View From the Dugout

Jul 11, 2011

A 100+ heat index could not prevent your boys from taking the field against Westside Nazarene Blue Monday evening, although one could argue they most certainly could have utilized their time better. Getting mugged on the Monon Trail might have been a good alternative. Nevertheless, once "Play ball" rang out, the mauling commenced. Big Blue swung first and with some success. Three hits were managed, but none scored a runner. Westside on the other hand, plated their initial six batters. Just like that, America's pastime became an abomination to the entire family friendly genre. Women and children were quickly asked to leave the stadium. From there, the game digressed. Big Blue's three-and-out's were followed by Westside piling on every at bat. Drained of sweat, emotion and fight, the Big Blue Machine welcomed with open arms the 5-inning mercy rule. The final count registered as a 23-0 thrashing.

Sweathogs: Discerning the base path amidst the overgrown sandlot was downright impossible- not that using the base path was a priority for Big Blue... Jeremy "I'm a Marathoner, Not a Sprinter" Redman obeyed the coach's orders and got gunned down at home plate in the pivotal first inning while attempting to score from second. The Westside Nazarene Blue catcher chatted calmly with the ump while waiting for Jeremy to arrive... Big Blue collected as many hits as a normal person has toes. That computes to one per inning for you non-mathletes... Matt "I Got It" Tricker got worked in left field by the Westside hitters... A few hardy fans braved the heat and watched the contest from the shade trees. No one complained about not having an up-close view... Big Blue's record is 1-4 with Flash and 1-0 without Flash, just saying.

Jun 27, 2011

Even with all the incessant rain in the great Hoosier state these past few weeks, nothing could keep the boys from being boys. Hence, the Big Blue Machine trekked up to the swamplands of John Wesley Free Methodist last night, laced up their mudders and went to work. After a scoreless first inning, both teams coaxed a run across in the second. John Wesley seemed clearly frustrated by the boggy conditions, but the plodding pace allowed by the diamond played right into strength of Big Blue. Your boys tacked on a tally in the fourth to forge a 2 to 1 advantage. In the top of the seventh, another tick mark stretched the lead to 3-1. However, John Wesley was not going to rollover in the mud. The home team put runners on base, but some strong defensive work by Big Blue left two of them stranded with nary a one crossing the plate. Big Blue claimed the victory. In the stands, a celebration ensued among the half dozen crazed Big Blue faithful. Woo hoo!

Wetlands: John Wesley's ground crew hurriedly raked the infield and chased away waterfowl prior to the game. A half hour "water" delay resulted... Kevin "Crunch-n-Munch" Knicely stood in utter disbelief as a John Wesley leftfielder ran a country mile to catch a towering shot in the fourth... A one-hopper through the wickets of Kerry "Ole" Lighty increased the collective blood pressure of the Big Blue Machine, as John Wesley mounted their late seventh inning challenge... After cracking a solo shot in the second, newcomer Pete had the bat stripped from his hands in his subsequent trips to the plate... Noticeably absent, Flash was rumored to be jetting across the country. Although many suspicioned he and grandma may have kidnap the newest family member, little Tommy... Due to the lack of experienced and willing scorekeepers, Jenene "Sharpie" Lighty was cajoled into keeping the book. Afterwards, she spoke her mind about the dull writing utensil with Coach Mullen... Big Blue's record soars to 2 and 3 for the year.

Jun 13, 2011

The Big Blue Nation turned out in full force last evening to enjoy the gorgeous weather and to spur on their beloved team. Sporting their new digs, the boys looked like a band of sharp dressed men. But were they dressed for success? With the win streak on the line, Big Blue spiffied up to face the Light and Life Blue squad- an inferior hue of blue, in the opinion of many. Even with being the home team, Big Blue started out slooowly and found themselves down 6-0 after two innings. In the third, your boys closed the gap to 6-4. Light & Life responded with 5 huge runs in the 4th. After 5 stanzas, the score stood at 13 to 8. Then Big Blue mounted their final push. They posted 3 tallies in the sixth to edge into striking distance of Light and Life. Heading into the final inning, Big Blue was down a mere two runs. Could the streak continue?!? A tight and tense seventh ended in a 16 to 12 score with Big Blue falling shy. As quick as the streak started, it disappeared faster than Flash off to a Chinese buffet.

Mustard Stains: Coach Mullen was downright giddy after the game. Seems he finally got to use some game strategy in a competitive game... Jacob "Cyclops" Redman revealed his keen eyesight by drawing a couple of base on balls... Matt "Gotta Swing" Tricker watched two pitches before taking a whack at ball four. It didn't work out well... Matt "Handyman" Carson finally carved some time into his schedule for the team. Following re-introductions, he settled in at second base... After snagging a liner up the middle, Kerry "DP" Lighty turned to pick off the runner at first. However, noting that Flash had nary a chance at reaching the bag, he instead plunked the runner with the ball. Ouch.

Jun 6, 2011

The warm, moist air on Avon's Westside held the pleasant scent of victory last night. Yet for one unfortunate squad, the aroma turned putrid. Using their noses, your Big Blue boys followed the wafting fragrance and hiked west to face their peeps from Bartlett-Chapel. Inspired, Big Blue batted first and scored with a vengeance. They plated 3. Bartlett never saw that coming. Still rattled, Bartlett left the bases loaded in the bottom half. Just like that, your boys had a lead after an inning for the first time all year. After a scoreless second, Big Blue added 3 more tallies in the third. Bartlett scratched the scoreboard with 1 in the bottom half of the stanza. Big Blue padded the lead with 2 additional runs in the fourth before being bageled the rest of the way. However, it didn't matter as Bartlett could only muster a single run in the sixth. Boosh! Big Blue seized the victory by an 8-2 count.

Sniffers:

Newcomers Pete and Luke offered some much needed youth and skill to the line up... Kenny "My Mother-In-Law Loves Me" Perkins demonstrated a much improved swing at the plate. It appears those batting practices with the FMIL are really helping... Kevin "Band-Aid" Knicely begged to be pulled from the game after suffering a broken fingernail. Fortunately, Team Medic Beth Cody stopped the bleeding and bandaged up the wound... Seems the celery and peanut butter diet agrees with Flash. Sporting a sleeker physique, Coach decided to move the veteran up in the order to bat second. Using his legendary speed, Flash responded with a couple of hits and 3 runs scored... Kerry "That Ain't Right" Lighty grumbled over the depiction of his three "hits" in the scorebook. He groused, "They were more elegant than that. Can you draw a frozen rope?"... Tim "Wild Thing" Tice tried his hand at pitching. While keeping the Bartlett hitters guessing, he displayed impressive flexibility with some excellent glove work on a couple of grounders... The Big Blue Machine's record eked closer to .500 and stands at 1 and 2 for the year.

May 16, 2011

With a stiff breeze and a slight chill to the air, the Big Blue Machine bundled up to face the Grace Pointe Blue squad on a blustery evening this past Monday. With a little bit of kindling and the help of a blow torch, your boys set the house on fire. And there is at least one unnamed player with experience in burning things up. After one half innings, Big Blue seized a 3 run lead. That lasted until the bottom of the first, when Grace Pointe stomped to a 5 to 3 advantage. Big Blue posted 2 more tallies in the 4^th and 3 in the last stanza, but Grace Pointe never looked back, as they cruised to a 25 to 8 win. That infused some frostiness to the post-game chatter.

Dinkers:

Darious "Big Bro" Carson inspired by the taunts from little Ben, drove a ball into right field for hit. Prior, he had a long, high fly ball somehow find his mitt while he patrolled the outfield... Gary "Ice Pack" Mullen got the business end of a smoking line drive, but kept control of the ball to record the out... Matt "Thunder Stick" Tricker absolutely crushed a ball then trotted around the diamond for a no-doubt homerun... Big Blue fans were small in numbers and onioned under layers of blankets... Big Blue's record twinkles at 0 and 2.

"Wolf!":

That "Beep, Beep, Beep" you heard was Management backtracking over the proposed uniform color change. As the public outcry from last week's hasty news conference reached deafening levels, the controversy could not be ignored. Even Flash tweeted, "They have lost the players." In a swift reversal, the team announced they will retain the traditional navy blue garb. Almost immediately, sales of the beloved throwback-throwdown jerseys hit an all-time high. Big Blue rules forever!

May 9, 2011

Time to get your Big Blue on! With the weather offering a moisture-free evening, your likable softball buds took to the dirt to face last year's champs- Lynhurst Baptist. And your boys were ready... for a thunderstorm to roll in or forfeit or even the return of Jesus, but none of that occurred. Nevertheless, the spring training regimen that the team partook of certainly paid off, as the Big Blue Machine flaunted their amazing, collective shape. It appeared as if they were preparing for a pie-eating contest. With the words, "Play ball" still echoing in the stadium, Lynhurst batted first and plated 6 runs. That would be all they need. Countering their opponent's outburst, Big Blue eked out a single tally in the 3^rd. That just happened to be their one and only for the night. At the end of the contest, the scorebook read 11 to 1 in favor of the champs.

Swing Away:

Coach Mullen had a bevy of new prospects for the season opener. Ron Decker, Trent Grabman and Kenny Perkins all suited up for their first career game for the Big Blue Machine... Matt "Triple E" Craig nearly performed cartwheels on his way to third base after a series of errors allowed him to take the base with the aid of directions from the umpire... Kevin "I Got This" Knicely "vanderjagted" a ball to right field. It was way wide right... Flash ruined a flawless defensive game when he became handcuffed by a little screamer from the SS and bobbled the ball... Big Blue continued their recent string of first game of the season losses. A search of the annals could not confirm the last victory on Opening Day.

Color Blind:

In a radical attempt to shake up the team's mojo, management has decided it is time for a change from the franchise's traditional "deep blue" color. During a rushed press meeting, Coach Mullen disclosed the new color scheme, which is of a "powder blue" hue. Of course, the main topic of discussion was what will become of the franchise branding. As one observer noted, "The Big Baby Blue Machine" doesn't hold the same mystic of the original name. Therefore, management is soliciting ideas for a new team moniker. Please submit all suggestions to the Editor.

May 2, 2011

Tonight was to be the much anticipated season opener for your favorite softball team, the Big Blue Machine, but instead a rainout won out. However, the rain affords your boys another week to continue their rigorous training. Scuttlebutt has one veteran player chasing dogs to increase his stamina and improve his foot speed. Guess you adoring fans will have to wait another week to see the fruit of that labor.

As a side note, preparations for the extravagant Flash Field have begun. The former corn field has been surveyed and staked using thumb gages. An underground drainage system was completed over the weekend. That's right- nothing but the best for the Big Blue Machine. Don't let the mud puddles and weeds fool you. There really is a softball diamond in all that rough. Management invites you to visit the site. But be prepared, you will need your hiking boots and a couple of hours to travel to the way-out-back lot. Future plans include a walking path to help you find your way. The grand opening is anticipated in early 2012.