GAME 1 – Shock and Awe

The Intro

No one and I mean NO ONE saw this coming.

On a day that should have been all about sunshine and fly balls came this shocking news: Veteran and formally loyal fan, Michelle Farah, has declared free agency; casting doubt that she would be available to cheer for the Grisslies for the 2010 season.

"I arrived at this decision after a lot of careful thought, and prayer," Michelle said as she glanced up from crocheting. "Nothing could please me more than rooting for the Grisslies through to the end of my career as a fan. The players have been great, and management has always made me feel right at home here. The thought of packing up and leaving them tears me apart."

She thoughtfully sipped her decaf coffee while her mother wept. "But I have to keep in mind that baseball isn't just a 'game' anymore. Sure, I could settle for less and stay here, out of sentiment. Being a lifelong Grisslies fan was something me and my family always aimed for. But where's the reward? Without some kind of quid pro quo, could I continue to be as good a fan? My competitive nature tells me I should test the market, just to find out my true worth."

Players were stunned before last night's game. Ingo thought it was a practical joke at first and claimed that he re-signed with the Grisslies this year "because" of super fan Michelle Farah. Many players will visibly upset and understandable so. Danny Chiasson bit his lip when questioned. All he could say was, "what am I supposed to my kids, bye? What am I supposed to tell my kids!"

Insiders speculate that Michelle Farah is trying to stick it to the Grisslies for having rewarded other fans more than her during the season. "I saw where they picked some kid for bat boy. Did I get to be bat-person? Do I miss games? I've got season-freakin-tickets for God sakes!" "The thing about me was, when the bell rang, I was always there for the Grisslies, weekends, weeknights, rain and freezing cold. The way I see it, if they have the kind of money to bring in a second rookie for a tryout, then they can afford a set of those tall plastic cups with the Grisslies logo on one side and the CIBC logo on the other side. I entertain a lot, those cups would be like free advertising!"

Starting catcher Piero Del Greco was asked how he felt about Michelle Farah's possible departure, and responded by pelting this reporter with wrapped up sandwiches and deviled eggs that he was saving for a middle inning snack. "Everyone thinks they can play practical jokes on me," he exclaimed. "Here, do you want another sandwich?"

Team officials would not openly admit it, but there is the feeling that Michelle Farah may have missed a step in last season. During a game against the Dusty Cleats on August 18^th of last year, Michelle could be heard from the stands encouraging runners to go through the stop sign at 3^rd and run for home plate. The end result was two runners being thrown out at the plate. The Grisslies still won 19-18 but it may have set the wheels in motion. Then there was the missed game earlier in the year due to a "sore arm". One team source who asked not to be named said, "She's not a malingerer, but clearly she'd rather not cheer in pain. The other fans pick up on that."

Michelle's agent claims that 3 other teams in the T.O.T league have asked to discuss the possibility of a long term deal.

The Pre-Game

As has become customary, 'coach Rob' gathered the troops for his little pep talk before the 1^st pitch was thrown. "Guys, we've all been dealt a bit of blow before we even got started this year, so I think I'm best to quote the musical legend Miley Cyrus for a little inspiration.

(click title below for music)

PARTY IN THE USA

He hopped off the train in Tottenham

with a dream and his glove again

welcome to the team that likes to flex, (woah)

Is he gonna fit in?

Jumped in the cab,

Here he is yet another time

Look to the right and he see the Coventry Park sign

This is all so crazy

The Grisslies seems so famous

Danny's tummys turnin and he's feelin kinda home sick

Might be after affects of the CRIC and he's nervous,

That's when the taxi man turned on the radio

and a Bluegrass song was on

and the Bluegrass song was on

and the Bluegrass song was on

CHORUS:

So he put his hands up

They're playing his song,

And the home runs fly away

Hittin' line drives like yeah

Getting' base hits like yeah,

And he's got my hands up,

They're playin his song

He know he's gonna play ok

Yeah, It's a party in Coventry

Yeah, It's a party in the Coventry

Get his club from the bat rack

Everybody's lookin at him now

Like "whos that dude, thats rockin' hits?

He's gotta be from out of town"

So hard with my swing gonna pound it

Cal is never going to ground it

Danny's still in his stilletos

I guess he never got the memo

Ingo's tummys turnin and he's feelin kinda home sick

Too much pressure and he's nervous

That's when the D.J. dropped his favorite tune

and a Bieber song was on

and the Bieber song was on

and the Bieber song was on

CHORUS:

Now he's got his hands up

They're playing his song,

And the home runs fly away

Hittin' line drives like yeah

Getting' base hits like yeah,

And he's got my hands up,

They're playin his song

I know he's gonna play ok

Yeah, It's a party in Coventry

Yeah, It's a party in the Coventry

The Game

The Hot Tub Woody's HAVE to be favoured to win the league this year.

They trotted out 3 pitchers with varying degrees of success and scored 26 runs. Ouch.

The Grisslies were in the game early, batting around in the 1^st inning. The highlight of that inning was Piero's (3/4) 2 run triple. Truthfully, the Grisslies hit well enough to win the game, but the suffered from the Michael Jackson syndrome on defense. That of course is the propensity to wear a glove on one hand for no apparent reason. There were a few people playing out of position, but there is HUGE hole at 2^nd base that needs to be addressed.

Management is looking into some trades.