“This Is My Girlfriend This Season”

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For the first time since 2014, the SweatSox have opened the season 2-0.  While most teams would be pretty happy going undefeated through week 1, we of course know better after going 5-17 down the stretch last year (5-22 if you count tournaments).

We knew getting off to a quick start this season would only be possible if we practiced whenever and wherever we could.  The first Alliance practice was a good step forward, but we took two steps back when our 2.5-hour Southgate practice was cancelled due to the rain a few days later.

The SweatSox pitchers needed to get some reps, so the next day they went to Pinecrest Park looking to use any of the 6 baseball diamonds to practice.  Only 1 field was available though: the T-ball diamond, which meant we were literally “starting from the bottom”.  If that was the bottom, we somehow found a way to get even lower because the T-ball dude showed up and kicked us off.  According to the internal SweatSox communication system, the guys took the drive of shame and went deep into East Nepean territory to throw.

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It was good that the pitchers were able to throw, but what about the offense & defense?  We had the 2nd Alliance practice later in the week, but we knew that wouldn’t be enough to practice everything we needed to practice (basically everything).  Thankfully, Commissioner Beelen was able to find us a slot at the rarely used Britannia, a field in 10x better shape than McCarthy.  That practice happened on Wednesday, May 6th, 2015, a day I’ll never forget because that was the day I became NCBL Secretary!

Final Britannia Practice Notes/Thoughts:

  • Army left practice early so he could finish working on his garden.
  • Andrew Elias made his first appearance of the calendar year, meaning the SweatSox finally got all their random non-baseball related medical questions answered.
  • The green Limited Edition Red Bull is far superior to the original flavor.

“IS HE GOING TO WRITE THAT WE PRACTICED ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD?”

The 2nd Alliance practice took place at Trillium; a field the Panthers took one look at and decided the Gloucester High School football field was a better option for them.  We were able to work on our defense, our hitting, but more importantly our barbequing.  We needed a bit more work on our melted popsicle handling though.

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The Tier 4 Lynx showed up in the later Trillium slot to practice under the lights, and were clearly worried some punk kids were going to turn the lights off on them.  Thankfully, the Panthers volunteered to guard the light switch, making sure the Lynx could get their full practice in.  The PMA Panthers: Guardians of the NCBL.

The Après Practice Hyjinx will forever be remembered as the time MinderStone (a server) tried convincing us that the tip on a $16 bill should be more than the tip on a $19 bill. I’m no mathematician, or am I, but that just didn’t sound right.

Final Trillium Practice Notes/Thoughts:

  • The second hot dog from the left fell on the ground.
  • We’re going to sign John Mendonca back to the SweatSox as our BP pitcher.  We’ll pay whatever he wants.
  • Did anybody know it was Mindy’s Birthday?

“IT WAS THE FIRST ONE I BLOCKED ALL DAY”

The SweatSox and Cornwall River Rats were scheduled for a 3:30pm Mother’s Day start, but that got pushed back nearly an hour when Marc Sports/Braves played what we thought would be the longest inning in NCBL history (the Sharks/Black Sox probably broke that a few days ago).  The big question heading into the SweatSox-River Rats game was who was actually dressing for Cornwall.  As you may recall, the basis for the Cornwall pitch to staying in Tier 2 was that they were losing a bunch of players.  Naturally, we expected everyone who they said weren’t playing, to play.  Cornwall aren’t liars though, they really did field a team full of Flannigans:

For the 8th time in his career, Cory Bond took the mound for the SweatSox on opening day.  GLE put in 4 innings of work before exiting the game with a 4-0 lead, prompting pitching coach Josh Ramage to question The Authority’s motives.  I mean why leave a game with a multiple-run lead after 4 innings unless you’re afraid of giving up a few runs and maybe setting yourself up for a loss.  Ramage would never pull a stunt like that.

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The SweatSox put 5 more runs on the board for relief pitcher John Groves, capped by a 2-run double from Mark Bond with 1 out in the 6th.  It was then that the NCBL Commissioner, in attendance to watch his Treasurer and Secretary in action, decree the game over, citing the rarely used “expired permit” excuse.

The winner of the 2004 A&W Kamloops International Baseball Game MVP Award was Cory Bond.  Our GLE threw 4 innings (0R, 2BB, 4H, 5K) and somehow found the time to create a lineup where Army batted 6th!

Honourable mentions go out to:

  • Eric White, who had 2 hits and played a mean 2nd base.
  • Marc Lett, who reached base 3 times (BB, HBP, 2B).
  • #iShaunKeay and Mark Bond, each with 2RBI.
  • Cornwall Catcher/SweatSox supporter Chris Poirier, who blocked a pitch in the dirt with his face, then threw Ross Hughes out at 2nd.

The Après Baseball Hyjinx was mostly spent discussing the difference between a precedent and a President.  Luckily, our “Nut With A Phone” John Groves was able to provide some insight:

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Broment of the Day: Cory Bond and The Dorion Head were reunited for the first time since #14 was named our 2014 MVP.  I’m told there were a lot of tears, but nobody lost their hair, nose, or hat this time.

Final SweatSox vs Cornwall Notes/Thoughts:

  • Ross Hughes subconsciously wanted to go to ComicCon instead of our game.
  • Mark Bond needs bunt signs.
  • Mark Stinson isn’t afraid to get dirty in the outfield.
  • The SweatSox are 3-0 in games vs Cornwall that Cory Bond starts.
  • The SweatSox improve to 4-0 vs Cornwall at Kinsmen.

“WHEN I SAY HEADS UP, YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO LOOK UP”

Having been in the NCBL since 1981, it’s rare the SweatSox face somebody we’ve never faced before.  This past Tuesday, we added a new team to the list as the SweatSox and Orioles faced off for the first time in NCBL history.  Established in 2012, the Orioles have already been both Tier 3 finalists and Tier 3 champions, winning a pennant along the way.

Josh Ramage got the start for the SweatSox, pitching against the reigning Tier 3 champs while looking for his first win in nearly 2 years (July 22, 2013 vs Winchester in Ottawa, naturally).  Like GLE on opening day, Ramage pitched 4 innings of no-run ball, leaving the game with a 2-0 lead thanks to a 2RBI single from I, Shaun Keay.

The SweatSox extended the lead in the 6th, scoring 3 more runs after two-out RBI’s from Eric White & Cory Bond.  The 5 Sox runs was more than enough for The Janitor, who closed it out with a 3 inning save, retiring the final 7 batters he faced.  SweatSox win 5-1, start the season 2-0, and are exactly where the last place 2014 SweatSox were at this point last year.

The winners of the 2004 A&W Kamloops International Baseball Game MVP Award were: Josh Ramage (4IP, 0R, W), Eric White (3IP, 5K, S), #iShaunKeay (H, 2RBI), and Armando Navarro (Hyjinx McDonalds run).

Honourable mention to: Cory Bond, who went 2/4 and played a flawless inning of second base when Craig Cornell took his sweet ass time getting to, and in the game.

Broment of the Day: Armando Navarro and Josh Ramage hug it out in the dugout after a disagreement on a LF-to-1B throw.  Not sure why Josh was so mad though, he’s been a part of a much worse 7-3 play.

Final SweatSox vs Orioles Notes/Thoughts:

  • We still don’t know if Eric White plays better in a jersey or v-neck.
  • Cleanup hitter Marc Lett has 2 HBP’s through 2 games.
  • Andrew Elias paid his league fees, but still hasn’t played a game yet. Be safe these next few days.
  • SweatSox Authority Cory Bond is now 4 wins away from tying Doug Dorion and Craig Cornell on the all-time manager wins list.
  • There is some traffic on the Hunt Club bridge during rush hour.

Before I sign off, it’s time to take a look at the updated SweatLympic standings, taking into account the Tip-Off, Sword-Off, McDonalds-Off, and the usual weekly chairman deductions:

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Next up for the SweatSox is a matchup with the Cardinals next Wednesday at Southgate.  The SweatSox last faced the Cardinals in the Kingston tournament last year; it didn’t go very well.  Hopefully Craig Cornell doesn’t have to pitch this time.

Boxscore from Game 1 vs Cornwall River Rats
Boxscore from Game 2 vs Orioles

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