by Jeff
5/17/2010 5:11:00 AM
Ball Buster’s Bounce Back!!No base running lapses, no errors, no 9th inning desperation rally’s or “we lost the game but we’ll win the fight” attitude needed this day…..just pure domination in pure Bachrach Ball Buster fashion. What a difference a week makes! We were winning 6-0 before anyone broke a sweat and the Ball Buster’s were victorious and a walk away win with a score of 8-3 that was no indication of how dominant the Ball Buster victory truly was. With excellent hitting, superb base running, stellar defense and a shutdown pitching performance from Mr. Ageman the outcome of the game was never in doubt. The Seaport team was no fluke team either. They could hit very well, played strong defense and their woman represented very well with some surprising hitting skills; it’s just we played better and in key situations we executed and they did not. So we evened our record at 2-2 and played ourselves right back into contention in a very competitive division 2 field that promises to remain a toss up for the remainder of the season. We had some new hero’s last night that have cemented their spot on the roster and some new faces that contributed to our victory and we are very grateful for their presence in helping us field a complete team. All in all in was another great night in the Park and a good time was had by all. In keeping with tradition Game Balls must be awarded. Ball Buster Game Balls MVP Game Ball – Jeff Segal. Jeff is our leadoff man and last night he was our catalyst. Having a perfect 3-3 night at the plate last night spraying hits to all fields and stretching singles into doubles with his aggressive base running; Jeff was the perfect lead off man. He scored every time he was on base and jump started our night to victory. He was no less spectacular in left field where he made three outstanding catches that snuffed out any hint of a rally by the Seaport. Last night was Jeff Segal’s night and he really deserves the accolades. The only problem I have now will be fitting his head through the elevator doors after he reads this!!! Bravo, Jeff!CY Young Game Ball - Allan Ageman. Allan was in “the zone” last night. One of the best complete game efforts I have seen in a long time. Every pitch seemed to find the back of the strike zone and he kept a very good hitting team swinging off the back of their heals all night. He struck out 4-5 batters, fielded his position very well and drove in a few runs. A complete performance from a complete player. Bravo, Allan!Babe Ruth Game Ball – Matt Conroy. With his classic Ruthian swing, Matt answered the bell again last night. Lifting a two-run homerun high into the night, Matt clobbered a two strike pitch whose trajectory could have brought down rain. As he rounded the bases and strolled across home plate, Matt tipped his hat to the adoring crowd and shouted into the announcers microphone covering the game…”That one’s for you Johnny!!” hoping to reach the ears of the little boy Matt visited in the hospital prior to the game. Okay, of course, most of that never happened but Matt’s good nature makes it not that much of a stretch. However, Matt did hit a monstrous home run that was the deciding factor in the game. Bravo Matt.Derek Jeter Game Ball: Larry Villar. Larry put on another, starting to sound repetitious, clinic at short stop. I don’t know another way to put it. He fields the ball as smooth as anyone and he sizes up each runner so he knows whether to give it a toss across the diamond or bring the Louisiana Lighting. All his throws were perfect last night except one. On that throw, Matt made a great backhanded stop and although they didn’t get the runner, they prevented another runner from scoring. Small plays with big impact on the outcome of the game. Bravo Larry. Gold Glove Game Ball: Lauren Haak Playing 3rd base is beginning to look really good on Lauren. She has settled in nicely to her new responsibilities and has become a force at third base. She fielded all plays to her last night cleanly and made a real nice play on a top-heavy spinning pop up that sizzled into her glove for the last out of an inning that prevented the Seaport from yet another rally. At the plate, Lauren was her usual hitting-machine self. Lauren is turning into a real quality ballplayer and has the early lead on Ball Buster female player of the year! On another note that did not go unnoticed by this manager, Lauren spent an inordinate amount of time with Dani (see below) on the fundamentals of softball; showing her how to hit and field. Just another revelation of Lauren’s true character and selflessness. Bravo Lauren!Joe Torre Game Ball: Brian Powe. With all the razzing that Brian gets and even if most of it is well deserved, I would be remiss in denying he had an impact on last night’s game and has had an impact on the team as a whole. Say what you will, but Brian comes to every game, supports our efforts more than anyone else and last night did an outstanding job coaching first base and helping the base runners find their mark. With Segal and others on base what seemed like every inning, Powe was instrumental in helping stretch singles into doubles and preventing runners from going too far. All kidding aside, he is a big fan of the team just with his presence and we all appreciate it. Bravo Brian!Vlad Guerrero DH Game Ball: Jason Taxier. Jason is the consummate team player. He comes to each game and is used as our designated hitter. A tough role to fill when you just hit and don’t get a chance to play the field. Is he happy about that fact? Of course not. But Jason goes about his business and keeps his frustrations to himself (well most of the time - J) and just drives in runs. Sometimes in bunches. Last night was no exception. With the outcome of the came still in question before the Ruthian blast, Jason came up with two outs and bases loaded and lined a single past the outstretched hands of a very capable short stop. Drove two runs in and we were on our way. I see more playing time in your future, Jason. Stay with the program and things will work itself out. Bravo Jason! Willie Mays Game Ball: Oliver Hernandez. Oliver is so amazing in centerfield that it’s very hard to capture what it’s like to watch him give chase to a ball driven into the outfield by the written word. He closes on a ball better than anyone I have every seen. His speed is legendary and I do believe I saw smoke coming off his sneakers last night. Two incredible catches in centerfield last night and again thwarted until rally. Whether it’s lateral or vertical movement, Oliver is a blur that always makes the catch. Another quality hitting performance last night and if you think you are impressed with his closing speed in the outfield, you should see him run the bases! Art work in progress. Bravo Oliver!The Not Lacrosse/Softball Game Ball: Dani Schaaevitz. Dani is the cousin of Alex Roth. Dani worked for us last summer part time and fit very well into the Bachrach fabric. Last night she also represented us very well on the field. Dani is an all-star lacrosse player at the University of Virginia (Richmond) and a first rate human being. Dani tried her hand at softball last night and did very well. Didn’t get any tries at short field (she’s probably thankful for that) but she looked great at the plate and very comfortable. Hit the ball hard and with a little practice could easily be a formidable ballplayer and she can run like the wind. We hope to see Dani around the office a little more in the coming weeks! Bravo Dani!Miss Congeniality Game Ball: Alex Roth. Alex probably gets tired of hearing this but her contributions each week are undeniable. She goes about her business quietly and with little fanfare but she is the underlying glue that holds this team together. She makes sure we always have enough players (see Dani) and that everyone knows where we are going and what we need. She is always one step ahead of me; making sure everything and everyone are accounted for. Besides that, she is the other half of the battery that accounts for our dynamic Pitching/Catching tandem. Consummate team player, great catcher and actually got on base a couple of times last night. Bravo Alex! I’ve Got Some ’Tude Game Ball: Heather Ray Hatton. Ray Ray was another last minute fill in that saves our collective butts. Ray Ray played 2nd base last night and for someone that does not play organized softball; she knew where to play and more importantly what to do when the ball was hit to our defense. However, what Ray Ray brings most is her attitude. She has no fear and is willing throw down with the best of them. It would have been interesting to see her at last weeks game. Thanks for the participation and your support of the collective. Bravo Ray Ray! The King is Dead/Long Live the King Game Ball: King James Sammarco. For the first time in the 3 seasons I have been here, King James had an off night. He it the ball with authority last night but just got under the ball enough to turn a home run into a long fly out. I dubbed James, King James, for his propensity to hit the long ball in almost every game we’ve played to date. This morning King James wanted to distance himself from the King James status but as you can read it fell on deaf ears. But I will compromise. King James of last night is dead….long live the new King James!! After 50 homeruns and 100’s of RBI’s King James is the most prolific hitter on the team and he is allowed one off night. Bravo James!Fan of the Day Game Ball: Sandy Schaevitz. Mother of Dani, Aunt of Alex and friend to the Bachrach Group! Sandy was our sole fan last night and braved the increasingly cool weather to cheer her daughter’s new found team on to victory. She seemed to genuinely enjoy herself and more importantly green lighted an idea I have. We thank Sandy for her generous and vocal support and hope to see her at some more Ball Buster victories!!!So that’s it. We have evened our record and put us in a position to be competitive and fight for the title for the rest of the season. What more can you ask for. I continue be a keeper of the faith. As always any day that ends playing softball in Central Park is a damn good day!! Jeff
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