RED ROVER, RED ROVER, COME ON OVER...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE RED DOGS.

Game # 17- July 29, 2013

Hurtin' Units win 23-16

Team Record 9-7-1

Keogh Park- This game is our first meeting with the Red Dogs this season; okay that's not quite true, we have played, but not in the regular season. I actually had to go back and see if we had played these guys. 

We did play the Red Dogs in the HTKP tournament and won by a score of 10-3 to get us in the semi-finals. We will play them again on August 12 in our second regular season game. 

The weather for this game was a heck of a lot cooler than last game. If you recall the last game, the temperature at 4:00pm was 30 degrees and with the humidity it felt like 38 degrees. At 4:00pm for this game, the temperature was 19 degrees and felt like 22 degrees with the humidity. There was also a threat of isolated showers in the afternoon and those showers came about and it was still raining lightly at game time. The rain stopped early in the game, but the ball was still wet on almost every play. 

Our game last week was canceled and rescheduled due to a shortage of Unit players. We had a lot of guys away on vacation or on shift work or injured. This week is little bit better for attendance, but we are still down some guys. It is the time of year when it is the toughest to fill a game roster and for next little while we'll be piecing this team together.

Mikey Boy returns to the lineup.

For this game we were down 6 players, missing on the night were Jamie, Brian, Rick L. Richard, Coxy and Vince. We picked up 4 subs on the night. We picked up Hurtin' Units alumni Jens L.,Craig (Dude), Dave F., and Steve L. as our replacements for this game. Steve was a last minute replacement. 
  

It's been 12 days since we battled on the field and it seems that this team (Units) play better when we play more. I don't have the data to support my thought here, but I can recall games, after an extended layoff, where we got off to a slow start. There is not much we can do here, but to come out swingin'. I'm itchin' to get back on the field. 

We go in to this game against the Red Dogs with a 3 game unbeaten streak; two wins and a tie. In the standings, we dropped two positions just by not playing; last weekend we were in 6th place and today we sit in 8th, but with a game or 2 in hand. We have 3 games in hand on the Draft Kings, who currently sit in 1st place.

Hey Darth, is that a league bat?

I managed to get a game in last week; I subbed for the Draft Kings vs. the Hottub Woodys. It was a tight defensive game and going in to the bottom of the 7th inning the Woodys lead by a score of 7-3. The Draft Kings would have last at bat and in the bottom of the seventh inning the Kings would score 5 runs to come back for an 8-7 win. The Kings are a strong team and will be a tough matchup in the playoffs. 

The Hurtin' Units were the visitors in this game and we jumped ahead in the early innings and didn't look back. I think the boxscore tells the story of the game; the Hurtin' Units were up 11-4 after 4 innings and kept the pedal to the floor through the last 3 innings. The Red Dogs have a really good hitting team and they showed it in the final couple of innings, but in the end it wouldn't be enough. 

The Units hit four homeruns in to the tennis courts last night, one was actually by Steve L. (sub), but the others were by Mike, Ricky Bobby and Phil. 

I was looking at the game sheet and there were some impressive numbers put up by the Hurtin Unit players. Ricky Bobby went 6 for 6 with 5 runs scored, Woody went 5 for 6 with 5 runs scored and Darrell scored 4 runs. 14 runs scored for 3 guys is impressive... 

     

The Hurtin' Units are back on the field on July 30, 2013 for a makeup game with the Dusty Cleats.

THE YOUNG AND THE REST OF US...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE DOGCATCHERS.

Really, Really Hot!!

Game # 16- July 17, 2013

Hurtin'Units tie 14-14

Team Record- 8-7-1

Keogh Park- On what was the hottest day of the year, we get scheduled a 9:30pm game. When I first looked at the schedule and saw this game time, I groaned a little, knowing that I would have to get up early the next morning, but with the temperatures where they were, I'm almost thankful for this time. The temperature at 4:00pm on game day, according to the Weather Network, was 30 degrees Celsius and with the humidity it felt like 38 degrees. There was zero breeze and it felt hotter!!

Speaking of hot, I'm sure most of you have had a chance to view the disgusting video in the last posting. I can't imagine grown men dancing around half naked, I certainly don't want to watch such a thing. I voiced my opinion in the last posting and since then the persons involved have changed their ways. Shortly after I voiced my concerns the same group went out and made another more respectable video. To view the new video, click on the link.

http://www.jibjab.com/view/Z8dIGmuaTyek5I1Zz9R1Aw

Now wasn't that better...It's hard to believe it's the same guys.

This game was our second, this season, vs. the Dogcatchers. In our first go round back on May 14, 2013, the Units second game of the season, the Dogcatchers squeaked out a 15-14 win. Our first of 5 one run losses on the season so far. 

In the first game we witnessed Brad Young crank a homerun out in left field at Coventry # 3 diamond. " I guess he liked the pitch" I thought. Now... his homerun was wind assisted and it did hit the top of the fence so you know... okay let's face it, this guy can hit a baseball. Oh yea, he can catch, run and knows this game really well, but can he hit an in the park homerun??? 

I know that our boy Phil G. (a.k.a. Philly cheesesteak) can. In fact Phil G. hit 2, not 1, but 2 in the park homeruns back on May 14th, so we know we got that in our back pockets if we need them... Homeruns back on May 14 - Brad Y- 1,  Phil G.- 2. 


I mentioned the weather was hot for this game against the Dogcatchers. We played at 9:30 and it was still stinkin' hot; All of the players were glistening with sweat (kinda like the video in the last post) and our garments were soaked. I can't imagine what it was like playing at 7:00, when the sun was still out and baking the players like they were in an Easy Bake Oven.
  

Time for the injection...What part is the knee?

At game time we had 8 Unit players at the park. Missing from the roster were Mike (had the goo injected in to his knees), Jamie (slept in from his pre-game nap), Ricky Bobby (was at Blue Mountain skiing, just kidding, he was enjoying some family time) and Ricky L. (was still under the weather). We called for a sub and Cliff Tucker was assigned the task.

The game was fun considering how hot it was. I was perusing the T.O.T standings prior to the game and realized that the Dogcatchers and the Hurtin' Units have the same record, at least we did at the start of the week. Remember we won against the Woodys earlier in the week and that wasn't reflected in the standings that I was viewing.

So with the two teams so close in the standings, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see a tie. The Hurtin' Units first tie of the season. I mentioned in a previous posting that the Units have had 2 ties in each of the last three seasons. I suppose we are due for one more before the season ends.

The first game we played against each other was 15-14 score in favor of the Dogcatchers. 

Who wants some Sambuca?

The Units were the home team in this game. In the top of the first inning the leadoff guy, Brad Young flied out to Richard in left field, and then the second batter also flied out to Richard, it was looking like the Richard G. show out there. The next five batters would hit and four would come around to score, before Randy (Cowpie) would fly out to (yea, you guessed it) Richard in left field. In the bottom of the inning, the Units would send 7 batters to the plate and score 3 runs. Not too bad, we're still in it right?

In the top of the 2nd inning, the Catchers would score 5 runs and in the bottom the Units only managed a single counter. The score after 2 innings...Dogcatchers 9, Hurtin' Units 5.

"If a fairly batted ball is to be declared an infield fly the umpire shall call: "INFIELD FLY, IF FAIR, BATTER IS OUT" for the benefit of the runners. Failure to make the call does not preclude the batted ball from being an infield fly. The ball is alive and if the runners advance they do so at their own risk and are in jeopardy if the ball is caught. The ruling is the same as any other caught or dropped fly ball. A foul ball is not an infield fly and if the ball falls untouched to the ground in fair or foul territory prior to first or third base and subsequently rolls into foul territory, it is just a foul ball."

In the top of the third inning, the Units caught a bit of a break. I include the rule about the infield fly because it played a role in the 0 run inning for the Dogcatchers. Larry T. lead off the inning with a walk (what can I say, he's not a swinger), followed by Big Bad Brad with a single, and with runners on first and second, the next batter (Jim) popped up to second base, the Umpire yelled " Infield fly, batter is out if fair". 

Infield fly, batter is out if fair.

Darrell was playing second and casually waited for the pop fly (which was in fair territory) to come down, the ball hit the side of his glove, off his head (just kidding about the head) and hit the ground. The batter was automatically out, but for some reason the runners on the bases started to go...Brad was tagged out and then Larry was tagged out. Triple play and the Units were out of the inning. In the bottom of the inning the Units would score 2 runs and inch a little closer. 

In the top of the forth inning, the Dogcatchers would tack on another 2 runs. In the bottom of the inning the Units would storm back with 4 runs and leave the 5th stranded at third base. At the end of 4 innings of play the score was 11-10 for the Dogcatchers. 

In the top of the fifth inning, Brad lead off with a double and with a bit of hitting behind him came in to score. That would be all the Dogcatchers would score in the inning. In the bottom of the inning the Units would score 3 more runs and take the lead for the first time since the first inning. 13-12 for the Units.

Homerun make me tired and thirsty.

In the top of the sixth inning (the open inning in this game) the Dogcatchers would come out and score again, this time 2 more runs. In the bottom of the inning, we were down by a single run, I (Jimmer) was the lead off batter and hit a to right center field, the ball hit the ground and got by the fielder, rolled to the fence, I chugged around like the little engine that could, to score and tie the game...14-14 with nobody out.  

The next batter was Cliff who hit a single, who was forced out at second on a single by Darrell. The next batter was Coxy, who hit a single and brought Darrell around to third... tying run on third with one out. The next batter Brian flied out and Darrell was unable to tag and come home. 2 out and Phil (Cheesesteak) was the next batter, Phil hit a ground ball to the second baseman who threw to first for the final out and a 14-14 tie. 

I mentioned earlier that it was the Richard show, the lad was definitely having a busy night in left field and in the one of the later innings, he made an amazing catch at the fence to keep the game close. Woody also made a great catch in center field; a line drive I really thought was going to the fence, Woody came across the center field (like a gazelle) and made a highlight reel catch.  

It was an in the parker homerun... ran like a gazelle. 

This was fun game and I thoroughly enjoy playing in games like this. The Units showed they can come back if they get behind in on the scoresheet. 

Great work Units!!

HURTIN' UNITS BEAT WOODYS...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE HOTTUB WOODYS ii.

Game # 15 -July 15, 3013.

Hurtin' Units win 17-12

Team Record- 8-7-0

Keogh Park- It's been 5 days since we have been on the playing field and I was really looking forward to playing this game. We have 2 games this week, one against the Woodys and the other against the Dogcatchers on Wednesday night. The game against the Dogcatchers is one of our scheduled 9:30pm games, not my favorite time slot, but I will manage to get through it. 

This game against the Woodys is our second meeting on the season. On June 21 we played the defensively strong Woodys and the Hurtin' Units prevailed by a score of 7-6. Going into this game the Woodys had a 9-5-0 team record and 18 points which put them in 5th place in the T.O.T standings. The Units, going into this game, had a 7-7-0 team record with 14 points and 7th place in the standings. This game is definitely a 4 point matchup; a win by the Units gets the Units 2 points away from the Woodys, but a loss puts the Units 6 points behind making it very difficult to catch this strong sleeper team.

We would need a strong game from the Units to pull out another win.
  

It has come to my attention recently that some of the Hurtin' Unit players have been moonlighting on the side. I know the money the Units pay isn't very much, but surely there are other professions you could set your sites on other than this type of work. I now have video evidence that several of the Hurtin' Units players have been dancing for Chippendales and these performances have been hurting the good reputation of the Hurtin' Units. Click on the following link to see the discussing display of dancing by the Units players...

http://www.jibjab.com/view/EDRGXZYjSsiuGYyTlKBDcQ

At 7:00pm on game night, I looked at the Weather Network for the temperature, it was 30 degrees Celsius and with the humidex it felt like 37 degrees. It was going to be a warm night at the park. There was no breeze at all. 

At game time we had 10 players dressed in the Units shirts ready to take on the Hottub Woodys for the second time this season. Missing from the Units roster were Mikey (still nursing the sore knee, but going in to have goo injected tomorrow) and Ricky L. 

I mentioned in the last blog that the 2013 Units play their best ball when we get off to an early lead. We were the visitors in this game and in the first inning we did get off to a good lead by scoring 4 runs in the top the inning. The down side to this start was the Woodys would match our run production with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning. Both teams scored  a single run over the next 2 innings and in the 4th the Units scored another 4 runs and stopped the Woodys in the bottom of the inning. After 4 innings the Units lead by a score of 9-5.

Over the next 3 innings the Units would outscore the Woodys by a 8-7 margin. The Units bent, but they didn't break and held on for a 17-12 victory.  

The Hurtin' Unit batters were hitting the ball well; 6 Unit players went 4-5 in the game. The batters were Vince, Jamie, Coxy, Ricky Bobby, Brian and Woody. 

Phil and Ricky Bobby were going for the big bombs (nothing with going for it), but fell short, nothing wanted to go out on this humid night. Brian, Richard and Vince were all hitting the ball for some distance, the night was full of long, long fly outs. 

Woody hit a couple of screamers toward the Units dugout, scattering the players in all directions. One hit the outside pole on the dugout and flew in the dugout almost taking out Darrell and Coxy. At one of Woody's (Dan) at bats, there was actually a debate to which foul ball was hit harder...Straighten it out big guy!! 

There was a throwing mishap from pitcher to first base; I just don't want to remember exactly what happened. All I can say is I need some work throwing to first.  

The Units next game is Wednesday July 17, 2013 at Keogh Park at 8:15pm.

Hager, Naggers, Wings and Zings....These are a few of my favorite things...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE DISLOCATED JOINTS ii.

Game # 14- July 9, 2013

Hurtin' Units win 15-8

Team Record- 7-7-0

Coventry Park- We finally get back to Coventry Park after an extended stay at Keogh Park where we went 4-5-0. One of the games was a makeup game with the Rebels and one of the 10 game stand was supposed to be against the Dusty Cleats on Monday, but was canceled because of heavy rain and Thunderstorms. 

We had a couple of rough nights at Keogh and one of the teams that kicked us around were these same Dislocated Joints.

No, it was not a fun night back on June 12. The rain was falling at game time, nobody was in a playing mood, players left before we actually finished and the Joints beat us up for our most lopsided defeat of the season. Up until this game, our worst defeat had been by a single run and in fact, we had lost 5 games by a single run up to this point.The final score on June 12th was 15-4 and 3 of our 4 runs came in the 5th inning. It was one of the lowest points in our young season. 

This game (July 9) was the first time we have played a regular season game at Coventry Park since May 21. I say regular season game because we just, this past weekend, played in the HTKP tournament. 

I think the HTKP tournament actually helped our team. Over the course of the weekend we laughed a lot, we drank beer excessively and we played some decent baseball. The game against the Devils was not the most fun, but at the end of the round robin portion we found ourselves with a berth in the semi-finals (3rd) on Sunday.

Playing on the Sunday wasn't that much fun. We played the Dusty Cleats, who were having a good tournament, but would lose to the Rusty Rebels in the finals.The heavy rainfall really put a damper on the semi-final game and our bats must have slept in (along with Darrell). We could only muster up 3 runs in the semis and 3 runs ain't gonna cut it in this league. We still had a good tournament and I really believe weekends like this are great bonding experiences. 

Tournaments and hanging around the diamonds with teammates are great bonding experience, but so are Sambuca shots and wing nights. 

On Monday night, in our regular season game, we were scheduled to play the same Dusty Cleats, but as luck would have it, heavy rain and thunderstorms would have our game scheduled to a future date. 

We had planned to have a wing night after our game against the Cleats and most of the guys showed up even with crappy weather. Mike and I had discussed whether it was going to be wing night or if we should have a Phil Glecoff bobblehead night. We finally decided on a wing night... the Phil G. sample bobblehead was scarier looking than the real thing. Wings win, wings win, winnnnnnngs win.

Mike was organizing the wing night and unfortunately, on Monday evening, he was stuck in heavy traffic in the city. With the game canceled we went to the Legion, Mike placed the wing order on route home and arrived at the Legion 30 minutes later. No game, wings and beer and a some sore bellies from laughing so hard. A fun night at the Legion and there have been numerous ones to say the least. This is definitely a fun team...

A night off was just what we needed. We had played 4 days in a row and were scheduled to play Monday and Tuesday this week, canceling Monday's game probably helped us in our win against the Joints. 

When the 2013 Hurtin' Units score first we seem to play a tighter and smarter brand of baseball. We were the visitors in this game vs. the Joints. We scored first!

The Weather Network had been calling for more thunderstorms and rain on Tuesday night. The storms did not develop and at game time the weather was perfect. The diamond conditions were also really good, I think all the rain from Monday made the diamond conditions better. 

We were down some players in this game and I had to call for a couple of subs. Missing from this game were Ricky L., Jamie M., Gary C., and Mike was not playing, but was at the game to scorekeep and provide support. Our subs were Craig (Dude) Escott and Jerry Muirhead. Thanks guys. 


The boxscore tells a good portion of the story. I want to mention that Darrell (Hags) got the start as pitcher in this game. This was Hags second start of the season, the first was against the Grisslies who won by a score of 8-7. This was Hags first win. Good Show rookie!! It was a little bit of a tough start with 3 walks in the first inning, but I couldn't see another walk on the game sheet. Good show rookie!!  

We played a great game, against a good team, welcome back Dr. Jekyll, and this win puts the Units back at .500 with a record of 7-7-0. Nice game boys...   

HELPING THE LITTLE RASCALS...HTKP.

HELP THE KIDS PLAY TOURNAMENT.

OUR GANG. 

Coventry Park-There is no doubt in my mind that this is my favorite tournament of the season. It is by far the most relaxing and the most fun. And the bonus is that most of us get to play with our own teams. 

In this year's tournament there were 10 teams entered and each team was allocated one or two players from the teams that didn't enter a team. The Units picked up Terry Doucet from the Dislocated Joints and Brett Mabee from the Dodge City Rounders.

The Units had almost a full team, Mike was still nursing a sore knee (he's still good at pouring Sambuca and scoring keeping) and Richard had family obligations. 

The Hurtin' Units have entered a team in the HTKP tournament every year since we came in to the league in 2010.

GAME # 1- July 5, 2013

Hurtin' Units vs. Brew Jays

Hurtin' Units win 22-18

Coventry Park - The first game of the tournament was an exciting roller coaster, at least it was near end of the game. The scheduled start time was 8:45pm and at game time we had 12 players ready to do battle for the kids. Mike was still nursing the sore knee, but he was here for support, pouring Sambuca and scoring keeping. Richard was absent. 

We got off to a great start scoring a lot of runs early in the game and kept the tally going most of the game. Our defense was fantastic in the early innings holding the Jays to only 2 runs up to the 4th inning. The Jays bats came alive in the 4th and scored 16 runs in the next 3 innings.

Going in the top of the 7th inning, the score was 22-12 for the Units, but the Jays would score 6 runs in the inning to make the game close. The final score ended up 22-18. 

GAME # 2- Saturday July 6, 2013

Hurtin' Units vs. The Gruesome Devils.

Hurtin' Units lose 16-2 

The second game of the tournament was when Mr. Hyde made an appearance. The Hurtin' Units could have batted with a Popsicle stick, the results would have been the same. After scoring 22 runs the game before, the Units could only muster up 2 runs in this game. 

Terry D. was the pitcher in this game and we didn't give him any run support. The Devils scores 16 runs and hit to every opening on the diamond. I don't know what it is about the Devils, but always seem to have our number. 

Going in to game 3 of the round robin the Units found themselves with a 1-1 record.
  

GAME # 3- - Saturday July 6, 2013

Hurtin' Units vs. The Red Dogs.

 Hurtin' Units win 10-3 

We really do play a Jekyll and Hyde type of game. Maybe not as bad as last season, but still an up and down game in, game out type of game. In this game the Dr. Jekyll showed up and we hit and played very good baseball. As I did game # 1, I pitched in this game and despite a few walks, I thought I pitched well. At the end of the round robin we had a 2-1-0 (+4) record. We would have to wait for several games to be completed before we would know if we would play on Sunday. At approximately 6:30pm we learned that we were indeed in the semi-finals and it would be against the Dusty Cleats.

GAME # 4- Sunday July 7, 2013

Hurtin' Units vs. The Dusty Cleats.- SEMI FINALS.

Where's Hags?

 Hurtin' Units lose 8-3

So we end up in 3rd position after the round robin portion of the HTKP Tournament with a 2-1-0 (+4) record. The top 4 teams, after the round robin, would go on to play in the semi-finals on Sunday. 

The 4 teams going to the semi-finals on Sunday were: The Rusty Rebels (1st), The Dusty Cleats (2nd), The Hurtin' Units (3rd) and The Red Dogs (4th). The 1st place team was to play the 4th place and the 2nd place was to play the 3rd place in the semis. 

The Hurtin' Units would play the Dusty Cleats. The same Dusty Cleats we were scheduled to play the next day (Monday) in a regular season game. A game (looking in to the future) that would be canceled because of heavy rain and thunderstorms. A day the Units had circled on our calendars for wing night or Phil Glecoff bobblehead night.

In the end, Mike and I decided on wing night; we just thought it was easier on the eyes... wings over bobblehead. 

Phil Glecoff Bobblehead.

I think we would rather look at a bucket of chicken bones for one night, than to see Phil's head bobbing up and down on the dash of our cars for the next several years. Too many Phil memories of the HTKP weekend. I guess you'll just have to find some other place to bobble your head Phil...Perhaps behind the small building at Coventry Park...LOL.

Let's play Ball... I had a feeling that we could have a rough day when Mike and I, on our way to the park, turned in to Tim Hortons only to meet with a huge drive thru line. It was faster for me to run in for coffee. 

When we arrived at the park, we were playing on diamond # 1 (how convenient) and most of the Unit players were already warming up. A quick head count and I realized that Hags wasn't here and we were closing in on the start time...Where's Hags.

We started the game without Hags and about half way through the first inning he was dropped off. 

I struggled with pitching in the bottom of the inning. After the third inning I brought Terry in to pitch the remainder of the game.  

The game was never out of reach, but the Dusty Cleats were playing some good defense and Mr. Hyde was working for the Units. The Cleats would peck away with a couple of runs here and couple there, but would never have a big inning. 

In the middle of the third inning, the rain started to fall, first a light rain and then the skies opened up with the heavy stuff. The game would continue, but the Units could not get any runs across. Everyone on the field were soaked, but the game went seven innings. In the end the Units didn't have enough, in this game, to get it done. 

The ultimate little rascal. 

This was a good tournament for the Hurtin' Units team; a good bonding weekend and hopefully going forward it will make us a better team.   

THE QUICK AND THE DEAD.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE DODGE CITY ROUNDERS.

Game # 13- July 4, 2013

Hurtin' Units lose 18-7

Team Record - 6-7-0

Keogh Park- Dodge City Rounders are another one of the teams we will only play once during the regular season. I remember last season we played the Dodge City Rounders back to back early in the season and the Hurtin' Units won both games. Not only did we win both games, but the wins were the first and second wins for the Units in the 2012 season.

I really like when the Units play Dodge City, it always reminds me of the way teams used to travel, by train, from town to town. And when we play the Dodge City Rounders I really like to ham it up with the traveling out of town to Dodge City. If you look back at older blog posts, with the Dodge City rounders, you'll see what I mean.

Unfortunately, we don't travel to Dodge City this season, that's really too bad, I really liked taking the train and Bender always seemed to have a good time going to Dodge City. I guess we'll just have to talk about the only game this season, playing as the home team. Maybe, just maybe, with this Hurtin' Units squad we are better to stay out of Dodge City. I could see a bar fight and being thrown in jail happening; the sheriff is a real bad ass and he don't take kindly ta strangers... 

Vadimir Eatenov - Russian Baseball League.

Before I talk about the game with the Rounders, I just want to touch on my suspicions about Woody being an impostor in our last game. I did a Google image search for Russian baseball stars and this picture of Vadimir Eatenov came up. For those of you who thought I was crazy for thinking Woody was an impostor, I now have photographic proof that Woody has a look-a-like and this person (let's call him Vad) might have played in the Hurtin' Units game against the Woodys. I mentioned, in the last posting, that I wasn't going to report this to the league, but I certainly will be keeping an eye on you Dan Woody. :) 

So this game was one of our scheduled 9:30pm games (I think we have 2 in total) and it is the last game of the week. And after this game we have the HTKP Tournament this upcoming weekend. Then we have a 7:00pm game on Monday( first game of the week) and then we have a game on Tuesday night at Coventry. We could be in for a lot of baseball over the next several days. If we play on Sunday, we will be playing 6 days in a row. That's a lot of ball, considering we haven't played since last Wednesday night when we defeated the Hottub Woodys by a score of 7-6.

The weather for this late game was warm and sticky, but considering there was a call for thunderstorms earlier in the evening, I think we Dodged a bullet.

At game time we had 12 players dressed. I think it is great to have the whole team out for a 9:30 game. Mike is still nursing a sore knee and didn't play in this game. He is doubtful for the HTKP tournament. 

This game with Dodge was not our finest hour. The 8 day layoff was not our friend and it showed with our bats, in my pitching and on the field. We had a chance to get over .500 last night and we let it slip through our hands, feet and gloves. I'll take some of the blame on this game, I

couldn't get loose and I couldn't hit the board consistently. I don't like to make excuses, but I will anyway; I went for a good run on Wednesday, followed by a day of painting without shoes on. I was pretty sore at game time from the run and my feet were sore from not wearing my orthotics while painting. I apologize for having a bad game, walking a handful of guys (4 walks) and struggling to get a head in the count. I promise a better game on Friday in the HTKP tournament.



Hurtin' Units game sheet.



My pitching was not the only problem on the night, we had a rough time defensively and our bats were the coldest I've seen them all season. The game sheet doesn't lie, we had a tough night at the plate. 



I also want to give Dodge City some credit, they hit the ball hard and sprayed it all over the diamond. Beechy just killed us; everytime this guy came up, especially with guys on base, I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. Some guys just hit the ball hard and this guy is a tough out. The Rounders were solid defensively also, they seemed to be positioned well and made some routine catches on some of our big bats.

Again, this was not our finest hour, but the great thing about baseball is we get to do it all over again. We are back on the field all weekend and again on Monday and Tuesday. Looking forward to playing this weekend. I like to play, what can I say. Giddy up Units...