[Alsfastball] FedLock Starts Strong in Fargo

[Al Doran]

From: "Mike Groves" <falcon at fedlock.com>
To: "'Al Doran'" <fastball at pmihrm.com>
Subject: FedLock Starts Strong in Fargo
Date: Mon, 16 Aug 2004 13:57:03 -0400


You won't ever hear Kenny Coles talk about himself as a fastball 
player.  The 12-year FedLock second baseman and fastball veteran, and the 
only person remaining, along with Mike Groves, from the original FedLock 
roster will often be found sitting quietly behind the backstop, watching, 
watching, watching ballgames, even when the two teams on the field are not 
possible opponents for his team.

Ken Coles loves the game & he is a sharp-eyed student of the game.  Coles 
will, if asked, talk about what a group of great guys his teammates are, 
how impressive the FedLock pitchers are, how tough the lineups such as 
County Materials are, and how much he appreciates the opportunities he has 
to compete against the best in the Major fastball game.

On Opening Night for FedLock at the World Tournament, in 
oh-so-far-away-from-Washington-DC-Fargo-North-Dakota, Coles let his bat & 
glove do the talking for his FedLock team.  Coles was a crucial part of the 
FedLock win over a tough Halifax team in FedLock's first game at the ISC 
2004 World Championships.

Coles' RBI-single in the second inning off Halifax starter Tim Macumber 
broke the ice for an anxious & pumped-up FedLock crew.  In the same inning, 
catcher Steve Sell did more of the same sort of damage that he's been doing 
all year long, as the big block of granite wearing number 17 thundered a 
pitch over the right-center fence for a three-run shot that had a huge 
impact on the game's momentum.

In the Halifax side of the fourth inning, FedLock faced mounting pressure 
from the Halifax offense.  LeBlanc singled, Hennigar issued a rare free 
pass to Midgely, and the very dangerous slugger Tim Macumber settled into 
the left side of the batter's box.  Macumber ripped a Hennigar offering 
hard into the gap to Coles' left side and Coles speared it fully 
outstretched & tumbling over into the dirt.  Coles' glove was actually 
behind him as he made the snare of Macumber's bullet.  But then Coles did 
what makes him not just a diamond jewel, but a seasoned professional 
ballplayer & one of the best second basemen in the Major game today.  While 
still on his back & rolling away from the 2b bag, Coles flipped the ball to 
a covering FedLock shortstop Ryan Thompson to nab the fielder's choice out.

Fielder's choice, indeed.  A fired-up FedLock squad responded, particularly 
pitcher Jody Hennigar.  The Crafty Lefty Locksmith reared back and struck 
out Jesso and Bourgeois to end the Halifax threat.

In the bottom half of the fourth Coles continued his heroics by lofting a 
solo shot over the left-center fence from Macumber.

FedLock came away from this one with a 6-1 victory over Halifax.

The Fargo event is superb, all the way around.  The weather has been 
perfect, with sugar-flaked summer clouds painted on a deep blue prairie 
sky.  No humidity.  The clouds of mosquitoes could, however, carry off 
young children.  Forewarned is forearmed.

The Fargo volunteers have done a top-notch job on everything.  The fields 
are near-perfect.  Infielders have commented on how the fields are 
immaculate with not a bad bounce from the dirt.  The outfield grass is deep 
green & manicured.  Grounds crews are fast & professional-grade at quickly 
prepping fields for games.  Importantly, the infield dirt doesn't get 
cratered & demolished by the pitcher's dragging, hoof-stomping, and digging 
in the circle.  The batter's boxes, on field two, have also remained solid 
& have not turned into troughs.

Fargo seems to be a very nice place to live.  People are pleasant to 
visiting strangers & friendly.  There is a sense of community.  Parks & 
recreation seem to have one heckuva large budget, judging by the brand new 
fencing, brand new transportation carts, and swarms of people "making it 
right" at every turn.  Locals & ballplayers mix in various bars & 
restaurants without incident.  In fact, some of the wilder appearing Fargo 
locals are quite interested in "how are the games going, dude?"

Following a two-day break, FedLock continues pool play competition on 
Tuesday August 16 at noon against the Page team from Utah, and on Wednesday 
August 17 at 6pm against the very tough Midland Explorer team led by 3b 
Kyle Beane and a resurgent p Grant Patterson in the circle.

regards,

Michael Groves
USA
<mailto:falcon at fedlock.com>falcon at fedlock.com






Als Fastball List
*Email: <mailto:fastball at pmihrm.com>fastball at pmihrm.com
Website: http://www.alsfastball.com/
http://www.ISCfastball.com/ - August 13-21 - Fargo, ND
NEWS: http://www.escribe.com/sports/alsfastball/
TEMP: http://www.fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball.htm