5/2 @ Pen & Pencil: Lucky 13

RECAP

We started the game going down 1-2-3 in the top of the first, including carelessly getting picked off first after rounding the bag on a two-out single. We then gave up 13 runs in the bottom half of the inning, getting the ball smacked over our heads, missing the cut-off, allowing extra bases by attempting foolhardy and low-percentage throws to 3rd/home chasing the lead runner. We weren't ready to play, our heads weren't in the game, and we were sloppy. For their part, P&P hit the ball well, hit the ball hard, and made the plays they needed to make in the field. It was a very bad first inning for the Badgers.

3eanuts.com

Other than that, we played OK ("Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln...")

In the official record, we outscored them 8-5 for innings 2 through 7. The reality is that they subbed in some bench players and may have taken their foot off the gas a bit. Nonetheless both our offense and defense improved and we were much more competitive. That's how we need to play coming out of the gate.

FINAL SCORE: P&P 18, THB 8


REAL TALK

Of course, the biggest problem was not that we sucked at softball (it's happened before, it's bound to happen again at some point) but that we didn't have any beer to fall back on. It's possible that Chappy made good on his promise to drink all of the leftovers from last week, because they (both Chappy and the leftover beer) certainly didn't make it to Edgeley 4 yesterday. Being game-ready means more than being warmed up and ready to play, and like our first inning foibles, the blame doesn't fall on any one player. C'mon, Badgers! We're better than this.


CCSL's NEXT TOP MODEL

Give a warm Badger bark for Carl, sporting the hottest in Honey Badger athletic gear, accessorized with a matching wood bat and base layer in a complementary blue color. Looking good, Carl! Do a turn for the crowd.

HISTORY LESSON

This evening's game is against the Fairmount Griffons, formerly Philadelaphia Art Museum Griffons. This is the closest thing to an actual rivalry that we've got in the league. It stems from the early days of Team Green Tambourine, spurred by a bit of a brou-ha-ha after the postponement of a scheduled game was inadequately communicated to some of the Griffons. The profanity-laced diatribe that followed engendered a sense of purpose and competitive fire that fueled the next several meetings. It also directly inspired TGT's first-ever official team jerseys*. It did not, alas, inspire us to victory. But subsequent seasons have produced very close and memorable games - some even noteworthy enough to earn mention in other league blogs.

Any personal animus between teams may (we certainly hope) have faded away with time. But the games continue to be compelling. Last season, in our first as the Honey Badgers, we earned our first win against the Griffons since the Great Taint of 2013 by the score of 10-9. They got revenge and a one-up by the score of 11-9 in the rematch a month later. We were denied a chance to meet in the postseason after PMA bowed out in the second round, although we were both ultimately defeated by the same team (Catahoula). The rivalry lives, for now.

I guess what I'm saying is, let's win this one.

I'll bring a case of lager.

UPDATE: Game POSTPONED due to soggy field conditions. Will be rescheduled for date TBD. Oh well, we probably had more fun drinking at Bar Hygge anyway.

*Vonnegut fans may get the joke