NETWORK Team

NETWORK ROLLS INTO A SEMI-FINAL BERTH, BEATS AZ ANGELS 13-8.

rcohen — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:42:08 +0000

Game Three today pits two 2-0 teams on a mission. The Arizona Angels, the new kids on the block, (even though the block is around the corner) is in its first NABA World Series. Their strong 2-0 start with only 5 runs against makes them obviously team on everyone’s radar. Network, making its 5th appearance, has started 2-0 and 1-1 twice so we are in familiar territory. The winner of today’s game is guaranteed a place in the semi-finals Saturday so the game is of utmost importance.
On the mound is Pepe Valencia, one half of our new team of pitchers called the Valencia brothers from Tucson. Pepe is the older brother so naturally he gets the start before Jorge. Looking to keep our momentum and not show any cards to potential playoff foes, the Valencia brothers would probably only pitch one game a piece with limited role in relief during the playoffs.
Unfortunately Pepe, didn’ t have his best stuff to start off, and in Network fashion lately, we fell behind 2-0 in the first inning. It could have been worse but we got out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning. Rather than keep Pepe in, Chad Brown, my bench manager, decided to make a change. We could always bring Pepe back again. He went with the old wily veteran, Jeff Wells. The decision would prove to be a great one as “Wellsie” was superb. Beyond a few cheapie hits in the 4th which were perfectly placed down the right field line over the first, 2nd and in front of the rightfielder with right handed batters, which lead to two runs, Wellsie was in control for Network.
Down 4-0 in the bottom of the 4th, I lead off with a base hit and Chad Brown walked. After a pop up and a fielder’s choice, Jason Burnham walked to load the bases. Kivian Taylor was up and primed to have a break out game. With one big swing of the bat, KT cleared the bases with a double to the wall and Network had cut the lead to 4-3. Josh Davis, hot since he arrived on Tuesday, singled him in to tie the game at 4-4.
Network almost batted around in the 6th. Chad Brown got his first hit of the series, Rex De La Nuez was hit by a pitch and after an error by their 3rd baseman, KT, once again came through with a sharp single. Network had its first lead. A Josh Davis single, Jon Meier walk and a fielder’s choice with an error and Network was up 8-4 after 6 and we never looked back.
Networks bats exploded in the 7th and we scored 5 more runs, highlighted by Mike Veronesi’s 2nd hit of the game.
With all the positives, there was one negative. I tweaked my back in the 5th inning running down a pop-up and had to take myself out of the game. Hopefully, it’s just that, a tweak of my sciatica, and that I’ll be back tonight for the big showdown with last year’s champs, the DiamondJaxx..
Network is rolling now with new players coming in. Power hitting lefthander, Matt Hillis arrived late last night. Our biggest slugger, Robert Wasmund comes in today. Another big bench bat, Brien Blakely also arrives. And hard throwing DJ Austin arrives and will see some action vs. the DiamondJaxx, a team he seeks retribution against after last year’s loss to them in the semi-finals.
Tonight’s game is at Tempe #6, 7:00 PM PCT.

NETWORK FINALLY BEATS THEIR NEMESIS, DENVER, 4-3

rcohen — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:27:22 +0000

In the five years Network has been coming to the NABA World Series including their championship 2008 season, we have never beaten the commissioner’s team and 6 time champion Denver Bears. Wanting to go 2-0 in the tournament with some tough games ahead I decided to go with ace #2 in Justin Mark.
Once again, Network fell behind early in the game when Denver scored two runs on 4 hits. If any of you know Justin Mark, you know he’s quite a pitcher and quite a handful as a human being. I mean that in the most sincere yet affectionate sense. He’s a high energy, high ADD, high emotional human being. Having a tough first inning can get to Justin. With our veteran team to keep his emotions contained we were able to settle him down after the first inning.
Once again, however, the Network big bats went dormant. And until my 4th inning hit, we hadn’t had one in the game. When I was erased on a ground ball double play, it looked like a long day for Network. The desert wind was howling and swirling all day and the conditions were difficult. No one knew whether the wind was blowing in or out, east or west in Tempe Diablo stadium. When Jason Burnham got a ball up in the air it looked like an easy fly ball. Suddenly it carried over the fence for a home run and Network finally was on the board down 2-1.
It remained 2-1 until the 6th. Rex De La Nuez lead off with a walk and was sacrificed over to 2nd by Augie Alonso. Chad Brown than had a gritty at bat and walked on a 3-2 pitch. On a swing that I meant to hold up on I got just enough bat to send the ball into right field for a base hit to tie the game. Mike Veronesi’s fielder’s choice scored our go ahead run and we finally had the lead.
The play of the game occurred in the top of the 7th. With Denver threatening to tie the game with a runner at 2nd, commissioner Shane Fujita came up to the plate. I’ve played against Shane enough to know he’s a slap hitter and doesn’t carry the ball much. We moved the outfielders way in to the point they were 40 feet behind the infield. Sure enough Shane slapped a base hit to left field and we were all sure that the runner would hold at 3rd. To our surprise he tried to score. A relay from Mike Veronesi hit the lip near home plate where the grass meets dirt and took a funny hop to our catcher Jon Meier. Jon made a tremendous grab, reached as far out as he could and tagged the runner just before he touched the plate for an unbelievable clutch out.
Network scored another run in the bottom of the 7th when Josh Davis lead off with a single, stole 2nd, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Jim Davidson’s SAC fly to make it 4-2.
Denver got one run closer in the 8th when they strung a few hits together. Justin looked tired. I had a big decision to make. We did not have all our star pitchers in yet and all I had in the bullpen was 58 year old Jeff Wells and Rex De La Nuez who was my right fielder. I decided to risk it and go back to our number one ace on no days rest to get the last 5 outs, Mike Player.
Player came in and got two ground ball outs to end the threat. He then went 1-2-3 in the 9th to get the save and the win for Network.
Now 2-0 with only 6 runs allowed total, we have almost assured ourselves of a playoff spot for the weekend. Now it’s about setting the table, getting our bats back and keeping us healthy and well rested.
Tomorrow we take on the tough Arizona Angels, also 2-0.

SLOW START, FAST FINISH – NETWORK WINS GAME ONE

rcohen — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:07:14 +0000

Network began its 2011 World Series run with a bunch of new players on its roster and a lot of optimism. The San Diego Berry’s came into the World Series loaded with experience, history and talent. The match up on paper was pretty even and the game proved to be such a game.
Network lead off the game with a hit batter, a walk and another hit batter. It looked like we would have a huge inning and take command of the game early. But a fielder’s choice, pop up and ground out only yielded one run. When a team has a chance to open the game with a big inning and doesn’t it’s usually a foreshadowing of missed opportunities coming back to bite you in the ass.
Mike Player got the start for Network and from the beginning it was apparent that San Diego would face our ace on one of his best nights. Player had command of his pitches and if not for one error in the 3rd would have pitched a shutout going into the 6th.
On the flip side, San Diego also pitched a sidewinder against us and his lack of major speed was actually detrimental to the powerful Network lineup. He kept our 1 through 5 hitters off balance all and they went a combined 1 for 10 on the evening (although they had 5 hit batters and 2 walks.) My lead off hit in the 5th was our first hit and after I was left stranded when we couldn’t execute a bunt, we were worried that this could be a long night.
San Diego got the first two batters on in the sixth with base hits. They had first and third with no outs. A force out at third looked like Player would work his way out of the inning, but a base hit down the line scored the runner from 2nd. When our rightfielder made an errant through past our cut off man, San Diego scored a 2nd run to make the score 3-1 San Diego.
Network didn’t panic. We’d come back year after year in games that we fell behind. With one out and one on, Augie Alonso got a base hit to bring me up to the plate. Looking for a first pitch fastball, I hit one over the leftfielder’s head for a triple to tie the game at 3-3.
In the bottom of the 7th, Player got in more trouble when he gave up 2 hits to start the inning. With first and third and no out, the San Diego runner took off from first to force a throw down to 2nd. Mike Player however stepped off the mound and we got the runner out in a rundown without letting the runner from 3rd score. A grounder to me at 3rd held the runner and made it two outs. After a walk, a flyout to Justin Mark in right ended the threat.
In the bottom of the 8th, Mike Veronesi and Rex De La Nuez got on base with a HBP and a walk. Jason Burnham bunted them over and power hitter Kivian Taylor was intentionally walked. Jon Meier stepped to the plate. Jon had been clutch for my local Atlanta Rangers team all year. Right guy, right time I thought. Jon hit a slow grounder to 3rd. As the third baseman ran in and fielded the ball Veronesi charged hard to the plate. As he slide in, the catcher missed the ball and it rolled through his legs to the backstop. Rex, hustling from 2nd, also scored on the error and it was 5-3 with Kivian at 3rd and Jon at 2nd , 1 out. Next, Jim Davidson slapped a base hit in between short and third and two more runs scored. After Augie Alonso got a base hit to move Jim over to third, I slapped one over the moved in infield to finish the scoring and make it 8-3.
That was all Mike Player would need as he took command of the game and went 1-2-3 in the 8th ands 9th innings for the complete game win.
With Josh Davis coming in tomorrow and more players by Thursday and Friday, Network looks primed to take their momentum into Game Two tomorrow vs. perennial powerhouse The Denver Bulls at 12:00 noon in the Tempe Diablo Stadium.

GAME ONE – NETWORK (a) vs. San Diego Berry’s (h) 3:30 Tempe Diablo Field #1

rcohen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:48:16 +0000

Game One today as our ace, Mike Player, takes the mound. We have a thin bench today but the 9 we have on the field is as good as any in the tournament. We are very familiar with San Diego after beating them last year 15-7. We were down in that game until the 5th inning when we exploded for runs and never looked back. We need to jump on them from the start. We must win 2 out of 3 to start off because our last two games are brutally tough. We get Josh Davis in on Tuesday, Robert Wasmund, Matt Hillis and DJ Austin on Thursday and Bill “Flip” Filippone on Friday.

Today’s Starting Lineup:

SS Mike Veronesi
CF Rex De La Nuez
C Jason Burnham
1B Kivian Taylor
DH Jon Meier
LF Jim Davidson
2B Augie Alonso
3B Rick Cohen
EH Chad Brown
EH Jeff Wells

RF – Justin Mark

P-Mike Player

Subs: David Meltzer, Scott Carter

GAME ONE – NETWORK (a) vs. San Diego Berry’s (h)

rcohen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 16:42:00 +0000

Game one is upon us in the 2011 NABA 35+ WS. We are slightly short-handed today due to guys coming in mid-week but the starting 9 that will be out there is as good as any team in the tournament. On the mound we have our ace of the staff, Mike Player, going for us today at 3;30 Tempe Diablo Field #1. Mike is a hard throwing right handed sidewinder that is extremely difficult to hit. We are familiar with San Diego. Last year they slightly shut us down for 5 innings until we exploded late. We actually won the game 15-7 and it looked like a cake walk. This is a solid team with a lot of history. They never lay down and are always competitive.

Starting Lineup:

SS Mike Veronesi
CF Rex De La Nuez
C Jason Burnham
1B Kivian Taylor
DH Jon Meier
LF Jim Davidson
2B Augie Alonso
3B Rick Cohen
EH Chad Brown
EH Jeff Wells

RF – Justin Mark
P- Mike Player

Subs: David Meltzer, Scott Carter

Lean team today. Tomorrow we get Josh Davis. Thursday- DJ Austin, Robert Wasmund and Matt Hillis. Friday- Bill Filippone. Nothing but the playoffs will suffice.

NEW & IMPROVED NETWORK 2011

rcohen — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 23:56:47 +0000

It is now 2011 and the modern day NATIONAL NETWORK is in its 5th season and 21st year of existence. As you may know, the original team of 1990, New York City played summer ball at Dewitt Clinton Park on 11^th Ave and 54^th street, it seems a distant memory yet those memories sometimes resurface like it was yesterday. Each year, I continue to struggle with the same trite feelings of “this is my last year doing this…” that every manager goes through. Sure enough, as summer roles around, I get sucked into the emotion, the passion, the nostalgia of baseball and of course, the long lasting friendships. I always look forward to seeing all my “baseball” brethren one more time. To play ball again in major league baseball spring training stadiums under the sunny skies of Phoenix is what we all live for every year. If I only knew what this year was going to bring us emotionally and physically I would have prayed for rain.

October 2010 to October 2011 was a brutal year for The Network in terms of health. As we get older and our bodies start to break down it becomes apparent that so do our skill levels. “We ain’t gettin’ any younger” is a phrase I constantly hear on benches in my local leagues…and this baseball calendar year proved that statement to be a truism in the truest of sense.

First, after Game 2 of the 2010 World Series, my co-founding manager and best “Bubba,” Jim Davidson, announced to the team that he had a tumor wrapped around C2-C3 section of his spinal chord. Even though it was benign it was still causing major discomfort to the point Jim couldn’t function on a daily basis. Headaches and pain were prominent leading to many a sleepless night. There was no end in sight that didn’t lead down the road to high-risk surgery. Surgery, as several specialists reminded him, could possibly lead to pins and needles, partial paralysis or even full paralysis.

Afterwards, when we got back to the hotel, I was sitting in the lobby with Jim. He and I shared our fears and I shed some tears for him. He told me that he was of no use to us anymore and that he was benching himself for the rest of the tournament. How untrue that statement would be. Jim instantly became our biggest asset; our biggest cheerleader and his presence in the dugout stabilized our emotions. And although we didn’t “win won for the Gipper” last year, Jim did bring the team even closer together.

In the off-season, Jim beat those specialist’s possibilities. He had successful surgery to remove the tumor. Although afterwards there was no paralysis, Jim did have complications. Spinal fluid leakage and headaches ensued. Jim had to go in for a 2^nd procedure to alleviate the unfortunate after affects. I am thrilled to say that Jim has made a full recovery and is back on the team, new and improved. Jim had a fantastic 2011 summer baseball season in LA and we expect him to be one of the giant reasons we compete for the national championship this year.

Six weeks after last year’s tournament, Chad Brown had his long awaited hip replacement surgery. That same week I underwent double shoulder surgery. Chad’s injury limited him to a DH role the last few years. My surgery limited my play in the field. Both our surgeries would hopefully extend our careers with The Network. In hindsight, our surgeries did more than just save our playing careers. This surgery might have saved Chad’s life, influenced mine and brought this team even closer together than ever before.

Chad and I commiserated after our surgeries. We would check up on each other weekly and we even spent New Year’s Eve together in Palm Beach, Florida with our wives (well, my ex-wife and his current.) Due to the wonders of modern medical technology plus rehab we both were progressing at rapid rates.

Six weeks after New Years, I received one of the most harrowing phone calls. Chad called me during a midweek workday. We usually spoke at night during the off-season so this was an unusual time for him to call me. When he didn’t start the call with “Hey Slickster,” a moniker he’s coined me with since 1989, I knew something was wrong. In typical Chad Brown fashion, which was composed and to the point, he proceeded to tell me he had cancer of the surrounding tissue in his abdomen, a Sarcoma of the worst kind. It was an aggressive form of cancer that would spread if it not taken care of quickly. I have known Chad Brown for twenty-four years and I never, ever heard fear in his voice…until this day. However, Chad remained upbeat and told me he expected to concur his cancer. I asked him how he knew he was having a problem. He told me he was discomforted sleeping at night and he thought it was repercussions from his hip replacement surgery. When he went back in to his Ortho to get another MRI on his hip that was when they discovered the tumor.

Chad asked me to be the liaison to the team. To let them all know what was going on and that I would inform them of his progress in the weeks ahead. I was humbled and honored that Chad had chosen me for this role. When I hung up the phone with him, I shed some quiet tears once again. The 2^nd time in 4 months that I had done that for a friend. I thought to myself, we are getting at that age when news like his and Jim’s will become happenstance.

During Chad’s surgery the doctors removed a 10 lbs malignant tumor from his abdomen. And although they didn’t take any of his intestines, as once they feared, they did remove a kidney. The tumor came back positive for the aggressive type of Sarcoma and Chad needed radiation in the coming weeks.

Throughout this all, Chad remained positive and upbeat. Never did I hear him speak of doubt, fear or not living, nor giving up his passion to play poker. In fact, when he told me that there was a 66% chance of the cancer returning within two to three years, he assured me that he was in the 34% category. I replied, “34%? You can hit .340 in your sleep! You’ll beat this thing because you’re Chad Brown—the cool, calm and collected poker star. Odds are made to beat and always in your favor. “ We shared a laugh and some levity.

Well, it’s now October and beyond a blood clot scare during his initial hospital stay, I am proud to say, Chad Brown is in remission. Not only is Chad coming to Phoenix, he intends on being in the batting order our first game! His amazing recovery can only be attested to his undying positive attitude and outlook on life. I have designated Chad to be my co-manager this year. I am truly honored to be his teammate and his friend.

The bad news continued in January when two of our long time friends hit the paparazzi circuit with unfortunate tabloid stories. Chris Bruno’s break up with his long time girlfriend went public with some unflattering stories by TMZ and Brien Blakely, Fox 5 News Reporter for Charlotte lost his position over an unfairly heated disagreement with one of his show’s producers. Each situation became public fodder and blog material causing undue stress to both even though they were the victims in each scenario. I am happy to say that both Brien and Bruno have moved on, positively with their lives. Congratulations to Brien. He is the new morning anchor in Seattle. Bruno continues to direct and produce in Hollywood.

Then in March, I received more shocking news. Not shocking in the way that Chad and Jimmy’s lives were at stake, nor shocking in the way that our two friends above were involved in public incidents, but shocking in the fact that anything negative happened to this person at all. Scott Bailey, or Baby Huey, as I like to call him, is one of the most upbeat, happy-go-lucky guys I know. In the 10 years I’ve known Scott I have never seen him get hurt or injured. In fact, I’ve never played with a guy who had a rubber arm like “Bails.” Scott could pitch a 9-inning ballgame, come back the next day and catch nine innings while never icing his arm once nor feeling any ill effects like fatigue or overuse.

“I’m getting Tommy John surgery and it will put me out for the year.” Those are words I’d expect to hear from many others but never Scott Bailey. The fact that Scott was undergoing the most devastating of throwing arm surgeries was a huge surprise to me. “What was going on here? Are we cursed?” I thought.

But it didn’t stop there. In June, Terry Loe, my roommate on the road and mainstay catcher of the team announced he was retiring from tournament ball at 53. How was I going to replace the best catcher’s arm in amateur baseball, his .400+ batting average and knowledge of my pitching staff? I lost BOTH my catchers in the same month.

Recently, another long time Network player, Pat Armstrong or “Army” announced that after 18 months of unemployment, he got a job. Fantastic news for Army …except the job starts the week before the tournament and there’d be no way he could ask for the time off without risking the offer being taken away.

Two more 2010 Network players would also leave the team this year because of work—Pitcher Chad Sanders and INF/OF Teddy Billick. Each guy was a major contributor to the team in 2010.

How was I going to replace all this talent, remain competitive and vie for another championship?

The answer….?

“SEND IN THE CLOWNS”

The Missouri/Atlanta Clowns have been a force in the rival amateur baseball association, MSBL. In fact, the 35+ Clowns were reigning champs in 2010, winning the Florida MSBL World Series by beating our local Atlanta incumbents, the Bulls. We are fortunate enough to already have two of the Clowns’ members on our current team, Pitcher/1B Mike Player, and our regular shortstop, Mike Veronesi. With the help of these two recruiting coordinators we added two of the best players the Clowns had to offer—home run hitting Kivian Taylor and the versatile, fleet of foot, power hitting Jason Burnham who can also catch. These two players not only make our team better, they make us younger (not hard to do with our current roster average age hovering around 44.) lol

RETURN OF THE EMPIRE

Back on the team after a two-year absence are 3Bs Josh Davis from the Atlanta Bulls and original Network player Chris Bruno. The Hot Corner will be hot once again after last year’s hodgepodge of assorted fill-ins including yours truly playing with two torn rotator cuffs in both shoulders.

An old LA Grey has surfaced in Augie Alonso. Augie will fill the all-important utility infielder roll this year. Augie will bring over 20 years of amateur baseball experience to our team as well as leadership.

BRING IN THE NEW

Probably one of the most valuable acquisitions played right in front of me all summer. Our reigning 2010 35+ Atlanta Rangers would not have won a championship without its rock behind the plate, catcher Jon Meier. Jon hit .508 this season and caught every game for the Rangers. He brings stability to our backstop position and proves that the tools of ignorance are not so ignorant after all. A software specialist and computer engineer Jon also owns a farm out in Conyers, Georgia. I guess jokes about “Farmer Jon” are imminently on the horizon.

The Valencia Brothers, Jorge and Pepe, sound like some assassins out of a Quentin Tarantino movie. Nope. Just two brothers out of Tucson who love to pitch and will toss games three and four for Network against both Arizona teams. Ironically, Jorge shut down our potent line-up last year for the Colorado Bulls. That was until we got to him in the 7^th inning of a 4-3 win in pool play. I guess if we couldn’t hit him, we might as well sign him up!

Augie Alonso, or new utility player, is NOT new to the team members who remember Augie from our LA Greys days circa 95-02. The La Greys were a tournament force at one time. Four Network players were members on that potent team. Chad Brown and myself, then returning Network players Robert Wasmund, a power hitting first baseman, and Rex De La Nuez, a speedy, intelligent, hits-for-average, centerfielder who adds depth to our pitch staff as well.

Talk about Original Team members, Network has our own version of “the phenom” ‘a la Billy Beane from “Moneyball” in Matt Hillis. If God was making baseball players he would look and walk like Matt Hillis. Matt’s sweet left-handed swing and strong outfield arm make other teams stand up and notice when we take the field.

THE VETERAN

Then there’s our senior member of the team, 58-year old left handed, submarine pitcher, Jeff Wells. With the absence of Scottie Bailey, T-Loe and Army- that leaves Jeff, Robert Wasmund and Brien Blakely as the only Network players besides myself who have played on every team since ’07. And Jeff Wells and I are the only players who have played every tournament game in Network history.

THE SPONSORS

Special thanks goes to Sports 1 Marketing’s David Meltzer, Scott Carter and Warren Moon for their generosity and participation in the series. David tries to keep his streak alive of getting one hit in one at bat every year. Also, I want to thank Tribe member Matt Davis, beautiful friend and supporter Julie Brittain, Amy Neal owner of Gym of Buckhead and lifelong friend Steve Brodsky for their financial support. Most importantly Scott Postell of Pro Sports in Powder Springs who does all our hats and uniforms.

Watch out for more blogs and box scores every day. Each game will be posted by the following day. You can also check up to date scores at the www.dugout.org website under NABA tournaments. The click on PHOENIX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 35 WOOD, then scroll down and click on 2011 Schedule and Results.

Playoffs

rcohen — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:16:55 +0000

Network starts its playoff run today in typical Network fashion. We have some hurt players, some missing players, some players getting hot and some players needing to pick it up. Drawing the 4th seed in a 10 team tournament pits us in the quarters against a very experienced and game Portland Red Sox team. We can’t take these guys lightly as we did last year when we went up 14-1 only to watch the game get scarily close and finish up at 15-9.

The one great thing about our playoff run this year is that our pitching staff has never been deeper nor fresher. We are set up for success with Mike Player, DJ Austin and Bill “Flipper” Filippone to start the quarters, semis and finals respectively. The other huge advantage we have this year is that we have an outstanding closer in Justin Mark. So if we can get into the late innings with a lead we know we have someone who can shut down the other team.

Our line-up is now condensed mode. We will bat 10 players the rest of the way, use three courtesy runners strategically, and play situation baseball. I am more proud of this team than any of the others that I have coached in the past. The chemistry, the camaraderie this team has displayed has been the best yet. I want to win with this team more than any other I have managed. I think we will.

It starts with Portland Red Sox in the quarters and the Arizona Diamond Jaxx in the semis. Back-to-back. Play ball!

Network clinches playoff spot and top 4 seed.

rcohen — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:45:23 +0000

Network got back to its winning ways in Game Four but it took a 7th inning rally in a scoreless game to do it.

With the ever reliable Scott Bailey on the mound and the Network defense playing like they usually play, Colorado hitters were stymied for the first 7 innings. Besides a key 2nd inning relay throw from the outfield by Ted Billick to Mike Veronesi to Pat Armstrong nailing a Bulls runner at 3rd, Colorado never really threatened to score. The problem was, neither did Network.

Network ran themselves out of three rallies by making critical base running mistakes and the crafty Bulls pitcher contained our big bats on the cavernous auxiliary field at Tempe.

With no one able to score for 6 1/2 innings, I lead off the bottom of the 7th with an infield hit. After a Terry Loe single to make it first and third, Mike Player showed why Network’s hitting pool is so deep by singling me in for the first run. After a sacrifice bunt by Chad Brown, double by Brien Blakely and triple by Pat Armstrong Network now found themselves in control at 4-0.

Colorado however, was able to start a rally of their own in the 8th. Scott Bailey who pitched a 5 hitter with 5 strike outs began to tire after giving up a trio of hits and two runs. With first and third, one out, Network finally got to see their newest arm on the mound, closer Justin Mark. Hitting 86 on the gun, Justin struck out the next batter and got the third out on a slow grounder to third and Network was out of the inning still leading 4-2.

In the 9th, Network found themselves in trouble again. After a HBP, an error and a single with two out, Colorado narrowed the gap to 4-3. A slow grounder to me at 2nd base became problematic when all three of us (pitcher, 1B and myself) converged on the ball. Thankfully Will Souther got back to first in time and I was able to flip the ball to him to complete the bang-bang play and the game. Justin Mark got his first save as a Network pitcher.

Sitting at 3-1 with one more game to go, Network awaits the results of the later games to see where it stands in the seeding. Tomorrow night’s game vs. Arizona could mean nothing or it could be very important. It’s hard to tell. All we know is that we are in the playoffs come Friday with a top four seed, our pitching rotation is set and everyone is virtually healthy. However, we do lose a HUGE piece of our championship puzzle by losing our #1 catcher, Terry Loe. Terry must go to Michigan State to take a recruiting trip with his son Nathan who is one of the nation’s top hammer throwers in high school. Terry’s presence on the team, leadership, his overall play can’t be replaced. He’s been an invaluable piece of our successful puzzle. With that said, we do have the utmost confidence in our #2 catcher Scott Bailey who is just as talented as any catcher out there.

Network’s pool play run is almost over and expectations have been met. We’ll see if we can live up to them in the next three days.

History repeats itself as Network loses to Denver Bears

rcohen — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:29:58 +0000

The long awaited rematch between the Denver Bears and Network didn’t really live up to the hype they had in the 2007 NABA Semis. There was no back and forth game, no slugfest, no last inning drama. In fact, being the third game in pool play in which both teams stood at 2-0 made the game somewhat meaningless. With 8 out of 10 teams making the playoff round on Friday, both teams were pretty much assured that the winner would finish with the first seed and the loser would fall to 2nd or 3rd seed.

What really put a damper on the game was the first inning injury of a Denver Bears player. In what seemed like a meaningless turn around the first base on a dropped pop up in the infield, the Bears player stepped on the bag awkwardly and dislocated his ankle. It was grotesque enough that players had to turn away. The game was held up for 35 minutes until an ambulance could come and retrieve the injured player. The mood was somber after that and it kind of sucked the energy out of both teams.

It looked like Network was going to jump all over Denver Bears starter Matt Perisho. Matt played 8 years in the pros for teams like the Angels and Rangers and threw close to 88 mph. Mike Veronesi continued his hot bat with a leadoff single. Matt Hillis crushed an opposite field double off the wall and it looked like Network would go up 1-0…but a perfect throw nailed V-Dog at the plate for the first out. With two outs, Robert Wasmund hit a sharp grounder to first that was mishandled and Network took the early lead 1-0.

Network starter Chad Sanders got in slight trouble in the first. With two out and men on 2nd and 3rd, it looked like Sanders had worked his way out of trouble,. A pop up in the infield looked like a routine play but was then mishandled and Denver had scored two unearned runs.

Network had another chance in the 3rd when newcomer Rex De La Nuez lead off with a single and advanced one batter later when Terry Loe hit a single to move him to third. After Loe stole a base, Chad Brown hit a grounder to short and Rex was unable to race for home. Our next batter struck out and the rally was over.

Sanders only had one rough inning, the fifth, in which he gave up two hits, a walk and a balk. However, Sanders was outstanding the whole game and had the Denver batters baffled at his change of speeds. Any other day and Sanders would have a win under his belt, but the Network batters ran into a very effective and experienced pitcher in Perisho.

Tomorrow is another day. Network vs. the Colorado Bulls, a team they have beaten the last three years. 3-1 would almost guarantee them a high seed come playoff time. Stay tuned.

Network storms back to win Game 2 over San Diego 13-6.

rcohen — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 03:19:41 +0000

Network stormed back after being down 4-1 in the 6th to show the rest of the World Series teams why we are a team that perseveres.

Elder statesman on Network, 58 year old Jeff Wells got the start and he handled a very experienced, very well coached team in San Diego. The San Diego Berrys have been successful for years and a mainstay in the NABA. They are one of the most competitive teams on the west coast. Jeff Wells proved why he’s also one of the most crafty pitchers in the league’s history. Scattering 10 hits and getting the big out when we needed it, Wells was inducing big ground balls all day. Even when the usually strong Network defense failed him, Wells didn’t let it affect his approach and always got the next key out.

On the hitting end, San Diego pitched a very talented lefty against us. With some liberal umpire calls, the Berry’s pitcher had us on our heels all day. It was only a matter of time until we broke through in the 6th.

Jim Davidson lead off with a hit and moved to third when my infield single turned into a double on an errant throw. With 2nd and 3rd and one out, Mike Veronesi hit what appeared to be a routine sacrifice fly. The sun and high sky were brutal in the Arizona desert and the fielder dropped the ball, scoring both Jim and I. A hit by Teddy Billick, a double by Pat Armstrong and an off the wall triple by Matt Hillis gave Network its first lead at 5-4. The hits kept coming with Robert Wasmund’s double, Terry Loe’s double and Chad Brown’s single. My two out walk with the bases loaded scored the last run of the inning and suddenly a 4-1 deficit turned into a 10-4 lead.

Network kept up the scoring in the 7th and 8th with 3 more runs. Scott Bailey came in for relief to limit the Berrys in his 3 strong innings, including three strike outs.

Network beat a very good team on Day Two and now have the defending 2009 35+ Wood Bat Champion Denver Bears to contend with tomorrow. Denver knocked out Network in the semi-finals of the 2007 35+ Metal Bat World Series during the filming of “Faded Glory” and they’ve been ducking us ever since, moving from metal to wood tournaments these last two years. Now that the two divisions have combined, there’s no more ducking The Network. We’ll see what happens tomorrow.