"The Headlines read these are the worst of times
I do believe its true
When people lock their
doors and hide inside
Rumor has it its the end of paradise
But I know, if the world just passed us by
Baby I know, you wouldn't have to cry"
Styx- The Best of Times
Maybe on the outside these are the worst of times, but on the 5th floor of 39w37th st, where The Bachrach Group and The world renowned Bachrach BallBusters preside that is a load of crap. We all have place to come everyday, an opportunity to make a living in the toughest of economies, the support of our peers and our management, the world and our futures in the palm of our hands if we continue to work hard and fight together and a softball team that is clicking on all cylinders. So indeed these are The Best of Times!
Last night your Bachrach BallBusters, in what was probably one of the most complete team performances I have ever had the pleasure to be a part of, defeated the ball club from Neilson Norris by a score of 14-5. What started out as a close game shortly became a blow out when the juggernaut we call the BallBusters came to life. Errors were few, hits were many and spirits were high. Ali "trash Mouth" McGlincy and Kim "Don't call me Bachrach" Antrosiglio, both playing out of position proved softball smarts and athletic ability are transferable, Ali looked like she was wearing a pair of white shoes of her own filling for Kelly "White Shoes" Lepore at the hot corner she made some plays that were just out of control, and Kim, playing second for the first time in her career and looked like an old pro, handling her chances with class and sophistication and looking like she had played in that spot all her life. As for the bats...the hit parade was running strong as every hitter in the BallBuster lineup had at least one hit, and everyone contributed to a 14 run explosion the left our opponents shaking in there boots, and two runs away from being mercy ruled.
I would also like to give some special thanks to Jeff "The Freight Train" McLaughlin, the manager of the BallBreakers, I mean BallBusters for his passion and for filling in for me on my blog while I have been out. The response to his game ball segment has been so positive that I have asked him to partner with me when I am around and add that to all the write ups, thanks Freight train!
First Game Ball. Team Game Ball. In the old days at Yankee Stadium it was called "5 O'clock Lightening". That's when the late innings of an afternoon game would be played and "Murderer's Row", the nickname for the Yankee lineup would start hitting and pound their opponents into submission. Last night we had 7 O’clock Lightening when we turned a 6-5 game into a 14-6 romp. 8 runs in the 6th inning and everyone contributed. Team effort! Second Game Ball. Scott Book. As always, solid at the plate with excellent hitting and driving in runs. But, his play in left field was outstanding! No less than 3 times, fighting a vicious sun, Scott held runners at 3rd base and prevented them from scoring with sensational throws from the outfield. I believe the single biggest contribution in keeping the game close until we blew it out. Defensive Gem of the Game: Ali McGlincy. 4th inning with a runner on third with one out and the score is 6-4 in our favor. A smash down the 3rd base line that Ali, substituting for Kelly at third and fighting the same sun Scott is fighting, backhands the ball and starts her throwing motion to first. Only to fool the runner at third into breaking for the plate. She holds onto the ball and turns and tags the runner out on third. Damn fine play Ali! ROTY Candidate: Rookie of the Year candidate: Elizabeth Law. With no experience at softball but with an approach to the game that can only be described as "Joyful", Elizabeth, with new glove in hand, redefined the way to play short field. If you can't catch it, throw your body in front of the ball but don't let it get by you. Time and time again last night Ellie sacrificed her body stop one line drive after another to keep runners from advancing. Coupled with her new found swing at the plate, Ellie is definitely a candidate for ROTY. Well done Elizabeth! Return to Action Game Ball: Nick Catalano. "The Franchise" returned from his 3 week hiatus and never missed a beat. At least 8-10 put outs at first base on some good but difficult to handle throws from the other side of the diamond. Also had some unassisted put outs. At the plate, Nick showed no rust showering lines drives to the outfield although he did pop out with the bases loaded. No harm no foul. Welcome back Nick. I Told You I Could Hit Game Ball: Scott Hechler. I heard the rumor and teammates said to have faith but, truth be told, I hadn't seen it so far this season. Well, last night "Haggy" came to play. Rocketing line drive after line drive, he showed that he really deserves to be in the lead off spot and his speed speaks for itself. He made me a believer. Well done! Hitting Game Ball: Too numerous this week to count!! Everyone hit but special mention goes out to the usual suspects. Oliver, Allan, Evan, Scott and of course James. Familiar sights were James and Oliver running around the bases with more tape measure home runs. They have become the poster boys for a hitting barrage of late that seems relentless. Great job! Fielding Game Ball: Kim Antrosiglio and Allan Ageman. Kim, not even figuring to be in the line-up got the last minute call-up from management to not only play but to play a different position, 2nd base! Not only did she represent well throwing out at least one runner at first but also covered 2nd base on a variety of throws without faltering once. Allan, as well as pitching another stellar game, made at least 4 key defensive plays on line-drives hit back up the middle to save what surely would have been base-hits and additional RBI’s. Well done by both of you. Coach of the Night Game Ball: Richard Bachrach. Fighting off the “Evil” first base coach for control of the runners as they past 2nd base, Richard showed extraordinary wisdom in knowing when to send runners home and when to hold them at third. Even when he had to literally “hold them” at 3rd base. His work was as strong a reason as any why we where able to extend our innings and put so many runs across the plate. Some may say he is too conservative but the last two nights we played softball we have scored 18 and 14 runs; respectively. Pretty hard to argue those numbers. The Battery Game Ball: With Allan pitching well to a bevy of woman behind the plate, Game Balls to Alex and Heather (aka Tara) Rae. Both Alex and HR were outstanding behind the plate and Heather even corralled to pop-ups behind the plate and Alex knew when to allow another ball to roll foul instead of trying to make a play on it and allowing a run to score. All three plays were heads-up plays. Well done, ladies!
So that’s it. Congratulations to you all on another complete team effort. Another victory leaving us at 3-2 for the season and 3 out of 4 wins in our last 4 games. Nice game everyone!!!
And like a wise women once told me....
"If you can't be an athlete, be an athletic supporter"
Notes and Quotes:All seems to be heading in the right direction for this years club as evident from the lack of front office chatter. Richard "The Boss" Bachrach seems please with the effort of this years team and had this to say, "Like I say every year this team is built to win a championship and anything less is unacceptable, the pieces are in place and seem to be working well. Now it's up to the players to make that a reality and bring home the championship that this organization deserves." Hank and Hal Bachrach have been off scouting and were not available for comment. After the game, as usual, Alex "Come to my house and sell your GOLD at a premium" Roth was seen whispering in peoples ear to grab a drink after the game, and by people I mean the men. Scott "Haggy" Hechler seemed to solidify his grip on the leadoff spot with a three hit ballgame and impeccable base running skills, though rumor has it he is in negotiations with management for them to buy him a pair of cleats so he doesn't fall down again, with his foot odor problem finally under control, maybe that will happen. Rookie of the Year candidate Elizabeth "Being this good should be against the" Law has promised to bring down numerous "athletic supporters throughout the season, we shall see how successful she is in accomplishing that task, should be interesting to see who else she convinces to come support the BallBusters.
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