The now traditional rain fell on the Engine Group Derby for the 3rd year in a row, surely next years match will be played under clear skies - or perhaps we should play beach softball somewhere :)
Although the rain fell, games continued throughout Regent's Park, however the Engineers were less enthusiastic to play than most - I suspect this is due to their love of the 'drinking side to softball' - they certainly are one of the better party teams.
The Pirates however love water and we pushed on making a solid start and preventing their batters from scoring a single run. Eventually the rain was too much for our Engineer friends and they opted for the pub instead of taking to the field.
So with another win / forfeit - the final diamond was ours and with that, the title - Division 1 Champions! A great season and a great performance by everyone - new and old hands. Next week the playoffs begin with a Quarter Final on Wednesday versus the Ba Baa's.
The warning signs were there - our strongest batters had been faltering over recent weeks, a couple of regulars were missing and the pressure of maintaining our undefeated run was building.
And so the fateful evening arrived - beneath grey skies and threatening rain clouds - our defeat - to the bats and gloves of The Coalition, a newly formed alliance between RKY&R and The Dealbreakers. It took a Coalition to sink us.
There is something about defeat when it comes to match reports, there always seem to be far fewer memorable moments and (dis)honourable mentions.
Thanks to Helle and Jo for helping out last minute
Bethan maintaining her extreme catcher efforts, tripping over a bike and almost diving head first into the nettles to take a couple of catches..... even though they were foul ball / third strikes
Good backing up by Gray-O in outfield and hitting cut-off even if there was a little too much juggling going on..... again.....
A myriad of infield and outfield errors allowing balls through and catches to be dropped.... That being said - the Coalition batting was usually hard and low hit balls, so there was not much opportunity for glory catches.
Alex and Rosey, patiently heading in out to right field innings after innings, and just watching the action as there was not single ball hit in their direction.
Jo sending me home at 3rd base and into a sliding collision with Faisal resulting in some minor swelling of the shin..... Apologies for having posted the pictures on Facebook / Google+ but I was a bit surprised at my newly acquired mutant leg.
Well with the loss finally behind us, it is time to get up, dust off the sand and head into our final game next week..... with victory firmly in our sights. The last game of the season before playoffs is - The Engine Group Derby.
A win next week will secure our position at the top of the table and as League Champions 2011...... So no pressure........
As we close in on the end of the season, we face the few remaining teams that can block our path to victory. This week it was the Glove Muppets - a composite team that has been defending their diamonds well over the years and with whom we have a 2 wins and 1 loss record.
Could their Muppet power and experience halt our last charge? Even with an automatic out in our favour as the Muppet's were short a girl - we made the game even harder as, like the previous weekends summer tournament, our batting was failing. I guess we could blame the very tricky cross wind...?
With batting averages down, we fought on and edged a lead after the first couple of innings. This wasn't held for long as they ran 3 past us to take their own slim lead of 1 in the 5th innings. With 2 innings remaining we regained the lead and locked them out to take the ball game at the top of the 7th. The final score was 12-8 and it felt closer.
As always a few memorable moments and (dis)honourable mentions.
Outfield didn't really have a lot to do apart from watch one or two hits sail over their head, thankfully they weren't grand slam hits. Panda did pick up one catch out there.
Coxy still in training / his own world, this weeks lessons were how to be cut-off......
A great effort from JB pitching through the cross wind and still nailing a few batters with strikeouts.
Fantastic catching from Bethan sending another Muppet back to their dugout.
Although the batting was way below our usual efforts - JB definitely made up for it. We were 2 down with no runs scored, as Ange steps into the box the cry from JB was simple - "Get on base and I will bring us both home!". Ange obliged reaching first base and JB stepped up to smash a monster hit clear out of the park. Job done.
Bridg having cup of tea on 1st base as the batter behind her is caught in outfield. Waiting for cream tea to arrive before even starting to consider moving to 2nd.
Perhaps aware of her missed base running opportunity earlier, the next innings Bridg decides to make up for it and runs to 2nd base completely oblivious to Alex still being there. As the ball is fielded to the Muppets shortstop. Amid frantic shouts from both sides, confusion reins. Alex turns round and is shocked to see Bridg beside him. As the realisation dawns.... Bridg begins a run back to one triggering their SS to make the throw to one. She steps back on to 2nd base and Alex legs it to 3rd. Phew.....
It was a hard fought game - especially on JB and myself - as we put bodies on the line to stop the charge of their runners. Jon briefly switched sports and became the linebacker defending 3rd base like a quarterback until he was knocked off his feet unceremoniously. I - having scooped up a great line drive hit right field (even if I do say so myself) - suddenly became an all American street racer playing chicken on Highway 66, charging headlong over first base towards the inbound batter. Ouch.
One last mention. Every year the league makes selection for their All Star team which travel to the USA for the equivalent of an Advertising World Series. We Pirates have an illustrious history and have been training rookies that have made the cut every year - and this tradition has continued. Although it is only the first cut - I have every faith that Coxy will make it to Vegas. So a big congratulations to Coxy.
With another win in the bag and our undefeated run towards total league domination continuing (just....) we end another week.
There are just 2 more games remaining before we enter the play-off's and next week we face The Coalition - although they were beaten soundly at the summer tournament - they will be a tough opposition.
As we enter the second half of the season that can mean only one thing - time for the summer tournament. As some may have noticed there is another trophy on the shelves. Having been Plate finalists and champions last year - this year we improved - making it to the Trophy Final but unfortunately ended as runners up.
So what else happened on another glorious summers day at the Old Deer Park in Richmond?
The day always starts early - and usually a little too early for many. This year that included Panda who responded to my 8.30 am text (checking he was still buying refreshments and ice for the cool-box) with........ "Whoops! Thought it was Sunday for some reason. Will be be asap!"
As the rabble of Pirates arrived we tucked into the bacon sandwiches picked up the schedule of games and made our way to Pitch 1 where we were to camp all day (Thanks to Tina for that one), it really does make a difference not packing up after every game and trekking across the park to another diamond!
GAME 1 vs. DDB "Paddington Pirates"
Win 11-2
I wasn't the only captain waiting patiently for late arrivals, our old friends and impersonators the Paddington Pirates were awaiting their pitcher for the first game of the day - scheduled to start at 9.30 - finally both our teams were ready to start at 10! Now a very short game, as no new innings was called within 10 minutes. However after only a 15 minute game we still managed to dominate DDB and take a first win for the day.
Coxy's performance at short stop was already receiving honourable mention but at this point he still was nowhere near getting the plays right, somehow the play in Coxy's head really could have been any base even when there were no runners. Is it really that complicated - have I forgotten?
With 5 minutes until the next game Jime aka Pesetas almost certainly took a quick power nap.
GAME 2 vs. Dunnhumby "Sharks"
Win 20-5
As with all summer tournaments we now know many of the players we face and Dunnhumby was no different with some fun banter on both sides, until the return of Captain Ed in his full softball samurai battle gear!
Captain Ed - Softball Samurai
Now although we dominated the sharks and took a convincing win 20-5, facing this Samurai Pitcher was the beginning of the end for our top order batsmen who proceeded to fail for most of the rest of the day (we know who we are - but just don't know what happened - had I started on the beers by this point?)
At this point an honourable mention must go out to the middle and bottom batting order who carried us when "we couldn't even buy a base!"
Regardless of this iminent failing, before the arrival of their secret weapon we did manage to bat through the order twice in one innings!
Dunnhumby also received an honourable mention from Panda for having "the most honeys", and............... with the game won - Jime aka Pesetas almost certainly took a quick power nap.
GAME 3 vs. JWT
Loss 7-8
Even though JWT were led by my Guerrilla captain Shauna and were bolstered with some very solid weekend players in Dan, Gary (and more importantly Jen). I still believed we could take them. At the bottom of the last innings and with two down already we needed a single score to draw, and two to win. Both Ange and I had managed to get on base. As I was waiting on second base knowing my "Flintstone-like running (Yabba Dabba Doooo....!)" would tie the game - and Ange would be hot on my heels to take the win - unfortunately Phil 's solid hit was picked up and the game was lost. I think after two solid wins we were a little slow to get started and chase down their lead.
With the first loss of the day - Jime aka Pesetas almost certainly took a quick power nap..............................
............................I should probably mention at this point another honourable mention to Jime for making it out after celebrating her "Life in the UK - 10 years drinks" the night before. And from the photos I have seen which included these three classics - it was an effort that clearly deserved a few power naps.
LUNCH
As finally a real break arrived - well a quick hour after 3 back to back games, we had drunk our initital supplies of beer and so a few pirates were sent ashore to pillage fresh supplies. With the heat of the sun quenched by more beer it was time to check out one of our remaining opposition in the week's ahead - the Coalition.
GAME 4 vs. The Coalition
Win 19-9
A storming return to form after lunch with a first innings of 11-0 being a lead too far for the Coalition to reclaim - more so as their pitcher "Wheels" grew increasingly grumpy at some close calls from the blue. A replacement blue was requested. And I think his frustrations were vented when Panda turned into third base - Nick called for him to slow and look - slowing him just enough to let "Wheels" make the tag out unavoidable. and hard. Woops.
I think it was at this point that Coxy's general confusion at what the play should be began to come good. As the pressure and stress of calling the plays eased, his fielding stepped up and we began to see him diving in all directions to take some great catches.
GAME 5 vs. Publicis "Lions"
Loss 7-10
Again probably stepped off the gas and took it a little too easy meaning there was just not enough time left to regain the lead. As I faced off against yet another team mate from the my weekend team - Bear proceeded to get in my head and call every one of my still failing batting perfectly - a ground ball to short, a pop fly to second - at least once I regained focus and powered it over the pitchers head. Phew.
So as we finished the group round with a second loss! It was time to wait our fate - had we done enough to make the Trophy final still? Yes both ourselves and the Coaliton had won 3 and lost 2 but since we beat them in the head to head we were through to show JWT what we could do.
With all this stress and waiting - Jime aka Pesetas almost certainly took a quick power nap. Haha.
TROPHY FINAL vs. JWT
Loss 14-15
So it was time to regain our honour and repeat last years performance, when having lost to Tequila in the morning shocked them with pure power generating a lead they could not recover from. Although the power had already been lost from our top order batters - the middle and bottom order continued to put the runs on. Whilst in the field everyone played solid with yet more superman diving from Coxy at short - and mostly getting the calls right - finally!
After the first innings we were down 1-4, but as the fielding tightened JWT scored zero for the next 4 innings! That was a great effort from everyone. And we had taken a solid lead. In the sixth innings we let them back in the game with a few errors and an improved batting performance from their star players. We still managed to stretch the lead and at the bottom of the 7th innings they needed an unlikely 6 to win....... Somehow the runs trickled in and eventually their MVP for the final - Ryan - stepped up and batted in the winning 3 runs with bases loaded.
A great game nonetheless and had I succumbed to their captains request for a timed game instead of a full seven innings we would have the win. My apologies - but it was a great learning for the younger players amongst us and locking those players out for 4 innings in a row was a great performance.
As we packed up our home for the day, to make our way over to tournament control for the awards ceremony - although the softball was over - the day had only just begun, but before I get into the evenings entertainment it's time for one last thanks to everyone for making it a great day and a few more honourbale mentions and awards.
The Pirates - Summer 2011 - Panda, Captain Rubble, Amy, Pau, Phil, Nick, Coxy, Alex, Jime, Bethan and Ange
Special thanks to Amy, Jime and Nick for being press ganged into the Pirates. Without them we would not have had a team.
The Jammy Dodger goes to Coxy for repeatedly catching up with Amy at 3rd base, the look of bewilderment as everyone is shouting to go back.
The Saving a Rookies Ass Award goes to Amy for repeatedly realising Coxy was on 3rd base with her and that she's been forced to run home - again. If it wasn't for the over throws she would have been stone cold out. More lessons learned Coxy!
The Homerun Derby Champion - declared a draw and shared by Phil and Coxy.
Trophy Final MVP was awarded to Ange.
And now onto the post tournament entertainment. With all the party teams having won both trophies and more beer to drink, the cool-box was brought back into play for some rapid chilling and we proceeded to chill out in the evening sun to some smooth tunes as we polished every last drop of beer before heading to the pub and catching up with all the others.
Well that was the plan until the Liz Baines inspired call for some beer Olympics aka - games of tag, wheel barrow racing and three legged racing.
As the last drops of beer were finished and the beer Olympics ended it was time for the traditional time back at the Sun Inn. More photos can be found on the Facebook page or via the Facebook Photos link at the top of this page.
A few memorable moments for me were - as always - providing the tunes for everyone including Jason Leonard, accepting the challenge of an arm wrestle from Nick for the last Jägerbomb - and holding it to a draw. And finally for eveyones entertainment - Nick's impromptu Hip Hop Karaoke.
Again another fantastic day and night. Thanks to everyone there and I hope this tempts a few more of you out next year.
Next game is on Wednesday versus the Glove Muppets. C'mon the Pirates!
It had taken a few year - but finally an old friend and ringer for the Pirates had led his own team through the divisions to face his old masters.
Regardless of Blow Up Media's fearsome "Blow Me" motto and a great victory against Betgenius coming from 16-4 down to win 32-20, they were no match for the Pirates as we rapidly deflated their team with run after run after run.
Having scored 13 in the first innings, this was followed with another 4, 9, 3 and again 13 making a total of 42 versus Blow Up's total of 4 after only 5 innings!
Although we had been playing for two hours and the light was fading, they did not wish to concede defeat by accepting a call of mercy. However once this offer was reinforced with talk of beers and the pub beckoning, the ball game was called.
Another victory to the Pirates! Well played everyone, solid base hitting throughout the game and great defensive fielding - as always a few memorable moments and highlights from the evening.
Absolutely everyone crossing the plate and scoring!
Gray O perfecting his juggling skills in the outfield followed by monster throw to Ange at 3rd
Bethan repeatedly targeting their poor 3rd base girl to get herself safely on base everytime she stepped up to bat.
A big thanks to Laura and Lola for stepping in last minute.
With the victory wrapped up it was time for some more Pirate Challenge action with Liz being the first girl to earn her shirt with a respectable time of 1 minute 20, and Gray O repeating the challenge to shave 4 seconds off his personal best and take 3rd place in the table from Rosey.
