MASTER BATTERS BEAT HURTIN' UNITS.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE MASTER BATTERS.

A Hurtin' Units season is always a wild ride. 

Game # 5- May 28, 2015

Hurtin' Units Lose - 22-9

Team Record - 2-3-0

FINALLY... IT'S THE HOME OPENER!!

Keogh Park- Since the start of the season the Hurtin Units have been the visiting team. Over the 4 game stretch, we have a 2-2 record and we have played in to the seventh inning in every game. A 2-2 record after playing 4 games as visitors is decent, if a major league team came home 2-2, on a 4 game road trip, it would definitely be considered a successful trip.

In our first 3 games we had to defend our leads going in to the bottom of the seventh innings. In the game against the Beer Bros, we took the lead in the top of the seventh, we had to defend and almost came away with the win. After defending the lead so many times, it will be nice to go in to the bottom of the open inning not having to play or with a chance to come back for the win.

Gord and Dave are our buds.

This game against the Master Batters will be a challenging match. The Master Batters have a 3-2 record coming in to this game. The master Batters are T.O.T league's newest team, voted in to the league in April. The Batters are captained by Gord T. and Dave F.

With 2 sets of captains packing it in this season, the door was opened for Gord and Dave to step up. The captains that did not return were Bo and Roddy (Brewjays) and John and John (Blues Bros.). Bo and Rod are still playing in the league. Bo with the Hurtin' Units and Rod with the Grisslies.

Since the Master Batters are new in the league, the Hurtin' Units have no history with this team. So this game is the maiden voyage for our teams to play. We may have no history with the Master Batters, but Mike and I are very familiar with the captains of the team. Dave F. (Home Hardware - "home of the handy man") and Gord T. (Tanners Self Storage - "Smokin, hot storage deals") have been in the league for awhile, we have played together, played against each other and we even play hockey together. These 2 guys are very competitive and I expect a tough game against them.

Standings after 4 games for the Hurtin' Units.

So, here are the standings, after the first 4 games, for the Hurtin' Units. Last season, we started off in last place and rode that wave all the way in to the playoffs. In the playoffs, after the round robin portion, we managed to beat out the Hottub Woodys with a slightly better plus/minus for last place. It was still nothing to be proud of. The standings are so close at this time of the season, so close that a win or a loss could catapult a team in to first or a loss could drop them in to 14th, I only post this standings now, because it looks so good not to be at the bottom for the first time in over a year. The Units short term goal is to win 4 games on the season, bettering last year's record by a win. After this goal is accomplished, then we will set a new goal and progress through the season one step at a time.


I find it a bit difficult to get in to a rhythm when our games are so far apart. It has been over a week since we were on the field last. We played last Wednesday night (loss to the Tap Masters) and this game is 8 days later. I think teams need to play more often, to stay in a groove. Next week we have 2 games on the week. We play at Coventry on Tuesday and Keogh on Thursday. I'm looking forward to a week with 2 games. Hopefully the rust is not too thick for this game. 

Quagmire, we said Master Batters.

The weather for this game was perfect, there was a sunny sky with a few fluffy clouds peppered around thoughout. At game time, there was a slight breeze, but it would not factor in to game play. 

At game time we had 10 Hurtin' Unit players warming up on the field. Dave M. and Todd (Hicks) were the only missing personnel. Todd was a last minute bow out, and I'm not sure what happened to Dave.    

This game was reminiscent of most of the Hurtin' Units games last season. Last season, our opponents would crush the ball all around the diamond (usually out of the range of our fielders) and the bats would go ice cold, we never seemed to be synchronized, hence the high plus/minus and losing record last season. 

By far this is our worst loss of our young season. This Unit's team batting is much better than a 9 run night. Yes, I did say a 9 run night; for the second straight game, I found a gaff on the scoresheet. The scorers (they were basically everyone on the field) missed or failed to tally 2 runs on the scoresheet scored in the fifth inning. Last game the scorekeeper missed Todd's monstrous homerun. The 2 runs missed really would not have changed things in the end, but it might have made us feel a little better. 

The game started off well enough, the Units allowed 3 runs in the top of the first and in the bottom, the Units countered with a 2 spot to keep it close. Over the next 2 innings the Batters would put up two 4 run innings and the Units would countered with only a single run. The score after 3 complete innings was 11-3 for the Batters.


In the top of the 4th inning, the dagger was plunged deep in to the belly of the Units as the Master Batters put up 7 runs on the scoreboard and Units only managed 2 runs (the missing 2 runs, I might add). The fifth inning was the only inning, on the night, that the Hurtin' Units would win, by a 4-2 margin. We can't gain much ground with only one inning outscoring our opponents. The score after 5 complete innings was 20-9 for the Master Batters (although we thought it was 20-7),  knowing about those 2 runs could have made a difference. 

It was going in to the top of the sixth inning, when I said to Mike I'm going to work on some pitches, I think a line was " nothin' but knuckles" and I did start playing around with some junk pitches. The Batters would only score a single run. In the bottom of the sixth we were shut out, sending 5 batters to the plate. RATFARTS!! 

In the top of the 7th (open) the Batters would only score another single run, but the downside was the Units would be shut out again. Make the final... Master Batters 22, Hurtin' Units 9. 

It was not the Hurtin' Units finest hour (1.25 hours actually), but there were a few bright spots. Al made his first 2 catches of the season, Mike handled 3 pop flies at first, Vince made another shoe top catch on the right field line. At bat, we had a rough night, but we are very capable of bashing the ball around the park, it will come together. For most of us, our batting averages will take a shit kicking because of this game, Darrell might come away unscathed with a 3 for 4 night. UNITS UNITE!!

The Hurtin' Units next game is Tuesday June 2nd at Coventry Park at 8:15pm. 

MASTERS OF THEIR DOMAIN...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE TAP MASTERS. 

Game # 4- May 20th, 2015

Hurtin' Units lose 22-15

Team Record 2-2-0

Over the past weekend, I started thinking about the Hurtin' Units upcoming game vs. the Tap Masters. The Tap Masters always seem to have the Hurtin' Units number. I think that every team, whether professional, amateur or recreational has that one team that is their nemesis (i.e Montreal Canadians vs. the Boston Bruins), for the Hurtin' Units, I feel that team is the Tap Masters. I can't remember ever beating the Masters in regular season, tournaments or playoffs. I can honestly say, I don't know what the Units all time record, against the Tap Masters is, so I decided to do a bit of research on the topic.

Intense Research Results.

After some intense research, I discovered my feelings regarding the Tap Masters are valid. Since the Tap Masters came in to the league in 2012, they have dominated the Hurtin' Units. In the seven games played, the Tap Masters have a 6-1-0 record. And they have outscored the Units by 127 to 67 runs. Yikes!! You have to think that sooner or later things have to balance out. Right?

This game is the final game of our 4 game road trip to start the season. We have been on the road since May the 5th and I think everyone will be happy to get home, eat a delicious, home cooked meal and sleep in their own beds. I don't think there is anything more uncomfortable than trying to sleep on the team bus. The Hurtin' Units home opener is next Thursday Night vs. the Master Batters. 

The weather for this game was still a little on the chilly side, with a high temperature on the day of only 15 degrees, a brisk northwest wind making it feel cooler and mostly sunny skies... so we had that going for us. It's an 8:15pm game you say, the sun we be going down during the game...D'oh!! or should I be saying " what the deuce?". Family Guy fans should know this one. 

At game time we had 12 players dressed in navy and white shirts, although some of those shirts were covered up with a warmer outer layer. All 12 guys again, probably another good night for a team picture, forgot again...D'oh!!

The Masters de Tap have once again shown their dominance over the Hurtin' Units. I didn't mention, to the Hurtin' Units players, about the record vs. the Tap Masters until after the game. Maybe, if I had, there may have been more incentive to want a victory against these guys. I will definitely bring it up before the next game with the Tap Dancers.

I woke up on Tuesday morning with a extremely tight lower back, I could barely bend over, I popped a muscle relaxant and hoped for the best. When I finished work on Tuesday, my back was still tight, fortunately I had a massage booked and let my therapist work her magic. The next morning (Wednesday), I woke up and my back was feeling good, the only problem was, my neck was stiff and my shoulders not much better. I popped another muscle relaxant and again hoped for the best. Later Wednesday afternoon, I started thinking about asking Darrell to pitch and at game time I asked him to go in. 

I probably should not have asked him to pitch, not because he's not a good pitcher (he is, he's super awesome), but more because he is also an awesome second baseman and if he had been at second we probably would have been out of the first inning sooner. I really enjoy playing second base, I can usually hold my owe, but Darrell is so solid in this position.

In the top of the first inning, the Units would score 5 runs. Awesome!! In the bottom of the inning, the Tappers would score seven. Crap!!

In the second inning, the Units would score only a single run, but the upside is the defense would hold the Masters off the scoresheet. 

The bad news is that over the next 4 innings, the Tap Masters would out score the Units, in every inning, to the tune of 15 runs to the Units 5 runs. The score after 6 complete innings was 22-11 for the Masters. The Units would rally in the top of the seventh with 4 more runs, but it would not be enough, the final score 22-15 for the Tappers. 

We played a decent game on the night, we had one inning when we threw the ball around, allowing several runs to score and runners to advance a base or two. The Tap Masters really hit the ball hard, getting it by our infielders and on one occasion just getting the ball by Scotty, in the outfield, who almost made the catch. Scotty also had to run in to make a spectacular sliding catch in shallow LCF. On this play, I thought the Tapper's runner, at second base, left early on the tag, but Roman was honest about not seeing it because he was watching Scott for a fair catch. I can live with that, only one umpire, can't watch everywhere.

The Units also hit the ball well; Cookie screamed a line drive to the first baseman, Vinny lined out to short, I was caught again, in this game, in left field and Dave Miller continues to impress me with his hitting and defense. Hicks (the birthday boy) hit a homerun over the left field fence, he also struck out for the final out of the game (homeruns cancel out strike outs for jugs of beer). Cookie made a barehanded catch, at catcher, for an important out. Vince made a scary good catch in right field, crashing in to the chain link fence. 

Over all, I thought we played pretty well; we had one bad inning defensively and our batting was not quite where it should be with 4 innings of only 1 run or less. I don't think we should push the panic button yet. Scotty is looking forward to the Units getting their 4th win of the season to surpass the Hurtin' Units record of 2014. We have 22 more games to get ur done boys. Let's set a goal of 4 wins and work upward from there. 

Thanks to Gina for score keeping. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Thursday May 28th at 7:00pm at Keogh Park. The Units first home game of the season.     

GAME OF GROANS...

HURTIN' UNITS VS. THE BEER BROS. 

Game # 3- May 14, 2015

Hurtin' Units lose 24-23

Team Record- 2-1-0

Keogh Park- We are still on the road for two more games, the clothes in our suitcases are starting to get a little ripe. It's a good thing we have only worn the new shirts once and the night we wore them, it was cold and we didn't really work up a sweat. 

The weather for this game was quite good, at least much better than our previous two games. The temperature, at 7:00pm was 19 degrees with a light (15km/h) south wind and mainly sunny skies.  

At game time we had 11 players dressed in navy blue, warming up for the battle with the Beer Bros. The only missing player was Al F. 

The Brothers of Beer are one of the teams that the Units played twice last season... Unbalanced schedule don't ya know. On May 26th, 2014 the Units playing game # 3, would lose to the Bros. by a score of 19-14. On July 30th, 2014, game #17, the Hurtin' Units would defeat the Beer Bros. by a score of 23-20 for their 3rd (and final) win of the season.

Fast forward to May 14th, 2015 and our first of 2 games scheduled against the 2015 edition of the Brothers de Beer. 

1st Inning: In the top of the first inning, Scotty started off the game with a solid lead off triple. Dave Mill. hit a single and scored Scotty. It looked the Units were going to continue where they left off on Tuesday night when we scored 26 runs. The run production came to an abrupt end when Dave Mc. was forced out at second on a double play getting Darrell at first, Bo flied out to end the Units half of the inning. In the bottom of the inning, I started the game off walking Stef, I followed with a strike out of Anicete, Gary R. hit a single and Neil P. brought the 2 base runners around to score. The next two batters would fly out and the inning was over...it looked like it was going to be a tight, low scoring game. 

2nd Inning: In the top of the 2nd inning, the Units would send 5 batters to the plate. No runs would come in to score. Todd and Bill would be left on base. In the bottom of the inning, the defense struggled and we came off the rails. Scotty counted 6 errors and I would agree that was probably close to right. I do remember balls hitting off and out of gloves the entire inning, this was very usual considering how well we have played in our previous 2 games. The one positive, in the inning, was Bo caught Stef in a run down at second. The Brothers would score 7 runs on only 1 out. 

3rd Inning: In the third inning, the Units would send 6 batters to the plate, but nobody would score. I would be left stranded at 3rd base. In the bottom of the inning, the Brothers of Beer would put up another 5 runs, but this time they were all earned on well hit balls sprayed all over the Keogh diamond. No errors, just good ole fashion put it where they ain't hits. Nutin' ya can do about these ones boys. The score after 3 complete innings of play. 14-1 for the Brothers. 

4th Inning: 14-1 after 3 innings, we might as well pack up the tents and head to the Legion. 
Right?? Bo would lead off the the 4th inning, and when the diamond dust settled, at the end of the inning, the Units would score 5 huge runs. In the bottom of the inning, the Units defense started to come around, Darrell pitching, we slowed down the Brothers, only allowing 2 runs.

5th Inning: The Units would score another 4 runs in the top of the inning, it could have been more, but the Beer Brothers left fielder made a spectacular catch on a well hit ball by me (Jimmer), that looked like it was going to go over the fielder's head.  In the bottom of the inning, that defense thing was a little wobbly again and the Beer Bros. would tack on 6 more runs, leaving the seventh stranded on 3rd. The score at the end of 5 innings was Beer Bros. 22 and Hurtin' Units 10. It was at this point that I inquired about the score, I thought Paul had told me it was 22-12, this is what I said when I went back to the bench... my bad!! It was actually 22-10.

6th Inning: In the top of the inning the Units, would start off with the top of the order (remember I flied out to end the 5th), the top 6 batters would come around to score highlighted by a towering homerun, by Todd, over the left field fence. Bill would also come around to score, on an RBI by Cookie. The Units would score a impressive 7 runs. 
In the bottom of the inning, the Brothers would send 5 batters to the plate, but the Units defense would shut the door and leave a runner stranded at third base. The score at the end of six innings was Beer Brothers 22, Hurtin' Units 17.

7th Inning: In the top of the seventh inning (open inning) the Units would send 10 batters to the plate and score 6 runs. The Units would take the lead, for the first time, in the game. 23-22. 

In the bottom of the inning, the first batter flied out, Stef and Anicete would get on base, Gary R. would pop out to Mikey Boy at first, Neil would hit a single and score Stef and advance Anicete to third base. The game was tied, the winning run was on 3rd, Mike Douglas was the next batter. Mike D.

would hit a hard ground ball toward Hags at second base, the ball would take a huge bounce, Darrell had to catch it over has head (tough bounce for sure), Darrell would throw to first, the ball and runner would arrive at the same time...Roman made a safe call, the runner at third came in to score, the game was over. The call at first could have gone either way, it was that close, it was disappointing to lose this game, but it was a great comeback by the Units. Close but no cigar this time boys. 

The Hurtin' Units next game is Wednesday May 20th at Keogh Park at 8:15pm.

PSYCHO KILLER " Qu'est-ce que c'est ?"

HURTIN' UNITS VS. SONS OF PITCHES.

Showdown on Coventry 2.

Game # 2 -Hurtin' Units vs. the Sons of Pitches

Hurtin' Units win 26-15

Team Record- 2-0-0 

Coventry Park- The Hurtin' Units played the Sons of Pitches 3 times last season. The first time was in the regular season, July 8th, in the Units 10th game, and the Sons would defeat the Units by a score of 20-19. The second time was in the HTKP tournament and the Sons would again defeat the Units, by a score of 9-8. The third time, and the most painful time, was in the playoffs.  

Tuesday September 9th, 2014- The score of the game will read 24-17 for the Sons of Pitches. Going in to the bottom of the 7th inning, the Hurtin' Units had a 5 run lead. The Units would get the first two batters out on a great double play by Kevin and back ended by Mike at first. 

Two batters out, still a 5 run lead and then a bad break, as a game ending fly ball tipped off the glove of Dave Mc. to keep the inning alive. Six runs would cross the plate and that was the ball game. A deflated Units team started to walk off the diamond, when Roman informed us that we had to play out the 7th inning for the plus/minus. It was difficult to continue playing when you had just lost a heartbreaker like this one. We would give up another 6 runs (+7) without ever getting the final out. 

The three games that we played, against the sons, were all one run games, (the playoff game score was higher only because we played for plus/ minus) with the Units coming out on the losing end of all three. That really was the story for the 2014 Units. A real right hook to the ribs... eh Woody!! 

Definitely out performed. Definitely!!

Over the past weekend, Mike and I held a batting practice to help break in the newest bats. We had 7 guys show up to Coventry park and we all hit 2 buckets of balls each. 

The guys who showed up were Vince, Mike, Jimmer, Darrell, Glen T. Andy G. and Dan R. I think this turn out was pretty decent considering how hot and humid it was.

The 2 new bats (Psycho and Warpath, those are the manufacturers names, not ours) performed quite well the second time around. Most of us were getting in some really solid, deep hits from both bats, but Psycho definitely out performed Warpath. Definitely out performed, definitely.  




For this game we got our shirts, a navy blue jersey with white lettering and a new Stewie logo with new font style. Welcome to the new look Hurtin' Units. 

After such a warm (hot) and humid past weekend, the temperature and weather for this game felt like it was winter again. The temperature at 6:00pm was 12 degrees, with overcast skies and a strong, cold northwest wind...yuck!! There was also a chance of rain. 

At game time the Units had 10 players dressed in the new shirts, several with a jacket or sweatshirt over top. Dave and Todd both were wearing shorts. Mike C. and Dave Mill were the missing players. 

This game will be the first of 2 meeting with the Sons this season.The second game will be in on June 2nd, before we have even played some of the other teams. 

This game was the first of two games, for the Units, this week. I actually enjoy playing twice a week, but I'm not exactly thrilled about writing two blog postings in a week, especially when the games are close together. It's not the scribbling down the mindless dribble I throw on the page, it's more about trying to remember the plays and situations of each game. Did Scott hit a homerun or was it Darrell? Or maybe it was both. This kind of stuff. I usually jot down a few notes the morning after a game and with a game sheet or boxscore I try to piece the game back together in my head. 

The Units were the visitors again in this game. Our first two innings of the game were almost perfect. In both the first and second innings the Units scored 7 runs, in each, while going through the batting order in both. I say almost perfect because on the defensive side, of the first two innings, we gave up a run to the Sons in the first inning. 

In the third inning the Sons and Units traded runs, both teams with 2 runs. The Units would score 2 more runs in the top of the fourth inning, but the Sons would counter with 7 well earned runs. No cheap runs here, all earned on solid hits sprayed all around the diamond. In the fifth inning, both teams were held off the score sheet. At the end of five innings the score was 18-10 for the Units. Over the next 2 innings, the 2 teams would continue to score runs, the Units would score 8 more runs and the Sons would tack on 5 more. The final score 26-15. 

There were several highlights that I do remember from this game. I do remember Scotty actually hitting a homerun. I know Vince made a spectacular catch on his shoe tops, I know for the second straight game the infield turned an inning ending double play. Dave Mc (SS) was like a vacuum at short, a vacuum with a cannon attached and pointed toward firstbase, throwing out numerous Sons batters. We might have to change his name to McGlovin. Todd hit a towering shot to left field, sending Jimmy Mac scrambling to find the ball and spinning him around, it dropped in for a hit. Everyone was hitting the ball hard and the Psycho bat was creating havoc for the Sons of Pitches.

The Hurtin' Units are back on the field Thursday evening vs. the Beer Bros. at Keogh Park. The first time at Keogh this season.    

A SELL OUT CROWD EXPECTED FOR OPENING NIGHT.

HURTIN' UNITS VS. HOTTUB WOODYS

Stewie gets excited about his first game.

Game # 1 - May 5, 2015

Hurtin' Units win 13-10

Team Record -1-0-0


Last season, opening night was the beginning of an eleven game losing streak for the Units. We lost our first game of the season, in 2014, against the Blues Brothers by a score of 10-8. Maybe, if we had won this game, our season might have been completely different. I mentioned (probably 5 times or more already) that this was the first time, in team history, that the Units had ever lost our opening night game. I hope this doesn't happen again.

Opening night, this season, is versus the Hottub Woodys, with captains Jeff D. and Fast Eddie H., two of my favorite captains in the league. Fast Eddie is the reason that Mike and I are captains today. Way back when the Hurtin' Units were just a glimmer in our eye, Fast Eddie encouraged Mike and I to become captains and endorsed us to the executive. In 2009, we were next in line for captaincy, but the league went with one less team and we missed out. The following season (2010), The Recycled decided to call it quits, and Mike and I were voted in as captains. The Hurtin' Units were born. 

And so begins the start of The Hurtin' Units sixth season.

The Units were the visitors in this game. The Units are actually on the road (visitors) to start the season. In our first 4 games we are the visitors. And we are only the home team twice in our first 10 games. Our home games are back ended, 6 of our final 7 games we are the home team. I figure if we can weather the hostile crowds of our first 4 opponents, we might have a chance to get off to a good start. 
   

At game time (8:15), we had our full 2015 roster. This was probably a good time for a team picture, but the only problem was we didn't have our shirts yet. D"oh!! The league equipment manager has indicated that the shirts might be ready by the end of the week. The opening night lineup worked out for us, but after a brief discussion with Mike, we may make a few changes and see how much more offence we can generate. 

Our batting on opening night was what I think we might have expected. We had a practice just over a week ago and we had a couple of guys who had not even swung a bat this year, so I think there was a bit of rust, we'll brush that off with a couple of games under our belts. 


The new bats did not live up to all the hype (kinda like the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight), they probably need a breaking in period and they will probably be better in warmer temperatures. Scott suggested a "break in the new bats", batting practice. Mike likes the idea, so maybe we'll see if we can put something together.     

The Hurtin' Units offense definitely had some rust, but the defense I thought was solid considering that most of us had never played together. Both the infield and the outfield made some great plays. 

Bill was steady in RCF and probably had the bulk of the work out there. Dave M., who I had never seen before, went through the outfield and made several catches, one a spectacular catch on the shoe tops. I was really impressed by Dave's play. The other outfielders were solid and we looked like we've been playing together for months. 

The infield saw some awesome moments also. Mike ran back, at first base, to make a catch, tumbling into the dirty on the play. Dave Mc started a double play to Darrell to Mike. 

Darrell, Todd and Dave Mc. all snagged either line drives or hard hit ground balls. Darrell and I had a good night pitching with very few walks. 

Overall, I thought the play of the Hurtin' Units team was very good. I really liked the defense and I think the offense is only going to get better as the season progresses. Good start Units!! 

A CONDENSED VERSION OF SPRING TRAINING...

BATS, PRACTICE and the FIELDS.

Captain's blog, stardate April 23rd, the weather outside, in this town, is not normal. Through the evening white fluffy precipitation has fallen and the ice cold winds are blowing it around. Yep, we actually had snow (not a lot), but still had a couple of centimeters last Thursday morning. And with the snow and all the rainfall we have had over the last week, I started to worry a little. I was  thinking that all precipitation may slow the drying of the fields and not allow us to get a practice in. 

I know the fields were looking pretty good last week.  Peter H. and myself were out on the Keogh diamond last week and the Keogh field was very playable. So good that we hit a couple of buckets of balls and loosened the shoulder and arm muscles with some throwing. It really felt great to be out on the diamond. I had some soreness the next day, but it was a good sore. 

The little practice session, with Pete, got me thinking about how important the preseason practice really is. Last season the Units didn't have a practice and when it came to opening night, I think it was revealed in our play. This year, I said to Mike that we really need to get on the field before the season starts. The problem is that weather and timing don't always sink up. There is also the issue of the Town not wanting players on the diamonds before they release them for play. I understand this to a certain point, but really, we are not on the diamond with motorcycles or ATVs, what damage could we really do? 

With the draft being later this year and there were only a few dates that we could get a practice in. Mike and I decided to pick a date and take our chances on the 26th of April. So when I saw the snow on the 23rd and felt how cold it was, I got a little nervous. 

I watched the weather forecast leading up to the practice date, there was no precipitation forecast, but the temperature was not looking great, but still good enough to get out on the field. The temperature, on practice day, was only 13 degrees and with 30 plus km/h gusts it seemed a little cooler. 

At practice time we had 8 Hurtin' Units players show up for the practice, 2 more than I was expecting. At the practice were: Jimmer, Mike O, Todd, Dave Mc., Bo, Mike C., Scott and Al. I also invited my buddy Peter H. to help run the practice. We all hit a bucket of baseballs (some a second bucket) and we shagged the hits. Peter also pitched a to some of the batters, which I was hoping he would. To finish the practice off, I asked Peter to self hit to guys playing the infield, they would make the play and throw to first to get in some throws and make it feel like a game situation. That worked out really well. I thought the practice went well. I'm looking forward to the start of the season. 

After the practice, we gathered around the bench and had a couple of beverages and talked baseball. All and all it was a good day for the new look Hurtin' Units. 

BAT DAY.

On Saturday April 25th, the league captains got together for bat day. Bat day you ask? This is where we get together and review the condition of the league bats, get the supply of baseballs for the season and any other equipment related items. This season there was enough money in the budget for the league to purchase 2 new bats per team. The bats are different (why would we buy 2 of the same bats), a little difference in price, but both are good quality. Teams are going to like the new bats.  

Bat Day was a decent day weather speaking, there was still a cool breeze, but at least it was warmer, the sun was out and and when we stayed out of the wind it was nice. This year bat day was held at Dave F.'s place, thanks for hosting bat day Dave.   

SPRING TRAINING DOESN'T TAKE PLACE ON THE COUCH BENDER!!!

HEY VINNY... DRAFT DAY SHE'S A HERE...

Bender, step in to my office... I have some bad news for you. 

After what seemed like a long, cold winter, we are back in the swing of things and are gearing up for the 2015 season. The Units are back for another kick at the can. Last season was a disaster and Mike and I are hoping that we do not go through another season like that. I mentioned in the last posting that if we were to pick the exact same team as last season, I think the results would be better. But as we all know, the draft doesn't work that way and we will be looking at a different roster for 2015. 

I was actually looking forward to the draft this season and I'm more excited than the past 5 seasons, maybe because of the way last season played out. When the draft had concluded on Saturday April 11th the 2014 season was officially a thing of the past and unless I keep rehashing it in the blog, it will quickly become history. I will probably touch on things that happened throughout the 2014 season, but only if they are relevant to the posting I'm working on. 

On draft day, you never know what you're going to get. 

So draft day has come and gone, and we have a brand new team, well almost brand new. In addition to Mikey Boy and myself returning, we only have one player returning to the 2015 Hurtin' Units and that player is Dave McGovern. I'm glad that Mike picked Dave for this 2015 edition of the

Hurtin' Units. I thought Dave was one of the most consistent players on the 2014 squad with a solid bat and glove and a cannon for an arm. Welcome back Dave, here's to a better season than last. 

In addition to Dave, we also picked up two players that played with the Units in 2013, Darrell Hager and Vinny Basacchi. So, if you're any good at math, that leaves 7 new players that will be playin' with the Units. Nice!! If you want to see the full 2015 roster, click on the roster link in the left hand column (it's there somewhere) or just click on ROSTER PLAYERS right here. 

This season, the entire roster was chosen by Mikey Boy. Over the last five seasons we would alternate picks, but this season we decided that things had to change. I think Mike picked an awesome team. I like the team, but as I have mentioned before, I also really liked last year's team. I'm keeping even keel for the moment. Mike picked the team, I picked the shirts.

In addition to our change of personnel, we are also changing our shirts. After two seasons in the black and yellow we are changing to a navy blue shirt with white lettering. The logo will be different (Bender you're cut) and the font on the lettering has changed as well. 

Going in to the draft we were even willing to change the team name, if we had drafted a certain #2 player. That player was the Big Kahuna, but we just missed out on our bestest buddy and had to step back from the name and logo change. We had the new logo and team name ready at the draft and if we had chosen Kahuna, the wheels would have been put in motion. Unfortunately, we missed out on the big guy and had to go back to plan "A". Here what the Kahuna Hurtin' Units team name and logo would have looked like. 

The Kahuna logo would have looked awesome on front of the 2015 team...Maybe next year big guy.  

So that's it, the draft is over the teams have been picked and it's time to get ready for the first pitch. Good luck to all the new teams and hopefully the 2015 Hurtin' Units can make the memories of the 2014 season a thing of the past. See ya on the field.   

WE HAD A WHEELIE BAD YEAR!

"We may lose and we may win,
though we may never be here again,
So open up I'm climbin' in, so take it easy" - EAGLES

TOTTENHAM- When the draft concluded last April 5th, I was excited about the team Mike and I had picked. The team looked solid from top to bottom. We thought we had picked the higher players with respect to where each player was rated. This was what I wrote on the blog following the draft ..."On April 5th, 2014 the T.O.T baseball league held it's annual blind baseball draft. The teams were picked and the Hurtin' Units should change their name to the Bandits. I think we came away with a really nice looking team (when I say nice looking, I don't mean how the players look). We have a great mix of solid players and it should be a fun season." This is really how I felt when I looked at the roster we had chosen. I don't believe anyone

would have said that we would end up in 15th place. Ya never know what you're going to

get.  

I went back and looked at the teams that finished last over the last 5 seasons. The Hurtin' Units were not the worst of the bunch, at least as far as wins/ losses is concerned. When it comes to plus/ minus that's a different story. 

On the field, last season did not start off very well. For the first time in the Hurtin' Units history, we lost our season opening game. Maybe, just maybe, it was because we were so discombobulated from the way the season got started...or should I say, didn't get started.

If everyone can recall, the start of the 2014 season was a disaster. The lights at Keogh Park were disconnected over the winter and were not reconnected until it was brought to the town's attention. Even after the town remembered the problem, after it was brought to their attention, it took a couple of weeks to get the problem rectified.

In addition to the light problem, there was the torn up outfield on Coventry diamond # 2, which was supposed to be fixed by the knuckleheads who torn it up, but for some reason it didn't get done. This left only Coventry #3 for actual play. 

These problems would see the T.O.T executive to make a decision to reduce the number of games in the schedule to 22 games per team. The schedule (which had already been produced) was completely revamped. And when the lights and diamond conditions were resolved, the weather would slow the number of games we would get in. 

The Hurtin' Units would only play 4 games in The month of May...This should have been a sign of things to come. And it was, the Hurtin' Units would lose their first 11 games, and it wasn't until July 16th, 2015, game #12, that the first win came against the Dusty Cleats by a score of 20-16. The stink was off the monkey!!

During the first 11 games we had our chances to win, but then we would have a bad inning defensively or our bats would go ice cold with quick outs to put us back on the field. If you string enough bad games together the confidence of everyone seems to wane; I believe that's what happened to the 2014 Units team. I think that if the same 2014 Hurtin' Units had a do over, the results would probably be quite different.

Off the field, the 2014 Units didn't do much team bonding; most the team lived outside of the Tottenham area and very few guys would stick around post game. We had 7 players who lived outside Tottenham, compared to the 2013 team which had 9 players from town and the ones that lived outside (including el presidente, Mr Jamie M. and Coxy) would find there way back to the Legion. These days very few responsible people want to have a few beers and drive home. 

There were many-o-nights when it was just Mike and I at the Legion. Mike with a big jug of barley juice and me drinking a soda. Art did spend some nights in Legion with us, probably more than any other player. Our chances of winning the keg party were pretty slim in 2014. I don't believe that guys didn't come back because we were losing, I think most guys knew they had a bit of a drive home and didn't want to chance having a few barley pops and driving home. 

THERE WERE MORE LOSSES OFF THE FIELD.

Since the end of the 2014 season the T.O.T league has lost two very special people that were loved by everyone. Esau Lewin and Jamie McClean both passed away within a month of each other. These guys will be missed for a sportsmanship, friendships and their contributions to our league. 

Esau - On February 14th, I received an e-mail from Jeff D. Informing me that Esau had passed away. I was shocked to hear this this; I knew about his illness, but had not realized it had progressed so quickly. I remember sometime last fall, I had received an e-mail from Esau informing me of his illness and that he was going to begin treatment in near future.

Off the playing field, I didn't know Esau very well, I knew he had a farm and dealt with horses, but other than this I really didn't know much. Esau didn't come back to the Legion very often, so most of getting to know him was on the field.

On the field, Esau was fun and always very upbeat. Even when the Units were at their lowest, I recall receiving emails from him telling me how patient I was, and that things were going to get better.

Things didn't really get much better, although we did manage to win 3 games and tie another, so maybe things did get a little bit better. Esau always seemed to bring a positive energy to the park and when he was in lineup there was a warm feel around our team. Maybe it was that contagious smile or that soft tone in his voice. He always played hard in our games.

I believe Esau was our 11 rated player. I remember Mike and I saying we probably got the best of the 11s. That discussion wasn't that far off, Esau was a solid player. He had a cricket player swing, but he could hit the ball hard and spray it all around the diamond. One thing I noticed early in the season was how strong his glove was and how he could snag the hard shots. Over the past couple of seasons, I had only seen him playing catcher, but it wasn't long before I had the young fella over at first base. He seemed to really like playing first base and I liked having him there. Esau will definitely be missed by everyone in the league. Forever in our hearts, rest in peace my friend. 

Jamie- Even more of a shock to me was when I received an email  from Steve R., informing the league, that the passed president of the T.O.T league and former Hurtin Units player Jamie McClean had suddenly passed away while out in B.C.

Jamie played for the Hurtin in 2013, his last season as president. I really enjoyed playing on the same team with him. A solid baseball player and teammate. He was also a good athlete. I know he loved cycling and on a couple of occasions I played squash with him at the Nottawasaga. He kicked my ass all around the court, but I still enjoyed it. Who doesn't like a good ass kickin' every once and a while; after last baseball season you'd think I'd be used to it.  

Jamie was the second T.O.T president to play for the Hurtin' Units; in 2010 Chris Ross played on the Units. We will probably draft Steve R. (current Prez)  this upcoming season...lol.

Off the field, I spent a little more with Jamie, than I did with Esau. When Jamie played with the Units, he would always come back to the Legion and usually he would have beer and be available for any league concerns or issues.

Jamie was really a good guy, on and off the field, and he will be sadly missed.

Draft Day She's a coming.

The  T.O.T draft is scheduled for April 11 this year, a week later than most years, this is because of where the the Easter weekend falls this year. Mike and I are looking forward to this year's draft and going in thinking we can not have a worst season than last. If we do, that's it, we are out of here.

This upcoming could season could very well be our last kick at the can anyway. At the end of last season, Mike and I had discussions about whether or not we would continue in to the 2015 season, but we both agreed that we could not go out this way with the worst record in our team's history. We also decided we should make a few changes for the 2015 season. One change we will make will be the colour of our shirts. We have been in black with yellow piping for the last 2 seasons and it has done nothing for us. This upcoming season we will be sporting a new look (anything but black). We are also in discussions about changing our logo, but no decision has been made on what to use, probably something bloggable.

When the season concluded in 2014, two teams announced that they would not  be returning. The Blues Brothers and the Brew Jays. As I have mentioned on several occasions, the Brew Jays  came into the league the same year as the Units and we almost went out in the same year, if hadn't been such a bad season for the Units, we probably would have called it quits.

I'm looking forward to the draft and hopefully this years edition of  the Hurtin Units can compete for a title. I go into the draft with a more even keel this year, knowing that no matter what your team looks like, the true test is on the field. Welcome to 2015, welcome to the new Units.