Volume 25 Issue 5 May 28/29/30, 2019 BASES LOADED No. 438 Manchester Softball League Review

This week’s games Showing streak, and blu More fun in the sun—except on PW2 and PW9 DOD 3L @ GRX 5W (7, IC) LIO 1L @ MHM 1L (1, PF) N the Greensox– with a shutout to inflict before MAV 1W @ CAM 1W (6, TLF) Lions game there on the Lions their first Dodgers took a 3-0 THU 5W @ MV2 4L (4, AG) was an extraordi- -ahead rule defeat lead, extended to 5-0 in BAT 4L @ MRD 3L (3, HS) nary turn-around since the same oppo- the fourth. But that was CM2 1L @ SHA 1L (2, MD) MKT 5W @ TIG 3W (0, JC) as the Lions got off to a nents beat them in the the end of their scoring BFL 2L @ HAC 2W (8, IC) cracking start, leading final-day title decider in as Thunder got one TH2 4W @ TTN 1W (7, ML) 11-1 after nearly August 2014. Else- then two runs, then TH3 3L @ VIP 1L (6, DD) twice round their order, where, while teams are getting the three BIV 2W @ BLJ 1W (7, SS) then … nothing. A string racking up runs by the needed in the bottom ENF 2W @ COL 2W (6, JC) of zeros as the Sox score (literally), Thun- of the seventh to win 6- FRZ 1L @ SWI 4L (3, AT) RIP 3L @ TGG 3W (4, MG) scored steadily to tie it der and Dodgers shared 5. Camels scored stead- TH4 3L @ STG 2L (8, LH) up after four innings, a mere 11 runs in a ily, averaging two per scoring four in the fifth tight game in which de- half- after a null Inside this issue: and then smashing 11 of fences were on top. start, while Mayhem’s their own in the sixth, There were two shut- (Continued on page 2) Birthdays 2

Match reports 3 Hitting for the cycle plate appearances. The last time this was re- Alex Hall tournament 6 HERE’s a thing performance. ported in Bases Loaded in baseball What’s in your bag? 8 IT happened last week was June 2014, when T called ‘hitting when Bandidos’ Liam the Lions’ Mike Gaskell for the cycle’, which Ask Statto 9 Morrison, who went one bet- means hitting a , only started ter, with a Next week’s games 10 a , a and a playing soft- walk and a grand in the same ball last slam on top of MVPs 10 game. We can only year, got his 1B, 2B know about these the four and 3B. Home runs 11 feats if we are told, hits, With no which in turn implies a though photo avail- Guests, Transfers 11 team scoring in suffi- not in sequence, as is able, we ran a cient detail … or else a Results 12 necessary for a ‘natural picture of a bicycle, so conscientious batter cycle’. He also got a let’s repeat the Standings 12 remembering their walk in one of his other ‘tradition’ here.

Bases Loaded, the Manchester Softball League Review is published by the Manchester Softball League. Available online at http://manchester-softball.co.uk/about-msl/the-review © 2019 Editor: Harry Somers. Sponsor: Midshire Business Systems. Contributions should be sent to [email protected]. We are happy to accept advertising. For rates contact us at the same email address. Page 2 BASES LOADED

More fun in the sun (Continued from runs in just four innings, with five ON Thursday, Barflies stubbornly page 1) bat-arounds between them. The avoided a mercy-rule defeat de- box score resembled a binary game was tight for the first two spite being 26-3 down to the Ti- number, as the Camels got back innings, but in the third the Mexi- tans after 2½ innings. They had to winning ways, leapfrogging cans established a nine-run lead, reduced the deficit to ten by the Mayhem (if camels can leap or and pulled further ahead each fifth, eventually losing 32-19 in indeed frog) in the standings. inning thereafter. Both teams the third of three games to top There was bound to be a win at celebrated home 50 runs last week. The Hackers’ last for one or other of the runs, with half the Bandidos’ line- 14-8 defeat of the Vipers was Mavericks teams, as they faced up getting homers, and one of modest in comparison: the ser- each other… and as is right and them, Liam Morrison, in only his pents were shut out for three proper it was the senior side second year of softball, hitting innings as the hatcheteers estab- that prevailed, with a 21-6 for the cycle. There were grand lished a six-run lead which was mercy win. slams for both teams in the 54- the eventual margin of victory. IN Division 2 Meerkats contin- run Blue Jays–Rippers match-up, And the Thunder derby was a ued their unbeaten run, recov- in which the Jays led from start straightforward run-ahead win ering from a first-inning bat- to finish. But with the deficit re- for the IIs, with the IIIs managing around by the Sharks which duced to 3 going into the seventh only one run. scored nine, with shutouts and inning, all hope of an Urmston runs to lead 10-9 after three. come-back was dashed as the The Kats edged into the lead Jays scored 11, then shut the Rip- Birthdays until the Sharks scored six in pers out to win by 14. Tiggers Sunday: Thomas Currie (Colt the sixth to take a 17-16 lead. continued their unbeaten start to 45s), Daisy Goodenough (Titans) But the suricates immediately the season against a strong Tuesday: Emma Carruthers* regained a slim advantage, and Freeze side, establishing a lead (Mavericks), Stephen Howard used home advantage to win 20 with an 8-run bat-around in the (Thunder), John Kaye* (Colt 45s), -19. Speeders never looked un- second. Mayhem battled back to Graeme Nickson (Sharks), Dan comfortable as they led Camels within one run in the bottom of Schofield* (Thunder IV), Harry II from start to merciful finish, the sixth, but Tiggers scored five Somers (Bandidos) allowing only four runs, but will in the top of the seventh to se- have to do better when it cure the win. On pitch 2 batters Wednesday: Darren Bamford comes to the paperwork. Tigers had to swing and hope as the sun (Freeze), Matt Spencer (Titans) and Bats were 1-1 going into took up its pesky position right Thursday: Scott Adams (Bats), the fourth, when the Bats took behind the pitcher’s head. En- Caroline Drake (Tigers) a five-run lead which the Tigers forcers established a lead early Friday: Rachel Andrews immediately matched, then doors which the Stingers could (Tiggers), Alyssa Jones (Tigers), scored seven in the sixth, even- only chase, scoring steadily, but Dave Warren (Thunder II) tually winning 16-11. never enough. Swingers mean- Saturday: Kelly Murray AN average of 41.2 runs per while are finding it a steep learn- (Mayhem) ing curve, avoiding a shut-out by game were scored in Division 4 * Same year. 28th May (a Tues- the Colt 45s, but only just, as the as fielders struggle with rock- day this year) is the most popu- revolvers scored 11, 2, 12 and 8 hard pitches, and well-coached lar birthday in the league, with to win 33-1. hitting and running. Los Bandi- six players sharing it. dos and Thunder IV shared 57 Volume 25 Issue 5 Page 3

Match reports

Rippers a respectable second strong force in the , Meerkats value age–youth place bringing long balls in when they combo Blue Jays 5 5 2 0 7 4 11 34 made it out. Both well and got Sharks 9 0 0 1 1 6 2 19 Rippers 2 2 4 1 5 6 0 20 points for the team. Give it up Meerkats 2 3 5 2 4 2 2 20 Pitch 8, Umpire Jonny Creelman Pitch 3, Umpire Mike Davies BLUE JAYS Arthur Hung (3B), Lisa for Edmund Woodcock, who SHARKS Mike Hulme (SS), Rebecca Weaver (2B), Tom Huntley (SS), Sharon stepped in as and latterly Ebo (C), Liam Harris (P), Sophie Tem- Huntley (CL), Jono Wrigley (CR), Siobhan ple (2B), Jordan Colton (3B), Rachel O Shaughnessy (1B), Kip Kaboli (LF), pitcher, and was a great vocal Sewell (LF), Richard Jameson (LC), Kirsti Ahmed (RF), Simon Ronksey (P), Joiccey Roasaria (1B), Stephen Felicity Lowe (C); Subs—Alex Harman (for support on the pitch – which we Shearer (RF), Hayley Broadbent (RC) Kaboli), Maggie Skomska (for Ahmed) all needed as we reached the HRs: Harris , Colton 2 HRs: T Huntley 2, Ronksley (GS) seventhth. Big props to Dilan Bas- MEERKATS Simon Sharp (LF), Beth RIPPERS Scott Humphrey (SS), Olivia Werakso (3B), Billy Lykouras (SS), Bowes (3B), Anthony Henderson (2B), tiampillai for his amazing encour- Amy Miller (1B), Rory Gibson (2B), Joanne Nuttall (1B), Chris Wilson Grady agement and trademark wallops. Sonia Hine (LC), Matt Fairweather (CL), Rose brooke (CR), Ed Woodcock (RC), Kath Stockton (C), Matthew Na- (C), Ellie Sams (LF), Dilan Bastampillai Massive kudos to Gemma Giggle- rain (P), Niadia peek (RF); Sub—Mark (TH3)(RF), Gemma Wallace (TH3) (P); berry Wallace for her first league Hayward (for Sharp) Sub—Kate Dennigan (for Sams) game as pitcher – getting some HR: Fairweather HRs: Bastiampillai 2 (1 GS), Humphrey classy strikes and keeping cool IT’S almost a quintessentially IN what will surely be British tradition that at one of the longest Scott Humphrey scores a home run Photo: Rose Brooke this time of year, off on games of the season, your jollies for a trip to Rippers made the Blue the sunsheeeiiine, the eye Jays work for their win is drawn to that mis- yesterday. We were matched couple that never Jay-ded, and we make you go “How the didn’t feel too Blue at **** did THEY end up to- the loss, bringing home gether?” a very respectable 20 Well, the 2019 Meerkats runs, even though that are that weird Russian guy wasn’t enough against with the barrel chest on their 34. Scott Hum- your fortnight in Torremo- phrey started the bat- under pressure. And finally, high linos. The old lags Hine, Hay- ting order and was an energetic fives to new recruit Kate Denni- ward, Peek, Stockton and Fair- short stop, whipping Jolly Alder- gan, who stepped in in the sec- weather have cashed in their man on 1st base plenty run-busting ond half, and succeeded in not pension chips and have some- balls – what a team they are turn- only not swinging for a bad pitch, how, to the extreme envy of ing out to be! Olivia Bowes didn’t but then smashing the next, care- their mates, lucked out and at- let anything past her on third, stop- fully base hopping to bring us tracted an altogether younger, ping some super swift ground balls another valuable point. Our more vigorous and virile form and getting them reliably to our 2B Home Run Hunnies were Dilan of Meerkat into the fold. Thus, superstar Anthony Henderson who (two and a GRAND SLAM), and into a world of gammy shoul- stopped some very fast runners in Scott (pictured). Rose Brooke ders and embarrassing skin their tracks. It was very much an MVPs S Huntley, Hung (BLJ), Nuttall, complaints has burst the Insta- game, but Chris Wilson Henderson (RIP) Grady and Sams were alert and a (Continued on page 4) Page 4 BASES LOADED

Match reports (Continued from page 3) record, Brooks was best of the rest going 3 for 4. Home run heroes were Emma Pritchard, Hadwin gram generation, all “buff rigs” and “skin fades”. and Bell with one apiece. All three homers were This victory again had its roots in the new Kat on really nice high quality hits. Holly Smith also generation, with an MVP performance from the continued her hot hitting streak with a couple of nice base hits. bat-less Rory Gibson. But experience also showed its place, as the Kats refused to buckle in Overall this wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory: Tigers didn’t play great but they hit the face of a brilliant first inning onslaught from well enough to get the job done. the Sharks’ bats, lead by Jordan Colton’s big hit- Dave Wareham ting, where Kats faced a nine-run deficit before MVPs Kokocińska, Bell (TIG), Yates, Bates (BAT) they had picked up a bat. The turnaround was Bandidos hit out testament to an outstanding team effort and a Bandidos 8 5 9 10 4 36 refusal to give in, with highlight plays being Sonia Thunder IV 7 4 2 7 1 21 Hine’s ice-cream cone on the stretch, Beth RAR, Pitch 6, Umpire Ian Caird BANDIDOS Adam Morrison (P), Janine Hickie (1B), Liam Werakso’s relentless power hitting and Billy Lyk- Morrison (LC), Bev Bradbury (C), Jonny Preston (SS), ouras’s spring heeled run-down of Shearer to Chloe Llewellyn (3B), Harry Somers (2B), Maisie Emmerson (LF), Jason Kneen (RC), Lisa Hine (RF) complete a emanating from the out- HRs: Preston 2 (1GS), L Morrison, Hickie, Kneen, Llewellyn field. The coup de grace was fittingly adminis- THUNDER IV: Rachael Wake (2B), Johan Lemmers (LC), Bryony James (P), Phil Kirby (SS), George Pugh (1B), Chris tered by a veteran–youth combo, as Hine drove Boydell (C), Emma beall (LF), Dan McDowell (3B), Nikki in Gibson for the walk-off winner at the bottom Bartlett (TH2)(RF), Elliot Boydell (RC) of the seventh. HR: Kirby (GS) Meanwhile, with the Kats, we're loving our new LOS Bandidos beat Thunder IV in a five-inning run lease of life; us old 'uns even know who to ask -ahead rule win in which 57 runs were shared, next time we need a PDF converted into Word… with 21 a season-high RAR losing total, just short Matt Fairweather of the all-time record. But it was not so much a MVPs Rosaria, Colton (SHA), Hine, Gibson (MKT) slug fest as a walk in the park, with the Bandidos’ superior hitting ultimately the difference. Tigers have the edge Tigers 0 1 0 2 6 7 0 16 Both opening pitchers struggled, as the 1st inning Bats 0 1 0 7 0 2 1 11 score of 8-7 suggests, with a fair proportion of Pitch 7, Umpire Jonny Creelman TIGERS Matty Bell (P), Tereza Kokocińska (2B), Dan Dow- those 15 run walked in. Relief was at hand as Dan nes (SS), Jackie Ervin (1B), Craig Brooks (RC), Alyssa McDowell steadied the ship for Thunder, while Jones (LF), Jonny Huck (LC), Holly Smith (C), Brad Hadwin (3B), Caroline Drake (EP), Steve beddows (EP), Emma Jason Kneen’s first outing as pitcher, despite Pritchard (RF) boisterous ‘encouragement’ from short stop, HRs: Bell (GS), Hadwin, Pritchard contributed to an MVP performance in conjunc- BATS Di Khwaja (3B), Keith Lewis (CL), Dawn Yates (1B), Shawn Khwaja (CR) , Sue Gibson (RF), Jerry Seabridge tion with a home run and seven RBIs. Other con- (P), Rachel Merrie (C) tenders for MVP might have been Liam Morrison, HR: Martinez who hit for the cycle, with a walk thrown in for This game started as a tight affair, with a score of good measure. That might be the kind of 1st Divi- 1-1 after three innings, but the runs started to sion performance our opponents last week were flow after that and the Tigers’ two big innings to referring to, but like most of the team Morrison the Bats’ one meant the cats chalked up the win. is in only his second year of softball. Fellow sec- In the field Matty Bell pitched a good game, Brad ond-year Jonny Preston got two homers, one a Hadwin showed some nice touches at 3B and Craig Brooks was good in the outfield. OBP leader grand slam, and batted in eight runs in total, and was Caroline Drake with a not at all lucky 3 for 3 he might have got a third round-trip if he hadn’t Volume 25 Issue 5 Page 5 stepped on the plate at his last at-bat. Chloe ‘GB’ Llewellyn got six runs from six plate ap- pearances, including a homer, and had two NSL-quality catches at 3B towards the end of the game, but female MVP was Janine Hickie—now in her third season, she’s almost a veteran—with her first home run of the season, and an er- ror-free performance at 1B. El Niño MVPs Hickie, Kneen (BND), James, McDowell (TH4) Tiggers’ early lead sees them through Tiggers 0 8 0 3 2 2 5 20 Freeze 2 0 3 2 1 6 0 14 Pitch 7, Umpires Mark Sanders, Ross Maskell TIGGERS Oliver Sharpe (CR), San- dra Zlatinská (CL), Ed Covington (SS), Mikala Martin (1B), James Wright (LF), Lynsey Taylor (3B), Aiden Peakman (2B), Rachael An- drews (RF), Dave Wareham (P), Evie Sanders (C) FREEZE Jay Stevens (LF), Emma Ashby (2B), Darren Bamford (SS), Becki Ruth (CL), James Tanner (1B), Malyn Wainwright (3B), Kris Timms (CR), Rachel Hyland (RF), Steve Bartlett (TH2)(P), Mary Mitchell (C); Sub—Fran Holmes (for Hykland) HRs: Bamford 2, Stephens, Bartlett A fine team performance gave Tiggers the win against the previously undefeated Freeze. fine job at short stop. Lynsey Tay- Martin (4 for 5) leading the way An eight-run second inning lor put in a promising perform- for the women. Evie Sanders also gave them a lead that they ance at 3B. Aiden Peakman did deserves a mention for her best never gave up. Freeze came lots of good stuff at 2B, Mikala batting performance of the season close in the bottom of the Martin did her customary fine job so far. There were lots of other sixth but a five-run top of the at 1B, James Wright and Oli good performances up and down seventh put them back into a Sharpe both took good catches in the line-up and the whole team comfortable lead. the outfield (with Sharpe doing a ran the bases with aggression that In the field there were lots of similarly fine job at 2B in the sev- didn’t tip over into stupidity. good performances all over enth) and all the rest of the team Dave Wareham the park. Dave Wareham also contributed. MVPs Martn, Sharpe (TGG), Ashby, Bam- pitched his best game of the With the bats Wareham (5 for 5) ford (FRZ) season so far. Ed Covington a was the male OBP leader with Page 6 BASES LOADED

Alex Hall Charity Tournament/Picnic/Fancy Dress Party

THE 16th annual Alex Hall memorial tour- with the disease in 2003. But during nament is upon us: it will take place this that time she raised £29,000 for the Saturday (June 3rd) at Parrs Wood. Held in Christie Hospital, where she was be- memory of Manchester softballer and ing treated, and in her memory, the party-animal, Alex Hall (pictured here) Alex Hall Fund was set up to continue who was diagnosed with cancer at the age her work. Since 2005 it has organised of 29, and sadly lost a nine-year battle a charity softball tournament every year, raising more than £30,000. The teams

YELLOW TEAM The rules Mandy Ashton, Chris Gresty, Maddy Gresty, Bradley 1. Whilst drinking is not barred at this event, it Hadwin, Gemma McArdle, Colin McKee , Michael Mia, Edward Moss, Jacqueline Ng (Captain), Katrina Rhead, is encouraged that teams keep it to a reason- Taj Uddin able level. This is a tournament to honour a for- mer player and children will be in the vicinity. If WHITE TEAM any umpire feels that a player is too drunk to Clym Brown, Michelle Collier (Captain), Stuart Collier, play, they will be asked to sit out. Shane Coyles, Amilcar Gonzales , Kyrstie Hewitt, Ar- 2. Whilst not mandatory, the use of helmets is thur F C Hung, Emma Marie Lott, Joiic-ey Rosaria, Bai- encouraged to keep the level of safety as high ley Saunders, Peter Cj Smullen as possible. 3. Five Teams will play each other in a round- ORANGE TEAM robin. The five rounds of games will be broken Carolyn Barratt, Nathan Barratt (Captain), Dilan Bas- up by the lunch break. tiampillai, Conor Battersby, Declan Carty, Mike Con- nolly, Ed Covington, Daniel Downes, Fliss Fagan, Lisa 4. After the final standings have been calcu- Fox, Gemma Wallace, Angela Wendy lated, the team in last place is eliminated. In the semi-finals, 4th will play 1st and 2nd will take on GREEN TEAM 3rd for a place in the final. Ashley Collier, Dave Dean George Dennehy , Chris 5. Toss for home advantage in all group games. Drayton, Charlie Gardiner, Sam Gardiner, Charlotte The higher-placed team has the advantage in Green (Captain), Lucy Hamilton, Julian Jones, Leo the semis and final. (The first team named in Pearn, Amy Power, Holly Smith the schedule will have choice at the toss in all BLUE TEAM group games) Emma Agostini, Matt Davies, Carla Finney, Rory Gib- 6. Group games are 50 minutes with no new son, Richard Goar, Zoe Le Roux, Linni Mitchell, Mat- innings after 45 minutes. thew Narain (Captain), Tegan Narain, Evie Sanders, 7. A final inning will be able to continue until 55 Karina Sanders , Mark Sanders, Liam Thomas minutes when the umpire has the power to re- vert back the score at the end of the previous UMPIRES inning if no end to the inning is in sight. Vicky Green, Harry Somers 8. The final will be five innings. Volume 25 Issue 5 Page 7

9. Placings are based on win-loss record. Teams on Jokers the same record are separated by head-to-head, A regular feature of this tournament is the Joker, then runs conceded and then runs scored. In case where you can buy the right to rerun a game- of a three-way tie, take aggregate runs conceded changing play. Here are the rules: just in the games involving those teams, then over- 1. Each team can buy ‘Jokers’ from the ‘Blu’ when all. If it’s still tied, the largest bribe wins, if still tied the two Captains toss the coin at the beginning of a then the captains play scissors-paper-stone. game. 10. There will be a neutral umpire for each pitch. 2. Each team is allowed two jokers at the start of They will collect money for jokers before the start each game and these cost £5 each. Please give of each game: £5 each before games, £10+ during money to the umpire before the game. The next 11. The winning team needs to send a text with the joker can be purchased final score from the game to Mike on 07972 646 throughout the game at a cost of £10, £20 775. after that and then 12. Due to the squad sizes all players will bat. The £30, etc. line-up should be rranged so that no more than 3. When a team plays a towo players of the same gender bat consecutively joker the previous play (including going from bottom to the top of the or- is played again with der). Male batters will get only one base on a walk the same player bat- if the following batter is also male. Please ensure ting, all players back where they were and that the last batter in the previous game is bottom the as it was be- of the order for the next, except for the final when fore the previous you can reset the order. pitch. 13. MVPs in the final will be decided by the a hand- 4. Apart from the joker picked jury of spectators. won in the picnic competition, each joker is only 14. The winning team at the picnic will be given a valid for the game for which it was bought and then bonus joker that can be used once in each game expires. after the picnic, except the final. 5. A maximum of four jokers can be played on any 15. Wear sunscreen. at-bat, two per team. (This ought to give the bat- ting team the advantage, right?) Last year’s double-winning Blue team

Page 8 BASES LOADED

What’s in your bag? #29 Linni Mitchell (Mayhem) This week, someone who earns a BL: So what actually got you into socks, and always a towel. A living from softball (and base- softball? bat, and some Northwest Se- ball)! LM: Liz Knight was coaching in ries sunglasses. That’s pretty BL: Thank you for participating. Mossley, and my mum walked much it. My first question is usually past and saw some people play- BL: Finally, what are your “Where are you from originally ing so she said to me that I hopes or ambitions for this and what brought you to Man- should go to that. So I went the season or long term? chester?”, but I guess that does- next week that Liz was back and I LM: This season I hope May- n’t apply. showed up at a field full of 40- hem can hold our own in Divi- LM: Birth brought me here. I was year old blokes and said “Can I sion 1. And I hope with Tem- born in Stockport and went to play?” and I did. pest we do well in NSL2. For Mossley. I moved to Sheffield for BL: And the rest is history. me I hope not to be caught out Uni and afterwards immediately What’s your best achievement or in the outfield every week. moved back. happiest memory playing soft- BL: OK we’ll be watching out BL: My second question is usu- ball? for that. ally “What do you do in real LM: We won the league [Division Next week: life?”, but as we know you’re 2] last season which was really He comes from employed by BSUK, so I’ll ask in- good. Playing with Tempest is Ba-a-a-rnsley… stead, what did you do before also really good fun and we got need we say that? into NSL last season so we’ll be more? LM: I worked in a bar for a while, playing NSL2 this season. before Uni. And after Uni I BL: For our readers who worked at kids’ camps in the don’t know who Tempest holidays but almost immediately are … I did the level 2 [coaching] LM: Tempest are a course and started working for Manchester-based BSUK. tournament team set BL: Could you tell our readers a up by Griff. little bit about what your job in- BL: OK, so now we volves? come to the title of this LM: My job involves coaching, piece: What’s in your bag? promoting softball and baseball. LM: It’s very basic. A new Obviously the junior sessions, Tempest shirt. I’ve got iced the rookie sessions, University water – always iced and fil- sessions. And I do the more ad- tered. My helmet, which I minny stuff as well. And I get never go without. My BSUK material designed and printed cap, and my glove. I’ve got a and go out and put it up so peo- spare pair of shorts be- ple can know about stuff going cause I thought maybe on. I do a lot of social media it would be hot today. which, hopefully, you’ve seen. And always spare Volume 25 Issue 5 Page 9

Ask Statto: Avoiding a futile season (or not)

HERE’s a stat in baseball 13th attempt, with One-win seasons whose name I like: only two more to “futile plate appear- play, though they Team Year Div. Total Week ance”. It means a turn at had come close games of win bat where the batter fails to get three weeks earlier, Phoenix 2018 3 14 13 on base, hit a sacrifice, or do any- losing 30-31. Meerkats 2017 1 14 5 thing useful. The same adjective KIND of the opposite Storm 2016 2 14 10 could be used to describe a sea- experience was had son where a team fails to win a by the Mutineers in Freeze 2014 4 18 10 single game. Not including half- 2007, winning their Hackers 2013 3 15 3 seasons by rookie teams, this has first game, but losing Mutineers 2007 1 12 1 thankfully only happened five all the others. The Growlers 2006 1 14 3 times in MSL history … though, Legal Eagles in 2001 apart from the Insight Blaggers’ did the same thing, Hillbillies 2004 3 15 11 14-game winless 1997 season, the though they actually Spirits 2003 2 15 4 other occasions have been rela- folded after six Hackers 2001 2 15 13 tively recent, as shown here. games and forfeited Eagles 2001 3 12 1 the remaining six, so Winless seasons perhaps that doesn’t Hunters 2000 2 16 3 Team Year Div. Games count. In 1999 the Eagles 1999 2 14 3 Bullfrogs 2014 1 17 same team won Runners 1998 1 12 7 Mutineers 2016 1 17 game #3 and no oth- Foghorns 1997 1 12 5 ers. You might call it Bats 2014 2 16 taking it to the limit. Meteors 2017 4/5 16 mentioned two weeks ago, the Game #3 wins were also the Foghorns’ single win in the 1997 Blaggers 1997 2 14 only successes for the Bounty Hunters in 2000, SLIGHTLY more interesting is Growlers in 2006, and the teams that have narrowly avoided Hackers in 2013. Rather a futile season. Again, considering strangely, Surgical Spirits in only a full season (and ignoring 2003 won their fourth game early seasons when less than ten with a 34-1 slaughter in four games were played), there are innings, but never won again. some interesting cases. CLOSE to a winless season were MOST recently, Phoenix left it Freeze in 2014, when their only pretty late to save themselves win was a narrow from a winless 2018 season, get- victory in a 5-inning ting their first win in their penulti- timed game on a mate game, three weeks before double headers the end of the season. In 2001 night, when they the Hackers did something simi- might have lost a full lar, winning a game only at the game. And, as we Page 10 BASES LOADED

Next week’s games (4/5/6 June) Division 1 Enforcers @ Tiggers (3, JC) First ever meeting. Camels @ Mavericks II (2, TLF) Last meeting 19 July Freeze @ Colt 45s (2, AT) Last meeting 4 Septem- 2017 (Division 2), Camels won 11-8 to complete the ber 2018 (Division 5), Freeze won 23-10 in a game double the only time they have been in the same shortened by fading light. It was only Freeze’s division. second win in 12 meetings. Greensox @ Thunder (1, PF) Last meeting 1 August Stingers @ Rippers (7, MG) First ever meeting. 2018, Greensox won 18-7, their 16th win in 24 meet- Thunder IV @ Blue Jays (4, LH) First ever meet- ings. ing. Lions @ Mavericks (7, MD) Last meeting, 5 Septem- ber 2018, Lions won this title decider 13-6 and lead the 35-game all-time 20-15. MVPs Mayhem @ Dodgers (3, AG) Last meeting 26 August 2015, Dodgers won 18-10, their fourth win in five BAT Dawn Yates (1B), Alex Bates (SS) meetings. BFL Laura Bintcliffe (C), Mike Cooney (RC) Division 2 BLJ Sharon Huntley (CL), Arthur Hung (3B) BND Janine Hickie (1B), Jason Kneen (RC) Bats @ Camels II (0, HS) Last meeting 4 July 2018, CAM Charleen Christoph (3B), Adam Hugill (P) Camels won 16-13, and have won all six meetings. CM2 Emma Miller (1B), Conor Battersby (SS) Marauders @ Speeders (4, JC) Last meeting 12 Au- COL Ellie Swallow (LF), Lee McCarthy (P) gust 2015, Outlaws II, as Marauders were then DOD Alexa Martinez (CL), Jeivo Gomez (CR) known, won 21-15, and lead this 14-game series 8-5, ENF Hayley Gradwell (1B), Chris Bowers (3B) with one tie. FRZ Emma Ashby (2B), Darren Bamford (SS) Tigers @ Sharks (6) Sharks have never played GRX Linda March (3B), Tom Russell (SS) against the Tigers in either of their incarnations, nor HAC Grace Mills (LF), Ian Mills (SS) LIO Jade Shaw (3B), Benkei Johnson (RC) against the Wildcats. Could be a feeding frenzy. MAV Leanne Cracknell (RF), Ian Blease (SS) Meerkats rest MHM Zoe Le Roux (1B), Alfonso Carlino (2B) Division 3 MKT Sonia Hine (LC), Rory Gibson (2B) This six-team division starts its second rotation, with MV2 Faye Dunlop (2B), Rolf Herbert (P) the same pairings as on opening day, 2 May. RIP Joanne Nuttall (1B), Anthony Henderson (2B) SHA Joiceey Rosrani (1B), Jordan Colton (3B) Hackers @ Titans (8) Hackers won 32-17, their third SPE Jen Faloona (RF), Adam Barnish (RC) win in three meetings. Older players may remember STG Hannah Wint (2B), Lee Scambler (C) that for two seasons Hackers had a second team SWI Em Povey (3B), Adam Jones (LC) called Titans. TGG Mikala Martin (1B), Oliver Sharpe (RC) Thunder III @ Barflies (7) Thunder won a thriller, THU Sian Payne (3B), Dave Leverton (CL) curtailed by bad light, 25-24. This took the all-time TH2 Katie Flanagan (LC), Jon Taylor (SS) record between Hurricanes as was and Barflies to 7- TH3 Gemma Wallace (C), Charlie Hughes (P) 3. TH4 Bryony James (P), Dan MᶜDowell (3B) TIG Tereza Kokocinska (2B), Matthew Bell (P) Vipers @ Thunder II (6) Thunder won 26-7. Thunder TTN Karyn Cooper (P), Robbie Cowbry (3B) II aka Drizzle lead Vipers aka Rippers 6-2 in all meet- VIP Emily Moder (C), Nathan Brookes (CL) ings. Names appear exactly as submitted Division 4 Base Invaders @ Bandidos (6, SS) First ever meeting. Volume 25 Issue 5 Page 11

Home runs (Continued from page 12) Division 4 Division 1 – Female Division 3 – Male Bandidos 8 5 9 10 4 36 2 - Faye Dunlop (MV2) 5 - Steve Bartlett (TH2) Thunder IV 7 4 2 7 1 21 4 - Aleck Aspinall* (BFL) 1 - Emma Agostini (MHM), Leanne RAR, Pitch 6, Umpire Ian Caird Cracknell (MAV), Nic Duerden (LIO), 3 - Olly Medley (TTN) HRs: BND Jonny Preston 2 (1GS), Liam Morrison, Janine Hickie, Jason Kneen, Linni Mitchell (MHM), Jade Shaw 2 - Ian Mills (HAC), Dan O'Brien (TTN), Ian Radford* (HAC), Richard Chloe Llewellyn; TH4 Phil Kirby (GS) (LIO) Taylor (TTN) Blue Jays 5 5 2 0 7 4 11 34 Division 1 – Male 1 - Andrew Bogie (TH2), Nathan Rippers 2 2 4 1 5 6 0 20 3 - Tom Russell* (GRX), Shane Brookes (VIP), Darren Corner* Pitch 9, Umpire Jonny Creelman HRs: BLJ Tom Huntley 2, Simon Sharp (DOD) (HAC), Dean Cull (TH3), Paul Duffy Ronksley (GS); RIP Dilan Bastiampillai 2 - Chris Fulton (LIO), Adam Hugill (VIP), Sam Gardiner (HAC), Simon (TH3) 2 (1 GS), Scott Humphrey (CAM), Benkei Johnson* (LIO), Grainger (TTN), Charlie Hughes* Colt 45s 11 2 12 8 33 Oscar Marenco (GRX), (TH3), Kalpesh Makanji (BFL), Benji Swingers 0 1 0 0 1 1 – Luis Arrevillagas (THU), Nathan Pearce (TH2), Richard Sarver (TH3), RAR, Pitch 4, Umpire Paul Fagan Barratt (GRX), Eli Dorronsoro Jon Taylor (TH2), Taj Uddin (VIP), HRs: COL Ellie Swallow 2, Lee McCarthy, Phil Cosgrove (DOD), Gareth Evans (CAM), Joe Paul Warburton (BFL), Dave Warren Grantham (THU), Chris Gresty (TH2) Stingers 3 1 2 0 1 0 4 11 (MV2), Danny Gunn (GRX), Rolf Enforcers 3 6 4 1 0 2 x 16 Division 4 – Female Pitch 2, Umpire Mike Goff Herbert (MV2), Steve Howard 5 - Chloe Llewellyn (BND) HRs: STG Hannah Wint, Lee Scambler 2; (THU), Andy Lott (CAM), Rod Mas- 2 - Ellie Swallow (COL), Hannah ENF Chris Bowers, Mike Davies kell (MHM), Colin McKie (CAM), Wint (STG) Tiggers 0 8 0 3 2 2 5 20 Gordon Milson (LIO), Pete Nightin- 1 - Sophie Addison (BIV), Maisie Freeze 2 0 3 2 1 6 0 14 gale (MAV), Adam Roberts (LIO) Pitch 7, Umpires Mark Sanders, Ross Emmerson (BND), Janine Hickie Maskell Division 2 - Female (BND) HRs: FRZ Darren Bamford 2, Jay 2 - Jenny Faloona (SPE) Division 4 – Male Stephens, Steve Bartlett (TH2) 1 - Sally Cottam (TIG), Su O’Brien 8 - Tom Huntley (BLJ) (BAT), Emma Pritchard (TIG) 5 - Darren Bamford (FRZ) Division 2 – Male 4 - Liam Morrison (BND) Guest appearances 5 - Dan Downes (TIG) 3 - Ross Birch (BND), Mike Miah (BIV), Jonny Preston* (BND), Simon 4 - Adam Barnish (SPE), Jordan UP Colton (SHA) Ronksley* (BLJ), Jay Stevens (FRZ) Tom Atkinson (CM2) for Camels (1st) 3 - Adam Faloona (SPE) 2 - Ross Bloomberg* (STG), Phil Steve Bartlett (TH2) for Mavericks (1st) 2 - Anthony Boffey (CM2), Rory Kirby* (TH4), Lee Scambler (STG), Jess Hurrell-Watson (BIV) for Titans Gibson (MKT), Liam Harris (SHA), James Wright (TGG) Hector Martinez (BAT), Graeme 1 - Chris Bowers (ENF), Phil (1st) Nixon (SHA) Cosgrove (COL), Bryn Davies (ENF), Taj Uddin (ENF) for Barflies (1st) 1 - Tom Atkinson (CM2), Matty Mike Davies (ENF), Anthony Hen- derson (RIP), Greg Howard (ENF), DOWN, ACROSS Bell* (TIG), Matt Fairweather Nikki Bartlett (TH2) for Thunder IV (MKT), Brad Hadwin (TIG), Mike Scott Humphrey (RIP), Jason Kneen Steve Bartlett (TH2) for Freeze Hulme (SHA), Lee Kendrick-Walker (BND), Lee McCarthy (COL), Adam Dilan Bastiampillai (TH3) for Rippers (CM2), Shawn Khwaja (BAT), Chris Morrison (BND), Josh Normie Lennon (SPE), Nick Money (SPE), (STG), Chris Norton (BIV), Peter Mark Fox (STG) for Swingers Simon Sharp (MKT) O'Hare (BND), Jamie Saul (COL), Bailey Saunders (MRD) for Enforcers Division 3 – Female James Tanner (FRZ), Conrad Gemma Wallace (TH3) for Rippers Teixeira* (STG), Jono Wrigley (BLJ) 1 - Aimee Dyble (TTN), Katie Transfers Flanagan (TTN), Emily Moder (VIP), * grand slam Ellie Sams, Vipers to Rippers Kat Rhead* (VIP), Becci Wadeson (TH2) Taj Uddin, Vipers to Enforcers Results Week 4 Standings Division 1 P W T L F RS RC Pts% GB Camels 0 3 1 2 2 2 2 12 Division 1 Mayhem 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 4 Pitch 4, Umpire Paul Fagan Thunder 4 4 0 0 0 49 34 1.000 - Dodgers 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 5 Greensox 4 4 0 0 0 80 35 1.000 - Thunder 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 6 Pitch 0, Umpire Al Green Camels 4 3 0 1 0 65 58 .833 1 Greensox 1 3 6 1 4 11 26 Mayhem 4 2 0 2 0 45 53 .667 2 Lions 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 Pitch 2, Umpire Harry Somers Mavericks 4 1 0 3 0 40 44 .500 3 HRs: GRX Tom Rusell (GS), Nathan Barratt; LIO Benkei Johnson (GS) Lions 4 1 0 3 0 61 72 .500 3 Mavericks II 2 0 1 0 3 0 6 Dodgers 4 1 0 3 0 56 63 .500 3 Mavericks 3 0 3 3 4 8 21 RAR, Pitch 1 Mavericks II 4 0 0 4 0 47 84 .333 4 HRs: MV2 Faye Dunlop, Rolf Herbert; MAV Steve Bartlett (TH2), Leanne Crack- Lions above Dodgers on head-to-head nell Division 2 Division 2 Camels II 0 0 0 3 1 4 Meerkats 4 4 0 0 0 73 38 1.000 - Speeders 4 2 2 5 6 19 Tigers 4 3 0 1 0 67 45 .833 1 RAR, Pitch 6, Umpire Liz Lyons HRs: SPE Adam Barnish, Adam Faloona, Camels II 3 2 0 1 0 32 32 .778 1½ Jen Faloona, Nick Money Sharks 3 2 0 1 0 50 37 .778 1½ Sharks 9 0 0 1 1 6 2 19 Meerkats 2 3 5 2 4 2 2 20 Speeders 4 1 0 3 0 56 53 .500 3 Pitch 3, Umpire Mike Davies HRs: SHA Liam Harris , Gordon Colton 2; Bats 3 0 0 3 0 28 52 .333 3½ MKT Matt Fairweather Marauders 3 0 0 3 0 13 62 .333 3½ Tigers 0 1 0 2 6 7 0 16 Bats 0 1 0 7 0 2 1 11 Division 3 Pitch 7, Umpire Jonny Creelman HRs: TIG Matty Bell (GS), Brad Hadwin, Thunder II 4 4 0 0 0 91 29 1.000 - Emma Pritchard; BAT Hector Martinez Hackers 4 3 0 1 0 89 57 .833 1 Division 3 Titans 4 2 0 2 0 98 102 .667 2 Thunder III 0 0 0 1 0 1 Thunder II 7 5 0 3 1 16 Vipers 3 1 0 2 0 42 63 .556 2½ RAR, Pitch 9, Umpire Harry Somers HRs TH2 Becci Wadeson, Steve Bartlett, Thunder III 4 1 0 3 0 59 90 .500 3 Benji Pearce Barflies 3 0 0 3 0 45 83 .333 3½ Titans 5 13 8 0 1 3 2 32 Barflies 1 2 6 4 4 0 2 19 Division 4 Pitch 7, Umpire Dave Dean HRs TTN Richard Taylor 2, Aimee Dyble, Tiggers 3 3 0 0 0 65 36 1.000 - Olly Medley; BFL Aleck Aspinall (GS), Kalpesh Makanji Bandidos 4 3 1 0 0 106 59 .917 - Vipers 0 0 0 3 0 4 1 8 Enforcers 4 3 0 1 0 77 70 .833 ½ Hackers 2 1 3 2 6 0 x 14 Pitch 6, Umpire Mike Goff Colt 45s 3 2 0 1 0 61 22 .778 1 HRs VIP Paul Duffy; HAC Ian Mills Base Invaders 3 2 0 1 0 55 54 .778 1

Freeze 4 2 1 1 0 67 57 .750 1 Blue Jays 4 2 0 2 0 92 62 .667 1½ Stingers 4 1 0 3 0 53 50 .500 2½ Rippers 4 1 0 3 0 66 80 .500 2½ (Continued on page 11) Thunder IV 3 0 0 3 0 35 82 .333 3 Swingers 4 0 0 4 0 15 120 .333 3½