Playoffs: the light at the end of the tunnel

It was a beautiful evening for baseball, an evening expected, but rarely seen, during our precipitous summer season, where we seemed to be inundated with one deluge after another. Perhaps Mother Nature is rewarding us our for our indulgence, our commitment to the game during all sorts of sketchy weather, paying us back for everything she has thrown our way. Payback can be a bitch but, in this case, she is greeted with open arms. Hopefully, the night was enjoyed by one and all. If not, at least the mosquitos seemed to have enjoyed themselves, taking full advantage of our presence. Nonetheless, we were not distracted from our goal, disregarded any inconveniences and carried on with our mission, to successfully begin the first round of playoffs. Off to the races.

Second place (Mooseheads) played third place (Budweiser) and, as expected, a hard fought session between two teams stuck in the middle of the pack. The game had to go to the bottom of the last inning to be finally decided and, although not the intended result, Mooseheads were able to eke out a slight win, through no fault of their own. Second game saw first place (Bat Busters) playing last place (Bevies & Bats) and, as expected, a hard fought session between two teams at opposite ends of the standings. Try as they might, the Bevies were unable to overcome the odds and events transpired as one would think they would, with Bat Busters eking out a win that was more of a slight, even if well played by both sides. Both games were strewn with exceptional plays by all teams. Home runs were hit, most infield, but one was actually hit out of the field, a sight seldom seen this year. Won’t mention any names, but nice hit, Don (oops). The ladies came to the forefront, literally hitting left, right and centre, showing exceptional prowess and wisdom when taking their position at home plate and out on the field. Perhaps the men as well, but one is always best to compliment the women. Boys will be boys, but the girls can be more. Just more advantages to stroking the feminine mystique, better and preferred reciprocation…depending on your position (not that there is anything wrong with that).

But, as always, I digress (not that there is anything wrong…). Unsure if we’re just old and tired or both or just unused to the conditions of playing ball on a well-lit field in the wee hours of the early evening, but the exceptional hits and catches were also interspersed with a number of errors, seemingly easy plays, deferred through a lack of balls becoming secured into the glove to which they were intended or an inadvertent need to run when there was neither need or requirement. One such escapade even devolved into one of our first triple plays (could have been more, but that’s all you need). Perhaps one of our first, but can be added as another embarrassing moment in a long list of embarrassing moments, which can be quickly forgotten and filed away. After the obligatory razzing, cajoling and dismemberment of the odd ego, of course. And as a further blog resource. Won’t mention any names but, no, I won’t mention any names. We all know who we are.

That’s why the game is all about the fun, as most of us will never make it out of the sub-minors, never make it the show, never advance to the big leagues. And, as always, if you can’t be fun, try to be funny (not talking about smell), as it tends to even things out and throw that fun thing right back in your face. Next week, the first game is populated by the Bevies & Bats and Budweiser, to determine which team can outlast the other and firmly secure the bottom rung of the ladder, the coveted last place position in the league. Of less importance is the second game, inhabited by the Moosehead and Bat Busters, to decide something, a result which somehow escapes me at the moment. Something to do with a trophy, as I recall. In any event, less consequential than the first game (can you figure out which one I am playing?).

Last games of the season upcoming, the finals, when all the nuts and marbles are up for grabs (and out on the field, less a few marbles). Congratulations to all for making it this far, most of us still intact physically, if not mentally and best of luck in the successful completion of your season. One last tip. Dress well. If you can’t look good, you can look good doing it. I prefer just not to look.