After game 9, there's only one more time

20-8 For those of you that missed it, you would have been proud of us during the first 2 innings. We played a great game at first getting most of our 8 runs then. Just as Bill predicted from previous observations, we began to fall apart in the field around inning 3. Keep in mind that we did get 8 runs from the best team in the league. Many of us also observed that they didn't have the best players neccessarily, however, they did have some great strategies which probably comes from playing time spent playing in this league. For those of us that want to continue playing in the Fall league, there has been some talk of gathering as a team more and working on this type of strategy. Ericka made us proud as Center Fielder with her fantastic fly ball catch and many great throws back into the infield. Rick, as he gently reminded us on the rooftop at the Ale House, turned his game around completely this week. Rick played a mean short center. Despite downing sangria shortly before the game, Kelly did a great job of getting on base and managing to get home before Bill passed her. Bill hit the ball hard and far while playing a star left fielder. Candi, who dropped everything on a moments notice to be girl #5 for Parks and Wrecks, had the unfortunate but not uncommon experience for players on our team of pulling a muscle in her leg during inning #1. Despite her misfortune, Candi was able to hit the ball well and get on first base hopping and wobbling. Very impressive moves! Sonny's REM sleep was disturbed at 9:15 by a phone call from a nervous captain. During his short interuption of sleep, he did his usual magic at short stop and hit our only HOME RUN and GRAND SLAM of the evening! Julie's contact with the ball did not happen with her bat or glove but with different places of her body all incurring bruises and bumps. Joe fielded some great balls including an extraordinary catch at 3rd base. Kyle did a fantastic job at getting on base and scoring! Jon L smacked the ball harder than ever getting on base while giving our competitors some exercise in the field. Thanks to a jetlagged Chris for cheering us on in the stands.

Game 9 - We should have "PRAYed for RAIN"

Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical. Yogi Berra

Winners at last! Game #7

Game 7 proved to be the most fun of the season mainly because...get this...WE WON!!!! Here are just a few of the many highlights... The early start of 8pm attracted lots of offspring to the stands on Friday night. Our youngest fans ranged from just a few months to about 10 years old cheering loudly for their parents, neighbors, friends and of course a favorite ex-babysitter. MVP Bill caught every ball hit with in the vincinity of left field. He was relentless in the field and at bat killing the ball and rounding the bases! Ericka hit the ball hard and high. Kelly barely pitched a ball and didn't let a soul walk. Her epic pitching accounted multiple strike-outs. She hit the ball great as well and as usual. John M. killed the ball while at bat. Michael made an outstanding catch as 3rd basemen making his wife and kids cheer in the stands. Kyle's first time at bat accounted for a great RBI! As catcher, Kyle's strategy of letting the ball go foul purposely by not touching it helped contribute to our win! Adrienne looked alive in right field and at bat. Just as she was injure-free a ball pounded into her nose while practicing but she made a quick recovery. Alex has been hiding from us his talents at 1B. He did a sensational job and was responsible for some awesome plays at first during the second half of the game. "Steve of all trades" is always willing to fill in where ever needed and does a consistent job at pulling through for the team in any position, made some awesome plays while covering 3B. Jon L smacked the ball out of the field and strategized with his pinch runner (Sonny) who made it home. Katie hit the ball better than ever. She did a great job at catching too. Big shout out for multi-tasker Sally, who kept score for us while keeping her baby happy in the stands.

Game 6 - Remember the good ole days of playing 7 innings?

Parks and Wrecks had a rough night last Friday. Losing 16 to 1, we all agree that something was a bit off especially while at bat. Here is a brief summary. It was graduation day for Joe. He was poised to hit a homer, however, his swing scared the heck out of the ball. Steve fielded an amazing game proving he is a "jack of all trades" and can field where ever needed. Ericka's epic catch in Center Field left everyone gasping. Kelly spent the day getting psyched to play a little 1B but we wound up needing her on the pitching mound for the entire game and did an awesome job. John M, as usual, caught every ball with in a 20 foot radius. Rick's intimidating stance in left field forced the other team into a strategy of hitting anywhere but to LF. Bill's fearless line drive, bullet catch at 3B finally relieved a tough inning in the field. Completely healed from injury but possibly, slightly hung over from Thursday night, Adrienne played our faithful catcher. Sonny's star fielding in inning 1 left us over confident and potentially jinxed us. (ok that may have been my comment about having a good feeling about the game that jinxed us) Genevieve was feeling her Zen at bat despite P&W curse at bat. Jon broke a sweat at 1B as the recipient of many infield plays. Julie(on purpose of course) fielded a ball with her shoe which redirected it to Steve at 2B and the runner was OUT!! That strategy has taken years to master.

Game 5

We had the lead for an inning or so but a grand slam broke the game open for the other team and we couldn't recover. Here are some highlights: When Michael was at bat, he pounded the ball earning a Triple and multiple RBIs! In the field, he won the ump over and distracted the other team with his chatter about his day "Occupying". The team was happy to see Sally return after a few weeks off. With their newborn and parents cheering in the stands, Sally did a great job catching while her husband pitched and covering 3B during the second half. "Politically incorrect" Rick, didn't let the ball even think about going anywhere else but in his glove. Rick was partially responsible for our first few innings in the field which were short and sweet due to great fielding. Look for him in the outfield next game. Genevieve's killer swing scared the pitcher so much that he lost focus and couldn't pitch a well placed ball for her to hit. In the field, Genevieve did a great job of getting the ball back to the right spot. John M. used his knowlege of the rules to make sure the bases were almost loaded when he was up at bat. The result: RBIs. John made his pitching debut on Parks and Wrecks and did a fine job as well as making some awesome plays as short center covering many holes. After a long week away from home, Bill's allegience to Parks and Wrecks is appreciated. Practically coming from the airport, Bill stopped at home to say hi to his girls and showed up fully ready to win. A shout out to Ellen for all of her support and her phone call letting me know that he was on his way. Demonstrating that alcohol may enhance his abilities on the field, Sonny fielded another fantastic game as short stop. His double play seemed graceful and effortless. Kelly had another fantastic game at 3B and pitching. For being as tired as she claims to be, she knows how to bring it. As a newbie to softball, Katie is impressive with her courage and ability to put herself out there in front of the ball. Joe played a solid game in left field catching some great fly balls and impressing his fans. Among them, his proud father in the stands. Joe did a great job at bat and running the bases as well. Jon L. played 1B well and managed to stay off the ground. He walked but got caught at home trying to score. At bat it was my intention to force that pitcher to get his baseball pants dirty so he could look like a serious player, but unfortunately my hits practically fell into his glove and he came away clean.

Game #4

At least we are consistent and that keeps things predictable. We may have lost, but we keep improving which is a good sign. We had the lead early and kept it close most of the game. Overall we did a great job and had a ton of fun. Here are some highlights. I lived up to the "Wrecks" part of our name with my dazed and confused performance as captain. I'll do better next time. Kelly proved herself as versatile as ever by pitching a great first 3 innings and being a star 3rd baseman. After taking week off from the field, Sonny's glove was once again a magnet for the ball. Seemed like every time you looked up, Genevieve was running the bases. Her ability to get on base and score was uncanny. Alex's strong arm came in handy when the ball seemed like it was constantly hit to left field and he was able to bring it back in for the play. The team was wishing the bases were loaded when Steve was at bat during his epic home run hit. Bill was the all around athlete hitting ropes and making great plays. Hats off to Ericka for showing team spirit and being willing to play even when sick. We hope you're feeling better. Kyle's swift moves in right field by stopping the ball and borrowing the arm of other players when needed was strategic and effective. Still injured but willing to play, Adrienne caught a great game with a smile on her face. Michael, catching for the first 3 innings, proved that he can fill in where needed and do a stellar job. Rick continued his command at 1st base and hit the ball solid. Jon L found himself on the ground yet again with in the first inning and also made some awesome plays at first base. John M gave his audience something to cheer about as he rounded the bases and caught balls at short center. Joe's aggressive base running manufactured runs and contributed to our improving offense. As for me, making the last out of the game speaks for itself. There's always next time.

Game #3 Losing to The Foul Balls

We're 0 and 3. Good job Parks and Wrecks. We are here to make the other teams feel better. Joe Winbigler lived up to his nickname "Big Winner" hitting the ball extremely well, running fast and making some great short stop plays all while once again bringing the best Oak Park cheerleaders to the bleachers. Katie Jones may have gotten a little too much action in right field for her first game with Parks and Wrecks but she kept her composure and used her strong throwing arm to get the ball back in to play. Back from the land down under, Rick Nott had an incredible night at the plate. Batting 1000, Nott hit the ball hard and far and kept a steady hand at first base. Ericka Lingk never disappoints. Her great hits and quick running kept her in the game and contributing to Parks and Wrecks best showing yet both offensively and defensively. Alex Davidkhanian wins most improved, hands down, by showing his strength at the plate. A little work at Stella's batting cages goes a long way!! Adrienne Eyer (sorry I've been spelling your name wrong) has recovered from her injury last week. As catcher, she helped keep Kelly focused and alert. And, her short people's bat, helped us shorties feel more comfortable at the plate. Jon Lulu came up short at the plate but made up for it with his tight defensive plays at first and did a great job catching those harder to retrieve balls. Kyle Hanson showed great hustle both at bat and a solid performace as catcher and was an integral part of the team spirit. Steve Black's range was amazing where ever the ball was, he seemed to be there and provided a steady confidence as third base coach. Kelly Oxer pitched another gem and proved herself a fighter by hitting the hell out of the ball and running the bases aggressively. Michael Bornhorst continued to settle into his role at third and provided the fuel to keep the team's fire alive. Dr. Genevieve sprang into action when her professional talents were needed on the sidelines but her real talent continues to develop thanks to backyard, nightime practice with Yannek. Thanks to Yannek also for keeping score! After a week off, Bill Maliff came back to life and showed his power at the plate. Come watch Bill do a little pitching during game 4! And as for me, I was able to make some plays at second and made contact with the ball but couldn't get break at the plate.