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.

Zeppelins Hold 3rd Annual Post-Season Award Ceremony

The LED Zeppelins gathered yesterday for some snacks, and to commemorate the highlights of the 2013 season, the Zeppelins’ best season to date. The team was challenged to win a playoff game and the team rose to the challenge. Every player received a trophy (stop by a player’s office to check them out) while players and young fans were awarded certificates for their contributions in making LED’s softball experience the best in the league.

Awards were presented in the usual categories, such as top batting average, most hits for the season, etc. But a few new categories had to be created to fit the team, which will NEVER be seen on ESPN. Only on the LED team could there be an award for “Calling More LED Batters Out than the Opponent” and “Most Pre-game Warm-up.” Check out the entire awards list below.

The event was full of fun and everyone had a great time being able to laugh at ourselves. The team is looking forward to the new season, where Steven Grissom set a new team goal of winning at least two playoff games. It’s a tough order given the strength of some of the league teams, but the Zeppelins are confident they can pull it off.

Many thanks to all who STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE for LED in 2013 all season long.

   

2013 LED Zeppelins Softball Achievement Awards
Zeppelin Players	Zeppelin Awards	NOTES
Eddie James	Most Hits on the Team	8 games / 16 hits - 2 doubles, 1 triple (5 RBIs)
Chelsea Harris	Most Hits - Female	6 games / 8 hits - 2 doubles (2 RBIs)
Jayson Newell	Best Batting Average on the Team	7 games / 15 hits - 2 doubles (5 RBIs)
Chelsea Harris	Best Batting Average - Female
Eddie James	Pitcher Extraordinaire	3 games giving up only 1 run
Eddie James	Best Roll-N-Run Plays
Eddie James	Best Team Slide - Male
Chelsea Harris	Best Team Slide - Female
Russell Richardson	Most RBIs on the Team	7 games / 10 hits - one double, one triple (8 RBIs)
Leigh Ann Burton	Most RBIs - Female	7 games / 5 hits (5 RBIs)
Devin Harrison	Best Hits in the Fewest Games	2 games / 4 hits - 2 doubles (2 RBIs)
Katie Richardson	Hitting One Over the Outfielder's Head
Paige Ovens	Stellar First Season	6 games / 6 hits (2 RBIs)
Danielle Clapinski	First Career RBI	1 game / 1 hit (1 RBI)
Gary Beadle	Most Assists in the Outfield	6 games / 5 hits (4 RBIs)
Eric Burton	Most Put-outs from the Infield	8 games / 13 hits (3 RBIs)
Gary Beadle	Most Put-outs from Different Positions
Michael Pernici	Throwing a Runner Out at First from the Outfield
Steven Grissom	Most Scoops at First Base
Matthew Wattigny	Most Improved Hitter Over Last Season	6 games / 8 hits
Christian Pennington	Most Improved Hitter Over the Season	Last 2 games / 3 hits (1 RBI)
Chris Stelly	Making the Most Practices and the Fewest Games	3 practices, 1 game
Linda Regira	Most Spills on the Field	First one in game 1, downhill from there (3rd year running)
Linda Regira	Perfecting the Turtle Maneuver Behind the Plate
Matthew Wattigny	Most Pre-game Warm-up	Runs a mile before the game to "get loose"
Steven Grissom	Highest Appointed Official Who Can Actually Play Softball	6 games / 8 hits - 1 double
Will Day	Exceptional 3rd Base Coaching
Gary Beadle	Wild Thing
Eric Burton	Calling More LED Batters Out Than the Opponent
Moore Family	Great Family Contribution to the Team in the First 3 Games	Melissa (5 hits, 1 RBI), Victor (4 hits, 2 doubles), Raven - Defense
Every Zeppelin	Not Recognizing ANY of Victor's Signals
Harper Harrison	Exceptional Fan
Libby Richardson	Exceptional Fan
Mills Richardson	Exceptional Fan
Kate Clapinski	Exceptional Fan
Andrew Clapinski	Best Personal Coaching (of Mom)

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.

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.

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.