Dirt Dogs Push Pitchers Back to .500

It was a tough Sunday at the ballpark for the Empty PItchers, who fell short offensively in both games against the New York Dirt Dogs, by scores of 10-3 and 4-2.

The Pitchers, still riding high from their pair of victories over the Stealers on Saturday, jumped out to an early lead in Game 1. A single from Julie easily brought home Felix, who had legged out a lead-off triple, and both Nicole and Greg would cross the plate in the second, scoring on consecutive singles by Alicia, Brian and Eric. But that was the end of the offense for the Pitchers, whose defense failed to blank the Dogs in any of the game's remaining innings.

In the second game, Damian was shocked to see his scoreless pitching streak end at six innings. Switch-hitting Felix was again at the center of the Pitchers' meager scoring opportunities, driving in Greg with another triple in the second and then scoring on a sac fly by Brian in the fifth. In between, Damian and Greg took the opportunity to flex their muscles with over-the-fence outs at inopportune moments and the Pitchers soon found themselves out of time and unable to piece together any more runs.

While Felix -- "Dangerous as a lefty," in the words of the ump, and batting above .900 according to my Excel spreadsheet -- received votes for Player-of-the-Games honors, the tip of the cap this week has to go to Alex, who played seriously impressive defense at third all morning long.

Next game: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2:30 p.m. Blanket and Murph get their shot at running the show.

Empty Pitchers vs. NY Dirt Dogs

Game 8 Box Score
10/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  1  0  0  1  0  0   2
DD     0  1  2  0  0  1  X   4

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG 'On the Day'
28 Eric CF    3  0  2   0   0   .500 (3-5)
13 Julie C    3  0  2   0   0   .286 (3-6) 
15 Damian P   3  0  1   0   0   .611 (4-6)
 5 Alicia EH  3  0  2   0   0   .458 (3-6)
44 Alex 3B    3  0  0   0   0   .438 (2-6)
11 Nicole RF  3  0  0   0   0   .143 (0-6)
00 Greg 1B    3  0  2   1   0   .800 (4-6)
 3 Rachel RCF 3  0  0   0   0   .200 (0-6)
 5 Felix SS   2  1  2   1   0   .905 (4-5)
 8 Debbie 2B  2  0  1   0   0   .200 (1-5)
   Brian LF   2  0  0   1   0   .438 (1-5)
13 Matt EH    2  0  0   0   0   .636 (1-4, walk)

2B - Greg (4); 3B - Felix (2)
OTF - Damian (1), Greg (2)

Game 7 Box Score
10/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DD     1  0  2  2  2  1  2   10
EP     1  2  0  0  0  0  0   3

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
 5 Felix SS   3  1  2   0   0   .895
13 Julie 2B   3  0  1   1   0   .222
13 Matt P     2  0  1   0   1   .700
 8 Debbie RF  3  0  0   0   0   .000
44 Alex 3B    3  0  2   0   0   .538
 3 Rachel EH  3  0  0   0   0   .235
15 Damian EH  3  0  3   0   0   .667
11 Nicole C   3  1  0   0   0   .182
00 Greg LF    3  1  2   0   0   .824
 5 Alicia 1B  3  0  1   0   0   .429
   Brian CF   3  0  1   1   0   .500
28 Eric RCF   2  0  1   1   0   .474

2B - Felix (5); 3B - Felix (1); OTF - Greg (1)

Stealers, France Succumb to Pitchers

The Pitchers took both games of a doubleheader from the Avengers' international coalition on Saturday, coming from behind in the first game to win, 12-9, and then jumping out ahead in the second game and never looking back, winning 8-0.

In Game 1, the Pitchers had a big fourth and fifth innings, with Matt leading off both innings with a solid hit. He - along with Felix and Eric - posted three hits in the early game. Eric also drove in four runs and Damian went a perfect 4-for-4.

The story of Game 2 was a shutout pitched by Damian in his Pitchers pitching debut, and more rock-solid defense from Felix and Alex in the infield. Greg went 3-for-3 in the game, and he, Rachel and Felix all had big two-out hits to drive in a pair of runs.

The Pitchers also capitalized on a key injury to the Avengers squad, as a bad back led one of their players to be replaced by Frenchie (possibly Russkie, possibly Czechie), apparently making his debut in the American sport at any level. He performed valiantly, entering midway through Game 1, but in the end, wound up in the vicinity of too many fence-scrappers of the Pitchers for the Avengers to ever have a chance.

Stealers vs. Empty Pitchers

Game 6 Box Score (4 innings)
10/10/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP      2  4  1  1  X  X  X   8
SH      0  0  0  0  X  X  X   0

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG 'On the Day'
15 Damian P   3  2  2   0   0   .583 (6-7)
13 Julie RCF  2  0  0   0   1   .200 (1-6, walk)
00 Greg CF    3  3  3   2   0   .857 (5-7)
 3 Rachel C   1  0  0   2   2   .286 (0-4, 3 walk)
 5 Felix SS   3  0  2   3   0   .938 (5-6, walk)
 5 Alicia 1B  3  0  2   0   0   .444 (4-7)
28 Eric 2B    3  0  0   0   0   .471 (3-7)
11 Nicole RF  2  0  0   0   0   .250 (0-4, 2 walk)
44 Alex 3B    2  2  2   0   0   .500 (4-6)
13 Matt LF    2  1  2   1   0   .778 (5-6)

2B - Alex (1), Greg (3)

Game 5 Box Score
10/10/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
S      1  2  0  4  2  0  0   9
EP     0  0  2  5  4  1  X   12

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
 5 Felix SS   3  3  3   1   1   .929
13 Julie C    4  1  1   1   0   .231
28 Eric CF    4  1  3   4   0   .571
 3 Rachel RF  3  0  0   0   1   .308
44 Alex 3B    4  0  2   2   0   .375
 5 Alicia 1B  4  1  2   0   0   .400
13 Matt P     4  2  3   0   0   .750
11 Nicole 2B  2  0  0   0   2   .333
00 Greg LF    4  2  2   2   0   .818
15 Damian RCF 4  2  4   2   0   .556

2B - Alicia (1), Matt (1); 3B - Greg (1)

Sub & Heroes Torpedo Pitchers

The Pitchers dropped two closely-fought games last weekend against Sub & Heroes, falling just short in the first game, 8-6, and never really getting their bats going in the second game, 6-2.

In Game 1, the Pitchers at least had a balanced offensive attack, with everyone recording a hit. (Excepting, of course, for Julie. whose inadvertent benching came as a shock to both her and Koach K). David and Felix both recorded a pair of hits each. In Game 2, the story was a well-pitched effort by Matt and Tara, and an offense that never really got it going (though Matt's defense of his 2007 batting crown continued with a 2-for-2 game, and Alex recording the very first Over-the-Fence Out of the Pitchers' young season).

Giving up a five-run inning in each of the games was the Pitchers ultimate undoing. If there was any solace to be found in the losses (aside from learning that the victorious team's name was borne of an unattained dream to be sponsored by a sandwich shop), it was in the happy accident/serendipitous coaching act of Felix and Eric turning multiple 6-4-3 double plays.

I couldn't find any scenes from "30 Rock" of the episode where Dennis Duffy becomes a 'subway hero':

Empty Pitchers vs. Sub & Heroes

Game 4 Box Score
9/27/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP      0  0  0  1  0  0  2   2
SH      0  5  1  0  0  0  X   6

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG 'On the Day'
5 Felix SS   2  0  1   0   0   .909 (3-4)
18 Tara 2B    2  0  1   1   0   .364 (2-4)
28 Eric CF    2  0  0   0   0   .500 (1-4)
3 Rachel C   2  0  1   0   0   .400 (2-4)
44 Alex 3B    2  0  0   0   0   .250 (1-4)
13 Julie EH   2  0  0   0   0   .222 (0-2)
12 Brian EH   2  0  1   0   0   .545 (2-4)
3 Lisa RF    2  0  0   0   0   .250 (1-4)
99 Jared LF   2  0  1   0   0   .667 (2-4)
8 Stacey 1B  2  1  1   0   0   .636 (2-5)
13 Matt P     2  0  2   0   0   .750 (3-5)
11 Nicole EH  2  0  1   1   0   .500 (2-4)
15 Damian EH  2  0  0   0   0   .200 (1-5)
5 Alicia RCF 1  0  0   0   0   .364 (1-4)
1 Dave D. EH 1  1  1   0   0   .750 (3-4)

2B - Felix (4); OTF - Alex (1)

Game 3 Box Score
9/27/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
SH     0  1  0  0  5  1  1   8
EP     1  1  0  0  2  2  0   6
PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
15 Damian LF  3  1  1   1   0   .333
5 Alicia 3B  3  0  1   0   0   .400
1 Dave D. P  3  0  2   0   0   .667
8 Stacey RCF 3  1  1   1   0   .667
13 Matt 1B    3  1  1   0   0   .700
3 Rachel C   2  0  1   0   0   .375
5 Felix SS   2  1  2   1   0  1.000
18 Tara 2B    2  0  1   1   0   .333
99 Jared RF   2  0  1   1   0   .714
11 Nicole EH  2  1  1   0   0   .500
28 Eric CF    2  0  1   0   0   .625
3 Lisa EH    2  1  1   0   0   .500
44 Alex EH    2  0  1   0   0   .500
12 Brian EH   2  0  1   1   0   .556
2B - Felix (3), Jared (2)

Remainders Roughed Up By Pitchers' Bats

The Empty Pitchers made a triumphant return to the Coleman Oval on Sunday, taking two wins from the Remainders by final scores of 12-7 and 22-3.

In Game 1, the Pitchers played the Remainders to a 6-6 tie through three innings, before busting out the big bats in the fourth, running off a quick six runs and never looking back. Jared had the first big hit of the game, ripping a shot down the right-field line to score two runs in the second, and the bottom of the order came through in the big fourth inning, all scoring after back-to-back-to-back-to-back hits, a string started off by EP rookies Dave C. and Stacey. Felix also posted his first W for the Pitchers, perfecting the spin on his slow-pitch lobs, and helping himself out with a 4-for-4 game at the plate.

The Remainders never had a chance in Game 2, crippling themselves by having their actual team in place for the entire game. To their credit, the Pitchers didn't make things easy for the rag-tag bunch, keeping the ball on the ground and not giving up any easy outs in the air.

Dave C., Stacey, Eric, Matt, Greg and Felix all posted perfect 3-for-3 plate appearances on the way to completing the drubbing, helping the Pitchers jump out to a 13-0 lead after two innings and batting around the order in the third. The Mercy Rule was mercifully enacted after the top of the fourth, but props to all the volunteers for the Pitchers' Pitching Tryouts -- Matt (who pitched two scoreless innings), Jared (who kept things at least a little interesting in his two innings), and Tara (who didn't technically pitch, but will most definitely get her a shot at some point this season). Also thanks to Damian, who so wisely chose keeping the stat book over reading Constitutional Law.



Next Game: Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9:30 a.m. Opponent unknown as of press time.

Empty Pitchers vs. The Remainders

Game 2 Box Score (4 innings)
9/20/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
R      0  0  3  0  X  X  X   3
EP     5  8  9  X  X  X  X   17

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG 'On the Day'
99 Jared DH   3  2  2   1   1   .800 (4-5, 2 walk)
 3 Rachel C   3  3  1   3   0   .333 (2-6)
17 Dave C. 3B 3  2  3   2   0  1.000 (6-6)
 8 Stacey 1B  3  2  3   2   0   .833 (5-6)
28 Eric CF    3  3  3   3   0   .667 (4-6)
 5 Alicia DH  3  2  1   2   0   .429 (3-7)
13 Matt P     3  2  3   2   0   .857 (6-7)
18 Tara 2B    3  1  2   2   0   .286 (2-7)
12 Brian LF   3  1  2   2   0   .571 (4-7)
13 Julie RF   3  1  2   1   0   .286 (2-7)
00 Greg RCF   3  2  3   1   0  1.000 (7-7)
 5 Felix SS   3  1  3   1   0  1.000 (7-7)

2B - Dave C. (2), Felix (2), Greg (2)

Game 1 Box Score (6 innings)
9/20/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     1  3  2  6  0  0  X   12
R      2  2  2  0  1  0  X   7

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
12 Brian LF   4  0  2   1   0   .500
13 Julie C    4  0  0   0   0   .000
 5 Felix P    4  3  4   1   0  1.000
18 Tara 2B    4  1  0   0   0   .000
00 Greg CF    4  1  4   3   0  1.000
 5 Alicia 3B  4  0  2   2   0   .500
13 Matt 1B    4  1  3   0   0   .750
 3 Rachel RF  3  1  1   0   0   .333
17 Dave C. SS 3  2  3   1   0  1.000
 8 Stacey DH  3  1  2   0   0   .667
99 Jared RCF  2  1  2   3   1  1.000
28 Eric DH    3  1  1   1   0   .333

2B - Dave C. (1), Felix (1), Greg (1), Jared (1)

2009 Empty Pitchers Fall Schedule

Weekend games are all doubleheaders, with each game lasting about an hour, give or take. Click here for directions to the field.

Saturday, Sept. 12 @ 9:30 a.m. (RAINOUT)
(versus Avengers)

Sunday, Sept. 20 @ 2:30 p.m.
(W,12-7, W, 22-3, against The Remainders)

Sunday, Sept. 27 @ 9:30 a.m. (RAINOUT)
(versus New York Dirt Dogs)

Saturday, Oct. 3 @ 9:30 a.m.
(L, 8-6, L, 6-2, against Sub & Heroes)

Saturday, Oct. 10 @ noon
(W,12-9, W, 8-0, against Stealers)

Sunday, Oct. 11 @ 9:30 a.m. (from rainout)
(L, 10-3, L, 4-2, against New York Dirt Dogs)

Saturday, Oct. 17 @ 2:30 p.m (RAINOUT)
(versus Vipers)

PLAYOFFS (Round 1 - single games)
     Saturday, Oct. 24 versus Dragons @ 2 p.m. (W, 6-2)
     (if win, play again New York Dirt Dogs @4 p.m.) (L, 3-2)

PLAYOFFS (Round 2 - single games)
     Saturday, Oct. 31 versus TBD @ 10 a.m. (if win both Oct.24)
     Championship game played at 1 p.m.
     (Rain-out date, Sunday, Nov. 1)

Sunday, Nov. 8 @ 9:30 a.m.
(Forfeits! versus New York Dirt Dogs)

Saturday, Nov. 14 at 2:30 p.m. (from rainout - CANCELED-APATHY)
(versus Vipers)

2009 Pitchers' Regular-Season Stats (Summer)

TK

Playoffs Round 1: La Familia Se Sorprende

Playoff Game 3 Box Score
8/1/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     4  0  1  0  5  0  0   10
LF     0  3  0  0  0  0  0   3

PLAYER     AB  R  H  RBI BB  AVG* 'On the Day'
LF Damian   4  2  3   0  0  .--- (
P  David    3  1  1   0  1  .--- (
CF Eric     4  3  2   2  0  .--- (
3B Alex B.  4  1  2   3  0  .--- (
EH Danny    3  1  2   0  1  .--- (
2B Julie    2  1  0   0  1  .--- (
RF Brian    3  1  2   3  0  .--- (
1B Matt F.  3  0  2   1  0  .--- (
C  Alicia   3  0  1   1  0  .--- (
SS Felix    3  0  1   0  0  .--- (
SF Lisa     3  0  0   0  0  .--- (

2B - Alex B. (1), Felix (1)
HR - Eric (1)

Playoff Game 2 Box Score
8/1/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
LF     2  1  4  0  3  0  X   10
EP     1  0  0  0  0  0  X   1

PLAYER     AB  R  H  RBI BB
LF Damian   3  0  0   0  0
SS David    3  0  1   0  0
CF Eric     3  1  1   0  0
EH Alex B.  2  0  1   0  0
1B Danny    1  0  1   1  1
C  Julie    1  0  0   0  1
RF Brian    2  0  0   0  0
P  Matt F.  2  0  0   0  0
SF Alicia   2  0  0   0  0
3B Felix    2  0  1   0  0
2B Debbie   1  0  0   0  0
    Lisa    1  0  0   0  0

Playoff Game 1 Box Score
8/1/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     1  0  3  7  4  2  X   17
LF     0  3  4  0  0  0  X   7

PLAYER     AB  R  H  RBI BB
LF Damian   3  1  2   2  0
CF Eric     4  3  2   3  0
EH Alex B.  4  2  3   1  0
1B Danny    3  1  3   2  1
C  Julie    3  0  0   0  1
RF Brian    4  2  3   1  1
P  Matt F.  4  1  2   1  0
SF Alicia   3  2  2   2  0
3B Felix    2  2  1   3  1
2B Debbie   3  1  1   0  0
SS Jason    2  2  2   1  0
    David   1  0  1   1  0

2B - Alex B. (1), Felix (1)
HR - Eric (1)

* Play-off stats separate from regular season

Week 10 - Salute All Stars Check Themselves Before They Rec Themselves

In a contentious battle, the Pitchers split a doubleheader against the sad-sack Salute All Stars, a team of disoriented DJs who somehow remembered their cleats and gloves, but not their league-mandated jerseys for the afternoon start time. No matter, while the Pitchers may have dropped the first game, 12-10, they came back in a big way in the second game, winning by Mercy Rule in a rout, 15-0, behind home runs from Felix, Matt F. and David.

Game 18 Box Score
7/18/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
SAS    0  0  0  X  X  X  X   0
EP     2 10  3  X  X  X  X   15

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB  AVG 'On the Day'
P   Matt F.   3  1  2   4   0  .--- (2-3)
3B  Jason     2  2  2   0   0  .--- (4-6) 
     Damian   3  2  2   0   0  .--- (3-7)   
SS  Felix     3  2  3   3   0  .--- (5-7)   
CF  Eric      3  1  2   2   0  .--- (4-7)   
EH  Alex B.   3  1  2   2   0  .--- (4-7)   
2B  Julie     2  0  1   1   0  .--- (1-4, 2 walks) 
     Tara     0  0  0   0   0  .--- (0-1, 3 walks)
P   David     1  1  1   2   1  .--- (2-3, 2 walks)
2B  Alicia    1  1  0   0   1  .--- (0-1, 3 walks)
RCF Matt J.   2  1  2   0   0  .--- (2-6)
C   Rachel    2  1  1   0   0  .--- (1-4) 
1B  Danny     2  2  1   1   0  .--- (2-3, 3 walks)   

2B - Alex B., Eric, Jason
HR - David, Felix (?), Matt F. (?)

Game 17 Box Score
7/18/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  0  4  2  3  1  X   10
SAS    1  0  0  9  2  0  X   12

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB  
3B  Jason     4  1  2   2   0 
LF  Damian    4  0  1   0   0   
SS  Felix     4  1  2   1   0   
CF  Eric      4  1  2   2   0   
RCF Matt J.   4  0  0   0   0
C   Rachel    2  0  0   0   0
     Alicia   0  2  0   0   2
EH  Alex B.   4  0  2   1   0   
1B  Danny     1  2  1   2   3   
2B  Tara      1  2  0   0   3
P   David     2  0  1   2   1
RF  Julie     2  1  0   0   2 

HR - Felix

Week 9 - Pitchers Defeat Mavs in Marathon

In the game that almost spelled the end of Koach K's fortitude in blog posting (and pitching career), the Pitchers took two from the Mavericks, 25-22, and 19-18. No one said getting to .500 on the season would be pretty. Of all the offensive highlights, Eric gets the lone shout-out, after he hit for the cycle in the early game.

Game 16 Box Score
7/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
MV     0 10  2  0  4  0  2   18
EP     7  2  5  0  2  3  X   19

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
SS  Felix    5  3  3   2   0   .---  (6-10, walk)
RF  Brian    5  2  3   1   0   .     (9-11)
LF  Damian   5  3  3   2   0   .     (9-11)
CF  Eric     5  3  4   4   0   .     (9-11)
P   Alicia   1  2  0   0   2   .     (0-2, 4 walks)
     Tara    1  2  1   2   2   .     (1-4, 2 walks)
1B  Danny    3  2  3   3   1   .     (7-8, walk)
3B  Alex B.  4  0  1   1   1   .     (2-9, walk)
SF  Lisa     1  0  1   1   0   .     (1-4, walk)
SF  David    3  1  1   2   1   .     (3-5, 3 walks)
C   Julie    0  1  0   1   3   .     (0-3, 4 walks)

2B - Eric (?), Felix (?)
3B - Felix (?)

Game 15 Box Score
7/11/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     4  5  3  8  5  0  2   27
MV     1 19  0  0  0  1  1   22

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB  
SS  Felix     5  5  3   1   1   
RF  Brian     6  6  6   6   0   
LF  Damian    6  3  6   8   0   
CF  Eric      6  3  5   7   0   
2B  Lauren    3  1  0   0   0
     Tara     3  0  0   1   0
1B  Danny     5  1  4   2   0   
3B  Alex B.   5  1  1   1   0   
C   Julie     3  1  0   0   1   
P   Alicia    1  2  0   0   2
     Lisa     3  1  0   0   1
SF  David     2  3  2   1   2

2B - Alex (?), Brian (?), Danny (?), Eric (?)
3B - Eric (?), HR - Eric (?)

Pitchers Deny Da Firm

In a Saturday doubleheader for the ages, the Pitchers faced off against No.2-ranked Da Firm, dropping Game 1 by the score of 15-6, but coming back in the sixth inning of Game 2, to score 10 runs and win by the final of 11-9.

After hanging around within striking distance for the first half of Game 1, the Pitchers gave up 6 runs in the fourth, watching the game slowly slip out of reach. Brian and Damian both had multiple hit games in the effort and Damian contributed stellar defense in left field throughout the game. David's third home run of the season and a triple from Felix provided enough complimentary offense to keep things interesting.

In Game 2, the Pitchers quickly found themselves down 8-0 through two innings. And through five innings, the team had managed only five hits (two of those belonging to hard-swinging Lauren), and manufactured just a single run on a lead-off triple from Damian.

It wasn't until the home half of the sixth that the rest of the Pitchers found their batting groove. With a couple of outs mixed in along the way, singles from Damian, Danny and Jason, plus back-to-back doubles from David and Alex B., brought in 4 runs. The stunning rally kept going with the key walks of Eric + Lauren sandwiched between singles from Alicia and Brian.

With the bases now loaded and two outs (and the Pitchers down by just two runs), the inning's lead-off hitter Damian came up to bat again and responded to the moment by hitting a vicious fly ball down the line beyond the rightfielder's grasp. The ball kept rolling, in the process turning itself into a grand slam, completing a 3-for-3 game for Damian and making him damn near impossible to live with for the rest of the weekend.

The comeback nearly complete, and with his proud mother and grandmother watching from the stands, pitcher David kept the game exciting for the Da Firm's final at-bats, allowing the winning run to come to da plate before recording the last outs with some nifty assists from his outfield.

The Empty Pitchers now have a chance to get within sniffing distance of .500 on the season with next week's games against La Familia, the team just ahead of them in the ADW League standings.

Week 8 - Empty Pitchers vs. Da Firm

Game 16 Box Score
6/20/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DF    5  3  0  0  1   0  0    9
EP    0  0  1  0  0  10  X   11

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
SS  Felix    2  0  0   1   0   .500  (1-5, walk)
3B  Jason    3  1  1   1   0   .452  (2-6)
LF  Brian    3  1  2   1   0   .571  (4-6)
     Matt F. 2  0  0   0   0   .391  (1-4, walk)
P   David    3  1  1   2   0   .467  (2-5)
EH  Alex B.  3  1  1   1   0   .417  (2-6)
1B  Alicia   3  1  1   0   0   .381  (1-3)
CF  Eric     2  1  1   1   1   .654  (1-3, walk)
C   Lauren   2  1  2   0   1   .400  (3-5, walk)
2B  Danny    2  1  1   0   0   .364  (2-5)
RCF Damian   3  3  3   4   0   .412  (5-6)
RF  Debbie   3  0  0   0   0   .125  (0-6)

2B - David (3), Alex B. (5), Eric (3)
3B - Damian (1); HR - Damian (1)

Game 15 Box Score (5 innings)
6/20/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     2  0  1  2  0  1  0   6
DF     1  2  3  6  1  2  X   15

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
SS  Felix     3  1  1   0   1   .533
3B  Jason     3  1  1   1   0   .464
CF  David     2  1  1   2   0   .481
     Eric     1  0  0   0   0   .667
EH  Alex B.   3  0  1   0   0   .424
2B  Lauren    3  1  1   0   0   .308
RF  Brian     3  0  2   0   0   .556
1B  Danny     3  1  1   0   0   .355
LF  Damian    3  1  2   1   0   .286
C   Debbie    3  0  0   0   0   .154
P   Matt F.   2  0  1   1   1   .429
SF  Lisa      2  0  0   1   1   .111

2B - Lauren (1); 3B - Felix (2); HR - David (3)

Keko Jones Regrets Naming Team After Herself

The Empty Pitchers took two from Keko Jones last weekend, by scores of 21-4, and 10-7, giving a boost to both the Pitchers' confidence and batting averages.

In Game 1, the Pitchers scored 11 runs in the top of the first, tacked on another 8 in the second, and never looked back, even giving up their 'ups' in the fifth inning and allow the rout to come to its merciful conclusion. Felix was on fire, providing rock-solid defense at shortstop and lighting up Keko's pitcher for 3 hits (including a triple), and 6 RBIs. Brian and Alex B. saw their averages climb above .500, with Alex contributing a pair of doubles, and Eric dealt a death-blow to Keko with his team-leading fourth home run of the season.

Game 2 featured a lady-heavy Pitchers' lineup, that kept the game interesting (and close), until the time arrived to pull away. Alicia went 2-for-2 with a couple of walks and Debbie continued to focus on raising her OBP by drawing a trio of walks. David helped his own case with another multiple-hit game and a home run of his own in the sixth that put the game out of Keko's reach for good.

With the pair of wins, and a somewhat respectable record of 6-10, the Pitchers find themselves in the middle of the ADW pack, but have a tough test ahead of them with a game against the No.2 team, Da Firm, next week.

ADW League Standings through June 13:

      Gorillas (15-1)
      Da Firm (14-2)
      Designated Drinkers (14-2)
      No Fear (10-6)
      Titans (9-7)
      Empty Pitchers (6-10)
      La Familia (6-10)
      Salute All Stars (3-13)
      Keko Jones (1-13)
      The Mavericks (0-14)

Week 7 - Empty Pitchers vs. Keko Jones

Game 14 Box Score
6/13/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
KJ     3  0  1  2  0  1  0   7
EP     0  1  2  0  5  3  X   10

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
LF  Damian   4  1  0   0   0   .182  (1-5)
3B  Alicia   2  2  2   1   2   .389  (2-2, 2 walks)
P   David    4  1  2   3   0   .480  (4-6)
EH  Alex B.  4  1  0   0   0   .433  (2-7)
CF  Brian    1  1  1   0   0   .533  (3-4)
     Matt F. 2  1  1   0   1   .421  (2-5, walk) 
RF  Matt J.  2  1  1   3   1   .476  (2-4, walk)
2B  Tara     2  0  1   1   1   .375  (3-4, walk) 
1B  Danny    2  0  1   2   1   .357  (2-4, 2 walks)
C   Debbie   0  0  0   0   3   .200  (1-1, 5 walks)
SS  Felix    3  0  0   0   0   .556  (3-6)
RF  Rachel   0  1  0   0   1   .222  (2-2, 2 walks)
     Eric    1  1  1   0   1   .696  (3-5, walk)

3B - Eric (2); HR - David (2)

Game 13 Box Score (5 innings)
6/13/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP    11  8  2  0  -  X  X   21
KJ     0  4  0  0  0  X  X   4

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
SS  Felix    3  3  3   6   1   .556
CF  Eric     4  2  2   4   0   .696
CF  David    2  1  2   0   0   .476
     Damian  1  1  1   1   0   .286
3B  Alex B.  3  1  2   2   0   .500
C   Rachel   2  2  2   0   1   .222
LF  Brian    3  1  2   0   0   .500
P   Matt F.  3  1  1   2   0   .389
2B  Tara     2  2  2   0   1   .333
EH  Danny    2  3  1   2   1   .346
1B  Matt J.  2  2  1   2   1   .474
RF  Debbie   1  2  1   2   2   .200

2B - Alex B. (3,4) , Matt F. (2)
3B - Felix (1), David (1); HR - Eric (4)

Week 6 - Empty Pitchers vs. No Fear

Playing shorthanded and without the benefit of the extra male hitter in the lineup, the Empty Pitchers still made the first of their games competitive, and put enough of a scare into No Fear that the team felt the need to appeal slight Pitcher base-running miscues (*cough* Jason *cough*) in order to ensure a Game 2 win. Big thanks to Matt J. and Rachel for running the team in Koach K's absence.

Game 12 Box Score (4 innings)
6/6/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     1  0  0  0  X  X  X   1
NF     9  3  5  X  X  X  X   17

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
SS  Jason    2  0  1   0   0   .480  (2-4, walk)
3B  Felix    1  1  1   0   1   .500  (2-4, walk)
CF  Eric     2  0  1   0   0   .737  (2-5)
RF  Matt J.  2  0  0   1   0   .471  (2-5)
P   Matt F.  2  0  0   0   0   .400  (0-5)
C   Rachel   2  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-5)
LF  Brian    1  0  1   0   0   .455  (1-3)
2B  Lauren   1  0  0   0   0   .300  (1-3)
1B  Danny    1  0  1   0   0   .333  (1-3)

2B - Felix (6), Eric (2)

Game 11 Box Score
6/6/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
NF     0  2  4  0  1  0  0   7
EP     0  0  0  1  0  0  0   1

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
SS  Jason    2  1  1   0   1   .478
3B  Felix    3  0  1   1   0   .478
CF  Eric     3  0  1   0   0   .765
RF  Matt J.  3  0  2   0   0   .533
P   Matt F.  3  0  1   0   0   .462
C   Rachel   3  0  0   0   0   .000
LF  Brian    2  0  0   0   0   .400
2B  Lauren   2  0  1   0   0   .333
1B  Danny    2  0  0   0   0   .304

2B - Felix (5)

Pitchers Pounded In Memorial Day Suckfest

It wasn't pretty to watch from the sidelines, and it was even uglier to witness from the field, as the Empty Pitchers fell to the Gorillas 21-1, and 12-0.

The Pitchers fell behind by 11 runs after the top of the first, though they took what little comfort was to be found in holding the Gorillas to only an additional 10 runs over the course of the next three innings. The sole player to manage multiple hits in the first game was Felix, who went 2-for-2 in addition to valiantly chasing down a number of deep drives to left field. The game's other hits came in the third, when Alex V. hit a triple (the only multiple-base hit of the day for the team) and was able to make it home on a single from Jason.

The Pitchers mustered another five hits in Game 2 (all singles, from Matt J., Alicia, Alex B., Danny and the superhuman Felix), but the most excitement for the lifeless and forlorn team had to be watching that brat (and that brat's dad) circle closer and closerandcloser on their mini-dirtbike to outfielders Damian and Tara.

At a point presumably close to the halfway mark of the season, the losses dropped the Pitchers to 2-8. Koach K can't speak for her players, but she drowned her sorrows in a Memorial Day hamburger later that same evening. Hopefully the tide will turn next week against the 2-8 Salute All Stars, another team whose only wins of the season came against the hapless Mavericks.

Sorry, kids, no luck finding a dirtbike-riding Gorilla on YouTube.

Week 5 - Empty Pitchers vs. The Gorillas

Game 10 Box Score (5 innings)
5/23/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  0  0  0  0  X  X   0
G      3  1  5  1  2  X  X   12

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
1B  Matt J.  2  0  1   0   0   .500  (1-2)
LF  Alex V.  2  0  0   0   0   .333  (1-3)
2B  Alicia   2  0  1   0   0   .313  (1-2)
     Julie   -  -  -   -   -   .000  (0-1, walk)
LF  Felix    2  0  1   0   0   .500  (3-4)
3B  Alex B.  1  0  1   0   0   .478  (1-3)
     Raul    1  0  0   0   0   .500  (0-3)
1B  Danny    1  0  1   0   0   .333  (1-2)
C   Rachel   1  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-1)
P   David    1  0  0   0   0   .421  (0-3)
SS  Jason    1  0  0   0   0   .476  (1-3)
CF  Damian   1  0  0   0   0   .167  (0-3)
2B  Tara     1  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-2)
     Lisa    -  -  -   -   -   .143  (0-1)

Game 9 Box Score (4 innings)
5/23/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
G     11  5  4  1  X  X  X   21
EP     0  0  1  0  X  X  X   1

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
SS  Jason    2  0  1   1   0   .500
C   Julie    1  0  0   0   1   .000
LF  Felix    2  0  2   0   0   .500
3B  Alex B.  2  0  0   0   0   .455
P   David    2  0  0   0   0   .444
EH  Raul     2  0  0   0   0   .529
SF  Lisa     1  0  0   0   0   .143
CF  Damian   1  0  0   0   0   .200
1B  Danny    1  0  0   0   0   .300
RCF Alex V.  1  1  1   0   0   .500
2B  Tara     1  0  0   0   0   .000

3B - Alex V. (1)

Glass Half Empty in Twin Losses

After jumping out to a huge lead in the first inning of Game 1, a sudden downpour cooled off the Empty Pitchers' hot bats, with the team going on to drop two games to the Designated Drinkers, 19-9 and 12-6.

In Game 1, the Pitchers batted around in the order to start off the game, and collected 7 runs before the scorebook started getting soggy. Jason and Raul got the job done at the heart of the order, both going 3-for-4. Jason also hit a solo homer in the third and Eric's Quest to Bat 1.000 lived on, with him contributing a perfect 2-for-2 (with a walk) game. But shaky defense and leaving the bases loaded in the fifth inning spelled doom for the Pitchers, who soon enough found themselves damp and defeated by the Mercy Rule.

In Game 2, the Pitchers showed signs life in the first inning, before succumbing to their painfully slow softball death. An anemic offense couldn't put a runner on base for the second, third or fourth innings, until Matt F. thankfully hit a single while leading off the fifth. Even Eric proved mortal (going 2-for-4 -- the sole player with multiple hits), and saw his average drop to a piddly .857.

It was a cruel return to softball reality after last week's fattening of the stat lines. Fingers crossed that a similar harsh reality doesn't await over Memorial Day Weekend.

Week 4 - Empty Pitchers vs. Designated Drinkers

Game 8 Box Score
5/16/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     2  0  0  0  1  0  3   6
DD     1  4  0  5  2  0  X   12

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
CF  Eric     4  1  2   0   0   .857  (4-6, walk)
P   David    3  1  1   0   0   .500  (2-6)
3B  Alex B.  3  0  1   1   0   .500  (3-6)
SF  Alicia   2  0  1   0   0   .286  (1-4)
     Lisa    1  0  0   0   0   .167  (0-1, walk)
RF  Felix    3  1  1   1   0   .438  (2-5, walk)
LF  Matt F.  2  2  1   0   1   .500  (2-5, walk)
2B  Debbie   2  1  0   0   1   .111  (0-3, 2 walks)
EH  Raul     2  0  1   2   1   .600  (4-6, walk)
SS  Jason    3  0  1   1   0   .500  (4-7)
C   Julie    2  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-4)
     Lauren  1  0  1   1   0   .286  (2-4, walk)
1B  Danny    3  0  0   0   0   .316  (2-7)

2B - Felix (4)

Game 7 Box Score (6 innings)
5/16/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
DD     1  0  5  3  3  7  X   19
EP     7  0  1  0  1  0  X   9

PLAYER     AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
P   Matt F.  3  1  1   0   1   .500
2B  Lauren   3  1  1   0   1   .167
SS  Jason    4  2  3   3   0   .553
1B  Raul     4  1  3   1   0   .615
RCF Danny    4  1  2   0   0   .375
C   Alicia   2  0  0   0   0   .250
     Julie   2  0  0   0   0   .000
3B  Felix    2  2  1   0   1   .462
CF  Eric     2  1  2   3   1  1.000
RF  Debbie   1  0  0   0   1   .125
     Lisa    0  0  0   0   1   .200
LF  David    3  0  1   1   0   .538
EH  Alex B.  3  0  2   1   0   .529

2B - Matt F. (1), Jason (1), Eric (1);
HR - Jason (1)

Pitchers Take Two for First Wins of the Season

It may have taken playing a young, untested Mavericks team unaccustomed to playing in the rough-and-tumble moats and mudslides of 145th and Lenox -- but the Empty Pitchers were happy to pick up their first wins of the season, by the scores of 14-2 and 15-5.

Matt F. pitched a gem in the early game, stymieing the Mavs in the early innings as the Pitchers jumped out to a 12-0 lead. He also helped his own cause by scoring 3 runs and hitting a home run to put the game out of reach in the third inning. Felix had a stellar game in the field and at the plate, picking up a pair of doubles and three ribbies. But, not surprisingly, it was Raul who again found himself in the offensive spotlight, going 2-for-2 with a walk. In fact, the only way to get Raul out in the early going was on an appeal by the Mavericks, who called foul when it came to Raul's shortcut across the diamond following a double-guy-girl-walk.

The second game's highlights were captured by a roving news team from CBS12, on the prowl for a story ... albeit about teenagers looking for summer work. Fueled by the slight, the Pitchers came out ... walking, a total of 11 times throughout the second game. Any hope of a Mavericks' comeback was squashed by a 4-RBI day from Eric (still batting a perfect 1.000 on the season!), a bases-clearing double by Alicia in the fourth, and Jason, who capped with a 3-for-4 game at the top of the order with a 2-run fifth-inning single that pushed the Pitchers over the Mercy Rule threshold.

Week 3 - Empty Pitchers vs. The Mavericks

Game 6 Box Score (5 innings)
5/9/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     6  0  3  2  4  X  X   15
M      1  0  4  0  0  X  X   5

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
SS  Jason    4  1  3   3   0   .455  (3-4)
2B  Alicia   2  1  1   3   1   .300  (1-4, walk)
P   David    2  1  1   2   1   .600  (1-2, 2 walks)
3B  Alex B.  2  0  1   0   0   .500  (1-3)
     Alex V. 1  0  0   0   0   .333  (1-3)
EH  Danny    3  1  2   1   0   .333  (2-5)
CF  Matt J.  2  1  1   0   1   .500  (2-3, 2 walks)
RF  Felix    2  0  0   1   0   .455  (3-5)
     Matt F. 0  1  0   1   1   .600  (1-1, 3 walks)
SF  Lisa     2  2  1   0   1   .200  (1-3, 3 walks)
1B  Raul     2  2  1   0   1   .556  (3-4, 2 walks)
LF  Eric     1  3  1   4   2  1.000  (2-2, 3 walks)
C   Julie    0  2  0   0   3   .000  (0-1, 5 walks)

2B - Alicia (1); 3B - Eric (1);
Home Run - David (1), Eric (3)

Game 5 Box Score (4 innings)
5/9/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
M      0  0  1  1  X  X  X   2
EP     6  6  2  X  X  X  X   15

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
P   Matt F.  1  3  1   2   2   .429 
SF  Lisa     1  2  0   0   2   .000
CF  Eric     1  2  1   2   1  1.000
     David   0  0  0   0   1   .625
EH  Raul     2  1  2   1   1   .571
1B  Matt J.  1  2  1   4   1   .500
     Alex B. 1  0  0   0   0   .500
C   Julie    1  0  0   0   2   .000
3B  Alex V.  2  2  1   1   0   .500
RF  Danny    2  1  0   2   0   .222
SS  Felix    2  0  2   3   0   .556
2B  Alicia   2  0  0   0   0   .250
LF  Brian    2  2  2   0   0   .500

2B - Felix (2,3); 3B - Brian (1);
Home Run - Matt F. (1)

Week 2 Mudbath - Empty Pitchers vs. La Familia

Koach Korney was too sad to write a proper blog entry after the Empty Pitchers suffered tough back-to-back losses against La Familia the first weekend of May.

Slipping and sliding in the mud, the Pitchers dropped the first game 15-10, but came out swinging strong in the second game, at one point taking their first lead of the season, making a spirited comeback to tie the game in the fifth, and threatening to make things interesting in the sixth, before succumbing to the The Family 14-10.

With the pitching rotation now set, and Eric and Alex B. showing off their big bats with another couple of homers, the future looks bright for Week 3 of play.

Game 4 Box Score (6 innings)
5/2/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
LF     5  0  6  1  0  2  X   14
EP     4  2  0  4  2  0  X   12

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
CF Eric       1  2  1   0   1  1.000  (2-2, walk)
    Matt F.   2  1  2   1   0   .600  (4-4)
3B David      3  3  3   1   1   .625  (3-4, walk)
P  Alicia     3  1  1   2   1   .333  (1-3, walk)
EH Alex B.    3  1  3   4   0   .545  (5-7)
     Danny    1  0  0   0   0   .286
1B Raul       3  1  1   0   0   .400  (1-3)
RF Matt J.    1  1  0   0   1   .333  (2-4, walk)
2B Lauren     1  0  0   0   1   .000  (0-3, walk)
    Tara      0  1  0   0   1   .000  (0-2, walk)
LF Brian      3  0  1   1   0   .333  (2-6)
RF Lisa       1  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-2, walk)
    Debbie    2  0  1   1   0   .143  (1-3)
3B Felix      1  0  0   0   0   .429  (0-4)
    Jason     1  0  0   0   1   .286  (1-4, walk)
C  Julie      1  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-1,2 walks)
    Rachel    1  1  0   0   1   .000  (0-1,3 walks)

2B - Alex B. (2), David (1, 2),
     Matt F. (1), Raul (1)

Game 3 Box Score
5/2/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     0  6  2  0  0  2  0   10
LF     5  5  3  0  2  0  X   15

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
CF  Brian      3  1  1   0   0   .333
     Eric      1  1  2   2   0  1.000
3B  Alex B.    4  1  2   4   0   .500
2B  Tara       2  0  0   0   0   .000
     Lauren    2  0  0   0   0   .000
1B  Matt J.    3  1  2   0   0   .400
     David     1  0  0   0   0   .400
P   Matt F.    2  1  2   0   2   .500
RF  Rachel     0  1  0   0   2   .000
     Lisa      1  0  0   0   1   .000
LF  Felix      3  1  0   1   0   .333
SS  Jason      3  0  1   2   0   .200
C   Julie      0  1  0   0   2   .000
     Debbie    1  0  0   0   0   .200
RF  Danny      3  2  2   1   0   .333

Home Run - Alex B. (2); Eric (2)

2009 Empty Pitchers Summer Schedule

Weekend games are all Saturday doubleheaders, with each game lasting about an hour, give or take. Click here for directions to the summer field, located at 145th and Lenox.

REGULAR SEASON (see the league Web site for updates):

April 25 @ 11 a.m. (L, 13-2, L, 17-6, vs. The Titans)

May 2 @ 9 a.m. (L, 15-10, L, 14-12, vs. La Familia)

May 9 @ 9 a.m. (W, 15-2, W, 15-5, vs. The Mavericks)

May 16 @ 9 a.m. (L, 19-9, L, 12-6, vs. Designated Drinkers)

May 23 @ 3 p.m. (L, 21-1, L, 12-0, vs. The Gorillas)

May 30 @ 5 p.m. (W, W, via forfeit, vs. Salute All Stars)

June 6 @ 11 a.m. (L, 7-1, L, 17-1, vs. No Fear)

June 13 @ 9 a.m. (W, 21-4, W, 10-7, vs. Keko Jones)

June 20 @ 9 a.m. (L, 15-6, W, 11-9, vs. Da Firm)

June 27 @ 3 p.m. (CANCELED vs. La Familia, automatic W, L)

July 11 @ 3 p.m. (W, 21-4, W, 10-7, vs. The Mavericks)

July 18 @ 3 p.m. (L, 15-6, W, 11-9, vs. Salute All Stars

PLAYOFFS:

August 1 @ 9:30 a.m. (W, W)

August 8 @ 10:30 a.m. (L, L)

A Different World, Indeed

Much like the Yankees playing in their homer-happy new stadium, the Empty Pitchers struggled in their inaugural uptown contests, dropping back-to-back games against The Titans on Saturday, 13-2, and 17-6.

Bright spots were few and far between for the Pitchers, who were forced to endure watching a succession of their pitchers struggle to get into the modified-slow-pitch groove, as their hitters labored to find their stroke at the plate. Matters weren't aided any by the Titans, whose entire line-up adhered to an extraordinary plate discipline unlike any before witnessed in co-ed softball.

In the first game, Eric and Felix scored the game's lone runs in the bottom of the third, coming home on a single by Alicia and a fielder's choice by Debbie. David and Alex B. picked up the only other hits of the game, before play was mercifully halted by the Mercy Rule in the fourth inning.

The Pitchers showed more life in the second game, and even briefly took the lead in the top of the second inning, before being done in again by walks and the crippling "walk a guy in front of a girl, and the girl gets to walk too" rule. Alex B. hustled his way to a huge triple that scored two runs in the second, and Eric capped a perfect 3-for-3 day with a 2-run home run later in the inning. Danny also had a solid game, going 2-for-2 with a pair of perfectly-placed singles. The Mercy Rule may have again been enacted, but in Game 2, it didn't seem to carry with it quite the same stigma of pity as it did in Game 1.

Next week's game (as well as the week after), will likely both be 9 a.m. starts. The Pitchers have the defense needed to compete, their bats have already shown signs of life, and there's plenty of options available when it comes to solving their pitching dilemma...the key now is to turn the page on Opening Day and look ahead to their next chance for a "W."

Week 1 - Empty Pitchers vs. The Titans

Game 2 Box Score (4 innings)
4/25/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
EP     1  5  0  0  X  X  X   6
T      3  3  6  5  X  X  X   17

PLAYER      AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG  'On the Day'
EH  Eric     2  2  2   2   0  1.000  (3-3)
     Jason   -  -  -   -   -   .000  (0-2)
LF  Damian   2  0  1   0   0   .250  (1-4)
     Matt F. -  -  -   -   -   .000  (0-2)
CF  David    2  0  1   1   0   .500  (2-4)
RCF Matt J.  2  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-2)
P   Alicia   2  0  0   0   0   .250  (1-4)
SS  Felix    2  0  1   0   0   .667  (2-3)
1B  Raul     2  1  1   0   0   .500  (1-2)
C   Julie    2  0  0   0   0   .000  (0-3)
RF  Danny    2  1  2   0   0   .667  (2-3)
3B  Alex B.  2  1  1   2   0   .500  (2-4)
2B  Debbie   2  1  1   1   0   .250  (1-4)

2B - Felix (1); 3B - Alex B. (1)
Home Run - Eric (1)

Game 1 Box Score (3 innings)
4/25/2009

TEAM   1  2  3  4  5  6  7   FINAL
T      7  1  3  2  X  X  X   13
EP     0  0  2  X  X  X  X   2

PLAYER       AB  R  H  RBI  BB   AVG
2B  Debbie     2  0  0   1   0   .000
SS  Jason      2  0  0   0   0   .000
LF  David      2  0  1   0   0   .500
CF  Damian     2  0  0   0   0   .000
RCF Matt F.    2  0  0   0   0   .000
3B  Alex B.    2  0  1   0   0   .500
C   Julie      1  0  0   0   0   .000
1B  Danny      1  0  0   0   0   .000
P   Eric       1  1  1   0   0  1.000
EH  Felix      1  1  1   0   0  1.000
RF  Alicia     1  0  1   1   0  1.000

Moving on Up(town)

Opening Day is less than 12 hours away, and the Empty Pitchers are busy making preparations for their first season as a team in the A Different World Coed Softball league (several members of the team have played in the league previously).

Koach Korney has received numerous emails throughout this Friday from Pitchers inquiring about the color of the league-provided unis (charcoal gray), confirming directions to the field (make sure you're at the front of the 3 train), both of which she is taking to mean that a sharply-dressed, on-time team will await her at 145th and Lenox tomorrow morning.

As previously mentioned, HR Debbie, whose professional training has acclimated her to the rigors of paperwork and the need for follow-through in all things, will be batting lead-off and playing second base tomorrow. Her check for softball dues arrived - via snail mail - a full two business days ahead of the rest of the team's. Congratulations, Debbie!

Also of note, Julie redeemed her deadbeat fee-payer status by coming through in the clutch on Friday, making a lunchtime run to buy necessary equipment at Paragon Sports - apparently the sole Manhattan sporting-goods supplier that carries bases. Hopefully the Pitchers will get a chance to start putting some wear-and-tear into those bases tomorrow. If not, at least Julie got a quality lunch date out of the errand.

Julie's take on a B&B getaway...

Finding Your Way to Summer Field

The Pitchers will play in the A Different World Co-ed Softball League this summer, which plays all of its games at Summer Field #1, located at 145th and Lenox Avenue in Harlem.

The closest subway to the field is the 3 train, though you must be in the first five cars for the doors to open at the 145 Street stop. The A/B/C/D trains also run fairly close to 145th Street, a few avenues west.


View Larger Map