NO LONGER THE BRIDESMAID - HMA/RAMSA CROWNED THE 2010 SLAM LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

"The great champions have all come back from defeat."

--Sam Snead

It has been said that "revenge is a dish best served cold" which is exactly what HMA/RAMSA served up in the form of a sweep on Friday evening in the cold.

For the past three seasons, HMA/RAMSA has entered the SLAM playoffs as the #1 seed but fallen short the past two, including a year ago when SSC picked off HMA/RAMSA in the finals ruining another stellar 10-1 regular season. Following that game the renowned SLAM blogger Scott Habjan proclaimed that "Solomon and the perennial bridesmaids of HMA/RAMSA would ultimately fail to live up to the dream and their hype." And therein lies the motivation and the boulder-like chip on the collective shoulders of the team for the 2010 season. Just as Jordan and the Bulls had to figure out a way to get past the Bad Boys of Detroit in the late 80's so too did the Mighty Orange have to figure out a way past the Bad Boys of SSC. (And that dynasty in Chicago turned out pretty well once they did)

"The only yardstick for success our society has is being a champion. No one remembers anything else."
--John Madden

On a balmy 48 degree Friday evening in late October, both teams came to the East River Park fields to conclude another season of SLAM. After several weeks of rainouts (and mysterious issues with the Parks Department) neither team was very sharp on this night particularly on defensive; but in the end, HMA/RAMSA would not and could not be denied their first ever championship.

Once again sporting their orange playoff bracelets embossed with the mantra "LEAVE NO DOUBT", it was only fitting that (Deputy Commissioner elect) Doug Neri got things started in the first inning. Those close to the team will recall that it was Neri's plea to the team in an August email as the playoffs soon approached to leave no doubt this season who is the best team in SLAM. And with one on and one out in the first, Neri roped a 2-run homerun to right centerfield for an early lead. SCC rallied back in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs to tie the game. Both teams exchanged runs in the 2nd inning as they entered the third inning knotted at 3.

As he had all season long, leadoff man extraordinaire Pete Garofalo (1-4, 2 runs) led off the third by reaching on an error which was followed by a Dan Sykes' (2-4, 2 runs) single to set the pace. Both men came home on Brian "New Daddy" Barney's (2-4, 2 RBI) double down the left field line as HMA/RAMSA took a lead they would never relinquish. The hits, walks and errors continued as HMA/RAMSA plated 5 runs in the inning. The fat lady began to clear her throat as HMA/RAMSA took a 9-4 lead into the seventh inning.

"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision."
--Muhammad Ali

Showing there was no quit in the defending champs, SSC mounted a threat in their final at bat at the bottom of the order got on base to start the inning. With one run already home, and two runners on base, 2009 Big Bat and Playoff MVP Steve Vargas stepped to the plate with two outs. Echoes of the 2009 Finals which saw HMA/RAMSA stumble only 12 outs away from winning the title began to resonate from the East River. It was only fitting that (Commissioner-elect) Solomon would have to exorcise his team's 2009 demons against the man that thwarted their season a year ago. And as Steve's ball floated deep into right field, the winds of change blew in from the east just enough for Matt Kirshner to run under the ball and secure it for the final out of the game.

HMA/RAMSA's victory completes a brilliant season capped off by a perfect 4-0 post season. In addition, the victory marks the end of the seven year SLAM-dominance of SSC and Gensler, as the dawn of a new SLAM era could be in the making. Leave No Doubt.

"Great moments are born of great opportunity--and that’s what we have earned here tonight. Tonight, we are the best team out there. This team we are playing tonight is a good team; but we are better. Know this when you step on that field tonight, and they will know it when they step off of it. This is our time ladies and gentlemen. Leave No Doubt."
--Doug Neri's email to the team 3 hours before first pitch

HMA/RAMSA WINS ITS FIRST SLAM TITLE

POSTPONED DUE TO TORNADO

Actual footage from some moron who decided to stand under a tree for shelter and wait out the passing storm. When it was all said and done, he - like the ballfields - was soaked:

Following a thrilling Game One of the SLAM Finals which saw HMA/RAMSA hold on to a 4-3 victory, the two teams gathered on the Great Lawn on Thursday, September 16th to play the scheduled Game Two. Unfortunately Mother Nature is not a softball fan and opened up a can of whoopass on the Great Lawn (see above video).

The series will resume on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. HMA/RAMSA is looking for its illusive first title while "the team of the decade" SSC is looking to start the new decade off with a championship, and 5th in eight years.

Stay tuned...

HMA/RAMSA RETURNS TO THE SLAM FINALS

Sporting their new playoff-issued orange silicone bracelets with the phrase “Leave No Doubt”, the HMA/RAMSA softball team did just that in the semi-finals as they eliminated PCF/HH with a pretty convincing two game sweep.

The first game of the series took place last Tuesday as PCF/HH on North Meadow #11. Coming off a series victory against FxFowle the night before, PCF/HH admittedly looked a bit tired and worn down for the opening game. Couple that with the fact that PCF/HH was without their starting pitcher, Juan Monahan, and the first game was over very quickly.

After getting the first two runners on base to start the game, the middle of the order did their job in driving home the runners as Doug Houstoun and Mike “The Situation” Sargent went for back-to-back triples. HMA/RAMSA scored 5 runs in the first inning and put up another 5 runs in the second inning as well as Houstoun and Sargent drove in another pair of runs to take a commanding 10-0 lead into the third. From there, the two teams exchanged runs for a few innings until the sixth inning where HMA/RAMSA ended the game by mercy, 14-3.

Game Two followed a week later and saw the return of PCF/HH’s starting pitcher. In stark contrast to game one, the second game was all about pitching and defense. The two teams combined for 7 hits all game long. (Our stat guys are verifying but it is believed to be a SLAM playoff record). Both pitchers were frustrating the batters and the defenses were shutting down the opposition all game long as the game ended in little over an hour.

Fresh from his jog from Central Park West, leadoff man Pete Garofalo ran to the field at 5:35 without so much as a warm-up swing or stretch and did what he’s done all season long: lead off the game with a base hit. From there, his hustle to 3rd base on an infield groundout epitomized what this second game was all about. He would later came around to score on a sac fly by Doug Neri (his third of the series). HMA/RAMSA began the second inning with two singles--but those would be the last hits that PCF/HH would allow the entire game. HMA/RAMSA was able to scratch out two more runs that inning without another hit in the second inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Unlike Game One, which was all about the bats, the rest of the game was all about the gloves.

On the other side of the ball, the defense for HMA/RAMSA was beyond brilliant. I would like to say it was a brilliantly pitched game, but when you have multiple over-the-head basket catches, diving catches in foul territory and "blinded by the sun" catches in the OF playing behind you, it makes the job of the pitcher that much easier. To put the pitching and defensive efforts into proper perspective, PCF/HH got only 4 hits in the game and never advanced a runner to 3rd base as HMA/RAMSA finished off the series with a 3-0 shutout.

There were no whip-cream celebrations on the field or postgame celebrations at the bar for HMA/RAMSA. After last season’s failure in the finals, this season has been all about redemption; and getting into the SLAM Finals is only the next step in the process for this single-minded team. Next up for the Orange Crush......we shall see.

Two down, two more to go. Leave No Doubt.

TPG Wins Semi-Finals Game 1 vs SSC

TPG had not won a Semi-Finals game since 2002. SSC has won 4 championships since then. TPG and SSC squared off last night on Great Lawn 6 in Game 1 of the Semi-Finals. SSC Pitcher Scott Habjan was as good as any softball pitcher ever in our league last night, retiring the first 8 batters he faced, and striking out 3 of the first 5 TPG hitters.

But TPG held tough, and Pitcher Derrick Blocker responded with 3 shutout innings of his own. Alison Hopke coninued her bid for female MVP of the league by breaking up Scott's perfect game, and finishing with 2 hits (Alison has now reached safely in every game she started). The turning points of this game were TPG Catcher Princess' two walks (one for an RBI with the bases loaded), as she proved to be the only batter Scott had trouble with.

A defensive gem on both sides, the final score 6-3. Game 2 tonight on Great Lawn 2.

TPG Blasts into the Semi-Finals

Locked in, and ready to roll. TPG took the field for Game 2 in their best of three quarter finals against Gensler, 3-time champion over the past 7 seasons. TPG won game 1, and needed one more victory to insure a spot in the Semi-Finals. A double header was in the schedule, but only if Gensler could win game 2 and force a third game. Joe (Gensler's Pitcher) showed up early on the field to get in the heads of team TPG. Having just lost Game 1 at Hecksher, Joe let TPG know that "Hecksher's mound is wrong, and screws up my pitching angle. But Great Lawn however, now that's MY mound, so you all are in trouble".

TPG's lineup for Game 2 would be: Ray (2B), Omar C. (3B), Adam (EH), Tony (SS), Justin (LF), Mike (1B), Simon (DH), Omar B. (RCF), Alison H. (RF), David (LCF), Rebecca (C). Derrick took the mound again as pitcher for game 2.

Gensler scored 2 runs in the top of the first, and with Joe "My Mound" pitching for Gensler, we knew (or at least thought) that this game would be tougher than Game 1. But it is not easy to rattle the nerves of a team who as the 6 seed is just happy to be in the playoffs. Unfazed, TPG battled back for 3 in the bottom of the 1st.



The game was close for the first 4 innings, and Gensler scored two in the top of the 5th to tie the game 5-5. It looked like Game 2 was going to be an epic and come down to the last batter. And then TPG Shortstop and Series MVP Tony Franzese (2 HRs, 1 Triple, 8 RBIs in 2 games) blew the game open with a 2-run triple to kick start a 5 run 5th inning for TPG, a lead they would never relinquish.



Perhaps the funniest moment (for TPG at least), was in the 6th inning when Gensler decided to Intentionally Walk TPG's leadoff hitter to face former team MVP Omar "You don't do that to me" Cevallos with the bases loaded. Omar, in a burst of simultaneous anger and humor ripped the first pitch he saw for an RBI single to left, snarling at Gensler when he reached first base (see photo above). Two more runs for TPG, and the final score would stand at 12-5.

After the game, it was pie for Tony, and a ice water shower for Josh. Let the good times just keep on rolling. Next up, defending champions SSC in a best of 3 series in the semi-finals.

Socks (TPG vs. GA, Game 1)

One Word. Socks. With TPG in the playoffs for the first time in two years, the uniform altering tradition had to be kept intact (TPG has always modified their uniform in some way when they make the playoffs). This year it is Socks. Bright, royal blue, knee high socks.

The pressure was on Gensler, the 3 seed and overwhelming favorite going into this best of three series. TPG batted first and had bases loaded no outs with SS Tony Franzese coming to the plate. Grand Slam Home Run. 4-0, no outs, and the game had just begun.

TPG would pile up a total of 11 runs against a formidable Gensler defense, and it would be plenty as TPG went on to win game 1 with a final score of 11-6. This was TPG's first playoff win since 2004.

Game 2 is Monday at 5:15pm on Great Lawn, with Game 3 to follow if necessary.

TPG Clinches Playoff Spot with Win vs PCF

Some teams make the playoffs every year. TPG is not one of those teams. After an up and down season (3 straight wins followed by 5 straight losses), the stage was set for an epic TPG vs PCF battle on Hecksher 1 last night. Rain threatened all day, so no one expected to play. Even the ump showed up with an umbrella surprised by how good the fields looked. I guess it was meant to be...

TPG jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but PCF fought back to tie and ultimately went up 4-2. Things were getting tense. PCF players were throwing gloves in the air (after fly balls), and crashing into 2nd base (without sliding), but TPG just shook it off. A police helicopter buzzed overhead for the first few innings - either looking for a suspect, or because we bribed them to distract PCF.

Then the comeback started. Everyone got involved, even the manager's 19 month old son (who was hiding practice softballs under the bleachers). First it was tied, 4-4. Then 7-4. Then 10-4 and the route was on. When the final out was made, and a playoff birth in the books, it was PIE time. Game balls go to LCF David Beauchamp for successfully delivering a pie to the face of Manager Josh Ginsburg (see video below), and RCF Simon Yeung for bringing shots of "lucky special water" for the post game celebration.



Next up, TPG vs GA in round 1. Game On.

Down the Stretch they Come (TPG vs. PEA)

With 5 consecutive losses going into last night's game, the once-promising season was on the brink for team TPG. Was it the rainouts, poor league scheduling, or just simply bad playing? Feeling the pressure, team TPG came to play last night against PEA. Former team MVP Omar "No Practice" Cevallos made his return to the lineup for the first time since April, and played a sensational 3B getting the first 5 outs of the game.



The TPG offense finally showed their stuff ripping off 4 runs in the 1st inning to stake a lead they would never give up. Newcomer Ray "Sparky" Dominguez played SS, led off the game with a hit, and seemed to spend the whole game speeding around the bases. The final score was 7-4, as TPG beat PEA.

5 of the 6 playoff teams are already decided (although the final seeding is still up for grabs): RAMSA, SSC, PCF, GA, and FXF.

The 6th and final spot is between TPG, MGA, and EA, and it looks like it may come down to the last week of the season. TPG is in the driver seat as the only team left who controls their own destiny (TPG beat both MGA and EA during the season). Two wins by TPG against PCF (Thursday) and GSA (Next Monday) clinch the 6th seed. TPG also gets in with one win and an MGA loss (MGA has two games left - GSA and SSC). MGA gets in with two wins and a TPG loss. EA is the long shot getting in with two losses by both TPG and MGA.

A lot is riding on these games for the other teams as well. If TPG beats PCF on Thursday, GA becomes the 3 seed, moving FXF up to 4, and PCF down to 5. A win by PCF gives them the 3 seed, and GA/FXF remain at 4/5 respectively. SSC's loss yesterday to EA put RAMSA back in the fast track for the 1 seed - provided they can pull off a victory in the final game of the season against arch-nemesis KPF. SSC will need a victory against MGA and a loss by RAMSA to reclaim the 1 seed.

Could this be the first year in recent memory that the 6th seed has a below .500 record? Will TPG keep the momentum and return to the post-season for the first time since 2008? Will MGA reach the post-season for the first time in team history? Will an epic collapse by both TPG and MGA boost EA into the playoffs? Stay tuned.

Polshek Becomes Ennead

Polshek Partners has been renamed Ennead Architects (www.ennead.com). Based on the "What is Ennead" section of their slick new website, we don't think this change was made in an attempt to confuse the S.L.A.M. softball league, to mask the team's unfortunate start to the 2010 season, or to be listed first among all the teams on the league home page. But everyone should be put on official notice that the team formally known as PP will now be listed on the the league website (www.slam-league.com) as EA.

KPF Defeats TPG in Extra Innings

Central Park, Great Lawn #4 - New York, NY
June 21st, 2010

With an up and down 2010 season and a mysterious parks dept. "rainout" the week before, the KPF squad was looking to salvage any hope of making the playoffs with a must-win game against the always solid TPG team.

The 7pm game started out late, but luckily the first (and longest) day of summer wouldn't allow us to be concerned about the loss of daylight....or would it?

Having great players finally able to show up to the same game, KPF felt confident and competitive. The game was evenly matched with good hitting from both teams and had us trading runs almost every inning until the 6th and 7th where the score remained tied at 7-all.

It turns out that the amount of daylight was just right to play extra innings and the KPF bats came alive in a consistent manner. There were 7 consecutive hits that lead to a 6 run inning and gave us momentum while demoralizing the opposition. The strong KPF defense kept the TPG bats quiet as the daylight started to dwindle with a 1-2-3 bottom of the 8th inning.

Final Score:
KPF 13
TPG 7

Notable KPF Stats:
Keisuke "Doctor D'' Hiei: 3-5, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBI
Bryan "Two First Names'' Frank: 1-5, HR, 1 Run Scored, 1 RBI
Michael "Cadillac'' Bentley: 2-4, HR, 2 Runs Scored, 2 RBI
Nick "Last Game'' Wallin: 2-4, 1 Run Scored, 1 RBI
Li Min "Coach'' Ching: 4-4, 2 Runs Scored, 3 RBI

PCF/HH Back On Track After Controversial Loss

After suffering a dissapointing and controversial loss to FXFowle, PCF/HH came back out with something to prove....this time against SLAM powerhouse Gensler. Although GA brought their big bats, PCF/HH played extremely tight defense, especially in the outfield. But unfortunately Gensler did not bring their typical defensive prowness to the field that day, and gave this one to PCF/HH, 11-0 in 5 innings....

Game ball goes to the ENTIRE SQUAD for holding Gensler scoreless...their first shutout in many years!

MERCY, MERCY ME....

I think Marvin Gaye’s hit song from 1971 best sums up the first half of the 2010 season as HMA/RAMSA racked up its 4th mercy victory in the first six games, moving their record on the season to 6-0 (and extending their regular season winning streak to 14)

TPG came out of the gate early with a pair of unearned runs in the first inning to jump out to any early lead; but they promptly returned the favor with a throwing error of their own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2-2. After exchanging runs in the second inning, HMA/RAMSA began to assert themselves at the plate by scoring 5 runs in each the 3rd and 4th innings on their way to a 17-6 rout.

Mike "The Situation" Sargent

In the third inning, with the score tied at 3, Eric Hofmann – in only his second game back from injury – looked like his old self as he doubled to start the hit parade. HMA/RAMSA plated 3 more runs as the middle of the batting order did their job this afternoon. The 5-run inning was capped by Mike “The Situation” Sargent who uncorked his third HR of the season to deep CF to plate two more runs. When asked about his power surge this season, Sargent could only say: "Yo, my abs are so ripped up that softball has no chance. I mean, this situation is gonna be indescribable, you can't even describe the situation that you're about to get into with The Situation." Well put, Mike.

In the fourth inning, the first six men/women to bat in the inning reached base (some on dazzling hits, others on less-than-dazzling defense) as HMA/RAMSA tacked on another 5 runs highlighted by Doug Neri's single (3-4, 3 runs and 3 RBI). Admittedly there was a lot of sloppy defense played by both teams, however HMA/RAMSA scored a season-high 17 runs on 16 hits as they scored a run in each of the 6 innings they played.

Game Ball(s): Tough to pick out just one star so we're giving it to the #3, 4 and 5 hitters (Doug Neri, Brian Barney, Doug Houstoun) who were a combined 7-11 with 7 runs scored and 9 RBI. Keep up the good work, boys!

Next up—weather permitting—is KPF, the last team in the SLAM League to defeat the Mighty Orange in the regular season. Don’t let their 1-4 record fool you. This one is VERY personal, and mercy will be shown to no one.

ORANGE CRUSH RALLIES FOR THRILLING 6-5 VICTORY OVER BIG RED MACHINE

The Great Lawn was abuzz on Monday evening as a pair of SLAM’s elite renewed their friendly rivalry in Central Park. In three of the previous four seasons, the outcome of this game has been decided by one run (with each team splitting the four contests) so it should have come to no one’s surprise that this game was also a 1-run game.

Just six days after the birth of his daughter, David Solomon took the mound against the vaunted Gensler lineup and was rudely greeted by a leadoff single by Roger Lee, who later came around to score the first run of the game. After the first inning, both pitchers settled in nicely as the score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 4th inning.

After extending the lead to 3-0 in the 4th inning, Gensler tacked on another pair of runs in the 5th inning thanks in part to a pair of errors by shortstop Doug Houstoun who had an absolutely miserable defensive day in the field. (I don’t want to say exactly how many errors he had on the afternoon but I think it rhymed with “jive”). On the flipside, Gensler’s pitcher Joe Sopiak was nothing short of masterful through five innings, shutting down the HMA/RAMSA offense and limiting them to only 4 hits.


But you can keep a good offense down for so long as the Orange Crush mounted an epic rally for the ages in the 6th inning, with 6 outs to play, scoring 6 runs to take the lead. The devilish rally began with a little hustle as Mike Sargent doubled to LF which seemingly energized the team. After a defensive error and strikeout, Pete Garofalo worked a savvy walk to load the bases. Dan Sykes started the first of 4 consecutive singles to continue the one out rally. Proving his mental toughness, SS Doug Houstoun redeemed himself by roping the last single up the middle to bring home the fifth run and tie the game. HMA/RAMSA took a lead they would never relinquish when Mike Ryan hit a groundball to short to drive in the 6th run of the inning.

Seemingly energized from the offensive outburst, HMA/RAMSA shutdown Gensler in the 6th and 7th innings to secure a thrilling 6-5 victory – thrilling at least for the team in orange. When asked to comment on his team’s performance, SS Roger Lee could only text “Gonna take a week to get over this loss....see you punks in the postseason."


Come get some.

PCF bounces back with BIG win over PEA

PEA were a little slow warming up their defense which proved detrimental in the first inning. Veteran shortstop Mark Maljanian pounded a 2 run homer which highlighted a very productive inning offensively for PCF/HH, earning 5 runs the old fashioned way with solid base hits, smart running, and fielding errors. On defense, Juan Monahan pitched consistantly and his fielders helped hold PEA to only 3 hits in as many innings. Perhaps it was the temptation of cold beer served at the oh-so-close "Ballfield Cafe" that distracted us, but the middle innings saw PCF/HH get a little anxious both offensively and defensively. PEA clean up hitter smashed a homerun into what seemed to be Central Park South, and that was just enough to get PCF/HH back into the game offensively in the top of the 5th. A single by Mark Maljanian set up Carlos Sagastume (LF) to pound out an RBI double. Ron Rainone (3B) proved his clean up status with a monster triple scoring 2 more runs. And Rodney Santiago (1B) closed out the damage with an RBI earning sac fly to center field....

PEA remained collected as the top of their lineup stepped up in the bottom the 5th. Capitalizing off PCF/HH's decision to go 3 wide in the outfield, PEA dropped down a few blooper singles and managed to score 3 more runs. 5 runs not being "enough" insurance for PCF/HH, they answered big offensively by scoring a total of 6 more runs with hits by Cate Foster (2B), Yusuke Okabayashi (EH), a monster double by Tony Rodriguez (RF), and pretty much everyone else in the line up. Final score, 16-5 PCF/HH (plus 3 rounds of beer at the Ballfield Cafe!)

Game ball goes to Tony Rodriquez for his slump busting 3-RBI double. Honorable mention goes to Mark Maljanian who went 4 for 4 with a homer.

TPG Scores 6 in the 7th to beat FXF 11-9

TPG took the field against FXF looking for some paypack after getting bounced from the playoffs as the #2 seed in 2008. FXF has always been one of the top teams in our league, and this game would be no exception. Due to some stellar defense by FXF, and very un-clutch hitting by TPG, the score was 6-0 FXF after 3 innings of play. It was getting late, the sky was getting dark, and depression was setting in for team TPG....

A moment of light occurred in the top of the 4th as FXF walked the bases loaded with 2 outs, and 2B Josh Ginsburg (2-3, SAC, 3 RBI) came through with a 2-run single to get TPG on the board, and cut the lead to 4.

Ahh, but darkness again as FXF answered with 3 more runs in the bottom of the 4th, and took a commanding 9-2 lead into the 5th inning. It was bleak, it was muggy, and some player from another team left their pants on our bench in a liquor bag (no liquor though).

Something happened in the 5th inning. Perhaps the barometer fell. Maybe we just got lucky. FXF walked the first 4 TPG hitters, and with 2 more runs scoring on a SAC fly to the FXF 1st baseman, TPG scored 3 without getting a single hit (or even hitting the ball out of the infield). The score was 9-5, and the TPG defense dug in not allowing any runs in an inning for the first time all game.

It all came down to this. Impending darkness, top of the 7th, FXF leading 9-5, and the top of the order for TPG coming to the plate. One of the greatest rallies in team history followed with a string of 8 consecutive singles by Omar Cevallos, Tony Franzese, Adam Woods, Justin Aharoni, Ron Alalouf, Dave Beauchamp, Mike Stevick, and Alison Hopke before an out was made giving TPG a 1 run lead. This inning would send all 11 hitters to the plate and after a SAC fly by Josh Ginsburg the lead was 2 going to the bottom of the 7th. TPG's defense held true including great catches by C Princess Salvacion and RCF Omar Bustamante in near darkness, as we closed out the game with an 11-9 victory.

Game balls go to everyone on the entire team for getting to the plate in the deciding 7th inning.

TPG beats MGA 10-2 in Frigid Conditions

After two straight weeks of rainouts, team TPG was just happy to be playing softball. We did not even seem to mind the fact that it was 48 degrees during the morning commute, and in the 50's during the game. With multiple last minute withdrawls, a second basemen trying to get there in time from Jury Duty, and a first baseman still recovering from a weekend bachelor party in Las Vegas, it was a minor miracle TPG was able to field a team in time for the 7:00pm first pitch.

But field a team we did, as we started off in the top of the first with new leadoff hitter LF David "Speedy" Beauchamp (3-4, 3B, 3R) and LCF Josh Ginsburg (2-3, SF, RBI) getting back to back singles. An RBI single by SS Tony Franzese (2-4, RBI, R) got us on the board, but it was P Ron Alalouf (3-3, HR, 2 3B, 2R) who blasted a 3R home run to deep right field that opened the game up as we headed to the field for the bottom of the 1st with 4 runs on the board.

Our defense was solid all game as we limited MGA to only one run in the first and a second run in bottom of the 5th. A defensive highlight by team TPG was when there was one out in the bottom of the 6th, and MGA had a runner on first and second. The batter ripped a line drive to center field when LCF Josh Ginsburg made a running catch, realized there were only two outs and that everyone on both teams thought the inning was over (including the runner on second who was now rounding 3rd), and kept on running all the way to second base where he stepped on the bag for the 3rd and final out.

The TPG scoring machine continued throughout the game including a 2R home run by 3B Justin Aharoni (1-3, HR, 2R) in the 3rd, and an RBI triple by newcomer RCF Omar Bustamante (1-2, 3B, BB, R).

Game Ball goes to Pitcher Ron Alalouf who did not give up a walk for the second straight game, and went 3-3 with a Home Run and 2 Triples.

HMA ROLLS TO 3-0 WITH BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUTS

After a somewhat rocky start to the season against RRA/DBB, HMA/RAMSA has once again taken its familiar spot atop the SLAM League standings. There had been many whispers through the trees of Central Park that HMA/RAMSA would suffer a mental hangover from the bitter disappointment of last season’s SLAM finals. If that’s the case, it sure hasn’t shown on the field…yet. And some members of the team will say there’s a new edge to the Orange Crush this season--a chip on their collective shoulders for coming up short each of the last 2 post seasons.

GAME ONE RECAP (April 15th): The final score of the first game of the season (14-7) doesn’t do justice to how close and competitive the first game actually was. Down 1-0 after the top of the first inning, HMA/RAMSA started the 2010 campaign with a bang as they put up 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning for a 4-1 lead. Included in the hit parade was former ROY Mike Sargent’s homerun to deep left center, marking the second time in two seasons that Mike homered in his first AB of the year. After a scoreless second, RRA/DBB continued to pound the aging two-time pitcher of the year, with 4 runs in the third inning, followed by one run each in the fourth and fifth to take a 7-6 lead into the bottom of the 5th inning…when the HMA/RAMSA bats woke up from their slumber.

After the leadoff men got on base in the 5th inning, Doug Neri came through with a 2-RBI single up the middle to put the Orange ahead 8-7 (a lead that would not be relinquished). Two batters latter, aging pitcher David Solomon who couldn’t get it going with his arm on this day, decided to find redemption in the form of his bat with a 2-run HR down the leftfield line. Scouts clocked his time around the bases somewhere around 45.5 seconds, a new personal record.

HMA/RAMSA tacked on 4 more runs in the 6th inning to secure the 14-7 victory. Game balls were handed out to Doug Neri (3-3 with 3 runs and 3 RBI, one awful defensive play)

GAME TWO RECAP (April 19th): With a new starting pitcher and revamped batting order, HMA/RAMSA shook off the Game One rust and returned to 2009 form as they dominated MGA with an 11-0 victory on the Great Lawn.

Doug Neri made his SLAM League debut on the mound as David Solomon could only watch from the sidelines in this one. Neri did nothing to disappoint as he threw 4 innings of shutout softball, walking only one and relying on his stellar defense behind him. Offensively, HMA/RAMSA controlled the game as they have so many times in the past few seasons with runs early and often. With 3 consecutive doubles from the middle of the lineup, HMA put up 5 runs in the first inning yet again; and followed that up with another 4 runs in the second inning to stake a 9-0 lead. From there, the defense and pitching took care of the game as Neri continued to baffle the MGA bats.

Game balls were handed out to CF Brian Barney drove in 5 runs on the afternoon with his 2 hits and RF Pete Garofalo scored 3 runs on his 2-2 afternoon.

GAME THREE RECAP (May 6th): After a very heated best-of-three playoff series in 2009 which saw all three games decided by one run, HMA/RAMSA and FxFowle renewed their rivalry on Thursday afternoon. Unlike so many of their recent regular season matchups however, this one was pretty much over early as FxFowle was clearly without several starters from a year ago, including pitcher Manny Morales who arrived late to the field and missed the first inning (and by that time the damage had been done).

After scoring 22 first-inning runs a year ago, and 9 already in their first two games this season, HMA/RAMSA sent 13 batters to the plate in the first inning, setting a team record for runs and AB’s in an inning. It was not a pretty inning all around with 4 walks, 2 reached on errors and a few hits sprinkled in. When the dust had settled HMA/RAMSA plated 8 runs. An inning later, with 2 runs already scored in the inning, Mike Sargent stepped to the plate and hit a booming 2-run HR to left center for a 12-0 lead. It was Mike’s second homer of the young season.

In the field, things were just as sharp as HMA/RAMSA kept FxFowle off the scoreboard thanks to some flawless defense and timely pitching. It marked the first time in the team’s history that back-to-back shutouts had been thrown (no less by different pitchers) as HMA moved to 3-0 atop the SLAM league standings.

Next up on the schedule: The Big Red Machine of Gensler (also 3-0) in a battle of unbeatens on Monday, May 17th. The World will be watching.

TPG Wins Game 1 vs PP 10-2

Team Photo (front row left to right: Derrick Blocker, Ron Alalouf, Omar Cevallos, Princess Salvacion; back row left to right: Alison Laudat, Ngai Luong, Tony Franzese, Mike Stevick, Alison Hopke, Justin Aharoni, Katie Burns, David Beauchamp, Steve Yavrouian, Omar Bustamante, Joe Omole, Josh Ginsburg, Adam Woods, Fredmy Mejias)

It was the first game of the season for team TPG, and we wanted to make a strong impression. This started with almost the entire team showing up and enthusiastically cheering us on (so we took this opportunity for a team photo). But the real first impression was made by our 3B Omar Cevallos (2-2, BB, HR, 3R) who took advantage of the quirky field conditions at North Meadow #2 and led off the game for us with a Home Run over the short proch in left field.

After Omar's HR, we never looked back as the next batter was newcomer SS Tony Franzese (3-3, HR, 3B, 1B, 3R) and he followed up with a rocket triple scoring on an ill-advised overthrow to 3rd. 2 Runs were in, the bases were empty, and there were no outs. But Polshek held tight, gave up only one more run in the first and got out of the first inning down 3-1.

Steller defense by team TPG hed PP to only one more run the rest of the game. TPG Pitcher Ron Alalouf (2K's, 0BB) threw nothing but strikes and surprised everyone with his cat-like reflexes on the mound including the front end of a 1-6-3 inning ending double play.

Game Ball goes to Tony Franzese, because anytime a player gets a HR and a Triple in his first two at bats with a new team, he's gonna get the game ball. Honorable mention goes to Maddeline who convinced her husband Tony to play for us this year.

PCF/HH Keeps Up The Momentum

PCF/HH and RRA/DBB went head to head on another perfect Spring evening at the North Meadow. Juggling a wierd start time and a new field location both teams looked a little jittery during warm ups. Once underway Carl Pearson (RC) got to work quickly, belting a line drive single, but the opposing pitcher made easy work of silencing the next three batters. On defense, PCF/HH looked very composed. Some sloppy base running and quick thinking by Mark Maljanian (SS) gave PCF/HH a crucial inning ending double play to keep RRA/DBB scoreless. PCF/HH bats came alive in the second inning, as Juan Monahan (P) smashed a double followed up by a blooper single by Carlos Sagastume (LF). They say that good things come to those who wait. Patience at the plate earned Dwidson Metayer (LC) a cricital base on balls, who immediately scored off a 2-RBI earning base hit by Scott Long (RF). A dead pull line drive by Cate Foster(2B) caught her old teammates by suprise but with two outs PCF/HH could not convert it into another run. The momentum continued in the 3rd and 4th innings, highlighted by a solo homerun by Mark Maljanian, triple by Juan Monahan and numerous base hits. It appeared as though PCF/HH was going to hand RRA/DBB a shut out and call it a night, but oh no.....that would be too easy!

RRA/DBB slapped a couple of lucky blooper singles to load the bases in the 6th. Some brief miscommunication on the infield sent in a run but, a flawless 5-3 play by Ron Rainone (3B) and Rodney Santiago (1B) held RRA/DBB's damage to only 3 runs. Final score 7-3.

Game ball goes to Mark Maljanian for hitting a solo home run and turning two unassisted double plays.

PCF/HH Hands GSA a Loss in Season Opener

Conditions on the field could not have been more perfect for the SLAM 2010 season opener last night between PCF/HH and GSA. Both teams looked pretty strong during warm-ups so it was anyone's guess on how this first game would unfold. PCF got to work early, scoring two runs off a monster triple by star pitcher Juan Monahan, and a blooper single to center by Carlos Sagastume (LF) brought Juan in for a quick 3-0 lead at the end of the first. But GSA remained composed, and kept PCF/HH bats silent for the next two innings. On defense, Ron Rainone (3B), Mark Maljanian (SS), and newcomer Rodney Santiago (1B) denied GSA a few potential infield hits but in the third inning their luck suddenly turned. Capitalizing off a walk and a fielding error GSA pounded out 3 quick runs to tie the game. Nervous that momentum of the game had shifted, Carlos wasted no time calming our bench down by smacking a lead-off solo homerun. With the entire batting order behind him, PCF/HH scored a whopping 14 runs in the 4th inning including a double by Dwidson Metayer (C), RBI earning single by newcomer Scott Long (RF) and base hits by female players Cate Foster (RC) and Cheryl Shea (2B). Growing weary, GSA allowed Carl Pearson (LC) to smack a 3-RBI home run on his second at bat of the inning. It appeared that GSA had had enough for one day, ending the evening with a final score of 17-3 PCF/HH.

Game ball goes to Juan Monahan for pitching a great game having not touched a softball since last season, and for producing clutch extra base hits.

Is There Anybody Out There?

The 2010 season is about to begin. Or so we think. Actually, we are not really sure. New commissioner SSC appears to be AWOL, as we eagerly await the manager's meeting and release of the official schedule. Does anyone know what's going on? Is anyone listening?