South Oakland Ducks Baseball

Game 21 Recap: America. Ducks 4 Rebels 1

2009 Ducks Baseball, NABA, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball

It’s one thing to dominate a game, and the Ducks did not dominate on Monday, it is another thing completely to go out when you don’t have your best stuff, when you’re stiff and sore, and undermanned – nursing a bayonet wound from the last battle with the Confederacy, and win anyway. There’s something i find more gratifying about it.

Fletcher didn’t have his best stuff, but he still held the Rebels to one run.
He battled.

Dr. Jones had to shuffle the lineup with two of our best hitters,


SS, Frank Castle (above, ) and inf. Ryan Novak, mia,

and CF, Mars visiting friends in FLA

Kirk Gibson played a phenomenal game at short, and with Watson up the middle made all the plays. We got clutch hits and despite some odd base running occurrences, and some good defense by a much improved Fightin’ Reb’s team, The Ducks prevailed.
Our best hitter is mired in a slump, but he found a way to help the team win with his defense, throwing out three Rebels, two at third, one at second, and called a great game behind the plate.
Wojton made a great catch in the gap.

I don’t have the book – things will be a bit jumbled, here.
For the most part, this is not a friendly rivalry, and it got more heated today.

It’s not likely we will see this team in the playoffs, and its unlikely they will exist next season, but it was fun while it lasted. They have some talent on that team, and their nickname has really been the inspiration for this blog.

Most of those guys hate the shit out of the Ducks, and really wanted that game last night, which makes the win even sweeter.

Thanks to the fans for Quacking for us last night.


***

The early innings went quickly, Chris Feathers, put up a typical, Feathers-esque gutsy performance on the mound, and kept the Ducks scoreless for two innings, while Fletch worked out of trouble in the first two innings.
With one out and a runner on first in the top of the second, a diving attempt at what the Ducks left fielder thought was foul territory hit off his ten year old glove and went out of play, putting runners on second and third.

scored it a double,

Fletch came back to strike out some guy from South Carolina, and with two outs and runners on second and third, Fletch bounced one off the plate, the runners tried to advance or something, and Smith destroyed some kid with a throw to third. out of the inning.
I don’t know why but there was quite a fuss put up at this point. something about home plate being part of the playing field.
the batter never fouled it off, and i was in the outfield, but I’ll defer to Kenny Powers for the call

It was 0-0 going into the top of the third when with two outs, the Rebels lead off man bunted for a basehit and stole seocond.
Jefferson Davis hit a shot to deep short, Kirk made a diving stop and almost threw out Davis at first, but Davis’ blinding speed beat the throw and the runner went all the way home on the play.
good hustle, he ran like his plantation was on the line.

1-0 Rebels.

J. Smith threw out Davis at second, Kirk helped him with his helmet because he is a good sport.
More yelling and blaming the umps from The South.

In the bottom of the third Wojton walked to lead off the inning and Gwin doubled to left center.
Jefferson Davis was on his horse,

A perfect relay throw cut down Wojton at home, Gwin advanced to third.

after Kirk flew out to the fence, the Captain stepped into the box.


double to left.
he’s on fire.

1-1.

In the top of the fourth, the Rebels tried to mount a counter attack.

shame on a Rebel

Some guy hit a shot to right center, but Wojton was there


Another guy got thrown out at third, and there was a growing undercurrent of nastiness brewing, it was tangible. The Rebels started to get frustrated.

In the bottom half of the inning, Watson led off with a single, then Homa hit a blistering shot to left that was dropped by the Rebels outfielder, Watson was thrown out at second on a play he appeared to beat the throw, but whatever.

(remember that time you argued with the ump and he changed his mind?- didn’t think so)

Homa was on first with one out, Depo hit a monster shot to right, that got through the Rebels right fielder, guest thirdbase coach Garrett Moore sent Homa, the relay was off-line and Homa slid in safely.

Depo tried to take second, not happening.

Coby was hit by a pitch before Feathers recorded a K to end the inning.

2-1 Ducks through 4

but we had 3 consecutive players reach base and only got one run, how would we respond?

Fletcher struck out the Rebels 3-4-5 hitters in order in the top of the fifth

In the bottom of the 5th, Gwin was hbp, Kirk was thrown at and wound up with a walk, then once again

Captain singles to center.
Gwin scores

3-1 Ducks.

The frustration continued to mount in the Rebels dugout, as they continued to not score runs.

robbed on a questionable strike 3 last night.

The Ducks added an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th on an rbi ground out by Gwin.
Kirk was thrown at again.

You don’t want to know what phase 3 is.

The Rebels had a soldier on first in the top of the seventh, and had two hard hit outs before Fletcher enticed a ground out to end the game.

Now we have the Black Sox and their ace in a show down for the two-seed.

Great Scott…That’s Heavy

We have to travel to the lion’s den that is Moore Park.
All we can ask for is the opportunity and we’ve earned it.
1 run separates the Ducks and the Black Sox in our two games this season.
one half game separates us in the standings.

Back to the future with Kenny Powers and Co. this Saturday

Quack.

Gameday [20]: Ducks vs. Gray Bats

pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball
Ducks (12-7) at Gray Bats (3-17)
3pm
Pie Traynor Field
BP: 12-1:30 at PItt

Naturally these guys have added some players at the deadline.
They are still a joke – collectively.

if we lose to a 3-17 team down the stretch when we really need to right the ship and get our bats going into the playoffs we should disband.

Why keep score if winning doesn’t matter?

We have to win out and get help to get the 2 seed.
We can’t overlook anyone.
We’ve lost to some terrible teams this year.
We’ve beaten some very good teams this season.

Gotta have it today.

Abe Lincoln is back
in a warm-up game for the Confederacy on Monday

Bad News for the Gray Bats.

Quack.

UPDATED: aLL sTAR GAME CANCELLED RESCHEDULED AT CONCLUSION OF SEASON…Gray Bats manager doesn’t understand the term "Model Franchise"

NABA, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball
No way this Ducks team loses five straight.

the Gray Bats are “playing this one like a playoff game”
whatever that means.

Larry hasn’t retired from blogging he just uses Wallis’ screen name.

the Ducks are reeling, but the whole Gray Bats organization, save a couple players, is a joke.

Wallis is a solid human being.

Solid work at Chicken Soup for the Gray Bats soul

I seriously quit if we lose on Sunday.

Full WWF-style preview in the days ahead.

All Star Recap by someone on Ducks Blog Staff who doesn’t have to work that night and is at the game.

Quack

Game 19 Recap: Black Sox 1, Ducks 0.

NABA, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball

This game is not going to get the time it deserves.
Chalfin dominated us.
We had guys in scoring position several times and we did not drive in runs, our best hitters did not come through, except Guthrie that is why he is Captain America.

He had our only hit, which if it didn’t deflect off the Black Sox SS, glove, (who did not look like he wanted to punch anyone today, although i didn’t get a good look at him for most of the night, as I was not on base) may have drove in the potential tying run, but kirk had to hold to make sure it wasn’t caught.
In the bottom of the seventh Captain hit one to the warning track in right center that would have fallen if Goldie wasn’t really a robot.

Fletcher allowed 1 unearned run.
I can not over state how important he has been to this team.
With Our best pitcher from last season, 2008 league strikeout leader, Nick Homa on the bench (with a hip injury he suffered banging the Hurricane’s female accuantences afterg a 2-0 one-hitter against the Fightin’ ‘Canes in the thrid game of the season)
Fletcher has been phenominal.
He fits our team well in that he locates and induces groundball which our infield then makes outs.
We turned 4 double plays in the game, I think including one on the Black Sox, SS, who is one of the fastest guys in the league.

Thanks for sending Fletcher our way Mr. Cool, more reason for the Black Sox to hate you.
Especially when we beat them in the playoffs.
quack.

Anyway. Kenny f-ing Powers scored the only run on a single by some dude who is probably in jail right now for robbing one of the liquor stores in the North Side after the game.

the ball beat him there, the throw one hopped our catcher and he couldn’t hold on.
Tough play. our left fielder is a homo with no arm, he’s got to get the throw there in the air.

Some rivalries are born out of hatred, like the Owlz Black Sox, I’d like to think the Ducks Black Sox is one that is now, at least, based more on mutual respect.
This game was nothing like last year’s playoff debacle that is for sure.

Both teams played hard.
Both teams left the field thinking they didn’t hit.
Chalfin and Fletcher both deserved to win.

I think Fletcher only allowed 5 hits to statistically the 2nd best hitting team in the league.
Feel free to fill in the blanks in the comments, guys.

It will take a complete collapse by the Black Sox, and the Ducks winning out for South Oakland to earn a bye.
Our magic number is 2 with the Connfederacy to Clinch the 3 spot.
Let’s finish strong.

Ryan Novak is my favorite baseball player.

We have to start hitting.

If we lose to the Gray Bats on Sunday I am quitting baseball.

“Quack” sign was huge, literally.

BP Wednesday. 6:30 pm at Pitt.

Better to struggle to score runs now than in the playoffs.

Quack.

Gameday [19] Ducks take on Black Sox in Old School Monday Night Matchup:

NABA, pittsburgh NABA, South Oakland Ducks Baseball

Cheese is MIA.

The Ducks have lost three straight to fall a game and a half behind the Black Sox for second place in the division.

1909 Cincinnati Reds

The Bad News is we have scored 4 runs in our last 3 games, we’ve seemed lethargic at times, we haven’t had that clucth performance out of anyone since Captain America wiped his ass with Sorosky’s guarantee and dominated the Gray Bats during a game that seemed like an eternity ago.
The good news is we have a game tonight, the first of two remaining against the team we must overtake to earn a first round bye.


Sports are humbling, and after a franchise best 12-3 start, we were in the driver’s seat, and we proceeded to lose 3 straight, two of those games were there for the taking.

Saturday night I had a brief conversation with the only other sober kid there, Pete Chalfin, he talked about the NABA League he played in in NY, then he called us a bunch of pussies and said he have 20 K’s tonight.

Just kidding – he never said that, not to my face anyway {quack}.

Anyway, he said basically the leagues were comparable, but what still lingers with me is how he said that the teams even had the same personalities to paraphrase he said,
There’s the ass holes, the team full of college kids, and the guys to take it too seriously, and the teams that suck and can’t get enough guys together.”


It got me thinking about the character of our team, collectively.
Not questioning it, or anyone’s effort or anything, but it’s been an odd year.
We have played great baseball at times, and at times we look like a joke.
It’s confusing.

In the narrative arc of things, this is clearly a turning point.
We will go along way to defining our team and our season tonight.
We’re playing .667 baseball, that’s good, only the Owlz and Black Sox have a higher winning percentage.

But I still get the feeling, a lot of teams think we’re overrated, basically because I do most of the “rating” as the guy who runs the most read blog in the league, and that we’ve lost some shitty games, well 2 or 3 anyway half our losses have come against the Owlz, who will finish the season with the best record in the league.
But after 18 games, you are who you are.
One terrible game on Saturday doesn’t erase the 12 wins.
Reports of the Ducks’ demise are greatly overrated.

There is a fine line between getting up for a game, and being too tense, and between being lose, and not-focused.

I don’t even know what that means, but it seems relevant.
Let’s just play baseball, baseball is fun.
Let’s have fun and play hard.
Right on the edge of dirty, that’s how I like to do things.


Rob Cool recruits guys from Allegheny County Community College.
Kenny recruits from Allegheny County Jail – and Penn State.
Goldie’s a beast.

I do know the Black Sox are a good team, that will not be without their starting center fielder and shortstop tonight, as they were in our first meeting.
I don’t think we had Dowling, Novak, Fletcher or Mars last time.
If we win we guarantee the edge in the head to head tie breaker.

Novak is back

We have six games left.
Only two of them are against teams with winning records – both Black Sox games. (although the Bulldogs might get their shit together by the time we play them in the finale)

The Black Sox have the Owlz twice which increases the possibility of a few Black Sox players violating parole and getting thrown in jail as a result of the melee that is sure to ensue during the double header in Imperial, they might have to forfeit another game while Randy scrambles to get bail paid.
they also play the new look Matadors and the Warriors, on paper they have a tougher schedule.
All we can do is play our game.

Randy is a shoe-in for the PGH NABA hall of fame Coaches Wing.

{Re-Cap of Saturday night’s party}
The Black Sox hate sleeves. –
Kenny gets angry when Chalfin tells him of the offer he received from Rob Cool’s to pitch for Imperial

Kenny Powers: You lost to the Eagles?!
Ducks: We Beat you!

Repeat.

the cops showed up three times.
Solid, work Guth and KotH.

***

The Ducks, Black Sox rivalry is as old as Megan J. is hot.
The only bench clearing brawl in Ducks history was against that team.
They ruined our chane to repeat in ’04 after we forfeitted a playoff game, and had to play a game with 7 guys after a rain-out and rescheduling dominated our roster full of kids who worked nights. That was after we won game one of the 3 game semi-final 7-0 Kenny Powers pitched that game.
Their starting shortstop looks like he wants to punch me (or someone) in the face every time I see him. (to be fair I don’t see him that often).

A good indicator of the history here is that when Bob Faust, who played on the Ducks from ’05-’06 showed up for BP the other day, the first thing he asked was,
“Are the Black Sox still in the league?”
“Yeah,” I replied.
“Those fuckers,” he said.

Bob Faust had his arm broken in a Ducks Black Sox game in 2006.

The Black Sox talk a lot of shit.
They generally back it up, but I will quit playing baseball the day I let any 6’4″ 260lb. ex-con in a baseball uniform intimidate me.

Kenny Powers knows how important this game is to his squad.
There are Pitt. vs. PSU implications in this one with Chalfin throwing tonight.
Kenny, myself and Briton, and i think Slavonic are the original PGH NABA’ers playing in this game.
It’s hard for me to hate any of the guys who helped keep this thing running during the early days. It’s good that we have teams that are a bunch of ass holes on the field in our league, it makes things more interesting.


For that Kenny Powers is the man.

But tonight, is our night.

Kirk is going yard


Fletch is on the hill.

***

The South Oakland Ducks of the North Side are 7-1 (I think) at home.

We are the home team tonight.

The Black Sox namesake is a bunch of criminals.
We need the Big Boss Man tonight.
(check out that link)

Bad News for the Black Sox.

Quack.

Thanks for reading.