Where are they now? Click
www.DummyChannel.com to see what the old
Josh Gibson Bombers Manager is up to!
UNIVERSITY OF PORTLAND LEAD-OFF HITTER
BRANDON HOWARD IS ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AGAINST CAL BERKELEY. BRANDON PLAYED
WITH THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS IN SUMMER 2006.
click pic
FUTURE PROSPECT CHRIS RAMIREZ
click pic below
MARCH 15, 2007 - BREAKING NEWS! JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS' OWN
ZACK WATERFIRE GETS HIS FIRST COLLEGE BASEBALL AT-BATS.
In
Florida for spring training, Swarthmore College freshman, Zack Waterfire,
got his first opportunity to play on Wednesday, March 14, 2007. In
a game against Mount St. Vincent of New York, young Zack had 4
hits in 5 at-bats, 2 RBI's and 2 runs scored-1 stolen base---in a losing cause.
When asked what he attributed his success to, ol' Zacko smiled and
said--"no dad pressure".
MARCH 20, 2007 - UPDATE!!!! IN THE NEXT TWO
FLORIDA GAMES (AFTER FIRST OPPORTUNITY REPORTED ABOVE), YOUNG WATERFIRE
GOES 1 FOR 3 AND 0 FOR 3---WHEN ASKED WHAT HE ATTRIBUTES HIS RECENT
SLIDE, SLUMP, INABILITY TO GET ON BASE TO, HE DOESN'T SMILE-- AND
SAYS, "THAT'S BASEBALL--WITH OR WITHOUT THE OL' MAN AROUND"...
SOMETHING EVERY
ATHLETE IN THE WORLD SHOULD SEE.
Click pic below.
-------------------------------------------------------
GOT AN OPEN MIND AND A FEW SPARE MINUTES, CHECK OUT
WWW.DUMMYTV.COM.
IT'S ONE OF THE PLACES OLD EX-FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO
TRY TO COACH BASEBALL GO TO KILL SPARE TIME WHEN THEY GET RUN OFF THE DIAMOND.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. MAGOWAN, MR. SABEAN AND
COMPANY. EXCELLENT FINISH. NOW IF THE YELPING DOGS WILL LEAVE ONE BARRY
ALONE SO THAT THE TWO BARRYS CAN DO THEIR BEST--THESE GIANTS WILL SEE YOU IN THE
PLAY-OFFS. THE 2007 GIGANTES ARE LOOKING PRETTY DOGGONE GOOD; A NICE
COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE, BASEBALL SAVVY, POWER AND SPEED. BONDS, ZITO,
CAIN, KLESKO, DURHAM, ROBERTS, AURILLA, MOLINA, VIZQUEL...A HEALTHY LOWRY AND
MORRIS--TO NAME A FEW "DIFFERENCE MAKERS"-- MAKE ANYTHING POSSIBLE.
QUESTIONS STILL TO BE ANSWERED: WILL BENITEZ STAY
AND PLAY CLOSER TO HIS POTENTIAL...OR WILL HE GO---AND WILL WE FIND A SOLID
"CLOSER"? CAN THE BULLPEN BE CONSISTENT?
YOUR SF GIANTS
ARE STARTING TO LOOK...."DAMN
GOOD".
OH--AND LET
US NOT FORGET COACH BOCHY. OUTSIDE OF DUSTY BAKER OR LOU PINELLA, HE'S EXACTLY
WHAT THE GIANTS NEED. HIS REPUTATION AS A NICE MIX OF COACH-IN-CHARGE AND
PLAYERS' COACH GIVES REASON TO EXPECT THAT WE JUST MIGHT FIND OURSELVES IN THE
WORLD SERIES IN 2007.
CLICK PIC OF
"THE BEST"
BELOW
IF I HAD MY WAY, BONDS
WOULD KEEP PLAYING BASEBALL UNTIL HE HIT 800 HOMERUNS.
JOSH GIBSON BOMBER MANAGEMENT
SALUTES GARY SHEFFIELD FOR BEING A STAND-UP GUY. HERE'S HOPING ALL
BALL-PLAYERS STICK TOGETHER AND TELL THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, THEIR
KOMODO-DRAGON BUTT-BIT BOSS, BRONSTEIN--AND HIS SQUIRRELLY LITTLE MINION DIRT-BOOK WRITERS--TO
TAKE A HIKE... CONGRESS--DON'T YOU HAVE MORE PRESSING THINGS TO TEND
TO--LIKE GETTING OUR KIDS BACK HOME. CONGRESS BELONGS IN BASEBALL LIKE
BARRY BONDS BELONGS IN THE WHITE HOUSE--(ACTUALLY, HE MIGHT DO A BETTER
JOB)
"The (players)
association told us this is just a witch hunt. They don't want
us to talk to them. This is all about getting (Bonds). If this
was legitimate and they did it the right way, it would be
different, but this a witch hunt. They're just trying to collect
a lot of stuff that doesn't make any sense and throw the (bleep)
against the wall. "GARY SHEFFIELD |
ART WASHINGTON -MANAGER OF THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS, CHAMPIONS OF
THE SAN FRANCISCO SEMI-PRO WOOD BAT LEAGUE - SUMMER 2006.
---------------------------
YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE CHAMPIONS OF THE SAN
FRANCISCO WOOD BAT SUMMER LEAGUE 2006. IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN QUICK-THINKING, QUICK
REFLEXES ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ'S HEADS
UP RUN-AT-HIM PLAY TO NAIL THE AGGRESSIVE SF MEXICO TYING RUNNER TRYING TO GET
HOME FROM THIRD! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN MARCUS REED DIVING FOR BALLS IN
CENTER FIELD AND BLASTING ONE OF HIS MANY "CLASSIC MARCUS" CROCKER-AMAZON
HOMERUNS! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN BEN ADMUNDSON'S DECIDING-GAME-SAVING,
SPECTACULAR ALL-OUT RUN AND SHOE-TOP CATCH! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN FRANKLIN
ESCOBAR MAKING STOP AFTER STOP AFTER STOP OF HARD GROUNDERS TO HIS HOT-CORNER
THIRD BASE POSITION--AND ACROBATIC GUN-DOWNS AT FIRST--OH, AND MR. ESCOBAR'S SKYWARD,
SLOW-SAILING MAJESTIC HOMERUN! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN RENE NICA MAKING PLAYS
OUTFIELD, INFIELD, THIRD-FIRST-SECOND BASE---WHEREVER HE PLAYED---AND HITTING HIS ROCKET
HOMERUN TO START US OFF! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN LEFT-HANDED PAR-EXCELLENCE
PITCHER ROBERT ENRIQUEZ ON THE MOUND DEALING--AND AT FIRST BASE, BACK-HANDING A HARD
GROUND BALL AND BEATING THE TEAM SF MEXICO RUNNER TO FIRST FOR THE OUT--A PLAY THAT
WOULD MAKE JT SNOW PROUD! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN RYAN PEREZ PITCH
MASTERFULLY TO START THE FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND HIT TWO DOUBLES...BOOM! BOOM!..TO HELP GET THE BOMBERS THERE! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN ANTHONY
ELMORE'S RAW POWER AS HE HIT MEMORABLE HOMERUN BLASTS FROM HIS #4 LINEUP
POSITION AS CLEANUP HITTER OVER THE SEASON! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN CHRIS
CASEY USE
HIS SPEED, SIZE AND STRENGTH TO RUN DOWN BALLS IN THE OUTFIELD AND FIRE IN;
TO TURN A SINGLE INTO A TRIPLE WITH THE FORCE OF HIS WILL, SPEED, DETERMINATION
AND BASE-STEALING SAVVY! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN RODNEY DUARTE BAT AND WORK THE
BASES LIKE A PRO! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN YOUNG KARL MOBERG STEP UP WITH THE
VETS AND GAIN THEIR RESPECT WITH HIS BIRTH-BORN POWER AND COORDINATION, AND HIGH-SKILL LEVEL OF PLAY.
IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN OUR ALL-AROUND MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, JAY ALMENDRAL, AT
SHORTSTOP/INFIELD-OUTFIELD (EARLIER IN SEASON JAY WAS A COMMISSIONER JACK WOLF PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR A SEED GUN-DOWN FROM DEEP CENTER OF A RUNNER GOING HOME)!!! AND JAY
ON THE MOUND WHERE HE CLOSED OUT THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!! IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN
CATCHER CLIFF BERRY'S HOMERUN. AND IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN AWINN
SWANN AND PAUL AND RAFFI AND DONALD WILLIAMS AND NICK PETRICK AND ZACK "PURE SPEED"
WATERFIRE!!! IF YOU COULD'VE HEARD BASEBALL KNOWLEDGEABLE JESSE
JUAREZ DISCREETLY COACHING THE COACH TO MAKE RIGHT MOVES, RIGHT TIME. IF YOU COULD'VE SEEN---I MEAN...IF YOU COULD'VE ONLY
SEEN THE MAGIC, THE MAGIC, THE MAGIC!! OF DARWIN "MAGIC" TELLEZ PITCH
TWO, TWO, TWO!!! MASTERFUL NINE INNING GAMES IN THE SPAN OF A MERE 4 DAYS! UNFREAKING BELIEVABLE!! NO JOKE, PEOPLE---IT WAS NOTHING SHORT OF MYTHIC
PROPORTION
AND HOLY GHOST INSPIRATIONAL--TWO NINE INNING WINNERS IN 4 DAYS!!! --HALLELUJAH!!! AND BY VIRTUE OF
HIS LIFE-ALTERING PERFORMANCE,
"MAGIC" TELLEZ IS OUR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES MVP!
IF YOU COULD'VE ONLY SEEN!!!...
...LIKE ME, YOU WOULD HAVE HAD YOUR MIND
ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AND YOU WOULD HAVE HAD ONE HELLUVA GREAT BASEBALL EXPERIENCE.
ONE YOU'D NEVER FORGET. I GUARANTEE YOU... I NEVER WILL. IN ALL
SERIOUSNESS--THANKS, FELLAS. YOU'VE MADE MY LIFE THAT MUCH RICHER.
MY GREATER HOPE IS THAT, TO SOME MEASURE, THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS HAVE DONE THE
SAME FOR YOU.
AW
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS SUMMER 2006 - GREAT GROUP OF FUN-LOVING, TALENTED
SEMI-PRO BASEBALL PLAYERS.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
CONGRATULATIONS TO OFFICER DARWIN
"MAGIC" TELLEZ. THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS ARE PROUD AND APPRECIATIVE OF OUR
ACE PITCHER'S RECENT COMPLETION OF A GRUELING, DISCIPLINED, HIGHLY SELECTIVE SIX
MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM WITH THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT; ONE OF THE MOST
EXACTING IN THE NATION (mentally as well as physically). HERE'S WISHING MR. TELLEZ GOD'S BLESSINGS AND
GREAT SUCCESS.
-------------
First picture: Officer Darwin Tellez is second
from left in the first row just above. He's the cool one who looks like he just
pitched the better part of a shutout in his last outing.---August 19, 2006. Click
picture to view Officer Tellez ceremony-.-Mayor Jerry Brown. In second picture, Officer Tellez stands with proud members of his family.
-----------------------
Zack Waterfire, who helped create the Josh Gibson Bombers and who has
played on every Bomber team from the first pitch, recently left to attend
prestigious Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Things aren't quite going
to be the same without him. We wish Zack well. We wish Zack great success.
You can click on this Bomber's picture to get some idea of who he is.
NOTICE: THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS
BASEBALL CLUB HAS CHANGED/EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS---AND WE HAVE NOT ADJUSTED
STATED GOALS AND POLICIES. THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
--------------------------------------
SAN FRANCISCO RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
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|
16 PLUS AGE & ADULT WOOD BAT BASEBALL LEAGUE----SUMMER SEASON--2006 |
|
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|
PLAY OFFS---CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES---SUMMER---2006 |
|
DAY |
DATE |
|
VISITOR-TEAM |
HOME-TEAM |
|
DIAMOND |
TIME |
|
WEEK-THIRTEEN---FIRST ROUND--PLAY OFFS |
|
|
|
|
WED |
AUG-30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THUR |
AUG-31 |
GA-1 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-2 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-3 |
WINNER GAME-1 |
WINNER GAME-2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
WEEK-FOURTEEN----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
|
|
|
|
WED |
SEPT-6 |
GA-4 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
BAYAREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
THUR |
SEPT-7 |
GA-5 |
WINNER GAME-4 |
SO. SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-6 |
SO. SF MEXICO |
WINNER GAME-4 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-7 |
EXTRA CHAMPIONSHIP |
GAME--SUMMER |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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|
TUES |
SEPT-12 |
|
MANDATORY MANAGERS MEETING----FALL SEASON |
CROCKER OFFICE |
7:00PM |
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|
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TEAM FEES--MANDATORY PAYMENTS DUE |
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TEAMS MUST BE PAID IN FULL--TO PLAY IN FALL SEASON--AT MANAGERS MEETING |
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|
WED |
SEPT-20 |
|
THIRD SEASON--BEGINS |
FALL WOOD BAT LEAGUE |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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PLAY OFF--GAMES----SPECIAL PLAYING RULES |
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EACH GAME----FULL NINE-[9] INNINGS--OR--THREE-[3] HOURS----TO WIN |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4] NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----TWO-[2]-NEW QUALITY BASEBALLS] |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]----$70.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM--PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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PLAYERS MUST HAVE PLAYED DURING SUMMER--2006 |
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JACK J----OFFICIAL PLAY OFF SCOREBOOK |
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CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES----SPECIAL PLAYING RULES |
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EACH GAME----FULL NINE-[9] INNINGS----TO WIN |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR--[4] NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING TWO--[2-NEW-QUALITY- BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]----$70.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM--PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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PLAYERS MUST HAVE PLAYED DURING SUMMER--2006 |
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JACK J----OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SCOREBOOK |
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click the website below---and watch the video
about 2 minutes in. crocker amazon has the occasional dust-up...but these guys
are out of control. we aren't so bad after all.
http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?g=6160d1ac-c6fe-427c-aefa-ae7d5fc2e63c&t=&f=&p=
BOMBERS: WE HAVE 3 GAMES
LEFT IN THE REGULAR SEASON. LET'S TRY TO BE THERE AT LEAST ONE HALF HOUR BEFORE
GAME-TIME. 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR WOULD BE BETTER, TO MAKE SURE PROPER
WARM-UP AND EASE OF MAKING LINE-UP CARD CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED. ALSO, A
DEFINITIVE HEAD-COUNT WILL BE PURSUED. CALL, RETURN CALL, OR EMAIL TO INFORM AS
TO WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL BE PLAYING.
NEXT GAME: THIS SATURDAY
AUGUST 19, 2006 AT CROCKER AMAZON #1. PLAYERS SHOULD BE THERE BY 9:15 AM
FOR A 10:00 START. CATCHERS, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A STRAP AND CUP!
JERSEYS WILL BE COLLECTED AT THE
END OF THE LAST REGULAR SEASON GAME, SEPTEMBER 26, 2006. MATCHING PANTS
AND JERSEYS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE PLAY-OFFS, SHOULD WE MAKE THEM. (A FEW
PLAYERS HAVE BOMBER STRIPED PANTS AND WILL BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THOSE.)
adjusted schedule
to end of wood-bat league season
[CORRECTED-6.6.06] |
|
|
|
UPDATED-7.28.06--1:00PM] |
|
DAY |
DATE |
CODE |
VISITOR-TEAM |
HOME-TEAM |
H |
DIAMOND |
TIME |
GA |
|
WEEK-TEN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
AUG-9 |
6-4 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
35 |
|
THUR |
AUG-10 |
1-7 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
36 |
|
SAT |
AUG-12 |
2-6 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
37 |
|
SAT |
AUG-12 |
3-5 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
38 |
|
WEEK-ELEVEN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
AUG-16 |
6-3 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
39 |
|
THUR |
AUG-17 |
1-2 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
40 |
|
SAT |
AUG-19 |
7-4 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
41 |
|
SAT |
AUG-19 |
7-3 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
42 |
|
WEEK-TWELVE----RE-SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
AUG-23 |
6-3 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
31 |
|
THUR |
AUG-24 |
7-2 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
32 |
|
SAT |
AUG-26 |
4-1 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
33 |
|
SAT |
AUG-26 |
5-4 |
S.F. INDIOS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
34 |
|
WEEK-THIRTEEN----RESCHEDULED GAME--AND--PLAY OFFS |
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|
|
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|
|
WED |
AUG-30 |
3-2 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
12 |
|
THUR |
AUG-31 |
GA-1 |
SIXTH PLACE |
THIRD PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
1 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-2 |
FIFTH PLACE |
FOURTH PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
2 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-3 |
WINNER GAME-1 |
WINNER GAME-2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
3 |
|
WEEK-FOURTEEN----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
SEPT-6 |
GA-4 |
WINNER GAME-3 |
SECOND PLACE |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
4 |
|
THUR |
SEPT-7 |
GA-5 |
WINNER GAME-4 |
FIRST PLACE |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
5 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-6 |
FIRST PLACE |
WINNER GAME-4 |
|
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
6 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-7 |
EXTRA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
|
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
7 |
|
TUES |
SEPT-12 |
|
MANAGERS MEETING-THIRD SEASON-FALL SEASON |
CROCKER OFFICE |
7:00PM |
|
|
|
|
|
TEAM FEES-PAYMENT DUE----AT MANAGERS MEETING |
|
|
|
|
|
WEEK-ONE |
|
TEAMS MUST BE PAID IN FULL--TO PLAY IN FALL SEASON--AT MANAGERS MEETING |
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
SEPT-20 |
|
THIRD-SEASON-BEGINS |
WOOD BAT FALL SEASON |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
|
THUR |
SEPT-21 |
|
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
|
SAT |
SEPT-23 |
|
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
|
SAT |
SEPT-23 |
|
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FALL LEAGUE RULES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW BASEBALLS----THREE-[3]--NEW QUALITY PRO STYLE BASEBALLS----EACH GAME |
|
|
|
|
EACH TEAM----BRING TWO [2] GOOD USED BASEBALLS----EACH GAME |
|
|
|
|
|
OFFICIALS----ONE[1]----EACH GAME----$35.00----EACH TEAM |
|
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|
SCOREBOOK----MAINTAIN GAME SCORESHEET----TURN-IN TO JACK J----EACH GAME |
|
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|
|
ALL LEAGUE GAMES----TWO AND HALF HOUR-[2 1/2]-TIME LIMIT--COMPLETE
INNING |
|
|
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|
ALL LEAGUE GAMES----BEGINS ON TIME----AS PER PRINTED SCHEDULE |
|
|
|
|
PLAY OFFS---CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4]--NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST----DONATED |
|
|
|
|
|
EACH TEAM----BRING TWO-[2]-NEW-QUALITY-BASEBALLS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]-----$70.00 EACH TEAM |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MASTER TEAM-PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
|
|
|
|
|
PLAY OFF GAMES----THREE HOURS----TO WIN |
|
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|
|
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES----FULL NINE INNINGS----TO WIN |
|
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|
NOTE: POSTED AUGUST 11, 2006-- THE LAST SANDLOT SUNDAY HOSTED BY
THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS FOR THE SUMMER SEASON OF 2006 WILL TAKE PLACE ON SUNDAY
AUGUST 20, 2006.
SANDLOT
SUNDAY AUGUST 20, 2006
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS "SANDLOT SUNDAY" BASEBALL CONTINUES AT CROCKER AMAZON PARK
IN SAN FRANCISCO--ALL WELCOME TO COME AND PLAY
-
COME AND PLAY BASEBALL ON SUNDAY
AUGUST 20, 2006 AT CROCKER
AMAZON, MEET AT FIELD #1. A SANDLOT
SUNDAY PICK-UP GAME/OR PRACTICE WILL BE PLAYED/HELD AT 5:00 PM. SANDLOT SUNDAY, WE MAKE
TEAMS FROM AVAILABLE PLAYERS AND PLAY BASEBALL. ALL PLAYERS WELCOME. CALL
650-726-5526 OR 650-303-1597 TO LET US KNOW IF YOU'LL JOIN US. --OR JUST SHOW
UP--.
------------------------------------------
IT CAME UP
An INFIELD FLY is a fair fly ball (not including a
line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with
ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are
occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who
stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for
the purpose of this rule.
When it seems apparent that a batted ball will be an Infield Fly, the umpire
shall immediately declare "Infield Fly" for the benefit of the runners. If the
ball is near the baselines, the umpire shall declare "Infield Fly, if Fair."
The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught,
or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball.
If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.
If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and
bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball. If a
declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and
bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.
On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily
have been handled by an infielder_not by some arbitrary limitation such as the
grass, or the base lines. The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield
fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire's judgment, the ball
could have been as easily handled by an infielder. The infield fly is in no
sense to be considered an appeal play. The umpire's judgment must govern, and
the decision should be made immediately.
When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk. If on
an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball
remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L). The infield fly rule
takes precedence.
-----------------------------------------------------------
BOMBER INFORMATION CONTINUES BELOW THIS "GUEST" WEEK POST.
POST WORTH READING. BASIC, BUT GOOD STUFF. CONCISE. *Posting is prompted by an after
Sandlot Sunday discussion with several Josh Gibson Bomber baseball players. I
don't agree with all said, but basically good for analytical thought/discussion.
Author Unknown---but thanks for
temporary use. *I edited out a few negative comments--as our younger players
don't need suggested limitations. The only limitation I acknowledge is not
trying. (A.W.)*
Ted Williams and Babe Ruth,
two of the greatest hitters ever.
Hitting a baseball is a tricky thing for most people. It just so happens
that pitching a ball from 60 feet, 6 inches at upwards of 100 mph and trying
to hit it squarely with your bat is right at the limits of human ability.
Amazing how it worked out that way.
4 Keys: Mechanics, Coordination, Relaxation,
Confidence
Learning proper hitting technique will NOT make you a Major Leaguer. Mark McGwire with bad form will hit better than a
forklift operator, regardless of how good his form is (unless the forklift
operator is Barry Bonds). What proper hitting
technique WILL do is help you maximize your own potential, whatever that may
be. If you have the natural talent, proper hitting technique can make you
that much better. Good hitters are born. Great hitters are made.
While I feel like I understand proper hitting technique, I have come to the
conclusion that I don't have the natural talent to become a Major League
baseball player. And that's why I'm making web sites about hitting instead
of playing third base for the Yankees.
Listen to Your Body
The first step in becoming a better hitter is figuring out what kind of body
you have. What natural tendencies does it have? Everybody is built
differently. Some people are big, some are small. Some are fat, some are
thin. Some are flexible, some are not. Some have stronger arms, others have
stronger legs. Figuring out how your body is constructed, determining your
physical strengths and weaknesses, and adjusting your swing accordingly will
enable you to hit the ball with more consistency and with more power.
Pick up a bat. Swing it naturally. Don't try to emulate one of your idols.
Just take a good swing, and swing the bat in the way that feels most
comfortable to you.
Different configurations of bones, tendons, and muscles from person to
person mean that one hitter delivers his strongest swing differently than
the next. When you swing, your body naturally accommodates your individual
physical idiosyncracies and produces the strongest, smoothest, most fluid
motion that you're capable of. How did you swing the bat? With your arms?
Did your hips open up? Did you shift your weight forward? Did you upper-cut?
Did you follow through with one arm or two?
You've got to learn the mechanics of your bod so that, when you learn a
bit more about hitting, you can decide what needs to be corrected and what
can be corrected. Being aware of how your body naturally swings a bat will
enable you to determine which hitting style you naturally subscribe to and
perhaps the one you should pursue.
The Hitting Styles
There have been three dominant hitting styles in the history of baseball:
Early Weight-Shift, Rotation, and Modern Weight-Shift. Most Major Leaguers
use one of these three styles.
|
Early Weight-Shift
|
Rotation
|
Modern Weight-Shift
|
form
|
lunging forward into pitch, weight continues
moving forward |
weight equal throughout swing. rotate on
central axis, power from torso |
weight shifts forward, converted into hip
rotation, lead arm dominant, pulling the bat |
strengths
|
plate coverage, consistent contact |
more power, high/inside pitches |
consistent contact, moderate power,
low/outside pitches |
weaknesses
|
no power |
strikeouts, low/outside pitches |
less power, high/inside pitches |
students
|
Ty Cobb, Pete Rose, Wade Boggs |
Ted Williams, Jose Canseco, Mo Vaughn, Sammy
Sosa, Barry Bonds, Mark Maguire, Albert Pujos |
George Brett, Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas,
Manny Ramirez |
In the early days of baseball, due to the "softer" balls, expansive parks,
and stubborn philosophy used at the the time, emphasis was on consistent
contact and not striking out. And the best way to achieve this was with the
early weight-shift system. Hitters would stride into the pitch, almost
bunting the ball, and then continue the motion forward by running to first
base, hoping to beat out the resulting infield grounder. Today, with an
emphasis on home runs and power, very few players use the early weight-shift
style. But Pete Rose and Wade Boggs, two of the most recent early
weight-shifters, led their league in hits almost every year.
Eventually, fans wanted more home runs, and managers realized that they
could win ballgames with a more explosive offense. In the 1940's, Ted
Williams perfected the rotation method. He would keep his weight back and,
using his whole body, whip his bat through the strike zone. He would pull
any pitch over the strike zone, particularly inside pitches. Williams became
one of the best hitters ever. The rotation method is still popular today,
used most often by bigger hitters who swing for the fences. Unfortunately,
these hitters aren't blessed with the eye of Ted Williams, and they
regularly lead the league in strikeouts.
In the 1960's, coaches developed the modern weight-shift system. Sacrificing
a bit of power for more consistent contact, these hitters would maintain
higher batting averages while hitting more doubles and triples. A few of
today's modern weight-shifters like Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas happen
to be big and strong enough to hit home runs as well.
A few "hybrid" players, like Rod Carew, Mike Schmidt, and Will Clark, had
the reflexes and coordination to adjust their style as the pitch was coming.
They'd recognize the pitch and use the style that enabled them to hit the
ball most effectively. Most people simply don't have the physical ability to
do this.
There are still others who develop unique styles that work best for their
unique body types. Mark McGwire used his tree-trunk base and mammoth arms to
fling the bat around using his wrists. Gary Sheffield cocks his bat like a
madman to prepare his wrists for explosive action.
I've studied them all (approaches to hitting), and I see some things I
believe in one method and some in another - and some things are good for
one player and not for another. The basics are the basics, and we all
have to teach those, but after that you have to tailor it to the
individual.
- Dusty Baker
Play around with other hitting styles if you like. Try to swing like your
favorite Major Leaguers. But in the end, stick with what works best for you.
You will find that you are most successful if you hit the way your body
tells you to. Bret Barberie, ex-Montreal Expo infielder, once said that he
modelled his hitting style after George Brett, Don Mattingly, and several
other idols. Who is Bret Barberie? Exactly. Bret Barberie had the natural
talent to get to the Major Leagues, but if he had swung the bat like Bret
Barberie, maybe we would know who he was. But probably not. He sucked.
Choose a Bat
The law of physics governing baseball bats is
F = ma, where
F = resulting force,
m = mass and
a = acceleration. We can affect the amount of force generated by
either changing the mass (weight) of the bat, or the acceleration of the bat
(bat speed).
If you lighten the bat, the amount of mass is lower, but the amount of
acceleration (or bat speed) is greater. Conversely, if the bat weighs more,
mass is increased, but acceleration (bat speed) is decreased. Either way,
the same force is applied to the ball, so the weight of the bat doesn't seem
to make much difference. Regardless of the bat in your hand, you're only
going to hit the ball as far as your natural ability will allow you to.
In general, you should start with a light bat and swing successively heavier
ones until you need to start modifying your swing to get the bat around. If
you can still swing the bat naturally, you have found the bat that is
probably the right weight for you.
Using a lighter bat will increase bat maneuverability, making it easier to
make fine adjustments to the bat's motion (i.e. to adjust for unexpected
speed or movement of the ball) during your swing. This means, assuming
you're keeping your eye on the ball, that you'll hit a few balls more
squarely and foul off a few you might not have touched before. The increased
bat maneuverability will mean more consistent contact. So when in doubt, or
if you're slumping, go lighter to give yourself a bit of an edge.
However, using a lighter bat also means that you have a smaller sweet spot
to work with. And any ball missing the sweet spot won't be getting out of
the infield. In that sense, a heavier bat will give you more room for error.
In effect, the better you are, the more you can gamble with heavier bats.
Incidentally, Babe Ruth used the heaviest bat in history, at 46 ounces. Mo
Vaughn uses a 36-ouncer. Bobby Bonilla also used a heavy bat, but he sucked.
Most Major Leaguers use a bat in the 31- to 32-ounce range.
I think length is just a matter of preference. Play around with different
lengths until you find one that feels right. Keep in mind that a longer bat
puts more weight out further from the hands, which in effect makes it
heavier to swing than a shorter bat of the same weight.
Grip is also a matter of preference. Generally, thick handles are better for
bat control, and thin handles are better for power. Some people like big
knobs (like Sammy Sosa), others like tapered grips.
A starting player needs to learn to make contact with the ball and hit
close to the sweet spot of the bat before performance differences in the
bats become an important factor.
- George Manning, Louisville Slugger bat engineer
Today’s bats are lighter than those of the past. They have larger barrels
and thinner handles. Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron used similar bat models but
the Babe’s bat weighed 42 ounces while Aaron’s was just 33 ounces. Ruth used
a 36” and 42 ounce bat with a medium handle and medium barrel. Hank Aaron
used a bat similar to Babe Ruth’s except his was 35” long and weighed 33
ounces. Mickey Mantle used a medium handle and a small to medium barrel, at
35” long and 32 ounces. Roger Maris used a medium barrel with a medium
handle.
I'm not even going to get into the whole aluminum vs. wood argument because,
if you're reading this article, chances are that you won't need to hit with
a wood bat for a while. But try it sometime. You will instantly notice that
a wood bat is balanced differently and that balls come off of it
differently, so it might take a bit of practice to get it down. But if you
learn to hit well with wood, you will murder the ball with metal.
Your Stance
Regardless of which hitting style you use, there are certain batting stance
fundamentals common to them all. Position yourself far enough away
from the plate so that your best swings will bring the sweet spot of the bat
across the center of the plate. If you kill inside pitches, move closer to
the plate. If you kill outside pitches, move farther away. For hard
throwers, stand further back in the box, behind the plate. For junkballers,
stand in front of the plate. Most hitters hit with an even stance.
Positioning your feet even to the plate gives your body a stable platform to
hit with. Some players prefer an open stance, with their front foot behind
the back foot, opening their body up to the pitcher. This allows them to
minimize head turn and see the pitch better. Others prefer a closed stance,
so that the opening of the legs opens up the rest of the body when the swing
begins. Regardless of how you stand, your feet usually shift and line up as
you step into your swing, so the position of your feet before the pitch is
just a matter of preference. Grip the bat as you would in mid-swing,
at the point of contact. That is how you should grip your bat from the
beginning of your swing. Keep your hands firm, but not so tight that the bat
is immobile. As you swing, your hands will be making fine adjustments to
your bat's position in the strike zone. Tight hands will prevent these
adjustments. The angle at which you hold your bat can make a difference. If
it's flat (parallel to the gound), you might have a hard time realigning it
to hit a low pitch. If it's straight up (perpendicular to the ground), you
might have a hard time realigning it to hit a high pitch. Most hitters
prefer to keep it somewhere inbetween (at about 45 degrees) so that a
minimum amount of realignment is required on any given pitch. Again, find
what's comfortable and effective. Some coaches make hitters keep their back
elbow up, while others make them keep it down. Does keeping your elbow
pressed against your body restrict movement? Does your raised elbow come
down when you swing? Do what's comfortable.
Clear Your Mind
While on deck, swing a heavy bat to loosen up. Watch the pitcher to gauge
his speed. Assess the entire game situation before you step in the box. How
many outs are there? Who is on base? Take a deep breath, relax your
body, and clear your mind. As Crash Davis says in
Bull Durham, don't
think. The more you think, the more you psyche yourself out. Even your
decision to swing at or take a pitch should be instinctual. Have confidence
in your natural ability, and let your endless hours of practice guide your
bat through the strike zone. Think while you're on the toilet. Tinker with
your swing while you're practicing. Don't think or tinker when you're in the
batter's box. See the ball, and if it's a good pitch, hit it.
Confidence
Confidence makes you a better hitter. What is confidence? Confidence is
knowing that success is possible or even likely. Where does confidence come
from? Knowledge of past success. That's why it's so important to play as
much baseball as possible and suck up the bad times. It's the good times
which make you grow and stick with you forever.
Watch the Ball
It may seem obvious, but you need to watch the ball so that you know where
to swing. Watch it out of the pitcher's hand so that you can gauge it's
speed (like Ted Williams and Tony Gwynn), see its spin (like Joe Morgan), or
watch to see if his hand is straight or turned as it releases the ball.
Your brain analyzes the ball's movement out of the pitcher's hand and then
calculates where the ball WILL BE as you start your swing so that your bat
is in the right place at the point of contact. That is why vision,
concentration, coordination, and experience are all important when it comes
to reading pitches. Most great hitters anticipate fastballs and react to
off-speed stuff when necessary. They trust their hands to make any necessary
adjustments to off-speed pitches. One of the keys to Barry Bonds' success is
his uncanny ability to identify a pitch as soon as it leave the pitcher's
hand. He seems to know what's coming every time and takes a full hack on
every pitch.
Wait for your Pitch
Early in the count, be selective. Wait for a pitch in your zone. If you see
it, be ready to cream it. If it's not there, let it go. Ted Williams and all
the great hitters who have the natural talent to rely on their ability to
instantly recognize and crush a particular kind of pitch have the luxury of
waiting for something very specific. In 2002, Barry Bonds told broadcaster
and former Cy Young Award winner Rick Sutcliffe that he had reduced the
strike zone to a tiny hitting area, and that's all he looked at. "It's about
the size of a quarter." In 1986, Williams told Don Mattingly and Boggs,
"until I got to two strikes, I looked for one pitch in one area, about the
size of a silver dollar." Don't be afraid to take a walk. In beer
league softball, everyone wants to get their cuts in. but in competitive
baseball, take advantage of pitches outside of the strike zone and take your
free pass to first base. You're just as likely to score from first base
whether you walk or single.
To me, on-base percentage is important, more so than walk ratio or
home runs. If you're on base, you can do something. You can manufacture
runs. You get on base, everything else goes up. I've always wanted a
.500 on-base percentage. I've always had one around.430 or .440. I
should be able to get on base, if I'm patient enough.
- Barry Bonds, 2002
Later in the count, you have to be a little more protective of the strike
zone. Remember it's always better to make any kind of contact and hope for
the best than it is to strike out looking. Figure out what your strengths
are. Figure out what kinds of pitches you hit well. Then get a bit more
selective, especially early in the count. That will make you better.
Your Swing
As the pitch comes, a slight hitch will prepare your body for an explosive
swing. It could be a big leg kick like Many Ramirez or Ruben Sierra, or a
small one like Jeff Bagwell of Chipper Jones, but just make sure that it
doesn't screw up your balance when you swing or catch you in an awkward
position when the pitch changes speeds. Figure out the kind of movement that
works for you to get everything going. At this point, the particulars
of your hitting style come into play. Regardless of which style you use,
your head should remain as still as possible for the duration of the swing.
A pitched ball is difficult enough to hit without giving it extra perceived
movement by moving your head around more than you have to. You should
be holding the bat firmly, but don't squeeze it. Your grip will naturally
tighten as you swing.
He understood clearly what he was doing when he batted, despite his
habit of saying, "I just keep swinging," when people asked him the
secret of hitting home runs. Once, seriously discussing his batting, he
said, "I swing as hard as I can, and I try to swing right through the
ball. In boxing, your fist usually stops when you hit a man, but it's
possible to hit so hard that your fist doesn't stop. I try to follow
through the same way. The harder you grip the bat, the more you can
swing it through the ball, and the farther the ball will go. I swing
big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live
as big as I can."
- Robert Creamer about Babe Ruth, from Babe
Your swing should be more or less level, although a slight uppercut is
natural and perhaps even beneficial. Watch yourself in the mirror, or have a
friend watch you, to make sure that you're not golfing it or hacking
downwards. An ideal swing will pass through the same plane that the pitch
normally crosses the plate on. Consistently swinging that way will result in
more frequent, more solid contact since small errors in timing (swinging a
hair early or late) will still leave a part of the bat, albeit probably not
the sweet spot, in the path of the pitch. Hopefully, you'll have the
natural coordination to hit the ball right on the sweet spot of the bat.
Anything less will result in a weakly-hit ball and/or painful vibration. The
sweet spot on a wood bat is only about four inches long, or the width of
your hand. The PERFECT spot is the size of a pencil eraser, and the home run
comes off that point. If you are swinging a metal bat, you won't
easily sense when you are hitting the ball just right, meaning, on the sweet
spot. Before switching to wood bats you might want to test your own ability
to consistently hit the sweet spot. Place an eight-inch long strip of white
surgical tape lengthwise on the barrel of your metal bat. With a felt pen
make a vertical line on the tape the width of two fingers from the end of
the barrel, then four inches further along mark another line - between these
lines is the sweet spot of your bat. The balls that strike it will mark the
tape. When the ends of the tape remain nice and white and the middle section
is black with hits you are ready to start hitting with wood. If you're
good enough that you can place your hits, inconspicuously look to see how
the other team is fielding you. Look for holes. Figure out where their
crappy fielders are playing. Where you hit it can be just as important as
how hard you hit it.
Slumps
Everyone, eventually, will get into a slump. You feel like you can't see the
ball, and line drives go right into people's gloves. There is some
statistical evidence which suggests that slumps are actually caused my
natural ebbs and flows of physical strength and acuteness (call it your
biorhythm), while others argue that hot and cold streaks are random
statistical events which are bound to happen with any consistent level of
performance. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. Keep in mind
that the loftier your goals, the greater the chances of a prolonged slump.
Hitters who try to poke singles will be able to succeed more consistenty,
thus avoiding prolonged slumps. Players who swing for the fences will be
streakier. While many major leaguers go 20 or more straight at bats without
a hit each season, Tony Gwynn never went more than 14 straight at bats
without a hit in his entire career.
As everyone knows, baseball players are very superstitious. Players
who are struggling start talking about how they need to go out and find
something to break their slump. And often enough it comes out something
like this: 'Oh my God, I'm 0-for-20. I'm going to get the ugliest girl I
can find and have sex with her.'
- Jose Canseco, from Juiced
Mark Grace has suggested finding the "fattest, gnarliest chick you can
uncover" (Grace called it "throwing himself on the grenade" for the good of
the Cubs). There is no statistical evidence that this works. The key to
getting out of a slump is to get back to the fundamentals. Strip yourself of
any extraneous habits you may have picked up while at the plate. And lower
your goals a bit. Concentrate on seeing the ball and making good contact
with it.
Exercises
Go to the batting cages. Practice form, and know your limits. I also like
swinging with each arm before I start taking regular cuts, with a weight on
the bat if I'm feeling tough. This builds strength and improves
coordination. The first few pitches you see are really the only
opportunity you have to practice adjusting. After those first few, hitting
straight pitches at the same speed to the same spot can put you in a
dangerous comfort zone. When you find yourself falling asleep, take a
breather. Ever been fooled/shocked when a ball comes out of the machine
wrong and cuts inside or curves down? Get used to it. That's how real
pitching is. It's important that you mix up your batting cage hitting with
some variation (i.e. pitches that change speed and location around the
strike zone) so that you can practice adjusting. If the machines are
adjustable, move the ball around the strike zone a bit. If you can already
hit fastballs down the middle, try spending more time working on weaknesses
that opposing pitchers might discover and exploit.
Now, it's one thing for a hitting coach to recognize a hitter's
deficiencies; it's a far rarer thing for a hitter himself to recognize
his deficiencies, and possess both the desire and ability to
significantly improve.
- Rob Neyer, 2001
And get as much practice with live pitching as you can. There's no
substitute for the variation in speed and location that live pitching can
offer. As much fun as it is to stay in there hitting all day, only hit as
long as you can maintain your proper form. If you get tired and start
modifying your swing to keep up with the pitching machine, any swings you
take are counterproductive. Try swinging a heavy bat or your normal bat with
a weight on it. This will strengthen your wrists. Remember to swing hard to
build explosinve strength. Loosely throwing a heavy bat around your body is
counter-productive, developing the wrong muscles and screwing up your
mechanics. Natural strength is something you are born with.
Lou Gehrig was probably stronger in the upper body than anyone playing
major league baseball today, even with weight training and all.
- Bill James, 1985
Lifting weights and/or using steroids to bulk up might make you stronger but
will not, as some are led to believe, necessarily make you a better hitter.
It might even be bad for you.
The snapped tendons in his knee... I don't know how many times I have
seen that in various sports, where if a player tears one of them then
the next year he will tear the other one, too. I know of four cases
where that's happened, and I have to think there is a genetic reason for
it. The explanation of the doctors was that Jones was just too strong;
when he stopped himself suddenly in mid-stride he tore the tendon. "If
you've seen his thighs, you know what I mean when I say they are
monstrous," said Dr. Phillip Marone. "The quadricep was stronger than
the bone to which it's attached. It actually pulled the patella away
from the bone..."
- Bill James, 1991 (on Philadelphia outfielder Ron Jones)
There is a photograph of Jimmie Foxx looking at Ted Williams' skinny
arms, wondering where all that power came from. Williams generated power
by using his whole body, especially his hips. Think of other great
hitters like Stan Musial, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Andre Dawson - all
had great power and relatively normal bodies. None spent his spare time
pumping iron. Which brings us to Dean Palmer, who missed most of last
year with a ruptured bicep tendon suffered when he swung so hard that he
pulled his overdeveloped muscle off the bone. This misguided approach
also plagues the efforts of Juan Gonzalez, Jose Canseco, and Mark
McGwire - big men who go one and off the DL and who will be full-time
DHs long before their time because of all the time the spend in the
weight room.
- Glen Waggoner, 1996
If you must lift weights, be careful. Doing it wrong will make your muscles
tighter and your swing less fluid. And it could also lead to other problems,
like torn muscles or a bad back.
Keep a stress ball around to squeeze. They help strengthen your grip.
Stretch. Not just before games, but all the time. Flexibility helps more
than lifting weights. Ken Griffey Jr. is not the strongest player in the
Major Leagues, but he is one of the most flexible. Joe DiMaggio was also
very flexible.
Bounce a ball continuously on the sweet spot of the bat. This will improve
coordination, and, if you do it long enough, wrist strength. It'll also help
you find out exactly where the sweet spot is.
Another great exercise to increase your coordination is to play with a
smaller ball (i.e. a golf whiffleball) and a thinner bat (i.e. a
broomstick). Trying to hit the smaller balls squarely will force you to
really watch the ball in order to make solid contact. Transferring that kind
of vision and coordination back to regular balls and bats will help you
significantly.
Watch Major League baseball games. Examine how your favorite players hit.
Study their style, and learn their strengths and weaknesses.
Play competitive baseball. Learn the situations. Practise handling pressure.
Conclusion
With intelligent practice and game experience, you will improve as a hitter.
More frequent contact and more power will come. Keep in mind that you need
the a certain amount of natural ability to be a hitter, and you have to be
truly gifted to be a Major Leaguer. Fewer than one in a million men are
capable of powering a ball 450 feet against major league caliber pitching.
It is for that reason that we find their actions so thrilling, and will
always want to identify them as heroes.
Stay within yourself. Recognize your own potential, and then maximize it.
Above all, keep it fun.
---------------------------------------------
JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS JUNIOR GIANTS PLAYS FIRST GAME ON JULY 7, 2006. AGE RANGE 14-18./////////
GAME 1:
Friday 7/7/2006@ BALBOA (Sundberg)5:30pm Helen Wills All-Stars at Josh Gibson
Bombers/////////// GAME 2:
Wednesday 7/12/2006@ BALBOA (Sundberg)5:30pm Josh Gibson Bombers at
Vikings///////// GAME 3:
Friday 7/21/2006@ BALBOA (Sweeney)5:30pm Inland Taipans at Josh Gibson
Bombers///////// GAME 4:
Wednesday 7/26/2006@ CROCKER # 2 at 5:30pm Josh Gibson Bombers at BVHP HITZ/////////
GAME 5:
Friday 8/4/2006@ BALBOA (Sweeney)5:30pm HP Jr. Giants at Josh Gibson
Bombers///////// GAME 6:
Wednesday 8/9/2006@ CROCKER # 2 at 5:30pm Josh Gibson Bombers at Cobras/////////
GAME 7:
Friday 8/18/2006@ BALBOA (Sundberg)5:30pm Sox at Josh Gibson Bombers
JOSH
GIBSON BOMBER JUNIOR GIANT PLAYERS: FOR ALL
GAMES LISTED ABOVE, PLEASE ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 5:00 PM. HELPFUL IF
YOU CALL AND LEAVE MESSAGE--"WILL BE THERE" OR "WON'T BE THERE":
650-726-5526 OR 650-303-1597
----------
AS PROMISED, FOR PLAYERS INTERESTED IN
GIVING THE PROS A GO, BELOW ARE LINKS TO SITES WITH INFORMATION ON
TRYOUTS--DATES, LOCATIONS, TEAMS--click address links below to get to sites
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_club.jsp
MAJOR LEAGUE GENERAL OPEN TRYOUTS SCHEDULE:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_us.jsp
MAJOR LEAGUE OPEN TRYOUTS FOR EACH BASEBALL TEAM (HIT MLB CLUBS IN MENU ON
LEFT AND GET A LIST OF SPECIFIC TEAMS AND THEIR TRYOUT SCHEDULES. GOOD
LUCK, GENTLEMEN:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/about_mlb/tryout_club.jsp
GOLDEN BASEBALL LEAGUE
http://www.goldenbaseball.com/playerform.aspx?SecID=128
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMENTARY/SUMMARY
GAME #4 AND GAME #5: -
#4 Game ball for the Bomber loss to
Indio goes to Raffi, who got stronger as a pitcher as the error-plagued game
went on. (more to come) #5
Game ball for close 8 to 9 hard fought loss to the powerful Managua team goes to
Franklin Escobar. (more to come)
COMMENT/SUMMARY
GAME #3 - Tough 6-5 last-inning loss to SF Mexico that was an exciting, fairly
well-played game. This week's game ball goes to Darwin "Magic"
Tellez for an absolute marvel of a pitching job done on his return to the mound
after a long time away. (more to come on this and other games--soon)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOSH GIBSON
BOMBERS LOOKING FOR A FEW COLLEGE-LEVEL SKILLED BASEBALL PLAYERS OR SERIOUS HIGH
SCHOOL BASEBALL PLAYERS OVER 16 TO PLAY ON WOOD BAT SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM IN SAN
FRANCISCO. IF YOU ARE NOT INCLINED TO SHOW UP FOR AND/OR NOT
CALL/RETURN CALLS, PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND. CAN VIEW SCHEDULE OF JOSH GIBSON
BOMBER GAMES BELOW. FOR THOSE WHO CAN COMPLY, CALL 650-303-1597 OR
650-726-5526. ALSO, SEE "SANDLOT SUNDAY" AT CROCKER AMAZON PARK
INFORMATION--POSTED BELOW WOOD BAT SCHEDULE.
POSTED MONDAY JUNE 5, 2006 - SUMMER
BASEBALL FOR WOOD BAT LEAGUE BEGINS JUNE 10, 2006. SCHEDULE BELOW:
WEEK-ONE |
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SAT |
JUNE-10 |
3-1 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
1 |
SAT |
JUNE-10 |
2-1 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
2 |
SAT |
JUNE-10 |
4-7 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER TWO |
10:00AM |
3 |
SAT |
JUNE-10 |
5-6 |
S.F. INDIOS |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER TWO |
1:30PM |
4 |
WEEK-TWO |
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WED |
JUNE-14 |
3-5 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
5 |
THUR |
JUNE-15 |
1-6 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
6 |
SAT |
JUNE-17 |
3-4 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
7 |
SAT |
JUNE -17 |
7-5 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30pm |
8 |
WEEK-THREE |
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WED |
JUNE-21 |
5-1 |
S.F. INDIOS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
9 |
THUR |
JUNE-22 |
4-2 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
10 |
SAT |
JUNE-24 |
6-7 |
BAY AREA ALL-STAR |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
11 |
SAT |
JUNE-24 |
3-2 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
12 |
WEEK-FOUR |
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WED |
JUNE-28 |
3-1 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
13 |
THUR |
JUNE 29 |
3-7 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
14 |
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WEEK-FIVE |
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WED |
JULY-5 |
2-7 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
15 |
THUR |
JULY-6 |
3-6 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
16 |
SAT |
JULY-8 |
4-5 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
17 |
SAT |
JULY-8 |
1-4 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
18 |
WEEK-SIX |
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WED |
JULY-12 |
5-3 |
S.F. INDIOS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
19 |
THUR |
JULY-13 |
6-2 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
20 |
SAT |
JULY-15 |
7-1 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
21 |
SAT |
JULY-15 |
4-6 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
22 |
WEEK-SEVEN |
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WED |
JULY-19 |
5-7 |
S.F. INDIOS |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
23 |
THUR |
JULY-20 |
4-3 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
24 |
SAT |
JULY-22 |
5-2 |
S.F. INDIOS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
25 |
SAT |
JULY-22 |
6-1 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
26 |
WEEK-EIGHT |
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WED |
JULY-26 |
2-3 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
27 |
THUR |
JULY-27 |
7-6 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
28 |
SAT |
JULY 29 |
1-5 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
29 |
SAT |
JULY 29 |
2-4 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
30 |
WEEK-NINE |
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WED |
AUG-2 |
6-3 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
31 |
THUR |
AUG- 3 |
7-2 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
32 |
SAT |
AUG-5 |
4-1 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
33 |
SAT |
AUG-5 |
5-4 |
S.F. INDIOS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
34 |
[CORRECTED-6.6.06] |
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|
UPDATED-7.28.06--1:00PM] |
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DAY |
DATE |
CODE |
VISITOR-TEAM |
HOME-TEAM |
H |
DIAMOND |
TIME |
GA |
|
WEEK-TEN |
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WED |
AUG-9 |
6-4 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
35 |
|
THUR |
AUG-10 |
1-7 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
36 |
|
SAT |
AUG-12 |
2-6 |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
37 |
|
SAT |
AUG-12 |
3-5 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
38 |
|
WEEK-ELEVEN |
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WED |
AUG-16 |
6-3 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
S.F. INDIOS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
39 |
|
THUR |
AUG-17 |
1-2 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
40 |
|
SAT |
AUG-19 |
7-4 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
41 |
|
SAT |
AUG-19 |
7-3 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
42 |
|
WEEK-TWELVE----RE-SCHEDULED LEAGUE GAMES |
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WED |
AUG-23 |
6-3 |
BAY AREA ALL-STARS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
31 |
|
THUR |
AUG-24 |
7-2 |
EXCELSIOR PIRATES |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
32 |
|
SAT |
AUG-26 |
4-1 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
33 |
|
SAT |
AUG-26 |
5-4 |
S.F. INDIOS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
34 |
|
WEEK-THIRTEEN----RESCHEDULED GAME--AND--PLAY OFFS |
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WED |
AUG-30 |
3-2 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SO. S.F. MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
12 |
|
THUR |
AUG-31 |
GA-1 |
SIXTH PLACE |
THIRD PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
1 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-2 |
FIFTH PLACE |
FOURTH PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
2 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-2 |
GA-3 |
WINNER GAME-1 |
WINNER GAME-2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
3 |
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WEEK-FOURTEEN----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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WED |
SEPT-6 |
GA-4 |
WINNER GAME-3 |
SECOND PLACE |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
4 |
|
THUR |
SEPT-7 |
GA-5 |
WINNER GAME-4 |
FIRST PLACE |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
5 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-6 |
FIRST PLACE |
WINNER GAME-4 |
|
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
6 |
|
SAT |
SEPT-9 |
GA-7 |
EXTRA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
|
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
7 |
|
TUES |
SEPT-12 |
|
MANAGERS MEETING-THIRD SEASON-FALL SEASON |
CROCKER OFFICE |
7:00PM |
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TEAM FEES-PAYMENT DUE----AT MANAGERS MEETING |
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WEEK-ONE |
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TEAMS MUST BE PAID IN FULL--TO PLAY IN FALL SEASON--AT MANAGERS MEETING |
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WED |
SEPT-20 |
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THIRD-SEASON-BEGINS |
WOOD BAT FALL SEASON |
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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THUR |
SEPT-21 |
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CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
SEPT-23 |
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CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
SEPT-23 |
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CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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FALL LEAGUE RULES |
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NEW BASEBALLS----THREE-[3]--NEW QUALITY PRO STYLE BASEBALLS----EACH GAME |
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EACH TEAM----BRING TWO [2] GOOD USED BASEBALLS----EACH GAME |
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OFFICIALS----ONE[1]----EACH GAME----$35.00----EACH TEAM |
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SCOREBOOK----MAINTAIN GAME SCORESHEET----TURN-IN TO JACK J----EACH GAME |
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ALL LEAGUE GAMES----TWO AND HALF HOUR-[2 1/2]-TIME LIMIT--COMPLETE
INNING |
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ALL LEAGUE GAMES----BEGINS ON TIME----AS PER PRINTED SCHEDULE |
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PLAY OFFS---CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4]--NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST----DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING TWO-[2]-NEW-QUALITY-BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]-----$70.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM-PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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PLAY OFF GAMES----THREE HOURS----TO WIN |
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CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES----FULL NINE INNINGS----TO WIN |
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COMMENTARY/SUMMARY
GAME #2, BOMBERS VERSUS CARDINALS - It was a good day at the ball-park.
The weather was great; fog burned off--sun shining--little to no wind at the
10am start. The turnout of quality baseball players could not have been
better. This week's game ball goes to NICK PETRICK. Nick started the game
on short notice and held the very capable Cardinal hitters to 2 hits through
four innings. The Bombers won the long game 8-4 with time being called in the
eighth inning. **(More to come.)
SORTA
SUMMARY GAME #1 - Josh Gibson Bombers played Zack Farmer's much improved
Excelsior Pirates; young Zack has done his work and the team he's put together
looks like a winner. The game-ball for the Josh Gibson Bombers first
outing goes to Anthony "A-Rod" Rodriguez. A-Rod has been one of the
steadiest members in support of the Bomber effort to field a competitive
semi-pro baseball team; he's also been one of the team's most valuable players.
On this day when the Bombers had trouble getting untracked, short-stop/second
baseman A-Rod took over at catcher (when veteran/regular catcher, Franklin
Escobar, had to leave for an important annual event) and did a fine job behind
the plate and as on-the-field leader. Down 6 to 0, A-Rod's determination
spear-headed a late-game rally to bring the Bombers within one last at-bat of
possibly catching the Pirates. Things were looking pretty good at the
bottom of the eighth when the game was, unfortunately, called because of time
limit. The Pirates ended up with one more at-bat---and in the last part of
the game the Bombers had
momentum and were whacking the ball and getting around the bases pretty regular. //////On this first day, the team had a
disorganized, hectic start. A few "usuals" did not show up and others
arrived just at start of game. The dreaded forfeit was avoided by a
Blessing of new players who showed up and helped the team present a line-up.
Thanks to the "new guys", who distinguished themselves in this
first-game-of-the-season effort. We'll start with "Raffi"--who promises to
be one heck of an addition to the team with his speed, solid left-handed
pitching and quick bat. "Chris" who stepped in and impacted things
immediately with a display of solid skills in the field and at bat.
"Jimmy", who will get the opportunity to show more of his talents in games to
come. Thank you. ////// Bomber good fortune: Big things are expected
with the addition of one of league's most powerful hitters and experienced
veterans, Lex Robins. Lex did an excellent job stepping in as our
starting pitcher on very short notice. Lex is a natural leader and we expect
that the
team will be enhanced by that asset over the course of the season. Anthony
Elmore is back with the team...last time we saw him he hit a base-clearing
GRAND-SLAM for the Bombers. Need we say more. Paul--thanks for
showing up to help the cause. We hope you don't let baseball go just
yet--and we hope to see you with us in future games./////The core of our team
promises to keep us moving forward as each contributed to the late game run-up
on the Pirates...Welcome back core players: Nick Petrick, Franklin Escobar, Anthony
Rodriguez, Ryan Perez, Zack Waterfire, Awinn Swann... /////Next week we should
have more of our regulars contributing. If everyone shows up on a regular
basis, the Josh Gibson Bombers of summer 2006 should be able to do some damage.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE JOSH GIBSON
BOMBER BASEBALL CLUB WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE PEOPLE FROM CYPRUS(cy),
BRITAIN(uk), GERMANY(de), TAIWAN(tw), CANADA(cn), HONG KONG(hk), FRANCE(fr), ARGENTINA(ar), AUSTRALIA(au), NEW ZEALAND(nz), JAPAN(jp), SEYCHELLES(sc), MEXICO(mx), RUSSIAN
FEDERATION(ru), CHINA(cn), ITALY(it), SINGAPORE(sg), SOUTH KOREA(kr),
THAILAND(th), FINLAND(fi), SPAIN(es), IRELAND(ie), ROMANIA(ro), NORWAY(no),
NETHERLANDS(nl), GREECE(gr), SWEDEN(se), BRAZIL(br), SLOVAK(sk), BELGIUM(be),
DENMARK(dk), HUNGARY(hu), SWITZERLAND(ch), ESTONIA(ee), PAKISTAN(pk), VIETNAM(vn),
AUSTRIA(at), INDONESIA(id), CROATIA(hr), PORTYEUGAL(pt), MIT, US MILITARY, NASA--THANK YOU ALL FOR CHECKING OUT OUR
WEBSITE. SOME OF YOU SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING THE PROGRESS OF OUR GAMES, OUR
PLAYERS...OR OUR OFF-THE-WALL WEBSITE. KEEP COMING BACK.
WE ARE
INTERESTED IN EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF PLAYING TEAMS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES,
SO PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO EMAIL IF YOU HAVE A TEAM, SIMILAR INTEREST,
QUESTIONS--OR COMMENTS. WE'D LOVE TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE. email:
worldball@joshgibsonbombers.com
"ON BEHALF OF JOSH GIBSON BOMBER MANAGEMENT, I SAY,
EMPHATICALLY: STOP THE DAMN WITCH HUNT OF BARRY BONDS! THE STATUS
QUO GATE-KEEPER PACK OF BACK-BITING, SNEAKY WOLVES YIPPED AND YELPED AND BROUGHT
DOWN JACK JOHNSON. THE STATUS QUO GATE-KEEPER PACK OF BACK-BITING, SNEAKY WOLVES
SCHEMED AND DREAMED AND STOLE MUHAMMAD ALI'S BEST YEARS AS A FIGHTER. THE
STATUS QUO GATE-KEEPER PACK OF BACK-BITING, SNEAKY WOLVES WOULD NOT LET
JOSH GIBSON PLAY. 2006, THEY ARE AT IT AGAIN--WILLING TO IGNORE ANYTHING
RESEMBLING FAIRNESS AS THEY YIP AND YELP AND YAP AND WHINE AND SCHEME TO BRING
DOWN BARRY BONDS. UNLESS YOU DO TO EVERY PRO BASEBALL PLAYER WHAT YOU ARE
SCHEMING TO DO TO BARRY, YOU ARE DIRTY DISHONEST LYING BACKROOM CONNIVING
THIEVES. BACK OFF DOGS, AND LET THE MAN PLAY BASEBALL."
ART WASHINGTON - GM JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS BASEBALL CLUB
*BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO DID WHAT WHEN,
THE ONLY FAIR SOLUTION IS TO GO FROM NOW.
**the preceding
views in no way represent the views of the players who come out and play for the
Josh Gibson Bombers Baseball Club. The views expressed are strictly views
of Bomber ownership and management.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FALL/WINTER-LEAGUE
(HELL, SPRING LEAGUE NOW)--HOPEFULLY, WE WILL PLAY SOON. KEEP CHECKING
WEBSITE, BUT KNOW THAT WE WILL CALL YOU THE MINUTE IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE
ON. THANKS FOR HANGING IN THERE. HOPE YOU'RE GETTING SOME WORK IN
HERE AND THERE ON YOUR OWN.
A more
detailed account of the game against the mighty Managuas is forthcoming.
The guys who were there played a solid game once things settled down. We
were short on players, but not short on guys who came to play. Was a good
day of baseball. We still owe Nick Petrick a pearl for his outstanding
work on the mound a couple of games ago.
PARK DEPARTMENT |
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16 PLUS AGE & ADULT WOOD BAT BASEBALL
LEAGUE----2005--2006 |
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WINTER SEASON--END OF LEAGUE SEASON SCHEDULE |
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[UPDATED--FEB-20-06] |
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WINTER SEASON--PLAY OFFS----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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DAY |
DATE |
TEAM |
TEAM |
|
DIAMOND |
TIME |
|
WEEK-NINETEEN---LEAGUE----PLAY OFFS |
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|
WED |
FEB-22 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
THUR |
FEB-23 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SO. SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
SAT |
FEB-25 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
|
10:00AM |
|
SAT |
FEB-25 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
WEEK-TWENTY----PLAY OFFS----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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|
OUT
|
WED |
MAR-1 |
GA-1 SIXTH PLACE |
THREE PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
RAINOUT!THUR
**MOST LIKELY WE WILL BE
FOURTH OR FIFTH, BUT MAY NOT HAPPEN THIS WAY.
CHECK BACK. |
MAR-2 |
GA-2 FIFTH PLACE |
FOURTH PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
RAINOUT!
SAT |
MAR-4 |
GA-3 WINNER GA-1 |
WINNER GA-2 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
RAINOUT!
SAT |
MAR-4 |
GA-4 WINNER GA-3 |
SECOND PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
WEEK-TWENTY ONE----CHAMPIONSHIP SRIES |
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THUR |
MAR-9 |
GA-5 WINNER GA-4 |
FIRST PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
SAT |
MAR-11 |
GA-6 FIRST PLACE |
WINNER GA-4 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
SAT |
MAR-11 |
GA-7 EXTRA CHAMP GAME |
|
F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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PLAY OFFS--CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES---SPECIAL NOTES |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4]--NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING TWO-[2]- GOOD USED BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]-EACH GAME----$60.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM-PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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PLAY OFF GAMES----THREE HOURS---TO WIN |
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ADVANCE NOTICE
AND REQUEST: 2005-2006 FALL-WINTER BOMBERS, PLEASE BRING A CHANGE OF
JERSEY FOR THE FIRST PLAY-OFF GAME. JERSEYS MIGHT BE COLLECTED AT THE END
OF ANY GAME ONCE THE PLAY-OFFS START. IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF PHONE-CALLS
AND TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS. TRUST ME, IT IS NOT FUN CHASING DOWN
JERSEYS. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO PURCHASE A JERSEY, MY COST WAS $65.00 FOR
JERSEYS/$35 FOR PANTS. WE WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION AND YOU CAN HAVE A
BOMBERS JERSEY MADE UP AT SPORTS GRAPHICS WHERE I HAD THE JERSEYS DONE.
FOR THOSE WHO BORROWED PANTS, PLEASE RETURN THEM. SOME FELLOWS HAVE MORE THAN
ONE PAIR AND IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED IF THEY WERE
RETURNED.
UPDATE
POSTED FEBRUARY 12, 2006 - Josh Gibson Bombers Versus San Jose Brewers, February
11, 2006: Jason Laxson did the near impossible in pitching a full nine
innings after five weeks of no baseball to lead the Josh Gibson Bombers to a
solid 9-4 win against the formidable San Jose Brewers. Number 15 also had two
hits in four at bats, drove in three runs and scored twice. It was a game-ball
day for JL. Mr. Laxson's superb command on the mound was backed up by a
team of young men who played hard; who played with purpose. It was fun to
watch. Starting with catcher Franklin Escobar, who has emerged as the
steady leader of this group as the season moves toward play-offs and those who
can be relied on distinguish themselves from those who won't even take the time
to return phone-calls, these Bombers play with spirit, mutual support and a lot of cool, quiet confidence. It is an
absolute joy to come to the ballpark and hang out with this season's collection
of great guys. With a few exceptions, the defense on this day was tight as
Dick's hatband. Jay #24, who can play any position on the field and moved from
being perfect at third to making a highlight-reel sliding catch toward the left
field foul line on one of his many defensive gems, typified the team-wide
effort. On offense, Jay#24's hard line drives drove in three runs and put
him in position to score twice. Justin "Coop" Cooperman was
rock-solid at second base and showed his versatility by stepping in at
center-field in the later innings to make challenging fly-balls look easy and
routine with his smooth, confident ball-hawking. On offense, Coop scored
and moved runners along with his smart at bats. Ryan Perez played first
base with flare and hit an emphatic double in the sixth inning that capped the
three-run rally that put the Bombers ahead for the rest of the game. Nick
Petrick expertly handled duty at both first and third on defense while hitting a
door-closing double in the eighth inning that scored two important Bomber
runs. Donald Williams was marvelous in the outfield and on the bases where
he executed a clinic steal of second base in the fifth inning just before he had
to leave the game for work. A-Rod Rodriguez moved from warm to hot over
the course of the game, gaining the winning form he had five weeks ago toward
the end of this game. A-Rod hit, stole, scored a run and played his usual
good defense at short. Zack Waterfire's patience and eye at the plate had
him gain base all four times he was up. Zack stole and scored a run.
Josh Shuster-Lefkowitz worked his skill at second base on defense and on offense
made a heads-up
advance to second on a throw that got away from the catcher for barely an
instant. High-school sophomore, Awinn Swann, did his young self
proud with three confident at bats and solid patrol duty in right field.
Full circle to Franklin Escobar who got on base a perfect four for four with two
hits and a steal. Franklin also scored twice and managed a fine game from
behind the plate.
UPDATE
FEB.12, 2006: LAST
GAME BEFORE PLAY-OFFS - BOMBERS VERSUS THE TALENTED MANAGUAS: SATURDAY FEBRUARY 18 AT 1:30 PM ON CROCKER AMAZON #1.
LET'S ALL SHOW UP, DO OUR BEST AND HAVE SOME FUN, GENTLEMEN. LET'S
PLAY LIKE IT MIGHT BE THE LAST GAME WE EVER PLAY IN OUR LIVES. WITH THE
PRESENT STATE OF THE WORLD--THAT IS NOT A RIDICULOUS
SUGGESTION...UNFORTUNATELY.
AND!
THE RAIDERS HIRE ART SHELL!!!!
SAN FRANCISCO RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
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16 PLUS AGE & ADULT WOOD BAT BASEBALL
LEAGUE----2005--2006 |
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WINTER SEASON--END OF LEAGUE SEASON SCHEDULE |
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[UPDATED--FEB-1-06] |
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WINTER SEASON--PLAY OFFS----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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DAY |
DATE |
TEAM |
TEAM |
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DIAMOND |
TIME |
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WEEK-SEVENTEEN---LEAGUE--&--PLAY OFFS |
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WED |
FEB-8 |
SO SF MEXICO |
SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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THUR |
FEB-9 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
|
JOSH GIBSON
BOMBER
GAME
SAT |
FEB-11 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
FEB-11 |
S.F. SAN FERNANDO |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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WEEK-EIGHTEEN----PLAY OFFS |
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WED |
FEB-15 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
SO. SF MEXICO |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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THUR |
FEB-16 |
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H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
FEB-18 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
|
JOSH GIBSON
BOMBER
GAME
SAT |
FEB-18 |
S.F. MANAGUA |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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WEEK-NINETEEN---LEAGUE----PLAY OFFS |
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WED |
FEB-22 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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THUR |
FEB-23 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SO. SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
FEB-25 |
GA-1 SIXTH PLACE |
THIRD PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
FEB-25 |
GA-2 FIFTH PLACE |
FOURTH PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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WEEK-TWENTY----PLAY OFFS----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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WED |
MAR-1 |
GA-3 WINNER GA-1 |
WINNER GA-2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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THUR |
MAR-2 |
GA-4 WINNER GA-3 |
SECOND PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
MAR-4 |
GA-5 WINNER GA-4 |
FIRST PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
MAR-4 |
GA-6 FIRST PLACE |
WINNER GA-4 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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WEEK-TWENTY ONE----CHAMPIONSHIP SRIES |
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WED |
MAR-8 |
GA-7 EXTRA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME |
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F |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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PLAY OFFS--CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES---SPECIAL NOTES |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4]--NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING TWO-[2]- GOOD USED BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]-EACH GAME----$60.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM-PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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PLAY OFF GAMES----THREE HOURS---TO WIN |
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CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES----FULL NINE INNINGS---TO WIN |
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Josh Gibson Bomber SHAMAN Weather Report: Friday FEB.
10 NO RAIN, DAMMIT! Saturday FEB.
11 NO RAIN!!!.
A-ROD HAS BROKEN EVERYTHING
STANDING IN HIS ROOM WHILE CONFINED TO SWINGING THE BAT INDOORS!
RYAN P HAS BECOME AN ACE
RIGHT-HANDED PITCHER AND BATTER! (RY'S A NATURAL LEFTY; WORKED RIGHT SIDE FOR
SOMETHING TO DO)
FRANKLIN IS STARTING TO SPROUT
FEATHERS FROM DUCK-WALKING IN THE RAIN TO KEEP HIS CATCHER'S SQUAT STRONG!
DON-LEEZY AND BIG JOE HAVE BEEN
MEETING WITH THE GHOST OF JOSH GIBSON IN AN EFFORT TO GET THE TEAM BACK ON THE
FIELD!
DARWIN PUT OUT AN ALL-POINTS
BULLETIN (APB) ON THE RAIN-CLOUD MONSTER!
NICK AND JOSH HAVE BEEN EATING
NOTHING BUT PIZZA! (HEY, EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS)
JASON AND JAY HAVE DEVELOPED BMT
(BASEBALL MENTAL TELEPATHY) FROM PLAYING CATCH IN THEIR MINDS!
MARCUS IS WORKING FIVE---FIVE!!
JOBS TO KEEP FROM LOSING HIS MIND FOR LACK OF BASEBALL!
AWINN HAS CHANGED HIS NAME TO
NORAIN!
ANTHONY ELMORE IS PLAYING WINTER
BALL WITH THE YANKEES IN PLACE OF GARY SHEFFIELD! (EVERYBODY THINKS IT'S HE'S
SHEFFIELD)
ZACK'S FEET ARE BLISTERING FROM
ALL THE DANCING!
ALL THE REST OF US ARE HOPING!
WOOD-BAT
SEMI-PROS: HERE WE GO. LET'S BE AT FULL STRENGTH FOR THE LAST OF THE
SEASON. THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME CHANCE IN THE WINTER OF 2006 TO PLAY
SOME OF THE BEST SEMI-PRO BASEBALL PLAYERS IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. IN THE
WHOLE WIDE WORLD, DOGGONIT! A CHANCE TO GET SOME CHARACTER-BUILDING
BASEBALL PLAYING IN. A CHANCE TO---MY GOD--SHOW THE WORLD THERE'S MORE UP HERE
THAN JUST BARRY BONDS AND THE GIANTS! THERE'S BOMBERS AND BREWERS AND
BLENDERS AND ANGELS AND KAI KOPP'S CARDINALS AND SF MEXICO AND VICTOR'S SAN
FERNANDO'S--AND THE MIGHTY MANAGUAS!
THE
BREWERS AND THE MANAGUA TEAMS ARE BOTH EXCELLENT SQUADS. SOLID. THEY WILL PUT A
SERIOUS WHOOPIN' ON YOU IF YOU COME OUT HALF-STEPPIN'. LET'S COME OUT
PSYCHED OUT OF OUR MINDS! TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE. LET'S GET THE
SIGNS. COME READY TO SEE JUST HOW GOOD WE CAN BE. CAN'T ABSOLUTELY CONTROL THE
OUTCOME OF ANYTHING, BUT CAN CONTROL WHETHER OR NOT WE DO OUR BEST.
STRETCH, WARM UP--NO UNNECESSARY INJURIES 'CAUSE WE'RE TOO OLD AND TOO PROUD, OR
TOO YOUNG AND TOO----. ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS OR THINGS THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH,
GIVE A CALL. NO ONE'S GETTING PAID SO WE SHOULD ALL AT LEAST BE HAVING FUN. AND
GETTING BETTER.
SEE
YOU ON THE BALL-FIELD, GENTLEMEN. REMEMBER, THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME
OPPORTUNITY!
650-726-5526/650-303-1597
WEEK-FIFTEEN[8]----LEAGUE
WED JAN-25 MANAGUA MEXICO H RAIN OUT 7:00PM
THUR JAN-26 ANGELS CARDINALS H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
SAT JAN-28 BREWERS BOMBERS H RAIN OUT 10:00AM
SAT JAN-28 SAN FERNANDO ANGELS H RAIN OUT 1:30PM
WEEK-SIXTEEN-----LEAGUE
WED FEB-1 CARDINALS MANAGUA H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
THUR FEB-2 ANGELS MEXICO H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
SAT FEB-4 ANGELS BREWERS H CROCKER ONE 10:00AM
SAT FEB-4 MANAGUA BOMBERS H CROCKER ONE 1:30PM
WEEK-SEVENTEEN---LEAGUE--&--PLAY OFFS
WED FEB-8 MEXICO SAN FERNANDO H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
THUR FEB-9 CARDINALS SAN FERNANDO H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
SAT FEB-11 GA-1 SIXTH THIRD H CROCKER ONE 10:00AM
SAT FEB-11 GA-2 FIFTH FOURTH H CROCKER ONE 1:30PM
WEEK- EIGHTEEN PLAY OFFS
WED FEB-15 GA-3 WINNER GA-1 WINNER GA-2 CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
THUR FEB-16 GA-4 WINNER GA-3 SECOND CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
SAT
SAT
WEEK- NINETEEN PLAY OFFS--CHAMP SERIES
WED FEB 22 GA-5 WIN GA-4 FIRST H CROCKER ONE 7:00PM
THUR
SAT FEB-25 GA-6 FIRST WIN GA-4 H CROCKER ONE 10:00AM
SAT FEB-25 GA-7 EXTRA CHAMP GAME F CROCKER ONE 1:30PM
----------------------------------
Posted
Friday December 16, 2005: Bombers who showed up played the full nine
innings with no letup. No matter what else, that is always an absolute
pleasure to witness. The SF Mexico team had some of their most experienced
players on the field for the game. The Bombers were without some of their
veteran regulars but the young fellows who showed played a fine game of baseball
right through the last out. In the end, the no-quit youngsters with
veteran leader at catcher, Franklin Escobar, lost the game against a good SF
Mexico team on Wednesday December 14, 2005. The final score was 8-4, with
the Bombers down 6-0 until the last few innings. Nick Petrick did a great job on
the mound, going a full 7 innings and into 8 before his arm started to tire a
little. Nick's ability to keep the hard-hitting Mexico team from ever
getting truly untracked speaks volumes for his determination. The SF Mexico team
ten-run ruled us the last game---and has done so with a number of other teams,
as we've come to understand. So---GREAT JOB NICK! APPRECIATED.
Josh Shuster-Lefkowitz stepped in halfway through the 8th to spell his lifelong
buddy, and did a fine job of closing things out. Josh had one of the best stops
and spin-around throws to first from his second base position that we've seen
this season before he took the mound. In another "best play"
scenario, one of the best catches in the outfield of the year for the Bombers,
if not THE best, was made by usual infielder Donald Williams. Donald made
a last minute acrobatic leap to grab a sure extra bases line drive that was
curving hard toward the line. Less speed, height, athleticism--that catch
does not get made. Donald also had excellent contact at the plate for the
game. Great game for Donald Williams. Franklin Escobar was our
leader on the field and in the dugout. His encouragement and example
of staying at it helped keep the team from ever giving an inch to the tough
Mexico team. Franklin had is customary solid game behind the plate and hit
well on offense. But mainly, he refused to let the team get down. Result,
the team scored 4 runs in the latter innings and left knowing that they could
play straight up against their opponents. A-Rod added to his highlight
reel of excellent work at short-stop on defense and smart at bats and
base-running on offense. Awinn Swann keeps improving every game.
Only a sophomore in high school, Awinn made a nice catch in right field and made
good contact at the plate. Good game, young Awinn. Powerful Joe Ford
did well at first base and kept his threat alive to hit another one out of the
park. Zack Waterfire patrolled center field and did a good job catching fly
balls in the patchy lighting of Crocker in need of lights.
"Nixon", a favorite of the coach who sometimes plays with the Bombers,
was veteran-solid at third base. Big THANKS to Nixon, as without him
agreeing to play with NO NOTICE so we'd have 9 players, the team would've had to
invoke the "nightmare emergency contingency"---the "NEC"
would've had their manager playing; a last ditch emergency that is definitely a
nightmare. Finally, all got better, no one got hurt, all played a good
game--and forced the Mexico team to deal with a group of fellows who came to
play. The nightmare emergency contingency manager was proud of his
team. Doggonit, there might be a little football attitude working with
some of the players yet! 100 percent effort from the second you step on
the field until the second you step off. Can't go wrong with that
goal. ALWAYS fun to watch.
NEXT
LEAGUE GAME: THURSDAY JANUARY 5, 2006 7:00 PM ON CROCKER AMAZON FIELD #1. WE PLAY
SF BLENDERS. CALL IF ANY QUESTIONS.
650-726-5526/650-303-1597
Posted
November 30, 2005 - Just got a notice from league commissioner Jack Wolf
to turn in official team roster for balance of season. As we make no
assumptions, we need to hear from players as to whether or not they are able to
make most of the games for the balance of the season...and if they will be
playing with the Josh Gibson Bombers. This is the last opportunity for
players to sign on with the teams of their choice for the balance of the
season. A player might want to look at what they want and what the Bombers
are this year---and make their decision based on what suits them best. We
encourage players to look over the Bombers schedule to see if they can make most
of the games. If after considering, a player decides that his talents and
interests work better for another team (or if he won't be playing), we'd
appreciate it if he'd let us know. If we do not hear from a player... if we
can't reach him and he does not return phone-calls or emails, he will not be
included on the roster. For those who hold Bomber jerseys, we expect that
all jerseys will be turned in upon a player's decision not to continue with the
fall/winter team. Thank you 650-726-5526/650-303-1597
FOR
THOSE WHO DECIDE TO STAY AND PLAY, LET'S COME TO THE BALLPARK
DETERMINED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO WIN EVERY GAME WE CAN FOR THE REST OF THE
SEASON. WE ELIMINATE THE LAPSES IN JUDGEMENT, FOCUS AND AWARENESS OF GAME
SITUATION--AND THAT ESPECIALLY APPLIES TO THE COACH--WE WILL WIN.
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS
TO ALL FROM THE JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS.
FULL
SCHEDULE FOLLOWS GAME RECAPS
GAME
RECAPS
POSTED
SUNDAY DECEMBER 11, 2005: FINALLY, THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS KEEP
FOCUS. RESULT? THEY WIN. -- Before anything else is
said, a sincere thank you goes to the young men who came to play baseball on
Saturday December 10, 2005. They did themselves and the game proud. There
was no doubt from the moment the players started to show up and warm up that
they were in the ballpark to give it their best. Darwin Tellez, Joe Ford,
"Jay" #24 at Third Base, Ryan Perez, Jason Laxson, Franklin Escobar,
Oscar the "Guest" Catcher, Donald Williams, Awinn Swann, Anthony
Rodriguez, Justin Cooperman, Zack Waterfire, Marcus Reed. They came to play, and
play they did. The Bomber baseballers won the game with a score of something
like 10-2 (All final scores to be posted, soon). The Cardinals are a good
team with a roster full of talented players. They beat the Bombers in the last
meeting. This day, the Bombers played closer to their potential. That...with the
addition of a few exceptional players... made the difference. Images:
Shortstop "A-Rod" Rodriguez--ball hit--quick start...diving,
twisting,--parallel to ground, body sacrificed, snag/slide on infield dirt...up
quick, under control. To first for out. To second for double play. Pretty.
// Second Base Justin "Coop" Cooperman--ready,
anticipating...always in the right place. nothing gettable gets by; Dartmouth
will be improved by his mental and physical quickness next year. //Starting
Catcher Franklin Escobar--Steady, solid behind the plate. On offense,
power. Every at bat offered potential homerun. Long double---runs
score.//Ace Starting Pitcher Darwin "Magic" Tellez--They swing, but
seldom have solid contact. Ball on the ground. Ball in the air. Swing
late. Swing early/off balance. Swing after it drops. Back off to have it cross
plate. STRIKE! No idea what may come next. He's a "pitcher".
Magic. And they tell us he's a first rate outfielder on another team.
//Pitcher-Outfield-First Base-Coach Ryan Perez--This game First Base. Third Base
Coach. Versatile,
knowledgeable, under control. Cool and calm. Relax, Ryan had it covered.
Whatever it was. //Outfield-Infield Donald Williams--Moved fast and smooth.
Loves to play--it shows. Hits and gits...drove in early run.//First
Base-Designated Hitter Joe Joe Ford--Always solid contact. Hit ball HARD! Big
man who moves. Knows well how to play First Base. //Centerfielder Marcus
Reed--Bombers in-house pro. Played and coached like the veteran pro-caliber
player he embodies. The Josh Gibson Bombers are a much better team with Marcus
Reed. //Starting-Relief Pitcher Jason Laxson--Left-handed veteran who knows
exactly what he's doing. Jason took this game over at 5 innings, and kept tight
control through the end. Jason's the team's other ace. //Catcher-Third Base-All
positions "Jay"--Damn fine baseball player that any team is lucky to
have. Jay threw rockets from third to first to stop a few guys from even
trying to make first base. Seriously, guys stopped on the way. If he
doesn't have a nickname, someone may take to calling him "No
Chance". That is the case if he gets the ball any time before the
batter gets to base. Jay hits like he throws. //Catcher
"Oscar"--Bombers were happy to have him play with them this day. Oscar's
a regular on another team. Drove in important early run. Unfortunately, Oscar
will be exhibiting his considerable skills against us...soon. //First
Base-Catcher-Third Base Awinn Swann--Talented young high school player who gives
all when he gets the opportunity. We intend to give Awinn as many
opportunities as we can. His talent and determination demand that we must.
No question, Awinn's a future star if he keeps getting to the field.
//Outfielder-Assistant Manager Zack Waterfire--Excellent throw from left field to gun down player
at home plate. Along with Marcus Reed and Donald Williams in
outfield---everything that went up in the air out there this game---got caught
coming down. Nice job of getting on base, running the bases and scoring on
offense. //All in all, this was the best outing of the year. Let's keep
showing up and giving it our best, gentlemen. Win lose or draw---nobody
gets out of a game with us easy. Efforts appreciated---the
more-gray-in-beard-moving- slower-every-damn day "usta be" management.
posted november
20, 2005: score was 5-4, angels. candidly---while a few fellows deserve special
mention and ALL played a good competitive game, we let a fellow named mingo beat
us. he got into the head of some of our players and caused them to lose
focus...at the worst time. next time we see ol' good spirited baseball
loving mingo, we don't hear him. hats off to all---special mention
goes to justin cooperman, anthony rodriguez, and zack waterfire for having an
exceptional game; and to darwin tellez
for an EXCELLENT job of pitching.
JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS VS SAN JOSE BREWERS ON NOVEMBER 5, 2005. ABOVE ALL--
A SPECIAL THANKS TO A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS: THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS WINTER
LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM MEMBERS WHO ACQUITTED THEMSELVES WELL IN A TOPSY-TURVY GAME
THAT OFFERED LEAD CHANGES, TIMELY HITTING, SOLID PITCHING, HEROES, NO VILLAINS,
UPS, DOWNS, FRUSTRATION, EXCITEMENT, AND JUST ENOUGH ERRORS TO END UP WITH ALL
LOOKING TO THE NEXT TIME. FIRST OFF---BIG JOE FORD AND ROCK STEADY
FRANKLIN ESCOBAR...YOU FORGOT TO PICK UP YOUR PEARLS! BRAND NEW BALLS
BALLS STILL IN WRAPPING...FOR CREATING A COUPLE OF THOSE BIG MOMENTS THAT GETS
EVERYBODY JACKED UP. CONGRATS ON YOUR HOMERUNS, GENTLEMEN.
FRANKLIN'S BLAST GOT THE TEAM STARTED...AND BIG JOE CLOBBERED A BALL IN THE 8TH
FOR A 2 RUN DEAL THAT PUT THE TEAM AHEAD UNTIL THE BOTTOM OF THE NINTH.
ANTHONY "A-ROD" RODRIGUEZ--HATS OFF FOR A CLUTCH, TIMELY DOUBLE IN THE
5TH TO PUT THE TEAM AHEAD 5-3. ' KNOW WE'RE ALL TIRED OF THE SAME OLD
SONG, BUT IT'S TRUE---THIS IS ANOTHER GAME WE SHOULD HAVE WON. INFIELDERS,
LET'S GET IN FRONT OF THOSE BALLS, BUTT DOWN, GLOVES IN THE DIRT, AND A
DETERMINATION THAT WE WILL NOT LET A SHOT GET BY. NO OLE'S. BASIC
FUNDAMENTAL STOP-THE-BALL-FIRST-AND-FOREMOST. NEXT TOPIC-- AGGRESSIVENESS
ON THE BASES IS EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT. NO DOUBT. WE'LL TAKE THE RISKS
AND ACCEPT THE OCCASIONAL OUT. BUT LET'S NOT GIVE OUTS AWAY BECAUSE OF LACK OF
ATTENTION, CARELESS DRIFTING ON THE BASES---OR ON THE PART OF US COACHES...BAD
OR INATTENTIVE BASE-COACHING. FINALLY - LET'S REMIND ONE ANOTHER THAT ALL
EQUIPMENT...FOR OUR TEAM AND OUR OPPONENTS...MUST BE OUT OF THE PLAYING
AREA. WITHOUT GETTING SPECIFIC, A YOUNG PLAYER BROKE HIS ANKLE PRETTY
BAD. ALL OF US WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE IF SOMEONE--ON OUR TEAM OR
THEIRS--GOT INJURED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T INSIST THAT EQUIPMENT ALWAYS BE OUT OF ALL
AREAS WHERE PLAYERS MIGHT RUN. BACK TO THE GAME - RAFAEL, A NEW PITCHER
WHO STARTED THE GAME WAS A WELCOME ADDITION FOR THE DAY--HOPE YOU KEEP COMING
BACK, YOUNG MAN. DARWIN TELLEZ DID HIS USUAL EXCELLENT JOB ON THE MOUND
WHEN HE CAME IN AFTER FOUR AND KEPT THE GAME MANAGEABLE TO THE END. JOSH
SHUSTER-LEFKOWITZ...YOU'RE ON IT, KID. HEAR YOU WERE A HERO AT THE PLATE
WITH A CRUCIAL HIT AT A CRUCIAL TIME TO KEEP YOUR TEAM IN IT.
APPRECIATED. AND THANKS TO THE REST OF THE TEAM FOR HOLDING DOWN THE FORT
AND SUPPORTING THE PLAYER COACHES WHO DID A GREAT JOB IN MANAGING THE TEAM
FOR THE GAME AGAINST THE WELL-PRACTICED BREWERS. JOEY BLAS, WE'RE GOING TO
MISS YOU, MAN. HOPE YOU GET BUSY PLAYING DOWN THERE IN TEXAS RIGHT
AWAY...AND COME BACK TO PLAY IN SAN FRANCISCO WHEN TIME AND CIRCUMSTANCE
PERMITS. ANY TEAM WILL BE ENHANCED BY YOUR TALENTS. AND WHILE
WE'RE ON THE SUBJECT OF THANKS... THANKS JOEY, FRANKLIN AND DARWIN FOR DOING A
GREAT JOB AS MANAGER--PLAYERS FOR GAME. SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE HAD FUN, GOT
A LITTLE BETTER, PLAYED HARD...AND IS DETERMINED TO BUILD ON THE GOOD. TO
ALL BOMBERS--OUR NEXT GAME IS NOVEMBER 19, AS WE HAVE A BYE FOR THE 12TH.
KEEP AN EYE OUT, AS WE MAY SCHEDULE A PRACTICE GAME IN THE INTERIM. IN THE
MEANTIME, HERE'S HOPING YOU GET ALL THE PLAYING AND PRACTICE IN THAT YOU
CAN!
LOTTA GOOD PLAY IN SPITE OF WEEK 4 ten-run ruled loss--OCTOBER 20, 2005, Bombers
vs SF Mexico. A lot of new faces showed up for game 4. Friends of
friends---and in some cases, friends of friends of friends. Unfortunately, a few
old tried and true showed up late, or could not make the game. Lesson to
semi-pro managers on cold, traffic-crowded evening games in San Francisco,
"Don't put your lineup card together before you arrive at the field--no matter
who has committed to being there." Don't care if you're running all over
trying to find new white balls so they can be seen in the foggy half-lit,
gopher-holed Crocker field. Don't care if you're calling two and three times to
a communication-challenged player with him having no clue that you hate the damn
phone and have just as little time to be on it as he does--maybe less.
Probably less. He brings his glove, spikes, bat---and you
bring--hell--most of your day and evening and a car full of equipment,
refreshment and telephone numbers being called right up until game time.
Never mind how much you dislike going into grocery stores in search of water
that isn't storebrand bland or a snack that will taste okay, but not harm or
offend because it's just too damn unhealthy. Never mind that you--after having
navigated waters you'd just as soon have stayed out of to arrive at the game and
field a team with no shows, late shows and new faces--are called over by
someone's young, smart, pretty sister in the stands to "chat". She starts
out sweet but ends up channelling Mike Tyson because her brother isn't getting
enough "action" in his position in the outfield. Walking away, I
checked
my ears in spite of the chain-link fence between us. Maybe next week we'll try
him out at infield before she brings the whole family. All kidding aside,
there was a lot of good baseball played by the Bombers. First mention goes to
Awinn Swann. The George Washington High sophomore played his first-base position
like a linebacker. It was an absolute joy to watch his all-out play.
Thanks to solid long-time Bomber Ryan Perez for his good night of pitching. The
Bombers found a savvy, veteran player in "Victor" who showed last week's UFO'd
Bombers you CAN catch balls in the dark. Look forward to seeing Victor's
other skills. Infielder/pitcher Josh Shuster-Lefkowitz was all hustle at
catcher. He stepped in for regular catcher, Franklin Escobar, and gave
full effort all night. His reward was one of the most exciting plays of
the game. Josh scrambled after a passed ball, and the player on third
broke for home plate. In an all out heads up effort, Josh grabbed up the
ball as he was sliding away and tossed it perfectly to Jason Laxson, the
pitcher, who was on his job covering home. They nailed the fella.
Good job, Josh/Jason. Joey Blas hit the ball hard and speared a hot line
drive on defense to serve notice that he'll be ready to play when he,
unfortunately, leaves the team to relocate to Texas. We can just imagine the
kind of ballplayer young Demarco Blas will be in about 15 years. Dr.
Physics (Rog), our resident guide to the subatomic world, laid down a perfect
squeeze-play bunt to bring in a do-or-die game-continuing run in the 7th inning.
"Doc Physics" put icing on the cake with a hard run to first and a "safe" call.
A-Rod Rodriguez has hit his stride the last few games and is playing superbly at
the plate and in the infield. Donald Williams: All we have to say is--with
Mike Tyson in your corner, we're expecting nothing less than Ozzie Smith in the
infield next game. To all who came out, thank you. In spite of the
outcome, it was one of the more fun games we've had. Everybody felt loose
and easy. Everybody played---even if not as much as they'd have liked to.
Umpire Mr. Vega, who's seen it all, actually came up and mentioned how much he
enjoyed the game. It was a spirited night of guys just playing baseball.
Every body got a little work in; got a little better.
WHACKY
WEEK 3--OCTOBER 12, 2005, Bombers vs Crocker Cardinals: "We was robbed---by
ourselves". "If errors were dollar bills, we'd have the payroll
of Steinbrenner's Yankees." "Somebody put a handle on that
baseball!" "Uhh, you mean we have to play defense,
too?"---- The Bombers came out bombing. Everybody was hitting. Jason
Laxson pitched a gem of a beginning. Opposition up, opposition out.
Opposition grumbling. Nothing got out of the Bomber infield---and the cool,
confident Bomber infielders kept the Cardinals from getting to home plate.
First three innings, the Bombers were scoring runs and sayin' uh uh to
everything the Cardinals tried to do. Got so bad for a minute, the
frustrated Cardnials started fighting with each other. Bombers even helped
stop that. And this was all done while the San Francisco fog slopped over
everything like a heavy white-onion soup. Then the fog lifted, the night
became clear---and a big chunk of the Bomber team became a bunch of Stevie
Wonders. Except, there was nothing wonderful about the result. In a word, the
wheels didn't just wobble, they exploded. 'Was a train wreck AND a
jail-break. The bickering Cardinals busted out--"they hit us here,
they hit us there--they hit us damn near every-where--and nobody was catchin'".
Even with the atmosphere cleared up, Jason Laxson still managed to keep most
balls hit as routine, manageable outs. But they weren't "routined"
or managed. Outfield, infield...everything hit got down, got past, got
thrown back to the guy in the second row of Crocker's cold-night empty
bleachers. Or so it seemed. In reality, the Bombers held the lead
through most of the game. It changed hands a few times. The
Cardinals ended up winning. We believe the score was 8-7 (final score will be
confirmed by League Commissioner, Jack Wolf). On the positive side---and
there was a lot of positive (it's just that losing the way the Bombers did calls
for some "venting")--a bunch of Bombers had good a good game:
Donald Williams was one of the standouts for the Bombers. Young man's
finding his stroke at the plate to go with the obvious speed he posesses.
Donald has a fine arm and exhibited such from left field, then center.
Franklin Escobar is easy to take for granted because of his steady excellent job
behind the plate. Very little gets by Mr. Escobar---fog or no fog.
There's a rumor ol' Franklin might be called to try it from the other side--as a
pitcher. It comes from a rumor that he was a pretty good pitcher in high
school---and college. Third baseman/pitcher Nick Petrick had an active
night in the hot corner--with a few "almost" highlight reel plays at
5. Nick pitched a cool closing couple of innings that would've gotten him
a save and Jason a win---if the defense had a little more..."good
fortune". Anthony "A-Rod" was the one infielder who played
like the sun was shining. Don't think A-Rod had a bad catch or throw the
whole game. In all fariness to the outfield, the lights at Crocker
are a scandal. All balls up in the air above the lights...which are not
well "light-arranged"...disappear, like little white UFO's.
Gone. And when they appear again, they are just about to land. Guess
you could say the Cardinals "UFO'd" us. Waterfire did have one
helluva throw from left field to sure-handed Nick Petrick at third to gun down
one of the Cardinal aliens---after his UFO had landed in left---and scrambling,
stumbling-like-a-drunkard ZDubya finally found it. Alex Tellez held down
right field and is expected to get back into his old baseball shape in the next
couple of weeks. Young Awinn Swann turned a nice play at second base; have
to get eager-to-learn catcher Awinn more time behind the plate.
Enough. We'll catch the rest of the guys next week. Next week will have a
lot of heroes. No doubt. Let's just hope that most of them are
playing for the Josh Gibson Bombers. This rambling ain't half bad.
Fun, actually. Takes a little of the sting offa losing a game the Bombers
shouldda won---not really.
WEEK
2--OCTOBER 8, 2005, Bombers versus Managuas: 'Was
the best of times, was the worst of times. Josh Gibson Bombers won the
first game of a double-header behind the pitching of Jason Laxson. It was
a tight game for much of the way with the opposition "Victor" Team
leading for a large portion of the contest. A fun moment in the game was
watching Bomber newfound cleanup hitter, Franklin Escobar---hit a homerun to get
the Bombers going. In the end, the core Bombers won the morning.
The second game was a loss. The Managuas are a fine team in any shape,
form or fashion. Combine them with the core of the "A's"--you've got a
veritable powerhouse. The Bombers played the powerhouse. And on this
day the team was well managed by Ed Gutierrez, son of the original Managua
skipper, Mr. Marvin Gutierrez. Ed 's accomplished handling of the team indicates that the Managuas
will compete for championships long into the future. Taking nothing from the Managuas, it must be said
that--in this chronicler's opinion--the Josh Gibson Bombers did a good job of
beating themselves (must be acknowledged, however, that Big Al Matuus hit one of
his classic ice-breaking homeruns to start the Managuas rolling). Runs were given away on defense. On offense, a number
of mental mistakes were made...led by a coach who just didn't seem able to keep
his head fully into the game. We suggest the aforementioned coach get
proper sleep the night before a double-header, or get help coaching.
Darwin Tellez did his usual fine job on the mound, going a long way to overcome
occasional bouts of lack of focus that afflicted the team at various times over
the course of the afternoon. Hurried throws, well-meaning as they are,
will more often than not gift a double from what would have been a close call at
first base---if not a dead-bang, straight up "out". Second base
is "scoring position". Gotta make the opposition earn it.
On the positive side--even with the problems, the Bombers still went a good
chunk of the game 0-0 before the wheels started wobbling. Deserving of
acknowledgement: Anthony Elmore made a
number of fine catches in the outfield. "Dan" was solid as a rock at
first base...and hit the ball hard at the plate. Joe Ford was no less
effective when he stepped in to spell Dan. Nick Petrick had a
warning-track double that woke the Bombers up enough to mount a comeback near
the end of the game. Anthony "A-Rod" Rodriguez showed how balls
should be gathered in--and thrown with control and accuracy to first base--in
the latter part of the game. Josh Shuster-Lefkowitz played a tenacious
short-stop and second base on defense after being away for a pair of Bomber
games. Josh also had a timely hit in the team's spirited bid to catch the
Managua's before the Bombers ran out of innings. Welcome back Josh.
New Bomber "Jay" served notice that he is a hitter and a good
infielder with line shots in the first game; getting the attention of the
Managuas--who gave him a spirited "Managua" welcome. Let nothing
shake your focus, Jay. Donald Williams complimented his serviceable
duty in the outfield with smooth work at second base in the infield. Zack Waterfire's heads-up play on a dropped ball strikeout turned his
"K" into a triple with a stolen base to second--and a hustle to third
base on an escaped throw. The fact that Zack was not driven home with no
outs---at third...says something about how the Bombers played some of the
game. Squeezeplay, coach? Hopefully, the Bombers' hard-hitting Joey
Blas will be there the next time the Bombers meet the Managuas. That,
combined with more focus---and more sleep for the coach...should make for a more
competitive game. Looking forward. It
must be added---"thanks" to the Managuas for playing Chris Ramirez and
Jerome Bright; two young teens who are bound to bring many exciting
moments to baseball fans for a long time to come. With the knowledge
being gained from playing with the Managuas and learning from baseball master Danny Bright, the sky is the limit for
young Chris, young Jerome. Keep
those grades up, fellas...and let nothing distract you from what you know is
right and true. You are both destined for great things. So it is written. So it
shall be.
SPOTTY
ACCOUNT OF JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS VERSUS CALIFORNIA ANGELS--OCT. 1: WEEK ONE IN A
NEW LEAGUETHINGS
GOT OFF TO A SLIGHTLY ROUGH, BUT GOOD START. THE SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS AT FULL
STRENGTH ARE GOLIATH PERSONIFIED. APPARENTLY, HOWEVER, A LOT OF THEIR PLAYERS
DID NOT GET THE MEMO ABOUT LAST WEEK'S GAME---SO THE BOMBERS PLAYED A
SHORT-HANDED TEAM OF SCRAPPY ANGEL REPRESENTATIVES. THEY WERE LED BY TALENTED
MANAGER-PLAYER EDGAR GARCIA. THE ANGELS HAD A RUSTY BUT VERY EXPERIENCED AND
HARD-TO-HIT NEW PITCHER ON THEIR MOUND---JAYSON LAXSON. LAXSON'S SURE TO BE A
FORCE IN THE LEAGUE AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES. AGILE ANGEL VETERAN
SHORT-STOP/THIRD-BASEMAN MIKE RYAN CHOSE TO GO WITH EIGHT AGAINST OUR NINE FOR
THE FIRST COUPLE OF INNINGS. IT WAS A MARVEL TO WATCH ONE MAN PLAY TWO POSITIONS
(SHORT AND THIRD), BUT OUR SHOTS DOWN THE THIRD BASE LINE FINALLY CONVINCED MIKE
TO ADD A NON-ANGEL TO FILL OUT HIS NEEDED NINE. FOR THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS, THE
GAME WAS A REVELATION OF NEW YOUNG TALENT THAT PROMISES GOOD THINGS IN THE
FUTURE. WE FOUND A GIFTED CATCHER IN THE MAKING IN YOUNG AWINN SWANN, A SOPHOMORE AT LINCOLN HIGH. PICKING UP RIGHT WHERE HE LEFT
OFF, DARWIN "MAGIC" TELLEZ PITCHED A FULL NINE-INNING WELL
DESERVED WIN. ROUGH LEAGUE START OR NOT, BOMBER ACE TELLEZ MASTERED ALL
ANGEL BATTERS HE FACED. JOEY BLAS HAD THE HARDEST HIT OF THE DAY TO DRIVE IN A
FLURRY OF EARLY RUNS. ANTHONY "A-ROD" RODRIGUEZ HAD AN
EXCEPTIONAL DAY AT THE PLATE AND ON THE BASES, HITTING HIGH-PERCENTAGE LINE
DRIVE "SHOTS", STEALING AT WILL---AND SPEEDING HOME WITH THE SLIGHTEST
OPENING TO REGISTER RUNS. ZACK WATERFIRE STARTED THINGS OFF WITH A DOUBLE,
KNOCKING IN A-ROD...BEFORE CLEANUP HITTER JOEY BLAS DROVE IN ZACK AND DARWIN
WITH A FIRST AT BAT TRIPLE. NICK PETRICK WAS IMPECCABLE AT THIRD BASE ON
DEFENSE. NEW PLAYERS DONALD WILLIAMS AND JOE (FULL NAME TO COME) HAD GOOD
CONTACT AT THE PLATE AND DID STELLAR WORK ON DEFENSE. ANTHONY ELMORE, ONE
OF THE MOST NATURALLY GIFTED ATHLETES IN THE LEAGUE, SHOWED GLIMPSES OF HIS
EXCEPTIONAL TALENT WITH FEATS LIKE DOGGONE NEAR THROWING OUT A FAIRLY SPEEDY
RUNNER AT FIRST BASE WITH A ROCKET SEED FROM CENTERFIELD. LAST TIME WE
SAW ANTHONY, HE HIT A GRAND SLAM TO GIVE THE BOMBERS SOME DEGREE OF DIGNITY IN A
GAME THEY LOST. NEW YOUNG PLAYER PAUL(FULL NAME TO COME) PLAYED A SOLID RIGHT
FIELD FOR ALMOST THE FULL GAME AND HAD GOOD CONTACT AT THE PLATE.
------------------------------
SAN FRANCISCO RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
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16 PLUS AGE & ADULT WOOD BAT BASEBALL
LEAGUE----2005--2006 |
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[UPDATED-10.13.05]] |
|
DAY |
DATE |
TEAM |
TEAM |
|
DIAMOND |
TIME |
WEEK-ONE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
SEPT-28 |
SF MEXICO |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
SEPT-29 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
OCT-1 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
OCT-1 |
SF MANAGUA |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
2:30PM |
WEEK-TWO |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
OCT-5 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
CROCKER CARNINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
OCT-6 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CANCELED |
7:00PM |
SAT |
OCT-8 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
OCT-8 |
SF MANAGUA |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30pm |
|
|
[S.F. BLENDERS----REQUESTED BYE] |
|
|
|
|
WEEK-THREE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
OCT-12 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
OCT-13 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
OCT-15 |
SF MEXICO |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
OCT-15 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
|
[S.F. BLENDERS----REQUESTED BYE] |
|
|
|
|
WEEK-FOUR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
OCT-19 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
OCT-20 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
OCT-22 |
SF MANAGUA |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
OCT-22 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-FIVE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
OCT-26 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
CROCKER CARNINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
OCT-27 |
SF MEXICO |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
OCT-29 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
OCT-29 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER TWO |
1:30PM |
|
|
[SAN JOSE BREWERS----SCHEDULE-BYE] |
|
|
|
|
WEEK-SIX |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
NOV-2 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
NOV-3 |
SF MEXICO |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
NOV-5 |
SF MANAGUA |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
NOV-5 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-SEVEN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
NOV-9 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
NOV-10 |
SF MANAGUA |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
NOV-12 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
NOV-12 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
|
|
[JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS----SCHEDULE-BYE] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WEEK-EIGHT[1]----SECOND HALF ROUND |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
NOV-16 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
NOV-17 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
NOV-19 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
NOV-19 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
THANKSGIVING WEEK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
NOV-23 |
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY |
|
|
|
|
THUR |
NOV-24 |
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
NOV-26 |
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
NOV-26 |
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY |
|
|
|
|
WEEK-NINE[2] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
NOV-30 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
DEC-1 |
SF MEXICO |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
DEC-3 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
DEC-3 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-TEN[3] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
DEC-7 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
DEC-8 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
DEC-10 |
SF MANAGUA |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
DEC-10 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-ELEVEN[4] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
DEC-14 |
SF MEXICO |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
DEC-15 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
DEC-17 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
DEC-17 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
DEC-21 |
MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
THUR |
DEC-22 |
MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
DEC-24 |
MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
DEC-24 |
MERRY CHRISTMAS |
|
|
|
|
HAPPY NEW YEARS-2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
DEC-28 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR |
|
|
|
|
THUR |
DEC-28 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
DEC-31 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR |
|
|
|
|
SAT |
DEC-31 |
HAPPY NEW YEAR |
|
|
|
|
WEEK-TWELVE[5] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
JAN-4 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
JAN-5 |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
S.F. BLENDERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
JAN-7 |
SF MANAGUA |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
JAN-7 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-THIRTEEN[6] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
JAN-11 |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
SF MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
JAN-12 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
JAN-14 |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
JAN-14 |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-FOURTEEN[7] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
JAN-18 |
SF MEXICO |
SF SAN FERNANDO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
JAN-19 |
S.F. BLENDERS |
SAN JOSE BREWERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
JAN-21 |
SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
CROCKER CARDINALS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
JAN-21 |
SF MANAGUA |
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-FIFTEEN----RAIN OUT MAKE UPS - OR - PLAY OFFS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
JAN-25 |
GA1---SIXTH PLACE |
THIRD PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
JAN-26 |
GA2---FIFTH PLACE |
FOURTH PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
JAN-28 |
GA3---WIN GA1 |
WIN GA2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
JAN-28 |
GA4---WIN GA3 |
SECOND PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-SIXTEEN----RAIN OUT MAKE UPS - OR - PLAY
OFFS-CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
FEB-1 |
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
FEB-2 |
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
FEB-4 |
GA5---WIN GA4 |
FIRST PLACE |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
FEB-4 |
GA6---FIRST PLACE |
WIN GA4 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK-SEVENTEEN----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
FEB-8 |
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
FEB-9 |
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
FEB-11 |
GA7---EXTRA CHAMPIONSHIP |
|
F |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
FEB-11 |
|
|
|
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
WEEK- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
WED |
FEB-15 |
|
|
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
THUR |
FEB-16 |
|
|
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
SAT |
FEB-18 |
|
|
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
SAT |
FEB-18 |
|
|
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
POSTED NOVEMBER
16, 2005 - THIS SATURDAY, WE START THE SECOND HALF OF THE WOOD-BAT LEAGUE
SEASON. 0-0 IS THE APPROACH WE'RE TAKING HERE. ALL ROSTERS MUST BE
SET WITH PLAYERS DECLARED AS "REGULARS" FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE
TEAMS. WE WILL BE OFFICIALLY SIGNING PLAYERS AS OF NOVEMBER 19,
2005. ALL PLAYERS SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE THAT FOLLOWS GAME
RECAPS TO DETERMINE IF THEY CAN MAKE THE GAMES. IF THERE ARE GAMES THAT
WILL BE A PROBLEM, THE MANAGER SHOULD BE INFORMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT
ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE. IT HAS BEEN FUN. IT PROMISES TO BE EVEN MORE FUN FOR
THIS SECOND HALF SLATE. WE ARE BLESSED WITH A GOOD GROUP OF GUYS--AND
SUPPORTING FAMILY MEMBERS---WHO MAKE IT AN ABSOLUTE JOY TO BE THERE COME GAME
DAY. THANK YOU. WIN, LOSE OR DRAW---LET'S ENJOY EVERY
SECOND. LET'S ENJOY EVERY BIT OF IT. BASEBALL, FELLAS... A CHANCE TO
LEAVE ALL OUR PROBLEMS, ALL THE CRAP, THE IRRITATIONS, TROUBLES, THE
BULLSHIT...ALL THE REST OF IT OUTSIDE THE PLAYING FIELD. BASEBALL, FELLAS,
LET'S LIVE FULLY IN THE MOMENTS WE'RE OUT THERE. LET IT WASH OVER US LIKE A
FRESH SPRING RAIN. NOTHING ELSE MATTERS FOR THAT PRECIOUS NINE INNINGS.
IF WE DO IT RIGHT, IT DOESN'T GET ANY
BETTER THAN THAT.
A
NOD TO MR. ROBERTO LOPEZ FOR HIS QUARTER CENTURY OF SERVICE THRU HIS BELOVED SAN
FRANCISCO ROBERTO CLEMENTE LEAGUE. ALL THE LINING AND DRAGGING OF THE FIELDS IN
EARLY MORNING DARKNESS AND SWEAT YOU'VE GIVEN. IT IS APPRECIATED. HERE'S
HOPING YOU CAN KEEP IT GOING FOR A QUARTER CENTURY MORE. A PIECE OF THIS AWARD
SHOULD GO TO YOU, SIR.
Smoltz honored with Clemente Award
By Mark Newman
HOUSTON -- John Smoltz, who never really wanted to leave Minute Maid Park this month in the first place, made an ironic return Tuesday to accept the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award before Game 3 of the World Series.
The presentation happened 16 days after Smoltz and his Atlanta teammates were el
iminated by the Houston Astros in an 18-inning National League Division Series game that was the longest in postseason history.
"Truly a little bit of irony here, coming back to this stadium," Smoltz said. "I'd seen enough in 18 innings, but this is the greatest trip of my life."
Commissioner Bud Selig and Roberto Clemente Jr. joined Smoltz at the podium to present this award, which has been given annually since 1971. In 1973, the award was named in honor of the legendary Hall of Famer, who died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while on a humanitarian mission to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Smoltz and his wife, Dyan, who joined him for the ceremony, formed the John and Dyan Smoltz Foundation in 1997 to support their many philanthropic endeavors, including the Kings Ridge Christian School in the Atlanta area. Established in 2001, Kings Ridge has received more than $1 million from the foundation, and Smoltz, a co-founder of the school, has raised nearly $4 million personally.
Smoltz's earliest community
endeavors date back to 1992, when he began associating himself with the Atlanta Food Bank and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. With the Food Bank, he has helped raise money through golf tournaments and silent auctions.
He also continues to support them with his "Strike Out Hunger" program. With every strikeout he records, he donates $100. During his days as a closer, Smoltz renamed the program "Close Out Hunger." With every save, he made a donation.
In addition, twice a year, he signs autographs for fans who donate $20 or bring 20 canned goods to select Braves games. Since beginning these programs in 1997, he's raised over $300,000 and 70,000 pounds of food.
With Children's Healthcare, Smoltz has hosted a celebrity-amateur golf tournament. The tournament has raised more than $1 million over the past 13 years. There are many days in which he will simply stop by hospitals and spend time with sick children. He said his favorite such experiences come when there aren't any television cameras or media members detailing his visit, and his peers have recognized him in the past with the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award in 2002 and '03.
Tuesday's recognition, Smoltz said, is the pinnacle of his baseball career from an individual standpoint. He also was accompanied by his father, John, who flew in from Michigan. Smoltz's brother was there as well. All of them would have loved to have seen Smoltz on the mound for a sixth World Series and first in this decade (he appeared in 1991, '92, '95, '96 and '99), but this moment may have exceeded any of those indelible memories in the grand scheme of things.
"I can't thank the Roberto Clemente family enough," Smoltz said, calling the late Hall of Famer and award namesake an "icon." "As players, you all know who Roberto Clemente is and what he did and how he did it. But truly I've gotten a chance to achieve some incredible successes. The [1996] Cy Young Award, a [1995] World Series championship, and I'm not saying this because you're here or I'm not saying this because the Commissioner is here, this truly is the greatest award ... that a player can achieve and accomplish. And I mean that. It goes above those awards because it has the opportunity to affect so many people.
"This is who I am, this is how I was raised by my Dad. My wife has given me the amount of time and sacrifice with our four children, and I truly can say when I received this news that it was the greatest time in my 18-year career so far."
Roberto Clemente's widow, Vera, was unable to attend but said, "My congratulations to John Smoltz on his selection. ... His performance on the field and dedication and commitment to the community truly embody the spirit of this award."
Roberto Jr. told Smoltz at the head table: "It's not about being a great player, because everyone knows that already, but this honor is for you as a family, as a person, a special person. And for us, it's a great honor to be very happy that you are the recipient of this award ... and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being that special person."
Responding to those comments, Smoltz said, "I thank you for modeling what your Dad had incredibly endowed in baseball. And like you said, everyone knew how great a baseball player he was. But everybody gets to see with each recipient. I feel like of the 700 and some baseball players, to be the one chosen to represent that, I will do, in the times that I feel like it gets very difficult, this will remind me what an incredible award it is.
And I thank everybody who had a part in it. Commissioner, thank you for baseball, and John Hancock [the award's sponsor] for representing us. I hope to carry on the legacy in the honor of your father. I thank you very, very much."
Every Major League team selected a Roberto Clemente Award recipient who was then eligible for the national award, and those 30 nominees were announced by Major League Baseball on Sept. 7 as part of Roberto Clemente Day in baseball. A panel of dignitaries including Selig and Vera Clemente then selected the award winner.
"I want to say when I reviewed the voting and the 30 people who won for their individual clubs, I mean it really makes you proud to be the commissioner," Selig said. "The qualifications of the other 29 were just remarkable, but John, I have to say to you, it is a great honor because yours really stood out and it stood out after looking at a marvelous, marvelous group."
Then he told Smoltz: "Sincere congratulations on a life well done." Smoltz is the first Atlanta Braves to receive the award since Dale Murphy in 1988, and that former Braves great was recognized in Smoltz's acceptance.
"My whole career, it's never been about trying to achieve something like this; it's who I am," Smoltz said. "And it's what I believe the Atlanta Braves and baseball players in general represent. Negative sometimes sells and sometimes gets attention. And I can honestly say that this is a tribute to my teammates and myself and the Braves organization for giving me a chance to shine and make a difference.
"I get blessed to be with some great charity organizations, and because of that name on my back and the name on the front of my chest, I hope to represent it with what I consider the living guide that I played with. Dale Murphy is the guy that I think best exemplifies what baseball is about on and off the field, and I got a chance to play with him.
"Seeing everything about Roberto Clemente and hearing [my name associated with this award] just sends chills to know that I'm going to have this in my house, and have it a lot higher than the Cy Young, I can tell you right now."
Mark Newman is enterprise editor for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
AN ASIDE: THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS SPONSOR
PULLED
HARD FOR
CHICAGO TO BEAT HOUSTON TO BECOME WORLD SERIES
CHAMPIONS! WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE MAKEUP OF THAT TEAM FROM GM TO MANAGER AND
THROUGH THE PLAYERS ON THE FIELD. CONGRATS TO GM KEN WILLIAMS, EXCELLENT
MANAGING TO MANAGER OZZIE GUILLEN!
GREAT
JOB WHITE SOX!
---------------------------------------
-------------
Josh Gibson Bombers
Past
History
GAME
SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 2005. JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS VS SAN JOSE BREWERS.
1:30 AT CROCKER AMAZON #1. VETERAN TEAM LEADERS JOEY BLAS, FRANKLIN
ESCOBAR AND DARWIN TELLEZ ARE COACHES/MANAGERS FOR THE GAME. ALL PURE
BASEBALL PLAYERS. FINALLY GOT RID OF THE OLD EX-COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYER WITH THE
OCCASIONAL "AIN'T GOT A CLUE" GEORGE BUSH FACE AT THIRD BASE---FOR A
DAY(BUT HE'S A PRETTY SMART FELLA, AND HE'S GETTIN' THERE). GOOD LUCK TO ALL AND HAVE FUN.
SPEAKIN OF OL' GEORGE--- THE
NEW ENGLAND TEXAN'S HAVIN' A BIT OF TROUBLE THESE DAYS, EH. BETCHA HE'S
WISHIN' HE WAS STILL OWNER OF HIS OLD TEXAS RANGERS TEAM. AHH BASEBALL...
BEATS BEIN' LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK--AND A DOUBLE-HEADER
ON SUNDAY, EH MR. PRESIDENT.
NOTICE OCT. 21,
2005: AS OF THIS MOMENT, THERE WILL BE NO TEAM PRACTICES OR SANDLOT
SUNDAYS FOR THE BALANCE OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. ALL PLAYERS ARE
ENCOURAGED TO GET WORKOUTS IN DAILY IF POSSIBLE---OR AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE.
A NUMBER OF TEAM MEMBERS TAKE BATTING PRACTICE AT THE CAGES IN REDWOOD CITY AT
MALIBU GRAND PRIX. YOU CAN LOOK IT UP IN THE PHONE BOOK OR ONLINE.
THERE ARE OTHER TEAMS IN THE WOOD-BAT LEAGUE AND TEAMS WHO PLAY ON SUNDAY IN
THE ROBERTO CLEMENTE LEAGUE, WHERE SOME OF OUR MORE EXPERIENCED PLAYERS MIGHT
HOOK UP TO GET SOME SERIOUS WORK. WE'RE A YOUNG TEAM WITH A LOT OF TALENT AND
THE POTENTIAL TO SURPRISE SOME FOLKS. MAKE THAT PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO GET
BETTER EVERYDAY, AND WE'LL SEE YOU ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 29, 2005 AT 10:30 AM AT
CROCKER AMAZON. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED TO
DISCUSS ANYTHING. WE LIKE OUR FELLAS---EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU ON THIS BOMBER
TEAM--AND ARE OPEN TO HELPING TEAM MEMBERS DEVELOP IN ANY WAY WE CAN.
650-726-5526/650-303-1597
FALL/WINTER
2005
Josh
Gibson Bombers are in the process of putting their team together for the
exciting San
Francisco semi-pro fall wood-bat league. It was requested that a roster be
presented at the meeting on Tuesday September 20, 2005 by all teams who will be
participating in the newly formed league. To date, the Bombers have assembled a
solid core of players who have committed with baseball dedicant enthusiasm to the team. We are
proud to have Anthony "A-Rod" Rodriguez, Ryan " Lefty" Perez, Franklin
"Rock-Steady" Escobar, Joey "Ball Crusher" Blas, Anthony
"Grand Slam" Elmore, Nick
"Never Rattled" Petrick, Josh "Sure-Hands" Lefkowitz-Shuster, Darwin
"Magic" Tellez, and Zack
"Bullet" Waterfire as the base that we will build on. Experienced baseball players
who can reasonably compete with players ranging from high school standouts to
college caliber players (with a few of the league's participants being of MLB professional level skill,
experience and ability--at some point in their career) are welcome to give a call and see if you
might be a good fit for our super-hero squad. We need one 99% mistake-free
infielder, one run-like-a-deer-catch-anything-within-a-country-mile outfielder,
one home-run hitting machine hitter who can power 420 feet with wood out
of deep Crocker-Amazon center field, and one can't-be-hit-by-Barry-Bonds-himself
pitcher. Everything else, we have. Contact: 650-303-1597/650-726-5526
"SANDLOT SUNDAY" PLACE AND TIME: CROCKER
AMAZON FIELD # 2 AT 4:00 PM. ALL BASEBALL PLAYERS ABOVE THE AGE OF
16 WELCOME. ON
A "SANDLOT SUNDAY", WE CHOOSE UP SIDES FROM PLAYERS WHO SHOW UP, AND PLAY
BASEBALL. IT'S SIMPLE, STRAIGHT-FORWARD "OLD SCHOOL" SANDLOT STYLE BASEBALL.
IF YOU CAN, GIVE A CALL SO WE HAVE SOME IDEA WHO AND HOW MANY PLAYERS WE
WILL HAVE. BUT IF YOU JUST SHOW UP...FINE. CONTACT: 650-303-1597/650-726-5526
*Sandlot Sundays" players under age 18 must be signed off by a parent or
guardian. Players participate at their own risk.
JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS JUNIOR GIANTS TEAM WILL MEET AT CROCKER AMAZON BETWEEN 8:15 AND 8:30
AM ON SATURDAY AUGUST 20. WE WILL LEAVE FOR UKIAH AROUND 8:35 TO ARRIVE
FOR OUR FIRST GAME AT 11:30 AM. THE TRIP IS ABOUT 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES. WE
WILL STAY OVERNIGHT AS OUR FIRST GAME ON SUNDAY IS AT 9:00 AM. SCHEDULE
BELOW CLARIFIES ALL. DIRECTIONS TO UKIAH ARE BELOW THE SCHEDULE.
QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS CALL (650) 303-1597
Ukiah Jr. Giants Teen Festival of Games |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teams: 7 |
Playing Fields: 1 on Sat |
Matchups:12 |
|
|
|
2 on Sunday |
|
Schedule Created: 8/17/05 |
|
|
SATURDAY 8/20 |
|
|
|
Date |
Time |
Home Team |
Away Team |
Field |
1 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
9:30 AM |
Marysville |
Ukiah A's |
Anton Stadium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
11:30 AM |
Josh Gibson Bombers |
Covelo |
Anton Stadium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
1:30 PM |
Red Bluff |
Ukiah Giants |
Anton Stadium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
3:30 PM |
Willits |
Red Bluff |
Anton Stadium |
BBQ at Anton 5:00 to 7:00 PM |
5 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
6:00 PM |
Marysville |
Ukiah Giants |
Anton Stadium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
Sat 8/20/2005 |
8:00 PM |
Josh Gibson Bombers |
Ukiah A's |
Anton Stadium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUNDAY 8/21 |
|
7 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
9:00 AM |
Josh Gibson Bombers |
Ukiah Giants |
Anton Stadium |
8 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
9:00 AM |
Marysville |
Covelo |
Ukiah High School |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
11:00 AM |
Willits |
Josh Gibson Bombers |
Anton Stadium |
10 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
11:00 AM |
Ukiah Giants |
Lakeport |
Ukiah High School |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
2:00 PM |
Ukiah A's |
Lakeport |
Anton Stadium |
12 |
Sun 8/21/2005 |
2:00 PM |
Covelo |
Willits |
Ukiah High School |
|
Starting from: San Francisco International Airport SFO,
San Francisco, CA
Arriving at: 560 Park Blvd, Ukiah, CA 95482-3701
Distance: 128.0 miles Approximate Travel Time: 2 hours 15 mins
Your Directions
1. Start going toward the AIRPORT EXIT - go 0.1 mi
2. Take ramp onto US-101 NORTH toward SAN FRANCISCO - go 1.1 mi
3. Take the I-380 WEST exit toward SAN BRUNO - go 1.9 mi
4. Take the I-280 NORTH exit toward SAN FRANCISCO - go 5.9 mi
5. Take fork onto CA-1 NORTH toward 19TH AVENUE/GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE - go 0.5 mi
6. CA-1 NORTH becomes JUNIPERO SERRA BLVD - go 0.5 mi
7. Bear on 19TH AVE[CA-1] - go 3.4 mi
8. Continue to follow CA-1 NORTH - go 3.4 mi
9. CA-1 NORTH becomes US-101 NORTH - go 109.1 mi
10. Take the CENTRAL UKIAH exit toward E PERKINS ST - go 0.2 mi
11. Turn on E PERKINS ST - go 0.7 mi
12. Turn on N STATE ST - go 0.1 mi
13. Turn on W SMITH ST - go 0.5 mi
14. Continue on N BARNES ST - go 0.1 mi
15. N BARNES ST becomes PARK BLVD - go 0.3 mi
16. Arrive at 560 PARK BLVD, UKIAH, on the
When using any driving directions or map, it's a good idea to do a reality check
and make sure the road still exists, watch out for construction, and follow all
traffic safety precautions. This is only to be used as an aid in planning.
Your Full Route Your Destination
The Stadium is a bit hidden. When you get to this address, which is a Church,
there is a long parking lot to the left of the Church. The Stadium is at the
back of the parking lot behind the Church.
(707) 489-7498. Call if you get lost in town and we will send someone out to
find you.
--------------------
JULY 6, 2005
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS JUNIOR GIANTS
PRACTICE EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH AUGUST 16
AT 5:00 PM ON CROCKER AMAZON #1 OR #2 FIELD. GAME SCHEDULE: ALL
GAMES ON WEDNESDAY AT 5:00 PM.
JULY 6TH
ON CROCKER AMAZON #4 VS WALDENHOUSE PS.
JULY 13 ON CROCKER AMAZON #1 VS BVHP BLASTERS JULY 20 ON BALBOA SUNDBERG VS MRC BOILERMALERS
JULY 27 ON BALBOA SWEENEY VS JAMESTOWN
AUGUST 3 ON BALBOA SWEENEY VS ALICE CHALMERS
AUGUST 10 ON CROCKER AMAZON #1 VS WALDENHOUSE PS AUGUST 17 ON BIG REC GRAHAM FIELD VS HELEN WILLIS QUESTIONS, PLEASE
CALL 650-726-5526 OR 650-303-1597
----------------------------
BOMBERS WOOD BAT SEMI-PRO
PLAYERS: BALANCE OF JULY - AUGUST SCHEDULE
|
Wood Bat League
Schedule - June-August 2005
All games at Crocker-Amazon#1- Start time 6:30pm
(Wednesdays until August 18 start at 7:30pm- after
Junior Giants game)
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
bye |
|
June 9—RAINED
OUT |
June 10-
Managua forfeits |
|
|
June 16—RAINED
OUT |
June 17
JGibson Bombers
16
Excelsior Pirates
0 |
everyone else |
|
June 23
|
June 24
Crocker Cardinals
8
Excelsior Pirates
7 |
everyone else |
|
June 30
American A’s
W
JGibson Bombers
L |
July 1
JGibson Bombers
W
Excelsior Pirates
L |
everyone else |
|
July 7
SF Blenders
12
JGibson Bombers
5 |
July 8
Excelsior Pirates
8
American A’s
7 |
everyone else |
July 13
JGibson Bombers
10
Crocker Cardinals
8
|
July 14
SF Blenders
American A’s |
July 15
Excelsior Pirates
Crocker Giants |
Angels,
Cubs |
July 20
Josh Gibson Bombers
SF Blenders |
July 21
American A’s
Crocker Giants
forfeit |
July 22
Crocker Cardinals
9
Excelsior Pirates
6 |
Angels,
Cubs |
July 27
Josh Gibson
Bombers 17
Crocker Cardinals 14 |
July 28
SF Blenders
vs.
Crocker Cardinals |
July 29
American A’s
vs.
Excelsior Pirates |
Angels,
Cubs |
August 3
Samoan
Week- no games |
August 4
Samoan Week- no games |
August 5
Samoan Week- no games |
everyone |
August 10
SF Blenders
vs.
Excelsior Pirates |
August 11
American A’s
vs.
Josh Gibson
Bombers |
August 12
Bay Area Cubs
vs.
Crocker Cardinals |
Angels |
August 17 - 6:30pm
Crocker Cardinals
vs.
SF Angels
|
August 18
American A’s
vs.
Bay Area Cubs |
August 19
Excelsior Pirates
vs.
SF Blenders
|
Bombers |
August 24 - 6:30pm
Crocker Cardinals
vs.
SF Blenders |
August 25
SF Angels
vs.
Josh Gibson
Bombers
|
August 26
SF Angels
vs.
Bay Area Cubs |
A’s,
Pirates
|
August 31 - 6:30pm
Bay Area Cubs
vs.
SF Blenders
|
September 1
Crocker Cardinals
vs.
American A’s |
September 2
Josh Gibson Bombers
vs.
Bay Area Cubs |
Angels,
Pirates |
Revised August 2,
2005
Teams:
American A’s,
Bay Area Cubs,
Crocker Cardinals,
Excelsior Pirates,
Josh Gibson Bombers,
SF Angels,
SF Blenders.
The Crocker Giants have been removed from the
schedule.
*schedule created by Jim Brown of San Francisco
Angels
|
|
|
--------------------------------------------------------------
While our Giants are hangin' in there
and showing off some promising new talent, Giants games aren't near as much fun
without Mr. Barry Bonds. Here's wishing Mr. Bonds a full and fast as possible
recovery. His excellence is missed.
TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS BASEBALL CLUB
---------------------------
AGENDA: SUMMER OF 2005
FOR ADVANCED PLAYERS:
THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS IS FIELDING A TEAM TO PLAY IN A SAN FRANCISCO BASED
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LEAGUE. GAMES WILL BE PLAYED ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY
NIGHTS OVER THE SUMMER--BETWEEN JUNE 9 AND LABOR DAY. INTERESTED ADULT PLAYERS
PLEASE CONTACT INFORMATION LISTED BELOW. PLAYERS UNDER 18 WILL NEED TO BE SIGNED
OFF BY THEIR PARENTS.
JUNIOR GIANTS: WE
AWAIT WORD FROM THE JUNIOR GIANTS ORGANIZATION. WE INTEND TO FIELD A TEAM OF
HIGH SCHOOL PLAYERS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 14 AND 18 TO PLAY WITH THE JUNIOR GIANTS
IN THE LATTER PART OF THE SUMMER. THE JUNIOR GIANTS IS OPEN TO KIDS OF ALL SKILL
LEVELS. CONTACT INFORMATION BELOW.
SANDLOT SUNDAYS: CHECK BACK FOR FIELD
LOCATIONS AND DATES.
TOURNAMENTS: CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES
AGENDA FALL-WINTER 2005/2006
THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS BASEBALL CLUB WILL AGAIN PLAY IN THE SEMI-PROFESSIONAL
ROBERTO CLEMENTE LEAGUE FOR THE FALL AND WINTER OF 2005-2006.
CONTACT INFO: 650-726-5526 OR
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JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS WINTER LEAGUE LOG 2004-2005
Tuesday May 24, 2005 - The "catching up" that
was promised is forthcoming---soon. Accounts and pics of recent past
adventures are in the works. Check back.
SUNDAY JANUARY 16, 2005 - SPECIFIC ACCOUNT OF SERIES TO COME. FINALLY, THE
BOMBERS LOST THE DOUBLEHEADER TO THE CALIFORNIA ANGELS 4-3, 16-10. BUT THERE'S A
LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT THE DAY....THE SEASON...THE PLAYERS. SO CHECK BACK.
Friday January 7, 2005 - Got some catching up to do. A lot has taken place since
the last entry on December 5, 2004; not the least of which is that we are in the
new year of 2005. Come January 16, 2005...if it doesn’t rain...the Josh Gibson
Bombers Winter League baseball team will play the third and deciding game for
the Roberto Clemente Winter League Championship, against the California Angels.
According to Commissioner Roberto Lopez, the final game will take place on
Crocker Amazon Field #1...at 1:00 pm, January 16, 2005.
The last game the Bombers and Angels played(the second game of a double-header)
was won by the Bombers. It was, as I remember...a barn-burner. The strongest
image that comes back as I try to reconstruct events in my mind, is that of our
young, determined ex-football playing second baseman, Anthony “A-Rod” Rodriquez,
exploding through the Angel’s hairy, hulking catcher at home plate...causing the
much bigger man to fly head over heels and let loose the baseball he was holding
for a sure out. It was that kind of game. And the Bombers won it. Between the
last game chronicled on the 5th of December and the last game played on December
19th...a lot happened. I’ve had the privilege of watching a disparate group of
veterans and young fight and scratch and never give up, after coming back from
behind by 4 runs in the 9nth inning of a sudden death play-off game, proceed
forward to beat a Corinto team two times in a row that had beaten them in every
one of their four games during the regular season... to make the final
championship series. This 2004-2005 Josh Gibson Bombers Winter League team, made
up of Managuas, A’s, Sacred Heart, Crystal Springsers and a police department
cadet (cop to be)...finally came together. What they potentially were, they have
become. And it’s impressive. This group of guys has managed to do what good
teams over the ages tend to do...and that is to establish a crystal clear
personality that can be expressed in one simple word. In this case that word is:
“RELENTLESS”. Regardless of how they were feeling when they showed up at the
ballpark...regardless of what went on the night before (some of the things heard
will never leave the dugout)... before the day was over, “relentless” is the way
they were playing. For this chronicler, while winning the last game and the
championship is the goal–and the icing on the cake, the GRAND PRIZE is the
satisfaction and pleasure of a witnessing a TEAM emerge from a group of largely
dissimilar guys who come to the field Sunday after Sunday to play baseball
because they love the game. And what a "grand prize" it is.
As best I can remember (and that ain't good):
Sunday December 19, 2004 - Ryan Perez, one of our young players who is without
question one of the best all-around baseball players walking the halls of Sacred
Heart Prep, won the game for the Bombers in the tenth inning with a one-handed
single to right field that drove in the winning run. It was one-handed because
Ryan was hurt...and could only use his left hand. But one hand, combined with
Ryan’s quiet determination, was enough to give the team an 8-7 victory in the
second game of a hard-fought double-header against the talent-saturated Angels.
And since Ryan is left-handed...and we were in need of an experienced pitcher to
keep us in the game, one-handed Ryan pitched too! Thank you Ryan.
A brief account:
Sunday December 19, 2004 - Bombers lost the first game on this day 10-5. Big Al,
best hitting catcher in the league, was the brightest spot for the Bombers in
this losing effort, getting on base 3 out of 4 times up...while hitting an RBI
double and scoring twice. Darwin Tellez did his usual exceptional pitching job
for the first seven innings, as the Bombers kept a 2 to 0 lead UNTIL the 7th. In
the 7th, the always dangerous Angels broke out for 5 runs...taking a lead they
would build on in the 8th, to eventually win 10-5.
The 2nd game of the double-header. Ryan Brooks, Marcus Reed, Danny Bright, Big
Al, Marvin Gutierrez, Ed Gutierrez, Federico, Dootch Galharducci, Ryan Perez,
Darwin Tellez, Anthony “A-Rod” Rodriquez, Justin, Brian Young, and Zack
Waterfire... superlatives all the way around as the team personified the word
“relentless”. They kept coming, and coming, and coming...until the game was
over. Win lose or draw, each and every player on the team was determined to play
his best until the final out was registered. It paid off in the 11th inning when
the team that refused to give an inch without a fight...won.
Going back:
December 12, 2004 - This was a potential double-header day, as the Bombers won
the first game of the 3 game play-off semi-final round against Corinto the week
before. If Corinto won the first game, there would be a second. In this game,
Bombers defeated Corinto 11-3...and moved on to the championship series against
the Angels. What distinguishes this play-off ending game against Corinto most is
a MONSTROUS home run hit by Danny Bright in the 3rd. Had to be 425 plus feet if
it was a foot. Also memorable was a 2 stolen base game by big Ed Gutierrez.
Think I heard his brother, “Money” Marvin...who stole a base himself, say
something like... “cat in a bear’s body”—looked more like a “lion...in a bear’s
body” to the rest of us. The “Igniter”, Marcus Reed, got things started coming
in for the first score in the first inning. Also scoring were Dootch, Iron Mike,
Big Al, Justin, Zack Waterfire, Big Ed—and Federico(2 times).
Sunday December 5, 2004 - Have one word for
the day. "Veteran". At the risk of repeating something that is
oftentimes said, but I suspect not fully understood or appreciated by those not
in the locker room or among those on the field...veterans affect a team in ways
that cannot be measured just by their stats. Their value goes way beyond their
day to day numbers. Quietly confident, calmly determined, washed by all waters
veterans are worth their weight in gold. Hard-to-rattle veterans are why the
Giants have been in the hunt the last few years. Vets are why, when so many
pundits and Sunday evening armchair baseball coaches gave the Giants no chance
based on their roster at the beginning of last season... the surprising Giants
challenged to the end...VETERANS. Yes, it was Barry Bonds. But it was Barry
Bonds and a bunch of underappreciated veterans. The reason the Josh Gibson
Bombers are playing baseball beyond the sudden-death playoff round of the
Roberto Clemente Winter League is because the team’s core veterans refused to
panic. They refused to give up when the team was on the ropes, SEVERAL times.
They refused to give up when the team was down by four runs in the 9th
inning last two outs of the sudden-death, semi-final qualifier game. They kept
calm, they kept encouraging. They refused to lose their cool, give in to chaos.
The dialed-in vets kept pressure on. They bent--but would not break. In the
process, the vets gave a young rookie the kind of support, encouragement,
examples and environment he needed to help the team in a time of high pressure
and back-against-the-wall circumstance. The veterans powered the rookie to have
the single most dramatic moment in his athletic career to date...a bases-loaded
grand-slam to tie the score in the 9th inning.
The veterans took over from there and finished the job they started with the
game’s first pitch. They added the needed go-ahead run on offense and provided
roll-it-up pitching and catching, and sure-handed outs on defense to secure the
victory and keep the Bombers playing. Veteran leadership came through on every
level. They say that when your back’s against the wall, when it’s all on the
line...you find out who’s who. While this was truly a team effort and every
player contributed mightily to the victory, it was the core vets who led the
Bombers to win a game that less baseball-focused players might have given up as
lost. Special thanks, respect and acknowledgment to veteran team leaders (in
alphabetical order) Danny Bright, Ryan Brooks, "Fed" Federico, Ed
Gutierrez, Marvin Gutierrez, Marcus Reed, and Darwin Tellez...**ADDED because he
joined the team later...but more than made up for the time he wasn't with the
team with his HUGE contributions is BIG AL MATUUS. Big Al, best hitting
catcher in the league, was nothing short of superb in his work behind the plate,
at the plate...and as a team leader who personified the word "relentless".
Best description: If you have to go down a dark alley late at night after the
bars close--in the worst part of town... Big Al is the guy you want walkin' with
you.
Josh Gibson Bombers versus Titans in Play-off Game #1(Sudden
Death)/December 5, 2004 - Score 17-16 Bombers win: Lead-off hitter for
the day Ryan Brooks scored twice on offense and made play after play on defense
at shortstop to keep the Bombers in the game. Team igniter and star
center-fielder Marcus Reed returned from a vacation to hit THREE home
runs...!!!--‘guess absence makes the bat grow stronger. Danny Bright went 4
for 6 on offense, scored a run–and expertly counseled and steadied the
"rookie" on offense and defense throughout the game. Above all else,
Danny became a cool shutdown closing pitcher in the tense final outs of the
game. Marvelous Marvin "Money" Gutierrez (name keeps getting longer
with every remarkable outing) hit a 2 run homer and scored an additional run on
offense–and simply dazzled on D. Line-drive hitting Justin shared 2nd
base duties with young Anthony "A-Rod" Rodriguez; with both men
bolstering the middle infield—and young Anthony stealing a base and scoring a
run. Iron Mike--always a threat to hit one out, pinch-hit for star pitcher
Darwin Tellez and threatened big damage with every swing of his bat. Big Ed
"Big Money" Gutierrez picked up from his perfect 5 for 5 in last week’s
game and was on base another amazing 4 out of 5 at bats...Big Ed scored two
runs. "Fed" Federico kept the hot corner iced with all out efforts on
every ball that came anywhere near his territory–on offense Fed was on base 3
out of 5 times up...and scored two runs. Big Al, best hitting catcher in the
league, called a smart game from behind the plate–and hit a 2 RBI double his
first time up (that’ll show that damn new coach). For the day, Big Al made
base 3 out of 5 at bats and came across the plate twice, himself. Ace starting
pitcher Darwin Tellez opened on the mound and gave the team solid shoulders to
stand on. Chris White, Dootch Gahlardi, and Danny Bright followed up to
contribute to the winning effort. And finally—"the rookie", young
Zack Waterfire– what a day the young man had. His first at bat was an RBI
double. "Rookie Z’s" last, now historical, at bat came with the
Bombers down 16 to 12 in the 9th... bases loaded—with two outs remaining. With the
veterans talking to him–against a Titan pitcher who was by now feeling cocky
enough to talk trash to the younger players...Zack stepped into the box. Hearing
more of his teammates than his opposition, Zack took the backing he had—and
has had all season...and went with an outside pitch (as he had been encouraged
to do by the vets over the season) to opposite field and out of the park. It
was beautiful—a moment to treasure. Again, at the risk of repeating something
that has been said often, the young rookie’s 4 run game-tying grand slam was
as much a team achievement as a personal one. The beauty and value of a team
coming together cannot be overstated. Baseball DOES offer a religious
experience. This chronicler had one this past Sunday.
Corinto versus Josh Gibson Bombers in 1ST of 3
semi-final play-off games, Bomber win 7-1: After losing 4 straight
heart-breaking games during the regular season, the Bombers finally played
Corinto with more of their potential on display. As it was the first round of the
semi-finals for the play-offs...and the second game of a taxing day, the victory
was all the more important—and satisfying. Born-to-play-baseball Ryan
Brooks(watch him if you don’t believe me) got the day started with a lead-off
double and a score. For the game, Brooksie went 4 for 5...and scored twice.
Other highlights of the game start with fastball pitcher "Dootch"
Galharducci taking a turn at second base and playing the position like an
All-Star. Unmatched at his position of first base, Marvin Gutierrez joined
"Dootch"in exceptional defensive play. The two summer league Managua
infielders worked magic together. Danny Bright came straight from pitching a
"gem" to close the Titan game, to pitching a "gem" opening
of the Corinto game. Thank you, Danny. "Fed" Federico played an
inspired third base, was on base 3 of 4 at bats...scored twice and hit a BLAST
of a homerun in the 4th. Thank you, Fed. Young Brian Young scored a run and did
a solid turn in right field. Ryan Perez, a Bombers starting pitcher, put good
metal on the ball, scored a run...and made a SPECTACULAR catch in left field to
rob the Corinto team of certain runs and extra bases. Chris "Whitey"
White showed great stamina, coming in to powerfully close the game from the
mound after having pitched middle innings in the first game against the Titans.
It was a good baseball day for the Josh Gibson Bombers.
Sunday November 28, 2004 - THIS was a day to
remember. We had the GOOD, the BAD...and the UGLY (well, maybe not sooo
"ugly"...not like the Sox and Yankees rivalry-driven, hate-fighting
kinda "ugly"...or the Pacers and Pistons try-to-kill-a-muth— kinda
"ugly". Ours was more of an old fashioned "uh oh...aww shh–,
here we go...and suddenly it looked like everybody was kung-fu fighting"
kinda ugly). We’ll return to an account of the "particulars" later.
First the GOOD: The Josh Gibson Bombers Winter League baseball team won both
games of a double-header...sort of. The Bombers won the first game against a
strong Titan team 11-9. It was a relatively civilized contest with only one of
our guys getting hit in the head with a ball and walking toward the
mound(understandably). Unfortunately, the stone-faced Titan pitcher was not only
unapologetic, but took offense at having his momentary questionable lack of
control questioned. Mr. Titan pitcher was obviously a fella without much empathy
or understanding for the plunked. The man showed absolutely no ability to grasp
that getting hit in the head with a fastball is bound to upset the odd "hitee"
here and there. Following is an excerpt from Negro League pitching sage Satchel
Paige’s mythical PITCHING FOR DUMMIES: "...Apologize as your mistake
comes toward you...back up even. Put your hands up in an "I don’t want to
fight" gesture of peace... be sorry and mean it. (And for my Bomber
pitchers, specifically)—all the while, keep your keen eyes on the spot on his
chin where you will try—with all the power the Good Lord gave you---to knock
his ass out if he keeps coming, stops jawing, and rears back to swing." The
Titan pitcher in question obviously did not read the "be sorry and mean
it" part of the great Mr. Paige’s aforementioned book. The second game,
won by forfeit...apparently, was called in the 4th inning on account
of everybody...well... kung fu fighting. Bombers were ahead 4-0 and pulling
away...before players needed to be pulled apart.
Bombers versus Titans: Visiting team Bombers scored
two right off the bat with Ryan Brooks and Marvin Gutierrez crossing the plate
in the first inning. The home-team Titans evened the score in the bottom of the
1rst with a two run homer. Titans got a second home run in the 2nd
inning, and two more runs in the 3rd. Chris White was by then warmed up and the
pitcher/catcher battery of Chris "Whitey" White and Ryan "Brooksie"
Brooks kept the Titans from scoring another run for the rest of their 7 inning
time together on the field. Meanwhile, the Bombers scored two in the 3rd
and a breakout six runs in the 5th. A final Bomber run was scored in
the 9th by "Iron" Mike. For the day, Brooksie was on base
and scored three times in five at bats. "Iron" Mike scored twice. Mr.
Danny Bright was on base four out of five at bats; hitting a double and scoring
two runs. In the 5th, Mr. Bright made a sweet heads-up veteran
play--stealing home when the Titans forgot to call timeout while engaging in
casual discussion at home plate. Always the gentleman, Dapper Danny excused
himself and--in the process of scoring--left a should-have-been-aware-but-wasn’t
third-base coach talking to himself (this coach is rumored to be on the bubble).
Besides scoring an important early run, Marvin "Money" Gutierrez hit a
double and played his usual smart, all-out, highlight-reel, mistake-free first
base. Big brother Ed "Big Money" Gutierrez got on base a perfect five
out of five at bats and scored a run. Hard-line-drive hitting Justin was on base
three for five and scored a run. Fast AND quick Anthony "A-Rod"
Rodriguez was on base three out of five ABs and scored a run. Rookie Zack
Waterfire and respected "visiting from Houston" veteran Greg Trejo
split innings and each got on base one out of two times up (collectively two on
base for four ABs). Swift Brian Young replaced Danny Bright in right field and
immediately ran down a hard to get to fly ball to help preserve the win. And
finally, there’s "magic" Darwin Tellez...this time in center field
instead of on the mound...catching fly-balls all game long, all
over..."majestically". It was a nice team effort. A nice
"team" win.
Serbaco Versus Bombers: Greg Trejo showed the
Bombers how nice it would be to borrow him from Texas for the play-offs with his
lead-off triple...and score. In the 2nd inning, Iron Mike hit one of
his signature home runs... Zack Waterfire hit a triple to drive in "Dootch"
Galharducci. In the fateful 4th, Marvin Gutierrez hit a single, and
eventually scored on a double by Iron Mike. Continuing, young Zack Waterfire
hauled around the bases, pushed along by successful at bats by Big Al--everybody’s
favorite catcher and rumored to be an inspiration to Hulk Hogan, and a first
cousin to the original Hulk...and Big Money Ed. It was Zacko’s dust-devil
arrival at third that caused the Serbacos to morph into the Berserkos.
As mentioned, it all started with a controversial call at third. Too young
to shave Zack W. appeared to slide in just before the tag, but was cleverly
momentum-pushed past third base by the wily Serbaco third baseman. One umpire
called our youngster "out", the other called him "safe".
"Safe" seemed to rule the moment, for a moment. Awaken los Serbaco
tigre! A sudden explosion of Serbaco hand-waving, stomping and loud
rapid-fire frantic Spanglish... the normally cool, fun, easy-going Serbacos then
enthusiastically quit and stormed off the field--with a couple of ‘em marching
out of the gate toward the parking lot. After a little(lot, actually) coaxing
and concession of the protested out...generously given by the whole Bomber team
(just play, baby)... with the game’s two umps in a vein-popping heated
disagreement of their own in the background ...the steaming Serbacos meandered
back to their positions on the field of play...only to begin..
fighting......with us. Your "friendly" Bombers. Fact is, the whole
episode was surprising because this chronicler particularly likes the
baseball-loving spirit and personality of the Serbaco team Matter of fact, this
chronicler’s yet to meet anyone in Commissioner Roberto Lopez’s ROBERTO
CLEMENTE WINTER BASEBALL LEAGUE that he didn’t like. So why the surprise WWF
fiasco? A passing veteran offered that under all the ease, the smiling, the fun
at Crocker Amazon...all the time is a blazing passion for baseball and a white
hot sense of competition sitting on a mountain of "machismo"...with a
large portion of the players who take the field in the Clemente League. This
same vet said that..."this is nothing, you want to see REAL
fireworks...come play with the summer league teams." ‘Think the Bomber
organization will take a page from ol’ Satchel’s mythical BOOK OF BASEBALL
WISDOM...and "take a good long looksee first". All in all, it was a
damn fine day of baseball.
Sunday November 21, 2004 - Due to objections by the
GM and Manager-Coach, this chronicler has decided to rescind last week's entry.
A proper account of last week's game will be forthcoming. Suffice to say
that the talent-laden Bombers lost both games of a double-header. They
lost to Angels: 6-9. They lost to Corinto: 5-11.
**"Rescinded" entry put back...by popular demand (chronicler's ol'
lady).
Sunday November 21, 2004 - This chronicler happened to be passing by the
office of the Josh Gibson Bombers Baseball Team headquarters on Monday morning,
and heard the GM and the Manager-Coach in a rare meeting of the minds. Actually,
it was the GM who did most of the talking. He was pretty upset and on the verge
of firing the coach-manager right there on the spot. The exchange went something
like this:
GM: "Would you agree that you have a lot of talented baseball players on
your team?"
Manager: "Yes."
GM: "Would you agree that the players you have are capable of having won
every game they played this season?"
Manager: "Yes."
GM: "Do you believe that if Felipe Alou, or Dusty Baker, or Joe Torre...or,
let’s take a football coach, even... Dennis Erickson...were managing this
team, they would have as dismal a record as you?"
Manager: "Well... Dennis Erickson... I think I’m doing a little better
than him..."
GM: "No, you’re not..."
Brief silence.
GM: "You know who I blame?...because I’m a firm believer that the buck
starts and stops at the top...
Manager is smart enough to know it’s a rhetorical question, he doesn’t
answer:
GM: "I blame MYSELF for hiring your ass in the first place."
Hear manager-coach shift uncomfortably in his chair.
GM: "And right after me, I blame YOU for not figuring out how to put the
pieces together so that each player is in the best place for the team, doing his
best to help the team the most, and that ALL the players are INSPIRED and in the
frame of mind to do their best when they’re on the field."
Manager: "(Clears his throat)..."But this is winter baseball.
Nobody’s getting paid. Dennis Erickson’s losing, and everybody’s getting
millions. These guys are playing for the love of the game."
GM: "All the more reason! If they love the game, get them to play it
right. I see a lot of SLOPPY play. You were with a guy on third in the last
game, your star center-fielder had sense enough to steal second to induce a
throw so the fella could get home... the center-fielder did his job and caused a
BEAUTIFUL distraction... and I look over and see you and the fella on third
standing there WATCHING!..."
Manager: "I told him to go..."
GM: "No, that’s the problem. You don’t TELL him to go... you INSPIRE
him to get his ass in there and score one for the TEAM! BEFORE the game starts.
Baseball is as emotional as football to those who REALLY want to play the game
and not just show up to socialize. And as the manager, you have to get your
players to feel that in their bones. And if they don’t, winter ball or
not...reputed star of the summer leagues or not... change the chemistry on the
field...it all starts and stops with you, mister."
Silence.
GM: "You have anything to say in your defense?"
Manager: " I think some of ‘em like the snacks I bring."
Silence. GM’s obviously not amused.
GM: "Get out of here. You’re on short leash, mister. You better
arrange some batting practices or something so that all the guys are hitting at
the same time. And you need to ANTICIPATE a lot better about what needs to be
done to take advantage of every little wrinkle that comes up in the flow of a
game, IN the game. And quit putting guys in positions where they can’t do
their best. You got a new guy who can hit, but may not go home when you tell
him? Then replace him with someone from the bench when he’s on base who will.
A player gets caught in run-downs or trying to do too much too often and makes a
habit of getting thrown out...take him out for a spell so he can reflect on it.
And if he quits? Out of your control. Go with the guys who stick around. Try as
you might, you can’t please everybody. So do the next best thing. Do what you
think is best for the team to win. It’s gettin’ near play-off time. If this
were football, would you screw around?"
Manager doesn’t answer quick enough.
GM: "No, you wouldn’t. So give this game the same respect you’d give
that one. It’s not the "soft, slow, boring, emotion-empty" game you
thought it was once upon a time. Fella pitches nine innings of nothing-nothing
baseball. Pitches his heart out. Defense shuts down scoring. Offense gets on
base, EVERY base...And you can’t think how to manufacture a run or two to get
the pitcher and the team the win?! Winter ball’s over. Play-offs are coming
up, and play-offs don’t have a season. They’re about coaches and athletes
doing the best they can. Be honest about what you’re looking at--and act
accordingly. Good luck. And remember..."
Can almost hear GM dangling an imaginary leash.
GM: "...Short leash."
Sunday November 14, 2004 -
What a difference a week makes. Where do you start when so many played so well.
How can a chronicler be so upbeat when the team he’s chronicling loses. Easy.
The Josh Gibson Bombers played one hell of a game, each and every one. Nine
innings of 0-0 baseball. Darwin Tellez, Darwin Tellez--the name must be written
twice as "Darwin" (that’s three) was magic all day long. The Angels,
by their own subtext and swagger, is a team full of blue-chippers who EXPECT to
get hits...and make plays. They EXPECT to steal all the bases they need .They
EXPECT to hit homeruns. They EXPECT to win...and crack witty jokes and wax
philosophically clever while doing it. They even have their own pleasant big
bearded Goliath fella (Lex Luther, I think his name is...or Brutus) who hit four
homeruns in last season’s winter championship game to anchor their boasts.
Darwin (our "David") and his EXCELLENT Bomber defense kept the
hometown, homerun, play-making, winter-league invincibles humble and grumbling
for the day. When the dust settled, the luckier than better team won on a
missed-pitch homerun over the short right field fence. And while the settled
dust was still settling, the Bombers put runners on bases and kept the Angels
praying to the bitter end bottom of the tenth and final inning. Everyone was a
standout: Brooksie led off, getting on base three out of four at bats. He also
stole two bases and came within an Angel-hair’s breath of producing what could
well have been the winning run, on a close play at home plate in the 6th
inning. Brooksie also made terrific plays at his natural position of
shortstop...all day long. Justin "Coop" Cooperman, who hit second and
played second base, had a first-rate day at the plate and in the field. Coop got
on base his first time up, and moved to second on a single by universally
respected veteran Danny Bright. Unfortunately, the team didn’t get the
opportunistic 16 year old phenom home. Coop was involved in a highlight reel
pick-off play at second that was initiated by game-time addition, "Big
Al"; the Managua team’s regular season catcher. "Al" was part
of the magic that was Darwin, and his cannon arm and catcher savvy were big
factors in keeping the Angels from doing any of their "expected" high
flying around the basepads. Speaking of Danny Bright, Danny hit the walk-off
homerun that gave the Angels their only loss of the season when the Bombers met
them the first time around. This time they gave Mr. Bright the respect of a
rare-for-the-league intentional walk when Danny stepped to the plate in a
challenging situation. If Darwin Tellez was "magic", Marvin Gutierrez
was "money"--as they say-- all day long. Marvin went an unbelievable 4
for 4 with Angel ace pitcher Ryan Maclellan at his "blue chip" best.
Marvin played an inspired first base, expertly working pick-offs with Darwin and
executing heads-up, lead-runner gun-downs on Angels trying to advance to second
on base hit singles behind them. Marvin was also involved in one of the Angels
many minor miracles in a 5th inning play at homeplate, where the Good
Reverend Marv baptized a wide-eyed Angel catcher as Dr. Marv came hard into
home, and the man behind the mask miraculously held onto the ball in spite of
being knocked loose from his senses...and his wings. Versatile Anthony Rodriguez
moved from 2nd to 3rd base for this game, and played
flawlessly. Zack Waterfire filled in seamlessly for star center fielder Marcus
Reed, and made his share of challenging catches look routine...even on an
injured leg. Herman Travis came in and kept the day’s perfect defense,
perfect. Ryan Perez, a multiple tool player who contributes to the Bombers as a
regular starting pitcher, did a rock-solid job starting and playing a complete
game in left field. Ryan P. initiated a gun-down at second of an Angel runner
who just KNEW he could stretch his long hit into Ryan’s territory into an easy
double. Ryan fired the ball back in to have it waiting for the surprised
would-be base thief. Finally, enough cannot be said for Federico and Chris
White. Both players suffered season-stalling injuries in last week’s game and
it was assumed they were home tending their wounds. Both showed up for the game
and offered to play past their obvious discomfort—if needed. And when the game
was near the end and help was needed and the drama was high, "Fed"
picked up his bat and made his way to the plate, ignoring the pain of a swollen,
fractured right thumb...just like in the movies. And...just like in the
movies... Fed came through with a big hit under pressure. Unfortunately,
Crocker-Amazon is not Heaven or Hollywood... and in the end, with feathers
ruffled and a few feathers plucked...the Angels squeaked by with a 1-0 Blessing.
As Marcus Reed said (who might’ve been the difference if he was there)—"it’s
something to build on"... Here’s hoping the Bombers have awakened to
playing closer to their potential. If they do, Angels and devils and everybody
else playing baseball in these parts will need to adjust their
"expectations".
Sunday November 7, 2004 -
Double-header day. Game 2 - This was
a tough 5-3 loss against Corinto, a team that has beaten the Bombers three times
running. This last time caused the rookie manager of the veteran-laden Bomber
team to lose a bit of sleep. Rightly or wrongly, the new-manager-on-the-block
felt his team just wasn’t playing the game anywhere near their potential.
Highlights in the otherwise uneven team performance were led by Darwin Tellez,
who was superb on the mound as he did all one could ask of him by keeping
batters off balance, the ball in the park, and giving his defense a chance to
make plays. Danny Bright and Marcus Reed were standouts at the plate. The
Corinto pitcher made a day of pitching inside and when he hit the third batter
of the game, the manager should have questioned the young man’s status to
continue (he hit four, injured two). It will be noted for future
reference.#############GAME 1 - Bombers won the first game, 13-2, against the
high-spirited "Sebaco" team. Marcus Reed made his Bomber debut as a
pitcher and did a fine job, allowing only two runs in five well-pitched innings.
All got a glimpse of the kind of pitcher Marcus must’ve been in high school
and college, before his speed and ability to track the long hit ball demanded he
turn exclusively to center field. Core team players Ryan Brooks, Danny Bright,
Darwin Tellez, "Federico", Anthony Rodriguez all put in a good morning’s
work on offense and defense to insure the never-in-danger-of-losing win. Of
special significance: Chris White closed the game from the mound in powerful
fashion, and showed why he was "the horse" on teams he’s played with
in the past. The Bombers look forward to seeing Chris out there in the future.
Brian Young, one of the younger players who has tremendous natural gifts of
speed, size and power scored twice and was on base two of the four times he was
at bat. Young Brian, (no name play intended) came close to hitting one out of
left field his third time up. Herman Travis gave the team a solid game in left
field and promises to do some serious damage in the future with the power he
carries to each at bat. "Mike", star cleanup hitter for Managua, the
perennial champions of the Roberto Clemente Summer League, lent a hand for the
day in the four spot—Mike got on base three out of four times at bat, stole a
base and scored a run.
Sunday, October 31, 2004 -
Gut check win. Log specifics to come soon. Thanks to all the men who refused to
roll over when they were down. Final score was an 11-10 Bomber win against a
cocky, trash-talking team from Petaluma. It's "winter ball", we all
know that. But it sure was sweet to see things matter to each and every Bomber
player when it needed to. It was a proud performance. Win or lose, it was a
helluvan exhibition of character. What makes it so damn nice is that the team
won. SPECIFICS/WRITTEN NOVEMBER 16, 2004
- This game might best be chronicled by who got on base
and scored as it was, finally, a true team run-production effort. Lead off
hitter Marcus Reed scored twice and was on base three out of five at bats. He
also stole two bases. Second in the lineup on this day, "Nelson",
scored three times and hit another of his signature textbook batting technique
homeruns in the sixth. Danny Bright played his usual solid game on defense and
got as far as third base in the fourth inning, hitting to advance Marcus toward
his second run scored. Ed Guttierrez, hitting cleanup, did an excellent job as
he scored once and drove in two runs in four at bats. Darwin Tellez, Marvin
Gutierrz, Brooksie (who had a fantastic day going 4 for 4, hitting a double,
stealing two bases and scoring), and Anthony Rodriguez-- all crossed the plate
to contribute to a hard fought one run victory. This was a day where Ryan Perez
got us started as our lead-off pitcher. This was a day where Brian Young helped
us with his speed on the bases. This was a day where Chris White brought his
considerable talent as a catcher to the contest...and helped the team win a
tough one with his live arm from behind the plate.
Sunday,
October 24, 2004 - Loss. Log specifics to come soon. (SPECIFICS
LOGGED NOVEMBER 16, 2004): Sunday October 24, 2004 - Bats came
alive today, and the Bombers were in the hunt for a win when they ran out of
time. The scheduled 9 inning game was stopped at the end of three hours plus--in
the 7th inning. Final score was 15-12 with the opponents, the Titans, hanging on
for the victory. The Bombers led 8-7 at the end of the 5th inning.
The Titans scored a ridiculous 8 runs in the 6th inning with a lot of
help from the Bombers. The home-team Bombers loaded Titans on bases with errors,
errant throws and hit batters. It was all capped off by two bases-full-of-Titans
home-runs. Marcus Reed led the Bomber offense with four hits, a base on balls,
three stolen bases and two runs scored. Other Bomber players whose on base
percentage for the day was above .500 were "Fed" Federico (on base 4
out of five at bats/one stolen base/scored two runs), Eddie Guttierez (3 hits
out of five AB’s/two singles, a double/two tuns scored), Zack Waterfire (on
base three out of four AB’s/two stolen bases/two runs scored). An exciting
highlight of the day was when Anthony Rodriguez and Marvin Guttierez came close
to scoring on a squeeze play. Marvin charged down the line as the pitcher went
into his wind-up. Big Marv’s bold dash so startled the pitcher and rattled the
catcher that the younger Guttierez was within three feet of home plate when the
pitcher delivered a hurried, desperate pitch. Our own A-Rod did his job and put
the bat on the ball--unfortunately, the high-hurried pitch was foul. No one
should be surprised if a Bomber steals home before the season is over.
October 17, 2004 - Bombers got the first run on this day,
with Danny Bright knocking in a hard running Anthony Rodriguez on a base-hit
single. Unfortunately, the opponents (dreaded Angels) scored a runaway 11 runs
before another Bomber crossed home plate. The final score was an ugly 18-8.
Bomber notables for this less than A-game occasion are led by Marcus Reed, whose
three run homer in the 5th inning drove in Zack Waterfire and Herman
Travis, and got the always-potentially-explosive-never-out-of-it Bombers fired
up and momentarily looking like a comeback might happen. Shortly after Marcus’s
heroics, Darwin Tellez lit it up with a thunderous left field shot that just
missed going out. Darwin was immediately knocked in by routinely determined Ryan
Brooks, who provided his own fireworks with a hard hit ball to the wall for a
dramatic dirt-eating triple. In the 7th and final inning played (yes, they
10-run ruled us), Darwin Tellez hit
another of his team-leading homeruns. Nixon and Brooksie got on base and came in
for the team’s final two scores. The Bombers are 1-1 win/loss against the
Angels, and 4-3 overall. To a man, expectations are far higher than performance,
and all look forward to upcoming games to get closer to potential.
-------------------------------------------
Sunday October 10, 2004 - Double-header at Crocker Amazon.
It was a lifetime of baseball in two games. And in the end, the spirit of the
Universal Athlete was well served. Everyone came to play...and everyone, when
all was said and done, played his best. In the first game, the Bombers played
the Giants-- a team that beat the Bombers two weeks ago. The Giants won this one
also; this time by a score of 10-5. On paper, it looks like the Bombers could
well have been the victors. Darwin Tellez had a masterful day on the mound,
striking out an amazing 12 batters in 6 innings. In contrast, the Giants starter
struck out 6 Bombers in the same number of innings. But the game isn’t played
on paper--and with a few timely hits falling in the right places here, and a few
just missed catches and just missed plays there... well, you can win on paper,
and lose where it counts. Specifically: The Giants scored their first two runs
in the 3rd and their third run in the 4th...with the help
of a wild pitch and a hit batter. The Giants scored two more in the 7th,
again helped by a hit batter. They scored an earned run in the 8th.
And it was jailbreak and wheels off the wagon time in the 9th, where
four runs were "given" by our team and the "Baseball Gods".
On the positive side, the Bombers scored one in the 7th, with Ryan
Perez getting on base, then astutely gaining homeplate on hits by stalwart
brothers Marvin and Ed Gutierrez. There was promise in the 8th, with
scrapper/ball magnet Ryan Brooks getting hit by ANOTHER pitch, then
always-gets-a-hit Nelson...got a hit. Before it was over, Nelson stole
third...and did everythin he could to get home. But, unfortunately, that’s
where the "potential" rally died. However, in the 9th
inning, trailing by nine runs...and where many teams would’ve just packed it
in and played it
out--the Bombers came alive. Player after player came up and contested every pitch.
They had the Giants huddling and scurrying and making changes to stop a 9th
inning siege by a succession of seriously focused Bombers. Speedy Zack Waterfire
drew a walk and eventually scored. Newcomer Herman Travis hit a shot to gain
base, and eventually scored. Big Ed Gutierrez got his second hit of the day, and
drove in another run...and came in himself. Brooksie got on base on
balls (the pitched kind this time). "Always" Nelson hit a double, driving in
Brooks. When the dust settled, the Bombers had scored 4 runs in the last inning.
Yes, they lost, but the end sure was fun to watch. If the Bombers start with the
focus, determination and energy with which they finished this game, should be a
real fine contest when the Giants and Bombers meet for the third and last
time---before the Roberto Clemente League play-offs.
//////////////////////////////////The second game of the day against "Seabaco"
was pure fun...with all Bombers hitting, relaxed, making plays...and enjoying
themselves. Coach Ponch and friends generously provided great tasting barbeque
for the players and others in the 30 minute break between games. The Bombers/Seabaco
final score was 10-2. "Dootch" Galharduchi pitched the team to
victory, while having a fine day at the plate. Darwin, Brooksie, Federico(at
third base making highlight-reel plays), Marcus, Ed, Marvin, Zack, Ryan
Perez(who stuck around to play and will suffer a mountain of homework for his
generosity), Nixon P.(who did a fantastic job at catcher, and hit solidly at the
plate—we won’t mention the one he could’ve beat out), Brian Young (who got
a sweet hit, and used his speed to get home in short order), Herman(who showed
exceptional power at the plate and exceptional skills in the outfield–he’s
still thinking about his few moments at third base). The best is saved for last
mention here, as it was an absolute blast for all--both teams and all the fans
in the stands- - all the passersby...to see Coach Ponch take the field.
Unquestionably, the high note of the day was Coach Ponch in right field...in
sandals. And for a man in sandals, he was a force to be reckoned with. Coach
Ponch did a textbook job on defense, handling the ball that was hit to him to
hold the runner, somewhat...and on offense HE GOT A HIT. It was another doggone
fine day of baseball.
Sunday
October 3, 2004 - At the end of this game, the umpire said, "this was the
best game I've seen in the last couple of years". The
"Angels", an experienced, well-established team--considered to
be the best in the league by many--went up 3-0 on the Bombers in their first at
bat. When the Angels were finally sat down, the Bombers' turn at bat showed
promise but yielded no runs. Team igniter Marcus Reed got a lead-off hit and
immediately stole second base. All-business short-stop, Ryan Brooks, took the
Angel's hard-throwing ace pitcher deep into the count and expertly laid off
close bullets to get a walk. Highly respected newcomer Danny Bright hit a single
to move the runners along. The inning ended with bases loaded---and the battle
of defense and pitching was on. The score remained 3-0 through the 6th inning,
with both teams making great plays and both pitchers looking like prospects the
SF Giants could've used this year. One highlight along the way was a spectacular
all-out catch by left-fielder Zack Waterfire of a deep hit "rocket",
to rob the Angels of a sure go-ahead run and end the 6th inning. While the
Angels starting pitcher, "Ryan---" was obviously something special,
the Bombers own Darwin Tellez was nothing less than determined and brilliant. In
the 7th inning, "hitter" Tellez helped his own cause with a lead-off
single. R. Brooks then stood in strong to take a pitch in the back. Danny
Bright, Federico and Marvin Gutierrez all got clutch hits, and two runs came in.
In the 8th, with the continued help of a ball-hawking defense, Darwin
Tellez shut the Angel hitters down. Top of the 9th inning, third baseman "Dootch"
Ghalarduchi took over for D. Tellez, and didn't allow a run. Bottom of the 9th,
tough Ryan Brooks took another hit...this one to the back of the helmet... as he
turned just quick enough to avoid possible injury. Danny Bright got
a walk and eventually stole 3rd,
then was hit in by Marvin Gutierrez---to tie the score. Top of the 10th, "Dootch"
sat the Angel batters down in quick order. Josh
Gibson Bombers failed to score in the bottom of the 10th. Dootch again shut the
Angels down in the top of the 11th. Bottom of the 11th was climaxed by a
low-arched homerun bomb by Danny Bright that shot out over the right field fence. Two
runs came in and the final score was 5-3...Josh Gibson Bombers. It was a
well played baseball game by all
involved.
Sunday,
September 26, 2004 - First loss... Winter League Giants beat the Josh Gibson
Bombers 12-6. There was, however, plenty of good to come out of the day.
First, as is and will be the case for the first seven games...everybody played.
For some, these first few games are a chance to get some of the rust off after
not playing for a while. For others, it's an opportunity to keep sharp,
try some things, and just play baseball. And for the manager, it's an
opportunity to get to know the players---and to make a few mistakes here and
there. This week, the "manager" took full advantage of his time to be
wrong and made a nice big fat error that contributed big time to the team losing
a game they were winning 6-3 until the 8th inning. In a nutshell, the manager
took the team's proven reliever/closer (Darwin Tellez)out of the game--pushed a
good pitcher who hasn't been active in a few weeks (who did a fine job while his
arm was fresh) into over-extending, then drafted the team's
recently-returned-from vacation shortstop---on short notice--into stepping in to
pitch. Result...8 runs were scored in the eighth inning---and one in the
ninth. Nothing should be taken away from the winning effort of the Giants
team--but a better managed Bomber team would have given the Giants more to deal
with. Specific highlights of the game: Anthony Rodriquez got dirty
on the defensive infield and on the base-pads on offense as he played an
inspired, solid game from top to bottom. Marcus Reed made an
"ESPN" catch in center field, robbing the Giants of a definite extra
bases hit. Federico called a smart game from behind the plate and hit well as he
led the Bombers to their 6-3 lead before being taken out in the 6th. Starting
pitcher Ryan Perez was on his game as he struck out 5 Giants and kept all
batters off-balance with his out-inducing mixture of curves, change-ups, and fast-balls through six innings. Versatile Ryan Brooks rejoined
the team to lead the defense at short-stop and step in as an emergency pitcher
when needed. "Nelson-Always-Gets-A-Hit" scored the team's first run as
he batted cleanup for the day. Ed and Marvin Gutierrez were solid at the corners
on defense and hit runners in on offense--while coming in to score themselves.
Newcomer "Clay" gave a glimpse of how much he will help the team with
his timely hitting and base-stealing as an EH (Extra Hitter) for the day--we
look forward to seeing Clay on defense at his natural position of shortstop.
Newcomer Nixon worked hard as a relief catcher, stepping in cold to catch
pitchers with whom he was behind the plate for the first time. Brian Young
had another fine catch in right field and is expected to come around soon at the
plate. "Dootch" came in and struck out his first batter right away,
letting all see that he will have some highlight reel games in the future. Coach
"Poncho" came onboard and immediately made things run more
smoothly.
Sunday,
September
19, 2004 - Josh Gibson Bombers Fall Team won their second game, coming from a
4-0 deficit at the end of the first inning to finally win, 14-6 over the Titans. Darwin Tellez
pitched a strong game in relief and hit the first Bomber homerun in the third to
get things going. Team captain and center-fielder Marcus Reed hit a second
homerun and played his usual solid game in support of the winning effort.
Veteran leaders Ed and Marvin Gutierrez contributed a number of runs and played
shutdown defense. Newcomers "Federico" and "Rob" made timely
contributions in their first game with the Bombers. Brian Young had a fantastic
rally-stopping catch from his position in deep right field. Ryan Perez drove in
important runs when they were needed and played a flawless first base. Young
players Anthony Rodriguez and Zack Waterfire held their own and were responsible
for their fair share of runs and defensive outs.
Sunday,
September 12, 2004--The Josh Gibson Bombers Fall Team won their first
game in the Roberto Clemente semi-professional league. Thanks goes to
players "Nelson" B, Ryan Brooks, Justin Cooperman, Ed Gutierrez,
Marvin Gutierrez, Ryan Perez, Marcus Reed, Darwin Tellez Zack Waterfire,
Brian Young.
NOTICE:
The JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS
"SECOND ANNUAL COBWEB TOURNAMENT" will take place in San Francisco
over President's Day Weekend, February 19th and 20th, 2005. Interested High
school age teams, 18 and under, are encouraged to register early. Call: (650)
726-5526 or email: Cobweb@joshgibsonbombers.com
----------------------
Call (650) 726-5526 or (650) 303-1597 if you
have any questions. You can
also email: aw@joshgibsonbombers.com
--------------------------
JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS BASEBALL CLUB
Located in San Francisco Bay area.
Affiliated with the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union).
Baseball players of all ages are invited to
join.
*This is JGBBC's inaugural year: Official Start: February 1,
2004
Distinguishing Characteristics
No tryouts for general club membership.
"Tournament teams" will be drawn from general membership.
"League teams" organized out of the club's general membership
will petition to play
in various Bay Area leagues.
Summer season, we offer at least one open pickup game site every two weeks
somewhere in the S.F. area; more, as more are needed/requested/available.
Every club player who signs up for a given pickup game, is
confirmed, and shows up--plays.
Players are encouraged to learn and to try different positions--if
they want to.
We offer our own Tribute To Legends League/Tournament
Championship. The first invited teams are
drawn from general membership.
Requirements
All club members must be or become members of the AAU.
If not a member, we request (but do not demand) that you join
the AAU through Josh Gibson Bombers Baseball Club.
AAU "Added Benefit" membership is $14. It's a great
deal that provides injury coverage for players.
Player Responsibility
Players must provide their own bats, pants, belts, shoes,
gloves, socks, and personal protective gear.
**Where needed and possible, the club will provide players who
don't have what they need, with everything needed to play the game.
Josh Gibson Bombers will provide baseballs, some catcher gear,
batting helmets, limited choice of team bats, bases.
A First Aid Kit will be provided for every game, every
practice.
Miscellaneous
Players who play on under 18 tournament or league teams may be required to show proof of age.
If you are a parent, coach, or just someone who wants to
volunteer your help, please do not hesitate to let us know. Many hands, make
light-er work.
OUR FIRST ANNUAL "COBWEB
TOURNAMENT", FEBRUARY 14 AND 15, 2004 WAS A FUN-FILLED SUCCESS.
THE "NEVADA STORM" ALL-STAR TEAM FROM RENO, NEVADA TOOK FIRST PLACE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM. THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS CAME IN SECOND. THE
"SC DIABLOS" AND THE "HIGHLANDER VIPERS" FROM LOS
ANGELES ROUNDED OUT THE FOUR TEAM TOURNAMENT. IT WAS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE SERIES
WITH EVERY TEAM REPRESENTING WELL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT
YEAR.
THE SECOND ANNUAL " COBWEB
TOURNAMENT" WILL BE IN FEBRUARY, 2005. KEEP AN EYE ON THE WBESITE FOR
SPECIFIC DATES, PLACES AND SIGN-UPS.
For information about our First Annual " Cobweb Tournament", hit fastball below
To read a more complete mission statement, see what
we're up to, hit curveball below
To ask questions, leave messages, make contact--hit the
splitter
Or call: (650) 303-1597
To join Josh Gibson Bombers Baseball Club, hit the
change-up
VISIT OUR "TRIBUTE TO LEGENDS"
PAGE---click catcher below
Directions to Crocker Amazon Baseball Fields: Coming from the
Penninsula...take 280 North to Geneva/Ocean Avenue exit. Take Geneva/Ocean
Avenue Exit. Make a right turn onto Geneva. Follow Geneva to Moscow. Make a left
turn at the corner of Geneva and Moscow. There is an entrance to the
ball-field parking lot about a quarter mile down.
Directions to Big Rec Baseball Field
in Golden Gate Park: Big Rec is in Golden Gate Park off of Lincoln Avenue at
9th. Coming from the Peninsula, you take 280 North to the 19th Avenue
split as you approach San Francisco. !9th Avenue is accessed by moving to
the left lanes. Follow 19th Avenue to Lincoln...which is located at the
edge of Golden Gate Park. Make a right on Lincoln. The park will be
on your left as you travel east. You cannot make a left at 9th, so you
must go past it, take a street that allows you to come back going west (think I
do it at 11th). Then coming back...you make a right into the park.
The double fields are right in front of you as you enter the park. We'll
be on one of the two side-by-side fields there. You can't miss us.
Directions to Moscone Field in the
Marina: Okay, here we go. Moscone Baseball Field is part of a larger
playground/park area. The baseball field is located in the Northeast area
of the park. Coming from the Peninsula...take 280 north. As you approach
San Francisco, take the 19th Avenue exit. Follow 19th Avenue north as it
goes through Golden Gate Park. Bearing right, !9th Avenue will turn into Park
Presidio Blvd. Follow Park Presidio Blvd. to California St. (you'll cross
Fulton, Cabrillo, Balboa, Anza, Geary along the way). At California
Street, Make a right turn. Follow California Street to Webster Street.
Left on Webster to Chestnut Street. You will see Moscone Playground at
Chestnut and Webster. Now...Make a Right on Chestnut. A left on Laguna
(which runs along the east side of the park). At Laguna and Bay...I believe the
field is in that corner of the park. At any rate, find parking where you
can. Enter the park... and you will find us. .
DIRECTIONS TO FLOOD
PARK: TRAVELING SOUTH FROM SAN FRANCISCO ON HIGHWAY 101. GET
OFF AT MARSH ROAD EXIT IN MENLO PARK/ATHERTON. TAKE MARSH ROAD WEST (RIGHT)
TOWARDS ATHERTON. WITHIN A HALF MILE, YOU WILL SEE THE SIGN FOR BAY ROAD..RIGHT
AFTER YOU CROSS RAILROAD TRACKS. AT BAY ROAD, MAKE A LEFT. ABOUT ONE-HALF
MILE DOWN BAY ROAD ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE WILL BE THE ENTRANCE INTO FLOOD PARK.
DIRECTIONS
TO BALBOA PARK: TRAVELING NORTH ON 280, YOU GET OFF
AT GENEVA AVENUE EXIT. AT THE LIGHT, MAKE A RIGHT TURN. GO ONE SHORT BLOCK TO
SAN JOSE AVENUE. MAKE A LEFT. THE PARK IS ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE AS YOU
TRAVEL DOWN SAN JOSE. THERE IS PARKING TO BE FOUND ON OCEAN AVENUE, OR YOU
CAN STAY ON SAN JOSE AND FIND PARKING...OR, YOU CAN TRAVEL SAN JOSE TO THE FIRST
LEFT...AND TURN ONTO A SMALL STREET THAT LEADS TO LIMITED PARKING...NEAR THE
POLICE STATION. IF YOU GET TO SAN JOSE AND OCEAN, YOU CAN'T MISS THE
PARK.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS 16 AND UNDER SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM!
WINNERS
OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2004 SAN FRANCISCO JUNIOR JOE DIMAGGIO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP!
(Record: 14 wins, 2 losses)
WORD FOR THE
DAY:TOO MANY ARE LEFT HANGING IF NOT ENOUGH SHOW UP...AND DON'T CALL.
AS
SMOKEY THE BEAR WOULD SAY, "ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT GAME CANCELLATIONS AND THE
SCREWING OVER OF ALL WHO SACRIFICED THE TIME AND MADE THE EFFORT TO BE THERE".
WHETHER YOU PLAY FOR THE BOMBERS OR ANOTHER TEAM---HELP PREVENT 8 MEMBER TEAMS.
CALL!
NOTICE!!
POSTED DECEMBER 3, 2005: GAME
CANCELLED FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2005.
COMMISSIONER JACK WOLF SENT OUT NOTICE THAT DUE TO CONDITION OF RAIN-SOAKED
BASEBALL FIELDS, ALL GAMES ARE
CANCELLED FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 3, 2005.
OUR NEXT SCHEDULED GAME IS SATURDAY DECEMBER 10, 2005 AT 1:30 PM. WE PLAY
KAI'S CROCKER CARDINALS. FYI -
COMMISSIONER WOLF SAID IT'S THE
WORST HE'S SEEN IN 52 YEARS OF FALL-WINTER BASEBALL.
BASEBALL GODS DID NOT LISTEN, AT ALL: RAIN-OUT SATURDAY
FEB 4, 2006 GAME AGAINST MANAGUA. FIELDS
CLOSED DUE TO CONDITION AS DETERMINED BY SAN FRANCISCO PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT. AND PROBABLE RAIN.
NOTICE
POSTED JANUARY 27, 2006: GAME SATURDAY JANUARY 28 CANCELLED DUE TO FIELD
CONDITIONS. HOPE TO ARRANGE A PRACTICE GAME FOR SUNDAY IF FIELD
AVAILABLE AND ENOUGH PLAYERS CAN SHOW. KEEP AN EYE OUT TOMORROW FOR
PROGRESS. 650-726-5526
NOTE:
RAIN-OUT!!!WE WILL NOT PLAY MIGHTY
MANAGUA ON FEBRUARY 4,
2006. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A
DEFINITE EVERYBODY BE THERE WHO CAN BE GAME.
Zack Waterfire
will rain-dance like his baseball life depends on it all week. THERE WILL BE
PLENTY RAIN-DANCING.
Expert meteorologists--COME BACK FROM vacation...AND DANCE. We're taking our appeal
to Regular God AND the Baseball Gods! WE WANT TO PLAY SOME BASEBALL.
FINALLY LOOKS
LIKE GAME WILL
BE PLAYED. SATURDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2006 BOMBERS VERSUS SAN JOSE BREWERS AT
CROCKER AMAZON #1. PLAYERS, TRY TO BE THERE NO LATER THAN 9:30. GAME AT
10:00 AM. CONTACT AW @650-726-5526 0R 650-303-1597.
POSTED MARCH
19, 2006 - 10:12 AM. MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER JACK
WOLF: MANAGERS----UMPS----PLAYERS---NO GAMES THIS WEEK----WED-THUR--SAT---MARCH
22-23-25--S.F REC DEPT----HAS ALL DIAMONDS CLOSED----ITS TIME TO DO SOME
DRYING-UP OF DIAMONDS SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK----????
THANKS----JACK J
UPDATED::::TUESDAY MAR-28-06----10:30PM
WEEK-TWENT-THREE----FIRST ROUND--PLAY OFFS
WED MAR-29 GA-1--6TH--CARDINALS 3RD--ANGELS DIA CLOSED, NO GAME
THUR MAR-30 GA-2--5TH--BREWERS 4TH--BOMBERS DIA CLOSED, NO GAME
SAT APR-1 GA-3---WINNER GA-1 WINNER GA-2 NO GAME
SAT APR-1 GA-4----WINNER GA-3 2ND SO SF MEXICO NO GAME
PLAY OFF--GAMES----SPECIAL NOTES
EACH GAME----FULL NINE-[9] INNINGS----THREE-[3] HOURS----TO WIN
BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4] NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED
EACH TEAM----BRING FOUR-[4- GOOD USED BASEBALLS
OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]----$60.00 EACH TEAM
MASTER TEAM--PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS
POSTED APRIL 23, 2006. NEED TO GET A SENSE OF WHO IS AVAILABLE TO PLAY
ON THURSDAY NIGHT. ALL WINTER-LEAGUE BOMBERS PLEASE CALL AND RELATE YOUR
STATUS FOR THURSDAY APRIL 27 AT 7:00 PM FOR A GAME AT CROCKER-AMAZON #1 VERSUS
THE SAN JOSE BREWERS. ALL WHO HAVE PLAYED WITH THE BOMBERS THIS SEASON ARE
ELIGIBLE.
CALL AND LEAVE MESSAGE: 650-726-5526 AND/OR 650-303-1597
SAN FRANCISCO RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
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16 PLUS AGE & ADULT WOOD BAT BASEBALL
LEAGUE----2005--2006 |
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UPDATED |
3.22.06 |
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PLAY OFFS----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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DAY |
DATE |
TEAM |
TEAM |
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DIAMOND |
TIME |
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WEEK-TWENTY-SEVEN---FIRST ROUND--PLAY OFFS |
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WED |
APR-26 |
GA1-6TH-CROCKER CARDINALS |
3RD-SAN FRANCISCO ANGELS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00AM |
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THUR |
APR-27 |
GA2-5TH-SAN JOSE BREWERS |
4TH-JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
APR-29 |
GA3-WINNER GA-1 |
WINNER GA-2 |
F |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
APR-29 |
GA4-WINNER GA-3 |
SECOND--SO SF MEXICO |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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WEEK-TWENTY-EIGHT----CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES |
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WED |
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THUR |
MAY-4 |
GA5-WINNER GA-4 |
FIRST--S.F. MANAGUA |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
7:00PM |
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SAT |
MAY-6 |
GA6-FIRST--S.F. MANAGUA |
WINNER GA-4 |
H |
CROCKER ONE |
10:00AM |
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SAT |
MAY-6 |
EXTRA CHAMP |
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F |
CROCKER ONE |
1:30PM |
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PLAY OFF--GAMES----SPECIAL NOTES |
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EACH GAME----FULL NINE-[9] INNINGS----THREE-[3]
HOURS----TO WIN |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4] NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING FOUR-[4- GOOD USED BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]----$60.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM--PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES----SPECIAL NOTES |
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EACH GAME----FULL NINE-[9] INNINGS----TO WIN |
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BASEBALLS----FOUR-[4] NEW WILSON A1010-PRO-SST--DONATED |
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EACH TEAM----BRING FOUR-[4- GOOD USED BASEBALLS |
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OFFICIALS----TWO-[2]----$60.00 EACH TEAM |
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MASTER TEAM--PLAYER ROSTER--ONLY----NO PICK UP OF PLAYERS |
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---------------------------------------------------
FRANKLIN, A-ROD,
NICK, JOSH, AWINN, DARWIN, DONALD, JOE-JOE, JAY, JAYSON, JOEY, RYAN, ANTHONY,
MARCUS, RAJ, TINO, COOP. ZACK, AND ALL OTHERS WHO HAVE PLAYED AS JOSH GIBSON
BOMBERS---GET READY TO PLAY BASEBALL. CONACT GM ART WASHINGTON @
650-726-5526. THE WORST BASEBALL RAIN-OUT SEASON IN OVER HALF A CENTURY
SHOULD BE OVER SOON. WE HAVE PLAY-OFFS TO COMPETE IN, TO FINISH. IF
YOU DO NOT CALL, YOU WILL BE CALLED. LET'S FINISH THIS INAUGURAL WOOD-BAT
LEAGUE SEASON WITH OUR BEST EFFORTS. WATCH THE SKIES FOR BLUE. AND
PREPARE YOURSELF TO PLAY SOME BASEBALL! SOME OF OUR GUYS HAVE MOVED AWAY
AND OTHERS ARE INELIGIBLE. WE NEED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH ALL TO SEE WHAT WE
HAVE.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless otherwise posted, there will be a "Sandlot Sunday" hosted by
the Josh Gibson Bombers every Sunday until the 3rd week of August. We
expect that even if Bomber management is not there every week thereafter, Kai
Kop and other coaches and players will be holding Sandlot Sundays.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONGRATULATIONS
TO
THE JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS 16 AND UNDER SUMMER LEAGUE TEAM!
WINNERS
OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 2004 SAN FRANCISCO JUNIOR JOE DIMAGGIO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP!
--TEAM (Record: 14 wins, 2 losses)--
PEDRO BENAVIDES - #11 CENTER FIELD
JAKE BLANC - #41 PITCHER/CATCHER/INFIELD
TOMMY CHIMIENTI - #16 RIGHT FIELD
BRETT D. FELICIANTONIO - #27 SHORT STOP/SECOND BASE
MARIO JOHNSON - #15 FIRST BASE
HYUMA NAGASE - #51 CATCHER/OUTFIELD
EJ PADILLA - #21 SECOND BASE/SHORT STOP
RYAN PEREZ - #45 LEFT FIELDER/PITCHER
NICK PETRICK - #5 PITCHER/THIRD BASE
YUJI SASAKI - #18 SECOND BASE/OUTFIELD
BEN SCHUTTISH - #22 SHORT STOP/INFIELD
JOSH SHUSTER-LEFKOWITZ - #8 CATCHER/SECOND BASE
BEN SAFER - #25 PITCHER/INFIELD/CATCHER
JOHN SAFER - #14 CATCHER/PITCHER/FIRST BASE/INFIELD
SAM STAAR - #7 SECOND BASE/OUTFIELD
LORENZO UBUNGEN - #24 PITCHER/SHORT STOP
ZACK WATERFIRE - #23 RIGHT FIELD
MATT WILLIAMS - #42 LEFT FIELD/PITCHER
MASA YAMAMOTO - #1 PITCHER/THIRD BASE/OUTFIELD
--COACHES--
HEAD COACH - GARY JOHNSON
COACH - ROB FELICIANTONIO
COACH - LARRY CHIMIENTI
ASSIST. COACH/TEAM STATISTICIAN - HOWARD PETRICK
---------
JOSH GIBSON BOMBERS 2004 SUMMER TEAM SCHEDULE
Date |
Time |
Field & Home (H) or Visitor (V) for Bombers |
Opponent |
Sat 6/12/04 |
1:00pm |
Balboa Sweeney (V) |
Tigers (win 14-3) |
Mon 6/14/04 |
5:00pm |
Big Rec Graham (H) |
Boilermakers (win 11-1) |
Thu 6/17/04 |
5:00pm |
Balboa Sunberg (V) |
Sapunar Realty (win 3-1) |
Sat 6/19/04 |
10:30am |
Big Rec Nealon (H) |
Knights (win 10-7) |
Mon 6/21/04 |
5:00pm |
Big Rec Graham (V) |
Blues (win 7-1) |
Thu 6/24/04 |
5:00pm |
Balboa Sunberg (H) |
Bears (win 10-0) |
Sat 6/26/04 |
10:30am |
Balboa Sweeney (V) |
Tycoons (win) |
Mon 6/28/04 |
5:00pm |
Big Rec Nealon (H) |
Salesian (loss 3-5) |
Tue 6/29/04 |
5:00pm |
Balboa Sweeney (H) |
Crusaders (win 18-6) |
Sat 7/3/04 |
10:30am |
Balboa Sweeney (H) |
Tigers (win 17-0) |
Mon 7/5/04 |
5:00pm |
Big Rec Nealon (V) |
Boilermakers (win 14-1) |
Tue 7/6/04 |
5:00pm |
West Sunset #1 (H) |
Sapunar Realty (win 5-4) |
Sat 7/10/04 |
3:30pm |
Balboa Sunberg (V) |
Knights (win 10-9) |
Mon 7/12/04 |
5:00pm |
Balboa Sunberg (H) |
Blues (loss 7-6) |
PLAY-OFF - SALESIAN 7/15/04 - WIN 9-1
CHAMPIONSHIP - KNIGHTS 7/17/04 - WIN
16-7
**DEDICATED PICTURE AND INFORMATION PAGE TO
COME**
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE:
JGB Junior Giants Players!!! Scroll down to see the Josh Gibson
Bombers Junior Giants Schedule below.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josh Gibson Bombers Junior Giants Team Schedule - additional games are
being pursued.
Date |
Time |
Field |
Opponent |
Fri 7/9/04 |
5:00 pm |
Big Rec Nealon (H) |
Cobras (win 12-11) |
Fri 7/16/04 |
2:00 pm |
Big Rec Nealon (H) |
Jamestown (win 7-2) |
Fri 7/23/04 |
5:00 pm |
Big Rec Nealon (H) |
Firebirds (win 8-7) |
Thurs 7/29/04 |
5:00 pm |
Balboa Sundberg (V) |
Jamestown (win 3-2) |
Fri 8/13/04 |
5:00 pm |
Big Rec Graham (V) |
Soma |
Thurs 8/19/04 |
5:00 pm |
Balboa Sundberg (V) |
Alice Chalmers |
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Keep and eye out for practice schedule and locations.
ALL
TEENAGE KIDS WELCOME TO COME AND PLAY IN OUR OPEN FIELD "SANDLOT SUNDAY"
PICKUP GAMES. NO COSTS. NO OBLIGATIONS, NO AFFILIATION ASSOCIATED WITH SANDLOT SUNDAYS.
COME AND GO AS YOU PLEASE. PARENT HELP WELCOME.
CHECK THIS WEBSITE FOR UPDATES ON TIMES AND
LOCATIONS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HERE'S A CHALLENGE FOR YOU--DO THE
ABOVE AND IF YOU DON'T MAKE THE POST SEASON AND POST RECORD NUMBERS AT THE
BOX-OFFICE, ME AND A FEW OF MY JOSH GIBSON BOMBER TEAM (VOLUNTEERS ONLY) WILL
EAT ONE OF BONDS'S-- OLD SHOES (COOKED AND SEASONED, OF COURSE). IF I AM
CORRECT, ALL I WANT IS WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN---BONDS AND THE GIANTS OF 2007 IN THE
POST SEASON.
MR. MAGOWAN, GIVE THE MAN HIS
MONEY. HE'S EARNED IT AND MORE OVER HIS CAREER HERE; NO DOUBT. BARRY
BONDS IS A BASEBALL WARRIOR AND PROBABLY THE BEST WHO'S EVER PLAYED IN A GIANTS
UNIFORM AND POSSIBLY THE BEST WHO EVER WILL. SHOW SOME CLASS. CUT THE CRAP
AND PAY THE MAN. HE'S WORTH EVERY PENNY AND MORE.
IF YOU KEEP BONDS AND GIVE MR.
SABEAN A FEW MILLION OVER BUDGET JUST THIS ONCE--GET A SORIANO TO COMPLIMENT
BONDS AND LET MR. SABEAN WORK THE REST, YOU WILL HAVE ONE OF THE BEST YEARS IN
BASEBALL HISTORY. EXCITING, HISTORIC, WINNING---AND THE ICING WILL BE
POST-SEASON PLAY. DON'T BLOW IT, SIR GO ALL OUT WITH NO DOUBT.
YOU WILL BE REWARDED WITH A TEAM THAT WILL DO THE SAME.
THIS 2006 WORLD SERIES WOULD BE
FAR MORE INTERESTING IF IT WAS BONDS AND THE GIANTS---ESPECIALLY WITH A
SORIANO ADDED--PLAYING THE TIGERS INSTEAD OF THE CARDINALS. EVEN THE
HATERS WOULD TUNE IN--HOPING TO SEE BONDS FAIL. LET'S BREAK BASEBALL AND
BOX-OFFICE RECORDS AND HAVE THE MOST EXCITING YEAR IN SAN FRANCISCO GIANT
BASEBALL HISTORY IN 2007! TAKE THE RISK. ENJOY THE REWARDS.
-------------
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
MANAGEMENT DIDN'T ACT BOLDLY OR QUICKLY ENOUGH IN THE CASE OF PLAYERS. GOTTA
GIVE 'EM CREDIT FOR BOCHY, ROBERTS, DURHAM AND, HOPEFULLY, SCHMIDT. BUT IF MANNY
RAMIREZ ENDS UP IN LOS ANGELES, THEY SHOULD ALL RETIRE. QUIT. IMMEDIATELY.
AND IF THEY HAVE FOOLED AROUND AND END UP LOSING BARRY---THEY SHOULD GET OUT OF
BASEBALL! NOT COMPLETELY SERIOUS, BUT DAMMIT--THOSE FELLAS SEEM TO BE
MISSING BOATS ALL OVER THE PLACE.
EVEN THOUGH
HIGHLY UNLIKELY, WOULDN'T MIND IF BARRY WENT TO OAKLAND A'S. IT'S
LESS EXPENSIVE. THE FANS SEEM MORE DOWN TO EARTH AND MORE DIVERSE. BARRY
COULD TAKE DAYS OFF FROM FIELD BUT STILL FIGURE IN GAMES AS A DESIGNATED HITTER.
HELL, IN OAKLAND BARRY BONDS COULD HIT 800 HOME RUNS! AND PLAY 2 MORE
YEARS, EASY.
...NOT TO MENTION THAT JOSH
GIBSON BOMBERS MANAGEMENT ARE BIG OAKLAND RAIDERS FANS (LOOK AT UNIFORM COLORS).
ALRIGHT! "THE BEST" BASEBALL PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF THE GAME CENTERPIECE
IS NOW IN PLACE:
HOW ABOUT THE
BIGGEST BAT AVAILABLE TO REPLACE MOISES ALOU--OR A SPEED DEMON WITH A HIGH
ON-BASE PERCENTAGE---LIKE ICHIRO.
NO ONE OUT THERE TO
REPLACE SCHMIDT, EXCEPT MAYBE ZITO...OR SOMEONE FROM JAPAN. GOOD LUCK.
CALLING ALL BOMBERS,
CALLING ALL BOMBERS...PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE! BOMBER MANAGEMENT
IS IN THE PROCESS OF PLANNING FOR SF SEMI-PRO WOODBAT LEAGUE SUMMER
SEASON-2007. IF YOU'RE A COLLEGE-LEVEL BASEBALL PLAYER OR BEYOND
OR A HIGH SCHOOL "PHENOM" AND ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING SEMI-PRO WOODBAT
BASEBALL IN SAN FRANCISCO, PLEASE GIVE US A CALL. WE ARE HOPING TO
HAVE OUR ROSTER SET BEFORE WE PLAY OUR FIRST GAME. WE
ARE LOOKING FOR "DEPENDABLE" PLAYERS CAPABLE OF PLAYING
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL, ADVANCED-SKILL-LEVEL BASEBALL. THE SEASON
BEGINS JUNE 19, 2007 AND RUNS THROUGH THE SUMMER INTO EARLY FALL.
LEAGUE GAMES WILL BE PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY (IN THE EVENING) OR
SATURDAY. NO FEES, BUT BECAUSE OF PAST EXPERIENCE, PLAYERS WILL BE
ENCOURAGED TO PURCHASE THEIR TEAM JERSEYS. OUR PARTICIPATION IN
THIS SUMMER'S LEAGUE IS DEPENDENT ON PLAYER RESPONSE. SO, LET'S HEAR
FROM YOU.
JULY 22, 2007: DOGGONIT, 12.5 GAMES
BACK IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE. MANY OF THE LOSSES WERE ONE HIT AWAY. WHILE MANY SAY "FIRESALE",
WE SAY MOVE CAREFULLY AND GET ONE .300 PLUS HITTER. ONLY LIVE ONCE, ONLY
HAVE THIS SEASON ONCE, THIS TEAM. GIVING UP SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION. WITH TALENT
ON TEAM AND SUPERIOR PITCHING STAFF AND BRUCE BOCHY(WHO IS AN EXCELLENT COACH)
AND A LITTLE OVERDUE "BETTER LUCK" ---WE BELIEVE THE GIANTS ARE STILL IN IT.
PROVE US RIGHT.