2009 KSSL - Week 6 Recap

KSSL SCOREBOARD

- Sunday, June 28, 2009 -

4:00 PM NT

MEDICAL CLINIC 20 LIONS CLUB 15

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
LC (3-3)	2	5	2	5	0	1	0	0	0	15	Final
MC (3-3)	4	4	0	5	0	0	5	2	-	20

Chris Whelan makes up for two dropped balls with 3 RBIs, 4 runs scored

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- For the second time this season, the Kilbride Medical Clinic defeated the Lions Club, behind the exploits of the Brothers Whelan - Chad and Chris, who were a combined 7-11, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 7 runs, in the game.

The early goings of the game produced nothing but runs. In the top half of the 1st inning, LC jumped out to an early lead from a two-run homer off the bat of Billy Gorman. In the bottom half, MC countered with four runs, which included a two-run double from Chad "Ched" Whelan and a RBI single from Chris "Sharky" Whelan. Even late round selection Blair "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" Marshall got in on the action, with a blistering double, producing the final run of the inning.

In the second inning, LC put a five spotter, chiefly off of a couple of miscues in the outfield by Shark, and an error by Skinny Whitten. Once again, MC quickly rebounded by putting another four runs on the board. Highlighting the inning was a towering two-run bomb by Sharky, showing that two errors can't even faze him.

Press favorite, and local protege, Cory "Trevor" Walsh hit his long awaited first career HR in the 3rd inning, which put LC on top 9-8. The young lad, from the mean streets of Mooney Cres., was also a part of a spectacular defensive play in the 6th inning, where he made a long stretch off of first base on a play where Rob Smith showed Derek Jeter how to field a groundball up the middle.

Team captain, and POG, Morley Smith hit his team tying fourth HR in the 4th inning, adding to LCs lead 14-8. It was starting to look like LC were destined to score 30 runs, when their bats suddenly were put into a halt. Composed for the first time ever, SP Jason "Filibuster" Whelan settled down allowing only one run over the remaining five innings.

Self-proclaimed Cy Young Pitcher, Steve Kenny for the second consecutive weekend "sucked it up", as he later told us in his post-game interview. Things began to unravel for him when Skinny hit a deep two-run HR in the bottom of the 4th. Super spear Bob Kent, straight off the fields of St. Pat's, added a two-run double later in the inning, edging MC back into the game.

The game finally broke open in the 7th inning when Kenny could no longer find the strike zone - which over the course of the game grew smaller and smaller. After walking the first two batters of the inning, Jeff "Murph Bonez" Murphy followed with his forth hit of the game, driving in two runs. In the Nostradamus Play of the Day, Ched followed Murphy up with a HR he predicted the previous night in a drunken stupor. This put the team up for good. Way to go, Whale!

In an exclusive interview with the sire of the Brothers Whelan, Newfoundland Baseball Hall of Famer, "Big Barrel" Bas Whelan sounded off on his two sons.

CVD: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule. My first question is, how does it feel to father two budding stars of the KSSL?

Bas Whelan: Disgusting...bloody disgusting.

CVD: ...Can you elaborate, please?

Bas: Slow pitch softball? Stars of SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL!

CVD: I'm sensing quite a bit of hostility towards the KSSL...

Bas: Cletus, It's SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL! Do you realize how humiliating this is for the Whelan name? They should be stars for the Shamrocks. It's no wonder why we can't beat Holy Cross. There are the Gullivers, the Kents, and where are the Whelans? Hitting SLOW PITCH SOFTBALLS!..

The phone connection cut off at this point, but let me venture a guess and say, we shouldn't be holding our breath for seeing one of Newfoundland's finest up at the Huck anytime soon.

Game Notes: KSSL Father of the Year Jason Thompson was MIA because of father duties...Skinny Whitten, after his HR, was heard screaming "I'm getting laid tonight!"...Home plate umpire, Michael Murphy struggled calling plays all day. First he made no call, which turned into a very delayed call, regarding a play where nobody knew whether the ball was foul or fair. Later he botched a call, stealing a triple away from Jeff Murphy, which also cost MC a run. On top of this was an inconsistent strike zone which was the size of an amoeba...Super spear, St. John's Caps/Shamrocks extraordinaire, Bob Kent added a two-run HR in the 8th inning...Jeff Murphy, 4 for 5, 2 runs, 3 RBI...

5:30 PM NT

DONG FONG 22 HAIR HAVEN 9

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
HH (3-3)	0	0	0	1	0	5	0	3	0	9	Final
DF (3-3)	5	4	1	5	2	4	0	1	-	22

Dexter Spurrell's, glove and bat, too much for Haven

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- After missing four weeks of action former Gold Glover Dexter Spurrell ignited the fuse in Dong Fong Restaurants blow out victory over Hair Haven.

Dong Fongs victory, coupled with the Medical Clinics win earlier in the day, has put all four teams into a tie for first place at 3-3. The league has never seen this kind of competition before, which can only be rivaled by the NFL. Huck Field has been a jovial experience to behold, with it's college atmosphere on gameday, and the future has never looked stronger. Rumor has it that a partnership between Quidi Vidi Brewery and Ches's Fish & Chips may sweep in and steal the exclusive rights to the KSSL from Labatt's Brewery. What better way to spend a day at the Huck drinking from the luscious nectar of Newfoundland's finest fish and beer? If the deal falls into place, inside sources have revealed that NTV is willing to pony up for the exclusive TV and highlight rights for the league. We will have to wait and see how the chips will fall.

Now back to the game, Dong Fongs came out guns ablazin' scoring the first ten runs of the game, behind eleven hits which included a three-run HR from Rick Smith. Hair Haven were, as the darling of Sesame Park Lorraine Kenny would say, "playing asleep!".

By the time the 6th inning rolled around the game was already out of hand by a score of 17-1. Suddenly, team leader, and local comedian, Luke Stoyles began asking his team for a "rally monkey". By an act of Allah, the monkey came down before him. Hair Haven banged out six consecutive hits, earning them a five run inning and most importantly...life. POG Sebastien "Super Baze" Vallin declared, "there you are, team!".

This sudden momentum change unfortunately was short-lived though, when Dong Fongs inserted the final dagger busting out four more runs in the bottom of the inning after half their order produced hits, upping the score to 21-7

In the end the day truly belonged to Dexter, who returned to his '07 Gold Glove form from the hot corner after missing time with a serious high ankle sprain. Dexter didn't just go 5 for 5 at the dish, with 3 RBIs, but he made a few high caliber defensive plays, which constantly wooed the crowd

Game Notes: Rick Smith continued his red hot play going 4 for 5, HR, 4 RBIs...Chris Murphy (3 for 5, HR, 4 RBIs), Bob Whelan (2 for 4, 2 2B, 2 RBIs), and Mark Whelan (2 for 5, 1 RBI) all returned to the lineup after missing last weeks action...Scott Howell's surgically repaired knee put in its best performance going 3 for 5, 4 RBIs...Baze Vallin earned the POG going 3 for 4, 2 RBIs (his only out was a ground ball through the infield that rover Tommy Harris made a play on).

2009 KSSL - Week 5 Recaps

KSSL SCOREBOARD

- Sunday, June 21, 2009 -

4:00 PM NT

LIONS CLUB 18 HAIR HAVEN 17

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
HH (3-2)	1	5	0	5	0	1	2	0	3	17	Final
LC (3-2)	2	2	4	0	5	1	0	0	4	18

Thompson's walk-off homer leads Lions Club past Hair Haven

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- In a game that featured seven lead-changes, Lions Club finally topped Hair Haven in dramatic fashion, with a one-out two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning by cleanup hitter Jason Thompson.

After missing last weeks action against Dong Fong because of his fatherly duties, Jason Thompson came through triumphantly on Father's Day, of all days. The big OF/SS went 3/5 at the plate, with his first two HRs of the season, and four RBIs. The only hiccup on his day was a 6th inning home run out, which cost his team three potential runs.

Starting pitcher Steve Kenny didn't have his finest hour. After getting hooked when he surrendered his third walk of the game in the 5th inning, third basemen Billy "10 Beers" Gorman took over from the mound, with his team trailing 11-8. Immediately, the change paid its dividends. Gorman quickly mowed down the Haven, forcing Scott Stuckless to ground into a 1-5-6 inning ending double play. Gorman pitched one more inning before team captain Moe Smith re-inserted Kenny backon the mound. With a 14-12 lead Kenny could not hold onto the lead, serving up a two-run homer to Gord Payne on a pitch that was from the remnants of the Hand of God. Payne added his second HR of the day in the 9th inning, which ties him with teammate Bob Whelan as the KSSL HR leader.

Ryan Foley continued his entertaining play, from last week, in what many believe was one of the better single defensive innings ever to happen at the Huck. In the 3rd inning Foley looked like a young pre-roids Rafael Palmeiro, getting all three outs by himself. On the first out, there was a shallow fly ball hit to right field where Foley called off two teammates, reached up into the sky, stumbled, fell down, and came away with the ball. Someone was heard saying they were more surprised he called for the ball then for making the actual catch. The next play saw a foul ball hit towards the side fence, where Foley calmly, and fearlessly ran towards the fence and caught the ball. The final out came from a rocket ground ball, that he knocked down off of his chest, and made the play unassisted. This all came after his two-run HR in the second inning. Just remember that you heard it here first, we may have discovered the new star of the league.

In one of the most sentimental moments in KSSL history, fan favorite and seven-year vet Neil Murphy hit his first ever home run. Tears were shed, hugs were given, and laughs proceeded. After the game Murphy commented on his line-drive HR he hit to right field, "I was trying to hit the ball to left center. Oops!". Well Neil, if that's the case, perhaps you should try to hit it to left center more often.

On the losing end, Dwayne Prince continued his strong play going 4/5, two HRs, 4 RBIs, 4 runs scored. His HR in the first inning, snapped his streak of nine consecutive hits as singles.

Game Notes: Home run leader Bob Whelan missed the game due to a strained shoulder that occurred down in the Caribou League earlier in the week...Starting pitcher Michael Murphy left the field in the bottom of the 5th inning for unspecified reasons...Adam Smith 4/4, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs...Rob Smith 4/5, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 Runs...Luke Stoyles 2/4, 4 RBIs.

5:30 PM NT

MEDICAL CLINIC 21 DONG FONG 20

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
DF (2-3)	5	2	1	1	0	4	3	2	2	20	Final
MC (2-3)	5	3	2	0	1	3	3	2	2	21

Chad Whelan's heroics lift Clinic over Dong Fong

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- A week after stinking up the joint, the dynamic duo of Chad Whelan and Kevin "Koo" Condon rebounded in a big way leading Kilbride Medical Clinic past Dong Fong Restaurant 21-20, in a slugfest that many are calling the longest game in KSSL history.

Channelling Jason Thompson from earlier in the afternoon, Whelan stroke a one-out two-run homer in the bottom of the 9th inning, earning the victory for his team. The teams captain is starting to earn a reputation as one of the league's biggest clutch hitters, which started with last season's walk-off homer in the Kilbride/Valley Classic, which gave Kilbride its second consecutive victory in the two year event.

Whelan's heroics could never have happened if it weren't for the stellar play from CF Condon. If Koo wasn't driving in runs, he was either stretching singles into doubles, as he did in the 9th inning, or giving the MC their first base runner of an inning, which occurred on four different occasions. Small things, such as these, are how you win these types of games in the trenches, and Koo once again proved why he is one of the games special players.

On the losing end, reigning MVP, Rick Smith did all he could do, going 7/7 at the plate, with a HR, 3 RBIs, 3 R. What a tough pill to swallow, but my question is, would the MVP take away those seven hits away for the W?

At the start of the 8th inning, mass confusion set in the scorers box, delaying the game momentarily. It all came from Billy "10 Beers" Gorman who finally lived up to his proud moniker. In the previous inning, Billy credited DF for five runs but allowed the inning to continue. After deliberations it was discovered that only four runs had scored, players that were credited with outs had in fact produced hits/RBIs, and players who weren't scored had produced outs. League officials have promised to never allow Gorman to score a game again.

Game Notes: 2B Johnny Ball made a costly error with two outs in the 9th inning, with his team leading. Chad Whelan must have a difficult decision regarding whether he should replace Ball with last years Gold Glover Steve "Skinny" Whitten, who's position of choice is 2B... Skinny opened many eyes with a moon shot HR in the 5th inning, which may have landed in his backyard on nearby Long Beach... DF SP Brad O'Connell wasn't just dearly missed on the mound today but especially in the clubhouse...Chris Jacobs started in his place...Tommy Harris scored six runs, which would surprise no one if it were a league record for one game...Mark Whelan was MIA for the second week in a row with an ankle injury. He is questionable for next week...

2009 KSSL - Week 4 Recaps

KSSL SCOREBOARD

- Sunday, June 14, 2009 -

4:00 PM NT

HAIR HAVEN 14 MEDICAL CLINIC 2

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
MC (1-3)	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	Final
HH (3-1)	2	5	0	0	0	0	5	2	-	14

Michael Murphy limits Clinic to 2 Runs, Haven sail to easy victory

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- After claiming their first victory of the season last Sunday, Kilbride Medical Clinic laid up an egg this afternoon.

Team Captain Chad Whelan put up a disgraceful performance, after a hard night of partying, going 0-4, which included grounding into the first ever 6-4-3 double play when a left handed player is playing second base.

The Clinics first round selection Kevin "Koo" Condon didn't help the cause either. After crashing a High School party in the wee hours earlier in the morning, Koo lead the game off with a strikeout. Later on, he dropped a routine flyball to center. Just a sad pathetic state.

In a much talked about pitching change, team Captain Jonny Murphy made a bold change taking out pitching vet Luke Stoyles and replacing him with Michael "Mental" Murphy. Murphy confused the Clinic all day long with his high repertoire of pitches, limiting the Clinic to only 2 runs, on 11 hits.

At the plate, Bob Whelan followed up last weekends 2 HR, 6 RBI performance, with another monster game going 2/4, HR, 5 RBI. As of today we're looking at the early favorite for KSSL MVP.

John Ball was the only player who showed up for the Clinic, earning POG honors, going 2/3, HR, 1 RBI, 2 R

5:30 PM NT

DONGS FONGS 12 LIONS CLUB 6

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
LC (2-2)	2	0	0	2	2	0	0	0	0	6	Final
DF (2-2)	4	5	0	1	0	1	0	1	-	12

Early start is more than enough for Dong Fong to handle Lions Club

Kilbride Press

By Cletus Van Damme

HUCK FIELD -- Four consecutive singles, in the bottom of the first inning, was a sign of things to come for the Lions Club Sunday evening at Huck Field in Kilbride.

It wasn't the case in the top half of the first inning with LC scoring two quick runs with newly minted lead off hitter JJ Dray leading off the game with a single. Rob Smith followed it up immediately, banging out a two-run HR off starter Brad O'Connell. Oh how things can quickly change...

Hit after hit started to rattle the early season favorite Cy Young/Gold Glove pitcher Steve "Splinter" Kenny. There were mock chants of "SPLINTER! SPLINTER!", which clearly was problematic for the young phenom, who hails from the majestic Sesame Park. "Expletive them! Expletive them all!", Kenny was quoted, after the loss.

Tommy Harris, who entered the game batting an anemic .231, finally broke out of his early season slump, going 5/5, with 2 runs scored, earning Player of the Game honors. Harris who has been donning a hideous Jesus beard through the first three weeks of the season, finally shed some skin, and its result was a massive success. Will it hold up? I guess we will find out, but early consensus around the league says the reigning Batting Champ/Gold Glove Winner is on his way for another big season.

Adam Smith led the way for LC, earning the POG, going 2/4, with a run scored, and one RBI. Talk from up in the press box is that Robert Smith got shafted out of his third POG, mainly because his brother Rick is jealous of his siblings early season fame. Rob went 2/3 at the dish, a HR, 3 RBI, BB. How this didn't warrant a POG, is anyone's guess.

In the most entertaining moment of the day, Ryan "The Groper" Foley, pinch run for Adam Smith. Due up next, after Mike Baird, Foley had to score on the play, or he would lose his AB. Baird hit a single, where Foley scored all the way from second. Unknowing to Foley, he had to follow it up, right away with an AB. Gasping with a daunting similarity to Michael Jordan, when he went against the Jazz in the '97 NBA Finals with a very high fever, and against all odds, Foley followed suit with a run scoring double. Folks, a legend may have been born this afternoon. Keep "The Groper" on your short list of up and coming players.

Game Notes: Due to a family obligation Jason Thompson could not make the game...Billy Gorman arrived late in the 5th inning for reasons unknown...Batting AVG leader Mark Whelan missed the game with a sprained ankle; he is listed as day-to-day...Chris Murphy went 4/5, HR, after missing last weeks action...Ross Courtney, 3 RBI's.

2009 - Week 3

KSSL SCOREBOARD

- Sunday, June 7, 2009 -

4:00 PM NT

HAIR HAVEN 16 DONG FONGS 10

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
DF (1-2)	1	1	1	0	1	1	1	0	4	2	Final
HH (2-1)	5	0	0	4	4	0	0	3	-	16

Kilbride Press

Bob Whelan's 2 HR's lead Hair Haven Past Dong Fong

5:30 PM NT

MEDICAL CLINIC 7 LIONS CLUB 5

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R
MC (1-2)	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	3	0	7	Final
LC (2-1)	1	1	1	0	1	0	0	1	0	5

Kilbride Press

Late inning blunders cost Lions Club, suffer first defeat

Cletus Van Damme is currently out of the country covering major national sporting news. He will be back for the remainder of the KSSL season starting next weekend. Due to budgetary concerns we're sorry no reporter could cover the early season games.