New Lenox, IL - Energy levels were at an all-time high as game time approached the 6:30 league opener. Ryno spent the afternoon talking trash to old men in the parking lot of Badda Bing's and pushing blue hairs every which way in the aisles of Berkots as he got psyched up to defend the regular season title and get a head start on the 2023 Championship. Pratl was even spotted kicking dirt on a car in the parking lot of Randall Matuszewski D.D. but later left an apology note on a five dollar bill jammed under the front wiper for the good doctor to get a car wash. High Voltage was amped up at The Lions Den on Tuesday evening on a 50 degree night with high winds and a real feel of 35. The visitors rolled box cars in the first inning to take command of the contest and never look back. HV added single runs in the second and third inning before ending the night with four runs in the top of the fourth inning highlighted by a Koz three-run shot into the face of a stiff wind. Sons of Pitches plated a run in the first inning and never had a runner in scoring position thereafter. After walking the leadoff batter, Ryno never gave another free pass while only allowing S.O.P. three hits the entire evening. High Voltage plays a doubleheader on May 9th with the 8:30PM game featuring a playoff rematch vs Ivy League. The 9:30PM nightcap pits High Voltage against longtime rival Beggars Pizza.
Noteables:
Commissioner Wetfoot - The Comish gets a week one rating of A-. The new commissioner was ambitious scheduling opening week the first week in May but the infield conditions were perfect. The outfield was mowed tightly and dried out from yesterdays rain. We'll take a wait and see approach on Gordon Wetfoot' s performance but so far the only gaffe he's made is not removing the milk crates from underneath the batters box.
Kozleton - Ryno ponders the fact that he just learned tonight that Jake and Jason are cousins. Wonder if he knows that Jack and Jeff are brothers.......or that Ken is their father?
Ladies Day - Opening night at the old ball park featured Ladies Day. Tonight's giveaway was frostbite to the first half-dozen women to show up for the game.
Crimes Against Baseball - The game ended in a kerfuffle when the umpire did not know the run rule of a team being ahead by 15 runs after four innings. Thankfully, High Voltage stated their case to Judge Judy and wiser heads prevailed as the game ended 18-1 after four innings played.
Of Some Concern - High Voltage took 10 walks in the first inning on the way to scoring 12 runs. Nobody else walked for the rest of the game and the inning run totals showed a usual drop with 1 run each in the second and third inning and 4 runs in the fourth inning. Lack of run production in the middle innings was masked somewhat last fall by the fact the team went on a winning streak but it came back to bite them in the playoff loss to Ivy. No cruise control boyzzzz.
Blue Moon - After downing a few Blue Moons, there's nothing like using the pink facilities oddly titled Blue Moon.
Perfecto - Koz, Sutor, and Zlogar each had perfect nights at the plate. Sutor took a rare walk in the first inning when the "Pitches" pitcher couldn't locate home plate. Everybody in the lineup scored a run tonight.
ME!!! - Ken yelled for a pop up in the first inning only to have to peddle to the ball which had gained some resistance in the heavy winds. Ken did get to the ball.
Are You Lefty - Is what Ryno said to Stapes moments before the game started. One can only say that Ryno was blind with ambition tonight. At least that's the story we'll go with.
Black Bag Job - If you enlarge this picture, you will see El Burglar at the plate dressed in all black. The light hitting Sons of Pitches player couldn't steal first base as he went zero for two on the evening.
Last Again - Sutes was two minutes early to the game tonight, making him the last High Voltage player to show up to the field. He was also the last to show for the team picture after the game. Consistency is the key.
Committee Meeting - How many High Voltage players does it take to put on batting gloves? Answer: four.
Tip Jar - No idea what this candy is but it makes for the week one representative of the fine jar. Here are the not so happy totals:
Jack $2 (Paid $5 because of self-policing on feeble pop out)
Sutor $1 for whiffing on a groundball while charging in.
Pratl $2 - Oddly enough, one popup was a hit and the other a SAC fly. Doesn't negate the fact of two pop ups. Mike did drop money into the bucket before the game for not submitting a picture for the preview edition. Props to you Miguel!
Arik With An A $1 for a first inning pop out
Kudos - The Gazette failed to mention a part time player from last years fall league. Joey G. played three games in relief of Jeff when he sat out for shoulder issues. All G-Dog did in those three games was bat .778 with 6 RBI in 9 at-bats. Joey played respectable second base and earned our respect here at the Gazette. Tip of the cap to you Joey!
Walk This Way - Aerosmith announced yet another farewell tour. Zlogar is seen walking to first in the first for a team record 10 walks in a single inning.
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