Good Morning A’s,
We had another excellent game last night as we fended off the relentless attacks of the Primos.
Though the day was triple-digit hot and despite some portentous-looking clouds that ruminated
over the mall before the ceremonial first pitch thrown out by President Barack Obama (note:
President Obama couldn’t make it due to a last-minute engagement with Dmitri Medvedev
so he asked Lucas to take the honor in his place), by game time the softball gods complied
with skip’s prayers to give us a break in the weather. The A’s started out in our typical strong
effing fashion, taking a commanding 6-0 lead in the early innings. The bats were cracking left
and right for the A’s, while a strong defensive showing helped Lucas “I shut ‘em down like
Strasburg” Tanglen carry his no-no through 3 full innings. The Primos surged back with a big
4-run inning to bring the game closer, as the sun and suds started to take their toll. But the
A’s remained strong in the face of adversity as we consistently produced a few runs in each of
the following innings. The Primos weren’t done there, no sir, not by a long shot. They began
to exploit some holes on the left side of the infield (sorry about that) and rallied for a 7-run
performance to tie the game in the top of the 6th. But the A’s held their ground, driving 3 more
across the plate in the bottom of the inning to seal the deal. After one more half-inning of rock
solid D, the A’s walked away victorious yet again. The game’s runner-up MVP was Thomas
Earnest, who had a Pujols-like day at the plate, batting .750 with two home runs, a double, 4
RBIs and 3 runs scored. The MVP award however went to “One Night Only” Wes, whose trusty
glove at first base saved innumerable throwing errors while he batted 1.000 for the game and had
a tide-turning homer following the Primos’ first rally. We now stand at 4-3-1, and we all know
that one of those losses and the tie are basically throwaways, so we’re doing pretty darn good so
far.
Next week we suit up against the Muckrakers, from the Center for Public Integrity. I don’t have
a good scouting report on their team, so let’s say they’re a bunch of puny wimps who are going
to get crushed by an onslaught of effing A power. Yeah I like that. We’re scheduled to play
them on Thursday, July 1. The game will be somewhere on the mall, sometime around 6:30pm,
and I will probably spam you with a few more emails between now and then to give you more
details. But if you already know you want to come (and who doesn’t?), please let me know.
That’s it for now A’s. Thanks to everyone who came out last night for a great match, and I hope
to see a bunch of you out there next week as we continue our glorious ride through the 2010
season.
Effing A,
Skip
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Can't Win 'Em All
Hey A's,
Well I suppose it was bound to happen. The A's were unfortunately handed their first major
loss of the season in our home opener last night against the Microsoft Bada-Bings. Far from the
frail, dweeby squad we all imagined, the Bings turned out to be a monstrous team of hulking
behemoth ogres who all also happened to moonlight as minor-league all-star fielders. Oh well.
The A's played more than formidably against their foes, however, on both sides of the ball.
Stellar short outfield play by Kelly Trout, who was nursing a pulled hammy all night, earned
MVP honors for the game. Matt "I'm a jerk and I'm not going to play softball anymore" Allee
(seriously though, we're really going to miss you) and Corey "only losers wear shoes" Lewin
were also nominated for web gems, both on spectacular diving catches. After stranding a few
base runners in the early innings and struggling with the Bings' knuckle-baller, the A's picked up
their hitting game towards the end. Despite some ridiculous defensive plays by the Bings, the
A's were able to force a few across the plate as the innings wore on. James Owens came through
with a monstrous homer in the bottom of the 7th to keep the A's rally alive, but alas it was not
enough as we fell to 3-3-1 in a 21-7 defeat. Many thanks to Katherine Malone for making her
A's debut, and to Sia Seifi who was in town for a one-night-only performance.
So onward and upward, right? We've got a few days off for everyone to hit the ice tubs before
we engage in our next battle, against the Udall Udall Primos (who are affiliated with both Udall
offices) next Thursday, June 24th. As always, I ask that you please let me know if you can make
it, and I'll probably ask again at least once before the game. Also, if anyone could help with field
scouting next week (meaning if you could take off or send someone sometime before 5pm), I'd
appreciate it.
That's it for now A's. Have a nice week and weekend, and I hope to see you all out there for our
next game.
Effing A,
Skip
Well I suppose it was bound to happen. The A's were unfortunately handed their first major
loss of the season in our home opener last night against the Microsoft Bada-Bings. Far from the
frail, dweeby squad we all imagined, the Bings turned out to be a monstrous team of hulking
behemoth ogres who all also happened to moonlight as minor-league all-star fielders. Oh well.
The A's played more than formidably against their foes, however, on both sides of the ball.
Stellar short outfield play by Kelly Trout, who was nursing a pulled hammy all night, earned
MVP honors for the game. Matt "I'm a jerk and I'm not going to play softball anymore" Allee
(seriously though, we're really going to miss you) and Corey "only losers wear shoes" Lewin
were also nominated for web gems, both on spectacular diving catches. After stranding a few
base runners in the early innings and struggling with the Bings' knuckle-baller, the A's picked up
their hitting game towards the end. Despite some ridiculous defensive plays by the Bings, the
A's were able to force a few across the plate as the innings wore on. James Owens came through
with a monstrous homer in the bottom of the 7th to keep the A's rally alive, but alas it was not
enough as we fell to 3-3-1 in a 21-7 defeat. Many thanks to Katherine Malone for making her
A's debut, and to Sia Seifi who was in town for a one-night-only performance.
So onward and upward, right? We've got a few days off for everyone to hit the ice tubs before
we engage in our next battle, against the Udall Udall Primos (who are affiliated with both Udall
offices) next Thursday, June 24th. As always, I ask that you please let me know if you can make
it, and I'll probably ask again at least once before the game. Also, if anyone could help with field
scouting next week (meaning if you could take off or send someone sometime before 5pm), I'd
appreciate it.
That's it for now A's. Have a nice week and weekend, and I hope to see you all out there for our
next game.
Effing A,
Skip
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Effing A's Cruise to Another Victory
Morning A’s,
Well that sure was a fun one last night! After having to trek back and forth across the mall
trying to fight off tourists and rogue field-claiming interns, we finally wound up playing in the
southerly portion of the Washington Monument’s plaza. Though the game was a constant uphill
battle, literally, the Effing A’s demonstrated their fortitude and defensive prowess once again.
A dominant pitching performance by Lucas “Strasburg Jr.” Tanglen earned MVP honors, but
he couldn’t have done it without an excellent, and massive, supporting cast. We had strong
offensive production throughout the lineup, and everyone was getting into the mix. Many thanks
to Eric for sacrificing his shin bones to save a group of tourists, and to all the FoE folks and other
new faces (Alex, Bhagrav, am I missing anyone?) who came out last night. After five innings of
concert-shortened play, the A’s emerged with a 13-12 victory over the loathsome Dinhs. This
vaulted us up to #23 in the rankings, out of 94 teams (an increase of 13 spots)! This could very
well be the highest the A’s have ever been ranked, but all it really means is that there are 22
squads standing in the way of the best season ever, ever. (PS: for rankings, click here)
Next week we square off against the #12 team in the league, the Bada-Bings of Microsoft. We
play on Tuesday, probably around 6:30pm, probably somewhere near the monument on the
mall. I won’t know an exact field location until Tuesday afternoon, but as always I’ll try my best
to circulate it via email and you can always text or call me for directions. Please let me know if
you plan on coming to that game.
That’s about it for now A’s. Thanks again for coming out last night, hope you have a good
weekend, and I hope to see a bunch of you out next week.
Effing A,
Skip
Well that sure was a fun one last night! After having to trek back and forth across the mall
trying to fight off tourists and rogue field-claiming interns, we finally wound up playing in the
southerly portion of the Washington Monument’s plaza. Though the game was a constant uphill
battle, literally, the Effing A’s demonstrated their fortitude and defensive prowess once again.
A dominant pitching performance by Lucas “Strasburg Jr.” Tanglen earned MVP honors, but
he couldn’t have done it without an excellent, and massive, supporting cast. We had strong
offensive production throughout the lineup, and everyone was getting into the mix. Many thanks
to Eric for sacrificing his shin bones to save a group of tourists, and to all the FoE folks and other
new faces (Alex, Bhagrav, am I missing anyone?) who came out last night. After five innings of
concert-shortened play, the A’s emerged with a 13-12 victory over the loathsome Dinhs. This
vaulted us up to #23 in the rankings, out of 94 teams (an increase of 13 spots)! This could very
well be the highest the A’s have ever been ranked, but all it really means is that there are 22
squads standing in the way of the best season ever, ever. (PS: for rankings, click here)
Next week we square off against the #12 team in the league, the Bada-Bings of Microsoft. We
play on Tuesday, probably around 6:30pm, probably somewhere near the monument on the
mall. I won’t know an exact field location until Tuesday afternoon, but as always I’ll try my best
to circulate it via email and you can always text or call me for directions. Please let me know if
you plan on coming to that game.
That’s about it for now A’s. Thanks again for coming out last night, hope you have a good
weekend, and I hope to see a bunch of you out next week.
Effing A,
Skip
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