Sometimes, the beauty of a game can be lost behind the harsh appearance found in nine innings of scrapping and grinding it out. In a game that would decide who would hold first place here in the late season, there was no shortage of raw effort on the field of battle. Quickly forgetting that nothing was actually at stake, players propelled themselves headlong into the prolonged conflict of a baseball game.
Holding runners and catching them stealing are difficult tasks and it is an area that both teams have struggled in throughout the year, but recently, there has been a spike in these categories due to the strong arms of quick, hard working catchers and the persistence of pitchers in their goal to reduce the size of leads on the base pads.
Watching a batter foul away pitch after pitch, running counts full of balls and strikes, and the pitcher extending the at-bat with constant pick-off attempts can be confusing and tedious to some easily distracted spectators, but for others more focused on the gritty texture of the game, the menu of twists and turns has provided an intense, leathery flavor worthy of quiet contemplation or loud exuberance.
It has been a season full of action and effort, fun and recreation, and steady improvement among all players. As we learn this game together, not a single second goes by that isn’t filled with valuable memories and priceless lessons. Although we may not show it, I know that this brotherhood is very important to all of us. Thank you.
Next season, it seems there may be expansion and change due to the overwhelming interest in joining the fun we have discovered at Kenny Jones Field. Starting in the early spring, next season will be germinating in the minds of many of us and hopefully everyone interested in organizing the league will be able to meet around a table and create a healthy schedule of games for us all to participate in every week.
Jesse Engaard
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