Friday, August 16, 2024
Friday, July 26, 2024
Special HOF Appearance by David Belafonte from RRA with the GOAT, OJ Ruiz
SLAM PLAYOFFS - 2024 Season
Round 1 : PEA vs RRA
Thursday July 25th, 2024
Hecksher #1
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2019
2019 SLAM Playoffs: SG vs KPF
Hi
I want to congratulate KPF for moving forward in the single elimination playoff game vs SG.
This game was a classic playoff game and deserves recognition for its fantastic play, sportsmanship and last inning heroics. This seesaw game had good defense, excellent pitching, many long balls and excellent manageral moves. Cudos to both teams for an exciting and well played game. Thank you for letting me be part of this due or die game. Good luck the rest of the way.
King Blue
OJ Ruiz
I want to congratulate KPF for moving forward in the single elimination playoff game vs SG.
This game was a classic playoff game and deserves recognition for its fantastic play, sportsmanship and last inning heroics. This seesaw game had good defense, excellent pitching, many long balls and excellent manageral moves. Cudos to both teams for an exciting and well played game. Thank you for letting me be part of this due or die game. Good luck the rest of the way.
King Blue
OJ Ruiz
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Spector Group Opens 2018 Season with a Win...........
The 2018 SLAM Softball Season for Spector Group starts with a Victory!
Like the much anticipated Avengers-Infinity War movie I saw this past weekend, Team Spector Group didn't disappoint in it's first game of the season. After 2 rain outs, Spector Group couldn't wait to get on the field to start the season. We were a bit rusty and the slow start showed in the first few innings of the game as Team Spector Group couldn't get off the right foot by allowing 3 quick runs to Team RRA/DBB. The Bats were a bit sluggish for this potent high octane offense as well.......
Things were looking gloomy till Ed "I am Groot" Baust led off the 4th inning with a towering triple to get it started. Next to bat was SG's top off season acquisition Norman "Da Spiderman" Ha when he slammed an RBI double to right field. The following ensuing play was a sac RBI where Norman "Da Spiderman" Ha was running so fast to home that he had to scale the chain-link backstop to prevent himself from running through it and tied the game 3-3. THE CROWD OF 4 PEOPLE WENT WILD!!! Team Spector Group answered with 5 unanswered runs to end the game.
With his precision pin-point arc pitches.......The Superhero of the game and game ball goes to Jared "Hawkeye" Morganstein with 6 shut out innings backed by a solid error free game from the defense lead by 2017 Golden Glove winner - Joe "Hammering Thor" Carretta (1-1 (2 RBIs, 1Run)) who was responsible for 2 inning ending double plays. Great all around game by all.
Final Score 5-3 in favor of Spector Group. Hats off to RRA/DBB for a great game and good luck on the rest of the season.
Like the much anticipated Avengers-Infinity War movie I saw this past weekend, Team Spector Group didn't disappoint in it's first game of the season. After 2 rain outs, Spector Group couldn't wait to get on the field to start the season. We were a bit rusty and the slow start showed in the first few innings of the game as Team Spector Group couldn't get off the right foot by allowing 3 quick runs to Team RRA/DBB. The Bats were a bit sluggish for this potent high octane offense as well.......
Things were looking gloomy till Ed "I am Groot" Baust led off the 4th inning with a towering triple to get it started. Next to bat was SG's top off season acquisition Norman "Da Spiderman" Ha when he slammed an RBI double to right field. The following ensuing play was a sac RBI where Norman "Da Spiderman" Ha was running so fast to home that he had to scale the chain-link backstop to prevent himself from running through it and tied the game 3-3. THE CROWD OF 4 PEOPLE WENT WILD!!! Team Spector Group answered with 5 unanswered runs to end the game.
With his precision pin-point arc pitches.......The Superhero of the game and game ball goes to Jared "Hawkeye" Morganstein with 6 shut out innings backed by a solid error free game from the defense lead by 2017 Golden Glove winner - Joe "Hammering Thor" Carretta (1-1 (2 RBIs, 1Run)) who was responsible for 2 inning ending double plays. Great all around game by all.
Final Score 5-3 in favor of Spector Group. Hats off to RRA/DBB for a great game and good luck on the rest of the season.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Spector Group ties KPF in extra innings.....Finishing 2nd Place (I think??) for Regular Season - WE NOW TALKIN PLAYOFFS!!!
As the summer starts to hit its peak, most people in the Architecture and Design profession are either busy drawing up construction documents in their nice air conditioned offices, or they are on a job site in the hot humid weather but most are planning that summer getaway vacation to get the heck out of dodge. That's the daily route for the Spector Group Architects every summer but this year was different..........
The Spector Group Softball Team with a few new and a few old face (but NOT old people) were looking forward to the playoffs in the mid summer classic we call SLAM Softball PLAYOFFS! (Que in Jim Mora screaming "Playoffs??"). In Spector Group's 2nd year in the SLAM League, the team looked to finish the season in 2nd place with that elusive bye of the first round with either a win or tie against KPF. In the rule book it is noted that in the event of a tie, the tie goes to head to head matchup as SG holds the tie breaker over TPG (6-2-2) and SOM (7-3).
Heading into Spector Group's Final regular season game, we did have some regular starters out due to those issues that I'm sure every team has to face......those dreaded "VACATION DAYS" / "Paid time off" which in softball we believe to be "like" your wife/gf ....or husband/bf. Now, of course you need those "Vacation days" in your life but they always seem to get in the way of you getting work/things done (by work/things done I mean softball of course). You see when you plan a vacation in this league you have to check the SLAM softball schedule to see if there is a game that day/week and it's not like you aren't going to NOT take those vacation days because of architecture softball but I do think that we are all very competitive and "TRY" to plan around them if we can help it. Regardless Spector Group had to look into its deep and talented bench for some help.
In the opening inning, KPF Scored 3 runs to start the game. Spector Group answered with 2 runs of their own lead by Joe "That 70s show" Carretta (2-4, 1RBI, 1 Run) who must have just came out of the 70s runway show with his hot bellbottom baseball pants. It was all the rage as the fans swarmed him asking for his autograph .....as some fans had mistaken him for that 70s guy, Ashton Kutchner.
The innings went quick as both teams were kept scoreless until the bottom of the 4th inning when Erik "Jon Snow" Enstrom came back from the DL to hit a game tying single RBI. That followed with Lauren "The Graduate" Carretta who blasted what was the go-ahead run to take a commanding 4-3 lead.
Again the innings followed with zeros for both teams till the top of the 7th inning, with KPF up at bat and two on and 1 out, our SS Joe "Groovy" Carretta caught a pop out in the bleachers in foul territory so the runner on 3rd ran home but Joe rocketed a perfect throw to Ed "Lord of the Plate" Baust in what was a very close play at home but the opposing team's runner didn't slide and the ump ruled the collision.... SAFE. The home crowd of 4 total people and a dog were crazed and up in arms about the absurd and ridiculous call but with any sport...the GAME MUST GO ON! The unfavorable call tied the game up at 4-4 with the go ahead run on 3rd. The following play must have been the Lord's way of giving the call back to us as the batter hits a sharp ball to the Left Field in which Chris "The throw of the year" Thibodeau also rocketed a throw to Ed "Lord of the Plate" Baust and gunz down the runner to save the tie for Spector Group. The groovy fans went BUZZZERRRKKKKK!!!!!!! Game still tied 4-4!!!
The game was eventually called in the 8th inning due to darkness. Game tied 4-4. Good game!!! Hats off to KPF for a well played game. Hopefully we can play this game again in the playoffs.
Spector Group clinches 2nd place based on the what is believed to hold the tie breaker over TPG (6-2-2) and SOM (7-3). Waiting on official confirmation from the Commissioner David "Selig" Solomon.
Great combined pitching efforts by Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein and Ed "Randy Johnson" Baust who allowed 4 unearned runs. Game ball goes to............who else Chris "Throw of the year" Thibodeau who saved the tie with his heroic throw to the plate and finished the game going 3-4(1 Rbi, 1 run).
See you all in the playoffs!
The Spector Group Softball Team with a few new and a few old face (but NOT old people) were looking forward to the playoffs in the mid summer classic we call SLAM Softball PLAYOFFS! (Que in Jim Mora screaming "Playoffs??"). In Spector Group's 2nd year in the SLAM League, the team looked to finish the season in 2nd place with that elusive bye of the first round with either a win or tie against KPF. In the rule book it is noted that in the event of a tie, the tie goes to head to head matchup as SG holds the tie breaker over TPG (6-2-2) and SOM (7-3).
Heading into Spector Group's Final regular season game, we did have some regular starters out due to those issues that I'm sure every team has to face......those dreaded "VACATION DAYS" / "Paid time off" which in softball we believe to be "like" your wife/gf ....or husband/bf. Now, of course you need those "Vacation days" in your life but they always seem to get in the way of you getting work/things done (by work/things done I mean softball of course). You see when you plan a vacation in this league you have to check the SLAM softball schedule to see if there is a game that day/week and it's not like you aren't going to NOT take those vacation days because of architecture softball but I do think that we are all very competitive and "TRY" to plan around them if we can help it. Regardless Spector Group had to look into its deep and talented bench for some help.
In the opening inning, KPF Scored 3 runs to start the game. Spector Group answered with 2 runs of their own lead by Joe "That 70s show" Carretta (2-4, 1RBI, 1 Run) who must have just came out of the 70s runway show with his hot bellbottom baseball pants. It was all the rage as the fans swarmed him asking for his autograph .....as some fans had mistaken him for that 70s guy, Ashton Kutchner.
The innings went quick as both teams were kept scoreless until the bottom of the 4th inning when Erik "Jon Snow" Enstrom came back from the DL to hit a game tying single RBI. That followed with Lauren "The Graduate" Carretta who blasted what was the go-ahead run to take a commanding 4-3 lead.
Again the innings followed with zeros for both teams till the top of the 7th inning, with KPF up at bat and two on and 1 out, our SS Joe "Groovy" Carretta caught a pop out in the bleachers in foul territory so the runner on 3rd ran home but Joe rocketed a perfect throw to Ed "Lord of the Plate" Baust in what was a very close play at home but the opposing team's runner didn't slide and the ump ruled the collision.... SAFE. The home crowd of 4 total people and a dog were crazed and up in arms about the absurd and ridiculous call but with any sport...the GAME MUST GO ON! The unfavorable call tied the game up at 4-4 with the go ahead run on 3rd. The following play must have been the Lord's way of giving the call back to us as the batter hits a sharp ball to the Left Field in which Chris "The throw of the year" Thibodeau also rocketed a throw to Ed "Lord of the Plate" Baust and gunz down the runner to save the tie for Spector Group. The groovy fans went BUZZZERRRKKKKK!!!!!!! Game still tied 4-4!!!
The game was eventually called in the 8th inning due to darkness. Game tied 4-4. Good game!!! Hats off to KPF for a well played game. Hopefully we can play this game again in the playoffs.
Spector Group clinches 2nd place based on the what is believed to hold the tie breaker over TPG (6-2-2) and SOM (7-3). Waiting on official confirmation from the Commissioner David "Selig" Solomon.
Great combined pitching efforts by Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein and Ed "Randy Johnson" Baust who allowed 4 unearned runs. Game ball goes to............who else Chris "Throw of the year" Thibodeau who saved the tie with his heroic throw to the plate and finished the game going 3-4(1 Rbi, 1 run).
See you all in the playoffs!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
The Rivalry Continues........ Team SG defeats TPG. Clinches Playoff birth.......
TPG 01
Spector Group 10
Monday, June 26, 2017
Spector Group Sweeps Double Header...... Continues playoff hunt
Team Spector Group coming off an unfortunate loss to PEA looks to continue its playoff hunt in today's double header against FXF & MG/SS.
.......Maybe it was being 2nd in the standings with an undefeated record and Vegas having higher odds of Spector Group beating last place PEA than Mayweather beating McGregor. .....OR maybe it was the 4 week hiatus with the bad weather and with SG missing a few key starters that day but regardless there is no excuse for the loss and the lesson learned of the past game was that we should never take any game for granted as it brought Spector Group back down to earth. It was truly a wake up call for the team. Whether we are playing against the first or last place team .... Spector Group has to bring it every game.....And boy did Spector Group come out swinging harder than an Aaron Judge HR at a Yankee home game.
Due to the unpredictable weather Spector Group played its first double header, which featured Game 1 against FXF and Game 2 against MG/SS.
In Game 1.....Taking nothing for granted Team SG scored 15 runs to tie the team record for runs scored in a game in 4 innings of play in a mercy win Team SG hit its stride offensively in this game lead by Ed "too tall" Baust (3-3, HR -4rbi) and the new outstanding rookie phenom Ember "I owe KB a finders fee" Chabot (2-3, 1 rbi, 2 runs) . Final score Spector Group wins 15-1. Overall team effort and contribution for the win .....Game 1 ball goes to Josh "the HYPE" Feit who pitched lights out 4 innings with zero earned runs. (and had some hits 2-3, 1 RBI, 2B)
Coming off the solid win SG headed into game 2 against MG/SS. A team much better than their record and it showed as MG/SS lead off the top of the 1st inning with 3 runs. SG followed with 2 runs in the bottom half lead by bottom Chris "$20 less" Thibodeau (2-3, 2b,3b 2rbi) who has been hot as of late. The game was close till the bottom of the 4th as SG opened up with 4 runs to take the lead and never looked back. Final score Spector Group wins 8-3. Game 2 ball goes to Joe "$20 More" Carretta (3-3, 3 RBI, (2)2b, 1 run) who was solid on both ends of the field.
Great defensive efforts lead by Joe "Are those guns legal in NY?" Carretta & Brian "The Calculation" Chernick, who always seems to never break a sweat making those insane plays in left Field. We believe that in a split second he actually calculates the angle of the ball traveling at its peak hang time which gives you the ball's horizontal speed in meters per second then figure out the ball's velocity speed by multiplying half the hang time by the acceleration due to gravity which he then combines the horizontal and vertical speeds to get the total speed to figure out just where the ball will land and simply walks to where the ball is for the out in left field. It's just simply mind boggling how he just knows where to go to catch it. Great team effort Guys!
Hats off to both FXF and MG/SS for a well played game. Good luck on the rest of the season.
On to the next game......which will not be taken for granted for sure. (wink wink)
.......Maybe it was being 2nd in the standings with an undefeated record and Vegas having higher odds of Spector Group beating last place PEA than Mayweather beating McGregor. .....OR maybe it was the 4 week hiatus with the bad weather and with SG missing a few key starters that day but regardless there is no excuse for the loss and the lesson learned of the past game was that we should never take any game for granted as it brought Spector Group back down to earth. It was truly a wake up call for the team. Whether we are playing against the first or last place team .... Spector Group has to bring it every game.....And boy did Spector Group come out swinging harder than an Aaron Judge HR at a Yankee home game.
Due to the unpredictable weather Spector Group played its first double header, which featured Game 1 against FXF and Game 2 against MG/SS.
In Game 1.....Taking nothing for granted Team SG scored 15 runs to tie the team record for runs scored in a game in 4 innings of play in a mercy win Team SG hit its stride offensively in this game lead by Ed "too tall" Baust (3-3, HR -4rbi) and the new outstanding rookie phenom Ember "I owe KB a finders fee" Chabot (2-3, 1 rbi, 2 runs) . Final score Spector Group wins 15-1. Overall team effort and contribution for the win .....Game 1 ball goes to Josh "the HYPE" Feit who pitched lights out 4 innings with zero earned runs. (and had some hits 2-3, 1 RBI, 2B)
Coming off the solid win SG headed into game 2 against MG/SS. A team much better than their record and it showed as MG/SS lead off the top of the 1st inning with 3 runs. SG followed with 2 runs in the bottom half lead by bottom Chris "$20 less" Thibodeau (2-3, 2b,3b 2rbi) who has been hot as of late. The game was close till the bottom of the 4th as SG opened up with 4 runs to take the lead and never looked back. Final score Spector Group wins 8-3. Game 2 ball goes to Joe "$20 More" Carretta (3-3, 3 RBI, (2)2b, 1 run) who was solid on both ends of the field.
Great defensive efforts lead by Joe "Are those guns legal in NY?" Carretta & Brian "The Calculation" Chernick, who always seems to never break a sweat making those insane plays in left Field. We believe that in a split second he actually calculates the angle of the ball traveling at its peak hang time which gives you the ball's horizontal speed in meters per second then figure out the ball's velocity speed by multiplying half the hang time by the acceleration due to gravity which he then combines the horizontal and vertical speeds to get the total speed to figure out just where the ball will land and simply walks to where the ball is for the out in left field. It's just simply mind boggling how he just knows where to go to catch it. Great team effort Guys!
Hats off to both FXF and MG/SS for a well played game. Good luck on the rest of the season.
On to the next game......which will not be taken for granted for sure. (wink wink)
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Spector Group stays undefeated.... Wins 13-1
Team Spector Group has been hot as of late as they have won 2 of 3 and tied our most recent game with a record of 2-0-1 heading into today's game of undefeateds vs the Big Red Machine they call Gensler (3-0). SG was really looking forward to this game, as last year Gensler was the only team that put a serious beat down of Spector Group by ways of mercy. SG didn't want a repeat of last year's outcome for sure.....
As with every team, SG looks forward to the after hour sporting event we call softball but dread the NYC's busy rush hour subway system that we all use to get to the Central Park Ball Fields. With the millions of riders that use the system it's a rare coincidence that you run into anyone you know. However as the subway doors slid open and as I rolled our heavy equipment bag into the crowded "B" subway car, we saw a sea of Red uniforms. It our opponents, Gensler.....There was some friendly chatter amongst the teams but like our day jobs with any project bid walk thru all sides looked at each other as the competition and we couldn't be TOO friendly. The friendly chatter is for after the game with beer and wings after the dust settles.
As the clock hit 7pm, Team SG was again awarded by the opposing team with the chance to bat as the home team. The first inning started with a solid lead off hit by GA's lead off hitter and it seemed as if last year's game was replaying it's self again before it even started. The next batter came up and hits a sharp line drive to Joe "The self proclaimed, WE have the sexxiest infield in the league" Carretta and as he tried to double the runner on 1st....it ended up in the stands with the luxury box ticket holders, JUST A BIT OUTSIDE but the ump awarded two bases to the lead runner as witnessed by our commissioner, Dave Solomon who just happened to be walking by (or scouting our team). A call we seriously questioned but hey, the ump is always right! The Game goes on as Gensler scores 1 unearned run to end the half inning.
Team SG lead off the bottom of the inning with the unfortunate call behind us as the lineup from top to bottom batted around to score 6 Runs lead by Ed "Too Tall" Baust (2-3, 3RBIs 2 Runs, HR, 2B) and taking a 6-1 lead after one inning.
The rest of game, SG was hitting it's stride as hits were coming from top to bottom starting with Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein (2-3, 1 Run) to Ryan "Who's quietly having a great season" Porter (2-2). For those that know Ryan...he isn't quite.
The game ended in the 5th inning in walk off fashion as Joe "This is for you Dad" Carretta (2-3, 4 RBIs, 2 HR, 2 runs) hits a bases clearing HR to score the 13th run. Final score 13-1 in favor of Team Spector Group.
Hats off to Team Gensler for a good game and their sportsmanship.... Even thought we didn't talk much on the subway ride in...at the end of the day, it's a game we all love to play and wish each other the best ..........In Soft ball at least.
Game ball goes to.....our very humble, incredibly easy going but eye of the tiger and competitive Pitcher, Josh" Believe the Hype" Feit as he pitched a lights out game with 0 earned runs with 3 Strike outs in 5 innings. Oh and he also happened to have some hits (2-3, 4RBIs, 1 HR, 2B 2 Runs).
On to the next game......We are looking at you Dave!
As with every team, SG looks forward to the after hour sporting event we call softball but dread the NYC's busy rush hour subway system that we all use to get to the Central Park Ball Fields. With the millions of riders that use the system it's a rare coincidence that you run into anyone you know. However as the subway doors slid open and as I rolled our heavy equipment bag into the crowded "B" subway car, we saw a sea of Red uniforms. It our opponents, Gensler.....There was some friendly chatter amongst the teams but like our day jobs with any project bid walk thru all sides looked at each other as the competition and we couldn't be TOO friendly. The friendly chatter is for after the game with beer and wings after the dust settles.
As the clock hit 7pm, Team SG was again awarded by the opposing team with the chance to bat as the home team. The first inning started with a solid lead off hit by GA's lead off hitter and it seemed as if last year's game was replaying it's self again before it even started. The next batter came up and hits a sharp line drive to Joe "The self proclaimed, WE have the sexxiest infield in the league" Carretta and as he tried to double the runner on 1st....it ended up in the stands with the luxury box ticket holders, JUST A BIT OUTSIDE but the ump awarded two bases to the lead runner as witnessed by our commissioner, Dave Solomon who just happened to be walking by (or scouting our team). A call we seriously questioned but hey, the ump is always right! The Game goes on as Gensler scores 1 unearned run to end the half inning.
Team SG lead off the bottom of the inning with the unfortunate call behind us as the lineup from top to bottom batted around to score 6 Runs lead by Ed "Too Tall" Baust (2-3, 3RBIs 2 Runs, HR, 2B) and taking a 6-1 lead after one inning.
The rest of game, SG was hitting it's stride as hits were coming from top to bottom starting with Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein (2-3, 1 Run) to Ryan "Who's quietly having a great season" Porter (2-2). For those that know Ryan...he isn't quite.
The game ended in the 5th inning in walk off fashion as Joe "This is for you Dad" Carretta (2-3, 4 RBIs, 2 HR, 2 runs) hits a bases clearing HR to score the 13th run. Final score 13-1 in favor of Team Spector Group.
Hats off to Team Gensler for a good game and their sportsmanship.... Even thought we didn't talk much on the subway ride in...at the end of the day, it's a game we all love to play and wish each other the best ..........In Soft ball at least.
Game ball goes to.....our very humble, incredibly easy going but eye of the tiger and competitive Pitcher, Josh" Believe the Hype" Feit as he pitched a lights out game with 0 earned runs with 3 Strike outs in 5 innings. Oh and he also happened to have some hits (2-3, 4RBIs, 1 HR, 2B 2 Runs).
On to the next game......We are looking at you Dave!
Monday, April 24, 2017
Spector Group wins second Straight......in walk off fashion.
Coming into the second game of the year,Spector Group faces 3x champion and last year's runner up in SOM. A very good team that is well coached, disciplined and simply overall well rounded. SG coming off an opening day win....were Hungry and were looking forward to the match up which would be a good test for this young team.
The Game didn't start till about 15 mins after 5:30 as both teams faced train issues. With the dark clouds swarming the skies of Great Lawn and a 7PM game following this match up.....This game was not looking like it could play a full 7 nor could it even start however once the dust settled both teams were ready to play ball. After SG loses the coin toss, SOM with its players still running to the sidelines decides to be the away team, which meant SG would be the home team and what we call a chance at "Last Licks".
SG opened with a new face on the mount, Rookie Sensation Josh "The Engineer" Feit who had "SOME" experience pitching but how would he fare against all the mighty SOM team. The first inning began with a solid start with 1 Earned Run allowed to SOM. SG lead off in the bottom half by Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein (2-3,1 Run) who has been killing it with his new Usain Bolt Cleats. The hits followed through out the lineup with SG scoring 3 to take an early lead.
The game was an up and down battle as there were three ties and six lead changes as the young SG team also had to fight several injuries which occurred in the game (5 players were injured from SG) but the SG team persevered and played through it. Thru 4 innings, the game was tied with the score 6-6 after Ryan "Shuffleboard Master" Porter (1-1, 2 RBIs, 3B) tied the game on a triple.
As the 5th inning started....Both teams started to feel the pressure since the second game's teams arrived at Great Lawn #3. The ump knew that this was probably the last inning and notified both teams that this may be the last one. SOM being the veteran savy team scored 2 runs on an error by yours truly and took a 8-6 lead with time running out. But SG still had some fight as it still had its chance with last licks and as with all good teams, one bad error shouldn't cost the entire team and SG determined to make up for this manager's one mistakes did in fact show why SG is a team to be wreckoned with this year......
In the bottom of the 5th, the top of SG's lineup was up as Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein lead off with a single to give SG hope ...the next 2 batters didn't fare so well as they weren't able to reach base, so up to the plate was Josh "The Clutch" Feit (3-3, 3RBIs, 3 Runs, HR) who represented the tying run was up to the plate and with cold water running through his veins......did what Bryce Harper would do.....Hit a game tying 2 run blast. The Spector Group sidelines were crazed like they just won the lottery....GAME TIED 8-8. Yet the game wasn't over as Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau kept the rally up by hitting a single which lead to Ed "The Hero" Baust (3-3, 2RBIs, 1 Run, 2B) who simply just drove in the GW RBI double in walk off fashion.....Amazing Game!!!!
Final Score 9-8 Spector Group. Spector Group 2-0 and matches last year's win totals.
Congrats to the team for never giving up and for keeping their heads up. Game ball goes to Josh "The Clutch" Feit and Ed"The Hero" Baust who combined for 5 RBIS and provided the late game heroics.
Hats off to SOM for their sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Hope to see you later in the year.
The Game didn't start till about 15 mins after 5:30 as both teams faced train issues. With the dark clouds swarming the skies of Great Lawn and a 7PM game following this match up.....This game was not looking like it could play a full 7 nor could it even start however once the dust settled both teams were ready to play ball. After SG loses the coin toss, SOM with its players still running to the sidelines decides to be the away team, which meant SG would be the home team and what we call a chance at "Last Licks".
SG opened with a new face on the mount, Rookie Sensation Josh "The Engineer" Feit who had "SOME" experience pitching but how would he fare against all the mighty SOM team. The first inning began with a solid start with 1 Earned Run allowed to SOM. SG lead off in the bottom half by Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein (2-3,1 Run) who has been killing it with his new Usain Bolt Cleats. The hits followed through out the lineup with SG scoring 3 to take an early lead.
The game was an up and down battle as there were three ties and six lead changes as the young SG team also had to fight several injuries which occurred in the game (5 players were injured from SG) but the SG team persevered and played through it. Thru 4 innings, the game was tied with the score 6-6 after Ryan "Shuffleboard Master" Porter (1-1, 2 RBIs, 3B) tied the game on a triple.
As the 5th inning started....Both teams started to feel the pressure since the second game's teams arrived at Great Lawn #3. The ump knew that this was probably the last inning and notified both teams that this may be the last one. SOM being the veteran savy team scored 2 runs on an error by yours truly and took a 8-6 lead with time running out. But SG still had some fight as it still had its chance with last licks and as with all good teams, one bad error shouldn't cost the entire team and SG determined to make up for this manager's one mistakes did in fact show why SG is a team to be wreckoned with this year......
In the bottom of the 5th, the top of SG's lineup was up as Jared "Mr.Consistency" Morganstein lead off with a single to give SG hope ...the next 2 batters didn't fare so well as they weren't able to reach base, so up to the plate was Josh "The Clutch" Feit (3-3, 3RBIs, 3 Runs, HR) who represented the tying run was up to the plate and with cold water running through his veins......did what Bryce Harper would do.....Hit a game tying 2 run blast. The Spector Group sidelines were crazed like they just won the lottery....GAME TIED 8-8. Yet the game wasn't over as Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau kept the rally up by hitting a single which lead to Ed "The Hero" Baust (3-3, 2RBIs, 1 Run, 2B) who simply just drove in the GW RBI double in walk off fashion.....Amazing Game!!!!
Final Score 9-8 Spector Group. Spector Group 2-0 and matches last year's win totals.
Congrats to the team for never giving up and for keeping their heads up. Game ball goes to Josh "The Clutch" Feit and Ed"The Hero" Baust who combined for 5 RBIS and provided the late game heroics.
Hats off to SOM for their sportsmanship and competitive spirit. Hope to see you later in the year.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Spector Group Opens Seasons with Team Record 15 runs......for the win.
Spector Group Softball headed into the 2017 SLAM Season with a fresh new outlook on the upcoming season as it reloaded it's roster with some new and some old faces. With one rookie season out of the way and into the second year of the league, Spector Group Softball could go no where but up as it tries to improve on last year's 2-7 Record.
Spector Group opens the season against last year's playoff team, HH/GS. Team SG had a lot to prove in this match up and NEEDED to show that they belonged. Due to some train problems, SG literally arrived as the coin was being flipped by big blue and as the clock ticked 5:30, all you heard was "PLAY BALL......."
Rushing on to the sidelines, Spector Group didn't get to warm up nor get a few early swings to get the rust out since the weather hasn't been kind enough to allow for any real practice. After losing the coin toss, Team Spector Group lead off the Top of the 1st with Jared "The Mild Manner" Morganstein" (2-4, 1 Run) with a bloop single to lead SG's new potent lineup and racing out to a 3 run lead as new Rookie Sensation, Josh "The Engineer"Feit, (3-4, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs, HR, 2B) who in his first at bat showed why he was SG's #1 over draft pick by driving an RBI single to start the early hitting. Team HH/GS followed with 3 runs of their own in the bottom half to end the 1st inning tied 3-3.
The game was starting to blow open in the 2nd inning, when Scott "The undercover Boss" (2-4, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, HR) showed why he is the boss, when he launched a 3 run homer to give SG a 6-3 edge and team SG never looked back .....and then the hits kept on coming as Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau (4-4, 4 RBIs, 1 run, 1B,2B, 3B, HR) followed with his own Home Run to show why he was last year's Team MVP to give Team Spector Group a 8-3 lead.
However, HH/GS still had some fight left in them as they closed the gap to 3 runs in the 5th but ultimately Spector Group pulls out the game with solid defense all around lead by Short Stop, Joe "The bachelor NO-MORE" Carretta (2-4, 2 Runs) who grabbed every single ball in site.
Final Score Spector Group wins 15-10. As Spector Group scores a team record 15 runs in a single game. Game ball goes to the Rookie sensation Josh "The Engineer" Feit and last year's team MVP Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau, who combined for 8 RBIs on 7 of 8 AB. Congrats to the team for the great start to the season and can only hope to build on this momentum.
Hats off to HH/GS for a well played and competitive game. Good luck to you guys the rest of the season.
Spector Group opens the season against last year's playoff team, HH/GS. Team SG had a lot to prove in this match up and NEEDED to show that they belonged. Due to some train problems, SG literally arrived as the coin was being flipped by big blue and as the clock ticked 5:30, all you heard was "PLAY BALL......."
Rushing on to the sidelines, Spector Group didn't get to warm up nor get a few early swings to get the rust out since the weather hasn't been kind enough to allow for any real practice. After losing the coin toss, Team Spector Group lead off the Top of the 1st with Jared "The Mild Manner" Morganstein" (2-4, 1 Run) with a bloop single to lead SG's new potent lineup and racing out to a 3 run lead as new Rookie Sensation, Josh "The Engineer"Feit, (3-4, 4 RBIs, 3 Runs, HR, 2B) who in his first at bat showed why he was SG's #1 over draft pick by driving an RBI single to start the early hitting. Team HH/GS followed with 3 runs of their own in the bottom half to end the 1st inning tied 3-3.
The game was starting to blow open in the 2nd inning, when Scott "The undercover Boss" (2-4, 3 RBIs, 3 Runs, HR) showed why he is the boss, when he launched a 3 run homer to give SG a 6-3 edge and team SG never looked back .....and then the hits kept on coming as Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau (4-4, 4 RBIs, 1 run, 1B,2B, 3B, HR) followed with his own Home Run to show why he was last year's Team MVP to give Team Spector Group a 8-3 lead.
However, HH/GS still had some fight left in them as they closed the gap to 3 runs in the 5th but ultimately Spector Group pulls out the game with solid defense all around lead by Short Stop, Joe "The bachelor NO-MORE" Carretta (2-4, 2 Runs) who grabbed every single ball in site.
Final Score Spector Group wins 15-10. As Spector Group scores a team record 15 runs in a single game. Game ball goes to the Rookie sensation Josh "The Engineer" Feit and last year's team MVP Chris "The Cycle" Thibodeau, who combined for 8 RBIs on 7 of 8 AB. Congrats to the team for the great start to the season and can only hope to build on this momentum.
Hats off to HH/GS for a well played and competitive game. Good luck to you guys the rest of the season.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Wait - what exactly do the rules say? Run Ratio & League Standings
For as long as I have been involved in this league, we have always had a statistic displayed prominently in the league standings. SOM's 2015 regular season Runs Scored / Runs Allowed ratio of 4.680 holds the modern day record, and rightfully is a source of pride for an outstanding championship team.
BUT..... Just when you thought you understood how the league standings work, you read the rules again (for the umpteenth time), and there it is spelled out in front of you:
It turns out the overall season ratio is NOT what is used to determine tie breakers! Instead it is the ratio "for only those games played among those teams that are tied". Woah. So for those of you trying to follow along at home, the famous "ratio" on the standings page has absolutely no effect on the final standings. Yikes. If you are one of the teams that are tied (and in 2016 there will be at least 3 of these such teams), ignore the overall ratio. Focus instead on the ratio of only the games you played against teams with whom you are tied. And by "focus", I actually mean calculate manually, since there is nowhere on the website that actually displays this :)
What does this mean? For one thing, the website is not accurate in how it handles tie breakers (it currently shows in order of overall season ratio). For another thing (and obviously related to the first one), this writer now has some work to do on the underlying code that generates the standings.
Anyone want to buy a round of beer?
BUT..... Just when you thought you understood how the league standings work, you read the rules again (for the umpteenth time), and there it is spelled out in front of you:
It turns out the overall season ratio is NOT what is used to determine tie breakers! Instead it is the ratio "for only those games played among those teams that are tied". Woah. So for those of you trying to follow along at home, the famous "ratio" on the standings page has absolutely no effect on the final standings. Yikes. If you are one of the teams that are tied (and in 2016 there will be at least 3 of these such teams), ignore the overall ratio. Focus instead on the ratio of only the games you played against teams with whom you are tied. And by "focus", I actually mean calculate manually, since there is nowhere on the website that actually displays this :)
What does this mean? For one thing, the website is not accurate in how it handles tie breakers (it currently shows in order of overall season ratio). For another thing (and obviously related to the first one), this writer now has some work to do on the underlying code that generates the standings.
Anyone want to buy a round of beer?
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Spector Group Softball has Arrived....Wins 1st game of season (That we actually played)
Coming into the 2016 season, Spector Group Architects (SG) was invited to the Softball League Apres Modern .....otherwise known as. S.L.A.M. As all of you know, SLAM is a softball league made up the world's top renown Architecture and Design firms. So on behalf of SG, it is an honor to be included as the 10th team of this prestigious and successful Architecture League of 37 years.
As the SLAM season opened Spector Group was notified of its inclusion on March16th and with training camp opening in 2weeks …Co-managers Ryan "thinks he's as cool as Ryan Reynolds" Porter, Keribeth "The CFO"Rokeach and Simon "formerly known as the Panda" Yeung had the tough task of putting together a competitive roster that could be respectable in this league. There was a long line for try-outs around Madison Ave of would-be potentials who wanted to be a part of team SG but at the end Spector Group had finally put together a team of the best Architects and designers…… who had a little somthin somthin of softball skills too.
On opening day, the newly formed Spector Group team with their newly minted navy blue and white jerseys looked sharp … you couldn't tell that theses were the new kids on the block playing former 2 time champion HMRAMSA, but sadly SG didn't play as good as they looked as it lost its first ever game. All was not lost though as the young rookie team was competitive for most of the game with the exception of one bad news bears inning. There was hope for this team and lots of promise.
Ready for the second game of the season SG was scheduled to play against GS/HH……a newly merged team in the league but it was over before it started as GS/HH was not able to make the game so team SG had its first win under its belt due to a forfeit. It wasn't the way we pictured it but a win is a win. Beers all around!
Now with a record of 1-1 in the league, team Spector loses its next 3 games (TPG , GA, PEA) One of which is under review by the commissioner and umps over a misunderstood rule. Things were not looking so bright and a few adjustments were needed to the new team.
Still Confidence was never lost with this team as it entered the game against KPF, SG knew how to play but just needed to put it all together.
Leading off the game was David "Speedy" Beauchamp (2-3) who has continued his hot hitting as one of the best lead off men in the league. Hits followed from Jared "not Fogle" Morganstein (2-4, 2b), Joe "Taking candy from his little sister" Carretta (1-3), Chris "mr.perfect" Thibodeau (1-3, rbi) and Brian "The Magnet" Chernick (3-3, rbi, 1 run)which led to an early 2-1 lead.
The game stayed close till the 4th when the middle of the lineup started to hit its stride led by Scott "the undercover boss" Spector (2-3, 2 runs), Lauren "my brother used to steal my candy"Carretta (2-3, rbi) and Dan "mr Gardner" Setnikar taking the lead 5-1.
The true highlight and bright spot came in the 7th when the thrift shop crew, Karen "the workaholic' Fung and Lauren "the Alcoholic" Gardener combined for the much needed 6th insurance run.
Solid defense all around and Great pitching by Ryan "Porter Potty" Porter (1-3, triple, rbi) who threw for 7 strong innings allowing 1 earned run.
Final score a 6-2 victory by Spector Group. Hats off to KPF for a great competitive game.
Game ball goes to The entire SG team because we haven't given up and for always staying positive. Season is far from over………
On opening day, the newly formed Spector Group team with their newly minted navy blue and white jerseys looked sharp … you couldn't tell that theses were the new kids on the block playing former 2 time champion HMRAMSA, but sadly SG didn't play as good as they looked as it lost its first ever game. All was not lost though as the young rookie team was competitive for most of the game with the exception of one bad news bears inning. There was hope for this team and lots of promise.
Ready for the second game of the season SG was scheduled to play against GS/HH……a newly merged team in the league but it was over before it started as GS/HH was not able to make the game so team SG had its first win under its belt due to a forfeit. It wasn't the way we pictured it but a win is a win. Beers all around!
Now with a record of 1-1 in the league, team Spector loses its next 3 games (TPG , GA, PEA) One of which is under review by the commissioner and umps over a misunderstood rule. Things were not looking so bright and a few adjustments were needed to the new team.
Still Confidence was never lost with this team as it entered the game against KPF, SG knew how to play but just needed to put it all together.
Leading off the game was David "Speedy" Beauchamp (2-3) who has continued his hot hitting as one of the best lead off men in the league. Hits followed from Jared "not Fogle" Morganstein (2-4, 2b), Joe "Taking candy from his little sister" Carretta (1-3), Chris "mr.perfect" Thibodeau (1-3, rbi) and Brian "The Magnet" Chernick (3-3, rbi, 1 run)which led to an early 2-1 lead.
The game stayed close till the 4th when the middle of the lineup started to hit its stride led by Scott "the undercover boss" Spector (2-3, 2 runs), Lauren "my brother used to steal my candy"Carretta (2-3, rbi) and Dan "mr Gardner" Setnikar taking the lead 5-1.
The true highlight and bright spot came in the 7th when the thrift shop crew, Karen "the workaholic' Fung and Lauren "the Alcoholic" Gardener combined for the much needed 6th insurance run.
Solid defense all around and Great pitching by Ryan "Porter Potty" Porter (1-3, triple, rbi) who threw for 7 strong innings allowing 1 earned run.
Final score a 6-2 victory by Spector Group. Hats off to KPF for a great competitive game.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Earl Weaver Once Said....
....“The key to winning baseball games is pitching, fundamentals, and three run homers.” Game 5 against TPG arch rivals, Gensler, proved yet again that sometimes you don't need the most athletic or the strongest person to carry the team, but rather unity, bravery, and energy will do just fine to get the win.
Half
way thru the season, TPG is undefeated and creating a buzz around the league
and on Twitter. Fans from around the world are coming to Central Park to watch
the talent and the dynamics that each week brings.
From
the bleacher creatures on the bench cheering and booing, to the NYPD’s
beautiful officers making sure no one got out of control or maybe even reliving
childhood magic at the field of dreams, to Hernan "Yo Momma" Graziano wanting to rip Patrick’s
“Mini Danny” head off for throwing a wild ball to the outfield that almost hit
the hot dog stand guy, GAME 5 of the season proved that you could be a kid
for as long as you want when you play and watch softball.
Gensler
started off with several quick runs but TPG hung in there by chipping a run at
a time like the great Billy Beane would have coached. Small balls can win games
and championships. As the sun was setting, TPG kept looking up at Gensler
like the Giants that they are in the League. It almost seemed that Gensler once
again would destroy TPG’s dreams and hopes and send us to the bar to drink and
forget. The very nice umpire (yet wouldn't give me the low strike,
whatever) notified both team coaches that due to getting dark TPG would have
its last change at the bottom of the 6th to either tie or go home crying to its
family or dogs. Some players’ heads were down, some up, and some looking
at the LIRR schedule, as the bottom of the order was getting ready to
bat. The bench was going bananas, creating the energy that once in a
while is projected to the batters. Being down by 2 runs didn’t scare Chase "The Mack Truck" Hodge. He
finally learned NOT to swing at the first pitch. Yay! He once again used his
speed to run and slide to first in which he almost injured the first basemen.
The science of sliding is that you slow down not gain speed (just saying).
Erin "Marathon" McCarthy followed and delivered a power shot that barely passed the pitcher but caught everyone by
surprise and miss played it. Next up was Chelsea “Turtle” Cheng. Gensler was going
for the double play as "Turtle" hasn’t shown her true talent this season. As the
ball was pitched the bleacher creatures were yelling, “Smack it out of the
park!”, “Turtle” swung and the breeze of the bat caught the ball.
Using her speed she outran two missed plays and barely reached first base.
Oxygen tanks were provided in order to try to keep "Turtle" in the game as no
other girl was available to pitch run for her.
Bases loaded, no outs, and
Norman “Cricket” Ha is thinking he will be the hero of the game and get carried
on player’s shoulders, but no! Gensler’s first basement made the best
play of the game by jumping 4 feet off the ground and catching "Cricket’s" line
drive. Chris “The Walker” Gutierrez took Hernan "Yo Momma" Graziano's advice and walked. He may
have been punched if he swung at a 3-0 pitch. His selflessness allowed a key
run and put the pressure on Ben “D-Train” Saltzman. "D-Train" seized the
opportunity to close out the game with a winning line drive that drove in Erin
and "Turtle". "Turtle" rounded 3rd base as though the LIRR train was
closing its doors on her. All you could see is dust from "Turtle’s" cleats and a
roar that sounded like choo-choo. As her feet touched home plate everyone ran
to the field like the 96’ Yankees. No horse riding was allowed as Central Park
has strict rules but the inner kid in all of us went crazy, tears were shed,
high fives, hugs and chest bumping occurred. Final score 8-7, as
TPG establishes themselves as a contender this season and ready to put a stop
to championship 4-peats.
Written by Hernan Graziano of TPG.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
TPG's Anticlimactic (sort of) Season Opener
The season for TPG started by
having its season opener postponed due to the umpire not showing up. Glad both
teams had a full squad to at least practice and get the rust and spider webs
out. I would like to thank the umpire that didn't bother telling us he wasn't
going to show up for our season opener but at least the practice allowed us to
see the rookies and put a new game plan into affect for the 2016 season.
This blog is written by TPG's new co-manager and esteemed pitcher, Hernan Graziano, whom we are proud to welcome in our management team. Well said, Hernan! We couldn't agree more.
Last week's practice paid off as
we cruised past FXF this week, in 4 innings. Batters 1 thru 5 were unstoppable, using
legal softball bats to hit rockets and powerful speed to run the bases. Steve
A. "the Freak" continued to lead off, getting on base at no cost.
Chris finally showed his softball skills and hit the ball well and continued
his leadership in the outfield. Andreas "The Athlete" continued to
stumble as he ran the bases and showed how not to slide to second (dude, invest
in longer shorts PLEASE). Tony hit nothing but triples and allowed Hernan to
drive him in at every bat.
The game ball wasn't handed to
any of the first 5 batters, even though they contributed 10 of the 15 runs in
the game. Instead, it was handed to our all-star second basewoman, Erin
"Marathon" McCarthy. She used her swift speed, hitting a triple and a
single and had 3 big RBI's that put the nail in the game coffin.
Thank you FXF for your
sportsmanship and to all of TPG players for playing your butt off.
I'm glad to be one of your
managers and let today's game show you that all it takes is a team playing
together and having fun. Sometimes you don't need all of your best players to
show up, but players playing their best, supporting each other and having
fun.
This blog is written by TPG's new co-manager and esteemed pitcher, Hernan Graziano, whom we are proud to welcome in our management team. Well said, Hernan! We couldn't agree more.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
WE TALKIN PLAYOFFS……..TPG battles back to tie Playoff Series 1-1
It's that time of the year again everyone….…..It's the SLAM LEAGUE PLAYOFFS…..yes WE TALKIN PLAYOFFS Ladies and Gentleman!….
…..We are finally here after a long season in which Team TPG has had its fill of ups and downs. It has been a tumulus journey for the new TPG 3-headed management group, as this co-manager admits that we have had growing pains as a team. However... ultimately all our hard work and dedication has proven with some positive results. I can honestly say that the management group is very proud of the team to be where we are today. The team at the beginning of the year was made up of rookies that out numbered the veterans of the team and so team chemistry was a big concern. However at the end of the day Team TPG showed that no matter who puts on that uniform, Team TPG puts it all out on the field and win or lose…..We play as a team.
TPG headed into today's playoff game in a bit of a slump as the #6 Seed playing against arch rival and #3 Seed, Gensler. TPG had played Gensler in the regular season finale with results not favoring this side of the plate. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was inexperience but Game 1 of the playoffs found the TPG team with the same results as the last match up in an 11-0 slaughter at the hands of the mighty Big Red Machine. This would mark 14 consecutive innings that TPG has not scored a run at the hands of Gensler's starting pitcher, Joe.
Now with our backs to the wall….Game 2 was win or go home for Team TPG. However this team still had some fight left in them and Team TPG regrouped and made some adjustments. The first inning was promising as lead off hitter, Norman "Still the best Aussie in the game" Ha (3-3, RBI, 2 runs) and rookie SS, Joe "The energizer bunny" Carretta (2-3, RBI, 1 run) began the game with back to back singles but much like the past two games found ourselves without a run scored and that followed with another zero in the second inning which meant 16 scoreless innings for this slumping line up.
That's when Chase "The Mack Truck" Hodge decided that enough was enough and in the bottom of the 3rd inning lead off with a rally beginning single….followed by Steve "I found the ballpark" Dargo with another single. So with two on and Norman "the best Aussie in the game" Ha up, drove in the 1st run in 17 innings for Team TPG which opened the flood gates of scoring for TPG as then Joe "the energizer bunny" Carretta followed suite with another RBI single. Ed "The skyscraper" Baust (2-3, 3 RBIs, 2B, 3B, 2 runs) then flexed some 6'-10' muscle by following with a 2 run triple to open up the game. FINALLY some life into the lineup in which TPG scored 5 runs.
TPG added 4 more runs in the bottom of the 5th lead by LF, Hernan "The marathon man" Graziano (2-3, 3RBI, 1 run) who showed some endurance after pitching an exhaustive 5 games in 3 day while giving birth to his second child then running into a burning building to save a cat, dog, 3 hamsters and the baby's crib.
Heading into the top of the 7th, TPG up 9-5 had some scare put into them as the big red machine rallied and showed that they weren't just going down so easily and scored 3 runs to make the deficit just one run. At the end of the game, team TPG prevails 9-8 and pushes the series to a 1-1 tie.
Solid pitching from Steve "the Greek Freak" Aspiotis, Great defense by Chase "where did we get this guy" Hodge and our super 2B, Allison "the real deal" Stadnyck.
Hats off to the team for showing resiliency, heart and for fighting back after some rough beginnings…..Game ball goes to everyone on Team TPG… Also special Thanks to TPG partner-in charge, Jim Doherty for showing up and always supporting the team....….See you all on thursday - Game 3!
…..We are finally here after a long season in which Team TPG has had its fill of ups and downs. It has been a tumulus journey for the new TPG 3-headed management group, as this co-manager admits that we have had growing pains as a team. However... ultimately all our hard work and dedication has proven with some positive results. I can honestly say that the management group is very proud of the team to be where we are today. The team at the beginning of the year was made up of rookies that out numbered the veterans of the team and so team chemistry was a big concern. However at the end of the day Team TPG showed that no matter who puts on that uniform, Team TPG puts it all out on the field and win or lose…..We play as a team.
TPG headed into today's playoff game in a bit of a slump as the #6 Seed playing against arch rival and #3 Seed, Gensler. TPG had played Gensler in the regular season finale with results not favoring this side of the plate. Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was inexperience but Game 1 of the playoffs found the TPG team with the same results as the last match up in an 11-0 slaughter at the hands of the mighty Big Red Machine. This would mark 14 consecutive innings that TPG has not scored a run at the hands of Gensler's starting pitcher, Joe.
Now with our backs to the wall….Game 2 was win or go home for Team TPG. However this team still had some fight left in them and Team TPG regrouped and made some adjustments. The first inning was promising as lead off hitter, Norman "Still the best Aussie in the game" Ha (3-3, RBI, 2 runs) and rookie SS, Joe "The energizer bunny" Carretta (2-3, RBI, 1 run) began the game with back to back singles but much like the past two games found ourselves without a run scored and that followed with another zero in the second inning which meant 16 scoreless innings for this slumping line up.
That's when Chase "The Mack Truck" Hodge decided that enough was enough and in the bottom of the 3rd inning lead off with a rally beginning single….followed by Steve "I found the ballpark" Dargo with another single. So with two on and Norman "the best Aussie in the game" Ha up, drove in the 1st run in 17 innings for Team TPG which opened the flood gates of scoring for TPG as then Joe "the energizer bunny" Carretta followed suite with another RBI single. Ed "The skyscraper" Baust (2-3, 3 RBIs, 2B, 3B, 2 runs) then flexed some 6'-10' muscle by following with a 2 run triple to open up the game. FINALLY some life into the lineup in which TPG scored 5 runs.
TPG added 4 more runs in the bottom of the 5th lead by LF, Hernan "The marathon man" Graziano (2-3, 3RBI, 1 run) who showed some endurance after pitching an exhaustive 5 games in 3 day while giving birth to his second child then running into a burning building to save a cat, dog, 3 hamsters and the baby's crib.
Heading into the top of the 7th, TPG up 9-5 had some scare put into them as the big red machine rallied and showed that they weren't just going down so easily and scored 3 runs to make the deficit just one run. At the end of the game, team TPG prevails 9-8 and pushes the series to a 1-1 tie.
Solid pitching from Steve "the Greek Freak" Aspiotis, Great defense by Chase "where did we get this guy" Hodge and our super 2B, Allison "the real deal" Stadnyck.
Hats off to the team for showing resiliency, heart and for fighting back after some rough beginnings…..Game ball goes to everyone on Team TPG… Also special Thanks to TPG partner-in charge, Jim Doherty for showing up and always supporting the team....….See you all on thursday - Game 3!
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
TPG Welcomes Something old, Something new……….TPG vs MGA
The TPG softball team had a welcome surprise coming into today's game vs MGA, which was none other than ex TPG manager and Mr. Controversy himself Josh "Shuffle foot" Ginsburg, who happened to be in the neighborhood traveling from the west coast on business (in other words he was busy golfing). Josh's return in the office signified old times as it was like turning back the clock to the day when he used to roam the TPG hallways with nothing to do but stalk every player on the team on game day asking "so are you playing, are you playing?"and for a few hours it seemed like nothing had changed.
However this is not the same team, this is a different team than the one Josh used to manage last year. There was a new aura and personality this year with the 14 new rookies in the mix and new management system. The new players had heard of the legendary coach named Josh but thought he was just a myth like big foot, the lockness monster or that Princess is really 5'-0" tall (kidding..kidding but she is 4'-10"). With all that is different, one thing remained the same..TPG still had the same old attitude of having fun and winning as a team!
The start of the game was delayed a few moments due to some officiating issues so TPG had some extra time to warm up and prepare for the match up vs MGA but for starting pitcher, Hernan, he had other things on his mind. It was rumored that he had to fill out a Hall pass permission slip in advance to play in today's game from his wife (Thanks Mrs. Graziano). What we didn't know was that Hernan has the "BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD" who did allow him to play today's game while expecting a phone call from the doctor about welcoming their second child into the world. We knew with a seconds notice or with a loud vibration in his pants (from the phone of course) that he may have to leave the game to attend to his wife. So we really needed to get this game started.
Once the umpire arrived and coin toss complete which TPG elected to be the home team, Hernan with cell phone by his side, was all business. He pitched lights out softball throwing a perfect game into the 3rd inning while allowing 1 run through the top of the 4th inning.
The TPG's offense didn't skip a beat either by scoring 15 total runs with 9 of them in the second inning lead by Andreas "The official self proclaimed Super Athlete" Karales who had 4 RBIs (2-3, HR, 3B, 2 runs) and Hernan"I have the best wife" Graziano with 3 RBIs (3-3, (2)2B, 1R).
At the end TPG steam rolls ahead to a score of 15-1 in a 3.5 inning mercy victory. Hats
off again to the team for sharp hitting, solid defense and an overall well played game.
Game ball goes to……who else but Mrs. "Da Italian Stallion" Graziano!
On another note…..
Starting with #4 TPG Not So Top Play of the Game
Chase "I stop for NO ONE" Hodge rounding 3rd Base to I don't know where.
(click on video below)
#3 TPG Not So Top Play of the game...
SORRY boss....Damien "more golfer than softball swing"
didn't get that RBI you asked for. (wonk wonk wonk...)
(click on video below)
#2 TPG Not SO Top Play of the Game....
However this is not the same team, this is a different team than the one Josh used to manage last year. There was a new aura and personality this year with the 14 new rookies in the mix and new management system. The new players had heard of the legendary coach named Josh but thought he was just a myth like big foot, the lockness monster or that Princess is really 5'-0" tall (kidding..kidding but she is 4'-10"). With all that is different, one thing remained the same..TPG still had the same old attitude of having fun and winning as a team!
The start of the game was delayed a few moments due to some officiating issues so TPG had some extra time to warm up and prepare for the match up vs MGA but for starting pitcher, Hernan, he had other things on his mind. It was rumored that he had to fill out a Hall pass permission slip in advance to play in today's game from his wife (Thanks Mrs. Graziano). What we didn't know was that Hernan has the "BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD" who did allow him to play today's game while expecting a phone call from the doctor about welcoming their second child into the world. We knew with a seconds notice or with a loud vibration in his pants (from the phone of course) that he may have to leave the game to attend to his wife. So we really needed to get this game started.
Once the umpire arrived and coin toss complete which TPG elected to be the home team, Hernan with cell phone by his side, was all business. He pitched lights out softball throwing a perfect game into the 3rd inning while allowing 1 run through the top of the 4th inning.
The TPG's offense didn't skip a beat either by scoring 15 total runs with 9 of them in the second inning lead by Andreas "The official self proclaimed Super Athlete" Karales who had 4 RBIs (2-3, HR, 3B, 2 runs) and Hernan"I have the best wife" Graziano with 3 RBIs (3-3, (2)2B, 1R).
At the end TPG steam rolls ahead to a score of 15-1 in a 3.5 inning mercy victory. Hats
off again to the team for sharp hitting, solid defense and an overall well played game.
Game ball goes to……who else but Mrs. "Da Italian Stallion" Graziano!
On another note…..
I would like to introduce to YOU……..
TPG's NOT SO TOP BUT FUNNY PLAYS OF THE GAME
(courtesy of Chelsea "Queen of Fresh Meadows" Cheng")
Now these blogs have always highlighted elite performances and showcased TEAM talent so I thought we could share with you some of the not so top but very funny plays of the game.(courtesy of Chelsea "Queen of Fresh Meadows" Cheng")
Starting with #4 TPG Not So Top Play of the Game
Chase "I stop for NO ONE" Hodge rounding 3rd Base to I don't know where.
(click on video below)
#3 TPG Not So Top Play of the game...
SORRY boss....Damien "more golfer than softball swing"
didn't get that RBI you asked for. (wonk wonk wonk...)
(click on video below)
#2 TPG Not SO Top Play of the Game....
Great hustle play by Jon "sly like a" Fox showing us how to use your head!
(click on video below)
AND THE #1NOT SO TOP PLAY!……
Is Andreas Faster than…….. Dirt???
(Click on video below)
Again Congrats to the TEAM on a great game.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Sophomore Slump?
At the end of the 2013 season, the league found SOM back on top for the first time since 2009, meaning the commissioner from the infamous 2010 season would be back in charge in 2014 (Side note - please read one of the Original Founders of SLAM's history piece on the league website to see how the structure changed from a constant commissioner to a rotating "based-on-who-won" commissioner). During the 2013 awards party, every manager expressed concern - led by OJ, the head umpire of our prestigious league. "Do you really want to be commissioner again? Do you remember how bad 2010 was? You don't? It was bad. etc, etc, etc".
But it is written into the league rules, and so it was set. If you win, you get to be in charge of the league for the next year (as long as you wanted to of course). And who would possibly turn down a leadership role that is resume-worthy? I mean, even if every single person in the league thought you should say no, you'd probably still say yes. I get it. And with the pressure on in 2014, the leadership from SOM stood tall, and delivered a perfect season with a responsive, thought out approach from the very beginning acquiring the needed permits, all the way to the final trophy awarded at the end of the 2014 season (to themselves of course). SOM is an outstanding softball team, and Scott Habjan is not just the best pitcher in the league (sorry Solomon), but is probably the best pitcher of our era.
Ahh, but enter the 2015 season. Clearly SOM had performed in their leadership role in 2014, so the rest of the league didn't give it a second thought. And then radio silence. March came, and still no manger's meeting scheduled. A last minute scheduling threw the managers together, and everything seemed okay except for one small detail: There was no schedule. And when the schedule was finally posted, it was only for the first month. Then the second month was added to the website. The season started, and teams did not know when the games would be played after May. A rush to get the games posted, and the obvious happened: mistakes, errors, omissions, and inequalities of who played at what time on which fields. At least one team found themselves playing a doubleheader on two different fields.
While OJ attempted to make sense of all this - and make sure umps would be at each game (which is of course what the league pays him to do) - we got a polite seemingly innocuous email from the commissioner:
"Adjustments to the schedule have been completed to address certain mistakes, inequities and injustices. Please check your schedule asap. The changes are few and far between but they do involve 1 game as early as next Thursday."
So let's ignore for a moment that the league managers were literally trying to schedule their team's games "as early as next thursday". Let's talk about the schedule itself.... For the past few years the schedule has always had a few built in rain-out dates. Typically these start in June and are perhaps twice a month. The theory being that if a team suffered a few early rainouts, they would not have to wait until the end of the season to make everything up at once. This is an excellent concept, and should continue to be the norm. However, part of this concept means immediately re-scheduling a rain-out so that all the teams have adequate time to prepare. So one would think that when the four games were rained out on 4/20 and 4/21, at least one of them would be re-scheduled for the first open rainout date of June 4th. But alas, this didn't happen, and the June 4th date sat there staring at us as an unused permit. And of course our next rainout would occur on June 1st. At which point another loving email was sent to TPG and RAMSA (two fierce rivals who have meet in the playoffs almost every year):
"In putting together the schedule, we built in certain days for make-up games. We have one of those days this Thursday. Granted it is short notice and there is a 50% chance of rain, but if OJ can find an umpire, and in the interest of sparing you the potential of multiple regular season games in a week – I think it would be great if we could reschedule your game for this Thursday 5:30 at Hecksher. Please let me know asap if we can go ahead and do that. OJ please let me know if you and your crew can cover it."
After a lengthy back and forth based on the simple fact that less than 1/2 of each team was available that Thursday, the league agreed to just leave the permit unused. For those of you who have been in this league for many years, you don't need me to tell you that the success or failure of our league comes down to one thing alone: Permit Availability. losing a permit is the worst thing that can happen.
When asked for comment, Commissioner Scott Habjan told this reporter:
"Like the past couple years, we built in some opportunities for make-up games throughout the season (not just waiting until the end.) Unfortunately the only games we needed to make-up were for earlier this week and it was too short notice to make it happen."
Which would be fine if that was indeed the reality of the situation. This would have been avoided if the 4/20 games were re-scheduled in a timely fashion.
Simon Yeung (TPG Co-Manager) had this to say:
“Due to the rain out on Monday, TPG on short notice scrambled to assemble a team late Monday for a proposed rescheduled game on Thursday vs one of the top teams in the league in HMRamsa. We were unfortunately unable to get 10 people to commit and therefore we had to respectfully decline playing on Thursday. This potential game was very important to us and we didn’t want to lose against one of the better teams in a league that has so many playoff implications.”
And even former commissioner and RAMSA Manager David Solomon chimed in:
"my legal counsel has advised me not to comment on the schedule drama from a week ago for fear of facing a heavy fine or possible suspension."
In this reporters opinion, the idea of a rotating commissioner based on who won the last year is a bad, bad idea. SOM is definitely the best team in the league these past few years, and no one can take that away from them. But running a league is a completely different skill than winning a game.
Time to get your act together before OJ quits on us. No more scheduling crazy. No more drama. Please. For the sake of the league we all love.
But it is written into the league rules, and so it was set. If you win, you get to be in charge of the league for the next year (as long as you wanted to of course). And who would possibly turn down a leadership role that is resume-worthy? I mean, even if every single person in the league thought you should say no, you'd probably still say yes. I get it. And with the pressure on in 2014, the leadership from SOM stood tall, and delivered a perfect season with a responsive, thought out approach from the very beginning acquiring the needed permits, all the way to the final trophy awarded at the end of the 2014 season (to themselves of course). SOM is an outstanding softball team, and Scott Habjan is not just the best pitcher in the league (sorry Solomon), but is probably the best pitcher of our era.
Ahh, but enter the 2015 season. Clearly SOM had performed in their leadership role in 2014, so the rest of the league didn't give it a second thought. And then radio silence. March came, and still no manger's meeting scheduled. A last minute scheduling threw the managers together, and everything seemed okay except for one small detail: There was no schedule. And when the schedule was finally posted, it was only for the first month. Then the second month was added to the website. The season started, and teams did not know when the games would be played after May. A rush to get the games posted, and the obvious happened: mistakes, errors, omissions, and inequalities of who played at what time on which fields. At least one team found themselves playing a doubleheader on two different fields.
While OJ attempted to make sense of all this - and make sure umps would be at each game (which is of course what the league pays him to do) - we got a polite seemingly innocuous email from the commissioner:
"Adjustments to the schedule have been completed to address certain mistakes, inequities and injustices. Please check your schedule asap. The changes are few and far between but they do involve 1 game as early as next Thursday."
So let's ignore for a moment that the league managers were literally trying to schedule their team's games "as early as next thursday". Let's talk about the schedule itself.... For the past few years the schedule has always had a few built in rain-out dates. Typically these start in June and are perhaps twice a month. The theory being that if a team suffered a few early rainouts, they would not have to wait until the end of the season to make everything up at once. This is an excellent concept, and should continue to be the norm. However, part of this concept means immediately re-scheduling a rain-out so that all the teams have adequate time to prepare. So one would think that when the four games were rained out on 4/20 and 4/21, at least one of them would be re-scheduled for the first open rainout date of June 4th. But alas, this didn't happen, and the June 4th date sat there staring at us as an unused permit. And of course our next rainout would occur on June 1st. At which point another loving email was sent to TPG and RAMSA (two fierce rivals who have meet in the playoffs almost every year):
"In putting together the schedule, we built in certain days for make-up games. We have one of those days this Thursday. Granted it is short notice and there is a 50% chance of rain, but if OJ can find an umpire, and in the interest of sparing you the potential of multiple regular season games in a week – I think it would be great if we could reschedule your game for this Thursday 5:30 at Hecksher. Please let me know asap if we can go ahead and do that. OJ please let me know if you and your crew can cover it."
After a lengthy back and forth based on the simple fact that less than 1/2 of each team was available that Thursday, the league agreed to just leave the permit unused. For those of you who have been in this league for many years, you don't need me to tell you that the success or failure of our league comes down to one thing alone: Permit Availability. losing a permit is the worst thing that can happen.
When asked for comment, Commissioner Scott Habjan told this reporter:
"Like the past couple years, we built in some opportunities for make-up games throughout the season (not just waiting until the end.) Unfortunately the only games we needed to make-up were for earlier this week and it was too short notice to make it happen."
Which would be fine if that was indeed the reality of the situation. This would have been avoided if the 4/20 games were re-scheduled in a timely fashion.
Simon Yeung (TPG Co-Manager) had this to say:
“Due to the rain out on Monday, TPG on short notice scrambled to assemble a team late Monday for a proposed rescheduled game on Thursday vs one of the top teams in the league in HMRamsa. We were unfortunately unable to get 10 people to commit and therefore we had to respectfully decline playing on Thursday. This potential game was very important to us and we didn’t want to lose against one of the better teams in a league that has so many playoff implications.”
And even former commissioner and RAMSA Manager David Solomon chimed in:
"my legal counsel has advised me not to comment on the schedule drama from a week ago for fear of facing a heavy fine or possible suspension."
In this reporters opinion, the idea of a rotating commissioner based on who won the last year is a bad, bad idea. SOM is definitely the best team in the league these past few years, and no one can take that away from them. But running a league is a completely different skill than winning a game.
Time to get your act together before OJ quits on us. No more scheduling crazy. No more drama. Please. For the sake of the league we all love.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
TPG believes in T.E.A.M.…...TPG vs FXF
T - Together
E - Everyone
A - Achieves
M - More
As one of TPG's Co-mangers this year one thing that I've learned is that softball is a TEAM game. If you believe in your team and play together to have fun then no matter what the outcome is …YOU ARE A WINNER! That is what TPG has always tried to preach and promote and nothing exemplified that more than this game in which we played as a T.E.A.M.
Due to a schedule switch from a Monday game to a Tuesday game TPG headed into today's match up against rival FXF without one co-manager and key starters who represent the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th hitters in our potent lineup and for any team that is something really hard to overcome. …. AND Not only that, TPG was in jeopardy of not having enough players to field a team …… but no worries T.E.A.M TPG knew that they had the deepest and most talented team in the league and that even without the starters, the rest of the team would just have to step up and answer the call.
As game time approached Co-Managers Simon "4Ever" Yeung and Princess "of the Phillipines" Salvacion arrived at the field at 5:29pm just in time for the first pitch of the game. With their arrival TPG now had a full starting team of 10 players.
The first 2 innings was a very tight defensive game for both teams as TPG and FXF had runners in scoring positions but both failed to score a run. Then came the top of the 3rd Inning when TPG's bats woke up……with the Bases Loaded and one out, Rookie SS, Chris "It's about GaaaaD Damnnmm time"Gutierrez came to bat and hit a bases clearing triple that scored the first 3 runs of the game. Chris wasn't done yet as he added 2 more RBIS later to add to his total of 5 RBIS for the game. The rest of the T.E.A.M contributed to the effort as Andreas "Maybe he really is a super athlete" Karales (2-2, 2B, 2BB, 2 runs), Stephen "I don't know how to read a subway map so that's why I was late" Dargo (2-2, 1 RBI) and Hernan "The Italian Stallion" Graziano (2-2, 2BB, 2 Runs) kept the offense moving.
T.E.A.M TPG played solid Defense the rest of the way with Key plays from LCF -Omar "Da Stache" Bustamante, 3B- Frank "Maybe he was a Tank in his heyday" Lew and as always solid pitching from Hernan "The Italian Stallion" Graziano.
Game ball goes to......... T.E.A.M TPG with all around solid efforts from a shorthanded group and more importantly playing as ONE. In the end TPG extends its winning streak to 3……TPG wins 6-2. On to the next game.
Monday, May 4, 2015
TPG Toughness ...….TPG vs HH
Anytime someone puts on a TPG uniform we like to think that player will epitomize the toughness that we look for as one of our players. We don't back down from any trash talking and we def don't get intimidated by anyone on the field. That's how we play the game……….Now you may think that is easy to say when your LCF is the size of a mountain or when your 6'-10" short stop casts a shadow longer than the empire state building but today no one exhuberated that toughness more than Rookie 2nd Baseman, Chelsea "Crying is for the weak" Cheng. Now the image below may be too violent for kids so parental advisory beware……
In the top of the 1st inning, an HH player lines a sharp and hard hit ground ball that went spiraling towards 2nd base and on a bad bounce struck our 2nd baseman in the left eye/nose causing her to see STARS not named Taylor Swift. Medical staff, Derrick "The Mouth"Blocker rushed onto the field to check up on her…... Chelsea was still standing but had to leave the game for that top first inning for medical attention. HH scored 3 runs in the top of the first.
TPG responded in the bottom of the 1st inning with 6 straight hits lead by LCF, Danny "I do look like Mike Trout" Etkin (3-3, 2B, 3B, 3 Runs, 2 RBIs). But what was the true highlight of the inning was Chelsea returning to bat, nose bruised and all and of course against medical staff, Derrick's advise to sit, Chelsea responded with a sac RBI, which contributed to a 6 run 1st inning.
The second inning started with back to back walks which was the beginning of another offensive onslaught lead by SS, Ed "The Skyscraper" Ballast who hit a bases clearing double (2-3, 2B, 2 Runs, 5 RBIs) which contributed to 5 more TPG runs. The TPG offense was hitting its stride for the first two innings as the all around team contribution hit 13 of 19 with 2 BB and 11 Runs.
Game ball goes to who else? Chelsea for embodying the toughness TPG represents and for not giving up….oh and Danny and Ed also had a good game…..if you think going for a combined 5-6 with 5 runs and 7 RBIs is good?
Final Score TPG 12-7 in 4-1/2" innings due to expiring time. Hats off to the entire team for a well played game.
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