Vandals 21, SNK Crushers 18
Jeff Kilgard arrived at Veterans Park upbeat and energetic, later that day he would leave the Moline Sophomore Diamond a tired and dejected man.
The Vandals squelched all hope of a late-season SNK charge to the playoffs, eliminating Kilgard's squad with a 21-18 on Saturday.
It was deemed necessary to switch fields before the game started when Kilgard discovered that there were hundreds of huge bees making their home on the Veterans Park infield (if anybody can identify that bee and offer any solutions on getting them to leave, please let Veto know). A quick call to Scott Ellefritz secured the Moline Sophomore Diamond, a former home to the VLB. When the players arrived at the diamond, however, an important discovery was made--they had removed the outfield fence. It was quickly decided by everyone that any ball that crossed the line where the fence should have stood in the air would be a home-run and any ball that rolled passed would be a ground-rule double.
The game was neck and neck with the Vandals leading most of the way until the bottom on the seventh scored seven runs thanks to a pair of home-runs by Ryan Barton in the inning, making the game 16-13.
The Crushers added 2 more in the eighth and the game looked all but over. In the ninth, however, in typical SNK Crusher fashion, the lead was surrendered. It started off with a couple of singles, and then the controversy started. Josh Traub hit a quickly sinking line drive which VLB rookie Eric Lindberg made a diving attempt at and missed. The ball rolled all the way out of the field past the fence line making it a ground rule double. Acting Vandals captain Josh Smith argued that because Traub was already nearly to second when the ball crossed the line and no Crusher was near it, it should be a triple and two runs should score. Against better judgment, possible due to the extreme heat, an argument ensued. The Vandals refused to back down from their argument, so Traub was eventually awarded third.
The Vandals went on to tie the game at 18, until more controversy occurred in the inning. With two outs and two runners on, a pop fly was hit to the back of the mound by Jesus Apodaca where the Crushers made no attempt at it thinking that it was the pitcher’s ball, and thus a dead ball. Once again it resulted in an argument that ended with Apodaca safely at first and the SNK Crushers playing the rest of the game in protest, which was later thrown out by league officials. Commissioner Matt Veto may have been quoted as saying “An umpires interpretation of a rule is not challengeable, therefore the challenge is overruled” (hmm...maybe--MV). The Vandals went on to win the game 21-18.
The Vandals were led by a balanced attack, receiving six hits from Josh Smith and Josh Traub, 7 hits, 5 runs, and 5 RBI from Scott Ellefritz, and eight hits from Ben Rankin. The Crushers were the benefactors of good games by rookie Eric Lindberg and Bob Zerull, who each had six hits and a monster game from Ryan Barton who was intentionally walked once, had 7 hits including 3 home-runs, 5 runs scored, and 8 RBI. Barton has now taken a three-home-run lead in the regular season home-run chase over Bob Zerull, who was homer-less in Saturday’s action.
Heat too much for players
Sunday’s action did not take place due to lack of players, which most attributed to the intense heat.
“If there are stats or anything, give me a call,” Scott Ellefritz exclaimed as he left disgusted at the poor turnout.
Thanks to Bob Zerull, Scott Ellefritz, Ryan Barton, Rowdy Frederiksen, Jeff Kilgard, and Rowdy’s and Barton’s friends for coming. We will play Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Park unless otherwise notified.
Jeff Kilgard arrived at Veterans Park upbeat and energetic, later that day he would leave the Moline Sophomore Diamond a tired and dejected man.
The Vandals squelched all hope of a late-season SNK charge to the playoffs, eliminating Kilgard's squad with a 21-18 on Saturday.
It was deemed necessary to switch fields before the game started when Kilgard discovered that there were hundreds of huge bees making their home on the Veterans Park infield (if anybody can identify that bee and offer any solutions on getting them to leave, please let Veto know). A quick call to Scott Ellefritz secured the Moline Sophomore Diamond, a former home to the VLB. When the players arrived at the diamond, however, an important discovery was made--they had removed the outfield fence. It was quickly decided by everyone that any ball that crossed the line where the fence should have stood in the air would be a home-run and any ball that rolled passed would be a ground-rule double.
The game was neck and neck with the Vandals leading most of the way until the bottom on the seventh scored seven runs thanks to a pair of home-runs by Ryan Barton in the inning, making the game 16-13.
The Crushers added 2 more in the eighth and the game looked all but over. In the ninth, however, in typical SNK Crusher fashion, the lead was surrendered. It started off with a couple of singles, and then the controversy started. Josh Traub hit a quickly sinking line drive which VLB rookie Eric Lindberg made a diving attempt at and missed. The ball rolled all the way out of the field past the fence line making it a ground rule double. Acting Vandals captain Josh Smith argued that because Traub was already nearly to second when the ball crossed the line and no Crusher was near it, it should be a triple and two runs should score. Against better judgment, possible due to the extreme heat, an argument ensued. The Vandals refused to back down from their argument, so Traub was eventually awarded third.
The Vandals went on to tie the game at 18, until more controversy occurred in the inning. With two outs and two runners on, a pop fly was hit to the back of the mound by Jesus Apodaca where the Crushers made no attempt at it thinking that it was the pitcher’s ball, and thus a dead ball. Once again it resulted in an argument that ended with Apodaca safely at first and the SNK Crushers playing the rest of the game in protest, which was later thrown out by league officials. Commissioner Matt Veto may have been quoted as saying “An umpires interpretation of a rule is not challengeable, therefore the challenge is overruled” (hmm...maybe--MV). The Vandals went on to win the game 21-18.
The Vandals were led by a balanced attack, receiving six hits from Josh Smith and Josh Traub, 7 hits, 5 runs, and 5 RBI from Scott Ellefritz, and eight hits from Ben Rankin. The Crushers were the benefactors of good games by rookie Eric Lindberg and Bob Zerull, who each had six hits and a monster game from Ryan Barton who was intentionally walked once, had 7 hits including 3 home-runs, 5 runs scored, and 8 RBI. Barton has now taken a three-home-run lead in the regular season home-run chase over Bob Zerull, who was homer-less in Saturday’s action.
Heat too much for players
Sunday’s action did not take place due to lack of players, which most attributed to the intense heat.
“If there are stats or anything, give me a call,” Scott Ellefritz exclaimed as he left disgusted at the poor turnout.
Thanks to Bob Zerull, Scott Ellefritz, Ryan Barton, Rowdy Frederiksen, Jeff Kilgard, and Rowdy’s and Barton’s friends for coming. We will play Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. at Veterans Park unless otherwise notified.
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