Special Edition

 














Line Up Card from May 31, 2022

New Lenox, IL - Let's talk about this lineup chart for a few minutes.  This image was captured on Tuesday evening when the Gazette staff had full access to the Gnaturals clubhouse.  The Easton lineup board is ample enough, providing spaces for 16 players.  The board looks sturdy and is housed in a protective cover while hanging visibly from a 5 link chain on the dugout fence.  The rest tells a story, so here goes...........

Ken was in the last spot in the order, which makes sense because he was not a certainty to make the game on time.  The blank spot next to his name probably indicates that he is the extra hitter.  That begs the question, "Is there an "Extra Hitter" tab?  

Ken has an "A" next to his name.  Most likely Alternate Captain.  Alternate to what?  I see a guy named Capt. Jack but I don't see a C next to his name.  When Ken wasn't there for the first five minutes, makes you wonder who the Alternate Captain was for that period of time.

We get why the RC and LC tabs are there as it is not a traditional "baseball" position.  Where is the Right Field tab?  Why are LC, RF, and RC in orange?

What happened to the original 2nd Base and 3rd Base tabs?  Are they out on loan?

The Pitcher tab is interesting.  Looks like a piece of athletic tape with a thinner permanent marker than the aforementioned LC, RF, and RC tabs.  Even yet thinner than the 2B and 3B tabs.  The fact that "Pitcher" tab is athletic tape screams ;"Dear Pitcher (whomever you are), you are batting 10th tonight, and next week, and the week after, and on and on.

Whitehouse, what did you do to earn the yellow highlight marker designation on the "Whitehouse" tab?  Could be good, could be bad.  I'd check that out with the captain whenever that is revealed.  In the meantime, just ask the Capt. Jack guy as that is the closest designation to that esteemed position.

Welcome to the team Dylan!  You have the cleanest tab so you must be the newest member.

Capt. Jack, Jeff Schoen, Ryan Frosty, and Ken (A) all have printed tabs. That is a sign of permanency.  The rest of you guys in hand written tabs better start hitting and catching the ball or you soon disappear (see slot 11 under SUBSTITUTIONS as an example of how you'll go missing)?

Where's the Koz tab?  What about Jimmy Bags and Kerty?  Did Sutor ever have a tab? How about Officer Dave?

On that subject, is Officer Dave batting 10th if he returns to the team?  That dude is probably still 3rd on the team all-time homerun list and he hasn't played in moons.  He's not batting 10th, time for Goo Gone.

Who are the other folks with "printed" tabs that are not listed on this display?  

Can we see a collage of the other tabs or were they chopped up and used for a ransom note for the 2004 Rebels in-house championship trophy napping from a reputable New Lenox dentist's office?  Oh wait, that hasn't occurred yet, but it will.

How fitting that Officer Dave would be the person to arrest Ken for the abduction of said trophy?

Until next time..........................



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