A Week Without Sunshine

This week (possibly through Thursday) the one bright window seems to be coming on Sunday morning. We're due, since for much of the late summer, the one weekly stretch of bad weather occurred on Sunday mornings.

So forget the lawn - it's plenty green and they're wearing them longer this fall. The painting won't have time to dry before the next rain. And the chores will wait for 9 innings. With Dennison being a faster drying field than most, and with any (overdue) luck, we'll play ball!

Do Over?

With but 14 players signed in at 9:45 (and two more later), we decided instead to play a regular split-up-who-showed-up game and to try again this coming week to play the Old vs. Young game with two full teams.

The Old. vs. Young Game

It's “The Series for The Ages”, the “Chronological Clash”, pitting Experience vs. Exuberance, Geezers vs. Brats. This weekend is our 11.5th Annual Old vs. Young Game. (Yes, there were 2 games about 7 years ago, when The Babies cried so much after losing that we played a second game.)

When you sign in and check off positions, also write your age in years and months on the right side of the sheet. (I love watching you guys count on your fingers how old you are!) We'll split the teams by age and have some fun. The dividing line is usually near 32, depending on who shows up. I'll manage Team Fogie while the oldest The Brat Team will manage them and we’ll have at it for some fun bragging rights.

I Knew It!

I knew that someone would go out in the hurricane and see how hard they could throw! Zack impressed his neighbors. But failed us. He didn't get video!

Looking Back & Ahead

It was a Throwback Week of sorts on Sunday and great to have Dan back and Jared make a rare appearance. Even Johnny - the little lefty pitcher from several years ago - popped in. It's perhaps been the toughest year for personnel, as over the winter Dan moved to NY and Tony left to run the stadium and food and beverages for the Single A Hagerstown Suns (MD). Jarod left in June for Philly. Brent’s been a no-show all year. A lot of solid reliable veteran pitchers. A lot of good guys.

Dan was The Man, as he often used to be, throwing a complete game as the game went down to the wire: 9th inning, tying run in scoring position.

But most impressive and important to the game, he showed up at 9am, raked the field, and volunteered to manage. Take his cue, guys!

Though some nice plays were made, it was not a crisp game. The rust of 2 games played in a 6 week and 6 day span was very evident. We lacked an edge, on the field and with the pace of the game.

Kudos to Robbie who, in one inning, was the only defender on his team who was taking the field. And he was running out to his position! Take his cue, too!

This coming Sunday looks like beautiful baseball weather. And was a possibility to have the 11^th Annual “Old vs. Young” Game. The Battle of the Ages. The Chronology Clash. But it would be more competitive and fun, as the only “important” game of the year, to have a more skilled game played at a higher level. With all the rainouts, let’s have one more regular game this week and then play “The Game” on the 18th, which would then be three straight weeks of games for the first time since July.

Labor Day Sunday

With the forecast for Sunday looking like summer - high 80's and more humid - I did not request a holiday Monday permit.

But we're now heading to our Fall Home Field, Mary Dennison, for 9am BP and a 10am first pitch. Sign in - really, really with your shoes on and your name on the dotted line - no later than 9:45. (If you're one of the habitually tardy, then the game is at 9am. Just show up then!)

A Prodigal Son would like to return: Anyone coming from the Boston or Revere area on Sunday? Old friend Dan Dingerson is hoping to make a return visit, but would need a ride from the game, rather than waiting for the 3:15 train from Framingham. Email or call me, please.

With a long weekend, and only our 3rd game in the last 7 weeks, I'm hoping to see many of you out there! Remarkably, we've got at least 9 weeks left on the calendar - and more if we go into November - meaning that we've still got 1/3 of the season left to go!