Crashes in the Outfield, Pulled Muscles and Controversial Calls – AAAAHHHH, LED Softball is in the Air

Last night at Independence Park the Zeppelins opened their 2014 season against a tough Culture, Recreation & Tourism opponent. With three games already under their belts (they begin the season before session ends) they quickly jumped out ahead as the Zeppelins had to shake off a few cobwebs.

But strong offense and defense ultimately allowed the Zeppelins to pick away at their lead until the game was tied at 8 – 8 after five innings. Not bad against a team that held LED scoreless last season! In fact, every player on the team got a hit, and several turned in multi-hit, multi-RBI performances. It could be the new uniforms – where some of the players got quite creative choosing their names on the back – that sparked the Zeppelins to such an offensive outburst.

Eddie James led the team in offense going 4 for 4 with a double and 2 RBI’s, scoring twice. Steven Grissom also went 4 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and scoring once. Jayson Newell went 3 for 4 and drove in 2 RBI’s, and Gary Beadle went 3 for 3, scoring twice. Eric Burton, Rick “ROI” Ward, William “He Hate Me” Marshall and Christian Pennington all went 2 for 3, with Christian tallying 2 RBI’s. Russell Richardson and Matthew Wattigny both went 1 for 1 before pulled muscles sidelined them. Third base specialty coach Will “Rounding 3rd” Day, who continually refused to play, reminded everyone that after a certain age, softball was “just a hamstring waiting to happen.”

Chelsea “Wellsee” Harris led the ladies on offense going 3 for 4 and scoring twice. Paige Ovens went 2 for 4, scoring once, and Lauren Stuart Illing went 1 for 3 in her first outing as a Zeppelin. It should have been 2 for 3, but a controversial call robbed her of the second hit.

Defense was tough on both teams due to the condition of the infield. Balls were taking crazy hops on the sun-baked field after all the rain last week. Anyone who played infield last night is probably sporting a bruise or two today. But the outfield proved to be unsafe as well. A spectacular crash in the outfield between Will HHM and Gary on a fly between them probably left a bruise as well – but the good news is that they somehow made the out anyway. Both Richard and Matthew pulled muscles while in the outfield and both have been ordered by Coach Linda Regira to be better in time for next week’s game.

Despite conditions, there were several defensive standout plays on the night. Eddie and Rick shared the mound and both turned in solid performances. Eddie participated in two double plays, one with Paige and another unassisted. Jayson and Steven pulled off their famous throw-the-batter-out-at-first-base-from-the-outfield maneuver. Both players won awards last season for these exact moves. It is a good sign that it is starting so early in the season.

Chelsea again showed the power of her arm from third base, and after a monster throw that sailed over Steven’s outstretched glove at first she showed that she was ready to give Gary a run on the “Wild Thing” award. From second base, Paige was involved in numerous putouts with Eric, Eddie, Rick and Steven.

At one point Coach Regira found the sole of a cleat near the dugout and determined it belonged to Will HHM, who continued to play “soleless” if not actually “shoeless.” Two innings later Eddie discovered one of the soles of his cleats was starting to come off – benching him for the duration. He claims it detached in sympathy. Whatever the explanation it might be a national softball record for two players to lose soles on their cleats in the same game. Since he was sidelined Eddie was able to take his coaching skills to new heights. He stood outside the outfield fence positioning outfielders who mysteriously were right where they needed to be to make the plays.

Everyone played well and gave it their all, but the CRT ace hitter proved too much for the Zeppelins late in the game. His hitting in the 6th and 7th innings put CRT over the top. Everyone was speculating about his employment at CRT. In 12 years of being in this building, no one at LED has ever spotted him. He must work at a field office……

Finally, fan support is something in which LED leads the league “hands down” according to league commissioner Eric Hatfield. Anne Villa sent an ice chest filled with water and Powerade which allowed the team to stay hydrated in 95+ degree heat. It’s scary to think the heat only going to get worse as the season continues. Several fans congregated in the stands and cheered heartily for the team, adding to the good time had by all. Susan Bigner and her son Adam Delaney, Becky Lambert, Lauren’s new hubby Sean and their puppy Zoey, Russel’s daughter Libby, Will HHM’s girlfriend Emery, and Paige’s fiancé, super fan David. David has been a great help to the team this season. He hit balls at practice and played a neutral catcher in both the preseason scrimmage and in last night’s game. The Zeppelins would love to add him to the roster, but he’d be spotted as a ringer in no time.

Sadly, Coach Regira is still on the PUP list (physically unable to play) since last season’s injuries that resulted in 16 physical therapy sessions. That’s the price extracted for back-to-back annual awards for “Most Spills on the Field.”

Next week the Zeppelins take on a mighty Department of Children and Family Services team that has only one loss in three years – and that in last season’s championship final. It will be a tough game and the team needs all the support it can get. The game is set for 6:00 on Wednesday, June 25, at Perkins Road Park.

Singles: Steven (4), Jayson (3), Eddie (3), Chelsea (3), Gary (3), Paige (2), Eric (2), Rick (2), Will HHM (2), Christian (2), Russell, Matthew, and Lauren

Double: Eddie

RBI’s: Eddie (2), Steven (2), Jayson (2) and Christian (2),

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), Lauren Stuart Illing (Business Development), Matthew Wattigny (FastStart), Paige Ovens (Business Development), Rick Ward (Business Development), Russell Richardson (Business Development), Steven Grissom (Deputy Secretary), Will Marshall (International)

FANS: Susan Bigner and son Adam Delaney, Becky Lambert, Lauren husband Sean and pooch Zoey, Russell’s daughter Libby, Will HHM’s girlfriend Emery and Paige’s fiancé David.

ADDITIONAL COACHES: Will Day (Business Development), Eddie and David.