Your Fighting Diplomats returned home from California a bit tired and achy as their 10 games over the week pushed them and left a few with some aches and pains. But a young Fighting Diplomat needs a challenge they say and after one day home a fresh challenge in the face of the growling Bears of Ursinus was slated to face them as they begin the Centennial Conference schedule.
But our young fighters came out of the blocks slowly and found themselves down 1-0 with the bases loaded in the third when the Bears blasted one of the fence and into the softball field at Caplan Field. By way of background,JD Salinger was once a freshman at Ursinus but JD did not get to the second semester. Some reports had it he got cut from the baseball team and couldn't bear the second semester while others offer that it served as material for Holden Caufield who you might recall began Catcher in the Rye as a student kicked out of school. Anyway, the Bears jumped up 5-0 and held serve leaving the Diplomats depressed at their 0-1start in conference play. The Fighting Diplomats had an intra squad scrimmage the next day which went poorly and Coach Walkenbach was heard to express his chagrin at the teams energy. Given the day off Thursday, your Fighting Diplomats were already feeling they were in "Must Win" territory going into the rematch with the vaunted bears up in at Ursinus. Who is gonna pitch the players asked themselves as the California trip produced more questions on the mound than answers.
As the players prepared on Friday they learned that senior Matt Kalos was getting the pitching nod. Matt had yet to win a conference game in his 3 seasons although he had thrown pretty well in California. And this selection proved to be a savvy one as he threw the game of his career shutting down the Bear attack and leading the Fighting Diplomats to a 6-2 win. Big Win for the Fighting Diplomats and their confidence was restored.
The bus ride home was for concentration on the next days opponent: the Mules of Muhlenburg. In the previous season this opponent was weak but was rumored to have significantly strengthened their roster for this season.
The next day the 40 degree temperature was augmented by strong winds and the freezing witnesses learned early to bundle up for the twin bill. Muhlenburg started early with a base hit up the middle for the leadoff hitter but the defense handled the next three and the Fighting Diplomats approached to their raps. The Muhlenburg rookie pitcher walked the leadoff hitter. Experienced readers by now know the baseball gods just hate the leadoff walk and are determined to punish offenders. Some suggest it is the burlap tunics , circa 1042 AD that the baseball gods wear and are very scratchy and uncomfortable which may explain why the baseball gods are so irritable and unforgiving. It may also be that they are just plain nasty. Anyway after the leadoff walk, 3 consecutive base hits followed and your Fighting Diplomats had the early 3-0 lead. This lead held until the 7th when the Mules pieced together a few hits to rally and tie the game at 7. But the Fighting Diplomats subsequently scored three of their own to lead again . Going into the 9th the Diplomats has a 3 run lead which they narrowly held and the Diplomats secured the win.
The second game of the double-header noted the resurgence of Brad Andres, who a had struggled quite a bit in California.But the cold seemed to agree with him and thru 7 he had a no hitter! have a day Brad and welcome back!
Brad gave up a legitimate single in the 8th but that was all and the Diplomats had a 5-0 win to run the win streak to 3. The team played with more confidence as the game wore on and were showing signs of spirit as well
On Sunday the team journeyed to reading to face the Albright Lions in a non conference event. Perhaps the Lions might have been more aptly named the Albright "Ideas".
I wondered is Albright the description of the student body - or perhaps the criteria for admission? Either way the Diplomats handled them easily and won 16-6 running their streak to 4 .
This week your Fighting Diplomats journey to Haverford to take on the Fords ( is this a ridiculous mascot or what?) the best they could come up with is the Fords? are they wading rivers down there?? driving old cars ?? after two games with the Fords the Swarthmore team, historically weak, serves as the Saturday opponent. The team is looking to sweep and gear up for next weeks efforts against the Bullets of Gettysburg ( now that is a good name and as a small trivia quiz> how many civilians died in the 4 days of the Gettysburg battle? answer below) and the top ranked Blue Jays of John Hopkins which shapes up to be the big games of the season. A word about the Blue Jays--those games will be down in Baltimore and will be the games both teams are pointing to play. The Blue Jays play with a swagger are cocky, boisterous, and arrogant ( aptly named Blue Jays i suspect). They are talented but the Fighting Diplomats swept them last year during the season but lost to the Jays in the conference playoffs. This shapes up to be the battle of the season and enthusiasts are encouraged to make their plans now.
As a second bonus you can see some short video clips on You Tube of your Fighting Diplomats to see them go to www.youtube.com and then for search input "amherst23" there are 8 short videos there
answer: Jennie Wade was the only civilian to die at Gettsyburg- a stray bullet killed her in her house
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Fighting Diplomats in California
The Fighting Diplomats journeyed to Claremont. California ( home of Route 66) to compete with the team from Claremont-McKenna/Harvey Mud /Scripps. The Stags so named from the years when Claremont-McKenna was a men's school hosted the game on a beautiful field. I could not help but wonder what the nicknames would have been for Harvey Mud--the Slingers?? or the nickname for Scripps--the Writers??
Anyway, after a dreary cold wet winter I arrived to observe a beautiful field from stands high above the field of play. While looking at the field which had a relic from the past-- a sloping hill in left field to the fence recalling Crosley Field in Cinnci. Of course the infield was well groomed and i once again marveled at the genius of 90 feet between bases. Although I think the primal competitive element of the game is the pitcher hitter duel- the next battleground! is the legs and the thrown ball. The 90 feet from home to first is just right as the fielder can't delay and really fast guys can beat the throw. the same with the stolen base-for 150 years the play is bang bang as increased foot speed has been compensated by better arms and a quicker release to home. Leonardo Da Vinci would have concurred at the geometric exactness of the 90 feet. Although, if Leonardo were with me at the game , he may have passed on the ball park franks as he was a vegetarian. Leo would no doubt have been a wood bat enthusiast as well, and one could make the case the aluminum has ruined one challenge as the play at the plate on a sacrifice fly is all but gone with aluminum--but not with wood!
The Fighting Diplomats quickly found themselves down 6-0 as they adjusted to blue skies and being outside. But after a quiet opening then erupted for 5 runs to make it close. But a fielding lapse in the 7th and a couple hits broke it open for the Stags and the final was 13-7.
in Game 2 the Diplomats walked over to Pomona- Pitzer another pair of schools combining to field one team . The Diplomats started early getting 5 in the first giving the faithful some cheer. But our pitching was not up to it and after 11 first inning walks and a hit batsmen we were down 8-5 without a fair ball being hit-unbelievable at this level. Our manager and subsequently all the coaches managed to get tossed as well compounding the hole. The final was 12-10, but all in all a sloppy game. The bats, however looked good but baseball still remains dominated by pitching.
The next day we have a remarkable set of games. We lead Wesleyan (playing at beautiful Occidental College) going into the 9th leading 16-9 and manage to give up 6 runs and have the tieing run at second with two out. A long fly to left caught at the wall ends the game . Yikes! The bats were just explosive today. The lads then traveled to Whittier to play the Poets--Richard Nixon graduated from Whittier and there are no reports he played baseball but if he did i wonder if he would have been adept at stealing signs.
We struggle early and find ourselves down 5-0 in the 5th but seemingly not worried. In the sixth we rally for 8 runs and the three outs were 2 plays at the plate and a line shot caught at the fence.
We go to the 7th leading 9-5 and manage to give up the lead and fall behind 11-9 in what seemed about 5 minutes. Undaunted we rally for 4 more and lead 13-11 going to the 9th. But Whittier which had 24 hits on the day load the bases ( one move I would not have done was intentionally walking the go ahead run but alas I was not consulted) and with the score 13-12 and the bases loaded 2 out and 2 strikes we get --a foul ball--and another. Then a big! double to the fence scores three and we are down 2--huge moment for the Whittier kids though and perhaps the disappointed Diplomats might have pondered John Greenleaf Whittier's own words in his poem "Maud Muller"
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"
Of course, I would have weighed in about walking the lead run but then again when you give up 24 hits you probably have other concerns ...
The next game finds the Fighting Diplomats playing Wesleyan again at Claremont on a gorgeous day--lets play 2 is right when the sky is bright blue and the sun is shining and no humidity.
The time the Dips start early and often and are up 11-0 after 5. Spectators are wondering if this 11 runs is enough especially after the Cards ring up 4 in the 7th. But the last 2 innings go quickly and the Diplomats conclude their best overall game.
This team is showing confidence at the plate and you can see the joy on the kids faces as they play these games.
Anyway, after a dreary cold wet winter I arrived to observe a beautiful field from stands high above the field of play. While looking at the field which had a relic from the past-- a sloping hill in left field to the fence recalling Crosley Field in Cinnci. Of course the infield was well groomed and i once again marveled at the genius of 90 feet between bases. Although I think the primal competitive element of the game is the pitcher hitter duel- the next battleground! is the legs and the thrown ball. The 90 feet from home to first is just right as the fielder can't delay and really fast guys can beat the throw. the same with the stolen base-for 150 years the play is bang bang as increased foot speed has been compensated by better arms and a quicker release to home. Leonardo Da Vinci would have concurred at the geometric exactness of the 90 feet. Although, if Leonardo were with me at the game , he may have passed on the ball park franks as he was a vegetarian. Leo would no doubt have been a wood bat enthusiast as well, and one could make the case the aluminum has ruined one challenge as the play at the plate on a sacrifice fly is all but gone with aluminum--but not with wood!
The Fighting Diplomats quickly found themselves down 6-0 as they adjusted to blue skies and being outside. But after a quiet opening then erupted for 5 runs to make it close. But a fielding lapse in the 7th and a couple hits broke it open for the Stags and the final was 13-7.
in Game 2 the Diplomats walked over to Pomona- Pitzer another pair of schools combining to field one team . The Diplomats started early getting 5 in the first giving the faithful some cheer. But our pitching was not up to it and after 11 first inning walks and a hit batsmen we were down 8-5 without a fair ball being hit-unbelievable at this level. Our manager and subsequently all the coaches managed to get tossed as well compounding the hole. The final was 12-10, but all in all a sloppy game. The bats, however looked good but baseball still remains dominated by pitching.
The next day we have a remarkable set of games. We lead Wesleyan (playing at beautiful Occidental College) going into the 9th leading 16-9 and manage to give up 6 runs and have the tieing run at second with two out. A long fly to left caught at the wall ends the game . Yikes! The bats were just explosive today. The lads then traveled to Whittier to play the Poets--Richard Nixon graduated from Whittier and there are no reports he played baseball but if he did i wonder if he would have been adept at stealing signs.
We struggle early and find ourselves down 5-0 in the 5th but seemingly not worried. In the sixth we rally for 8 runs and the three outs were 2 plays at the plate and a line shot caught at the fence.
We go to the 7th leading 9-5 and manage to give up the lead and fall behind 11-9 in what seemed about 5 minutes. Undaunted we rally for 4 more and lead 13-11 going to the 9th. But Whittier which had 24 hits on the day load the bases ( one move I would not have done was intentionally walking the go ahead run but alas I was not consulted) and with the score 13-12 and the bases loaded 2 out and 2 strikes we get --a foul ball--and another. Then a big! double to the fence scores three and we are down 2--huge moment for the Whittier kids though and perhaps the disappointed Diplomats might have pondered John Greenleaf Whittier's own words in his poem "Maud Muller"
"For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"
Of course, I would have weighed in about walking the lead run but then again when you give up 24 hits you probably have other concerns ...
The next game finds the Fighting Diplomats playing Wesleyan again at Claremont on a gorgeous day--lets play 2 is right when the sky is bright blue and the sun is shining and no humidity.
The time the Dips start early and often and are up 11-0 after 5. Spectators are wondering if this 11 runs is enough especially after the Cards ring up 4 in the 7th. But the last 2 innings go quickly and the Diplomats conclude their best overall game.
This team is showing confidence at the plate and you can see the joy on the kids faces as they play these games.
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