Softball/BBQ/Bonfire: July 18, 2009

We got a nice turnout of 15 players for softball and played a 7 on 7 doubleheader (six innings each), while I pitched for both squads.

The two teams:

A: Saraloni, Bebis, Meersky, Shep Jr., Papa Shep, Tay, Hamdog.

B: Nate, Rhino, Mama Shep, The Don, Francois, Kimber, Jackson.

The weather held out and we only had to suffer through some rain in the first inning of Game 2 until it cleared again.

Team B managed to squeak out a 10-9 victory in the opener after taking a big 9-1 lead after three innings and also won the nightcap 14-12 in an offensive explosion for both teams in a back and forth contest. The Don used his family jewels to knock down a game ending groundout to seal the game 2 victory. There were lots of longballs in game 2 as a fatigued Bluey got a sore neck watching the balls fly overhead.

And speaking about flying overhead...It is rumored that ESPN "The Ocho" sent a DirecTV blimp over the field to capture the aerial footage. The blimp soared right over the field.

More pictures of the game can be found on my Facebook page.

After the games, we retired back to our home for a BBQ and bonfire.

Everyone got to ride the Honda Big Red and were given tours of our and Tay's Dad's property.

Bluey and Tay made BBQ chicken, burgers, dogs, brauts, baked ziti, baked beans and pasta salad. Our guests also brought some nice tasty sides and desserts. Thank you for that! Mama Shep's homemade cookies were unbelievable!

Choder and AmE came for the BBQ later on and brought their kids, who got a real kick out of our kittens, feeding the chickens grapes and riding in Big Red. Choder's young son somehow always seemed to gravitate to the cooler for a beer, Odd, almost like he was trained to do so.

Our teens disappeared for about an hour to jump on large round hay bales at the top of the property, while the rest of us chilled, told stories and enjoyed the bottled brews (Newcastle, Yuengling and Sam Adams) around the fire.

All in all, one heck of a nice day with great friends, food and wandering fowl.

Thanks to all for making the day an absolute success and so much fun!

This was our first opportunity to have friends at our place and Tay, I and my girls had such a good time.

We'll try to schedule one more softball/BBQ/bonfire event in late August.

Check your email for details in a week or two.

Softball/BBQ Event

We couldn't have asked for better weather this past Saturday as it was in the low 70's with a nice breeze. The field at KO HS was pristine as expected. Fifteen players showed up to enjoy two 7 inning games at 11am.

The games were marked with lots of jovial ribbing and laughter. Participants, please feel free to add your stories to the comment section and I will include them in the body of this blog.

Game 1: Team Tay 14, Team Becky 11.

Team Stacey (Trimpdog, Timmee, Highmark, Meersky, Natey, Tay, Timamigo)

Team Becky (Choder, Hamdog, The Don, Rhino, Becky, B, Gunky, and Bluey)

Game 1 saw Team Tay race out to the early 5-0 lead after 3 innings only to enter the 7th inning with a 11-6 deficit. Team Tay scored 8 runs in their half of the 7th inning to take the lead and upset Team Becky by 3 runs.

Game 2: Team Tay 11, Team Becky 10.

Team Tay (Choder, Rhino, Tay, The Don, B, Gunky, Timamigo)

Team Becky (Timmee, Meersky, Hamdog, Natey, Becky, Trimpdog and Bluey)

Highmark caught as an injury prevented him playing on either side.

Game 2 saw Team Becky race out to an early 5-0 lead, lost it in the middle innings (5-5) and held a 10-5 lead until the 7th inning when Team Tay scored 6 runs in their half of the 7th inning to pin another heartbreaking comeback loss of 11-10 on Team Becky.

Both games were highly competitive and featured late rally victories.

Entertainment was provided by a KO HS female track team member who ran on the adjacent track in a skimpy t-shirt and short shorts. The highlight came when she decided to sit on the track 20 feet away from the field while facing us and proceeded to put on a clinic in flexibility. Rumor has it that Meersky has yet to stop drooling. He tawt he taw her ovaries!

The game marked the triumphant reurn of Hamdog from Columbus, who brought a friend, Rhino to join us. The Don brought his consiglierre, Natey and Timmee L. brought a buddy as well. Also in attendance was Tay's brother Gunky and her cousin B. The usual suspects rounded out the bunch. The game's were a blast and were immediately followed by a BBQ at Bluey's place.

The BBQ featured Highmark's wife and twin progeny, a surprise visit from Francois and his significant other from Redding, the Trimpdog boys, Bluey's gals, Choder's wife, The Don's wife Kay, and Tay's cousin LiLi and husband Cali.

Of course, as usual, the day went entirely too fast. Another softball event is in the plans for August. Thanks to everyone for coming and making the day a special one!