November 27, 2008 - Game Recap

Crato, Pace, Des, Andrew, Mark, Brandon vs. Joe Friend, Jason, Trevor, Nathan, Charlie
WP: Pace
LP: Trevor
Score: 9-3
HR: Mark (1), Pace (1)

This was a surprisingly successful game considering the disappointing backdrop of the rained-out debut of the Everyone Memorial Wiffleball Field and the logistical complexities of a record-setting 5-on-6 matchup. Since it was too risky to play on the freshly laid winter grass at the Everyone Memorial, the ex-commissioners consulted and decided that we should play at the local church gym.

When we showed up to the gym, half of the court was occupied by a co-ed basketball game so the ex-commissioners' next move was to create a makeshift field in the church parking lot. This worked out pretty well (and by pretty well I mean lots of controversy, re-do's, and even an incident where the shortstop's (Charlie's) left ear was mashed against the pavement due to the pressure of the pitcher's (Trevor's) torso forcing its way onto the shortstop's head as they both dove to the same spot to try and recover a bobbled ball--fortunately the shortstop quickly got up--unfortunately, he was still in a daze and tumbled backwards several steps, unassisted, until he fell deep into a parking lot bush) for a couple of innings until it started to rain.

At that point, we retreated to the gym and by this time the co-eds had left and we picked up where we left off, now playing with the indoor rules. The key thing to remember about the indoor rules is that the 2nd overhang is a homerun, but the 1st overhang is either an out or a live ball to be batted at again by the batter off the first bounce; with penalty of an out for failing to hit it fair. A few people hit it into this 1st overhang, but no one more so than Des. He hit it a first time and then looked around in confusion while the ball bounced a second time, meaning he was out. When he hit the 1st overhang a second time, he very awarely swung at the ball off the bounce, but, hitting the same overhang in the same at bat, he actually had a second chance to hit it off the bounce, but, he hit it foul and we had to call him out. It was probably the highlight of the game if that gives you any idea of how much of a rocking good time we had.

Back at the house, I inquired of one of the rookies (Andrew) what he thought of the whole wiffle experience. He responded, "there's nothing wrong with it."

Game Highlights:

• Crato came in for relief in the 4th inning and showed us all that he still has something left in that cannon of his by racking up 6 consecutive punchouts.
  
• Joe Friend appears to have escaped the married man slump for the time being.

Game Report by Pace Barker