S.L.A.M. Talk

BACK 2 BACK !

2011-09-30T16:31:00.015-04:00

There’s little doubt that the 2009 SLAM Finals left a deep impression on the HMA/RAMSA team. After splitting the first two games of that series against SSC, HMA/RAMSA held a 6-5 lead in the 5th inning - only 8 outs from its first SLAM title; they would eventually go on to lose that game and series in extra innings leaving an ugly taste in the collective mouths of the men and women who were on that field that day. Two years later, it remains the last playoff game the HMA/RAMSA Orange Crush has lost as David Solomon is quick to remind his once-maligned “bridesmaids” all the time of that seminal loss.

The 2011 playoff march began on September 1st in much the same fashion that 2009 and 2010 ended: with a duel against SOM/Swanke. In each of the past three seasons, HMA/RAMSA and SS have faced off in the playoffs to play a total of 7 games – 6 of which were decided by one run. So it really should come as no surprise to anyone that those two teams would produce yet another thrilling series – a double header of comebacks.

We fast forward to the bottom of the 6th of Game #1 as SOM/Swanke clung to a 6-5 lead with the middle of the lineup coming up for the defending champions. Clean-up hitter Brian Barney (CF) delivered perhaps the most-clutch hit of his young but brilliant career in SLAM as he led off the bottom of the inning with sky-high homerun to that little 15' wide fence in left field out in Hecksher #1 to knot the game at 6. Neither team could push across a run in the 7th as the game headed to extra frames. In the bottom of the 8th, leadoff man Pete Garofalo (RF) did what he’s done for two seasons now: he simply found a way to get on base. And his single was followed by two more base hits, the last of which came off the bat of Doug Houstoun (1B) which brought home the game-winning run. Put simply, HMA/RAMSA stole a game in which they never held the lead.

Game Two began directly following the conclusion of the first. And while the prognosticators expected the pitchers to tire in the double header, it was in fact that bats on both teams that were quieted. Once again, SOM/Swanke jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first. Following that, both pitchers locked down the opposing bats as neither team could muster even the slightest threat for the next 4 innings. SS was able to tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th to extend to a 3-0 lead as they were 3 outs away from tying up the series at 1-1. (We flashback for a moment to the final game of the regular season as HMA/RAMSA trailed PCF/HH 4-1 in the top of the 7th inning with the #1 seed and a playoff bye on the line. We learned that night to never question the heart of a championship team as HMA/RAMSA scratched across 4 runs in the 7th to win the game that evening 5-4.) So even as the Orange Crush faced yet another 3 run deficit we knew we had been there before, not too long ago. And with the echoes of the '86 Mets (also down 3 runs in their final at bat in Game 6) wouldn’t you know it, despite being shutdown all game long – and just as they had only a few weeks earlier against PCF/HH – the heart of the HMA/RAMSA batting order responded with 4 timely runs in their final at bat to take a very familiar 5-4 lead. Three outs later in the bottom of the inning, HMA/RAMSA had completed a very improbable sweep to earn its 3rd consecutive trip to the SLAM Finals

The SLAM Finals began on Tuesday, September 20th as FxFowle and HMA/RAMSA faced off to settle the score from their 8-8 tie in the regular season. No doubt motivated by the riveting pregame speech by their manager, HMA/RAMSA’s bats came out swinging in the very first inning. After the first two batters reached base, Doug Houstoun delivered another big rip to plate the first 2 runs of the game. Following a pair of walks, rookie-of-the-year candidate Josh Aisenberg stepped to the plate with two outs in the inning. The big lefty, batting 7th in the order on this day despite the fact that he was first or second on the team in hits, RBI and homeruns during the regular season. And he stroked a monster 3-run homerun to rightfield to break open the game to 5-0. Not to be outdone, two batters later Doug Neri roped another 2-run homerun to extend the lead to 7-0. The offense did little else on the afternoon but did plenty in that first inning to secure an 8-2 victory.

Game Two on the Finals was played a week later as HMA/RAMSA looked for its 8th consecutive playoff win; but more importantly, its second consecutive SLAM title. And much like game one, the wind was taken from the FxFowle sails very early as the first three batters of the game each got on base and later scored as HMA/RAMSA took a 3-0 lead – a lead that they would never relinquish. The game was highlighted by excellent defensive plays on both sides of the ball as FxFowle turned two double plays and 4 other baserunners were thrown out trying to stretch a base at 2nd or home. And as the final out was squeezed on a popup to catcher Megan Fullagar, all of Central Park celebrated as the Orange Crush were champions again.

Following the game, when asked about his team’s performance in 2011, pitcher/manager David Solomon said “I’m proud of our team. They say that championships are like children: each one holds a very special place in your heart." He then paused to regain himself as a tear dribbled down his cheek: "I guess the biggest difference though is that I’m stopping at 2 kids—and I’ll be damned if this is the last time we win a championship. This feels so good, I think we’ll just have to bring everyone back for the three-peat.”

THE REPEAT IS COMPLETE

2011-09-28T09:59:00.005-04:00

Your 2011 SLAM League Champions... (more to come)

2011-08-23T10:48:00.001-04:00

The King Midas in Reverse Gazette

Editor-In-Good Grief: Adam “Why swing when you can walk” Mead

It’s Alright Ma, I’m Only Bleeding

There are times in life when you walk into a room and are greeted by some sense of foreshadowing; a cold chill; sight of a misplaced book. Team Enneads season has had no need for such drama, and has been void of subtly on any level. Our last game came into view quietly, as we walked onto Great Lawn field #3. The weather was filled with wonder, do we really need another spin off of GLEE? There were hundreds in the outfield, unwilling to move, their head’s covered by hands, the sun to shield. Gensler in years past would have cause us to shake with some fear, but with our record, lost in the headlights more like a deer. We put our ragtag team to the test, we swung the bats, ran the bases, yes, we even took a rest. In the outfield is where we like to shine, there the ball lay, right in front of Nikita’s feet, “Hey is this mine?” Off in the distance I could hear a saxophone play, but it was slow, and a bit out of key, I’d say. Gensler began to accrue the runs, the sun was setting, we was dead, was this really close to being done? “That’s Game”, the ump did yell, My ears hurt, it was only the 4^th inning, but the shock rang like a bell. Over the hills, and through the woods, a slaughter rule did ride. 11-0, it all seemed right, as we left the field a small child sat, being held tight by his trusted black lab. Ten feet further and a dog ran in circles, trying to find a hole, hey wait, was he being led by Studs Terkel? When 120 paces had been laid down, we finally walked across that threshold, wearing out our weary crown. We ordered up our usual supply of beers and wings, The jukebox sung “Band on The Run”. And so another season comes to a close. Time to put away the cleats and dirty ennead softball clothes. Thanks to everyone who came out to play, it’s a season, well, the one that got away.

Season record 0-11-1

Until next year…well on that note.

Editors Note: I think it is time to lay my pencil down, to take a break, and hand over the reins, of this well oiled softball write up. I have mined the depths of literary injustice, and think fresh eyes would do well should they fall on a blank page, coming up with stories of wonder and surprise. Thanks to everyone who has paused in their days to read my tales, and offered opinions, ideas, solutions, and stories of softball demise. It has been fun. I wish the next lucky soul Good luck!

Good night& Good night

Adam

Ennead's Last Gasp

2011-08-08T10:44:00.001-04:00

The “This is how it ends?” Express

Editor-In-Good Grief: Adam “Where’s my TV Dinner?” Mead

“Ennead Shows Heart, Now that’s A Start…Next Year Already?”

“Deferred gratification and delayed gratification denote a person’s ability to wait in order to obtain something that he or she wants. This intellectual attribute is also called impulse control, will power, self control, and “low” time preference, in economics. Sociologically, good impulse control is considered a positive personality trait, which psychologist Daniel Goleman indicated as an important component trait of emotional intelligence. “

Team Ennead took their week-end yearning weary bodies, and dragged themselves into a Friday night fight. The Sun cutting through the kicked up dust, this was surely going to help us knock off the rust. Perkins Eastman was our willing opponent, now our team needed some help, some missing component. Now if I had to surmise I wouldn’t have guessed it was the sun in our eyes, but rather a “lose” hiding out beyond the trees in some well suited disguise. PEA took quickly to making us squirm, they ran around the bases like some human worm. But regardless of our verbal jabs, and the fact one on our teammates had 6 back abs, five runs they scored, “Serentity NOW!”, I implored. It took some time, but with two outs in the 5^th, the planets did align, team ennead let out a last gasp, 5 runs around the bases, holding our breath that we would not trip over our untied laces. The game was tied, could it be, the softball gods could be bribed? Now as in life, all things aren’t always fare, you see, we have had 7 loses, almost too much to bear. But, today Lucy, looked us square in the eye, and pulled that ball quickly away, all 9 of us, feet flying high, right into the blue sky. PEA would not go away, and with their mischievous tactics, running the bases like playing gymnastics. Another run on their side of the scorecard, it was too much too handle, where in the damned remote control so I can fast forward? Team Ennead showed heart, maybe only enough fight for 1 inning, but that’s a start. We fell to our feet 0-8-1. Two more games left in the season, there’s nothing left to say, and surely not any reason. So don’t hold your breath, but after this season, I am moving to Vegas to sing Kiss’ song “Beth”. Tuesday and Thursday are all that remain, but remember, as always, it’s only a game!

Shout out to Anthony for helping us out in the field, and his little daughter for yelling “OUT” before he batted, as well as Mr. Geisinger, our lone fan. We’ll take what we can get!

THE PLAYOFF PICTURE COMES TO FOCUS . . . A LITTLE BIT

2011-08-02T12:35:00.005-04:00

With the results from Monday night, the 2011 playoff picture in the SLAM League has become a little more clear: there are 7 teams for 6 spots.

I preface the below information with the fact that this is ALL “unofficial” projections by the commissioner (the numbers were crunched in my head several times and not on paper); but depending upon the results of a few key games, the landscape for the 2011 playoffs could look very different than recent history:

• HMA/RAMSA, PCF/HH and MGA have all clinched playoff spots
• SS must win one of its next two games to guarantee a spot
• FxF (already with a SLAM-record 5 rainouts to date) improbably still have 4 games to play in the next 2+ weeks, needing to win 2 of its remaining 4 games to lock up a spot

And here’s where it gets very interesting:

• Gensler controls its own destiny: Win the next two games (PCF/HH and EA) and they are in the playoffs. But if Gensler should split their next two games, and RRA/DBB wins its final game (and again, this is assuming SS doesn’t lose their final two games), then RRA/DBB would take the 6th spot because of the H2H matchup way back in April.

At the top of the standings, the seeds are just as interesting:

• PCF/HH and HMA/RAMSA each control their own destiny, making the August 8th matchup on the Great Lawn all the more important. If either team wins its remaining games, that team secures the #1 seed and a first round bye in the playoffs. Conversely, the loser could be headed for the #3 seed and no first round bye in the playoffs.
• Oddly enough, FxF, which has yet to guarantee a playoff spot could actually also lock up the #1 seed with a little help from some other teams in the league (FxF would need to win outright, GA defeats PCF/HH and PCF/HH defeats HMA/RAMSA). Got that?

In short, with two weeks to go in the regular season absolutely NOTHING is settled. And all this just as a precursor to what should be a very exciting 2011 SLAM playoffs.

STAY TUNED....

HM/RAMSA Dethroned!

2011-07-29T11:01:00.002-04:00

For the moment at least.........

2011-07-18T09:52:00.000-04:00

The Narcoleptic Gazette

Editor-In-Grief: Adam “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” Mead

"Ennead does its best Hollywood Audition"

Team Ennead came to Central Park’s Hecksher Field #1 last Thursday with a season’s worth of mud in our eyes. We were facing uptown’s own Mitchell Giurgola Architects. We cleared out the mud, quickly , took to the field, and promised not to yield. As is our modus operandi, we took a quick lead, 5-0, it was like watching Secretariat, clear away from the field. Now I’m not sure if it was my tinnitus, or if I heard David Coxson whisper to the skies, “we just might win this one?” It was at that moment the sun fell behind the clouds, and the MGA bats began to grow rather loud. A ball hit here, a ball hit there, a ball hit over Ryan’s head, over way, way, over there. We tried to hold our little red Ennead wagon together, but before we knew it the game was tied. But Wait!,, I made a deal with the devil on this one, oh man, He must’ve lied. We tried with all of our might, but much like “Weekend and Bernie’s” , when the bodies dead, there’s little left to do, but make another movie, part 2. So as the game came to a close 8-7, loser’s again, in our ennead clad clothes, we took our heavy heads south, to find cold beer and nachos to fill our mouths. 2 games remain in this weary and worn season, at 0-7-1 we’re fighting for our lives, I’m thinking at the next game we’ll come wielding knives. Until next installment, I’ll be wandering the office in a narcoleptic stupor.

Good Night, and Good Night!

Co-Captain, Adam “Never had ‘em” Mead

2011-07-05T11:19:00.002-04:00

The Jet Lag Gazette

Editor-in-another time zone: Adam “keep it brief” Mead

Team Ennead shows up, falls short

Maybe I was still in another times zone, Greenwich meantime +2, maybe it was the weather, I wish I could manage an excuse, a little better, but a lose is a lose too, just like watching Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo. Team Ennead began quickly putting up a couple runs, but before you knew it, the other team had scored more and the game was done. We usually continue on, to win the true fight, but this night, David’s wallet was light, and my head was somewhere at 30,000 feet in mid trans-atlantic flight. 6-3 lose and now falling to a 0-5-1 record. As Frank Constanza once let fly: “Serenity Now!”

Team Ennead take itself into a 1 week break, hoping to come back, better, faster, stronger, or maybe just show a brave face

JUST ANOTHER MANIC MONDAY....

2011-06-15T15:34:00.009-04:00

Heading into the second week of June, only three teams in the SLAM League had winning records—HMA/RAMSA, SS and PCF/HH—who combined for a 12-1 start to their seasons. All three teams lost on the Great Lawn on Monday night. In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi: “What the hell’s goin’ on out here?”

Perennial playoff stalwarts, Gensler and Fox+Fowle (who only had one win combined as the calendar switched to June) have appeared to right the ship as they flexed their muscles on Monday in defeat of another pair of playoff regulars in SOM/Swanke and PCF/HH respectively. In doing so, both GA and FXF climbed their way back to .500 each at 2-2 on the season. RRA/DBB, owners of an already impressive victory over Gensler on their resume, added yet another by defeating the defending champions 2-1 in 9 hard-fought innings of exciting SLAM softball. With the victory, RRA/DBB also climbed up to .500 creating quite the logjam in the standings.

Following Monday’s mayhem, PEA rebounded nicely from a loss to Gensler by knocking off KPF—the team which stood 5th in the standings heading into the night. So if you’re keeping score at home, 4 of the top 5 teams in the standings have all lost this week, with the team currently fourth, MGA, set to play on Thursday evening against GSA. If this week’s results are any indication (or if you could wager on SLAM league games), I’d bet the house on Gruzen.

As it stands, there are now five teams at .500 on the season, with three more teams only one game away from reaching .500 (sorry, Ennead. But what you lack in wins this season is made up for tenfold in blog posts!). What it all means—beyond a potential playoff nightmare of tiebreakers for the commissioner’s office—is that things are starting to get VERY interesting in SLAM and should make for quite a competitive summer.

As LeBron said: It's now or never. Oops.

Ennead Loses in 2 parts

2011-05-25T14:19:00.001-04:00

The Ennead Gazette

Editor in Disbelief: Adam “can’t catch’em” Mead

Special Double Issue, Mid Morning Edition

Something’s come in pairs, this kind ain’t something you can wear.

Tuesday May 10 6:00 Eastern Standard Time; 42° 50' N; 73° 60' W

Several dozen high school boys cover what is to be our softball field. Tempers flare as we “pull” our permits and tell them to scram. The adolescent rage was palpable. This was high stakes architecture league softball. We need our field! Team Ennead took the field again KPF, the titans if midtown. What followed will be talked about in the back alleys of the west village for dog years. We jumped out to an early lead, only to be reined back into a tie. This would play out over 7 innings. Natasha was playing for two, at 2^nd base. She made some magnificent plays that kept us close, still in the race. But as 7 O’clock the hour hand neared, the game was called, ending in a tie, everything we had feared. We had flown too close the sun of a win, and found are true level. Sitting side saddle at the bar, we ordered our usual. Hey look over there, it’s a bronze bust of Stan Musial. Final Score 8-8. Raising our record to a sour 0-3-1

Monday May 22 5:30 Eastern Standard Time; 40° 47' N; 73° 58' W

The Smoke had just begun to clear from the post rapture, humility hung heavy in the air. Clouds colored 40% grey forming a flat non committal evening day. The Phillips Group (TPG) came in their brand new blue jersey’s, brandishing attitude something close to verisimilitude. We shook off the attempt at intimidation, if the rapture would not happen, maybe there was hope for reincarnation. We would take to our bats first, and flex some muscle, and if need be take the field to the tune of “do the hustle.” TPG came out swinging, 5 runs, 4 horsemen of the apocalypse they was bringin’. Team Ennead has learned about as much as you can in 3 loses and a tie, and as the runs amassed against us we waved the chance at a win goodbye. 5 more runs across the bases did come. Constance swung her bat, and Matt did run, if not all of us, then they would at least get 1 run. The games end came quickly, called after 4 innings, 14-1, in defeat rather sickly. But as is our way, we raised our heads high, necks angled towards the sky, and as the muscles tighten, it was our wallets that were lightened, as we washed away defeat, with bud light, and chicken wings minus the feet. Team Ennead stumbling into it’s by week at 0-4-1. Looking for some help from Oprah, and one of those teachable moments.

TPG Wins under the Power of 9

2011-05-24T13:38:00.003-04:00

As the city saw it's ninth straight day with some level of rain, teams were not optimistic that yesterday's games would be played. The commissioner was stressed. Weather.com's local radar map was open on tabs across the city. A 6 minute downpour on 34th Street and 10th ave led to a single one word ("oops") email by the league office that all but gave up hope for SLAM action on Monday, May 23rd.

But then there was the power of 9. As has been well documented on this blog, Ennead Architects (EA) was named after 9 dieties coming together as one. Perhaps those dieties fended off the rain and were the reason softball was played on this day. The 5:30pm match up on the Great Lawn pitted EA against TPG Architecture (TPG), and something in the air (humidity, fog, deadlines in the office) was causing players to drop like flies. Last minute cancellations and late in-house meetings led to a starting lineup of 9 vs. 9 as both teams took the field.

The power of 9 was with TPG last night as they scored 5, 5, and 4 runs in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings to take a commanding 14-1 lead going into the top of the 4th inning. After three more EA outs, the game was over, final score 14-1, mercy by the power of 9.

Even David Solomon - our esteemed commissioner - came out to take in this game. And his awesome videography skills (spygate anyone?) led to the above rare footage of an RBI single by TPG Manager Josh Ginsburg.

Game balls for this win go to everyone who showed up at the field on a day when it seemed nobody would (Thank you Derrick Blocker, Princess Salvacion, Adam Woods, Alison Hopke, Tony Franzese, Ray Dominguez, Justin Aharoni, David Beauchamp, Josh Ginsburg, and a late arrival by Omar Bustamante).

PCF/HH tosses GSA another loss....

2011-05-24T12:05:00.007-04:00

....with the high arc hand of this man.

Say it Aint So....

2011-05-16T12:50:00.002-04:00

Is this true, that SLAM is considering putting together an ALL STAR team to
play against the Men in Blue ? Well if this is only a rumor, then fine.

However, if the SLAM 'ALL STARTS' ever do want to place a legitimate challenge ( ha ) & bring back the Classic game back, please do let me know. All Female players interested in playing w/ the Men in Blue, need to submit there application directly to me.

I have a few phone calls to make. And please do remember that this Classic game is Umpired by
the SLAM players........AT NO CHARGE....: )

KING BLUE

BREAKING NEWS - Multiple Division Format

2011-05-16T12:37:00.001-04:00

ABBOTTABAD, PAKISTAN....

During a secret meeting of the S.L.A.M. Intelligence Agency (SIA), Commissioner David Solomon proposed a radical new structure for the future of our softball league. The attendees of this meeting have not been identified, but sources confirm that S.L.A.M. is considering a new multiple division format for 2012 and beyond. The growing discrepancy in skills among teams in our league has prompted SIA leadership to suggest a dramatic overhaul in the regular season schedule and playoff format.

When asked for comment, HM/RAMSA Manager David Solomon told our source "It's just not fun anymore. We have won all three of our games by at least 11 runs, so why even bother playing? With our upcoming match against lightweight Gensler, there just does not seem to be an end in sight."

Coming off their brutal 16-4 loss againt RAMSA, TPG Manager Josh Ginsburg added "We had no chance against them. With the way they are playing, I don't think anyone can beat them".

The new proposed divisional structure would allow the best teams to play among themselves while the rest of the league has a full season worth of fun, competitive games. Our source viewed a copy of the confidential memo distributed during the SIA meeting titled "Divisional Structure, what it means to you!". The details are as follows:

DIVISION A
Holzman Moss / Robert A.M. Stern Architects (HM/RAMSA)

DIVISION B
Ennead Architects (EA)
FXFowle Architects (FXF)
Gensler Associates (GA)
Gruzen Samton (GSA)
Kohn Pedersen Fox Architects (KPF)
Mitchell Giurgola Architects (MGA)
Pei Cobb Freed / Hart Howerton (PCF/HH)
Perkins Eastman (PEA)
Ronnette Riley / Davis Brody Bond (RRA/DBB)
SOM / SHCA (SS)
TPG Architecture (TPG)

Each team would play 10 regular season games followed by a playoff bracket, but only against other teams in their division. At the end of the season, two trophies would be awarded - one to the winner of Division A, and the other to the winner of Division B.

When asked for a final comment, David Solomon told our source "Now that's a system that makes sense. We (HM/RAMSA) are the only ones who can beat ourselves, so playing 10 games against ourselves is the best way to insure a season of fun and competitive games. This is a win-win situation, we get our trophy at the end of the year, and all of the other teams still have a chance to get one themselves".

THE MOUTH IS SILENCED! (FOR NOW)

2011-05-13T14:56:00.014-04:00

Following a swirling controversy as to the authenticity of the previous day’s Twitter posts, a newly outfitted TPG team took to the field on beautiful May 9th evening and tried to let their play do the talking against the defending league champs. In the end however, their mouths—much like their bats—were silenced by a suffocating defense and an offense that is clicking on all cylinders.

To his credit, the eye of this Blue Storm controversy – Derrick “The Mouth” Blocker – came out firing in the first inning, literally, as he struck out 2 of the first 3 batters to start the game. TPG mounted a threat in the bottom of the inning getting two runners on but failed to break through against HMA/RAMSA. Both pitchers settled in nicely until the top of the fourth inning as the Orange bats came out swinging and built upon their slim 1-0 lead.

Following two hits from the top of the order to start the fourth inning , cleanup hitter Brian Barney (2-4, 5 RBI) drove them both home with a rope up the middle, nearly decapitating The Mouth (seen below). The inning continued as HMA/RAMSA batted around and took a commanding 7-0 lead. The fireworks continued in the fifth inning as 4 more runs crossed the plate, the final 3 of which came off the bat of comeback player of the year candidate, Josh Aisenberg (3-4, 5 RBI) who hit a rocket shot to right field for a three-run HR.

The scoreless streak for opponents reached 12 consecutive innings, spanning 2.5 games to start the season, but finally TPG broke through in the bottom of the 5th inning with four runs of their own to avoid a mercied defeat. The game would end 2 innings later as HMA/RAMSA took home the victory by a final score of 16-4. Much to this writer's surprised Derrick Blocker would not return calls when asked about the outcome of this game. Conversely, when asked about his team’s play that afternoon Mike “The Situation” (3-4, 1 RBI, 4 runs) humbly offered up “Not for nuthin’, but we had a situation going on earlier today. It’s hard for me to look this good and play this good at the same time—but I pull it off, dawg. Now if you excuse me, I see a cutie who’s DTF…..”

Next up (weather permitting, of course): The Big Red Machine....Game on!

Wild 48-47 softball score sets national record for runs in a game

2011-05-11T14:05:00.000-04:00

A must read for all of SLAM League to remind your team never to quit--even if you're down 13 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning:

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

Some crazy stats from the game that ended 48-47 in only seven innings:

The winning pitcher gave up all 47 runs but allowed only 21 hits
The losing team used several pitchers who gave up 48 runs yet allowed only 10 hits (that's 95 combined runs on only 31 hits!); the losing team did walk 36 batters and hit 12 more
One poor batter came to the plate 9 times....and walked all nine times
The winning team scored 13 runs in their last at bat to win the game
The game ended on a bases loaded walk. Brutal.
Oh, and the game last 4 hours (winning team only had 9 players!)

My arm is tired just thinking about this game--those poor pitchers!

History and Spring elevator battles of Epic proportions

2011-05-10T17:26:00.000-04:00

Spring is in full swing and we haven’t had the chance to catch up with the S.L.A.M blog. So, in order to do so we will cover a battle of epic, deity proportions and a historic win. Let us start with the epic one:

It is undoubtedly good when victory happens 2 years in a row against the same team, and it is especially good (in epic, Egyptian mythology proportions) when our opponent’s new name signifies the presence of 9 deities. That would be the newly Christened “Ennead Architects”, our downstairs neighbor. One would think that Gruzen Samton would succumb to the wrath of the so-called Gods, right? Well no, the story went more along the Greek-pop mythology of Perseus in Clash of the Titans: The deities succumbed to the power of their opponent. It was a close, well-fought battle that ended up in a 10-9 Gruzen Samton victory over Ennead.

However, the best part was that coveted “elevator bragging rights” title. The following day, those rights were fully embraced (yet again) by adding some life to the elevator of our building in the form of celebratory street art; the type that would make Banksy recoil with envy.

We wish Ennead good luck for the rest of their season and look forward to future matches in this now classic rivalry that can only be compared to that of the NY Yankees against the Boston Red Sox (only really, really small in comparison).

And now, on to the historic one:

After our victory last night against Gensler I later found out at the bar that Gruzen had never beaten Gensler before; and to that historic effect many names should be highlighted through the game coverage:

- Starting with 2 runs in the first inning we intended to get an early advantage over our opponents.
- On the second inning, our secret British weapon; Simon Smith, crushes a ball deep in between left and center field for a home-run with 2 RBI.
- The offensive attack continued in the 3rd inning with the help of Vickie Vigil taking a walk to load the bases. Then, our newcomer Diane Moseley (at her second time batting ever!) grounds a ball for a 1 RBI, followed by Jeff Gillers for a single with 1 RBI.

All in all it was a good battle, with Gensler having a comeback of 4 runs in the last 2 innings backed up by one of the better pitchers of the league. However, the defensive game of Gruzen Samton was in full swing with great plays by Jeff DeLong in 1st base (with great backwards fly-ball catches and on double duty at home plate for a nail-biting out); Joe Illuzzi with several clean plays as well as good plays by Vickie and Anthony Colella on 2nd and Shortstop respectively. Adding to that, several struck-outs by our pitcher Jeff Gillers and a good outfield defensive game (by Robert Lucas, Ed Bolivar, illich Mujica and the secret British weapon) ensured that one of the better teams fell short of a victory. In the end Gruzen Samton won 6-5 over Gensler.

It is Spring, and our 9th button of the elevator trumps any group of 9 deities.
It is good to press that button. Everyday.

TPG TALKS A BIG GAME

2011-05-05T11:44:00.023-04:00

Professional athletes talking smack via Twitter has become common place in the sports world--but architects in the SLAM league? This could be a first....

While the rest of the world was enjoying a quiet Mother's Day with family, things in the SLAM League just got a bit more interesting as one mouthy pitcher called out another on Twitter on Sunday, May 8th. On the eve of their matchup on the Great Lawn, TPG pitcher Derrick "The Mouth" Blocker tweeted "NO F*&KING WAY we lose to those paper chumps on Monday. (They) ain't that good." He continued as far as to guarantee victory on Monday evening against the defending league champs who happen to be 20-1 in their last 21 regular season contests.

When asked to comment about his pitcher's audacity, team c0-manager Josh Ginsburg backed his pitcher: "Derrick talks a big game but he'll back it up. To me, he's the best damn pitcher in SLAM -- no question. HMA/RAMSA was lucky they didn't have to face us in the Finals a year ago."

The team's other co-manager, Princess Salvacion, didn't shy away from controversy herself: "What's up with that fake Mike "The Situation" dude? He needs to get a life. He thinks he's the best hitter in the league but we have girls on our team who hit the ball farther."

Needless to say, there are some scores to settle on Monday evening.

Beware of the Blue Storm

2011-05-04T13:44:00.004-04:00

Princess when you get her mad

Ennead Shows Some Spirit. @ loses in the key of G

2011-05-02T09:53:00.001-04:00

Ennead Epoch News

Special Double Issue

Mid Morning Edition

Editor in Thief: Adam “Can’t hit em & catch em” Mead

A double Summary before it gets too summery.

The strident Enneadians have taken to the great lawn field twice now this season, with new recruits en tow. Shaking off the dust from an off season, taking an oil can to the rust. One week ago yesterday, SOM did come to play. They brought their league leading best, to put our deity named team to the test. But we would not leave so quickly. After rounding the bases, in warm ups, I felt rather sickly. SOM took the lead early, but we fought back, “we would not rest!” I yelled from the back stop, like some sailor, rather surly. I was told the score is all that matters, it was too much to take for our brave batters. We left the field having fought well, but falling short in score, we thru pennies in the well. Wishing for success from afar, it was only a few blocks before we would win at the bar. (4-3 final losing score, with multiple winnings at the bar)

Last night the fog hung low over the great lawn; The city hidden in white. We walked onto the field wanting to make our opponent yield. They were our upstairs neighbors, “hey look over there, is that Jim Neighbors?” Gruzen came prepared, but we were up first, and we thru 4 runs at them quickly. Our spirits began to rise, there was a break in the fog. We would be the princess to their frog. But I must have lost the moral of the story, they began to come back and abscond with all of our glory. Down by 4, we fought hard, but it was a bit much, maybe too much a chore. We fell short by one run, welcoming another “braggin rights” beating. As our opponent cheered, I looked through my glasses, the fog had smeared. Covered in dirt, I turned to our team, there would come another day, a win?, dare we dream?

Team Ennead 0-2, so far, but looking to shake things up and go on a winning streak.

WHERE'S THE OFFENSE ???

2011-05-01T21:25:00.011-04:00

The season is still very young--10 games old to be exact--but one thing appears very apparent: the defense and pitching is way ahead of the hitting. And the numbers don’t lie.

Just as the number of homeruns are down in Major League Baseball, the new steriod and HGH testing that was implemented in the SLAM League in 2011 appears to have slowed down the vaunted bats of the league. In the 2008 season, there were an average of 17.0 runs per game through the first 10 contests; in 2009 that number dipped slightly to 16.4 rpg through 10 games; and in 2010 the number jumped up slightly to 16.7 rpg through the first 10 games. But this season with new drug testing now firmly in place there have only been a startling 13.6 runs per game. Even more telling, there have been 3 shutouts already this season which equals the number of shutouts in the first 10 games in 2008, 2009 and 2010 combined.

Now some might argue--and I won't disagree--that some maybe the pitching and defense has something to do with this odd trend. And yes, perhaps they are much better in 2011. But still, while defense wins championships, offense sells tickets; and everyone in Central Park is wondering if this unusual trend will continue in a softball league. (Admittedly not likely, but this pitcher sure hopes so!).

So WAKE UP BATS, wherever you are!....or better yet, don’t — see if I care.

Getting in Your Head (TPG vs PCF)

2011-04-29T13:50:00.004-04:00

TPG took the field on Monday against PCF/HH, one of the constant playoff competitors in our league. PCF/HH came to the game with a little pay back in mind as TPG won the 2010 regular season match-up to clinch a playoff spot. Coming into the game, TPG knew that PCF/HH's co-manager Carl Pearson had been ejected from their first game of the season. TPG also knew that based on current SLAM rules one more ejection would get Carl suspended for a game. With TPG well into pregame warm-ups and batting practice, the PCF/HH squad arrived at the field led by the always calm and laid-back Cate Foster.

Looking for any advantage TPG could get, TPG Pitcher Derrick "the mouth" Blocker started laying into PCF/HH.

Derrick - "Better keep your cool, Carl, don't want to get suspended".
Cate - "yeah, right, that's real funny".
Derrick - "no seriously, one more ejection and he's suspended".
Cate - "wait, what?!".

As the PCF/HH blood pressure started rising ("don't let him get into your head!", "too late"), TPG finished their warm-ups and got ready for the game.

With the best pitching we have ever seen from Derrick, and two timely bases loaded hits by newcomer Eric "the model" Doherty, TPG pulled off a narrow 9-7 victory that ended after 5 innings due to time and light restrictions.

TPG Game balls go to Derrick Blocker for discovering his fastball, and Eric Doherty for getting bases loaded hits in each of his first two career SLAM league at bats (5 RBI's).

ORANGE

2011-04-27T10:52:00.001-04:00

Whats with the Slew of Orange Jersey's this Season ???

PICKING UP WHERE WE LEFT OFF...

2011-04-25T14:43:00.010-04:00

After finally winning its illusive first SLAM championship six months ago, the HMA/RAMSA softball team aims to do something that many of its predecessors have done: repeat as champions. In the 30 year history of the SLAM League, there have been a somewhat astounding seven (7) repeat champions—most recently by Gensler in 2007-2008--which might dispel the notion that the hardest thing to do in sports is repeat.

With no time to rest on its laurels, the Orange Crush took the field on Thursday, April 21st against Perkins Eastman with the same attitude of a year ago, same stellar defense from a year ago but with a new logo and team hat. With the help of some sloppy defense and well-placed hits, HMA/RAMSA put four runs on the board early with singles by SS Doug Houstoun and 1B Josh Barkan. After a scoreless second inning, 2009 rookie of the year, LF Mike “The Situation” Sargent led off the third inning by hitting his first homerun of the early season—marking the third consecutive year that he hit a homerun on opening day. It was an impressive rope for sure, but not the longest ball of the afternoon. Following a two-year sabbatical from the team to compete in an Iron Man competition, RF Josh Aisenberg made a triumphant return with a two-run bomb to RF in the bottom of the fourth to open up the flood gates. The game would 6 batters later as SCF Eric Hofmann drove in the final run of the afternoon, ending the game 11-0.

Leave no doubt, the champs aren’t giving up this trophy so quickly.

Sometimes it is not the score the counts

2011-04-19T11:21:00.005-04:00

TPG took the field last Thursday for their season opener against GSA. With all of the bad weather this spring, no chance for fielding practice meant that this would be everyone's first action of 2011. GSA had a breakout year in 2010 beating TPG in the regular season and finishing only one game out of playoff contention.

Led by manager Ed Bolivar, GSA always has fun on the field. And you know what, that's really all that counts in the regular season of this league. Both teams (TPG and GSA) fielded 3 female players in their starting lineups - a first for this writer to witness in 8 years of playing SLAM Softball. Perhaps it was this lack of testosterone, or most likely it was just because Ed leads a very fun-loving GSA team, but everyone seemed to have fun despite a 13-0 mercy 4th inning victory by TPG.

TPG Game balls go to David Beauchamp (who got his first home run in years), Tony Franzese (two home runs), Justin Aharoni (home run and outstanding defense in the left field "swamp" at Hecksher), and newcomer Sara Laurence (line drive RBI single, RBI sac fly, and an over-the-head catch at 2B).

Send Off

2011-04-14T15:37:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to see how the Slam Blogger looks like.

We had a nice Opening Day and we had our first player Ejected for the 2011 Season.
Now that's an Opening Day Send Off.................: )

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

2010-11-04T11:33:00.014-04:00

"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

2010-10-30T21:44:00.004-04:00

POSTPONED DUE TO TORNADO

2010-09-17T13:30:00.005-04:00

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

2010-09-09T11:21:00.010-04:00

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

2010-09-09T09:58:00.005-04:00

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

2010-08-31T14:11:00.005-04:00

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)

2010-08-26T21:24:00.003-04:00

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

2010-08-13T11:20:00.005-04:00

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)

2010-08-10T14:01:00.006-04:00

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

2010-07-23T16:17:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-23T14:02:00.011-04:00

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

2010-06-20T09:15:00.005-04:00

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....

2010-06-14T09:34:00.011-04:00

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

2010-05-24T11:22:00.007-04:00

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

2010-05-22T10:16:00.007-04:00

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

2010-05-18T13:16:00.004-04:00

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

2010-05-13T10:03:00.004-04:00

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

2010-05-10T15:34:00.020-04:00

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

2010-04-22T10:29:00.006-04:00

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

2010-04-21T09:33:00.004-04:00

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

2010-04-13T11:59:00.005-04:00

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?

2010-03-25T11:55:00.002-04:00

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?

NOBOBY PUTS SKIDMORE/SWANKE/COOPER IN THE CORNER

2009-09-17T09:04:00.006-04:00

Throughout the history of this great land, from its small towns to its big cities, the people have been sustained - through good times and bad, by their national pastime. Through world wars, natural disasters, economic turmoil and personal heartbreak - a couple hours at the ballpark has been a tonic and an elixir for generations - a welcome escape and distraction from the world around. And so it was again this year, when jobs were lost, businesses disappeared and a troubled and desperate people looked for answers and a reason to cheer and believe. And under these gray clouds, he appeared - promising to turn the old-world order upside down and piling victory on top of victory until the momentum seemed unstoppable and change - inevitable. The people were impressed and many inspired as they awaited the changing of the guard and the birth of something new! But alas, David Solomon and the perennial bride's maids of RAMSA would ultimately fail to live up to the dream (and their hype).

After an impressive regular season, in which they led the league in most runs scored and fewest allowed, first place RAMSA would once again leave the playoffs without the big prize. Instead, it was Skidmore/Swanke/Cooper, the darlings of the league, who took their 9-2 record and their devil-may-care attitude into the playoffs and found a little redemption - beating the only two teams who'd blemished their season. The Semi-Final series against defending champs, Gensler, was one for the ages and as for RAMSA, well, let's just say that it seemed like only yesterday that David Solomon had blogged about his team's "convincing 9-2 (regular season) victory over the once-mighty triumvirate that is, SSC... ." But the "diss heard 'round the world" would soon come back to haunt Solomon - like the bare-chested ghost of Patrick Swayze at his pottery wheel.

Just as Taylor Swift knows that revenge is a dish best served cold, SSC laid low until the Finals, clinching the best of three series with two back-breaking one-run victories. And in the deciding game, it was nothing less than a dramatic 7-6 come-from-behind extra-inning win in which Steve Vargas' 2 homeruns and 4 runs batted in, gave the champs their fourth SLAM championship in the past seven years and placed them back atop the NYC architecture softball heap.

Is it too soon to anoint them the "SLAM Team of the Decade"?
Maybe.....................Nah.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: HMA/RAMSA HOLDS ON TO WIN GAME ONE, 8-7

2009-09-09T21:53:00.013-04:00

On the eve of the 2009 SLAM League Finals, Commissioner Robert Fuller was kind enough to pull some strings down at 350 Fifth Avenue to light up the New York City skyline to honor the all-orange match featuring the Orange & Black of SSC vs. the Orange & Blue of HMA/RAMSA. No joke, it really was orange ...

For five strong innings, SSC was able to quiet the mighty bats of the league's top scoring team thanks in part to some stellar defense and stiffling pitching by Scott Habjan. Much like the previous playoff series against FxFowle, HMA/RAMSA was silenced for much of the game; unlike that first series however, HMA/RAMSA did not wait until the 7th inning to rise to the occasion. For the thousands in attendance, it was a 6th inning rally that leaves HMA/RAMSA only one game away from the championship.

SSC jumped on the board quickly in the first inning with a pair of runs to take an early 2-0. Things could have been much worse in the inning but 2B Addie Suchorab turned a nifty doubleplay on a hard-hit line drive that helped minimize the damage. The pitchers exchanged empty frames for a couple of innings but SSC struck again in the top of the 4th with another run for a 3-0 lead. The score remained that way until the bottom of the 6th when HMA/RAMSA mounted another historic rally.

After Cara Statile and Josh Barkan got on base to start the 6th, Doug Houstoun - limited all season long by a series of injuries to his old body - delivered a rope of a single up the middle to score the first run of the game for HMA/RAMSA. After another single by Seth Burney, leadoff hitter Jon Fukutomi lined a single down the left field line to score 2 runs as HMA/RAMSA tied the game at 3-3 with one out in the inning. After a base hit by Pete Garofalo, Eric Hofmann stepped to the plate with the bases loaded.

With the second-longest tenure on the team, Hofmann recalled the "lean years" when the team regularly recorded more errors than runs scored in a game. With anger in his bat, Hofmann lined a double into the leftcenter field gap to clear the bases as HMA/RAMSA took a 6-3 lead. The inning would not end there however as Doug Neri and Mike "The Rookie" Sargent tacked on another pair of runs as the lead grew to 8-3. The 8th run seemed so innocent at that time, but proved to be all-important in the top of the 7th.

Not going down without a fight, SSC mounted a rally of their own in their final at bat. After the first batter of the inning was retired, SSC strung together 4-5 consecutive hits to cut the lead to 8-7 with two outs in the inning. HMA/RAMSA shut the door, however, to take the first game of this best of three series.

Weather permitting, Game #2 of this series resumes tomorrow (Thursday) on the Great Lawn #4 at 5:30 PM, where HMA/RAMSA will try to secure for their first-ever SLAM League title.

HMA/RAMSA RALLIES TO REACH ITS FIRST SLAM FINALS

2009-09-03T09:51:00.009-04:00

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

--George Santayana, Spanish philosopher, essayist, fan of SLAM League softball

* * * * * * * * * *

The 2009 playoffs…..SLAM-tastic!

(Great Lawn, Central Park) A season ago, HMA/RAMSA finished the regular season at 10-1 and were promptly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. On Tuesday evening in Central Park, a mere 20 hours after winning Game #1 in their best of three battle with Fox+Fowle, they were faced with a very similar and very disappointing fate. That is, until the rally began. . .

With all due respect to the equally epic battle between Skidmore/Swanke/Cooper and Gensler, it is hard for this reporter to imagine a series having more drama, more comebacks, more controversy and more SLAM-tastic play than the FxFowle vs. HMA/RAMSA series, which saw all three games decided by a single run.

Under the bright lights of DeWitt Clinton Field #1, Game One of this series started off very shaky for the #1 seed as three batters into the game, SS Mike “The Phantom Menace” Ryan was ejected for attempting a phantom tag at 3B—an ominous start for sure. After falling behind 3-0 in the top of the first, HMA/RAMSA responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, followed by 3 scoreless innings in the field. In the bottom of the 4th, HMA/RAMSA rallied with their own 3-run inning. The lead however was short-lived as FxF tied the game in the top of 5th at 4-4. The score remained the tied until the bottom of the 7th inning when firstbaseman Josh Barkan stepped into the batter’s box with runners on the corners and 1 out. Barkan delivered a hard groundball to first that was good enough to score the winning run. (HMA/RAMSA, 5-4)

A day later, the setting was moved to the Great Lawn #3—site of the historic doubleheader between SSC/GA just 24 hours earlier. The fields might have changed for these two teams but the game was much of the same—a close game throughout, dominated by stellar defense and very little offense (both teams combined for 12 hits in Game #2).

For the first time all season long, HMA/RAMSA did not score a run in the first inning; and for the second time all season (and in this series) Fox+Fowle jumped out to an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first. HMA/RAMSA chipped away with a run in the top of the 2nd and 4th innings for a 2-1 lead, which again, was short-lived. Helped by some shaky defense and timely hitting, Fox+Fowle scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 4th to take a 4-2 lead and control of the game. HMA/RAMSA scored one run in the top of the 7th inning, and had the tying run on 2nd base but were unable to mount a rally in this game. (FxF, 4-3)

Just 4 minutes after Game#2 wrapped up, the third and deciding game of the series began at 6:45 PM as the Great Lawn prepared to host its second ESPN Classic-worthy ending in two nights. As the sun disappeared below the tree lines, the tired pitchers exchanged zeroes for the first two innings. For the third consecutive game, FxFowle struck first with a run in the 3rd inning and then another in the 4th for a 2-0 lead. The air was clearly coming out of the sails of the SLAM's #1 seed as those in attendance wondered where this vaunted HMA/RAMSA offense, which scored a league best 125 runs in the regular season, had gone. After cutting the lead to 2-1 in the 5th, FxF tacked on another key run in the 6th for a 3-1 lead as the game headed into the bottom of the 7th inning.

For their efforts in the regular season as the #1 seed, HMA/RAMSA had earned the right to home field advantage throughout the playoffs—and in this series it proved all the difference in the world. In what I can only describe as “shades of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series” the demons from a season ago were exorcised with a comeback rally for the ages. Like Game 6 for the Mets, HMA/RAMSA entered their final at bats down two runs.

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic-video/648619/83279/Relive-this-exciting-ending-to-Game-6-of-the-1986

Rightfielder Doug Neri, who led the team in hits for the regular season, began the inning with a double to left. After a groundball out to the shortstop by Eric Hofmann (which advanced the runner to 3rd), The Phantom Menace - looking to redeem himself for Monday night’s blunder - delivered a single up the middle. That hit was followed by a single to left by an admittedly exhausted David Solomon, who was given an all-important courtesy runner in Eric Hofmann. Rookie Mike Sargent proceeded to tie the game with yet another base hit to left field which brought runners on first and second in a tie game.

After a fly ball out to left field, Game One hero, Josh Barkan once again stepped into the batter’s box to channel his inner Mookie Wilson. From there, I cannot really tell you what happened as I was admittedly too sick to my stomach to watch. But I’m told Josh hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield, which was fielded and bobbled slightly by the shifted infield, causing a somewhat errant throw to first base which was dropped (or maybe brought the firstbaseman off the bag—I couldn’t see with a towel over my head). In any event as Josh hit first base and the umpire screamed “SAFE”, Eric Hofmann—who never stopped running from second base—screamed his way home to win the game on a ball that never left the infield. GAME OVER, SERIES OVER….HMA/RAMSA wins, 4-3 with 3 runs in the inning.

Thankfully there are no more permits available for this week as we all could use a little rest this Labor Day Weekend. But if The Slam Finals are anything like the Championship Series, do yourself a favor and come out and watch SSC and HMA/RAMSA battle next week.

SKIDMORE/SWANKE/COOPER BACK IN FINALS

2009-09-01T13:06:00.013-04:00

".....picking up the broad-tipped charcoal pencil, he drew a sweeping ellipse across the center of the great park. This, he said, will be the grand living room of the city, where the ordinary will be ennobled and the extraordinary - rendered immortal"

-from "Frederick Law Olmstead: Landscape Dude"

****

Not since 80's pop icon, Prince, debuted his ass-less pants at a free concert in the park, has the Great Lawn been so abuzz. The semi-final match-up, between defending SLAM champions, Gensler and their arch-rival Skidmore/Swanke/Cooper, pitted the winners of the last 6 titles against each other with a trip the Championship Series on the line.

Last week's uncharacteristically high-scoring Game 1 had put SSC one win from the Finals, but alas Art Gensler's crew would not go gentle into that good night that is the off-season. A classic defensive struggle led to a come from behind 3-2 victory for the defending champs and with that intangible pendulum, that is momentum, swung to their side, the decisive Game 3 began.

As the three remaining trees, in Central Park, cast their long shadows across the field, a game for the ages began unremarkably enough - no hits, no runs - a scoreless frame. But as the innings went by and the scoreboard got crowded with "zeros", the hushed spectators began to realize that they were witnessing one of the great games of the genre (if you consider "nyc architecture league modified fast-pitch softball" a genre). After 7 scoreless, gut-wrenching innings of nearly flawless play on both sides of the diamond, SSC suddenly rallied for a 3 spot in the first frame of extra-innings and held on to win the battle 3-0.

At a short ceremony following the game, Parks Commissioner, Adrian Beneppe spoke these words about the contest; "The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."

PLAYOFF TEAMS ESTABLISHED...

2009-08-11T08:43:00.003-04:00

Polshek's (PP) 13-2 win over RRA/DBB last night gave them a final record of 6-5 and locked them into the 6th and final playoff position. (Despite the possibility of also finishing 6-5, both KPF and TPG have been eliminated since they lost their head-to-head match ups with PP.)

The other five playoff teams (HM/RAMSA, SSC, GA, FXF, PCF/HH) will now be jockeying for playoff positioning. HM/RAMSA can secure the #1 seed by winning one of their final two games, however seeds #2 thru #5 are up for grabs. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.

Congrats to all the playoff teams. We will begin scheduling playoff games as soon as the seedings are established.

What a day

2009-07-31T09:10:00.007-04:00

The afternoon didn't start well.....

2:30pm - First came the realization that the Parks Department had inadvertantly made a clerical error and given our 7pm North Meadow Permit to another applicant....

That was followed by 1 1/2 hours of the commissioner begging and pleading for Parks to "make things right" and find us another field to play on (the toughest part, of course, was holding emotions in-check and not telling them what a bunch of incompetent a$$-holes they all are)......to their credit, they scoured the schedule for the entire island of Manhattan, even going so far as to call the heads of other leagues to see if they were using all of the fields they had permits for.

4:00pm - When they finally secured a field (Riverside #4 @ 103rd Street), the commish had to scramble to inform his own team (GA) , opponent (RRA/DBB) and umpires of the last-minute switch.....luckily all had the "go-with-the-flow" attitude and took the change in stride.

6:30pm - Upon arrival at the field, however, the teams were confronted with the prospect of breaking up a MASSIVE pick-up soccer game that was taking place in the outfield. Despite the best diplomatic efforts, the horde of incongruent players refused to vacate the premises....

Perhaps driven by the frustration of the previous 5 hours, the tension was ratcheted-up a bit when the commissioner decided to start taking batting practice with the soccer game still going on in the outfield.....a line-drive to centerfield that struck one of the footballers in the back did nothing to calm things down....as more and more players took their swings, the situation appeared to be headed in an ugly, downwardly-spiraling direction....

Meanwhile, our calm-headed ump (Louie) had the foresight to call the NYPD....a short time later two officers arrived and diffused the situation.....within a few minutes of their arrival the field was cleared. Let's play ball !!!

7:15pm - Fortunately the delayed start didn't have an effect on the Gensler bats as they jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first inning.......taking advantage of the short porches in both left and right fields, there were homeruns and ground-rule-doubles galore. The offensive outburst was complemented by solid defense and pitching (no-hitter thru the first three innings). It all came to an end after five innings, and a 15-1 final score.

9:15pm - Recapping a Gensler route over pitchers of beer at Broadway Dive, just like old times .....the frustrations from earlier in the day seemed like a distant memory......It turned out to be a good day after all.

HMA/RAMSA SHUTS OUT POLSHEK IN 12-0 ROMP

2009-07-27T13:42:00.006-04:00

The formula that had worked 7 times previously this season, seemed to hold true on the Great Lawn #3 yet again: HMA/RAMSA put up 4 runs in the first inning (now 22 runs in the first inning of 9 games) and never looked back in a 12-0 blowout victory over Polshek. Now at 8-1 on the season , HMA/RAMSA has all but locked up a first round bye in the playoffs—assuming there isn’t a colossal meltdown in the final two games of the season.

Jon Fukutomi led off the game with a double, and was quickly brought home on a single by SCF Pete Garofalo. Eric Hofmann and Brian Barney also joined in the hit parade as the top 4 batters each got on base and scored in the first inning. After a quiet second inning on both sides, the middle of the order was at it yet again as two more runs came across to score on a Brian Barney single (and help from the defense) to extend the lead to 6-0. As impressive as the offense has been this season for HMA/RAMSA, the defense (particularly in the outfield) has been not good, but great--lockdown, mistake-free great—and this game proved to be no different in the first shutout of the season. In nine games this season, HMA/RAMSA has allowed 25 runs, and only once have they allowed more than 4 runs in any one game. More impressively (and to a certain pitcher’s delight) is the fact that only 4 times in 61 innings of softball this season has the opposition scored more than one run in the inning. But I digress.

The final dagger in this game came in the 6th inning as 10 batters came to the plate and 6 came back across to score. Final score, 12-0.

Next victim on the schedule….The Philips Group coming off a very controversial victory two week ago. I assure you, TPG, LeBron and Kobe aren’t available today (trust me, I tried). This should be quite a test for the vaunted defense/pitching as TPG is the second-highest scoring team in the SLAM league with 9.6 runs per game. Something’s gotta give.

GAME BALLS:

Pete Garofalo: 3-4 on the day with 2 runs scored and 2 RBI; not in the stat sheet were a juggling catch in the outfield and a brilliant hustle play in the 6th where he beat out a play at second base on a groundball to 3B and then continued over to third when no one was covering the bag.

Brian Barney: 2-4, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI (and just the usual brilliant play in CF)

TPG Wins Nailbiter over Lebron James and PEA

2009-07-16T20:47:00.004-04:00

Lebron James is apparently playing first base for PEA. You might think that the story line here would be how TPG won a nailbiter with two runs in the bottom of the 7th for a final score of 8-7. As exciting as this game was, the action on the field was overshadowed by a pair of "tricks" and one jaw-dropping display of poor sportsmenship by PEA.

The first trick occurred in the bottom of the 6th with PEA nursing a one run lead. As TPG came to bat PEA replaced their SS and LF with the two best players from the team in a different league waiting to play a 7pm game. Obviously these guys weren't on the PEA roster so this "trick" was not allowed.

The second trick occurred in the top of the 7th as PEA's pitcher ripped a single and was immediately replaced by a courtesy runner who was not announced before the game. Apparently the pitcher "twisted his ankle" coming out of the batter's box (although there were no obvious signs of discomfort when he pitched the bottom of the 7th), and the courtesy runner was allowed.

For the final act, PEA's first baseman (let's just call him "Lebron"), stormed off the field after TPG's game winning run scored, throwing his glove into the fence and quite obviously avoiding the traditional SLAM post game handshake. In 7 years of playing in this league, with over 80 games in the books, this manager has never witnessed such a blatant disregard for league sportsmanship. The funny thing is that Lebron actually hit the "Drive of the Game" with a monster HR blast to left center field. Maybe he was just throwing his glove at one of those famous central park "wombats", and maybe he had to go to the bathroom so bad he ran off after the game. Maybe.

Oh yeah, the game. There were lead changes, clutch defensive plays, and some really ugly-but-fun-to-watch slides. Game ball has to go to TPG SS Len Emanuel, who got the game tying hit with two outs in the bottom of the 7th.

ppa 7, ga 12

2009-07-15T14:02:00.002-04:00

losing team usually doesn't post but this was a nice write-up for our office:

The Polshek Daily Misleader

Issue 7: Late Mourning Edition

Editor-In-Thief: Adam “Well That’s Over My Head” Mead

It’s definitely a “The Glass is Half Full” moment, as Polshek comes up short against Last Year’s Champs

The Omens were there before we even got to the A train, a lonely cab parked on West 13th, driver hunched at his door, left ajar, shaking his head, in what seemed to be his obvious bewilderment at Team Polshek, but as we passed the passenger side, we all caught full glimpse of his true task, for there, cast in the late afternoon shadows of mighty Gotham was a glass half full, yellow as the cab. Now we all know there is the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, well, this cabby had other plans. We tried desperately to shake off the blurry visions even Dante would have found troubling. As we came up from the 96th street stop, the sun was kind enough to wash our brains, collectively, clear of the horrors of west 13th. We walked, we stretched, we threw the balls back n forth, our worthy opponents, Gensler, stood clad in red, unaware of what they were about to face. We came to the plate after limiting their first swings to nothing but outs, 3 to be precise. We sent Steve to the plate first, he did his worst, in the end the first inning had us up 4-0, maybe it was written in the stars, today, team Polshek would leave behind those west 13th street visual scares. Big Red Gensler came charging back quickly with 3 runs of their own, leaving us feeling rather sickly. There were several innings of no score, but the guy selling water & juice all over the north lawn would make certain it wasn’t a bore. Gensler began to creep into the lead, damn that balls over my head, where’s my trusty steed? We fought like champs, well at least we were playing the champs, for in the end it was not to be, it was not team Polshek who would be jumping with glee, we just didn’t have what it took, if you looked at the score card, one look was all it took, 12-7 is how we lost. Steve said we weren’t playing within ourselves, but I was beside myself, and if I could have played head and shoulders above the rest maybe I could have gotten to that ball, you see these words are just one big stall. Well we left the field only to be greeted by several of our wayward Polshekians, come to see us play, Marketing, well that is where they stay. They had come too late for this game of defeat, but just in time to witness our greatest feat, pitchers and wings at McAleer’s. You see, this is all it takes to quell any and all of our fears. Thanks for the effort Marketing!

We now find ourselves with the water just under our noses, at 3-4 our record poses, come out to cheer us on at our next game, hey maybe you’ll even get to see that Cabby, and complain.

ORANGE & BLUE (7-1) DEFEAT ORANGE & BLACK (4-2)--FINAL SCORE, 9-2

2009-07-13T11:22:00.010-04:00

Just days after fireworks poured over the Hudson River on July 4th, HMA/RAMSA celebrated its independence atop the SLAM standings with a convincing 9-2 victory over the once-mighty triumvirate that is SSC in a battle for orange supremacy. For coach David Solomon, perhaps his best move of the day was letting pitcher David Solomon bat (3-3 with 4 RBI) in the #6 spot rather than DH for the senior member of the team as he had for 3 of the previous 4 games.

The first inning has proved to be very fruitful for the Orange Crush as they scored 4 runs in the top of the inning to take an early lead they would never relinquish. On the season, HMA/RAMSA has now scored in each of its 8 games in the first inning with 18 runs total in those innings. After scoring the first run of the game with a walk to SS Doug Houstoun, David Solomon singled to left field with the bases loaded to plate 2 more runners. Another run would come to score on a fielder’s choice by 2B Cara Graf.

A couple innings later, that same duo of Solomon and Graf would single home 2 more runs with base hits up the middle to bring the lead to 6-0. SSC was shutdown in the early part of the game as the first 9 hitters that came to the plate were retired in order. In the bottom of the fourth, SSC broke up the perfect game with a few hits and errors and forged a threat of their own. With a run already in and the bases loaded, that rally was quickly squashed on a hard smash to the left side of the infield. Third baseman Jon Fukutomi fielded the hotshot cleanly, stepped on the bag and threw over to first to get 3B Hugo Corvalan, who was doing his best Pete Rose impersonation with a headfirst slide into first base. “A” for effort, Hugo….

HMA/RAMSA was able to add another pair of runs in the 5th inning, and yet another in the 6th inning to extend the lead to 9-2 which is where the game ended shortly before 8PM. Now 7-1 on the season, the Orange Crush has a couple of weeks off to prepare for its next challenge against Polshek on July 20th.

GAME BALLS:

Cara Graf – 2-2 with 2 RBI

David Solomon – 7 well-pitched innings and more impressively 3-3 with 4 RBI on the day

PPA 12, TPG 8

2009-07-08T11:31:00.002-04:00

Editor –In-Thief: Adam “Slippity Slide” Mead

July 8, 2009

A Little Mascara, and a Dose of Thunder Push Polshek Through

I am not sure what was in our blood last night, but maybe it was the shoes…we started earlier and often again The Phillips Group. Even a whirling Dervish would’ve been amazed at how we seemed to score at will, all the while looking as if we had no idea what we were doing. We went backwards, then forwards, we almost ran the bases twice just for kicks. The sun was in our eyes, and it came as no surprise that TPG would not give up but we kept TPG at bay, each time they crept closer we answered with 2 or 3 or 4 runs. David “Thunder Pants” Coxson ran the bases like he had, well thunder in his pants, Graeme “I am going to spin myself into the ground” Reed almost ran over Monica Yuki, in his mad dash to home plate. In the end 12-8 was the score, the minutiae and minor facts were a bore, but as usual we pushed our victory farther as we entered the halls of McAleer’s Pub, the cold pitchers kept a-coming, and at their side the Chicken Wings were dead & done running. We even met an over-sized friendly giant at the bar, he came from the east, he told us that was far. Some left early, some stayed late, but in the end, both our victories, on the field and at the bar, were great!

KPF Defeats Gruzen Samton 16-0 with Perfect Game

2009-07-07T19:02:00.003-04:00

Monday - July 6, 2009
Central Park - Great Lawn #3

Coming off a tough shorthanded loss against TPG last week, KPF had a strong & full team finally show up for a game against Gruzen Samton. With our playoff hopes starting to fade slightly, we needed a big win to help us jumpstart the push for the post-season.

With our all-star pitcher Tiffany not in attendance due to a deadline, our other pitcher had to step up. Luckily Michael Linx was more than up for the challenge. To try and match Tiffany’s performance against HM/RAMSA Michael had to take his pitching to a whole other level. Luckily he was up for the challenge and pitched a perfect game before the mercy rule kicked in. With 3.5 innings pitched no walks, no hits, and no errors by the KPF defense, it was a memorable performance.

Starting off against a shorthanded Gruzen Samton team that played 3 outfielders, we had scored 1 run in the first inning from a blast off the bat of Michael Bentley (his first of two Homeruns). This would prove to be a standard for our team later in the game. The second inning saw an offensive explosion coupled with a defensive implosion from the Gruzen Samton team. In the 12 run second inning, KPF had batted around with a solid lineup that had the whole team contributing well. KPF also had a string of 3 consecutive homeruns in the third inning by Keisuke Hiei, Li Min Ching and Michael Bentley.
With the season about half over, KPF looks to try and put together a winning streak.

Other Notable stats:
Hitting:
Keisuke ’Optimus’ Hiei – 1 HR
Li Min ’Old School’ Ching – 1 HR
Michael ’Auto’ Bentley – 2 HR’s
Michael ’Cy’ Linx – 1 HR
David ’D’ Niles- 1 HR

Pitching: Michael ’Cy Young’ Linx – 3.5 innings, 0H, 0BB, 2K

TPG Crushes KPF 16-5 in 3 1/2 Innings

2009-06-23T21:04:00.002-04:00

Today was TPG's "bring your son to the game" day on Central Park's North Meadow 11, and in honor of last Sunday's father's day, I guess the dad's had to show off a little. TPG dads Justin Aharoni, Len Emmanuel, and Josh Ginsburg went a combined 7-8 with 5 RBI's and 6 Runs Scored.

This was another 3 1/2 inning game for TPG as we scored 6 in the first and 10 in the third to beat KPF 16-5. After seeing what KPF's all star pitcher did to the offensive juggernaut that is HM/RAMSA (holding them to only 2 runs in a 3-2 victory), TPG came to the field early for extra BP against nothing but High Arc pitches (KPF pitcher's area of expertise).

The drive of the game was hit by reigning Big Bat Award winner Justin "I don't like to stop running" Aharoni, as he scorched a home run blast to deep left center. With all the recent rain the outfield played like the rough at Bethpage Black, and Justin's HR ball stopped dead only a few feet after landing resulting in a close play at the plate. Honorable mention goes to newcomer Bryan "I'm sprinting 30 feet past first on a ground ball" Rice who went 2-2 with 2 RBI's, and a hamstring pull dive into home for TPG's 15th run of the game.

Game ball goes to Justin Aharoni (3-3, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)

STYLIN' and PROFILIN'

2009-06-23T08:50:00.012-04:00

It was an epic steel cage match on the Great Lawn last evening as Ric Flair and the HMA/RAMSA crew defeated the PCF/HH Hulkamaniacs 8-6 in seven draining innings. It's not often that a much-anticipated battle can live up to the billing, but this one actually did.

A more complete wrap-up will be posted later in the week. With the victory, HMA/RAMSA (6-1 on the season) returns to the top of the SLAM standings with a well-deserved 2 week hiatus; for PCF/HH, the schedule doesn't lend any time to sulk as they have two games next week against 3-1 FxFowle and 4-2 Gensler.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

PCF/HH to meet the REAL Hulk on the Great Lawn

2009-06-19T14:46:00.006-04:00

Mr. PCF/HH, don't make us angry...

...you wouldn't like us when we're angry!

WWF Call Out and A Softball Link

2009-06-18T10:26:00.013-04:00

[fade in: Dwidson Metayer in an open gold vest, oiled chest, and spandex shorts, Brian Ferry in a head dress with war paint]

BF:

So, HM/RAMSA. The time has come.

YOU GUYS SEEM TO THINK that Divine Intervention allowed you to play on Tuesday and deliver a spanking to the Commissioners over at Gensler. YOU GUYS SEEM TO THINK that you can run up the score on anybody, anywhere. YOU GUYS SEEM TO THINK that you've got us stymied because of last season's 5-4 win over The Black and Red.

But we know better. SummerSlam has got nothing on the hurtin' you're about to receive. And you'd better hope that God makes the Great Lawn unplayable on Monday. Because if if he don't bring the rain, we're gonna bring the pain!

DM [nodding]:

THAT'S RIGHT! You know orange is my favorite color. All I'm gonna see next week is blood orange!

BF:

You know it, Mean Gene. My friends, The Black and Red are ready to make HMA/RAMSA black and blue. We're talking to you, "Nature Boy" David Solomon! We're talking to you Eddie "Playboy" Kung! You can run, but you can't hide! We swept you from the playoffs in '07. We're gonna mop the floor with you in '09. We're gonna Hulk Up! The Orange Crush is gonna get juiced this week! Go ahead and bring your friends. Because everyone's going to want to see this. MONDAY NIGHT! GREAT LAWN 3! We're comin' for YOU!

--------------------------

As a side note, in case no one has seen this already, Joe Buck did a promo for his new HBO show by attending and playing in a Central Park softball game at the Hecksher ballfields. He chose to play with the theater league because he can't hang with the All Stars of the S.L.A.M. League.

To see his video, click the link below. When it loads, click on "Buckshot with Joe" in the video navigation window and then click on "Buckshot: The Big Show."

http://www.hbo.com/joebucklive/video/

SEEING RED: HMA/RAMSA TAKES DOWN GENSLER 10-3 ON NORTH MEADOW #11

2009-06-18T09:57:00.010-04:00

Though it seems like it’s been raining for 2 weeks straight, the heavens parted on Tuesday evening to allow Gensler and HMA/RAMSA renew their rivalry on the softball field—in fact, some have even suggested that God himself parted the clouds to watch two of the elite teams in the SLAM League. A year ago, HMA/RAMSA defeated Gensler 7-6 to start the season but infamously fell short in the playoffs while Gensler went on to repeat as league champions. As the great philosopher Ric Flair famously proclaims: “In order to be the man, you must beat the man…..WOOOOOOO!”

HMA/RAMSA scored yet again in the first inning—their 12th first inning run of the season—to take an early 1-0 lead as Pete Garofalo came around to score the first of his three runs on the day. After getting retired 1-2-3 in the first inning, Gensler struck back in the second with a couple of hits and a sacrifice fly to knot the game at 1-1. The floodgates were opened in the 3rd inning as HMA/RAMSA scored three unearned runs on a pair of groundball errors by normally sure-handed 3B Robert Fuller to take a 4-1 lead.

From that point in the game, HMA/RAMSA never looked back as they tacked on 3 more runs in each the 4th and 5th innings. Doug “I Used To Play SS” Houstoun, in his second game back from a wrist injury, doubled in the 4th inning to drive in his first 2 runs of the season. In the 5th inning, Gensler pitcher Joe Sopiak, who had fallen behind hitters all day long, struggled to find the plate as he walked the first two hitters of the inning. Those baserunners eventually came around to score on a rope by LF Eric Hofmann, who bloodied his knee earlier in the game sliding into third base. (It took that long for a bloody knee?) Gensler added a run in the 4th and 7th inning to bring the final score to 10-3.

It was the third consecutive win for the Orange Crush who have now moved their record to 5-1 on the season. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for HMA/RAMSA with upcoming games—weather permitting of course—against the first place and only undefeated team remaining in the SLAM League, PCF/HH (3-0) and then belated fireworks on July 6th against the mighty warriors of SSC.

GAME BALLS…..We can’t single out any 2 people who contributed to the win so we’re handing one out to the entire team for timely hitting, excellent defense and just enough pitching to quiet the Gensler bats for one evening in Central Park.

Until we meet again, Big Red….perhaps this year in the playoffs

Polshek Partnership write-ups

2009-06-10T17:37:00.011-04:00

here are excerpts from game write-ups of PPA's last four games...

The Polshek Breeze
Substitute-Editor: David "Stretch" Coxson
Mid-Day Edition
Team Polshek Back on Track:
Return of ‘His n’ Hers Flood Pants’ Chang Emboldens Group for Victory
The seas were angry last night, my friends. Well, at least the skies were. But luckily the showdown between Team Polshek and Team Mitchell Giurgula went off without a hitch and ended without a hitch. (It did end an inning early, but none seemed too displeased to head to their respective après-softball locales before reaching the seventh inning).
Playing shorthanded with only 9 players in the field, Team Polshek looked sharp in the field and aggressive at times at the plate. Newcomer Frank "G$" Guittard had a nice base-knock down the right field line— as he ran down to first, I couldn’t help but think that those short shorts could be slightly longer…but they do make him look like a 7-footer rather than 6’-8". So, I guess for intimidation purposes, keep wearing those in the future, Frank. In other standout play, Natasha is now hitting the ball hard and straight rather than hard and backwards—which is good.

-------------------------

The Polshek Gazette
Rainy Days and Mondays Edition
Editor-In-Boxers or Briefs: Adam Mead
They came quick and they came often, before team Polshek new what hit them, we were facedown on the matt sucking wind, 6 quick runs came flying from Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton something like the fists of Sonny Liston. Our heads were spinning, if it weren’t for losing, we’d be winning. Well I’ll make this short and sweet, we got one big hit, in the end it didn’t matter one bit, but it kept our heads from falling, you see here I’m stalling. Standing side by side it was obvious our opponents were on steroids. By the end of the game I couldn’t even tell if I had any deltoids. One thing became clear, if it weren’t for the beer, my memory of the game would be clear. As we left the field, we knew at 16-6, we had been forced to yield. Losers or winners, it’s all the same, for in this game our real talents are shown later, when we take pints of beer, and continue to show such great balance without a once of fear. Here’s hoping we get some more cheerleaders next game, you can all look on as I personally take on a wild lion, with one challenge, to tame!
See you then, same Bat time, same Bat channel!

--------------------------
Polshek Post
Late-Afternoon Pre-Holiday Rendition
Volume 1 of 1
Substitute Editor- David "Gimpy" Coxson
The Polshek bats came alive against local foe Gruzen Samton on a sunny, warm Thursday evening- an evening that brought out our first fans of the year! Under the shadow of Foster’s Hearst building, the marketing team and a few other good souls from the office came out to cheer on team Polshek with wild, reckless, raucous abandon. Oh, and they brought cookies and Fritos—nutritious and still delicious. What they saw was softball at its finest—base hit after base hit, great outfield snags, some gutsy pitching, and Matt(ingly) Dionne’s throw from the outfield that hit a wandering spectator on top of the head. Good aim!
Gruzen’s one and only run came after a routine pop-fly somehow made it beyond our left-fielder’s (*name withheld for embarrassment purposes (Dionne)) field of vision. But after that, it was all Polshek! Like the good sportsmen we are, we ran up the score and refused to enact the ‘Mercy’ rule, winning 13-1. In fact, there really wasn’t anything clumsy or overly embarrassing that I can relay…hmmm, well except for Graeme falling down again and doing some sort of roll in centerfield and Hillary’s catch-and-throw routine (she’s lefty and played with a righty’s glove). That’s really it…well, except for Dionne’s trip and tumble at home plate with all of his catcher’s gear on. But seriously, that’s it. (Steve is still wearing his flood pants).
We fought like titans and played fundamentally-sound softball in unbearably bright and hot conditions—conditions that made us run for the local bar where we were called sinners by some suits and had some good, cold beer and snacks—a general merriment of mingling Polshekians reveling after a good win.
For this year, the elevator bragging rights belong to us...

----------------------
Polshek Post
Earlier-Afternoon Rendition
Volume 1 of 1
Substitute Editor- David "Button-Down" Coxson
Polshek’s Rally Comes Up Short (or tall) Against SOM/SHCA/CooperRobertson.
Wow! It was a thrilling (at times) first game of the 2009 season. Donning our digitally-charged new jerseys, Team Polshek stormed the Central Park field against one of the league’s perennial powerhouses in SSC on a beautiful, sunny day—a day when all walks of life decided to plop down to sunbathe, chant in unison, read, have a picnic smack dab in the middle of our outfield. In fact one group of semi-clad soccer jugglers decided to practice their trade directly in front of Adam Sheraden (our new left fielder). Seemingly excited, he didn’t protest but actually joined in on the fun causing our manager Steve Chang to ruffle his flood pants.
As the game went on, SSC amassed a 6-0 lead by the 6th inning. We looked lethargic, rusty, just trying our best to shake the hibernation fog…then…it happened! We started to hit, run, slide, cheer, fall down all in one inning! The score was suddenly 6-4 as yours truly came to bat with 2 men on and 2 outs. I hit the ball as far as I think I could hit anything, but the SSC center fielder (all 6’-9" of him) wheeled back, pirouetting as he did, tripped on some Frisbee players and sno-coned the ball to cut the rally short. Gimme a break!
We played our Polshek hearts out and saw great strides of progress already in just one game. Our after-game celebration started the season off right as well: 7 pitchers of the finest lager and 6 platters of hot wings. Not bad.

HMA/RAMSA MOVES TO 4-1 ON THE SEASON WITH A 12-3 VICTORY OVER PERKINS EASTMAN

2009-06-09T12:49:00.009-04:00

Though the final score of 12-3 would indicate otherwise, nothing came easy for HMA/RAMSA (4-1) against Perkins Eastman -- especially for pitcher David Solomon who struggled mightily to find the strike zone all game long.

As they had done in 3 of their first 4 games of the season, HMA/RAMSA jumped on the board early with a manufactured run with a little hustle and a deep sacrifice fly by Brian Barney to take a 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Perkins Eastman threatened in the bottom of the inning with a base hit and walk (the first of a career high 5 walks by Solomon); but some solid defense and well-positioned fielders bailed out the pitcher on many occasions on this night. HMA/RAMSA turned a double in the first inning as 3B Jon Fukutomi snagged a hard ground ball stepped on third base and threw out the runner at first base. Another double play was turned in the 3rd inning to end yet another threat as The Cannon, Pete Garofalo caught a line drive in shallow center and threw out the runner at first base, leaving the score deadlocked at 1-1 heading to the fourth inning.

Mike Ryan and Brian Barney each reached base via error to lead off the inning. They were followed by a single by last game’s hero Mike Periolat and then a pair of walks which gave HMA/RAMSA a 3-1 lead. After PEA turned a nifty double play of their own, Doug Neri singled up the middle to continue the two-out rally and score 2 more runs. When the dust had settled in the inning, all 11 batters came to the plate and 7 runs crossed to break open the game to 8-1.

From there, the HMA/RAMSA pitcher had serious control problems on the day as PEA threatened in each of the next three innings with 2 or 3 runners on base in each inning. When he did get the ball over the plate, Solomon was hit very hard by PEA with some very deep outs to well-placed outfielders. One has to wonder if there was added pressure on Solomon as his 21 month old son was in attendance on the afternoon.

HMA/RAMSA tacked on 4 more runs in the top of the inning to extend to a 12-3 lead, the final two runs coming on a 2-run HR by cleanup hitter Brian Barney to complete what was clearly his best day at the plate this season. HMA/RAMSA has now scored in their final at bat in each of the first 5 games.

The offense certainly came alive this afternoon with the 12 run output but with two-time defending champions Gensler next up on the schedule, the HMA/RAMSA pitcher had better get his location issues resolved before next Tuesday.

GAME BALLS:
Pete Garofalo – 2 for 4 on the day, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI; equally impressive were his two outfield assists (4 total on the season) -- one to double up a runner at 1st and another to nail a runner at 3rd base.

Brian Barney – 2 for 4, 2 runs scored, HR, 3 RBI -- maybe all that waffle ball did help?

13 Runs in 3 Innings

2009-06-09T09:53:00.003-04:00

45 Minutes was all it took for team TPG to dispatch GSA 13-1 in three and a half innings last night. Rain threatened all day, but the force was with us as the sun came out in blinding fashion. The game was held on Great Lawn 4 which (as any veteran of the SLAM league knows) means direct sun in the batter's eye. Unaffected we were, with TPG scoring 5 in the 1st on 6 consecutive hits to lead off the game.

This would not be a close game, as TPG tacked on 5 in the second and 3 in the third before winning via the mercy rule after GSA batted in the top of the fourth. TPG's "sun don't bother us" power included a two home run day by SS Len Emmanuel (2 run HR in the 2nd, and 3 run HR in the 3rd), and a 3-3 night by 3B Jigar Patel (now leading the team with an otherworldly .818 avg). Not to be overlooked was another outstanding game by TPG pitcher Derrick Blocker (1 Run, 0 BB, 3 K) as he held GSA to only a couple of bloop singles.

Game Balls go to:
Len Emmanuel (3-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Jigar Patel (3-3, 3B)
Derrick Blocker (3 K, 0 BB, 1 ER)

PCF/HH Vaults Polshek In HR Derby

2009-06-08T12:51:00.004-04:00

Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton and Polshek Partnership traded big innings and home runs last Thursday, but the potent PCF/HH offense would prove to be too much as S.L.A.M.'s only undefeated team remained so with a convincing 16-6 victory at the Hecksher ballfields.

PCF/HH's Juan Monahan, Mike Copeland, and Carlos Sagastume all homered and Polshek's Loren Supp contributed a booming 3-run shot of his own (that nearly hit a batter at the plate on the opposite field) in what proved to be an exciting offensive performance.

PCF/HH batters pulled their weight at the plate, hitting for average and, many, for extra bases. J. Strong was a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with a double, 3 runs, and 1 RBI. Mark Maljanian tripled in his second at-bat, going 2-for-3 with 3 runs and 1 RBI. Yusuke Okabayashi was 1-for-2 with a 2-RBI double, and Cate Foster finished 3-for-4 with an RBI. Aside from his homer, Copeland walked in each of his other three plate appearances.

For Polshek, left fielder Graeme Reed and right fielder Adam Sheraden led the way. Both batted 2-for-3 with Reed contributing a walk and 2 runs scored, while Sheraden added an RBI. Natasha Skogerboe finished 1-for-2 with a walk and shortstop Andre Soto displayed skill in both sides of the field, going 1-for-3 with 1 walk and 2 runs scored while robbing PCF/HH's Maljanian on a line drive in his only unsuccessful at-bat, as well as getting underneath a number of fly balls.

PCF/HH led Polshek 4-2 after one and took a 10-2 lead into the bottom of the third before Supp's interplanetary jolt and another Polshek fielder's-choice RBI closed the gap to 10-6. But PCF/HH held Polshek to just 4 more hits through the final three innings while piling on 6 additional runs of their own.

The victory extended PCF/HH's record to 3-0 while Polshek dropped to 1-2 with the loss.

PCF/HH Game Balls goes to Cate Foster, Juan Monahan, and J. Strong. Foster helped round out the bottom third of the order with a very respectable showing for all S.L.A.M. females at 3-for-4, Monahan had an average day on the mound but could have beat Polshek on his own by contributing 7 RBI, and Strong continues to be a rock in the heart of the lineup.

BAKER'S DOZEN

2009-06-04T08:49:00.006-04:00

For 90 minutes last night, the big city bore witness to a revival so moving and true to the original that one felt transported all the way back to 2006. No, we're not talking about "Legally Blonde: The Musical" returning to the Great White Way, we're talkin' the return of Skidmore, Swanke, Cooper softball - the way it used to be - brash, physical, unapologetic, and just a little bit vulnerable.

The swagger was back and the unfortunate recipients of the nostalgic 13-2 thrashing were the unsuspecting and undeserving kids of Perkins Eastman Kodak. Where the timely hitting and solid defense came from -no one was sure, but it felt like old times. Has the once feared (yet loveable) three-headed monster that once menaced the SLAM league recaptured it's signature form? Probably not, but for one night in early June, it sure felt that way.

TPG Beats RRA/DBB 12-8

2009-06-01T20:57:00.009-04:00

The afternoon looked bleak for TPG as 3 all-star starters called in unavailable for the game. But once we got to the field, and soaked up the 70 degree sunshine, things changed for the better. TPG scored 4 in the first, and 5 in the second en route to a 12-8 victory over RRA/DBB.

TPG led of the game with four straight hits by David Beauchamp (3-4, RBI), Jigar Patel (3-4, 2B, RBI), Omar Cevallos (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Justin Aharoni (2-2, 2 2B, BB). RRA/DBB fought back with 2 in the bottom of the first keeping the game close.

The second inning proved to be the turning point of the game when TPG EH Ron Alalouf (2-3, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI) came to bat with two outs and the bases loaded. Ron ripped a line drive to right field clearing the bases before he was thrown out at the plate trying to get TPG's first Grand Slam of the season (see video highlight below for replay of the bang-bang play at the plate where Ron was questionably called out).

TPG Pitcher Derrick Blocker had two key strikeouts of the number four and five hitters for RRA/DBB as he notched his first win of the season. RRA/DBB made it interesting as they scored 4 runs in the 6th, and time constraints kept the game from going into the 7th.

Game ball goes to Ron Alalouf for his 4 RBI performance.

PCF/HH Guts Out 6-5 Win Over PEA

2009-05-29T12:39:00.007-04:00

On a dreary Thursday that saw just enough constant rain to cause problems in the field, Pei Cobb Freed/Hart Howerton and Perkins Eastman Architects traded big innings in a batter's duel en route to a come-from-behind victory in a battle of the two remaining undefeated S.L.A.M. teams.

It's not enough for a pair of teams to boast an "undefeated" 1-0 record in an amateur softball league, so I'm going to build on that by saying only in the S.L.A.M. league can the same teams play error-free softball in sloppy field conditions, particularly since this official scorer hasn't awarded any team an error in more than three years of managing.

But I digress. Cy Young certainly turned over in his grave last night, as he couldn't bare to watch the slugfest between the Black and Red of PCF/HH and the grey of Perkins Eastman. Still, PCF/HH pitcher Juan Monahan made up for his 17 hits allowed (a number of which weren't on his shoulders) by driving in three crucial runs for his home team. Monahan drove in two in the bottom of the first after three consecutive singles by Mark Maljanian, Yusuke Okabayashi, and J. Strong. Carlos Sagastume added a sacrifice fly to left field to help PCF/HH to a 3-0 lead after one.

Perkins Eastman followed up with some key two-out hits of their own, including a big two-run triple by left fielder Eric Brodfuehrer and an RBI single from pitcher Steve O'Reilly to knot the game at 3. PCF/HH narrowly escaped more damage by eliciting a fly ball out with the bases loaded to end the top of the second. After blanking the Black and Red in the bottom of the second, PEA pulled together some more clutch two-out softball, including four consecutive singles and Melissa Schroeder's 2 RBI to take a 5-3 lead.

Neither team scored in the fourth as the sprinkling of rain filled out to a constant drizzle. But in the bottom of the fifth, with time starting to become a factor and the top of their lineup coming to bat, the Black and Red took advantage of what may have been their final opportunity. Alternating singles and fielder's choices, PCF/HH found themselves down 5-4 with two outs. With Okabayashi on first as a courtesy runner for Strong, the tandem of Monahan and Sagastume teamed up again. Monahan boomed an RBI triple to right-centerfield to score Okabayashi and tie the game at 5, before Sagastume hatcheted a single over the heads of the infield to score Monahan and give PCF/HH their second lead of the game, which they would not relinquish.

Defensively, in spite of the sludge, both shortstops made particularly interesting plays to keep their teams in the game. PEA shortstop Mike Bruno pulled off a legitimate SportsCenter Web Gem of a diving catch to rob PCF/HH leadoff hitter Mike Copeland at the top of the first. Bruno received compliments from both teams on the play. Déjà vu struck in the bottom of the second, as Bruno again made a lunging stop to rob Teresa Parziale of a single up the middle.

Not to be outdone, Maljanian anchored two double plays. The first came on a line-drive out in the third inning that he threw to first to double off the base runner. His next one came in the top of the fourth, also on a line-drive catch, followed by a diving tag to catch the runner at second.

The PCF/HH Game Ball goes to two players. Juan Monahan for his clutch hits and 3 RBI to lead the team offensively and to Mark Maljanian (who'd tell you he had a crappy game if you asked) for his 2-for-3 and 2 runs scored at the plate, as well as his two double plays to lead the team defensively.

The PEA Game Ball, in my mind, has to go to Mike Bruno, who added a perfect 3-for-3 batting average to complement his two outstanding plays in the field. If Christine doesn't agree with my call for her Game Ball, she can duke it out with me and the peanut gallery in the comments section.

May is in the books....

2009-05-29T12:07:00.004-04:00

After stumbling out of the gates in April and early May, the season seems to be hitting stride as we head into the heart of the schedule in June. The first month of the season is in the books and we've already seen some unbelievable games. It appears as though, at a minimum, the top 6-8 teams are as evenly matched as ever.....which should make it interesting come playoff time with the new 6-team format. Here are a few early-season facts:

of the 17 games played so far, 8 have been decided by 2-runs or less...while 5 have been decided by 10-runs or more...
PCF/HH is the league's only remaining unbeaten team at 2-0...
7 teams are right behind with only 1 loss...
9 of the 12 teams have a record of .500 or better...although only 5 teams actually have winning records...
HM/RAMSA is leading the league offensively, scoring an average of 11 runs per game so far...
FXF is leading defensively, giving up an average of just 2.3 runs per game...

Let's hope the exciting games continue. Good luck to everyone the rest of the way!

HMA/RAMSA GRINDS OUT A 4-2 VICTORY OVER FXFOWLE

2009-05-29T08:09:00.013-04:00

If you love watching architectural league softball with electric offense and spectacular defense then this was definitely not the game for you. After two blowout victories to start the season, HMA/RAMSA was once again locked in a pitching duel--only this time they weren't on the short end of the stick.

FXFowle got on the board first in the top of the second inning as Mike Cosentino led off the inning with a double and came around to score on an opposite field single by pitcher Manny Morales for an early 1-0 lead. Equally potent with his arm, Manny also shut down the Orange Crush for the first 4-2/3 innings of no hit ball. After retiring the first two batters of the bottom of the 5th inning, Megan Fullagar hit a well-placed ball into the hole between 3rd and short for a (generous) base hit. Josh Barkan followed with a single to put runners on 1st and 2nd as DH Mike Periolat stepped up with the biggest at bat of the young season. Mike lined a double into the gap in left center to score two runs--the second of which by fleet-o-foot Josh Barkan who tripped halfway between 3rd and home and fell flat on his face. Were it not for the errant throw home, Josh probably was dead at home; but as it stands his aggressive base running gave HMA/RAMSA a lead they would never relinquish. (How we don’t have video of this moment is the biggest disappoint of the entire game. It would have been a classic blooper for generations.) HMA/RAMSA tacked on another run that inning with another opposite field single to right field by RF Cale Sadowski for a 3-1 lead.

After giving up a run in the second inning, pitcher David Solomon retired the next 11 batters and didn’t allow a base runner until the top of the sixth inning. FXFowle threatened in the 6th with a leadoff error, followed by a couple of singles in the inning, which brought 3B Nate Rupcich to the plate with the bases loaded. Nate smoked a line drive to a well-positioned Mike Ryan at shortstop for the last out of the inning to end the would-be rally

HMA/RAMSA added another insurance run in the bottom of the 6th inning thanks in part to terrific hustle by Pete Garofalo who went from 1st to 3rd on a groundball out to the shortstop. Replay footage shows that Pete may have been tagged out but since SLAM has yet to officially institute replay in 2009, the ruling on the field stood. Mike Ryan brought the runner home from 3rd with a single up the middle for a 4-1 heading to the 7th.

Things got very interesting in the last inning as FXFowle once again threatened with a leadoff single, followed by two miscommunications on routine infield bloops that led to a bases loaded jam. Manny Morales then singled to center to score 1 run, leaving the bases loaded with 1 out in a 4-2 game. With a little gas left in the ol' tank, Solomon struck out the next batter and got the final out of the game on a comeback ground ball to secure the 3rd victory of the season.

After scoring 38 runs in their first 2 games, HMA/RAMSA has now only scored 6 runs combined in their next two. One has to wonder where has the offense gone? Or have they just been up against great pitching? Either way, the bats must come alive if this team is to contend for the 2009 title.

GAME BALLS: Mike and Mike

Mike Ryan—for his solid defense at SS filling in for injured Doug Houstoun (hopefully expected back for the next game on June 8th) and, for his big RBI in the 7th for an insurance run.

Mike Periolat—clutch double in the 5th to drive home 2 runs.

KPF Defeats Holzman Moss / Robert A.M. Stern 3-2

2009-05-20T12:37:00.004-04:00

Central Park, New York – May 18th, 2009

With last year’s playoff victory against HM/RAMSA still fresh in everyone’s mind (and the basis for an offseason playoff rule change), the KPF team knew that the HM/RAMSA team would be seeking revenge.
Unable to field a complete team due to deadlines and 2 injuries the previous week, KPF was missing one player in the field and an important bat in the lineup (our usual cleanup hitter). The HM/RAMSA team had outscored their previous 2 opponents by a combined score of 38-6 and were ready to bolster their offensive stat total. Luckily, a strong KPF defensive team was ready to play even if we had one less fielder than was allowed.

In a cold 55 degree May evening and in anticipation for our showdown, we had our 2008 team MVP Tiffany Broyles starting next to our third baseman Keisuke Hiei (3 time team MVP and 2 time league defensive player of the year).

What followed was, according to the HM/RAMSA captain and pitcher David Solomon, ”… one of the most dominant pitching performances I’ve ever seen.” Of course, I’m sure David was speaking of corporate coed softball in the SLAM league but nonetheless, Tiffany had allowed 5 total base runners with 4 singles and a walk. There was not one defensive error to let someone on 1B either. Not to take anything away from the opposing team, (they were hitting the ball) but the KPF squad had their gloves oiled and positions well patrolled.

Trailing 0-1, KPF scored it’s first run in the 5th inning to tie it at 1-1. Nick Wallin lead the rally by hitting a line drive single. Following Nick was Allison Young who hit another single to advance Nick to second base. Next up, Brian Ballok followed with an RBI single and drove Nick home. This small-ball approach worked out just right for the game since the opposing pitcher was mixing it up and keeping us on our toes.

In addition to his usual smooth fielding and clutch hitting, Keisuke ran the bases with natural baseball instinct. In the top of the 7th (last) inning and KPF leading 2-1, Keisuke stretched what seemed like a single into a double by sliding headfirst under the tag. Next was a sharp single by David Niles (who KPF welcomes back as former captain after 9 years away) that scored Keisuke as an important insurance run. HM/RAMSA scored in the bottom of the 7th to make it a 1 run game, however Tiffany Broyles pitched out of the jam to secure another KPF win.

The intensity of the game was apparent early on when the opposing HM/RAMSA left fielder Eric Hofman was airborne horizontally and made what was the best diving catch I have ever seen in 11 years of this league. This catch robbed us of at least 1 run and ended our rally in the 4th inning.

In softball, it is rare to have a pitchers duel, and this was a game well played by both teams.

Other Notable stats:
Keisuke Hiei – 2-2, 2BB (1 intentional), 1 run scored
Nick Wallin - 3-3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored
Tiffany Broyles – 7 innings pitched, 4 hits allowed, 1BB, 2 runs allowed

Nail-Biter

2009-05-20T12:20:00.003-04:00

On a night that saw six (6) playoff teams from a year ago face-off at the Great Lawn, GA and SSC staged yet another epic battle in what has become the norm in this hotly-contested, evenly-matched rivalry.

In keeping with the 1st-inning woes that have plagued GA in each of their first two games, SSC struck early and often….tallying three runs on several solid hits up the middle. GA struck back in the bottom of the inning when Commissioner “Can I call you Bobby” Fuller drove in Co-Commissioner Roger “New Daddy” Lee….unfortunately Fuller, who obviously thought he was 10 years younger and faster, tried to stretch his RBI-triple into a 2RBI-homerun only to be tagged out at home plate by fellow old-timer Scott “I can’t believe you’re sliding head-first in the third game of the season” Habjan.

The GA defense tightened after the 1st inning, allowing just one more run (on a MONSTER homerun by Scott “He does that to us every year” Rosenbloom) the rest of the way. Aided by the motivation of potential BLOG ridicule for his belly-flop slide into home, Fuller rallied (more liked begged) the GA team to come back. GA slowly chipped away at the lead…3-1 after one…..3-2 after two….4-2 after four….4-3 after five…..until the bottom of the 6th, when the bottom of the GA order pushed across two runs, finally taking a 5-4 lead on Kris “DH” Gregerson’s two-out single. The GA defense held in the top of the 7th as they escaped with their second straight 1-run victory.

HMA/RAMSA MOVES TO 2-0 WITH CONVINCING VICTORY

2009-05-15T14:17:00.018-04:00

Fresh off the heels of a 21-2 victory in their season opener, HMA/RAMSA came out with revenge on their minds against RRA/DBB—the team that ended our perfect season a year ago. Grey rain clouds were threatening this game all day long, but HMA/RAMSA provided some thunder with their bats as the game ended in a 17-4 romp.

As was the case in their first game, HMA/RAMSA jumped out to an early lead with 3 runs in the top of the first inning and another 4 in the top of the third inning to take a 7-0 lead. RRA/DBB responded in the bottom of the third inning with a pair of runs of their own to make it 7-2. The inning could have been more prolific were it not for the deadly right arm of SCF Pete “The Cannon” Garofalo who threw out the first of two would-be runners at 3B in the bottom of the third (see below video).

The lead was extended to 8-2 in the 4th and HMA/RAMSA was finally able to break the game wide open in the 6th inning as the first four batters of the inning got on base and eventually scored. With the bases loaded and no outs, newcomer Mike Sargent stepped to the plate for a memorable first AB in the SLAM League. The Sarge hit a screaming bomb into the left-centerfield gap for a legit grand slam. Welcome to the team, Mike!

HMA/RAMSA tacked on another 4 runs in the top of the 7th while RRA/DBB added a pair of runs of their own in the 6th and 7th innings to bring the final score to 17 – 4. Though early in the season, HMA/RAMSA has now outscored its first two opponents 38-6. Perhaps lost in the shuffle of defensive gems and grand slams was pitcher David Solomon’s career high 8 K’s.

GAME BALLS go to:

Mike Sargent—any time a guy begins his career with a legit grand slam, he gets a game ball in my book; 2 for 2 on the day with 4 RBI's.

Pete “The Cannon” Garofalo—2 hits, 2 runs scored and 2 runners gunned down from the OF trying to get to 3B.

Next up for HMA/RAMSA, another revenge match: Kohn Pedersen Fox—the team that knocked HMA/RAMSA out of the 2008 playoffs and ended their hopes and dreams.

Better get your popcorn ready!

HOG-WILD

2009-05-13T12:49:00.003-04:00

When, at last, the rains had ceased and the skies had cleared - softball returned to the great park. And for the better part of the game, it seemed that a 3-run first for Skidmore/Swanke/Cooper might just be enough against a Polshek team with many base-runners, but nothing to show for it.

Then in the bottom of the fifth ,trailing 5-0 with time running out, the Polshek dirty tricks crew unleashed, into the SSC dugout, a coughing pig in a sombrero - unnerving the hometown favorites and allowing Polshek to sneak back into the game with a 3-run inning of their own. With some quick thinking and a couple of phone calls, SSC determined that the pig in question was in fact not some flu-ridden swine from Mexico, but instead - Boris, the lovable asthmatic porker from the Piscataway Petting Zoo in New Jersey. Pignapped the night before by some heartless pranksters and deprived of his fast-acting inhaler, Boris thankfully recovered in time to lead the cheers as SSC regrouped to escape with a 6-4 victory over a shameless Polshek team that will seemingly stop at nothing for a win.

PCF/HH Downs KPF For First Win

2009-05-13T10:28:00.006-04:00

Mark Maljanian was 3-for-3 with 1 RBI, a walk, and 3 runs scored and Mike Copeland hit a bases-clearing double as part of a 5-run third inning, as PCF/HH opened their season with a 9-5 victory over KPF on Great Lawn, Field 4, last night. The win was PCF/HH's first game of the season, after torrential rain postponed their first two matches of the 2009 S.L.A.M. season.

Despite winning the coin toss to be the home team, luck was initially on KPF's side, as they opened a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. The Black and Red of PCF/HH responded in the bottom of the inning, including a pair of patient walks and some timely hitting, to tie the game at 3-apiece.

After a scoreless second, PCF/HH batters used the bottom of the third to distance themselves from the competition, loading the bases once and scoring 5 runs to open up an 8-3 lead. KPF tried to immediately mount a comeback in the top of the fourth, leading off with consecutive base hits from the top of their order. But No. 1 hitter Keisuke Hiei was caught trying to stretch from first to third on captain Li-Min Ching's single by PCF/HH centerfielder Eron Ashley, who loaded his howitzer of a right arm and threw Hiei out at third.

PCF/HH would tack on another run in the sixth before KPF added 2 runs of their own with two out in the top of the seventh. Both teams were able to field their complete turnout, including PCF/HH substitutes and pinch-hitters Dwidson Metayer, Tony (A-Rod) Rodriguez, and Rich Haskell, as well as PCF rookie Michael Stewart.

The loss was adding insult to injury for KPF, as they lost shortstop Dan Treinen to a torn calf muscle and second baseman Adam Zimmerman, who had a fingernail torn off during a fielding play. In spite of all this, there was a silver lining for Hiei, who went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored, as well as left centerfielder Michael Bentley who contributed 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored for KPF.

Now, one month into the season, PCF/HH sits at 1-0 while KPF carries a record of 1-2.

The PCF/HH Game Ball goes to shortstop Mark Maljanian, who had a huge impact in his first game back after a season-long injury sidelined him for all of 2008.

nytimes article on publishing sball league

2009-05-10T11:35:00.001-04:00

interesting article... click on title to view.

Rainy Days & Blogging

2009-05-06T13:12:00.009-04:00

The rain has fallen hard this week as all 10 teams who thought they had a game spent a late afternoon working instead of playing softball. You have to feel especially bad for PCF/HH and PEA who have each had 2 rainouts and 0 games four weeks into the season. I guess the commissioner's failure to post the remaining season schedule as promised by 4/20 was foresight not laziness - now the remaining schedule can take into account rainouts so we can even up the number of games each team has played. Of course this assumes the schedule is posted promptly now that the worst of the weather is over (if not we are looking at laziness again as the motif).

So far a few teams have posted some great writeups on the Blog, and let's hope it continues. As a general guideline, the winning team should be responsible for doing the writeup, but the losing team should feel free to post their side of the story (either as a new post or a comment on an existing post). If you are too busy for an elaborate writeup, then a simple sentence inlcuding the final score and players of the game would be awesome. One other note on the writeup, please use "labels" when posting - in particular the abbreviations for both teams involved. This gives readers the ability to search for posts relating to a specific team (example - try clicking on the label TPG in the right hand nav).

HMA/RAMSA ROUTS MGA 21-2 IN SEASON OPENER

2009-05-04T10:41:00.020-04:00

They heard the whispers all off-season: Could HMA/RAMSA could rebound from the heartbreak of last season’s crushing playoff loss to KPF?

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Those whispers were quickly silenced as HMA/RAMSA took care of business in Game #1 with a 21-2 rout of Mitchell Guirgola Architects. While nothing could replace the sting of falling short last season, this was clearly a statement game by HMA/RAMSA that they remain a contender in 2009

Shortstop Mike Ryan rips his third hit of the game in the 6th inning

It was a bumpy spring training for HMA/RAMSA too with 2 rained-out practices followed by the news that starting All-Star shortstop, Doug Houstoun would be sidelined for the first 4 weeks of the season with a broken bone in his right hand. Nevertheless, the fireworks began early and often in the top of the first inning as the first five batters reached base and eventually scored en route to a 6-run inning which saw all 11 batters come to the plate. In the bottom half of the inning, the team flashed some equally impressive leather as they ended the inning on a nifty double play turned by back-up SS, Mike Ryan and 2B Cara Graf.

The hit parade continued in the 2nd inning as first 3 batters reached base and 4 more runners crossed the plate highlighted by David "Wheels" Solomon's 3-run "homerun" (admittedly it was generous scoring). For Solomon, it was rumored to be his first HR since 1986 and reportedly the farthest he had run in two years. Taking a 10-0 lead into the bottom of the 2nd, Solomon appeared to be somewhat winded as the leadoff hitter hit over the head of RF, Eddie Kung for an apparent homerun. Always looking to help out his team in any way possible, LF Eric Hofmann noticed that the runner failed to touch 3B as he rounded the bases--the appeal was made to the umpire and the shutout remained intact.

The Orange Crush tacked on 2 more runs in the 3rd inning and another 3 in the 4th as the lead was extended to 15-0 in a sloppy four innings. Though technically the game could have been called by the 11-run rule, both teams agreed to continue playing another two innings as it was the first game of the young season. MGA finally broke through for 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning as the shutout was lost. For HMA/RAMSA the 21 runs scored were a team record as 8 of the 11 batters scored at least twice.
.

Game Balls were handed out to Mike Ryan (3 hits, 3 runs and 2 RBI), Eric Hofmann (4 hits, 2 runs, 2 RBI) and David Solomon (6 IP, 3 hits and 5 RBI).

NOT SO FAST, PHILLIPS GROUP!

2009-04-28T09:12:00.012-04:00

With the Phillips Group flying high after stealing a victory from defending champs, Gensler on opening day, the stage seemed set for another upset as they faced off against a Skidmore/Swanke/Cooper team emerging from hibernation to play their first game of the season amid talk of off-season controversies, clubhouse turmoil and rumors that their best days are behind them. But, after a double-play and strike-out quashed a first inning TPG rally, SSC put up a shiny 4 spot in their half of the frame. Unimpressed, TPG hit the mute button on their opponent's offense and slowly chipped away at the lead. By the time the two teams reached the final inning, they were knotted at 6 and a hush fell across the great park.

Throngs of spectators (mostly German tourists) and small woodland creatures (mostly squirrels)held their collective breath as the tension mounted, and after holding TPG in the top of the frame, SSC put two runners on base. But with two outs, and the game poised for extra innings, it was centerfielder, Steve Vargas who knocked in the winning run, capping a day when his bat and glove atoned for a myriad of his teammates' sins in the field, on the mound and at the post-game pub crawl.

The Bigger They Come, The Harder They Fall

2009-04-13T22:19:00.019-04:00

After a long and patient off-season, the season finally opened. And for team TPG, it opened with a bang as they beat Gensler for the first time in at least 5 years with a final score of 11-10. It was a hard fought battle with 6 lead changes and a walk-off win for TPG in the bottom of the 7th. With bad weather all spring, and no official practice permits, the rust was thick. It was obvious that this was the first game of the season, and errors for both teams were plentiful. The top of the first was ugly as TPG pitcher Ron Alalouf walked the first two batters, and with a couple of hits Gensler easily scored 2 quick runs and was threatening for many more. TPG got out of the inning with some decent defense including a running catch by RCF and recent new dad Josh Ginsburg.

It looked like this would be a long afternoon for team TPG. But our offense came back in the bottom of the first with a lead-off walk by SS Len Emmanuel (arguably the fastest runner in the league), who came all the way around to score on an RBI single by last year's team MVP Omar Cevallos (4-4, 4 Runs, 3 RBI). With Omar on first, last year's SLAM Big Bat award winner Justin Aharoni (2-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB) belted a 2 run home run deep into right center field, and TPG took the lead 3-2.

Pitching and defense marked the second inning as both teams were held scoreless. Gensler scored 1 in the top of the 3rd, and the game was tied again. TPG put together a string of walks and singles scoring 3 before ending the inning with bases loaded. TPG now leads 6-3. In the top of the 4th, Gensler scored two runs on a few good hits, and a overthrow error by Josh. Gensler's defense shut down TPG in the bottom of the 4th including an outstanding 6-6-3 double play by All Star SS (and another recent new dad) Roger Lee, sending the teams to the 5th with TPG up 6-5. TPG held Gensler scoreless in the top of the 5th, and then added two more on Justin's second home run of the game. 5 innings in the books, and TPG leading 8-5.

The 6th inning would prove to be near-fatal for team TPG. Gensler had the biggest rally of the night for either team and put a big five-spot on the board. It would have been more if not for a stellar defensive 2-3 play by Catcher Princess Salvacion. TPG went 1-2-3 in the bottom of the 6th and we headed to the 7th with Gensler leading 10-8.

TPG has always played Gensler close in the regular season (one run losses in both 2007 and 2008), and this game was no exception. After all was said and done, this game came down to a coin flip won by TPG giving them home field advantage and crucial last licks. Catcher Princess led of the inning with a walk, before SS Len hit into what appeared to be a 6-4-3 double play. But they couldn't catch Len, as he beat the bang-bang throw from Roger. A quick single by 2B Adam Woods, followed by an RBI single by Omar (his fourth hit of the game as he tries to outdo his unreal .700 batting average from last season), and TPG had 1st and second, one out, down 10-9 with Justin coming to the plate. A quick thinking substitution by Manager Josh brought in fleet footed Shyam Kumar as the tying run on second. Justin popped up his next at bat just over second base when normally sure handed Roger dropped it. since the runners were holding, Roger had a play to 3B Robert Fuller in a "commish to commish" play that would decide the game. Roger's throw was good, but with 3rd Base Coach Derrick Blocker managing the baserunners, Speedy Shyam slid in safe under the tag as Robert bobbled the relay. Now it was bases loaded, one out, and 1B Mike Stevick at the plate. Would it be a dramatic game ending walk-off hit? Not quite. He ripped a ground ball to Roger who stepped on second for one, and did his best to turn two at first and end the game. But not this time, as Roger (who in past years had singlehandly shut down TPG with his trademark double plays) threw wild by the 1B, and two runs came in to end the game on what will go down in the books as a FC, RBI, and an E-6. Not the cleanest game ever, but only the final score counts. What a great way to start the season.

Game Balls go to Omar Cevallos and Justin Aharoni for their outstanding hitting.

2009 Playoff Format

2009-04-07T10:48:00.003-04:00

The official word is in from the "Executive Committee", and this year will see a 6-team playoff regardless of record. Per the email from our esteemed Commissioner:

The top six (6) teams make the playoffs (regardless of whether or not they have a .500 record)
Usual tie-breaker rules still apply (head-to-head; run ratio)
The top two (2) seeds will receive 1st-Round byes.
Seeds 3 thru 6 (3 vs. 6; 4 vs. 5) will play a best-of-three series.
Semi-Finals (1 vs. 4/5 winner; 2 vs. 3/6 winner) will be best-of-three series.
Finals will be best-of-three series.
Highest Seed gets choice of home/away for games #1 and #3.
All playoff games to be full 7-innings (Note: Regular season games to be official after 4 full innings).

The good news is that all playoff games are now a best of three series. The bad news is if you finish in 7th due to a run ratio tie-breaker (which would have kept one of last year's two finalists, FXF, out of the playoffs). Season Starts Monday!

Interesting Statistic

2009-04-01T16:33:00.004-04:00

As far as Gensler is concerned, there is only one stat that matters.

Home Field Advantage

2009-03-27T10:25:00.004-04:00

As we anxiously await for the 2009 season schedule to be posted to the league website, we keep our fingers crossed for a majority of games where we always seem to play well. At the suggestion of David Solomon (manager of HM/RAMSA), we have added a new feature to the league standings page. You now have the ability to filter team records by season and field. Who would have known last season that Hecksher Field #1 had Gensler (champion two years running) at 0-2 with a 0.611 Ratio, while RRA/DBB (last year's 9th place team) was 2-0 with a 5.00 ratio. This statistical feature will be especially neat in years to come when more data has been compiled.

I can't help but wonder if Gensler (league commissioner / schedule maker) takes these results into consideration when laying out the schedule and "mysteriously" leaves themselves off of any games at Hecksher. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Practice Time

2009-03-26T15:24:00.003-04:00

With a little over two weeks before the regular season starts, our team (TPG) is itching to get out there and practice. Unlike last year, there will be no official "practice permits" in Central Park until after 7:00pm (this saves permits for the playoffs - which is a good thing). Of course the weather is not cooperating with current conditions of rain and 43 degrees. If your team is looking for a practice venue, try the batting cages at Chelsea Piers, Frozen Ropes, or our favorite Randall's Island Golf Center. Prices range from $60-$90/hour.

Another option would be to head over to Central Park without a permit and see if you can grab a field. I am sure other teams in this league would love to know if you have any success with this. Also, if any team is interested in a pre-season scrimmage, we are definitely up for it.

By the way, I wanted to send a shout out to the PCF/HH team's blog, authored by manager Brian Ferry. Looks like we will have some interesting digital content this year at S.L.A.M.

Why Blog?

2009-03-20T08:54:00.003-04:00

At last night's manager's meeting we decided to start a blog for the league. Why? Well, the league website already has all the technical info (schedule, standings, rules, etc), but we thought it might be fun to allow teams to post their stories throughout the season. So here we are, and all team managers are invited as authors. Game write-ups, questions, pre-season commentary, etc are all welcome. Photos and Video are highly encouraged.

When posting to this blog, please reference your team since many of our readers may not know you by your first name. And remember, we are all fun-loving professionals here, so keep the spirit positive.

Good luck, and PLAY BALL!

Answers, Questions, and a Crappy Economy

2009-03-19T20:12:00.003-04:00

The manager's meeting is over and what did we learn? Well, without a doubt the current economy will effect this season. With some teams funding league fees themselves, and every other team feeling the hurt, major cut backs are in store for 2009.

Looks like the end of year party will not happen, and instead of fancy engraved trophies for everyone who sneezes during the season, we all decided to just play softball this year. And that's just fine with this writer.

On the merger front it looks like we will be welcoming another three firm team as PCF/HH is joining forces with RMJM, and pending naming rights we may end up with a record setting combination of initials and slashes.

The real fun began when talk of a new playoff structure brought heated emotions from all around the room. Will there be 6 teams or 8 teams in the playoffs? Unfortunately we still don't know. Apparently these decisions are made by the "executive committee", and two of the reps were not in attendance to weigh in. And so the league waits patiently for a formal decision. Of course it is all based on permits since the real issue is that no one wants to play a single elimination game in the playoffs. A variety of options were discussed including one that required a PHD in math to figure out if it actually reduced our permit needs. One good move by the league - all playable permits will be real games, no more "practice permits" wasting valuable days. Season starts April 13. Game on!

2009 Season Kick Off (Manager's Meeting)

2009-03-19T16:42:00.000-04:00

What will happen? How many permits do we have? When is the first game? Is the long-standing playoff structure in Jeopardy? Will the current economic climate force teams to merge? We find out tonight at the 2009 season kick-off manager's meeting.