The spring training home of the Cardinals and Marlins in Jupiter,FL was the site of our 3rd Fall Classic game. For the 3rd game I'm a row, we faces an opponent playing their first game of the tourney. Long Island's South Side Warriors led off against Mike Surin on the mound. We took an early 1-0 lead, which gave way to a 4-1 deficit. It was a close game throughout. We entered the ninth down 6-4. South Side got two insurance runs in the top half and without much fanfare won 8-4.
Surin threw well, even striking out the side in one inning. But our play in the field was erratic and we scattered hits without catching a big inning. Paul Post had a big 2-out, 2-RBI base hit, Surin and Pat Alston continued to lead the Blue Jay offense. Puerto Rican teammate, Ivan Ferrar, pitched well in relief.
We'll bring an 0-3 record into Rodger Dean Stadium at 4:00pm Wednesday. In order to hold onto hopes of playing the weekend, the clichéd "must win" seems in order. At least the later start gives us a chance to rest up a bit.
later starts can be good. during the summer, most of us here play most of our games after 5 pm and then we show up for tournaments where they expect us to get our bodies in motion at the unhappy, creaky-boned hour of 9 or 10 a.m. crazy. 50+ bodies ain't ready for that.
