HURTIN' UNITS ARE A LITTLE SNAKE BIT.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE MASTER BATTERS. 

" Missed it by that much" - Maxwell Smart

Game # 10 - June 19th, 2017

Hurtin' Units lose 14-13

Team Record - 5-5-0

Coventry Park- The Hurtin' Units have had some shit-ass bad luck over the last 4 games. I think we are jinxed or have some bad karma going right now. I believe our bad luck began when we played our game against the Sons of Pitches. That was the night we didn't get on the field until after 10:00pm, that was the night it was cold and damp, and that was the night when the lights went out mid inning, ending the game. That was the night that the game probably should not have been played. 

In our game against the Sons of Pitches, we lost by a score of 14-9, but we were actually coming on before the lights went out.
In the Units game following the Sons of Pitches, vs. the Beer Bros, the Units had a lead going in to the top of 7th inning, we had 2 outs, and the 3rd out (and game) was in and out of Darren's (Lefty's) glove... a catch made 99 out of a 100 times. Winner, Winner, what the F*#@ just happened. Unbelieveable!!!

The Beer Bros. would score 5 runs with 2 outs, and the Units would rally in the bottom of the inning, but they would end the game with the tying run stranded on 3rd base. D'oh!!

In the game vs. the Dogcatchers, the Units kept pace all game, but we just couldn't get that big hit. The Units hit way to many balls in the air and Kevin C. (Skippy) was a vacuum in LCF. Brian R. made an amazing, over the shoulder catch (best catch of the season), to save the Units from scoring 2 or possibly 3 runs. 

The Dogcatchers game was a very winnable game, but again that jinx or bad luck thing was on our backs, on that night. Lady Luck where are you?

The Master Batters game was another winnable game, but we just could not break through with the big hit. 

The weather for the Batters game was damp and cool. The temperature was hovering around 14 degrees and there was a strong breeze that seemed to change its direction every inning. 

At game time the Units only had 8 players at the park. Winston and Dave were on their way. Winston would arrive in time to play the 1st inning, Dave was 10 minutes late.  Keith showed up without a glove and borrowed Pete's extra, Candy D. showed up with Keith's glove during the game. Missing on the night was Ryan and Darren. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Hurtin' Units	0	4	5	2	2	0	0	13
Master Batters	3	4	0	2	3	2	0	14

This game was a back and forth affair the entire game. 

In the first inning the Master Batters would score 3 runs and the Units would not score, going down quickly in the home half of the inning. In the 2nd inning, each team would score 4 runs. In the 3rd inning, the Units would shut down the Batters and in the bottom, the Units would score 5 runs to take the lead for the first time in the game. The score after 3 complete innings was Units 9, Batters 7.

In the 4th inning, both team scored 2 runs each. In the fifth inning, the Batters inched a run closer, Units scored 2 runs, Batters scored 3 runs. 

In top of the 6th inning, the Master Batters would score 2 runs and took the lead again. In the bottom of the inning, the Units would go down 1,2,3. Bobby, Winston and Dion. In the home half of the 7th (open) inning, Jimmer would lead off and line out to Gord T. playing in left field. The Unit's next batter was Dave S. and Dave would do the exact same thing, hitting a line drive to Gord T. in left. Top of the order batter, Peter H., got to 3rd base and was the tying run. Next batter, Brett, would fly out to Todd H. (SS) to end the game. The Units would lose by a score of 14-13.



In this game the Units looked a little bit more like the team that had a 5 game winning streak in the early games of the season. Hopefully, Lady Luck has decided to attend more of our games. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Monday June 26th at Keogh Park vs. the Tap Masters.  

HURTIN' UNITS HAVE NO BITE AGAINST DOGCATCHERS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE DOGCATCHERS.

Game # 9 - June  2017

Hurtin' Units lose 10-6

Team Record - 5-4-0

Coventry Park- This game was our only game of the week. We were also the visitors again for the 7th time in 9 games. 

Between the last game (last Wednesday) and this game a bunch of things happened, not to our team, but in the sports world. The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup and the Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship.

Not baseball related, Adam West passed away. 

At game time we had 12 players dressed in the green ready to play. We have had great attendance this season, this is probably the fourth time or more, we have had 12 players in our lineup. Ryan would leave this game early with a calf injury.

The weather for this game was perfect, the temperature was around 20 degrees, the skies were clear and there was a slight breeze. 

This game was very similar to our first game of the season when we lost to the Dusty Cleats by a score of 10-3. Back in the game in May, it was our first game of the season and it was understandable that our timing and hitting be off a little. 

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
	Hurtin' Units	2	0	0	1	0	3	0	6
	Dogcatchers	2	0	4	4	0	0	0	10

In this game vs. the Dogcatchers, we played better than the score would indicate. We hit the ball hard, we hit it well, the only problem was we hit it to a Dogcatcher player almost every time. Kevin C. (Skippy) was a magnet for the Hurtin' Units hit balls, in fact the Dogcatchers entire outfield was really good. Brian R. (outfielder for Dogcatchers) made the catch of the season, on a long hit ball, over his shoulder, almost on the warning track in RCF, robbing the Units of at least 2 runs, if not 3. The catch of the season!!

There are some nights that the score does not reflect the way the bats were hitting, the Units made good contact, had chances on the bases, but lady luck was just not on our side in this game. I don't think she has been around for the last 3 games. Someone send Lady Luck an email inviting her to our games.

The Hurtin' Units next game is Tuesday June 19th vs. the Master Batters. 

WINNER, WINNER, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED???

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE BEER BROS. 

Game # 8 - June 7th, 2017

Hurtin' Units lose 12-11

Team Record- 5-3-0

Coventry Park- We have not had a great week. On Monday, the Units lost to the Sons of Pitches in a game that probably should not have been played. The lights going out, the late start and the cool and damp weather should have kept this game from being played, but for some reason we decided to play. 

On Wednesday (this game) we lost a game that was all but over, the final out was a catch that would be made 99 times out of a 100, but for some crazy reason it was dropped and the inning continued. " It's not over until it's over". 

This game was a scheduled 8:00pm start at Coventry Park (3). This is the second time we have played at Coventry on a Wednesday. The Units were the Home team for this game.

The weather for this game was perfect. The temperature was hovering around 18 degrees, there was no wind and plenty of sunshine. 

AT game time we were down 2 players. Dave and Keith were absent.

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
	Hurtin' Units	2	1	2	2	0	2	2	11
	Beer Bros.	3	0	4	0	0	0	5	12

I thought this was a fun game despite the way it ended. The game was even most of the night and after 5 complete innings, nothing had been decided. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Units would score 2 runs and take the lead. 

In the top of the seventh inning (open), the Hurtin' Units had a 2 run lead and had not given up a run in the last 3 innings. The Beer Bros. lead of batter was Geoff, he would pop out to Bobby at first base, 1 out. The next batter was Cliff T. (top of the order) and Cliff would pop out to Darren behind second base, 2 out. The next batter would hit a line drive to Lefty at short, Lefty didn't even have to move, the ball appeared to go in the glove, but then it came right back out landing on the ground in front of Lefty. I thought the play was so routine, I took off my glove and mask. 

The Beer Bros. would go on to score 5 runs with 2 out. What the heck happened???

In the bottom of the seventh inning (open), the Units were now down by a score of 12 to 9. The Units would rally and get the tying run to third base with 2 out, Bobby V. would hit a ground ball to Paul P. (short stop for Bros.) and Paul would force Jimmer out at second base for the final out. Units would lose by a score of 12-11. 

The Units next game is Wednesday June 14th at 7:00pm at Keogh Park. 

PITCHES BEAT UNITS IN LATE NIGHT, LIGHTS OUT GAME.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE SONS OF PITCHES.

Game # 7 - June 5th, 2017

Hurtin' Units lose 14-9

Team Record- 5-2-0

Keogh Park- On Tuesday morning (May 6th), I woke up feeling a little ripped off. I didn't feel this way because of the loss, the night before, against the Sons of Pitches, no I felt this way because of the way this game played out. 

Our game was scheduled for 9:30pm, and we didn't get on the field until 10:05pm. This should not have happened! In the earlier games, there should not have been no new innings after 1 hour and 5 minutes. If the Units and Pitches didn't get on the field until after 10:00pm, this clearly did not happen. We (the Units and Pitches) would only get 4.5 innings in before the lights would go out . The Sons of Pitches were leading the game, and would prevail by a score of 14-9. 

When the lights went out the 2 teams would scramble looking for our bags, bases and bats. Some of us had cell phones looking for our stuff. 

On a more positive note, Darren (Lefty) showed up, to the game, wearing his newly purchased baseball cleats, Hurtin' Units baseball hat, Units jersey and a brand spankin' new pair of white baseball pants with a lovely, green pinstripe down the sides. Lefty looked like a professional player. "Every girl crazy about a sharp dressed man". Awesome!!

The weather for this game was cool and damp, which made sitting and waiting even more difficult. There was even some light rain during the game. 

The Units were the visitors again, for the 6th time in 7 games. 

At game time we had 11 players dressed in Kelly Green waiting to play. Dave was the only missing body. 

I really didn't like much about this game at all, I was frustrated right from start that we had to wait and that frustration just carried through the entire game. My least enjoyable game this season. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Wednesday June 7th at Coventry Park at 8:00pm.   

UNITS SCARY GOOD AGAINST GRUESOMES.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE GRUESOME DEVILS.

Game #6 - May 29th, 2017

Hurtin' Units win 21-10

Team Record - 5-1-0

Keogh Park- This season the Gruesomes are not as gruesome. That is to say that Scotty P. has replaced Jens as the co-captain. I guess really what I'm saying is that they still gruesome, but a different kind of gruesome.

Scotty P. once played for the Units (2015), and I can personally say, if anyone is captain material, it's Scotty.

When Scotty played with the Units, he was a great team player, with a very enthusiastic approach to the game. I really enjoyed playing with Scott, still one of my favorite players in the league. There was only one time I didn't enjoy Scott on the field. Back in 2015, when Scott was with the Units, just before the playoffs were about to begin, the Hurtin' Units were having a pre-playoff practise. I was pitching, Scott was batting, Scotty hit a line drive back toward the pitcher's mound and it hit me in the shin just above my shinpad. That  F#%*@!$ hurt!!! It was an instant lump and in the first game of the playoffs I have to wear a hockey shin pad.

In this game against the Gruesome Devils, as luck would have it, I forgot to bring my shin pads. I think I struggled a little in the game by not having them on. Damn you Scotty P.!! 

In this game against the Gruesome Devils, the Units would take an early lead and ride that lead to a victory. 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Hurtin' Units	7	4	2	7	0	1	0	21
Gruesome Devils	2	1	0	0	4	1	2	10

The Hurtin' Units next game is Monday June 5th at 9:30pm at Keogh Park vs. The Sons of Pitches. 

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMSY NIGHT.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE HOTTUB WOODYS.

Game # 5- May 29th, 2017

Hurtin' Units win 15-3

Team Record - 4-1-0

Let me start by saying I do not know why the beginning is in red, I tried to fix it, but nothing seems to work.

Tottenham Community Center- At 5:00 o'clock on game day, I went down for a nap. At that time the sky was blue, the birds were chirping and it looked very promising that our game would get played. 

My alarm woke me up 2 hours later to flashes of lightening, booming thunder and heavy rain. What the heck happened in those 2 hours? I looked at my phone and there were multiple messages and emails asking if the game was canceled. There was nothing from Doug D., so I sent him a message asking the status of the games. Doug replied that the games were still a go and the rain was to stop at 8:20. I relayed this message to our team. 

At about 8:00 oclock, I headed to the diamond, the rain had stopped, but everything was still dripping, it was still going to be a wet night. 

When I arrived at the diamond, Pete H., Fast Eddie H., and the umpire were on the playing field checking it out. There were some thumbs up and we were going to give it a go. 

It took about fifteen minutes to get everything setup (bases, lineups, drainage, etc.), but then game was underway. 

This game was the first home game for the Units. This would also be the first time a T.O.T teams had played at the Tottenham Community Center hardball diamond. 

I was actually impressed with the diamond!! 

The infield was so large, that when the bases were put in they looked out of place. The pitching mound (this is a hard ball diamond) did not really play a part in the outcome of the game. I think there were also worries about guys hitting into the backyard of the houses, but nobody really even came close to hitting the ball out of the park. I thought the playing surface was amazing!! It had drained quite well and it was not slippery at all. I would definitely play this diamond again.

The weather for this game was unsettled. The dark clouds were clearing out, but in the southern sky, you could still see lightning and hear the roars of thunder. The temperature was around 17 degrees (surprising considering all the rain), but it was comfortable. There was a strong wind that did play havoc with the pitching in this game.

At game time we had 12 Hurtin' Units players dressed and somewhat ready to play. This was the second game in a row that we had a full squad. Awesome!!

Once we got started, the game moved along quickly. In the first inning. The Hottub Woody's would send 6 batters to the plate, but only 1 would come around to score. The Units would also send 6 batters to the plate and 2 runs would come in to score. 

In the second inning, the Hottub Woody's would not score in the top of the inning. The Units would score 3 runs, on an in the park home run by Winston. The Units defense would shut down the Hottub Woody's over the next 2 innings and the Units would tack on 4 more runs. The score after 4 complete innings was 9-1 for the Hurtin' Units. 

Over the next 3 innings, the Units would only allow the Woody's 2 more runs against the defense and the Units offense would add another 6 runs. The final score. Units 15, Hottub Woody's 3. 

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
	Hurtin' Units	2	3	2	2	2	4	X	15
	Hottub Woodys	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	3

Highlights.

• Units would score in every inning.
• Hottub Woody's would only score 3 runs.
• Winston hit a 3 run , in the park, home run.
• The Hurtin' Units had 27 hits in this game.
• Winston, Keith, Steve and Brett (Hurtin' Units) all went 4 for 4 in the game.
• Fast Eddie H. (Hottub Woodies) went 4 for 4. Steve G. (Woody's) scored all 3 Woody's runs.
• Keith made a nice double play at third, picking off a ground ball, touching 3^rd for the force, and then throwing home for the out.
• Darren had a chance for a double play at second base, but just missed the back end at first to Bob.

Nice home opener Units!!

HURTIN' UNITS BATTLE HARD AGAINST REBELS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE RUSTY REBELS. 

Game # 4 - May 24, 2017

Hurtin' Units win 20-11

Team Record - 3-1-0

Coventry Park- Following this game I missed the opportunity take a picture of the game sheet, so I will try to remember a couple of highlights from the game and move on to the next posting. 

The weather for this game was a little unsettled, with overcast skies and a temperature around 15 degrees. There were a few light showers during the game, but it really did not affect the outcome of the game. 

At game time we had a full squad, all 12 players were dressed in green and ready to play. The Rusty Rebels were down players and had 3 subs for the game. 

Early in this game the Units were a little sloppy and the Rebels took advantage of it. The Units got down early again in this game, similar to the Batsters and Flippers games. The Hurtin' Units defense tightened up as the game progressed, highlighted by amazing catches by Winston. Bobby V. and Keith D. also made some great line drive catches. Stormsy made a great throw to Jimmer at 2nd base for another out. 

The Units Offense started off slow, but by the second time through the lineup, the bats started to fire on all cylinders and the runs started to pile up. Stormsy hit an in the park homerun. The Units 12 man lineup was hitting really well. Jimmer, Stef and Keith all went 4/4 in this game. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Monday May 29th at Tottenham Community Center at 8:30pm.

HURTIN' UNITS CARTWHEELING OVER FLIPPER WIN.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE BAT FLIPPERS. 

Game #3 - May 23, 2017

Hurtin' Units win 18-5

Team Record- 2-1-0

Coventry Park-In this game the Hurtin' Units were up against one of the newest teams in the league. This season 2 new teams and 4 new captains were welcomed into the TOT league. The new captains are not new to the league, but they are new as captains. The two new teams are the Bat Flippers, captained by Kevin (Radar)B. and Kevin (Clouch)C. And the Tottenham Twisters of New Tecumseth, captained by Jimmy S. and Geoff K.

Kevin C. (Flippers) is a Hurtin' Units Alumni. Kevin played for the Hurtin' Units in 2014. The season Kevin played with the Units was not a very good season. We finished the season with a 3-18-2 record. A tough season to be sure, but we still had fun.

I was looking at the Flippers roster, prior to the game, and I saw that there are 3 other players that once dawned the Hurtin' Units jersey. Bill C. played in the same season as Kevin, Clayton A. has actually played 3 times with the Units and Ricky G. played in 2014.

I guess if you play a few years in this league, you can look across the diamond, into the opponents dugout, there will probably be someone you played with in the past. This season the Units did not draft a single former player.

The weather for this game was perfect for baseball. The temperature was hovering around 15 degrees, there was a soft breeze and overcast skies.

At game time we had 11 players dressed in Kelly Green ready to take on the Flippers. The only missing player was Ryan M.

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
	Hurtin' Units	2	0	3	4	4	2	3	18
	Bat Flippers	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	5

The game started off similar to our game against the Inglorious Batsters, where we got down early. We were not down as many runs in this game, but it was still is a little concerning to get down to a team that had not lost a game this season. The Flippers got off to a good start scoring 3 runs in the first inning, and 2 runs in the second inning. The Units countered with 2 runs in the first inning. The score after 2 complete inning was Bat Flippers 5, Hurtin' Units 2.

It was in the third inning, the Units began to take over the game. The Units offense would shift into high gear and score in every inning for the rest of the game. The Units defense would also step it up, and shut the Flippers down, not allowing another run to score the final score 18-5 for the Units. 

The Hurtin' Units played a solid game both defensively and offensively to improve to a record of 2-1-0. Good game Units.