Playoffs: First Round
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 -- 3
THEM 4 2 0 6 2 0 x -- 14
Batting Stats for Playoffs: First Round
1st AB: 1B
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: ground out
Pitching Stats for Playoffs: First Round
6 IP
14 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 16.33 and the loss
We got crushed. Had a promising start in the top of the first, but there wasn't much we could do. Perhaps we should have taken batting practice instead of spending the entire pregame time cutting off our sleeves and applying temporary tattoos. Perhaps.
- - -
Last night we had our end of the year party. I won the Male MVP award. In 06 and 07 I won the Cy Young award, and felt like there was nothing I could do to avoid that noble, yet bland distinction again. It meant a lot, probably too much, to be bestowed the MVP award from the captains.
Anyways, the season's over so time to total up my 2009 stats. I don't have individual stats for the mid-season tournament.
2009 Batting Stats
12/21: 10 singles, 2 doubles, 7 runs scored, 2 rbi, 1 sac fly
Average: .572
Slugging: .667
2009 Pitching Stats
41 innings pitched
51 runs
9 K
0 BB
ERA: 8.71
2009 Regular Season
Team Record: 3-6
Games I Was There For: 3-3
Pitching Record: 3-2
2009 (includes mid-season tournament and playoff game)
Team Record: 6-7
Games I Was There For: 6-4
Pitching Record: 6-3
- - -
If you compare my 09 stats with my 07 stats, they are remarkably consistent. My batting average is only 4 thousandths off! And my ERA is practically the same, as well. Pretty amazing, if you ask me.
Batting Stats for the 2007 Season:
21/37: 16 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 12 runs scored, 4 walks, 6 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .568
Slugging: .730
OBP: .610
Pitching Stats for the 2007 Season:
72 innings pitched
91 runs
10 K
3 BB
ERA: 8.85
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label softball. Show all posts
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 9
After holding last week's opponent to 3 runs, I told all my teammates that I'm going for the shutout. This opponent was 0-8 so I figured that was our best chance ever.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 4 4 0 2 0 0 3 -- 13
THEM 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 -- 8
I made a couple of errors in the first inning. I was playing tight, trying to not allow any runs. You should never say that you're going for a shutout. I knew that, and still I tried.
Batting Stats for Game 9
1st AB: 1B, run, rbi
2nd AB: 1B, run
3rd AB: sac fly, rbi
4th AB: 1B, run, slide
Average: 3 for 3, 1.000
Slugging: 1.000
3 runs
2 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game 9:
7 IP
8 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 8.00 and the win
This game was notable for the play I made in the top of the 7th. It was not the greatest play I've ever made, but it was pretty darn good. I had just gotten on base with a single. The batter behind me hit a ground ball through the infield. I easily rounded second and was going to be fine at third. At this point we were up at least 5 runs and hadn't given up any big innings since the first. I felt comfortable knowing we were going to win. And I knew that the girl positioned as the catcher hadn't been making any catches/tags.
So I decided to go home. I got about 5-10 feet away from home plate when I saw the situation unfolding. The pitcher was running to home to cover the plate and the throw was on the way. It looked like I didn't have a window to score. So I was thinking about turning around to go back to 3rd and hit my brakes.
As I'm slowing down, I see the pitcher turning to his left and catching the relay throw as he's running. It's at this point that I see a window, and continue going for home. The pitcher now has the ball, is basically at home plate but still moving, and is turning towards the 3rd base line to tag me.
I kept going towards the pitcher and sort of slide my left foot in between the pitcher's standing legs and lean back to avoid a tag. It was a clean slide and I'm not sure if he ever tagged me at all, but he sure was pissed that the ump called me safe, considering he had the ball and was at home.
Regular Season
Team Record: 3-6
Games I Was There For: 3-3
Pitching Record: 3-2
2009 (includes mid-season tournament)
Team Record: 6-6
Games I Was There For: 6-3
Pitching Record: 6-2
And there you have it, for playoff seeding we're a 3-6 team this year. And yet I showed up to play 9 games and won 6 of them.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 4 4 0 2 0 0 3 -- 13
THEM 3 0 1 0 1 0 3 -- 8
I made a couple of errors in the first inning. I was playing tight, trying to not allow any runs. You should never say that you're going for a shutout. I knew that, and still I tried.
Batting Stats for Game 9
1st AB: 1B, run, rbi
2nd AB: 1B, run
3rd AB: sac fly, rbi
4th AB: 1B, run, slide
Average: 3 for 3, 1.000
Slugging: 1.000
3 runs
2 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game 9:
7 IP
8 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 8.00 and the win
This game was notable for the play I made in the top of the 7th. It was not the greatest play I've ever made, but it was pretty darn good. I had just gotten on base with a single. The batter behind me hit a ground ball through the infield. I easily rounded second and was going to be fine at third. At this point we were up at least 5 runs and hadn't given up any big innings since the first. I felt comfortable knowing we were going to win. And I knew that the girl positioned as the catcher hadn't been making any catches/tags.
So I decided to go home. I got about 5-10 feet away from home plate when I saw the situation unfolding. The pitcher was running to home to cover the plate and the throw was on the way. It looked like I didn't have a window to score. So I was thinking about turning around to go back to 3rd and hit my brakes.
As I'm slowing down, I see the pitcher turning to his left and catching the relay throw as he's running. It's at this point that I see a window, and continue going for home. The pitcher now has the ball, is basically at home plate but still moving, and is turning towards the 3rd base line to tag me.
I kept going towards the pitcher and sort of slide my left foot in between the pitcher's standing legs and lean back to avoid a tag. It was a clean slide and I'm not sure if he ever tagged me at all, but he sure was pissed that the ump called me safe, considering he had the ball and was at home.
Regular Season
Team Record: 3-6
Games I Was There For: 3-3
Pitching Record: 3-2
2009 (includes mid-season tournament)
Team Record: 6-6
Games I Was There For: 6-3
Pitching Record: 6-2
And there you have it, for playoff seeding we're a 3-6 team this year. And yet I showed up to play 9 games and won 6 of them.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 8
I missed Game 3 on the DL, I missed Game 6 on vacation, and Game 7 because I was working late. All three were losses.
Game 8 was a rematch against our opponent that beat us 7-6 in Game 2. This was a team that we really should have beaten. It was also the game when I severely injured my arm. But if you look at that box score I pitched two out of three innings scoreless and felt that I could have easily held on for the win.
On the way to the game, I was thinking that we should aim for a shutout. Inspired by Buerhle's no-hitter, I thought that this team was a good opportunity for a goose egg.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 -- 3
US --- 6 3 3 0 0 0 x -- 12
Batting Stats for Game 8
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: 2B, run
3rd AB: fly out
Average: .666
Slugging: 1.000
2 runs
Pitching Stats for Game 8:
7 IP
3 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 3.00 and the win
Almost got the shut out. The run in the first was partially my fault, as with one out, I fielded the ball and got the out at first, allowing a runner to advance to second. She would come into score.
In the 6th, we turned a double play a rare play worth celebrating. However our first baseman started celebrating with the ball in her hand and only two outs, allowing a runner from third to come in to score while I'm shouting at her to throw the ball home to me. (The same player allowed a run the same way earlier in the season, after she made a great catch in foul territory.)
But our bats came to play. I love it when we score more in the first inning than the other team all game. Either we got complacent or their defense tightened up, but the damage was done. I would have been set to lead off the bottom of the 7th, had we needed to bat that part of the inning.
Regular Season
Team Record: 2-6
Games I Was There For: 2-3
Pitching Record: 2-2
2009 (includes mid-season tournament)
Team Record: 5-6
Games I Was There For: 5-3
Pitching Record: 5-2
Our last game of the regular season is against the team we beat in week 1. So even though our record is technically 2-6 this season, my personal record is 5-3 in games played.
Game 8 was a rematch against our opponent that beat us 7-6 in Game 2. This was a team that we really should have beaten. It was also the game when I severely injured my arm. But if you look at that box score I pitched two out of three innings scoreless and felt that I could have easily held on for the win.
On the way to the game, I was thinking that we should aim for a shutout. Inspired by Buerhle's no-hitter, I thought that this team was a good opportunity for a goose egg.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 -- 3
US --- 6 3 3 0 0 0 x -- 12
Batting Stats for Game 8
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: 2B, run
3rd AB: fly out
Average: .666
Slugging: 1.000
2 runs
Pitching Stats for Game 8:
7 IP
3 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 3.00 and the win
Almost got the shut out. The run in the first was partially my fault, as with one out, I fielded the ball and got the out at first, allowing a runner to advance to second. She would come into score.
In the 6th, we turned a double play a rare play worth celebrating. However our first baseman started celebrating with the ball in her hand and only two outs, allowing a runner from third to come in to score while I'm shouting at her to throw the ball home to me. (The same player allowed a run the same way earlier in the season, after she made a great catch in foul territory.)
But our bats came to play. I love it when we score more in the first inning than the other team all game. Either we got complacent or their defense tightened up, but the damage was done. I would have been set to lead off the bottom of the 7th, had we needed to bat that part of the inning.
Regular Season
Team Record: 2-6
Games I Was There For: 2-3
Pitching Record: 2-2
2009 (includes mid-season tournament)
Team Record: 5-6
Games I Was There For: 5-3
Pitching Record: 5-2
Our last game of the regular season is against the team we beat in week 1. So even though our record is technically 2-6 this season, my personal record is 5-3 in games played.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
2009 CAF Tournament Champions
Chicago Advertising Federation
16" Softball Tournament Champtions
June 20, 2009
Quaterfinals: 14-3 (F/5)
Semifinals: 14-6
Finals: 11-10 (F/8)
16" Softball Tournament Champtions
June 20, 2009
Quaterfinals: 14-3 (F/5)
Semifinals: 14-6
Finals: 11-10 (F/8)
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Softball 2009: Mid-Season Tournament
Our 2009 team came into today's tournament (Chicago Advertising Federation) with a 1-4 record and not much hope for doing much. A quick trip down history lane, in 2006 we shocked the world and won the tournament, a bright spot in an otherwise not so great season. In 2007, we lost the first game but won the next 2 in the consolation bracket to go home a sort-of winner. In both of those tournaments, I was awarded the game ball, which I proudly display on my desk. Last year, I was taking a sabbatical and our team lost their 2 first games and hit the bar early.
So how would we do in 2009?
There were only 8 teams this year, so it's 3 games to lift the trophy.
Game One - Quarterfinals
I wish I would have been keeping track of my stats, because I played pretty well. We were the visiting team and we started off the game by rattling off 5 runs. We did really well on making smart throws and committing errors. I got up probably 3 times, and I think I made it safely all 3, or at least 2 of 3. I know there was one time where I screwed up by getting picked off first on a line drive, as I was running to 2nd and couldn't get back in time after it was caught. But we won handly and even envoked the slaughter rule, ending the game in five innings.
Game One: 14-3 (F/5)
Game Two - Semifinals
So now we made it into the final four, and our reward was a rematch against the team that we just played on Thursday--the team that beat us 14-8. And they hit the ground running. We were the home team, and they scored 5 runs in the top of the first. It looked to be a repeat of Thursday's game. But we responded scoring 5 as well in the bottom of the first. I got moved up to 2nd in the lineup based on my strong hitting in the first game. After the first inning we clamped down on defense. And kept our good bats going. I think we were up 7-5 after three innings, and 11-6 after about five. We held on and didn't need to bat in the bottom of the 7th.
Game Two: 14-6
Game Three - Finals
We had an hour to celebrate the fact that we made the finals. Our team was grilling burgers and dogs in the park and reveling in our success. I brought up how in '07, we won the consolation bracket (going 2-1 that day). We all agreed that it's better to just make the finals in the actual winner's bracket, than winning the loser's bracket.
1st Inning
As the home team we took the field first and promptly gave up 4 runs. They had a bunch of big hitters and I think we might have made an error or two. They also had guys fast enough to beat a throw to 2nd on a ground ball. In the bottom of the first, I got a hit but the leadoff guy in front of me got caught in a pickle. At any rate we didn't score. End 1st: 0-4
2nd Inning
In the semis, we stormed back after giving up a bunch of runs in the top of the first. When we couldn't get our bats going I started to accept that we were outmatched. However, the bottom of their lineup wasn't as strong and we held them scoreless. In the bottom of the second, I think I drove in the first run. But that's all we could manage. End 2nd: 1-4
3rd Inning
Somehow we held them scoreless again and got our bats going. We started our batting by saying "we're only down three" and by the end of the inning we were within one. End 3rd: 3-4
4th Inning
As soon as we got close, they responded with two more of their own. But we held our own, getting two back in the bottom of the inning. End 4th: 5-6
5th Inning
As soon as we got close, they kept pulling ahead. They scored two in the top and we couldn't do anything in our half. End 5th: 5-8.
6th Inning
At this point, our defense needed to tighten up. Down 3 with only two innings to go, we were running out of time. Amazingly, we held them scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, we had an amazing rally. We tied it up for the first time since the game started. We scored three runs, including a home run from a guy who's been struggling. We also got a run awarded when their third baseman boxed out one of runners who was heading to third. Without the interference I think he would have just ended at third, but the ump awarded the run to us. End 6th: 8-8
Top 7th
As the home team, all we had to do was keep them to no runs and then get one on the board. With two outs, one of their big hitters came up. I think there was a guy on first and a girl behind him in the lineup. In this tournament, there is no "intentional walk" penalty for walking a guy with a girl following him. So I decided to make sure not to give him anything to hit. I wasn't going to intentionally walk him, but I would have been fine with a walk as I think we could have gotten the girl out behind him to end the inning. I pitched a spinning ball low and inside and he swung for it and pulled it foul to left field. I did the same thing again and this time he kept it fair, a long fly ball to left. And our guy was there to catch it. Mid 7th: 8-8
Bottom 7th
All we needed was one run to get the championship. To start us off was the bottom of the order and she got out. The leadoff guy in front of me got safely to first. So now I'm up. Tie game, bottom of the 7th, one out, and the winning run is there on first. All I have to do is get a big hit and get him in. Or even if I can hit safely, the girl in the 3-spot still has an out to spare, and our cleanup hitter could knock in the winning run. So what happens? I take a crack and it's a low fly/blooper to right field. When it came off the bat it felt pretty good. But it was short lived. The right fielder came charging in and caught it. And then he threw it to first and got our leadoff hitter before he could get back. Basically, I had a chance to be a hero, and it was the worst possible scenario. Now we're headed to extras, and we're going to be starting with the girl in the 3-spot. At least if we only got one out on my at-bat she could have gotten through the inning. Oh and their whole team got so excited when the inning ended, I thought that they thought that they won. But they were just excited to get to extras. End 7th: 8-8
Top 8th
Free Softball! In the Championship! After holding them on 8 for the last two innings, it was not meant to last. We gave up two runs. I don't even remember how it happenned, probably an error, perhaps they beat a throw or two out. But they put the pressure on us. Mid-8th: 8-10
Bottom 8th
I'm going to take this play-by-play as best I can remember, identifying players by their lineup spot.
We need two, and the girl in the 3-spot starts us off with an out.
The guy in the 4-spot makes it safely to first.
The guy in the 5-spot flies out. The runner stays on first. Down two, two outs, runner on first, girl up to bat.
The girl in the 6-spot hits a grounder to the left side of the infield. And the third baseman THROWS THE BALL OVER FIRST BASE. Runner from first gets to go to 3rd. Batter now on 2nd.
Our captain comes up in the 7-spot with the tying runs in scoring position. Earlier in the game he had a home run and I all I can think about is him getting another dinger. He hits it safely, I belive hard up the middle, and he gets the run in from 3rd, but the girl who was on 2nd has to stop at 3rd. Down one, two outs, runners on the corners and another girl coming up.
It was at this point that I was sure we were out of magic. I thought that we had our chances, specifically I had my chance in the bottom of the 7th, and this was the end of our run, with a girl coming up in the 8-spot. And I don't even remember where she hit it, but she hit it and got on base, driving in the tying run. I couldn't believe it. So now the game is tied, still two outs and we've got runners on first and second.
A guy is up in the 9-spot and hits a ground ball to short. Our captain has no choice but to run to third. At about 5 feet away from the bag he goes to apply the tag, our captain jumps to his left and sort of slides around to third base. From my vantage point I didn't think there was any way that he could avoid the tag. The ump comes in calling him safe at third. The shortstop starts yelling about he was out of the baseline. Which I suppose you could have called, but not at this point in the game.
So here we are: tie game, bottom of the 8th, bases loaded, two outs. And we got a guy coming up in the 10-spot. He's been known to have some deep hits, but also known for popping up or flying out. Doesn't hit a lot of grounders. It's all on his shoulders. And he hits it--deep and high to centerfield. Two outfielders are running towards it. All that son of a bitch ball has to do is land and we win the championship game on a walkoff hit in extra innings. After what seems like 30 seconds, wouldn't you know, the ball lands in the grass a couple feet between the two outfielders. Our captain stamps his feet on home plate as the winning run, and for the first time in the entire game, we had the lead.
Game Three: 11-10 (F/8)
When that ball landed in the outfield, me and everyone else on the bench stormed the field and started screaming and jumping up and down. I was so happy for the guy who just had the winning hit as it would have been so easy for him to pop up or fly out. I made sure to collect the game ball right away from one of the opposing players, and confer with the captain while we're screaming that we should give it to the guy with the clutch hit. We did and he immediately threw it into the air and it almost landed on our opponents. Oops. He got it back.
So there you have it. With two outs and down two runs, we had five batters get on base safely, including that costly error when it was still 8-10.
And now even though our team is 1-4 in the regular season and generally don't have great odds for winning on any given day...since I've joined the team in 2006, we've won this tournament 2 out of 4 years. More than any other team.
When we won in '06 we were up by 8 runs or so in the last inning. This was a walkoff 3-run rally. I think this is the best championship moment of my athletic career.
So how would we do in 2009?
There were only 8 teams this year, so it's 3 games to lift the trophy.
Game One - Quarterfinals
I wish I would have been keeping track of my stats, because I played pretty well. We were the visiting team and we started off the game by rattling off 5 runs. We did really well on making smart throws and committing errors. I got up probably 3 times, and I think I made it safely all 3, or at least 2 of 3. I know there was one time where I screwed up by getting picked off first on a line drive, as I was running to 2nd and couldn't get back in time after it was caught. But we won handly and even envoked the slaughter rule, ending the game in five innings.
Game One: 14-3 (F/5)
Game Two - Semifinals
So now we made it into the final four, and our reward was a rematch against the team that we just played on Thursday--the team that beat us 14-8. And they hit the ground running. We were the home team, and they scored 5 runs in the top of the first. It looked to be a repeat of Thursday's game. But we responded scoring 5 as well in the bottom of the first. I got moved up to 2nd in the lineup based on my strong hitting in the first game. After the first inning we clamped down on defense. And kept our good bats going. I think we were up 7-5 after three innings, and 11-6 after about five. We held on and didn't need to bat in the bottom of the 7th.
Game Two: 14-6
Game Three - Finals
We had an hour to celebrate the fact that we made the finals. Our team was grilling burgers and dogs in the park and reveling in our success. I brought up how in '07, we won the consolation bracket (going 2-1 that day). We all agreed that it's better to just make the finals in the actual winner's bracket, than winning the loser's bracket.
1st Inning
As the home team we took the field first and promptly gave up 4 runs. They had a bunch of big hitters and I think we might have made an error or two. They also had guys fast enough to beat a throw to 2nd on a ground ball. In the bottom of the first, I got a hit but the leadoff guy in front of me got caught in a pickle. At any rate we didn't score. End 1st: 0-4
2nd Inning
In the semis, we stormed back after giving up a bunch of runs in the top of the first. When we couldn't get our bats going I started to accept that we were outmatched. However, the bottom of their lineup wasn't as strong and we held them scoreless. In the bottom of the second, I think I drove in the first run. But that's all we could manage. End 2nd: 1-4
3rd Inning
Somehow we held them scoreless again and got our bats going. We started our batting by saying "we're only down three" and by the end of the inning we were within one. End 3rd: 3-4
4th Inning
As soon as we got close, they responded with two more of their own. But we held our own, getting two back in the bottom of the inning. End 4th: 5-6
5th Inning
As soon as we got close, they kept pulling ahead. They scored two in the top and we couldn't do anything in our half. End 5th: 5-8.
6th Inning
At this point, our defense needed to tighten up. Down 3 with only two innings to go, we were running out of time. Amazingly, we held them scoreless. In the bottom of the sixth, we had an amazing rally. We tied it up for the first time since the game started. We scored three runs, including a home run from a guy who's been struggling. We also got a run awarded when their third baseman boxed out one of runners who was heading to third. Without the interference I think he would have just ended at third, but the ump awarded the run to us. End 6th: 8-8
Top 7th
As the home team, all we had to do was keep them to no runs and then get one on the board. With two outs, one of their big hitters came up. I think there was a guy on first and a girl behind him in the lineup. In this tournament, there is no "intentional walk" penalty for walking a guy with a girl following him. So I decided to make sure not to give him anything to hit. I wasn't going to intentionally walk him, but I would have been fine with a walk as I think we could have gotten the girl out behind him to end the inning. I pitched a spinning ball low and inside and he swung for it and pulled it foul to left field. I did the same thing again and this time he kept it fair, a long fly ball to left. And our guy was there to catch it. Mid 7th: 8-8
Bottom 7th
All we needed was one run to get the championship. To start us off was the bottom of the order and she got out. The leadoff guy in front of me got safely to first. So now I'm up. Tie game, bottom of the 7th, one out, and the winning run is there on first. All I have to do is get a big hit and get him in. Or even if I can hit safely, the girl in the 3-spot still has an out to spare, and our cleanup hitter could knock in the winning run. So what happens? I take a crack and it's a low fly/blooper to right field. When it came off the bat it felt pretty good. But it was short lived. The right fielder came charging in and caught it. And then he threw it to first and got our leadoff hitter before he could get back. Basically, I had a chance to be a hero, and it was the worst possible scenario. Now we're headed to extras, and we're going to be starting with the girl in the 3-spot. At least if we only got one out on my at-bat she could have gotten through the inning. Oh and their whole team got so excited when the inning ended, I thought that they thought that they won. But they were just excited to get to extras. End 7th: 8-8
Top 8th
Free Softball! In the Championship! After holding them on 8 for the last two innings, it was not meant to last. We gave up two runs. I don't even remember how it happenned, probably an error, perhaps they beat a throw or two out. But they put the pressure on us. Mid-8th: 8-10
Bottom 8th
I'm going to take this play-by-play as best I can remember, identifying players by their lineup spot.
We need two, and the girl in the 3-spot starts us off with an out.
The guy in the 4-spot makes it safely to first.
The guy in the 5-spot flies out. The runner stays on first. Down two, two outs, runner on first, girl up to bat.
The girl in the 6-spot hits a grounder to the left side of the infield. And the third baseman THROWS THE BALL OVER FIRST BASE. Runner from first gets to go to 3rd. Batter now on 2nd.
Our captain comes up in the 7-spot with the tying runs in scoring position. Earlier in the game he had a home run and I all I can think about is him getting another dinger. He hits it safely, I belive hard up the middle, and he gets the run in from 3rd, but the girl who was on 2nd has to stop at 3rd. Down one, two outs, runners on the corners and another girl coming up.
It was at this point that I was sure we were out of magic. I thought that we had our chances, specifically I had my chance in the bottom of the 7th, and this was the end of our run, with a girl coming up in the 8-spot. And I don't even remember where she hit it, but she hit it and got on base, driving in the tying run. I couldn't believe it. So now the game is tied, still two outs and we've got runners on first and second.
A guy is up in the 9-spot and hits a ground ball to short. Our captain has no choice but to run to third. At about 5 feet away from the bag he goes to apply the tag, our captain jumps to his left and sort of slides around to third base. From my vantage point I didn't think there was any way that he could avoid the tag. The ump comes in calling him safe at third. The shortstop starts yelling about he was out of the baseline. Which I suppose you could have called, but not at this point in the game.
So here we are: tie game, bottom of the 8th, bases loaded, two outs. And we got a guy coming up in the 10-spot. He's been known to have some deep hits, but also known for popping up or flying out. Doesn't hit a lot of grounders. It's all on his shoulders. And he hits it--deep and high to centerfield. Two outfielders are running towards it. All that son of a bitch ball has to do is land and we win the championship game on a walkoff hit in extra innings. After what seems like 30 seconds, wouldn't you know, the ball lands in the grass a couple feet between the two outfielders. Our captain stamps his feet on home plate as the winning run, and for the first time in the entire game, we had the lead.
Game Three: 11-10 (F/8)
When that ball landed in the outfield, me and everyone else on the bench stormed the field and started screaming and jumping up and down. I was so happy for the guy who just had the winning hit as it would have been so easy for him to pop up or fly out. I made sure to collect the game ball right away from one of the opposing players, and confer with the captain while we're screaming that we should give it to the guy with the clutch hit. We did and he immediately threw it into the air and it almost landed on our opponents. Oops. He got it back.
So there you have it. With two outs and down two runs, we had five batters get on base safely, including that costly error when it was still 8-10.
And now even though our team is 1-4 in the regular season and generally don't have great odds for winning on any given day...since I've joined the team in 2006, we've won this tournament 2 out of 4 years. More than any other team.
When we won in '06 we were up by 8 runs or so in the last inning. This was a walkoff 3-run rally. I think this is the best championship moment of my athletic career.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 5
Our game last week got rained out, so this is game 5 in week 6. Walking to this game I was worried we were going to get blown out 15-2.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 2 1 1 6 0 4 0 -- 14
US --- 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 -- 8
We actually had the lead through three innings. But we couldn't hold defensively and there you go. Here's an example of errors we made: With a runner on first, our shortstop makes a nice catch on a line drive and tries to get the runner out going back to first. In his haste he throws the ball over the first baseman's head and the runner advances to third.
This one's even worse: with a runner on second, our third baseman picks up a groundball. The batter is a girl and he's got tons of time to make the throw to first. He fakes the throw to first, in the hopes of getting the guy on second to take off and tag him. That runner doesn't move, so now he's wasted a couple seconds and he chucks the ball to first way over the first baseman's head. Instead of getting an out and allowing the runner to advance to third, we got no outs, one run scored, and the batter is now on second. When you have guys that are solid hitters, you're counting on that girl every 3 batters for an out. Then your error turns that into an rbi double. That's how you give up 6 in an inning.
My first at bat had a line drive out of reach for their 2B. It went off her glove and I got my first double of the year. The next time up, she shaded to my right, and was in position to make the catch. For my last at bat, I put it up the middle. I thought it was going to land in this giant puddle so I rounded first to get credit for a double if the ump called it out of play. My first base coach was telling me to take second, as well. And then, they got it in quickly and I was easily out on the slide at second.
Batting Stats for Game Five:
1st AB: 2B, run
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 1B
Average: .666
Slugging: 1.000
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
1 run
Pitching Stats for Game Four:
7 IP
14 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 14.00 and the loss
Pitching Record: 1-2
2009 Team Record: 1-4
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 2 1 1 6 0 4 0 -- 14
US --- 1 4 0 0 0 3 0 -- 8
We actually had the lead through three innings. But we couldn't hold defensively and there you go. Here's an example of errors we made: With a runner on first, our shortstop makes a nice catch on a line drive and tries to get the runner out going back to first. In his haste he throws the ball over the first baseman's head and the runner advances to third.
This one's even worse: with a runner on second, our third baseman picks up a groundball. The batter is a girl and he's got tons of time to make the throw to first. He fakes the throw to first, in the hopes of getting the guy on second to take off and tag him. That runner doesn't move, so now he's wasted a couple seconds and he chucks the ball to first way over the first baseman's head. Instead of getting an out and allowing the runner to advance to third, we got no outs, one run scored, and the batter is now on second. When you have guys that are solid hitters, you're counting on that girl every 3 batters for an out. Then your error turns that into an rbi double. That's how you give up 6 in an inning.
My first at bat had a line drive out of reach for their 2B. It went off her glove and I got my first double of the year. The next time up, she shaded to my right, and was in position to make the catch. For my last at bat, I put it up the middle. I thought it was going to land in this giant puddle so I rounded first to get credit for a double if the ump called it out of play. My first base coach was telling me to take second, as well. And then, they got it in quickly and I was easily out on the slide at second.
Batting Stats for Game Five:
1st AB: 2B, run
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 1B
Average: .666
Slugging: 1.000
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
1 run
Pitching Stats for Game Four:
7 IP
14 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 14.00 and the loss
Pitching Record: 1-2
2009 Team Record: 1-4
Friday, June 05, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 4
I was on the DL for Game 3. Our team lost 4-6 to a beatable team. This week started a 4-week stretch against the best teams in the division. We close with a rematch against games 1 and 2, which should be winnable games.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 -- 1
THEM 1 0 3 0 2 0 x -- 6
Batting Stats for Game Four:
1st AB: ground out
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 1B, line drive
Average: .333
Slugging: .333
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game Four:
6 IP
6 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and the loss
I pitched the whole game. And didn't really use my left hand except when batting. So what happened? Defensively, I pitched great and we didn't play too bad in the field. Some good catches. We turned a 1-4-3 double play. The run in the first inning scored because a 3rd baseman threw the ball 5 feet over our 1st baseman on a routine grounder. They scored in the 3rd on a deep line drive stand-up triple. But really they had a lot of good bats, and you can tell by the line score, when the top of their order came around they were going to get some good hits. But holding a good-hitting team to 6 runs is a good case scenario.
As for our offense...we don't have many good hitters. Myself included.
Here's the story on just about every team: every guy is capable of hitting an extra-base hit. And the girls are likely to get out. Often teams have one girl that you can count on to get on base. The really good teams have girls that can hit as well.
Our problem is that our guys aren't guaranteed hits. Whether it's a pop-up or a weak grounder, we just don't have a lot of power. I think in Game 1 we scored 13 because they had a lot of defensive errors.
I tried to draw walks so I wouldn't have to swing with my sore tendons in my left arm. But the pitcher never threw more than 1 ball before getting a called strike. So the first time I hit a weak grounder to the 2nd baseman and it was an easy out. The next time I swung at a high pitch and thought it might clear the 2nd baseman but she was able to catch it. My last at bat could of ended the game. Top 7th, two outs. Just like game 2. Except this time we were down 5. But still, I didn't want to end the game. So I choked up and hit it out of the infield. It went up the middle and landed between the centerfielder and the 2nd baseman. It was a nice hit.
Oh and we almost got shut out. The run we got was batted in by a girl on a grounder to short that could be considered an error. So there you go.
The next three games should be losses, and we should be able to win the last two if our good people show up. Last year, in my absence our team was 2-7. Hopefully we could get to at least 3 wins this year.
Pitching Record: 1-1
2009 Team Record: 1-3
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 -- 1
THEM 1 0 3 0 2 0 x -- 6
Batting Stats for Game Four:
1st AB: ground out
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 1B, line drive
Average: .333
Slugging: .333
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game Four:
6 IP
6 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and the loss
I pitched the whole game. And didn't really use my left hand except when batting. So what happened? Defensively, I pitched great and we didn't play too bad in the field. Some good catches. We turned a 1-4-3 double play. The run in the first inning scored because a 3rd baseman threw the ball 5 feet over our 1st baseman on a routine grounder. They scored in the 3rd on a deep line drive stand-up triple. But really they had a lot of good bats, and you can tell by the line score, when the top of their order came around they were going to get some good hits. But holding a good-hitting team to 6 runs is a good case scenario.
As for our offense...we don't have many good hitters. Myself included.
Here's the story on just about every team: every guy is capable of hitting an extra-base hit. And the girls are likely to get out. Often teams have one girl that you can count on to get on base. The really good teams have girls that can hit as well.
Our problem is that our guys aren't guaranteed hits. Whether it's a pop-up or a weak grounder, we just don't have a lot of power. I think in Game 1 we scored 13 because they had a lot of defensive errors.
I tried to draw walks so I wouldn't have to swing with my sore tendons in my left arm. But the pitcher never threw more than 1 ball before getting a called strike. So the first time I hit a weak grounder to the 2nd baseman and it was an easy out. The next time I swung at a high pitch and thought it might clear the 2nd baseman but she was able to catch it. My last at bat could of ended the game. Top 7th, two outs. Just like game 2. Except this time we were down 5. But still, I didn't want to end the game. So I choked up and hit it out of the infield. It went up the middle and landed between the centerfielder and the 2nd baseman. It was a nice hit.
Oh and we almost got shut out. The run we got was batted in by a girl on a grounder to short that could be considered an error. So there you go.
The next three games should be losses, and we should be able to win the last two if our good people show up. Last year, in my absence our team was 2-7. Hopefully we could get to at least 3 wins this year.
Pitching Record: 1-1
2009 Team Record: 1-3
Friday, May 22, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 2
This game I was scheduled to pitch the first half and then move to 3B for the second half. The captain clearly tried to get me out of last week's slump by moving me up in the lineup to the leadoff spot. (I was active all innings, pitching stats in red)
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 -- 6
THEM 3 0 0 1 1 2 x -- 7
Batting Stats for Game Two:
1st AB: 1B (out at 3rd)
2nd AB: 1B (scored run from second)
3rd AB: fly out to right
4th AB: 1B (stranded)
Average: .750
Slugging: .750
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
1 run
Pitching Stats for Game Two:
3 IP
3 runs
2 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and no decision
Last week I threw out the first pitch of the game. This week I was the first batter of the game. I hit a grounder in between first and second and was safely on first. The next batter hit the ball safely out of the infield and I rounded 2nd and headed for 3rd. I'm fairly fast (over short distances) and the ball was in the outfield and I didn't think there would even be a play at third. But they made a good throw and I don't remember what happened next. I didn't want to slide but I guess I did because I scraped up my leg and got a bloody knee. I made contact with the third basemen, overran the base and tried to get back, thought that I might have been safe but got called out. Not sure if I was out initially or because I overran the base. And then I immediately got up and starting holding my left arm. (A day later I think I've figured out the injury is in tendons in my left forearm).
We scored three runs in the top of the first anyway and I felt confident about our chances. I had to go pitch and did pretty well considering the injury. I don't remember much about the bottom of the first but they scored three. In the bottom second (we started with a 1-1 count) I dug myself into a 3-1 hole. Then I throw a strike that landed on the plate and with a full count threw a nice one that got the batter looking. Not many times will you get a batter to strike out without swinging. That was a 1-2-3 inning as I also caught a pop-up.
I was the first batter in the top of the 3rd and I could barely lift the bat. (A few hours later I couldn't lift my left arm into my robe sleeve.) But I hit a line drive to right for a single. I then advanced to second, and scored from there.
In the bottom of the fourth, our relief pitcher came in. I don't want to say that's she's terrible. But she did walk at least three batters on the night, including a guy with a girl behind him in the lineup which is treated as an intentional walk, so the batter goes to second and the girl goes to first. That is the cardinal sin of pitching as girl batters are sacred (read: easy outs).
In three innings at third base I fielded 4 balls:
1st: a weak ball between me and the pitcher. I called off the pitcher and made the running throw to get the batter out.
2nd: with the bases loaded, I stabbed a sharp grounder and tagged third.
3rd: an even weaker ball was hit just in front of the batters box--I tried to charge it and make the play but couldn't get the throw on the mark in time. but I wouldn't call it an error as I didn't throw it away
4th: my defensive play of the day. bottom of the 6th, we're already losing 6-7, the bases are loaded and there's only 1 out. a sharp chopper to my left. I grab it, tag the runner going from 2nd to 3rd and then spin around and throw it to second for a double play that ends the inning and doesn't score the runner from third.
Another note on the pitcher: she made a double play by catching a line drive and throwing it to catch the runner at first. So she pitched three innings, gave up at least 3 walks, and got two double plays, which are basically unheard of.
In the top 5th, I was up to bat with two outs and crushed a ball to right even though I couldn't lift the bat. Unfortunately, it was caught by the right fielder. Sometimes it's better to just hit a grounder throw the infield.
In the top of the 7th, I came up to bat in the ideal pressure situation. Down one, two outs, last chance to score. I hit a grounder up the middle, right past the pitcher and made it to first. So now I'm on first and we have a good guy hitter up after me. On deck is a girl who's not bad, but who you wouldn't want to rely on to win the game. So I'm thinking with two outs I have to try and score from first. The batter fouls one off to get to a 2-2 count. On the swing I'm taking off and running hard to second, ready to go to three. He hits a nice line/fly to centerfield. If it drops I'm running for home and ready to slide if need be. But the outfielder catches it and that's the ballgame. We lose 6-7 to a team that we really should have beat. Especially because our schedule is about to get a lot tougher and wins will be at a premium.
I'll calculate season stats when there's more numbers to crunch.
2009 Team Record: 1-1
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
US --- 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 -- 6
THEM 3 0 0 1 1 2 x -- 7
Batting Stats for Game Two:
1st AB: 1B (out at 3rd)
2nd AB: 1B (scored run from second)
3rd AB: fly out to right
4th AB: 1B (stranded)
Average: .750
Slugging: .750
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
1 run
Pitching Stats for Game Two:
3 IP
3 runs
2 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and no decision
Last week I threw out the first pitch of the game. This week I was the first batter of the game. I hit a grounder in between first and second and was safely on first. The next batter hit the ball safely out of the infield and I rounded 2nd and headed for 3rd. I'm fairly fast (over short distances) and the ball was in the outfield and I didn't think there would even be a play at third. But they made a good throw and I don't remember what happened next. I didn't want to slide but I guess I did because I scraped up my leg and got a bloody knee. I made contact with the third basemen, overran the base and tried to get back, thought that I might have been safe but got called out. Not sure if I was out initially or because I overran the base. And then I immediately got up and starting holding my left arm. (A day later I think I've figured out the injury is in tendons in my left forearm).
We scored three runs in the top of the first anyway and I felt confident about our chances. I had to go pitch and did pretty well considering the injury. I don't remember much about the bottom of the first but they scored three. In the bottom second (we started with a 1-1 count) I dug myself into a 3-1 hole. Then I throw a strike that landed on the plate and with a full count threw a nice one that got the batter looking. Not many times will you get a batter to strike out without swinging. That was a 1-2-3 inning as I also caught a pop-up.
I was the first batter in the top of the 3rd and I could barely lift the bat. (A few hours later I couldn't lift my left arm into my robe sleeve.) But I hit a line drive to right for a single. I then advanced to second, and scored from there.
In the bottom of the fourth, our relief pitcher came in. I don't want to say that's she's terrible. But she did walk at least three batters on the night, including a guy with a girl behind him in the lineup which is treated as an intentional walk, so the batter goes to second and the girl goes to first. That is the cardinal sin of pitching as girl batters are sacred (read: easy outs).
In three innings at third base I fielded 4 balls:
1st: a weak ball between me and the pitcher. I called off the pitcher and made the running throw to get the batter out.
2nd: with the bases loaded, I stabbed a sharp grounder and tagged third.
3rd: an even weaker ball was hit just in front of the batters box--I tried to charge it and make the play but couldn't get the throw on the mark in time. but I wouldn't call it an error as I didn't throw it away
4th: my defensive play of the day. bottom of the 6th, we're already losing 6-7, the bases are loaded and there's only 1 out. a sharp chopper to my left. I grab it, tag the runner going from 2nd to 3rd and then spin around and throw it to second for a double play that ends the inning and doesn't score the runner from third.
Another note on the pitcher: she made a double play by catching a line drive and throwing it to catch the runner at first. So she pitched three innings, gave up at least 3 walks, and got two double plays, which are basically unheard of.
In the top 5th, I was up to bat with two outs and crushed a ball to right even though I couldn't lift the bat. Unfortunately, it was caught by the right fielder. Sometimes it's better to just hit a grounder throw the infield.
In the top of the 7th, I came up to bat in the ideal pressure situation. Down one, two outs, last chance to score. I hit a grounder up the middle, right past the pitcher and made it to first. So now I'm on first and we have a good guy hitter up after me. On deck is a girl who's not bad, but who you wouldn't want to rely on to win the game. So I'm thinking with two outs I have to try and score from first. The batter fouls one off to get to a 2-2 count. On the swing I'm taking off and running hard to second, ready to go to three. He hits a nice line/fly to centerfield. If it drops I'm running for home and ready to slide if need be. But the outfielder catches it and that's the ballgame. We lose 6-7 to a team that we really should have beat. Especially because our schedule is about to get a lot tougher and wins will be at a premium.
I'll calculate season stats when there's more numbers to crunch.
2009 Team Record: 1-1
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Softball 2009: Game 1
Opening day in Lincoln Park. A beautiful day in the shadow of the Chicago skyline. And as the home team's starting pitcher, I threw out the first pitch of the 2009 season. Since it's the first game, we had a huge roster and everyone got to play half a game. My active innings are in bold.
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 1 0 2 0 2 2 0 --7
US --- 2 1 4 0 4 2 x -- 13
Batting Stats for Game One
1st AB: fielder's choice
2nd AB: ground out
Average: .000
Slugging: .000
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game One:
4 IP
3 runs
3 K
0 BB
ERA: 5.25 and the win
Our relief pitcher had an ERA of 9.34. So somewhere in there is my VORP.
I know for a fact that the first run scored because of an errant throw to first, so technically that shouldn't count againt my ERA, but that's too complicated. I was really good at placing my pitches, I fielded a bunch of sharp grounders back to the mound, and I covered all over the infield on incoming throws. Two of my strikeouts were against guys, which is almost unheard of.
As for my batting, the first one was a weak grounder to short and I think that I could have beaten the throw to first, but there was a runner on first that was dead to rights at second for a fielder's choice.
The next at-bat I hit a nice deep hit to right, but it veered foul. On the next pitch I hit a solid grounder in the hole between the 2B and the 1B. I sprinted to first and stretched my foot out to the base and somehow got called out. I wasn't watching the ball, but I assume the 2B made a nice play to her left and threw me out, but I didn't think anyone was going to get to it. That was frustrating as there were runners on base and it would have been a rbi single and keep the 3rd inning alive.
I was glad that at least I was able to contribute as a pitcher since my hitting was weak. Although the relief pitcher only allowed 4 runs it was a little dicey. The first 6 pitches she threw were balls and I was afraid she was going to walk a lot of batters. But the other team bailed her out by hitting on 2-0 counts on outside pitches. I was excited to get the win, as this was one that we should have won. We'll face a lot of tougher teams so it's good to get wins when you can.
2009 Team Record: 1-0
------- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 -- F
THEM 1 0 2 0 2 2 0 --7
US --- 2 1 4 0 4 2 x -- 13
Batting Stats for Game One
1st AB: fielder's choice
2nd AB: ground out
Average: .000
Slugging: .000
0 walks
0 strike outs
0 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game One:
4 IP
3 runs
3 K
0 BB
ERA: 5.25 and the win
Our relief pitcher had an ERA of 9.34. So somewhere in there is my VORP.
I know for a fact that the first run scored because of an errant throw to first, so technically that shouldn't count againt my ERA, but that's too complicated. I was really good at placing my pitches, I fielded a bunch of sharp grounders back to the mound, and I covered all over the infield on incoming throws. Two of my strikeouts were against guys, which is almost unheard of.
As for my batting, the first one was a weak grounder to short and I think that I could have beaten the throw to first, but there was a runner on first that was dead to rights at second for a fielder's choice.
The next at-bat I hit a nice deep hit to right, but it veered foul. On the next pitch I hit a solid grounder in the hole between the 2B and the 1B. I sprinted to first and stretched my foot out to the base and somehow got called out. I wasn't watching the ball, but I assume the 2B made a nice play to her left and threw me out, but I didn't think anyone was going to get to it. That was frustrating as there were runners on base and it would have been a rbi single and keep the 3rd inning alive.
I was glad that at least I was able to contribute as a pitcher since my hitting was weak. Although the relief pitcher only allowed 4 runs it was a little dicey. The first 6 pitches she threw were balls and I was afraid she was going to walk a lot of batters. But the other team bailed her out by hitting on 2-0 counts on outside pitches. I was excited to get the win, as this was one that we should have won. We'll face a lot of tougher teams so it's good to get wins when you can.
2009 Team Record: 1-0
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Softball Playoffs / 2007 Wrap
After shocking the world in the first round of the playoffs, our team advanced to the Saturday portion of the playoffs for the first time in team history. The bracket consisted of 11 teams, and we were the 10th seed. (I'm not sure what team could have advanced with a worse record...but oh well.)
So the top 5 teams had a bye into the elite eight, leaving the first round matches as:
6 vs 11
7 vs 10
8 vs 9
Could we pull off another upset? We were the visitors. I was again in the leadoff spot and pitching the whole game...
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game Two:
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: out
3rd AB: 1B
Average: 0.667
Slugging: 0.667
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game Two:
7 IP
1 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 1.00 and the win
The only run I gave up was a home run - a monster shot to right field. Although in the bottom of the 7th, there were runners on first and second and two outs. Luckily, our defense came through and held on for the win.
The Good News: We were now in the Elite Eight.
The Bad News: We were lined up against the #2 seed.
We actually did have the lead after the first inning, 5-2. In fact, the top five batters in our lineup scored before we had any outs. Although by the end of the 5th, they were asking if we wanted to give up when it was 15-5. But we stuck it out, and finished 18-6.
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game Three:
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: 1B
3rd AB: out
4th AB: out
Average: 0.500
Slugging: 0.500
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game Three:
7 IP
18 runs
0 K
1 BB
ERA: 18.00 and the loss
So the playoffs end with us, losing in the elite eight. But beating the two-time defending champ in a come behind victory was by far the highlight of the season. It was a good year.
Here's the season wrap-up:
Team Regular Season: 3-6 (6th out of 8 in division)
Team Mid-Season Tourney: 2-1 (Won Consolation Bracket)
Team Playoffs: 2-1 (Elite Eight Finish)
Team 2007: 7-8
Pitching Record in 2007: 7-5 (I was responsible for all 7 wins, and the three games I didn't pitch we lost)
Batting Stats for the Season:
21/37: 16 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 12 runs scored, 4 walks, 6 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .568
Slugging: .730
OBP: .610
Pitching Stats for the Season:
72 innings pitched
91 runs
10 K
3 BB
ERA: 8.85
So the top 5 teams had a bye into the elite eight, leaving the first round matches as:
6 vs 11
7 vs 10
8 vs 9
Could we pull off another upset? We were the visitors. I was again in the leadoff spot and pitching the whole game...
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game Two:
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: out
3rd AB: 1B
Average: 0.667
Slugging: 0.667
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game Two:
7 IP
1 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 1.00 and the win
The only run I gave up was a home run - a monster shot to right field. Although in the bottom of the 7th, there were runners on first and second and two outs. Luckily, our defense came through and held on for the win.
The Good News: We were now in the Elite Eight.
The Bad News: We were lined up against the #2 seed.
We actually did have the lead after the first inning, 5-2. In fact, the top five batters in our lineup scored before we had any outs. Although by the end of the 5th, they were asking if we wanted to give up when it was 15-5. But we stuck it out, and finished 18-6.
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game Three:
1st AB: 1B, run
2nd AB: 1B
3rd AB: out
4th AB: out
Average: 0.500
Slugging: 0.500
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game Three:
7 IP
18 runs
0 K
1 BB
ERA: 18.00 and the loss
So the playoffs end with us, losing in the elite eight. But beating the two-time defending champ in a come behind victory was by far the highlight of the season. It was a good year.
Here's the season wrap-up:
Team Regular Season: 3-6 (6th out of 8 in division)
Team Mid-Season Tourney: 2-1 (Won Consolation Bracket)
Team Playoffs: 2-1 (Elite Eight Finish)
Team 2007: 7-8
Pitching Record in 2007: 7-5 (I was responsible for all 7 wins, and the three games I didn't pitch we lost)
Batting Stats for the Season:
21/37: 16 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 12 runs scored, 4 walks, 6 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .568
Slugging: .730
OBP: .610
Pitching Stats for the Season:
72 innings pitched
91 runs
10 K
3 BB
ERA: 8.85
Friday, August 31, 2007
Softball 2007: Playoffs Round One
We knew going into the game that everything was against us...
Watch this to see what happened:
That's right...we took down the two-time Defending Champions. No 3-peat on our watch.
We were losing from the 1st inning until the top of the 6th, and we needed those insurance runs in the top of the 7th, too.
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game One:
1st AB: 1B
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 2B, run
4th AB: 3B, rbi, run
5th AB: 1B, rbi
Average: 0.800
Slugging: 1.400
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game One:
7 IP
10 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 10.00 and the win
In the top of the 6th, with two outs and us trailing by one, I stepped to the plate with a runner on first. And I cracked a line drive down the first base line and didn't stop running until I got to third. I drove in the tying run, and on the next play, crossed home plate giving us the lead.
It was my first triple on the season (I did have one home run and at least one triple last year)
It was a great game. It's the only time I can think of where we were trailing most of the way and came back. And it was still tense in the last inning, but we pulled it off.
I pitched great. I mean, they had some big hits off me, but I was painting the corners, and as the game went on, was really trying to not give them anything to hit. The last time we played, when I wasn't pitching, we gave up 25 runs.
Batting Stats on the Season:
17/30: 12 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 10 runs scored, 4 walks, 6 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .566
Slugging: .766
OBP: .618
Pitching Stats on the Season:
58 innings pitched
72 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.69
Record: 6-4
Watch this to see what happened:
That's right...we took down the two-time Defending Champions. No 3-peat on our watch.
We were losing from the 1st inning until the top of the 6th, and we needed those insurance runs in the top of the 7th, too.
Batting Stats for Playoffs-Game One:
1st AB: 1B
2nd AB: line out
3rd AB: 2B, run
4th AB: 3B, rbi, run
5th AB: 1B, rbi
Average: 0.800
Slugging: 1.400
Pitching Stats for Playoffs-Game One:
7 IP
10 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 10.00 and the win
In the top of the 6th, with two outs and us trailing by one, I stepped to the plate with a runner on first. And I cracked a line drive down the first base line and didn't stop running until I got to third. I drove in the tying run, and on the next play, crossed home plate giving us the lead.
It was my first triple on the season (I did have one home run and at least one triple last year)
It was a great game. It's the only time I can think of where we were trailing most of the way and came back. And it was still tense in the last inning, but we pulled it off.
I pitched great. I mean, they had some big hits off me, but I was painting the corners, and as the game went on, was really trying to not give them anything to hit. The last time we played, when I wasn't pitching, we gave up 25 runs.
Batting Stats on the Season:
17/30: 12 singles, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 10 runs scored, 4 walks, 6 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .566
Slugging: .766
OBP: .618
Pitching Stats on the Season:
58 innings pitched
72 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.69
Record: 6-4
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Softball 2007: Regular Season Wrap/Playoff Preview
I was on vacation for Game 8, and had to work late missing Game 9. Our team lost both, dropping our regular season record to 3-6.
Here are my regular season stats, including the mid-season tournament:
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/25: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .520
Slugging: .640
OBP: .586
Pitching Stats on the Season:
51 innings pitched
62 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.51
Record: 5-4
I think we ended up finishing 6th, so tonight the playoffs begin, facing off against the 3-seed, the two-time defending champs. They beat us in Game 2, and whooped us in Game 8, but I didn't get to play in much of our first meeting and I missed the second.
I'm penciled in to be the full-time pitcher and the lead off hitter. I think that we could go out there and play a great game and surprise them.
Here are my regular season stats, including the mid-season tournament:
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/25: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .520
Slugging: .640
OBP: .586
Pitching Stats on the Season:
51 innings pitched
62 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.51
Record: 5-4
I think we ended up finishing 6th, so tonight the playoffs begin, facing off against the 3-seed, the two-time defending champs. They beat us in Game 2, and whooped us in Game 8, but I didn't get to play in much of our first meeting and I missed the second.
I'm penciled in to be the full-time pitcher and the lead off hitter. I think that we could go out there and play a great game and surprise them.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Softball 2007: Game Seven
I pitched the first half, and was the leadoff hitter. My active innings are in black.
Batting Stats for Game Seven:
1st AB: ground out
2nd AB: ground out
Average: 0.000
Slugging: 0.000
Pitching Stats for Game Seven:
4 IP
4 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and the loss
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/25: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .520
Slugging: .640
OBP: .586
Pitching Stats on the Season:
51 innings pitched
62 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.51
Record: 5-4
I played fine in the field, but no one on our team could get any hits going. We had a few errors in the field, and the other team didn't have any--this is par for the course. It looks as though we'll get 5th place (out of 8) and tonight's opponent will likely finish in 4th. Meaning we'll play them in the first round of the playoffs, and meaning the outcome of this game was meaningless. We'll see.
Team Record 3-4
Batting Stats for Game Seven:
1st AB: ground out
2nd AB: ground out
Average: 0.000
Slugging: 0.000
Pitching Stats for Game Seven:
4 IP
4 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 7.00 and the loss
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/25: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .520
Slugging: .640
OBP: .586
Pitching Stats on the Season:
51 innings pitched
62 runs
10 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.51
Record: 5-4
I played fine in the field, but no one on our team could get any hits going. We had a few errors in the field, and the other team didn't have any--this is par for the course. It looks as though we'll get 5th place (out of 8) and tonight's opponent will likely finish in 4th. Meaning we'll play them in the first round of the playoffs, and meaning the outcome of this game was meaningless. We'll see.
Team Record 3-4
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Softball 2007: Game Six
I didn't write a preview for this, partly because I've written two previews and we lost both of those...but this was still a huge game. Coming in we were 2-3 and tonight's opponent is 3-2. From what I can gather, in our 8 team division, 3 teams are fighting for first, 2 teams are fighting for last, and that leaves us, tonight's opponent, and the other team that we haven't played yet.
It would seem likely that we will finish anywhere from 4th to 6th in our division. Every team makes the playoffs at the end of the year, but getting a good draw is key. Winning tonight would be huge because we would own the tiebreaker and pass this team in the standings.
Unfortunately, I was told that I was only going to be able to pitch the second half of the game. Then the girl that was supposed to start was late, so I started pitching the first half of the game. My active innings are in black below:
Batting Stats for Game Six:
1st AB: 1B, rbi
2nd AB: walk (2B), rbi, run
Average: 1.000
Slugging: 1.000
2 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game Six:
4 IP
5 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 8.75 and the win
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/23: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .565
Slugging: .696
OBP: .630
Pitching Stats on the Season:
47 innings pitched
58 runs
9 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.64
Record: 5-3
This was a really fun game, although I was deathly afraid that the relief pitcher was going to blow it. We played on a field that had wide fencing that extended past first base, which saved at least 2 errant throws, saving us a couple bases given up.
The four runs I gave up in the top of the 3rd were due to a couple fielding errors. It happens. And in the top of the 5th, our defense bailed out the relief pitcher--with an inning-ending double play on a caught line drive by the third baseman and catching the runner going back to second. If that slips through, that's a couple runs and there's only one out. Big time defense. I think in the top of the 6th, the same third baseman covered home and tagged the runner out on a would be home run. His bench was telling him to go home and I think he slowed up a little bit.
My second at bat was a key part of our 9-inning rally. (Walks to guys with a girl on deck means the guy takes second and the girl takes first.) Situation was runners on first and second with one out, and a girl behind me that we recruited that I don't think had ever played before. We needed the minimum 4 girls so there she is. After fouling a pitch off, I had a 1-1 count, and then waited for 3-1. The next pitch looked like a strike but I took it anyways, and the ump said it missed the plate. So now I take second, the "automatic out" that was on deck is now on first, the bases are loaded, I drove in a run, and there's only one out. I would score from second on the next play, on an infield ground ball. There was a play at the plate, and I avoided the tag standing up.
I was pitching some nasty stuff, hitting all kinds of corners of the plate. Getting a 0-2 count on a solid hitter, than making her chase an away ball. I caught a ball that might have been in foul territory. I was feeling good out there...
And then in the top of the 5th, the first thing the relief pitcher does is walk a guy with a girl behind him, the equivalent of two walks. She later walked at least one more batter. (We also had our second baseman--who has been playing all season--not realize that she had to tag a runner when there wasn't a force out. She later ran on a pop-up with one out, an easy double play.
Also, I feel like my batting and slugging averages deserve to benefit from my walks, especially tonight when I got to take second. Oh well.
In the game: we outscored them 12-5
On the bench: they outscored us 7-4
Team Record: 3-3
It would seem likely that we will finish anywhere from 4th to 6th in our division. Every team makes the playoffs at the end of the year, but getting a good draw is key. Winning tonight would be huge because we would own the tiebreaker and pass this team in the standings.
Unfortunately, I was told that I was only going to be able to pitch the second half of the game. Then the girl that was supposed to start was late, so I started pitching the first half of the game. My active innings are in black below:
Batting Stats for Game Six:
1st AB: 1B, rbi
2nd AB: walk (2B), rbi, run
Average: 1.000
Slugging: 1.000
2 rbi
Pitching Stats for Game Six:
4 IP
5 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 8.75 and the win
Batting Stats on the Season:
13/23: 10 singles, 3 doubles, 8 runs scored, 4 walks, 4 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .565
Slugging: .696
OBP: .630
Pitching Stats on the Season:
47 innings pitched
58 runs
9 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.64
Record: 5-3
This was a really fun game, although I was deathly afraid that the relief pitcher was going to blow it. We played on a field that had wide fencing that extended past first base, which saved at least 2 errant throws, saving us a couple bases given up.
The four runs I gave up in the top of the 3rd were due to a couple fielding errors. It happens. And in the top of the 5th, our defense bailed out the relief pitcher--with an inning-ending double play on a caught line drive by the third baseman and catching the runner going back to second. If that slips through, that's a couple runs and there's only one out. Big time defense. I think in the top of the 6th, the same third baseman covered home and tagged the runner out on a would be home run. His bench was telling him to go home and I think he slowed up a little bit.
My second at bat was a key part of our 9-inning rally. (Walks to guys with a girl on deck means the guy takes second and the girl takes first.) Situation was runners on first and second with one out, and a girl behind me that we recruited that I don't think had ever played before. We needed the minimum 4 girls so there she is. After fouling a pitch off, I had a 1-1 count, and then waited for 3-1. The next pitch looked like a strike but I took it anyways, and the ump said it missed the plate. So now I take second, the "automatic out" that was on deck is now on first, the bases are loaded, I drove in a run, and there's only one out. I would score from second on the next play, on an infield ground ball. There was a play at the plate, and I avoided the tag standing up.
I was pitching some nasty stuff, hitting all kinds of corners of the plate. Getting a 0-2 count on a solid hitter, than making her chase an away ball. I caught a ball that might have been in foul territory. I was feeling good out there...
And then in the top of the 5th, the first thing the relief pitcher does is walk a guy with a girl behind him, the equivalent of two walks. She later walked at least one more batter. (We also had our second baseman--who has been playing all season--not realize that she had to tag a runner when there wasn't a force out. She later ran on a pop-up with one out, an easy double play.
Also, I feel like my batting and slugging averages deserve to benefit from my walks, especially tonight when I got to take second. Oh well.
In the game: we outscored them 12-5
On the bench: they outscored us 7-4
Team Record: 3-3
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
still waiting to see last year's trophy
Apparently, just like the Stanley Cup, there is only one trophy for the softball tournament and our name is engraved on it for our 2006 victory. Of course we never saw it, not even a picture, although they said they'd try and get us a picture sometime soon.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Softball 2007: Mid-Season Tournament
As defending champions (I can't say that enough) we were given a first-round bye, meaning our first game is at 10 instead of 9...plus that puts us in the elite 8 to start--last year we won 4 in a row to win it all. This year it would take 3 in a row.First Game: Quarterfinals
Batting Stats for Tournament Game One:
1st AB: ground out
2nd AB: ground out
3rd AB: 1B
Average: 0.333
Slugging: 0.333
Pitching Stats for Tournament Game One:
6 IP
4 runs
1 K
1 BB
ERA: 4.66 and the loss
Just like that, we were knocked into the losers' bracket. We played good defense, had a few errors, but fairly solid. But everything we hit was ground outs. I give a lot of credit to their pitcher for that.
So now every team that lost their first game was reassigned into a consolation bracket and we'd be back in the elite 8 for that. Except that our next game was forfeited by the opponent. Someone said, "You don't want to play them anyways, you'd kill them." Perhaps it would have been a good game to pad our stats, but it sounds like we didn't really catch a break.
Eventually, we got to play again:
Second Game: Semifinals (Consolation Bracket)
Batting Stats for Tournament Game Two:
1st AB: walk, run
2nd AB: double
3rd AB: 1B, rbi
4th AB: walk
Average: 1.000
Slugging: 1.500
Pitching Stats for Tournament Game Two:
7 IP
4 runs
1 K
0 BB
ERA: 4.00 and the win
This wasn't even as close as it sounds. They hardly had any hits. Their run in the 2nd was a solo home run. Later in the 7th with two out, the same guy had a 3-run home run. Funny thing is the guy with all their rbi, doesn't even play for their team.
They moved me from the #2 spot to leading off, and it felt good. It also made sense, because I can't hit for power, but I have one of the better obp. Also, one of the best defensive plays was just a smart decision I made in the 7th. There was one out, and at least one runner on first. It was hit softly down the first base line and I could have tried to make the play to 2nd, but with a 6 run lead, I got the easy out at first. It wasn't flashy, but it was key to get outs no matter what.
So that puts in the finals of the losers' bracket:
Third Game: Finals (Consolation Bracket)
Batting Stats for Tournament Game Three:
1st AB: strike out on fouls
2nd AB: 1B, run
3rd AB: 1B, run
4th AB: fly out
Average: .500
Slugging: .500
Pitching Stats for Tournament Game Three:
7 IP
5 runs
5 K
0 BB
ERA: 5.00 and the win
We won the losers' bracket and it was clear we were better. The other team had plenty of weak hitters, hence the 5 strikeouts. We had some errors, but were fairly sharp defensively. With a runner on 2nd, the ball was hit back to me and saw the runner going, so we got the tag at 3rd. I made one catch on a pop-blooper going between the mound and second base. I didn't think I would be able to get there, but I just stuck out my hands and there it was.
In the 7th, I got the first two batters out unassisted. Then I got a first pitch strike on the next batter and was hoping to strike her out to end the tournament. She grounded out, which I guess is good enough.
We could probably beat that first team on a different day, but if we got to the final four in the winners' bracket, we wouldn't have stood a chance against those teams. So I think it worked out pretty well how it did. What's really amazing, is that last year we were able to pull off a ridiculous run and win the whole thing. Our main rival (the other team from our newly merged company) who just schooled us on Thursday, ending up winning the whole thing. So at the celebration party at the bar, they said "You all played hard, even if the people from [company name] played harder than others. As they won both the championship and consolation bracket." That was pretty cool.
Oh yeah, and after we won, they someone asked who gets the game ball...and everyone starting saying my name. Our 1B was talking about my five strikeouts and who am I to turn down the game ball? So I'll put it right next to the one from last year.
Batting Stats for 2007 Tournament:
5/9: 4 singles, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 runs, 1 rbi, 1 strike out
Average: .555
Slugging: .666
OBP: .636
Pitching Stats for 2007 Tournament:
20 IP
13 runs
7 K
1 BB
ERA: 4.55
Record: 2-1
Batting Stats on the Season:
12/22: 9 singles, 3 doubles, 7 runs scored, 3 walks, 2 rbi, 1 strike out.
Average: .545
Slugging: .682
OBP: .600
Pitching Stats on the Season:
43 innings pitched
53 runs
9 K
2 BB
ERA: 8.63
Record: 4-3
Friday, June 22, 2007
Softball 2007: Mid-Season Tournament Preview
Through 4 games, I was convinced that we were better than our 2-2 record. Now that we're 2-3, with me a 2-2 record as starting pitcher, and on a 2-game losing streak...I'm not convinced that we're as good as 2-3. In our third game, we were one hit away from collapsing in the 7th inning. And our opening day win was solid, but mainly due to a multitude of fielding errors by the other team.
Right now we don't seem very good.
What is remarkable is that's exactly how we were last year--and then we came into the mid-season tournament, needed me to come in as a relief pitcher in the first game as my first pitching experience, and proceeded to win 4 games in a row and win the tournament. The team we beat soundly in the final game last year, is the same team that's undefeated this year.
Smart money on tomorrow's tournament (if it gets played--weather report says it will rain all morning) is that we won't do very well. But I believe that we start with a 1-1 count, which could lead to some strike outs and maybe we'll catch some breaks.
These won't count towards our regular season record, but I'll keep all other stats normally.
And as for the sports world right now, it's summer and I don't really care about anything else right now.
Right now we don't seem very good.
What is remarkable is that's exactly how we were last year--and then we came into the mid-season tournament, needed me to come in as a relief pitcher in the first game as my first pitching experience, and proceeded to win 4 games in a row and win the tournament. The team we beat soundly in the final game last year, is the same team that's undefeated this year.
Smart money on tomorrow's tournament (if it gets played--weather report says it will rain all morning) is that we won't do very well. But I believe that we start with a 1-1 count, which could lead to some strike outs and maybe we'll catch some breaks.
These won't count towards our regular season record, but I'll keep all other stats normally.
And as for the sports world right now, it's summer and I don't really care about anything else right now.
Softball 2007: Game Five
I don't even want to talk about this.
Batting Stats for Game Five:
1st AB: 1B
2nd AB: pop out
3rd AB: ground out
Average: 0.333
Slugging: 0.333
Pitching Stats for Game Five:
6 IP
14 runs
0 K
0 BB
ERA: 16.33 and the loss
Batting Stats on the Season:
7/13: 5 singles, 2 doubles, 4 runs scored, 1 walk, 1 rbi.
Average: .538
Slugging: .692
Pitching Stats on the Season:
23 innings pitched
40 runs
2 K
1 BB
ERA: 12.17
2-2 record
This was a beatdown of epic proportions. We got smoked. They are NOT who we thought they were.
This was our big rival? This had all the excitement of the DMV. It wasn't even disappointing to lose, we were just outmatched the whole time.
I pitched well, hardly any balls when I didn't want them. Made a few good defensive plays from the mound. Got a nice line drive on the opening at bat, and that's all I could do at the plate.
One thing I noticed is how professional they were in the field. They didn't make a single error. We had at least 4 balls go out of play, a few thrown past the first basemen, a few errant throws to home.
We couldn't get anything going offensively, couldn't make smart plays in the field. It was a disaster.
Team Record: 2-3
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Softball 2007: Game Five Preview
Generally speaking it's hard to have a must-win game at the mid-point of a season, but that's what we're facing tonight. Except we don't even know if we're going to be able to play.
We're 2-2 facing our #1 rival, who happens to be 3-1. We know there's also a 4-0 team (game 4 opponent), and presumably another 3-1 team (game 2 opponent) as well.
Those teams are so solid, it's reasonably to assume they'll be 5-0, and 4-1 after tonight. If we lose our rival will also be 4-1 and we'll be 2-3. That's ugly. That puts us in a position for a first round-playoff matchup against a top team. [Every team makes the playoffs, but our team hasn't made it out of the first round, at least in the generation of our captain, which is all I have to go on. We're the Tracy McGrady of Advertising softball.]
But if we win, we'll be 3-2 and own the tiebreaker over our rival who will also be 3-2. Which could prove important for getting a favorable first round matchup.
With all that on the line, I should be really nervous, and I am getting a little worked up typing all this, but I haven't been thinking about it too much. Because the weather report says its going to rain. It's still clear but a little gray right now.
Looks like a game-time decision.
Update: Less than 3 hours to the first pitch and clear skies. Captain says the games are still on.
We're 2-2 facing our #1 rival, who happens to be 3-1. We know there's also a 4-0 team (game 4 opponent), and presumably another 3-1 team (game 2 opponent) as well.
Those teams are so solid, it's reasonably to assume they'll be 5-0, and 4-1 after tonight. If we lose our rival will also be 4-1 and we'll be 2-3. That's ugly. That puts us in a position for a first round-playoff matchup against a top team. [Every team makes the playoffs, but our team hasn't made it out of the first round, at least in the generation of our captain, which is all I have to go on. We're the Tracy McGrady of Advertising softball.]
But if we win, we'll be 3-2 and own the tiebreaker over our rival who will also be 3-2. Which could prove important for getting a favorable first round matchup.
With all that on the line, I should be really nervous, and I am getting a little worked up typing all this, but I haven't been thinking about it too much. Because the weather report says its going to rain. It's still clear but a little gray right now.
Looks like a game-time decision.
Update: Less than 3 hours to the first pitch and clear skies. Captain says the games are still on.
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