Hey guys. Sorry for the delay in posts. I was dog tired after our games yesterday and went to bed around 10:00. Thanks for the comments. Tiffany, sorry...I have to award first post to Alex due to legalities, but thanks for the effort. Alex and Dad, thanks for your words concerning last week, Ian, I had to read your last line of your comment twice and when I finally got it, I laughed out loud. To everyone else, I love you and will talk to you soon.
Saturday. The softball team had a game today. This game was against Rouen. If there are any rivalries in France, this has to be the biggest one. So the girls were really pumped up about this one. The game was going to start at 5:00pm but I got there a couple of hours earlier and started dressing up the field. The girls started pouring in and I directed them to start warming up. It is really nice to delegate one of the girls to lead warmups and they know exactly what to do. We are starting to look like a team more and more. I HAVE REEEEAACHED THEEEESE KEEEEEDS. (You have to watch South Park to get that last line.) After a while of warming up, Rouen started to show up. Once again, male dominated. I still don't really understand the pleasure of beating up on girls...but whatever. Nothing sends a message more than starting 7 girls in a game against 7 other guy starters from the other team.
This game was one sided from the get go. I am starting to really dig the head coaching role. Giving signs, taking mound visits, and trying to look like I know what the hell I'm doing. We just crushed em'. Final score 20-6. The girls were happy with the win and Rouen had to take a hard loss with them as they drove 2 miles home. Good day.
Now, to start preparing for tomorrow. BG plays Montigny tomorrow. Our biggest test of the season. They are in first place with a 7-1 record with us right behind them 6-1. I have to tell you I have been stressing about this game all week.
Sunday morning. I got up Sunday morning, took a shower, and had a oatmeal breakfast. I was excited to get to the field because I was eager to meet Will Gordon. Will is the guy responsible for me being in France right now. He play for BG last year and left to play with a Lithuanian team who he still plays for. He is in a theatre troup touring Europe doing plays. But we have will to play with us for two weekends. It just so happened that the two weekends he will be with us are against the toughest teams in our conference.
So I got to the field and headed to the dugout.
"Hey Tony, nice to meet you."
"Hi...?"
It was really weird at first. I had imagined Will looking a little different for some reason. Will looks like an athlete let me tell you. This guy is huge! 6'5" with a gun stapped on his left shoulder. My nerves were eased a bit when I started to see him warmup. Another good thing is that when I started warming up my arm felt a bit better. So Will was to start the first game, bat 5th, and I was still going to play 1st base to nurse my arm. We all got warmed up, took bp, and got mentally psyched for gametime.
Game 1: BG Woodchucks vs Montigny Cougars
Time: 11:15
Weather: 67 F, sunny
Attendance: 15
Some of the softball and Cadet players were in attendance. It was nice to see support from the program.
Will took the mound. Top of the 1st.
First batter lines a ball up the middle for a hit. Maybe not what Will wanted for the first batter he faced in several weeks but he kept his poise like a pro. We got out of the first inning without a scratch on us. Will was telling me that his first inning, no matter where he pitches, is the hardest one.
Now our turn at the plate. Eric grounded out. Arthur got a base hit up the middle. I got plunked in the knee for my first at bat. Not what I was wanting but what the hell. Bernie lined a double down the line that scored Arthur with me at third. Will was next and lined a rocket opposite field to drive me home. The pitcher retired the next two batters to close out the first.
Ok...Ok...were are looking pretty good. We went up 2-0 after the first.
Next inning wasn't so smooth. Will struck out the first batter. The next batter drew a walk and stole second. Will struck out the 3rd hitter but Romain didn't catch it cleanly and he had to throw it to me at first. I failed to catch the ball so he reached 1st base safely. I was so fucking pissed at this moment. HOW DO YOU MAKE ERRORS AT FIRST BASE? I mean really, Tony? I was fucking so mad. The next guy line a shot off the wall and 2 runs scored, both unearned. We made a couple more errors in the inning, one by 2nd base, Pierre, and another one by me. Unfuckingbelievable. We finally got out of the inning but they tacked on two more runs going up 4-2. I expressed my sorries to Will because we should have gotten out of the inning unscathed.
K...relax. Shake it off. Let's get em' back.
We responded really well. We scored 4 runs in the bottom of the second to gain another lead change. I got my first hit of the game nearly knocking the cover off the ball into right field. Our guys were hitting really well. Eric got a hit, Arthur got him over, I hit, Bernie collected another hit, and Will lined another ball. So things were back in our hands.
I have to tell you that there was a tension in our first game. You could just feel it. The guys were not completely relaxed and it felt like we were on pins and needles for the entire game. There was lead changes throughout the entire game.
6th inning. Something bad happened. I moved to left field because I couldn't catch a ball at first base to save my life and then 'Time' was called. Jean-Luc motioned for me to come to the mound for a meeting. Will had opened a blister on his pitching hand and couldn't throw anymore.
Shit.
He could put a bandage on it and play outfield but not pitch anymore. So I took SS and Will took left field. Bernie took the mound to hopefully keep the game close. He got out of the inning still keeping the game knotted up 7-7.
Bottom of the 6th. I lead off the inning with another hit by pitch. They had pretty much silenced my bat with a walk and a couple hit by pitches. Bernie moved me over with a ground ball. Will then knocked me in for the go ahead run in the game. Will eventually scored off a couple errors and a hit. So we had the lead 9-7 in the last inning.
Bernie managed to get the first out of the inning but then the next two hitters got hits that tightened our lead only one run. We got the next guy to pop up. Ok 2 outs, one more and it's over. He walked the next guy to give them bases loaded.
Next pitch sailed to the backstop...SonofaBitch. They tied the game. He struck out the next guy so keep the game tied. Man, this was a baseball game.
We failed to put them away in the bottom of the 7th and we went into extra innings.
9th inning. They struck first. Bernie left a ball right in the middle of the plate and their hitter hit it over the fence for a homerun. 9-8. We got out of the rest of the inning and had a chance to tie it up. I would like to tell you that we came back and one this game but that would be a lie. We went down 1,2,3 in the bottom of the 9th and lost a heartbreaker.
The other team was all cheers and the Woodchucks were not only physically beat but mentally as well.
We ate our lunch and just sprawled out all over the place. I was so tired. I could only imagine what the other guys felt like. But I tried once again to get our minds right and shake off the 1st game.
"Great thing about baseball is that you have a one game right after the next."
That was our motto for the next game.
Game 2: BG vs Montigny
Time: 3:00
Weather: 78 F, sunny
Attendance: About 20
A majority of the Cadets and Softball players were there for the 2nd game. Then something great happened. Chris couldn't be there for our first game because he was needed for the reserve game in Rouen. I told him that he needs to scoot on over when he got done and bring some noise. So Chris, just right before the first pitch of the 2nd game, came screaming up the hill behind the backstop. He had Gabby and some other kids with him just screaming their hearts out with noise makers. It was just what we needed. It seemed to relax the guys and give us newly found energy. What a guy. He was our 10th man. We struck first with 2 runs right off the bat. Vincent started the second game because Marc's arm was hurting him. Vincent did just enough ladies and gents. His gravity ball seemed to keep the other team off balance for awhile. They would scorch some balls off him but not a lot of damage was done. It was 3-2 for awhile then something wild happened.
Vincent stepped up to the plate with 2 runners on.
CRACK! This ball went sailing to the deepest part of the field in left center. Now I will tell you that I heard the ball hit a tree past the fence and come back into play. I was screaming on the top of my lungs "HOMERUN!!!!" but the umpire failed to realize it at first and called one of our runners OUT at the plate. I WAS FURIOUS. Jean-Luc and I rushed towards home and explained how the ball nailed the tree. Ha, you are going to love this.
The umpire then motioned HOMERUN!!!!!
BWAHAHAHAHA, Vince came trotting home from 2nd base and we just screamed with excitement. The other coach could not believe what happened and ran up to the umpire when he realized what happened. The umpire then walked out to the outfield to inspect what happened. I could just imagine this asshole reversing his call for the third time. I went out to the field to talk with the opposing players and of course they were saying it wasn't a homerun. It was funny though. We weren't yelling at one another, in complete contrast we were joking with one another. Then finally the umpire from left center said.
"HOMERUN!"
Thank god. I will tell you that there is a piece of bark stripped off the tree were Vincent nailed the ball.
We took a comfortable 4 run lead and added 4 more by the last inning. 10-2.
OK Woodchucks.....let's close this game out. 3 more baby. There was no way I was going to take out Vincent because his puss balls were doing the trick for the time being. His pitches lost its magic the last inning. He walked the first two guys and Arthur had to go in. First guy lined a double off of him. Ok...10-4...no problem. Let's just get an out.
Arthur walked the next two guys.....Well, Goddammit.
The next guy knocked a bases clearing double. 10-7. Arthur walked the next guy.....
We finally got the first out of the inning on a ground ball to me forcing a guy out at third. Ok...one out. Next guy lined a shot to right field but Pierre got a good beat on it and made a spectacular catch. YES, 2 outs!
Next guy knocked a lined drive up the middle to put their team within two. The next guy hit a seeing eye ground ball threw the right side to load the bases. Tieing run at 2nd base. I then called time.
"Hey, relax buddy. We got this. I believe in you. Smile, baby. Let's do this."
Arthur looked at me with worried eyes and shook his head, "Ok, Tony."
First pitch. A high chopper towards me. If I fail to make this play....tie game. I fielded it cleanly and made the throw.
The ball started tailing high.....
My heart sank....
It found Vincent's mit for the last out.
We finally won.
I was so happy I hugged the runner rounding second. Everyone started laughing. I think both teams were happy with the results and the beer bottles started to open. I took some good pics with Will. I gave him a composite bat to take with him to Lithuania free of charge. He then game me a Guiness tall boy beer can from Dublin, Ireland. A fair trade if you ask me.
Will and I will hang out more next week because he will spend about 4 days in Rouen. I was incredibly happy with how we played and how we fought. Charles and I are all good. We are back to pals again. Everyone understands, hopefully, now how important practice is. I aged 5 years yesterday. Well, thanks for reading. I love and miss you guys. Au revoir.
21 comments:
well well boys looks like im first, now i have to read it!!
I like your softball team, I can just imagine them out there killing these middle aged men. I also like the thought of these men telling their friends that they got their assess handed to them by teenage girls.
A split is better than a loss, and from the sound of it, that team you played sounded like they could play. Errors happen, even at first, but it sounds like you didn't win or lose either game on errors, it was just ball playing. I also like how the teams seem to enjoy a well fought game.
So it is now on to next week and the number three team? Can't wait. I am glad to hear everything is cool with Charles, and that the importance of practice has been reinforced.---
Fine Emily - you are first. It's different being the coach isn't Tony - you don't have the luxury of just getting yourself ready - sounds like your softball team is getting it - that's is always fun to see - when a team gets better - while the bobcats (Ian's team) collectively were the worst team in the history of little league sports - teams usually with good coaching get better -
Don't worry about your play so much - relax - isn't there any ice in that part of France? - try to ice your arm. Keep on having fun - love you and can't wait to hear,"Don't turn around" by Ace of Base on Youtube - can you sing worth a crap? If so put it on there - what the hell -
"Don't turn around - I don't want you to see my heart breaking - Don't turn around, I don't want you seeing me cry, Just walk away...." AL
After a quick review of my previous comment some of you might have got the impression that I was making fun of my father's coaching skills because "teams usually with good coaching get better."
That is not the case - I was even an assistant coach on that team - what I was saying is -
Never in the history of little league baseball was there a team of player with so little talent and so little drive to perform. It was incredible how bad this team was - usually you get one or two players and they can carry a team for a game or two - but imagine the bad news bears before the drunk coach teaches them how to play - the pre-coach bad news bears would have killed the Bobcats 10 out of 10 games by 20 runs a game. Al
Don't take offense Ian - I wasn't thinking of the power-hitting first baseman for the bobcats - - I can't name names but there are certain players on that team that will live forever in my mind - Al
i also like the girls playing against the boys and they showed them!!!i like the pics of the team why dont you take some pics of where you live.
I will have you know, sir, that the bobcats fielded such greats as Robert "the whammer" Gibbons, Andrew "Jet" Dickenson, and John "Longball" Montgomery. And I will have words with any man that besmerches this honor.
The bobcats were the definition of the phrases "it is not whether you win or loose, it is how you play the game" and "just have fun out there" and "are these guys with the special olympics?".
Rock on you Comets/Sluggers/Raiders/Bobcats--whereever you are.
"I saw the sign"
Dear Tony:
All in all, sounds like a good weekend of ball. If they keep throwing around you, you'll have to pull a Yogi Berra, i.e., he was a master at getting hits on pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone.
Glad to see the girls cream the guys in softball - if nothing else, it'll teach them not to be intimidated in this man's world.
Your package should be arriving this week - try that cream on your arm and DON'T THROW HARD FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS!!!!
Saw Alex's comments and (to continue Ian's line) "and it opened up my eyes." In the first comment he says I was a shitty coach; and then, not to let sleeping dogs lay, implies I was a drunk coach as well in his second comment. Now, I'll be the first to admit that after, that's AFTER, some of the Bobcat games, I did need several stiff ones and well-deserved ones they were.
But on this issue, I have to side with Ian. Besmirching the memory and reputation of the now disbanded Bobcats (they'll live in my memory for infinity - some of the plays are scorched in my brain) is akin to not liking apple pie, not wanting to wear a flag pin on your lapel, and not being a part of the 19 to 20 % of Americans who still think George is doing a heck of a job.
I'll leave you with this thought: Dance yourself mad, you'll like it. (Hey, if Alex and Ian can do it, I can too.)
Love, Dad.
Tony, What is it with all the Fuckning nasty lanuage? Can you say the same in French? Keep this up and I am going to call you MOM. sounds like a great time and now you are a professional baseball player. What fun. Don
Nice job getting them back up for the second game. It was always tough to get teams fired up to play the second after a tough loss in the first one.
that's bullshit about letting Alex have first. I was the clear winner of the last post. Whatever...
Glad you guys at least split.. Wish I coulda been there to watch.. they sounded like great games. The DU team is donezo....
Anyways, miss you lots. Happy Cinco de Mayo :)
Great action commentaries of both games. I could just feel the tension! Hey, congrats to Arthur for coming through for the Woodchucks. Re errors, all I have to say is "physician heel thyself"
Where's the ice machine located? Maybe it's in the beer cooler, you think?
I wish I could have been there out in the outfield to hear your comments and that of your opponent/interpreter. Now you know the importance of having a good interpreter when you really need one. Love you and take care.
everyone remembers i was first, right?
Yes, we remember.
I propose a motion to strip Emily of her "First" claim - for no other reason but rubbing it in our faces in a second comment - do I hear a second?
Tiff - if you wish to file an appeal of Tony's ruling you are free to do so - just send your filing fee of $25 dollars to "S.O.L." in Arlington, Texas -
Second. (sorry Emily).
anthony, are you going to let them talk to me that way?come on someone be on my side.
I second the motion to strip emily of first--which would mean that first would go to the next post.
By the way---I am going to see Jim Gaffigan July 11 suckas.
my own husband...someone has to love me best (bird cage)
What is this crap? It's Thursday afternoon for the love of God - give us something - it's like we are hooked on crack or something - come on you sob - entertain me you mother f$%ck34 Al
NO Shit. WTF! You have nothing to do except sleep, practice, and blog. You aint dating nobody, you're not partying all night. Give us something. and these damn word verifications are becoming a pain in my ass.
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