Rants from the Dugout

Good Grief!!

07/02/2009

This season has been a real baffler for me. I have seen a talented team lay down and take it in the ass a few times. I have seen us piss away 9 run leads in the bottom of the ninth. I have see us ten runned twice and shutout once. These times they are a changing.
Two weeks ago we took on the reigning league champs in Buffalo Wild Wings. They jumped on us early and often and ended it early in four 18-3. No highlights to report here, at least noone struck out (that is still to come in spades).
In game two against BWW we put up an eleven spot early and never looked back. Aside from the scorching bats, the first inning was punctuated by 11 consecutive batters reaching base. Snake would control the game at both the plate and the hill. At the dish, he deposited two balls onto the street in right center. On the hill, he was able to strike out two, one swinging, and hold off BW's 18-14. Every player had at least one hit with ET leading the way with a 5 for 5 night. Once again, no strikeouts, more to follow.
But I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't interject an opinion at this point about a troubling point with the Thursday night North league. Now some of you may think this is the point where I tee off on these young punk teams who have invaded our beer league and have sucked the life out of our beloved Thursday Night. Nope, not this time. I would like to point out the mute that Reino Fleck calls umpire that we have been forced to have ump our games twice this year. I have a laundry list of issues with this knucklehead so where should I start? Well, lets start with the fact that he really doesnt know the game. It is a sad statement when some picked on bookworm nerd who never played the game merely has to just show up to some meeting to be sanctioned as an ASA Umpire. Embarassing! Second of all, he doesn't speak, EVER! It is difficult to assertain whether he has called a strike or ball at the plate, because he just sits behind the plate with a stupid look on his face and say NOTHING! His strike zone varies with each pitch because he doesn't know the difference between a strike, illegal pitch, or a ball. Thirdly, he doesn't leave the area behind catcher to make any calls on the bases. His calls at first are only correct when the runner is out by at least 2 strides. Here is a bit of advice if you can read. When the ball is in play get your lazy ass to the pitcher's mound. You increase your angle and vision to all bases. But I guess then you would have the leave the "safety" of standing behind the catcher. Let me let you in on something, the catcher doesn't like you either. Lastly, and this is mostly just me picking on him, but he THROWS LIKE A GIRL! I almost pissed myself when I seen him throw one back to Donnie C. And that is all I have to say about that.
Last week we took the field against Loaf and Jug. Looking at the book, I am almost impressed that 13 players actually showed up. Traditionally when I am out of town, we end up playing with 10 or less. In game one, judging by the book, we came out flat, played flat, finished flat, and got ass pounded flat. Two whole runs in a five inning shortened game. WOW! On the bright side, we will be drinking 12 fresh free beers thanks to the efforts of Tyson who was strikeout victim number one on the night.
In game two, we came to play and get some payback. In the third we were able to string together a nice rally for four runs. Not to be outdone, we hung up a five spot in the top of the seventh to take the commanding lead 10-6. Snake tallied his third dinger of the year and got the win on the hill. At the dish, were embarassed three times. Once again we can look forward to 36 more fresh free beers thanks to the efforts of Randy, Mike looking, and Ben. Now my first question would be, who was pitching Randy Johnson? RA Dickey? For those of you betting on the poll question of team strikeouts, that is 9 for the year. Good grief people lets not forget its slowpitch softball. See the first strike and put it in a whole. Nuff said.
But thankfully that is behind us and a split works for me. We are back at it this week up at NDSU against the Hub. We are gonna have to take a pair this week and start the Big Machine rolling, so let's start it this week. Bring you A game cuz its Thursday and its Ball Time! See you at the yard, Meat!