From: Sue Kientz
Only the CHEAPO Homers stayed away, those who refused to either (1) not pay
$5 to park or (2) didn't think that arguing with security would do them any
good. Ron and I chose the latter path, and got permission for us and anyone
else we could snag driving by to park in the Pavillion something (that's
the name we remember now, after a few beers) across from the field.
UNFORTUNATELY, the Voodoo Toad Furies were even MORE tenacious, and fielded
a full team. We came up with only six diehards, and the Toads licked their
chops thinking of an EASY VICTORY over us Homers. Well, HA! I say HA!! That
was not exactly the case....
But what a helluva game. The Toads lent us a pitcher, catcher, and
outfielder, but did NOT allow those people to bat. Well, fine. We actually
carried our weight regardless. Heck, I had two hits!! Tim (2) and Tony (1)
had homers which brought in some baserunners (I regret I cannot be more
specific -- with only 6 people, we were lucky to cover coaching 1st and
3rd, much less get details on our lineup/scorecard). Our 8-run third inning
was incredible! Too bad they followed w/an 8-run inning of their own.
But if we had our own fielders, I swear, these guys would have been TOAST!!
For example, with 2 outs in the bottom of the third, a comebacker came to
the pitcher and instead of a *decent* throw to Tony at first, she underhand
LOBS a screwball at him that is not only short but spinning. The very next
play was a 3-run homerun! Later, one of the Toad girls comes up to bat, and
Charley the Head Toad is in right (for us, ostensibly) and he starts
walking into left, TAUNTING her to hit to right! Well, she does. ANOTHER 2
or 3 run homerun. We could have BEAT THEM LIKE A GONG!!!
On the positive side, what an effort! Besides the home runs we scored, we
had some great defensive plays, Tim catching some long balls in left, Robb
with a near doubleplay and some other great catches, and Annette made some
great stops. Tony was right on at first too, and Ron strong at center. I
even scared that girl Toad w/the short hair from going for home from third
with a fake throw, my best moment! I coudnt' believe she thought I'd make
that throw.
One exciting event was the next field had some injuries, and the Fire Dept
and some police cars showed up. Then, a helicopter hovered above us.
Everyone was so distracted, I was able to reach base!! (I really did think
of that at the plate, 'Hey, hit one now, they'll never field it!') But
seriously, we were so good, that I think the Toads called it quits after 5
because they REALLY were afraid we'd catch up to them. :-)
After the game, Ron, Sue, and Robb joined the victorious Toads at Crown
City Brewery (you're surprised?) for mostly BEER, since the place was a zoo
w/people, some Jaycee event.
Next week's game is on Wednesday, May 28, on field H2 against the Crawdads.
See you then!
At 12:17 AM 5/22/97 GMT, RCHEN@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov wrote:
>No game today. I was just at the field, and it's all blocked off for
>some event. Grr...
>
Uh, BEG TO DIFFER, Richard!!
Homers 3 1 8 2 0 X X 14
Toads 2 3 8 2 X X X 15
Sue 2B 2B 2B 2B 2B - -
Ron OF OF OF OF OF - -
Robb SS SS SS SS SS - -
Tony 1B 1B 1B 1B 1B - -
Annette 3B 3B 3B 3B 3B - -
Tim OF OF OF OF OF - -
spectators: Zip! Goose egg! Nada~!
I'm telling you, those of you who missed this game will RUE it for months
to come. OK well weeks. What a valiant effort!!! It reminded me of Henry
the fifth:
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today who bats and fields with me
Shall be my brother, be he field ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen at JPL, now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Toad Fury's Day!
(Hey, this isn't as obscure as SOME of the stuff that weasels its way into
the Homer report.) Without Bats, without Drinks (we saw three guys around a
cooler between H3 and H2 and we thought about recruiting them just for the
drinks), without Paper to write the Lineup on! We carried on. I personally
gathered the small band together and on scraps of paper given to us by the
Toads, I mustered up a line up. Not that anyone listened to me...