Sunday saw the first Mavericks Veterans game, as the more experienced members of the club, took on the more youthful half of the squad. Growing out of an idea by Nick Jolly to try and keep ex-Mavericks in to
uch
with the club, as well as providing the odd game for those whose
commitments often prevent involvement on a weekly basis, it was an
opportunity for a competitive, but relaxed (!!) game of baseball and
BBQ. Nick also suggested that we present a trophy for this annual
game, which was named in honour of ex-Maverick, Emmett
Borcik,
who played with the club from 1991 to 1995.
On a
day when the weather was fit for the summer sport of baseball, both teams took the
field after a minutes applause in
memory of Emmett, preceded by a couple
of speeches; one from his fath
er, and one read out by Nick on behalf of
Emmett's daughter in Texas.
The Maverick veterans were bolstered by junior team Manager, and ex-Maverick Richard Williams, who last donned the Maverick blue back in 1996. He was joined by a couple of other founder members of the Mavericks - Martin Roberts (1992-96) and Trevor Goacher (1992-98). In fact the total number of years on the Mavericks for the starting 9, came to a shocking 102 seasons! - the Rookies starting 9 on the other hand just about struggled into double digits.
The
Rookies were the first to trouble the scorers, as they put 4 runs on the
board in the first inning, albeit with a couple of errors by a somewhat
rusty Vets infield……shouts at the time that it was just a case of giving
the young 'uns a head start, perhaps hiding the fact that it might have
worked better the other way round. Owen Hazelby was pitching for the
Vets, although it has yet to be discovered if this was a voluntary
assignment or some sort of coercion on behalf of the Vets. He was
backed up by a Badenhuizen-Williams double play combo
,
with the power hitting bats of Kendal and Goacher on the corners.
When
it finally came round to the Vets turn to wield the lumber, they proved
that they still had a good sense of the strike zone laying off those
pitches from the even younger Stuart Ellis (although whether it was more
a case of not actually being able to see the ball is debateable). Very
quickly the bases were full of Vets (or should that be a retirement of
veterans?), and a
single from Mike Burdett, drove in the first couple of Vets runs.
The
early innings saw a very close game, with the Rookies unable to pull
away, and the Vets unable to capitalise on a number of chances,
stranding quite a few runners in the process. John Kristensen was to
replace Stuart on the mound, but not before he proved himself definitely
to be agile enough for the Rookies squad by taking a diving catch on a
pop behind home plate, which prompted several comparisons of the
cat-like reflexes of the Vets team, as they equally proved themselves
equally as agile, as they avoided ground balls hit their way.
As
Owen soldiered on, more from the fear of the lack of quality in the Vets
bullpen, and Heather battling the middy heat behind the plate, the
Rookies began to take advantage of a slightly less nimble infield, by
laying down a number of bunts, that with their speed, proved no match
for.. Joe "Ricky
Henderson" Bibby, in particular was a blur round the bases (to be fair,
with some of the eyesight in the Vets team, he was also a blur when
standing at the plate). That said Trevor Goacher proved that he could
still play some Third Base, turning back the years and spearing a couple
of hard hit ground balls, and Nick Jolly was nothing if not vocal at
First Base reminding the infield where they should be playing and where
they should be throwing.
Meanwhile at the plate, the Vets were now having to contend with John
Kristensen on the mound. This was obviously very much to Brian Kendal's
liking as be blazed a line drive into right centre field, driving in a
couple of runs, although at the same time, turning a double into a
single.
One
base at a time, and oxygen….that was the Vets mantra on the day.
At the half way point, the game was tied up at 7 a piece, and with James Guerra trying to hit every passing car down Summers Road, and both John and Manny try to turn bunts or swinging bunts into inside the park home runs, there was perhaps some nervousness amongst the Rookies that the Vets years of experience might actually win the day. But just before they turned to their trump card in the bullpen, Kevin Zanes, who had spent most of the afternoon, waiting for a pitch in the strike zone, they found themselves up by 6 runs. A long inning in which the Vets couldn't get the final out, as Ben Stobart, Gregg Yates and Chris Lary all scored or drove in runners, was perhaps the final nail in the Vets coffin.
In
the end, the curtain came down swiftly. With Richard Williams now on the
mound for the Vets (courtesy of My Jolly's suggesti
on
of drawing positions from a hat……..which was made all the more
worthwhile as he drew the position of catcher for himself!!), the Vets
gave up a couple more runs, although some excellent umpiring by Rob
Wheeler, ensured that it did not drag on too long, not that the BBQ
smells now drifting across the diamond had any influence on the
decisions!! Kevin closed out the 8th and 9th with little trouble, just
allowing a couple of runners, and the Rookies proved their worth, with a
comfortable win in the end. It would also have lead to the lifting of
the Emmett Borcik trophy, but the Vets, applying their experience and
cunning to the last, ensured the presentation was not made until after
the last of the Rookies had departed for the day, thus lifting it
themselves by default!!
First
of all, thank
s
must be made to Nick Jolly for organising the Mavericks Veterans. It was
great to see all the old faces back again, and even if a few steps have
been lost on the diamond, the banter certainly has not. James Guerra and
his Rookies team must also be thanked, not only for taking part and
making this a competitive game, but also for the fact that by being the
part of this club, they are in fact keeping the club growing, and thus
allowing the Vets to dust the gloves off every now and then. Richard and
Sandra as always produced an excellent BBQ (although if I didn't know
better I could have sworn some players were volunteering to be benched
just so they could partake a few innings ahead of schedule). Rob Wheeler
did a great job behind the plate, which was much appreciated bearing in
mind he had no base umpire to help him out, and also the temperatures
which were nearing the 90's (in Vets money) or 30's (Rookies money).
This will hopefully become a regular mid-season fixture for the Mavericks, and may even lead to one or two other Vets games, assuming the aches and pains don't take too long to disappear. If anyone reading this has played for the Mavericks in the past, or just simply can't commit to regular baseball but would like to play still with the Mavericks, then please get in touch with Nick, as he would be glad to hear from you.
