HURTIN' UNITS GET TIED UP... AND LIKE IT.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE BREW JAYS. 

Heading out to play, no idea my belt would break.

Game # 19- August 11, 2014

Hurtin' Units tie 10-10

Team Record- 3-15-1

Woodington- Just a quick note about the HTKP golf tournament this past weekend. For those of you that did not play in it, you missed a great day. The weather was fantastic, at times a little bit too hot, but with a nice sun/cloud mix and a soft breeze that made it comfortable out on the course. There were 101 participants and I was part of a team made up of Glen T., Cam C., Mike O., and myself. We all wore matching shirts and we finished the tournament with a score of -4 on the day. We had 5 birdies, 1 bogie, and the rest of the holes we were par. I probably would have helped my team more if it hadn't been for a couple of personal issues.

What issues you ask? First, I had a shirt that fit like a tent. I usually buy a XL shirt when I shop, this time I bought an XL, but the thing was way too big...What up with that?? My other issue was...I was bending over to tie up my shoe and my belt broke just before the start of the tournament...D'oh!!! I played the whole tournament with my shorts always falling down...again D'oh!!!

The tournament was held, this year, at Woodington Lakes. The course was in great condition. The man responsible for putting the tournament together was Kevin Boston. Kevin and his merry men/women put on a spectacular day. From the moment we registered, we knew it was going to be a good day. Everything from loot bags to name tags were there to welcome us to this event. When we finally got golfing, there was a sponsor on every hole and on multiple holes there was some kind of prize, including a chance to an Austin Mini for a hole in one. Jeff Dancey came the closest, close but no cigar or Mini. Jamie Allen won a BMW, for a weekend, for closest to the pin on another hole. Kahuna won the longest drive on two different holes (might want to get him to pee in a cup...maybe not) with two monsterous drives. Rob Farah got the straightest drive and numerous other prizes were handed out. 

In addition to the golf there was also a silent auction to benefit Sick Kids. There were some really nice items on the tables and I did manage to walk away with one. I ended up with a Johnathon Bernier signed, framed photo after a bit of haggling with Tito P. Tito was actually the final bidder on the item, but I kept trying to convince him to let me have it at his cost. Tito finally gave in (at moment of payment) and let me have the framed photo to add to my Toronto Maple Leaf collection. Thanks Tito!

The Dinner was a buffet style, with pasta, salad and an outdoor barbecue with big, juicy burgers and hot dogs. We could eat outside on the patio or inside in the dining room. I personally, have special needs when it comes to eating, and Kevin and the Woodington staff were able to help me out. Thanks Radar.

There was also a 50/50 draw to benefit the Legion's childrens christmas fund (not exactly sure what this is). The winner of the 50/50 draw was Cheryl Boston...Fixed, fixed...L.O.L. Yes, Cheryl was the winner of $250.00 and when she came up to claim her prize, she took the microphone and announced that her and Kevin would like to donated the winning funds to the Legion's childrens fund...NICE!!!

This tournament was so well organized. Kevin and all the volunteers did a fantastic job and everyone who I have talked to had nothing but good things to say about this day. Great job!!

 Game Time: Brew Jays vs. Hurtin' Units.

Brew Jays executive offices...

Based on the weather reports earlier in the day, I didn't think we would even get this game in. At about 1pm, there was a severe weather watch in effect and Enviroment Canada called for thunderstorms with a possibility of hail and heavy downpours. 

At around 5pm the skies, over Tottenham, opened up and a lot of heavy, wet rain came down. Wet rain Jimmer, now that's funny!! I started getting e-mails and messages, shortly after, from players inquiring about the game's status, but all I could say was so far, game on. The rain didn't last very long and by around 6:30pm things had started to dry up. 

But what would Coventry be like? Surprisingly, Coventry diamond #2, was in terrific condition (really thanks to Doug Dwyer and the field crew, who were working on it when we arrived) and this game was a go. The sun actually made a brief appearance, in the first inning, but most of the game was played under overcast skies. The temperature was in the mid 20s and there was a strong breeze, blowing south to north, which had some effect on pitching. 

This was a 7pm game at Coventry #2, the umpire was Lou and the Units were the home team.

At game time we had 8 Hurtin' Unit players at the park. Missing on the night were Kevin, Art, Don and Bill. I knew about the first 3 and when I got home there was a message from Bill, he wasn't sure if we were playing. We picked up Kevin C. (skippy) as a sub." And like a good neighbor State Farm Skippy was there". 

No beer for this game. Forgot it in cooler at home...

Over the first 4 innings, the Hurtin' Units looked good both defensively and offensively. The Units defense didn't allow the Brew Jays to score a run over the first 4 innings. Dave Mc. was like a vacuum with ground balls and Esau was solid at first base. The Units scored 7 runs over the first 3 innings, none in the 4th. The score after 4 complete innings was 7-0 for the Hurtin' Units. 

In this game of baseball, things can change quickly, the momentum can swing on a single play or a half inning of play. I felt the pendulum start to swing in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Hurtin' Units were batting, Joel, Rick, and Dwayne went down 1,2,3...inning over. I could see the lift in spirits with the Brew Jays. In the top of the 5th inning, the Jays would score 7 runs and in the bottom of the inning, the Units would go down again. Kevin (sub) stranded at the plate, "like Gilligan's Island", Esau with a line drive to Doug Dwyer at first, and Clayton on a ground ball...1,2,3. The Units body lauguage told the story. At the end of 5 innings, the score was tied 7-7.

Sambuca before the game.

In the sixth inning of this very fast moving game, the Jays would send 4 batters to the plate and the Units would only give up a single in the inning. In the bottom of the inning, lead off batter Dave Mc. would hit and come around to score ("Cash Money" as Kevin would say) on some clutch hitting by Units bats. The score at the end of 6 innings...8-7 for the Units.


In the open inning (7th), the Jays would bring 3 more runs across the and take a 10-8 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Dwayne lead off and got out, Kevin (s) hit a double (a single for most of us),Esau got on with a single, Clayton got on with a fielders choice, scoring Kevin, but Esau was out, Dave Mc. got single and moved Clayton to third. 

With 2 out and the tying run at third, I came to bat and hit to the Jays 2nd baseman, the ball was bobbled and everyone was safe including the tying run. Dave had advanced to third base. Mike was the next batter and hit the ball hard on the infield, Bo (2nd) made a nice grab, threw to 2nd base for the final out. Make the final...8-8.

This was the first tie, on the season, for the Hurtin' Units. We have had a tie in every season since joining the league. I didn't think it was going to happen this season with only 4 games remaining. I have to say that I'm really disappointed with the Rusty Rebels this week (tongue in cheek really), they got their asses spanked by the Dusty Cleats and made it really tough for the Units to take over 14th place. The Units now have to win 2 of their remaining 3 games (against Dogcatchers, Grisslies and Rusty Rebels) and the Dusties have to lose all of theirs to get 14th.

Anything could happen.

It looks like the Units may have to go all the way from 15th position, with a plus/minus over -100. As Kevin C., of the Units, has reminded us on several occasions, the Tap Masters finished 12th last season and went to the playoff finals. Anything is possible!!!!



walk watch- g-1, s-