Great Start… It was our well awaited return to the playoffs. Something this team has been fighting for the past 6 years. A few members were so excited, that breakfast was made at the fields…yes, 7 AM. Mason Herdon also had the theme to The Natural playing as well as the National Anthem
by LeAnn Rimes, all while the Cabin John crew lined the fields. To say the least, we were very excited to be there.NPC VS. Allbritton
To be expected, NPC did their due diligence in exploiting http://www.philibusters.com/. They came in ready and prepared knowing all the stats of the Phillies over the entire season. That was most evident when they intentionally walked Hoder twice. NPC wasn’t just prepared with stats however, they brought the bats. Top of the first, Bam, bam, bam…they were up 3-0 and we hadn’t even settled in yet. But in classic Philibusters style, the team responded. Mason Herndon singles, Sean McFaul triples (and gets an RBI), Keith Abernethy doubles (1 RBI), and Hoder triples (1 RBI)…George Williams SAC Fly…Big Red Machine up 4-3 after 1.
Solid defense by both teams…SS Chris Cicatelli and 2B Lindsey "4-3" Walton were vacuums. Without their defensive snags we wouldn't have even been in the game. One play however by Bruce DePuyt stands above the rest. His diving snag at first base. That shot gets by most people, but not him…
Finally in the 5th, Allbritton bats come back to life. Kelly Lamp, Mason, Sean (1 RBI), and Keith (1 RBI) all score as George adds 2 more RBI. NPC tries to fight back with 2 more in the 6th…but Allbritton prevails 9-5.
A win in the playoffs, a first in many, many years.
Tough Finish…
Allbritton VS. CBS News
This was the grudge match we had hoped for…but again, be careful what you wish for. CBS News wasn’t a 3 seed by accident. With one of the toughest schedules all year and yet they still prevailed as a 3 seed…Allbritton found out why.
The first inning set the tempo…Mason doubles, Keith smacks a 2 Run HOMER! Hoder singles and Jared bats him in. 3 runs to open the game. We only scored 3 runs against them just a few weeks back…this was a good start, but theirs was better. Matt, Miriam, Josh, Arden, Liam all get on and score. They simply just hit it where we were not. They take the lead, 5-3…but again, there is fight in this team…we score 2 in the third it was 6-5 CBS News after 3.
A 5 run 5th inning by CBS, 3 runs coming after 2 outs was the nail in the coffin for the Phillies. We would muster 3 more in the 6th, but in the end, we were no match for CBS News and their bats. They smacked us silly winning 15-8.
Depression Sets IN…
AOL VS. Allbritton
There is a very positive aspect to this game. In week 1, AOL whipped us 23-16. After that game, we remembered how to play defense…but um, so did they.
They started the game with 3 runs; we started the game with 6 straight outs. Thanks to Brie Jackson, we got off the ground with the first hit of the day in the 3rd….which led to a 2 run inning. Brie And John Vagnetti both score on a 2 RBI single by Sean McFaul. Hoder leads of the 4th with a double and Jared brings him home. Game tied 3-3, after 4. But AOL, who would go on to make the finals after starting the tourney 0-1…would score 1 in the 5th and 2 in the 6th…and the stars of the Big Red Machine were spent. We would only get one more hit for the rest of the game.
The promising season that started 10-4, ends with a 1-2 showing in the playoffs.
But this team has no reason to hang our heads. We have made constant and consistent strides to getting better. Next year will be no different. And as we all know…the off-season starts now. And that couldn’t be more evident than at the MMSL Championship Finals today when Shawn Hoder and Mason Herndon inked Superstar Brad Parker and his wife Julie Parker to play next season. Julie who has a great bat and an even better attitude will be another welcome addition to the already strong female contingent. Brad Parker who is eligible to play under the spouse rule the league imposes, is a fantastic SS and all around great ball player. He worked and played for the Champion AOL team for many years. Already, the excitement for next season has begun.
News and updates will be on http://www.philibusters.com/ all year, so check back often. Info about the team tailgate party at an upcoming Washington Glory game is also in the works. Check back often over the next couple of weeks as more pictures and videos roll in.
So, team again I thank you. It has been a pleasure being your coach, your friend, and your third baseman.
Coach Hoagie
13 comments:
Shawn, great write-up on the playoffs. I'm sure that took a lot of time to put together. I've got some thoughts I will share soon, plus a few pics from Saturday. Great work snagging the Parker team. This is HUGE. -Bruce
What a great season! This was by far the most fun I've had playing in a long time. Thanks to Hoagie and Bruce for doing such a fantastic job getting us ready to play each and every week. I can't wait to get on the field with all of you again next year.
awesome season Phillies...just freakin awesome. i had a blast playin with all of you- the most fun i have had in ages. thanks also to Hoagie and Bruce for a very well coached year- many thanks to the both of you for entrusting me and my glove at SS yet again. as i always say when i hit the SS position when taking the field "there's no place like home...there's no place like home".
we made a great run....had a fantastic year....and all became better friends because of it. i would take the field with you guys over any team any time.
peace,
>cic
I look at this weekend differently than most of you because of playing time. I know that the coaches have their friends and that their friends need to get playing time but this weekend was ridiculous. A few of us barely got into the games and as a result were left to watch others lose the games. I think that the coaches need to rethink their strategy because it was not fair. Maybe if more time was spent coaching and less time was spent on the picnic we might be holding the trophy today instead of NBC NEWS.
wow. it's a shame to read something like that after such a fine season of game time sharing, team spirit, and camaraderie. to slam other players for "losing the games" during tournament weekend is just uncalled for. we all did our best. we all played for the team. and we all wanted to win. i am not saying that i don't understand your frustration, but to say that the coaches played certain players because "they are friends" with those certain players is ridiculous. sorry, but if i would have botched a couple balls at SS, you bet your ass i would have been hauled out of there- friend or not. as i stated earlier, i understand your frustration- i like to play as much as anyone. i just think it was uncool to lay blame on your teammates "for losing the games". and for the coaches to have spent less time planning the picnic and more time on strategy? that picnic was planned by Bruce and Hoder and paid for by Hoder as something the team could enjoy during tournament saturday- let me ask ya, did you enjoy hangin with your teammates after the games saturday eatin chicken and slurpin down mountain dew? i am startin to really get fired up here so i am going to sign off. but on behalf on the team i am a part of and support, and played as hard as i could all season and this past weekend, i will say that your post was just not cool. if you're bummed about not getting enough playing time, say it, but say it in a different way.
>cic
Phased Out Philly,
That hurts...plain and simple...for several reasons.
1. Playing time was discussed before the season even started. PT would be evenly distributed throughout the regular season...the slogan was/is everyone shows, everyone plays...so unless you came to every game...you were your own worst enemy when it came to playing time. The playoffs were a different story. I wanted to win the whole thing, and that meant playing the hot hands more.
2. I consider all the people on the Phillies to be my friends. Therefore I can't play favorites...I just played those who I thought would help us win.
3. We were done in 3 games and yet you make assumptions as to what I was thinking. You see, the plan was to get the starters rest in games 4 and 5. That means the back-ups would have played a lot during those games. Couple that with the fact that I never think we're going to lose, I didn't change the plan when it was 3-3 against AOL in the 4th inning.
4. Do you have any idea how much time I actually put in this year? I don't know who you are, so I can only ask how much time did you put in?” OR did you just show up on Saturdays ready to play? To be second guessed is always going to happen, but to be rude about it is wrong.
5. “…if more time was spent coaching and less time was spent on the picnic we might be holding the trophy today…” The coaching job is available. It requires a lot of spare time, but the rewards are great. Drop by my office; I can give you the books. I actually thought the picnic was as much fun as the games…and if you want to coach, I’ll run the picnic…and you’ll still be invited.
6. “…left to watch others lose the games.” Really? That’s what you think happened? Being mad at me is one thing, but to demean your team? Your friends? Your family? Whoever you are, you have got to be better than this.
I guess I could go on and on, but I won’t. As understandably mad as Cic is…I’m not. I tried very hard to incorporate this entire team in more than just softball. It was more than just playing time, it was friendship, fun, family…I sat down here to type a scathing letter of retribution…but ultimately this just makes me too sad.
Hopefully others will post their thoughts as well. Maybe all of this extra effort was a big waste of time…
HODER
I want to chime in here because I'm one of the guys who didn't get a lot of playing time. I wasn't particularly happy about sitting on the bench but I agree with the decision to keep the best team on the field. You do what you need to in order to win a championship.
If I want more playing time I have to pay my dues and put in the work to become a better contributor. That's something I plan on doing.
As a rookie this year I was thrilled to play on a team with this much spirit and heart. We picked each other up when we were down and we kicked a little ass along the way. It was awesome playing with all of you this season and I can't wait until next year.
-Matt
don't think I can state things any better than Hoder did, so I won't simply pile on. I think Hoder did a great job getting everyone playing time during the entire season, it's the best job that I've ever seen - and a whole lot better job than I did last year.
Hoder - thanks for spending so much of your time each and every day dedicated to this team. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Again not wanting to pile on, but having coached 3 years of collegiate fastpitch softball, i am fully aware of the time comsuption and difficulty keeping everyone happy with playing time. Hoagie, thanks for everything you do both on the field but also behind the scenes. There is a lot more than just showing up on saturdays and filling out a lineup card. I really do appreciate all that you do to make this team the class act of the league and something all other teams strive for (as Rob said on Saturday). Thanks again.
All I can say is wow as quoted by chic. Its funny how someone can say something after the fact, instead of being and adult and sayin something then and there. We dont have time for childish antics on the Phillies. I can't respect someone who blast our coaches after all they have done for this team. I know some folks are thinking it but Im saying if you dont like the fact you didnt get any playing time and Im talking to PhasedoutPhilly then dont play. We dont need any cancers in our clubhouse.On another note I am making a promise to myself and my teammates to come back next and in better shape and to be a serious threat to the other teams in the league. I haven't been to the playoffs since I was a young lad and it felt good to be in that atmosphere again. It was just a taste, and now I am hungry so I am going to be greedy I dont want just a taste, I want the whole thing and I know others feel the same way. I cant wait until next year. We are just getting started so Phillies enjoy the rest of the summer and lets get things going in 09. Take care and god bless. See you guys at the tailgate. One more thing is anyone bringing a beer bong....just kidding or am I.
Im out!
A beer bong, now your speaking my language...
Wow! Not the forum for lack of playing time complaints. You should have gone to Bruce & Shawn with your concerns & I am sure they would have worked it out for you for next year since you showed up for all 14 games this year, early enough to help get a field ready with a rake in hand, or to carry the bat bag from car to field, or took some pictures, patted a fellow player on the back for a good (or bad) play, or helped out with this website.
This has been the best team in terms of wins, defense, team spirit & all around fun since Dale reconstituted the JLA portion of this team in the late 90's. In a game this year, a player was pinch hit for (& I know personally how it feels to get subbed for) & the subbed out player said something to the effect of "good luck, get a hit" to the pinch hitter. THAT is what this team is all about. We have tasted the playoffs & we all know what we as a team & as individuals need to do to go even deeper next year. I say we show the 2008 champs (and the rest of the league) that we are not 1 hit wonders, win the division, get a higher seed, enjoy the 1st game bye & be playing on Sunday so 20 or so other teams can read about us Saturday night. We will earn it, deserve it & enjoy it! 364 more days!
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