I know I've been saying that 'this was the greatest game of the year' one too many times, but THIS was the greatest game I've played in for 2006. It was not a defensive gem, it was not a monster homerun contest. The weather was so-so, and the field conditions were horrible. The numbers were strained at 14 and the ball was slippery. The were bonehead plays and swinging bunts.
So what made this the greatest game in 2006? The people...
This game was the reason why I enjoy coming out week after week to saturday softball. It made my entire year of driving out to poor numbers and late starts and intruding soccer players and rainouts all worth while.
First of all, the game got off to a fantastic start. Since it was Dom's wedding, a plea was sent out to kick off the game at 2pm, and for the first time in a long while, most everyone was punctual. We actually started our game by 2.30pm, which is a record for 2006.
Adding to that was the appearance of Coach, Martin AND DY on the same field. We haven't seen that for almost 3 years. We sorely missed the Tan family, Gavin, Kyle, Lloyd(although we did get him last week with his bunch of kids) and Alvin, but you take what you can get, and we got a great deal.
The standard of play was equally high, with everyone showing good glove skills, strong at-bats and most important of all, the heart to fight back from behind to take the lead. Even with 13 runs on the board in the first inning, the ONEs would not give up, and they plugged away slowly and surely to take back the game. Their defense held tight for 6 innings letting nary a run, and they scored 17 within 7 innings to take the lead. Even with a complete 6 inning shut out by the ONEs, the TWOs did not give up either. Even with 1-2-3 outs, they still tried to plug away at it, and they finally succeed by taking back their lead and finally the win. Everyone played hard and put in loads of effort. No one slacked because they were 'catching' or 'pitching' for the other team.
Most notable efforts... The Generalissimo making the decisive tag on a text book run down for the OTHER team. Fake Steve and DY catching foul popups while catching for the OTHER team. DT striking out Marvelous while pitching for the other team.
That's not to say that the game went perfectly. There were the usual bonehead plays, but it was the kind of bonehead plays that give you ammo for weeks of teasing. Like Rickey's 'do I stay or do I go' play at first and The Mick's 'The ball has a mind of its own' throw to Marvelous.
Aussie Mike got a taste of being the new boy in right field with a barrage of opposite field hits going his way. He managed to catch one or two, but we picked on him because we like him. And we liked him a lot.
Marvelous and The Mick were having gold glove outings in the outfield for the ONEs. So were the Rube and The Sandman for the twos. Of course, Sandman's run from CF to catch the ball in RF must count as one of the longest sprints in SAS history.
Both infields were tight, though there were still gaps because of the horrid ground and the unpredictable bounces. It's a wonder that the score was so high with everyone putting in so much effort.
On to next week... Remember, first pitch is at 11am. We'll go straight to the alternate field. I will go to NUS first for those in need of transport.
Coach Explaining to Guppy the subtle nuances of grilling Chicken
From left - Jason&Diana, Fake Wife, Indiana, Mrs Sandman, Burma Girl, Rickey
Rube and Guns celebrate the Cardinal's World Series Win.
DY arriving with lil' DY (and a bag of Chilli).
Rube's Changing room
The Cheetah and The Sandman working the grill (and sampling the food).
The marvelous cake that Marvelous brought.
Rube gives his speech.
Dom's turns a little misty.
Dom chokes as he tries to swallow.
He looks good (for the first 20% of the yard)....cont below
...but soon throws up... note that he's barely hit the halfway mark.
Shirts off, trousers on. Dom makes another effort to finish his drink.
DONE!!! FINALLY!!! Most people throw up AFTER they finish the yard, Dom does it halfway.
