The midweek arrives early

 20 November 2024

Wednesday arrived a little earlier than usual today. All of the morning activities were moved up an hour in anticipation of a possible weather delay. I started the day in the same fashion as yesterday. I was in the trainers room line for the ponding machine to be used on my back again. I opted out of having the same breakfast today because I just wasn't hungry at that time. So I went ahead and put my uniform on in a more leisurely fashion timewise.  

The gold and brown ropes were handed out and the best performances of the day were announced as well. Somehow, my 3-for-3 with 5 rbi in the first game yesterday was overlooked and wasn't mentioned. But my teammates know so it's all good. Probably an administrative assistant error. 

Our first hame would be the last game before the playoff format started. We opened against the Southside Slingers coached by Bill Pulsipher and Dennis Cook. After giving up a 3 spot in the opening inning we tied the game in the top of the third, only to allow six runs in the bottom of the frame. Pitching was at a premium as we ran short of arms in order to complete the game. Eric Hillman took the mound for us  but we just couldn't narrow the gap to get back into it and ended. up dropping the contest by as score of 13-8. I didn't help at all. I drove in two runs but failed to get a base hit and thus went 0-for-4 on the game. 

We had a short time off between games before the powers that be saw that we had a weather window that would work for starting the next game at 12:30. So the playoffs were ready to begin.

Our first round game was against KB Chickie Mlicki, coached by Kevin Baez and Dave Mlicki. We jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first. After Manny Fantis singled home our first run I stepped to the plate and crushed a pitch into the left center field alley which rolled to the wall. I legged it out for my second triple of the week (Say whaaaaat?) and we led 3-0. Our opponents are very good and came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the first. But the second inning was our Kryptonite in this game as the Chickies scored 9 runs before it was all over. Trailing 11-3 we then started the charge to eliminate the seemingly insurmountable deficit. 

We got two runs back in the third. I singled to right to drive in our 5th run of the game. After giving back three runs in the bottom of the third we scored four more in the 4th. During the rally I got hit on my right instep on a 3-2 pitch. So now we're trailing 14-9. We had chances later on to close the gap but we didn't execute as we'd hoped. I came to the plate with a runner on in the 6th and simply crushed a pitch toward the left field corner, but it hooked foul by about a foot and I ended up flying out to left shortly thereafter. So the 14-9 final took us out of championship game contention but it was really a good game overall. Mike Parenti Sr. went 4 1/3 innings and kept us in it as much as he could. 

Following the game we had the Kangaroo Court over at the stadium. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of KC, it goes something like this. We all love a good laugh now and then and when we, as carbon-based life forms make a mistake, it always seems like there's someone there to be eyewitness to something we'd rather forget. That's what Kangaroo Court is all about.

Webster's Dictionary defines Kangaroo Court as "a court characterized by irresponsible, unauthorized or irregular status procedures".The etymology is divided as to authenticity. My favorite theory is that the term comes from courts where the evidence is clearly "jumped over" in an attempt to ignore evidence that would help the defendant in a case. Teams all across baseball, at virtually every professional level have kangaroo courts. They keep the clubhouse loose and are meant to be taken in good fun.

Kangaroo Court was once again a highlight of the week. Judges Figueroa and Pulsipher sitting in for Judges Flynn and Wine who are vacationing this week. There were many minor offenses brought to light by the judges. At one point even my own name was called. As I stood to hear the charge against my my mind raced to try to remember what I may have done. Well, Judge Pulsipher stated that I am one of the slickest-fielding first basemen in camp and the best dressed on and off the field. But  he asked if I had committed any errors this week. I said that I had. But he then asked if I had had any plays where I had more than one. My mind raced and I thought about a play yesterday which could've gone better. And lo and behold the video of said play began to play on the large screen on the wall. On a ground ball I proceeded to drop the ball, kick it away slightly, drop it once again, push it further away with my glove as I fell to my knees, and then finally stop its movement as my sunglasses fell off my head. It looked like that Peanuts cartoon where Charlie Brown gets knocked down by the comebacker........but worse. I was going to be charged $5 per error for what he said was SEVEN DIFFERENT errors on the same play! I said I was guilty as charged and decided to donate $15 extra for a fine total of $50. I may never live that play down. I have got to ask Doug Dickey to email me a copy so I can watch it over and over again during the winter in Minneapolis to remind me that spring is coming again. 

Tomorrow we are due to be back on schedule. Playoffs continue for those four teams who advanced yesterday. I believe the top seed may have been knocked out so it's kinda up for grabs as far as the eventual champion may be. 

With the arrival of Thursday morning we are on the back 9, so to speak. I always tell rookies to soak up as much as you can because it'll be Thursday before you know what has hit you. It never fails. 

Back tomorrow for more.