Tuesday, February 27th

A good day to play  ball [ Living the Dream]  but Al Guzzo’s Yankees gave J.D’s K.F.C ALL STARS  a nightmare. Al's Bombers put on a hitting and defense show with outstanding plays in the outfield by Jose Rivera, Eddie Hurn, Luis Guzman, Gutenberg outstanding plays by John Carpenter and a leaping snag by AL Guzzo.  Good pitching Larry Book. Star hitters for the Yankees were: Hurn 6/6 one double, Toro 5/6 2 doubles, 1 triple, DeRidder4/5, you still got it Jerry, Alumbaugh 4/6, Rivera 3/5. Good hitting guys. K.F.C.’s star hitters were: Tony Quinones 4/4, home run and a double, Mike Cobb 4/4 had a homer but settled for a double, good hitting Mike, Luis Abreu 3/4 double, J.D 3/4.

Final Score: Al's Yankees 29 – JD’s KFC 14 

Write up by JD Davis

Tuesday, February 27th

WELL!!!  Fabian's Fabulous Flyers finally broke into the win column in spite of putting up goose eggs in their last 3 at bats. They carried a 15-6 lead coming to bat in the bottom of the 7th and managed to hang on for a 15-12 win as Black's Nationals quietly went 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th. Winner's beer tasted just a little better than loser's beer. 

Nationals hitters. Herb O 2-5. B.J. 4-5. Shaffer 3-5. Schapeler 4-4. Gilpen 3-4. Bess 2-4. Hawbaker 2-4. Goreth 2-4. Navarro 2-4. McPartlan 2-4.
Flyers hitters. Simon 2-4. Boswell 4-4 w/HR. Abramoff 2-4. Constantine 2-3. Roy 2-3. Benson 2-3. Zakrowski 2-3. Fabian 2-3. Morton 2-3.
It was Willie Morton's first game back from knee surgery and him and I are very glad to announce all went well for him as he pitched half the game and had 2 hits. Welcome back Willie. Reggie Barns also put in a brief appearance and looked quite well.
See ya Friday
Write up by Loren Fabian.

Tuesday, February 27th

Today's slug fest between Russ Kings Post 8's and Steve Hill's  OJ'S was played on Field A , and feature lots of hard hit balls , many over the short fence and 47 runs scored .

Post 8 started the game with 3 in the first , the OJ's posting 5 in the bottom half of the inning . The OJ's added 2 more in the 2nd . 7-2 OJ's after two.

The Post 8 bats heated up with 5 in the top of the 3rd to take a 8 to 7 lead . The OJ's answer with 5 to regain the lead 12 -8 after three . The OJ's stayed hot and built their lead to 18- 8 after five . 

Post 8 came roaring back scoring 2 in the 6th and 5 in the 7th , to cut the lead to 18 - 15 OJ's . 

The OJ's put the pressure back on by scoring 5 in the bottom of the 7th and 4 more in the 8th , to extend their lead to 27- 15 .

Post 8 was not giving up as they scored 5 runs in the 9th and had two on when the final out was recorded to end the game . Final Score 27 - 20 OJ's

Star

Offense , Post 8 , Russ King and Brian Jette 5 for 5 , Bob Skidmore , Fred Gonzalez and Duff Hill 4 for 5 . 

OJ's , Jim Laffoon and Larry Chest 6 for 6 , Steve Hill 4 for 4  , Sam Lopez 5 for  6 , and Ken Weber 4 for 5 .

Defense  , Post 8 , Brian Jette , Bob Skidmore and Fred Gonzalez .

OJ's Don Schapeler , Sam Lopez and Jim Laffoon .

Submitted by Steve Hill

 

Tuesday February 27^th, 2018  Field B

Today’s game on Field B was between the Warrior’s managed by Larry Powell and the Brave’s skipper Larry Strait.  Warrior’s lineup: Ayer, Minder, Lloyd, Dampier, Learn, Rutan, Ken G., Vining, Tom S., Powell, Merritt, Gibson and Wheeler. Brave’s lineup: Fryzowicz, Newton, Kreiger, Hite, Marino, LeTourneau, Dudley, Peske, Altemose, Andrews, LaMay and Strait. 

Bill Ayer starts the game with a liner up the middle, Lloyd doubles and Norm Learn singles in both runners for a two run lead.  Fryzowicz drives one in the gap in left center field to the fence for a home run.  Kreiger singles, Kite walks, then Marino, LeTourneau, Dudley, Peske all have hits and Altemose lines one to left driving in the 5^th run of the inning for the Braves.

Brave’s pitcher G. Andrew’s holds the Warrior’s scoreless in the second for the first of 7 scoreless innings this game.  With the Brave’s missing their regular shortstop and 3^rd baseman, Hite and Peske stepped up and played great defense.

Brave’s added 5 runs in the second and fifth innings and Andrew’s and his defense took control of the game.  Final score Brave’s 20 Warrior’s 3. 

Warrior’s leading hitters:  Ayer 3 for 4, Lloyd 3 for 4, Vining 3 for 4.

Brave’s Hitters:  Fryzowicz 2 for 4 w/HR and W, Newton, 3 for 4, Kreiger 4 for 5, Hite 2 for 4-W, Marino 3 for 4, LeTourneau 3 for 4 w/HR, Peske 3 for 4 w/ 3b.

Warrior’s power hitter was injured at home plate with a groin injury and we all with him a speedy recovery.

 

Submitted by Don LaMay

Tuesday, February 27th

It Does Not Sparkle, But It Is A Diamond That I Treasure.

“A drop in the ocean.” “If we take care of the moments; the years will take care of themselves.” “In the catbird seat.” “A single arrow is easily broken; a bundle of ten is not.”   We are going to look at the game on 2/27, between the A’s and the Tigers, by looking at some wise old sayings. Some of you guys were around years ago, when some of these quotes were wise young sayings.

“Let’s get the ball rolling”, by announcing the lineups.

A’s, Visitors: Hicks, Doerbaum, Wiltshire, Shirer, Matta, Vanderhyde, Zelazny, Crowell, Deemie and Bancroft.

Tigers, Home: Stier, Keller, Held, Gonzalez, Witmer, Watson, Scarbrough, Murphy, Knox, LaPinnet, Polk and Pinnick.

The A’s “hit the ground running” in the first inning. (The phrase was referenced for paratroopers in WWII. It was also used as a phase to describe action in a gun fight, in the old west. {“The bullet went under me. I knew he had five more cartridges, so I hit the ground running...”}. In our case it was not quite as dramatic as war, or a gun fight. We simply got off to a fast start and scored 5 runs in the first inning. Hicks, Doerbaum, Wiltshire, Shirer, Vanderhyde and Zelazny all singled, or walked, to contribute to the stash of runs. “Little strokes fell great oaks”, is how Ben Franklin put it.

“Regret for wasted time is more wasted time”, Mason Cooley. “Forget about their hitting, get off your butt and smash the ball”; Joe D’Herin. (Note from author, I may have taken some liberties with the D’Herin quote). The Tigers came to the plate with a twinkle in their eyes, pop in their bats and no regrets. After a leadoff sizzling line out, from Stier, the hits flowed from Keller, Held, Gonzalez, Witmer and Watson. Scarbrough added a sac fly to help the scoring spree. After one inning of play the score was A’s: 5-Tigers: 4.

In the 2^nd inning both teams continued on their “feeding frenzy”. A term attributed to sharks and to WHSS players on free KFC meal days at the ballpark. Abraham Lincoln said, “actions speak louder than words”. Both teams let their bats speak for them in the 2^nd inning. The A’s scored 4 runs off of hits by Crowell, Deemie, Hicks, Doerbaum; (walk), Shirer and Matta.

Shakespeare said, “Do not be like the cat who wanted a fish, but was afraid to get his paws wet.” Knox, Pinnick, Stier; (triple), Keller and Held wet their paws and produced three fish. After two innings the score was A’s: 9-Tigers:

The score stayed close until the 6^th inning, that’s when close became a tie. For the Tigers; Knox singled, LaPinnet bounced a double off the left field fence. Then two outs were recorded in the book. That famed philosopher of the hardwood, Michael Jordan said, “Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.” The Tigers continued their rally with two outs, taking a negative situation and turning it. Stier, Keller, Held and Gonzalez all added hits. After six innings the score was A’s: 14-Tigers: 14.

In the last three innings the challenge came out to the A’s players, from coach Matta, to “win every inning”. The team responded; not to the challenge, but to their own inner strength and abilities. The last three innings the A’s “tripped the light fantastic”. We scored 10 more runs and played good defense to limit the Tigers to a few more runs. Randy Crowell had made several good defensive plays throughout the game. He made another in the 9^th, from his position at 3^rd base, Randy speared a hot line drive to get the first out in the 9^th. “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, or as someone else proclaimed; “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." I have a quote of my own, “catch the apple in the field and no runs will you yield”; nice job, Randy.

Final Score; A’s: 24-Tigers: 17.

Thanks to Joe D’Herin for umpiring.

The A’s Players Who Mastered the Philosophy of Hitting.

Hicks: 4/6.

Wiltshire: 4/5, with a SF and a triple.

Shirer: 4/6, with a triple that was inches from a HR over the fence. Also, a double.

Matta: 3/5 and a walk.

Vanderhyde: 5/6, with a double and a triple.

Crowell: 5/6, with a double.

Deemie: 4/6.

The Tiger’s School Of Hitting Instructors:

Stier: 3/5, with a triple.

Keller: 4/5, with a double.

Held: 5/5, with a double.

Gonzalez: 3/ 4, and a walk.

Witmer: 3/5.

Watson: 3/5.

Knox: 3/5.

 “A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams”, John Barrymore.

Stay young my friends.

Written by Nick Matta.

It was the Warriors vs Post 8 on Friday, February 23.

The Warriors started the game by scoring 3 runs in the first inning. They scored 5 runs  in the top of the third to lead 8-2. But then Post 8 woke up by scoring 6 runs in the bottom of the third inning to tie 8-8. It was all Post 8 the rest of the game . They scored 9 more runs and held the Warriors in check allowing them only one more run.

Final score was Post 8 --17 and Warriors 9.

Hal Ridley was the winning pitcher for Post 8.

Leading hitters for Post 8: 

Fred Gonzales 3-4 ,one triple

Russ King 4-4, one double

Bob Vandenberg 3-4,one double

Duff Hill 3-4

Hal Ridley 3-3

Leading hitters for Warriors:

Jack Minder 3-4,one home run

Larry Grabb 3-4

Fred Dampier 3-4,one double

Robert Spitaleri 2-3

Jim Vining 2-3

Mike Wheeler 2-3

Submitted by Larry Powell(for Russ King)

Friday, February 23rd
The Yankees and the Tigers put together another classic game that the 3 or 4 spectators who woke up early thoroughly enjoyed.  The Yankees have put together a tremendous season against a field of equally worthy opponents.  They’ve only suffered 1 loss thus far so for the Tigers to finally snap their win streak at 9 was quite an accomplishment.  Final score was Tigers 18 and Yankees 13.  I’ve never been much for statistics but there were several key hits, as well as defensive gems in this game.  The guys that had them know who they are so I don’t have to expand.  Both teams scored in 6 innings with the difference being the two 5-run innings and 2 timely double plays executed by the Tigers.  These games are a joy to be part of and both teams should be proud of their effort.

Write up by Tommy Hamilton 

Friday February 23, 2018  Field B

The Nationals and the Braves met today on Field B.  Nationals managed by Elmer Black batted in this order: Herb O., B J Kallister, Hartley, McLellan, Dean Schapeler, Grove, Accetta, Hawbacker, Gilpin, Shearer, Goreth, McPartlan, and Black.  Braves managed by Larry Strait with a new batting order this week, had Fryzowicz leading off, followed by Newton, Burtner, Hite, Boito, LeTourneau, Kreiger, Marino, Andrews, Altemose, Dudley, Strait and LaMay. 

Herb O led off the first with a base hit, after one out Hartley raps one up the middle.  The first run of the game scores on an infield out.  Next batter Schapeler lines one to right center field for what looked like a hit, but LeTourneau made the play of the day with a rolling shoestring catch to end the inning.  Now the new lineup for Braves came to bat.  Fryzowicz doubles, followed by base hits from Newton, Burtner, and Hite.  An infield out then base hits from LeTourneau, Kriger and Marino drives in the 5^th run of the inning.  Hits from Accetta, Hawbaker, Gilpin and Goreth add two more runs for the Nationals.  Altemose and Dudley (Just off the DL) and Strait produces a run for the Braves.  After two Braves 6 Nationals 3. 

Braves pitcher Andrews sets down the Nats in the 3^rd 1-2-3.  In the bottom of the inning after a bunch of base raps, Marino drives in the 5^th run of the inning for the second of three times in the game.  Nationals add 3 in the 4^th.

Braves add 5 more runs in the 5^th with Marino driving in the 5^th run of the inning again.  Both teams took naps in the sixth by posting 0’s.  Braves added another 5 runs in the 7^th and the Nationals added 3 runs in the top of the 8^th.  Final score of the game Braves 21 Nationals 9. 

Winning Pitcher Andrews

Braves Hitters: Newton, Burtner, Hite, LeTourneau, and Kreiger all 4 for 4, Fryzowicz, Marino and Altemose all 3 for 4. 

Nationals:  Herb O 3 for 4, B.J., McLellan, Accetta, Hawbaker and Gilpin all 2 for 4.

 

Submitted by Don LaMay

Friday, February 23rd

Classic

We had a classic game between the A’s and KFC, on 2/23. When the players from both teams leave the field and say, “that was a good game”; it is a reliable sign that most of the players involved in the game enjoyed themselves. Movie quotes are also classic. You can probably give the name of a movie, after hearing a classic line delivered from the film. Let’s try it:

“I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse.”

“Here’s looking at you kid”.

“You can't handle the truth!”

If you linked these lines to The Godfather, Casablanca and A Few Good Men, you did well. If you missed answering any of these, make some popcorn, rent a DVD of the film you missed and enjoy an entertaining evening watching a classic.

A’s, Visitors: Hicks, Duff, Doerbaum, Shirer, Wiltshire, Matta, Vanderhyde, Pep, Gazarek, Crowell and Deemie.

KFC, Home: Ogden, Rad, Quinones, Busch, JD, Denny, Butler, Reagen, Essenmacher, Coffman and Wells.

The A’s started out fast, “we felt the need, the need for speed.” We quickly scored 5 runs in the first. Singles from Hicks and Duff got the team rolling. Before the next pitch, this classic line could have been delivered by Doerbaum, “Go ahead, make my day.”  “Dirty Dave” hit a 3 run blast over the centerfield fence. Hits by Wiltshire, Matta and a double, by Vanderhyde, finished off the scoring for the inning.

The game stayed close through 4 innings. The A’s would score a few runs and the KFC team would answer back with some runs of their own. “There’s no crying in baseball”, we did not have any crying on our field, guys were enjoying the close game. After 4 innings the score was 9-7 in favor of the Visitors.

In the 5^th inning the A’s used the Joker’s line from the Dark Knight, ”And -here- we -go”. We pushed 4 more runs across the plate to open up our lead. With one out in the inning, Hicks, singled; Duff, tripled, Doerbaum, singled; Shirer doubled down the left field line and Wiltshire singled. The A’s helped their cause on defense that inning, as well. With one out and runners on the corners, Wells hit a ball through the hole between the middle fielder and SS. Matta dove for the grounder and came up with it. He flipped it to Hicks at 2^nd, to force the runner. Hicks then relayed the throw to first, to turn a sharp double play. “May the Force be with you”. After six innings the score was Visitors: 13- Home: 7.

In the 8^th inning the movie curtain opened for the KFC team. Even though the A’s held a lead and wanted to say,” Hasta La Vista, baby”; the KFC team would not go away. It seemed that the A’s needed a bigger boat, or at least a bigger lead. The KFC team rode a hitting tornado to Oz. These players hit the ball “somewhere over the rainbow”: Reagen, Essenmacher, Wells, Rad, Quinones, Busch and JD. The KFC team scored 6 runs that inning, to make it a 18-16 game. The A’s were hanging on to the slim lead.

The A’s needed to respond. We had to give it our best effort in the 9th. Just like Carl Spackler, (Bill Murray), did in Caddie Shack.

“Carl Spackler: So I jump ship in Hong Kong and I make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper (Caddie) at a course over in the Himalayas.

So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking.

So, we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So, I got that goin' for me, which is nice.”

The A’s efforts resulted in their scoring 4 more runs in the top of the ninth. We did not receive total consciousness, but we did receive a healthy 6 run lead. The KFC team tried to answer in the bottom of the 9^th, but two outstanding fielding plays shut them down. Steve Hicks ranged far to his right to steal a base hit away from Ron Butler. Chuck Duff must have heard bells ring. As in the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life”; “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." Chuck sprouted wings and flew to a ball hit in the right-centerfield gap, catching it for the 2^nd out. The KFC team was then soon retired and the final score stood; A’s: 22-KFC: 16. “This field, this game: it's a part of our past.  It reminds us of all that once was good and it could be again.” Field Of Dreams.

The A’s Classic Hitters:

Hicks: 4/5, with a triple.

Duff: 3/5, with a triple.

Doerbaum: 4/5, with a HR.

Shirer: 4/5 with a double and triple.

Wiltshire: 4/5 with a double.

Matta: 3/5. 

Classic Hitters for KFC:

Ogden: 4/5.

Rad: 5/5, with two doubles.

Quinones: 3/ 4, with a SF, HR and double.

Busch: 3/5, with two doubles.

JD: 3/5.

Denny: 3/5.

Reagen: 3/5.

Essenmacher: 3/5.

Written by Nick Matta