Slug, say hello to the LAO

When members of the Slugs arrived for their 8:30 game vs the Oddballers, most of us saw a familiar face, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill. Since many of us cover the capital, Hill's budget break-downs are a regular event (sometime after the budget passes, shortly after the governor releases his January budget and again after the May revise). With her trademark short-cropped hair, Hill was immediately recognizable, even out of context, on a softball field. Well, immediately recognizable to almost all of the Slugs.

When a Slug we'll call udy-Jay in-Lay showed up, right around 8:15 someone pointed to the LAO and suggested she go say "hi." in-Lay covers the budget beat for a major newspaper, so this made sense. Problem is, in-Lay didn't recognize Hill. So she started up a conversation that could best be described as small talk. in-Lay was heard introducing herself, to which a somewhat confused Hill replied "I'm Liz."

That's when the whole team started cracking up, and coach Tam felt it was time to introduce the budget reporter to the budget guru. It turns out Hills was out at Tahoe Park to support the LAO softball team playing in a different league. We don't know where the above-photographed baby came from.

GAME NOTES...
The Slugs beat the Oddballers 16-4. The Oddballers had issues with asset allocation. They also complained about our adherence to the rules, rules they apparently didn't understand. Our bats were hot, particularly the Ultimate Weapon. Batting practice really paid off, even for those Slugs who didn't attend the practice.

It was a great practice, until...

Ahhh. Memories.

Oh, Slugs...remember what victory was like? Remember when I was talking about the league championship? Memories, all alone in the moonlight. I remember the memories.

We started the night listed as the top team in the D2 league, even ahead of Papa Flanagan's. But, Amara, the "Melrose Place" team had designs on our title. It seems they must have practiced since we last met, maybe even recruited some more players from the ol apartment complex.

A few game notes: Our bats were not hot, despite the arrival of the Demarini Ultimate Weapon. Coach Tam, writing in third person, is blaming the bye week. "We all felt a little rusty out there." She also thinks all that subbing at mid-game didn't allow us to hit our stride. Of course, our second half players did an excellent job, including Ed Fletcher, who made a superb catch in left field. Coach Tam also finds herself missing former shortstop and traitor Chris Bryce (pictured above at left), and she's also seriously wishing Christa would hurry up and return from summer vacation.

I'm adding a little audio supplement to get you all amped up for the next game. Click here to hear Judy with her famous Slugs cheer.

In other news, the Slugs have some new fans.


Last night, there were two senior citizens rocking trucker hats and fancy pants watching our game very intently. What better to do after the early bird special at Denny's. But, I swear I saw them laughing at us at one point. Still, it was excellent to have some spectators who are not our spouses, children or parents.

Practice, Practice Practice:
We're getting together this Sunday at 5:00 to rekindle our bats. If fields are available, we'll also do a few drills, including a "pickle" drill. I will be renting out the slow pitch softball cage at the Davis batting cages at Playfields Park for a full hour starting at 5 PM. Please be there on time so we can all get in plenty of swings. After practice, we'll retire to Woodstock's fine pizza and beer.

The All-league championship:
Because of our "successful softball season" the city has invited us to play in an all-league tournament. This year's tournament is September 15/16. I think it will cost us $200-ish, and I am going to suggest that we skip it. I am going to be out of town on the 15th and was hoping to catch an A's game on the 16th. Anyone up for an A's game instead?

Next Season - Starts the week of September 4. Sounds like everyone is in...but please let me know if you are not.

Slugs Have A Chance at League Championship

It may be a little premature to discuss this, but our record is strong. At this time we have the second best record in the D2 league. The only team ahead of us is Papa Flanagan's. We beat them earlier this season and don't play them again. So, if we can win the rest of our games - or at least keep our record as good as Papa's we will win the league...earning 15 D-league champion T-shirts. Nothing pleases Mr. Gordon as much as a free T-shirt - so I for one really want this championship. Also, I suspect we might convince former coach Kepley to shower at the truck stop to celebrate.

08/02/07 Tahoe Park - Slugs V *itten *ats:
It was a depleted team that hit the field that night. Nearly half the Slugs were drinking in Mexico (is that where you are Ed or am I just writing fiction?) or attending the thrilling Capitol Beat conference in Phili. Those that did show, brought their A games.

Juliet and Coach Tam both had to contend with the home plate umpire. He asked Tamara if she would like to date his son - and wouldn't take no for an answer even offering up his son's salary level $92,000 a year. And with catcher Juliet, he was a little too protective of the game balls among other things.

Kevin had a superb game in left field. The fence robbed him of one catch, but otherwise he had a golden glove. The most outstanding catch was also the last out of the game. Liv, the *itten *ats catcher slugged perhaps the best hit of her career, over the head of short-stop Kepley. Kevin ran in to catch it, diving forward, rolling and coming up with the catch.

After the game Kepley was heard saying something to the effect of: "we would have beaten them by even more if not for all my errors." But that's hardly the case. He was the hard-working half of the night's most exciting double play, catching a line drive with a reach, then throwing the runner out at first before he could get back to the bag.

Other game notes - Mackenzie did some great fielding, Melody played well at first and second, Matt, Dan and Ahmed rocked.