DT Rants

It was a scorcher. The field was not as bad as Rickey made out. It was relatively bumpy, but definitely playable. The sun was out in full force though. Numbers were bleah. We managed to get 12, and with Grandpa and Sandman volunteering to play all-time defensive positions, we worked around the shortage of numbers. Jason wore his big bat pants again. That's two weeks in a row that he's dominated offensively. He wasn't too shabby at defense either, making a heartbreaking tag on Seven at home to prevent the TWOs from running away with the game. That was one of the greatest plays I've ever seen. Gunz's throw was spot on. The velocity of the throw certainly helped Jason make the tag, but it was also Jason's glove and reflexes that sealed the play. Outstanding. It only goes to show that playing a REAL game every week is a lot more beneficial than running laps, and practicing repetive plays. No doubt, training in fundamentals would certainly help, but when it all boils down to it, there's no better substitute to real gameplay. Jason and Diana have both improved by leaps and bounds just by playing with us every week (though I suspect they have secret trainings in batting and throwing/catching). How lovely it is to have a loved one to play catch with.

The ground did contribute to many missed plays and weird bounces. But it was fun. Rubane did not get much work as the batters are starting to wise up to "The DEAD ZONE". It's really helped batters with their pull hits and opposite field drives. We saw only 3 hits into "The DEAD ZONE" all day.

The Generalissimo is starting to flash some major speed on the bases. With the recent weight loss, he's not only gotten healthier, but fitter and faster as well. Glovework is gold and the bat is still big, but the speed is now killer. Coupled with his experience and intelligent baserunning instincts, he's getting extra bases almost everytime.

Thanks to Grandpa and Sandman for playing all time. It helped even out the teams and at the same time, allow us to "simulate" greater numbers than we actually had. Seriously though, we need to do some serious recruiting. Everyone should try and bring a friend or two to come play. A colleague, relative, friend or even someone picked up at a party. Now that we've lost Gunz, Cool Papa and Prof Zen, we need to make up the numbers desperately.

This week is Gunz last week for a year. He will be spending the next year exiled in Iowa. Though, with softball imbedded deep in his soul, he's managed to sign up for a league down in Des Moines. We wish him the best of luck. Memorable quotes that will be heard. "goshdarnit ma, that injun can hit", "did ya see that arm on that fella? I din know they played ball in pakeestan", "hey pa, can we get him to marry our sister?"

Postscript
We moved on to Prof Zen's place for his farewell party. There was plenty of food, and way, way too much booze. Rube and Gunz spent the night chatting with a Kiwi. (how drunk must Rube have been to do that?) Horfun brought, no... not horfun, a Deep Fried Pig Knuckle. Rickey brought his puu puus (which turned out to be one of his better batches). Sandman ate grapes all night. Marvelous showed up with a date (yes ladies, the most eligible bachelor this side of Asia may be off the market). Mrs Prof Zen is a Pilates instructor, so the party was FILLED with Milfs. Each of us even managed to pick our own personal milf, and with varied tastes, there was no competition over anyone. Of course, no one got any digits... much less speak to the milf of their fancy. WAAAAIT....... ONE person did get some digits. And that person didn't even have to try. Instead of picking someone up, that Someone got picked up while signing the autograph book, and with the promise of showing up on saturday (good job recruiting), the fellow who did the picking up managed to get the digits from the individual, who's name we shall not mention. Our baby's all grownz up.

Addendum
DT has added another scalp to his "Thrown Balls At Head" list. Sandman was a victim of DT's knoblochesque arm with a relay throw that took his spectacles off, but did not draw blood.