Standings Update

Breaking News from FAS League Office:

Scitor Corporation has been removed from the Corporate Coed Softball League. As a result, all games played by Scitor have been purged from the schedule.

What this means for us is that we are now 7-9 on the season, with a chance to have a .500 record with two wins on Tuesday. It also means that barring an upset by Cooley over Veris Consulting, we have a very good chance at finishing in 4th place.

Not bad for a first year team with far fewer employees to draw from than most others in the league.

JL Sluggers vs. ALPA Flyers

After a satisfying victory, the Sluggers let themselves relax a little too much at the start of the second game. Mystified by the "spinner" being pitched by ALPA, they swung at too many bad pitches and got in a hole early on in the game. Much like the first inning, the Sluggers failed to score first as ALPA took a 1-0 lead to begin the game. Unfortunately, after Law Dawg reached to lead things off for the Sluggers, the next six batters were retired in a row. Facing a 2-0 deficit, it appeared that the Sluggers just needed to get things in gear offensively. Yet, ALPA jumped out to a 6-0 lead after scoring four runs in the top of the third, putting the Sluggers in an even deeper hole. To lead off the bottom of the third inning, New Guy singled before being replaced by Downtown as a courtesy runner. After being moved around the basepath by Squirt, Downtown faced a situation where he was on third base and also the on-deck batter. Thankfully, Law Dawg singled in Downtown just in time for him to take his turn at bat, and in doing so, cut the the lead to 6-1. Downtown would get another workout in the fourth inning, as he replaced Wicked Hittah who had reached second base safely. Downtown scored on a close play at the plate as Greased Lightning knocked in the second run of the game for the Sluggers, and later scored himself, making it a 7-3 ballgame in favor of ALPA.

Despite a night that had been filled with spectacular defensive plays by the Sluggers, the fifth inning of game 2 was the nail in the coffin. ALPA managed to string together six more runs, increasing their lead to 13-3. The Sluggers didn't quit though, as Squirt, Law Dawg, and Downtown each scored again in the bottom of the inning, but the Sluggers still trailed 13-6. After a scoreless top of the sixth inning, the Sluggers came to bat one last time in the bottom of the sixth, adding another run, this time scored by Ringer. It was too little too late however, as ALPA's big fifth inning was too much to overcome in the late stages of game.

Not to be overlooked in the loss were some stellar defensive efforts from the Sluggers. On one play, Law Dawg charged a slow ground ball down the third base line, picked it up and made an off-balance throw to first base, beating the runner by half a step and drawing praise from Greased Lightning who thought he was watching his beloved A-Rod for a second, before realizing that the throw resulted in an out and didn't end up in the first row of the bleachers. Another fantastic play was made by Walk Me, as she pounced on a slow dribbler out in front of the plate and fired a strong throw to first base for the out. Walk Me also had some nice catches throughout the game with plays occurring at home plate, but none matched the smoothness of her fielding gem to first base. Also worth mentioning was the diving effort given by Downtown on a bloop single in which he almost caught the ball and nearly broke New Guy's ankles at the same time. New Guy also made some fine defensive plays at shortstop, a rarity for a left-hander, including snaring a line drive to end a bases loaded threat early in the game. At the plate, the most consistent hitter in the game was Plan B, who crushed one ball into the left-center gap and produced several other hard hit balls in the game.

Overall it was a tough loss for the Sluggers, but it was certainly made easier knowing that they had at least taken one game in the doubleheader. Next week, the Sluggers make their season finale against the IRI Mariners, and hope to end the season on a winning note. Next week also marks the return of the fabled hitting giant known as Fluffy to the squad. He will be returning after spending the last few weeks locked in a bunker, studying for the bar exam.

Pictured: Walk Me makes a great play to get the runner at first in what at first appeared to be an infield single.

JL Sluggers @ ALPA Flyers

With a game time temperature of right around 90 degrees, it looked like it was going to be another long evening under the sun at Baron Cameron Park. Greased Lightning took the mound again, making his fourth consecutive start for the Sluggers, while Walk Me started again behind home plate. It was a bruised and battered infield for the Sluggers with ailing New Guy battling a sore knee at shortstop, and Wicked Hittah playing first base in his return from a torn hamstring. At third Law Dawg anchored the hot corner, and Plan B started her first game at second base. The outfield for the Sluggers was all about the speed. With Nebraska playing left field and Downtown in left center, there were very few balls that weren't tracked down almost immediately, which was key in limiting ALPA to singles. In right field, Ringer and Squirt combined to prevent any balls from getting past them and kept ALPA at bay.

ALPA struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, but the Sluggers responded quickly scoring the next six runs of the game. While the Sluggers hit well at the plate, the real story of the game was their defense. New Guy and Plan B combined for several putouts up the middle making life easy for Greased Lighnting and the rest of the Sluggers defense.

With the score still 6-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, ALPA was able to put the pressure on the Sluggers as they scored three runs, cutting the deficit to just two runs heading into the last inning. Yet the Sluggers were determined to pull out the victory. Feeling the lead slip away, the team rallied for three more runs in the top of the seventh inning, giving them a 9-4 cushion heading into the last half inning. After two quick outs, ALPA was able to score one more time, but the Sluggers shut the door when New Guy snared a sharply hit line drive from the shortstop position and fired to first for the final out. The final score of 9-5 gave the Sluggers their seventh win of the season, against the same team that had beaten them 18-3 earlier in the year. Manager Wicked Hittah praised his team after the game, saying that strong defense and good communication really helped them stay in control of the game. "That may have been our cleanest game of the season. We were a well-oiled machine."

The game also marked the end of a season long losing streak for Sluggers SuperFan, Nancy Bussey, as the team won their first game of the season with her in attendance.

Pictured: New Guy tosses to Plan B for one of their many outs up the middle on defense in the game.

JL Sluggers @ BAE Bombers

Could it happen? The upset of the year?

In 1988, when the lyrical geniuses known as Daryl Hall and John Oates sang "So close, yet so far away," it is without a doubt that they were foretelling the events that unfolded in Tuesday night's second game at Baron Cameron Park. Having just been annihilated 21-1 by the undefeated BAE Bombers, and their beverage cooler missing from the dugout on perhaps the hottest day of the season, it would have been easy for the Sluggers to simply roll over and die. Yet they didn't, at least not right away...

For the first time since July 10th, the Sluggers took the lead in a game, as leadoff hitter Downtown circled the bases in the top of the first inning. The 1-0 lead was short lived however, as BAE would respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. In the second inning neither team was able to score, thanks in large to some excellent defense by both teams. In fact, it was one of the better fielded games all season for the Sluggers, which included a nice foul ball catch by Walk Me, numerous defensive gems by Law Dawg, who was making his season debut at third base, and topped off by a spectacular display of concentration by Nebraska. On what looked to be a routine play, Nebraska settled under a fly ball to right field, only to Fluffinize it and have the ball squirt out of his glove. Yet this time, Nebraska quickly turned and scooped the ball out of mid-air, inches before it would have dropped for a hit. The play drew plenty of ooohs and ahhhs, but perhaps even more chuckles from the parties involved, especially the umpire.

It seemed like it could possibly be their night, as everything seemed to be going well for the Sluggers. In the top of the third inning, they retook the lead as New Guy and Plan B rounded the bases making the score 3-2. BAE would add another run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game before the Sluggers would once again take control in the top of the fourth. Only an hour before, the Sluggers trailed 21-0 in the top of the fourth inning, yet in this game they led 4-3. It was truly a remarkable turnaround. The go ahead run was scored by Squirt as Walk Me, Squirt, and Sturgis all reached base safely. After Walk Me was forced out, Squirt came around to score, putting the Sluggers ahead.

Had the softball Gods been as hot as the Sluggers all were, they would have been sweating enough to make the rains fall from the sky and end the game right there. Instead, they must have forgotten their beverage cooler as well, because the rains never came and the game went on. If only it had ended there...

The Bombers would go on to score 21 runs in the final two innings of the game, while the Sluggers would only tally two, making the final score 24-7 in favor of the first place Bombers.

Despite the late inning collapse, it was a hearty effort by the Sluggers on a night where they could have easily just packed it in. The Bombers left plenty to be desired in the sportsmanship column, once again, but what do you expect from a company that builds products such as the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.

As the Sluggers head into their final 6 games of the season, things are looking bright with the schedule featuring three opponents each with sub .500 records on the season. With a 4-11 record to date, a winning season is no longer possible for the Sluggers, but they do hope finish out the season on a high note, beginning this Sunday against Sage Software at Wakefield Park in Annandale. The game could mark the return of Wicked Hittah from the disabled list, and moves the team one game closer to the return of Fluffy from the mentally unable to perform list.

Pictured: (Upper Left) This ball was removed from play after Greased Lightning delivered a thunderous stroke early in Game 2. (Upper Right) Walk Me fearlessly crouches behind home plate after nearly having her face taken off on consecutive foul balls earlier in the game. (Lower Left) Downtown anticipates turning an unassisted triple play as the sun casts its rays over the field. (Lower Right) Squirt and Special K anchor the Sluggers' "Pink" corner late in Game 2.

JL Sluggers vs. BAE Bombers

The idiom "Dog Days of Summer" originated with the Ancient Romans, signifying the time of year when Sirius - the brightest star in the sky and most prominent in Canis Major (The Big Dog) - rose and set with the sun, leading the Ancient Romans to believe it caused the blistering heat in the summer months. Of course, had you not known that, you may have thought it had something to do with the dozens of canines anxiously watching Tuesday's game, salivating with every tossed softball that floated through the air, begging to be fetched.

All poorly scripted dog jokes aside, Tuesday's first game against BAE was indeed blistering, as temperatures exceeded 90 degrees and the humid air seemed to bring the Sluggers to a slowed pace. Yet, BAE, likely benefiting from some aerospace anti-humidity cloak designed by their Softball Research and Development wing, seemed unaffected by the sultry weather and jumped out to a 9-0 lead early in the first inning.

Yet, the Sluggers did not give up. After a rough first inning, they settled down on defense, holding BAE to only two runs in the top of the second inning. Things turned sour again in the third inning, as BAE tacked on another seven runs, increasing their lead to 18-0. The Bombers would add three more in the fourth, making it a 21-0 game before the unthinkable happened: the Sluggers scored...

Special K singled to reach base for the Sluggers. She was followed by Law Dawg who capitalized on a BAE defensive miscue, and unhesitatingly took second, literally forcing Special K to take third base, where she slipped in safely, just ahead of the tag. With runners at second and third, Greased Lightning stepped to the plate, looking for a two-run base knock. He took a mighty swing, but his bat just got under the ball a little too much, lifting it high into the outfield. The ball was deep enough to allow Special K to score on the sacrifice fly, and the Sluggers were on the board, 21-1. Unfortunately, that would be the end of the rally, as the game was called due to the 20 run slaughter rule after four innings. The painful loss mathematically eliminated the Sluggers from the playoffs, forcing many fans to already begin looking toward next year's campaign.

Perhaps a bit irritated by the gnats that had been swarming up his nose all game, Manager Wicked Hittah reacted a bit emotionally to the news that his team had just been eliminated from playoff contention:

(High-pitched exasperated tone)

"Playoffs? Don't talk about playoffs. Are you kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game. "

Pictures: (Above) The sun certainly made its presence known on Tuesday. (Bottom Left) Manager Wicked Hittah shows off his torn hamstring for the camera.

JL Sluggers vs. Scitor Corporation

With a miserable first game behind them, the Sluggers had reason to be optimistic in Game 2, as ten players took the field to start the game with Sturgis waiting in the wings as the team's extra hitter. While the first inning of Game 2 wasn't nearly as painful as Game 1, Scitor still managed to get out to an early 8-0 lead after sending 13 batters to plate in the inning. While the end result still left a lot to be desired, the inning did mark the pitching debut of Greased Lightning as manager Wicked Hittah, currently on the 15-day DL, closed his eyes and hoped for the best.
Greased Lightning seemed in command on the mound, even having a few words for the umpire now and again, but the Sluggers simply couldn't keep Scitor from scoring.

Figuring "anything you can do, I can do better," the Sluggers came to the plate in the bottom of the inning, looking for revenge. Special K made good contact out of the lead off spot, but was thrown out at first base on a fine defensive play. Gutting out a quad injury, New Guy got the rally started with a basehit, followed by another hit by Greased Lightning. Both players scored when Fluffy tripled them home, cutting the deficit to six. The Sluggers would get one more home when Plan B blasted a shot into left field, scoring Fluffy and making the score 8-3.

Things appeared to be under control until Scitor came to bat in the second. With a five run lead at the start of the inning, Scitor sent 12 batters to the plate, tacking on eight more runs in the second. After the Sluggers failed to score any runs of their own in the second, Scitor added four more runs in the third, before the Sluggers finally put them away with three consecutive outs to end the inning. After three innings, the score was 20-3 in favor of Scitor.

Things started off well defensively for the Sluggers in the top of the fourth when Squirt Sno-coned a whistling line drive, snagging it out of the air for the first out of the inning. Having witnessed her gold glove capabilities at second, Scitor avoided Squirt for the remainder of the inning, scoring five more runs with balls hit as far away from second base as possible. The inning ended on a fine 5 to 4 putout from Special K to Squirt for the automatic third out at second base. Wicked Hittah nearly reaggravated his hamstring when he fell off the bench after witnessing the play, calling it "one of the plays of the year."

With the game winding down, a late surge by the Sluggers resulted in one more run as Plan B singled home Fluffy for his third run on the night and her second RBI. Intern Sturgis also reached base, but was unable to score before the Sluggers were retired. In the end, the Sluggers fell 25-4 at the hands of Scitor, but it was a gutsy effort by all that attended. With Thursday's game in doubt due to participation, it is likely that the Sluggers will be looking to get back to their winning ways next Tuesday at Baron Cameron Park in Reston.

Pictured: (Top Center) Nothing but smiles from the Sluggers faithful, oh and occassional, "Keep your glove down Greased Lightning!" (Left) Plan B knocks in one of her two RBIs in the game. (Right) Sturgis takes a mighty swing for the fences.

JL Sluggers @ Scitor Corporation

And the clock struck midnight...

Eventually all good things have to come to an end, as the Sluggers unfortunately found out on Tuesday night. With only eight players to start the game, in a league that allows ten, it seemed that every pitch Squirt threw over the plate ended up being hit to a vacant area of the field. Let's just say that those in attendance became very familiar with the Sluggers' nicknames, as most of the inning was spent staring at the backs of their jerseys. As the inning progressed, a few of the stragglers bolstered the defense, eventually resulting in a full squad. However, the damage had already been done as Scitor sent 24 batters to the plate and scored 22 runs in a painful first inning.

After stranding Fluffy at third base in the top of the first inning, it looked like the Sluggers might get things rolling in the second when Plan B ripped a ball down the left field line. In a stroke of poor luck, the Scitor left fielder had underestimated her power, and was positioned shallow enough to make a difficult catch, robbing Plan B of a sure double. The Sluggers were finally able to get on the board in the third inning, when Fluffy batted in Intern Sturgis for the first run of the game, and then later scored himself on a double by New Guy. Squirt pitched a scoreless third inning for the Sluggers, but unfortunately it was too little too late as Scitor won it easily, 25-2.

Reaching base safely in the game for the Sluggers were Fluffy, New Guy, G-Man, Plan B, Greased Lightning, and Intern Sturgis, while Fluffy and New Guy supplied the RBIs.

Pictured: (Above) Nebraska tries to knock one into the cornfields as he awaits the pitch. (Right) Squirt lofts one into the batter, who undoubtedly swung and missed.

JL Sluggers @ IRI Mariners

On a beautiful sunny evening for baseball, one word can summarize the game's events: Fluffymania! In potentially his final game before temporarily leaving the team for the bar exam, Fluffy fell only a single shy of the cycle. In the first inning he walked, followed by a triple, then a double off the wall, and capped off the night with a Grand Slam home run. Yet, despite Fluffy's brilliance on the diamond, he was far from being the only star for the Sluggers. A tremendous team effort lifted the Sluggers to their third consecutive win, bringing their record to 4-5 on the season, and placing them in a tie for fourth place in the division.

After getting two quick outs to start the game, some shaky defense by the Sluggers let IRI load the bases in the first inning. However, Law Dawg calmly struck out IRI's number six hitter, to get the Sluggers out of the first inning jam unscathed. In the bottom-half of the inning, Greased Lightning led off for the sluggers, poking a single to start things off. Patiently, Special K, Wicked Hittah, Fluffy and Law Dawg walked consecutively as IRI began to unravel. Anxious to impress his new teammates and his family in attendance, New Guy unloaded the bases as he ripped a double into the outfield, bringing home even more Sluggers. The Sluggers sent 12 batters to the plate in the first inning, resulting in a 7-0 lead.

The bottom of the order proved dangerous for IRI as in the second inning, the 8-9-10 hitters in the lineup all came to the plate and scored, followed by another run by their leadoff hitter. After 1 1/2 innings, the Sluggers' lead had been cut to three, 7-4. That would be as close as IRI would get, as the Sluggers shut down their scoring for the remainder of the game, including a 1-2-3 third inning, followed by a two strikeout fourth inning for Law Dawg.

Despite two quick outs, the Sluggers continued to pour it on bottom of the third inning. Greased Lightning led off with a single, followed by a powerful rip by Special K, unquestionably her hardest hit ball of the season. Wicked Hittah stepped up to the plate and hit a ball over the left fielder's head. Despite scoring both base runners, the play proved costly as he felt a pop in his hamstring as he prepared to round third. After the inning, Wicked Hittah was quick to point out that it would have been an inside-the-park home run had he not been slowed by the injury. Team scorekeeper and photographer, Mrs. Wicked Hittah, was just as quick to roll her eyes, calling her husband the youngest old man that she knew, after yet another injury.

With the runner still at third, Fluffy, came to the plate and tripled deep to the outfield, putting the Sluggers up 10-4. Law Dawg, New Guy, and Walk Me would each single to load the bases, but the Sluggers couldn't bring them home and left them loaded.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, after a leadoff walk by Squirt, a single by Greased Lightning, and a walk by Special K, Fluffy once again came to the plate in what could probably be described as the at-bat of the season thus far. Wasting no time, Fluffy stroked the ball into deep right center field and had no aspirations of slowing down, despite what the Taco Bell dinner in his stomach may have been telling him. Instead, Fluffy rounded second base with his eyes already on the plate, kicking up dirt as he went. By the time he rounded third, there was no question that the Fluffy train was rumbling home and IRI couldn't even attempt to stop it. The end result was a bases clearing Grand Slam to finish off IRI and put the Sluggers up 16-4.

It was an impressive win for the Sluggers as only hours before, they weren't sure that they would have enough players to field a team. Fortunately enough players came through, and in a big way. Twenty-four times, Sluggers reached base safely in the game, including five extra base hits. It was a truly a night for the ages.

For those wondering about the injury which caused Wicked Hittah to leave the game, he decided to seek medical care immediately following the game, but urgent care was closed. His playing prognosis for playing next week is currently questionable. Regardless, if the Sluggers show another strong team effort like they did all this week, they should be just fine.

Pictured: (Top left) Greased Lightning pokes one of his three singles on the night. (Middle Right) Special K connects on a blazing single, which is amazing considering that if you look closely, she did it with her eyes closed. (Bottom left) Ringer awaits the pitch as shadows creep over Bready Park.

JL Sluggers @ Cooley Godward Kronish

Are you kidding me? Two wins in one night? You better believe it!

Still giddy from their first win, and exhausted due to the heat, it looked like Game 2 might be a letdown for the Sluggers. Trailing 3-1 after the second inning, the water cooler had emptied and the team was running on fumes. Yet, as the sun went down and the lights came on, the show finally began. Downtown and Special K led off the third inning with back-to-back singles, followed by back-to-back doubles by Greased Lightning and Wicked Hittah out of the three and four spots in the order. Law Dawg knocked in the final run of the inning with an RBI single to put the Sluggers up 5-3 with Cooley still to bat in the bottom of the inning.

Cooley got one back in the third, but the Sluggers exploded for six more runs in the fourth as Downtown, Special K, Greased Lightning, Fluffy, Ringer, and Squirt all rounded the bases for the Sluggers. Great pitching and stellar defense shut down Cooley in the fifth, leaving the score at 14-8 in favor of the Sluggers. The game was called as the lights went out, literally, in the bottom of the sixth inning, leaving the Sluggers once again victorious, for the second game in a row and clinching the season series 2-1 against Cooley. They'll be trying for three wins in a row as they face the IRI Mariners, Thursday - 7pm at Bready Park.

Player of the game honors go to Downtown, who reached base safely four times (8 times total on the night), and Fluffy who hit his second and third triples of the night, breaking out of his offensive slump at the most opportune time.

Pictured: (Top) The evening was all a blur for Wicked Hittah and the Sluggers, as they scored 38 runs, surpassing their season-to-date total by 22 runs. Squirt (Right) takes over catching duties after Walk Me tried to barehand a ball fired in from the outfield during a close play at the plate. Walk Me would gut out the final few innings in right field, despite some massive swelling.

JL Sluggers vs. Cooley Godward Kronish

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!!

Congratulations to the Sluggers on their fantastic first victory of the season. Staring across the field at a team that beat them 20-0 only 7 days before, the Sluggers weren't intimidated, thanks in large to a full roster for one of the first times this season. The Sluggers got off to a strong start as Law Dawg, aided by some strong defensive help, allowed only one batter to reach safely in a scoreless top half of the first inning. What happened next was, well...awesome. Downtown, Special K, Greased Lightning, and Wicked Hittah all reached base safely and came around to score. After two quick outs, the team batted around again, with each of the next ten batters scoring. The final run of the inning scored when G-Man doubled in Fluffy after Fluffy had cleared the bases with a thunderous triple. In all, the Sluggers sent 18 batters to the plate in the first inning, with 14 of them scoring. To put this in perspective, the Sluggers had only scored 16 runs all season, and had been shutout in each of the last two games.

The Sluggers once again held Cooley scoreless in the second inning, but could not capitalize with any runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Cooley closed the gap to 14-3 after the top of the third, but the Sluggers roared back again. Wicked Hittah led things off in the inning with a single. Law Dawg, Fluffy, G-Man, and Walk Me, all reached base safely to lead things off. After two quick outs, Downtown, Special K, Greased Lightning, Wicked Hittah, and Law Dawg came around to score. When Ringer reached base in the fourth inning, it ensured that every member of the team reached base safely in the game. After posting a 24-3 lead through three innings, the Sluggers let off the gas a little bit, allowing Cooley to creep back and narrow the margin to 24-15, but that would be all she wrote. The Sluggers didn't have to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning, and the first victory of the season, without the aid of a forfeit, had been recorded.

With the outstanding all around effort, it would be tough to name a player of the game. However, New Guy played an excellent defensive left field. Despite showing up in a Stillers hat, he showed an ability to close on a flyball effortlessly with his blazing speed. At the plate, Wicked Hittah led the team going four for four with four runs scored, followed by Downtown, Special K, Greased Lightning, and Law Dawg, who each scored three times in the game. It was already a night to remember, and yet it had only just begun.

Pictured: Downtown (top) collects one of his four hits in the game while Fluffy (right) rips a triple to the outfield, one of three on the night for him.

JL Sluggers @ Cooley Godward Kronish

Staring a forfeit in the face, due to a lack of players, the Sluggers kept their cool and were saved just minutes before the first pitch. Pitcher, Squirt, fought her way through traffic and pulled into the parking lot just before game balls were exchanged. In an emergency relief situation, team photographer and official scorekeeper, Plan B, volunteered for duty and stepped in as right fielder for the Sluggers (which is why there are no photographs). Left without a scorekeeper, the original Slugger diehard, Superfan Nancy Bussey, stepped to the plate and kept score for the game. The Sluggers did their best to take it easy on Nancy, as they unfortunately were not able to score any runs for the second straight game. Cooley, on the other hand, showed no remorse, rounding the bases 20 times and exhibiting some questionable sportsmanship in the game's final inning. Nonetheless, the Sluggers stood strong and did their best to be competitive.

Hours after returning from his trip to Mexico, manager Wicked Hittah, faced an aggressive press looking for explanations to the team's 5-game losing streak.

"We didn't have our A-game tonight," Wicked Hittah said. "We had some nice plays out there defensively. Squirt made a nice grab, as did Fluffy, and Greased Lightning made a nice play on the corner. Smooth-swinging Walk Me once again made solid contact at the plate and Nebraska gave us speed in the outfield. As for myself, apparently I left my game at the border. Hopefully we can all forget about this game and come back next week."

With the roster stretched thin, the big question may be exactly who will come back next week? With the impending bar exam, the team's cleanup hitter, Fluffy, will be taking a leave of absence beginning July 11th through the end of the month. Other prior commitments leave the team dangerously thin in terms of fielding a roster, but that doesn't worry the manager.

"We had a strong turnout when signups went around. Right now we're averaging about 50% of those that signed up at each game. I know we're losing a couple of players in the next couple of weeks, but I'm confident that those who signed up will step in contribute. After all, our firm motto is "All we do is work...except when we're playing softball."

Despite another loss, the JL Sluggers have nothing to hang their heads about, nor did they. In fact, the team should be commended for its "no quit" attitude which they have brought with them to each and every game. As the casual fan in attendance will tell you, there is nothing but encouragement and optimism coming from the JL Sluggers' side. They keep working hard, knowing that eventually it will all pay off for them. Now if only they could get more players.