Composed by Dan Winslow

I think only 3 people could truly describe in words the energy and emotion that swept through Central Park Victoria on October 8, 2007. Samuel Clemens, Stephen King, and J.K. Rowling. Let's start with the setup. Since the beginning of the core foundation of this team at Bierman Fields at the U or that one place in St. Paul that nobody can ever remember, we have often had fond remembrances of tailgaiting and enjoying a nice cold frost one. Now league rules aside, and the other teams be damned, we have played ball and walked the line and not had nary a drop of suds. Back to this in a moment.

Our next act involves the games. A very drizzly morning had a few (Pat, Johnny C.) wondering whether it was even worth the drive to go. The sky did open up and it truly felt like fall ball with a chill in the air and a very nice field to play on. Well the infield was nice until Jeff tried to destroy the box with his pop up drills, and the outfield was a little soggy, but back to that in a moment. Craig sent out the email, had a lot of trouble finding out if and when and why we were even playing. But damn it! It's the playoffs and you leave it all out on the field.

We come into play as the 6 seed (8 total) in the playoffs. Single elimination, lose and you're done. Grant was already thinking of what he was going to eat at the Hogger. If we win we play at 8 pm. Hey, an hour break! Took on the #3 seed in game 1. Down early and then started swinging the bats and beat them convingly 16-8. Victory is ours! Always taking the extra base. The wet infield was certainly our friend and we took advantage. But hey, we have an hour to kill? Darren (1 walk) Fick prys open his purse strings and heads on down to the liquor store. As was probably a wise choice, only Dar, Dan, and Grant swill in between innings. The rest of the team remained sharp, for the few of us who partaked, those were some tasty brews. A shout out to the McDonalds benefactor who saved 1/2 the teams live with an array of dollar menu items. I think it was Pat. Thanks Jugsy.

On to Game 2. Actually playing as the home team this time, we beat out an 11-10 victory. Hey Grant, when you're in a run down and someone is yelling at you to not throw the ball, let's listen next season. But, an out all the same. All is well, is this really happening? Are the Hoggsbreath Schlichtings going to the championship? We are. Time to truly savor the anticipation of what a victory will actually mean. Championship T-Shirts, a desire to get new Uni's next year (I still like the black), a trophy even? And a $5 gift card to Brady's pub. Darren even admitting to being a little "nervous." Who are we kidding, this guy's blood is like ice. Nothing gets to him. He's so cool, he even bought Wine at the L store to celebrate with Nikki afterwards in anticipation of winning tonight.

Game 3 is upon us. The title is on the line. Our bats start out slow in the early innings. The Jiffy Lube Giants crack 2 homers in the first. Uh oh. Play even through 5 and in the sixth we come alive and take a 17-10 lead. Diebert was not as outspoken as normal. Has the talk of the team lost his moxy? Or does he have Hong Kong Fooey jet lag? His bat was hot, along with Darren who I don't think got out more than once, Caven stepped over to the left side and really delivered all night as well. On to the bottom of the 6th. Oh no! 8 runs given up. It's over. Well good season anyway. Not quiet there non believer. Play them tough, a few key errors and the game heads to extra innings after they hit a homer for the 7th innings final out.

8th inning. Hit, Hit, out, out, Craig gets on 1st on a very tight play and the bases are loaded with 2 out. The HERO of the night, Keith comes up and gets the seasons biggest hit. A bases clearing triple. We are up 3. Finish the inning up 4 after another triple is laced by this recaps author. Darren takes them down in the bottom. No runs...Championship to Hoggsbreath.

The lights go out, the bleachers are full of us, full of beers, full of good stories. I didn't think I was afraid of anything, until I saw Jeff do his "am I gonna throw, am I not gonna throw motion" That one still haunts me. Beers at the softball field to conclude the greatest night of softball that I have ever witnessed. The dream is back.

Here is what we learned this season:
1 - Keep Keith at 1st. The guy is like Houdini and is the rock star infielder. Plus chicks dig the sideburns.
2 - Caven keeps getting taller. I don't know if we have some sort of bone slouching disease, but this guys range keeps getting better and taller.
3 - Pat still can run a 4.3 40. One day his sliding shirt will be in the HOF.
4 - Tschak can hit the ball 300 feet on his back foot on a pitch above his head. Vlad G?
5 - Dan did pitch this year! The ban of 2009 has been lifted!
6 - Grant is bucking for co-captain. This guy has an eye for the game and a detailed book. Look for big things from him.
7 - Jeff will now carry an extra softball in his pants for those "don't get it!" foul balls. Don't dive on the big ball Jeff.
8 - If you want to see Craig hop up and down like a mad man. Get picked off first base. Sorry!
9 - Mark doesn't know how to find a CLOSE fast food joint to save his life
10 - JC can talk a batter into swinging at a ball even if it's only six inches from Dar's hand
11 - Dar plays better in cleats (yeah, remember those days?)
12- We love D league!
13 - The Razorback is good, breakfast at 9 pm is better, and get your extra pitcher order in early. Cause next year...separate tabs.

See you in 2008.

Chart below... also from Dan