You are welcome.

It was a hard fought, defensive struggle. There were some strong kicks, but even stronger plays in the field. Rolling was on display like you wouldn't believe, and the Championship game was decided by the only goal either team scored. Oh wait, wrong blog...

The sun was angry that day my friends. With our fates and destiny in our own hands, we failed to lock up the #1 seed for the playoffs (Nick?). Sigh. Not much good came from Tuesday night, July 6th, 2010. There was abuse on so many levels - PBR Pounders, the bodies of all the players and fans that played in the heat, the rule book. Now it is up to the Zoo to beat the Taproom on the last day of the season and for us to split the season series with Art Museum to have the #1 seed back! Not good, not good at all.

The Good

Phyllis and Laniece showed up to root on the Force. That's good! The Art Museum director came to the game, and left early because of a 5-1 Force beat down early on in the game. That's good! We showed the capability to score runs and get up on the Art Museum big, like in the neighborhood of 11-4. That's good! The bad to follow...

We can take away from the fact that we humbled ourselves prior to the playoffs (Nick?). We also learned the taste of defeat and, my friends, it doesn't taste very good. Remember it. Don't ever forget it. And then, when we've won our 5th straight, we can look back at it and giggle. Yes, we will be drinking then too. So, do you know what we did friends? We put the Arties in the playoffs (Nick) which means that if they beat us again (unlikely) we have to play them in the 1st round for 3 straight weeks. I'm not exactly sure they want that. A highly motivated Forcs team that will not be an easy 1st round draw. And if we win next Tuesday (likely) we either will play them or the Touch. The Management will be chomping at the bit for either team.

The Bad

Where to begin? So much was bad about this game. Our defense was very bad, specifically from the middle of the field (excluding Alice and Courtney and including Tim who showed evidence of Tim Marino circa 2040 in right field). We played uncharacteristically bad, I mean real bad defense pretty much all game long! Not the Force that we have been for the past 4 years (hear that Willmarth, 4 years!) The 3 and 4 hitters, whom had a combined 5 errors went 4 for 8 at the plate - AWFUL! I blame the schools! We can't say anymore. So angry...so very angry!

The Franklin Mystique (Formerly The Ugly)

Wiggs is the sole proprietor of this category this week! What an outstanding running catch he made into foul territory in the 6th inning, only to celebrate his achievement like he just landed a part in The Little Rascals Go to Broadway (sorry Mickey) and allow the base runner to advance from 1st to 2nd. That's mystique! And oh yeah, three horrific calls that went in favor of the Griffons! Terrible! So angry...so very angry!

Drunk Words of Encouragement:

We can't take very much from this hiccup game. What we can hiccup do is move on as quickly as possible hiccup and not make the same mistakes hiccup in the coming weeks as we did this week. We need to re-Focus and hiccup play softball the way that we play softball! We play hiccup like a champion for the rest of hiccup season! Drunk! hiccup

Lumber Liquidator Studs of the Week

Tucker

Chris Marino

Renardo

Vellia
Bill Martin

The Cialis Boners of the Week

The Management - 2 errors, double play

2010 Nick Ventrola Memorial Award winner - for pooping the bed and then rolling around in it

Derm - for getting doubled off 1st with nobody out late in the game (and on his birthday)

Paul Watch
Members of the Art Mueum tried to get a "Steroid" chant started during the 6th inning, because they thought they had seen a sleeved, taller version of The Paul behind 2nd base after blown call #3, but it was just the 2010 Nick Ventrola Memorial Award winner, who was flattered that he was honored and horrified all at once! Having realized their mistake, the members of the Art Museum felt a little silly and laughed at the puny outfielder for the remainder of the game.

In baseball news, rumor has it that the Mariners canceled the trade with the Phils which would have sent Raul Ibanez back to the Northwest with a player to be named later in exchange for Chone Figgins because the Phillies refused to name The Paul as the player to be named later. Jayson Stark reported that the Phillies refused to name the Paul as the player to be named later because they couldn't find him. Benson is still optimistic a deal can get done (thought he'd make an entire week without being mentioned?).

Quotes

"Oh sure, everyone can bat so I can pass out from heat exhaustion before the game starts."

Our Salty Vegetable BP pitcher

"A 5 to 3 game! What are you doing? What are you doing? SECOND BASE! SECOND BASE!"

The Management to the 2010 Nick Ventrola Memorial Award winner as he threw his glove at him

"I think Dairy 2 is just as good a place as any to makeout."

CCSL Social Chair to CCSL Asst. Social Chair

"I think Dairy 2 is just as good a place as any for you two to makeout."

Eduardo Wagner

"It was so much easier calling you out then it was Ryan."

Birthday Derm to an increasingly drunker 2010 Nick Ventrola Memorial Award winner

"Hey Willmarth, I can't hear you with my four championship rings in my ears!"

The Management to Willmarth

"I think the Cherry Street tavern is just as good a place as any to makeout."

CCSL Social Chair to CCSL Asst. Social Chair

"I think Cherry Street tavern is just as good a place as any for you two to makeout."

Eduardo Wagner

"Look how angry he is. Doesn't he know that we're winning?"
"It's now 5-4 dick."
Management to Nadam or Adick, whichever

"It's 105 degrees! I'm not going to the Franklin Art game!"
Fordo

"Thanks for telling me to use an adult bat."
Ed