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| Who Left The Red Sock In With The White Ones?! |
Pink socks? Pink Headbands?
Before I could jump to conclusions and think these Lancers went soft on me by making their uniform look "girly", I was informed it was Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Tom Wilson Field. This was fitting as the biggest boob in the ballpark was standing directly behind home plate. No pink to be had just a blue uniform that would soon make him the target of an absolute inexcusable controversy. The umpires would impact the game to a point that would make any athlete lose their mind. How these ladies didn't is beyond me.
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| Home Field Advantage? |
In the top of the first, Waterloo's bats were met with stiff defence as Schincariol settled in. After a pop out and a single, Schincariol unleashed a wild pitch that moved the runner to second. A groundout moved her to third but that is as far as she would go as Schincariol induced a groundball for the final out. Just like that and Lancers are off to another start defensively.
In the bottom half of the first, the Lancers wasted no time in getting the bats going. Erica Ruccolo looked to keep her bat hot as she just missed a fastball on the outside corner and popped out for the first out. Steph Manson came to bat knowing that easy outs for the Warriors was not acceptable. After going down 0-2 in the count, she fouled off three pitches and made the pitcher miss three times to drive the count full. On a pitch just a bit inside, she became jammed and grounded out to second for the second out. As Sarah Meeke came to the plate the clouds started to open and rain began to fall, but the rain couldn't cool off Meeke. Meeke, being a very patient hitter, waits until the Warriors pitcher leaves a fastball hung like an ornament on a christmas tree and then proceeds to smash it deep to right centre. The wheels on Meeke were going hard but the brakes almost went as she nearly overruns the third base bag. With Schincariol due up next Meeke looked quite comfortable at third and sure enough, Captain Clutch comes through and helps her own cause by slapping a ball to right to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead. A single by Sam Sidoli and a groundout by Ryanne Driscoll ended the inning.
In the top half of the second Schincariol was dealing better than a casino dealer on speed. She strikes out the first batter with a fastball on the black. (the corner of the strike zone for my friends who are not up on their baseball terms) The next batter muscles a weak ground ball to reach first but it was what followed that makes every parents worst fear almost come true. Playing a sport with any sort of contact comes a risk that athletes routinely accept. Ball players accept the fact that they can be hit with multiple objects including but not limited to balls, bats, cleats, other athletes and even the odd umpire. So when Schincariol nearly had her screaming fastball come back at her and glance of her glove protecting her beautiful face, my stomach along with not only her parents but everyone in the ballpark, dropped as if I was on Top Thrill Dragster. I was almost sick to my stomach, my knees felt like Sugar Ray Leonard after taking a Roberto Duran body shot in the first fight. Schincariol immediately signalled she was okay but a chat after the game revealed to me she was shaken for the remainder of the inning. She sure as hell didn't show it as she settled down to induce a ground ball for the second out and struck out the third batter to end the inning. A fist pump confirmed Kelsey was ok and the Lancers were motoring along nicely. Just in case you don't believe me about the umpire, check out this collision.
After both the Lancers and Warriors couldn't get anything going in their respective at bats, the bottom of the third saw the Lancers put ducks on the pond but fail to cash in. This has been a recurring theme for the Lancers which needs to be fixed before the Lancers hit the road this upcoming weekend. A fielders choice saw Schincariol score and extend the Lancers lead to 2-0 but that was it.
The Warriors saw an opening and pounced in the top of the fourth. An infield single and bloop single put two on for the Warriors and after a weak ground ball to hold the runners, a single scores one while the second runner holds at third. The next batter is caught in a pickle between first and second but this distraction causes the runner on third to sneak home for the game tying run. Schincariol tries to settle down but a passed ball advances the runners and an error from the infield makes it 3-2 Warriors. A ground ball ends the inning but the damage was done. At this point I do not blame Schincariol for the passed ball as playing in what many would describe as Hurricane Katrina, was not easy. The ball slips and it happens. Big f**king deal as Robert De Niro would say!
The bottom of the fourth saw the Lancers go quietly as they couldn't manage to break wind let alone the zeros the Waterloo pitcher was putting up on the scoreboard since giving up two runs. The top of the fifth saw the Warriors add to their lead. After a fly out to Ruccolo in left, the Warriors get a speedy runner on first who quickly steals second to put herself in scoring position. The next batter strikes out looking on a change up, but the hitting with two outs is what separates the ladies from the girls. A double to left scores a run but the next batter tests the arm of left fielder Erica Ruccolo. A single to left has the runner on second thinking third base but Ruccolo cuts it off and launches an absolute rope from the outfield to get the runner at third. That was the final out and the contest had the makings to be a classic.
Now, as the Lancers once again did absolutely nothing in the bottom half, the top of the sixth saw the rain beginning to fall heavily and the umpires about to get themselves into water so deep that they would feel as if they were floating on a dingy. As Schincariol continues her masterful performance on the mound, the leadoff hitter lines a shot to left that is snagged by Ruccolo for the first out. The following batter sneaks a single through the infield and then proceeds to swipe second base like a girl on a shopping spree would her credit card. Now let me set the scene. One out, a runner on second in a 4-2 ballgame, as Schincariol sets up to deliver a full count pitch. She confirms before the pitch it is a 3-2 count. The next pitch is swung and missed on. The runner is strangely instructed not to go back to the dugout but instead go to first. The opposing manager tells the ump four balls were already thrown. Without even questioning the manager, the umpire awards the runner first base. This infuriates the Lancer bench boss. How in the f**k can you call a walk when strike three was already called, after you gave the pitcher the count? How do you have the balls to even make that call without even conversing with the other umpire? Another game I cover and another game the umpires put the screws to the Lancers, is all I can think in my head. As the runner stands on first he explains to the Lancers that he was "pretty sure" there was four balls. Then why on gods green earth are you confirming it was a 3-2 count to Schincariol. After the umpire tries to blow the issue aside and with the runner standing on first, Schincariol gets a pop out for the second out and a little help from her gritty outfield Ruccolo for the third out. As a ball is lifted to the gap in left centre, Ruccolo tracks it like a GPS would my cellphone and makes a sliding catch on a nice and slippery field to rob her numerical counterpart of extra bases. The catch was a message to the umpire from the entire Lancer team, Va Fa Napoli! This Lancer team was not rolling over.
In the bottom of the sixth and the Warriors up 4-2, it was now or never for the Lancers offence to get going. The bats would come to life. A single by Nadia Green and a well executed bunt by Steph Bouchey, which reminded be of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League, advances the runner. Just a beauty overall. Old school baseball to say the least. A passed ball by Waterloo allows Green to scoot over to third with one out. After a pop out by Manson, Meeke makes her presence felt again as she moves up the first base line to beat out a infield single and close the gap to 4-3. A strikeout ends the inning but the Lancers can smell a comeback.
The top of the seventh saw the defence come up big and help get the bats back to the plate quickly. Schincariol gives up a couple singles which leads to a run but with the score at 5-3, the Lancers looked excited to get to bat.
Leading off the bottom of the seventh Heather Metcalfe draws a walk and is followed immediately by a Krissy Johnstone single. A pinch runner was inserted for Johnstone as Ruccolo took to the plate. A very suspecting called third strike was issued by the umpire, almost to say he wants to get out of the rain as soon as possible. Ruccolo is not happy but what follows cannot help but bring a smile to her face. Manson decides that she has had enough of this pitcher and takes her deep to left field. The triple scores both Metcalfe and the pinch runner to tie the ball game. Extra innings would follow but not after Sarah Meeke's bat gave in and split into two. The first time I have ever seen that. I do not blame it for caving as the way Meeke was hitting the ball, that bat was being beat like it owed someone money.
Waterloo wastes no time and trying to bounce back as they score the runner on second courtesy of the international tiebreaker rule. After a double to put another runner on second, another double puts runners at second and third. Controversy would strike again. A single to left has the runner going from third but Ruccolo once again has her arm tested. The throw is on the mark for Schincariol who is covering home plate. The runner slides directly into the tag and into Schincariol's leg. The umpire signals safe immediately. Schincariol, who already was walking back to the mound thinking she recorded the out, turns around with a look on her face that had the caption "don't piss on my shoes and tell me it's raining", written all over it. The umpire then has the audacity to say to those in attendance that the play "wasn't even close". Are you kidding me?! It is a bang, bang play at home and you are telling me it was not close?! Look at Kelsey's sock! It still had the markings from the spike on it! Give me a break.
After this call the Lancers were never the same as they drop a heartbreaker 10-6 in extra innings.
The issue extends beyond the play between the two teams, the issue is the umpires. How can every ladies fast pitch game I watch continuously have the worst umpires imaginable. The men's baseball league have umpires that are competent and do things by the book. It seems as though once they pass their prime they are sent to the ladies league where bad eyes and asinine rule making is acceptable. Making the rules up as you go shows no professionalism. I am by no means the best writer in the world but I dress the part and act accordingly. I follow the rules and make sure not to piss off the big wigs. What the umpires do to women's fast pitch, in general, is disgusting and downright wrong. I can understand why coaches go crazy and become Youtube sensations.
On a closing note the Lancers hit the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders that will impact their playoff hopes. Whether it be positive or negative is up to the Lancers but all I am hoping for is that the umpires let the ladies play and avoid being total boobs.
Thanks again to all my readers and followers as I will be back shortly with another post.
Until then Go Lancers! and I hope to be writing about the playoffs very shortly.
This is the Irate Italian signing off! And as I write this sentence my Detroit Tigers have advanced to the American League Championship Series!
Cheers!
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| Can't Touch This! |
After both the Lancers and Warriors couldn't get anything going in their respective at bats, the bottom of the third saw the Lancers put ducks on the pond but fail to cash in. This has been a recurring theme for the Lancers which needs to be fixed before the Lancers hit the road this upcoming weekend. A fielders choice saw Schincariol score and extend the Lancers lead to 2-0 but that was it.
The Warriors saw an opening and pounced in the top of the fourth. An infield single and bloop single put two on for the Warriors and after a weak ground ball to hold the runners, a single scores one while the second runner holds at third. The next batter is caught in a pickle between first and second but this distraction causes the runner on third to sneak home for the game tying run. Schincariol tries to settle down but a passed ball advances the runners and an error from the infield makes it 3-2 Warriors. A ground ball ends the inning but the damage was done. At this point I do not blame Schincariol for the passed ball as playing in what many would describe as Hurricane Katrina, was not easy. The ball slips and it happens. Big f**king deal as Robert De Niro would say!
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| Sunny My A**! |
Now, as the Lancers once again did absolutely nothing in the bottom half, the top of the sixth saw the rain beginning to fall heavily and the umpires about to get themselves into water so deep that they would feel as if they were floating on a dingy. As Schincariol continues her masterful performance on the mound, the leadoff hitter lines a shot to left that is snagged by Ruccolo for the first out. The following batter sneaks a single through the infield and then proceeds to swipe second base like a girl on a shopping spree would her credit card. Now let me set the scene. One out, a runner on second in a 4-2 ballgame, as Schincariol sets up to deliver a full count pitch. She confirms before the pitch it is a 3-2 count. The next pitch is swung and missed on. The runner is strangely instructed not to go back to the dugout but instead go to first. The opposing manager tells the ump four balls were already thrown. Without even questioning the manager, the umpire awards the runner first base. This infuriates the Lancer bench boss. How in the f**k can you call a walk when strike three was already called, after you gave the pitcher the count? How do you have the balls to even make that call without even conversing with the other umpire? Another game I cover and another game the umpires put the screws to the Lancers, is all I can think in my head. As the runner stands on first he explains to the Lancers that he was "pretty sure" there was four balls. Then why on gods green earth are you confirming it was a 3-2 count to Schincariol. After the umpire tries to blow the issue aside and with the runner standing on first, Schincariol gets a pop out for the second out and a little help from her gritty outfield Ruccolo for the third out. As a ball is lifted to the gap in left centre, Ruccolo tracks it like a GPS would my cellphone and makes a sliding catch on a nice and slippery field to rob her numerical counterpart of extra bases. The catch was a message to the umpire from the entire Lancer team, Va Fa Napoli! This Lancer team was not rolling over.
In the bottom of the sixth and the Warriors up 4-2, it was now or never for the Lancers offence to get going. The bats would come to life. A single by Nadia Green and a well executed bunt by Steph Bouchey, which reminded be of Willie Mays Hayes in Major League, advances the runner. Just a beauty overall. Old school baseball to say the least. A passed ball by Waterloo allows Green to scoot over to third with one out. After a pop out by Manson, Meeke makes her presence felt again as she moves up the first base line to beat out a infield single and close the gap to 4-3. A strikeout ends the inning but the Lancers can smell a comeback.
The top of the seventh saw the defence come up big and help get the bats back to the plate quickly. Schincariol gives up a couple singles which leads to a run but with the score at 5-3, the Lancers looked excited to get to bat.
Leading off the bottom of the seventh Heather Metcalfe draws a walk and is followed immediately by a Krissy Johnstone single. A pinch runner was inserted for Johnstone as Ruccolo took to the plate. A very suspecting called third strike was issued by the umpire, almost to say he wants to get out of the rain as soon as possible. Ruccolo is not happy but what follows cannot help but bring a smile to her face. Manson decides that she has had enough of this pitcher and takes her deep to left field. The triple scores both Metcalfe and the pinch runner to tie the ball game. Extra innings would follow but not after Sarah Meeke's bat gave in and split into two. The first time I have ever seen that. I do not blame it for caving as the way Meeke was hitting the ball, that bat was being beat like it owed someone money.
Waterloo wastes no time and trying to bounce back as they score the runner on second courtesy of the international tiebreaker rule. After a double to put another runner on second, another double puts runners at second and third. Controversy would strike again. A single to left has the runner going from third but Ruccolo once again has her arm tested. The throw is on the mark for Schincariol who is covering home plate. The runner slides directly into the tag and into Schincariol's leg. The umpire signals safe immediately. Schincariol, who already was walking back to the mound thinking she recorded the out, turns around with a look on her face that had the caption "don't piss on my shoes and tell me it's raining", written all over it. The umpire then has the audacity to say to those in attendance that the play "wasn't even close". Are you kidding me?! It is a bang, bang play at home and you are telling me it was not close?! Look at Kelsey's sock! It still had the markings from the spike on it! Give me a break.
After this call the Lancers were never the same as they drop a heartbreaker 10-6 in extra innings.
The issue extends beyond the play between the two teams, the issue is the umpires. How can every ladies fast pitch game I watch continuously have the worst umpires imaginable. The men's baseball league have umpires that are competent and do things by the book. It seems as though once they pass their prime they are sent to the ladies league where bad eyes and asinine rule making is acceptable. Making the rules up as you go shows no professionalism. I am by no means the best writer in the world but I dress the part and act accordingly. I follow the rules and make sure not to piss off the big wigs. What the umpires do to women's fast pitch, in general, is disgusting and downright wrong. I can understand why coaches go crazy and become Youtube sensations.
On a closing note the Lancers hit the road this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders that will impact their playoff hopes. Whether it be positive or negative is up to the Lancers but all I am hoping for is that the umpires let the ladies play and avoid being total boobs.
Thanks again to all my readers and followers as I will be back shortly with another post.
Until then Go Lancers! and I hope to be writing about the playoffs very shortly.
This is the Irate Italian signing off! And as I write this sentence my Detroit Tigers have advanced to the American League Championship Series!
Cheers!
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