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