Take Two

 

New Lenox, IL - The 2024 Spring/Summer season has been interesting to say the least, and we are not talking about the actual games themselves.  Seems like each Tuesday brings  the threat of rain with Mother Nature coming through on a couple of occasions to postpone some or all of the games on a given Tuesday night.  Heck, the Volts even won a rare forfeit last week when the Scrappers couldn't show up because they were cleaning up from the devastation of a Monday night storm.  This Tuesday was no exception when it came to inclement weather, and we'll get to that in a moment.

The 6:30PM game was a match with the beleaguered Beggars Pizza. The Volts faced 14 batters in the first three innings to blank Beggars up to that point.  Meanwhile, the Volts started the game offensively by putting their first three runners on base, with the latter being a Stapes RBI single that was followed by a Sutes SAC fly.  After a Zlogar piss-missile out (the hardest hit ball of the evening in our estimation),  Koz ripped an RBI double to put the Volts up 3-0 after an inning. The Volts continued in the second inning by putting two men on for Sutes to hit a two out three-run homerun to increase the lead to 6-0.  The third inning started with the bottom of the order loading the bases for a Jack RBI single. Jay followed up with an RBI fielders choice to increase the lead to 8-0. Stapes walked to re-load the bases for an RBI Sutes base on balls.  That is not a typo.  Sutes found a new way to get an RBI...........walking to first base.  Zlogar walked for an RBI before Koz laced a two RBI single to right field.  Noah ended the scoring for the inning and the first game for the Volts with an RBI single for a 13-0 lead heading into the 4th inning.  Beggars put two runs across in the fourth inning while the Volts went scoreless in the bottom of the frame.  Beggars could only score one run in the fifth inning to end the game early with a Volt 13-3 slaughter rule victory.

The 7:30PM game started off with Paradise Bay blitzing the Volts for five runs in the first inning.  The conditions at this time became windy and both pitchers were having some difficulty finding the plate. The scoring got going when Sutes hit a three-run homerun to get the Volts started.  The hometown heroes loaded the bases for a Pratl two RBI single to tie the game.  After a Foster walk, Jack knocked in Alabama Mike to put the Volts up 6-5 after an inning.  Paradise scrounged two runs in their half of the second inning before the pesty drizzle turned into an all-out downpour with quite a lightening show.  The umpire halted the game and had both teams wait in the safety of the iron dugouts with metal ceilings.  At that point, all of the fans "flooded" into the dugout to avoid turning the night into a wet t-shirt contest.  When the weather cleared, and both teams waited for the umpire's requisite delay of 15 additional minutes, play resumed.  With both teams now ice cold from a near half hour rain delay, Sutes started out the inning with a solo homerun. Singles by Zlogar and Koz gave Noah a chance to knock in a run with a single to left field.  Jeff loaded the bases with a walk, and was followed by a two RBI Pratl single.  Ryno helped the cause with an RBI single. Jack loaded the bases with a walk so that Jay could launch a SAC fly. Stapes followed with an RBI single to put the Volts ahead 14-7.  Volts were not finished as Zlogar belted a two RBI single that was followed by an RBI double by Koz. Noah tacked on two more RBI with a triple.  Pratl capped off the 13 run inning off with an RBI single to put the Volts ahead 20-7 after two innings. PB and the Volts managed a run apiece in the third inning for a 21-8 score heading into the fourth.  PB pushed two runs across while the Volts went scoreless in the fourth inning for a HV 21-10 lead.  PB went 1-2-3 to end the fifth inning, and the game on a 21-10 High Voltage five inning slaughter rule shortened game.  The rain did continue when play started up but not heavy enough to impact the remainder of the scheduled games.  The Brew Jays handled Scrappers in the 8:30PM game to lock in first place honors for the regular season.  Playoffs start on Tuesday, July 30th with the Volts hosting Beggars in an 8:30PM start.  Everyone bring out your pink attire next week as we all Stand Up for Kathy.

Noteables:

Corona Ended The Losing Streak - For those of you who were wondering why Corona was standing under the gazebo in the rain while the Brew Jays faced the Scrappers, wonder no more.  A disinterested Brew Jays lost to Corona 9-8 for the virus's first franchise win.  Billy the Clown yielded pitching duties to Cookie the Clown as Corona proves once again that you must play all of the games and that anything can happen.  Congratulations on Corona for their first franchise win!

Playoffs! Playoffs? - Paradise Bay and Scrappers play at 6:30 for the rights to take on Brew Jays on August 6th.  Chucks host the upcoming Corona in the 7:30 game to play the winner of the 8:30 match which features Beggars visiting High Voltage.

Pencil & Slide Ruler - We like to look at the Pythagorean calculator for run differential to determine who were overachievers and underachievers in a given season.  We also use this data to weigh into our post-season selection process.   Based on our results, High Voltage should have a first place record of 8-2, followed by Chuck's at 7-3. Going down the list, Brew Jays is more of a 6-4 team.  Paradise Bay at 5-5.  Beggars at 4-6 with Scrappers 3-7 and Corona 2-8 bringing up the rear.  This year's overachievers have been Brew Jays, Chucks, and Scrappers.  Underachievers are High Voltage, Paradise Bay, Beggars, and Corona.  With all of this knowledge, lay the points and take Chucks to defeat Corona, and the Volts to defeat Beggars.  Stay away from the Paradise Bay/Scrappers tilt as that one is too close to call unless you can find someone to lay more than five points to the Scrappers.  In that case, take the underdog Scrappers.  Good luck, and bet responsibly!

Time & Temp - This was the scene early in the evening and was not indicative of walking back to the parking lot in a slog of mud.  Thank you to the ghost of Jim Ramsey for acquiring the pre-game weather conditions.

 

Fueled On............. - It was not Dunkin' early in game one when Ryno legged out a double on what should have been a bloop single.  Way to go Ryno!

Accuweather Players of the Game - Jacky Stats has submitted the list.  Sutes going 4/5 with 9 RBI and 5 runs scored.  Koz 5/6 with 5 RBI and 3 runs. Noah 4/5 with 4 RBI and 4 runs

Jeff with 5 BB and 2 runs.  The Gazette would like to commend Ryno for pegging the runner out at home while trying to score from 2nd base on an infield hit.  Way to cover the bag in the first place and way to go to alertly turn around and fire home for the out.  Team defense was incredible last night and has been all season.  Great work this season Jack, Jake, Jay, Pratl, Noah, Matt, Jeff, Jason, Ryno, Zlogar, and Dylan!  

Delay of Game - Sutor has to remove that construction cone known as Ken before the start of action last night.  Ken wanted to make sure that he was visible last night and he succeeded. 

Mug for the Camera - Jeff adjusts his cap before taking the field on Tuesday.  Someone alerted him that there would be broadcast going back to the dorms of Kansas City and that he would be featured with an iso camera and an inning of being mic'd up.  Neither happened but Jeff looked and played sharp last night. 

Garbage In - Garbage Out - The team was handed one lineup, and the scorekeeper was handed another.  This is the alternate version sent to the home offices.  We are left to wonder what would have happened had this lineup played versus the nuance of the actual lineup.

Krauts - Ken swigs a beer as he takes a break from telling Sgt. Schultz about his recent trip to Germany.  As someone said from the dugout that drinking alcohol at the Lions Den is against the rules, Schultz barked out; "I see NOTHING".

Crowd - A near capacity crowd gathered last night to witness the double header victory.  The shot features a rare appearance from Richard Blatzo.  Kathy hiding behind Lizzo.  A smart fan who actually brought her own chair (gotta get me a name Noah).  Finally, Deb whispering to Gale that she is going to "coach this team again one day".

Running for the Hills - Stapes tries to keep law and order in the dugout as the entire fanbase is invited to take refuge in the dugout.  The three rules Stapes delivered; "1. No alcohol, no dugout 2. Be careful what you touch in this dugout.....it's probably icky. 3. If anyone touches my Jack lookalike equipment bag, you'll have to answer to me.

Looks So Easy - The Gazette Weather Department is unmatched in the Chicago area when it comes to predicting rainouts.  Koz is looking to join the advanced program that we've set up here in the home offices, and is gazing skyward to glean any intelligence out of the clouds.  

Well, There You Go - Deb said she was going to coach the Volts, and by golly, there she is in the dugout long after the rain had subsided.  When Deb asked Lauren and Liz about being her assistants, Lauren quipped; "yeah we're just sitting here because it beats standing in the wet grass.  No thanks".