Pre-Season 2015

Colin taking some batting practice

Spring came even earlier than usual this year. The first practice—admittedly sparsely attended (two counts as sparse!) was on January 25th.

Mark with a nice level swing

But things really got going in February. The weather was warmer & drier than usual all month, & we were able to hold practices at Irving Park every Sunday between February 15th & March 8th—great fun. In addition, a pick-up game involving players from four Underdog teams (Underhanded Compliments, Huevos Grandes, BAM & Basic Pitches) started up on Saturday February 21st & continued through March 7th. We had good turnouts for both the practices & the pick-up games, & it sure was a good time.

Emily H at bat during one of the spring scrimmages

The Underhanded Compliments started off the year with some adversity, as we lost several key players. Maddie & Jay who were so crucial to the team in so many ways moved away—they are & will be missed! On a happier note, Lauren is expecting a child in April, & we wish her & Tyler all the best, but she sure will be missed. Lauren is an exceptional player in all aspects of the game & a real team leader.

Bryce at the plate

In addition, Steven was lured away by Basic Pitches! I guess he got a better contract; at any rate, Basic Pitches got a really good player. & on a much more serious note, Tyler suffered an injury playing flag football that will keep him out all the spring season & quite possibly beyond. Tyler is a great place hitter with gap power, & had been slated for the leadoff spot; he also is a skilled outfielder & was effective backing up Triffid at pitcher (2-0 in fact). We sure will miss him.

Cameron ready to launch

So that’s all the bad news. But we have some great new players coming in! Emily K from The Chain, who is a really formidable player, as well as Hayden & Harrison T, Jessica S & Nicole L. Emily H & Triffid are our two returning women players.

Matt at the plate during a scrimmage

Besides Tyler, Jay & Steven, the rest of the men are back, & Bryce will be playing full-time, which will be a big boost to the line-up.

Triffid waiting on her pitch during the scrimmage

The roster entering our first games on March 22nd looks like this:

C: Cameron
   Hayden
P:  Triffid
     Mark 
1B: Mark
      Cameron
2B: Harrison/Emily K
       Gustav
       Jessica
3B: Zeb
    Emily K
    Gustav
SS: Colin
    Matt
OF (M): Gustav
        Matt
        Bryce
OF (F): Emily H
        Nicole
        Jessica
        Harrison (when Emily K plays 2B)
DH:  John (3B-1B)

SUBS:
Ariel: C/2B/OF
Lauren: 2B/3B/OF

Harrison making solid contact

Despite the players we lost, I believe we will have a first division team again. Really looking forward to March 22nd when we open up in a doubleheader against two teams that should be a challenge: Basic Pitches & Huevos Grandes!

The old captain, yours truly at third base during batting practice, with Emily H & Bryce in the outfield

Next Week: Opening Day Recap