Just to follow up, because it cannot be emphasized enough, it was,
whatever the score, an impressive game, and one in which every fish
managed to shine at least once, if not multiple, times. Without
question the best game I've ever seen Erika play, and for my book she
and Ryan earned MVP status last night for their tag-teaming efforts
(we'll overlook E's confusion at third base, no need to flagellate,
Erika), and apart from my inability to cope with Left Field (our
fielding usuals were absent or injured last eve), we displayed the
best fielding teamwork for a period there that I've ever seen. I am
also following up because it must be noted that our downslide in the
field did directly correspond to it starting to rain while we were
out there in the third. Very difficult conditions, and the timing
made it come down on our heads the hardest. I mention this because I
honestly think we have a shot next week against Alcator: we
experienced our first groove last eve, and it was against the team
that has been beating both Beavers and Alcator; we know how the
groove works now, and reestablishing it next week will be stunning.

Also a hat off to the injured: a brutal season so far, with Dan's
recently twisted ankle and Costello's rickety knee (and a rumored leg
difficulty with Mitch?) just toppings to the grievous seasonal
sufferings of Emily, Karie, and Steve (with the season not even half
over).

Your Co-captain,

Marc

Catfish 5, MIT/CRE 26

Dearest Catfish and friends,

It was yet another difficult loss last night. Things looked quite hopeful for the first two innings: we held them to zero in the first, and then scored ourselves in the top of the second, so that for one brief shining moment we were winning! Then they scored four, in the bottom of the second; we were still full of fiery determination and came back with two runs in the top of the third. Then, they scored thirteen, and it went downhill from there.

Nevertheless, as others will attest, we really did have some fine Fish moments last night, so let’s focus on the good stuff: Early in the game, I noticed the infielders playing far out and all pulling to the right in an attempt to scoop up our lefty John Costello’s hit. Well, he tricked them and hit one on the ground and through the middle, making it to first base! Catfish screamed with pride. In the second inning, Alyssa and Nathan both got on base, and Mickus hit a lovely double, which sent Nathan home for our first run of the game. In the third, Marc got a triple, as did Ryan (who was really shining as our new shortstop, making plays left and right). Jose also got on base, and Marc and Jose scored our next two runs.

In the fourth, Erika, Alyssa, and Erin all made it to base! Then in the fifth, Matt and Diane made it to base, and Marc made it to base as well with a fine hit into the outfield.

Defensively speaking, I’ve already mentioned Ryan’s fine fielding at shortstop. Costello also had some fine plays at third, and Erika was superb at her post at second. Mickus did quite well at third base, despite a shaky ankle. And there was a lot of hustle in the outfield from Jose.

All in all, things are coming together for us, Fish, so, as always, keep your fins and whiskers a-wiggle. Next Monday we face Alcator again, at 5:30. Hope to see you there.

Game 4: Catfish 2, Rucking Beavers 33

Dearest Catfish and friends,
In another display of our fiery spirit, we lost to the Rucking Beavers once again last night.
As always, there were highlights. Things began well. We held them to 4 runs in the first inning; then Evan got a homerun in the second!!! Erin got to base, as did Charles, Kate C, Jose (who scored our 2nd run), Alyssa, Katie H., and I believe Steve Valenti (who unfortunately now joins Emily and Karie on the DL, having blown out his quad). Erin made another one of her stunning catches of a foul tip behind home plate. Evan made some great catches in the outfield, and so did Costello (and his knee held up quite well—how’s it feeling today, JC?).

And in the end, we managed to hold them to exactly 33 runs, in honor of Marge Encomienda’s (33rd) birthday. Happy birthday, Marge!

Next game is Monday the 23rd, vs. the mysteriously named MIT/CRE. Does anyone know what that might stand for? Until then, happy weeks and weekends, and keep your whiskers a-wiggling.

Game 3: Catfish 6, Alcator 36

Dearest Catfish,

These are difficult times. There’s no denying it. For although we often play well—think of Erin’s determined RBI in the 2nd inning, as well as her hustle behind the plate, Dan’s double in the 4th, the many well-executed outs made by Marc and Jose between 3rd and shortstop, Kate’s fine pitching, getting more fiery all the time, Erika’s fine defensive plays at 2nd base—we can’t quite seem to make it all come together. We are often robbed of what should be glorious hits, as Nathan, Kate, Katie, Ryan, Alyssa, Charles, and Steve can attest. And then there are innings where the other team somehow manages to score 17 runs......

Which leaves us all speechless.

To make matters worse, our DL is getting crowded. JC should be ready to play next week, but in the meantime Emily and Karie have had to deal with injuries that will probably keep them off the field for the rest of the season. These are difficult losses to cope with.

So, yes, these are dark times. But there is a light at the end of this tunnel. We are Catfish, and Catfish do not give up. We shall play with determination and style and good grace, no matter what else.

The next game is next Monday against the Rucking Beavers. Until then, Catfish, keep your whiskers well groomed and fins a-wiggling.

Judy

Catfish cards, batch 6

Catfish cards, batch 5

Catfish play 2 games in row!!

Hi Catfish,

The scores last night were 20 – 8 and 33 – 7, with the Catfish on the lighter end both times. In other words, we lost, twice in a row, to the Rucking Beavers.

It was, as co-captain Lowenthal said, a somewhat inauspicious beginning.

But many fine and mighty oaks grow from inauspicious acorns, do they not?

Here are some highlights that show us glimmers of the Mighty Catfish To Be: Katie Helke’s fine single in inning 1, and Mickus’s subsequent homer that brough them both home on (in fact, I think this happened in both games, giving me a slightly woozy déjà vu feeling!); Diane’s catching a foul tip behind home plate; Marc’s stepping up to the plate with bases loaded and smashing it into the outfield for some glorious RBIs; Nathan’s triple; fine hits all around by Alyssa, Karie, Ryan, Mitch, Diane, Erin, Rob, Emily, Charles, Kate—fifteen RBIs total!!—and particularly nice catches (despite the blinding sun) I can recall by Karie, Danny Mickus, Jose, Alyssa, as well as stellar pitching by Kate (who has perfected her arc in the off-season!). (Not to mention my stellar pitching, which is actually a bit rusty, but don’t worry Fish, I’m working on it.)

All in all, a fine performance by the ‘Fish.

The most recent word on the street is that Johnny Costello remains on the DL until June 16, but he is recovering nicely from his bionic knee replacement.

Next game is June 9 against “Alcator,” which sounds like some kind of scary pokemon-robot. I don’t think we’ve played them before, at least since I’ve been captain, so it should be interesting. Until next week, then, Catfish, keep your fins a-wiggling and your whiskers well groomed.