Sunday, August 17, 2008

Round 1 - Naming Names (8/17 update)

Several match players have taken to naming their chosen batters. So far, it seems to be working out pretty well. Let's see how our players' picks pan out today!


Match 1 - Madding's A's trail 2-0 against MMosley's Blue Jays. We've made it to the third and final inning in this match, so the choices Madding makes here could either spell the end of his game or the start of something big. Madding calls up the Wizzard of Ozz (1), Jim Edmonds (15), and Albert Pujols (5). Looks like the trend is to call back HOFers and "Old Timers" to try and rally the team into scoring. MMosley's pitcher gives Ozzie Smith a smirk and a disbelieving shake of the head. Evidently he's pretty confident that Smith will go nowhere fast. He winds up and here's the pitch... The ball takes a dip as Ozzie swings. He connects! The ball is sent screaming out of the park for a HOME RUN! The A's come within one and have no outs. Edmonds comes to bat next, as MMosely's pitcher regroups. Still shaken from the Oz-man's homer, the pitcher WALKS Edmonds. Pujols can't wait to get into the batter's box, and actually jogs to the plate. The pitcher seems a bit off right now. Let's see if he can pull himself together here. He winds up, throws, and Pujols knocks the ball into deep into the outfield, sending Edmonds to third as he pulls into second.

Madding is fighting to stay in the game here in the third inning. His team is down 2-1 with two men on base an no outs. Can he tie the game? Will MMosley send the next three batters back to dugout? Stay tuned folks, this one has gotten very exciting!

Madding, pick your next three batters: 04, 10, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 28, 32


Match 2 - WhiteSoxCards enters the top of the second inning in a scoreless tie with Joey. Joey did get a message to me, so hopefully he'll be able to play the rest of his match without my help (or lack thereof, thus far). The Mariners (WhiteSoxCards) are hoping to get something going. The first batter is Number 08. The pitcher wipes his brow, sets, and throws. The batter swings and starts hauling butt as the ball heads deep, deep into the nether regions of the right field corner. The right fielder gets the ball. Despite the coach's call for the runner to hold up at second, the runner heads for third. The throw comes in just as the runner slides. The throw is.... NOT in time! That's a lead-off triple for the Mariners! We've got no outs and a runner on third, hoping to cross the plate and get some points on the board. Number 17 comes up to bat next. The pitcher seems undaunted by the previous hit, and fires a rocket down the pipe. The batter swings and misses. The next pitch is just on the corner and is called for a strike. The batter readies himself. The wind-up, the pitch, and the batter goes down swinging at air... That's 1 out with a runner on base. Let's see if Number 23 can get that runner home. The pitcher sets, throws, and in three short pitches disposes of this batter as readily as he did the last.

That's two outs in the top of the second with a runner on third. Will WhiteSoxCards be able to bring that runner around and break the 0-0 tie, or will Joey's Rangers be able to shut this down? Keep posted to see what happens!

WhiteSoxCards gets to select from the following players, who are eager to help out: 06, 07, 09, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32


Match 3 - TasteLikeDirt does a quick mic check as ChrisB is MIA. Since it has been 48 hours since ChrisB's turn to bat has come up, I'll be picking his players. We're in the bottom of the second and the score is tied at 0-0. First up is Number 22. The Braves make the pitch. The batter swings and hits the ball to shallow right. It's an easy fly out. That's one down as Number 13 comes into the game. Oh, things are not looking good for the Blue Jays as ChrisB's batter goes down swinging. Two outs, no one on base, and TasteLikeDirt keeps bringing the heat. Let's see who comes in next... It's Number 20 to the plate. The pitcher winds up, throws, and the batter knocks this ball deep where it takes a funny bounce in the outfield! The center fielder and the right fielder both try to get a hold of it. Finally, the center fielder comes up with it and sends the ball to the plate, keeping the runner on third for a triple!

We've got a runner in scoring position with two outs in this scoreless match. Will TasteLikeDirt hold that runner in check, or will ChrisB break the tie and get that runner home again?

ChrisB, you've got plenty of guys to choose from: 02, 04, 05, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 32


Match 4 - Motherscratcher has tied the game 1-1 against Chris(M) in the bottom of the second inning with one out. He's got a runner on third and is hoping to bring him in to break the tie. He calls in Steve Balboni (Number 5) to see what he can do here. Chris(M)'s White Sox make a defensive shift and the pitcher sets. He checks the runner on third, turns toward the plate, and sends in the pitch. Balboni swings and sends the ball flying. Unfortunately for the Royals, the Sox are right under it for the fly out. Two down, and the Royals send in Kevin Seitzer (Number 16) to see if he can get the runner off third. The runner has been on third so long, he's set up a tent and is roasting marshmallows! The pitcher looks like he's ready to make s'mores out of the Royals! Seitzer sends the first ball out into the crowd along the first base line. The pitcher tosses in the next pitch, and the batter sends this one into the crowd on the left side of the field. At least he's sharing the love here, folks. The third pitch comes in and the batter gets pinned high and tight. The ump calls "Strike Three" and Seitzer expresses his disbelief before heading back to the dugout.

Three down, leaving a man stranded on third, and the score is still ties at one apiece as we head into the final inning of the match. Will Chris(M) and his White Sox be able to take the lead or will they have to hope for extras innings? We'll find out shortly, I'm sure!

Chris(M), the players have been narrowed down to: 03, 09, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31


Match 5 - Erin's Orioles are down by four runs as we go into the 2nd inning. She is not happy with her girls. After a serious discussion with her players, she's hoping to recover from the devastating first inning. She calls up Number 10 to bat first. Voltaire's Brewers get set and the pitcher fires in the first pitch. Number 10 hits the ball and it bounces in front of the third base man, who snags it up and puts the runner out at first. One down as Number 13 steps up to the plate. Let's see if Thirteen turns out to be a 'lucky' number for the O's. The pitcher winds up, comes around, and throws a hard pitch at the batter. The batter brings herself around, and sends the ball flying into deep, deep right field. The runner is kicking up dust and the fielder finally gets a handle on the ball, but the damage is done and the runner easily reaches third base for a stand up triple! That's one on with one out, trailing 4-0. The Orioles are hoping that Number 31 can bring that runner home. Voltaire's pitcher digs deep and sends in a volley of three incredible heaters, getting the batter to strike out.

The Orioles are still hanging in there, here in the second inning with two outs and runner in scoring position on third. Will the Brewers keep the shutout alive, or will Erin light a fire under her team to get things going?

Erin, show these boys they can't hang with girls and choose three more players from these: 05, 06, 07, 09, 11, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 32


Match 6 - Dayf also has four runs and leads Kevin's Marlins 4-1 as we go into the second inning. Can Dayf extend his lead, or will Kevin shut down the Rockies? First up, Number 27 comes into the box. The pitcher sets up and he is not smiling. He intently stares and gets his sign. He sets and throws. Twenty-Seven slaps at the ball, sending it straight to the first baseman for an easy ground out. That's one down and nobody on. Will Number 06 get things rolling here? Let's see what happens. Nothing. Nothing happens as the Marlins send the batter down swinging. Two outs in the top of the 2nd inning, and it appears Kevin has his defense under control. Dayf is hoping Number 08 will change all that. Instead, the Marlins retire the side in yet another strikeout. That's 1-2-3 to end the inning.

In a quick top half of the inning, the Marlins are set to come to bat and turn things around for themselves.

Alright, Kevin, respond to this post by selecting your three batters from these guys: 02, 04, 09, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 20, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31

6 comments:

  1. Dang, I would have thought that Tony Pena Jr. would have scored on balboni's sac fly. I must have Joel Skinner coaching third.

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  2. Most of the numbers I've chosen thus far have had signifigance to my signifigant. Obviously, that hasn't worked well. Now let's choose some completely arbitrary numbers ...

    7, 19, 23

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  3. 4, 10, 24

    That's Yadier Molina, Tony La Russa (!?!) and Rick Ankiel. Well, at least La Russa managed the A's...

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