Flying Force are just Runnin' Fools in Disguise,,,

0-2 OBI Coach Michael Lee walked towards Field 1 this past Thursday with a bounce in his step. We were riding a 6 game losing streak and heading into a battle against a New opponent in 0-2 Flying Force.  And then there was Jeff, sitting in the dugout opposite J.R., and realization set in. Flying Force was simply Runnin' Fools renamed.

Pleasantries were exchanged and onward Matt and I marched, me cursing under my breath to no avail. We had two games to play, against a known opponent, and it was stinkin' hot on field 1 for the 6:15 game. Even when things change, they stay the same. C'est la vie (such is life for those who do not eat french toast)...

This weeks version of softball life was all about defense and timely hitting. We made the defensive plays we needed and hit just well enough to come from behind in game 1 and simply scratched and clawed our way to two victories in pitching duel fashion at 9-6 and 5-3.

Game 1 started with a Brent two-out Single driving in Nuta. Then, after The Force put up all 6 of their runs in the bottom of the 1st, Larry and Paul started some fireworks OBI-style by each Doubling. Then, Matt, Nuta, and Spillane singled to answer back and bring the score to 4-6.

After Brent's 300' Single (I mean his bat flip and HR trot looked good), Larry and JR singled as we pulled within 1 run. Tie the game we did in the top of the 4th after sickly Matt collected his second hit of the game, eventually scoring from 2B on a Deep Sac Fly by Jayse,,, to third base... Moving on,,, the score remained the same until the top of the 7th inning when OBI broke out on Singles by Jayse, Brent, Jakob,,, and, oh ya, a 2-run Triple by J.R. 

Defensively, after giving up 6 runs in the first, we held The Force scoreless in their final 6 at bats. We made the plays when we needed and Larry pitched extremely well the entire game.

Game 2 was another 7 inning affair. Again, good defense, not so good hitting (especially by the Force), and pitching were the difference in this game. After The Force put up a run in the top of the first. OBI went quietly into that dark night, 1,2,3...

OBI then put up back to back 2 spots over the next two innings and took a 4-1 lead after 3. Jayse, Michael, Larry and J.R. singled in the second. While it was Nuta and Spillane who singled and scored on Brent's double in the third inning.

The Force made it interesting scoring 2 in the top of the 5th inning. But, OBI was up to the task and pushed across a run in the bottom of the 6th. This insurance run made the difference and was the final tally of the double header, giving OBI the 5-3 win.

J.R. pitched game 2 and was as on point as Larry in game 1, giving up only 3 runs. Combined, the Lefty/Righty combo,,, errr, combined to give up only 9 runs over 14 innings. Even more impressive is the fact that over the final 13 innings, we gave up only 3 runs defensively.

This is where I bow to the pitching and defensive gods. Keep on Keepin' On !!!

OBI Drops 2nd Double Header to Midlife Crisis in 3 weeks...

Season 4 started where Season 3 left off, another Double Header loss. Grrrrrrrrr,,, as OBI scored 6 runs in both games and lost to Midlife Crisis 6-8 & 6-11. We played excellent defense in both the outfield and infield. In fact, one of the double plays has Matt's fingers still numb. 

A few notable things happened this week:
-- J.R. was unable to play and contacted his own fill-in.
-- Brent played well as J.R.'s fill-in.
-- Nuta and Hanshaw begged out late and did not provide a fill-in.
-- Juan Reynoso has agreed to join our squad, but will miss week 2.
-- A different Brent will fill-in for Juan this week.
-- Did I mention Matt's hand is still numb from last week?
-- Spillane hit very well batting second

Only a couple players did not have 2 hits in the game. We were simply unable to put more than a couple hits together for the first four innings.

Game 2 was very similar, obviously as we once again scored only 6 runs. As we all know, only going to win a few games scoring this number of runs per game.


However, good things are on the horizon. OBI heads to field 1 this week and is poised to make some noise.

Let's each work hard to perform this week at the level we know we can. Play within ourselves, hustle and "Hit it where they ain't".

Season 4 stats will be available after the Week 2 games...
 

#8 Seed OBI Unable to Play Up to Competition...

Before their contest against #1 seed Team Wear It,,, the OBI squad conceded defeat with their actions in the dugout and on the field.  Tough to stay positive and play against well a team we dislike so much, I get it. This is simply a culture issue, it is not a reflection of the talent on our OBI team. We can hang with any team when we play our game.

It really boils down to how we approach each game,,, the culture cultivated by the coach. Here is where I have failed OBI/Split City/2x Champs in 2014... And I hope to right the ship as we move forward.

I feel the key is maintain our core group and add a piece or two that will have a positive affect on the overall performance of the squad (from both an offensive and defensive perspective). The first move has been made, I am putting it in writing here in the blog...

Next step, another on me,,, be a better leader on the field and in the dugout. Leadership by example on the field and at the plate is my plan. Am going to take Paul's words of encouragement to heart and I hope each of you will do the same... "Hit it like you do in the batting cage". Thanks for the reminder Paul !!!

In the Season 3 tourney opening game, we found ourselves down 15-2 after 3 innings. Dim things looked prior to the top of the 4th inning where things took a positive turn with Clint leading off with a Double. One out later, Michael doubled, then Jayse and Nuta each singled. After John walked, Jakob singled in another run and finally, Paul singled home 2 more runs to bring the score to 15-7.

The final score was a 5 inning defeat of 18-7. This sent us to up against Runnin' Fools in the 7th Place Consolation game,,, wellllllll, after 3 innings OBI was once again down, but this time was only 8-1. Our 1 run courtesy of hustle and back-to-back singles by Nuta and Jayse with a Sac Fly by Michael.

Again the 4th inning played a big role in the game as J.R.'s one-out single followed by a Nuta double set the tables for Jayse's 2-run single. Then the unexpected happened in the bottom of the inning as the Runnin' Fools loaded the bases with  no outs. The next batter, Jeff, hit a two-hopper to Michael playing shallow at third base and an unusual triple play unfurled.

With the runner on third not immediately breaking from third base, Michael took the ball in his hand and in one motion tagged the runner standing on 3rd base (first out), stepped on 3rd base (second out), and threw to 2nd base for the third out of the play.

There, Jayse,,, I posted the note about the play (whew)... This was a special play in my life, especially getting a high five from all my teammates as they stepped off the field afterwards. I look forward to making the second half of 2015 special as we continue playing hard, no matter which team is in the opposing dugout.

 

OBI Drops 2 to MidLife Crisis, Finishes Season 3 as 8th Seed,,, No Film @ 11...

OBI finished Season 3 as the 8th Seed at 5 wins, 9 losses. That puts us 3 games out of first place as Team Wear It's 8-6 record topped Division 1's regular season. OBI will be given the opportunity to prove we belong in D1 in the season 3 tourney as we will face off against Team Wear It in Game 1 this Thursday.

OBI was knocked to the canvas after giving up 6 and then 3 more runs in the top of the First and Second innings of Game 1.  However, getting back up and pushing across a 9-spot in the bottom of the Second to tie the game at 9 was needful and impressive.

Michael opened the inning with a 4-pitch walk (leads team with 4). Jakob and J.R. both singled to load the bases prior to Paul unloading on a pitch and drove in all 3 with a Triple thru the LC Fielders glove. Larry singled in Paulie, followed by Hanshaw staying out of a Double Play with hustle to first. This was important since after Lucas flied to LC,,, Matt, Nuta, Nick, and Spillane each singled to bring the score to 9-6 with 2 outs and bases loaded. Michael stepped up and promptly drove the first strike to the warning track in LC.

Fortunately,  the ball was lined to the wall (on a hop) annnnnnd the outfielders were all playing at about Larry depth. Obviously, they were unaware of the new bat and upgraded confidence Michael was feeling holding said bat. Bases cleared and Michael made it all the way to third on the throw to the plate, Triple (leads team with 4).

Unfortunately, MidLife Crisis scored 5 more twice, in both the 3rd and 4th innings to achieve their 19 run total. This overcame Larry's 2-run Bomb,, errr Rocket,,, ummm Line Drive that snuck down the RF line for an inside the parker in the bottom of the 3rd. After Spillane drove in Nick from first with his own single in the bottom of the 4th, J.R., Paulie, and Larry each single in the 5th to tally the final 14 run total as OBI came up a nickel short.

Split City remains in hiding,,, again, as a pitchers duel ensued in Game 2. After OBI scored 4 runs in the top of the 1st and one more in the second,,, no further damage was done by our offense. In fact, only two base runners advanced to Second Base during the final 5 innings. There were 7 singles put into play during that time.

Hitting stars for this week include J.R. and his 6 for 6 effort, Larry had 4 hits and drove in 4 runs including a 3 for 3 effort in game 1, and Michael with his new bat making one official out (on a diving catch in Centerfield, Jayse-style.)...

Special thanks this week to Matt Hanshaw, Lucas and Nick. Without these three individuals we would have had to pick up 2 other individuals at game time just to have 10 Players.

After next week, along with full Season 3 stats, we will get a look at the Mid-2015 YTD Stats. Here are the stats thru Season 3 Week 7,,,

June is Vacation Time, Split City takes the Week Off...

5-7 OBI held off bitter rival Murphy's Law twice in glorious fashion this week. Two close wins, 9-6 and 10-8, were on tap with essential 2-out hits and ever-present consistent defense. And of course,,, the infamous doubled up back-to-back Sac Flies...

OBI opened Game 1 with a 4 run outburst in the Top of the 1st,,, all scoring with 2 outs. After Matt's lead off single and then Out #2, a John Backwards-K, hits by Spillane, Michael, Nuta, Jakob, and Jayse made it happen. John redeemed himself with his own 2-out hit in the second to make the score 5-1 after the Top of the 2nd.

After a quiet 3rd, 4th, and 5th innnings,, bases were loaded after scoring a run to make the score 6-1 when Matt and Paul both hit Sac Flys, back-to-back fashion. John followed with another two out hit and the score was 9-1 going to the bottom of the 6th. Murphy's Law made it close by scoring 3 and then a pair in the bottom of the 7th.

Murphy's Law continued their hot hitting and scored 4 in the top of the first in Game 2. OBI answered back with 3 of their own,,, again, all scoring on 2 out hits after Matt and Paul singled when John and Spillane drove them in.

The game was taken over as 4 then 3 were scored in the bottom of the 2nd and 3rd innings, respectively. Nuta, Jakob, Jayse, and J.R. started the 2nd with hits and Matt finished off the inning run scoring with another hit.

The lead was then stretched to 10-4 as John and Spillane singled, followed by a Michael Walk and Nuta single. Topping off the inning were Back-to-Back Sac Flys by Jakob and Jayse.

The OBI offense could be counted on for NoMoRuns and the defense was again steady enough to hold off Murphy's Law late comeback bid,,, which ended up to low and they did not win the auction,,, so to speak.

The 10 runs in the second game were pushed across by only 15 hits. Game 1's 9 runs were courtesy of 20 hits.  Hopefully, the offense can continue the consistent output as we head into Week 7 of Season 3 contest against Midlife Crisis on field 2... 815/915 Games,,, ooohhh yyyaaaaaa

Runnin' Fools Start with 8, Give Up 13 in Bottom of 1st...

On June 18, Split City started the evening off with a Lucky 13 by sending 18 to the plate who mostly took advantage of the 8 man defensive start for the Runnin' Fools. Withstanding an 11 run top of the 4th inning, Split City held on to take Game 1 18-13.

Matt collected a hit in the first inning for his only single of the game. It was not necessary for him to carry OBI on his back this game as the remaining 9 in the lineup stroked 28 hits in the 5 innings.

Highlights include Jakob's 4 for 4, Spillane's 2 Doubles and 3 RBIs, 3 hits each by Clint, John, Michael, Paul and Nuta.  Nuta's 2 Doubles and Infield Triple impressively drove in 7 runs.

Split City went quiet for Game 2 by collecting only 9 hits and scoring 4 runs in the 6 inning game. Highlights were few and far between. As offensive OBI was in Game 1, opposites attracted and only John and Michael had 2 hits in the game.  Michael's unexpected triple over the 3rd base bag was an interesting moment (still not happy I had to run out a sticking triple).

Defense remains a specialty of the OBI squad and kept us in Game 2 until the final inning when RFools pushed across 5 runs to earn the 11-4 final.

Next, Split City takes a week off...