Heavy Metal Softball

Reaching Championship Game Is Big Thrill For The Old Guys!

I sincerely want to thank all of the players who represented Heavy Metal Softball for their effort, help, and cooperation in reaching our first championship game of the year -- great job, guys! One man, as I've said many times before, does not make a team. But a team -- a "real" team -- does make each participant a man, figuratively-speaking, for all practical purposes. We had some real men on the field this weekend -- Heavy Metal men! 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 enthusiasts to play some more tournaments this year, in addition to the CCASA Rec. Series....

18th Annual Budlight Cinco de Mayo Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record: 3-2 (2nd place!)

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Donny Aguiar -- 11 for 17; .647 BA; 37 points.
Vern Amaro -- 5 for 15; .333 BA; 11 points.
Rich Avery -- 5 for 12; .417 BA; 16 points.
Wes Avery -- 11 for 16; .688 BA; 41 points.
Tony DeLanda -- 5 for 15; .333 BA; 22 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 7 for 16; .438 BA; 36 points.
Gene Hitt -- 9 for 16; .563 BA; 21 points.
Paul Lawrence -- 10 for 20; .500 BA; 50 points.
Mike Lujan -- 4 for 15; .267 BA; 25 points.
Randy Pilgrim -- 4 for 15; .267 BA; 26 points.
Manny Vasquez -- 5 for 16; .313 BA; 5 points.

Tournament MVP: Paul Lawrence (50 points)

Manager's Award: Wes Avery (11 for 16; 8 singles; 2 doubles; 1 triple; 11 RBIs; 2 runs; .688 BA; 41 points. Because we use offensive points only as the criteria for tournament MVP, I will continually honor our agreed-upon selection process. But if we could cast a ballot for the player who contributed the most of himself this tournament, then your balance of steady offense, humor, and great team attitude, Wes, would have received my vote. Keep up the good work in tournaments to come!)

Tournament Team Batting Average: .439 (76 for 173; we averaged 10.8 runs/game for the whole tournament, but we were averaging several runs more than that until we scored only 3 in the last one!)

2006 Season Statistics (alphabetically; all players):

Donny Aguiar -- 23 for 47; .489 BA; 72 points (3 tournaments)
Vern Amaro -- 18 for 48; .375 BA; 52 points (4 tournaments)
Rich Avery -- 9 for 19; .474 BA; 24 points (2 tournaments)
Wes Avery -- 31 for 52; .596 BA; 120 points (4 tournaments)
Tony DeLanda -- 5 for 15; .333 BA; 22 points (1 tournament)
Frank Fletcher -- 24 for 51; .471 BA; 123 points (4 tournaments)
Lee Garcia -- 11 for 31; .355 BA; 40 points (3 tournaments)
Richard Hart -- 10 for 23; .435 BA; 37 points (2 tournaments)
Gene Hitt -- 12 for 35; .343 BA; 39 points (3 tournaments)
Paul Lawrence -- 26 for 57; .456 BA; 130 points (4 tournaments)
Mike Lujan -- 18 for 45; .400 BA; 76 points (4 tournaments)
Randy Pilgrim -- 9 for 26; .346 BA; 37 points (2 tournaments)
Matt Soares -- 10 for 14; .714 BA; 32 points (1 tournament)
Devin Stafford -- 5 for 15; .333 BA; 23 points (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 8 for 26; .308 BA; 51 points (2 tournaments)
Art Tabacco -- 9 for 11; .818 BA; 44 points (1 tournament)
Manny Vasquez -- 5 for 16; .313 BA; 5 points (1 tournament)
Nelson Vieira -- 5 for 12; .417 BA; 18 points (1 tournament)

Game 1 Highlights: Won 13-7 against "Ballistic". This is always a key game, usually setting the tone for the day. Players of note were Paul Lawrence, who went 3 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 5 runs, .750 BA, 20 points; and Frank Fletcher, who went 3 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, .750 BA, 14 points.

Game 2 Highlights: Won 16-0 (run rule) against "Foul Play". This game was a bit of a snoozer, though we kept our focus sharp, which is difficult to do when the other team is a level or two below in ability. Players of note were Paul Lawrence, who went 2 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 4 runs, .500 BA, 12 points; Mike Lujan, who went 2 for 2, with 1 walk, 2 singles, 3 runs, 1.000 BA, 9 points; Wes Avery, who went 1 for 3, with 1 triple, 2 RBIs, .333 BA, 9 points; and Donny Aguiar, who went 3 for 3, with 3 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run, 1.000 BA, 7 points.

Game 3 Highlights: Lost 6-11 against "Good Fellows". Much more competitive than the previous one. Started strong enough, but let it get away near the end. Even so, we made the playoffs -- our first goal. Players of note were Wes Avery, who went 3 for 3, with 2 singles, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 1.000 BA, 10 points; Frank Fletcher, who went 1 for 3, with 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .333 BA, 8 points; and Paul Lawrence, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 double, 2 runs, .500 BA, 7 points.      

Game 4 Highlights (playoff game): Won 16-7 against "Buzzin". This game spoke volumes about our attitude for the day. Our opponent run-ruled Total Kaos in their previous game and is usually a very offensive team. But it was our turn to be offensive in this game -- our best effort, with tons of energy displayed and defense to boot. Players of note were Randy Pilgrim, who went 1 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 RBI, 5 runs, .333 BA, 15 points; Donny Aguiar, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 4 RBIs, 1 run, .750 BA, 13 points; Wes Avery, who went 4 for 4, with 4 singles, 4 RBIs, 3 bonus points [4/4], 12 points; and Vern Amaro, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 1 RBI, .750 BA, 5 points. First championship game of the year, boys -- great job!

Game 5 Highlights (championship game): Lost 3-16 against "Total Kaos". For some reason, our bats went silent during this game. Because Total Kaos started the first inning with a barrage of huge hits, our suspicions were instantly raised -- we've heard rumors is all I'll say. "Lightweight Metal" instead of "Heavy Metal" showed up again.   Only nine hits total, eight being singles -- only one extra-base hit, a double. These stats, as I've said before, just won't get it done. Possibly, we were showing a bit of our age (I turned 47 this day, my birthday!) -- the other team was filled with a few more younger players. Oh, well, I personally enjoyed the day overall, as did the rest of our team. Player of note was Tony DeLanda, who went 1 for 2, with 1 triple, 1 RBI, 1 run, .500 BA, 7 points.               

Comments: Overall, I was very pleased with Heavy Metal's performance, especially our ability to score in bunches through three of the first four games. Consistent scoring every inning will continue to be the emphasis, as always, in future tournaments, as well as developing speed in the outfield and making the plays needed in the infield. But more important than all of these is the gauge, or measuring stick, of our attitude, composure, growth, and individual patience with me, your manager. All I can say is for everyone to work diligently to keep a consistent positive attitude flowing throughout our endeavors together, as we demonstrated admirably during this tournament. What I am very sure of is that I continue to love to play softball -- or most any sport, for that matter. At my age now, it still is as strong as ever and even more important to me. And what better way to do it than playing with friends. Say, does anyone want to play some more? Looking at the nice spring day that is going on outside my study window, I'm willing to guess that all of you are shouting "yes" to yourselves as you finish reading this....