BONUS BLOG: Hikara Daichi, Newest Grisslie

INTRO

I said there wouldn't be that many bonus BLOGs, but I wasn't counting on the fields not being ready.  Rain sucks, so you better be ready with a backup plan. 

As luck would have it, we have a backup plan!!!  My partner in crime is up to his old tricks.  Just when I thought I had him figured out....bam....a brand new crime.   

THE STORY

The Tottenham Oldtimers league is once again in a tizzy.  And once again....It's all Rob Farah's fault.   

The Grisslies have pulled of the steal of the off season (if not the century) in announcing the signing of thirty six year old Japanese import Hikara Daichi.  Most of you probaly know him as Japan's "Alex Rodriquez". 

Daichi, has recently transferred from Honda in Japan to the Alliston plant and he and his family have settled in Tottenham.  He arrived after the Oldtimers registration deadline but was granted an exemption to due to work circumstances and was subsequently added to the waiting list. 

And in all honesty, the waiting list is where he should have stayed.  But Rob Farah who is well known to everyone as the expert of the Tottenham Oldtimers constitution, was able to invoke a rarely used clause of this sacred document.

 SECTION 8 - Playoffs
    8.6 - Seeding
       8.6.4  -  Structure
          8.6.4.1  -  Round Robin
             8.6.4.1.3  -  Saturday Games
                8.6.4.1.3.7 - Sunday Games
                   8.6.4.1.3.7.2  - Elimination
                      8.6.4.1.3.7.1  - Compensation

This clause reads as follows:

8.6.4.1.3.7.1 - Compensation
                      In the event that a team is the first eliminated from the playoffs without the opportunity to
                      play an elimination game AND has neither (i) been shut out in a playoff game nor (ii) gone
                      winless through the round-robin portion of the tournament; shall have the choice of the
                      following:
(a)  Two first round picks in the subsequent draft year.
(b)  Free drink tickets at the Help The Kids Tournament in the subsequent year.
(c)  The free addition of an extra player from subsequent year's waiting list.
(d)  The ability to select any pitcher from any roster (excluding Captains).

The BLOG of course interviewed Rob Farah late last night and asked him why he chose option (c).  "Well," said Farah, "it was a pretty easy decision for me.  We were drafting in reverse order this year, so getting two first round picks in this particular season would have meant getting two 12's.  Frankly, with Dwyer on our roster, we can't really afford to have too many players with that big a number.  The free drink tickets are pointless because the Grisslies win the HTKP tournament every other year and we won't have a chance to get thirsty because this is our "on" year.  And what good is picking a pitcher from another team?  We already have the best pitcher in the league.  Even if any of those things weren't true, you don't let talent Daichi get passed you.  You find a way."

It is thought to be the time that this clause has been exercised.

Daichi's career is a storied one in the annals of Japanese baseball.  He burst onto the scene with the Hiroshima Carp hitting .298 with 36 home runs and 111 RBI in his first year.  The next year was Ruthian, hitting .347, 52 home runs, 158 RBI, 122 runs scored and chipping in with 27 stolen bases.

After 5 all-star seasons, 5 Gold Gloves and 5 Silver Sluggers, Hikara Daichi shocked the baseball establishment on both sides of the ocean when he decided to dedicate himself full time to his 'other job', as an executive at Honda.  He's continued to stay in good shape and play recreational ball here and there.  Former Tottenham Oldtimer and Honda employee Jeff Shulze knows Daichi well and can speak first hand to his ability. 

When asked, Shulze had this to say, "Back about six years ago, Honda put together amateur rec baseball teams representing all the countries they were doing business in.  I was in the US at the time and I wasn't quite good enough to make the team; but they did take me along as the towel and water boy.  We played this big international tournament in Japan, it was amazing.  Daichi was a specimen, the guy had lightening speed and could hit and throw like nobody I've ever scene.  I don't think he made a single out in the entire tournament.  During one game I gave him towel and it was at the perfect temperature.  I really nailed it.  And from then on he kind of took me under his wing.  He taught me so much about baseball that I was not only able to make the team next year, but I was able to eventually be a number 1 in the Tottenham Oldtimers league.  He was able to teach me THAT much!"

And by all accounts, that's the kind of guy Daichi is.  A natural leader and free with time and knowledge.  The Grisslies are excited to have him aboard.

The Grisslies will have to cut someone from their roster prior to their first game being played.
Stay tuned and watch the waiver wire.