BS FALL '08 Game 5 Recap

BS Crew vs. Orange Crush

Confidence was at an all time high this week coming off the Squad's first win last week and facing a team with an equally terrible record. The Crew got down right cocky when it seemed like a) the other team wouldn't show up and b) if they did, they'd be playing with like 8 people. Alas, confidence alone does not win softball games.

Aside from being confident, the BS Crew was a massive cluster fuck from the start. Missing 1/2 of the top of its order and no leadership to speak of, the lineup had major holes. Eventually James "no that's not astroglyde in my hair" Schwertfeger showed up, so all that needed to be replaced was starting shortstop, manager and clean up hitter iz3y! "lil' ozzie" Lopez. His cousin "Bassy" didn't show either. Unfortunately the Crew was missing something else which became apparent in the 1st inning.

Perhaps it was the cold, perhaps it was the cloud over all of Chicago baseball yesterday or maybe it was missing their manager, but the BS Crew came out with ZERO energy. Top of the first the BS Crew doesn't get a runner past second base. Any runner that did get on, was quickly erased by a fielder's choice. This was the story for the ENTIRE GAME. Only in the top of the 4th (after the game was called) did someone hit a ball in the air that was not caught--James finally woke up and hit a 2 run homer.

There were some moments: Alex making an inning ending catch in Right; James over running a fly ball left that led to 3 runs; Johnner tagging a girl at home after a relay from Ed and Kelly McCann, then promptly feeling her up all the while playing it off like he was holding her up.

Hopefully the Crew will find more energy the rest of the season as the temperature starts to drop. Getting shut out is hard to do in softball--especially by a team that is short handed--but the Crew managed to make that happen in a major way in last night's game.

BS FALL '08 Game 5 Awards

Player of the Game: Nick 'the Esquire' Cummings - No not because I'm writing the blog. Energy actually picked up when Nick inserted himself at shortstop. He made some bad plays (booted 2 balls; pulled one Bill Buckner) but he also made some great ones (ranging over behind KG at 3rd to stop a rocket shot from becoming a double or triple; ranging to short center for a pop fly) and he drove in the BS Crew's first run, even if it didn't officially count. His RBI single sparked a rally that was too little too late as the Crew scored 6 runs in the top of the 4th.

Hit of the game: Ryan Lubbers - On a 2 strike pitch in the midst of a rally, Lubs hit a nubber down the third base line that spun toward fair territory and simply died in front of the 3rd baseman and pitcher. Hustling instead of giving up, Lubs made it to first with no throw.

Play of the game: Ed-to-Kelly-to-Johnner Relay - not quite as sweet as last weeks version, but this was was extra spicy as Johnner was able to determine the bra and panty size of the young lady attempting to cross home plate. In an attempt to a) keep himself upright and b) not knock over the frail young lady Johnner wrapped this vixen in his arms starting from her "waist" and working his way up. He then proceeded to "tag that ass" for good measure to make sure she was out. Also note that this could have been Ed to Lubs to Johnner but I'm not 100% sure but I'm pretty sure it was McCann.

Style Award: Kelly "next top model" McCann - Taking it to a new level this week with the hair color as well as a little bounce, body and shine to the hair. I don't even remember if it went into a pony tail at all.

BS FALL '08 Game 5 Quotes

"Don't worry Johnner, he'll call back!" - Alex as Johnner is attempting to bat.

"Hurry up and get your fat ass around base!" - Nick as Johnner is almost lapped by James in the top of the 4th

"Hey man don't worry--I got gang [ed's note: read "game"] speed." - Johnner as he scored one step before James crossed the plate

"Syllabus--A E I O U that's a syllabus" - Johnner explaining to all the rest of us, who are college educated, what a syllabus is.

"No seriously its a paper you right when you have to write a paper" - Johnner revising his definition after a few beers

"Spell syllabus" - theKID asking Johnner how to spell something he had no clue about

"S-I-L-L-A-B-O-U-S" - yeah you already know

"Oh you mean that syllabus! I was talkin about something else!" - Johnner after Nick showed him the Wikipedia definition of syllabus on his iPhone

Bomb Squad T SHIRTS

GREY SHIRTS ARE COMING!

We ordered one for everyone (13) and Blue for people new to the team (3).  These have been ordered, paid for and on the way.  You owe theKID 13.37 a shirt, call it 14 if u want.  James, Kelly, and Ryan will have to double that since u guys ordered the Blue Ones as well.  We will be using these next year so this is an investment in TEAM!

BS FALL '08 Game 4 Recap

BS Crew vs. 12 Inchers

On a very late Thursday the BS Crew assembled looking for their first win.  Despite looking good for a few innings in the previous 3 games they have not been able to punch through for a victory.  Thursday's contest seemed to want to test the Team a little more as the injury report listed their starting pitcher (Johnner Londono) as out, team owner (KG) and team manager (iz3y) as doubtful for the game.  Facing another hungry team, this did not seem to be the time for a let down.

Remarkably, KG made the game and Sebastian took the place of iz3y at short and manager.  KG, despite a tragic kick ball episode that made her phobic of the pitcher's mound, toed the rubber and took over as the BS Crew hurler for the night.  Displaying the type of magic that made her a kick ball Cy Young award winner, she tossed a gem.  Mixing in arc with spin, and the occasional roller, she kept the 12 inchers reaching and stretching, unfortunately her defense was just as baffled.  Committing approximately 20 errors the first two innings, the BS crew allowed 14 runs to a team that had not scored a run yet.  The bad play was highlighted by Sebastian, as he had an easy double play opportunity turn into an error as he took his eye off the ball and bobble it.  

The bottom half of the inning would continue the trend of BombSquad offense as James lead the game off with a homer, and with KG standing at first, Bassy launched a deep fly ball into Right Center Field for the BS Crew's second home run of the inning and cut the lead to 8-3.  In the next inning, they cut the lead to 13-11, and then ran away with the game 24-14 to end it after 5 innings and claim their first victory.  

The Power Lefty's of James and Bassy have really given the team a power boost they have not had in a while, and with KG crushing the ball, it seemed to really set a tone through the lineup.  In the midst of that 8 run second inning, many hitters on the team showed incredible patience and good swings.  Ben and Alex seemed to find the nice and easy swing that generates good hard line drives.  Sarah and Kelly showed outstanding patience at the plate and and played very solid defense.  The one key component that is becoming more consistent is the speed that Ed and Nick provide down in our order that is keeping the innings alive for what has to be one of the deadliest 1-4 hitters in the league.  With Richard hitting second, he forced the defense to play on its heels and really wear themselves out.  The quiet star of the game had to be Tracii Beatty, as she teamed up with KG to call and play a great game.  Also she took two walks for the team, and late in the game decided to unleash all her frustrations when she crushed a ball between third and Short.

BS FALL '08 Game 4 Awards

Player(s) of the Game: Kathy 'KG' Gennuso/ Tracii 'She-Ra' Beatty - Teamed up to form a great pitching battery and keep the BS crew in the game while they sorted out their fielding issues.  KG absolutely crushed the ball and tossed a great game.  She also had two put outs and I am sure inbetween innings baked a cake.  Tracii would not be outdone, psyching out hitters, taking walks for the team, and making a very big out for the team to kill any hopes of a rally by the 12 inchers.  Tracii capped off her night with a screaming shot between third and shortstop to pick up her first runs batted in.  

PLAY OF THE GAME: James-to-Bassy-to-KG RELAY -  Tracii's catch of a foul ball killed a rally, but this relay ripped hearts out.  Following a smash to leftfield that seemed to give the 12 inchers another big 2 run homer, james fired the ball to Bassy, and upon instruction of theKID, Bassy turned and fired a strike to the outstretched glove of KG who tagged the runner out at home and killed the 12 inchers spirits.

SPEED KILLS AWARD: Sarah 'Sasha' Schabowski - I know you were thinking Nick or Ed, guys who can hit it to the pitcher and make first easy.  Oh no, I am going with Sarah who got two infield hits and wisely made second each time on bad throws.  

'DYN-O-MITE!' Award: Shadez/Bassy/Ben - Shadez and Bassy combined for two bombs and Ben added another powering the team to big victory.  Ben has been plagued this season with the heavy heart as his Favre now wears a Jets uniform.  This pain has fueled his desire to kill a ball.

Windmill Technique Award:  Shadez/Nick: Completely different styles of coaching. Shadez likes to whisper instructions that no one can hear.  Nick goes with College football sideline hand signals no one can understand.  Both effective and lead to runs.  Who needs convention?

Style Award: Kelly 'Stylez' McCann - Forget best outfit, Kelly took it another level and had her hair done for the GAME!  Top that Ben.  

FOR THE FANS award: Alex 'the professor' Mendoza - Followed theKid's tradition of bringing a fan to the game and gave her something to cheer for by hitting the ball hard and explaining to the fan how he could have hit it harder if he wanted to!!!

BS FALL '08 Game 4 Quotes

"My brother is the manager and i have to listen to him" - ED as he completely ignores me telling him to run to third!

"Oh my god we finally scored a run!" - 12 inchers

[Facial expression] - KG, worth a thousand words...mostly...oh dear god they have never scored a run! YES! WE are going to win

"I thought i had it then I didnt" - Shadez after missing a fly ball he lost in the night.

"Nice hair" - theKID

"Stop talking to me!" - Kelly as she strikes out

"You know we have three free pitchers at the bar!" - Nick

"You know i think i am going to hit this time" - Tracii, just before crushing the ball and after taking two walks