Your Rhode Island Mavericks entered day 2 of the tourney with a record of 1-1. Today's opponent the San Antonio Yankees entered with a 2-0 record and took the fiedl first at beautiful Maryvale Stadium. The Mavs failed to score in the top of the first but a single up the middle , an infield hit, and hit batsman loaded the bases full of Yankees in the bottom of the first against Steve "Doc" Parsons. Doc regularly pitches for the Westport Cardinals in the same league as your faithful correspondent and has been coming out here for 21 straight years to play in this tournament. However, despite that experience, all three runners scored and after two full innings the Yankees led 5-0. The Mavs crawled back to within 6-4 but the Yankees added on 4 more to close out their win 10-5 and give the Mavericks their second loss in the tourney. Going into Wednesday's efforts the Mavs have put themselves in "must win" territory for the two games scheduled for Wednesday.
On Wednesday the Mavs were slated to play the Dodgertown West squad that is made up of guys who play at the Los Angeles Dodgers fantasy camp and have arranged to play as a team out here. Wearing Dodger uniforms half of their players wear 32 ( Sandy Koufax's number) but in truth do not resemble the Hall of Famer in any other regard. Jim Scott, another Mavs pitcher from Connecticut, took the ball for the Mavs and took the mound with a good fastball and terrific curve that has earned him the nickname of Cap'n Hook. The Dodgers countered with a crafty lefty wearing Koufax's # 32. After a five innings, the Dodgers held a 5-3 lead and the Mavs were struggling to put together some offense. But two walks and a bunt loaded the bases for the Mavs. A wild pitch scored a run and a fielder's choice tied the score. The Mavs then got a big hit from their catcher, Walter, driving in two more for the lead. The baseball gods punished the Dodgers for the leadoff walks and one hit helped account for 4 runs and the game as Jim Scott tossed a terrific complete game to even the Mavs record at 2-2 and retain hopes for a playoff spot.
The second game found the Mavs hosting the Snowbirds, a team that had yet to win and struggled throughout the tourney. There was a risk of taking them for granted and indeed the Mavs made it exciting . Taking a 7-3 lead into the 9th the Mavs gave up 3 runs to the Snowbirds and the Snowbirds had the tying run at second base and two outs. But a fly ball to left was caught ending the game and the mavs heaved a sigh of relief. The Mavs head into the final day of pool play with a 3-2 record and assured of a playoff spot with a win today against the Tri Valley Giants.
Todays' game against the Giants will feature two team playing with black unforms in 90+ degree heat. I must admit that wearing black in the desert heat might seem an inspired choice to some but your faitful correspondent would prefer white uinforms .
A win today puts the Mavs in the playoffs and all that happens prior to the playoffs is merely prelude. The tournament is a bit an an endurance contest with 6 games in 4 days in 90 degree heat . By week's end injuries and exhaustion emerge and the teams that have endured the best are best situated for the playoffs . Readers can expect your faithful correspondent to be on the mound for the first playoff game should we manage to win today. The Giants are 1-3 going into today and we ought to be able to win this game.
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At the very least you have outlasted the Rays and champion Phils. Next year the MLB world series will go into November. You can then show video of Arizona fall baseball - baseball as it ought to be - daylight and hot weather as opposed to what happened in Philly earlier this week.
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