth place defensive plays go to Evers, Chance and Tinker.  Evers recited his Georgia Tech football playing experiences where he felt he was at times a tackling dummy.  Evers ability to take a hit came into play today as he absorbed a hit tagging a base runner out at 3B and also used his scrambling QB feet to beat another runner to the bag. Chance, playing before his birthday bride, daughter and grandchildren went 2 for 3 and played an excellent first base to include a swinging tag of a runner from a SS's throw that was a tad down the line.  Tinker's dive to snag a hit up the middle still has him soaking his now Ocher colored jersey in Oxy Clean and his buff body in the jetted tub (to Mike S and Mike B--I'll give you a two-for-one laundermat deal).  In the absence of 6.95 I wish to thank him for the loan of his shoes but need to tell you Tommy that they are too tight and pinch my feet!  Post game, my bowling partner, Murph, mentioned that the FRIMUR boys helped carry the team offensively today (combined 8 for 10) which only brought to my mind, "They ain't heavy, they're our Blues Brothers".  With my impending one week hiatus, I hope that taking a week off will enable me to replicate the performance of another sabbatical brethren who rejoined us today.  How can I not mention the SPEED exhibited by our own Rev. Jim P. As for the other half of J Squared; Jr.,
ain't it great to be sitting in the Cat Bird seat devising a lineup with this group of Prima Donas.
Now: who is it we play Wednesday?   By the way, we split with Howard Red 2-12 and 9-5.
Anybody remember the Who's Rock Opera, "TOMMY", with the Pickle Ball Wizard?  Tommy, WHO?

Park N Ride Carpool

Monday's meeting time is 8 a.m. which is the same as 0800 hours and 8 bells for our Navy guys.

Will someone please call Mike to remind him that meeting time is 8 a.m. as I fear that the 8 a.m. reminder penned on his hand may wear off before Monday.

Olla Podrida

As our readership is expanding given our US Mexican border posture I chose this heading to be more PC (translation is olio or Hodgepodge). If I were fluent in Spanish (or even French ala Mike Blum) y'all would be really challenged. A hand clap is given to Catonsville for the raking and manicuring of their rain soaked field to enable us to play today.  Catonsville apparently did not exhaust all of their energy in preparing the field as they over took Blue 17-6 in game one.  Blue finally found their intestinal fortitude to come back in game two for a 6-3 victory.  Blue presented an inaugural pitcher for game two and a tip of my cap, slap on the back and BRAVO to Jr. for holding Catonsville to a meager 3 runs.  Now there is another Blue story to be told: Mike P., 8:00 a.m. is the same as 0800 hours which is 8 hours past the struck of midnight.Once Evers gets the photo to me we will post the reminder again!  Now for the Olla Podrida:  Reisterstown Team won a double header today and garnered their 7th win which ties their all-time season high. The BBSSL website recap states that they unleashed their "secret offensive arsenal".  Now here's the inside scoop: CC Blue alumnus, Ray McConchie went 6 for 8 to enable Reisterstown's victory (I post this kudos acknowledgement even though Ray hasn't paid his subscription renewal to our blog site since 2010)!!!!!!
Come Monday when we travel to Howard Red we will be minus two of our middle infielders so I wish to offer to fill the shoes of ole 6.9 by returning to SS as Phyl said that I really impressed her with my HITS (there's your mention TH). 6 for 6 BABY!

Gray Day

Well Boys of Blue, we should have moved the venue 15 miles to the north to secure a historical Blue victory today.  Hosting Gray south of the Mason-Dixon resulted in a double loss 18-5 and 26-14. Let's not dwell on game one but recite our strategy for game two.  After Gray dominated game one we had positioned ourselves to take advantage of their over confidence for the second game as demonstrated by spotting them a 26-7 lead headed into the bottom of the last inning.  At that juncture our strategy appeared to be working as Gray's manager (then catching) had to request timeout to wipe the sweat from his brow and glasses while Blue was producing hit after hit.  Blue had 'em on their heels until a HIGHLY questionable call by the umpire ended the game (oh but for 13 more runs)! Kudos to Blue's Pete M for falling just one hit short of a perfect day (happened to be his hardest hit but unfortunately Gray's positioning negated his screaming line drive.
A tip of my cap to Gray who hit the gaps, sped around the bases and pulled off defensive marvels all day long.  I had children and grand children in attendance who traversed 500 miles miles to witness their first Senior Softball game.  "Impressive, speed and agility, and teams' camaraderie" were some descriptors I received" but I'm not sure if they were directed to one or both teams!  Now it's on to Catonsville for two desperately needed wins on Wednesday.