The only constant in life is change. It’s inevitable. Change we did last Friday night in Central Park. We fielded no less than 8 players Friday night that did not play and/or were not part of the team last year. You would think with that lack of familiarity we were destined for defeat. On the contrary, the Ball Busters put together one of the most complete victories I’ve seen in the three seasons I have been here. The Ball Busters hit with power throughout the lineup, played staunch defense and when all was said and done the Ball Busters walked away with a convincing 8-3 victory bypassing an overmatched Zagat’s team and the score really wasn’t even that close. What was actually the best part of the night was the camaraderie of this team that was literally put together 48 hours before the game started. With Allan and James not available for action and some other untimely departures we scrambled to put this team together. However, if you were a casual observer of our game Friday night you would have thought this team was together for a whole season. Everyone had their head in the game and knew what to do if the ball was hit to them. There were some spectacular plays and a few hiccups but everyone supported each others efforts and at the end of one game, if this is possible, we were a team! Last year I started what I hoped would become a tradition of awarding Game Balls for key contributions. I would like to continue that now….. Game Ball Awards Larry Villar: Clear MVP of Friday night’s game. Outstanding fielding display at shortstop where base hit after base hit went to into Larry’s glove to die. No less than 10 chances at shortstop and except one that got away Larry threw strike after strike to Matt at first base to throw out one runner after another. Great lateral movement through the infield to cut off potential base hits and make timely plays. His bat spoke loudly as well as he laced double after double down the right field line and was responsible for a good portion of our runs scored. All around complete game and deserving the game MVP award. Bravo Larry! Matt Conroy: Walk quietly and carry a big stick!! I think this applies to Matt whether he is in the office or on the field. Matt certainly carried a big stick Friday night. With a thunderous display of power, Matt pounded ball after ball into the outfield gaps Friday night and I’m pretty sure one of those balls is STILL rolling!! Matt drove in run after run with his bat and provided some nice footwork at first base and knowing how to move around the first base bag to adjust to off-targeted throws. He must have had 20 put outs a first base!! Bravo Matt Chris Papa: When we needed a big hit in the 5th inning to salt the game away, Mr. Papa came through in the clutch. Wearing his Bermuda shorts and shades Chris looked pretty casual even for a softball setting but when the game was on the line he smashed a two run double that iced the game away and took any hope of a comeback away from Zagat’s. With Chris’ pregnant wife in attendance as our sole support, the Papa’s walked off the field knowing they did a job well done. Bravo Chris! Jeff Segal: Maybe we should call him Jeff “it’s not all hype” Segal. Displaying a quick bat with timely hits and smart base running, Jeff was our lead off man in the lineup and did not disappoint. He continually plowed the field for the big guns to drive him in. More importantly, he showed real speed in the outfield going after deeply hit balls and demonstrating the right angle of pursuit. Jeff almost made the most spectacular catch of the game after a long run that started in left field and ended somewhere in center field. However, he just couldn’t come up with it in the end. A valiant effort! Bravo Jeff! Alicia Wright: Only being recruited to play 24 hours before the game and not having played organized softball since high school one could say that Alicia was in a tough spot. Taking over second base responsibilities, Alicia played admirably. She fielded almost every ball cleanly and knew what base to cover and where to throw the ball when it came to her. Not always such an easy thing to do when you have a ball hit sharply to you and runners whizzing by. Alicia is a genuine softball player, a good teammate that has genuine enthusiasm for the game and was a great addition to the team. Bravo Alicia! Lauren Haak: Lauren gets the “Purple Heart” medal for taking a shot off her leg and staying in the game to its completion. 4th inning and Matt was trying to throw a runner out from first base across the diamond to Lauren at third. Matt’s ball got away from him and came in very fast and very low to Lauren as the runner approached. While trying to tag the runner the ball banged of her leg making a sound that you could clearly hear across the field. Instead of sitting down, Lauren stayed in the game and gutted it out. Lauren played solid third base and had some very good swings at the plate. Bravo Lauren! Juliana Rodrigues: I think it’s fair to say that Juliana’s hitting skills are a work in progress. However, I have never seen someone stand up to the plate with more confidence than Juliana. It’s really something to see as she walks up to the plate, winks at the pitcher and throws me the thumbs up coaching first base as if to say “I got this one Jeff”. Actually, I think she did say that! Juliana has great bat speed through the strike zone and it’s only a matter of time before she starts lacing singles through the infield. Bravo Juliana! Alex Roth: Besides being the hottest catcher in the league, Alex brings more enthusiasm and teamwork than any other individual on the team. He caught a great game and did all the little things that often go unnoticed such as throwing the ball back to the Pitcher every time so he can stay in his groove. She is fearless behind the plate and proved it in the 5th inning on a quick pop-up behind the plate that she practically flung herself into the backstop trying to field the foul tip. The attempt was unsuccessful but the effort was noticed by all. Bravo Alex! Jason Taxier: Arguably, Jason played the toughest and most unenviable position Friday night; Right Field. Beside the unnatural spin the ball takes when it’s hit to right field, Jason also had to contend with a large gathering of mothers and their children who decided to sunbath in right field. Not only was it a distraction it was dangerous. Case in point, after a long run to catch a line drive hit down the right field line, Jason caught the ball only to be done in by a youngster that was left unattended by his nonchalant mother. In trying to avoid the child, Jason dropped the ball. An unfair legacy to an otherwise solid game fielding and hitting and running the bases. Bravo Jason! Alex Hernandez: Not arriving until the 6th inning being held up at work, Alex did not fail to deliver. His first at bat he stretched what seemed like a single into a triple with the speed of a gazelle! Alex ran like the wind and eventually scored on Juliana’s RBI. We could have used Alex all game but we’re sure glad he showed up when he did. Bravo Alex! Richard Bachrach: Fearless third base coaching. Richard consistently knew when to hold the runners and when to send them in from third. Seeing that we scored 8 runs (really 9 but one was disallowed because the runner didn’t slide) Richard had a very successful night. His leadership of the entire group and caring for some of the wounded was exemplary. He also prevented the team from any mental breakdowns while the score was still close. Bravo Richard! So that’s it. One successful victory does not make a season but it sure beats the hell out of losing. As I’ve said before, any day that ends playing softball in Central Park is a damn good day. Especially when you win!! Jeff Jeffrey M. McLaughlinDirector of TechnologyBachrach Group LTD.
Ball Busters
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