Opening Game Slugfest

Well this year's season started without much fanfare as four of the game's veterans met at Nance Bradd's field. Like most outings,there were hits that could've been caught,and catches that could've been hits,lots of close calls and plenty of whiffs.

The weather was a bit cool and damp as the Commish took the mound with (R) Dave playing the field (American Leaguers). Glen and Kurt,representing the national league,wasted little time getting players both on base and back home for 3 earned runs. Glen went 2 for 5 (two singles) while Kurt hit two singles and a double and had two RBI's.

Due to the shortage of players,Glen was forced to pitch (and be pitched-to) underhand.

On the mound,Kurt reminded everyone why he the 3-time reigning MVP as he gave up one single to Dave and otherwise struck out the side. NL 3 –AL 1.

Dave followed the tough pitching clinic by striking out Kurt. Glen smacked a single but Kurt hit into a double play off of a foul ball. Glen ended the inning with a ground-out.

Tossing underhand,Glen went I,2,3 as the Dave and Pete hit two up and one down for outs.

The next inning the national leaguers expanded their lead as Kurt went 3 for 4 with an RBI and one K while Glen hit 1 for three with fly-outs against Pete's pitching.

Bottom 3 rd ; Kurt was again stingy giving up one hit to the commish and otherwise striking out Dave twice and forcing the commish to ground out.

Uncharacteristically,Dave (R,Ohio) allowed a run* thanks in the top of the 4 th thanks to a double by Kurt and three singles by Glen,in that order.

Glen continued to be hot on the mound mixing up his pitches with high arcs to the wild-eyed hitters. The commish knocked in their first run with a double with runners on 2 nd and third.

N. 4 –A. 1

The next inning blew chunks for the commish as he gave up 3 singles and 2 trippies to Glen and Kurt. Kurt went four for 5 with a triple and lotsa balls into his meadow. Dave almost had a ball in the deep right recesses of the field when while dodging bushes he actually had his hands on the ball,a ball that somehow missed the edge of the triple wall. The ball slipped out for Kurt's triple. Glen went 2 for 4 also with his triple. The Commish pointed to the heavens as he struck out Kurt to end the inning for the second time in the game.

10 –1.

Then things got more interesting as Dave (R) and the Commish had a rally against Kurt. The commish went 3 for 5 including the season's opening tater (and two K's) and Dave pounded 3 singles with one whiff. Bases left full,but with a new score; 10 –4.

Top of the 6 th proved to be uneventful as Dave (R) again re-found his stride - despite giving up a single to Glen,he retired the side.

Down 10 –5,the American Leaguers knew they needed to hit Glen,something that had been tough to do all day. They proceeded to pound out 11 hits and win with a walk-off single by Dave (R) 12 –10. The Commish went 5 –6 while Dave (R) went 6 –7. Somehow,someway,the Nat's had 11 runs.

Glen made a reasonable comment while wearing unreasonable pants. He said that teams shouldn't fuss about pitching to and hitting underhand pitching - and he was right. There would be no game without it and the advantages out way the disadvantages.

Glen 10 for 20 No strikeouts either way. Forced 5 fly-outs. Gave up 8 runs. 4 RBI's. Kurt 13 for 21 8 k's for and against. Gave up 3 runs and 7 hits. Hit 6 RBI's.

Dave 11 for 19 Threw 6 K's. Hit 4 RBI's. Had 6 hits in a row. Whiffed 4 times. Pete 11 for 19 Gave up 9 runs. Threw 2 K's. Had 7 RBI's. Whiffed 4 times.

Although the score was 11 to 12,one run was not written down and there were confusing N.L. stats. There is a run that wasn't recorded by the Nats but it was chalked. *There is also a controversy as Dave doesn't recall giving up a run to the Nat's and was shocked,when,while trying to figure out the opponents run tally,the commish asked him if he gave up 1 or 2 runs. Dave said none,but there was clearly,much to the dismay of Dave,at least 1.

Look to get back to the asphalt next week for week 2. Hopefully stats will be to keep the sanity and the score sheets!

Commish