Now With 33% More Wins and 200% More Fans!

On Wednesday eve at Edgeley 3, TGT had a sporting encounter with the fine humans of the National Constitution Center. The field, which I remember to have been in fine shape the last time we were on it, was less aesthetically and pragmatically pleasing for this occasion. Rutted base paths and scattered haphazard vegetation growing up on the infield dirt testified to a lack of grooming. I noticed late in the game that we were fairly sloppy with our cone placement along the left outfield line, which added an extra idiosyncratic element to the playing conditions.

Driving up to the field, it was hard not to notice and be somewhat awed by the sheer size of the NCC crew. Gleaming yellow T-shirts abounded; we may need to send in an undercover agent to ferret out their recruiting secrets. Nonetheless, we did have a full squad, featuring the season debuts of Sarah "I Ain't Drinking That Swill" F. and "Hey Let Me Bat Next Time" Maureen as well as the long-awaited return of ace pitcher Matt "Just Don't Make Me Run Fast Or Change Directions" Schwartz (these nicknames seem cumbersome, but I bet it took awhile for Bill "The Man Nobody Knows" Dickey's moniker to catch on too). It wasn't our best lineup - notably and illogically, yours truly was batting cleanup - but there are no excuses in softball, and the wooden bats have brought plenty of parity to the game. "Any given Monday or Tuesday, and sometimes Wednesday" is what the oldtimers say in the CCSL, and it's true.

I'll admit, I do get tired of lager sometimes.

About the game itself - it was a tight, well-played affair. TGT picked up two runs in the first with a bit of an assist from Edgeley #3 in the form of a bad hop over the shortstop's glove, and another run in the second. NCC came roaring back in the fourth inning, stringing together some solid base knocks to plate three runs and tie up the game. There was good defense on both sides, and the game remained tied until NCC, with the top of their order up, broke it open with three runs in the top of the 6th on the strength of a MAMMOTH home run down the right field line - one of the hardest hit balls we've seen this season. Not to be outdone, the top of our order answered right back with four runs of our own to retake the lead. A quick 1-2-3 top of the 7th and it was on to the handshake line as we escaped with our second straight W.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	TOTAL
NCC	0	0	0	3	0	3	0	6
TGT	2	1	0	0	0	4	--	7

Relaxing after the win.

Notes and Observations:

• Max grabbed his 4th start on the season, had possibly his best showing yet at the plate, and was awarded the final unclaimed official Team Green Tambourine jersee.  It was a well-earned promotion from super-sub to bona-fide regular. See you next week...

Bunny ears never go out of style.

• Lots of beer this week. Great job, everyone! 
• Hats off to a pleasant group of excellent sportsmen and sportswomen at NCC, demonstrating how close, competitive games can still be friendly. 
• After our stunning victory last week, an uptick in fan interest was inevitable. Indeed, we had twice as many fans as we have had at any other game this season - BOTH of Matt's parents were there. But fame isn't always chocolate and roses, and the attention is only good when things are going well. That was some quality heckling out there, Mr. Schwartz. You were on your game when we were not on ours. See you next week? I hear you might have some extra time on your hands pretty soon...

You're never too old for fatherly affirmation.

NEXT GAME(s):  Monday, June 30th at Edgeley #8 vs. Zoo.

We'll finish up the suspended game from Week 1 and then play another. We can get to .500 on the season if we win both...