Grantsburg 13 - Webster/Siren 0

Hmm....Do things sometimes perplex you? It is currently Monday.  I came to school to get some work done and then went down to the dugout to get some softball work done.  THEY HAVE CHANGED THE LOCKS!  Is this a major hint for me?  Was I purposely left out?  Does this mean it is time to go?  Anyway..... The locks are changed and I (one of the high school coaches)  CANNOT get into the dugout!!!  I think that is pretty strange...  Like everything else, there is probably a perfectly complicated confusing reason why I can't get into OUR dugout!  For a few moments, I have chosen to Pout!  I may go down and put my own padlock on each door!  Except there may not me burgers during the game... Now that would actually be terrible!!!!  So I guess I will go home and split wood.  Then bring my maul to practice later...so I can get the equipment out. The Youth program holds the KEY.  Now give me one!

By the way...Unity does not have a game Thursday.  Grantsburg does not have a game Thursday.  The weather is supposed to be beautiful which is really strange.  We have asked Unity if they will move up one of the games.  Then, when the SNOW does come, we will both have an open date later on.  Make softball while the sun shines.  I think it is also scary to know that this softball season is already 25% over.  It is already time to start enjoying each game.  AND....  Is everybody aware of the double header with Amery that is here this Saturday.  It was a late schedule entry.  Amery will give us lots of things to practice.  I will have to get my pencil and paper ready.  I am already looking forward to the Park Falls Hurley match-up.  It should be a good one.  As of post game time Tuesday, Unity did not contact us.  Mike will talk with the Superior AD Wednesday.  Superior said they would drive down here and play a game.  The forecast is 60....I hope we get it scheduled... We will know Wednesday.

We just had two of the best umps in the state...It is soooo refreshing having the umps explain the rules...It makes me sleepy.

So there was a play at second.  the WEbster player did not have the ball, but stood in the base path anyway.  As we slid...there was contact.  Since contact was made before the ball arrrived, we were automatically safe... Players need to stay out of the sliding area when they don't have the ball.  The Judge Judy approached me...I was scared...Our player hit a Webster player in the base line...I quietly mentioned obstruction again... Judge Judy told me that it was probably the right call... I breathed a sigh of relief.

Before this game we got Cody to eat a little Sea Horse named Blue Face. Next game we may get her to eat the other team's mascot.

Question 1  Is it legal to use a first baseman’s glove in the outfield?
Answer       Legal.  There are no prohibitions as long as the glove meets the specifications in Rule 1-4.

Question 2  Are players allowed to use their opponent’s on-deck circle?
Answer       Illegal.  Rule 1-1-6; “Neither team’s players shall warm up in the other team’s on-deck circle.”

Question 3  Is temporary fencing allowed?
Answer       Legal.  Be certain that if metal posts are used to secure the fencing some type of protective cap is used on the metal posts to prevent injury.

Question 4  One team was allowed to use a courtesy runner, even though all of the eligible substitutes for that team had been in the game.  Has this rule changed?
Answer       Illegal.  Rule 8-9-3; “Players who are currently in the game or have participated in the game in any other playing capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.”

Question 5  A bat must meet 2004 test standards.  Is a bat with only a 2000 ASA mark legal?
Answer       Legal.  Rule 1-5-4; “All bats shall meet the 2004 ASA Bat Performance Standard, bear EITHER the 2000 or 2004 ASA Certification Mark...”

Question 6  The team at bat has bases loaded and nobody out.  The infield is playing in.  The first baseman is even with the bag and about 6 feet towards second base.  The batter hits the ball between first and second base.  The first baseman steps backward making an attempt to play the ball, but misses and does not touch the ball.  The runner from first to second base is hit by the batted ball after it passes the first baseman.  Is this an immediate dead ball and the runner called out?
Answer:     In the situation you have described, Rule 8-8-4 would apply.  Runner is not out, ball is live provided in the judgment of the umpire no other fielder had a chance to make a play.

Question 7   Runner is on third with no outs.  On a fly ball to left field the runner leaves early and scores.  Since she has already touched home can she try to return safely to third and if so does she need to retouch home on her way back to third?
Answer       Rule 8-3-2; “When a runner must return to a base while the ball is in lay or dead, the runner must touch the base(s) in reverse order.”  Exception:  “On a foul ball”.  Please also reference Rule 8-3-9 for additional information.

Question 8  Regarding the new attempted bunt rule, there is about 2 feet in front and 1 foot behind the plate that a better can stand in the batter’s box.  The batter could square around and have the bat NOT in the strike zone (over the plate by definition).  Does the batter have to withdraw the bat?
Answer       If the batter holds the bat above the plate but pulls it back before the pitch reaches the plate area, then it won’t be considered an attempt.  It doesn’t matter where the batter stand.  Having the bat over the plate is essentially in front of her body and within thee strike zone.  The strike zone is over the pate even if the batter is behind or in front of the plate.

Back to the game

OK. These athletes are really fun.  I couldn't tell if I was at a game or at a dance.  All I know is that a grand time was had by all.  It was just a fun night... Everything from watching EC do gymnastics to Romo dancing to people just having a good time.  I was happy just to be there.

Now the game.  In case you were on the dance floor, it was a 5 inning perfect game pitched by Michelle and Jessica.  That does not happen very often.  So congrats first to Michelle and Jessica and then the rest of the team.

Tiffany has become a very good lead off batter and tonight she led off with another single.  So for anybody keeping track...in 5 games she has started the game with four hits and a walk.  I think that is called perfect.  We think it is the lemonaide.  Tonight, both Tiff and Mich scored in the first inning for a 2-0 lead.  In case you were buying brats, Mich pulled off a suicide squeeze...In other words...she was bunting for sure, because Tiff was on the way home. Grantsburg was shut out in the second but scored 7 in the third.  One of the highlights was Gab's double to left center... Again, it could have been scored an error, but the ball was hit well....and Gab is playing softball again after taking 8th grade off.

For the game......Tiff had one hit.  Nicole had a line drive to the opposite field. Mich had two hits.  Annie stayed hot...even though she OVER analyzes everything..she had two hits.  EC and Cody had a hit as did Gab and Ing.  have you ever noticed that almost all of Ing's hits have this ping pong top spin.  They leave the infield and then dive to the grass.  And...when EC bats would the entire crowd remind her to keep her front foot planted.  When she does...she hits reallllllly well.  When you see it jumping around, she is in trouble.

For the game Grantsburg had 10 hits and 4 walks.  Their pitcher, Larson, played with our kids in a few summer tourneys...she is a nice kid and a good athlete.  Her father, Terry, attended Grantsburg.  Michelle Gibbs also played with Grantsburg but has now gone out for track.

Emily is a gymnast and she shows off.  Most bodies can't do that.

Ok...we cant do that, either. Maybe you should try almost touching the ground like Jessica can ...Or...can you stretch one leg like Gabbie way to the right?

Time to dig out some of the old videos...We bring them back every couple of years... The team was really pumped today.  Here is Romo getting ready to bat.  She was reallllllly pumped. But when she comes back to the dugout we always have a surprise for her.

some shots by scott Hoffman

TWIS:  We will know more about the Superior game Wednesday.  Tiffany is always within one minute of being late.... and can't dance as well as Romo.  Sammy...soooo nice to see you at the game.  We miss you...your wife..and Melissa. Sarah gets soooo excited... If her dad was not a cop, we would suggest drugs.  Mich will be a coach some day.  I watched her Friday morning...she was teaching the team how to lead off first and how to round bases...something to do with fruit.  Heather's leg is healed...we think.  We are not sure what she wrapped it with...it could have been scotch tape.   Annie considered going after a pop up.  EC has the wildest glasses.  When you look through them you can see five softballs.. Sometimes, she catches one.  Cody has this really sore thumb...we think her bat stinks.  Superior will let us know.  Mike Murphy got to the game before us.  Where was Buddy??  We almost did not start.  We picked old songs for the music...keep everybody happy. and thanks Lydia...You are the greatest.. When I grow up, I want to be you. Do you know anybody named Bakeberg?  Have you ever been to Dairyland and just relaxed?  Does the moon give you shivers?  Thanks to courtney Hawkins who is our announcer....and did I mention Lydia???   We almost had to water the infield tonight...Go figure!  Don will be gone Wednesday night to watch his daugher Mollie play.  We will have an inter-squad scrimmage......Thursday is undecided. Jessica has a very weird wind up.  Nicole did a grand job catching..very few dropped balls...Don't you think Jessica did a fine job pitching? She does have a little of that Cushing mentality.  Hi Satin.  Did you notice that we didn't play any of Ingrid's music?  What a beautiful day....softball in Grantsburg...with sunshine and NO sandflies...What more could you want? hmmmm I guess I have two more ideas!  and...I think I suddenly have a key on the way.  Hi Mikey.... I found a phone on the road next to the highway...if you hear of anybody who lost one it is a Panasonic (not cell) phone.  Enjoy today's sunshine.  Email somebody from the past..... and make their day!