This week on the docket of teams to be "framed": Army Navy Garrison.
Now, I'm no military expert (although I did date a girl in college who was in ROTC - OK, we didn't "date", we were just "hanging out". Whatever.), but a name like "Army Navy Garrison" portrays a particular image which, in this writer's mind, scares the bajesus out of me. Thankfully, however, ANG resembled a troop more suited for a sit-com than softball. However, in order to pay our due respect to our counterparts for their years of service and admirable contributions to our nation's security, I was able to dig up a few of their graduating class photos from the Army and Naval Academy libraries :
Recognize these guys? Yep, the inaugural "Navy Garrison" squad.
Recognize this guy? The Shortstop. And the birth "Army Navy Garrison".
And the guy on the right? The 3rd base coach. And the one on the left? The third baseman. Ouch!
And now, to the game highlights:
In classic Team Nationwide style, the Frames took to the field in the top half of the first as the home team, and proceeded to spot the bad guys 7 runs right out of the gate. We just like to take a few steps back so we can make a run at it. And what about Team Nationwide's bottom half of the 1st, you ask?
"What does three up and three down mean to you, airman?"
"End of an inning?"
But, in a moment of coaching brilliance, Dr. Jeff Quinn "Medicine Woman" strategically re-positioned the outfielders to defend against the mortar attacks (a.k.a bloop hits), and that was the end of the offensive fire-power of ANG, who would only post 2 more runs before ultimately surrendering in what would be a 12-9 victory for the good guys.
And, in typical Team Nationwide style, sound pitching, stellar defensive play and timely and accurate hitting would ultimately lead the good guys to victory. A 7-run 5th inning put the good guys ahead to stay, and this weeks highlights are more than just great individual efforts - they are great individual efforts when the team needed them most and when the game was on the line. In the last 2 innings and holding the battle front with a slim 3 run lead, Team Nationwide triumphed thanks to stellar defensive gems in both the infield and outfield. In the 6th inning and ANG poised to make an offensive move, second baseman Vickie "Call me Pam Dickey" stifled an ANG rally by scooping up a ground ball, tagging the first base runner mid-stride and firing to first for a rally-killing double-play. Also in the 6th, Torri "funny how all the umpires have the same last name, "Blue"" Aprile sprung from behind the plate to pick up a slow dribbler in front of the plate and fired to first to end the ANG 6th inning. And, in the 7th inning as ANG again was poised for a miracle rally, Dr. Jeff Quinn "Medicine Woman" squashed their hopes with a diving/falling/tumbling/rumbling/bumbling catch in right center field. Whew, that was a close one.
And with that, Team Nationwide improves to 3 and 1 on the season and looks ahead to "Cougar's #2" (I know what my kids refer to #2 as, and I sure hope there is no resemblance here with Cougar's).
Should be a good one next week - good seats are still available, so bring the whole family.
Go Team Nationwide!
