IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT UMPIRES

For various reasons we are running short on umpires and some games may not have one this week.  Because of this, some guidelines for calling your own games:

§         Call your own balls and strikes (i.e. teams batting provide the umpire for that ½ inning)

§         Captains, chose a player to ump who is even-keeled emotionally and who knows the game, and someone who will err in the direction of the other team on close calls.  If both sides do this it should even out and prevent conflict

§         As in all cases, and per the rules, UMPIRE ABUSE is strictly prohibited.

§         Finally, and obviously, umpires are STILL Needed ($15 per game / t-shirt / endless refreshments)

Contact:  Butch Roche, 708-228-0401, roche399@comcast.net

 

 

Standings after Week 5

 

 

Game 5 Recaps

Lawn Manor North:   McGovern 12, Neylon 10

In a really well-played game between 2 teams battling to avoid the dreaded picnic set-up, Team Neylon’s 9 players came up a little short. 

McGovern’s Terry Corcoran played a flawless 1B, making several tough plays look easy, and new starting SS Bob Janet solidified the left side of the infield.  On Offense McGovern got help from Tom Gilmartin (3 for 3) and BBC media darling John Rolence (3-run HR).

Note:  To hear John Rolence, president of “Fat Ass Golfers,” get interviewed by the BBC this week, click on the following link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/programmes/drive.shtml

1. Click on Mon
2. Use the time finder, clicking 15 minutes at a time, then using 1 minute, until you get to the 19:48:46 mark, then listen until about 19:53:38.
3. For more membership information on “Fat Ass Golfers” visit www.fatassgolfers.com

Neylon’s top-of-the-order John Pavesic, Frank Lonergan, and Dan Stumpf had big nights at the plate, going a combined 9 for 15 and repeatedly jump-starting each inning they batted.  Neylon 1B Mark Landstrom played great defense, and had a good night at the plate (2 for 4).  Neylon’s Chris “Daddy Daycare” Naujokas also had a big bat, going 3 for 4 with 2 HR and 5 RBIs.  Naujokas also netted a Web-gem nomination for his acrobatic tip and grab of a screaming-liner into the left/center gap, but the nomination was pulled an inning later when the game was delayed so Chris could change his baby’s diaper.  Web-gem re-nomination goes to Neylon’s Jim Gallagher for ranging deep into the hole at 2B to snare a rocket one-hopper hit by Jim McGovern.

 

Lawn Manor South: Carberry 18, Walton 7 (Marquee match-up)
No report.

 

PIE Southeast: Phelan 13, Moss 8

Team Phelan finally joined the 2007 league offensive onslaught (League-wide average runs per game scored = 10) with a 13-run outburst that was aided by a change in the batting order, relatively low barometric pressure, and 6 Moss no-shows.  Veteran Brain Condon, who asked to be moved down in the order from lead-off due to a hitting slump, responded with a 4-for-4 day at the plate.  John “I swear I’m not pressing” Quinlan also shook off some season-long, rookie jitters with a long HR blast.

 

But the difference in the game for Phelan was once again the bottom of the order, which is quickly becoming the middle of the order.  Jim Epley went 3 for 4 and sparked a couple of big innings, Dan Mulhall was 3 for 4 despite a groin injury (or inflamed thigh chafing – he was pretty coy about it), and Dom “The Mad Bomber of Belfast” McAvoy also had a multi-hit night (2 for 4).  Phelan pitcher Jerry Ashe was again outstanding, taking a 13-3 lead into the bottom of the 7^th, when Phelan’s customary one-disastrous-inning-per-game kicked in and Moss added 5 quick runs, aided by 3 infield errors.

 

Moss’ SS Ray Kash was stellar at the plate (5-for-5) and on the field, and captain Bill Moss helped his own cause with a couple of hits and 2 runs scored.  There weren’t any Web-gems to speak of, although Jerry Ashe made a beautiful, game-ending catch-and-tag at home on Ted “Hey guys, ‘No!’ sounds too much like Go!’” Moran, who tried to stretch a sure 3-run triple into a grand-slam (without question because his wife was watching the game).  Mike “Mr. Wilson” Shannon umped a great game, despite the pesky noise and constant interruptions of 13-20 little kids who decided to make their fort behind the home plate back-stop.

PIE Southwest: Roche 8, Cisko 3

In a game apparently so dull that neither captain (both Softball League co-Chairmen) could recall anything good, this game will perhaps be best remembered for the 3 double-plays that Team Cisko turned in yet another losing effort.  And for the base-running gaffe of Cisko’s Jeff Panella, who in response to Jim Gannon yelling “Go-Go-Go!” after an over-throw on a failed pick-off attempt, took off for 2^nd base and was promptly tagged out as he sheepishly walked back to first.

• SPECIAL REMINDER FROM LEAGUE OFFICIALS:  Lead-offs are allowed; steals aren’t; even on pick-off over-throws.
• SPECIAL REMINDER FROM CAPTAIN CRAIG CISKO:  Jeff, Jim Gannon isn’t on your team.

Jim Prunty pitched well for Roche, and Chap (Chisum? Charley? Chaz?) Cisko umped a good game.  One the good news front, with all the errors and double-plays, Roche will have about 6 cases of beer for this week’s game.  The bad news is all that beer will likely prevent Team Roche from patronizing Quigley’s afterwards.  Again.  But at least now they have an excuse.

 

PIE Northwest: Schumacher 8, Hughes 4

In another mid-season snore fest…er…pitchers’ duel (which is what we call games that don’t entertain us with scores like 24 to 21), this game was over in about 34 minutes thanks to the ice-cold bats of Team Hughes.  Hughes was also hampered by two other things:

§         Schumacher’s miserly defense, which never allowed any hits-in-bunches.

§         Hughes’ batting order, which appeared to be decided by the order in which players drove up, or by the color of their vehicles

Schumacher pitcher Mark Kosiek threw another great game, and Matt Flaws and Pat Knytych were the difference-makers on Schumacher’s offense.  Schumacher’s big blow (which may or may not have been the name of a porno-film in the 70s) was a bases-clearing, 3-run, 2-out double by Knytych, who is making a strong case for comeback-player-of-the-year.  Hughes’ got a couple of decent at-bats from Tom Curley, Scott Strand, and Jim Burke, and a Web-gem nomination for CF Tom Curley for his diving/rolling catch of a John Campbell gapper to RC.  Schumacher’s OFs Matt Flaws and Jon Lunny also made several web-gem worthy catches but they are both too cocky to garner the nomination.  Joe “The Pump-Man” Labuda was workman-like once again behind the plate.

 

PIE Northeast: Kelly 25, Krokos 11

It was an ugly game (from Team Krokos’ perspective) so their post-game report was light on details.  Kelly was led by Ken Botta (6 for 6; 7 runs scored), 1B Matt Evans (HR), and LF Ron "Robocop" Klingensmith made an incredible sliding catch right on the foul line, worthy of Web-gem consideration.  Kelly jumped out to a big, early lead, prompting an exuberant captain Sean Kelly to call league officials by cell phone – in the middle of the game – to ask about a slaughter rule.  Not unlike the legendary - and arrogant – Celtics coach Red Auerbach who liked to light up his victory cigar long before the game was over.  Young Marty Roche umped an excellent game.

 

Pride Goeth Before the Fall.  Look for Kelly to start their fall this week against the dormant Giant-killers team Neylon.

 

Week 5 Web-gem Winner

Hughes’ CF Tom Curley for his diving/rolling catch of John Campbell’s gapper.

 

Game 6 – Thursday, August 16^th, 6:30 PM

Lawn Manor North: Kelly v. Neylon

Lawn Manor South: Krokos v. McGovern

PIE Southeast: Roche v. Phelan*

PIE Southwest: Hughes v. Walton

PIE Northwest: Moss v. Carberry

PIE Northeast: Cisko v. Schumacher

* Marquee Match-up:  Can Phelan halt Roche’s mid-season run, which appears to be validating the Mighty Computer’s predictions?