Under sunny skies in the late afternoon, the weather turned to the familiar cold south easterly which pierced the soul and whipped up the Geelong soil, clouding the sunglasses. The wind – a familiar friend to the skied ball and the ambitious dropped back shoulder hitter –had returned.
One parent described this game as a discombobulated mess. He was closer than the radius of a bread crumb. Eventually it was a 17-1 victory.
James turned up sporting the ‘Dora The Explorer’ pink bag – an honour bestowed on he who makes the worst play of the previous day. James tagged up on a bunt yesterday. Sacrilege. Unfortunately there were many candidates after today’s game. Signals forgotten, shoelaces tripped over...that sort of palaver, carry-on, tomfoolery, ballyhoo, shenanigans, ruckus, high jinks, commotion and ratbaggery.
The Territories team is a concept borne out of generosity. One wonders how much it contributes to the development of the game in Canberra. Many would feel baseball bats have better purposes than hitting baseballs in those parts. Hard to recall the latest great Canberra player. Laurie Daley was handy but with a different ball. Perhaps the global warming caused by Canberra’s famous faces has gone to their heads.
Today ACT unfortunately played like parliament and drove the ball like half cut chauffers. Simply put some of their brave boys would struggle to hit water if they fell out of a boat. Certainly they could not hit the side of a barn with a shovel full of wheat. They also couldn’t catch a lazy cow with a black stick. Hands like a digital watch. More thought is required in their programme, which provides some New South Welshmen a priceless opportunity, but which also can humiliate and clearly not remediate over the years.
Our pitchers today were Sam Gulieri who is growing in confidence and status. With parents absent, he has been strong and determined. Self effacing and gracious, but needing reassurance. Then Dean Frew had a hurl in his familiar no nonsense style and following him Ben Tsui (pronounced ‘Choi’) also made the pitching grade in an impressive fashion at short notice. Ben’s surname has caused more interest than Milli Villi’s singing coach, with ground announcers and parents unable to explain its pronunciation. It is unfathomable and defies all assumptions. Somewhat like Ben himself, who has dazzled with the bat and in the field at times so far.
Our pitchers today were Sam Gulieri who is growing in confidence and status. With parents absent, he has been strong and determined. Self effacing and gracious, but needing reassurance. Then Dean Frew had a hurl in his familiar no nonsense style and following him Ben Tsui (pronounced ‘Choi’) also made the pitching grade in an impressive fashion at short notice. Ben’s surname has caused more interest than Milli Villi’s singing coach, with ground announcers and parents unable to explain its pronunciation. It is unfathomable and defies all assumptions. Somewhat like Ben himself, who has dazzled with the bat and in the field at times so far.
Adam Barbaro continued his great hitting form and has made his mark, post injury.
Who said pitchers can’t bat? Issac Gorman, Issac Stevens and Isaac Whatson – an Isaacathon – all contributed well. All further enhanced their reputations as hitters, but unfortunately Brad Simon, Blake Morris and Aaron Wilkins, our other leather flingers, struggled. However, even the owner of the greatest batting average of all time – Christian Eckberg (one hit from one at bat) – had his average halved with a windy woof on the outside of the plate.
James was spelled from today’s game. He had equipment to manage for the team and a pink bag to coordinate.
Ultimately, over a few Coronas (and lime), the coaches will ponder this game for one second and move on. Greater contests await. Averages pumped up by today’s outing are like a fat spider. Self satisfying, content, but ultimately deflating. Drinking from the well of success will demand more of everyone. Coal seam gas exploration can undermine the best of wells.
No comments:
Post a Comment