"Never get involved in a land war in Asia" or "Walk the Lead-Off Batter"
Roneil driving the ball |
The Stamford Pirates were preparing to
play the Westport Cardinals in game
three of the best of three semi- finals of the Ct MSBL playoffs when observers were pondering various parallels to history . History offers some lessons that may be insightful as
one proceeds into battle.
Would this game three be similar to day
three of the Battle of Gettysburg where the forces of the Union overcame
the invasion of Confederates led
by General Robert E Lee turning the war in the favor of the North ? One
observer recalled that on day three
battles were raging on Culp's
Hill, and cavalry battles raged to the east and south, but the main event was a
dramatic infantry assault by 12,500 Confederates against the center of the
Union line on Cemetery Ridge known as Pickett’s Charge.
Confederates reach their high water mark on Pickett's charge on Day 3 at Gettysburg |
Thoughtful observers
also offered the Battle of Poltava in 1709 as a possible model for what
was to happen. There the forces of Charles XII of Sweden had invaded Russia
with the intention of taking Moscow and ending the reign of Tsar Peter I. At
the time, Peter had not yet picked up
‘The Great” as a suffix so he was more
likely referred to as Peter “The Up and Coming”, or Peter “Off to a Good Start.” At
the time Sweden was the top seed in
Europe and had marched toward Russia with
44,000 well trained soldiers. But the winter was the coldest in 500 years and
Charles lost half his troops during the brutally cold winter while the Russians were better prepared to handle the winter. In the
subsequent Battle, Peter defeated the invading Swedes and this defeat marked
the acknowledgement that Russia was a military power.
But the lasting lesson was the rule : "Never get involved in a land war In Asia"
But the lasting lesson was the rule : "Never get involved in a land war In Asia"
As the teams were preparing to start the
game there seemed little chance of a land war in Asia, but a clash of the two
teams in a “Win or Go Home" game induced
in observers the unconscious shiver one
might have on the eve of a battle.
Westport was the home team and would send
out their ace lefty Griff. Griff is hard throwing and very tall (at 6’5”’ he still was three inches
shorter than Peter the Great who stood
6’8’’ and likely would have been a very hard thrower).
The Pirates would counter with your faithful correspondent. Two seasons ago, the teams had met in the semi finals. In game two of that series we had the most exciting moment I had witnessed in my many years in the league. Trailing by three in the bottom of the seventh and down a game the Pirates came to bat three outs away from elimination. The Cardinals ace Matt Bartolemi was cruising along. But with two outs we get a singles from Roneil Icatar and Evan Smith to bring up Scott Gussarof. Scott is prepared and swings at the first pitch and blasts it high and far over the fence at Stamford High School way up the driveway of the house across the street. The ball was out of the park before he took a step out of the box . What a bomb! I recall jumping up from the bench as the ball sailed into the distance . We later won that game in extra innings when Evan knocked in Roneil with the walk off. But that home run was the most dramatic moment I had witnessed in my years in the league. As I was getting in my warm ups I wondered would we see more drama in our game today ?
Peter the Great would have been a hard throwing lefty -very tough |
The Pirates would counter with your faithful correspondent. Two seasons ago, the teams had met in the semi finals. In game two of that series we had the most exciting moment I had witnessed in my many years in the league. Trailing by three in the bottom of the seventh and down a game the Pirates came to bat three outs away from elimination. The Cardinals ace Matt Bartolemi was cruising along. But with two outs we get a singles from Roneil Icatar and Evan Smith to bring up Scott Gussarof. Scott is prepared and swings at the first pitch and blasts it high and far over the fence at Stamford High School way up the driveway of the house across the street. The ball was out of the park before he took a step out of the box . What a bomb! I recall jumping up from the bench as the ball sailed into the distance . We later won that game in extra innings when Evan knocked in Roneil with the walk off. But that home run was the most dramatic moment I had witnessed in my years in the league. As I was getting in my warm ups I wondered would we see more drama in our game today ?
Scott Throwing gas in Game 2 |
Griff seems to struggle with the cold as
well and to start the game walks Joe Paccione our leadoff hitter. Sitting on the bench I know
all about the probabilities of the leadoff walk scoring. Griff follows that by
hitting Kevin Collins. Long time readers know the crucial lesson that
leadoff walks score and often bring
their friends too. This is right up there with never start a land war in Asia. Scott follows with a ground ball to short. A routine
grounder to short poses the likelihood of a double play but the throw to second
is high and rolls into right field. I am sure the baseball gods are behind this error as they would not allow a grounder ball to compensate for the walk and hit
batsman. The baseball gods are a very vindictive bunch and extract a big price for lead off walks. On the overthrow one run is in to score. Kevin Collins tries to score all the way from first but is out at the plate. Scott meanwhile goes to second on the throw to home. On the next pitch Scott breaks
for third .Griff steps off but his throw is off line and Scott gets to third. Chris
Auten singles him in and the Pirates are on the board with two runs-with just one
hit.
The Cardinals have one of the best players leaving
for a wedding so their normal batting order is changed to get him leading off to get an at bat.
But one pitch and fly to left field sends him on his way. Up next is their
regular leadoff hitter Steve Anaqnostou
(Aggie) . I have been pondering all week on how to pitch to him. He is a
lefty and is one of the few hitters who takes the two seam fastball away to the
opposite field. The two seam fastball away tends to be my best pitch to a lefty
but it does not seem to pose a problem for Aggie. So I try the change up, the
four seam fast ball inside, the curve and the four seam fastball inside and walk him on four pitches -none of
which were at risk to being called a strike. At this point I was not thinking
about the desperation of Pickett’s charge but decided if I am going to get beat
then it will be with my best.
Aggie is a complete player- the scouts
would refer to him as a “Tool shed” .
See https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/vbgqvm/good-face-high-ass-the-baseball-scouting-glossary
which is a really entertaining article about classifications and terms scouts reference to
describe players .Tool shed : A player possessing lots of tools, i.e. the individual attributes (arm strength, hitting power, etc.) that comprise a well-rounded player)
So Aggie promptly steals second. I now am
committed to the two seamer and against Oliver Van Zant I throw one inside as
Aggie tries for third. But Cam Giordano, our catcher fires a strike to Kevin Collins who applies
the tag at third and we have an out – a
great throw by Cam . Observers were impressed with the throw but no one there
could anticipate what a big factor in the game his arm would prove. Cam has
caught every inning of every game this season and is now on game three in two
days but he is as spry as a young golden
retriever and fired up with the throw. Pirate fans are aware Cam is scheduled to be married in three weeks but he is not distracted and eager to compete.
I try the change-up to finish Oliver but
he grounds one through the hole between short and third for a single. So much
for using all my pitches. But we get the always dangerous Lars Anderson on a grounder
to Roneil and after one inning the Pirates hold the lead at 2-0.
In the second we get a double from Johnny Liz .With two out Kevin Collins drives a shot off the fence in left center scoring Johnny to extend the lead to 3-0 .
Scott taking his cuts
|
In the third ,our first baseman and clean up hitter Chris Auten, who played
at New Mexico State via playing High school ball in Los Angeles gets his second hit of the game but is stranded .
Westport is back to the middle of the
order and we get a fly ball to get the first out. Up next is Brendan Taylor.
Brendan has 11 home runs this season including one in Game 1 of the series. He
also hit a grand slam off me a few weeks back so he is not likely terrified at
the prospect of facing me. I am in my “you’re going to have to beat me with my
best” mode . And he does just that blasting a fastball way up in the trees at Wakeman Park. Nearby homeowners were grateful for the trees as that ball was headed their way. As Brendan circles the bases I remind my self
I can only throw the next pitch . I
can’t do anything about the pitch that Taylor just crushed so I need to focus
on the next pitch. We get out of the inning without further damage and it is
3-2 after 3 innings – four innings left.
We start the fourth with a base hit from
Steve Scapalito. Scap had homered
earlier in the day in Game 2 . He is on first with a chance to extend
our lead. Kevin Clark follows with a base hit and the Pirate faithful are on
their feet. (In the interest of accuracy , all four of them were sitting in
their chairs keeping warm )
Westport manager Bill Thornton has seen enough and the Cardinals a pitching change. They bring in Oliver van Zant. Oliver is a Bowdoin grad and the observers pondering the Civil War are reminded of Bowdoin’s Joshua Chamberlain. While Oliver takes his warm-ups the faithful recall Joshua .
Westport manager Bill Thornton has seen enough and the Cardinals a pitching change. They bring in Oliver van Zant. Oliver is a Bowdoin grad and the observers pondering the Civil War are reminded of Bowdoin’s Joshua Chamberlain. While Oliver takes his warm-ups the faithful recall Joshua .
The Battle of Gettysburg is where
Chamberlain became famous and may have saved the Union’s bacon during the
second day of the battle. After being pushed out of the town in the first day
of the battle, the Union controlled the high ground outside of the town.
Chamberlain, now the Colonel of the 20th Maine occupied Little Round Top on the
far left of the Union line. If the Confederates turned the line, they could
roll up the entire defense.
The 15th Alabama Regiment tried five
times to turn the line of the 20th Maine in an attempt to get a foothold on top
of Little Round Top. Each time they were turned back. They were bolstered by
men of the 4th and 47th Alabama Regiments and also the 4th and 5th Texas
Regiments. But the Confederates were exhausted having speed marched 20 miles to
the battle and entering the fray with no water.
Chamberlain ( with the mustache) leads his men down The Little Round Top with no ammo but bayonets |
“There never were harder fighters than the Twentieth Maine men and their gallant Colonel. His skill and persistency and the great bravery of his men saved Little Round Top and the Army of the Potomac from defeat.”
I was imagining this situation with Joshua and his men are up on the hill out of ammo with the Confederates coming up the hill:
Soldier: "Captain, we are all out of ammo...and they are coming for us"
Chamberlain ( with confidence) : "Finally we got 'em where we want 'em"
Soldeir : "huh?"
Soldier: (Astonished) "Charge them ???"
Chamberlain : "Yep and one more thing when we descend start screaming like those tennis players at the US Open who shriek when they hit a ball"
OK Joshua probably didn't add the US Open comment but he sure showed ingenuity and leadership and courage under fire ,
Chamberlain receiving Lee's surrender at Appomattox |
Cardinal fans were wondering if Oliver
would be able to channel his inner Chamberlain to deliver the Cards from
danger. As an aside Chamberlain spoke 9 languages.
Oliver left no doubt that he had the
stuff to do so . Scouts would say have this to say about Oliver :
( from the piece described earlier) "He's
a baseball player." Though it would seem to apply to anyone on the field—I
mean, is everyone else playing a different sport?—this sentiment is intended to
be a noble compliment conveying an evaluator's utmost respect for a prospect,
often connoting intangible skill or countenance that exceeds his physical
tools. In Dollar Sign on the Muscle, a Phillies' scouting report on Bip Roberts
praised him because, among attributes, he "can run, play defense, play
baseball." Yes, play baseball, indeed.
Oliver gets a strikeout and a double play and the threat is
extinguished . Oliver is bringing the
gas as they say and the Pirate fans are warned scoring will be a tough task
from here on out. We get through the bottom of fourth giving up just a bunt
single. Oliver strikes out the side in the top of the fifth facing the heart of
the batting order. One hitter returned to the bench after three swing and misses
and remarked “that stuff was nastier
than Darlene in Ozark”
Darlene is nasty |
Oliver leads off in the bottom of the
fifth and gets a bunt single to put him on first . We get Lars on a fly ball
but Oliver has stolen second and gotten
to third on the fly ball. Stepping to the plate is Brendan Taylor. As he steps
into the box we all hear “Put him on” as
if it is a voice out of the cornfields in Fields of Dreams. Joe Paccione had gone out to the woods in
right field to explore nature and shouted “Put him on” from out there. We cant
see Joe but we follow instructions . So Brendan
trots off to first base challenging baseball
tradition by putting the go-ahead run on base but setting up the double play
possibility. The first pitch to Josh is strike but Brendan steals second. Joe is still out in right exploring nature’s bounty shouts “Put him on”. I wonder if we are going to hear James Earl
Jones next with “ People will come Ray, oh yes, people will most definitely come". We
are all adjusted so now the bases are loaded and only 1 out. I pause to collect
myself and remind myself to forget the runners and situation focus on throwing
a good pitch. I know I need to execute the pitch and have faith the outcome
will take care of itself. Behind me are guys ready to make a play.
The pitch is an inside fastball and it is
hit on one hop to Kevin Collins at third. Kevin played on the Division 3 NCAA
champs for Trinity and has handled his share
of tough plays in big spots. He grabs the ball, pivots to home and fires a
strike to Cam for one out and Cam turns and fires to first –double play !! Inning over and on to the 6th ! Pirates clinging to 3-2 lead.
Oliver comes out and once again strikes
out the side – that is seven case you are scoring at home.
The bottom of the sixth and the Cardinals
fans are aware there is only 6 outs left. We get a fly ball but Josh Carey
singles to left with one out. We get a ground ball to Roneil which I think can
be two. He flips to second for one but the throw to first is high and over the
head of our guy sending the runner to second. This brings up Aggie with the tying
run on second. I go with the two seamer away and he hits a ground ball to short
. But the ball is bobbled and runners
are at the corners with two out and Oliver up. A curve is called strike one but
Aggie steals second giving the Cardinals the go ahead run in scoring position. A fastball
on the outside corner down and away gives me strike two. It was probably my best pitch of the day and I am ready to throw
it again. But Cam calls for the curve and pats the dirt telling me it has to be
down. I like his confidence that a curve in the dirt won’t get by and I resolve to give this as much spin as I can. The pitch is down and where we want
it - Oliver gets under it and lofts a fly to Scott in center field who takes
it in and we are thru 6 innings.
Kevin Clark leads off the 7th and breaks the
string of strikeouts with a base hit. He has been hot and that is his second
hit of the game. After another strikeout, Evan Smith singles to center and we have a chance. But Oliver strikes out
the next two batters and we are on to the 7th and final inning. The Cards have
12 K’s in the game but trail 3-2 coming to the bottom of the 7th.
Lars leads off and rips a line drive to
Scap in left and we have one out. At this time the brain trust determine I have
gone far enough and Chris Jimenez takes the ball to hopefully close it out. Chris
closed out Game 2 of the series earlier in the day with three solid innings . Coming
up to bat now is.... yes you are right - Brendan Taylor.
Chris gets Brendan to pop one up near the first base dugout. Cam, Chris and Chris
Auten from first converge but none can make the grab and Brendan is alive with
another chance. Chris hits him with the next pitch and the Cards are alive. A bloop to left field
and a walk load the bases with one out. The game will be decided right here.
Chris is cool on the mound and his body language is exuding calm and confidence.
By contrast, on the bench with Kevin Clark
, both of us feel our stomachs churning. Chris
fires in a pitch which is hit on one hop to Evan now playing third . Evan
catches the ball and fires a strike to Cam who pivots and throws to first and a
double play !!! Great play --Game over and
the Pirates win!!! Theeeeee Piraaaatessees win!!
The Pirate faithful rise up and shout and joy reigns on
the Pirate side of the field. Your faithful correspondent is thrilled. Of course , the Cardinals are disappointed their journey has
come to an end. But they come by to extend their congratulations amid the Pirate celebration .
We head to the championship final now with the knowledge everyone on the team made a contribution to get us to the championship. Let's go Pirates !
We head to the championship final now with the knowledge everyone on the team made a contribution to get us to the championship. Let's go Pirates !
Roneil about to drive one of his doubles
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