Monday, November 23, 2009

THE TEAM - Fall 2009

That last game was an extra-large serving of slaughter. Those Unicorns could hit the ball anywhere they pleased. Their men and the women clearly knew how to handle their bats. THE TEAM couldn't keep up with that.

But enough of those a**holes

Overall THE TEAM had it's best season ever so we still have a lot to be proud of.

If we had an awards banquet for THE TEAM it would be impossible. Who would be MVP? Who would be our Most Improved Player? Who would be our Most Inspirational Player?

Every single player on THE TEAM fits into at least one of those categories.

#00 CJ was a strong hitter and absolute gold with her glove at first base.

#1 Destanie was always the first woman in the batting order because she can hit and she can run. She always played hard and could complete a double-play from second base like a pro.

#3 Lou was a great lead-off hitter who had several home runs throughout the season. He covered the earth from SS.

#4 Jenny was a versatile player who was able to play both the infield and the outfield on top of being a reliable hitter.

#11 Dave was able to hit for power and for average and did not have an error in CF.

#12 Lillian was a VGITPOSA winner for her pitching and kept improving as a hitter until the pad at second base decided to end her season. (Bastard!)

#13 Sandy was a whole new deal at the plate in the Fall 09 season. She swung well and didn't strikeout and had some serious hits that would have been hits in any league. Not to mention that Sandy is the reason THE TEAM still exists.

#14 LeighAnne was great at keeping the ball in front of her in RF. She was always positive and always played hard. In my mind she is forever attached to Meredith.

#16 Terrence was a versatile and flexible player in the field and a hitter that could will himself on base by being so fast.

#24 Peter had some great home runs along with a complete game victory pitching and solid play at Third Base.

#26 Meredith was all hustle all day. She improved every week and always had fun. And in my mind she is forever attached to LeighAnne.

#27 John only played half of the season but found his softball instincts and saved some home runs by backing up the other outfielders perfectly.

#31 Victor was kind of noisy and crazy but was flawless in left field and a dangerous hitter. That is why the VGITPOSA is named after him. (That and I feared for his safety)

#42 Sarah was an RBI machine. She could come to bat in big situations where we needed runs and she could come up when we were up by 15 but you knew the runs were coming in.

#99 Chris was the ace of the pitching staff. He has always been good, but this season he really took it to another level with strikeouts and very few walks.

All of the seasons that THE TEAM has been around have been fun, but it is a lot more fun to win. So good job everybody. Hey! VGITPOSA for everyone!!!

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

We're Not the Champions, But...

I don't know what Rick is going to say later, but I just wanted to commend everyone on a GREAT F'ING SEASON!!!! We really showed a lot of improvement this year - mostly in making less mistakes and doing better in the hitting department. I'm really proud of the job everyone did this season and so happy we finished with a 7-3 record. Great job, everyone.

And even though we aren't the champions of the league, we're the champions in my book! Enjoy some Queen! Get it on!!!

Monday, November 16, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 9

I wasn't really paying attention. Were you? THE TEAM won 24-4. Was it just me or was that a rather unrewarding win. We didn't play that well but the Riverside Cafe 86ers were making one horrible error after another. At a certain point it seemed like they were no longer having fun. In seasons past we have been that team. You know, The Moment It All Went to Hell. So when they just wanted it to end it seemed like less fun.

Leigh Anne's game was clearly VGITPOSA worthy but Leigh Anne already has a VGITPOSA. It seemed like a good idea to not have a player win more than one so that leaves... I wasn't really paying attention. Peter and Lou hit home runs. CJ is making a habit of throwing runners out at third which is a serious slice of awesome. Sarah could come up with with nobody on base and still get a couple of RBIs. Victor slid head first into second which always makes me wince like I'm watching some skater blast his testicles through the roof of his mouth trying to grind a rail.

But enough of my fertilizer! This isn't my blog. This blog belongs to THE TEAM!!!

Anyone?

Anyone?

Bueller

THE TEAM is 7-2. We have another shot at the Unicorns. If we win that one we make the playoffs. I promise to pay attention to that one.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, November 8, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 8

THE TEAM handed it to The Jensen Warriors 20 to 1. That brings THE TEAMs record to 6-2 so we officially have our first winning season locked up.

The Jensen Warriors seem like a nice bunch of people but they were a festival of mistakes and walks. Peter hit a home run. Destanie gave the umpire a thrill by sliding into to home (Ask her). John showed up loose (Ask him).

But VGITPOSA goes to Meredith for hustling out a single and getting her first RBI of the season.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 7

THE TEAM is now 5-2. That means that we cannot have a losing season. Even if #00CJ and #1Destanie and #4Jenny and #12Lillian and #14Leigh Anne and #26Meredith and #42Sarah and #3Lou and #11Dave and #16Terrence and #24Peter and #27John and #31Victor and #99Chris all died of a heroine overdose we would still not have a losing season. (Sandy and I would probably lose the rest of the games, although Sandy had a sweet shot down third base in this game.)

There were two home runs by Dave. There were RBIs in bunches from Sarah. There was a super macho play on a line drive by Chris. Victor was rock solid in Left Field (and noisy as hell. Come on Victor!) Terrence is so fast it's not even fair. Lillian sacrifced her body and had to be carried off on her shield. It all added up to a 14-12 victory over Fugittaboudit.

The VGITPOSA goes to CJ for the double play to end the game. That was some heads up softball.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 6

I think we can make it official. THE TEAM is awesome. We won 21-3 to sweep Salem heat and improve to 4-2 on the season. We have never won 4 games in any season that THE TEAM has been alive. We did it because we are awesome. The errors were few and far between. We batted .525 this game with a .627 OBP. We had three double plays.

Lou went 3-3 with a grandslam. Victor made a great play in left and threw out the runner at second for a double play. Dave went 4-4 with 3 RBI and threw a runner out at home from centerfield. There were RBIs from Peter(3), Chris(2), Terrence(2), Destanie(2), and Sarah(1).

The VGITPOSA came down to two players. Sandy went 2 for 5 with 4 RBIs. That's a pretty strong day. Somebody told her that she had 5 RBIs. I told her she had 4 and the look she gave me said 'roid rage. I was thinking that player was on something but VGITPOSA goes to Chris. He went 2-2 with 2 RBIs but it was his pitching that got it done for THE TEAM. He walked only three and struck three out and held Salem Heat to only three runs. And he had a bad a** beard that screamed performance enhancers!

GO THE TEAM!!!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 5 Recap

We lost, but we gave the Unicorns a run for their money! We were back 'n forth for the first 7 innings and then fell behind in the 8th inning. A pretty big improvement from the last time we played them when we got killed 20 something to nothing. Great stop by Destanie on 2nd base. The ball was moving so fast, I didn't even see it! Other great stops by Lou and Terrence, as well as everyone who played in the outfield.

On offense, everyone got some great hits in, and we were able to keep the runs coming in at a consistent rate. VGITPOSA goes to Peter for his homerun! We were awesome. The game ended 15-12 Unicorns. We lost, and that ranked us 3rd out of 6 teams. Not bad, The Team! We've come a long ways since the days when we were last.

GO THE TEAM!!!

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 5

We lost.

I don't know

I wasn't there

*cough*

The VGITPOSA goes to Victor because it is named after him.

I don't know

I wasn't there

*cough*

GO THE *cough* TEAM!!!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 4

This whole victory thing does not get old. Who knew!

The 86ers seemed like a nice group of people. They were obviously a patient bunch because their key to victory was to take pitches and wait for the runs to get walked in. That seems like a boring way to spend a Sunday but hey, good luck to those guys.

THE TEAM was hitting like crazy so the 23-13 victory was nice. They took their walks and scored some runs and we took swings and got the runs right back. We were awesome.

The VGITPOSA becomes a real chore when we play like that. Sarah had too many RBIs to count. Dave hit for the cycle. Leigh Anne and Meredith stayed awake in the outfield even though they never saw a singel ball come their way. (At least they had each other).

The VGITPOSA goes to Lou for hitting a grand slam and for gunning out the runner headed home for the last out of the game. Not an easy choice.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

#24 Peter

How did you end up on THE TEAM?
Through LeighAnne and Carrie. I work with them and asked if there was an available spot on the team.

What positions have you played so far for THE TEAM?
Second Base, Third base, Outfield, Pitcher
Do you have a favorite? Toss up, Third or Second base.

Is there a special reason you chose 24 for your jersey number?
Same as Kobe Bryants number for the Lakers.

Did you play sports in school? No. What teams were you on and what school did you play for? I played on a Volleyball team, but not for school.

Besides your outstanding softball ability, what other talents do you have?
I am a certified Electrician, but have not worked in that field in recent years. I do enjoy working in my garden/yard, but not really sure that qualifies as a talent. Though I work in an art studio I am not much of an artist. I am a good organizer.

Can I have $50.
If you really need it, yes.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 3

This is like living in a alternate universe. THE TEAM is 2-1 and looking solid all around. In the whole history of THE TEAM we were 10-30 but after our win 17-7 win against the Jensen Warriors we are 12-31. OK that's still a horrible record but the point is that we are having fun and winning is more fun than losing.

There is the matter of the VGITPOSA. Peter had the complete game victory. Destanie scored every time she got on base. There were double plays. Leigh Anne voted for CJ for her consistent play and ability to make sure THE TEAM was able to get those double plays. I was thinking Meredith for all that hustle. Of course Peter brought cake...

Lets give the VGITPOSA to Leigh Anne for voting at all. God bless America.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Monday, September 28, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 2

THE TEAM really should have cut loose after our win. If we are going to play like we are hungover, we might as well be hungover. The nice thing is that we fell apart as a team. We were united in our ability to crash and burn on the softball diamond. Of course it did not help that the team we were playing handled themselves the way they did. We may have met them in G League, but they were A League a**holes!

The VGITPOSA goes to Peter for breaking the seal and driving in Terrence for the first of our three runs.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Saturday, September 26, 2009

#14 Leigh Anne

We have all answered these questions. Oh wait, not all of us. There are new people. Let's learn about #14 Leigh Anne.

1) How did you end up on THE TEAM?
I work with Carrie and used to work with Sandy. CJ suggested hubby Rob play on the team so he did, knowing the sports enthus that he is. The Team seemed like a fun place to be and great group of cats to hang with so I asked to play too!

What positions have you played so far this season? Do you have a favorite?
Do you have a favorite? Catcher, this being my first game today of the season. Otherwise I like the one in between RF and CF...rover? And I like catcher on hot days so I'm in the shade...he he he!

3) Is there a special reason you chose 14 for your jersey number?
I chose 14 cause my daughter's birthday is on Valentines Day.

4) Did you play sports in school? What teams were you on and what school did you play for?
I played softball when I was much younger...elementary school until I tried to catch the ball with my nose and fractured it...that was the end of softball. In high school I was on the swim team for all 4 years, I loved it and to this day if I could choose any sport it would be swimming...except to watch...Lakers take that one! Oh and I went to Glendale High.

5) Besides your outstanding softball ability, what other talents do you have?
I'm highly organized, I have useless info about all sorts of music and musical groups, I can wiggle my nose without moving my face, I leap tall buildings in a single bounce, I can always make someone feel better and I'm curiously strong at lifting things like an altoid.

6) Can I have $50
Absolutely!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

No More Mister Nice Team - Game 1

THE TEAM is actually undefeated. Is it just me or should we be pretty proud? I took a poll and it came out 1-0 that we should be proud. We were ahead and then fell behind 7-4. Then it was 9-5. Then we had seven run inning to go up 12-9. At that point Lillian came back in and slammed the door. There was a home run by Dave and almost another home run by Peter. There was a great catch to end the game by Destanie. Strong!



Before these posts got sidetracked last season, I wanted to post a Manny Ramirez Is That Guy on Something Award for each game. Victor won one and seemed determined to get another one. I was sure he was going to end up in an ambulance. Manny is only batting .283 with 13 home runs and 54 strikeouts in the post-suspension narrative. (These aren't horrible numbers but are they worth $23,000,000?) Anyway, this season we are going to go with the Victor Garcia Is That Player on Something Award (VGITPOSA).

Game 1 is easy. Lillian gets the VGITPOSA for her great job pitching.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

THE TEAM - THE BBQ

A great effort by THE TEAM. We are so much better at swimming and drinking beer and eating. Thanks to everyone who was able to be there and help go through almost three cases of Corona (There were 13 beers left and the end of the night), and 28 pounds of chicken.

Monday, July 20, 2009

The Team!!! Game...Whatever

Great effort yesterday for our second win a row!!! Have we ever been on a streak before like this? I feel sorry for the team we play next Sunday, for we will surely stomp a mud hole in them and walk it dry.

Props to Sarah for getting two solid hits when we needed them and keeping our offense going. Everyone had a good game all around, I think. I think we're finally cohesing. We're in cohesion. We're coming together as a team.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Game 5 Recap

A recap this past Sunday's game, in which the following happened --

- Sandy rode onto the field on a unicorn
- the Silversun Pickups sang "Take Me Out to the Ballgame"
- Lou teamed with a puma and wrestled against a kodiak bear and a bag of Hot Cheetos
- Chris, Victor and Rick wore eyepatches in honor of Blackbeard's birthday
- CJ found a $20 bill under first base
- John dug up part of left field and found a time capsule from 1977

...or at least that's how I would prefer to remember the game.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Gaem 3 Sumer 09

I'm sorry. It looks like the title has some errors in it. Hey speaking of errors... Wow! Between the walks and the errors, that was a serious pounding. The umpire informed is that we were down 15-0 and there was a mercy rule if we wanted to take adavantage of that. We can be proud that we were all ready to keep playing. Peter got an RBI and it was 15-1. Mercy my a**! In the end I think we lost something like 231 to -6.

The "Manny Ramirez Is That Guy on Something" Award goes to Lillian for that sweet stab in the outfield. Yer out Goodfellas. For once

GO THE TEAM!!!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Game 2 Summer 09

Is it just me or does it seem like we are this close to winning? (Right now my thumb and index finger are about 16" apart) 12 - 7 or maybe it was 14 -7 if we wanted to count that last home run.

Kristin and Lillian did make a couple of great plays with the glove so that was something to build on.

Since we are no longer going to call these posts "The Moment it All Went to Hell" I would like to acknowledge the efforts of THE TEAM with an award.

It is the honorary Manny Ramirez IS THAT GUY ON SOMETHING Award. Since there was no award in Game One we can give out two this week.

Lou gets a Manny Ramirez IS THAT GUY ON SOMETHING Award (MRITGOSA)for motoring right through the stop sign from the third base coach and ending up in some kind of UFC tangle to be out at home.

Victor also gets a big fat MRITGOSA for sliding head first into second base. I thought he was going to look like he was in a motorcycle accident when he got up from that.

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Game 1 Summer 09

It was a close game. Chris and Peter both did a good job pitching. There were errors by THE TEAM but they were spread out and we avoided one of those huge run baccanalias that we have experienced in the past. There were minimals strikouts when we batted. We just came up short. 12-9

But really it was all about Destanie absolutely roasting that runner on second. It was such a heads up play and she did a perfect job selling the throw. She sent him skidding through the dirt for a great out.

Maybe that's why he turned into Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo in the last inning when he threw Leigh Anne out at first. We all though his outpouring was a little excessive but maybe he was still feeling the sting of getting fooled by the fake throw like a frisky puppy.

Maybe

GO THE TEAM!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Practice Game Malfunction

It was great to be back on the field. We have tangled with Variety Pak before. They are a sweet bunch aren't they? Of course they aren't so sweet when they are pounding us 8-5.

THE TEAM looks good though. There was solid hitting all around. Even if we weren't getting on base we were making contact so I'm sure we can look forward to going undefeated. Lou brought Sarah in for our first run. Sandy made a couple of strong defensive plays. We all looked sharp in our summer whites.

00 CJ
1 Destanie
3 Lou
4 Jenny
11 Dave
12 Lillian
13 Sandy
14 Leigh Anne
18 Rick
24 Peter
26 Meredith
27 John
31 Victor
42 Sarah
99 Chris

GO THE TEAM!!!

Monday, April 27, 2009

Game On!!!

First practice next Sunday the 3rd. Awwww yeah!!!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Softball Dream

Over the weekend, I dreamt that we played a softball team from MIT or some such university. They kept changing the rules on us, and developing all of these crazy technical techniques to gain an advantage. One of them involved constructing some huge wooden enclosure around the pitcher's mound leaving me only about a 1' wide gap for me to throw the ball out of. I kept getting pissed off but they told me everything was legal according to the rule book.

Stupid rule book.