Unlike my co-writer, I have a different viewpoint then his myopic, woe is us, team insulting, senior citizen, Fat Albert and the sky is falling description of our efforts as a team and individuals last night.  To me, any day in New York City that ends playing softball with people you genuinely like in a park is a damn good day!  It’s that plain and simple.  We played as a team through 14 weeks of miserable playing conditions, Randal’s Island, glass on the field, rainstorms, dust storms, rain delays, lightening, postponements, bathroom drama, potential fights with the other teams, equipment thieves, line-ups filled with ringers, sub-par third base coaching ; ) and poor umpiring and never once did we lose our sense of team.  Occasionally, we got on each other’s nerves, to be sure, (a certain conversation comes to mind from last night! ;)) but we always won and lost as a team.  For me, the best part of a work environment is when you get out from behind your desk and actually do something together outside of these four walls.  For 14 weeks, we did just that.  Bravo to the team for showing up all season long and giving it their best even when, ultimately, our best wasn’t quite good enough.  Many thanks for all those that came to our rescue, in a pinch, when we needed to field a complete team.  And finally to Richard and Allan for allowing us to be children again for a few hours a week.  In recognition of that camaraderie that we shared, I would like to award Season Game Balls to the Bachrach Ball Busters….. 

The Starters Team MVP Game Ball:  Scott Book.  Favorite Moment: “After boldly “informing” the manager of a pre-game lineup change that resulted in Mr. Book batting first in the lineup, Scott did not disappoint.   Scott went 3-4 at the plate scorching double after double and was responsible for 6 RBI’s.  Couple that with stellar defensive play including a back-handed catch of a line-drive smashed down the left field line and Scott is the early favorite for MVP of the Bachrach ball busters this season”.  Scott was the clear MVP with a batting average in the 600’s and registering the fewest errors in the field and the most “put-outs” at the plate.  Last night was no exception.  Stellar team player and most deserving of the award.  Bravo Scott 

Rookie of the Year Game Ball:  Elizabeth Law.  Favorite Moment:  “First inning playing Short Center.  Elizabeth attempts to field a towering pop-up.  What does Elizabeth and Michael Jackson have in common???  They both wear gloves for no apparent reason.  Coming from Australia, Elizabeth hasn’t learned that the hand the glove is on is actually for catching the ball.  Needless to say, Elizabeth tries to bare-hand the catch and her hand swelled like a mushroom”.   Elizabeth had absolutely no understanding of the game of softball, yet that did not stop her from embracing the game with passion and enthusiasm and became a quality hitter.  If she couldn’t catch the ball she would willfully throw her body in front of the ball to slow its progress.  What she lacked in skill she replaced with courage.  Bravo, Elizabeth. 

Glue of the Infield Game Ball:  Ali McGlincy. Favorite Moment:  After hustling down the line on a close play at first and beating out the throw, Ali skinned knees with the first baseman that produced “third-degree” burns on her knee and made it difficult to run to second as the ball got passed the 1^st baseman.  Halfway towards second base, Ali turned and let go a barrage of the “delicate” language we all know and love her for.  No one knew if it was aimed at the first baseman, her knee or just the pain in her leg.  Nonetheless, the opposition stayed clear of the Ali the rest of the game.  Ali was the leader of the infield and always understands the situation on the field and where the ball should be thrown.  As a former manager, she understands the subtleties of the game.  Bravo Ali  

The Anchor Game Ball:  Kelly Lepore.  Favorite Moment.  Verbally beating the crap out of Jeff last night!  Actually… “Kelly got her groove back last night!!  Not only did she hit like an All-Star but her contribution at 3rd base was nothing short of game saving!  With Allan doing his best to nurse a 3-1 lead, Kelly made play after play at third base.  One in particular stands out.  Top of the 5th inning; score 3-1 and runners on first and second with 2 outs and their best hitter up who can also run like the wind.  He hits a rocket down the third base line.  Kelly backhands the ball and throws a rocket of her own to Nick at first.  If she doesn't make that play we probable lose the lead.  Instead, inning was over, Allan was out of a jam and King James was coming to the plate”!  Kelly anchored the left side of the infield all year.  Excellent glove and throwing arm and regularly contributed at the plate.  As I said earlier…Kelly’s glove is where triples went to die!Bravo Kelly. 

Home Run King Game Ball: James Sammarco: Favorite Moment:  Long live the King!  With my write up last week, I put in a "no win" situation.  The home-run guaranty is tough to live up to.  Did James shrink from the challenge?  Did he go quietly into that good night?........Hell No!  Bottom of the 5th inning and the Ball Busters clinging to a 3-1 lead, the Staten Island kid steps up to the plate and smashes a 3-run home run!  6-1 Bachrach lead and the Ball Busters never looked back.  Hail the Conquering Hero!!!  James was the King of the long ball all season and had had many games where he it more than one home-run.  True flair for the dramatic.  Played short stop well until switching to Right Field.  Consummate team player.  Bravo James. 

“Evolution” Game Ball:  Evan “Evolution” Price:  Favorite Moment: “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 6^th 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”.  Evan was our DH/1^st baseman this year and played exceptionally well.  Stellar first base play when filling in for Nick and came through in the clutch on many occasions with his bat. Bravo Evan!!  

Team Player of the Year Game Ball:  Kim Antrosiglio: Favorite Moment: “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, it’s 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”.  Kim gave her all for the team all year long.  Juggled her schedule to make each game and had one of the highest on base percentage of anyone on the team.  Bravo Kim! 

Pitcher of the Year Game Ball:  Allan Ageman:  Favorite Moment:  “Coming off a 3 run performance the previous week, Allan raised his game to a new level.  In one of the best pitching performance I have ever seen, Allan held the opposition, a formidable team stoked with great hitters, to one measly run.  An unearned run at that!  To pitch a 12 to 14 foot arc as consistently as he did was remarkable.  Getting most over for strikes.  He struck out 5 batters.  Allan had defensive help for sure, but he kept us in the game until King James iced it.  Outstanding Allan!”  Allan was a shoe in for this award because he was the “only” pitcher all year!  Seriously, Allan was the reason we won a large portion of our games by keeping us competitive until we found a way to win.  Excellent, consistent pitching performance throughout the year.  Bravo Allan!! 

Outfielder of the Year: Oliver Hernandez: Favorite Moment:  “Oliver making a home-run saving, Willie Mays-like, over-the-head, back-handed catch in deep center field that took all of his athletic ability.  Sensational catch when we were actually losing 3-2 in the early innings.  Maybe the inspiration we needed”.  I wish I had a dime for every time Oliver made another eye-popping, dazzling catch in centerfield that was beyond belief.  Time and time again, he kept us in a game that was threatening to get out of hand.  Oliver was our anchor in the outfield with Scott and saved Allan a lot of runs throughout the course of the year.  Bravo Oliver! 

Athlete of the Year Game Ball: Jordan Siegman: Favorite Moment:  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.  Jordan was easily our best athlete and will be force to reckon with next year.  He is part a definite part of the future of this team. Bravo Jordan! 

Leader of the Team Game Ball: Nick Catalano: Favorite Moment: “Nick returned to action last night after a one game hiatus to put on an exceptional hitting display that secured his place in the lineup and giving us a formidable top of the order to be reckoned with”.  In my opinion, Nick was the true leader of the team.  Whether it was writing up the batting order, ordering the uniforms, positioning the players or even designating the transportation to the field, it all, pretty much, revolved around Nick.  He gave of his time and effort to make sure we were all ready for any given week.  Bravo, Nick!   

The Reserves 

Hustling Haggy Game Ball: Scott Hechler: Favorite Moment:  “The wind in central park last night was created by the legs of Mr. Hechler.  Heeding advice from last week, Haggy ran the bases with reckless abandon.  He hustled on every play and did not stop to admire any of his hits.  It would have helped if he got on base but the effort was there and should be recognized.  Keep running like that Scotty-boy and good things will happen.  Well done, Scott”!  Scott was a starter until he pulled out because the games were ending past his bedtime.  He played a solid right field and was fleet a foot on the base paths.  Bravo, Scott!   

Jersey Girl (Bergen County) Game Ball:  Lauren Haak: Favorite Moment: “Behind every great pitcher stands a great catcher.  Let’s face it, catching SUCKS!  Especially for a women.  You have some over-weight, baseball wannabe right up your butt, breathing down your neck and some guy in front of you waving a metal or aluminum club.  Not an enviable position to be in (all jokes aside).  Then when you finally get to make a play at the plate and someone else takes the throw for you.  It is the most overlooked position on the field.  Not today.  Lauren did a superb job yesterday doing the small things that always go overlooked, they provided Allan a great target to pitch to, threw the ball back to Allan directly after every pitch so he could keep his rhythm and most importantly, kept Allan from a meltdown when he was protecting a two run lead for most of the game last night.  These are the small things that allow a team to win.  You did this seamlessly last night!!  Lauren was a sometime starter but fulltime believer in the dream.  Excellent hitter with a strong arm.  Serious softball player.  Bravo, Lauren! 

Team Spirit of the Year Game Ball: Alex Roth: Favorite Moment:  “For reasons only known to her.  Alex let Lauren play and entire game behind home plate.  Even after being cajoled into playing, Alex was content to allow Lauren, who was playing superbly, to continue having fun.  Excellent example of sportsmanship and teamwork”!!  Alex is the embodiment of team play and support.  She came to every game and supported our efforts whether she played or not.  She freely gave up her position so someone else could get a chance.  If everyone had Alex’s spirit, there would be no need for armies!  Bravo, Alex! Our Fan Fan of the Year Game Ball:  Apollo Hernandez: Favorite Moment: “Oliver’s father not only showed up last night in full Yankee regalia but rooted for his son’s team like we actually were the New York Yankees.  His support for us was genuine and he had his “Proud Papa” moment when Oliver got us on the score boarded with his homerun.  He promised to return for the next game and I really hope he does”!!!  Apollo is genuinely one of the nicest people I have ever met.  He attended three games for us this year and win or lose he was happy just to lend his support.  Oliver’s dad and a real gentleman.  Bravo, Apollo! So that’s it.  The season is over.  All and all it was a lot of fun and we had a bunch of laughs.  God willing, we’ll all be able to come back next year and do it all over again!! Jeff

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