Just a few more extra innings
It began as a cloudy, slightly overcast evening, with no open sky in sight. Looked like possible rain, but the clouds trespassed without shedding a single tear. Gloomy at best, until the clouds dispersed, allowing us to glimpse the final brief glow of another colorful expiration of the sun, at which point, it just started to get darker. Usually a threat, but we were under the lights of Country Lane, so simply one beauty night for baseball.
Other than the quagmire at the pitcher’s mound, with the possibility of sinking into the muddy abyss always on the pitcher’s mind. Well, at best, it kept them on their toes, tough since they were constantly in threat from the surrounding mud. In any event, all of us tend to overlook adversity (even if it does come form your own pitcher). Almost a full crowd out for the first playoff game to help determine who gets all the marbles, a ruly mob that was later enhanced by the approaching throngs of the pervasive mosquitoes. Good thing about the lights, you can play almost forever without fear of total darkness. Bad thing is it tends to draw out hordes of blood-sucking reprobates. And the mosquitoes, as well. Under the lights. A guarantee of a full seven innings. What more could one ask for? Well, even more, I guess.
Because it seems one lesson learned due to the unrestricted full length of the games is that, if we were always allowed to play a full seven innings, all teams would come out as evenly matched, as both games were all tied up after seven, with no clear leader. Some teams scored runs more readily than others but, in that case, they were also playing a team who did the same. If we could have played a full seven innings all season long, perhaps the outcome of the regular season would have been wholly different or, then again, might never have finished at all. So, with the aid of the lit scenario, we were able to continue both games at length, past the seventh inning ‘stretch’, an opportunity which all the teams readily took advantage off, playing on and on and on…
The first game was populated by the second place team and designated third place team, the ‘Bevies & Bats’ against ‘Budweiser’. As said, all tied up after seven. Those that may have complained earlier about having to sit out an inning once or twice, may have regretted their earlier grievances, as they were then forced to play multiple extra innings before a winner could be decided. Karma can be a bitch, but sometimes she is a pleasant one, not always harbouring malicious intent.
‘Bevies & Bats’ finally succumbed to the win, reluctantly outscoring ‘Budweiser’ in the tenth inning. Second game, more of the same. First place team introduced themselves to the designated last place team, a first date that may have not lived up to expectations, which may have put a distinct strain on the future relationship or, at least, the possibility of a second date. “Bat Busters’ took the field against the ‘Mooseheads’, with the hopes of continuing their regular season antics. But fate intervened and, after seven innings, this game was all tied up as well. So, once again, on and on it went. Unfortunate for the regular season champions, the ’Mooseheads’ were finally able to eke out a win in the bottom of the ninth. So, congratulations to all participants. An evening well played. Special congratulations still must be paid to the ‘Bat Busters’, who handily took the regular season, scoring double the points of their next nearest competitor and they were always the force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, the playoffs can sometimes be a fickle mistress and, sometimes, you just don’t get any. However, again, they must be commended for their regular season performance and, as with everyone, their efforts must never go unnoticed. Pats on the back all around (with apologies to Pat). Again, well played.
The finals occur September 18th, same times, same place, just different opponents. The illustrious ‘Bat Busters’ face the unrelenting ‘Budweisers’ in the first game, to battle it out
for last place, also a well-renowned place of distinction. The second game pits the not-so-complacent ‘Bevies & Bats’ against the always-overcoming-adversity ‘Mooseheads’, who will be playing for all the marbles. And, as mentioned in previous blogs, we are probably all missing a few marbles and could use all the extra ones we can get. Good luck to all, and remember, if it wasn’t so much bloody fun, you wouldn’t be doing it.
