2001
December 31, 2001
This past Saturday we had our first annual party. We had a great time. We felt like kids again playing ping-pong and shooting pool. Most of us we hadn't touch a racket or a cue for years. Cheryl did a superb job setting everything up; she even bought some new equipment. Well, let me wish everyone a happy new year, and please remember, if you're going to drink, don't drive. Have a safe and joyous holiday!
December 8, 2001
In this season of lights, fasting, dreidels and kinaras, happy holidays! May your holidays be filled with love, peace and joy. Have a merry Christmas, happy Hanukah, joyous Kwanzaa, happy eid al-fitr, yuletide greetings and/or happy winter solstice. Wishing you all, irrespective of your faith affiliation, the greatest happiness, health, prosperity, and success in the New Year. Start planning your new year's resolutions now! Felíz navidad y próspero año nuevo!
And let's not forget our troops abroad, especially in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, brave men and women. We are forever grateful to you for standing between us and terrorism, between light and darkness, between good and evil. Be home safe soon, and God bless you!
November 22, 2001
Happy Turkey Day all! I would like to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. May it be filled with the love of family and/or friends. Safe travels to everyone on the road this weekend. God bless.
October 14, 2001
For those of you who enjoy tormenting yourselves by watching Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" over and over, today's uneventful day was déjà vu... same actors, Matt and I, same story. Therefore, we'll make it official: the 2001 softball season is over.
October 7, 2001
Mimicking the title of Jim Carrey's movie, "me, myself and Matt" were at field #21 today. We played for an hour or so, but the million dollars question is: where were you guys? Otherwise, next Sunday we'll call it quits for the year.
September 30, 2001
Things didn't seem to work out today. Field #14 was already taken and there weren't any fields closed by where to play. Since most of the guys don't want to call it quits for the year yet, and they want to continue playing, we have two choices. We can try to play at field #6, which we still have a permit for -but as everyone knows it's narrow and not in the best of shapes, or we may meet at nearby field #21, the little leaguers' fenced-in field located at 210th Street and 73rd Ave. That field was available today. If anyone has a better suggestion, let me know.
September 23, 2001
Due to today's low turnout, as well as the never-ending field situation, we weren't able to play our regular game. Anyhow, we managed to have a very intensive workout session. Batting practice and fielding lasted almost three hours --whereat everyone was dog-tired. Present were Dave, Dwayne, Joe, Kenny, Matt, Pete, Rich and I. Since the soccer leagues are underway, we are forced to change fields again. Next Sunday we'll meet at field #14. It is located at the intersection of Francis Lewis Blvd. and 73rd Ave. Once more, we're sorry about this inconvenience.
We would like to remind everyone to please sign our guest book. This way we can keep you informed of any changes. Thank you for your cooperation. Also, don't forget to visit our message board. You can post your own views or join into any discussion. What are you waiting for?
September 16, 2001
I guess after what we went through this past week everyone needed to go out and relax a bit. What better way but playing ball! Anyhow, our topic of conversation was Tuesday's tragedy, and we all seemed to be in a state of shock yet. Today we had to change fields. Yes, I know, this is the fourth time but don't blame me. As I was saying, we played on a new field. It is just adjacent to field #4, where we've been playing, so you'll only need to walk just a bit further. Please make a note of it then. Next week we'll be at field #2.
We only played five innings against McGuire's team. Well, his name is Tom, but he just looks like him, and boy, he sure can muscle that ball high up on the sky. Just ask Dave who had some fun trying to catch some of his pop-ups. Although they managed to score three runs in the first inning, we shut them off the rest of the way.
We scored six times for our second consecutive win, 6-3. Joe had a great day at the plate. In the third inning, he drove a ball deep in the gap for a three run dinger. According to his own account, he had to hustle around the bases to make it. Yeah, right Joe. Dom made a nice catch on the outfield, Pete and Matt hit the ball well too, Kenny from HHJC drove in two runs, and yours truly managed to hit a couple of line drives, although one of them was caught.
September 9, 2001
Duty calls! The WP Building Liaisons Committee held its meeting today, so I was unable to stay and play. Anyway, Joe and Dom kept me informed of what took place during the game. Strangely enough, both coincided in their game reports, and to tell you the truth, they didn't sound good at all. It seems that the game was marked by constant disagreement among players with regard to rules. I cannot wait to read Dom's column. To conclude, let me just say that the final score was 5-4 in favor of WP.
September 2, 2001
What a great day for playing softball! We couldn't ask for any better weather. As expected, due to tomorrow's holiday, we had an overwhelming attendance. We would like to take this opportunity and wish everyone -workaholics- a happy and relaxing Labor Day. Well, as we were saying, we had a great turnout. Talk about a crowded field -literally like sardines in a tin can. Both teams had to play with four outfielders plus two short-center fielders. It looked intimidating for the hitters. At the end, another defeat, and this time we were clobbered 14-7.
In the first inning alone, HHJC had already scored seven runs. We have to give credit to Allan who pitched a heck of a ball game, but on a negative note, he couldn't stop talking. Shut up Allan. (Just joking) Kenny and Gordon -like the week before- were very impressive at the plate. These guys can really hit. To wrap up, today's WP starting lineup was: 1B-Joe, 2B-Barry, SRC-Barry, SS-Matt, SLC-Dom, 3B-Maurice, LO-Dave, CLO-Pete, CRO-Mitch, RF-Rich, C-Anthony, P-Bernard, and the kids.
August 26, 2001
Another nail biter, but at the end we came up short, just by one run. The final score was 7-6. With Nelson at second, Dave popped out to make the final out. Kenny had a great day. He went 3 for 3, hit a liner in the gap and drove in the last two runs to give HHJC the victory. The winning run came in on a close play at home. Gordon who had tagged up the runner coudn't hold onto the ball.
The first couple of innings were brilliantly played, we really flashed some leather: Dom made a nice running catch in left field and your humble servant managed to make a diving stop at third. The rest of the game, with many pathetic plays and errors of judgment, was uneventful except for Gordon's homer. On a good note, today was team photo day. Joe's wife, Mona, took some game action shots. Check out Big Joe's Scrapbook to see them.
August 19, 2001
Today was not as muggy as a couple of weeks ago. The score was 9-7. Matt still bothered by a sore back played first base. The player of the game was Nelson. He played flawless short and hit a three run homer. Dom got a crucial two RBIs single with two men out in the first inning but couldn't follow suit at the top of the seventh, he popped out to first with the bases loaded.
In one of two collisions, Big Joe practically bulldozed Barry at second base to break a chance of a double play. Dave had some nice at bats but had a tough time running the bases; he was thrown out once at third, and in a previous play, he was nearly picked up at second. We want to take this opportunity to thank Mike and all the guys from the Hollis Hills Jewish Center for their camaraderie. You're a bunch of great guys!
August 12, 2001
Game was cancelled due to rain. However, a few of us, in spite of scattered clouds filling the sky, still went. The inclement weather conditions didn't discourage diehards Dom, Matt, and myself, nor two fellow players from Hollis Hill Jewish Center that also showed up. We all got soaked!
August 5, 2001
They don't call them the dog days of August for nothing, as evidenced by today's hot sultry weather conditions. The game, like last week, ended 10-9. Talk about coincidences! Since everyone was feeling a bit fatigued we only played six innings. Rich suffered a mild case of heat exhaustion but after resting awhile and replenishing fluids, he recovered. Meanwhile Matt, who was testing his new 35oz bat, ended up straining his back in the process.
Game highlights: worth noting were a couple of sparkling defensive plays in the outfield by Pete, an incredible over the shoulder catch by Dom, some timely hitting and excellent base running by fleet-footed Nelson, an inside the park homer by Dave, and a three run shot by yours truly.
July 29, 2001
Today we were on field #6. It is in bad shape, and it is undersized. Well, actually right field is nonexistent, so any ball -not even hit hard- would end up in the shrubbery or the trees. We went back to field #4. The guys from the Hollis Hills Jewish Center have now the permit for that field. We played a pickup game with them. The final score was 10-9. We have agreed, for now, until Cheryl doesn't get us a new field that we'll meet at field #4. It is located at the intersection of Union Tpke. and 195th Street.
July 22, 2001
Great news guys! We have a new softball permit for field #6. The permit is valid until November. The field is located at the intersection of Union Tpke. and Francis Lewis Blvd. New fliers, indicating the field change, will be posted on the bulletin boards.
July 18, 2001
Today marks our official Web inauguration. We're finally online! Our homepage is up and running and it will be updated regularly to keep everyone informed. On other news, last week we played against a league team and we scored ten runs in the sixth inning to beat them 20-10. Six of the ten runs came in with two outs. Some display of heavy duty hitting... what a massacre! The week before we played against a fast-pitch league team. Although our timing was really off, lots of late swings and popups, we managed to come around and win 4-3.
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