On the basis of previous performance, Dunnhumby looked an enigma. Having played and won against some of the better teams, they were also losing to seemingly inferior opposition. With this game deciding if they made the playoffs I was expecting a big one and we were not to be disappointed.
Our opponents arrived in great numbers; it looked as if we were facing off against two teams, not including the pitch invasion by other softball wannabes looking for a game on our pitch, until Captain Jess warned them off.
As the game began it soon became clear it would be a tough fight, but the mood was good and as the lead was wrestled back and forth with each innings, everyone was giving their all and it was clear this game was to be one of the greats.
With impressive individual performances from our stand-in pitcher Dan, to the team newcomer Martin with his ‘Forest Gump’ home-run (we actually thought he might not stop running….) and the ground covered by the outfield, everyone played a good game given how big the Dunnhumby hitting was.
The game went all the way down to the last innings and the last out, by the bottom of the seventh and having already two outs, Dunnhumby had levelled the scores. Unfortunately for us one of their big hitters stepped up and smacked it out of the park. The draw would have been a fitting result but a win to them to ensure their place in the play-offs also seemed right. Just don’t ask Pau if he agrees.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Monday, 28 July 2008
vs. Draft FCB [10-0]
Having re-scheduled this game due to a little rain over two months ago, we can only assume the combined effects of DraftFCB's summer day out, a few too many drinks and the obvious fear of playing the current division leaders resulted in the predicted no show from this weeks opposition.
Regardless of the expected result the team still hauled the softball kit and compulsory supplies of refreshing alcoholic beverage to Regents park for a little after work sunshine and a very easy going practice before finally calling Draft as a no show at 8 O'Clock.
Thanks to this weeks newcomers destined for on and off the field infamy and ensuring we did have a full team out for a Friday night game. Thanks again to Martin, awarded MVP for the day, and Miss Rothwell for being this weeks support.
Regardless of the expected result the team still hauled the softball kit and compulsory supplies of refreshing alcoholic beverage to Regents park for a little after work sunshine and a very easy going practice before finally calling Draft as a no show at 8 O'Clock.
Thanks to this weeks newcomers destined for on and off the field infamy and ensuring we did have a full team out for a Friday night game. Thanks again to Martin, awarded MVP for the day, and Miss Rothwell for being this weeks support.
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
vs. The Economist [19-13]
Like the passing of the seasons another year had come and the old enemy had arrived at our pitch with their intent clear, shiny uniforms dulled by the grey evening and falling rain, our nemesis, the Economist, looked like just another team destined to fall beneath the momentum that is PAA and Fuel, now in year 4. However the memory of defeat in last years final was still fresh as we had yet again been denied the clean sweep of the league and playoffs.
This however is a new year, a new team with fresh talent bolstered by our very own All Star selected Bridgerama (congratulations again on making the LASL team), and the ever present support of Calamity Chloe, still out of action since that fateful rodeo but addicted to the thrill of the fight and of course the team cider.
The rain couldn’t dampen our mood and we were again lifted by further support from a herd of Buck enthusiastically asking how old they had to be before they too could play.
The coin was tossed and the game was on. It didn’t take long for the tension to build and as yet another failed banker attempted to force their way into second base the team rallied behind our All Star calling for calm and respect from the enemy runners. Even with our aggressive fielding and strong banter flying in on the wind from Alex deep in the out field, our old enemy was building upon their lead each innings. It took crafty base running from the team to scrape together a few runs.
In the fifth innings we were trailing by 12 to 4. There was only one thing for it and that was for our resident Buck to rally the team with his now famous war cry, ‘Lets fuck 'em up’. And so we did. Running 9 home and taking the lead for the first time, we followed it by a strong innings fielding and The Economist failed to regain their lead. We had won. Or as Pau would say, ‘what, we won!?’ and with a final innings with the bat to work on that run difference.
Thanks to everyone as always, the next game is again this Friday for our re-scheduled, rained off match against Draft FCB.
This however is a new year, a new team with fresh talent bolstered by our very own All Star selected Bridgerama (congratulations again on making the LASL team), and the ever present support of Calamity Chloe, still out of action since that fateful rodeo but addicted to the thrill of the fight and of course the team cider.
The rain couldn’t dampen our mood and we were again lifted by further support from a herd of Buck enthusiastically asking how old they had to be before they too could play.
The coin was tossed and the game was on. It didn’t take long for the tension to build and as yet another failed banker attempted to force their way into second base the team rallied behind our All Star calling for calm and respect from the enemy runners. Even with our aggressive fielding and strong banter flying in on the wind from Alex deep in the out field, our old enemy was building upon their lead each innings. It took crafty base running from the team to scrape together a few runs.
In the fifth innings we were trailing by 12 to 4. There was only one thing for it and that was for our resident Buck to rally the team with his now famous war cry, ‘Lets fuck 'em up’. And so we did. Running 9 home and taking the lead for the first time, we followed it by a strong innings fielding and The Economist failed to regain their lead. We had won. Or as Pau would say, ‘what, we won!?’ and with a final innings with the bat to work on that run difference.
Thanks to everyone as always, the next game is again this Friday for our re-scheduled, rained off match against Draft FCB.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
vs. Lowe [40-13]
Lowe, advertising boys and girls par excellence and probably Bowie’s best LP. (That’s Long Playing record, under thirties.) But, vinyl trainspotting notwithstanding, how were they at softball?
Not as good as the mighty Fartners, that’s for sure, as we racked up our highest winning margin this season of 27, completing a hat-trick of convincing victories.
What do you mean, you want details? We are still giddy on the Lambrusco of success to remember stonking home runs from the Buck brothers, a quite frankly miraculous catch from Steffi on second and a powerful display of second base sliding, notably by Wild Man Waldie and the return of the undisputed sledging champion of the world, Gooner Edwards-Winser. Fuckadeedoodah, that was a long sentence wasn’t it?
Sporting gents and ladies as we are, Mercy was offered to the Lowe comedy revue (booking now for weddings, bar mitzvahs and corporate hospitality) at the bottom of the fifth innings. Amusingly enough they thought we were asking Mercy from them.
Laughable, considering they were 15 behind at this stage, despite an attempted mini comeback, comprising one home run and a catch. But in the sixth we thwacked a few more around the pitch, notching up another 10 just to emphasise our crushing superiority.
What must be said however is that Lowe were the nicest, most entertaining and sporting opponents of the season so far. Can we play them again, please?
Not as good as the mighty Fartners, that’s for sure, as we racked up our highest winning margin this season of 27, completing a hat-trick of convincing victories.
What do you mean, you want details? We are still giddy on the Lambrusco of success to remember stonking home runs from the Buck brothers, a quite frankly miraculous catch from Steffi on second and a powerful display of second base sliding, notably by Wild Man Waldie and the return of the undisputed sledging champion of the world, Gooner Edwards-Winser. Fuckadeedoodah, that was a long sentence wasn’t it?
Sporting gents and ladies as we are, Mercy was offered to the Lowe comedy revue (booking now for weddings, bar mitzvahs and corporate hospitality) at the bottom of the fifth innings. Amusingly enough they thought we were asking Mercy from them.
Laughable, considering they were 15 behind at this stage, despite an attempted mini comeback, comprising one home run and a catch. But in the sixth we thwacked a few more around the pitch, notching up another 10 just to emphasise our crushing superiority.
What must be said however is that Lowe were the nicest, most entertaining and sporting opponents of the season so far. Can we play them again, please?
Monday, 14 July 2008
vs. TMW [32-7]
Sorry about the general tardiness of this match report and quite frankly I can't remember too much about it, so we will be brief.
The King's Road massive (well, their captain was) swaggered into our manor with the confidence befitting an unbeaten team. They left in the manner of a diminutive Welsh chanteuse. Indeed, by the end of the fifth innings they were begging for 'Mercy'. (See what I did there?)
And who can blame them? After a sustained bickering contest over the finer points of the rules for the first two innings, TMW proved they were well ahead in terms of sneaky ways to get people out, but lagged far behind in terms of softball talent.
With just 10 players (thanks to last-minute Milly, pitching up to spare our blushes) and no subs it could have gone badly for us. But didn't.
We shot out of the blocks and hammered out 12 rounds in the first innings and a further eight in the second. TMW's reply was 1 in the first and 0, yes 0, in the second.
As it was getting a bit nippy and we all fancied a pint, TMW displayed further, final in-depth knowledge of the rule book, invoked the 'Mercy' protocol and fell on their collective swords (bats?) at the bottom of the fifth. Blinding.
Previous winning margin - 20
This winning margin - 25
The King's Road massive (well, their captain was) swaggered into our manor with the confidence befitting an unbeaten team. They left in the manner of a diminutive Welsh chanteuse. Indeed, by the end of the fifth innings they were begging for 'Mercy'. (See what I did there?)
And who can blame them? After a sustained bickering contest over the finer points of the rules for the first two innings, TMW proved they were well ahead in terms of sneaky ways to get people out, but lagged far behind in terms of softball talent.
With just 10 players (thanks to last-minute Milly, pitching up to spare our blushes) and no subs it could have gone badly for us. But didn't.
We shot out of the blocks and hammered out 12 rounds in the first innings and a further eight in the second. TMW's reply was 1 in the first and 0, yes 0, in the second.
As it was getting a bit nippy and we all fancied a pint, TMW displayed further, final in-depth knowledge of the rule book, invoked the 'Mercy' protocol and fell on their collective swords (bats?) at the bottom of the fifth. Blinding.
Previous winning margin - 20
This winning margin - 25
Friday, 20 June 2008
vs. Publicis [30-10]
The creativity of our writing team has failed over the past few weeks due to the shock defeats and end to the teams 23 unbeaten run of league games... the scores say all that has to be said.
However this week was a new week and the much hyped Publicis had been sized up prior to the game by our undercover squad at the All Star trials. Team Publicis started immediately playing catch up to a determined PAA and Fuel squad by arriving late and only fielding 9 players almost an hour later than planned.
The sun was shining and the team got stuck straight in with 7 runs in the first innings coming from the Buck Brothers, Alex, Pau, Jess, Snox and this week’s special guest Richard Dunn. A steady eye also saw a welcome return to the team for Ethne who reached first base every time she stepped up to bat and 2 runs in to home.
It didn’t take long for the lead to be stretched and by the bottom of the 4th the score was a comfortable lead of 19-5. The rot of back to back losses was ended.
However PAA and Fuel are not known for their mercy and although Publicis dug deep and ended the 6th inning with a recovered score line of 20-9, they couldn’t halt the momentum and the final innings witnessed 3 home runs from Alex, JB and Bridget 'Steffi' Graaff ending the game 30-10.
Special thanks to Anthony, Dan W and Richard D for stepping in and covering last minute absences due to injury and sickness.
PAA+Fuel and Publicis versus the Beehive Pub and Moose Club [30 – 0]
A brief review what the LASL softball is really about, the post match drinks and mixers, this week just a few comments can sum up the evening, feel free to add more below for all those in the know.........
“I use moisturiser but I’m not gay”
“Drinking games!”
“Let’s play the moose antler with thumb master, freeze master and captain freestyle rules”
“It’s ok I just gave him Kate's number"
“The walk of shame was perfected the next morning by many”
“New shirt Pau?”
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Friday, 6 June 2008
Friday, 30 May 2008
vs. Draft FCB [Rained Off]
A hugely dissapointing decision to cancel all the days games due to a little light rain during the afternoon.
We of course were the only team pushing to play and held out until the last moment when finally the division 2 head made the call.
This game has been postponed with the intention of playing on Friday 25th July, so we have two back to back Friday games.
We of course were the only team pushing to play and held out until the last moment when finally the division 2 head made the call.
This game has been postponed with the intention of playing on Friday 25th July, so we have two back to back Friday games.
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
vs. WWAV Rap Collins [32-20]
On Thursday evening we took on a provincial agency from a town near Birmingham called Zone 2 who've clearly been given special permission to take part in a London based league. WWhack Rank Colons is a specialist charity agency and with that in mind we did our best to keep them suitably endowed for 5 innings before we generated a response that would be the envy of an NSPCC TV spot during Countdown.
The game started slowly with both sides boring each other into submission during the early innings trading runs in equal measure to opinions about where the batting mat should be placed - has no-one heard that a good game is a fast game?
However, the gloomy conditions were brightened by the constant bitching of WWhack's resident softball expert, wearing his proper baseball boots, who got stuck into his team mates for their inept fielding and a delightful blonde German girl who made an extended visit to second base a must. When I arrived on her bag for my first visit she said, 'Mein Gott, you're so fast', which I took as a great compliment and showed that spring training can pay dividends.
Particular mention should be made of 'Bowler Buck' our exemplary tosser (last year's joke I know), 'Fumble' Waldie our 1st base stopper, 'Self-Mutilator' Beck who ripped her own ear apart with a softball bat, Jess 'Gordon' Brown for her off field organisation skills and Bridget 'Steffi' Graaf who was on the receiving end of some rough treatment at 2nd Base.
Next up we're playing someone else. Supporters welcome to share/carry the beers.
The game started slowly with both sides boring each other into submission during the early innings trading runs in equal measure to opinions about where the batting mat should be placed - has no-one heard that a good game is a fast game?
However, the gloomy conditions were brightened by the constant bitching of WWhack's resident softball expert, wearing his proper baseball boots, who got stuck into his team mates for their inept fielding and a delightful blonde German girl who made an extended visit to second base a must. When I arrived on her bag for my first visit she said, 'Mein Gott, you're so fast', which I took as a great compliment and showed that spring training can pay dividends.
Particular mention should be made of 'Bowler Buck' our exemplary tosser (last year's joke I know), 'Fumble' Waldie our 1st base stopper, 'Self-Mutilator' Beck who ripped her own ear apart with a softball bat, Jess 'Gordon' Brown for her off field organisation skills and Bridget 'Steffi' Graaf who was on the receiving end of some rough treatment at 2nd Base.
Next up we're playing someone else. Supporters welcome to share/carry the beers.
Friday, 16 May 2008
vs. CNN/Turner [17-14]
"LET'S PLAY BALL, SEE DOUBLE ENN!" Yep, the septics were out in force with their fancy plays and odd ways in Regents Park on Thursday.
Still, under grey skies and a few beers to the good, the brave yeomen warriors of PAA and Fuel won the first match of the new season with style, grit and sheer softball magic.
Captain Brown set the tone by turning up late and, truth be told, pretty pissed up after an extended Vodafone lunch. Jess played like a dream on third for the first three innings then seemed to fade a bit.
By then, our lead was unassailable. Strong bowling from Buck, first base genius from Chris and a big arm from Pau in the outfield kept the CNN score down. They hit one home run all game.
Strong debuts from Alex, Jake, Bridget, Ali, Iona, Bec H and Chloe, plus a triumphant return by Michelle kept the PAA & Fuel scores rolling in.
Buck nailed a home run every time he swung the bat. Except for the final innings where he got himself caught out. But it was a dead rubber and we all fancied getting down the pub a bit sharpish.
So, with a pretty much reconstructed team in a higher division, Partners and Fuel maintained our winning ways. But we always knew we would.
Next match, evil WWAV Rapp Collins.
Still, under grey skies and a few beers to the good, the brave yeomen warriors of PAA and Fuel won the first match of the new season with style, grit and sheer softball magic.
Captain Brown set the tone by turning up late and, truth be told, pretty pissed up after an extended Vodafone lunch. Jess played like a dream on third for the first three innings then seemed to fade a bit.
By then, our lead was unassailable. Strong bowling from Buck, first base genius from Chris and a big arm from Pau in the outfield kept the CNN score down. They hit one home run all game.
Strong debuts from Alex, Jake, Bridget, Ali, Iona, Bec H and Chloe, plus a triumphant return by Michelle kept the PAA & Fuel scores rolling in.
Buck nailed a home run every time he swung the bat. Except for the final innings where he got himself caught out. But it was a dead rubber and we all fancied getting down the pub a bit sharpish.
So, with a pretty much reconstructed team in a higher division, Partners and Fuel maintained our winning ways. But we always knew we would.
Next match, evil WWAV Rapp Collins.
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
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