[Alsfastball] DD - Friday - 1ST PLACE KITCHENER UNDEFEATED . YOGI HELPS GREY SOX

[Al Doran]

ISSUE #6 - By John Thompson 
<mailto:sstj99 at yahoo.com>sstj99 at yahoo.com 
Friday September 2, 2005
1ST PLACE KITCHENER UNDEFEATED
. YOGI HELPS GREY SOX
Kitchener Hallman Twins made it a perfect (8-0) 
week, punctuating an awesome August with 1st 
place in pool play complementing the team’s 
winning record (6-1) and superb ISC 3rd place finish in Eau Claire WI.
Kitchener strengthened for the Canadians with the 
addition of All-World infielder Jody Eidt, (The 
Farm Tavern, Madison, WI),  pitcher Paul Koert 
(Quaker River Sharks, Allentown PA) and traveling outfielder Dan Loney.
Twins, traditionally noted for strong pitching 
and tight defence, added a new dimension to their 
arsenal - awesome offensive punch up-and-down the 
batting order. In round-robin play, Twins plated 
51 runs, many resulting from 6 players that 
slammed 15 home runs – both stats leaders in the 
Canadians. Ranked 2nd before the tourney, Twins 
enter the Elimination Round on a high and will 
enjoy “double life”. Other “top four” teams with 
double life are St. Thomas and Saskatoon, and a 
winner from the Friday tie-beakers – Mulgrave, 
Prince George, Newfoundland or Vancouver. Now the 
work begins – Friday-Saturday-Sunday - little room for error.
Meanwhile, Yogi Berra re-visited the Doug Tarry 
Sports Complex, this time on Diamond #4. Edmonton 
Express, with veteran Darren Zack toeing the 
rubber, appeared headed for its first win of the 
week. Edmonton was leading 3-1 in the 7th inning, 
versus the Vancouver Grey Sox, who desperately 
(at 3-3) needed a win to keep their hopes alive 
for a playoff position. Grey Sox staged a rally, 
and scored once to trail by a single run. The 
true dramatics began with 2 out and runners at 
3rd and 2nd. Grey Sox’s slick shortstop Kevin 
Schellenberg assumed the batting position. It was 
the epic confrontation – cagey moundsman 
Zack  vs. the diminutive batter Schellenberg, 
appearing quite comfortable in his role 
of  “instant hero or distant memory”. 
Schellenberg, often a lead-off batter resulting 
from his keen “eye” at the plate, worked the 
count to the maximum – 3 balls, 2 strikes. Tying 
run at 3rd, winning run at 2nd. Zack offered a 
high change-up, at which Schellenberg swung, 
getting but a small piece of the 12” sphere for a 
foul ball. Fans were enjoying this extended 
defining moment in time.  A brief smile appeared 
on Schellenberg’s face. It was either frustration 
for not taking the change-up “deep”, or, quite 
likely, relief that he found a piece of the 
horse-hide from Zack’s strategic offering. Fans 
collectively held their breath -  Zack’s final 
offering of the 2005 Canadians yielded a 
“high-hopper” over the mound, bouncing perfectly 
over 2nd base, plating both runners. The Grey Sox 
remain in the hunt
 Edmonton finishes winless, 
and once again, Yogi reminded fastball fans, that 
“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” (Vancouver later 
defeated Jarvis to finish at 5-3, and with wins 
in the tie-breakers, could still grab a “double life”)



  Als Fastball List
* Email: fastball at pmihrm.com
http://www.alsfastball.com/
http://www.ISCfastball.com/
http://www.canadians2005.ca/ Aug 28 to Sept 4
NEWS: http://fastpitchwest.com/alsfastball
eScribe is down, and may be out