Cougars Hop on the Bus- June 10th Game

Last year, they were Secret Robots who smacked us around.  This year, they were formidable opponents sporting eye black lightning bolts who had fun with us, on the field and in the bar.  Softball at its best.

The B61 Lineup, sponsored by Budweiser and Snapple

• “Redbird” Amy as catcher
•  Jonathan as pitcher
• “Republican” Raible at first base
• Betsy at second
• Wild Turkey as shortstop
• Coach Jamie at third
• “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” Steve in left field
• “One Trick” Capone in center field
• JJ in right center
• Tamara in right field
• “Ribbi” Alyce as backup second base
• Wonderful Whipit as backup first base
• HUGE Alex as DH
• “Crimson and Clover” Kate as DH?
• Johanna “Beer Can” as backup catcher
• Julian “The Two Hit Wonder” as backup center right field

Our Cheering Section

• Pieces, Lauren and the dazzingly wonderful Tracey
• Little Alan Iverson and Darren – the boys standing behind the dugout cheering us on

The Game

The game was a little bit of a blur.  Perhaps because it was so hot.  I know that the Pussycats were very happy that they were leading 4-3 for an inning an a half.  That didn’t last long, and I think the final score was 11-4. 

I have a stream of memorable moments and quotes.  The Coburn Cougars came to B61 after the game.  They were a lot of fun, and it was interesting to hear their views on B61.  They’ve played a lot of the poor sports teams, so they seemed happy to have found us.  Once again, JJ and Julian lured the other team to Lido for karaoke.  Funny how that happens.

Matt talking to Kate after she hit a pop fly to second base-

“You should always run it out on those balls because you never know if they are going to drop it.”

“I was running it out.”

“Oh.”

Coburn’s right fielder’s comment about B61-

“You’re the best team we played.  You’re good, and you have a lot of fun.  You’re the team I dream of playing for.”

Coburn’s catcher’s comment about me as a pitcher-

“You’re an asshole.  You’re so disarming.  You smile, and I’m thinking, ‘This is great.  He’s going to give me pitches, and I’m going to hit them.’  You throw high pitches and low pitches.  You’re the worst pitcher for me.  That’s a compliment.  You’re a tricky dick.” 

Raible’s comment about Tracey being in the stands to watch her first softball game –

“Just to let you know, Jon.  My goal today is to make you look good.  You have 15 people on the bench who want you to look good for your girl.”

Raible’s later comment to Tracey as he was sitting in the stands with her, just after I caught a quick line drive that came straight at me –

“See that catch?  He did that for you.  He normally doesn’t get those.”

Which leads me to what Raible wrote in my notebook later –

“I wants to clear the air… I don’t know why I am a life-long republican.  I think it might be a disease I caught on a toilet seat or something.  I’d like to fix it, but you have to accept me as I am.”

Ask Capone and Sam about their auditions for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

Memorable Moments

·         Jamie’s first home run, a little blooper out to the other field’s dirt

·         The great infield rundown – the Coburn runner ran off second, and Betsy chased him.  She threw the ball to Jamie, and he got snagged in a Jamie/ Wild Turkey rundown.  I especially liked W. Turkey’s fake out to get the tag.

·         Steve doing some stealthy base running – While Coburn was talking about a play at first, Steve advanced from second to third.  Always remember to call time out and to watch your runners!

·         W. Turkey running out to shallow center to catch a fly ball AND wail the ball to Whipit to get the out before the runner could tag up.  What a double play!!  “See Jon?  I told you I’d get you a double play.  I’m here for you.”

·         Alyce’s great stop at second base and turn to make the out at first.  Textbook!

·         Julian hitting the ball to center field and three people dropping it.  He stopped before second as the second baseman catches the ball.  He runs to second anyway, and he’s safe because he was never tagged.  Not quite as textbook.

·         Jamie’s second home run that would not have stopped if it weren’t for the fence on the other side of the field.  That’s what I’m talking about!

·         One Trick hitting the foul ball onto the roof of the building across the street, never to return

·         Jamie’s acrobatic leap into the air to snag the line drive and end the game

·         Playing softball with the kids after the game.  The 5-year old Jeter had an arm on him!

·         Never before seeing more people singing, “I Can’t Go for That” by Hall&Oates in a bar

Player of the Game

Player of the game goes to Jamie.  Two massive home runs, a standing triple and an amazing acrobatic play to end the game.  He did all of this while Sam was getting drunk with his dad at the bar.  That takes focus and incredible athletic ability.  Plus, I have to admire his team vote before the game.  He wants to represent the team in the best way possible, and he sincerely tries to make sure everyone is happy with the game, their positions and team decisions.  He is our Coach, and I would not want it any other way.

Web Site

You can see all of the writeups at http://www.czarsolutions.com/softball/