Heavy Metal Softball

First Tournament Of The Year Goes Well...

Hey, guys!

Considering the fact that several Heavy Metal Softball regulars were missing for one reason or the other, I thought that we accomplished more than one could hope for with a team that had unproven chemistry at the start and a minimal number of players -- making it to the playoff round. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves, because I know I sure did! I'd like to thank those members who usually play with Visalia's Heavy Metal team for helping keep our tournament hopes alive, and, especially, Rich Avery, for all the help he provided me in trying to put a strong team together. We did okay, didn't we, buddy! 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 regulars (and possible new ones!) to play some more this year....

"Crimson Tide's Summer Invasion" Tournament Summary --

Tournament Record: 2-3; made playoffs (lost first round)

Team Statistics (alphabetically):

Vern Amaro -- 13 for 21; .619 BA; 50 points.
Rich Avery -- 8 for 18; .444 BA; 40 points.
Wes Avery -- 11 for 20; .550 BA; 41 points.
Gordon Caudle -- 6 for 18; .333 BA; 20 points.
Kurt Chambers -- 9 for 17; .529 BA; 37 points.
Frank Fletcher -- 11 for 18; .611 BA; 61 points.
Lee Garcia -- 3 for 12; .250 BA; 15 points.
Gene Hitt -- 13 for 18; .722 BA; 83 points.
Eddie Sousa -- 6 for 16; .375 BA; 25 points.
Art Tabacco -- 9 for 18; .500 BA; 36 points.
Bryan Wooden -- 7 for 17; .412 BA; 28 points.

Tournament MVP: Gene Hitt (83 points; great hitting!)

Tournament Team Batting Average: .497 (96 for 193; needs to be better to have a chance of winning tournaments)

Game 1 Highlights: Lost 19-20. This is always a key game and was a good lesson about continual focus on producing runs each inning; we had control of the game with a great burst of offense at the beginning, especially the first inning, then lost it at the end. Players of note were Vern Amaro, who went 5 for 5, with 5 singles, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 3 bonus points (5 for 5), 16 points; Gene Hitt, who went 3 for 4, with 1 walk, 3 singles, 1 RBI, 4 runs, .750 BA, 14 points; and Kurt Chambers, who went 3 for 3, with 1 walk, 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 run, 1.000 BA, 11 points.

Game 2 Highlights: Won 13-11. Great response to the previous, though short-lived, disappointment. This is how good teams do it! Players of note were Gene Hitt, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 runs, .667 BA, 3 bonus points (grand slam), 23 points; Frank Fletcher, who went 3 for 3, with 1 walk, 2 singles, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 11 points; and Wes Avery, who went 3 for 4, with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .750 BA, 10 points.

Game 3 Highlights: Lost 11-18. Batting went anemic after a one game wait. The batting order, subsequently, was altered in preparation for our fourth game against The Outsiders, a duel between friends. Players of note were Gene Hitt, who went 4 for 4, with 2 singles, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 runs, 1.000 BA, 3 bonus points (4 for 4), 28 points (awesome game!); and Vern Amaro, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .750 BA, 9 points.

Game 4 Highlights: Won 21-14. Evened our record, got us into the playoffs, and even won some money and food for some of our players! Lots of scoring, friendly wagering, and good sportsmanship on both sides. This was the match we didn't want to lose, unless we could take some good-natured needling! Players of note were Frank Fletcher, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, .500 BA, 17 points; Gene Hitt, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, .667 BA, 14 points; Vern Amaro, who went 2 for 4, 2 singles, 3 RBIs, 3 runs, .500 BA, 14 points; Rich Avery, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, .500 BA, 11 points; and Wes Avery, who went 2 for 3, with 1 walk, 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, 2 runs, .667 BA, 10 points. Honorable mention goes to Lee Garcia, who, despite getting injured in this game, went 2 for 3, with 2 singles, 3 runs, .667 BA, 8 points. He must have really wanted payback for being surrounded by Outsiders the night before!

Game 5 Highlights (Playoff): Lost 9-14. The team was a little beat up, forcing us to play with only 10 players and improvise. The combination of hot sun, tired players, and a good-hitting opponent hurt us a little, though we were ahead 8-0 at the beginning (this lesson involving big runs in one inning by an opponent was repeated three times over the course of this tournament). Players of note were Frank Fletcher, who went 2 for 4, with 1 single, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 2 runs, .500 BA, 15 points; and Rich Avery, who went 3 for 4, with 3 singles, 2 RBIs, 1 run, .750 BA, 9 points. In comparison, it is safe to say that this was not our best game of the day, though our run-scoring in the previous four games helped tipped the balance for us to get in the playoffs.

Comments: Overall, I would say that I was very pleased with Heavy Metal's performance, especially our ability to score in bunches. Consistent scoring every inning will be the emphasis, as always, in future tournaments, as well as developing speed in the outfield and making the plays needed in the infield. I'm extending an invitation to Kurt, Art, and Bryan to play more with the tournament team in the future, perhaps join as regulars. I'm also asking current Heavy Metal Softball members to be prepared to play a few more tournaments in the weeks and months ahead, before this year's season ends after the fall. Also, I want to put together a league team for the fall season in Visalia. We'll see; more about that later. Check your e-mail, guys, and look for announcements and updates here at the website. Well done, men. See you all on a future field, in a distant dugout.

            

Something To Mark On Your Calendar!

Great job, men, at the Crimson Tide's Summer Invasion tournament that we played recently on Saturday, July 5th! I believe it's the start of great things to come, don't you? As of this moment, Heavy Metal Softball has but one other tournament tentatively ear-marked to play in that I want everyone to be made aware of -- "King of the County," to be played at Tulare's Prosperity Sports Park, Saturday-Sunday, October 4th & 5th. Sounds like something we would be proud to represent ourselves in! Please mark your calendars ahead of time, as I want to be able to have every player available. Also, I want to mention another item that goes along this same theme: Because there are players on our roster, including myself, that also play on Nelson Vieira's Bases-R-Wild Softball and Del Toledo's Alias Softball, with their 2003 schedules pretty much taking up the bulk of the Tulare/Visalia softball tournament season, I am proposing that when Heavy Metal Softball does decide to play in a tournament or two this season, we look to play in a town or city other than Tulare or Visalia. Places like Selma, Kingsburg, Corcoran, even Fresno. There are many tournaments listed every week if you read the events column of your newspaper's sports section, such as the Fresno Bee. I'd like to know what you guys think. That way we develop a distinct identity, a goal to shoot for -- in other words, "King of the Counties"! Toss this idea around, guys, and I'll get in contact with you in the near future to see what you think. How about it, Heavy Metal men? Let's cut the talkin' and let's get rockin'!      

Do Points Always Tell The Whole Story?...

Make some noise (and some choices), Heavy Metal!

Hey, guys, I don't know if all of you read the news items on the old websites (I hope you did, because, boy, I put a lot of work into this!), but long ago I had an "alert" message on the main one, now non-functional, that brought up the question, "Should the Heavy Metal league or season MVP be selected by points or by votes?" I can go whichever way, but since I manage the team in a democratic way, I'd like this to be decided by your opinions, the majority, of course, choosing a permanent, ongoing method that we will stay with from now on.

The reason I bring this up is because I believe that offensive statistics, though telling, don't always determine a player's value or contribution to the team. I remember long ago, when team trophies were given instead of individual shirts, Heavy Metal used to vote to give our MVP the trophy, usually first place. We still kept individual offensive points back then, but only for managerial decisions (thanks, Jerry Dean -- we're still using your same typewriter-written statistics sheets!). I recall Gene getting the highest number of ballot vote points our very first year, but not just for his bat. He made many over-the-shoulder/sliding-on-the-grass defensive plays that caught the team's attention, and, I believe, he won on that more so than anything else. Deservedly so, I might add. So, what do you think, guys?

This is how either way would go:

OFFENSIVE POINTS --

I plan on making some modifications (word-processor updating -- sorry, Jerry Dean!) to the current statistics sheet, now counting sacrifices and generally giving the sheet a new look. I'll listen to any new ideas before finalizing the improved one. We'll still use this sheet, though, for offensive statistics no matter which way we go. It's been a good, enduring system, adopted by other teams. We just need to decide if this will be the only way to choose an MVP.

BALLOT VOTE --

Voting for an MVP will virtually be the same as we used to do years ago (unless there are some new suggestions) -- each player gives three votes at the end of the league or season (tournament MVPs, however, will still be determined by offensive points), a first, second, and third choice of three valuable players to him. Any criteria can be used to select the players of your choice -- offensive stats (most points), defensive prowess, leadership qualities (of "self" as well as "team"), team player, crucial play-maker, game attendance, consistent all-out effort each game, or just all-around good guy! A player who is named on a first-choice ballot receives 5 points, a second-choice ballot is worth 3 points, and a third-choice ballot is worth 1 point. Tally all the player points after ballots are cast and the player with the most cumulative points wins the MVP award. In the event a tie results, the player with the most first-choice ballots will prevail; if there is still a deadlock, then second-choice ballots would be considered next, followed by third-choice ballots after a second deadlock. Finally, if all tie-break options have been exhausted, both players will share a co-MVP honor. A perpetual plaque is planned to honor all past MVP award winners as well as those present and in the future (help me, Heavy Metal old-timers, with remembering everyone that had won the award in years past!) The current MVP will get to take the perpetual plaque home, take care of it, and bring it back for the next year's honoree. I also have a team banner planned to hang on the side of our dugout whenever and wherever we play. The idea is to try to promote as much team spirit as possible. How does that sound, guys? Because I'm asking everyone besides myself, I want you to know that I won't be voting for either method. The choice will be the rest of the team's (current website roster of players only, unless you are a new player that has accepted to play but is not yet listed).

Let me know by personal e-mail (I know you all have computers because I have your e-mail addresses!), by phone, by letter (just joking!), or by using our website's guestbook or message board (yes, we have become quite sophisticated!) -- I just need to know this soon to get it finalized before the next league begins. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Weigh them and come up with the one that suits your way of fairly choosing the best man. Talk to you all later.

May Spirit always guide your paths (and help you all get some hits!)

Go, Heavy Metal!!!

Test The Rest Before You Proclaim "The Best"...

I've talked about playing tournaments the last three years, but it seems I've only played for other tournament teams instead of establishing my own. I am currently committed to playing with Del Toledo's Alias team again this year, and I will honor that commitment to the end of the year. But I've always wanted to start a tournament team of my own, preferably with my own Heavy Metal players, because they have just the right qualities, I believe, to make a run at a tournament championship. We would play recreational level, play during the times when Alias is not playing (Frank, Gene, Lee, Nelson, Rich, and Wes also play with Alias), test the rest of the Valley by playing some nearby out-of-town tournaments, and just see what a group of team-minded men can do on the weekends, as well as the weeknights. I really have faith in Heavy Metal's balance of good infielders and outfielders, hitting for "average" and "heavy" hitting (Wes, Frank, Nelson, Joe, Rich -- you guys hearing me? Help me out, now!), intelligent base-running, and just plain feel-good support for everyone on the team. I used to get really pumped when our Wednesday night, Division 3, games came around because there is a good fellowship on this team -- I enjoy playing with all of you guys! So, let me know if you are interested by dropping me a short e-mail, or phone, and telling me if you are in or not. We will only play if most, or all, of you become committed. Every decision for the team is done by vote on Heavy Metal, so if the team votes "Go!" then I will put the tournament mechanism into action. Hope to see all of you weekend warriors on a cool, promising Saturday morning sometime in the future, and, also, near the end of that sweaty, fruitful day, a championship in hand -- but more importantly, even if we don't attain that lofty status, a sense of "team" still solidly intact.

Let me know....