Commish Corner – Week 4!

This is a periodic report when we have interesting happenings on the field – enjoy!

FanCam!

I’m glad there’s no rain!

Results:

Rebels / Padres / Saturday, October 08, 2011 / Rebels 10-5
BlackSox / Thunder / BlackSox 13-8
Redlegs / Padres / Sunday, October 09, 2011 / Padres 11-8
Redlegs / Expos / Redlegs 8-6
Cards / Expos / Expos 8-5
Thunder / Hurricanes / Hurricanes 14-12
BlackSox / Nationals / BlackSox 10-5
FireFighters / Rebels / Rebels 17-7
FireFighters / Cards / Cards

Legend of the Week!

Redlegs’ veteran “BobbyB” Bumiller was on fire for the double header, going 4-6 with 3 RBIs and sits at the top of the Redlegs’ juggernaut hitting so far this season! Fellow teammate Nelson “Former MVP” Taveras was happy for him. “Well, it’s the first time he’s been above me hitting wise, so I guess he finally started to listen to all my advice I give him every game,” Nelson explained.

Red hot “Bobby B” awaits the pitch!

Game Summaries

Nice angles!

Rebels Perspective

Game 1

The good weather returned to the region on Saturday at Vets Park and brought it with some spark to Rebels bats who downed the Padres 10-5. Rebels saw the return of Gordo on the Hill, who pitched 3 2/3s following return from a shoulder issue. Scott Day then came in relief and canceled a Padres threat in the top of the 4th with a key K, then went on to pitch 4 solid innings. Scott Knapp closed out the game in the 8th firing missiles for 3 quick ground ball outs. On offense Rebels jumped out early with 5 consecutive hits in the 1st inning including a 2-RBI single by yours truly and the first of 2 of Day's monster triples. Rebels held a 2-run lead until the 7th, when they opened up to a 5-run spread taking advantage of 2 Padre errors and 2-RBI double by Major Styles. Jeff Moeller also had a key RBI single while Jeff Lerner was stellar behind the plate all game. Credit to the Padres pitchers who fanned 8 Rebels. Good umpiring.

Game 2

Even though it was a very sunny morning, the Rebels appeared very bleary-eyed (including yours truly) to play an 8:00 am game at Lee HS...fortunately, an astute member of the much depleted Firefighter squad brought his Fender Amp to the field and blasted ACDC during warm-ups to wake us all up...speaking of depleted teams - I guess most of the Firefighters were putting out early morning fires...but since we all woke up at 6:00am to play baseball, we played anyway with the Rebels donating two players to the charitable Firefighter cause...After getting roughed up for 4 runs in the top of one, Rebel ace Cowdin settled down to blank the Rescue Squad in the 2nd...Dave Narins threw a good middle 3 innings, while "Closer" Knapp sort of shut down any late threat. On offense..not much to say except everybody tried to hit the ball to the left side in the early innings as the brilliant sunrise blinded everyone until the 4th, then to centerfield as the blinding rays shifted south. The Rebels manager hit into a double play, threw the ball into right field to allow two runs, allowed 6 passed balls, but sort of redeemed himself with a meaningless single in the last inning. But Powering the Rebels Offense was Major Styles who hit the left field wall on the fly, missing the HR by inches, and sending another one deep to center. Otherwise the hits were hard to come by except for Jeff Moeller (I haven't played since June...) with a 2-RBI single and double, and "Car Salesman Cowdin" who laced three line-drive hits. For good measure the Rebel Cuban Chef Ricardo ripped a double to left in the final frame. Finally, Dave Narins had a fun ride home with Knapp who had denied him of his last at-bat by taking foolish chances on the basepaths in the final frame...Rebels 17 Firefighters 7....Hey - Kudos to the Firefighter who played his first game of baseball...ever!

Canes Perspective

Finally, after all of the rain of the past month, the weather cooperated for a weekend and the Hurricanes met the Thunder for a see-saw struggle that saw 30 runs put up on the board in a battle for offensive dominance in the Legends 19+ division.
The Hurricanes started the game off with a bang by 4-run maxing the Thunder in the both of the first two innings while holding the Thunder scoreless. With an 8 run lead, but a major migraine kicking in, Canes' starting pitcher John Dean let slip a little and the Thunder 4-run maxed him in the third inning right back. "It felt like a hammer in my head ... but I wanted to show what Legends players are made of, so I pressed on" said Dean, who, while covering for Manager Budnik (decided to skateboard around Manhattan for the holiday weekend with son Alex), wisely went to his bullpen and for a bottle of Advil in the fourth inning. That, unfortunately, only quelled the Thunder bats for a couple more innings and in the sixth, more opposition runs finally brought the game to a tie and then even saw the Canes down a run. Facing the worst meltdown of the season, Dean tapped Zach Tatum, the Canes local pitching prospect, direct from Dale City Little League fame, who held the Thunder in check for the rest of the game, save a few unearned runs, while Hurricane bats ignited for a matching 8 runs over through the second half of the game, taking the Thunder in an 8th inning comeback thriller 16-14.
Both teams managed to show a strong defense, knocking down most balls hit to them on a less than pristine Veterans Park field. In fact, Hurricanes third-baseman Ben Deen ended up with a fat lip and the impression of five laces from one particular ground ball as he defended the Canes' lead and catcher Glenn Wright, taking some reps in the outfield, managed to pull a hammie while making an outstanding catch. Deen also teamed up with Legends Rookie Mark Summa, a veritable newcomer to as a player to the game he's always loved, to both pull off two key hits each as part of the 16 run attack, which many of the Canes batters took part in producing and scoring.
All in all, a great day for baseball and definitely looking forward to more of the same this coming weekend ... and LESS RAIN!

BlackSox Perspective

This weekend was a good weekend for Blacksox baseball. Our Saturday matchup against the much improved Thunder resulted in a 13-8 victory. The following day, the Blacksox handed the Nationals their first loss 10-5, in a game with modified and flexible rules. The Blacksox stuck with a traditional winning formula. Multiple players contributed to provide solid pitching, team defense, and very patient hitting. Through the weekend the team drew a total of 25 walks. Early leads were established in both games. After the Blacksox got a lead they took care of business by adding on runs and attacking hitters. Impressive weekend performances at the plate were turned in by Dallas Anders (1 for 2, 6 BB, Stolen Base, 4 R), Logan Willman (3 for 7, 1 Sac, R, BB) and Tim Hodgens (2 for 3, 4 BB, 2 R, and he stole home on a very “veteran” play). Andy Cavano had a great Saturday showing (2 for 4, BB, Stolen Base). On the bump Bryan Stoutenberg went 6 innings, struck out 9, and if not for a setting sun would have only given up 3 runs. Logan Willman was the model of efficiency. Logan pitched 5 innings, gave up 1 run, struck out 5, and only allowed 2 men to reach base! The star of the show was Mike DeMarr. Mike at the plate went 4 for 8, 2 doubles, BB, Stolen Base, and 2 R. If that wasn’t enough, the Jack of all Trades pitched 2 scoreless innings while fanning one.

Redlegs Perspective

Game 1

In a rematch of the Spring +30 Championship, it was the Padres that jumped out to early lead and held it despite the Redlegs efforts to stay in the game and a late rally. Chris Swift stated, "I didn't have my good stuff today", as he picked up the loss. Swifty gave up 11 runs, 8 earned in 5 innings on the mound. Some early defensive miscues and untimely base on balls, opened the door for the Padres win.
Offensive highlights for the Redlegs: Bobby Bumiller and Ryan Huntley with 3 big hits a piece and Ryan stealing Home in the 1st Inning!
Bobby B. went 3 for 4 with 2RBI, R, SB
Ryan H - 3 for 4, 2B, RBI, R, SB
Ron C - 2 for 3, 2B, 2RBI, R, BB
Ken P - 2 for 4, 2R
Dino P - 2 for 4, RBI, R
Chris S - 2 for 4, R
Game 2

The Redlegs were in control the entire game with 4 solids innings from starter Ken Petro. Great relief efforts from Ron C and Nelson, who had a great pick-off at 1st base in the 7th, but then went on to bean 2 Expo batters. This allowed closer Ryan Huntley to slam the door by striking out 4 of the next 6 batters to earn the Save.
A great 1 to 3 to 2 double play to kill the Expo rally in the 6th inning, executed by Ron C.(P), Dino (1B) and Petro tagging the Expo runner at the plate!
Offensive highlights for the Redlegs: late inning Triple by Ryan gave the Redlegs the coveted insurance runs!
Ken P - 2 for 3, R, BB
Ricky C - 2 for 3, RBI
Ryan H - 1 for 4, 3B, RBI, 2R, 2SB
Nelson - 1 for 2, RBI, SAC Fly, R, BB, SB
Jen H - 1 for 2, 2R, BB, SB
Codi D - 1 for 2, R, BB
Bobby B - 1 for 2, RBI, BB
Ron C - 1 for 2, RBI, BB

Padres Perspective

Game 1:

What the *&%$# was that?! If I had to write a summary of our game vs. the Rebels, it would contain too many spelling errors and grammatical blunders to be legible.

Game 2:

The Padres have yet to shine, but they began to clean off some of their rust during their second game - an 11-9 (I think) win. Murph helped to notch the first win of the season for the Pads by pitching a great four innings. The Pads were able to provide the necessary run support early. Offensive standouts included: current MVP, Tom Curtin2-3, 2 RBI's, as well asfuture MVP (if he would play more than 2 games a season) Jayson Putnam 3-3, 1 run scored, and I'm sure a few RBI's sprinkled in. Harold and Jeff also supported the offense with extra base hits and runs scored. Jeff further contributed to the health of his teammates by limiting his cigarette intake throughout the game. Jayson "I'm always out of town" Putnam closed out the game with three solid innings to notch his first save of the season. The confident Putnam remarked after the game, "hey..even if I only play two games a season, at least I contribute enough to be in the running for a future MVP trophy." If only he is there to accept it....

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Story and pictures courtesy “the Commish” with game reports by the managers