Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Game 21 and 22, Playoff game 1 and 2, Split
The stage was set to see two top teams in action on a sunny Tuesday night. The Sons of Sully took the field after a long hiatus from the softball diamond. The Wet Bandits were coming of a sweep in the first round. Umpiring the game behind the plate was the "Fat, Dead, Ump" which was bascially Newman from Seinfeld dressed in short bike shorts. Umpiring the field was old friend Mark Berry (never seen a stranger umpire in my life).
First game started out slow for the Ringers bats. So many grounders combined with a few singles here and there. A tough inning in the 3rd with their uncanny ability to hit line drives through the hole to the same part of left field. Looked back at the book and they have never put that many hits together EVER, unreal. We probably gave them a few runs but they hit ridiculously.
We had our chances but really couldn't put a bunch of solid hits together. Infield a great job with the gloves, Sweet solid at second. He and Sully should patent that force at 2nd. Daredevil Croeley proved once again that gloves are for pu$$ies and consistently went after balls using his shin, leg, and hand. The hand shot proved a fatal blow as he landed on the DL retroactive to 7pm.
On to Game Two. The Ringers had their backs to the wall. A loss and a whole season done, a win means we live to see Thursday night. Aaron Noyes on the hill for game 2. Ran into trouble immediately by walking "Thrill Hill" the leadoff hitter, Shortstop, and apparent arch rival of Joe Sullivan. Noyes walked the bases around, got 2 outs but couldn't finish the job off. The kid came off the bench and got a ground ball to hold them to 2 runs that inning. Still don't know who got a quicker hook, starting pitcher Aaron Noyes by Sully or black lab Penny "Pol Pot" Thomson by Alice
The Ringers came back to tie it, but still had the problem of "Hill" in that lineup. The kid can hit and Joe Sullivan does not like anyone that can play on his level. He lives for the the stage, he loves attention, he enjoys a laugh with seventeen year olds, and he demands that he be the best player on the field, pitch, or diamond. Hill was the hotshot, the young buck that may unseat Sully in a few years. After scuffing up short a bit, he knew a bad bounce was inevitable, he blasted a 1-o slider directly at Hill. Hill got in position, and the bad hope eliminated him. Sully took second, actually almost took third as the kid lay helpless. DiStefano scores, gives his best Sammy Sosa kiss to god, and wonders why no one is congratulating him. Hill out, Ringers up, Sully happy.
Great D by MBags, Sully, outfield solid all game, Bags a big hold on at the plate, McGrath covering a lot of ground out there.
The FDU hasn't said anything all year, yet yells NO! from the top of his lungs on what was clearly a shorthop. Still don;t get it, but good to see he is alive.
3-3 until the Kid steps up to the plate with the go ahead run on third Top 7, wanting to do anything but pop it up, grounder to Short, runs down the line, I hear DSull yell get down. I didn't know if Hill game back with an assault rifle or what, but I hit the deck, semi-clotheslined by the first baseman, ball falls out of glove, we are up 4-3.
A few runners on but were able to get 3 outs in the meat of the order. Game, set, match, we will see you Thursday.
*special thanks to Boonton putting this together, nice pic
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Pre-Playoff post
This has always given me goosebumps, even now, this was from Oct 19, 2004. Game 6, Sox down 3 games to 2, comeback in progress...
Imagine you're Curt Schilling right now.
Imagine you're Curt Schilling today, this minute, with the ball in your hand and the curtain about to go up.
Schilling tested his ankle before Game 5.
You've been here before. The lights, the 100 million eyeballs, the pressure that comes with being the man and rising to meet the moment, it's all old hat to you.
You don't sweat the Yankee mystique. You remember October 27, 2001, and a certain 3-hit, 8-K night. The House that Ruth Built doesn't rattle you. You've left notches in that rubber like it was a belt around your waist.
You've got a ring on your finger and you snatched it from Georgie Porgie's ham-handed clutches.
And you can't believe your good luck. A few days ago you were done, your boys were done, you were rubber-necking a hideous postseason crash. But no, you get another shot. And like Freddie you're wondering, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
You're Curt Schilling. You bring it. You throw heavy, diving balls and angry, screaming stuff.
Your pitches come packed with purpose, wound tight with intent.
You won 21 games this year. You never give up. You're for the team -- you stand on the top step of the dugout when you're not standing on the hill.
You keep a notebook. You watch video. Nothing escapes you.
You take a tight-eyed look over the lip of your glove, let your breath fall from your shoulders and stretch the length of your arms, turn that broad back ... and deal.
You bear down. You bear up. It's what you do. It's who you are.
You're Curtis Montague Schilling and tonight's the night.
Back in April, Schilling wore his Yankee Hater hat at a Bruins game.
And everybody outside of New York loves you because you chose the underdog in this fight. (But, of course, that don't mean snot if you don't deliver now.)
This is what you came for. Not to achieve your own legacy (that's already done), but to be a part of a place and a people, to help write and re-write their history. You've been here before, with pinstripes in your sights and a quiver full of arrows on your back, but you've never exactly been here before, with the hopes and dreams of the faithful, and their parents, and their parents' parents, riding on you, with air kissed by curse and laden with anguish flowing in and out of your lungs with every breath. You wanted this, you sought this out, you reached for these people and they reached back. And now you're in. All the way in. You've been a part of this team all season, but tonight you become a made guy, one of the family, with all the rights and responsibilities, with all the risks and rewards, therein. You've been here before but you've never been here before.
Philly was hungry, but there wasn't near the same longing. And there was joy in Arizona, but they knew nothing of true pain.
You hang with The Sons of Sam Horn now.
And you've promised to shut some folks up.
You take the ball after two of the greatest games in team history. You take the ball after David Ortiz slapped it around the yard. You take the ball after a season considered nothing but a prelude to precisely this kind of moment. You take it after Grady left it in Pete's glove, Buckner let it get by, Spaceman gave it up, and George Herman took it and went home.
This is the game that makes you an icon, if you're up for it. Forget Yankee Killer or Big Game Pitcher. Try Redeemer on for size. Slip into Deliverer.
And you thought your stuff was heavy before ...
Schilling's T-shirt says it all. Now Game 6 is in his hands.
Imagine you're Curt Schilling right now.
Imagine knowing you've got to go long tonight, because there's no pitch count on you, and no bullpen behind you.
But that's all right, because it's in you. No doubt. You have that thing. You can summon it. It will drive you.
Except, what if the body doesn't cooperate? What if this alien form, that's aching when it ought to sing, that's betraying you, leaves you hanging tonight?
You have to put these thoughts out of your head.
You can't seem to think of anything else. There are doubts.
You're wearing a Johnny U boot and more tape than Swish had around her chest in "Fastbreak," your ankle's throbbing, bobbing and weaving like a marionette and bearing weight the way Jessica Simpson bears hardship, with a lot of whine and wiggle.
You stunk up the joint in Game 1. Your ERA is old enough to vote. You can't let things stand like that. This is a get-back game. Your boys picked you up the last couple nights, got you another shot. Now you owe them. Now you've got to steal a New York page and go Willis on the Yankees. More than that, you've got to go MJ with the flu, or Roy Hobbs with a bleeding ulcer. You need to write a storybook. You know that.
You also know Sheff and Matsui were turning your stuff around last time like a bouncer turns away math majors in coke-bottle specs at the door to a nightclub.
You know it's only Game 6, and even a lights-out performance here doesn't close the deal.
That really chaps you.
And you know, and this is what gets you most of all, that if you blow up tonight, if you lob balls up there the way you did in Game 1, looking like Ginger rolling craps in "Casino," or even if you're just unlucky, that they'll say it was the bloody curse. Or worse, they'll say the Sox just don't have what it takes, just can't take the Yankees.
And that'll make you and a couple million other people sick.
So you're Curt Schilling, and you've got all this swirling around inside your head tonight as you toe the rubber, work through your warmup pitches, and stare up into the thousands of screaming Yankee faces.
You're part indomitable spirit and part nerves that jingle, jangle, jingle; part seasoned champion, part new kid on the block.
And the beauty of it is, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and the Nation wouldn't rather have anyone else out there.
Imagine that.
Game on.
Imagine you're Curt Schilling right now.
Imagine you're Curt Schilling today, this minute, with the ball in your hand and the curtain about to go up.
Schilling tested his ankle before Game 5.
You've been here before. The lights, the 100 million eyeballs, the pressure that comes with being the man and rising to meet the moment, it's all old hat to you.
You don't sweat the Yankee mystique. You remember October 27, 2001, and a certain 3-hit, 8-K night. The House that Ruth Built doesn't rattle you. You've left notches in that rubber like it was a belt around your waist.
You've got a ring on your finger and you snatched it from Georgie Porgie's ham-handed clutches.
And you can't believe your good luck. A few days ago you were done, your boys were done, you were rubber-necking a hideous postseason crash. But no, you get another shot. And like Freddie you're wondering, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"
You're Curt Schilling. You bring it. You throw heavy, diving balls and angry, screaming stuff.
Your pitches come packed with purpose, wound tight with intent.
You won 21 games this year. You never give up. You're for the team -- you stand on the top step of the dugout when you're not standing on the hill.
You keep a notebook. You watch video. Nothing escapes you.
You take a tight-eyed look over the lip of your glove, let your breath fall from your shoulders and stretch the length of your arms, turn that broad back ... and deal.
You bear down. You bear up. It's what you do. It's who you are.
You're Curtis Montague Schilling and tonight's the night.
Back in April, Schilling wore his Yankee Hater hat at a Bruins game.
And everybody outside of New York loves you because you chose the underdog in this fight. (But, of course, that don't mean snot if you don't deliver now.)
This is what you came for. Not to achieve your own legacy (that's already done), but to be a part of a place and a people, to help write and re-write their history. You've been here before, with pinstripes in your sights and a quiver full of arrows on your back, but you've never exactly been here before, with the hopes and dreams of the faithful, and their parents, and their parents' parents, riding on you, with air kissed by curse and laden with anguish flowing in and out of your lungs with every breath. You wanted this, you sought this out, you reached for these people and they reached back. And now you're in. All the way in. You've been a part of this team all season, but tonight you become a made guy, one of the family, with all the rights and responsibilities, with all the risks and rewards, therein. You've been here before but you've never been here before.
Philly was hungry, but there wasn't near the same longing. And there was joy in Arizona, but they knew nothing of true pain.
You hang with The Sons of Sam Horn now.
And you've promised to shut some folks up.
You take the ball after two of the greatest games in team history. You take the ball after David Ortiz slapped it around the yard. You take the ball after a season considered nothing but a prelude to precisely this kind of moment. You take it after Grady left it in Pete's glove, Buckner let it get by, Spaceman gave it up, and George Herman took it and went home.
This is the game that makes you an icon, if you're up for it. Forget Yankee Killer or Big Game Pitcher. Try Redeemer on for size. Slip into Deliverer.
And you thought your stuff was heavy before ...
Schilling's T-shirt says it all. Now Game 6 is in his hands.
Imagine you're Curt Schilling right now.
Imagine knowing you've got to go long tonight, because there's no pitch count on you, and no bullpen behind you.
But that's all right, because it's in you. No doubt. You have that thing. You can summon it. It will drive you.
Except, what if the body doesn't cooperate? What if this alien form, that's aching when it ought to sing, that's betraying you, leaves you hanging tonight?
You have to put these thoughts out of your head.
You can't seem to think of anything else. There are doubts.
You're wearing a Johnny U boot and more tape than Swish had around her chest in "Fastbreak," your ankle's throbbing, bobbing and weaving like a marionette and bearing weight the way Jessica Simpson bears hardship, with a lot of whine and wiggle.
You stunk up the joint in Game 1. Your ERA is old enough to vote. You can't let things stand like that. This is a get-back game. Your boys picked you up the last couple nights, got you another shot. Now you owe them. Now you've got to steal a New York page and go Willis on the Yankees. More than that, you've got to go MJ with the flu, or Roy Hobbs with a bleeding ulcer. You need to write a storybook. You know that.
You also know Sheff and Matsui were turning your stuff around last time like a bouncer turns away math majors in coke-bottle specs at the door to a nightclub.
You know it's only Game 6, and even a lights-out performance here doesn't close the deal.
That really chaps you.
And you know, and this is what gets you most of all, that if you blow up tonight, if you lob balls up there the way you did in Game 1, looking like Ginger rolling craps in "Casino," or even if you're just unlucky, that they'll say it was the bloody curse. Or worse, they'll say the Sox just don't have what it takes, just can't take the Yankees.
And that'll make you and a couple million other people sick.
So you're Curt Schilling, and you've got all this swirling around inside your head tonight as you toe the rubber, work through your warmup pitches, and stare up into the thousands of screaming Yankee faces.
You're part indomitable spirit and part nerves that jingle, jangle, jingle; part seasoned champion, part new kid on the block.
And the beauty of it is, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and the Nation wouldn't rather have anyone else out there.
Imagine that.
Game on.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Game 19 Win 15-8 aka "Tomahawk Noyes"
The Ringers had a job to do, win and in (basically). The Sons of Sully needed this, they wanted this (at least everyone except Crupi), they smelled the Victory wafting from Noyes' humid junk. The Demons presented a tough foe. They skunked us earlier this year, humiliated us on Field 2 (Medford Massacre). They can hit, they can field, and they can put their worst player at the leadoff spot. Payback is a bitch.
The Local 9 (10) kept it close early, finally busting out with the bottom of the order leading the way. Going up 9-4 after 3 frames felt good, damn good. Danny, Crowley, and Riz getting on set the table for the big guns to knock some runs around. Sac fly's by DSull, Josh, dinger by Sully (i think he had a triple too).
They came out and put 4 runs up in the next 3 innings. We took the methodical approach getting a few Force outs and third and second. Sweet played a nice 2nd, keeping it in front of him and getting the sure outs. Timmy a great stab at 3rd to keep them from putting together a big inning. 10-8 heading into the bottom of 6
Cue the Tomahawk Chop music....sing it...now!
When the game is on the line, and the pitches are coming in eye-level, who do you want at bat? Sully? No, he rakes belt level. McGrath? No he likes them at his feet. You call up the Tomahawk. The Tomahawk is the only batter in New England that works "up the ladder", he challenges you to try to throw it over the backstop. He shuns a strikezone, it's called a wheelhouse, strikezones are for DSull, not Tomahawk.
Musberger called him the Hawk on the simulcast last night, and the 'Hawk delivered. He hit one almost completely sideways that was at his hairline...not good enough. The 'Hawk then belts one that would have cleared the ump into left field, knocking in some Ringers, and starting a solid 5 run inning. He who knows no strikezone can never fail.
The Kid (11-1, 1 save, 7.10era) took the hill in the 7th, with what now is a huge welt on my left arm. You buckle down, you throw a strike, you let the D win the game....and they did. Catch of the year by Danny sho may or may not have needed to be sedated if the ump called it a hit, unreal diving catch. Bullet back to me that I just put my glove up and it stuck, that lighting sucks. Fly out to DSull covering ground and the game was a W.
16-3 ain't too shabby. RIP to that White bat, things sounds horrible. Enter the Hammer, if you haven't tried it, it rakes. Sort of like swinging a 20lb dumbbell.
In the crowd: A slew of old faces, Tim Bagshaw, Karen Bagshaw, Rudy Smith, Mrs 'Hawk, Liz Seppa, the Crowley 5000.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Game 18 Win 12-4 or "The TC coming out party"
The Ringers needed to get back on track. With the trade deadline approaching, it was either get back to winning or cut some salary. The Wet Bandits can be a tough opponent, but proved no match for the Sons of Monty.
The lefty was on the hill last night. Noyes doesn't see eye to eye with the "Little Ump", but battled through 5 innings of 4 run ball. Dodging a big jam in the 2nd after loading the bases on a few walks, the Golden Boy made a heads up play getting a runner who disrespected the game and took a GT at 3rd. Such a huge play, Noyes gets out of it.
Sully hit a bomb to get us up 3-2, and never relinquished the lead. TC broke out of his slump as we took a little BP before the game started. Two Big Hit Baby's on the day, he was all smiles after the game, I am glad, I like him.
Great Defense on the left side of the Diamond, Sully covers a lot of popup ground and MBags proved to be a wall at 3rd. GBags goes 3 for 3 with some nice rips (literally and figuritively). Solid D and the bats woke up at the end of the game.
Noyes got into a jam in the 5th, he wanted out before that, Sully said one more walk, then Noyes gave himself 2, walked 2 in the 5th and Monty went to the pen. That ump and I have our issues, but got out of the 5th giving up 2, then a perfect 6th and 7th for the save.
All in all, Noyes got us deep into the game with the lead, bats woke up, solid D, and first place.
When you see the guy above, welcome him back and tell him you missed his witty comments and center field pokes.
In the stands: Amy Rossi Norris, Liz "Miller Lite" Seppa, "Eddy", Boonton's glove
15-3, clinched and first seed in our sights
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Game 15 16-6 or "You guys the Angels or Angles? Call us whatever you want, we stink"
Pete cut his long locks off for this game, looked more aerodynamic running down the first base line. Also has a nice welt in his back from my throwing error....
The Ringers topped the Angles 16-6 on the ol mercy rule last night. Man, they are bad. Blah blah blah, we had great hitting, no walks, blah blah, let's go to the lowlights.
-Sammy loses his wallet
-I almost had the "throwing to first cycle" one over Crowleys head, one planted in the back of the runner, and one into Crowley's glove, just needed the dirt ball
-McGrath a solid catch out in Center
-Timmy threw a nice 2 hopper to Boonton "Ohhh....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh"
-Noyes missed me 3 times on the throw back from catcher to pitcher, one basically hit the 2nd base bag.
-Rudelyn almost started a race war with "the Mexicans"
-Josh rolled in from the car looking like he was pitching a tent
-The Bags to Timmy force out connection was a work of art
That's it, we win, 13-2 for the year
The Ringers topped the Angles 16-6 on the ol mercy rule last night. Man, they are bad. Blah blah blah, we had great hitting, no walks, blah blah, let's go to the lowlights.
-Sammy loses his wallet
-I almost had the "throwing to first cycle" one over Crowleys head, one planted in the back of the runner, and one into Crowley's glove, just needed the dirt ball
-McGrath a solid catch out in Center
-Timmy threw a nice 2 hopper to Boonton "Ohhh....Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh"
-Noyes missed me 3 times on the throw back from catcher to pitcher, one basically hit the 2nd base bag.
-Rudelyn almost started a race war with "the Mexicans"
-Josh rolled in from the car looking like he was pitching a tent
-The Bags to Timmy force out connection was a work of art
That's it, we win, 13-2 for the year
Game 14 Win 6-5
A nail biter as the game goes back and forth. Great D and some timely hitting keep us on top as we hold them in the 7th. The kid moves to 8-0
Game 13 Win 12-10
The crafty lefty battles through some pretty awful errors to get the W.
Game was so long ago I can't remember what happened, probably better that way.
Fun fact: Sully's arch enemy is seen here on the left of the picture
Monday, July 6, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Game 12 Win 10-0 aka "The Ball Fielder commeth"
Did we play a game last night? It's almost as though we were making jokes, busting people's balls, and playing a softball game on the side. At any rate, the Ringers had their first shut-out of the year. The win really revolved around defense. Danny played a stellar CF adding a web-gem to his repertoire of catches. It's nice to pitch with a guy like that in the OF. Sully played a solid SS getting a few charity hops from the soft infield dirt. Played musical catchers as Sam and DiStefano called the game behind the dish. Josh played a steady but questionable first base. He moved with the grace of a sloth on that grounder to the bag (cue circus music). The kid pitched a gem, working up the ladder as the at-bat went on. That box of rocks for a 3rd baseman actually swung at one that had to have been 20ft at it's height.
...how that kid sleeps at night after taking that called "ball" i'll never know
Sully had a day with a dinger and a double, 2 knocked in. Bags decided to go opposite field with 2 singles. Boonton put it best "Crowley had a couple of nice pokes" (literally and figuratively). Crowley's triumphant return from a textbook shin-boner. TC has fallen on some tough luck, robbed by a shoe string catch. When you slump those never fall in. The Kid goes 2 for 3, children take note, a little practice at the batting cage may just help after all. More stuff happened, I just don't have the sheet and Boonton doesn't have it at work. Feel free to leave comments
What we did see yesterday is something very special. We saw a man that is a master of his craft. A man the plays the game with style, focus, and grace. A man that makes you appreciate the sport. Simply put, we saw the "Ball Fielder".
The Ball Fielder isn't always the focal point. Sometimes he quietly sits on the bench, or behind the plate, or even in right field. He will mutter to himself "fuckin rookies" or "I can make that play with my dick strapped to my glove". When The Ball Fielder takes the field, look out. It's like Sinatra at the Sands, Ledger playing the Joker, or Nicholson playing Jack Torrance, gentlemen on top of their game...The Ball Fielder is no exception. "Unassisted double plays", grounders where he doesn't even bother to look at the ball...he knows it's going in the glove, line drives that just stick to his glove...that's The Ball Fielder, one bad son of a bitch. Just like Mr. June, tip your cap to him next time you see him, he doesn't come out that often.
Bags is that a boner in that pic?
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Game 11 Win 6-2 or "Mud Bowl 2009"
For some reason this is the first pic to pop up googling "shin boner". Go figure...
Trivia question: What was worse? The mud that we played in or the talent level of the chicks at "The Tavern". Answer: it's a draw, straight down the middle.
Ringers advanced to a nasty 9-2 record after the pitchers duel with The Daily Boggs. Boggs came out hitting, plating 1 in the first and 1 in the third. They seemed like a solid hitting team and decent fielders, we have def played worse. The hitting started off slow for sons of Monty, fly balls, line outs and grounders. Put a few runs together and got up by 1 heading into the 7th inning.
Clutch hits by Josh and Sully put us up 6-2. As Timmy said "it would have been cool winning 3-2". I agree with his statement. The kid took the hill, single up the middle, force out, fly out, fly out. Good win. No walks and less than 3 errors should win you the game each time. Nice job all around.
Danny played a great OF, catching a lot of balls that other teams miss. Solid Short and 2nd played by Sully and Sweet. Connors called a good game behind the plate. Kid improved to 6-0. Skipper T. Smith was seen on the bench and chirping at the "fat dead ump". Player-coach Sully put local triathlete A. Crowley on the DL with a shin-boner. Pretty tame game, not much to write, so here are the lyrics to MJ's Smooth Criminal:
As he came into the window
It was the sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
She ran underneath the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was her doom
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok, are you ok, annie
(annie are you ok)
(will you tell us that youre ok)
(theres a sign in the window)
(that he struck you-a crescendo annie)
(he came into your apartment)
(he left the bloodstains on the carpet)
(then you ran into the bedroom)
(you were struck down)
(it was your doom)
Ringers advanced to a nasty 9-2 record after the pitchers duel with The Daily Boggs. Boggs came out hitting, plating 1 in the first and 1 in the third. They seemed like a solid hitting team and decent fielders, we have def played worse. The hitting started off slow for sons of Monty, fly balls, line outs and grounders. Put a few runs together and got up by 1 heading into the 7th inning.
Clutch hits by Josh and Sully put us up 6-2. As Timmy said "it would have been cool winning 3-2". I agree with his statement. The kid took the hill, single up the middle, force out, fly out, fly out. Good win. No walks and less than 3 errors should win you the game each time. Nice job all around.
Danny played a great OF, catching a lot of balls that other teams miss. Solid Short and 2nd played by Sully and Sweet. Connors called a good game behind the plate. Kid improved to 6-0. Skipper T. Smith was seen on the bench and chirping at the "fat dead ump". Player-coach Sully put local triathlete A. Crowley on the DL with a shin-boner. Pretty tame game, not much to write, so here are the lyrics to MJ's Smooth Criminal:
As he came into the window
It was the sound of a crescendo
He came into her apartment
He left the bloodstains on the carpet
She ran underneath the table
He could see she was unable
So she ran into the bedroom
She was struck down, it was her doom
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok
Are you ok, annie
Annie are you ok
So, annie are you ok, are you ok, annie
(annie are you ok)
(will you tell us that youre ok)
(theres a sign in the window)
(that he struck you-a crescendo annie)
(he came into your apartment)
(he left the bloodstains on the carpet)
(then you ran into the bedroom)
(you were struck down)
(it was your doom)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Game 10 Win 12-7 or "never count out a team with Mr. June on it"
These are the games that scare you. These are the games that sneak up on you and bite you right in your "shin boner". After defeating Raso's 20-1 last time, ya never know what could happen.
Boonton run down:
So, another night, another Ringers comeback victory, another chapter in the growing legend of DSull's bat. Facing another potential forfeit situation, the squad buckled down and pulled out an improbable win over Raso's, putting the squad at 8-2, good for a second-place tie.
As 7:30 rolled around at Field 2 (the 'good' field), with seven Ringers standing around wondering how they were going to steer clear of a forfeit ,nevermind pull out a W. Batting first, the ringers plated 3 runs in the first, but in the bottom half were forced to start seven dudes in the field, leaving a lot of open real estate in the OF. But with the trusty glove of GBags, patrolling the right side of the outfield, the steady pitching arm of Noyesie (just as steady as it was in bag toss at Sully's BBQ last weekend), and the resiliency of first baseman/triathlon afficianado Adam Crowley, who took a solid shot to the shin on a ground ball but managed to stay in front of it and get the putout. With Sweet and McGrath arriving in the second inning and the squad finally at full strength, the defense was solid, with some timely outfield putouts on some deep shots fielded by Sweet, McGrath, and DSull.
The infield was stellar as well, with both the right side (AC/JD) and the left side (TC/MB) playing error-free defense.with McGrath knocking in 1 run in the fourth, the ringers had really nothing else notable offensively, with some noticeable baserunning gaffes (2 officers turns (OT's) rounding 2B, one by JD that he somehow managed to get away with, and another with Sweet, who was not so lucky. Again JD attempted to 'sell' a GT, only to look back and notice that nobody was even paying attention.Then came the bottom of the sixth. Down 5-4 with one man on and their backs to the wall, DSull, the sparkplug of this offense all season long, stepped to the plate.
You know how the story goes, you've seen it before, a shallow rightfielder, an outside pitch, DSull licking his chops and poking a line shot over the RF's head. 6-5 ballgame, Ringers very much alive and well. The two-out rally continued from there, despite the Diamonds waiting in the wings to play the late game, and rooting hard against us, with insurance runs tacked on with some timely hits by Shaun, JD, Sweet, and McGrath...when all was said and done the Ringers had plated 8, giving A-Norr a comfortable lead to close the door for another inspiring W.
Seen in the crowd: Amy Norris-Noyes, ferociously cheering on her beloved 'Aarie' on the hill.
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Timmy Run Down:
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Timmy Run Down:
So it was a battle. Pulled it out in the end.
Great defense last night. No errors in field. Played the first inning with DSull in left, Bags in center, Sweet in right (came in to give us 3 outfielders with 1 or 2 outs in the inning. Started with 2 outfielders and JD 2nd/OF tweaner)
Solid defense from Bags in center and Sweet in right. They got some action out there.
Distefano a couple nice plays at second.
Crowley had what looked to be a "shin boner" after he took one of the leg.
Noyes pitched well. Still a bit wild, but the handful of walks were spread out. Solid outing that will help the ERA. Sean did a great job at stripping Noyes down and getting him right.
Down 5-4 in the last inning with 2 outs, Dave Sullivan hit a two run opposite field bomb to put us up by one. After that, the bats woke up. Hitting is contagious ya know? Plated 5 more for a total of 7 two out runs in the 7th.
The other pitcher (a cross between Frank Rizzo and Norm Peterson) played some SOLID defense. Greg Maddox esc.
Diamonds were there to catch the end and gave us the respect we deserve by rooting against us. We 9-2. Get right.
Face in the crowd: Amy “don’t call me Rossi” Noyes.
Great defense last night. No errors in field. Played the first inning with DSull in left, Bags in center, Sweet in right (came in to give us 3 outfielders with 1 or 2 outs in the inning. Started with 2 outfielders and JD 2nd/OF tweaner)
Solid defense from Bags in center and Sweet in right. They got some action out there.
Distefano a couple nice plays at second.
Crowley had what looked to be a "shin boner" after he took one of the leg.
Noyes pitched well. Still a bit wild, but the handful of walks were spread out. Solid outing that will help the ERA. Sean did a great job at stripping Noyes down and getting him right.
Down 5-4 in the last inning with 2 outs, Dave Sullivan hit a two run opposite field bomb to put us up by one. After that, the bats woke up. Hitting is contagious ya know? Plated 5 more for a total of 7 two out runs in the 7th.
The other pitcher (a cross between Frank Rizzo and Norm Peterson) played some SOLID defense. Greg Maddox esc.
Diamonds were there to catch the end and gave us the respect we deserve by rooting against us. We 9-2. Get right.
Face in the crowd: Amy “don’t call me Rossi” Noyes.
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Richards Post Script
The legend of Mr June
There hasn't been a clutch hitter like this since Murph (before he "retired" from softball). When the game is on the line, this man delivers. All athletes have a go-to shot in their repetoire, Kobe has a turnaround jumper, LeBron has a step back 3, Elway has "the Drive", and now Mr June has the "right field poke". Here's to you, Mr June, you slippery son of a bitch.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Game 9 Win 12-11 or What a f'n comeback!
On a night where the Sox mounted a comeback against the Yanks, the Ringers never said die. For a team that has 2 names (Shockers/North Medford) they came to play and they came out hitting out of the gates. They definately earned their runs as we were steady in the field. Started out down early after the first half inning. A half in the bag Timmy started us off with a single and we continued the onslaught of singles. Kept it close, loading the bases at one point, but fly outs by me, Boonton, and Timmy hurt. I thought that play may sink us, but the resilient Ringers fought on. Keeping them at 11-4, DSull with one swing Grand Slammed it to 11-8, striking distance. Biggest hit all year (thank you emailing idiot on the Shockers).
Noyes kept me in check behind the plate with calling most of my warm-up pitches balls. Talk about a tough ump. They actually hit the crappy pitches better than the meatballs so I just threw it high and let them screw it up. One kid went down looking on 3 pitches, and I had a 3 pitch inning, after that their hitting was nonexistant.
Late in the game a huge HR by Sully tied us up, then the big man came up. Above is the face of the guy you want at bat when the game is on the line. That is the face of a winner, a champion, a true hero in the world of slow-pitch softball. Never any fear in his eyes, always sharply dressed and up to the challenge. Well the big man delivered. HR to right center, almost falling at first base, but a dinger to put us up 12-11.
We shut 'em down in the bottom of the 7th. Held them to no runs for the last 4 innings. Ringers go to 7-2. An epic comeback.
Seen in the crowd: "Casual Dan", Rudelyn Tinlingting Smith, my hitting skills.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Stats Before the 9th game
Name, AVG, Runs, RBI
Sweet .536 14 10
Timmy .542 12 7
Sully .556 14 17
MBags .478 5 14
DSull .588 11 8
Noyes .353 5 4
Bags .500 9 3
Josh .625 9 15
Sammy .583 15 8
Connors .400 1 3
Crowlz .308 3 3
Boonton .647 6 6
McGrath .583 10 9
Danny .538 6 6
Richards .545 9 2
Pitching:
Noyes 2-2, 17.11era
Richards 4-0, 7.26era
Sweet .536 14 10
Timmy .542 12 7
Sully .556 14 17
MBags .478 5 14
DSull .588 11 8
Noyes .353 5 4
Bags .500 9 3
Josh .625 9 15
Sammy .583 15 8
Connors .400 1 3
Crowlz .308 3 3
Boonton .647 6 6
McGrath .583 10 9
Danny .538 6 6
Richards .545 9 2
Pitching:
Noyes 2-2, 17.11era
Richards 4-0, 7.26era
Game 8 Win 21-11 or "Bags in RF for defensive purposes"
Ringers needed a win and we got it, walk off mercy-rule, gotta love it. Under the rainy skies of Medford, MA, the sons of Marty came out and pretty much duffed the first half inning. They hit everything I threw pretty hard, every pop up they hit fell, every ground ball found a hole. Slippin and sliding out there to make plays, they batted around and finally made the third out, down 7-0. After a very brief pep talk "Yuck, we need to hit" by the skipper Sully, the bats woke up and we held them in check for the next 6 innings. A Home runs by DSull and McGrath got it started. McGrath, fresh off playing cuddly face with that girl at Red Sky, he looked determined to get off on the right foot. Fill ins for the night, Mike Lydon hit a double to score a few, Hubbs struck out on a pop foul but would redeem himself with an absolute bomb later on. Former Bees pitcher Sully finally put the nail in the coffin with a Grand Slam. The kid was shot out of a cannon to get home but thats fine with me. Overshadowing his slam was a perfectly executed Gentlemans Turn in the 3rd inning. A little "in your face Ty Cobb" kind of turn but that's respect you cant find at today's Friendly Fenway.
Fielding was rough in the First but everyone settled down. A wet ball and a slick field leave no margin for error. Sully had a few clutch pop up catches, Boonton played a solid second base late in the game with a force out and a double play. MBags unassisted double play, making up for his 1.5 K's. Sammy tagged a guy out, kid f'd up a Gentlemans Turn, made the move to first and was tagged out.
21-11, mercy rule win. 6 and 2 for the year with a big game coming up tonight, get some.
Seen in the crowd: NO one, not one person, zero, not even a Ringers "groupie"
Friday, June 5, 2009
Game 7 Loss 16-8 aka "Tough Sixth"
Man, how do I talk this game up? The answer: I don't. We stunk from the bottom of the first on. Let's go to the video tape.
Early score: Life 3 DiStefano 0
curb hit with car
soccer ball hits car
takes a chopper in the sack
The Aaron Noyes project continued as Coach Burns gave him the nod. You have to love when Noyes literally walks out of his car and onto the mound. FYI, you aren't going to like your new ERA.
The first inning started with Sweet legging a grounder out for a hit, then the bats came a live. Timmy smoked one into center, other people did stuff, people running around, laughing, carrying on, McGrath a textbook GT...it was so good it was almost arrogant but hey, can you blame him? After that, the wheels came off. Noyes did his best Rick Ankiel impression and lost his height and his distance on his pitches. He did battle though, getting out of a few jams. They had an interesting base clearing bomb, relay Timmy to Sully, Sully throws an absolute pea to Boonton who in trying to dodge at least 3 people coming at him, misses it and the tag. Ball goes to the backstop, Noyes is daydreaming about his boat on the mound, Boonton has no idea where it is, Sully is on one knee biting his nails, Bags is wearing a jersey that just says Carl. Finally he gets the ball, too late, kid scores *E. We were neck and neck with them through 5 innings, then it happened. The 6th inning. Never to be spoken of again....
Noyes gives up a few hits, a few walks, an error or two. Teeters on the verge of being yanked during every batter, finally Sully yanks him and puts in his favorite middle reliever. (Cue circus music). In no particular order. Fly ball hit to to Josh, starts back, then comes in, does some sort of dive that looks like a belly flop, ends up looking like the end of a pole vault on the ground *E. Ground ball to Sully who thinks that he is just so smooth and so cool at Short and he plays a little haceky sack with it *E. Finally we get a groundout, then a fly out, 2 outs, damage almost over....nope. Ground ball back to me. I throw it over to Crowley, but he's dating an older chick now ya know. He can't be bothered with keeping his glove open. So just to show us who the man is, he closes the glove right before the ball gets there, inning still alive *E. Hit, Hit, then a pop up. I decide to call it, clearly had no chance at getting it but what the hell, let's join the club, I miss it *E, thought I was running into Bags, but wait, that isn't CapShaw, that is the batter? Yep, he didn't run. I mean that's the only way we were getting out of that inning. The kid didn't even fuckin run. So bags picks it up, and throws a 94mph cutter over to Crowley, Crowley nabs it, inning over. I think MBags had an 'ole in there somewhere *E.
Josh hit a bomb, and drove in Sam. Looked staged, two jerks trotting around the bases without a care in the world. Thanks for nothin.
That sealed our fate, and we never quite recovered. Starved off being mercy'd though.
Beer List
Noyes – K – Paid in full – Miller lite.
Joey- Bone head play. Paid in Full – Miller lite.
Sammy – Last out
Sweet – Last out
Joey- Bone head play. Paid in Full – Miller lite.
Sammy – Last out
Sweet – Last out
Everyone give a hearfelt good wishes to Adam Crowley, triathlete, as he will get on the horse, yet again, this Saturday.
Crowley: I’m really loving these triathlons.
TC: Oh yeah, how many have you done?
Crowley: None
TC: Oh yeah, how many have you done?
Crowley: None
Faces in the crowd: straight from a civil war reinactment T.Smith showed up. Good guy, and one hell of an arguer. Ringer's pin-up chick Liz Seppa always up for a late Ringers game, Rudelyn Smith heckling their players...and a few of ours. The other half of M&M was there.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Game 6 Loss 11-5 or Fly Ball Fever
Well, it was bound to happen. Just as Florida State college baseball was bound to hang 37 runs against THE Ohio State University, we, my friends, were bound to lose. A solemn day in Ringers Nation, but we will get through it.
I have heard Noyes and "the little ump" don't mix very well. Last night was just one of those nights. Much like Saved By The Bell: The College Years was a spinoff of SBTB, the Demons were a spinoff of the diamonds (don't deserve caps). The took their fair share of pitches but were much less annoying. Noyes had his troubles in the first but crafted his way out of a jam. The second inning was a tough one and after a decent amount of walks, Noyes was pulled. Just one of those days. The kid came in from the pen and threw 1 hit ball the next 5innings. MBags came in and caught a good game for me.
The bats stayed quiet with DiStefano the only one hitting consistently going 3-3. A good amount of popups and fly balls, they made the routine plays and for the first time didn't hit any over there heads. Sully had some shots out there but everything seemed to find a glove. They were fundamentally sound, average hitters, but patient. The better team did not win and we could easily mercy them next time we play.
DSull covered a lot of ground out in LF, Sully brushed off an ugly error early (Sam:"Look at those wickets") to play a flawless SS, Sweet a nice double play turn, Sammy a vacum over at first, Infield all around was tight. I wish we had more highlights....oh wait here are some more. Just your basic dinosaur throwing out the first pitch and the shortest first pitch on record...
I have heard Noyes and "the little ump" don't mix very well. Last night was just one of those nights. Much like Saved By The Bell: The College Years was a spinoff of SBTB, the Demons were a spinoff of the diamonds (don't deserve caps). The took their fair share of pitches but were much less annoying. Noyes had his troubles in the first but crafted his way out of a jam. The second inning was a tough one and after a decent amount of walks, Noyes was pulled. Just one of those days. The kid came in from the pen and threw 1 hit ball the next 5innings. MBags came in and caught a good game for me.
The bats stayed quiet with DiStefano the only one hitting consistently going 3-3. A good amount of popups and fly balls, they made the routine plays and for the first time didn't hit any over there heads. Sully had some shots out there but everything seemed to find a glove. They were fundamentally sound, average hitters, but patient. The better team did not win and we could easily mercy them next time we play.
DSull covered a lot of ground out in LF, Sully brushed off an ugly error early (Sam:"Look at those wickets") to play a flawless SS, Sweet a nice double play turn, Sammy a vacum over at first, Infield all around was tight. I wish we had more highlights....oh wait here are some more. Just your basic dinosaur throwing out the first pitch and the shortest first pitch on record...
Monday, June 1, 2009
Stats as of June 1st
Real men don't sleep...
The face of the Ringers Farm system
Jon Sweet 13/22 .591 10rbi 12runs
Timmy Charest 11/19 .579 6rbi 10runs
Joe Sullivan 10/17 .588 10rbi 11runs
Mike Bagshaw 8/15 .533 11rbi 5runs
Dave Sullivan 8/11 .727 5rbi 7runs
Aaron Noyes 5/13 .385 4rbi 5runs
Geoff Bagshaw 9/15 .600 3rbi 6runs
Paul Richards 10/15 .667 3rbi 4runs
Danny Charest 7/10 .700 6rbi 5runs
Josh Smith 8/13 .615 12rbi 7runs
Sam Smith 10/17 .588 7rbi 11runs
Shaun Connors 4/9 .444 3rbi 1run
Adam Crowley 4/9 .444 3rbi 3runs
Jeremy DiStefano 6/10 .600 2rbi 3runs
Jay McGrath 12/15 .800 8rbi 8runs
Daniel J Crupi 0/1 .000 0rbi 0runs
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Paul Richards 3-0 8.10ERA
Aaron Noyes 2-0 6.41ERA
Friday, May 29, 2009
Game 5 Win 21-14 vs Diamonds aka "you take your pitches, we will take our HR trots"
Finally, we got to play some competition. Built up as the '27 Yankees, these guys for the most party were a bunch of pinstripe wearing pricks. Bottom of the first, Sam Smith, "hey, why don't you shut the hell up!" (ding...and we're off).
Bats haven't quit all year so let's ride them while they are hot. McGrath actually got out but kept peppering RF with a dinger. D Sull took advantage of a short porch and rounded the bases, pretty sure he was home by the time the ball reached the cut off man. Bags a very solid 4 for 4, showing sings of his Lawrence Academy days when he was named MVP in 1995. MBags hit a bomb and after dusting off some early defensive troubles made a huge play in the 5th for a force out. Sweet stayed hot at the top of the order and played a solid second base. Timmy, DSull, and McGrath covered a lot of ground in the OF and Timmy hit some ropes into center going 3for5. I snuck one past the shortstop, scored someone, then the "Phantom tag" play happened on DSull, catcher couldnt even believe he got the call. Sammy steady on the field and at the bat, shades of Kirk Gibson's limp around the bases. Noyes tomahawking his way on the base paths. A ton of GT's last night which is obviously the biggest acheivement last night.
The first baseman: "what is a GT?"
Sweet maybe? :"a gentleman's turn, just respecting the game the way it was meant to be played"
First Baseman "oh nice"
That umps strike zone was tighter than the bottom of Bagshaws sweatpants. Not my finest hour in the first inning but I finally got it. Helps that you can move off that designated rubber, makes it a bit easier. You guys brought me in to beat them and that's what we did. When you have to dig your tooth out of your mit from gnawing on it, you know it's a bit frustrating. Oh and Bags hit me off the head with the ball. They look for the walk at the detriment of their own hitting, we just walked up and pounded the ball, so awesome. They learned at the end of the game that they wouldnt get the baserunners they thought they would by doing that, and started feeling a little heat. They pressed and started popping most of the pitches up. A team effort last night, nice work.
5-0, who is better than us right now? Not many people, and definately not the manager of the Ashville Tourists
Bats haven't quit all year so let's ride them while they are hot. McGrath actually got out but kept peppering RF with a dinger. D Sull took advantage of a short porch and rounded the bases, pretty sure he was home by the time the ball reached the cut off man. Bags a very solid 4 for 4, showing sings of his Lawrence Academy days when he was named MVP in 1995. MBags hit a bomb and after dusting off some early defensive troubles made a huge play in the 5th for a force out. Sweet stayed hot at the top of the order and played a solid second base. Timmy, DSull, and McGrath covered a lot of ground in the OF and Timmy hit some ropes into center going 3for5. I snuck one past the shortstop, scored someone, then the "Phantom tag" play happened on DSull, catcher couldnt even believe he got the call. Sammy steady on the field and at the bat, shades of Kirk Gibson's limp around the bases. Noyes tomahawking his way on the base paths. A ton of GT's last night which is obviously the biggest acheivement last night.
The first baseman: "what is a GT?"
Sweet maybe? :"a gentleman's turn, just respecting the game the way it was meant to be played"
First Baseman "oh nice"
That umps strike zone was tighter than the bottom of Bagshaws sweatpants. Not my finest hour in the first inning but I finally got it. Helps that you can move off that designated rubber, makes it a bit easier. You guys brought me in to beat them and that's what we did. When you have to dig your tooth out of your mit from gnawing on it, you know it's a bit frustrating. Oh and Bags hit me off the head with the ball. They look for the walk at the detriment of their own hitting, we just walked up and pounded the ball, so awesome. They learned at the end of the game that they wouldnt get the baserunners they thought they would by doing that, and started feeling a little heat. They pressed and started popping most of the pitches up. A team effort last night, nice work.
5-0, who is better than us right now? Not many people, and definately not the manager of the Ashville Tourists
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Game 4 Win 15-5 aka Bags' immediate backup of McGrath
Nice win by the Ringers, bats woke up by the 4th inning and we put them to bed. Noyes was crafty and kept them off balance with is occasional dirt ball. Sammy missed the cycle by a double, McGrath picks up where he left off with a HR. Connors a solid 3 for 3. Sam also was busy at first with some unassisted and some interesting flips to Noyes. Big game Thursday.
Stats through 4 games
Hitting
Jon Sweet .588 7rbi 10runs
Tim Charest .571 6rbi 8runs
Joe Sullivan .667 7rbi 8runs
Mike Bagshaw .545 10rbi 3runs
Dave Sullivan .625 4rbi 4runs
Aaron Noyes .333 1rbi 3runs
Geoff Bagshaw .455 2rbi 4runs
Josh Smith .615 12rbi 7runs
Sam Smith .615 6rbi 7runs
Shaun Connors .315 3rbi 1run
Adam Crowley .600 1rbi 2 runs
Jeremy DiStefano .600 2rbi 3runs
Jay McGrath .818 5rbi 6runs
Danny Charest .800 6rbi 5runs
Paul Richards .667 2rbi 4runs
Pitching
Paul Richards 2-0 4.66ERA 1BB
Aaron Noyes 2-0 6.41ERA 4BB 1K
Respecting the game
Sammy 1GT
Noyes 1GT
Stats through 4 games
Hitting
Jon Sweet .588 7rbi 10runs
Tim Charest .571 6rbi 8runs
Joe Sullivan .667 7rbi 8runs
Mike Bagshaw .545 10rbi 3runs
Dave Sullivan .625 4rbi 4runs
Aaron Noyes .333 1rbi 3runs
Geoff Bagshaw .455 2rbi 4runs
Josh Smith .615 12rbi 7runs
Sam Smith .615 6rbi 7runs
Shaun Connors .315 3rbi 1run
Adam Crowley .600 1rbi 2 runs
Jeremy DiStefano .600 2rbi 3runs
Jay McGrath .818 5rbi 6runs
Danny Charest .800 6rbi 5runs
Paul Richards .667 2rbi 4runs
Pitching
Paul Richards 2-0 4.66ERA 1BB
Aaron Noyes 2-0 6.41ERA 4BB 1K
Respecting the game
Sammy 1GT
Noyes 1GT
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Game 3 Win 20-1 or The Return of Dirty Knee
Crupi's swing: Almost like sitting in a chair at the plate, bat straight up with a bit of movement. At the point of impact he lunges to the ball and buries that back knee right into the dirt.
Game Highlights:
-Sweet stays hot at the top of the lineup (again, if we had some stats...ahem MBags...)first HR of the year
-Sully with a dinger
-Danny great diving catch in left field
-MBags 4-4 w 8RBI's, havin a day
-Sammy smacked with a ball in the very quad that he hurt
-DiStefano keeps his DiMaggio-like streak in tact with a perfect fielding percentage
-walked my first guy, I got arrogant out there, lost my shutout, blah blah
-Bags made a triumphant return to the team after being mauled by an Easton
-Crupi great catch to start the game out, threw the ball into Katrina and signed it "the only better catch I have had is you, Love, Dan"
-the other team's pitcher had pretty sweet pants on, almost like jockey pants worn at the Derby
-anyone else think that black guy stuck out like a sore thumb? I mean how does that guy play with those 40 yr olds...strange
-Noyes was nice enough to bring a 30 for the game, here's to your K
-Connors called a good game behind the plate, read the knuckle ball well
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The various points of a "Gentleman's Turn"
Head down at the bag, the legs take you into foul territory, chopping the feet and taking a brief look in the outfield feeling very good about yourself and your place on the team. Respecting the game as it is supposed to be played...
Game 2 Win 24-6 or "when you can't hit, and clearly can't field, you won't do very well"
Muttered by the old skinny guy who may just be Noyes' drunk dialing buddy "Tony". Words have never rang louder than his summary of that team. So basically they can only pitch, physically he is right as they used 5 pitchers. At one point they had 3 cut-off men in right field, the throws to second reminded one of an illegal softball pitch that was too high. A win is a win though, and we shall take it.
The only real bright spot on the team was the "professional hitter", we will call him Pete since that was what was written on the scorebook. His hair was old school Stairs and his swing was just as sweet. Noyes struck him out twice, once on a hard slider coming into hands, and the other on his signature 12 to 6 hook. These two look like they will have quite a rivalry going this year.
And now to the highlights, no stats so I will do my best. Sweet continues to set the table with 4 runs scored, anytime the leadoff guy has an RBI in the first and it's not a dinger you know it will be a long game. Danny great throw out at home with Capshaw behind the dish, he exited shortly thereafter but we will get to that. Josh another dinger and textbook wonderful baserunning. McGrath was all over those pitchers, kid could go up with a toothpick and slap one to right. Sully righted the ship after some early trouble to throw in a great web gem with a dive and force at 2nd. You know a team can't hit when nothing goes to third (I could be wrong but I don't remember anything going to Timmy). Crowley a solid first base. DSull good day all around, field and at bat. Noyes kept them off balance all night with a combination of changeups and sliders, he also almost lost his nuts but the kid is like a cat out there. The lefty is 1-0.
Capshaw took one on the chin last night, well the upper lip. Could be worse Bags, you could have cried or lost teeth. All in all a good showing and you will be missed behind the dish. A similar situation happened on the Brady Bunch, then it was a football and a hot chick...so I guess it is not even close to this.
On a softer note, RIP popular red bat, no idea the make or model but it seemed like one hell of an aluminum stick..that's what she said. Sully seemed a bit off after McGrath cracked it. I see a nice Christmas gift from McGrath in Sully's future.
A couple solid "gentleman's turns" last night, nice work respecting the game.
Seen in the crowd: Rudelyn Smith, Nurse Seppa, Amy Rossi-Noyes-Norris, "Tony"
Not seen: anyone related to Jeremy DiStefano, "Jacob" from Lost, Crowley's new snapper, TC Fight Club, Chris Sabo
I know I forgot some stuff, feel free to comment on it at the bottom. Get Some
Fun Fact:
“Not to be forgotten was ANOTHER sunflower seed record set by Lyn "seed sucker" Smith. Got to love her. Great fan and one hell of a "seed sucker" -TC
Lyn would be proud, her comment to the blog would be, "Perfect American's Douche"
Seed Sucker? Wasn't that a name of a porno? I'll ask Brown...anyways here's to hammerin on fools...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Kid rakes line drives all over the place...now it's legal
* another Boonton Richards Production (BRP) or BuRPGame 1: Win 17-7...aka "why didn't you swing, that was a meatball"
...words muttered by our very own catcher Capshaw, talking to the other team...about one of my pitches. Thanks for the support Bags, you were probably tipping my pitches too...
Opening Day for the Ringers last night at beautiful Mike Jackman field in Medford. Official stats aren't in so I will wing this one a bit. Bags was behind the dish, Richards on the hill, first was held down by Crowley and "Smith", Sweet at 2bag, Timmy at 3bag, Mbags at SS, OF of Sammy, McGrath, Danny, Boonton.
Game got off to a tough start as a line drive hit that mine field they call LF and gave Sammy some trouble, place is a nightmare out there. A few early miscues gave way to some stellar D with Timmy leading the web gems with some great plays at the Hot Corner, and man thats hot over there. Sweet some great scoops on some force outs at 2B. McGrath held a guy to a triple racing down a bomb hit off me, the stranded him at third, big play. Danny played a good center "I got it....I think", catch made.
As advertised I had no walks, gave up a few shots though. once I realized they couldnt hit anything above their waist I just pounded the strike zone and Bags called a great game behind the dish. Had a 1-2-3 inning, I don't even think I had one in High School...it was hard when Josh is giving me the middle finger catching and Sully is meowing in CF.
Boonton was obviously late, forgot his keys or something, and then steps in and goes 3for4 I believe. Just like Wade Boggs' chicken before the game, Boonton now has his pre-game ritual. Danny hit a bomb, Sam hit a ground ball and muttered "wow that is so geyyyyy" as he ran to first. Josh finished up the Mercy Rule in the 6th with a jack and almost ran over Sweet running to home plate. They say only A-holes wear a jersey with a "#1" on it, this still holds true. No stats, missing some stuff, Timmy 2 huge sac-flys, McGrath a shot down right field line followed up by a "gentleman's turn" at the bag...just respecting the game the way it is supposed to be played, Danny a dinger, Riz 3-4, Bagshaw had a single robbed by a pinball play pitcher to second to first. Good hitting all around and if I forgot you I apologize, I was trying to put as many seeds down Josh's shirt as possible. Feel free to comment on it with stuff I didn't see or anything of note.
Seen in the crowd: Alice Thompson with her dog "Pol Pot", Liz Seppa, Rudelyn Smith setting a new sunflower seed record, a kid that was a cross between Frank Getek and Mark DeRose. I thought I heard ol' Terry Smith yell "Fries are ready" from the concession stand as I was in my windup but I think I just still have flashbacks...
Not seen: anyone related to Joe Sullivan, Nina, Selchan, Tim McKenna, and anyone Crowley has luged with. Also not seen was this gentleman. Good Game guys. Thanks for the D.
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