The Shaskys, fielding only 8 players tonight, beat the A's 7-2 at the Voorheesville Satellite Field.
Manny Marrufo pitched a classy 3-hit complete game to lead the Shaskys to victory. Marrufo stubbornly kept the A's off kilter all night, painting the corners and keeping the ball for the most part in the infield. Tony Grocki made a sliding stab of a fly ball in right center in the 6th inning for the fielding highlight of the game. The Shasky's defense was also helped out by a perfect execution of the hidden-ball play by Tim Phelps and Manny Marrufo to end that 6th inning.
The Shasky hiiters were led by Mark Callahan with 2 hits and an RBI and Tim Phelps with 2 hits and an RBI. Burns, Yankowski, and Phillips also drove in runs.
The game had a minor controversy in the bottom of the second when the Shaskys seemingly scored 4 runs before everyone realized that they had batted through the vacant 9th position of the batting order without charging that spot with an automatic out. Rule books were brought out, panic phone calls were made, and scorebooks were checked by the umpires and the clock turned back to include the out, which took away hits and RBI's from the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th batters in the Shasky lineup, and 3 runs came down off the scoreboard.
The Shaskys put the runs back up again in the 3rd and 5th innings.
The A's plated 2 runs in the top of the 6th inning to break the shutout.
It was a perfect night for baseball and both teams played a hard and well paced game. It was played on a nicely groomed field at the satellite complex, making for a complete contrast to just a week earlier when the A's clubbed the Shaskys at the horrendous Farnsworth Field.
The Shasky's batted 8 in their lineup. In the second inning after I had realized they had batted around into the middle of their order, I asked what happened to the ninth batter. They said that they just skipped it. Neither team had anyone on the bench to keep book. I realized then that we had missed the "automatic out". I questioned the umpire and everyone went scrambling for the rules. After calling Kevin Jackson, we found the appropriate rule in the CDMSBL local addendums. The umpire decided that it would have been the third out and any subsequent play should not have occurred. There was nothing in the rule where if it was missed it had to be appealed before the next pitch - I do not know if this is in the same area as batting out of order.
I know they started and played with only 8, which I think is a no-no in the rules - I did not care about that, but I thought that ninth batter would be counted as an out .
Anyway - the Shaskys took every advantage that was given them, hit the heck out the ball and played an inspired game. My cap off to them.
Wank Newcomb pitched for the A's - he wanted me to mention him in some way, any way, whatever way possible. He threw beach balls underhanded.
Ray, You can start with eight and play with eight. The ninth batter is an automatic out the first time through the order. After the first time, you just skip the spot. At least this is the assumption I have been going by. I hope somebody corrects me if I am wrong.
According the rule we found - if you start with 8, the ninth batter is an out EACH time. I can't remember the exact rule number (Rule 7.4 - if I remember correctly - I don't have the rules here in front of me). I wasn't sure about the starting with 8 - and really did not care about that one.
A very well spoken and concise further description of those 5 minutes or so during the game. If I ever need a witness for anything, I hope you are the one to raise your right hand and tell the court precisely what happened. Well said!
