The Unofficial Rag of North Sydney Bears Baseball BearThe Pause Volume 2, Issue 5 21 October 2005 Rude Awakening For E1 Bears Dream Season The E1 Bears are no longer undefeated, but played a tough game and were very unlucky losers. Once again Richie pitched a standout game, throwing 6 innings of 3 hit ball including 8 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the E1ʼs fielding was not as sharp as it has been in the past, which can hopefully be put down to the crappy infield of Majors Bay rather than complacency. The Bears base running was not as tight as it had been in the four previous Ryan Banks and Pauly Baseball in action in the E1s 4-2 loss to the Concord Comets. games and as such, opportunities to Other bright points of the game the Kuring-Gai Stealers and a win will take the lead in the game were stifled. included Jimmy robbing a Comet of a secure second place on the table. The final score of the match was 4-2, three-run homer by taking a tippy-toe Round 6 will also see the introduction with the Concord Comets scoring 4 catch next to the boundary cones and of the “Moneyball” theory being unearned runs and the Bad News Bears Michael Cudmoreʼs huge Sacrifice Fly applied to the E1s and the exit of the scoring 2 earned runs. deep to left to place him in the lead for small-ball theory; Billy Beane E1 RBI king. The game saw Yvetteʼs return from personally rang Pauly Baseball during the USA and once put into the game Overall it was a disappointing loss, but the week and asked, “Pauly, small-ball? she made her presence known, turning showed us we can match the division Dude, why?” Handy timing too with the a timely double-play with a precision leaders and taught us some valuable E1 Bears playing at the supposedly very rarely seen outside the majors. lessons. This week the E1s travel to short left field at Cliff Oval.

After arriving late and being demoted During this hour the Bears visited the B1s Find Their to #9 in the batting order young James batting cages and led 12-0. The next Menzies responded by not allowing a hour the Bears scored 7 more runs with Stroke Behind single hit in the first hour. This included everybody hitting. Fortunately the angle Jimmyʼs batting where he also shut of the sun was okay when Dougie came Strong Pitching himself out of the game for the first to the mound. New boy Dan went to hour. Jimmy was helped out by faultless 2nd for Pogo. Billy P pitched the final & Solid Fielding fielding, featuring some very tidy plays inning and the Bears won 19-6. by Shinpai (welcome back).

The B1ʼs James Menzies was solid on the hill. Col watches Shinpai score one of 19 Bear runs. Billy Patterson connects in the first inning.

E2 Bears Sixty Wake Too Late Seconds From Slumber With...

The E2s lost on the weekend 7-8 to the Comets after a sluggish start with the bat by the Bears saw the Comets race to a 7-2 lead. It wasnʼt until the James last innings that the Bears started to wake from hibernation and came back Wedesweiler strongly but lost by one run. Nickname: The Bears started the game with Bruce “Jimmy” Alaimo pitching. Bruce threw a number Position: of good pitches but struggled to get into I like them all his rhythm and was eventually replaced Age: Thereʼs nothing Jimmy Wedesweiler wonʼt do to by Takuro. Takuro also struggled 28 help his Bears team win—NOTHING! with the wind and the umpireʼs strike zone and was eventually replaced by Seasons with Bears: 3 Most embarrassing Bears Going to a special “adult” Stephen Davidson, who had no moment: Scouting Report: (completed party only to find I was going to be the problems with finding the zone; by Coach) Jimmy is a very handy catcher that night. Stephenʼs curves were sensational and outfielder and punctuates a big catch prompted the umpire to ask if he was through his signature falling over Best Bears moment: Going to a allowed to pitch in this grade! move. Since Jimmy joined the Bears special “adult” party and finding I was One of the positives of the game was last summer his bat has improved the catcher that night. the solid defensive play by the Bears immensely and Jimmy can be always Favourite celebrity: with excellent fielding all round, with counted on for a Hit-By-Pitch at a RuPaul. Takuro “Mister Cool” Kakinuma crucial point of the game. Although outstanding in the outfield and also he doesnʼt like to slide, Jimmy is very Dream Car: Mercedes SLK 450, combined successfully while pitch- fast and one of the best base stealers because itʼs German, fast, with little ing with Bruce at third base to carry going around. room in the trunk and like me a luxury out a great pick off of a Comet runner. to drive. Laurie Nolan was solid at catcher until Value to the Bears: (completed his back problem crept back and he had by Coach) Jimmyʼs obvious sense of Biggest Regret: Making a baggage to bench himself, this however allowed humour is a huge plus for the team to claim at the Garuda Indonesia baggage Yvette to come in and smash a base hit keep everything in perspective and counter for a lost 4.5kg bodyboard bag through second and to get the batting having Jimmy around for a beer after on my arrival in Bali. rally going in the last dig. the game is quite entertaining for the married members of the team so we The Bears have shown that they can relive our bachelor days through are the team to beat this year with listening to Jimmyʼs Don Juan stories. excellent pitching options and solid defence in the field, the failure with the bat this weekend will be a one off!

E2 Pitcher Takuro “Mister Cool” Kakinuma E2 catcher Brett Lord waits on a pitch from First baseman Claude Davidson warms up shows good form against the Comets. Takuro Kakinuma. between innings.

each of the first 3 innings supported by Dan A. had completed his great G2 Bears Lead some good fielding. opening stint we invited David Rowe onto the mound. Dave bought the heat Our batting fired up with the first seven All The Way and stunned the Thornleigh players up getting home with none out which who thought Doug Nolan had been Well you win some and you loose some put us back in the field again (G grade smuggled into the team as they watched and this week it was our turn in the sun. rules). David Rowe our new recruit the balls zing past for strike after strike. We barely got to nine starters but thatʼs (he is signed and sealed B1s so you all you need. They came from all canʼt have him) in his first at bat used All in all a great day out with a 19-12 corners of the city including the the famous “Big Stick” and cracked a win in the bag. Well done to the team memberʼs stands at the cricket. home run off the first pitch. No fences and to John Dumay for his vigorous at Greenway so a great display of defense of the fielding abilities of It was a fearsome sight to see big running as well. Thornleigh to get an error reversed by John D. running to the game, getting the scorer (I wonʼt mention who was there just in time, doing a quick strip David Dumay must have been batting at the time). Watch out for the and pulling on his black and white watching Jim “Bullseye” Strachan in rest of the season the Big Black Bear superman costume. Dan led us off with the B2s as he took it for the team twice has awoken! a great performance on the mound in 2 at bats getting around the bases on holding Thornleigh to small scores in each occasion to add to the score. After

Got a burning question about life THE MYSTERY and all itʼs meaning? BASEBALL MOVIE Ask Yogi. REVIEWER

Dear Yogi, As our millionaire club benefactor (sic), could you please provide me with a case of your finest, coldest Crown lager. Could you also ask that The Bad News zany bunch of pranksters in the committee where on earth they got the crazy idea for laying down gauntlets Bears (1976) like this, just so that I could win a case of beer now that I am indefinitely Starring: Walter Matthau and refraining from the amber fluid? Tatum OʼNeal Many hit home runs that day. It would seem that Hagʼs and Paulʼs words of What do you get when you mix a ʻhas encouragement, added to their cool beenʼ alcoholic coach with a bunch temperaments, reap results. Why of misfit kids that no-one wants in they were so silent at Concord was their team? The Mighty Ducks, Little cannot field groundballs and cannot anyoneʼs guess. Far be it from me to Giants and probably about 10 other catch flyballs. Well the after the 1st ponder the gods of baseball and their movies and “The Bad News Bears.” couple of games being done by a lot to policy of ironic punishment. none the standard issue Ring-ins are Admittedly this must have been one of Thanks Yogi, called on to help out. the first in this story line as the movie Dan dates back to 1976 and apparently was Like Norths have never done that. one of the highest grossing films for AKA 1⁄2 the E1 side. Anyhowʼs, you that year (so the DVD cover says). can all work out what happens next. Dear Dan, The beer is on the way. Be sure to Walter Matthau plays the ʻhas beenʼ Best Line in the movie: share it with your teammates. After minor league baseball player asked “I am hitting 841. Iʼm one of the all, that is why we play with the to come down and manage a team of Bears... Do you live around here????? Mighty Bears. Glad I could bring misfit kids that are left over when all I got a Harley Davidson. Does that some amber sunshine into your life. Okay then, next topic please. other teams have been selected for the turn you on? Harley Davidson?” Little League competition. Yogi Reminiscent of training at Gore Hill Rating: 3/5 Yogi can be reached at on a Thursday night, the players on the [email protected] team stink, cannot make throws to 1st, You Can Still B2s Beat Up Greenway 11-3 With a loss the previous week, the could be considered a little unlucky Join Us For Bears B2 team were roaring & ready to (again) not to have won the mug with make amends against a Greenway side two doubles, a single & three RBIs... Sunday’s who had come off a convincing victory or was it 4? the week prior. World Series Another who joined Doc on the ‘BIG’ Leading off the game, Josh Cuthbertson hitters list for the day was Mike Breakfast! fulfilled his duties yet again by hitting Bromley with a triple in the second a single to take him to first. Jim inning with an RBI to boot. The Funky The Bears will be holding the annual ‘Bullseye’ Strachan came to the plate Spud came on with three innings to World Series breakfast on Sunday 23rd and true to form, took a HBP to put go as relief pitcher and managed to October, from 9:30am at the Sports runners on first and second. Mike hold Greenway to three runs walking Bar, North Sydney Leagues Club. Taylor comes to the plate, takes a strike home with the win. The game was a but the catcher misses and the runners solid display of safe, solid & consistent The cost is $15 per person, which advance to second and third. He then hitting as well as smart base running includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast, grounds a ball down the third base line and fantastic defense that we know, entertainment and prizes. The first which allows Josh to come home and especially down that third base line... game of the 2005 World Series will be Jim S to advance to third. Michael ‘that Josh Cutherbertson. shown on the big screen from 10:00am. was no error’ Bromley visits the plate, The event is being sponsored by Gary hits one to the infield that is juggled and Whiteʼs Diamond One. Be sure to visit dropped which allows him to advance the store for your baseball and softball to first. Bases loaded and ‘The Doctor’ gear! www.diamondone.com.au comes to the plate. High on confidence from his home run the week prior RSVP to decides to blast a double to center, Jim S and Mike T come running home. [email protected] See you there!! The top of the order continued it’s dominance over the opposition and the team ran home six to start the match. It now came down to the defense, was it going to collapse as it had done the B2 Bears pitcher/catcher/first baseman Doc Llewellyn has been dominant of late. previous week or were the crew ready to put it all behind them and move forward. It wasn’t too long before it was evident that it was to be the latter. I do believe it was three up, three down. In fact, it was pretty much this way the entire game with some fantastic running catches in the outfield and some handy work in the infield, especially Kristian’s Thanks to Diamond One Sports for stretch save at second and still managed donating a $100.00 gift voucher as a door to turn to make the play at first. prize for the upcoming WS Breakfast on Sunday 23rd October! Doc pitched well for his three innings with only 1 hit, 2 strike-outs, 1 walk and no runs. In fact, Doc’s performance Bring on the Spud! Craig McQuillenʼs junk balls Level 1 Umpire throughout the day was solid and he proved a good follow up to Docʼs smoke! Training Now In The Next Issue: Thereʼs a new email address for submissions to the Bear Pause. Available To Please submit all materials before EOD Wednesday to this email address: Bears Players Submissions: [email protected]

If youʼre a registered Bears player and The Unofficial Rag of North Sydney Bears Baseball interested in becoming a Level 1 Umpire, The the club will cover the cost! Please see enrolment details attached or direct any questions to John Dumay at Bear Pause [email protected]

For PITCHERS the “Bookies spread” and this is where So You WINS, INNINGS PITCHED, SAVES things get tricky. and STRIKE OUTS. Wanna Be A The modified NSBF rules: They will be deducted points for HITS, Big League LOSSES, BB, BLOWN SAVES and ER. PITCHERS IN A HIGHER GRADE • Will be awarded fewer NSNF Each NSB Fantasy owner will be given Points for: A WIN Owner? 2 TRADES a week. This means you can trade out old players for new ones. • They will also be deducted more You wanna make all the right calls, Providing you have the capital to NSBF Points for: ER and BB trade players and choose favourable acquire who you are after. You may match ups? You wanna buy low and • They will receive more NSBF save up your TRADES but to a sell high, sailing the seas of high- Points however for: INNINGS maximum of 10. pressure deals striving to earn your PITCHED, SAVES and Ks franchise more capital and in the end So thatʼs about it really. In a nutshell • They will be deducted less NSBF field the greatest Bears Team ever? the idea is to buy low and sell high thus Points on HITS generating more capital to buy higher Right! You asked for it so here it is! price players and players who may be PITCHERS IN A LOWER GRADE As of next summer (2006) we will on a tear that everyone knows about • Will be awarded fewer NSNF begin running the first Interclub whilst earning NSB Fantasy points Points for: STRIKE OUTS Fantasy League. It will be base loosely along the way. on the Big League Fantasy Baseball • They will also be deducted more that weʼre sure you all know and love. Two prizes will be given at the end NSBF Points for: HIT of the season Firstly to the NSB For those of you who have no idea • They will receive more NSBF Fantasy owner with the most NSB what weʼre on about let us explain. Points however for: AWIN Fantasy Points and secondly to the • They will be deducted less NSBF Basic rules of NSB NSB Fantasy owner that has the highest Net worth team (NSBF $) Points on BB Fantasy League: All stat sheets (from those coaches and BATTERS IN A HIGHER GRADE The rules are fairly simple - managers that chose to supply them) • They will be deducted more NSBF at the start of the 2006 season each are now available online under each Points for: CS NSB Fantasy owner will be given $15 teams name by round and date. This million capital to purchase 5 players • Will be awarded more NSBF will allow you in 2006 (as an NSBF (3 batters and 2 pitchers). Points for: HITS, BB and SB Manager) to track all playersʼ The value of these players will go up performances across all grades from • They will be deducted less NSBF or down depending on the number of week to week. Points on STRIKE OUTS people who during that week own that Perhaps this information will lead BATTERS IN A LOWER GRADE player. For example players in high to favourable match-ups or help you • Will be deducted more NSBF demand will cost more to acquire develop what ever kooky system you Points on STRIKE OUTS (the first player price changes will take think works in order to acquire place the Monday after week 4 of the • They will receive more NSBF tomorrows stars today (after all, us 2006 season). Points however for: DOUBLES, managers are a superstitious ridden, TRIPLES and HRs Once you have built up your roster pine riding, wacky bunch!) (within the provided salary cap) and So thatʼs it folks. The nuts and bolts of Sounds simple huh? based on individual performances it, but a few other things obviously still throughout the league, NSBF Points Ok, so it is pretty simple but before you need to be ironed out which brings us will be allocated to your NSB Fantasy go all Steinbrennere on us and head to our next point. The weekly power Team based on the following: straight to the higher teams trying to rankings that will run as of next week sign up all those high priced, over paid, in The Bear Pause to serve 2 purposes: For BATTERS winy “oh how can I live on $4 million a • Obviously itʼs a good gauge for HITS, BB, SB, RS and RBIs. season” babies lets get to the modified whoʼs doing what and everyone rules part of the NSBF League. Additional NSBF Points are awarded likes a little recognition when for EXTRA BH, HRs and GRAND Besides the fact that you may not be theyʼre doing well. SLAMS. A NSBF BONUS POINT able to afford all the players you want • It forms the foundations for next multiplied by the number of HITS that straight away given the amount of seasonʼs starting player prices. It player had on the day will be allocated capital you have to start with, youʼll also give us a way to track the if your Player is leading a particular have to spread the money around data over this season and run a category (see power rankings) (same as in the Big Leagues). mock version of the Fantasy NSBF Points for BATTERS are deducted In addition to the salary cap keep League in an attempt to put the for STRIKE OUTS/PUT OUTS and in mind that we are planning to ball in play next year, so to speak. CS. (More NSBF Points are deducted handicap the top and bottom sides in for a STRIKE OUT then a PUT OUT. order to even it all out. Itʼs kind of like Cheers, Kristian Cruz and The Bear Pause.