SB TRICK OR TREAT

My wife and I love Halloween

 
 

as the spirits

are out on this fun holiday and we can escape reality. Wifey is at school right now and I'm kind of bored, but as soon as she gets home we are gonna go out into the all hallows night. Until then I'm going to put out this wack ass blog b/c I'm sure other members of the softball "SB" community are out there doing their Trick or Treat thing this evening so I'm going to suggest they wear the following costumes :

Dio "Camacho" Jackson - classic.. always controversial



Juan "Fidel" Moreiras - Elections and Voting in Inwood??? Never

Jeff Marcus's  

would be a good Al Roker

 b/c he's lost over a 100 pounds and will have us play through any weather.

John Sheppard

 

... uggghh lets move on

Dave Bergman - Dos Equis Beer Man

I know Old Joke but so true - stay thirty my friends

The Cast of the Softball Hangover wouldn't be complete without Aaron & Gubi

 and the part of Zach Galifianakis 

will be played by Bravery Shortstop Devin

 

who grew the Brain Wilson beard for Halloween and would be a natural fit for the part

Joel Goldman 

 

would make a good Ari Gold 

 

from Entourage

Another entourage that could go as a group costume would be the Inwood Umpire Team .. Four Musketeers

  No tights of course

Speaking of umps,Mr Johnson - you know what's his most natural costume

Yes I will never let it go until he is canned. He's gotta go

Speaking of gotta go, my final costume recommendation for this corny blog is Mafia Hitman and Victim- Angelo and Bandana Man ,,,, naturals

Happy Halloween Everyone

Softball Grapes of Wrath

John Steinbeck was Nobel-Prize winner for literature, as he wrote classics like East of Eden, Of Mice and Men, and The Grapes of Wrath. When I was in school I read them all, good shit. My favorite is Of Mice and Men but today the famous line from The Grapes of Wrath comes to my mind:

"I know this... a man got to do what he got to do."

As today the wrath 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 of the softball gods

 

 dropped the first October snowfall on NYC since 1952 on us.

 Unreal

We've been blessed in Inwood this fall as we have not been rained out. Hell I guess we still haven't been rained out as this technically this is a snow out. There's a softball first for everything I guess.

This inclement weather is forcing us to the following tough but fair decisions:
http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/softballgrapesofwrath 

• Playoffs start next week
• Most teams could only play 12 games, some less. Sucks but its the best we can do to make sure we complete the playoffs
• At least all teams in both leagues had already made the playoffs. Except one.

That except one is where "a league's gotta do what a league's gotta do" comes in as three teams are alive for the 6th seed in the afternoon league :

1. Rays 4-7
2. Dodgers 2-9
3. Bombers 2-10

We've made the following tough, but fair, decision for the league based on records, field availability, schedule , and match ups.

League Ruling for 6th Spot : There will be a special Saturday play in series between the Rays and Dodgers, where the Rays only needed to win one game and the Dodgers need to win 3 games. If at any point the Rays win one game, no other games will be played that day.

This decision was based on the following logic:

• The Rays and Dodgers must play again as they have only played once and are currently in 6th and 7th place, respectively
• Even though the Bombers and Rays haven't played all year they have been eliminated because (1) have played 12 games already (2) have the poorest run differential factor, (3) and cannot win five games under any scenario which is the win total most likely needed (in most scenarios) to qualify for the post season.
• If we let the Dodgers and Rays play only one game and then schedule a Bomber-Ray match up, then we would be running the risk that the Bombers would come to the park for nothing, if the Rays are victorious. That is a waste of time.
• The Dodgers week 7 opponent, Los Bizcocheros cannot play next Saturday.
• Bottom line : We just don't have enough fields and time for a 14 game schedule and are going to let the 6th and 7th seeds fight it out.

The Bombers are not happy as to again quote Steinbeck from the Grapes of Wrath "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." , but considering the circumstances it was the best we could do for everyone involved. You can not make everyone happy, you just have to be fair and realistic.

Ball So Hard .. It's Provocative...That sh.. grey

In their hit song hit song Ball So Hard (politically correct title version)


Jay-Z and Kanye West looked beyond the obvious and cleverly interject Will Ferrell's funny line

"No one knows what it means but it's provocative" .. to reinforce their songs stimulating, aggressive, vexing, and suggestive nature.

A provocative Ball So Hard theme in softball that many leagues face is what type of ball to use. You never want to play with a soft/bad/old ball as it has a major impact on the quality of the game.

In the city a common ball choice is the clincher F12

vs the Gold

Most leagues use the F12 for a combination of the reasons below:

• Ball density - F12 is softer
• Safety
• Field type - closed, open, game crossover
• Pitching Style

The Gold is a harder ball, travels farther and hence, is hitter friendly/popular. Most pitcher's prefer/love the F12 for all the opposite reasons. However, recently I caught up with top open pitcher Carl Costantino in Staten Island

  and he  looked beyond the obvious and cleverly his pitcher's take on why the F12 is a better ball

What do you think? 

Given an open field and ASA approved bats which Ball do you prefer? 

As Kanye sings "That shit's grey , That shit's grey"

Inwood Vibe

Citysoftball.com has all the latest A96 softball news - Here is this week's vibe, all recored before my demise http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/10/not-breaking-news-luckily.html  of course

• http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/bestsbemailireceivedthisfallwhatotherteamsdothis 
• http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/devilraystakecontrolof6thplacenoneedtoscratch 
• http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/wearedominican 
• http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/somethingisbrewing 
• http://sites.google.com/site/inwoodsoftballleague/news/bringingordertochaosfortheloveofthegame

Not Breaking News ... Luckily

Yesterday I was standing where in the on deck circle, where I was supposed to be, when the batter swung, missed, and then accidentally let go of the bat. The bat hit me dead in the face. In the Face!!!
I was only six to eight feet away.

Crazy

The best way I could describe it is "it was like getting punched on your chin at full force when your not looking". I was in complete shock and disbleief.

Both teams and the official rushed to my aide immediately. Thank you guys.

My teammates, the Trojans, tried to take me out but I refused b/c I did not feel dizzy or have concussion like sysptoms. I wanted to play after all http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2008/04/are-we-not-warriors.html Are We not Warriors? More importantly, I felt I needed to play as it was helping me clear my mind and get over the trauma.
 
I stayed in teh game for 3 innings, but in the Outfield I felt/tasted blood from inside my mouth. Upon visiable inspection I was told I had a deep nasty ugly gash inside my mouth, was removed from teh game, and needed to go the emergency room. Being the stubborn bastard I am I stayed till the end of the game and then drove home to meet my wife.

 She took me to Jersey City Christ Hospital where I was admitted to the emergency room

and treated so well. They run a Great Hospital and emergency room. My wife was awesome throughout the whole event, she even did her homework

LOL!!

 X-Rays showed I'm like Bruce Willis

UNBREAKABLE!!!!!!

Only needed 5 dissolve-able stitches inside my mouth.

No Broken jaw or teeth. 

I got so Lucky - as no solid food for a couple of days is nothing to what could have happened

I will never stand within 50 feet of an on deck batter again. 

Neither should you.

Better yet, Stand behind the fence.

Another One bites the Dust

In softball we sometimes view the competition as some sort of villain http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2007/04/need-for-rivals-and-supervillians.html. But the truth is we are just all viewing the other side of the mirror. That person across from you on the field just wants the same thing - To Win. Now how they try to win is probably what irks you and when they win it really pisses you off. God forbid they would use your favorite bat or glove to beat you. That would be hell.

Unfortunately, in the real world villains do exist and sometimes they do win. This week a mortal villain lost more than just a game. He lost his life. As longtime dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, was killed following the capture of his hometown of Sirte. There were confusing reports of Gaddafi's capture and death, and questions remained over exactly how he was killed but now it has come to light hat he was killed with his favorite golden pistol.
Gaddafi was carrying the golden pistol when he was captured by Transitional National Council (TNC) fighters in a sewage pipe outside his hometown of Sirte on Thursday, following a NATO airstrike on his convoy, an official told The (London) Times. "Gaddafi was first captured by rebels from the east," the source said. "Then the Misrata group showed up to take him. The eastern rebels didn't like this and the soldier pulled Gaddafi's golden gun and shot him, telling the Misrata guys, 'You can have him now'." Cold. Talk about what goes around comes around.

All softball metaphor's aside, Libya and hopefully the world is now better without this dictator.

Hung Up in the wrong issue ..Deceiving Record

This week Jet hater Mike Francesa has hung up on by all pro Jet corner back Darrell Revis

Listen here:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/?podcast_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.podtrac.com%2Fpts%2Fredirect.mp3%2Fnyc.podcast.play.it%2Fmedia%2Fd0%2Fd0%2Fd0%2FdZ%2Fd1%2FdL%2FdF%2FZ1LF_3.MP3%3Fauthtok%3D5561594259604811554_zuCm4fvJpL4g2Q0C9zcdYLAbpZA&podcast_name=Darrelle+Revis+-+With+Mike+Francesa&podcast_artist=Mike+Francesa&station_id=91&tag=&dcid=CBS.NY  .

The interview started innocently enough. Revis gave a quick recap of New York’s 24-6 win over the Dolphins, then Francesa began to push Revis on the play where the corner, as he made the crucial interception, appeared to pull at the jersey of Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall. That’s when things got heated — in a hurry.

“I can say whatever I want to say,” exclaimed Revis, who insisted it was a clean play. “Did the ref throw the flag?” No, Francesa replied, he didn’t. “Okay then!” said Revis. “I mean, this is the game, brother. What are you talking about?” Francesa and Revis went back and forth on the issue for nearly four minutes.

“You are still the only one in the world who doesn’t think that was a penalty,” said Francesa. “I don’t care!” said Revis, clearly annoyed. “I don’t care what everybody thinks! I don’t care what you think, I don’t care what the whole world thinks.” “You’re good at interviewing,” he added. “I’m good at what I do. Just leave it at that!”

Francessa wouldn't leave it at that and Revis and the Jets hung up on him. I say good shit. I'm glad they did as I am sick of Francessa bullying and antagonizing attitude toward goon fans/callers

I am the first to admit the 3-3 Jets have been playing poorly and I'm down for honest criticism, but in this interview Francessa over stepped his bounds. I can't listen to him talk about the Jets anymore because he has taken his hate for the team to a personal level.Unprofessional.

Instead of being hung up on a play that really no one cares or is stressing about/over, Francessa should be looking more closely at their upcoming opponent the 4-1 San Diego Chargers. At face value everyone sees a 4-1 team and automatically makes them some powerhouse. but be careful because in teams sports like football, softball, etc, records can be deceiving. The Charger schedule has been soft - wins over Minnesota, Miami, KC, and the Chargers are nothing to brag about.

This game is the litmus test for Jets, analyst should focus on asking questions like can they score? pressure Rivers? instead of getting hung up on the past.

The Right Team Folds!!!!!!!!!

Folding a softball team can be a tough decision http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2008/06/breaking-up.html , b/c you feel your in too deep. Well our country has had it's American military team in the wrong league for 9 years and today it has decided to fold.

President Barack Obama
 
 announced a nearly complete withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq by the end of the year.
"Today, I can report that as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home from Iraq at the end of this year," Obama said. "After nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over. Over the next two months our troops in Iraq--tens of thousands of them--will pack up their gear and board convoys for the journey home."

Obama affirmed that he has been in talks with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and that the Iraqi government supported the American withdrawal. "We are in full agreement about how to move forward," Obama said.Although it was extended several times, the timeline for withdrawal was originally drafted under former President George W. Bush and implementing it was a key campaign promise for Obama when he was running for president in 2007 and 2008.

The military will keep about 160 servicemen and women in Baghdad to provide security for the embassy there. Since the invasion in 2003, the war has claimed the lives of 4,478 American service members.

Like I said the guy is cleaning up another man's mess.  Thank god we folded.

LT Headline ..... They Know .. more importantly We Know

After Lawyertime "LT" Championship I received the following anonymous comment on my site

 "Thankfully LT lost in the semis last yr to a bunch of regular joes. John Brown "JB" is still costing people a LEGIT championship. LT just won the nyfp league with that bullshit. All season LT did their thing with other legit modified pitchers yet when their backs were to the wall they went with the slick slinger JB" 

Basically that person said our championship was tainted. In response to that I would like to quote Drake from his top rated song Headline


" had someone tell me I fell off, ohh I needed that", thanks for the fuel for the fire as we will be back. People in the real softball world know the truth - We are the unquestioned Champions.
They know. ... more importantly We Know

More importantly, last night we drank to our accomplishment at Blonde's sports bar

Nice Bill Cosby sweater Freddy

even though I didn't recognize some players outside of their softball attire



Capped by a fun little award ceremony hosted by team leader Anthony

where fun was poked at everyone




and Willis Reed did his thing


At the end of the evening, "LT" version of George Steinbrenner, Mike

was semi coerced in to the final declaration



Thanks for the "tainted" words Mr. Anonymous, we will be back, I know you didn't want that.

Tipping PItches

Pitchers and catchers don't tell the hitter what pitch is about to be thrown b/c the element of surprise is to their advantage. However, sometimes inadvertently they send signals concerning the location or type of pitch about to be thrown, this is called tipping pitches "TP". It may be something in the pitcher's posture, position on the rubber, how he holds or moves his glove, ball grip, or even some aspect of his pitching motion. Catcher's can be "TP" culprits as well by setting up way too early or falling in love with certain pitches or locations. The opposition is always on the lookout for "TP" b/c smart batters, runners, or coaches want to know what is coming and gain an edge .

In business "making a pitch" is an expression to describe an attempt to promote or sell someone or something with the goal of generating revenue. Generally, you don't "tip" your hand (sales pitch) for several reasons like :

• The Competition - don't want them knowing what your up to until it's too late
• Product Knowledge
• Timing - seasonal , hourly, economic, etc
• Target Market needs

Some players and businesses don't care if they tip their pitches because they are simply too good or arrogant about their abilities and fear no competition. Well today I am going to go against the book as well and tip my advertising blog pitch. I do this not from over-confidence or narcissism, but rather because I want it to work for everyone. When I say everyone, I mean everyone. Me. My sponsors. My readers. This is a community. I have a responsibility to it and myself.

You see this forum has evolved over the years, at first I took a Dave Chappelle approach to the blog. Chappelle was brilliant on his show, but he suddenly quit in the 3rd season at the height of its popularity after breaking up with his longtime writing partner, Neal Brennan. You see Dave and Neal always wrote/did the show like no one else was watching they just fed off of each others creativity and sheer comedy genius resulted. When the networks started demanding that Dave be funny he quit. I always write all my blogs with one softball target in mind, my longtime partner and friend Juan "Blonde " Moreiras (seen below in his Fidel outfit )he's taught me most of what I know about softball and life and if I captured his attention then I knew I was on point. That's still true but this blog has become more, much more, as now I have connected with some many people by using the sport I love to engage readers in a conversation about life.

Some classic examples include:

http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/10/dont-let-em-say-you-aint-beautiful.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/06/91-is-real-humbling-enemy.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/06/idle-hands-are-devils-tool.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2007/04/batting-cages-and-strip-clubs.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2007/04/need-for-rivals-and-supervillians.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2010/04/790-mudslinging.html
http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2007/04/breaking-up.html


Now I've decided to add advertising space to this page. I've never ever tried to make money off my friends and I never will. This blog will never look like a Nascar

check that, I think I can find room for Danica

Advertising on the spot will only work if:

• No censorship.The blog is rated R, for Ricardo. It's me. Censoring Ricardo is like Censoring Porn!!! OUTRAGEOUS. I will let advertisers know this. Being able to diss the Mayor Bloomberg's of the world is the fuel that I need for the fire to burn and relieve all the tension inside of me 
• I advertise for quality businesses that I trust and respect. This isn't a damn infomercial and I don't want to rip anyone off.It's gotta be legit and useful.

I have one advertiser signed on and will introduce him and his business to all of you in the near future. Hopefully, this will grow and we will all prosper as it's time to face the facts, the economy sucks but these are the bullshit hands we've all been dealt. We've gotta take these cards and flip them ourselves, as we cannot expect any help from the government or anyone else for that matter. It's time to Hustle. We are in this together.

Right now I get over 5,000 Page views a month (not bad considering it was just me and Blonde in 2007), and I am asking my readership for feedback. That's why I tipped my advertising pitch. I want to know what type of services, products, stores, etc that you need and what kind of advertisers you want to see. It can be anything:

• Advertising Companies - Cards, flyer's, banners, banners, signs makers
• Clothes
• Sports Equipment, bats, gloves, jersey's, bikes, ski equipment
• Workout facilities - gyms, cages
• Tax Services
• Budgeting
• Pet supplies
• Websites development
• etc

Please feel free to either send me an email at Rickysoftball2@yahoo.com or leave a comment on this posting. The possibilities are promising and knowing this information ahead of time is almost as  exciting as knowing when a change up is coming. Almost