END OF SEASON BLOG. 

Welcome to end of season blog. And what a season it was, a season where the Units would play strong, compete every night and finally win the only prize this team has never won. 

Last season was really good, we won the league and got a jacket, but we’ve been there, done that. Coming in to this season, the Units had won almost everything as a team. This team has won the league (2x), won the beer cup (2x), won the Help the Kids Play tournament, won the keg (2x), had players who won the batting titles, had players who won most improved, but with all these wins and awards, nothing compares to the playoff run we experienced together from September 13^th to September 18^th, 2022 when the Hurtin’ Units would go 7-0 to win their first ever T.O.T Championship. LOVE IT!!

LOOKING BACK: On Thursday September 8^th, things looked a little grim, we lost to the Tap Masters, in a crowded park, giving up 11 runs, in the final inning, for an embarrassing 17-16 loss. Fortunately, we had a wing and pizza night planned and everyone (almost everyone) came back to the Legion for a bit of team bonding. It was a night that saw multiple shots of Lava Lamps and the decision to continue having one before every playoff game. From that day forward, we never looked back at where we were, and looked forward to where we wanted to be. For those who have already forgotten, we went 7 straight wins, against solid opponents, to take the T.O.T title.

We are all a little superstitious, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I did some things that I never changed during our playoff run. The Lava Lamps were our biggest superstition. Also, just before the playoffs startedm, I smudged (you can Google smudging) the bats in our bat bag, I wore the same socks (I did take them off), hat and necklace throughout the playoffs. Did it work Jimmer? Rhetorical question, of course it did.

Thanks again guys, Pete and I can not express enough how much we enjoyed playing with all of you ( you too Stef, LOL) and hopefully some of you are back on the Hurtin’ Units again in the future. GREAT SEASON, GREAT CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

I posted this picture on Facebook just after draft day, and there were some question marks as to where everyone would fit in. Who was Marc L, Fernando Su and Erico Conte. All rookies that nobody knew how or where they played. I asked Jeff D. (Hottub Woodies) who this Brad R. guy was, I didn't know who he was. Russell M was most improved the season before (didn't really know much about him...long hair, went to the finals with the Draft Kings), Jon, Darrell, Stef and Pete had all played with the Hurtin' Units before. Chilly, Jerry were big surprises, team guys all the way. It turned out to be a great season. The Units played in the HTKP tournament, Chilly recruited Units players for the August tournament (great for bonding), and for the first time in 3 seasons we did lose a player to injury. The Units finished 4th (should have been 3rd) in the standings, we fit together well as a team, we had chemistry and most of all we played as a team. The Sambuca in the playoffs bonded us even more as a team, and that bonding helped power us to win the Championship. Who are these guys?...They are the Hurtin' Units and they are the 2022 playoff champions of the T.O.T league.  

UNITS IN THE MIST. 

Game # 1- Playoffs 2022.

September 13^th, 2022.

Hurtin' Units vs. The Beer Bros.

Hurtin' Units win 13-7.

I still can't believe how quickly the season went by, it was a blink of an eye and it was over. The 26 regular season games are finished (the practise games as some people like to say) and now it's on to the playoffs. The playoffs are a time when all games matter, the playoff beards are grown and legends are made.

Last night (September 13^th) was opening night for the T.O.T playoffs and 8 teams saw some playoff action.

The weather for the game was damp, the temperature was around 19 degrees at game time and there was a mostly overcast sky. Earlier in the day, it had rained and most areas (bleachers, benches, grass) around the diamond were still wet.

At game time the Units had 12 guys dressed in red and yellow and needed a shot of Sambuca to calm the nerves of opening night.

This game was being played on Coventry diamond # 1, at least that's where it started. The Hurtin' Units were the visitors in this game.

I might mention that after 3 innings in the books, the game was on the move, darkness was beginning to descend upon us and the C#1 lights were not working (actually a key was broken off in the switch). We packed up our gear and headed to C#3 (it reminded me of the TV show 1883). Thanks go out to Jens and Dave for lighting and bases on C#3.

Over the first 4 innings this game was close. The Beer Bros scored 2 runs in the first inning and didn't score again until the fifth inning. The Units were shut out until the fourth inning, when we finally got on the board scoring 4 runs and taking the lead.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Units would tack on another single run. The Beer Bros. would storm back with 3 runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. After 5 complete innings the score was 5-5.

In the sixth inning, both teams would score 2 runs each. The score was now 7-7 going into the open inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, with a cloudy, foggy, mist taking over the outfield, the Units bats were rejuvenated, Jimmer would lead off with a single, Chilly would get out, Rico would get a single (in my opinion, the most important hit of the game) which got us back to the top of the order, Fernando would crush a double to score Jimmer, Rico would come around to third, Jerry would hit a long fly out, Rico would dance at third tagging up and would come home for another run. With 2 out, Marc would single, Jon D would hammer a shot in the gap in left field for an in the park homerun, Brad would then hit an in the park homerun, in to right field, Peter would single and Darrell would get out, ending the inning. Six runs would come in to score.

In the bottom of the inning, the first 2 batters, Fabio and Mike, would get out, Drew would hit a single and Al would hit a line drive back to the pitcher to end the game. Units get a win.

The Units are right back at it on Wednesday evening, when they take on the Gruesome Devils at C#2 at 8:30pm.

GRUESOME AND BEAUTIFUL AT THE SAME TIME.

Game # 2 – Playoffs 2022

September 14^th, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. The Gruesome Devils

Hurtin' Units win 14-5

Coventry Park- The Hurtin' Units were the higher seeded team in this game, but we chose to be the visitor batters. There are reasons why the teams do this in the round robin, but it is mostly to improve on the plus/minus, sometimes it pays off sometimes it doesn't.

The weather for this game was frickin' cold, not ice cold, but when I was driving home the temperature was 12 degrees. There was a bit of a breeze when I got to the park, but that seemed to die down by game time.

The Hurtin' Units had a full squad again for this game, 12 guys dressed in red ready to take on the Gruesomes; more like 12 guys dressed in sweaters and parkas, frickin' cold I tell ya.

Over the first 3 innings the Units defense was stellar, only allowing the Gruesome a single run in the 3^rd inning. The Units offense over the first 3 innings was clicking also, the Units scored 11 runs in the first 3 innings. The score was 11-1 after 3 complete innings.

In the fourth inning, the Devils would score 2 more runs, the Units would be held off the scoresheet stranding Marc at 3^rd base with 2 batters trying to bring him home.

In the fifth inning, the Units were stopped by the Gruesomes 1, 2, 3, (“ change em up boys”), but fortunately the Units did not allow the Gruesomes any runs.

In the sixth inning, the Units got 3 runners on base, and stranded the bases loaded to end the inning. In the bottom of the inning, the Gruesome would score another 2 runs. The score at the end of 6 complete innings was 11-5. Nail biting time.

In the top of the 7^th (open) inning, the Units scored another 3 runs, highlighted by a lead off homerun by Fernando. In the bottom of the inning, the Gruesome were at the top of the order, Dave would fly out, Mark C would get on base, Younger would hit a single, Jens would hit to Jon D at short, Jon would touch 2^nd base and throw to first for a game ending double play. The Units win 14-5.

Couple of highlights in this game would be Marc, Jon and Fernando all hit in the park homeruns for the Units. Matt would hit an in the parker for the Gruesome and Jon D would end the game on a beautiful double play. Go Units!

Hurtin Units take on the Tap Masters on Friday September 16. 

LITTLE TIGHT WITH THE TAPPERS. 

Playoff Game # 3 

Friday September 16, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. The Tap Masters

Hurtin' win 7-6 

Playoff record 3-0

Coventry Park- This game was one that was on my mind since Wednesday when we played the Gruesome Devils. I was thinking about how we played the Tap Masters, in the last game of the regular season, we were leading by 10 runs (16-6), and the Tappers came back to win by a score of 17-16. They scored 10 runs before we got an out in that final inning. They certainly had the lineup to do it again. 

The weather for this game cool, we had temperatures in the teens and I wore a jacket during the entire game; something I don't normally do. 

At game time we had 11 players for this game, Marc was the only missing body and thankfully Chilly and Russell were both able to make it. Terri had knee replacement surgery earlier in the day. 

The Units decided to be the visitors again in this game, I had thought about being the home team, but after consulting with Pete and Jon, we thought it was still a good move. If something is working why change it. And speaking of something working, again we poured out the lava lamps (Sambuca and tequila rose), something we started I believe 1or 2 games before the playoffs started, but decided after our last game of the year to continue doing.  

In the top of first inning, the Hurtin' Units would come out swinging. Every Units player would bat and everyone but Rico would get on. Fernando was forced out, Darrell was forced out and Rico got out. The Units would score 5 runs.  In the bottom of the inning, Doris would lead off with a triple, Tim and Jason would get out, Mike C would double, scoring Doris, Jason would single and Gord would get out. 

In the top of the second inning, Fernando would triple, Jerry would fly out, scoring Fernando, Pete and Jon would both get out. In the bottom of the inning, the Tappers would go down quickly, 4 batters, 3 outs, zero runs. 

In the third the Units went down 1,2,3. The Tap Master would score 2 more runs. In the fourth inning the Units went down again 1,2,3. The Units had 9 outs in the row. This was starting to get a little nerve racking. The good thing was the Tappers were not much better, they sent 5 batters to the plate and no runs came in. The score at the end of 4 inning was 6-4 for the Units. 

In the top of the fifth inning, the Units sent 4 batters to the plate, 3 got out and Jerry had a double. The Tappers would send 5 batters to the plate, but the Units shut them down again. Holy crap, this was becoming a defensive gem or a couple of teams that can't score runs, you decide. 

The sixth inning was similar to the other Units innings, 4 batters up, a double by Jon, 3 outs and "let's go to the bottom of the sixth inning." In the sixth, Jason would get out, Mike C would triple, Jason C would fly out, scoring Mike from 3rd base, Gord would fly out and... inning over. The score was now 6-5 for the Units and visions of our last game were dancing in my head. 

In the seventh inning, the Russell would single, Jimmer would single, Chilly would single, but force Jimmer out at second, Rico would single, but force Chilly out at second, Fernando would single scoring Russell and Jerry would fly out to end the top on the inning. In the bottom, Andrew would single to start the inning, (nervous times on the field), Bob would get out (1), Brad would hit a single to score Andrew, Cliff would hit a single to advance Brad to second, Steve to hit in to a force play getting Cliff out at second (2 out), Doug D. would hit a line drive to Darrell at first and that ended the ball game. Units win 7-6 for their 3 win in the round robin. 

The Units next game was Saturday at Coventry 3 at 4 pm.

DOGCATCHERS STILL HAVE SOME BITE. 

 Playoff Game # 4

Saturday September 17th, 2022.

Hurtin' Units vs. The Dog Catchers.

Hurtin' Units win 25-9

Coventry Park- C#3- After the tight game with the Tap Masters on the Friday night, we got to play the Dogcatchers. The game was started late, the game before was running long and the Dogcatchers, who had just played at 2:30pm probably needed a little break. The Dogcatchers were having a rough playoff and were probably a little down coming in to this game. None the less, the Units needed a victory to keep the streak alive and secure a spot near the top of the round robin standings. 

The Dogcatcher over their last 2 games had been defeated by game scores of 19-0 and 25-1, giving up 44 runs and only scoring a single. In this game they showed more of what they were capable of and challenged the Units to play solid defense. The Units bats were definitely hitting better in this game. 

The weather for this game was beautiful, the temperatures were actually in the high 20s, sun and cloud mix and there was a soft breeze rustling the leaves on the trees at C#3. Nice day for baseball. 

At game time, the Units had 12 guys in the lineup, full team again. 

For this game, I did not get a score sheet or take a picture of the sheet. I can tell you it was a good game and in the end the Units would be victorious becoming the only undefeated team in the round robin and securing the top seed. The Units were going on to the quarter finals.

The Units next game was Sunday at 9am vs. the Gamblers. 

YOU NEVER COUNT YOUR MONEY. 

Playoff Game # 5- Quarter Final Game.

Sunday September 19, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. the Gamblers

Hurtin' Units win 9-8 

Coventry Park- This was my first time playing in Sunday game since 2016 and we went down in the quarter finals back then. Last season (2021) we thought we had the team to go to Sunday, but the game against the Hot Tub Woodies, when we lost 6-5 in the round robin, knocked us out. That game still haunts me. We had such a great season (2021), we won the league, we won the Beer Cup, we won the keg party, Jamie won the batting title and we were feeling good about the way we were playing. "Calm down Jimmer, there's nothing you can do now."- my inside voice.

The Gamblers are a fun team, they have great support, they do fun things with their team ( i.e homerun jacket, hats, Facebook group) and they are fun to play on the field. They remind me of the Hurtin' Units and our approach to making the game and season a fun experience for the players. The Units had 3 rookies this season and one guy we could consider a rookie (Brad only played a handful of games for the Woodies last season) and we want these rookies enjoy the experience of our league and to come back next season, they are the future of this league. The Gamblers make it fun... baseball should be fun.

The weather for this game was not to good, the dark clouds were threatening to rain on our parade and in could be a wet Sunday. 

At game time we had all 12 Units players ready to go. 

The Hurtin' Units were the home team. In the top of the first inning, the Gamblers sent 6 batters to the plate and 2 would come around to score. In the bottom of the inning, the Units first 2 batters got out, Fernando on a fly ball, Jerry forced at second on a hit by Marc, Jon would single scoring Marc, Brad would get out. 

In the second inning, the Gamblers bottom of the order would score 4 more runs and strand Shorty at 3rd. In the bottom of the inning, Pete would hit a triple, Darrell would single to score Pete, Stef would get out, Russell would single to force Darrell out, Jimmer would fly out. The score after 2 complete innings was 6-2 for the Gamblers.

In the top of the third, Beechy would triple, Al would hit a towering homerun that hit the top of the fence and bounced over for 2 runs. The Units would stop the next 3 batters 1,2,3. In the bottom of the inning, Chilly and Rico would get out, Fernando would hit an in the park homerun, Jerry would single, Marc would get out. The score was now 8-3.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Units would shut the door, Jason, Rob and Shorty all went down. In the bottom of the inning, the Units would score 2 more runs, getting a little closer in the score. 8-5 for the Gamblers. 

In the fourth inning, the Units defense took over the game, the Units shut down the Gamblers 4 straight innings, not allowing a run to come in. The Units would chip away at the Gambler's lead, the Units would score 3 more runs in the fifth inning to tie the game. 

Neither team scored in the 6th inning, the Gamblers, as I already mentioned, were shut out 4 straight innings, in the bottom of the 7th inning, game tied, the Units lead off batter (Rico) would get out, Fernando would crush a triple to the fence, and with the winning run at 3rd base, the Gamblers intentionally walked Jerry and Marc to load the bases (I might have done the same thing) and create force plays on every base, Jon D was the Units next batter, Jon would pop up for the second out of the inning, Brad was the next batter, Brad would hit a line drive down the right field line and Fernando would come in to score and the Units were heading to the semi-finals. Units win a close game again, 9-8. 

Units next game, in the semi-finals vs. the Master Batters. 

BATTERS UP.  

Playoff Game # 6  Semi- final Game

September 18th, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. The Master Batters

Hurtin' Units win 14-12

This was the first time I had been to the semi-final since 2008 when I played on the Lucky Stiffs and we won the championship. I have never been to the semis with the Hurtin' Units. 

The weather for this game was shitty, we were lucky in our last game to not get rained on, but this game was not great weather. At game time, light rain was starting to fall and it would come and go throughout the game. 

In the first inning, the Master Batters sent 4 batters to the plate, only Danny would get a hit. In the bottom the Units sent 7 batters to the plate, 2 would come around to score, Brad was stranded at third base. 

In the second inning, the Batters would score a single run, sending 6 batters to the plate. The second inning is probably where this game was won for the Units. The Units would send 8 batters to the plate, 7 would score, Chilly was the only out and the Units took a 9-1 lead. 

In the third inning, the Master Batters would score another run and the Units would match them with a single run also. 

In the fourth inning, the Batters would not go away, the would send 5 batters to the plate and 2 runs would score. In the bottom, the Units bottom of the order would come through, and when the diamond mud settled, the Units pinned up another 3 runs. The score after four was 13-4 for the Units. 

In the fifth inning, the Master Batters bats came to life, the Batters sent 10 batters to the plate, 8 after 2 outs, and scored 6 runs to tighten the screws on the Units. In the bottom, Marc would double, Jon would single to score Marc, and Brad, Darrell and Pete went down 1,2,3. 

In the sixth inning, the Units would bend a little, but would not break. The Batters would send 6 batters up, only one would score, runners stranded on 3rd and 2nd. In the bottom, the Units went down quickly, Stef got out, Russell singled, Jimmer flied out, Chilly hit in to a force play, Russell was out at second. The score at the end of six complete innings was 14-11 for the Units. 

In the top of the seventh inning, the Master Batters lead off Matt got out (1), Chris would double, Roger (sub pitcher for this game) would also get out (2), Dave would single, Gord would single scoring Chris, Danny would ground out (3) and that was the ball game. Units win 14-12 and get a berth in the finals vs. the Draft Kings.  

KINGS ARE BRIDE'S MAIDS AGAIN.  

Playoff Game # 7

September 18th, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. the Draft Kings.

Hurtin' Units win 15-8

The Draft Kings finished 2nd in the league this season and if the Rebels had not got off to such a great start, I believe the Draft Kings would have won the league. Coming down the final stretch of the regular season the Draft Kings had a 10 game winning streak and had won 12 of their last 13 games. 

On September 1st, I had the pleasure of playing with these guys, I was asked to sub, I played first base and I got to see first hand how fast and powerful they were. Scary good team. 

On September 18th, the Hurtin' Units defeated the Master Batters in the semi-finals and in the other game the Draft Kings defeated the Rusty Rebels to make the final match Draft Kings vs. the Hurtin' Units.

 

The weather for this game was great, the skies were starting to clear, the birds were chirping, the ground was drying out and the temperature was comfortable. 

All 12 Hurtin' Units players were on hand. The Lava Lamps were poured and consumed and the nervous Units were ready for their first ever T.O.T final. The Units were the home team. 

In the top of the first inning, the Draft Kings came out crushin' it, and that speed and power I mentioned earlier was showing up. The Draft Kings would score 5 runs in the top of the inning. The Hurtin' Units had a huge mountain to climb. The Units would come out with confidence and show the Kings we would not just roll over, the Units would put up 6 runs on the board. 6-5 Units after 1 inning. 

In the top of the second inning, Harley would get out, Mountain Man would single, Tom B would hit an in the park homerun, Chuck would get out and Ian would get out, Units got out of a potentially big inning allowing only 2 runs. In the bottom of the inning, the Units went down quickly, 4 batters up, 3 batters out. 

In the top of the third inning, the Units defense took over again, the Kings went down 1, 2,3. In the bottom of the inning, Jerry would double, Marc would double, Jon would double, Brad would hit an in the park homerun, Peter would single, Darrell would single and Stef would also single. When the diamond dust settled the Units had scored 5 runs to take a 11-7 lead. 

In the fourth inning, neither team scored. 

In almost every playoff game the Units defense got strong as the game went on, this game was no different. Over the last 5 innings the Units defense was spectacular, only allowing the Draft Kings to score a single run. The Units offense was strong in this game and went on to score 4 more runs for a 15-8 victory and win the Hurtin' Units first ever championship. UNITS WIN!!!!

Final Game Score Sheets.

Playoff Play Down. 

Baseball World Magazine. 

FINAL STANDINGS FOR THE REGULAR SEASON. 

 

End of Season Standings. 

Team	GP	Won	Lost	Tied	Points	Pct.	GB	RF	RA	RD
RUSTY REBELS	26	23	2	1	47	.904	--	448	286	162
DRAFT KINGS	26	19	6	1	39	.750	4.0	401	256	145
BEER BROS.	26	16	9	1	33	.635	7.0	415	369	46
HURTIN' UNITS	26	15	9	2	32	.615	7.5	414	323	91
SONS OF PITCHES	26	13	12	1	27	.519	10.0	386	335	51
STRANGE CREW	26	11	12	3	25	.481	11.0	418	349	69
INGLOURIOUS BATSTERS	26	11	14	1	23	.442	12.0	365	399	-34
GRUESOME DEVILS	26	10	13	3	23	.442	12.0	318	392	-74
DOG CATCHERS	26	11	15	0	22	.423	12.5	330	432	-102
BAT FLIPPERS	26	10	14	2	22	.423	12.5	400	453	-53
MASTER BATTERS	26	8	14	4	20	.385	13.5	388	491	-103
TOT TWISTERS OF NT	26	8	16	2	18	.346	14.5	381	407	-26
TAP MASTERS	26	8	17	1	17	.327	15.0	361	478	-117
GAMBLERS	26	8	18	0	16

 TALE OF TWO TAPPIES. 

Game # 26

September 8, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. The Tap Masters

Hurtin' Units lose 17-16

Team Record- 15-9-2

Keogh Park- It was a beautiful September evening for baseball, the stands were filled to capacity and the long awaited rematch between the Tap Masters and the Hurtin' Units was on the diamond. The Units and the Tap Masters played in the Unit's game # 1 back on May 17^th and the Units defeated the Tap Masters 28-5.

At game time, the Units had a full squad, all dressed in red and yellow, probably one of the rare nights when everyone was there. Great night for a team picture, and so it was done. It was also a good night to pour out a shot of Sambuca to celebrate a fun and positive season. We had also arranged to have a pizza and wings night back at the Legion following the game.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. This game was looking a little bit like the first game in the early innings, the home team Units took to the field and the Tap Masters went down quickly sending only 4 batters to the plate. In the bottom of the inning, the Units would send 7 batters to the plate and 3 would come around to score. At the end of the first, the score was 3-0 Units.

Over the next two innings, the Units shut the door on the Tappers, allowing no runs. The Units were shut down in the 2^nd inning, but stormed back in the 3^rd to score 5 more runs. In the top of the forth inning the Tappers would get on the board with a monstrous homerun by Jason C. over the right field fence in to the tennis courts. In the bottom of fourth inning, the high powered Units would add to their lead and put up another 6 runs. The score at the end of 4 complete innings was an impressive 14-1 for the Units.

Although it looked like the Units had this game wrapped up, the worst of times was about to rear it's ugly head and teach the Units a bit of a lesson. That lesson is that it's not over until it's over.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Tappers would score 4 more runs, but the Units would put another 2 on the scoreboard. The Units still had the game in the bag...Right????

In the top of the sixth inning, the Tap Masters would score a single run, but hold the Units off the scoresheet for the only the second time in the game. No big deal, the Units got this, the score was 16-6 going into the open inning. “Alright boys it's 1,2,3 and it's back to the Legion for wings, pizza and beer with 3^rd place all wrapped up in a pretty little bow. We got this.”

In the top of the open inning, the Tap, Tap, Tap Masters came a knockin' and would send 15 batters to the plate before the diamond dust settled. The Tappers would score 10 runs before the Units recorded the first out, pounding the ball all around the park, Units couldn't make a catch or get a force play, it was like a force that would not stop coming. After the first out the game was tied and the Units took a deep breath, the next batter Jason C (remember that guy that hit the solo homerun way back in the forth inning) would get on base and come around on a single by Mike. The Units would get the next 2 batters out to end the inning. “Holy CRAP what just happened?”

In the bottom of the out inning, the Units now trailing by a run and probably shocked by what just happened went down like a sack of potatoes. The Units would send 3 batters to the plate and 3 batters walked back to the dugout. 3 up, 3 down and that's the ballgame folks.

"It was the best of times it was the worst of times.”- Charles Dickens.

UNITS LOSE, UNITS LOSE in the tale of two Tappies.

“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I got to than I have ever known.” - Charles Dickens- A Tale of Two Cities.

 

COME EVERYBODY, LET'S DO THE TWIST

Game # 25

August 31, 2022

Hurtin' Units vs. The Tottenham Twisters of New Tecumseth

Hurtin' Units lose 16-2

Team Record- 15-8-2

This game was scheduled to be our final game of the regular season, but because we were rained out last Thursday, we will be playing the Tap Masters on September 9^th. Our first game of the season was against the Tap Masters and our last game will be against them. What goes around comes around.

The weather for this game was good, with temperatures in the high teens and a very strong breeze with a mostly clear sky.

At game time, the Units had 10 players ready (somewhat ready) to play. Marc was playing in Beeton and was running late. Missing from this game was only Jon. We were the visiting team on the night. Thanks to Terri for score-keeping.

This game was the only scheduled game at Keogh on the night, there was another game at Coventry and both were scheduled to start at 8:30pm. There were no 7:00pm games tonight due to a Captain's meeting at the Legion. In tonight's captains meeting, we talked about league finances (snore fest), playoff formats, golf tournament (you can still sign up), August tournament results and a couple of other miscellaneous items.

I mentioned that this game vs. The Twisters was supposed to be our last game of the season and I'm glad it was not. I do not want to end the season on this game. The Twisters are like my second team, I have played/subbed multiple games for them this season and I have watched them get stronger and better as the season progressed. Last night they looked fantastic and they took us out behind the Woody shed (threw in a Dan C. reference) and beat us up real bad.

From the start of the game it was not looking good. I personally was fighting resistance from the moment I left the meeting. I couldn't find my keys, left the lineup in my car, my pen ran out, had to change the lineup (No Marc yet), you get the picture. In the top of the first inning the Units would go down quickly, 3 up 3 down. Not the way you want to start a game. In the bottom of the inning, the Twisters would send 9 batters to the plate and 7 runs would score, highlighted by a 3 run homerun, over the left field fence, by Wayne W.

In the top of the second inning, Marc would lead off (he made it from Beeton during the Twisters batting) flying out, Jerry would double and score, Russell and Chilly would get out. Hooray, were on the board. In the bottom of the second, things did not get any better for the Units, the Twisters would again send 9 batters to the plate and when the dust settled there were 6 more runs scored. The score after 2 complete innings was 13-1 for the twisters.

The bulk of the runs (for both teams) came in the first two innings, the rest of the game was like watching paint dry, out after out, the odd base hit peppered in, but for the most part it wasn't exciting at all, at least not for the Hurtin' Units. The Units would score another single run in the forth inning, and the Twisters would put up 3 runs in the 6^th inning and that was it. A good win for the Twisters, the worst loss of the season for the Hurtin' Units with only 2 runs scored.

There was one highlight in the game I'm embarrassed to have been a part of, in my second at bat (only had 2) I hit a ground ball to Geoff K. at short, Geoff tagged Chilly running to third (1 out), touched second for a force out (2 out) and threw to first to get me (Jimmer) out (3 out), at triple play and that was really the kind of night that we had. Nice play Geoff!

The Hurtin' Units will play their final regular season game on Thursday September 9^th at Keogh Park vs. The Tap Masters.