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. 

==========================================================

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"!!!

==========================================================

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!!!!

==========================================================

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. 

==========================================================

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"!!!

==========================================================

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.

==========================================================

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. 

==========================================================

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"!!!

==========================================================

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.

==========================================================

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. 

==========================================================

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"!!!

==========================================================

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. 

==========================================================

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