TEAM NOTES

It was ugly...

Well, games do not get any worse than these. Is it better to get smoked, or lose a close one? Well it is worse to lose a close one when you give it away.

We had a 16-14 lead going into the last inning. The defense had a lapse, and before we knew it the score was 22-16 going into our last at bat. We ended up giving the Wallbangers a scare scoring 4 runs in the bottom half of the inning with the tying runs on base and the heart of the order at the plate. We fell a little short and lost 22-20.

Errors and protecting a lead...

I was just about solely responsible for 2 errors in the SAME inning that partially enabled the Wallbangers to score 8 innings in the top of the 7th. It is the errors that will kill you! You can't give a good hitting team extra outs--it'll kill you.

Another unfortunate play had an outfielder diving for a ball that he came up well short on when we had a 2 -run lead--that cleared the bases. It is crucial for the outfield to take good angles on balls late in the game when protecting a lead. There are times to be aggresive, but not with the go-ahead runner on base in the 7th inning with a 2-run lead. I know--easier said than done.

Quotable Quote!

I wish I could have that "at-bat" back. It was a quote from Mr. Clutch himself--Jim Fish. When he came to the plate with one out I was so certain he was going to drive in the tying run, he has done it so many times that we are used to it. He has often had "BIG" hits in post-season play. This is the first time I can remember him not delivering with the game on the line. As I told him, given the chance I would do it all over again because I know he would get it done!

Defensive Gems

I don't beleive there were any.

Shinning Apples!

Yes Mr. Clutch Jim Fish went 4-5 with a line drive homerun, 3 runs, 1 batted in. Coach went 3-3 scoring a run. Both Joe Melo and Mike Lunetta each went 3-4. Joe had a loud 2-run triple that gave us a 12-6 lead at the time.

On Deck...

9/9/03 2003 - 8:00 PM W.V.P.C.

Coach