Battle for the Basement.

 

Battle for the Basement.

Game # 19- August 6th, 2024

Hurtin' Units vs. The Gruesome Devils

Hurtin' Units lose 11-8

Team Record- 5-14-0

"Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical." - Yogi Berra

Coventry Park– Last week I joked that the game between the Meatballs and the Hurtin' Units was the battle of the basement. It technically wasn't for last place, but with the Meatballs defeating us, this game between the Gruesomes and the Units really is for last place. If the Units win the Gruesomes stand in last, if the Gruesomes win they overtake us in the standings... and the way this season is playing out, last place could be in our cards. I can't figure this out, I was making out the lineup and position sheet and I'm looking at our top 6-8 batters asking “Why are we not scoring more”? The Hurtin' Units are scoring an average of 11.1111 runs per game on the season and on the other side of the equation, giving up an average of 14.83 runs per game. We are only giving up 14.83 runs per game, you would think that would translate into a few more wins...Right?

NOT BLOODY LIKELY!!! The Units have not scored more than 15 runs in any game this season. We have reached 15 runs, in a game, 3 times all season, twice resulting in a win and once in a loss. Again, why are we not scoring more runs? Here's a little trivia question for you. Who do you think leads the league in home runs? You would be hard-pressed to say the Hurtin' Units, but it's true, the Units have the most home runs in the league (14) at this time. Talk about a strange season.

Game Time:

I forgot to get a picture of the game sheet, but really with an 11-8 score how exciting
could this game have been? There were some highlights (not many) and if I remember them I will include them.

The weather for this game was cool, the temperature was in the low 20s, with a sun/cloud mix and a gorgeous sunset. At game time the Units had 11 guys dressed, the only missing body was Steve S. That is the most, of our players, we have had all season. Roman was the Umpire and Steve Gruesome was the scorekeeper.

I am still willing to trade our Resmondo bat with any other team, this bat is a bad influence on our other bats and they have all gone on strike.

I thought the Units played a great game, They were solid defensively, Jamie and Slick (Rick) made outstanding catches in the outfield, and the infield was tight and up until the bottom of the 6th inning, we were leading in the game. The bottom of the sixth inning started good with 2 quick outs, but Rick lost a ball in the night sky and the Gruesomes scored 4 runs in the inning and took an 11-8 lead. The Units would get a lead-off hit from Cookie, but the top of the order couldn't keep it going. The Units bats (led by Resmondo) decided to knock off early and that was the game. Units lose another game.

After the game, we had a few post-game sodas, watched some of the Flippers and Beer Bros game and all 11 guys hung around and talked and laughed, it was great to see. Even with the kind of season we have had, I like the chemistry and personnel on this team. We all know that we have played well in games, we know that we are struggling to put runs on the board (still blaming Resmondo), but there will be a night when we break out of this hitting funk and score a bucket load of runs.

The Unit's next game is Wednesday, August 7th, at Coventry Park vs. The Inglorious Batsters. This will not be a Beer Cup game since the Master Batters beat the Inglorious the night before.