On Sunday June 27 the U.S. Exporters put together
one of its most gritty performances in years, and
advanced through the tournament 'losers bracket'
all the way to the finals.  It was an exhausting
journey, but certainly a worthwhile one for this 
intrepid crew.

There were only ten players available for the
Sunday part of the tournament, so every man played
every inning--with or without injury.  The team
included Tom Meldrum (P), Ed Frank (1B), Roger
Morse (2B), John Thompson (SS), Al Schneider (3B),
Erik Lundquist (LF), Dave Cammarota (LC), Jeff
Donald (RC), Jim Foti (RF), and Jay Hatfield (C).

Tom Meldrum (who earned a team co-MVP for the
tournament) pitched superbly, and his team
supported him in some very memorable games 
(played in 90+ degree heat).  

In the first Sunday game, which just happened to
be against the regular season champion Dawgs (16-2),
our team immediately fell behind by a score of 13-4
after only three innings.  Although the prospects
seemed bleak, the U.S. Exporters would not give up.
The team chipped away inning by inning, and in the
top of the seventh scored 5 runs to take a 17-13
lead.  The Dawgs batted in the bottom of the last
inning but the score remained the same.

This pattern continued for two more games until we
met the very fine Sports Pub/Finlay team in the 
finals at 5:00.  Their legs and arms were too fresh
for us, and they defeated us to win the tournament.

Most of the U.S. Exporters team left the field
immediately to race to the Virginia Highlands
facility to play the regularly scheduled Masters
team doubleheader.  This means that most of us
played six games on June 27.  

It was certainly the most games I have been part
of in a single day.  Congratulations to you men
for such a splendid effort.

SOME DUGOUT TALES

"The Dirtbags" (Jay Hatfield, Dave Cammarota, and
Jeff Donald) each produced head first sliding plays
at the plate. Only "Dirtbag Dave" was tagged out.
By the end of the day each was covered from head to
foot with blood, sweat, and dirt. It was GREAT!
Jeff twisted his ankle early in the tournament, but
gallantly refused to come out!  Dave went 5 for 5 in
the first game and had a great tournament in the
field.  Jay spent the entire tournament tossing the
ball back to the pitcher...(yawn)

Ed Frank was on a hitting tear, and ended the
tournament either leading or tied for the team
lead in Runs, Hits, and Doubles.

THANKS

Thank you to our fan, Brenna Hapes, who cheered us
on all day long despite the awful heat, and who
provided us with fresh ice and fresh water whenever
we were low.  She was the team's own Florence
Nightingale.

[Brenna, who is "sweethearts" with Ed Frank, was
asked if this were not a display of undying love
for Big Ed.  She is rumored to have replied,
"I want him to think it is.  I really just like
to watch softball." That's the spirit!]

Kudos to Tom Meldrum for bringing the water 
cooler to Quincy.  We would not have survived
without it.

And thank the Almighty for Jay's Saloon & Grille!
Without their pitchers of water, iced tea,
and soda pop we would all have died between
the first and second games on Sunday.  

[Men, I think we need to spend more time at 
Jay's Saloon & Grille.  Shucks, such a powerful
and respected name like that just sorta grows on
you, doesn't it?  It does for me.--Hatfield]

Finally, congratulations to the entire team for
a fine spring season.  Get ready for the fall in
a few short weeks.