KOOP Gets Played

This time, I think it was the socks – they made me look like a professional baller, and I intimidated the home team, KOOP Radio – but the credit really belongs to our new fanbase (special thanks to Cassidy and Yaz for showing their true Chron spirit) and the Chronicle's solid play on both sides of the ball, bringing us to a 3-3 record.

Mike Bartnett had an extremely good game at bat and in left field. During the top of the first inning alone he picked up two RBIs (Shannon Stott and Shawn Badgley), while his speed brought him back home on a hit by Travis. Unfortunately, a bit of ball fumbling in the bottom of the inning allowed KOOP to plate two runs. In the second, KOOP's pitcher did a nice job psyching out our first three batters, and no runs were scored. Bottom of the second, KOOP scored one run, bringing the game to a tie, 3-3. Third inning, Chronicle coach Bobby Leath struck out one, and catcher Erin Toombs made a great play at the plate, tagging out the runner headed home for the final out of the frame. (You go, girl.) And we certainly kept those defensive juices flowing during the third – three up, three down.

Top of the fourth, the Chron's offense came back with a vengeance. Mike B had a solid hit to center field; it was missed by the outfielder and made its way to the back of fence. He flew around the bases like his life depended on it, advancing Shannon home with his home run. Mark Fagan also picked up an RBI (Travis) for our third and final run of the fourth. KOOP scored one run during the bottom of the inning leaving the Chronicle up 6-5.

The top of the fifth and the Chronicle offense was pumped up again. Doug Freeman was up to bat and he clobbered the ball, sending it flying into left-centerfield for a triple. Next up was Simon Mulverhill, one of the newbies. He brought Doug home with a sac fly. A sweet hit by Michael King landed him on first. I was up next, and I'm pretty sure that damn pitcher really got into my head – holding his glove over his face so all that's showing is the intensity of his eyes, and then the long aggravating pause before he winds up and lets loose. Needless to say, I struck out again (for the second time in my softball career I must remind you), and I'm blaming it on KOOP's pitcher – WTF?! Logan Youree was up next and he got things started, advancing King to second with a single. And with KOOP's defense snoozing in the field, Michael snuck over to third. Nice job, King. Back to the top of the batting lineup, with players on first and third, Bobby made a clean hit, as usual, and King ran home for the score. It would have been nice to score a few more, but we ended the inning with runners stranded on all the bases, but up 8-4.

The beer and excitement started to set in, and my notes covering the last four innings became sparse. The sixth and seventh were scoreless. KOOP had one more run in the eighth and the Chronicle one in the ninth. We won the game, 9-5. And with the playoffs approaching, we need to keep improving our play – and keep winning. The Austin Chronicle's plays our next game Monday, Aug. 18, vs. BookPeople, ranked second in league standings.

For up-to-date stats on the ASL, team info, game info, or just a good time, check out the ASL MySpace page: www.myspace.com/alternativesoftballleague.