What in the ever-loving sweet crap?: Tap Room Recap(s)

Well, it's over. And we never ever have to see the Tap Room again! Well, at least until the playoffs possibly....or next year. And the year after. Anyway, our 1.143 games last night did not disappoint fans, spectators, PBR suppliers, or boxing promoters as it was not lacking in great hitting, great defense, shady lineups (allegedly) animosity, disputed calls, slammed bats, close plays, and a lot of undercooked meat consumption. So there, on Edgely 4, the Force split with the Tap Room, losing the suspended game 20-11 (but winning the suspended inning 4-2!), and winning a nail biter 9-8 in the waning daylight. First the one inning game: We gave up 2 but it could have been 6. Leadoff hitter Jeremy was inexplicably waved home on a long triple only to be thrown out at the plate. There's one they gave us. A few hits and an error later they had 2 runs and were threatening for more but failed to get a 2-out hit with RISP. The Force scored 4, 3 on an Adam Siebert missile into the left-center field gap. The shortstop scored the 4th run on an RBI 'seed' by Ed Wagner to 3rd base....well to 15 feet in front of 3rd base. Then we were done and the game lost. No miraculous comeback but a lot of momentum to build on.
2nd game! Wow, what an intense game. Didn't start out that way though. Force scored 4 in the first but gave up 3 unearned on a Brain Willmarth 4-base error . 4-3 after 1. Jumped up to 7-3 Force on another Siebert homerun. After 6, it was 8-5. We scored 1, they scored 2, setting the stage for a 9-7 bottom of the 7th. Tension was high. Screaming was constant. Anger, sweat, and the Blue Ribbons were pouring. Pickle was cooking and not paying attention to the game. Playoff atmosphere for the 2 teams that have met in the finals in 3 of the past 4 years. Leadoff hitter Al, pops up to left. Huge out. Next batter singles to left. Jeremy singles to right. Next batter doubles to left, one run scores, runners on 2nd and 3rd, 9-8. Benson steps into the plate needing only a fly ball to the outfield to tie the game and give the Tap a chance for a 2 out win. Base hit wins the game. Benson swings and grounds to short who throws him out by half a step. Runner on 3rd does not score for some reason. 9-8, 2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Next batter pops to short. GAME OVER FORCE WINS 9-8.

The Good
Well we won. Didn't really need that win, neither team really did to make the playoffs, but that second game may likely decide 1st place seeding and homefield advantage in the finals should both teams advance. Defense was really good overall. Renardo played a great leftfield and newcomer Alice Kellepourey was sterling at the plate and at 2nd base. Ed played a nice right field and Memorial Nick was all over the place with the glove, arm, and relatively cuteness (more on that to come). Bill got his first inning in 3 years and made a spectacular (no embellishment here) catch on a soft liner. He also flew out to left and smoked 4 cigarettes. 2 were lit. Pickle was Johnny on the Spot with the spatula cooking everything in sight including half of the Tap Room's food. Sorry Benson. We had spectators in Fordo Baggins, Mark "They Won't Let Me Slide, Mom" Nevins, and Phyllis Demo. Naked photos of Demo were requested to The Management, but an ongoing litigation has put a cease and desist on such requests. Thank you Mexico.

The Bad
We hit like crap after the 4th inning. Have to say it. Edgely 4 is a bad field and we popped the ball up too much. The Tap Room also did some interesting things in the outfield which we should have taken better advantage of. The Management also got unnecessarily upset about onfield antics that we should have anticipated. The Management does not want to act like that but gets in the moment just like everyone else. The Management promises to be a much nicer Management at least for tonight. Sometimes playoff atmospheres give The Management ulcers. Some baserunning 'aggressive' attempts were ill-advised but The Management does not want to restrain aggressive play so will not comment further. We also started cooking too early and lost the spirit of cooking 'with' the other team. The Management has learned these things. We also deserved to lose that game because of our untimely hitting. We need to get better on these things.

The Franklin Mystique (Formerly The Bad)
A win's a win. Comments made by The Tap Room after the game praised The Management's use of Alice Kellepourey at 2nd base. Apparently, The Tap Room does not like hitting to female 2nd basemen. Good to know. Adam Siebert doesn't have a problem with it. Neither does Ed Wagner, although his roll to her. Other Mystiques, Tap Room Outfielder John Benson tried to bribe the team by giving us a package of weiners (he he, weiners), sausages, and hamburgers before the game. Sorry, Johnny, we don't get bribed by such things. The Franklin Institute can only be bribed by beer, hot roast beef sandwiches, and beer.

Lumber Liquidator's Studs of the Week
Adam Siebert, 3 hrs on the day
Pickle, can smoke a sausage like you read about
Bill, cause, well, he's Bill

Paul Watch
Residents at a local park noticed two large floating arms circling a small neckless animal. Police were summoned and discovered that it was a small boy with two large plastic wiffle bats that resembled forearms. The child may or may not have been special, reports vary.

Quotes of the Week
"You're young and relatively cute."
Pam to Nick

"You're old and relatively Nick."
Pam to Ed

"Who wants to eat my sausage?"
Pickle, somewhat inappropriately

"If you gave me your knee, I'd be up to one knee."
Alvin

"Why is that shortstop throwing a hissy fit?"
throw a rock

"Which way to the Shire?"
Fordo Baggins

"How many of these guys would I do? "
Demo

"It's like he lost hair on his beard AND his head."
Buddy's Dad