The Chronicle's Second ASL Win

Chronicle Coach Bobby Leath suspiciously eyes the shores of Toftation Island

Maybe it was our new at-bat theme songs. Maybe it was my new red cleats. Maybe it was our new teammate, Simon. Or maybe the Tofte clan cheering section (ma and pa, that is) served as a good-luck charm. Whatever it was, it was the best the Chronicle has played all season. The result: a second league victory for the (2-3) Chronicle team.

On Tuesday, July 29, we played our second league game vs. Emo's. The Chronicle was pumped, bringing four players home in the top of the first – Shannon, Shawn, Mike B., and Travis – to Emo's zero. However, the Emo’s offense brought it back during the second and third innings, scoring a total of seven runs with the Chronicle failing to respond. There was some great lefty-on-lefty action in the third – Bobby on the pitcher’s mound for the Chron and Brian from Emo's at bat. Brian appeared to not have a problem with match-up, sending the ball flying, picking up two RBIs with this home run.

Come top of the fifth, the Chronicle was down by two runs. King was up to bat first and smashed the ball into left center picking up a single. Another great hit, this time by Jupson, landed players on second and first. Next up was the newbie, Simon, and a third smash by the Chronicle team had the bases loaded. I was up next with a lot of weight on my shoulders, and I’m not talking about the weights I was bench pressing in the dugout beforehand either. And with Donna Summer providing the soundtrack, I thought for sure this was going to be it. I was hoping to show the ball some “Hot Stuff,” as well as impress my parents. Unfortunately, neither of those things happened; I struck out for the first time ever in my softball career (the last two months).

Next up, King was thrown out at home plate on Logan's fielder's choice. Back to the top of the lineup, Bobby picked up two RBIs (Jupson and Simon). We ended the inning with four runs but still down by one.

We kept rolling through the sixth inning, with Mike B. up to bat first. He had that look in his eyes – you know, the look like you know you’re about to clobber the ball. And sure enough he did, then rounded the bases with amazing grace and speed, scoring a home run. Three more made it back to home plate that inning (Travis, Cody, and James), and with Emo’s scoring zero, we were up by two.

Mike B. had another great offensive showing in the seventh, adding two RBIs to his stat sheet (Shawn and Bobby). But the Emo's offense once again reigned supreme. A ball missed in centerfield resulted in three runs for Emo's. Stan scored a home run on a deep left center hit. By the end of the seventh we were down by one again but scored one more in the eighth – tying up the game.

Scoring three to Emo's two during the ninth, we won the game, 19-18. Coach Bobby was proud: "Quite possibly the greatest game in Chronicle softball history. We'll be telling our grandkids about this one." Maybe. The next two games happen tonight; check out the Alternative Softball League MySpace for details: www.myspace.com/alternativesoftballleague.