News and Announcements
MVP Ballot Results for Visalia's Spring 2008 Men's D-Blue League
Finally, here are the results, in short summary, of the MVP balloting that took place recently in which most of you participated. A special thanks to everyone who voted by replying to my repeated e-mail messages (remember, tournament MVPs will still be selected using our time-honored offensive points system). Thirteen Heavy Metal Softball regular members were eligible to vote this time, having participated in the Visalia City, Thursday Night, spring 2008 league. In order of highest cumulative point total, with adjoining number of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place votes, here is this league's MVP and the rest of the worthy contenders:
League MVP: Steve Stafford (24 total points -- 4 first place votes, 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote. Great offensive effort!)
1st Runner-Up: Mike Lujan (21 total points -- 2 first place votes, 3 second place votes, 2 third place votes. Your effort is always really appreciated!)
2nd Runner-Up: Donny Aguiar, Frank Fletcher (12 total points, tie -- Donny: 1 first place vote, 2 second place votes, 1 third place vote; Frank: 1 first place vote, 2 second place votes, 1 third place vote. Good job, guys!)
3rd Runner-Up: Wes Avery (8 total points -- 1 first place vote, 3 third place votes. Take a bow!)
4th Runner-Up: Cruz Onsurez (5 total points -- 1 first place vote. Somebody loves you!)
5th Runner-Up: Vern Amaro (4 total points -- 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote. Must be Feeling Sorry for Old Managers Day! To the two people who voted for me -- thanks!)
6th Runner-Up: Gene Hitt (3 total points -- 1 second place vote. Always showing how the veterans do it!)
7th Runner-Up: Lee Garcia (1 total point -- 1 third place vote. Let's hear it for the Heavy Metal old guard!)
In the interest of integrity and not wanting to violate any trust, I kept meticulous records of all the oral and online ballots that I received from the 10 regular members who decided to vote. As it turned out, this was a rather easy league MVP race to keep track of. Johnny Lopez, Cruz Onsurez, and Matt Soares were asked to vote, but for reasons of their own -- whether technical or philosophical -- all three did not choose to do so this time around. Once again, let these words be of warning: Rule #1 -- If a player decides not to participate in the balloting to determine our league MVP, he will remain unqualified to receive this honor, despite perhaps receiving the most cumulative points (the honor will be bestowed upon the next eligible player in line). This rule has been instituted to enforce fairness with the outcome of the voting -- in other words, as you give, so shall you receive. Two other rules also affect a player's MVP eligibility: Rule #2 -- At least half the games of a league/tournament must be played; and Rule #3 -- The agreed-upon league/tournament participation fee must be paid. I'm sure everyone can see the need for such rules. I, myself, voted for who I thought were three deserving men. Because I am the ballot collector and, also, because the results could possibly hinge upon my final selections, I always believe it is wise to make clear my own personal choices for MVP, hopefully without offending any of my other close friends on the team, who already know that only three choices can be given. My votes, in order, were: Mike Lujan (1st place vote); Donny Aguiar (2nd place vote); and Wes Avery (3rd place vote). I will not give any specific reasons for my choices (none of us have to), but I will say that I really appreciated these men for the contributions they made during this league. In all actuality, everyone on this team is deemed valuable, both on and off the field. I hope all of you will understand this personal feeling of mine, and why I have such a difficult time revealing my selections. But I feel I must. No other selections from specific team members will be revealed unless one of you is curious and wants to inquire, in which case, I'll gladly let you know. And, once again, to the two people who gave me consideration this time around, once more, a sincere thanks to you.
And that's another league MVP wrap for now, folks....
Congratulations to Steve Stafford -- Heavy Metal's Newest League MVP!!!
After the Visalia Spring 2008 league campaign, Steve Stafford made it a repeat to the upper echelon of Heavy Metal elite by capturing his second league MVP award. In the near future, he will be presented with the coveted Heavy Metal Softball league MVP Circle of Honor plaque by team manager, Vern Amaro. MVP! MVP! MVP! -- you deserve it, my friend!
Spring 2008 End-of-Season Categorical Leaders -- Thursday Men's D-Blue
At the end of each league season, some recognition is always given to those individuals who contributed to the team in some way. The following categories -- most real, some intended for a few laughs -- are mostly from the offensive part of softball; some are just plain offensive! (Have a little sense of humor, guys! Don't get defensive. Get it -- defensive! Oh, never mind....) So, for what it's worth, here we go:
Visalia City League, Thursday Night, spring 2008
6-4 record: No team award; MVP selected by team ballot vote
Offensive Categories --
Most Plate Appearances: Mike Lujan (40)
Most At-Bats: Vern Amaro, Mike Lujan (tie, 39)
Most Runs: Wes Avery (20)
Most Singles: Mike Lujan (24)
Most Doubles: Frank Fletcher, Steve Stafford (tie, 2)
Most Triples: Frank Fletcher (2)
Most Home Runs: Steve Stafford (6)
Most RBIs: Frank Fletcher (19)
Most Walks: Wes Avery (2)
Most Sacrifices: Wes Avery, Gene Hitt (tie, 3)
Highest On-Base Percentage: Mike Lujan (.650)
Highest Slugging Percentage: Steve Stafford (1.114)
Highest Batting Average: Mike Lujan (.641)
Most Hits: Mike Lujan (25)
Most Single-Game Points: Steve Stafford (30)
Most Offensive Points: Steve Stafford (103)
Defensive Categories -- (Sorry, but no defensive stats were kept this league)
All of which leads to, if the above stats were used primarily in making our choices...
Most Valuable Player (Visalia City League, Men's D-Blue, spring 2008): Steve Stafford (24 total points; by team ballot vote)
And for our special categories...
Most Non-Appearances (regular members): Matt Soares (6) (Where In The World Is Matt Lauer...er...Soares! is a new Thursday evening sports segment showing primarily at Plaza Park! Just kidding, of course, big guy! Lee Garcia was a close second (5), while Nelson Vieira took third (3). Some others also were considered, even though their physical bodies actually made it to the games!)
Perfect Attendance (regular members): Donny Aguiar, Vern Amaro, Rich Avery, Wes Avery, Frank Fletcher, Mike Lujan, and Cruz Onsurez (All 10 games; gold stars to everyone!)
Most Memorable Performance: In our seventh game of the league season, we played a team that goes by the name Do Work -- unfortunately for our opponent, it was our own Steve Stafford who went to it! On this night, Steve went 3 for 5, with all three hits being home runs, accounting for 6 RBIs, plus scoring 3 runs himself. His individual offensive output was 30 points, almost one-third of his entire league total! Like I've been saying lately, big green guy, stay angry! Remember, keep that familiar mantra in mind for future games: Hulk smash!
Greatest Increase in Batting Average from Last League (summer 2007; minimum 5 games): Rich Avery (+.171, from .370 to .541) (Wes Avery came in second with a +.075 increase -- good job, buddy!)
Biggest "Plunge" in Batting Average from Last League (summer 2007; minimum 5 games): Steve Stafford (-.102, from .645 to .543) (Donny Aguiar came in second with a -.052 decrease; Gene Hitt was third with a -.036 decrease.)
Best Player Quote: "Coach, you've been neglecting my skills for too long...." (attributed to Wes Avery after winning his first Heavy Metal game as a starting pitcher -- although it was his second consecutive game overall!)
Best Acting Performance by a Player/Manager: Drum roll, please...Vern Amaro!!! (10th time in a row! A ten-peat! Incredible! Can this person run the career table! This is for impersonating, once again, the second baseman -- and spokesperson -- of a pretty darn-good softball team! By the way, were there any other eligible candidates on the team?)
100 Points Plus Club: Vern Amaro (1994 T.C.L. 130 pts./1999 T.C.L. 109 pts./2001 T.C.L. 103 pts./2002 T.C.L. 140 pts./2003 T.C.L. 106 pts./2004 T.C.L. 110 pts./2005 T.C.L. 103 pts.); Rich Avery (2000 T.C.L. 129 pts./2004 V.C.L. 102 pts.); Wes Avery (2005 T.C.L. 129 pts.); Matt Beltran (1999 T.C.L. 104 pts.); Gordon Caudle (2000 T.C.L. 120 pts.); Kurt Chambers (2004 T.C.L. 100 pts.); Frank Fletcher (1994 T.C.L. 115 pts./1999 T.C.L. 169 pts.*/2000 T.C.L. 134 pts./2002 T.C.L. 146 pts./2003 T.C.L. 113 pts./2004 T.C.L. 111 pts./2004 V.C.L. 112 pts./2005 T.C.L. 134 pts./2005 V.C.L. 109 pts./2006 V.C.L. 111 pts./2007 V.C.L. 105 pts./2008 V.C.L. 102 pts.); Gene Hitt (1994 T.C.L. 108 pts./2000 T.C.L. 138 pts./2002 T.C.L. 121 pts./2005 T.C.L. 100 pts./2005 V.C.L. 106 pts.); Mike Lujan (2005 V.C.L. 101 pts./2006 V.C.L. 113 pts.); Rene Regalado (1999 T.C.L. 109 pts./2000 T.C.L. 120 pts.); John Souza (1994 T.C.L. 122 pts.); Steve Stafford (2006 V.C.L. 106 pts./2007 V.C.L. 100 pts./2008 V.C.L. 103 pts.); Art Tabacco (2005 V.C.L. 116 pts.); Nelson Vieira (2002 T.C.L. 114 pts./2004 T.C.L. 112 pts./2006 T.C.L. 114 pts.)
*[record for highest league total]
Heavy Metal Softball rocks! And I'm not joking here. You've been a great bunch of guys to play side-by-side with, men! All kidding aside, I was really proud of our efforts, most especially the consistent team attitude displayed. I tip my cap off to all of you, as I know some of you come to play despite conflicting personal schedules, various aches and pains, balancing family and friends, and putting up with my managerial decisions. And so, in the meantime...keep rockin', guys -- and stay healthy for our next campaign!
Heavy Metal Writes Same Sad Story in 21st Annual Budweiser Extravaganza!
First, as always, I want to thank all of the players who represented Heavy Metal Softball this weekend for their effort, help, and cooperation in making our fourth tournament of the year a somewhat successful effort -- in the sense that we were very competitive against some roughly comparable teams. Here are some final tournament statistics for those who actually visit our website and are truly interested in such things. I would like to state here again that unlike previous seasons a couple of years ago -- when I published an extensive summary of each tournament regardless of the outcome -- I will only do so if we achieve playoff status or have a winning record, with just a bare-bones tournament rundown for those events of little distinction. So, without further adieu, I present some facts from this particular contest:
21st Annual Budweiser Extravaganza Tournament Summary --
Tournament Record: 0-3 (tough losses!)
1st game: Lost 11-14 vs. Foul Play
2nd game: Lost 9-12 vs. Bad Boyz
3rd game: Lost 8-13 vs. Down & Dirty
Team Statistics (alphabetically):
Donny Aguiar -- 6 for 9; .667 BA; 20 points.
Vern Amaro -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 6 points.
Rich Avery -- 3 for 9; .333 BA; 5 points.
Wes Avery -- 5 for 8; .625 BA; 15 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 12 points.
Lee Garcia -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 6 points.
Gene Hitt -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 10 points.
Paul Lawrence -- 7 for 11; .636 BA; 24 points.
Johnny Lopez -- 2 for 8; .250 BA; 4 points.
Mike Lujan -- 5 for 8; .625 BA; 16 points.
Cruz Onsurez -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 4 points.
Joaquin Perez -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 28 points.
Bryan Phillips -- 3 for 9; .333 BA; 7 points.
Team Batting Average: .414 (48 for 116; we averaged 9.3 runs/game for the whole tournament. Of course, we need a much higher team batting average to get over the top in any future tournament games. As for our team defense this time around...well, I think everyone would agree that this aspect of our game needs a whole lot more improvement....)
Tournament MVP: Joaquin Perez (28 points -- Sizzlin' Stick award for the third straight time!)
Manager's Award: I would like to take this time now to recognize a few other players who shined just as brightly this weekend with their contributions to the team: Donny Aguiar, Wes Avery, Paul Lawrence, and Mike Lujan. Their stats above speak for themselves, but their overall effort throughout the tournament is what I noticed most and appreciated greatly -- here's a "hats-off" to all four of you!
2008 Season Statistics (alphabetically; all players):
Donny Aguiar -- 11 for 16; .688 BA; 39 points (2 tournaments)
Vern Amaro -- 13 for 30; .433 BA; 23 points (4 tournaments)
Rich Avery -- 7 for 19; .368 BA; 22 points (3 tournaments)
Wes Avery -- 10 for 23; .435 BA; 38 points (3 tournaments)
Frank Fletcher -- 10 for 22; .455 BA; 34 points (3 tournaments)
Aaron Dawes -- 2 for 7; 286 BA; 15 points (1 tournament)
Lee Garcia -- 14 for 26; .538 BA; 47 points (4 tournaments)
Gene Hitt -- 11 for 28; .393 BA; 34 points (4 tournaments)
Paul Lawrence -- 17 for 32; .531 BA; 74 points (4 tournaments)
Johnny Lopez -- 4 for 20; .200 BA; 14 points (3 tournaments)
Mike Lujan -- 15 for 29; .517 BA; 42 points (4 tournaments)
Cruz Onsurez -- 7 for 23; .304 BA; 19 points (4 tournaments)
Joaquin Perez -- 14 for 33; .424 BA; 82 points (4 tournaments)
Bryan Phillips -- 3 for 9; .333 BA; 7 points (1 tournament)
Matt Soares -- 0 for 9; .000 BA; 1 point (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 7 for 13; .538 BA; 42 points (2 tournaments)
Art Tabacco -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)
Nelson Vieira -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 17 points (2 tournaments)
Year-End Award Progress: Donny Aguiar is still leading the race for the Batting Champions: Metal Men perpetual award bat, based on his two-tournament batting average of .688 -- but Lee Garcia and Steve Stafford are a distant tie for second during the 2008 tournament tour with batting averages of .538 (Paul Lawrence has moved up to third with a four-tournament batting average of .531). Please remember -- just in case everyone forgets -- a player must have played in a minimum of 5 tournaments to earn this recognition, which is something to think about when I ask everyone next time if they want to play some more ball in an upcoming tournament...!
And, once again, that's all, folks!!!
Heavy Metal Saves The Best For Last In The Team Clutch Softball Tournament!
First, as always, I want to thank all of the players who represented Heavy Metal Softball this weekend for their effort, help, and cooperation in making our third tournament of the year a somewhat successful effort -- in the sense that we were very competitive against some roughly comparable teams. Here are some final tournament statistics for those who actually visit our website and are truly interested in such things. I would like to state here again that unlike previous seasons a couple of years ago -- when I published an extensive summary of each tournament regardless of the outcome -- I will only do so if we achieve playoff status or have a winning record, with just a bare-bones tournament rundown for those events of little distinction. So, without further adieu, I present some facts from this particular contest:
Team Clutch Softball Tournament Summary --
Tournament Record: 1-2 (the ice is broken!)
1st game: Lost 3-13 vs. Youngbloods
2nd game: Lost 2-14 vs. Slow Motion
3rd game: Won 29-18 vs. 2nd II None (frustration release!)
Team Statistics (alphabetically):
Donny Aguiar -- 5 for 7; .714 BA; 19 points.
Vern Amaro -- 4 for 7; .571 BA; 6 points.
Aaron Dawes -- 2 for 7; .286 BA; 15 points.
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 5; .600 BA; 22 points.
Gene Hitt -- 5 for 7; .714 BA; 18 points.
Paul Lawrence -- 6 for 8; .750 BA; 27 points.
Johnny Lopez -- 1 for 5; .200 BA; 8 points.
Mike Lujan -- 3 for 8; .375 BA; 11 points.
Cruz Onsurez -- 3 for 5; .600 BA; 11 points.
Joaquin Perez -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 28 points.
Steve Stafford -- 3 for 8; .375 BA; 28 points.
Nelson Vieira -- 1 for 6; .167 BA; 8 points.
Team Batting Average: .488 (40 for 82; we averaged 11.3 runs/game for the whole tournament. Of course, most of this production came in the last game...!)
Tournament MVP: Joaquin Perez (28 points [.444 BA] -- "Sizzlin' Stick" award!)
Manager's Award: I would like to take this time now to recognize a few other players who shined just as brightly this weekend with their contributions to the team: Donny Aguiar, Lee Garcia, Gene Hitt, Paul Lawrence, and Steve Stafford. Their stats above speak for themselves, but their overall effort throughout the tournament is what I noticed most and appreciated greatly -- here's a "hats-off" to all five of you!
2008 Season Statistics (alphabetically; all players):
Donny Aguiar -- 5 for 7; .714 BA; 19 points (1 tournament)
Vern Amaro -- 11 for 21; .524 BA; 17 points (3 tournaments)
Rich Avery -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 17 points (2 tournaments)
Wes Avery -- 5 for 15; .333 BA; 23 points (2 tournaments)
Frank Fletcher -- 6 for 13; .462 BA; 22 points (2 tournaments)
Aaron Dawes -- 2 for 7; 286 BA; 15 points (1 tournament)
Lee Garcia -- 12 for 17; .706 BA; 41 points (3 tournaments)
Gene Hitt -- 7 for 19; .368 BA; 24 points (3 tournaments)
Paul Lawrence -- 10 for 21; .476 BA; 50 points (3 tournaments)
Johnny Lopez -- 2 for 12; .167 BA; 10 points (2 tournaments)
Mike Lujan -- 10 for 21; .476 BA; 26 points (3 tournaments)
Cruz Onsurez -- 5 for 14; .357 BA; 15 points (3 tournaments)
Joaquin Perez -- 10 for 24; .417 BA; 54 points (3 tournaments)
Matt Soares -- 0 for 9; .000 BA; 1 point (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 7 for 13; .538 BA; 42 points (2 tournaments)
Art Tabacco -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)
Nelson Vieira -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 17 points (2 tournaments)
Year-End Award Progress: Donny Aguiar has now taken over the race for the "Batting Champions: Metal Men" perpetual award bat, based on his single tournament batting average of .714 -- but Lee Garcia is close behind during the 2008 tournament tour with his three-tournament batting average of .706 (Steve Stafford has dropped to third with a two-tournament batting average of .538). Please remember -- just in case everyone forgets -- a player must have played in a minimum of 5 tournaments to earn this recognition, which is something to think about when I ask everyone next time if they want to play some more ball in an upcoming tournament...!
And, once again, that's all, folks!!!
Seasons
Sponsors
