Citi BAWLERS

All you needed to do was be in the dugout after the game, to know the outcome. Some chatter, the smell of Parliaments and 10 "heads hanged high" were sure signs of an SD victory. There were no funnels, no vinegar fights, nor any light banter w/scantily clad waitresses. Unfortunately, there certainly were no hush puppies. But at the end of the night, after a much needed bounce back win, Shattered Dreams stood 4-1, in second place, with 93 runs scored (2nd most in the league!).

 

After the game, Collins looked at Murphy running across the field and said "Look at him go - that looks like Will Ellison circa 2003". I then lamented the fact that I seemed to be a half step too slow, unable to catch a first inning single by the #2 hitter or beat out infield single in the 6th. Jerry - always providing Confucious like gems - looked me square in the eye and said earnestly, "Will, you can't outrun Father Time.....or is it Father Christmas?". Well said, Jerry. Well said.

 

However Father Time (or Father Christmas for that matter) cannot take away everything.

- Father Time couldn't halt Seltz's power surge as he tallyed his 5th HR of the season with a thunderous grand slam in a huge 4th inning rally,

- Father Time couldn't slow down the gazelle-like Flatline as he slugged and sprinted his way to a double, triple and home run - in an explosion of power and speed. A Vlad Guerrero like performance.

- Father Time couldn't stop Jerry from jawing at anyone and everyone not in a Shattered Dreamsuniform. Jerry has taken the art of trash talking to a new level and has quickly become one of YSAs top agitators. A combo of Pudge Rodriguez, Theo Fleury and Jeff Ross, Jerry got inside the heads of the opposing team, the ump, and the little hoodlum near the field (trying to poach our equipment). He may even have slung a few barbs at Tracy and Hollie.

- Father Time couldn't cool down Rohin - or should we call him Matt Stairs. Rohin - Professional hitter, getting on base all 4 times (3-3, walk), scoring 3 runs and chipping in with 2 RBIs. Solid as always.

- Father Time couldn't rattle our models of consistency Perles and Hansen. After a brutal SD meltdown inning where we allowed 7 runs to let the Ballers tie the game, the cagey BP settled us down and got through the rest of the game yielding only 3 more runs. With a glut of outfielders on the roster, Hansen made a gametime switch to second base - again showing off his versatility. He also showed his ingenuity by securing an extra set of bases prior to the game averting possible disaster.

- Finally, Father Time couldn't soften the arm, or the swagger of Collins. What a way to end the game! Fly ball to LCF, and Collins tracks it down with ease. The runner on base clearly did not know who he was dealing with, and Collins proceeded to fire a bullet to first to double off the runner and end the game (nice catch and tag by Rohin too!). Collins incredulously questioned the runner's judgment & wondered outloud if the Ballers had ignored the scouting report on him, but gladly showed off his gun.

 

As sad as it might be that this team is not as young as it used to be, we have shown some definite signs of maturity. After a brutal two week layoff following the Frozen Ropes debacle, SD took a business-like approach to this game and despite several distractions (uncertainty over the 10th man, & an umpire who needed a refresher course on the infield fly rule) - pulled out a 20-12 vicotry. Although this game was not a classic by any means, it was a great sign that after letting the opponent back into the game, we quickly struck back for an 11 run 4th inning, sending 15 men to the plate and breaking the Ballers' spirit.

 

As has been the case this year the replacement players stepped in and performed well. While we still need to work on a few things, like: not starting the game off with a K (errrr), preventing the big inning, tightening up defensively, and improving our post game drinking performances, we are certainly in a good position at this point in the season. If we play the kind of defense we did at the end of last season and show the resiliancy we did yesterday - we will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

Assuming Duff does not have Montezuma's revenge and Jeff doesn't dislocate a shoulder breaking down exhibits, we should be 10 Dreams strong on Monday. It can't come soon enough.

 

see you then...

SD4L