Merry Christmas!

May Santa bring to all of you just what you've always wanted!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Finale Tally

The game is on!

We're at 18, as of 5pm Saturday! And now that we're on, perhaps even more will show. Those numbers are definitely doable. The weather will cooperate. Play ball!

The Tally for The Finale

As of Friday, 9:15am:

There are 15 "definite" players. (And only one Charlie): Me, Pete Soens, Pete’s friend Thomas, Phil Rosano, Ron Pawelski, Hugh Carrozza, Jason Tilton, Jim Conboy, Howard Alberts, Danny Douglass, James Tripaldi, Mike Tanzella, Paul O’Reilly, Chris Bobowicz, Brian Lovett. There are 5 other "maybes". And many others who have not yet responded.

I expect more to come around, and would like to make the call Friday night, but may delay until Saturday noon to give some "maybes" the chance to opt-in and ensure that we have a game. But it's now looking good!

Tomorrow / Next Week

As hoped, I'm hearing from a lot of players, many of whom will be coming tomorrow, some who haven't played all year. The weather looks good, too!


Then for the 28th, there are others who can't make tomorrow but will play then. Confidence grows that, whatever happens tomorrow, there will indeed be a final game!

A Close Call ... But Stay Safe at Home

... but we're pulling the plug on today's festivities. Light showers and puddles, 45 degrees at 8:30 ... Mother Nature wins today.

Go do what the wife says today so that you have her permission to come out and play the next two weeks!

Play Ball? (with 9:35 Update)

Clearly, we will not get 18 guys to the field today. The field is in good shape - because someone has torn up the grass for drainage near first base, endangering their permit! But it's raw and the forecast calls for rain.

But no recent rain has yet come to Framingham and I'm up for taking it as far as anyone would like. Throw? BP? Drills?

I will not go to the field unless someone contacts me via email or phone that they will also be there. Get in touch if you want to get some exercise!

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Between 8:19 and 9am, I've had a nice chat with Pete, and only Pete. He's enthusiastic about playing until the snow flies. But not today. And no one yet has confirmed that we will be doing anything today. If no one else contacts me, I'm hitting the pillow at 9:45 .. and then rooting for the Orioles.

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(9:35am) Jim will also play til the snow flies, but not today. And the drizzle has begun. Go O's. Go to bed. Go out with your SO other today so that you're free to play ball next week!

How Will It Alll End?

Attendance has been an issue, but don't let it keep you from playing!

While there was not an abundance in attendance last week, and so we did not have the Old vs. Young Game, those who played had some fun as we had a game with stealing bases, instead. And there were enough players the week before for a "regular" game.

While murky and chilly, there looks to be a dry window to play tomorrow!

After this week, there will be a "poll" here, to "vote" on how often and when you will play from here on out. The point of it is so that we all can know when the final game will be.

Play ball ... before the snow flies!

The Old vs. Young Game

The Battle of the Ages is on. We got enough last week to be encouraged for the upcoming, so as long as the turnout is good tomorrow, The Geezers and The Brats will battle!

When signing in (no later than 9:45 for the 10am First Pitch), also put down your age in years and months. Typically the split is around 32, but it depends on who is there. Play ball!

Whachadoing?

Log off and get to the field!

(Yep, I overslept, but the gear is at the field already!)

Maybe Probably

I passed the field on my way home from being out of the area all day. Don't know how much it rained there today and it was raining lightly at 3am, but there isn't a puddle on the field. So if it's not raining come morn, we're on. I'll post on the blog around 8:15am. Call if you can't wait that long.

Enthusiasms

"A man becomes preeminent, he's expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms... Enthusiasms... What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball!" ~ Robert De Niro, as Al Capone, "The Untouchables"

"This Sunday Sunday Sunday! Monster Truck Zach Sherman brings nearly a year of rust and a summers worth of swinging golf clubs to the MWBA! Come one come all!"  ~ Zach Sherman, as a baseball player.

On Into The Fall

"Baseball has got to be fun, because if it’s not fun, it’s a long time to be in agony.” ~ Tom Trebelhorn, former Milwaukee Brewers Manager

Sunday was the longest game of the year. But it was also ridiculously fun! Thanks again to Tony, for the use of the stadium, and to Paul The Elder, for the post-game sandwiches!

This week, we return to both a 10am First Pitch and to our Fall home field. If you did not get the schedule, get in touch!

With the time change, there’s no reason to not be signed in by 9:45am at the latest!

Numbers Are Good!

While only 12 "voted" in, I've received emails and calls from at least 9 more who are coming. That's 21. Some won't show, others will, but that's a game!

Footwear Alert!

Ol' veteran Hugh has tipped me off that we ought to be prepared for not being allowed to wear metal cleats on the turf! Thanks, Hugh!

This Week in Lynn, Part 2

Having recurring thoughts of using aluminum in BP, just cuz ... but nah. It's 330 to left, 400 to straightaway center, and 335 to right.

But for real: AstroTurf will play juuust a bit differently than the Merloni infield. Let's be ready to start BP - or at least some infield - at 8:45!

This Week in Lynn

Email if you did not receive the general email. And vote (on the right) by Saturday!

Farewell, Lou!

While today is gloomy, it does look like there won't be a problem getting the field ready for tomorrow's last game at our "summer home".

Word is that we will definitely be getting a permit for the rest of the season - through October and, at our discretion, all the way until Thanksgiving. The permit should be released this week. Whether we use it until it's time to carve the turkey will depend on the numbers and the weather, to be determined late in October.

But we don't need a permit for next week, as we're going out on our longest "road trip" of the season - one game at Fraser Field in Lynn. Fences, dugouts, the scoreboard running (if we all kick out a few bucks to the operator), peanuts and crackerjacks ...

As you'll all be swinging for the fences next week, come out and "practice" this week as we bid adieu to Lou!

5pm update: The field is playable, the bunting has been hung for the "home" finale ...

Today's Final

A balanced team effort with contributions throughout the lineup. We trailed 7-0 after 2 innings and 10-6 after 5, then rallied for 6 in the 6th and two more in the 7th to take a 14-11 win over the 1992 New England (Marlboro) Babe Ruth champs. Highlights tonight on SportsCenter.

From Bill: "Game on. The field looks good."

See you all there!

Saturday's "Bonus" Game, Update, Part 2

I expect a rainout decision to be made by 10am.But it's looking like a go!

We do have the numbers now, at 15. But anyone is still welcome to play. Email if you want in!

Timetable: Unless weather changes things, they are taking the field at 11am to practice. Our gear arrives around 11:30am. We can join them on the field at 11:45. Arrive no later than 12:10pm! First Pitch is 12:30pm.

Uniforms: They are rumored to have shiny new uniforms. We will wear The MetroWest Baseball Association’s colors. That is, whatever you’re most comfortable wearing!

Saturday's "Bonus" Game

The first email in a long time went out this week, so if you did not receive it, then either you are not on the mailing list or there is another issue. Email back!

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Saturday's game vs. Marlboro's 1992 Babe Ruth World Series team is at Stevens Field, 22 Martin St. Marlboro, MA 01752. Bill says that it is a small street with plenty of parking, but foul balls can hit your car if you're too close!

Our gear will arrive around 11:30am. Please arrive no later than 12:15pm so that we can get underway promptly at 12:30pm. It should be a great day at the ballyard! This is, after all, intended only to be fun!

Rules for this one: Everyone can bat, with open defensive substitutions. We’ll start off with stealing, wild pitches, and passed balls, but if it gets sloppy we’ll switch to MetroWest Ball Association rules.


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From the emails, many are out on Saturday but will play on Sunday, so confidence is moderately high that attendance will also strong for the second game of our weekend doubleheader!

Is This Thing On?

The first email in a long time has gone out this morning. This is the first posting in a long time, too. Still working kinks out of the system, so if you did not receive it, then either you are not on the mailing list or there is another issue. Email back, as there is news regarding the upcoming schedule!

No Game

A close call, but we're out!  Mother Nature has won out for the first time in a while.

I have been to the field and swept away most of the standing water at home, third and the pitcher's mound. But the muck at home is thick and it is very humid with no wind. The grass will remain wet for most of the morning and there is sporadic drizzle. While the field may actually tighten by game time or shortly after, experience tells me that the weather will have already kept 3 or 6 guys  from even setting their alarms, and we'll only draw 12 to 14 guys.


Take this rare opportunity to root for Lebron and Kobie at 9:30am. USA!

At Last ...

... a forecast that doesn't have heavy rain on Saturday.

Despite the sketchy weather, attendance is growing weekly. But keep up with the flyers (except, apparently, on freshly painted poles in Belmont!)

It's Father's Day and we're going back to our "summer home." Another 10 dozen balls arrive tomorrow. Come out and use them. Dad would want you to play ball!

Last week was a nice fall morning for baseball! It would have been nicer if the handful who assumed that the game was washed out had instead set their alarms clocks. But it was a great week to try out new pitchers and get more ABs than usual!

For this week, the weather looks similar to last week and it's expected that there will be a game! Saturday night rain gives way to morning sun, so pack your pushbroom and come as close to 8am as you can. Sign in by 8:45 at the latest.

It's the last "road" game of the summer, as we return "home" next week!

Calling All Pushbrooms

Game on, boys! The one large puddle at first base  - the only puddle there is - has been knocked back (the reason the posting is a bit late.) The rest of the field is tight. It is sunny and slightly windy. Good drying conditions on the best drying field on which we play.

Bring a broom, as soon as you can!

If you're reading this late, get your baseball pants on! The game will be slightly delayed, but we need you out there to ensure 18!

Weather or Not

It does look like we'll be in a dry window for Sunday's game. We're at the fastest drying field. The question is how much rain comes on Saturday and how fast the field can recover...

Welcome To Summer

Game Time has now changed, as scheduled. Don't keep Jimmy waiting!

The timetable for June, July, and August:
7:15am: Cancellation posted, if necessary
8:00am: Gear and the dedicated begin to arrive to prep the field, stretch, and get BP underway
8:30am: Managers of the Day begin to make teams; BP starts
8:45am: All players are signed in
8:50am: Split of players is complete; lineup announcements 
9:00am: First Pitch

Note that we're "on the road" for another two weeks!

Is This Thing On?

An email has gone out to everyone who is on the roster. If you didn't get it, get in touch!

Keep an eye on the schedule over the coming weeks, as each week's location and / or time is different from the week before!

The Schedule

With a beautiful day for baseball coming up on Sunday, please take note of the schedule. In the coming weeks, we're at a couple of different fields. Also, the time of games will shift to the "summer" schedule after next week's Memorial Day weekend game.

While premature, keep in mind that should it rain on Memorial Day Sunday, we will try to play on Monday.

If you haven't got the schedule, get in touch!

Two Weeks In …

It’s Mother’s Day and admission is free for all Moms. And for anyone sharing apple pie or Chevrolets.

Great to see all of the returning veterans and I’m impressed by, and appreciative of, the rookies this year who’ve jumped right in and run drills and gotten BP going! And it's been some fun baseball, too!

Just the usual annual two nags: tardiness and non-payment of dues. And again, it ain’t the rookies!

For 9:30 games, signing in at 9:16 IS late. Managers have been trying to make equally competitive teams for a while and are expected to be wrapped up by 9:20.

On the other end, the Babe Ruth League permit technically begins at 12pm. They are typically very gracious in allowing us to play out an inning or so past noon.

But a First Pitch at 9:45 because about 7 of the 20 players arrive after 9:15 causes problems and simply, is unfair to the players who have already been there for 45 minutes and hauled gear, raked the field and put down bases. Even if you don’t want to stretch or initiate BP, be fair to them and be there to get the game underway on time.

And those who have played in the first tow games but not yet paid in, you've hit the sub-par, mushy balls, and that is the reason why.

But we finally have some of our usual ROML balls. The best balls on the market but for MLB balls. Bring Mom, the money you may owe. First Pitch is at 9:30 and we'll be off the field by 12:30.          

The Schedule Is Out

Last week, the bunting stayed dry ... since it was not brought out! We drew about 14 to the field and surely would have hit 18 if not for the forecasts all week calling for heavy rain on Sunday. Through the occasional drizzle, we practiced in anticipation of this week's rain-delayed Opening Day.

Kudos to Phil R. and Bill R. for taking the initiative to run some fielding drills before BP! It'd be great to see the level of play elevated, with players thinking about situations before the situation happens (i.e., know where you're going to throw, where you need to be positioned for cutoffs and base coverage, etc.) And, everyone can always have more "situational chatter", the most obvious being calling loudly about who is taking a popup. A ball falling between two players is dumb. Collisions are painful!

As I still try to reach everyone:
- If you did not receive the opt-in notice, send an email!
- If you have not replied, please do so with all requested info!
- If you replied to the opt-in email, you should have received the schedule via email. If you did not get the schedule, send an email!

The bunting will be hung. The fly-over is schedule for 9:27am (12 minutes after the 9:15 when everyone should be there). Any volunteers to sing the National Anthem?

Game On

Log off. Play ball!

Opening Rainout?

Actually it looks like we may get a game in, if we miss the overnight rain, as the main storm won't be coming in until the afternoon.

Merloni Field at the High School is home until Memorial Day.

8:30 Gear and the enthusiastic arrive. Sign in. Groom field, secure bases, stretch, throw, tell tall tales

8:55 Take initiative and get Batting Practice started (BP swings are limited to 6, due to time.)

9:05 Managers begin making teams

9:15 All Players must be signed in for Managers to finalize equally talented teams

9:20 Announcements, final warmups

9:30 First Pitch

Play Ball? If it is rained out, it will be posted here by around 7:45am.

Opt-In Is Out!

It went out this morning. If you've played before and haven't received it, get in touch (via the "get in the game" link on the right.)

Time Change

After studying the permit and seeing how the end time (12pm, but really closer to 12:30) will effect getting in 9 innings, all games through Memorial Day will have to begin at 9:30am, not 10am. So let's get used to it by having the next two weeks of "scraping-off-the-rust" - tomorrow and April 15 - begin at 9:30.

Easing Into It

Yep, it'll be chilly, fairly brief (perhaps an hour and a half, including shooting the breeze) and most likely sparsely attended. As this first "pre-season" outing typically is. My personal goal, apart from the program itself, is just to get in 10 to 15 minutes of throwing. Anything beyond that is up to the gathering and I'll play along til we disperse.

Hitting The Field

It is official, though we're lagging in actually pulling it together:

We're permitted for the season! Every week until Memorial Day we'll be at the longest-named ballyard in America: Lou Merloni Field at Winch Park at Framingham High School. Directions are linked on the right.

This Sunday at 10am, we'll start to stretch out our arms and try to remember how to catch a fly ball. The following two Sundays, April 8 and 15, we'll have full BP and throwing off the mound, to try to get pitchers and fielders ready for a clean game and to give everyone a chance to get out on the field at least once for an extended BP before games begin. (BP is limited before games.) If the weather has cooperated along the way, Opening Day will be on April 22.

Look for the opt-in email soon. Really!

“They give you a round bat and they throw you a round ball and they tell you to hit it square.”  ~ Willie Stargell

End of The Winter That Wasn't

Yes, we will hit a field on April 1st! We will most likely not have a permit yet, so we will not be on the infield, but we can throw and again get used to getting under a fly ball. Once permitted, we'll have a couple of extended BP sessions. Then the games will begin!

Opt-in emails will be sent soon!

Nothing To Report

It looks like the Red Sox pitchers and catchers will report before the first widespread snowstorm of the winter hits! Is it possible that our pitchers and catchers and everyone else can do the same in less than 8 weeks, on April 1st?

(Baseball players aren't superstitious, are we?)

Getting Closer ...

We're now closer to the beginning of the 2012 season than we are to the end of the 2011 season.

I hope to get out in a month or so and start throwing against the side of some stadium stands here in Framingham, a short walk from my house. Just a little more snow to shovel ...