Bruisers vs. Gravity Fielders, July 31, 2002

Bruisers: KarenC, Andrew, Becky (borrowed from the Homers), ScottM, Dave, KarenR (borrowed from the Deep Space Cadets), Mikael, Andy, Jackie (also borrowed from the Deep Space Cadets), Don, Bryan, Anders, Linda, JohnD, EricW, Nancy, ScottE and KarenT. Thank you thank you Becky, KarenR and Jackie for coming out to play with us tonight!

Bruiser fans: Lynda, and Bryan's mom (from her car across the street)

Crown City Partyers: ScottM, ScottE, Anders, KarenT, Andrew, EricW and KarenC. (Turned out CCB was "the" place to be last night as three out of the four softball-playing teams from the afternoon went there for dinner -- they must love us.)

Box Score:

Inning	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Bruisers	1	12	4	2	3	0	0	22
Gravity Fielders	3	0	1	0	1	5	9	19

Quotes around the dugout: "Can we keep her?" "Can we keep her, too?" "We mercied them? Really?" "Wow, am I on the wrong field??" "They couldn't possibly score 12 runs in an inning". "Don't say that; we've lost with bigger leads than this!" "Oh nooooo!" "Good grief, I thought we were going to give it all away!" "Crown City Crown City!"

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, with 15 Bruisers already on the field for warmups before the Gravity Fielders' team bus arrived at 5:35. They started short players in the field, but more arrived during the first inning. The Bruisers put the mercy on in the second inning and didn't (well, tried not to) look back. Bruiser bats went to sleep when the Gravity Fielders' bats woke up toward the end of the game, but we managed to hold on by the skin of our teeth. This game brings us to a lifetime record of 4-3 with the Gravity Fielders (1997 lost 17-29, 1998 lost 14-7, 1999 lost 11-10 and won by forfeit, 2000 won 25-18, 2001 won 21-17, 2002 won 22-19).

Defensive highlights: KarenR(3B) made a good tag to get the runner to third in the first inning. Becky(RF) made a good catch of a high flyball, and Nancy(P) snagged a slow line drive at her face in the second inning. KarenR(3B) made an awesome throw to Bryan(1B) in the third inning. We had a 1-2-3 fourth inning with Dave making the first two outs, and Bryan(SS) and Eric(1B) dealing with the third out. KarenR(2B) also made a good out when she managed to keep her toe on second base while diving to catch a ball in the seventh. Other good outs in the game included fly catches by Scott and Andrew, and a KarenC(P)-Eric(1B) out (in which innings, I forget, and they weren't written in the book).

Offensively, we were awesome! We had a 12-run, 3-homer second inning (first in Bruiser history -- I don't even have to look that up). Everybody who hit more than once got at least one hit. Home runs were hit by Andrew, ScottM, Jackie (first female Bruiser home run since Kathy Bak in 1999), and Eric. RBIs were knocked in by KarenC, Andrew (3), ScottM (5), Mikael, Andy, Jackie (4), Anders, Linda, JohnD, Eric (2), and ScottE (2). Nancy continues her 100% attendance streak. Andrew gets the "Bruise of the Day" award for stopping a ball with his knee and still getting the out (and very clear lace marks on his kneecap -- take a picture of that, please, for the Bruise Hall of Fame). Anders gets a "Bad Anders!" for smacking the pitcher in the leg with a line drive in the second inning.

Our next game is next WEDNESDAY AUGUST 7 against the Eclectic Eccentrics. We're the home team. So far I know we'll be missing ScottM, Linda and EricB. Everyone else please be sure I know whether to expect you or not. Really folks, you NEED to let me know if you're coming or not (and let me know ahead of time if you're going out of town, please) so I know whether I have to go borrowing folks or not!!

See you next Wednesday!

Karen :)