Actually, at the end of the week, this was one of my better games but let me try to recap some of the drama. We jumped out to an early lead. I did nothing at the plate, couple of ground outs. On one ground out the umpire called me out before the ball even arrived at first. I heard my big foot hit the bag before the ball hit the glove. I asked the umpire if he called me out due to lack of effort? He smiled. My skip came out of the dugout and read him the riot act on my behalf. Later on I saw the pictures from the camera people and it was clear as day I was safe at first. Only now my dad tells me it was infield fly but I never heard the umpire yell it out. So to me it’s a ground ball and another missed call by the men in blue.
In the field, I started at second. Had a chance to make a put out at second but the shortstop threw right at the heel of my glove and it popped out. Naw not really, I had my glove turned the wrong way and while the ball did hit the heel of my glove it was my fault for not receiving he ball correctly. After that I settled down defensively and made a couple of put outs on ground balls to second.
Later in the game I changed positions for the first time all week and caught one inning (played catcher). That was a treat. Remember a couple of postings ago when I bought that protection for the boys. Well I wore it Monday morning during evaluations but it came right out at lunch and did not see the light of day until now. I had it in my bag for safe keeping. Now, putting it in its rightful place turned out to be somewhat troubling. First I tried outside the pocket but thought it might slip. Then I tried going against bare skin and said no way to that. Finally I found the pocket and tried my best to stuff it in as deep as I could (sorry for the graphic detail). Success sorta! Next was trying to figure out the shin pads. Hey Larry, did you know that they do not mark on the guards in the pros left from right either, thought I had two lefts. Oh well, I figured it out and went and caught my inning. The highlight of the inning was the third out, their big hitter. We had him 2-2 in the count and I asked for a high fast ball. So I stood up and he fouled it off. I asked for it again and my pitcher zoomed it in and the big guy swung and missed. He wasn’t the only one, while I asked for it high it came in at the waist and the umpire ended up catching most of it. The batter broke the bat over his knee. The only childish display I saw all week.
After that experience, they shipped me to third for an inning
and than out to centerfield for two innings. I kept yelling to the pitcher to pitch ground balls. Had my wish until two outs in the 6th when a ball came zooming my way. First step was back and than in. I had a beat on it and stuck my glove out (I failed to get in front of it) and caught the ball right next to my left ear. Thank goodness or else that ball would have rolled all the way to the centerfield wall. All in all a great day and a win 13-11. We ended with a 5-3 record. Pretty respectable.
After the game, Patti and I went to City of Palms park to see the Championship Game. It was won by Gedmans Bombers (the team that beat us in the morning). They beat Bob Montgomery team 2-1. What a game. Remember the father son duo I mentioned from this team. The father (lets say mid 50’s – his son was 30) pitched 7 strong innings and his son played shortstop like he belonged at least in the minors. Of course we had our own rendition of Sweet Caroline.
Later that night we had dinner at Shoeless Joes in the Hotel. Lou Merloni joined us and we had a great time listening to him talk about his RedSox experience and some of the personalities both past and present on the RedSox. But you know the old saying, whats said in the locker room stays in the locker room. Tomorrow the big three inning game with the pros.
To be honest, I am tired, sore and feeling my age.
Its’ time to go home.
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