2016 Kickoff
There are rumors that tradition is hard to break. Some would go as far as sad. For supporting information, see the 2010 Soliloquy. Whilst the SFRC typically kick off the season on Wednesday nights at the end of April, we had two changes. First, the SFRC are taking their talents to Thursday nights in 2016. There are a number of reasons for the change, not the least of which is the fact that there is no more Wednesday night league. It’s a bit of a milestone. The SFRC have outlasted Burnsville’s Wednesday night leagues. Secondly, Mother Nature wasn’t having any of us starting at the end of April.
The season was officially to begin THURSDAY, April 28th, Mother Nature threw a 36 degree rainstorm that will delay those games for a better night. As a side note, I know 35 was disappointed to wait for another week to get started, he woke up on April 29th with a smile knowing there were 24 more games to play and not 22. That, my fellow leaders, is a more glass of milk “half full.” I know Kenny was also excited (and happy too) that the games were cancelled as he would have had to miss the double dip whilst sitting in the Phoenix airport.
Cinco de Mayo was a completely different day. It was 70 degrees and sunny. Mrs. H, if you will. We had a number of SFRC “firsts,” which is frankly becoming more and more difficult considering the 25+ year body of work. We had our first Thursday night summer games (we have played on Thursdays in the fall). A new night? New teams? That can only mean one thing. It is all new material. “10 feet, right Red?” “We’re ready Red.” “Matty, no one.” We had our first female umpire. We had new bats (and familiar old ones). We had our first games at Alimagnet in at least three years. We had our first “fan of the night.” We had our first ice cold Coors Lights of 2016. And, of course, we had our first “quote worthy quotes” of 2016. All is well in the land of the Skyline Fighting Red C’s.
Game 1: SFRC vs. Turd Burglers
The SFRC started the game at the dish. It was as if they had been playing since January. Chris 20 = Hit, Pete = Hit, 35 = Hit, Kenny = Hit, CHill = Hit, Brain = Hit, Pauly = Nice SAC (RBI too), Lars = on base, Potter = Hit, Sans = RBI and we were back to the top of the order. In total, six runs were scored in the inning and everyone in the SFRC lineup accounted for a hit, reached base or had an RBI. Boom. 2016 was off to a solid start. The defense bent, but didn’t break, giving up two runs. We pushed two in the second inning and gave up another two in the bottom of the second. In the third inning the SFRC exploded for seven runs and allowed two in the bottom of the inning. The only memorable error was when 35 dropped a bullet from Kenny in CF with a runner approaching third. Turd Burglers get early credit for being a fun team to play against.
FINAL SCORE = SFRC 16 – Turd Burglers 9
Game 2: SFRC vs. Below Zero
Below Zero is quite a bit younger than the SFRC. They also have solid uniforms quite a bit more facial hair. Not a little scruff, but full on ZZ-Top beards a-plenty. The collective opinion from the East Side dugout of Alimagnet B was that Below Zero was going to beat of the SFRC and their many years of experience. With the SFRC starting the game in the field, the top of the first inning only reinforced that belief. Hit, error, hit, hit, hit and so on. When the Skyline Fighting Red C’s finally approached the plate, they were down 0-5. I don’t know much, but I do know that the Skyline Fighting Red C’s won’t quit. We rallied for two runs, held Below Zero to zero runs, pushed three, allowed three, pushed one, allowed one….It was back and forth. In the bottom of the 5th inning (second to last inning due to time), the SFRC took a one run lead. Hold Below Zero and we win. A runner gets on and the gimp (he hurt his leg earlier in the game) launched a 900 foot homerun to take a one run lead. There was no panic as we put the gloves away and headed to the plate. Potter, Al, Chris 20, Pete, 35, Kenny….Sounds like runs. Potter hit a shot to right and got on base. Al singled Potter in to tie the game. 35 pushed Al to third and Kenny roped a line drive single up the middle to score the winning run. Ball game.
FINAL SCORE = SFRC 16 – Below Zero 15
There was lots to love on Cinco de Mayo. You can’t go undefeated if you don’t win the first two games. The weather was perfect. The beer was cold. CHill was a perfect 7-7, Kenny launched a HR and had a game-winning RBI, 35 pushed a couple of HRs, Brain had 5 RBI, C20 and Lars lined the ball all over the field, Al kept the batters at bay, Pete tracked balls in LC and delivered some solid ABs, Potter pushed balls around the field (and had solid hits), Pauly drove in 3 runs, and Krull enjoyed his Anniversary with Mickey. Just a solid team performance. TWICE.
It’s good to be back. It is definitely good to be back. Thursday nights feel like they will work well.
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