Our Chicago Wind team were seeded 9th in the 3A Division of the Roy Hobbs World Series, so we were forced to play two games today. We and the 8-seed Ashville, N.C., went at it with the winner to face the Ohio Classics in the nightcap.
The skies were gray with temps in the upper 70s, a far cry from the upper 80s and bright high skies we played in all week. But what better day can you have than playing in gorgeous Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla., where the Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins call home.
Jim Konstantakis got the ball in the 10 a.m. opener, which was a change of plans. Since we beat the Classics earlier in the week with Jerry Solomon in relief to shut them down the final 5+ innings, Chicago manager Wes Monty decided to save Jerry for Game 2.
And it appeared to be a good move. JimK tossed his second complete 9-inning game in an 11-2 win over Ashville in a game that got a bit heated in the 6th after two Ashville batters intentionally leaned over the plate to get hit by a pitch and some words were exchanged. Then in the next half of the inning, the Ashville 2nd-baseman tagged Mike Lannon a bit hard on an easy play and tried to knock him down. After Mike had a bit of a conversation with the defender, Ashville came on to hit. After the first pitch, the umpire issued a warning to our coach and me after JK sent the next batter on his keyster. Ashville got just one of its 8 hits the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, it was Billy Smith who supplied the biggest hit of the game. With the score tied at 1 in the 4th, our Chicago Wind team loaded the bases with two outs and one run in. Bill then brought his teammates to their feet with a line shot to right-center to score two and give us a 4-1 lead.
A 5-spot in the 5th all but sealed the deal. Jerry Solomon, who hit .588 overall in the Series, singled in a run and scored another and Mike Lannon knocked in two runs with one of his 3 hits in helping the Wind bust open the game for a 9-1 lead.
The defense also had a big hand in the victory. With runners on 1st and 2nd in the 7th, Chicago 2nd-baseman Dave Schultz took a grounder to his left, pivoted, threw a strike to shortstop Jerry Hawkins at 2nd, who gunned the ball to first to complete the 4-6-3 double play and end the inning and help send the Wind to game 2 vs. the Ohio Classics.
Feeling great with Solomon on the hill, we took the field to try to beat the hard-hitting Classics in game 2. But the Ohio group showed why they were seeded No. 1 and proved to be a vengeful gang. And Solomon also wasn't himself. Jerry walked the first two batters before the next three batters crushed two singles and a double. He managed to strike out two of the next three hitters, but the Wind was chasing 4 after 1 inning.
Same scored entering the bottom of the 3rd as Chicago couldn't muster a threat. Ohio puts up another 4 spot, again timing everything Solomon threw with precision timing and power. As Solomon said, "It felt like we were were playing the 45 Marlins at their best.''
Two more runs in the 4th and another in the 6th and we lose 11-0 - mercy-ruled after the 7th inning and ending our baseball season.
From the Albany contingent, Billy Smith, Mike Lannon, Jerry Hawkins, Jerry Solomon and JimK represented CDMSBL extremely well. Part of the reason we played in this event is because it is for players 60 and over and we wanted to see how we stacked up against some of the best in that age group.
The Roy Hobbs organization runs a well-organized and really a fun tournament format that guarantees 6 games on some beautiful fields. Not to mention Fort Myers Beach ain't bad either!
If MSBL doesn't come up with a 55 or 60 and over group, then we could well represent CDMSBL in the 60s Hobbs event next year with our very own players. The entry fee is a bit more expensive than MSBL, but worth it.
JimK
-- Edited by sfgiants on Friday 18th of November 2011 11:13:50 PM
More Albany guys indeed. And teams can have 3 waivered players 57 and over. We had none. We'll be on the recruiting trail for next year. We have the best player from the Chjicago team committed to us for next year and he has a stud pitcher. Not sure if everything will materialize 'cause it's a year away, but we're heavily considering a return trip.
Of the 30 teams in the 60 and over tournament, only two impressed: The Ohio Classics hit the ball like our best 45 players and the Seattle, Wash., Titans do the same with very good pitching.
This is a very well organized tournament with a nice format. You are guaranteed 5 games and can play up to 7 or 8, depending on seed.
Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable winter and holiday seasons.
Will see many of you Dec. 1 at the annual winter meeting. JimK
Jim and the other CDSMBL players. It sounds like you guys had a blast as well as playing some great baseball. I am hoping to maybe go next year. I have to try it once before I hang it up. Congrats again. Harold Jenkins
Sorry that you didn't bring home the ring.....there is always next year......I'm not letting Ron do his hunting thing next year....we are going to Florida:) he doesn't know it yet, but we are:) we are gonna bring home a ring!
