Twas a dark and stormy..okay it wasn't it was overcast and threatening to rain but that's not as evocative.
this is though...GIRLS GONE WILD


Bd arrived with their usual attitude to getting there on time, well they arrived..

A strong team, a full complement of Girls, Girls, Girls and azor all ready to all fire it up was ready to start...

Our first inning was poor, we conceded far too many , and this would yet again mean we were on the back foot..

This however seemed like a different Team than the one we narrowly lost to last year, first and foremost they seemed to be a lot more aware of the rules...

I don't say this lightly but can we learn a few more , so that when adam tries and convinces me that we only need 3 girls in the field, when we need four someone else can back me up... ps.. the opposition all seemed to know this. grin

Despite the rain some quality hitting and some great defense (all the girls caught well Fiona caught a high pop up behind the plate and Marie was soo excited she fell over on the damp and slippy grass, trying to either back up or celebrate).

Notes to teams when they have less than 2 outs the best place to get the ball to to get an out is firts, it's quite hard to get someone out at home plate (in fact its only happened once in 2 years , and that was from a perfect throw from Nick to Ravi), who also knew when to to tag and when to stand on base for a force out.

BD have strangely developed a strategy which appears to be : 1 stunning inning of fielding and then one shoddy one. i think we get nervous and then try too hard, rather than having fun. usually this has meant we start ginving away runs on overthrows.

we then found ourselves 8 runs down going in to the last inning

this was partly due to the fielding the fact that the opposition were deliberately pitching badly to the strength of our batting Nick M, Gary B, Calvin, and when other got the ball down it seemed to find a fielder (Azor appears to be doing this a lot, sweet hitting for no result).

FACT: we have more fun http://www.succeedsocially.com/morefun we are obviously doing more these successfully than any other team.

FACT : we have better banter (Notes)

Boys banter > Girls banter (Sarah Silverman has nearly got it though ... ) > all other teams banter

FACT : WE LOST.. bugger

The Kiss Off: we Lost , I feel the right to take the fifth amendment and not t reveal the score...

Player of the game: Jo W for a stunning barehanded catch at secon base, some good hitting and then commitment to stay on base at 3rd..

Rookie of the Game: Lucy W : this ones a keeper, a little bit timid, but it's a start and another lefty too boot...
additional Rookie of the game: Ed Gregory - played well and was clothed to boot, admittedly I was worrieds when he turned up with basketball sneaks, basketball shorts.. and looked ready to shoot hoops.. however he had bee told it was SOFTball, and not B-Ball..

Play of the Game: Jo W ; a great bare handed catch down at second
Honorable mention: Fiona catching a pop fly, and Marie, coming into back her up falling down due to the slippy grass
And Nick M catching a ball from above a certainly quite concerned Lucy...

Trash talk moment of the game, Gary inducing an opposition batter to swing for a ball that was so short it was ridiculous
Honorable mention to Adam A, who was helpfully calling the balls and strikes , however he seemed to be getting this wrong..

FACT : NICK M can turn any lipstick (i.e. hot) Lesbian straight given 5 minutes naked in a room. (for more information on why this island gave it's name to lesbian , check out either the poems of Sappho, or visit the island)

FACT : BD girls rule, we just need more of you.
FACT : Next Tuesday (5th August) is our last game, we need you

The Team
Antonio L (El capitano) - King of Captains
Ravi - King of coaching and master of rules
Adam Drama Razor , Vice Captain, and King of Competitiveness
Gary B - King of trash Talk
Calvin , the Big C - The King of Pitching
Rob S - king of First base, and talking the talk
Ed G - King of Basketball gear
Ian W - King of the pregame warmup and the outfield
Nick M - King of Conversions and throws form the outfield

The BD Girls
Marie P - Queen of the 3 peaks and Rosé wine (though she was drinking bottled beer)
Fiona F - Queen of the 3 peaks and Yoga
Lucy W - Queen Of Rookies and Left handed women
Jo W - Queen of Second base..and the hardest accent in the world to place

Just a final note another Ex-softballer has left these shore louisa h has departed for shore foreign.. have fun be safe and woof!

or should be gold-digga


After a classic piece of slightly rubbish turning up late we started batting: and boy did we bat,

4 runs, and we batted round (this means that everyone got a bat in the first inning, we were awesome).. we had one out in that first inning and that was Ravi and it was a catch on a hit to the outfield...
The last 2 outs were for the 2 girls who didn't turn up,

NOTE TO ALL BD Girls We need you...Marie and Fiona and the others who have turned up have been heroic




Our fielding was a bit less impressive and despite being solid , we conceded four runs

BD 4 - 4 Team Bling

At this point whilst catching the opposition catcher spoke :
"I can't throw properly , I'll have to take off the Diamond."~

Team Bling Bling factor 8 Bd Bling factor 0

The next inning we again batted well, but were robbed by one good catch, and a bit comedy baserunning we lost a couple of scoring opportunities.

Our fielding and batting excellence was exemplified by a number of things over the next 2 innings.

Antonio, in the running for the most improved player of the year , caught a difficult over the shoulder running away catch,

Fiona then channeling the spirits of natasha F running for second base and then cruching into
there second basewoman, and slightly stepping on her head (but just a little bit)..
Most importantly she got on base.

We then had Marie snagging a hard hit line drive from Team blings official blingtatsic mascot (minus the rock)..

Eat that Bling witch

Team Bling Bling factor 6 Bd Bling factor 4

We then started our own bd fashion statement : Padmore & Bonsels had opted for bare feet and they were doing the business


Note: At this point Gary had already hit 1 base clearing home runs..
More was to come.

We then blanked the opposition, a smart double play with a catch by ravi and then a throw to
Antonio down at second and then a good bit of pitching by Azor, meant they had but up a zero

Unfortunately , We than had the blip and in this close game this finally told we conceded to many runs especially when we dropped a couple of easy outs, and then got overexcited and gave a couple of overthrows...

Gary at this point continued his assault on the opposition in fact they were really starting to show some major respect, dropping back.

Didn't work, he went the opposite way and snaged another home run for 2 runs..
Good work that man.

However despite timely hitting and patience at the plate, our lack of Girls
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJrSyFpK3iQ

paid and we ended up losing an even bigger scoring opportunity.

the kiss off: we lost 18-16
2 Girls down and we only lost by 2

The kiss-off part 2 : where are the other bd gals..

The Team:

Gary B
Marie P
Antonio
Nick P
The Razor
Rob Sw
Ravi
Fiona

Player of the game: Gary B; The man with the big bat almost single handedly tried to win the game on his own
Honorable mention : The Razor for another sterling Pitching effort, keeping it tight and taught

Play of the game: Ravi, despite his best efforts making a meal of a routine catch, turning a double play, by catching the runners retreating major props to antonio for making the out.

Honorable mention: Antonio for his difficult over the shoulder catch
sooper honorable mentions marie for her catch , catching a well hit shot from miss thang the queen of the Bling Bling or Bling witch

Comeback on the Week: The Razor reaction to the Bling babe and her comment which everyone in Primrose hill could hear

New term alert sacrifice fly: adam azor got himself a run batted in , if you are going to get out, this is the way to do it.
He creamed a great shot to deepish left field but was caught , however since we had enough out Ravi was able to tag up and then run in...

Natasha Fromberg award for commitment: Fiona

Stephen Hawking Award for clever play on the bases : Rob Sw for getting a run while Fiona was barrelling over the opposition

This weeks Intimidator award for taking on the other team : marie P for plunking a memebr of the other team in the back of the head with the ball

Rookie of the week: Martin 'The stalker' Walker
Adam's mate who despite being injured played and played well


NOTES: More girls...Bottle openers hey and let's win , let's get on to those rules

Are you ready?



We are down to our last three games , and due to the weather. and other activities , including broken legs, and then disappearing people we haven't yet managed to win our first proper game.


So here's a reminder of the dates , the where and the when , cos i really want to win one.!!!
Tomorrow
Tuesday 22 July 2008 vs OC&C Primrose Hill Pitch 1

next week
Wednesday 30th july vs Geronimo G Force Primrose Hill pitch 1
We nearly beat this lot last year.. and should have done. But with our bold newish team I really think this is eminently winnable..


in a fortnight or so
Tuesday 5th August 2008 vs dassler Regent's park pitch 16
Apparently this lot are competitive and don't play withthe spirirt of the game, so I'd like to beat this lot too..

So check your workloads, get the holidays sorted and let the captain know..

Do you believe.. I do I want you too..

So here's an early call to all of you ..in no particular order the Big C,Rob S, The Razor, The intimidator, Marie P, Jo White, Nick M, Nick C, , Nick P, Lynton, Natasha F, Georgie MH, Fiona, Ian W, Alex H,Emma , Alex B , Antonio, Caroline P, Callum W, and the indomitable Harker...

Woof

The captain:
doing a good job of organisation there appears to be less trauma getting players together, however, need more beer,, and to get there early so we an practice
bad points coming to a game with out the kit!!

The coach:
average to middling, needs to do better with the blogs, a bit more coaching , and organisation so that we can stay in the games

Most Improved player: Marie P
getting better especially when she doesn't try and hit the ball to hard

The wow where the bloody hell did that come from I want more of this this player is rather good award,:
Nick M, nuff said

The White House award for political intrigue
Adam Azor for going from being Vice Captain to Team Mascot, what did you say to Antonio?

Rookie of the year: No individual awards , though high turnover and work commitments we have had quite a few rookies, SO I am not going to single any particular ones...All so far have been stars and steady progress has been made by all, Alex B, Marie P

The honorary Louisa Harker No longer works at BD Player of the year award: clarita (I apologise for any misspellings), because she is related to someone(Antonio) and hasn't even played before

The Special Jacklyn Magafa arriving late award:
for coming at the eleventh hour Louisa Harker,


The played well but need you to play more award:
Alex Hoffler (palyed in a game that didn't count and tehn got her car taxed and then went late night shopping), gutted!!!
Nominees included Nick Collins (if he played every week we could have a good battle with the other Nick for batting title)
Lynton P
Jo White

The Rob Sellers trash talker award: Gary B, the return of the intimidator, got at least 2 outs by goading the other teams in to swings

The Adam Azor Award for Competitive edge, and flirting with the enemy : Adam Azor for that game against the Badgers.

The half term Caroline Page Player of the year so far award: Nick M

General Notes to the team :
good work so far, butWe need to win one
More Beer
Girls flirt with the opposition , get in their heads,
Can we get a a bit more cheering on the sidelines while drinking the beer

Baserunning : we can get so many more runs by learning a bit of this
A runner legally touching a base is "safe"—he may not be put out. Runners may attempt to advance from base to base at any time (except when the ball is dead), but must attempt to advance when forced--when all previous bases are occupied and the batter becomes a runner. When a ball is hit in the air, a fly ball, and caught by the defending team, runners must return and touch the base they occupied at the time of the pitch—called tagging up—after the ball is first touched. Once they do this, they may attempt to advance at their own risk.

And can we get someoe else to do the scoring when I bat

It's like join the dots.. it's quite easy

Back we came despite the threat of rain and we had a full complement of girls, in fact we had an excess of players.


But we had a down side, No Calvin, The Big C was not present to pitch .. this left us with a quandry. who would do it...

Well we got a a Rafa, Gary B stepped in to the big shoes, and by gum he was good..

The other team however had turned up with out enough players , and our captain said we'd give them 2 girls..

after a hullabaloo, we gave them Marie and Fiona.

Moral victory BD 1- Momentum 0


Note to captain: Marie is not being given away, she is playing far too well , I don't care how many camels the ther team offers us.



We'll have to find another sacrifice.. like edward woodward


We batted well we fielded well we just have to sharpen up on the base running.. (We had a situation where we got 2 people out.).

The team:
Alex B (Getting Better)
Fiona showing some improvement in the genral fielding
Gary B
Nick M
Georgie MH
Rob Sw
John Ab
Nick P
Ravi M

Rookie Alert we had a couple of rookies who played pretty well however they seemed to play better when playing aginst us, please stop that.

Georgie MH
Emma
Melissa
and Clarita (Antonios sister, who had a good hit and got on base).

Note to coach
Good fielders at first shortstop and in the outfield, and we need to play a little deeper in the outfield.

This was close and we should have lost this
however due to the good graces of the opposition it was called a draw

Moral Victory
BD 1 Momentum 1

Player of the match: Gary B, pitching well ,and the trash talk was ace, you got at least 2 outs by sweet talking the opposition girls in to swinging at the balls.
Honorable mention Georgie MH hasn't played since she was 10 , got a base hit
Play of the match :Marie , scoring a run for th eoposition , now if we ran like than we could batter the opposition
Special mention: Nick M, He has a cannon for an arm, he hits, and well he's very good.. hmm,
he's playing Clean up hitter for all the matches.

Rookie Alert:
Emma a little timid but played well
Melissa also a good game
Georgie MH

Now we need you guys to come along regularly.

Import of the week: Jacki magafa, can't stay away from the softball coming many thousand miles, and still showing she's got the competitive player despite having no shoes, she got on base.

Having lost the previous game 10 - 6 and also blanked the opposition for the last 2 inning spirits were sort of high, apart from the fact , we had a lot of drop outs...some were even for reallybad reasons like getting their car taxed, or late night shopping (Yes I mean you Alex Hoffler, this payback for the previous weeks)... not too mention Galstonbury and assorted other "lame" excuses.. bd arrived late, and undermanned (or should that be underwomened (mad up word alert)).

The team of

Ravi

Marie

Nick M

Calvin

Claire

Antonio

Natasha

Adam

Fiona and eventually Louisa (More on this heroic effort later) played

Despite the presence of an even more competitive dopelganger Ravi on the other side meant that we batted first . and by gum a star was born , Having got on base with a comfortable single .

Nick M came to the plate , 2 out sand 1 on,

and






Home Run nick .

BD were up 2 nothing but couldn't capitalise....

snap forward we fielded well and were right in it at the end of the inning

2 - 2

Then what is fast becoming a strength became a weakness, we conceded 4 run and couldn't respond putting us down (eventually for the count).

This was the point were our lack of girls hurt us, we didn't have enough outfield protection and every so often we had to tak ethe automatic out.

Our hitting was timely and over the next couple of inning we were starting to claw it back when we suddenly surrendered a couple of runs, usually on misfields... and occassionally at crucial moments.. come on guys.. I believe..

Then some thing happened, one of the opposition was running down the line , when he tripped over first base, and heard something go ...Crack and not Amy Winehouse's favourite substance.

He had actually broken his fibula

That's not his x-ray that would have been really ghoulish.

However The Ambulance proceeded to take an hour (they couldn't find Regents Park apparentl) , and that sort of killed the game we were just getting into, and Lousia had arrived literally minutes early.. just in time to see the game called off...

Player of the Game: Nick M

Play of the Game : Nick booming one out of the park

honorable mentions:

Antonio making a captins decision when required, the player was injured we played on a bit but it wasn't fun, and you know what , calling it was the right decision especially as we started bleeding runs since I was the only person in the outfield.

Rookie of the game: he should win all the awards, but I a giving Rookie of the game award to Tash Fromberg, with a special to the patron sait of lost causes,St Jude, when the opposition punted a blantant home run Natasha ran it down with all the conviction she brings to work...

Super Honorable mention : Louisa H, for turning up beyond the call of duty

First and foremost with more commitments than an Alan Parker Film , I have been dormant, and the nexts posts will be weak.. commitment to the team, the usual damage that is trying to sort out who plays where, and the general lackadaisical attitude mean that I have not had the usual notes and so forth..however I vow to return , with new impetus.. oh and maybe even a new look..

The first competitive game, the juices were flowing, and the captain.. he was missing.. he had despite advanced warning conspired to buy tickets to see Roger Waters at the O2..

Now all together..BOOO!!!!

after a last minute dash because I hadn't been given a proper list of players... we started batting, and despite some good hitting we didn't get any runs

We started fielding , and a great hit in the deep was caught by Ian, it looked like it was going to be a tense close game. but it started unravel, timely hitting, knowledge of the rules meant we gave up 4 runs, but they did earn all of them..

The second inning so everyone got in the game we ended up with rob sellers pitching .. err I say pitching but it was more a case throwing the ball in the general direction of the batters.

Unfortunately after this inning we were down 11- 2

2 good runs being scored on some quality small ball (this means advancing runners)

It got worse...

Despite a brief rally in one of the later innings here we got lots of hits (against their inexperienced outfield) and runs (5)
Good work Rob Sw, Calvin, Jo, Fiona ,Sellers, Collins(who got a a home run despite crashing over at first base- the Showboat)

the final ignominy.. err score

The Badgers (Think tank) 29 the Bulldogs 7



Player of the Game: Rob Sellers
getting hits, bantering all the time, and pitching so bad it was almost high comedy. yes we were on a hill ..but.. having said that overall he played well
Super Honorable mention: Nick Padmore to come in and rescue a bad inning
Honorable mentions to Adam , for getting the team to the pitch on time, having had an enormous squad assembled by the errant captain

Comfortably numb of the Game: Antonio for manfully going to a gig instead of captaining his team in their first competitive game putting his body on the line

Rookie of the Game : Jo White quality play down at second base, and another potential superstar

Play of the Game: Ian Woodley for a quality catch to start the fielding off
Honorable mention : Rob Swainson for hitting a great inside the park home run


Super Honorable Food mention to Alan Maund for the usual spread.


Team:
The R-Azor
Calvin The Big C
Rob Sellers Sellers
Rob's friend Jack (No Nickname)
Jo White (No Nickname yet)
Marie The Straddler Peyto
Rob Sw Let's f##k this sh#t up
Louisa The Big Hurt
Fiona François (No Nickname yet)
John The runner Ab
Nick (N-Pad) P
Nick The Face Collins
Chris L (C-Lock)
Lynton The south african sensation P
Ian Wooders W


Feel free to come up with other nicknames (true untrue, wildly inaccurate, or harsh, all suggestions welcome).

Having already inflicted a crushing defeat on the London 2012 team. (admittedly they didn't turn up). We organised a scratch game against the Man eating Badgers.. however slightly under
numbers and without a pitch...

with a random passerby supplementing the badgers , and limping bd coach.. the game was on..

BD showed the usual qualities, good batting, great vocal support, and a bit of random action in the field..

an even game for fun was mostly shaded by the badgers, however there were definitely some diamonds.

the "new" bulldogs girls Alex, Alex and marie have been especially good, Hoeffllerererererrrerrrr (not the hoffmeister) was especially good, apparently she's good with the rounders (no not the matt damon poker film).

notes: to team , we really have to work at the fielding and runnign, then we will win a lot more..

In a generally fun game on a nice day, there were still a few incidents of note, antonio flashing the leather, made a couple of very nice palys and catches, every game he plays he gets better, this time next year, who knows...

Nick Collins showed his athletic prowess in the Outfield.. and did it without showing the face...

For all the women of BD, it's true Adam R-Azor is in love.. The opposition was only fielding one young lady Charlotte, and somehow despite the short time they have known each other, it must be said I think an impression was made on the Razor.. twice Charlotte hot a ball softly to Adam, the first time he contrived to misfield it was unlucky , the second time was dubious, howeve
it was in sharp contrast when Joe from the badgers hit a cracking drive, which Adam dynamically jumped and caught robbing him of extra base hits...


Dark Horse of the day award: Alex Hoffler
Play of the Day: Antonio showing some skills.

Player of the Day : Adam Azor or should that be Charlotte.. your call

right all prepped for the real deal monday.. more information and full on entry on Monday..

Yes dear reader's it's time to don your trainers, gird your livers, the summer is somewhat tentatively here, and that means the wonderful shambles that is bd softball.

regardless of the departures
Horobin, Page, Magafa, Watt there appear to be a new crop of fresh faces for the slaughter ... err.. fun



Having sai dthat apparently much arm twisting.. (a quick call) means that we will occassionally have the services of Motha, and Harker and Page and Watt ...and later on in the year magafa for a special straight from oz edition...

well here's to this season... the new captaincy of Antonio and well the general shambles that is our fielding and base-running

With heavy heart, the softball blog has to report the departure of one of the giant of the bd softball team, after the apparent crushing news that captain caroline left to go to ..shh..Mother...(softball ed: commies) and then with the coach departing to the refined air of jwt... Jackyln Magafa, the girl on first base. hands or no hands.
has not only decided to leave the softball team, but has taken it a step further and has decided to leave the country..

She's going to Australia..

What have they got that we haven't??
sunshine, Little creatures, more deadly animals than you can shake a snake (careful with this link)at , men at work

okay admittedly it's an impressive list.

but what the fu...

In Breaking News :
---------------------------
Harry is no longer fighting the Taliban but has returned to convince Magafa to stay by order of the MoD.

A royal spokesman said "It is a national disaster, we must try and keep all the good ones, and fighting the Taliban must take second place to the requirement of First base for the BD Bulldogs."

Harry was heard to say "Of course, I'll return to England! I'll give her the full court press,if Chelsy will let me"
-------------------------
End of Breaking news alert

Antonio Lulic the incumbent captain and organiser of the bulldogs sobbed quietly as he said "It won't be the same, she said of all the things she was going to miss, it was the softball that nearly convinced her to stay"

Rob Swainson chimed in with "Let's f*ck their sh!t up"

drinks are to be held , check out jacki's facebook page

Welcome to the inaugural BD softball awards for playing a part in and out of the soft ball Team



MVP : caroline P



Most Improved
Antonio


Commitment to cause
Louisa


Gym membership award: Woodley

Special Mention:Louisa harker


Best play Double play
Ian W and Rob Sw


If i contact something will die award
Calvin S

Special Mention:
Ian W and Callum W




To cool for School
Callum
Special Mention Gemma DH for that roll





We love ringers award for playing fro the bulldogs

Jess p
matt h
Lousia
John (caroline's boyf)
Gorana




The team we liked
man eating badgers facebook or Think Tank, cheers guys

Think Tank had 18 players , and their own catering.. mmm ...They also took the game seriously , and had loads of fun...

Bd batted first , and ravi, having forgotten his belt played like a four year old, clutching his jeans running the bases, when he wasn't sliding completely unnecessarilyinto bases. no runs but plenty of great hitting... and lots of style..

Think Tank batted , and were very good at hitting and fielding (and catering)

however it was during the second inning when our first disaster struck, antonio playing well down and 3rd base, went to field a sharply hit grounder, which fizzed up of the uneven ground and hit him flush on the knee...meaning we were a man down However he did have his own personal catering service.
We also discovered that despite Gary "Rafa" Bonsels absence we have a new intimidator at 1st base...Jacki "Takes no Prisoners" Magafa. While playing first Jacki's competitive Aussie genes kicked in and this manifested itself on a routine force at first. first she caught the ball, then because the girl had overrun, jacki then tagged her, it then rather bizarrely turned into a small shoving match ,(which Jacki won), obviously she apologised..

Rather than doing a inning by inning as normal I am going to do a Sandwich by Sandwich rundown: note the comments are no criticism but notes on my palate..grin

We had a fourth inning stretch..(our version of the 7th inning stretch), however ours had more food

Coronation Chicken: a tiny bit to creamy and mild, I like a bit more spice

We eventually scored our first run, when Dee, with some excellent batting, plated calvin who had managed to get through to third. on a dubious bit of baserunning...

Good work Dee (who stepped into Ant's shoes (metaphorically)).

Pork pies (tasty good but a bit dry, needed a dip)

The following inning , was punctuated by some comedy fielding by the BD infield which caused us to shuffle the pack (Think Tank then started really hitting the ball, like in Home runs)..

However we weren't helping ourselves one long ball was corralled by callum who threw a stunner from deep right to the cutoff, who relayed it to home plate, where another dodgy bounce meant it pinged up and caught Captain Caroline on her head (I feel so guilty for that throw), fortunately because she's a trooper, and made of stern stuff she carried on!!!

Crisps and caroot sticks (Nice variety, but definitely need a houmus or salsa)

Rob Swainson then took matters into his own hands , and hit a great low drive which bissected the fielders , and allowed him to charge for a four bagger or Home Run

About this time the light started to fade badly, Jacki was hit on her wrist trying to field a hard hit comebacker (possibly because Jason on the other Team had just robbed Callum and Calvin with 2 great catches).

We did however finish with a showboat, with no small amount of skill I caught an easy but high fly ball to end the inning, and then proceeded to stun the 2 people watching by doing some keepie uppies a la Woodley....

the game was called they won, but as games to lose go this was one of the better ones..

Party eggs (Quality all round, can't go wrong with a party egg, it could only be beaten by a real Scotch Egg!!!)

Player of the Game: Jacki
getting hit, playing hard and playing well

Super Honorable mention to Callum throws from the deep

Injury of the Game: Antonio for manfully putting his body on the line
super honorable mentions to Jacki (getting an X-rays not a CT Scan) and Caroline

Rookie of the Game : lea w for turning up and supporting us (and drinking beer)
Special mention: dee for do the scoring when I was batting..

Team:
Adam
Antonio
Callum
Calvin
Dee
Jacki
Rob Sw
Stef
Ravi
Louisa (The loud drunk one the other team liked)
Caroline

Watch out on Monday for the awards special.. and roll on next year and next season.. go Bulldogs (Woof!)

well it's bright yellow and round, this ball will do!!!

the bulldogs (arf!) rocked up unusually on time, but met a team , that knew the rules , knew the game , played in lots of other leagues..

after 2 innings the game was up, and the lack of beer was telling (We only had wine.. well we were in posh primrose hill)...

Raiders 22 - 0 BD

The raiders were taking the game too seriously.. way to seriously.. I mean shin pads for a game of Softball???

Lest said the better.. however as a footnote to this game: We know about "the Game ball"
The pressure is on the pitcher

and have I mentioned "fucking shinpads"!!!

Player of the game : Rob Sellers for talking the entire game, and keeping the banter good clean , and completely dirty..
Play of the Game: everyone Every single player got a hit
Rookie of the week: Amanda - it's a pity you played agianst the only not for fun team in the league...

Moral victory: BD we outscored them for the final 4 inning. it was just a pity about the first 2

just a little bit more ... to quote the acceptable but thankfully very short lived career of Gina G....

The Bulldogs (Woof! ) brimming with confidence despite the absence of Star pitcher Calvin came to the rescheduled game... on Primrose hill to find no umpire , no kit... and an opposition stunned by our new amazing t-shirts (which are a tiny bit tight around the neck).

However with No umpire slated to look after the game , and none of the opposition being ready to call a game it fell to yours truly to put of his impartial hat and become Switzerland (without the Swiss Army knives , the guarding of the Pope (no I didn't wear one of the suits said to be designed by Michelangelo, apochryphally ) or the banks ), and umpire both sides of the game.

Surely we should be getting extra points for that alone...

The game started with pitcher Matt H throwing well getting a number of induced swings, however having pitched and fielded with composure the middle the third were to be the undoing of BD.. Adam a , came in for relief and initially struggled to get a good line and length and conceded a number of runs, which were alter to prove critical.

down 9 -4
going into the top of the fifth inning , Geronimo suddenly mentioned that the game should only be 5 inning as we had changed the day (despite agreeing this well in advance)

giving up one run on a walk set up the play of the game ..

Ian W having had a reasonably busy time in the out field , was called upon again, when a long hanging fly ball was hit.. tracking it down he made a great snatch out of the air, and proceeded to bask in the glory by indulging in some well executed keepie-uppies.. however one of the opposition players had gone to early expecting a fumble, and was having to retreat.. not having tagged up...

suddenly the realisation dawned that a double play might be on, Ian , plucked the ball out the air , and fired in an absolute rocket , straight in to the glove of Rob Swainson at 2nd

coming into the final inning we scored lots of runs and put immense pressure on the opposition

we lost by a single run...we had a lot of moral victory , but they feel more Pyrrhic. we need to play a little bit more consistently...

Player of the game: the opposition pitcher who like a gold fish with a bad memory kept trying to turn a safe single into a double , and kept getting tagged out each and every time.. surely he should have learned , he just kept giving us easy outs..
Super Honorable mentions to Adam A and Matt H who pitched heroically to keep us in the game long enough to make it almost possible for our bats to win the game

Play of the Game: the Woodley shuffle, great catch , great keepie ups, great throw, and a brilliant hold by Rob to cap it off
Super Honorable mention to Rob Sw for great hitting , and keeping his head despite a dubious call because everyone was not paying attention

The Kissoff :
We lost breaking the bubble.
nuff said.. the batting is still getting better and we are getting contributions from everybody.. now we just need to sort of the rules , on base running , and be a bit sharper in the field... oh what a a great thing hind sight is .. this was so about to bite us in the next game...

First it was Wednesday... but Euros called Caroline (trooper) and asked for us to reschedule..

EEK!!!!
We were always going to be tight on players due to the clash with the ISP tournament... (still huge major props to all the brasil boys...now to finish it!)

We were missing
Antonio - Holiday, getting stung by Jellyfish according to his Facebook
Jacki - Holiday
Dee - Holiday
Debs - Holiday
The intimidator - brasil
Collins - brasil
Jess P - not brasil but the ISP Tournament, and the having a life thing
Clarke - brasil

The reschedule to Thursady then didn't help , and despite a full workload , and coursework Caroline wrangled a team.. despite additional drop outs from the girls , due to work and prior commitments(Stef and Louisa and yes damn it Jacki was still on Holiday). yes it was going to be debatable becuase we had more boys than strictly allowed

but major thanks to everyone Alex G, Dan C,Rob Sellers, Rob Swainson, Callum, Seb, Calvin, Adam Azor, Ian Woodley and Ben G...

Having just confirmed a 10th person, got everyone suited in the spiffing new T-Shirts (YAY! Debs).

GAME OFF...
takes deep breath...BOOOOO!!!!!!
because Euros lost 2 players at the last minute beside the fact they were the ones to reschedule...

RUBBISH

We get more points and depending on fixtures else where we might have even moved up a place , though the 10 runs scored I think sells our batting short...

Play of the week :the last minute cancellation for a walk over...
Player of the Week: Caroline Page.. Sooper Trooper (okay I couldn't find a really appropriate link becuase Super trooper is a really bad film..rogue trooper on the other hand is much cooler) for getting a Team together despite all the obstacles in her path.. work , coursework, and people having lives...

Okay big game next week .. no football clash..we have a lot more people back..
We can do it.. so lets go for promotion... especially considering the team we just beat is top of the Table ,and the other teams above us are close on points and we have already played.. so

Let's go Bulldogs(Woof!)

Pos.	Team Name	P	W	L	Drawn	For	Against	Diff.	Points
1	Euro RSCG - Eurotrash	7	5	0	1	145	60	85	34
2	BlowUp Media	6	4	1	1	121	80	41	27
3	Three Blind Mice	6	3	2	0	85	65	20	26
4	BD BullDogs (Woof!))	7	2	3	0	67	82	-15	24
5	Betgenius	6	3	3	0	113	133	-20	24
6	London Raiders	6	1	3	1	94	75	19	23
7	The Think Tank	5	2	1	1	78	74	4	22
8	Metrica	6	1	4	0	56	77	-21	22
9	Geronimo	6	1	2	1	66	73	-7	19
10	Latitude	6	2	2	1	73	85	-12	19
11	London 2012	1	2	1	75	108	-33	13
12	Litelogic	6	0	2	1	24	93	-69	7

or No Alla Violenza (see New Order World In Motion mixes)

in part 1 of a 2 part special.. major props to BD Brasil.... Heroes despite Stroudley naming his boots.. picture soon

in all games BD Brasil only allowed one goal (through Strouds), via the shoes/knees of Strouds.... so be good to the the following Inaugural champions of the ISP 5 a side tourney..
so clear a space on reception,

Please please please
and can we get one more BD Brasil shirt so the players can sign and frame it .. for posterity..or at least next week!!!!

The Team
Gary - The Guv'nor /the Intimidator Bonsels
James - the ginger Prince and The overall golden/ginger boot Gillingham or should that be Green
Kel 'look at that Dragback' Okerechi
Nick 'the face' Collins
Dermot Deever (sorry no nick name yet mate)
Nick "Own Goal - Strouds" Stroudley - sorry mate (He was genuinely good otherwise grin)
Warren "Hero" Dawes for the penalty and the eventual winning goal in the semis
Dan "Take no Prisoners" Shone
Chris " Rossi" Ross playing through the cramp..

Special Mention ND won everything .. ginger/golden boot (James G), and the trophy good luck to anyone trying to get it off him...this includes you Ghill...!!!
Here's a news story for the web site Rob...


Special mention to the support
Chris Clarke (also BD Brasil)
Adam Azor (also BD Brasil)
Tim Dalton (Broken Wrist)

and the other bloke with the T-Shirt
Clear a space we have a trophy....

Ladies and gentlemen I give you BD Brasil..check out Facebook.. for a one set of photos.. more to come, BD football blog, and more pictures.. including some adobe potato-shopped ones of the ones I took in really bad light with my 7 year old camera...

BD won. Be proud!!

Roughly on time, in the darkest depth of regents park!!! Pitch 8 so far it some where near Northwick park ....

a pretty rag bag but battle hardened bunch despite our jeans and casual appearance we were ready behind the motivator Azor , who I am pretty sure never stopped talking apart form when he dropped that catch...

We were missing the combined talents of:
Chris C (No Nickname yet!!)
The intimidator..nuff said (exams)
Nick 'the face' Collins / or Nick 'The bunny hop' Collins
and Antonio "the slider" Lulic ,
however we bit the bullet and carried on and the usual suspects started ip

we started the game a man.. or should I say woman down but after heroics and commitment to the cause, got our full complement from Jacki No Hands M(Sorry!!)

Metrica were game for a laugh, and were about as serious as we were, regardless of the the lack of the Intimidator, and "I really need to win" Azor...

As the home team we started fielding but our typical slow start saw us conceding 3 runs mostly with induced ground balls being misfielded.. this is our best first inning in the field..

BD 0 Metrica 3

Then we went to work and after to quick outs from our leadoff men richard and Adam, we continued to bat right down the order scoring 5
and a good strong performane with the bats was again highlighted by a strong first inning where we scored 5 runs

which could have been more had Adam "second chance" A ran clean by second and got tagged on the way back... booger.!!! and we also left Dee and steph on base...

To quote Wil ... RUBBISH (in joke alert), however something which is not in the slightest bit rubbish are the domino state

BD 5 Metrica 3

we then got blanked... gutted.. with Don Bradman .. err...Richard Wood s getting struck out on low cricket shot balls..even if he has the smoothest swing apart from "slo mo" Horobin...

remember Richard by the ankles is a shot to leave!!!

the top of the 3rd saw metrica catch up and the tension ratcheted.. well just a bit, okay not in the slightest, apart from the bit where I couldn't find a bottle opener.. that was quite tense

BD 5 Metrica 5
A good next half inning in the field saw us only give up 2 runs but were were behind

BD 5 Metrica 7
No problems
bottom of the fouth and we showed our class, and everything we had learnt (including Staying on bases)

our late arriving aussie (Jacki..yay!)/ Stef combined to provided a platform to score more, despite steph's (I hate the ball) of the ball to score more runs.. on the back of louisa still not being able to run, (Major props to stef and the Jacki, for doing Louisa running)

Bd 9 - metrica 7

we then traded zeroes and we were then reinforced by our cheerleader... yay! sheila!!! Is sheila our Lucky charm possibly??...you decide dear readers

Then Calvin shone despite a couple of plays where he slipped.. he shone by dominating like Josh Beckett, or Johan Santana without the promise of a Cy Young or a gold glove.. a clever tag out on one guy who ran to third and didn't hit the bases properly...and then 2 sharp catchs off the bat put an end to the Metrica revival..

We ended up putting one more run in the top of the fifth. Dee being brought home by good base hitting... Dee in action

BD 10 Metrica 7

While one of the previous innings was all about Calvin, the rest of the team were well in to it even Steph ,who despite her protestations ("I hate that ball!!!") seemed to attract a lot of the ball especially at second base...

Adam A then proceeded to give the opposition hope by dropping a simple fly ball at shortstop by not calling. (We are a communications agency .. talk to each other people!!), however redemption was soon at hand when he caught a much tougher catch.

and this along with a VERY sharp catch and throw by Ian W to our cap'n fantastic Caroline got us out of one inning and put up another zero with runners on base,

Caroline was also involved in some good catches and a clever force play...

With our confidence brimming, we entered the top of the 7th and Final inning leading by 3 runs..

good pitching sensible fielding and bosh.. BD won

....AGAIN


Notes: We can still play better, we are learning to back up, we are learning the talk and to talk to each other and oh and did I mention,we are winning. More of that please

Play of the game: Ian W to Caroline.. this was a pivotal moment , we were just up and between Ian's great catch sans "Bunny Hop" (take notes Nick C, making "the face" is all well and good, but you need to complete..grin)... and a good throw to Caroline who watched the ball all the way to her glove....

honorable mention : Adam dropped the longest and easiest catch ever , and then making a much tougher one , 1 batter later

Rookie of the Week .Stef.. went 1 for 4 but ran for lousia and played great in her first game.

props to Adam A who was still intense but hit each time at bat..rather than trying to hard like glory hound motha

Player of the week: Caroline P for improving and playing a good turn at the hot corner even in one case with a camera....
Super Honorable mention for Jacki, who turned up .. hero

Calvin S for quality hitting and pitching , plus a 5th inning where he made all the outs with a tag .. and 2 catches from sharply it pitches...

Props to our cheerleader.. Sheila..who has promised to wear a cheaeerleader outfit if we win 5 games.. right only 2 more needed lads!!!

Commitment to the Cause award: Jacki M

special Softball mention to the man with one hand.. Tim "he got a broken wrist but still played on, okay he didn't realise it was broken but it was worth it for BD brasil" Dalton.. or TIMMEH! listen to him here .

The kiss - off
The Bulldogs (woof!) 10 - 7 Metrica
Our record w in 3 lost 3 pecentage 0.500 we were 5th last week and we are certain to go up... at least one place

The team

Rich "Bradman" Woods
Adam A
Louisa "Drama" H
Jacki M
Caroline P
Dee A
Stef D
Calvin
Ian W
Ravi "Statto/or Coach" M
Look No Hands

Oh and there are tryouts for the Allstar team with a trip to the US of A .. we are told this by our umpire who tapped up both Calvin and Jacki..

For more photos check out BD softball on Facebook

Tuesday: email is sent by team captain announcing 16 , yes count them people are up for the wednesday game.. despite the loss of 2 key players to injuury and work(is boston work??? grin).

Wednesday: slight chance of rain. then BOOM, we win our Opponents Litelogic revolutions contacted us and said they couldn't raise a team..

Victory BD..

Our new record
Played 5
Won 2
Lost 3
Percentage 0.400

technically we have only played four but whose looking at that!!

As a result of the rain and cancellation. a number of people decided to continue with work or skip the game /practice.. (whispered in an accusatory tone)) you know who you are...( end of whispering).

10 intrepid or reckless sould (depending on your opinion) ventured out to keep in touch and practice an in some cases to play for the first time..

while searching for our pitch we came across a a team of mostly guys who were just "playing" for fun...

Fortunately despite the dropouts we had a team of ten, and these included Ian W and Adam A

The full team was

Calvin S
Ian W
Adam A
Rob Swainson (or Rob S as opposed to Sellers)
Louisa H
Caroline P
Matt H
Ravi
Jacki M
The intimidator Bonsels

The match started of with us pitching first and we only let in one run. a BD first the fewest runs we have conceded in the first innings ever..

As the game progressed the conditions worsened and turned what was quite a hard pitch into something of a slick surface.. something of which was going to play a part in 2 completely different plays.

The Bulldogs (Woof!) were not able to capitalise on this despite some very good batting and scored no runs

The second inning was also something of a poor showing in the field, something we had improved in the last couple of games ,possibly due to overexuberance on some of the aggresive throwing and occasionally slow running in the outfield , you know who you are Matt..(having said that considered what was to follow maybe he was on to something)

Our batting and particualrly at the plate has brought it own rewards, a couple of walks and we were well into the game, and looking to break back..a sharp slap hit propelled Ravi from first to second and a short fumble allowed him to go on to third , unfortunately what should have been an easy 2 bases was complicated by lack of appropriate footwear on the greasy surface.

As he was approaching third his lacking grip left started to slid, then it gripped and that started the patented Degville-Hayes roll. which ended up with him almost collided at taking out the third baseman (good footwork by him).

at this point we were 5 - 5 and something of a brouhaha erupted when Bulldogs (Woof!) were accused of taking this scratch game to seriously, and something of a delay took place , before apologies were excahnged and the game continued

The opposition however played a little more intensely and a couple of misfields (including a poor throw by myself contributed to the opposition scoring and a high flyball that hung in the air forever possibly confusing the intimidator who was expecting someone to try and push him over..but was ultimately dropped.) a couple of sharp plays later we were back in at bat , and behind the sluggers we started to wear the opposition down, our patience at the plate got runners on base for people like Calvin, The Intimidator, Rob S and Ian W to swing the bat with authority and and put the ball deep and in play so we can advance runners and score.

we eventually ran out winners by attrition with everyone getting on base at some point and good Slugging..

Play of the game : for apparently super high comedy:
Ravi for his ninja combat roll that nearly took out the 3rd baseman

Honorable Mentions: Rob S for his Home Run where the opposition almost willed him home (despite him slipping at nearly every base)..by throwing the ball behind him almost the entire time.

The INTIMIDATOR for that drop...
Caroline for discovering her field style is studdied nonchalance...

Player of the Game: Louisa for taking a lot of unnecessary flak,and still playing the catcher's role..

Rookie of the Game: Ian W for having a swing almostr as violent as Calvins, and which makes me want to wince eac h time , as I am sure someone is going to pull a muscle

Opposition play of the game: having the grace to apologise once they realised it was really a bit silly..never mind..

Honorable mentions: Matt H.. that's twice in 2 weeks.. Matt has apparently come up with a big hit with his stylish swing, that was robbed by a great catch..

Jacki M fo rhaving a solid game at second base despite some wayward throws from both the infield and outfield

The We thought Gary and Chris C were competitive but.. award goes to Adam A. take a moment nreath , and save it the dge for a game that counts

The Kissoff:

we won The Bulldogs (Woof!) 16 - 15 the scratch 11
(at this point the game was declared over, though considering the way we were batting it could have gone on)..

Notes:
Must field better..this means not trying to throw home too much, as this will just get us into trouble...and also calling for the ball and backing up..

When we bat, remember you don't have to try and hit everything , and you don't have to hit the skin off the ball... but it helps

Oh and I think for at least have an umpire for the next few games, as it will stop arguments.. until we and everyone else is a lot better with the rules..