Four score and 5 years ago I followed a girlfriend to watch her friends play softball. The team was called the ‘Masterbatters‘ and at the time I just expected to watch the game, reconnect with some old friends and down a few ‘pops’. Fortunately (depending on how you look at it) the team was short a player so they asked me to join…and so I did. I was wearing jeans, some old sneaks and didn’t have a glove but John assured me it didn’t matter–just have some fun and it doesn’t really matter if we win or lose; so I thought meh, what the heck? ….7 innings later my jeans were ripped, I was dirty, I dove for 3 balls and slid into 4 bases (including home) which apparently was an automatic out (which of course knowing my luck–I was the game winning run)…needless to say I had made an impression…good or bad I don’t know, but they asked me back and I haven’t missed a game since!
Ironically, Sunday’s game I arrived in sneakers…no glove…but the same determination and love for the game as I did that Friday in May of 05.
That year I believe we finished 5-10-3 and didn’t make the playoffs…in 06 we went 7-10-1 and made it to the finals in the championship game…07 we went 8-9-1 also winning the Crosstown Mid season tourney! 2008 was another improvement going 10-7-1 and taking home the consolation championship in the mid season tourney…and this year, we went an astounding 13-5 ranking us 5th in the league and winning the whole damn thing!
While winning is great, let’s not lie…I think more gratification comes from improving and I feel that’s the most satisfying aspect in winning the League Championship on Sunday. Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and while it didn’t happen in one year (like the Arizona Cardinals) I think watching the evolution of our team grow and improve into an effective cohesive unit showcases the wonders of not just what one person can do when they put their mind to it, but a group.
Softball is through and through a team game. Its offence AND defense…and you need both to succeed. On Sunday we did!
The First game against the Moxies was a solid test…they’re a young wily team (john calls them a new MB’s in the making) and they played well but we eventually got the ‘W’. After a two hour delay, amongst some scattered showers we had to face ‘The Benchwarmers‘ and benchwarmers–they’re not. They are a quick, strong team who were the 08 league champs and playoff finalists; so they’ve been they’re before…they also beat us twice this year.
It was a game of the ages, which we won in the second inning of extra innings.
The Semi final game against those pesky BENTBATTER’s who are no push overs…while we did get the upperhand, it was a great battle in a storied rivalry… (maybe a little dramatic, but you get my drift)
THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME vs BALLZ DEEP (league champs this year and 08 playoff winners) not to mention every guy looks like they’re a Channing Tatum clone (Duke in GI JOE) so we knew we had tough game in store…another see-saw battle ensued and if it wasn’t for Devo and Laura’s back to back jacks in the top of the 7th, we’d be singing a different tune right now…however, it was the MB’s BLUE JERSEYS THAT WOULD REIGN SUPREME THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON!
While I can’t highlight each game (I swear I’m losing my mind as well) but from DEVO‘s left field launch to RINA at home plate (which if it didn’t happen, we wouldn’t be here) to STONE COLD’S and PAVS 5 or 6 homeruns….CHONGER’S triple bringing home Chris in the second inning of extra innings (which ended up being the winning run) to DEVO and CHONGERETTES BACK TO BACK JACKS in the 7th inning of the Championship Game are just SOME of the highlights of what happened on Sunday. Everyone came to play, everyone contributed and everyone deserves to enjoy this moment which has been long in the making.
The team has changed even over my short time as an MB…while some begin to work on the TBALL version of the MB’s and some focus on other aspects of their lives its without a doubt a championship earned for everyone who has worn and MB’s jersey and I hope they feel proud and share in what was accomplished on Sunday.
So now what Rick???? I really don’t know…Repeat? Dynasty? Lol, all great notions and ideas but regardless of what becomes of the future, Sunday August 8th 2009 can never be taken away and regardless what happens, we did it!
Here’s to the year end wind up party…THE BOOZE LUGE…and the 2010 season with the Trout lake drunkfest and the other great traditions that come from our beloved softball season. We DID MASTERBATTERS!!! CONGRATS! AND ITS AN HONOR SHARING THIS WITH YOU!
Sincerely,
Rick Alyea