The mission of the Carney Pirates is to help excellent athletes train for the challenges a fifty or more game season against equally talented personnel presents. We are currently taking our lumps right now in trying to gain that development. Once again, a close seesaw type game came down to the last inning where the Pirates faltered, allowing four runs to score, losing 8-3. The players are beginning to appreciate, or at least see, the test ahead of them playing twice as many games a season, two more innings a game, and against better competition game after game. Having said all of the above, several Pirates continue to offer very encouraging performances. Pat Somers tossed a productive six innings, opening up with four shutout innings until the fifth when what’s becoming characteristic of our defense, miscues, walks and opponents’ timely hitting, lead to runs. Most every time a player lapses on defense, our pitchers pay the price. Had it not been for a strike thrown from George Piccirilli from left field and the customary superb plate play that PVI fans have seen for several years by Mike McMenamin, an additional run would have scored. The Pirates came right back and tied the game. Mike Snyder singled, advanced to third on a double by Reed Bromley and scored on a two strike clutch hit by Tim McCormick. Brett Bowers did the job a good hitter is expected to do, getting Reed home by making contact and grounding out (“with runners in scoring position and less than two outs, hitters must work diligently to avoid taking a called third strike” – Barry Larkin has probably made that comment at least five times already in the CWS – click here to see our CWS story).

Winners in the Bleachers!

With Frank Sinatra crooning in the background, the Voice of the Pirates Tom McCormick, having just updated the fans with scores from “that other league”, announced the possibility of fans winning prizes ranging from sodas, waters, candy bars, popcorn, hot dogs, and even a Rolls Royce convertible by checking their programs (provided at all Carney Pirates CGL home games). Excitement roared through the stands as the first winner Jeannette Somers celebrated her winning of an inning’s supply of popcorn. George Bromley dashed to the snack bar gleefully waving his free hot dog certificate, and other winners rambled on over to claim their prize. Here one of the youngest of the Carney Pirates fans is shown with her prize a gleaming Nestle Crunch candy bar! Remarkably the Rolls Royce winner was nowhere to be found, apparently leaving the ballpark before the drawing – perhaps next home CGL game someone will drive this beautiful car home (and perhaps John Kerry will be selected as a VP candidate).

“For Lack of a Nail”

Falling behind again on defensive play below our capability (we have given up several runs this year with the ball never leaving the infield), the Pirates once again tied it up with a solo home run into the bleachers by Ian MacGeorge. In the bottom of the eighth down 4-3, Piccirilli hammered a double and Shane Halley blasted a single to left. Because we were short of pitchers due to yearend school transitions and trips, we had to throw George in the ninth inning coming up. Because George had to pitch, we could not pinch run for him with a faster runner like Foster Dunigan. Because we lost a step with our power hitter forced to sprint home, a good throw nailed him at the plate. This is a highlight of how little things can make big differences when teams are comparable in talent, ask your parents about the old adage, “For lack of a nail.” We’re currently taking our lumps right now (Try this-Heads Up Baseball – click to check it out). We are working hard to put all the gears in place for the very competitive Atlanta tournament. We have very encouraging signs, especially offensively; MacGeorge (who won’t be in Atlanta) is tearing up the league, McCormick is providing tough situational hitting, Piccirilli is one of the most clutch hitters around, Bromley makes solid contact each at bat, Mike Snyder is starting to bang out hits, several other players have had productive days and are dangerous at the plate (Halley, Matt Snyder, Murakami), and all players are quality hitters with the ability to deliver the key hit or multi-hit games. This is important because we can bat eleven players each game. Defensively we continue to make our pitchers work harder than the quality of their pitches deserve and we still need to develop an aggressively intelligent, “Next base mentality”, where we actually seek the opportunity to take the next base rather than wait for the invitation.

Prep for Atlanta

This week the coaches will be mixing and matching players and defenses to see what team provides us with the best overall results as we prepare for Atlanta. Recall, that during our orientation meeting it was clearly stated that the regular season was for equal play and developmental issues and that the Atlanta tournament we are “in it to win it”. Whoever is hot, whoever is focused, and whoever is most productive to the team winning, will remain on the field. Treat this week as a tryout (real team baseball), not showcase (individual baseball). Performing to one’s potential is a worthwhile lifelong goal, gain your momentum now.

Shutterbug Shuffle

We have a large batch of photos from the Sunday event. You have two options to view the pics – click this to see the photo gallery in our web page or click here to see them in our Flickr.com account. Don’t forget, click here to check out all the pics on our Photos page – you can also find this page any time with a click on the “Photos” button on the left side of any of our web pages.