Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Zeppelins End 2013 Season With Outstanding Play Against Board of Regents

In round two of the playoffs the Zeppelins posted a quality effort against the undefeated #2 seed Board of Regents “Regulators” last night at Independence Park. This marked one of the best games LED has played in three seasons, and one of the closest matches the Regulators had all year.

LED fielded 12 players who tallied 10 hits, resulting in 5 runs. In the second inning, Russell “Rusty” Richardson legged out an infield single followed by a Steven Grissom single to left center. Leigh Ann Burton added another single to left center to load the bases for Devin Harrison. Devin’s single into the outfield gap scored both Eddie and Steven, who put on a burst of speed to outrun a throw into the plate. In the third inning Jeffrey Bashaw legged out an infield single, and not to be “out-speeded” by Steven, turned an Eddie James single into a mad dash for home. His head-first diving slide at the plate shocked the Regulators and allowed Eddie to stretch his hit to a double. Paige Ovens tacked on an RBI single scoring Eddie, and putting the Zeppelins on top 4-3. LED’s final score came in the fourth when Devin started a two-out hitting streak by blasting yet another one up the middle. Eric tacked on a single to set the stage for Gary Beadle, whose shot to left center scored Devin.

The Regulators had several strong batters and garnered 17 hits in the game. But the Zeppelin defense kept picking off lead runners and held the Regulators to only 7 runs.

2013 was a big success for the Zeppelins and all are looking forward to a great season next year.

Singles: Jayson, Chelsea, Eddie, Paige, Russell (2), Steven, Leigh Ann, Devin (2), Eric (2), Gary, Jeffrey.

Doubles: Devin, Eddie.

RBIs: Devin (2), Eddie, Paige, Gary.

Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.

PLAYERS: Chelsea Harris (Communication & Marketing), Devin Harris (Business Development), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Jeffrey Bashaw (SEC), Katie Richardson (Russell’s wife), Leigh Ann Burton (Eric’s wife), Paige Ovens (Business Development), Russell Richardson (Business Development), and Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary).

3RD BASE COACH: Will Day (Business Development)

FANS: Chelsea’s beau Brandon Dufrene and Russell’s son Mills.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

LED Notches First Post-Season Victory, Defeating DNR 4-2

The Zeppelins took their first win in the playoffs last night against the Department of Natural Resources “Drillers” at Independence Park. The players were stoked at having risen to Steven Grissom’s pre-season challenge of winning a playoff game. Secretary Stephen Moret, who was on the phone with Grissom at the end of the game, was the first to congratulate the team on the win. Hey, Business Plan Item # 11 - CHECK!

LED played well on both sides of the game, fielding 14 players, notching 4 runs on 14 hits (four of them doubles), while holding the Drillers to only 2 runs on 7 hits. Russell Richardson led the offense with a double that drove in 2 RBI’s. Jayson Newell went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI, and Paige Ovens added the final RBI on an infield sacrifice.

After the Zeppelins went scoreless in the first, Devin Harrison tapped a two-out double in the second, but was left stranded. Then in the third the Zeppelins lit it up. Eric Burton’s single up the middle followed by Steven’s double to left field put two runs in scoring position for Russell, who knocked one deep into the outfield gap. After clearing the bases, Russell then scored when Jayson followed up with another double to the outfield. That’s right – a three-double, three-run inning – a first and a big record for the Zeppelins. Singles by Jayson and Chelsea Harris in the seventh, set the stage for Paige Ovens, who scored Jayson on a sacrifice to second base.

On defense, Chelsea showed off her guns at third base as she hummed the ball to first on several plays to put batters out. On one of her plays the Drillers congratulated their thrown-out batter on a great effort, but noted that Chelsea “has a great arm.” Paige played a tough second base and robbed a Driller by snagging a hard line drive up the middle. Eric made some mad plays from shortstop and assisted in the defensive play of the game when he rifled a throw into Eddie James at home, to tag the runner attempting to slide in at the plate. Coach Linda Regira had to call the runner out as she noticed he was still six inches from the plate when the play was over. (That translates to “Eddie got him by blocking the plate with his body to stop the score.”) Eddie had another “Eddie Only” inning by getting all three batters out with his defensive magic.

Additional kudos go to Eddie for acting as team strategist, developing the lineup, and deciding the defensive rotations. Dennis Barbier carried the equipment and kept the book. Paige not only supplied the water but lugged the ice chest out to the field (hand carried/no wheels).

LED will face the Board of Regents at Independence Park next week, date/time TBD. Please join the team at the field and show your support.

Singles: Jayson, Chelsea (2), Eddie, Matt, Linda, Eric, Steven, Christian and Jeffrey.

Doubles: Devin, Steven, Russell and Jayson.

RBIs: Russell (2), Jayson, Paige.

Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.

PLAYERS: Chelsea Harris (Communication & Marketing), Christian Pennington (Business Incentives), Devin Harris (Business Development), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Jeffrey Bashaw (SEC), Leigh Ann Burton (Eric’s wife), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Paige Ovens (Business Development), Russell Richardson (Business Development), and Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary).

FANS: Chelsea’s beau Brandon Dufrene and Devin’s wife Shelly and precious daughter Harper.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Zeppelins Head to the Playoffs to face Department of Natural Resources

In 2013 the Zeppelins posted a record-high 4 wins to end with a .500 average for the season. The next hurdle is the playoffs, with 10 of the 18 league teams battling it out in postseason play. The Department of Natural Resources, who had the same record as LED, is on the menu next week. LED hasn’t met DNR on the field since 2011 – when LED whooped their *&$(#)@’s. (See the story here: LED vs DNR). The Zeppelins look forward to meeting them again and beating them again.

Last week was a bit of a disappointment for the team. Heading into the final regular season game of the year, the Zeppelins had a chance to move to 5-3 and notch a winning season. But it just wasn’t in the cards. Not only did the teams have to play in the blazing heat and mud, but LED had the benefit of having to play short-handed. Coach Linda Regira had to get off the injured list and get on the field in a skirt, barefooted, with only one working hand . That’s how desperate the Zeppelins were for players.

Despite the disadvantage, LED managed to put a few memorable plays together and did relatively well at the plate. On offense, Eddie James went 3 for 4, Eric Burton, Paige Ovens and Matthew Wattigny all went 2 for 3, and Jayson Newell tapped out a double. Gary Beadle, Christian Pennington and Jeffrey Bashaw all tallied RBI’s.
GOHSEP #1 put up two monster hits that pushed them over the Zeppelins. Actually, there were players from GOHSEP #2 on the team that were recognized from a game earlier in the season. Someone should consult the rules to see if players are allowed to be on more than one team per season.

The Zeppelins need a few more female players to make it through the playoffs and keep at least four women on the field at all times. Here is the latest from the Capitol Complex Softball League Commissioner:
"No more than six men may play in the field. I repeat: no more than six men may play in the field. Again: no more than six men may play in the field. Are there any questions about the rule that no more than six men may play in the field?"

LED will face DNR at Independence Park on Wednesday, September 11 at 6:00 PM. Please join the team at the field and show your support.

Singles: Paige (2), Eddie (3), Chelsea, Gary, Eric (2), Matthew (2), Christian, Jeffrey.

Double: Jayson Newell

RBIs: Gary, Christian and Jeffrey.

Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED.

PLAYERS: Chelsea Harris (Communication & Marketing, Christian Pennington (Business Incentives), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Jayson Newell (Business Development), Jeffrey Bashaw (SEC), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Paige Ovens (Business Development),

FANS: Susan Bigner (Business Incentives), her son Adam Delaney, and his friend Jonathan.