The VLB

Mother’s Day madness at Douglas Park

Posted on 11 May 2009

By Matt Veto

Jason Nunn proved who wears the pants in his family. (At least, that’s what he’d like to believe).

No, in reality, first-year mothers Sarah Nunn, Lindsay Zerull and all of the mothers that allowed their Veto-League-Baseball-playing significants to enjoy a portion of Mother’s Day on the diamond are truly the most benevolent bunch — and your significants are thankful for your sacrifice.

Despite the holiday, the VLB drew 18 players for game one of a Sunday doubleheader at Douglas Park and held on with 13 players in game two. Saturday saw another 20-plus draw despite the late decision to stay away from Ridgewood Park.

Late-Friday rains proved troublesome, as did a long grass infield. It force a return to the west-end ball diamond, which saw inflated offensive numbers, not coincidentally due to the all-dirt infield.

Saturday, May 9: Talons 17, Meteors 8 (7); Shockers 9, Gremlins 7 (7)

Bob Zerull is kind of good.

The Veto League slugger continues to clobber the baseball as he turned in a nine-RBI effort on six hits, three doubles and a home run in two victories — one with Scott Ellefritz’s Talons, 17-8 over Matt Veto’s Meteors (0-3), and another with Adam Chard’s Shockers, 9-7 over the Ryan Barton-led Gremlins (1-1).

In game one, Ellefritz received a trio of three-hit efforts from his 1-2-3 spots in the order. Jon Escajeda, Chard and Zerull added four extra-base hits to go along with those three safeties. Add Ellefritz to the four slot, and you have 12 of the 17 Talon runs scored.

Chard also had a six-hit afternoon.

The return of Andrew McCalley highlighted the Meteor lineup, as he led the way with three hits and a double. McCalley hadn’t played a VLB contest since 2004, spending the last four years working his way back from the VLB short-season affiliate in Nowhere, Ariz.

“It’s great to be back,” McCalley said. “I’ve been working in the cage every night, setting the pitching speed to 45 MPH and taking 40 or more hacks. I really think it helped me get my timing back.”

In game two, the Shockers cruised to a 7-2 lead after four innings. But as all that follow the VLB know, a lead of fewer than 19 runs is never safe. The Gremlins scored five runs over the fifth and sixth to keep things close, but the Shockers held on to give Chard his first victory as captain.

The VLB also added Cortez Jarrett to the league. Jarrett joined the VLB in true sandlot-style. Walking through the neighborhood, he spotted the gathering, and joined in. Adlonis Hopkins, Lorenzo Martin and Shawn Wynes each joined similarly in 2008.

Sunday, May 10:  Shockers 21, Mafia 18 (7); Goonies 27, Talons 10 (7)

The substitute second baseman made a return in a short-handed game two — the first need for the opponent-issued fielder this season. Mother’s Day plans kept numbers low for game two after enjoying an 18-player game one.

Still, there was enough help to put up 76 runs in two games.

Tom DeBroeck was back, and posted a fruitful 11-hit afternoon that featured nine-RBIs, a home run and a pair of doubles. Hot on DeBroeck’s trails in the hit category was Adam Gustafson who enjoyed a 10-for-15 day.

Among the game-one highlights was a three-double day from Josh Francque and a marathon 12-run bottom of the second that gave the Shockers (2-1) a 16-10 lead one inning after Howard Zimmerle’s Mafia (1-2) scored nine in the top half of the frame to take was was a 10-4 lead. The Shockers won 21-18, sub-captained by Nunn.

Jeff Kilgard was the sub-captain for the Talons (2-1) in game two. His debut was less than sweet, though, as Josh Paul’s Goonies (2-0) were relentless on offense. DeBroeck, Gustafson and Travis Swanson each had seven hits in the contest. Anthony Reese had six hits, adding a his first triple of the season that saw him pull up his drawers at each base, Man-Ram style.

A future Mother’s Day was almost sullied when Barton took a hot shot to the uncomfortable zone between the wickets. After working his way to his feet, Barton proclaimed, “It’s still there,” much to the delight of his wife Melissa.

Barton had a five-hit day for the Talons, as did Jarrett, who at one time shouted to his girlfriend, “How do you like that double, Fat Chop?” The nickname caused a stir, and after further thought, it was decided Jarrett may possibly take a reciprocally meaty nickname, “Prime Rib.”

The VLB also welcomed Ricky O’Conner. He had four hits in his VLB debut.