Storm gets squashed

Game 1 - In which the ball is apparently very hard to see

The Falcons had a lot of solid singles and some well-timed homers against Storm in game 1 of the doubleheader. They definitely deserved the victory. But Storm also helped the Falcons out a little. There were a number of miscues.

Joey was out in right centre field and early in the game a fly ball went up in that direction. Joey charged hard for it as if he was heading for the ball and then stopped. The ball then landed behind Brad in right field. Apparently neither of them had ever seen the ball.

Brad had a few more adventures in the outfield. He seemed to be tracking a line drive perfectly, but when he raised his glove, the ball didn’t go in. He also tracked a ball to the right field line, but then didn’t catch it. Thankfully, it was foul. He himself quipped that, “he was without his dog and couldn’t see a thing.”

Sight wasn’t as big an issue in the infield as communication. A fly ball went up slightly to the right of second. Rene said, “you got it?” to Duran, who then promptly stopped tracking the ball because all he heard was, “Got it.”

That pretty much summed up the game for Storm, who fell 17-12.

Notable Boxscores: 

Duran - 2 for 3, two solo home runs, which were Jeff’s fault for getting out

Rene - 4 for 4, 3 doubles, 4 runs

Craig - 3 for 3, HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs

Cycle Watch: Craig missed the single, and was really regretting the first inning walk.

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Falcons	3	4	2	0	2	0	6	17
Storm	2	1	3	0	3	0	3	12

Game 2 - In which Storm forgets how to hit for the first half of the game, and how to field in the second half of the game

The second game started a little better defensively. Brian turned a double play by himself. Storm didn’t hit, scoring a grand total of two runs in the first three innings.  They finally started to hit in the final three innings, scoring six in each of the fourth and fifth, and five more in the sixth. They actually climbed back to tie the game at one point, but in the fifth and sixth they just couldn’t get outs. At all. The Falcons scored nine in the fifth, and then ran out the clock scoring thirteen runs in the sixth inning. Near the beginning of that inning, one of their players quipped that they could end the game right there by hitting until the game ended. One of their other players said, “you think we can hit for almost half an hour?” As it turns out, they could.

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 4 for 4, 2 HR (thankfully Jeff was on base for both of them; you know you’re slumping when the team cheers because you were finally on base for Duran’s homer!), 6 RBI, 4 runs

Rene - 3 for 4, 4 RBI, 4 runs

‘Joey - 3 for 4, 3 runs, RBI

Craig - 3 for 4, 3 runs, RBI

Jeff - 2 for 3, 3 runs, 

Al - 3 for 4, run, RBI

Cycle Watch: Duran missed the triple, but hit 2 HRs!

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	2	0	0	6	6	5	X	19
Falcons	3	3	2	2	9	13	X	32

Storm Splits with Broadway

Game 1 - In which Duran shows up late because he was too busy finishing his honeymoon/got the time of the game wrong and the final batter strikes out looking at three straight pitches with the tying run on third base.

Storm settled in for a double-bill in the midst of a Broadway revival. Broadway had won three in a row, and were looking to dance over Storm and keep their hopes for second place alive. In the opening act, Storm was able to score two and keep Broadway off the scoresheet. Storm exploded in the second for five runs, but Broadway responded with five, keeping the tension high. Broadway outscored Storm 2-1  and 3-2 in the next two innings, and as the curtain fell on the fourth frame, the score was an even 10-10.

As the curtain rose again on the open innings, Storm started strong putting up five runs including Joey’s second home run of the game. Broadway only scored two, and Storm had some breathing room. But Storm’s bats cooled off in the sixth, scoring only one, and Broadway hit some high notes to the tune of four runs, and tied the game. Storm squeaked one run across and took a one run lead into the final frame.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Fagan (thanks for putting names on your jerseys) smacked one to the fence, and much like the little orphan he mentored, he was in the “please, sir may I have some more” mood, and stretched it for a triple. This put the tying run on third base with only one out. Storm was having a discussion at this point about whether to play for the tie or the win because of the standings and the ramifications of each. Half the outfield came way in, playing only as deep as they could throw home, and the other half played regular depth trying to keep the go ahead run from advancing. The batter hit a short pop fly to right, which might have dropped in had Duran not been playing so shallow. Duran caught the ball and then threw a bullet to home, keeping Fagan from stealing the tie. Storm wasn’t out of the woods yet. Broadway had their number three batter up with the tying run on third. Al decided he was going to lock down the game in true closer fashion. He struck the batter out on three straight pitches. The batter inexplicably did not swing at any of them, and after some tension, Storm held on to win the first game of the double-header.

Notable Boxscores:

Joey - 5 for 5, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 runs

Lance - 5 for 5, 2 RBI

Al - 3 for 4, 3 runs, RBI

Cycle Watch: Joey missed the single, but got two home runs. He also walked in his last at bat when he needed a single to complete the cycle.

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	2	5	1	2	5	1	1	17
Broadway	0	5	2	3	2	4	0	16

Game 2 - In which Storm essentially forgets how to hit in the final three innings

After a brief intermission, the curtain rose on the second performance of the double-bill.

Broadway bashed two home runs and took a 4 run lead.  Bob had decided he didn’t want to lead off this game, so Jeff stepped up and squeaked a ball past short and legged it out for a double. Duran then knocked a two run shot. Storm would add another to trail 4-3 after 1. 

Storm held Broadway to one run in the second, and then scored three for the second inning in a row, powered by a Duran two-run shot for the second inning in a row. In the third, Broadway scored three and Storm had a lot of patience at the plate, walking three times and scoring three times to take a 9-8 lead.

Broadway scored three again, and then Storm exploded. With thunder rattling in the distance, Storm bats started to thunder as well. Some patience (three consecutive walks) followed by power (a grand slam by Lance, and a solo shot by Bob), helped Storm score the max six and take a 15-11 lead.

Then came the open innings, where the score would skyrocket. Except it didn’t. Storm essentially forgot how to hit. In the final three innings, Storm would score one run total on five hits. Broadway managed to score eight runs across the final three innings, and ended up winning 19-16.

Notable Boxscores:

Duran 2 for 3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs

Lance - 3 for 3, grand slam, 5 RBI

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Broadway	4	1	3	3	5	0	3	19
Storm	3	3	3	6	0	1	0	16

Storm Take Two from Hanet

Game 1: In which the biggest return since the Jedi took place, and Lance does his best Willie Mays impression.

Scoops Jokovitch here, your intrepid reporter. I’ll do me best to keep this report similar to the kind of underwear I used to have before my doctor said to give the boys some air…brief.

After a split with the Faucons Bleus (thats french but sounds so good when said loudly) the previous weekend the Orangemen were looking to Chim Chim Charoo their way to a sweep. In their way stood those saucy HP’s who would not be easily molded into a sweep.

As my fisherman Grandfather Nets Jokovitch would say “ Arrrr, the Storm was short that day me boys!”  With only pre-game 8 listed ( Big D, sorry he’s married now Mr. Big D, would arrive late, telling us that he DH’d in the SS, whatever that means) it was a perfect time for the return of the man that many people call Kenny and almost as many kids call Daddy. Arriving with little to no fanfare, you could even say Kenny arrived with No-Frills, it was good to see that familiar face back out in the field.

Being the visitors in the first game the boys came out strong, with a Tim Hortons coffee order ( double, double) followed by a Lancer-beam of a HR. Craig ( back to a C) and Joey got out with Al ending the inning allowing the #7 batter to lead off in the 2nd. HP extruded a single run in the first and in the second leaving the Stormies still in the lead. The Top of the 2nd saw something that would not be repeated at anytime for the rest of the night…the #7 hitter actually getting a hit. The Storm scored (similar to my weekend) with a bunch of singles and a HR by Bob the Lead off ( not related to Bob the Builder) With their 2nd HR out of the way and scoring just under the max in the second to take a 6 run lead into the 3rd.

With the short Stormie bench folks were ( like my ex-wife on our honeymoon) put into positions they weren’t comfortable with. Lance was playing 2nd base. A flash of leather here ( insert honeymoon joke here) and an over the shoulder Willie Mays catch there the former right fielder had found a home.

We will now press the fast-forward button on our game remote because Rene has worn out the Slo-mo option as he very “ gingerly” approached, with great caution, a slow rolling infield hit by Everyones Favourite George that allowed him to reach 1st. Which lead to a 3 run inning by the team made from a polycondensation process ( look it up). Jumping ahead quickly we saw Mr. No Frills add some thrills with a double to the wall, making El Presidente go 1st to 3rd and regret some of his life choices. We saw Craig regain his Home run swing only to have it be an out. Heading into the bottom of the 7th the Rhymes with Orange were up 16-11 with the bottom of the HP bottle on deck.

But once again the EFG ( Everyones Favourites George) stepped up and got things pouring. Granted the Sunny D was helping them out with a pass ball by Joey and a deep fly off Craigs glove in centre. I would repeat some of the phrases that were heard out of Craigs mouth but even I have standards.

Those pesky HP’s whose mission statement is to excel…through superior service, quality products and competitive pricing could not make the mold for a comeback victory.( hanetplastics.com)

The Return of the Kenny gives the storm a squeaker of a victory 16-14

Notable Boxscores:

Bob - 4 for 5, HR, Triple, Double, 4 runs, 2 RBI - Hit for the Cycle!

Rene - 5 for 5, 2 Doubles, 3 runs, 3 RBI

Joey - 4 for 5, 2 Doubles, 2 runs, 1 RBI

Lance - 3 for 5, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBI

AL - 3 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBI

Cycle Watch: Bob got the cycle with his single in the 7th.

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	3	5	0	0	0	5	3	16
Hanet	1	1	3	2	0	4	3	14

Game 2- In which this journalist has run out his word count and Duran needs a nap

I promise this one will be like my new underwear, and theres nothing thong with that!

Game 2 was another hot and sticky affair ( it’s too easy to insert a joke here)

The Moldy ones came out strong with a pair of runs in the top half while the Cloudy ones countered with what is now called a Prairie Threesome ( Rene hit a triple to clear the bases). For the second game in a row Al was the last out of the inning leaving #7 to lead off the 2nd.

Neither team was really feeling it, energy was low all around with EFG’s team scoring only 5 by the 5th while the Storm only had 8 by the 5th.

Going back to the lead off man in the 2nd, #7 will be replacing Daniel Craig in the next Bond film by using his batting average in this game as his calling card “ 7, .0007” He also will be appearing as the the new Tim Hortons mascot because of his DOUGHNUT for the game. The only thing he hit hard was the glove of the HP pitcher who made a great ( life saving) catch in the 6th.

Let's move on, shall we?

 After the Plastics molded ( sorry folks, it just works well) a solid 5 run 6th to take a 1 run lead. It was a well timed 3 run HR by Joey  (The All Powerful, all must obey!) to be followed by a wall scraping 2 run HR by The Beamer, plus a well timed nap by Duran ( he blames the  5 games of ball he played earlier that day, we know its the fact that he’s still on his honeymoon) the Storm scored 5 in the 6th to seal the sweep. Hard fought games both that lead to a man leaping off a wagon into a pool of low-calorie beer.

Notable Boxscores:

Bob - 4 for 4, HR, Double, 2 runs, 2 RBI

Joey - 3 for 4, HR, 3 runs, 3 RBI

Rene - 3 for 4, Triple, 1 runs, 3 RBI

Brian - 2 for 3, 2 runs

Cycle Watch: Bob missed the triple

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Hanet	2	0	1	0	1	5	0	9
Storm	3	1	1	3	0	5	x	13