Gold Country Buzzards

Gold Country Ol’ Buzzards Game Report #9

June 7, 2009 

Buzzards Pound Timber Wolves, 14-4 

On a beautiful Sunday morning in Colfax the Timber Wolves ventured into the Buzzards’ lair for a game against the National Division leading Gold Country team.  The game is a mismatch on paper with the 8-1 Buzzards taking on the first year 0-8 Timber Wolves.  The Buzzards were hoping to feast on the T-Wolves, but they put up a good fight and held the Buzzards to scoring in only two innings, but it was enough for 14 runs in the seven inning game. 

The pitching match-ups for the game were Barry “Lefty” Markham #3 for the T-Wolves and southpaw Dave “Keppy” Kephart #21 throwing for the Ol’ Buzzards.  Keppy looked sharp again in going four innings.  Ray “Bull Dog” Henry #7 pitched for the second time this season and threw a solid final three innings to secure the win.   

The Buzzards started it off right away in the bottom of the first inning when Taylor “Welzy” Welz hit a two-strike double into right-center field.  Dan “Wookie” Wukmir walked before Jim “Milli” Milligan hit a chopper past the pitcher for an infield single.  With bases loaded Mark “Ronnie” Wronski hit a looper toward right field that was caught on a good play by the second baseman.  The fielder then wheeled around and threw to the shortstop covering the bag to try and get a sliding Wookie getting back to the base.  Wookie beat the throw and watched as the ball bounced away from the shortstop allowing Welzy to score from third base.  Keppy then drove a two-strike double deep to left-center field scoring two runs.  Mike “Bake” Baker followed with a run scoring, line drive double to deep center field, that the fielder made a good play just to get a glove on the ball.  The Buzzards scored four to open the game. 

In the second inning, the Timber Wolves got the first two runners on base – first and third.  The next T-Wolf then hit a high looper into left field that Wookie at shortstop got a good jump on, and then ran with his back to the infield to make an outstanding over-the-shoulder catch with his glove and arm stretched out to snag the ball.  Nice play and the runners held.  Barry “Historian” Forman called it Wookie’s best catch ever.  Keppy then struck-out the next two batters to end the inning and hold the T-Wolves to no runs. 

The Timber Wolves scored twice in the third inning to tighten up the game.  The T-Wolves were threatening a bigger inning with three singles and a throwing error resulting in two runs with two runners on and one out.  The next batter, their all-star pitcher and good hitter, Barry Markham, then hit a liner toward the middle with the runners going that Wookie caught and then ran over to step on second base for an easy looking, inning ending double play.  The score was 4-2 Buzzards going into the bottom of the third. 

The Buzzards only scored in two innings during this game, but they did score 10 runs in the third to take a big lead.  The inning started with a walk to Wookie.  With one out and Wookie at second, Milli singled up the middle scoring the run.  Ronnie got on via an infield error moving Woody, running for the catcher, Milli, to second base.  Keppy followed with a flare down the left field line scoring two runs.  The next batter, Bake, hit a shot over the center fielder’s head for a nice double scoring another run.  Charles “CJ” Jackson returning from the Disabled List then hit a double to the fence in left field scoring Bake.  With two outs Jim “Wags” Wagner beat out a grounder to third, putting two Buzzards on.  Gregg “Surf Dawg” Novotny hit a 3-1 pitch on a line to left field to score run number six.  Bull Dog next popped one up near first base that the first baseman misplayed putting two runners on and scoring a hustling Wags on the play.  Barry “Buzzman” Forman hit a line drive to right field scoring Surf Dawg.  Welzy followed with an infield hit loading the bases.  Wookie then laced a liner to right scoring two more for a ten run inning.  There were 15 at-bats in the inning resulting in the biggest Buzzard inning ever.  Wow. 

The Timber Wolves did not give up and they put runners on base in every inning except the first.  The fourth, Keppy’s last inning, went quickly after a lead-off single and strike out.  The next batter hit a sharp grounder to Welzy playing shortstop, that turned into a nice looking 6-4-3 double play, Welzy to Surf Dawg to Bake.  Surf Dawg added special sound effects as he turned the play at second and grunted loudly from the pain in his throwing elbow as he released the ball toward first base.  Tennis elbow!?  After four innings Keppy turned the game over to Bull Dog.  Dave faced 17 Timber Wolves giving up five hits and two runs (one earned), while walking none and striking out six.  He threw 54 pitches, 41 for strikes and 13 balls. 

Bull Dog Henry entered the game in the fifth inning.  Southpaw Ray gave up two runs in the sixth, but shut down the T-Wolves in the fifth and seventh innings.  Ray faced 14 Wolves in giving up two runs on three hits with a walk and strike-out.  Bull Dog threw 60 pitches, 30 strikes and 30 balls.  Ray showed off his quick pick-off move several times, but no one wandered too far from first base.  Good job by both pitchers. 

The T-Wolves changed pitchers in the fifth inning with Bret Courtney #6 holding down the Buzzards to no runs.  Then super old timer, Phil Stokes #17 – age 72, came in to pitch the last inning.  Phil had the fans cheering for him, but he probably is too old really to be playing with these young guys in their 50’s.  Anyway, Phil got Welzy to pop up to third, Wookie to strike out after knocking the crap out of several foul balls, and Woody’s liner to the shortstop to end the game.  The Ol’ Buzzards beat up the Timber Puppies 14-4. 

The Buzzards got 14 hits but only scored in two innings.  The victory was nice, but the big 10 run inning was helped by several Timber Wolf throwing errors.  We will need to do better against a tougher opponent.  11 Buzzards got hits with Welzy, Milli, Keppy and Bake getting two hits each today.  The infield defense had three errors and the outfield had one dandy dropped ball in left-center field in the last inning.  With Keppy playing center and calling for the high fly ball, Barry was also calling for the ball and drifting over from left field.  The ball and the players all got to the same spot at the same time.  Kephart and Forman collided and the ball dropped to the ground after hitting Kep’s glove.  The play was scored an E-7 ‘cause Barry knows better than to be a ball hog near a center fielder.  We may need to issue hearing aids to the old guys playing in the outfield. 

A nice win on a gorgeous day on the baseball field is always good.  Our next opponent will not be so easy.  The team went to the nearby Colfax Ball Park after the game to celebrate the win and rehash the game.   

Buzzard Note #1: Ray Henry will be hosting a team and family party at his house in Eden Valley, Colfax after the double-header this Sunday, June 14.  Since we have a long day of baseball with the two games against the Free Agents, he will supply the food and drinks (appetizers, burgers, hot dogs, beer & soft drinks).  Just bring your swim suit or shorts and sandals to relax and enjoy. 

Buzzard Note #2: Jim Wagner will be hosting the next team and family pool party on June 28 at his new place in Auburn.  Wags will be preparing his famous ribs and providing soft and hard drinks (beer & margaritas) after the game.  We just need to bring some appetizers, side dishes and dessert.  The plan is to bring something according to the following list: A – J bring an appetizer or chips + dip or salsa; K – V bring a salad or side dish; W’s bring dessert.  There is flexibility, so if you have a specialty dish you want to bring instead, go for it, just let Wags know.  Be careful with those Barry brownies.  Wags or Wook will be checking to see who is planning to come.  Thanks 

Buzzard Note #3: All Star voting will be June 28 via ballots.  The Buzzards are likely to get four or five spots on the team.  The National vs. American Division All Star Game is scheduled for Wednesday evening, July 8.

Buzzard Note #4: The annual radio game is looking like July 26 against the Dragons in Auburn.  KAHI 950 AM will broadcast the game live from James Field in Auburn.  We will also try to get the Auburn Journal to come out and do a story with photos for the local newspaper.  Last year worked out well with a nice article with photos in the paper and video on their web site.  Our radio broadcast will follow the Oakland A’s at New York Yankees game on KAHI.  Advertising time for your business, family or pleasure is available.  We will need bios on every player for the radio announcer to use during the game.  The game will be recorded by the radio station and available on CD afterwards.  More info to come.  David Kelley is our front man for this special event. 

Buzzard Note #5: The Buzzards want to recognize that Woody is getting older in June.  Congrats on making it to 52 on June 10^th. 

Buzzard Note #6: After this upcoming double-header against the Free Agents (6-3), the regular season is half over. There are 22 games in the 2009 NABA season.