They opened the game with bats in their hands, but it was our gloves that dominated the top of the first. An easy defensive inning. On offense, Bob F. got our first hit of the game, followed by a single by Rob, followed by a single by Billy Masson, followed by a single by John, followed by a triple by Billy A. and a sacrifice RBI by Zarah. When it was over we had sent them the message we wanted by scoring 5 runs to take the early lead.

They battled back in the second and managed to score two runs to climb back into the game. When it was our turn, Mark, Steve W., Melanie and Jim answered them right back by scoring two for our side and returning our lead to 5 at 7 - 2.

Like a toothache that just won't go away, they hustled and scratched out two more runs to keep us within reach in the top of the third. When it was our turn, Billy Masson got us started with a single. John followed with a single of his own but Billy was tagged out at third (even though he was clearly on the base when the ball arrived). Billy A. followed with a single but we couldn't get any runs across and went to the fourth leading by just 3 at 7 - 4.

A big part of why we came into this game with a 10 - 3 record is because we haven't had many bad innings this season, but we just couldn't get them out in the fourth until they scored 6 runs to take the lead. On offense, Sammy opened the inning with his first home run of the season but that was it for the offense and we headed to the fifth inning trailing for the first time at 10 - 8.

Our defense got stingy in the fifth, holding them scoreless for the first time since the first. Knowing we were trailing and not liking it, we came out hitting in the bottom of the inning. Bob O. opened the inning with a double. Sharon followed with a double to score Bob. Jim singled. Bob F. traded places with Jim on a Fielder's Choice. Rob singled. Billy Masson doubled. John hit his third consecutive single and we had scored 5 important runs to take back the lead at 13 - 10.

The sixth was a kind of quiet inning for both teams. In their at-bats, the "Chicks" managed another run. In ours, Sammy reached on a walk but we never got anyone past first. So we took a 2-run lead, 13 - 11 to the final inning of the season.

With the bottom of their batting order at the plate we got two outs quickly. Then, just one out away from the league title, the unthinkable happened. they staged a two-out rally that we just couldn't find a way to stop. Balls were flying everywhere and anywhere there weren't Insult gloves. Before we could stop the bleeding, they had scored 6 runs and were now leading by 4. Battered, bruised and reeling from what had just transpired, we managed exactly no offense in the bottom of the 7th and, before we even had a chance to catch our breath, the game was over, as was our 5-game wining streak. The final score was 17 - 13.

Against a team that we wanted to beat more than any other in the league, we had come up short. For 6 innings, this was a great game. We had the early lead, they overtook us in the 4th, we got the lead back in the fifth but couldn't hold it in the seventh. A disappointment for sure. On top of that, the game was not well officiated and, to make matters even worse, we sustained several injuries. John A. pulled a muscle in the back of his leg and had to leave the game. Melanie and Bob F. both tooks shots off their bodies and Billy Masson had some blood flowing again.

John A., Billy A. (for a batter or two) and Bob F. shared the pitching duties with Sammy and Bob O. handling the chores behind the plate. Offensively, Billy Masson and John went 3 for 3, and Jim, Rob, and Billy A. went 2 for 3.

Special thanks to our fans for this game: to Tom and Marlene Czarnecki, who made the trip from Piscataway and brought refreshments for the team, to Amanda Anderson, to Zoraida's cousin Gabriela, and to injured Insult'er Liz. Their support was surely appreciated. And a big "Thank You" to Jo Larson for handling the scorekeeping duties.

After the game everyone (including the "Chicks") went through a "search and recover" operation looking for Zoraida's car keys. The entire field was combed using a search technique that resembled something out of "the Night of the Living Dead" with no success. Eventually, building maintenance was called and got the car opened and, you guessed it, the keys were inside.

A large crowd of players and fans then headed for Palumbo's for our last "pizza and beer" gathering of the season. While there, the Coach was presented with a very nice card and much-too-generous gift from the team. Both are very much appreciated and unnecessary; my rewards from this team far exceed yours.

Well, another season has now come and gone. By any standards this was an extremely successful campaign. We played to a 10 - 4 record (we've never had better). We got to play for the league title in a our last game (virgin territory for this team in its 12-year history). The team was enthusiastic throughout the season, enjoying the battles. And I think we played probably the best softball we've ever played. But most importantly, I think everyone involved with the team got a season's worth of laughs, comraderie and good times. And that's what Final Insult has always been about.

I'd like to say that we'll all be back to do it again next year. And, if we're lucky, we all will be. Lucent's a somewhat volatile place to work these days so you just never know where folks will be 8 months from now. But, as always, If I still have a Lucent or AT&T office, you'll all be getting some email from me in February announcing the start of the 2000 edition of Final Insult. Thanks for the season.