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 13th to September 18th,
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 8th, 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 13th, 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 13th) 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 14th, 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 3rd 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 3rd 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 7th (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 2nd 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 # 3Hurtin' 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 # 4Hurtin' 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.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 |
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