Well, SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch softball fans, here it is September 11 and it’s the “Bags” deadline time again. You won’t be reading this until around the first of October, but at mid-September and with just one week of Summer League action left, here’s the past and future in the action-packed world of SB softball.
Tournament Action – Labor Day Tourney
Yep, our Labor Day Tournament is in the books. This year, the tournament was appreciatively sponsored by the Stretch Zone and Debra Miller of State Farm. There were three rip-roaring games on tap. Starting at 8:30 a.m. with Rec/Sidewinder, then Coyote/Community and then finally, the Competitive players. There were burgers and brats, and dogs and sodas, and cookies and chips. Yahoo! And, there was softball “dramedy” as well naturally. Yours truly was at the announcer’s mic dishing out the action, stats and inane, nonsensical patter and “disk master” Leroy Johnson was spinnin’ the platters (platters????) and the action were hoppin’ out on the field. From the scoring booth, it looked like a good 200 to 300 fans showed up and the parking lot was jammed out onto the dirt and past the horseshoe pits. Dang!!! Another great tournament put on by the SaddleBrooke Senior Softball Association (SSSA) and our tournament directors, Ann and Dale Pizzatola.
What’s Next?
Fall league action begins on Monday, October 6 to Friday, December 12 and our Veteran’s Day tournament will be held on Saturday, November 8.
But, first…
Summer Leage Action
Well, fans, it’s wind-down time. At his writing, there is just one week left of summer league action. Most leagues are all over but the drinkin’ (or is that cryin’?). But, there are still a couple leagues in battle for the summer league champion bragging rights.
On Mondays, in Recreational (single A), Absolutely Art has sewn it up over Ambient Air Heating & Cooling with a 5-3 record to Ambient’s 3-5 with just one game left. It was a battle all season, but the Artists are going to take down the tiara. Over in Community (triple A), Your CBD Store just couldn’t get any ointment going all season and succumbed to the mechanics at X-Pert Automotive who put together a 6-2 record with one game left to the CBDers 2-6.
On Tuesdays, this summer, it was a similar scenario for the competitive gals and guys (4A) with Ann Fraley-Long Realty “out-listing” the irrigators of Andy’s Irrigation with a 7-2 record to Andy’s 2-7. With just one game left on the schedule, there’s no way the Irrigators can dig their way outta’ the cellar.
Wednesday is Sidewinder day (2A) and the ‘Winders have Splendido the apparent league “top dog” with a 5-3 record with one game left to Ridgeview Physical Therapy’s 3-5. The PTers are gonna need a little rehab over the break if they want to come back strong for the fall league.
On Thursdays, it’s Coyote day and STILL A BATTLE-ROYAL with Barron Electric at 5-4 and Anne Glenn of Long Realty at 4-5. With one game left, the Realtors got a shot to tie for the league top dog spot. Next Thursday, will be a rip-snorter, fans.
On Fridays, in Community (3A), it’s a “ditto” folks. Brittni Guttman of Allstate Insurance and Bubb’s Grub are locked in an EPIC BATTLE for the league championship, both with 4-4 records. With just the one game left, ain’t gonna be no tie here. In Competitive, however, the door just never opened for Big Bear Garage Doors, who are currently 1-7 with one game left. Beyond Clean just totally mopped up all season long. The Cleaners are 7-1 with one game left. Maybe they’ll take mercy on the Bears and let ‘em outta their den this last game. Your author will be in New Hampshire fishing the Connecticut River and so therefore will be spared taking another loss on the mound.
SaddleBrooke Rattlers
By the who, a group of softball junkies, traveling under the aliases of the “SaddleBrooke Rattlers,” traveled up to Payson and CLEANED UP at a recent tournament, going 6-0 over the two days to take down the championship!!!
Epilogue
Well, that’s a wrap, folks! Fall league games begin October 6 and continue through December 12. With the snowbirds drifting back south, there should be a full complement of games. Games will be Monday through Friday beginning at 8 a.m. or so until the weather begins to cool and the SSSA moves the times to later in the morning. So, come on down! Additionally, practices are on Saturday where you can tune the bat and glove. If you want more info, come on down—someone will yap with you. Or you can surf the SSSA online at saddlebrookesoftball.com.
Veteran’s Day Tournament
Mark your calendars! This tournament will be held on Saturday, November 8!!!! See you there.
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