vs. TRAVEL "TIGERS" [28-3]

The last game of the season and our first year in Division one ends with an emphatic 4 victories in a row, a little more familiar to those of us that have batted the pitches of Regents park during previous seasons.

This weeks final write up before the quarter finals comes from Ringer #1, Ange.

ANOTHER beeeeeaaaautiful London summer day....and the two rather rain-drenched teams gingerly emerged (some slightly more eagerly than others, it must be said!) from beneath their sodden brollies to take the pitch in this long awaited and highly-anticipated encounter. The only comfort...the fact that the beers were actually cold! The foul weather-induced misery was quickly quashed, however, as the formidable Portland Pirates quickly notched up a convincing lead- a lead that led us down the garden path...be it a rather slippery and muddy one...to eventual... VICTORY!! Arr!!

vs. WCRS / Engine [16-7]

This weeks game report comes in the form of a few one liners from the many keyboards of players and 'supporters'. Another big thanks to everyone for showing up regardless of the weather for the first Engine Group derby.

"Best game of the season under the shittiest weather possible. We really fucked them up!"

"Very wet and an easy victory topped of with a great catch by Damian"

"Engine conks out in park?"

"Engine complain about wrong Fuel in Partners tank"

"High powered (Partners &) Fuel brings Engine to a halt"

"…Nothing would stop them; Hanisha, Lizzie and Mo’landa battled trench foot, the torrents of Great Portland Street, and the bitter, wet open plains of Regents Park to support their team – the cheer would go on!..."

"You could cut the tension with a rubber spoon as the teams shared laughs and ciders in the rain – but once the raincoats came off and the inappropriate-clothing-for-your-workmates-to-see-you-in came out – the competition heated up. The Engineers took the field with gusto, the pitcher even wore a glove! But they were no match for the Pirates. Bolstered by their obnoxiously drunk and loud cheer squad, the Pirates slid, caught and ran like they were born for it… victory was theirs…"

"Quite simply, we f***ed them up."

vs. THE ECONOMIST [17-16]

Thursday...Thursday. Now, what happened on Thursday?

Oh yes, we showed that appalling combination of layabout toffs, arrogant septics and ad sales wide boys who populate Economist towers just how to play the game of softball.

Although the winning margin was the narrowest possible, the gulf in class was clear for all to see. Particularly that mardy little madam on first base as she missed pretty much every catch - hah!

Played under ever-heavier skies, our batting was good - particularly Steffi, JB and Pau. Our fielding was better. Great collecting and covering in the outfield by Bethan and Damo, two awesome catches from Pau in the outfield and Becs at backstop, not forgetting the match-winning take on third base by JB's brother, AB.

Sundry highlights included JB's flying tag that sent one of their star batsman on a somersault (that carried a tariff of 3.7). Also, JB being knocked to the ground by a runner heading for home (after he'd already been called out on third - go figure).

Lowlights included my pitiful batting (sorry all, will improve, honest). Three innings in which we failed to score. And the fucking deluge that accompanied us all the way to the Volunteer.

In the final analysis, yes it did go to the last hit of the final innings. but we always knew we'd FUCK EM UP.

vs. THE ORPHANS [25-16]

VICTORY!

Over the past 5 weeks it’s fair to say that the Pirates have had an on-pitch fear factor rather more reminiscent of Tinkerbell than Long John Silver. However, watching our opposition successfully take each other out before the onset of the game (their backstop is now fine. Couple of stitches and some beer sorted her out) seemed to do wonders for our confidence.

Waldie’s history of kamikaze base-slides meant he was now chief score keeper – a task he undertook with such diligence that I have scanned in a copy of the score sheet for everyone’s perusal. Based on this (plus some slightly hazy, pimms obstructed memories) the highlights include:

1. THREE (yes, you read right) home runs by our second mighty Saffa Ange
2. Closely followed by 2 home runs from the Buckmeister
3. A first innings that produced a pant stretching 14 runs
4. The reappearance of Dom and Kia
5. Some pretty superlative out-fielding by the Pau / Dom combo
6. A slick third base / first base action with Martin / Dom combo

With our outfielders in such fine fettle, some fearless base-diving and batting and a stonking first innings, the Pirates broke a 345 day no-win stint (last time we gave a beasting was with our old friends the Economist. Spit) and smashed (literally) our opponents back to their Orphanage. Job done.

by Becs

vs. PROXIMITY "SWINGERS" [21-25]

Another week, another game, and this time victory was a possibility..... Read on for this weeks game report from our ex-captain Dan who has continued to support the team whenever players are absent.

Pirates and Swingers. Hmmmmnnn. I was half expecting a debauched Caribbean package holiday recreated on the banks of Regents Park boating lake. Imagine my delight when Hedonism 3 turned out to be a nice civilised softball game instead. Good job I kept the mankini receipt.

Well, unlike Blackbeard, or anyone at Hedonism 2 this summer, the Pirates went off half-cocked from the start. Several runs down after the first innings, it took a Captain's courage to stir a counter attack. Witness seaman Waldie ably rising to the challenge, diving headfirst into a not-so-perfectly executed slide to second, injuring himself in the process.

It was the catalyst we needed and, following a great team effort, the scores were level at 21-a-piece at the bottom of the sixth, with one innings left to play. So would we go out with a victorious bang of gunpowder and five points to treasure or with a whimper of studded leather on a spotty bare arse?

You guessed it. For the fifth time in a row, we were Jolly Rogered.

I for one enjoyed it immensely. And, as an ex-employee of Partners, it was nice to catch up with another, Andrew Wadell, who was playing for the sex pests, err Swingers. Until next time, shipmates, Garrr.

by Dan Wright

Thanks again all, and a special thanks to Natalie Woodley for filling in at the last minute so at least we had a team of 9... again...

vs. RKCR / Y&R [16-28]

Game report coming soon.

vs. THE GLOVE MUPPETS [15-19]

The year of Division 1 continues and this weeks game versus the Muppets is brought to you by a newcomer to the team, Lachlan, who with about 60 seconds training helped us to our closest defeat yet.

Wednesday 27th Mays showdown with the Glove Muppets was never going to be easy. Beset by almost insurmountable challenges from the outset, the Pirates team was held on the rails by the dedicated leadership of JB and Waldie. With client events, the Champions League final and pure unadulterated laziness prevalent across the board and all vying for the A lists collective time, JB and Chris were forced to scrape the bottom of the barrel, to produce a highly questionable team consisting of more ring-ins than a Mexican riot.

With my own knowledge of the game not predating only hours earlier when I had to look up ‘Softball’ on Wikipedia, It was evident even to me that something quite magical happened that day. With JB’s precision eye, Waldie’s superior athleticism and an all antipodean out-field holding the team together, the Pirate’s still managed to overcome; all meeting only moments before, having only a few members who knew what they were doing and being two men short to only fall 4 short after a gripping game.

In the immortal words of Caesar with a JB twist - “We came, We saw, we got fucked up”

By Lachlan James

Thanks again all. Next Thursday we take on the collective might of RKCR/Y&R and that game report will be brought to you by this years team Ringer, another Saffer and friend of our very own Bridg and now of course the pirates.....

vs. CAP GEMINI [7-23]

Our second game in Division 1 was played yesterday with the first hints of summer sunshine breaking through the clouds occasionally blinding batters and fielders alike.

But even the seemingly level playing field of occasional blindness and the fact they only had a team of eight could not close the gap between us and one of the leagues longest playing teams and frequent champions, and who also contribute three players to team Great Britain.

After a comfortable defeat we could still enjoy a little sun and a few more beers on yet another Thirsty Thursday. Yay!

Mention and thanks go out to

• Anthony Buck for filling the shoes of JB.
  
• Our No.1 Ringer Ange for yet another sterling performance with bat and ball contributing 2 of the 7 runs they let us sneak in.
  
• And to 'El Kiddo' Ali for a great catch taken at full stretch and on the run.

Next weeks game is on a Wednesday and against The Glove Muppets a composite team of weekend players that just asked to join the Ad League this year and were slotted into Divsion 1. As JB would say.... let's fuck 'em up.

vs. DEALBREAKERS [20-33]

Our first game in the top flight was played under grey clouds and diminishing light. Would we echo the England cricket team's exploits with bat and ball earlier on in the day. Or would we get an utter lesson in the game by 2008's DIV 1 champs?

Well, as you can see, we were pretty well beaten. But not before we gave them a damn good scare with a display of mighty hitting in the first innings, which ended up 14 - 3 to us.

Sadly, this promising start was negated by consecutive blanks in the next two innings as the Dealbreakers upped their performance in the field - particularly their short stop, a laconic Yank.

Over the next few innings they reeled us in, overhauled us and then piled on the points.

But we played pretty well, know where we have to improve (hitting, catching, throwing - that sort of thing) and are looking forward to meeting Cap Gemini in a fortnight's time.

Honourable mentions go to; Waldie for the second base slide of the season (executed in dramatic fashion), Buck for getting his pitching arm back straight away and Bridge's mate Ange, who in her first match, demonstrated the hardest throw since David felled Goliath.

Update........

The pre-season training was a great success last night with over 70 people attending and enjoying clear blue skies, sunshine, some softball tips and drills followed of course by a couple of pints at The Volunteer.

I also got a sneak preview of this seasons schedule. All but one of our games will be on Thursday nights, which is definitely the preferred night by most, there is one exception with a single Wednesday game. I will send out the full schedule as soon as it arrives.

Our first game!? The season starts next week and our first game will be on Thursday night against 'The Deal Breakers'.

I have updated the blog (on the right) with this seasons pitch map, the LASL 2009 rules for anyone that wants a quick review and the most common RSS feeds for anyone that tracks updates that way.

Remember if you have any questions just send them my way or ask anyone you know that plays.

Take it easy.

It's official......

We have been promoted to division one!

Last night was the team captains meeting where everyone catches up pre-season for too many beers and lots of reminicing about last summer. And the league organisers give us a quick overview of the details for this season.

So here is the news so far:

• Its the 25th anniversary year so there will definitely be some three-legged, tequila shooting softball to come.

• Next Wednesday and Thursday are the league coaching nights, a great chance to warm up and have someone who really knows what they're talking about explain the game for newcomers. Let me know if your interested.

• Season starts Tuesday the 5th of May, although the game schedule has not been finalised yet.... we could be playing the week after next! Yay!

• This year the All Star Rookie team will be going to Palm Springs! If you want to know any more about the selections I'm sure Bridget will be happy to answer any questions after beating the competition and being selected for the team last year.

Next week we will be ordering some team shirts so I will be asking folks to choose a size soon.

Thats all for now.

Knock it outta the park!

at Northwick Park’s batting cages...

Actually, you can't - there's a net.

To start warming up for the 2009 season we have booked the batting cages for a couple of hours this Sunday 1pm to 3pm.

So if you want to limber up that swing or just have a go for any newcomers, feel free to join us.

It is about 35 minutes away from 60 GPS (either Northwick park on the metropolitan line, or South Kenton on the Bakerloo line).

http://www.northwickpark.com/baseball_softball.php

And the winner is.....

thankfully not Damo's Allstars. The voting was 8-4 in favour of the Portland Pirates after no late entries were received.

So with the season getting ever closer, a new team name and logo for shirts, I will ask the overworked studio if they can enhance the initial artwork prior to printing.

There will be the chance for some batting practice in the cages and hopefully a friendly game versus Engine in the coming weeks.

Welcome to 2009

Finally the daylight prevails and winter's cold touch shows signs of weakening. Next step SOFTBALL and occasionally too much beer in Regents Park.....

Since the teams entry to the league four years ago, many players are now only a distant memory but there have also been many great newcomers, picking up the bat and showing all those other advertising agencies what PAA (and never underestimate Fuel) are really all about.

Having finished division 2 champions last year, the expectation is a promotion yet again to the lofty heights of division 1. To some the fear of defeat, to others the chance for great victories, and of course to the rest a chance for more beer and more sun.

Anyway with the beckoning call of Division 1 it has been proposed by a random sample of last seasons players, that it is about bloody time we had a team name and a new logo.

So what do you or we have to do? It's too easy..........


Step 1.
Make sure I know your interested in playing this season, just drop me (thats Chris Waldie) an email at work.


Step 2.
Name the team, just email me suggestion(s).


Step 3.
Design a new team logo, this of course is for the creative amongst us, and to go alongside a potential team name. Just send that via email as well.


Step 4.
How long do I have? Well the team registration needs to happen next week. So I will set up a vote on these pages this Friday to choose the team name from all entries


Now to get the ball rolling, and to trigger some creative ideas or just to really make this a competition and make sure all you creative types are not outdone by a bunch of data types. The first entry, well I would rather say a work in progress, has already appeared below....

LASL Rules 2009

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