Fall Ball!

THE best time of year to play baseball. October can be as chilly as April. But unlike in spring, by autumn you've remembered how to get to and catch a fly ball and your hands don't seem to sting much anymore. July? August? WAY. Too. Hot. But for Fall Ball, you throw on a sweatshirt to go to the car. Stretch and toss, and maybe a few grounders or fly balls in and you're thinking about peeling off the sweatshirt. But you're having so much fun and you're up to bat with runners on and you leg out a double and you make a show of it by calling time out, peeling off the sweatshirt, tossing it to the ball boy and dusting off your pants as the hometown crowd continues to roar ...

Thru October: The Clubhouse opens at 9am. The lineup is posted in the dugout at 9:50. First Pitch is 10am! (Remember to take your sweatshirt home.)

Sometimes You Win ...

Last year, we were rained out on Mother's Day and not once after that. Those were The Good Ol' Days. This year, Ma Nature taketh away: 4 of 5 11pm forecasts said that the rain was over  - but it is still raining after midnight here in Framingham. Since no forecaster called for the sun to come out by 3am or anytime before our 9am First Pitch, there is no way that the squish of the infield gets tight for us to play.

Check your emails by late week for the release of the Fall permit!

''Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." ~ Casey Stengel

There simply isn't a dry enough window in any forecast to get a game in on a field that's been soaked since Saturday.

We ought to have the Fall permit in hand this week and, while there's still nearly a half season remaining, expect that we'll have a strong turnout next week in anticipation of closing down our "summer home" next Sunday before moving south to our annual Autumn residence for the duration of the season.

Yep ... No Game

When they call for rain in the days leading up to a game, the numbers are going to be lower even if it doesn't rain. When it actually does rain - like it did at 4:30am and like it will again soon - the number that should be showing up at the field is zero. No game. No practice. More sleep!

Tomorrow, We Play Baseball!

There's been direct contact, Old School -style, with enough players to be sure that, despite the Holiday weekend, we will indeed have enough for a game.

Dave, Howard, Charlie, George, Josh, Christian, Hugh, Steve J., Jon, Hamlet, Chris P., Stephen P., Rob, Carlos (+2). That's 16. No word yet from many more of the commitment-phobic, the skeptics,  and the technologically challenged who will surely put us over the top.

Nathaniel W. wants to play, making 17 who've committed, but needs a lift from Boston, around South Station, around 7:30. Anyone in the area?

Gear is there at 8am for 8:20 BP. All please sign in by 8:45 so that we can start at 9am and be gone by around noon.

Happy 8th of July!

Expecting it to be the season debut of at least 4 more players (Charlie, Josh, and 2 rookies) and a low-humidity morn. But still, it's better to be playing in the cool temps at 9:05 than 12:05 so please be signed in, as usual, by 8:45.

Stop Reading ...

... and start driving! The gear will be there at 8am. Will you?

Sure, Why Not ....

.... what's a 2018 Game Day without threatening clouds and a late-game chance of rain? We're a go for Sunday, instead of doing this all over again on Monday and possibly not playing at all. Dennison, with gear arriving at 8:30am and all signed in by 9:15am. Play damp ball!

Let's Do It

Put some baggies in your wet cleats and, at 9:15am,  practice ball!

One Hour Delay / Limited Practice

It’s rained already and could continue until around 9am or a little later. We’ll have a window with no rain after that but the field will be wet and any balls used today will be used for the last time by getting waterlogged and bat-bustin’ heavy. So BP likely can’t happen or we’ll have no balls left when we eventually do have full workouts. But we can still do as we did the only other time that we got onto the field - throw, try to remember how to catch a fly ball and hit a cutoff, while pitchers could conceivably even throw off the mound.

We’ll meet at 10:15am and still plan to be off the field by around 11:30.

The Season Begins ... Next Week

Welcome to Week #1 of The Permit. Showers have begun here in Framingham - go back to bed! Last year, we had no rainouts after Mother's Day. This year, we've had one playable Sunday in all of April.

Good Bunting, Bad Bunting

In a few weeks, the bunting will be hung from the Grandstand for Opening Day. Below, in a Sports Illustrated ad, is incredibly bad bunting for a good cause. All three batters hold the bat dangerously. Head in the game - fingers out of the way!

It’s a No-Brainer

They’ve been calling for rain on Sunday morning for a week and it’s begun. The numbers are good for both Sunday and Monday (17 confirmed usually gets us 20) but “Harvey” continues to be a total dick. No game on Sunday.

Use Sunday’s free time to free up Monday, when we will bear the fruits of our Labor and play baseball, continuing our remarkable streak of playing every week since Mother’s Day.

Father's Day

In 36 hours (as of Friday 4pm), we got to 15 "confirmed" - three more than showed up last year and more than enough, based on previous attendance inquiries, to get us to where we need to be.
 

Dave C., Christian, Matt A., Frank M.,Nick, Mark K., Ed P., Eloi, Albert, Jason, Trey, Kyle, Marlon, and the season debut of both Paul O. and Charlie.

Add in the rumored, the many who are computer illiterate, lazy, or non-committal and there's no doubt that we're looking good. So is the weather. Play ball!

No Game

It seems obvious, with forecasts all week that would please Noah, but let's make it official - no game. This Sunday, be nice to Mom, the wife, and everyone else that you know, so they will be nice and not complain when you come out to play next week, and the week after, and Father's Day, and Thanksgiving ...

"The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Been erased like a blackboard. Rebuilt and erased again. Baseball marks the time. This field ... this game ... it reminds us - of all that once was good. And it can be again."

~ Terence Mann, "Field of Dreams"

Our 21st Opening Day is this Sunday.

 

If you haven't finalized your bat order,

if you want to take extra BP with Adam,

if you want to play ball,

get in touch!

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

~ Willie Stargell

While we looked much better on Sunday at the end of practice than we did at the beginning, it was nearly unanimous that we scrape off the rust in a practice one more time this coming week before we begin games.

The 2017 Season

“Baseball has a way of ripping your heart out, stabbing it, putting it back in your chest,

then healing itself just in time for Spring Training.”

 ~ Noah Syndergaard

The permit application has been in for weeks. Recruiting is already bringing in a new class of rookies. And the Opt-in email has gone out and ought to be in your inbox for you to respond and get onto this year's email list. If you've not received it or responded, get in touch - we're hitting the field this weekend!

Eli Says ...

Play ball!

While there was a brief shower, it's not balmy and there's a little breeze, if we postpone The Finale, then next week could be worse. And it's not as bad out there as it will be in January!

If you want to play ball again before April, get out to the field!

This Sunday: The Final Game

We’re outlasting both MLB’s World Series and The World Series of Poker’s November 9.

We’re at 19, surely enough to end the season with 9 innings of Our Usual Thing.

Uncomfortably Dumb

No Game Today! In consultation with the BABL, it's been decided that, while not dangerous due to a wet field, it's not too bright to be trying to play while so cold and windy.

                         Temp. Feels Like

 9:00am            44 °F   37 °F

10:00am           47 °F   39 °F

11:00am           48 °F   41 °F

12:00pm           50 °F   43 °F

  1:00pm           52 °F   46 °F

Same time next week!

Plan to Play!

2pm, Saturday: puddling behind 1B but the mound and plate are tight and this field drains very well. It's likely to be chilly and windy, but that's October baseball!

2am, Sunday: no puddles, no crackheads. All infield is tight, but lumpy. Grab a rake and bring it or get there and grab a rake.

We're still on ... unless it's too stupid-cold. Charlie's bailed. Maybe he's the smart one? Email if you're out. BABL, get at Paul.

The question is the temp and winds (45 mph gusts, windchill.) A final determination will post between  8am and 8:15am.

 

    Time             Temp. Feels Like

 9:00am            44 °F   37 °F

10:00am           47 °F   39 °F

11:00am           48 °F   41 °F

12:00pm           50 °F   43 °F

  1:00pm           52 °F   46 °F

Find the long-johns. Popups will be fun!

No Drought on Sundays

... so no game this week. While we did have the numbers for today, they're too low to try to pull it together for the Monday holiday.

Gather your loved ones, decorate the house for Columbus Day, sing some traditional Columbus Day songs, enjoy a traditional Columbus Day feast ...


We've got 3+ more weeks to see if we can beat Mother Nature.

Yep ...

... we've hit 14 confirmed by Wednesday night which, over the last couple of months, seems to be the magic number to get us to 21 or so by the time Game Day rolls around. The rain seems to be coming late Saturday day and clearing for our game, while the hurricane is heading out to sea. So we're looking to go on Sunday, and not the Monday backup plan.

Update, noon on Thursday: ... and just after posting, we got to 15.

Mother Nature Wins Every Time

No game. With a mist still in the air and the field soft in several places, it's a good day to stay in and watch QB34, as Big Papi takes snaps for the Patriots.

We'll do Our Regular Thing next week and look to reschedule with the BABL after that.

We'll See

... in the morning. Forecasts still show the rain ending. The field drains very well. Both will be rechecked in the morning and the game will go on if the field can tighten and conditions made safe.

The notice typically goes up around 8:15am but will likely be earlier this week.

More Balls!

On Friday, 3 dozen more baseballs arrived. While the bench won't be as deep as in the last month or so, we've got a game going on tomorrow!

6 weeks left, through October. Maybe into November. We'll see. But maybe a couple more rainouts, too. So likely, we'll play 4 or 5 more games. Make this week one of them!

Play Ball!

Not only is it dry now, but the sun is peeking out. Though the sun may wane,  there looks to be no strong rain showers heading our way. Game on!

...and Kyle Y. is on his way up from Connecticut to make 18!

7+ Weeks Left ....

... and we've certainly got at least one more game. 18 for Sunday!

14 on Tuesday has been getting us 21-22, so 18 on Wednesday is right on target for another solid showing.

But 3 for next week, September 25? Where y'all going?? Maybe Eli, Ron, and I tag along?

There Goes The Mo' ...

... here comes the rain. And lightning and high wind gusts. Now heavier than they'd been forecasting, it looks like there's no escape, while they are using words like "torrential rain" and "severe thunderstorms". Sometime around 10:30 to 11:30 in Framingham. Better to not get caught out in for the sake of a game. Make nice to your loved ones this week so that you can abandon them next week!

So Far, Game On ...

There's talk of a cool front clearing out the humidity during the game. It may bring rain. Or not a drop. Best current guess, based on a lot of forecasts, is that it's going to be sporadic, if at all, and we're playing. And should it hit, it would be fairy light and quick and we can ride it out.

More forecasts to be checked in the a.m., with a final decision by about 8:15am. Go to bed!

Like Good Pastrami ....

... we're on a roll.

We're at 20 for this coming Sunday!

Friday 12:02am update: ... and now 21.

More Good Numbers!

We're at 19 for Sunday and we're on a roll!

Saturday, 11pm update: looking more like 22! Nice!

The Game Winner!

A classic dump-to-right swing by Charlie ... and legging out a double!

Best Supporting Actor Nominees: Eli Gronkowski (in green jersey)

and Trey, coming in to back up the plate.

Cheerleading and cinematography by Leslie B., with our eternal thanks!

... and 18 are on the active roster for the upcoming Labor Day Sunday game!

The Beginning of The Fall

Updated on Saturday, 1:22pm
Add Paul O. and Danny S. and the tally for Sunday is 21. Others expressing interest but not yet fully committing could have us near the ideal of 23! The Labor Day Sunday count is 18 ... and there are September callups are out there...

The moving vans have arrived at our Autumn home, as have the construction crews - only the first and last entrances to the parking area are open. It seems a little more lumpy than last we visited and there's grass on some basepaths, but ... there's no place like home.

The Shade Tree Rule:
One bench has shade, the other does not. Over 20 years, we've noticed that the Shade Tree team seemed to have an advantage, particularly in the later innings. The game will stop and the teams will switch benches if 1) The temperature is 76 degrees or higher (cuz, you know ... America) and, 2) The Shade Tree team is winning by 8 or more runs at the end of an inning, after the top of the fifth and through the 7th inning stretch, and 3) Someone calls it!

The Only Stat That Matters

Jim is in, too, making for 14 ... and he's wondering what's taking so long for you to join us!
Thursday, 1:20pm update: A softball teammate, Matt A., is expected to be in and we're at 15 ...
Expecting some regulars to get us over the top.
Don't make us call you out (Paul, Ed, Scott, Stephen G., Jeff ...)
 Thursday, 3:29pm update: ... and Jeff makes 16! We're going to get there...
Friday update: with a new recruit, another softball player, and the commitment-phobic, we'll get a game! And, with the new permit in hand, we've got a bonus Finale at our "summer home".
Saturday 2pm update: Ed makes 17 ...and we're already at 17 for August 28 and 16 on Labor Day Sunday.
 Saturday 5:44pm update: Trey has 2 more from his softball team ... 19.
Saturday 8:50 / Final Update: Hamlet makes it 20, a likely new recruit would be 21 ... play ball!

Perfect Storm

Forecasts are calling for local rain in the next half hour and continuing, albeit sporadically, until near noon. Perfectly timed to keep our numbers down and soak us at the field.

So, a bad morning to get out on the field. A good day for French Toast. And we'll try again next week.

Late's Not Great

More than half of those arriving last week were late. At 8:45am - the time when it is necessary to have all hands on deck in order to start the game on time at 9am - we were quite close to leaving the field for a team breakfast for those who were on time.

Certainly, we all oversleep, have trouble getting out the door, etc. Do not let that stop you from coming, no matter the time. We'd all be happy to see you at 10:30am! But the habitual tardiness - showing up every week after 8:45am - has got to stop!

No Attendance Taken, But ...

... of course there's a game! Play ball!

(And if you could explain why, at 6am on Saturday, this site had 147 hits, get in touch, thanks!)

Getting There

14. The number we've been at the last couple of Thursday nights that have gotten us to 19 by Sunday morn.

There's definitely baseball on Sunday - and no rain in the forecast! Dave C., Jason, Stephen G., Charlie, Paul, Maurice, Ron, David S., Trey, Ed, Howard, Kyle, Jim, Pat ...(insert your name here!)

That Magic Number

We're at 18 confirmed, though it seems that when we hit 15 or so, there will be 18 at the field. So we're looking good - as long as Mother Nature doesn't throw us a curve ....

Sunday, 2:07am update: we've had some rain, but the game is still on, as of now. A final decision will be posted near 7:15am.

3rd of July

...and then there were 18.

Send an update if your status changes, whether you're counted in now but are out or if you're not counted but plan to play.

Friday, 10am update: 19, with the likelihood of picking up an additional small smattering of players who are in another league but have an off-day.

Sunday, 1:00am: 20!

Yeah... No Game

If only - like it appears on the radar - it were actually raining now. But forecasters (Chs. 4, 5, 25, NECN) all say that by 8am, there will be widespread showers. Given that the numbers were already going to be crushed by the earliest start ever because of the short window of the permit, it's just not going to work today.


Future cancellations for 9am games (8am field prep / BP, all signed in by 8:45am) will be posted by around 7:15am.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains.” ~ Casey Stengel

The Sun's Up ...

.... the game's on - the last one at our "summer home" before our "road trip"!

Finally!

Officially, the latest date for Opening Day in our 20 years is upon us tomorrow!

Game time is 9:30am. In order for the game to start on time, your name must be on the sign-in sheet by 9:15am. Play ball!

Baseball: No Game, But ...

With a forecast that will suppress the numbers and it being Mother’s Day, it’s likely we’d not get 18, so the game is off and Opening Day will be next week. But ...

7:45am update:

... there’s a small window to get onto the field before the rain. I’ve thrown some BP, but have not pitched. So, just after 9am, I’ll be taking a bucket of balls to the hill to stretch out the arm. If anyone wants to stand in the batter’s box, there’ll be a helmet. Beyond that, I'm open to drills, etc. Once the rain comes - seemingly between 10am and 11am - we’ll get gone.

Final Practice

The permit ends at noon; the rain is holding off until the afternoon. Practice ball!

It's Official!

The permit was picked up today. Except for Memorial Day Weekend and the following weekend, we're at our usual "summer home". This week at 9:30, the time of First Pitch through May, we'll scrape off the rust - take BP, throw off the mound, try to remember how to catch a fly ball and pick up a grounder, and do some drills.

You'll get an email on Saturday if you've opted in. Otherwise, get in touch!

It Happens Every Spring

The bad news is that the only local airing of the 1949 comedy film, "It Happens Every Spring" coincides with Red Sox Opening Day on Monday at 4pm.

The mixed news is that a permit request has been submitted and I'm told that "it shouldn't be a problem", but it won't be released until the fields are made ready - likely in a week, possibly two.

The good news is that, yes, as soon as there is a Sunday with no snow - April 10? - we'll begin our 20th season by finding a patch of grass on which to throw and to see if we can remember how to catch a fly ball.

In a day or two, look for the annual opt-in email .... and play ball!

Game On!

We're on the back edge of the rain now, there ought to be nothing falling about the time that the gear arrives at 9am. Your shoes may get damp on the long walk from Lloyd's Diner to sign in, but we've got numbers and you might have 5+ months to dry out your shoes. Get in the car! Play ball!

And Now There Are 20

While life has gotten in the way for a few, we're still looking at enough to play. Keep an eye on the sky for the scattered showers, which ought not be bad enough to wash out the game. Around 8:15am, we'll make that determination, but even if light rains come, they will go, you won't melt, and we will play!

3:30pm update: Still at 20 .... play ball!

Game(s) On

The numbers look good for games this week and next, then get even better for October 25th and November 1st - both games could be a season-high!

October 10, 2:24pm update: We're now at 17 for tomorrow. Historically, this announcement has brought even more out of the woodwork. So play ball!

October 10, 7:52pm update: holding at 17. So go to bed (or at least pass on that last drink) ... and dream of donuts both on your bat and in boxes by the dozens near the sign-in sheet until 9:45am!

... and look for the basketball court to find the baseball field. The former landmark, a big concrete grandstand, has vanished!

At Least 3 More Weeks But Not Today

A tough call. But no game.

This week's rain likely filled the bowl in which this week's permitted field sits. Even though the rain has gone, a long week of forecasted rain into this morning surely beat down our numbers. So will 50 degree temps (with a windchill into the 40s.) In contact with 4 players this week, all were out for the week. The numbers simply wouldn't be there for a full game.

Stay in your PJs and watch the 9:30am battle for 2nd place in the AFC East, go out for brunch, take her to the in-laws or The Big E, catch the Red Sox finale. We'll come out swinging next week.

Three more weeks of games, four or more if the temps rebound and interest stays strong.

Wanna Be a Patriot?

... then play baseball, The American Pastime! The Patriots seemingly have already mathematically clinched the AFC East and since Jacksonville hasn't already started scoring, there's no way they're winning this week. If our game starts on time, you'll be off the field by kickoff. Play ball!

No Game

With widespread rain Saturday night, sporadic rain forecast through the morning, and the permit for a filed that collects water, there are certainly a handful of players now sleeping with their alarms off and getting 18 would be unlikely even if it were to not rain. Let' come out swinging on the 20th!

At The Half

In what may be our shortest season ever (remember back to that February of '15?) it's also possible that we've got more games left to play than we've got in the books. Now with 5 rainouts, we've had but 11 games. And there are 10 more Sundays scheduled through October. If we keep playing only to November 1st, it would make this Sunday just the beginning of the 2nd half of the season. Adding November 8th means 12 games left to play. And autumn's the best time of year to play baseball.

Two more 9am games before September's time shift to 10am games.

The permit is still in flux, hopefully to our benefit (there's a call into Dave Dombrowski's office.) So if you didn't get emails over the weekend, you're not on the list - get in touch!

Baseball: Fall Begin With a Whimper

No game. While it will be a blistering summer day, Framingham got drowned around 5:45pm, then again for a couple of hours around 9:30pm. The hoped-for fields are still soaked. But there are still 10+ weeks remaining on the schedule - and more if we go into November.

The Fall Permit

An email went out to the mailing list with new details. If you didn't get it, get in touch!

Final Week of Summer

At least according to the permit, this could be our last game at our "summer home". The application is in, with vague assurances ("shouldn't be a problem") that we'll have a field through October. But ... come on out tomorrow for what could very well be the Summer Finale!

Next week - possibly as late as Friday - we'll learn where we'll be for the fall.

Through August, the Game Day schedule, starting one hour before First Pitch:

8:00 - :05     Gear arrives at the field.

8:05 - :25     Groom the field, stake the bases, warm up.

8:25 - :50     Grab a ball bucket and a helmet, give one to another player and start BP.

8:30 - :50     Manager’s split the teams.

8:45             Sign-in deadline.

8:50 - 57      BP ends, announcements, split onto benches, home team takes the field.

9:00             First Pitch.

 

Game's begin at 10am starting September 6th.

The 5th of July

Uncle Sam and a bunch of players want YOU ... 

to have a safe and happy 4th of July and to be at the field the next morn by 8:45am!

No Game. More Rain

"If the rain comes they run and hide their heads
They might as well be dead
If the rain comes, if the rain comes."
~ Rain by Lennon / McCartney

As our next game - on the 5th of July - approaches, the lads from across the pond are disqualified from this discussion: which is the greatest American rock and roll band?

Father's Day Rained Out

Here's hoping that all of your other Father's Day wishes come true!

With summer officially beginning on Sunday afternoon, thus concludes the shortest Spring schedule - only 5 games played - in our 18 year history. Incredibly, there are only 7 weeks of the Summer permit remaining before the expected 11+ weeks of the Fall permit.

Record-setting

We’ve not had a rainout since Memorial Day 2014. But with a deluge at 4am (which will keep 6 players from getting out of bed, so we'd never hit 18), a band of rain likely coming through in the next couple of hours, then a possibility of more rain by the late innings of our game, the streak is over. And so is our spring schedule, with 9am games beginning next week.

“Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains.” ~ Casey Stengel

Last 2 Weeks of Spring Schedule

Through May, gear arrives at 8:30am, with all signed in by 9:15am to get underway at 9:30am. Come June, and for the three summer months, it's a 9am First Pitch. 

Game Day schedule, starting one hour before First Pitch:

:00 - :05     Gear arrives at the field.

:05 - :25     Groom the field, stake the bases, warm up.

:25 - :50     Grab a ball bucket and a helmet, give one to another player and start BP.

:30 - :50     Manager’s split the teams.

:45             Sign-in deadline.

:50 - 57      BP ends, announcements, split onto benches, home team takes the field.

:00             First Pitch.

Opening Day 2015

At long last, the bunting is hung for our 18th-ish Opening Day. That it coincides with Mother’s Day is unfortunate but we’ll be off the field by 12:30pm. Optimism abounds, with the farm system producing a good group of rookies to join the veterans (some long-lost.) We’ve certainly never started this late. And it’ll be hot one. Bring some fluids, grab the med kit’s sunscreen ... and play ball!

We've Been Permitted!

The last 2 weeks of May are unusual, but we're otherwise at our usual summer home. This Sunday, we'll dig into the dirt and leave the rust behind. Throw off the mound, take (reasonably) unlimited BP, try and remember how to catch a fly ball...

Gear arrives at 9am, with all arriving by 9:15am - the time to be signed in for games in May.

Opening Day will be next week, May 10. Prepare Mom now. All Moms are invited to come and toss out the first pitch. We could serenade them with "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". But let her know that you'll be getting the exercise that she wants you to get. Until the Babe Ruth League season is over in June, we're off the field no later than 12:30pm. You'll lavish her soon after!

Details will be emailed later on Saturday. If you're not getting emails, get in touch!

Two Weeks Until Opening Day

We still wait for the official permit, but we will be somewhere this weekend. On dirt, on the mound, in the batter's box. At 9:15am - the "one more minute and you're late" arrival time for games this Spring.

Two Years Later ...

Revelry, Bravery, and the Cowardly by DC - April 16, 2013 6:20am

Except for a period of years when my work involved the Marathon, whenever I talked to people from outside of the Boston area, I invariably had to educate them as to why I was partying in public on an April Monday. Patriot’s Day was a holiday commemorating the legendary, but was little known outside of Massachusetts and, as a former part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, in Maine. For the most reprehensible of reasons, all the world now knows.

For all but a few years of my life, I’ve lived within a mile or so of the marathon route, always near the check points that are 8 to 10 miles from Hopkinton, in Natick and Framingham. An aunt lived on the route for about 15 years. A friend had a Natick home on the route. There, in that driveway, by 10 o’clock on a Monday morning in April, we would gather before the roads closed and fire up the BBQ. We’d hook up an extension cord and find a rock radio station that was playing a marathon of songs about running. We’d simultaneously switch on the TV to watch the 11am Red Sox game and to monitor the runner’s traditional noon start. But we didn’t need the TV to know when the athletes were nearing us. Serving as notice would be the approaching helicopters.

Near noon, the wheelchair athletes were zipping past and we marveled at how on this day they could reach Boston faster than we could typically get there in our cars. By 1pm, the elite runners had passed and we’d start to pass out beers and burgers to the enthusiastic among the throng that was beginning to clog the street. Quickly, and for as far as the eye could see, the street filled with a mass of humanity, a brilliantly-colored river that bobbed and babbled with more energy than the Charles.

We, the sidewalk revelers, would clap and shout out in excited recognition when friends, family, and the familiar were spotted for the few seconds that it took for the crowded current to flow onward. We would clap and shout out personal encouragement to strangers who had their names or causes on their signs or shirts or skin. We’d laughingly point out to each other and share the joy with those runners who had rigged a decorated Christmas tree up their back or were dressed like Groucho Marx, Spiderman, Snow White, or a pair of Minnesota Twins.

Away from the street to flip a burger, we flipped TV channels to simultaneously catch the end of the Sox game as the elite were completing their day’s journey. Bill Rogers. Joan Benoit. Ibrahim Hussein. Jean Driscoll. Uta Pippig. Ernst van Dyk. Historic names in historic region on a historic day.

As the torrent trickled (“Did anyone see Johnny Kelley or the Hoyts?”) those trailing were often visibly gassed and overheated on even the chilliest of April days. For them, we’d call out our most earnest encouragement, as if our words could possibly lift them but a little farther on, perhaps through downtown Natick and even on to where the welcoming women of Wellesley College would be waving “Kiss Me” signs. But they couldn’t possibly reach Boston. Could they??

The final scene is always that of the street sweeper. Long before nightfall, they leave the course in such a pristine state - with nary a trace of orange peel or water cup - that it is as if it never happened but was all a joyous mirage.

For spectators, it was a rare carefree day. Taxes were mailed or benevolently extended for an extra day. The streets were fully alive, if ever so briefly. Spring had finally come. We marveled as so many athletes publicly undertook their ultimate challenge, often running in support of those who were even more bravely taking on private and personal challenges each and every day.

Long before another 52 weeks pass, we will undoubtedly have resolved to again take to the streets, to again revel and marvel. With tempered spirits. With heavier hearts. But revel and marvel we will.

Today, as too many brave men and women are facing their toughest battle - survival - others are braving unknown dangers to sweep the streets as the first act in hunting down and bringing to justice whoever it was that perpetrated upon us this act of cowardice. May the wind be at their backs.

The Opt-In is Out

The mailing list is wiped clean each season. Specifics like the schedule aren't posted here. So getting onto the mailing list is the only way to be in the know. If you haven't received the opt-in email to get onto this year's mailing list, get in touch. If you haven't responded, get off the bench!

Hello, We Must Be Going

A long 5 months away. We made it!

 

Re: the permit: word is that - when the residency requirement is met and when the field work has been done - to "expect the usual." But, the first Sunday in April has passed. It's time to go!

This weekend, Mother Nature graciously relents. As of last Friday there wasn't even an accessible, snow-melted tennis court or basketball court  - a space to just to throw and do pepper. "The usual" still had frozen piles and sloppy melt. Tennis court gates were chained, others piled with snow. Forecasts called for start time temps near 39. And the secretary must have quit before sending out the opt-in. But, it's time to go!
 

The permit may not come for another couple of weeks. We won't be on the dirt anywhere - to start mound work and hitting from a batter's box - but there has been enough melt ... somewhere. This Sunday at 9:30am, likely near our Fall "usual", let's throw / pepper, and see. It's time to play ... catch.

It Happens Every Spring

 

Tomorrow, my glove goes to the shoemaker for a new coat of gold. When I get it back, I'll be ready to start throwing - against a cement wall or with anyone who wants to find some dry space in a parking lot somewhere. And I'm pulling together the administrative stuff to get the season off the (snow-covered) ground.

 

Here's where we're at:

 

The permit application is in and there's every indication that we'll be permitted for our 17th season. But - without mentioning the 4-letter word that now covers the field - it is unlikely to be ready for April 5th.

 

As we near The First Sunday in April, we'll see if there's enough melt to do more than find a space to throw. I expect that we'll gather that day at 10am, but without a permit to trample the field we may do little more than throw and shoot the breeze. If weather permits, we'll find a piece of field where we can hit some fungos. And wait for the permit. Once cleared, we'll do 2 weeks, possibly 3, of full rust-scraping sessions - throwing off the mound, hitting from the batter's box, etc - to get game-ready. It's likely that the first game won't be until May 3 or even May 10.

But the season's opt-in email could be in your mailbox by week's end. Reply to stay in the loop!

Game On!

Framingham got clipped by showers, which will serve well to tamp down the powder-like infield. The Old vs. Young Game is on, as long as enough players aren't discouraged by rain in their local area!

The Field is Dry!

Game on! While we may have gotten 1/3 inch, and while there were puddles on the pavement as of 11:30pm, the clouds were breaking, the moon was shining, and there was not a puddle on the field

Game On (Hopefully)

Despite the change in overnight forecasts - now with a very light mist - the game is on. The infield was dry last night at 11pm, so a light rain won't change that. You're out of bed, so make the trip!

Every Week!

One of the good things about the game is that there is no pressure to be there every. Whatever week you want to show up, the game is there. Even though it's vacation season and the numbers weren't strong last week, last year on the 4th weekend we had 10 players and the following week we had 18. Every Sunday morning, we roll out the balls and have at it!

6th of July: Baseball ... and Pie

The weather will be gorgeous, the camaraderie infectious, the pie delicious! Play ball!

And, Still ...

... after what many have said was a clear point to the latest email, 10 of the 18 at last week's game arrived late, delaying the start until 9:17am - for everyone, including those who there at 8am to groom the field, lay bases, split the teams. And then we didn't get to play the 9th inning of a really fun game when Babe Ruth teams arrived.

Besides doing right by your fellow players, in the coming months it's going to be a lot cooler getting that inning played at 9am instead of 12:15pm!

Jim gets frozen in this pose like the Tin Man. Bring the oil by 8:45am!

Memorial Day Weekend

It's a long weekend. You can mow the lawn another day. Play ball!

Sunday's forecast looks great. Keep in mind we are not at our usual Summer home, that we're at our typical Fall field. And it is the last 9:30am game of the season, since come June, we go at 9am for the 3 summer months!

There is a "Mom" in Momentuim

With 22 coming to the final practice, we're looking great for Opening Day. Yes, it's Mother's Day. But if all get there by 9:15 (other than not injuring another player, it's about the only responsibility you have to The Game) we should be off the field by 12:30 and off to do whatever one does one on Mother's Day. The bunting is hung and Jason will do the fly-over. Play ball!

Once More ....

With 78% of the respondents saying that we need one more practice before games, that's what we'll do this week. With Sunday forecasted as dry and not bitterly cold!

From Ron: I would suggest we run the practice like a practice. Infield, outfield, cut-offs, hitting and simply going over fundamentals including rules. Might seem a bit formal but benefits are everyone gets balls hit to them, hopefully improves overall play from get go.


This puts Opening Day on Mother's Day. I am certain that Mom wants you to have fresh air and exercise. So put her on notice that that's what you'll be doing until 12:30!

Slow Out of the Box

Even if the rain were to stop, the temps are in the 40's and, more importantly, the field is sloppy and won't recover. No baseball today.

This begs the question: should we have one more practice before starting the games? There is a poll on the right. Vote, email ... a decision will be made near the end of the week.

Permit in Hand!

“... players are the same age always, but the man in the crowd is older every season. Come on, play ball!” ~  by Rolfe Humphries, “Polo Grounds” 1942 

We're now official!

Because of this weekend's holiday, the length of the season, and the creakiness of the bones and muscles, it was decided by unanimous, rain-soaked consensus at the field this past week that we'll have two more weeks of scraping off the rust before Opening Day.

April 20: 9:00am, the first "formal" workout. Take BP, throw off the mound, try to remember how to get under a fly ball ....

April 27: Get up and do it again!

May 4: Opening Day.

If you opted-in, you should be getting emails with details. Otherwise, get in touch!

Check out "The Clubhouse" page (on right) for available Red Sox tix! And feel free to post!

The 2014 Season

 
The permit application has been submitted and there are assurances that there are no new procedures that will preclude us from being permitted. All we need is players!

An email for you to opt-in will soon go out to all who were on the roster last year. Please respond to it. And, in anticipation of some serious snow melting, get ready for April 6!

No Game, Again

Batting ..500 for a season is impossible, but Mother Nature has been doing it of late. After a summer with 1 rainout, now we've had 3 rainouts in 6 weeks.

No Joy In Mudville

The predicted rain is on our doorstop. While this week's field dries better than any other in town - so that even brief steady rain wouldn't be a flooding issue - everyone's heard "rain on Sunday morning" for days and.we'd be hard pressed to get 18. Plan now: no game this week so sleep in and play ball next week!

Amazing ...

There are puddles and geese everywhere except for the Dennison infield, which is in incredible shape! But with the prospect of replacing a ball every time that it hits the grass and with thunder rumbling as we go to press, this is our first rainout since the Memorial Day Sunday game was moved to Monday and it's the first weekend without baseball since May 12!

With the forecasts for Labor Day Monday worse than for Sunday, I did not even pull the permit for tomorrow. Have a safe holiday weekend and we'll resume the pennant chase next week!

End of Summer, But Not the Games!

The mailing list was sent the info relating to the new permit. If you didn't get it, get in touch!

All games are now at 10am, at our usual Fall Home.

We've still got over 1/3 of the season left! Play ball!

New Permit Coming ...

We don't yet know where we'll play on Sunday, but we're assured that we will be getting a permit!
 
While waiting on word, here's an interview with Gabe Kapler (#We'llAlwaysHave2004) conducted by Charlie's daughter Victoria for CoachUp.com,  a website that connects athletes with private coaches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmP67rOMN68

The Old vs. Young Game

At 10pm, the field was not only dry, but as well-groomed as it's been all season! We're ready for our Midsummer Classic!

Summer Time Shift

As we turn to June, Game Time is now at 9am. Gear arrives for us to prep the field and warmup shortly after 8am. Be signed in no later than 8:45am, in order to make evenly matched teams and have the First Pitch on time!

Monday: Game On!

We were at 16. We lost Charlie (replacement fridge delivery in the morning). Brian S. is 80% sure, so that put us at 15.8 players. Old friend Pete Soens will join us, making for 16.8 players. Mike T. has volunteered to play for both sides. I am guessing that we could pick up a couple of commitment-phobic players and/or some players walking by the field. So let's play ball!

No Game Sunday, But Monday ...?

After seeing some 6pm forecasts and the current temperature, Sunday's game is off.

Confirmations for Monday put us at 16, as of 9am on Sunday. Email if you want to play and have not already. A decision will be made based on responses (the weather looks great) and announced here around mid-afternoon on Sunday.

"In the Clubhouse"

With a roster that can swell to 100 by the end of the season and never enough time at the field to BS with everyone, here's a resource to spread the word, our own "community" page. There's a page link on the right side of the blog, under the weather widget.

Sell your house, Sox tickets, homemade chili. Find a carpool to The Game. Network to find a new job or employee.

Get word out in several different ways:
- email and it will be added to the main body of the page
- "comment" by signing in via the many options
- "comment" anonymously ... but be sure to either write who you are or send an email so that it be approved for publishing

 Whatchagot?

Covering First

Everyone on the mailing list ought to have received the Intro and schedule this week. It's the one to save and forward to anyone who you're inviting to the game. If you didn't get it, get in touch!

Note that this Sunday is the last game before we have a "road" game on Memorial Day weekend. If it's going to rain that Sunday, we'll likely play on Memorial Day Monday. And after that, games shift to 9am for June, July, and August.

A shame that there's only about 6 more months of games! For this Sunday, the forecast looks great and some old familiar faces are expected to make it out for the first time. Even if you need no warmups or BP, be signed in no later than 9:15!

The Lost and Found is Open!

As a permanent page on the right side of the blog, "The Lost and Found" will list gear left behind at the field by a player (which, amazingly, happens almost every week. Wassupwithat?)

Items not claimed in a timely manner will be donated or absorbed into the game's gear. To ensure that the gear finds it's way back to the rightful owner, descriptions will be non-specific, so that you will have to give a specific detail to lay claim to the item.

No Game

Still not clear of the back edge of the storm front, there's a good possibility of more rain or even lightning. That potential will also keep enough players in bed so that getting 18 players would be unlikely. 6 more hours and we would have made it.

As much a Mom would have liked us exercising, Mother Nature has different plans. So go take Mom out for brunch and play ball next week!

Mother's Day , 7:30pm update

As always, in every game, Mom's play for free!

As of now, the field looks great! Afternoon rain served us doubly well by keeping today's games off of "our" field while tightening up the dusty dirt. There are no puddles at all. Unless the field gets flooded overnight by sporadic passing downpours, it looks like Mother Nature will be kind to us for game time. A cancellation posting would go up around 7:30am.

Be fair to those who show up on time to groom the field, lay bases, initiate BP, and set up evenly split teams. Be signed in 15 minutes before game time - by 9:15. Last week, 8 of 22 came after 9:15. As teams were being announced just before 9:30 and 8 were making plans to fill in the 9th for the opposing 8, there were 6 more players showing up by First Pitch.

The start of the game is delayed when players come late and everyone's certainly always in a rush to leave the field. Is that how yer Mom raised you?

Opening Day

Yes, the bunting has been hung, the flyover arranged, and a call was placed to Lou Merloni but I didn't make it on air.

First Pitch is at 9:30am. The gear is getting there at 8:30am. After warmups, BP should start around 8:55am. Be signed in by 9:15am so that we can start on time!

I'm still getting organized, so no emails have gone out, but you all know enough to get to the field. Play ball!

Play Ball!

... or at least try to remember how to catch and hit one!

We did indeed get the permit / schedule and we will finally be on the field this Sunday at 10am for the first week of two "scrape-off-the-rust" sessions!

Know that only general info, like rainouts, will get posted here on the blog in order to ensure order - only players who are fully aware of how our game runs will be at the field on game day. Specifics like the official schedule will be emailed only to those who responded to the opt-in email or phoned. If you didn't respond or even get the email, step up to the plate by clicking on the link on the right!

... But Not Yet

We do not yet have the permit. We will not be on a field this Sunday! If anyone wants to do a 10-20 minute throwing session on Sunday or any other day, get in touch and it could possibly happen.

If you have not received the opt-in for the season's mailing list, get in touch! Details with more specifics will come out early in the week.

It's now expected that we will first "officially" gather on Sunday, April 14 at 10am for the first of two "scrape-off-the-rust" sessions, do it again the next Sunday to give everyone a decent chance to get out, take BP, and remember what it's like to get under a fly ball. Opening Day would then be on April 28.