No Championship Season

I am sad to report that the Woodsmen ended the season with two consecutive losses. The last of which came in the tournament. With that single loss, our dream season was over. I had high hopes for our team going into the game against the Rainmakers. Although we had beaten this team the last time we played, they had a lot of different players this time around. The Rainmakers shot out to a large early lead that we fought through to come within four runs in the 7th inning, but we were unable to overcome the remaining deficit.

It was a dream season but it was not to be a Championship season. Although we fell short, I had lots of fun and learned a lot playing alongside the Woodsmen. I learned that I can't bat for shit. For starters I can't tell the difference between a ball and a strike. I see a pitch that's close and I just try to hit it. Nonetheless, I had a good time and tried my best and tried not to dissappoint myself or the team too badly. Far well to the season and on to the whatever comes next.

Game 13 - Toyne Tribe (Make-Up Game)

Last night was our second meeting with the Toyne Tribe. Apparently they were determined not to repeat their performance from last week's meeting. The Toyne Tribe jumped all over us early and never looked back. They kept the heat on us hitting the ball into the gaps repeatedly.

The Woodsmen struggled at the plate. Their normally very productive batting was M.I.A. It seemed the team played tighter than I have ever seen. Perhaps the knowledge that a loss meant possibly losing their regular season championship weighed too heavy. Whatever the reason, the mood in the dugout was low from the beginning, which was very uncharacteristic for the Woodsmen.

Hopefully, we can get back to the loose and easy-going play for the upcoming tournament that brought us so much success throughout the season.

Game 12 - Toyne Tribe

Tonight we took on the Toyne Tribe. The Woodsmen went into the game in 1st place and came out just the same. After jumping out to a 7-2 lead the Tribe evened the score.

But the Woodsmen put up a 9 run inning and ended the game with a 10-run rule in the 5th inning with a score of 17-7. Although they didn't need much help from me, I kicked in with an RBI and I even got across home plate once.

Game 11 - Dodge Street Tire

The Woodsmen triumphed in a what turned out to be a pitching duel yesterday evening. The low scoring event ended just over half an hour after it started with the Woodsmen besting Dodge Street Tire 6-4.

The few bats that found solid connections really counted in this close game. Excellent plays by third basemen and cat brain enthusiast, JJ, and short-stop and pre-game stretch fanatic, Cassidome were key late in the game.

Yours truly a.k.a Big Fajita finally made contact with the ball in the last inning for an RBI. The MLW train is officially rolling. ALL ABOARD!

Game 10 - Rainmakers

Tonight's game against the Rainmakers, went well for the Woodsmen. Being the victors of yet another meeting. However this meeting lacked the spectacle of an unbelievable come back. Instead it was just another solid win.

The bats were working and eventhough the maker's of rain made a run at us, we ended the game with a run-rule victory.

There's nothing for me to hang my hat on about my performance tonight. I struck out twice and in slow pitch softball that's pretty embarrising. The upside was that my team had my back with plenty of runs. On to the next game!

Game 5, 7, 8, and 9

Alright! So I got a little behind on the softball updates. But I am ready to get it back on track.

Game 5 was played on June 11 against Dodge Street Tire. I actually don't remember much about this game, but according to my records we won the game.

Game 7 was played on June 25 against the Coral Villains. Again, I don't remember much about this game either. But not to worry, we won.

Game 8 was rained out.

Game 9 was last Wednesday's showdown gainst Hill Hardwood. Hill managed to put up a respectable 10 runs on us, but we managed to score 20. Tee's brother Andy subbed in for our team and played a solid game. I am still getting a respectable amount of hits to go into right field just over the 1st baseman's head. It seems to be working for me so I guess I can't complain.

The Woodsmen are now 7-1. Let's go Team!

Game 6 - Hartwig Dodge

Although still displaced by the flood waters, in dorms with no hot water, there was still a game to play. With many roads still blocked by several feet of standing water, what is normally a 15 minute drive to the softball fields took an hour this evening.

Nonetheless, the woodmen took the field against Hartwig Dodge, a team who's will seemed to have been swept away in the receeding flood waters. They put up little opposition and the game ended with a lopsided score in our advantage. With another win, we are now 5-1. Go Team!

Game 4 - Dirt Bags

Last night's game was a old fashioned ass pounding--and not the good kind. The young woodies only managed to score 2 runs which would not have been so bad if the other team, the Dirt Bags, hadn't scored 18.

Fortunately, the league has a 15 run rule, which for us meant the game was over just 25 minutes after it started. I did manage to get another hit into right field and I am very proud of my accomplishment being someone who never played softball until recently.

I know the team hated losing the way we did, but I think we are still very good team and we will be tough to beat if we can get the bats going. The season is far from over and we have youth on our side.

Game 3 - Liquor Downtown

We are now 3-0! The young, upstart Woodies prevailed against Liqour Downtown 15-8. The crafty veterans cut the lead to four runs at the end of the 5th inning, but that's the closest it got.

With the help of the our cheering section, who makes up for small quantities with overwhelming committment, we managed to outlast their run at the lead and score a few more runs before the end of the game.

Highlights included: A shot that went all the way to the fence by Mr. Anderson and not one, but two SportsCenter type catches by Dane.

I had a few good pokes as well, including a couple that I managed to hit into right field one for a base hit. It's still fun in the sun for me and the team.

Game 2 - Rainmakers

This game was straight up BANANAS. We got lit up for something like 8 runs in the first inning. While We manage to score none. Slowly but surely, they manage to continue scoring runs through the 5th inning. The score is 9 to 18 going into the 6th. We ended up winning the game 19 to 18 with 5 runs scoring in 7th inning.

I managed to get a few hits this time, with I think an RBI, though I never crossed home. We kept chipping away at the lead. There was one inning somewhere in there where we almost had the 10 run rule called.

It was an amazing come from behind victory. Who would of have thought we were so comfortable coming from behind? Well I guess if you knew the guys on the team that's not much of a surprise--the coming from behind thing.

Game 1 - Balls Deep

It's that time of year again, time for me to strike out on balls and get thrown out at first. Oh well, I stil enjoy taking the field and trying to play a little softball. I am playing on a men's team in the Coralville Recreation D-League. Our name is Big League Wood and our slogan is "We are STIFF competition."

We had our first game tonight against the Jacobsen boys team, Balls Deep. We jumped on them early racking up 5 runs in the first inning and never looking back. Although, the game got a little closer in the 7th we managed to regroup and pull out the victory. GO TEAM!

My performance was less than stellar. Of 4 batting opportunities, I struck out twice (chasing balls I had no business swinging at) and twice being thrown out by millimeters at first. I still had a lot of fun, so it's all good. On to game two next Wednesday.