Raven Steps Up for the Zeppelins

The Zeppelins played exceptional defense last night against a tough CRT-Office of Cultural Development team in a nearly error-free game.

Shy a few female players, the Zeppelins, certainly no strangers to recruiting from the stands, added 13-year old Raven Moore (Melissa and Victor’s daughter) to the lineup in order to take the field. She did a fantastic job in her first time as a Zeppelin. Raven hit two solid shots to the shortstop and the second baseman at her two at-bats, and was barely thrown out at first while running in sandals. In cleats, she would have embarrassed them both, as daddy Victor Moore made sure to point out. On defense, she played a roving short field and closed the gap up the middle. The “Developers” didn’t even attempt to hit it in her direction.

OCD took an early lead in the top of the first, scoring three runs with some solid at-bats. The Zeppelins then got into a rhythm and kept OCD scoreless in the second. OCD added one more run in the third, and then it became a defensive battle on both sides resulting in another three scoreless innings.

DEFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS:
Michael Pernici threw a batter out at first base from a line drive in right field (WHOO HOO); Gary Beadle and Matthew Wattigny caught multiple flies in the outfield. Eric Burton, Melissa Moore and Steven Grissom combined for multiple infield outs. Eddie James fired a throw into third to Victor Moore who tagged a runner mistakenly attempting to run home.

OFFENSIVE HIGHLIGHTS:
Melissa, who went 2 for 3, hit a scorcher down the third base line that went out into no-man’s land in left field. Eddie did the same thing down the first base line, going 3 for 3 for the night. Steven also put up a 2 for 3 effort at the plate.

Leu Anne Greco and hubby Cyrus showed up with Mai Tai-injected watermelons for the team. This time they remembered to bring some un-tampered ones so no children would be forced to cry at the injustice of it all. In the top of the fifth inning Coach Linda Regira suggested sharing some with OCD to impair their defense, but the ploy did not work.

Although the Zeppelins couldn’t outscore OCD, the Zeppelins definitely had the best after-party and the doctored watermelons hit the spot. A few Zeppelins were spotted grabbing an extra slice (or 2) for the ride home.
Leu Anne and Cyrus supplied the wacky watermelons, Matthew and Christian assisted with the book, Eddie hauled the equipment in and Christian hauled it out. And an extra special thanks to Eddie James, who took control of the team last week and did an outstanding job both as coach and ace reporter.

On a final note, while at the Sage Summit in D.C. last week, Coach Regira kept hearing whispers of a scandal on the Zeppelin team that she could never get full details on from such a long distance – and unable to get these pertinent facts, she could not expose the culprit(s). All she has been heard saying this week is, “The charges are completely unfounded.”

Next week the Zeppelins take on the Governor’s Office staff from the Capitol, sure to be an exciting match of wits. The game will be at 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, August 7, at Perkins Road Park (Kenilworth). The Zeppelins hope to see everyone there.

Hits: Eddie (3), Steven (2), Melissa, Victor.

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

PLAYERS: Christian Pennington (Business Incentives), Eddie James (Business Development), Eric Burton (Business Incentives), Gary Beadle (IT), Linda Regira (Policy & Planning), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Melissa Moore (Business Incentives), Michael Pernici (Lead Development), Raven Moore (Melissa & Victor’s daughter), Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary), and Victor Moore (Melissa’s husband).

FANS: Leu Anne and Cyrus Greco with an ice chest full of wacky melons and Raven Moore (for a few minutes until being recruited to play).

AAAAHHHHHH………

Mai Tai Melons

8 parts rum (definitely aged amber or dark, half white OK, some spiced if available)
3 parts lime juice
2 parts orange curacao or Triple Sec
1 part orgeat (substitute a tiny bit of almond extract)
1 part (or to taste) simple syrup
Moroccan bitters (optional; or substitute very tiny amount of cardamom/ginger/clove/cinnamon)

Shake well (without ice – needs to be strong & undiluted, remember it will be diluted by the watermelon juice).

Slowly inject into a whole watermelon (with a Cajun Injector, 3 to 6 syringes depending upon size of melon; be prepared to close holes with tape/toothpick to prevent immediate eruptions; don’t worry about leakage) and chill.