Now, are you all ready?
Are y'all ready?
Now we gonna do it with the fever
Yeah, Come on
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We're on the move (yeah-ee-a, yeah-ee-a)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We've got the groove
Spice Girls, check it out
There've been so many things that have held us down
But now it looks like things are finally comin' around, yeah
I know we've got a long long way to go, yeah
And where we'll end up
I don't know
But we won't let nothing hold us back
We gonna get ourselves together
We gonna polish up our act, yeah
And if you've ever been held down before
I know that you refuse to be held down any more, yeah yeah
Don't you let nothing, nothing
Nothing stand in your way
And all we gonna do
I want you to listen, listen (That's right)
To every word I say
Every word I say about it
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We're on the move
(You said it, we've got the groove)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We've got the groove (Whoo-hoo-oo-oo Whoo-hoo-oo)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We're on the move
(We've got the groove)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We've got the groove (Yeah)
Look, Lemme tell you this
I know you know someone who's got a negative vibe (Euhh)
And if you only help it will only keep it alive (Sh-yeah)
They really don't have nowhere to go
Ask 'em where they're going
They don't know
But we won't let nothing hold us back
We gonna get ourselves together, come on
We gonna polish up our act, yeah
And if you've ever been held down before
I know that you refuse to be held down any more, Oh oh oh
Don't you let nothing, nothing
(I won't do it) Stand in your way (No no)
And all we gonna do
I want you to listen, listen
To every word I say
Every word I say about it
Ain't no stoppin' us now (That's right)
We're on the move
(Nothing gonna, nothing gonna)
(Stop us now, stop us now)
Ain't no stoppin' us now, Come on
We've got the groove (Whoo-oo-oo yeah yeah)
Ain't no stoppin' us now (No no no)
We're on the move
(On the move, yeah-ee-a, yeah-ee-a)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We've got the groove (Yeah)
Now, let's see it
Don't wanna stop
Please don't make me stop (I don't wanna)
Don't wanna stop
Please don't make me stop (No-oh No-oh)
Don't wanna stop
Please don't make me stop (I don't want to)
Don't wanna stop
Please don't make me stop
(Uh, y'all spell it out for me)
S-T-O-P-P-I-N
Ain't no (Doo-oo, Yeah-heh-a)
S-T-O-P- (to the) P- (to the) I-N (You got it)
Ain't no (Ain't no, no-no)
S-T-O-P-P-I-N (Go ahead)
Ain't no (Ain't no, no-oh-no, no-oh-no)
S-T-O-P- (to the) P- (to the) I-N (Come on)
Ain't no (No, yeah-ee-a, yeah-ee-a)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We're on the move
Don't wanna stop, please don't make me stop (Yeah yeah)
Ain't no stoppin' us now (Yeah)
We've got the groove
Don't wanna stop, please don't make me stop
(Whoo-oo, Come around with me)
Ain't no stoppin' us now
We're on the move
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now", Mcfadden and Whitehead, 1976
Last night on Randalls Island, your Bachrach BallBusters put Mcgarry Bowen, Deweys Clam Bar, Pauline, Edso Sports and the entire GOD Damn World on notice, we are here, we are poised, we are for brash, we are for real and we are out to win a championship so don't get in our way. In dominating fashion the BB's handled the team from Mcgarry Bowen clinching third place in there division and the seventh seed in the playoffs. "The Ageless Wonder", Allan "Rubber Arm" Ageman pitched and played the game of his life, turning a proffesional double play in the first inning and holding Mcgarry scoreless till the 7th. It was an amazing performance, especially with rumors floating questioning his health after a reported boating accident this weekend, Ageman denied those rumors but a police report from the Suffolk county marine bureau citing a water rescue tell a different story. Every BB hit, accept Jordon "Arod" Safchic, and it was one of the most complete performances I have ever seen by amateurs on a ball field. When the game was over the BB's had clinched there playoff spot and were on there way. Rookie manager Jeff "The Freight Train" Mclaughlin could be seen beaming after taking the BBs to the playoffs in his first season as manager, and for the third time in four seasons, a feat only ever performed by former manager and current BB second basewomen Ali "Trash Mouth" McGlincy. In what has been an up and down season for this club Freight Train was visibly relieved and couldn't be reached for comment as he was waiting on a call from Richard "The Boss" Bachrach along with Hank and Hal Bachrach, who were out of town on business and expected to congratulate the manager. He did release this prepared statement:
"There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers fall into place and the universe opens up for a few seconds and shows you what is possible" (Ray Kinsella – Field of Dreams). That was last night. For the first time this season we played the game of softball the way it is supposed to be played…..dominant, aggressive, passionate, error-free softball. Sometimes greatness is thrust upon you and sometimes you have to go out and get it….last night this team kicked the door down!! It was the proudest moment of my managerial career."
After an on field celebration the BB's night wasn't over, after a rainout a few weeks back there was a continuation game to play against Deweys Clam Bar. A meaningless game for us but an important one for the clam bar, if they could dispatch the BBs they were in the playoffs, if we beat them they go play golf and the BB's arch nemesis, The Fighting Gators are playoff bound. It was 4 to 4 in the bottom of the 4th when the game began, amazingly and kind of scarily, the freight train had impecable notes on the last game and was still able to tell his fielders where balls were hit from three weeks ago. The Clams put up a run right away for a 5 to 4 lead. It stayed that way till the top of the 6th when the BBs loaded the bases with one out and Oliver Mays at the plate. The great Mays struck out and the Ageless Wonder followed with a fly out ending the inning and putting Deweys three outs away from the coveted playoff birth and seemingly taking the life out of the BBs as this game was of course meaningless to them. Then it happened, top of the 7th, no outs BBs down by one. Kelly "White Shoes" Lepore who already had 4 hits on the day and some dazzling defensive plays, led off with a single. Up came "The Truth" Evan Price, a man mind you mired in a slump all day, being ridiculed for lack of hustle, and this man my friends, this man came through big time. As the Freight Train shouted. "now I need you to hit!", hit he did, sending a rocket deep over the right fielders head and running the bases like a jaguar on the prowl, pouncing on each bag with a ferocity fueled by the desire to win, Evan "The Truth" Price touched them all this day and gave the BBs a 6 to 5 lead. The BBs tacked on 2 more and took an 8 to 5 lead into the 7th. After a leadoff single was erased by a beautiful double play turned by Trash Mouth, the Clams quietly crawled back into there shells and the clambake had begun. A lazy fly ball to Scott "The Babe" Book and the sweep was complete, the Gators were playoff bound and the Clams were going home. We might be brash, and cocky, we might be sore losers and open to cheating, we might argue, we might not always play fair, but we have pride and integrity, and last night when we could have rested up for the playoffs we went out and buried the Clams like we were fighting for our own playoff lives. That shows one thing, this team has character, and character wins championships. Its a good day to be a ballbuster, a good day indeed.
Come out and support the BB's in the Playoffs next Tuesday, cause "If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter!!"
Please look out for my playoff preview coming out on Friday afternoon with all the information you need to follow the BallBusters through their playoff journey, including player bios all week long, profiles, and up to the minute updates.
Game Balls by the Human Megaphone, Jeff "The Freight Train" McLaughlin:
Special recognition to the following….. First Game Ball: Evan Price. The Truth delivers!!! In the most crucial moment of the night when all looked bleak, Evan game through with a bases clearing double that not only secured our come from behind victory but also eliminated our nemesis from the playoffs. It was one of those moments when everything was on the line and we were down to our last out of the 6th inning. If we fail in that moment, we probably lose the game. The Truth game through with a bomb to right field that must have traveled over 325 feet, clearing the bases and proved to be the game winner. Bravo Evan!! David Wright Game Ball: Kelly Lepore: When a right-handed pull hitter is up, generally the oppositions best hitters, Kelly loves to play right on the 3rd base line challenging the batters… almost mocking them to try and hit it past her. Time and time again Kelly made difficult plays look easy with the best 3rd base glove I’ve seen in the league coupled with very accurate throws to first base. Last night, Kelly’s glove is where triples went to die!! Bravo Kelly! Tigger Game Ball: Elizabeth Law. While Elizabeth was catching last night, she had the opportunity to contribute to the defensive effort by recording an out off a foul ball. As long has a foul tip goes higher than the batters shoulders; it is considered a pop up whether it is fair or foul. Typically, as you are catching, the reaction time to make this catch is so quick that the catch is rarely made. Not so last night. With cat-like reflexes, Elizabeth leaped to snag a bullet of a foul-tip that turned into a fairly acrobatic catch. The best part of the catch was Elizabeth’s reaction to the catch; jumping up and down like she was on a pogo-stick as the game progressed. I think it took 2-3 more batters before Elizabeth calm down. It was a great moment! Genuine enthusiasm is great to see. Well-done Elizabeth!! Tinker to Evers to Chance Game Ball: Allan Ageman/Jordan Siegman/Nick Catalano. Back in the 1900’s Tinker to Evers to Chance was the most celebrated double-play trifecta in baseball. They played for the Chicago Cubs during that period. The Cubs won two World Series back then and nothing since. Last night, the former Cubs had nothing on Allan, Jordan and Nick. In what has to be the sweetest double play I have ever seen, a sharp ground ball was hit Allan and he fielded it cleanly. In one move he spun and threw a rocket to Jordan at second base that reached the base at the exact same time Jordan did. In one motion, Jordan caught the ball and pivoted and threw a laser to Nick at first that just beat a very speedy runner. The runner on first and the batter were their best two players. It was a hallmark moment. Congrats to the three of you!! A-Rod Game Ball: Jordan Siegman: The A-Rod comparison in this case is only a positive one. Jordan makes fielding plays at shortstop look easy. Very easy! With a great glove and an arm that makes his throws look like they were shot out of a cannon, Jordan threw out runner after runner last night to the complete amazement of everyone watching. My guess is Jordan’s arm is every bit as strong as the real A-Rod. Masterful job a short last night. His play short-circuited many attempted rallies by the opposition. The only one who had an issue with Jordan last night was Nick. He was on the receiving end of all those throws and even though almost every one was chest-high, Nick’s hand must have taken quite a beating last night. Bravo Jordan! Anchor of the Infield Game Ball: Ali McGlincy. Ali is the captain of the infield and the glue that makes it all work. Time after time yesterday she fielded her position flawlessly and was the anchor at second base retrieving throws from the outfield and turning double-plays of her own. With the velocity that Jordan throws the ball, it’s always a challenge to coordinate the catch and make sure your foot is on the base while some 300 pound desk-jockey is bearing down on you looking to take your knees out from underneath you. That’s concentration! Ali plays this most difficult position with sure hands, quick feet and a strong arm. Bravo Ali! Three Amigos Game Ball: Scott Book/Oliver Hernandez/James Sammarco. The outfield’s defensive play was spectacular!! I lost count of how many individual put-outs Scott made in left field. I don’t know too many outfielders who can position themselves better than Scott in anticipation of where he thinks the ball is going to be hit and then tracking down the ball when it’s in the air. He must have had over 10 individual put outs between the two games. With Oliver you can always count on at least one spectacular catch per game. Last night was no exception with another over the head, Willie Mays backhanded catch that certainly saved a home run. To rival that catch, James made a play that definitely cut short a rally by throwing a laser to Jordan covering second base from deep in the right field. One of the defensive gems of the night. Way to go Boys!! One for the Team game Ball: Kim Antrosiglio. Sometimes contributions are more subtle than others with less fanfare but no less important. Several times last night Kim found herself at the plate with runners on first and second with less than two outs. In other words, being a right handed hitter, it is natural to hit the ball to third. I asked Kim to see if she could push the ball up the first base line to allow the runners to advance and sacrificing herself for the good of the team. Hitting the ball to the opposite field is tough for the best hitters and for Kim, who is a somewhat challenged-hitter, its even more difficult. However, last night after a few failed attempts, Kim came through with a well-placed ball to the first base side that eventually set up Evan for his game winning heroics. Kim is the total team player and it showed last night. Bravo Kim! Roy Halladay Game Ball: Allan Ageman. I witnessed a game earlier in the year that Allan pitched that I thought was insurmountable as far as effort is concerned. I believe he one-upped himself last night. In the first game he pitched a shut-out until the bottom of the final inning when the first game was well in hand and only gave up one run in the second game to a team that was good enough to be vying for the final playoff spot in our division. Allan read the umpire’s strike zone early in the game and consistently threw pitches deep in the strike zone that kept the batters off balance the entire game. I think this effort bests his effort in CP that night. Especially since it was a two game performance. Great Job Allan! Fan Appreciation Game Ball. Apollo Hernandez. Once again, Oliver’s father attended our game but this time not without his entourage of family. Accompanying Apollo was his granddaughter Naomi who seemed to really enjoy being out on the field with us. We are 2-0 when Apollo attends our games. He promised to be back for the playoffs!! Thanks for the support Apollo!!
So that’s it. On to the playoffs. I said earlier in the season that I was a “Keeper of the Faith” when things weren’t going so well. Now I believe this is a “Team of Destiny. If last night is any indication, the playoffs could get very interesting. As always, it was fun to a part of the fun in the park last night
Ball Busters
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