Giants took an 8-4 lead into the 7th before hanging on in a sloppy game Sunday on a sloppy and less-than-safe Satellite field. Giants now 7-1.
Between the baseballs and the Satellite field, CDMSBL has some issues to clean up in the off-season. As a Board member, I apologize for you not getting your money's worth this year. But we will get these issues resolved.
Also, there is a hose on the spiggot along the first-base line with a new nozzle on it. We watered the field before the game, but that got us one good inning. If you are playing the first game, try to get there early and soak the infield, mound and batters' box area. No rain with high temps in the forecast is going to make the field even worse, which hardly seems possible. But that's what will happen if the field doesn't get any water. The mound needs clay. John Reel and Scott Bonnano have been watering the field when they can, but it needs as much as it can get.
Just to let you know, The Yankees and Shasky's had played a game before our game with the Giants on Sunday. The infield, pitcher's mound and home plate were watered rather extensively. The use and weather conditions just ate up any moisture that was there. There aren't any apologies needed for the weather from the league.
But as you say, if you are using this field, be prepared to get there earlly to spend some time to water it down. Just spraying the top layer of dust is not going to cut it. Either that or play with a beach ball.
I'm not one to *itch and moan but trying to pitch off of that mound yesterday was unpleasant. The regulation height for a pitcher's mound is 10 1/2 inches above home plate - not below. Trying to pitch from below sea level off of an uneven surface is a great opportunity for someone to hurt their arm (ankle, hip, back, etc.) The mound needs clay - plain and simple.
All the credit to Jimmy K, Scott Bonnano and whoever else grabbed the hose to try and get some moisture into the field - the field however is in more need of what we can do for it. It needs a field whisperer!
Great idea Jonny ~ I will talk to Kevin about it tonite, but John and Scott would have to approve... I think it's the obvious, no-brainer answer if we can in fact do it... It's not just the mound at The Satellite, it's the entire field really...
Re: The game: Steve went 3 for 3 with two singles, a triple, two runs, an RBI and stolen base. Wayne Phillips drove in three with a pair of clutch hits to lead the Giants.
Those were the only hits the Giants got as Yankee pitchers walked six and had a couple of miscues along the way.
The three Yankee runs in the 7th were unearned. The field conditions were ripe for errors.
Steve is w/out question the best all-around player in the 45 division and arguably in the 35's as well... I was thinking it would've been a real pick-me-up for us (Yankees) if we had just gotten that last run in against him (and the field) as he can't strike everyone out ~ but he sure can get one when he needs it ~ and he did! And yes, against our clean-up hitter too...
And is there a reason why we can't move our game this Sunday from the Satellite to New Scotland as there is nothing on the schedule for 0900 @ New Scotland, but only Satellite? I'm sure most of the guys would even agree to 0830 if that mattered...
I fully understand the Satellite conditons. weather is the catlyst , causing dust where a (too) sandy mix IF was just installed and deep holes where clay is scarce on the mound and box. I have hauled clay in and repaired the mound but it needs daily attention and more clay. I would say yes to any move to New Scotland that is availalbe and that each team can agree on. Scott can orchestrate any moves to New Scotland. I can also get the Satellite ready for games. It takes a solid hour of prep and we need to do this in between games as well. I did this prep before one 55 game and a 35 game and while it wasn't ideal it helped . the mound and boxes stayed solid and damp , and the IF was wet enough to cut the dust except the back edge where I ran out of time. Granted the Out field is dry and uneven. I can assure you we are in contact with the School district offficals about condtions and will continue this dialouge to resolve this and all field use issues. We have a good relationship here and with a patience will have a good if not great field for our league. I put this similar to New Scotalnd where it took a good three years for that field to reach its current condtions. many might remember that it had only the base "cut outs" for IF dirt and that the first "all IF" dirt was rocky and dusty and the grass clumpy in the OF. Thanks to Darrell Duncan and the Town's commitmtent to the field it gradaully and certainly improved. Frankly I expect a faster process at the HS has they have deicded to upgrade that field in hopes of making it a "Section 2 jewel" with many improvments; granted it doesn't show yet but we our assured that is the direction they are going. I will prep for the remaining DH'er on Sunday at Satellite.... And the remaining 10 or so games there to be played in the 45 and 55 divsions. anyone wanting to help me just show up an hour before the games. probably a good idea to do some post game prep including mound and box refills. covering the mound will help and I'll leave a tarp there for that and home plate.
There has been some questioning about raised fees in both 45 and 55 divsions. some covered the increased access we bought at Satellite and a subatantial fee increase at New Scotland. we also asked for a good amount to help the High School improve Satellite (and New Scotland) . They refused that money in light of their own school board approved and substantial field improvement fund. I suggested in the winter mgr's meetings if we have a balance created by these increases we would refund that amount. I will advise the commsioners to follow thru on this statement. As for baseballs I have been in contact with MSBL National and the supplier and a settlement is in the works. I realize the inconveinence and will seek replacements that each team will share in . I will evaluate using this supplier in the future. it is systemic across the nation and with every MSBL league I contacted. As always the commissioner and I strive to fulflil every divsion's crafted, presented and board approved season plan and to provide the best product we can under those plans. Many of the featrues of these plans we take for granted durng the off seaosn but that is the very time to suggest vet, and vote on changes. Thanks for everyones input on this issue and for your understanding and patience thus far .
