Statistically Speaking, 75% of Stats Are Made Up On The Fly…

But not OBI’s! Ours come from friendly scorekeepers and Excel files that hold a years worth of game data, each…

This blog posting is all about numbers. Those that we started accumulating in Season 1 of 2013 have been compiled into the glorified stat sheet that is attached below.

Following are some of the significant data points that just jumped out upon first glance:
— 10 Players on our current roster have played with OBI since 2013!!!
— Matt has played the most games (286) and as the lead off hitter for a decent amount of that time has the most At Bats (922) and yes, even Hits (507).
— One full season of play over the 3+ years qualifies a player for the Batting Avg., On Base Pct and OPS categories. DC (David Craycraft) has played 90 games and leads all 3 categories,,, easily.
— Michael is very picky… With 78 Base on Balls has 25% of OBI’s Walks during this time period.
— Spillane and Michael dominate Top 3 appearances in the 15 Offensive Categories. Here are the top category mongers:

• Spillane appears in 10 and leads 2 (RBIs and Triples)
• Michael appears in 8 and leads 5 (Runs, Doubles, Walks, Sac Flies, and Times on Base)
• Matt appears in 6 and leads 4 (Games, At Bats, Hits, and Plate Appearances)
• Clint also appears in 6…
• Juan appears in 5 and will soon lead in a few…

— Juan has 45 HRs and is one short of DC’s 46… He will also take the Batting Avg. lead once the Games Played goes above 90 for the mid-year report in 2016.
— 155-146-5 Record in 301 games would not have been achieved, except for the stats missing from this sheet.

• These stats are all about Defense and especially pitching. Larry has played 274 games and pitched 250+ I am positive. 
• Our statistics are not misleading, just fall short of the efforts made on the other side of the ball.
  

Thanks, Larry and each of you for committing to your solid play on both sides of the ball.

And I cannot end this without specifying to you how amazed I am to see that we have 10 of 14 players on our current roster that have been playing with us since 2013… Incredible!

Thursday Men's D2 2016 Season 1 Postseason,,, an ESPN Instant Classic

Sitting at .500 after 3 weeks of Season1 play, 3-3 Split City was in full force. Two of the losses were to teams that would finish below .500 at seasons end.

Inconsistency marked our play in the field and at the plate. Now, 5 weeks later, 13-3 OBI is a proud owner of a double digit win streak that culminated in an extremely entertaining and 2 strange Season 1 postseason tournament victories.

Yes, OBI is once again Champions of a Season 1 Tournament for the second time in 3 years, having won 3 of the last 7 D2 tournament appearances since 2014 Season 1.

This season tournament consisted of the leagues final four. Interestingly, this gives additional value to the Regular Season and allowed the top teams an opportunity to battle for the title.

OBI secured the #2 seed with a double header sweep of #3 seed 7-5-2 Warning Track Power in the final week of the regular season. Basically, OBI earned right to be the Home Team, against Warning Track Power in the Semis. And with the wind blowing in on field #5, and runs proving to be hard to come by,,, this proved fortuitous.

The defense in the OBI Outfield set the tone for both games. Time and Time again, plays we made that most other teams can only dream of:
— Mando solid in LF but spectacular on catches going deep and towards the LF Corner in Game 1. But the play (somehow) made to end the top of the sixth and last inning of the Championship Game was a turning, twisting over which shoulder no one quite knows, bring it in and save runs Top Plays of the Week type stuff…
— Returning from injury and playing solid in LC, Jayse was aces until a 298’ near Big Fly hauled in when all but 3 players thought it was gone type catch to thwart a huge Game 2 rally.
— Returning to his old self, Spillane ranged left, right, back and forward to take hits and extries away from the opponents.  More than once, Chris caught the ball on the dead run when it had already flown by another OFer.
— Both Tom and Paul had good nights even though at times the ball seemed to bounce as far away from them as possible. Tom's contortionistic stop of a line drive in Game 1 saved OBI's collective bacon as with the effort, no runs were scored after that hit in the extra frame.

Pitching was spectacular and even with the wind, am not sure a Walk was even given up.
— Juan gave up 1 run in the first two innings of Game 1 before moving to 2nd Base to take over for an injured John.
— Larry had not played in 3 weeks but pitched like he practiced every day from Game 1 3rd Inning on. After giving up 8 runs in 8 innings in Game 1, No Glove No Love scored 13 in the 6 inning Championship Game by charging back late with 8 total runs in the final two innings.

The infield was solid as well from corner to corner:
— Clint fielded the position well and made some nice throws on Double Play attempts. Speed kept him from turning a few.
— Michael moved well to pop flies and grounders alike at SS. Even the speedy were thrown out this night.
— John fielded well before a re-injured hamstring sent him to the bench.
— Juan also made a few nice plays on ground balls and a stolen base hit taken away on a looping shot over the infield on the first base line.
— Behind the plate, JR and Paul called good pitches and fielded their position well.
— At first base, Matt played his groin off as his stretches to snare throws for outs at first were successful as well as painful. A few short hop plays mixed in really made his fellow IFers look good as the opponents consistently sat down after swinging, all night…

But, winning Game 1 with offensive comebacks was Epic:
1st inning — Michael scored on Juan’s 2-out Single after Clint was thrown out at the plate on Michael’s hit. (1-1)
3rd inning — After JR and Larry single and are forced at 3rd and 2nd, respectively, Clint and Michael single to pull OBI back within 3. (2-5)
4th inning — Spillane singles after Matt, John, and Paul follow with Singles. Back within 2. (3-5)
5th inning — Hits by Larry and Mando are followed by 2-run Clint Double, and after Michael Single’s, Spillane pushes one across with a Line Out to RC (Remember this one). Jayse, Matt, and John’s hits push one more run across. (Tied at 7)
6th inning — In the final regulation inning, down by 1, Tom made it look easy with a Triple deep down the LF line. With one out, Larry singled and plated the tying run. (8-8)
7th inning — Again, WTP pushed across a run and was feeling very good about their chances after both Michael and Juan flew out. The from some alternate universe or possibly learning curve achieved by Spillane from inning 5,,, Chris lines a ball over RCers head for a Triple. With the tying run, Jayse beat feet and is safe at first, scoring Spillane. (Tie again at 9)
8th & 9th inning — Both teams put up 0s with other teams watching on…
10th inning — With one out, Michael tossed his Courtesy Swing and Walked on 3 pitches. Juan singled, moving Michael up one base. 7th inning Hero Spillane continues the magic and his base hit to RC goes through the 5 hole,,, Michael scores and the comeback / 10-inning Win is etched indelibly into Victory Lane Semi-Final Tourney Game History…

But wait, there is now another game to play, and OBI moves from field 5 to field 6,,, and the crowd cheered,, yaaaay!!!

The Championship Game started well and looked like an OBI runaway early as we raced out to a 12-5 lead after 4 innings. 9-7 #4 seed No Glove No Love had won their semi-final versus the 1 seed 18-11 and was primed to score some runs. They did in the top of innings 5 and 6, taking a 13-12 lead into the both of the 6th and final regulation inning. Following is the early offense and late game heroics that when mixed with our defensive effort have brought OBI another Victory Lane League Title…

1st inning — After Clint Doubled and Michael Singled, Juan and Spillane stroked RBI Singles. (OBI Leads 2-0)
2nd inning — John and Paul Single then Score on Tom’s Double. JR follows next with his own RBI Single and the top keeps it rolling as Mando singles and Clint rips another 2-run Double. Juan’s RBI Single closes out the innings scoring. (6-0)
3rd inning — A 5 spot in the top of the inning is countered by OBI with Jayse singling and a double by Matt, then both score on John’s legged out Double. And when I say legged out, I mean peg-legged as John’s Hammy was hurting but not stopping him from his hitting duties. Then after two outs, it took hits by JR and Larry to score John’s runner from second. (OBI 11-5)
4th inning — Back to Back Doubles by Michael and Juan plate a run. (12-5)
6th inning — After taking a 12-5 lead into the 5th inning, OBI now trails 12-13 going to the bottom half of the final inning. After JR’s liner was snagged for out 1 by the SS, Larry stroked a gapper in RF that he legged out for a Triple. With the tying run on third and one out, Mando was picky at the dish and walked.

With Larry representing the tying run a third and Mando the winning run at first, Clint took the proper next step and hit a Sac Fly to Left Field and tied the game at 13. Mando being heads up, moved up from first base to second on the play. Michael stepped up to the plate and lined the first good pitch over the pitchers head, easily driving in the speedy Mando for the walk-off League Tourney Title.

A fantastic 13-3 season capped off by a memorable postseason tourney run… How epic is a double digit win streak?

I am told that there are new Victory Lane League Champion shirts heading our way,,, possibly a $25 voucher for Jerseys. It looks like we are all hanging with winners both on and off the field… Gooooooo OBI !!!

Into the Season 1 - Final 4 We Do Go...

11-3 OBI took two from 7-5-2 Warning Track Power this past week with timely hitting and a strong defensive showing (sans Michael's final inning gaffs at SS). OBI raked it early and often run-ruling WTP 15-1 in 5 innings and followed up with a 12-10 come from behind victory in the night cap.

With Jayse hurting, Larry on the road and Matt playing injured, OBI was fortunate that Spillane brought out Tom with him. The Outfielders were beyond solid and snared hit and drive after drive holding down the fort in a big way. The infield was anchored by solid play at 3B by Clint and John at 2B.

With a 2-1 lead (Mando, Michael and Juan each doubled in the first) going to the bottom of the 2nd inning, OBI sent 14 to bat and plated 9. Six hits started the inning but things really lit up with Spillane's 2-run HR to LC field. Paul and Nuta were each 2-2 in the inning.

After a scoreless 3rd inning, Michael started the 4th with a single followed by 2 Doubles from Spillane and John. Then another Big Fly from Paul (ok, more of a line drive thru RCs 5 hole) pushed the score to the final of 15-1.

In the finale, OBI fell behind but only by 3-5 after JR and Tom's back-to-back Doubles. OBI took the lead for good with a 5 spot in the Top of the 3rd as Mando, Clint and Michael singled prior to RBI Doubles by Juan and Spillane. Nuta drove in the 5th run with two outs.

Leading 8-6, OBI put up their last 4 runs as Matt, Clint and Michael single with Juan unloading for a Grand Slam. The 12-6 lead held up as WTP scored 2 in both the final two innings, coming up short 10-12 (whew)...

Again, timely hitting and defense pushed the winning streak to 8 games as we head into the Season 1 Tourney / Playoffs / Postseason / You Make the Call !!!  Let's Keep it rolling this week and win ourselves another t-shirt and possible D1 invitation (depending on number of returning teams lol)...

We have two games this week at 815 & 915 on either field 2 or 1... Cya there !!!

Also, thanks to those who have already paid for Season 2! If you have not paid and can do so this week, we can once again have our league fees paid in advance and be proud to not have stressed out your coaches which totally affects our fielding and batting averages and possibly which colleges we can send our children to... Just sayin',,, Thanks!

Split DH Sweep Lifts OBI into Second Place and a Playoff Spot!

Things are changing at Victory Lane Sports Park. Mostly for the good thus far in 2016…
— New Light Bulbs in the Scoreboards.
— Updated Scoreboard Maintenance in general.
— Leveling of Infields and Warning Tracks (no lips!)
— Post-Season Playoffs

Yes, the postseason tournaments are literally playoff spots starting 2016 Season 1. The Top 4 spots in each league will vie for each season’s League Championship. All other teams will still play a Week 8 double header but are not invited to the dance…

Week 7 finds 9-3 OBI currently in 2nd Place going head-to-head with 3rd Place 7-3-2 Warning Track Power. Both teams are guaranteed a spot in the 4-team playoff and have about a 90% chance to meet in the first round of the playoffs, go figure. The only exception I can find is an OBI Sweep combined with a loss by E-Machine to We Are Not Dead Yet in their DH. Very interesting play in for the 4th seed between three teams as well.

One of the bigger changes at Victory Lane occurred this past week as OBI took two during the split doubleheader. I know, cray cray Right!?!?!!!

In game 1 vs. One Hit Wonders while nursing a 6-5 lead in the top of the 4th, OBI batted around,,, twice, two innings in a row (been a while since that has happened) by scoring 12 and then another 8 in the top of the 5th. Suffice to say that all 10 players made at least one out and had two hits with 5 collecting 4 and everyone scored 2 or more Runs.

Six thru 10 in the order had 7 total Doubles, 3 by Michael. The top of the order outhit the bottom 18-16 with Spillane coming up feet short of the Big Fly he needed for his cycle. Juan Homered Earl Weaver style (3 RBIs), all in all everyone hit and contributed. Excellent Team Play, I think we all should get a participation trophy based upon this game alone… But no, there is more…

Against 1st Place 10-2 E-Machine, OBI jumped out early with 4 in the first and batting around again in the third inning for another 5 spot to take a 9-2 lead. JR, Clint singled followed by Jayse’s RBI Single. Juan went deep for a second time in the DH with another Earl Weaver shot.

In the third, Clint and Jayse started it again, then Spillane, Mando, Michael, Paul, Nuta, and JR all singled to push across 5 runs. We scored but one more in the 5th inning as E-Machine clawed their way back into the game, scoring 4 runs in the 6th to tie it at 10.

The seventh inning would turn interesting and exciting as we held E-Machine scoreless, thus guaranteeing at least a tie. Then, with 2 down Michael started a rally with a Double deep to left. Spillane ran for him and scored easily on Pauls liner to LF that fell in for a loud walk-off Single.

A doubleheader win this week will guarantee 2nd seed and with a single loss by E-Machine (to We Ain’t Dead Yet), the Top Seed in the Playoffs is possible.

See y’all on Thursday !!!

Language Rain Delay Halts Game 2 Before Skies Erupt...

Ya, that was weird as once again, John only got one at bat in a game that we won. I believe that has happened previously and am sticking with that until proven otherwise. But more to the point is the bad form (not sliding) and poor manners (F-Bombs Away) displayed by those folks who are not dead yet. Am happy it was not me, for once, laying down a track of whiny expletives that serve no real purpose other than being self serving and making myself feel better.

OBI scored their second straight doubleheader and move to 7-3 for Season 1. We Ain't Dead Yet falls to even at 5-5 and into 4th place. Game 1 was all about the fast start early, then the hurricane called the 6th inning arrived and John was able to bat twice in this inning. Another non-story for another day.

1st Inning -- Matt was driven in from first when Clint line a ball down the left field line and into the corner for a base-circling 4-bagger. Jayse followed with a single and scored from first on Juan's double. Spillane and Mando singled to plate the third run and John single to load the bases. Paul singled home the final run of the inning after Michael's Sac Fly for a 6 run start. After scoring 2 more in the second, however it was a 8 run tie. OBI was outscored 1-5 over the next three innings prior to the fateful 6th.

John and Michael set the table as Paul, Nuta, and JR followed with RBI hits. Larry, Matt, Clint, Jayse, Juan each hit and drove in 3 more runs. Spillane plated the 8th run of the inning on a Sac Fly. A timely 8 spot indeed. Holding WADY to an egg in the bottom half and the 17-13 victory was ours.

WADY scored but 2 runs into the fourth inning when Paul was mercilessly tossed about by a person about the same size but definitely hairier. The correct call was made as the runner was out for not avoiding contact, discussion over. Well, game over actually as a previous cursing warning was ignored by WADY in the next inning and game goes to OBI at 9-2. Five and Four runs were scored in the 2nd and 3rd innings respectively. 

Brutal, yet funny... See y'all tomorrow...

Another 2 Weeks Goes By And All I Get Is a Stupid Blog Post !!!

Yes, 2016 Season 1 is now at the midway point and blog postings are as rare as a fortnight. However, in order to appease the beast that is the Jayse Manster, I have decided to break out my blog skills and give her a go this weak... Or is that just the way I right, week? So many choices...

Split City showed for the 3rd time in 3 weeks in Week 3 of Season 1. We out hit One Hit Wonders on field 5 to the nth degree in game one batting around in the first inning and batting till the clock struck zero in the bottom of the 5th.

The top of the first was fun as we saw Juan blast a 3-run Big Fly and Brent follow up with the first Back-to-Back HRs for OBI in a few years with a Line Drive somewhere in the neighborhood of the 350' sign in CF of field 5 (aka the Motorcross Track). Not to be outdone, Paul plated the final 3 runs of the inning with a 3-run HR of his own of the inside the park variety.

After the 8-1 start, OBI was quiet scoring just once more through the 4th inning as the Wonders hit 2 HRs of their own and knotted the game at 8. After taking a 11-10 lead going to the bottom 5th, only one out was made by the 10 batters sent to the plate,,, time ran out and the final 17-10 was written.

Split City showed in game 2 as a 6 run second and 4 run 5th could not keep the Wonders down and the final was 11-13 in 6 innings. Mando, Jayse, and Spillane were overly active and collectively made one out, scored 6 and drove in 5.

This past week on Field 1, Split City was a no-show... In a good way...

After a slow team start thru 4 innings, OBI was down 2-3. Ya, both us and No Glove No Love were raking it, ,, NOT!!! The top of the 5th, we plated 3 runs. This totally coincided with Nuta's arrival at the game, but I am not going there.

Leading 5-3 in the top of the 6th, OBI attempted to bat around the lineup,,, twice. Unfortunately, we fell 5 batters short and were able to plate only 13 runs. I know, weak,,, there is that word again. Batting thru the lineup the first time, every player had a hit, exception Nuta... Apropos, no?!?!???

Juan followed up his leadoff single with a second at bat in the inning that turned into a Grand Salami !!! A few more hits led to additional runs that came in handy after NGNL would not be denied and ripped off a Niner of their own... Yes,,, 5-3 after five,,, and a one inning score of 13-9. Ironically, both teams failed to score in the 7th inning,,, D'Oh !!!

Game 2 was even more exciting as Split City pulled into the parking lot, had walked up to the booth and as they paid their $2,,, were sent packing by Matt and his 2-out 2-RBI Walk Off Single that gave OBI and huge 15-14 come from behind victory.

Needless to say that Matt is very proud of himself and for the rest of the evening was taking massive quantities of pics with his selfie stick to celebrate the moment. (please remember that I am old and this happened since I have slept,, some facts may be subject to ,,, umm, subjectivity). But I digress...

This was a back and forth affair that required everyone's contribution on offense and defense:
-- 3 runs in the first inning on 6 consecutive hits by Juan, Spillane, Mando, John, Michael, and Paul.
-- a second run in the 3rd as Larry hustled out a ground ball that was almost a double play.
-- 4 runs in the bottom of the 4 that pulled us back to within 2. Clint and Juan both tripled and Mando also refused to get doubled up, pushing a run across.
-- 2 runs to tie it in the 5th inning on 3 Doubles by Larry, Matt, and Clint.
-- After giving up 3 in the top of the 6th and last inning,, including a HR in the mix,,, 
With two out and two one and none in,,, Paul hits an RBI single, Larry an RBI double,,,
and then for some INEXPLICABLE reason, NGNL Intentionally Walks NUTA !!! Seriously ?!?!??? (Insert joke about how not to use a scorebook to provide game management advice here, or not... I know, I know, am digressing again

WHISKEY
TANGO
FOXTROT

WTF!!! With OBI holding their collective breaths, Matt calmly laced the ball to LF like he knew what he was doing... Bravo young man !!! All that can be said about that has been said, I say anyways!

Let's make Split City pay the entry fee and send 'em home again tonight... What do ya say Boyz !!!