Spector Group Softball has Arrived....Wins 1st game of season (That we actually played)

Coming into the 2016 season, Spector Group Architects (SG) was invited to the Softball League Apres Modern .....otherwise known as. S.L.A.M.   As all of you know, SLAM is a softball league made up the world's top renown Architecture and Design firms. So on behalf of SG, it is an honor to be included as the 10th team of this prestigious and successful Architecture League of 37 years.

As the SLAM season opened Spector Group was notified of its inclusion on March16th and with training camp opening in 2weeks …Co-managers Ryan "thinks he's as cool as Ryan Reynolds" Porter, Keribeth "The CFO"Rokeach and Simon "formerly known as the Panda" Yeung had the tough task of putting together a competitive roster that could be respectable in this league. There was a long line for try-outs around Madison Ave of would-be potentials who wanted to be a part of team SG but at the end Spector Group had finally put together a team of the best Architects and designers…… who had a little somthin somthin of softball skills too.

On opening day, the newly formed Spector Group team with their newly minted navy blue and white jerseys looked sharp … you couldn't tell that theses were the new kids on the block playing former 2 time champion HMRAMSA, but sadly SG didn't play as good as they looked as it lost its first ever game. All was not lost though as the young rookie team was competitive for most of the  game with the exception of one bad news bears inning. There was hope for this team and lots of promise.

Ready for the second game of the season SG was scheduled to play against GS/HH……a newly merged team in the league but it was over before it started as GS/HH was not able to make the game so team SG had its first win under its belt due to a forfeit. It wasn't the way we pictured it but a win is a win.  Beers all around!

Now with a record of 1-1 in the league, team Spector loses its next 3 games (TPG , GA, PEA) One of which is under review by the commissioner and umps over a misunderstood rule.  Things were not looking so bright  and a few adjustments were needed to the new team.

Still Confidence was never lost with this team as it entered the game against KPF, SG knew how to play but just needed to put it all together.

Leading off the game was David "Speedy" Beauchamp (2-3) who has continued his hot hitting as one of the best lead off men in the league. Hits followed from Jared "not Fogle" Morganstein (2-4, 2b), Joe "Taking candy from his little sister" Carretta (1-3), Chris "mr.perfect" Thibodeau (1-3, rbi) and Brian "The Magnet" Chernick (3-3, rbi, 1 run)which led to an early 2-1 lead.

The game stayed close till the 4th when the middle of the lineup started to hit its stride led by Scott "the undercover boss" Spector (2-3, 2 runs), Lauren "my brother used to steal my candy"Carretta (2-3, rbi) and Dan "mr Gardner" Setnikar taking the lead 5-1.

The true highlight and bright spot came in the 7th when the thrift shop crew, Karen "the workaholic' Fung and Lauren "the Alcoholic" Gardener combined for the much needed 6th insurance run.

Solid defense all around and Great pitching by Ryan "Porter Potty" Porter (1-3, triple, rbi) who threw for 7 strong innings allowing 1 earned run.

Final score a 6-2 victory by Spector Group. Hats off to KPF for a great competitive game.

 Game ball goes to The entire SG team because we haven't given up and for always staying positive.  Season is far from over………

Earl Weaver Once Said....

....“The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers.”  Game 5 against TPG arch rivals, Gensler, proved yet again that sometimes you don't need the most athletic or the strongest person to carry the team, but rather unity, bravery, and energy will do just fine to get the win.

Half way thru the season, TPG is undefeated and creating a buzz around the league and on Twitter. Fans from around the world are coming to Central Park to watch the talent and the dynamics that each week brings. 

From the bleacher creatures on the bench cheering and booing, to the NYPD’s beautiful officers making sure no one got out of control or maybe even reliving childhood magic at the field of dreams, to Hernan "Yo Momma" Graziano wanting to rip Patrick’s “Mini Danny” head off for throwing a wild ball to the outfield that almost hit the hot dog stand guy, GAME 5 of the season proved that you could be a kid for as long as you want when you play and watch softball.

Gensler started off with several quick runs but TPG hung in there by chipping a run at a time like the great Billy Beane would have coached. Small balls can win games and championships.  As the sun was setting, TPG kept looking up at Gensler like the Giants that they are in the League. It almost seemed that Gensler once again would destroy TPG’s dreams and hopes and send us to the bar to drink and forget.  The very nice umpire (yet wouldn't give me the low strike, whatever) notified both team coaches that due to getting dark TPG would have its last change at the bottom of the 6th to either tie or go home crying to its family or dogs.  Some players’ heads were down, some up, and some looking at the LIRR schedule, as the bottom of the order was getting ready to bat.  The bench was going bananas, creating the energy that once in a while is projected to the batters. Being down by 2 runs didn’t scare Chase "The Mack Truck" Hodge. He finally learned NOT to swing at the first pitch. Yay! He once again used his speed to run and slide to first in which he almost injured the first basemen. The science of sliding is that you slow down not gain speed (just saying).

 

Erin "Marathon" McCarthy followed and delivered a power shot that barely passed the pitcher but caught everyone by surprise and miss played it. Next up was Chelsea “Turtle” Cheng. Gensler was going for the double play as "Turtle" hasn’t shown her true talent this season. As the ball was pitched the bleacher creatures were yelling, “Smack it out of the park!”, “Turtle” swung and the breeze of the bat caught the ball. Using her speed she outran two missed plays and barely reached first base. Oxygen tanks were provided in order to try to keep "Turtle" in the game as no other girl was available to pitch run for her.

 

Bases loaded, no outs, and Norman “Cricket” Ha is thinking he will be the hero of the game and get carried on player’s shoulders, but no!  Gensler’s first basement made the best play of the game by jumping 4 feet off the ground and catching "Cricket’s" line drive. Chris “The Walker” Gutierrez took Hernan "Yo Momma" Graziano's advice and walked. He may have been punched if he swung at a 3-0 pitch. His selflessness allowed a key run and put the pressure on Ben “D-Train” Saltzman.  "D-Train" seized the opportunity to close out the game with a winning line drive that drove in Erin and "Turtle".  "Turtle" rounded 3^rd base as though the LIRR train was closing its doors on her.  All you could see is dust from "Turtle’s" cleats and a roar that sounded like choo-choo. As her feet touched home plate everyone ran to the field like the 96’ Yankees. No horse riding was allowed as Central Park has strict rules but the inner kid in all of us went crazy, tears were shed, high fives, hugs and chest bumping occurred.   Final score 8-7, as TPG establishes themselves as a contender this season and ready to put a stop to championship 4-peats.

Written by Hernan Graziano of TPG.