the schedule is going to change again - why not another edit? {monday 8/31- 10:03pm

we're going to a straight double elimination format now.
the final schedule will be posted later today.

this couldn't have worked out any worse for us.
here is the schedule.

i have no idea how to even try to get our game friday moved. but that would be great.

As of now, we need a shortstop for the first two games.


none of this is joe's fault he's been working hard with little help to make this a worthwhile endeavor.



who is this saxonburg team?

Friday, September 4th, 2009

6PM @ Pullman Park – Debos vs. Portage

6PM@ Highfield ( Lower Field) – Ducks vs. Saxonburg

6PM@ Highfield ( Upper Field) – Sto Rocks vs. Pittsburgh

Saturday, September 5th, 2009

10AM@ Pullman Park – Butler vs. Freeport

10AM@ Highfield (Lower Field) – Clancy’s vs. winner of Debos vs. Portage

10AM@ Highfield (Upper Field) – Rochester vs. winner of the Pgh. Vs. Hurricanes

10AM@ BCCC – Pirates vs. winner of the Saxonburg vs. Ducks

I recieved an "unoficial" bracket and it is rediculous - i won't post it until it is final - it is set up in a manner that would potentially have teams playing 3 or 4 games in one day and the HR Derby interfering with some games, which doesn't make much since as we have field times spanning 4 days but whatever, this is what we have now.

if we beat saxonburg we play saturday at 10am on Saturday against the Dunnless Pirates, if we lose game 1 we play at 12pm on Saturday and will have to win that game to force a double header and a 3pm game.

if we go win-lose

we play saturday at 3pm and have to win to force a 6pm game. which would be 3 games in one day.

unbelievable.

if we go win-win
we play saturday night at 7pm

let's hope this get tweaked a bit.

Sunday, September 6th
Continuation of Tournament – Times and Location TBD

Monday, September 7th
Continuation of Tournament – Times and Location TBD

practice tuesday 6pm Pie Traynor. - EDIT_SChedule UPDATE

members of the naba steel city classic teams, and fall ball will practice at pie traynor on tuesday at 6pm.

The Ducks open the 'classic against sorosky's team of ringers on friday at 6pm.

field tbd.

we play a double header on saturday starting with the bulldogs at 10am on then the hurricanes afterward.

if we finish in the top 2 in our 4 team poll, we will advance to the double elimination round on sunday.
full schedule

Schedule (Home Teams determined by coin flip)

Friday, September 4th, 2009
Ducks vs. Pirates; 6pm; Lower Highfield
Hurricanes vs. Bulldogs; 6pm; Upper Highfield

Saturday, September 5th, 2009
Bulldogs vs. Ducks; 10:30am; Lower Highfield
Pirates vs. Hurricanes; 10:35am; Upper Highfield

Ducks vs. Hurricanes; 12:45pm; Lower Highfield
Bulldogs vs. Pirates; 12:50pm; Upper Highfield

HR Derby – Pullman Park – 4pm Qualifying Round (Each team 2 hitters) – 6pm Championship Round (Top 3 hitters overall)

Sunday, September 6th
Doubleheaders for each time starting at 10am – Exact times and locations TBA

Monday, September 7th
Championship Series (Best of 3) – 11am Pullman Park

Teams Committed to Play (12 teams total)

Pool A (BEC Tourney)
Debo’s Movers
Allegheny Valley Baseball
Butler City
Pittsburgh

Pool B (BEC Tourney)
Clancy’s Grill
Freeport River Pirates
Saxonburg
Portage B Squirrels

Pool C (Steel City Classic)
Allegheny Pirates
South Oakland Ducks
Sto-Rocks Hurricanes
Rochester Inn Bulldogs

quack.

Breaking Steel City Classic News

Via Commish's email...

The Steel City Tournament has merged with the Butler Eagle County Tournament...

The new fee is $650 (down from $750), and we are now guaranteed 5 7-inning games (35 innings, up from 27 - details below). Individual teams will be getting more for less than what the SCC could have offered.

Please set aside 30 minutes on 9/3 at 6pm for a quick, but important meeting.

Here are the details of the tournament (lengthy, but important.... please read in its entirety):

Saturday, August 29, 2009 - Manager's Meeting - 2PM - Pullman Park
I will submit the entry fee ($400) on behalf of each team. I would recommend you send a representative from your team as pools will be draw at this time. 3 Pools of 4 teams. Top 2 teams from each Pool make playoffs.

Friday, September 4, 2009 - First Day of Tournament
Games begin at 6PM and will be held at Pullman Park, Highfield, and Butler County Community College.

Saturday, September 5, 2009 - Second Day of Tournament
Games TBA - Played all Day
HR Derby at 3PM at Pullman Park - Teams must send two (2) representatives. Championship round of HR Derby will begin at 4:30PM.

Sunday, September 6, 2009 - Third Day of Tournament
Top-6 teams will make the finals and will enter into a double elimination tournament and the championship game will be on Monday at 1PM.

Prizes: RLC Bats, BWP Bats (Provided by PIttsburgh NABA); Championship T-shirts (Provided by Pittsburgh NABA)







Bad News for Butler.

::EDIT::

Ducks, this is your manager speaking. I will be up north in beautiful meadville this weekend. I need someone to represent the Ducks at this meeting. I also have some cash and checks at my house that need to get to Joe. It would be nice if someone who will be at the scrimmage tomorrow can take them to him. I can leave them in an envolope in my mailbox if that helps.

Allman Brothers

Ducks BBQ 8/29/2009 {EDIT BETTER DIRECTIONS}

After the scrimmage against the Bulldogs, the Ducks' BBQ will be held at my place in Swissvale. All are invited, even Yoda.

My Place


My place is actually on Milligan Way, but it is called Buzzard Way on Google maps. When you turn onto Milligan Way, bear to the right and go to the bottom of the hill. You will come out into a clearing with three buildings, mine is the one on the right. From the front of the building you can buzz the door or just yell at me on my patio.

I'm getting the basics, burgers, dogs, and brews. If you want some finer cuts of meat or liquor you can bring your own. Any beverage or food donations are appreciated, and any monetary donations will be contributed to Ducks' Charities. Leave a comment saying if your coming and if your bringing any people so I have an idea of how much I need to get. If this isn't a good day we can move the BBQ to a different date.

one more

Hot New Video Game Consists Solely Of Shooting People Point-Blank In The Face

erie recap eventually, if someone else writes it and emails it to me i will ad pics/youtubes

This is great,

thanks to The Onion


Ngyuen Thi Buch Thuy: 'Just Give Me The Damn Sepak Takraw Ball'



so is this


Baseball Superstar Accused of Performance-Enhancing Genie Use

Duel.

***

vs

Saturday Aug. 29th.
JOHN HERB FIELD 10AM.


Ducks vs. Bulldogs scrimmage on the 29th as well.

Anyone else who wants to get in some work before fall ball/labor day tourney is also welcome to attend to help fill out the teams, and to watch the highly anticipated Yoda vs. Guthrie showdown.


An additional thank you to Kirk Gibson for being the catalyst of the Erie trip, and for not taking that job in CT which will allow him to remain a Duck next season.





quack.

SomeoneElse can recap this

The ducks split a double header with the Erie league champs, and lost 3-2 to a combo of two teams on Sunday. It was a good tune-up for the Labor Day Tournament, which will now probably only feature 4 teams, all from our league which is unfortunate.

McCray and Fago went yard.
KT and Casale had at least 5 hits apiece.
Coby and TC had key hits to spark rallies and drive in runs.

it was a great weekend of baseball.
the ducks thank the teams in Erie for the free baseball.
this recap doesn't count someone else please recap.

quack.

Ducks Rumor Mill

I have just received information from an inside source that the South Oakland Ducks of the North Side have just signed former NABA 2008 MVP Fago to a contract for the series in Erie and the Labor Day tourney. Sources also say that he is very close to signing a contract to be a Duck during the 2010 NABA season.

When asked about this possible signing Manager TC Jones said, "Since we lost 11 Ducks from the 2009 team we are actively looking for players of Fago's caliber to fill holes left by departing players. A player like Fago would fill up both a hole in our infield and a hole in our pitching rotation."

This Weekend - Edit GWIN

If you plan on staying with me in Meadville this weekend and need a ride in the Duck Mobile let me know ASAP. I plan on leaving after work, so hopefully around 6PM.

Big Chuck Jones said that he plans on cooking a feast and providing brews.


If you don't need a ride but need directions to my house also let me know ASAP.

Finally if you havent giving me the money for the tourney yet bring it this weekend to Erie.

I have inside information that YODA will be at our games this weekend.

***
Ben and Rob Swanger are leaving for Meadville friday as well, and can provide transport for two more Ducks.

quack.

BP

BP wed and thursday 630 at pitt.

we leave for erie friday night.

bulldogs playing with steely mcbeam,

Practice.

Practice with Bulldogs Tuesday john herb 6pm.

Friday Freak-a-link

I leave for vacation tomorrow morning. I'm heading up to Massachusetts for my bday. I will be returning the 21st and heading straight to Meadville Friday night. Ill try to keep posting while I'm gone and if you need to reach me just call my cell. Have a good week and see you all Friday.

Things Ducks do to past the time:

Sports You Need To Master

Yoda's possible identity:

Erie trip next weekend

Depo and the rest of the staff will take over the majority of the blogging operations, for a while.

I've just let them know via this post.

I'm beat.

Season recap following labor day.

Spots are still available for the Steel City Classic.

email the Commish at pittnaba@yahoo.com if you are interested in entering a team.



9 on 9 winter ball is in the works, email the league office if you are interested.



quack.

Wednesday Link Dump

Too bad about the game last night. I'll go ahead and mark that up as a win for the mon. Here's some links to waste your Wednesday away.

5 Incredibly Impractical Sexual Fetishes

The 10 Greatest Cleavage Moments In TV History

What Her Drink Really Says About Her

Maggots Living Inside Homeless Man's Nose (Not for the squeamish)

I'm going to hell.

Tremel

This post marks the first time in the Ducks blog' s history I have spelled John Tremel's name correctly.

The All Star Game was called after 3 innings when the lights malfunctioned with The Monongahela leading 3-1.

Guthrie had the game winning rbi, with a 1 out 2-run bases loaded shot to deep second base the guy had to dive for and make a tough throw the firstbaseman couldn't hold onto.

the lights came back on after 15 minutes or so, but the Allegheny All Stars and the umpires left had left.

The Owlz boycotted the All Star Game, apparently.

BP Thursday at 6pm.

Kenny, get your team together for the labor day tourney.

quack.

Vision Test

BP today at 6PM

Batting Practice

BP Tuesday and Thursday at 6PM

What are people's plans for lodging in Erie? I'm on vacation next week and won't be able to make any plans then, so I'd like to figure out what I'm doing this week. Anybody wanna split a room?

Bacon flavored vodka? Who's gonna pick up a bottle of this for Erie?

Sunday.

A detailed recap of the Canes game 3 victory.

Nice work, Nate. - FightinRafalskis.com for next year.

All-Star Game Aug 11th 8:30pm, John Herb Field

League meeting preceding at 7pm.




fall ball registration asap.

Erie on the 22nd, and 23rd.

Steel City Classic Sept 5-7.

Depo will schedule BP for this week, Dr. Jones is busy updating the stats.

quack

shrubbery

duck hedge.

DuckTales

There is no joy in Brookline. Fightin' Rafalskis win Pittsburgh NABA title

The McKees Rocks Hurricanes,who finished dead last in the Allegheney Division a year ago, defeated the Brookline Black Sox 5-4 to earn their first League title.

For a much more thorough recap go to the best blog in the pgh naba

Rafalski pitched the last 3 innings for the Canes relieving possibly Chris Rekker but i'm not sure.
Chalfin did the same for Brookline, Slavicek pitched early and was pulled after allowing a few unearned runs. The Sox kicked it around a bit apparently.

I got there in the top of the sixth, it was 5-2 Canes.

In the top of the seventh, the Black Sox rallied.
The Sox nearly had a lead-off double but a shot down the line by their nine hitter was just foul, and he ended up striking out.
Florian reached on a 2 base error by the Canes then Klayko singled him in, then Goldie hit one to the wall in left center to score Klayko.

after a strike out of a pinch hitter, Kenny Powers stepped into the box.
He walked, and the next batter flew out to center.

Game over.

Only the Black Sox ('04, '06) have won two league titles.

Owlz ('08), Rebels (1861), Warriors ('05), Ducks ('03), and now the Hurricanes have won one apiece.
No team has won back to back titles.
Bad News for the Canes next season.

Rafalski is the hands down league MVP in my opinion.
No one player meant more to their team.


Good season, everyone, congrats to the Fightins on a great turnaround from '08.

Everyone get your money in for the Labor Day tourney by Friday the 14th.
Sorosky has RobCooled himself a team full of ringers and he thinks he is going to run over everyone - no way that could back fire... if his Pirates team wins the tourney he will have to eclipse the number of wins the Gray Bats had in 24 regular season games in one weekend.

Season recap soon.

See you at the all-star game on the 11th if I don't have to work.

quack.

Random

Velvet Underground Cover.

Game 3 Thursday Night 8:30 Moore Park.

Championship series tied 1-1
Hurricanes win 11-4. Rafalski pitched.
RECAP

Can he go on 0 days rest?
Will Kenny Powers finally pitch to help out the depleted Sox staff?

Bulldogs Blog still barking.

Gray Bats Blog remains un-updated and unlinked.

robots.



Quack

Wednesday

Who won last night?
Someone post a recap in the comments.

Bulldogs blog recaps our comments, and has pics of awesome party.

Keg Stand City.



BP today and Thursday at 6:45

quack

Batting Practice.

Ducks.

BP Tuesday and Wednsday at 6:45pm at Pitt.

Bad News for the Eagles, from the Onion

Monday.

The League Finals start tomorrow.
Black Sox vs. Hurricanes.
8:30pm John Herb Field

The All Star Game will be Tuesday August 11th
8:30pm at John Herb.

Ducks batting practice today at 6:30pm

We will probably hit twice more this week.

The Steel City Classic is still accepting teams.
Pittsburgh NABA teams receive a discount on their entry fee.

The will play a 3 game series against TESCO of the Erie Adult Baseball League.



We will play at Ainsworth Field where they have been filming Signs of the Time a documentary about, William Klem, the umpire who invented the arm signals for "out", "safe", "foul", "fair", etc..

without Klem's arm signals we wouldn't have this...

Quack

Playoff Update: No Bunting - Black Sox Sweep Owlz, Advance to Finals

Ducks Batting Practice Monday 6:30pm - Pitt IM field.

About the time the Owlz were 11-0 they became the black cloud looming over the season.
How could any other team beat them in a three game series?
Realistically, it would take a miracle.



But Kenny f-ing Powers and the Brookline Black Sox, who, after being swept during the regular season (almost as badly as the Ducks were) by the Owlz, who found their Achilles heal.
Unbelievable.

Rumor has it Rafalski tore his hamstring.
The Fightin's may be without their captain or the rest of the post-season.

The Canes won a 17-11 barn burner against the Warriors to force a game 3 in the Western Conference Final.

***

The Brookline Bullies eliminated the Imperial Owlz with a 5-2, series-clinching victory in Moore Park.
It was everything you could hope for in an Owlz Black Sox game, player ejections, a near brawl in the stands, and amongst the madness some good baseball.

The Owlz were flat.
Top to bottom they have more talent than any team in the league.
I heard they have a kid on their team who pitches for LaRoche College, who didn't even see the mound this season.

That's the kind of guy who could be the Ducks ace, and he doesn't even play on that team.

The game was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the sixth.
two consecutive walks to start the inning put runners on first and second for Kenny Powers.



Powers laid a bunt down the third-base line, the bunt was fielded and thrown into the outfield, and then the throw in went out of play.

A 3-run bunt to go ahead 5-2.

Slavicek retired the side in order in the top of the 7th.
An Owl got tossed for arguing balls and strikes.


The Owlz had a chance to break it open early when the led 2-1 in the 4th but hit into a 1-2-3 double play.

BSox40 pitched 4 scoreless innings in relief for the win.

The Owlz fanz were complaining about having to play the game at Moore Park, there was some controversy over this.

It's too bad we didn't re-seed for the playoffs so the Ducks could have been a 4 seed in an 11 (matador-less) team race instead of a 3 seed in a six team conference playoff.

Broccolo is thrilled to no longer be a Phantom.

The future of the Owlz is in doubt.


"The Ducks were the toughest team we played all season, you guys play with heart..."
- Kenny Powers

All this writing about the Sox and Owlz makes me want to vomit, but nothing else is going on.


August 22-23

Bad News for Erie.


Quack.

All Star Game Scheduled for August 11th

Campbell vs. Wales


Teusday 8/11/09
8:30pm John Herb Field.

League Meeting at 7pm open to anyone with ideas on how to improve our league.

League semi's tonight Sox/Owlz at Moore Park, and Warriors/Canes at John Herb Field.




Who is He?

The Steel City Classic will take place over Labor Day Weekend.
the cost has decreased to $750 for outside teams.
PGH NABA teams will receive a discount.

Email the Commish if you want to enter your team, or combination of teams for the chance to beat Yoda's team f it actually exists.

Rumor has it the Black Sox might not enter because they are scared to face South Oakland again, with Swanger back in center field.

Quack.