Gold Country Buzzards

Gold Country Buzzards Game Report #14

July 12, 2009 

Buzzards Rout Sultans, 23-2 

In the first evening game of the season, The Ol’ Buzzards laced up the cleats and put on their shades for a 6 pm start time at Mahany Field in Roseville.  The sinking sun played havoc for the left-side fielders until the shadows covered the field in the sixth inning.  With the sun to the batter’s back, it did allow for good vision of the ball from the pitcher’s hand and probably contributed to the 25 hits and 23 runs by the Gold Country Buzzards. 

The Buzzards were the visiting team for this game and got to bat first.  Starting for the Sultans was their right-handed all star pitcher, John “Big Arms’ Davis #9.  Southpaw Dave ‘Keppy’ Kephart #21 took the mound for the Gold Country gang in a battle of all star pitchers. 

Taylor ‘Welzy’ Welz started the game with a single to center and then stole second and third bases but was stranded while the next two batters struck out and the third popped-up to the shortstop.  The Buzzards would have to wait until the next time thru the batting order to get a better read on ‘Big Muscle Arm and Tattooed’ John’s mix of pitches.  That time came ‘big time’ in the third inning when the Buzzards exploded for 12 runs on 11 hits and two walks with two Sultan errors. 

The Buzzards did scratch out the first run in the second inning when Barry ‘Brooklyn’ Forman was hit by a first-pitch fastball that nailed him solidly on the right elbow at the funny bone.  It took Barry a few minutes to shake-it-off as his throwing arm went numb and the ‘not so’ funny bone nerves screamed while the bruise began to form.  Ol’ Buzzman - unable to medicate himself until after the game - stayed in the game and moved-on to first base rubbing the elbow.  Keppy, batting next, fouled off a bunch of pitches before hitting the ninth one for a base hit to center field advancing Brooklyn.  Jim ‘Milli’ Milligan then hit a long fly to right field that was misplayed for a run scoring error.  The inning ended with the one unearned run. 

The top of the third was the biggest scoring inning of the year for the Buzzards.  It started with a 2-0 pitch blast by Welzy that cleared the left field fence by plenty for his and the Buzzard’s first home run of the season.  Being unaccustomed to trotting around the bases after a homer, Welzy ran the bases with a quick pace and was greeted with high-fives and fist bumps as he crossed home plate.  Dan ‘Wookie’ Wukmir then hit a liner to right field for a base hit.  Bob ‘Woody’ Wooden followed with a nice double to left putting runners at second and third.  With one out, Barry then took the ice off of his elbow long enough to seek revenge from #9 by knocking in a run with a single to center field on a first-pitch inside fastball.  Keppy drove in the next run with another single to center.  Pete “Baron’ Von Zboray then hit a sharp ground ball that ate up the shortstop for a run scoring error.  After the Baron stole second, Milli knocked in two runs with a line drive to center field keeping the Sultan outfielders busy.  Mark ‘Ronnie’ Wronski continued the inning with a flare to left field that ended the day for their starting pitcher.  

The Sultans then brought in Dan ‘FIGJAM’ Hasey #23, a former Buzzard in 2007, to face his ol’ mates.  Showing ‘no mercy’ to Dan and his funny wind-up, Gary ‘Stoney’ Stonebrook hit a 3-1 pitch down the line in left for a base hit scoring the seventh run of the inning.  Ray ‘Bull Dog’ Henry, batting left-handed, knocked in the next run with a slow roller down the third base line that he beat out with good hustle.  David ‘DK’ Kelley followed with a walk on a full count pushing in another run.  Welzy, batting for the second time this inning, got his second hit of the inning by using the sinking sun with a fly ball hit to left field.  Wookie then proceeded to walk on four straight high ones from Hasey to force in another run.  Next, Woody singled down the line in left driving in run number 12.  Wow, 17 batters came to the plate during the inning with 11 batters in a row getting on safely at one point in the third.  The Buzzards took command of the game with a 13-0 lead. 

Defensively, the Buzzards backed by good pitching, battled the sun effectively and held the Sultans to a run in the sixth and seventh innings.  Keppy came out after three innings with a pitching line of no runs with two hits, four strikeouts and no walks, throwing 46 pitches to 11 Sultans.  Gregg ‘Surf Dawg’ Novotny #1 came in to pitch the next two innings.  Ol’ Surf Dawg has not pitched for quite a while recovering from ‘tennis’ elbow – should be called ‘too much pitching’ elbow for an ol’ guy – and held the Sultans to no runs on one hit with two walks and a strikeout.  Gregg threw 31 pitches to nine batters.  He walked the first batter of each inning, then settled down to get the outs.  It was nice to see the Surf Dawg throwing again. 

The Buzzards then sent southpaw, Bull Dog Ray #7 to the mound to pitch the last two innings and close out the Sultans.  Ray has not pitched much this season, so the workout will help down the line.  Ol’ Lefty’s pitching line was two runs (one earned) on three hits with no walks and a strikeout.  Bull Dog hit the first Sultan batter he faced on a 0-1 pitch, and the second batter singled to left.  The first guy stole second and went to third on a wild pitch and scored on the single.  The second runner was picked-off with a nice move to first that resulted in a pickle and a ‘text book’ 1-3-4-3 put out.  Ray faced nine Sultans in throwing 22 pitches. 

The ‘no mercy’ Buzzards scored two more runs in the fifth inning.  Bull Dog started the inning with a one-out grounder to the third baseman, who then rushed his throw for an error.  Kelley then was hit squarely on his butt, big bruise on a small tushy, with a 3-2 pitch from Hasey.  Now, DK used to catch for Dan in the old days, but there is a rumor of David mouthing off to #23 which resulted in the behind-the-back pitch.  Come on DK, ya got to move that booty with more quickness and style.  Ya better practice ‘cause we will face the Sultans and Hasey again. 

With two outs in the inning, Wookie then got a base hit to right-center field and credit for a double when the fielder could not see the ball and driving in another run.  Woody followed with an infield hit scoring the second run of the inning.  The Sultans changed pitchers again and brought in righty, Dennis ‘Mac’ McNamera #20 to try and stop the carnivorous Buzzards.  He walked Mike ‘Bake’ Baker on seven pitches before getting the last out.  The Sultans still had not scored, so after five innings the massacre was on and the score was 15-0. 

Since the 10-run ‘mercy rule’ does not kick-in until after the seventh inning, the Ol’ Buzzards could not help themselves and continued to feast on Sultan pitching in the top of the last inning.  13 Buzzards batted in the seventh inning adding eight more runs to the score board.  Ronnie started it off with a base hit to right field.  With one out, Ray got on base with another tough ground ball to the third baseman.  DK followed with a line drive to left to load the bases.  Welzy then got his fourth hit of the day with a liner to left field driving in Ronnie.  Next, Wookie knocked in his third run of the game with a single down the right field line.  Woody’s base hit to right-center drove in the next run.  Bake followed with a run scoring single and Barry knocked in a run with a sharp grounder down the first base line for a base hit.  Surf Dawg’s infield grounder knocked in run number 21.  Next, the Baron hit a long single to left scoring the final two runs.  Milli singled to center on a full count to keep the inning going, but by now the Buzzards were exhausted from the heat, sun and lots of base running as the inning ended with the next batter.  The game was great for Buzzard stats, but a near nightmare for the scorekeeper with lots of long innings plus numerous defensive changes, and a long game report. 

The Sultans scored once more in the bottom of the seventh on two hits and an error, but a double play started by Baker at third and finished by Surf Dawg at second base put a damper on the Sultan offense in the final inning.  Final score is 23-2.  Season record is 13-1. 

The Buzzard offense was awesome.  Every Buzzard got at least one hit and there were lots of runs and ribbies to go around.  The multi-hit list is nice and long this week including the Baron, Brooklyn, Keppy, Milli and Ronnie with two hits; Woody and Wookie with three; and Welzy with four hits including the home run.  T-Welz also scored four times and knocked in three runs to impress his daughter, Savannah, who was watching daddy play shortstop and hammering the baseball all game long. 

The next game will not be as easy, as we face the American Division leading, 14-1, Valley Cats.  So bring your same hittin’ stix to the upcoming double-header. 

Buzzard Note #1: There has been a schedule change.  The Yankees’ double-header on August 2 will now be a single game against the Sultans.  Hopefully, we can play them in Colfax. 

Buzzard Note #2: The KAHI radio game is getting closer, July 26.  Bio sheets will be passed out and need to be filled out with your information for the live broadcast.  Advertising time is still available and needs to be purchased soonest.  The radio station does a terrific job producing the ads.  The 1 o’clock game is scheduled for James Field in Auburn.  Our battle against the Dragons will immediately follow the 10 am broadcast of the Oakland A’s at the New York Yankees game.  There should be a good size audience listening to the game (locally on 950 AM and on the world-wide web), so advertise your company or your kids’ accomplishments.  A CD of the game will be available to everyone shortly after the event. 

Buzzard Note #3: The Buzzards caught a break, actually it was Gregg’s persuasive powers, so the upcoming double-header against the Valley Cats will be played at Colfax High at 10 am.  Try to get their extra early to help with field prep.  Cold drinks and munchies will be at the Ball Park up the hill after the games.