Week #1 Review

INTRO

The plan is for this to be a fairly factual account of the week in TOT.  I will be doing this for every Saturday morning.  It's early this week due, unfortunately, to the rainouts Thursday. 

Underneath this INTRO is the "Things to check out section".  These are links internal and External to the BLOG.  I'd like to welcome back Down Town Billy Brown, Terry Doucet and the Dislocated Joints for a second year of whimsical postings.  And new this year is one of our newest teams, the Tap Masters, who are also doing game updates. And Bo Niederhuber and Rod Duggan from the Brew Jays have climbed aboard as well to share their thoughs on their games.  I'm happy to help communicate thoughts and ideas through this medium and in Down Town's case; his whacko view of the world!!!

There are a couple of external links as well.  The league website, which I CAN NOT reinforce enough is the ONLY official voice of the league.  I try to capture as much as I can, but please don't use this as gospel!  The other external link is to the Hurtin' Units captain's BLOG.  I enjoy Jimmer's BLOG.  I know he's undergoing some changes with it right now, but if you have the time, check it out.  (His is WAY more visually appealing than mine). 

Links to all those mentioned above will be found in each BLOG under the title you see below. 

Things to check out:

Check out the Donini Three Stars of the game here ==> STARS
Check out the Dislocated Joints game notes from DTBB ==> JOINTS
Check out the Tap Master's game notes from Jason Bowers ==> Tapped Out
Check out the Brew Jays game notes from Rod and Bo ==> Jays Squawk
Check out the Hurtin' Units BLOG ==> Hannibal Lecter
The League's Official Website ==> League

And one more thing.... Moving forward, this section will contain some stats that you won't find on the website.  I've done At Bats and Hits before.  But this year we'll have runs scored, some different views of records, and we're toying with a top 5 rookie watch, 5 for 5 nights, year over year compares and a number of other things.

Kevin Boston (Radar - FYI, they are the same person), Scott Peters, Mark Doyle and Paul Gyori have offered to help with stats this year.  They have been locked away with our data and are busily brain storming.  I'm looking foward to being able to high light different aspects of our league in the coming weeks while taking all the credit for their hard work.  (Kidding).  Actually I'm not kidding, I will forget they exist and reap all the rewards....MUHHHH-HAAA-HAAA-HAAA

Week 1 Review

It was good to get back on the field!  Week one gave us a little bit of everything.  Ties, tight games, one blow out (or close to in) and sadly....rain. 

  

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This game was classic defensive affair through 3 inning with the score tied at one.  The teams traded runs in the middle innings before the Grisslies pulled away at the end winning 12-5.  Grisslie legend Dave Argue along with new comers Rick Cudnik and Lance Horgan had perfect nights at the dish.  And rookie Jeff Sagert scored 2 runs.  Meanwhile for the Cleats, Scott Barton was up to his old tricks going 3 for 3 and scoring 2 runs.  Next up for the Dusty Cleats are the 0-1 Lucky Stiffs.  The Grisslies have two games in week two with the 0-0-1 Hurtin' Units up first followed by the 0-1 Red Dogs.

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A barn burner on opening night!  The Stiffs wasted no time in this one scoring 6 runs in the first inning; but the Rounders were up to the challenge and countered with 6 of their own in the bottom of the first.  The Stiffs had a balanced attack featuring Calvin Steeves in the middle of the order who went 3 for 3 and scored 2 of their nine runs.  The Rounders were led from the top of the order where Scott "The Stone" Mason had 4 hits in 4 at bats and scored 3 of their 10 runs.  Make the final Dodge City Rounders 10; Lucky Stiffs 9.  Up next for the Lucky Stiffs are the 0-1 Dusty Cleats while the Dodge City Rounders take on the 0-0-1 Rusty Rebels in week 2.

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The preseason poles picked the Red Dogs to be one of the three dominant teams in the league this year.  It appears that the Dislocated Joints don't read.  The Joints had a 3 up 3 down defensive inning in the first while they scored 2 of their own.  The Red Dogs came by back scoring 4 in the second and 2 more in the third.  With the teams tied at 6's after 3 innings, the Joints pulled away scoring 12 runs over the games last 2 innings and coming away with a 21 - 8 victory.  The Red Dogs big bats were Mark Kolsen who was 3/3 with a run scored and Eric Hipken who was also 3/3 scoring 3 times!  Rookie sensation Martin Ranby had a 4/4 night for the Joints as did Steve Wynnyk who also scored 4 runs. The Dislocated Joints have a double dip in week two facing the 1-0 Tap Masters and the 0-1 Beer Bros.; while the Red Dogs have a long road trip to play against the 0-0-1 Dog Catchers in the battle of the canines. 

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The Rusty Rebels jumped out early against the Woody's and built their lead to 11-6 after five innings.  There were lots of good nights, but the nice start was largely due to Captain Don Booth's 4/4 night with 3 runs scored.  But the Hot Tub Woody's battled back on the strength of Stike's 4/4 night and Cliff Tucker's perfect night at the dish with 3 runs scored.  The final score in this game was a well earned 12-12 tie. Week two for the Hot Tub Woody's finds them hosting the Gruesome Devils in what turns out to be the Devil's inaugural game!  The Rusty Rebels will play host to the 1-0 Dodge City Rounders.

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This was a great game if you're a fan of good defense.  The Dog Catchers scored 3 in their half of the first and seemed to be off to the races.  However, the Unit's countered with 3 of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  Neither team scored in the 2nd inning and they traded 2-spots in the third.  Both teams played shut out ball over the final 4 innings to preserve the 5-5 tie.  The Dog Catchers host two games in week two with the 0-1 Red Dogs followed by the Banshees who will be playing their season opener!  The Hurtin' Units will face the 1-0 Grisslies. 

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So early in the year for the battle of the beverages!!!  The Tap Masters got off to a good start scoring 3 in the first and had Esau Lewin, Dan Routledge and Mike Roche all contribute 3/3 nights at the plate.  Esau and Dan also scored 3 runs each on the night as the Tap Masters counted 10 runs on the night.  The Beer Bros. started slow in this one, getting shut out through 3 innings.  Once they got rolling they narrowed the gap, but fell short with a final score of 10-6.  The Beer Bros. will play the 1-0 Dislocated Joints in Week two.  Interestingly, so do the Tap Masters; before moving on to their second battle of the beverages when they face the Brew Jays who are anxiously awaiting their 1st game!.

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Bummer....Rain make up dates to be announced.

The Rusty Rebels are teed up for a meeting with the 1-0 Dodge City Rounders in week two; while the Gruesome Devils will play the 0-0-1 Hot Tub Woody's.

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Another bummer.  Dates to be announced, your captains will notify you of make up dates.

The Brew Jays are looking forward two their week two match up with the 1-0 Tap Masters and the Banshees will play against the 0-0-1 Dog Catchers.