I've long thought that game write-ups should be a group act. Anyone on each of the teams, and fans in the stands, too, should
feel free to write up their gives and takes on the game. More voices can mean smarter. Or, better, funnier.

So, three guys on the Americans contribute to this story. I'll start:

The 62 Americans have managed to keep their standings perfectly balanced, winning and losing in an equal number, putting
them now at 6-6, in third place.

The teeter got tautered for the club on Thursday last (7/27) when the second place (11-1) Arachnids walloped the ball
all over the field, coasting to an 11-2 victory. Neither team had played in a while; the Arachnids' bats were never asleep.

Americans manager Mike LaBarge and I were talking not long ago about how far back outfielders should play in the 62s.
He suggested, wisely, "Not far. Most of the action in the 62s takes place in the infield." That observation was and generally
is an observable fact I moved in from about 250 feet out to about 230 but reality can stretch some facts a bit.

To wit, it seemed almost everybody on the Arachnids could put the fat part of the bat on the ball, as more than one
shot cleared outfielders' heads. And the outfielders were playing back. I haven't the book here but among the guys
who launched the pill were Joe Parker, Mike Ruslander, John Reel, Jim Wing, Stefan Koutsakis, Lee Madsen, TJ Scorsone,
and, especially Ken Wellington.

Ken's hits I remember. Because two of them cleared my head in right. The first one traveled about 270 feet, and landed
a few feet from the line, perfectly placed for a triple. Next time he came up, I put myself about 280 feet out. No good.
His hit, a towering one, landed near the base of the fence, some 300-plus feet away.

TJ pitched the first five innings for the Arachnids and his low slider worked very well. Memory says he allowed no runs.
Then Ken finished up, allowing two scores.

Meanwhile, the Americans had some good hitters of their own Vinny Koster, Mike Aiello, Rich Garbarino, Jim Konstantakis
and fine third base sub Don Ball (who started two double plays) all put good wood on the ball.

On Friday, the Americans' fortunes changed in Saugerties, as the club edged the Cardinals 5-4. I couldn't make the game,
had to work, but Anthony Torre and Jim Porter sent along news of the game.

At the center of it was a pitching duel between Americans' fine sub Don Ball and the Cards' John Cortese.
Both went the entire game. The weather was brutal, a hot humid night, which didn't begin to cool
off till four innings were recorded. The sun made playing first base for both teams an adventure.

Americans scored three runs in the first and two in the second, leaving runners on base in all other innings.
The Cardinals runs were obtained across four of their six innings. The Cardinals shortstop Don Shultis
made several good plays as did Mike Aeillo in centerfield for the Americans.

Don't have the Americans hitting stats here, but the team did a lot of hitting, making up for Thursday.
Ben Petrone had an especially good night with two hits and two walks.

-Mike



-- Edited by mikehart on Tuesday 1st of August 2023 02:51:09 AM