Friday, August 26, 2011

Zeppelins face Workforce Commission in Final Game of the Season


Watermelon!

Friday, August 26, 2011
LED faced off with the Workforce Commission Hammers on Wednesday at Independence Park.  The Hammers have a 6-1 record and have scored 87 runs during the season - a monster opponent to face.  Playing on a new field with a 300 foot fence (the regular fields have 240 foot fences) meant a lot more area to cover in the outfield, and that anything getting past an outfielder would almost certainly mean a home run.  The Zeppelins were still feeling the impact of the tough game in the rain the night before, but the players knew they had a grueling battle ahead and needed to rise to the challenge.
Michael Pernici, Linda Regira and Eddie James combined to turn a would-be multi-run homer into a double play in the bottom of the fifth.  With a runner on first, a Hammer batter put one over everyone’s head in right center.  Pernici managed to get to the ball quickly and made an astounding throw in to Regira at third.  Regira got it to James at home pulling the stunned runner up short.  The runner then turned and headed back to third, but the batter was already approaching third, and in the ensuing melee James tagged both players with the ball and garnered the double play.
LED got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning after leadoff batter Steven Grissom beat out a throw from third to first.  Regira moved Grissom to second, and James snagged the RBI with a single over the shortstop’s head.  The Zeppelins held the Hammers until the bottom of the second when one run was allowed.  The Zeppelins came up empty in their next six innings at bat.  The Hammers pulled ahead with two runs in the fourth and another three in the fifth, and maintained the lead for the remainder of the game.
After the post-game handshakes, James gave a heartfelt speech to the team, commending the players for all their hard work, their continued improvement as the season progressed, and for being the team that had the most fun in the league.  Everyone is looking forward to playing again next season.  Here’s what league commissioner Eric Hatfield (LWC) had to say on the league’s facebook page about LED’s involvement in the league and The LED Softball Spotlight blog, “Check out the blog of our newest team, Louisiana Economic Development. We don't have initiation for new teams, but if we did, they'd have raised the bar. Being new, they've had some hard knocks on the diamond, but their enthusiasm is infectious. If you have an aspiring beat writer on your team, encourage him/her to start one!”
Katherine St. Onge and Sarah Vanden Broek brought sprinkle covered cupcakes in celebration of St. Onge’s birthday, and the team sang “Happy Birthday” to St. Onge after the game.  Leu Anne Greco was not present in person, but she was present in “spirits.”  Greco sent two alcohol injected watermelons to the game with Pattie Pipes, and Allison Gilmore seemed to like them better than anyone else on the team, indulging in two slices in the dugout.  As usual, Gary Beadle made off with the leftovers.
Coach Regira was unable to attend the post-game birthday party at Superior Grill because she and teammate Dennis Barbier were both suffering from pulled muscles.  However, an update from those in attendance revealed that MUCH fun was had by St. Onge, Vanden Broek, Pernici and girlfriend Margaret, Johan and Jaqueline  Salen, Gary Beadle, James Caldwell, Matt Wattigny, Alicia, Larry and Amanda Ardoin, Allison Gilmore, Pattie Pipes, Julie Van Scotter, Yosef Javid and former SEC employee Rina Thomas.  St. Onge had desert sent out, the birthday sombrero plopped on her head, and another round of “Happy Birthday.”
Singles: Steven Grissom (2), Linda Regira, Eddie James, Chris Fallin, Michael Pernici (2), Katherine St. Onge, Elliott Adams, Allison Gilmore, Gary Beadle, Matt Wattigny and Alicia Ardoin. Double: Katherine St. Onge .
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Allison Gilmore (Secretary), Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Brenda Guess (BIS), Chris Fallin (Business Intelligence), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), Elliott Adams (Lead Development), Gary Beadle (IT), James Caldwell (Student), Johan Salen (BDS), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matt Wattigny (FastStart), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC), and Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary).

Susan Bigner kept the scorebook for the team.
FANS:  Alicia Ardoin’s husband Larry and daughter Amanda, Pattie Pipes (SEC), Susan Bigner (BIS), Sally Babin (Fiscal) and husband Allen, Allison Gilmore’s husband James and daughter Madison and Leu Anne’s Greco’s (Legal)  ice chest!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Beadle Makes ESPN Catch in Matchup with the Division of Administration

Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Too bad the cameras weren’t rolling.  Gary Beadle made a play of a lifetime in Tuesday night’s matchup with the Division if Administration. It’s what kids dream of when playing the game in their minds – a hit over my head; I have to backup; no, I have to run back hard; no, the only way I can reach it is to turn my back to the ball and stretch my glove out and catch it with my back to the crowd.  That is exactly what Beadle did in right center, stunning the Division who had visions of a homerun when the ball left the bat.  It was an amazing play.
The Zeppelins and the $ Killjoys $ took the field after a 30 minute delay due to rain and lightening.  LED had a game strategy going in – hit the first pitch so you don’t have to hold the aluminum bat too long.  Playing four full innings in the rain takes a toll on any team, but the Zeppelins gave it their all.  The rain finally stopped but the light faded quickly through the final three innings, making it difficult to see the ball.  And just as the game ended, the field lights came on!
LED got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first after a lead-off hit to right field by Frank Favaloro.  Eddie James followed with a double to put two runs in scoring position for Alicia Ardoin.  Ardoin’s single drove in the two runs.  The Division came back and scored one in the bottom of the third.  LED answered with another run in the top of the fourth when Beadle crossed the plate after consecutive hits from himself, Michael Pernici, Brenda Guess and Dennis Barbier.  The Division scored four in the bottom of the fourth when four of their men batted back-to-back in the middle of their lineup.  (This practice is actually against league rules – so I’m just gonna have to say it – THEY CHEATED!!!.)  LED came back with another run in the top of the seventh after a Matt Wattigny double, with Eddie James picking up the RBI.  The final score was Division 5, LED 4.
Linda Regira snagged a tough line drive between shortstop and third base, which prompted someone from the Division to exclaim, “Look what I found,” as though Regira had never caught a ball in her life.  Regira quieted them by “finding” three more during the course of the game.  Rotating at shortstop, Beadle and Pernici both came up with clutch catches of hard line drives, and Beadle snagged several on the run in right center.
Since the weather was not fit for man nor beast, it’s not surprising that there were only two fans standing under the awning at the scoring bench, and one in the dugout.  Madison Gilmore assisted with the scorebook from the dugout and Larry Ardoin and Yosef Javid actually stood through the entire game.  How loyal is that?  Katherine St. Onge brought more “special” mint flavored brownies to give the team a boost.
Tonight’s game against the Workforce Commission at Independence Park is the last of the season.  It also happens to be Katherine St. Onge’s birthday, so there will be cupcakes and other goodies in celebration.  St. Onge and Sarah Vanden Broek have invited the team and fans to a post game party at Superior Grill on Government Street.
Singles: Gary Beadle (2), Frank Favaloro, Linda Regira (2), Eddie James, Dennis Barbier (2), Brenda Guess, Katherine St. Onge, Alicia Ardoin. Doubles:  Eddie James and Matt Wattigny.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Allison Gilmore (Secretary); Becky Lambert (BDS), Brenda Guess (BIS), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), Elliott Adams (Lead Development), Frank Favaloro (BIS), Gary Beadle (IT), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matt Wattigny (FastStart), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), and Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC).
FANS:  Madison Gilmore, Larry Ardoin and Yosef Javid (Entertainment).

Thursday, August 18, 2011

VICTORY for LED!

Thursday, August 18, 2011
How Sweet It Is! Solid defense and a productive offense combined to push the Zeppelins to a 6 - 1 victory over the Department of Natural Resources.  Despite being battle-weary from the previous night’s game, the squad gave a terrific performance that included 20 hits.
Brenda Guess arrived at the field a bit flustered after being trapped in the Annex elevator for more than 45 minutes.  The Otis team was dispatched to rescue her in time for her to make the game, and except for overrunning third base after a hit from Kyle Zeringue and inquiring, “How am I supposed to stop?” she had a strong outing, hitting the team’s only double and tagging on a single.
LED got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second after consecutive hits from Chris Fallin, Dennis Barbier and a double by Brenda Guess, who tallied the RBI when Fallin crossed the plate.  DNR answered back with a run the top of the fourth to tie the score at 1-1.  The Zeppelins scored again in the bottom of the fourth, plating 4 runners with a rally on two outs.  Hits by Eddie James, Alicia Ardoin, Gary Beadle, Fallin, Barbier, Guess and Zeringue produced the four runs which put the Zeppelins on top 5-1.  A sixth run was added in the bottom of the sixth after hits from Michael Uffman (aka Muff), Linda Regira, James and Ardoin, who got the RBI when Muff scored.  LED held DNR for the remainder of the game.
The only controversial calls came from Chris Fallin coaching at first base.  In the Capitol Complex League the coaches at first and third call the game when their team is batting, and Fallin called Ardoin and Steven Grissom out at first in the bottom of the sixth when they were both CLEARLY safe. 
Leu Anne Greco brought ice cold spice dipped cucumbers to keep everyone cool and they were a huge hit.  She also suggested that next season when the Zeppelins have to face the Attorney General’s office that the team should definitely get “lawyered up.”
Next week the Zeppelins take on the Division of Administration (Tuesday) and Workforce Commission (Wednesday) to round out the season.  A post-season party is in the works.
Singles: Michael Uffman (2), Linda Regira (2), Eddie James (3), Steven Grissom, Chris Fallin (2), Dennis Barbier (2), Brenda Guess, Sarah Vanden Broek, Paul Sawyer, Alicia Ardoin, Gary Beadle, Kyle Zeringue, Frank Favaloro. Double:  Brenda Guess.
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS),Brenda Guess (BIS), Chris Fallin (Business Intelligence), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), Frank Favaloro (BIS), Gary Beadle (IT), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Kyle Zeringue (Lead Development), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matt Wattigny (FastStart), Michael Uffman (Lead Development), Paul Sawyer (BDS), Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC), and Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary). 
Sarah Vanden Broek and Katherine St. Onge took turns keeping the scorebook for the team.
FANS:  Leu Anne Greco, Alicia Ardoin’s daughter Amanda and beagle Jake, Frank Favaloro’s daughter Bailey, Michael Uffman’s wife Adrienne and daughters Kate and Anna .

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

LED and Department of Justice Face Off at Perkins Road Park

 
Johan Salen went 2 for 2 against the Department of Justice Tuesday, with singles in the third and sixth innings.  Either cricket skills are directly transferrable to softball, or Salen has been moonlighting at the batting cages.  His single in the sixth was a scorcher up the middle, hit like a seasoned veteran.
Malcolm Myer, Director of Capitol Operations for the Attorney General, pitched for Justice and he led their legal defense in several controversial calls against LED.  Coach Linda Regira offered to email him a rule book.  “You may have been right,” Meyers admitted to Coach Regira after the game, “but I was more convincing.” 
Katherine St. Onge brought a batch of “special” brownies, but their power couldn’t overcome the negative effects produced by a lack of alcoholic beverages (which apparently contributes to positive game performance).  The offense racked up 12 hits and had 5 players in scoring position, but the hits were scattered and LED could not plate a runner.
The LED defense also played a solid game.  Eddie James struck out 3, St. Onge snagged a popup at catcher, and Paul Sawyer caught a fly in right center in his first inning as a Zeppelin.  Gary Beadle (aka Wild Thing), Alicia Ardoin, Eddie James and Dennis Barbier combined for 15 outs for the infield.  But it wasn’t enough to hold the Justice team from scoring.
Tonight the team faces the Department of Natural Resources at Independence Park.  Next week the Zeppelins take on the Division of Administration (Tuesday) and Workforce Commission (Wednesday) to round out the season.
Singles for LED: Eddie James, Gary Beadle , Frank Favaloro, Dennis Barbier, Katherine St. Onge, Johan Salen (2), Brenda Guess, James Caldwell, Paul Sawyer, Linda Regira (2).
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS),Brenda Guess (BIS), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), Frank Favaloro (BIS), Gary Beadle (IT), James Caldwell (Student), Johan Salen (BDS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Kyle Zeringue (Lead Development), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Paul Sawyer (BDS), and Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC). 
Sarah Vanden Broek and Katherine St. Onge took turns keeping the scorebook for the team.
FANS:  Johan’s wife Jacqueline and puppies Prem and Puck, Frank Favaloro’s son Spencer and niece Kenzie, and Lisa Anderson from FastStart.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

No Softball Game Week of August 8

There will be no softball game this week because we couldn’t get either DNR or DOJ to get a full roster on the days we could play. We’ll possibly have two games next week.

So, in place of a game and in order to keep everyone in shape for next week, please see the instructional video below. Notice the intense concentration and the never-give-up attitude.


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

LED and Department of Insurance Battle in 3-2 Contest

Check out the LED Softball Blog at http://ledsoftball.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Zeppelins faced off against the Department of Insurance Tuesday evening, and it proved to be a nail-biter, going down to the wire.  Insurance was short two players, so in the spirit of fair play, LED allowed them to “borrow” James Caldwell and Matt Wattigny (who both shined for the opposing squad).  Caldwell hit a single and robbed Eddie James of a hit in right field.  Wattingly participated in outs at second and also racked up two hits for the enemy.
The LED infield behind pitcher Eddie James was outstanding.  Gary Beadle knocked out two double plays at shortstop and blanketed the left side of the infield.  Eddie James, Steven Grissom, Gary Beadle and Linda Regira combined for 16 outs in the game.  Sarah Vanden Broek snagged two pop-ups at catcher in the top of the fifth.  Johan Salen played in his first game ever, arriving at the field with his “glovey thingy” and his knowledge of the game from watching American television, and that was enough to give him a respectable first outing. 
LED fielded 14 players and tallied 15 hits, including a double by Eddie James.  Insurance got on the scoreboard first, with consecutive hits that plated their leadoff hitter.  LED tied the game in the fourth inning starting with a hit by Linda Regira.  Pinch running for Regira, Vanden Broek used her speed to cross the plate after a Steven Grissom hit down the first base line.  Insurance came back with two runs in the top of the fifth.  LED scored again in the bottom of the fifth following hits by Beadle, Vanden Broek and Julie Van Scotter, whose single plated Beadle.  Insurance held LED for the remainder of the game.
The Zeppelins also racked up three injuries in the game.  Alicia Ardoin was injured on defense, taking a ball to the face at second base on a toss from Gary Beadle, resulting in a few string marks and a huge knot/bruise.  Brenda Guess was injured in a daring run from second to third on a hit by Katherine St. Onge.  Slipping down before she hit the bag, and dropping her hat and glasses in the process, Guess refused to give up and managed to snag her lost items and roll close enough to the base to touch it with her hat.  All Guess could manage at that point was to ask, “Am I safe?”  Unfortunately, the third out of the inning had already taken place behind her at second base.  Frank Favaloro was injured in his first at-bat on a swing and miss attempt that brought him to the ground.  All three have reported in on Wednesday morning as being OK and happy to take one for the team.
Sandy Granata brought the Corona punch again and it certainly worked wonders to revive the team after a grueling seven inning match in 100+ degree temperatures.  LED invited the Insurance squad to indulge as well, but in the end, Gary Beadle walked away with the leftovers.
Next week the Zepplins take on the Department of Natural Resources.  Game day/time/location TBD.
Singles for LED: Gary Beadle (2), Allison Gilmore (2), Katherine St. Onge (2), Sarah Vanden Broek (2), Linda Regira, Steven Grissom (2), Julie Van Scotter, Brenda Guess, Danielle Clapinski.  Double: Eddie James
Singles for Insurance: James Caldwell, Matt Wattigny (2).
Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.
PLAYERS:  Alicia Ardoin (BDS), Allison Gilmore (Secretary) Brenda Guess (BIS), Danielle Clapinski (Legal), Dennis Barbier (Equipment Manger), Eddie James (BDS), Frank Favaloro (BIS), Gary Beadle (IT), Johan Salen (BDS), Julie Van Scotter (COS), Katherine St. Onge (SEC), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Sarah Vanden Broek (SEC), and Steven Grissom (Executive/Deputy Secretary). 
Sarah Vanden Broek, Katherine St. Onge and Julie Van Scotter took turns keeping the scorebook for the team.
PLAYERS FOR THE OPPONENT:  James Caldwell (Student), Matt Wattigny (FastStart)
FANS:  Sandy Granata, Johan’s wife Jacqueline and puppies Prem and Puck, Frank Favaloro’s wife Laura, son Spencer, and Spencer’s friend Zachary.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Rain Delays Game Against Division of Administration

The Division of Administration wants to reschedule in the week of August 22.  Meanwhile, the Zeppelins take on the Department of Insurance on Tuesday, August 2.