PSC Softball Gets Competitive

Even though the reason is still a mystery, the fact of the matter was that the boys got together and played two of the most hotly contested matches in the history of Pattaya  Softball.

Game 1 

Perry’s protruding pythons were pressed hard by Alan’s Andean anteaters during the frst game of the double header.   Perrry’s team batted frst and jumped out to a 6 run lead thanks to solid extra base hits from Spot, Mark Diego, Scotty, Norm and John Stockton Conversely, Alan’s team started slow with only a lone run coming off of Phil’s bat in the frst two innings.  Inning 3 saw the makings of a blowout, as the Pythons nearly batted twice around the order and scored 8 runs.  Alan’s team got 3 of them back thanks to clutch hits from Mchugh Rhys, John E. and Shawn, but it was looking rather grim for the Anteaters as they started the 5th inning down 15 – 9 Those pesky Andeans never gave up and scored 7 runs in the bottom of the 7th to tie the score at 21 and go into extra innings.  In that final frame, Spot doubled and Diego knocked him in on a controversial line drive over 3rd base.  John Stockton, usually Mr. Mild Mannered got into a shouting match with umpire John C.F. and any and all takers on the Anteater team.  It turned out to be the deciding run, as Shawn threw out Diego trying to score on a single from Scotty to close out the inning.   The Pythons played powerful defense in the bottom of the extra inning, getting Ernie, Steve and Rhys to fy out to win the match.  Final score Pythons 22, Anteaters 21.

Game 2 

Game two could aptly be described as the Anteaters revenge.  Angry for their comeback loss in game 1 they started with a fire in their bellies They only managed to score 2 runs in the frst, to go down 4-2, but then scored5 in the second and 4 in the third to go up 11-7.   Strong offensive performances were seen from:  Canadians Steve and first timer, Al, Rhys, Phil, and John E and Mchugh.  They then got great defense from their infield combination of Rhys Phil, Shawn and John E, to shut the Pythons down, keeping them scoreless for three straight innings.  Alan’s team of Anteaters just wanted the victory more and won out 12-10 in the end.  For starting line ups and box scores, see below.

Profle Of A Player

New to Pattaya Softball is the weekly profile of the characters that make up our enjoyable Sunday afternoon sessions.  What better way to start to de- scribe this motley crew, then to begin with the two elder statesmen, captains pitchers and founding fathers of Pattaya softball.  Both have graciously agreed to be roasted (or for you Limeys, to be taken the piss).  So without further adieu, I give you a nearly, completely, inaccurate description of our two Captains.

Alan and Perry are both so far over the hill that they no longer can see its peak, let alone remember when they had reached it.  And yet as softballers they continue to be skilled craftsmen, and still have a few tricks left up their respective sleeves.  Both are formidable foes on the mound, with Perry at times making the softball hail from the clouds, while Alan can still snatch a line drive with his well worn, golden glove(even as a young lad, he was an eager snatcher). The two are both natural born leaders, but couldn’t be different politically and socially.

The extraverted Perry, loves the spotlight and all that goes with it.  He is fiercely competitive, with some believing he would sell his mother down the river to gain an advantage in a softball game (completely false, but he has rented a sibling on occasion).  He has been known to throw the odd temper tantrum, and on one occasion just picked up his ball and left, midway through a game. He is a gamer, always giving a full effort, and running like a gazelle around the base paths.  His proud heritage of being an American Southerner, and the ignorance that goes with it, continues to baffle even the simplest of our merry band of softballers (not to mention any names, but Mr. Baseball comes to mind). Yet he continues to be one of our most loved compatriots, and without his leadership, enthusiasm and sportsmanship (or, at times, lack of it), Pattaya softball would suffer a huge loss. 

The ugly sting of losing a trusted friend almost happened recently, when Alan took sick.  We are happy to see our introverted friend back in action, after recently battling and beating the mightiest of foes, Cancer.  He may dress like an aged rock star (who unfortunately, has lost his fortune), but he still plays softball with reckless abandon.  His New Yorker background guarantees that he instantly dislikes you, but give it a few weeks and he will make fun of your athleticism like you are an old chum. His extremely liberal, borderline communistic dogmatic views, have annoyed many ex-military personnel (he is fond of preying upon envy men, known affectionately by him and his following as seamen no more). Alan may not say it as loudly as Perry, but he too, likes the sweet smell of victory much more than the bitter stench of defeat.