2022 Season a week away

A new season is about to commence, a few old faces will not be returning this year, but luckily Al our longest tenured player has decided to come back for at least one more season. We also have three new additions this year. Ken has over 30 years of experience playing slo-pitch and will be a nice addition to the team and the beer circle, Stephen joins our team and brings an abundance of speed to the Storm something we can always use, and Adam also joined the Storm this year after being away from the game for a few years. We look forward to getting to know all our new teammates.

We are starting this season three weeks later than normal, but so far with the weather we have had this spring that's a good thing, I'm so looking forward to some nice consistent warm day's/night's ahead.

I have updated the Storm website to include our sign-out page and our calendar page. Please sign out of all games that you know you will be missing this summer.

We will not be doing a drink schedule this year, so everyone is responsible for there own post game beverages, We have had a few practices, with one more scheduled this week. Team BBQ's, or possibly a Pool Party! will be determined later this spring.

So feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or you need to sign-out of a game or 10.

Here's to a great season ahead, for the most experienced team in the league!

The one we lost...

 Quarterfinal - In which Storm is eliminated

Storm started out pretty well. They managed to put up four runs in each of the second and third innings and trailed 10-9 going into the fourth. Hanet helped Storm out with a few errors and Storm got some well-timed hits, and scored sic to lead 15-10 going into the final three innings. In the top of the sixth, Hanet took full advantage of a ball lost in the sun, and scored seven runs to take the lead. Storm then promptly forgot how to hit and put up a goose egg in the sixth. Hanet got a couple home runs in the top of the seventh to go up three. Storm looked like they had a decent chance to come back based on the spot in the order, but they had run of steam. This was how the season ended, not with a bang, but a whimper.

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 3 for 4, HR, 3 RBI

Lance - 3 for 4, 2 runs, RBI

Bob - 3 for 3, 2 runs

Brad - 3 for 3, 3 RBI

The one we won

Roundrobin Game 4 - In which Storm wins a game they’re not sure they should have

The playoffs didn’t turn out quite the way it might have been expected to, but the A’s and Storm were still playing for the top seed in the final game of the round robin. There was some discussion before the game about whether or not they should win, because that would put them in line with Hanet, the team that beat them quite easily the day before. Storm had handled the Falcons fairly easily in the first game of the round robin, but anything can happen on any day. Storm decided to just play and see what happened.

Storm started slowly, scoring just two runs in the first three innings, but they erupted in the fourth for six runs. Jeff was feeling a little like a leadoff hitter again, since Craig kept ending innings, and he led off the sixth with a single. Nine consecutive runners would reach base after that and Storm scored six runs without recording a single out. If only they were able to score that easily every inning. They had brought the score to within one run after four innings.

They could not find that magic again in the fifth, but they also managed to keep the A’s off the board in the fifth, so they went into the sixth trailing by one run. Jeff, leading off again (way to go Craig), singled to start the inning. Storm put together a few more hits, and then Duran launched a three run home run to cap off an eight run inning. Storm was now ahead by seven. That lead would be safe. Right?

Wrong. Storm coughed up seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. It almost seemed like Storm wasn’t sure they wanted to win.

Going into the top of the seventh, George requested that Craig hit a solo home run. Craig responded by saying not a chance. Then promptly launched the ball over the fence. At least he wasn’t the last out of the inning again. Storm would add a couple more runs, which was good, because the A’s got one back. But it wasn’t enough. Storm held on to win 19-17. They were now set up for their rematch against Hanet.

Notable Boxscores:

Rene - 4 for 4 3 RBI, 2 runs

Duran - 3 for 4, HR, 3 RBI

Jeff - 4 for 4, 4 runs

Al - 4 for 4, 3 runs

Kevin - 4 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBI

Bob - 3 for 4, 3 RBI

Brad - 3 for 4, 3 RBI, 2 runs

 

Storm storms back

 Round Robin Game 3 - In which Storm gives up the lead in the seventh inning so they could have the dramatic experience of coming back with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Storm and Broadway played a tight back and forth game. Storm had the edge for most of the game leading 3-2 after the first, 4-2 after the second, 9-7 after the third, 11-9 after the fourth. 14-11 after the fifth and still 14-11 after the sixth. Then Broadway exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh to take their first lead since the top of the third. Up 18-14, they retired the first two batters for outs. Rene then stepped up to the plate and worked the count full before watching ball four fall inches from the plate after sailing miles into the sky. Duran, Lance, and Joey all followed with singles. Joey was the tying run at first base. They pitched Craig carefully, and he walked, moving the tying run to second. Al then doubled, and Joey scored, tying the game. With runners on second and third and Jeff up, Broadway elected to intentionally walk Jeff, creating a force play at every base hoping to hold on to the tie. Dave then came up and, full of rage from two earlier calls from the umpire, smacked the ball over every fielder’s head, clearing the bases and giving Storm the win. All the damage was done with two outs. Two out walks always come back to haunt you.

Notable Boxscores:

Rene - 3 for 3, 4 runs, 3 RBI, HR, triple, 2 out walk to extend the game!

Duran - 4 for 4, 4 runs, RBI

Lance - 4 for 4, 2 runs, 2 RBI

Dave - 3 for 4, 4 RBI (game winning hit!)

Cycle Watch: 

Rene missed the double

Storm Slumps

Round robin Game 2 - In which Storm forgets how to hit and Hanet plays excellent defense.

After leading the league in runs and scoring 24 runs in their first game, Storm simply forgot how to hit. That’s not entirely true. Hanet made some nice plays. But: 

Storm’s leadoff hitter didn’t bat a second time until the 4th inning.

Storm didn’t get a runner past first until the fifth inning.

Storm was in danger of being shut out until Duran hit a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning.

It was far too little, far too late.

Kudos to Hanet on their incredible defense.

Notable boxscores:

Duran - HR, 3 RBI

Cycle watch: nobody even batted four times, so nobody had a shot!