CID is Player of the Week!

Christina earned POTW for her "Johnny-Bench-esque" play at the plate: playing the relay-assist from short to tag out the opponent at the plate. Great job Christina

Reminder: We have a game on Tuesday night on John's Island. Go Mighty McNair!

We definitely need some recon...the Machine lost to the Law Dogs of De-La-Sols

We definitely need to do some recon…
Sure the Solicitors are a tough team (undefeated this year) but it sometimes helps to know what you are up against. For instance, had we known that “Amanda” was former College of Charleston Softball standout at third-base and the outfield, Amanda Cone, 2001 Southern-Conference Freshman of the Year, 3-Time So-Con Player of the Week (2004), member of the SoCon Championship squad as a junior and the host of accolades her senior year: (the following stats are National Division 1 rankings for 2004) 10th in batting averages-hitting .450, 6th in RBIs per game w/ 1.09 PG, 23rd in Home-Runs-per-game, 6th in Runs per Game with 59 runs in 56 games, 9th in Slugging Percentage, w/ .825 SLG%, 19 Doubles for the season put her 20th on the list.

And now, Ms. Cone can add an in-the-park-home-run (over B-Rad's head and to the fence), while going 4 for 5 vs. the Machine to her stellar resume. Sorry guys, I should have passed it around that she was firing missiles before the game, but then again, whenever someone is wearing the "high-end" knee brace, we should know they can probably play.

The Law-Dogs ran up the score on the Machine quite aggressively tonight, more than likely a response to the embarrassing smack-down we gave them at our last meeting. But give us credit, we kept with it, despite missing a few of our usual players and the Law-Dogs building a "snow-man" in the first and second innings, the Machine put 10-runs on the board before the end of the game. I was especially impressed with the 3-runs scored in the bottom of the 7th inning-great job guys! And the play of the game goes to the assist by Blackie to Christina as she made the play at the plate! Sounds like POTW performance to me...

From the Dug-Out:
JET went 4-4, going back to his "Vegas" style of play: hit a single and then score from first at each at bat-putting 4-runs on the board. Craig "Blackie" Blackmon went 4 for 4 hitting an excellent ball into right-field on a pitch that was "just a bit outside from B-Rad" at his last at bat. Blackie drove in T-Vegas four times (which allowed him to take a double every at bat) and Turner-Burner (who went 2 for 4) once for a total of 5-RBIs. B-Rad hit 4 for 4, with 3 singles and 1-double, scoring Blackie each time for 4-RBIs. B-Rad was having fun and tried a bit of the Vegas play Trabert is known for, but was caught at the plate. What can you say? The game wasn't on the line and sometimes you have to roll the dice. Michael "The Hammer" Scarafile went 3 for 4 despite having a rough start as the lead-off batter. "Little Mike" (aka: Chris) hit some beauties up the middle, but their second-baseman, Kermit-T-Frog was hopping on his balls all night. (Wait, that didn't sound apropos). Nicole put the ball in play, going 2 for 3, but was snagged each time before rounding second base. Momma-Jo made some adjustments to her hitting technique before the game and had some good hits, allowing her to out-hustle the Law-Dog's third-baseman as he got "Tripped" up from her speed. Law-Clerk Jeff is swinging the bat a lot better, and went 2 for 4 for the evening. And finally, our POTW, CID, who made one heck of a play at the plate and was smashing the ball. Unfortunately, 3rd base-Trip had her number all night and made some great plays to keep her from reaching.

Keep your chins up McNair, you are progressing and getting better each day. Our next game will be on John's Island (at the BFE field #1) next Tuesday against the Broad Street Bombers!

Go Mighty McNair!

Happy Birthday to Barry Bonds

Today is Barry Bonds' 43rd birthday. Trailing Hank Aaron's record of 755 by two-home-runs, Bonds and the Giants face the Atlanta Braves tonight. Will Bonds hit one out of the park or two to tie the record? Regardless, Bonds received an early present from Commissioner Bud Selig as Bud (taking the "high road") announced today he would follow Bonds (when possible) until he breaks the record.

Trivia: Who had the home-run record before Babe Ruth?
Answer: Roger Conner. Originally signed to the Troy Trojans in 1880 as a third-baseman, Conner was traded to the New York Gothams and became the first batter to hit an out of the park home-run at the (Gothams' home-stadium) Polo Grounds in New York. Conner's record was 138 home-runs until Ruth passed him, hitting almost five-times as many home-runs, holding the record until 1974. Conner would play for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1892 and was traded to the St. Louis Browns in 1894 where he finished his career. After baseball, Conner returned home to Waterbury, Conn. where he died in 1931. Roger Conner is ranked 450th on the career-home-run list.

Historical Note: The record of 122 home-runs was held by Harry (Duffield) Stover of the Worcester Ruby Legs until Conner passed him in 1895. Stover is currently ranked 529th on the career-all-time home-run list.


Go Mighty McNair!

JoAn is Player of the Week as the Machine Over-heats on John's Island

The Machine came out strong against R&R in the first inning and put two runs on the board to lead the game 2-0. R&R would tie the game in the 2nd and then a combination of the heat and our inability to capitalize on opportunities led to a (as Victoria Beckham would say) “Major” loss, reported by R&R as 21-2. The Machine had runners in scoring position (3rd & 2nd) in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it was a little too late and by that time, I think we were all ready for the game to be over.

Player of the Week
This week’s POTW is Momma Jo for her incredible defensive ability at short out for her efforts she has a swollen hand to remind her of the bare-handed snag she made. Great job JoAn!

Next Game
Our next game is on Monday, July 23rd against the Solicitors at the John’s Island Field #2, 6:30 PM. I know that it is a hike to get out there and playing on the road is tough, so I appreciate you all (players and fans) for making the trip and giving your best! Go Mighty McNair!

Reminder Game Tonight & Directions to John's Island Fields

We will play Dr. Arnold Rosen-Rosen’s team tonight at the City of Charleston’s John’s Island Park Facilities. I still don’t have a complete roster, so if you plan on playing tonight send me an e-mail.

Directions to the John’s Island Softball Fields: From Downtown (the office) to 1727 Bozo Lane, John’s Island, SC 29455.
1. Take Calhoun to the James Island Connector
2. Turn Right on Folly Road
3. Left on Maybank Highway
4. Go over John’s Island Bridge-stay on Maybank Hwy until you see a green City of Charleston Park & Recreation sign on the right-hand side of the road and then turn right onto Walpole Lane then left on Bozo Lane.
5. Note: Mapquest has the final directions as right-turn on Walpole Lane and then left onto Bozo Lane, but the lady from the City of Charleston said to turn right on Bozo Lane. Either way, look for the City’s signs and turn right before you get to Main Road.

Link to Mapquest Directions

Link to PDF Map from the City of Charleston

Go Mighty McNair!

Reminder: Our next game is on Monday (July 16th) against R&R

Reminder: Our next game will be against RRR&H at the John's Island Complex on Monday, July 16th, 2007. We've had almost two weeks off now, so if any of you would like to practice this weekend, I am available. Please e-mail me if you can make the game on Monday.

I'll post directions to the ball-park on Monday.
Go Mighty McNair!