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Joe Senser's Softball | |
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Joe Senser's Softball | |
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By Jayson Blair
New York Times Roving Reporter
Since being fired from my position at the NY Times national desk, I have traveled this fine country of ours, looking for compelling stories to tell. I stumbled across a band of fine young gentlemen in Roseville, MN who had something to prove and softball games to win. An eclectic bunch, this team combines power, skill, speed and most importantly smiles and laughter. I could not help but sit back and watch what unfolded during this fine June evening in 2003.
I learned that the team is made up of a lot of graduates from St. John�s University and some other fine folks who play ball quite well. Entering play this evening, Senser�s had a record of 4-6, coming off a tough sweep to the Jokers last week. I could see the fire in their eyes as they began play, slightly before 6pm.
Senser�s was the visiting team in the first game and put up a couple runs on back-to-back walks by Hjelle and Rosner, two well-placed FC�s by Thomas and Riesetter and a double by Kennedy. Senser�s held a 2-0 lead into the third inning with great pitching by Hjelle and tight defense in the infield. In the top of the 3rd inning, Senser�s made a two out rally ignited by Hjelle�s second walk sandwiched between singles from Fanucci and Rosner. A Ryan Thomas double brought in the second and third runs of the inning, giving Senser�s a 5-3 lead after 3 full innings. The Senser�s bats went silent for a couple innings, prompting clean-up hitter Ryan Riesetter to comment, �Does this team have a bat that has any pop in it?� The opponents were able to piece together an 8 run rally in the bottom of the 6th, leaving Senser�s down 13-7. Unable to string anything of substance together in the top of the 7th, Senser�s fell by the aforementioned score. Hitting machine Mike Kennedy commented after the loss, �At least these guys are not f*%#-sticks like the team last week, man I am still pissed at the chinaman.�
The second game would prove to be more fun for the team and for the myriad Senser fans who came to watch the games. The second inning of game 2 told the story for the night. Kennedy, Clark, Bruns and Remick all walked to start the inning, scoring a run for the team. This was their time to shine. With Biebl at bat, and Fanucci coaching first, Fanucci made mention of the fact that Renae was in the stands now, which should allow Biebl to hit the ball a � inch farther (in reference to Biebl�s past 3 at bats where he walked, got a hit with an elusive swinging bunt and popped out to the second baseman). Biebl, apparently not affected by Fanucci�s comments, stayed in the batter�s box, exclaimed to Fanucci that �If I wanted to see a half inch, I would ask you to take your pants off� at which point the opposing team buckled over with laughter and Biebl was able to line a single to center field scoring 2 runs and helping Senser�s to an early 6-0 lead that they did not relinquish.
Senser�s coasted to a 16-4 victory in game 2, keeping the opponents off their toes the entire game with defensive gems. A scary moment for the team came in the top of the third inning when outfielders Rosner and Lindholm collided in left-center going after a deep fly ball. Rosner took a shoulder to the chin and was knocked silly on the warning track. Aware that play was still on-going, Lindholm alertly threw the ball back to the infield before collapsing himself. Lindholm had a sore left shoulder and could hardly pick up his beer after the game. He commented at the bar, that the lack of beer holding dexterity scared him the most. Rosner awoke after Biebl whispered sweet nothings into his ear, an act that would even bring Luther Vandros out of a coma. Rosner, a fitness guru, must have been knocked silly since he ordered the chicken fingers at the bar, a far cry from the soup and salad days of yesteryear.
All told, Senser�s received 15 walks during the doubleheader which may be a record, but Bill James was not available for comment immediately after the game for verification purposes.
Senser�s plays again next week (6/12) at 6 and 7pm on Central Park field #5.
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