Last night our opponents tried to issue a two-out intentional walk to the spot in our lineup before a ghost out. (ghost out: when playing with less than three female players the team will be charged an out after the last batter in the line-up in place of the missing player)
This is a bush league thing to try.
Turns out, though, strategic as it may be, it's against the rules of the league (no walk shall be issued to the batter prior to a ghost out) which we didn't know, so after the first pitch went 20 feet over his head, our guy actually jumped across the plate to hit the next pitch which was four feet outside. (grounder to third for the last out)
(Which ended the inning and meant the next inning started with the ghost out.)
But, turns out, when they tried intentionally walking him, they knew the rule about no intentional walks, and were banking on us not knowing it.
Which we didn't
Which prompted our guy to swing at an unhittable pitch
Double bush league. Bush and deceitful. These guys are assholes.
Also, the umpire didn't explain the rule until after the at bat. That I don't understand at all.
Anyway. After the intentional ghost out walk situation played out we were going into the bottom of the last inning down one run.
Ground out
Single
Fly out, no advance
Walk
Single - scored runner from second, runner from first went to third on the throw to the plate, batter took second on throw to the plate
Tie game!
Next batter, walk-off ground-rule double
We win! Suck it bush leaguers!
Woo!
Also, I was informed today that I had enough ABs to qualify for the batting title.
Which I won. I also led the team in OBP. This marks a significant improvement from my first season (and a significant improvement from my broken collarbone)
And now, depending on the outcome of another game, we may have qualified for the playoffs.
-t
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Red Team!
Lost the first of three make-up games on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was a tough game to lose, and we need to win the next two by large margins in order to make the playoffs.
My line so far this season is a .750 average in 9 Plate Appearances (one double, one walk, for a 1.653 OPS)
Lately I've been making good solid contact, I plan on doing the same for however many games we have left.
-t
My line so far this season is a .750 average in 9 Plate Appearances (one double, one walk, for a 1.653 OPS)
Lately I've been making good solid contact, I plan on doing the same for however many games we have left.
-t
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Walk Before you Run (Away From Angry Bat-Wielding Opponents)
Last Tuesday I got the ok for sporting activities from my orthopedist. The collarbone has healed a full 100%.
Luckily, I received the news in time to play in that night's softball game, and would have, but didn't, because it was rained out. (You remember the rain, right? The thirty-three weeks of rain? I blame global warming)
So I had a week to prepare for the next game on the schedule and spent it rebuilding the atrophied muscle tissue and reflexes by playing wiffleball.
The rehad program worked out pretty well. I was two-for-two in last night's game, hitting a single and a double. As I slid, hard, into second base on that double, I was planning on a triple and a home run in my next two at bats to complete the cylce - but didn't get a chance to have two more at bats.
I know, I know, it was going hard into second base that got me the broken collarbone in the first place six (seven?) weeks ago. You're all rolling your eyes at the computer screen now, "Tom, you moron, you broke your other collarbone (or ankle, wrist, etc)?"
Well, no, I wasn't hurt sliding into second base. The game ended prematurely by the slaughter rule. We lost.
We lost because the other team was populated by tools. No one on their team swung the bat. Every single "hitter" went up to the plate looking for a walk. And the umpire was happy to give it to them.
In a typical softball game, when you step up to the plate, you SWING THE BAT and, in a typical softball game, if you're not swinging, the umpire will drastically expand the strike zone to entice you to start swinging.
This umpire did not do that. Which suited this D-league, Co-ed Softball team just fine. Billy Beane would have been proud. Except he wouldn't, because IT'S SOFTBALL! HIT THE GD PITCH, ALREADY.
These guys would take five and six straight pitches. They would only swing with two called strikes on them, prefectly happy to take a walk. It was shameful.
Also, because this is D-league Co-ed softball there are stupid girl rules, in particular this one:
"10.1 The league will adhere to the ASA rule regarding walking a male batter when a female batter is on deck. When a male batter is walked with a female batter on deck, the male batter will be awarded second base." List ofstupid Rules
I'd like to scan in the scorecard from the game so you could see exactly how many walks were issued, but I won't, because it will upset me.
I will point out that twice, TWICE, during the game their clean-up hitter, CLEAN-UP HITTER chose to walk because he was followed by a female in the batting order.
THEIR FOUR HITTER WILLINGLY TOOK A TWO-BASE WALK TWICE.
And this is after their team was up by 8 or nine runs. SWING THE FREAKING BAT!
Our entire team was beside themselves. Outfielders were falling asleep. The shortened, five-inning game featured 9 walks.
NINE!
Our team, in an entire season last year, received two (2) walks. Both intentional, both because the opposing team chose not to pitch to our slugger with first base open.
Also, it would have been three intentional walks on the season, except once our guy Mike chose to swing at one of the intentional balls, and he hit it for a double. WHICH IS HOW YOUR ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY SOFTBALL.
I drew up some new rules for the league. I am emailing them to the league president. I do not expect a reply.
Any other changes you'd can think of?
-t
Luckily, I received the news in time to play in that night's softball game, and would have, but didn't, because it was rained out. (You remember the rain, right? The thirty-three weeks of rain? I blame global warming)
So I had a week to prepare for the next game on the schedule and spent it rebuilding the atrophied muscle tissue and reflexes by playing wiffleball.
The rehad program worked out pretty well. I was two-for-two in last night's game, hitting a single and a double. As I slid, hard, into second base on that double, I was planning on a triple and a home run in my next two at bats to complete the cylce - but didn't get a chance to have two more at bats.
I know, I know, it was going hard into second base that got me the broken collarbone in the first place six (seven?) weeks ago. You're all rolling your eyes at the computer screen now, "Tom, you moron, you broke your other collarbone (or ankle, wrist, etc)?"
Well, no, I wasn't hurt sliding into second base. The game ended prematurely by the slaughter rule. We lost.
We lost because the other team was populated by tools. No one on their team swung the bat. Every single "hitter" went up to the plate looking for a walk. And the umpire was happy to give it to them.
In a typical softball game, when you step up to the plate, you SWING THE BAT and, in a typical softball game, if you're not swinging, the umpire will drastically expand the strike zone to entice you to start swinging.
This umpire did not do that. Which suited this D-league, Co-ed Softball team just fine. Billy Beane would have been proud. Except he wouldn't, because IT'S SOFTBALL! HIT THE GD PITCH, ALREADY.
These guys would take five and six straight pitches. They would only swing with two called strikes on them, prefectly happy to take a walk. It was shameful.
Also, because this is D-league Co-ed softball there are stupid girl rules, in particular this one:
"10.1 The league will adhere to the ASA rule regarding walking a male batter when a female batter is on deck. When a male batter is walked with a female batter on deck, the male batter will be awarded second base." List of
I'd like to scan in the scorecard from the game so you could see exactly how many walks were issued, but I won't, because it will upset me.
I will point out that twice, TWICE, during the game their clean-up hitter, CLEAN-UP HITTER chose to walk because he was followed by a female in the batting order.
THEIR FOUR HITTER WILLINGLY TOOK A TWO-BASE WALK TWICE.
And this is after their team was up by 8 or nine runs. SWING THE FREAKING BAT!
Our entire team was beside themselves. Outfielders were falling asleep. The shortened, five-inning game featured 9 walks.
NINE!
Our team, in an entire season last year, received two (2) walks. Both intentional, both because the opposing team chose not to pitch to our slugger with first base open.
Also, it would have been three intentional walks on the season, except once our guy Mike chose to swing at one of the intentional balls, and he hit it for a double. WHICH IS HOW YOUR ARE SUPPOSED TO PLAY SOFTBALL.
I drew up some new rules for the league. I am emailing them to the league president. I do not expect a reply.
Proposal of Boston West Co-ed rule changes, regarding walks:
(1) Base on Balls will be abolished
(2) Only Intentional Base on Balls will be allowed. The pitcher's intent to walk the batter must be announced by the pitcher and acknowledged by the umpire before the first pitch of the at-bat is thrown. A maximum of ONE Intentional Base on Balls will be allowed per team, per game.
(3) Any player issued an Intentional Base on Balls, if he or she is batting before a female player, shall be awarded two bases (as the current BB rule is written)
(4) A strike will be called on any batter who takes three consecutive pitches (except for an IBB)
(5) The batting team may request a new pitcher if the current pitcher throws more than 10 consecutive pitches that are outside the called strike zone.
Also up for consideration:
-Heckling an umpire who refuses to expand the strike zone after a team has demonstrated a willingness to reach base via walk will be encouraged.
-There will be no penalty for a pitcher who plunks any batter who refuses to swing the bat.
-Any batter who is too picky will be called out after six pitches (called balls or strikes)...unless there are two outs.
Any other changes you'd can think of?
-t
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Two-weeks Healed
Mini blog update: I'm still in the sling, and typing is still a chore, but, hopefully, it will come off tomorrow. Then I can go back to not-posting with two hands.
-t
-t
Friday, May 15, 2009
Softball & Injury Update
Sorry for the delay, I've been typing since Wednesday morning, left-handed, because my right arm is out of commission.
The game started off strong. we were smoking the other team (who couldn't hit at all) and I'd made a few good stops in the field (and one put out on a kid going second to third which turned a routine 6-3 ground ball into a 6-3-5 DP. Bad base running).
Anyway in my first at bat I tried stretching a single into a double after a bobble in the outfield, git beat to the bag by the throw (a good three feet), and tried jumping over the tag, which, if it had worked would have put me in short center field, where I would have been out anyway, but I never made it, because their shortstop, an ogre of a kid swung the tag around at hip-height, taking out both my legs, up-ending me in the process, and sending me, shoulder-first, into the hard-as-concrete-painted-like-dirt infield.
I lost my glasses, and couldn't move my right arm. Took one pitch the next inning at first base (soft liner, right to me), then walked off the field, unable to throw, or hold a bat, or even lift my right arm.
I drove myself back, fearing a dislocated shoulder (not the injury as much as the repair), and went to the hospital.
x-rays revealed a distal clavicular fracture. No sports activities for 4-6 weeks. arm in a sling for at least two.
Hence, the left-handed typing.
-t
The game started off strong. we were smoking the other team (who couldn't hit at all) and I'd made a few good stops in the field (and one put out on a kid going second to third which turned a routine 6-3 ground ball into a 6-3-5 DP. Bad base running).
Anyway in my first at bat I tried stretching a single into a double after a bobble in the outfield, git beat to the bag by the throw (a good three feet), and tried jumping over the tag, which, if it had worked would have put me in short center field, where I would have been out anyway, but I never made it, because their shortstop, an ogre of a kid swung the tag around at hip-height, taking out both my legs, up-ending me in the process, and sending me, shoulder-first, into the hard-as-concrete-painted-like-dirt infield.
I lost my glasses, and couldn't move my right arm. Took one pitch the next inning at first base (soft liner, right to me), then walked off the field, unable to throw, or hold a bat, or even lift my right arm.
I drove myself back, fearing a dislocated shoulder (not the injury as much as the repair), and went to the hospital.
x-rays revealed a distal clavicular fracture. No sports activities for 4-6 weeks. arm in a sling for at least two.
Hence, the left-handed typing.
-t
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The Red Team
First softball game of the season has come and gone. Good news: we won!
We took the lead in the top of the first inning and held it the entire game, winning by a final score of 19-11.
Your author flied out to right field in the first at bat (not knowing his own strenghth, he was just trying to pop one over the first baseman, and instead hit it 200 feet right at their right fielder), then, determined to get on base in the second plate appearance waited for a really good pitch to hit, didn't get one, and walked on five pitches. In the last at bat with runners on first and second he grounded into a fielder's choice (5U, safe at first).
In the field, though, the spectacular defensive prowess was unchanged, save for a fast groundball between first and second that your author didn't even make an attempt at catching.
But, three good picks for force outs saved a few runs over the course of the game.
AVG: 0.000
OBP: 0.333
SLG: 0.000
OPS: 0.333
Hopefully I'll get my average up to...positive numbers, soon.
-t
We took the lead in the top of the first inning and held it the entire game, winning by a final score of 19-11.
Your author flied out to right field in the first at bat (not knowing his own strenghth, he was just trying to pop one over the first baseman, and instead hit it 200 feet right at their right fielder), then, determined to get on base in the second plate appearance waited for a really good pitch to hit, didn't get one, and walked on five pitches. In the last at bat with runners on first and second he grounded into a fielder's choice (5U, safe at first).
In the field, though, the spectacular defensive prowess was unchanged, save for a fast groundball between first and second that your author didn't even make an attempt at catching.
But, three good picks for force outs saved a few runs over the course of the game.
AVG: 0.000
OBP: 0.333
SLG: 0.000
OPS: 0.333
Hopefully I'll get my average up to...positive numbers, soon.
-t
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Softball Wrap-Up
I believe Blogger dropped my last wrap-up post, apologies if you're reading this twice.
We lost our last game of the season (got smoked, actually), but overall were very encouraged by our improvement as a team.
I finished the season with a .625 batting average (up from .500 last year) and with three doubles and a triple, an OPS of 1.418.
I think, if the roster stays pretty much the same all we'd need to do to push us over the hump and into the playoffs is add one really good bat. I'm going to draft an email to Barry Bonds' agent - he's looking for something to do, right?
-t
We lost our last game of the season (got smoked, actually), but overall were very encouraged by our improvement as a team.
I finished the season with a .625 batting average (up from .500 last year) and with three doubles and a triple, an OPS of 1.418.
I think, if the roster stays pretty much the same all we'd need to do to push us over the hump and into the playoffs is add one really good bat. I'm going to draft an email to Barry Bonds' agent - he's looking for something to do, right?
-t
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Softball Wrapup
Game 3 - I skipped this game to go drinking with some of Sam's friends up from Alabama
Game 4 - Awesome game. We totally had the lead at one point! We were ahead, by like, three runs!
Anyway. I got there a little late and they put me in at shortstop without any warmup which turned out to be a mistake. The first play of the game was a one-bouncer right to me. I fielded it cleanly, and then threw it ten feet up the foul line past first base. Not even close.
I was getting heckled by the guy in centerfield, and when I turned around I realized it was our normal shortstop! So we switched places for the second batter, and I played center for the rest of the game.
In the second inning I made a pretty good catch on a sinking line drive. I'm no Jacboy Ellsbury, but I can get to the ball when I have to.
At the plate we got some pretty great performances. Three home runs ! One out-of-the-park, the other two the leg-'em-out variety.
So, inning-by-inning. The bad guys scored four runs in the first (helped by my initial throwing error), and we got one back in the first.
Then, and this is the really surprising part. We got back-to-back one-two-three innings in the field! We held them for two innings! Meanwhile our offense scored three runs in the third, and three more in the fourth! At the end of the fourth inning we were leading by three runs! A lead! Woo!
Then in the sixth we gave up three to tie the game. No score in the top of the seventh, so we came up to the plate with a chance at a walk-off victory.
I was batting third in the inning. No pressure.
The first guy made an out when the shortstop robbed him of a double on a screaming line drive up the middle. The next batter popped out.
Here I stood. Two outs, bottom of the seventh, tie game. And I....
roped a single up the middle! Woo! Keep the inning alive!
The girl up at the plate behind me grounded out to third.
But we got a quick one-two-three inning in the top of the eigth and in the bottom of the inning hit back-to-back doubles to win it!
So now our record is a very respectable 1-3-0.
Personally I went 3-3 or 3-4 (depending on the official scorer's ruling) with an RBI. I also broke up a double-play in the fourth which allowed a run to score.
-t
Game 4 - Awesome game. We totally had the lead at one point! We were ahead, by like, three runs!
Anyway. I got there a little late and they put me in at shortstop without any warmup which turned out to be a mistake. The first play of the game was a one-bouncer right to me. I fielded it cleanly, and then threw it ten feet up the foul line past first base. Not even close.
I was getting heckled by the guy in centerfield, and when I turned around I realized it was our normal shortstop! So we switched places for the second batter, and I played center for the rest of the game.
In the second inning I made a pretty good catch on a sinking line drive. I'm no Jacboy Ellsbury, but I can get to the ball when I have to.
At the plate we got some pretty great performances. Three home runs ! One out-of-the-park, the other two the leg-'em-out variety.
So, inning-by-inning. The bad guys scored four runs in the first (helped by my initial throwing error), and we got one back in the first.
Then, and this is the really surprising part. We got back-to-back one-two-three innings in the field! We held them for two innings! Meanwhile our offense scored three runs in the third, and three more in the fourth! At the end of the fourth inning we were leading by three runs! A lead! Woo!
Then in the sixth we gave up three to tie the game. No score in the top of the seventh, so we came up to the plate with a chance at a walk-off victory.
I was batting third in the inning. No pressure.
The first guy made an out when the shortstop robbed him of a double on a screaming line drive up the middle. The next batter popped out.
Here I stood. Two outs, bottom of the seventh, tie game. And I....
roped a single up the middle! Woo! Keep the inning alive!
The girl up at the plate behind me grounded out to third.
But we got a quick one-two-three inning in the top of the eigth and in the bottom of the inning hit back-to-back doubles to win it!
So now our record is a very respectable 1-3-0.
Personally I went 3-3 or 3-4 (depending on the official scorer's ruling) with an RBI. I also broke up a double-play in the fourth which allowed a run to score.
-t
10
Monday, May 05, 2008
Strange Brew: Game 1
Played the first game of the season yesterday in the drizzly, swampy, Charlestown muck. Which I loved, because getting to Charlestown is hella more convinient than getting to Dedham for games. Next week we're in Brighton someplace, I think.
We played a good game, only lost by fifteen, in a full game (not shortened by themercy slaughter rule).
Personally, I went one-for-three with a double (generous scorekeeping by the team captain, really an infield hit with a throwing error), and knocked in a run on a fielders choice. So I'm hitting 0.333 and my OPS is a solid 1.000. Not a bad line for the first game of the season, and I didn't have to go to Arizona to work out all winter (though I should have, I could barely lift my arms after swinging the bat. Thank goodness I play first base, I never would have been able to throw across the diamond).
Speaking of fielding, the right side of our infield is as solid as ever, with our star shortstop making two dramatic double plays (both 6-3) and a few more terrific stops to save extra base hits. The right side of the infield is also as solid as ever (that is, not very solid at all through the second baseman - still having a little trouble catching ground balls...and pop-ups...line drives, relay throws, underhand tosses from the shortstop on double play balls...)
The rest of the team looks good. After a few more innings the outfielders will, no doubt, resume making the spectacular catches we remember from last season, and our pitchers will once again be lights-out (here, of course, I'm speaking of the spotlights used for night games, where their pitches are usually deposited by the opposing batters).
A good first game. Go green team! (we changed colors, green is the new blue).
-t
We played a good game, only lost by fifteen, in a full game (not shortened by the
Personally, I went one-for-three with a double (generous scorekeeping by the team captain, really an infield hit with a throwing error), and knocked in a run on a fielders choice. So I'm hitting 0.333 and my OPS is a solid 1.000. Not a bad line for the first game of the season, and I didn't have to go to Arizona to work out all winter (though I should have, I could barely lift my arms after swinging the bat. Thank goodness I play first base, I never would have been able to throw across the diamond).
Speaking of fielding, the right side of our infield is as solid as ever, with our star shortstop making two dramatic double plays (both 6-3) and a few more terrific stops to save extra base hits. The right side of the infield is also as solid as ever (that is, not very solid at all through the second baseman - still having a little trouble catching ground balls...and pop-ups...line drives, relay throws, underhand tosses from the shortstop on double play balls...)
The rest of the team looks good. After a few more innings the outfielders will, no doubt, resume making the spectacular catches we remember from last season, and our pitchers will once again be lights-out (here, of course, I'm speaking of the spotlights used for night games, where their pitches are usually deposited by the opposing batters).
A good first game. Go green team! (we changed colors, green is the new blue).
-t
16
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"Play (Chemically Enhanced) Ball!"
Work softball is back!
We've just completed our first email thread of the season discussing potential new names for our squad.
I propsed "The Bearded Wonders" for us, especially funny because no one on the team wears a beard (though, in my case, it's certainly not for lack of trying). Others included "Team Great!" (exclamation point included), "Strange Brew" (the favorite, and "Pedroia's Ping Pong Posse" (too long).
My suggestsion came in third in the voting, but it was a close race (McCain-Huckabee close). Luckily, this year, our team name won't feature any puns on performance enhancing drugs (BALCO Lab Rats, The Linseed Oilers, Mo'PEDS).
Up next, deciding on a uniform color. We wore blue last year (our rallying cry was "Go blue team!") but this year I'm pulling for red.
Because it will look totally great with my beard.
-t
We've just completed our first email thread of the season discussing potential new names for our squad.
I propsed "The Bearded Wonders" for us, especially funny because no one on the team wears a beard (though, in my case, it's certainly not for lack of trying). Others included "Team Great!" (exclamation point included), "Strange Brew" (the favorite, and "Pedroia's Ping Pong Posse" (too long).
My suggestsion came in third in the voting, but it was a close race (McCain-Huckabee close). Luckily, this year, our team name won't feature any puns on performance enhancing drugs (BALCO Lab Rats, The Linseed Oilers, Mo'PEDS).
Up next, deciding on a uniform color. We wore blue last year (our rallying cry was "Go blue team!") but this year I'm pulling for red.
Because it will look totally great with my beard.
-t
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
.500
Final softball game of the year!
Reviewing my season's stats before the game I was 11-for-23 going into the game and would need a 1-for-1 performance to hit the .500 mark for the season.
My first at bat came in the second inning, and I beat out an infield hit! I advanced to second base on a walk, but was tagged out trying to slide under a tag on a ground ball to third. My team (the blue team) took the lead.
Unfortunately, a few throwing errors in the field gave the bad guys (the red team) a few runs back and made it a ballgame.
I didn't help much by grounding out to first base my next time up - which also dropped me back below .500!
We scored a few, they scored a few to keep it close, and then in the seventh inning I led off with a hit up the middle and scored on a two-run home run. (.500 again!)
And in the bottom of the sixth I played some stellar defense to hang on to the one run lead. After a pop fly to third base to start the inning the bad guys loaded the bases with a few hits and a walk, then brought in two runs with a single to make it a one-run game.
So, with one out and runners on first and second I caught a screaming line drive at first base and dove at the runner, caught off the bag, to apply a tag and double him off to hold the lead!
We scored twice more in the top of the seventh and got three quick outs in the bottom of the inning to win our final game.
Go blue team.
Tom's season totals:
AB 26
H 13
AVG 0.500
BB 0
K 4
R 9
RBI 8
2B 1
3B 1
HR 1
SLG .731
OBP .500
OPS 1.231
Not too shabby for my first season in organized ball since freshman year of high school. Next year I'll be shooting for zero strikeouts and more doubles.
-t
Reviewing my season's stats before the game I was 11-for-23 going into the game and would need a 1-for-1 performance to hit the .500 mark for the season.
My first at bat came in the second inning, and I beat out an infield hit! I advanced to second base on a walk, but was tagged out trying to slide under a tag on a ground ball to third. My team (the blue team) took the lead.
Unfortunately, a few throwing errors in the field gave the bad guys (the red team) a few runs back and made it a ballgame.
I didn't help much by grounding out to first base my next time up - which also dropped me back below .500!
We scored a few, they scored a few to keep it close, and then in the seventh inning I led off with a hit up the middle and scored on a two-run home run. (.500 again!)
And in the bottom of the sixth I played some stellar defense to hang on to the one run lead. After a pop fly to third base to start the inning the bad guys loaded the bases with a few hits and a walk, then brought in two runs with a single to make it a one-run game.
So, with one out and runners on first and second I caught a screaming line drive at first base and dove at the runner, caught off the bag, to apply a tag and double him off to hold the lead!
We scored twice more in the top of the seventh and got three quick outs in the bottom of the inning to win our final game.
Go blue team.
Tom's season totals:
AB 26
H 13
AVG 0.500
BB 0
K 4
R 9
RBI 8
2B 1
3B 1
HR 1
SLG .731
OBP .500
OPS 1.231
Not too shabby for my first season in organized ball since freshman year of high school. Next year I'll be shooting for zero strikeouts and more doubles.
-t
Monday, June 11, 2007
Soft-toss
Company softball sixth game wrap-up:
Rained out.
Company softball seventh game wrap-up:
We won. (I know! How exciting! A win! U-S-A! U-S-S-R!... I-J-L!)
Anyway. We finally matched up with a team we can play with. No power hitters, no spectacular fielders, and a pitcher that I could hit.
Oh, right, did I mention? I was hitting the ball. I went 4-4 with three singles and a double, with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.
Final score 25-16.
Team record 1-6
Season batting average: .460
-t
Rained out.
Company softball seventh game wrap-up:
We won. (I know! How exciting! A win! U-S-A! U-S-S-R!... I-J-L!)
Anyway. We finally matched up with a team we can play with. No power hitters, no spectacular fielders, and a pitcher that I could hit.
Oh, right, did I mention? I was hitting the ball. I went 4-4 with three singles and a double, with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.
Final score 25-16.
Team record 1-6
Season batting average: .460
-t
Monday, May 21, 2007
Email Exchange: Company Softball Edition
This post is dedicated to Felecia, who can't get enough softball posts.
The Players:
Ted: our starting pitcher. Nice guy, generally counted on to come up with the bright ideas (bringing a fully-stocked cooler, bringing a grill for mid-inning barbecue)
Harry: a grizzled old veteran, our captain
Amy, Bonnie, Cara, Steve: teammates
Adam: the jackass who ran into me at second base last game
oh, and me, Tom
Team,
Since not everyone on the team knows eachother that well, it may be a good idea to go out sometime. I was thinking that since we could use some practice as well, we could go to Good Times Emporium in Somerville (http://www.goodtimeemporium.com/). There is a bar, batting cages, pool tables and other stuff. Let me know what you think.
-Ted
Ted,
are we talking drinking practice or batting practice?
either way - I'm in as long as its a day when I can make it
-Amy
mmmm that's tough- i don't drink and the bar scene makes me uncomfortable.......
-Cara
If I've got nothing else planned, I'll be in. Does this place offer a senior discount, if I show them my AARP card?
-Harry
well Cara maybe some drinks would bring out your 2b skills....
i'll go!!!
-Bonnie
Great idea, let's try to plan this in advance in order to accomodate all schedules in mind. A Saturday at the cages followed by ice cold pints of quality European beers would make for a nice day. Remember, life is too short to drink cheap beer.
Cheers,
-Adam
Adam - European beers are supposed to be served room temperature. Not "icy cold."
-Tom
Actually it depends if its a lager, ale...etc. But having visited a true Berlin beer festival in Germany I would have to agree with that statement on some level.
-Adam
well it was nice playing with you all, looks like I am off the team - I prefer watery, tasteless, light, American beer! mmmmm USA! USA!
wait a minute wasn't it some "chilled piss in a can" that we all consumed the other night at the game?
-Bonnie
i agree with bonnie... i prefer watery, tasteless, light, american beer! and yes, we all consumed it over the past two games!
go bud light!
-cara
guys, how are we going to learn to play like a team, if we can't act like a team when interoffice emailing?????
-Amy
I support American beer - have some pride. [usaflag.gif]!
-Steve
He's a tool.
"Icy cold pints" indeed.
-t
The Players:
Ted: our starting pitcher. Nice guy, generally counted on to come up with the bright ideas (bringing a fully-stocked cooler, bringing a grill for mid-inning barbecue)
Harry: a grizzled old veteran, our captain
Amy, Bonnie, Cara, Steve: teammates
Adam: the jackass who ran into me at second base last game
oh, and me, Tom
Team,
Since not everyone on the team knows eachother that well, it may be a good idea to go out sometime. I was thinking that since we could use some practice as well, we could go to Good Times Emporium in Somerville (http://www.goodtimeemporium.com/). There is a bar, batting cages, pool tables and other stuff. Let me know what you think.
-Ted
Ted,
are we talking drinking practice or batting practice?
either way - I'm in as long as its a day when I can make it
-Amy
mmmm that's tough- i don't drink and the bar scene makes me uncomfortable.......
-Cara
If I've got nothing else planned, I'll be in. Does this place offer a senior discount, if I show them my AARP card?
-Harry
well Cara maybe some drinks would bring out your 2b skills....
i'll go!!!
-Bonnie
Great idea, let's try to plan this in advance in order to accomodate all schedules in mind. A Saturday at the cages followed by ice cold pints of quality European beers would make for a nice day. Remember, life is too short to drink cheap beer.
Cheers,
-Adam
Adam - European beers are supposed to be served room temperature. Not "icy cold."
-Tom
Actually it depends if its a lager, ale...etc. But having visited a true Berlin beer festival in Germany I would have to agree with that statement on some level.
-Adam
well it was nice playing with you all, looks like I am off the team - I prefer watery, tasteless, light, American beer! mmmmm USA! USA!
wait a minute wasn't it some "chilled piss in a can" that we all consumed the other night at the game?
-Bonnie
i agree with bonnie... i prefer watery, tasteless, light, american beer! and yes, we all consumed it over the past two games!
go bud light!
-cara
guys, how are we going to learn to play like a team, if we can't act like a team when interoffice emailing?????
-Amy
I support American beer - have some pride. [usaflag.gif]!
-Steve
He's a tool.
"Icy cold pints" indeed.
-t
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Bad baserunning, softball recap
It's the second inning, I hit a hard grounder to third and beat out the throw. That's my first hit of the season. (woo!)
I play first for a few innings. No problems. And we're totally in this game after the first three (which is a new thing for us, we're usually down by twelve or so by then).
Jump ahead, it's late in the game, we're down by two runs, no outs, two men on.
I step up to the plate. I swing and ground the ball sharply to the third baseman who fields the ball and steps on third for the force out. This brings my average down from .200 to .167.
Now, you may remember the story I told last week about a jackass who walked onto the field and took the ball from the pitcher. I think we've all agreed he's a jackass.
Well, it's not just us, readers, it's the rest of my softball team, too. They've started leaving him off of team-wide emails, and "forgetting" to give him a schedule, hoping he'll miss as many games as possible.
Well, he showed up last night. And he was hitting behind me in the batting order.
And folks, it's not about him being a bad player. That's ok. I'm a bad player (one error and a .167 BA four games into the season, ugh). It's about him being a jackass.
Earlier in the game he'd made a nice catch in left field, and he's a good solid hitter.
What he's not, is a team player. What he's not, is a listener. What he's not, is a smart baseball player.
To recap: It's late in the game, we're losing, but still in it. Runners on first (me) and second (some girl), one out. Jackass guy comes to the plate.
He hits the first pitch for a single to left field, a solid line drive over the shortstop's head. The runners are off on contact, and, almost immediately, the third base coach, and everyone on the bench throws their hands in the air. "Stay, stay!" they yell, and, to the first runner, "Hold at third!"
The left fielder had handled the ball cleanly on one bounce, the lead runner stopped at third, I stopped at second, and as soon as my foot touched the bag I turned around to put my hands in the air and yell "Hold at first! Stay!" to make sure the jackass guy knew what was going on.
But as I turn, what do I see, but the kid barrelling around first base, head down, running full-out, trying to get himself a triple on a short line drive!
"BACK!" I scream, "Get back to the bag!!" and then, I say
"uufff!!" as he RUNS INTO ME!! THE GUY STANDING STILL ON SECOND BASE!!
He knocked me off the bag!
At this point the left fielder, only about ten feet from the infield, had tossed the ball to the shortstop who promptly tagged the two of us near second base for an inning-ending double-play.
I couldn't believe it! I still don't believe it! Everyone in the park knew it was a one-base hit, everyone was yelling for the runners to hold. What the hell?
I stood there, totally bewildered. I was just staring at the ground as the other team trots off the field, this kid gets up, dusts himself off, and says "You should have been running."
I couldn't even look at him. "They were holding the runner at third," I said, with as much menace as I could muster through my shock.
"Well," he said, "she should have been running."
They were holding her at third! There was one out! YOU HIT A ONE-BOUNCER RIGHT AT THE LEFT FIELDER!
I couldn't believe it. The next inning they opened the game up and we lost by the slaughter rule in the sixth. But we had a shot until this moron ruined our chance at a rally.
I'm going to pop his tires before the next game.
-t
Season so far:
3 games, no wins
Batting average: .167 (1 for 7)
One error
I play first for a few innings. No problems. And we're totally in this game after the first three (which is a new thing for us, we're usually down by twelve or so by then).
Jump ahead, it's late in the game, we're down by two runs, no outs, two men on.
I step up to the plate. I swing and ground the ball sharply to the third baseman who fields the ball and steps on third for the force out. This brings my average down from .200 to .167.
Now, you may remember the story I told last week about a jackass who walked onto the field and took the ball from the pitcher. I think we've all agreed he's a jackass.
Well, it's not just us, readers, it's the rest of my softball team, too. They've started leaving him off of team-wide emails, and "forgetting" to give him a schedule, hoping he'll miss as many games as possible.
Well, he showed up last night. And he was hitting behind me in the batting order.
And folks, it's not about him being a bad player. That's ok. I'm a bad player (one error and a .167 BA four games into the season, ugh). It's about him being a jackass.
Earlier in the game he'd made a nice catch in left field, and he's a good solid hitter.
What he's not, is a team player. What he's not, is a listener. What he's not, is a smart baseball player.
To recap: It's late in the game, we're losing, but still in it. Runners on first (me) and second (some girl), one out. Jackass guy comes to the plate.
He hits the first pitch for a single to left field, a solid line drive over the shortstop's head. The runners are off on contact, and, almost immediately, the third base coach, and everyone on the bench throws their hands in the air. "Stay, stay!" they yell, and, to the first runner, "Hold at third!"
The left fielder had handled the ball cleanly on one bounce, the lead runner stopped at third, I stopped at second, and as soon as my foot touched the bag I turned around to put my hands in the air and yell "Hold at first! Stay!" to make sure the jackass guy knew what was going on.
But as I turn, what do I see, but the kid barrelling around first base, head down, running full-out, trying to get himself a triple on a short line drive!
"BACK!" I scream, "Get back to the bag!!" and then, I say
"uufff!!" as he RUNS INTO ME!! THE GUY STANDING STILL ON SECOND BASE!!
He knocked me off the bag!
At this point the left fielder, only about ten feet from the infield, had tossed the ball to the shortstop who promptly tagged the two of us near second base for an inning-ending double-play.
I couldn't believe it! I still don't believe it! Everyone in the park knew it was a one-base hit, everyone was yelling for the runners to hold. What the hell?
I stood there, totally bewildered. I was just staring at the ground as the other team trots off the field, this kid gets up, dusts himself off, and says "You should have been running."
I couldn't even look at him. "They were holding the runner at third," I said, with as much menace as I could muster through my shock.
"Well," he said, "she should have been running."
They were holding her at third! There was one out! YOU HIT A ONE-BOUNCER RIGHT AT THE LEFT FIELDER!
I couldn't believe it. The next inning they opened the game up and we lost by the slaughter rule in the sixth. But we had a shot until this moron ruined our chance at a rally.
I'm going to pop his tires before the next game.
-t
Season so far:
3 games, no wins
Batting average: .167 (1 for 7)
One error
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Slugging Percentage
We played again last night. We lost. Our softball team is now 0-3 on the season (0-2 in games I've played).
I attribute this, mostly, to other teams in the league being vastly superior to our team. Also, yesterday, a bunch of jackasses showed up to play.
The problem with fielding a company team is that the company, personified by the team captain, is obligated to make an open call for players, and can't cut anyone.
People who like softball and want to have fun show up.
People who are good at softball and want to win show up.
People who think they're good at softball and are jackasses show up.
I hate that third group.
Apparently, during the first game, one of the jackasses walked from his position in right field to the pitchers mound, and took the ball from the pitcher. Took it out of his glove. "I'm pitching now" was the unspoken statement.
He proceded to walk three batters in a row, let up two singles, and walk two more batters.
He was one of the three jackasses to show up at last night's game. He insisted on playing first, and insisted on batting clean up. He went 0-2 with two errors on easy ground balls.
Now, as I was properly raised to respect authority, I defer to the team captain on batting order and positioning. I can't help it if the captain's a pushover, or just a nice guy who doesn't like confrontation.
It's one thing to be a jackass who hits (Bonds, Jeter, etc) and in that case I don't have a problem with him hitting cleanup, but, if you can't hit you should absolutely be punished an extra spot or two in the lineup for being a jackass.
The game went five innings, we lost by the slaughter rule, I had one at bat and struck out swinging on five pitches.
I also played right field for three innings and fielded three grounders cleanly, caught a long fly to end the third, and almost caught a long, high, foul ball to end the second (it was hit out of play to the bushes and I missed it by about four inches).
I played first base for two innings and was involved in two routine infield outs.
Second game:
Batting: 0-1, 1K,
Fielding: RF, 1B, no errors
-t
I attribute this, mostly, to other teams in the league being vastly superior to our team. Also, yesterday, a bunch of jackasses showed up to play.
The problem with fielding a company team is that the company, personified by the team captain, is obligated to make an open call for players, and can't cut anyone.
People who like softball and want to have fun show up.
People who are good at softball and want to win show up.
People who think they're good at softball and are jackasses show up.
I hate that third group.
Apparently, during the first game, one of the jackasses walked from his position in right field to the pitchers mound, and took the ball from the pitcher. Took it out of his glove. "I'm pitching now" was the unspoken statement.
He proceded to walk three batters in a row, let up two singles, and walk two more batters.
He was one of the three jackasses to show up at last night's game. He insisted on playing first, and insisted on batting clean up. He went 0-2 with two errors on easy ground balls.
Now, as I was properly raised to respect authority, I defer to the team captain on batting order and positioning. I can't help it if the captain's a pushover, or just a nice guy who doesn't like confrontation.
It's one thing to be a jackass who hits (Bonds, Jeter, etc) and in that case I don't have a problem with him hitting cleanup, but, if you can't hit you should absolutely be punished an extra spot or two in the lineup for being a jackass.
The game went five innings, we lost by the slaughter rule, I had one at bat and struck out swinging on five pitches.
I also played right field for three innings and fielded three grounders cleanly, caught a long fly to end the third, and almost caught a long, high, foul ball to end the second (it was hit out of play to the bushes and I missed it by about four inches).
I played first base for two innings and was involved in two routine infield outs.
Second game:
Batting: 0-1, 1K,
Fielding: RF, 1B, no errors
-t
Friday, May 04, 2007
Co-ed Company Softball
Tonight's my first company softball game.
I'm holding out hope it won't be lame, but we're playing in an uncompetitive, co-ed league.
You've all played in co-ed leagues before, right? The intramural flag football in college, the CYO volleyball games, what have you.
They are, perhaps by definition, lame. Peppered with ridiculous sexist rules adhered to by (usually) militant umpires or referees who must feel that lives hang in the balance on each and every call.
I certainly don't have any problem with women playing sports. I do have a problem with preferential, or down-right ludicrous, treatment of both the men and women who suffer under these guidelines.
To whit:
10.1 The league will adhere to the American Softball Association rule regarding walking a male batter when a female batter is on deck.
-When a male batter is walked with a female batter on deck, the male batter will be awarded second base.
-If there are less than two (2) outs, the female batter must bat. If there are two (2) outs, the female batter has the option of accepting an automatic walk or batting.
I want to play competitive ball. I don't like being handcuffed by trivial rules.
I say, if you're going to make distinctions between players, and those distinctions will play a role in the rules of the game, don't separate players into groups of "men" and "women," but rather, separate them into groups of "good" and "not good."
Field two teams. Anybody who sucks can go play in a league with automatic walks, free bases, ghost runners, four outfielders, "safety bags," and God bless them for it.
The rest of us just want to play softball.
-t
Update:
11:15 PM Back from the game. I had fun - and even if I didn't, I wouldn't be looking for a more competitive league, because I suck.
It might have something to do with not picking up a baseball or bat for six years.
I'm sure next game will be better. It could hardly be worse.
Tom's First Softball Game:
0-3 with 2K, 2 errors
I'm holding out hope it won't be lame, but we're playing in an uncompetitive, co-ed league.
You've all played in co-ed leagues before, right? The intramural flag football in college, the CYO volleyball games, what have you.
They are, perhaps by definition, lame. Peppered with ridiculous sexist rules adhered to by (usually) militant umpires or referees who must feel that lives hang in the balance on each and every call.
I certainly don't have any problem with women playing sports. I do have a problem with preferential, or down-right ludicrous, treatment of both the men and women who suffer under these guidelines.
To whit:
10.1 The league will adhere to the American Softball Association rule regarding walking a male batter when a female batter is on deck.
-When a male batter is walked with a female batter on deck, the male batter will be awarded second base.
-If there are less than two (2) outs, the female batter must bat. If there are two (2) outs, the female batter has the option of accepting an automatic walk or batting.
I want to play competitive ball. I don't like being handcuffed by trivial rules.
I say, if you're going to make distinctions between players, and those distinctions will play a role in the rules of the game, don't separate players into groups of "men" and "women," but rather, separate them into groups of "good" and "not good."
Field two teams. Anybody who sucks can go play in a league with automatic walks, free bases, ghost runners, four outfielders, "safety bags," and God bless them for it.
The rest of us just want to play softball.
-t
Update:
11:15 PM Back from the game. I had fun - and even if I didn't, I wouldn't be looking for a more competitive league, because I suck.
It might have something to do with not picking up a baseball or bat for six years.
I'm sure next game will be better. It could hardly be worse.
Tom's First Softball Game:
0-3 with 2K, 2 errors
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