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By Marco DeBarcole
A very wise man once told his team, "No matter who shows up today, it'll be the best team we're going to face today." While some players pondered whether or not the New York Yankees were going to show up, and would we have to play them? The vast realized what the coach was talking about. The Jo-Cats, McGuires Cats, or the F-Cats, was going to be the best team we had to play...and we'll they proved to be a better team than before.
The Nationals led the game off with the promise of some easy runs with walks by Paige and Franson. Then a fielder's choice by Herkowski and strikeouts by Marks and Berndstein ended the threat. It took three innings to warm up to a local southpaw's pitching. A double by Reisinger and a single by Gibson scored two with no one out. A single by Wajerski, brought the total to 3 runs.
F-Cats scored in the sixth with a series of hits and timely placement. In the seventh, they scored two on three hits, one strangely played error, and again, perfect placement. But the Nationals fired back in the eight, and touched up the new pitcher for two more runs. Three walks and a Dettman single put the Nationals ahead for good, 5-3, although the F-Cats were able to threaten with bases loaded with two outs. Ustruck held them to two hits in two innings for a save. Kibler again controling the game, seven innings, 3 runs, 1ER, 6 hits, and 5 strikeouts. Gibson 2-3, Herkowski 0-5, putting off history again.
So, maybe a better team will show up for the game on Friday...
Next up for the Nats are Pewaukee Muskies. The teams square off Friday night at Harden Field. First pitch is 7PM.
A very wise man once told his team, "No matter who shows up today, it'll be the best team we're going to face today." While some players pondered whether or not the New York Yankees were going to show up, and would we have to play them? The vast realized what the coach was talking about. The Jo-Cats, McGuires Cats, or the F-Cats, was going to be the best team we had to play...and we'll they proved to be a better team than before.
The Nationals led the game off with the promise of some easy runs with walks by Paige and Franson. Then a fielder's choice by Herkowski and strikeouts by Marks and Berndstein ended the threat. It took three innings to warm up to a local southpaw's pitching. A double by Reisinger and a single by Gibson scored two with no one out. A single by Wajerski, brought the total to 3 runs.
F-Cats scored in the sixth with a series of hits and timely placement. In the seventh, they scored two on three hits, one strangely played error, and again, perfect placement. But the Nationals fired back in the eight, and touched up the new pitcher for two more runs. Three walks and a Dettman single put the Nationals ahead for good, 5-3, although the F-Cats were able to threaten with bases loaded with two outs. Ustruck held them to two hits in two innings for a save. Kibler again controling the game, seven innings, 3 runs, 1ER, 6 hits, and 5 strikeouts. Gibson 2-3, Herkowski 0-5, putting off history again.
So, maybe a better team will show up for the game on Friday...
Next up for the Nats are Pewaukee Muskies. The teams square off Friday night at Harden Field. First pitch is 7PM.
By Steve Elliott
"Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes...it rains" - Nuke LaLuche, Bull Durham.
Prophetic and wise words indeed. After taking his share of physical and mental lumps, Nuke learned the key to prevailing over the long haul known as the baseball season. One must stay steady and on an even keel. It's a lesson the Nationals will have to remember after a 5-1 loss to a solid Racine team on Friday night.
Joe Kissler and Justin McGuire engaged in a classic pitchers duel. 0-0 through 5 innings, Racine notched the first tally of the game in the sixth inning on a high, floating double misplayed by Nationals left fielder, Brian Gibson. To that point, Kissler had limited the Kiwanis to three hits while striking out 6. As was the case all night, the Nationals were not able to respond. The team managed only 5 hits on the night, 3 of which came in the ninth inning after the team had fallen in a 5-0 hole. After a second inning double by Gibson, the team was hitless until Tom Donovan's ninth inning single.
Sometimes you hit it hard and at someone. Sometimes you reach base with a "judy." Over the course of the season, it all evens out. On any given day, however, the baseball gods can play with your head. Friday was one of those days.
Next up for the Nats are Milwaukee McGuire's Cats. The teams square off Tuesday night at Zirkel Field. First pitch is 7PM.
"Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes...it rains" - Nuke LaLuche, Bull Durham.
Prophetic and wise words indeed. After taking his share of physical and mental lumps, Nuke learned the key to prevailing over the long haul known as the baseball season. One must stay steady and on an even keel. It's a lesson the Nationals will have to remember after a 5-1 loss to a solid Racine team on Friday night.
Joe Kissler and Justin McGuire engaged in a classic pitchers duel. 0-0 through 5 innings, Racine notched the first tally of the game in the sixth inning on a high, floating double misplayed by Nationals left fielder, Brian Gibson. To that point, Kissler had limited the Kiwanis to three hits while striking out 6. As was the case all night, the Nationals were not able to respond. The team managed only 5 hits on the night, 3 of which came in the ninth inning after the team had fallen in a 5-0 hole. After a second inning double by Gibson, the team was hitless until Tom Donovan's ninth inning single.
Sometimes you hit it hard and at someone. Sometimes you reach base with a "judy." Over the course of the season, it all evens out. On any given day, however, the baseball gods can play with your head. Friday was one of those days.
Next up for the Nats are Milwaukee McGuire's Cats. The teams square off Tuesday night at Zirkel Field. First pitch is 7PM.
Frank Langsdorf Baseball League of Southeastern Wisconsin
Posted by Steve Elliott at Jun 17, 2004 5:00PM PDT
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Click on this link for PLAYOFF SEEDINGS, SCHEDULES, and LEAGUE STATS
Regular playing time certainly doesn't hurt, as any player will tell you. Jared Stengel, now in his second full season, is the latest beneficiary. In games versus Madison, Pewaukee, and Milwaukee's McGuire's Cats Stengel took full advantage of his playing time, rewarding the team with 4 hits in 11 official at bats while knocking in a team-leading 5 runs. Congratulations to Jared on his week #2 honor.
Big Sweep Puts Nats Near Top of League
Posted by Steve Elliott at Jun 12, 2004 5:00PM PDT
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Not by James Herkowski, either
...For Mr. Kissler. Regards, Steve Elliott
If beauty points were awarded for fine defense and baserunning, last night's version of the Nationals would have been in trouble. However, the game was baseball, and getting it done ugly can be particularly satisfying. Ugly it was. "A snowball fight," in the words of one veteran observer. "A circus; a veritable carnival setting back organized baseball 13 years," noted one man, posing as a County Sheriff.
In the end, though, it didn't matter. The Nats gave the West Allis White Sox an early season facewash, sweeping a pair on Saturday night by scores of 5-4 (8 innings) and 11-3. The victories push the Nats' league record to 4-1. The Sox fall to 0-4.
With 3 and 4 hitters and noted life partners, James Herkowski and Chris Marks, away attending a wedding, (Not their own; most states do not legally acknowledge gay marriage.)manager Tim Spata was forced to do some lineup juggling. Jared Stengel and Tom Donovan were sober and up to the task. (No offense Kissler and Koconis. Actually, come to think of it, much offense intended, you soaks. No more day games says the GM.) Okay, back to my previous thought. Both Jared and Tom showed the plate discipline of the veterans they replaced.
Heroes and goats were plentiful for the grinding Nationals in the game 1, eight inning victory. Many played both roles. In the end, though, all that will be remembered will be the heroic efforts: Joe Kissler battling, competiting, and keeping his team in the game for over 125 pitches. Tom Donovan's lazer beam home run to tie the game at 2. Corey Berndsen lining a game winning single to center field off reprobate Justin Pollnow. Ugly it was, but victorious we were.
Game two brought significantly less drama. Nick Kibler toed the rubber against many of his disciples, while the Sox dusted off one-time phenom and prospect, Kris Ragner, for mound duty. The results were predictable. Kibler put on a pitching clinic while Ragner struggled with his command all night. The Nats jumped to an early 4-0 lead and cruised to an 11-3 victory. Kibler earned his second victory of the young season with 5 strong innings. Tim Ustruck mopped up the final two. Of note: Corey Berndsen reported triumphantly to all in attendance that his Nationals hitting streak was extended with a late inning "judy" to center field. Unable to contain himself, Corey broadcast his accomplishment while running to first base in the sixth inning. It should be noted that the same undercover County Sheriff who, earlier in the day, encouraged me strongly to move my van was in attendance, taking notes. Corey violated the county's 10PM loudspeaker curfew and can expect a fine any day now.
The Nats get a break in the schedule, next playing Saturday versus the first place Kiwanis at Zirkel Field. Tickets are still available. Government cheese will given away to the first 20 kids under the age of 16. Adults in attendance will be eligible for the raffle of a life size, Jason Koconis blow up doll with tea bag mouth. Enter early and often.
...For Mr. Kissler. Regards, Steve Elliott
If beauty points were awarded for fine defense and baserunning, last night's version of the Nationals would have been in trouble. However, the game was baseball, and getting it done ugly can be particularly satisfying. Ugly it was. "A snowball fight," in the words of one veteran observer. "A circus; a veritable carnival setting back organized baseball 13 years," noted one man, posing as a County Sheriff.
In the end, though, it didn't matter. The Nats gave the West Allis White Sox an early season facewash, sweeping a pair on Saturday night by scores of 5-4 (8 innings) and 11-3. The victories push the Nats' league record to 4-1. The Sox fall to 0-4.
With 3 and 4 hitters and noted life partners, James Herkowski and Chris Marks, away attending a wedding, (Not their own; most states do not legally acknowledge gay marriage.)manager Tim Spata was forced to do some lineup juggling. Jared Stengel and Tom Donovan were sober and up to the task. (No offense Kissler and Koconis. Actually, come to think of it, much offense intended, you soaks. No more day games says the GM.) Okay, back to my previous thought. Both Jared and Tom showed the plate discipline of the veterans they replaced.
Heroes and goats were plentiful for the grinding Nationals in the game 1, eight inning victory. Many played both roles. In the end, though, all that will be remembered will be the heroic efforts: Joe Kissler battling, competiting, and keeping his team in the game for over 125 pitches. Tom Donovan's lazer beam home run to tie the game at 2. Corey Berndsen lining a game winning single to center field off reprobate Justin Pollnow. Ugly it was, but victorious we were.
Game two brought significantly less drama. Nick Kibler toed the rubber against many of his disciples, while the Sox dusted off one-time phenom and prospect, Kris Ragner, for mound duty. The results were predictable. Kibler put on a pitching clinic while Ragner struggled with his command all night. The Nats jumped to an early 4-0 lead and cruised to an 11-3 victory. Kibler earned his second victory of the young season with 5 strong innings. Tim Ustruck mopped up the final two. Of note: Corey Berndsen reported triumphantly to all in attendance that his Nationals hitting streak was extended with a late inning "judy" to center field. Unable to contain himself, Corey broadcast his accomplishment while running to first base in the sixth inning. It should be noted that the same undercover County Sheriff who, earlier in the day, encouraged me strongly to move my van was in attendance, taking notes. Corey violated the county's 10PM loudspeaker curfew and can expect a fine any day now.
The Nats get a break in the schedule, next playing Saturday versus the first place Kiwanis at Zirkel Field. Tickets are still available. Government cheese will given away to the first 20 kids under the age of 16. Adults in attendance will be eligible for the raffle of a life size, Jason Koconis blow up doll with tea bag mouth. Enter early and often.
