In the fine HOMERS tradition of continually supporting JPL management in making what we do at JPL understandable and important to the public (as well as trying to win a few points on the next NASA Prime Contract evaluation), the HOMERS this week began a new Outreach program. Following last year's success at introducing softball to staff members of the Deep Space Network's Australian tracking complex, the HOMERS this week sent their advance scouts Scott Morgan and Don Calkins in search of new talent at the DSN's Madrid Complex. In order to make our new international readers feel more at home we here at the HOMERS Report would like to try our hand at being bilingual.
Bienvenidos amigos! Beisbol es muy, muy, bien para ustedes. Esta verdad esa la lluvia en Espana quedarse principlamente en el llano?(I just said we would LIKE to try our hand at being bilingual, I didn't say we could pull it off!)
Now that that is taken care of, on with the real HOMERS Report.
The HOMERS not only continued their winning ways this week against the Rock Lobsters, they did it with POWER. Yes, that's right, the HOMERS lived up to their name for the first time this season with no less than 6 home runs. The Rock Lobsters were boiled alive!
HOMERS 4 2 7 5 2 0 1 21
Rock Lobsters 3 1 0 0 1 0 2 7
The HOMERS once again had an impressive turnout. Line-up for the HOMERS
was: Jeff (1b/C/2b), Richard (SS/P), Dave (C/OF), Monica (2b), Ron (OF/P),
Robb (P/OF/1b/3b), Phil (OF/SS), Evora (1b/3b), Doug (babysitter), Kevin
(OF/SS), Holly (3b/OF), Tim (OF/SS), Amy (OF), Jesus (OF/3b/1b), Mary (OF/
2b), and Laurie (babysitter). The recent success of the HOMERS has also
increased attendance by our loyal fans. This week in addition to our
regulars supporters Alan and Holly (and keeping in line with the
international theme of this HOMERES Report) we were joined by Laurie's
parents who are visiting from Shanghai (sorry, my Spanish is bad enough,
you don't want me to try Chinese!), and Tim's friend Susan.The entire game was an offensive highlight for the HOMERS. The home run parade included Richard (a 3-run shot, but NOT left handed), Ron (a 2-run shot), Evora, Tim, Amy, and Jesus. Special offensive note goes to Evora, who in her long awaited HOMERS debut hit the first female homer run (or to be politcally correct, the first Y-chromosone challenged home run) in HOMERS history. Her effort so inspired the team that Amy repeated this feat in the very same inning. The powerful Schmidt family was also an offensive factor with both Holly and Kevin (in his HOMERS debut) hitting strong triples. Robb also came up with a good triple. Dave had at least two doubles in a good offensive showing.
Good defensive plays also abounded in the HOMERS victory. Tim made an impressive catch of a ball hit over his head in the outfield. Richard and Evora combined on a could relay throw to third base for a tag out (sorry I can't remember who made the good throw from the outfield to start the play). Kevin and Evora combined for several good put outs from short to first base. And Jeff even stretched himself to stop one of Tim's special side arm throws from short to first while keeping his foot on the bag.
Afterwards, Richard, Laurie, Laurie's parents, Tim, Susan, Jeff, Amy, Ron, and Jesus went to Souplantation for the ritual re-hashing and embellishment of the game.
Due to unfortunate scheduling, the HOMERS do not have a game next week. I personally think this is a deliberate attempt by the league to slow down the HOMERS just as they start showing their power. The next HOMERS game is scheduled for Thursday May 25 against the Keystone Co-ops. This will be the HOMERS first home game, and the first time we will play on the other field at Pasadena High. If you feel that waiting until the 25th is just too long to go without softball, Tim and Richard mentioned a possible HOMERS practice this Sunday morning around 10:00 am. Contact Richard if you are interested.