PSC softball

In the early hours of April 12th, a new breed of softball took to Jimmy’s field of dreams in  Jomtien and made it a better place.  These specimens were swift, strong and ready for the softball Sunday marathon.  The US Navy came to compete against our own Pattaya softball club in several softball games.  It turned out to be a marathon as we played 5 games which lasted well over 5 hours in the hot Sunday sun.  Over 40 player hit the field to participate, but also to happily enjoy beers supplied by Leo Blues Bar in Naklua (Soi 18), hot dogs, burgers and sausages sizzled by Ice, and TV coverage from our local Pattaya news station.  It truly was a festive day of softball to ring in the Thai New Year, and welcome our valued guests.  The format for the competition was a two game series, followed my mixing the teams into 3 equal units and playing a mini round robin.  Details of the games and photos of some of the action, plus box scores are detailed below. 

Game 1 

At ten in the morning the first ball was pitched by our organizer and leader, Perry McNeely.  The uncharacteristically early start did not help the hung-over home team however.  Most of their gloves were sleeping for the first two innings, while the US Navy team played solid defensive for the entire game.  Our visitors also had hot bats, scoring in four of the seven innings, and always looking dangerous.  Both teams scored 1 run in the first, but it was a comedy of errors by the home team in the top of the second inning that led to their defeat.  Errors by infielders Norm and Mike Berg, plus another one by yours truly in left centerfield, gifted the US Navy four runs.  To their credit, the Navy team played tough, never relinquishing their lead.  They held off a late 7th inning rally from our Pattaya team, to win the contest 9 -7.  Co-MVPs went to their pitcher Jason for his defense, and clean up hitter Brian for his clutch hits.

Game 2

PSC shuffled their line-up for game two to ensure all players got a chance to compete against the Navy. Out went Perry and Nick, and in came Mark R. and Mr. Baseball himself  (Ron) at 1st base, with Diego coming into pitch.  The youthful changes gave a boost to the beaten team, and it must be said that Mr. Baseball played a brilliant game both batting and fielding, even after being absent from the game for over 3 months. We hope to see you back on the diamond regularly Ron, as your presence has been missed.  Back to the game summary, it was the Navy 2nd team that struck first blood.  Their excellent pitching by OJ and team defense caused the home team to go hitless for the first two innings.  They then showed their offensive power by scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the second with hits from Nelson, Bellamy, Brandon, and the poorly named Stephanie in left center.  But PSC scratched and clawed their way back into the game with solid singles from Peter, Mike, Norm and a 2 RBI shot Ron. The home boys then tightened up the hatches and played near perfect defense the rest of the game.  The US Navy team threw up goose eggs on the scoreboard for the fnal five innings.   PSC showed our younger, fitter, friends that our aged and battered softball, are still a tough team to beat. The exciting match was tied at four until the fnal inning, when tri-MVPs John Stockton, Norm and Mike Berg knocked in key runs to lead the home-side to a well deserved 9 to 4 victory.

After drawing the 2 game series, the guests and hosts picked three captains, and mixed players to compete in a mini tournament.  The games were modified to last only five innings, and all three games were extremely competitive and went down to the wire.  In the end it was Team UNIX that was crowned champs after beating the Marx Brothers team 6-5, and squeaking out victory against Team Dog Style 7-6.  Congratulations to the UNIX team members:  Jason, Tom, Walt, Mattie, Dan, Reed, Brando, K.C., Dan N. and Phil.

All agreed that the games were great, with many new friendships formed.  It was a wonderful Sunday, and many thanks go out to John C.F, Alan, Perry, for their organization in pulling off the fabulous feat.  Thanks also go to Jim Bob, John C.F. and John Emerson for agreeing to umpire the games.  Every Pattaya softballer should give themselves a pat on the back, as our Navy guests really appreciated the hospitality.  Remember, we play softball every Sun-day at 1pm, so see you there soon.