Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Game #1 - The Franklin (Lack Of) Force?

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"

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!

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
  • 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!
From Center City
  • 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!
The Ballers meet America's oldest zoo (i.e. Philadelphia Zoo), following Monday, April 23 on Edgeley Field #8 - Per usual, game time is approximately 5:30/6:00 PM.

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!
From Center City
  • 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! 
Please let captain Adam Phillips know if you have any additional questions, comments, concerns, need a ride to/from, etc.

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!

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.
- George Eliot