Softball WeatherMan - Raise the Red Flag

Last Saturday night it poured like the end of the world and when Sunday morning dawned people seemed to confuse me for a softball weatherman. Now while Al Roker and I have slimmed down a bit, we will never be confused as hot weather reporters like the naughty Karla Luna

(gotta love the who cares what I'm saying I'm taking off my clothes attitude)

Yet between 7:30 and 9:30 Am I received numerous calls and text messages regarding the Sunday central park field status.

Here are some accounts:

Call #1

7:45 am Charles Salzberg - manager Westies
Charles quote "Ricky We have to go the to the field b/c the other team's manager cannot contact his team:
Ricky : This reminds me of years ago when on a rainy day crazy Willie Ferrer asked me "If I had called the Astros (other team)". I was thinking Huh? Who gives a fuck about the other team?!!! Anyway, I asked Charles to go to the field and let me know if games were on.
Solution: Wait till 8:30 and go back to bed b/c games were off.

Text 7:40 Am

Ralph Serrano - Player Westies & Rangers - All day Sunday : "Is the game on?"
Rick Response "I'm waiting home till 8:30am till Charles goes to field and he becomes one with the universe and cancels all the games"
Ralph Response "OK"

Phone Call #2 7:45 AM

David Nelkin - Sunday Morning Player and Sunday Afternoon Big Apple Manager
David" Hi Ricky are games on?"
Ricky Response "I'm waiting (and thinking how the fuck did you get my number????)"
David response :"Wanna call me back"
Ricky Response "Not really"

Phone Call #3: 8:00 AM

West Manager and lead softball insider analyst John Sheppard

Ricky Response" Let me call Big Apple Commissioner Jeff Marcus and get back to you

Next I called Jeff Marcus and he said


Ricky Response " "

Next Call 8:30 Am

Jimmy Bitros - manager Rangers


Ricky Response "I will be there"

In addition, I received other numerous text messages and emails. Needless to say I just got too many fucking weather calls too early in the day. So next time the weather is iffy I am doing like the fields and putting up a Red Flag and close up shop.

A Reason for Softball Players to shave

A lot of softball players don't shave, but I bet if they had to do a commercial with Carmen Electra they would.

Chicks dig the long ball and avid central park player David Scott Cohen has always been a power hitting threat. Now it seems he is also enjoying professional acting success. The insider congratulates the man that I fondly refer to as Softball's Richard Alpert.(google Richard's unique "gift" to understand why he and Dave have a lot in common)

Cool Stuff

A96 Hustle Hard

Hustle is a must in softball and life above 96th (A96) so I can think of no better team name than for an East Harlem Sports League. The field is on East 128th and 3rd Ave and is all turf but has some holes but overall is very cool and fun to play on. Speaking of holes, their site http://leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=east_harlem_sports (lower your volume) needs some help. Perhaps they could use an upgrade http://brooklynsbestsoftball.com/ style.

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Commissioner Mario (pictured with son below) has a hustling old and new school crew with heavy hitters

(funny ghetto A96 bat)

One hitter who is a little less heavy, but hustling more than ever, is lefty power man Berg Reyes who has lost over 30 pounds and looks great Much props to this on and off field Hustler for his accomplishment.

In true A96 style, Mario motivates his team by playing music on large speakers as the game is going on

Now that is A96 to the fullest - love it!!

Ace Hood, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross would be proud. Always Hustle Hard!!!!!!!

Day at the Dentist

As previewed earlier this week http://softballinsider.blogspot.com/2011/04/under-radar-classification-rivalry.html Sunday was a big rivalry match up between the Rangers and Working Class the results were:

Rangers 15 Working Class 0

Ranger 8 Working Class 1

Needless to say it was a Day at the Dentist

for Working so called "Class". As they took another of MY playersbut it's all good b/c as softball Yoda taught me

" You just got to do it yourself"

Under the Radar Classification Rivalry Highlights The Big Apple 2011 Season Opener

This Sunday, April 10th, 2011, is the Big Apple Softball League's opening day
http://esportsdesk.com/leagues/front_pageesd.cfm?clientID=1322&leagueID=2106
and it features 6 very compelling match-ups :
1. A reloaded 2007 Champion West vs a competitive Gotham team

2. Central Park dynasty Lucky's(Contact) vs a talented and maturing Empire squad
3. 2009 Runner Up Finish (these guys get good sponsors) vs. the improved Bombers
4. 3Peat Champion Choice Parts vs always tough Brother Jimmy's
5. Surprising 2010 Playoff qualifier Revolution vs 2010 Runner Up O'Hanlons

Revolution has recruited Hired Gunn Rudy Robinson to be part of their management structure so you know what that means


6. And finally, in the prime 3pm hangout time slot, the best under the radar rivalry in the league pitts 2010 Division Champion Diesel vs Working Class "WC"

A rivalry can manifest itself based on geography, common divisional opponent, physical confrontations, bragging rights, or just good old fashion hate. While you might not know it on the surface the heated Diesel - WC rivalry is very real. It based on the mantra "hell hath No Fury like an ex-ball player scorned" as both teams currently have many players on their squad that used to play for the other side.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2073118&id=1289213571&l=3e2868a19e

Not only does familiarity breed contempt, but so does the ruthless world of recruiting as both teams have gone head to head over
trying to recruit similar players. So far this year Working Class has won the recruiting battle, but the on the field war has not yet been decided. Legendary Working Class manager Marty is pumped for this season


Ironically, WC finds itself in 2011 where Diesel found itself in 2010, looking to go from out of the playoffs to a contender and with returning impact players plus upgrades they will likely be playing for much more than pride in 2011.

Diesel

welcomes, embraces, and considers their challenge a privilege. We don't trash talk, we don't steal players, we don't whine and complain to umps and make excuses. We just play. True Class will be revealed on Sunday.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!