2012.. fade to softball black

No this blog isn't about a universal amusement park ride disguised as modern cinema in the form of the recently released 2012 Movie
(Yeah I saw that wack ass movie, it rained every weekend and I had nothing else to do).

The Year 2012 has become synonymous with impending doom/disaster as most everyone knows that the 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of beliefs/proposals, which prophesies that cataclysmic events will occur on Decemberr 21st or 23rd 2012. Not exactly a cheery view of the future eh?? Luckily scientists and astronomers have vehemently disputed the idea that a global catastrophe will happen in 2012.

More importantly, I know your asking (if your even still reading) what the Fuck does this have to do with softball/baseball????? Well yesterday the MLB Hot Stove moves of top pitchers Roy Halladay going to the Phillies and John Lackey signing with Red Sox was the off season equivalent of a 2012 baseball disaster event for my favorite baseball team the NY MESS.. I mean Mets... same thing
The Mets should take a que from many new age interpretations of the 2012 posits that, during this time, the planet and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation. In other words, 2009 was a disatser, lick your many player wounds, stockpile minor league talent, and rebuild to compete again in the year 2012.

On that note, I think I will actually take my own advice for once and try and learn from my mistakes and move on from my many disastrous 2009 moments. Now don't get me wrong, in the grand scheme of things "it is only a game" and the word disaster is only relative. 2009 was no 2012 end of the softball world experience, but overall I consider it very disappointing season on many different aspects - performance, weather, winning, politics, etc. but I will try and live in learn in 2010 and beyond.

On a positive note, at the end of the 2009 softball season, my Friends Gubi and Gil treated me to a softball vacation in Puerto Rico after Thanksgivingwhere I got to purge some 2009 demons and look forward to playing and blogging in 2010 and beyond.

Enjoy the Roy Halladay - Met shell shock moment there sorry :))))))))))))) ... I mean Enjoy the Holidays Everyone and Like Jay-Z raps "if you can't respect than your whole perspective is wack maybe you'll love me when I fade to black"... see you in 2010

DYNASTY DEFINED!!!!!!!!

Yesterday Citysoftball.com's all in one day Semi-Final and Championship day experience backfired big time on Knockout "KO" and The Trojans as they were crushed by Bonao and the Westlanders. Knockout did their best J Lo at the AMA's imitation,

as they completely fell on their ass. The only difference is J Lo's ass is a hell of a lot nicer too look at. KO is most likely done unless legendary captain Johnny Castillo, who celebrated his birthday Sunday, returns to live in Manhattan and save the team, otherwise we're done. Translation, KO is done.

Much more importantly, after easily deposing of the #1 seed Trojans, the Westlanders clearly Defined their Dynasty, as the team of the decade for Citysoftball.com , by completely dominating Bonao in a 8-1 and 4-0 series sweep.

(Writer's Note: Qbaseball.com has spelling issue, but thanks for the picture brother)

The Westlanders consist of two teams - West and Highlanders, and in the last 10 years they have won 7 championships.

Well earned and deserved gentleman. Their victory made the normally cranky Champions smile

and ready to celebrate

the conclusion of a truly fantastic 2009 softball campaign.

Westlander accomplishments in 2009 included:

(1) Making the Finals in the highly competitive Chelsea league

(2) Winning the Saturday Central Park Softball League Championship

http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2009/08/westlanders-vs-cardinals-semi-final.html

http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2009/08/picture-is-worth-1000-westlanders.html
(3) Winning a Jersey City Tournament

(4) Standing up to cancer in another Jersey City Tournament

http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2009/10/westlaners-stand-up-against-cancer.html

(5) Winning Citysoftball.com for the second season in a row where in game one of the finals, Westlanders Ace Franny Donovan went the distance and was backed up by battery mate Bobby Thompson who blasted a game clinching home run.

In game two, Andy Muldando (shown left below enjoying a beer) teamed with his brother Nellieto throw a complete game shutout and earn Series MVP honors. Citysoftball.com salutes Andy who used to run a team called La Familia in the league as he patiently waited his turn on the talented WL staff

and when he got his opportunity he was brilliant.

The League would also like to thank the Westlanders for reestablishing the fun and picture friendly Championship Belt tradition by creating/providing a new belt.

Again, congratulations gentleman.

Mama Knows Best

I'm sorry Mother Nature. I've learned my lesson a few blogs ago when I dissed Mama Nature http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2009/10/sb-blueprint.html. I should have known better from those old school 70's commercials
that it is not nice to fool with Mother Nature and she let me know it by answering back with more rain outs. Never again Ma. Never again. As Tupac so eloquently sang
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2009/05/dear-mama-you-are-appreciated.html

"You are appreciated"

Please forgive your prodigal softball sons at http://citysoftball.wordpress.com/ and let us forge ahead and complete the season this Sunday. We will be humbly checking

http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/tenday/USNY0172?from=36hr_topnav_flu

all week in hopes you grant us forgiveness.

Speaking of this Sunday, "all good things must come to an end (maybe Inwood will end??)", and in a effort to bring the season to a fair conculsion we have taken a que from the Great Heath Ledger's Joker character http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfmkRi_tr9c and injected a little softball anarchy into the Championship.

The championship Schedule is as follows:

The Semi-Finals will consist of one 9-inning elimination game starting at 9:30 am.

Westlanders (4) vs Trojans (1), Field 3, 9:30am

Knockout (3) vs Bonao (2) , Field 2 , 9:30am

The winners will immediately proceed to a best of 3 championship series. The higher seed chooses the field and is home game 1st and 3rd game.

Not exactly normal and "according to plan", but the potential for drama and excitement is very much there if you choose to embrace this final Sunday.

As a final note, this decision was not easy, but when considering the time of year, permits, weather, field conditions, maintaining the quality of play, and competitive fairness to our customers it was in out best judgement that this decision was fair to all teams involved. Good Luck to All