Bruisers vs. Fringes, July 13, 2006

Bruisers: KarenC, DaveS, Huw Bundy Davies (DaveS' friend visiting from Australia), Ron, Ellie, EricB, Jesse, EricG, Jes, Nancy, DaveR, Douglas, Tony (on loan from Frawgs, thank you!), Ann, Earl Cox (2006 Bruiser debut!), PaulH, and ScottE.

Really you guys, you have to tell me if you're coming or if you're not, so I don't go hunting down extra players from other teams unnecessarily if it looks like we'll be short because too few people have responded to the game reminder.

Bruiser Fans: Nickole, Simon, Cassie, the fire hydrant (aka EricB's 1st base coaching seat), misc. frisbee golfers, and a hawk.

Bruiser Diners at Crown City: Ron, Earl, PaulH, KarenC, DaveR, Simon, Ellie, Cassie, EricB, Nancy, and ScottE.

Bruiser Boo-Boos: Earl's hammy running to first in the fifth inning.

Quote from the game: "AH!" from Ann with her one-handed catch in the third inning

"Go to the trees, spin around three times, and spit!" EricB and KarenC to Douglas for saying what he said when he said it ("This is our best defensive game yet!" in the middle of the game)

Box Score:

Inning	1	2	3	4	5	6	Total
Fringes	0	0	0	0	2	0	2
Bruisers	2	3	1	6	0	X	12

Wow. If it weren't for Douglas' jinx, it might have been the first shutout in Bruiser history! But we couldn't do that to our old buddies the Fringes, could we? (Well, maybe we could, since Kent neglected to bring his kids to the game.) We played our first game at the Hahamonga fields, and only one person had to be directed in -- not bad! The weather was hot, the field was a little boggy in spots (esp. between our bench and home plate, including where all the bats got thrown by the catchers), but overall it was a noticeable improvement over playing at the Rose Bowl. Now that the game is over, we can say it "we had an awesome game!" Defense was good, hitting was good, and there was no serious meltdown. Huw had a great first game, too, with his first hit, an RBI, and receipt of authentic American grass stains.

Defensive gems were many, esp. from Ron. In the first inning, Ellie(2B) recovered from a bit of tricky fielding to tag second base before the runner arrived, then Tony(OF) and Douglas(OF) made nice fly catches. The second inning was highlighted by a good throw from Douglas(3B) to Earl(1B), and then a great snag of a liner by EricG(SS). Ron(SS) made a nice spinning catch of a line drive, and Tony(CF) fielded a huge fly ball to end the third inning. The fourth inning went 1-2-3 with a KarenC(P)-Douglas(1B) and EricG(SS)-Douglas plays and an outfield catch by Tony. The Douglas jinx showed up with a home run that went right over Douglas'(LF) head, but we managed to hold them to only two runs with two Nancy(P)-Ron(1B) plays and an awesome EricG(SS)-Ron play. Ron(SS) was a really busy guy in the last inning, making a double play to get the final outs after a Karen(P)-Ron out.

Offensively, we did really well with line drives that eluded the fielders, and were able to take advantage of a couple of bobbles. We had home runs from Tony and Jesse, and RBIs were earned by Huw, Ron, EricB, Jesse, Jes, DaveR, Douglas (3), and Tony (3). We even had to bow to the mercy rule in the fourth inning after Tony's HR. The Redding kids were a target of their own dad's foul ball during their soccer match with Huw on the sidelines, and Ellie took a tag on the top of her head by the numbskull Fringe third baseman. We actually had to tell a runner she should NOT have listened to her base coach when Ann got tagged out at home when said coach (who will remain nameless) sent her. DaveR gets the TwinkleKneeBrace award for squeeking home ahead of the tag in the fourth inning. PaulH gets the award for best reflexes for flattening himself on the blanket to avoid getting hit by the cannonball from the Fringe shortstop who was attempting to cut down Jesse at third, but in! stead missed his fielder and sent the ball to the edge of the trees, nearly shaving off Douglas' (3B coach) ear in the process in the fourth inning.

Our next game is next Thursday, July 20, when we'll be the home team against the Dawg/Frawgs on HN (the dirt field w/the backstop). I already know we'll be missing Linda, BobbyJoe, PaulF, ScottE, and Emmanuell. Everyone else please respond to my game reminder next week (unless you already know you'll be out, in which case you can let me know now).

Have a great weekend!

Karen :)