August 25 Recap
By Marc Brafman
Dodging goose poop, some thunder, and more goose poop we got our semi-final games in and next week we will crown the post season champs.
First, on field 2, it was Team Grefer vs. Team Lefton.
Kyle reports in for the winners:
We beat Team Lefton 12-4 (I think?) in a complete team effort. Brad Gallop had the highlight of the game with a running catch on the dirt in short right field, and also created havoc on the basepaths with his speed. We got off to a strong start scoring 4 runs in the first inning all with 2 outs and continued to play add on as the game went along. Howie again pitched a great game and hit line drives all over the field. Wes Wolf made all the plays at shortstop and used his speed to turn singles into doubles. His brother, Tyler, had a nice game as well crushing a ball to the fence in left center. Can’t wait for the championship game next week! (it should be noted that Brad “the Human Rain delay” Wagner hit one off the fence in LC for his first almost homer ever. “If only I’d hit the gym more,” a dejected Wagner said post game. (It should be noted, part 2, that Grefer called me to sub because Danny might have hurt himself coughing on a piece of chicken at lunch which hurt his back because he coughed so hard. Lucky for Team Grefer Danny was able to tough it out. Otherwise, that would have gone down as an all-time JCC softball injury).
On field 4 it was Team Kamrass vs. the upstarts, Team Groh
Team Kamrass continued its magic in the semi-finals with another come from behind walk off victory, this time to beat Team Groh. Eppy pitched a strong 7 and the entire team played strong defense behind him.
The hero for the night was Scott Sadler who came up in a tied game in the bottom of the 7th with bases loaded and two outs. Sadler crushed a ball to left field to deliver the victory and to advance Team Kamrass to the finals. The inning started with Groh ahead by two runs but hits by Zach Mayer, Rafi, and Ryan “Hi Ho” Silverman tied the score. After a couple of outs by the Groh defense, it was left for Sadler to be the hero. “Being a UGA fan I’m not used to winning close games,” Sadler said post game. “I’m glad that I was able to come through for us in the clutch.”
“This team never gives up,” said Captain Micah Kamrass. “Everyone played a key role in delivering this victory and getting us into the finals. We’re ready for Team Grefer.”
Next week at 6:00 on field 2 we will crown our 2021 tournament championship, which has the first and second half winners playing each other. Team Kamrass, the 2nd half champs, will face Team Grefer, the first half champs. More importantly it will be an epic showdown of JCC softball legends. The Living Legend, Howie Schwartz vs. Eppy. Combined years in the league around 100 (give or take a year) “All my career I’ve dreamed of facing Howie in a tournament final,” Ep said between wings last night post game. “All my swimming training in the summer, my leg work and of course my time at Driveline with the folks that helped out Trevor Bauer has me ready for this game.” As for Howie, he just shook his head and said, “I’ll be ready for another title run.”
In league notes this week we start with the first couple of JCC softball, Joel and Barb Fogel. It was brought to my attention that they are currently living with her parents while they get work done on their house, which is why they had to leave the Silver Spring House at 9:30 to make it home for their 9:45 curfew. “I didn’t realize that once we became empty nesters that would mean we’d have to move back to the MAIN nest,” Joel said as he hurriedly paid his bill last night. Never fear, Joel. As a service to you, I’ve got the perfect song/video for you and Barb to enjoy for the next couple of days: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-QG-rFf4po
The OY Vey 5K is on Nov. 7 and it’s $36 bucks to enter. All the money raised goes back to the Blue Jay program run by Mr. Mike. Please consider signing up and helping to support the JCC and Mike’s teams.
We are working on a date and time for the ASG. Rick will be in touch soon.
If you are interested in playing ball in the fall, please reach out to Ryan Silverman as he is working on a short season.
Happy anniversary to Mr. Special himself, Mike Rothstein. It should be noted that Mike ordered the steak last night at the SSH because, of course, it was the special.
Scott “Dire” Wolf has a nice side hustle as a door dash driver. “I like to mingle with the people,” Scott said. “What better way than to deliver their Penn Station subs at 1:00 AM?”
Would you guys complain if we went to dri-fit shirts next year? Or are you ok with the current jerseys? These are the hard-hitting topics that keep the softball commission up at night.
Big time congrats go out to David D-Sol Solomon on getting married this weekend. Enjoy these last couple of days of freedom.
Rabbi Yitz welcomes everyone over to his house if you’d like for a Shabbat Dinner. Just don’t knock on his door at 2:00 AM and ask for Lester.
Make sure you come to the JCC this Sunday from 9:30 to 1:00 for the JCC market. And get all of your baked goods thanks to Sweet Butter Bakery who will have their tent set up.
Did you guys hear the news that starting next year Topps might be out of the baseball card biz? MLB made a deal with Fanatics for exclusive rights to all baseball cards. Sad day for all of us who collected cards.
But in better news I love that the Reds are starting all of their games at 6:40 next year.
In not-so-great news from baseball I got an e-mail last week from the Reds (mind you from a company called WynnBET) the official gambling sponsor of the Reds. That’s right folks…the same organization that won’t touch Pete Rose with a 10-foot pole is now offering betting on baseball from your phone. Hypocrisy has no bounds, I guess.
Finally, now I do admit that Roger has a lot of good stuff for sale but I ask you how much would you pay for your own version of Scott Hillman, the coach of some team called the Indy Fuel, bobblehead? is 25 cents too much?
See you guys at the field this week for the final game. Come out and cheer on Team Grefer vs. Team Kamrass
Marc