Oh...it's coming...

For those new to the squad, this is what we will be seeing weekly to recap our games - good, bad, and more than likely before it's all said and done, ugly. For those that remember, sorry for the year hiatus. 2010 sucked ass on many fronts. It's a new ball game. In brief - KICK ASS job last night. Best opener this team has ever had. This weeks real edition is coming. Stay tuned... Bears 2011 - Campaign to Champagne! (trademark@ Jimmy V)

Game 12 & 13: Turner-ed Inside Out and Massacre Battered

"Dare I Say...En Fuego!"

• I mean, call the fucking fire department. David Johanson AKA Buster Poindexter isn't the only one "Feelin' Hot Hot Hot!". No sir. We're on an epic roll for the ages. In all my years on this team I don't ever recall stringing together this type finish after an 0-3 start. Once again efficiently eliminating a tough team and throttling the lesser. Assuming the last game goes like I think it will, either a win or a no show, we put a 10-4 stamp on the regular season winning 10 of the last 11. Get the hose!!!

• Game 12:
• Bears 8
• Turner 0

• Game 13:
• Bears 16
• Master Batters 5

Season: 9-4

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives: 

• Defense: Starting to feel like a broken record. In a real good way. Basically flawless in game one - once again, no runs scored. And a LARGE part of that shut out is the gravity defying, SportsCenter clip worthy, web gem of a snare in the bottom of the 6th with two on (in scoring position) and two out by Pete "Lie-ps". Jaw dropping. We're all aware of the mini-circus that occurred in the next game but let's not dwell on it. We pulled it together in the long run.
• Pitching: Broken record pt. 2. I mean, it's getting as old as our hurler himself - and that's fine with me!! Put your head around this - 14 innings, no walks, no runs. I mean, in the type of game were playing that's pretty damn amazing. Bennett Koufax just brings it week to week. And "The Rook", despite what he says, took it to 'em quite nicely in the second game. Yeah, they got a few hits, but I think one their five runs was earned. I mean, come on! Well done lads. 

• Hitting: Looking over the book it's clear some had a tough night, but overall some real good hitting. John and Jose crushed RBI producing dingers but the batting title of the night belongs to Jimmy "The Visor" Varian. 6-7 and hit for the cycle combining games. Two singles, a double, two triples, and a home run totaling 5 RBI's. And lets not forget the base clearing single attained while injured. You sir are a warrior. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Pete "Leapin'" Lie and Jimmy "The Visor" Varian!!!!

"Full of Red Bull and heart rate of 140, are patroller of the hot corner, Peter "Leapin'" Lie defied the law of physics and launched himself into the air to snag a rocket of a shot that was sure to produce two runs in a tight game. With a glove exploding with dust, the rally was killed and the shutout preserved!"

"Armed with a bat and a fucked up hammy, Jimmy "The Visor" Varian told pain to go fuck itself on his way to a 6-7 evening. Cracking jokes in the dugout and cracking for the cycle at the plate, nothing was stopping the half hatted man."

Congratulations you generations separated SOB's , you guys are this weeks Bears "Geico Players of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

Buddy: "I hope Bennett enjoyed his first and last at bat."

• Thoughts:

1: I lost the "Dan and Rob are so in the Lincoln Tunnel" bet!

2: I actually left. No really. I did!!!!

3: Two Bears hang and represent. Rewarded with co-eds. Film at 11.

4: Things could be lookin' up for the captain! 

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Other Business: More shirts? 

NEXT GAME: TBA. We either have one more make up game or we start the playoffs. You will know as soon as I do!

Quick Cap Note: Just a killer job. If this is in fact the end of our regular season, it was one for the ages. Bigger and better every year. Let's keep it going into the post season. There is unfinished business to attend to. 

Yours in Natty Lights, Patron, dreams of the brass ring...

- James Buddy "Let's Do This!!" Villani

Game 10 and 11: Huge Turn(er) of Events

"And The Hits Keep Commin'!"

• An absolute gem of a pair of games. The first, an expected win that was well executed and got the job done. The second feature of the double header was an Oscar nominated piece of work that will sweep awards and go down as one of the best played game the squad has ever participated in. Both games needed every single one of the 15 involved and that's exactly what occurred. Put us well in the in the drivers seat for a possible third seeding overall.  

• Game 10:
• Bears 14
• GuS Soda 1

• Game 11:
• Bears 4
• Turner 0

Season: 7-4

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives (We're gonna pair 'em up):

• Defense: An unreal outing. I mean, what can you say when you hold your opponents to four total runs in two games? Not an error comes to mind, no stupid overthrows, everyone playing their positions perfectly even with switches and some with much bigger things on their minds. And to hold a hard hitting team like Turner to zero runs, well, it's defense, and then its, well, you know. It's the next paragraph. 
• Pitching: Once upon a time the letters BK meant a flame broiled burger and some onion rings. While that may still ring true "BK" to us is the awesome tandem of Bennett and Kevin. Proving why having two solid quality hurlers is absolutely key. Kevin mows 'em down in 5 quick ones and then Bennett comes in and takes care of top tier team with amazing stuff. Oh, not to mention it was a SHUT OUT!!! Well done boys. Bodes well for the playoff run. 

• Hitting: Since the book isn't near me to track down all the stats, but we know there was obviously a ton of hitting in game one and some real efficient and timely hitting in game two. But this scribe would be remiss without giving a shout out to the tremendous hitting evening by our favorite cargo short sporting, sneaker wearing, stat puking assistant manager and sometime catcher Adam "Skatin' All Over Like Dorothy Hamill" Slavin.  After practically no stats all year homeboy stepped in and got work done. So much so I took myself out of the order and no one batted an eye. Stunning. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Pete "I-95" Lie and Bennett "Blank 'Em!" Beckenstein. 

"With a combined age that spans a century, the senior members of the Bears swooped in on a late season double header to prove their talents.

 

Peter "I-95" Lie - The spry man at the hot corner not only continues to impress with the defensive skills of a 24 year old, but single handedly took matters into his own hands when it came to hitting and base running. Extending singles into heads up doubles that would make a world of difference in a 4-0 game against a top notch opponent. 

Bennett "Blank 'Em" Beckenstein -   The grizzled veteran mounds-man who when you think has thrown his best game, steps in and puts together a masterful shut out against the third overall ranked team in the league with grace and style. A feat so amazing we're all willing to turn the other way when we get a look at the underwear pre-game!!!"

Congratulations to our outstanding octogenarians, you guys are this weeks Bears "Geico Player of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

• Thoughts:

1: Sort of a weak showing for a double header win.

2: Tan San Diegans!!!!

3: Still closed up shop. Thanks Adam.

4: We got Malosh now! His wife too!!!!

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Other Business: More shirts?

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, August 11th, 7:30 and 8:50 PM, vs. Master Batters and Turner - Field 1. THIS IS A MAKEUP DH FROM OPENING NIGHT.

We know who we're facing and we know what we're capable of doing. Let's keep it rolling.

Quick Cap Note: I don't want harp on the lack of people we usually get to come up. It's getting old. I haven't heard anything from the bar in terms of numbers, but come next year, if they say we didn't pull enough in (and we average about the same 6 each week) don't be pissed when we all have to pony up $180. Just sayin'.  

Yours in Natty Lights...

- James Buddy "Proud As Hell" Villani

Game 9: Puttin' PLP to Pasture

"Steaming Along!"

• Rolling along indeed. Another efficient, well pitched, well defended, and well hit game. Second week in a row of heads up, smart softball. Taking care of business as we know how and quite honestly, as we should against teams were supposed to beat. Two more winnable games on the horizon. Let's see if we can keep this thing running!

• Game 9:
• Bears 9
• PLP 1

Season: 5-4

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives (We're gonna pair 'em up):

• Defense: Another extremely solid outing. No errors that come to mind and heads up play all around. Solid fill in job from Dan "The Range" Lee covering SS duties. We'll need it once again this week and I'm sure he won't dissapoint. Also a nod to Eric "Back In The States" Bizzak for a tremendous job covering 1B including a spectacular catch in foul territory. 
• Pitching: Once again a solid and masterful start by Bennett "The Ace" Beckenstein. Tossed another solid 5 innings which allowed Kevin "The Rook" Goldberg to step in and shut it down. A very nice one-two punch that will pay off nicely in the upcoming post season. 

• Hitting: The 1-6 guys really got this one done on this night. All the plated runs amassed from that part of the orders production. Pete "Gotta Swing At One" Lie felt like it was his duty to try and out walk me in a single game by going 4-4 on BB's. Had he left his bat on his shoulder that one last time, he's a done it with nary a swing for the entire game. Fantastic. However, the story of the evening belongs to this weeks GPOG winner. See below. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Ken "Don't Fucking Insult Me!" Tsang!!!!

"Coming off what may have been decidedly his best defensive week, Ken came to Wednesday's game ready to swat and tired of his managers bullshit. Armed with a bat that didn't need a credit check to purchase, he mashed a first AB three run HR to secure a lead the Bears would never relinquish. A double, two singles, and a hearty "Fuck You" to his otherwise insulting manager, the 4-4 night was complete!"

Congratulations you Barbie Car drivin' SOB, you are this weeks Bears "Geico Player of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

Buddy: "8:30? They know they sponsor us, right?"

• Thoughts:

1: Time waits for no Bear.

2: Jake's is pretty lame to start the night.

3: Pig tails.

4. Nice Irish exit BEFORE we had a beer boys. You know who you are!!!!

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Other Business: More shirts?  

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, July 29th, 8:50 PM, vs. Gus Soda - Field 2.

Although we haven't played these guys yet I think we're all aware of their record and the fact that they may be one of the lighter teams this year. So what. Let's not take anything for granted and continue to keep playing like we are. Any given Wednesday.

Quick Cap Note: Nothing really to say. For those still reading, this year could mean more than ever to yours truly. I am faced with a situation that may not have me here this time next year. I will explain when I see you.  

Yours in Natty Lights...

- James Buddy "Love Where We're Headin'" Villani

Game 8: Dubbin' One Out.

"Top Notch Softball."

• From first pitch to last, this is what a complete, team oriented, heads up, no bitching, good, fun, fast game is all about. From start to finish everyone was firing on all cylinders, doing smart things, and notching a big W to put us back at .500. Keep that up, and we'll sail into the playoffs.

• Game 8:
• Bears 4
• Dub Squad 1

Season: 4-4

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives (We're gonna pair 'em up):

• Defense: Kick ass. All around the field. No errors, smart reads, very heads up awareness (see: Double play catching a runner off second) and a millimeter of an inch away from a pick off at first base (seriously killer instincts Daniel). This was the type of defense that frustrates the daylights out other teams. 
• Pitching: This was...TREMENDOUS.  Bennett "Feelin' It!" Beckenstein tossed an absolute gem. Trust me. I saw every pitch. Right on the plate, unreal movement, and some pop to boot. To top it all off, he played his position like a cat - helping himself and showing the rest of us how its done. Popping guys up, forcing to them to swing because the pitch count was more ahead then not, and just basically frustrating pretty good hitters all game long. Was it perfect? No - but not by much. By far the best performance of the season.

• Hitting: Efficient. That's really the best word to describe it. That's not saying that's bad. When you efficiently push 4 guys across the plate, your defense and pitching keeps the other guys to one, well, efficient is all you need. Of course, I would be remiss without a nod to John "Off The Schnide" Malosh for the park leaving bomb (that may or may not have landed yet) that pretty much "Allstated" the game. I would also like to give mention to Kevin "Payin' My Dues" Goldberg who while ever so patiently waiting as our back up hurler for his time, quietly DH's and places the ball well (2-3 with a walk) and always gives us a chance at the plate. Kudos my friend. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Bennett "In The Zone" Beckenstein!!!!

"The salty second year veteran hurler took to the mound for the 8th game of the 09 season. From first pitch to last, dancing balls, good rotation, and zip and pop kept good Dub Squad batter at bay for 7 innings. In the process, the cat-like mounds-man fielded two hard shots, made a hell of a fielding play, and almost took one right off the pearly whites. For his efforts, the Bears find .500 on the way to the playoff push!"

Congratulations you salty maven of the NJ Transit, you are this weeks Bears "Geico Player of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

Buddy: "Jesus. Girls love Tommy!"

Adam: "He's Jolly!"

Buddy (In reference to Rachel and Katelyn's yuppie admirer's): " I am sweating those guys out. I don't care if we never see or talk to you again. I ain't leaving!!!"

Katelyn: "I don't know. I think at 34 you should probably not be playing the field."

Buddy and Rob: "34!!?? Oops."

• Thoughts:

1: Boston girl!

2: Jose's minor league ringer.

3: Beaverton.

4. Two cool, good looking girls = 2.5 extra hours and $50 more on the tab. Money well spent.

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Other Business: Everyone is pretty much paid up. One peep is light but I will get with him.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, July 22nd, 6:10 PM, vs. PCP - Field 2.

No idea who these guys are. You know what? I don't care. Let's play 'em like last week and it shouldn't really matter. 

Quick Cap Note: Just want to say that except for winning the game to get into the championship last year, last week was probably the most fun I ever had wearing the uniform. Everyone did a fucking fantastic job and we had FUN. No bitching, no hassles, no problem. Once again made me realize why we do this year after year. Hope we can keep it up. 

Yours in Natty Lights...

- James Buddy "Lays Out At The Plate" Villani

Game 7: Poorly Chartered Course

"U-G-L-Y, You Ain't Got No Alibi! You Ugly! Yeah, Yeah! You Ugly!"

• Ugly. That's the only way to describe last weeks "game". Top to bottom we looked pretty bad. Way too many errors, produced nothing at the plate, and some base running blunders. Not the end of the world and granted, we played one of the best teams in the league, but in order to beat those teams, we're going to have to play 120 percent. Last week, we gave it about 12.

• Game 7:
• Bears 1
• Charter 10

Season: 3-4

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives (We're gonna pair 'em up):

• Defense: Errors. Plain and simple. Too many errors and in no way can you give a team like that extra outs. Never ends well. 
• Pitching: Actually, this wasn't that bad. Bennett "Movement" Beckenstein pitched a good game. They got some hits but we did nothing behind him to help in out. No run support isn't helpful either. Has to be a complete puzzle. By the time relief came in, it just didn't matter.

• Hitting: Oof. Except for Dan "Clang Heard Around Clinton DeWitt" Lee's lead off jack that was or wasn't, the book is bleak at best. That was the one and only plated run. Sadly, we had opportunities, but just never cashed in. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Dan "The American Man With The Asian Name" Lee!!!!

"First batter. Second pitch. Daniel swings with Charter pride crushing force to launch a bomb to left that whacks the pole and leaves the field. Controversy ensues but Blue wags his finger and sends him around. Hope and thoughts of taking this one start to stir. Hopefully, we all savored that one magnificent run."

Congratulations you culturally confused S.O.B, you are this weeks Bears "Geico Player of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

Adam: "Where's your bachelor party?"

Jarrett: "I'm having two!"

Tan girl takes picture of me. I smirk. 

Pete: "That's ending up on BlueBalls.com."

John: "I'm going to give you a big hug."

Adam: "Say you're wrong."

Rob: "We need a team psychologist."

• Thoughts:

1: Malosh two weeks in a row!!!!

2: Lets kiss and make up!

3: Jose is an enigma.

4. Leyland is Buddy's dad.

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Other Business: Everyone is pretty much paid up. One peep is light but I will get with him.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, July 15th, 6:10 PM, vs. Dub Squad - Field 2.

I heard rumors these guys are beatable this year. If we play like last week, no chance. Let's not play like last week. Simple, right?

Quick Cap Note: Thanks a ton for all coming out last week. It is appreciated for sure. Yeah, a little too much "arguing" but my feeling is it's because we do care and when passion and Natty Lights mix, well, there you go. Also, this loss is really no big deal. We did ourselves a HUGE service taking that double header so we're still in the drivers seat for the playoffs.

See you Wednesday...

- James Buddy "Lays Out At The Plate" Villani

Games 5 & 6: Take Two!!

"Sweep, Sweep, Revenge!"

• Ahh. So much better. This weeks double header is exactly what the doctor ordered and a big improvement over last week. Two solid outings top to bottom. Everything clicking on all cylinders. Pitching, hitting, and defense all lined up nicely and we walked away winning the pair and in the process we broke our "losing in the regular season" to Vanguard curse. Let's hope our playoff streak against them stays intact. 

• Game 5:
• Bears 14
• Whyos 9

• Game 6:
• Bears 10
• Vanguard 5

Season: 3-3

========================================================== The Positives & Negatives (We're gonna pair 'em up):

• Defense: Great job all around. Very few errors and no typical "let's kill ourselves with stupidity" plays. Heads up smart play all around. 
• Pitching: More than ever we witnessed why it is so important to have two solid pitchers. And boys, we do. Welcome aboard and welcome back to Kevin "Start or Relief, I Don't Care" Goldberg who not only picked his spots at the plate by dumping the ball in key areas, but came in to start game 2 and put 'em away...quickly. Both he and Bennett are going to be very key in the push to finish what we've never done...take the title.

• Hitting:  Great job at the dish by A LOT of people. This section would take up the entire length of your screen if I tried to tip the cap to everyone who had big nights. Some big notables: Jose "RBI MACHINE" Lora - despite the last AB K he notched a 6 RBI, 5 hit night with one ball just inches from an out of the park HR. Jarrett "The Stretch" Lew - a 5 hit night of his own and just seemed to slap the ball in the right spots at key times every single time up. Pure hitting. And of course, I can't not mention the massive dinger by Tommy "Rumblin', Bumblin, Stumblin'" O'Melia. Not only was it a great shot but watching a big man break for four is just pure entertainment. There are many others that contributed tonight - fantastic effort by all. 

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And now it's time for the Bears "Geico Player of the Game Award"! This award is given to the player or players that show outstanding play in the field, at the plate, or in the bar. Whether it be heroic, game saving, or shatting one's pants sliding into third, this award is akin to saving a buddies life in combat.

And now, presenting this weeks winners... Jarrett "The Stretch" Lew and Jose "RBI MACHINE" Lora!

"Two men, two lefties, and two different style of hitters. One man slaps the ball to spots for efficient movement of runners on the PATH the other slaps the ball off the cross bar of the right field fence. On this night, both styles combined to propel the Bears to a DH sweep of two good teams, evening the year at .500. The totals for both - 10 hits, 7 RBI's, and serious wood from the skipper."

Congratulations to the southpaw dynamic duo, you are this weeks Bears "Geico Players of the Game"!!!

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It's time for another episode of "Overheard/Thoughts at the Bar".

Buddy: "Thank you, thank you, thank you." (As told to the GM at Brother Jimmy's who cut our check. He is RARELY there and we (all 6 of us...BOOO!!!) finally got to meet and thank him.

• Thoughts:

1: Awesome to have a Malosh sighting!!!!

2: The man who cut the check meets the Bears! He says money well spent.

3: We finally got those purple bahstids!!!!!!!!!

4. 6 is kind of a weak showing. 

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Other Business: Everyone is pretty much paid up. One peep is light but I will get with him.

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, July 8th, 6:10 PM, vs. Charter - Field 1.

Do I even NEED to tell you how bad I want to beat THESE guys?? I really don't. Bring your A games. I am not even close to kidding. Let's take one back from these ringer laden SOB's!!!!!

Quick Cap Note: I know I sound like a broken record, but peeps should try and make a little effort to come out after. No one is saying you have to get hammered or spend a ton, but numbers would just be good since they did cover a large portion of our fee. Again, I know people have things going on and I certainly can't force folks, but I thought I would just mention it. For those that always make the effort, thank you. 

See you Wednesday...

- James Buddy "Lays Out At The Plate" Villani