Portland Pirates

So it was time for the Pirate's to face off. Portland versus Paddington. Last year DDB had arrived smartly dressed and promptly commenced their warm up routine. 

This year, having already met a couple of their Pirates at the Rookie trails (who had stumbled across our blog from last year.....).

They were determined to demonstrate their drinking side and did indeed show up with a galleon filled to the brim with plundered rum. Could this new tactic turn their crew into true pirates on the field?

Well Paddington's crew started well scoring 2 in the first innings and holding us to 3. A lead for us that we went on to stretch. After five innings we were 19-10 up and as our pirates eased off the batting and their crew stepped up in the last two innings we were held to the final score of 19-12.

Some high and lowlights from a good game.

"So Jon was partying and introducing Rocco to Ibiza and the Panda was....... well Waldie keeps secrets better than the Illuminati


Alongside 2 star players being absent there was also the matter of a 5 year old curse to overcome – to date whenever Waldie or JB are absence a loss follows closely behind...... and let it be known that Waldie keeps opening umbrellas in-doors at Fuel the problem was exacerbated

Well let’s get it out of the way – the curse was broken and is now forever broken. Thank god Alex was donning his lucky tights

Although there were certain parts of the game where the curse reared its ugly head, we were just too strong as a unit for it to prevail. There were definitely signs of team effort, one example being Bethan sprinting to pitch 10 with unconditional determination to ensure she didn’t miss the start of the game, as well as heeding cries from Chris reminding her to "Ignore the Physio!"

Ant needed to step up to the plate and fill in for the missing JB and Panda as pitcher – some pre match practice paid dividends, even though Will was poaching a lot of his Dads pitching practice.

We went out to field first, with Coxy’s short stop career opening with a dive into the ground with absolutely no chance of getting within stretching distance of the ball – we kept their runs to 2 for the first two innings even though we were looking  a bit scrappy after our break since taking down Capgemini.

The sun was also blindingly low in the sky, but our opposition demonstrated their solution infield by laying down flat at 3rd and short stop to avoid the sun, although effective against the sun it was less effective against our batting....

We notched up 11 runs in the first two innings, overshadowing their 4.

In the third though following the excitement of music supporting a 5k charity race that nearly trampled us to death - we had began to flag, with 3 runs in the 3rd and nothing in the next three innings!

Luckily we held strong in the field and only allowed TBWA to score 3 runs over the same period. This was thanks to Bridge holding strong to a slide on second that she seemed to just brush off, Ang keeping the in-field in check and the outfield digging deep to a lot of low balls that skimmed across the craterous pitch

When we came up to the 7th, everyone breathed a sigh of relief as the vistory was ours and we could relax as we batted out the game and began to smash the ball all over the park running in another 9. Final score 23 – 7

Some other highlights included:

• Grey O’s frustration at his dipping batting average – until a homerun struck and a celebratory cartwheel onto the home plate almost took out Ant
• The deepening divot next to the batting plate, that we are sure Betgenius dug in order to slow down our hitting rate
• Will coaching Ant into the glove of the outfield

Well done pirates!

Also special thanks to; Lisa for dragging herself to the park making sure we were not short of girls even though she should have been tucked up at home fighting off the plague, Ant for so valiantly stepping up as a stand in pitcher and everyone for maintaining our undefeated streak. I know from murmurings across the bars of Regents Park the name of the Pirates is being spoken in hushed tones.

Next week is another rest week before a straight run of games through to the play offs. Although there is no game next week, the All Star Rookie trials and a chance to play in Las Vegas start on Monday. I highly recommend the trials for both a chance of making the cut and another chance for some training and beers in the park.

Captain Rubble

The stars were aligned, the beer was cold, the Pirates were ready. With the honour of toppling Cap Gemini already having been achieved by Betgenius, it was our turn to send a message and prove our worth.

The game started tentatively with both sides locking each other out in the first innings, 0-0. The second innings saw another lock out from the Pirates and a lone homerun from Coxy taking us to a 1-0 lead. Cap Gemini matched this single at the top of the 3rd but our batting sparked into life with a grand slam homerun from JB and another homerun from Ant stretching our lead to 7-1.

Again we locked our opponents out and went into bat a 4th time confident of stretching the lead further.The 4th inning ending 15-1 to the Pirates with another homerun from JB and a first homerun to Gray'O'.

However the might of Cap Gemini who had never trailed by such a margin before, began to flex its muscles..... Their two international grade players began the fight back with some incredible fielding plays holding us to 2 runs in the 5th and then leading the batting fight back running 6 against us.

Top of the 6th innings, score 17-7, we were still confident but the opposition was revitalised and on fire. We were locked out again and allowed another 5 runs to be scored!

Top of the 7th innings, score 17-12, surely we could hold on, the pressure was building and errors were creeping in. Three outs were all we needed to win. "Hold on Pirates, just hold on!". Our worst fielding of the game allowed Cap Gemini back in, they scored 7, to take the lead for the first time!

The tide had turned and the wind was against us. We needed 2 to draw or 3 for the win. JB steps up to bat cracking a blinder, but the Cap Gemini outfield was fast and Jon was held on first base. Next up Ange, another great hit but only enough to get JB to second. The tension was tangible as we approached the lower batting order and a risk of impending outs. Third up to bat, a rookie all-star in the making, Coxy stepped up to the plate. First pitch a big swing and a miss! Strike!

Finally the pressure pitch, Coxy swings and hits! A huge fly ball deep to the outfield just beating their fielders. A homerun it was, and the look of joy on JB's, Ange's and Coxy's face as they ran in the three runs to win!

We have a rest week scheduled now, but if anyone wants to hit the park after work for a little batting practise in the net, or any other coaching, just let me know.

The first game of the season was upon us. Arriving early to warm up and shake off the rust from many winter months we preceded to crack open the beers and keep warm. Although the sun was shining, as Bridget 'checked in' to the Arctic on Facebook it was admittedly a little cool.

Our previously unknown opposition, a promotion from Division 2, arrived and were welcomed with a relaxed opening innings where our fielding warmed up allowing them a respectable 4 runs, reduced to 1 more run in the second innings and then they were locked out for the remainder of the game. Some great infield play and throws (ignoring my desire to roll around the grass excessively), a solid start from the outfield and an impressive jumping, stretching catch from Coxy in his debut game for the Pirates.

With our first game resulting in a win, a big welcome to Alex and Coxy, as well as a welcome back to Bethan and Bridgerama, great start to the season.

New team shirts should be arriving before next week's game, so the Pirate challenge and Rite of Passage will be back in action soon. Who will break the 60 second barrier?

A little reminder for the budding photographers amongst us, we are generally pretty poor at recording the seasons, so feel free to snap away. If you upload any photos to Facebook and tag Portland Pirates they will be pulled through to the blog photo page linked above.

Capt Rubble.

There are still two more chances for training before the season starts; tonight and next Tuesday. As usual, calendar invites will be sent, or let me know if you would like to attend. There will also be a chance for some batting cage time this Sunday or Monday, so again, if you want to know more just let me know.

Captain Rubble.

It's almost time for the new season, so dust of your eye patches and wooden legs. The season starts the first week of May, games are generally every week on a Thursday (final schedule to be confirmed).

There will be an opportunity to learn what softball is all about during pre season training / introductions to softball nights on the 20^th and 27^th of April and 3rd of May. 

As a brief summary, it’s about a little sport.... (ideally in the sunshine at Regents Park), plus a fair amount of socialising with teams from other advertising agencies across London and a fair amount of social drinking.

Yet another scorching evening in Regents Park for the Pirates to venture forth versus their old enemy The Economist. However this game was more of an exhibition match featuring two of this years Rookie All Stars. A big congratulations to Laura and JB for making the first selection for a trip to The States and TPT. Also congratulations to Phil and Paul from the Engine crew for also making the team.

With such pedigree on the Pirates team the results was as big a shock to The Economist as our invite for them to join us for drinks afterwards.

AND JOHNNY P'S RITE OF PASSAGE

To celebrate the departure of Posh Johnny to a jet set world of cappella vocals, he dutifully arrived to support the Pirates, champagne in hand. With much beer, Pimms and champagne drunk, the game was over so it was of course time for Johnny P's farewell Pirate challenge which he attacked with gusto to set the current fastest time of 1'01.3' For everyones entertainment here is the home movie by our very own videographer Becs, aka Legs, aka The Flasher.

The Sun was shining yet again for the 2010 LASL summer tournament (Codename: "I have a puppy between my legs.... and I quite like it" for those who remember any of the evening once we retired to the Sun Inn).

Anyway, back to the softball, having all dragged ourselves up at the crack of dawn to travel the length and breadth of London to arrive at the Old Deer Park for 8.30 am to be told first game was at 10am, oh well time for beer.....

The day started hard with defeats at the bats of Cap Gemini (fully stacked with every GB player they could muster), but a respectable 6-15 result, the constant flow of beers and relentless sun beating down on us kept us moving onwards and upwards to further losses against Rainey Kelly and Tequila. Even Newbies streaking home run wrapped in the Pirate Flag couldn't save us from these first 3 losses.

However we were a scratch team and it took a couple of games and a few crates of beer before we found our Mojo and recorded a comprehensive win versus The Orphans whose ringers were not to be underestimated but couldnt hold back the wave after wave of Pirate runs. However it was the first innings of this game when the Pirate fire was really lit as Orphans Kiwi rookie steamed in to home oblivious of Lola and the inevitable tag out, bowling her off her feet. However as Lola was delivered to A&E, the Pirates were fired up with revenge and The Kinks 'Lola' suprisingly went on to knock the Orphans out of the competition and make the Plate final for another game against Tequila,

And so the seemingly impossible had happened, we were in the Final. With only thoughts of Lola and the imminent hours in the pub and beckoning cold beer, the Tequila grudge match commenced. At the top of the first innings I demanded an improbable 14 runs from the Pirates who only delivered 11. Very dissapointing. But we went on to stretch the lead before Tequila made a valiant effort to pull us back in. Final score 22-17 and the silverware was ours.

Finally it was time for the pub. Our resident bard (aka Panda) has provided the following memorable moments and awards:

"Hmm lets see, I can only mostly remember the pub antics and am having trouble remembering the softball!"

Play of the day: Lola - Great relay to get ball into Lola at home, Kiwi proceeded to run straight into the tag and through her - knocking her clean off her feet backwards. Lola lying on the ground asking Ronnie if she got the tag as she couldn't see the ball still perfectly held in her glove. Textbook play.

Picture of the day: Steve asleep having a happy dream...

Downing a pint in less than 3 seconds award: Newby

Quote of the day: Laura - I have a puppy between my legs... And I quite like it!

Whiter than White Legs award: Ange

Forgetting they still had their cleats on after a couple of hours at the pub: Ange

Coolest Hat award: Waldie for his Panama

Party Harder award: Portland Pirates - last softball team standing at the pub

Scared Chicken award: Mike Lock for refusing Newby's challenge of downing a pint

Only coming with one sock award: Laura

Another great summer tournament, another great night in the pub, and more great new friends. Take it easy all, see you around the Parks and Pubs.

After last weeks game to forget.... the Pirates sailed out onto Regents Park to face off against last years (to be honest almost every year...) league champions Cap Gemini.

Previous games against Cap have resulted in losses, 7-23 and 12-24. Although again this was a defeat every Pirate showed their intent and it was an incredibly close game losing by just 2 runs. In fact it was a game that was there to win, and if we had been full strength or were a little luckier with the bounce of the ball..... just maybe. A huge cheer for everyone, and as JB would say this will send a message to the rest of the league correcting last week.

Although as always everyone played great, a real team result, I have to admit memorable moments for me were Cap Gemini's young upstart and representative of the GB team stepping up to bat and being caught out by Pau repeatedly. And having their coach and captain stepping in to bat because he was worried they could not hold on to the lead and win. Well done everyone!

Come on Pirates! Lets get to the final again, and take this years trophy out from under these Cap Gemini, invaders to our advertising league from another sector.