Sorry everyone, but we just got WiFi in our condo. Also, the manager has the book, so I'm going to wing it a bit here.
We played our 4th game at 10 a.m. today against the defending 3A champion Ohio Classics. And the game was a classic as Ohio walked off with a 3-2 win in 12 innings. Jim Konstantakis started and went 4.1 innings, leaving the game tied at 1 and giving up just one unearned run. The move was made for defensive purposes and to save JK for the playoff round that starts Friday. On Thursday, the Wind play a seed-in game to see which division we are put in for the playoffs. Jerry Solomon went 1 for 3 with a walk. He stole 2nd (yes, he surprised the entire ballpark!!!). He moved to 3rd on a gounder then scored on a grounder up the middle, beating the throw home with a nifty hook slide. (Yes, it's all true!!!)
In the opener on Sunday, the Wind beat RIMA (Rhode Island/Mass.) 11-6. JimK went 6 innings and survived his worst control ever in that he walked 8. But with 5 errors in the first 2 innings, RIMA took a 5-1 lead and all 5 runs were unearned. Bill Smith led the comeback win with 3 hits and 4 RBI. Solomon came on in the 7th and pitched two innings to close out the win.
In Game 2 on Monday, the Wind lost a thrilling heart-breaker to the Detroit 60s, 4-3. Detroit had beaten Ohio on Sunday and is certain to be place in the 4A playoffs. Brad Buchan and Wayne Carney (Rochester) combined to pitch a great game for the Wind, but in vein.
On Tuesday, the Wind hung tough with the Wind's biggest rival, the TSP Windy City of Chicago, but in the end, Solomon did not get the defensive support he deserved in an 8-2 defeat.
We find out at 8 tonight who we play Thursday.
I have no hitting stats for our group, which includes Jerry Hawkins, Mark Josefski, Skip Lyons, Brad Buchan, Bill Smith, Mike Lannon, Jerry Solomon, Rob Rugen and Jim Konstantakis.
Hawkins has had a great tournament both at SS and at the plate.
way to go guys. seems likes its been close and hard fought. the playoff rounds are a little different there from MSBL. everyone makes it but you get seeded somehow in differing levels . but with that measure of competitiveness you should do well wherever you end up. jreel
Now that I have recovered from baseball and party nights in Fort Myers, here is the final rundown, albeit without a book for reference.
After losing two heart-breakers in the round robin, our National Wind of Chicago team in the Hobbs tournament defeated the Cincinnati Colts in the seeding game, which placed us in the 3A division. Detroit, which defeated us 4-3, and Ohio, which defeated us 3-2, made it to the 4A playoffs.
When the playoff schedule was released, we believed we were going to win a title. We were seeded 8. The team we beat in the round robin, RIMA, was seeded No. 1. Our first game was against the 9-seed Kansas City Cubs, a 10 a.m. start and we had Jerry Solomon rested and ready to go with Jim Konstantakis set for the 2 p.m. RIMA game, having beaten them in the opener of the round robin.
KC went 1-3 in the round robin and had lost to Detroit 6-3 and TSP Chicago 11-1, teams we lost to, but not as badly.
Well, that's why we play the games! KC came back from deficits of 2-0 and 6-4 and countered with runs every time we scored to come way with an 11-7 victory and send us packing. It was the most utterly disappointing loss I've encountered in the nine years I've gone to Fla., especially after allowing just one earned run in 12.1 innings.
When all was said and done, we didn't hit in the clutch and committed a couple of untimely errors.
I know that an all-Albany 60-plus team (3 waivers 57 and over as well) would have a solid chance to win a 4A title in this tournament. I'm hoping to be able to organize the players we need to do just that in 2013.
Jerry Hawkins was named our team's MVP, having hit .428. Skip Lyons, who got off to a slow start, wound up hitting .368. Jerry Solomon hit .312, Rob Rugen .300 and Bill Smith .273. Solomon led the team with 6 RBI. JimK led the team with 4 stolen bases. Hawkins at SS and JimK at 2B were stellar throughout. I don't believe Hawkins committed any errors at SS all week and JK committed just one that didn't cost the Wind any runs.
Finally, the Giants keep winning titles! The NorCal Giants won the 4A title, Shields ATM Guards beat the Minnesota Bees for the 3A title and the Cincinnati Colts, who we beat in the seeding game, won the 2A title.
Have a joyous holiday season and a healthy 2013. JimK
-- Edited by sfgiants on Tuesday 20th of November 2012 12:27:09 AM
Congrats guy, sounds like you had a real run at it, and better yet, a good time. 2013 should be a good year for the 55 division.I can't wait for it to start again. Have a great winter everyone.
It should be noted that Jerry Solomon pitched one of his finest games against that KC team who were toughing out their deficits of 2-0 and 6-4. With just a bit more support - Jerry would have defeated this team. Just a great effort by Jerry.
Was a good baseball group to have participated with.
