Sluggers Back on Track

Game One (W 16-5)

The great Crash Davis once said, "Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic." Apparently, LawDawg wasn't listening. In a masterful pitching performance, LawDawg managed to strike out the final batter of each inning during the Sluggers' 16-5 victory in the first game of the doubleheader. No disrespect to the IRI Mariners, but 5 strikeouts in slow-pitch softball? C'mon!

After a rocky start in which the Sluggers gave up

3 runs in the top of the 1st, many onlookers and one worried manager began wondering where the Sluggers' confidence had gone. Was the public humiliation suffered at the hands of the OD Bombers so esteem crippling that they had simply forgotten how to play?

The Sluggers' concerns quickly vacated, sparked by the momentum of LawDawg's inning-ending strikeout, and once at bat, the swagger returned.

Downtown led off the bottom of the 1st with a single. After a less than stellar pop-out by Noodle, Fragile and Fluffy hit back-to-back inside the park home runs to tie the game 3-3. The game really broke open in the 2nd inning.

After holding the Mariners scoreless, the Sluggers took the lead for good after 9 consecutive batters reached base safely, resulting in 7 runs. The Sluggers would add 5 more runs in the 3rd inning, and weathered a late rally by the Mariners in the 5th to take the game 16-5.

SLUGGERS STATS:

Home Runs: Fragile (1), Fluffy (1)

RBI: Fragile (4), Fluffy (4), Noodle (2), Downtown, Hot Shot: Part Deux, Zuko, Newbie, LawDawg, and G-Man each had 1.

Runs: Downtown (3), Noodle (3), Fluffy (3), Fragile (2), Hot Shot: Part Deux, Zuko, LawDawg, G-Man, and Squirt each had 1.

Strikeouts Pitched: LawDawg (5)

Casualties: Liability (Quad), G-Man (Quad), LawDawg (Hip)

Photo: LawDawg examines a pitch as it floats by

Game Two (W 17-11)

The second game of the night may be remember more for its humor than its contest. In a clear violation of the Softball Gender Discrimination Act of 1975, Noodle decided to play a shallow outfield upon spotting a pink-shirted female approaching the plate. After a powerful swing of the bat, Noodle found himself watching the ball sail over his head and quickly scrambled to retrieve the ball. Unfortunately for Noodle, his failure to equip himself with cleats in a wet outfield proved to be a safety violation. It not only endangered Noodle, but the rest of the Sluggers who struggled not to strain their rib cages as they laughed at Noodle's Slip 'n Slide demonstration in the outfield. Noodle was quick to point out his "incredible" throw to the cutoff man from his knees, however no one else seemed to notice.

With spirits lifted all around from witnessing Noodle's antics, the Sluggers went on to play an otherwise impressive defensive game. Beginning with a sliding catch in the outfield from Fluffy, the Sluggers went on to turn two double-plays, and make some fine infield plays highlighted by a sharp charging putout from 3rd base by LawDawg, and a nice stab and throw from Bruiser to throw out a runner from 2nd base. Solid pitching from Zuko kept the Mariners at bay. Newbie also made some nice foul ball catches from the catcher position.

Offensively, after playing an even 1st inning at 2-2, the Sluggers took over the game in 2nd inning with 9 runs crossing the plate. They would go on to add 6 more runs over the next two innings to take a 17-6 lead heading into the Mariners' final at-bats. Once again, the Mariners did not go down easily, as they rallied for 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th to close the gap to 17-11. That's as close as they would come, however, as the Sluggers finished to game off on a force play at 3rd base.

SLUGGERS STATS:

Home Runs: None

RBI: Hot Shot: Part Deux (4), Zuko (2), LawDawg (2), Downtown (2), Fluffy, Fragile, Noodle, Squirt, Newbie, Bruiser, and Liability each had 1.

Runs: Fluffy (3), Zuko (2), Squirt (2), Noodle (2), Fragile (2), Downtown, Hot Shot: Part Deux, Newbie, LawDawg, Bruiser and Nebraska (running for Liability) each had 1.

Strikeouts Pitched: Zuko (1)

Casualties: Bruiser (Quad, Tibia), Squirt (Stomach), Fragile (Thumb)

Photo: Zuko lobs a pitch in toward home plate

JL Gets Slugged!

From five throats and more there rose a lusty yell;

It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Fluffy, mighty Fluffy, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Fluffy's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Fluffy's bearing and a smile lit Fluffy's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Fluffy at the bat.

Ten sets of eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five more tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Fluffy's eye, a sneer curled Fluffy's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Fluffy stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
"That ain't my style," said Fluffy. "Strike!" the umpire said.

From the benches, filled with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted Sir Aries on the stand;
And it's likely he'd have killed him had not Fluffy raised his hand.

"Fraud!" cried the maddened half-dozen, and echo answered "Fraud!"

But one scornful look from Fluffy and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Fluffy wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer had fled from Fluffy's lip, the teeth were clenched in hate;
He pounded with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
The pitcher held the yellow ball, and then he let it go,
And then the air was shattered by the force of Fluffy's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;

But there is no joy in Sluggerville — mighty Fluffy had struck out.

Sluggers Win Two!