After lousy weather Sunday, Ryan called in another favor and…voila!…another perfect night for softball.
Before we get to the recaps, I know most of you know this but a sad week here at JCC softball central as friend to the league and friendly face to all who knew him, Jeff Elkus passed away over the weekend. While Jeff never played in the league, a bigger sports fan you could never find. He was a fixture at the J and events around the JCC for many years. I hope the Reds keep winning in his honor this year.
Now onto the recaps:
On field 1, we had Team Lefton vs. Team Kamrass
Micah for the winners:
Playing with just 9 because Jordan Skinner took a ball off the face in warm ups (but stayed to cheer us on and watch with the use of just one eye), Team Kamrass came from behind to avenge its first half loss against Team Lefton by a score of 11-6. Other than a ball over the fence by super sub Josh Kotzin, Jamie silenced us through the first 5. Pedro Cerrano woke up our bats in the 6th, where we put up a 9 spot. Kamrass and Raskin started the rally, and the biggest hit was a blast from David Solomon that bounced to the fence. Ben Margolis also had a beautiful bunt hit. Fink came out with the lead in the bottom of the 6th and struck out two, and then was lights out in the 7th to put the game away. The defense was sharp across the board tonight, especially with just 9 guys. We had lefties at short and third, and they both availed themselves well. “This was step one of two on our revenge tour,” said Captain Kamrass. “We can’t wait to get Wolf in a few weeks.”
On Field 2 it was Team Zawatsky vs. Team Brafman
For the second time this year without their captain, Team Brafman run ruled a team winning 18-3 for their 3rd win in a row. A 13-run first inning highlighted by a grand slam by Jamey “The Rookie” Drennan was the big hit. Joel “Hallelujah” Buckley, Eric “the Mouth of the Midwest” Gruen and todd “the Mayor” Wasserman also contributed with multiple hits each. “Everyone on the team got hits and Eppy pitched a great game,” Dee Harris said post game. “Our defense continues to play great behind Eppy. I think it would be better for Captain Brafman to continue to stay away from our team moving forward.”
Next week Team Brafman tries their hand vs. the Big Wolf Machine
On Field 3 it was Team Grefer vs. Team Wolf
Team Wolf won 11-8 to remain undefeated.
Finally on Field 4 it was Team Solomon vs. Team Wagner
Brad for the winners:
Team Wagner took down Team Solomon 9-6 on Wednesday night in front of a crowd of four mothers, five babies, and two dogs. Team Solomon jumped ahead with two runs in the top of the 1st, but Team Wagner tied it in the bottom of the 2nd and never looked back. As our good friend Dan Hoard would say, the coffin nails for the victors came in the top of the 7th when Captain Wagner (who can’t make a good throw if his life depended on it) and Chris Kunkel hit back-to-back homers. Wagner’s was more of a triple (his 2nd of the day) with an error. Kunkel cleared the left-field fence. Other big hits came from John Spears, Jerry Kirzner, and Matt Grindle. Grindle executed a great bunt for a hit late in the game. Defensively, Josh Rosen made an early case for the catch of the year off the bat of Harry Meisner. Meisner crushed a Howie Schwartz pitch to the deepest part of Field 4, and Josh Rosen got to the fence in time to reach over and take the homer away from Harry.
Wagner takes on Team Lefton next Wednesday. That game will be televised on PBS with Van Earl Wright and John McEnroe on the call.
Solomon takes on Team Zawatsky next Wednesday. The networks are still bidding on that game, but Max Kellerman and Gene Okurland will be in the booth.
League notes
As Ryan mentioned earlier, good luck to Scott “Dire” Wolf on recovery from surgery on his broken finger. Get better soon, Scott.
Former league batting champ and all round good guy Taylor “May the” Schwartz Be with you got engaged over the weekend in Chicago. He reports that the Lincoln Park Softball league doesn’t hold a matzah ball to our league.
Is there a more random fan/team than AJ Goldhoff rooting for the Denver Nuggets? After they won the NBA title he posted numerous pictures of him in his old Alex English, K-Mart and Kiki Vandeweghe jersey’s. Congrats on the title, AJ.
Last night at the Silver Spring House, Brad “The Human Rain Delay” Wagner surprised and impressed Jacob and me with his knowledge of random Reds who have worn the number #43 (which is Jacob’s number). This was off the top of his head, not looking it up. Our favorite was Tim “We all live in a Layana Submarine.” I honestly couldn’t tell you the numbers of most of the current Reds.
I bumped into the “Minister of Fun” Dave Cohen at the Dead and Company show at Riverbend on Tuesday night. It was great catching up. Not so great, he had just bought the new tour shirt and put it on. Note to you kids out there. Don’t be that GUY!! (Name the movie, win fab prizes)
Once again it’s Wing Night on June 21 at the Spring House. Please plan on coming
Apparently the Reds are now calling themselves “America’s Team.” I love what they are doing and how they play the game, but really…America’s Team? For beating the Cards and Royals who Team Wolf could beat? Let’s see how they do vs. Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore and San Diego the rest of the month. One more note on the Reds: I don’t think Votto coming back will hurt them at all. Move Steer to LF keep Votto hitting 6-8 in the order and also have him DH from time to time. Senzel can become the new Newman and play a few spots, send Jose “Punisher Jr.” Barrero back to Louisville and flat out release Wil Myers. I don’t want to see Wil Myers ever playing again, and I can’t stress that enough. No way should he take away at bats from Benson, or any of the young guys. Votto gets the benefit of the doubt. Last point on the Reds. Jason Williams from the Enquirer wrote that Votto is the reason the Reds should never give out big contracts. That is wrong. The Reds can and should give out big contracts, then build a team around that big contract. They didn’t learn that lesson with Jr. and for the most part didn’t learn with Votto. I 100% blame ownership and place zero blame on the players.
Roger will be selling Las Vegas Golden Knight’s posters at the game on Wednesday. Make sure to get there early to get one.
See everyone Wednesday night.
Marc