We got through week four with lights, no rain and no significant injuries. I think we're starting to get it! With 37 official games in the book, we still have one team that hasn't absorbed a loss and another that is still searching for their first win. Strangely, neither team are either #1 or #15 in the power rankings. Weird, eh?
But first, our sponsor and some news from the league.
SPONSOR AD:
Our full range of quality products, from the best suppliers, includes:
Location
QUICK NOTES:
- We have gone down from 103 to 81 people who have reached base safely in every game.
- We have gone down from 52 to 35 people who have scored a run in every game so far.
- We're getting close to identifying the names of the scorers.
There has been a lot of 'talk' about runs this season being up from last year. Are they? Is it the mat? Is it a full season with the new white bat (we didn't have it this time last year)? Is it the new ball? Is it that Matt Foerster is playing more this year? Here's some answers and hypothesises.
- Are runs up? Yep. We've played 37 games so far this year. Last year after 37 games we collectively scored 928 runs. That's 25.08 per game. This season after 37 games we've scored 1063 runs for an average of 28.72 runs per game. It might not seem like much but that's over 3 and a half runs a game. Still doesn't seem like much? Well, from a percentage point of view, runs are up 14.5% over last year. That sounds significant.
- Is it that mat? Hmmmm, the mat doesn't hit. I've heard talk that the there are more walks because of the new mat. Maybe. I've seen a lot of games and while we don't keep stats on walks, it doesn't seem unusual to me. The better argument might be that the narrower mat is leaving less wiggle room for pitchers and more hittable balls for batters. The jury is out on this one.
- The new bat? Maybe. It sort of stands to reason on this one. Last year when it was introduced, people who hit home runs suddenly were doing it with regularity. People who didn't hit home runs suddenly did. Look at it this way, in the last 37 games last season (with the new bat) we scored an average of 30.05 runs per game. So my prediction is that yes runs are up and they'll keep going up as people get back into the swing of things. The bat is a factor.
- The new ball? So....probably not. I know people have been saying that the ball is easier to knock out than last year. My belief is that this is more temperature related than ball related. Whatever ball we use is going to be more solid in the cooler weather. When it really warms up and we get to those horrible muggy summer nights, then you'll see the changes in the ball. Right now its no factor in my opinion.
- Matt Foerster? Granted, after 5 games last year Matt hadn't played. Hadn't gotten a hit and hadn't scored a run. This year, after 5 games Matt is 19 for 19, tied for 1st in avg and has 8 runs scored. Despite the ridiculous production, its foolhardy to think that Matt could be responsible for 100+ run differential over last year.
I need some support on this one. Last year, Doug's brilliant second half and being the main cog in the Draft Kings championship led to the nickname, "The Good DeLand". And only in the interest of good humour I started calling Steve "The Other DeLand".
So. Doug thought it was funny. Steve pretended to style through gritted teeth. What's happened this year you ask? Well Doug started the week in the most improved list. Pretty good eh? Then he hit a two run homer at Coventry this week! Didn't see that coming did ya?
And what of our poor your Steven DeLand? The year didn't start great going 2 for his first 7. Then all hell broke loose. Steve had a 3/4 night that included 2 doubles and a triple! Nice. But then he had 5/5 night! Holy cow!!!
So here's my fundraising challenge.
The DeLand Home Run Hitting contest.
Contest rules:
- They get three swings each from 2nd base. Most home runs wins.
- They get three swings each 5 paces out from 2nd base. Most home runs win.
- Keep going until one of them homers.
- The winner is "The Good DeLand" for 12 months.
THE GAMES
Beer Bros. Vs. Sliders - 1992, Blue Jays 15 Vs. Phillies 14, game 6 of the World Series. This game was sort of like that. Except the ending. The vaunted Beer Bros. offense could muster little through the first 6 innings, counting a mere 3 runs. Anemic by their standards. The Sliders steady offense however counted 13 runs for a seemingly comfortable 13-3 lead heading to the 7th. Then things got funky. The Bros. send 15 batters to the plate and scored a whopping 11 runs for 14-13 lead. The Sliders first batter in the bottom of the inning was retired before Short and Moon singled back to back bringing Cudnik to the plate. The next pitch was deposited to the tennis courts for a true walk off. Make the final 16-14 Sliders in a wild one.
Brew Jays Vs. Gruesome Devils - The Devils put this away early. They scored 5 in the first and followed up with 7 in the second for 12-3 lead. Over the final 5 innings the Brew Jays outscored the opposition 3-1 but it was far too little and far too late. The only perfect night for the Jays was Doyle's 3/3; while the Devils had a 4/4 + 2 runs effort from Skippy & 3/3 nights from both Harrett and Osmond.
Sons Of Pitches Vs. Rusty Rebels - The Rebels got off the snide! Not only that, they became custodians of the Beer Cup for the first time. The SoP's came into this game undefeated and looking good after the teams traded scoreless 1st innings. But the Rebel's offense exploded for 7 runs in both the 2nd and 3rd innings while the Sons Of Pitches could only count a single run. There was no quit in the rookie team though as they continued to battle, eventually losing 18-11. Andy Gee was 4/4 with 2 runs for the Rebs; while Paul Koolhaas was Mr. Offense for the Sons of Pitchers. Paul was 4/4 with 4 runs scored and two long home runs.
Dodge City Rounders Vs. Hurtin' Units - At first blush, a 25-15 win for Dodge looks like a bit of a cake walk. This game was a bit of a slug fest through 5 innings with the Rounders holding a narrow 14-12 lead. However, they laid the boots to the Hurtin' Units scoring 7 in the sixth and four more in the seventh to leave the Units still looking for their first win of the season. Lots of offense in this one, but Anicete Goncalves had the run away best line with 5/5 and five runs scored. The Hurtin' Units were led by Dave McGovern's 4/4 with 3 runs.
Grisslies Vs. Blues Brothers - The Grisslies scored 7 in the first inning and followed up with another 7 in the second while keeping the Blues Brothers off the board. The Blues Brothers send 10 men to the plate in the first two innings but were robbed of breaking through by line drive catches to end both innings. As is often the case, the Grisslie offense cooled and the Blues Brothers picked up. The final was 19-12 Grisslies. The Grisslies had contributions up and down the line up but rookie Darren Ford had the best line with a 4/4 2 run evening. Neil Pendlebury also contributed a 4/4, 2 run night for the Blues Brothers.
Dog Catchers Vs. Draft Kings - Last years champs have been a little slow off the mark and were wanting to straighten things out against the Dog Catchers. It didn't happen. The Dog Catchers who had a lop sided win and to fairly lop sided losses, put another one in the lop sided win category, scoring 14 runs over the final two innings to take this one 26-14. Steve Lahey was 6/6 with 4 runs scored in this one included a Coventry Park home run. For the Draft Kings, Shaun Wolfe and Chuck Cragg were both 4/4 with Shaun scoring 3 runs and Chuck 2.
Dusty Cleats Vs. Hot Tub Woody's - The Cleats came into this 1-2 with a one run win, a one run loss and a two run loss. The Hot Tub Woody's meanwhile were 3-1, losing by five and winning by six, eight and sixteen. It was a "Cleats" kind of game in that it was close. It was a "Woody's" kind of game in that they won. The final in this one was 18-15. The Cleats were led by Matt Foerster who has been positively on fire, going 5/5 with 3 runs scored. Will Goodin was 4/4 with 3 runs for the Woody's.
Gruesome Devils Vs. Grisslies - In the "some nights aren't meant to be" category is this game. The Grisslies scored 4 runs in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings. Not bad. But giving up 7 in the 3rd, 4 in the 4th and 7 in the 5th and 5 more in the 7th led to a 21-14 win for the Devils. In the scorching hot side of the ledger right now is Kevin Cavalier (Skippy) who remains perfect on the season. He was 5/5 with 3 runs in this one. However, he was joined by captain Steve DeLand who was also 5/5 with 3 runs. The Grisslies had a 4/4 with 4 runs night from Cameron Clark and a 4/4 2 run night by Danny Chiasson who also park a home run. Geoff Keogh hit two home runs in this game going 3/4 with 3 runs.
Sliders Vs. Sons Of Pitches - The expansion cousins met for the first time this week. The Sons of Pitches came in with a 3-1 record while the Sliders still hadn't tasted defeat at 3-0. And now they'll enter week 5 as the leagues only undefeated team. The Sliders were ahead 12-3 after four innings and looked like they'd coast to a win. Not so much with these 'never say die' Sons of Pitches. The SoP's counted 7 in the 5th to the Sliders 3; 5 in the 6th to the sliders zero and counted 3 more in the 7th. The game ended with the bases loaded, tying run at 2nd winning run at first and the Sliders escaped with a well earned 20-18 win. Kevin Moon and Rick Cudnik were beasts, both going 5/5. Moon scored 5 while Rick scored 4. The SoPs were led by Roger Burton and Paul Koolhaas who were both 5/5 as well. Kahuna plated 3 times and Paul twice. Dave Ponly and Derryl Gaudet both scored 4 runs.
Beer Bros. Vs. Draft Kings - The Draft Kings may have started to recapture their magic. The Beer Bros. who came into the week HOT, left this week falling back to the pack a bit. With Muirhead reinserted to the lead off spot and going 5/6 with 3 runs and Chuck in the cleanup spot and 5/5 with 3 runs it was all the offensive tonic they needed to score 18 runs. Dave Fleming and Jon Hardy were both 3/3 for the Beer Bros with Fleming chipping in 2 runs. Other than the 4th inning where they scored 4 runs, the Beer Bros. couldn't score more than a single in any inning. The final here was 18-8 for the Draft Kings.
Tap Masters Vs. Rusty Rebels - .The Rusty Rebels ownership of the Beer Cup lasted for two days. And the Tap Masters who didn't get into a Beer Cup game last year are now its new custodians! With exception of Peter Hollmann's 3/3 two run effort, it was a tough night at the plate for the Rebels who could only manage 5 runs against the dominant Tap Masters. The Tap Masters, who scored 19 in this one, were led by Gord Tanner's 4/4, 2 run night. Joining him and staying as hot as anyone was Darrell Hagar who was 4/4 with 3 runs.
Dog Catchers Vs. Dusty Cleats - For the first time this season, the Dusty Cleats found themselves in a game that wasn't close. And for the 3rd time this year the Dog Catchers found themselves on the plus side of a big number win. The final of this one was 20-9 and the Dog Catchers put the hammer down early scoring 7 in the 1st and following up with 2 in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd and 6 in the 4th before they were finally held off the board in the 5th. The Cleats had 7 runs after two innings but didn't score again until the 6th when the scored 2 more. Jim Rouleau's 4/4, 3 run night was the only perfect night for the Cleats; while Steve Lahey and Mike Candy were both 5/5 for the Dog Catchers. Lahey scored 3 times and Candy 4 and both had home runs.
The Beer Cup
The holders of the Beer Cup at the end of the season receive both the cup and 12 beer tickets at the banquet.
Next week they'll try to defend against the Beer Bros.
Teams that have held the Beer Cup(4)
- Dodge City Rounders
- Sons Of Pitches
- Rusty Rebels
- Tap Masters
Teams that have defended the Beer Cup(1)
- Dodge City Rounders (2)
Teams that have Played a Beer Cup Game (4)
- Dodge City Rounders (3)
- Blues Brothers
- Brew Jays
- Sons Of Pitches (2)
- Rusty Rebels (2)
- Tap Masters
Teams that have yet to play for the Cup(11)
- Beer Bros.
- Gruesome Devils
- Dog Catchers
- Hot Tub Woody's
- Sliders
- Dusty Cleats
- Grisslies
- Hurtin' Units
- Draft Kings
It seems like people are getting the message about subbing for games. That's great!
If you're on the Sub list, regardless of your ranking, if you can play any day please send Rob an email. If you meet a teams requirements for that night, you will be contacted in the order that Rob receives your availability email. If there are no notifications and Rob goes to his list, he starts with those that he can reach and he doesn't leave messages. Teams need to know who they have quickly and it can't be a back and forth throughout the day.
To reach Rob send your email to Robert.Farah@sympatico.ca
Good luck, happy subbing.
STATS
Team
We'll change the order this week. Starting with the baseball standings, you'll see some variances from the regular league standings. Most notably is the first place tie between the Sliders and Tap Masters.
The league standings can be found on the league website as well.
we had some shifting in the power rankings. The Dog Catchers had the biggest fall last week and this week have the biggest jump by 6 spots! The Sons of Pitches had the biggest tumble this week, by dropping 6 spots as well. Overall 7 teams improved and 5 teams fell over the previous week.
I suppose this is in keeping with runs being up overall as 10 of our 15 teams are scoring with more ease than last years average.
Individual:
Beer Bros., Tap Masters and Dog Catchers dominate this category. Not surprising with their prolific offenses.
For the complete average list see www.tottenhamoldtimers.ca Skippy and Matty remain the only two players batting 1.000 but the talent with them is awesome. All the remaining players are in their first 3 years in the league with the exception of bob McCullough and Kahuna who are maintaining hope for the old guard! Great starts for everyone in the top 10.
Next week we'll begin to close off the 1st quarter and start tracking the 2nd quarter.
No surprise to see Skippy & Foerster in this list, but look out. Our last two champs, Peters and Doucet are in the list and gaining ground!
Back to our big offensive squads with a couple of notable exceptions. Cameron Clark has been a run scoring machine so far for the Grisslies and Kevin Moon has been doing likewise for the Sliders. Dave Fleming and Laurier Plante have good shots at appearing in the top 10 list for the 1st quarter as well. The 1st quarter race is still open and it looks like we'll have a 1st time winner.
Skip, tied for the league lead, is obviously leading the rookies. Ignore Jeff Behan's hits and ABs being backward...the average is correct. Right now Slipetz .817 is looking to be in a bit of trouble!
Great averages in the Sophomore category too! Hagar is hitting great followed by Nyers with Greenfield nipping at their heels. Better look out though, I think The Whale has started to get his timing down.
Our Juniors are smoking! The Beechey, Good Will Huntin', Lahey, Edwards and Hope are all over .800 with a significant number of at bats.
Oh we have a DeLand in the list, but its the Steve variety! Can you say home run contest? Brother Doug is 18th on the list for those scoring at home. Marky Mark seems to have recaptured his stroke; but here's to you Gordon Robertson, Dodge City loves you more than you will know....Oh, Oh, Oh.
Monday, expect a special report on the Beer Cup.
No comments:
Post a Comment