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