tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66427889758090523942024-03-12T23:46:02.964-04:00Oxford Blues SoftballThe official blog of Blues Nation.K.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034856392545025731noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-81291716304887624122014-08-06T19:13:00.001-04:002014-08-06T22:42:07.747-04:00Blues Top Topps, 2-1<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Game 8: Blues 2, Topps 1</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Frederick Douglass Field</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>August 4, 2014</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Ryan DeRentz homered in the second, all the offense the Oxford Blues (6-2) needed to beat Topps - <i>a baseball card company</i> - by the score of 2-1. In the last of the sixth, Blake Ratcliff made a diving catch in left field to save the game.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
"<i>Sweet Baby Jesus</i>," Coach Repino said after Blake made the catch. Repino pitched a complete game and only allowed 1 run, greatly improving his ERA after the 25 runs he surrendered in the game earlier this summer against the Seyfarth Sluggers.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
"Good pitching, Rob," Dave said. "You looked liked <a href="http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/94019332291/on-6-august-1890-baseball-hall-of-fame-enshrinee#notes" target="_blank">Cy Young</a> out there."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The Blues improved to 6-2 on the season with two games left to play. The Topps batters hit towering home runs which were either caught, or hit to the wrong part of the field, creating an out.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
There were many children running on the field obstructing play throughout the game, but the umpire bought them all ice cream which distracted them from the grown-ups on the field.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
"I'd do it for the kids anyway," said the ump.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Blake LF</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Max LC</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Tim RC</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Dave 3B</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jeremy RF</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Julie SS</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rob P</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Ryan C</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Erin 1B</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jessica 2B<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVNm77FJNhY/U-K3_y6QrdI/AAAAAAAADjQ/cy74PEeRnOc/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GVNm77FJNhY/U-K3_y6QrdI/AAAAAAAADjQ/cy74PEeRnOc/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan and Blake Ride the C Train Home After the Game (Julie in reflection.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-36275216205590441582014-08-06T19:11:00.003-04:002014-08-06T22:42:36.314-04:00 Oxford Blues Beat Watchtell Raiders, 9-4<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Game 7: Oxford Blues 9, Watchthell Raiders 4</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>Thomas Jefferson Field</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>July 28, 2014</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
The Blues scored three runs in the first inning and never looked back as Zach Haynes won his second start of the season, leading the Blues to defeat the Raiders by the score of 9-4. The Blues are now 5-2 and another visit to the playoffs looks promising. Max Sinsheimer homered (again) and Dave, Julie, and even <i>I</i> contributed offense. Zach arrived to the game without shoes, but quickly ran down the street, and returned with Fila's he purchased for $25.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
"There's a place selling shoes in any five block radius in NYC," Haynes said. "I'll also be able to use these playing basketball."<br />
<br />
After the game, the Blues gathered at the bar to celebrate the victory and admire <a href="http://oupacademic.tumblr.com/post/93452852267/oxford-blues-softball#notes" target="_blank">the tote bag</a> that Soho Press made for Coach Repino's novel that will be published in January.<br />
<br />
"I will use this bag to pick up my fresh produce from the CSA," Tim said.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Max LC <a href="https://vine.co/v/MEBIWXpIQQT" target="_blank">HR VINE</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Blake SS <a href="https://vine.co/v/MEBIWEdbrtV" target="_blank">VINE</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Tim LF</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Zach P</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Dave 3B</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Julie RC</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jeremy RF</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Sara 1B</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jessica 2B</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jenny C</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rob EH</div>
Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-4377936322864305772014-08-06T19:10:00.000-04:002014-08-06T19:37:37.423-04:00Blues No Match for Seyfarth Sluggers, Lose 25-8<b>Game 6: Seyfarth Sluggers 25, Blues 8</b><br />
<b>Harlem River Park</b><br />
<b>July 21, 2014</b><br />
<br />
The Blues (4-2) were trounced by the Seyfarth Sluggers by the score of 25-8, but the squad still managed to play the full seven innings. Max and Blake made their infield debuts at third base and SS respectively.<br />
<br />
"Probably not the best idea I've ever had," Coach Repino admitted after the game.<br />
<br />
"Wonder if these guys are hiring" Blues Legal Council Blake Ratcliff muttered aloud.<br />
<br />
"Does it look like I am working in the UK office," first basewoman Sara McNamara asked Max and Blake. "Then why are you <i>airmailing</i> it to me?"<br />
<br />
Max homered and Julie went 3/3. The Blues will have to regroup if we face these lawyers again in the playoffs.<br />
<br />
Rob P<br />
Max 3B<br />
Blake SS<br />
Tim LF<br />
Julie LC<br />
Jeremy 2B<br />
Ryan RC<br />
Sara 1B<br />
Chris RF<br />
Jenny CJeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-76700359602249942692014-07-22T16:43:00.003-04:002014-07-22T16:49:20.928-04:00Blues edge Penton, 5-4, improve to 4-1<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Game 5: Oxford Blues 5, Penton 4</b><br />
<b>Riverside Park</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>July 14, 2014<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>6:00 PM<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Report by Tim Allen, Special to the Blues Blog</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a tense game certainly more thrilling than anything we
saw in Brazil over the past month*, the Blues (4-1) managed to overcome Penton’s
four-run first inning and hung on to defeat the specialist publishers 5 to 4 in
Riverside Park. The park’s dangerous field, which includes a low outfield wall
notorious for leaving former Blues players battered and bloody, threatened to
become even more treacherous as storm clouds rolled in during the final two
innings. Zach Haynes scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh,
however, and the Blues’ solid defense saved the day, finding a third out with a
Penton runner in scoring position on second base.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coach Robert Repino was reported to have foregone his usual
“1-2-3-BLUES!”cheer in favor of a Bastille Day-appropriate “Allez les bleus!”
Repino would neither confirm nor deny these allegations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Catcher Jenny Doster, noted Francophile, was cautioned by
the umpire for the haughty French-accented laugh she emitted as each Penton
player approached the plate. “Don’t worry, guys,” she said later. “They’ll have
to kick me out of this league before I stop taunting the other teams.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The win gave the Blues a record of 4-1-0 and left the team
half of a game out of first place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The game also marked the final appearance of co-manager* and
all-star Dave D’Adonna as an official Oxford Blue. We wish him tons of
luck in his new position and hope that we haven’t seen the last of his infield
prowess. Stay Blue, Dave, stay Blue.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>*Editor's Note: This is a reference to the World Cup, the international soccer tournament that was played in Brazil this past summer.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>*Editor's Note: For an account of Dave's managerial prowess, see <a href="http://oxfordbluessoftball.blogspot.com/2013/07/oxford-blues-lose-to-network-17-9.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Robert (P)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
D’Addona (SS)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coe (3B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haynes (LC)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Allen (RC)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fergus (LF)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
DeRentz (RF)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chesnutt (2B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
McAuliffe (1B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doster (C)<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-86539270031657970162014-07-22T16:35:00.001-04:002014-07-22T16:49:05.953-04:00Blues Show No Mercy, Defeat Bluewolf 17-5<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Game 4: Oxford Blues 17, Bluewolf 5</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Morningside Park<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>July 1, 2014<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Report by Taylor Coe, Special to the Blues Blog</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oxford Blues trounced Bluewolf with a resounding 17-5
victory on a muggy afternoon in Morningside, improving their record to 3-1 on
the season. Rob Repino turned in a solid effort at the mound, painting the
inside of the plate to great effect, and Kate Cooney started in right field in her Blues debut.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
"I got on base!" Kate said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Game ball went to Joe Cognard, thanks to stellar defensive
performance at the hot corner and a 3-run opposite field blast that nearly had
Bluewolf outfielders picking through the underbrush out past the track in right
field.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris Reid doubled twice in the offensive assault. The Blues offense, however, was all-around impressive,
batting around the order in the third to knock in 9 runs. <o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I don’t think this has ever happened!” said Coach Repino.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that cushion of insurance runs, the Blues offered up
solid defense for the rest of the game and mercy-ruled Bluewolf in the sixth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blake (SS)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tim (LF)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taylor (LC)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe (3B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rob (P)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah (1B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chris (RC)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jessica (2B)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jenny (C)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kate (RF)<o:p></o:p></div>
Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-65989965835031331552014-06-29T13:22:00.000-04:002014-06-29T23:11:36.468-04:00Oxford Beats Norton....At Softball<b>Game 3: Oxford Blues 11 Slammin Seagulls 9</b><br />
<b>Central Park's Great Lawn</b><br />
<b>June 25, 2014</b><br />
<br />
Zack Haynes
pitched a complete game and broke a tie with a 3-run home run in the 5th
as the Blues (2-1) defeated publishing rivals Slammin' Seagulls 11-9.
Haynes, in his first game back since becoming a father, said he would be
giving his game ball to his daughter Georgia.<br />
<br />
"I'm hoping she might be the Serena Williams of softball," Haynes said. "Or at the very least <i>not</i> work in publishing."<br />
<br />
Blues
Legal Council Blake Ratcliff hit a double in the top of the sixth when
the Blues collected six insurance runs, all of which were necessary as
the Blues defense faltered in the 7th. <br />
<br />
"You were very close to catching that ball," Blues Rookie Taylor Coe observed to me later.<br />
<br />
Max (LC)<br />
Tim (RF/EH)<br />
Taylor (3B)<br />
Blake (LF)<br />
Dave (SS)<br />
Ryan (1B/EH)<br />
Jeremy (EH/RF)<br />
Julie (RC)<br />
Zack (P)<br />
Erin (EH/1B)<br />
Rob (EH)<br />
Sarah (2B)<br />
Jenny (C)Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-6247809668923336572014-06-29T13:19:00.002-04:002014-06-30T11:56:25.230-04:00Blues Win First Game of the Season<b>Game 2: Oxford Blues 11, Conifer 5<br />Harlem River Park #2<br />June 16, 2014</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Oxford Blues (1-1) won
their first game of the season against the financial services firm
Conifer, which only fielded 8 players. The Blues benefitted from only
having to get two outs in certain innings, as the penalty to Conifer for
coming to a game short-staffed. The Blues hit and fielded well, led
by <a href="https://vine.co/v/MIIj2VFr51a" target="_blank">Max Sinsheimer's double</a> and HR, and good defense from Blues rookies
Julie Fergus and Taylor Coe. The game ended with an out at the plate
as Blues Veteran Catcher Jessica Chesnutt put the tag on an overly
optimistic base runner. This contest was only slightly overshadowed by
the US-Ghana soccer game, but congratulations to Coach Repino for
assembling a squad of 11 on the evening of such a momentous sports
event.<br />
<br />
"Could be the Super Bowl, moon landing, doesn't matter," Coach Repino said. "The Blues are always ready to play."<br />
<br />
Max (LC)<br />
Julie (LF)<br />
Taylor (3B)<br />
Dave (SS)<br />
Ryan (EH/RC)<br />
Tim (1B) <br />
Jeremy (RC/RF)<br />
Chris (RF/EH)<br />
Rob (P)<br />
Jessica (C)<br />
Sarah (2B)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8NFWSobmaI/U7BMbu2MYgI/AAAAAAAADho/F0V3AxXrfSQ/s1600/image(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a8NFWSobmaI/U7BMbu2MYgI/AAAAAAAADho/F0V3AxXrfSQ/s1600/image(2).jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Pz4OvMrxo/U7GIYfo7_zI/AAAAAAAADiI/QX0nr_V5vf4/s1600/5B7C072B-54E7-48BA-9072-087F96949D64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c-Pz4OvMrxo/U7GIYfo7_zI/AAAAAAAADiI/QX0nr_V5vf4/s1600/5B7C072B-54E7-48BA-9072-087F96949D64.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BCJZAcvjH8/U7GIleZusuI/AAAAAAAADiU/wSl-RV5pjME/s1600/89DC31D5-E2F3-4436-8FD9-E664D76EC52F.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BCJZAcvjH8/U7GIleZusuI/AAAAAAAADiU/wSl-RV5pjME/s1600/89DC31D5-E2F3-4436-8FD9-E664D76EC52F.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<b></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-5433444034362335832013-11-21T17:03:00.001-05:002013-11-21T17:03:31.806-05:002013 Oxford Blues Championship Photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gThX08diEGc/Uo6CDr-KzbI/AAAAAAAADcE/EiitemWGCY4/s1600/Softball+Champs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gThX08diEGc/Uo6CDr-KzbI/AAAAAAAADcE/EiitemWGCY4/s320/Softball+Champs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxford Blues gather in Morningside on the 8th Floor for the photo for the Social Committee Newsletter. Photo by Scott Morales.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkKu_Mwlt0k/Uo6CuxHy81I/AAAAAAAADcU/8FEh3lFbmN0/s1600/photo(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkKu_Mwlt0k/Uo6CuxHy81I/AAAAAAAADcU/8FEh3lFbmN0/s320/photo(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Repino with the Trophy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HM2Sk0P7QmM/Uo6CxUPwvRI/AAAAAAAADcc/X7MNwkSEtNk/s1600/photo(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HM2Sk0P7QmM/Uo6CxUPwvRI/AAAAAAAADcc/X7MNwkSEtNk/s320/photo(2).jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxford Blues Trophy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_644989552"></span><span id="goog_644989553"></span><br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-700424476903178852013-11-21T16:55:00.000-05:002013-11-21T16:55:03.291-05:00Oxford Blues Fall in Divisional Playoffs 7-4<b>Game 13: Semi Finals: FIU Alumni 7, Oxford Blues 4<br />Game 14: Finals: n/a<br />Harlem River Park #2<br />September 18, 2013</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
After winning the division, the Oxford Blues advanced <i>another </i>playoffs where they were promptly dispatched by the FIU Alumni by the score of 7-4. It was a disappointing loss as the Oxford Blues bats were more silent than usual and the defense was not quite flawless, but nevertheless, still a successful season! There was a brief scare in the 5th or 6th inning when Max Richman, playing short, drifted out to left field for a flyball, colliding with Tim Allen. Fortunately there were no injuries.<br />
<br />
"What am I supposed to do?" Coach Repino says. "Max hits two home runs a game. If he wants to give someone a concussion that's his prerogative."<br />
<br />
"Why do you always make me sounds like a secretary," Elyse Turr asked. "I am always answering the phone."<br />
<br />
"I think it's pretty clear <i>I'm </i>the secretary," I said.<br />
<br />
Max S<br />
Zach H<br />
Max R --- <a href="https://vine.co/v/hviibUznPpg" target="_blank">Home Run</a><br />
Tim A<br />
Jeremy W-I<br />
Rob R<br />
Erin M<br />
Sara M<br />
Elyse T<br />
Jenny D<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9iT4RSQMOU/Uo6BD8AmKKI/AAAAAAAADbg/IqS255Dclfw/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E9iT4RSQMOU/Uo6BD8AmKKI/AAAAAAAADbg/IqS255Dclfw/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoLVWGFOgR8/Uo6BFHDXIQI/AAAAAAAADbo/w7CfSjoNF5A/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoLVWGFOgR8/Uo6BFHDXIQI/AAAAAAAADbo/w7CfSjoNF5A/s320/photo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABdcZZ0Bfa0/Uo6BGSAJmyI/AAAAAAAADbw/jioxEx5xPoI/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABdcZZ0Bfa0/Uo6BGSAJmyI/AAAAAAAADbw/jioxEx5xPoI/s320/photo+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrXKgyIxpMg/Uo6BHV8XvJI/AAAAAAAADb0/k1156tDJQgI/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FrXKgyIxpMg/Uo6BHV8XvJI/AAAAAAAADb0/k1156tDJQgI/s320/photo+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-7561428845266491932013-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:002013-09-15T14:51:53.217-04:00Oxford Blues 2013 Conference Champions!<b>Game 11: Semi Finals: Oxford Blues 12, Finra Enforcers 7<br />Game 12: Finals: Oxford Blues 18, Net@work/Docutrend 5<br />(Games 9 & 10 won by forfeit)<br />Dewitt Clinton <br />August 29, 2013</b><br />
<br />
The Oxford Blues won the Summer Coed General A Conference Championship, defeating the Finra Enforcers in a semi-final contest, and then Net@work/Docutrend in the finals. By winning these two games, the Blues advanced to the divisional playoffs which will be held on Sept 18!<br />
<br />
Accounts of the games below. <br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: The personnel and the magnitude of this upcoming game have compelled me to tinker once more with the lineup. Some of you already know about them, but they shouldn’t be too surprising. Everyone will contribute. Max Richman will be batting in the 1, 5, and 8 slot. Unconventional, but I think it will work. <br />
<br />
MAX RICHMAN: My softball abilities have generally been overstated. <br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: I recommend leaving by 5. Game 1 is at 6. Bring both bags. The game balls are in the black bag. Don't forget to close your email, and log out of your computer. If you're going to be gone for a long weekend, set up an away message. <br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: The Blues were just able to field a full team, with a big group of our players enjoying an early escape to the Labor Day weekend. Thanks to Ninell for stepping in at short notice for an ill Jenny Doster. The loss of much of our roster, including our starting pitcher and coach, Robert, and the big slugging David D’Adonis, meant that we had to play people in new positions. Blake played third, Joe C first, Zach pitcher, etc. Suffice to say it worked out, as this, and the next game, were probably our best defensive efforts of the year. <br />
<br />
JESSICA CHESNUTT: Blake, Max, Max, Taylor, and Joe all got at least 1 homerun. Blake’s homerun was his first ever. Max R., Blake, and Joe all had amazing plays in the infield, including a double play in the game with a runner on second that went: Blake fielded a hard grounder at third and threw the batter out at first, where Joe threw it to Max covering third to tag the runner. I got on base every time, but all but one or two were fielders’ choices that ALWAYS got Tim out on second (sorry, Tim). <br />
<br />
TIM ALLEN: No worries, Jessie!<br />
<br />
JESSICA CHESNUTT: Zach had at least a couple of strikeouts. <br />
<br />
ZACH HAYNES: I was the pitcher. I was <i>nervous</i> - my wife was there. Not everyone can play as gracefully as Tim with his spouse present. <br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: We were fired up from the start, arriving 20-30 minutes early for the Finra game and taking extended BP. Finra is a team we lost to in the regular season, and they are dangerous. A couple of big hitters and a pitcher with a delayed lunging motion that makes you wonder whether he realizes he is in a slow pitch softball league. Their captain even had a crew cut – it was intimidating. But we have big hitters of our own, and we simply outplayed them on defense. With one exception, an inning in which they scored four or five runs on a pair of hits to the fence and took a temporary lead, we played shut-down defense. Max R was all over SS, throwing rockets to first for out after out. Blake, playing third base for perhaps the first time, had several throw-outs of his own. Zack was nearly flawless pitching, working his way out of a bases loaded jam late in the game with a strikeout to go alongside one or two other strikeouts. At one point Jessica caught a hard hit grounder that had tipped off Max’s glove, practically bare handing it to first for an out. We gave almost nothing away – all, or nearly all of their runs were earned. <br />
<br />
DAVE D'ADONNA: I was at the Harpoon brewery in Boston when Rob texted me we were in the championship. I quickly drank some more and gave out a ‘Yahoo!’ and high-fived an unsuspecting female. Turned out it was Taylor's cousin.<br />
<br />
TAYLOR PILKINGTON: You met Sharona?<br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: On offense we matched them run for run early, and then creamed them late when we strung together a series of innings with zero runs allowed. In the first inning we got 5 runs off a leadoff home run by Blake and a series of well struck singles. We had at least three innings where we went up and down our lineup. The Maxes each hit a homer, and nearly everyone scored a run. We were aggressive on the base path. By the end of the game we had won by 7 or 8 runs, an almost unthinkable result given how good our opponents were.<br />
<br />
<i>Elyse Turr's phone rings.</i><br />
<br />
ELYSE TURR: Hello this is Elyse.<br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: Elyse it's Rob. I'm on an airplane, this call costs $14.95/minute. Put Max on the phone. <br />
<br />
ELYSE TURR: Max it's for you.<br />
<br />
MAX RICHMAN: Max Richman here.<br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: The <i>other</i> Max.<br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: What now Rob. We have a game to play here.<br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: Max, let the Blues know that no matter what happens, I am very proud of our team’s camaraderie, competitiveness, and sportsmanship. That being said, if you screw this up, I will never forgive you. If I see you in the coffee room, don't even look at me. Win or lose, if I'm sitting on my exercise ball, still don't look at me.<br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: As I said at the time, getting to the championship is cool, winning a championship is (profanity) awesome. We picked up where we left off, scoring 5 or 6 in the first inning and playing extremely tight defense throughout. At one point Max R fielded a hard hit grounder, threw out the base runner at first, and then Joe C made a ridiculous throw to third for a double play on the advancing runner from second. It was that sort of day. Elyse had a pair of nice plays in the field, holding hitters to one base. Tim Allen gets most improved batter award, with at least three more hits after getting three in the first game. <br />
<br />
TIM ALLEN: Thanks Max!<br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: The outfield was playing way back on Blake, which he didn’t expect, but they were right to do it – he had big hits to the outfield. The Maxes both added another homer, as did Taylor (and I’m probably forgetting another home run). Ninell beat out a run and took a walk as well. And Zach pitched another gem, outdueling the opposing pitcher, who lost his nerve at times and walked more batters than he cared to. By the end of the night we had won the championship by at least 13 runs – I forget the exact score. If we had been playing with the mercy rule, we would have mercy-ruled them, that’s how dominant we were. <br />
<br />
JEREMY WANG-IVERSON: That's great - whom did you play?<br />
<br />
COACH REPINO: I am getting conflicting reports about that.<br />
<br />
MAX SINSHEIMER: Docutrend.<br />
<br />
MAX RICHMAN: Definitely Docutrend.<br />
<br />
ZACH HAYNES: The Greene Machine.<br />
<br />
TANYA LAPLANTE: You did it indeed! You realized the dream of many Blues players who came before you – quite an amazing feat and something to be exceptionally proud of… when the Blues began, it wasn't unusual for someone to get a hit and then run to third base. Once, we had a player who threw his bat like a javelin. Former Blues players who now live elsewhere (including overseas) heard the good news and celebrated your victory. Thanks for making the latest chapter in Blues history a memorable one!<br />
<br />
Blake R 3B<br />
Max S LC<br />
Max R SS<br />
Taylor P RC<br />
Joe C 1B<br />
Zach H P<br />
Tim A LF<br />
Jessica C 2B<br />
Elyse T RG<br />
Ninell S C<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rMX2U4HA54/UjUo7e9OmLI/AAAAAAAADZ4/4kv-A5PRyVc/s1600/oxfordblues.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rMX2U4HA54/UjUo7e9OmLI/AAAAAAAADZ4/4kv-A5PRyVc/s320/oxfordblues.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pvx1lVa6i38?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGYLz2P6FqI/UjUpEFNLiSI/AAAAAAAADaA/e2cppGTjCtg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGYLz2P6FqI/UjUpEFNLiSI/AAAAAAAADaA/e2cppGTjCtg/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzglQaKOR9w/UjUpH2XPa3I/AAAAAAAADaI/SBz-MIkip_g/s1600/post-victory_bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CzglQaKOR9w/UjUpH2XPa3I/AAAAAAAADaI/SBz-MIkip_g/s320/post-victory_bench.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFywou0Re0g/UjUpLfGC2qI/AAAAAAAADaQ/re4NIJZ0V8A/s1600/bench_seminfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFywou0Re0g/UjUpLfGC2qI/AAAAAAAADaQ/re4NIJZ0V8A/s320/bench_seminfinal.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfASqGKpv5A/UjUpPDWZdnI/AAAAAAAADaY/pPHVHveoAAo/s1600/blake_bat_championship.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hfASqGKpv5A/UjUpPDWZdnI/AAAAAAAADaY/pPHVHveoAAo/s320/blake_bat_championship.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHY0hXjA_XA/UjUpTIzdejI/AAAAAAAADag/VwP5SIdBS8g/s1600/max_crouch_semifinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FHY0hXjA_XA/UjUpTIzdejI/AAAAAAAADag/VwP5SIdBS8g/s320/max_crouch_semifinal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-29881643475810275522013-08-11T23:13:00.003-04:002013-08-13T08:34:41.167-04:00Oxford Blues Continue Winning Ways<b>Game 8: Oxford Blues 11, The Greene Machine 7<br />Thomas Jefferson #2<br />August 9, 2013</b><br />
<br />
The Blues (5-3) are poised to make the playoffs after winning again on Friday, defeating The Greene Machine by the score of 11-7. Going into the top of the 7th with the Blues leading by 11-2, Coach Repino, who has continued to pitch despite a mysterious shin injury, said: "This will be the final inning unless there is a catastrophe."<br />
<br />
The catastrophe nearly presented itself as the Blues defense faltered, allowing five runs to score, but the game was finally ended when a jumpy member of the Greene Machine was called out for taking an early lead. <br />
<br />
"Well a win is a win," Taylor said. "Rob, did you bribe the ump?"<br />
<br />
"<i>No</i>," Coach Repino said. <br />
<br />
"Because if you did--" Blues Legal Council Blake Ratcliff said. <br />
<br />
"It wasn't over $75."<br />
<br />
After the game, the Blues went to a bar for <a href="https://vine.co/v/hhrHLVrazhZ" target="_blank">Skeeball</a> and Big Buck Hunter. Thanks to Blues fans Adrienne, Natalie, Jessie, and Ashley for watching the game. <br />
<br />
N.B. The scorecard is profoundly inaccurate, so I will not reproduce any stats here.<br />
<br />
Max LF<br />
Blake RC/EH<br />
Dave SS<br />
Tim EH/RC<br />
Taylor LC<br />
Jeremy EH/RF<br />
Zach 3B<br />
Josh RF/EH<br />
Jessica "Don't Call me Jess" C 2B -- <a href="https://vine.co/v/hhv5FiH117H" target="_blank">VINE</a><br />
Sara 1B<br />
Jenny C<br />
Rob P<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQh9oWe1yVQ/UghRMFZkONI/AAAAAAAADYI/Tn-otF3Frzc/s1600/2013-08-09+21.57.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQh9oWe1yVQ/UghRMFZkONI/AAAAAAAADYI/Tn-otF3Frzc/s320/2013-08-09+21.57.41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGDW-u6YFqA/UghRUoy-54I/AAAAAAAADYQ/vRD-wZzZWZM/s1600/2013-08-09+21.20.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cGDW-u6YFqA/UghRUoy-54I/AAAAAAAADYQ/vRD-wZzZWZM/s320/2013-08-09+21.20.49.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhJg_3Ds6GY/UghQvEN-lKI/AAAAAAAADXw/0TTJXnz8qno/s1600/2013-08-09+21.28.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhJg_3Ds6GY/UghQvEN-lKI/AAAAAAAADXw/0TTJXnz8qno/s320/2013-08-09+21.28.20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhRvK2z9yzY/UghQ2I3H1aI/AAAAAAAADX4/QBHwQUHLbxA/s1600/2013-08-09+23.25.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OhRvK2z9yzY/UghQ2I3H1aI/AAAAAAAADX4/QBHwQUHLbxA/s320/2013-08-09+23.25.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Qw9jNynMI/UgonnZ2eVdI/AAAAAAAADZE/JicgfWpNO3M/s1600/2013-08-12+10.39.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z1Qw9jNynMI/UgonnZ2eVdI/AAAAAAAADZE/JicgfWpNO3M/s320/2013-08-12+10.39.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Tim A.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-69304829387885761362013-08-09T12:06:00.000-04:002013-08-11T23:27:29.197-04:00Oxford Blues Defeat the Pediatricians<b>Game 7: Oxford Blues 11, Global Pediatrics 6</b><br />
<b>Great Lawn #2</b><br />
<b>August 7, 2013</b><br />
<br />
On Wednesday night the Oxford Blues improved to 4-3, defeating the Global Pediatrics
team by the score of 11-6. The Pediatricians were aggressive on the
base-path but their speed was thwarted by consistent hitting from the
Blues, who quickly shook off the rust after not taking the field in two weeks.<br />
<br />
Starting at third was Joe Cognard, who played solid defense, and
also supplied three hits including <a href="https://vine.co/v/hblXJKr2mq6" target="_blank">a triple</a>. But the one time he did not
get a hit, in the second, he struck out looking with a full count, two
outs and the bases loaded.<br />
<br />
"I hit three home runs in the last game," Joe said. "I don't swing unless I feel like it."<br />
<br />
Tensions ran high in the third or fourth when the Blues asked the ump to watch the Pediatricians on the base path.<br />
<br />
"What are you running from, #2?" Sara asked. "And why do you wear
spikes? Did something happen in your past that we should talk about?"<br />
<br />
"She's
a Freudian," Max said. After the game, Jenny, Max, Zach, and I went to
Jake's Dilemma, where Zach dominated on the foosball table and took pictures of young women. (With their phone - and at their behest.)<br />
<br />
Max (LF) 2/3 1R, 2 RBI's<br />
Zach (SS) 0/3, 1R<br />
Joe (3B) 3/4, 2R, 1 RBI<br />
Tim (LC) 3/4, 2R, 1 RBI<br />
Jeremy (RC) 3/4, 1 R, 1 RBI<br />
Sara (2B) 0/2, 2BB<br />
Erin (1B) 2/3, 2R<br />
Elyse (RF) 0/3<br />
Jenny ( C) 0/2, 1BB, 1R<br />
Rob ( P) 2/3, 1R<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7z6CCQHFZG4/UgUSmdhDkEI/AAAAAAAADXM/FQVTXryr4B0/s1600/2013-08-07+20.36.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7z6CCQHFZG4/UgUSmdhDkEI/AAAAAAAADXM/FQVTXryr4B0/s320/2013-08-07+20.36.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuqnSO-7xg4/UgUSpVjgEoI/AAAAAAAADXU/cezHbNvcgC4/s1600/2013-08-07+19.28.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuqnSO-7xg4/UgUSpVjgEoI/AAAAAAAADXU/cezHbNvcgC4/s320/2013-08-07+19.28.51.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdl9HnKlg84/UgUSuUUDb3I/AAAAAAAADXc/4sRznkOtvlM/s1600/2013-08-07+19.08.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdl9HnKlg84/UgUSuUUDb3I/AAAAAAAADXc/4sRznkOtvlM/s320/2013-08-07+19.08.05.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Max S.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-6424328766969543062013-07-18T19:42:00.001-04:002013-07-19T09:44:41.250-04:00Oxford Blues Lose to Net@Work 17-9<b>Game 5: Net@Work 17, Oxford Blues 9<br />Riverside Park<br />July 15, 2013</b><br />
<br />
In Dave D'Addona's managerial debut, Oxford Blues (3-2) lost to Net@Work by the score of 17-9. Miles Osgood was making his final start as a member of the Oxford Blues, as he decided his future lay elsewhere, not with company softball, but rather, graduate studies in English literature at Harvard University. The Blues were quite sluggish for the opening innings until they came to life in the fourth. Before that inning began, Elyse Turr's phone rang.<br />
<br />
"Hello this is Elyse Turr."<br />
<br />
"Elyse it's Rob," Coach Repino said. "Put Gandalf on the phone."<br />
<br />
"He's not here."<br />
<br />
"Alright let me talk to Dave."<br />
<br />
No one knows what Rob said to Dave on the phone that night, but the Blues turned it around as Chris, Tim, Taylor, Blake, Sara, Jenny, Josh, and Dave provided hits and scored runs. Essentially everyone except your humble correspondent. And just before the Blues were going to be dispatched by the mercy rule, Miles provided a timely hit to keep the run differential less than 10.<br />
<br />
"That was a great hit Miles!" Sara said. "You sure about this grad school thing? I have <i>been</i> there! I <i>have</i> a PhD!"<br />
<br />
"They already sent me a Harvard T-Shirt," Miles said. "There is no going back." <br />
<br />
---<br />
<br />
Miles LF/EH 2/2 1 R scored<br />
Chris RF 1/3 1 R scored<br />
Taylor LC 1/2 2 RBI's 1 R scored --- <a href="https://vine.co/v/hZEdOwHXztK" target="_blank">Video</a><br />
Max 2B 1/3 1 R scored <b>(Web Gem Double Play)</b><br />
Zach 3B 0/3<br />
Dave SS 3/3 1 HR 2 RBI's 1 R scored --- <a href="https://vine.co/v/hZEpBEAZ52P" target="_blank">Video</a><br />
Tim EH/1B 2/3<br />
Blake EH/LF 1/3<br />
Elyse C 1/3<br />
Jeremy EH/RC 0/3<br />
Josh RC/EH 1/3 1 R scored<br />
Sara P 1/1 2 R scored<br />
Erin / Jenny 1B 2/2 1 R scored<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsFup20u9GI/Uek-_pTZVsI/AAAAAAAADWM/eRJAC9egsqc/s1600/Riverside+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsFup20u9GI/Uek-_pTZVsI/AAAAAAAADWM/eRJAC9egsqc/s320/Riverside+Park.JPG" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Josh L.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocR6Rj0t-EE/Ueh579h66lI/AAAAAAAADVk/ObdWQoH-Ib8/s1600/2013-07-15+18.17.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ocR6Rj0t-EE/Ueh579h66lI/AAAAAAAADVk/ObdWQoH-Ib8/s320/2013-07-15+18.17.23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0BZ9yNWY6A/Ueh58MnQbkI/AAAAAAAADVo/Vtj08zB-Z68/s1600/2013-07-15+18.44.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d0BZ9yNWY6A/Ueh58MnQbkI/AAAAAAAADVo/Vtj08zB-Z68/s320/2013-07-15+18.44.17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gpaJShmfcw/Ueh7KYZ1IPI/AAAAAAAADV8/ZQQMuxdj5To/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gpaJShmfcw/Ueh7KYZ1IPI/AAAAAAAADV8/ZQQMuxdj5To/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-57427571335582651812013-07-16T20:57:00.001-04:002013-07-17T20:53:03.685-04:00Oxford Blues Defeat Norton 14-9<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Game 4:
Oxford Blues 14, W.W. Norton Slammin Seagulls 9<br />
Morningside<br />
July 11, 2013</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
Oxford Blues improved to 3-1 with a 14-9 victory over W.W. Norton’s Slamming
Seagulls last week. Taylor Pilkington’s sixth inning grand slam secured the
victory.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“Where’s Max Richman?” Coach Repino asked.
“Getting his driver’s license?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“He’s
starting at third for the Oxford Dons tonight, Rob,” Taylor said.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“F-ing A,” Coach Repino said. “If
Hettler swipes Richman, I'm naming the 500 pound man in my novel Kurt.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Max
Sinsheimer belted a three run home run in the fourth inning.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Looking
good, <a href="http://blog.oup.com/2013/07/editing-encyclopedia-social-work/" target="_blank">Gandalf</a>,” Rob said. “Glad to see there’s a batting cage in Middle Earth.” </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexis Richard and Jessica Chesnutt played the outfield for the short staffed Blues, who were victorious despite missing the Summer Mixer and Elyse's birthday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lineup</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rob 1/2 2 BB, 2 runs scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jessica 2/3, 3 runs scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Zach 3/4, 2 runs scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Taylor 3/3, 1 HR (GS), 4 RBI's, 3 runs scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Max 2/2, 1 HR, 3 RBI's, 2 runs scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Miles 1/2, 1 run scored</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alexis 1/2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Erin 1/2</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sarah 0/3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jenny 0/2</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwpHRzIYNfo/Uec6mBVzdvI/AAAAAAAADVM/OVkvFRlzxIU/s1600/Game+5+photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwpHRzIYNfo/Uec6mBVzdvI/AAAAAAAADVM/OVkvFRlzxIU/s320/Game+5+photo+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Miles O.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCaM4ODjdvY/Uec6pTfny5I/AAAAAAAADVU/B9YNFwYDM_E/s1600/Game+5+photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCaM4ODjdvY/Uec6pTfny5I/AAAAAAAADVU/B9YNFwYDM_E/s320/Game+5+photo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Miles O.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUuU3FiUSqE/UeXrVGHLg5I/AAAAAAAADU4/n5HuzaWOimM/s1600/robgrumpycat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUuU3FiUSqE/UeXrVGHLg5I/AAAAAAAADU4/n5HuzaWOimM/s320/robgrumpycat.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"I would like us, as a nation, to get over cats" -Taylor P.</i></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-64627515108735136652013-06-27T09:37:00.000-04:002013-06-27T09:54:07.487-04:00Oxford Blues Dealt First Loss<b>Game 3: Finra Enforcers 8, Oxford Blues 2</b><br />
<b>Morningside</b><br />
<b>June 24, 2013</b><br />
<br />
The Oxford Blues (2-1) were unable to overcome a first inning grand slam and
fell to the Finra Enforcers by the score of 8-2. Both Oxford Blues runs
were scored by Max Richman solo shots. John Louth and Elyse Turr had the
only other hits for the Oxford Blues.<br />
<br />
"If you get on base in softball," Josh Landon said, "That's a hit."<br />
<br />
"Guys,"
Tim Allen said. "My wife will be here later - please no one embarrass
me. Can I smear some of that black shit under my eyes?"<br />
<br />
"You got it Tim." Coach Repino said. "Where are Max, Dave, and Jenny?"<br />
<br />
"They're
installing my standing desk," Zack said. "I got the okay from Terry,
then gave them each $20 and a pile of cinder blocks."<br />
<br />
"They're doing WHAT???! Tito is starting for the Enforcers and we're missing out some of our best hitters??!"<br />
<br />
Indeed,
Tito stymied the Blues and the Enforcers provided enough offense for
the win. Tim Allen caught a long fly ball in the final inning. Taylor Pilkington, making his season debut, was robbed of a home run in the first inning.<br />
<br />
EVEN LESS ACCURATE THAN BEFORE - I LOST THE SHEET<br />
<br />
Rob P 0/3<br />
Sarah EH/1B 0/3<br />
Zach LF 0/3<br />
Taylor 3B <br />
Max SS 2/2 2 HR's<br />
Jeremy RC/EH 0/3<br />
Miles LC/EH 0/3<br />
Josh EH/2B 0/3 <br />
Tim EH/LC 0/3<br />
Erin 1B/EH 0/3<br />
Blake 2B/EH 0/3<br />
Chris EH/RC 0/3<br />
Adrienne C<br />
John 1/3<br />
Elyse RF 1/3<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxkTxgx_ZNw/Ucw_oj_lVRI/AAAAAAAADUA/FmmDy17Shpg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxkTxgx_ZNw/Ucw_oj_lVRI/AAAAAAAADUA/FmmDy17Shpg/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pncuBKiT0Ns/Ucw_r-vvYFI/AAAAAAAADUI/zbXKdYfDFw0/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pncuBKiT0Ns/Ucw_r-vvYFI/AAAAAAAADUI/zbXKdYfDFw0/s320/image_1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtQSepSq8Hs/Ucw_uzq_ZyI/AAAAAAAADUQ/581Xx4Am6cI/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtQSepSq8Hs/Ucw_uzq_ZyI/AAAAAAAADUQ/581Xx4Am6cI/s320/image_2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MWl2YDbYkBM/Ucw_x6NjkyI/AAAAAAAADUY/767jPFdwbYo/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MWl2YDbYkBM/Ucw_x6NjkyI/AAAAAAAADUY/767jPFdwbYo/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-7772058371279008652013-06-20T10:26:00.001-04:002013-06-21T11:50:11.841-04:00Oxford Blues Win Game 2, 13-6<b>Game 2: Oxford Blues 13, Net@Work/DocTrend 6</b><br />
<b>Central Park / Great Lawn</b><br />
<b>June 19, 2013</b><br />
<b> </b> <br />
The Oxford Blues (2-0) won the second game of the season by the score of 13-6 behind the strong pitching and hitting of Zach Haynes who hit a towering triple in the fifth inning. Haynes, who works on the 8th floor, confessed before the game to opening negotiations on acquiring a standing desk, and there was some question whether you would go to your supervisor or Terry Dickerson for such a request.<br />
<br />
"I don't have any fucking idea on that one," said Dave D'Addona, who also had a triple and three RBI's and made a diving catch for an out late in the game. He wore Coach Rob Repino's hat for the duration of the game. Repino, who was dressed like Jim Leyland wearing black pants, did not play at all.<br />
<br />
"I'm telling you," Repino said, "You don't need a standing desk, just get one of those balls like I have in my cube. My core is engaged 8 hours a day."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/aw7i25lMKd/#">Max Richman</a> made his Oxford Blues debut and it was evident that he had familiarity with a baseball diamond, as he went 2/2, with 2 RBI's, and successfully threw the ball all the way from third to first for an out on several occasions.<br />
<br />
"Jeans, you better watch out," Repino said. "Richman might be the rookie of the year."<br />
<br />
"If LeBron wears his head band in Game 7," Landon said. "I will wear my jeans again….!"<br />
<br />
<br />
(NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://vine.co/v/huaYEPUrZUB" target="_blank">Max </a>LF 1/3 2 runs scored<br />
Sarah 2B 0/3<br />
Dave SS 3/3 1 runs scored, 3 RBI's<br />
Zack H P 3/3, 2 RBI's<br />
Max 3B 2/2, 1 run scored, 2 RBI's<br />
Jeremy RC/EH 1/3, 1 RBI<br />
Blake 3B/EH 2/3 <br />
Josh RF/EH 0/3<br />
Tim 1B/EH 1/2<br />
Erin 1B/EH 0/2<br />
Miles LC 0/2<br />
Chris EH/RC 1/3<br />
Jenny C 1/3 1 RBI<br />
Elyse EH/RF 1/2 1 run scored<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPe2xgX0It0/UcKGZzKrlsI/AAAAAAAADTQ/DviTYxX6DW8/s1600/image_3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sPe2xgX0It0/UcKGZzKrlsI/AAAAAAAADTQ/DviTYxX6DW8/s320/image_3.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6seEyxKWdA/UcKGbnl3jVI/AAAAAAAADTY/p29v2HbMTw8/s1600/image_5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d6seEyxKWdA/UcKGbnl3jVI/AAAAAAAADTY/p29v2HbMTw8/s320/image_5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_zW1W-3qb3Q/UcKGd3xMpgI/AAAAAAAADTg/A9fgOs_dnoU/s1600/image_6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_zW1W-3qb3Q/UcKGd3xMpgI/AAAAAAAADTg/A9fgOs_dnoU/s320/image_6.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQpwChdh-Ks/UcKGgr09oXI/AAAAAAAADTo/_Ztuea0xHbQ/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vQpwChdh-Ks/UcKGgr09oXI/AAAAAAAADTo/_Ztuea0xHbQ/s320/image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-84759148761412311712013-06-20T10:21:00.000-04:002013-06-21T11:21:47.291-04:00Oxford Wins Game 1, 16-4<b>Game 1: Oxford Blues 16, Shem 4</b><br />
<b>Randall's Island</b><br />
<b>June 11, 2013</b><br />
<br />
The Oxford Blues (1-0) won the first game of the season <a href="https://twitter.com/timDallen/status/344604008343818240" target="_blank">by the score of 16-4</a>. It was A) raining, played on a field on Randall's Island which was B) difficult to find, and then C) difficult to leave.<br />
<br />
As we were standing at the bus stop going on 45 minutes, Elyse Turr noticed a map that indicated there was a psychiatric hospital nearby.<br />
<br />
"Imagine visiting every psychiatric hospital within a 50 miles radius," I said breathlessly.<br />
<br />
"I'd rather go on the <i>Girls </i>tour of Brooklyn," Elyse said. "Or the Stark tour of Westeros. No offense!"<br />
<br />
Josh Landon, who arrived to the game <a href="https://twitter.com/joshlandon/status/345198485743759361">wearing jeans</a>, went 2/2, with two runs scored, and 1RBI.<br />
<br />
"Good job, Jeans," Coach Repino said. "You might be the rookie of year on the softball field just like you were in higher ed."<br />
<br />
"I don't work in higher ed, Rob."<br />
<br />
"Oh that's right, Max Sinsheimer is in higher ed."<br />
<br />
"I'm not in higher ed either, Rob. I work around the corner from you."<br />
<br />
"Guys. Listen. I don't have time to keep track of where you work. We're playing softball here."<br />
<br />
Notable offensive performances included Sarah McNamara who went 2/2 with 2 runs scored. Blake Ratcliffe made a diving stop at 3rd and then threw out a runner, so he was awarded the game ball.<br />
<br />
--
NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE!<br />
Rob 1/1 2R, 1 RBI<br />
Sarah 2/2 2R<br />
Dave 1/1, 2R<br />
Max 0/2, 2R<br />
Blake 1/2, 2R<br />
Miles 1/2, 3R<br />
Josh 2/2, 2R, 1 RBI<br />
Tim 1/2, 1R<br />
Jeremy 1/2, 1R<br />
Jenny 0/2<br />
Elyse 0/2<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yNVlguGBHGI/UcKDuLFz6tI/AAAAAAAADSo/SNP3E13Me0Y/s1600/image_1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yNVlguGBHGI/UcKDuLFz6tI/AAAAAAAADSo/SNP3E13Me0Y/s320/image_1.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ug9CqXQJIc/UcKDwu9wsBI/AAAAAAAADSw/OfbJEZlMvRs/s1600/image_2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ug9CqXQJIc/UcKDwu9wsBI/AAAAAAAADSw/OfbJEZlMvRs/s320/image_2.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PLMfPATYWY/UcKD0Mwr7xI/AAAAAAAADS4/71hKX-ajvRQ/s1600/image_4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2PLMfPATYWY/UcKD0Mwr7xI/AAAAAAAADS4/71hKX-ajvRQ/s320/image_4.jpeg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Et1W55q38/UcKD3Vw_ZAI/AAAAAAAADTA/r8JxKwry4BM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W5Et1W55q38/UcKD3Vw_ZAI/AAAAAAAADTA/r8JxKwry4BM/s320/photo.JPG" /></a></div>
Jeremy W-Ihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693509973674953335noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-70389958244070370422011-06-07T14:17:00.001-04:002011-06-07T14:18:47.074-04:00ING Lions 14, Oxford Blues 7Game file not found.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-32715613820904979582011-05-20T10:09:00.002-04:002011-05-20T10:13:58.701-04:00Alliance Bernstein: 10, Blues: 7<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwJl2kNzo9Q/TdZ3CJGJRHI/AAAAAAAAA7g/GPqIh0tdi7g/s1600/225874_10150186182931607_356938326606_7276861_7661560_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cwJl2kNzo9Q/TdZ3CJGJRHI/AAAAAAAAA7g/GPqIh0tdi7g/s320/225874_10150186182931607_356938326606_7276861_7661560_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608801264621667442" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">(This week's recap brought to you by Michelle Lipinski)</p><p class="MsoNormal">It was a sunny, temperate day when the Blues took home field at <st1:place st="on">Central Park</st1:place>’s Great Lawn to battle Alliance Bernstein. This <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> was an unknown entity, other than a 1-3 record and a fairly innocuous team name. Apparently, they are <a href="https://www.alliancebernstein.com/abcom/global_landing_page/index_page.htm">research-driven financial advisors</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> bats wasted no time and the Blues allowed two runs in the first inning, but came back quickly with three bottom-inning runs from the top of the order. That seemed to set the tone for the rest of the game—a back and forth battle with no end in sight. As usual, the Blues defense was strong, with some great plays by the Gator, David, and Brian, all of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402#!/photo.php?fbid=10150189008518403&set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402&type=1&theater">whom made it look easy</a> in the infield, and some great outfield catches by Taylor and Coach Ozzi, among others.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> had a strong top of the line-up with some seriously scary hitters, and scored one or two runs every inning up until the end of the 5<sup>th</sup>. By then, the score was 7-4, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city>, and it looked like the Blues might not be able to recover. But the Blues mounted their attack at the top of the sixth, with two defensive innings of three-up, three-down. The Blues’ bats also came alive, starting with an impressive homerun by <st1:city st="on">Taylor</st1:city> which caused the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> to run into another field’s outfield, and brought the Blues dugout to their feet. This <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> was not impenetrable. The Blues bats gained back those three runs, and the game was tied in an exciting bottom of the 7<sup>th </sup>rally.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Blues kept pressuring the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> through a scoreless 8<sup>th</sup> inning. Then stuff got real in the 9<sup>th</sup>. The <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city> bats could not be silenced, and three runs were scored. Despite a valiant effort during the Blues’ last turn at the plate, including some impressive rips from<a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402#!/photo.php?fbid=10150189017013403&set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402&type=1&theater"> Jessica</a> and Alina, those three extra runs proved to be too much, and the final score went to the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Alliance</st1:place></st1:city>, 10-7.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And so the Blues fought hard, yet victory was denied—very much like <a href="http://oxfordbluessoftball.blogspot.com/2011/05/debevoise-plimpton-14-blues-15.html">the game preceding it</a>. Things could have been worse. The Coaches, though not overjoyed, expressed pride in the team’s efforts. No one could walk from the field away feeling very much like a loser. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">After the game, the Blues retired for their first visit to Jake’s for the season. On their way from Central Park West, a few Blues ran into <a href="http://blog.omy.sg/dingan/files/2009/04/spockvulcan.jpg">a living legend</a>. (Perhaps, after this chance meeting, we should question the innocuousness of a team that uses the word “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon-Cardassian_Alliance#KC_Alliance">Alliance</a>” in its name.) The Legend’s words to us were studied, if brief: “May your bats live long and prosper, Oxford Blues.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you want to check out some pictures from the game, Coach Repino posted some <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402">here.</a> They’re especially good if you happen to have a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402#!/photo.php?fbid=10150189027663403&set=a.10150162455418403.289403.532693402&type=1&theater">foot fetish</a>. Of course, that’s a <a href="http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/feed/2010-12/new-york-jets/story/jets-coach-rex-ryan-foot-fetish-report-is-personal-matter">personal matter</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-10167402220399725022011-05-06T09:44:00.006-04:002011-05-09T09:49:14.704-04:00Debevoise & Plimpton: 15, Blues: 14<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgoM8gqHUXY/Tcfvb3Yk8QI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MXgzqxNLkJA/s1600/IMG_6282.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XgoM8gqHUXY/Tcfvb3Yk8QI/AAAAAAAAA7A/MXgzqxNLkJA/s320/IMG_6282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604711523288412418" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><div><br /></div>After<a href="http://oxfordbluessoftball.blogspot.com/2010/04/blues-17-debevoise-plimpton-5.html"> last year's shellacking </a>in Morningside Park, D&P were hungry for a rematch against the Blues. They clearly wanted a win. But the Blues made them work for it. With several Blues players absent and some showing up late/leaving early, it wasn't the easiest game to manage. Players were asked to go outside their comfort zone in the field. Alina held it down at 1st base while Hurley moved back to his old stomping grounds in left field. And Jessica Chesnutt earned her rookie stripes behind the plate.<div><br /></div><div>D&P got off to an early lead which had the Blues trailing 9-2 early in the game. But unlike your mom, the Blues do not go down easy. Battling back with smart hitting and hustle on the basepaths, a pair of 2-out rallies gave the Blues an 11-10 lead in the 5th. </div><div><br /></div><div>D&P battled back with a few runs in the late innings, leaving the Blues with a 3-run deficit in the last inning. The Blues were able to make it interesting in the bottom of the 7th and brought the score to 15-14 with 2 outs and the tying run on base. There was no one the Blues would rather have at the plate than Joe "The Gator" Cognard, but alas, this one was not meant to be. But we all agreed that on the upside, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/world/asia/osama-bin-laden-is-killed.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=osama%20bin%20laden&st=cse">we shot Osama right in his fucking eye</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the game, there was a lot of talk about moral victory. And if such a thing exists (it doesn't), the Blues definitely earned it. Knowing they'd have to work extra hard to fill in for missing teammates, the Blues were all heart, making the smart plays and hustling for every single out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Afterwards, the Blues headed over to the Bull Moose for some Cinco de Mayo/We Killed Osama celebrating. Seems like it was just a few days ago we were there showing <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150172022201607.296626.356938326606">this guy</a> a good time in New York. (Seriously, who comes to NY for a weekend and spends it in a dive bar?)</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-43430178856957834292011-04-21T14:43:00.013-04:002011-04-22T13:54:50.621-04:00Sharks: 8, Blues: 15<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZk9sM-KPfQ/TbG65PU5zpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/pVPP79no1UE/s1600/P1000785.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uZk9sM-KPfQ/TbG65PU5zpI/AAAAAAAAA6E/pVPP79no1UE/s320/P1000785.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598461304327753362" /></a><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span">How does one top a season like last year's 7-5 record? Now I know what you're thinking: With an 8-4 record. Well, smart guy, we're in publishing and we're not "good with numbers" and we "lack basic math skills". But one thing you don't need your fancy quadratic equation for is this: The Blues will lead the league in wins this year. Period. And they started that quest off right in Wednesday night's win against the Sharks.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Traveling to the unfamiliar territory of Harlem River Park, the Blues took the field as the lights came on. It took an inning or two to get back into the swing of things, but luckily (game ball recipient) Dave D'Addona hadn't lost a step and came through with the Blues' first hit of the season and made the first several outs on the field. Many attribute to this to his <a href="http://epicmealtime.com/">pre-season meal plan</a>. But the Blues soon caught up, slugging their way to double digit runs off some speedy running by Coach Repino, the season's first homer by Taylor Pilkington (who also scored a soccer goal in right field), and smart baserunning all around.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">After five straight innings of tight D by the Blues, Ninell caught the last out behind the plate. At which point, the Blues had technically mercied the Sharks, 15-3. But being the gracious competitors they are (plus it takes forever to get to Harlem), the Blues decided to finish the game out and spot the Sharks a few dignity runs. Final score: Sharks: 8, Blues 15, the first win for the new coaches, Ozzi and Repino.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span">Afterwards, the Blues promptly got the hell out of Harlem and headed to Gael Pub and with Ben Keene all the way in Asia, were allowed to leave at their own leisure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-11245242479055469012010-12-06T17:05:00.003-05:002010-12-06T17:12:43.370-05:00Blues Blotter<meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CPILKIN%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><b style=""><span style="color:black;">Blues Offseason News Blotter: November 06, 2010</span><o:p></o:p></b> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1b3ahUDGurg/TP1e6e8BCdI/AAAAAAAAAAU/PwgX5T7N2_c/s1600/Blues%2Bpicture.bmp"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1b3ahUDGurg/TP1e6e8BCdI/AAAAAAAAAAU/PwgX5T7N2_c/s320/Blues%2Bpicture.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547694674820532690" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Good times.</span></span>
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><b style=""><span style="color:black;">Blues name new Coaches:</span><o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:personname st="on">Dan Ozzi</st1:personname> and Robert Repino were named the new managers of the Oxford Blues, replacing <st1:personname st="on">Ben Keene</st1:personname> and Tanya Laplante.<span style=""> </span>When asked about the upcoming season, Ozzi simply screamed “LET THE REIGN OF TERROR BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!” </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">
<br /></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Former Blues Manager Flees Country:<o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Erstwhile Blues coach <st1:personname st="on">Ben Keene</st1:personname> has fled the country for Asia under mysterious circumstances—his rumored destination is <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Thailand</st1:place></st1:country-region>, known for its sex tourism industry (this is purely contextual information—draw your own conclusions).
<br />
<br /><b><span style="color:black;">Jeter tries out with Blues:</span></b>
<br /><span style="color:black;">Derek Jeter was <a href="http://cdn.buzznet.com/media/jj1/2010/11/kelly-jeter-vuitton/minka-kelly-derek-jeter-vuitton-06.jpg">seen exiting Blues training facility</a> Jake’s Dilemma Saturday night, after a tryout with new team managers <st1:personname st="on">Dan Ozzi</st1:personname> and Robert Repino. Though the current Yankees captain declined to comment, sources within the Blues Organization say that as of yet, no decision has been reached. Reports had placed Jeter’s potential contract with the Blues in the range of $85 million over four years, plus free drinks after games</span>.
<br /><b><span style="color:black;">Update: Jeter will not join Blues this season:</span></b>
<br /><span style="color:black;">Said manager <st1:personname st="on">Dan Ozzi</st1:personname>: “Unfortunately, Derek failed a portion of our physical exam which required him to eat a minimum of three <a href="http://www.funnycoolstuff.com/images/biggest-burger.jpg">chili bacon burgers</a> within a half hour. Extra points would have been awarded if he also added fried eggs.” More news to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">Update: Jeter re-signs with Yankees, calls it “consolation prize:”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Said Jeter: “It would have been awesome to <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwright40/4576647143/in/set-72157623886423352/">play beer pong with someone good</a> for a change.<span style=""> </span>A-Rod sucks.”<span style=""> </span>Blues member <a href="http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/Tim-Riggins-friday-night-lights-561367_1124_1500.jpg">Andy Fargnoli</a> upon hearing the news: “It’s for the best.<span style=""> </span>Everyone knows <a href="http://searchingforsonny.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/minka_kelly.jpg">Minka Kelly</a> and I had an on-again, off-again thing when I played high school football in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Texas</st1:place></st1:state>, and being on the same team would have just been too much for Derek to handle.<span style=""> </span>There’s just too much history.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">
<br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">Repino bitten by Radioactive Cliff Lee:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">Mild-mannered Blues coach and pitcher Rob “R-Train” Repino was touring a <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Columbia</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place> laboratory yesterday when a <a href="http://theknickerblogger.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/cliff_lee_dragon_2.jpg?w=356&h=318">radioactive Cliff Lee</a> which had escaped from its tank bit his hand, raising a suspiciously red, throbbing lump (that’s what she said?).<span style=""> </span>This is probably nothing, but we’ll follow this story as it develops.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">Update: Repino gains Super-Human Pitching Abilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black;">“The Pocket Rocket” was seen throwing 130 mph softballs through a brick wall this morning.<span style=""> </span>Dr. Curt Connors, a genetic specialist from the science lab Repino visited yesterday, said it probably has something to do with the radioactive Cliff Lee bite.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black;">Update: Repino Vows Revenge on all Blues’ Foes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After watching his <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jwright40/4577277534/in/set-72157623886423352/">“Uncle Ben”</a>—Repino’s nickname for a former Blues coach (who has since fled the country for sex tourism related reasons and will remain unnamed)—lose a softball game because of Repino’s refusal to pitch after he was unpaid for the previous game, Repino has vowed revenge upon all batters, everywhere.<span style=""> </span>Reportedly, Uncle Ben’s last words in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> were: “Rob, with great pitching, comes a better chance to win games.<span style=""> </span>Also, your infield is pretty good, so actually, don’t worry about it that much.<span style=""> </span>But remember what I said about the pitching.<span style=""> </span>Ok, my plane is about to take off.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<br />GotPilkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15032576416013359091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-13389469608803685672010-07-28T02:18:00.004-04:002010-07-28T02:26:57.665-04:00The Best of the Best<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__wM7EvzIMVU/TE_HVZWGArI/AAAAAAAAAeg/FOLQQkdLefg/s1600/2010-07-26+15.01.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__wM7EvzIMVU/TE_HVZWGArI/AAAAAAAAAeg/FOLQQkdLefg/s400/2010-07-26+15.01.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This week's post was by Dan "And Another Burger for my Friend" Ozzi. —The Editors.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">For whatever reason, the Blues have never been invited to play in The Yorkville Sports Association’s All Star Game. Perhaps it’s because there has never before been one. Or perhaps there has been and the Blues’ record was not good enough to qualify. Kind of like when you were 9 and weren't invited to that awesome birthday party at Discovery Zone that all your friends went to. (By the way, if you’re reading this, Eugene Peleshi, I still have not forgiven you!)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">But 2010 being the Year of the Blues (and according to the Chinese Zodiac, the Housecat), the All Star game had Oxford representation from 3B Joe C. and 2B Michelle. Under the sage guidance of the EBGBs’ coach, Lipinski and Joe batted back to back in the lineup, going a combined 4 for 4 and touching the plate each time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Down a few runs in the last inning, Michelle and Joe brought the Blues’ can-drink attitude to their all star team which came back to gain the lead. Not wanting to take any chances on a blown save, this prompted the manager to call in the Mariano Rivera of 3B closers, Joe C., to close out the game at 3rd. With one out to go, a grounder down the line allowed Joe to use his gator-like gatoring to gator the ball and gator it down to first base, ending the game in a win. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Their team was largely a sea of black and yellow, with players from EBGBs and Debevoise and Plimpton. But the Blues provided a much-needed touch of blue and white. All the league’s favorites were there, including… you know… That Large Guy on EBGBs, um… First Basewoman Repino Has A Crush On, uh… Big Calf Asian Guy. Well ok, we don’t know their names, but by the end of the game they knew ours! Several players even remarked at what an amazing rookie team the Blues are. After learning that we’ve been in the league for six seasons, there were awkward silences… and then fireworks. Maybe.</span></div>Ben Keenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04508074978415070421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-7751216555736769592010-06-29T13:55:00.003-04:002010-06-29T14:23:44.861-04:00Brink of History, Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QFdIZvM6yYw/TCozr6y83iI/AAAAAAAAABQ/vFXCwe03BVo/s1600/Managing+even+then.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QFdIZvM6yYw/TCozr6y83iI/AAAAAAAAABQ/vFXCwe03BVo/s400/Managing+even+then.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488255925514722850" border="0" /></a>To the best softball team in the least competitive co-ed division of the Yorkville Sports League:<br /><br />I only have one thing to add to Coach Taylor's post. It seems strange five years down the road, but in the spring of 2006, we didn't know if the newly minted Oxford Blues would even return to defend their 1-11 record. Many of the Blues were moving on: team founder Al Cascio and manager-in-waiting Kyle Taylor were moving on to new jobs at new companies. We could always depend on KT to lead us on the field, and Al to send us semi-clad pictures of David Hasselhoff, but we needed someone to send out the emails, carry the team bag, and get everyone to the game on time.<br /><br />I had a hunch that a couple of other Blues were better suited to the role than I was (a certain under-used utility player and dependable everyday catcher come to mind), but in the meantime, I had one talent to offer: my cubicle was next to Al's. When I finally volunteered for the job, Al pointed at me and hissed, "I f*@&ing <span style="font-style: italic;">knew</span> you'd step up."<br /><br />So I sent the emails, carried the bag and we got to our first game on time. And in the last inning we rallied for the win, what was then only our second victory ever. The following celebration provided a a worthy edit to the team mantra: have fun and drink beer, but you will always have more fun when you win. I wouldn't change anything about those early seasons (well, maybe one particular fly ball that was lost in the sun), but if we had made it to the <span style="font-style: italic;">playoffs</span>? Wow...<br /><br />So before you step on the field before tomorrow's historic game for our first-ever playoff berth, I'd like to leave you with the only sentiment I feel appropriate for the occasion: "I f*@&ing <span style="font-style: italic;">knew</span> you'd step up." And I know you will again.<br /><br />Let's go Blues.Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15126675749215318837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6642788975809052394.post-86521575756591159602010-06-28T02:28:00.038-04:002010-06-29T03:33:01.929-04:00On the Brink of History<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Blues Brethren,<br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br />You are about to embark on a historic mission.<span style=""> </span>That mission is to take the Blues into their first ever post-season.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />With your indulgences, I’d like to use a common quote once said by Will Smith’s </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >character in the below average romantic-comedy <i>Hitch</i>. The quote is “You can’t always know where you are going until you know where you have been”. I normally cringe at such a cheesy line but in my mind it fits this moment very well . . .</span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>****************************************************************</o:p></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>*</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><b style="">“Don’t worry if you suck.<span style=""> </span>It’s just an excuse to drink beer”</b></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">-Al Cascio, 2005 (aka The Godfather, Al Casanova, Skip)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Al Cascio was fond of sports and even more fond of drinking.<span style=""> </span>One day he realized that four or five of his fellow OUPers were also interested in either sports, drinking, or both.<span style=""> </span>So in the Spring of 2005 he went cubicle to cubicl</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e, gathered support, started a petition, received funding, and started the Oxford Blues (named after the 1984 Rob Lowe movie) .<span style=""> </span>The team started out small and consisted of a rag tag bunch of 10 or 12 wildly different characters.<span style=""> </span>Their physical prowess was limited but that<span style=""> </span>didn’t bother Al.<span style=""> </span>His recruiting pitch focused more on the camaraderie and less on the competition.<span style=""> </span>So the new team was established with the mantra: Have fun and Drink Beer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChD9HcSk5I/AAAAAAAACBw/cMHYc097_xA/s1600/godfather2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChD9HcSk5I/AAAAAAAACBw/cMHYc097_xA/s320/godfather2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487710863199736722" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Al Cascio discussing team strategy with fellow Blue, Cathy Giffi)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2005</span></span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >The first season was a competitive disappointment although the Blues did stick to their mission of fun and drinks.<span style=""> </span>On the field, the Blues struggled to field a full team of 10 and were often “mercy ruled” by the fifth inning.<span style=""> </span>They also were forced to play on a dust bowl in Hell’s Kitchen and make shift fields scattered throughout <st1:place st="on">Harlem</st1:place>.<span style=""> </span>However, the team held their heads high and went out for cheap pitchers of beer after every game, no matter the </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">outcome.</span><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Then one summer day in 2005, the Blues managed to earn their first ever victory.<span style=""> </span>It was a nail-b</span><span style="font-size:85%;">iter that ended with the opposing team, WFAN Radio, grounding out with the go-ahead run on base to end the game and give the Blues </span><span style="font-size:85%;">their lone win of the season by the score of</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> 5-6.<span style=""> </span>In the post game jubilation, the team realized that the Blues had become more than just a t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">eam of unathletic drinking buddies. This was something special.<span style=""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathpr> <m:mathfont val="Cambria Math"> <m:brkbin val="before"> <m:brkbinsub val="--"> <m:smallfrac val="off"> <m:dispdef/> <m:lmargin val="0"> <m:rmargin val="0"> <m:defjc val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent val="1440"> <m:intlim val="subSup"> <m:narylim val="undOvr"> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" defunhidewhenused="true" defsemihidden="true" defqformat="false" defpriority="99" latentstylecount="267"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="0" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Normal"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="heading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="9" qformat="true" name="heading 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 7"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 8"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" name="toc 9"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="35" qformat="true" name="caption"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="10" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" name="Default Paragraph Font"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="11" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtitle"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="22" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Strong"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="20" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="59" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Table Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Placeholder Text"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="1" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="No Spacing"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Revision"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="34" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="List Paragraph"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="29" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="30" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Quote"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="60" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="61" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="62" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Light Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="63" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="64" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="65" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="66" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="67" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="68" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="69" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="70" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Dark List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="71" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="72" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful List Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="73" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="19" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin-top:0in; margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:10.0pt; margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:";font-size:11pt;" ><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:137.25pt;height:201.75pt;visibility:visible'"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\KT\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg" title="winningtally"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChFXAnpagI/AAAAAAAACCA/gtVF-lnH_Y8/s1600/winningtally.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChFXAnpagI/AAAAAAAACCA/gtVF-lnH_Y8/s320/winningtally.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487712407556549122" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Winning "scorecard" from the Blues first victory)</span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">From that point on, the team grew closer and closer.<span style=""> </span>By the end of the season the teammates looked for other excuses to congregate and drink and so a Blues tradition was born, the Annual Softball Banquet at the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Astoria</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">Beer</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Garden</st1:placetype></st1:place>. At the banquet, season highlights were relived, individual awards were handed out, and of course plenty of Czech beer was consumed.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChLapUYHkI/AAAAAAAACC4/C4rhAQ2FKlc/s1600/IMGP0142-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChLapUYHkI/AAAAAAAACC4/C4rhAQ2FKlc/s400/IMGP0142-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487719067090951746" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(First annual Blues Banquet 2005)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">During the winter the gang continued to stick together and organized trips to the Cheap Shots bar in the east village, Beer Pong competitions on the <st1:place st="on">Upper East Side</st1:place>, and parties in <st1:place st="on">Brooklyn</st1:place> at the apartment of a rookie catcher named Tanya Laplante.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2006</span></span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >By the time the second season rolled around, the Blues had est</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">ablished themselves as a fun loving bunch and recruiting came easier.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">They now were able to consistently field a full team and so they looked to improve on their inaugural effort.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">They took a small step forward in the win column and earned three legitimate victories and one win via the forfeit.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">Things were headed in the right direction. Another advancement for the team was moving to the league's midtown division. This allowed the Blues to play closer to home and establish consistent uptown and downtown watering holes (Jake's Dilema and the Bull Moose).</span><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChKmhZ9kFI/AAAAAAAACCo/JzEhXFc7j18/s1600/Blues-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChKmhZ9kFI/AAAAAAAACCo/JzEhXFc7j18/s400/Blues-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487718171613696082" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;">(Blues team photo 2006)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2007</span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">During the Spring of 2007 the word had really spread around OUP that the Blues were on the rise and were welcoming all newcomers just like in years past.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">However, because of the team’s new popularity the roster grew to over 25 players and coaches Matt Greene, Tanya Laplante, and Kyle Taylor had a bit of a problem.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">The Blues had always allowed everyone to participate, so for the first two games of the season they tried to stick to that principle by rotating players every two innings to accommodate everyone.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">This carousel of players didn’t allow anyone to get into a rhythm on offense or defense and resulted in two mercy rule losses and a restructuring of the team.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">You see, the coaches realized that in order to accomplish rule #1 (Have Fun) the team had to be able to finish games, and therefore be competitive, and therefore limit the number of players per game.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">This was a controversial maneuver but the Blues were able to pull off the delicate balance of staying relevant on the field while avoiding the temptation to be ruthless with roster spots in the name of success.</span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChPIHv_WFI/AAAAAAAACDE/E156U0Li8aU/s1600/Bull+Moose.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChPIHv_WFI/AAAAAAAACDE/E156U0Li8aU/s400/Bull+Moose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487723146888829010" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size:85%;">(Blues at the Bull Moose 2007)</span><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2008</span></span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Blues lost a few key players during the off season between the 2007 and 2008.<span style=""> </span>The first few practices in 2008 hosted a bunch of fresh new faces.<span style=""> </span>This new mix of old and new Blues challenged the team to come together quickly, which they did. After a few games the team gelled and had one of their best after-hours seasons since the early days.<span style=""> </span>There was ranch dressing chugging, countless rounds of Goldshlager shots, and an epic night of karaoke at the Bull Moose with the Blues, medical marketing's Team Bussy, and family and friends all the way from Germany. Unfortunately, the karaoke and fun didn’t translate into wins on the field.<span style=""> </span>The team struggled early on and would finish the season with only one win.</span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal" face="georgia"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChLBF0FXQI/AAAAAAAACCw/LRtWBexE3J4/s1600/team+photo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChLBF0FXQI/AAAAAAAACCw/LRtWBexE3J4/s400/team+photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487718628063534338" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">(Blues team photo 2008)</span></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2009</span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I moved away in the fall of 2008 and wasn’t on hand for the 2009 season but I stayed in close touch with the team.<span style=""> </span>From all accounts, the 2008’s 1-11 season had zapped some of the enthusiasm from the four-year veteran players, including coach Laplante and newly promoted coach Ben Keene.<span style=""> </span>Although the newer players were still optimistic and able to shrug off the tough losses, the weight of four years of defeat had worn down the remaining original players.<span style=""> </span>When the team started out 1-7 and took a crushing loss to Telerep, the outlook was bleak.<span style=""> </span>The team was able to party on valiantly but underneath the surface of cheap pitchers, beer pong, and hot wings, for the first time the franchise was in pain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The next week the Blues earned a victory via the forfeit.<span style=""> </span>After such a rough start to the season, most teams would probably take the cheap win and cancel the trip to the park.<span style=""> </span>They might instead opt to go straight to the bar or maybe even go straight home and enjoy the night off.<span style=""> </span>The Blues had other plans in mind.<span style=""> </span>Even though they were dwelling in the bottom of the league with no chances for the playoffs, they decided to continue on to the scheduled field to practice hitting some balls and have a scrimmage.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Although there is no way of knowing for sure, I like to believe that the Blues spirit and decision to continue on to practice that day set the team on an upward swing from which they have not yet come down.<span style=""> </span>After winning just just two legitimate games in the previous <i style="">two years</i>, the Blues would go on to finish their remaining four games with two wins (including a 21 to 1 blowout), one loss, and one tie.<span style=""> </span>Most importantly, they would end the season on a positive note and create momentum for 2009.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChPYQQQpfI/AAAAAAAACDM/DKL2xoSmTvc/s1600/Blues+2009.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChPYQQQpfI/AAAAAAAACDM/DKL2xoSmTvc/s400/Blues+2009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487723424049571314" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br />(Blues team photo 2009)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;" >2010</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">This year, the team has picked up where they left off in 2009 and they have broken just about every competitive record in franchise history.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">It has been a year of firsts including the first ever 6-win season, the first ever shutout victory, and the first ever walk off home run.</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> </span><span style="font-family:georgia;">With a 6-5 record and one game remaining, the Blues are also on the verge of their first ever winning season.</span></span><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChRGiMR-kI/AAAAAAAACDc/ARGRX2Cvwqo/s1600/blues+2010.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 404px; height: 286px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H6vmJODaphM/TChRGiMR-kI/AAAAAAAACDc/ARGRX2Cvwqo/s400/blues+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487725318650329666" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >(2010 Blues in their B-Boy Stance)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>********************************************************************</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">. . . So now that you know where the Blues have been, I hope that you are a little better equipped to take them further than they have ever been before.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">I know you’ll go out there and give it all you have, but don’t forget to take a second to enjoy the moment for its place not only in Blues history but in your history.<span style=""> </span><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Because<span style=""> what now seems like a single important softball game, will one day be part of the surreal and beloved time in your life when you </span>played and partied alongside some of your greatest friends, in the greatest park, in the greatest city in the world.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></p> <p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Go Blues.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">-KT</span></p>K.T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09034856392545025731noreply@blogger.com8