7/7/08 Applebee's Softball.

Before I begin this entry, I'd just like to point out that this team I play for is compiled of the most dedicated people at the Applebees in Union, New Jersey. We play other Applebees restaurants in New Jersey in the Applebees Softball League and enjoy doing so, even though we aren't your favorite team.

It was an other day at Applebees as we waited tables, and were ready to play our seventh game of the season. We had two games get rained out and another was a forfeit from Toms River so, if you want to be technical, this would be our tenth game of the season if not for the information I just listed. This was an away game vs. Eatontown's Houlihans Restaurant which was about a 45 minute drive from Union. It was located in South Jersey and people that live in North Jersey aren't really THAT friendly to the "others" living in South Jersey. No offense to any Southern Jersians out there but, this is true!

We arrived to their field at 5 P.M. and began the game around 5:25 P.M. The first inning was definitely a different start than we were used to, driving in two runs before Eatontown's 4 run first inning. Usually our team's meltdown starts around the 6th inning and losing was something we are very acquainted with, being 0 - 6 and losing very poorly almost every game. I never understood it because almost the entire team can play the game it's just the little things that nobody can make happen. I'm not sitting here saying I make every play and are the greatest Applebees Softball player alive but I'm pretty sure I've made a maximum of four errors, if that so far with one game, myself, left to play.

The entire game from start to finish was neck and neck. When our team scored, their team scored. If we scored three, they scored two, three, or four. We were playing THE BEST softball we have played to date. Our entire team was hitting and our defense was almost perfect up until the 7th inning. The score was Union Applebees: 8, Eatontown Houlihans: 7. There were two outs with a runner on first. One of their "okay" hitters was up and hit a blooper over 2nd base that was too shallow for the right fielder. The next batter hit one up the middle to load the bases and the next batter got lucky on an infield error to tie the game. By the time three outs were called, Eatontown was up 11 - 8 going into the top of the eighth.

The middle of the order was due up for the eighth inning and it delivered what everyone on our team wanted. After two outs were called, Eatontown Houlihans started heading back towards the bench, thinking the second out, was the third out. After the confusion was cleared, we had another chance to score with a runner on 2nd. Sure enough, the runner on 2nd, Raiiinman, scored and at the end of the eighth inning, the score was 11 - 10.

The top of the ninth inning was our last chance and the first two batters popped out. It was all down to Kristy, who had two pretty enjoyable catches out there in short center earlier in the 5th inning. She hit a grounder to the pitcher who bobbled it, then kicked it away, bringing myself to the plate. I felt a bit of pressure considering this could be our very first win as a team but I gave it my all and ended up lining one up the middle, directly over the pitcher and into the short stops glove. Did I lose the game? Perhaps. I can't do anything about it now. I went 2 - 6 on the day with a single, double, and 1 RBI. Every pitch I connected with, I got under, forcing the ball to go in the air, which 75% of the time went to the left fielder.

There will be a game July 14 but I will not be attending that game courtesy of my girlfriend, PJ, if you remember her from my last visit to Shea. She will be receiving her first taste of ink (getting a tattoo) and she asked to be accompanied by none other. I'm not going to lie, but I feel honored. I'll post pictures once the outline is complete.

The trip to Chicago had some complications arise and it had to be cancelled. Instead, we will be staying in Baltimore August 21 - 24 and attending Camden Yards August 22 and August 23 vs. New York Yankees. There are three Yankee fans with us, and two Mets which will still be representing the New York Mets proudly! We plan to enjoy ourselves so if anyone can help us out with what to do at Camden Yards, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I'm off to Shea for tonight's game against the San Francisco Giants at 7:10 PM. Expect a blog later tonight about it.