Heavy Metal Softball

First Tournament Of The Year Goes Well...

Hey, guys!

Considering the fact that several Heavy Metal Softball regulars were missing for one reason or the other, I thought that we accomplished more than one could hope for with a team that had unproven chemistry at the start and a minimal number of players -- making it to the playoff round. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, because I know I sure did! I'd like to thank those members who usually play with Visalia's Heavy Metal team for helping keep our tournament hopes alive, and, especially, Rich Avery, for all the help he provided me in trying to put a strong team together. We did okay, didn't we, buddy! Here are the final tournament statistics for those who are interested, a short summary of each game's highlights, and an invitation to all Heavy Metal Softball regulars (and possible new ones!) to play some more this year....

"Crimson Tide's Summer Invasion" Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record: 2-3; made playoffs (lost first round)

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Vern Amaro -- 13 for 21; .619 BA; 50 points.
Rich Avery -- 8 for 18; .444 BA; 40 points.
Wes Avery -- 11 for 20; .550 BA; 41 points.
Gordon Caudle -- 6 for 18; .333 BA; 20 points.
Kurt Chambers -- 9 for 17; .529 BA; 37 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 11 for 18; .611 BA; 61 points.
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 12; .250 BA; 15 points.
Gene Hitt -- 13 for 18; .722 BA; 83 points.
Eddie Sousa -- 6 for 16; .375 BA; 25 points.
Art Tabacco -- 9 for 18; .500 BA; 36 points.
Bryan Wooden -- 7 for 17; .412 BA; 28 points.

Tournament MVP: Gene Hitt (83 points; great hitting!)

Tournament Team Batting Average: .497 (96 for 193; needs to be better to have a chance of winning tournaments)

Game 1 Highlights: Lost 19-20. This is always a key game and was a good lesson about continual focus on producing runs each inning; we had control of the game with a great burst of offense at the beginning, especially the first inning, then lost it at the end. Players of note were Vern Amaro, who went 5 for 5, with 5 singles, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 3 bonus points (5 for 5), 16 points; Gene Hitt, who went 3 for 4, with 1 walk, 3 singles, 1 RBI, 4 runs, .750 BA, 14 points; and Kurt Chambers, who went 3 for 3, with 1 walk, 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1.000 BA, 11 points.

Game 2 Highlights: Won 13-11. Great response to the previous, though short-lived, disappointment. This is how good teams do it! Players of note were Gene Hitt, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, .667 BA, 3 bonus points (grand slam), 23 points; Frank Fletcher, who went 3 for 3, with 1 walk, 2 singles, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 11 points; and Wes Avery, who went 3 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .750 BA, 10 points.

Game 3 Highlights: Lost 11-18. Batting went anemic after a one game wait. The batting order, subsequently, was altered in preparation for our fourth game against The Outsiders, a duel between friends. Players of note were Gene Hitt, who went 4 for 4, with 2 singles, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 3 bonus points (4 for 4), 28 points (awesome game!); and Vern Amaro, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .750 BA, 9 points.

Game 4 Highlights: Won 21-14. Evened our record, got us into the playoffs, and even won some money and food for some of our players! Lots of scoring, friendly wagering, and good sportsmanship on both sides. This was the match we didn't want to lose, unless we could take some good-natured needling! Players of note were Frank Fletcher, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, .500 BA, 17 points; Gene Hitt, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, .667 BA, 14 points; Vern Amaro, who went 2 for 4, 2 singles, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, .500 BA, 14 points; Rich Avery, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, .500 BA, 11 points; and Wes Avery, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .667 BA, 10 points. Honorable mention goes to Lee Garcia, who, despite getting injured in this game, went 2 for 3, with 2 singles, 3 runs, .667 BA, 8 points. He must have really wanted payback for being surrounded by Outsiders the night before!

Game 5 Highlights (Playoff): Lost 9-14. The team was a little beat up, forcing us to play with only 10 players and improvise. The combination of hot sun, tired players, and a good-hitting opponent hurt us a little, though we were ahead 8-0 at the beginning (this lesson involving big runs in one inning by an opponent was repeated three times over the course of this tournament). Players of note were Frank Fletcher, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, .500 BA, 15 points; and Rich Avery, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .750 BA, 9 points. In comparison, it is safe to say that this was not our best game of the day, though our run-scoring in the previous four games helped tipped the balance for us to get in the playoffs.

Comments: Overall, I would say that I was very pleased with Heavy Metal's performance, especially our ability to score in bunches. Consistent scoring every inning will be the emphasis, as always, in future tournaments, as well as developing speed in the outfield and making the plays needed in the infield. I'm extending an invitation to Kurt, Art, and Bryan to play more with the tournament team in the future, perhaps join as regulars. I'm also asking current Heavy Metal Softball members to be prepared to play a few more tournaments in the weeks and months ahead, before this year's season ends after the fall. Also, I want to put together a league team for the fall season in Visalia. We'll see; more about that later. Check your e-mail, guys, and look for announcements and updates here at the website. Well done, men. See you all on a future field, in a distant dugout.