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)

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:

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.

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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.

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.

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

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"

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

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

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.

Schedule

Joe Sullivan, textbook GT last night

Unfortunately DiStefano got his yanked by the score keeper...

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...

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