So the fog has finally lifted...from my head...enough to post an Indian recap...
After going 3-2 in the pool play, Indians were promoted to the AA bracket at this years Roy Hobb's World Series, up from last years A bracket.
We entered as the 10th seed in a full 16 team division, and drew the 7th seeded Tennessee squad in the 1st round. Maine skipper Ed Simmons took the ball for the Indians. After a Mike Ferraro single, and a one out walk, Pete Geannelis followed with a booming double that one-hopped the wall some 385 feet out, to stake the Indians to a 2-0 lead. That would be all the scoring the Indians would get, or need, the rest of the way..... Simmons, who anyone who has played with or against can attest to, is a tremendous competitor. He battled inning after inning after giving up a run in the 1st, to keep the advantage with the Indians. Clearly tiring late, Ed induced an inning ending double play in the 8th to wiggle out of trouble. In the ninth, after a hard single, and a loud out, a Tennessee player hit a scorching one-hopper, that literally knocked over our shortstop, leaving runners at 1st and 2nd. The next hitter lined a ball up the middle that Ed somehow snagged in self defense....then threw to Lenny Fox covering 1st for the game-ending double play!!
In the next round, we drew the 2nd seeded team from Chicago..Once again, Mike Ferraro was the catalyst in the 1st, when, after being drilled on the wrist by a hard fastball, promptly stole second and scored on another booming double by...guess who..Pete Geannellis!!
I took the ball for the Indians...and I knew it was going to be one of those days when I would have to gut it out, when the legs and shoulder were saying ..don't do it... The number two hitter took me yard with a solo shot over the 330 marker down the line, and the score was tied 1-1 after one. The Chicago pitcher really settled, striking out the side in the 3rd, with a couple more k's in the 2nd and 4th...he was definitely the real deal..The score remained tied at one into the fifth..in the bottom half, Chicago put together one of those innings when everything went right for them, and nothing went our way... A misjudged ball started the inning..add in a walk, error, an attempted steal where Ferraro, who had already gunned down two runners, threw a strike to second, but the runner somehow danced around the tag. Couple more hits, included a bloop that landed on the dirt over a drawn in infield, and a missed fly ball in right and when the dust settled Chicago had plated 4 runs to take a 5-1 lead.
That would be the final score as well...Chicago moved on..and went on to win the Championship..
Mike Ferraro was named MVP for the Indians after a tremendous week!! Great job roommie!! Pete G. was solid as well..
The Hobbs is a very well run tournament, and you can't beat the west coast of Florida!!
Was a great experience in the Roy Hobbs World Series....Certainly a different feel than MSBL. The seeding process was interesting.. We did run into a buzz saw lefty from the Chicago Knights... Great velocity with a good curve, change and lefty movement. Hard to see as his delivery was the same over the top every time. He came with everything he had. Mike Ferraro was a beast and played as hard as he is known to. It was a lot of fun watching him play center, pitch, catch superbly and HIT! Mike had many rbi line drives mainly to left and was on all week. Batting from the lead off spot his OBP was close to .850!! he was also a master of the delayed steal executing one in almost every game including the 2 playoff games...a true competitor and someone who loves the game of baseball! Amazing.... Jonny Martin pitched one of the best games I've seen him twirl on Tuesday. Changing speeds and locating like I've never seen him. The hitters were talking to themselves. He gave us a much needed lift after adjusting to Florida sky and wind. . He also came up with some timely hitting to keep several rallies going. Jonny has finally made the decision to cross fit over the off season to improve his recovery time..haha Rick Caruso was the managing partner with Eddie (Simmons) and balanced the line up and games superbly for what we were as a team. We played as a team... Never gave up in any game. Rick also contributed in several games at the plate getting some timely hits, the most memorable being a bases loaded double clearing the bases. Always an honor to play with Eddie Simmons and the Maine gang. Although Ed might not say he had one of his best hitting tournaments he was as big of a competitor as ever. In the 2-1 game against the Tennessee Dirtbags where all the runs were scored in the first inning, he battled on the mound for 8 innings of shut out ball. It was a magical experience to be a part of that game. Against a hard hitting team that had a lead off and 3 and 4 hitter as good as I've ever played against he mixed his pitches to prevent them from getting on the board. The double play in the 8th and the double play in the 9th will be memorable. In the 5th inning the Tennessee Dirtbags brought in a three quarter/side arm hard throwing righty with 6 pitches. He along with the Chicago lefty were the best pitchers we faced. On Wednesday we had a scheduled day off! What a novel idea in a marathon tournament... The rest was appreciated. On Wednesday night we had a team dinner at Rick's Aunt Kathy and Uncle Robs in Fort Myers. They put on one of the best Italian Pasta Dinners I've ever had! Wow! From the lemon pasta, lasagna, eggplant Parmesan, home made red sauce with meatballs, salad and home made rolls to home made cream puffs it was absolutely delicious and special!! Thanks Rick! Lots of laughs and fun. It s not only Vegas, what happens in Fort Myers, stays in Fort Myers! Good luck to Jimmy K and company! Have fun boys! Pete G
Good showing nonetheless, boys. Sounds like Mike F. and Petey along with Eddie had an outstanding tournament. Jonny a tough-luck loss. Those guys from Chicago have been doing this for years. They have teams from Chicago in all those divisions, so they are experienced.
Hope you guys had a blast as well. Guess we're up next. We open at 10 a.m. Sunday.
thanks jonny, pete and mike for your tales of november baseball in florida. it's down to the low 30s on nlghts here now, so stories with images of baseball under the sun, not to mention lemon pasta, raise the thermostat some. thank you.
and congratulations to all the maine indians! you done good.
