Final Week Rain-Out gives Fan Club
Mid-Pack Seeding for Playoffs
by Don Girone
The gloomy weather causing last weekend's torrential downpours has resulted in a 4th seed for the DFC softballers. By avoiding a match-up with the 5-time defending champion Bulldogs, the Fan Club, with a 7-7 mark, will now play Bergen B&M (5th seed) in the first round of the playoffs, set for Sunday, August 6th at Latteri field. The 3p.m. start will account for the possibility of 3 contests to be played that day (best 2 of 3 format) The squad seems to be healthy and ready for another post-season effort. Both teams grabbed one victory in the 2-game season series.
The 2000 campaign has highlighted some fine individual efforts, Outfielder Tony Simonelli delivered numerous key hits from the #3 spot in the line-up. Tony's 18 hits (in 10 games) resulted in 13 RBI's and his 7 extra-base hits jacked his slugging average to an impressive .857. Simonelli also pitched in defensively with some excellent catches in leftfield, and when called upon, played the 5th (middle) infielder position skillfully with his hustle.
Clean-up man Tom Waggner has certainly followed up his stellar rookie season with a .542 batting average, driving home 17 mates in 14 games. Handling first base with poise, Tom saved numerous errors on infield throws, making just one miscue in 64 chances.
Another player showing steady improvement was Dave Nathanson, who patrolled both left and centerfield equally well. Dave's patented sliding grabs choked off many opposing rallies, but he was even better at the plate. Cracking a team leading 27 hits, Nathanson's 21 RBI's and runs scored also paced the DFC. His extra-base hits (5 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR --all team leaders) pumped his slugging percentage to a tremendous 1.087!!
Other noteworthy milestones will be spotlighted in future articles. Let the playoffs begin!