by Pete

Manager's Corner 1999 Spring Training Week #3

Rolph Field holds a lot of Beat memories for me. Though I like the place despite the shitty neighborhood with it's broken glass and garbage in the street, my memories aren't all good; lost playoff games under the lights, wind blowing out to left, balls bouncing over the tall left field fence for the opponent, Fenway like, into the street, onto the overpass and beyond. The time the lights went off on our post-game party in October '91 after the first championship in October '91. Near where I got rear-ended on Hospital curve with Frank Green on the way to our contingency post-game party (there's always one with the Beat) same year at OBs house sometime shortly thereafter. O but what a great bandbox tucked under the earthquake damaged 101 freeway!

The third practice of the Spring was our first visit to Rolph in at least three years. It was 10am when I arrived under a clammy, storm-cloud impending sky and greeted MSG, Pizza Man, Brian and Butts. There were ten Mexican immigrants begging work on the corner. There was a man sleeping face down and seemingly lifeless in the bleachers (he awakened later). It was good to be back.

Rolph Park

The day, of course, was remarkable for the impending trip down the aisle at 3pm for Cyber-soph Jim Colletto who followed time-honored Beat tradition and played ball on one of the most important days of his life (see C. Young & D. Moody). I'm amazed and in awe that these guys would even ask their brides for the privilege of playing ball on such a blessed day, and feel honored, as should you all, that these dudes have those kind of balls and love softball and the team that much! All the best, Jim!

Jim brought three ringers from the wedding party that, along with 11 Beat regulars, set the stage for an interesting practice. The practice got under way at 10:30am after I had to wave the field permit at the disbelieving team that was on the field prior to us. Following fielding drills in which players were shuttled between positions as the competition at several key spots raged on, we split into three teams of four or five batters and got into game mode for the start of exhibition season next Saturday.

Team three, which included grizzled vets Kevin Austin, MSG and me, along with two of Jim's buddies rocked Buttsy and prevailed 7-6-5 in the round-robin three inning contest that was marked by offensive fireworks.

I guess the highlight of Spring Training is the shortstop competition between Pizza Man and Brian Arcuri, who looked like a couple o' Hoovers showing their quick reflexes and athleticism. Pizza's time at short was notable for stabs at sharply hit balls that were literally behind him when he caught them, good instincts, and a smooth move to second and first on throws. Brian looks like a natural at short with good range, instincts, quick glove and wowed observers with a rifle arm and accurate throws to just beat runners. I couldn't believe that dive he made after a ball in infield practice where he did the summersault. You must have seen it. Hey he didn't make the play--he would have to have been Superman to get that scorcher to his right--but I can still see that move as I sip my Gin on the rocks while writing this. Gorgeous. (Listen to me, I sound like Roger Angell.)

Right now it's a tough call as to who has the edge for this spot, but it sure will be a pleasure watching the rest of the competition between these guys play out over the two exhibition games. Oh yeah, and it's not like the center field job that the "loser" of this duel will get is a fucking consolation prize. These two guys will run the defense one way or the other.

Other interesting scenarios included the confusing shuffle of Donnell, Jim, MSG, Kevin and Butts around third, first and second. No wonder we didn't get to the round robin until 11am. MSG surprised the brass with quick reflexes on hard hit grounders to third and showed that his shoulder has healed after almost five years of pain by putting some mustard on those throws to first. We're going to be very versatile in the infield so that we're covered in the event of the inevitable two to three no-shows per game.

Oh and as for the fireworks. Buttsy shouldn't have bragged about keeping his no-hitter intact after getting the first two batters in the top of the first round, because team one immediately proceeded to tee off on him. Brian tripled, Steve doubled into deep left center and Donnell homered as team one jumped out with three runs. D's majestic blast soared high above the tall left field fence bouncing onto the overpass with an exclamation point. It was noted that this was the first time a Beat player had cleared that wall in practices or a game. For me, it was great to see a Beat player do that for a change.

Jim did his bride proud for team two with a couple of well-placed extra base hits. That double up the third base line for the lefty was something for me, an opposite field hitting portsider, to be jealous of. I think he had another double. Or triple, I forget. Greg hit a home run (maybe it was for team one, I can't remember). Cyber rookie Gunnar had a couple of nice opposite field hits. Butts, another opposite field lefty line drive hit that the manager was proud of.

Team three was studly, despite going down quickly in the first frame. MSG and yours truly both went 3 for 4. I couldn't believe it. The newly muscled up St. Georges, lofted a Michael Butts hanger into the Fenwayesque screen in left for the day's second blast. He was a triple away from the cycle. Speaking of which, I was also a triple away from the cycle, with a 2-run double and single to right, no less, and a screaming line drive home run over Brian's head when he dissed me by playing shallow in dead center. Hey, I've been starting to lift weights, too.

All in all a fun day. I'm liking the defense better than last year, I'm liking certain things about the rookies. I loved the thunderous blasts. I love having Greg Lukoski back on the team. I'm ecstatic about Brian and Pizza in the field. I'm digging Kevin on the mound. He had guys lunging for his high hangers all day as he vied for the opening day assignment. I do think we have to do better at hitting cutoffs, throwing to the right bases, not playing too deep in the outfield, yahta, yahta. But, the chemistry feels good. This team looks very competitive, but look out for the test next week against live competition. C-league is tough, all ye newcomers...

Speaking of C-league, we'll see you next week against Hammertime. Oh yeah, that was the team back in our first championship season in '91 we played when Chris Young started the wedding day tradition by coming out as "Larry Avery" in his first Beat game ever the day he married Judy. Donnell continued the trend by starring in some nameless game in the magic Summer of '97 when Yuriko was in labor. Now Jim Colletto carries the tradition into the milennium. Who's next?

Party on!

Pete

On The BEAT News Archive