UPDATE...2013 1st Annual RCSO D.A.R.E. Coed Tourney: "Jim's Fruit Stand" Sweep Tourney, Win Championship

UPDATE: STATs!

Date: Saturday, September 21
Field: Knickerbacker Fields, Troy
Time: 9:00A - 9:00P
Weather: Sunny, Clear, Windy

1st Annual RCSO D.A.R.E. Coed Tourney; Jim's Fruit Stand

	Game 1, 9:00A, Knick 2	Game 2, 10:30A, Knick 2	Game 3, 3:00P, Knick 2
Pool  B	Jim's Fruit Stand: 21 RCSO: 0  ***3 inn mercy rule win***	Frozen Ropes: 15 Jim's Fruit Stand: 16 ***7 1/2+ inn win***	Stilly's: 0 Jim's Fruit Stand: 12 ***4 inn mercy rule win***
	6:00P, Knick 2
Semi's	Maggie's: 3 Jim's Fruit Stand: 15 ***3 1/2 inn mercy rule win***
	7:30P, Knick 1
Finals	Frozen Ropes: 7 Jim's Fruit Stand: 8 ***6 1/2 inning win***

Rosters
Games 1-2	Games 3-5
Sara R Sarah L Shannon P Tabetha Z Chad C Dan R Dustin T Garry S John C Justin R Tom D	Sara R Shannon P Tabetha Z Chad C Dan R DJ M Dustin T Garry S Jim C John C

The Dirty Pirates raise another pennant as Jim's Fruit Stand swept away their opponents, 5 - 0, to win the 1st Annual Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) D.A.R.E. Tournament. Jim's Fruit Stand dominated the tourney with 72 runs scored, 25 runs allowed, 2 shutouts, 3 mercy rule wins, and only 24 2/3 innings played in 5 games. Congratulations and thanks to Todd Breen for his excellent work in organizing and operating the tournament. His work was all the more impressive considering the short time frame he was given. The tournament was a softball first affair; the games moved along briskly, on schedule and included very competant officiating.  The tourney was 3 game minimum pool play with 2 pools; one 5 team pool (A) and one 4 team pool (B). Jim's Fruit stand was in Pool B. 3 females on the field and 2 extra hitters, both of whom could be male. The mercy rule was implemented on a graduated scale: 15 runs after 3 innings, 12 runs after 4, 10 runs after 5. Tie breakers were 1) Head to Head and 2) Runs against. Smartly, and unlike other tournaments held at the Knickerbacker, the Semi-Final was a crossover game. Home/Away for all games except the Semi-Final was determined by a coin flip.   Games 1 and 3: Jim's Fruit Stand cruised their way through Games 1 and 3, dominating both the RCSO sponsored team and Stilly's with a combined 33 - 0 shutout. Game 2: A tense extra inning albeit sloppy affair. Frozen Ropes and Jim's Fruit Stand were woeful defensively as both teams struggled with throws into the wind. A stiff wind blowing out to LF seemed to favor the power laden Frozen Ropes lineup, but Jim's countered with a couple HRs, many extra base hits, and smart base running. Despite early inning sloppy play in the field, Jim's tightened their defense and minimized mistakes as the game progressed. "We really hurt ourselves with errors..." said Ropes manager Jeremy D with a tone suggesting he ate some raw eggplant, "We handed that game to them..." Jim's manager John C noted the same sloppy play regarding his team, but Jim's successfully regrouped to win the game. Special Note: Congratulations to Frozen Ropes on sweeping the Domincans, 2 games to none, for the Andy's League Men's A Championship. Semi-Finals: Jim's Fruit Stand harvested an easy 3 1/2 inning 15 - 3 victory over Maggie's that included the quote of the day from disgruntled Maggie's player, Paul R: "&%*$ them...they think they're so good." Eat your veggie's Paul...  Championship: Jim's Fruit Stand employs staunch defense and a 5 run 5th inning to farm victory. Fittingly, the Championship game was also the best game of the tournament. The Frozen Ropes/Jim's Fruit Stand rematch provided a crisp and tense game. "A really good game." said  the championship game base umpire, "It was well played and exciting."

Jim's Fruit Stand remained undaunted despite having to travel to Knick Field #1; where Frozen Ropes played their semi-finals game, and despite Jeremy D pulling out all the stops with a 9 man lineup to provide extra depth and power. Although he considered the use of one extra male, John C opted against tinkering and stayed with his 7 and 3 lineup that maintained familiarity, continuity and success. Shannon P and Sara R supplied stout and steady right side infield defense and Tab Z was stellar behind the plate. "Our girls were excellent all day..." said John C, "Solid defense and good offense...what more can you ask? Tab Z deserves a medal for catching every inning for the Fruit Stand. Incredible." "I sat home Monday..." said Tab Z, "...and literally did nothing. I was exhausted."  Dan R and Jim C provided a veritable wall on the left side of the infield while Dustin T, DJ M, Chad C, and John C added solid outfield defense with minimal mistakes--remarkable considering the poor lighting. Garry S pitched every inning of the tourney and never let any game get away from the Fruit Stand. "He was always solid and dominating at times..." said Jim's manager. Frozen Ropes held a razor thin 4 - 3 lead after 4 innings and tacked on another run in the top of the 5th. The Fruit Stand refused to rot as Dan R jump started Jim's offense in the bottom of the 5th with a solid line drive double to center. "Dan busted it out of the box..." said John C, "That was the catalyst we needed." Garry S followed with another line drive double that scored Dan R. Dustin T followed with a line drive RBI single and DJ M added another single. A single by Chad C loaded the bases for John C who hammered a 2 RBI single past Steve at 2B. Jim C plated the 5th run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to right center. When Jim's Fruit Stand took the field in the top of the 6th, they held an 8 - 5 lead. Frozen Ropes were far from finished and quickly added 2 runs in the top of the 6th. The Ropes set themselves up nicely for a 7th inning rally by blanking Jim's in the bottom of the 6th. Jim's Fruit Stand, however, has a "no returns" policy and blanked the Ropes in the top of the 7th to take the Championship. Todd Breen promptly joined Jim's Fruit Stand for congratulations, handshakes, and championship shirts for all players. The Dirty Pirates and Jim's Fruit Stand have a 3 - 0 record against Frozen Ropes in coed tourney games this year dating back to the late June Sweeney Memorial Tourney. John C extends his personal thanks to Todd Breen for his splendid work, to RCSO and D.A.R.E, to Jim's Fruit Stand players and to all teams who entered the tourney.   Jim's Fruit Stand is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dirty Pirate Enterprises that also includes Dirty Pirates' Softball and DPPI. Yes, Jim's Fruit Stand also sells fresh, locally sourced vegetables.

Back, L-R: Chad C, John C, Dustin T, Jim C, Garry S, Dan R
Front, L-R: DJ M, Sara R, Tab Z, Shannon P

Sara R: Special Pirette

Sara R shows off her Pirette skills

Dirty Pirate Mascots

Ever vigilant, l'Hôpie and Fermi on duty

2013 Media League Playoffs: EYS dominates Skyline; take Championship

EYS wins Media League Championship. Congratulations! 

Date: Monday, September 9
Field: Nott Road, Field #5
Time: 6:00P
Weather: Sunny, Cool

Media League Championship; best of 3

Game 2: 

(1) EYS: 20

(5) Skyline Diner: 13

Game 2 resumed in the bottom of the 4th, 1 out, a runner on 3rd and Skyline at the plate.

Skyline picked up where they left off by shooting grounders and line drives in the gaps and plated a couple more runs before the top of the 5th to keep themselves in the game. 

A couple runs, however, could not prepare Skyline for the deluge of runs EYS scored in their half of the 5th. A relentless offensive attack of hard struck line drives and well placed grounders resulted in 8 runs for a 16-6 EYS lead. Although Skyline employed a smart placement hitting strategy for the remainder of the game, EYS tacked on a few more runs and Skyline simply ran out of outs and lost the battle of attrition.

Andy's Coed C North Championship: Wind and Umps Blow Championship

Congratulations to Moose Knuckles on winning the Coed C North Championship. 
Unanimous MK co-MVPs: Vinnie and Jeff.

Date: Monday, September 9
Field: Field of Dreams
Time: 9:00P 
Weather: Clear, cool

Andy's Coed C North, Championship

(2) Moose Knuckles: 17
(1) Dirty Pirates: 13

Poor early inning Dirty Pirates defense and multiple homeruns proved a challenging hurdle for the Pirates, but woeful officiating sunk the ship. 

With an assist from the wind and some poor defense, the Dirty Pirates dug themselves an early hole, but umpires Vinnie and Jeff ensured the hole was too deep. After 4 innings, the Pirates were down 13-3. The Pirates, however, never lost their fight rallying 3 times. Unfortunately, Vinnie and Jeff conspired to squelch each budding ralley. "It's (Vinnie and Jeff's officiating) awful..." said commissioner Frank Rogers, "...but what can I do about it?" Jeff was also involved in two key blown calls during the Friday, September 6, Coed B1 Championship game that helped determine the victor.

"I was awful..." said John C, "I gave up 4 HRs in the 2nd. I feel horrible...I let my team down. Kudos to them for hitting fly balls into the wind. I tried pitching up and out a bit, make them hit it across the wind. None were called a strike, so they could lay off. I had to bring them too close to the middle or stay inside. Knowing now what Cody was going to do, I should have walked them..." The game started with a stiff wind blowing out to dead left field. Once the wind changed direction in the 5th, Moose Knuckles found themselves with limited "power" and a surging Pirates offense.

Twice, on 8 straight balls, Moose Knuckles' pitcher Cody H intentionally walked Pirate Dustin T with runners on in key situations. Despite protestations from Pirate Manager John C, Vinnie allowed the cowardly maneuver to continue unabated. "There were a couple of close ones..." said Vinnie defiantly and provocatively. "He has to say that..." countered John C, "What other excuse does he have?" Further, after John C petitioned Vinnie regarding the intentional walks, Vinnie followed him back toward the home bench area seeking an argument. "Yeah, I walked away. I was finished. He followed behind..." said the Pirates' manager while continuing "He acts like a bully. Twice I had to stop him from provoking and taunting my players. He seeks confrontation, but cries foul when it's returned. We play to have fun, not to suffer gross incompetence and abuse from field officials."

The Pirates fought back holding Moose Knuckles to 7 runs over 5 innings while dumping 10 runs on their pliable defense in the 5th and 6th innings. A subtle application of pressure on pitcher Cody H forced him to pitch to Pirate men and even Vinnie couldn't offer Cody further reprieve. Unfortunately, the Pirates could not overcome Jeff's seminar on incompetent officiating as he stifled three rallies with blown calls on the bases.

The Pirates are scheduled to start fall ball today, September 10, 7:30P at Coyne Field. 

Post Season Schedule - 2013 Spring/Summer

Post Season
>>>American Legion Sunday Coed League Playoffs; B division; Best of 3; Dirty Pirates<<<
***With an 8 - 2 record, the Pirates earned the (1) seed.
Round 1	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Game 1:	Aug 11	Sun	1:30P	Mullen's	(4) Half Cocked	(1) Dirty Pirates	W: 17 - 7	9 - 2
Game 2:	Aug 11	Sun	3:00P	Mullen's	(1) Dirty Pirates	(4) Half Cocked	W: 13 - 11	10 - 2
***The Pirates blast Half Cocked to advance to the Championship round.
>>>American Legion Sunday Coed B Championship; Best of 3; Dirty Pirates<<<
Finals	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Game 1:	Aug 18	Sun	12:00P	Mullen's	(2) Shockers	(1) Dirty Pirates	L: 17 - 11	10 - 3
Game 2:	Aug 25	Sun	1:30P	Mullen's	(1) Dirty Pirates	(2) CDA Shockers	W: 15 - 3	11 - 3
Game 3:	Aug 25	Sun	3:00P	Mullen's	(2) CDA Shockers	(1) Dirty Pirates	W: 18 - 2	12 - 3
***The Pirates storm the Shockers for their 2nd consecutive Sunday Coed B Championship
>>>Guilderland Media League Coed Playoffs; Best of 3; EYS Clifford Wealth Mgmt Svs<<<
***EYS cruises to an 11 - 1 record and the (1) seed.
Round 1	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Game 1:	Aug 14	Wed	6:00P	Nott 5	(9) Media Logic	(1) EYS	W: 15 - 0	12 - 1
Game 2:	Aug 19	Mon	6:00P	Nott 2	(1) EYS	(9) Media Logic	W: 25 - 3	13 - 1
***EYS crush Media Logic; advance to Semi's.
Semi's	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Game 1:	Aug 21	Wed	6:00P	Nott 4	(5) Maggie's Cafe	(1) EYS	W: 17 - 6	14 - 1
Game 2:	Aug 26	Mon	6:00P	Nott 3	(1) EYS	(5) Maggie's Cafe	W: 15 - 6	15 - 1
***EYS sweeps away Maggie's to advance to the Championship
Finals	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Game 1:	Aug 28	Wed	6:00P	Nott 4	(3) Skyline Diner	(1) EYS	W: 23 - 6	16 - 1
Game 2:	Sept 03	Tue	6:00P	Nott 5	(1) EYS	(3) Skyline Diner	SUS: 8 - 4
***Game 2 resumes Monday, Sept 9, 6:00P at Nott 5
Game 2:	Sept 09	Mon	6:00P	Nott 5	(1) EYS	(3) Skyline Diner	W: 20 - 13	17 - 1
***EYS sweeps Championship
>>>Andy's League Coed C North Divisional Playoffs; Single Elimination; Dirty Pirates<<<
***The Pirates blast the North to loot the (1) seed.
	Date	Day	Time	Facility	Away	Home	Score	Record
Round 1:	Aug 29	Thu	6:00P	FoD	(8) Bill Brasky's	(1) Dirty Pirates	W: 12 - 4	16 - 1
North Semis:	Sept 05	Thu	7:30P	Mullen's	(5) Chase This	(1) Dirty Pirates	W: 12 - 10	17 - 1
North Finals:	Sept 09	Mon	9:00P	FoD	(2) Moose Knuckles	(1) Dirty Pirates	L: 17 - 14	17 - 2
***Pirates drop Championship
YELLOW indicates game postponed
RED indicates Conflict
ORANGE indicates Make-up Date, Time, and Field
BLUE indicates game and/or venue and/or opponent different from originally scheduled

Andy's Coed C Playoffs: North Championship

Coed C North Championship

Round: Championship
Date: Monday, September 9
Field: Field of Dreams

9:00P
(2) Moose Knuckles vs. (1) Dirty Pirates

The 2 seed vs. the 1 seed, exactly how a Championship should be played. Come join the fun and action at Field of Dreams.

Congratulations Garry S and Sara R

Congratulations to Pirates Garry S and Sara R on their engagement!

"I had no idea..." said Sara R, "He just came over this afternoon...I though he did something, lol. Then he pulled out the box...got down on one knee and asked. I made him sweat a little...didn't answer him right away...I just stared at him."

 A perfect Pirate moment.

In other news, Garry S was placed on the 1/2 day DL with a knee injury... 

The Captain's Angels...

Lauren H, Lauren D, John C, Tab Z

Tab Z, Lauren D

Sara R, Tab Z, Lauren D, Lauren H

John C and the Pirettes

Coed B2 Championship: Paddy's Pub mastery over the division continues, win Championship

Date: Friday, September 6
Field: Field of Dreams
Time: 6:00P
Weather: Clear, sunny, cool

Andy's Coed B2 Championship:
(6) Bootleggers: 0
(1) Paddy's Pub: 12

The Dirty Pirates congratulate Mike W, Glen W, Don K, Dane C, Kim W, Tab Z, Lauren D and the rest of Paddy's Pub on their Championship!

45 minutes is all it took for Paddy's Pub to yawn their way to the Coed B2 Championship.

Andy's Coed C Playoffs, North Semi Finals: Pirates grind out a thriller, advance to Championship

Date: Thursday, September 5 
Field: Mullen's Park 
Time: 7:30P 
Weather: Clear, cool

Andy's Coed C, Semis:

(5)Chase This: 10
(1)Dirty Pirates: 12 

Despite stumbling and bumbling out of port, the Pirates righted the ship and downed Chase This 12-10 to advance to the Coed C North Championship.

With John C in the circle, a combination of soft Pirate defense and some good luck provided Chase This the impetus to jump out to an early 9 - 3 lead over the first three innings. Notwithstanding a paucity of well struck balls, Chase This seemed to find every hole and virtually steered hits inside the fair line. An ill timed error and poor pitch also led to a 3 run HR in the top of the second to push the game to a 7 - 1 Chase This lead. The Pirates matched 2 additional Chase This runs in the top of the 3rd, but found their ship sinking 9 - 3.

John C went to the bullpen early and brought in Garry S. "We needed a change..." said manager John C, while adding "and something to jolt the team." The move provided just that. The top of the 4th opened on a dubious note when John C had an awful read on a well struck fly ball to RC, but a strong throw to the cutoff limited the damage.

Garry S proceeded to get two quick outs on liners to third and himself and the final out on a just missed HR to left. Garry S succeeded in hanging the Pirates first 0 on Chase This. The Pirates failed to take advantage of the opportunity, however, and the game continued apace into the 5th: 9 - 3.

Although faced with the task of navigating around a 1 out error in the 5th, Garry S turned another quick inning and provided the Pirates with another 0 and opportunity. The Pirates were due to march their male trio to the plate in the bottom of the 5th, and found themselves well poised to take advantage of the break. Justin R started the rally with a laced line drive off the Pitcher's thigh. "It was outside..." said Justin R, "I knew I could crush it..."

Chase This' pitcher quickly recovered from the blow to face John C who walked on 5 pitches. "I'll happily take a BB in that situation...we needed base runners." With a smoldering Pete G on deck, the BB was well timed. Pete G smoked a double and with an E7 assist, plated two. A Dave G grounds rule double plated Pete G for the Pirates final run of the inning. 

The game was now 9 - 6 and a formerly raucous Chase This sensed a change in the tide. The Pirates gave up a run in the top of the 6th, but quickly resumed their offensive attack. Garry S and Tabetha Z opened the bottom half with a pair of singles followed by a blistered line drive double off the bat of Justin R. A throwing error by the right center fielder allowed Tabetha Z to score and Justin R to advance to third. The Pirates were now trailing 9 - 8 with John C at the plate.

John C ripped a grounder toward Chase This' 2B who turned her head while trying to flee. Incredibly, the ball jumped up, struck the back of her glove and fell at her feet. Somehow cognizant of the proceedings, she collected herself, picked up the ball and completed the 4 - 3 play. Ever alert, Justin R scored to tie the game 9 - 9.

The Pirate attack continued as Pete G doubled and Lauren D singled to bring Dave G to the plate. On the second pitch of the AB, Dave G launched a 3 run shot into LF. The Pirates now held a 12 - 10 lead with the middle of Chase This lineup due up. 

Chase This opened the 7th with a single and a fielders choice. Another single and a walk loaded the bases for their male trio. A pop-up behind second was caught by Justin R. "He was the only one who could catch that..." said John C, "It was well placed. Justin ranged far to catch it..." Thinking--or hoping--the ball would fall in, the runner on third broke for home and was doubled up on an appeal at third to end the game.

The Pirates will face the Moose Knuckles in the Championship game on Monday, September 9.

2013 Media League Playoffs, Finals: Game 2 Suspended, Bottom 4th

Date: Tuesday, September 3
Field: Nott Road, Field #5
Time: 6:00P
Weather: Cloudy, Cool

Media League Championship; best of 3: 

(1) EYS: 8

(5) Skyline Diner: 4

Game Suspended in Bottom of the 4th, 1 out, runners on 1st and 3rd.

Playing on Nott 5, EYS sluggishly pursued a sweep of Skyline Diner. Behind good pitching and solid defense, EYS was up 8 - 0 on Skyline going into the bottom of the 4th. With an assist from an erratic K zone, Eric G struggled with his command allowing Skyline to line drive their way back into the game plating 4 runs. The game was suspended when a player was injured by an errant throw. Needless to say, players from both sides expressed concern and hope for a quick recovery.

Game 2 resumes 6:00P, Monday, September 9 at Nott 4.