GAME 9 - Hurtin' Units

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The Conversation

This Donini Deck Conversation took place the week before the Grisslies game against the Hurtin' Units.  

Rob:  I made coffee.
Doug:   No thanks.  I don't want any.
Rob:   I wasn't offering you any. 
Doug:    What?
Rob:   The coffee is for me.
Doug:  Then what did you tell me for?
Rob:    It was a conversation starter. 
Doug:  A conversation starter?  That's probably the worst conversation starter ever
Rob:  Really? 
Doug:  Really.
Rob:    We're conversing aren't we? Checkmate.
Doug:  You're an ass. 
Rob:   Yet a conversationalist. 
Doug:  So, are you ready for Grade 8 grad?
Rob:    You bet I am!  Too bad we have to miss the game with the but c'est la vie.  Who are we going to leave in charge of the team?
Doug:  Maybe the rookies should co-captain?
Rob:    That's not a bad idea, but I was thinking of someone else.
Doug:  Who?  There's lots of good candidates. 
Rob:    Brad Wadden. 
Doug:  Oh? That's a good choice.  He coaches.  Knows baseball.  Nice guy.  The only problem is that he isn't on our team. 
Rob:    You're sure?
Doug:  Yep.  He was on our team last year. 
Rob:    [pause]
Rob:    [pause]
Rob:    You're sure?
Doug:   Positive. 
Rob:    [pause]
Doug:   [pause]
Rob:    [pause]
Doug: [pause]
Rob:    I made coffee. 

Rookie Night

A couple of weeks ago we had our rookie night.  This is an annual event we run where we recognize the rookies and give them gifts welcoming them to the league.  Sadly, the Grisslies official photographer was on her grade 8 grad trip, so we've got no real pictures and have had do a representation of the evening. 

This season, we joined up with the Sons Of Pitches for rookie night.  Unfortunately, the Sons Of Pitches lost their rookie before rookie night so we had to improvise.  And I think this improvisation may carry forward to future years.  Instead of simply honoring our rookies, we honored the rookies and statesmen; so front and center for this evening were Darren Ford, Micah Williams and Al (Bones) Nicholl. 

So lets look at what they received and why. 

First, Dave Polny, who travels Canada for Cora's Restaurant brought back canned mushrooms from Brittish Columbia.  It was discovered that BC is neither British, nor in Columbia; but it was also discovered that they grow mushrooms of a certain "magical" quality that is bound to help both rookies and vets. 

Next, its well recognized that 82% of the rookies who don't return to the league have difficulty adapting to the speed of the game.  Lets face it, this is a pretty elite league.  So in an effort to get them up to speed quickly and keep our veterans sharp, they were all given Velcro baseball gloves.  They'll be stars in no time. 

One of the more difficult adjustments for rookies is sitting out. Sure, they probably came from a league where they were a star, but in this league, you're just a guy.  We all are.  Everyone takes a turn sitting out.  To ease with that change we've provided them with a stunning Spiderman beach bucket so they can make castles in the fourth inning. 

Now comes the time when the glove is working and the rookies are playing up to snuff.  And the vets have the kinks out and everything is moving properly.  The inevitable will happen.  An injury.  But in an effort to keep the injury hidden from team mates we've included camouflage band-aids in their care package. 

 

Then with everyone feeling great, people want to be a "star".  They slide.  They dive.  They roll around.  They try to be a hot dog.   Every good hot dog needs mustard and remember.  Mustard stains baby.

I'm sure everyone has seen the commercial with Joe Pechi as the wing man picking up chicks at a party.  And of course, he's Joe freakin' Pechi so he's being a jerk.  Until his buddy gives him a Snickers bar and he mellows out and becomes a nice guy again.

So a family pack of Snickers was included for when they're frustrated with captains, team mates, the opposition, umpires or the price of gas.  Its just a game.  Have fun.  There's nothing a chocolate bar can't cure. 

The last two awards were the big ones.  First the Mayor of Fraser, the Honorable Robert Farah Esq, presented a framed certificate that offers free admission to Grisslieland!  We'll look forward to seeing Micah, Al and Darren there before September 30th.  Hopefully the Doris ride is fixed by then. 

And the final gift was from David Polny who presented each Al, Darren and Micah with a $25.00 gift card from Cora's Restaurant!  Now that's a great way to spend a Sunday morning with the family!!!

To all the players on both squads that participated, than you for enjoying the fun and welcoming Micah and Darren to the league.  Many thanks as well for recognizing Al and his support and contributions to the league!

The Game

Speaking of representations....I have no score card for the game yet, so we're kind of winging it.  I'm not even sure of the score.  What I do know is that the lads played great in our absence and it was a bit of an .....

Yep the boys rose to the occassion minus their

Apparently (rumor) we scored 27 runs.  And more rumour has it that one of rookies went deep!

But you don't win with hitting alone.  I heard that Len was pitching so hard that he broke the league's radar gun. 

He topped out at 4MPH and then the thing just plumb stopped working!

No worries.  Pitching is part of it, but you need defense. 

 

Still trying to figure out who's in the cloud of dust. 

 

Check later today and see the Donini 3 stars as chosen by Geoff Keogh!