Our opening innings of every game bar one has been awkward. Today we gave up three runs in still conditions on the same diamond as our epic encounter yesterday. Batting second in the line up as designated hitter, James showed great judgement and control in his first two at bats. Walks both, but valuable moments to set up our attack. Runners on base score runs. Funny about that.
Hits soon followed to Percival, Whatson, Bohan and Frew. Crisp. Their pitching attack was solid but injury affected. Lovely injured boys all no doubt, but fitness and luck are good companions. Our sympathies would be extended post game. The roar from the crowd and respective benches were soon deafening. An early 0-3 deficit was bridged.
It must be said that the umpires were terrible today. Every ridiculous, obscure rule was looked for by umpires who seemed to be too self absorbed - not absorbed in fair dealings or flow of the game. James was called out after Ben Hunt as batter, allegedly interfered with their catcher as James stole safely to second base. Other ridiculous delays occurred. Coaches came out and umpire conferences were as common as paspalm. We had handled the ball, hit the ball twice, obstructing the field and were only waiting for a 'timed out' call for the set. When umpires lose the plot, history tells us that crowds follow. Remarks, booing, hissing. Nothing an umpire has not heard. Happily - and perhaps surprisingly - your correspondent sat well away in the shade of a nearby casurina, gnarled and starved of water. Appropriate.
The crowds showed little early love for each other. Like marital spouses when a playing shirt mysteriously vanishes. Banter and rule book advice was exchanged. No shirts or embraces.
Victoria Blue walked in batters and runners alike as if it were a deb ball. We didn't mind taking the ugly sister to that same deb ball. At 5-3 up, Ryan Hore had done a fabulous job pitching. No nerves and no fear. He eased into it and began to dominate. More importantly, he saved the arms of other pitchers on our campaign for glory. This was significant for our fortunes. Ryan looks like has two left feet, but dances while pitching like Hugh Jackman on steroids. The mums wished he was. The crowd's affection was no less for him. Every pitch was cheered with volume and sincerity.
Then James, who was charged with the responsibility to inspire his team today, showed some strong leadership in how to hit properly. The lessons of yesterday had burnt bright. He was designated hitter (a spot where one is typically invited to hit) and not on the field. Insurance as a possible pitcher....Yet again, but a team player first.
He waited patiently - not a strong family quality - he separated the wheat from the chaff - and then rocketed one into the still sun-filled blue sky. The white ball travelled like a white skywriter and it almost killed a bloke walking his dog. Not James' devoted grandfather. Thankfully pops had an arm like one of those air filled plastic wavy men one finds in car yards and his efforts to return the ball failed. I snapped it up, with a clean grab (!). One little memento to ruminate upon later.
Then suddenly the wind that had hitherto deserted us, sprung up a little. It lurched and fell, rose and swirled broken, burnt grass filaments. An Egyptian mummy from the tomb of the Weather Channel. Percival continued to hit the ball like he was playing whiffle ball. He was hitting basketballs and the field were chasing golf balls. A fit Ben Tsui returned and hit freely too. That boy has spirit. Isaac Whatson's second hit kept his dad roaring and his mum smiling. He has done extremely well and has a glove safer than Peter Overton.
Dean Frew has also had a steady tournament, but fractionally disappointing by his lofty standards. His three genuine punching hits today reminded everyone of his tremendous talent.
Quite unbelievably, James (moments after this picture above was taken) then hit a second monster home run over centre field. Quite awesome this second one! It cracked off the bat like a whip (...a whip...). And this time he took it out near the high electrical tower. A monument to the greenies of Gee - long. No huge winds today. In fact he hit into the wind a little if anything. The ominous buzz overhead from the high voltage was the only tribute. The NSW crowd loved it however. The distance from bat to bounce is in the 340-350 feet mark. This home run ball was secured from a reluctant Vic Blue centre fielder who got a little precious. We ironed that out quick smart.
In the end, the gentle breeze and sunny 23 - 28 degrees was a fitting backdrop to the game. Ryan - 'The Rhino' - Hore was the star. He had set his sniper radar and had blown them away. He won't play again, but his job was done in securing us a Grand Final birth. Remarkable from number 10.
James too was proud - and as well he might. He stepped up today under pressure and underlined our authority as a team. His last at-bat was a strike out. Just a gentle reminder to stay grounded and focused. Tomorrow's Grand Final awaits. An 11-3 win - no tie breaker today. His two home runs were powerful and dominant. To the Grand Final we head. Check: http://www.nyc.baseball.com.au/?page=91076&format=
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