The first game of your Memorial Ballin' 2012 Center City Softball League Season dawned hot, humid with a near 90-degree temperature. Facing an uncertain opponent, expectations wavered, and apprehension lingered as a grassy infield prompted an immediate relocation.
The Ballers boasted an eclectic roster of tentatively hopeful seasoned veterans, and hesitant but eager newcomers. Four-year fielders on-hand included former Experience Host, Andrew Riley; Leon (boyfriend of current Birthday Party Lead, Morgan Robinson); and Team Captain Adam 'The Beast' Phillips. Other experienced Ballers such as former Finance Intern, Zac Cetlin; Matt Schwartz; Renee; (Brian) Rafter; Dan 'The Man' Borenstein; and favored third-baseman, Greg Riley rounded-out our practiced line-up. Season 2012 rookies of note include the External Relation Reservation 'Dream Team' (i.e. Alexis Furlong and Kristen Manka-White); Graphic Designer, Kris Holbrook; Katelyn from the Kids Store; and Community Outreach Coordinator, Krista Pfleger - All of whom also constitute a mean (not literally) pitching staff!
Game one started slow and steady with one (1) run scored by the Ballers, then matched, plus one (1), by Franklin's Force - However, our first/second inning would be the last time science led play. With three (3) runs scored during both innings three and four, followed by five (5) runs inning five, and seven (7) scored top of the sixth, your Memorial Ballers currently lead their first game (called on account of darkness and safety) with a score of...
The Franklin Institute (Home) - 7, Please Touch Museum (Away) - 19.
A score heavily supported by an incredible roster and four (4) homeruns! The brawn behind said skill? Initiated by Andrew Riley mid game, almost immediately followed by Intern Zach, then Adam, and finally Matt Schwartz - Very deep left center saw its fair share of Ballin' action!
In conclusion, barring that the new (and vastly 'improved') Franklin Force doesn't call on their former friends/teammates now comprising a spin-off team (Catahoula Refugees) for 'moral' (i.e. fielding/batting) support, the Ballers MAY just have a win on the books...
As an aside, Adam was correct - Your Memorial Ballers take on the Philadelphia Zoo Tuesday, April 24 at 6:00 PM on Edgeley Field #8; we do NOT play Monday, April 23!
Patience is stronger than force.
- Edward Counsel, "Maxims: Political, Philosophical, and Moral"
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Final Countdown
Hello Ballers!
Just a couple quick (but important) housekeeping items...
- The Memorial Ballers' FINAL practice was this past Monday, April 9. Games start in only a few precious days Monday, April 16 against The Franklin Institute on Belmont Field #4 - Please see previous post for detailed directions.
- If you are interested in a 2012 CCSL softball shirt/jersey bearing the newly designed (a la Kris Holbrook) Ballers logo, please see Adam Phillips ASAP for additional order details!
- There will be NO Bat-A-Rama this Friday, April 13 - Stay tuned for a tentative group batting practice trip next week!
- If you will be playing in Monday's 'Home Opener' against The Franklin, please let Adam Phillips know ASAP - RSVPs help when it comes to roster and fielding position placement.
Go Ballers!
Just a couple quick (but important) housekeeping items...
- The Memorial Ballers' FINAL practice was this past Monday, April 9. Games start in only a few precious days Monday, April 16 against The Franklin Institute on Belmont Field #4 - Please see previous post for detailed directions.
- If you are interested in a 2012 CCSL softball shirt/jersey bearing the newly designed (a la Kris Holbrook) Ballers logo, please see Adam Phillips ASAP for additional order details!
- There will be NO Bat-A-Rama this Friday, April 13 - Stay tuned for a tentative group batting practice trip next week!
- If you will be playing in Monday's 'Home Opener' against The Franklin, please let Adam Phillips know ASAP - RSVPs help when it comes to roster and fielding position placement.
Go Ballers!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Directions, etc.
Per a brief discussion at the Ballers' last practice, please see below for field directions and additional information regarding our first two (2) games of the 2012 Center City Softball League Season!
Also, don't forget - Last pre-preseason practice THIS Monday evening, April 9 at the high school fields near Avenue of the Republic/Lansdowne Drive traffic circle.
Your Memorial Ballers take on The Franklin Institute in just over one week, Monday, April 16 on Belmont Field #4 - Game time is approximately 5:30/6:00 PM (i.e. when both teams are present and accounted for).
Belmont Fields - Belmont Avenue and Montgomery Drive
From Memorial Hall
Edgeley Fields - Reservoir Drive and North Randolph Drive
From Memorial Hall
Go Ballers!
Also, don't forget - Last pre-preseason practice THIS Monday evening, April 9 at the high school fields near Avenue of the Republic/Lansdowne Drive traffic circle.
Your Memorial Ballers take on The Franklin Institute in just over one week, Monday, April 16 on Belmont Field #4 - Game time is approximately 5:30/6:00 PM (i.e. when both teams are present and accounted for).
Belmont Fields - Belmont Avenue and Montgomery Drive
From Memorial Hall
- Take Avenue of the Republic WEST to Belmont Avenue
- Make a RIGHT onto Belmont Avenue
- Turn RIGHT at light onto Belmont Avenue
- Turn RIGHT at light onto Montgomery Drive
- Fields will be on LEFT - Second set of fields, look for friends!
- Take I-76 WEST
- Take 341/Montgomery Drive Exit
- Turn LEFT off exit
- Fields will be on RIGHT - First set of fields, look for friends!
Edgeley Fields - Reservoir Drive and North Randolph Drive
From Memorial Hall
- Take Lansdowne Drive to West Girard Avenue (US 13)
- Make a LEFT onto West Girard Avenue (US 13)
- Take a SLIGHT LEFT onto North 33rd Street (stay/merge onto North 33rd Street)
- Turn LEFT onto Diamond Street
- Turn LEFT onto Reservoir Drive
- Take IMMEDIATE RIGHT onto (North) Randolph Drive (loop)
- Fields will be around (North) Randolph Drive loop - Look for friends!
- Take Kelly Drive from Art Museum Circle to Fountain Green Drive marked by a traffic light and statue of General Grant on CORNER
- Coming FROM Center City, turn RIGHT/Coming OUTSIDE Center City, turn LEFT
- Proceed UP Fountain Green Drive approximately 1/4 of a mile
- Fountain Green Drive will turn into Reservoir Drive
- Turn LEFT onto (North) Randolph Drive (loop)
- Fields will be around the loop - Look for friends!
Go Ballers!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
First Two Games!
Hey Ballers, just an FYI...
Game 1 - Monday, April 16 (start time approximately 5:30/6:00 PM) against reigning champs, The Franklin Institute on Belmont Field #4
Game 2 - Monday, April 23 (again, around 5:30/6:00 PM) against Parkside neighbors, The Philadelphia Zoo on Edgeley Field #4
Field location(s) can be found below - Also, feel free to contact Adam 'The Beast' Phillips, our fearless leader, should you need a ride, additional directions, etc.
P.S. Stay tuned for another pre-season/practice post!
Game 1 - Monday, April 16 (start time approximately 5:30/6:00 PM) against reigning champs, The Franklin Institute on Belmont Field #4
Game 2 - Monday, April 23 (again, around 5:30/6:00 PM) against Parkside neighbors, The Philadelphia Zoo on Edgeley Field #4
Field location(s) can be found below - Also, feel free to contact Adam 'The Beast' Phillips, our fearless leader, should you need a ride, additional directions, etc.
P.S. Stay tuned for another pre-season/practice post!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Back in the Game!
Wednesday, April 3 (at 5:30 PM, Lansdowne Avenue/Avenue of the Republic Traffic Circle Fields) will mark week four (4) of pre-season practice for Please Touch Museum's unofficial league team - The Memorial Ballers. With an altered Center City Softball League, fresh meat, returning veterans, and change in management, the 2012 season looks refreshingly uncertain.
Newcomers to the Ballers include External Relations' 'All-Star Team' of co-Reservationists - Former intern turned paid temp, Kristen Manka-White; and ex-Gallery Staffer, Alexis Furlong. Speaking of ER dreamers, also new to the Ballers is part-time Graphic Designer, Kris Holbrook - She can sketch AND softball. Other newcomers of note include Centennial Phil, Pierre from Operations, plus one-time shows, Dave Carter and Candice Phillips.
Regular/Seasoned returning favorites include, for his second stint as Memorial Baller Co-Captain, Adam 'The Beast' Phillips; Renaissance Man (i.e. infielder extraordinaire), Matt Schwartz; PTM pitcher, Claudia Setubal; puppet-master, Mike Connor; and Captain Emeritus sans Emeritus, Frank Luzi.
Game 1 against an undetermined opponent at an undisclosed location, is scheduled for the week of April 16 - Come on out and cheer your Memorial Ballers as they attempt redemption following last season's crushing 0-13 record.
Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing.
Newcomers to the Ballers include External Relations' 'All-Star Team' of co-Reservationists - Former intern turned paid temp, Kristen Manka-White; and ex-Gallery Staffer, Alexis Furlong. Speaking of ER dreamers, also new to the Ballers is part-time Graphic Designer, Kris Holbrook - She can sketch AND softball. Other newcomers of note include Centennial Phil, Pierre from Operations, plus one-time shows, Dave Carter and Candice Phillips.
Regular/Seasoned returning favorites include, for his second stint as Memorial Baller Co-Captain, Adam 'The Beast' Phillips; Renaissance Man (i.e. infielder extraordinaire), Matt Schwartz; PTM pitcher, Claudia Setubal; puppet-master, Mike Connor; and Captain Emeritus sans Emeritus, Frank Luzi.
Game 1 against an undetermined opponent at an undisclosed location, is scheduled for the week of April 16 - Come on out and cheer your Memorial Ballers as they attempt redemption following last season's crushing 0-13 record.
Any coward can fight a battle when he's sure of winning; but give me the man who has pluck to fight when he's sure of losing.
- George Eliot
Friday, July 15, 2011
The End
Winning graciously...
Clearly NOT in the Philadelphia Museum of Art's vocabulary - Unless you count late game apathy which resulted in a dropped pop fly, coverage confusion and general lackadaisical play.
AND
A pleasant surprise, South Philly Tap Room - The middle-aged bar team presumably comprised of anyone and everyone who is remotely decent and frequents SPTR; think New York Yankees of southern Brotherly Love.
Tuesday, July 5 - Philadelphia Museum of Art
Despite a residual euphoria (i.e. fat, lazy and patriotic) from Independence Day weekend, beginning a game already eleven runs in the red is difficult and demoralizing. However, there really was no choice in the matter - Every other team did it, and if every other team jumped off a bridge...
Resumed Game 11 commenced (then proceeded) with frustration, disappointment and eventual relief come bottom of seven; i.e. the end. Nothing of note remains as the Ballers lost in a crushing lot to little; true season fashion.
Monday, July 11 AND Tuesday, July 12 - South Philly Tap Room
The final chapter(s) in our perfectly imperfect yet imperfectly perfect season - A pseudo double-header which yielded back to back losses. In short, game two of said double-header was lost by about ten runs? Fortunately, game two saw a smaller margin of only five, maybe six RBIs - Or 'poked' in as the Tap Room would say.
Tuesday, April 19 THRU Tuesday, July 12 - Memorial Ballers
American inventor Thomas Edison claimed, "I failed my way to success." Samuel Smiles (yep, Smiles), early Scottish self-help guru, noted author and reformist said, "We learn wisdom from failure much more than success. We often discover what we will do, by finding out what we will not do." In short, call our season an epic fail, disaster, disappointing, even embarrassing - However, I would say, "Never regret something that once made you smile," as "Failure is part of what makes us human."
Here's to humanity, the occasional botched call, having fun, free booze (sometimes) hot dogs with cupcakes, dislocations, heat advisories, bruises, blood and a good ass-kicking - There's always next season!
Cheers Ballers, cheers!
Clearly NOT in the Philadelphia Museum of Art's vocabulary - Unless you count late game apathy which resulted in a dropped pop fly, coverage confusion and general lackadaisical play.
AND
A pleasant surprise, South Philly Tap Room - The middle-aged bar team presumably comprised of anyone and everyone who is remotely decent and frequents SPTR; think New York Yankees of southern Brotherly Love.
Tuesday, July 5 - Philadelphia Museum of Art
Despite a residual euphoria (i.e. fat, lazy and patriotic) from Independence Day weekend, beginning a game already eleven runs in the red is difficult and demoralizing. However, there really was no choice in the matter - Every other team did it, and if every other team jumped off a bridge...
Resumed Game 11 commenced (then proceeded) with frustration, disappointment and eventual relief come bottom of seven; i.e. the end. Nothing of note remains as the Ballers lost in a crushing lot to little; true season fashion.
Monday, July 11 AND Tuesday, July 12 - South Philly Tap Room
The final chapter(s) in our perfectly imperfect yet imperfectly perfect season - A pseudo double-header which yielded back to back losses. In short, game two of said double-header was lost by about ten runs? Fortunately, game two saw a smaller margin of only five, maybe six RBIs - Or 'poked' in as the Tap Room would say.
Tuesday, April 19 THRU Tuesday, July 12 - Memorial Ballers
American inventor Thomas Edison claimed, "I failed my way to success." Samuel Smiles (yep, Smiles), early Scottish self-help guru, noted author and reformist said, "We learn wisdom from failure much more than success. We often discover what we will do, by finding out what we will not do." In short, call our season an epic fail, disaster, disappointing, even embarrassing - However, I would say, "Never regret something that once made you smile," as "Failure is part of what makes us human."
Here's to humanity, the occasional botched call, having fun, free booze (sometimes) hot dogs with cupcakes, dislocations, heat advisories, bruises, blood and a good ass-kicking - There's always next season!
Cheers Ballers, cheers!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Franklin's Collar
A re-cap of our two most recent good, bad and ugly!
Monday, June 21 (and NOT Tuesday, June 22 – Our bad!) marked Game 12 of regular season play against the league reigning, always defending and slightly apathetic Franklin Institute.
Due to calendar error and mass confusion, a call for friends, even ringers, went out to all Ballers yielding a delightful response! With starkly absent key personnel (i.e. ‘The Beast’ Phillips and first baseman, Matt Schwartz), Claudia called on friend and future infield staple Tom, Leon bribed brother Jason, while ‘The Rat Pack’ (i.e. Armin, Dan B. and friend Phil) arrived in full force! Unfortunately, despite a surprisingly solid infield sans regulars, an abundant supply of Philadelphia Brewing Company booze, sunflower seeds, Gatorade and sarcasm, the Memorial Ballers lost 2-20.
Memorable moment or two of our game (i.e. warm and fuzzy worthy) include the multiple failed attempts by select Franklin forces to nail my ’95 Impreza, the late arrival of our esteemed co-captain around inning three along with solid defense exhibited by ALL Ballers despite intense, last-minute roster reorganization!
BUT, the undisputed highlight (meh?) of Game 12 took place around inning five when outfield/infield Renaissance Man, and seasoned Baller vet Leon, dislocated his left shoulder on an awkward intentional slide from first into second. Following Leon’s brutal battle wound, ice was quickly salvaged from multiple beer coolers, said cold compress applied, and our star was escorted to the nearest ER for further TLC – However, it has been rumored (ultimately verified) that Leon never saw the inside of any hospital. Apparently, Morgan, loving girlfriend, accidently applied so much pressure icing the wound, she inadvertently relocated his shoulder!
Crying?! There’s no crying in softball!
Monday, June 27 (yeah, we got it right this time), CEO Day and Game 13 against Bishop’s Collar Bar – One of a handful still vying for play-off contention. Unfortunately, we failed to effectively eliminate the Collar; losing by our second slimmest margin yet, an agonizing 16-10.
In honor and celebration of our gracious CEO seasonal support, there was a wealth of cheap summer booze, sunflower seeds and Rice Crispy Treats! Former CEO Nancy Kolb joined the festivities, cheering her team to an almost victory and encouraging peak performance!
Highlights include a diving play outta Adam ‘The Beast’ Phillips, an incredible diving roll catch a la right center, Brian ‘Bloody Bruised’ Rafter, solo homerun from third baseman Greg Riley to deep left field and truly solid play all around by ALL involved!
Three games remain, the trifecta! Join us Tuesday, July 5 on Dairy Field, 4 as the Ballers finish Game 11 v. Art Museum; AND a double header week after! Both Monday, July 11 (Belmont Field, 4) AND Tuesday, July 12 (Dairy Field, 4) will be against the South Philly Tap Room; usually seeded second only to Franklin Force (self-proclaimed scary name for the Franklin Institute)!“Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.”
- Babe Ruth
Monday, June 21 (and NOT Tuesday, June 22 – Our bad!) marked Game 12 of regular season play against the league reigning, always defending and slightly apathetic Franklin Institute.
Due to calendar error and mass confusion, a call for friends, even ringers, went out to all Ballers yielding a delightful response! With starkly absent key personnel (i.e. ‘The Beast’ Phillips and first baseman, Matt Schwartz), Claudia called on friend and future infield staple Tom, Leon bribed brother Jason, while ‘The Rat Pack’ (i.e. Armin, Dan B. and friend Phil) arrived in full force! Unfortunately, despite a surprisingly solid infield sans regulars, an abundant supply of Philadelphia Brewing Company booze, sunflower seeds, Gatorade and sarcasm, the Memorial Ballers lost 2-20.
Memorable moment or two of our game (i.e. warm and fuzzy worthy) include the multiple failed attempts by select Franklin forces to nail my ’95 Impreza, the late arrival of our esteemed co-captain around inning three along with solid defense exhibited by ALL Ballers despite intense, last-minute roster reorganization!
BUT, the undisputed highlight (meh?) of Game 12 took place around inning five when outfield/infield Renaissance Man, and seasoned Baller vet Leon, dislocated his left shoulder on an awkward intentional slide from first into second. Following Leon’s brutal battle wound, ice was quickly salvaged from multiple beer coolers, said cold compress applied, and our star was escorted to the nearest ER for further TLC – However, it has been rumored (ultimately verified) that Leon never saw the inside of any hospital. Apparently, Morgan, loving girlfriend, accidently applied so much pressure icing the wound, she inadvertently relocated his shoulder!
Crying?! There’s no crying in softball!
Monday, June 27 (yeah, we got it right this time), CEO Day and Game 13 against Bishop’s Collar Bar – One of a handful still vying for play-off contention. Unfortunately, we failed to effectively eliminate the Collar; losing by our second slimmest margin yet, an agonizing 16-10.
In honor and celebration of our gracious CEO seasonal support, there was a wealth of cheap summer booze, sunflower seeds and Rice Crispy Treats! Former CEO Nancy Kolb joined the festivities, cheering her team to an almost victory and encouraging peak performance!
Highlights include a diving play outta Adam ‘The Beast’ Phillips, an incredible diving roll catch a la right center, Brian ‘Bloody Bruised’ Rafter, solo homerun from third baseman Greg Riley to deep left field and truly solid play all around by ALL involved!
Three games remain, the trifecta! Join us Tuesday, July 5 on Dairy Field, 4 as the Ballers finish Game 11 v. Art Museum; AND a double header week after! Both Monday, July 11 (Belmont Field, 4) AND Tuesday, July 12 (Dairy Field, 4) will be against the South Philly Tap Room; usually seeded second only to Franklin Force (self-proclaimed scary name for the Franklin Institute)!
- Babe Ruth
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