FUN BUNCH PULL OUT A WIN IN THE FINAL INNING
Tempers flare as Bass Line Station contest innocent play
OTTAWA - After steve "field marshal" saunders read his team the riot act for their poor punctuality, the fun bunch did an abrupt about-face and fielded a full team by 6 PM - completely warmed up and ready-to-go by 6:15. "Look, when you've been on this team as long as I have, you quickly learn you don't want to mess with the 'field marshal' ", john "father time" devries uttered nervously. Unfortunately, Bass Line Station did not apply the same vigorous discipline to their sad sack team of n'er do wells, who forced the fun bunch to wait until 6:30 until they had enough players to start, despite the fun bunch's anguished protests. "How do you like a taste of your own medicine?", and "it takes one to know one", were the snarky comments hurtled towards the fun bunch dugout by Bass Line Station in response. The game was played under ideal playing conditions, sunny and 30 degrees, no humidity with a slight breeze - "absolutely perfect", remarked new recruit Taylor "the terror" Albert who debuted at third base. The Fun Bunch took to bat first--being the visiting team --and they quickly loaded the bases for--you guessed it--steve "downtown" saunders. With age catching up to "downtown" he approached home plate while favouring his right arm--a nasty hyperextension during hockey playoffs having left him with intense pain in his elbow and wrist. Standing in the batter's box he surveyed the landscape and saw the wide-eyed, hopeful looks of his teammates--like helpless puppies-- and knew what he must do. Wincing in pain, he swung the bat into the ready position and instructed his little brother to "toss it in like a beach ball". One mighty swing later and the ball disappeared into a speck on the horizon as it cleared both fences and rolled all the way to home plate on the far diamond. The Fun Bunch were up 5-0 after one inning. Not to be outdone, gritty Bass Line Station (last season's A tournament champions) clawed and scratched their way to a five run inning of their own to tie the game. Scoreless second and third innings by the fun bunch allowed Bass Line Station to take a 7-5 lead. It was in the second inning on a hit down the 3rd base line by Kathie "daredevil" Adare, that Bass Line Station showed their true colors. The ball sailed over third base landing pretty much on the line before rolling foul. Richard "wild thing" Bujold signalled the ball fair and the runner was safe. The overly competitive left fielder for Bass Line Station however began vehemently disagreeing with the call. After much on field theatrics including throwing his glove, and kicking up plumes of dust, the captain told him to pipe down but he was not to be consoled and continued on in this manner for the remainder of the game, muttering under his breath every time he passed the fun bunch on the field. In the fourth inning with the fun bunch down 7-5 and John "hans solo" devries aboard, the "field marshal" strode to the plate. Looking "hans solo" straight in the eye, he gave him a playful wink before once again calmly advising his little brother to "toss it in like a beach ball" before it disappeared into the stratosphere - game tied 7 all. Not to be outdone, Bass Line Station answered the call and scored three of their own in the bottom of the inning to pull ahead once again 10-7. By this time, the fun bunch women were getting a little exhausted as only three showed up for the game. Rowena "scoresheet" Sams, Kathie "daredevil" Adare and Taylor "the terror" Albert were coming to bat with such frequency that they barely had time for a sip of water. Co-captain Alison "bulldozer" Hale--once again displaying questionable leadership qualities--eschewed the game for a show at the bijou to leave her teammates twisting in the wind. But I digress. Due to the late start it was clear that the game would not make nine innings and it was agreed that the game would instead end after seven. At the top of the sixth inning, the score was 10 - 8 for Bass Line Station with the fun bunch managing to hang in there with a very determined effort. The sixth inning saw the fun bunch score four runs by "scoresheet", "daredevil", "the terror" and "hans solo" to take the lead 12-10. Sadly, Bass Line Station was not about to roll over and play dead as they scored five runs of their own including their first two home runs to move back into the lead 15-12. Top of the seventh and mercifully the last inning. Hits by "the terror", "wild thing" and "hans solo" loaded the bases. At this point, Bass Line Station glanced nervously around to see who was coming to bat. Their worst fears realized, steve "downtown" saundered saunters into the batter's box. His little brother Scott "boom boom" Saunders foolishly advised "downtown" to "hit a solid single". Barely able to stifle a guffaw, "downtown" burst into laughter at his brother's audacity. "Now listen here 'boom-boom'. I'm going to let that insubordination slide seeing as your my brother and all. So just hush yourself up and toss me one in here like a beach ball". Quickly realizing the foolishness of his suggestion, he lowered his head--ashamed--and tossed the ball in as instructed. Jerking his head back in whiplash-like fashion "boom boom" followed the sub-orbital flight of the ball as it once again sailed out of the ball park as the fun bunch took the lead 17-15. With half an inning to go, the fun bunch dropped the hammer and shut-out Bass Line Station to record their first victory of the season.
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