Heavy Metal Softball

Unfortunately, "October Bash" Not A Re-Hash Of Last Year....

First, I want to thank all of Heavy Metal Softball's current players for their effort, help, and cooperation during our second campaign to re-capture this championship, as eventful, yet unsuccessful, as it turned out to be. But we'll live and play another day. One man, as we all well know, does not make a team. But a team -- a "real" team -- does make each participant a man, figuratively-speaking, for all practical purposes. Here are the final tournament statistics for those who are interested, a short summary of each game's highlights, and an invitation to all Heavy Metal Softball enthusiasts to play maybe one more this year....

"October Bash" Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record: 2-2 (fourth consecutive time making playoffs)

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Roy Aguayo -- 2 for 8; .250 BA; 15 points.
Donny Aguiar -- 6 for 13; .462 BA; 17 points.
Vern Amaro -- 6 for 12; .500 BA; 22 points.
Rich Avery -- 6 for 9; .667 BA; 25 points.
Wes Avery -- 7 for 13; .538 BA; 32 points.
Kurt Chambers -- 5 for 12; .417 BA; 22 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 6 for 11; .545 BA; 26 points.
Lee Garcia -- 4 for 8; .500 BA; 12 points.
Adam Goltz -- 4 for 10; .400 BA; 15 points.
Gene Hitt -- 5 for 11; .455 BA; 21 points.
Art Tabacco -- 8 for 13; .615 BA; 29 points.
Nelson Vieira -- 4 for 9; .444 BA; 32 points.

Tournament MVP: Wes Avery (32 points; .538 BA -- tiebreaker used)

Manager's Award (new!): Nelson Vieira (32 points; .444 BA) and Art Tabacco (8 for 13; 7 singles; 1 triple; 5 RBIs; 5 runs; .615 BA; many well-played defensive stops; 29 points. Because we use offensive points only as the criteria for tournament MVP, I will continually honor our agreed-upon selection process. But if we could cast a ballot for the player who contributed the most of himself this tournament, then your balance of steady offense, determined defense, and balanced team attitude, Art, would have received my vote. You remained mostly low-key and anonymous throughout this event -- and don't misunderstand me, that's good. Keep up the steady progress, O' Superstitious One!)

Tournament Team Batting Average: .508 (64 for 126; higher than our championship tournament, but we only averaged 11.5 runs/game this time compared to 16.4 runs/game last year.)

Game 1 Highlights: Won 18-14 against "Traviosos". This is always a key game and eventually turned out to be a great motivator for the next game. This was a good-hitting, decent-playing opponent. We learned that we need to smack the ball early and often or risk getting smacked back in return. Judging by the score of our second game, I liked the way we returned fire in this close win. Players of note were Wes Avery, who went 3 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, .750 BA, 15 points; Frank Fletcher, who went 3 for 5, with 1 single, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, .600 BA, 15 points; and Art Tabacco, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, .500 BA, 13 points. Also, I'd really like to thank Donny Aguiar for his willing (and successful) fill-in job at pitcher -- thanks, buddy! You know not everyone wants to readily take on that position. I'm sure everyone will agree with and support my personal appreciation. But I wouldn't let on too much with, "Yeah, I've pitched a little..."!!!

Game 2 Highlights: Won 14-4 (run-rule) against "It's All Good". This game should have (but, alas, did not) defined our strategic attitude for the remainder of the day -- get a variety of hits from everyone involved, play solid infield/outfield defense, keep our collective feet on the backs of our opponents until the last out, stay hungry and together, and end it very early, with little or no casualties (besides aching old body parts!) We came together well as a team during this game. Players of note were Nelson Vieira, who went 1 for 2, with 1 sacrifice, 1 double, 3 RBIs, 1 run, .500 BA, 11 points; Lee Garcia, who went 2 for 3, with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .667 BA, 10 points; Donny Aguiar, who went 3 for 3, with 3 singles, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 9 points; and Rich Avery, who went 2 for 3, with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .667 BA, 9 points.

Game 3 Highlights: Lost 18-8 (run-rule) against "Bleacher Bums". For some reason, our bats went sort of silent this game. We hit, but we were more like "Lighweight Metal" than "Heavy Metal". Mostly singles, with Rich providing 2 of the 3 extra-base hits. Possibly, we were getting a little lethargic after a game wait and a lot of energy expended during the previous game -- who knows. Our opponents hit very well, going for the big hits, which hurt us often. Nevertheless, we made the playoffs. But then again, maybe some of us were already looking ahead and forgetting about the game in front of them. This can be sometimes dangerous psychologically -- I personally believe it always is. The mental aspect of sport is so crucial for keeping up momentum. Using hindsight, this game was the beginning of the end for us. We should have come out confident, but we didn't show it. Players of note were Rich Avery, who went 2 for 3, with 1 double, 1 triple, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, .667 BA, 14 points; and Wes Avery, who went 2 for 3, with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run, .667 BA, 7 points.      

Game 4 Highlights (playoff game): Lost 16-6 (run-rule) against "Total Kaos". Should have been our name during this contest, though it wasn't really contested at all. I cannot put my finger on what was exactly going on, but it wasn't about the game being played. Very disappointed with some of the things I witnessed. Several players I talked to were emotionally affected, as well as myself, though I tried hard not to let on -- unsuccessfully, I might add. If it happens again, I'll definitely address it. For now, it's best that we just forget about this game and move on. But a playoff game?! Talk about ill timing! My philosophy of "Let it flow, then let it go" was severely tested for hours afterward and through the remainder of the weekend. Lee Garcia, however, was very inspirational -- you can always play on my team, good buddy! Players of note were Nelson Vieira, who went 2 for 3, with 1 single, 1 towering HR, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .667 BA, 11 points; Kurt Chambers, who went 1 for 3, with 1 triple, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .333 BA, 9 points; Art Tabacco, who went 3 for 3, with 3 singles, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 7 points; and Wes Avery, who went 1 for 3, with 1 single, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .333 BA, 7 points.         

Comments: Overall, I was mostly pleased with Heavy Metal's performance, especially our ability to score in bunches through the first two games. Consistent scoring every inning will continue to be the emphasis, as always, in future tournaments, as well as developing speed in the outfield and making the plays needed in the infield. But more important than all of these is the gauge, or measuring stick, of our attitude, composure, growth, and individual patience with me, your manager. When things are going good, nothing is really said or acted out negatively, at least not in open conversation. But when things start taking a somewhat downhill slide, however, the softball pundits and offensive/defensive decision nay-sayers begin to immediately come out of the woodwork, or, shall I say, dugout -- everyone knows who they are. All I can say is for everyone to work diligently to keep a consistent positive attitude flowing throughout our endeavors together. Or -- dare I say more -- let me know directly of your newly-changed perspective and flagging personal resolve to help out our team. I'll never hold it against you if Heavy Metal Softball's future continues without you. All I know is that I continue to love to play softball -- or most any sport, for that matter. At my age, it still is as strong as ever and even more important to me. And what better way to do it than playing with friends. Please, don't ever mistake this admission for a "soft" outlook on my part. My passion is real and strong in all things I do. It's just more understanding now, several years removed from a very enlightening truck accident that could have possibly taken my life, as well as my wife's. Life's too short to spend on petty things -- I try to constantly look at the bigger picture that spreads so much wider and taller from behind my own individual photograph....