"Two hours is about as long as any American can wait for the close of a baseball game....or anything else for that matter."--Albert Spalding (1850-1915)
The resurrected and resurgent Plotkin Group is truly a force to be reckoned with. And any team that takes them lightly does so at their peril. But for a few miscues, it would have been PG writing this summary rather than Worden Williams who came away with a nail biter score of 22 to 17. The teams were never more than 3 runs apart and were tied 17-17 going into the bottom of the 8th when WW struck for 5 runs to break the tie and close out PG in the top of the 9th. And but for some solid defense by right fielders Rich Berkley and Kathy O’Neil (who caught a sinking fly off the bat of Brian Turner with the bases loaded), the game would not have been as close. PG kept the pressure on throughout the game as Leo McFall and Mike Brower were both 4/4 (and 4 RBIs) and were ably supported by Keefer, Hartzog, Castillo, Richards and McDonald (with a gap shot for a 3 bagger) with 3 hits apiece.
WW continued to exhibit their season long strong defense throughout the game, by keeping runners from advancing an extra base and a solid defense throughout the game. Of note was some nice SS play by Bob Buscher who is still recovering from a calf injury. On the offensive side, batters 3 -7 (Craig, Bob B, Mike, Jack and Skip) were a combined 21/23 to lead the way for WW. Hats off to Lloyd and JV who either started a rally or kept one going.
Thanks to Rich Lavacot who came by walking his dog and volunteered to ump.
Grandstand Managers Day; On this same day, August 24, 1951 Bill Veeck's MLB St. Louis Browns holds "Grandstand Manager's Day" - coaches hold up placards for fans to vote on strategy options; Browns defeat visiting A's, 5-3.
Gaspar defeated Village Pie Shop (VPS) on Thursday, August 24, 2023 with a score of 17 to 15. Both teams are on opposite ends of standings with wins and losses. VPS is off to a better start of the season racking up wins, while Gaspar notched only its second win of the season.
VPS had a balanced attack of hitting with Dave Grull, Roger Tessi and Dave Ash having quality at bats going 3/4 while Jeff Payton went 4/4. Linda Wolf placed a beaut of a hit down the 3rd base line like a painter, to punctuate the numerous other flair hits that VPS came up with. Bob Peters played like a puma patrolling behind the dish. Gaspar took advantage of VPS giving up 10 walks which undoubtedly made the difference with the final score.
Gaspar has had the oddity of having only 10 to 11 players in attendance the first 8 games. Ironhorses like Johnnie Martinez and Harry Peacock have played every inning in those games. They both have been productive and displayed a never give up attitude. They've become the dynamic duel and glue with Gaspar.
Harry reached 1st base 4/4 while Johnnie was also 2/2. Donato, Bill Mead, and Steve Sexton were also perfect at 4/4, while Bocai trucked around the bases with a homer. Gene LaChimia swooped in from center field to rob a hit with a shoe top catch and Bill Mead's glove clawed the last out of the game.
A big thanks to a true gentleman, Ronney Lewis, for calling balls, strikes and sharing laughs with us.
At Alga 3, it appeared that Jennie Finch and Lisa Fernandez showed up to teach the old guys how the game of softball is played. And did they ever!
Upon checking Driver's Licenses and Passports, Fernandez turned out to be Laurie Mills from Nucci's, who slugger 2 home runs and drove in 4 runs.
And Finch turned out to be The Draft's Manager Delta Farrington, who not to be out done by Mills, slugged two of her own home runs while driving in 6.
The Draft built a 10 to 1 lead, only to have Nucci's mount two big comebacks, but in the end The Draft held on by their collective finger nails at 15 to 13.
Taking a 2-run lead into the top of the 9th, The Draft's complete game machine Bob Baptista struck out the first batter with his Tug McGraw screwball. After a single, the tying run came to the plate, and laced a vicious line drive to 1st baseman Rick Skidmore, who didn't quite snare it then or on his first bobble, but on his third try grabbed the ball before it hit the ground. Unfortunately his 3 catches only counted for 1 out, but 2nd baseman Tim McNary deftly fielded a grounder for the game's final out.
Almost keeping up with Mills for Nucci''s were Al Cabacungan, Paul Hacker, and Frank Weishaar with 4 for 4 performances, with Weishaar adding a home run.
And almost keeping up with Farrington for The Draft were John Telles at 4 for 4 with 2 home runs of his own, and Rick Skidmore with a home run, plus Paul Thomas went 3 for 3.
Pizza Port Brewery
Carlsbad Inn
Pizza Port Brewery carded Village Pie Shop today with some great all around defense along with superb pitching by Pat Steele shutting down the VPS batters for six innings while winning by a final score of 19-11
Actually it was a close game until the bottom of the 6th when Robert Kroger belted a 3-run homer. He was also 4/4 with 5 RBI’s. David Ward 4/4 scored 4 runs, Jerry Galiley 4/4, Dennis Kemp 3/3, Phil Heinz 3/4, Pat Steele 3/4, Roney Lewis 3/4, John McDaniels 3/4, Dennis O’Hern 3/4 and David Erwin hit a Grand Slam in the bottom of the 4th to give PPB a 5 run lead.
Hitting stars for VPS were Rick Shaw and David Ash 4/4 and Dave Grull hit a homer. Bob Peters caught 2 perfectly thrown balls for outs at the plate.
Great sportsmanship by all players on both teams made it a fun day for all.
The teams thank Al Cabacungan for officiating a perfectly called game.
Worden Williams and Carlsbad Inn squared off on a very warm day at Alga. And the only thing hotter than the temperature on the field was the right arm of Steve Berry. The crafty veteran pitcher stymied the potent CBI offense through the first four innings, hanging zeros in each of CBI's at bats. Meanwhile, WW methodically put up 10 runs (with the first five hitters scoring 8 of those runs) through their first five times up, to take a 10-0 lead.
But CBI couldn't be held down and they exploded for 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th to cut the lead in half. That's when the next seven hitters for WW came up big! Clinging to a five-run lead, WW responded with 5 runs of their own, punctuated by Steve Berry's 2-run home run to close out the scoring in the sixth. (In fact, over the final three innings, WW's "next seven" would score 9 of the team's 12 runs to help put the game away.) The teams would essentially trade runs for the next three innings, resulting in a final score of 22-14, WW on top.
Of note for WW, Brian Turner was 5-5 and scored 5 runs in his debut at lead-off; Bob Loperena was 4-5 with a home run and 6 RBI; and Joel Kudren, Steve Berry and sub Oscar Lara all were 3-4, with Steve Berry adding a home run. Jack Schwartzel also had an inning-ending home run.
CBI was led offensively (as well as defensively) by Tom Carney who was a perfect 4-4. Pat Driscoll, Rich Lavacot and Randy Agadoni all were 3-4, with Rich and Randy also contributing home runs. Finally, Steve Doan was a solid 2-3 for the game.
Many thanks to Oscar Lara for doing a great job as a sub for WW.
For the second time this season, both The Draft and Gaspar brought excellent glove work to their contest this morning, this time at Alga 3.
The Draft built an 18 to 3 lead, only to see Gaspar mount a spirited 6-run comeback, before The Draft closed matters out for a final score of 18 to 9.
Draft newcomer Bill Codner debuted with a 4 for 4 performance, with 3 doubles and a solo home run. Dan Miserany was likewise 4 for 4 with a home run, and led the way with 4 RBI's.
Bob Porter added 3 hits and 4 RBI's, and Rich Muscio contributed 3 RBI's. Also garnering 3 base hits for The Draft were Dale Miller and Dan Griffin.
Plotkin Group
Nucci's
Standings are posted after all scores have been received (in a timely manner)
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