On this day we give thanks

Remember to give thanks for Friends, Whiffle and folding chairs.

A Whiff of Indian Summer

Five whifflers came to the Aberdeen Avenue Grounds this morning to enjoy what seems surely to be the last opportunity to play in 2010 (but you never know).  Before the start of play it was agreed that for this game no stats would be kept, and no stats would count.  So to protect the innocent, the names have been changed in this game story.

Despite the fact that we weren't keeping score, most players still pitched like it was game seven, and more than a couple of players watched strike three like it was game seven, too.  What should have been played like an exhibition, ended up a 3-0, six inning final, though it ended with some drama.  To wit....

Visitors "Kant" and "Eisenhower" each pitched three shut out innings, getting meaner and meaner with each successive turn at the rubber.  I guess nothing less should have been expected as they are the two best pitchers in the league.

They got all their runs in the third off  "Bowie," the only pitcher who was using the stats-free environment to work on his pitches.  "Kant" doubled, then singled one out later, then homered with two outs for three RBI.  He and "Eisenhower" would proceed then to load the bases, but failed to score again.

A long boring string of three up/three down innings would follow until the bottom of the sixth, with "Kant" in to protect a three-run lead (but no save to be earned).  The home side managed to load the bases thanks to a single from "Bowie" and two from "Han Solo."  However, in the midst of this threat "Henry Chadwick" was quietly striking out twice, and now "Henry Chadwick" was up with two out and the bases loaded.  I'm pretty sure "Kant" felt he had to get "Henry Chadwick" out because if he didn't the next two batters had a real shot at working a walk-off win.  So the velocity came up a couple of notches, and the chatter went silent.  In an earlier inning "Kant" hit "Henry Chadwick" square in the left cheekbone with a wicked fast ball, and he used that to his advantage now with crazy breaking pitches all on the inside and up.  "Henry Chadwick" didn't have a prayer.  Ball. Game.

Kant, Eisenhower - 3
Bowie, Han Solo, Henry Chadwick - 0

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray.

 Another low scoring game where we spent most of our time watching guys strike out.  So come to The Whiffies and join the debate about how the rules should be changed to get some more offense:

December 10, 2010 @ 7:30

TANK'S

A Bill..

For the Consideration of the Rules Committee

of the Oakwood Whiffle and Ale Club

December 10, 2010

Proposed rules changes for the 2011 Championship Season

1. Game Rules:
1. Move the pitching rubber back - current distance to the wall is approximately 41 feet.
2. Ground balls must be fielded no deeper than the pitching rubber.
3. Runner at third (less than 2 outs) to tag and score on fly ball caught beyond the HR line - batter credited with 1 RBI, and charged with an out.
4. Self-toss HR derby to resolve tie games - specific rules of such derby to be determined at a later time.
5. Both hoops to count for automatic grand slam, rather than just the east hoop - it’s just common sense.
6. All players must wear sleeves - it is a gentleman’s game, after all.
7. A pitch that hits the batter shall count as a "Ball" and four "Ball"s shall count as a walk.

2. Scoring Rules:
1. Account for strike out looking separately from strike out swinging - Beltran!
2. Account for errors by Pitcher - errors will not count as hits, this will lower batting averages.
3. Account for errors by Fielders - errors will not count as hits, this will lower batting averages.
4. Determine un-earned runs, and factor into Pitcher ERA - this will lower ERAs.

Comments to these rule proposals are welcome.  Please also submit additional rule proposals for consideration in the comments to this post.

And finally, comment on how large a majority is needed to pass a new rule?  50% +1? two-thirds?  just Peter?

"Untitled"

No wiffle yesterday, but a good number of Whifflers gathered this week with the arts community at the Triangle Gallery on the campus of Sinclair Community College (4th Floor, Building 13, corner of Perry and Fifth, downtown Dayton) for a reception marking the opening of Glen Cebulash’s show: “Recent Work by Glen Cebulash.”

It was certainly a well rounded, complete reception.  There was art to contemplate:

There was excellent conversation:

There was live music:

There was food (not pictured).

The Artist himself was there and the opportunity for one-on-one conversation with Glen, on the topic of his oeuvre, was both engaging and enlightening.  Glen was a blur of motion and activity, as can be seen by this series of shots in which my camera (which is really more phone than camera) was unable to capture him clearly:

The pieces on display now through November 18 include collages, as well as works in other media (oils and inks) that affect collages.  There is a great variation in scale with pieces ranging from the sketch to the over-sized canvas.  Speaking as someone with no artistic outlet of my own, I was impressed by the evident energy and devotion that went into this “Recent Work.” This gallery show is a swell setting to see Glen’s work.  However, like most Whifflers, my favorite place from which to see Glen’s work is from the BATTER’S BOX.

Towards the end of the show Tim “The Whammer” Baker had the audacity to get out his camera.  

Let’s see what Tim is capturing on his phone here...

GASP!  So not only will The Artist not show up on film, neither will his work?  Glen, what kind of  Black Magic are you employing?

Well, anyway the Whiffle off season is off to a smashing start!  Can we look forward to wine and cheese tastings, poetry readings and foreign film noir??  Sounds .. uplifting.  On the other hand, some of us will be playing ice hockey in our sneakers.

Remember: The Whiffies banquet is December 10.

Sad Whifflers

The Commish has declared an end to the season: no Whiffle on Saturday.  Further, the post season banquet, The Whiffies, has been set for December 10.

Watch this space for occasional updates on whifflers' off season activities.

All stats are FINAL.