The Return of Bob Ley

rogergoehring
Mar 4, 2021
4 min read

Stickball Minions,

My oh my,

Never say die,

Here comes one of our founders – Bob Ley (rhymes with My/die)

Returning to the field as if he never missed a step, the long awaited return from his respite and shelter from the COVID has been well worth the wait – spectators and players were treated to an assortment of talent as Bob hit, pitched and fielded third on his way to an MVP performance. Roger was glad to get him on his team as Norm paired up todays assortment of teams – looks like a trend, the selector puts the jinx on his own team :-0.

We had a great turnout of 12 players as everyone arrived on time, no stragglers to change lineups on this day!! Many spectators again as our game is attracting a great deal of attention on these fine spring like days – we appreciate the fans coming out to witness our competitions including the banter and comradery, they have seemed to enjoy it. We were even honored with the presence of the Doctor – Dr. Phil, recuperating from his pickle ball tumble; we were glad to see him up and about as he heals and visits a few more doctors of his own. His wife accompanying him, presumably to keep him from thinking about making his come back too soon inspired by Bob L’s return ;-) Get well soon Phil, we hope to see you for the opening of the season or shortly thereafter at the very least!!

As we proceeded with batting practice – (NOT Roger – he passed the torch to Norm) - Norm separated players into teams, which seems to continue to be an issue as it looked from the start to be a lopsided game again.

----- ‘Movers’ taking on the ‘Shakers’ ----

Movers – Bobby, John, Roger, Manny, Bob “I’m Back” L., Ed (Ruth)

Sixers – Gordon, Keith, Caron, Bill T., Bob S., Norm

Scorer: Denis (thanks for working us in around dinner plans) Euchre scored the game.

The game start a bit lopsided as the Movers seemed unstoppable with unanswered runs and only one goose egg inning that produced a lead of 8 – Bob L. leading the pitching brigade - as the Shakers came into their second twinning. They were finally able to put some runs on the board moving to within 2, as the score after 4 read 8 – 6.

Movers scored 2 more off Ed HRs in each inning of the third twinning to inch ahead slightly more, while the Shakers blew a gasket coming up empty for their next twinning. With just one more inning to play, Movers couldn’t pad their lead. Shakers came to the plate needing 4 runs to tie but couldn’t shake the goose eggs of the last 2 innings under the great defense of the Movers shutting down the inning with bases loaded!! Carol contributing to continuing the 2 out rally getting on base with 2 outs. It did get exciting even though the scoreboard didn’t show it – the scorebook does and the excitement on the field was felt by the teams and spectators alike!

Notable defensive plays on both sides as Bob L. played a solid 3rd base handling some screaming liners, grounders and ranging to the middle for a nice afternoons work on this his first return game. Roger and Ed blanketed the Mover outfield to the dismay of many of the Shakers, whose long balls never reached the pavement – Ed played particularly well, ranging into FOUL territory many a time. Manny and John covered the remaining infield for the movers making some exceptional stops.

Not to be outdone, the Shakers robbed a few long hits as well, Ed missing the trifecta of HRs as Bill T. caught all the fly balls that came his way. The Shakers defense was shaky but did come through when needed in the last inning to put them in the game, setting up for the comeback that wasn’t L

HOME RUNS: Ed (2 + robbed by Bill) – th, th, that’s all folks!! :-0

Many of robbed Shakers HRs by Ed and Roger

Billy robbed a few of the Movers as well

TRIPLES: Roger, Manny, Billy, Norm

DOUBLES: Bobby, John (Nice honorable MVP performance with 3 more singles contributed!), Ed, Gordon, Keith,

SINGLES: Everyone hit well, just not where they AIN’T –Bob S. (1) continues getting back in the swing - putting more balls in play with chances of hits (makin’ ‘em field it) Bobby (3), John (3), Roger (2), Manny, Bob L., Ed ‘missing cycle needing a triple’ (2), Carol (3) hitting well up the middle – robbed of a near double Fly by Manny playing short, Keith, Bill T. (4) – hitting so well, he’s not happy with singles up the middle anymore …, Norm

**** FINAL: ‘Movin’’’ on UP’ – 10 (scary at the end ;-),

‘Shake it, Shake it Baby …’ – 6 (Near come back)

****

Quote of the Day – “Rules, what Rules – we don’t need no stinkin’ Rules!!!”

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Our Super catcher Bobby with his fish net catcher 'mitt' courtesy Carol Burns