OTTAWA – The fun bunch were despondent. They had lost three of their last four games. To make matters worse, their captain and perennial all star Steve “field marshal” saunders was under doctors orders to sit this game out. And just when you thought they had reached rock-bottom – things got even worse -- they were playing “pitch please”, one of only two teams to beat them last season.

“field marshal” of course disobeyed his orthopaedic surgeon and showed up at the game nonetheless, intent on providing at least moral support and his stellar pitching to assist his fallen comrades. But that was going to be the extent of his contribution. They were going to have to win this game on their own – without his assistance.

The fun bunch got off to a stellar start – racking up 9 runs in the first three innings and shutting down pitch please to a paltry two runs. So far so good.

In fact, leading the charge defensively was none other than Richard “wild thing” Bujold. Given the green light to start at second base he turned a smart double play in the first inning. Pleasantly surprised, his teammates were quite taken aback and effused their praise on him. “wild thing” developed somewhat of a swagger as he sashayed off the field. But then again, almost as mysteriously, he had another stellar inning and turned yet another double play in the second. He began to strut about the infield, preening and displaying his full colours. It was a sight to behold. He was living in the moment – at once a star. He felt accomplished.

Watching from the dugout, “field marshal” cringed while observing the extravagant display. “pride commeth before the fall”, he predicted.

Just then the pendulum swung hard the other way. Two innings of zero runs, while “pitch please” scored five to narrow the game to 9-7. The lustre was coming off “wild thing” like a dollar store trinket as he reverted to his old ways of booted balls, and juggled grounders. In fact the once gilded carriage was now a simple pumpkin and the infield reflected that transformation.

But the fun bunch were not going to go gently into the deep night. They mounted a counter attack and scored four runs on hits by Leah “the roadrunner” Morrel, Jess “bullseye” belanger, Meghan “marathon” Saunders and Glen “the wranger” Rankin. Take that “pitch please!”.

But once again the fun bunch offense faltered. Two more zero run innings and some lack lustre defense allowed “pitch please” to take the lead with a huge momentum shift. Pitch Please now lead 16-13 heading into the ninth inning. The fun bunch would need a miracle. And as if on queue. Hits by “the roadrunner” and Alison “bulldozer” hale put two runners aboard with two out. Striding to the plate was scott “boom boom” saunders. He had already hit a single, double and a triple. A home run would complete the rarest of feats – hitting for the cycle. As he dug into the batters box, he suddenly realized the immense pressure his big brother, mentor and spiritual leader steve “field marshal” saunders was under every time he came to bat. It was sobering.

Nonetheless, he dug himself in and looked out to his brother on the pitching mound, hunched over and in pain. Before he could open his mouth “field marshal” tossed in a gentle beach ball. One that had “crush me” written all over it. “boom boom” complied and in an instant, the score was tied 16-16. Now the fun bunch would have to shut down a team that had just scored nine runs in the last two innings. A tall order to say the least

As they headed out onto the field, “field marshal” was screaming at them to get the easy outs and keep it simple. He singled out “wild thing” who had been a mess since the second inning. “Don’t do anything stupid”, came his sage advice from the dugout. All of a sudden “wild thing” wasn’t quite so cocky any more. He began to sweat profusely.

The inning started out fantastic. Two fly balls two great catches. Two up two down. One more easy out and its over. As if on queue the next batter hit a lazy ground ball to “wild thing” for what should have been the game ending ground out. “wild thing” sidled up to the ball, but then it handcuffed him and bounced off his glove. With still ample time, he attempted to pick up the ball, but it squirted out of his hand like a greased pig. He tried again to get a grip on the ball but failed. It was like watching a slow motion horror show. The winning run was now at first base.

This brought their big hitter to the plate. He had previously launched a home run over the left field fence and was licking his chops at the repeating that feat. The ball came in and he pounced. The ball sailed into right field, high in the night sky. Adrian “the jackal” Seaman (so nicknamed by Ryan “man ‘o war” Matischuk for his deceptive speed), tracked the ball down near the foul line and made a stellar catch to reel it in. The fun bunch had done it! They had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and ended their horrific losing streak with a tie.