Division: 45+ Division

Sunday League for players 45+

Sand Crabs at Crawfords

The Crawfords and Sand Crabs met for a crack at first place on Sunday, June 23  at EMLL in the 45+ league of the MABL of Southern Wisconsin. Both teams were surprised to be playing, given the recent rains that allowed a deep sea fishing expedition to be held at the park on Saturday. But Harley and his groundskeeping crew had the field in tip top shape for the nooner. The elusive Jeff Adas was on the mound for the Craws, and Randy Gaber for the Crabs.  Each pitched well, and one of them got some help from their defense.

The Crabs, in a giving mood, handed the Crawfords a 5 spot, using frying pans as gloves and fried eggs as brains, on the base paths and in the field.  They provided 3 in the 3rd and 2 in the 4th, and allowed a nice clean double to Mike Starshak.  In the fifth, the Crabs became stingy and grabbed 8 runs off reliever Shad Fanta.  They snuck in a couple more in the 7th off Rob Grether who relieved Shad, and then did it again in the 8th.

Not to be outdone, the Crawfords scored 3 off reliever Mike Wallace, who pitched well but was the unwilling lead actor in the Rick Moranis sequel, “Honey, I Shrunk the Strike Zone”.  Both squads gave this two thumbs down.

The Crabs finished with 7 doubles, finally awakening their bats from winter slumber.  Starshak led the Crawfords with a 3 for 4 performance, whilst 5 Crabs had 2 a piece.

Thirsts were quenched at Slice’s after the game, where Brian Buol was crowned SPOG for the second time this young season.  The Crabs were chapped, and complained loudly when they did not win the Schlitz sign giveaway at their favorite watering hole.  A million to one odds did not work in their favor, but nevertheless the Sand Crabs had a good time.

Both squads are back in action next week, but in Black Earth for a Barnstorming weekend displaying all there is to see about the MABL.  Good tickets still available!

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Rangers at Crawfords

On a blustery day in Waunakee, the Crawfords spotted the Rangers a 7 run lead through 3 innings but fought back scoring twice in the 8th as time expired to tie it up and won it in walk off fashion in the bottom of the 9th 9-8.

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Orioles at Sand Crabs

It was a tad windy on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the one and only Waunakee when the Sand Crabs beat the Orioles 17-2 at the High School JV field. This was a battle between 2 of the 4 best teams in the 45+ division of the MABL of Southern Wisconsin.

Windy, you say? Yes, very much so.  It was so windy, (How windy was it?) It was so windy, balls were blown into places they were not expected to go. Pitches were blown into and out of the strike zone, foul balls blew fair and fair balls blew foul.  It was gusty and blustery, but otherwise nice.

Anyhoo, Mike Wallace started on the hill for the Crabs.  Wallace went 6 strong innings, allowing only 3 knocks and no runs, earned or otherwise. Troy Galston relieved Wally for the 7th and 8th, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits.

The Crabs managed 20 hits off Steve Waugh and Ely Torres.  However, 17 of the Crabs hits had a sum total exit velocity of 34 MPH, and would have been easy pop outs if it weren’t for the gales of November, which came mighty, mighty early.  Intermixed in their blooper fest, Mike Kauffman drilled a 2 RBI single to deep right center, impressing most of his teammates.

The Orioles spread their 6 hits evenly amongst 6 players.  The Crabs were led by Tim McInernay and Kauffman with 3 a piece, and Jason Himebauch, Bill Grahn, Barry Davis and Dewey Walz each had two.  Davis also swiped 3 bags and he’s not giving them back, either.  Kauffman knocked in 4 runs as well, to earn offensive SPOG honors, while Wally grabbed the defensive SPOG with his mound mastery.  Greg O’Donnell upped his season average to 1.000 and impressed at least 30 potential groupies afterward.

Thirsts were quenched at Mr Brews Taphouse, and the only thing that could have made this day better would have been if someone found Teddy on their way home.

Both squads are in action again next week, the Orioles facing the Crawfords at noon, and the Crabs against the Rangers in the afternoon cap at 3.  Tickets still available for the Father’s Day festivities!

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