KINGS ARE WILD...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. DRAFT KINGS.

Game #17- July 27th, 2015

Hurtin' Units lose 20-4

Team Record 9-7-1

Keogh Park - This game is a make up game, so everyone was supposed to wear lipstick, mascara,  and eyeliner. I didn't see anyone doing this, so I'm really glad I couldn't find my makeup kit. Awkward!! Seriously, this was a makeup game for when we were rained out in game #13, on July 7th.

On another topic, I was wondering, after our last game with the Grisslies, when we lost 14-13, how many 1 run games the Hurtin' Units have played in this season. Anyone care to venture a guess? The answer is four, 2 wins, 2 losses. The Units played the Beer Bros. and lost 24-23, then the Tap Masters with a 9-8 win, the Master Batters with a 4-3 win and last game a 14-13 loss to the Grisslies. And we also have a tie. 5 games decided by 1 run or less.

Makeup Game, it wasn't pretty!!

The weather for this game was hot! The GTA was under a heat wave (unofficially a heat wave as yet, a heat wave is defined a 3 or more consecutive days of 30 degrees or more) ; the temperature, at 7:00pm, was 32 degrees and with the humidity it felt like 36 degrees. There was breeze, but it was not much comfort in the temperatures we were experiencing. By game time (9:30pm) the temperature was quite comfortable, but Keogh was thick with bugs, flying around us all night long.  

At game time, we had 11 Hurtin' Unit players warming up ready to take on the # 1 team in the standings. Dave Mc. was the only missing player on the night.

I really thought that we were the home team in this game, but when I took the lineup to Chuck, I found out, much to my chagrin, that I was mistaken. I thought to myself this is not a good start, I can't even read the schedule right. I was sure that we were the visitors in our first meeting.

Because this home team thing was bothering me on Tuesday morning (morning after the game), I went back to the schedule I have, and sure enough it had the Units as the home team. I decided to check the blog (most times I indicate whether we are home or on the road) and sure enough we were the visitors in our first meeting with the Kings. In the blog posting for that game, I even wrote " For the Henry the 8th time, we found ourselves as the visitors again", so I was right and I'm not going crazy... Because this game was a rescheduled game, it was probably entered wrong on the website. 

For the first time since June 16th, I changed the batting order. I hadn't changed it up to now because we were streaking and to disturb a good  thing, is how ya jinx a team. Well, changing the order did nothing for us in this game. Our batting was awful and I think it's time to smudge the bats.

I think it's time to smudge the bats again (second time this season) for two reasons. First reason would be because I regripped the white bat on Sunday and the second reason would be that I lent the bats out for another team to practice. When ever other teams or players use the bats they should be smudged. If you are confused about smudging here is a excerpt from the posting on jinxes and smudging.  

My friend, the psychic, informs me that the bats must be cleansed or smudged, as she says, to remove the energies inhibiting the flow new energy from this season's Hurtin' Unit players. There are several ways of smudging our bats and I will have our bats cleansed (smudged) and ready to go for our next game. This is long over do. I Googled smudging and found it to be very interesting stuff.  I don't know why I didn't realize this before.

This probably does not explain very well what smudging really is, but it is easy to do and I will do it before the game against the Dogcatchers. For more information on smudging try Google.

Because of the short time between games, I won't go in to any detail about this game. It was a tough loss, there were moments when our team was frustrated and upset about how the Draft Kings were just getting everything by us. This game was probably our worst performance since the Rusty Rebel game back on June 9th when the Rebels beat us 31-12. But, if this may be of some comfort, the Hurtin Units went on a 7 game unbeaten streak after that humiliating loss.

Our batting, in this game, was not very good at all. How does an entire team go cold at the same time? I don't know, but it does happen. The nice thing is that we have another game on Tuesday vs. the Dogcatchers. UNITS UNBOUNDED!!

Draft beer is delicious.

NO COOKIE ... LOTS OF DONUTS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE GRISSLIES  ii.

Off to Grisslieland. 

Game #16- July 22nd, 2015

Hurtin' Units lose 14-13

Team Record- 9-6-1

Keogh Park - On Wednesday evening I subbed for the Master Batters vs. the Rusty Rebels. I had the pleasure of catching, for the evening, and when you catch you have a different perspective of the entire game. You watch the game unfold from a view of a batter or the umpire. You get to see the positioning of the defense, the ball being hit off the bat and the plays as they develop right in front of you. If you play your cards right you get a sample of some of Roman's baseball acumen.  I really enjoyed this subbing assignment; it was really fun at the backstop and I'm sure I walked away with some good information and some great one liners from Roman. Roman has always been good in providing me with constructive feedback and I really appreciate it. He has seen a lot of baseball (more than anybody I know) and he can read what's going on pretty well.  Thanks Roman.

Dodge City Gunslingers.

Following the game with the Master Batters, I watched some of the Dodge City vs. Tap Masters game. One thing I took away from watching this game was that the Hurtin' Units did extremely well on Monday night, when we tied the Dodge City Rounders 17-17.

In the game against the Tap Masters, Dodge City was just crushing the ball, lead by Beechy and Lahey. I watched Beechy hammer a ball over the tennis courts in to the trees behind. I have never seen the ball hit this hard at Keogh. And Lahey, holy $@&%, 2 homeruns and one was a grand slam. I left after about 4 innings, but the score was already 24 to 4 for the Rounders. These guys are definitely the Gunslingers in this league.

Welcome to Grisslieland.

Grisslieland - The Hurtin' Units now hit the road for a mini one game road trip going to Grisslieland. This trip will see the Hurtin' Units play the Grisslies for a second time this season. In the first game against the Grisslies the Units come away the victors with a 14-8 win. 

The weather in Grisslieland was quite nice, with a temperature around 26 degrees, no humidity, clear skies and almost zero wind. 

At game time there were 10 Hurtin' Unit players tossin' the ball in anticipation of the 7:00pm start. Missing from this game were Dave Mil. and Mike (Cookie) C. This game was being played in Grisslieland, the Units were the visitors. 

The first inning should have been an indicator of the game the Units were going to have. The Units sent 4 batters to the plate in the first inning, first two got out, Darrell got a single, Scotty hit into a fielder's choice, forcing Darrell out at 2nd and Bob's your uncle.

In the bottom of the inning, the Grisslies sent 9 batters to the plate and cashed in 4 runs with the first 4 batters coming in to score. 

The second inning was slightly better offensively for the Units with a single run scoring, while sending 5 batters up. The home half of the inning saw the Grisslies send 6 batters up and score 2 more runs.

The Units bats were still ice cold in the top of the third inning, going down in order 1,2,3...We'll see ya on the flip side.

The Grisslies would send 5 batters up in the home half of the inning, but did not score any runs. The score at the end of 3 complete innings was Grisslies 6, Hurtin' Units 1.

In the fourth inning, the Units would play scratch back fever (not to be confused with Cat Scratch Fever- Ted Nugget) and score 3 runs on a Todd H. homerun (10th) over the left field fence. Alright we're back in it right? No sirree Bob! 

In the bottom of the inning, the Grisslies would send 9 frickin' batters to the plate and 5 of them would come around to score...so much for the " back in it". GRRRRRRisslies!!

In the top of the fifth inning, the Units lead off batter (Bill) got on with a single, I followed with another single, Dave followed with another single, Bill came home, Darrell hit in a single, Scotty popped out (1), Bo hit in to a fielders choice forcing Darrell out at second (2), bringing me home, Mike O. hit a ground ball for an out at first (3) and there is the top of the fifth inning. Units score 2 runs on 7 batters.

In the home half, the Units defense stepped up and the Grisslies went down 1,2,3.

In the sixth inning, the Units bats came to life (kinda like Frankenstein on the table) and the Units would score 6 runs before an out was even recorded. The Grisslies got two out, with Darrell (7th run) waiting at second, Mike hit a single and Darrell would score the Units 7th run of the inning...Holy $@%* the Units have taken the lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Grisslies would send only 4 batters to the plate, Joel would be the only Grisslie to get on base, the Units defense was stellar. 

In the top of the inning (open inning), the Units were looking for some insurance runs, the pressure must have been too much. The Units folded like a cheap lawn chair and went down in order 1,2,3. 

In the home half of the open inning, the Grisslies lead off batter (Les) would get on with a single, Mark (sub) would also hit a single,  Jerry (sub) would hit in to a fielder's choice to Dave Mc., Dave would drill a throw to second for a force out on Mark, Les would advance to third, Tom (top of the order) would hit a double bringing Les home, Doug D. would also hit a double bringing Jerry to third. 

With Jerry at third base (tying run), Doug D. at second base (winning run) and Rod (who had gone 4 for 4 on the night) coming up, I chose to intentionally walk Rod and load the bases creating a force at every base. The only problem was that the next Grisslie batter was Fordy (probably the Grisslie's most deadly batter), Fordy would hit an off field hit toward Dave Mc., the ball stayed down on the ground and got by Dave, both Jerry and Doug would come in to score and the Grisslie's were the victors on this night. 

No Cookie... Half a dozen donuts. 

There is always some discussion about intentionally walking batters in a regular season game. In the this game, I believe with the game on the line, you must make the right baseball move, whether it is playoffs or not. If the intentional walk was issued in the earlier innings, I would understand any complaints about this move, but when a game is this close and this one move could be the difference between and win, a tie or a loss, it's only fair to your teammates, to make the right decision.

AND SO IT ENDS.

When a major pitcher is throwing a no hitter, it is a common practise, in the later innings, for his teammates not to talk to the pitcher and let him be in his own little world. I think as soon as the commentators start talking about the no hitter, the universe ends the bid and a opposing player gets a hit. The talking about the no hit game or some kind of streak jinxes the bid and seems to end the it almost immediately. 

Over the last 7 games the Units have had a seven game unbeaten streak (6-0-1). I have not mentioned the streak in the blog until now (only because we lost this game) and I found it extremely interesting how little anybody talked about how we were doing over this time. We all new what was going on, and there was mention of it, but for the most part, barely a word. Unfortunately, you can't win them all and it had to come to an end sooner of later. It was a good run Units, let's do it again. UNITS  UNSCATHED!!  

There are no rides at Grisslieland...

I SAID " IT'S A DRAW " VARMINT!

HURTIN' UNITS VS. DODGE CITY ROUNDERS.

Dodge City Rounders roll in to Tottenham
for a game against Hurtin' Units.

Game # 15 - July 20th, 2015

Hurtin' Units Tie- 17-17

Team Record 9-5-1

Keogh Park- For the first time this season the Dodge City Rounders and the Hurtin' Units will play a regular season game. The DC Rounders were seen disembarking at the Tottenham train station on Sunday evening. Some of the onlookers said that the Rounders looked tired after a long 1 game road trip (you probably don't get much sleep on the train with the whistle blowing, the clackidy clack of the wheels and huge puffs of black smoke coming through the windows). The Hurtin' Units can only hope that this is true about the tired team, with all the heavy hitters on this Rounders team.  

The Hurtin' Units and the Dodge City Rounders did play each other once this year, but it wasn't in the regular season. The two teams had a showdown at the HTKP tournament, and the DCRs would defeat the Units by a score of 9-4. The Hurtin' Units did not have a very good HTKP tournament, but of the 3 round robin games they did play, the Dodge City game was definitely the closest and best played.

Hurtin' Units will be in Dodge City on September 1st.  YIKES!!!

The weather for this game was hot (not as hot as Dodge City or the desert or Tottenham the past Saturday) with temperatures hovering around  28 degrees feeling like 32 degrees with the humidity(7:00pm game night), mixed sun and cloud skies and a 15km breeze.

At game time the Hurtin' Units had 12 players dressed in their home uniforms, warming up to take on the monstrous bats of the Dodge City Rounders. Former Dodge City Captain, and now Hurtin' Units slugger, Al F. was revved up to take on this former team. Al F. was quoted as saying "the faces have changed, but the team name is still the same" a truer statement we have never heard. Thanks for the quote Al.

When a powerhouse team, like the Rounders, rolls in to town there is a buzz throughout the entire region, even as far out as the town of Beeton. The stands at Keogh Park will be filled to watch the Hurtin' Units and the Dodge City Rounders scratch and claw at the mosquitoes as they get biten. And there will also be a few people there to watch the game. 

The Rounders have a monstrous batting lineup and at least 2 gunslingers who can take their opponents down with a single shot. To get in to gunfight with these guys could result huge losses. The Hurtin' Units will need to pull out the big guns for this game. The Hurtin' Units are the Home team in this game. Roman

(of Gilead) was the umpire on the evening.

Susie Smith,  Dodge Ctiy Womens League. 

The Dodge City Rounders are currently on a 2 game road trip, playing last Thursday night in Beerbrosville against the Beer Bros, squeaking out a 10-8 win. The second game of their trip is up against your hometown Hurtin' Units, which promises to be a real barn burner (no barns will be harmed during this game). The Rounders will then board the team steam train named Blain and head back to Dodge City for a tilt with Tiny Timmy and the Tap Masters. Speaking of the Tap Masters, I had the opportunity to sub for the Tappers last Wednesday night and I had a decent game. I really like to get out and sub every once and a while, I try to work on some things and hopefully bring what I worked on, back to the Units in the form of a better game. I encourage Units players to play as a sub from time to time, hopefully to improve their game. 

Armed and Dangerous

Prior to this game, I was looking through the Tottenham Gazette, in the sports section, at the standings for the T.O.T league. The Hurtin' Units were sitting in 5th position with a record of 9-5-0 and the Dodge City Rounders were in 6th position with a record of 7-5-2. The Hurtin' Units have dropped in the runs for column, last week the Units were first, but this week they have dropped to 4th. There are now 3 teams with more runs for than the Hurtin' Units, but all 3 teams have games in hand on the Units.

Al Fry opens new post retirement  business. 

The Beer Bros. lead the league, (16 games played) with 238 runs scored, in second are the Sliders (15 games played) with 237 runs for and just behind them (16 games played) coming up the rear are the Master Batters with 234 runs scored. The Hurtin' Units have played 14 games and have 230 runs scored. The past two games hurt the Units in the runs for column, with only 9 runs against Tap Masters and 4 runs against the Master Batters. The runs for statistic is a nice little piece of information, but the stat that really matters is the win or tie column.

ALL TIED UP!

Hurtin Units and Dodge City fit to be tied.

I would venture a wager, that in the last five games, I have not walked a total of 3 batters (I do remember an intentional walk), so why is it that I no coulda finda da plate lasta night. Was it the week long layoff? Was it the humidity (I do think the humidity played a part in this game, especially the hitting) or was it just a bad start? Whatever it was, the walks played a part in this game. All 3, first inning, walks would all come around to score. OUCH!!

I said " it's a draw" varmint.

In the top of the 1st inning, the DCRs would send 10 batters to the plate, I would walk Winston, Brett and Dwayne and all 3 would came around to score. The Rounders would score 6 runs in the inning, highlighted by a 2 run homerun by Beechy. In the bottom of the inning, I would be the lead off batter and would work Tito (yes, Tito is back from Italy) for a walk. Darrell would also get on base and both of us would come around to score on a double hit by Scotty. 

Stewie takes shelter from the awesome hitting.

In the 2nd inning, both teams would score a single run each. Todd would hit a homerun (10th) over the left field fence. 

In the top of the 3rd inning, the Units shut down the Rounders on 5 batters. In the home half of the inning, the Units would score 5 runs before an out, and then a 6th run before the inning ended. Darrell hit a 2 run homerun to highlight the inning.

In the top of the 4th inning, the Rounders awesome power showed up again, when Lahey hit a 3 run homerun and the Rounders scored 4 more total runs. In the bottom, the Units would match the 4 runs scored in the top of the inning, and keep pace with the Rounders. After 4 complete innings of play, Hurtin' Units 13, the Dodge City Rounders 11.

I brought rope for the tying.

In the top of the 5th inning, the Rounders would do it again...Jerry M. would hit a 3 run homerun and the Rounders would take the lead again. In the bottom of inning, the Units would score a single run to tie the game at 14-14. 

Going in to the 6th inning, the score was tied 14-14, the Dodge City Rounders would send up 7 batters, Dwayne, Goose and Dave would all come in to score. The Rounders would once again take the lead. In the bottom of the inning, the home town Units would send six quick guns to the plate, but could only manage to get Dave and Darrell around to score.

Units had a chance to end it in the 7th inning. 

Going in to the 7th inning, the DCRs would lead by a score of 17-16 with the top guns (talk to me Goose) coming up to bat. Beechy was the lead off batter and hit back to me at pitcher, over to first for the out. The next batter, Lahey popped out, Brett would get on with a single and Dwayne would strike out (watching) to end the inning.  

In the home half of the 7th inning, the Units down by a run, the lead off batter would be Todd. Todd would hit a lead off double, sliding in to second base with shorts on and scrapping up his left leg (limestone surface is such a rough bitch). The next batter was Al, he hit a single, but couldn't move Todd to third, Vince would hit a single, Todd would advance to third, Al was forced out at second. Dave Mil would hit a sack fly to LCF, Todd would tag and come home. Game Tied!! Bill would fly out and that was the ball game. This was a fun game. 

A homerun in each of the first 5 innings. 

This was a great game, filled with lead changes, great hitting, walks, solid defense and 5 homeruns which were responsible for 11 runs scored in the game. The Units defense was very good again. Dave Mc. turned a fantastic double play to end a Rounders rally, Todd threw to guys out at home plate, the outfield was busy keeping the Rounders honest. Great Game Units...UNITS UNTAMED!! 

TINY TIMMY AND THE TAPPERS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE TAP MASTERS

Game # 14 - July 13th, 2015

Hurtin' Units win 9-8

Team Record- 9-5-0   (6)

Keogh Park-We're back at Keogh park again and I must say it is the park of preference for me. I just like playing there, it was not our friend at the start of the season, but it's becoming more likable game by game. 

This game was game #14 on the season (game # 16) on our schedule. This game was only our 5th home game on the season. The Hurtin' Units have 12 games remaining and 8 of those games we will be the home team. And of those 12 games remaining, the Hurtin' Units will play 8 of the games at Keogh Park (not necessarily against the 8 home game teams). The Units had 11 games scheduled at Coventry Park this season. We played 5 games early in the season, 2 were postponed due to rain outs (rescheduled at Keogh) and we will play the final 4 Coventry games over the next month and a half. 

BIG BLUE MACHINE

The weather for this game was hot and stinky humid. The temperature was in the high 20s, but with the humidity it felt like the 30s. I was sweating before the game even started. The sky was a bit hazy, but the sun was still getting through, it was not as bad as full sun for the fielders and I don't think it played a part in the outcome of the game. 

There were 11 BBM (BIG BLUE MACHINE) players ready and warmed up for this 7:00pm start. Bo was the only missing body on the night for the Units. Roman was the umpire. 

The Tap Masters were a little light on the loafers (tap shoes or cleats) for the night. They only had 6 Tappers to start and they had picked up 3 subs on the night. Brad Y., Craig E.(Dude) and Al B. The Units were asked if we could supply a catcher. Cookie caught for the Tappers in the first inning and Peter H.(who had arrived at the park) came in to the game as the Masters 4th sub. 

I went back over the Units last 5 games just to see how we were doing. Our bats have gone a little bit cold since the HTKP tournament (maybe it's a confidence thing), but over the last 2 games we have still found a way to get ur done only scoring 13 runs total. 

So, over the last five games we have not allowed our opponents to score over 8 runs in those games and 2 of the games were under 5 runs. Over the 5 games, the Units have scored 76 runs and allowed 30 runs against. Great defensive play Units!!

Game Time:

The Hurtin' Units scored in every inning of this game. The Tap Masters would have the highest number of runs scored in an inning, but the Units would be the victors on the evening. I think for the first time this season, the home field advantage worked in our favor. 

In the first 3 innings the Units would score a single run in each inning and the Tap Masters would only score a single run in the first. In the top of 4th inning, the Masters would score a single run, in the home half, the Units would score 2 runs, one on a solo homerun by Todd (9th, one in park) and the other with Al coming around to score, from second, on a hit by Vince. At the end of 4 complete innings the Units 5, the Tap Masters 2. 

In the top of the 5th inning, the Tap Masters would take the lead with 4 runs scoring in the inning. The Masters lead would be short lived as the Units would score 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to regain the lead. In the top of the 6th inning the Masters would go down quickly sending only 4 batters to the plate, the Units would score 1 more insurance run in the bottom of the 6th, Dave Mil coming around to score, to make the score 8-6. 

In the open inning (7th) the pesky, little Tappers would not go down with out a fight, they would score 2 runs to tie the game going in to the bottom of the inning. The Units were guaranteed a tie in the game, but we wanted the extra point.

In the bottom of the inning, the Units had the top of the batting order to try to get the job done. Dave Mc. was the lead off, but hit a line drive out. Darrell got on base with a double, Scott would hit a single, bringing Darrell over to 3rd base and Mikey Boy coming up to bat. I think there was a bit of discussion (in the Tap Master's camp) about putting Mikey on to load the bases, but because the next batter was Todd the idea was waived. Mike

We mentioned her again at the Legion.

would hit the ball hard, on the ground, to the infield, Darrell broke for home, Scotty ran for second, the ground ball was snagged, tossed to second to get Scotty, the ball was thrown to first where Mike just made it safely, Darrell scored and that was the ball game. Exciting Stuff!! Another close game. 

Who needs a six pack, when you've got a keg?

This was another close game and the Units found a way to win. There were a couple of highlights on the night. Tap Master's left fielder Mark Bic. made a great catch at ground level in left field. Dave Mc.(Units) made a fantastic backhanded grab, on a hard hit ground ball, to rob the Masters of extra bases, Todd was a double short of the cycle on the evening, Scotty went 4-4 in his return, Dave Mil. seems to have found his batting stroke again and his comfortable defensive position on the field, Cookie hit the ball hard all night long (unfortunately with nothing to show for it), I had a great workout on one of my base running stints and Todd went 3-3 on the night. Everyone else, on the Units, had a good night. I should mention that Al F. didn't make a catch on a line drive, hit to deep LCF, at the warning track, traveling a 100 mph, curving away from him, 85 feet away, hit by Brad Young... Al can I see you in my office please, you have some esplainin' to do... LOL. Great game Units. Units Unburden!!  

HURTIN' UNITS HAD UPPER HAND WITH MASTER BATTERS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. MASTER BATTERS.

Game # 13- July  8th, 2015

Mid Point in the Season. 

Hurtin' Units win 4-3 

Team Record- 8-5-0

Keogh Park- This game was supposed to be game # 15 on the original schedule. Over the last two weeks the Hurtin' Units, as well as a bunch of other teams, have been rained out and our games postponed. Tuesday night, the game before this one, the Units were to play the Draft Kings, the team that won the HTKP tournament, but because of the amount of rain we got on Tuesday the game was canceled. Maybe, it was a good thing that we didn't play them, when they were just coming of the high of winning the tourney. 

The funny thing is, that in this game, we get the other team that played in the finals against the Draft Kings. Yup, the Master Batters went up against the Draft Kings and it was a very close game, the final score ending at 10-9 for the Kings in the bottom of the 7th inning. The Master Batters had actually had taken a lead in the top of the inning by a score of 9-8, but just couldn't hold off the Kings. 

Draft Kings and Master Batters

Either way, the Hurtin' Units were in a tough situation this week. The one comfort may have been that the two opponents had played so much, that they were so sore and achy that they were unable to move and swing the bat. 

Collector's card.

The weather for this game was great for playing a ball game. The temperature was at 23 degrees (feeling like 26), a slight breeze, clear skies and the humidity that had been hanging around for the last couple of days was still lingering around. 

At game time we had 9 Hurtin' Unit players looking to put last weekend's batting woes behind us. (I still can't figure out how a whole team can go in to a batting slump). At game time we were missing Bill, Dave and Scott. We picked up Stef K. for this game. Thanks Stef, good game.

I was perusing the Tottenham Oldtimers website this morning and the Master Batters are the #1 in the standings with a record of 9-3-1 with 19 points. The Hurtin' Units sit in 6th position, in the standings, with a record of 7-5-0 with 14 points. The thing that really stood out was the Units have 217 runs scored, tops in the league, with the next closest team (Dodge City Rounders) at 206 runs. This game isn't going to help our runs for stat...LOL.

One thing I like to do, after a game, is send out an e-mail, to the guys on the Hurtin' Units that were unable to make the game, letting them know how we did on the night. So when I got home last night I sent an e-mail to Scott, Dave and Bill. I could just use the e-mail to describe this game on the field.

Here's the e-mail I sent:

Hi Guys,

Our bats were still ice cold as we went in to this game, but our defense was solid all night long. The Units scored 3 runs in the first inning, the Batters scored 2. The Units would score another run in the sixth inning and the Batters would also score a run. The final score 4-3  for the Hurtin' Units.

See ya next Monday.

Jimmer.

That is really the scoring in the game. There were no walks in the game, I don't think there were any strike outs or foul out on third strikes. I do recall numerous first pitch swings by both teams. 

Defensively both teams were catching everything (almost everything), Cookie made 2 foul tip catches in to his glove (didn't use his bare hand), Bo made an amazing catch running out on to the grass, playing second, in shallow right field to end an inning. Our outfield was steadily busy all night long.

Offensively, Todd has almost found his swing again, hitting a ball off the top of the LF fence driving in 2 RBIs. Most of the Units hit the ball well, but the gloves of the Batters always seemed to be there for the catches. I guess the Batters could say the same. 

This game took 48-49 minutes to play. We started a 7pm and we were done at 7:49pm. The teams for the next game were probably thinking the 7:00pm game got canceled. Roman enjoyed the pace of this game; there was a run of batters, 4 or 5 guys, that had swung at the first pitch, I came up and said I'm going to let the first pitch go, it was too good, I swung at the pitch, flied out to LCF, next batter... There was one inning I threw 5 pitches. 

To somebody looking at the score, this probably looked like a boring game, but it really wasn't. This was a well played, well pitched and a solid defensively played game. There was a certain feel in the game, like nobody wanted to make a mistake, that one bad inning would decide this game and as the innings rolled on, the intensity increased, right down to the last out. Great game by both teams, good win for the Units, fun for everyone who played in the game and I get the feeling Roman enjoyed it too!!  UNITS UNDENIABLE!!

HELPING THE LITTLE RASCALS...

HELP THE KIDS PLAY TOURNAMENT.

Coventry and Keogh Parks - Over the past weekend the Help the Kids Play Tournament took place and the Hurtin' Units took part. There were 12 teams in total, made up of mostly teams from the T.O.T league, there were some invited players from the waiting list, past players of the league and guests. It was really great to see the ball park all a buzz with tournament participants and there was finally a feel that summer had arrived. 

There was a lot of great ball played this weekend and the tournament was a success when it comes to raising money to help the local kids get an opportunity to play sports.

Congratulations go out to the Draft Kings for their win in the T.O.T division. 


One of the things I like do when the Hurtin' Units play a tournament is bring out the Sambuca as a little traditional perk. For this tournament I brought out the black Sambuca and on Friday night we added a shot of Tequila Rose to make the shots in to Lava Lamps. Sometimes the Sambuca gets the team going, but that was not the case for this tournament.   

Game # 1-Friday July 3, 2015

Hurtin' Units vs. Beer Bros.

Hurtin' Units win lose 19-8

Coventry Park- C#1 - Our first game of the weekend got off to a rough start on a couple of levels. At game time we were missing our Daves. I knew Dave Mil. would be iffy (more important stuff to take care of) and Dave Mc. was rushing to get to the park. When we submitted our lineup we had to put Dave Mc. to the bottom of the order, I think this messed with the chemistry that we have had going for the last little bit. These things happen and there is nothing we can do about it. It's a fun tournament and we can't take this too seriously.  

Don't get me wrong, I want to win, but I would rather see everybody having a good time instead, hence the Sambuca shots prior to our games. 

In the first inning, the Units scored 4 runs and we were looking good. But from this point on the bats went ice cold scoring 2 runs in the 4th inning and only 1 run in the 6th inning. The real back breaker for the Units and probably the turning point was when the Bros. scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. 

The Beer Bros. were a tough team on this night and the Hurtin' Units could not bring their level of play up to make a game of it. 

Heading to Dodge City...

Game # 2 - Saturday July 4, 2015

Hurtin' Units vs. Dodge City Rounders

Hurtin' Units lose 9-4

Coventry Park- The Hurtin' Units second game of the tournament was on C#2  and it was actually a close game. 

The Hurtin' Units would have a full squad for this game, although Darrell was running a bit late and we had to put him at the bottom of the order. 

The Hurtin' Units bats were as cold as I have seen them this season and this was really the difference in the game. It really is amazing, to me, that a whole team can stopping hitting at the same time, you would think that maybe one or two guys would go cold, but a whole team? 

Defensively, I thought the Units had a really decent game against a team that has a reputation for scoring a bunch of runs. 

Game # 3 - July 4, 2015

Hurtin' Units vs. Sons of Pitches

Hurtin' Units lose 9-5

Keogh Park- With two losses under our belts, the chances of getting in to the Sunday games seemed a little slim. But for the 1-1 Sons of Pitches, a win could possibly squeak them in on Sunday. So this wasn't a nothing game to the Units, we could be a spoiler with a win. 

I decided to start Darrell as the pitcher in this game, I really like to play second base and this gave me an opportunity to do so. Darrell had a good game pitching only allowing 9 runs in the game (even though the game was shortened) and I had a decent game at second. 

The Hurtin' Units bats were still on vacation for the game, nobody was hitting well and it showed up on the scoresheet. 

I really felt bad for talking Todd in to going in the homerun contest. I really think I messed him up, I pitched him in the contest and he probably fouled out 5 of his 10 permitted hits. I noticed the same type of hitting in the game against Sons of Pitches, it could have been the pitching, by the Sons pitcher, but I think some of it was caused by me. CRAP!! 

Even though the Units weren't hitting well, we did manage to keep the game close with some good defense. If it wasn't for a 7 run inning by the Sons, the outcome might have been different. The Units bats were not as hot as they have been over the last 5 games, but I guess it was just not meant to be this weekend. 

Winner, Winner, Beer Dinner.

When it finally came down to the finals the two teams would have great finish. None of the teams the Units faced, in the round robin, would make it to the finals (the Beer Bros. made the semis). The Master Batters and the Draft Kings were the finalists in the Oldtimer division and the Draft Kings would win in the bottom of the 7th inning by a score of 10-9. Congratulations to the Draft Kings on a great tournament.