Division: 45+ Division

Sunday League for players 45+

Orioles at Sand Crabs

The Sand Crabs beat the Orioles 14-6 in a time shortened game played at Ahuska Park,  in a game pitched skillfully by the venerable Mike Wallace and relieved scorelessly and hitlessly by Troy Galston. Tom Scalissi had a 4 hit day (ho-hum) but was relieved of his SPOG status by one Greg O’Donnell, who is really adjusting well to retirement.  Good times were had on Lake Waubesa afterward, celebrating in style with some Blanton’s, burgers, and of course, Schlitz.  We even had a visit with retired Crab and current yachtsman Brian Wagner, and had a ride on his pontoon yacht, complete with service from Fred Grandy, AKA “Gopher” or yeoman purser Smith.  It was a great day.  Then we all went straight home.  Except for JP, ’cause he was already there.  Awwww.  Thanks for hosting, Jim and Janet!

From the infirmary, Jim Pliner is nearing return from nearly fractured ribs, suffered in a nearly graceful fall while nearly catching an infield fly, while he was landed on by a nearby shortstop who was not nearly as graceful.  I won’t mention any names, but his initials are Troy Galston.

Absent from the Crabs on Sunday were Jason Himebauch, Randy Gaber, Rich Rydecki, Barry Davis, Mike Schoonveld, and Tim McInernay.  Some had other commitments, but Gaber was the victim of some bad poi after a night of singing the karaoke version of “Tiny Bubbles” in our 50th state.  If its any consolation, he did win the contest.  Ask him to sing it for you, he’s pretty good I guess.

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Rangers at Orioles

The Orioles ended their winless streak by beating the Rangers 12-6.  Chris Witt and Shawn Finnel had 3 hits for the Rangers.  Shawn Finnel blasted a homerun to open up the game for the Rangers.

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Crawfords at Sand Crabs

It was another beautiful Sunday on July 9, 2023, when the first place Sand Crabs took on the 3rd place Crawfords at the friendly confines of EMLL, in a hotly contested match in the 45+ MABL of Southern Wisconsin.  The sky was high, and so were the spirits of both squads.  The wind was blowing out to right center, and there were fans in the double-digits cheering on their favorite players, or heckling them when they didn’t perform.  But with love.  Yeah, love heckles.  That’s what they were…..

The Sand Crabs sent Wally (Mike Wallace, in case any scouts are reading this) to the mound, while the Crawfords debuted their secret weapon, Mark Holzman. Holzman, fresh out of triple-A Albuquerque, had fans questioning whether he was old enough to be in this league, as he displayed such youthful exuberance as he skipped to the mound.  As it turned out, he just stepped on an acorn in the dugout.  Anyhoo, both squads were set to battle, and battle they did.

Wally threw well; outstanding, in fact.  He held a voracious lineup of sluggers and bearded men to 9 hits over 7 innings, striking out 4 and walking 3.  4 runs were allowed, but 50% of those runs were unearned.  A lot of other stuff happened, here are a few of those things.  The Crawfords sent 3 more hurlers to the hill, while the Crabs just sent a Hill for relief of the Wall.  The Crabbers took advantage of 11 free passes, but the Crawford pitchers whiffed a half-dozen Crabs.  The daily dinger diary shows Tom Scalissi with an el grande salami in the 4th, and Mike Schoonveld with a 3-run Jack in the 5th.  Mike Kauffman hit 4 balls to the exact same spot in right center field, 2 were doubles, and 2 were singles.  He nearly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory and had to “slide” into second twice. Question: If a man is nearly standing still and drops a cheek on the ground near a base, does this constitute a slide?  If a tree falls in the forest, and that tree is Mike Kauffman, it most definitely makes a sound, and that sound is a grunt.  However, it is at least a SPOG-like grunt.  So there’s that.

Where was I?  Oh yeah.  The game.  3 time SPOG Scalissi finished with 4 knocks on the day, as did Kauffman.  Troy Galston collected 3 himself, though almost missed an at bat as he was apparently napping.  Greg O’Donnell, the retiree, barreled 4 balls and had 2 hits to show for it.

Andy Winn and Paul Meyer both had 3 hit days for the Crawfords, each with a ground-rule double to left.  Mike Starshak had a double as well, and added a single for good measure.  Final score, Crabs 18, Crawfords 5.

Both teams are in action again next Sunday, when the Crabs face the Orioles at noon, and the Crawfords take on the Rangers at 3, at Ahuska Field in Monona.  Its a good place for a cookout, and to take in a game, especially if you like traffic noise.  And who doesn’t?

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