Heavy Metal Softball

Close Losses -- Plus Bad Call -- Spell 0-5 Start So Far This Tournament Season...! 

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 second 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:

Bud Light Cinco de Mayo Spectacular Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record:  0-3 (could easily have been 3-0!)
                                1st game:  Lost 6-9 vs. Total Kaos
                                2nd game:  Lost 5-6 vs. #1 Stunnaz
                                3rd game:  Lost 6-7 vs. Bandits

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Vern Amaro -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 8 points.
Rich Avery -- 4 for 6; .667 BA; 13 points.
Wes Avery -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 12 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 14 points.
Lee Garcia -- 6 for 8; .750 BA; 11 points.
Gene Hitt -- 1 for 8; .125 BA; 1 point.
Paul Lawrence -- 4 for 8; .500 BA; 16 points.
Johnny Lopez -- 1 for 7; .143 BA; 2 points.
Mike Lujan -- 4 for 7; .571 BA; 10 points.
Cruz Onsurez -- 2 for 8; .250 BA; 4 points.
Joaquin Perez -- 5 for 11; .455 BA; 23 points.
Matt Soares -- 0 for 9; .000 BA; 1 point.

Team Batting Average:  .370 (37 for 100; we averaged 5.6 runs/game for the whole tournament.  We need to definitely improve our team batting average, as this current one -- plus our run production -- won't win games, much less tournaments....)

Tournament MVP:  Joaquin Perez (23 points -- "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:  Lee Garcia, Rich Avery, Paul Lawrence, and Mike Lujan. Their stats above speak for themselves, but their consistency 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 -- 0 for 0; .000 BA; 0 points (0 tournaments)
Vern Amaro -- 7 for 14; .500 BA; 11 points (2 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)
Lee Garcia -- 9 for 12; .750 BA; 19 points (2 tournaments)
Gene Hitt -- 2 for 12; .167 BA; 6 points (2 tournaments)
Paul Lawrence -- 4 for 13; .308 BA; 23 points (2 tournaments)
Johnny Lopez -- 1 for 7; .143 BA; 2 points (1 tournament)
Mike Lujan -- 7 for 13; .538 BA; 15 points (2 tournaments)
Cruz Onsurez -- 2 for 9; .222 BA; 4 points (2 tournaments)
Joaquin Perez -- 6 for 15; .400 BA; 26 points (2 tournaments)
Matt Soares -- 0 for 9; .000 BA; 1 point (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 4 for 5; .800 BA; 14 points (1 tournament)
Art Tabacco -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)
Nelson Vieira -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)

Year-End Award Progress:  Steve Stafford still leads the race for the "Batting Champions: Metal Men" perpetual award bat, based on his single tournament batting average of .800 -- but Lee Garcia is close behind during the 2008 tournament tour with his two-tournament batting average of .750 (Nelson Vieira also has a single tournament batting average of .750). 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!!!

Early Losses Spell Hasty Tournament Exit -- Play Two And BBQ!

First, I want to thank all of the players who represented Heavy Metal Softball this weekend for their effort, help, and cooperation in making our first tournament of the year a somewhat successful effort -- in the sense that we were very competitive against some worthy teams.  Here are some final tournament statistics for those who actually visit our website and are truly interested in such things.  Unlike in the past, when I published an extensive summary of each tournament regardless of the outcome, I will reiterate here again that 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:

Bash-4-Cash Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record:  0-2 (oh, no, not again!)
                                1st game:  Lost 13-14 vs. Total Kaos
                                2nd game:  Lost 3-20 vs. Bang Brothers

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Vern Amaro -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 3 points.
Rich Avery -- 0 for 4; .000 BA; 4 points.
Wes Avery -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 11 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 2 for 4; .500 BA; 8 points.
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 11 points.
Gene Hitt -- 1 for 4; .250 BA; 5 points.
Paul Lawrence -- 0 for 5; .000 BA; 7 points.
Mike Lujan -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 5 points.
Cruz Onsurez -- 0 for 1; .000 BA; 0 points.
Joaquin Perez -- 1 for 4; .250 BA; 3 points.
Steve Stafford -- 4 for 5; .800 BA; 14 points.
Art Tabacco -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 9 points.
Nelson Vieira -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 9 points.

Team Batting Average:  .456 (26 for 57; we averaged 8 runs/game for the whole tournament.  We need to improve our team batting average, as this current one won't win tournaments....)

Tournament MVP:  Steve Stafford (14 points -- "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:  Lee Garcia, Nelson Vieira, Wes Avery, and Art Tabacco. Their stats above speak for themselves, but their consistency 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 -- 0 for 0; .000 BA; 0 points (0 tournaments)
Vern Amaro -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 3 points (1 tournament)
Rich Avery -- 0 for 4; .000 BA; 4 points (1 tournament)
Wes Avery -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 11 points (1 tournament)
Frank Fletcher -- 2 for 4; .500 BA; 8 points (1 tournament)
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 11 points (1 tournament)
Gene Hitt -- 1 for 4; .250 BA; 5 points (1 tournament)
Paul Lawrence -- 0 for 5; .000 BA; 7 points (1 tournament)
Mike Lujan -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 5 points (1 tournament)
Cruz Onsurez -- 0 for 1; .000 BA; 0 points (1 tournament)
Joaquin Perez -- 1 for 4; .250 BA; 3 points (1 tournament)
Steve Stafford -- 4 for 5; .800 BA; 14 points (1 tournament)
Art Tabacco -- 3 for 6; .500 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)
Nelson Vieira -- 3 for 4; .750 BA; 9 points (1 tournament)

Year-End Award Progress:  Right out the gate, Steve Stafford initially leads the race for the "Batting Champions: Metal Men" perpetual award bat, based on his current batting average of .800. But remember, a player must have played in a minimum of 5 tournaments to earn this recognition -- something to think about when I ask everyone next time if they want to play some more ball in an upcoming tournament...!  

And that's all, folks!!!

Our Team's Highest Award Couldn't Have Gone To A More Deserving Guy!!!

After the Visalia Summer 2007 league campaign, Steve Stafford finally made it to the upper echelon of Heavy Metal elite by capturing his first league MVP award. In the near future, he will be presented with the coveted Heavy Metal Softball "Circle of Honor" MVP plaque by team manager, Vern Amaro. MVP! MVP! MVP! -- you deserve it, my friend!

 

Congratulations, Paul Lawrence, for officially winning the 2007 season race for the "Batting Champions: Metal Men" perpetual award bat, based on your final tournament batting average of .627 over 6 tournaments!  Your name will be the first to be engraved upon this inaugural award -- great job, buddy!  Other eligible players were, in the order of their final batting averages:  Vern Amaro, .563; Wes Avery, .500; Mike Lujan, .486; Gene Hitt, .451; Donny Aguiar, .450; Steve Stafford, .426; Lee Garcia, .370; Rich Avery, .357; and Dennis Ellorin, .135 -- good job, guys!

Let's see who sets the tone this year in vying for the 2008 season crown...!

Gentlemen (And Ladies!), The Winner Is...!!!

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). Sixteen Heavy Metal Softball regular members were eligible to vote this time, having participated in the Visalia City, Thursday Night, summer 2007 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 (34 total points -- 6 first place votes, 1 second place vote, 1 third place vote. Great offensive/defensive effort!)

1st Runner-Up: Mike Lujan (20 total points -- 1 first place vote, 5 second place votes. Your effort is always really appreciated!)

2nd Runner-Up: Donny Aguiar (11 total points -- 2 first place votes, 1 third place vote. Your all-around team effort and attitude always puts you in contention, good buddy!)

3rd Runner-Up: Bill Thrasher (6 total points -- 1 second place vote, 3 third place votes. Take a bow!)

4th Runner-Up: Joaquin Perez, Wes Avery, Frank Fletcher (5 total points, tie -- Joaquin: 1 second place vote, 2 third place votes; Wes: 1 first place vote; Frank: 1 first place vote. Good job, guys!)

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: Rich Avery (3 total points -- 1 second place vote. Always showing how the veterans do it!)

7th Runner-Up: Gene Hitt, Lee Garcia (1 total point, tie -- Both, obviously, had 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 11 regular members who decided to vote. As it turned out, this was a rather easy league MVP race to keep track of. Rich Avery, Wes Avery, Joaquin Perez, and Dennis Ellorin were asked to vote, but for reasons of their own -- whether technical or philosophical -- all four did not choose to do so this time around. Aaron Dawes -- who helped fill in one game (thanks, buddy!) -- was also technically eligible to receive MVP votes and have them posted, but he was not asked to vote because of also not complying with the eligibility rules. 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: Steve Stafford (1st place vote); Mike Lujan (2nd place vote); and Bill Thrasher (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....