Two times Slo-Pitch two's

July 29 vs Waterloo North
Since we gave up the same number of runs this week as last (22), and I can't think of another good theme, we'll do the "two" theme twice.
To start, Kathy and I are heading west for two weeks, starting tomorrow, so please let Calvin know your plans for the next two games. I left the scoresheet in equipment bag, so I have to go from memory on the game. We ended up with too many people to fit on the field at one time, which is a great problem to have. In addition to the seven who I knew were coming from last email, Alan and Lynn let me know they were coming, so I knew we had nine. Then Kendall (Mark's brother) came for supper from London, so stayed to play, and John Pries was able to come, too. Lynn's brother Dan P, Kathy Shantz, and Nathan (friend of Steven M and Kathy Shantz) all came, too. So we ended up with fourteen players! You are all welcome to come back to play for the next three weeks of the regular season. (For reference, when I make out the batting order, people who let me know they can play will be closer to the top.)
Anyway, the game was fun, and a beautiful night for ball. We were tied 1-1 after one and a half innings. If you take out the two mercy innings, we as many runs than Waterloo North! I think we ended up with about 5 or 6 this game. Walks and singles kept us going. With so many hitters, we each only got to or three at bats. (At a practice, we each can get twenty at-bats!) I think Dan had the biggest hit of the night, at two or three run triple.
Next week we play Wednesday (August 6) at 9 pm vs Westheights. Going by memory, I believe that Cam, Cal, Alan, Lynn, Dan P, Dave F, Mackenzie, hopefully Mark, and Nathan plan to play. If that is correct, we have nine. I know that Kathy and I are gone for the next two weeks. Please let Cal (email in the To: line here) know if you can play.
Money: I am still $35 short of collecting league fees. So, for those that have played two or more games, and haven't already paid, please give Cal or I $5 per game. Thanks.
Practice: I haven't heard from everyone, but I know that some people are looking forward to a practice. Unless you hear differently, lets mark Sunday, August 24 at 6 pm, at Sheppard School (Weber & Borden in Kitchener, near the Aud). Let me know if that needs to be changed.
Good luck the next two weeks.

Slo-Pitch two's

July 23 vs Stirling Ave
Anna is starting to grasp the concept and say the word "two", so that is top of mind as I reflect on last night's slo-pitch game against Stirling Ave.
Dave Frey lead us in the batting department, going two-for-four, and scoring the first of our two runs. Mackenzie had three hits, so let's say that the Frey's were the offensive leaders. John Pries and I each had two hits, as well, with me getting the only two-base hit. A number of hard-hit balls that were caught could have improved the stats for the rest of our hitters.
Defensively, we acquitted ourselves reasonably well. Cal Jutzi caught a line drive to start a double-play. A whole team effort kept Stirling to one run in each of the third, fourth, and fifth innings, and blanked them in the ninth. By my count, we didn't give up more than four runs in any one inning, although in the end Stirling plated twenty-two.
Two final two references: two players joined Mark in an after-game painting party, which went until two in the morning.
Next week we play Tuesday at 7 pm on Diamond 'B', visitors against Waterloo North. Cam, Cal, Scott, Kathy (pending Anna arrangements), Dave, Mackenzie, and Steven Metzger have told me they plan to play. That is seven players. Mark is gone, John is a maybe. Others, please try to come, and let me know.
Upcoming dates:

Wed, Aug 6 at 9 pm vs Westheights;

Tues., Aug 12 at 7 pm vs Rockway;

Wed, Aug 20, at 9 pm vs Glencairn.

Playoffs will start either Monday, August 25, or Tuesday, August 26, then continue either Tuesday or Wednesday evenings the first few weeks of September.

Practice? I know this is a rarely-heard word around our team, but it could be fun. Often, during games, we only get a few at-bats, and may only see half a dozen pitches the whole night. Why don't we get together outside of the game time once before playoffs to get some batting, baserunning, and fielding practice? We can finish off with a game of scrub. I'll even bring some treats if it helps attendance! I suggest either Sunday afternoon August 17 or 24, or Monday evening, August 18. Please let me know which dates work or don't work for you. We'll find a diamond in K-W once we know the date and who is coming.

Good Slo-Pitch Sports

July 15 vs Westheights
Last week we did end up with nine players - thanks to Jay Jutzi for showing up unexpectedly, and it turns out my intelligence on the elder Jutzi was mistaken, as Cam also showed up to patrol centre field.
We started off well, getting our lead-off man Cal home in the first inning, to take a temporary 1-run lead. The defence held up well, as we held them scoreless in both the third and fourth innings. Mackenzie Frey and Cam Jutzi had some great catches in the outfield. Kathy had three rbi's, one brought in as Steven Metzger hustled in from second on an infield ground ball. Although we ended up losing (they scored a bunch in the open eighth inning), it was a fun game against a team that were good sports.
This week we play Wednesday at 9 pm, at home against Stirling Ave. Please let me know if you can come - we need a few more players.
From now to the end of the season, we alternate between Tuesday 7 pm and Wednesday 9 pm games:
Tuesday, July 29 at 7pm;
Wed, Aug 6 at 9 pm;
Tues., Aug 12 at 7 pm vs Rockway;
Wed, Aug 20, at 9 pm
Feel free to let me know if you can or cannot make any of these upcoming games.

Slo-Pitch manager on vacation

July 8 vs Waterloo MB
Since I was in Winnipeg last week for the Mennonite Church Canada assembly, here is a report of last week's game from Kathy:
"So I climbed into Mark's car at 6:30 expecting 3 players to show up, and looking at the very dark, menacing clouds to the south. When I got to the diamond, only Cal and Jay were there. But then Alan, Lynn and Dan (Lynn's 30-year-old brother) showed up, as did John. And a guy named Ted asked to join us ... because he wanted to play against WMB (aparently used to play with them, but now plays in a different league). And Dave and Mackenzie came a little late (because it was pouring rain at their place at 6:30 and they stopped to call Cal to see whether the game was still on). So we had 11 players, with 6 'old guys'. And it didn't rain or thunder. And we kept them down to mostly a run here or there (except one inning they mercied us, with the 8th run coming as one of the middle runs of an over-the-fence grand slam)."
The scorebook shows that we had a good rally in one of the later innings, and that Alan Jutzi had another two-home run game. The defensive gems and other great hits don't show up on the scoresheet, so I can't highlight our other good players.
This week we play TONIGHT (Tuesday, July 15) at 7 pm. MORE PLAYERS ARE STILL NEEDED. If you come, you should have lots of playing time!
Hope to see you on the diamond.