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Scoops take on the Championship Weekend

 

Good day Sports Fans! Scoops Jockovitch here, award-winning sports journalist!

We could break down the weekend into a Peter Jackson kind of approach bit I say forget that, lets Francis Ford Coppola a Director’s cut here and go all games in one 1 recap!!

Buckle in my dear Readers!

To quote our elemental friends Earth, Wind and Fire

Do you remember
The 21st day of September?
Love was changin' the minds of pretenders
While chasin' the day away!

This past weekend saw the mighty combatants of the WMSPL take to the fields and drink in the parking lots of an elementary school! Or High School? Does it really matter? Also, some Slo-Pitch took place as the season ending tourney roared into life!

Your boys and yellow having finished third in the season were lucky enough not to play Friday however an early start to Saturday was their curse. We won't talk much about this Saturday, needless to say it did not end up as the Storm usually flow through the morning cartoons however with a loss to Broadway that meant the boys would have to face a tough uphill task come the day of our Lord Vader. On Sunday they would be facing three tough games with not a home game in sight.

SUNDAY 9:00 am – Facing those odd numbered neutrons the Isotopes, our Storm started the opposite of Saturday and were both picky and choosy leading to three consecutive walks and then turned them all into runs, though the starting pitcher Dug himself into a bit of a hole, a pitching change stifled what looked to be a sure mercy inning. Storm still scored four. The Tangerine Dream still couldn’t seem to shake the hitting doldrums from Saturday as they were only able to tally three runs total in the next two innings, and the Isotopes had a big bottom of the third and took the lead 8-7.

Like Pink Floyd the Storm were up against the wall and could have folded, but after the first two batters got out, Storm rallied for four in the fourth and kept the Isotopes off the scoresheet. Then in the fifth, the clouds (metaphorically speaking) rolled, and a Storm ensued! Taking advantage of the open inning and our boys batted through the order and then some, scoring 12 runs in the inning and opening up a commanding lead. The Isotopes managed to get three back in the fifth, but were neutralised in the sixth and seventh, and the mostly Blue boys (with a highlighting orange)  won 25-11. Setting up a date with the #1 team of the season.

 

SUNDAY APPROX 13:30

As you know dear reader, we do enjoy our nicknames here in the Stormwatch. Well, it seems that at the beginning of the tournament, Broadside said that BP would have a new nickname by the end of the tournament. He probably never guessed it would be “squirrel” or “Blind squirrel”, but that’s exactly what happened.

Storm got off to a decent start thanks to the Rainbow Unicorn who used his positive energy to launch a two-run home run to give our lads a quick two run lead. Defence and pitching (as it had all weekend worked like OJ Simpson (hand in glove) (a double parentheses?) No wait a triple! Damn!

Anyways, Storm blanked The Crew in the first inning. Storm found some thunder in their bats in the second inning, scoring a max six on a sequence of singles and a double from Mills. The Crew was like me with wife #4 and shot blanks in the second. 

The offensive downpour continued with added another run in the third, but the Crew (just like a 13 year old me and that mid-fifties circus performer) busted their scoring cherry  scoring their first run. The fourth started off with a bang when Mr  Gamgee launched a solo home run. (because One rings rules them all of course!) The Storm kept the hit train going with a bunch of singles and a signature Big D triple and Rainbow Unicorn double to add four to the score. The lads were up 13-1 going into the bottom of the 4th. It was in this half inning that a new nickname was to be squeezed out of the moniker birth canal. BP started to struggle to find the board and one of The Crew’s players decided to start chirping him from the bases. When a pitch finally did hit the board, he referred to BP as a “blind squirrel finding a nut.”  Well that blind squirrel found a few more MF’n nuts, and the inning ended with The Crew scoring two runs. So how do you like those NUTS crew boy!!

I apologize my homerism is showing.

Yet I digress

Storm seemed to rally behind their new Squirrel with Bollocks # 1 fan changing decades of referring to pitchers as “kid” and started referring to BP as “Squirrel” when he handed him the ball before each inning pitched. 

Storm didn’t score any in the fifth and The Crew launched a two-run home run, and the game was 13-5. The Hobbit launched his second solo home run of the game to increase the lead to 14-5. The Crew was unable to muster more than a single in the sixth. 

The seventh saw the Storm gather all the Brew Crews nuts for the winter. They battled through the order one and a half times and scored 12 runs in the inning (more than they had scored in a couple of games on Saturday). The Crew went down in order in the final inning

The Storm and their favorite Squirrel kept the #1 team in the league to 5 runs…I wonder if the Crew have a song for that?

SUNDAY September 21 approx 15:00

A Forewarning to you dear readers all Theatrical metaphors have been provided by our excellent co-host and Storm commentator Chip Binkley.

Many thought it couldn’t happen others that it shouldn’t happen and yet our Storm got the encore performance they wanted against Broadway, and they didn’t miss a beat. 

The defense was choreographed perfectly with a number of excellent catches in the outfield and the infield was solid. The lineup was full of bangers as the team produced a number of hits. 

Big D and the Rainbow Unicorn each doubled, and Storm scored one in the opening act of the game. Broadway was able to double Storm’s output and took a 2-1 lead after one inning. Storm and Broadway each sang a chorus of Os in the second and the game remained 2-1. 

Both teams found their voices in the third and the hits started to turn into runs. Magnus’s Dad launched a home run and The Doctor nearly took out a child on the playground as he launched his home run so far it is said that folks heard a flight attendant ask if anyone wanted Fish or chicken on the flight. Storm briefly took a 6-2 lead. But Broadway wasn’t about to throw in the towel. Ryan started with a single and Brad took a walk, which led to a 3-run homer by Tyler. A few hits later and Broadway had regained the lead 7-6. 

Mr. Baseball knocked a big double in the fourth that helped propel Storm to a five-run inning capped by Magnus’s Father 2nd home run of the game. Storm took the lead 11-7 and kept Broadway off the scoresheet. Storm added two more in the fifth, but this time Broadway responded immediately with a single from Shawn and a triple from Gord scoring two and cutting the lead to 13-9. 

The chorus of Os was back in the sixth and Storm headed into the seventh with a four-run lead. Storm managed to score one insurance run, but the inning was cut short as Squirrel tried to turn a single into a double as was thrown out by an acorn. Storm led by five going into the bottom of the seventh. More solid defense helped Storm hold on to the lead and the General caught the last ball of the game as Storm became champions once again.

Some interesting notes about the tournament. Storm played excellent defense. With the exception of one inning in one game, Storm managed to keep mistakes from compounding like the interest on a 30-year mortgage. Instead, mistakes were kept to a minimum, and Storm picked each other up and made outs in big moments. Storm never gave up more than 11 runs in any of the six games in the playoffs. 

While the bats struggled on Saturday, scoring only 28 runs in three games. It was a different story on Sunday as Storm scored 65 runs in three games giving the team some breathing room.

The effort across the weekend was a complete team effort, with each player making a nice defensive play at some point, and everyone coming up with a key hit in one of the games. It was a nice way to win and everyone on the team should feel like they contributed to the victory.

Well done lads! It’s been an up and down season but like my second wife says in the end it’s all about who comes first!

Back to Back Baby!!

The Storm finished off the Playoff weekend with another Championship! This one definitely seemed different than the others as it was unexpected, especially after our lackluster Saturday play.

It was extra special for Kevin as it's his last year with the Storm as he is hanging up the cleats after playing 22 seasons with us. Enjoy your retirement Kevin.

Here are are some pictures from yesterday.

Storm wins Encore Performance

Storm got the encore performance they wanted against Broadway, and they didn’t miss a beat. The defense was choreographed perfectly with a number of excellent catches in the outfield and the infield was solid. The lineup was full of bangers as the team produced a number of hits. 

Duran and Rene each doubled and Storm scored one in the opening act of the game. Broadway was able to double Storm’s output and took a 2-1 lead after one inning. Storm and Broadway each sang a chorus of Os in the second and the game remained 2-1. 

Both teams found their voices in the third and the hits started to turn into runs. Duran launched a home run and Tony nearly took out a child on the playground he launched his home run so far. Storm briefly took a 6-2 lead. But Broadway wasn’t about to throw in the towel. Ryan started with a single and Brad took a walk, which led to a 3 run homer by Tyler. A few hits later and Broadway had regained the lead 7-6. 

Kevin knocked a big double in the fourth that helped propel Storm to a five run inning capped by Duran’s second home run of the night. Storm took the lead 11-7 and kept Broadway off the scoresheet. Storm added two more in the fifth, but this time Broadway responded immediately with a single from Shawn and a triple from Gord scoring two and cutting the lead to 13-9. 

The chorus of Os was back in the sixth and Storm headed into the seventh with a four run lead. Storm managed to score one insurance run, but the inning was cut short as Jeff tried to turn a single into a double. Storm led by five going into the bottom of the seventh. More solid defense helped Storm hold on to the lead and Mills caught the last ball of the game as Storm became champions once again.

Some interesting notes about the tournament. Storm played excellent defense. With the exception of one inning in one game, Storm managed to keep mistakes from compounding like the interest on a 30 year mortgage. Instead, mistakes were kept to a minimum, and Storm picked each other up and made outs in big moments. Storm never gave up more than 11 runs in any of the six games in the playoffs. 

While the bats struggled on Saturday, scoring only 28 runs in three games. It was a different story on Sunday as Storm scored 65 runs in three games giving the team some breathing room.

The effort across the weekend was a complete team effort, with each player making a nice defensive play at some point, and everyone coming up with a key hit in one of the games. It was a nice way to win and everyone on the team should feel like they contributed to the victory.

Final Score: Storm 14 - Broadway 9

Blind Squirrel Holds Top Team in League to 5 runs

At the beginning of the tournament, Brad said that Jeff would have a new nickname by the end of the tournament. He probably never guessed it would be “squirrel” or “Blind squirrel”, but that’s exactly what happened.

Storm got off to a decent start thanks to Rene launching a two run home run and giving Storm a quick two run lead. Storm blanked The Crew in the first inning. Storm found some thunder in their bats in the second inning, scoring a max six on a sequence of singles and a double from Mills. The Crew was blanked again in the second. 

Storm added another run in the third and The Crew broke through scoring their first run. The fourth started off with a bang when Sam launched a solo home run. Storm kept the hit train going with a bunch of singles and a signature Duran triple and Rene double to add four to the score. Storm was up 13-1 going into the bottom of the 4th. It was in this half inning that Jeff earned his new nickname. He started to struggle to find the board and one of The Crew’s players decided to start chirping him from the bases. When a pitch hit the board he referred to Jeff as a “blind squirrel finding a nut.” The blind quirrel found a few more nits, and the inning ended with The Crew scoring two runs

Storm seemed to rally behind Jeff and “squirrel” was taken as a term of endearment. Brian even changed decades of referring to pitchers as “kid” and started referring to Jeff as “squirrel” when he handed him the ball before each inning pitched. 

Storm didn’t score any in the fifth and The Crew launched a two run home run and the game was 13-5. Sam launched his second solo home run of the game to increase the lead to 14-5. The Crew was unable to muster more than a single in the sixth. 

The seventh saw Storm explode. They batted through the order one and a half times and scored 12 runs in the inning (more than they had scored in a couple of games on Saturday). The Crew went down in order in the final inning

Final Score: Storm 26 - The Crew 5

Storm powers to victory

Storm started with three consecutive walks and turned them all into runs, though a pitching change stifled what looked to be a sure mercy inning. Storm still scored four. Storm’s struggles at the plate from Saturday seemed to continue into Sunday as they were only able three runs total in the next two innings, and the Isotopes had a big bottom of the third and took the lead 8-7.

Storm was up against the wall and could have folded, but after the first two batters got out, Storm rallied for four in the fourth and kept the Isotopes off the scoresheet. Then in the fifth, Storm took advantage of the open inning and batted through the order and then some, scoring 12 runs in the inning and opening up a commanding lead. The Isoptopes managed to get three back in the fifth, but were neutralised in the sixth and seventh, and Storm won 25-11. 

Final Score: Storm 25 - Isotopes 11

Crossover game succesful

Storm was facing something they hadn’t in quite a long time - the possibility of elimination on Saturday afternoon. Storm had struggled to hit against Broadway and that trend continued in the top of the first as Storm put up yet another goose egg on the scoresheet. Thankfully, Coulas was held off the board for the first three innings, so Storm’s struggles did not put them behind. In the second inning Storm finally remembered that hitting is more fun and put up three runs. The fourth saw Storm really return to form with four more runs. Unfortunately, it should have been more as there was some serious confusion on a fly ball that led to a double play ending the inning. If there had been no outs, it would have been a triple play because multiple runners left the base on a fly ball with only one out. Storm was still up 7-0, so it didn’t seem like it should hurt too much.

Except after three scoreless innings, Jeff stopped looking like Captain Underpants and started looking a little more like Broadside as he lost the plate walking three batters in the inning, including two with the bases loaded to score runs. Coulas scored four total and all of a sudden it was a game again. Storm was shut out in the bottom half of the inning and with only three frames left, it was 7-4.

In the fifth it looked like the bullpen was going to have to get ready, because Jeff walked the leadoff batter, but then settled in and Coulas was kept off the board in the fifth and sixth innings. Storm got the bats going again in those innings. The 5th started with back to back triples from Joey and Rene who both scored. Storm would add two more in the sixth and head into the seventh with an 11-4 lead. 

Another leadoff walk started the seventh and gave Coulas the hope they needed. Jeff was actually trying to pitch around Pete, and after throwing three balls to start the at bat he intentionally threw one short, hoping it would be a walk or a pop up. It was a pop-up all right. It popped up all the way over the fence and Coulas was suddenly back in the game. There were already two outs, though, and Storm was able to hold on to an 11-7 win.

Storm managed to make it to Sunday and Sunday is a brand new day. While Storm did a great job of run prevention (only 27 runs across three games for an average of 9 runs against per game), the bats will have to wake up if they truly want to contend. They scored only 28 runs in three games. That’s an average of 9.3 runs per game. Their plus minus was a grand total of +1.

Final Score: Storm 11 - Coulas 7 

Hiccup in the plan

It was a tale as old as time as Storm faced off against Broadway. Storm has historically had trouble against Broadway and Broadway actually said they wanted to play Storm and make them take the hard route through the playoffs. Now that they had Storm in their sights, they were not going to miss their shot. 

It was an extremely tight defensive battle. A pitcher's duel that lasted just over an hour. Broadway scored only one in the first and Joey launched a two run shot in the bottom of the first. It felt like a good start, but while Broadway would continue to chip away over the next few innings, Storm's bats were like Brigadoon. They had disappeared, and Storm wouldn't even get through their entire lineup until the 4th inning putting up four consecutive goose eggs and after 6 innings, they trailed 10-3. 

But they dreamed a dream and believed they could still come back. Storm blanked Broadway in the top of the 7th. The problem was they needed 8 runs to win (as a tie would give Broadway the pool). Unfortunately, there was no encore performance for Storm's hitters. They were unable to make a comeback and are now forced to play at 3 to keep in contention.

Final Score: Broadway 10 - Storm 4

Storm’s playoffs started well

Storm’s playoffs started well. The Inglorious batters were ingloriously shut out in the first two innings. Storm was able to put some runs up in each inning. Mills singled and Duran launched a two run homer immediately. Storm added another and was up 3-0 after 1. They put up 5 to stake a relatively strong 8-0 lead.

The Inglorious Batters started to hit ingloriously as a few singles squealed through off the ends of bats and they added a few timely hits to score five runs and load the bases with nobody out. It looked like it would be a mercy inning for sure, but a ground ball to short followed by a pop up to the catcher helped Storm to get out of the inning without giving up a max 5. 

The Inglorious Batters continued to chip away at Storm with one in the fourth and two in the top of the 5th to tie the game at 8. 

Storm remembered that it is important to hit and put up 3 in the bottom of the fifth to quickly regain their lead. They managed to play solid defense and keep the Inglorious Batters from having any big innings, and held kn to win 13-10.

Final Score: Storm 13 - Inglorious Batters 10

Storm Finish Season with a win on retro Jersey Night

Storm sported a cornucopia of colours on Retro jersey night as Storm players wore the oldest version of the Storm jersey they could find (or fit into). This night would be a tribute to the history of Storm as well as the last regular season game for one of Storm’s longest tenured players.

The game started off with Broadside showing where he got the nickname from as he couldn’t find the broadside (or the short side) of the board and walked the first batter. He settled in and only gave up one run in the inning. Storm responded with two and won the inning. The second inning saw Coulas take the lead with a two run second. Storm opened the floodgates in the second as they put up a max six and Duran clubbed his 30th home run of the season. Storm was up 7-3.

Batting Practice took over in the third, and Coulas’s first four batters of the inning acted like it was batting practice until BP found his groove and retired three in a row to escape the inning with only two runs allowed. Storm added two more of their own and were double Coulas after 3. 

Coulas laid an egg in the top of the fourth and Storm added three more taking what should have been a commanding lead at 13-5. However, the top of the fifth saw Storm fall into one of two traps that has dogged their season. After recording two outs with no runs in, Storm started to get a case of the dropsies as at least four high fly balls fell to the ground. Not all of them were cans of corn, but they were all high enough that an in-service film was offered. Had any of them been caught, the inning would have had minimal damage, but with two outs Coulas rallied to score 7 and draw within one of Storm.

Storm didn’t get too discouraged, though, and they were able to bounce back in the bottom half of the inning with four of their own to increase the lead to 5 runs. Storm shut down Coulas in the sixth and added two more to have a comfortable lead in the seventh. Coulas added two in the seventh, but it was too little too late and Storm held on to a 19-14 lead.

Since this was retro jersey night, and players were attempting to wear their oldest jerseys, let’s take a look back and see how retro some of the jerseys (and old some of the players) are!

Shawn - 2025

Tony - 2025 ( we are intentionally ignoring his service time with the A’s!)

Sam - 2023

Ken - 2022

Mills - 2022

Rene - 2019

Brian - 2015 (though he played in the league long before that!)

Duran - 2012

Jeffrey - 2011

Bob - 2006

Joey - 2005

Kevin - 2004

Greg - 2002

Brad -2002

Lance - 2002

Some fun historical notes:

Storm had consecutive killer drafts selecting Joey and Bob in consecutive years. They were two of the league's most dominant players for much of their Storm tenure. 

Some research may need to be done, as Brad made a really big deal going into his last at bat, that this was his first year on the team without a home run. This fact is disputed by the records on statleaders, which claim he had no regular season home runs in 2019, 2021 (covid amended), or 2024. Brad can take this up with the people who enter the stats. 

Kevin has played his final regular season game as a member of the Storm.  His career (as tabulated on statleaders dating back to 2004) has been legendary. 

Career Highs:

AVG - .667 (2016)

OPS: 1.609 (2007)

HR - 9 (2007)

RBI - 55 (2009)

Runs - 64 (2007)

2B - 14 (2006+2007)

Hits - 92 (2007)

Career Totals:

HR - 48

RBI - 684

Runs - 790

2B - 185

3B - 13 

It looks like 2007 was a career year for Kevin, but it was a pleasure having him on the team every year. We know you’re with us in the playoffs, but we thought it was appropriate to honour you after your last regular season game, especially since it was retro jersey night, and nothing screams retro like Kevin, who as we all know has been playing some form of baseball for over 70 years (or something like that!) 

Final Score: Storm 19 - Coulas 14

Storm Jersey’s

2002 - 2002  White

2003 - 2008  Grey

2009 - 2013  Grey Pinstripes

2014 - 2018  Orange

2019 - 2023  Light Grey/Orange

2024 - 2025  Blue/Grey/Orange

Storm strikes back with 11 runs in the 7th to secure third place this season!

Spoiler Alert!

Good day Constant Reader Scoops Jockovitch here, award winning sports journalist and just like Shutter Island, Fight Club and The Usual Suspects, your Storm had a twist ending all set up after what may be the lads in Orange most “emotional “ game in a long time.

Facing the former Washington Nationals in a must win game for both teams the game started in a very boring way both teams dunking donuts in the 1st inning. The scoring started in the top of the second with a towering shot to the Baskervilles by Sherlocks best buddy. Our lads went into the bottom of the second leading 1-0 and that was when the wheels on the blue meth making Winnebago of the Storm started to get wobbly.

Some poorly timed walks by BOTB and some sketchy defence gave the Ex’s both lots of runs and lots of outs. The Po’s were gifted the max for the inning. SCORE 6-1 Montreal. Our boys had no response in the turd inning and the scheduled pitching change was made going into the bottom of the inning.

Once again it was pedestrians, solid hitting and some questionable D that gifted Youppi’s favourite team another max score. End of 3 SCORE 12-1

Emotional clouds were brewing in the Storms clubhouse as frustration from several players came to the forefront. But as a young lad from Tatooine was once told by a bald Muppet, “Passion leads to frustration. frustration leads to anger, anger leads to hitting, now go hit the f’n ball young Skywalker!” It was with this motivation that the Storm “forced” their own max 6 across the plate and brought in the now wily veteran pitcher to keep Youppi’s team down. SCORE 13-7.

Over the next 2 innings the Storm would score 3 while Les Expo would also plate 3. Going into the Top of the 7th the score was 16-10 with our lads coming to the plate.

So as mentioned earlier there a twist ending coming. No, it’s not all in Leo’s head, no its not all in Ed Nortons head and yes Kevin Spacey is Kaiser Soze. But nobody (except for the Expos) expected this.

There is a brief history of comebacks by the Storm on the Expos but surely being up by 6 in the last inning would break that curse. That curse still stands mother fudgers! Your lads would score 12 in the inning and bat around before announcing their 2nd and 3rd outs to be able to get the inning in.

Some great pitching by Batting Practice and a redemptive defence play by the Doctor shut out les Expos for a 22-16 win. My very, very old malignant, crusty ticker can’t handle many more of these games.

This has been Scoops Jockovitch award-winning sports journalist.

Final Score: Storm 22 - Expos 16