1) U.S. Exporters vs Courthaus Social played on 08/17/15
The Exporters opened the season with a pair of wins. The bats came to
life early with 7 runs with lots of singles that kept the line moving.
That turned out to be all the runs we needed as we cruised to a 19-4
victory.
The second game was much closer throughout as we traded the
lead until we were tied at 12 entering the last inning. Solid defense
and good relief pitching from Jim held Courthaus Social to no runs. In
the bottom half with runners on the corners, Glen hit a walkoff single
with two outs to drive in the winning run. New Exporter, Jim Davis got
the win and went 7 for 7 on the night to win the evening's MVP. We also
welcomed new players, Dan Englehardt, Shawn O'Donnell and Trey Allen.
In a game that started a little late, the Exporters bats came alive at
the end of the game to put away the Dukes. Jim Davis continued his
hitting streak and pitched a great game.
The good news is we didn't lose the second game. The bad news is that we have to play the whole game over.
In the second game, Jim continued to spray hits all over the field going 3 for 3 with a walk.
Unfortunately, the game was wiped out as the lights shut off before the
game could became official. By rule, the entire game must be replayed.
In a nutshell, because the lights went out in the bottom of the 5th with 2 outs, the inning was incomplete and we revert to the last full inning. Four complete innings is not an official game. By Arlington rules, the whole game must be replayed. The Commissioner has offered choices for me to work with the other manager on working out the makeup game.
At 6:30pm Barcroft #4 was playable. As one team (ours) was present, the game was declared a forfeit. The umpire canceled the remaining games due to field conditions. As a result only the 7:30pm game of the first DH will be played. The 6:30 game is a forfeit victory for the team present. As a result the 7:30pm game on 11/9 is a single game.
The county
said the field was still open by game time and we had an official team
there.
Thus, we were credited with a forfeit win for the first game against the First Down Smashbombs and will make up the second game on Monday, November 9 at 7:30pm at Barcroft Field.
In the opener, the Exporters exploded for 34 runs. We tried not to run
up the score in the last two innings, but kept getting base hits. The
runners tried not to extend for any extra bases and just moved station
to station, but couldn't help plating more runs. The highlights of the
game were a grand slam over the left field fence by Nick and Trey
smacking a base-clearing triple that he stretched into a four-bagger
when the outfielder bobbled the ball when he tried picking it up against
the fence.
In the second game, we had to play tougher defense as the bats had died
down. However, the Exporters did manage one play in the top of the
first inning that will live on in the history books. With the bases
loaded and no outs, the Maddogs' batter sent a high fly ball to deep
left center. Jay and Nick converged on the ball. Jay snagged the ball
just before Nick crashed into him. Both tumbled to the ground, but
somehow Jay held onto the ball and raised his glove high with it while
laying flat on his back. Meanwhile, all the runners took off. Jay got
up and relayed the ball to John at shortstop who wheeled and threw to
Jim at second. The runner on first had gone back to tag up and was now
standing on second base. Jim stepped on second for out number 2 as the
original runner on second left early and never tagged after the catch
was made. Time out was called as many players and the umpire went to
the outfield to check on Nick who was still on the ground shaken up.
After a couple minutes, he rose and came in to play first base while he
recovered. When the game was restarted after about 5 minutes, Jason on
the mound appealed to the umpire that the runner on third also left
early. The umpire concurred and called the third out for an historic
5-minute long triple play! The Exporters went on to eke out a 10-9 victory.
The Exporters swept our old affiliate again keeping our record perfect.
We opened with 5 runs and closed with 4 to edge the old Free Traders.
Max came out of semi-retirement to help us in the outfield. Nick
anchored first base while his shoulder continues to heal. Roger managed
two triples catching the defense disrespecting the old veteran. In the
second game, we kept it close until Randall powered a 3-run blast over
the left field fence. We remain on top of the division.
6) U.S. Exporters vs Fighting Penguins played on 10/12/15
The Fighting Penguins came out hitting the ball all over the field in
both games. The Exporters only hit well for one inning the whole
night. Changing pitchers in game 2 did not help. The Penguins still
hit Jason well too. The loss of both games dropped us to second place.
The Exporters came roaring back this week with a pair of wins over the
Wyld Stallyons. Randall must have eaten his Wheaties because hit hit 3
over the fence that evening. Jason and Nick also hit homers that
counted. Then Nick hit another over the fence after we hit out limit,
so it was just a long out. Roger lacked that power, but managed a pair
of triples. Both teams began with 9 players. Dan arrived late still
nursing a pulled hamstring from the week before, but managed to have a
very good night limping around the bases going 3 for 3 with a sacrifice
fly and a walk. This put us back in the win column and back in the hunt.
8) U.S. Exporters vs Courthaus Social played on 10/26/15
With two late scratches, the depleted Exporters were forced to play with
9 and were swept by Courthaus Social in a rematch of the season opener.
Courthaus exploited the gaps. Weak offense didn't help either.
Interestingly, Courthaus Social used up all 6 homers with solo shots.
The only bright spot of the evening came in the bottom of the 5th inning
in game 2 when the Exporters tallied their second triple play of the
season!
Unlike the long and strange first triple play (vs Maddogs played on 09/28/15), this one was
more conventional. With no outs and runners on first and second, a
grounder was hit to John at short who flipped the ball to Jason at
second for the first out. Jason pivoted to Shawn at first for the
second out. Shawn noticed the runner rounded third rather wide and
fired the ball to Randall at third. The runner broke for home. Randall
threw to Roger at the plate who applied the tag for the third out
completing the 6-4-3-5-2 triple play.
The Exporters slide continued with them being swept by the Big Sticks.
No one really played well defensively. Game 1 was competitive until the
bottom of the third inning when we essentially gave the Big Sticks eight
outs that inning. The damp night led to glasses getting fogged up and
rooster tails trailing balls rolling on the grass in the outfield. One
more week to get back on track.
Not many highlights to report in the replay of the suspended game. We
struggled to get 10 to the field to start the game and ended up with 13
showing. Roger went behind the plate in the top of the first and then
in a strategic coaching move, subbed in Jim Davis to hit. Jim went 2 for 2
with a triple and homer scoring 2 of the Exporters 3 runs.
The First Down Smashbombs forfeited to us again as no shows.
Fall 2015 Standings (Reported as of 11/16/15)
W L T Pts
Fighting Penguins 14 4 0 28
Big Sticks 12 6 0 24
U.S. Exporters 11 7 0 22
First Down Smashbombs 11 4 0 22*
Dukes 8 10 0 16
C.C.R. (Meldrum) 8 10 0 16
Courthaus Social 4 8 0 8*
Maddogs 3 12 0 6*
Wyld Stallions 0 14 0 0*
* incomplete results