Dr. Jones hit in the game winning run with a blistering shot to Joe Walsh in the bottom of the sixth. Mark Guthrie pitched 6 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Nick Homa recorded the save. Kirk Gibson, 1-3 RBI who had the other rbi?
The South Oakland Ducks of the North Side are 9-3 at the halfway mark.
Ducks vs. Eagles 3pm Pie Traynor Field Batting Practice 12:30-1:30pm Pitt IM field
Don Henley is no joke
The Eagles have surrendered to the Confederacy twice already this season, unbelievable. The Rebels were probably able to sweep the Gray Bats in a double header yesterday based entirely on the Eagles not forcing them to use pitching earlier in the week or last week or whenever. "Ladies and Gentlemen, your 1-10 Gray Bats."
Don Henley and company played the Black Sox yesterday, South Oakland today, and the Owlz tomorrow, before playing the Black Sox again on Wednesday.
What a stretch. Even if they wind up losing all four of those games they will still have a better record than the Gray Bats who are seven games behind the Ducks.
We've got to keep winning to keep pace with Kenny Powers and the Owlz. All of the sudden Jefferson Davis has led his troops to four straight wins. A loss by the Ducks would put us even in the loss column with the Rebels
Ducks Blog Staff, thanks for picking up the slack while I ran around the East Coast like a moron. The Blues win in Atlantic City is a very significant milestone for our league. We were helped emensly by a few of the Owlz playaz.
Will Kenny Powers be able to put his hatred of the Owlz aside and rejoin the Blues along with his arch-nemesis Rob Cool? The Owlz players played hard, played hurt, and were great teammates. It was always about Pittsburgh and not about the Owlz. I did hear a strange noise coming from their hotel room...
Joe Graff had a .700 obp, and was the sparkplug for the team. Vinny played on one leg and still raked in the semi's. Brian Strom and Jeremy Barchie had two of the gutsiest pitching performances i've seen outside of Nick Homa, and Adam Smith this season.
Rob Swanger went yard in the semifinals, and had an acrobatic day in the outfield in a must win pool play game. I got on base 6 of 8 times in the semi's and the finals and only hit the ball hard twice, that's not easy. Thankfully I didn't boot any routine plays in right, or kick them like Brett Hull kicked the puck past Hasek a few years back.
I had a conversation with Rob Cool last year, and he was complaining about not having a catcher...So he went out and got Mike Scoscia's second cousin.
Scott Dunn allowed 2 runs over 14 innings, recorded a win and two saves, hit .490 with 3 home runs, and banged the Metros shortstop's mom during the seventh inning stretch.
Anyone who says they wouldn't stack their team like Rob does if they had the means to do so is delusional. I don't believe it but I can't fuck with these guyz any more, at least I still have the Confederacy, and two other Bloggers on the staff who probably think I'm lying.
The Owlz haven't seen the best South Oakland has to offer. That will be the game of the year at the Duck Pond. - not to look ahead or anything - We can beat that team. It would be so boring if the Owlz just blew everyoen out of the water, and went undefeated. Someone has to stop them. I believe in Dr. Jones
*** Kenny Powers spent his Memorial Day at a cookout. (profanity)
I got ride the coattails of a great Blues team to a championship in A.C. then watch the Pens win the Prince of Whales trophy. As a Welshman this makes me proud beyond belief.
A Labor Day tournament to be held in Pittsburgh is in the works, and will most likely feature teams from our league and not the Blues, which means the Ducks would a chance to enter a team in the event. If you'd like to help out with this email the commish at: Conspiracytof_cktheGrayBats@LarryZwhines.com if that address doesn't work try: pittnaba@yahoo.com We might have to un-retire a few numbers, and call up Barchie, clearly our roster isn't big enough as it is.
There will be a full, narrative recap of last weekend's events written by South Oakland Duck, and fellow Pitt English Department product, Rob Swanger. ***
ducks
Batting Practice at the Pitt IM field: Saturday at 1pm, and Sunday from 12:30-1:30.
On a muggy Memorial Day night at Spring Hill field the South Oakland Ducks had reason to celebrate. Coming off a somewhat stagnant offensive performance against the Bulldogs last week the Ducks offense exploded to a 8 – 0 thrashing of the visiting Gray Bats including a two-run homer to centerfield from third baseman Jesse Smith and a 2-3 5RBI performance from catcher Chris Dowling. You might think the offense was reason enough to start setting off the fireworks display, but the offensive jolt paled in comparison to Adam Smith’s complete game 2 hit, 8 strikeout shutout. The win improves Smith’s record to 4-1 and drops his ERA to a team best 2.15.
After struggling to find the strike zone during most of the 2008 season sending him to the Duck’s bullpen with a meager 9.50 ERA and even thoughts of retirement, Adam Smith’s return to prominence has been a catalyst to the 8-3 Ducks record, the best start in South Oakland Duck’s baseball history.
To say the Duck’s wouldn’t be in second place in the Monongahela Division and leading the Pittsburgh NABA in wins without him would be an understatement. Smith’s performance has taken pressure and pitch load off of Duck’s fire-balling ace Nick Homa who was pretty much called on for every pressure situation during the 2008 season. And it’s not just Smith who’s pitching well, the Duck’s sport a team ERA of under 3.
Pitching keeps you in games, but you have to score runs to win and with the 2009 Ducks line-up scoring runs hasn’t been much of a problem. The free-agent signings of Chris Dowling and Tony Castle have paid dividends both offensively and defensively. Both sport batting averages well above .400 and are standouts in the field. Mix them in with veterans Ben Gwin, Jesse Smith, Andrew McCray, Chris Wojoton, and that’s a power-lineup that would have any team in the league (minus the Owlz) drooling.
Where the Ducks go from here is hard to tell. With the likes of the Findley Owlz and Brookline Blacksox competing in the same division for a title, it isn’t out of the question that the boys from South Oakland could end up as low as third in the division. On the same note with the talent, timely hitting, and resurgence of Duck’s pitching, a Pittsburgh NABA title is on their minds; and who are a bunch of youngsters from Findley and grizzled veteran’s from Brookline to deny South Oakland of what they deserve.
Pitching gem by Adam Smith, home run by Jesse Smith, and 5RBI night for Chris Dowling propel ducks to 8-0 shutout of Graybats. Game summary coming soon.
The (South Oakland) Ducks (of the North Side) (7-3) play the (lowly) Gray Bats (1-7) tonight at 9PM at Springview field in Spring Hill, PA. Most of us will call this day Memorial Day, but our friends on the Rebels may refer to it as Decoration Day.
Fortunately, instead of playing the Rebels, the mighty Ducks face the Pittsburgh Gray Bats--who have had a disappointing start to say the least. The Gray Bats have only mustered one win in eight games, but are supposed to have the talent necessary to compete in the Monongahela Division. Of course, if the Bats were in the Allegheny Division, they might be the division leaders. Unfortunately for them, they found themselves competing in the division with the leagues top three teams in their inaugural season.
All Ducks on deck tonight, as the Gray Bats are "guaranteeing" victory, a la former Steeler Anthony Smith. Skipper Jones presented the following bulletin board material provided by the Gray Bats just last week:
Go Go Gray Bats writes, "Hey, we’re 1-7, not 1-8! And it’ll be 2-8 after the Gray Bats a’la orange some duck next Monday. That’ll be a Memorial day to remember, Im sure."
Sorosky chimes in with, "Paul Altmyer will throw zeros versus the Ducks. And the Rebels sent me a detailed pitching report of Homa. The Gray Bats will score more runs than the Ducks…. Gauranteed"
Not only are the Gray Bats struggling on the field, but it appears they have difficulty spelling as well. There may be additional trash talking by the Bats going on, but frankly I have no desire to waste my time searching for it. I need no further motivation, and I suspect none of the other Ducks do either. Tonight at Spring Hill the Ducks mean business. The last three hours of Memorial Day ought to be forgettable for the Gray Bats, but the Ducks must remain on the offensive as the Bats are surely better than their record indicates.
To the rest of the Ducks blog staff, don't stop jobbing the Gray Bats, while I keep the Blues posts updated. ***
This weekend we put aside our petty differences.
Memorial Day, 4th of July, whatever. Either way the Confederacy does not recognize these holidays...
In my search for a score book I cam across a game from a couple years back, a Ducks game featuring Rob Swanger, Jeremy Barchie and mysefl.
Swanger was 3-4 with 2 doubles and a triple, 5 rbi. Barchie was 2-3 with 2 rbi, pitched 5 innings allowing o earned and beaning two batters I probably kept score and padded my stats with a 3-4 performance. (all singles to right field - no doubt) the game was a 15-4 Ducks victory, and was the last time Barchie, Swanger and Gwin played for the same team.
This weekend we don the powder blues along with the latest installment of the Pittsburgh Blues.
At Pittsburgh Central Catholic us basketball coaches like to post ridiculous quotes directed at our team by opponents in the locker room as motivation. I think I will do the same thing here. Only instead of posting them in a locker room I will use this blog to motivate the Ducks.
The following comments were made on the Bulldogs Blog:
Go Go Gray Bats writes, "Hey, we’re 1-7, not 1-8! And it’ll be 2-8 after the Gray Bats a’la orange some duck next Monday. That’ll be a Memorial day to remember, Im sure."
Sorosky chimes in with, "Paul Altmyer will throw zeros versus the Ducks. And the Rebels sent me a detailed pitching report of Homa. The Gray Bats will score more runs than the Ducks…. Gauranteed"
Come on Gray Bats......I usually root for you guys, but the Ducks are gonna have to stomp on you this Memorial Day.
S.C.C. was not very well written ( like I have room to talk) and often made little sense due to incoherent or underdeveloped storylines that I kept waiting to be resolved or perpetuated at a quicker pace instead of reverting into the "John Connor is a teenager who saves the world but still has issues with his mom just like other teenagers" sub plots that took away from the "Is john going to have robot sex with the girl terminator, and what is going on with Skynet, the redhed T-1000, and how are they going to explain the paradox they have created with the various loops in time and space.
(she's a robot)
That stuff that was more pressing to me. Specifically the show's treatment of the different rifts in time, and how the rules of the reality of the show were established and exposed on a weekly basis, I feel like the writers must have cheated, or just never got the chance to convince me they had a plan that would at least make sense within the time travel rules of the Terminator world.
But it was entertaining, and as a sci-fi fan (a huge supporter of any post-apocalypictic/time travel story and the first two Terminator films) who is without cable the show provided a much anticipated hour of robot filled destraction that i didn't have to stream on my laptop to enjoy.
I'm going to see Terminator Salvation this weekend when I have some down time in A.C. and Strom is doing a memorium on the S.C.C. on his web show, and I am going to try to help him out with that if I have a chance.
thanks for reading.
Jesse Smith could have killed the terminators himself.
It was a batte of Shakespearean proportions as Mantis (1-0) won his pitching debut for the South Oakland Ducks of the North Side (7-3), out-dueling NABA great, starting pitcher Dan "Dr. Venkman" Morgan (1-1) of the Bulldogs (3-4), to help the Ducks earn a hard-fought 4-2 victory over their foils in the Campbells Conference.
Ducks fans are invited to dress up like their favorite Duck. I recomend Goldberg. *** The Bulldogs are invited to join the Ducks for drinks after the game at that bar we pass on the way up to the field. The one with the bars over the windows, and the plywood door. Don't wear red. ***
Last year's Bulldogs, Ducks game was more nerve-wracking than the two years you spent dating a girl with Borderline Personality Disorder. (She seemed so normal.)
The Ducks lost 5-4 on a walk off double in a game that was conveniently moved up 3 hours, forcing Capatain America and Keeper of the Helmets, Les is More, to get stuck in Maryland or something en route to what they thought was a 9pm game.
(Why is this guy always lurking around the Bulldogs team facility?)
Tonight's match-up expects to be more of the same, with fewer walk off doubles by the Bulldogs.
Dr. Jones returns tonight, after an exciting weekend of adventure that actually was set to "JON" Bon Jovi music.
Why not add another player?
Roster-Limit City.
Kelly Leek's most recent role in Watchmen.
Sub-plots: Ghostbusters Dr. Venkman was perfect against the Confederacy this season. Last season I claimed Strom was "not a pitcher". He proceeded to earn the win in the game against us a couple days later. (good call, dick)
It took a little longer than desired, but the South Oakland Ducks returned to their winning ways Sunday, topping the Matadors 4-2.
The Ducks didn’t waste any time getting a run on the board as catcher Chris Dowling plated Tony Casale (who reached on a fielder’s choice after a failed sacrifice) thanks to an error by the shortstop in the top of the first inning.
Adam Smith worked through the first inning fairly easily, aided by a nice double play turned by Casale and Dickey. Smith did run into some trouble in the bottom of the second; walking a few batters, hitting one dude, and then allowing a single which squeaked through the middle of the infield, scoring two Matadors. Smith quickly regained his composure though, as he started off a 1-2-3 double play, before getting the third out.
The Ducks entered the third inning trailing 2-1 but turned the ship around due to some timely hitting. Dowling whacked an RBI single down the left field line, followed by a bloop single by preseason MVP Jesse Smith scoring another Duck. The Ducks would then add a fourth run in the fourth after Rick “Flailin’” Whalen cracked a ball into right field, plating a run and ending up at third with a possible triple (although I call it a double with an error).
After throwing four very solid innings, Smith was pulled by interim manager Mark Guthrie and replaced by Tyler. Tyler ended up pitching quite well in his Ducks debut, going the final three innings, allowing no runs. Matadors’ pitcher Corey Yokel went the whole game, only allowing four runs, but ended up with the loss as his team failed to score outside the second inning.
Bullet Points:
-Adam Smith is 3-1 this season. He went four innings, allowing only two runs and was arguably at his best during his last two innings. -Both teams had to lug equipment across North Park thanks to a mean cop who had the road next to Pie Traynor shut down. What a nutty day in the park. -We had two umpires today. They got there on time and actually seemed to give a damn, nice. Not to mention, there failed to be any glaringly bad calls today. -Each team rolled quite a few double plays today, leading to a quick game, which was just shy of two hours. -Mark Guthrie is 1-1 as Ducks manager. -Dickey now has the Ducks most theatric catch of the year.
Before we knew it, it was the bottom of the 5th and the Ducks trailed 6-1."Ray" Finkle made a diving catch in right. South Oakland Rallied to close the gap to 6-5, in the top of the 5th. John Tremmel went yard. Chris Feathers doubled in some guy, it was 8-5. Dan Stell recorded a two inning save, stole a couple bases and singled. Gwin popped-out to end the game.
We're at a crossroads here, this will either be a blip on the radar screen as we establish ourselves as an elite team, or we will dick around and be just over .500, and lose to the Gray Bats in the playoffs.
Secret Weapon vs. the Matadors.
Go Ducks.
I'll give a dollar to the first person to name the author of the quote in the title without using the internet as a resource.
Ducks vs Rebels 8 am John Herb Field. Everyone will be well-rested no doubt. No Dr. Jones, Captain America is running the show. Gies is in charge of the helmets. Bring money if you still owe me, or the league.
General Jones will lead the South Oakland forces versus the weaker and vastly outnumbered opposition, the Rebels, atop the hill of John Herb.
Who will be on the hill for the Ducks? Will it be Captain (United States of) America? Or possibly General Jones himself?
Or, perhaps, Jones will choose to use a secret attack:
Either way, the Union must be preserved and the opposition defeated.
This week will be very important to the Ducks as the season moves forward into the meat of the year. It is crucial that the Ducks perform well in their three game weekend in order to catapult them into the looming Memorial Day recess. It will be tough this weekend with the Rebs, Matadors, and then finally facing off against the Bulldogs at the friendly confines on Monday night, but the Ducks have both the talent, depth, and managerial wherewithal to endure the challenge and depart victorious.
So tonight, soldiers, eat, drink, and be merry (and rest), as hell breaks at dawn.
I am a huge hockey fan, and why I like the idea of the "A" and "C" on jerseys regardless of sport. It's also why I like playing on a baseball team that can roll three lines.
How 'bout them Penguins!
The Anaheim Ducks force game seven against the Red Wings.
Hurricanes vs. Bruins tonight. There's nothing like playoff hockey. three game sevens out of 4 conference semifinal match ups. Unbelievable.
*** Three games in three days for the South Oakland Ducks of the North Side. We are eagerly awaiting the long overdue season debut of Mantis.
***
A fond farewell to Ryan Novak. Last year he solidified our infield which was in dire need of consistency and played a huge role in our playoff run.
Godspeed.
***
The Rebels will strike at dawn on Saturday, we must stand tall. The Union must remain strong. Our nation can not stand divided.
Which do you most associate with the term, "rebels"?
A message from The Commish:
Its funny that LarryZ voted for the crew of Perry and company at the winter meetings. So did the ducks, and every other team present. There was another option on the table... but we went with perry by a 11-0 manager vote. The suggestion of one ump was never brought up, but it is a welcome topic for next year. As for this year, we have a contract with Perry... if you know of another association willing to send one ump to every game for $50, email pittnaba@yahoo.com
As for scheduling? Talk to your managers. they had the schedule a week before it was released to the public, and were welcome to make any changes themselves. Very few did. Agreed upon league No play dates? Memorial Day Weekend and fourth of July. Hence, the long layoff for most teams in may. As for teams starting later? The Owlz and Matadors could not have physically fielded a team, the majority (not 2-5 players), were still in college. I tried making them last year, and they each forfieted games.
There was a proposition to split them into a separate division... but it was tabled by the managers without even being brought to vote. Them starting later, and having more doubleheaders and 4 games in a three day span seemed liek the only fair comprimise. They could not have fielded teams.
Divisions/Realignment? I'll take the heat on that. I forgot to put it to a vote after the draft. I will say that the Top teams in the Monogahela have appeared to improve thier teams significantly, while most other teams have made more modest improvements. However, the current configuration was established to maintain some existing rivalies (Warriors/Oilers/Bulldogs & Ducks/Black Sox/Rebels), and try to minimize travel for most teams. That is difficult since there are three guys responsible for getting all the permits (Cool=Findlay, Finkel=Gateway, Graff=everything else)!
The managers make the final decision on everything that happens before the season starts. During the season I make decisions based on what I think is best for the league. I'm not always going to make everyone happy, but I'm trying to do what's fair and in the best interests of the league.
In short, I spend hours of time trying to make the league run smoothly, with very few offers of assistance. We would not have a league presently if I was not securing umpires, and getting the field permits that I have. I don't think its perfect, but its the best I can do with the time and resources I have. Want change? Simply talk to your managers, show up at winter meeting where they decide these things... or better yet, offer to help! I'm all for improving the league any way we can!
-"Commish"
A special "thank you" to Gala, Gwin, Strom, Martin, Shukla, Boley, Finkel, Cool, and all managers... all of whom have assisted the league in some form this year. Your time and effort is appreciated.
As always, Don Henley is on the money. We'd probably be forced to vote the same way again on the umpires. I just wish they would hold up their end of the contract.
The "Bluez" are going to be unreal this Labor Day.
Fantastic Discussion thread a couple posts back. Thanks for reading.
Larry think the owlz take it too seriously, The Owlz will probably throw their ace at the Gray (0-5) Bats and hurt Larry's feelings, if his aging mind doesn't forget about their game. Black Sox and the Owlz hate each other. some guy was drafted by the red sox.
I've heard viscious comments from members of each team directed at one another, nothing to repeat, but there is a real dislike there.
(logo of the Denver Black Sox NABA team.)
Rebels (1-3) beat the Eagles (2-3), the 7-0 score would indicate forfeit perhaps? This is a big divisional game sunday, followed by the Ole's on Sunday, and Team Consipracy at the Duck Pond Monday night.
All hands on deck. We have great depth, but lack a minor league system to call up players when we're missing two thirds of the roster.
The Black Sox have righted the ship, and stand at 4-2, after a rough 0-2 start. B-Sox pitcher JT Slavicek is having an OK start to the season.
The Owlz defeated the Matadors, 7-0, probably another forfeit, and are 3-0 after trouncing the Ducks over the weekend. I recommedn not having a mid-day double header on Mothers Day in the future. I doubt it was intenional, but that is clearly why we lost - the scheduling, not the 8 errors.
The Gray Bats will be better than their 0-5 record thus far. The have reinforcements on the way.
What ever happened to Pittsburgh NABA legend Mike "Playmaker" Pleva? The Gray bats could use a player of his caliber, someone put them in touch, it would be for the benefit of all involved.
Confederacy blah blah, rebels, civil war, Jefferson Davis, blah, etc....
This cartoon was banned. I had nothing to do with the removal of the Rebels blog post, I was actually joking when i said the commisioner removed it as part of The Conspiracy.
Dicey situation brewing perhaps.
Jim Perry could at least pretend to give a shit about our league. As an insider and a role player in The Conspiracy, I can say for a fact this is not the Commissioner's fault. The increase in cost for another association is astronomical. The fact is we don't know the alternatives to many of the problems that arise during our season, therefore we can't say they'd be better if some hypothetical solution were in place, there would just be other hypothetical problems. I don't agree with every decision made by Joe, (Stacking our division, games three days in a row then a ten-day layoff, woo-hoo) but when i approach him he gives me answers, and the logic behind his "controversial" decisions.
CALL TO ARMS
We need fields, if anyone knows of any fields our league can obtain, email pittnaba@yahoo.com
