Split with Falcons

Game 1 - In which Craig discovers we keep statistics and promptly has his worst offensive game of the season, and Bob strikes out with the bases loaded.

The game didn’t start well for Storm. There were some miscues, and the Falcons took advantage, putting up the maximum six in the first inning. 

In the 3rd inning, Storm looked like they were ready to mount a comeback. With one run already in, Storm loaded the bases and flipped the order to the top. Bob was taking his role as lead-off hitter seriously. He had walked to start the game, and with the bases loaded he worked the count full before striking out on a foul ball. Put a skewer in him and call him KBob. 

In the fourth, Storm finally put up some offense. After learning we kept track of stats, Craig had grounded out to the pitcher and then popped up in the infield in his first two at bats. He hit a two run shot to help start Storm’s biggest inning so far. Two batters later Lance hit the first of his two home runs and Storm strung together some singles to put up the max six and get back in the game. 

In the bottom of 4th, Lance had trouble seeing the ball. The first ball he lost landed harmlessly in Bob's glove. The second would have fallen for a single anyway, but it appeared that Lance didn't see it until it hit the ground. The third he apparently had tracked perfectly as it landed in his glove, but then fell out again. Not too much damage was done, and after four Storm trailed 13-11.

In the top of the 5th, Storm was unable to pull even and Kraig decided he really likes it when his name is spelled with K and struck out so he could see it again! Interesting note, his wife Kristie (name actually spelled with a K) is the team’s scorekeeper, and in an act of spousal protection actually scratched out the K on the scoresheet hoping we wouldn’t notice. But Ks always get noticed! 

The bottom of the 5th saw lots of the poor ball handling so reminiscent of Bra… I mean, Scoops's honeymoon that he's so fond of writing about when he does the writeups. Balls bounced off many infielders and even went under an outfielder’s glove. Even when the balls were handled well, there were some mental miscues and a nice scoop by Joey at short was squandered by nobody covering the bag at second. It was not Storm's finest inning. The Falcons scored five and increased their lead to seven.

Lance led off the sixth with his second home run, though this was a solo shot that would put Storm +2. Storm added a second run and drew to within five,

Storm’s ball handling hadn’t seemed to improve in the 6th. The first ball went off Al and Duran. Another ball went off Duran's glove up his shoulder and off his back. Another tipped off Jeff's glove as he dove for the ball. However, Storm managed to minimize the damage, and kept the Falcons to only two runs. 

Storm needed to score seven runs and then record three outs in 10 minutes. It didn’t happen. 

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 5 for 5, 3 triples, 3 runs, 2 RBI

Joey - 3 for 4, 3 runs, 2 RBI

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

Cycle Watch: Duran missed the homer

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	2	2	1	6	0	2	2	15
Falcons	6	0	4	3	5	3	x	21

Game 2 - In which Storm has just enough good defense to win by one

Game 2 started off looking like a replay of game 1 as Jeff scooped a ball cleanly then bounced it to first with Brian unable to scoop it.  That set the tone for a weak defensive inning that the Falcons capitalized on as they scored six to start (just like in the first game). However, the game got different when Storm was able to match the Falcons’ first inning explosion with six runs of their own. Craig hit a two run home run and Storm hit and walked their way through the rest of the order. 

In the second, Joey used every part of his body to control the ball, but he stayed with it and threw to first. The Falcons would score four. 

In the bottom of the 2nd, a sight as rare as Halley's comet soared across the sky. Duran pulled a ball. And it went out of the park. This capped a three run inning and it pulled Storm to within one. 

The top of the 3rd ended with a long scary strikeout just foul over the right field fence. The Falcons were blanked and Storm saw their opportunity to take the lead and took it. Storm scored six runs to pull into the lead. 

The Falcons flew back into the game with four runs in the top of the fourth. Joey made a great play ranging to his left and throwing out a runner at home. This would be important later in the game. Storm scored none in the bottom leaving the game at a very tight 15-14. The Falcons scored none in the fifth. In the bottom of the 5th, Duran hit the longest single of his life, bouncing a ball off the top of the wall. But Mike had to hold up to see if it would get caught, so Duran was stuck at first. The Falcons would score three in the sixth and at the end of six Storm led 20-17. 

The Falcons scored two in the top of the seventh. With two outs Jeff threw across the field to Brian instead of taking the short throw to second. Brian was so surprised that the ball got to him in the air that he didn’t know what to do and dropped it. This put the tying run at second base. The next batter lined out to right centre and Storm held on to the lead.

Cycle Watch: 

Duran hit for the cycle!

Craig missed the triple

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 5 for 5, 4 runs, 4 RBI, hit for the cycle!

Craig - 3 for 5, 3 runs, 3 RBI

Joey - 3 for 4, 4 RBI

Al 3 for 3, 2 runs, RBI

Mike 2 for 3, 3 runs, RBI

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Falcons	6	4	0	4	0	3	2	19
Storm	6	3	6	0	3	2	x	20

Storm sweeps thru Broadway

Game 1 – In which our intrepid reporter returns (late) and misses anything interesting.

It’s true! It’s me! Your intrepid reporter Scoops Jockovitch returns. To quote the legendary author and under appreciated shortstop Mark Twain “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated. So, what’s been happening the last year? Anything new and interesting going on around the world? No? Ok then, onto Whitby Men's Slo-Pitch.

After a dreadful start to this season, filled with errors and poor ball handling (which reminds me of my honeymoon) the Storm seem to be back to their usual ways. Facing the strong ensemble from Broadway the Storm were in a tight battle for 2nd in the division. All the usual leads for Broadway were there plus an understudy that was called up for his time in the limelight. And that understudy wanted that limelight, he made his presence known, his attention to the minute details and intricacies of the game are quickly making him a fan favorite.
Unfortunately, this reporter arrived a little late and a lot hungover so the early innings are a blur. Based upon the scoresheet supplied I can say that the Storm had 2 coloured diamonds but lost the game of tic tac toe to the X’s.

The next two innings were like a good night at the local bar for me, as the Storm took home a pair of 6’s.
In the 4th the bottom of the order delivered a powerful message to Broadway by doing their best personification of what this writer thinks is Sir Vin Diesels best movie, XXX.
The Storm D kept the Broadway show from opening to a larger audience, limiting them to just one more run than my shop teacher has fingers. Like their name’s sake the Stormy’s opened it up wide in the 6th by plating 10.

With a final score of 27-5 the stage was set for a repeat performance in the back half of the doubleheader.

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 6 for 6, HR, 7 RBI, 5 runs

Craig - 5 for 6, 2 HR's, , 5 RBI, 5 runs

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

Lance - 4 for 5, 3 RBI

Cycle Watch: Duran & Joey both missed the triple

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Broadway	0	0	1	0	3	0	1	5
Storm	2	6	6	0	3	10	x	27

Game 2 – In which your intrepid reporter can’t differentiate the events between Game 1 and Game 2

Greeting all! Your intrepid reporter Scoops Jockovitch here with another scintillating report about everyone’s favorite group of slightly in shape males with an average age of 47.9.

It was the Second show of the night, and the Storm were Broadway bound!

The Stormies stayed strong out of the gate after game 1 scoring once again just enough NOT to invoke the mercy rule ( isn’t that thoughtful of them) Now in truth they actually thought that they had invoked the mercy rule…HOWEVER, that keen little understudy who is everyone’s favorite rule-meiser ( when it suits his team) noticed that though the 6th run had crossed the plate the runner on first had NOT touched 2nd base to “complete” the play. The “Out” was registered on second and the run was denied. None of this is problem at all as we welcome one and all to our Professional Baseball league!

Not to be outdone in the 1st inning the boys in orange plated another finsky (once again NOT showing mercy)

It was into the 3rd when mercy was shown as the bats came alive down the order to score what I’ve been told is me on a good day…a 6.

The question of Home Run counts then came into play. Once again, an issue raised by everyone’s favorite Broadway understudy and all-around scamp. This information was so important that he needed to check the Storms scorebook while all the Storm were out in the field. Now that’s tenacity and a work ethic I think we all can admire.

The Homerun count settled, and our bags checked for any missing items, it was back to the game.

Into the 5th and Craig (the artist formerly known as Kraig) blasted a 3 run Homerun (make sure its counted!) over the fence for the only orange scoring of the inning.

The scoring continued into the 5th with a matching number of runs highlighted by a blast from the man whose heart is really in the game “The Big D”!

Now in the 6th some of the most amazing things this reporter has ever seen on a ball diamond took place. Things that I can’t and shouldn’t describe because you won’t believe them. And since the 6th ran long and wasn’t counted, I won’t.

Final tally 

Storm 24-17

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 5 for 5, 2 HR's, 4 RBI, 5 runs

Lance - 4 for 5, HR, Double, 4 RBI, 3 runs,

Craig - 4 for 5, HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs

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

Bob - 4 for 5, Triple, Double, 4 runs

Cycle Watch: Bob missed the HR, Lance & Joey both missed the triple

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	5	5	6	3	5	x	x	24
Broadway	6	4	0	5	2	x	x	17

Storm Stays Strong - Sweeps Hanet

Game 1 - In which Storm scores 10 runs in the sixth inning to come from behind to win.

Storm started strong with a five run first inning. Duran and Rene each hit two run homers and Storm carried a 5-3 lead into the second. Storm almost kept that lead, but with two outs a dropped ball opened the door for Hanet to score six two run outs, including two two-run homers. Storm managed three in the bottom of the 2nd to pull within one.

The third so no scoring for either team. Hanet added four more runs in the top of the fourth and extended their lead to 13-8. A pitching change followed for Storm, and Mike put up a zero in the top of the 5th. This allowed Storm to put up four runs in the bottom of the fifth. Craig led off with a Han solo home run, followed by a pair of doubles by Rene and Bob. The bottom of the order came up with timely hits and Storm trailed by just one at the end of the fifth.

The sixth inning saw Hanet extend their lead to five as they put up a four spot. The bottom of the sixth is when Storm bats came to life. Joey and Bob each hit two-run homers to bring Storm to within one run. Storm then strung together seven hits, including a three-run blast by Duran, and Storm put up 10 runs to take a 22-17 lead. 

Storm blanked Hanet in the top of the seventh.

Defensive highlights (or not so highlights)

A pop fly with lots of backspin kicked off the heel of Brad’s glove. The runner was slow, so Brad had time to throw the runner out, but the ball kicked off the heel of Brian’s glove. Brad quipped that the play involved two heels, and that was the people involved not the glove. The following batter hit a ground ball to third. This kicked off the heel of Rene’s glove, and bounced up between his legs. Rene reached between his legs, found three balls, pulled out the right one and recorded the final out.

Notable Boxscores:

Duran - 5 for 5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 runs

Joey - 4 for 5, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 doubles

Rene - 4 for 4, HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs, 3 doubles

Bob - 4 for 4, HR, 2 doubles, 3 runs, 2 RBI

Cycle Watch: Joey missed the triple

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Hanet	3	6	0	4	0	4	0	17
Storm	3	3	3	0	3	10	x	22

Game 2 - In which Storm scores in every inning on way to sweeping the doubleheader

Storm scored in every inning and spread the wealth out across the lineup. The game was close across the first four innings. Hanet jumped out to a 5-3 lead in the first. Storm put up five in the second starting with a leadoff single by Kevin that set the table for the inning. Storm held Hanet to 3 in the second and after two it was 8-8.

The top of the third saw Storm put up another five spot. The rally was again kicked off by a single from Kevin, and was capped off by back to back home runs by Duran and Joey. For those keeping track, this means Joey selfishly smashed a solo home run. The inning came to a screeching halt, however, when Kraig struck out. With one strike, Kraig took a massive swing and completely missed as the ball hit off the mat. He then exclaimed, “Oh my god.” He assured the bench that it wouldn’t happen again. But it did. On the very next pitch. Kraig swung so hard that players on the Storm bench were nearly knocked over by the wind, but no Kontact was made, and Kraig slouched back to the bench. Kraig had a lot of success during the doubleheader, but he also had some interesting at bats. Earlier in the evening he had taken a mighty swing that missed the ball, but made contact on the follow through after the ball had hit the mat. It’s not cricket, Craig!

Anyway, back to the game. Hanet scored three in the fourth and Storm took a 14-11 lead into the fifth inning. The game wasn’t the primary focus for some players. Rene was very interested in the qualifying heat for Andre DeGrasse. He watched the false start and waited for the race to the point where he didn’t even go on deck because he was trying to watch the race. Alas, the break was too long and Rene went out to hit. He singled, and then the race started. Both the qualifying heat for De Grasse, and the race where Bob chased Rene around the bases. Rene had left his phone in Mike’s hands, and Mike and Jeff were trying to watch the qualifying heat, but when Bob’s hit skipped past the Hanet outfielder, a much more interesting race was transpiring right in front of them. Rene running on a bad hip, limped around the bases as Bob charged in behind him. Rene was waved home, and a few feet behind him, Bob was waved home. The ball had come in to second base and the throw came home. Thankfully, Rene crossed the line first in a photo finish with Bob just before the ball reached the plate. When Rene returned to the dugout he asked what had happened in the race. The bench responded that he nearly got lapped by Bob. Rene said, “I might the qualifier.” Mike and Jeff looked at each other and shrugged realizing neither had paid attention to the race because they were too distracted by the game in front of them. (Editorial note: De Grasse qualified in third). Storm would not relinquish the lead again, and would add six more runs in the seventh to cement their lead.

Notable Boxscores:

Kraig - STRIKEOUT, 4 for 5, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2B

Duran - 4 for 5, 2 home runs, 5 RBI, 4 runs

Joey - 4 for 5, 4 runs, 2 RBI

Bob - 4 for 5, inside the park home run, 3 RBI, 2 runs

Kevin - 4 for 5, 4 runs, two rallies started

Mike - 4 for 5, 5 RBI

Cycle Watch: After missing the triple multiple times this season, Duran hit the triple this game., But he couldn’t get the double. Instead he hit two home runs.

Kraig missed the triple. Instead he got the striKeout.

Boxscore
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Storm	3	5	5	1	5	1	6	26
Hanet	5	3	0	3	2	3	2	18