The second day of Florida action pitted your Fighting Diplomats against the Owls of Westfield ( Ma) State. The Owls were the Mass State School Conference champs ( Worcester State, Salem State, Fitchburg State etc) the past two years and featured a team of look- a- likes. It seemed they were all the same dimensions around 5’10” 175 pounds. And had dark hair. It was as if we played a team of brothers but there were 30 of them about the same age. I was tempted to ask an Owl player if they were all brothers or if they just shopped together. To make matters more complicated, the Fighting Diplomats were featuring their dark blue top while pants ensemble and the Owls featured the exact same look. You gotta love D-3 baseball.
The day started poorly for our Fighting Diplomats as we gave up a quick 5 run lead on some early sloppy play. Undaunted the Diplomats battled back to within 2 runs when senior Catcher John Dutton came to the plate with two on and two out in the 7th. There are three good catchers competing for the job—and there are reasons to like each of them for the job. As preface to this at bat, John homered in his starting debut against Elizabethtown. Now John had a chance to show something in the clutch . And show he did- with a blast to the deepest part of center field off the top of the fence 400 feet away. As John skipped into second base Coach Taylor sent out a pinch runner to try and grab the lead on a single.
The baseball gods were engaged now peering intently at the action with the score tied and the lead runner at second with one out. Baseball games are decided in moments like this. As our runner took his lead, a bloop single headed out over the shortstops head. But out runner did not read it as a single and held second before advancing to third after it dropped in. Your faithful correspondent looked up at the heavens and hoped the gods did not notice the baserunning mistake. But hoping for the baseball Gods to pass on a mental error at a crucial point in the game is not a good survival strategy. The next pitch-a grounder to shortstop.. step on the bag for one and over to first- inning over. The Gods gave it exactly one pitch before they administered their cruel justice. Sort of like a jury that comes back with a verdict after 12 seconds. The baseball mavens who only look at stats will have missed a crucial element. A good player would have scored and made a difference in the game. But there is no stat in the box score nor even in a mention in the game summary to illumniate this key moment. this is remarkbale for the game of baseball--a key impact on the outcome does not register in the statistics or get mentioned in a game summary yet it made all the difference in the game.
A well pitched inning in relief seemed to appease the baseball gods as the Fighting Diplomats began the bottom of eighth inning with a runner on first and third and one out. A faked safety squeeze however resulted in the runner on first picked off and now we cowered in anticipation of the gods wrath. It did not take long .. in the top of the 9th, as the bases soon loaded with Owls. A pitching change with the sacks jammed and the clean up hitter due up gave us some pause and yet a source of hope. But our hopes were dashed as the first pitch was rocketed out of the park for a grand slam . After the granny, we got a couple runners on in the bottom of the 9th but not enough and we found our selves with our first loss in Florida. In retrospect, we had a chance but we also gave up 5 in the first and did not get a run across in the 8th to take the lead. The baseball gods are really about playing the game right. They believe deeply in merit and their punishments are hopefully enough of a lesson to keep improving. But the baseball gods are not the warmest members of the species and are very unforgiving.
Between games of the double header with the Owls. I wandered to the adjacent field to see a team labeled the Gators take on Messiah from Pa. Curious I asked a Gator fan who the Gators were and was surprised to learn they were the Allegheny (Pa) Alligators. I must have missed a key Animal Plant show as I was completely unaware of the Pennsylvania Alligators. However, the Gator fan assured me there are no alligators in Pa but the trustees seemed to like alligators and went with Alligators because they liked the alliteration. Alliteration? What 's next? The Pittsburgh Pilleated Woodpeckers?? As for Messiah I was rooting to hear they were the Apostles or even more bold " the Sinners" but alas they are the Messiah Falcons. It seemed this was my week for aviary themes as the Diplomats were up next against the Gulls of Endicott.
The games proceeded as we worked our way through the week at about a .500 clip. Most of the good moments were the at bats as the lads came to hit. Oddly, we seemed to be hitting batters at a prolific clip. One of our top pitchers had an unusual line score of 18K's no walks and 9 HBP. and there were quite of few near misses ( or rather "near hits" I never figured out why planes have near misses! aren't they supposed to miss?). On one at bat, our guy hit the batter only to have the ump call the pitch a ball arguing the effort to evade was insufficient. Given this break our guy with the next pitch fired one which found its way into the middle of the hiiters back --sometimes you need to make sure.
As a team we hit a staggering 30 hitters which I imagined must be some sort of record. So I checked the tourney records in Winter Haven, Fla and found that in 1913 a team of Titanic survivors were playing and hit 56 batters. It seems they had a catcher who called a lot of "sinkers" and this made the pitchers nervous and jittery. The pithcers lost control and hit numerous batters with errant pitches and soon had to be ushered off the field muttering to themselves. The papers reported the survivors opted for the cruise ship vacation the next year.
As we neared the end of the week the Fighting Diplomats hosted the Washington and Jefferson Presidents. Now the aplty named "Presidents" ranks with some of the top names and conjured up last years possibilities ( Adrian College "the Yo's" and Chapman College, in California --"the Mark David's"). When you have the Diplomats playing the Presidents you don't expect to get players tossed out of the game.
The catching battle brought out the best in each candidate. Russell Tischler, a sophomore had a game with 6 RBI's and his first HR. "Blue" Wells, the colorful and popular freshman who comes to us from a delightful family of Cubs fans , has made his case to be to be considered a top choice with his hitting and defense. The good news is all three of them can play well and will be big contributors.
After 10 games and a double header, the lads decided to take in a D1 game and we all watched Ohio Sate play Indiana. Indiana features a catcher named Josh Phegley who you will hear about again-in the big leagues. What a cannon for an arm and he bats like Jeff Bagwell ( complete with
the squatting stance) . We all noticed him and discovered later he is the top rated catcher in the country. What a relief. After seeing him I didn't want to think there were hundreds out there that were that good. The Ohio Sate pitcher had pretty good zip (90 + and he struck out 14 ) but the game is same just faster at the next level.
On the final day the lads played Rhodes College from Memphis. Tennessee. Everyone wants to know --did they go by the "Rhodes Scholars"?? Nahh another wasted opportunity as the Rhodes "Lynx" played a long sloppy 17-13 game with our boys and eventually one exhausted team had to win.
After this trip and a .500 record , one ponders the expectations of the Diplomats chances this year but as Yogi warned "Predictions are tough, especially when they are about the future". Yogi also offered "The future ain't what it used to be" and that is the case for our Fighting Diplomats and for Shea as his knee injury is serious and has kept him out of play.
But the games play on and the conference play starts now. Let us root for the players to be at their best and have the baseball gods smile at our play.
-Your faithful Correspondent
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Let's Play 2!
After a cold and dark winter , Ernie Banks's urging to "Let's play two" fell eagerly on on the ears of your young Fighting Diplomats on the first day down south here in Winter Haven, Florida. The opponent of the determined squad was the Red and White of Denison, a liberal arts schools near Columbus,Ohio.
Denison has notable alumni in the entertainment world such as Steve Carell, Hal Holbrook as well as Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO and Jennifer Gardner, the actress from the show "Alias". This background proved helpful as the Denison pitchers were pounded by the Fighting Diplomats. Junior Nick Rolnick blasted a home run at least 20 feet over the 410 foot center field fence. During his trot around the bases, the pitcher was pondering the seemingly small field dimensions and distinctly heard Disney's "it's a small world after all". In game two, Dension again was hammered and the rumor was the pitcher left with a disguise including a wig and makeup and assumed name ( the reference to Alias that you have been waiting for :).
A beautiful day went well for the Fighting Diplomats but the baseball gods were gleefully ( for them) in attendance after the winter break. They were not any more liberal than in years past and after the Fighting Diplomats opened a quick 3-0 lead, the baseball gods observed our guy walk two in a row and then hit a guy to load the bases. The baseball guys were rolling the eyes and shaking their heads ( they are big on nonverbal communication). By now, readers know the baseball gods will extract punishment for this transgression and you would not be disappointed in their swift dispensation of justice. Two base hits scored three runs and another fielders choice gave the Red and While a lead but we managed to stop the bleeding with a double play. On rare occasions, a pitcher can get himself in trouble and with a strikeout and maybe a double play to wriggle himself out without any damage. And it might be fun and even exciting to see him get out of the jam. But this kind of activity is like dating a stripper -it might be exciting and fun in the beginning but in your heart you know it is going to go horribly bad.
An additional note in Game 2 Junior Jason Anderson blasted a home run way over the fence in left field. So far in fact it went over a second fence 50 feet away that served to enclose a parking lot. This was one of the top five hardest hit balls I have seen. It exploded into the atmosphere like a missile. North Korea reports it can send missiles to Alaska. Hah! Watch a college baseball game Kim Jung!! After seeing a day of these aluminum bats, I would tell the Koreans to use aluminum bats ( or titanium ) and they ought to be able to reach Boulder, Colorado.
Jason however triggered an entrant into the supervision of baseball--the Karma Police. After the blast, and blast it was, Jason pondered it a bit and then flipped his bat up in the air and actually sent it about 10 feet towards the Diplomat bench. Somehow despite the awe inspiring shot he just hit Everybody noticed the bat flip . Denison surely noticed it and could not shrug it off as "Jason being Jason"and after being embarrassed by the missile projectile, Denison developed plans for Jason's next at bat. Additionally, an alert was sent to the Karma Police!
Some of you may wonder about the difference between the Karma Police and the baseball gods. It is a distinction of primarily jurisdiction as well as range of punishment. The baseball gods only focus on the baseball field. The only time they have their attention off the field is when the player behaves in a manner to inhibit his performance on the field. Additionally, the baseball gods only hand out sentences on the baseball field. The Karma Police who seem to be more of a combination of the Gestapo and the police in the movie "Minority Report" have far more encompassing responsibilities well and abilities to meter out punishment in any medium ( although they are said to enjoy administration on the field for those who they think it will hurt the most). For example, a counterfeiter who gives his daughter "bad paper" does not attract the attention of the baseball gods unless he walks the leadoff hitter or he throws a bunt into right field. The baseball gods don't care about the counterfeiting or his evil treatment of his daughter. The Karma Police however care deeply. In the case of the counterfeiter, the Karma Police will likely wait until the counterfeiter pitches in the the championship game and is leading 1-0 after 5 innings and then our counterfeiter will mysteriously"lose it" and give up 6 straights shots and find himself trailing 5--1. And then get arrested after the game. You don't see many evil counterfeiters in baseball anymore!
Dension indeed did plunk Jason in his next at bat but by then everyone expected it. Later discussion revealed Jason didn't intend to show the Dension pitcher up. He just got caught up in
the moment ... maybe the Karma police will give him a reprieve
But we have a day in and the season has begun. We shall take this journey together and as your faithful correspondent I will enjoy taking the journey with you as my companion. But it sure is terrific being outside on a sunny day watching your Fighting Diplomats play baseball.
The only sad note is that Shea is unable to play after hurting his knee last week in practice.
The swelling and limping earned a trip to the orthopedist today and an MRI. The Doc suggests he will be ok as he did not think there were any tears but pending the MRI we won't be sure. When we know more your faitful corresspondent will report it and we are hoping he can get out there soon.
Denison has notable alumni in the entertainment world such as Steve Carell, Hal Holbrook as well as Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO and Jennifer Gardner, the actress from the show "Alias". This background proved helpful as the Denison pitchers were pounded by the Fighting Diplomats. Junior Nick Rolnick blasted a home run at least 20 feet over the 410 foot center field fence. During his trot around the bases, the pitcher was pondering the seemingly small field dimensions and distinctly heard Disney's "it's a small world after all". In game two, Dension again was hammered and the rumor was the pitcher left with a disguise including a wig and makeup and assumed name ( the reference to Alias that you have been waiting for :).
A beautiful day went well for the Fighting Diplomats but the baseball gods were gleefully ( for them) in attendance after the winter break. They were not any more liberal than in years past and after the Fighting Diplomats opened a quick 3-0 lead, the baseball gods observed our guy walk two in a row and then hit a guy to load the bases. The baseball guys were rolling the eyes and shaking their heads ( they are big on nonverbal communication). By now, readers know the baseball gods will extract punishment for this transgression and you would not be disappointed in their swift dispensation of justice. Two base hits scored three runs and another fielders choice gave the Red and While a lead but we managed to stop the bleeding with a double play. On rare occasions, a pitcher can get himself in trouble and with a strikeout and maybe a double play to wriggle himself out without any damage. And it might be fun and even exciting to see him get out of the jam. But this kind of activity is like dating a stripper -it might be exciting and fun in the beginning but in your heart you know it is going to go horribly bad.
An additional note in Game 2 Junior Jason Anderson blasted a home run way over the fence in left field. So far in fact it went over a second fence 50 feet away that served to enclose a parking lot. This was one of the top five hardest hit balls I have seen. It exploded into the atmosphere like a missile. North Korea reports it can send missiles to Alaska. Hah! Watch a college baseball game Kim Jung!! After seeing a day of these aluminum bats, I would tell the Koreans to use aluminum bats ( or titanium ) and they ought to be able to reach Boulder, Colorado.
Jason however triggered an entrant into the supervision of baseball--the Karma Police. After the blast, and blast it was, Jason pondered it a bit and then flipped his bat up in the air and actually sent it about 10 feet towards the Diplomat bench. Somehow despite the awe inspiring shot he just hit Everybody noticed the bat flip . Denison surely noticed it and could not shrug it off as "Jason being Jason"and after being embarrassed by the missile projectile, Denison developed plans for Jason's next at bat. Additionally, an alert was sent to the Karma Police!
Some of you may wonder about the difference between the Karma Police and the baseball gods. It is a distinction of primarily jurisdiction as well as range of punishment. The baseball gods only focus on the baseball field. The only time they have their attention off the field is when the player behaves in a manner to inhibit his performance on the field. Additionally, the baseball gods only hand out sentences on the baseball field. The Karma Police who seem to be more of a combination of the Gestapo and the police in the movie "Minority Report" have far more encompassing responsibilities well and abilities to meter out punishment in any medium ( although they are said to enjoy administration on the field for those who they think it will hurt the most). For example, a counterfeiter who gives his daughter "bad paper" does not attract the attention of the baseball gods unless he walks the leadoff hitter or he throws a bunt into right field. The baseball gods don't care about the counterfeiting or his evil treatment of his daughter. The Karma Police however care deeply. In the case of the counterfeiter, the Karma Police will likely wait until the counterfeiter pitches in the the championship game and is leading 1-0 after 5 innings and then our counterfeiter will mysteriously"lose it" and give up 6 straights shots and find himself trailing 5--1. And then get arrested after the game. You don't see many evil counterfeiters in baseball anymore!
Dension indeed did plunk Jason in his next at bat but by then everyone expected it. Later discussion revealed Jason didn't intend to show the Dension pitcher up. He just got caught up in
the moment ... maybe the Karma police will give him a reprieve
But we have a day in and the season has begun. We shall take this journey together and as your faithful correspondent I will enjoy taking the journey with you as my companion. But it sure is terrific being outside on a sunny day watching your Fighting Diplomats play baseball.
The only sad note is that Shea is unable to play after hurting his knee last week in practice.
The swelling and limping earned a trip to the orthopedist today and an MRI. The Doc suggests he will be ok as he did not think there were any tears but pending the MRI we won't be sure. When we know more your faitful corresspondent will report it and we are hoping he can get out there soon.
Getting a sense of Belonging
When a freshman arrives at college he is prone to wondering if he belongs. The school is likley steeped in tradition and the naive freshamn views the campus as and populated by upperclassman who all seem to know their way. Do I belong here? the frosh often wonders but no ansers come fromm the environment . In the opening game of the spring trip against Denison a young freshman got a start due to an injury to an established upperclassman. His first two at bats were not successful but on the third at bat he managed to hit a ground ball single up the middle for his first hit . On his fourth at bat, he drove a line drive single to the outfield. I coudl se him run off the filed at the end of the inning and see he was brimming with intenal; delight. Yes he belonged now and I suspect he was soon to tell his friends and parents how much he loved the school. For everyone who goes off to collge they find a sense of belonging in a unique way. For some it is going to a football game or even a party with a bunch of new friends. For athletes though it is showing you can play and compete at this college level. But once you have the sense of belonging you are on your way to loving the experience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
