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

Franklin, Pencil and Fleish - Oh My!

Three games, three losses, a different kind of perfection?

Tuesday, May 31 - Please Touch Museum versus The Franklin Institute, good battles evil, David pitted against Goliath, well, you get the idea.

Despite slight overwhelming odds, your Memorial Ballers put up a valiant effort against the brawny five-time league champions that boast Benjamin Franklin's namesake.

Memorable moments include our first team BBQ - Pasta salad, cupcakes, tomato pie, taco dip and enough hot dogs to feed a third world country!  The introduction of ringer and friend Brian Reese who played a solid left and seven innings before pulling his hamstring to the point of no return - Literally.  Getting off the field was an ordeal and we haven't seen him since.  A constant stream of four letter words as I rounded second base revealed the fact that this co-captain hates running.  No really, I only sprint if something is chasing me - In this case it was Adam Phillips on a double to right center.  A bobbled but caught pop fly by Leon in right center brought out the claws as Franklin short stop and 'The Beast' Phillips met mid mound for an intense argument regarding softball semantics.  A gambling man, Adam will be forced to cough up beer and bravado next time v. The Franklin.  Apparently, 'intentionally' bobbling a pop fly is not allowed - Who knew?  Also, have they met Leon?  I mean, the guy's good, but I would bet no one's THAT good!

Monday, May 6 - Please Touch Museum battled arguably our only remaining chance at a win v. rookie, CCSL newbie, Fleisher Art Memorial.

Despite decent odds and a near perfect roster, your Memorial Ballers lost by eleven with the final score of Ballers, 3 and Fleisher, 14 - We think?  The score a tentative collaborative average as we stopped caring and Fleisher should really learn to math.

Moments we want to forget include questionable opposing roster tactics and a variety of infield errors which resulted in more than one un-earned run.  Tempers flared as egos grew to unnecessary proportions and the Fleisher began trash-talking like a team that is 7-2 rather than 2-7.

Tuesday, May 7 - Your 'Bad Touchers' took on the aging Pen and Pencil in perhaps our finest defensive display to date and first real softball/baseball score of the season; losing only 7-4!

Amazing plays include many an outfield grab by left center, Andrew Riley - His last, a short pop fly snagged sans breaking stride and beer in hand; truly Baller chic.  Armin Pop made his infield debut at second base with Matt Schwartz, Greg Riley and 'The Beast' adding additional ground support.  Boasting barely enough players to round out our roster, and already an X chromosome short, I was forced into short right center with newly returned Dan B. in right and Leon staking left.  Rather than take an automatic out per line-up rotation, spectator staple Morgan Robinson donned big girl panties and caught for returning veteran Frankie Luz until Ann Goering arrived.

Unfortunately, due to a five run first inning and very little (if any) Baller bat action (BOTH co-captains went 0-4), incredibly solid defense fell short of the win.

Next game - Join us this Tuesday, June 14 as your Memorial Ballers take on the top seeded Philadelphia Museum of Art, former team of our own Captain Emeritus, at Dairy Field, 4 usual time (6:00 PM)!

Also, in honor of their incredibly generous contribution earlier this season, our June 27 game versus Bishop's Collar will be CEO Day!  Light refreshments and beverages will be provided - Feel free to bring additional goodies in honor of our amazingly fantastic CEOs; past and present!