Good start for both teams. well played for an opener. Only 4 hits for each team, and excellent pitching by the Cubs' Rosello ( 2 K's 4 BB's) and the Marlin's Mike Girard and ( 4IP Winning P, no earned runs, 2BB's and 2K's ) and Chuck Sohl ( Save, 3 IP, 5K's no hits and 2 walks). Silvers forced into a small ball strategy early capitalized on a lead -off double by Girard with a sac bunt to move him over by Paul Miles and subsequent RBI by Tom Maney in the second to tie the score . Cubs had scored earlier on agressive baserunning that would and already had harmed them.... After Mike Lacouture led off with a single up the middle , but was thrown out trying to reach second after an errant throw, Ostrander then reached on a passed ball third strike. He then scored from first after RF Reel fumbled a squeaker single by Rosello..... and that agressive running paid off for the early lead. The winning run was scored off a one out walk to Reel...coutresy run for by Skip Treece who promptly stole 2nd and reached third on a Mike Clary single and scored on a Ron Lochner Sacfly to CF. Tom Maney scored the final run in the fourth after drawing a walk, stealing a base and scoring on a sharply hit up the midle single by Jim Ansel. The Cubs threatened in the sixth , by loading the bases with one out; but Sohl induced a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. Given an earlier out at the plate on an attempted steal off a wild pitch this game could have gone either way. Mainly I saw guys having fun even though it was very competitive. the Cubs play hard , take their chances , and play solid defense. Ball at 3rd with a diving catch and Jose Moreno all day long making the plays on balls hit up the middle. This second year team led by 2006 Mgr of the year Maile, will again be a team to look out for.....and Jon Martin, a stalwhart in this league for many years nad Rosello and Locouture will put this team in position to win a lot of games. But hey what a pleasure to see my old comrades again after a long winter....thats right Silvers never practiced ???!!?!?? And as I banged the Al Lang Stadium dirt off my cleats at 5:30 I began to look forward instead of backward. Its good to start again. may we all enjoy the games, win or lose. And one more thing. I would like to thank the new board and commisioners for their hard work this Spring, mainly Kevin Jackson the new president and all - around go getter. without these efforts we'd be just watching ball instead of playing it. don't ever take this for granted. good luck to all the teams... 28, 38- 47.
Nice write-up on the game, John. Sounds like the Marlins and Cubs both played very well. Congratulations on the Marlin W. You are right. We can never take this organization and game we play for granted. I used to have dreams about playing hardball again before this league started up. Between the CDMSBL and our brothers in the CDMABL, there must be well over 500 ballplayers - probably closer to 600. And I believe most everyone works hard on their conditioning and playing skills - during the season and off-season. Many guys get surgery on knees, shoulders, etc. just so they can continue to play. Without this, you are right, we would just be watching. I think we are involved in one of the greatest organizations in the Capital District. We all appreciate everything that you have done over the years to build and shape this league and we appreciate what the Board and Commissioners have done and are doing now. Kevin Jackson - you are doing a tremendous job!! Randy - how are those shorts ridin'?? See you all on the field.
