The Over 40 Times 

Baltimore County Over 40 Baseball Musings, BS, & Lies 

 Nat's Take O's 14-12 ... Sox stun Cubs 13-3

 On a fine Sunday morning, the Over 40 Baseball League of Baltimore County continued their second season in two hotley contested games.

  The Orioles lost their fifth game of the season to the Nats 14-12 in a hard fought game at Ridgely Middle School field. At first, it looked like the Nats' might field 8/9 a team as Jack Gordon arrived just in time. Bats were popping the entire game led by an early Nat's assault capped by  5 off O's hurler Don Smith, replaced by Jeff Ecott ( 3/3 at the plate) in the fifth inning. 

 Third baseman Bill McGagh turned pitcher made his debut on the mound for the Nats going four innings followed by Mike O'Connor ( 2 BB at the plate) for two and was replaced by  Andy Shank (2/4 2RBI,2Runs) in the seventh. As the Orioles began to rock Mr. Shank, Mike O'C came back in to shut the door on the O's in the bottom of the eighth.

 Injuries continue to plague the men in orange yet heelingly challenged  Mickey Kokur  went 3/5 continuing his league leading .6666  batting average ( along with 10 RBIs and MVP fielding performance at Shortstop).... Don't call Dr. Kavorkian just yet...seasoned veteran LA Dockman ( leads the league with 4 Hit By Pitches) of the O's twice took one for his team and and had 3 RBIs... meanwhile Jack Gordon of the Nats went 3 for 4 tormenting the O's all morning.  John Knauer had a stellar day behind and at the plate ( along with Nat's stalwart John O'Melia) each collecting 4 hits together producing 7 of the Nat's 14 runs.  Limping Nats outfielder Mark Euga went 3 for 3 also scoring 2 runs. 

 Over at Hon Field , the Sox handily won over the Cubs in the second half of the game once Cubs hurler Dave Kopell left the mound after four shut-out innings.  Eric McShane took over on the mound for the Cubs in the fifth and the Sox exploded.  Meanwhile, Sox pitching trio Rex Frost, Frank Daley and Davey Jones showed why they're among the league's leading renaissance men each yielding just one run a piece on just as few hits for the Cubs.  Rex started on the mound for the Sox only to be replaced by Frank Daley in the second who gave four solid innings as Mr. Jones finished up the last 3 .

 Frank Daley went 3 for 4 at the plate, Davey Jones. John Wright, Mike Weber and Jim Porter each had two hit performances as Davey, Jim and Mike Di Marco each scored 2 runs for the Sox teams winning effort as they defeated the Cubs 13 to 3 largely aided by  superb defense in the field. 

 

 

 

 

 

 06/15/08

 The story of the day was upset at both fields on a much cooler ( upper80`s)

day. For being a Holiday (FATHERS` DAY) there  was a good turnout at both games.  The word of the day was UPSET as the previously dominating Cubs and undefeated Whitesox both went down rather convincingly.

  Over at Ridgely the Nationals continued to pile up the runs and beat the Cubs 13- 7. With an assist going to the 8 inches of weeds that took over the infield grass, the Nats had 3 hit 3 rbi performances from John Knauer and Ron Boblooch. Mike O`Conner and Bill McGagh both had 2 hit days with 1 and 2 rbis respectively.  The BIG BOPPERS AND J.O & JERRY M. were surprisingly quiet but it didn't matter on this day.

 Both Cubs Mgr.`s while being interviewed agreed " We just played bad today"as miscues were the play dejour.  A late 8th inning comeback fell short but "don't count out the Cubbies just yet", said Walt Piccininni( get a new last name dude!!!)  As of this writing there were no Cub stats to mention so they don't get much print today.  But hey, they've had plenty of space as they usually win. 

 At Medfiled the Orioles got off the snide and dominated the Whitesox 14-5.

With 5 runs in the 1st & 2nd innings the game was never really in doubt as the O`s went in a different direction with their pitching strategy "Less is more ". Mgr. Smith went the 1st 4 and Rookie Jeff Ecott closed out the final 4.  Mickey Kocur continued his onslaught at the plate going 4/4 with another 2 bagger and 2 rbi`s.  Stan Burke too was once again hot at the plate going 3/4 with a double of his own and 2 rbi`s. Jon Finifter woke up and went 4/4 scoring a run and holding down 1b duty for most of the game. He was busy catching flies as Both Ecott and Smith were inducing a good amount of fly balls when John Wright 4/4 and Bob Morris 3/4 weren't smacking and spraying hits all over the place. They remain a constant threat at the plate for the Sox. Davey Jones started a new hitting streak hitting the 1st pitch he saw in the bottom of the 1st.  Mgr. Mike DiMarco of the Sox was so busy trying to mount a come back he forgot to hit the "dang' ball and was seen in more than a couple animated conversations.  Of course it might have been the HBP  that threw him off but he would never complain about a little thing like that.

 But really the BIG STORY OF THE DAY WAS  l.A. Dockman's 8th inning at the plate and on the bases. with 1 out and Frank Nuebauer on 2nd following his 2 bagger L.A. beat the Sox`s infield shift strategy, looped one over 2nd base, and proceeded to round the bases 1 at at time, after 1 baseballs and 2 singles. Needless to say the man was gassed and sat out the bottom of the inning.

 

REMEMBER THIS THURSDAY JUNE 19TH THE WEEKNIGHT PORTION OF THE SCHEDULE KICKS IN.  THE GAMES WILL START AT 6:30 NO LATER THAN 6;45. THEY WILL END  BY 9:30.  IF A TEAM DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH PLAYERS THAN THEY WILL USE OTHER TEAMS PLAYERS( not scheduled that night).  A CORRECTED SCHEDULE IS POSTED ON THE BULLETIN BOARD. THE PREVIOUS ONE I HANDED OUT OR EMAILED YOU HAD A FEW MIX UPS IN LATE JULY.   GET OUT THERE AND PLAY THESE NIGHT GAMES ITS`S A BLAST PLAYING UNDER LIGHTS THOUGH A LITTLE TOO EXCITING TRACKING FLY BALLS SOMETIMES!!!!!

 

06/08/08

ORIOLES & NATS TURN UP THE HEAT, COME UP SHORT

 

Last Inning Heartbreakers   

 

The Orioles and Nationals of the Over 40 Baseball League of Baltimore County both looked like winners going into the final innings of their respective games this past Sunday only to see victories slip away.   

 Over at Medfield Park in Hampden the Orioles battled the Cubs in 100 degree heat as their 13 runs were bested by the CUBS with a two run rally spearheaded by Walt Piccinini with a 2 base hit following John Heumers single in the top of the eight inning.Wes Hager applied the finishing touch knocking in the tieing and eventual winning runs. The Cubs began the game rocking Orioles starter Brendan Shea for 5 runs. The anxious O's exploded in the bottom with six runs causing Umpire Mike to invoke the kill rule ending the inning. Despite the heat, what followed was a well played, competitive contest between two well matched teams. Although the Orioles have yet to make it to the win column, their past three games have been last inning shouldacouldawouldas, making eventual victory or even domination inevitable. O`s had a excellent chance in the top of ninth with 2 on, 2nd & 3rd but once again came up justttt short. Cubs star of the game Mgr. Fred Burger  3/3 with 3 big RBI`S.  Final score Cubs 14 Orioles 13 

Up north at Ridgely Middle School field the Nationals looked as thought they would end the White Sox' undefeated season until Mike "Crash" Dimarco belted a double in the bottom of the seventh ending the game one inning short as they had to make room for a junior game slated for 11:30AM.( of course once again this never happened) Acting commish Smith is said to be making a formal protest to the powers to be at LTRC. Quote of day also came from DiMarco to league leading OBP Skip Baylor. "Skip, I pulled my hammy last week, if you bunt to 3B I'll shove the ball up yer....." Disappointingly Skip didn't` bunt to 3b.

 

 Other highlites include a booming triple by Nats Mgr. Jerry Mason, the usuall batting prowess of John O`Melia, and Baylor on base most of the game. However, rumor has it ever

running his mouth at 1B, Rex Frost was said to have unnerved Mr, Baylor who was playing before umping a double header in A.A. county. Big effort by Mike O`conner who grinded out the final 4innings for the Nationals in near 100 degree heat although he was quoted saying" it was only about 95". For the Sox  besides Di Marco, Frank Daly,Bob morris, & Jim Porter all had multi hit days at the plate. Final score SOX 12   NATS 11 

Box Scores ( well2/3 of them)  on league bulliten board.

6/01/08 

Heartbreakers for Cubs and O’s, Nats get First Win as Sox Remain Undefeated

 

Close games were in fashion this Sunday as the White Sox and Nationals of the Over 40 Baseball League of Baltimore County narrowly won their games over the Cubs and Orioles respectively.

 

Nationals 11   Orioles 10 

 

You knew it was going to be a close game when Nats players John O’Melia and Billy Ramsey turned green with envy as injured Orioles co-manager Jack Dott stepped onto the field in his $4.99 day-glo orange Crocs knock-offs to present the starting line-up.

 

Orioles starter Jeff Ecott led off  with two solid innings on the mound as the Nationals took an early lead and held it until the O’s bats exploded off hurler Jerry Mason in the fifth. Entering the bottom of the eighth with a 10-10 tie highlighted by a massive shot to center field by Nats slugger Nick Cheseldine in the seventh inning, the Orioles infield was turning double plays like  Annie Ample turning tricks at a Shriners Convention.  Offensively, O’s  infielder Stan (da MAN) and backstop Tony Nickolarakis were brilliant at the plate. Always the trendsetters, the Orioles upped the ante in essential team personnel as they trotted out their official scorekeeper Sherri replete with matching Orioles jersey. Not to be outdone, 7 year old Orioles ‘ bat boy Ben Dackiw was heard giving Orioles co-manager Don Smith coaching advice while rooting for dad Alan Dackiw in Center Field.  Mike O’Connor went 3 for 3 for the Nats as Andy Shank saved the day striking out 3 Orioles in late relief and hitting the game winning single that easily scored Nats teammate Skip Baylor for the victory.

 

 White Sox 7    CUBS 5  

In the game that almost was’nt ( due to iffy Ridgely Field rain conditions) , Cubs Honcho Jim Coan and Hot Rod Mike DiMarco of the Sox along with help from Cubs players Walt Picinnini and Kelly Knight worked tirelessly early Sunday morning preparing the infield assuring there would be no delay in the fun that was about to follow. Please make an effort to arrive early and help with field prep….now back to the recap…

The White Sox came out hitting and showed why they’re the only undefeated team in the league. Although the White Sox’ Davey Jones’ continuous game hitting streak sadly ended it almost went unnoticed as multi-hit performances were turned in by teammates Tony Kordell, John Wright, Jim Porter, Paul Chernock and Mike DiMarco. Meanwhile, Cubs catcher John Huemer ( two runs scored) and Sox shortstop JR Paterakis provided the umpire with complimentary audio-visual cues. Kevin Matheny went 3 for 4 at the plate for the Cubs losing effort.  

 

5/18/08

NATIONALS/ CUBS    QUOTE OF THE DAY      SUBSTITUTE MGR. JIM COAN  " KARL, IT`S THOSE GOOFY AMERICAN RULES"  AS KARL GOT DOUBLED OFF 3RD BASE ON A FLY BALL TO RIGHT FIELD.  KARL ( famous rugby player from England) having never played cricket GOT HIS 1ST AMERICAN BASEBALL HIT WITH A SCREAMING LINEDRIVE. SIDE NOTE: KARL WAS REWARDED WITH THE GAME BALL!!!!!!!! 

NATIONALS QUOTE OF THE WEEK " WE JUST SU@#!!!!!" SAID MGR. J.O'MELIA.

RUMORS HAVE IT THE NATS' ARE HAVING A BRAINSTORMING SESSION (at a local watering hole) THIS WEEK TO COME UP WITH A STRATEGY DOWN THE ALSO UNVICTORIOUS ORILOLES. 

 L.A. DOC MAN MADE 1 OF SEVERAL DFENSIVE GEMS FOR THE STILL STRUGGLING O`S. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS FOR THE SOX AS HE BLOCKED HOME PLATE AS MGR. SMITH ATTEMPTED TO STEAL HOME.  SMITH SENDS OUT APOLOGIES TO ALL FELLOW O'S AND EVIL SOX PLAYERS FOR HIS TIRADE AFTER THIS COMICAL INCIDENT. 

O`S MICKEY KOCUR BENEFITED FROM THE 11 ON HIS JERSEY AS THE GHOST OF

LOUIE APARICIO TOOK COMPLETE POSSSSION OF HIS BODY WITH N0T 1 BUT 3 STELLAR DIVING STOPS AT SS 

FRANK DALY & BOB MORRIS  ESPECIALLY  DISPLAYED INCREDIBLE BEND NOT BREAK COMMAND ON THE MOUND AS BOB PITCHED 4 INNINGS OF 1 RUN BALL AND FRANK CLOSED OUT THE LAST 3  IMPRESSIVELY THWARTING A LAST DITCH COME BACK BY THE IMPROVING BUT STILL UNVICTORIOUS O'S. 

DREW CARBERRY 4 K`S    HAD CONTROL OF THE GAME BUT WAS CALLED TO ANOTHER VENUE ONLY TO GET RAINED OUT.   

 SOX MGR.    DAVEY JONES' STREAK LIVES ON. ( what else is new)  

 nats' highlights      JOHN OMELIA HIT A TRIPLE TO ERASE THE SHUTOUT FOR THE MIGHTY CUBS.   

CUBS HIGHLIGHTS    3 HIT COMBINED PITCHING BY KELLY KNIGHT , WES HAGER(nice debut) &PAT HEINECKE.. 

YES THIS IS A HELTER SKELTER MESS OF A RECAP.  GET OVER IT    GET READY 

FOR THE BIG WEEKEND JUNE 1ST   2NUDEFEATEDS   SOX AT CUBS  RIDGELY M.S. 

2 UNVICTORIOUS     NATS AT O'S    MEDFIELD PARK 

5/5/08           Sox and Cubs Undefeated !   ...Nats and O's Struggle to 0 - 2      

The White Sox of the Over 40 Baseball League of Baltimore County bested the Nationals  15-12 on Sunday at Medfield Park

The Sox team drew fifteen Walks as Bob Morris went 4 for 4 and Frank Daley was 2 for 4 at the plate. Nat's pitcher Mike Weber's evil plan to end Sox infielder Davey Jone's continuous game hitting streak with a fifth Walk was foiled by Jone's sly single in his last at bat in the seventh inning. 
 
It was a tough loss for the reeling Nationals. Despite stellar batting from team managers, John O'Melia going 3 for 3 at the plate and Jerry Mason piling on the RBIs with 2 massive doubles, the formidable White Sox proved patience at the plate wins ball games.  

Over in the suburbs at Ridgely Middle School field the Cubs won their second game against the Orioles 11-5.  

The Cubs got multi-hit performances from Pat Heineke, John Smith and John Huemer each going 2 for 3. John H. also had 3 steals. Outfielder Walt Picininni had a great game going 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 Runs and in the field making every routine fly ball look like he was Willie Mays robbing Vic Wertz.  

As if they were the ugly girls at the high school dance, the Orioles continuously stranded baserunners throughout the game and failed to rally when chances arose. Still the Orioles had their moments. LA Dockman , besides 2 Base on Balls during the game simultaneously took down Cubs catcher John Smith and the umpire trying to avoid the pitch before he hit the ground during one of his two hit by pitch at bats. Orioles infielders/pitchers Mickey Kocur and Brendan Shea each went 3 for 4 at the plate.

As the dust settled, Oriole players could be seen combing the field for teammate Stan Burke's lost car keys ... and their first victory.

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