Second Look at Ivy League vs Gnaturals

 

Grazie - A big thank you to Mrs. Gazette, Gale, for the live audio on Tuesday night to allow an account of the Ivy/Gnat match.  She did a tremendous job!!! Team, run over there before next week's game and give her a big hug.  That means two from you Sutes.  Jack, we don't care that you claim to not be a hugger, get your ass over there too.

Kicker - Thank you to Mike Pratl for hanging the GoPro to the fence to capture a Gnat marquee win.  We do not look a gift horse in the mouth so it will be kindly written that the big blue bucket serves a main purpose, and it is not to carry stuff inside.  Thanks to Jake Koz for helping Pratl get the camera off the fence. Your trademark "huh?" gave you away.

Noteables:

My Bad - It took all of one batter to scorch a ball up the middle and say "my bad".  Zlogar pitched for the Farmland Shitkickers on Monday night and complained that they sent eight or so balls through the box without one apology.

Sweet and Salty - Koz and  former long time teammate and Ivy catcher, Gerrybats, hugged before the Gnat right-center fielder's first at bat.  Koz wasn't able to enjoy the moment for long as Uncle Gary rifled a brush back pitch to let Jake know who's king of the hill.

It's The Little Things - All of the Gnats stepped up on Tuesday night and contributed great things to add up to a victory.  One of the most simple things was likely the smartest baseball move these eyes have ever seen from a Master Batter/Gnat when Dylan tagged up from first to take second base on Zlogar's long flyout to left-center field.  Instantly took the force away while only requiring one hit to score the winning run.  Hats off to Jamaica!

Coming Up BIG - Getting to second base was only the first half of the equation for the Gnats in the fateful sixth inning.  Getting the winning run in is essential. Jeff came in off being on the shelf all Fall with a partially torn labrum and was instantly thrown into the mix in the big game against Ivy League. Jeff answered the call by going 3/4, two runs scored and two RBI including the game winner.  Welcome back Jeff!!!

Send in the Clowns - There is a 73% chance that Barta and his circus show up in Deacon uniforms next week.  How many guys have their own tailor made jersey on two different teams on the same night?  He doesn't even bother to disguise himself as he wears the exact shoes, shorts, cap, and sunglasses, not to mention the two-tone glove.  Vote for Zlogar, NLPD President

Two-fer Tuesday - Ken hit a legit first inning double in Tuesday night's game.  You all have the record books, is that now two or three lifetime doubles for the fiery Gnat third baseman?

Subtle - Did anyone beside Stapes and Sutes notice that Cap'n Jack flipped the two in the lineup? 

K Mart - Stapes went down looking in the second inning of Tuesday's game, paused and gave a long look to the plate area before quietly heading to the dugout.  For you youngsters out there, pay attention to what happened next.  Jas came up to the umpire between innings and quietly discussed the call.  That kids, is how to handle getting jobbed by an ump.  Classy move Godson.

Arik Grace - After taking a rare oh-fer, Arik is thankful that one of those outs produced an RBI and is looking to make amends next week against the Deacons.  Arik and the boys went on a weekend adventure on a three state spree that was captured by the Gazette field photographers.  Look for a special edition of that trip upon season's end.

Baby Seven - Send a mom out to do the Gazette work and you end up getting 3/4's of the pictures of your son.  Gale was quoted as saying "I had to take most of the pictures of Jake, he's my first baby".   Only fitting that another favorite of hers is in the frame too.

Bucket of Cash - Stapes informs ump Lovey Smith that he has to pay one dollar to the Gnat kitty for incorrectly ringing him up earlier.  Add another person to the party.

Old School in Session - How do you think this conversation went?  Our imaginations tell us it went something like this:

Gary: Good game Ken

Ken: Thanks.  Exciting.  Came down to the wire. Looking good Gar.

Gary: How you feel?

Ken: Like shit.  How do you feel?

Gary: Like shit.  

Ken: Gotta go.  Past my bedtime.

Gary: Me too.  Gonna have a beer when I get home and go to bed. You playing next year?

Ken: Yep.  You?

Gary: Yep

Sage - It was reported that the sage smell was missing last night. Rumor had it that Mrs. Pratl used it in her spaghetti sauce.  Not true.  Mike had as much trouble keeping the spice lit as Ump Lovey had seeing the strike zone.   

Hey, looky here! - Jack seen here leading off the game as Jeff looks on.  This is the other 25% of the Jake picture book

Run, Don't Walk - Is this the first game ever that Jamaica did not draw a walk?

Tights - This was the description given to the Gazette of Ivy #8.  His name is Tights.  Don't want to know his real name, Tights it shall be.  Gale does not realize that she will be offered a long-term contract with the Gazette as this is the naming scheme our scorekeeper uses when a number is not obvious.  On another note.............Arik, what is up with the stare down from the ump?  Awkward

Why Why Why - Seemed odd that Uncle Gary would pitch to Sutes in the fourth inning last night with two runners on base in a tight game.  Matt quickly deposited the first pitch on to Cedar Avenue for the three-run shot.  The Gazette caught up with the lovable Ivy pitcher and asked why he pitched to Sutor. Gary's reply; "It's softball.  There to have fun.  You never know.....pop out deep or a long one over the fence".  Another good example; have fun and don't kick yourself.

Legit - The official scorer last week demoted a Ryno little league triple to a double but could not deny him this week as the Gnat pitcher clubbed one to left-center and ran around the bases for a while before stopping at third. Be careful Ry or you may be looking at "Wheels" for a new nickname.

Scoreboard - The scoreboard made an appearance this week.  Was pivotal in that the game ended up going short of six innings on time limit.

Well Played - Jack pinched in on Gary, which prompted the Ivy Leaguer to load up and hit a fly ball to moderately deep left field which #10 tracked down.  The long hit prompted chants of "Juice" to Uncle Gary's long fly.

Top Turd - This one is in honor of Ryno.  Beggar left-fielder, Pepper Oni, gets tonight's top turd award for attending all four games every week of the season every season.  It was brutally cold last night and this turd of the week is talking over the YouTube cast, freezing his ass off, pissing of Ryno, and seeing his team get no closer to first place.  Turds to you Pepper Oni.

Miner 49 Says - Please correct if this is inaccurate.

Jack 1

Pratl 3+1 (4)

Jamaica 1

Arik 1

Ken 2+1 (3)

Foster 1

In the bank:

Koz 4

Sutes 1

Charley McCarthy - Easily the favorite thing of the night happened immediately after the game ended. Jeff knocks Dylan in for the winning run.  As everyone mobs around home plate, Jeff stands on first base with his hands on his knees and enjoys the moment.  Gary is the first person to pass by and Jeff and he hug each other.  Sutes then comes in like the bus driver picking up a kindergartener on the first day of school after saying goodbye to a parent and lifts the Artist over his shoulder, walks him over to the third base line, then deposits him in line and off to school to shake everyone's hand. Take a look at the 1 hour and 3 minute mark to watch the final play and see Edgar & Charlie (i.e. Sutes & Jeff) embark on their Vaudeville Tour 2022.  Here's the game URL to to catch the moment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBhHscL6TM).

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